Hong Kong: 2 isolation facilities repurposed

The Government today announced that the existing community isolation facilities (CIFs) in Tsing Yi and San Tin will be partially modified for short-term use. The arrangements will last for about one year.

The works will begin progressively within this month.

After necessary modifications, the Tsing Yi CIF will provide a venue and ancillary facilities to youth uniformed groups for holding training on flag raising, foot drill and other youth development-related activities.

The Home & Youth Affairs Bureau is liaising with relevant groups on the necessary modifications, the arrangements for using the venue and the facilities. The bureau will monitor the usage situation.

As for the San Tin CIF, upon completion of the necessary modifications, the Development Bureau will arrange for the Construction Industry Council to hold training courses and trade tests, including on-site training on the Modular Integrated Construction method regarding safety legislation, lifting and assembly to support a wider adoption of the method.

The owners of the San Tin CIF's private lots have agreed to continue lending the land for such purposes.

The Government said the proposed uses are beneficial to society, the economy and people's livelihood.

It will continue to review subsequent arrangements for other community isolation and treatment facilities with a view to maintaining its capacity to respond to changes in the epidemic situation while taking into account Hong Kong's economic, livelihood and social needs.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Researcher committed to conservation of Yangtze sturgeon in SW China's Yibin

Xinhua) 08:31, July 13, 2023

This file photo shows Zhou Liang (L, bottom) takes roes from a Yangtze sturgeon. Zhou Liang, 51, is the director of Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals. He started to study with his father the subject of artificial breeding of rare fish since 1993. (Xinhua)

Since the successful artificial propagation of parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon bred in the institute in 1998, the whole artificial propagation of the rare fish and the production of three generations of fry have been realized one after another.

Yangtze sturgeon, also known as Dabry's sturgeon, has lost its natural ability to reproduce since 2000 due to overfishing and water pollution, among other factors. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared the species extinct in the wild in July last year.

In March this year, a field breeding experiment is conducted in an inner river course of a section of the Yangtze River in Yibin. During the experiment, 10 male and 10 female mature parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon are released and eventually 8 female fish spawned more than 500,000 roes.

"Since 2007, we have been breeding and releasing Yangtze sturgeon fry in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River every year, and nearly 500,000 fry have been released so far," said Zhou, "Although this year's experiment is just a small breakthrough, it has great significance to us, indicating that the way we chose is right, and if we keep working, we will success one day."

This aerial photo taken on Oct. 12, 2021 shows the Fuxing breeding base founded by Zhou Liang and his father in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

This aerial photo taken on June 27, 2023 shows a breeding base jointly operated by Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Zhou Liang displays a Yangtze sturgeon at a breeding base jointly operated by Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Zhou Liang (1st R) talks with visiting students from China Three Gorges University at a breeding base jointly operated by Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Zhou Liang checks the fishpond at a breeding base jointly operated by Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 12, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Zhou Liang checks juvenile fish of Yangtze sturgeon at a breeding base jointly operated by Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

This photo taken on June 27, 2023 shows juvenile fish of Yangtze sturgeon at a breeding base jointly operated by Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

This combo photo shows Zhou Liang in his youth holding a Yangtze sturgeon (L, photo taken by Zeng Lang) and him holding a Yangtze sturgeon on June 27, 2023 (photo taken by Xinhua photographer Xu Bingjie). (Xinhua)

Zhou Liang shows a juvenile fish of Yangtze sturgeon at a breeding base jointly operated by Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

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More kids in the United States are getting a developmental disability diagnosis, with prevalence close to 9% in 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

Among 3- to 17-year-olds, 8.56% have ever been diagnosed with a developmental disability, compared to 7.4% in 2019, according to the agency's National Health Interview Survey.

The diagnoses are far more common among boys than girls. More than 1 in 10 boys had an intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder or any other developmental delay in 2021, the researchers reported.

Most of the increase fell into the category of "any other developmental delay," a broader category that includes speech disorders and learning disabilities.

This report is the first released by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) since it looked at trends between 2009 and 2017.

"Timely estimates are necessary to assess the adequacy of services and interventions that children with developmental disabilities typically need," wrote Benjamin Zablotsky, a statistician for the NCHS, and colleagues.

The report also noted that boys were more than three times as likely as girls to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

From 2019 to 2021, researchers found that rates of intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder did not have a statistically significant increase, with almost 2% of children having an intellectual disability and 3% having autism. But reports of children having any "other developmental delay" rose from about 5% in 2019 to about 6% in 2021.

"A lot of times developmental delays might be temporary diagnoses that evolve into something like autism, potentially, or intellectual disability. But also a lot of times children do age out of those," Zablotsky said in a CBS News report.

Among the other findings:



Asian children had less prevalence of any developmental disability compared to other races and ethnicities.

Prevalence of intellectual disability increased with age. Prevalence of "other developmental delay" decreased with age.

Rates of developmental disability for girls were just over 5%, much lower than for boys at nearly 11%.

Maureen Durkin , chair of University of Wisconsin-Madison's department of population health sciences, noted the constant increase in diagnoses with each survey. Durkin has previously pointed to improvements in diagnosing children,noted.

"In that sense, it could be a sign of progress, and a good thing. But it still opens up an entire agenda of things we need to do to prevent disability and improve outcomes overall," Durkin said.

Durkin noted improvements in care for newborns and increases in life expectancy for children born with Down syndrome.

Among the changes seen in recent years are that white children no longer have the highest rates of autism. In 2021, Black children had the highest rates.

"There's been an almost sea change in that in the last decade," said Durkin, who is also a primary investigator for the CDC's Autism Disabilities Monitoring Network in Wisconsin.

"For every time before there was this persistent disparity, with higher prevalence in white children, and in high socioeconomic status communities, which is unlike any other disability," Durkin said, noting risk factors in poorer and disadvantaged communities, including preterm birth and lead poisoning.

"It makes sense that there is higher prevalence, and points to things we could do to prevent it. But for a while, I think we were under-identifying autism," Durkin said.

More information: The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more on developmental disabilities.

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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A new national study, led by researchers at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, has found whole genome sequencing (WGS) to be nearly twice as effective as a targeted gene sequencing test at identifying abnormalities responsible for genetic disorders in newborns and infants. The study, "A Comparative Analysis of Rapid Whole Genomic Sequencing and a Targeted Neonatal Gene Panel in Infants with a Suspected Genetic Disorder: The Genomic Medicine for Ill Neonates and Infants (GEMINI) Study," was first published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on July 11, 2023.

This first-of-its-kind GEMINI Study enrolled 400 newborns and infants under the age of one year, with a wide variety of suspected, undiagnosed genetic disorders, at six centers across the United States. Each newbon/infant received both WGS, which can identify variants in all 20,000 genes in the human body, and NewbornDx, a targeted gene sequencing test which can identify variants in 1,722 genes known to be linked to genetic disorders in newborns/infants.

The researchers found that WGS detected a genetic disorder in 49% of patients, while the targeted gene sequencing test identified a genetic disorder in 27% of study participants. The targeted panel missed 40% of diagnoses that WGS captured. In addition, the researchers also found 134 new genetic diagnoses that had never before been described. Overall, 51% of patients in the study were diagnosed with a genetic disorder with either test.

"More than half of the babies in our study had a genetic disorder that would have remained undetected at most hospitals across the country if not for genome sequencing technologies," said Jonathan Davis, MD, Chief of Newborn Medicine at Tufts Medical Center and Co-Principal Investigator of the study. "Successfully diagnosing an infant's genetic disorder as early as possible helps ensure they receive the best medical care. This study shows that WGS, while still imperfect, remains the gold standard for accurate diagnosis of genetic disorders in newborns and infants."

But WGS is not without its disadvantages, the researchers noted. On average, it took nearly two full days longer (six days vs. four days) to receive routine results from WGS compared to the targeted gene sequencing test. The targeted test is also less expensive, and since it screens for specific genetic disorders that only appear in newborns and infants, its use eliminates the risk of unintentionally revealing potential health risks later in life, such as Alzheimer's disease or cancer, that the child's parents may not want to know.

The GEMINI Study also identified an additional concern: a lack of standardization in neonatal genetics interpretation. In 40% of cases, different laboratories disagreed on whether a mutually acknowledged gene abnormality was the cause of the suspected genetic disorder in the newborn/infant.

"Many neonatologists and geneticists use genome sequencing panels, but it's clear there are a variety of different approaches and a lack of consensus among geneticists on the causes of a specific patient's medical disorder," said Jill Maron, MD, MPH, Chief of Pediatrics at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island and Co-Principal Investigator of the study. "Genome sequencing can be costly, but in this targeted, at-risk population, it proves to be highly informative. We are supportive of ongoing efforts to see these tests covered by insurance."

Additional study sites include Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, Mt. Sinai Hospital, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh.

"This study provides further evidence that genetic disorders are common among newborns and infants," said Stephen F. Kingsmore, MD, DSc, President and CEO of Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine and a co-investigator and second author of the study. "The findings strengthen support for early diagnosis by rapid genomic sequencing, allowing for the use of precision medicine to better care for this vulnerable patient population."

More information: Jill L. Maron et al, Rapid Whole-Genomic Sequencing and a Targeted Neonatal Gene Panel in Infants With a Suspected Genetic Disorder, JAMA (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.9350 Journal information: Journal of the American Medical Association
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Black women are more likely to die during or soon after childbirth due to systemic racism and sexism in the medical system, not genetics or lifestyle, according to the United Nations.

A U.N. agency, the United Nations Population Fund, released a report on these issues after analyzing the health care experience for Black women during pregnancy and childbirth in the United States, Caribbean and Latin America.

The agency found that Black women were more likely than white women to experience denial of medication, or physical and verbal abuse in these settings.

"The result is horrendous," executive director Dr. Natalia Kanem, who is a physician and is Black, told The New York Times. It is "a human rights crisis that is largely ignored or overlooked by decision makers."

Among the reasons are patterns of bias beginning in medical school, the report said.

According to the report, medical school curricula include claims about Black women's health that are not accurate. Among those is that Black women have less sensitive nerve endings, requiring less anesthesia. Another error is that Black women's blood clots faster than that of white women. This can lead to delays in treating dangerous hemorrhages.

Textbooks depict European women's pelvic anatomy, which can cause unnecessary interventions, the Times reported.

"When a Black woman dies during childbirth, whether in Sao Paulo, Bogota or New York, it's often put down to her lifestyle or to individual failure: She didn't get there in time to see the doctor or the nurse, she made poor life decisions, she was predisposed to certain medical conditions. And then the world moves on," Kanem said.

This report "categorically refutes that," she added.

The U.N. had not previously examined the maternal health of Black women across the Americas.

Most nations did not collect maternal health and death data by race. Although researchers looked at 35 countries, only nine had the data to be included. Those were Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Panama, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States and Uruguay.

Of these countries, the United States had the lowest overall maternal death rate, but the widest racial disparities, the investigators found.

Black women in the United States were three times more likely to die during or soon after childbirth than white women. The problems persist across income and education levels. Black women with a college degree were 1.6 times more likely to die in childbirth compared to white women who dropped out of high school, the Times reported.

The overall death ratio of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births grew about 15% throughout Latin America, North America and the Caribbean between 2016 and 2020.

U.N. officials called for a re-examination of medical school curriculums, strengthening policies around denial of patient care and patient abuse, as well as ways to get around structural barriers, such as transportation and insurance, to ensure prenatal care.

The agency also called for better data collection.

More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on maternal death in Black women.

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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In a pre-clinical, proof-of-concept study from Johns Hopkins Medicine, researchers found that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea compound with powerful antioxidant properties, could be promising for both treating and preventing uterine fibroids. Results of the study, first posted online May 25 in Scientific Reports, add to growing evidence that EGCG may reduce fibroid cell growth. The study was specifically designed to identify the biochemical mechanisms responsible for EGCG action in fibroid cells.

The investigators emphasize that their study involves human fibroid cells grown in the laboratory and treated with EGCG extract to explore the possibility of oral EGCG supplementation as a therapy, rather than just drinking cups of green tea as a preventative measure for uterine fibroids.

"The purpose of this study was to examine how EGCG works to treat and prevent uterine fibroids," says James Segars Jr., M.D., professor of gynecology and obstetrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "There is no standard protocol for uterine fibroid disease management or prevention, no tools to prevent their growth, so finding a safe nonsurgical therapy is important."

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors of the uterus. Made up of smooth muscle cells and a large matrix of connective tissue, the fibroids range in size from nearly microscopic to bulky masses that can enlarge and distort the uterus.

An estimated 77% of women will develop fibroids in their lifetime, most of them by age 50. Black and Hispanic women develop them at 1.5 to two times the rate of white women.

While many people with uterine fibroids are without symptoms, about 25% experience significant symptoms including heavy uterine bleeding, pelvic pain and infertility. Uterine fibroids are the leading cause of hospitalization hysterectomy in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to complete removal of the uterus, surgical treatment may include various means of removing fibroid tumors from the uterine wall.

For the new study, researchers used laboratory cultures of uterine fibroids collected from living patients. Because uterine fibroid cells have a large extracellular matrix (the network of macromolecules and minerals in tissues that support, but are not part of, cells) compared to normal cells, researchers designed their experiments to see if treatment of cells with EGCG affects protein expression associated with this matrix. Specifically, they studied fibronectin, a matrix protein; cyclin D1, a protein involved with cell division; and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) protein.

Cells were dosed with 100 micromoles (a micromole is 1 millionth of a mole) per liter of EGCG in growth media for 24 hours, and then a Western blota laboratory technique used to detect a specific protein in a blood or tissue samplewas performed. In this study, researchers looked for levels of cyclin D1 and CTGF proteins in EGCG-treated fibroid cells compared to untreated cell.

They found that EGCG reduced protein levels of fibronectin by 46% to 52%, compared with an untreated control group of fibroid cells. They also found that EGCG disrupted pathways involved in fibroid tumor cell growth, movement, signaling and metabolism, and they saw up to an 86% decrease in CTGF proteins compared with the control group.

"The results from this study show that EGCG targets many signaling pathways involved in fibroid growth, particularly the extracellular matrix," says study lead author Md Soriful Islam, Ph.D., M.Sc., a postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "EGCG supplements could be an easily accessible and natural way to relieve symptoms and slow fibroid growth."

These results lend support to the FRIEND (Fibroids and Unexplained Infertility Treatment With Epigallocatechin Gallate; A Natural Compound in Green Tea) study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05364008), an ongoing clinical trial of EGCG in women with fibroids who are seeking pregnancy. While results from this study show promise, researchers caution that more studies need to be done, and consumers should not try to self-dose with green tea supplements. Future research on EGCG will include clinical trials with large and diverse patient groups to determine optimal doses as well as possible side effects of EGCG supplementation.

Other scientists at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine who contributed to this research are Maclaine Parish, Joshua Brennan and Briana Winer.

More information: Md Soriful Islam et al, Targeting fibrotic signaling pathways by EGCG as a therapeutic strategy for uterine fibroids, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35212-6 Journal information: Scientific Reports
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A new study of caregivers of LGBT older adults living with Alzheimer's disease provides rare insight into the intersection of caregiving and the LGBT experience.

Researchers from Regenstrief Institute and the medical schools of Indiana University and University of Colorado report that many common caregiver experiencessuch as feelings of social isolation and of being overwhelmedare similar for caregivers, whether an individual with Alzheimer's disease is LGBT or not. However, because LGBT older adults often do not have adult children who can serve as caregivers or may be estranged from their families of origin, provision of the care they need, frequently provided by spouses or partners, is especially challenging.

Health disparities experienced by LGBT individuals have been well documented. Risk factorssuch as higher rates of smoking and alcohol consumption in the LGBT populationoften lead to poor health outcomes and increase the likelihood of Alzheimer's disease in older LGBT adults and amplify the challenges faced by their caregivers.

"We wanted to explore how health disparities affect LGBT persons with dementia and their caregivers. It is not surprising that many of the experiences of caregivers of LGBT older adults with Alzheimer's disease are very similar to those of any caregiver. But we found that in many cases those providing care for LGBT individuals with dementia felt they had to come up with their own solutions to challenges because the ones that have been created were not inclusive in some way," said study senior author Alexia Torke, M.D., M.S., of Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Medicine. "We found that caretakers of LGBT older adults often wrestled with whether or not support groups would be supportive and they had mixed experiences. One caregiver reported not knowing where to go to find a lesbian support group, while another joined a general support group in her partner's assisted living community and found it to be very welcoming."

"Our phenomenological study of the experiences of caregivers for LGBT older adults with AD found themes similar to the concerns of all caregivers, including the importance of social support, financial security and grief and bereavement support. But it also showed that LGBT status could affect the experience of healthcare in various ways, including raising concerns about discrimination and acceptance in care settings," said study lead author Carey Candrian, Ph.D., of the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "The importance of doing qualitative research is that we acquired a lot of depth in terms of the information discovered. The LGBT caregiving experience is something where there isn't a lot of research, and this qualitative work can help us determine the most important questions we need to be asking."

"Caregivers of LGBT individuals with Alzheimer's disease may feel that they're shouldering a heavier burden by themselves given a limited support network due to not having children and lack of family of origin support," said Dr. Torke. "And there's another dimension to this, for future study, which is that issues that all caregivers experience might actually be more challenging for LGBT caregivers. For example, until recently, marriage was not a possibility, and some of the couples did not necessarily get married, which might affect insurance benefits and caregiver access."

The 19 caregivers participating in the study ranged in age from 44 to 77 years old; 74 percent were lesbian, 16 percent were gay, 5 percent were straight, and 5 percent were unknown. They were from California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Connecticut, New Mexico, Minnesota and Missouri, providing a demographically diverse perspective.

Slightly more than half of the caregivers were spouses of the person with dementia and a quarter were identified as a spouse equivalent or unmarried partner. Approximately two-thirds of the caregivers had been in a relationship for 15 years or more with the person living with dementia.

Conducting and analyzing in-depth interviews with these caregivers, the researchers identified five themes:

Caregiver tension and isolation,

Financial stress and security,

Lack of social support and connection,

Engineering grief support,

Entrapment of past and present stigma and discrimination

One of the most interesting findings of the study was that the LGBT experience is very diverse, with some individuals feeling they had a close, tight knit social circle that was incredibly supportive and others feeling like their LGBT status made their social circle smaller and their stress much, much higher," said Dr. Torke. "It's important to recognize that being LGBT can affect people in diverse ways, but in some ways can be thought of as a strength where a person might have close friendships or what people often refer to as a chosen family if they have bad relationships with their family of origin."

Noting that LGBT individuals become caregivers at a higher rate than the general population, the authors write: "Discrimination related to LGBT status was an important theme over the participants' lives and occurred for several during dementia care. While other themes were similar to prior AD studies, LGBT status affected these other aspects of the caregiving experience. Findings can inform future programs that better meet needs of LGBT people and those who care for them."

"Experiences of caregiving with Alzheimer's disease in the LGBT community" is published in BMC Geriatrics.

More information: Carey Candrian et al, Experiences of caregiving with Alzheimer's disease in the LGBT community, BMC Geriatrics (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-03914-1
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Cell therapy holds promise as a new treatment for Parkinson's disease but, in many trials to date, most transplanted dopamine cells have failed to survive, raising a fundamental obstacle. Recent advancements led by researchers at Mass General Brigham could change this. Investigators used regulatory T cells to supplement neuronal cell therapy and decrease adverse effects of the surgical procedure in rodent models. Results from the team, which includes investigators from McLean Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, are published in Nature.

"We have been investigating personalized, stem-cell based therapies that reprogram a patient's own cells to treat their Parkinson's," said corresponding author Kwang-Soo Kim, Ph.D., of the Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory at McLean Hospital. "We have now made a major breakthrough using immune cells to improve delivery, survival, and recovery for neuronal cell therapies. Our findings show the power and flexibility of cell therapy to be modified and enhanced to become a realistic modality to treat conditions like Parkinson's."

In the United States, only Alzheimer's disease is a more common neurodegenerative disorder than Parkinson's disease, which is characterized by loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. The current standard of care is dopamine replacement therapy, which addresses only symptoms like tremors or stiffness with substantial side effects.

Since the 1980s, cell therapies have faced a significant barrier: poor graft survival. Researchers have proposed diverse mechanisms to explain the cell death and added various modifications to improve cell survival. Three years ago, Kim's team demonstrated that personalized cell therapy could be used to replace dopamine neurons in the first personalized cell therapy in a sporadic Parkinson's disease patient. However, their results were restricted to a single patient and limited graft survival remained a key challenge.

In their current study, Kim and colleagues hypothesized that regulatory T cellswhich maintain immune homeostasis, contain inflammation, and prevent immune rejection could be co-transplanted with the neurons to mitigate needle trauma and improve cell survival and disease recovery. To test this, the researchers first transplanted midbrain dopaminergic neurons in previously validated mouse and rat models of Parkinson's disease. They observed how the surgical procedure resulted in acute inflammation and an adverse immune response in the brain tissue, which they termed "needle-trauma."

Next, they co-transplanted regulatory T cells with the dopaminergic neurons. They measured the survival of grafted neurons over two weeks. After five months, they reassessed this finding and observed how the grafted area was recovering.

"Initially, just one or two weeks after transplantation, the majority of the dopamine neurons died, rendering the cell therapy unsuccessful," said Kim. "But when we added regulatory T cells to the transplant, survival of the grafted dopamine neurons increased. Also, behavior recovery was faster and more robust."

Regulatory T cells not only improved the survival of grafted dopaminergic neurons but also significantly suppressed the outgrowth of non-dopaminergic cells, including reactive inflammatory cells, in host brains.

"This finding is very significant because a potential hazard associated with cell transplantation is often the outgrowth of undesirable, potentially harmful cells," Kim said. "The most important criterion for cell therapy is safety."

The needle trauma induced significant brain cell death. However, the regulatory T cells were able to suppress the death, along with the adverse neuroinflammation and unwanted peripheral immune cells entering the injury site.

"Needle trauma is a universal issue in cell therapies in the nervous system, not just for dopaminergic neurons or Parkinson's disease," said Bob Carter, MD, Ph.D., the chief of Neurosurgery at the Mass General Hospital and a co-author of the current paper. "Our principles can be applied widely to any cell therapy for other (neuro)degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, ALS, or Huntington's."

Limitations of the study include being constrained to rodent models. Kim says the next steps are to understand the safety of these transplants, exactly how regulatory T cells improve the survival of dopaminergic neurons, and how to optimize their function.

Recently, Mass General Brigham launched its Gene and Cell Therapy Institute to help translate scientific discoveries made by researchers like Kim into first-in-human clinical trials and, ultimately, life-changing treatments for patients.

More information: Tae-Yoon Park et al, Co-transplantation of autologous Treg cells in a cell therapy for Parkinson's disease, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06300-4 Journal information: Nature
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The first large-scale U.S. clinical trial of cytisinicline, led by a Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigator, found the smoking cessation medication to be effective and well tolerated in adults who wished to break their nicotine dependence. In the Phase 3 study published in JAMA, researchers reported that cytisinicline could offer adults who smoke a potential new treatment option.

"Cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death worldwide, yet no new smoking cessation medication has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for nearly two decades," says Nancy Rigotti, MD, director of MGH's Tobacco Research and Treatment Center, and lead author of the study. "There is an urgent need for new medications to treat tobacco smoking because existing products don't help all smokers to quit and can have unacceptable side effects. If approved by regulators, cytisinicline could be a valuable new option to treat tobacco dependence."

Cytisinicline (historically known as cytisine) is a naturally occurring plant-based alkaloid that binds selectively to nicotinic receptors in the brain that regulate nicotine dependence, alleviating the urge to smoke and reducing the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Its mechanism of action is similar to that of varenicline, an FDA-approved smoking cessation aid.

The 17-site randomized clinical trial, known as ORCA-2, tested cytisinicline among 810 adults who smoked cigarettes daily and wanted to quit. It is the first of two Phase 3 clinical trials conducted by Achieve Life Sciences, Inc., the drug's manufacturer.

ORCA-2 compared two durations of cytisinicline treatment6 and 12 weeksversus a placebo, with a follow-up to 24 weeks. The primary outcome measure was biochemically confirmed continuous smoking abstinence for the last 4 weeks of treatment. Specifically, for the 12-week group, 32.6% of participants using cytisinicline vs. 7% using placebo were abstinent during weeks 9 to 12. For the 6-week group, abstinence was 25.3% for cytisinicline vs. 4.4% for placebo during weeks 3 to 6. Participants taking cytisinicline also experienced a rapid and sustained decline in cravings and smoking urges during the first 6 weeks of treatment.

Over the longer term, ORCA-2 found a statistically significant increase in continuous abstinence through 6 months for both treatment durations. Abstinence from weeks 9 to 24 for the 12-week group was 21.1% for cytisinicline vs. 4.8% for placebo, and for the 6-week group abstinence from weeks 3 to 24 was 8.9% for cytisinicline vs. 2.6% for placebo. Cytisinicline was also well tolerated by participants, with no serious drug-related adverse events reported and low rates of typical side effects like nausea and insomnia.

"Cytisinicline demonstrated impressive results as a smoking cessation medication in a rigorous clinical trial that used a new, scientifically-based dosing regimen as well as a longer duration of treatment than traditionally done," notes Rigotti, an internationally known expert in tobacco use and treatment. "This agent has the potential to help countless numbers of people quit smoking and, in the process, reduce the enormous toll of premature deaths and disability due to cigarette smoking in the U.S. and worldwide."

Rigotti is director of the MGH Tobacco Research and Treatment Center in the division of General Internal Medicine and Mongan Institute at MGH, and professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Senior author Cindy Jacobs, Ph.D., MD, is director, president and chief medical officer for Achieve Life Sciences.
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Detrimental effects of all severities of maternal dengue infections on birth outcomes have been discovered in a new research study from the University of Surrey and the University of Birmingham.

Surrey and Birmingham researchers have found robust evidence of the negative impact of dengue infections on birth weightwith effects documented for mild and moderate infections with the virus. The results were particularly prominent among infants at the lower end of the birth weight scale, with increases of 15%, 67%, and 133% in the incidence of low, very low, and extremely low birth weights, respectively. This study has been conditionally accepted for publication in the American economic journal, Applied Economics.

Furthermore, the research highlighted the long-term consequences of maternal dengue infections. It documents significant increases in the hospitalizations of children for up to three years after birth, emphasizing the far-reaching impact of this mosquito-borne disease.

Dr. Martin Foureaux Koppensteiner, co-author of the study at the University of Surrey said, "There is now compelling evidence of the detrimental effects of maternal dengue infections on birth outcomes. It emphasizes the urgent need for increased awareness, prevention, and targeted interventions to mitigate the impact of this widespread disease on maternal and child health.

"Despite dengue being the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease worldwide, with tens of millions of cases annually, there has been a lack of causal evidence regarding its effects on birth outcomes.

"I would strongly encourage to consider dengue fever along with TORCH infections to manage and avoid when pregnant. Currently, the TORCH infections include Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, HIV, syphilis, chicken pox, Zika, and influenza among others."

As the research has shown that even mild dengue infections during pregnancy can impact the health of newborns in the short and longer term, including dengue fever in this list will ensure that pregnant women are aware of the risks involved with infections during pregnancy and can take precautions, for example using insect repellents.

The study's findings will also be relevant for public health officials when deciding on the adoption and prioritization of a new generation of vaccines against dengue. The study used administrative data from Minas Geraisa southeastern state in Brazil.

Dengue fever, known as the most prevalent mosquito-borne disease globally, poses a grave threat to approximately half of the world's population. The disease has witnessed an alarming rise in recent years, with the Americas alone registering over 3 million cases in 2019.

Dr. Livia Menezes, co-author of the study at the University of Birmingham said, "The study also highlights the possible consequences from the expanding reach of dengue fever due to climate change. While once limited to tropical and subtropical regions, the disease has now established its presence in more than 120 countries. Aedes mosquitoes, the carriers responsible for transmitting dengue, have found suitable breeding grounds in countries previously unaffected, including Croatia, France, Portugal, and the southern states of the U.S.

"This study not only deepens our understanding of the consequences of dengue infections during pregnancy but also serves as a call to action for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and global communities to prioritize preventive measures and support affected families."

More information: Maternal Dengue and Health Outcomes of Children, Applied Economics (2023). papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf  ?abstract_id=4466341
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Black men are more likely to die of melanoma, new research shows, and one reason why may be the unusual places where the deadly skin cancer is likely to show up on their bodies.

Even though the disease is more common in white men, the new report shows that Black men are 26% more likely to die from it, the Washington Post reported.

"The purpose of our study was to dive deeper into why we are seeing these differences in survival rates and the factors that may be driving this," study co-author Ashley Wysong, chair of dermatology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, told the Post.

The researchers analyzed more than 205,000 cases and discovered that melanoma in Black men is often found in areas that have not had a lot of sun exposure, including the soles of the feet, toes, toenails, fingernails, fingernail beds and palms, the Post reported.

About 51% of Black men with melanoma have it on their lower extremities. In white men, only about 10% of those with melanoma have it on their lower extremities, while 35.5% have it on their trunk and nearly 26% have it on their head and neck, the study found. Only about 13% of cases in Black men were on the trunk and just under 10% were on the head.

"I think this is significant," Ali Hendi, a specialist in skin cancer surgery in Chevy Chase, Md., told the Post. "This study doesn't give us the answer as to why, but it sheds light on the numbers."

Black men also tended to be diagnosed later, with nearly 49% diagnosed at late stages of the disease. Just over 21% of white men are diagnosed with late-stage disease, as are about 40% of Hispanic men, 38% of Asian men and 29% of Native American men, the study found.

The findings were published July 11 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

The five-year survival rate of melanoma is 99% when the cancer is found early, but it's only 32% after it has spread, the Post reported.

That plays out in outcomes, with more than 75% of white men living for five years after diagnosis compared to about 52% of Black men, the study found.

The researchers found that about 20% of Black melanoma patients had a deadlier subtype found on the sole of the foot or palm of the hand that is called Acral lentiginous melanoma. Fewer than 1% of white men had this subtype.

"It's not related to sun exposure," Robert Brodell, a professor of pathology and dermatology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, told the Post. "It seems to have a different natural history, and a poorer prognosis, though late diagnosis is a component of that."

Wysong noted that melanomas on places like fingers, toes, palms and soles of feet can be mistaken for warts and fungus.

"Most people don't think of skin cancers in their nails or on their hands and feet," Wysong said. "So we see delays in diagnosis because of the location. It's hard to see. Most people don't know what a nail melanoma looks like."

These cancers can look like a black dot under a fingernail, Brodell said.

Overall, invasive melanoma cases are up by 27% in 10 years, the Post reported. In 2023, there were over 97,000 cases in the United States, more than 58,000 in men. Nearly 8,000 people are expected to die of melanoma this year.

More education is needed for doctors and patients, including in Black patients where it rarely occurs, Jeremy Brauer, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health, told the Post.

Doctors may not be aware of the differences, Brauer said.

"This disproportionate and unfortunate rate of death means we have to try to be much more preventative," Brauer said.

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Candida albicans. Credit: Wikipedia.

An article published in the Journal of Fungi analyzing bloodstream infection by fungi of the genus Candida, and comparing data for the periods 201011 and 201718 in Brazil, shows the persistence of extremely high mortality rates despite advances in therapeutic practices. Candidemia is the world's most prevalent nosocomial (hospital-acquired) invasive fungal infection. Its incidence varies globally from 0.33 to 6.51 episodes per 1,000 admissions.

The comparative analysis used data from 616 cases treated in 11 public and private hospitals (369 in the first period and 247 in the more recent period).

Treatment with echinocandins, the current initial antifungals of choice, intensified from 13% to 41%, but without affecting mortality rates, showing that other factors should be investigated.

"We have a late diagnosis problem. Diagnosis still depends exclusively on blood culture. Fungal culture and identification in the laboratory take time and the sensitivity of this method is low, with as many as 50% false negatives. Time is crucial to patient survival. We need to save time by investing in better techniques that don't depend on culture, including molecular diagnosis and use of biomarkers," said Caroline Agnelli, first author of the article. She is a Ph.D. candidate specializing in research on infectious and parasitic diseases at the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP).

Another shocking revelation in the article is the number of people who receive no treatment at all. "Two out of every ten aren't treated for lack of diagnostic resources. At least half of those who do receive treatment die. Data collected by colleagues in Porto Alegre [state capital of Rio Grande do Sul] from more than 120 Latin American medical centers shows that only one in ten hospitals have the resources for an effective diagnostic approach in medical mycologyand this applies to several fungal infections," said Arnaldo Colombo, last author of the article and a professor at UNIFESP.

For the researchers, the study shows that mortality rates have not fallen despite the knowledge accumulated on the natural history of invasive infections by Candida, in contrast with other neglected fungal diseases. "Patient prognosis is multifactorial, but we know what can make all the difference: early administration of antifungal medication combined with timely and effective control of the source of the infection, including central line removal," Agnelli said.

Candidemia is a complication that usually appears in critical patients hospitalized for long periods, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), taking broad-spectrum antibiotics and corticosteroids, or requiring an invasive procedure such as dialysis or surgery, especially abdominal. Use of central venous catheters is a risk factor, but the proportion of early removal in candidemia cases remained below 50% throughout the study period.

"The decision to remove a central line should be individualized for reasons of safety, disease severity and clinical conditions, of course. However, it should be prioritized whenever possible in order to improve the patient's prognosis," Agnelli said.

The fungus that causes hospital-acquired candidemia is the same one that naturally colonizes the gastrointestinal tract and is familiar to women as the cause of vaginal candidiasis (yeast infection). "It's inoffensive if your immune system is in order and you're not in hospital, where it can move from colonization to invasive disease, especially owing to the use of antibiotics, which favors dysbiosisan imbalance in the gut, with an increase in the Candida populationand the use of invasive medical procedures to treat the patient. Under conditions associated with low immunity and a hospital environment, 'living with the enemy' in good health becomes living with the enemy dangerously," Colombo said.

Change of profile and other studies

Mortality rates were unacceptably high and remained unchanged throughout the study period despite wider use of echinocandins. For the researchers, this was probably associated with changes in the population at risk and improvable treatment strategies. "There was a change of profile. We found that age didn't increase, but the quality of aging was different. There have been more comorbidities recently. Patients admitted to hospital have been hospitalized before, sometimes on several occasions," Agnelli said.

The median age of the patients was similar in both periods (62 and 65), and there were no significant differences in initial clinical severity. In the more recent period, however, the number with more than three comorbidities doubled (to 29%, up from 16% in 2010), as did the proportion undergoing dialysis (15%, up from 8% in 2010). Patients in the more recent period presented with candidemia sooner, and 40% had been hospitalized previously (compared with 21% in 2010).

"We found a 14-day mortality rate of about 35% and a 30-day mortality rate of about 50%. These are very high rates. Some years ago, we asked why and compared them with the rates in other countries," Colombo said, citing a study conducted in partnership with researchers in Spain. Mortality was significantly lower among the Spanish patients even though they were older than the Brazilians.

"Diagnosis was a factor here, too, but it was clear that they removed central lines sooner, controlled infective focus effectively, and began administering the right antifungal earlier. In Brazil, the bacterial sepsis protocol recommended for patients in intensive care is often ignored in cases of fungal infection. The timing of the start of therapeutic management is crucial as far as prognosis is concerned. The study showed this very clearly," Agnelli said.

Methodology and challenges

Collection of medical history and laboratory data up to 30 days from confirmation of candidemia was based on a routine laboratory-based surveillance protocol, including demographics, underlying medical conditions, risk factors and conditions associated with candidemia, such as use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, chemotherapy, steroids, prior abdominal surgery, central venous catheter at the time of diagnosis, parenteral nutrition, identification of Candida species, clinical severity, antifungals prescribed, time to start of treatment, time to catheter removal, and all-cause mortality at 14 and 30 days from diagnosis of candidemia. The species was identified by a local laboratory, and the material was sent to UNIFESP's Special Mycology Laboratory for confirmation.

The group has been conducting epidemiological surveillance research for a long time, with the collaboration of hospitals, facilitating similarity among clinical records. "However, it's no simple task to collect this data accurately. Oversight and auditing are needed, as well as painstaking analysis to merge databases and make correct comparisons," Colombo said.

"The technology hasn't advanced enough to help with database merging. It's necessary to review criteria constantly in order to align all the variables so that the populations and samples are comparable," Agnelli said.

More information: Caroline Agnelli et al, Prognostic Trends and Current Challenges in Candidemia: A Comparative Analysis of Two Multicenter Cohorts within the Past Decade, Journal of Fungi (2023). DOI: 10.3390/jof9040468
Photo: BC provincial court. A B.C. provincial court judge has convicted a Vancouver mining company president of environmental offences.

A Vancouver mining company president has been found guilty in a Prince Rupert Provincial Court retrial of multiple counts of environmental pollution at a B.C. mine.

The charges relate to discharges of zinc and other waste contrary to Banks Island Golds (BIG) permit for the Yellow Giant Mine site on Banks Island, B.C., between Sept. 9, 2014, and July 31, 2015.

The island is just south of Prince Rupert on Hecate Strait.

A systemic failure resulted in various exceedances in the water samples, Judge David Patterson said in his July 7 decision. BIG should have had a fool-proof system, regardless of which BIG department was responsible for the testing.



Patterson said company president Benjamin Mossman was the person responsible.

The BC Prosecution Service does not need to prove that Mossman directed, permitted, or authorized any single discharge containing metal levels over the prescribed limits as particularized in each relevant charge, the judge said. The failure to have a fool-proof system in place led to the exceedances. To quote an old adage: The buck stops at the top.

Business in Vancouver reported in August 2015 that the mine was ordered to shut down for unauthorized discharges of effluent from its mine site that resulted from flooding. An inspection by the Ministry of Energy and Mines also found a number of permit violations, including the processing of ore from an unpermitted mine site.

Banks Island Gold had one operating mine on Banks Island  the Tel mine  and three other potential mine sites: the Bob, Kim and Discovery, where it had been conducting bulk sampling (the mining of ore to test for mineralization).

Unlike most mines in B.C., the company did not store mine waste in a tailings pond. It puts the processed ore back underground, although Al Hoffman, chief inspector of mines, said it wasnt being done properly.

The company was found to be trucking tailings that were supposed to go underground at the Tel mine and trucking it to the Bob site, where it was dumped into a glory hole  a depression created when the workings from an old underground mine break through the surface.

Heavy rain and a failed sump pump resulted in flooding that spilled a relatively small amount of water and tailings into local waterways on June 25, 2015.

The original case resulted in convictions for Mossman and acquittals for Dirk Meckert, assistant manager and chief geologist and alternate mine manager. Both the convictions and acquittals were appealed.

A retrial was ordered following a number of appeals, including to the British Columbia Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada.

The retrial before Patterson began on April 14, 2022.

In his July 7 decision, Patterson found Meckert not guilty on all counts and convicted Mossman of:



four counts of failing to comply with requirements of a permit by exceeding the allowed rate of discharge for zinc;





five counts of failing to comply with requirements of a permit, by exceeding the allowed rate of discharge of total suspended solids; and,





four counts of depositing effluent into the environment that contained a concentration of deleterious substance.





Several original charges were abandoned.

With files from Nelson Bennett
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Density of SARS-CoV-2 cases and hospitalizations in the study area (Denver metropolitan area) and the City of Denver. Credit: PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286119

The range of COVID-19 symptoms variessome feel a mild cold, others are hospitalized, while others perish. Many studies have linked the severity of COVID-19 symptoms with an individual's biological factors, but less is known about the impact of non-biological factors, such as the environment in which people live.

A new study in PLOS ONE is the first to show that the neighborhood-built environment might pose an independent risk determining the individuals hospitalized due to COVID-19 illness.

The authors found that in a cohort of more than 18,000 individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infections, living in multi-family building, living in a neighborhood with higher air pollution (PM2.5) levels and living in a neighborhood with lower walkability and bike-ability were associated with a greater incidence rate of hospitalization, even when controlling for socioeconomic vulnerability and individual-level demographic and medical characteristics. Neighborhoods with higher public transit quality and access were also associated with a higher incidence rate of hospitalization.

The study identified differences between the two largest ethnic groups in the region. Higher PM2.5 levels posed a higher rate of hospitalization for Latinx individuals, and density and overcrowding showed stronger associations for non-Hispanic white individuals.

The findings could help inform public health and urban planning initiatives in lowering the risk of hospitalizations linked to COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens.

"For urban planners, the findings underline what we're already trying to do to build healthier communitiescreate more walkability, bike-ability and infrastructure that will reduce air pollution," said Alessandro Rigolon, associate professor at the University of Utah and lead author of the study. "From a public health perspective, the findings can help testing and vaccination campaigns target areas with higher air pollution or multi-family housing."

The study also exposed how urban policies from the past continue impact the daily lives of many communities.

"We found much higher rates of COVID-19 hospitalizations along the I-25 and I-70 corridors and in the industrial areas of North Denver," said Jeremy Nemeth, professor at the University of Colorado Denver and co-author of the study. "These are the same areas that have experienced decades of disinvestment and increased air pollution due to racist land-use policies levied on our cities in the early 20th century."

Neighborhood-built environments

The study analyzed the neighborhood characteristics in the Denver Metro Area associated with hospitalizations of 18,042 people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between May and December in 2020, before vaccines became extensively available. Researchers from two of the Denver Metro Area's major health care systems, Denver Health and University of Colorado Hospital, reviewed more than 30,000 cases of eligible individuals. They limited the cohort to those living in the greater metro area, and matched available health record data for each case.

Variables pulled from the medical record included age and body mass index (BMI), evidence of tobacco use, hypertension, chronic lung disease, some forms of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Researchers at the University of Colorado Denver then converted addresses of people in the final cohort to their geospatial coordinates and assigned environmental variables accordingly.

Ethical oversight and approval for the study was granted by the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board and all protected health information was anonymized prior to sharing.

"Very few studies are comprehensive like ours. We're able to control for some individual level factors that, for people with COVID-19, would lead to higher chances of being hospitalized," said Rigolon.

With biological factors largely accounted for, the authors identified four characteristics of a neighborhood that might contribute to COVID-19 hospitalization: density and overcrowding, including living in an overcrowded home or multi-family building; environmental hazards, such as air pollution levels (PM 2.5) and proximity to highways; environmental amenities, including access to parks; and mobility options, including public transit access, walkability and bike-ability.

The authors were unsurprised that individuals with compromised lung and immune systems who face chronic air pollution would be unable to respond as well to the respiratory disease and would be more likely to need hospitalization after contracting COVID-19. Their finding that higher PM2.5 levels impacted Latinx individuals more than non-Hispanic white individuals underscores a worldwide problemair pollution disproportionately affects people of color.

While findings support making existing neighborhoods more walkable and bikeable, the authors emphasized that future planning efforts to reduce emissions should center the principles of environmental justice. Since walkability was particularly protective in Latinx communities, the authors suggest that cities should prioritize investing to make Latinx-dominant neighborhoods pedestrian-friendly.

The result for density and overcrowding underscore the need for vaccination and testing efforts to focus on areas with multi-family housing to mitigate risk of severe disease. Because living in transit-rich neighborhoods was associated with higher risk of hospitalization from COVID-19, public health measures like educational campaigns and outreach in these areas are particularly important.

"So many health disparities track along geographic lines. We've long suspected that more than just pre-existing medical conditions were to blame for the disparities. It was interesting to work with the urban planning teams to pinpoint exactly which environmental factors were partially to blame for disproportionate rates of hospitalizations that we keep seeing. This will help public health leaders continue to advocate for healthier cities, and it helps inform outreach efforts to address COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses," said Sarah Rowan, associate professor of medicine at University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver Health infectious diseases physician and the study's senior author.

Neighborhoods in other areas, other diseases?

The authors would like to replicate this study in other regions such as in the Salt Lake Valley in Utah, which has similar environmental and population characteristics as the Denver Metro Area. They'd also like to expand to other respiratory diseases where people are hospitalized, such as the flu. Though it took multiple years to process the massive quantity of patient records, studies that can look at health outcomes and the built environment on an individual level are valuable.

"Urban planning was born out of public health concerns in the U.S. when cities were getting very crowded, very polluted and sanitation was an issue. It's only natural that urban planners do research that involves public health," said Rigolon.

Additional contributing authors include Brenn Anderson-Gregson, Ann Rae Miller and Priyanka deSouza of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Colorado Denver; Brian Montague and Kristine M. Erlandson of the Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado School of Medicine; and Cory Hussain, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Denver Health.

More information: Alessandro Rigolon et al, The neighborhood built environment and COVID-19 hospitalizations, PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286119 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The way the brain regulates pupil size is different from previously thought: fundamentally responsible is the neurotransmitter orexin, as researchers at ETH Zurich have now shown. This discovery could well alter our understanding of consciousness and illnesses such as narcolepsy and Alzheimer's. The study is published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.

"The effect was so strong, we knew immediately that we were onto something important," recalls Nikola Grujic, a postdoc in the Neurobehavioural Dynamics Laboratory at ETH Zurich. Through a series of initial experiments on mice, he studied what are known as orexin neurons, one of the lab's main areas of research. He observed that stimulating nerve cells caused the pupils of the mice to expand noticeably. "Quite often, the effects of neurostimulation get lost in the noise of measurement data, which we then have to painstakingly filter in order to find them. This time was different. The effect was plain to see," he says.

First described in 1998, the orexin neurons stretch from the hypothalamus to all other brain areas, including those controlling consciousness and autonomic functions. These neurons are involved in regulating sleep-wake switching, attention span, the reward system, appetite and energy consumption, among others.

Essential for normal pupil state

As Grujic's measurements showed, orexin neurons directly influence a central characteristic of an individual's emotional state: it is not only light stimuli that cause the pupils to change in size but also mental strain and emotional impressions. Fittingly referred to in the vernacular as the windows to the soul, the pupils are routinely used in both medical and psychological examinations. Pupil size can provide a metric for attention and other unconsciously controlled functions of the organism.

Up to now, the main determinant of pupil size alongside light was considered to be noradrenalineknown as a stress hormoneand its receptor system. But now, the ETH researchers have shown that instead, this role should be credited to the neurotransmitter orexin and its system of receptors. Noradrenaline neurons are in fact unable to maintain normal pupil state without orexin nerve cells. If the orexin system is switched off, the pupils remain far too constricted. "Essentially, noradrenaline neurons are slaves to orexin neurons," says ETH Professor Denis Burdakov.

Link to narcolepsy

In their experiments, the researchers also established a dose-dependent link between nerve cell activity and pupil diameter. "The pupils show us precisely how active the orexin neurons in the hypothalamus are," Burdakov says.

In addition to providing brain researchers with a new way of measuring orexin activity, this opens up new avenues for medical treatment. There is a long-established link between a disruption in orexin regulation and the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Recently, however, links have also been observed to other neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's, stroke and the genetic disorder Prader-Willi syndrome. In this last condition, a malfunction in the diencephalon, or interbrainwhere the hypothalamus is situatedleads to severe physical, cognitive and metabolic symptoms.

All four of these conditions have a sleep disorder component. In the future, examining pupil size could help more precisely research the influence of orexin on these conditionsand possibly even simplify and improve diagnosis, Burdakov says. At the present time, diagnosing narcolepsy still requires a lumbar puncture, which is an invasive procedure.

Unlocking consciousness regulation

As a neuroscientist, Grujic sees his discovery mainly as a key to better understanding how core functions of our consciousness are regulated. "Achieving the balance between focusing on the familiar and allowing our thoughts to wander and explore the world around us is an essential part of our ability to adapt to new situations," he says. The prevalence and range of attention deficit disorders being diagnosed today shows just how difficult maintaining this balance can be, Grujic says.

Orexin is one of several neuromodulatory systems (others include noradrenaline and serotonin) that regulate this balance. These systems tip the balance one way or another depending on the organism's needs. In the early days of human evolution, for instance, hungry hunter-gatherers had to cast around in search of a food source. If they were rewarded by the discovery of something to eat, they had then to shift their focus to their surroundings in order to be able to spy more of the food. And when the early humans were finally satiated, they could turn their attention to meeting their other needs.

Multiple neuron subsets for specific functions

In their study of orexin neurons, Burdakov's research group managed to identify subsets that are involved in a variety of neural functions and thus in different components of this balance. Using a special kind of fluorescence microscopy, the scientists observed the response of individual orexin neurons in mice and compared this with fluctuations in pupil size. They used two-photon microscopy, which makes it possible to observe the activities of individual cells in the brain.

The researchers discovered neurons whose activity positively correlated with pupil sizeand thus with the mouse's level of arousaland others whose activity negatively correlated. They also encountered some cells that both influenced pupil size and responded to rewards, as well as others that were connected to just one of the two factors.

Candidate for higher-level regulation of our consciousness

The identification of these specialized subsets within orexin neurons provides an initial insight into the ways in which these are wired to support central functions of our consciousness. What's more, Grujic says that orexin's influence on a host of different behavioral statesfrom attention, sleep-wake switching and reward-seeking to appetite and energy consumptionmakes it a prime candidate for their higher-level regulation.

The ETH researchers' findings throw open the door to many more avenues of scientific enquiry concerning the identification of additional neuron subsets and how they interactboth with each other and with the serotonin and noradrenaline systems.

The researchers assume that answering such questions will lead not only to a far more detailed understanding of how our vital functions are regulated. They also foresee benefits in the diagnosis and treatment of attention and sleep disorders and of related conditions. And as the examples of Alzheimer's and stroke suggest, these benefits could be greater than they at first seem.

More information: Nikola Grujic et al, Control and coding of pupil size by hypothalamic orexin neurons, Nature Neuroscience (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01365-w Journal information: Nature Neuroscience
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The non-linear association between BMI and fat mass; n = 3,001. Credit: Frontiers in Nutrition (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1173488

Researchers from the School of Public Health at TAU's Faculty of Medicine examined the anthropometric data of about 3,000 Israeli women and men and concluded that body fat percentage is a much more reliable indicator of an individual's overall health and cardiometabolic risk than the BMI index, widely used in clinics today. The researchers suggest that body fat percentage should become the gold standard in this respect and recommend equipping clinics all over Israel with suitable devices.

The studythe largest of its kind ever conducted in Israel, was led by Prof. Yftach Gepner and Ph.D. student Yair Lahav, in collaboration with Aviv Kfir. It and was based on data from the Yair Lahav Nutrition Center in Tel Aviv. The paper was published in Frontiers in Nutrition.

Prof. Gepner states, "Israel is a leader in childhood obesity and more than 60% of the country's adults are defined as overweight. The prevailing index in this respect is BMI, based on weight and height measures, which is considered a standard indicator of an individual's general health. However, despite the obvious intuitive connection between excess weight and obesity, the actual measure for obesity is the body's fat content, with the maximum normal values set at 25% for males and 35% for females.

"Higher fat content is defined as obesity and can cause a range of potentially life-threatening cardiometabolic diseases: heart disease, diabetes, fatty liver, kidney dysfunction, and more. The disparity between the two indexes has generated a phenomenon called 'the paradox of obesity with normal weight'higher than normal body fat percentage in normal-weight individuals. In this study we examined the prevalence of this phenomenon in Israel's adult population."

The researchers analyzed the anthropometric data of 3,000 Israeli women and men, accumulated over several years: BMI scores; DXA scans (using X-rays to measure body composition, including fat content); and cardiometabolic blood markers. About one third of the participants1,000 individualswere found to be within the normal weight range. Of these, 38.5% of the women and 26.5% of the men were identified as "obese with normal weight"having excess fat content despite their normal weight.

Matching body fat percentage with blood markers for each of these individuals, the study found a significant correlation between "obesity with normal weight" and high levels of sugar, fat, and cholesterolmajor risk factors for a range of cardiometabolic diseases. At the same time, 30% of the men and 10% of the women identified as overweight were found to have a normal body fat percentage.

Prof. Gepner says, "Our findings were somewhat alarming, indicating that obesity with normal weight is much more common in Israel than we had assumed. Moreover, these individuals, being within the norm according to the prevailing BMI index, usually pass 'under the radar.' Unlike people who are identified as overweight, they receive no treatment or instructions for changing their nutrition or lifestylewhich places them at an even greater risk for cardiometabolic diseases."

Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that body fat percentage is a more reliable indicator of an individual's general health than BMI. Consequently, they suggest that body fat percentage should become the prevailing standard of health, and recommend some convenient and accessible tools for this purpose: skinfold measurements that estimate body fat based on the thickness of the fat layer under the skin; and a user-friendly device measuring the body's electrical conductivity, already used in many fitness centers.

"Our study found that obesity with normal weight is very common in Israel, much more than we had previously assumed, and that it is significantly correlated with substantial health risks. And yet, people who are 'obese with normal weight' are not identified by today's prevailing index, BMI. We also found that body fat percentage is a much more reliable indicator than BMI with regard to an individual's general health.

"Therefore, we recommend equipping all clinics with suitable devices for measuring body fat content, and gradually turning it into the gold standard both in Israel and worldwide, to prevent disease and early mortality," states Prof. Gepner.

More information: Yair Lahav et al, The paradox of obesity with normal weight; a cross-sectional study, Frontiers in Nutrition (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1173488 Journal information: Frontiers in Nutrition
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Katherine N. Scafide demonstrates how an alternate light source can be used to help detect evidence of bruising on a volunteer with dark skin tone. Photo courtesy of Katherine N. Scafide. Credit: AJN, American Journal of Nursing (2023). DOI: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000944928.99103.45

A leading forensic nurse researcher has developed new approaches to detecting bruises in patients with darker skin tonesthus helping to overcome barriers to diagnosing injuries in patients of color, according to a special article on nurse innovators in the July issue of the American Journal of Nursing (AJN).

The article highlights the work of Katherine Scafide, Ph.D., RN, of George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., whose "nonconventional program of nursing research and innovation" has dramatically improved understanding of bruise detection in varying skin tones. An accompanying editorial by humanitarian and filmmaker Angelina Jolie highlights the urgent need for new solutions to the ongoing issue of racial bias in forensic evidence collection.

Paintball experiments lead to new insights into bruising

As a forensic nurse examiner working with victims of sexual assault, Dr. Scafide became aware of the difficulty of identifying bruises in patients with darker skin tones. "Because pigment is closer to the surface of the skin than a bruise, in patients with darker skin tones, bruise detection with the naked eye can be difficult or impossible." Ellen Benjamin, Ph.D., RN, and Karen K. Giuliano, Ph.D., RN, are the authors of the new article, the latest in a special AJN series on Nurse Innovators. Dr. Giuliano, Co-Director of the Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing & Engineering Innovation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, spearheads the AJN Nurse Innovator series. The series highlights the vital role that nurse-engineer teams play in healthcare innovation.

In the absence of research or clinical guidance, Dr. Scafide embarked on a course of "self-teaching, reading, and networking." In collaboration with engineers and other professionals, she designed experiments to create bruises using paintballs, with slow-motion video capture to study the force of impact and its equivalence to violent injury. Her dissertation provided new insights into how bruises change in color over time, including the effects of skin tone, sex, and subcutaneous fat.

In the course of her work, Dr. Scafide has assembled the largest known dataset of digital bruise images. In her ongoing interdisciplinary collaborations, she aims to meet the need for a validated approach to estimating the age of bruisesa potentially powerful new tool for forensic nursing, law enforcement, and clinical care.

Innovative solutions to identify bruising in darker skin tones

Dr. Scafide's research has led to the identification of alternate light sources to identify bruises across a spectrum of skin tones. She discovered that using violet and blue light with yellow goggles can greatly improve the ability to detect bruisesup to five times more effectively than traditional white light in the examining room. Her research can help to promote equity in care for vulnerable populations such as children or those with cognitive challenges.

Dr. Scafide's work has attracted media coverage and grants for ongoing researchas well as the attention of high-profile activists such as Angelina Jolie. In 2022, Ms. Jolie cited Dr. Scafide's research on the science of bruising when advocating for Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, including increased funding for technologies to detect bruising and injuries across skin tones.

In her editorial, Ms. Jolie discusses the role of new bruise detection technologies toward correcting longstanding health inequities facing survivors of domestic violence. "Medical research, imagery, and training continue to center on white skin, not on how injuries present differently in patients with darker skin tone," she writes. "From technology to improving diversity and representation in medical research and training, it is past time to embrace new solutions."

More information: Ellen Benjamin et al, Improving Bruise Detection in Patients with Dark Skin Tone, AJN, American Journal of Nursing (2023). DOI: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000944928.99103.45
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Images in a 34-year-old female patient show severe smoking-associated small airway disease with patchy ground-glass opacities and mosaic pattern. The images were generated with spectral postprocessing on a coronal plane at (A) inspiration (warped for voxelwise matching with expiration), (B) ventilation, (C) perfusion, (D) expiration, (E) CT angiography, and (F) late contrast enhancement. Quantitative parameters include whole lung or lobar volume, and inspiratory (A) and expiratory (D) attenuation and functional parameters such as ventilation (B), perfusion (C), and late contrast enhancement (F). They are described using descriptive statistics or histogram analysis. Corresponding functional maps show inhomogeneous ventilation with lobular air-trapping in the lower lobes and matched perfusion inhomogeneities. CT angiography (E) and late contrast enhancement (F) images show no abnormal findings. Credit: Radiological Society of North America

New CT technology allows for a comprehensive, simultaneous evaluation of lung structure and function, something not possible with standard CT, according to a study published in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Chest CT is the imaging method of choice for analyzing lung disease and tracking changes over time. However, CT studies of lung function and perfusion, or blood flow, require dedicated protocols that cannot be combined.

Researchers in Germany and the Netherlands developed a chest imaging protocol that yields information on structure and function of the lungs as a one-stop-shop procedure. The protocol uses recently introduced photon-counting CT technology. Photon-counting CT enables high image quality at a radiation dose below that of a standard chest CT. In addition, it provides better spatial resolution and options for spectral imaging, which uses energy information from the X-rays to characterize tissue composition. The new protocol requires advanced software but no additional hardware.

The researchers studied the protocol in 197 patients with clinically indicated CT for various known and unknown lung function impairment. After administration of an intravenous contrast agent, the photon-counting CT scan was taken when the patients inhaled. This was followed by a scan when the patients exhaled.

In 166 patients, the researchers were able to acquire all CT-derived parameters, for a success rate of 85%.

Representative coronal preoperative ventilation-perfusion CT (AC) and postoperative ventilation-perfusion CT (DF) images obtained after pulmonary endarterectomy in a 64-year-old female patient with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Circles show pathology. (A) CT angiographic image obtained before surgery shows a wall-adherent thrombus in the central right pulmonary artery extending into the upper lobe artery. (C) Perfusion image shows a corresponding lobar defect in the right upper lobe; region of interest (circle) placed in right upper lobe with a normalized iodine uptake of 4%. (B) Ventilation is homogeneous (region of interest in right upper lobe, 0.46) and preserved at normal level, representing a ventilation/perfusion mismatch. After surgical removal of the thrombus (circle in D), the perfusion in the right upper lobe increased (circle in F; from 4% to 13%), and ventilation remained stable within normal range and comparable before (B) and after (E) surgery. Credit: Radiological Society of North America

The protocol allowed for simultaneous evaluation of lung structure, ventilation, vasculature and perfusion of the parenchyma, the region of the lungs that contain the gas-exchanging alveoli. The alveoli are tiny air sacs where the lungs and the blood exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide during the process of breathing in and out. The protocol showed advantages over standard CT.

"The improvement in the contrast-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution of the pulmonary blood volume images was substantial," said study senior author Hoen-oh Shin, M.D., professor of radiology at the Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at Hannover Medical School in Hannover, Germany. "In my opinion, the most important advantage is the significantly improved spectral resolution, which enables new applications such as functional imaging of the lungs with CT."

The photon-counting CT protocol has other promising applications in lung imaging. It can provide important preoperative identification of areas of emphysema and perfusion defects in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a progressive disease caused by blood clots that do not clear from the lungs.

Postoperatively, the protocol allowed evaluation of surgical success and was helpful in assessing the lungs after lung or stem cell transplant procedures. It may also be useful in follow-up of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and looking at pathological findings in the lung tissue.

"We believe that the proposed protocol is generally valuable for diseases with known or unknown lung function impairment," Dr. Shin said.

Representative coronal images obtained in an 82-year-old male patient with persisting shortness of breath 1 month after COVID-19 infection. Circles indicate pathology. The virtual noncontrast-enhanced images at (A) inspiration, (B) warped inspiration, and (C) expiration show areas of ground-glass opacifications in the right upper lobe, as well as emphysema in the left lung. The perfusion image (E) and the late enhancement image (F) show corresponding high values with ground-glass opacifications in the affected areas of the lung. (D) The ventilation image is heterogeneous, with areas of low to no ventilation in areas of emphysema, normal ventilation in healthy areas, and increased ventilation (ie, collapse) in the ground-glass opacifications. Exemplary measurements with region of interest in the right upper lobe are as follows: ventilation, 0.61; perfusion, 18% of vessel contrast; and late enhancement, 79% of vessel contrast. Credit: Radiological Society of North America

Dr. Shin and colleagues first applied the protocol to patients with interstitial lung disease, a group of diseases that cause progressive scarring of the lung tissue. They then expanded the applications to include post-COVID-19 condition where interstitial lung disease sometimes develops.

"With the proposed protocol, we have also been able to answer many other questions related to post-COVID-19 condition, such as the detection of acute and chronic pulmonary emboli on CT angiography, and we are currently investigating whether perfusion changes can be quantified in microvascular damage or inflammatory areas," Dr. Shin said.

The researchers are working to improve processing time and increase the robustness of the technique.

"Regional ventilation and perfusion depend on patient position and gravity, among other factors," Dr. Shin said. "Further studies are needed to assess the dependence on position and depth of breathing, as well as the reproducibility of the measurements."

More information: Sarah C. Scharm et al, Regional Pulmonary Morphology and Function: Photon-counting CT Assessment, Radiology (2023). DOI: 10.1148/radiol.230318 Journal information: Radiology
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Nieltje Gedney was half-asleep in her West Virginia home, watching murder mysteries over the hum of a bedside hemodialysis machine, when she felt something warm and wet in her armpit.

A needle inserted into her arm had fallen loose, breaking a circuit that the machine used to clean her blood. It was still pumping, drawing and filtering blood as designed, but the blood was now spilling into her bed instead of returning to her body.

Gedney, a leader of the Home Dialyzors United support group, knew what to do. Armed with a decade of experience with hemodialysis, she calmly applied pressure to her arm and pressed a red button that turned off the pump. Her blood loss stopped. In the seconds her needle was loose, Gedney's blood had soaked through her pajamas, bedsheets, and quilt.

"I sat up and looked down, and I was literally covered in blood," said Gedney, 71. "It was a bloodbath."

On that frightful night last year, Gedney survived a rare and very dangerous complication of hemodialysisa venous needle dislodgment, or VND. About 500,000 Americans with kidney failure rely on hemodialysis to mimic the function of healthy kidneys by pumping their blood through an external cleaning machine. If the venous needle dislodges, the machine continues to pump and clean blood, but the blood escapes. The patient is methodically drained, and unless someone intervenes, can die in minutes.

By some estimates, at least one American is killed this way every week.

A relatively simple solution is available in Europe: An alarm detects blood loss with a disposable sensor patch, then automatically shuts off the dialysis pump. Dialysis companies in the United States have not embraced this fail-safe technology, so it is largely unavailable to Americans. The alarm costs $649 and each patch about $2.25. Neither is covered by Medicare, which insures most dialysis patients.

"That's the ugly side of dialysis," said Debbie Brouwer-Maier, a 40-year dialysis nurse and member of the American Nephrology Nurses Association's VND task force. She said the dialysis industry resists "any item that's going to improve care if there is added cost."

"The patch is the problem," Brouwer-Maier said. "It's a disposable you have to buy without being reimbursed, for every single treatment the patient does."

Currently, most American dialysis treatment occurs in a nationwide network of clinics where patients sit in rows of chairs for hours at a time about three times a week. Only about 2% of patients undergo hemodialysis at home, sometimes with the aid of family or a caregiver.

But hemodialysis is changing: The Trump and Biden administrations promoted home dialysis with increased Medicare payments. A new generation of portable machines offer better results, more independence, and a lower overall cost to the government and insurers. Home patients can be treated more often or for longer periods, putting less stress on their bodies, and may find it easier to travel or keep a day job.

Dialysis experts and patient advocates interviewed for this article agreed that many hemodialysis patients, if carefully selected and thoroughly trained, would benefit greatly from the momentum toward home care. Some also worry that no amount of training could erase the increased threat of needle dislodgment for those who dialyze at home while alone or asleep.

"It is the widowmaker heart attack of dialysis," said Ankur Shah, a Brown University nephrologist. "If you have a VND at home, and you go one or two minutes before you recognize it, you are now trying to intervene while you are physically going into shock."

Shah's concerns are shared by others. In 2020, the nurse association task force found that patients who do hemodialysis at home or while asleep "may be at higher risk." ECRI, a nonprofit focused on health care safety, named needle dislodgments a top health hazard for 2023 with a "particular concern" for patients at home. Both organizations said dialysis machines don't reliably detect dislodgments, so blood pumps cannot be counted on to turn themselves off.

Ismael Cordero, an ECRI engineer who evaluates medical devices, said the absence of an automatic shut-off may also endanger patients in dialysis clinics, where a patient's blanket could obscure a loose needle or staff members may not react in time.

Decades ago, Cordero witnessed a few dislodgments while working his way through college at a clinic in Pennsylvania. It was his job to mop up the blood.

"If that needle slips out, and no alarm goes off, and nobody notices, then within 10 minutes that patient would lose all of their blood," he said.

Two companies make hemodialysis machines that the FDA has approved for home use.

Outset Medical, whose Tablo machines resemble a mini-fridge and were approved for home use in 2020, said in response to emailed questions that it has received no reports of VNDs among Tablo patients at home. The company said it believes VNDs may be more common or dangerous in a clinical setting than at home because staffers monitor multiple patients who are "frequently sleeping under blankets" and "completely disengaged from their treatment."

"At home, a patient has been trained to manage themselves, including this rare event," the company said in an email. "And despite the potential severity of the event, the treatment is simple and a procedure the patient performs every time they dialyze. Stop the blood pump."

Fresenius, one of the world's largest dialysis companies, which has sold NxStage hemodialysis machines for home use in the U.S. since 2005, declined to comment.

Despite the lethality of venous needle dislodgments, there is no accounting of how often they occur. The National Institutes of Health maintains voluminous data on kidney failure and dialysis patients but does not track VND events in clinics or at home. The Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services requires dialysis companies to log them internally but not to report them to the government or the public.

But research shows they do happen. A 2017 study by researchers in Portugal reported 88 venous needle dislodgments among about 733,000 dialysis sessions in one year. A 2012 survey of more than 1,100 dialysis nurses reported that 76% witnessed a dislodgment in the prior five years, and 8% said they had seen five or more. A 2008 study of dialysis clinics run by the Veterans Health Administration found 47 needle dislodgments or similar disconnects among 2.5 million sessions over a six-year span, including many that required hospitalization and some that were fatal.

Redsense Medical, a Swedish company that makes dialysis safety products, estimates that needle dislodgment kills three Americans and 21 people globally each week. But these estimates are extrapolated from a mid-2000s study from a single Pittsburgh hospitalone of the few efforts in the U.S. to count them.

Redsense's signature product is a stand-alone alarm system, used by some clinics and home patients in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. The system detects a needle dislodgment with a blood sensor patch, then sounds an alarm and flashes red lights to alert someone to turn off the pump.

But these alarms could be doing more. Since 2017, some Redsense alarms have also been able to send a signal that will automatically turn off a blood pump without human intervention. This fail-safe was requested by dialysis clinics in Europe, said Redsense CEO Pontus Nobreus, but it has never been submitted to the FDA for approval because no companies showed interest in using it in the United States.

Currently, no hemodialysis machine used in the U.S. is programmed to respond to the shut-off signal, Nobreus said.

"It hasn't been used to its full potential, which is a pity," Nobreus said. "We can send a signal to the machine, but the manufacturer has to have the software integrated to actually tell the machine to stop."

Although Redsense alarms are not covered by Medicare, new legislation could change that. In May, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) introduced the "Home Dialysis Risk Prevention Act," which would extend Medicare coverage to VND alarms and related supplies for home patients only.

The bill was motivated in part by rural constituents who drive hours to dialysis clinics, Smith said, and he believes Medicare coverage lags far behind the latest dialysis technology.

"We want our public policy to be parallel with what technology can deliver," Smith said, "and more than that, encourage innovation and more technology that will ultimately help patients."

2023 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Average inpatient costs after hip fracture admission in English regions over a year. Credit: University of Bristol

There are significant variations in health care spending and care delivery across NHS hospitals in England and Wales following hip fracture, a new study aimed at understanding how hospital care impacts patients' outcomes and costs has revealed.

The study, led by the University of Bristol, highlights the urgent need for evidence-based quality improvement strategies to reduce health care spending and improve patient outcomes in the year following a hip fracture. The research is published online in The Lancet Healthy Longevity today.

Hip fracture is a serious health concern, with more than 70,000 older adults admitted to a UK hospital each year. This study highlights the high health care burden associated with breaking a hip.

The research analyzed data from national databases for 178,757 hip fracture patients aged 60 years and above in England and Wales, who broke their hip between 2016 and 2019, followed up to just before the pandemic. More than one in four patients died within a year of their hip fracture.

Patients spent an average of 32 days in hospital in the year following a hip fracture, resulting in substantial inpatient costs of on average 14,642 per patienta cost similar to that incurred in the year after a stroke, and that exceeds costs of many common cancers. But this cost varied substantially between hospitals, with more than a two-fold difference in spending, ranging from 10,867 to 23,188 per patient, between NHS hospitals studied in England and Wales.

The researchers identified that in hospitals where patients are up and about quickly after their operation and where physiotherapy is provided seven days a week, patient costs were lower, the risk of sudden confusion (delirium) was reduced, and patients spent fewer days in hospital in the year following hip fracture.

The research further highlighted the crucial role of orthogeriatriciansconsultant geriatricians who specialize in the care of people with fractures- in hip fracture care.

Dr. Petra Baji, Senior Research Associate in Health Economics at Bristol Medical School: Translational Health Sciences (THS) and the paper's first author, explained, "The findings suggest that having all patients assessed by an orthogeriatrician within the first days of admission could cut health care spending by 529 per patient, as well as reduce the chance of dying by 15% in the year following hip fracture."

Dr. Rita Patel, Senior Research Associate in Medical Statistics at Bristol and statistician for the study, added, "If a consultant orthogeriatrician attends hospital clinical governance meetings, a further cost savings of 356 could potentially be achieved, as well as patients spending fewer days spent in the hospital in the year following hip fracture."

The study highlights the importance of addressing the way hospitals deliver hip fracture care to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of hip fracture services, and the need to develop evidence-based quality improvement strategies across the UK, to achieve financial savings while also improving patient outcomes.

Celia Gregson, Professor in Clinical Epidemiology in the Musculoskeletal Research Unit at the University of Bristol and Chief Investigator of the study, commented, "The variation we have seen in patient outcomes and health spending following hip fracture are difficult to justify on purely clinical grounds, it tells us that the way we organize the delivery of care can be improved nationally."

"By prioritizing orthogeriatrician assessment, getting patients out of bed promptly after surgery, providing seven-day physiotherapy, reducing delirium risk for patients, and holding monthly multidisciplinary clinical governance meetings, hospitals stand to improve patient outcomes and reduce their health care spending."

Caroline Aylott, Head of Research Delivery at Versus Arthritis, said, "This research shows the unacceptable state of care for older people who break their hip. The findings show that older people have a high chance of dying within a year of a hip fracture, and that quality of care varies hugely between NHS hospitals in England and Wales."

"As hip fractures mainly affect older people, many of whom live with multiple long-term conditions, this research suggests we are not getting older people's care right. That must change."

"The study found that better, faster access to orthogeriatricians and fracture liaison services would not only reduce people's risk of dying and improve chances of a better recovery, but also reduce NHS spending. Just weeks after publication of the NHS workforce plan, the study provides yet further evidence of the desperate and immediate need for a properly resourced NHS."

The research team has already developed a potential solution, after working with the Royal Osteoporosis Society to develop an innovative toolkitREDUCE hip fracture service implementation toolkitinformed by the results of their research.

The toolkit is freely available to all health care professionals and service managers to support the quality improvement of fracture service provision within the 172 acute hospital settings across England and Wales.

More information: Petra Baji et al, Organisational factors associated with hospital costs and patient mortality in the 365 days following hip fracture in England and Wales (REDUCE): a record-linkage cohort study, The Lancet Healthy Longevity (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S2666-7568(23)00086-7
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Older people who have little social contact with others may be more likely to have loss of overall brain volume, and in areas of the brain affected by dementia, than people with more frequent social contact, according to a study published in the July 12, 2023, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

The study does not prove that social isolation causes brain shrinkage; it only shows an association.

"Social isolation is a growing problem for older adults," said study author Toshiharu Ninomiya, MD, Ph.D., of Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan. "These results suggest that providing support for people to help them start and maintain their connections to others may be beneficial for preventing brain atrophy and the development of dementia."

The study involved 8,896 people with an average age of 73 who did not have dementia. They had MRI brain scans and health exams. To determine social contact, people were asked one question: How often are you in contact with relatives or friends who do not live with you (e.g., meeting or talking on the phone)? The choices for answering were every day, several times a week, several times a month and seldom.

The people with the lowest amount of social contact had overall brain volume that was significantly lower than those with the most social contact. The total brain volume, or the sum of white and grey matter, as a percentage of the total intracranial volume, or the volume within the cranium, including the brain, meninges, and cerebrospinal fluid, was 67.3% in the lowest contact group compared to 67.8% in the highest contact group. They also had lower volumes in areas of the brain such as the hippocampus and amygdala that play a role in memory and are affected by dementia.

The researchers took into account other factors that could affect brain volume, such as age, diabetes, smoking and exercise.

The socially isolated people also had more small areas of damage in the brain, called white matter lesions, than the people with frequent social contact. The percentage of intracranial volume made up of white matter lesions was 0.30 for the socially isolated group, compared to 0.26 for the most socially connected group.

The researchers found that symptoms of depression partly explained the relationship between social isolation and brain volumes. However, symptoms of depression accounted for only 15% to 29% of the association.

"While this study is a snapshot in time and does not determine that social isolation causes brain atrophy, some studies have shown that exposing older people to socially stimulating groups stopped or even reversed declines in brain volume and improved thinking and memory skills, so it's possible that interventions to improve people's social isolation could prevent brain volume loss and the dementia that often follows," Ninomiya said.

Since the study involved only older Japanese people, a limitation is that the findings may not be generalizable to people of other ethnicities and younger people.

More information: Alexa E Walter et al, The Importance of Social Contact on Brain Atrophy among Older Individuals, Neurology (2023). DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000207720 Journal information: Neurology
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Image showing the signaling cells (in green) of the mouse placenta that are key for remote controlling the metabolism of the mother to support nutrient supply and growth of the fetus. Credit: Sferruzzi-Perri lab

Fetuses use a copy of a gene inherited from their dad to force their mum to release as much nutrients as possible during pregnancy, Cambridge scientists have discovered.

The unborn baby 'remote controls' its mother's metabolism so the two are in a nutritional tug of war. The mother's body wants the baby to survive but needs to keep enough glucose and fats circulating in her system for her own health, to be able to deliver the baby, breastfeed and to reproduce again.

A new study from the University of Cambridge published today examines how the placenta communicates with the mother through the release of hormones so she will accommodate her baby's growth. The placenta is a vital organ that develops with the fetus in pregnant women and other female mammals to support the developing fetus. In pregnant mice, scientists selectively altered the signaling cells in the placenta that tell mothers to allocate nutrients to her developing fetuses.

Professor Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri, Professor in Fetal and Placental Physiology, a Fellow of St John's College and co-senior author of the paper, said, "It's the first direct evidence that a gene inherited from the father is signaling to the mother to divert nutrients to the fetus."

Dr. Miguel Constancia, MRC Investigator based at the Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science and co-senior author of the paper, said, "The baby's remote control system is operated by genes that can be switched on or off depending on whether they are a 'dad's' or 'mum's' gene', the so-called imprinted genes.

"Genes controlled by the father are 'greedy' and 'selfish' and will tend to manipulate maternal resources for the benefit of the fetuses, so to grow them big and fittest. Although pregnancy is largely cooperative, there is a big arena for potential conflict between the mother and the baby, with imprinted genes and the placenta thought to play key roles."

The findings by researchers from the Centre for Trophoblast Research at Cambridge's Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience and the Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, part of the Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, have been published in Cell Metabolism.

The baby's genes controlled by the father tend to promote fetal growth and those controlled by the mother tend to limit fetal growth.

Professor Sferruzzi-Perri explained: "Those genes from the mother that limit fetal growth are thought to be a mother's way of ensuring her survival, so she doesn't have a baby that takes all the nutrients and is too big and challenging to birth. The mother also has a chance of having subsequent pregnancies potentially with different males in the future to pass on her genes more widely."

Researchers deleted the expression of an important imprinted gene called Igf2, which provides instructions for making a protein called 'Insulin Like Growth Factor 2'. Similar to the hormone insulin, which is responsible for making and controlling glucose levels in our circulation, the gene promotes fetal growth and plays a key part in the development of fetal tissues including the placenta, liver and brain.

Dr. Jorge Lopez-Tello, a lead author of the study based at the University's Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, said, "If the function of Igf2 from the father is switched off in signaling cells, the mother doesn't make enough amounts of glucose and lipidsfatsavailable in her circulation. These nutrients therefore reach the fetus in insufficient amounts and the fetus doesn't grow properly."

The scientists found that deleting Igf2 from the placenta's signaling cells affects the production of other hormones that modulate the way the mother's pancreas produces insulin, and how her liver and other metabolic organs respond.

"We found Igf2 controls the hormones responsible for reducing insulin sensitivity in the mother during pregnancy. It means the mother's tissues don't absorb glucose so nutrients are more available in the circulation to be transferred to the fetus," said Professor Sferruzzi-Perri.

Babies with Igf2 gene defects can be overgrown or growth-stunted. "Until now, we didn't know that part of the Igf2 gene's role is to regulate signaling to the mother to allocate nutrients to the fetus," added Professor Sferruzzi-Perri.

The mice studied were smaller at birth and their offspring showed early signs of diabetes and obesity in later life.

Professor Sferruzzi-Perri said, "Our research highlights how important the controlled allocation of nutrients to the fetus is for the lifelong health of the offspring, and the direct role the placenta plays.

"The placenta is an amazing organ. At the end of pregnancy, the placenta is delivered by the mother, but the memories of how the placenta was functioning leaves a lasting legacy on the way those fetal organs have developed and then how they're going to function through life."

The next step is to understand how placental hormones are controlled by Igf2 and what those hormones are doing. Future research could help scientists discover new strategies to target the placenta to improve health outcomes for mums and babies.

More information: Jorge Lopez-Tello et al, Fetal manipulation of maternal metabolism is a critical function of the imprinted Igf2 gene, Cell Metabolism (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.06.007 Journal information: Cell Metabolism
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Researchers in Dresden, Germany, have presented evidence that a varied and active lifestyle positively shapes the brain by enhancing neural connections. Credit: DZNE / Amin Lab (BIONICS)

The fact that experiences leave their trace in the connectivity of the brain has been known for a while, but a pioneering study by researchers at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and TUD Dresden University of Technology now shows how huge these effects really are.

The findings, in mice, provide unprecedented insights into the complexity of large-scale neural networks and brain plasticity. Moreover, they could pave the way for new brain-inspired artificial intelligence methods. The results, based on an innovative "brain-on-chip" technology, are published in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

The Dresden researchers explored the question of how an enriched experience affects the brain's circuitry.

For this, they deployed a so-called neurochip with more than 4,000 electrodes to detect the electrical activity of brain cells. This innovative platform enabled registering the "firing" of thousands of neurons simultaneously.

The area examinedmuch smaller than the size of a human fingernailcovered an entire mouse hippocampus. This brain structure, shared by humans, plays a pivotal role in learning and memory, making it a prime target for the ravages of dementias like Alzheimer's disease.

For their study, the scientists compared brain tissue from mice that were raised differently to each other. While one group of rodents were raised in standard cages, which did not offer any special stimuli, the others were housed in an "enriched environment" that included rearrangeable toys and maze-like plastic tubes.

"The results by far exceeded our expectations," said Dr. Hayder Amin, lead scientist of the study. The team developed the technology and analysis tools used in this study. "Simplified, one can say that the neurons of mice from the enriched environment were much more interconnected than those raised in standard housing. No matter which parameter we looked at, a richer experience literally boosted connections in the neuronal networks. These findings suggest that leading an active and varied life shapes the brain on whole new grounds."

Unprecedented insight into brain networks

Prof. Gerd Kempermann, who co-leads the study and has been working on the question of how physical and cognitive activity helps the brain to form resilience towards aging and neurodegenerative disease, says, "All we knew in this area so far has either been taken from studies with single electrodes or imaging techniques like magnetic resonance imaging. The spatial and temporal resolution of these techniques is much coarser than our approach. Here we can literally see the circuitry at work down to the scale of single cells. We applied advanced computational tools to extract a huge amount of details about network dynamics in space and time from our recordings."

"We have uncovered a wealth of data that illustrates the benefits of a brain shaped by rich experience. This paves the way to understand the role of plasticity and reserve formation in combating neurodegenerative diseases, especially with respect to novel preventive strategies," Prof. Kempermann said, who, in addition to being a DZNE researcher, is also affiliated with the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD) at TU Dresden. "Also, this will help provide insights into disease processes associated with neurodegeneration, such as dysfunctions of brain networks."

"By unraveling how experiences shape the brain's connectome and dynamics, we are not only pushing the boundaries of brain research," states Dr. Amin. "Artificial intelligence is inspired by how the brain computes information. Thus, our tools and the insights they allow to generate could open the way for novel machine learning algorithms."

More information: Brett Addison Emery et al, High-resolution CMOS-based biosensor for assessing hippocampal circuit dynamics in experience-dependent plasticity, Biosensors and Bioelectronics (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115471 Journal information: Biosensors and Bioelectronics
Photo: Toronto Police Service

A 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged with second degree murder over the death of a woman who was killed by a stray bullet in Toronto's east end last week.

Police say 44-year-old Karolina Huebner-Makurat was killed while walking in the Leslieville neighbourhood at Queen Street and Carlaw Avenue around 12:20 p.m. on Friday.

Police say officer responded to reports of a physical altercation between three males.

Toronto police say two of the men "brandished handguns and discharged them at each other."

Police have asked for the public's help in identifying two additional suspects.

Police say Huebner-Makurat was walking in the area and was hit by a stray bullet.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Telehealth can save money and health care resources by enabling virtual evaluation and treatment, but only when it's used for certain types of diseases, according to a new study from The University of Texas at Austin.

Researchers at the McCombs School of Business found telehealth did not significantly reduce costs or the number of future visits to emergency rooms or specialists for circulatory, respiratory and infectious diseases.

The findings have practical implications for fostering telehealth use in a value-based health care environment.

"People believed that telehealth would be the next big thing, the future of health care," said Indranil Bardhan, a professor of information, risk and operations management. "But our research shows that its impact is not as straightforward as people might think. It's more nuanced."

The study is published in Information Systems Research.

Bardhan and his co-authors, Sezgin Ayabakan of Temple University and Zhiqiang (Eric) Zheng of The University of Texas at Dallas, examined telehealth through the theory of process virtualization: replacing physical interactions with virtual ones.

Based on a study of patient visits across all hospital-based outpatient clinics in Maryland from 2012 to 2021, they found virtual telehealth visits reduced the overall number of future outpatient visits within 30 days of a telehealth encounter by 14%, saving $239 in total outpatient costs per patient.

Behavioral health, metabolic disorders, dermatology and musculoskeletal disorders saw the greatest positive impacts from telehealth.

But for diseases of the heart or lung, or those involving infection, symptoms are more difficult for patients to communicate and for doctors to observe over video. These limitations resulted in no benefit from virtual care, Bardhan said.

He hopes the research can help enable more efficient use of resources by encouraging health care professionals to focus telehealth on treating specific disease types and conditions where it can do the most good.

"The effectiveness of telehealth is really a function of the type of disease that it is used to treat," he said.

More information: Sezgin Ayabakan et al, Impact of Telehealth and Process Virtualization on Healthcare Utilization, Information Systems Research (2023). DOI: 10.1287/isre.2023.1220 Journal information: Information Systems Research
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Used CytoSorb cartridge. Credit: Karin Kaiser / MHH

Many hospitals use the adsorber to purify the blood of seriously ill patients in order to trap inflammatory substances and prevent the life-threatening cytokine storm. MHH researchers have now found in a meta-study that the treatment does not reduce mortality and may even cause harm.

Blood purification procedures are used for a variety of diseases such as kidney failure or severe infections. The best-known form of blood purification is hemodialysis for kidney failure. There are also various treatments known as therapeutic apheresis, which ensure that pathogens or harmful metabolic products are removed from the blood.

In these procedures, which usually takes several hours, the blood is passed through a machine to remove pathogens or harmful metabolic products with the help of so-called adsorber systems. The healthy parts are then returned to the patients as an infusion.

But intensive care medicine also uses blood purification procedures to remove pro-inflammatory cytokines from the blood in cases of life-threatening excessive immune reactions caused by sepsis or COVID-19. These proteins actually control the defense against pathogens.

However, when released uncontrollably, they trigger a life-threatening overreaction of the immune system. To prevent this, many hospitals use the CytoSorb adsorber system. Used in addition to hemodialysis or on its own, the cartridge is supposed to intercept the problematic messenger substances and ensure that those affected survive the dreaded cytokine storm.

Now researchers from the Clinic for Kidney and Hypertension Diseases at the Hannover Medical School (MHH) have examined the effectiveness of the adsorber in more detail for the first time.

They analyzed data from 34 studies in which about 1,300 patients treated with CytoSorb were compared with about 1,300 control subjects. The result: "We could not find any measurable reduction in mortality due to CytoSorb treatment," says Professor Dr. Bernhard Schmidt, senior physician at the clinic.

The use of the cartridge, which costs around 1,100 euros more, can even have negative consequences. This is because the adsorber not only removes the pro-inflammatory cytokines, but also other components of the blood plasma such as anti-inflammatory tissue hormones, coagulation factors and antibiotics.

"Therefore, we cannot recommend the use of CytoSorb in intensive care medicine," the nephrologist states. The results of the meta-analysis have been published in the journal Critical Care.

Use increases from year to year

The adsorber is manufactured in the U.S. and has been used for eleven years in German hospitals as an additive in blood purification. The number of uses increased from year to year and was about 6,500 in 2020. The number of studies on the use of CytoSorb is also considerable. A search by the MHH researchers in the PubMed medical database yielded 410 hits, and there were about 800 in CytoSorb's own database. But by no means were all the studies suitable for inclusion in the meta-study.

"Most of them were completely inadequate in terms of their scientific quality, had cohorts that were too small, used data from the same patients several times and compared completely different disease courses," explains Professor Schmidt. Thirty-four studies finally remained that the nephrologist and his team reviewed. Of these, only twelve were randomized, i.e., had randomly assigned their participants to different groups, so that it was not predictable who would receive the blood purification with adsorber and who would belong to the control group.

Appropriate studies are lacking

Nevertheless, the meta-study does not exclude that CytoSorb might not have a positive effect under certain circumstances, emphasizes Professor Schmidt. "In certain patients in the very early phase of sepsis, the adsorber could possibly help," he says. "But these are case-by-case decisions." In order to clearly prove the effectiveness, randomized, controlled studies on suitable patients in comparable disease states are missing.

For this, however, preliminary work has to be done to find patients who are likely to respond to the treatment and to determine the optimal time for therapy for each disease, he says. After all, the meta-study is now part of the CytoSorb database. The nephrologist does not want to speculate on whether the use of the adsorber in German hospitals will decrease as a result of its publication. At the MHH, however, the cartridge has already been used less frequently for some time.

More information: Soren Becker et al, Efficacy of CytoSorb: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Critical Care (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04492-9 Journal information: Critical Care

Provided by Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
SULU - A policeman was killed and 13 others wounded in the southern province of Sulu after security forces trying to arrest a former town of...
David Miles Lusk's Big Sky country might resemble yours.

The Missoula printmaker says his latest artwork is more of a personal, semi-autobiographical show, in which the imagery represents his experience living in Montana. Theres room for imagery he calls zany and fun, along with ones that are more personal.

If you go David Miles Lusks print installation, Big Sky, is on view at the ZACC during the Last Best Print Fest exhibition this month. For info on festival classes and auction art, go to zootownarts.org.

Theyre each little moments, he said, since lifes made up of little moments, of little memories, and we compartmentalize them in our brain.

The work is titled Big Sky, comprising 40 prints of 8 by 8 inches each, on view this month at the Zootown Arts Community Center as part of its annual Last Best Printfest.

As a base, each print has a blue-sky background with textural arcs of colored pencil. The centerpiece image is something  an object, activity, flora or fauna  that signifies Montana, rendered in his distinctive black lines as pillows of condensed air, with enough depth that a grizzly bear looks three-dimensional, with the shadow and shape of a cloud.

***

In 2017, Lusk made a series of mixed-media prints called Asunder with butterflies as the subject. Hed had the idea for Big Sky years ago but the pandemic derailed his plan, driven in part by a desire to break out of a kind of grind that producing his type of work can lead to. Over the past years, hes built up his art practice in his hometown under the name Anomal Press, a mash-up of anomaly and animal.

I took my hobby and the thing I was most passionate about and it became a career, the relationship with it completely changed, he said. Now that hes built his business and following, I do feel like I can make riskier shows.

Printmaking is very Type A, he said. You have to follow a set of steps for the final product to satisfy. Painting, drawing and mixed media, meanwhile, are an opportunity to tap into another side of his personality thats looser, a chance to mix in an expressive statement.

These mixed media pieces have a base layer of a sky photograph that he shot at various times of day. Next he transferred them and arranged them on a wall, and drew an array of arcing colored pencil lines. He carved his centerpiece images as relief prints and produced them on Kozo paper, then transferred those to the sky blocks.

Some are carefree. A floater holding a can aloft, as though to passersby on the river bank. A rider on a motorcycle. A confidently striding sasquatch. Local flora and fauna have been a signature of his for some time, and are present here in wolves, mushrooms, a dinosaur, a swooping eagle, a towering tree. Elements of young adulthood, in Montana as anywhere, get their due, like a vintage Nintendo controller. An impressively stacked ice cream cone references his first job at an ice cream shop.

A dragon? While hes known for his Montana subject matter, hes a huge fan of science fiction and fantasy.

I drew a lot of dragons when I was little, he said. I teethed my art career on drawing monsters and dragons.

***

While the art stands on its own, as a set or individual prints, the works also hold a collective meaning for him. Lusk, 34, has a 4-year-old daughter with his partner, Samantha Balk, whom theyve raised amid the chaos of the pandemic. In the past year, hes suffered three losses in his family, including his father.

Lusk grew up in Missoula, having moved here when he was a little kid. He went to Hellgate High School, and then the University of Montana for art, graduating in 2014. After college, like many recent degree-holders, he was raring and ready to move to a larger city, but he was just poor. Hed visit friends whod departed for larger areas and realized by his mid-20s that I dont want to move at all, I want to stay here. This is where I want to be, especially after becoming a dad.

Seen hanging on the wall at the ZACC in a grid, when read left to right like a book, it starts deep in the states history and his personal one: A Tyrannosaurus Rex. He moved to Montana when he was young, which he remembers as a momentous thing, and some of his first memories were of his older brothers obsession with Jurassic Park. A chicken leg alludes to his mother, with whom he doesnt really have a relationship but he remembers her as an amazing cook, with fried chicken as a favored memory of her. A towering tree references his father, who taught him about those.

Now that hes learned the process, he could remake these prints  one, two or all 40  again. Its expressive and loose, but he can still work in multiples.

I'm trying to blend those two things together in a way, he said.
Two criminal cases involving the killings of women on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation progressed in federal court this week.

A Heart Butte man will spend over 15 years behind bars for murdering a woman on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office. Terrance T. Aimsback, 35, pleaded guilty in March to 2nd-degree murder. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris sentenced him to 15 years and 10 months in federal prison on Wednesday, to be followed by five years of supervised release.

Prosecutors allege Aimsback beat the victim to death with a stick and subsequently lied to law enforcement, attempting to cover up the death. The two reportedly shared a romantic relationship. On Nov. 24, 2022 Aimsback called 911 claiming the woman would not wake up, but was breathing, the news release stated. Authorities arrived and determined the victim died hours beforehand.

In his interview with officials, Aimsback admitted to killing the woman via beating during an argument, according to the release.

Aimsback earned this significant sentence based on his violent conduct that led to murdering his romantic partner. We will, and we must, hold perpetrators of violence against Native American women accountable, U.S. Attorney for Montana Jesse Laslovich said in the release.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy J. Racicot and Ryan G. Weldon prosecuted the case. The FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and Pondera County Sheriffs Office conducted the investigation.

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Womens movement is one of the most important causes of our time, which is why our office will continue to seek justice for victims to ensure Native women and girls are protected, Laslovich said.

On Thursday, a Browning man admitted to a federal charge alleging he hit and killed a woman with his car, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Jordan J. Morgan, 31, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, a news release stated. Morgan faces a maximum of eight years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 6. A plea agreement recommends 12 months and one day of prison time.

According to prosecutors, Morgan and the victim were in Browning on the evening of Nov. 8, 2021. The two knew each other and were reportedly arguing when Morgan got into his car while the woman stood near the open window of Morgans door.

Morgan pulled forward while the woman was holding onto the open window, veered to the right and threw the victim under the car. Morgan drove over her body, prosecutors allege.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lori Harper Suek and Kalah A. Paisley are prosecuting the case. The FBI, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and Montana Highway Patrol conducted the investigation.
New York drinking water suppliers were already looking at $900 million in estimated costs to remove so-called PFAS forever chemicals from the water that flows out of their customers taps. Now they - and their customers - could be on the hook for more if a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal goes into effect.

State health officials did not directly respond to questions about how much it would cost for water systems to comply with the recommended EPA standards. But years ago they estimated it would cost New York water utilities $855 million upfront and more than $45 million to maintain for treatment to limit New Yorkers exposure to the harmful chemicals known as PFAS.

That was to meet 2020 state standards that limit two main PFAS chemicals from the water. But now, in light of even stricter proposed regulations, which would further limit exposure via drinking water to PFAS, hundreds more New York utilities could be affected.

At the end of the day  our ratepayers are the ones that will be on the hook for compliance costs associated with the cost to supply water to them as customers, said Ken Naugle, production engineer for the Monroe County Water Authority.

Naugles water supplier has already made the investment in granular activated carbon technology that captures PFAS particles as the water moves through filters.

But he said the cost to maintain that technology is getting more expensive  and he worries how new regulations could impact that.

There's a big fear on our part that there could be a real shortage of this material, if everybody has to comply and there's a lot more demand and it has to be changed more regularly, he said. Its going to be a real issue at some point, certainly in terms of cost, but maybe even in terms of availability.

Environmental advocates say the cost is worth it to protect people from PFAS chemicals, which are likely human carcinogens and have been linked to cancers, organ damage and reproductive issues.

Its time for a precautionary approach, said Peggy Kurtz, leader of the Rockland Water Coalition in Rockland County. This is long overdue.

But some, like Marty Aman, a water utility operator in Wayne County, are skeptical (about going) to this great expense and all these extra measures to be more protective that it will make a big difference.

I'm hopeful that it that it rings the bell in terms of effectiveness, in terms of really helping, Aman said.

The costs have led to a key question for cash-strapped utilities who are already struggling to keep up with deferred maintenance, lead pipe removal and other water contaminants: Who should be saddled with the cost of installing the technology to get rid of the PFAS chemicals that eventually wound up in New York waterways?

Some advocates, like Robert Hayes of Environmental Advocates NY, say the companies that used or manufactured the chemicals, not New York or federal taxpayers, should be forced to pay for cleanup.

Interactive: Look up PFAS 'forever' chemicals in New York drinking water systems PFAS have been found in the water that millions of New Yorkers rely on for drinking water. Lookup the levels of PFAS chemicals in your drinking water system here.

It should be the chemical companies that developed PFAS that have known for decades but continue to put them into products because it was profitable to do so, Hayes said. Anywhere they can be held accountable, that is the best case scenario for paying for getting treatment installed.

Leonardo Trasande, a pediatric environmental health researcher at New York University, pointed out that PFAS chemicals are not put in the water supply by the local municipalities.

They were put in the water supply by companies that profited off of making PFAS, Trasande said.  The Polluter Pays principle is a tried and true principle not just of environmental policy and ethics but of American law.

But even successful lawsuits and complaints against such companies can take years and is not always a sure thing.

In the case of Hoosick Falls, where contamination was discovered back in 2015, the state of New York just announced in May that it had reached a $45 million agreement with companies Saint-Gobain and Honeywell to implement a new water supply for Hoosick Falls.

Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a May release that he is thrilled to see that residents in Hoosick Falls will have a new safe source of clean drinking water that they need and deserve, and is further encouraged to see that the new water supply system will not become the financial burden of New York's taxpayers.

In other cases, the source of contamination is unknown or was caused by unintentional acts by manufacturers, according to John Gardella, a Boston-based attorney and PFAS expert who represents companies that used PFAS in their products or manufacturing processes.

Way back when there were no PFAS regulations, it was perfectly permissible and legal to do this, Gardella said. Should we shoulder all these companies with the burden and cost of cleaning this up?

But not all of the water utilities are equally equipped to be able to pay for treatment. There are 2,820 community public water systems serving more than 18.3 million New Yorkers, with nearly 95% of New Yorkers receiving water from public water supplies.

Some, like New York Citys, serve 8.3 million customers, and have more resources to pay for treatment. Others serve just over a dozen people, such as small mobile home parks. But no matter the size, they all have to meet the same maximum contaminant levels.

The smaller systems dont have the resources to provide people clean water, Hayes said. Small systems dont have the resources to dig up (lead) pipes, just like they might not have the resources to do the testing and treatment for PFAS.

State Health Department spokeswoman Erin Clary said the state and federal governments have made record-setting investments which the department has leveraged to address emerging contaminants in drinking water, including PFAS.

That includes $30.8 million from the EPA in 2022 and a predicted $35.6 million in 2023, 2024 and 2025. In addition, the state expects to receive $83.7 million in a federal grant to address emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities.

There is also funding available through the New York State Water infrastructure improvement act and the Environmental Bond Act, according to the state health department.

New York continues to increase its investments in water infrastructure, Clary said.

But Clary said federal investment must continue to ensure we have the resources available to continue to address these compounds in the future.

Meanwhile, Clary noted that any resident that wishes to reduce exposure to PFAS contaminants in drinking water can purchase a home treatment system.

For example, residents can buy certain drinking water pitchers or install reverse-osmosis systems in their homes.

But the cost of making those changes is out of reach for many low-income people and renters who dont have the means to upgrade their drinking water systems, said David Carpenter, a public health physician and professor at the University at Albany.

Theres a significant population of residents of New York that simply dont have the financial resources or the knowledge of these dangers, Carpenter said. Thats really the responsibility of the state health department and state government in general to set a basic standard that protects the health of everybody, whether theyre wealthy or not wealthy.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include details from a recent Drinking Water Quality Council meeting in which it was revealed that New York officials told the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that nearly 550 public water systems in the state contain PFAS.

The drinking-water systems that serve at least 3.2 million New Yorkers rely on water from rivers, lakes and streams that - before its treated - contains unsafe levels of the so-called forever chemicals known as PFAS, state and federal data show.

But only some of the hundreds of affected drinking water systems across New York that contain PFAS at levels that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now says are too high actually are required to treat their water for PFAS or take other steps to reduce the chemicals before residents turn on their taps. That leaves an untold number of New Yorkers subjected - sometimes unknowingly - to elevated PFAS levels in their tap water.

Tony Schillo, a resident at Rolling Hills Manufactured Home Park in Onondaga County, has heard a common refrain from neighbors ever since he moved in: Dont drink the water.

Schillo recently received a notice from the park that the water flowing from their taps has contained PFAS at a higher level than New York allows since at least 2021, but no treatment has happened yet. The park owner said she is looking into multiple options.

Its like living in a third-world country, Schillo said. I cant go outside and fill up a pool with water or the sprinkler for my kid to play with. Even the simple plight of taking a bath gives me anxiety for my kid not to try to drink that water.

As a result, his family of four is dependent on bottled water for drinking and cooking. The empty jugs pile up in the shed. Buying water that way gets crazy expensive, Schillo said. When moneys tight, he skips buying the jugs and boils his tap water before using it.

These are unacceptable conditions, Schillo said.

PFAS - otherwise known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances - are man-made chemicals that have been used for years to manufacture heat-, water- and stain-resistant products  from nonstick pans and rain jackets to carpet, cosmetics, tampons, toilet paper and more. Contamination is so widespread that federal health officials estimate most Americans blood contains PFAS.

The EPA, which proposed the first-ever federal restrictions on PFAS chemicals in drinking water earlier this year, found that those chemicals are unsafe at even lower levels than utilities can reliably test for.

Hoosick Falls, a small village outside Albany, made national headlines in 2015 when the U.S. EPA told residents not to drink the water because of PFAS contamination. The community installed treatment technology to clean up the chemicals. Hoosick Falls became a watershed event for alerting the public to the issues of PFAS in drinking water.

Interactive: Look up PFAS 'forever' chemicals in New York drinking water systems PFAS have been found in the water that millions of New Yorkers rely on for drinking water. Lookup the levels of PFAS chemicals in your drinking water system here.

But the contamination hasnt only affected a few isolated communities. PFAS contamination in drinking water systems affects communities across New York, in larger water systems that serve hundreds of thousands of people and in small mobile home parks, schools and synagogues.

This is a public health crisis at this point, said Yvonne Taylor, founder of Seneca Lake Guardian, an advocacy group based in the Finger Lakes area that focuses on New York environmental issues. Many people in the public dont even know about this emerging contamination or the health implications of drinking water that has high levels of it. Its kind of like Hoosick Falls, all over again, everywhere.

An analysis of statewide drinking water system data and the state's PFAS regulations by the Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team found the following:

In 2021 alone, nearly 300 public water systems serving 3.2 million people across about 35 counties reported to the State Department of Health in 2021 that the source water they use tested positive for at least one PFAS compound at a level that the U.S. EPA now says is too high.

The state told the EPA in late May that nearly 550 public water systems in New York contain at least one PFAS chemical at a level higher than their proposed restriction.

The worst PFAS contamination in drinking water sources in 2021 was found at mobile home parks in Oswego County, the Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh water districts in Rensselaer County, Hopewell Hamlet and Greenfield water districts in Dutchess County, and a Jewish school and synagogue in Westchester County. The water used to serve all of those places at some point in 2021 tested positive for at least 100 parts per trillion for PFAS  or 25 times the level that the EPA has proposed is adequate to protect public health.

The true extent of the contamination across the state is difficult to ascertain due to disparities in the states data. Some water utilities, such as the Buffalo Water Board, reported to residents that their finished tap water contained lower PFAS levels than what was initially reported by the state, because of what they said was a data error. And the state does not keep track of what each of the thousands of water utilities individually report to their customers about their PFAS levels.

Some New Yorkers are getting out-of-date information that downplays the health impacts of PFAS chemicals. The states current guidance dictates that for water systems with PFAS detections up to 70 parts per trillion, residents are to receive a notice that their water does not pose a significant short-term health risk and that the water "continues to be acceptable for all uses. That means even people whose water systems exceeded the states maximum levels for PFAS contaminants are still being told their water is safe to drink, even though the EPA released information about a year ago that says PFAS is unsafe at a much lower exposure level.

About a dozen water systems with elevated PFAS levels have deferral agreements with the state health department, allowing them to pursue treatment on a schedule agreed to by the state. Those agreements allow them to avoid being issued a formal violation while they are working on reducing PFAS levels.

Clean-water advocates say the reality  where some New Yorkers drink water free from PFAS contamination but others arent as lucky  is a failure of government officials to adequately manage the states growing PFAS problem, even as the state has taken numerous steps in recent years to try to deal with the issue.

How can you protect public health by allowing any of these in our drinking water? said Loreen Hackett, a Hoosick Falls resident with documented elevated PFAS levels who has fought breast cancer and other health issues. She and other Hoosick Falls residents are involved in a long-range state health study monitoring the PFAS levels in their blood.

If weve banned them in apparel, carpets and food packaging, why are we allowed to drink any of them?

New York is one of 22 states that have enacted or proposed maximum levels for PFAS in drinking water, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

New York State is committed to having the safest drinking water possible, said Department of Health spokeswoman Erin Clary, who says the states existing standards have allowed it to take action to reduce these levels to limit exposure and prevent health risks.

And water utility operators say most of the states water systems are moving as fast as they can controlling PFAS in light of the fast-evolving science, while trying to keep up with increased regulations and compliance costs.

You know, there may be some isolated instances where more prompt action might be warranted, based upon extreme circumstances, said Marty Aman, executive director of the Wayne County Water and Sewer Authority. But I mean  I don't see a lot of foot dragging going on.

But some are pushing New York state officials  including the State Department of Health, Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers  to further tighten their PFAS rules to protect more New Yorkers drinking water from the chemicals. They say the state needs to keep up with states like Maine and Minnesota that have banned all but essential uses of the chemicals.

When were talking about standards, it can seem so abstract, but it has such a concrete impact on peoples lives, said Rob Hayes, director of clean water at the advocacy group Environmental Advocates NY. These standards determine whose water gets cleaned up and whose doesnt.

Why some PFAS contamination in drinking water is cleaned up  and some isnt

The reason why some New Yorkers water is treated for PFAS and some isnt has to do with the gap between state and federal standards.

New Yorks rules for how much of the chemicals can be in drinking water before treatment and notification is required are looser than what the U.S. EPA now recommends to be adequately protective. The EPA responded to new research showing even low exposure to the chemicals can cause health problems.

The EPA proposed earlier this year that drinking water across the U.S. should only contain the two main PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, up to 4 parts per trillion. But New York allows the chemicals to remain in peoples water without treatment or notification until they reach 10 parts per trillion.

I totally support the new EPA standards - I think theyre long overdue, said David Carpenter, a public health physician and professor at the University at Albany. But I understand the states reluctance to implement them because theyre going to be expensive. Its always this issue of cost versus protecting human health.

The EPA proposal has not yet gone into effect and is likely to face extensive pushback and even litigation from opponents like the chemical industry, which has said it supports some drinking water standards but is concerned about compliance costs. If it does go into effect, the EPA estimates it could cost up to $1.2 billion to implement nationwide to install treatment technology in nearly 150,000 water systems. The state believes that cost estimate is too low.

In the meantime, advocates are concerned about those living in the gap. PFAS contamination in those drinking water systems does not reach New York's existing standards for mandatory treatment, but exceeds the EPA's.

Residents should know if their water utility is exceeding the EPAs drinking water standards, Hayes said. Without knowing if theyre going to exceed the EPA levels, residents will never think to hold their water utility accountable and get them proactively solving the problem.

We arent advocating for everyone in the population to switch to bottled water. But there might be vulnerable members of a population - pregnant women, people with infants, the immunocompromised - that are most especially at risk of even short-term PFAS exposure, he said.

Some larger, more-resourced drinking water systems - like the Monroe County Water Authority, which serves nearly 500,000 people - have taken proactive steps to remove PFAS from customers tap water after its detected in the source water or a well.

Ken Naugle, production engineer for the Monroe County Water Authority, said his utility has installed technology already to limit things like harmful algal blooms. That it also treats PFAS chemicals is a bonus.

We were just fortunate we had (it) already built into our filtration process, Naugle said. Other water utilities may not be or are not as fortunate and will have to be forced into considering (treatment) as part of their compliance strategy.

But many smaller systems cant afford to do much about the problem until contamination reaches a critical level.

Even if they might pose a threat to public health, you might be more likely to get treatment proactively if youre in a large system than if youre in a rural system that is struggling to keep the lights on every single day, Hayes said.

PFAS in New York drinking water: Who should pay to fix the problem? Environmental advocates say the cost is worth it to protect people from PFAS chemicals, which are likely human carcinogens and have been linked to cancers, organ damage and reproductive issues.

More than 250 water systems in New York have at some point tested positive for PFOA or PFOS above 10 parts per trillion, according to the Health Department.

In all those cases, testing results breached the states maximum level of 10 parts per trillion for the chemicals. That requires the water systems to both notify residents and their local health department and do something to fix the problem, such as treating the water or removing a contaminated source from use.

Peggy Kurtz, leader of the Rockland Water Coalition, said approving the (EPA proposal) makes all the difference to us in Rockland County between continuing to drink water that is contaminated with PFAS or not.

Veolia Water just outside New York City in Rockland County had levels of both PFOA and PFOS that met or exceeded the state maximum contaminant level in 2021. However, the water system has a deferral through August of 2023 and it noted that "Veolia is taking the steps necessary to meet New York State's requirements regarding PFAS and PFOA on its 2021 water quality report. The company said it is "well-positioned and well-equipped to implement additional treatment that may be required" if the EPA rule goes into effect.

Other systems have run into compliance issues. Schillos mobile home park tested positive for a PFAS chemical named PFOS, or Perfluorooctane Sulfonate, at a level of 13 parts per trillion in 2021 - above the states maximum contaminant level.

Rolling Hills Manufactured Home Park, which provides water for 200 people, received a violation from the State Department of Health in 2021 for violating the maximum contaminant level for PFOS for the entire year. State data notes that corrective action (was) taken, but the problem still persists.

The notice received recently by residents also states that the park is working on a strict timetable to reduce levels of PFOS with the Onondaga County Health Department.

Kim Berry, the mobile home park owner, said she has more pressing problems to deal with, like trying to evict a sex offender. She said PFAS wasnt as dangerous as other contaminants that could be found in water, downplaying the effects as Oh my Gosh, your big toe turns red in 10 years.

Im dealing with serious stuff, Berry said. This isn't going to kill anybody today or tomorrow.

She also said people have other chemicals sitting in their body right now that theyre consuming off their plate, or their nonstick pan or convenient wrapping they get at Walmart.

You know, you cant live a horrible lifestyle and expect everything else to be perfect, Berry said.

Berry called on the state or local health department to help her fix the problem. In the meantime, she said she would be happy to get residents a Brita pitcher to clean their water.

They havent given me any advice, Berry said. If it was such a big deal  why isn't the county then saying, This is how you solve this. Theyre the ones who are saying this is a bad thing.

The Onondaga Health Department, however, said through a spokesperson that they have worked with the owner/operator of Rolling Hills extensively and have urged her to connect the park to the nearby city of Elbridges water supply.

Clary, the state health department spokesperson, said all public water suppliers that exceed any regulatory standard are required to take corrective action such as providing treatment or connecting to another source of water or risk being subject to fines or other penalties.

What is PFAS found in?

PFAS contamination comes from air, water or soil contaminated from fire-fighting foam, industrial sources, food, and PFAS-containing consumer products, according to the New York state health department. Its been detected in water supplies near where PFAS chemicals were manufactured, used, or disposed of.

Theyre around us everywhere, Hayes said. PFAS leech out in groundwater. Landfills are a big source. Any place using firefighting foam, like airports, military bases, firehouses or training facilities.

Though PFAS chemicals are now understood to be harmful, our exposure is widespread. About 200 million Americans are exposed to PFAS in their drinking water, according to a study by Environmental Working Group scientists.

Initially it was for Scotchgard and Teflon, Carpenter said. But its much more than that now. Its just everywhere. Everybody is exposed.

In Hoosick Falls, the contamination came from several sources, including Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, which used PFOA in its manufacturing operations, and Honeywell International, which through its predecessor company Allied Signal Corp. operated sites in Hoosick Falls.

In 2015, the EPA advised Hoosick Falls residents not to drink their water or use it for cooking. Several areas have since been declared Superfund sites.

A $65 million settlement between homeowners and companies 3M, Saint-Gobain and Honeywell International, which used the chemical, was approved last year. The state Department of Environmental Conservation recently announced a $45 million settlement to install a new drinking water system in Hoosick Falls.

The villages source water was still one of the most contaminated in the state as of the 2021 data. The maximum level of PFOA detected in the source water was 650 parts per trillion, or 162 times higher than the new EPA proposal.

Health impacts of PFAS on humans

Meanwhile, more evidence shows that the chemicals are unhealthy even at low levels of exposure. The Biden administration says the EPAs proposed drinking water regulations will prevent thousands of deaths and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses nationwide.

In June of 2022, the EPA released new health advisories for PFAS chemicals, stating some negative health effects may occur with concentrations of PFOA or PFAS in the water that are near zero.

Robert Laumbach, associate professor of occupational environmental health and justice at Rutgers University, who is a principal investigator on a PFAS study for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said theres a reason theyre known as forever chemicals." They get stored in the body and in the blood and build up over time, he said.

Leonardo Trasande, a New York University pediatrician and public health researcher who studies environmental risks for children, said these chemicals miswire our hormone systems and give us a predisposition to disease and disability.

The effects of PFAS are profound, Trasande said. They make babies become born with lower birth weights. Its associated with a number of concerns, including breast cancer but also thyroid (problems). We need to reduce exposure to protect the public.

Should the state do more to limit PFAS?

When the new EPA proposal was released, the state Department of Health stressed that residents can continue to drink their water unless told otherwise by their public water system, or the local or state health department while the proposal is under review.

Since then, it has raised concerns with the proposal, from the significant workload increase it would create, to concerns about testing laboratory capacity and increased costs. In comments submitted to the EPA in late May but unveiled to the public this week, the department said it is concerned that the EPA has underestimated the cost of this proposal, which it estimated to be $1.6 billion just in New York.

State officials said this week at a Drinking Water Quality Council meeting that they are trying to reconcile the EPAs approach to PFAS regulation with their own approach, which includes trying to regulate about two dozen lesser-known PFAS.

PFAS in NY drinking water: How to reduce health effects Solutions range in cost from relatively cheap water filters to filtration systems at a price of several hundred dollars.

If we dont take our time and make a very deliberative decision, we have the potential for unsuccessful implementation, said Scott Alderman, assistant director of the states Bureau of Water Supply Protection.

In lieu of proactively adopting the EPAs proposal, state officials proposed this week to instead notify residents whose water systems tested positive at 4 parts per trillion for PFOS or PFOA. That wouldnt require water systems to fix the problem at that level, but it would at least be cluing the public in on whats in their water, said Gary Gensburg, director of the DOHs Center for Environmental Health.

But clean-water advocates like Hayes say the state is ceding the national leadership on PFAS regulation if it doesnt adopt the EPA proposal. If the rule is mired in litigation, it could take years to go into effect.

We can't constantly be falling behind what the chemical industry is putting in our water, Hayes said. We need the DOH to step up and move faster than the EPA to get these stronger drinking water standards enacted as soon as possible.

At the very least, Hayes said people shouldn't be getting conflicting information from various levels of government.

The notice Schillo received at the mobile home park, for example, said on one page that the chemical that had been detected in their water system caused a range of health effects, from liver issues to impaired fetal growth and cancer. On another page, it said the water was "acceptable for all uses." '

But Clary, the health department spokesperson, said in most cases "an exceedance of an MCL also does not mean that water is unsafe for use while the public water system takes actions to reduce the levels."

The state also has defended its PFAS regulations as among the most protective in the country." Dozens of states have no restrictions on the books.

It has also already banned PFAS in some products like carpeting and clothing. Gov. Hochul last year signed legislation that allows water authorities to sue drinking water polluters for claims after previously set statutes of limitations.

But Hackett, the Hoosick Falls resident, is pushing for a total ban on PFAS in New York in all nonessential uses and a crack down on drinking water.

Why mess around anymore with this? Hackett said. We get to live every day seeing the health effects right here in our community, in my own family, in myself, in people I know. Were living the nightmare; we see the health effects.
HELSINKI  President Joe Biden said Thursday he and other NATO leaders showed the world that the military alliance emerged "more united than ever" this week as he capped a European trip meant to demonstrate the force of the international coalition against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The allies "understand that this fight is not only a fight for the future of Ukraine," Biden said, noting that it's also about sovereignty, security and freedom throughout eastern Europe and the world.

Though Ukraine's demand for an explicit path to NATO membership remained elusive, Biden emphasized that agreements with other countries in the alliance would support Kyiv's long-term security even without its entry into NATO.

At a news conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Biden pledged that the United States' commitment to NATO would not waver, despite tumultuous domestic politics underscored by a potential return of Donald Trump to the White House, as well as a growing sense of isolationism in the Republican Party.

"I absolutely guarantee it. There's no question," Biden said, answering a question on whether the U.S. will remain a reliable NATO partner. "There's overwhelming support from the American people, there's overwhelming support from members of Congress, both House and Senate."

"Nobody can guarantee the future. But this is the best bet that anyone can make," he added.

Earlier Thursday, Biden met with the leaders of other Nordic nations including Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. Sweden is poised to be admitted as NATO's 32nd member country after it pledged more cooperation with Turkey on counterterrorism efforts while backing Ankara's bid to join the European Union. Finland gained NATO membership this year.

Both Finland and Sweden abandoned a history of military nonalignment and sought to join NATO alliance after Russia invaded Ukraine last year.

Biden's brief stop in the shoreline Finnish capital is the coda to a tour that was carefully orchestrated to highlight the growth of a military alliance that the president says has fortified itself since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Finland's admittance to NATO effectively doubled the alliance's border with Russia.

Biden arrived in Helsinki after what he deemed a successful NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where allies agreed to language that would further pave the way for Ukraine to also become a future member.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the summit's outcome "a significant security victory" for his country but nonetheless expressed disappointment at not getting an outright invitation to join.

Biden and other administration officials also held what aides said were pivotal conversations with Turkey before that country dropped its objections to Sweden joining NATO.

"We accomplished every goal we set out to accomplish," Biden told reporters Wednesday before the flight to Finland.

The U.S. president's trip this week played out almost five years to the day since then-President Donald Trump infamously stood alongside Putin in Helsinki and cast doubt on his own intelligence apparatus.

That was just days after Trump tore through a NATO summit where he disparaged the alliance and from which he threatened to withdraw the United States.

In contrast, Biden has heartily embraced the tenets of multilateralism that Trump shunned, speaking repeatedly of having to rebuild international coalitions after four tumultuous years led by his predecessor.

The garrulous former Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman is in his element at summits abroad, and speaks of how his background in international policy is proof positive that decades of experience on the world stage has mattered for the presidency.

Biden is the sixth U.S president to visit Finland, a country of 5.5 million that has hosted several U.S.-Soviet and U.S.-Russia summits. The first involved President Gerald Ford, who would sign the so-called Helsinki Accords with more than 30 other nations in 1975.

But Charly Salonius-Pasternak, senior researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, noted that Biden's visit marked the first time a sitting U.S. president came to Finland to honor the country itself, rather than as a neutral location for meeting Russian leaders or other similar reasons.

"The fact that Biden has chosen to go specifically to Finland for Finland is symbolic and, in some ways, very concrete," he said. "It's a kind of deterrence messaging that only the United States can do."

In the Cold War era, Finland acted as a neutral buffer between Moscow and Washington, and its leaders played a balancing act between the East and West, maintaining good relations with both superpowers.

Finland and neighboring Sweden gave up their traditional political neutrality by joining the European Union in 1995 but both remained militarily nonaligned, with opinion polls showing a clear majority of their citizens opposed to joining NATO. That changed quickly after Feb. 24, 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.
Editor's note: This story is part of 'Broken Defense,' an investigative series from Lee Enterprises. More details about this project can be found at the bottom of this article.

Quentin Navarro sits in a Wharton County Texas courtroom in early November, tapping his foot and bouncing his knee intermittently.

The hum of conversation fills the room as court staff call about 40 people accused of misdemeanors appearing in court for the first time. Navarro waits more than two hours to talk to the prosecutor alone without an attorney.

Im anxious, he says. Youre walking in there to talk to the district attorney blind.

People in Texas, North Dakota, Arizona and likely Oklahoma routinely get no public defender in misdemeanor cases, especially at initial appearances, a Lee Enterprises investigation found. Some people plead guilty at their first hearing to get out of jail. Others who might have fought a misdemeanor charge plead guilty to end the ordeal. These practices threaten the Sixth Amendment right to counsel.

Defendants have a constitutional right to an effective attorney whenever they could face jail time, starting at their first court hearing. Though people who are found guilty of misdemeanors often get sentenced to community service, probation or fines, jail is still a possibility in most misdemeanor cases.

Yet more than 136,000 misdemeanor cases have been closed without attorneys each year since 2019 across the West, according to data from Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Texas. Most other western states could not report how many misdemeanor defendants go unrepresented due to data collection challenges.

"Americas dirty little secret is that thousands of people go to jail without ever talking to a lawyer," said Jon Mosher, Sixth Amendment Center deputy director.

Defendants in up to nearly 60,000 of North Dakotas misdemeanor cases had no appointed attorney from 2019 to 2021, according to the State of North Dakota Courts. Court records showed 12% of all misdemeanors those years had no attorney and 42% were marked "unknown."

North Dakota Supreme Court analyst Jeff Stillwell said "it's a fairly safe assumption" that most unknowns did not have counsel, but the clerk didn't mark them.

An estimated 276,000 Texas county misdemeanor cases from 2019 to 2021 showed no attorney, according to Texas Office of Court Administration data.

Joel Lieurance, Texas Indigent Defense Commission senior policy analyst, said data can contain some errors because local clerks might not record consistently, though record-keeping has improved as state court staff have trained the clerks. Individual county data can be unreliable, he said, but statewide it is a good estimate of how many people go unrepresented.

Nearly 50,000 Colorado cases listed no attorney in the last nearly four years, according to Colorado Judicial Branch data.

Almost 14,000 cases in South Dakota where defendants faced up to one year in prison from 2019 to mid-2022 had no attorney listed, according to the South Dakota Unified Judicial System.

More than 33,000 Utah cases from 2019 to 2022 had no attorney, according to Utah State Courts data. Defendants who had a lawyer at any point, including those who ultimately represented themselves, were excluded.

Hundreds in Oregon wait for attorneys daily, but most in state court get lawyers eventually. Attorneys were appointed in 99% of state court misdemeanor cases that were resolved in 2020 and 2021, according to the Oregon Judicial Department. Missing from the data are local justice and city court cases, meaning more people likely had no representation. Only North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas collect that city-level data.

Arizona, California, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Washington and Wyoming courts could not provide data on how many misdemeanor defendants were unrepresented. Most court staff said the data analysis requires too much time or the tracking systems cant report it, while California and Arizona dont track at all.

Without that information, the state largely cannot ensure that every person who is owed a right to counsel  because they face potential loss of liberty in a criminal case  actually gets that lawyer or has waived it effectively, Mosher said. That's a problem that youre not able to get that information.

The Fourteenth Amendment obliges states to ensure the Sixth Amendment right to effective counsel. Lacking data suggests states fail constitutional responsibilities because they don't know who is unrepresented  an absence of government oversight over a core constitutional right, Mosher said.

"Our governments dont know whats happening in our criminal courts if they cant tell us who has lawyers and who doesnt," Mosher said.

Not guilty

Navarro pleaded innocent that day in Texas when he went into a room and talked to a Wharton County prosecutor. His case was delayed.

More than a dozen others waived their constitutional right to a public defender and pleaded guilty to misdemeanors after talking to Assistant District Attorney Mark Racer. Four of them came to court from jail, and their guilty pleas secured their release.

Anyone can waive the right to an attorney and choose to represent themselves, but that waiver must be made intelligently and voluntarily. Defendants who plead guilty because they want to leave jail might not be waiving their rights voluntarily, Mosher said.

Placing poor defendants in a position where they must weigh their liberty interest against exercising their constitutional right to counsel is a form of coercion that leaves them with no meaningful choice at all, Mosher said.

A 27-year-old man in an orange jumpsuit printed with "Wharton County Jail" in big black letters across the shoulders approached Wharton County Judge Phillip Spenrath.

He was in jail nine days for allegedly possessing less than two ounces of marijuana. The man has dealt with homelessness for five years, according to jail records. Lee Enterprises is not identifying him because attention to a minor criminal charge could prevent his potential employment.

The man was told he could delay his case to either apply for a public defender or hire a private attorney. Like Navarro, he waived his right to an attorney and talked with prosecutor Racer alone about a potential plea deal.

Are you pleading guilty or not guilty to the charge of possession of marijuana? Judge Spenrath asked the 27-year-old.

Not guilty, the man replied.

Okay, then were not going to be able to do this, Spenrath said.

The man then said hell plead guilty instead, since hes "here" in court, in person. Spenrath paused and called up Racer.

This young man may be a little confused, he told the prosecutor.

Racer reminded the inmate of their deal: Guilty, but you get out of jail.

Spenrath confirmed whether the defendant wanted to continue, then resumed.

This time, the man pleaded guilty.

"You owe no money and no jail time, and you get out today," Spenrath said.

He wasnt told about another way to get out of jail that doesn't require cash.

Racer didnt offer the 27-year-old a personal recognizance bond, a signed promise to return to court.

The man was being held in jail on a $2,500 surety bond, so he likely would have had to pay a bail bondsman $250 to get out. A public defender could have argued for a lower bail or a recognizance bond.

Navarro watched the 27-year-old, shackled at his wrists and ankles, switch his plea.

The fact that they dangled jail in front of him, he said. He just wants to go home. Poor kid. The majority of people just plead guilty to get out of here.

Navarro said the criminal justice system is "systematically against minorities." About two-thirds of defendants in court had Black or brown skin.

No process

Similar quick pleas were heard in North Dakota. A man and a woman pleaded guilty in Burleigh County court to driving with suspended licenses. They didn't have defense attorneys and were sentenced in October to 10 days of electronic monitoring.

Two jailed men appeared in Grand Forks County court with no public defenders. If the men plead guilty, they can leave jail that day.

I dont know whats going to happen tonight if I dont show up (for work) and login, one of the men said.

They pleaded guilty to misdemeanors and were sentenced to community service.

Like in Texas, the judge and prosecutor did not mention a personal recognizance bond.

A good chunk of people end up pleading guilty having never talked to a lawyer, North Dakota defense attorney Mark Friese said.

Jessica Ahrendt, a Grand Forks County Public Defender Office attorney, said the county does not have a process in place for people to get attorneys at or before their first appearance  despite a constitutional right to counsel at that hearing.

Ahrendt says the current over-capacity staff would be unable to represent everyone at initial appearances, whether a process existed.

No one should walk into court and give up rights without the advice of counsel, said Timothy Laughlin, executive director of Oklahoma Indigent Defense System. But it happens in Oklahoma, too.

I know its happening, Laughlin said. Theres no way were getting appointed to all the misdemeanor defendants who cant afford counsel.

Thats unconstitutional

Its common in short-staffed Arizona for people accused of misdemeanors to go without attorneys.

Two of the states 15 counties have a public defender present for misdemeanor initial appearances, said Jared Keenan, Arizonas ACLU legal director. Many dont get attorneys throughout their cases.

In most counties, a public defender isnt appointed to a person arrested for a misdemeanor unless the county attorneys office intends to pursue jail time. Constitutionally, those people still have a right to an attorney because every misdemeanor has the potential of jail time in Arizona, Keenan said.

Tiera Rainey, executive director of the Tucson Second Chance Community Bail Fund, said her group often sees people take plea deals on crimes they did not commit just to get out of jail.

A person booked for a misdemeanor often cant afford bail, so they serve jail time whether or not the county attorneys office intends to pursue that sentence, Keenan said.

If theyre in jail because they cant afford to pay bond but (the judge) doesnt sentence them, they still have technically been sentenced to jail without an attorney, Keenan said. Thats unconstitutional.

'Get it over with'

Those who avoid jail might end up there later if they dont complete probation or community service and get re-arrested. Then, they cant challenge the original charge to which they pleaded guilty.

Justin, 30, pleaded guilty to a San Jacinto County Texas misdemeanor assault charge Nov. 1, though he said it was bogus because he was defending himself. Justin asked to be identified by his first name only so his employment isnt affected.

Justin represented himself and was happy with how the judge and prosecutor treated him.

I didnt know they were going to be as lenient as they were, he said. Im getting the chance to get it done faster and also the chance to get it off my record.

But he could get arrested again if he makes a mistake while following the judge's orders. He could lose his chance to wipe the charge from his record and can no longer fight his assault charge.

One man back in Wharton County, who did not give his name, said he took a plea deal on a marijuana possession charge "just to get it over and done with, and be free."

Without talking with a public defender, Ahrendt said people may not know they can ask for deferred prosecution, community service, a payment plan for fees and arrangements to accommodate jobs. They might never discover a defense that could get their case dismissed.

Some people just dont know what theyre doing, and then its too late to undo it, Ahrendt said.

Though, Ahrendt said, some people need that quick out. Resolving their case in a few days might be needed to keep a job or housing.

Often people do not understand collateral consequences of pleading guilty, Friese said. Even a misdemeanor criminal conviction can prevent travel to Canada and impact employment, housing, military enlistment, law enforcement jobs and professional licenses. Many defendants dont know they lose gun rights for a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction.

The truth is that the bad effects of a plea of guilty and a criminal conviction arent born out at the time that theyre ordered to do community service or even a few days in jail, Friese said. Its lifelong implications of having a criminal record.

'Can't afford it'

Navarro hopes the court dismisses his case, which was ongoing as of early January.

Navarro was charged with misdemeanor domestic assault when an incident with his girlfriend and her 16-year-old son resulted in broken apartment windows and Navarro called the police, he said. All three were charged. Navarro said hes innocent and thinks the prosecutor has no case against him.

He said he "absolutely" would have wanted to discuss his case with a public defender before or during his 15-minute chat with the prosecutor.

Judge Spenrath said we cant afford a public defender at initial appearances. He said he makes sure people understand the charge to which they plead.

I dont want anyone pleading guilty to something they dont want, Spenrath said.

Wharton County has no full-time public defenders, Spenrath said. Judges assign private attorneys to people who cannot afford one. The county pays most of that cost, and defendants pay a portion later.

Navarro said he cant afford a private attorney on his truck driver wages and thinks hiring a public defender wastes time and money.

"Were poor people," he said.

About Broken Defense: Across the West, public defense systems face crushing caseloads, historic underfunding, structural problems and severe staffing shortages, imperiling criminal defendants lives and in many cases denying them their constitutional right to counsel. Defendants have lost jobs and homes, been pressured to plead guilty and been denied the benefit of exonerating evidence. People accused in more than 100,000 misdemeanors each year go to jail without ever talking to a lawyer. Lee Enterprises West region Public Service Journalism team and local reporters attended more than a dozen court hearings and interviewed more than 25 defendants, 40 attorneys and 25 experts to reveal public defense in many western states is broken. Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Reporter Emily Hamer may be reached at emily.hamer@lee.net.
Editor's note: This story is part of 'Broken Defense,' an investigative series from Lee Enterprises. More details about this project can be found at the bottom of this article.

Martin Gibson freezes in place at his desk.

Its Thursday in December 2021. The sky is dark. Gibson is the last person in the Portland Multnomah Defenders office.

More than 200 public defense client files surround Gibson. Stacks flood two filing cabinets, spill onto his desk, dot the floor and perch atop cabinets. At Gibsons left a pile of seven or eight unopened cases wait.

An urgent stack of cases stare at Gibson. He needs to call those clients immediately. Its too late. Its already 7:30 p.m., he thinks.

He cant move. He cant breathe.

I was trying to gasp for air, Gibson remembers. I was trying to do everything that was in front of me, which was insurmountable piles of files. I had so much to do, and I got so overwhelmed that my body just didn't know how to breathe. I was trying to get oxygen, and my body just didnt even know how to do that.

Its his first panic attack.

I was so afraid, he said, and I never wanted to have one again. So Gibson sent his boss a succinct email saying he couldn't take any new cases. About a month-and-a-half later, he quit without another job lined up.

The job was impossible, Gibson said. It wasnt just difficult. It was impossible and unsustainable.

Staff shortages and decades of underfunding have created public defense systems crises across the West. Public defenders say theyre unable to serve clients effectively as they grapple with crushing caseloads, few resources, burnout, student debt and low pay.

They say wage increases would go a long way because they attract lawyers who could share the massive workload. Experts say states must retain public defenders and recruit more of them to ensure everyone who needs an attorney gets one.

Gibson said he had twice as many clients as he could represent.

It watered down my representation to the point of ineffectiveness," he said. "I felt the only ethical thing I could do was to quit because I couldnt be part of a system that was doing that. It didnt feel like I was doing my job. It didnt feel like I could do my job."

When attorneys feel like they're "pushing paper around rather than really advocating for people," it "drives motivated folks out of the profession, said Jessica Kampfe, Oregons Office of Public Defense Services executive director.

Too many cases

Lee Enterprises requested public defense workload data from 17 western states. Public defenders in Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Wyoming had more cases than outdated national standards recommend. Public defenders in Colorado, Montana and Nevada worked too many hours. The other states dont track that data statewide.

A public defender should not represent more than 150 felonies, 400 misdemeanors, 200 juvenile delinquency cases or 25 appeals in a year, according to guidelines from the National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals (NAC).

Those half-century-old standards ignore modern case complexity, said the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, which helped develop them.

Jon Mosher, Sixth Amendment Center deputy director, said the standards are "way too high," but useful, and the only national metric to show state agencies and lawmakers the extent to which public defenders are overworked.

Nearly 400 Texas attorneys in 2021 had more public defense cases than the standards recommend, according to Texas Indigent Defense Commission data. Some private lawyers are contracted for public defense cases, as in many states, and work cases on top of the public defense work. Two private attorneys who worked among the most cases each defended more than 700 public defense felonies  the work of nearly five attorneys.

More than 100 Idaho private attorneys and full-time public defenders had more public defense cases than the states maximum, which allows attorneys to take on more work than the national standards, according to Idaho Public Defense Commission data. An additional 65 attorneys worked too many cases, based on the national standards.

Some Idaho attorneys said they could manage cases above the maximum. Idaho County contract public defender John Wiltse said working with reasonable prosecutors in his small, rural county helps resolve many cases efficiently. Nez Perce County contract public defender Rick Cuddihy said he can handle heavy caseloads because he has nearly two decades of experience. But in another county, Twin Falls, seven inmates said they barely heard from their overburdened public defenders.

Arizonas Pima County had at least 23 attorneys with caseloads above the national guidelines, according to Pima County Public Defense Services data. Statewide data was unavailable because Arizona counties, like in many states, each run their own public defense system.

Montanas state public defender office says it needed on average 63 more public defenders to handle cases assigned since 2019 and still meet its workload management limits.

Oregon and New Mexico have one third the attorneys they need to provide adequate representation, according to American Bar Association studies from last year.

Some Oregon public defender offices temporarily stopped accepting cases last spring because they had too few attorneys. Arizonas Pima County could soon have to do the same, said Dean Brault, Public Defense Services director.

At some point, we will have to go attorney to attorney and ask if they can take another case and provide effective representation, Brault said. When the answer to that from everyone is no, were going to be at a crisis where we have to go to the court and say we cant ethically take any more cases.

Burning people out

Wyoming had its own public defense crisis in 2019 when the Natrona and Campbell county public defender offices could no longer handle misdemeanors.

State Public Defender Diane Lozano said high turnover caused constitutionally inappropriate caseloads in Campbell Countys seven-attorney office.

"We would lose two to three people at a time, and then the people that remained were having to pick up that extra caseload," she said. "Then we were burning those people out. Wed get fully staffed, and then the people that had stuck around ... would quit. It was just this endless cycle."

She remembered Natrona County also lost three or four veteran public defenders around that time.

A circuit court held her in contempt for refusing misdemeanor case appointments, but the Wyoming Supreme Court ultimately ruled she had a right to determine her attorneys couldnt handle more cases.

An unnamed Campbell County public defense supervisor testified that handling too many cases at once made him ineffective, according to court documents.

I dont tell my clients this, but most of the time, especially on misdemeanor cases, Ive never read their police report. Ive never watched their videos from the police. Ive had no time to really investigate their case at all," he said.

Public defenders can lose their license if they take on more clients than they can competently represent or recommend a plea before they complete the case investigation, according to the American Bar Associations conduct rules.

Cant be effective

Defense attorney Vaavia Rudd heads to court in the Texas Panhandle in 2016. She looks down at her files, and a name surprises her.

I have no idea who this person is, she thinks. "I dont know anything about this case, but Im about to go into court and tell the judge whether or not Im ready to go to trial."

It just scared me to death, Rudd said. I was like, Im going to lose my license. I cannot effectively represent this many people. I cant do it.

She stopped taking public defense cases to instead focus on her private practice. She now helps improve public defense through a liaison and advocacy program.

Gibson also went into court unprepared before he left Oregon public defense. He often would schedule up to five trials for the same date, prepare one or two, and gamble that the others would resolve with plea deals. Judges encouraged trial-stacking to get through the pandemic-driven backlog, he said.

Sometimes the strategy backfired. One trial date, he gambled on the wrong case. The one he didnt prepare went to trial. He told the judge what happened, and the case ended with a last-minute plea deal.

Its a system that encourages unethical behavior," Gibson said. "Youre not actually prepared for those cases. No one is. Youre just trying to move those cases along and process these people. Its most certainly not justice. No one feels like its justice.

Montana public defenders office leaders told the Legislature last April that trial stacking also happens there. One western Montana public defender said she recently tried to prepare for seven trials scheduled on a single day.

Longtime California Defense attorney Bill Abramson worked almost every weekend for five years to build strong defenses for his clients. He ended his Plumas County public defense contract last September to spend less time working another countys higher-paying cases.

"My hope and my desire is that Ill no longer have to work seven days a week," he said. "I need a break from it."

Pay disparities

Money also played a role in Rudds decision to temporarily leave public defense.

She once had a $500 public defense case and a $20,000 divorce case scheduled for the same time. The judge refused to reschedule the criminal case.

Anybody can do the math on that, Rudd said. It wasnt financially feasible.

Montana in April boosted state public defenders entry-level pay from about $31 an hour to $37.

Most prosecutors earn more. A Madison County deputy prosecutor position pays $40 an hour, and entry-level prosecutors in Missoula and Bozeman earn $41 and $54 per hour, respectively.

Arizonas Pima County Public Defense Services have many job openings, but not enough qualified people apply because the pay is low, Brault said.

Weve been struggling to pay our people in-house what theyre worth, Brault said.

Carl Macpherson, Oregons Metropolitan Public Defender executive director, said his state-funded offices salaries are "offensive."

The prosecutors pay scale starts where our pay scale ends, Macpherson said. You could have a 20-year public defender making less than a brand new attorney thats working at the prosecuting attorney's office.

Staff attorneys in his office earn $64,000 to $95,000, while area prosecutors earn $98,000 to $196,000, according to Elisabeth Shepard, Multnomah County District Attorneys Office spokesperson.

Gibsons salary was about $70,000 when he left Oregon with about $150,000 in student loan debt that grows by about $1,000 each month.

"I dont know how Im supposed to pay off any principle at all when the interest is that high," he said.

He hopes to get hired at Californias Sacramento County public defenders office, which offers a starting salary of more than $115,000 and is closer to family.

The collapse of an office

Savina Haas said her California public defender office was so underfunded that for a while she didnt have an office chair. Staff wandered the Lassen County office looking for any broken chairs. Her pay was about $65,000.

She became busier over her three years there, sometimes going days with no sleep. The quality of her representation diminished.

There was a time when defendants would ask for me, she said. Eventually they probably hated me because I never visited them anymore.

She left at the end of 2020 to work for a private law firm in Monterey County, where she has family.

Another Lassen County public defender resigned months after the new year and the position remained vacant until the office collapsed at the end of 2021. Lassen County now contracts with a private firm to provide public defense.

Lassen County Chief Administrative Officer Richard Egan said the county tried several times to recruit and just couldnt do it. He conceded the county did not increase the salary range.

The private firm contract works better for the county than paying for department staff and an office space, Egan said.

We struggle fiscally every year to balance our budget, Egan said. Its a rural county that were in. Our resources are just limited.

Attracting talent to the area is a challenge the firm is working on, Egan said.

Haas said keeping her would have been simple.

In all honesty, all they needed to do was get us the resources that we need, she said. Pay us at least somewhat competitive wages so we can bring people here. Have a full staff. Have the ability to be able to run with a decent budget. We had a good strong public defenders office at one point.  They managed to destroy it.

About Broken Defense: Across the West, public defense systems face crushing caseloads, historic underfunding, structural problems and severe staffing shortages, imperiling criminal defendants lives and in many cases denying them their constitutional right to counsel. Defendants have lost jobs and homes, been pressured to plead guilty and been denied the benefit of exonerating evidence. People accused in more than 100,000 misdemeanors each year go to jail without ever talking to a lawyer. Lee Enterprises West region Public Service Journalism team and local reporters attended more than a dozen court hearings and interviewed more than 25 defendants, 40 attorneys and 25 experts to reveal public defense in many western states is broken. Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Reporter Emily Hamer may be reached at emily.hamer@lee.net.
Photo: Contributed Kyle Gagne and his wife at Royal Columbia Hospital, where he was airlifted after a multi-vehicle collision on the Coquihalla Highway.

A man who was pinned in his vehicle for more than three hours following a horrible multi-vehicle crash on the Coquihalla Highway is trying to find the 'angels of mercy' who came to his aid.

Kyle Gagne, 34, was being crushed by a semi trucks tire following the pileup on Monday near Great Bear Snowshed. He was eventually freed and airlifted to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, where he remains in the intensive care unit.

His Dad, Lyle Gagne says he and his wife flew immediately from Calgary and met up with Kyles spouse to keep vigil at his bedside. Thats when they learned about the people who went above and beyond to help the trapped man.

An off-duty nurse, an off-duty firefighter and a man named Terry, who said he was an industrial trauma expert, jumped in to tend to Gagne.

My son said the semi truck tire was crushing him to the point where he could only take small puffs of breath, Lyle Gagne explains. Terry placed a blanket on the hood of the vehicle and administered oxygen, pain medication and an IV and kept him calm throughout the ordeal.

The fireman gathered up multiple fire extinguishers as the vehicle had leaked a large quantity of gas and was in serious danger of possible ignition.

He says Kyle believes he would have died that day if not for their assistance, and the work of the air ambulance paramedics and staff at Royal Columbia Hospital. Hes hoping to be able to get in touch with the firefighter, nurse and especially the man named Terry, who spent three hours on the hood of the vehicle getting Kyle through the ordeal.

Lyle says his son is brought to tears when he talks about the people who saved his life.

The Vancouver man has a long road to recovery ahead but he is expected to make a full recovery.
Editor's note: This story is part of 'Broken Defense,' an investigative series from Lee Enterprises. More details about this project can be found at the bottom of this article.

Lassen County Judge Tony Mallery huddles prosecutors and defense attorneys in a room before court in early California summer 2019.

Mallery announces to the group he will no longer accept their too lenient plea deals and he plans to impose the maximum sentence for all who plead guilty, according to an inquiry into Mallerys conduct that the California Commission on Judicial Performance filed in September.

Im just telling you what were going to do from now on, Mallery allegedly told the attorneys. He wont let them make him look bad in this community by appearing soft on crime, the inquiry states.

Mallerys lawyers did not respond to requests for comment.

Mallery said in a 180-page response to the inquiry that he did not ban plea bargaining. Attorneys were offering miniscule plea deals that didnt meet mandatory sentencing requirements. Mallery told the lawyers, according to the response, that he wouldnt accept unjustifiable pleas.

The exchange was hostile, the inquiry and response agreed.

By fall 2019, Mallery was assigning fewer cases to defense attorneys Jacob Zamora and Stephen King, until he stopped entirely, according to the inquiry.

Zamora and King grew concerned about bias against their clients. They made at least eight motions that year to get Mallery kicked off their cases.

Mallery told court staff that he would stop appointing King and Zamora if they continued to try to remove him from cases, the inquiry alleges.

The judge denied retaliation over the motions. He said he stopped appointing them over performance concerns.

If he wants to make this a (expletive) game, then we just wont appoint him on any more cases, Mallery allegedly told a supervisor about King.

Everyone in the inquiry is forbidden to discuss the allegations because the investigation into Mallerys conduct is ongoing. Calls and messages to Zamora were not returned. King agreed to an interview, but did not discuss the inquiry.

Mallery took away a chunk of Zamoras and Kings incomes because he didnt like that they stood up for their clients, according to the inquiry. If proven, the allegations illustrate how a judges power can undermine public defense. If dismissed, claims on both sides detail a brewing tension that possibly prevented the attorneys from fighting effectively for their clients.

Texas Senior District Judge John Board said its a horrible system to have judges in charge of public defenders case assignments and, by extension, their incomes. He said that injects judges into the defense, which you wouldnt want em doing that on the prosecution side.

And then those poor lawyers, if they dont agree with what the judge paid them, and they complain, then their fear is theyll get retaliated against and not get any more appointments, Board said. Id like to think the local judges did not do that kind of thing. But theres always the appearance of that at least and the fear that that could happen.

Vaavia Rudd, an attorney who worked in the same Panhandle county courts over which Board presided, said fear of retaliation sometimes affected her defense strategies.

When it affects your bottom line you dont want to make the judges angry, Rudd said.

Judges or elected officials in many counties nationwide have full oversight over public defense, a structure that can lead to subtle pressure on public defenders to avoid using many county resources or making motions that agitate a judge. Attorneys rarely are removed or dismissed in retaliation, though fear of that can weaken the defense.

That power structure in California, Texas, Arizona and Idaho prevents attorney access to necessary resources, including investigators and expert witnesses. Investigators help build defenses and experts can challenge a states interpretation of evidence, such as blood spatter or DNA.

There are pressures to do more with a lot less that might not result in effective, adequate representation for the client, Idaho ACLU legal director Aadika Singh said of counties in that state.

Local governments are obligated to fund public defense, but have limited authority because interfering with how public defenders build their cases could potentially violate the Sixth Amendment right to effective counsel, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1984.

Public defenders must remain independent to fulfill their adversarial role of fighting governments on behalf of people whose freedom is at stake, the court has said.

We want public defenders who can zealously represent clients without undue influence by county commissioners or prosecutors, where their masters can really be their clients, Singh said.

Subtle pressure

Rudd felt disincentivized because judges have the power to not assign cases to court-appointed attorneys, though in 20 years Texas Panhandle judges never took away her cases. The structure created subtle pressure to avoid questioning judges or filing motions that would offend judges, she said.

If they chose to black ball you, they could, she said.

Jon Mosher, Sixth Amendment Center deputy director, said most counties have public defense systems where that sort of subtle pressure could happen.

About a third of roughly 3,000 counties in the U.S. have oversight organizations or public defender offices with managers who protect defenders from judges and elected officials, while the rest have none.

The default system puts judges in charge of case assignments. The problem isnt usually that judges act maliciously or unconstitutionally, but that public defenders worry about pleasing judges rather than focusing on clients, according to a Sixth Amendment Center study of two Texas Panhandle counties.

Board said another issue in Potter and Randall counties, where he presided, was that judges were tasked with monitoring public defenders' education, training and competence requirements, but the judges didnt have time so it just wasnt getting done.

Rudd said other problems came when court-appointed attorneys asked judges for investigators or expert witnesses because it sometimes revealed their defense strategies to the same judge who would rule on it. Other times, she and other attorneys wouldnt get fully paid.

Youd do $3,000 worth of work and theyd pay you $1,500, and just say, Well, sorry thats what I think this kind of a case is worth, Rudd said.

Chilled the defense

King, one of the dismissed Lassen County defense attorneys, said he couldnt comment on Judge Mallerys alleged misconduct but had experiences outside of those outlined in the California inquiry that undermined public defense.

He really chilled the indigent defense, King said of Mallery. And it was budgetary Im sure. But it was very difficult doing public defender work in his court.

King said Mallery capped mileage reimbursement at 75 miles for attorneys, though one case could require King to travel 150 miles round trip.

Mallery also rejected some of Kings requests to hire investigators, King said. Never in Kings 25 years as an attorney did those sorts of requests get denied until he arrived in Lassen County. Cases were more difficult to defend with no investigator, he said. King became less likely to request one because he had to weigh the time it would take to fight for funding against the immediate needs of other clients.

Mallerys inquiry response says King was overbilling and "failed to comply with requirements for requesting ancillary services. Mallerys attorneys did not comment on Kings claims.

Defense attorney Savina Haas was a full-time staff attorney in the now-dissolved Lassen County public defenders office from 2017 to 2020. Her resources, including investigators, came from a limited county budget, not judges.

Available county-hired investigators fluctuated from three to zero, Haas said. Haass requests to get one for her cases were denied quite often by county administrative staff, she said.

I would actually go to crime scenes and start investigating myself, Haas said. I mean how disturbing is that?

Haas paid her own way to San Diego for two weeks of bar license required training. Lassen County gave her $450 to offset hotel, food and travel costs, she said.

Lassen County Chief Administrative Officer Richard Egan is accountable for the county budget, its contractors and each departments purchasing needs, but did not directly oversee the public defender department. He said hes not aware that requests for investigators or travel were rejected.

I could be proven wrong, but I don't recall any denials of requests, he said.

Idaho County public defender John Wiltses investigator and expert witness requests are approved as needed, but requesting them from both the judge and county administration is inefficient.

It always appears (prosecutors) have access to a lot of experts and professionals at their convenience where I do have to jump through those hoops, which takes time, Wiltse said.

Idaho Rep. Jon Weber, R-Rexburg, said when judges play any role in public defense the appearance alone suggests that its not a fair and balanced system. Idaho is transitioning to a statewide public defense system in part to keep judges and public defenders separate, he said.

Beholden to counties

For now, each Idaho county maintains its own public defense system. County commissioners, some of whom lack legal expertise, often have the authority to fund, hire and fire public defenders, Singh said. The ACLU said this leaves "defenders beholden to the often-uniformed whims of their supervisors."

Singh said in some areas of Idaho, county commissioners and prosecutors are improperly influencing how public defenders are doing their job. She said some commissioners have dictated how much time public defenders devote to cases, and some prosecutors have influenced who county leaders pick as the top public defender.

Arizona prosecutor offices often wield bigger budgets than county-based public defender offices, creating fiefdoms of power where prosecutors run the court, and judges and staff usually stand aside, said Jared Keenan, Arizonas ACLU legal director.

Rural counties with small budgets have few quality expert witnesses for public defenders, Keenan said.

Theres a truncated list of people willing to work in those counties, Keenan said. If they set their (expert) rates extremely low, sometimes its tough to find anyone.

Keenan said more state funding or a statewide public defense system would help rural counties. The Legislature often reallocates state funds earmarked for public defense to other agencies, including the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Its not enough money to fix all the problems with rural defense systems, but there is some money there and every year, its swept out of the indigent defense fund and given to police, Keenan said.

Solutions

Those concerns about judges influencing public defense work prompted Potter and Armstrong county leaders in Texas to change the system. They launched in 2022 a county public defender office and the Potter & Armstrong County Managed Assigned Counsel Office, or MAC office.

The MAC office supervises private attorneys who take public defense cases and provides resources and support, such as social workers to help with cases and a database of available experts in the area.

Rudd, hired as MAC director last spring, appoints attorneys and approves public defender funding requests  taking that power from judges and giving it to the independent MAC office. She plans to track attorney performance by collecting client feedback from online surveys.

You cant improve unless you know what the issues are, Rudd said.

A new independent board oversees budgeting and policies for the two offices, further shielding public defenders from judges and elected officials. The Potter and Armstrong County Indigent Defense Oversight Board includes a former public defender, a judge, mental health professionals, a former sheriffs deputy and community leaders.

The two counties and the Texas Indigent Defense Commission fund the new system.

More counties could consider implementing similar systems if the state or federal government helps fund them, said Judge Board, the oversight board chair.

I really do feel like were making great steps, Board said. And frankly, its nice to be part of a solution when I used to be part of the problem.

About Broken Defense: Across the West, public defense systems face crushing caseloads, historic underfunding, structural problems and severe staffing shortages, imperiling criminal defendants lives and in many cases denying them their constitutional right to counsel. Defendants have lost jobs and homes, been pressured to plead guilty and been denied the benefit of exonerating evidence. People accused in more than 100,000 misdemeanors each year go to jail without ever talking to a lawyer. Lee Enterprises West region Public Service Journalism team and local reporters attended more than a dozen court hearings and interviewed more than 25 defendants, 40 attorneys and 25 experts to reveal public defense in many western states is broken. Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Reporter Emily Hamer may be reached at emily.hamer@lee.net.
Editor's note: This story is part of 'Broken Defense,' an investigative series from Lee Enterprises. More details about this project can be found at the bottom of this article.

Public defense across the West suffers deep-rooted, decades-old problems. States have two solutions to consider: dole out more cash or shrink the criminal justice system.

More cash would help states hire public defenders, increase pay and add support staff, all which lessens workloads and improves representation quality.

Not jailing people for non-violent crimes related to mental illness, homelessness, poverty and addictions would lessen the strain on public defenders. Treatment or community programs could handle those minor cases.

Those strategies combined would increase the supply of public defenders and ease current demands on them. People without attorneys in hundreds of felonies and more than 100,000 misdemeanors across the West could get public defenders who have time to represent them effectively.

Neither option seems particularly savory to many. A public defense system overhaul is expensive, particularly for smaller, resource-strapped counties. Some states controlled by conservative politicians want more people locked up, said University of Wyoming professor Daniel Fetsco, who has worked as both a prosecutor and public defender.

However, I believe you can try to persuade people through awareness and education that some of these issues are not conservative, theyre not liberal, Fetsco said. It goes beyond politics. I think its a matter of humanity.

Stephen Hanlon leads a national public defense reform effort and has half a century of legal experience. He says change is long overdue.

Judges, prosecutors and public defenders have for decades pushed millions through the criminal justice system without fully investigating their cases or ensuring an effective defense, Hanlon said.

We became the principal facilitators of mass incarceration  the whole profession, Hanlon said.

Black, brown and low-income people are disproportionately affected by public defense crises, said Jason Williamson, executive director of NYUs Center on Race, Inequality and the Law, which helped sue Oregon to dismiss cases without attorneys. Black people made up nearly 20% of people waiting for attorneys in Multnomah County on one day in October, according to the lawsuit. That countys population is less than 6% Black.

The legal profession is starting to come to terms with this problem, Hanlon said. We're gonna need the governors and state legislators  and Congress [to] step up and address this problem. This is a national embarrassment.

Hanlon advocates for federal legislation that could better fund state public defense. He and other national legal organizations soon will have a very powerful lever to push for improvements.

His law firm, Lawyer Hanlon, partnered with the American Bar Association, the National Center for State Courts and the public policy research RAND Corporation to develop new national public defender workload standards expected in February, Hanlon said.

Whats about to happen is a watershed moment in public defense, Hanlon said.

The standards will be the first in the nation to prove with reliable data the extent to which public defenders are overworked, Hanlon said. They will be based on public defender workload studies in 17 states. Two of those studies revealed Oregon and New Mexico have about a third of the public defenders needed to provide adequate representation to everyone accused of crimes.

Outdated standards

The National Advisory Commission on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals (NAC) adopted national standards 50 years ago that now overestimate how many cases attorneys can effectively handle.

Hanlon said those standards are based on nothing. A few lawyers scribbled them on a cocktail napkin in the 70s, he said.

I'm old enough that I know who was there, Hanlon said. About seven or eight guys in a bar at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego who sat around and came up with those numbers, but there was no methodology. There was no data.

It's truly astonishing that we relied on that for 50 years, and there's no excuse for having done that.

The lawyers Hanlon said were at that bar were National Legal and Defender Association committee members. The association in a statement acknowledged those standards are outdated and ignore modern-day case complexity and time-intensiveness. The association hopes updated standards will provide a wake-up call to states and localities on the need to properly invest in public defense.

Jessica Kampfe, Oregon Office of Public Defense Services executive director, said national caseload maximums would be hugely helpful for Oregons dire public defender shortage. The new standards will offer a reference tool to show lawmakers that public defender caseloads go far beyond the acceptable limit, she said.

Idaho has proven that caseload standards work to motivate local lawmakers to support public defense. The states 2019 caseload cap has helped public defenders secure more county resources when theyre stretched thin.

Idaho contract public defender Rick Cuddihy said his Nez Perce County office was way over the annual maximum of 210 felonies per attorney within eight months.

We went to the (county) commissioners and they gave us more money to hire more help, Cuddihy said. I think the system works very well.

The new standards could work the same on a national scale. Hanlon assembled his old law firm Holland & Knight, consulting firm Moss Adams, research organization the JFA Institute and civil rights organizations to implement and enforce the standards. The team plans to file lawsuits that demand minor case dismissals to help decrease public defender caseloads and that states fix public defense systems within five years.

We will be aggressively advocating for the changes that are so obviously needed, and if we cant get them, we are prepared to litigate to get them, he said.

Federal funding

Some federal lawmakers agree state public defense needs improvements.

Oregon Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici in November reintroduced a bill that would provide $250 million for public defense grants. The bill would set public defender workload limits, establish pay parity with prosecutors and improve training and data collection.

Right now, we have a dangerous shortage of public defenders, Bonamici said in a statement. Im leading the EQUAL Defense Act to finally secure the resources that our public defenders and people in the criminal justice system need and deserve.

The bill would require participating states to show measurable improvement over the next five years. States could model a five-year plan proposed for New Mexico, Hanlon said.

New Mexicos public defender office recently tapped Moss Adams and the JFA Institute to help close the states attorney shortage. New Mexico would have 600 of 720 needed attorneys by 2028 if it follows the plans suggestions, improving the current gap.

The state currently has one third of the 900 attorneys it needs to handle public defense cases effectively. More funding would double the states existing attorneys, meaning the state would have 600 of the 900 attorneys needed. A decriminalization effort would reduce the need to 720, further closing the gap.

The report calls on New Mexicos Legislature to more than double public defender office funding over five years to help hire 300 full-time public defenders and add support staff, such as paralegals and investigators. The offices budget would increase from $64 million to $157 million, but would make up less than 1% of the state budget.

The plan also suggests decriminalizing some charges, including half of traffic violations and non-violent misdemeanors, and most drug possession, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and probation violations. That would decrease cases by a third, reducing the public defenders needed from 900 to 720.

Decriminalization

Idahos ACLU backs a similar decriminalization effort for its state, legal director Aadika Singh said. Offenses that could be removed or made a lesser charge to lighten attorney workloads include alcohol age violations, drug possession, gambling, prostitution, disturbing the peace, trespassing, littering, graffiti and driving with a suspended license, Singh said.

These are people we are not scared of, we're just upset with them, Hanlon said. Theres no reason for that to be in the criminal justice system. None.

Many Arizona drug cases shouldnt be prosecuted, said Dean Brault, Pima County Public Services director. His staff is nearly maxed out on cases, but prosecutor's office leaders told him they wont change how they charge people.

Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton said he would support more funding for Oregon public defenders, but that the claim by some that the solution is to stop prosecuting crimes is detached from reality and reckless. People must be held accountable, he said.

Lassen County District Attorney Susan Melyssah Rios said she cant overlook minor crimes in California. Property damage victims, for example, deserve restitution, she said.

What gives someone the right to damage, deface, destroy the hard earned property of someone else? Rios said. What about the people whose property is damaged? Why should they have to pay to fix that?

The New Mexico report emphasizes that only victimless crimes should be decriminalized.

23 cases, one man

Those cases can consume public defender resources.

Joel Trombley, a transient in Great Falls, Montana, was cited nearly two dozen times in two months for carrying alcohol in an open container or trespassing, sometimes both, always around the same location. Twice he was cited three times in one day.

Each of Trombleys citations were filed as separate cases. An open container violation equals about three hours of work, potentially creating a nearly 70-hour workload for his public defender.

So my caseload looks like I got 23 misdemeanors, and its one guy whos just existing, his court-appointed attorney Caitlin Boland Aarab said.

Great Falls city code has no defined open container violation penalty, so the violation faces a catch-all penalty of a possible 6 months in jail and a $500 fine.

State Sen. Ryan Lynch, D-Butte, has filed draft legislation that would make local governments shoulder public defense costs when the city violation penalty is undefined, like Trombleys case.

Lynch says a funding shift could help cities see how often they charge people for minor offenses and evaluate whether to slow that practice or provide public defenders more resources to handle the work.

If were going to put resources into prosecuting people, we should put similar resources into defending that, Lynch said.

State action

This year, all 50 states will have legislative sessions and the opportunity to pass new public defense laws. Idaho and Oregon, in particular, are poised for change.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed a bill into law last year to create a statewide public defense system by October 2024.

Lawmakers want to make right the ACLUs 2015 lawsuit that shows poor defendants got inadequate representation, said Rep. Jon Weber, R-Rexburg, a lead sponsor of that bill.

Weber and other Idaho lawmakers will develop a statewide model for public defense in the upcoming session.

Each Idaho county runs its public defense how they want. They funded their own systems before the state began helping in 2019.

County-by-county public defense models can lead to resource disparities. In Washington, for example, poor, rural Whitman County spent less than $8 per capita on public defense in 2019, according to Washington State Office of Public Defense data. Wealthier and urban King County spent nearly four times as much to defend people.

Last summer Idaho took over all funding responsibility.

Weber and Singh, the Idaho ACLU legal director, agree a uniform statewide system will address disparities between counties and work better for defendants.

Singh said the Legislatures annual $50 million for public defense keeps the current system running, but is way too low and keeps things static. She said more money is needed to hire attorneys, investigators and social workers who can help lighten workloads and improve representation quality. Singh worries the Republican-controlled Legislature wont approve enough funding.

The new systems cost is difficult to estimate because there is no chosen model yet, Weber said.

If it does cost more (than $50 million), we will address it at that time and see what that number is, Weber said. But this isnt an open checkbook, if you will, to see how much money we can spend on public defense.

Oregon lawmakers last spring gathered attorneys and judges to develop public defense crisis solutions.

Co-chair Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, said the group will consider how to restructure the system and recommend ideas to the Legislature. The group's recommendations so far are unclear.

The Legislature in emergency sessions last year approved more than $100 million to address the public defender shortage.

The Fair Shot of Oregon coalition includes nearly 30 racial justice groups, community organizations and labor unions, and supports two bills to reduce public defenders workloads, Oregon ACLU policy director Jessica Maravilla said. One bill gives public defense more money, including for state student loan forgiveness. The other suggests low-level, nonviolent crime incarceration alternatives.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, has proposed a 22% budget increase for the public defender office.

That could add 20 attorneys, but would still leave the agency shorthanded. Since 2019, the Montana public defenders office needed an additional 63 attorneys on average to handle the caseload assigned to the agency and still meet its workload management limits, according to the agency's December budget request to the state Legislature.

The proposed budget includes a $1.5 million rapid response cushion to contract private attorneys or raise wages when the agency cant fill vacant positions.

Its unclear whether Montanas majority Republican legislature will support public defense changes. Other agencies in severe disrepair, including the state prison and hospital, may need some of the $2 billion surplus more than the public defenders office.

Legislators have grown more responsive to the public defender offices appeals since the agency illustrated its issues in data presentations  its the difference between hearing the barn is on fire and seeing it for themselves.

Single greatest tool

Whether run by counties or the state, an office with full-time attorneys is the best way to provide effective public defense, experts in multiple states agree. Creating more offices is a reasonable solution for state or local governments.

More than 2,000 of the roughly 3,000 U.S. counties have no public defender office, said Jon Mosher, Sixth Amendment Center deputy director. The default for those counties is for judges to assign public defense cases to private attorneys.

Texas had five county public defender offices in 2001, said Geoff Burkhart, Texas Indigent Defense Commission executive director. Now it has offices that serve 70 counties.

More people who need public defenders get them when counties operate their own office, according to a June 2019 study of Texass system. The quality of representation also improves, Burkhart said.

It is probably the single greatest tool we have for improving Texas public defense, Burkhart said.

Locally-controlled offices are not a cure-all, Burkhart said, but benefits, salary and student loan forgiveness can attract public defenders to rural areas. A federal program allows forgiveness for government employees. Private attorneys contracted for public defense work are not eligible.

County office attorneys also can provide holistic defense that aims to support defendants and prevent them from reentering the criminal justice system, said Graciela Martinez, California Public Defender Association president.

Support staff, including case managers, social workers and mental health professionals, can help defendants find treatment. Immigration experts can help defendants who make plea agreements avoid deportation. Case investigators can strengthen a defense.

I dont think theres any substitute for having an institutionalized public defender system in any county, Martinez said.

The Texas Indigent Defense Commission is requesting from the Legislature another $50 million over the next two years to continue building public defender offices, including one taking shape in College Station.

We actually see change here as we build these public defender offices, Burkhart said. Thats hundreds, sometimes thousands of defendants with a lawyer by their side  and hopefully a really qualified lawyer by their side  who might not have had a lawyer otherwise. So it makes me feel really excited about this work. Weve done a lot, but we have a lot more work to do.

About Broken Defense: Across the West, public defense systems face crushing caseloads, historic underfunding, structural problems and severe staffing shortages, imperiling criminal defendants lives and in many cases denying them their constitutional right to counsel. Defendants have lost jobs and homes, been pressured to plead guilty and been denied the benefit of exonerating evidence. People accused in more than 100,000 misdemeanors each year go to jail without ever talking to a lawyer. Lee Enterprises West region Public Service Journalism team and local reporters attended more than a dozen court hearings and interviewed more than 25 defendants, 40 attorneys and 25 experts to reveal public defense in many western states is broken. Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Reporter Emily Hamer may be reached at emily.hamer@lee.net.
A federal judges May ruling that hunters in Wyoming who crossed from one corner of public land to another did not trespass on adjacent private lands sent a distinct message to the Bureau of Land Managements national legal team.

Our solicitors think its pretty clear, said Tracy Stone-Manning, director of the BLM and a Montana resident. Were taking that ruling quite seriously and making sure that our state directors are implementing it.

Stone-Manning has been touring parts of north-central Montana this week and paused to answer questions on a variety of BLM-related topics during a stop in Havre. As director, she leads an agency of more than 10,000 employees, about 600 of which work full-time under the aegis of the Montana-Dakotas Office.

Her response to a question about the corner-crossing case is relevant because the BLM oversees management of 70% of the 8.3 million acres onXmaps has identified as public lands corner-locked, or only accessible by stepping from one corner of public land to the other. The other largest chunk of corner-locked public lands belong to states, which onXmaps calculated at 26%.

In his ruling, Chief U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl dismissed ranch owner Fredric Eshelmans lawsuit that sought $7 million in damages from four Missouri hunters who climbed over fences at a corner in Wyoming in 2020 and 2021 to hunt on public land. Eshelman has filed notice that he will appeal the ruling.

By insisting that corner crossing was trespassing, Eshelman essentially had exclusive access to some 6,000 acres of public land for his own hunting and other excursions, WyoFile.com reported.

Following the judges ruling, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks issued a press release saying that corner crossing is unlawful in Montana and that anyone attempting to corner cross should ask permission from adjoining landowners. A University of Montana law professor questioned the basis for FWPs claim referring to established case law.

Bison

Stone-Mannings visit to the region comes as Montana Gov. Greg Gianfortes administration still awaits a ruling from the Interior Board of Land Appeals. Late last year, the state asked the board for a stay of BLMs decision to allow a switch from cattle to bison grazing on 63,500 acres of federal land in Phillips County  part of a grazing lease awarded to the nonprofit group American Prairie when it bought adjacent ranches.

A decision from the board could come by this fall.

That process will be that process, Stone-Manning said. We stand by the decision. When our permittees come to us and ask us to work with them for outcomes on the landscape, we do it. It doesnt matter who the permittee is.

Stone-Manning said she has no knowledge regarding the ruling but said the sometimes heated rhetoric surrounding the issue is unfortunate and a view held by a minority.

I think that the work  the show-me-dont-tell-me rule, right  the work were going to do on this restoration landscape to create better value for wildlife habitat, better value for our permittees, will speak for itself, she said.

BLM

As director, Stone-Manning has had to deal with the decisions made by previous director David Bernhardt, who relocated the agencys headquarters to Grand Junction, Colorado, under the Trump administration. Current Interior Secretary, Deb Haaland, moved the national headquarters back to Washington, D.C., but the Bernhardt decision to relocate resulted in the loss of almost 300 veteran BLM employees.

Its been hard, Stone-Manning said. One of my priorities is rebuilding the agency, and building it into the bureau that the bureau itself deserves, the American people deserve and most importantly the public lands deserve.

The move to Colorado  endorsed by current Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., when he was Interior Secretary  was reportedly based on relocating the agencys headquarters closer to the customers it serves out west. Yet Stone-Manning said 97% of BLMs staff already lives and works in the West.

When those 300 positions had to be filled, BLM staff in the West were called up to fill the vacancies, creating a domino effect, Stone-Manning said.

Now were solving for vacancies in places that were in fact closer to the field, and all that happened as the pandemic descended on us, she added. Tell your readers were hiring.

Some of the more recent staff hired in the Montana-Dakotas office include former Forest Service employees who touted the BLM as a place more conducive to advancement. Last August the new BLM state director, Sonya Germann, moved over from the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation where she had worked as the state forester. Germann is a Montana native.

Vacancies were evident at the BLMs Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. The agency has had a hard time staffing its visitor center in Fort Benton and this summer hired only one of 10 river rangers who patrol the monument.

Its this really interesting conflagration of events: the move, the pandemic and the pandemic spiking housing prices across the West. Its a lot to sort through, Stone-Manning said. But were trending in the right direction on our vacancy rate, which has settled at 23% over the last four months.

Female leads

Stone-Manning and Germann arent the only Montana representatives in the Department of the Interior. Martha Williams  former director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks  is serving as the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Its a remarkable privilege, Stone-Manning said. Or as I say to my colleague Martha, It is an outrageous privilege to be able to do this work on behalf of the American people. And I think that what we have learned in Montana and can bring to bear to the national work is really important and really serves us well.

Stone-Manning called her boss, 35th-generation New Mexican Deb Haaland of the Pueblo of Laguna, a remarkable person to work for. Haaland is the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary for a U.S. president.

She has a remarkable clarity and vision about her, and she is fearless, Stone-Manning said. She carries gratitude into every meeting Ive been in with her, which has been a lesson for me. We all work really hard and really fast, and its really rare for people to remember to say thank you, and she does in every single meeting.

Looking forward, Stone-Manning said she sees two challenges as the largest looming for BLM.

A changing landscape, thats changing quickly, and the capacity to keep up to that changing landscape, she said. My focus, and what Im asking of my colleagues, is to manage for landscape health in everything we do. It is the narrative thread of all our work, even our partnership work. It is our obligation to the future to manage for landscape health today to leave as many options on the table as possible.

The BLM has often faced criticism from environmental groups for its management of public lands, including oversight of cattle grazing and oil and gas leasing. Last week, several groups released a statement critical of the agencys move to allow conservation leasing, or leasing of public lands for conservation purposes.

In April BLM released a rule to manage public lands in a manner that will protect the quality of scientific, scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, air and atmospheric, water resources, and archeological values.

While the environmental groups in general like the idea, they question if BLM is capable of implementing the action.

Josh Osher, public policy director for Western Watersheds Project, said in a statement, If the BLM doesnt address the terrible ecological impacts from millions of cows and sheep and a livestock industry that is given free rein on BLM managed lands, this rule and all the promises of conservation wont amount to anything. Grazing on public lands is not restoration, nor is it complementary or compatible with conservation at anywhere near the present livestock densities.
In her bio for Our Childrens Trust, fifth-generation cattle rancher Rikki Held, the lead plaintiff in the constitutional climate change lawsuit Held v. Montana, states, I want to ensure that basic human rights outlined in the Montana Constitution, such as the right to a clean and healthful environment, are upheld. This right is listed as inalienable under Montanas Constitution. In the groundbreaking trial, 16 young plaintiffs are asking a judge to declare HB 971 unconstitutional.

The law limits Montanas ability to compete in future energy markets and makes it harder for Montanans to speak up for the health of their communities. Coal plants produce particulate air pollution, as well as carbon dioxide, which can be incredibly harmful to lungs of all ages.

Rikki Helds ranch is near Colstrip and Cedar Creek. Several times over the past few years, the air quality on her family ranch has been ranked as some of the worst in the country due to wildfires and emissions from these plants.

The plaintiffs in Held vs. Montana made headlines nationwide in June  however, they werent the only young people working on climate this summer.

This June, the American Conservation Coalition brought 300 activists together in Salt Lake City to celebrate and learn more about the future of conservative environmentalism and market-based environmental policy.

At the summit, Young Republican National Federation Chairman Rick Loughery signed The Climate Commitment on behalf of 5 million Young Republicans to showcase their support for ACCs vision. We also had seven members of Congress, multiple local elected leaders from across the country, industry professionals, and other thought leaders speak on their policies, work and belief in the conservative environmental movement. Miss America, a nuclear engineering student, even joined in on the fun!

Montanas own ACC Branch in Missoula was nominated for Branch of the Year. Their branch leaders have worked hard to bring the Missoula outdoors community together to learn about local issues like the revamping of Marshall Mountain. Theyve also organized cleanups and group hikes that allow people to build community while giving back to their environment.

Young Montanans also joined Citizens Climate Lobby members who gathered in DC to lobby Congress about climate solutions. There were 895 participants  about 250 of whom were young people  of all political persuasions from all 50 states, and they lobbied the members of Congress.

As Samantha Block, one of CCLs incoming Climate Advocacy Fellows, said, Young people will bear the brunt of these disasters. Our future is at stake. Our voices must be heard.

On June 13, volunteers from the Montana CCL chapters met with the four offices of our congressional delegation to urge them to support clean energy permitting reform, carbon border adjustments, and carbon pricing, a policy long supported by CCL.

Climate disruption is not only affecting our ranches and farms but our kids and grandkids as well. If we ignore these changes, your kids experiences in 4H, Future Farmers of America, and other organizations will look drastically different from your own.

Young people across Montana  who make up a quarter of the population  want common-sense environmental solutions to reduce emissions and protect the last best place.

Montanas congressional delegation should prioritize the issue and work with relevant stakeholders to ensure environmental and economic success for the state.

Investing in all of the above energy solutions  that dont pick winners and losers  and our climate is also investing in Montanas future generations, regardless of their creed.

Its great to see young people like Rikki and the other youth plaintiffs standing up for their future, but this issue is so important it shouldnt just be left up to the courts.

We appeal to all Montana lawmakers to pass legislation to unlock Montanas full clean energy potential. This approach is good for your people and good for the planet.
Thanks to a successful court challenge by the Alliance for the Wild Rockies, over 10,000 acres of grizzly bear habitat in northwestern Montana will not be decimated by commercial logging. In late June, our lawsuit in a federal district court in Montana halted a large-scale logging project in endangered grizzly bear habitat to protect the small, isolated and imperiled Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bear population from further harm.

The Ripley logging project authorized almost 17 square miles of commercial logging (10,854 acres) on publicly owned National Forest lands, including roughly 5 square miles of clearcuts (3,223 acres). By the U.S. Forest Services own estimate, the project would cost federal taxpayers $643,000 to implement since receipts from the commercial timber sales do not cover the cost of the post-logging ecological remediation.

The court ruled the project is illegal because the government did not analyze the cumulative impacts on grizzly bears from concurrent logging and road-building on public lands, state lands and private lands in the area. The project authorized construction of 30 miles of new logging roads and reconstruction of 93 miles of logging roads. It is well-documented that roads pose the greatest threat to grizzly bears, followed by logging and habitat removal.

The court victory is especially significant because the Cabinet-Yaak grizzly population is in very bad shape. The actual count of grizzlies published in 2021 for the 2020 monitoring year found 45 bears, down from 50 bears in 2019 and 54 bears in 2018. The governments own Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan requires 100 bears for the minimum viable population.

The Cabinet-Yaak grizzly population is also failing every recovery target and goal: It is failing the target for females with cubs, the target for distribution of females with cubs, the female mortality limit and the mortality limit for all bears (which is zero mortalities until a minimum of 100 bears is reached).

A peer-reviewed scientific research paper by Kendall et al. (2016), analyzed the Cabinet-Yaak grizzly population in detail based on extensive and systematic DNA collection in the region and found: In the small Cabinet and Yaak populations, the difference between growth and decline is 1 or 2 adult females being killed annually or not. Last year, three female Cabinet-Yaak grizzly bears died.

The study concluded, ... The small size, isolation and inbreeding documented by this study demonstrate the need for comprehensive management designed to support [Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem] population growth and increased connectivity and gene flow with other populations.

The court acknowledged that this population is uniquely vulnerable, and it found the governments analysis factually false because the government assumed, contrary to the evidence before them, that the non-federal lands do not provide habitat for grizzly bears. They then used that false assumption to conclude that because the Project would not substantially reduce secure habitat on USFS land, the Project would not jeopardize the grizzly bear.

The court ruled the Forest Service violated the Endangered Species Act by failing to adequately consider the cumulative effects of how private and state roads in the area affected the bears ability to move to secure habitat, and chastised the agencys obfuscation of the facts, writing: The court and the public should not have to embark on a scavenger hunt through a nearly thirty-thousand page administrative record to find information that the BiOp [Biological Opinion} itself was supposed to disclose.

This win is a great victory for the Cabinet-Yaak grizzlies  and we will continue our fight to ensure this dwindling population of grizzly bears will not be extirpated by the Forest Services reckless corporate welfare giveaways of our public National Forests to private logging companies.
By Shawn Touney | Jul 13, 2023

Murray State alumni Steve and Elizabeth Pierson (pictured) established the Steve and Elizabeth Pierson Endowed Scholarship in 2019

MURRAY, Ky.  Murray State University has announced the first recipient of the Steve and Elizabeth Pierson Endowed Scholarship. Established in 2019 by gifts from the Piersons and Voya Foundation, the scholarship was designed to assist students from Jackson County, Illinois with a desire to attend Murray State. Sydney Allen, a graduate from Trico Senior High School in Campbell Hill, Illinois, has been awarded the scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year. Allen is an Illinois State Scholar and plans to study political science and legal studies when she begins her freshman year at Murray State this fall.

Pierson Endowed Scholarship's first recipient, Sydney Allen, is a graduate from Trico Senior High School in Campbell Hill, Illinois

Both Steve and Elizabeth Pierson graduated from Murray State in 1984; Steve with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, and Elizabeth with a Bachelor of Science in Education. The value for education runs deeply in the Pierson family. Steve grew up in Jackson County, Illinois and attended Murphysboro High School, where his mother Thelma Pierson taught for many years. In addition to Steves mother serving as a life-long teacher, many of Steves other relatives are also educators. This scholarship has allowed the family to make a difference in the lives of young people pursuing their own educational dreams.

In addition to being Murray State alumni, the Piersons have a strong devotion to Murray State. Their education at Murray State set them both on paths of professional success  Elizabeth in the field of education teaching elementary and middle school students, including those with special needs and Steve on a decades-long career with senior positions in accounting, finance and business in Atlanta, Georgia. While students at Murray State, they both participated in many campus activities including Greek life, Student Government Association, Student Ambassadors and many others. Two of their children, Christopher and Ashley, both graduated from Murray State in 2012, and their third child graduated from the University of Georgia in 2019.

"Steve and Elizabeth have left a wonderful legacy by assisting the next generation of Murray State University students, said Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson. The Piersons are some of our most devoted Racer fans and they have a deep commitment to education and supporting students from Steve's home region of southern Illinois. We are deeply grateful for their long-time dedication and friendship."

The next application period for the Steve and Elizabeth Pierson Endowed Scholarship will open in September for the fall of 2024.

For more information on how to apply for the scholarship or other scholarships at Murray State, contact the Scholarship Office at 270-809-3225 or 800-272-4678 or contact the office by email at msu.scholarships@murraystate. edu .

Contributions to the Steve and Elizabeth Pierson Endowed Scholarship fund can be made by contacting the Murray State University Office of Development at 270-809-3001 or by making a secure gift online at murraystate.edu/give.
While making a documentary about RAGBRAI, Courtney Crowder and Kelsey Kremer learned plenty about the bicycle ride, their subjects and themselves.

You dont fly all the way to Iowa at the end of July when its hot as heck to ride across the state, says Crowder, an award-winning reporter at the Des Moines Register. You have to have some deeper reason --- and most of those are things that literally any of us could connect to. On a personal level, I really didnt know that the skills I had as a print journalist translated into anything other than writing for a newspaper.

In the heat of the pandemic, she and Kremer, an Emmy-winning Register photo editor, got together and talked about doing a documentary about their newspapers ride  a weeklong trek from one side of the state to the other  as it approached its 50th year.

Called Shift, it would focus on those involved.

The 50th was our newspeg, Kremer says. But we wanted it to be more than just a historical retelling of RAGBRAI. We wanted it to be about people, so we plotted it all out in our first meeting and started in earnest the January before the 49th.

Experience counts

Because both had covered RAGBRAI (the Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa), the two directors were familiar with riders and the kinds of stories they might find. That January, we reached out to people who had covered RAGBRAI, Crowder says. We looked at some of the submissions that people put on social media and did more than a dozen phone interviews. Those 12 were winnowed to seven storylines  seven riders theyd follow in the summer of 2022.

Armed with seven videographers and three producers, the directors were prepped and ready for the first day.

A lot of its, Plan as much as you can and then throw away the plan, Crowder says. Kelsey and I sat down in the weeks before, talking about which videographer might match with which subject  like they might have similar life experiences.

Every day, the two sent out reminders of the next days activities. We werent deviating, Crowder says. We knew those were our storylines.

Specifics, however, did change. At one point, Crowder grabbed a camera and got on a bike to provide another visual perspective.

Thats where having a partnership really came into play, she says. Anytime I was reaching peak anxiety, I could turn to Kelsey and she could calm me down. The same for her. It was a lot  you have eight days to get what you need for a movie.

Daily routine

The two texted throughout each day, then met with their team at 5 each night. When the ride hit its final stop  in Lansing, Iowa, the two finally were able to exhale.

I wish I was not so Type A and anxious, Crowder admits. Lansing to Des Moines is a four-hour car trip  four hours to think about, Did we get it all? There was a feeling of euphoria at the tire dip and we were there with our characters. Wed been a part of their journey and their story.

The work, however, was hardly over. Kremer combed through 70 hours of footage and made copious notes. The two spent months pulling the story together and searching for video to illustrate it.

At one point, we needed a very small clip to act as a connector. We had a bunch of drone clips and we were searching for something more, Crowder says. On the cutting room floor, they found a sequence Kremer had shot  bike shadows on a cornfield. You just hear a little bit of bike nose and the bike shadow goes across. It was like, How did that end up on the cutting room floor?

Nervous for premiere

A quick history featuring longtime columnist Chuck Offenburger was added at the beginning to provide context.

The hour-long film, called Shift: The RAGBRAI Documentary, premiered in May at the Varsity Cinema in Des Moines and brought the subjects together for a first look.

It was truly one of the most meaningful moments of my life, Crowder says. To be able to watch this with those people who were so open and so honest and giving with us was an amazing experience.

Adds Kremer: We were a little nervous because it was a big thing to see yourself on screen for that long and to be that vulnerable. But nothing has compared to seeing it at the premiere.

A statewide tour

Now, in advance of the 50th RAGBRAI (which kicks off July 22 in Sioux City), theaters around the state will show the one-hour film.

Crowder will be in Sioux City to cover the 50th RAGBRAI. Kremer, however, has a different assignment. Shell be covering state softball.

For those who see the film, both say, theres a fifth character to consider: Iowa. Not just in the beauty of the landscape, Crowder says, but in these towns. This only happens because average, everyday Iowans decide theyre going to take a day off work and volunteer to show their community off. Thats really what RAGBRAI is  a lot of community engagement.
PARKERSBURG  A Reinbeck teen has died after he was pinned underneath a UTV that flipped Monday.

According to the Grundy County Sheriffs Office, 17-year-old Connor Allen was a passenger on the vehicle when another young driver lost control in a farm pasture on 120th Street about three miles south of Parkersburg.

The driver was attempting to avoid hitting a fence post at the time of the crash, according to the sheriffs office. Allen was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was taken to MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation. The Grundy County Sheriffs Office was assisted by Parkersburg Ambulance, Parkersburg Police, Butler County Sheriffs Office, Grundy Center Ambulance and the Iowa State Patrol.

Grundy deputies also responded to a bicycle accident Monday.

Dennis Koch, 89, of Dike, was driving west on old Highway 20/D-19 in his 2018 Jeep when he struck the westbound bicycle that was riding in the roadway.

The bicyclist, John Keiser of Cedar Falls, was transported to MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center by Dike Ambulance with unknown injuries. Koch was cited for operating too close to a bicyclist.

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Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has distanced himself from the Finland scholarship fee payment controversy, asserting that former governor Jackson Mandago, who is now the Uasin Gishu Senator, should take responsibility and provide an explanation regarding the matter.

During a press conference in Eldoret town on Tuesday, Bii clarified that his administration is solely addressing the issue of the Finland scholarship fee payment in order to assist parents and students who may have paid money but were unable to pursue their education abroad.

The Uasin Gishu county boss said he should not be implicated in any emerging scam, stating that those responsible for misappropriating the scholarship funds should take responsibility for their actions.

Bii said the scholarship program was managed by an independent entity called the Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Trust, rather than the county government. He said he made this discovery after assuming office in August 2022.

The governor also said that they have already invited the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the matter, and they are currently awaiting the recommendations and findings from the commission.

Governor Bii further revealed that in December 2022, he constituted a task force led by his deputy, John Barorot, to investigate the issue and provide recommendations.

The task force has made progress in its investigation, discovering that the Uasin Gishu Overseas Education Trust operated a KCB bank account. This account was used to receive funds for fees, accommodation, and flight charges for students who were planning to enroll in institutions in Finland and Canada.

Deputy Governor Barorot on his part said that the task force uncovered an alarming situation where some students had paid fees for one semester but had no placement in any educational institution. According to their findings, 365 students have not paid their fees despite their fees and accommodation already being covered.
Kenya will exploit the strong ties it enjoys with Iran to expand trade.

President William Ruto said trade volumes between the two countries are still low but with potential to grow.

He explained that Kenya and Iran will strike a formula that will facilitate higher exports of tea, coffee and meat.

This will bring about the much-desired trade balance that is in favour of Iran.

He made the remarks on Wednesday at State House, Nairobi, after holding talks with President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi.

President Ruto observed that Kenya will also use the West Asian countrys wealth in technology and innovation for its development.

He pointed out that the setting up of the Iran House of Innovation and Technology in Nairobi will offer the right platform for Iranian and Kenyan businesses.

This is an innovative way of enabling enterprises to access Iranian technologies, skills and information.

He explained that Kenya and Iran are strategically located to be each others key points of entry into their respective regions.

We will seek to capitalise on this unique advantage for our prosperity.

As a consequence of regular interactions, President Ruto argued that Kenya and Iran have signed more than 22 MoUs and agreements.

The instruments have been key to the cooperation in development, education, scholarships, infrastructure, health, water, fisheries and agriculture.

During their meeting, Dr Ruto and Dr Raisi witnessed the signing of new MoUs and agreements in the areas of agriculture, livestock, culture and heritage, information, ICT, fisheries, housing, urban and metropolitan development.

President Ruto lauded Irans support in health, terming it a critical step towards the realisation of Kenyas Universal Health Coverage.

President Raisi lauded Kenyas commitment to creating a friendly environment for foreign businesses.

He said more Iranian firms will establish operations in the country, paving their way to accessing EAC, COMESA and AfCFTA markets of more than 1.4 billion people.

The Kenya-Iran relations can always be strengthened for our benefit, he said during a media briefing.

-PCS
Photo: The Canadian Press Stacks of cargo containers are seen at port during a strike by International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada workers in the province, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

UPDATE 11:33 a.m.

A tentative deal has been reached between employers and workers in the strike that has halted shipments in and out of British Columbia ports for nearly two weeks.

A statement from the B.C. Maritime Employers Association says it has reached a four-year agreement with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, which represents 7,400 workers in the job action that began July 1.

The tentative deal comes after federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan ordered a mediator to issue terms of possible settlement earlier this week, saying the gap in the deadlocked talks was "not sufficient to justify a continued work stoppage."

In a tweet responding to the tentative deal, O'Regan says "the strike is over," and the "parties are finalizing details for the resumption of work at the ports."

Both the union and the employers had 24 hours to respond to the mediator's recommended terms, which both sides received yesterday.

The deal is subject to ratification by members of both the union and the maritime employers, and no additional details have been released beyond the association saying it "recognizes the skills and efforts of B.C.'s waterfront workforce."

The statement says employers are working to restart operations at B.C. ports as soon as possible, but no specific resumption time has been announced.

The strike has halted shipments in and out of about 30 ports in B.C., including Canada's largest, the Port of Vancouver.

The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade says there are 63,000 shipping containers stuck on vessels waiting at B.C. ports to be unloaded as of yesterday, and that number would have ballooned to 245,000 had the strike persisted to the end of July.

ORIGINAL 11:09 a.m.

A tentative deal has been reached between employers and workers in the strike that's halted shipments in and out of British Columbia ports for nearly two weeks.

A statement from the BC Maritime Employers Association says it has reached a tentative agreement with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

It says the four-year deal is subject to ratification by both parties, so details are not yet being released.

More coming.
Lawmakers allied with President William Ruto have drafted a bill aimed at controlling the escalating opposition protests led by Raila Odinga.

Led by MPs Didmus Baraza (Kimilili), Geoffrey Ruku (Mbeere North) and Josses Kiptoo (Emgwen), the members of the ruling Kenya Kwanza party are calling for Raila to be held accountable for the damages resulting from the protests.

They also want regulations on approved areas where protesters can picket.

The right to picket and demonstrate cannot be taken away, but it must have limitations. We want to have approved areas where somebody can go and picket, Barasa said.

While also calling for Raila Odinga to be arrested, the Kenya Kwanza lawmakers faulted the police for failing to arrest him.

MP Ruku said the Assembly, Demonstrations, Picketing and Petitions Bill, 2023 puts liability on the shoulders of organisers or demos and protests in the event of destructions, injuries and loss of lives.

Its high time we put effect to Article 37 of the Constitution to provide that those who demonstrate and picketing should do so in a peaceful manner, Ruku said.

This Bill proposes that if you organise demos and they are not peaceful, then you should be held liable, Ruku added.
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga has accused the Kenya Kwanza government of using the police to attack his supporters.

While calling off a planned anti-government rally which was scheduled to take place at the Kamukunji grounds Wednesday afternoon, Raila said they had received information of a plan by the government to attack attendees at the rally.

According to the former Prime Minister, Kena Kwanza had hired goons to shoot live bullets a the Kamukunji rally.

Late last night, we received intelligence of a most heinous plan by Kenya Kwanza to ferry armed goons who would attack peaceful attendees of our rally in Kamkunji. These goons had express orders to shoot directly into the crowd while enjoying police protection, Odinga said.

The Opposition leader claimed that the goons raided Kamukunji grounds and vandalized the equipment used to hoist the dais.

In line with the intelligence we received, armed goons have this afternoon descended on Kamukunji grounds and shot indiscriminately in the crowd. Police have used water cannons to disperse those who had peacefully gathered there, he said.

In order to protect our people and avert more injuries and the loss of life, we have taken the strategic decision not to proceed with the rally at Kamukunji grounds this afternoon. In any case, the people have made the point.

Odinga also regretted that the otherwise peaceful protests had been turned into an attack on his supporters.

Scores of protesters have been arrested for participating in an exercise that is clearly protected by the Constitution. As usual, it is the police maiming and killing people. Slowly, our country is degenerating into a police state. We must not allow this to happen again, he said.

Odinga affirmed Azimios relentless fight against the government, urging President William Ruto to consider their demands in order to prevent the protests from persisting.

We thank Kenyans for taking up our call to fight for ourselves. This struggle is not about Azimio or any other party in particular. It is now about Kenyans refusing to move on until they get a good deal, he said.

This time around there is no moving on until Ruto shows a readiness to listen and respect the people. People deserve a deal and not bullets or teargas.
Scrap metal dealers in the country have been cautioned against dealing with metal suspected to have been obtained through the vandalism of public and private structures.

In a statement, the Scrap Metal Council said it was concerned by vandalism witnessed Wednesday during the nationwide anti-government protests.

Indeed, protesters had a field day yesterday as they were seen destroying both private and public property, including the newish Nairobi Expressway.

Chairman of the Scrap Metal Council, Mr Francis Mugo, warned scrap metals dealers against aiding the destruction of these properties.

Scrap Metal Council has noted with concern the recurring and increasing reports of destruction and vandalism of critical public and private infrastructures in the country especially on our roads and highways, Mugo stated.

In view of the above, the Council is cautioning scrap metal dealers to desist from aiding these misconducts through purchase of metals obtained through destruction and vandalism.

Mugo emphasized that such actions amount to economic sabotage, and any dealer found in possession of such materials will face severe legal consequences, including the revocation of their operating license.

Instead, the Scrap Metal Council chairman urged metal dealers associations to actively support the government by promptly reporting any cases of suspected scrap metal obtained through vandalism.

We appreciate all the dealers that have been responsive to our call and also urge them to continue sensitising other stakeholders, Mugo added.
The countrys tourism has received a boost following the scheduled arrival of MV Logos Hope, the Worlds largest book fanfare, in August.

MV Logos will make its maiden voyage to Mombasa 18 years after its identical sister ship Duolos visited.

It will dock at the Mbaraki Wharf on August 21st and be open to the public from August 23rd to October 3rd, every week from Tuesday to Sunday. An advanced preparation team is already in the country.

Constanza Figueroa, a member of the advance team, said during a press briefing that the ship operated by GBA (Good Books for All) has the goal of sharing knowledge, helping, and giving hope in every port it visits. It has so far called on over 150 countries and territories.

Visitors to Logos Hope are offered an expanded selection of over 5,000 different titles of books at affordable prices. They cover a wide range of subjects, including science, sports, hobbies, cookery, the arts, medicine, languages, and faith.

With childrens titles, academic texts, dictionaries, atlases, and more, the book fair has something for everyone, said Figueroa.

She added that the ship has an international crew, including Kenyans and a staff of volunteers from around 60 different countries who live and work on the ship, devoting one or more years of their lives to serving on board.

She praised Kenyans for their hospitality, urging them to replicate the same gesture for the more than 300 volunteers that will arrive aboard the ship.

The ships crew will promote literacy and education, cross-cultural cooperation, social awareness, and reflect Gods compassion for the world.

The ship crew will provide aid and community care and partner with local community groups to bring hope to people, said Figueroa.

Nicolas Civilotti, an advance team member, said the vessel is currently sailing to Muscat, Oman, after visiting Abu Dhabi. It will visit the Seychelles before coming to Mombasa.

Civilotti said the ship crew will transfer knowledge and get in touch with local organisations dealing with health to make donations.

Walid Timimi, Marine Services Manager at Inchcape Services, said they are working with a multi-stakeholder committee to prepare for the ships arrival.

We are glad we have a couple of Kenyans working on board in the engine room, and hopefully as they are here they will partner with many organisations. As part of that, they have engaged the Bandari Maritime Academy, in August there will be a joint training for the seafarers, said Timimi.

He added that there are numerous opportunities that Kenya will tap into while working with GBA.

We are glad that GBA has considered the new ship coming to Mombasa this time, and hopefully it will open more doors for more of their ships coming to this side of the world, said Timimi.

-KNA
If you had a remote job before the pandemic you were ahead of the curve, or your company was. Having been forced to be home for so long was to
A Napa native imprisoned for murdering his former girlfriend nearly two decades ago will get another chance to seek early release later this year.

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Eric Nathaniel (Nate) Marum, 43, will appear before a state parole panel Nov. 2 at Folsom State Prison, according to a hearing schedule posted by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Marum has been held at Folsom since pleading guilty to the 2005 slaying of Nicole Sinkule at her home in Oceanside north of San Diego.

The parole bid will be the third by Marum, who was arrested after Sinkule was bludgeoned to death with a claw hammer on Oct. 16, 2005. Marum pleaded guilty to her murder in October 2006 and was sentenced to 16 years to life behind bars.

Marums initial parole application was rejected in 2019. In November 2021, two members of the Board of Parole Hearings recommended freeing Marum, but Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed the release in March 2022, arguing that Marum had not yet proven he would not be a danger to women.

While crediting Marum  who attended Vintage High School and UCLA  for receiving treatment for psychological and drug problems since his arrest, Newsom, in a statement, concluded Marum must do additional work to mitigate his risk for intimate partner violence before he can be safely released.

At his 2021 hearing, Marum told the parole board of a worsening methamphetamine addiction that he said fueled his violence against Sinkule during their year-long relationship. When Sinkule tried to leave him, his meth use drove him into a psychosis on the night he killed her, Marum said at the time.

Prosecutors, as well as Sinkules relatives, rejected Marums expression of remorse as a way to minimize the violence of his behavior in the months before the murder. Family members have continued to fight Marums further efforts to go free, starting an online petition to keep him jailed and giving multiple interviews about the case to news outlets.
Thursday, July 13

CALISTOGA CONCERTS IN THE PARK

6:30-8:30 p.m. The Humdinger Band performs at Calistoga's Pioneer Park, 1320 Cedar St. Free admission. Info: visitcalistoga.com; 707-942-6333.

GEEKS WHO DRINK TRIVIA

7 p.m. The Hollywood Room at Napa Valley Distillery, 2485 Stockton St., Napa, hosts Geeks Who Drink Trivia every Thursday. Join in seven rounds of audio, visual and live hosted trivia. Teams have up to six players. Info: napadistillery.com.

DATING IN THE 21st CENTURY

7-8:30 p.m. Dr. Adelman and Dr. Ahuvia will lead a conversation on the metamorphosis of dating in the context of the rise of dating services. Their extensive research and appearances on the Oprah Winfrey show have contributed to a shift in perception of "matchmaking" services. The event will take place at Congregation Beth Shalom of Napa Valley, 1455 Elm St., Napa. Info: office@cbsnapa.org; 707-253-7305. Tickets are available at cbsnapa.org/form/salon_series_NCTC.

NOVACK CONCERT FOR KIDS

10 a.m. The Novack Concert for Kids series at CIA at Copia, 500 First St., Napa, presents the Richard Howell Ensemble, courtesy of Festival Napa Valley. Attendance rules: Adults must be accompanied by a child. Tickets are $3. Info: festivalnapavalley.org.

CHARGED PARTICLES

4-7 p.m. Cuvaison's Los Carneros Estate, 1221 Duhig Road, Nap,a features live music from the Charged Particles trio. Admission is $25. Info: cuvaison.com; 707-942-2455; carnerostasting@cuvaison.com.

WINE TASTING

6-8 p.m. Diane Wu takes guests on a journey to discover Tuscany at Napa Valley Wine Academy, 2501 Oak St., Napa. Learn about the region's ancient viticulture history, contrasting climate, and signature Sangiovese grapes. Info: napavalleywineacademy.com.

LIVE MUSIC

6-9 p.m. Celebrate Bastille Day a day early with the David Ronconi Trio at the Priest Ranch tasting room 6490 Washington St., Yountville. Admission is free.

Friday, July 14

ST. HELENA FARMERS' MARKET

7:30 a.m.-noon. Visit Crane Park for the St. Helena Farmers' Market offering fresh produce from a variety of local growers. Activities include a free produce tasting, kids' story time, and face painting. Info: sthelenafarmersmkt.org.

ART SHOW

5-7 p.m. Caldwell Snyder Gallery, 1328 Main St., St. Helena, hosts an artists reception for painter Matt Rogers' new show. Info: caldwellsnyder.com/artists/matt-rogers.

FRIDAY NIGHTS IN THE PARK

6-10 p.m. Tin Man and I*Ko YaYa perform at Napa's Veterans Park at the corner of Third and Main streets. Free admission. Low-back chairs are permitted. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

ART IN THE LIBRARY

6:15-7:30 p.m. Napa Library, 580 Coombs St., Napa, hosts an artists reception for abstract painter Melissa Mahoney. Free admission. Info: 707-253-4241.

WALKING TOURS OF NAPA

11 a.m. The Napa County Historical Society presents walking tours of historic downtown Napa The walking tour starts at Goodman Library, 1219 First St. Tickets are $45. Info: napahistory.org.

FESTIVAL NAPA VALLEY

6:30 p.m. Festival Napa Valley kicks off its 17th season with the Festival Orchestra at Charles Krug Winery, 2800 Main St., St. Helena. Tickets are $20-$35. Info: festivalnapavalley.org.

HENRY KAPONO

6:30 and 9 p.m. Blue Note, 1030 Main St., Napa, presents Henry Kapono: 50 Years of The Songs of C&K. Info: bluenotenapa.com.

COMEDY AT HOLLYWOOD ROOM

7 p.m. The Hollywood Room at Napa Valley Distillery, 2485 Stockton St., Napa, presents the stand-up comedy showcase, Jake Rizzly Presents: Joe Hill and Amy Blackwell.

Saturday, July 15

NAPA FARMERS MARKET

8 a.m.-noon. Napa Farmers Market provides vendors offering seasonal produce, meat, eggs, seafood, locally prepared foods and hand-crafted wares. Located at 1100 West St. at Pearl. Info: napafarmersmarket.org.

CALISTOGA FARMERS MARKET

9 a.m.-1 p.m. The Calistoga Farmers Market offers fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, flowers and plants, gourmet and pre-packaged food, fresh seafood, and creative crafts and gift items. Sharpsteen Museum Plaza and Community Center on Washington Street, Calistoga. Info: calistogafarmersmarket.org.

SUNRISE SATURDAY YOGA

7:30 a.m. Start your Saturday by saluting the sun with a thoughtful flow yoga session on the rooftop pool deck at Bardessono Hotel & Spa, 6526 Yount St., Yountville. Cost is $30. Call 707-204-6050 to reserve a space.

DOCUMENTARY FILM: 'ENNIO'

3 and 7 p.m. Jarvis Conservatory, 1711 Main St., Napa, screens the documentary about legendary film composer Ennio Morricone. Tickets are $15. Info: 707-255-5445; info@jarvisconservatory.com.

TASTE OF NAPA

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Festival Napa Valleys annual Taste of Napa returns to the Meritage Resort, featuring offerings from over 70 wineries, breweries, restaurants and culinary artisans. The event includes live music, games, a reserve tasting salon, and a variety of prizes. General admission tickets are $150, and Reserve Tasting Salon tickets are $295. Info: festivalnapavalley.org.

AN EVENING OF JEWISH MUSIC WITH RABBI AHUVIA

7-8:30 p.m. Rabbi Aura Ahuvia will present an eclectic mix of Jewish music from various eras and regions. Rabbi Ahuvia, who has long fused her love for Jewish music with religious traditions, will also discuss the essence of Jewish music. The event is at Congregation Beth Shalom of Napa Valley, 1455 Elm St., Napa. For more details, contact office@cbsnapa.org or 707-253-7305. Purchase tickets at cbsnapa.org/form/salon_series_NCTC.

TIKI AFTER HOURS AT NAPA VALLEY MUSEUM

5-7 p.m. Tour the exhibitions at Napa Valley Museum, 55 Presidents Circle, Yountville, with the curators. Tickets are $20-$35. Info: napavalleymuseum.org.

ANALOG US WITH CIERRA SCHUER

7-10 p.m. Fairfield's Analog Us and Napa Valley native Cierra Schuer perform at The Hollywood Room, 2485 Stockton St., Napa.

Sunday, July 16

DIA DE LA FAMILIA

1-3:30 p.m. The Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation hosts its 11th annual Dia de la Familia festival on Napa Street adjacent to St. Johns Catholic Church. Dia de la Familia primarily caters to the needs of local farmworking families by providing them with easy access to local resources. Over 50 community organizations from Napa County are set to participate in the event, providing complimentary services and fostering a sense of unity among community members. Among the highlights are free OLE Health screenings, a complimentary taco lunch, and family activities including face painting, arts and crafts, and rock climbing. Info: farmworkerfoundation.org/dia-de-la-familia1.html

WHY WE LOVE STUFF

2-3:30 p.m. Join professor of marketing Dr. Aaron Ahuvia, as he uncovers the fascinating psychology of our attachment to material objects and brands. This event will take place at Congregation Beth Shalom of Napa Valley, 1455 Elm St., Napa. For more information, contact office@cbsnapa.org or call 707-253-7305. Tickets can be bought at cbsnapa.org/form/salon_series_NCTC.

BUSTER'S BARBECUE JAZZ AND BLUES

3-6 p.m. Buster's Southern Barbecue, 1207 Foothill Blvd, Calistoga, hosts live music by Juan Escovedo & Friends every Sunday (weather permitting) at the back patio. Free admission. Info: busterssouthernbbq.com; 707-403-5100.

HOME WINEMAKERS CLASSIC

4 p.m. The Mount Veeder Fire Safe Council hosts the annual Home Winemakers Classic fundraiser at Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa, 3425 Solano Ave., Napa. This is a unique opportunity for guests to sample great wines that cant be purchased anywhere else, and to bid on outstanding wines from some of Napa Valleys top wineries. Tickets are $50 (presale); $60 at the door. Info: homewinemakersclassic.com; 707-738-7132; chief16@me.com.

MUSIC IN THE PARK

5-7 p.m. Enjoy the summer music series at Veterans Memorial Park featuring local band Road Eleven. They perform a mix of original songs and classic rock, R&B, funk and country covers. Di Filippos Wood Fire Pizza will be selling food at the concert. Veterans Memorial Park, 6465 Washington St., Yountville. More at www.townofyountville.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 18

NAPA FARMERS MARKET

8 a.m.-noon. Napa Farmers Market provides vendors offering seasonal produce, meat, eggs, seafood, locally prepared foods and hand-crafted wares. Located at 1100 West St. at Pearl. Info: napafarmersmarket.org.

Friday, July 21

BREAD HAPPY HOUR

2 p.m. Join The Model Bakery for Bread Happy Hour at their Oxbow Public Market shop, located at 644 First St. in Napa. Head Baker Martin Podell will walk through the process of hand mixing dough and formula development. Complimentary drip coffee and bread samples will be provided. Info: 707-259-1128; themodelbakery.com.

FARM BUREAU LOVE OF THE LAND DINNER

6-9 p.m. The Napa County Farm Bureau's annual Love of the Land Dinner takes place at V. Sattui Winery, 1111 White Lane, St Helena. Celebrate the heart and soul of Napa County  agriculture  with a lobster feed, live auction, live music, and dancing. Single tickets are $150 at napafarmbureau.ejoinme.org/lol2023.

Saturday, July 22

NAPA FAMILY BIKING WORKSHOP

9-11 a.m. Napa County Bicycle Coalition hosts a free family bike workshop at CrossWalk Community Church, 2590 First St., Napa. Workshop includes helmet and bike safety checks, bike-handling skill practice, and a group bike ride. Workshop is best suited for ages 5-12 and parents/guardians. Sign up at https://bit.ly/july22workshop. Info: csainato@napabike.org; 707-258-6317.

Sunday, July 23

CATS, COFFEE AND CLASSICAL MUSIC

11 a.m. A Study in Strings is partnering with We Care Animal Rescue to host a concert and fundraiser at 1345 Charter Oak Ave., St. Helena. Before and after the concert, attendees are invited to spend time petting the 60+ cats who live at the sanctuary. Please arrive early to find your seat and get some coffee. Seating is limited. Tickets are $20. Info: shelter@wecareanimalrescue.org; 707-963-7044.

Wednesday, July 26

THE MCCORMICKS: ROOTS AND REINVENTION

4 p.m. Betty McCormick Malmgren will talk about the McCormick family in Napa Valley during a history presentation at the St. Helena Historical Society, 1255 Oak Ave., St. Helena. Free admission. Info, 707-967-5502; shstory.org.

Thursday, July 27

SHAKESPEARE SUMMER STROLL

6 p.m. Shakespeare Napa Valley and di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art present Shakespeare Summer Stroll, a site-integrated presentation of scenes and monologues from some of Shakespeares most beloved plays, interwoven with the sculptures and outdoor spaces at di Rosa, 5200 Sonoma Highway, Napa. Tickets are $15-$60. Additional performances Friday-Sunday. Info: dirosaart.org; 707-256-7500.

Saturday, July 29

MAKERS MARKET

11 a.m.-6.p.m. Local makers offering jewelry, organic body, CBD products, candles, plants, home goods, apparel, glass, and more will be at First Street Napa in downtown Napa near The Archer hotel on First Street. Info: makersmarket.us/locations.

CRUSH MS SUMMER CELEBRATION

4-7 p.m. Join the fun at Reid Family Vineyards, 1020 Borrette Lane, Napa, as hundreds of wine lovers come together to raise funds and awareness for a world free of multiple sclerosis. Tickets are $100. Info: crushms.org; 707-363-3639; kirkwood75@gmail.com.

Sunday, July 30

NAPA PORCHFEST

12:30-5 p.m. Napa Porchfest is a free event showcasing local musicians on front yards and porches in historic Old Town Napa around Fuller Park. Featuring more than100 bands representing a diverse music array from rock to reggae and country to indie, each Porchfest performance ranges 30-90 minutes. Expect food trucks offering hamburgers, salads, tacos, desserts, and more positioned throughout the neighborhood. A water-filling station, along with public restrooms will also be available. Free admission. Info: 707-255-1836; napaporchfest.org.

DO WINE GLASSES MATTER?

10:30 a.m. Riedel glassware company CEO Maximilian Riedel presents a seminar at CIA at Copia, 500 First St., Napa, on the impact of stemware on wine. Tickets are $155 at exploretock.com and include a four-glass Veloce Riedel tasting set valued at $158 and a wine and cheese pairing reception.

Monday, July 31

FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS

2-4 p.m. Celebrate International Friendship Day with us by making colorful bracelets and enjoying snacks at the American Canyon Library, 300 Crawford Way, American Canyon. Free admission. Register at events.napalibrary.org/event/8708200.

Saturday, Aug. 5

NAPA STORYWALK REACHES WETLANDS EDGE PARK

All day. The StoryWalk moves to its final location, Wetlands Edge Park, 2 Eucalyptus Drive, American Canyon. No entrance fees. Enjoy this unique blend of children's literature and outdoor activity, perfect for a family outing. Info: NapaOutdoors.org/NapaStoryWalk.

Saturday, Aug. 12

TASTE OF MOUNT VEEDER

1-4 p.m. Taste and order Mount Veeder wines from more than 30 wineries at Charles Krug Winery, 2800 Main St., St. Helena. Tickets are $195 at MtVeederWines.com or call 707-266-1296.

Thursday, Aug. 17

OUT OF THE FIRE GALA

5:30 p.m. The annual Out of the Fire gala supporting the Napa Salvation Army Culinary Training Academy will be held at Raymond Vineyards, 849 Zinfandel Lane, St. Helena. Info: napa.salvationarmy.org.

Saturday, Aug. 19

TRIBUTE TO BARBARA MYERHOFF

2-3:30 p.m. Pay tribute to anthropologist Barbara Myerhoff at this event featuring renowned filmmaker Lynne Littman. The session will be at Congregation Beth Shalom of Napa Valley, 1455 Elm St., Napa. For any inquiries, contact office@cbsnapa.org or call 707-253-7305. Tickets can be purchased at cbsnapa.org/form/salon_series_NCTC.

Saturday, Sept. 9

AN EVENING AT THE RUINS

Experience a night of music, light displays, and magical graffiti art at the American Canyon Community and Parks Foundations annual fundraiser An Evening at the Ruins. Tickets are $300. Info: acparks.org.
Cultural and individual factors influence sleep quantity and quality

Journalism of the future. Google is testing an AI tool for writing news articles

Vitamin D may help to get rid of period cramps, says study

Journalists from all over the world, people are dying a few kilometers away from you! UJA

Unitree introduces its talking, athletic Go2 robot dog with impressive specifications and unique features

Croatian Osijek introduces Styopa Mkrtchyan

China supports sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia: Deputy Foreign Minister

The Michelin Guide published an article about Armenian restaurant Zhengyalov Hatz

Russia says new grain deal with Turkey is possible

Aliyev threatens Armenia

Prime Minister Pashinyan receives Igor Khovaev

Aliyev hurries to sign peace treaty with Armenia

Aliyev announces mass settlement of occupied part of Artsakh

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Armenia agrees to meeting of FMs in Moscow

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Shortage of new iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max is expected: How and why?

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Ardshinbank terminates operations with the Unistream money transfer system

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Artsakh parliament calls on Armenia to ask UN to grant international mandate to peacekeepers

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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia hosted Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, the PMs office informs.

First, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State had a private conversation, and then the negotiations continued in an expanded format.

In his speech, Nikol Pashinyan noted, "Your Eminence, I am happy to welcome you to the Republic of Armenia. We highly appreciate your contribution to the development of relations between Armenia and the Vatican. We also highly appreciate today's visit and willingness to give a new boost to the relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Vatican. The Armenian people fondly remember the visits of Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II in 2001 and 2016, but I must also emphasize that this is the first visit of the Secretary of State of the Vatican to Armenia. And it is a great honor for me to receive you. This indicates a new charge in our relationship. You are welcome."

In his turn, Pietro Parolin noted, "Thank you Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for giving me this opportunity to meet, have a dialogue and exchange ideas with you. I am very happy to be in Armenia, precisely in the context of the friendly relations that already exist. This visit will definitely help to develop them further. Recently, a very positive change has taken place that the Vatican has an Apostolic nuncio, the ambassador, in Armenia. We thank you for this attitude."

At the meeting, the interlocutors discussed issues related to both bilateral relations and regional processes. In particular, reference was made to the deepening crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijan's illegal blocking of the Lachin Corridor, the post-44-day war humanitarian issues, ongoing negotiations on the peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Pietro Parolin expressed the readiness of the Holy See to contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in the region, as well as the process of solving humanitarian problems.
Re. David Buckna's letter Questions for Tory leader (Castanet, July 12)

In a clumsy attempt to disparage (former Conservative Prime Minister) Stephen Harper, Mr. Buckna quotes some obscure person from some obscure political website (David J. Climenhaga, author at AlbertaPolitics.ca).

But he gives no reason why this particular opinion, regarding Hungarian politics, from this particular person, out of 40 million people in Canada, should be considered noteworthy for people in the Okanagan.

What exactly was the point of the letter?

Lloyd Vinish
The Armenian government replenished its reserve fund with 10 billion drams at Thursday's cabinet meeting.

Minister of finance Vahe Hovhannisyan presented the respective draft decision and said: "The adoption of the draft decision is conditioned by the collection of more tax revenues in the first half of the 2023 state budget than the plan indicator, which was exceeded by about 50 thousand drams. As a result, the reserve fund of the Armenian government is replenished by 10 billion drams on the account of the increase in plan indicators of additional tax revenues.

He recalled that earlier, this plan was increased by about 7.5 billion drams, of which 6.5 billion drams were allocated to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

In turn, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that in the first half of this year, the state budget revenues exceeded by about 49.9 billion drams, as a result of which it was decided to transfer 10 billion drams to the reserve fund.

"According to the data of the semester, we have collected 19 percent more money compared to the 1st half of 2022; in absolute terms: 176 billion drams. It is also very important to compare with the 1st half of 2018. In the first half of this year, compared to the first half of 2018, we collected 531 billion drams more, which is 92.7 percent," the premier emphasized.
In both the 2018 and 2021 programs of our government, a special place is given to the development of the stock market. And I am happy to report that we have taken steps, some legislative changes, on that road. This was announced by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at Thursdays Cabinet meeting of the Armenian government.

The PM added that a certain assistance mechanism has been created in this regard.

Minister of finance Vahe Hovhannisyan, for his part, noted that the Armenian government and the Ministry of Finance play a significant role in the development of Armenias capital market in the sense that the liquidity of state treasury bonds and their market development have a considerable impact and shape the countrys market.

Here I must note with great joy that interest in our bonds has changed significantly in recent months, and we have great interest from the world's largest investment organizations and banks that are keen to invest in state treasury bonds denominated in [Armenian] drams," the finance minister added, in particular.
Photo: The Canadian Press Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity departs Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, Calif., for the final time as Virgin Galactic shifts its SpaceFlight operations to New Mexico.

Virgin Galactic is aiming for early August for its next flight to the edge of space, a trip that is expected to include the first of many ticket holders who have been waiting years for their chance at weightlessness aboard the company's rocket-powered plane.

The company announced Thursday that the window for the commercial flight from Spaceport America in southern New Mexico will open Aug. 10. The short up-and-down flight will be streamed live on Virgin Galactic's website.

Virgin Galactic confirmed that three private passengers will be on the flight. The plane has room for six  two Virgin Galactic pilots and four passengers.

Hundreds of people have purchased tickets over the years, including celebrities, scientists and entrepreneurs. The company is expected to release more details about the crew and three passengers next week.

The flight will mark Virgin Galactic's third this year. The most recent was in June  a research flight during which two Italian Air Force officers and an engineer with the National Research Council of Italy conducted a series of microgravity experiments during their moments of weightlessness.

Virgin Galactic has been working for more than a decade to send paying passengers on short space hops and in 2021 finally won the federal governments approval. Founder Richard Branson joined Virgin Galactic employees for the first flight that summer.

It usually takes about an hour for the mother ship to carry the plane to an altitude where it is released and fires its rocket motor to make the final push to the edge of space.

Once they reach their highest point, passengers can unstrap from their seats, float around the cabin for a few minutes and take in views of the Earth. Then they strap in for the glide back down to the runway.

Virgin Galactic plans to fly monthly from its outpost in the New Mexico desert.
The normalization of relations with Azerbaijan is also beneficial for Armenia. This was announced by the Ambassador of Pakistan to Azerbaijan, Bilal Hayee, APA reported.

The diplomat added that the peace processes between Azerbaijan and Armenia continue, and many friendly countries are trying to facilitate these negotiations.

"So, we see that Russia and the United States are involved in this process. We also know that the European Union offers its good offices to encourage direct engagement between Azerbaijan and Armenia to normalize their relations, Hayee said.

Pakistan is a long-time friend of Azerbaijan and we wish Azerbaijan and the people of Azerbaijan well and believe that once Azerbaijan has normalized relations with the neighboring country, Armenia after the peace treaty and delimitation of borders. This development will be beneficial for the entire region, and I am sure the other country which is a neighbor of Azerbaijan will also get significant benefits because they have been missing the opportunities of trade corridors, energy corridors, and other opportunities. So, normalization of relations with Azerbaijan is also beneficial for Armenia, added the Pakistani ambassador to Azerbaijan.
Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan on Thursday met with Tobias Lindner, Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office, who is in Armenia on a regional visit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The parties discussed matters related to the bilateral agenda. Thoughts were exchanged on promoting cooperation in domains of mutual interest, including expanding trade and economic cooperation.

The deputy FM of Armenia and the minister of state of Germany noted that the frequency of bilateral high-level visits testifies to the dynamic development of relations and the high level of political dialogue between the two countries.

Also, the process of normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, the security situation in the region, and the efforts made by Armenia to establish peace were presented to the German minister of state.

In addition the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh were addressed, and the need to lift the illegal blockage of the Lachin corridor, and to end the aggressive rhetoric of Azerbaijan and the latters threat of using force was emphasized.
The Union of Journalists of Armenia and the media in the country are launching an initiative in support of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). The respective statement reads as follows:

The Union of Journalists of Armenia and the media in Armenia are launching the Wake Up World! Prevent the Genocide in Artsakh! Stop the Blockade! campaign. Through this campaign, we are raising our voices in defense of our compatriots in Artsakh. We call on all Armenian media outlets, media persons, international and Armenia-based media organizations, freelance journalists and bloggers to join the campaign by disseminating this statement. We also call on them to post the following banners on the web pages of the respective media outlets and on social networks and keep them posted for as long as it takes for the ROAD OF LIFE linking Artsakh to Armenia to be opened:

The Azerbaijani blockade of Artsakh, which has been going on for more than six months and is now accompanied by total isolation, has led to a dire humanitarian crisis.

The 120,000 people of Artsakh, including 30,000 children, are living without food, baby food, medicine, petrol and diesel and natural gas supply. They also face power outages and are at risk of starving to death.

Every day, 120,000 citizens of Artsakh live under the blatant threat of being physically annihilated, losing their homeland, ethnic cleansing and being deprived of their homes and cradle.

Human destinies are under threat as the crisis aggravates the situation day after day; people are living in conditions that pose a real danger to their lives since they are under armed siege of the Azerbaijanis on a daily basis, with no opportunity to receive medical aid.

There are no practical implications of the declaratory calls of the international community for the unblocking of Artsakh, and Azerbaijan continues to lead its deliberate, antihuman and felonious policy of ethnic cleansing in Artsakh without inhibition.

From this point forward, the media outlets of Armenia - on their respective websites and on the front pages of their respective newspapers - will be issuing an alert addressed to international organizations, as well as to the political, academic, cultural and religious circles of different countries and to the world in an attempt to bring this crisis to the attention of all those who place humans and human lives above any geopolitical interest or economic interest.

Through this initiative, we mass media representatives are making our move for the urgent action to save human lives.

Tomorrow may be too late.
Deputy speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia, Ruben Rubinyan, on Thursday received a delegation led by Tobias Lindner, Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office, the NA informed.

Rubinyan valued cooperation with Germany. He emphasized that the cooperation between Armenia and Germany has expanded and deepened in recent years, which was facilitated also by the effective work by the friendship groups of their parliaments.

Also, the NA vice-speaker presented the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh due to Azerbaijan's illegal blocking of the Lachin corridor, and highlighted the role of international partners, including Germany, in overcoming this matter.

The importance of the deployment of an EU monitoring mission in Armenia was referred to as well.

In addition, Ruben Rubinyan, who is also Armenias special representative for normalization of relations with Turkey, presented the process of normalizing these relations.
President Arayik Harutyunyan on Thursday convened a meeting of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Security Council to discuss measures aimed at addressing the deepening consequences of the complete blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan.

Minister of State Gurgen Nersisyan presented a report on the humanitarian crisis that has arisen in the Artsakh due to Azerbaijan's aggressive policy, the office of the Artsakh President informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

President Harutyunyan, for his part, noted that the efforts made in the foreign policy sphere and the appeals from various international organizations and countries to lift the blockade of the Artsakh-Armenia corridor have not produced positive results. He said this situation not only hinders the breaking of the blockade, but also fails to curb Azerbaijan's ambitions. The Artsakh President emphasized the need for more active engagement and directed efforts in this regard.

Considering the circumstances, President Harutyunyan issued a set of instructions aimed at redistributing available resources to ensure the functioning of Artsakh and addressing its internal and external security issues.
09:08

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India and France have agreed to use Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in this European nation, opening a huge new market for Indian innovation.

Addressing the Indian community at the La Seine Musicale, a performing arts centre on an island in river Seine, Modi said very soon Indian tourists will be able to make rupee payments using UPI from atop the Eiffel Tower.





"In France, an agreement has been made for the use of India's UPI...It will be started from the Eiffel Tower, and now Indian tourists would be able to make payments in Rupees, through UPI, in the Eiffel Tower," the prime minister said.





In 2022, the National Payments Corporation Of India (NPCI), the umbrella organisation that offers UPI services, signed an MoU with France's fast and secure online payment system, called Lyra.





In 2023, UPI and Singapore's PayNow signed an agreement, allowing users in either country to make cross-border transactions.





The UAE, Bhutan, and Nepal have already adopted the UPI payment system.





The NPCI international is in talks to extend the UPI services in the US, European countries, and West Asia.





Amid chants of 'Modi, Modi' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', Modi also said in a few weeks or months from now a statue of great Tamil philosopher Thiruvalluvar will be built in the Cergy Prefecture.





Modi said France has decided to grant long-term five-year visas for students pursuing a masters degree in France.





The Prime Minister also appealed to the Indian community to invest in a big way in India as it makes rapid strides to emerge as a developed nation.

"Today every rating agency is saying that India is a bright spot. You invest in India now. This is the opportune time. Those who invest early will reap benefits," Modi said.





Modi also recalled a personal connection with France dating back to at least four decades when he had become the first member of Alliance Francaise Centre in Ahmedabad way back in 1981. -- PTI
Top China and US diplomats to meet again in Jakarta

Wang Yi and Antony Blinken shake hands in Beijing in June. (AFP)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on Thursday as officials gather in Indonesia for regional meetings, the State Department said in announcing the latest in series of interactions between the rival superpowers.



Wang is representing China at the Jakarta meetings involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and partner countries after Beijing said Foreign Minister Qin Gang would not attend because of to health reasons.



Blinken met Qin and Wang in Beijing last month, marking the first visit to China by a US secretary of state in five years. It was aimed at bringing stability to intense rivalry between the superpowers, which are also the world's two largest economies.



US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited Beijing earlier this month and climate envoy John Kerry is to visit the capital next week.



Wang, who is the foreign policy chief for the Chinese Communist Party, ranks above Qin, who as foreign minister is the government's foreign policy chief.



China's ambassador to the United States held a rare meeting at the Pentagon on Wednesday with the top US defence official for Asia, the Pentagon said. The talks followed US criticism of Chinese reluctance to engage in military communications.



Analysts see the meetings as part of efforts to clear the way for a summit between President Xi Jinping and the US leader, Joe Biden, later this year, but tensions remain high.



On Tuesday, the US-led NATO alliance issued a strongly worded communique at a summit in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, saying that China challenged its interests, security and values with its "ambitions and coercive policies".



Beijing lashed back at the accusation and said it opposed any attempt by the military alliance to expand its footprint into the Asia-Pacific region.



Last week, the senior State Department official for East Asia, Daniel Kritenbrink, said Blinken would work with ASEAN members in Jakarta in response to "an upward trend of unhelpful and coercive and irresponsible Chinese actions." (Reuters)
More scrutiny on Japanese food planned over Fukushima

Hong Kong will ban aquatic products from 10 Japanese prefectures if wastewater is released from the Fukushima nuclear plant that was wrecked by a tsunami in 2011. File photo: AFP

Environment and Ecology minister Tse Chin-wan said on Thursday that the government will further increase surveillance on food imports from Japan if and when the country starts releasing wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.



Tse said the Centre for Food Safety expanded inspections and radiation checks last month on sea products arriving from Japan, and these measures will be strengthened even more if the discharge takes place.



Aside from food safety, the observatory would monitor radiation levels in Hong Kong waters and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department would keep tabs on local sea products to see if they are contaminated, Tse said.



He added that the departments would upload daily radiation readings on their websites to keep the public informed.



Tse also acknowledged that Hong Kong's planned ban on some imports may affect the restaurant trade, saying this is why the government announced in advance the measures it could take.



"We made the announcement in advance so that the trade can get ready on what's coming next. Now they may have to start considering to avoid ordering sea products from prefectures that may come under the ban", he said



A representative of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, Chan Keung, said the SAR's planned move would have a "quite substantial" impact on the sector.



Chan, who owns a Japanese restaurant, said business recently dropped by 20 percent because of news that Tokyo was still planning to go ahead with the discharge.



He told an RTHK programme that trade may slump by half if the move actually takes place and it's possible that many Japanese restaurants in Hong Kong wouldn't survive.



He said the trade wants more details about the planned imports ban as it would cover the major export hub of Tokyo.



"If goods come from outside those 10 prefectures but via the port in Tokyo, will they be allowed into Hong Kong, or what? We want more information on that", Chan said.



He also called on the government to give the trade some clear guidelines.
SIUs Paul Simon Institute virtual talk will feature The HistoryMakers founder

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Julieanna L. Richardson, creator, founder and executive director of The HistoryMakers, the largest national collection of Black video oral histories since a Works Progress Administration initiative in the mid-1930s, will join Southern Illinois University Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for a virtual discussion on July 24.

Richardson and Shaw, institute director, will discuss Richardsons inspiration to design, collect and distribute a video oral history collection with more than 3,000 interviews of African Americans, including Barack Obama, Colin Powell, Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte and Ernie Banks. The virtual discussion is at 9 a.m. The online program via Zoom is free and open to the public, but registration is required. The conversation is part of the institutes Understanding Our New World series.

Julieanna Richardson is a true pioneer who continues to provide the nation  and the world  a great service by chronicling the stories of African Americans, Shaw said. The stories that The HistoryMakers has assembled include those of world-famous celebrities and also of lesser-known Americans who made incredibly valuable contributions to our world. Julieanna continues to tell what she calls Americas essential and missing stories.

The HistoryMakers is a national 501 (c)(3) nonprofit Chicago-based research and educational institution committed to preserving and making widely accessible the untold personal stories of both well-known and unsung African Americans. The organizations website notes that interviews began in 2000 to address the lack of documentation and preservation of the African American historical record. Utilizing a first-person perspective, the testimonies reveal the broad scope of African American men and women who have made significant contributions to American life, history and culture during the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.

The organizations work on documenting Black history was recently featured on 60 Minutes and NPRs WBUR. Prior to The HistoryMakers, the organization notes the only large-scale attempt to capture Black history from a first-person perspective is the WPA Slave Narratives housed in the Library of Congress.

Richardson graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in theater arts and American studies, then received a law degree from Harvard Law School. Prior to founding The HistoryMakers in 1999, Richardson worked as a corporate lawyer, television producer and cable television executive.

Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for Richardson on the registration form or email questions to paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu.

More information, a list of the institutes upcoming events and past speakers and events are available.
NewsVoir Pune (Maharashtra) [India], July 13: When it comes to investing in mutual funds, making informed decisions is crucial. To aid in this process, the Bajaj Finance platform offers a powerful tool called the SIP calculator. This tool allows investors to assess the potential returns on their Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) investments. By utilising the SIP calculator effectively, you can make more informed decisions about the best mutual funds available on the Bajaj Finance platform. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to make the best use of the SIP calculator: Access the SIP calculator: Log in to your Bajaj Finance account or visit the Bajaj Finance website to access the SIP calculator. The calculator is available under the funds section and helps you get an understanding of approximate returns and fund value based on the investment details such as initial investment amount, frequency (monthly, quarterly), and tenure of SIP. Understand the inputs:The SIP calculator requires specific inputs to generate accurate results. These inputs include the investment amount, SIP duration, expected rate of return, and frequency of investment (monthly, quarterly, etc.). Ensure you have the necessary information readily available before using the calculator. Define your investment goals:Before using the SIP calculator, clearly define your investment goals. Determine the amount you wish to invest, the duration of your investment, and the target returns you hope to achieve. This will help you set realistic expectations and make suitable investment decisions. Select the best mutual funds: Research the best mutual fund schemes available on the Bajaj Finance platform that align with your investment goals and risk profile. Consider factors like past performance, fund manager expertise, expense ratios, and investment philosophy. Shortlist a few mutual funds that you believe are suitable for your investment needs. Input accurate data:Enter appropriate data into the SIP calculator to ensure precise calculations. Provide the investment amount you intend to invest periodically, the duration of the SIP, and a reasonable expected rate of return based on historical data and market conditions. Analyse the results:Once you input the necessary data into the SIP calculator, it will generate results based on the provided inputs. The calculator will show you the estimated future value of your investments, the total amount invested, and the estimated gains. Analyse the results to understand the growth potential and evaluate if it aligns with your investment goals. Compare different scenarios: Experiment with different investment amounts, SIP durations, and expected rates of return using the SIP calculator. Compare various scenarios to determine the most suitable investment plan that aligns with your financial objectives. This will help you make more informed decisions about the best mutual funds and SIP options available on the Bajaj Finance platform. Seek expert advice:While the SIP calculator can provide useful insights, it is advisable to seek expert advice from a financial adviser or planner. A professional can help you interpret the results, provide personalised recommendations, and guide you in selecting the most appropriate mutual fund schemes on theBajaj Finance platformbased on your financial goals, choice of investment, and risk tolerance. Review and refine your investment strategy:Regularly review the performance of your investments and revisit the SIP calculator periodically to assess if your investments are on track. Market conditions and personal circumstances can change, requiring adjustments to your investment strategy. Stay updated with market trends and consult with experts when necessary. Stay disciplined:Making the best use of the SIP calculator requires discipline and consistency in your investment approach. Stick to your investment plan, maintain regular contributions through SIPs, and avoid making impulsive investment decisions based on short-term market fluctuations. By leveraging the SIP calculator on the Bajaj Finance platform effectively, you can make informed decisions about the best mutual fund schemes available in the market. Plan your investments wisely, set realistic expectations, and regularly evaluate your portfolio to stay on track toward your financial goals and earn maximum returns. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 13: On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Paris,Capgeminireaffirms its commitment to building state-of-the-art innovation centers and infrastructure in the country, as well as enhancing the talent pool through training and upskilling programs for its employees and the wider community. Along with contributing to business and employment generation in the country, the Group is also playing a key role in France-India cooperation. Capgemini employs close to 180,000 team members working across 13 cities in India. The company is now setting up a new 500-seat office in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) and building modernized infrastructure at the Talwade campus in Pune, which will be expanded multifold upon completion. Capgeminis India business is also the Group's largest platform for innovation and delivery. In addition to a5G Lab in Mumbai, Capgemini has recently set up a6G research Labin Gurugram to build advanced testbeds, simulators and energy-saving solutions while exploring the use cases for the next generation of wireless networks. The facility will generate innovative solutions to support the wider industry. In line with Capgeminis ambitions to become carbon neutral for its operations by 2025, the Group has implemented state-of-the-art energy management systems across its India campuses. Last year, the Group opened an Energy Command Center in Bangalore to monitor and manage performance of its energy assets through IoT, AI analytics and digitalization. The ECC has already enabled a 29% reduction in energy consumption in 2022. The Groups campuses in India now operate on 100% renewable energy, avoiding over 70,000 tons of carbon emissions per year, thanks to 11.5MWp of on-premises solar plants, as well as a cutting-edge Battery Energy Storage Solution (BESS) in its Noida and Mumbai campuses. India plays a strategic and crucial role as a global innovation and delivery center. Over the years, India has become a fundamental part of the Group, contributing to several aspects such as sectoral knowledge, account management, and support. The various Centers of Excellence also make the country a global business platform for Capgemini. Our continuous investments in India reflect our trust and confidence in the countrys talent and skilled workforce and its contribution to our Group performance. We are proud to contribute to Indias growth story. We are looking forward to the opportunities that will open up with Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit and further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries, saidAiman Ezzat, CEO of Capgemini. We are passionate about innovation, which is the key to the transition towards a more digital and sustainable economy. Our belief is that the digital revolution should benefit all. As such, besides the thousands of young tech specialists we are training every year in India, we have created socio-economic initiatives, providing training in IT skills to youth through our 53 Digital Academies. We have so far trained more than 75,000 youths in India, thus, contributing to nation building, saidAshwin Yardi, CEO -India, Capgemini. With people at the core of Capgeminis business, one of its key priorities is to create and nurture an inclusive and diverse workplace. Women account for more than 42% of the Groups workforce in India. Capgemini is also actively contributing to developing talent and making them future ready through industry-academia collaborations. The company actively engages with academia through innovation-led collaborations such as robotic intervention for sewer lines with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, mentoring start-up cohort for social impact with Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore, and more. Capgemini is a global leader in partnering with companies to transform and manage their business by harnessing the power of technology. The Group is guided everyday by its purpose of unleashing human energy through technology for an inclusive and sustainable future. It is a responsible and diverse organization of nearly 360,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong 55-year heritage and deep industry expertise, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to address the entire breadth of their business needs, from strategy and design to operations, fueled by the fast-evolving and innovative world of cloud, data, AI, connectivity, software, digital engineering, and platforms. The Group reported a global revenue of 22 billion for 2022. Get The Future You Want |www.capgemini.com. Capgemini in India comprises nearly 180,000 team members working across 13 cities-Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, Gandhinagar, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Noida, Pune, Salem, and Tiruchirappalli. Learn more about Capgemini in India atwww.capgemini.com/in-en. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN New Delhi [India], July 13: Credent Global Finance Limited has announced it is undertaking a Right Issue of equity shares to raise capital to augment of capital base. Issue open from 25th July, 2023 - 8th August, 2023, The Rights Issue Committee of the Board of Credent Global Finance Limited (Formerly known as Oracle Credit Limited) at its meeting have inter alia considered and approved the total number of 34,68,750 fully paid-up Equity Shares at Rs 140.00 per fully paid-up Equity Shares (including a premium of Rs 130.00 per Equity Share) for an amount aggregating to Rs 48,56,25,000. The Rights Entitlement Ratio has been set at 1 Equity Share for every 2 fully paid-up Equity Shares held by the eligible equity shareholders of the Company, as on the Record Date, which has been fixed as 17th July 2023. The funds raised through this Right Issue will be utilized to augment the capital base. The Board of Directors firmly believes that this capital infusion will support the Company's growth objectives. Before the Right Issue, Credent Global Finance Limited had 69,37,500 Equity Shares. Post the Right Issue, the Company's outstanding Equity Shares will increase to 1,04,06,250, representing a significant expansion in the Company's share capital. Profile Credent Global Finance Founded in 2017, Credent Global Finance (CGF) is a BSE listed, SEBI registered & RBI regulated NBFC, providing end-to-end financial services. The company offers diversified financial services that provides a broad range of financial products and services, catering to corporates, institutions and individuals. CGF provides strategic advisory to its investors with in-depth knowledge and solid financial strategy to make the best investment choices for a thriving portfolio across diversified services like Asset Management, Investment Banking, NBFC and Real Estate. Credent Global in numbers: 1. Joint experience of over 150+ years in the financial services sector2. Transactions to the tune of Rs 2,000 cr + executed so far3. 500 + UHNI & Family offices as trusted clientele across the world4. AUM of Rs 200 crores5. Launched 4 Alternative Investment Funds6. Invested over Rs 400 million across 46 businesses7. Investments of over Rs 5 billion in Real Estate across 13 leading developers8. Generated an ROI of 250%+ through its PMS vertical Key senior leaders: Aditya Kanoria Co-Founder / Director Credent GlobalWith an experience of over 15 years in the financial ecosystem of India, Aditya Kanoria, launched Credent Global with a single minded focus on offering his investors a diversified investment portfolio spread across, equities, real estate and asset management. He has held senior management roles in multiple facets of financial services with renowned bands like Motilal Oswal Financial Services and Capital First. Vishnu Rathore, Board of Director Credent GlobalVishnu Rathore is a seasoned professional in the financial services industry of India with an experience of over 16 years. He has structured and executed deals across key verticals like Asset Management, Structured Finance, Distressed Assets, Debt Capital Markets, Investment Banking, Equity Capital Markets, Research Analytics and Institutional Sales Brokerage. Apart from that, he has also executed real estate transaction to the tunes of millions for Indians as well as NRI investors. (Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
On Thursday, Samantha took to Instagram and shared a happy selfie from her car.

"13th of July..Will always be a special special day..And it's a wrap on #CitadelIndia," she captioned the post.

Created by Raj and DK, the action-packed series also stars Varun Dhawan.

It is an Indian adaptation of the Russo Brothers' series of the same name. Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden are headlining the international version. The release date of the Indian version of Citadel is awaited.

Varun's 'Citadel' will premiere on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video. Recently, Varun and Samantha met President Droupadi Murmu in Serbia.

On 'Citadel', Samantha earlier said, "When Prime Video and Raj and DK approached me with this project, I decided to take it up in a heartbeat! After working with this team on The Family Man, it is homecoming for me. The Citadel universe, the interconnected storylines between the productions across the globe, and most importantly, the script of the Indian installment really excited me. I am thrilled to be a part of this brilliant universe conceptualised by the Russo Brothers' AGBO."

Besides 'Citadel', Samantha will be seen sharing screen space with Vijay Deverakonda in 'Kushi'. The film is anticipated to be an inter-faith love story. (ANI)
Delhi Lt Governor, VK Saxena has called for a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to discuss the flood situation in the National Capital on Thursday over rising water level of Yamuna river. "The meeting will be held at the LG Secretariat at 12 noon, CM Arvind Kejriwal will also be present at the meeting," DDMA officials said. The water level of Yamuna has crossed the mark of 208.05 meters, exceeding the Central Water Commission's estimate of 207.99 meters late on Wednesday night, putting authorities on alert mode. Meanwhile, thousands of people staying national capitals low-lying areas were shifted to safe places as water level in Yamuna breached the 45-year record and crossed 208.05 metres mark on Wednesday. According to the Delhi government as part of its evacuation plan, a total of 16,564 people living in low-lying areas have been evacuated to safer places and 14,534 are living in tents/shelters, across the city. Owing to the flood-like situation in Delhi, MCDs Education Department has decided to close 10 schools in low-lying areas of Civil Lines Zone, 06 schools in Shahadra South Zine and 1 school in Shahadra North Zone for Thursday. "Online classes will be held for students of those schools," the government said. Earlier in the day, the Yamuna in Delhi swelled to 207.55 metres, breaching its all-time record of 207.49 metres set in September, 1978, government agencies said. Informing about the development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that he has requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to reduce the flow of water entering from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana in the national capital. Kejriwal said that a letter has been sent to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in this regard. Stating the reasons for the increase in the level of Yamuna, the Chief Minister said that the water level in Yamuna in Delhi has increased due to water being released from the Hathni Kund barrage located in Haryana and requested the Union Minister to release the water from Hathni Kund barrage at a limited rate. "The water level in the Yamuna in Delhi is not increasing due to the rains in Delhi, but due to the water being released from the Hathini Kund barrage located in Haryana. I humbly request that if possible the water from Hathni Kund barrage should be released at a limited rate only so that the level of Yamuna in Delhi does not increase further," he said in his letter to Union Minister. "The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi has reached 207.71 metres, the highest ever. Delhi has not received rainfall in the last 2-3 days," Kejriwal said while addressing a press conference. Expressing concern over the rising level of the Yamuna River, he said, "Water is entering Delhi from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Regarding this, I have also written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting him to reduce the flow of water entering Delhi, only then we can stop the Yamuna River from overflowing." He further appealed to people living in the low-lying areas near Yamuna floodplains to vacate their homes. "I request everyone to vacate their homes in the low-lying areas. There are several places affected by the rise in the level of water in Yamuna River," he added. (ANI)
According to BJP leaders, a meeting in this regard is being organized by the BJP Minority Morcha at the partys headquarters here in the national capital on Thursday.

"BJP's Minority Morcha head, Jamal Siddiqui, will be chairing the meeting at the party headquarters around 11 am on Thursday, which will be attended by presidents and the general secretaries of all the states," they said.

The meeting is aimed to fine-tune the ongoing preparation for Pasmanda Samaj Sneh Samvad an outreach program to further strengthen connect with the Pasmanda community, they said.

They said that in-charges of minority communities in states will be bringing at least five representatives from the community with them to attend the meeting.

This meeting is a part of BJP minority wings preparations for its community dialogue among the Muslim population to dispel misinformation around the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), party leaders pointed out. (ANI)
In a high-level meeting on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued vital instructions to departmental officers aimed at improving the state's healthcare system. The effort for the overall development of eight backward aspirational districts and 100 aspirational development blocks is giving the expected results, the government said in a statement. The state government is resolute in its commitment to making all the necessary arrangements to ensure the availability of quality healthcare facilities in these areas. According to the Uttar Pradesh government, numerous significant institutions have stated their willingness to invest in order to provide high-quality healthcare in aspirational districts and development blocks. So, the Health Department should prepare a good policy as soon as possible for the purpose of encouraging private investment in the development of hospitals in these areas. The needs of the private sector should be kept in mind while formulating a new policy. In the initial phase, we should focus on setting up a hospital with a minimum capacity of 50 beds in these areas. This effort will go a long way in facilitating the availability of quality health services in aspirational districts and development blocks. CM Yogi said, "Qualified and skilled doctors should be posted in all government hospitals and health centres of the state. No post should remain vacant anywhere." He said that the availability of specialist doctors in hospitals is of utmost importance. "At present, specialist doctors are being made available through direct recruitment and special training of general doctors, but other options should also be considered in future," Yogi said. "Consider increasing the superannuation age of doctors. In addition, the guidelines for doctor redeployment need to be improved," he added. "Government doctors should be allowed to pursue higher education even during their probationary period. Extraordinary leave can be sanctioned for this period. A necessary proposal should be prepared in this regard," CM Yogi said further. (ANI)
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM and Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar, AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, MLAs, ministers, and MPs of the Congress staged a silent protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, seeking answers from the Centre.

The silent protest at Freedom Park, Bengaluru! Rahul Gandhi started the fight in Molar, Karnataka, seeking answers from the Modi government on the BANK FRAUDS of Rs 98,952 Crore in the last 5 Years alone, from Yr 2017-18 to Yr 2021-22, said Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala in a tweet.

Let us ask why loans worth Rs 10,00,000 lakh crore have been waived off by the Centre in 5 years? he said.

He further questioned when the top 50 wilful bank defaulters, which include Nirav Modi, Mehul Chosksi, and Vijay Mallya, be brought to justice and the public money recovered.

Let it be asked as to why the top 50 willful Bank defaulters owe banks Rs 92,570 crore. Let every court and citizen also seek an answer as to When the following Bank defrauders' will be brought to justice and public money recovered. 1. Nirav Modi -Rs 11,400 CR! 2. Mehul Choksi - Rs 3,250 CR! 3. Vijay Mallya- Rs 9,000 CR! 4. Sandesaras - Rs 16,000 CR! 5. Jatin Mehta - Rs 10,000 CR! And the list goes on, he said.

He further demanded punishment for the bank defaulters and also punishment for the government that shields them.

Punish the bank defaulters and punish the government that protects them. Instead of punishing the messenger! We stand with Rahul Gandhi and his fight for the people of India, he added. (ANI)
According to the officials, due to rising water levels, 11 people were trapped 15 kilometers from Kafnu village following incessant rainfall in the state.

On July 10th, the NDRF team, along with Indo-Tibetan Boder Police (ITBP) and Home Guard personnel, embarked on the rescue mission, overcoming road blockages and staying overnight at a local school.

Despite heavy rain in the region, the next day, the rescue team reached Muling and used ropes to reach stranded people and gave them assurance.

Later, on July 12th, led by NDRF Inspector Prem Kumar Negi, the Joint Rescue Team successfully saved all 28 individuals in a daring rescue operation, said officials.

In the video of the rescue operation, people could be seen hanging with a cable while NDRF personnel pull them one by one across the river through the zip-line.

Meanwhile, thousands of vehicles stranded in different parts of Himachal are also en route to Chandigarh and over 2000 tourists from Kasol also have come downhill to safer locations.

More than 5,500 vehicles have crossed Mandi en route to Chandigarh; Vehicles that were stuck in Aut also cleared. Over 2000 tourists from Kasol have come downhill to safer locations, said Himachal Pradesh Acting DGP, Satwant Atwal Trivedi while sharing details of operations underway in the various locations of the state to rescue locals and tourists.

"Tourists who were stuck in Sissu have been rescued via Talling village, and more than 150 vehicles have crossed Atal Tunnel. A big rescue party has gone to Chandrataal to bring out stranded people," Trivedi added.

The incessant rain has led to flash floods and landslides, causing significant damage in Himachal Pradeshs Manali. (ANI)
Areas like Arumbakkam, Koyambedu, Moggapair, Maduravayol and Poonamallee witnessed the sudden spell of rains.

Visuals from the city showed commmuters facing inconveninece in reaching their destination due to rains.

Earlier in the day, the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai forecasted about moderate thunderstorms over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Villupuram and Thiruvannamalai districts in Tamil Nadu.

A fortnight ago, the southern part of Chennai and a few parts of Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu districts had received moderate rainfall.There were thunderstorms and lightning with moderate rain at isolated places.

On Wednesday, India Meteorlogical Department (IMD) issued a warning about heavy rain in many districts of the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh after three days.

Meanwhile, Delhi is on alert mode as the water level of Yamuna river has already breached the danger mark following incessant rainfall in the region.

This has forced the city government and the rescue and rehabilitation teams to engage in relocating those living in low-lying areas to safer locations on a war footing.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued an orange alert in Delhi as the water level of the Yamuna river has breached the danger mark of 205.33 metres owing to incessant rains in Delhi and surrounding areas.

The water level of Yamuna has crossed the mark of 208.05 meters, exceeding the Central Water Commission's estimate of 207.99 meters late on Wednesday night, putting authorities on alert mode. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said some areas of Delhi will face a water crisis as three water treatment plants are being closed due to the rising levels of the Yamuna. "Due to the rising water level of River Yamuna, water treatment plants in Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla are being closed. This would cause water problems in some areas of Delhi. As soon as the river's water level decreases, we will try to restart these plants again, " CM Kejriwal shared in a tweet. The CM visited the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant on Thursday after it was shut down due to the rising water level in the Yamuna. Meanwhile, the Delhi Traffic police issued an alert informing that the movement traffic in certain areas had been diverted due to the ongoing flood situation. Due to the rising water levels of Yamuna river, traffic from Shahdara on GT road towards ISBT, Kashmere Gate has been diverted from Seelampur T-point via Keshav Chowk - Karkardooma Court - Road No. 57- NH-24. Commuters are advised to plan their journey accordingly, Delhi Traffic Police shared in a tweet. Due to traffic diversion on account of waterlogging, in different parts of the city, Delhis Sarai Kale Khan area witnessed a massive traffic snarl on Thursday. The North East district police informed that more than 1,000 people and around 999 cattle have been rescued from different areas near Yamuna, amid the ongoing flooding woes. The rescue was carried out in areas in Usmanpur, Shastri Park, and Sonia Vihar police station areas. Several areas of the city are under water as the water level of river Yamuna continues to rise following heavy rainfall and the release of water from the Hathnikund Barrage in neighbouring Haryana. Low-lying areas of Wazirabad face flooding and a few residential areas of Delhi are facing waterlogging as the Yamuna river overflows. The water level in the Yamuna reached 208.46 metres on Thursday morning, crossing the danger mark, the officials informed. (ANI)
All Delhi schools and colleges will remain closed till Sunday and government offices, except those providing essential services, will resort to work from home, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday. Talking to ANI after the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on the unprecedented flood situation in the national capital, Kejriwal said, We had a DDMA meeting. Several important decisions were taken. Schools, colleges & universities will remain closed till Sunday. All government offices, except those providing essential services, will have Work from Home till Sunday. Advisory is being issued for private offices to do the same. CM said that entry of heavy vehicles, except those providing essential services have been banned. Water rationing will have to be done as three Water Treatment Plants are shut and people will face water crisis for a day or two. Heavy vehicles, except those providing essential services, that enter Delhi will not be allowed. There were issues of toilets and bathrooms at relief camps. So, the camps are being shifted to schools. There are over 20,000 people in relief camps, Kejriwal told ANI. The CM further told ANI that NDRF teams are deployed and will request for more if the situation demands. NDRF teams are deployed, if needed we will request more. Also arrangement have been made for more NDRF relief boats. We expect the water to recede by tomorrow, he said. As per NDRF inputs, a total of 12 NDRF teams have been deployed in Delhi which includes three in Central Delhi, three in North-East Delhi, two in South-East Delhi, three in East Delhi and one in Shahdara. Meanwhile, in view of the rising water level of River Yamuna, the Delhi government banned entry of Heavy Good Vehicles from the Singhu Border, Badarpur Border, Loni Border and Chilla Border. Interstate buses from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand terminating at ISBT Kashmere Gate will terminate at Singhu border. India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday predicted that South-West Delhi and adjoining areas is likely to receive light to moderate intensity rain on Thursday. Thunderstorms with light to moderate intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of isolated places of South-West Delhi, South Delhi (Chhattarpur, IGNOU, Ayanagar, Deramandi) and NCR ( Gurugram, Manesar) , Sikandrabad, Bulandshahar, Khurja, Pahasu (U.P.) during next 2 hours, IMD shared in a tweet.(ANI)
As part of its ongoing investigations in the Jammu and Kashmir terrorist conspiracy case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday conducted another round of raids at the premises of hybrid terrorists and Overground Workers (OGWs) of the outfits and affiliates of Pakistan-backed banned terrorist organisations. Raids were conducted at five locations in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian, Awantipora and Pulwama districts. The places searched include the premises of sympathisers and cadres of the newly floated outfits, namely The Resistance Front (TRF), United Liberation Front Jammu and Kashmir (ULFJ&K), Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind (MGH), Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Fighters (JKFF), Kashmir Tigers, PAAF and others. These outfits are affiliated with various banned Pakistan-backed organisations like Laskhar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Al-Badr and Al-Qaeda Some of these newly-floated outfits, The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow organisation of Lashkar-e-Taiba, have been found issuing threats of carrying out attacks in Jammu and Kashmir over social media, the NIA official said. Several digital devices containing large volumes of incriminating data were recoveredby the NIA during the searches, which have once again put the spotlight on OGWs as an important part of the terror ecosystem in the Valley, which is being dismantled on a continuous basis. Also known as hybrid terrorists, the anti-terror agency said, the OGWs provide support to militants and terrorists based in Pakistan. The NIA had registered a suo moto case on June 21 last year to investigate the involvement of the cadres and OGWs of the various outfits in spreading activities relating to terror, violence and subversion in Jammu and Kashmir. "These cadres and workers have been involved in the collection and distribution of sticky bombs, magnetic bombs, Improvised Explosive Devices, funds, narcotic substances and arms and ammunitions." The NIA investigations have revealed that Pak-based operatives were using social media platforms to promote terror. "Drones were being used by them to deliver arms and ammunition, explosives and narcotics to their operatives and cadres in the Kashmir valley," the NIA said. The terror conspiracy relates to plotting by the banned outfits in both physical and cyberspace to unleash violent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir with sticky bombs, IEDs and small arms. "The organisations, supported by their masters in Pakistan, have been conspiring to commit acts of terror and violence, by radicalizing local youth and mobilizing overground workers, to disturb peace and communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir," the agency added. (ANI)
Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Justice N Kotiswar Singh on Thursday visited the Central Jail here to assess the conditions of the prisoners and the quality of legal aid services being provided to them. Kotiswar Singh who is also the patron-in-chief of J-K Legal Services Authority, was accompanied by his Principal Secretary MK Sharma and Member Secretary J-K Legal Services Authority Amit Gupta. On arrival at Central Jail, the Chief Justice was received by the Director General Prisons, J-K Deepak Kumar and Chairman DLSA Srinagar Jawad Ahmed. Superintendent of Central Jail Srinagar, Daljit Singh; SP North Zone Srinagar, Raja Zuhaib and other officers of Central Jail Srinagar were also present. The Chief Justice, upon his arrival, was also accorded ceremonial guard of honour by a contingent of CRPF deployed at the Central Jail. During the visit, the Chief Justice had a round of all the barracks and interacted extensively with the inmates and patiently listened to their grievances and concerns. The Chief Justice assured the inmates that their genuine grievances shall be redressed and also issued on-spot instructions to the concerned to ensure that the grievances projected by the jail inmates are addressed at the earliest. During the visit, the Chief Justice engaged in constructive discussions with prison officials, legal aid volunteers, and inmates of Central Jail Srinagar. During the interaction, all the jail inmates admitted that they are being represented in the respective courts either by the counsel engaged by them or by counsel provided by the respective District Legal Services Authorities, where ever their cases are pending. To gauge the effectiveness of the VC facility available in the Central Jail, the Chief Justice directed the jail authorities to connect with the District Court Srinagar and interacted with the System Assistant and expressed satisfaction about the quality of the video conference facility. Chief Justice also emphasized the significance of safeguarding the fundamental rights of prisoners, ensuring their access to justice, and offering them adequate legal support. The Chief Justice also inspected Legal Aid Clinic within the Central Jail Srinagar and acknowledged that the same plays a pivotal role in providing legal assistance to the inmates. The Chief Justice expressed his satisfaction with the functioning of the clinic and lauded the efforts of the dedicated legal para legal volunteers for tirelessly striving to uphold the rights of the prisoners. The Chief Justice also inspected the medical facility unit, recreational facility, tailoring unit, gymnasium, carpentry unit, vet canteen, mulaqaat centre, calling booth and other facilities available at the Central Jail. DG Prisons, on occasion, assured the Chief Justice that for the decongestion of the Central Jail, Srinagar, appropriate steps will be taken at the earliest, besides assuring the construction of additional washrooms for the jail inmates. Pertinently, the primary purpose of the visit was to take stock of the conditions and facilities available to the inmates, besides evaluating the effectiveness of the legal aid clinic established in Central Jail in Srinagar. (ANI)
Former Congress president Mohan Markam is likely to replace him as Education Minister and may take the oath as minister on Friday morning at Raj Bhavan.

"Honourable Chief Minister, Honorable Shailja Ma'am ji is giving a big responsibility in which there will be an opportunity to work among the 2.5 crore people of Chhattisgarh. Respected High Command as the President of the Pradesh Congress Committee, ahead I will try to fulfil whatever responsibility will be given by the High Command," Mohan Markam said.

This comes after the Congress MP Deepak Baij was appointed as the President of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee on Wednesday with immediate effect.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit out at the Congress for appointing Mohan Markam as the next School Education minister.

"Keep sitting on the seashore, someday the wave will come! Protest, indulge in sycophancy, and someday the lottery will be yours!!! Congress circus continues...." BJP tweeted in Hindi.

Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in Chhattisgarh later this year. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that discrimination among citizens in providing jobs is the biggest sin that a government can commit and people have taught a fitting lesson to those governments that did this, hindering the progress of the state's talents. Speaking at a programme held at Lok Bhawan to distribute appointment letters to the newly appointed officers selected through Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission and the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission examinations conducted in a transparent manner, he added that his government has established a system where there is no room for discrimination, whether at the stage of selection, or final appointment. Yogi Adityanath said that no one can point a finger at the appointment process in Uttar Pradesh today. In the past six years, we have been successful in providing government jobs to six lakh youth, he added. Distributing appointment letters to newly appointed officers, he stated that between 2021 and 2023, the state government has completed 16 appointment letter programs within one and a half years wherein approximately 55,000 youth have received appointment letters. CM Yogi, while informing the newly appointed officers about the style of functioning of the current government, remarked, Issues related to the entire state will come to you in one way or another. Our effort should be that one file should not stay on a table for more than 3 days. Yogi stated that before 2017, the unemployment rate in Uttar Pradesh was more than 19 per cent, but in the past six years, the state government has successfully reduced the unemployment rate in the state. We have also worked towards connecting over two crore youths with self-employment. Now our government is planning to establish an Education Commission, which will integrate the processes of Higher Education, Secondary Education, and the Basic Education Selection Commission, he added. CM Yogi said that the benefits of reservation provided by the Constitution are being made available to every section of society. He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resolved to transform the country's economy into a five trillion-dollar economy, and Uttar Pradesh's role in this endeavour is crucial. During his address, the Chief Minister said, There was violence during the Panchayat elections in West Bengal on the days of voting and counting, resulting in the loss of innocent lives. People, who are raising hue and cry over democracy today, are actually doing maximum harm to democracy. On the other hand, you must have seen that there was no violence in Uttar Pradesh whether it was a Panchayat election, civic body election, assembly election, or any other type of election. He added that elections were held within the state just three months ago and there was no violence, booth capturing, or malpractice. Yogi asserted that this is the same state where conducting peaceful elections was once a dream before 2017. "However, today it has become possible because of the good intentions of the government", he remarked. Hanumant Prasad Singh of Basti, who was selected as a Review Officer in the Secretariat Administration Department, said that he used to take exams during previous governments as well, but somehow could not qualify in the interview. "Gradually, I lost interest and got engaged in farming, giving up on preparations for the exams. However, when the government led by CM Yogi took over in 2017 and emphasised on fair and transparent exams, I resumed my preparations once again and qualified for the job", he asserted. Ayodhya's Aparna Maurya, selected for the position of Junior Assistant in the Transport Department, stated that the result of the transparent and impartial process adopted by the current government is that she has been selected. Deepati Yadav, selected for the position of Assistant Review Officer (Accounts) in the Secretariat Administration Department, expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Yogi for implementing transparent and informative policies in government jobs. She stated that the result of this policy is that today women and underprivileged individuals are receiving equal opportunities in government employment. In the program, appointment letters were distributed to 199 Review Officers/Assistant Review Officers (Secretariat Administration Department), 183 Junior Assistants (Transport Department), and 128 Junior Assistants (Election Department) (totalling 510). Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh, and Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, along with other senior officials, were present at the ceremony. (ANI)
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday assured a thorough investigation into the recent discovery of a human skull at the Kalyan Sagar Dighi of Tripura Sundari Temple, located in the Gomati District. Responding to a query raised by Leader of the Opposition Animesh Debbarma during the fourth day of budget session of the Tripura Legislative Assembly on Thursday, Chief Minister Saha, who also oversees the Home Department, assured that the police are actively looking into the matter. CM Manik Saha said that CCTV footage has already been reviewed in and around the temple by the authorities. "The preliminary report from the Gomati District Magistrate has been received, and we have already reviewed the CCTV footage in and around the temple," stated the Chief Minister. He further revealed that the Kalyan Sagar water body had been thoroughly searched, with expert underwater divers from the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) currently engaged in another search operation today. "The police are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to unravel the enigma surrounding this incident," CM Saha said. Furthermore, Chief Minister Saha assured that the authorities are taking all necessary measures to solve the mystery and a ban of 42 days for the visit of general public has been imposed at the Kalyan Sagar. "We have involved the forensic department in this investigation. I can guarantee a meticulous inquiry into this matter. Additionally, in accordance with religious customs, a ban on the movement of the general public and the performance of traditional rituals at Kalyan Sagar has been imposed for the next 42 days," he said. (ANI)
As two days are left for common public to present their views on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the legal experts have opined that though UCC is a complex legislation but would be progressive. Article 44 of the Constitution of India says that the State shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code throughout India. UCC is a common set of laws dealing with marriage, inheritance adoption and other matters and not based on religion. Opposition parties and the ruling government have locked horns over the issue, experts said. Expressing his opinion, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh said that UCC has to come but with robust public debate where government ensure that people of the country should know what exactly it is. Quoting Article 25 in the Constitution of India, Senior Advocate, Vikas Singh, further added that religion freedom is subject to public order and if there is anything that can be said against anti-equality, there is no religion freedom to exercise that right. "If UCC brings minimum age of marriage and equal inheritance right for women then this something permissible under constitutional schemes and also will be acceptable to all the religions provided the intelligentsia is taken into confidence of each religion and after a proper debate on this," he said. Another Senior Advocate Geeta Luthra said, "I believe the UCC though a complex legislation may be very progressive." However the property succession laws both Hindu Undivided Family and Muslim Syrian Christian and other denominations need an in depth dealing with sensitivity, she said. Adding further, she said that monogamous marriage, maintenance custody access or sharing age of marriage can be taken care. Saburi Raina, who is Co- founder of HAQ (HNLUs alliance for queers), also said that the concept of UCC is very contentious in India but but it is definitely a step towards a progressive country. "Eradicating personal laws will not only lead to equality irrespective of religions, but irrespective of genders and sexual orientations also," he said while expressing hope that the implementation of UCC is inclusive of the rights of LGBTQIA+ community people. According to Sonam Gupta, a young lawyer practicing in Supreme Court, implementation of UCC will be a great challenge in getting constitutional validity on the ground of its interference with the religious freedom and the constitutional guarantees. "What also needs to be seen is whether the UCC adopts the best of all personal laws or remains closes to Hindu personal laws. The upside of UCC is that it will help bring more uniformity in personal laws and will make personal laws dynamic and adaptable to changing times. Otherwise, personal laws don't change," Sonam Gupta opined. Citing the instance relating to decriminlisation of homosexuality and the live-in relationships which still not being accepted by the society, she said, "To look at it from the other side, is also that once law gives validity to a concept, then sooner or later- society accepts and absorbs it." Sonam Gupta also hoped that UCC will obviously be a boon to the oppressed class especially women. With regard to the reference dated June 17, 2016, sent by the Ministry of Law and Justice, the 22nd Law Commission of India examined the subject matter of the Uniform Civil Code. The 22nd Law Commission of India had decided again to solicit the views and ideas of the public at large and recognized religious organizations about the Uniform Civil Code and asked the interested ones to present their opinions by July 14. According to noted lawyer Ashish Dixit the Law Commission can only give suggestions in the form of a report, which is strictly not binding on the Government. If Government is of the view that the time is right to implement UCC it would require the approval of parliament, he further added. Senior Advocate Nidhesh Gupta has said that "at the same time while providing a Uniform Civil Code, which provides a common minimum code for all citizens to follow, there must be some play in the joints for different citizens to pratice and profess matters of their faith." Advocate Utkarsh Singh, who deals with human rights violations, remarked that In India, even "Equality before the law" is read as "Equality among equals". Singh also pointed out that drawing a straight line in the name of UCC can be very complex. (ANI)
Assam Government has alerted all the district administrations bordering Bhutan to remain vigilant and assist the people in every possible way after the neighbouring country issued a notification confirming an excess release of water from the Kurichhu Dam. Taking to Twitter, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the same. The Royal Government of Bhutan has informed us that tonight there will be an excess release of water from the Kurichu Dam. We have alerted our district administrations to remain vigilant and assist the people in every possible way in case the water breaches the Beki and Manas rivers, Sarma said in a tweet. The notification from the Bhutan government confirmed that the Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) will be carrying out a Reservoir scouring of the Kurichhu Hydropower Plant by Friday night. AssamsWater resourceminister, Pijush Hazarika conducted a visit to assess the riparian areas alongside the river. The Chatrang River in Gahpur had been responsible for recurrent floods, resulting in damages to the local community. Today, I conducted a visit to assess the riparian areas alongside the river. It was determined that a guard wall will be constructed to fortify the remaining sections of the riverbank. Notably, guard walls were already erected in certain areas last year. I also inspected the erosion that occurred in the Kukurjan and Dubia areas. The Water Resources Department has initiated temporary preventive measures in this location, the minister tweeted. (ANI)
He will also visit the flood-affected areas in Mandi and Kullu. He will be accompanied by former CM Jairam Thakur and BJP Himachal Pradesh President Rajeev Bindal.

The incessant rain has led to flash floods and landslides, causing significant damage in Himachal Pradesh.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the flood-hit Thunag Sub-division in the Seraj constituency of district Mandi on Thursday and took stock of the situation at Thunag market which is severely affected by the flood.

He announced to provide rupees one lakh each to the affected families and also directed them to channelize the Thunag rivulet so as to avoid such type of mishaps.

CM Sukhu also announced to provide land for the construction of the house which was swept away and directed to clear the debris from the market at the earliest. He also interacted with the locals and assured them of every possible assistance from the government.

Chet Ram former Chairman MILKFED and Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, Arindam Chaudhary also accompanied the Chief Minister besides other senior officers of the district.

Earlier CM Sukhu said more than 50,000 tourists have been evacuated by rescuers from across the state.

The Himachal CM also lauded officials across various state departments, who are involved in the ongoing rescue and evacuation work.

So far, 91 people lost their lives in Himachal Pradesh from June 24 to July 13. 34 deaths happened due to landslides, cloudbust and flash floods. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired a meeting at the secretariat to discuss the development of new townships in various cities of the state. During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed officials to initiate the construction work for the Haridwar-Rishikesh Ganga Corridor promptly. He emphasized the need to present a proposal in the cabinet soon for the establishment of a company to oversee its implementation. The Chief Minister said, "It should be ensured that the entire work of the Haridwar-Rishikesh Ganga Corridor is completed by October 2026." Furthermore, Chief Minister Dhami stressed that the entire construction work of the Haridwar-Rishikesh Ganga Corridor should be completed by October 2026. In addition to the Ganga Corridor, the Chief Minister instructed officials to expedite the development of five townships in the plain areas and three townships in the hilly regions of the state. He also urged for swift progress in finalizing plans for establishing a hill station each in the Garhwal and Kumaon regions. During the meeting, the Chief Minister instructed the officers that work should be done expeditiously in the direction of developing 05 townships in plain areas and 03 in hilly areas in the state. "Efforts being made in the direction of developing one hill station each in Garhwal and Kumaon regions should also be finalized soon," the CM added. (ANI)
The third Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBGs) meeting under India's G20 presidency set to be held in Gujrat's Gandhinagar on July 17-18, and it will be chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman and Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ajay Seth, said on Wednesday. Speaking in a video message on Wednesday, Ajay Seth said that more than 520 delegates, including ministers, governors and deputies are expected to participate in the meetings. He further said that the meeting of the Governors and Finance Ministers has been organized in five thematic areas. "It is expected that more than 520 delegates, including ministers, governors, deputies across 66 delegations will be participating in these meetings spread over five days. The meeting of the Governors and Finance Ministers has been organized in five thematic areas first - global Economy and Global Health, second - sustainable finance and infrastructure, third- international financial infrastructure, fourth - international Taxation and fifth financial Sector issues and financial inclusion. During the course of these sessions, several deliverables will be presented honourable Ministers and Governors," Ajay Seth said. He noted that the first meeting of the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors was held in Bengaluru in February 2023. He said that a number of priorities were identified and approved by the ministers and governors. He said that work has been completed in various workstreams involving the participation from all G20 nations and international organisations. Ajay Seth said, "The culmination of those works in the form of reports, findings will be presented to Ministers and governors. Their guidance will be obtained and several of those reports will be approved as the way forward." "Prior to this meeting on 14th and 15 July, a meeting of the Deputies from the Finance Ministries and central banks of G20 countries and invited countries and international organizations will be held. Primarily, the Deputies will be discussing first the various deliverables and also the draft outcome document expected at the end of the Ministers and Finance and the Governor's meeting," he added. He said that some of the key deliverables include volume 1 of the Report of the G20 Independent Expert Group on strengthening multilateral development banks. He further said, "The second key deliverable is expected to be progress on debt treatment for countries under the common framework which are facing debt vulnerabilities." "Third key deliverable is expected to be a guidance note for developing a globally coordinated framework for regulation and supervision of crypto assets. Fourth key deliverable is expected to be recommendation on advancing financial inclusion and productivity gains by using digital public infrastructure. And the fifth one is on principles for financing Cities of Tomorrow," Ajay Seth said. In his video message, Ajay Seth said that a number of events have been planned on the sidelines of these meetings. He said that side events that have been planned include an infrastructure investor dialogue on leveraging funding and financing mechanisms and approaches for cities of tomorrow, a high-level tax symposium on combatting tax division, corruption and money laundering. Seth further informed that a roundtable on crypto assets, a round table on report of the G20 expert group on strengthening MDB and two workshops will be organized on the sidelines of these meetings. He further said that cultural programs and excursions have been planned for the finance ministers, governors and their delegations. "First workshop on interlinking fast payment systems and achieving and the second workshop is on achieving growth friendly climate action and financing for emerging and developed economies," Ajay Seth said. Notably, India assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1. The theme of Indias G20 Presidency is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or One Earth One Family One Future. (ANI)
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday held a meeting with the CEO and President of Rapidus Corporation Atsuyoshi Koike and a team from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The two sides discussed on furthering cooperation between India and Japan in semiconductor design and manufacturing. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, "Met Mr Atsuyoshi Koike, CEO and President of Rapidus Corporation and a team from the Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry, Govt of Japan. Discussed on furthering Indo-Japan cooperation in semiconductor design and manufacturing." On June 6,Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Japan's former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Japan-India Association (JIA) Yoshihide Suga. The two leaders held discussions on deepening India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership in different areas, including parliamentary exchanges, investment and economic ties. Sharing the details regarding the meeting, PM Modi tweeted, "Glad to receive Mr. @sugawitter, Chairman JIA and former PM of Japan, along with the 'Ganesha group' of Japanese Parliamentarians and @keidanren CEOs. Had an engaging discussion on deepening our Special Strategic and Global Partnership in different areas, including parliamentary exchanges, investment and economic ties, P2P links, tourism and skill development." The former Japanese PM had visited India with a delegation of more than 100 members comprising government officials, Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), and members of the "Ganesha no Kai" group of Parliamentarians. PM Modi had a fruitful interaction with accompanying members of the "Ganesha no Kai" Parliamentary group on strengthening Parliamentary linkages between the two countries, as per a release issued by the Prime Minister's office. They welcomed the growing popularity of Yoga and Ayurveda in Japan and discussed ways to further strengthen cultural ties between India and Japan.PM Modi welcomed Keidanren members to India and highlighted widespread reforms undertaken in the country to improve the business ecosystem. He invited Japanese investors to expand their existing investments and explore new avenues of cooperation, as per the release. Meawhile, Yoshihide Suga has said that it is important to deepen cooperation between India, and Japan as special strategic global partners. While addressing the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) event, the former Japanese PM said that he will be happy to get suggestions on how the Members of Parliament from both countries can work together to improve bilateral trade and business opportunities. Yoshihide Suga expressed hope that the delegation of the 'Ganesha' Group of MPs from Japan, visiting India will give further momentum to the India-Japan relationship and will serve as an opportunity to further strengthen the business engagements. (ANI)
Kenya, Iran ink 5 deals to promote pragmatic cooperation

Xinhua) 09:09, July 13, 2023

Kenyan President William Ruto (R) shakes hands with visiting Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during their meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 12, 2023. Kenya and Iran on Wednesday signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements to help shore up bilateral relations. (Photo by Fred Mutune/Xinhua)

NAIROBI, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya and Iran on Wednesday signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements to help shore up bilateral relations.

The MoUs were signed in the areas of animal health and livestock production, information and communications technology, fishery, culture and heritage and investment promotion, in the presence of visiting Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

"These memoranda will enhance and further deepen our bilateral relations for sustainable growth and development between our two countries," Ruto said at a joint news conference after holding talks with Raisi.

He said the two countries will tap the potential of trade cooperation, noting that they will strike a formula that will facilitate more exports of tea, coffee and meat.

"This will bring about the much-desired trade balance that is in favor of Iran," he said, adding that Nairobi will also use Tehran's wealth in technology and innovation to spur its development.

Ruto noted that Kenya exported tea worth 28.31 million U.S. dollars to Iran in the first quarter of 2023, which is an eight-fold increase from sales for the same period last year.

The Kenyan president pointed out that the establishment of the Iran House of Innovation and Technology in Nairobi will offer a platform for Iranian and Kenyan businesses.

"This is an innovative way of enabling enterprises to access Iranian technologies, skills, and information," he said.

He disclosed that Kenya and Iran have signed more than 22 MoUs and agreements which have been key to the cooperation in development, education, scholarships, infrastructure, health, water, fishery and agriculture, stressing the government's commitment to fostering and protecting all investments in the country, both domestic and foreign.

Raisi lauded Kenya's commitment to creating a friendly environment for foreign businesses, noting that the two countries have great capacities to expand their bilateral cooperation.

He said more Iranian firms will establish operations in the country, paving their way to accessing the East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the markets within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

"The Kenya-Iran relations can always be strengthened for our benefit," said Raisi who was due to visit Uganda and Zimbabwe as part of his African tour, the first by an Iranian president to Africa in 11 years.

He also said that Iran has experience in the fields of petrochemicals, agriculture and science and technology, adding that the two sides can have sound cooperation in the field of fishery.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The production line of Easy Mac Macaroni & Cheese Cups at Kraft Foods manufacturing plant in Champaign is seen on March 27, 2020. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)

Packaged foods giant Kraft Heinz plans to open a $400 million, 775,000-square-foot distribution center in DeKalb in 2025, the company said Thursday.

The Jell-O and Lunchables maker said the facility, which will use automated technology, will distribute more than 60% of the companys food service business and about 30% of its dry goods business, including products like Heinz ketchup and Kraft Mac & Cheese, when completed. The companys food service business provides products to venues such as restaurants and stadiums.

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The facility is expected to bring more than 150 permanent jobs to the area, the company said.

The DeKalb distribution center is expected to play a critical role in our larger distribution strategy, said Carlos Abrams-Rivera, executive vice president and president, North America, at Kraft Heinz, in a statement. Its a testament to the dynamic, out-of-the-box thinking of our supply chain teams whose work enables us to operate with greater efficiency and agility every day.

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The company is receiving a 50% abatement on its property taxes for the facility for 15 years, said Paul Borek, executive director of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation. The planned facility is located within the DeKalb County Enterprise Zone, which makes it eligible for the property tax abatement as well as for a sales tax exemption on building materials used to construct the facility, Borek said.

The Enterprise Zone program is administered jointly by the state and local municipalities, Borek said.

Kraft Heinz, which is co-headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh, has six manufacturing and distribution centers in Illinois. The companys Chicago headquarters are located in the Aon Center in the Loop; it also has a research and development center in Glenview. The company said it employs more than 3,300 people in Illinois.

In a statement, DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes praised the project, saying the jobs brought to the area would have a positive and lasting impact on our residents.

This positive impact is compounded by the additional diversification of our tax base, which will spur further interest in DeKalb for many years to come, he said.

Kraft Heinz reported net sales of $6.5 billion in the first quarter, an increase of 7.3% over the year.

The company saw an increase in demand during the pandemic, as consumers looked to stock up on shelf-stable foods to eat at home. Also in 2020, it announced plans to cut $2 billion in costs over five years, putting the savings into marketing brands with high growth potential, including Lunchables and Heinz ketchup, in an effort to become more relevant to consumers.

The company renovated its Aon Center headquarters in 2021, when it had about 1,400 employees based there. At the time, it extended that lease into 2033.
Four Pakistan army soldiers were killed while five others were critically injured after terrorists launched a "dastardly attack" on the Zhob garrison in Balochistan during the early hours of Wednesday, Pakistan-based Dawn reported citing the military's media affairs wing. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that terrorists' initial attempt to enter the facility was checked by soldiers on duty. "In ensuing heavy exchange of fire, the terrorists have been contained into a small area at the boundary," adding that three "heavily armed terrorists had been killed so far, according to Dawn. According to the statement, a clearance operation by security forces is being carried out to arrest the remaining two terrorists. It further said, "Security forces remain determined to thwart all such ghastly attempts at destroying peace of Balochistan and Pakistan." Earlier on Wednesday, Zhob District Commissioner Azeem Kakar said that the cantonment area in Zhob was under attack, Dawn reported. He further said that a woman was killed after being caught in the ceasefire while five other civilians suffered injuries. He said that seriously injured victims were being referred to Quetta. Azeem Kakar said that a passenger bus coming from Dera Ismail Khan was also caught in the firing. He stressed that "nothing can be said about the number of attackers" and added that departments were on alert and an operation was being carried out, as per the Dawn report. Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo condemned the attack on Zhob Garrison. Pakistan has been witnessing a rise in terrorist activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Dawn reported. The increase in terrorist attacks has been witnessed after the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the Pakistan government in November last year. Earlier this month, two Pakistani Army personnel, including a Major, were killed in an exchange of fire with "terrorists" in the country's Balochistan's Kech district, Dawn reported citing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). According to the ISPR, the security forces started the operation on Sunday after receiving credible intelligence about the movement of a gang of "terrorists." While establishing blocking positions to cut the escape routes was underway, a party of terrorists opened fire on the security forces. As a result of the heavy exchange of fire, Major Saqib Hussain and Naik Baqir Ali were killed, while another soldier got injured, the ISPR said. "Security forces, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart such attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan. Resultantly, the follow-up operation to nab the perpetrators of the attack continues in the area," the ISPR said in a statement, according to Dawn. The incident took place hours after the death of four security personnel in simultaneous attacks on three checkpoints in the Sherani district. Earlier, four security personnel were killed after unidentified gunmen attacked a checkpost in the Sherani district of Pakistan's Balochistan, Geo News reported. (ANI)
The forums like the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB), would play a critical role for Election Management Bodies to work on the challenges like fake narratives derailing election integrity across the globe, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said. CEC Rajiv Kumar led a three-member Election Commission of India (ECI) delegation to Cartagena, Colombia to attend the 11th meeting of the Executive Board of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB), according to the statement released by Election Commission on Wednesday. The Association of World Election Bodies is the largest association of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide with 119 EMBs as Members and 20 Regional Associations/Organisations as Associate Members. National Civil Registry, Colombia is also organising an international conference on the theme A global view on the challenges of regional elections 2023 on July 13, 2023. During the discussions, CEC Kumar said that A-WEB as a global association plays a critical role in fostering cooperation amongst EMBs and thereby enabling learning from each others experiences and best practices. During the deliberations at the Executive Board meeting, the participants discussed various agenda items including the programmes and activities to be undertaken by A-WEB during 2023-24, the annual progress report of A-WEB & its regional offices including A-WEB India Amongst the other agenda items in the meeting, CEC Rajiv Kumar raised the ECI proposals namely - (i) setting up an A-WEB portal which would serve as a repository of electoral best practices and initiatives taken by member EMBs in various aspects of electoral management and (ii) establishing A-WEB Global Awards for EMBs who make a significant contribution and take important initiatives in the democratic processes. Both the proposals were approved by the Executive Board, the statement read. The ECI delegation included Manoj Sahoo, Deputy Election Commissioner and Anuj Chandak, Joint Director. A brief presentation on the activities of the India A-WEB centre during 2022-23 was given by DEC Manoj Sahoo during the meeting. On the sidelines of the 11th A-WEB Executive Board meeting, a bilateral meeting was also held with the National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea on ECIs Electronic Postal Ballot System. India and South Korea had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2012, to establish a mutually cooperative relationship in the field of election administration. The two EMBs have active bilateral exchanges and engagement through regular visits of officials for seminars, conferences, and observer programmes. NEC also participated in the 3rd International Conference on Inclusive Elections and Elections Integrity organised by ECI under the aegis of Democracy Cohort on Elections Integrity in March 2023. A-WEB was founded in October 2013 in Seoul, Republic of Korea on the shared vision among its members of achieving sustainable democracy around the world through the strengthening of the processes of election management in member countries. ECI has been very closely associated with the process of formation of A-WEB since 2011-12 and has been its Executive Board Member, since its inception in October 2013 for two consecutive terms (2013-15 and 2015-17). As per the decision taken at the meeting of the A-WEB Executive Board held at Bengaluru in September 2019, an India A-WEB Centre has been established at New Delhi for documentation and research for sharing the best practices and training and capacity building of officials of A- WEB members. The Centre is bringing out several publications and documents, including a world class Journal titled A-WEB India Journal of Elections. The ECI is providing all the necessary resources for the India A-WEB Centre. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held a series of meetings with his counterparts from Indonesia, Australia and discussed bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual concern. Jaishankar also attended 2nd India-Australia-Indonesia trilateral alongwith Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi and Australian counterpart Penny Wong. Joined my colleagues @Menlu_RI & @SenatorWong for the 2nd India-Australia-Indonesia trilateral. Always good meeting between three Indo-Pacific maritime states. Plenty to talk about; plenty to agree, the EAM tweeted on Wednesday. EAM Jaishankar on Wednesday also met Laos Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith and discussed regional issues of mutual concern. Nice to meet Lao DPM & FM Saleumxay Kommasith. Discussed regional issues of mutual concern. Also reviewed our bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation, the EAM tweeted. Earlier on Wednesday, the EAM met ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn in Indonesia and suggested India-ASEAN dialogues in finance, cyber and maritime domains. Started my engagements in Indonesia with a meeting with ASEAN Secretary General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. Discussed the development of our comprehensive strategic partnership. Suggested India-ASEAN dialogues in finance, cyber and maritime domains, EAM Jaishankar tweeted on Wednesday. Noted the ongoing work in energy, disaster management and health and wellness. Agreed to expand our Track II engagement, Jaishankar further wrote. The EAM said the ASEAN relationship paves the way for the Indo-Pacific Vision. India is therefore deeply committed to the principle of ASEAN centrality, Jaishankar wrote. Jaishankar also met Malaysia Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir. Great to meet the Foreign Minister of Malaysia Dr Zambry Adbul Kadir. Discussed our expanding bilateral cooperation. Exchanged views on ASEAN-related issues. Look forward to welcoming him in India, the EAM tweeted on Wednesday. [{e5dfd659-8fbb-43cb-9cbc-5d9f2008044a:intradmin/ANI-20230712113112.jpg}] EAM Jaishankar is on a six-day visit to Indonesia, Thailand from July 12-18. In the first leg of his visit, the EAM will reachIndonesiato attend Foreign Ministers Meetings under theASEANon July 13-14 and then he will go toThailandfor the Foreign Ministers Meeting ofMekong Ganga Cooperation(MGC), a release from the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. Jaishankarwill visit Jakarta,Indonesiafor the Foreign Ministers Meetings under theASEANframework in the format,ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit andASEANRegional Forum on July 13-14. The External Affairs Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other countries.Indias engagement with thisASEAN-centered regional architecture signifiesIndias strong commitment toASEANcentrality in the Indo-Pacific. After Jakarta, the EAM will travel to Bangkok, Thailand to participate in the 12th Foreign Ministers Meeting of Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism on July 16, 2023. MGC is one of the oldest mechanisms of the lower Mekong region and is guided byIndias Act East Policy. In Bangkok, EAM will also attend the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers Retreat on July 17, 2023. BIMSTEC is an economic and technical initiative which brings together the countries of the Bay of Bengal for multifaceted cooperation. The retreat would discuss ways to further deepen the BIMSTEC agenda and strengthen the organisation. (ANI)
China had hoped for a quick economic recovery after the government relaxed strict COVID restrictions and reopened its borders six months ago. However, China's hopes have been dampened by weak external demand, Channel News Asia reported. Although China witnessed positive annual growth in March and April. However, economists warned that this is not the full picture. The comparison has been made from a low base when a lockdown was implemented in Shanghai in 2022. The development comes as companies have been intending to diversify their supply chains from China. Trade tensions between US and China have also sparked concerns among businesses, according to Channel News Asia report. Online logistics platform Container xChange founder Christian Roeloffs has said that he has observed a significant number of excess containers at ports in China. He noted that price is not the only factor in his decisions regarding business. If I deal with an export country, where I can't rely on politics to create a climate or an environment for reliability, but the politics that creates a climate of sort of severe restrictions of ongoing production, then I'm more inclined to move to more reliable alternatives, Channel News Asia quoted Christian Roeloffs as saying. Observers highlighted the challenges that China faces as it tries to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind it. Month-on-month export growth figures have been witnessing a slowdown, the report said. According to ING Bank forecast, no growth is expected in exports of China in 2023. The ING Bank forecast comes amid weak demand for goods. Iris Pang, chief economist for Greater China at ING said, "This is not because the Chinese domestic economy hasn't picked up, it is almost the opposite," Channel News Asia reported. She further said, "It is the external market that is slowing and that will have some impact on the domestic economy." Although the Chinese authorities are hoping to increase domestic spending. However, observers noted that the reduction in imports indicates that this might not be happening as quickly as Beijing hoped for. Meanwhile, companies are once again heading abroad to grow their business. Vehicle manufacturer Tenglong Automobile has expressed hope to make up for lost time after two years of dampened overseas sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Channel News Asia reported. Tenglong Automobile vice president Zhou Shengming said that it was "inconvenient" for sales staff to travel abroad due to the restrictions. Tenglong Automobile expects orders from abroad to rise by up to three times this year in comparison to 2022. Meanwhile, Xiao Xuming, general manager of GEMAC Engineering Machinery, said, "The market proportion of our business is mainly domestic at present." Meanwhile, a report in The New York Times said China which has lent nearly 1 trillion USD to some 150 developing countries is itself facing a 'debt bomb' at home, compelling Beijing to be reluctant in cancelling large debts owed by countries struggling to make ends meet. China is facing a debt bomb at home: trillions of dollars owed by local governments, their mostly off-the-books financial affiliates, and real estate developers, Keith Bradsher said in a piece in New York Times. He believes that one of the main issues during US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's China visit was whether she can persuade China to cooperate more to address an evolving debt crisis facing in lower-income countries. But China's state-controlled banking system is wary of accepting losses on foreign loans when it faces far greater losses on loans within China. Researchers at JPMorgan Chase calculated last month that overall debt within China, including households, companies and the government had reached 282 per cent of the country's annual economic output. That compares with an average of 256 per cent in developed economies around the world and 257 per cent in the United States, NYT piece stated. What distinguishes China from most other countries is how fast that debt has accumulated relative to the size of its economy. If it is compared with the US or an indebted Japan, debt has increased less precipitously. The steep rise in China's debt, more than doubling compared with the size of its economy since the global financial crisis 15 years ago, makes managing it harder. China's lending to developing countries is small relative to its domestic debt, showcasing less than 6 per cent of China's annual economic output. However, these loans are particularly sensitive politically, as per the news report. Despite heavy censorship, periodic complaints emerge on Chinese social media that banks should have lent money to poor households and regions at home, not abroad. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from India for an official visit to France and UAE on Thursday morning. He is visiting France at the official invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron from July 13 to 14. Ahead of his departure to France, PM Modi in a statement said he is looking forward to meeting French President Emmanuel Macron, and holding discussions on taking forward the partnership between both nations. "I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years. I have had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since my last Official Visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023 during the G-7 Summit," an official statement released from the Prime Minister's Office said. Calling his visit to France "special", PM Modi said that he will join Macron for Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour. He noted that an Indian tri-services contingent will take part in the Bastille Day Parade. PM Modi further said that Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past on the occasion. "This visit is particularly special as I will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour. An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, while Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past on the occasion," PM Modi said. PM Modi noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France. He stated that India and France cooperate closely in various sectors, including defence, space, civil nuclear, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties. "This year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership. Rooted in deep trust and commitment, our two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people to people ties. We also work together on regional and global issues," PM Modi said in a statement. PM Modi said that he looked forward to meeting his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne, French Senate President Gerard Larcher and President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet. In the statement, PM Modi said that he will meet the Indian community and leading CEOS from both nations. He expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to strategic partnership between India and France. After his visit to France, PM Modi will be travelling to Abu Dhabi on July 15. He noted that India and UAE are engaged across various sectors, including fintech, defence, security and energy. "From Paris, I will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an Official Visit on July 15. I look forward to meeting my friend, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi," PM Modi said in the statement. "Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science & technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties. Last year, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and I agreed on a Roadmap on the future of our partnership, and I look forward to discussing with him how to further deepen our ties," he added. PM Modi stated that UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year. He further said, "I also look forward to exchanging views on strengthening global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate the energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement. I am confident that my visit to UAE will usher in a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership." (ANI)
The attack was confirmed by Kyivs Mayor Vitali Klitschko who stated that following the "explosions," emergency services responded to calls in the Solomyanskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Podilskyi, and Darnytskyi districts of Kyiv.

Vitali Klitschko made the statement early on Thursday morning.

Damage to the residential buildings was also reported due to the attack.

Klitschko wrote on the messaging app Telegram, "A body of one dead person was discovered in the Podilskyi district during the firefighting in an apartment block," reported Al Jazeera.

The Solomyanskyi district in the centre of the Ukrainian capital was struck by falling debris from downed Russian drones, Kyiv's military administration said on Thursday, and added that at least two people were hurt.

Klitschko also said earlier that material from downed Russian drones had damaged a residential building in the Darnytskyi district and caused a balcony fire in the Shevchenkivskyi district.

The commander of Kyiv's military administration, Serhiy Popko, referred to the assault as a "mass attack" by Iranian-made Shahed drones that had come from multiple directions.

Popko posted on Telegram that "anti-aircraft forces identified and destroyed about 10 foreign targets," according to Al Jazeera.

Additionally, reports of explosions also came from other parts of Ukraine, including Zaporizhzhia in the southeast, Mykolaiv in the south, and Khmelnytskyi in the west. (ANI)
Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan, who is on a 2-day official visit to Syria, paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi in Damascus on Thursday. "Started off the day in Damascus, Syria by paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi ji at the premises of @eoidamascus," MoS Muraleedharan tweeted today. Earlier, on Wednesday, the MoS met the Syriac Patriarch of Antioch & all the East in Damascus, Mor Ignatius Aphrem II. "Blessed to meet His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Patriarch of Antioch & all the East in Damascus, Syria," the MoS tweeted. "Recalled my old connection with His Holiness. He reiterated his fondness for Kerala & expressed his hope for greater unity in the Syrian Orthodox Church," he added. The MoS arrived in Syria on a two-day official visit on Wednesday. He also met the Minister of Higher Education in Damascus and interacted with Syrian students selected for an Indian scholarship. "Glad to have joined H.E. Bassam Ibrahim,Minister of Higher Education in Damascus,Syria & interacted with Syrian students selected for Indian Scholarship. Appreciate students' enthusiasm& keenness to study in India The connect that we are creating will be long-lasting & impactful," the MoS tweted. MoS Muraleedharan is visiting Syria since July 12 and will conclude his official trip later on Thursday. This will be the first ministerial-level visit from India to Syria since August 2016, and the first visit of V. Muraleedharan to the country, the Ministry of External Affairs said earlier in an official release. During the visit, the MoS will also interact with a group of Syrian students, who have studied or are proceeding to study in India under the Union government's scholarship scheme. He is also expected to meet the functionaries of the Syrian Orthodox Church. Syria and India have historically shared cordial relations built on deep-rooted people-to-people ties. The Indian Embassy in Syria has remained open throughout the Syrian conflict. Many people visit India as tourists, businesspeople, and patients. This visit is expected to lend further momentum to the strong relationship between the two countries. India has contributed immensely to the capacity building of theSyrian youth over the years through scholarship schemes and training courses under the flagship ITEC programme, the official release read. (ANI)
The EU Charge d'Affaires to Afghanistan at the time, Raffaella Iodice, said, "This is solidarity in action: Today, we welcomed the arrival of nearly 100 tonnes of medical supplies and medications to Afghanistan.

Our EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flights are a good example of the EUs assistance to the country: In cooperation with trusted humanitarian partners, the EU continues delivering vital aid to Afghans in need, he added, according to Khaama Press.

The European Humanitarian Response Capacity (EHRC) includes flights operated by the EU Humanitarian Air Bridge.

These flights, which are funded and run by the EU Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) division, assist in bridging significant humanitarian and emergency aid gaps within the EU. Khaama Press reported.

Prior to this, the EU sent nearly 100 tonnes of essential goods and medical supplies to Afghanistan via the EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flight.

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the situation of people in Afghanistan has only deteriorated as the country is under a massive grip of a humanitarian crisis.

Moreover, the situation of women in the country has only got worse.

Women in the country are prohibited from leadership posts, and not allowed to work as well as travel unless accompanied by a male companion. There is still no word on when or if these schools will reopen or if the ban is indefinite. (ANI)
Ayesha Ather (from left), Manizeh Raza, Areeba Hussain and Zehra Yomsak enjoy mocktails and Chai at an Eid al-Adha event at Chalo, in Chicago on Friday, June 30, 2023. (Vincent D. Johnson/for the Chicago Tribune)

To close out Eid al-Adha at the end of June, a studio inside Bridgeports Zhou B Art Center transformed into a little corner of Pakistan.

Garlands of white flowers draped from the ceiling, the 2022 short film Maqluba played from a projector, and friends, new and old, exchanged stories and laughter over chai, nonalcoholic cocktails and Ludo, a board game popular in Pakistan.

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It was the official launch of the new Chalo pop-up, an event focused on cultivating welcoming, dynamic spaces for Muslims, people of color and those looking for ways to socialize without alcohol.

I felt like I was always having to assimilate. I wasnt able to fully be myself in a lot of (majority-white) spaces that I was entering, said Chalo co-founder Ema Khan. And so my goal with this project was to have that space where we all can express our dual identities.

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Khan and fellow Chalo co-founders Khansa Noor and Ghania Chaudhry began developing Chalo in May. After bouts of bar fatigue and searching for diverse spaces with relaxed weekend atmospheres, the three co-founders decided to create their own alternative.

As they began looking for a space to host their pop-up, they connected with Studio Salam, a nonprofit organization aimed at promoting the creative pursuits of Muslim and artists of color with a multiuse location inside Zhou B Art Center.

Mint leaves make the finishing touch on a pair of nonalcoholic cocktails for an Eid al-Adha event at Chalo in Chicago on June 30, 2023. (Vincent D. Johnson/for the Chicago Tribune)

As the event took shape, the three friends decided to focus on a common experience upon which guests could connect and build community: drinking chai.

The spiced black tea, often tempered with milk and sugar, is integral to many South Asian households. Noor recalled the many nights her extended family would spend connecting over cups of chai in the Chicago suburbs. Chaudhry was her familys designated chai-maker growing up, watching dramas in the evening with her mother while sipping a warm cup, or hosting family members as a young adult and impressing them with her chai skills.

The best chai is your mothers chai, Chaudhry said. Were bringing the tradition thats been passed down through generations.

Each co-founder can easily recall their respective familys recipes  one uses a little extra cardamom, another, fennel seeds.

Still, the three women didnt always readily embrace the tradition.

Chai was something I dreaded making often, Chaudhry said. As a kid, she recalled groaning about the delicate process, which demands finding the perfect concentration of milk, water and infusion of spices and other flavors.

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But as Ive grown older, its become something I really cherished, she said. Its become a symbol of community.

Along with the menu of rose- and lavender-infused chai, Chalo also offered a list of nonalcoholic cocktails. Guests sipped on Jashan, a papaya-based drink with coconut and Tang  a nod to the co-founders memories of breaking Ramadan fasts with the citrusy drink throughout their youth. A group sat around a coffee table, drinking a seemingly never-ending stream of Gulabos, a strawberry-rose concoction with an underlying zest.

Studio Salam co-founder Sakar Sheikh-Ahmad draws the menu of Chai and mocktails for Chalo in Chicago on June 30, 2023. (Vincent D. Johnson/for the Chicago Tribune)

For Chicago resident and hijabi Mediha Say, it was a welcome change from other venues. As a person who chooses not to drink, spending time in bars or other social places can be hard, she said.

You feel like you cant participate, or like a buzzkill, Say added. But at Chalo, she said, she didnt feel like the odd one out.

That welcoming atmosphere was exactly what the co-founders  and their collaborators at Studio Salam  hoped to foster at Chalo. The name itself is a nod to cross-cultural connections, as the Urdu word is phonetically similar to the Arabic term yalla. Both translate to Lets go!

Its kind of like a space to exist in that doesnt require anything of you, said Sahar Sheikh-Ahmad, one of the Studio Salam co-founders. The nonprofit works to provide third spaces  communal locations outside of someones home or work  where people can foster real-life connections, whether it be during coworking office hours or potluck iftars during Ramadan.

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What I thought was amazing at the pop-up was encouraging people who dont already know each other to talk to each other, Chaudhry said. And I felt like that was really happening organically. A safe space, to me, means that you can come to a space by yourself and leave with like 10 friends.

Going forward, Chalo can be spotted at a series of private events throughout July, and the co-founders hope to host future pop-ups in varying parts of Chicago. Regardless of what comes next, they are proud to have fostered community, opening up one little corner of Pakistan in the city they call home.

Chalo, instagram.com/wearechalo; Studio Salam, fourth floor, Zhou B. Art Center, 1029 W. 35th St., instagram.com/studiosalam.chi

jsmith@chicagotribune.com

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Jerusalem [Israel], July 13 (ANI/TPS): Israels Knesset on Wednesday elected Otzma Yehudit lawmaker Yitzhak Kroyzer to the nine-member Judicial Selection Committee, responsible for appointing judges at all levels of Israels civil court system. As part of their coalition agreement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised the spot on the committee to Itamar Ben-Gvirs Otzma Yehudit Party. In June, Yesh Atid lawmaker Karine Elharrar was voted into the Judicial Selection Committee, satisfying a key opposition demand during negotiations over the governments reform package. At the same time, the coalition voted down the candidacy of Likud Party MK Tali Gottlieb, who had defied Netanyahu by refusing to bow out of the race. That set off intense political maneuvering, as the composition of the panel has become a major sticking point in negotiations over the reform initiative. Traditionally, one coalition candidate and one opposition candidate are chosen to fill the seats reserved for parliamentarians. Coalition hardliners had preferred not to appoint a committee member from the opposition, favoring two members from the coalition. Opposition members had threatened to call off negotiations if their candidate was approved. Immediately following Junes vote, opposition leader Yair Lapid nevertheless put the reform negotiations on hold. Negotiations to reach a consensus were launched in March under the auspices of President Isaac Herzog after Netanyahu vowed to postpone the controversial judicial reform legislation in order to give dialogue a chance. On Tuesday, police arrested 71 persons who participated in protests and violated public order as thousands of reform opponents blocked highways and interchanges across the country after the Knesset voted to advance related legislation. The Day of Resistance saw marches, demonstrations and convoys to highways in and around Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, the Binyamin region, and Ben-Gurion Airport. Demonstrations were also held outside the Presidents Residence in Jerusalem and the U.S. Embassy branch in Tel Aviv. The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee convened on Tuesday to prepare for the second and third plenum votes a bill to restrict the use of the reasonableness standard by the Supreme Court. This comes after the parliament overnight Monday passed the bill in first reading. The legislation would bar reasonableness as a legal justification for judges to reverse decisions made by the Cabinet, ministers and other elected officials as set by law. The bills proponents say the standard is legally vague and has been used by the Supreme Court to encroach upon the governments authority. Opponents say the bill will erode Israels system of checks and balances and lead to an abuse of power. The goal of the coalition is to pass the bill before the end of the summer session on July 29. The initiative isnt the end of democracy, but rather will strengthen democracy, Netanyahu said on Monday in defense of the legislation. The rights of the courts and Israeli citizens will not be harmed in any way. The court will continue to monitor the legality of government decisions and appointments. [We] will be required to act in good faith and with proportionality, fairness and equality, he added. (ANI/TPS)
According to details, the two individuals who arrived at the Lahore Sessions Court for the hearing were shot by a rival party.

According to ARY News, the attackers were apprehended by the police and taken to the police station. For security purposes, the police have locked the court's doors.

A similar incident occurred earlier, and two suspects in a murder case were shot and killed in Lahore outside a sessions court.

Riyasat and Bilal, two under-trial prisoners (UTPs), were brought to the court from Kot Lakhpat jail to testify in a case involving the murder of a woman that fell under the purview of Nishtar Colony police station.

The investigation is underway. (ANI)
Making a strong pitch for Indias permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the primary UN body cannot claim to be speaking for the worldwhen its most populous country and the largest democracy is not a permanent member. He made the remark during an interview with French newspaper Les Echos ahead of his two-day official visit to France that begins later on Thursday. On whether the credibility of UN was at stake, with India still not finding permanent membership of the UNSC, Prime Minister Modi said the UN was one of many global institutions that were founded in the wake of the Second World War, andit has to be seen whether they are representative of todays world, which has transformed a lot in the last eight decades. Further, speaking to Les Echos, PM Modi said, The issue is not just of credibility, but something much larger. I believe that the world needs to have an honest discussion about the multilateral governance structures that were built in the aftermath of second World War." He added that nearly eight decades after the institutions were created, the world has transformed, the number of member-countries have grown four-fold and the character of the global economy has also changed. We live in an era of new technology. New powers have risen causing a relative shift in global balance. We face new challenges, including climate change, cyber security, terrorism, space security, pandemics. I could go on about the changes. In this changed world, many questions arise - are these representative of today's world? Are they able to discharge the roles for which they were set up? Do countries around the world feel that these organizations matter, or are relevant? PM Modi said. He said, "How can the UN Security Council claim to be speaking for the world, when its most populous country and largest democracy is not a permanent member?" The UN Security Council, in particular, epitomises this dissonance. How can we talk of it as a primary organ of a global body, when entire continents of Africa and Latin America are ignored? How can it claim to speak for the world when its most populous country, and its largest democracy, is not a permanent member? And its skewed member-ship leads to opaque decision making processes, which adds to its helplessness in ad-dressing the challenges of today, he added. Appreciating the position of France in the matter, Prime Minister Modi said the voices of all countries must be heard with respect to proposed changes to the UN Security Council. I think most countries are clear on what changes they would like to see in the UN Security Council, including on the role India should play. We just need to listen to their voice and heed their advice. I must appreciate the clear and consistent position that France has taken in this matter, he added. Earlier, on Thursday, PM Modi embarked on the visit to France at the invitation of President Marcon. He will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade of France on July 14, where the tri-services of the Indian armed forces contingent will be participating. Three Rafale fighters will also perform a flypast in the parade. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the IndiaFrance Strategic Partnership and Prime Ministers visit will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation. During his France visit from July 13-14, PM Modi will hold formal talks with President Emmanuel Macron. Macron will host a State Banquet as well as a private dinner in honour of the Prime Minister. Also, during his visit, PM Modi will meet the Indian diaspora and leading CEOs from both nations. (ANI)
As preparations are underway for the 19th edition of the FAB23 Bhutan event, the National Fab Student Challenge has been rolled out, Bhutan Live reported. The event is being considered as the largest and most strategic global digital fabrication event in the country. The Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck Super Fab Lab is preparing to host the event. As a build-up programme for the event, the super fab lab, in collaboration with the Bhutan Ministry of Education and Skills Development, has rolled out the National Fab Student Challenge. The challenge has selected the top 12 teams from across the country who will come up with different and unique prototypes revolving around the theme of Curriculum through Fabrication. According to Bhutan Live, more than 400 teachers were trained for the National Fab Student Challenge in April this year. The teachers were oriented to generate awareness around digital fabrication and the potential of including technology in education. The challenge has received more than 100 proposals from 52 schools across the country. However, 12 best teams were selected and they travelled to the nearest Fab Labs to develop a prototype of their ideas. After working for almost a week in the Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck Super Fab Lab in the capital, a team from Lungtenphu Middle Secondary School has come up with a prototype of a 3D model of a heart. The team consisting of four members along with their mentor believes that their prototype can ease the teaching-learning process for both students and teachers. Our idea is mainly about blood circulation, which is a very hard topic for students to comprehend. When we create this kind of prototype, it would be easier for the younger students to understand the heart and it would be easier for the teachers to teach about the concept of blood circulation, Bhutan Live quoted Sonam Chophel, a participant from Lungtenphu Middle Secondary School, as saying. Similarly, a team from Daga Central School is fabricating atomic models to visualise the atomic structure at the Jigme Wangchuck Power Training Institute in Sarpang. The idea originated when I was teaching class 11 on atomic models and atomic theories. When I was teaching them, the students were facing difficulty understanding them, saying that the ideas were abstract. Then I thought maybe I should come up with better ideas to teach them. I thought that making the atomic models so that they can see and feel it could make them understand it easier, Bhutan Live quoted Yonten Chophel, a mentor, at Daga Central School as stating. Similarly, one of the teams working at the Royal Academy Fab Lab in Paro is working on a prototype that will help in the calculation of time. As we go to higher classes, there are new concepts of time calculation. And students do not understand the concept of time calculation when the concept emerges out of nowhere. Even it was difficult for me to grasp the concept before and it gave me a headache. However, I could understand better when learned the concept by drawing. Hence, if we can understand it better with diagrams, students can understand way better with physical models, Bhutan Live quoted Sonam Choden, a participant from the Royal Academy as saying. In addition to these, other selected schools are also working on various prototypes to make learning better and more interesting. The participants from twelve schools will demonstrate their final products at the clock tower in Thimphu on the July 23. Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck Super Fab Lab will host FAB23 Bhutan, the 19th edition of the largest digital fabrication international event in collaboration with the Fab Foundation, the Centre for Bits and Atoms and the Fab City Foundation in the country from the July 16, Bhutan Live reported. The event is expected to bring together inventors, artists, researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs and creative people in one global forum to connect and collaborate using technology. (ANI)
Dubai [UAE], July 13 (ANI/WAM): Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate, has participated in high-level discussions on climate finance with US President Joe Biden and H.M King Charles III, alongside leading investors and philanthropists, in a visit to the UK to advance innovative climate finance to deliver climate action and a just energy transition. During his visit, Al Jaber attended a forum on Climate Finance Mobilisation convened by the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Rt Hon. Grant Shapps MP and the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry. The forum was attended by UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, Mark Carney, as well as private sector and philanthropic leaders from finance, sustainability, and climate action. Dr. Al Jaber encouraged all parties to set their ambitions high ahead of COP28 and continue to galvanise UK and US-based businesses and philanthropists to do the same. Dr. Al Jaber said, The leadership of the US and UK is crucial to both fulfil climate finance pledges and mobilize further capital. We must deliver on the $100bn of annual climate finance promised in 2009, and I have been encouraged by recent assurances that this pledge will be fulfilled. However, we need to mobilise trillions, not billions, of dollars if we are to reach our climate, biodiversity and SDG targets. To achieve this we need to mobilise capital at all levels, public, business and philanthropic. Capital and finance are critical enablers of climate action. But to unleash its power, it must be available, accessible and affordable throughout the world. Dr. Al Jaber added, Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. All financial actors must work within a new framework of solidarity to enable climate finance at the scale, scope and speed that the world needs. As an outcome of todays meetings, I am pleased to announce that COP28 will host a High-Level Business & Philanthropy Delivery Forum, during the World Climate Action Summit. The forum will focus on removing barriers to progress, showcasing what is working, and identifying opportunities for co-creation, collaboration, and acceleration. Dr. Al Jaber restated his call for major reform of international financial institutions and multilateral development banks, and added To invest the amounts required, we must build the right risk mitigation instruments that incentivize private sector action at scale. This is not a time for incremental reform. We need a holistic approach underpinned by collaborative frameworks. Discussing the announcements made by organisations in attendance, Dr. Al Jaber continued, Initiatives like the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum provide a key avenue for progress. The funding announced today by some of the worlds leading private sector actors and philanthropists is exactly what we need to see ahead of COP28. During his visit, Dr. Al Jaber also welcomed progress on the World Banks Private Sector Investment Lab which will be charged with developing solutions to address barriers to private sector climate finance. Dr. Al Jaber said, Capital is a key enabler of climate action, and catalyzing private investments is a key priority for the COP28 Presidency. I look forward to actionable recommendations coming out of the Private Sector Investment Lab that can be integrated into COP28s climate finance agenda. He concluded that The UK and US are home to two of the largest financial markets in the world. Their action and the funding announced today is vital to keep 1.5C within reach and must be replicated on a global scale." (ANI/WAM)
The gold medalists were Atul Shatavart Nadig and Arjun Gupta; the silver medalists were Ananda Bhaduri and Siddharth Choppara; and the bronze medalists were Adhitya Mangudy Venkata Ganesh and Archit Manas.

India finishing off at the ninth position is also one of its best-ever performances, equalling that in 2002. It is a significant improvement, as Indias rank in the last two editions was 26 and 24 respectively.

Only in 1998 and 2001 did India finish better seventh.

Indias overall result stood at a thumping 92.79 per cent.

The Indian team was led by Prithwijit De, and Sahil Mhaskar was the deputy leader.

The 63rd edition of IMO was held in Norway in 2022, while the 65th edition will be held next year in the UK. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed regional and global issues with British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly at the ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Post Ministerial Conference in Jakarta on Thursday. Jaishankar further discussed the concerns related to the security of Indian diplomats. This comes after group of pro-Khalistan protesters vandalized the Indian High Commission in London, taking down the Indian flag and replacing it with a Khalistani flag on March 19. Moreover, they threatened Indian diplomats,posters emerged of a pro-Khalistan rally in London on July 8. The rally is being held in the name of Harjit Singh Nijjar aka Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist who was killed in a targeted shooting in Canada's Surrey on June 18. The posters contained threats to the Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami and Shashank Vikram, Consul General of India, Birmingham. Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Thursday said that any direct attacks on the Indian High Commission in London are completely unacceptable. "Any direct attacks on the Indian High Commission in London are completely unacceptable. We have made clear to @VDoraiswami and the Government of India that the safety of staff at the High Commission is paramount," tweeted Cleverly. After meeting with the British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Thursday, Jaishankar took to his Twitter and said, "A broad ranging discussion today with British Foreign Secretary @JamesCleverly. Spoke about the agenda of the ARF, including regional and global issues. Jointly assessed the progress in our bilateral exchanges. Brought up concerns pertaining to the security of our diplomats." https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1679426855768854528 Describing ASEAN as a crucial pillar of India's Act East Policy, Jaishankar on Thursday said it plays an important role in the emerging dynamic of the Indo-Pacific. Delivering his remarks at the opening session of the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference the EAM said, "ASEAN is a crucial pillar of India's Act East policy and its vision for the wider Indo-Pacific. A strong and unified ASEAN plays an important role in the emerging dynamic of the Indo-Pacific. India firmly supports ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific." Earlier on Thursday, Jaishankar met Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov in Jakarta and deliberated on the Ukraine conflict among other issues. The two ministers, who met on the sidelines of the ASEAN events, also held discussions on bilateral economic issues. The External Affairs Minister is on a six-day visit to Indonesia and Thailand since July 12 and his overseas engagements in these two countries will culminate on July 18. In the first leg of his visit, the EAM will reach Indonesia to attend Foreign Ministers Meetings under the ASEAN on July 13-14 and then jet off to Thailand for the Foreign Ministers Meeting of Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC), a release from the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. Jaishankar is in Jakarta for the Foreign Ministers Meetings under the ASEAN framework in the format, ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum on July 13-14. (ANI)
Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, on Thursday discussed India-Syria bilateral cooperation including development partnership, trade and capacity building with Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous. Glad to have had a fruitful meeting with the Prime Minister of Syria, Hussein Arnous in Damascus, Syria. Discussed the wide-ranging bilateral cooperation between India and Syria including development partnership, trade and capacity building, MoS Muraleedharan tweeted on Thursday. MoS Muraleedharanon Wednesday arrived inSyriaon a two-day official visit to the country. Muraleedharan on Thursday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi in Damascus. "Started off the day in Damascus, Syria by paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi ji at the premises of @eoidamascus," MoS Muraleedharan tweeted. Earlier, on Wednesday, the MoS met the Syriac Patriarch of Antioch & all the East inDamascus, Mor Ignatius Aphrem II. "Blessed to meet His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Patriarch of Antioch and all the East in Damascus, Syria," the MoS tweeted. "Recalled my old connection with His Holiness. He reiterated his fondness for Kerala and expressed his hope for greater unity in the Syrian Orthodox Church," he added. He also met the Minister of Higher Education inDamascusand interacted with Syrian students selected for an Indian scholarship. "Glad to have joined Bassam Ibrahim, Minister of Higher Education in Damascus, Syria & interacted with Syrian students selected for Indian Scholarship. Appreciate students' enthusiasm& keenness to study in India The connection that we are creating will be long-lasting & impactful," the MoS tweeted. This will be the first ministerial-level visit from India to Syria since August 2016, and the first visit of V. Muraleedharan to the country, the Ministry of External Affairs said earlier in an official release. During the visit, the MoS will also interact with a group of Syrian students, who have studied or are proceeding to study in India under the Union government's scholarship scheme. He is also expected to meet the functionaries of the Syrian Orthodox Church. Syria and India have historically shared cordial relations built on deep-rooted people-to-people ties. The Indian Embassy in Syria has remained open throughout the Syrian conflict. Many people visit India as tourists, businesspeople, and patients. This visit is expected to lend further momentum to the strong relationship between the two countries. India has contributed immensely to the capacity building of the Syrian youth over the years through scholarship schemes and training courses under the flagship ITEC programme, the official release read. (ANI)
First Deputy Minister of Ukraine's Foreign Ministry Emine Dzhaparova on Thursday met the Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sanjay Verma at the 9th round of India-Ukraine Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) and discussed peace formula to ensure lasting peace in the region amid Russia-Ukraine conflict. Taking to her Twitter account, Emine Dzhaparova said, "Happy to greet@SanjayVermalFSin #Kyiv for Foreign office consultations. We discussed areas of our mutual cooperation & elaborated on #PeaceFormula of@ZelenskyyUa to ensure just and lasting peace. Confident Ukraine-India relationship will continue to prosper." https://twitter.com/eminedzheppar/status/1679488706393292802?s=46&t=IkZB__uu8UcCaVMk-knNZA Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs arrived in Kyiv on July 12 to exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest with his counterpart Emine Dzhaparova at the 9th round of India-Ukraine Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) on July 13. The Indian Embassy in Kyiv said in a tweet, "Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), MEA arrived in Kyiv on 12 July 2023 to hold the 9th India-Ukraine FOC with his Ukrainian counterpart, Ms. Emine Dzhaparova, First Deputy Foreign Minister on 13 July 2023 @MEAIndia." The MEA Secretary and First Deputy Minister of Ukraine's foreign ministry Emine Dzhaparova are also supposed to discuss ideas to enhance bilateral relations. "The two sides will discuss ways to further enhance bilateral relations and exchange views on regional arid global issues of mutual interest," the Embassy of India in Kyiv said in an official release on Wednesday. Earlier in April, Emine Dzhaparova during her four-day visit to Indiasaid that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policy of democracy, dialogue and diversification is very important for Ukraine. She further said thatIndia should be pragmatic in diversifying its energy resources, diversifying military contracts and in diversifying political interaction. "As my President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says, extraordinary times need extraordinary decisions. So of course, Prime Minister Modi with his 3D policy of democracy, dialogue and, to my knowledge, its diversity. I think that this no-era-of-war and strategic application is really, really important," she added. "We hope that India and Ukraine will beeven though we are distant geographically, but we will become closer physically and politically and in many other ways," Dzhaparova added. During the visit, Secretary (West) is expected to call on Chairmanof the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk and Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, the release added. (ANI)
Halfway through coffee with Emily Long, the new executive director of the Gene Siskel Film Center, we had a little linguistic misunderstanding. She mentioned an upcoming September Film Center retrospective of banned films, curated by the centers programming director Rebecca Fons; I heard the word band, not banned, which led to a minute or two of crossed wires and suspicions (mine) of a slight stroke (false alarm) before we sorted it out.

Raised mostly in the Chicago suburbs, Long succeeded longtime Film Center executive director Jean de St. Aubin in May. Ive always wanted to run a theater, she told me.

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The Film Center, working under the auspices of the School of the Art Institute, has long been part of SAIC, although its two-venue facility on State Street has a way of feeling a fair distance from the rest of the SAIC buildings. Long and I talked about that relationship between the Film Center and its educational umbrella  and why, among other things, shes heartened by the surprise success of the Film Centers early 2023 Settle In series, spanning the hypnotic 7.5-hour Bela Tarr ruminator Satantango to Krzysztof Kieslowskis 10-hour Dekalog.

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The turnout was so nice, theyre doing it twice: A new set of titles comprises Settle In, the sequel, coming in early 2024. Thats not necessarily my movie taste, Long says, with a laugh. But I love the people who love it!

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Director Sergey Bondarchuk's epic adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" (1967), part of the Gene Siskel Film Center's 2023 series "Settle In." (Gene Siskel Film Center/Mosfilm)

Q: You grew up in Hinsdale?

A: My family bounced around, and landed in Hinsdale, where I went to middle school, high school. Went to U of I in Champaign-Urbana and got my undergraduate degree in theater. Moved right away out to New York and got my masters degree in dramaturgy and script development at Columbia University. Then I stayed and spent six years working on Wall Street 

Q: When people say working on Wall Street, what does that mean, exactly?

A: Right. Well, I finished my graduate thesis and I needed health insurance. At Columbia or anywhere, really, you basically walk across the stage (to get your diploma) and they hand you your first bill. I was an executive assistant for the managing director of global wealth, first at Bank of America, and then at Morgan Stanley. I managed a lot of calendars, travel, presentations, disaster recovery work. This was 2006 to 2012. An eventful six years. I met a lot of people you typically dont meet when you have two theater degrees.

I was on Wall Street during the day and spent nights and weekends doing theater stuff, and then some media literacy work in the nonprofit development world. Then I lucked into the assistant director of development role at Film at Lincoln Center. And then came back to Chicago for a whole mess of personal reasons. My dad had just died; my mom still lives out here. My husband at the time (now deceased) was really struggling with alcohol, and we thought it was time to leave New York. Back in Chicago, I got the development role at Kartemquin. And then the job popped up here at the Siskel.

Q: Youre six weeks into that new job. How does it feel right now?

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A: Were on a really good swing. Were still building back from the pandemic. Its hard to understate how damaging that was for theaters, particularly for art house theaters.

Q: The older art house audience was the most resistant to coming back, right? Very few people called that one.

A: Right. On the plus side, were getting some new audiences in. But we want to see more of our old friends come back. The value proposition of going out for a night at the movies has to be different now. It cant just be what youre putting on the screen. It has to be the entire experience, from when you walk in the door to when you leave the theater. Thats what the Film Center and every other art house theater person I know is working on: How do we overcome the convenience that exists on the couch?

Q: So what do you point to on the Film Center calendar from the last year or so when youre looking for reasons to be optimistic?

A: For one thing, Drive My Car. A lot of people turned out for that. I wasnt at the Siskel yet, but that was something people just wanted to see, this three-hour Japanese drama. It wasnt any secret it was going to be on HBO Max (now just Max) but we were running it exclusively in Chicago. It got great press. We ran it for something like three months. It was the right problem to have, balancing that long run with our other commitments.

The other good sign was Rebeccas Settle In series, which was also a big hit. Were doing it again in early 2024. Thats a unique theatrical experience.

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Q: How does development at a nonprofit arts institution vary from place to place?

A: The Siskel is part of the School of the Art Institute, and we work closely with the schools Office of Advancement, which is effectively our development department. The work draws a lot on my background in theater and audience work. Persuasive writing; creating arguments; thats basically what youre doing when you write a grant proposal. You need to be persuasive about why youre deserving of support. And what the detailed plan is, once you get that support.

At an organization like Lincoln Center, membership is a huge piece of it. They have a very complex membership structure, which starts at $85 (per year) and goes up to $25,000 and beyond. Figuring out a system to manage that is  complex. But I enjoy it. Finding a way to manage something is enjoyable to me. Kartemquin was about production, not exhibition. Its not selling tickets or selling parties. When I was at Lincoln Center, for example, I could say, Well, for x-amount of dollars I can get you in a room with Kate Winslet.

Maybe the Film Center is somewhere in between Lincoln Center and Kartemquin. Ultimately its all about building back from the pandemic, building on your programming. Building out sponsorships and partnerships. Were lucky to have the support of the school; most art house theaters dont have that. One of my missions is to better integrate the Film Center with the school, and better integrate the faculty and students with this place. But the schools been nothing but respectful of what we do.

Q: Later this year, what can we expect?

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A: In September its a series devoted to banned films. Were living in a time of censorship and of banning materials  books, mostly, but not only books. This hasnt been an easy seven, eight years for the country. For so many reasons. But when we all quarantined, I think a lot of us realized the value of shared cultural experience.

Some people came to realize that they prefer to stay in isolation and watch movies that way. But a lot of people realized how much they missed going out and being around other people, sharing a laugh or a gasp at a movie.

Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @phillipstribune
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov discussed the efforts of Indonesia to promote ASEAN principles for the development of Asia-Pacific countries, during his meeting with Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi in Jakarta, on the sidelines of ASEAN ministerial events on Thursday. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia further took to its Twitter handle, "FM #Lavrov: We appreciate the efforts of Indonesia to promote the values & principles of ASEAN in the context of developing the Asia-Pacific countries, considering the regional architecture, which, as we all agree, should become ASEAN-centric." https://twitter.com/mfa_russia/status/1679426866963259396?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi also highlighted the important high-level contacts between Beijing and Moscow in the coming months when he met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday. Against the backdrop of historic changes in the world, we always follow the important consensus of our heads of state, firmly support each other in protecting fundamental interests promote a multipolar world and democratisation of relations, Wang said in the meeting, according to a readout from Chinas foreign ministry. Lavrov said Russia would work with China to strengthen Asean-centric mechanisms while supporting the Southeast Asian alliance to play a constructive role in the Asia-Pacific region. Along with Wang Yi, Lavrov met with the Foreign Minister of Indonesia @Menlu_RI in Jakarta. "On July 12, FM #Lavrov met with Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee & Foreign Minister of Indonesia @Menlu_RI in Jakarta on the sidelines of ASEAN ministerial events," Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia tweeted on its official Twitter account. https://twitter.com/mfa_russia/status/1679420680226365442?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw Earlier, China on Tuesday said its Foreign Minister Qin Gang will not be able to attend the ASEAN meetings set to be held in Indonesia, due to "health reasons", Japan-based Kyodo News reported. Hence, the Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, is attending a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings in Indonesia's Jakarta from July 13 to 14, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced on Tuesday. Lavrov also met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Jakarta, discussing the Ukraine conflict among other issues. The two ministers, who met on the sidelines of the ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) events in Jakarta on Thursday, also held discussions on bilateral economic issues. (ANI)
1 taken to hospital after shooting in Dayton neighborhood

One person was taken to the hospital after a shooting in Dayton Wednesday night.

Around 8:30 p.m. Dayton police and medics were called to the 3800 bock of Stanford Place to reports of a shooting, according to Montgomery County regional dispatch.

>> Woman arrested after allegedly abducting child, assaulting 3 deputies during arrest

One person was taken from the scene to the hospital, dispatch notes indicate.

Information about the condition of the person or if anyone was taken into custody was not available.

We are working to learn more and will update as new information becomes available.




Elias Robinson-Rodriguezs life has been challenging since it began.

Born in 2022, the 11-month-old boy has a congenital heart defect known as transposition of the great arteries.

The condition obstructs his hearts valves, the pumps that push blood throughout his body. The valve between his left heart chamber and his aorta, the bodys main artery, wouldnt fully open, blocking blood from moving out of his heart.

Often diagnosable during pregnancy, the condition occurs in 1 out of every 3,413 babies born in the United States each year, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For Elias, his condition meant he spent the first months of his life struggling to breathe and eat, feeling a pounding in his heart and with a bluish tint to his skin.

The only option for help was an incredibly rare partial heart transplant, completed only six times anywhere in the world.

On June 23, doctors, surgeons and researchers from UT Health Austin and Dell Childrens Medical Center successfully completed Elias partial heart transplant, according to a July 10 release.

A milestone procedure

A typical heart transplant takes the entire organ out of one person and surgically implants it in the body of another, according to the Mayo Clinic. Surgeons then connect the major arteries from the recipients body to the donated heart, and the heart will typically start beating again when blood flow is restored.

For children with congenital heart conditions, like Elias, they wont survive without a new or adapted heart. But since they are so young, they need a heart that can grow with them, and not an adult heart that will disproportionately fit in their bodies.

Surgeons started to search for another solution.

Studies that showed the successful transplant of living tissue heart valves in pigs caught the eye of Joseph Turek, a pediatric heart surgeon at Duke Health, according to a September 2022 release.

Turek had a patient with the same condition at Elias, 17-day-old Owen Monroe, who would likely not have survived if he waited for a heart on the transplant list.

In 2022, for the first time ever, Turek transplanted healthy, living heart valves from a donor heart into the struggling heart of Owen  and it was a success.

The procedure was done successfully five more times before surgeons decided it was the best course of action for Elias.

This is a milestone procedure, a partial transplant allows surgeons to tap into a supply of donor hearts that go unused due to deficiencies. We are thrilled with Elias progress and we are hopeful this will eliminate the need for future surgeries, medical director of the pediatric heart failure and transplant program at Dell Med, Chesney Castleberry, said in the release.

Change the surgery paradigm

Elias success could mean there is more hope for other children with his condition.

Our team is excited about this procedure, it has the potential to change the paradigm of valve surgery in pediatric heart disease, director of the heart transplant program at Dell Childrens, Carlos Mery, said in the release. This potentially life-saving surgery can make use of a donated heart that would otherwise not be transplantable.

Children who are waiting for a heart transplant face the highest rate of death out of any group on the organ donation waiting list, according to a 2009 study published in the cardiology journal Circulation.

If surgeons are able to transplant healthy valves out of hearts that would have otherwise been deemed not transplantable, the wait times for heart transplants could greatly decrease, and the number of children who could have healthy hearts would go up.

This groundbreaking surgery provides hope for thousands of babies with congenital heart defects and amplifies the way we can use the gift of organ donation to save more lives, chief of pediatric and congenital heart surgery at the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, Charles Fraser, said in the release.

As for Elias, the surgery team is optimistic about his progress following the 11-hour surgery.

Elias is showing remarkable improvement and his outlook remains strong. This was the third open heart surgery for Elias, the release said.

His surgery took place in Austin, Texas.

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Twelve Republican state attorneys general have stepped in to defend a Florida law banning some Chinese land ownership near U.S. military installations and major infrastructure in the name of national security, arguing in federal court against allegations painting the legislation as racist or unconstitutional.

Led by Idaho Attorney General Raul R. Labrador, AGs from Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, South Carolina and Utah signed onto an amicus brief filed July 7 condemning what they categorized as the plaintiffs unfair treatment in labeling Floridas law as racist.

"Florida is one of at least 24 states that restricts foreign ownership of land. And numerous countries also limit foreign ownership of land," the attorney generals wrote. "Florida and these other states and countries are not driven by racial animus as the Plaintiffs charge. They are instead fulfilling their most basic state functions by exercising sovereignty over their soil."

The legislation, known as SB 264, went into effect on July 1 and applies to "foreign principles" who are "domiciled" in China, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, Syria, Russia and North Korea, restricting them from owning or acquiring agricultural land or real property within 10 miles of any "military installation" or "critical infrastructure facility" in Florida. The Republicans argue in the amicus brief that it does not apply to anyone from those countries based on national origin alone.

DOJ ARGUES DESANTIS-BACKED LAW BANNING CHINESE LAND OWNERSHIP NEAR FLORIDA MILITARY BASES 'UNCONSTITUTIONAL'

Then-U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador speaks to reporters at Trump Tower, Dec. 12, 2016, in New York City. Labrador, now the Idaho attorney general, is backing a Florida law restricting Chinese land ownership in federal court.

The law, signed by GOP presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has an exception for individuals with a valid non-tourist visa or who have been granted asylum to purchase one residential real property if the property is less than two acres in size and not within five miles of a military installation. It also prohibits the "purchase or acquisition of real property by the Peoples Republic of China," including by Chinese political and corporate entities.

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Protesters march in Houston against a bill that would forbid Chinese nationals from buying properties in Texas, on Feb. 11, 2023.

FLORIDA BANS CHINESE CITIZENS FROM BUYING LAND: 'WE DON'T WANT THE CCP IN THE SUNSHINE STATE,' DESANTIS SAYS

In a response filed Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing four Chinese citizens who live in Florida and a Florida brokerage firm suing the state, argues that the "irreparable harms of SB 264 are already being felt by Plaintiffs and other Asians in Florida, who today face discrimination when seeking to buy homes." It claims, "these harms are also roiling the real estate market in Florida, where some lenders are now refusing to do business with any Chinese national."

Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is vying for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, signed a law restricting some Chinese land ownership in Florida.

On May 22, plaintiffs Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, Yongxin Liu, and Multi-Choice Realty, LLC filed a complaint seeking a preliminary injunction.

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Last month, the Justice Department filed a "statement of interest" in the U.S. District Court in Tallahassee arguing the Florida law violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Fair Housing Act of 1968 (FHA). So far, the DOJ has not formally intervened in the case.

U.S. District Judge Allen C. Winsor scheduled a July 18 hearing on the ACLUs request to block the law.
The Biden administration is calling on COVID-19 vaccine makers to ensure the updated shots for the fall are priced affordably.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines entering the market this fall should be priced at a reasonable rate, reflective of the value that you have obtained through U.S. government investment, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a Thursday letter to the CEOs of Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax.

Price gouging behavior takes advantage of the trust the American people have placed in you through the COVID-19 response, Becerra said.

The federal government is no longer paying for COVID-19 vaccines with the end of the public health emergency related to the pandemic. That means the vaccines are now only available on the commercial market.

Becerra said his department is working to ensure a smooth transition and expects that vaccines will remain available in the types of locations where the public currently receives them, like pharmacies, clinics, health departments and providers offices.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration told vaccine manufacturers that their coronavirus vaccines for this fall should target XBB.1.5, which accounts for about 40 percent of cases in the U.S., though this number is declining.

Vaccine companies have been working on XBB-specific vaccines so they will be ready by the end of the summer.

Becerra told the companies to plan for regulatory action on updated vaccinations by late September.

Pfizer and Moderna have previously indicated their shots could cost as much as $130 a dose.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Statue of justice (court or lawsuit file illustration)

LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Michael Bray admitted to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy at his Dayton home during his change of plea hearing in May. On Thursday, he learned he'll spend the next 24 years in prison.

Tippecanoe Superior 1 Judge Randy Williams sentenced Bray to 35 years in prison. In Indiana, the defendant must serve 26 years  75% of the sentence  before he can be released.

Bray, who's been incarcerated since Dec. 21, 2021, has more than two years credit and will have to serve 24 more years before he is eligible to be released. He will be 61 when he's released and will have to register as a violent sex offender for the rest of his life.

Bray, 37, pleaded guilty in May to one count of child molesting, a Level 1 felony.

"This is a life sentence for the victim," Williams said. "We don't know the effect it will have on him."

Williams took notice that Bray tried to get people to lie for him and tried to persuade people not to testify if his case went to trial.

Williams also noted that Bray threatened to kill himself if he were arrested, which, Williams said, was either a manipulation tactic to prevent the victim from coming forward or a sincere threat. Williams' order also will alert the Department of Corrections of Bray's threats of suicide.

Bray addressed the court before sentencing.

"I would like to apologize to (the victim) for all the pain and hurt I caused him," Bray said. "I'm sorry my actions have caused so much pain and suffering to everybody's life.

"I ask God to forgive me every day for the pain and hurt I caused (the victim), my family and friends," Bray said.

As part of the plea agreement, two counts of child molesting were dismissed at Thursday morning's sentencing hearing. Additionally, charges of child solicitation, dissemination of matter harmful to minors, obstruction of justice and inappropriate communication with a child also were dismissed.

Local investigators were tipped off about Bray's sexual abuse of the boy through the Indiana Internet Crimes and Children Task Force and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Bray was the second child molester sentenced in Tippecanoe Superior 1 in two days.

On Wednesday, 78-year-old Stanley Long received a 24-year prison sentence for two counts of child molesting.

On several occasions, Long molested a 7-year-old girl while he was babysitting. His actions came to light after the girl told her parents.

Long has been incarcerated at the Tippecanoe County Jail since May 17, 2022.

He will have to serve 18 years  75% of the 24-year sentence  before he can be released.

With a little more than a year's credit on his sentence, Long will be 95 when he is released.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: 2 child molesters sentenced in 2 days
A Wichita man and woman are in custody Wednesday after an undercover drug operation led to a vehicle chase where authorities seized 20,000 counterfeit pills believed to be fentanyl.

The man and woman were identified as Kavonte Horton and Jordan Cooper, both 18 and of Wichita, according to a news release from the Butler County Sheriffs Office.

Around 11:30 a.m., Butler County deputies along with the United States Postal Inspection Service were conducting an undercover drug operation that involved the controlled delivery of a package containing approximately 20,000 counterfeit M30 pills suspected of containing fentanyl, the release said.

The estimated street value could be as high as $200,000, the release stated.

M30 pills (opioids) are often counterfeited as something else, including fentanyl, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The package was dropped off at an address in the 800 block of N. Taylor Street in El Dorado. A vehicle drove up to the residence and an occupant in the vehicle retrieved the package, the release said.

The vehicle was leaving as deputies attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled and a chase ensued.

Deputies chased the vehicle from El Dorado to the Kansas Turnpike where the package was thrown out of the car, causing it to break open on the highway. The pursuit ended when the vehicle exited on westbound K-96 and became disabled at the Hillside exit after driving over a concrete median, the release said.

Cooper and Horton were arrested and booked into the Butler County Detention Facility and face charges related to the possession of the pills as well as the pursuit, according to the release.

Authorities spent several hours on the turnpike cleaning up the pills.
A federal judge Thursday scolded former Chicago Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson for failing to comply with the terms of his supervised release, but in the end agreed to stay an order that Thompson pay $50,000 in restitution to federal banking regulators pending the outcome of his appeal.

The hearing before U.S. District Judge Franklin Valderrama was called after court probation officials accused the former 11th Ward alderman of failing to pay restitution for his tax-related conviction once he was released from prison on a one-year term of supervised release in December.

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Thompson also allegedly failed to notify his probation officer that he was earning money as a consultant.

Thompsons attorney, Chris Gair, told the judge Thursday that Thompson in no way tried to skirt the obligations of his supervised release, and that the issues were largely due to a series of miscommunications and misunderstandings.

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If there was a mistake, the person who should be admonished is me, not Mr. Thompson, Gair said.

Gair said Thompson has now paid his $8,300 obligation to the IRS plus another $1,500 in costs of prosecution, leaving only the restitution to the Federal Deposit and Insurance Corporation, which Thompson is appealing before the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

Thompson is now earning about $4,000 a month as a self-employed consultant, Gair said, though further details on his clients or the nature of the work were not revealed in court.

Meanwhile, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Petersen said Thompson had been notified by his probation officer that if he wanted a stay on the order for restitution to the FDIC, he should have filed a motion before Valderrama.

He decided not to pay it because he thinks its going to be reversed on appeal, Petersen said. Maybe it will be and maybe it wont be, but the appropriate thing to do at that point was to come to the court.

Valderrama scolded Thompson on that point, and said he was inclined to deny the tardy request for a stay, which was finally made last week. But since the government did not oppose it, the judge granted the motion.

The conditions of supervised release, sir, isnt a request. It is not a suggestion. It is an order that you must comply with, Valderrama said directly to Thompson near the end of the hearing.

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After the judge asked Thompson if he understood his obligations, the former alderman said, Yes, your honor. And if I could just add  before Gair leaned over and whispered, No.

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Thompson, 54, grandson of Richard J. Daley and nephew of Richard M. Daley, Chicagos two longest-serving mayors, was convicted by a federal jury in February 2022 of two counts of lying to federal regulators about loans he had with the now-shuttered Washington Federal Bank for Savings in his familys Bridgeport neighborhood.

He was sentenced to four months in prison and was released five days before Christmas, records show.

[ Former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson sentenced to four months in prison in tax case ]

Under state law, Thompson was forced to resign his seat on the Chicago City Council immediately after the conviction on felony charges. His license to practice law also was suspended by the Illinois Supreme Court following his conviction  a decision he is still trying to reverse.

Thompsons appeal of his conviction is pending before the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
A year after Florida expanded its network of appeals courts, creating a new seat in Lakeland, the state is considering subtraction for the league of trial courts that handle most civil and criminal cases.

Tenth Judicial Circuit judges gather for the investiture of new judges in September 2013. The circuit is considered medium size. It comprises Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties, with a total population of about 900,000 people. It has 28 circuit judges and 12 county judges - 10 for Polk and one each for Highlands and Hardee.

Carlos G. Muniz, chief justice of the Florida Supreme Court, issued an administrative order June 30 creating a committee to explore consolidations among the states 20 judicial circuits. In the order, Muniz makes clear that would mean a reduction in number, not just a realignment.

Muniz's order responded to a suggestion from Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast. In a letter dated June 15, Renner wrote that boundaries for the states local courts have not changed for decades despite significant population and demographic changes during that timeframe.

Each judicial circuit handles cases from one or more counties. Locally, the 10th Judicial Circuit covers Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties.

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As Renner noted, the populations in the 20 circuits vary widely. The 11th Circuit, comprising Miami-Dade County, contains about 2.7 million people, he wrote, while the 16th Circuit, encompassing Monroe County, has fewer than 100,000 residents.

I believe that the consolidation of circuits might lead to greater efficiencies and uniformity in the judicial process, thereby increasing public trust and confidence, Renner wrote. I also believe that the consolidation of circuits would result in improved economies of scale in the judiciary's back-office operations, leading to substantial cost savings for Florida's taxpayers.

While some circuits cover just one large county, such as the 13th (Hillsborough County), others contain several smaller counties. The Third Circuit includes seven: Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor.

Nick Sudzina, court administrator for the 10th Judicial Circuit, described it as a medium-sized circuit. Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties have a combined population of about 900,000.

Circuit courts have trial jurisdiction over matters not assigned by law to county courts. They handle a range of matters, including criminal cases, civil disputes, probate questions and requests for injunctions. Circuit court judges are elected in nonpartisan contests and serve for six-year terms.

Judicial circuits also include county courts, which oversee a more limited range of cases. The 10th Judicial Circuit has 28 circuit judges and 12 county judges  10 for Polk County and one each for Hardee and Highlands, Sudzina said.

In each circuit, a State Attorneys Office oversees the prosecutions of criminal cases. The state attorney and public defender in each circuit are elected to four-year terms.

In his letter, Renner pointed to the language the Florida Supreme Court used in authorizing creation of the Sixth Court of Appeal. That court, based in Lakeland, began operations in January, adding to the five existing state appellate courts.

In forming the new court, the state revised the boundaries of three existing districts. Renner wrote that the main reason given for establishing a new court was to "promote public trust and confidence.

In his order, Muniz named the 14 members of the Judicial Circuit Assessment Committee. The panel includes judges, lawyers, a state attorney, a public defender and a clerk of court, collectively representing much of the state. Muniz appointed Stacy Butterfield, clerk of court for the 10th Judicial Circuit, to the committee, which is chaired by Jonathan Gerber, a judge from the Fourth District Court of Appeal.

Stacy Butterfield, clerk of court for the 10th Judicial Circuit, was chosen to be a part of the Judicial Circuit Assessment Committee, which will study a reconfiguration and consolidation of the state's judicial circuits.

It is an honor to be appointed to serve on this workgroup, Butterfield said in an emailed statement. It is good business practice and good government to periodically review operations to ensure full efficiency and effectiveness. I look forward to contributing to the groups work and providing thoughtful consideration and study of what will best serve our state.

The committee is scheduled to hold its first meeting Friday.

Muniz directed the committee to confer with chief judges and other court representatives, court budget commissions, The Florida Bar, the public and other justice system entities it deems appropriate. He ordered the panel to submit a report with recommendations by Dec. 1.

Sudzina said that he does not think judges in the 10th Judicial Circuit have strong opinions on the proposal.

We're certainly not complaining about the size or the workload in our circuit, he said. We just handle whatever cases are filed in our circuit. We were certainly not the impetus behind this study committee. I guess we'll all have to deal with the findings and results and if there are going to be any changes.

If the Supreme Court decides to consolidate judicial circuits, it would mean fewer state attorneys and public defenders. Brian Haas, state attorney for the 10th circuit, is up for re-election next year.

Sudzina said it seems unlikely that the 10th Circuit would be consolidated with either of its neighbors, which both cover metropolitan areas. The Ninth Circuit comprises Orange and Osceola counties (combined population of about 1.8 million), and the 13th Circuit is limited to Hillsborough (1.5 million).

It seems more conceivable that the 10th Judicial Circuit could pick up another county or two, such as Lake or DeSoto.

If we add a county or lose a county, we're just going to continue doing the work like we do every day, Sudzina said. So it really doesn't matter to us. I don't see any severe impact on our circuit.

Sudzina said that the 10th Circuit requested another circuit judge this year, as did other circuits. He said the Florida Legislature did not approve any additional judges.

If the Supreme Court chooses to consolidate any districts, that would mean a reduction in the number of state attorneys and public defenders. Brian Haas, the state attorney for the 10th Circuit, is up for re-election next year. Rex Dimmig, the public defender for the 10th Circuit, is not seeking re-election.

Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on Twitter @garywhite13.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Florida high court considers reducing state's judicial circuits
Ivan Fedorov, the legitimate mayor of temporarily occupied Melitopol, has said that the Ukrainian Defence Forces killed about 200 Russian occupiers and the Kremlin-appointed puppet leader of the city in Tokmak.

Source: Fedorov on Telegram

Quote from Fedorov: "Our Defence Forces have successfully worked on the occupiers' positions in Tokmak. Intelligence reports that the forging and stamping plant is done [struck  ed.], about 200 Russian invaders along with the city's commandant were killed, and FSB officers are panicking and taking their families out."

Details: Fedorov has joked that "according to the forecast, the heat will only get worse" and advised the Russian occupiers to "go to their swamps" because "it's safer there".

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!








This is a locator map for Pakistan with its capital, Islamabad, and the Kashmir region. (AP Photo) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP)  Assailants attacked Pakistani soldiers conducting an operation in a restive southwestern province, and three of the soldiers and two insurgents were killed, local officials and the military said Thursday.

The military said in a statement the shootout happened Wednesday in the Baluchistan district of Sui, where the countrys main pipelines of natural gas are located. It was unclear who was behind the attack, but suspicion is likely to fall on local separatist groups who have been blamed for previous such attacks.

Local officials said an operation to arrest those insurgents who fled after the shootout was underway.

The violence in Sui came hours after five militants attacked a security post in Zhob district in Baluchistan, killing nine soldiers. The military said those five attackers were killed.

Baluchistan has been the scene of a low-level insurgency by small separatist groups for more than two decades. Baluch nationalists initially wanted a share of the provincial resources, but later they initiated an insurgency for independence.

Though Pakistan says it has quelled the insurgency, the violence has continued in the province.
3 vie for open Richland school seat. This race could steer the boards direction

Richland School District voters will choose a new school board member this year after first-term member Semi Bird steps down to run for governor.

Its one of three races for the school board on the Aug. 1 primary ballot, which are due to begin arriving in mailboxes this week.

Three candidates have registered to run for the Director No. 3 seat: Nino Kapitula, Tony Gonzalez and Chelsie Beck.

One is a private school mother who wants to fight for more parental rights and classroom transparency. Another is a PNNL scientist and mother who wants to return the focus back to education.

And one candidate is an experienced school board member and grandfather passionate about education.

The top two candidates who receive the most votes during the Aug. 1 primary election will face off in the Nov. 7 general election.

The winner will be elected to a four-year term, and will play a significant role in influencing the direction of the five-person board, which has been starkly divided over a variety of issues in the past 18 months.

Richland voters will also decide on the same ballot whether or not three of its current school board members  Semi Bird, Audra Byrd and Kari Williams  should be removed from office for voting to defy Washingtons indoor mask mandate back in February 2022.

Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez is the only candidate in this race with previous experience in elected office, having served 10 years on the Grandview School Board.

During that time, he helped the school district pass bonds to build new elementary schools and hired a new superintendent.

He and his wife moved to West Richland five years ago to be closer to their four grandchildren, two of whom attend Richland schools.

He told the Tri-City Herald hes running to bring the focus back to basic education, to bring a collaborative approach to board decisions, to focus on security measures and to help the school district pass its bond next year to build a third high school.

Im not college educated, but I believe in the importance of quality education, said Gonzalez, 61, who works as a journeyman electrician at the Hanford site. My age sets me apart. Im experienced, Ive gained some wisdom, Ive been down that road. And I still have a passion for education.

Tony Gonzalez

Gonzalez is a Yakima Valley native, having graduated in 1980 from Mabton High School. His parents were farm workers who were always advocates of education.

After graduation, Gonzalez married his high school sweetheart and followed in his older brothers footsteps to become an electrician.

His family attends Bethel Church and he said faith remains a big driver in his life. He said he doesnt approve of the comprehensive sexual education referendum that 58% of Washington voters approved in 2020 and took effect in September.

If elected, he said he would consider future changes to the districts sex education curricula based on what is appropriate for our kids.

I would definitely look at it. And if it was something I believed would be an affront to kids, I wouldnt be in favor of it, he said.

The Richland School Board came on his radar about the time they made their vote to defy Washingtons indoor mask mandate.

He believes the board hasnt fully moved on and that tensions remain high.

I dont understand the timing of that decision, he said, noting that Washington state leaders were beginning a plan to lift the mandate. The significance of that decision would have been really minimal, but unfortunately it wasnt for a few of those board members because it caught the community by surprise.

His campaign has reported no cash contributions so far.

Read his voters pamphlet statement here: bit.ly/GonzalezRichland.

Chelsie Beck

Chelsie Beck, a chemist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, says her priorities include closing the achievement gap, fully funding special education and growing Richlands nascent dual language program.

She wants to return the focus back to education and help prepare our students for the future.

Im just a parent that cares about public education. I dont have any political agenda. I just want to ensure all kids have access to quality education, Beck, 34, told the Herald.

She has two kids, 11 and 9, who attend Richland schools. Beck is also endorsed by both the Richland Education Association and the Washington Education Association teachers unions.

I want the focus to be on education and I feel lately it hasnt been, Beck said.

Chelsie Beck

She grew up in Longview, Wash., where she attended Mark Morris High School and fell in love with chemistry.

Her appreciation for public education started out at a young age, watching her mother begin her career as a para educator before becoming a teacher and later a para educator administrator at the Prosser School District.

My whole life, Ive grown up going to school with her, she said.

After graduated high school in 2007 and went on to study chemistry at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, and later earn her masters and doctorate from Washington State University.

Shes lived in Richland for 11 years.

While many students may be getting STEM education at home from their parents, Beck said she believes having a variety of programs at school  such as Destination Imagination  can help students think critically and find subjects that theyre passionate about.

Beck said recent controversies on the school board partly influenced her to run. Shes adamant about following state guidelines and common course standards.

I support peoples right to vote on the recall, whichever way they see fit, she said.

Her campaign so far has reported $3,472 in cash contributions.

Read her voters pamphlet statement here: bit.ly/BeckRichland.

Nino Kapitula

Nino Kapitula is a longtime Tri-Citian and small business owner who is running to rebuild a broken trust in public education and instill more transparency in Richland schools.

She declined to be interviewed by the Herald, but provided written answers to questions submitted by email.

My unique life experience can bring clarity, leadership and insight needed to make decisions that will ensure confidence and rebuild trust in our schools, wrote Kapitula, 34.

She works as the director for project development and design at Providence Land LLC.

Her three children attend a private Christian school. She said she plans to enroll them in public school after theyve developed a Christian foundation and after the COVID pandemic.

If elected to the Richland School Board, Kapitulas priorities would be to defend parental rights, prioritize academic excellence and advocate for transparency and American values in schools.

She believes critical race theory  the belief and legal theory that the U.S. is inherently racist, something Kapitula describes as a heart and kindness issue  is being taught in Richland schools, and that OSPI provides racist curriculum and actively encourages discussions on social race wars in the classroom.

Nino Kapitula

Kapitula was born in Georgia and grew up in Moldova  one of Europes poorest nations  during the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Her father went missing at a young age and her mother was forced to raise Kapitula and her sisters as a single parent. Government corruption and instability impeded constantly on their way of life.

Major food shortages, electricity blackouts, no hot water and no central heat was a daily normal, she wrote. I stood in bread lines so we could eat.

Growing up as a child, she watched crime and violence rise in her home country. The Moldovan government had very little funds to pay teacher wages and support schools, she said, and higher education had little-to-no value at that time.

These events led her to develop a contrasted world view between her home country and the U.S. And at the age of 13, Kapitula and her family immigrated to America.

She went on to graduate from Pasco High School and developed a love for her new home.

Kapitula, who characterizes herself as a fighter, is endorsed by the Benton County Republican Party and the incumbent, Semi Bird. She serves as a precinct committee officer and says shes been a party supporter for many years.

Semi, Audra and Kari are brave and exceptional individuals, she wrote. They did what was best for our kids with no regard to self-preservation. Their position demands local control and they exercised their duty! It is what true leadership looks like!

To improve Richland test scores, Kapitula believes the district needs to uncover leaks, review and replace curriculum that doesnt work and that the district should solicit private intervention.

COVID-19 was difficult time for us all. Richland community is ready to focus on future. Rebuilding stronger should be our priority, she wrote.

Her campaign has so far reported $1,145 in cash contributions.

Read her voters pamphlet statement here: bit.ly/KapitulaRichland.

Primary election Aug. 1

The League of Women Voters of Benton-Franklin County is broadcasting candidate forum interviews, including with these candidates, on July 13 and 14.

Online voter registration is available through July 24. And Washington state voters have until 8 p.m. on election day to register and vote in-person at their local auditors office.

Elected school board positions are unpaid and meetings are usually long. The boards primary job is to hire and evaluate the superintendent, set the vision of the district, review and adopt policies, and pass its annual or biannual budget.

Tri-City school boards could see large turnover this cycle. Each of the big three districts  Kennewick, Richland and Pasco  have a majority of their seats up for reelection this year.

But only the Richland School Board attracted enough candidates to qualify all of its seats for the August primary election.
There are 350 households in Tarrant and Parker counties that have rental assistance to pay for a place to live, but cant find a landlord to accept them.

Tara Perez, who oversees Directions Home, a Fort Worth program that focuses on housing and homelessness, cited the number at a recent forum and said 78% of landlords in Fort Worth dont accept rental assistance.

As Fort Worth grapples with a growing homeless population, leaders pointed to the challenge of trying to house people when landlords are unwilling to accept the housing vouchers that would pay their rent and get them out of homelessness and into a permanent home.

After a dramatic decrease in homelessness during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the population of people without a permanent home has grown by 22% in 2023, according to data from the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition. Homelessness prevention groups got an influx of federal funding in 2020 and 2021, and a federal eviction moratorium helped protect some families from losing heir home. The homeless coalition wrote in their annual report that the incredible influx of homeless prevention funding kept people housed and met a great need in our community.

But now that those resources are no longer available and the eviction moratorium is no longer in place, more people are losing their homes and finding themselves without a place to live. In Texas, landlords are legally allowed to decline renters who have housing vouchers as their method of paying for housing.

The Tarrant County Homeless Coalition has recruited more than 50 landlords who are willing to accept housing vouchers and to house people who might have former eviction on their record, according to the annual report, and is working on growing the number of landlords who will house people who have experienced homelessness.

There are multiple types of vouchers that can help people experiencing homelessness pay for rent. One type of voucher in particular has been found to be particularly effective in reducing homelessness: A study published in 2018 examined different types of interventions to address homelessness, and found that long-term rent subsidies reduced homelessness and food insecurity, according to the research. The other interventions had little effect.
The sprouts on this burger could be more harmful than the beef, as long as the meat is cooked to the proper temperature.

The sprouts on this burger could be more harmful than the beef, as long as the meat is cooked to the proper temperature.

Many diners steer clear of shellfish at restaurants, fueled by a fear of spending the night hunched over the porcelain throne. But are they missing out on the best paella of their lives for no good reason, or are their fears justified?

HuffPost spoke with food safety experts about the foods they avoid when they eat out and why you might also want to.

Steak Tartare

A favorite of fancy French bistros, steak tartare is raw ground steak mixed with shallots, capers, olive oil, mustard and a raw egg on top. If it sounds like a food safety experts nightmare, it is.

Home cooks know to cook ground beef to 160 degrees Fahrenheit before eating it to prevent foodborne illness, and theres a good reason. Beef is produced in such a way that during the slaughtering process, its inevitable that some of the fecal material within the animals intestines has touched or spread onto the raw meat, said Bryan Quoc Le, a food scientist and author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered.

Normally, the butchered meat is disinfected with a number of sanitizing compounds, he explained. But some pathogenic microorganisms found in the intestines of cattle, such as E. coli subvariant O157:H7, are very resistant to these treatments. According to Le, it takes only a few cells of a pathogen like E. coli to survive to cause a foodborne illness, which is why cooking beef is essential to killing all potential pathogens.

Ensuring that this dish of raw meat doesnt make everyone sick comes down to trusting the establishment to prepare it safely. Martin Bucknavage, the senior food safety extension associate at Penn State Department of Food Science, explained, It is not that I dislike it, but it does have a higher risk of contamination from bacterial pathogens such as pathogenic E. coli. One really puts a lot of faith into the restaurant that they have prepared it in a way to eliminate any of these pathogens.

Raw Sprouts

Often stuffed in sandwiches and wraps to add a crunch or used as a garnish on a beautifully plated entree, raw sprouts like alfalfa, clover, mung and bean sprouts have been linked to many food poisoning outbreaks.

How come these little leafy veggies cause so much damage? Sprouts are grown from non-sterile seeds that carry microbial spores or colonies, which are kept in a moist environment at a temperature of 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, Le told HuffPost. As this is well above refrigeration conditions, these temperatures allow microorganisms to grow fairly rapidly. They are sprouted in soil or a porous material such as coconut coir, peat moss or perlite. These are also not sterile materials. A number of pathogens can grow, including salmonella, E. coli and listeria. Because it can take up to three to four days to complete the sprouting process, the cell counts for these microorganisms can reach billions.

Washing the sprouts doesnt remove the microorganisms that can cause foodborne illness. Instead, cook sprouts to kill any bacteria, though this diminishes their crisp and fresh texture.

Raw oysters can accumulate a high amount of bacteria and viruses because they're bottom feeders.

Raw oysters can accumulate a high amount of bacteria and viruses because they're bottom feeders.

Raw Shellfish, Specifically Oysters

Long associated with aphrodisiac properties for lovers, these shellfish are on the no-no list for food safety experts, especially when consumed raw. They tend to be scavengers or bottom feeders and can concentrate a high amount of bacteria, viruses and other contaminants, Le told HuffPost. In 1995, one particular outbreak saw 84 people get sick with the Norwalk virus after consuming raw oysters, and the study cited the likely cause thusly: This outbreak was caused by contamination of oysters in the oyster bed, probably by stool from one or more ill harvesters.

Another major issue with shellfish is vibriosis, an illness that comes from Vibrio bacteria. Especially pernicious, this bacteria lives in coastal water and is in its highest concentration during part of the oyster harvesting season. People can become infected with vibriosis by eating raw oysters or shellfish, and it can have serious consequences like requiring amputation of limbs.

Improper handling of raw oysters by restaurant staff, including poor temperature control (not keeping raw shellfish cold enough), can encourage pathogen growth in shellfish. For this reason, Bucknavage focuses more on the establishment than food items. I look for restaurants that are clean and well run, have good online ratings and good inspection results, he said. When there are outbreaks, it is more about failure in proper procedures of the establishment.

Raw Milk

This is the only contraband item on our list. The federal government prohibits distribution of raw milk across state lines, and its illegal to consume in 23 states. But in some states, like California and South Carolina, unpasteurized milk is on the menu, and its a concern for the food safety experts we interviewed.

Ellen Shumaker, director of outreach and extension for Safe Plates at North Carolina State University, explained of raw milk, Because it has not been pasteurized, bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter and listeria have a high likelihood of being present.

Raw milk proponents argue that pasteurization kills beneficial enzymes and nutrients, but that isnt true. Instead, pasteurization, the process of heating milk and holding it at that high heat for a period, kills pathogens that can cause paralysis, kidney failure and even death.

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.  At least four people were injured Wednesday afternoon after an Allegiant flight en route to the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport encountered severe turbulence over north-central Florida.

Allegiant Air said flight 227 from Asheville, North Carolina, to St. Petersburg, Florida, experienced severe turbulence before landing.

The encounter did not prevent the plane from making it to its scheduled destination, and it was able to taxi to the gate under its own power.

HERES WHAT CAUSES TURBULENCE AND WHY YOU SHOULDNT BE AFRAID OF IT

"Airport paramedics met the plane to assess two passengers and two flight attendants for injuries. They were transported to the hospital for further evaluation," an Allegiant Air spokesperson stated.

One of the 179 passengers who was aboard the flight told FOX13 that the situation resembled something out of the Matrix.

"The flight attendant floated up to the ceiling, then slammed to the ground," the passenger said.

None of the injuries were considered to be life-threatening, and there were no initial reports of damage to the aircraft.

LIGHTNING STRIKES ON AIRPLANES CAN BE SCARY - JUST ASK MILEY CYRUS

Allegiant Air said flight 227 en route from Asheville, North Carolina, to St. Petersburg Clearwater, Florida, experienced severe turbulence before landing.

According to the National Weather Service office that services the Tampa region, they did not receive any other reports of pilots experiencing significant turbulence over Central Florida.

A NWS meteorologist said there were plenty of thunderstorms on radar at the time of the incident, but the convection was not severe and likely wouldnt have impacted air traffic flying over 25,000 feet.

Allegiant said the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the incident and providing future updates.
42-year-old daughter sets fire to parents house after they get in fight, CA cops say

A woman is accused of setting fire to her parents home after an argument, according to a California sheriffs department.

Deputies and firefighters arrived on scene on Wednesday, July 12, after a report of smoke coming from an Encinitas home, the San Diego County Sheriffs Department said in a news release.

Deputies and firefighters put out the small fire, containing it to one room of the home, the sheriffs department said.

No one was at home at the time of the fire, which caused moderate smoke damage to the home, deputies said.

Investigators and firefighters thought the fire seemed suspicious, the sheriffs department said.

Through investigation, deputies said detectives determined the fire was caused by arson. They also learned the homeowners had an argument with their daughter earlier that day.

Deputies said they found the daughter hiding a couple blocks away from her parents home hours later.

She was arrested on counts of arson, elder abuse and violation of a restraining order, the sheriffs department said. The woman is being held on $160,000 bail and is expected to appear in court on July 14, according to online jail records.

Encinitas is about 30 miles northwest of San Diego.

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The El Paso Police Department announced the arrests of five of its officers in connection with three separate cases, including a hit-and-run cover-up, domestic violence and a sexual assault five years ago.

The arrests follow investigations by the Special Traffic Investigations Unit into the hit-and-run and the Special Investigations Unit, which handles criminal inquiries involving law enforcement and government officials. Police announced the arrests Wednesday evening.

The officers were all off duty when the alleged crimes occurred, police said in news releases.

"The El Paso Police Department takes all misconduct allegations seriously and will work diligently to investigate all claims against its personnel. The department remains committed to upholding the highest standards ofprofessionalism and integrity in performing its duties," the department said in a statement.

Longtime El Paso police officer arrested in sexual assault case

Detectives with the Special Investigations Unit arrested Guadalupe Sosa on Friday, July 7, on allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman while off duty in April 2018.

During the investigation, detectives "obtained information to support the allegations of sexual assault" made by the woman against Sosa and obtained a warrant for his arrest, police said in a statement.

Guadalupe Sosa

Sosa, who has been with the department for 15 years, was arrested Friday at El Paso Police Headquarters on a charge of sexual assault. He was booked via fast-track booking and released that same day on a $30,000 bond, according to an El Paso County Jail log.

Last month, Sosa was arrested on a charge of breach of computer security for allegedly looking up information on a police database last year on an ex-girlfriend and a man he had seen with her.

Courts: 'He did wrong': El Paso student files $1 million lawsuit in police sex assault case

Jail records show Sosa was arrested on June 17 and released on a $5,000 bond after being processed on fast-track booking in the computer breach case. Fast-track booking is a program in which a person who is arrested is processed into jail, pays bond and is released without having to spend time in jail.

The Police Department has begun the process to fire Sosa, who has been relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave for the remainder of the termination process, officials said.

Witnesses stop El Paso police officer accused of assaulting woman

Police arrested Joshua Anthony Gallardo, who was off duty, after patrol officers responded to a call of a domestic-violence assault in progress early Sunday near Montwood High School in far East El Paso.

Gallardo and a woman had just left a bar when he allegedly began hitting and choking the woman at the intersection of Montwood and Firehouse drives, police said. Passersby stopped to help the woman and detained Gallardo until police arrived.

Joshua Anthony Gallardo

Officers took Gallardo into custody and notified the Special Investigations Unit.

Civil rights lawsuit: 'My grief is the same': El Paso to pay $600,000 in hanging death of man shocked by police

Gallardo was booked on a charge of assault family violence impeding breath, officials said. He was released on a $7,500 bond from the El Paso County Jail that same day.

Gallardo, who has been with the Police Department for nearly three years, has been placed on administrative duty.

A suspected hit-and-run, an alleged cover-up

Two officers were arrested last week after being accused of helping another off-duty officer leave after a hit-and-run when he crashed into a pair of parked cars four months ago.

Isaac Menchaca is accused of hitting two parked vehicles on March 5 in the 3600 block of East Yandell Drive near Concordia Cemetery in Central El Paso, officials said.

Isaac Menchaca

An investigation found that fellow officers Enrique David Mendoza and Aaron Poblano arrived after the crash and assisted Menchaca in leaving the scene, officials said. Mendoza and Poblano also were off duty at the time.

Crime: El Paso police investigate shooting in South-Central, hit-and-run crash

The Special Traffic Investigations Unit investigated the hit-and-run crash leading to the arrest of Menchaca a month later on charges of "duty on striking an unattended vehicle" and accident involving damage.

Texas law requires a driver who hits an unattended vehicle to stop, find and give the vehicle's owner their name and address. If the owner of the unattended vehicle is not around, then the driver must leave a note with their name and address.

Enrique David Mendoza

The El Paso District Attorney's Office reviewed the case and warrants were issued for Mendoza and Poblano, who were arrested July 6 on misdemeanor charges of interference with public duties, a police news release stated.

Menchaca is out of jail on a $2,000 bond on each charge. Poblano and Mendoza were each released on a $1,000 bond via fast-track booking, according to jail records.

Nation: Behind the Blue Wall of Silence series by USA Today

Aaron Poblano

Menchaca has more than two years with the El Paso Police Department, Poblano has more than three years, and Mendoza has more than six years, officials said. All three have been placed on administrative duty.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso police officers arrested in misconduct, criminal cases
5 things to know about the growing fight over ESG

Democrats and Republicans attacked each other as opponents of free markets in a contentious hearing Wednesday concerning proposals that would require companies to disclose climate-related information.

The hearing marked the beginning of a series that will be held by the GOP-controlled House Financial Services Committee taking aim at environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing.

The once-arcane financial philosophy, which is built on the idea that investors have a right to information about companies beyond the strictly financial due to the impact other factors can have on business, has increasingly come under fire from Republicans.

Since the party assumed control of the House in January, GOP-led committees have held repeated hearings attacking ESG investing.

The target of Wednesdays hearing was the federal government  specifically, financial regulations proposed by the Biden administration that seek to facilitate ESG investors by requiring companies to disclose information related to a companys impacts on climate change, as well as the risks it faces from extreme weather.

While none of these bills are likely to make it through a Democratic-controlled Senate, the hearings served to advertise the GOPs priorities should it retake control of the upper chamber  or the presidency.

Here are five things to know about the fight over ESG.

Both sides attacked each other as anti-capitalist

At an event following the hearings, Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) said the GOP wants to ignore popular demands for climate action because Ive got this industry, which is unable to compete in a competitive market. And I want to force you to put your capital there.

Thats not free markets. That aint capitalism. That is stupidity, he added, noting the argument was particularly ironic coming from the party of Ronald Reagan.

And Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) repeatedly compared Republican attacks on ESG to the Socialist Workers Party of Communist revolutionary Leon Trotsky, who sought to overthrow the global capitalist system.

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) countered such arguments during Wednesdays hearing by contending that regulations facilitating ESG investing would themselves be anti-capitalist.

I find it very interesting that we were accused in the very beginning of this hearing of driving a political agenda, Sessions said.

We know who the political agenda is because free markets like to make their own decisions. And people who are investors like to invest in what will gain them what theyre after. And when its driven by the government, I think we make a mistake.

But Democrats argued that anti-ESG rules made it functionally impossible for environmentally conscious investors to invest according to their values.

Without rigorous disclosure of ESG information, I dont know how you can make a decision about an investment if you dont have that information, said Keith Ellison, a former committee member turned Minnesota attorney general who was called as a witness by the Democrats.

Republicans focused their attacks on the federal government

At past anti-ESG hearings held by the party, GOP lawmakers have often focused their ire on corporate asset managers like BlackRock and State Street  third-party investors who manage trillions of dollars in index and pension funds and have been principal proponents of ESG disclosures.

But at Wednesdays hearing, Republicans and the experts they called kept circling back to their principal target: federal financial regulators at agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

These agencies policies requiring climate disclosures are the real threat, said witness Benjamin Zycher of the right-wing American Enterprise Institute.

I urge Congress not to focus on the large asset managers  however silly their public pronouncements, Zycher said.

I urge Congress instead to reform the SEC regulatory framework I urge Congress to enact legislation restraining the efforts of regulatory agencies to pursue climate policies not authorized in the law  and justified on the basis of fundamentally dishonest benefit cost analysis.

GOP lawmakers repeatedly insisted they were not opposed to ESG investing  but that any climate disclosures should be voluntary, not required. Democrats argued that voluntary disclosure policies were inconsistent, unreliable and hard for investors to use  and that national-level financial rules proposed by federal regulators were the only way to generate rigorous data.

Devolving the responsibility of setting such rules to the states would create a race to the bottom, Sherman said.

The California representative noted that this wasnt only a problem for environmental factors  the E of ESG  but for the control of corporate boards by their shareholders. (That governance factor is part of the G of ESG.)

The California representative outlined a system in which a companys board goes to the tax haven state of Delaware, and theyll agree to pay some fees as long as [state regulators] give them rules to make it clear that shareholders cant tell the board what to do. And then if Delaware wont do that, you go to Wyoming, and if they wont you go to North Dakota.

If were going to have shareholder democracy, he concluded, it has to be protected by the SEC.

The fight hinges on an argument about costs

Republicans argued that consideration of any non-financial factors  like a companys exposure to climate risk  by third-party asset managers handling pension funds is inherently at odds with what they say should be a financial firms top priority: yielding maximum returns for shareholders.

On Wednesday, GOP lawmakers homed in on a proposed rule from the SEC that would require businesses to report their carbon emissions  though to what extent remains unclear  as well as the climate risks they face.

For Republicans, this was anathema.

This misguided approach has  increased costs and burdens for those participating in U.S. public markets, Financial Services Committee Chairman Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) said in Wednesdays hearing.

These politically motivated regulations not only discourage private companies from going public, but also hinder the competitiveness of American public companies.

But Democrats said this accounting of costs missed the bigger impacts of the climate and social issues ESG investing considers.

Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) argued that if ESG had been invented in the 1990s, it could have spared America the de-industrialization caused by offshoring of industry.

Maybe it is cheaper  and it can raise up your bottom line  to use our 13-year-old to clean the killing floors in your slaughterhouse, he said.

But maybe that is so outside of our values and something we wont do that just to make some more bucks. I think these things are to be considered, should be factored in.

Ellison, meanwhile, argued that Republicans view of cost left out the impact of climate disasters, which scientific consensus shows are made more likely and more severe by the rising levels of greenhouse gases dumped into the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels.

Republicans contend ESG would do little to help the climate

Republicans and Democrats clashed over whether the climate disclosure requirements that ESG investors demand would benefit the U.S.  or impact the climate.

The climate effects are literally zero, said Zycher of the conservative American Enterprise Institute.

A single firms emissions cannot possibly have measurable climate effects and thus would have no impacts on prospective returns on investments, he said.

Democrats countered that considering ESG factors  which the disclosure rules would facilitate  translates to better returns for investors and that investors are asking for this material to help avoid risk.

ESG is data, Ellison said, and data shows a positive correlation between ESG principles and returns on equity.

The Minnesota attorney general charged that the campaign against ESG and climate disclosure was a rear-guard action in defense of one industry in particular, the fossil fuel industry, that bears so much responsibility for costs of climate change, and has waged a decades-long campaign of deception to deflect [climate action].

In the arguments over the disclosure rule, lawmakers and experts from the two parties were separated by a yawning gap over their belief in the benefits of the broader Biden administration climate policy, of which its backing of ESG disclosure rules is one aspect.

The administration has advocated that the country reach net zero  a state in which carbon emissions are balanced by carbon pulled from the atmosphere  by 2050.

On a global scale, this is a conservative position in that the U.K. Conservative Party was the first national legislature to pass such a policy, and its one that many climate groups are skeptical of, characterizing it as a potential excuse for delaying necessary action for decades. (A recent report by two analysts at the London School of Economics suggest that the Tory-led U.K. is doing just that.)

Republicans argued that this effort was, in a word, worthless.

The Biden administrations net-zero proposal would  using the EPA climate model  reduce global temperatures near 2100 by 0.17 percent, Zycher said.

That number comes from a report released Monday by the right-wing Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), which sought to calculate the impacts on the climate if the United States moves off carbon by 2050  and the rest of the world does not.

But the TPPF scenario is one that climate scientists see as implausible, because they say climate action will either involve a global effort  or a global refusal to make one. Its not a good faith argument because it buys into the single-actor fallacy  the notion that any one nation can solve on its own a problem that requires international cooperation, University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann told The Hill.

The U.S.s role as the largest historical contributor to climate change makes it easier for the rest of the world not to act if it does not take the lead, he said. If the U.S. fails to lead here, then other nations who have less of a legacy in having contributed to the problem have an excuse for inaction themselves.

Texas Public Policy Foundation President Jason Isaac, however, dismissed the idea that there was any broader benefit to America leading on ESG, or on climate in general.

Why us? he asked. We did more about this than anybody else in the other direction. Were a world leader in environmental protection and were a world leader in clean air. Weve done more on environmental leadership than anyone else.

The anti-ESG campaign is having an effect  though not on federal legislation

With control of Congress divided, the Republican campaign against climate disclosures is unlikely to lead to any near-term legislation.

But its having other impacts, proponents argue.

The broader campaign by state legislatures and attorneys general  not to mention the House  has pushed many large Wall Street banks to quietly retreat from a leading climate coalition, the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero.

For many big Wall Street banks, the American rights attack on ESG has gotten sufficiently severe to constitute a risk in its own right, The Financial Times reported  and one that is sufficiently serious that they now feel obligated to disclose it to investors.

The fear of being sued over energy discrimination is making ESG a four-letter word in the financial industry, Isaac of TPPF told The Hill.

Some are reversing their positions, which I think is great, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Johana Barboza, from left, Franceska Betancourt and Maria Gomez, with her son Jesus Palma, 4, speak at Chicago City Hall on July 12, 2023, as migrants protest their living conditions in a Pilsen shelter. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

It took a lot for Maura Falcon, an asylum-seeker and mother, to speak up about the mistreatment and concerns that she says she has been experiencing at the makeshift shelter where she has been living since arriving in Chicago from Venezuela. Initially, she said, she was just grateful to have a place to sleep and warm food, but three months later, things have changed.

At the volunteer-run shelter in Pilsen, asylum-seekers were promised safety and help to settle in the city in early May. But efforts stagnated and the shelter is troubled, say some of the migrants living there.

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On Wednesday morning, Falcon and a group of mostly migrant mothers went to City Hall and attempted to deliver a handwritten letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson, in which they detailed their concerns and living conditions. Those included prohibiting children from drinking bottled water and eating fresh food donations; forcing asylum-seekers, including a family, out of the shelter without a place to go after alleged rule violations; and failing to provide guidance to find permanent housing.

But many are scared to speak because we have nowhere else to go, Falcon said. Es lo mismo que alla, opinas y te meten preso, she added, explaining that she feels oppressed like she did in her native country of Venezuela, where if she spoke up, she could end up in jail.

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The allegations of mistreatment from volunteers at the Pilsen shelter are just the latest in complaints from migrants and their advocates, who have spoke about the inhumane living conditions at some of the city-run shelters. Most recently, the Chicago Police Department is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct by at least one officer involving a migrant housed at a West Side police station.

The Pilsen shelter is overseen by Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, who said the complaints are misleading and that the migrants choosing to vocalize their concerns have been galvanized by politically motivated individuals who are using the migrants vulnerability for self-gain.

The group of mothers has shared concerns in the past, and they were guided to City Hall by Juan Aguirre, a former volunteer who was banned from the shelter for inappropriate behavior, Sigcho-Lopez said.

Aguirre said he only responded to the migrants request for help.

Members of the group said they had raised concerns with Lucia Moya, the chief of staff of the 25th Ward, several times over the past months, but no one does anything, Falcon said. Thats why were here.

In the letter, the residents of the shelter also denounced staff members who they say often threaten them with being forced out if they speak up, and use defensive and aggressive behavior.

In a meeting with Moya in late May, several migrants raised concerns about their future at the shelter and mistreatment from some of the volunteers. At the time, Moya told the group that those volunteers would be removed and also assured them that Sigcho-Lopezs office was working to connect them to the services available to them.

Falcon said that at the time, the group remained hopeful. But recently, turmoil escalated once again, when several altercations took place between volunteers and migrants after asylum-seekers were told to leave the shelter after violating shelter rules and a domestic argument, according to testimonies from asylum-seekers, videos and documentation obtained by the Tribune.

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The altercations, often involving yelling, are traumatic for the children, Falcon said.

Johana Barboza and other migrants protest July 12, 2023, at Chicago City Hall about their living conditions in a Pilsen shelter. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Children attend a birthday celebration in a temporary migrant shelter in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood on May 21, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Francheska Karolisi Betancourt was given a notice of relocation for failure to uphold the fundamental rules of the shelter, according to a document she was provided.

The document lists Betancourts violations, including violating curfew several times and substance use outside of the shelter at night. But Betancourt said she has children and does not agree that her behavior merits her removal from the space.

We are thankful to have the space and for all the help, but the way we are being treated is not fair, Betancourt said.

In an emailed statement, Moya said that the team administering the shelter has met with different stakeholders to provide resources such as medical care, workshops and training to address the migrants concerns. She added that volunteers go through an onboarding process that includes trauma-informed training by licensed practitioners that can help de-escalate a situation and respond appropriately.

Moya added that the residents receive hot meals daily and have been advised to drink water from the water fountain after Chicago Department of Public Health determined that it was safe to drink. She also detailed a list of benefits residents can apply for including Medicaid and Link applications through special visits from the Illinois Department of Human Services.

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In the first 30 days, the property owners replaced all water pipes and a lead test was completed via CDPH where it resulted that the water was safe to drink. We advise residents that due to sustainability and cost, water bottles could not be provided everyday but were reassured that the tap water was safe to drink, Moya wrote.

Johana Barboza, another mother who went to City Hall on Wednesday morning, said her main concern was the lack of guidance from staffers on how to leave the shelter and rent an apartment, even after getting a job.

Ive asked several times and get nothing back, she said in Spanish.

Moya said the shelter has made rental assistance from the city and state available. But unfortunately many did not qualify because they need proof of income and unfortunately they are not authorized to work without any work visa, Moya wrote.

The misunderstanding may be because government employees are telling them they do not qualify, they may feel as though it is our choice to not help them, Moya added.

Sigcho-Lopez and the volunteers in the 25th Ward have been recognized for their efforts to help house new arrivals with dignity when the city and state failed to do so, setting up the shelter for migrants who were staying in the 12th District police station when no other agency did.

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There, migrants gained access to air mattresses, hot showers and daily meals. They were also connected to other local organizations that provided them with other necessities, including school enrollment, access to medical care and more.

Ricky Flores and Delilah Martinez are two volunteers who have not left the asylum-seekers side since they began helping to establish the shelter. Flores said migrants often go to him when they are in need or distressed. Though theres a need for structure, he said, most people do the good work.

Martinez said she can attest to the great heart that volunteers have, at the shelter. But she also advocated for the proper funding of the shelter to ensure that it runs smoothly and safely for the migrants. Martinez said the allegations from the migrants should be a cry for help for city leaders to properly fund the volunteer-run shelters that have provided the asylum-seekers with help when the government could not.

Regardless of the allegations, they dont plan to stop helping. Instead, the two believe there needs to be better communication and transparency with the migrants.

At City Hall, a representative of Johnsons office accepted the letter and spoke to the migrants who attempted to deliver it, Johnsons deputy chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, told the Tribune.

We heard them out. We want to honor their right to peacefully demonstrate and to raise their concerns, and hear them out and try to understand what resources we can direct them to while staying at this volunteer-run shelter, she said.

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Because it is not a city-run shelter, theres nothing that we can do, she said.

Pacione-Zayas said the mayors office is still working on crafting a document, expected to be finished at the end of the month, that would help determine volunteer-run shelters eligibility to be city-sanctioned after applying, she said.

But at this point, these are allegations, she said.

larodriguez@chicagotribune.com
Here are the 70 House Republicans who voted to cut off all US military aid to Ukraine

Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, seen here at a press conference in March 23, sponsored the amendment to the annual defense bill. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Rep. Matt Gaetz offered an amendment to the annual defense bill to cut off all military aid to Ukraine.

The measure easily failed  but 70 House Republicans voted for it.

It offered the clearest sign yet of which lawmakers support ending all aid to the besieged country.

70 House Republicans voted in favor of an amendment to the country's annual defense bill that would have cut off all US military aid to Ukraine.

"Notwithstanding any provision of this or any other Act, no federal funds may be made available to provide security assistance to Ukraine," reads the one-sentence amendment, one of the dozens offered by hard-right Republicans that lawmakers voted on over the course of Thursday evening.

The amendment easily failed by a 358-70 margin, with all Democrats and a majority of Republicans opposing the measure.

But the vote count offered the starkest indication yet of where House Republicans stand on sending military aid to the besieged European nation, which has defended itself against a Russian invasion since February 2022 with the help of tens of billions of dollars in US aid.

Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, the sponsor of the amendment, acknowledged during the floor debate on the measure earlier on Thursday that the purpose of offering the measure was primarily to put lawmakers on record.

"My amendment is going to lose overwhelmingly when it is put up for a vote," said Gaetz. "But the American people will see who wants to represent them, and who wants to represent Crimea."

Many of the 70 lawmakers who ultimately voted for the amendment are members of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, including Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Chip Roy of Texas.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor of Georgia, who was recently booted from the hard-right caucus, also voted for the measure.

Beyond Gaetz, many on the right have argued that it is not in the United States' interest to support Ukraine, saying that lawmakers should focus greater attention on domestic issues. Dozens of Republican lawmakers have voted against aid to Ukraine in the past, and former President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to curtail US involvement in the war.

Even House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, though generally supportive of US assistance to Ukraine, has at times sought to accommodate those in his party who are skeptical, saying he does not support providing a "blank check" to the country.

Democrats, by contrast, have largely stood behind the Biden administration's approach to the war, though the recent decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine has drawn outcry from some progressive lawmakers.

Below is a complete list of the 70 Republicans who voted for the amendment, according to the House Clerk.

The 70 House Republicans who voted to cut off US military aid to Ukraine. Office of the Clerk, US House of Representatives

Read the original article on Business Insider
Cruise ship passengers arrived in the Faroe Islands as dozens of whales were killed as part of a traditional hunt, the cruise line confirmed Thursday.

Ambassador Cruise Line apologized to the passengers of the ship Ambition. Passengers were there as 78 pilot whales, which are techncally one of the largest members of the dolphin family, were killed in the port area on Sunday.

Hunting whales and dolphins is a common and regulated practice in the islands, which are a self-governing, semi-autonomous region of Denmark. The local government describes the pilot whale hunt, also known as "grind," as "an ancient and integral part of Faroese food culture."

"We strongly object to this outdated practice and have been working with our partner, ORCA, the marine conservation charity dedicated to studying and protecting whales, dolphins and porpoises in UK and European waters, to encourage change since 2021," a spokesperson for the cruise line said.

The killing of more than 1,400 dolphins in the region sparked outrage in 2021. At the time, the chairman of the Faroese Whalers Association told the BBC that while the number of dolphins killed was excessive, it was accidental.

"It was a big mistake," he told the BBC. "When the pod was found, they estimated it to be only 200 dolphins."

The Faroese catch an average of 600 pilot whales annually, according to government data. From 2000 to 2020, no more than 773 white-sided dolphins were caught in a single year.

Fishermen on a boat drive pilot whales towards the shore during a hunt on May 29, 2019 in Torshavn, Faroe Islands. / Credit: ANDRIJA ILIC/AFP via Getty Images

"Whaling in the Faroe Islands is conducted in accordance with international law and globally recognized principles of sustainable development," according to the island's government website. "It is sustainable and fully regulated, with a strong emphasis on animal welfare, and a requirement today for participants to be licensed to use the mandatory methods and equipment. Whale drives only take place in bays that are officially approved for the purpose, and only schools of whales found in close proximity to land, usually within one nautical mile, are driven ashore."

Whatever is caught during the hunt is distributed to island residents for free.

Ambassador Cruise Lne said the company told "guests and crew not to buy or eat any whale or dolphin meat and stand against any profiteering from commercial whaling and dolphin hunts."

Conservationists from ORCA were on board the shp as it arrived in the Faroe Islands. According to the organization, small boats and jet skies were used to herd the pilot whales into shallow waters. The whales were hauled ashore and killed.

"It defies belief that the Faroese authorities allowed this activity to take place in clear sight of a cruise ship packed with passengers sitting in dock," ORCA CEO Sally Hamilton said. "On one hand, they promote their pristine environment and spectacular wildlife while simultaneously wielding gaff hooks and lances to kill whales and dolphins. It's almost as if they are flaunting the hunt and taunting the tourists."

Long-finned pilot whales live 35-60 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They grow to be 19-25 feet long and weigh 2,900 to 5,000 pounds. The species is threatened by whaling, entanglement in fishing gear, disease and contaminants in ocean waters, NOAA says.

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As 988 crisis line marks one year, many Americans still dont know about it

More than 4 million people have called the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline since it launched last July. But a new poll from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found that 82 percent of Americans remain unaware of the 911 alternative for mental health crises.

The Hill hosted a discussion with lawmakers, mental health experts and advocates Thursday about increasing awareness and capacity of the hotline.

Thus far, the Biden-Harris administration has invested $1 billion in the effort, much of which has gone into hiring crisis counselors and developing systems of support at the local and state levels, Department of Health and Human Services officials told CNN. Now, Hannah Wesolowski, NAMIs chief advocacy officer, told The Hills Bob Cusack she is looking for funding dedicated to raising awareness.

One point that often gets lost is that there has not been appropriations for an awareness campaign, so we cant be surprised that awareness is low when we havent really invested in that wide-scale research and promotion, Wesolowski said.

Wesolowski compared the potential campaign to smoking cessation campaigns, which required around $50 million to $100 million to save lives  though she said anything would have an impact.

Thursdays event, Dialing into Mental Health: One Year of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, was sponsored by NAMI.

Aside from raising awareness, policymakers and partners also need to build trust in the hotline, said Adrienne Breidenstine, vice president of policy and communication at Behavioral Health System Baltimore.

In central Maryland, the system launched a 988 ambassadors program in which they work directly with trusted leaders in the community, aiming to create a snowball effect to spread the word that the hotline is a safe and reliable resource.

Even then, Breidenstine said it will probably take 10 to 20 years for a culture shift in which everyone knows they dont have to call 911 when it comes to mental health.

While Baltimore has made some gains  decreasing their 988 response time to 10 seconds  Wesolowski said consistency across the country would be a challenge.

Its going to be hard to tell people what to expect when they contact 988, Wesolowski said. For some people, the only in-person response that might be available might be police or EMS, it might not be a mobile crisis team made up of behavioral health responders.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) added that its also important to bolster mental health services available to people after they make the call.

The Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act, which she co-sponsored, would help facilitate the nationwide adoption of programs and services, such as behavioral health urgent care facilities and 23-hour crisis stabilization and observation beds.

Its one thing to have the 988 hotline but if you dont have services to put them into, what do you do? Cortez Masto said. That, to me, is the essential part of all of this.

Washington state House Speaker Pro Tempore Tina Orwall (D) shared a story about the potential impact of the crisis line.

Having just lost his wife to cancer and struggling with PTSD, a veteran had remembered seeing something about calling 988 for mental health crises, so he picked up the phone and dialed. He recalled the woman on the other end speaking in a soft tone and telling him everything he needed to hear.

Shell never know that she saved my life, but she did, the veteran told Orwall.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The union representing Hollywood film and television actors voted Thursday to join screenwriters in their monthslong strike on studio productions, making it the first joint picket since 1960.

The national board of the Screen Actors Guild  American Federation of Television and Radio Artists voted unanimously for a midnight strike order amid shattered contract negotiations, union leaders announced Thursday. Come Friday morning, 160,000 television and movie actions will hit the picket lines.

It came with great sadness that we came to this crossroads, but we had no choice, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said at a news conference in Los Angeles. I am shocked by the way the people that we have been in business with are treating us. I cannot believe it, quite frankly, how far apart we are.

Drescher said she felt encouraged and thought a strike could be dodged at the start of negotiations. Speaking passionately about the situation Thursday, she made clear that the union still stands in strong opposition to the studios on crucial matters, including the threat of job displacement by artificial intelligence and higher residuals for streaming shows.

This is a moment of history, a moment of truth. If we dont stand tall right now, we are all going to be in trouble, she said. We are all going to be in jeopardy of being replaced by machines and big business who care more about Wall Street than you and your family.

Chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland expressed uncertainty over the duration of the strike, sharing that the response from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has been less than favorable.

Last night, we told the AMPTP directly across the table were ready, willing, and able to return to the negotiating table whenever theyre ready to do so, he said. We were then later informed that it would probably be a while.

On Wednesday night, SAG-AFTRAs deadline for negotiations passed without reaching a contract agreement with the AMPTP, setting the stage for the guild vote.



The AMPTP has refused to acknowledge that enormous shifts in the industry and economy have had a detrimental impact on those who perform labor for the studios, Drescher and Crabtree-Ireland wrote in a Thursday statement. Though weve engaged in negotiations in good faith and remained eager to reach a deal that sufficiently addressed performer concerns, the AMPTPs responses to our proposals have not been adequate.

The AMPTP, which represents major studios and steamers including Amazon, Netflix and NBCUniversal, expressed their disappointment with the conclusion of the negotiation process, writing in a statement that this was the Unions choice, not ours.

Rather than continuing to negotiate, SAG-AFTRA has put us on a course that will deepen the financial hardship for thousands who depend on the industry for their livelihood, the AMPTP wrote.

Negotiations on the contract began June 7, with a 98 percent vote on strike authorization by union members. The guild has requested increased compensation and benefits for its members, as well as higher residual payments, terms over artificial intelligence usage and regulation regarding self-taped auditions.

The Writers Guild of America has been on strike since early May, with no end in sight. A SAG-AFTRA strike marks the first time since 1960 that actors and writers have both launched a strike on Hollywood producers. The industry-wide work stoppage would shut down production of films and television shows across the country.

Our ninety-year history is a testament to what can be achieved through our conviction and unity, Drescher and Crabtree-Ireland wrote in their statement. For the future of our profession, we stand together.
The News

GABORONE, Botswana  African trade ministers are urging the United States to overhaul the sweeping trade deal that has opened the US market to African products and renew it this year rather than waiting until the duty-free pact expires in 2025.

Renewing the African Growth and Opportunity Act AGOA immediately would remove uncertainty about the future of the pact and allow for suppliers and partners to better plan and maintain investments in African economies, ministers said during this weeks U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Botswana.

We are speaking with the same voice that AGOA should be extended, said Botswanas trade minister Mmusi Kgafela at a summit panel on Wednesday. He said he and other African ministers want an indefinite period for the act. This would do away with the uncertainty involved around the current 10-year renewal cycle.

There is a compelling case to reauthorize the AGOA , wrote Daniel F. Runde and Thomas Bryja for the Washington DC-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in a new paper on calling for AGOA to be renewed.

Atlantic Council fellow Frannie Leautier, who launched an AGOA report on Wednesday said the act should be renewed by the US Congress for at least a ten-year period as soon as possible.

There was also a call by ministers yesterday for the AGOA rules to be streamlined and made less cumbersome in order for more countries to be able to benefit more from the program.

Yinkas view

The uncertainty around the future of AGOA has a real world impact on the decisions made by businesses and economies trying to take advantage of its preferential terms to gain entry to the worlds largest economy. Africas share of global textile manufacturing has doubled under AGOA  but producers plan two years in advance, and could shift production to Southeast Asia if the treatys future is in doubt, CSISs Runde and Bryja point out.

This week South Africas opposition party Democratic Alliance made news by saying it has started a process to lobby for the countrys continued inclusion in AGOA in a bid to save the countrys ailing economy. The DA claims the ANC-led governments non-aligned position on the Russia-Ukraine war could see the collapse of the car manufacturing sector in South Africa if the U.S. excludes it from AGOA as punishment.

While the DA might have been grandstanding to put pressure on the frantic government of President Cyril Ramaphosa, they are pressing the right buttons. As Africas most advanced economy, South Africa has been the biggest beneficiary of the 23-year old AGOA act in monetary terms, largely thanks to the car sector. The South African media has also reported that Ramaphosa sent senior members of his cabinet to Washington this week to discuss the future of AGOA.Even Botswana will be nervous. It works closely with South Africa under the AGOA act to supply components for U.S. cars. Their success is our success, said Botswanas trade minister Kgafela.

After all is said and done, the final decision on AGOAs renewal will be up to U.S. Congress for approval. On the one hand, African matters are one of the few topic areas where there is almost always bipartisan support. On the other, African matters are often not a priority which could mean were still here in September 2025 waiting for renewal.

The View From Zambia

Zambias trade and commerce minister, Chipoka Mulenga, said his country had benefited from the trade agreement but remained at the bottom of the benefits of the AGOA platform due to a lack of the industrialization needed to produce more value-added products rather than merely exporting raw materials such as minerals or agricultural produce.

If they [U.S. government] want to see AGOA succeed in Africa, they must support African countries to industrialize to give value addition.

Room for Disagreement

Mokhethi Shilele, trade minister from Lesotho cautioned against a complete revamp of AGOA for fear of delaying the acts renewal. There is a sentiment that AGOA should be reformed or changed but Im indifferent to that because if we push for that how are we going to get it renewed this year?

Notable
It was not immediately clear whether Zuma would return to jail (Phill Magakoe)

South Africa's top court on Thursday upheld an earlier ruling that former president Jacob Zuma should return to prison to complete his 15-month term for contempt of court, dismissing an appeal seeking to keep him out of jail.

It was not immediately clear whether Zuma would return to jail, with prison authorities saying they were studying the judgement and would seek legal advice.

Zuma was sentenced in June 2021 after refusing to testify before a panel probing financial sleaze and cronyism under his presidency -- but was freed on medical parole just two months into his term.

He started serving the sentence early in July.

His jailing sparked riots that descended into looting and left more than 350 dead in the worst violence to hit the country since the advent of democracy in South Africa.

The following month, he was admitted to hospital for an undisclosed condition before being granted medical parole.

In November last year an appeals court found the release was illegally granted and ordered the now 81-year-old back to the Estcourt Correctional Center in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province.

South Africa's prison service, which had granted Zuma's conditional release, appealed the decision, but the bid was dismissed by the Constitutional Court.

It ruled on Thursday that it had "no reasonable prospects of success" and ordered the prison services and Zuma, an intervening applicant, to pay legal costs.

The prison services declared in October last year that Zuma had officially ended his sentence and had been released from their system.

But in November the appeals court described the pronouncement as "premature".

On Thursday, the prison services said they were "studying the Constitutional Court Judgment for the review application in relation to the medical parole placement for the former President".

They added in a statement that they were "seeking legal advice and will comment further in due course".

Zuma's spokesman Mzwanele Manyi referred requests for comment to prison authorities.

South Africa's leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance described the latest ruling as a "victory for the rule of law".

"Zuma must now go back to jail!" the party wrote on Twitter.

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This Agency Was Created With a Terrorism Focus. Now It Also Has to Care for Migrants.

Migrants wait to be processed on U.S. soil after crossing from Mexico ahead of the expiration of the pandemic-era title 42 rule in El Paso, Texas, May 8, 2023. (Justin Hamel/The New York Times)

EL PASO, Texas  On a 90-degree day in early May, hundreds of migrants were gathered on U.S. soil near a border gate in El Paso, Texas. Many had waited for days, without food, shelter or enough water and bathrooms, before Border Patrol agents allowed them through the gate and took them to holding facilities.

A few miles away, in the air-conditioned El Paso Convention Center, senior government officials and security contractors were gathered for an annual event showcasing the latest technology for helping to secure Americas borders: robotic dogs, surveillance towers, rugged-terrain equipment, drones and counterdrones.

The contrast in scenes illustrates a central challenge of Customs and Border Protections mission. The agency, which includes the Border Patrol, was created after the 9/11 attacks. Its website reads, Our top priority is to keep terrorists and their weapons from entering the United States.

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While its mission has remained the same over the years, its responsibilities have grown. In addition to securing the border, one of the most pressing issues it has faced in the past decade is a humanitarian one, driven by people coming across the border, many of whom are fleeing violence and poverty. Even as few pose security threats, the U.S. government has been sending the biggest law enforcement agency in the country to arrest and subsequently care for refugees.

We have to evolve, extremely rapidly, Manuel Padilla Jr., an assistant CBP commissioner, told the convention center crowd of contractors selling military-grade equipment in May. And thats on the migration piece.

CBP, the Homeland Security Department and the White House declined to comment on the record about the situation in El Paso.

The agencys budget has always been heavily geared toward securing the border. By comparison, a minuscule amount of the budget goes toward providing shelter and care for influxes of haggard migrants.

Although some senior officials have privately acknowledged a need to evolve, Padillas public sentiment is not universally shared.

Some in the Border Patrol rank and file want to focus on the agencys primary mission: to detect and prevent the illegal entry of individuals into the United States, not caring for them after they break the law. Some see the humanitarian mission as an invitation for more illegal immigration. Republicans want agents to enforce the law, even though it is decades out of date.

These disagreements are just one piece of the larger, volatile debate over the countrys immigration policies. Even so, scenes of thousands of desperate migrants turning themselves in to Border Patrol agents have become the face of it.

When CBP first saw this migration trend in 2014, some officials believed that other federal agencies, like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Health and Human Services, would be better suited to lead the response.

Gil Kerlikowske, the CBP commissioner during the Obama administration, said that idea was not welcome when he brought the issue to senior officials. This is the border, and this is your problem, he said he was told.

In that sense, not much has changed.

The Homeland Security Department, where CBP resides, can request assistance from other federal agencies during times of high illegal crossings. But in the end, it is CBPs responsibility.

Successive administrations have focused on ways to decrease the number of illegal crossings and avoid a humanitarian crisis on the U.S. side of the border.

The Trump administration rolled out punitive policies to deter migrants from crossing the border  in one case, by separating families, and in others, by restricting access to asylum.

The Biden administration, which has witnessed the largest influx of migrant crossings at the southern border at a time when more people are displaced globally than ever before, has focused on narrowing eligibility for asylum and adding some new legal pathways to enter the country.

But because such policies are set by the executive branch and change frequently, a lasting effect is unlikely.

Without the political will to reorganize CBP to support its humanitarian mission, the agency will likely continue to rely on temporary solutions, as it has for the past decade.

When spikes in migration threaten to overwhelm resources, CBP can add temporary holding facilities. The agency has also made significant progress since 2014 in ensuring the facilities are more appropriate for children and stocked facilities with food, water, baby formula, diapers and other necessities.

CBP has hired hundreds of people to process migrants and perform administrative work, relieving Border Patrol agents who had been temporarily reassigned to these roles. And President Joe Biden requested a $4.7 billion emergency reserve for the 2024 fiscal year to make it easier to access funds in a crisis.

The flaws in this ad hoc response were evident in El Paso before the expiration of a pandemic-era health measure known as Title 42 in early May. The Biden administration had spent nearly two years planning for the policys expiration, which they expected would bring its biggest influx of migrants yet. Officials predicted that El Paso would be one of the most popular crossing points.

Yet hundreds of migrants, many of whom made long and dangerous journeys to get to the United States, waited behind a border gate, where they were largely shielded from public view. The border facilities were full.

Many of the migrants had been there for days in the desertlike conditions before water, granola bars and portable toilets were provided, according to a U.S. official and Fernando Garcia, the executive director of the Border Network for Human Rights, an advocacy organization in El Paso. Garcia, who was at the border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, that week, across from where migrants were waiting in El Paso, said he spoke with migrants who had crossed back to the Mexico side to purchase water so they could survive under the hot sun across the border.

By the time some migrants arrived at the CBP processing centers, they were so dehydrated and matted with sand that agents struggled to get their fingerprints, according to the U.S. official, who was not authorized to speak publicly and described the situation on the condition of anonymity.

CBP did not say how many people had been waiting for days. A senior official said there was no formal decision to hold migrants outdoors for extended periods when facilities were out of space. There was a similar situation in San Diego. The official, authorized only to speak anonymously, defended the agencys response and its delivery of supplies to those held outdoors in El Paso. Another CBP official, also speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the agency had an obligation to provide appropriate care for the migrants, but doing so was difficult, given that the top priority was moving them from the border and into a holding facility.

Hours before the change in border policies on May 11, Raul Ortiz, the recently retired Border Patrol chief, stood near the gate in El Paso that prevented about 1,000 migrants from walking farther into the country. At times that week, there were more than 2,500 people there, he said, yet supplies were only delivered that afternoon.

The backup in sending the migrants to facilities was a far cry from the vision Ortiz described at the expo center a day earlier. I want our processing facilities to be run like Chick-fil-As, he said, a reference to the fast-food chains quick service.

Refugee response should be an established part of the agency, Ortiz said.

You have a border security mission, and you have a humanitarian mission, and they sometimes collide, Ortiz said at the El Paso security expo in May. But as a leader of the Border Patrol and my fellow chiefs, we want to try and figure out how to manage those equally. And then you have to evolve as an organization.

That could include, for example, the creation of a dedicated emergency response division or other force within CBP trained to manage an influx of refugees. But a concerted push for such a change has not appeared.

Thats a piece that has never been focused on by any administration, said Andrea Flores, a former White House official who worked on these issues in the Obama and Biden administrations.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
The Manson murders were monstrous. But do the aging killers still belong in prison?

Patricia Krenwinkel, convicted with Leslie Van Houten in the Tate-LaBianca slayings, is denied parole at a 2011 hearing. In the rare cases when officials have approved paroling a Manson follower, California governors have been able to block their release  until this week. (Reed Saxon / Associated Press)

For more than 50 years, relatives of Sharon Tate and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca vehemently pleaded with California governors and the state's parole board: Never free any member of Charles Manson's so-called family.

"If you have a monster and you are fortunate enough to have caught it, and it was condemned to die, why let it go?" said Tate's sister, Debra Tate. "I've worked with Republican governors and Democrat governors, and every one has always said: 'We'll never let them out.'"

That changed Tuesday, when after having repeatedly been denied parole, Leslie Van Houten was released from prison for her role in the notorious 1969 murders in Los Angeles.

While Tate and other family members of the victims decried the release, the move underscores how views of punishment and rehabilitation have changed in the criminal justice system, even when it comes to horrific cases such as the Manson murders.

"The crimes were truly heinous, cruel murders of strangers," said Hadar Aviram, a professor at UC Law San Francisco and the author of "Yesterday's Monsters: The Manson Family Cases and the Illusion of Parole," a book that studies the parole hearings of those convicted. "There's this idea of: Can this ever be forgiven?"

But, Aviram continued, "I think if you really think about this as a pragmatic, public safety issue, these people don't pose a risk to public safety."

Read more: Many assumed Manson murderers would never be freed. How Leslie Van Houten did it

Those familiar with Van Houten's case point out that the 73-year-old had been deemed a "model inmate" over the years.

"There was no evidence in the record that she continued, after 50-plus years, to pose a danger," said Heidi Rummel, director of the Post-Conviction Justice Project at USC.

Rummel, who has represented candidates for parole for more than 15 years, said clients have cited Van Houten for their focus on rehabilitation during their time behind bars.

Gov. Gavin Newsom had denied Van Houten's parole three times, but he was overruled by a California appeals court this year, and announced Friday that he would not challenge her release.

Prisoners rights advocates argue that even previously violent offenders who have served lengthy sentences pose a low risk of re-offending compared with their younger counterparts, and say they especially need to be given consideration due to their age and often vulnerable health.

Aviram argues that releasing convicts who have shown rehabilitation  especially those approaching 70 or 80 years of age  poses little risk to society.

According to reports from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the state has granted parole to about 15% of inmates who have come up for hearings since 2018. About 34% were outright denied.

Before 2008, the state's parole board approved fewer than 5% of the cases that were reviewed.

Leslie Van Houten in 2017, when she was again denied parole. She was just released from a California prison after serving 53 years for her role in the Manson murders. (Stan Lim / Associated Press)

The power to reverse the parole board's decisions has been widely used by state governors, said David Zarmi, a certified appellate specialist lawyer.

"There were very few parole grants that the governor's office did not challenge on appeal, even under shaky grounds," he said.

He said that in Van Houten's case, the governor likely didn't petition the California Supreme Court because it would risk the court issuing a binding, mandatory opinion.

"The hope is that some of the other appellate panels in the 2nd District, as well as in other districts throughout the state, will have a more sympathetic bent to the governor's original position in future cases than the California Supreme Court, which has generally more recently been taking a more progressive stance, he said.

Read more: Charles Manson's murderous imprint on L.A. endures as other killers have come and gone

Critics of Van Houten's release, however, argue that the risk to the public should not be the only factor considered.

Van Houten and another woman held down Rosemary LaBianca as Charles Tex Watson stabbed her husband. He handed Van Houten a knife after he was finished, and she testified at trial that she stabbed the woman at least 14 times.

And I took one of the knives, and Patricia had one  a knife  and we started stabbing and cutting up the lady, Van Houten testified in 1971. (Patricia Krenwinkel, another Manson follower, was a co-defendant.)

The day before the LaBianca murders, Manson followers  including Watson and Krenwinkel  had killed Sharon Tate along with Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski and Steven Parent in a brutal attack at a home on Cielo Drive in Benedict Canyon.

Relatives of the victims called Van Houten's release this week "nauseating" and "gut-wrenching," and said they feared it could open the door to other aging Manson family members being released.

Read more: Full Coverage: The Manson murders  50 years later

"They are all psychopaths who have manipulated the systems," said Kay Hinman Martley, whose cousin Gary Hinman was also savagely murdered by Manson followers in July 1969.

Van Houten and others were convicted of murder and sentenced to death, but those penalties were commuted to life in prison due to the 1972 California Supreme Court decision to overturn the death penalty.

For decades, the state's parole board continued to deny release for any followers of Manson, who died in prison in 2017. That changed in 2008, when the state's Supreme Court ruled that parole could not be denied purely on the basis of the initial crime.

That change, however, didn't immediately open the doors for any of Manson's followers. Records show California governors have repeatedly reversed the parole board's decisions when they recommended release for Manson's followers.

"We have four other Manson killers in there, and I fear they will all get out," Hinman Martley said. "All these killers get all the help they want, but no one is doing anything for the victims."

Read more: How Charles Manson cast his spell on homecoming queens, honor students and dropouts

Of the Manson family members who were convicted of various crimes in the 1960s, four remain in California state prisons.

Krenwinkel, 75, has been denied parole 10 times. In May 2022, the board recommended she be paroled, but Newsom reversed the decision.

Robert Kenneth Beausoleil, 75, has been denied parole 16 times. He was approved for parole in 2019, but that decision also was reversed by the governor. Beausoleil was denied parole in two subsequent hearings.

Bruce Davis, 80, has been denied parole 24 times during his lengthy stay in prison. The board has granted him parole on seven occasions since 2010  most recently in January 2021. All of the decisions were reversed by the governor at the time.

Charles Denton "Tex" Watson, 77, has been denied parole 13 times. The board has never approved his release. His next hearing is scheduled for October 2026.

Those decisions, experts say, are both judicial and political.

In Van Houten's case, the governor strongly opposed her release, said Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School. But he realized his efforts to further appeal her parole were unlikely to succeed.

Politically, this is not something the governor wanted to do, Levenson said. But she managed to get out because she managed to become a different person in prison.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SOS Mediterranee accuses Italy of making it increasingly different for it to operate (CHRISTOPHE SIMON)

Aid group SOS Mediterranee on Thursday accused Italy of hampering its work after the authorities there ordered its migrant rescue ship Ocean Viking held "for an indefinite period" in port.

Officials had cited "a very small number of technical and administrative shortcomings," said the aid group.

Having the shop blocked in the port of Citavecchia, north of Rome, "prevents us from carrying out rescue operations" for migrants in the Mediterranean, the NGO's co-founder and director Sophie Beau told AFP.

The authorities were creating a "very harmful" environment for civil society groups looking to aid migrants, she added.

Italy's government has since last year been led by far-right Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, whose coalition -- also including Matteo Salvini of the anti-Migrant League party -- has cracked down on help for migrants.

On Thursday, five charities that assist migrants said they had complained to the European Commission about a new Italian law forcing rescue shops in the Mediterranean to dock in ports assigned to them -- often much farther away and requiring days of extra sailing.

The non-governmental organisations -- Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Oxfam Italia, SOS Humanity, Association for Juridical Studies on Immigration and EMERGENCY -- argue the legislation breaks EU and international laws regarding sea rescues.

Italy passed a law in February limiting charity-run ships carrying out more than one sea rescue at a time and forcing them to dock at an assigned port.

- 'Enormous need' -

After disembarking 57 people rescued off the Libyan coast on July 7, Ocean Viking was subject to a seven-hour inspection by port authorities on July 11, said the Marseille-based SOS Mediterranee.

Inspectors mentioned the need for "deeper investigation involving different players in the certification process and the shipbuilder" which will take time, the group added.

The Italian coastguard did not immediately respond to AFP's questions about the inspection. But Beau said that the problem was related to the Ocean Viking's 14 life rafts.

"The inspectors asked us whether there were 14 qualified people to deploy the rafts in case the ship had to be abandoned," she explained.

"We don't understand why this point had never been raised at the inspections carried out until now," she said, citing seven over the past four years alone.

"We have faced really extremely frequent inspections, extremely zealous, redundant and repetitive."

While the Ocean Viking is stuck in port, "there is an enormous need for rescue provision, a shocking lack of ships in the zone" where migrants cross the central Mediterranean, she said.

Ocean Viking points to rising numbers of deaths among migrants attempting the crossing to EU territory since the start of 2023.

- 'Reliable strategy' -

EU lawmakers on Thursday called for a "reliable and permanent search and rescue strategy" for migrants in the Mediterranean, after a boat capsized off the coast of Greece in June, with as many as 600 believed to have drowned.

In a non-binding resolution, the lawmakers urged Brussels to provide support to member states to strengthen their capacity to carry out sea rescues, citing figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which says more than 27,600 people have disappeared in the Mediterranean since 2014.

"For 2023, the figure has already reached 1,875 people dead or missing", the resolution said.

The lawmakers called on Brussels to verify whether measures taken by some states to prevent the entry of rescue ships into their territorial waters are "in accordance" with international law.

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Historian Dan Snow has broken down the trailer for Ridley Scotts forthcoming biopic about Napoleon Bonaparte starring Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role.

The teaser for Napoleon was released on Monday (10 July), giving fans a first glimpse of Phoenix as the French military commander, who lived from 1769 to 1821 and led France to victory during the Revolutionary Wars.

The film, directed by Gladiator filmmaker Scott, follows Napoleons rise to emperor while also chronicling his volatile relationship with Josephine, played by The Crown star Vanessa Kirby.

While viewers were impressed by the trailer (and bemused by the soundtrack), Snow, 44, took to TikTok to break down the multifarious historical inaccuracies on display.

I love historical epics, I love Ridley Scott, Im going to be watching this movie, he began by saying. [But] it aint a documentary, we know that much!

The TV presenter started with the films poster, which bears the slogan: He came from nothing. He conquered everything.

He did not come from nothing. His dad was in fact an aristocrat, Snow corrected. He did not conquer everything. He conquered quite a lot. It was very impressive, but he did not conquer everything.

... He didnt conquer Britain. Thats part of everything, so...

The trailer also teases the execution of Marie Antoinette  the last queen of France before the French Revolution. Shes depicted in the film by Irish actor Catherine Walker who is shown wearing long, blonde curls.

Love this scene  Marie Antoinette didnt look like that, Snow said. She famously had very cropped hair for the execution and hey  Napoleon wasnt there. He was at the other end of France.

Among Snows other sticking points was a scene depicting Napoleons campaign in Egypt, which was not fought at the base of the pyramids as the trailer suggests, and Napoleon leading a French cavalry charge: He never did this! But it looks cool.

Snow is the author of The Battle of Waterloo Experience, which tells the story of Napoleons famous defeat to the armies of the Seventh Coalition in 1815.

Fans also had some confusion about elements of the trailer. For one, Phoenix speaks in his American accent while Kirby speaks in her usual English accent.

Many people also commented on the rather unexpected needle drop featured in the clip.

The trailer is underscored by a slowed-down cover of Radioheads 2000 track The National Anthem.

Napoleon will be released in the US over Thanksgiving weekend 2023. The film will arrive on Apple TV + at a later date that is yet to be announced.
Chicago police Officer Renault Robinson on duty behind police headquarters at 11th and State streets on May 9, 1973. Robinson co-founded and became executive director of the Afro-American Patrolmens League, which aimed to boost police relations with the Black community and work for police reform. As a form of retaliation, the Police Department assigned Robinson to patrol the alley behind police headquarters. (Gerald West/Chicago Tribune)

Renault Robinson was a Chicago police officer who, as executive director of the Afro-American Patrolmens League, took on the citys power structure by exposing discrimination in hiring practices and the treatment of minority officers.

Following a lawsuit filed by Robinson and the U.S. Justice Department, a federal judge in 1974 found that there had indeed been discrimination against minorities and women in the Chicago Police Departments testing process for applicants, and imposed hiring goals to remain in effect until the female and minority representation on the police force more accurately reflected the general population.

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Renault was a prophetic servant of humanity who tried to reform the system of police services to the community that he worked in and lived in, said Howard Saffold, an early member of the Afro-American Patrolmens League who later led Mayor Harold Washingtons security detail. He remains a continuing spirit that says, Lets keep trying to make it happen.

Robinson, 80, died of a blood infection caused by an autoimmune disorder that was the result of cancer treatment on July 8 at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, said his son, Kobie. He had been a Hyde Park resident.

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Born in Chicago, Robinson grew up in the Woodlawn neighborhood and attended Corpus Christi elementary school and then Corpus Christi High School for two years. He transferred to Hyde Park High School, from which he graduated in 1960.

Robinson attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for two years before returning home and working in his fathers print shop for several years. He was drawn to a career in law enforcement in part by the opportunity to go back to school, said his wife of 60 years, Annette.

So in 1964, Robinson signed on as a Chicago police officer, working undercover in the departments vice division and earning 28 departmental awards for good service.

With a colleague, Edward Buzz Palmer, Robinson in May 1968 cofounded the Afro-American Patrolmens League, which he led as president and later as executive director.

The groups aim, Robinson told the Tribune in 1977, was to boost police relations with the Black community, improve relations between Black and white officers, and work for police reform.

Chicago police Officer Renault Robinson of the Afro-American Patrolmens League on July 16, 1971, in Chicago. With a colleague, Robinson co-founded the Afro-American Patrolmens League in May 1968, which he led as president and later as executive director. (Roy Hall/Chicago Tribune)

Department officials branded the league as racist and warned him he would be punished for helping to organize it, Robinson told the Tribune in 1977.

Almost immediately, Robinson said he began to be harassed by fellow officers. He was arrested several times and suspended by the police superintendent, a punishment subsequently upheld by the Chicago Police Board.

He resumed work in May 1971, telling reporters that his suspension was unjust, illegal and totally unwarranted.

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I return today unrepentant, unbowed and unafraid, he said.

Following his allegations of racial discrimination in hiring, promotions and assignments, the U.S. Justice Department sent a team to Chicago to investigate the charges. The probe began in 1972.

Robinson and the DOJ filed their lawsuit a year later, which resulted in a ruling by U.S. District Judge Prentice Marshall that police department exams for patrol officers and sergeants discriminated against Blacks, Latinos and women.

The decision was upheld by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, and after Mayor Richard J. Daleys death in 1976, his successor, Mayor Michael Bilandic, decided not to appeal the ruling further.

Renault fought when it was not fashionable or comfortable or even safe being Black, said Cook County Circuit Judge William Hooks, a longtime friend. He knew from the beginning that it was going to be a struggle, but he knew how important it was to have a diverse police force.

The federal action came at some personal cost to Robinson, who went on unpaid leave 1974 while the lawsuit was playing out. He lived on his pay as executive director of the patrolmens league, which had chronic financial difficulties.

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The patrolmens league built credibility with the Black community and was a positive force, said Wylola Evans, a CPD clerk who became the leagues first full-time employee.

In my capacity of working inside the (patrolmens leagues) office, we worked with the community, which at first was leery about working with Black police officers because of the problems they had had with police in the past, Evans said. But they started getting to know the police officers, and started coming by the office and feeling comfortable telling us the problems that they had in the past and in some cases, we were able to help them.

While on leave, Robinson returned to school, earning bachelors and masters degrees in sociology from Roosevelt University and taking doctoral courses at Northwestern University.

After the suit was resolved, Robinson told the Tribune in 1977 that he was ready to move on.

Its been worth it to the extent that we helped a lot of people, but its not been worth it personally, he told the Tribune. Its caused me a lot of hardship and its been tough on my family.

In September 1977, Judge Marshall ordered the CPD to pay Robinson $75,000 in damages for discriminating against him, along with back pay. In 1983, Marshall awarded Robinson an additional $386,238 in back pay and damages, concluding a 13-year legal action that had begun when Robinson was suspended from the force in 1970 and steps were begun to fire him.

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In 1977, Robert McClory wrote a book about Robinson, The Man Who Beat Clout City. And in 1978, the Rockefeller Foundation awarded Robinson its annual John D. Rockefeller III award for his work in the area of human rights.

In 1979, Mayor Jane Byrne named Robinson to a nonpaying term on the board of the Chicago Housing Authority. The appointment caught observers off-guard, as Robinson had been a recent critic of the CHA.

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Robinson ran unsuccessfully for Cook County commissioner in 1982. The following year, Mayor Harold Washington named him the paid chairman of the CHA. With the appointment, he quit the police department and stepped down as executive director of the Afro-American Police League.

As CHA chair, Robinson was embroiled in controversies that included allegations of cronyism when he tapped a firm run by a friend and aide to sell the CHA $192,000 worth of paint. Robinson wound up overseeing a restructuring of the CHAs leadership ranks that resulted in the chairs role being split into two positions, and Robinson giving up many of his initial duties.

After stepping down as CHA boss in 1987, Robinson worked in the private sector. He worked at a temporary staffing business and then ran a landscaping company until retiring in 2018, his wife said.

In addition to his wife and son, Robinson is survived by three other sons, Renault Jr., Brian and Kivu; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Michael; and five sisters, Rochelle Cochran, Arlene Robinson, Cook County Circuit Judge Andrea Buford, Sherrie Beck and Diane Batiste.

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A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 25, at St. Sabina Catholic Church, 1210 W. 78th Place, Chicago.

Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.

To purchase a death notice, visit https://placeanad.chicagotribune.com/death-notices. To suggest a staff-written obituary on a person of local interest, email chicagoland@chicagotribune.com.
Ukraines air defence forces detected and downed about 10 Russian drones that attacked Kyiv on the night of 12-13 July.

Source: Serhii Popko, Head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "Shahed-136 loitering munitions are attacking Kyiv for the third day in a row. Last night, there was a large-scale attack by Iranian-made drones. UAVs entered the capital from different directions.

About a dozen enemy targets were identified and destroyed by air defence assets and personnel from the Air Force in Kyiv's airspace."

Details: Popko also reported that fragments of downed Russian drones were recorded in the Darnytskyi, Solomianskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Obolonskyi and Podilskyi districts of Kyiv.

Earlier, Vitali Klitschko reported that a man was killed as a result of an attack by Russian drones on Kyiv; four more people were wounded, including two taken to hospital.

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Alleged Ga. gang members arrested after nearly $600K worth of drugs found during search warrant

Four people are behind bars after Georgia deputies found almost $600,000 worth of illegal drugs.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Recently, the Muscogee deputies conducted multiple search warrants in Muscogee County that resulted in thousands of dollars worth of drugs seized.

The Muscogee County Sheriffs Office arrested Marquez Rutherford, Fernando Brown, Jacorrius Brown, and Hykeem Lomax.

According to investigators, all but one of the suspects are confirmed gang members.

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Authorities seized 6.6 ounces of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $18,710. Deputies also found 10.4 ounces of cocaine with a street value of $29,483 and 119.39 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $541,543.

The total amount of drugs seized was $589,736.

Seven handguns along with a Mini Draco rifle and $34,869.57 in cash were also seized.

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Rutherford is charged with trafficking cocaine, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking marijuana, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of drug-related objects.

Fernando Brown is charged with trafficking cocaine, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking Marijuana, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of drug-related objects.

Jacorrius Brown is charged with trafficking cocaine, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking marijuana, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of drug-related objects.

Lomax is facing charges of trafficking cocaine, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking marijuana, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of drug-related objects.

All four subjects were booked into the Muscogee County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing with more charges pending.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Some Allegiant Air passengers and crew are injured in a turbulent Florida-bound flight, officials say

Four people on a Florida-bound Allegiant Air flight were being examined for injuries after the flight encountered severe turbulence Wednesday afternoon, the airline said.

Allegiant Air Flight 227, which had taken off from Asheville, North Carolina, experienced severe turbulence before landing at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, airline spokesperson Andrew Porrello said.

The plane, carrying 179 passengers and six crew members, landed normally and taxied to the gate under its own power, Porrello said.

Two passengers and two flight attendants were taken to a hospital for evaluation after airport paramedics assessed them for injuries, Porrello said, without describing the injuries or the conditions of the four.

The injuries were believed to be relatively minor, St. Pete-Clearwater airport spokesperson Michele Routh told CNN.

Lisa Spriggs, who was a passenger on the flight, said the turbulence was petrifying.

More than halfway through descending, and all of a sudden, we hit a small turbulence, and the stewardess beside us fell to the ground, Spriggs told CNN affiliate WFTS.

And then we hit a major turbulence, which was petrifying. And she was literally like Matrix. Watched her go up in the air and just land straight down, Spriggs said.

The crew of the Airbus A320 reported turbulence while on approach to the Florida airport around 3:45 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said. Neither the FAA  which said it would investigate the incident  nor Porrello released further details about what happened.

Allegiant will investigate the incident in coordination with the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board, Porrello said.

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American Airlines, the biggest global airline, is adding flights from seven more U.S. destinations to Miami International Airport for the busy winter season, betting on the Magic Citys continued growth.

Two of those cities  Portland, Oregon and Sacramento, California  are getting year-round flight service to Miami.

We believe in the importance of Miami, Juan Carlos Liscano, Americans vice president of Miami hub operations, said in an interview with the Herald. Miami is not a seasonal destination. We have really strong demand annually.

Who says winter can't be warm? Brace yourself for our upcoming winter schedule from @iflymia! Say hello to endless sunshine, diverse destinations, and vacation vibes.  https://t.co/BanyK94NJ2 pic.twitter.com/JaQyIjdbvH  americanair (@AmericanAir) July 13, 2023

The American executive Wednesday acknowledged travel to Miami typically peaks in the winter. And so, the airline added five routes for that season when visitors typically come here to escape the snow and ice. They include Buffalo, New York, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Lexington, Kentucky, which are slated for weekly flights from November 11 to March 30.

Also, American will fly additional flights to Miami to seven United States cities it already serves, including Oklahoma City and Denver. Those are also scheduled for the winter season, from Dec. 20 to April 3.

And the largest airline at Miami airport is adding year-round service to a new and popular Caribbean destination: Governors Harbour in the Bahamas. The first flight there from Miami will take off on Feb. 3, 2024. American said it is the only U.S. carrier that will fly nonstop from Miami to Governors Harbour. Itll be twice weekly service on an Embraer E175 aircraft that has about 80 passenger seats.

Americans bevy of flight additions will give it more than 380 peak daily flights from 150 destinations this winter to Miami airport. Thats the most number of flights American has ever flown since Miami became a hub airport for the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline.

Separately, the airline is also temporarily increasing service from Miami to Latin America and the Caribbean during the winter months, with flights to: Baranquila, Colombia; Cartagena, Colombia; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Cancun, Mexico; and Bridgetown, Barbados.

Were seeing strong demand into Costa Rica, Mexico, and Colombia, Liscano said, noting American is the only airline flying between the U.S. and Tortola.

American now employs over 14,000 workers at Miami airport, its third-largest hub after Dallas-Fort Worth and Charlotte. Miami is also critical to the airline for cargo transport. It is Americans second-largest cargo hub in the U.S. after Dallas-Fort Worth, handling an average of 340 million pounds of freight and mail each year.

Meanwhile, this week low-cost Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic Airways said it was adding flights from Miami to Paris starting Dec. 12, and from Miami to Berlin beginning Dec. 14, as part of its expanding winter flight schedule.
American companies are importing massive amounts of used cooking oil from China  all for one unexpected reason

The U.S. is importing an unprecedented volume of used cooking oil to make renewable diesel  a sustainable fuel made from food waste.

Renewable diesel is a type of biofuel that is chemically identical to traditional diesel fuel, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. This means it can be used in ordinary diesel engines and mixed in with diesel fuel. But instead of being made from crude oil, its made from vegetable oil or animal fat.

Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine, also experimented with vegetable oil as a power source, the EIA reports. However, it took until the early 2000s for companies to begin producing biofuel in bulk. Now the U.S. Department of Energy says that there are five plants in the U.S. making renewable diesel.

While this incredible fuel source is a smart investment, manufacturers still need raw materials to work with. As of now, theyre getting it from China. The analytics firm Kpler told Bloomberg that the 530,000 barrels shipped in the first two months of 2023 were the first imports of this type since the group began gathering data in 2017.

Renewable diesel is a good financial choice for companies because theres a virtually endless supply of vegetable oil compared to a limited amount of crude oil. In addition, Bloomberg reports that there are government subsidies making it even more profitable to manufacture biofuel. As the market develops, these savings could be passed on to consumers.

This fuel source is also eco-friendly while harvesting crude oil from underground pollutes the environment. According to Bloomberg, making and using renewable diesel creates only about 20% as much heat-trapping gas as traditional diesel, helping slow down rising temperatures worldwide.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. used almost one billion gallons of renewable diesel in 2020. It expects six new plants to open in the near future, increasing the U.S.s capacity to produce renewable diesel by two billion gallons.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
A new program to combat the likelihood of intimate partner homicides has been launched by the Endicott Police Department as the number of homicides in the village spiked to a 10-year high.

The Lethality Assessment Program, which was created by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, is being implemented by the Endicott Police Department, Johnson City Police Department, Vestal Police Department and Rise-NY, which provides comprehensive licensed domestic violence services to Broome County residents, Endicott Chief of Police Patrick Garey announced Tuesday.

This comes in the wake of three homicides on Fillmore Avenue, Adams Avenue and North Arthur Avenue, in just over a month within the village.

"As with any chief of police, it's of great concern to me anytime we have a violent death in the village," Garey said. "It's a huge concern and something certainly that we dive right into and look at."

Endicott Chief of Police Patrick Garey, Johnson City Chief of Police Brent Dodge and Rise-NY executive director Nicole Barren announced the implementation of a Lethality Assessment Program in Endicott, Johnson City and Vestal inside the Endicott Police Department Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

How the program works

Currently, when police officers respond to domestic violence incidents, Garey said they fill out a Domestic Incident Report, which has been the standard practice for decades.

Now, with the program, certain indicators observed by the officers will prompt them to fill out a lethality assessment tool. Officers will then ask the victim a series of questions, including:

Have they ever used a weapon against you or threatened you with a weapon?

Do they leave you threatening messages?

Do you think they might try to kill you?

The victim's responses gives the officer an idea of whether the person is at increased risk for intimate partner homicide or serious injury, Garey said.

"If they hit a certain score on the screening tool, we make an immediate call to the domestic violence hotline through Rise and they immediately are in the mix," Garey said. "It really just speeds up the process for us to get those important services to victims quickly."

Arrest made: Suspect arrested, charged with murder in second shooting death in Endicott this month

When the program will start

Garey said the department soft launched the program last week as booklets, which officers will take to the scene to assist them in the process, were printed by BAE Systems and made available to the officers.

"It quite frankly does not take a lot of training on the police end," Garey said. "So it's something that we can get going right away."

How the program will help

Three homicides have occurred in the village of Endicott in just over a month. The Endicott Police Department has launched a new program, the Lethality Assessment Program, to help eliminate or reduce the likelihood of intimate partner homicides.

The program will help reach victims in highest need, Rise-NY executive director Nicole Barren said Tuesday.

According to research done by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, when looking at women killed by a male intimate partner in the past year, only about 4% had contact with a domestic violence hotline or agency but one in three had contact with a police department, Barren says.

"That clearly shows that we need to have a police response if we're going to combat domestic violence," Barren said. "We truly believe this is going to be a good program, it's going to lead to a better coordinated community response, better police training. And most importantly, I think, more awareness for victims about the resources available to them."

Endicott homicide: Police ID victim of fatal shooting in Endicott as the investigation continues

Programs like this will also add to the department's lineup of programs in place designed to address the problems at hand before they escalate.

The village is already working with Rise for domestic violence related issues, the Addiction Center of Broome County for substance abuse disorder issues and ACCORD, a dispute resolution center located in Binghamton.

"Unless we're brought in ahead of time, there's really no way for us to try to prevent something like that," Garey said. "We really try to engage in services and identify the root problem and then get the right partnership there."

Tragic Endicott death: She was found dead in his North Arthur Avenue home. Police charge Endicott man with murder

Garey also said there is no increased safety concern with any of the incidents that have occurred over the last five weeks and the investigations are showing that in all three incidents, the victim and suspect had some sort of prior relationship.

Follow Emily Barnes on Twitter @ByEmilyBarnes. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: What to know about new program to reduce intimate partner homicides
FILE PHOTO: Migrants wait to be rescued by Italian Coast Guard off the coast of Italy

Analysis-Italys Meloni faces reality check as migrant flows rise relentlessly FILE PHOTO: Migrants wait to be rescued by Italian Coast Guard off the coast of Italy

By Crispian Balmer and Angelo Amante

ROME (Reuters) - Just as King Canute failed to hold back the seas, so Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has floundered in her efforts to stop the flow of migrants to Italy since she took office last October.

Despite pledges before last year's national election that she would cut immigration, the number of people crossing the Mediterranean in a flotilla of often decrepit old boats has doubled over the past nine months.

In addition, bowing to pressure from the business lobby, which is traditionally close to Meloni's right-wing bloc, the government last week increased the number of migrants who can legally come to Italy for work as the population rapidly ages.

"The government is clearly not delivering what it promised, but the ruling parties are still seen by their electorate as much more reassuring than the left on immigration, so they are not feeling pressure in the opinion polls," said Mattia Diletti, a politics professor at Rome's Sapienza University.

Immigration is one of the biggest political issues in Europe and has played a major role in the rise of nationalist parties across the continent over the past decade. The fact that Meloni, a figurehead of the new right, has not carried through on her pledges underscores how intractable the problem is.

It isn't for want of trying.

Since the start of 2023, Meloni has controversially limited the operations of charity rescue ships and upped penalties on people smugglers after a shipwreck off southern Italy claimed at least 94 lives in February. She subsequently declared a state of emergency over the non-stop arrival of mainly Africans.

All to no avail.

From Jan. 1 to July 12, 73,414 boat migrants reached Italy against 31,333 in the same period last year and more than for the whole of 2021, according to Interior Ministry data.

"There are no miraculous solutions to resolve the migration phenomenon," Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi acknowledged this month while visiting the tiny island of Lampedusa, which saw 25 separate boat landings on Tuesday alone.

NORTH AFRICA

In the run-up to the 2022 election, Meloni said she would impose a naval blockade to prevent boats leaving north Africa. But analysts say that was never going to happen for legal and ethical reasons.

Instead, Meloni has looked to revive a 2017 deal struck with Libya that led to a huge reduction in departures, until the COVID-19 pandemic, which then cut migrant flows to a trickle.

But the situation in North Africa has changed enormously over the past six years, says Matteo Villa, a senior research fellow with the ISPI think-tank, complicating efforts to hold back people looking for a better, safer life in Europe.

"The 2017 departures were super concentrated in a few places west of Tripoli. Today this is not the case. People are also leaving from eastern Libya. So who do you talk to? In 2017 Italian intelligence knew the militia, now it doesn't," he said.

An added complication is that Tunisia has also become a major springboard for migrants, with just over half of all new arrivals in Italy this year setting sail from there, against just 5% in 2017, despite hundreds dying in the process.

Meloni visited Tunisia twice last month, seeking progress in unblocking loans that she says are needed to avoid a financial crisis that might trigger a tsunami of departures.

She was accompanied on her second trip by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, highlighting pan-European concern at the situation in Tunisia, and the rising tide of migrant landings.

BUSINESS NEEDS

A fierce critic of Brussels before her rise to power, Meloni has been much more pragmatic since becoming prime minister, working actively with the European Commission to revise the way migrants are relocated across the continent.

The pact is expected to come into force this year, despite opposition from Rome's right-wing allies in Poland and Hungary. However, a review of migrant flows through Europe over the past decade suggests Italy might not benefit in the way Meloni hopes.

At present many of those reaching Italy head immediately to richer northern Europe, meaning Rome has to process fewer asylum seekers than many EU partners - a figure representing 0.16% of its total population over the past 12 months against an EU average of 0.22%, according to ISPI.

"Between 2012 to 2021 one million people disembarked in Italy. We estimate that 700,000 moved on," said ISPI's Villa.

Many businesses could have done with that labour, a message that is getting through to the government.

Last week, it said it would issue 452,000 new work visas for non-EU nationals from 2023 to 2025, increasing the number of permits available each year to hit a high of 165,000 in 2025. In 2019, before COVID struck, Italy issued just 30,850 visas.

Looking to appease anti-immigrant supporters, the government suggested it was acting with restraint, saying companies and unions had called for 833,000 permits in the 2023-2025 period.

Business leaders welcomed the initial increase, but say more will be needed to tackle a longstanding demographic decline.

"Everyone knows by now that we have a shortage of both skilled and general labour," said Michelangelo Agrusti, head of a Confindustria business federation in north east Italy.

(Reporting by Crispian Balmer and Angelo Amante; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Russians are forcing Ukrainians detained in the occupied territories to dig trenches and graves, torturing them and deporting them to Russia for an indefinite period of time, in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions.

Source: Associated Press (AP)

Quote: "Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are being detained across Russia and the Ukrainian territories it occupies, in centres ranging from brand-new wings in Russian prisons to clammy basements. Most have no status under Russian law."

Details: AP spoke to dozens of people, including former detainees, prisoners of war, and their relatives. Their stories, as well as satellite imagery, social media, government documents and copies of letters provided by the Red Cross, confirm a widespread Russian system of detention and ill-treatment of civilians in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions.

In particular, in one case, Ukrainian civilians were reportedly woken up long before dawn in the bitter cold, lined up for a single toilet and loaded into a cattle trailer at gunpoint. They spent the next 12 hours or more digging trenches for Russian soldiers on the front line.

Many were forced by the occupiers to wear large Russian military uniforms, which could make them a target. By the end of the day, their hands were curled into icy claws.

In the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukrainian civilians dug mass graves in the frozen ground for their fellow prisoners who did not survive. A man who refused to dig was shot dead on the spot.

According to the AP, Russia plans to detain possibly thousands more Ukrainians. A document from the Russian government dating January obtained by the agency outlines plans to create 25 new penal colonies and 6 other detention centres in occupied Ukraine by 2026.

In addition, in May, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that allows Russia to send people from territories under martial law, which includes all of occupied Ukraine, to places without it, such as Russia.

This facilitates the deportation of Ukrainians who resist the Russian occupation to indefinite detention deep into Russia, which has happened in many cases.

Many civilians are detained by the Russians for allegedly minor offences, such as speaking Ukrainian or simply being in the occupied oblast, and often held without charge.

Others are accused of being terrorists, combatants or people who "resist the special military operation".

Hundreds of people are used by the Russian military for slave labour, digging trenches and other fortifications, and mass graves.

Torture is also a routine practice, including repeated electric shocks, beatings that crack skulls and break ribs, and simulated suffocation.

Many former prisoners told AP they had witnessed deaths. A UN report published in late June documented 77 summary executions of civilians, as well as the death of one person due to torture.

"Russia does not acknowledge holding civilians at all, let alone its reasons for doing so. But the prisoners serve as future bargaining chips in exchanges for Russian soldiers, and the U.N. has said there is evidence of civilians being used as human shields near the front lines," AP writes.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Millions around the world have been seeking refuge from the scorching sun as climate change, a strong El Nino and summer in the Northern Hemisphere converge, toppling temperature records.

In Phoenix, temperatures have hit 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) for around two weeks. Volunteers are helping residents, typically hardened by the desert's sweltering summers and insulated by air conditioning, that now need relief.

The heat in the southwestern U.S. is so extreme that health officials have recommended that people limit their outdoor exposure and know the warning signs of heat illness, such as heavy sweating and dizziness.

In China  a nation suffering through a double-whammy of heat and flooding  people flock to waterways to cool off from temperatures as high as 100 F (38 C). On Monday, employers across the country were ordered to limit outdoor work to protect their staff from the unforgiving heat.

Europe, particularly its south, is facing another unrelenting heat wave, with temperatures set to reach 113 F (45 C).

Further south in Algeria, where it was so hot last week that the country recorded its highest-ever nighttime low of 103.3 F (39.6 C) in the city of Adrar, temperatures kept soaring this week, with many carrying water through the heat of Algiers.

Scientists warn that people will suffer through sizzling temperatures throughout the summer, and for years to come, as humans spew planet-warming gases into the atmosphere.

___

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Arizona is ramping up a criminal probe into allegations of efforts to overturn the 2020 election by state Republicans, The Washington Post reported.

Citing two sources familiar with the probe, the Post reported Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (D) is stepping up her criminal probe into alleged attempts by Republicans to turn over the election results, in which they reportedly signed and transmitted paperwork falsely claiming former President Trump won the election in the state. The sources also said investigators were requesting information and records from local election officials, as well as evidence collected by the Justice Department and a prosecutor in Atlanta, who are looking into similar cases.

Mayes said in an interview with The Guardian in March that she planned to investigate the fake electors who signed the documents falsely claiming Trump was the winner.

We are planning to reach out to federal officials on that matter. Beyond that, Im not going to comment on it, she said at the time.

She also launched an investigation to determine whether voter fraud occurred in the state during the 2020 election but ultimately found no evidence of widespread fraud.

The results of this exhaustive and extensive investigation show what we have suspected for over two years  the 2020 election in Arizona was conducted fairly and accurately by elections officials, she tweeted in February.

Mayess chief deputy, Dan Barr, told The Post that the investigation is still in its fact-gathering stage.

This is something were not going to go into thinking, Maybe well get a conviction, or, Maybe we have a pretty good chance, he said. This has to be ironclad shut.

Shortly after the 2020 election, fake electors organized to falsely declare Trump the winner in multiple key swing states that decided the election in favor of President Biden. Since then, multiple investigations have been launched in connection with these attempts, including by special counsel Jack Smiths office and the Fulton County district attorney in Georgia.

Smith reportedly reached agreements with at least two fake GOP electors to provide them limited immunity in exchange for testifying before a grand jury, CNN reported in June.

When reached out to for comment, Mayes communications director Richie Taylor confirmed to The Hill that there is an active investigation into the matter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Then-Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson and House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch arrive for a meeting on April 19, 2023, at the Illinois Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Black America in Chicago and throughout the United States is in crisis, and it is foolhardy to think that anyone will step in and save us.

The solutions to our liberation must come from within. We must accept responsibility for what is happening in the Black community. For the last 60 years, the majority of Black Americans have been stuck in place. The unprecedented number of Black elected officials in Illinois and nationwide should lead to qualitative improvements for the Black community.

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With significant political power, why are Black people at the top of the list for negative socioeconomic indicators? Why are Black children in Chicago Public Schools falling further behind? Why is Black-on-Black crime out of control in Chicago and other major cities? In fact, more than 80% of the victims of gun violence in Chicago are Black. Why is the gap in social disparities widening?

The question must be raised: Are Black political, civil rights and church leaders being used to oppress Black people? I know that discrimination and systemic racism still exist. However, we must hold our Black elected officials accountable for their actions and inaction toward improving conditions in Black neighborhoods.

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It is the oppression by Black elected leaders of Black people that troubles me. In 1994, more than two-thirds of the Congressional Black Caucus helped pass the oppressive Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, also known as the Crime Bill. The bill led to devastating consequences for Black Americans. Civil rights lawyer Michelle Alexander chronicles the impact of the Crime Bill in her book The New Jim Crow. America has the highest prison population in the world, with more than 2 million people incarcerated. The Crime Bill provided $12.5 billion for prison construction, and states that required inmates to serve at least 85% of their sentences were rewarded.

In Cook County, Black people account for 23% of the population but 73% of the jail population. People and corporations have profited from the dysfunctionality of the Black community. The private prison industry has an annual revenue of $7.4 billion. The overall spending on corrections in the United States is more than $80 billion.

[ Willie Wilson: Why are disparities widening for African Americans in Chicago? ]

It is oppression when Black elected leaders support an unfair property tax system that causes more Black people to lose their homes to the tax sale. Homeownership helps build wealth. In Cook County, which includes Chicago, the majority of tax evictions occur in Black neighborhoods, according to a 2021 report by Housing Action Illinois. Losing ones home because of unpaid taxes hurts families and the community.

It is the oppression of the Black church that has abandoned a liberation theology and adopted a go-along-to-get-along message so as to not offend anyone. The church is the single-most important institution in Black life, and it must be at the forefront of leading change for salvation, liberation, equity and reestablishment of the family unit.

It is the oppression of Black rap artists denigrating Black women with their negative lyrics, which also glorify violence and drug use that hurts our community. Their gift must uplift rather than tear down.

It is the oppression of Black drug dealers preying on the vulnerable and weak all while bowing to the alter of the almighty dollar. Their drugs leave a trail of untold carnage and destruction.

It is the oppression of Black Americans having substandard infrastructure and access to clean drinking water. This occurs too often in communities led by Black mayors.

It is the oppression of Black mothers and fathers who abandon their kids and allow them to become part of our problematic foster care system. In Cook County, Black youths account for more than 70% of minors in the foster care system.

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It is the oppression of Black civil rights organizations that allow injustices to continue without collectively demanding equity. They are more focused on labor union and corporate contributions to their annual fundraisers and sacrifice their mission to the community.

The following are recommendations to consider that will improve the quality of life for Black people:

1. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, and Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch should convene all Black elected officials with the purpose of creating a plan to deal with racial disparities, violence, unemployment, poverty and other key issues.

Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

2. Church leaders, fraternities and sororities should convene a meeting focused on developing a plan to restore the Black family, teach respect for life and promote the importance of love, healthy eating, mental health and financial literacy.

3. Corporate leaders should consider funding a Black think tank in Chicago to address issues like racial disparities and inequities.

4. The community must hold leaders, civil rights organizations and each other accountable for ensuring progress toward equity. We must register and vote.

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Black voters have been conditioned to accept the absolute least from Black elected officials. Also, Black elected officials have been adroit at using Republicans as the boogeyman standing in the way of progress. Well in Illinois, they cannot blame Republicans because Democrats have a supermajority. We have a Black lieutenant governor; speaker of the House; majority leader in the Illinois Senate; state attorney general; three Black justices on the Illinois Supreme Court; Cook County Board president, chief judge, states attorney and clerk; mayor of Chicago; and four U.S. representatives.

I write this opinion to make uncomfortable those Black people who are comfortable with oppressing other Black people. A thriving and safe Black community benefits America. It takes all of us working together to solve the current condition in our community.

Willie Wilson is a business owner, philanthropist and former mayoral candidate.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
(Bloomberg) -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Jakarta on Thursday for the Asean foreign ministers meetings taking place against the backdrop of US-China tensions over Taiwan, territorial disputes and the conflict in Myanmar.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Blinken started a meeting with Chinas diplomat Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations forum, extending a string of high-profile meetings intended to dial down tensions between the two countries. Asian leaders have expressed concerns over the prospect of an accident in the Taiwan Strait spiraling into a military conflict.

The Asean forum follows diplomatic breakthroughs at this weeks NATO summit in Lithuania, an effort seen as a direct affront to Moscow while its biggest backer, Beijing, has been critical of the US-led alliance for attempting to stoke bloc confrontation in Asia.

Asean has deepened ties with South Korea and Japan, both of which are likely to raise concerns over China when they meet with Southeast Asian leaders on Thursday.

(All times local)

Blinken, Wang Meet for Second Time in Month (5:45 p.m.)

Blinken and Wang shook hands, posed for cameras and entered a meeting room without making comments to reporters.

Their meeting last month in Beijing was the thorniest of Blinkens visit to China, with Wang blasting illegal US sanctions and putting the blame for worsening ties on Washington.

Asean Calls on North Korea to De-Escalate (3 p.m.)

Aseans foreign ministers expressed dismay over the recent launch of ballistic missiles by North Korea, according to a statement by the regional group on Thursday. They called on North Korea to de-escalate tension and for peaceful dialogue.

Lavrov, Wang Yi Discuss Vision to Counter US in Asia (2:55 p.m.)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Russian media on Thursday that he spoke to Chinas Wang about the NATO alliances expanding influence in Asia, and the need for the two to develop a regional strategy to counter US-led influence in the region. Russias top diplomat accused Japan and South Korea of harboring nuclear ambitions  something he said was part of a serious and dangerous trend in Asia.

Wang and Lavrov agreed to strengthen strategic coordination, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Wang added that China and Russia firmly support each other in safeguarding their interests.

Wang Urges Speed on China-Asean FTA (1:56 p.m.)

Wang urged Southeast Asian nations to speed up negotiations on the latest version of the China-Asean Free Trade Agreement, according to a report by Xinhua.

Asean Seeks Japan Partnership in EVs (1:53 p.m.)

Southeast Asian nations want to partner with Japan to develop batteries for electric vehicles in the region, according to the readout of the Japan-Asean meeting. EVs ecosystem would not only bring prosperity to the region but also take us one step closer to a carbon-free society, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.

Indonesia Pushes for Code of Conduct in Sea (1:35 p.m.)

The countrys foreign ministry said Asean and China have agreed on guidelines to accelerate discussions on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, which has been in the works in the past two decades, meant to prevent conflict amid competing territorial claims.

Blinken arrives in Jakarta (1:24 p.m.)

The US secretary of state arrived in Jakarta and was met by the US Ambassador to Indonesia Sung Kim and US envoy to Asean Yohannes Abraham.

Australia Addresses Potential Delay of PM Visit to Beijing (1:50 p.m.)

Australias Foreign Minister Penny Wong avoided directly commenting on reports that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is considering delaying his trip to Beijing, only saying the visit would happen at an appropriate time.

Of course we would want the most positive circumstances for such a visit, Wong said. The foreign minister has been openly critical of the Hong Kong governments decision to put bounties on two pro-democracy activists living in Australia, while Beijing earlier this week extended its review of punitive sanctions on Australian barley.

Borrell to Raise Thai Ministers Meeting with Suu Kyi (1:00 p.m.)

The European Unions foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said he plans to discuss with regional diplomats reports that a senior Thai official recently met with the jailed Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai reportedly said on Wednesday that he had met jailed leader ahead of the Asean meetings, becoming the first foreign official to be granted access to her since her detention by the military two years ago.

Asean Asks China to Be Open and Inclusive (12:03 p.m.)

Group wants China to be a staunch partner in maintaining an open and inclusive regional architecture, according to the readout of the China-Asean meeting. It also sought Beijings continued support for the implementation of the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, includling the upcoming ASEAN Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Forum in September.

Lavrov Tweets Photo Surrounded by Journalists (11:39 a.m.)

Russias foreign ministry used a photo of its chief, Lavrov, standing with a group of journalists to attack the West, tweeting: If this is the isolation Western media is daydreaming so much about, then the only one left isolated is the West itself.

Russia Asked to Commit to Food Security (10:56 a.m.)

Southeast Asia will push Russia to commit to a proposed declaration on food security amid shortages caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at a ministerial conference. Indonesia will work tirelessly to call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, she said, according to the transcript.

Asean to Invite PIF, IORA to East Asia Summit (10:53 a.m.)

Asean to engage with members of the Pacific Islands Forum and the Indian Ocean Rim Association and invite them to the East Asia Summit, according to a readout of the India-Asean meeting.

Blinken-Wang Yi Meeting (8:34 a.m.)

The two diplomats are scheduled to meet at 5:15 p.m. local time. Chinas Foreign Minister Qin Gang will skip the gathering due to his physical condition, according to the Foreign Ministry spokesman on July 11.

China, Russia, Indonesia Diplomats Meet (10:49 p.m.)

Wang, Lavrov, and Indonesias Marsudi exchanged views on international and regional issues on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing. The three also discussed food and energy security and called for ensuring smooth supply chains for developing countries.

In todays world full of challenges, we really need to have more dialogue and more collaboration, Marsudi said.

--With assistance from Chandra Asmara, Ben Westcott, Daniel Flatley and Norman Harsono.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
By Kate Lamb and Stanley Widianto

JAKARTA (Reuters) -Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Thursday reiterated condemnation of ongoing violence in Myanmar, as an intensifying conflict there tests the unity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Myanmar, one of the bloc's 10 members, has been beset by fighting since the military seized power in early 2021 before unleashing a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy opponents, prompting retaliatory attacks by a resistance movement and ethnic minority armies.

"We strongly condemned the continued acts of violence, including air strikes, artillery shelling, and destruction of public facilities," ASEAN's top diplomats said in a joint communique released late on Thursday after an unexplained delay.

Meeting chair Indonesia had on Wednesday urged the group's foreign ministers to remain united in tackling the escalating violence in Myanmar.

Myanmar's military leaders have refused to implement a five-point peace plan, which calls for a halt to violence and inclusive dialogue and was agreed shortly after they mounted their coup, and Malaysia had called for stronger condemnation.

The ministers also "urged all parties involved to take concrete action to immediately halt indiscriminate violence, denounce any escalation, and create a conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogue."

They said they discussed the South China Sea, where several members have overlapping maritime claims with China, the region's increasingly powerful neighbor.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi attended ASEAN-related meetings in Jakarta this week and also held bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Without naming China, ASEAN foreign ministers said "concerns were expressed by some Ministers on the land reclamations, activities, serious incidents in the area, including actions that put the safety of all persons at risk."

Rifts within ASEAN over Myanmar were highlighted when Thailand invited Myanmar military officials to a meeting last month aimed at "re-engaging" with the junta.

Junta officials have been barred from high-level ASEAN meetings due to the lack of progress on the five-point plan.

Most ASEAN members shunned the meeting, which Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai defended, saying his country was suffering in terms of its border, trade and refugee problems.

Don said on Wednesday he had recently met Myanmar's jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the first foreign official to be granted access to the Nobel laureate since her detention by the military more than two years ago.

The ASEAN ministers said they were "briefed by Thailand on its recent activities on Myanmar, which a number of ASEAN Member States viewed as a positive development."

Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government, made up of loyalists to Suu Kyi's ousted administration, has discouraged ASEAN from engaging with the junta unless it releases all political prisoners.

(Additional reporting by Gayatri Suroyo; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Simon Lewis, A. Ananthalakshmi, Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore, Raju Gopalakrishan and Nick Macfie)
In the metropolises of the West, shops that sell bubble tea  or boba, as it is commonly known  have proliferated over the past few years, a microcosm of the boom in East Asian cultural exports. At the same time, a term has become popular in the Asian diaspora, especially among Asian Americans: boba liberal. Like most phrases coined online this one is as slippery as the tapioca pearls in bubble tea. But it is safe to say that it is a pejorative, referring generally to middle-class Asian Americans who chase the validation of their non-Asian liberal peers, often acting in ways detrimental to other Asians.

Boba has a reputation for being a drink thats all sugar and no substance. Likewise, a boba liberal is an Asian who uncritically subscribes to the Democrat party line that diversity is our strength!, while making shallow tributes to Asian-American identity, such as celebrating representation in Hollywood. While it is commonly used by conservatives, boba liberalism was actually named by the other sworn enemy of liberals: Leftists. It was coined by a socialist Twitter activist, who wrote that Boba Liberalism is thinking t-shirts, products, and merchandise are the main way of affirming ones racial identity.

The term is also used to describe Asians who are deemed to have been whitewashed  to have abandoned their authentic Asian identity to assimilate into the middle class. But how do you decide what counts as authentic, when the whole concept of Asian-American identity is built on a shaky foundation? African Americans are mostly descended from individuals who crossed the Atlantic centuries ago as slaves, and are therefore disconnected from their ancestors: they had no choice but to create a new culture from scratch, which gives it a coherence. Asian Americans, by contrast, have only existed in significant numbers for the past few decades. They have stronger ties, as well as living relatives, with other hugely varying nations. Bureaucracy may still lump together East and South Asians, but the two groups are two distinct races in everyday life. Ironically, in an era when racial minorities are encouraged to think about themselves as categories on a census form, boba liberalism is pushing a pan-Asian identity that does not actually exist.

The recent New York Times article What Does It Mean to Be an Asian American Brewer? is a classic example of how that identity is pushed. The author emphasises how few Asians there are in the industry, and points how those breweries which have succeeded began using Asian motifs, such as Chinese Zodiac symbols, only once they became popular. The only real difference between an Asian and a non-Asian brewery, apparently, is that an Asian brewery engages in self-Orientalism so that the mostly non-Asian customers can get feel like they are getting an exotic experience, even though the beer tastes just like any classic American beer.

Over time, politically conservative Asian Americans have also come to enthusiastically adopt the term boba liberal  mainly because it gave them a chance to own the libs. Like Asian Leftists, conservative Asians view boba liberals as not possessing an authentic Asian-American identity, but for the Right, disparaging boba liberalism is not a way to critique capitalism. It is a way of taking aim at a small but influential group of progressive Asian-American activists who are supposedly selling out other Asians, especially working-class Asians, in order to win brownie points from elite, generally white liberals.

After all, Boba liberalism is, essentially, an Asian version of white liberalism  or wokeness. The core of this identity is self-flagellation, the sacred mission to do the work of atoning for being born white, the original sin. As Tom Holland has suggested, wokeness is a direct by-product of European Christian morality. And modern-day white liberalism has largely abandoned Christianity, but persistent is the desire to make up for the offences of ones ancestors, and to see that the last shall be first and that the first shall be last.

As the most educated in society have adopted the tenets of this new religion, people who want access to elite spaces feel immense pressure to convert. Asian Americans from middle- to upper-class families are typically from majority-white neighbourhoods, and the urge to join the club is immense. (This demographic has the highest rates of getting into elite colleges.) Since white guilt is in vogue among their white liberal peers, they have created their own version.

Boba liberals cleave to the idea that that anti-blackness is endemic in Asian-American communities. In Liquor Store Dreams, for example, the Korean American filmmaker So Yun Um turns her parents experience of running a shop in a majority-black neighbourhood into a critique of this supposed anti-black racism. Her parents were working-class immigrants who toiled for decades to give her a better life, but she has risen above them socially, becoming a filmmaker  and is now castigating them to gain acceptance in her new class.

In an interview to promote the film, she tells the story of a Korean American friend who was accosted and robbed on the street by a black person. Her friend felt conflicted because he didnt want to bring race into how he viewed the incident. The rest of the interview focuses on the myriad ways Korean Americans are said to perpetuate anti-blackness. When discussing attacks on Asians, for instance, she says: If youre in a predominantly black and brown neighbourhood, if an accident were happening, who else would be the assailant? It wouldnt be a white person because a white person doesnt live there. Note her use of the word accident, rather than, say, attack. By doing so she is unintentionally perpetuating the obviously racist idea that a black person cant help being an assailant; it denies black Americans agency. There is no similar call for black Americans to unlearn anti-Asianness, because in a boba liberals mind, how can they possibly take responsibility for their actions?

While boba liberals may experience anti-Asian racism themselves, they know there is little social capital to be gained from discussing it. The common assumption is that Asians are mostly well-off and do not need liberal saviours, unlike black Americans. The latter are often portrayed in popular culture as living tough lives in the hood. But working-class Asians tend to cluster in ethnic enclaves that receive very little media attention. The dominant Asian stereotype is of the crazy rich Asian. Boba liberals will intentionally distance themselves from these working-class Asians. Anyone who doesnt toe the progressive party line on every issue is actually an ally of white supremacists.

Unsurprisingly, then, boba liberals often support affirmative action over merit-based admissions policies. In other words, they support a process based not on a clear set of consistently applied rules, but on more nebulous, unspoken criteria set by elite ideology. This benefits them, because they understand the right things to do and say to gain access to institutions such as Harvard. Working-class Asian Americans have little-to-no social capital and have the wrong ideas, however, and thus prefer merit-based admissions policies that dont require intricate knowledge of elite codes.

But being against affirmative action is considered wrong by affluent progressives; for them, the policy is an accessory they can tout to signal that they believe in the value of having a superficially multiracial ruling class. And just as affluent white liberals feel ashamed about white MAGA voters or Brexiteers, boba liberals are embarrassed by working-class Asians and their incorrect views.

As Rob Henderson has pointed out, Asian Americans are adopting luxury beliefs, which are ideas and opinions that confer status on the upper class while often inflicting costs on the lower classes  which he sees as an indicator of assimilation into upper-middle class America. A similar phenomenon is happening among Latinos: the college-educated now use the term Latinx as a class signifier, a term that is deeply unpopular with the vast majority of Latinos. It seems, then, that racial solidarity is not as powerful as class solidarity. Americas liberal elite have all converged on one value system that sets them apart, while pretending to be diverse through shallow imitations of identity.
Senate Bill 14 had all the ingredients for legislation that was destined to sail through the California Legislature. It elevated the sex trafficking of minors to a serious felony on multiple convictions. It had a boatload of bipartisan support. It sailed out of the Senate on a 40-0 vote.

Then it reached the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

And on Tuesday, it died without a single Democrat voting for it.

Opinion

On Thursday, it was a different story. A bipartisan outcry led by Gov. Gavin Newsom caused the bill to come back before the committee whose members promptly voted for it - save for Mia Bonta and Isaac Bryan, who abstained.

The issue exploded far beyond the merits of the bill and exposed the excesses and arrogance within the California Legislatures dominant one-party rule. Such power comes with a great responsibility to respect the view of the majority of the Legislature and the public at large. The Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee ignored that responsibility on Tuesday, to their great embarrassment on Thursday.

Efforts to toughen sentences legitimately face questions given Californias prison overcrowding and budget constraints. But as Republican Heath Flora of Ripon told the Assembly on Thursday morning, the choice on SB 14 was straightforward: Pick pedophiles or children.

Assembly Public Safety Committee Chair Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles, taps the gavel after California lawmakers revived a bill Thursday, July 13, 2023, to enact harsher punishments for child sex traffickers after Democrats blocked it earlier in the week, prompting involvement from Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leadership.

As author Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, told the committee on Tuesday, Human trafficking is exploding in cities across our country. The horrendous practice could very well easily be defined as the crime of our time. Sadly, California is a hub of human trafficking.

Because of various credits for reduced sentences, a Californian convicted of felony sex trafficking can only serve a handful of years. Grove spoke of a member of her district who was convicted of sex trafficking involving a 15-year-old girl and was released in less than four years.

The serious felony status is the foundation of the Three Strikes law passed in 1994. Serious and violent felonies can result in sentences of 25 years to life on the third conviction. Its opponents, then and now, question its value as a deterrent. Supporters say it is a matter of the sentence fitting the crime.

I hope, said Grove, that we can all agree today that repeatedly selling minor children for sex, forcing them to be raped over and over and over again every single day, should be considered a serious felony in the state of California.

The committee heard directly from a victim of the crime, Odessa Perkins. A survivor, head of the non-profit emPOWERment that seeks to improve conditions for fellow survivors.

I am here to say, I was molested and raped repeatedly by Black and white men and even some women, Perkins said. So it does not matter the race. What matters is saving our children.

As she testified, Perkins must have had a sense that her words were not reaching the majority of the committee.

I am here, and I look at your faces and wonder, do you care?

The eight-member committees two Republicans, Juan Alanis of Modesto and Tom Lackey of Palmdale, quickly voiced their support and moved the bill for a full committee vote. That was to be the last support the bill would receive.

Isaac Bryan, D-Los Angeles, shared his reasoning against SB 14. All evidence has shown that longer sentences dont actually stop things from happening, he said. All they do is increase our investments in systems of harm and subjugation at the expense of the investments that communities need not have this be a problem, to begin with.

Liz Ortega, D-Hayward, agreed. Three strikes has shown it has failed many in our community, she said. Sending someone to prison for the rest of their lives is not going to fix the harm moving forward.

Committee Democrats tend to vote as a pack, with Chairman Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles, as pack leader. He said there were existing sentence enhancements that prosecutors and judges apparently were not using. Adding enhancements, they still may not do it, he said. At the end of the day, what we want is to protect these women.

All Democrats on the committee declined to cast a vote. That would normally seal a bills fate for the year. Instead, the pack had lit a political fuse that would soon detonate.

On Wednesday in a brief exchange with reporters, Governor Gavin Newsom said he had contacted Senator Grove in appreciation for her efforts on this and wanted to make sure she knew that today. The issue is one I care deeply about. Have since my time as (San Francisco) mayor, as a supervisor, working then with District Attorney Kamala Harris.

Newsom signaled that the fight over SB 14 was not over. We will be following that up, he said Wednesday. We will have more to say on that very shortly.

Suddenly, minds began to change.

On Tuesday, I made a bad decision, Assemblywoman Ortega tweeted Thursday morning. Voting against legislation targeting really bad people who traffic children was wrong. I regret doing that and I am going to help get this important legislation passed into law.

On the Assembly Floor Thursday, Bryan moved to allow the Public Safety Committee to rehear SB 14, which they passed. Jones-Sawyer forbid any committee comments. It is up for a vote only, he said.

Bills tend to have their toughest vote in the policy committee in the second house. The author typically does not have friends and connections in the other chamber. And the policy committee has the greatest expertise on the subject. Many bills rightly die there or get amended in significant ways. That is the way the system is supposed to work.

The system can break down, however, under dominant one-party rule. A committee majority can feel emboldened to make decisions that neither reflect the majority of the committees own party nor the body at large.

When that happens, democracy fails.

That is precisely what happened Tuesday.

That is the only explanation for the Committees sudden and spectacular reversal on Thursday.

In the end, do not blame this or any committee. Blame the legislative leader who picks the committees and allows rogue ones to perpetuate. The Assembly has a new leader now, Speaker Robert Rivas of Salinas.

All eyes should be on Rivas and his next moves. The underlying problem was not resolved on Thursday.
The Associated Press (AP) said Thursday that it had reached a deal with ChatGPT-maker OpenAI to license APs archive of news stories to help train the artificial intelligence companys systems.

Under the arrangement, OpenAI licensing will be part of APs text archive, while AP will leverage OpenAIs technology and product expertise, AP and OpenAI said in a joint statement.

It was not immediately clear exactly what technology and product expertise The Associated Press will be able to access.

Both organizations will benefit from each others established expertise in their respective industries, and believe in the responsible creation and use of these AI systems, according to the joint statement.

To train and improve their AI systems known as large language models, OpenAI and other AI technology companies ingest aggregations of written works like news stories, books and social media posts.

AP emphasized the company does not use AI in its news stories and continues to look closely at standards around generative AI, according to the joint statement.

OpenAI expressed support for the vital work of journalism in the joint statement.

Were eager to learn from The Associated Press as they delve into how our AI models can have a positive impact on the news industry, said Brad Lightcap, chief operating officer at OpenAI. The AP continues to be an industry leader in the use of AI; their feedbackalong with access to their high-quality, factual text archivewill help to improve the capabilities and usefulness of OpenAIs systems.

The deal comes amid news of the Federal Trade Commissions probe into OpenAI over potentially engaging in deceptive privacy practices or harming consumers, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle have raised concerns over exactly how these AI large language models are being trained and if they are expressing false statements.

Following the Senates first-ever classified briefing on artificial intelligence Tuesday, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said the AI systems training large language models are not designed for accuracy.

That creates real threats that AI can be used to sound sensible while it perpetuates one wrong answer after another, Warren said Tuesday.

Book authors have also become increasingly vocal on having their trove of works used for AI training. Some authors are requesting they be compensated for the use of their works, according to AP. A group of 4,000 writers wrote a letter last month to the CEOs of OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Meta and other developers about their concerns.

Comedian Sarah Silverman sued OpenAI for copyright infringement this week, claiming she didnt give permission for OpenAI to ingest a digital version of her 2010 book to train its AI systems. In the lawsuit, the comedian said it was likely stolen from a shadow library of pirated works.

In an effort to better understand both the benefits and risks of AI, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in May. Altman told Congress government intervention will be crucial in lessening the risk of powerful AI systems.

Neither AP nor OpenAI disclosed the price of the deal.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
People gather to watch the 2017 total solar eclipse over the town of Prinevill, Oregon, U.S.

This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.

Vahe Peroomian, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

For years, small groups of astronomy enthusiasts have traveled the globe chasing the rare solar eclipse. They have embarked on cruises to the middle of the ocean, taken flights into the eclipse's path and even traveled to Antarctica. In August 2017, millions across the U.S. witnessed a total solar eclipse visible from Oregon to South Carolina, with a partial eclipse visible to the rest of the continental U.S.

The interest in astronomical events that this eclipse sparked will likely return with two eclipses visible in the U.S. during the next year  the annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023, and the total eclipse on April 8, 2024. But astro-tourism  traveling to national parks, observatories or other natural, dark-sky locations to view astronomical events  isn't limited just to chasing eclipses.

According to a recent study, 80% of Americans and one-third of the planet's population can no longer see the Milky Way from their homes because of light pollution. As a consequence, most people have to travel to witness meteor showers and other common astronomical events.

Related: Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Here's What You Need to Know

I am a space scientist with a passion for teaching physics and astronomy and photographing the night sky. Every summer I spend several nights backpacking in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, where the skies are sufficiently dark to allow the Milky Way to be seen with the naked eye. My son and I also like to take road trips  often along U.S. 395, the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway  that coincide with eclipses and meteor showers.

The Milky Way leans to the left of the image center, between peaks of distant mountains, which are reflected in shimmering water in the foreground.

Cant miss astronomical events

There are two types of eclipses. Lunar eclipses occur when the full moon passes through Earths shadow. Solar eclipses occur when the new moon briefly blocks the Sun.

A table demonstrating orbits and shadows cast to create solar and lunar eclipses on Earth.

There are three types of solar eclipses. During a total eclipse, the moon completely covers the sun, with totality, or the time during which the sun is completely eclipsed, lasting as long as seven minutes. During totality, those in the path of the eclipse will see the sun's corona, or its outer atmosphere, behind the moon's silhouette.

The moon's orbit around the Earth is an ellipse, so the moon can appear to be 15% smaller when it's at its farthest point from Earth, its apogee, compared with its size when it is at its closest point to Earth, its perigee. An annular eclipse occurs when the moon doesn't cover the entire disk of the sun, leaving a ring of sunlight around the moon.

Finally, a partial eclipse occurs when the moon blocks only a part of the sun's disk, as the name implies.

Three panels show a, left, black circle with white sunrays bursting form the sides - a total solar eclipse, a black disk surounded by an orange-yellow circle - an annular eclipse, and the sun, partially obscured - a partial eclipse.

Meteor showers are a far more common astronomical event than eclipses, and they are visible from any dark-sky location on Earth. Meteor showers occur when Earths orbit around the Sun takes it through the dust left behind by a comet. The Earth sweeps up the dust like a car speeding through a cloud of insects on the highway.

Meteor showers are named for the constellations from which the meteors seem to emanate, though its not necessary to stare in that direction to see meteors. The most prominent meteor showers, occurring on approximately the same dates every year, are the Perseids, named for the constellation Perseus and peaking on the night of Aug. 12-13; the Geminids, named for the constellation Gemini, on Dec. 14-15; and the Lyrids, named for the constellation Lyra, on April 21-22. The night sky will be mostly moonless for the first two this year, but a nearly full moon will make the Lyrid shower of 2024 difficult to see.

Tips for aspiring astro-tourists

One of the most important factors to consider when planning an outing to stargaze or to watch a meteor shower is the phase of the moon. The full moon rises at about 6 p.m. and sets at 6 a.m., making stargazing all but impossible because of its brightness. For ideal stargazing conditions, the moon should be below the horizon, and the best viewing conditions are during new moon. You can use a moonrise/moonset calculator to determine the phase of the Moon and its rise and set times for any location on Earth.

Another important factor is weather. Amateur astronomers always joke that the sky is cloudy during the most interesting astronomical events. For example, most major cities in the U.S. that are in the path of the April 2024 eclipse have had cloudy skies on April 8 60% of the time since the year 2000.

Most Americans live in heavily light-polluted areas. A light pollution map such as lightpollutionmap.info can help identify the nearest dark-sky location, which, in my case, is hours away. These maps often use the Bortle dark-sky scale, which reports 1 for extremely dark skies to 9 for highly light-polluted city centers.

Though you may still see the brightest meteors from city suburbs, the darker your sky, the more meteors you'll see. In general, expect to see fewer than 25 meteors per hour. To see the complex structure of the Milky Way with the naked eye, look for a location with a Bortle index of 3 or below.

Astrophotographer Jeff Berkes sent in a photo of Perseid meteors taken at East Point Lighthouse in southern New Jersey, August 2012.

RELATED STORIES:

 This epic NASA map shows where to see US solar eclipses in 2023 and 2024 (photos)

 Solar eclipses 2023: When and where to see the next solar eclipse

 How to photograph a solar eclipse

It's important to arrive at your chosen site early, preferably during daylight hours. Stumbling around in the dark at an unfamiliar site is a recipe for disaster and may also disturb others who are already at the site. Arriving early also gives time for your eyes to adapt to the dark as night falls, as it typically takes 30 minutes or even longer for your eyes to reach their full dark-adapted potential.

Make sure to carry a headlamp or flashlight that has a red light setting, as red light doesn't ruin night vision. Avoid using your phone, as even a glance at the screen can ruin your eyes' dark adaptation. If you're using a sky-viewing app, switch the app to night mode.

Plan ahead if you're thinking of traveling to view one of the eclipses visible in the U.S. next year. If you're in the path of the eclipse, stay put! If you're traveling, staying at the same location overnight before and after the eclipse can help avoid the hourslong traffic jams experienced by eclipse watchers in 2017.

Saluki stadium at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, hosted a massive crowd of eclipse watchers.

Also, you should never look at the sun directly with the naked eye, even during a total eclipse. You'll need a pair of inexpensive eclipse glasses to watch and fully enjoy the eclipse, but get yours early, as many stores ran out of glasses during the 2017 eclipse.

No matter where you travel during the next year, don't forget to look up at night and marvel at the beauty of the night sky away from city lights.
CHICAGO  It took a lot for Maura Falcon, an asylum-seeker and mother, to speak up about the mistreatment and concerns that she says she has been experiencing at the makeshift shelter where she has been living since arriving in Chicago from Venezuela. Initially, she said, she was just grateful to have a place to sleep and warm food, but three months later, things have changed.

At the volunteer-run shelter in Pilsen, asylum-seekers were promised safety and help to settle in the city in early May. But efforts stagnated and the shelter is troubled, say some of the migrants living there.

On Wednesday morning, Falcon and a group of mostly migrant mothers went to City Hall and attempted to deliver a handwritten letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson, in which they detailed their concerns and living conditions. Those included prohibiting children from drinking bottled water and eating fresh food donations; forcing asylum-seekers, including a family, out of the shelter without a place to go after alleged rule violations; and failing to provide guidance to find permanent housing.

But many are scared to speak because we have nowhere else to go, Falcon said. Es lo mismo que alla, opinas y te meten preso, she added, explaining that she feels oppressed like she did in her native country of Venezuela, where if she spoke up, she could end up in jail.

The allegations of mistreatment from volunteers at the Pilsen shelter are just the latest in complaints from migrants and their advocates, who have spoke about the inhumane living conditions at some of the city-run shelters. Most recently, the Chicago Police Department is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct by at least one officer involving a migrant housed at a West Side police station.

The Pilsen shelter is overseen by Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, who said the complaints are misleading and that the migrants choosing to vocalize their concerns have been galvanized by politically motivated individuals who are using the migrants vulnerability for self-gain.

The group of mothers has shared concerns in the past, and they were guided to City Hall by Juan Aguirre, a former volunteer who was banned from the shelter for inappropriate behavior, Sigcho-Lopez said.

Aguirre said he only responded to the migrants request for help.

Members of the group said they had raised concerns with Lucia Moya, the chief of staff of the 25th Ward, several times over the past months, but no one does anything, Falcon said. Thats why were here.

In the letter, the residents of the shelter also denounced staff members who they say often threaten them with being forced out if they speak up, and use defensive and aggressive behavior.

In a meeting with Moya in late May, several migrants raised concerns about their future at the shelter and mistreatment from some of the volunteers. At the time, Moya told the group that those volunteers would be removed and also assured them that Sigcho-Lopezs office was working to connect them to the services available to them.

Falcon said that at the time, the group remained hopeful. But recently, turmoil escalated once again, when several altercations took place between volunteers and migrants after asylum-seekers were told to leave the shelter after violating shelter rules and a domestic argument, according to testimonies from asylum-seekers, videos and documentation obtained by the Tribune.

The altercations, often involving yelling, are traumatic for the children, Falcon said.

Francheska Karolisi Betancourt was given a notice of relocation for failure to uphold the fundamental rules of the shelter, according to a document she was provided.

The document lists Betancourts violations, including violating curfew several times and substance use outside of the shelter at night. But Betancourt said she has children and does not agree that her behavior merits her removal from the space.

We are thankful to have the space and for all the help, but the way we are being treated is not fair, Betancourt said.

In an emailed statement, Moya said that the team administering the shelter has met with different stakeholders to provide resources such as medical care, workshops and training to address the migrants concerns. She added that volunteers go through an onboarding process that includes trauma-informed training by licensed practitioners that can help de-escalate a situation and respond appropriately.

Moya added that the residents receive hot meals daily and have been advised to drink water from the water fountain after Chicago Department of Public Health determined that it was safe to drink. She also detailed a list of benefits residents can apply for including Medicaid and Link applications through special visits from the Illinois Department of Human Services.

In the first 30 days, the property owners replaced all water pipes and a lead test was completed via CDPH where it resulted that the water was safe to drink. We advise residents that due to sustainability and cost, water bottles could not be provided everyday but were reassured that the tap water was safe to drink, Moya wrote.

Johana Barboza, another mother who went to City Hall on Wednesday morning, said her main concern was the lack of guidance from staffers on how to leave the shelter and rent an apartment, even after getting a job.

Ive asked several times and get nothing back, she said in Spanish.

Moya said the shelter has made rental assistance from the city and state available. But unfortunately many did not qualify because they need proof of income and unfortunately they are not authorized to work without any work visa, Moya wrote.

The misunderstanding may be because government employees are telling them they do not qualify, they may feel as though it is our choice to not help them, Moya added.

Sigcho-Lopez and the volunteers in the 25th Ward have been recognized for their efforts to help house new arrivals with dignity when the city and state failed to do so, setting up the shelter for migrants who were staying in the 10th District police station when no other agency did.

There, migrants gained access to air mattresses, hot showers and daily meals. They were also connected to other local organizations that provided them with other necessities, including school enrollment, access to medical care and more.

Ricky Flores and Delilah Martinez are two volunteers who have not left the asylum-seekers side since they began helping to establish the shelter. Flores said migrants often go to him when they are in need or distressed. Though theres a need for structure, he said, most people do the good work.

Martinez said she can attest to the great heart that volunteers have, at the shelter. But she also advocated for the proper funding of the shelter to ensure that it runs smoothly and safely for the migrants. Martinez said the allegations from the migrants should be a cry for help for city leaders to properly fund the volunteer-run shelters that have provided the asylum-seekers with help when the government could not.

Regardless of the allegations, they dont plan to stop helping. Instead, the two believe there needs to be better communication and transparency with the migrants.

At City Hall, a representative of Johnsons office accepted the letter and spoke to the migrants who attempted to deliver it, Johnsons deputy chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, told the Tribune.

We heard them out. We want to honor their right to peacefully demonstrate and to raise their concerns, and hear them out and try to understand what resources we can direct them to while staying at this volunteer-run shelter, she said.

Because it is not a city-run shelter, theres nothing that we can do, she said.

Pacione-Zayas said the mayors office is still working on crafting a document, expected to be finished at the end of the month, that would help determine volunteer-run shelters eligibility to be city-sanctioned after applying, she said.

But at this point, these are allegations, she said.

____
It took a lot for Maura Falcon, an asylum-seeker and mother, to speak up about the mistreatment and concerns that she says she has been experiencing at the makeshift shelter where she has been living since arriving in Chicago from Venezuela. Initially, she said, she was just grateful to have a place to sleep and warm food, but three months later, things have changed.

At the volunteer-run shelter in Pilsen, asylum-seekers were promised safety and help to settle in the city in early May. But efforts stagnated and the shelter is troubled, say some of the migrants living there.

On Wednesday morning, Falcon and a group of mostly migrant mothers went to City Hall and attempted to deliver a handwritten letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson, in which they detailed their concerns and living conditions. Those included prohibiting children from drinking bottled water and eating fresh food donations; forcing asylum-seekers, including a family, out of the shelter without a place to go after alleged rule violations; and failing to provide guidance to find permanent housing.

But many are scared to speak because we have nowhere else to go, Falcon said. Es lo mismo que alla, opinas y te meten preso, she added, explaining that she feels oppressed like she did in her native country of Venezuela, where if she spoke up, she could end up in jail.

The allegations of mistreatment from volunteers at the Pilsen shelter are just the latest in complaints from migrants and their advocates, who have spoke about the inhumane living conditions at some of the city-run shelters. Most recently, the Chicago Police Department is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct by at least one officer involving a migrant housed at a West Side police station.

The Pilsen shelter is overseen by Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, who said the complaints are misleading and that the migrants choosing to vocalize their concerns have been galvanized by politically motivated individuals who are using the migrants vulnerability for self-gain.

The group of mothers has shared concerns in the past, and they were guided to City Hall by Juan Aguirre, a former volunteer who was banned from the shelter for inappropriate behavior, Sigcho-Lopez said.

Aguirre said he only responded to the migrants request for help.

Members of the group said they had raised concerns with Lucia Moya, the chief of staff of the 25th Ward, several times over the past months, but no one does anything, Falcon said. Thats why were here.

In the letter, the residents of the shelter also denounced staff members who they say often threaten them with being forced out if they speak up, and use defensive and aggressive behavior.

In a meeting with Moya in late May, several migrants raised concerns about their future at the shelter and mistreatment from some of the volunteers. At the time, Moya told the group that those volunteers would be removed and also assured them that Sigcho-Lopezs office was working to connect them to the services available to them.

Falcon said that at the time, the group remained hopeful. But recently, turmoil escalated once again, when several altercations took place between volunteers and migrants after asylum-seekers were told to leave the shelter after violating shelter rules and a domestic argument, according to testimonies from asylum-seekers, videos and documentation obtained by the Tribune.

The altercations, often involving yelling, are traumatic for the children, Falcon said.

Francheska Karolisi Betancourt was given a notice of relocation for failure to uphold the fundamental rules of the shelter, according to a document she was provided.

The document lists Betancourts violations, including violating curfew several times and substance use outside of the shelter at night. But Betancourt said she has children and does not agree that her behavior merits her removal from the space.

We are thankful to have the space and for all the help, but the way we are being treated is not fair, Betancourt said.

In an emailed statement, Moya said that the team administering the shelter has met with different stakeholders to provide resources such as medical care, workshops and training to address the migrants concerns. She added that volunteers go through an onboarding process that includes trauma-informed training by licensed practitioners that can help de-escalate a situation and respond appropriately.

Moya added that the residents receive hot meals daily and have been advised to drink water from the water fountain after Chicago Department of Public Health determined that it was safe to drink. She also detailed a list of benefits residents can apply for including Medicaid and Link applications through special visits from the Illinois Department of Human Services.

In the first 30 days, the property owners replaced all water pipes and a lead test was completed via CDPH where it resulted that the water was safe to drink. We advise residents that due to sustainability and cost, water bottles could not be provided everyday but were reassured that the tap water was safe to drink, Moya wrote.

Johana Barboza, another mother who went to City Hall on Wednesday morning, said her main concern was the lack of guidance from staffers on how to leave the shelter and rent an apartment, even after getting a job.

Ive asked several times and get nothing back, she said in Spanish.

Moya said the shelter has made rental assistance from the city and state available. But unfortunately many did not qualify because they need proof of income and unfortunately they are not authorized to work without any work visa, Moya wrote.

The misunderstanding may be because government employees are telling them they do not qualify, they may feel as though it is our choice to not help them, Moya added.

Sigcho-Lopez and the volunteers in the 25th Ward have been recognized for their efforts to help house new arrivals with dignity when the city and state failed to do so, setting up the shelter for migrants who were staying in the 12th District police station when no other agency did.

There, migrants gained access to air mattresses, hot showers and daily meals. They were also connected to other local organizations that provided them with other necessities, including school enrollment, access to medical care and more.

Ricky Flores and Delilah Martinez are two volunteers who have not left the asylum-seekers side since they began helping to establish the shelter. Flores said migrants often go to him when they are in need or distressed. Though theres a need for structure, he said, most people do the good work.

Martinez said she can attest to the great heart that volunteers have, at the shelter. But she also advocated for the proper funding of the shelter to ensure that it runs smoothly and safely for the migrants. Martinez said the allegations from the migrants should be a cry for help for city leaders to properly fund the volunteer-run shelters that have provided the asylum-seekers with help when the government could not.

Regardless of the allegations, they dont plan to stop helping. Instead, the two believe there needs to be better communication and transparency with the migrants.

At City Hall, a representative of Johnsons office accepted the letter and spoke to the migrants who attempted to deliver it, Johnsons deputy chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, told the Tribune.

We heard them out. We want to honor their right to peacefully demonstrate and to raise their concerns, and hear them out and try to understand what resources we can direct them to while staying at this volunteer-run shelter, she said.

Because it is not a city-run shelter, theres nothing that we can do, she said.

Pacione-Zayas said the mayors office is still working on crafting a document, expected to be finished at the end of the month, that would help determine volunteer-run shelters eligibility to be city-sanctioned after applying, she said.

But at this point, these are allegations, she said.

larodriguez@chicagotribune.com
Some Republicans believe presidential candidates not named Donald Trump are missing an opportunity to break through in a crowded primary field by not confronting the former president head-on.

Strategists agree any candidate will need to win over at least some Trump supporters to overcome the former president in the polls, and attacking him directly carries some risks.

But there is a belief with the first debate on the horizon that the likes of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) will need to more forcefully take on Trump if they want to shake up the race.

Weve seen some criticism of Trump depending on the candidate, but its usually been limited and its not been a situation where its taking on Trump directly, said Doug Heye, a former spokesperson for the Republican National Committee. If we continue to see a campaign where criticisms of Trump are either limited or mild, or candidates are quite happy to let the other person do it instead, then nothing is going to change.

The contrasting styles were on display this week after Trump chastised Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) over whether she was remaining neutral in the lead-up to the states caucuses next January.

Haley and DeSantis were quick to defend Reynolds on social media, but neither one mentioned Trump. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R), meanwhile, defended Reynolds in a tweet and added, America deserves better than Donald Trump.

Several Republicans running for president have been cautious in their approach to Trump, often criticizing him indirectly.

DeSantis, who is running in second place in the vast majority of polls, has argued he will be able to finish the job in ways Trump didnt during his first term in office, citing border wall construction and breaking the swamp.

DeSantis told Fox Newss Maria Bartiromo on Sunday that many voters have so far been focused on some of these legal cases, a reference to Trump without directly naming the former president  or acknowledging the unprecedented and historic nature of a former president facing indictment  and added he believed more voters would begin to pay attention to race during the first debate next month.

When DeSantis has attacked Trump directly, it has not always gone well. A rapid response account for his campaign last week shared a video aiming to attack Trump for his past supportive comments of the LGBTQ community. The video, which was eventually deleted, drew criticism from Democrats and even some Republicans.

Haleys campaign has focused on calls for generational change in leadership atop the GOP, a nod to the desire among some to move on from Trump. But her attacks have frequently been directed at DeSantis, and her criticisms of Trump have typically been either indirect or come when prompted by reporters.

Scott, another South Carolinian, has centered his campaign message on his faith and his desire to push a positive conservative agenda that appeals to a broader swath of voters. But when pressed about differences between himself and Trump, the senator has typically praised the former presidents record.

Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur who has seen modest gains in recent polls, responded to each of Trumps two indictments this year by defending the former president and suggesting he would pardon Trump if elected to the White House.

Former Vice President Mike Pence has comparatively been more aggressive in going after Trump, though he has largely focused on policy differences. Pence has argued Trump has turned his back on conservative values, pointing to his stances on abortion and entitlements. He has also hit his former running mate for his praise of dictators, like Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump, meanwhile, has shown no reservations about attacking other candidates in the field, mocking Hutchinson as Aida, calling former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie a total loser and repeatedly hammering DeSantis on policy and personality.

When post-mortems of the 24 GOP race are written: #1 will be the bad advice nearly all candidates got to not go after Trump, Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump White House communications director, tweeted. Fear of alienating Trump voters materialized in candidates failing to stand out in any real way, while also failing to weaken their chief opponent.

Candidates face a difficult reality that they will likely need the support of at least some Trump backers to secure the partys nomination. Experts said that means they will need to find a way to criticize the former president without alienating his base entirely.

Its got to be something along the lines of, We agree with Trumps policies and what he did as president, but its time to move on, said Tim Hagle, an associate professor at the University of Iowa. But so far what weve seen is every time Trump gets indicted, he goes up in the polls.

Trump has held steady in national polls even after he was indicted on federal charges last month, while candidates like Christie and Hutchinson are polling in the low single digits despite their willingness to take on Trump directly.

Christies campaign has been almost entirely centered on criticizing Trump and making the case that the former president does not have the character to serve again in the White House and is conning the public.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Hutchinson has similarly been willing to call out Trump by name, urging the former president to drop out of the race after being indicted on federal charges.

Christie and Hutchinson have been urging supporters to donate to their campaigns in the hopes of getting on the debate stage in August in what could be the best chance for candidates to set themselves apart from Trump or make an impression by attacking the former president.

When we have the debate, and certainly when were past Labor Day when primary voters start paying attention, for there to be a change in the polls there has to be a change in the campaign, Heye said.

Trump himself has said he is leaning toward skipping the debate, questioning why he should have to stand on stage with candidates polling in single digits who can take shots at him in the process.

Strategists argued Trumps absence could give other candidates the opening they need to go after the former president, especially in an environment where Trump would be unable to counterpunch.

Ultimately, Luke Skywalker had to confront Darth Vader, Heye said. He couldnt sit back and hope the force was going to take care of it for him. And thats where the Republican candidates are going to have to go.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Attorney Imokhai Okolo in Akron Municipal Court to represent his client Jordan Ely.

A lawyer denied a seat on the Citizens Police Oversight Board says he will file a lawsuit against the city on behalf of a client who was forcefully arrested by Akron police this month in social media videos that went viral.

Attorney Imokhai Okolo, who recently left Jones Day to start his own law firm in his hometown of Akron, was at the municipal courthouse Thursday on behalf of his client, Jordan Ely.

Ely is facing misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and obstructing official business, as well as a second felony drug abuse charge, after a violent July 1 arrest in a busy West Akron parking lot.

Okolo said his client intends to sue the city for the violence inflicted during the arrest.

Ely is being held at the Summit County Jail per an order by Judge Mary Margaret Rowlands for violating probation. Ely was arrested and charged with possession of a fentanyl-related substance in 2020. He later failed to appear in court for that and other cases, including domestic violence charges at the municipal courthouse, which prompted city and county judges to issue warrants for his arrest.

Those warrants appeared on a computer screen inside a police cruiser on July 1 when officers say they ran the routine registration check on the vehicle Ely was driving. Police say the system informed them that Ely was linked to the vehicle. The two officers in the cruiser pulled into a Family Dollar on Copley Road, where Ely had parked and stepped out of his vehicle.

According to police and civilian cellphone footage of the incident, Ely walked toward his open drivers side door, which police say prompted them to quickly move in to secure his hands and detain him. Ely stepped backwards as officers tackled him to the ground.

Ely can be heard repeatedly saying please and "I can't" in the video. He later said he couldnt breathe and repeatedly yelled "no" after the scuffle ends. He does not appear to physically or verbally threaten officers during the altercation, though he struggles to move while they try to detain him.

While seated on the asphalt with his body twisted and an officer holding his legs, another officer wrapped an arm under Elys neck and delivered to punches to his head, according to social media videos.

This screenshot of a bystander's cellphone video captures the forceful arrest of Jordan D. Ely Sr., 31, who was taken into custody on a felony drug charge and misdemeanors for resisting arrest and obstruction of justice.

A third punch came after Ely continued to wiggle under the weight of the officers. He was eventually handcuffed. Paramedics treated and released the 31-year-old man at the scene.

Elys 1-year-old son was in the car. In a center console, police say they found a small baggie with 2.5 grams of powder that field tested positive for fentanyl. The substance was being shipped off for further testing.

The arrest drew sharp criticism from critics of policing whove been especially active since the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020 and the Akron police killing of Jayland Walker last summer.

Ely was scheduled to appear Thursday before Judge Nicole Walker for open traffic and domestic violence cases, for which Walker issued warrants that were served when police arrested Ely this month. His case was continued until July 28 to coincide with a status hearing on a grand jury decision on whether to indict Ely on the new felony drug possession charge.

As the case moves through the city and county court systems, Okolo is gearing up to file the civil lawsuit while defending his client against old and new criminal charges.

This is yet again another example of the pattern and practice of violence from the Akron Police Department that citizens of Akron are sick and tired of, Okolo said. Jordan did not deserve to be beaten and brutalized by Akron police officers in front of his child and the community. This brutality must end, and the officers must be held accountable for their actions.

Attorney Imokhai Okolo in Akron Municipal Court to represent his client, Jordan Ely.

Okolo was nominated by City Council to serve on the new police oversight board. The police union lobbied council members to block his nomination, though, out of concern for derogatory comments the civil rights, business and housing attorney made on Facebook following Jayland Walker's death last summer.

At the Wednesday Citizens' Police Oversight Board meeting, members agreed to accept the Rev. Joyce Penfield's complaint over Ely's arrest. Penfield served on the ballot issue committee last year that created the voter-approved police oversight board.

Lt. Dave Laughlin with Akron police said the department will review the arrest as standard protocol in any use of force. The results of that internal investigation will then be forwarded to the police oversight board and its independent police auditor, who could look further into the matter.

Reach reporter Doug Livingston at dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Imokhai Okolo says he will sue Akron over Jordan Ely's forceful arrest
At the peak of the so-called war on drugs, the sentencing disparity between crack cocaine, pictured, and powdered cocaine was as high as 100 to 1. It currently sits at 18 to 1. (Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)

I left prison more than 20 years ago, but Im still fighting for freedom. I carry with me not only my own story but also those of my justice-affected brothers and sisters. I share it all in the hope that I can touch peoples hearts and change their minds.

I served my time, but Americas promise of freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not the lived reality for people like me. The collateral consequences experienced by formerly incarcerated individuals like me are not collateral at all; they are permanent punishments that bar us from fully participating in society.

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I grew up in Chicago, and as a little girl, I navigated the realities of poverty, mental illness, a lack of resources and intergenerational trauma. I was looking for support and guidance wherever I could find it. Unfortunately, I found it in a gang that put me on a destructive path that ultimately led to prison. Looking back, I know that child needed prevention, intervention and support.

Unfortunately, for Black and brown communities, this is often how it works. Systemic inequities and overpolicing have created a disproportionate prison population. One of the largest injustices in our legal system is the sentencing disparity between crack and powdered cocaine.

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At the peak of the so-called war on drugs, the sentencing disparity between crack and powdered cocaine was as high as 100 to 1, and it currently sits at 18 to 1. Heres what that means: Possessing 1 gram of crack cocaine triggers the same mandatory minimum sentence that possessing 18 grams of powder cocaine does.

The vast majority of those serving time for crack offenses are Black. This disparity has led to some people essentially serving life sentences.

People who are incarcerated are separated from their families and miss out on opportunities to provide stability and support for the community. This is especially true for people who shouldnt be in prison in the first place. There are too many fathers, uncles, brothers, mothers and sisters who have a good mind and a good heart and people who have worked hard to improve themselves and expand their capacity to care for their families and their communities  but theyre locked up because of this discriminatory law. And whats worse is that we know this is happening, and its been happening for decades.

In 2018, we advocates took the first step toward righting these wrongs with the First Step Act. Spearheaded by Dream.org, a nonprofit focused on mass incarceration, and formerly incarcerated advocates like me, the First Step Act focuses on fair sentencing and opportunities for people to improve themselves while incarcerated. Five years later, we have data that shows laws like the First Step Act not only reduce sentencing disparities, but they also improve public safety. According to the latest First Step Act report, people released under the First Step Act were three times less likely to return to prison than others released from federal prison.

The implementation of the First Step Act was a critical moment, and now its time to take the next step on our path to justice. The proposed Eliminating a Quantifiably Unjust Application of the Law (EQUAL) Act would eliminate the sentencing differences between crack and powdered cocaine offenses and establish a 1-to-1 ratio. With passage of the EQUAL Act, we could start bringing people home to their communities and putting broken families back together. Punishment alone will never pave the way for progress or provide the necessary tools for individuals to rebuild their lives. The key lies in addressing root causes, investing in education and offering support to those who have been harmed.

Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

As chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has the power to usher the EQUAL Act through his committee and do whats right by our community and the city of Chicago. Passing this legislation isnt just the right thing to do; it also has the potential to enhance public safety in Chicago.

As his constituent, I watched Durbin work alongside President Barack Obamas administration to pass the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010. I ask him to continue building on that legacy and act with the necessary urgency.

Lawmakers must resist the temptation to dismiss incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals and instead listen to their stories of pain, struggle and triumph that are so prevalent in marginalized communities. Each and every one of us has the opportunity to be successful when were given the chance. Im living proof of that.

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No matter how hard this fight seems, we cant give up hope. Each of us has unique talents that can benefit society. We are all worthy of saving. Let us challenge the ingrained prejudices and stereotypes that hinder progress.

Only by joining forces and taking meaningful steps in the right direction can we bring about true change, ensuring equality, healing and a better future for all.

Celia Colon is a formerly incarcerated Chicagoan. She is an Emmy-nominated producer, Dream.org Empathy Network leader and the founder and CEO of Giving Others Dreams, a nonprofit led by justice-affected women.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Attorneys say no deal reached in case of Lecompte mom accused of killing baby boy

The prosecution and defense in the case of Shadiamond Thompson, a Lecompte mother accused of killing her infant son in October 2021, have not been able to reach a deal in the case.

The prosecution and defense in the case of a Lecompte mother accused of killing her infant son in October 2021 said Thursday they have not been able to reach a deal.

Shadiamond Pearl Thompson, 26, faces a charge of second-degree murder in the death of her 2-month-old son, identified only as K.W. in court records. She was set for a pretrial hearing on Thursday, but it was continued until Oct. 11 after a joint motion from Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Lea Hall and defense attorney Ed Tarpley Jr.

Thompson was arrested Oct. 12, 2021, on a charge of first-degree murder after the baby's death five days earlier. Before her indictment in February 2022, Tarpley filed a motion to see if there was enough evidence to proceed with the case.

In that hearing Jan. 6, 2022, testimony revealed Thompson told Lecompte Police Department officers that her oldest child, then 5, threw the baby through a window in their Walnut Street home. She said she'd found the baby hanging on a hurricane fence outside.

It was the second time that day that officers had been to Thompson's home, according to testimony. About 10 minutes before two 911 calls were received about the baby, officers had left the home after returning her two other children home. The boys, 3 and 5, had been found naked on the street near their home.

Initial story: Lecompte woman arrested on 1st-degree murder charge in death of infant

Shadiamond Thompson hearing: Mother said 5-year-old autistic son is responsible for baby's death; doctor says 'no way'

Neither spoke, but they led officers to their home. After Thompson identified her sons, the officers left. Then came the 911 calls. One came from a neighbor, who said Thompson was pacing outside the home while holding the baby.

She could be heard saying, "Why would he do this?," according to testimony.

Tarpley spoke about how Thompson was raising her three sons while working to support them without having any transportation. She relied on family members to get her back and forth to her job at St. Mary's Residential Training School.

The day of her son's death, she had just returned from working a double shift.

While at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, Thompson gave a statement to officers that implicated her oldest son, who was nonverbal and autistic, according to testimony. But Rapides Parish Sheriff's Detective Cainan Baker, who was the lead detective in the joint investigation, testified a doctor said there was "no way" the infant's injuries were caused by another child.

Although a final autopsy report wasn't available for that hearing, Baker testified the autopsy found the baby had multiple skull fractures, four broken ribs on his right side, severe hemorrhaging in his eyes and blood in his spinal cord.

He said the boy died from blunt force trauma.

Investigators did plan to research whether the family had a history of any type of brittle bone disease after Thompson's father testified about a family member with "weak bones."

Ninth Judicial District Court Judge Greg Beard ruled there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed.

At that same hearing, Beard ruled on another defense motion and reduced Thompson's bail from $500,000 to $50,000. After her indictment, he issued an order that kept it at the lower amount.

She was released from jail on Feb. 8, 2022, and was arraigned the next month. No trial date has been set.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Attorneys: No deal in case of Lecompte mom accused of killing baby boy
The City of Austin announced Wednesday it is suspending its partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety in a move opponents are decrying as bending toward the will of anti-police activists. This comes on the heels of self-confessed police abolitionist activist Chas Moore, head of the Austin Justice Coalition, blasting the partnership and even questioning its origins in a rambling statement during a meeting of the Austin Publice Safety Commission earlier in the week. Moore's group, which has accepted large donations from groups connected to George Soros, has spearheaded anti-police activism in Austin for the past several years.

The suspension of the working relationship between APD and Texas DPS by Austins Interim City Manager Jesus Garza, in consultation with Mayor Kirk Watson, comes after two incidents involving Texas DPS troopers. In the first, a trooper reportedly pulled a gun on a dad and his 10-year-old son during a Sunday-night traffic stop outside their home in South Austin. That report has been sharply disputed by DPS, which says it is releasing bodycam video of the incident.

An Austin Police Department officer on patrol.

The dad, Carlos Meza, was reportedly being pulled over for lack of paper license plates on his car. Meza told FOX 7 he was unaware that he was being pulled over and let his son out of the car to use the bathroom, prompting the trooper to pull a gun on his son.

And on Monday, another Texas DPS trooper was involved in a high-speed pursuit that ended with the vehicle crashing in a North Austin parking lot and the driver fleeing. The trooper shot the suspect in the arm. Officials later said the suspect is a gang member who had warrants out for their arrest, FOX 7 reported.

INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY INTO DEATHS AND SUSPECTED OVERDOSE AT INDIANA ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER

On Monday, the Austin Public Safety Commission approved a recommendation calling for more accountability around the DPS-APD partnership. That commission's members are appointed by the mayor and city council members, several of whom voted to gut APD's budget by about one-third in August 2020. That budget cut led to mass departures of Austin police officers, the vast majority of whom have not been replaced, and the cancelation of police academy classes. Those classes have resumed but are not yet producing new officers at the rate needed to replace officers who have already left the force.

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Texas DPS partnership with the Austin Police Department began in March after crime increased following the police budget cut. The partnership was paused in May as Texas DPS officers attended to issues at the border as illegal crossings increased dramatically, but it resumed earlier this month.

Mayor Watson himself touted the partnership as "innovative" and said it was intended to make Austinites "feel safe and be safe" but "recent events" demonstrated the need for a suspension.

FILE: Texas DPS trooper exiting vehicle.

By the mayors own telling, Texas DPS' support has led to a decrease in violent crime, fewer traffic fatalities, shorter response times, and seizures of "significant amounts" of illicit drugs.

The mayor apparently gave Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon little warning of the decision and was not consulted about it. In an email from Chief Chacon to the department reported by KVUE, he wrote that he was "notified a short time ago" that the partnership was being suspended, adding that he "will provide additional information as I receive it."

On Monday, Mayor Watson told KXAN there was no timeline on how long the APD-DPS partnership would last, but hoped to keep troopers in town until APD could fill its open positions. As of Wednesday, the department is down about 500 officers, according to the Austin Police Association. Filling those positions is likely to take years.

ARMED KENTUCKY HOMEOWNER THWARTS CHAINSAW-WIELDING SUSPECT IN EARLY MORNING HOME INVASION: COPS

Early Wednesday, council members Vanessa Fuentes of District 2 and Zohaib "Zo" Qadri of District 9 called for an end to the partnership.

"This is completely unacceptable and does not align with our values as a community," Fuentes tweeted in response to FOX 7s story on the Texas DPS trooper pulling a gun on a 10-year-old. "It is high time to end the DPS partnership."

Responding to the same story, Qadri said there was "0 justification" for the troopers actions.

"Imagine if the story had ended with a trigger happy DPS trooper. Had that been the case, we all would be talking about the death of a 10 year old at the hands of DPS this morning," Qadri said. "I can only speak for myself, but this partnership needs to end."

AUSTIN POLICE TOOK 5 PHONE CALLS BEFORE RESPONDING TO HOME WHERE ELDERLY WOMAN HAD BEEN DEAD FOR 2 DAYS

The suspension, meanwhile, has been met with fierce criticism from opponents who accused public officials of folding under pressure from anti-police activist groups like the Austin Justice Coalition.

The Austin Police Association slammed the decision as "absolutely unconscionable."

"Instead of asking DPS to look into the actions of a specific Trooper, the City allowed a one-sided, inflammatory, poorly researched news story, one purely intended to get clicks, to be treated as truth and fact," APA said in a statement.

"This decision is just another in a long line of decisions that demonstrate to the hardworking men and women of the APD and the law-abiding citizens of Austin that public safety is not a priority in this City."

Prominent Austin attorney Adam Loewy accused the mayor of caving to "a very small group of anti-police activists."

MASSACHUSETTS STATE TROOPERS ATTACKED IN SEPARATE TRAFFIC STOPS; 2 MEN ARRESTED

"The City of Austin is again stuck with an understaffed  police department," he said, warning that there will be "serious consequences to public safety due to this cowardly decision."

Council Member Mackenzie Kelly called the suspension "a disheartening setback for the residents of Austin."

Charley Wilkison, executive director of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT), questioned whether Austin was planning to hire "500-plus replacement officers since they DEFUNDED their police department."

"Oh, OK, so this is just another thread in the off-again, on-again political breakup texts," he said.

The bipartisan group "Save Austin Now" said the suspension will have "immediate and tragic consequences for public safety."

"This is a victory for police abolitionists and criminals and a major setback for law abiding citizens and families who only wish to live in a safe city," Save Austin Now co-founders Matt Mackowiak and Cleo Petricek said in a statement.

Dennis Farris of the Austin Retired Officers Association accused the mayor of "caving like a cheap suit" to the "25 activists in this city who seem, for some reason, to have run everything thats going on in this city and has led to the demoralization of the Austin Police Department."

Later Wednesday, KXAN reported that it had been invited by DPS to view the video of the troopers interaction with the 10-year-old boy that led to the suspension.

The mayors office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he has no doubt that Ukraine will join NATO after the war with Russia ends.

Austins comments come after a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in which NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced that Ukraines application to join the alliance will have an easier path with one procedural hurdle being removed from the process.

But Stoltenberg also did not lay out a timetable for Ukraine to join, frustrating Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Austin told CNNs Wolf Blitzer in a Thursday interview that Ukraine still needs to take several steps before it can join NATO, including judicial reforms. But he said he is sure Ukraine will join once the war is over.

I have no doubt that that will happen, and we heard all the countries in the room say as much, he said, referring to the other attendees of the NATO summit.

Ukraine formally applied for membership in the alliance last fall after Russias full-scale invasion earlier that year.

Stoltenberg said at the summit that relations and support between NATO and Ukraine will be strengthened, a council will be set up specifically to coordinate with the Ukrainian government and one procedural step of the application process will be removed.

Zelensky slammed the lack of a clear time frame for when Ukraine would be able to join NATO or at least formally invited to join, calling it unprecedented and absurd. He was later more conciliatory and praised the plan for making Ukraines process easier.

President Biden has said he does not believe Ukraine is ready to join and would not expect unanimous support for its inclusion among the current NATO members while the war continues. The White House has said adding Ukraine as a member now would likely put NATO at war with Russia.

Austin declined to provide a timeline for when Ukraine will join after the war, but he said all countries that he has witnessed are interested in moving as quickly as possible.

I do believe that everyone wants Ukraine to be on board, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Baldock fire: More than 40 industrial units destroyed in blaze

More than 40 units were destroyed in a major fire that ripped through an industrial estate in a market town.

Crews were sent to Baldock Industrial Estate off London Road in the town at about 18:15 BST on Tuesday.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident after the blaze rapidly developed - but said it was now out.

A meeting has been planned to provide support to people affected.

Firefighters at the scene were joined by ambulance workers and Hertfordshire Constabulary

The fire service said a "bad smell" might remain in the air for some time, but it was not "considered harmful to health".

An investigation into the cause had started and it was "likely to take some time", the service said.

The meeting will be held at Baldock Community Centre between 14:00 and 15:30 on Thursday, hosted by Hertfordshire County Council, North Herts Council and Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Labour councillor Elizabeth Dennis, leader of North Herts Council, said: "The fire has had a devastating impact on local businesses and workers.

"We will do everything we can to help the Baldock Industrial Estate community."

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was now out

Sir Oliver Heald, the Conservative MP for North East Hertfordshire, praised the fire service, police and farmers who brought in extra water.

"It's been a very big shock," he said. "Forty three industrial units have been destroyed."

He said he had spoken to some of the affected businesses and contacted the Association of British Insurers to ask them to "make sure their members are as quick as possible at dealing with these claims".

A brand new nightclub due to open on the site had been lost, he added.

Residents were also asked to keep their windows closed

"For the business people its really, really bad and we've just got to try and help them," Sir Oliver said.

"This is a town with a lot of spirit and we're all working together and we will have to find a way through."

Area Commander Darren Cook said more than 20 fire appliances were on scene tackling the fire, smoke and traffic at the height of the blaze.

"It was very difficult to deal with, the crews worked exceedingly hard," he said.

Several roads were closed in the area on Tuesday and Wednesday

Nick Powell, who lives close by, said: "There is a sense of shock in the community, it is a small community Baldock, it's not a town that's massive, with huge big brand names.

"The local [independent] businesses are very small and hopefully they can continue and restart as it does look like a lot of those will be desecrated by this."

The fire appeared to affect several units on the industrial estate

The blaze was close to the town's Tesco supermarket, which was also evacuated.

Residents were asked to keep their windows closed due to the large amount of smoke, and some lost power and water supplies.

Car care company, Marsh Detailing, said in a Facebook post that they were "trying to process what has happened and come to terms with losing everything we've worked so hard to get".

Firefighters were dispatched to the Baldock Industrial Estate in London Road on Tuesday afternoon

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830
A Baltimore man is the first of 15 defendants to enter a plea bargain after he was indicted in connection to various conspiracies to smuggle contraband into Roxbury Correctional Institution south of Hagerstown following a lengthy investigation last year.

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs discussed the indictments and conspiracies during a May news conference outside Roxbury Correctional, also known as RCI.

The man who pleaded Wednesday is one of three people indicted, including a then-RCI inmate, related to using drones to smuggle contraband over RCI's fence.

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RCI is a medium-security prison and one of three state prisons along Roxbury Road south of Hagerstown.

Guy Edward Austin Jr., 26, pleaded guilty Wednesday to two misdemeanors in the drone conspiracy. Those crimes were conspiracy to deliver contraband and possession of a telecommunications device (a cellphone) with the intent to deliver it to a place of confinement.

One of the drones authorities confiscated from a months-long investigation, which started in 2022, into smuggling contraband into Roxbury Correctional Institution south of Hagerstown.

Austin apologized to the court during his plea hearing Wednesday morning in Washington County Circuit Court.

Judge Brett R. Wilson, referencing Austin's comment about a "misunderstanding," asked Austin if he had ever been in a state prison, even on a tour.

Austin said he had not.

Wilson said the "lives of everyone in a prison are constantly under threat."

Adding items of value to that environment can put everyone there in danger because someone might use physical means to take such items, Wilson said. Those in danger include correctional officers and other staff who might be called on to stop such actions.

"What you did served to exacerbate the situation" and create more danger, Wilson told Austin.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Jared Albert told Wilson earlier that supply and demand in a prison can multiply a contraband item's worth by 10 or 100 times its street value, often leading to fights, disputes and violence.

Judge 'not crazy about' plea deal

Wilson said he was "not crazy about it," but agreed to the sentence recommended by the attorney general's office in the plea deal.

For the telecommunications device charge, Austin was sentenced to 5 years in state prison with all suspended but 90 days and credit for 71 days already served.

Wilson also sentenced Austin to a consecutive three years in state prison for the conspiracy charge, but suspended all of it.

Once released, Austin will be on supervised probation for three years. Probation conditions include not using any type of drone and not being on the property of any place of confinement such as a prison, jail or holding center.

Public defender Robert Kline, noting how quickly Austin admitted to his mistake in reaching a plea deal, asked Wilson to consider time served.

With an active 90-day sentence and 71 days already served, there's a chance Austin could be released before he reaches 90 days if he has good time credit.

After the hearing, Kline said Austin acknowledged his mistake and is "certainly happy to put this behind him." Austin will serve his remaining time and go home to his family and back to work, Kline said.

Albert told Wilson that Austin had no prior criminal record the state is aware of and his accepting responsibility worked in his favor regarding the recommended sentence, which is largely suspended time.

But Albert also said it seems that even after this incident, Austin continued this type of behavior regarding another prison in Baltimore.

Albert called the incidents with the drones a "very serious offense" and told Wilson that perhaps Austin didn't understand that at the time because it seems he's a "drone guy" and has flown drones recreationally.

Using a drone to smuggle contraband onto RCI grounds

Also indicted in the contraband conspiracy involving using drones is inmate Jose Tapia, who has been transferred to another state prison, and Miya Ann Scott, 25, of Baltimore.

Tapia, 38, is accused of soliciting people via Instagram, offering to compensate anyone willing to fly drones over the RCI fence to deliver drugs and other contraband, Brown said during the May 25 news conference.

Albert said drone activity was detected in the area of a cornfield off Lappans Road, about a mile from RCI, around 6 a.m. Sept. 7.

Officers found Austin and Scott, with Scott holding a drone controller and a drone landing near them, Albert said. She removed her cellphone from the controller as officers arrived.

A search of Austin's vehicle found almost 119 grams of synthetic marijuana, at least four cellphones, earbuds and drone equipment, Albert said.

Officers also recovered a drone and contraband that crashed into a tree the prior day during an attempted delivery to RCI, court records state.

The indictments were the result of a long-term investigation last summer as officials determined unexplained packages coming from midair were dropped by drones, Albert told Wilson.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Baltimore man sentenced in prison contraband case involving drone
BALTIMORE -- Maryland is welcoming transgender individuals with open arms  but theres nowhere to put them, a Baltimore nonprofit says.

On June 5, Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, signed an executive order to protect gender affirming health care in Maryland as legislation seeking to outlaw such care sweeps across the nation, mostly targeting minors.

The order will protect those seeking, receiving, or providing gender affirming care in Maryland from attempts at legal punishment by other states, a press release on the order reads.

Since the signing, Baltimore Safe Haven has received over 7,000 phone calls, mostly from out of state, seeking housing in Baltimore. The organization operates a drop-in center and offers transitional housing for those in the TLGBQ community, particularly black transgender women who were living in survival mode, according to its website.

Renee Lau, the organizations director of senior and disabled housing, said they typically get between 800 and 1,000 calls a month.

Lau said that while Moore is a great person who decided to open up the states borders to transgender people, no one expected the need thats coming forth. Recently, a transgender couple were found sleeping on the doorstep of Baltimore Safe Havens drop-in center. In the house Lau lives in, three people are from out of state.

Theres a lot of those red states [that] are making laws that almost make it unbearable for trans people to get health care or even live, Lau said. Maryland being a sanctuary state gives them that opportunity to live freely.

Baltimore Safe Haven has five houses, with room for about six to seven people per house, Lau said. Theyre at capacity.

The need far outweighs what we actually have to offer, Lau said. There is desperate need to either provide a building or go back to getting the motels or hotels like we had before to have emergency transition housing for these people.

As an employee with Baltimore Safe Haven, Kandice Baker has seen the influx of individuals needing help and guidance firsthand. Shes also been where they are.

In January, Baker, 35, moved to Maryland from Dallas. Baker, a trans woman, made the leap despite not knowing anyone in Baltimore; she was running for her life.

In Texas, Baker said she suffered physical, sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of a man shed been seeing. Baker said she couldnt get police to take her seriously.

The Baltimore Sun only identifies victims of sexual abuse with their permission.

Baker said Rescue America  which aims to rescue, revive and empower the sexually exploited, according to its website  was able to secure her a plane ticket to Baltimore, where she spent 19 days in the hospital with mpox and then several months in quarantine.

There was a lot of places that wouldnt accept me because I was transgender, Baker said. I stayed in a hotel room for a week, on edge, because I didnt know where I was gonna go.

Baker now lives in a Baltimore Safe Haven house and does mobile outreach for the organization. She still recalls how relieved she felt when she finally found stable housing in Baltimore.

It was empowering. It was a sense of relief, Baker said. It took a lot of weight off my chest.

Baker said theres a stark contrast when it comes to living as a transgender woman in Baltimore versus Dallas. While in Texas, Baker had to convince her therapist monthly that she was still feeling trans. But here, she is exploring surgery.

Lau said that Baltimore Safe Haven provides free transitional housing for those who are between 18 and 24 years old and low rent for others. At the house Lau oversees, for example, rent is $225 a month.

Lau expects the housing shortage to get worse next year when the Trans Health Equity Act goes into effect, expanding the list of gender affirming procedures that will be covered under Medicaid.

Iya Dammons, the founder and executive director of Baltimore Safe Haven, agrees. She said the transgender community is in a state of emergency when it comes to housing.

Im at my capacity of being able to handle this, Dammons said.

Irene Agustin, the director of the Mayors Office of Homeless Services, says her office has not seen a significant uptick in the amount of people needing services. But that doesnt mean the need isnt there, she added, because some people will feel more comfortable going directly to organizations that specifically service the LGBTQ+ community, like Baltimore Safe Haven.

Agustin said that according to data from the Homeless Management Information System, as of June 30, 2022, there were 15 people receiving homeless services in Baltimore who identified as transgender. By June 30 of this year, that number jumped to 39. Agustin said even with the increase, that number is likely underreported, which is part of a national problem.

The potential increase in individuals heading to Maryland as a result of anti-transgender laws is a concern, Agustin said, because even without increased volume more affordable permanent housing is needed in the city.

In a statement provided via email, Moore spokesperson Carter Elliott said the Moore administration takes the states challenges with housing and homelessness very seriously and will work with the state legislature to implement new housing programs funded through the legislature during the 2023 session in addition to work the Department of Housing and Community Development is doing with transitional and affordable housing statewide.

To the people living in states where their leaders are rolling back their rights Governor Moores message is simple: come to Maryland, come to a place that instead of discriminating against you will welcome you and fight for you, the statement reads.

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Barber gives cuts to kids with disabilities and his process is mesmerizing

A New Jersey barber is giving kids and adults with sensory issues something many people take for granted  a haircut.

We need this service. I didnt realize how much we needed it until I was involved in it, Billy Dinnerstein, 53, owner of Your Kind Of Cuts, tells TODAY.com. Its a little overwhelming, to me, to find out that I have people coming from multiple states away or rebooking flights to stay here because they dont have anybody comparable in their own state who can do this.

Recently, Your Kind Of Cuts TikTok account posted a video that went viral of Dinnerstein cutting the hair of a 4-year-old named Justice at his Nutley, New Jersey salon.

Despite Justice crying, trying to move out of the way, attempting to stand up and even grab the clippers from Dinnersteins hands, the barber maintains his cool, stays upbeat, counts down with the child before each cut and joyfully high-fives Justice when hes finished.

The video has been viewed more than 9.5 million times and has amassed more than 930,000 likes.

Justices dad, 32-year-old Jahod Carson, says the video shows his sons first haircut  one of many more to come.

Me pulling up and seeing Billy outside  we just went straight for it, Carson tells TODAY.com. There were no rules, (Billy) didnt tell me what to do specifically  we just focused on making my son comfortable first.

Carson says Billy did a great job, adding that they worked together to help his son through the hair cut.

We both were trying to make each other comfortable, Carson says. I was trying to make Billy comfortable, because I know my son like the back of my hand, and vice versa  he was trying to let me know that it was OK. He wanted me to trust him ... we both were helping each other out.

New Jersey Barber Billy Dinnerstein, prepping one of his lucky clients for a haircut. (Your Kind of Cuts via Facebook)

Dinnerstein says he doesnt follow a blueprint when giving hair cuts to adults and children with sensory disorders or learning disabilities. Instead, he caters his approach to every client.

I dont know what Im dealing with until they walk through the door, he says. Sometimes its the parents squeezing the kids hands, sometimes its the kid squeezing the parents.

A lot of the time, the tension is being resonated from the parents and rightfully so, Dinnerstein adds. Here they are, walking into another barber shop with a promise of somebody helping their (child), and in the past that didnt work out, so the stress level is very high.

Nicole Capuano, 42, found Dinnerstein after desperately searching for a barber shop to give her now 7-year-old son, Giovanni, a proper trim.

"I couldn't even tell him he was getting a haircut until the day of because he would start panicking about it and getting anxiety," Capuano, who lives in New Jersey, tells TODAY.com.

"He was getting upset, crying, and I would pretty much have to hold him down for the haircut," the mom says. "The last time we went (for a haircut) was the last straw. I was like: 'There has to be a better place out there.'"

Capuano says rather than trying to distract her son from his haircut, Dinnerstein made her son feel part of the process, allowing him to hold combs and kid-friendly clippers.

"Giovanni thought he was helping (Billy) cut his hair," she says. "It was such a different environment ... We left there and he didn't even cry."

A sensory station for clients at Your Kind Of Cuts, where barber Billy Dinnerstein provides hair cuts to children and adults with disabilities. (Your Kind of Cuts via Facebook)

When Dinnerstein has a child come into his shop crying and nervous only to leave happy and excited about their new haircut, he says, it's the "icing on the cake with the extra cherries on top."

"It's nice when the kids come in crying, then at the end of it the mom leaves crying of happiness," he says. "A complete 180  a great feeling."

Carson says he's grateful to Dinnerstein and he hopes people who see the now-viral video of his son getting a haircut know its just a snippet of what reality is like for many parents.

Its not easy for the parents who have to go through this every day with their kid, he says. We need more resources, we need more help  so does every other kid and parent of a kid with autism.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Huw Edwards has been the anchor of the BBC's flagship 10 pm news programme since 2003 (HENRY NICHOLLS)

The BBC on Thursday resumed an internal inquiry after its star news anchor was revealed as the man at the centre of a sex pictures scandal, following days of fevered speculation about his identity.

Huw Edwards, 61, was dramatically named on Wednesday in a statement by his wife, six days after The Sun daily reported claims that an unnamed presenter had paid a young person 35,000 ($45,000) for sexually explicit pictures.

The family of the young person claimed they had used the money to fuel a crack cocaine addiction but the now 20-year-old dismissed the allegations as "rubbish".

Six days of fevered social media speculation led other high-profile media figures to rule themselves out, with one urging the presenter to come forward to prevent others being "falsely accused".

Putting an end to the guessing game as the BBC's 6:00 pm bulletin went on air, Edwards' wife Vicky Flind confirmed his identity "primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children".

She said the father-of-five was "suffering from serious mental health issues" and had been admitted to hospital "where he will stay for the foreseeable future".

The publicly funded broadcaster had paused its own investigation into the claims against Edwards at the request of police.

But the BBC's "fact-finding investigations" resumed after two police forces -- London's Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police -- said there was no evidence a criminal offence had been committed.

- 'Inappropriate messages' -

BBC director general Tim Davie promised staff in a note that "due process" would be followed and said the corporation's "immediate concern is our duty of care to all involved".

Davie is set to be questioned by a parliamentary committee on Tuesday about the corporation's leadership following the recent events.

Media commentators are now debating the ethics of The Sun publishing the original story, given that the alleged victim rejected the claims and said they had told the tabloid not to publish.

There has also been discussion about the unregulated free-for-all on social media, while traditional media outlets were bound by strict privacy and defamation laws.

The BBC meanwhile reported that two more people -- an employee and a former employee -- had come forward with complaints of "inappropriate messages" from Edwards, including some "late at night and signed off with kisses".

They added there had been "a reluctance among junior staff to complain to managers about the conduct of high-profile colleagues in case it adversely affected their careers", the BBC's Newsnight programme reported.

The programme's claims take the total number of people who have reportedly made complaints to the media about the star in the past week to six.

The BBC reported on Tuesday that a person in their 20s had come forward to say they received "threatening messages" from Edwards.

That followed more claims from The Sun in which they reported that Edwards broke Covid lockdown rules to meet another young person he met on a dating site.

Another, aged 17, said the star had sent them "creepy" messages containing love hearts and kisses on Instagram when they were aged 17, The Sun said.

Edwards has been the anchor of the BBC's News at Ten since 2003 and was the journalist entrusted with announcing the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

The accusations have fuelled several days of front-page headlines in the British media with a recent poll from YouGov indicating that 60 percent of respondents in the UK said there has been "too much" media focus on the story.

The scandal comes after the BBC -- whose brand is built on public trust -- was rocked in recent years by scandals which saw some of their biggest names revealed as serial sex offenders.

har-acl/rox
A man was "severely injured" after a 250-pound bear attacked him in the Colorado wilderness this week, marking the state's first reported bear attack this year, officials said.

The 35-year-old worked as a sheepherder on a grazing allotment in the San Juan National Forest near Durango, a small city in the southwest part of the state, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. He was asleep at a camp above Lemon Reservoir prior to the attack.

The attack happened at around 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning, when the man reported being woken by a disturbance at the camp involving a black bear and his herd of sheep, officials said. The man fired a .30-30 caliber rifle toward the bear before it attacked him, leaving the man with bite wounds to his head and additional wounds to his life hand and arm, as well as severe lacerations to his hip and scratches on his back, the parks and wildlife department said.

Emergency services personnel transported the sheepherder to a nearby regional medical center for initial treatment before flying him to Grand Junction for surgery.

"This is an unfortunate incident and we are thankful the victim was able to contact help to get emergency services deployed and that he was able to be extracted to receive necessary medical care," said Adrian Archuleta, a wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, in a statement.

Wilidlife officers searched for the black bear with help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which provided a team of dogs to track it down. They discovered a blood trail near the scene of the attack, along with the sheepherder's rifle and two dead sheep, and proceeded to follow the hounds until the bear was eventually located near the Florida River, about 70 miles away from the Weminuche Wilderness. A parks and wildlife officer shot and killed the bear, whose DNA will be tested against samples found at the attack site to confirm it is the animal.

Most bears in Colorado are active from mid-March through November, according to the state's parks and wildlife department. But it is certainly not the only region seeing bear activity this summer, with multiple attacks reported recently across the western part of North America.

Just last week, a 21-year-old woman was seriously injured by a bear while planting trees in western Canada. Officials characterized that incident as a "defensive attack." Earlier, in June, authorities said a man died after being dragged 75 feet by a bear near Prescott, Arizona. Bear attacks on humans are rare, regardless of their species, the National Park Service says.

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Beaufort County Council pours kerosene on the fire in complaint against administrator

Beaufort County Administrator Eric Greenway has been accused of wrongdoing.

This is a big problem. But its a bigger problem that his bosses, the Beaufort County Council, claim to know nothing about the case.

It is their job to know all about it. They have no choice. And they have to act upon that knowledge.

It is their job to put safeguards in place if necessary, depending on what the complaint involves.

It is their job to assure the public they are doing what they were elected to do. They were elected to lead the county, not act as uninformed extraterrestrials.

They have to be part of the solution, not the ones pouring kerosene on the fire.

They should be saying, We have a problem. This is the nature of the problem. As a result, we have done this, this and this.

And to assure public trust in their county government, we have suspended the accused until this matter is resolved.

The complaint against Greenway was filed with the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office on May 11. That fact was revealed on July 3 when Sheriff P.J. Tanner and 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone concluded the criminal complaint merited investigation by a third party.

The public deserves to know what the complaint is and who made the complaint.

When elected leaders go silent in tough times, heres what happens: We get Murdaughed.

That is, we envision big-wigs setting the rules to their own advantage. We see a system manipulated to hear nothing, see nothing and know nothing when a big-wig is accused of wrongdoing.

Its so typical of South Carolina, which has been Murdaughed since its inception.

Try finding out what happens to complaints filed against state judges.

When ProPublica and The (Charleston) Post and Courier looked into that cesspool in 2019, they dug up 1,000 ethics complaints over the previous two decades and found that the number of judges punished publicly as a result of all that was a big fat zero.

We have found in the past that public information on complaints  and what was done about them  also is scarce regarding doctors and lawyers.

This is a state where legislators want to judge themselves on ethics complaints.

It is a state that just released a killer from jail 16 years early following a secret meeting between a legislator/lawyer and a state judge on the judges last day of duty prior to retirement.

And now Beaufort County Council is stoking public distrust by pleading ignorance about the one employee it is most counted on to supervise.

It doesnt pass the smell test. It defies common sense. County Council is creating a vacuum, which will be filled by gossip and theory.

That is unfair to Greenway, who says he heard about the investigation at the same time the public did and knows of nothing he has done to merit it.

We can all understand that nothing at all could come of the complaint after it is investigated. And we understand that Greenway has layer after layer of due process coming to him, if it comes to that.

But, meanwhile, the councils plea of ignorance also is unfair to the institution of county government, which already has earned enough distrust.

County Council needs to understand that the county administrator is not a regular citizen, and his job demands greater public disclosure.

This is much more than a secretive personnel matter, as County Council Chairman Joe Passiment called it.

Failure on the councils part to know what the complaint is  if that is true  goes beyond irresponsibility. It is negligent.

And they need to know, if nothing else, that people around here are sick and tired of being Murdaughed.

David Lauderdale may be reached at LauderdaleColumn@gmail.com.
Vigango are prepared for their journey back to Kenya in June 2022 at the Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center in Springfield. The sacred wooden memorial statues were returned as part of a continuing effort to repatriate these looted cultural artifacts. (Dannyl Dolder/Illinois State Museum)

Curators at the Illinois State Museum say they dont know exactly how 38 wooden sculptures made their way from Kenya to Springfield. But the leading theory is that the move wasnt aboveboard.

We cant demonstrably state these in particular were stolen, but all the circumstantial evidence sort of points to that, said Brooke Morgan, the curator of anthropology at the state museum system, a consortium of four museums around Illinois.

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Known as vigango, the statues are life-size wooden planks with carved heads with intricately painted faces. The Mijikenda people of coastal Kenya make the vigango to represent the souls of deceased elders in their community and plant the planks in the ground so community members and loved ones can gather to speak to their dead ancestors.

If vigango are moved far from their relatives, they lose their powers, according to the website of art collector and historian Ernie Wolfe.

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The Illinois State Museum acquired 38 vigango sculptures in 2001. Five years later, the museum returned one of the sculptures after it was traced back to an original family member and determined to have been stolen.

Beginning in 2018, Morgan took part in discussions about the statues with the Mijikenda, art experts, the National Museums of Kenya and leaders of art museums around the country.

It became clear to experts that while its difficult to trace exactly how the vigango wound up in U.S. museums, the statues were not likely to have been obtained in an ethical fashion since their spiritual significance make it unlikely the Mijikenda would have engaged in wholesale sale or trade.

So earlier this month, the Illinois State Museum announced it had returned its remaining 37 statues to Kenya.

Not all items do belong in a museum, Morgan said.

The vigangos natural life is supposed to be to decay where they are put in place, she said. We are kind of imposing our Western view of art or cultural materials onto these items.

Vigango are prepared for their journey back to Kenya in June 2022 at the Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center in Springfield. The sacred wooden memorial statues were returned as part of a continuing effort to repatriate these looted cultural artifacts. (Brooke Morgan/Illinois State Museum)

In recent years, museums around the world have been reconsidering the ethics of how items in their collections were sourced, and in some cases returning items that are suspected to have been stolen or are deemed sacred to the country of origin.

The Illinois State Museum is not the only institution that has reconsidered its collection of vigango statues. In 2020 the Denver Museum of Nature & Science shipped dozens of its vigango back to the Mijikenda.

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The issue involving the vigango is not the first time the Illinois State Museum has had to confront controversial holdings in its collection.

In 2019, the museum returned dozens of artifacts to two Aboriginal Australian communities after many were determined to be sacred. And it continues to face questions about its handling of Native American remains.

In January, ProPublica reported that one of the state museums is built on a massive Native American gravesite, and that the museums have the countrys second-largest collection of unrepatriated Native American remains, and one of the lowest return rates of these artifacts. In response, the museum said the data ProPublica cited was outdated and that it continues efforts to repatriate remains.

Three decades ago, Congress passed the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, which the National Park Service website says acknowledged that human remains and other cultural items removed from Federal or tribal lands belong, in the first instance, to lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

One challenge universities and museums in Illinois say they face is that there are no federally recognized reservations in the state, and those reservations are where Native human remains are often returned, said Democratic state Rep. Mark Walker of Arlington Heights, who this spring sponsored legislation that attempts to address the issue.

In making the argument for his bill, Walker referenced the Cherokee Indians who died in Illinois on whats known as the Trail of Tears.

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Take the Cherokee remains given back to the Cherokee tribe in Oklahoma, Walker said on the House floor in May. A member of that nation told me Its like redoing the Trail of Tears where not only did you force us out of the Midwest and into Oklahoma but youre going to force us to move our bones there as well.

Walkers legislation, which passed through the Illinois House and Senate without any no votes, would do two things supporters say would help facilitate the return of many Native human remains.

First, the measure would allow the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to create burial sites on IDNR land for the reburial of repatriated Native American human remains after consultation with Native tribes. That would expand where Native human remains can be laid to rest by allowing them to stay on nontribal lands if the tribes agree.

Second, the bill would require IDNR to expedite the remaining removal and transfer process.

By bringing this bill forward we will finally be able to treat these folks with the dignity that they deserve, said deputy Republican leader Rep. Norine K. Hammond of McDonough County during the floor debate before the Houses vote.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is reviewing the legislation, his office said.

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In 2021, the Illinois State Museum co-hosted a nationwide museum industry-led discussion on returning objects.

The Illinois State Museum is working to be a trusted partner to Indigenous communities worldwide through our repatriation efforts and beyond, the museums former director, Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, said in April 2021.

The National Museums of Kenya is working with the Illinois State Museum to facilitate the delivery of its vigango collection back to their communities, although they may not end up back in the ground, because the Mijikenda has expressed concern about them being stolen yet again. A spokesperson for the Kenya museum could not be reached.

Morgan left for Kenya on July 8, joined by representatives from other United States museums and universities to meet with Mijikenda elders and other groups affected by the art trade.

For museums, figuring out which objects to return is often difficult because ownership records are often muddled or nonexistent.

The vigango statues met the criteria for objects that should be returned because of the possibly unethical nature of how they were brought to Illinois and also because of their spiritual importance to the people who created them.

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Its not like weve flung the doors open like come and get it, Morgan said. But  if these are things that are sacred and are needed by people to practice their religious beliefs, thats certainly something that we can understand,. Each case is going to be different.  Its not an automatic yes from us.

hsanders@chicagotribune.com
With smoke burning their eyes and lungs, and the heat from the sun and flaming piles of brush beating into them, nearly 200 young firefighters faced their first live fire.

Over five days of intense instruction, the newly certified wildland firefighters completed their training in preparation for 2023's fire season, which officially began July 1. On June 30, in a culmination of all their in-class and hands-on training, the trainees fought a carefully set series of burning piles of dried grass and wood intended to mimic a genuine wildfire.

"I've never fought fire directly before," said 21-year-old Jack Hayward, an Oregon State University student who grew up in Portland. "Just even with these like smoldering piles, you can feel the heat intensely from, like, 30 feet away. You're just getting cooked when you're digging the line, so that was really surprising. But I've really been looking forward to this all week."

The Mid-Willamette Valley Interagency Wildland Fire School in Sweet Home is an annual five-day course held in the last week of June.

All students are employed by one of the participating agencies, which fully fund their course, including ODF, fire departments around the state and university programs. They must be approved by a supervisor to take the course.

Firefighters participate in training June 30 near Sweet Home in preparation for the 2023 fire season.

Trainees learn about fire behavior, suppression tactics, weather impacts, mapping, compass use, teamwork, leadership, safety and fire investigation. The majority of the trainees earned their Firefighter 2 certification, qualifying them for an entry-level position. This certification meets a national standard.

"We'd start the day with about five hours of class time where we learn tactics, how to look at the weather, how to fight fires a team, just kind of general things," Hayward said. "Then we'd come out here and we'd apply that knowledge directly to hands-on training."

The trainees came from different states and a variety of agencies, learning about ways they can help during fire season.

Hayward is on the student logging crew from OSU, and, like many of the other trainees, is expecting to help out in case of nearby wildfires. The OSU Student Logging Training Program offers training in practical logging and forestry skills. He said his boss sent him and his fellow crew mates to the fire school to learn more about that side of forestry.

"I did forestry because I like restoration, and I really like the process of logging to kind of just better the world around us to healthy logging and maintenance, making sure things don't get out of hand with harvesting," Hayward said. "(Fire school) has been just a great learning experience."

Firefighter divide into groups as they training near Sweet Home Friday, June 30, 2023.

New faces

Many of the trainees donned shiny new firefighting attire while instructors wore versions dulled from years of smoke and experience.

The live fire practice is as close as you can get to a real-life wildfire. The trainees were divided up into about a dozen crews, each in charge of putting out two burning piles. The trainees report to their crew leads, who report to division supervisors, a military-type hierarchy that helps keep order during a real fire situation.

Sinjin Wheatley, who was a course instructor, lead some of the crews as the Division Alpha supervisor for the live fire training.

"Seeing a whole new batch of firefighters come in, I think it's pretty nostalgic for everyone that's out here that's been doing this for a while," Wheatley said. "We see new faces every year, and most of those faces are pretty eager, so that's really nice to see."

Learning what it means to be a firefighter

Gillian Peden, 22, grew up in Eugene and now studies environmental studies at the University of Oregon, expecting to graduate in 2024.

She said the training changed her view of firefighters.

"I had a preconceived notion of what it meant to be a firefighter. But actually getting this job and being out here today, learning from my supervisors from my peers, it's just an ultimate sense of resilience and self-sacrifice for your team," Peden said.

Firefighters build a fire line around a controlled burn near Sweet Home during training.

Peden added that firefighting is all about protecting the public and the ecosystem.

"There's long shifts, long hours, a lot of dirty work on your hands and knees, but that is really for the greater good of the community and for your department," Peden said. "I've learned what it takes to really push my physical boundaries, what it takes to put my push my mental boundaries."

While pushing herself to her limit, spending long hours in the heat and potentially putting her own safety at risk, Peden kept in mind the ultimate goal of keeping her community safe.

"It's definitely a learning experience that I'm so grateful to be a part of," she said.

Working as a team

To mimic life in a real fire camp, students slept in tents at Sweet Home High School and ate all their meals communally. Some of the instructors said wildland firefighters can go 16 hours straight fighting wildfires, working as a team the entire time, which can go toward forming deep connections with their fellow crewmates.

"When you're out there, in an active fire, you depend on each other," said trainee Jenna Leichner, 25, with U.S. Forest Service and an OSU student. "If you are not strong and cohesive, that could be fatal."

Fellow trainee Rene Marquez, who is now part of Columbia River Fire & Rescue, is originally from Santa Ana, Calif.

"Not being from around here, (his crew) they've actually taken me in under their wing and treated me a lot like family, and I didn't really expect that," Marquez, 23, said. "Everyone treats one another like a brother or sister. Honestly, if you have a question, they really don't care if you're a first-year or if you're a fifth-year. They're really open to help anybody."

Marquez said his fellow crew members share a passion for the outdoors and conservation.

Leichner, for example, said she hopes to go into the policy side of conservation, mentioning the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Acts and Clean Air Act. She said this class on active firefighting has been a great opportunity.

"I see all these people willing to put their life on the line and willing to work nonstop for ... the force," Marquez said. "This is what they would want to protect for the rest of their life."

Remembering fallen heroes

June 30 marked 10 years since the Yarnell Hill Fire that took the lives of 19 wildland firefighters in Arizona. The deaths of the Granite Mountain Hotshots from Prescott Fire Department rocked the nation, but their efforts in putting out that fire were not forgotten.

Craig Pettinger, Unit Forester for ODF in Sweet Home, asked the students and instructors to keep them in mind on the anniversary.

Peden reflected on the Granite Mountain Hotshots and other firefighters who've died on the job.

"I know that crew had so much experience and just did so much for the fire community," Peden said. "It's really important to spread the word and honor those who've fought for us and what we've learned from. We can look back on those kinds of situations and increase safety."

The Granite Mountain Hotshots were killed after leaving a black-burned safety zone when a change in wind direction and speed pushed the fire toward them faster than expected and blocked their escape routes. The firefighters deployed their emergency fire shelters but the fire overtook them. They died in the 2,000-degree heat.

The site where 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew perished while fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013 is marked with crosses for each of the victims and surrounded by barriers.

Investigations found numerous communication issues on the day they died, and questions remain about why some decisions were made.

Hayward said every day of the course, their instructors reinforced the concept of "if you see something, say something," emphasizing communication and observation as key factors in saving lives.

"It's really just been ingrained in us that you need to be making sure that both you and your crew are okay," Hayward said. "It's a team effort, and it's better to play it safe than be sorry later."

Miranda Cyr reports on education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at mcyr@registerguard.com or find her on Twitter @mirandabcyr.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Wildland firefighters: Students train for their first wildfire season
Beekeeping is having a surprising effect on the worlds snow leopard population: It is crucial to reduce competition

A new program in Kyrgyzstan, a country in Central Asia, is helping herders diversify away from livestock activities to more sustainable practices like beekeeping, agroecology, ecotourism, and handicrafts, to the benefit of locals and leopards.

The local livestock industry has historically presented a major threat to these big cats, who find easy prey in domestic animals and are subsequently killed by herders. This issue, coupled with habitat loss and climate change, has put leopard populations under threat.

The main dangers for snow leopards are poaching, mining, roads, hunting, and competition with livestock. All of these threats will be amplified by climate change, Koustubh Sharma, the science and conservation director for the Snow Leopard Trust (SLT), said in an interview with Mongabay.

The program, implemented by the SLT and the Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan (SLFK), provides participants with beehives, training, and assistance in education and research related to the nearby snow leopard population.

This work involves monitoring snow leopards with cameras, which, based on current findings, indicate that the local populations and their preferred prey, ibex, are either stable or experiencing growth, according to Mongabay.

Bastien Chaix, a science educator for OSI-Panthera, expressed to Mongabay how integrating nature conservation with the local economy, in a mutually beneficial way, is the best way to ensure sustainability and gradually eliminate conflicts that may arise.

By bringing additional income to local communities, it allows them to value wildlife and reduce their economic dependence on domestic livestock, and the problems of cohabitation with wildlife, he concluded.

Fifty percent of the honey profits are reinvested into the program with the aim of improving beekeeping education, acquiring necessary supplies, and supporting environmental initiatives selected by the participants.

Asanbek Sasukilov, a beekeeper and herder involved in the program, produced 181 pounds of honey last year. Following the economic model managed by the Snow Leopard Trust, the income was distributed accordingly.

Initially, the beekeepers and their apprentices kept 50%. Despite sharing a significant portion of the profits, Sasukilov earned approximately $180 during the previous season, an average farmers salary in the rural areas of Kyrgyzstan.

The programs future objectives center around expanding various activities, including traditional felt handicrafts and ecotourism with a particular emphasis on wildlife observation, all of which aim to help the local community and will also benefit the snow leopards.

By giving them materials and training, we promote alternative sources of income through beekeeping, fruit and berries, agroecology production, and ecotourism, says Kubanychbek Jumabaev, director of the SLFK. It is crucial to reduce competition with wild fauna.

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Deputy Commander of the Russian occupation army in Ukraine, General Sergei Surovikin

Following the June 24 mutiny by the Wagner Group private military company (PMC), Russian security forces have detained 13 high-ranking military officers for questioning, The Wall Street Journal reported on July 13, citing anonymous sources.

Read also: Russian general Surovikin detained and interrogated  report

The report confirms that the commander of the Russian Air Force, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, continues to be held in custody.

The WSJ states that at least 13 senior officers were detained for questioning, some of whom were later released. Their sources further suggest that around 15 officials have been suspended or dismissed from service.

"The detentions are about cleaning the ranks of those who it is believed cant be trusted anymore," one source said.

According to the report, Surovikin is under detention in Moscow  not in a pretrial detention center  and has been interrogated repeatedly about his involvement in the mutiny. A source informed the WSJ that Surovikin was aware of Wagners plans but did not participate in them. It is believed that the general might be released when Russian dictator Vladimir Putin determines how to deal with the fallout from the mutiny.

The WSJ also reports that, Gen. Col. Andrey Yudin, Surovikin's deputy, and Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev, deputy chief of military intelligence, were detained. It is reported that they have been later released but are under restricted movement and surveillance. Yudin and Alekseyev have reportedly been suspended from work.

Read also: War criminal Girkin warns of new army mutiny in Russia after General Popovs dismissal

The report also mentions the detention of former Lt. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev, who served as Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation and led the assault on Mariupol at the onset of the full-scale war. Since April 2023, he had been employed by the Wagner PMC.

Read also: Russian General Surovikin reportedly released after interrogation

Days following the short-lived Prigozhin mutiny, The New York Times reported that Surovikin may have been aware of Wagners plans and could have even supported the mutineers. The Moscow Times confirmed Surovikin's arrest on June 28.

On June 29, the Financial Times corroborated the report, saying that Surovikin has been detained and questioned by the FSB.

Read also: Rumors of leadership purge in Russian military swirl after alleged detention of top general Surovikin

On July 12, UK Defense Intelligence highlighted additional evidence suggesting Surovikin's isolation, specifically his absence from a meeting with Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, and his deputy, Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces, General Viktor Afzalov.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The best plan to ease Sacramento homelessness is too hard for politicians to enact | Opinion

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinbergs proposal to delegate the identification of Safe Ground managed homeless encampments to City Manager Howard Chan is a pivotal moment for the City Council on its most vexing issue.

It represents the best and only opportunity to make visible progress in a matter of months. But it also means a more geographically dispersed homeless population  albeit staffed and managed  that will increase anxieties in some neighborhoods and likely among some homeless people as well.

Identifying new shelter locations is the only way to relocate an existing encampment that is on public property. It is the only way to begin to reclaim Sacramentos downtown and Midtown, among other neighborhoods. The idea comes with risks, but on balance, the potential benefits make this gamble worth the risk.

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The mayors proposal, recently announced in a city blog, is a tacit admission that the city council itself is not up to the job of finding new locations for the homeless. Safe Ground refers to homeless encampment locations that are staffed 24 hours a day with portable bathrooms and cleaning stations.

The concept is not new: In 2021, the city developed a Comprehensive Siting Plan that included locations proposed by city council members.

The problem was the sites had not been vetted, Steinberg recently said. One of the lessons learned from me is there needs to be a single point of authority when it comes to any siting. That is not the system that we have.

In his July 3 letter to Chan, Steinberg proposes to authorize you to choose any available sites under your authority and to expend the resources necessary to bring more unsheltered people to safe ground. The mayor believes that state funds expected this fiscal year should be sufficient for additional costs to launch any new Safe Ground sites.

The alternative is to wait. The new partnership between the city and the county of Sacramento calls for the county to construct 200 more shelter beds within the city. But identifying the site and constructing the shelter will take time. Meanwhile, people are increasingly fed up, including the judges at downtowns Sacramento Superior Court, where staff and jurors are facing disruptive members of the homeless population.

Safe Ground makes all the sense in the world when it comes to providing social services. With the homeless populations in known locations, outreach is less of a logistical nightmare. Homeless people would get better access to the help that does exist, and Safe Ground sites would be safe for them and safer for neighborhoods overall.

Steinberg proposes additional emergency safe camping or motel shelters on as many sites available dispersed geographically throughout the city. This will prove controversial to neighborhoods largely spared from homeless populations but may be close to a future Safe Ground site. There will be outrage. There will be pushback. City council members may still feel at great political risk for delegating to Chan on Safe Ground decisions that they may end up disagreeing with.

But is Sacramentos status quo, with unmanaged massive encampments in public spaces any better?

On the homeless issue, Chan is not Switzerland: He is neither universally regarded as neutral nor without controversy. He has openly had heated exchanges with city council members, most recently Katie Valenzuela on police financing.

That said, Chan can hopefully make professional assessments of potential Safe Ground locations rather than political ones. He can seek the help of a capable staff. Any sites must be capably managed to prevent problems for both Safe Ground residents and neighbors. Yes, his job duty may expand. But remember, so did his paycheck; Chan was the highest-paid city manager in California last year with a total wage of $547,905.

Sacramentans have rejected the model of a strong mayor over the years, with expanded powers to hire city managers and make the tough decisions. Steinberg has little choice but to seek Chans leadership, and neither do we. Safe Ground is a step toward managing what is now a mess.

Save Ground sites are also not the ultimate solution. What is needed is more affordable housing first and foremost, combined with better mental health care for homeless people through the emerging Care Court system and drug treatment.

Safe Ground though, at least, is a start in the right direction.
(Bloomberg) -- An ESG fund manager that shuns investing in nations classified as unfree is having one of his best years after the strategy helped him dodge meltdowns in a number of emerging markets.

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Thierry Larose, Zurich-based manager of Vontobels $330 million sustainable emerging-market local-currency bond fund, tracks rankings from Washington-based Freedom House and blacklists any countries ranked not free. That leaves one third of the emerging market universe off limits, including some of the largest countries in it.

Freedom Houses rankings of 210 countries and territories take into account elections, freedom of expression and rule of law. Among countries ranked not free are China, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Thailand. The funds strategy is based on the assertion that autocratic regimes tend to have more instability over the long term because they lack the checks and balances typically present in stronger democracies.

This filtering framework has helped us a lot, said Larose, who co-manages the fund with Carl Vermassen for family-owned Vontobel Asset Management, which has $230 billion under management. If you dont have minimum democracy or freedom in a specific country, the chances are high that the institutions of the country will be weaker, implying higher uncertainty on all levels, and for financial markets, higher probability of volatility and erratic returns.

The funds rule of not financing authoritarian regimes has saved it from meltdown in Russia after Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine, and losses in Egypt and Turkey. Combined with this years rally in Latin Americas democracies, thats put it ahead of 97% of more than 5,000 fixed-income emerging-market funds tracked by Bloomberg. Vontobels fund has generated 17% total returns in US dollar terms over a year, compared with 4% on the Bloomberg benchmark EM local debt index.

Avoiding Russia

Russia, once an favorite of investors in emerging markets, was kicked out of benchmark EM indexes and heavily sanctioned by the US and Europe. Turkey, ranked not free by Freedom House for suppressing dissent and limiting public discourse, topped local emerging-market debt losses this year with a nearly 40% plunge. Egypt, where it says meaningful opposition is virtually nonexistent, lost 18%, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

On the other hand, three of the top five performers this year  Colombia, Brazil and Poland  are rated as free, while two others  Hungary and Mexico, were ranked partly free by the think tanks annual Freedom in the World report. Larose allows investment in partly free countries and while there may be differences of opinion about the designations, we prefer to rely on rankings provided by a third party for objectivity, he said.

You cannot be too strict if you want to invest in emerging markets, he said. If youd like full democracies, then you end up with a portfolio with Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland.

While autocracies often try hard to avoid a default in hard-currency debt that could destabilize their regimes and risk seizing of international assets by US courts, the risk set is different for local debt.

Our conviction is that if there is not enough freedom and democracy, there is a higher risk that non-pragmatic and irresponsible decisions will be taken leading to more uncertainty and eventually more asset volatility, he said. Those countries are more prone not to take orthodox, pragmatic measures and historically have more often defaulted on their local debt than free or partly free countries.

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EM countries that should benefit the most from falling US rates and robust China demand are mostly ranked free, Larose added. His basket of favorites includes bonds of South Korea, Malaysia, Czech Republic, Israel, South Africa, Brazil and Mexico.

His strategy hasnt always worked, though. In 2019 he underperformed peers when Egypt and Russia handed investors top returns, while Argentina and Chile had the biggest losses. Over the longer run, the fund has outperformed 75% of peers over the last five years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

We are happy use this strategy as we see it as a safeguard, he said. Sometimes you will miss out but on average it is beneficial.

(Updates with fund performance in the 12th paragraph.)

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(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden affirmed the US commitment to NATO and accused Moscow of election interference at the same Helsinki site where former President Donald Trump famously said he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin over US intelligence sources.

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At a press conference Thursday with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Biden said he could absolutely guarantee US dedication to NATO. As president, Trump  the current 2024 Republican frontrunner  repeatedly threatened to pull the US out of the alliance if members didnt reach the groups goal of spending 2% of GDP on defense annually.

There is no question theres overwhelming support from the American people, theres overwhelming support from the members of Congress, both House and Senate, and both parties, notwithstanding the fact theres some extreme elements of one party. We will stand together, Biden said at the Presidential Palace by the Baltic Sea.

Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in April as its 31st member, just under a year after filing an application prompted by Russias attack on Ukraine. The Nordic nation has a history of wars with its eastern neighbor and guards a border more than 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) long.

Read more: Finland Joins NATO as Defense Alliance Expands Northward

As sure as anything could possibly be said about American foreign policy, we will stay connected to NATO, Biden said, adding, We want the people of Finland to know: The United States is committed to Finland, committed to NATO, and those commitments are rock solid, that we defend every inch of NATO territory, and that includes Finland.

Biden also underscored the Kremlins role meddling in the 2016 elections, another break from Trump.

Theyve already interfered in American elections, Biden said. So that would not be anything new. They did that last time, they tried to.

Five years ago at the same Presidential Palace, Trump downplayed the Kremlins role in the 2016 US election, saying he believed Putin, who had just denied Russian involvement.

I will say this: I dont see any reason why it would be, Trump said at the time.

--With assistance from Jenny Leonard and Justin Sink.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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President Biden on Thursday lambasted Sen. Tommy Tubervilles (R-Ala.) months-long hold on hundreds of U.S. military promotions over the Pentagons abortion policy, calling it a bizarre position that is jeopardizing U.S. security.

Speaking at a joint news conference with the Finnish president in Helsinki, Biden was asked whether he would be willing to speak with Tuberville about the hold.

Id be willing to talk if I thought theres any possibility of him changing his ridiculous position. Hes jeopardizing U.S. security with what hes doing, Biden replied.

I expect the Republican Party to stand up  stand up and do something about it. Its in their power to do that, he added.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.)

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) speaks to reporters as he arrives to the Senate Chamber fora vote on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

Since March, Tuberville has blocked the Senate from approving more than 250 military promotions in protest of the Defense Departments policy to reimburse expenses for service members who travel to obtain an abortion.

The GOP senator claims that the Pentagons policy, which provides paid leave and reimbursement costs for travel for those who must cross state lines for the procedure, violates the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits using federal funds for abortions.

Tubervilles hold is affecting numerous leadership posts held by key military officers, prompting concern from the White House, current and former Defense officials and congressional colleagues, all of whom have warned that the block is hurting national security.

The idea that we dont have a chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the idea that we have all these promotions that are in abeyance right now and we dont know whats going to happen, the idea that were injecting into fundamental foreign policy decisions what in fact is a domestic social debate on social issues, is bizarre, Biden said at the press conference. I dont ever recall that happening, ever. And its just totally irresponsible, in my view.

He continued: Im confident that the mainstream Republican Party  does not support what hes doing, but they got to stand up and be counted. Thats how it ends.

More coverage on Tuberville from The Hill:

House lawmakers this week are expected to vote on a controversial amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would reverse the Pentagons abortion policy.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden said Thursday that China has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin against using nuclear weapons during the war in Ukraine.

In a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Biden was asked if there are new concerns about Putin taking more drastic steps following disarray among Russian generals and the rebellion by the Wagner Group.

I dont think theres any real prospect  you never know  of Putin using nuclear weapons. Not only has the West, but China and the rest of the world has said, dont go there, Biden said in Helsinki.

Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping last spoke in November in Bali, Indonesia, during the Group of 20 summit. Top officials from the Biden administration, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, have recently met with their counterparts in China.

Biden traveled to Helsinki after attending a NATO Summit in Lithuania, where member nations discussed continued support for Ukraine in its war against invading Russian forces.

The summit delivered a blow to Putin with allies standing as united as ever against his war in Ukraine. Biden and other leaders also boosted defense spending.

In another setback for Putin, Turkey agreed to allow Sweden to join NATO, which expands the border of the alliance. Biden and allies also discussed Ukraine joining the alliance, which all agreed is in the countrys future but cant happen until the war with Russia ends.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The water is still rising in Vermont as other parts of the US Northeast battle to recover from devastating impacts of torrential rain and ensuing intense flooding in New York and New England.

One woman died in New York after she was swept away in floodwaters as she tried to escape her home with her dog, and dozens of people had to be rescued from submerged vehicles. Roads have been transformed into rivers and bridges and highways collapsed under the deluge and landslides.

New York States Hudson Valley saw up to 10 inches of rain on Sunday, the equivalent of an entire summer.

Dangerous, widespread flash flooding from excessive rainfall is expected across New England through Tuesday morning; Highest risk for Vermont with expected impacts to transit routes, the National Weather Service warned.

Key Points

Travel disrupted as 13 million people in the US north-east under flood alert

Biden declares emergency in Vermont

Flash flooding expected across New England today

One killed, 50 rescued so far as US northeast faces extreme downpour and flooding

Governor says Vermont downpour 'worse than Irene'

US faced 12 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2023, says NOAA

14:29 , Stuti Mishra

In 2023 so far, the US has faced 12 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The US governments climate and environment body said that June 2023 was record hot for some parts of the US, while other locations were roiled by severe weather and poor air quality.

So far, the average temperature for the contiguous US was 49.2 degrees F, (1.7 degrees above the 20th-century average), ranking as the 21st-warmest year based on the data of first six months.

Till 11 July, there have been 12 confirmed climate disaster events, NOAA said, with losses exceeding $1 billion each.

Chart from NOAA shows 12 confirmed climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1bn each to affect United State (NOAA)

Land temperatures in Spain surpass 60C amid deadly heat

13:29 , Stuti Mishra

As deadly heat engulfs southern US, the temperatures across the Mediterranean are also set to break records.

The temperature of the ground in some areas of Spain has hit more than 60C during the deadly heatwave sweeping Europe, satellite recordings have shown.

It was so hot that a heat map that highlights scorching temperatures in red turned even darker  to black.

Temperature records have been broken on most of the continent, including France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, where highs of 40C were recorded again on Wednesday.

Read more:

Land temperatures in Spain surpass record 60C in deadly heatwave

Eight tornadoes touch down in four Chicago counties

12:29 , Stuti Mishra

Extreme weather also threatened the Chicago area, where at least eight tornadoes touched down in four counties in northeastern Illinois.

One tornado touched down near Chicagos OHare International Airport on Wednesday evening, prompting passengers to take shelter and disrupting hundreds of flights. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

A confirmed tornado was on the ground around 7pm, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago.

This tornado has been touching the ground intermittently so far and is moving east. There are additional circulations along the line south of OHare. Seek shelter if in the warned area, it said.

The view from Chicago Midway Airport as a tornado-warned storm pushed through moments ago.



Over 1.7 million people in the Chicago area were included within this tornado warning.



Video sent in by: Taylor Mobley#weather #tornado #stormhour #ilwx #wx pic.twitter.com/DO56S1lBza  Nash Rhodes (@NashWX) July 12, 2023

Death Valley can see 'highest temperature on Earth', expert warns

11:29 , Stuti Mishra

The southern parts of the US is bracing for potentially deadly heat with much of the area under an excessive heat warning.

The National Weather Service issued excessive heat advisories, watches and warnings for areas where about 100 million Americans live. The sweltering conditions are expected to worsen over the weekend and continue into next week.

Meteorologist Colin McCarthy warned on Twitter that Death Valley, one of the hottest places on the planet, can see temperatures "soar up to 131F (55C), which, if recorded by a weather station, would be the highest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth".

The National Weather Service is now forecasting Death Valley to soar up to 131F (55C), which, if recorded by a weather station, would be the highest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth. pic.twitter.com/Jonl9GBfzB  Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) July 13, 2023

The records show Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley recording a temperature of 134.1F (56.7C) in July 1913, which is considered the highest temperature recorded on Earth, however, that reading has been under question by scientists with several meteorological experts asserting that there were irregularities.

More rains expected for Vermont and US northeast

10:29 , Stuti Mishra

While stifling temperatures have gripped many parts of the country, Vermont and other Northeastern states barely have had time to recover from historic flooding in recent days when the National Weather Service forecast more heavy rainfall across parts of New England in the coming days, where rivers and streams are already running high.

Jodi Kelly, left, practice manager at Stonecliff Veterinary Surgical Center, behind, and her husband, veterinarian Dan Kelly, use a canoe to remove surgical supplies from the flood-damaged centre (AP)

Excessive heat is baking US Southwest and expected to get worse

09:29 , Stuti Mishra

A prolonged heat wave blanketed a swath of the US stretching from California to South Florida on Wednesday, with forecasters expecting temperatures that could shatter records in parts of the Southwest in the coming days.

The National Weather Service issued excessive heat advisories, watches and warnings for areas where about 100 million Americans live. The sweltering conditions are expected to worsen over the weekend and continue into next week.

People return to devastated houses after water recedes

08:29 , Stuti Mishra

Residents in Vermont are returning home to find their houses and belongings damaged after severe flooding left the capital city Montpelier as a swirling, brown waterway.

One resident posted a video of their front yard with the entry door blocked with mud and stones and car stuck.

Finally got to return to the house and get my stuff  heres the aftermath of yesterdays mudslide and flood in Ludlow, Vermont. Grateful I got out when I did! Dont think Ill be moving that truck anytime soon pic.twitter.com/BROrWyccOr  alisha durgin (@babygotbckcntry) July 12, 2023

City of Montpelier warns of sinkholes after flooding

07:29 , Louise Boyle

Officials in the Vermont city of Montpelier warned residents to beware of potential sinkholes as flood waters recede and saturated ground settles.

Sinkholes can develop fast and without warning. Do not walk or drive around closed roads or barricades. Please also obey traffic signals and be on the lookout for deep potholes filled with water that may damage or incapacitate your vehicle, the city said.

A man walks down street flooded by recent rain storms in Montpelier, Vermont (REUTERS)

Watch: Bernie Sanders calls Vermont flooding 'worst natural disaster since 1927'

06:29 , Louise Boyle

Pictured: Clean-up continues in Vermont

05:29 , Stuti Mishra

Andrew Brewer, a resident of Montpelier and former business owner on Langdon Street, helps wash away the mud from the sidewalk (Getty Images)

A person bikes around downtown once flood waters receded (Getty Images)

In an aerial view, a kayaker paddles through the flooded waters of Elm Street (Getty Images)

Bailey Road, a clothing and home goods store on Main Street, was left severely damaged from flood waters (Getty Images)

European heatwave Cerberus claims first life as worker dies in 40C heat

04:58 , Louise Boyle

A deadly heatwave sweeping Europe has claimed its first life in Italy.

A 44-year-old worker reportedly collapsed while painting a zebra crossing in 40C heat at noon on Tuesday in the town of Lodi, close to Milan. The man is said to have lost consciousness due to the intense heat and was later pronounced dead.

An area of high pressure  named Cerberus after the underworld monster from Dantes Inferno  is blanketing the country. Italy saw highs of 40C on Wednesday with Sicily and Sardinia forecast to be as high as 48C.

European heatwave Cerberus claims first death and temperatures could reach 48C

What is El Nino and what impact might it have?

03:30 , Louise Boyle

The UNs World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has announced the return of the weather cycle El Nino, which could lead to record global temperatures this year.

After three years of the cooler La Nina pattern, which often lowers global temperatures slightly, the WMO announced on Tuesday that El Nino conditions were present and are expected to gradually strengthen into the winter.

The last significant El Nino event occurred in 2016, which has gone down as the warmest year the world has seen since records began.

What is El Nino and what impact might it have?

What is making South Asian monsoons more deadly?

01:59 , Louise Boyle

Torrential downpours this week have led to the deaths of 100 people and unleashed havoc in northern India. Officials have described it as the worst monsoon the country has experienced in decades, writes Stuti Mishra.

The countrys deadly monsoon comes as countries the world over grapple with similar extreme weather.

The northeastern US experienced historic downpours this week, China evacuated thousands of people from flooding and landslides, and Japanese officials reported the heaviest rain ever experienced. Scientists say the climate crisis is playing a significant role in the intensification of such extreme weather - heres how.

Drone footage captures Vermonts catastrophic flooding

New threats of flash flooding strike the south

Thursday 13 July 2023 00:34 , Louise Boyle

Forecasters warned on Wednesday of possible life threatening flash flooding in parts of southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana as heavy rain battered the region.

The National Weather Service urged residents in four towns in Arkansas Columbia County and Louisianas Claiborne Parish  Haynesville, Emerson, Horsehead and Walkerville  to move to higher ground.

Low water crossings, small creeks and streams, highways, streets and underpasses in those areas could experience life threatening flash flooding, the weather service said in a bulletin.

Forecasters said as many as 10 inches (25 cm) of rain had already fallen in the area and fresh thunderstorms could dump another four inches (10 cm).

Associated Press

Watch: Aerial footage shows massive landslide in Vermont after extreme rain

Wednesday 12 July 2023 23:01 , Louise Boyle

Climate activists sound the alarm after Vermont flooding: Wake up, wake up

Wednesday 12 July 2023 22:30 , Louise Boyle

Vermont is underwater. Citizens are kayaking through the streets to seek refuge. This is not a sign. This is a siren. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up. pic.twitter.com/UUSKl8wjxW  Climate Defiance (@ClimateDefiance) July 12, 2023

Vermont flooding can be seen from space

Wednesday 12 July 2023 22:02 , Louise Boyle

Vermonts flooding damage is so catastrophic that it can be seen from space, new satellite images have revealed.

An aerial view of the Winooski River in Richmond, Vermont on June 27, 2019, left, and at right, an overview of the same area during flooding on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 (Satellite image 2023 Maxar Technologies)

Vermont introduces statewide boil water notice

Wednesday 12 July 2023 21:33 , Louise Boyle

Vermont was advising residents in flood-effected areas to boil water due to risk of contamination from the excessive flooding.

The boil water notice will remain in effect until sampling can be performed to assure the water is safe, the state said.

Watch: Bernie Sanders says Vermont flooding worst natural disaster since 1927

Wednesday 12 July 2023 21:13 , Louise Boyle

New flood threats

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:50 , Louise Boyle

The National Weather Service warned of severe weather conditions and heavy rainfall on Wednesday across the central US.

A slow-moving storm system was blanketing the Midwest, Mississippi Valley and Plains regions.

A moderate risk of excessive rainfall is in effect on Wednesday for portions of far southwest Arkansas and northwest Louisiana, NWS noted. Heavy rainfall overnight has caused sensitive ground conditions with additional heavy rainfall expected, posing risk of scattered to widespread instances of flash flooding.

Watch: Stranded locals rescued by zip-line as torrential rains cause extreme flooding in India

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:30 , Louise Boyle

City of Montpelier warns of sinkholes after flooding

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:10 , Louise Boyle

Officials in the Vermont city of Montpelier warned residents to beware of potential sinkholes as flood waters recede and saturated ground settles.

Sinkholes can develop fast and without warning. Do not walk or drive around closed roads or barricades. Please also obey traffic signals and be on the lookout for deep potholes filled with water that may damage or incapacitate your vehicle, the city said.

Watch: Vermont Governor Phil Scott calls flooding 'historic' and vows to clean up damage

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:50 , Louise Boyle

The town of Ludlow counts its losses

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:33 , Louise Boyle

We sustained catastrophic damage. We just really took the brunt of the storm, Ludlow Municipal Manager Brendan McNamara told The Associated Press on Tuesday, as he assessed the floods impact around the town of 1,500 people.

Among the losses was the towns water treatment plant. Its main supermarket remained closed. The main roadway through town had yet to be fully reopened and McNamara couldnt begin to estimate how many houses had been damaged.

The towns Little League field and a new skate park were destroyed, and scores of businesses were damaged.

People walk across a bridge damaged by flood waters, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Ludlow (AP)

Thankfully we got through it with no loss of life, McNamara said. Ludlow will be fine. People are coming together and taking care of each other.

Colleen Dooley returned to her condominium complex in Ludlow on Tuesday to find the grounds covered in silt and mud and the pool filled with muddy river water.

I dont know when well move back, but it will certainly be awhile, said Dooley, a retired teacher.

What is making South Asian monsoons more deadly?

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:10 , Louise Boyle

Torrential downpours this week have led to the deaths of 100 people and unleashed havoc in northern India. Officials have described it as the worst monsoon the country has experienced in decades, writes Stuti Mishra.

The countrys deadly monsoon comes as countries the world over grapple with similar extreme weather.

The northeastern US experienced historic downpours this week, China evacuated thousands of people from flooding and landslides, and Japanese officials reported the heaviest rain ever experienced.Scientists say the climate crisis is playing a significant role in the intensification of such extreme weather - heres how.

As rains kill more than 100 in India, what makes south Asias monsoons more deadly?

The Southwest is baking in prolonged 100-degree heat

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:51 , Louise Boyle

Even Southwestern desert residents accustomed to scorching summers are feeling the grip of an extreme heat wave smacking Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Southern California this week with 100-degree-plus temps and excessive heat warnings.

To add insult to injury, the region has been left high and dry with no monsoon activity, which can help offset the blazing temperatures. In Arizona, the monsoon season officially begins June 15 and can bring powerful storms with high winds, lightning and heavy bursts of rain.

The heat has made parts of Phoenix feel like a ghost town. Sunset concerts were canceled, and covered restaurant patios equipped with cooling misters sit empty. (AP)

Warnings about extreme temperatures in Phoenix, Arizona, on 10 July 2023 (AP)

Pictured: The clean-up in Vermont

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:30 , Louise Boyle

Simon Jennings, of Montpelier, Vt., removes mid-20th century mannequins from the flood-damaged antique, art, and furnishing store (AP)

Juliana Jennings, of Montpelier, Vt., removes a wet Persian rug from the flood-damaged antique, art, and furnishing store J. Langdon she shares with her husband, in downtown Montpelier, Vermont (AP)

Watch: Senator Bernie Sanders shares update on flooding to fellow Vermont citizens

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:12 , Louise Boyle

Heres what @FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell wants Vermonters to know about the agencys response to the flooding emergency. pic.twitter.com/ea9aRnepe4  Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) July 12, 2023

The whole house was just shaking'

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:50 , Louise Boyle

Vermonters were beginning to share harrowing stories of narrow escapes amid the extreme flooding.

Jeane Wolfe and Jerry Williams told The Vermont Digger, that it sounded like a waterfall rushing into their basement in the early hours of Tuesday.

The whole house was just shaking, Ms Wolfe told the local newspaper. We knew that we had to leave.

They were eventually able to evacuate with help from a rescue crew, and made it to a temporary shelter.

Watch: Water cascades down rocks close to Bear Mountain Bridge after storm lashes New Yorkstate

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:29 , Louise Boyle

All hands on deck: Vermont officials give update

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:09 , Louise Boyle

Officials in Vermont gave an update on Wednesday amid extreme flooding as Governor Phil Scott described it as an all hands on deck response.

Local water rescue teams were overwhelmed with demand so additional swift response teams had been drafted in from North Carolina, while an additional Massachusetts team was on the way.

Governor gives update on Vermont flooding

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:50 , Louise Boyle

Vermont Governor Phil Scott said that floodwaters had surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. Irene killed six people, washed homes off their foundations and damaged or destroyed more than 200 bridges and 500 miles of highway.

The flooding has already caused tens of millions of dollars in damage throughout the state.

There have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to the flooding in Vermont, where swift-water rescue teams aided by National Guard helicopter crews performed more than 100 rescues, Vermont Emergency Management said.

The Associated Press

Pictured: Vermonts state capital marooned

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:30 , Louise Boyle

Drone footage shows flooding in Montpelier, Vermont on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, around the state capital building (Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets via AP)

More rain on the way for Vermont

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:10 , Louise Boyle

More rain was forecast for the Green Mountain state on Thursday and Friday - but nowhere near the historic levels it has experienced so far this week.

There would be a 50 per cent chance of showers throughout the day on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. This is expected to increase to 70 per cent in the evening with the added chance of a thunderstorm.

Friday afternoon would also be possibly showery but nothing near the torrential downpours of earlier this week.

Watch: India suffers catastrophic flooding

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:50 , Louise Boyle

It wasnt only the US being struck with severe flooding as the climate crisis ramps up extreme impacts globally. In Manali, India, flash flooding caused massive destruction.

Montpelier gives an update

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:31 , Louise Boyle

The city of Montpelier, Vermont gave an update on Wedneday morning via its Facebook page.

Public work crews were assessing damage in the downtown area and residents were asked to avoid the area as the clean-up gets underway.

Thank you to all our incredible emergency responders, public works crews, and our community members who have worked tirelessly to get us through this, the city wrote.

Before and after the rains in Richmond, Vermont

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:10 , Louise Boyle

An overview of the Winooski River in Richmond, Vermont on June 27, 2019 (left) and on July 11, 2023, after heavy rains triggered flooding (Satellite image A2023 Maxar Tech)

Vermont governor and FEMA chief to provide update on Wednesday

Wednesday 12 July 2023 14:50 , Louise Boyle

Vermont Governor Phil Scott is holding a press conference on Wednedsay morning at 11.30am local time with Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the states congressional leaders to provide updates on the historic flooding.

The event can be watched lived through local media outlets or on Governor Scotts Facebook page.

Watch: The clean-up begins in Vermont

Wednesday 12 July 2023 14:30 , Louise Boyle

Vermont slowly starts to recover

Wednesday 12 July 2023 14:17 , Louise Boyle

The long and gruelling recovery work is slowly starting in Vermont after the state was deluged by two months worth of rain in two days this week.

In the capital city of Montpelier, where streets were flooded Tuesday by the swollen Winooski River, officials said that water levels at a dam just upstream appeared to be stable.

It looks like it wont breach. That is good. That is one less thing we have to have on our front burner, Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser said. (AP)

Jodi Kelly, left, practice manager at Stonecliff Veterinary Surgical Center, behind, and her husband, veterinarian Dan Kelly, use a canoe to remove surgical supplies from the flood-damaged center, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Montpelier, Vermont (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The US braces for more extreme weather in coming days

Wednesday 12 July 2023 14:15 , Graeme Massie

Despite heavy rainfall being expected to ease later on Tuesday over New England, more extreme weather was brewing across the United States.

There was risk of heavy rainfall on Tuesday in the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, the National Weather Service said in its short-term outlook.

Texas and other parts of the Southwest will continue to get extreme heat with advisories, watches and warnings in effect from Florida and Texas to California.

Some parts of Florida would experience record-tying/breaking temperatures in the coming days. When combined with the humidity, the real feel of the heat will range between 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eastern Texas will hit the upper 90s to low 100s on Tuesday, spreading northward into additional portions of the Southern Plains and Central Plains on Wednesday. High humidity will lead to heat indices up to 110F here as well.

West Texas, as well as the Desert Southwest, will not see as much humidity but the air temperature will be hotter, ranging between the mid-100s to mid-110s, posing a similarly high risk of heat-related impacts.

Southern US to face dangerous heat conditions

Wednesday 12 July 2023 13:30 , Stuti Mishra

After extreme rainfall battered the US northeast, the southern parts of the country are bracing for extreme temperatures, the forecast from National Weather Service shows.

The forecaster said "there's going to be sweltering #heat across the Southern half of the US" by the end of this week, with "probabilities of a greater than a 100 degree (over 37C) heat index on Saturday (L) and Sunday (R)".

Looking forward to the weekend already? Well there's going to be sweltering #heat across the Southern half of the U.S. The two graphics are probabilities of a greater than a 100 degree heat index on Saturday (L) and Sunday (R). 70% probability is in red. Stay Cool!!! pic.twitter.com/VuCdyPGdcN  National Weather Service (@NWS) July 11, 2023

Next week is expected to get even hotter with "hazardous" conditions in some parts, as "heat wave that will impact the South-Central and Southeast US," according to NWS.

Here are our latest key messages on the heat wave that will impact the South-Central and Southeast U.S. over the next week. pic.twitter.com/ot2ky1C0aI  NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) July 11, 2023

Extreme heat warnings and advisories have been put in place already in several parts including southern Nevada, southern California, eastern Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas.

Meanwhile, Flordia will start to see "dangerous heat" this week "through at least Thursday, continuing the hot and dry start to the rainy season for portions of the Sunshine State," the Weather Channel reported.

Flood warning for Vermont set to expire but some rains to continue

Wednesday 12 July 2023 12:45 , Stuti Mishra

The flood warning by the National Weather Service (NWS) for parts of Vermont is set to expire at 10.30am ET today, with no further flooding expected for central, northeast, northwest, and southern Vermont, including various counties.

The weather service said heavy rain had ended across the region. However, light rain may still persist. No new flooding is expected, but existing floodwaters may be slow to recede, the service warned.

A man walks down street flooded by recent rain storms in Montpelier, Vermont (REUTERS)

Pictured: Traversing the floodwaters

Wednesday 12 July 2023 12:02 , Graeme Massie

A person rows a paddle board in a flooded area in Montpelier, Vermont on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

Watch: Are global floods getting worse?

Wednesday 12 July 2023 11:03 , Graeme Massie

Vermont capital hit hard

Wednesday 12 July 2023 10:06 , Graeme Massie

Downtown Montpelier, a city of 8,000, was swamped between the capitol building and the Winooski River. Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser warned on Tuesday that the Wrightsville Dam several miles to the north could exceed capacity for the first time.

There would be a large amount of water coming into Montpelier which would drastically add to the existing flood damage, he said, adding that there are very few evacuation options remaining. People in at risk areas may wish to go to upper floors in their houses.

Just before noon on Tuesday, Montpelier Police said waters had risen to within a foot of the top of the dam, and every foot of water that goes over the spillway would double the flow into the city.

Multiple rescue crews were positioned in Montpelier, where dispatch, police and fire operations were relocated to a water treatment plant after heavy flooding at City Hall and the police and fire departments. Also, the radio towers they use for emergency calls are not functional, Police Chief Eric Nordenson said.

Shelters were set up at churches and town halls, but at least one refuge had to close as flooding worsened. Delivering food and water to more than 200 people sheltering at the Barre Municipal Auditorium has been a challenge.

Were trying to find paths to get supplies in to them, said John Montes, American Red Cross of Northern New England regional disaster officer.

The Associated Press

Watch: Devastating floods batter Vermont

Wednesday 12 July 2023 09:30 , Graeme Massie

Watch: Drone footage shows Montepelier underwater as dam threatened

Wednesday 12 July 2023 08:30 , Graeme Massie

Floodwaters begin receding in Vermont

Wednesday 12 July 2023 07:21 , Stuti Mishra

Floodwaters receded in Vermont cities and towns pummelled by a storm that delivered two months of rain in two days, officials say, allowing the focus to be on recovery now.

In the capital city of Montpelier, where streets were flooded on Tuesday by the swollen Winooski River, officials said that water levels at a dam just upstream appeared to be stable.

It looks like it wont breach. That is good. That is one less thing we have to have on our front burner, Montpelier town manager Bill Fraser said.

Mr Fraser said the dam remains a lingering concern but with the water receding the city was shifting to recovery mode.

Public works employees were expected to start removing mud and debris in the downtown on Wednesday and building inspections will start as businesses begin cleaning up their properties.

Biden calls Vermont governor from Europe

Wednesday 12 July 2023 06:04 , Graeme Massie

President Biden called Vermont Governor Phil Scott on Tuesday from Europe where he was attending the annual NATO summit in Lithuania.

Just got off the phone with [POTUS] Joe Biden, who offered his full support and that of the entire federal government as Vermont responds to historic flooding. I appreciate the President and his entire team for their support, hard work and close collaboration, Governor Scott tweeted.

I just got off the phone with @POTUS Joe Biden, who offered his full support and that of the entire federal government as Vermont responds to historic flooding. I appreciate the President and his entire team for their support, hard work and close collaboration. pic.twitter.com/janNy5eVIn  Governor Phil Scott (@GovPhilScott) July 11, 2023

Vermont is one of a number of states and cities suing Big Oil over the climate crisis

Wednesday 12 July 2023 05:07 , Graeme Massie

In September 2021, Vermont joined other states and cities in suing some of the countrys top fossil fuel companies by alleging they misled the public about the impact their products have on the climate crisis.

The state wants the companies to tell consumers that the use of fossil fuel products harms the environment, Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan said after the lawsuit was filed in Vermont Superior Court in Burlington.

The warnings could be similar to those noting the danger of tobacco products or food products that include nutritional and calorie information, he said.

Donovan, speaking outside the Chittenden County courthouse in downtown Burlington where the lawsuit was filed, said they are not trying to prevent the companies from selling their products in the state and that Vermonters will continue to be able to use fossil fuels.

What we are saying is that Vermonters have the right to know, Donovan said. Give Vermonters accurate information. Put a label on the product and let Vermonters decide.

The suit names ExxonMobil Corporation, Shell Oil Company, Sunoco LP, CITGO Petroleum Corporation and other corporations.

A spokesperson for ExxonMobil said at the time that the lawsuit was baseless and without merit and they look forward to defending the company in court.

Legal proceedings like this waste millions of dollars of taxpayer money and do nothing to advance meaningful actions that reduce the risks of climate change, he said. Citgo declined to comment on pending litigation. The other two companies did not respond to requests for comment.

The Associated Press

NWS Burlington gives historic rainfall totals

Wednesday 12 July 2023 04:08 , Graeme Massie

Without further ado, we have our final rainfall map for a historic two-day rainstorm. The greatest storm total was 9.2, with many 6-9 amounts along and just east of the Green Mountains, tweeted NWS Burlington.

Police say Wrightsville Dam levels are holding 1ft from spillway

Wednesday 12 July 2023 03:08 , Graeme Massie

We have monitored the water levels at the Wrightsville Dam for the last two hours and seen no significant changes, MPD said on Tuesday afternoon.

We have been in close contact with the onsite Vermont Dam Safety Representative who believes minimal increases can be expected. We will continue to monitor the dam throughout the night. Reminder that downtown is still an active emergency area and people should stay out until after the water recedes.Thank you all for your patience and cooperation.

Governor has to hike to emergency centre on snowmobile trails

Wednesday 12 July 2023 02:02 , Graeme Massie

The roads around my house were completely impassable this morning. Grateful for the @VTVast snowmobile trail network, which I was able to hike through to get to an open road and on to our emergency response center, Gov Phil Scott tweeted on Tuesday.
US President Joe Biden has advised the leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, to beware of poisoning.

Source: Joe Biden at a press conference in Helsinki, quoted by European Pravda

Details: The American leader has been asked about Yevgeny Prigozhin's possible actions after the failed coup.

Quote from Biden: "God only knows what he is likely to do.

We are not even sure where he is and what relationship he has. If I were him, Id be careful what I eat and Id keep my eye on my menu. "

Background:

Western intelligence sources have claimed that Yevgeny Prigozhin is in Moscow and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 1 July.

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War have seen no signs that the Russian authorities have expelled or detained commanders or regular soldiers of the Wagner Group who took part in the rebellion in Russia.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
People pack the Hamlin Park field house in Chicago on July 10, 2023, as the Democratic Party's 20th District State Senate District Committee conducts in-person interviews to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Newly minted Illinois state Sen. Natalie Toro was posing proudly for photos with Senate President Don Harmon earlier this week in a sweltering gym on Chicagos North Side when a woman approached her and shouted a prediction: Youre gonna lose in March!

The challenge came minutes after Toro secured the Senate appointment over several candidates, including Graciela Guzman, who was backed by many of the same progressive groups and officials who helped elect Mayor Brandon Johnson. After the vote that gave Toro the win, dozens of Guzmans supporters vowed theyd defeat her next year when the Senate seat is up for election in the Democratic primary.

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We want the ballot box! they chanted.

Most Chicagoans probably cant name their state senator, whose Springfield lawmaking duties are far removed from the essential potholes-and-permits power wielded by aldermen.

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But the high emotions and big crowd that jammed into the Hamlin Park field house Monday to see Democratic Party insiders name a 20th District replacement for Cristina Pacione-Zayas prove the importance the posts have for some residents, and for a party thats continuing to separate along ideological lines, with various factions looking to exert their power.

The fight will certainly be joined again in Marchs Democratic primary election, when Toro will try to leverage the incumbents advantage to win a full term, and Guzman and others will undoubtedly try to unseat her.

The battle for the 20th District is playing out as Chicago is at the vanguard of Americas urban Democratic move to the left. Johnson swept into City Hall this year on an unabashedly progressive platform before naming Pacione-Zayas as his deputy chief of staff, and traditionally moderate and conservative parts of the Northwest Side, for instance, have begun electing increasingly progressive aldermen in recent elections.

In picking a successor to finish Pacione-Zayas term, Democratic committeepersons that have precincts in the Senate district heard from six candidates who made presentations about why theyd be the best choice.

But the 11 committeepersons making the final decision werent equal in the Byzantine process. Their shares were weighted based on votes cast within the district.

So the 32nd Ward committeeperson, Ald. Scott Waguespack, had the equivalent of 11,069 votes toward the appointment, while 47th Ward committeeperson Paul Rosenfeld had the equivalent of just 217 votes, with the other nine committeepersons falling in between.

Toro knew she was going to have to run the political gauntlet at the Democratic committeepersons meeting, joking at one point that she wished she had brought as many friends as Guzman. And her fight to hold the seat next year is shaping up to be a tough one.

She came in Monday having run unsuccessfully in 2022 for a seat on the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

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[ Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson pushes his own plan to reshape City Council ]

In that race, Toro received the endorsement of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, the citys largest police union, a controversial group whose president, John Catanzara, downplayed the role Jan. 6 protesters played in the aftermath of the Capitol insurrection and compared Mayor Lori Lightfoots vaccine mandate to the Holocaust.

Catanzara resigned from the Police Department in 2021 while facing a disciplinary hearing related in part to allegedly homophobic remarks he made on social media.

35th Ward committeeperson Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa joined many progressive ward organizations in the district in backing Guzman. He hammered Toro on Monday for her association with the police union, and for mailers sent in support of her campaign for the County Board by a political action committee funded in large part by the FOP.

Candidate Graciela Guzman, center, at the Hamlin Park field house in Chicago, July 10, 2023. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Candidate Natalie Toro at the Hamlin Park field house in Chicago on July 10, 2023, as the Democratic Party's 20th District State Senate District Committee conducts in-person interviews to fill the vacancy. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

This district is a safe district for the LGTBQ community. This district is a majority-migrant district, Ramirez-Rosa said. So I want to know how you reconcile your statement of being in support of the LGBTQ community, in support of the migrant community, while at the same time your campaign (is) materially benefiting from tens of thousands of dollars from the right-wing FOP.

Toro said she was glad Ramirez-Rosa asked her about the FOP connection, then promptly distanced herself as much as she could from Catanzara.

I think, maybe naively as a first-time candidate, I was under the impression that any candidate should go to a labor union to earn the support of the rank-and-file members of the union, she said. I in no way agree with any of the views of their homophobic, racist leader.

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She also told the panel of committeepersons it was insulting that I have to defend myself against this, but I will if thats whats going to gain me more trust.

In the end, five committeepersons backed Guzman, who was the Senate district director for Pacione-Zayas. But their combined weighted vote paled in comparison with that of the six who supported Toro, among them Waguespack and Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court Iris Martinez, the Democratic Party leader for the 33rd Ward who also supported Toros County Board run.

Between them, Waguespack and Martinez controlled 22,086 of the 22,487 weighted votes needed for victory. No candidates other than Toro and Guzman received votes from the Democratic officials.

Waguespack voting for Toro rather than Guzman was notable.

He has long been a progressive leader in the City Council, but hes recently found himself more on the outs of the councils progressive wing as it has moved further left. Waguespack chaired the powerful Finance Committee under Lightfoot, but Johnson unseated him shortly after becoming mayor, part of a council reorganization Ramirez-Rosa helped orchestrate.

32nd Ward committeeperson Ald. Scott Waguespack, center, prepares to conduct in-person interviews at the Hamlin Park field house in Chicago on Monday, July 10, 2023, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Waguespack said he backed Toro because he liked that shes a Chicago Public Schools kindergarten teacher and has done a good job lining up support from community organizations in his ward. In doing so, he opted not to back Guzman, who has a close connection to a top Johnson administration official.

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After she won, Toro said she wasnt surprised Ramirez-Rosa came at her about the FOP connection.

I was expecting it. It was the narrative I knew he was going to spin, because I havent made any mistakes, she said. I dont have a machine behind me. Im new to this, and Im doing it because I want to improve the lives of the children in my community.

If the appointment process had been a popularity contest in the Hamlin Park field house gym, Guzman and her cheering, sign-waving backers would have walked away with it. Guzman said she will definitely run for the seat against Toro in 2024.

Speaking to the committeepersons before the vote, Guzman laid out the stakes as she saw them, which are certain to carry over into the 2024 race.

I come to you firmly grounded, supported by community today with a clear progressive vision for the 20th District, to continue my work as a principled public servant, she said.

Dr. Dave Nayak, a physician who worked to pass legislation in Springfield to allow the state to pay for funerals of gun violence victims under 17, said he also will be on the Democratic primary ballot after taking part in the committeepersons selection process.

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Make no mistake, we will be outsiders, he said. We will not have the support that an incumbent receives from senate leadership. But we feel very strongly that when the community understands our work that we have done for many years in the 20th, they will know that Dr. Dave puts people first.

All three touted their progressive bona fides, a near requirement in an overwhelmingly Democratic district in which the aldermen elected to new terms this year were more liberal as a group than the Democratic ward committeepersons who won their seats in 2020.

Guzman said she already has a track record getting legislation passed in Springfield, and that the grassroots support on display Monday will carry her further with district voters next year.

I believe that in our democracy, the voters are the strongest decision makers, Guzman said in a statement after she lost. I am excited to speak with my neighbors over the next few months and collaborate on a progressive and principled vision for the 20th district.

jebyrne@chicagotribune.com
President Biden said Thursday he has no idea where Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is, but joked that the Wagner chief should watch what he eats wherever he is.

"If I were he, I'd be careful what I ate," Biden told reporters at a press conference in Helsinki. "I'd be keeping my eye on my menu."

The president's remarks came in response to a reporter's question on whether disarray among Russian generals could precipitate more drastic action from Russian President Vladimir Putin, such as using nuclear weapons or further interference in U.S. elections.

Putin, head of the Russian state since 1999, has said the Wagner Group's aborted mutiny against senior Russian military commanders risked civil war and compared it to the revolutionary turmoil of 1917. However, despite this heated rhetoric, he has permitted Prigozhin to live after the June 24 mutiny and not prosecuted any of the Wagner Group's forces.

BIDEN SERIOUS ABOUT PRISONER EXCHANGE WITH RUSSIA FOR REPORTER EVAN GERSHKOVICH: PROCESS IS UNDERWAY

President Biden said there is no "real prospect" of Russian President Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons.

Prigozhin, a fierce critic of how Russian military leaders have waged war in Ukraine, had reportedly gone into exile in Belarus after his purported rebellion. Since the events of that day, neither Prigozhin nor General Sergei Surovikin, a deputy commander of Russia's military operations in Ukraine, have been seen in public.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Surovikin's disappearance fueled speculation that Putin was executing a purge of commanders deemed insufficiently loyal or hesitant in their response to the mutiny. Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said last month that the Defense Department had not received intelligence "that would portend strategic instability."

Since then, Russian Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov was reportedly fired for criticizing top military brass.

BIDEN, G-7 COUNTIRES VOW LONG-TERM SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE IN JOINT DECLARATION: UKRAINES FUTURE LIES IN NATO'

From left, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The Ukrainian army could not break through our ranks at the front but our senior chief hit us from the rear, viciously beheading the army at the most difficult and intense moment," Popov said in a voice message published by Russian lawmaker Andrei Gurulyov.

Popov explicitly raised the deaths of Russian soldiers from Ukrainian artillery and said the army lacked proper counter artillery systems and reconnaissance of enemy artillery, Reuters reported.

Reports of his subsequent dismissal prompted a reporter to ask Biden whether Putin is about to take "drastic" action amid the apparent instability.

REP. GATEZ SAYS BIDEN IS SLEEPWALKING THE US INTO ANOTHER WORLD WAR OVER UKRAINE AID: ARE WE SAFER TODAY?'

President Biden and Finland President Sauli Niinisto attend a joint press conference after the U.S.-Nordic leaders' summit in Helsinki on July 13, 2023.

"I don't think there's any real prospect  you never know  of Putin using nuclear weapons," Biden said. "Not only has the West, but China and the rest of the world have said that's  don't go there."

As to Prigozhin's ultimate fate, Biden said it was anyone's guess.

"Who knows?" he said. "I don't know. I don't think any of us know for certain what the future of Prigozhin is in Russia. And so I don't know how to answer that question beyond that."

Reuters contributed to this report.
Biden jokes that Wagner Group leader should be wary: Id keep my eye on the menu

President Biden on Thursday jokingly warned Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin to watch what he eats following a failed coup in Russia last month after Prigozhin briefly led a revolt with his private military.

If I were he, Id be careful what I ate; Id keep my eye on my menu, Biden quipped at a news conference in Helsinki.

Prigozhins whereabouts are currently unknown after his march on the Kremlin abruptly ended less than 24 hours after it began.

Moscow earlier this week claimed that Prigozhin met with Russian President Vladimir Putin after the coup, which he viewed as treason.

The Wagner Group boss was first thought to have been exiled to Belarus, but the countrys leader, Alexander Lukashenko, last week hinted that Prigozhin could still be in Russia.

Asked whether Prigozhins rebellion raises the likelihood that Putin will escalate Russias war on Ukraine, Biden said he is not aware of the Wagner bosss current relationship to the Russian leader.

God only knows what comes next with Prigozhin, Biden said. Were not even sure where he is, and what relationship he has.  all kidding aside, who knows? I dont know. I dont think any of us know for certain what the future of Prighozin is in Russia.

Biden was in Helsinki following the NATO summit in Lithuania, where member nations hashed out continued support for Kyiv in the ongoing war and boosted defense spending for the alliance.

The summit was seen as a blow to Putin, as allies stood as united as ever against his invasion of Ukraine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Biden jokes that if he were Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin he would be 'careful what I ate'

President Joe Biden and Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin AP Images/Getty

Biden made light of the situation that Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin now finds himself in.

Prigozhin led a failed coup after repeatedly criticizing Russian defense leaders.

"If I were he, I would be careful what I ate," Biden said

President Joe Biden joked on Thursday that if he were embattled Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin he would be careful in the wake of the fallout from a failed coup.

"We're not even sure where he is and what relationship he has," Biden told reporters of Prigozhin's currently murky status. "If I were he, I would be careful what I ate. I would be keeping an eye on my menu."

There have been conflicting reports of Prigozhin's status since he ended the brief rebellion last month. Putin has called the leaders of the coup traitors, though the Kremlin claimed earlier this week that Putin met with Prigozhin on June 29.

Biden said it's difficult for anyone to know what the future holds for Prigozhin.

"But all kidding aside, who knows? I don't know, I don't think any of us know for certain what the future of Prigozhin is in Russia," he said. "So, I don't know how to answer that question beyond that."

Prigozhin's Wagner force was a core component of Russia's armed forces against Ukraine. The mercenary group was instrumental in taking control of Bakhmut. But Prigozhin began to sour over Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's strategy for the war.

Biden, who was speaking just after the end of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, said what is clear is that Putin will not win his war against Ukraine.

"There is no possibility of him winning the war in Ukraine," Biden said during the news conference in Helsinki alongside Finnish President Sauli Niinisto. "He has already lost that war."

Read the original article on Business Insider
US President Joe Biden is due to meet Finland's leader Sauli Niinisto on Thursday (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS)

US President Joe Biden will meet the leader of newest NATO member Finland on Thursday, after G7 powers vowed to back Ukraine for as long as it takes to defeat Russia.

Biden will meet with Sauli Niinisto, the president of the Nordic country, which shares a 1,300 kilometres (800-mile) border with Russia and which ended its historic military non-alignment following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The trip comes after NATO leaders dashed Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky's hopes for a clear timeline to join the military alliance, saying they would offer an invite only when "conditions are met".

G7 nations later offered Ukraine a package of long-term security commitments and vowed to stand with Kyiv for "as long as it takes" to defeat Russia.

Besides Niinisto and the Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Biden will meet Sweden's Ulf Kristersson, Norway's Jonas Gahr Store, Denmark's Mette Frederiksen and Iceland's Katrin Jakobsdottir.

The topic of the discussions is cooperation between the Nordic countries and the United States on security, environmental and technology issues.

Biden will be the first US president to visit Helsinki since Donald Trump's summit five years ago with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine said early Thursday it had destroyed 20 Russian attack drones and two cruise missiles in the latest aerial assault on the country.

Most of the drones were destroyed around Kyiv, whose mayor said one person was found dead and at least four people were wounded.

Russia has launched waves of drone and missile strikes across Ukraine since the February 2022 invasion.

Ukraine has bolstered its air defence systems with Western-supplied weapons and the number of Russian missiles and drones breaking through has diminished.

But the spokesman for Ukraine's air forces, Yuriy Ignat, recently said that newly supplied systems were still insufficient to cover the whole country.

"We do not have means to destroy ballistic missiles," Ignat told national television on Thursday morning.

Ukraine's air force said it still seeking information on the "consequences" of an Iskander-M ballistic missile launch by Russia from occupied Crimea.

- Subhead -

In their statement Wednesday, G7 powers embraced the "strategic objective of a free, independent, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine, within its internationally recognised borders".

The G7 plan provides a framework under which individual nations will agree bilateral deals with Kyiv detailing the weapons they will give and their response if Russia ups the ante.

"We will not waver," Biden said in a speech in Vilnius aimed at showing resolve after meeting Zelensky at the NATO summit.

"Putin still doubts our staying power. He's still making a bad bet that the conviction and the unity among the United States and our allies and partners will break down."

Zelensky insisted that the promises from the Western leaders amounted to a "significant security victory" that he could take home to Kyiv.

But he did not disguise the fact that he would have preferred NATO to have agreed a firm timetable for Ukraine to join the alliance once the Russian invasion has been defeated and peace restored.

On the sidelines of the NATO summit, Australia pledged to send an additional fleet of 30 armoured Bushmaster infantry vehicles at a cost of US$67 million.

But on Thursday, Australia's defence minister cast doubt over a proposal to bolster Ukraine's military with retired fighter jets, saying Kyiv's request for extra air power posed a "complicated question".

bur-rma/qan
President Joe Biden has authorized the military to call up 3,000 reserve troops to support operations in Europe after tens of thousands were sent there last year after Russias invasion of Ukraine, a top general said Thursday.

Although it is not clear whether Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin plans to actually deploy these reservists anytime soon, the move suggests that the U.S. militarys training mission in Europe, along with the deployment of several new brigades after the invasion, has stretched active-duty forces.

This reaffirms the unwavering support and commitment to the defense of NATO's eastern flank in the wake of Russia's illegal and unprovoked war on Ukraine, Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, the director of operations for the Joint Staff, told reporters on Thursday.

While the move gives the militarys European Command greater flexibility to defend the continent, it will not change the actual force levels in Europe, Capt. Bill Speaks, a spokesperson for U.S. European Command, said in a statement.

The presidents order also for the first time designates Operation Atlantic Resolve, the U.S. effort in Europe, as a contingency operation, which allows the Pentagon to call up reserve forces and implement sped-up acquisition authorities to supply those troops with equipment.

The designation not only allows the president to mobilize reservists, but also ensures they are paid and supported as active-duty troops. It also provides support for families and dependents of any reservists who might be deployed.

The U.S. rushed 20,000 more troops to Europe after Russias invasion, bringing the total to over 100,000 on the continent. That includes new rotations of 10,000 troops in Poland, which has emerged as a critical hub for supporting and supplying Ukraine.

The potential callups come on the heels of the NATO summit in Lithuania this week, where allies pledged to make 300,000 troops ready for rapid deployment within 30 days or less. Its a tall order for the 31-member alliance whose individual members struggle with equipment and troop readiness after decades of skimping on military funding.

The news also comes as Ukraine continues to hammer away at Russias main defensive lines in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Although senior Pentagon officials express hope that Kyivs forces will recapture more significant territory soon, they say progress has been slower than hoped.

New American cluster bombs have arrived in Ukraine, after the Pentagon announced the controversial decision to send them last week, Sims said on Thursday. Officials say they believe the new weapons will prove more effective on the battlefield against dug-in Russian positions and concentrations of troops and armored vehicles.
NATO Summit In Vilnius, Lithuania

U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy attend G7 Declaration of Joint Support for Ukraine during NATO Summit at LITEXPO Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Center in Vilnius, Lithuania on July 12, 2023. Credit - Beata ZawrzelNurPhoto/Getty Images)

Just days after the White House announced it would send thousands of controversial cluster munitions to fuel Ukraines counteroffensive against Russia, President Joe Biden is signaling that American support for the beleaguered nation will continue no matter how long the war lasts.

We will not waver, the President said Wednesday at a speech in Lithuania following this weeks NATO summit, where world leaders announced a major security program to boost Ukraines defenses over the long term. Were going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defense across land, air, and sea, which will be a force of stability in the region and deter against any and all threats.

But there may be a significant obstacle in the way of Bidens promise of additional military and humanitarian funding: Congress, which will soon be asked to fund Bidens newly announced long-term security commitment to keep Kyivs war machine humming. A growing number of Republicans in Congress have balked at the billions of taxpayer dollars the U.S. has already sent to boost Ukraines war efforts against Russia, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said that Ukraine should not receive a blank check. Despite Bidens promises on the world stage, its not clear hell have enough support at home to keep the cash flowing.

Further complicating Bidens pledge, a group of right-wing House Republicans this week are trying to use their leverage to force a vote to strip money for Ukraine from the annual defense spending bill, which would provide the nation with billions in additional military assistance. Congress should not authorize another penny for Ukraine, said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, who proposed an amendment to the defense bill that would end a $300 million program to train and equip Ukrainian soldiers. Ukraine is not the 51st state of the United States of America.

Other conservative lawmakers weighed in on the issue while discussing amendments to the defense bill, which was expected to receive approval on Friday but is now in jeopardy as the far-right threatens to hold up the process. The United States of America is not the worlds police force, and we are not the worlds piggy bank, Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida who co-sponsored an amendment to block Biden from sending cluster munitions to Ukraine, said.

Although the proposal to defund the Ukraine war effort stands almost no chance of passing the House or Democratic-led Senate, it highlights the intense divisions in Congress over the war at a critical moment in Ukraines counteroffensive, which officials say has moved more slowly than expected. Biden on Wednesday stressed that helping Ukraine defeat Russia is critical for American national security and reassured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the U.S. would continue to support the nation. The idea that the United States can prosper without a secure Europe is not reasonable, Biden said. He told reporters afterwards that he is considering sending Ukraine long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS.

But its not clear if Biden can muster enough bipartisanship to fund it. While McCarthy has rebuffed plans to boost Ukraine aid, his Senate colleague Minority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday signaled his support for helping Ukraine and praised European nations that have increased their security spending to back the nation. He also seemed to take aim at his congressional colleagues who oppose the funding measures, pointing out that the U.S. ranks 13th on Ukraine assistance as a percentage of GDP. Some nations are digging even deeper into their own arsenals and making a much greater relative investment of support, he said. Here at home, the American people overwhelmingly share that resolve.

Politically, providing aid to Ukraine is a tough issue for the GOP. Several Republican presidential candidates have questioned the wisdom of sending more money and weapons to Kyiv, and a recent poll by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute found that while more than 70% of Republicans want Ukraine to win the war, only half support sending U.S. military aid to help the nation defeat Russia. The skepticism was on full display last year when 57 House Republicans voted against a measure to provide $40 billion in military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine. The U.S. has spent over $100 billion on aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in February 2022.

As lawmakers debate the defense bill this week, the far-right flank is trying to force Congress to consider the merits of defunding the war effortand it may prevent or at least delay Biden from fulfilling his funding promise to Ukraine.
Biden: Putin has already lost the war, and Ukraine will be in NATO

US President Joe Biden has said that Ukraine joining NATO during the war is impossible, but it will be in the Alliance.

Source: European Pravda, referring to Biden's statement at a press conference in Helsinki on 13 July

Quote from Biden: "No one can join NATO while a war is going on, where NATO nations are being attacked, because that guarantees that we are in a war, that we are in the Third World War."

Details: At the same time, he emphasised that now the question is not whether Ukraine will become a member of NATO but when it will become a member.

Biden also said that "Putin has already lost the war" and currently has "a real problem: how does he move from here, what does he do."

"He can end the war tomorrow; he can just say: I'm out. There is no possibility of him winning the war in Ukraine," the US president believes.

Background:

Earlier, Biden said that the war in Ukraine will not last for years because Russian President Vladimir Putin will realise that it is not in Russia's interests.

Earlier in Vilnius, Biden said to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he was looking forward to the day Ukraine officially joins NATO.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Biden says hes serious about prisoner exchange to free WSJ reporter

President Biden on Thursday said the U.S. is interested in pursuing a prisoner swap for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been imprisoned in Russia for more than 100 days.

Im serious about a prisoner exchange, Biden told reporters in Helsinki during a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.

Im serious about doing all we can to free Americans who are being illegally held in Russia or anywhere else for that matter, and that process is underway, Biden added.

A Wall Street Journal reporter asked Biden the question, probing whether the president is serious about a prisoner swap and requesting an update about securing Gershkovichs release.

The White House last week confirmed discussions were underway for a potential prisoner swap involving Gershkovich.

I do not want to give false hope, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Friday. There have been discussions, but those discussions have not produced a clear pathway.

Sullivan said the White House is invested in bringing home Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Russia since 2018.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov previously said the U.S. and Russia were discussing a swap of Gershkovich and Vladimir Dunaev, a Russian citizen who is facing charges in the U.S. for alleged cybercrimes.

U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy met with Gershkovich at Lefortovo prison in Moscow a day before Peskovs comments.

WNBA star Brittney Griner was released by Russia in a prisoner swap in December, with the U.S. releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Biden said Thursday that the U.S. is unsure of the future of far-right mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, warning the man who led a failed rebellion against the Kremlin to be careful of potential poisoning.

Were not even sure where he is and what relationship he has with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden said of Prigozhin during a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in Helsinki.

Mercenaries who are part of Prigozhins Wagner Group have been fighting alongside Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Prigozhin is known to have a long-standing feud with Russias top military leaders, and last month denounced Gen. Valery Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for failing to provide Wagner fighters with ammunition.

On June 24, Prigozhin led an armed mutiny in which he directed his fighters into Russia to unseat Shoigu. The once-longtime Putin associates rebellion lasted just days before he allegedly brokered a deal with the Kremlin to be exiled to Belarus  but the short-lived mutiny significantly weakened Putins power.

A Kremlin spokesman said Monday that Putin met face to face with Prigozhin and involved Wagner commanders just days after the failed mutiny. In that meeting, the Kremlin said Putin offered an assessment of the Wagner Groups actions in Ukraine and of the events of June 24. The Russian president also listened to the explanations of the commanders and offered them options for further employment and further use in combat.

But since the attempted mutiny, Prigozhins fate and whereabouts have been unknown.

Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin speaks inside the headquarters of the Russian southern army military command center in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, in this still image taken from a video released June 24, 2023.

Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin speaks inside the headquarters of the Russian southern army military command center in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, in this still image taken from a video released June 24, 2023.

If I were he, Id be careful what I ate. Id be keeping an eye on my menu, Biden said Thursday. All kidding aside, who knows? I dont know. I dont think any of us know for sure what the future of Prigozhin is in Russia.

While Biden acknowledged he was joking, the comments refer to the very real reputation Putin and the Russian state have for poisoning enemies.

In 2006, former Russian spy and Putin critic Alexander Litvinenko was killed in London after his tea was spiked with polonium, a radioactive metal. A public inquiry by the United Kingdom found that the poisoning was likely approved directly by Putin.

In 2018, three people in Salisbury, England, were injured and one person died after being exposed to Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union. One of the injured victims was former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal. Then-U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May said the attack was an assassination attempt almost certainly approved  at a senior level of the Russian state, and authorized charges against three Russian intelligence officers believed to be responsible.

In 2020, Russian opposition leader and vocal Putin critic Alexei Navalny, survived an assassination attemptthat involved Novichok. Then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the attack was an effort by the Russian government to silence Navalny. The opposition leader is currently imprisoned in Russia.

Last year, the Kremlin and senior Ukrainian officials dismissed reports that Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and two Ukrainian peace negotiators were poisoned during talks in Kyiv. Because all three victims have since recovered and none were examined by forensic experts in time to detect suspected toxins, the allegations could not be confirmed.

Related...
President Joe Biden on Thursday said the US will remain a part of the Nato alliance in the future despite the threat of a second term in the White House for Donald Trump, who has reportedly expressed a desire to pull America out of the transatlantic alliance.

Speaking along Sauli Niinisto at the Finnish presidential palace in Helsinki, Mr Biden was asked by a Finnish reporter about the US Senates failure to pass legislation barring US presidents from ordering a unilateral withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty.

Pressed on what actions he will take to assure Finns that America would remain a reliable member of the alliance, he replied: I absolutely guarantee it. There is no question.

Theres overwhelming support from the American people. Theres overwhelming support from the members of the Congress, both House and Senate, in both parties, he added, though he conceded some extreme elements of the Republican Party feel differently.

Mr Biden said the US and her Nato allies would continue to stand together because the American people have known since the end of World War Two that unanimity among European and transatlantic partners is the best bet anyone could make for global security.

Continuing, the president interjected as the reporter attempted to ask his Finnish counterpart a question about political instability in the US to say that he knows its not possible to guarantee the future.

Im saying as sure as anything can possibly be said. about American foreign policy. We will stay connected to Nato, connected to Nato, beginning, middle, and end.

The presidents appearance in Helsinki and his statement of support for the Nato alliance comes roughly five years to the day that his predecessor, Mr Trump, stood in the same place alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and disparaged Americas intelligence apparatus, which had concluded that Mr Putin had ordered a campaign of interference to aid Mr Trump in the 2016 US presidential election.

Mr Trump, who throughout his four years in office exhibited disdain for Americas democratic allies and the Nato alliance, reportedly planned to pull the US out of Nato had he defeated Mr Biden in the 2020 election.

The twice-impeached ex-president, who is currently running for a second term while facing multiple criminal indictments, has similarly expressed a desire to halt US support for Ukraine, which has been a hallmark of Mr Bidens foreign policy.

Mr Biden, who appeared with Mr Niinisto following a summit meeting with other Nordic leaders, said the recent addition of Finland and the imminent addition of Sweden to the soon-to-be 32-member bloc will add significantly to the strength, security, and unanimity of the transatlantic alliance.

Nato makes the entire world stronger, he said.
Chinese VP welcomes U.S. firms to deepen presence in Chinese market

Xinhua) 09:17, July 13, 2023

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with the U.S. representatives attending the 14th round of dialogue between Chinese and U.S. business leaders and former senior officials in Beijing, capital of China, July 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said on Tuesday that China welcomes companies from all over the world, including the United States, to deepen their presence in the Chinese market.

Han made the comments when meeting with the U.S. representatives attending the 14th round of dialogue between Chinese and U.S. business leaders and former senior officials in Beijing.

China-U.S. relations are the most important bilateral relations in the world. To promote the sound and steady development of the relations, the key is to follow through on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation put forward by President Xi Jinping, Han said.

Competition is everywhere in today's world, but it should be healthy competition that promotes win-win results, rather than a zero-sum game, Han said.

"China will unswervingly advance reform and opening up, and welcomes companies from all over the world, including the United States, to deepen their presence in the Chinese market to contribute to the stability and smoothness of global industrial and supply chains and world economic growth," Han said.

The U.S. representatives said that the United States and China have close economic and trade ties, and the current difficulties and uncertainties are worrying.

They said that the United States business community is willing to continue to expand cooperation with China and play an active role to promote the sound and steady development of bilateral relations.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
US President Joseph Biden sees no threat of Russia using nuclear weapons in a war against Ukraine.

Source: Joe Biden at a press conference in Helsinki, quoted by European Pravda

Quote: "I dont think there is any real prospect  you never know but  of Putin using nuclear weapons. Not only has the West but China and the rest of the world have said that Dont go there. Dont go there.."

Details: Biden has also pointed out that Russia continues to try to interfere in the US elections.

When asked about the possible actions of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, the American leader replied: "God only knows what he is likely to do."

"We are not even sure where he is and what relationship he has. If I were him, Id be careful what I eat and Id keep my eye on my menu. But all kidding aside, who knows, I dont know, I dont think any of us know," Biden added.

Why this is important: Nuclear weapons have become an instrument of blackmail by Moscow during the full-scale war against Ukraine. Among other things, Russia agreed this spring to deploy some of its nuclear weapons in Belarus.

At this week's summit, NATO leaders condemned Russia's nuclear rhetoric and warned that any use of nuclear weapons by Russia would have serious consequences.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
President Biden says his administration is "serious" about making a prisoner exchange for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is being detained in Russia.

Biden made the comments during a Thursday press briefing alongside Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in Helskinki. Gershkovich has been imprisoned in Russia for more than 100 days and is one of multiple Americans the U.S. says is wrongfully detained in the country.

"I would be remiss if I didn't raise my colleague, Evan Gershkovich, who's been imprisoned for more than 100 days. I just wondered if you had an update on the process for trying to get him out of prison and if you're serious about a prisoner exchange," a WSJ reporter asked.

"I'm serious about a prisoner exchange," Biden responded. "I'm serious about doing all we can to free Americans who are being illegally held in Russia or anywhere else for that matter. That process is underway."

WNBA STAR BRITTNEY GRINER RETURNS TO HOME STATE OF TEXAS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE RUSSIAN DETAINMENT

President Biden says his administration is "serious" about making a prisoner exchange for Wall St. Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is being detained in Russia.

Gershkovich, 31, was stationed in Russia for roughly 6 years before he was arrested on what the U.S. calls "bogus" charges in late March. U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy was able to meet with the reporter for the first time in months on July 5.

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BROTHER OF RUSSIA DETAINEE PAUL WHELAN CALLS ON BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO GET HIM, IMPRISONED WSJ REPORTER HOME

"Evan is in good health and remains resilient despite the circumstances. We hope that the Russian authorities will provide regular consular access," the U.S. embassy in Russia tweeted soon after the meeting.

Gershkovich, 31, was stationed in Russia for roughly 6 years before he was arrested on what the U.S. calls "bogus" charges in late March. U.S. ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy was able to meet with the reporter for the first time in months on July 5.

RUSSIA ATTEMPTS TO LINK US TO ALLEGED MOSCOW DRONE ATTACK, SAYS WEST PROVIDED 'INTELLIGENCE'

The Kremlin has acknowledged the possibility of a prisoner swap with the U.S., but spokesman Dmitry Peskov has refused to go into details. Peskov was asked about a potential swap for Russian citizen Vladimir Dunaev, who is in U.S. custody on cybercrime charges.

"We have said that there have been certain contacts on the subject, but we don't want them to be discussed in public," Peskov said of discussions between Russian and U.S. officials. "They must be carried out and continue in complete silence."

The Kremlin has acknowledged the possibility of a prisoner swap with the U.S., but spokesman Dmitry Peskov, pictured, has refused to go into details. Peskov was asked about a potential swap for Russian citizen Vladimir Dunaev, who is in U.S. custody on cybercrime charges.

The last prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia was when the Biden administration secured the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout, a notorious arms dealer, in 2022.

Fox News' Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
President Joe Biden said Thursday that Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville is being irresponsible and jeopardizing national security by blocking military promotions over his objections to the Defense Departments reproductive health policies.

Id be willing to talk to him if I thought there was any possibility he would change his ridiculous position on this. Hes jeopardizing US security with what hes doing, Biden said during a news conference in Helsinki, Finland, when asked by CNN about Tubervilles position.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins office attempted to set up a call between the secretary and Tuberville on Thursday, but the Alabama senators office declined the opportunity, saying he did not have time for a call on Thursday or this weekend, a senior defense official told CNN. Tuberville had complained that Austin has not tried to reach him about his hold on military nominations in protest of the Pentagons reproductive health policies.

A defense official told CNN Austin and Tuberville eventually spoke at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Tubervilles office said that the call with Austin was productive and cordial and Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said, During the brief call, Secretary Austin explained to Senator Tuberville the impact the holds are having to military readiness and uncertainty in the force.

Tuberville has blocked hundreds of military promotions as a way to protest new Pentagon policies on reproductive health care, which among other things included a travel allowance for service members who must go out of state to receive an abortion. As of July 7, Tubervilles hold was impacting 265 senior military officers  including high-profile roles like the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commandant of the Marine Corps.

An internal assessment put together by the Pentagon and obtained by CNN says the holds affect the families of 84 officers awaiting confirmation, including officers who have paid out of pocket to move their families, military spouses who have left their jobs anticipating new assignments, and children unable to enroll in new schools.

The hold disrupts what is typically a routine process of confirming hundreds of military nominations at once known as unanimous consent. With Tubervilles hold in place, the Senate would need to take each nomination to the floor for an individual vote, which could take months and hundreds of hours of floor time to complete.

I dont ever recall that happening, ever. Its just totally irresponsible in my view, Biden said.

Tuberville insisted earlier this week in an interview with CNN that he is not blocking confirmations and that the Senate had plenty of time to take up the nominees. Tuberville has not backed down from maintaining his block on nominations as he protests the Defense Departments reproductive health policies, claiming there is no impact on national security and no risk to US military readiness.

Speaking to CNNs Manu Raju after Bidens comments, Tuberville said, It doesnt sound like anybody that wants to sit down and visit and work the problem out. It sounds like somebody who wants to argue, and Im not in this to argue.

Tuberville added: Theres no chance of changing my position if we dont sit down and visit. I mean, thats what you do up here, supposedly, Im sure he did that over his career of being a senator but he doesnt want to do it, we wont do it. Well just keep going.

Biden said he expected the Republican party to stand up to Tubervilles hold and do something about it.

Im confident that the mainstream Republican Party  does not support what hes doing but theyve got to stand up and be counted. Thats how it ends, he said.

Tuberville said bluntly that wouldnt happen.

Well, thats not gonna happen, Tuberville told Raju. You know, that. Ive already told thats not gonna happen. Im doing it for, not for the Republican Party. Im doing it for Republicans and Democrats and citizens of this country. Im not doing it for just Republicans. Im doing it for the Constitution.

CNN reported in June that some of Tubervilles colleagues have tried to talk with him behind the scenes about alternatives. Multiple GOP senators including Armed Services Committee top Republican Roger Wicker, Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa have talked with Tuberville, careful not to deploy a pressure campaign, but instead understand what hes aiming to accomplish.

In an interview with CNNs Wolf Blitzer earlier on Thursday, Austin echoed Bidens thoughts.

This is a national security issue. Its a readiness issue. And, we shouldnt kid ourselves. I think any member of the Senate Armed Services Committee knows that, Austin said in an interview Thursday with CNNs Wolf Blitzer following the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

One in five of my troops  is a woman and our women provide tremendous value to this force and I think we need to do everything we can to take care of them, Austin added.

When asked if the Pentagon will continue to pay for women to go to other states, if necessary, to get an abortion, Austin said, Thats our policy, he said.

I dont have an abortion policy, I have an access to non-covered reproductive health care policy, he added.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

CNNs Lauren Fox, Nicky Robertson, Clare Foran, Haley Britzky and Oren Liebermann contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Biden tangles with reporter who questions US commitment to NATO: 'No one can guarantee the future'

President Biden tangled with a reporter Thursday after he appeared to say the U.S. could not guarantee its commitment to NATO, quickly correcting himself.

During a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto following the 2023 U.S.-Nordic Leaders' Summit in Helsinki, Finland, Biden was asked about a failed Senate bill that would prevent future U.S. presidents from withdrawing from NATO without Senate approval. A reporter asked the president what actions he would take to assure Finland that the U.S. will remain a reliable partner for the coming decades.

"I absolutely guarantee it," Biden initially replied. "There is no question there's overwhelming support from the American people. There's overwhelming support from the members of the Congress, both House and Senate, in both parties notwithstanding the fact that some extreme elements of one party," he said, swiping at GOP lawmakers he's dubbed "extreme MAGA Republicans" for their skepticism of U.S. aid to Ukraine.

He went on to say that "no one can guarantee the future," but that U.S. commitments to NATO partners are "the best bet anyone can make."

PRESIDENT BIDEN SKIPS NATO DINNER; WHITE HOUSE CITES ONGOING WORKLOAD

President Biden speaks during a news conference at the U.S.-Nordic Leaders' Summit in Helsinki, Finland, on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Seizing Biden's comment that "no one can guarantee a future," the reporter turned to the Finnish president and asked whether he is worried that "political instability" in the U.S. will cause trouble for NATO down the road.

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"Let me be clear," Biden interjected before Niinisto could get a word in. "I didn't say we didn't guarantee  we couldn't guarantee the future. You can't tell me whether you're going to be able to go home tonight. No one can be sure what they're going to do. I'm saying, as sure as anything can possibly be said about American foreign policy, we will stay connected to NATO."

GOP ANTI-WAR FACTION PUSHING TO TANK UKRAINE FUNDING IN DEFENSE SPENDING BILL

Biden and Finland's President Sauli Niinisto attend a joint press conference in Helsinki on July 13, 2023. During questions, Biden was asked whether he could guarantee the United States' long-term commitment to Finland.

Biden emphasized that the U.S. will remain connected to its transatlantic partners "beginning, middle and end."

Niinisto suggested that Biden had answered the reporter's question satisfactorily and added he has "no reason to doubt about U.S. policies in the future."

WATCH: BIDEN CONFUSES UKRAINE WITH RUSSIA, ZELENSKYY WITH PUTIN DURING GAFFE-FILLED TRIP TO LITHUANIA

Biden tangled with a reporter after he said "no one can guarantee the future" in response to a question about the United States' long-term commitments to its NATO partners.

"Let me say one more thing," Biden hastily added. "We learned the hard lesson. Peace and security in Europe is essential to U.S. security and peace. The idea that there could be conflict in Europe among our friends and us not engaged has never happened in modern history. That's why we're staying together."

Democratic and Republican senators renewed an effort to block any U.S. president from leaving NATO on Wednesday as Biden attended a NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. The joint resolution would require the president to obtain affirmative consent from two-thirds of the Senate to suspend, terminate, denounce or withdraw the U.S. from NATO.

The resolution is led by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., a member of the Foreign Relations Committee and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee and a senior member of the foreign relations panel.

The bill has been introduced repeatedly in recent years, including during the term of Republican President Donald Trump, who voiced a desire for the United States to leave the military alliance. It has not yet passed the full Senate, but its sponsors expect more bipartisan support for the effort this year in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the expansion of NATO.

Reuters contributed to this report.
President Biden said Thursday that the United Statess continued commitment to NATO is the best bet anyone can make as world leaders harbor concerns that a future administration may attempt to withdraw from the alliance.

In a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Biden was asked how he would assure allies like Finland that the U.S. will remain a reliable NATO partner.

I absolutely guarantee it. There is no question, Biden said. Theres overwhelming support from the American people. Theres overwhelming support from the members of the Congress, both House and Senate, and both parties  not withstanding the fact theres some extreme elements of one party. We will stand together.

No one can guarantee the future, he added. But this is the best bet anyone could make.

Biden this week attended a NATO Summit in Lithuania, where member nations discussed continued support for Ukraine in its war against invading Russian forces.

The president visited Finland in a show of support for the country after it joined the NATO alliance in April.

Biden has throughout his presidency sought to reassure allies that the U.S. is a reliable partner on the world stage after four tumultuous years under the Trump administration. Then-President Trump at times suggested the U.S. would leave the NATO alliance as he complained that other members were not contributing enough to defense spending.

A bipartisan pair of senators reintroduced a bill Wednesday that would prohibit any U.S. president from withdrawing from NATO without Senate approval or an act of Congress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Biden's labor secretary pick may not have the votes. She also may not need them.

WASHINGTON  The Senate is stalled on President Joe Bidens pick for secretary of labor, Julie Su, and Democrats face a conundrum on how to proceed.

Nearly five months after Su was nominated, it remains unclear when  or whether  the chamber will hold a vote to confirm her. If confirmed, Su would be the first Asian American to serve as a Cabinet secretary under Biden. She has the backing of many Democrats and union leaders.

But Su, who currently serves as the acting labor secretary, could just keep running the department anyway. Federal law places no limits on how long Su can serve as acting labor secretary without being confirmed. A 1946 law, amended in 1986, permits the deputy labor secretary, which Su served as under the previous head, to perform the duties of the Secretary until a successor is appointed. The rule is unique to the Labor Department  many other federal job openings are governed by the Vacancies Act, which requires replacements for certain federal agencies within a time constraint of 210 days.

I hope she has the votes to become the secretary. If not, of course, she should stay where she is, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., the chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, said in a brief interview. Shes doing a great job. Why would you not?

Sus nomination has been stuck in a holding pattern with key centrists  including Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz. and Jon Tester, D-Mont.  declining to say publicly where they stand.

After months of silence, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., came out against Sus nomination Thursday, calling her more progressive background a hindrance when it comes to forging compromises acceptable to both parties. He said he wants a voice for both labor and industry in the labor secretary role.

All three voted to confirm her as deputy labor secretary in July 2021, but she won zero Republican votes, leaving little hope of getting any GOP support for a promotion. Without Manchin, in the 51-vote majority, she'd need all the other 50 caucusing Democrats.

The stalled nomination presents a dilemma for Biden.

Keeping Su on without a confirmation vote would face pushback from Republicans and potentially some Democratic skeptics. But withdrawing her could present other headaches for Biden as he eyes re-election in 2024. Pulling the labor-backed Su and finding a more corporate-friendly nominee risks blowback from unions, a cornerstone of Democratic electoral power. Biden has promised to be the most pro-union president in U.S. history. It could also upset prominent Asian Americans, who have already criticized Biden for inadequate representation of the fast-growing demographic in the highest-ranking positions of the administration.

The HELP Committee voted along party lines, 11-10, to advance Sus nomination on April 26. But theres been no movement since then, an unusual pause for a high-profile nominee.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said that Senate Democrats are one vote short, but declined to say who she was referring to. She took issue with senators who still havent decided where they stand on Su, calling it unfair for the nominee.

It would be a terrible thing for someone as qualified and as competent as her to withdraw her nomination, she said. She deserves all of our support... Every single Democrat supported her for deputy. Shes already shown her ability to lead this department as secretary.

Some of Sus Democratic supporters back her staying in the job as the acting head if she cant get confirmed, while others refuse to entertain the idea, hopeful shell ultimately get Senate approval.

Its important that we have a secretary of labor and shes already doing the job. So yeah, that would make sense, said Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.

Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., echoed his colleague, stressing admiration for Sus qualifications.

Im not sure I really understand the reasons beyond politics of why she has faced, you know, a steep hill to get confirmed, he said. But in terms of my perspective on what this country needs  shes it.

But Democrats who remain silent on Su arent so sure she should stick around without a formal confirmation.

I dont support that myself. I didnt support it in the last administration. I dont support it in this one, Tester said. I just dont think they can do the job they need to do in an acting position, he added. Thats my own opinion, could be wrong. But I just think theres much more certainty if youve been confirmed.

Tester said hes still taking input on Su and that the White House has not contacted him about the nominee.

Manchin said he hadnt given the prospect of Su remaining on as acting secretary any thought.

And Republicans, who broadly oppose the former civil rights litigators nomination and have asked Biden to withdraw it, warn not to keep her on without full confirmation.

I would strongly object, said Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, the HELP panels top Republican. It seems to defy advise and consent.

A White House official said Biden "continues to stand by" Su for the job and vowed to "continue fighting for" her to win the votes in the Senate, praising her qualifications. "The President's support for Acting Secretary Su is unwavering, and we hope Senator Manchin and Senator Sinema reconsider their position," the official said.

Other Democrats are also rallying around Su.

AANHPI representation is important, but Julie Su is also the most qualified candidate to be our next Labor Secretary, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said in a statement. There is no one more ready and prepared to lead the Department on day one than she is. Any Senator who voted to confirm Secretary [Marty] Walsh should vote to confirm Acting Secretary Su, too. I know I will.

Several Democratic senators refused to consider the prospect that Su could fall short of getting the Senates stamp of approval.

Shes gonna have enough votes. Were gonna confirm her, said Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio.

Im not going to entertain that possibility, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, said. Im a huge Julie Su fan."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Tuesday dodged reporters questions about whether Su should continue serving as acting labor secretary if she fails to get confirmed.

I think shell be a very good labor secretary, he said. And were working hard to get her approved.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The suspect being pursued in the shooting of two on-duty firefighters at a station in Birmingham, Alabama, is believed to have had a personal conflict with one of the victims, a report says, citing police.

The gunman has not been publicly identified, but Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald told The Associated Press that the two firefighters who were shot Wednesday morning in the citys Norwood neighborhood, Jordan Melton and Jamal Jones, are expected to survive.

Detectives are still trying to determine the basis for the personal conflict, according to The Associated Press. They have not yet been able to talk to the firefighters but believe only one of them was targeted, the AP reported, citing Fitzgerald.

"I can say we believe it's a targeted attack," Fitzgerald also told Fox News Digital. "We are still trying to learn what exactly the person's motive was."

SHOOTING UNFOLDS AT BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA FIRE STATION

"Its extremely unusual for someone to come target one of our fire stations and so were trying to see why would someone want to target one of these fire stations in Birmingham," Police Chief Scott Thurmond had told reporters on Wednesday.

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"Our firefighters are there to protect and aid and rescue our citizens and to see them be critically injured is just very troubling, disheartening that that would happen in our community," he added.

Three people were inside the facility early Wednesday conducting routine checks of the fire engine and equipment when two males were struck, Thurmond said.

The Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department said on Facebook that it is "on the scene at Fire Station 9" and "We have 2 firefighters confirmed shot."

"They are in serious condition and have been transported," it added.

SUV REPORTED STOLEN IN ALABAMA WITH INFANT INSIDE MAY HAVE ROLLED INTO THICK BRUSH INSTEAD: REPORT

Fitzgerald told the AP that both firefighters remained in serious condition Thursday, and both underwent surgery.

The firefighters reportedly were shot in the chest and legs, and police have been looking for a suspect in a silver car, according to AL.com.

"Maybe there are some individuals that could have some information on this, so we would encourage them to call us and our homicide unit," Thurmond said. "We just need that information please share it with us so we can hold these individuals responsible."

The police chief has called the incident a "targeted attack."

"We feel like it may be a targeted attack," he said. "We dont know why it would be a targeted attack, but thats one of the things were trying to determine at this point in time,"

Birmingham Fire Captain Orlando Reynolds told WBRC, "In my 25 years on the job, this is my worst day. This is awful."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The white screws sold last year in the Hialeah area measured nearly three inches long and carried a familiar name for window installers: Ultracon, a line of Stanley Black & Decker products that meet the rigorous standards Miami-Dade County requires to make homes resistant to hurricane damage.

One problem that was hard to notice: Stanley Black & Decker didnt actually manufacture them and claimed in a cease-and-desist letter to Mannys General Fasteners in late 2022 that the counterfeit screws failed testing and are not up to minimum local code requirements.

READ MORE: A guide to preparing for the 2023 hurricane season

Because of the risk that Mannys fasteners poses to the public, a copy of this letter is being sent to Miami-Dade County, Kofi Schulterbrandt, a patent attorney for Stanley Black & Decker, wrote in the Dec. 29 letter to Mannys owner Manuel Sanchez.

Nearly five months later, Miami-Dades Building Department sent a notice to municipal inspectors across the county alerting them to the possibility of bogus Ultracon screws, which Stanley Black & Decker said were used in local window installations.

Although Mannys General Fasteners Corp. has cooperated by discontinuing the sale of these screw anchors, there may still be some of these out there being installed, the May 11 letter reads.

On sale since last year

Its not known how many of the imitation Ultracon screws were sold since Mannys first shipment of the fasteners arrived in its Medley store from a factory in Taiwan in 2022.

Miami-Dades regulatory arm said Wednesday that by the time it received the Stanley Black & Decker notice needed to take action this spring, Mannys had stopped selling the imitation Ultracon screws and told a county inspector during an unannounced store visit that only the approved fasteners were for sale.

County inspectors have also been actively advising installers in the field to be on the lookout for these anchors, wrote Lorna Mejia-Lopez, spokesperson for Department of Regulatory & Economic Resources, which oversees building regulations. RER has not received any notice or specific complaints from code officials or others about the usage of the counterfeit anchor in storm-window projects.

Distinguishing one brand of screw from another is tricky, but Miami-Dade County requires those approved for hurricane-ready installations to carry tiny markings to distinguish them. The screw on the left has a slightly wavy rectangle used by Stanley Black & Decker to mark its Ultracon brand screw. To the right is a screw sold by Mannys General Fasteners in Hialeah as an Ultracon, despite not being made by Stanley Black & Decker. The Mannys screw is printed with a square marking. Both screws were provided by American Fasteners Corp.

Waqar Ali, owner of a Doral lab that tests building materials for Miami-Dades hurricane standards, said installing imitation Ultracon screws would leave homeowners guessing about whether their storm windows were ready for future hurricanes.

If they were actually Ultracons, you can feel great, said Ali, president of Hurricane Engineering and Testing. If theyre not, you have no idea what you have.

Waqar Ali, president of Hurricane Engineering and Testing in Doral, explains the physics behind storm-window material standards that are required in Miami-Dade County.

Stanley Black & Decker hasnt shared its testing results with Miami-Dade or responded to inquiries from the Miami Herald. Without those testing results, Miami-Dade regulators say they cant determine whether the imitation screws would represent a long-term problem for homeowners.

RER is attempting to obtain testing performed on the counterfeit anchors. Such testing is needed to determine the extent of impact on the performance, Mejia-Lopez wrote. To the extent that there are deviations from approved products and methods, performance can be  but is not necessarily  impacted. The specific extent of that impact, however, is unknown without the benefit of test results.

Representatives of Mannys say distribution was mostly limited to contractors in the Hialeah area. They said the store, which sits just outside Hialeah, distinguished between the imitation screws and the actual Ultracon fasteners made to meet Miami-Dades building-code standards.

The stores lawyer linked the imitation screws to a misunderstanding of Ultracons status as a trademarked brand rather than a generic term for concrete screws.

If the contractor says, Oh, I just need any Ultracon, our client gives them the regular Ultracon screws that are understood by the contractor not to be code compliant, said Chris Sanchelima, a Miami lawyer representing Mannys. The contractors at all times know what theyre buying.

The standards for hurricane-resistant materials

At the heart of the friction over fake Ultracon screws is the confidence thats supposed to come from materials that meet Miami-Dade standards for hurricane resilience.

After 1992s Hurricane Andrew ravaged newly built homes in what was then Dade County, local administrators created strict building codes and requirements for construction materials.

Makers of building materials must submit testing results on both strength and resistance to corrosion, and the Dade County approved standard became a national benchmark for Stanley Black & Decker and other manufacturers.

But requiring county-approved screws doesnt mean they will be installed.

In a Sept. 19 email to the head of Miami-Dades building-product division, a sales representative for Stanley Black & Decker warned that an unnamed company was improperly selling imitation DeWalt fasteners, a family of screws that includes the Ultracon brand.

This product is being sold in large quantities in the Miami market and going into window systems that require code-approved anchors, wrote Josh Babb, the Southeast sales manager for Christy Associates, in one of several emails provided to the Herald by Miami-Dade. It would be greatly appreciated if you could assist in making the local inspectors aware that this is not our branded code-approved product.

The division director, Jaime Gascon, replied to Babb that he was forwarding the email to a team that would follow up for more details, and requested any cease-and-desist letter Stanley Black & Decker may have sent to the seller of the bogus screws.

Three months later, on Dec. 27, Stanley Black and Decker sent its cease-and-desist letter to Mannys.

While Stanley Black & Decker said it was sending a copy of that letter to Miami-Dade, Mejia-Lopez said it wasnt emailed until three months later. She said county administrators had pressed company representatives to fill out complaint forms needed to trigger regulatory action on issues with approved building materials, but that the paperwork wasnt filed.

Sanchelima, the Mannys lawyer, said homeowners shouldnt worry because the stores clients have to request screws from staff to purchase them. Any installers needing screws meeting Miami-Dade standards would have asked for DeWalts not Ultracon, he said.

If you ask for the one thats code complaint, you would ask for the Dewalt-branded screws, he said.

Hialeah-area customers

Elsa Hernandez, a Mannys manager who joined Sanchelima for the interview, said she estimated 20 installers may have purchased the imitation Ultracon screws and that the product likely did not travel far.

Most of the people who buy from [Mannys] are people who work in Hialeah, she said. Most of the homes would be installers who work around Hialeah.

As recorded in Miami-Dades roster of hurricane-approved products, Ultracon screw heads are stamped with a tiny curved parallelogram designed to resemble a flag. The Mannys screws sold as Ultracons were stamped with a square.

In its May 11 notice to inspectors, Miami-Dades Gascon repeated Stanley Black & Deckers statement that the Mannys screws had markings that are not easily distinguishable from the genuine DeWalt Ultracon masonry screw anchor.

Manny Benitez, president of American Fasteners Corp., poses before Ultracon screws in the companys Doral warehouse. He said that last summer he lost some sales to a competitor selling imitation Ultracon screws for lower prices.

For homeowners who paid for window installations, confirming the screws used met Miami-Dade code can be challenging.

Installation screws often are not visible once the job is completed. Inspectors  from the county if outside city limits, or from a municipality  should be confirming the use of authorized building materials. But differences between similar marks could be missed, said Ali, the testing-lab owner.

When the inspectors go and look at how a window was installed, they are looking at those flags, he said. Thats how the building inspector can tell that the approved screws are used. If you have a mark, you cant tell if its a square or a flag.

Manny Benitez owns American Fasteners Corp. in Doral, a larger competitor to Mannys. He said he started losing a few sales last summer from contractors purchasing fasteners from Mannys. He said Mannys was selling the Ultracon product to installers for a few dollars less than American charges.

I said: Wait a minute. How is he able to sell them at these prices?  Benitez said during a tour of the American Fastener warehouse, where boxes of Dewalt Ultracon screws are stacked on shelves 20 feet high. Screws are not that profitable. We have to sell millions of them to make any money.

Two days after Babb, the DeWalt sales representative, sent his Sept. 19 email to Miami-Dades building office, American Fasteners issued its own warning on social media.

Over footage of a bag of imitation Ultracon screws purchased from Mannys, the Instragram video began with the title Beware of counterfeit screws! and pointed out the fasteners lacked Stanley head markings and the bag label didnt carry Miami-Dades approved logo.

Dont get fooled! the post stated.
By Gayatri Suroyo, David Brunnstrom and Simon Lewis

JAKARTA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held "candid and constructive" talks with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on Thursday in Indonesia's capital, an official said, the latest in a series of interactions Washington says are aimed at managing competition between the rival superpowers.

In their second meeting in less than a month, Blinken raised alleged Chinese involvement in computer hacking a day after Microsoft said Chinese state-backed hackers had breached email accounts of U.S. government agencies, while Wang pushed back on what he called U.S. "interference" in China's affairs.

The "candid and constructive discussions" covered both areas of difference and potential cooperation, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

"The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of communication to clarify U.S. interests across a wide range of issues and to responsibly manage competition by reducing the risk of misperception and miscalculation," Miller said.

The top U.S. diplomat also emphasized the importance of "maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, Miller said.

Wang told Blinken the key to bringing the relationship "back on the right track" was taking practical actions, and said the United States should "adopt a rational and pragmatic attitude (and) meet China halfway," China's foreign ministry said.

"The United States must refrain from wantonly interfering in China's internal affairs, refrain from compromising China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, stop suppressing China's economy, trade and technology, and lift illegal and unreasonable sanctions against China," Wang was cited as saying.

Both sides said the two agreed to maintain communication.

Blinken met Wang in Beijing last month, marking the first visit to China by a U.S. secretary of state in five years. It was aimed at easing the intense rivalry between the superpowers, which are also the world's two largest economies.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited China earlier this month, and climate envoy John Kerry is to visit next week.

China's ambassador to the United States held a rare meeting at the Pentagon on Wednesday with the top U.S. defense official for Asia, the Pentagon said, in talks that followed American criticism of Chinese reluctance to engage in military communications.

TWO SIDES REMAIN AT ODDS

Analysts see the meetings as part of efforts to clear the way for a summit between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping later in the year, but tensions remain high.

While Washington is seeking to put a floor under relations, which Beijing has described as at their lowest point since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides remain at odds over a range of trade, security and geopolitical issues.

Blinken and Wang in their previous meeting clashed over Taiwan, the democratic island which Beijing claims as its own.

On Thursday, Chinese fighter jets monitored a U.S. Navy patrol plane that flew through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, as China carried out military exercises to the south of the island.

China's commerce ministry also on Thursday renewed its call for the United States to lift "unilateral" sanctions against Chinese enterprises ahead of a possible visit by the U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

The meeting came a day after Microsoft said Chinese state-linked hackers secretly accessed email accounts of organizations, including government agencies. Raimondo was among those hacked, The Washington Post reported.

Washington has confirmed agencies' systems were breached, but has not attributed the hack to China.

Blinken made clear to Wang on Thursday that any action that targets the U.S. government, U.S. companies or American citizens "is of deep concern to us, and that we will take appropriate action to hold those responsible accountable," a senior State Department official said.

"I don't think it will rock the boat or sabotage the process," Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center think tank, said of the hacking issue, "but it does suggest that the process is by no means smooth or trouble-free."

Bonnie Glaser, head of the Indo-Pacific Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, said the Biden administration was under pressure from Republicans in Congress for the meetings with Chinese officials to produce results.

"The tenuous progress could be set back by forthcoming developments such as the pending executive order on outbound investment to China, Taiwan's elections, and the U.S. political calendar," Glaser said.

(Reporting by Gayatri Suroyo in Jakarta, David Brunnstrom and Simon Lewis in Washington, and Ryan Woo in Beijing; Additional reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Michael Perry, Raju Gopalakrishna, Alistair Bell and Jonathan Oatis)
During what should have been a routine traffic stop last year, a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy from the Palmdale station punched a mother in the face while she held her 3-week-old baby in her arms, begging authorities not to take her child.

An agonizing video of the incident released Wednesday night shows the woman protesting and pleading for several minutes before a male deputy at the edge of the frame throws two overhand punches at her head.

Though the traffic stop and outburst of violence occurred in July 2022, under the prior sheriffs administration, it came to light this week after Sheriff Robert Luna called a news conference to release body-camera footage and announce his decision to turn the case over to the FBI for further investigation and to local prosecutors for consideration of criminal charges.

I found the punching of the woman and the circumstances completely unacceptable, he said, adding that he took swift action," relieving the deputy of duty after finding out about the incident a few days ago.

Other elected officials were quick to respond to Wednesdays news conference. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger called the video gut-wrenching, but commended Luna for bringing it to light. Supervisor Janice Hahn called for the deputy to be fired, describing the video as appalling and saying there was no no justification for the violence.

This deputy does not belong in our Sheriffs Department, she said.

In addition to calling the incident "enraging and disturbing," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass raised concerns about deputies' decision to take the women's children in the first place.

"The idea that you would assault a mother with a child in her arms and then subject that child to the child welfare system just because the child didnt have a car seat is an abuse of power," she said.

Richard Pippin, president of the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, framed it differently. In an emailed statement he said that the infants' safety was "clearly our deputies' highest priority" as the footage showed authorities talking with the women for several minutes before the violence. He added that "some will no doubt say that things could have been done differently."

Read more: Judge blocks county watchdog investigation into sheriff deputy gangs, tattoos

The videos release comes days after the disclosure of another video, also showing a violent encounter between a woman and a sheriffs deputy, in the Antelope Valley, an area that has long had a fraught relationship with the Sheriffs Department.

According to Luna, the latest incident stemmed from a traffic stop just before midnight on July 13 last year, when deputies from the Palmdale station spotted a vehicle driving at night without the headlights on. When they pulled over the driver, the deputies allegedly noticed the smell of alcohol coming from inside and spotted four women, three of whom were holding babies in their arms instead of using car seats.

The deputies arrested the female passengers on suspicion of felony child endangerment. They arrested the male driver on suspicion of felony child endangerment, as well as driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license.

But in the course of those arrests, deputies used force on two of the women  including the one shown in the video released Wednesday.

The bulk of the eight-minute video  time-stampped just after midnight  shows a tense conversation between a group of deputies and a woman clutching her baby, seated cross-legged on the ground. The deputies can be heard saying that the woman was riding in a car driven by someone without a valid license and that her baby was not in a car seat.

Repeatedly, the deputies ask the woman to give up the child so she can be placed under arrest, warning that her infant will be pulled away otherwise.

Forcefully taking your child from you is not whats best, one deputy says.

Taking my child from me is not whats best, the woman replies.

After several minutes of back-and-forth, the deputies pry the womans hands apart and she begins screaming as the child is removed from her arms.

Nearby, another woman holding a baby begins screaming and cursing at officers. When deputies announce they plan to arrest her too, she grows irate.

Yall gonna have to shoot me dead to take my baby from my arms, she says, before a struggle ensues.

As the woman is being held by her wrists and arms by at least two deputies, a third male deputy can be seen throwing two punches at the womans head while she is still holding her baby. It is unclear if the punches connect, but the woman howls in pain.

Though parts of the exchange are from angles that make it difficult to see exactly what occurs, Luna said that all of the deputies on scene were wearing body cameras and that the department was being courteous in editing it down. Were not trying to send you hours of footage, he said.

Though Luna said the incident was referred to internal affairs when it occurred, he learned of it only last weekend when a chief in the department brought it to his attention, he said.

I cannot speak to what my predecessor did or did not do, Luna said Wednesday. The action I am describing to you today is action that I took in the last couple of days.

However, what exactly Luna's response entailed was unclear. He said state law barred him from disclosing the disciplinary actions he had taken.

In an emailed statement Wednesday night, the former sheriff, Alex Villanueva, called Luna's statements "extremely disingenuous" and said he hadn't taken action to terminate the deputy before leaving office because the investigation into the matter had not concluded.

"Furthermore, the only reason action was taken today was because the statute of limitation was about to expire tomorrow, July 14," Villanueva said. "His presser deliberately excluded all footage that showed the struggle to remove the infants from the custody of the suspects who endangered their lives, and the context of the deputy's decision to use force. That very context will most likely preclude any criminal proceedings that would lead to a conviction, so this is nothing more than political posturing."

The only reason the incident was caught on video at all, Villanueva said, was because of his own efforts to implement a body-worn camera system in the Sheriff's Department.

The videos release comes as the department is still facing criticism for a separate violent encounter with a deputy from the nearby Lancaster station.

The earlier incident took place on June 24, when deputies responded to 911 calls for a reported robbery in progress at a WinCo Foods grocery store on Avenue K in Lancaster. After arriving on scene, they encountered a man and a woman who allegedly matched the description of the suspects given to 911.

As the deputies handcuffed the man in the parking lot, the woman began filming with her phone. Within seconds, one of the deputies rushed toward her and reached for her arm, seemingly in an attempt to take the phone.

You cant touch me, she screamed. He threw her on the ground, repeatedly ordering her to stop. Footage showed the deputy arguing with the woman, threatening to punch her in the face at one point. He then pepper-sprayed her in the face and handcuffed her.

All you had to do was listen, he said afterward.

I didnt do anything, she replied, as she writhed on the ground and moaned.

The man was ultimately cited on suspicion of resisting an officer, attempted petty theft and interfering with a business, while the woman was hospitalized because of the pepper spray and abrasions to her arm. She was released and cited on suspicion of assaulting an officer, as well as battery after assaulting loss prevention personnel.

Later at a news conference, Luna called the incident disturbing but declined to name the deputies involved. Both have been removed from field duty, he said, adding that the departments internal investigation to determine whether it was a reasonable use of force is still underway. Lancaster station Capt. John Lecrivain was also transferred out of the area in the wake of the incident, the department confirmed to The Times on Tuesday.

Is it a training issue? Absolutely could be, Luna said. Is it misconduct that could lead to discipline  from lower levels of discipline all the way to dismissal? Thats all on the table.

He said the investigation would take into account the events leading up to the incident, including the deputies stress and workloads.

At the end of the day, were short-handed at a lot of our patrol stations, if not all of them, he said. Out in the Antelope Valley, its one of the busiest stations we have in the entire county.

In a Facebook post published on Tuesday, Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris described the WinCo incident as probably excessive force, though he cautioned residents against passing judgment on the matter until an investigation was complete. He also blasted Lunas decision to transfer Lecrivain and contended the deputy involved should not lose his job.

Read more: Sheriff's Department reform in Antelope Valley has lagged for years, court monitors say

The Sheriffs Department has long had a troubled relationship with Antelope Valley residents, particularly Black and Latino communities. A federal investigation in 2013 found a pattern of unreasonable force , intimidation, and unlawful stops and searches of Black and Latino residents in Lancaster. Two years later, the Sheriffs Department agreed to implement sweeping measures to improve policing there, but as of 2021 monitors said that progress had been slow .

Two years ago, a 16-year-old Black student at Lancaster High School sued the department and her school district, alleging she was slammed to the ground by a deputy at school after refusing to give him her phone. A bystander recorded the incident in a 43-second video that showed the deputy knocking her to the ground and pinning her face down, then straddling her for more than 30 seconds while she yelled.

The department also faced allegations of citing and arresting Black and Latino high school students in Lancaster and Palmdale at a disproportionate rate in recent years after an LAist/ProPublica investigation and a subsequent review by the Los Angeles County Office of Inspector General.

At the time, Lecrivain described the report as an entertaining piece of fiction.

Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Which books belong in Florida schools? Districts are debating the rules.

The big story: Floridas ongoing debate over which books belong on school shelves continues to heat up, with new laws that some observers consider vague taking effect as educators prepare for a classes to resume.

Representatives from groups such as Moms for Liberty are pressing school boards to remove specific titles, arguing they include pornographic scenes or other content not suitable for children. Theyve stopped short of filing formal complaints, though, leaving boards to consider how to proceed.

The districts face criticism from anti-censorship organizations if they conduct independent staff reviews of materials, as took place in Pinellas County this week. If they hold firm to insisting on a formal objection procedure, some board members have started to question why they cant act in accordance with the law and community concerns, as was discussed in Hillsborough County this week.

Leon County superintendent Rocky Hanna did just that, removing five books this week after personally reviewing them at the request of his local Moms for Liberty chapter. More such moves could be on the way, WFSU reports.

Districts are approaching the issues differently, as they attempt to interpret the new laws while waiting for further clarification from the state. Read more here.

As schools grapple with these book related matters, media specialists have become key players, and theyre often overworked. The Brevard County School Board is considering whether to return media assistants to the libraries to help, Florida Today reports.

Hot topics

Vouchers: More than 300,000 students have had their Florida voucher applications approved under the new expanded eligibility rules, WKMG reports.

Superintendent searches: The Duval County School Board is targeting a Jan. 1 start date for its next superintendent, WJXT reports.

Security: The Miami-Dade County School Board gave initial approval to revise district policies limiting weapons on school campuses, WTVJ reports.

Pay raises: The Volusia County school district and the union representing trade workers agreed on an average 2% pay hike for employees, WKMG reports.

Classroom technology: The Citrus County School Board decided to purchase insurance for all student and staff iPads, rather than ask parents to cover the cost, the Citrus County Chronicle reports.

Bus rides: The Palm Beach County school district is offering bonuses up to $5,000 in an effort to fill dozens of bus driver vacancies, WPTV reports.

Arts instruction: The Flagler County school district plans to continue its youth orchestra, but has yet to find a new director for the popular program, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.

From the police blotter ... A Miami-Dade County teacher was arrested on allegations of having a sexual relationship with a 12-year-old student, WPLG reports.

From the court docket ... A judge will allow reenactments of the 2018 shooting massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High as part of a civil lawsuit against the former deputy who did not go inside as the events occurred, CNN reports.

Dont miss a story. Yesterdays roundup is just a click away.

Before you go ... First there was Pokemon Go, an app aimed at getting players up and moving. It was perhaps inevitable that Pokemon Sleep would follow. Cant wait for that competition.

  

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Every Thursday, get the latest updates on whats happening in Tampa Bay area schools from Times education reporter Jeffrey S. Solochek. Click here to sign up.
Boris Johnson

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on the United States to continue to support Ukraine, saying it was "very important" to establish that Ukraine was on track to join the alliance.

There can be "no possible excuse" for postponing Ukraine's accession to NATO, Johnson told U.S. news channel CNN during the interview on July 12, commenting on the outcome of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania on July 11-12.

Read also: Kuleba says US won't give ATACMS missiles for objective reasons, despite Ukraine's needs

There can be no possible excuse or reason to keep faffing around and delaying," the UK politician said, stressing that it was "very important" to establish that Ukraine was on the path to NATO membership.

"The last remaining objection was that it was going to be provocative to Vladimir Putin," Johnson said.

Well, weve seen what happens when you dont have Ukraine in NATO  you provoke the worst war in Europe in 80 years.

Read also: NATO Summit: three scenarios for Ukraine

It is absolutely crucial," for Ukraine to defeat Russia, because Ukraine's victory is "vital for democracy and freedom around the world," Johnson added.

On his way to Vilnius, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lambasted NATO states that were discussing the wording of their invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance, not its prospects of becoming a member, and suggesting "conditions" for this invitation.

UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace on July 12 further irked Ukrainians, saying that Ukraine should be more grateful to the West for its weapons, commenting on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's criticism of the lack of an invitation and clear timeline for joining NATO.

Zelenskyy later replied that he had no idea how else Ukraine should thank the United Kingdom for its help.

"Let him write to me (about] how else I should express my words of gratitude, or (perhaps) we could get up in the morning and express our words of gratitude to the minister, Zelenskyy said.

NATO Summit in Vilnius  What is known

The summit in the Lithuanian capital on July 11-12 was attended by the leaders of 31 NATO member states, including U.S. President Joe Biden, and additionally invited delegations from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and Sweden (Turkey agreed to unblock its accession earlier).

Read also: NATO drops MAP requirement for Ukraine, introduces conditions for entry

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally attended the summit. Kyiv expected to receive a clear signal at the summit that NATO was ready to admit Ukraine to the alliance.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on July 11 that Ukraine would become a NATO member and join the alliance without a membership action plan (MAP), and that it would receive an invitation when the allies agree to it and "the conditions are met."

The Group of Seven (G7) countries have also agreed on a declaration on long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. These are to be provided through individual bilateral agreements between security guarantor states and Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine would make NATO stronger  Zelenskyy in Vilnius

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A young man was arrested in connection with the deadly shooting of a 12-year-old boy inside a home in Bostons Mattapan section on Thursday afternoon.

Walter Hendrick, 22, of Mattapan, is slated to be arraigned Friday in Dorchester District Court on charges including improper storage of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, according to the Boston Police Department.

Officers responding to a reported shooting at 35 Fessenden Street just after 2 p.m. found the 12-year-old victim suffering from an apparent gunshot, city officials said in a press conference. The victim, who has not been identified, was rushed to a hospital where he eventually died from his injuries.

Boston 25 News is working to learn Hendricks connection to the gunshot victim. Multiple sources said the incident appears to have been a tragic accident.

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said that there is no threat to public safety at this time but did ask for community members to turn in their guns.

Unfortunately were here on another sad and tragic afternoon that frankly stems from too many guns on the street, Hayden said. A young loss of life like this is simply unacceptable. Its tragic and just simply unspeakable.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu added, Its a horrible tragedy for the entire city whenever one of our young people is lost...For a child this age being lost to gun violence is a nightmare in the summer when our kids should be enjoying, having fun, playing, and growing.

Emotional neighbors told Boston 25 News the violence needs to end.

We really need to start holding our people accountable as a community. Because its not OK, said Desiree Martin. This is not acceptable. And I am truly sorry for what has happened.

Raniya McCollum, a friend of the victim, said, I dont know hes not here no more. He was just here. I was just with him two days ago. I feel sad.

Anyone with any information related to the shooting is asked to call the homicide division of Boston Police at 617-343-4470.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
The brain drain at tech companies is already bad and as Elon Musk's poaching of AI experts shows, it's only going to get worse

Elon Musk's new company xAI involves workers from several rival firms. ODD ANDERSEN/Getty Images

A brain drain among tech companies brain is underway right now, driven by the popularity of AI.

Workers are not afraid to jump ship so they can work on the buzziest AI projects.

Elon Musk's new company xAI managed to snare workers from several of his competitors.

Tech firms are pretty obsessed with AI right now. But if their leaders aren't obsessed enough, they could see invaluable workers walk right out the door to work for those who are.

In other words, AI is posing a bit of a brain-drain problem  and tech CEOs will need to act fast or risk losing their very best talent.

Here's the latest example: Elon Musk, who announced his new company xAI on Wednesday  part of his mission to take on OpenAI, DeepMind and Google  managed to poach a bunch of workers from his AI arch-rivals to establish his founding team.

Among the 12 men making up the new company are some of the most sought-after AI talent from rival firms: Igor Babuschkin, Manuel Kroiss and Guodong Zhang of Google-owned DeepMind, Yuhuai Wu, Zihang Dai and Christian Szegedy of Google, Kyle Kosic of OpenAI.

What's notable is just how many of those workers come from Google and DeepMind, which made a drastic move in April to create a combined entity willing to put aside internal schisms in the face of the common threat that is ChatGPT.

The search giant has been in a bit of panic since the launch of ChatGPT in November, rushing to release rival chatbot Bard just two months afterwards amid fears OpenAI's chatbot could pose an existential threat to its core business.

But there has been a sense that Google is lagging well behind OpenAI, which has had a boost to its generative AI capabilities thanks to the backing (and billions of dollars) of Microsoft. First impressions count, after all, and the first impressions haven't been in Google's favor.

It's part of the reason why several talented workers got up and left the search giant and headed towards Silicon Valley's land of milk and honey, OpenAI. Even before ChatGPT's launch, Google workers seemed fed up and decided to jump ship to OpenAI to help launch ChatGPT.

But even OpenAI isn't immune to this risk. Sure, ChatGPT has done plenty to capture the imagination of corporate America already (as my colleague Shona Ghosh and I noted this month, CEOs just can't stop talking about the chatbot) but it isn't promised eternal glory.

GPT-4, the large language model underlying OpenAI's technology, seems to be "lazier" and "dumber," per users, thanks to an apparent redesign.

Meanwhile, Musk's somewhat modest ambition for his new AI company to "understand the true nature of the universe" could prove alluring to tech bros who think that's what AI should be used to accomplish.

Thanks to AI's growing popularity, there's clearly no shortage of opportunities for AI engineers and others to choose from. Tech firms will want to ensure their AI projects make them the top pick.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A summer like no other at the Gill House

GALION  The summer of 2023 will be one to remember at the Gill House at 342 Harding Way West in Galion. In addition to the completion of exterior house painting of the Gill House, Preserving Galion Inc. will host several events.

Several activities are planned at the Gill House in Galion this summer, including a science camp for kids, a historical reenactment and concerts.

Edison Science Camp for Kids will take place 1-3 p.m. Aug. 5. The event is for children aged 6-16. Participants will be making their own Edison light bulb and learning how the original bulb was developed. There is no charge, but registration is required on or before Aug. 1. Visit the Preserving Galion Facebook page for details.

On Aug. 11 from 4 to 8 p.m., a major milestone in the history of the Gill House will be celebrated when Thomas and Mina Edison "return" to visit. This event commemorates the visit of the Edisons to the house on Aug. 11, 1923  100 years earlier to the very day after their attendance at the funeral of President Warren G. Harding the previous day. Mina Miller Edison, the second wife of the famous inventor, was a childhood friend of Nellie Stewart Gill. In addition to a visit by reenactors portraying the Edisons, music, food, tours and vintage cars will be at the house.

The popular "Swingin On The Porch" concerts by The Shawshank Big Band will take place at 6 p.m. on July 30 and Aug. 27. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Freewill donations are welcome.

For more information, contact: thomasatpo@gmail.com or call 419-612-2236.

AEP accepting applications for summer cooling assistance

GAHANNA  The AEP Ohio Neighbor to Neighbor Program is now accepting applications for utility assistance grants for the 2023 summer cooling season.

Through a partnership between AEP Ohio and Dollar Energy Fund, the Neighbor to Neighbor Program supports families in need with a grant applied directly to their AEP Ohio account to prevent disconnection of, or to restore their electric service. Cooling assistance is available once per program year on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible account holders may apply through Sept. 26 while funds are available.

Since AEP Ohio and Dollar Energy Fund launched the Neighbor to Neighbor Program in May 2009, more than $19.2 million in assistance has been granted to more than 77,000 Ohio households.

To apply, customers may contact one of the AEP Ohio Neighbor to Neighbor Program's network of more than 120 Ohio community-based organizations, or apply online using the link available at Neighbor to Neighbor (aepohio.com).

To qualify, an applicants total gross household income must be at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. For example, a family of four earning up to $90,000 per year is income-eligible for the program. Households must have an outstanding balance on their bill of at least $50 and be behind on bill payment 30 days or more. Full eligibility guidelines and application instructions can be found at AEPOhio.com/helpaneighbor.

The AEP Ohio Neighbor to Neighbor Program is funded by public contributions that are matched dollar-for-dollar by AEP Ohio. Utility customers may make a contribution through their monthly AEP Ohio bill.

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Summer events at the Gill House in Galion, AEP cooling assistance
LONDON  Britains Ministry of Defence is next week expected to lay out what the military will look like in the future in a new review aimed at reshaping the armed forces.

On the long list of things to be addressed in the report, known as a command paper, is a plan to tackle weapon stockpile shortages, according to James Heappey, minister of the armed forces.

Stockpiles are to get you through the first phase of a war. Nobody has made any secret of the fact the stockpiles we hold are insufficient. Maybe there is an announcement about stockpiles in in the [Command] paper next week, Heappey told the audience at the Global Air & Space Chiefs conference in London on July 13.

Low weapons stockpiles held by the British military have been exposed by Londons support of Ukraine with substantial supplies of missiles, ammunition and other weapons since the war started last year.

The U.K. sent 100,000 unspecified artillery rounds to Ukraine in 2022, plus more than 300,000 so far this year.

The bulk of those were 155mm rounds, but it is likely 105mm artillery shells have also been supplied.

The stock level issue has generated questions here not just about the levels of spending to replenish war stocks, but also about how to sustain defense industrial capacity to meet the demands of the military.

Stockpiles are only half the equation, Heappey said. You have got to have either the defense industrial base or the wider civilian industrial capacity that can be repurposed because stockpiles are supposed to last you until such time as your production equals your consumption in war.

How you meet requirements is a question not just for the MoD but the wider government, he added.

When you are in a post-industrial, largely service economy, its quite challenging. It doesnt mean you necessarily have to regrow home industry, but you need to rethink very carefully, he told an audience of senior air force officers and industry executives.

The MoD and industry have already started down that track.

On July 11, munitions maker BAE Systems announced it had sealed an agreement with the MoD to start rebuilding British Army stocks with the supply of artillery shells and other munitions in a deal which could eventually be worth 400 million.

BAE Systems said the deal will significantly increase production of 155mm, 30mm medium caliber rounds and 5.56mm small arms ammunition at facilities in the north of England and south Wales.

The industrial expansion includes a new machining line for 155 mm shells, a new explosives filling factory and the restarting of a 30mm manufacturing capability.

Thales UK is already benefiting from a stock rebuild deal signed last December with its Belfast, Northern Ireland factory, replacing British Army NLAW anti-tank missiles handed over to the Ukrainian military.

But the British are not just considering how they can retain sovereign capabilities in the sector.

Heappey indicated the British are looking at partnerships with other nations to maintain production capabilities.

Who are your friends? How defensible are the sea lanes and air lanes to bring that stuff from the point of manufacture to the U.K.? he asked.

Heappy said its inescapably necessary to look at the size of your stockpiles, and also look at how you can scale industry quickly to meet the challenge of a national war.
F-35 Highway Operations RAF

British F-35B Joint Strike Fighters, as well as Typhoon FGR4 multi-role fighters, are set to operate from highways in the near future as part of an evolving distributed operations strategy, something that is a fast-growing trend in light of potential Russian aggression in Europe.

While the U.K. Royal Air Force has already begun to expand the options from where it can operate its Typhoons, the announcement that its F-35Bs are also planned to be used from highways is a new development, but one that makes a considerable amount of sense considering the stealth jets short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities.

The latest plans were revealed today by Air Marshal Harvey Smyth, the RAFs air and space commander, during the Global Air and Space Chiefs Conference in London and were first reported by Steve Trimble, Aviation Weeks defense editor and good friend of The War Zone.

Air Vice Marshal (now Air Marshal) Harvey Smyth is seen in 2019 with Scott Williams, the then commanding officer of No 207 Squadron at RAF Marham, in front of an F-35B. Crown Copyright

Smyth confirmed that the plans call for RAF Typhoons to visit Finland within a couple of months, from where they will conduct demonstrations from highway strips. The F-35Bs will do the same, likely from locations in the United Kingdom, sometime in the next 12 months.

Taking the Typhoons to Finland is a logical move, with the Finnish Air Force routinely operating its own F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters from local highways  a practice that dates back to the Cold War  as seen in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6JVTeynAL4

Plans to take RAF F-35Bs onto the road are less advanced, but Smyth said that they would involve placing aluminum AM-2 mats along a strip of highway, up to 1,500 feet long. This will be sufficient for the stealth jets to carry out short takeoffs and vertical landings while protecting the road beneath them. The potential for the F-35Bs hot engine exhaust to cause damage to the surfaces it operates from, when in STOVL mode, is an issue that has come up previously in the program, with the aluminum matting offering an apparent workaround.

The War Zone has in the past looked at how the changing security environment in Europe, especially regarding the resurgent Russian threat, has been driving new operational concepts within the RAF. These included tentative plans to operate its fighter aircraft from highways. Now that concept is indeed being put into practice.

U.S. Marine Corps and RAF F-35Bs operate together at RAF Marham during a joint exercise. Crown Copyright

While countries closer to Russia, such as Finland and Sweden have regularly operated fighters from highways, the RAF has not done so since the Cold War, and then only sporadically, on an experimental basis. The exception to the rule was the RAFs Harrier STOVL jet, for which an entire doctrine was developed based on dispersed operations in Central Europe, for use in a potential conflict with the Warsaw Pact.

Dispersed operations by RAF Harrier GR3s during Exercise Lionheart, in West Germany, 1984:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lykFvqPk_Y4

RAF plans for a return to dispersed operations, or at least demonstrations of these emerged in 2021. Back then, Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, then the services senior officer, announced the intention to undertake snap exercises in which fighters would operate from civilian airfields and, potentially, highway strips.

Well be re-learning how to disperse, Wigston told the Daily Telegraph newspaper at the time, noting that if the arsenal [of advanced cruise missiles] Putin has been bragging about was stationed in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad wed be in range. This was very likely a reference to Russias controversial 9M729 ground-launched cruise missile, also known as the SSC-8 Screwdriver. With a range of around 1,500 miles, the 9M729 would be able to hit any target in Western Europe if launched from Kaliningrad. You can read more about the missile in this past War Zone piece.

The Russian 9M729 ground-launched cruise missile and its associated transporter erector launcher, or TEL, during their first public appearance in 2019. SERGEI BOBYLEV/TASS

Wigstons vision included relocating Typhoons in four-aircraft detachments, on up to 12 bases, for improved protection against potential airstrike or missile attacks. Once there, the fighting fours would be provided with forward arming and refueling points (FARPs) while troops from the RAF Regiment would ensure force protection.

Under Exercise Agile Stance, it was said that RAF fighters will receive no-notice orders to deploy to alternative locations, including civilian airfields and other improvised locations. However, it seems that these maneuvers have not been conducted so far. Moreover, its not clear if Air Marshal Smyths plans for highway operations are related to Agile Stance or not.

Clearly, however, there is growing concern within the RAF, and other NATO air forces, that a dwindling number of fighter bases combined with ever-more complex support infrastructure, especially in the case of the F-35, leaves these air forces highly vulnerable to a surprise attack from Russia, or another aggressor.

Part of the purpose-built F-35 operational facility at RAF Marham. Jamie Hunter



That Moscow, in particular, is seen as the overarching threat in Europe has been made clear by U.K. officials and defense top-brass on many occasions in the past.

The U.K. Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace has previously described Russia as the United Kingdoms number one adversary threat, pointing specifically to the Russian Navys expanding maritime capabilities.

An RAF Typhoon overflies the Russian Navy Project 22160 patrol ship Vasily Bykov over the North Sea. Crown Copyright

As for highway operations in Finland, these shouldnt pose too much of a challenge, bearing in mind the well-established infrastructure there and the level of experience that can be called upon in the Finnish Air Force. RAF Typhoons have also regularly deployed to airbases in other countries, while a hot pit refueling capability was tested for the first time in Norway, in 2021. This was part of a proof-of-concept exercise to test the ability of the jet to operate from a dispersed location.

An RAF Typhoon is refueled in front of an A400M transport, during the 2021 exercise in Norway that tested ways to disperse Typhoon jets to different locations. Crown Copyright



Potentially a lot more complicated is operating F-35Bs from highway strips in the United Kingdom.

Not only is the U.K. highway network notably busy, across much of the country, but any chosen strip would require considerable preparation. Just to start with, this would involve removing roadside furniture  lighting, crash barriers, central reservations  before closing off the relevant portion and redirecting traffic.

This is something that the RAF has not done since the Cold War when there were a handful of demonstrations using British highways. However, the famous deployment of Jaguar strike/attack jets on the M55 motorway in 1975 was made much easier by the relevant highway being unopened at the time. It was also located very close to manufacturer BAes flight-test facility at Warton in Lancashire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeBZ3xbgN_M

Cold War-era NATO tactical jets did make more frequent use of highway strips in West Germany, although here they benefited from roads some of which were designed to accommodate aircraft operations from the outset.

Then there is the question of force protection, which would be a critical component of highway operations in any time of conflict. Since the end of the Cold War, the U.K. Armed Forces short-range air defense (SHORAD) capability has been severely hollowed out, and the RAF gave up its organic air defense capability in 2019 when its Joint Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) command was transferred to the British Army.

A British Army Rapier SHORAD system protects a runway while deployed to Estonia, while a U.S. A-10 taxis past. Crown Copyright

More broadly, however, the ability to disperse jets and operate in a more expeditionary way is something that is of growing interest to air forces not only in Europe but around the world, with the Asia Pacific theater being another area where it has particular relevance, bearing in mind the potential Chinese threat and the vulnerability of traditional airbases, especially to ballistic missile attacks. With that very much in mind, the U.S. military has increasingly been taking its tactical aircraft out onto the highway, too, even in the United States itself.

The F-35B, specifically, has been tested by the U.S. Marine Corps in a variety of dispersed and expeditionary operational concepts, something you can read about in detail here. Italy, another operator of the F-35B, has also tested its jets from austere bases, although the RAF has been slower on the uptake. Much of this has to do with the demands of keeping the F-35B force ready to deploy aboard the Royal Navys two Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.

British F-35Bs aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth. Crown Copyright

But with only a single RAF F-35B operating location on land, and no plans for further bases in the future, the aircrafts STOVL capability could mean the difference between life and death in a wartime scenario, provided that the aircraft can be dispersed in a timely way and then continue to operate without the extensive support infrastructure that they otherwise enjoy.

All this becomes even more important considering that the United Kingdom is likely to acquire a smaller number of F-35Bs than the 138 originally planned. The U.K. government has committed to buying 48 of the stealth jets by the end of 2025 and last year funding was secured for another 26 after that date. Prior to that, there had been reports that a full 90 aircraft could be cut from the total buy. As the U.K. Ministry of Defense continues to grapple with tight budgets, there is no guarantee that the 138-aircraft total will be reached, especially with the commitment to funding the Tempest future stealth fighter. The new combat aircraft is planned to replace the Typhoon by 2035.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak views a model showing one of several configurations for the Tempest future stealth fighter during a visit to RAF Coningsby last year. Crown Copyright

On the positive side, operating the F-35B version of the Joint Strike Fighter means that only a fraction of the length of the runway is required compared with a conventional fighter. That in turn hugely complicates the enemys ability to surveil and target even potential operating areas, which offers a significant advantage.

If highway and other dispersed operations do become more regular for RAF F-35Bs, there will be a very interesting parallel with the Cold War RAF Harrier fleet, in which dispersed airfields were key to its wartime concept of operations. However, the Harrier was a much simpler jet, optimized for austere environments, and the complex and expensive F-35B brings with it far more demanding in terms of support and maintenance. The requirement to install aluminum mats for the F-35B to operate from is a significant burden in itself, in terms of time, personnel, and material and its questionable to what degree that could be carried out in times of war.

Ultimately, the F-35B may never be able to conduct dispersed operations in the more sustained way that the Harrier could. On the other hand, the dispersal of jets remains a very useful tool that we can expect the RAF, and other air forces, to practice more in the future.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
Broadway star cleared over Jan 6 role after his lawyer argues he was a wannabe

A former actor and Broadway star has been cleared of all charges related to his involvement in the Jan 6 Capitol riots.

James Beeks, a member of the Oath Keepers, was facing charges of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and civil disorder.

He was acquitted of both charges on Wednesday, but his co-defendant Donovan Crowl was convicted on both counts.

The Broadway star was playing Judas in a road company production of Jesus Christ Superstar when he was arrested in November 2021. He had reportedly travelled to Washington, DC on 6 January 2021 after reading online messages posted by Oath Keepers.

According to court documents, Mr Beeks had donned a jacket from Michael Jacksons BAD world tour and approached a gathering of the Oath Keepers on their way to the Capitol. He told them he was a member of the organisation.

Once inside the building, Mr Beeks allegedly joined a group of Oath Keepers in attempting to breach a line of police officers stationed to protect a hallway leading to the Senate chamber.

The 49-year-old actors attorney Greg Hunter said Mr Beeks was not aware of the groups intentions. If he didnt know what others intended, he couldnt intend to do it, Mr Hunter said, according to reports.

Mr Hunter told the court that Mr Beeks was a hangers-on and a wannabe among the Oath Keepers.

Meanwhile, Carmen Hernandez, the attorney for the other co-defendant Crowl, emailed a statement to The Hill about her client.

Mr Crowls conduct on J6 [January 6] merited an acquittal. It was nearly identical to that of Mr Beeks, who was acquitted, he said.

And nearly identical to what thousands of other Americans who had come to Congress to express their views have done without facing felony prosecutions.

At the beginning here, the Oath Keepers are making a stack formation as they climb the Capitol stairs. James Beeks can be seen in the black helmet near the end of the line.

(H/t @jsrailton )pic.twitter.com/GzI7MbAlT9  Paul Morrison (@chessclubgringo) July 12, 2023

Unfortunately, Mr Crowls political opinions, which should be protected by the First Amendment and his association with others were his downfall, she said.

Crowls sentencing is set for 17 November, according to court filings.

US district judge Amit Mehta, who convicted Crowl, said Mr Beeks didnt post any messages on social media or exchange text messages with other extremists that could establish what his state of mind was leading up to the Capitol riot, unlike other Oath Keepers charged with riot-related crimes.

The judge also cited a lack of evidence about what Mr Beeks did inside the Capitol that could support a conviction for interfering with police.

His actions must rise and fall on their own, the judge said.
Bruce Hough, the father of two professional dancers who have been mainstays on ABCs Dancing with the Stars, has qualified for the Republican primary ballot in the special election for Utahs 2nd Congressional District, the lieutenant governors office said Wednesday.

Republican Rep. Chris Stewart has announced that he will resign from the seat on September 15  10 days after the Republican primary  citing his wifes health concerns. The general election will take place on November 21.

Hough, a former chair of the Utah GOP and a current national committeeman at the Republican National Committee, submitted more than 7,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot. Joining him in the primary will be Celeste Maloy, a former Stewart aide who earned her spot by winning a 2nd District nominating convention last month, and former state Rep. Becky Edwards, who also submitted sufficient signatures to qualify. Both Hough and Edwards were eliminated in an early round of voting at the nominating convention.

I cant thank you enough for signing my petition, Hough said in a tweet after reaching the signature threshold. Your support gave me the opportunity to fight for our districts values in Congress.

Among Houghs 10 children are professional dancers Julianne and Derek Hough, who rose to fame on Dancing with the Stars. Derek is a judge on the hit reality show, while Julianne will be a co-host this season.

On the trail, Bruce Hough has emphasized the need to pinpoint the problems and do the incremental work that we need to do, which he says includes reducing debt and controlling the deficit to slow the growth of government.

We have got to get the bureaucracy under control, he told ABC4 last month.

He cited his family as one of the reasons why hes running.

With 22 grandkids, 10 kids and a $32 trillion (US) debt, Im very anxious about their future and about the future of all Americans and all Utahns, he said. Its time that we actually do something about it.

Democrats picked state Sen. Kathleen Riebe as their nominee at a 2nd District convention last month. But she will be a decided underdog in the general election for the deep-red seat that covers much of western Utah, stretching from the Salt Lake City area to St. George. Stewart won a sixth term last fall by 26 points while voters in the redrawn seat would have backed Donald Trump by 17 points in 2020.

Stewart has endorsed Maloy, who worked as a counsel in his Washington office, in the race to succeed him, saying, She is a strong conservative woman with Utah values and the one person in the race I know for certain is ready to serve on day one.

Maloy has faced questions over her eligibility for the special election primary ballot over voter registration issues. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that she updated her registration as a Utah Republican three days after she filed to run and a day after the filing deadline for the special election. She was marked inactive in the states voter database after she did not cast a ballot in 2020 and 2022, the newspaper said.

The state GOP, however, has submitted Maloys name to the lieutenant governors office for the Republican primary ballot, saying, Our bylaws are clear: Ms. Maloy is the convention nominee.

Any formal challenges to her eligibility, the party said, would have had to have been made prior to the election. None were filed.

CNNs Melissa Holzberg DePalo and Chloe Melas contributed to this report.

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mars rover perseverance studies a rock with its robotic arm, with a rocky outcrop in the distance

NASA's Perseverance rover has found a diverse menagerie of organic molecules in a Martian crater, a new study reports.

Organic compounds are molecules composed of carbon, and often include other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Previously, scientists had detected several types of organic molecules of Martian origin  in meteorites blasted off Mars by cosmic impacts that landed on Earth, and in Gale Crater on the Red Planet, which NASA's Curiosity rover has been exploring since 2012.

"They are an exciting clue for astrobiologists, since they are often thought of as building blocks of life," study lead author Sunanda Sharma, a planetary scientist at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, told Space.com.

However, "importantly, they can be created by processes not related to life," Sharma emphasized. As such, investigating what organic molecules exist on the Red Planet and how they were created is key to understanding what may or may not be linked to life on Mars .

Related: 12 amazing photos from the Perseverance rover's 1st year on Mars

"As planetary scientists and astrobiologists, we are very careful with laying out claims  claiming that life is the source of organics or possible biosignatures is a last-resort hypothesis, meaning we would need to rule out any non-biological source of origin," Sharma said.

In the new study, Sharma and her colleagues analyzed data from Perseverance . In February 2021, the rover landed within Jezero Crater, the site of an ancient lake basin that prior work suggested displayed high potential for past habitability. The crater floor also possesses clays and other minerals that may preserve organic materials.

Specifically, the scientists examined data from the Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) instrument onboard Perseverance. SHERLOC is the first tool on Mars capable of conducting fine-scale mapping and analysis of organic molecules.

The researchers focused on SHERLOC data from Maaz and Seitah, two rock formations on the Jezero Crater floor. When ultraviolet light from SHERLOC illuminates organic compounds, they can glow much like material beneath a blacklight. The fingerprint of wavelengths in the glow from a molecule can help identify it.

Sharma and her colleagues found signs of organic molecules in all 10 targets that Perseverance drilled into at Maaz and Seitah, covering a span of time from at least about 2.3 billion to 2.6 billion years ago. These "point to the possibility that building blocks of life could have been present for a long time on the surface of Mars, in more than one place," Sharma said.

close-up image of a mars rock with green and blue dots superimposed over it to represent chemical composition in different areas

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The scientists discovered evidence of many different classes of organic molecules. These occurred in a variety of patterns in space within Maaz and Seitah, suggesting they might have originated from a number of different minerals and mechanisms of formation. These organic compounds mostly appeared connected to minerals linked to water.

"Seeing that the possible organic signals differ in terms of type, number of detections and distribution between the two units of the crater floor was surprising and exciting," Sharma said. "That opens the possibility of different formation, preservation or transportation mechanisms across the crater and, more broadly, the surface of Mars."

The scientists could not identify specific organic molecules. "To confirm the presence of organics and their specific types, we would need the samples to be returned to Earth ," Sharma said. "That's our goal."
Flag of Bulgaria

Bulgaria may transfer around 100 armored personnel carriers (APCs) to Ukraine from the reserves of its Internal Ministry, Bulgarian MP Ivaylo Mirchev, a representative of the Democratic Bulgaria party, said on July 13, as reported by Euronews Bulgaria.

Mirchev stated that these vehicles, manufactured in the 1960s and 1970s, are practically obsolete for Bulgaria. Originally purchased by Bulgarian internal forces, these APCs are no longer in active use.

Read also: Bulgaria may sell Russian-made nuclear reactors to Ukraine  report

Mirchev also highlighted that Bulgaria incurs considerable expenses for the storage and maintenance of this outdated equipment.

Read also: Some NATO states strongly resisted membership for Ukraine before summit - ex US amabassador

"Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, the Ministers of Internal Affairs and Defense, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense Hristo Hadzhev, and the leader of the 'Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria' party, Boyko Borisov, are all instrumental in pushing this initiative forward," the deputy said, suggesting that officials are determined to see this military aid package for Ukraine to go through.

Initially, Bulgaria refrained from joining the coalition of EU nations that adopted a plan to provide Ukraine with a million 155mm artillery ammunition.

Read also: Pro-Kremlin priest tries to attack Zelenskyys motorcade in Bulgaria  video

However, Denkov later indicated his willingness to assist. Minister of Defense Todor Tagarev stated that Sofia is open to joining the initiative. On June 26, a new package of military aid was approved in Bulgaria. However, President Rumen Radev has expressed his dissent over supplying ammunition to Kyiv.

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Bulgaria could provide 100 armored vehicles from the storage of the Interior Ministry, member of the parliament Ivaylo Mirchev said on July 13, as cited by Euronews Bulgaria.

The armored personnel carriers were produced in the 1960s and 1970s and were purchased by Bulgarian internal security forces but are not currently used, Mirchev explained.

He added that Bulgaria has to pay high sums for the storage and maintenance of these vehicles.

Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, the ministers of defense and interior, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense Hristo Gadzhev, and the leader of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) Boyko Borisov are involved in the implementation of the proposed initiative, Mirchev said.

The deputy expressed hope that Bulgaria could benefit from U.S. aid in exchange for providing Soviet-era equipment to Ukraine.

Bulgaria signs declaration in support of Ukraines move toward NATO membership Following a bilateral meeting in Sofia on July 6, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov signed a joint declaration on Ukraines Euro-Atlantic integration. The Kyiv IndependentDinara Khalilova

Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev has consistently opposed providing Ukraine with large-scale defense assistance. He has been accused of having a pro-Moscow stance and called Crimea "Russian" during a 2021 presidential debate.

After the Bulgarian parliament approved arms supplies to Kyiv in December last year, the interim cabinet provided the first package of military aid, but further aid was reportedly blocked by Radev.

However, the new government, which was formed in early June under Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, appears to be taking active steps to help Ukraine repel Russian aggression.

The new cabinet announced its second military aid package for Ukraine on June 27 without specifying its content. On June 15, Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev told Politico that Sofia wanted to join the European Union's initiative to supply Ukraine with one million artillery shells.


Barbie fever is in full swing  not just in the U.S., but around the world.

In the lead-up to the much-anticipated Barbie movie hitting theaters, there are several trends that have taken off on social media and beyond, including the Barbie foot, folks planning a Barbenheimer double feature and the Grimace-inspired Barbie Shake trend. Now, a few thousand miles southeast of Malibu, another official Barbie tie-in  a beefy one  is causing a stir online.

On July 11, Burger King Brazil announced the limited-time BK Barbie Combo available July 12 across the South American country via dine-in, drive-thru or delivery.

Barbie Burger (@BurgerKingBR via Instagram)

The meal includes a Pink Burger, dessert and Kens potatoes, which are just french fries in an attractive container. Very meta considering Ryan Goslings much-hyped characterization of Ken, BK Brazil. Hes just Ken, after all.

Diving into the Barbiecore meal, the Pink Burger includes a burger patty accompanied with a slice of melted cheddar cheese, an incredible smoky pink sauce topped with crispy diced bacon, all between brioche buns.

Combo BK Barbie, ja disponivel em todo Brasil  pic.twitter.com/qjD9ONB8P8  Burger King BR  (@BurgerKingBR) July 12, 2023

For dessert, the Barbie Donut Shake consists of vanilla ice cream and strawberry Nesquik blended into a millennial pink drink, topped with a pink doughnut.

Both pink items have been posted to Burger King Brazils Twitter and TikTok where, in one video, a Burger King worker in strappy pink heels and a Burger King polo assembles the Pink Burger.

Meet the Pink Burger with Smoky Pink Sauce, the first reveal of the BK Barbie Combo, which arrived straight from Barbie Land. , reads a translation of the caption on the video, which has already garnered over 2.3 million views.

Other videos from BK Brazil featuring the Barbie Donut Shake and the BK Barbie Combo, which includes all the meal items in a Barbie-themed box, have also garnered over a million views.

From the comment section of the viral videos and beyond, plenty of folks both in Brazil and outside of it are weighing in on the brightly colored grub.

Looks tasty not gonna lie  Dude (@AnXboxDude) July 12, 2023

Looks tasty not gonna lie, tweeted one hungry person.

THE PINK SAUCE IS BACK OH NO, wrote another Twitter user, recalling the Pink Sauce fiasco of 2022 (and redemption of 2023).

Please no Pink Sauce, weve already been through that ENOUGH, commented one TikTok user.

The combo is too beautiful (and delicious), reads a translation of a caption from an Instagram user in Brazil who tried the meal.

Wow I want it, reads a translation of a tweet from someone in Brazil.

Fui e esta maravilhoso  pic.twitter.com/kSkW3RI5fU  Andreia Oliveira (@SanAndreias_) July 12, 2023

I went and its wonderful , wrote another person in Portuguese on Twitter.

Honestly this looks good, is this coming to America?   steven  // dojas favorite :) (@arianaunext) July 12, 2023

Honestly this looks good, is this coming to America? , wrote another Twitter user to which another replied, Prob not.

Another Twitter user described it as The Pepto Bismol burger, referring to both its color and its potentially negative gastrointestinal effects, while yet another just called it SICKENING, all caps.

In addition to Barbie lead Margot Robbie faithfully giving us doll-chic fashion at premieres all over the world, the marketing team for the movie has been working up a storm, partnering with everyone from Cold Stone Creamery to Aldo to Xbox to, now, Burger King.

Burger Kings around the world have been busy this week. On July 9, BK Thailand introduced the Real Cheeseburger, a sandwich that forgoes the meat for 20 slices of American cheese, piled, unmelted, between two buns.

In comparison, BK Brazil's Pink Burger looks a little easier to bite into  and digest, for the lactose intolerant among us.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
California voters will have the chance to remove language from the state Constitution that says marriage is only valid between a man and a woman.

After the legislation passed the Senate on Thursday, Californians will decide in November 2024 whether to accept ACA 5, introduced by Assemblymember Evan Low, D-Campbell, to remove the language from the state Constitutions Declaration of Rights. The revision requires a vote on a ballot proposition from a majority of voters in California.

The language stating that marriage is only valid between a man and a woman was added in 2008, when California voters passed Proposition 8 with 52.2% voting in favor.

This proposed constitutional amendment removes this scar from the California Constitution & affirms all Californians fundamental right to marry, co-author Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, tweeted Thursday.

Proposition 8 was deemed unconstitutional, first by a federal court ruling in 2010 and then by the U.S. Supreme Courts Obergefell v. Hodges decision in 2015, which ruled same-sex marriage as protected by the 14th Amendment.

In the 15 years since voters passed Proposition 8, Californians stance on same-sex marriage has shifted: According to Equality California, an LGBTQ advocacy group, 71% of Californians support the legality of same-sex marriage.

This amendment represents a progression, a really long progression, said Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz. A lot of times what we do in the Legislature is to catch up with where the people are.

ACA 5 passed the Senate 31-0. Some Senate Republicans abstained from voting, including Sen. Brian Dahle, R-Bieber.

Todays vote for me is about my faith, said Dahle, the only Republican who spoke on the Senate floor during the vote. My heart is with my Lord and savior. (This is) not about whether I judge you or not.

LGBTQ advocates insecure in rights since Dobbs decision

Though the constitutional language currently holds no legal power because of the court decisions ruling it unconstitutional, marriage equality advocates still do not feel secure.

In their opinions on the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision that overturned Roe v. Wade last year, Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito wrote that the high court should reconsider Obergefell v. Hodges, saying it lacks constitutional grounding.

If the Court was willing to overturn five decades of precedent guaranteeing the right to abortion (as they did with the Dobbs decision last year), it cannot be assumed it will uphold less than a decade of precedence protecting marriage equality, said Tony Huang, executive director of Equality California.

The possibility inspired Congress to pass the Respect for Marriage Act last year, a law requiring all states to recognize same-sex, interfaith and interracial unions.

But Equality California says this law does not go far enough. If Obergefell were to be overturned, it does not mandate that states issue marriage licenses to same-sex or interracial couples.

California leads the way in LGBTQ+ protections and cutting-edge pro-equality legislation and our constitution should reflect those values, said Low.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and California legislative leaders are trying to broker a deal over a Republican bill strengthening penalties for child sex traffickers after Democrats killed the measure in committee.

Senate Bill 14 from Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, on Tuesday failed in the Assembly Public Safety Committee after all six Democrats abstained from voting. The two Republican Assembly members on the committee, Juan Alanis of Modesto and Tom Lackey of Palmdale, both voted in support.

Her legislation calls for classifying the human trafficking of a minor as a serious felony under state law. A key provision of the measure would make child sex trafficking a strike under Californias Three Strikes law  a controversial sentencing strategy that significantly increases prison sentences for repeat offenders of serious felonies.

Following the vote, the committee unanimously granted Grove reconsideration, meaning she is able to bring the bill back for another hearing. But lawmakers are facing a Friday deadline for getting their bills out of policy committees, so Grove typically would have been out of time for the year.

However, the bill caught the attention of Newsom and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, both of whom told reporters they had reached out to Grove about the measure.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Newsom said he was surprised by the outcome of Tuesdays committee meeting. The governor said he spoke with Grove on Wednesday morning and told her that he was working to see what we can do.

Well be following up on that and have a lot more to say on that shortly, he said, adding that he was still trying to understand what happened with the vote.

Rivas said on Wednesday during a Sacramento Press Club appearance that he was very much engaged with the bill. He said he had messaged Grove and planned to connect later in the day.

Were addressing it, Rivas said. Well have more to announce about that, and youll know as soon as I do as far as the action that were going to take.

Republicans push floor vote

Grove on Wednesday told reporters she met with committee Chair Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles, and called their discussion very productive. She said he hoped to find a way to bring SB 14 straight to the Assembly floor.

There was nothing decided at that meeting, Grove said. We kind of laid out the situation, and I really do feel like it was a productive meeting. And so were still waiting for results of that meeting.

Jones-Sawyer said in a statement on Wednesday that he understood the authors intent but recognized this bill needs considerable work.

In the meantime, Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher of Yuba City announced his partys members will attempt to force the entire body to vote on SB 14 on Thursday. The Assembly and Senate will each hold floor sessions in the morning before departing for a monthlong summer recess that begins Friday.

Immediately following the committee vote, the California GOP used the result to attack Democrats, saying they (delivered) a banner day for criminals.

Thanks to Gavin Newsom and California Democrats, you can consider the Golden State a criminals paradise, the party wrote in an emailed news release.

Republicans clash with Democrats over sentencing

Groves bill is hitting up against an Assembly Public Safety Committee that has spent the entire year striking down bills that would create more stringent penalties for various crimes.

The bill last month sailed through the Senate with a unanimous vote and strong bipartisan support.

However, Jones-Sawyer and other Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee have consistently opposed bills that would keep people in prison longer. They cite the mass incarceration of Black and brown Californians that occurred after the state tightened its sentencing laws in the 1980s and 1990s.

Opponents of the measure, including the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, argue the Three Strikes measure disproportionately harms Black, Latino and Indigenous people and should be repealed rather than expanded.

Studies from the National Institute of Justice have found that increased punishment is generally ineffective in deterring criminals from committing offenses and may even exacerbate recidivism and public safety issues.

But Republicans say people convicted of certain crimes deserve to stay in prison longer, and they insist more stringent sentencing is needed to send a message about the heinous nature of specific acts.

In recent months, Democrats and Republicans have also clashed over bills that would add prison time for fentanyl dealers. Jones-Sawyer in March held a special hearing to consider fentanyl-related bills after protests from Republicans and some moderate Democrats. However, none of the penalty-related bills advanced from the committee.

I want to want to be able to make sure its right before it leaves here, Jones-Sawyer said of SB 14 during the committee hearing. Well be able to make sure that the Three Strikes law doesnt become a problem in the community that I represent and a lot of members on this committee represent.
California lawmakers revived a bill to enact harsher punishments for child sex traffickers after Democrats blocked it earlier in the week, prompting intervention by Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leadership.

Members of the Assembly Public Safety Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 14 from Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, in an emergency meeting Democratic leaders called during a dramatic floor session Thursday. The measure now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, its last stop before the full body will consider it.

The bill would classify child sex trafficking as a serious felony, making it a strike under Californias three strikes law. The controversial sentencing system adds significant prison time for those repeatedly convicted of crimes listed as serious felonies.

Four Democrats and two Republicans on the committee voted in favor of SB 14. Two Democratic Assembly members, Isaac Bryan of Los Angeles and Mia Bonta of Oakland, did not vote on the measure.

The result is a major reversal from Tuesdays Public Safety Committee hearing, when SB 14 failed after all six Democrats chose not to vote on it. The outcome appeared to kill Groves bill for the year, as lawmakers approached a Friday deadline to pass their bills out of policy committees.

But Republican protest and intervention from Newsom and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, prompted a last-minute committee meeting that allowed the bill to move forward.

Assembly Public Safety Committee Chair Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles, taps the gavel after California lawmakers revived a bill Thursday to enact harsher punishments for child sex traffickers after Democrats blocked it earlier in the week, prompting involvement from Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leadership.

Public Safety Committee reverses course

Committee Chair Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles, kept the meeting vote-only, foregoing the usual bill presentation and member discussion.

Jones-Sawyer was among the Democrats who supported the bill, practically yelling his vote when the time came to cast it. Thursday marks the second time this year Jones-Sawyer has reversed course and held a special meeting after refusing to hear bills or blocking them.

During the spring, dissent from Republicans and moderate Democrats also prompted Jones-Sawyer to hear a series of fentanyl-related bills he opposed.

The committee chair told reporters after the meeting he was able to get some of his questions answered during a Wednesday meeting with Grove. He made a commitment to do everything in my power to get (SB 14) on the governors desk, as long as the senator addresses some lingering issues.

Jones-Sawyer said he wants to avoid penalizing minors involved in sex trafficking. The committee chair also fears the unintended consequences of disproportionately arresting people of color, and he continued to express concern about adding another crime to the three-strikes list.

Its now moved it to another place, Jones-Sawyer said. And were going to continue to work on getting it to a place where everybodys happy.

Legislators, including, Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher of Yuba City, second from left in center, and Senate Bill 17 author Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, center, listen to speakers during an Assembly session at the Capitol on Thursday prior to a vote to revive the child sex trafficking bill that was killed by California Democrats but caught the attention of Gov. Gavin Newsom who intervened.

Debate causes Capitol tumult

The debate over SB 14 roiled the state Capitol in the final days before the Legislature departs for a month-long summer recess.

Bryan, the Assembly majority leader, called for the special Public Safety Committee meeting during the bodys final Thursday floor session before the break. At the same time, Minority Floor Leader Heath Flora, R-Modesto, made a failed attempt to circumvent the committee entirely and force the full Assembly to vote on SB 14.

Colleagues, today we have a choice to make, Flora said. You can choose a team: pick pedophiles or children.

Byran quickly and forcefully objected to Floras statement, saying he was disparaging members of the Assembly by implying they support human trafficking.

Criminal justice reform advocates continue to oppose SB 14. Organizations like Smart Justice California say strict penalties already exist for human trafficking, and expanding the three-strikes law hurts people of color while failing to prevent crime.

Bryan echoed these points on Twitter after the committee hearing.

We can and must do more to affirm, protect and support survivors with all of our civic resources, he said. Including those beyond the criminal legal system.

Jones-Sawyer said he was disturbed women on the committee received death threats over their stances on the bill after Tuesdays hearing.

The kind of Trumpian hate that was vilified on members of the Democratic Party, which has done a tremendous amount of work in this space, is just wrong, he said. And we shouldnt be playing politics. We should be coming together to move this forward.

Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, is hugged by California Assemblymember Laurie Davies, following a vote to revive her child sex trafficking bill during an emergency Assembly Public Safety Committee hearing at the Capitol on Thursday.

Republicans celebrate bill advancement

Grove and her Republican allies celebrated the vote, saying it was a win for law and order in California.

When asked if she would consider amendments to the bill, Grove said it passed off the Senate floor and the Assembly Public Safety Committee in its current form.

Theres no reason to accept amendments, she said. This bill is very narrowly tailored to only affect those individuals that traffic minors and have a repeat offense.

Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher of Yuba City claimed the bills advancement as a victory for Republicans public safety agenda.

When you stand up for what is right for the people of the state, people will come along, Gallagher said. We showed that with fentanyl this year. And the progress weve seen on fentanyl, I think, is due to this Republican caucus in both houses pushing the envelope. And we brought along other Democrats.

SB 14 now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which will hear the measure after the Legislature returns from its summer recess on Aug. 14.
Meteorologists forecast that the remainder of the summer will bring above-normal temperatures to California, which could worsen the states remaining drought.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, theres between 33% and 60% chance weather in California will be hotter than usual for this time of the year. NOAA outlooks show equal chances of above-normal, near-normal or below-normal rainfall for July and August. Meaning, according to the National Weather Service, theres no clear indication of how much rain the state could receive.

One thing is certain: California is having a dangerously hot summer.

Heat can exacerbate drought, and hot, dry conditions can, in turn, create wildfire conditions, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions wrote on its website. The heightened risk of fires this season is in lower-elevation grasslands, as moisture from winter storms is drying up faster than in the mountains, which saw record snow this year.

More vegetation in these areas can be fuel for flames.

In an emergency briefing Wednesday, the California Governors Office of Emergency Services focused on statewide efforts to combat the extreme heat coming this weekend.

In the Sacramento region, according to the National Weather Service, an excessive heat warning will be in effect from 11 a.m. Saturday to 11 p.m. Sunday. As of Thursday morning, temperatures are steadily climbing and are forecast to reach a high of 110 degrees by Saturday afternoon. The northern Sacramento Valley could hit 114.

Is California still in a drought?

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, California is roughly 94% drought-free.

The state is free of severe, extreme, and exceptional drought conditions for 14 weeks in a row.

The entire Central Valley, Central Sierra, Foothills, Northern California, the coast and most of Southern California have exited drought conditions.

As of Thursday, portions of three out of 58 counties, or roughly 6.3% of the state, are in moderate drought. In June, three counties or approximately 4.6% remained in drought.

The majority of the desert region is drought-free except for moderate conditions in parts of Inyo, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Nearly 892,800 people remain in drought areas, according to a Thursday update from the U.S. Drought Monitor  an increase over nearly 704,800 people in June and approximately 736,000 people in May.

In March, 5 million people lived in drought-stricken areas.

Whether the drought is over depends on where you are and the status of your water agencys supply.

Roughly 28% of the state remains abnormally dry for the fifth week in a row.

The information used in this interactive map, collected from the U.S. Drought Monitor, was updated Thursday with data through July 11. Here are the drought conditions in California:

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Email servicejournalists@sacbee.com with your top-of-mind questions.
SACRAMENTO, Calif.  A Southern California school district will receive social studies books from the state to replace the texts canceled by three far-right school board members over a mention of a gay rights activist, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday.

The Newsom administrations announcement about the Temecula Valley Unified School District follows Twitter scoldings from the governor and a civil rights investigation into the district by the California Department of Education.

This latest development extends a feud between state Democrats and three board members backed by the religious right who are now facing recall efforts and palpable parent outrage. It follows state protocols laid out in pending legislation  framed as an anti-book ban bill by its proponents, including the Newsom administration.

Cancel culture has gone too far in Temecula: radicalized zealots on the school board rejected a textbook used by hundreds of thousands of students and now children will begin the school year without the tools they need to learn, Newsom said in a statement.

The president of the Temecula board responded by saying the governor has conveniently ignored other concerns he and fellow members expressed about the curriculum, and that an intense effort is underway to find a replacement for the textbooks before the school year begins.

That proposed curriculum will be presented to the Board of Education for consideration and adoption on July 18, 2023 at its next regular meeting, Board President Joseph Komrosky said in a statement. What is also unfortunate is that the Governor knows this and has elected to publish this threatened action ahead of the Districts hard work on this matter that will be come to fruition in just a few days.

Privately, Newsom aides have been working with state Superintendent Tony Thurmond to pass legislation that was recently amended to target the school district. Assembly Bill 1078 would fine districts for failing to provide textbooks or learning materials that align with state rules  including requirements that curricula include inclusive and diverse perspectives.

The bill would also have the state buy textbooks for districts that dont comply at the schools expense, and make it harder for school boards to remove books and other content.

The administration hopes to charge the district for the books after getting the bill through the Legislature  an urgency measure would take effect immediately after being signed.

If the school board wont do its job by its next board meeting to ensure kids start the school year with basic materials, the state will deliver the book into the hands of children and their parents  and well send the district the bill and fine them for violating state law, the governor said.

The bill has already encountered opposition from the California School Boards Association, which takes issue with the financial penalties, its perceived infringement on local school governance and other provisions. But the path to passage became clearer Thursday, as state Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) came out in support.

The antics of the Temecula Valley Unified School District are intolerable and damaging to its students opportunities to grow, prosper, and succeed, Rivas said.

The district board has yet to approve replacement textbooks after rejecting the curriculum because optional supplementary materials for a fourth-grade history textbook included a half-page bio of Harvey Milk, a San Francisco supervisor and gay-rights activist who was assassinated in 1978.

Two of the boards majority members  who came to power with backing from a local evangelical pastor and support from Republican officials  called Milk a pedophile before casting their votes. Their repetition of the disputed claim has galvanized state Democrats and continues to attract state scrutiny.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is intervening in a recent decision by a Southern California school board to reject social studies curriculum over its inclusion of gay rights activist Harvey Milk, marking his latest attempt to thwart book bans in the Golden State.

Newsom announced Thursday that the state would be purchasing the rebuffed textbooks and distributing them to students in the Temecula Valley Unified School District in short order.

His office also unveiled that the governor plans to sign legislation that would prohibit the restriction of teaching materials for political reasons and levy fines against any school district that fails to provide adequate instructional materials.

Were all worried about access to information, Newsom said in a video speaking directly to the parents in Temecula. Your kids have the freedom to learn and you have the freedom to access those books  the same books that hundreds of thousands of other kids throughout the state are accessing.

#booktok #freedomtolearn  original sound - California Governor @cagovernor Temecula's school board rejected a textbook used by thousands of students and now kids will begin the school year without the tools they need. If the school board wont do its job, we'll get the book to kids and parents - then bill the district and fine them for violating state law. #California

The Temecula Valley Unified School Board  a majority of whose members were backed by a conservative evangelical pastor  voted in May to reject new elementary social studies materials over a brief mention of Milk.

School board President Joseph Komrosky referred to Californias first openly gay elected official as a pedophile and questioned why he would be featured, calling it morally reprehensible.

This was the latest move by the school boards newly minted conservative majority to roil teachers, parents and students. In December, the board passed a resolution banning the teaching of critical race theory in its schools. Critical race theory is the study of how racism continues to shape key institutions, such as the criminal justice system, banks and housing.

The boards decision on the textbook got Newsoms attention in early June, when he called Komroskys comment an offensive statement from an ignorant person.

Newsom said many of the districts 11,387 students have now been left without a textbook for the start of the new school year on August 14. And the short supply of textbooks available will be outdated versions published in 2006.

Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta and state Superintendent Tony Thurmond in early June cautioned against instituting any book bans and warned that curriculum restrictions may require school districts to answer to the attorney general. Less than a week later, Newsom and Bonta zeroed in on Temecula and requested district officials provide justification for their rejection.

The board president did not explain during the board meeting why he called Milk a pedophile. The allegations against Milk appear to echo a narrative shared by some conservatives that revolve around a relationship Milk had with a 16-year-old in the early 1960s in New York when Milk was twice that age, according to a biography of Milk by Randy Shilts. The age of consent at that time in New York was 14.

The textbook at the center of the controversy  titled Social Studies Alive  is one of four standard programs adopted by the State Board of Education and is widely used in elementary schools across the state. Milk does not appear in the actual textbook, but a photo and short biography of the gay rights leader was included in supplemental resources optional for teachers to use in class, the districts curriculum director told the board at the time of its vote.

Newsom is working with the legislature and Thurmond to advance AB 1078, which would prohibit school boards from banning books that contain inclusive and diverse perspectives.

The measure, authored by Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson, would require a supermajority vote for a school board to remove instructional materials. It would also establish a process for the state Department of Education to purchase instructional materials for districts that fail to provide them for students and institute a funding penalty against those same districts.

It is my honor to have the Governors support of Assembly Bill 1078, Jackson said in a statement. This sends a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated.
The California State Fair begins Friday. Heres a sneak preview of the new food, attractions

The State Fair is back: Corn dogs, concerts, cannabis and amusement rides will be making their way back to Cal Expo beginning Friday for 17 days of thrills under the summer sun.

The Sacramento Bee sent its summer reporting interns to the California State Fairs media day to see what fairgoers should expect.

This fair marks Tom Martinezs first as CEO. Although hes new to the leadership role, Martinez has been working at the fair for nearly a decade. He said that those who attend can expect all their regular favorites and more.

Im not taking away any of the staples, Martinez said. The rides, the food, bacon and whatever you think are going to remain.

Cannabis, video games and dragons, oh my!

The fair staples will be accompanied by some newer alternative fair attractions.

A cannabis exhibit returns for the second year. Visitors 21 and older can slurp a CBD-infused slushie, learn about the science behind marijuana and speak with award-winning California cannabis farmers.

One thing missing from the exhibit? Cannabis products, for which sale and consumption will again be prohibited on the fairgrounds (except for the CBD slushie).

At the Bear Cup Esports Tournament exhibit next door, high school and middle school teams will compete in video game competitions for thousands of dollars in prizes.

All fairgoers can stop in to play popular games like:

Minecraft

Super Smash Bros.

Roblox

Mario Kart

Arcade enthusiasts can get in on the action with retro video games like Pac-Man, Galaga and Centipede.

And, a new Lost World of Dragons exhibit features virtual reality experiences and immersive displays on the fantasy and lore of dragons.

How will extreme heat affect the fair?

Opening weekend is going to be a scorcher, with weather forecasts calling for multiple triple-digit days. Cal Expo officials made it clear that the show will still go on, with the help of cooling stations and air conditioning.

Visitors looking to cool off can find four white tents throughout the fairgrounds. The tents, set up by Bonney Plumbing, are cooling stations with seating, misters and fans.

We want to make sure that all fairgoers have a space where they can get some reprieve from the heat, said Michelle McCauley, a spokeswoman for Bonney.

Aside from the Bonney tents, fairgoers can keep cool in the air-conditioned large buildings that house vendors and exhibits spread across the expo grounds.

Although most fair activities will continue in spite of the blistering heat, the California Horse Racing Board announced that they canceled the opening weekends horse races, and will continue to adjust their plans with safety for the horses and spectators in mind.

An official cooling station awaits fairgoers at the California State Fair Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Sacramento. The fair opens Friday, and high temperatures are expected.

The safest one square mile in Sacramento

The minor rule introduced last year remains in place. This means all fairgoers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult over 21. Chief of California Expo and State Fair Police Craig Walton said anyone who looks under 25 should be prepared to produce identification to be admitted.

Other safety measures include:

Metal detectors

Clear bag policy

Security guards and police officers at each entrance

30 to 70 police officers patrolling the fairgrounds

I do feel that this will be, with enhanced security and policies, the safest one square mile in Sacramento, Walton said.

Whats the new food?

If you didnt have bacon-wrapped-somethin during the fair, you didnt come here, Martinez said.

Indeed, visitors can find bacon atop hot dogs, burgers, fries, tater tots and more. But bacon is just the beginning of the offerings supplied by the vendors.

Darla Givens, a spokeswoman for Cal Expo, said 11 new vendors are joining the fair this year:

Melys Churros: Fresh churros stuffed with a variety of fillings, which contain a secret family ingredient and are vegan.

Lil Hotties: Hot mini-donuts topped with Gunthers Ice Cream, as well as fries loaded with steak, fried chicken and shrimp.

High Level Coffee: CBD-infused slushies and coffee in the fairs cannabis exhibit.

Its always been a dream of ours to be part of the State Fair, said Lilia Gonzalez of Melys Churros.

Sacramento Bee intern Angela Rodriguez orders a churro from Melys Churros during media day at the California State Fair Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Sacramento.

What does it cost to attend?

Heres what you can expect to spend:

General admission for adults is $14 ahead of time, or $16 at the gate.

Kids four and under are free, five to 12 years old are $8 ahead of time and $10 at the gate.

Seniors get in for $10 with advance purchase online or $12 at the door.

Parking is $15.

Unlimited ride wristbands vary in price from $35 to $42 depending on the day of the week.

On July 17 and July 24, visitors who bring five non-perishable food items for donation get free entry 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. courtesy of Sacramento Municipal Utilities District, according to the fairs website.

The Sacramento Bees Shaanth Kodialam, Ellie Lin, Kevin Neri, Hannah Shields, Sonora Slater and Samson Zhang and The Modesto Bees Hamera Shabbir contributed to this story.
California still has an anti-gay marriage law on the books. Voters could remove it next year

FILE - Al-Farabi Syrlybaev, left, from Moscow, smiles while posing at a photo booth after getting married to Maksim Maslovskii, from St. Petersburg, at City Hall in San Francisco, on Feb. 14, 2023. The California Senate approved a proposal Thursday, July 13, 2023, to enshrine the right to same-sex marriage in the state constitution, sending the issue to voters in 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

SACRAMENTO, Calif (AP)  California voters will decide in 2024 whether to enshrine the right to same-sex marriage in the state constitution, a chance for them to permanently remove an inactive ban on same-sex marriage that they approved in 2008.

The California Senate overwhelmingly passed the proposed constitutional amendment on Thursday, though most of the chamber's eight Republicans did not take a position. It would repeal a 2008 measure, known as Proposition 8, which voters approved to ban the state from recognizing same-sex marriages.

In practice, that law has been void for about a decade. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for same-sex marriage in the state. But it remains on the books and can only be removed by voters.

What we are doing today is joyous, said Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat representing San Francisco. What the voters, I believe, will do next year is joyous. This is about recognizing the fundamental humanity of all 40 million Californians.

Wiener and Democratic Assemblymember Evan Low, both members of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, introduced the legislation after the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling last year that overturned the right to an abortion, putting the fates of other previously decided rights into uncertain territory. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said at the time the court should reconsider its rulings on prominent cases such as the 2015 decision requiring states to recognize and issue licenses for same-sex marriages.

In an emotional debate on the Senate floor, lawmakers said the proposed amendment was long overdue. Democratic Sen. Caroline Menjivar, who is lesbian, fought back tears while sharing a story about her family members refusing to attend her wedding.

This vote goes beyond faith. It goes to the damage it causes to me and my LGBTQ+ families and friends, Menjivar said.

California took the national spotlight in 2004 when then-San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples, even though it was illegal at the time. The move was controversial even among Democrats and was halted by a court. Then-Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a subsequent legislative attempt to legalize gay marriage. Then voters in 2008 passed Proposition 8.

After another round of court intervention, same-sex marriage has been legal in the state since 2013. The U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationally two years later.

In 2020, Nevada became the first state to ensure the right to same-sex marriage in its state constitution.

California Sen. Brian Dahle, a Republican representing part of Sacramento County, decided not to vote on the proposed amendment, citing religious reasons.

I truly, truly love so many of you that have lost your rights, he said, referring to his LGBTQ colleagues. This is about me. It's not about our relationship. It's about what I think I need to do in my faith.

But Sen. Steve Padilla, a Democrat representing San Diego, said Thursday's vote was not about personal religious beliefs.

It is about whether the government we serve in a pluralistic society with many faiths treats us all equally before the law, he said.

___

Sophie Austin is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Austin on Twitter: @sophieadanna.
Western Canada has tens of thousands of inactive oil wells, like this one near Red Deer in Alberta province (Geoff Robins)

With its flaking red paint, broken pressure gauge and cranks fallen to the ground, an oil well sits forsaken in western Canada, like tens of thousands of others that have been out of service for decades -- but never plugged.

Activists and experts say the existence of these inactive oil and gas installations -- often dug hundreds of meters (yards) below the surface in Alberta province -- is a ticking ecological time bomb for the vast country.

"Every single one of them is simply steel and concrete. They erode and break down," said Regan Boychuk, the founder of Reclaim Alberta, a group advocating for the clean-up of such wells.

"Every one of these holes needs to be managed, monitored for eternity because of the danger of leaks," he told AFP.

Each one of these wells also emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas that, over a 20-year period, is "86 times more impactful compared to a molecule of carbon dioxide," stresses McGill University professor Mary Kang, who has written a study on the issue.

It's a source of pollution that she believes is likely underestimated and "has a much bigger uncertainty range compared to other methane emission sources," Kang notes.

More than 120,000 oil and gas wells are inactive but not sealed off in Alberta and Saskatchewan provinces, home to more than 90 percent of Canada's wells, according to government data released in 2022.

The oldest of these has not been used since World War I.

Overall, according to that government data, these installations have emitted an average of 16,000 tonnes of methane per year over a century -- the equivalent of 545,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, or what about 237,000 vehicles emit in one year.

- Work postponed indefinitely -

Most of the wells were built sometime between the dawn of the oil and gas era in the 1860s and the end of the 1940s. In some provinces of Canada, which has the world's fourth largest proven oil reserves, they are not even registered.

After decades of industrial expansion, Alberta -- home to most of the country's oil resources, mainly in the form of oil sands -- saw the number of inactive wells increase rapidly since 2010, particularly after crude prices dropped off in 2014.

Under the polluter-pay principle enshrined in Canadian law, energy companies must pay for the plugging of wells and cleanup of the surrounding area, but there is thus far no deadline for that work to be completed.

This allows oil and gas firms to postpone the work indefinitely, or to transfer their inactive wells to smaller companies.

When these companies file for bankruptcy, the environmental burden for orphaned wells falls to provincial authorities -- and creates another bureaucratic nightmare.

Over roughly a decade, the number of orphaned wells in Alberta exploded, from 700 in 2010 to almost 10,000 in 2023.

The government in Ottawa says the cost of cleaning them up will soar from CAN $361 million (US $272 million) in 2020 to $1.1 billion in 2025.

While the Orphan Well Association in Alberta plans to get the job done over the next 10 to 12 years, some say the monumental task has been wildly misjudged.

"There are tens of thousands that fit the common sense definition, but only a few thousand are officially designated," Boychuk says.

- Polluted soil -

Albert Hummel, a farmer in southern Alberta, had seven abandoned wells on his land. But he's one of the lucky ones -- some of them were finally sealed off and "reclaimed," or restored to their original state. There are two left to handle.

"It's a slow process, it takes time," says Hummel, who lost the royalties he was earning for the use of his land once the oil company in question went out of business in 2019.

Once the soil is contaminated, it takes decades for the pollutants to evaporate. Only then can cleanup work begin.

After the ground is purified, the wells must be plugged with cement, each layer of soil carefully replaced, and the area leveled off with the surrounding fields for it to be considered "reclaimed."

Right in the middle of one of Hummel's fields, the remains of a well have prevented the farmer from using part of that land -- "it's just straight loss of production," he says, pointing to the pipes emerging from the earth.

In an effort to offset the loss and render the area at least partially useful, one small company has offered to install solar panels until the ground can be decontaminated.

"It just gives nature more time for the grass to come back, for contaminants to evaporate," says Daryl Bennett from the RenuWell project.

"It'll give a little more time to clean up the land and reclaim it, and it's producing renewable energy too."

But such solutions represent a drop in the bucket when compared to the overall cleanup at hand.

"Emissions from this legacy infrastructure, they're not going to go away," says Kang.

"It's something we're going to have to manage for years and decades to come."

maw/sst/st
STAUNTON  Voter fraud has been a hot-button issue around elections across the country, and a local candidate for city council is the latest to add his voice to that trend.

Wilson Fauber is running for the vacant city council seat currently occupied by interim city councilor Terry Holmes. On Tuesday night, Fauber re-posted a message from Delegate Ellen Campbells re-election Facebook page to his own campaign page.

The post on Campbells page highlighted SecureYourVoteVirginia.com, a website paid for by the Republican Party of Virginia urging conservative voters to register for absentee ballots and to vote early.

We cant go into our elections down thousands of votes, said Governor Glenn Youngkin in a video on the front page of the website.

Fauber, in re-sharing the post, took it a step further. He called on Staunton residents to vote early to ensure that "no one steals our vote."

"As we know often people go to the polls only to learn "they" have already voted!" the statement said.

Wilson Fauber originally posted this message alluding to voter fraud to his campaign Facebook page on Tuesday. After receiving pushback on his claims, he added additional comments clarifying his stance.

After some pushback from commenters, Fauber added further comments. He said that he was not referring specifically to Staunton, but rather to voter fraud throughout the United States. In the statement, he said, "Thankfully, there are no reported cases in Staunton."

Wilson Fauber, a candidate for Staunton City Council in this November's election, posted this message after receiving pushback on his initial post that voters should "vote early to ensure that no one steals our vote."

According to a report from the Brennan Center for Justice, putting rhetoric aside to look at the facts makes clear that fraud by voters at the polls is vanishingly rare, and does not happen on a scale even close to that necessary to rig an election. That report looked at research studies, court opinions, and government investigations into potential voter fraud.

Fauber told The News Leader that he didn't believe that there was rampant voter fraud across the country, but he did believe it existed and that citizens should be aware of it. He clarified that he did not believe that voter fraud occurred in Staunton, but that local elections would be especially susceptible to fraud due to the low volume of ballots.

"I believe that there is some truth to it, that it does happen," Fauber said. When The News Leader asked for examples, Fauber provided information from The Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank. When pressed about using that information as a source, Fauber said he had found other websites and articles that claimed voter fraud was occurring in the United States.

"There are many many other sources out there that would support that information, and there are just as many out there that would claim that that's not true," Fauber said.

Is there voter fraud in Staunton?

Fauber is correct in one respect: there were no instances of voter fraud in the last election according to Staunton general registrar Christi Linhoss.

There was one instance where a resident called and complained about a person claiming to have voted twice on social media. When the registrars office looked into the claim, they found no evidence of voter fraud.

Thats literally the only thing I heard through last years November elections, and of course, we did not have a primary, Linhoss said.

Are voters being turned away while being told theyd voted already?

Simply put, no. There were zero instances of people showing up at the polls only to be turned away because they were told they had voted already.

Linhoss says that more often, issues crop up when citizens come in and do early voting, but then forget they had already cast a ballot come Election Day.

The process, according to Linhoss, is to have the person cast a provisional ballot to assuage any fears that their vote will not be counted. After Election Day, they then figure out if the provisional ballot should be counted.

We do the research afterwards, theres no way to do that research at the polls on Election Day, Linhoss said.

Can voter fraud happen in Staunton?

According to Linhoss, theres really no way to have voter fraud in Staunton. Linhoss said that the registrar's office followed state guidelines and regulations built to combat against potential voter fraud.

Theres definitely many many safeguards and hoops that would have to be broken in order for that to occur, Linhoss said, before adding with a chuckle, And it would have to be way more than one person to do it. It would have to take a whole army to do that.

In the case of absentee voters, every ballot that is mailed out is accounted for in some way, whether or not the ballot gets returned. The verification process, as of July 1, now requires voters to include their year of birth and the last four digits of their Social Security number on the envelope along with a signature.

That doesnt resolve all issues, but it makes voting more accessible to everyone, Linhoss said.

Linhoss believes that Virginia elections are purposefully done in a transparent way to lower fears of potential improper voting.

"We dont want there to be secrets in how we process ballots when they come through on absentee and all of that," she said, adding, "We want to be as open as we can about it so no one feels anything happens to their vote."

Akhil Ganesh is the Government Reporter at The News Leader. You can contact him at aganesh@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @akhildoesthings.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Candidate for Staunton City Council makes, then walks back, claims of voter fraud
'We cannot work' - why Gulf summer feels even hotter than usual

Dubai is sweltering through an unusually difficult summer (Giuseppe CACACE)

As much of the world swelters in record temperatures, spare a thought for Issam Genedi, who ekes out a living washing cars in one of the planet's hottest regions, the Gulf.

Pausing from his work at an outdoor carpark in Dubai, the Egyptian migrant says the United Arab Emirates' furnace-like summer feels even hotter this year.

"This summer is a little more difficult than other years," says Genedi, who shines cars for about 25 dirhams ($6.80) a time in temperatures that pass 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) each day.

"Between noon and 3pm or 3:30pm, we simply cannot work."

The oil-rich UAE -- host of this year's COP28 United Nations climate talks, where the world will try to sharpen its response to global warming -- is no stranger to unbearable summers.

In the blistering summer months, those who can decamp to cooler climes, or stay cocooned inside air-conditioned homes, offices and shopping malls.

The streets are largely deserted, apart from labourers hired cheaply from abroad. Many manual workers have a compulsory rest period in the hottest hours of the day.

It's a similar story all around the energy-rich desert region. In Bahrain, an island nation off Saudi Arabia, July temperatures threaten to beat the record average monthly maximum temperature of 42.1C (107.8F) set in 2017.

In 2017 and 2020, Bahrain recorded an average monthly temperature of 36.9C (98.42F) in July.

Two weeks ago, more than 1.8 million Muslims battled through a days-long hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia in temperatures up to 48C (118F), with thousands treated for heat stress.

And in Kuwait, which regularly records some of the world's highest temperatures, experts warn the mercury could pass a formidable 50C (122F) in the coming weeks.

- Where 'real feel' is 60C -

Genedi is right that this summer seems unusually hot. Apart from last week being identified as the hottest ever recorded worldwide, a wave of humidity has been suffocating the Gulf.

"People have been left wondering if the temperatures are even higher" than usual, Ahmed Habib of the UAE's National Centre of Meteorology told AFP.

"An increase in relative humidity... combined with already high temperatures, makes the temperature seem higher than it really is," he said, adding that "real-feel" temperatures have ranged between 55-60C (131-140 F) in some areas.

The Gulf's extreme heat and high humidity are a dangerous mix as in such conditions the human body struggles to cool itself by evaporating sweat on the skin.

The combination is measured by a thermometer wrapped in a wet cloth to calculate the "wet bulb temperature" -- the lowest possible through evaporative cooling.

The Gulf is one of the few places to have repeatedly measured wet bulb temperatures above 35C (95F), the threshold of human survivability beyond which heat stress can be fatal within hours, regardless of age, health and fitness.

It is for this reason that experts warn accelerated climate change will make parts of the Gulf region unliveable by the end of this century.

In Kuwait, meteorologist Issa Ramadan said "the increase in temperature over the past year has been significant".

"It is expected that from the middle of the month until August 20 there will be a noticeable rise in temperatures that may reach and even exceed 50C (122F) in the shade," he told AFP.

Humidity could top 90 percent in Bahrain by the end of the week, with maximum temperatures ranging between 42-44C (108-111F), according to official forecasts.

- 'Our profession is difficult' -

Gulf temperatures will rise to disruptive levels if global warming is left unchecked, according to projections by Barrak Alahmad of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Dominic Roye of the Foundation for Climate Research.

In the UAE's capital Abu Dhabi, the number of 40C-plus (104F-plus) days will rise by 98 percent by 2100 if global temperatures increase by 3C, according to the findings published in June by Vital Signs, a coalition of rights groups working on migrant labourer deaths in the Gulf.

The same 3C global increase will see Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia experiencing 180 days of 40C-plus temperatures a year by the end of the century, it said.

"These conditions could seriously disrupt human societies in ways we are just beginning to understand," Alahmad told the Vital Signs Partnership.

Intense heat and humidity is already a daily reality for many in the Gulf, not least the thousands of mostly South Asian delivery motorcyclists who criss-cross its cities carrying food and other packages.

"Our profession is a difficult one," one of them, Mohammad Rajab, from Egypt, told AFP in a Dubai street that was vacant apart from other riders.

"We always try to avoid the direct glare of the sun."

bur-aem-am/ho/th/fz/jsa
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty

When actor Hill Harper launched his Democratic Senate campaign on Monday, he did so with a video message to his son.

Dear Pierce, the video begins. Im recording this video for you because Im about to make a big announcement.

Harper continued that he learned on his grandfathers farm that, when you plant something in good soil, you get something better in return.

That's why Im raising you in Michigan, he said.

But for someone raising his son in Michigan, Harper seems to spend a lot of time outside the state. And whether his son is really being raised in Michigan is already becoming a point of contention; just weeks ago, Pierce Harper was attending school 2,000 miles awayin Seattle, Washington.

One Group Is Fundamental to Saving This Endangered House Democrat

Its just one indication of several that Harper is more of an outsider to Michigan than hes aiming to present. And it could be an ongoing issue for the actor as he ventures into Michigan politics.

As multiple candidates discovered last cycle, the transition from celebrity to Senate candidate isnt always so easy.

Harper is an actor known for his roles playing doctors on CSI: NY and The Good Doctor. He boasts the resume of a politician in the making. He was born in Iowa, went to Brown University for his undergraduate degree, and then Harvard Law School during the same years as former President Barack Obama. Hes a single dad of an adopted child. Hes written books and built his wealth.

And, according to multiple interviews Harper conducted this week, he claims to have moved to Michigan seven years ago. In 2017, he did indeed buy a historic Detroit home known as the Charles T. Fisher Mansion. He bought a franchise location of a coffee shop in town that same year, and engaged in nonprofit work in the area.

But despite his property ownership and Michigan business dealings, Harper also has sprawling roots on the West Coast, where he regularly filmed his television series. And where, exactly, his actual primary residence has been over the last seven years is difficult to discern.

During the time Harper was claiming to live in Michigan, he also appears to have maintained residences in California and Seattle. He bought a condo in Malibu in 2018, which he later rented out, but The Seattle Times also reported that Harper moved to their city during the first season of The Good Doctor, which aired between 2017 and 2018. The paper noted that, as of 2020, Harper reportedly commuted between Seattle and Vancouver, where the show filmed.

As part of that, Harper told The Seattle Times in 2020 that he was sending his son to a foreign-language immersion school in Seattle. In September 2022, Harper again told Yahoo he was sending his son to a foreign-language immersion school.

According to a source familiar, Harper will be enrolling his son in a Michigan school next year.

But the list of questionable details surrounding Harpers time in Michigan goes on.

On pages to book Harper as a speaker for eventsthe cost of which ranges from $20,000 to $100,000 depending on the virtual and in-person optionshe is listed repeatedly as traveling from places that are not Michigan. In two booking profiles reviewed by The Daily Beast, he is listed as traveling from California. In another two, he is listed as traveling from Seattle.

Inside the Early Elbowing for Michigans Open Senate Seat

In one speaker bio that says he travels from Seattle, Harper has reviews as recently as June 2023, indicating the profile has been recently in use. In another speaker bio that says he travels from California, there are details in his bio about events from 2021, also indicating the profile was updated within the last two years.

(Three of the profiles also include this line: In 2004 and 2014, People named [Harper] one of their Sexiest Men Alivehe anticipates being named again in 2024.)

The Daily Beast spoke with one former employee of Harpers Detroit coffee shop who worked there for about three years. The employee could only recall one in-person visit from Harper.

Another former employee of the coffee shop that spoke with The Daily Beast said Harper more regularly began visiting the establishment within the last year. But in the years prior to that, the source only saw Harper visit about three times and found him to be difficult to get hold of.

The source said Harper showed a clear interest in Detroit but, at the end of the day, He didnt live in Michigan.

Harpers political donations up until 2015 listed his primary residence as California, according to the Federal Elections Commission database.

Harper stopped making political donations, according to the FEC, between June 2015 and May 2023. At that point, Harper made a donation to the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee, listing Michigan as his primary residence.

Rebecca Pearcey, a spokesperson for the campaign, claimed to The Daily Beast in a statement that Harper has lived in Michigan for seven years.

Hill Harper began spending time in Michigan because of work, but quickly realized the greatest people in the world live in Michigan and decided to move there full time, Pearcey said. Ever since moving to Michigan in 2016, hes voted as a Michigander, paid taxes to the state, and runs a small business in Detroit.

The strategy of planting roots in Michiganif it was oneas a segue to a political rise would make sense for a candidate like Harper. The television celebrity is positioning himself as a progressive option in the primary field.

Michigan leans blue and Republicans are not expected to make the Senate seat a top target, so the Democratic primary could be the biggest hurdle between him and the U.S. Senate.

The biggest hurdle in the primary, however, is Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), a more moderate Democrat who effectively cleared the field of other potential congressional contenders. Washington Democrats breathed a sigh of relief earlier this year when Slotkin got in the race. Endorsers quickly lined up behind the congresswoman.

While Harpers residency issues could be a line of attack in the primary, Slotkin may not be the ideal candidate to point out those issues. Slotkin spent her early life in Michigan, but she spent some time away from the state during her college tenure at Cornell and Columbia University (two other Ivy League institutions, just like Harper), and then she remained out-of-state to work for the Central Intelligence Agency, where she served three tours in Iraq as an analyst for the agency. Slotkin also worked for the Bush and Obama administrations before she moved back to Michigan in 2017 in advance of her run for Congress a year later.

Pete Buttigieg Says He Will Not Run For Michigan Senate in 2024

With money and name recognition, Harper could give Slotkin a run for her money if he gains the right momentum. Democrats also in the race include State Education Board Member Pamela Pugh and former state Rep. Leslie Love, among others.

The seat is being vacated by retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), who has not yet made an endorsement in the race. The Democratic Senate primary will take place Aug. 6.

Of course, there are other potential complications for Harpers run beyond his residency. There are questions about whether hell continue his work as an actor over the next year and a half while ostensibly running for Senate. A Hollywood writers strike currently has production of most television shows on holdbut that could change quickly.

Asked directly if hed continue shooting The Good Doctor in Vancouver during his run, Harper told The Detroit News, That is impossible to say because were on strike. The industry is on strike right now. Nothings happening as far as the industry, so who knows?

Until then, Harpers left making his case to voters, and proving himself to be a Michigander. At the local level, there still seems to be some confusion on that point.

In one local news segment from April on Harper considering a Senate run, an anchor at the news desk asked a dispatched reporter, I know Hill Harper has been in and around town doing charitable work and opening businesses, but does he live in the required area?

The reporter wasnt sure.

You know, thats a very good question, the reporter said. I assume that he is. You have to be a resident of the state in order to be a U.S. senator, so Im sure that theyve crossed that T and dotted that I. But thats a very good question.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Photo: Kevin McGovern (Shutterstock)

The co-founder and former CEO of the defunct cryptocurrency exchange Celsius was arrested on fraud charges Thursday, Bloomberg reported.



Alex Mashinsky, 57, was also charged with attempting to manipulate cryptocurrency markets, per Bloomberg. The Department of Justice accused Mashinsky and Roni Cohen-Pavon, Celsius chief revenue officer, of a, years long scheme to mislead customers, according to Coindesk.

Read more

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued the company and Mashinsky for securities fraud on the same day in the Southern District of New York, civil charges that would not carry the penalty of prison time. The Federal Trade Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission likewise filed suit against the bankrupt company. Celsius, the SEC, and the Department of Justice did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Celsius filed for bankruptcy in July 2022 amid the wider collapse of the cryptocurrency industry, owing some $4.7 billion to its users, without anywhere near the assets needed to pay them. A month earlier, it had stopped all withdrawals of customer assets, fomenting panic among its users. Fahrenheit, a consortium of crypto companies and investors, won a bid to acquire Celsius assets in May.

An independent investigators report issued in January 2023 found that Celsius had used both customer funds and investors cash to keep the price of the exchanges native token CEL artificially high. Mashinsky himself sold $68.7 million worth of the token. Celsius executives, including Mashinsky and his wife, had cashed out in advance of the companys implosion, according to court filings. Mashinsky withdrew over $10 million before the company halted withdrawals, and his wife Kristine took out $2 million, per the filings.

In January 2023, New Yorks attorney general filed suit against the company and Mashinsky, alleging both misled and defrauded investors. The AG is seeking to ban them from doing business in the state. Some 40 states are investigating whether Celsius was little more than a Ponzi scheme.

This article is part of a developing story. Our writers and editors will be updating this page as new information is released. Please check back again in a few minutes to see the latest updates. Meanwhile, if you want more news coverage, check out our tech, science, or io9 front pages. And you can always see the most recent Gizmodo news stories at gizmodo.com/latest.

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Click here to read the full article.
Celsius Network and its former CEO are probably not having a good day

To get a roundup of TechCrunchs biggest and most important crypto stories delivered to your inbox every Thursday at 12 p.m. PT, subscribe here.

Welcome back to Chain Reaction.

Earlier today, the now-bankrupt crypto lending firm Celsius Network and its former CEO and co-founder Alex Mashinsky faced several lawsuits from three separate American entities: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Bloomberg also reported that Mashinsky was arrested and charged with fraud today, a person familiar with the matter said.

Mashinsky and Celsius chief revenue officer, Roni Cohen-Pavon, were charged by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on Tuesday for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to defraud customers of Celsius Network, according to a previously sealed indictment.

These suits come at a time when the SEC, and U.S. agencies in general, are cracking down on the crypto industry. Earlier this week, the U.S. government accused a cybersecurity professional of hacking a cryptocurrency exchange and stealing around $9 million in cryptocurrency, in what looks like a case of an ethical hacker turning rogue, then trying to appear ethical again.

Last month, the SEC sued the two largest crypto exchanges, Binance and Coinbase, for separate reasons, but both lawsuits alleged the companies were violating U.S. securities laws. And in early June, the U.S. Department of Justice charged two Russian nationals for hacking and causing the subsequent collapse of Mt. Gox, once one of the largest and most popular crypto exchanges. Mt. Gox shut down in 2014 after filing for bankruptcy when the theft was revealed, and then was ordered to liquidate.

These are just a few of the charges and suits that come to mind. But there were (and Im sure will be) plenty more as the U.S. regulators keep a close eye on the crypto industry.

The TLDR? Celsius and Mashinsky are in extremely hot water. And this could be just the beginning of a long series of lawsuits and charges for them and the industry at large.

This week in web3

The latest pod



For this weeks episode, Jacquelyn interviewed Maria Shen, a general partner on the investment team at Electric Capital, an early-stage venture firm focused on crypto, blockchain, fintech and marketplaces.

Before Electric Capital, Maria was the CTO and co-founder of Bambify, a startup that helped small to medium-sized businesses create more efficient supply chains with manufacturers globally. Prior to that, she worked at Microsoft.

In March 2022, the firm announced that it closed $1 billion for a pair of crypto funds -- a $400 million vehicle for making equity investments in startups and a $600 million fund intended to invest directly in crypto tokens. Its website currently showcases a portfolio with about 75 investments with crypto startups like Magic Eden, ConsenSys and Bitwise, to name a few.

More recently, Electric Capital put out a report that showed the number of blockchain developers in the U.S. has declined every year since 2017, dropping to 29% last year from 40% in 2017. We dove into what that report really means and how it will affect the growth of developers domestically and internationally.

We discussed what crypto sectors Maria is watching for investments, why shes betting big on NFTs and the general venture capital market sentiment.

We also talked about:

U.S. regulatory impact on investments

The bear market

Trends shes following

Advice for founders

Subscribe to Chain Reaction on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite pod platform to keep up with the latest episodes, and please leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Follow the money

Music NFT platform Sound.xyz raised $20 million in a Series A round Ticketing solutions platform Get Protocol raised $4.5 million in a seed round LunarCrush raised $5 million in a Series A to help tailor social media content AwesomeQA raised $2.8 million to provide automated customer support solutions Olympix raised $4.3 million to build crypto cybersecurity with AI tooling

This list was compiled with information from Messari as well as TechCrunchs own reporting.

What else were reading

Want to branch out from the world of web3? Here are some articles on TechCrunch that caught our attention this week:

Follow me on Twitter @Jacqmelinek for breaking crypto news, memes and more.
CEO praised for refusing to leave airline seat to let mother sit next to her children

A woman who refused to switch seats with a mother so she could sit next to her children on an airplane was commended online for sticking to her stand.

Tammy Nelson, the CEO of global jewellery brand CONQUERing, shared the incident on TikTok and said she was flying on a Delta Airlines flight from Cincinnati, Ohio to San Jose, California when another woman requested her to switch seats so she could sit next to her two kids.

Ms Nelson figured the other woman was already sitting in her window seat.

I double-checked my boarding pass thinking I may have had the wrong row, Ms Nelson told Newsweek. When I confirmed I was looking at the correct seat, I thought she must have just mistakenly sat in the wrong seat. So I said, Im sorry but it seems youre in my seat, thinking she would realise it and move.

But the woman did not. Oh  you want to sit here? she reportedly said. I was pretty surprised at the question but replied simply saying, Yes, thats the seat I selected, Ms Nelson said.

The woman then reportedly told her she was with her two kids who were sitting in the seats next to her window seat. Oh well I just thought we could switch since these are my kids, she told Ms Nelson.

At this point, Ms Nelson told her TikTik followers the real reason for refusing to switch with the mother, who offered Ms Nelson a middle seat.

I get motion sickness during takeoff and landing if I cant see out the window. I also dont get a lot of sleep. I often try to get a little sleep on planes which is easiest with a window seat, Ms Nelson said.

@myconquering Having had only 90 minutes of sleep the night before and knowing I had to give a presentation to 500 people, I desperately needed some sleep, so I did not agree to switch seats.  Before anyone comes after me the kids looked like they were about 11 and 15 years old. And the mom was in arms-reach of both of them from the middle seat in the row behind us. The mom proceeded to complain for at least 15 minutes to the person next to her loud enough for me to hear. But the woman actually defended me  several times. It was so kind and I appreciated it so much because I was feeling really guilty.  #airplaneseat#seatswitching#airplanekarens  original sound - MyCONQUERing

On that particular day, I only had 90 minutes of sleep the night before, she said. And I was headed into a high-pressure work week where I would be presenting to 500 people and really needed to be at my very best so getting a little sleep on that flight was extra-important.

Ms Nelsons TikTok video has been viewed more than 1.6 million times so far.

She said the mother was reportedly super annoyed before moving back to her own middle seat.

Ms Nelson has received support from TikTok users for her stand.

People should book seats together if they want to sit together, one user wrote.

Tammy Nelson refused to switch seats with another woman who insisted she wanted to sit next to her two kids. Nelson said people are fed up with people feeling entitled (@conquering/TikTok)

The amount of families who arent paying to select their seats together is mindblowing! You were 100 per cent right to not give up your seat, said another comment.

Nope. If its not an upgrade its a sacrifice, said another.

People choose aisle or window for specific reasons (eg sleeping or being close to the toilet). No obligation to switch, added another user.

Ms Nelson said people are fed up with people feeling entitled when it comes to things like this.

Clearly the woman just expected that I would make a change to meet her needs, not considering what she had done (or not done) that put her in that situation, she said.

She just expected me to flex my plans to suit her needs. There seems to be a growing trend of this entitlement in society and I think people are just sick of it.
Moms for Liberty

The chair of the first Moms for Liberty chapter in southwest Missouri appeared on a radio show Monday to discuss how it got started  and the early response it has received.

Megan Patrick, a Willard parent, said the Greene County chapter was established in March. "We are very new. We've had one meeting and there were seven people there so we're just hoping to grow."

Greene County is the third chapter in Missouri. The others are St. Louis and Kansas City.

"All we've really done is show up at a couple board meetings and we've gotten the attention of a lot of people," she said Monday on the Elijah Haahr Show on KWTO.

Patrick and vice chair Lizzie Nothum, also a Willard parent, attended board meetings June 20 in Nixa and June 27 in Springfield.

Currently, the group has 150 members. The group will hold its second meeting Aug. 21 and monthly thereafter. The time and location were not disclosed.

What is Moms for Liberty and what are the group's priorities?

The national Moms for Liberty organization  labeled an anti-government extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center  started in Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic and has gained national prominence. There are now chapters in more than 40 states.

Leaders of the group say they are fighting for parents' rights and against the "woke indoctrination" of students. The SPLC, a nonprofit civil rights advocacy group, said the Moms for Liberty organization has fought against inclusive curriculum and training, critical race theory, LGBTQ rights, and what they view as inappropriate books in classrooms and school libraries.

The group, which has refuted the "extremist" label, has been outspoken about its efforts to "flip" school boards  endorsing likeminded candidates in local races  and encouraging parents to remove their children from public schools that do not make changes sought by the group.

According to the SPLC, the group has harassed school officials, disrupted school board meetings, advocated for the abolition of the U.S. Department of Education and spread misinformation.

Patrick said each chapter can set its own priorities.

Haahr, former Missouri House Speaker, asked Patrick if the Greene County chapter decided what it wanted to accomplish.

She said the first meeting was a chance to talk about what was "bothering people" in various districts. She said the way Springfield students perform on state-mandated exams was a top concern.

She said too few students scored at or above grade level in reading and math.

"Our main goal is to get all of the crap that is in our schools out and focus on education," she said. "Because they tout the graduation rates a lot and the graduation rates are great but the proficiency when they're graduating is not so great. That is our No. 1 goal."

She said members want to "show the school boards that we are here and we are watching and if you're not going to do your job then we will work to get likeminded people who will do a better job."

Haahr, a former Republican lawmaker, asked Patrick what spurred her to get involved. She said it started during the pandemic.

Lizzie Nothum (left) and Megan Patrick, wearing a Moms for Liberty shirt, attend a June 20 Nixa school board meeting that resulted in multiple books being banned. Nothum and Patrick are the vice chair and chair of a new Greene County chapter of Moms for Liberty.

"The masking mandates were really bothering me. The schools weren't really paying attention to the science as much and so I started just attending meetings. I wasn't speaking out yet," she said. "It wasn't until last year when we had found some filthy, disgusting books in our school."

She said there are books in school libraries with passages that are too inappropriate to read aloud at school board meetings.

"I don't think people really realize the books that are actually in the schools," she said. "The big thing people say is that we are banning LGBTQ books or books about different races and we only want white Christian books and that is not the case."

Patrick and Nothum have filed or actively supported book challenges in the Willard district. She said they assumed once librarians and school administrators were aware of the books they'd "be appalled" and remove them quickly but that was not the case.

She said school administrators and teacher unions have a place at the table but parents weren't as included.

Inspired by what parents were asking to see elsewhere, Patrick said she asked to see the curriculum in Willard.

"When I reached out I was told I didn't have permission to see it. It was copyrighted. That made me kind of raise my eyebrow because I can't see what my kids are learning," said.

More: Moms for Liberty starts local chapter, SPS board member invites its leaders to meeting

Patrick said she became aware of Moms for Liberty and inquired about starting a chapter.

"I wanted to be taken a little more seriously than just being an annoying mom and I had heard of Moms for Liberty so I looked into it and thought it had a bigger name so we went from there," she said.

Haahr pointed out Republican presidential candidates including Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis were part of the Moms for Liberty national summit recently in Philadelphia. Patrick said she did not attend in person but watched much of it online.

"The GOP candidates especially are realizing that parents are who they need to get their vote," Patrick said. "It wasn't really Moms for Liberty attendees fangirling over the candidates. I think more it was the candidates coming and trying to win the votes of those moms."

Patrick said residents interested in joining the chapter can go to the MomsForLiberty.org website and fill out a form. She said there is also a private Facebook group.

Claudette Riley covers education for the News-Leader. Email tips and story ideas to criley@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Local Moms for Liberty group talks about its start here, rapid growth
Steamboat Willie Mickey Mouse in 1928 LMPC / Getty Images

For quite some time, copyright laws have shielded many iconic and well-known characters. However, since 2019, some of those existing copyrights have been expiring, meaning that those characters entered the public domain, as their owners lost exclusive rights to their likeness. Now, creatives can attempt to reimagine the characters without fear of litigious reprisals.

While many popular characters already exist in the public domain, there isn't much precedent for the impending wave of copyright expirations of iconic 20th-century cartoons, superheroes and literary heroes. Most notably, Disney's copyright over the original Mickey Mouse expires next year. Does that mean it will be a free-for-all for Disney's most iconic character?

What does it mean to be in the public domain?

Creative work not covered by copyrights or considered the intellectual property of anyone is viewed as part of the public domain. Anyone can use what's in the public domain without getting permission or compensating the owner. Some works, like the Bible, existed before copyright laws were created that have been publicly available. Other works enter the public domain after their copyright term expires.

Copyright terms differ across countries. Up until the 1970s, copyright terms in the United States lasted for only 56 years. With the Copyright Act of 1976, Congress extended the period to 75 years for corporate copyrights, or the author's life, plus 50 years for works created before 1978. Then in 1998, the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act extended both terms by 20 years. The act is also derisively called the Mickey Mouse Protection Act because Disney was one of the forces behind the push for the extension, just as the Mickey Mouse copyright was set to expire in 2003.

The U.S. Copyright Office noted that as a "general rule for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years." Most works created before 1978 will enter the public domain 95 years after the day it was published, or the creator's life plus 70 years.

Does that mean it's a free-for-all?

Not necessarily. Just because a character enters the public domain "doesn't mean anyone can use the character however they wish," Michael Grothaus explained in Fast Company. "U.S. copyright law is complex, and public domain comes with caveats." There are limits to what you can do to public domain characters.

First, new projects can only use public domain characters as they existed 95 years ago. For example, when Superman enters the public domain in 2033, new character variations must be based on how he appeared in DC Comics' "Action Comics #1" in 1938. That version of Superman didn't fly, and his costume was very different from the iconic suit the superhero is currently known for. If someone made a Superman movie in 2033 in which he could fly, Warner Bros. would have a case for copyright infringement "since DC gifted Superman with flight power later in the character's mythology and it would still own the copyright over that version of Superman," Grothaus added.

Legal experts say that trademark laws are another obstacle to using public domain characters. "A copyright reflects the physical image, but a trademark has a public meaning and perception that goes beyond that," attorney Robert Greener told Insider. "It's conceptual; the trademark covers brand identity."

Disney still holds the trademarks on the Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse entering into the public domain next year, and trademarks don't expire as long as they are renewed. While copyrights protect from unauthorized reproductions, "trademarks are designed to protect against consumer confusion," The New York Times explained. "Boiled down, any public domain use of the original Mickey cannot be perceived as coming from Disney."

Earlier this year, we got a peak at what's possible when a character made iconic by Disney made it into the public domain. February's "Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey" morphed the helpful, cheerful honey-loving bear into a murderous slasher film villain. The creators plan to expand the universe with "Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare" and "Bambi: The Reckoning." Both characters are already in the public domain. It remains to be seen if a similar fate awaits Mickey Mouse.

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The vehicles won't travel too far, but they'll look good doing it.

Yesterday, electric vehicle maker Canoo announced in a press release that it had delivered three new Crew Transportation Vehicles (CTVs) to NASA. The cute-looking and totally electric vehicles will transport astronauts to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the Artemis lunar missions.

Designed as a big update to shuttle-era Astrovan, the CTVs were made specifically for the requirements of the Artemis missions, NASA says. Each vehicle can accommodate up to four astronauts in their brand-new Orion spacesuits, plus a spacesuit technician, on the drive to Launch Pad 39B. Theres also room for specialized equipment, NASA says.

The collaboration between Canoo and our NASA representatives focused on the crews safety and comfort on the way to the pad ahead of their journey to the Moon, Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, the Artemis launch director, said in a press release.

Although safety and comfort were obviously important, NASA also put a lot of thought into the visual design of the CTVs, which is meant to pay homage to the legacy of the agencys human spaceflight and space exploration efforts. Apparently, everything from the interior and exterior markings to the color of the vehicles to the wheel wells was carefully chosen.

[Related: With Artemis 1 launched, NASA is officially on its way back to the moon]

I have no doubt everyone who sees these new vehicles will feel the same sense of pride I have for this next endeavor of crewed Artemis missions, Blackwell-Thompson, who was involved in the design process, added. Canoo intends to reveal the interior and exterior in more detail later this year.

Canoo is one of the more interesting electric vehicle manufacturers in the US. It has developed a skateboard modular EV platform (other EV makers use the skateboard approach too). Basically, it consists of four wheels, a battery, a motor or two, and a drive-by-wire steering wheel on a 9.35-foot wheelbase, allowing the company to develop different vehicles from the same chassis. So far, it has a van-style Lifestyle Vehicle (which the NASA CTVs are based on), a delivery-van, and a pickup truck, which the US Army is currently testing.

Of course, developing a brand-new platform like this is never a smooth process. Canoos press release boasts of an on time delivery, hinting at some of its past troubles. As recently as May last year, the company only had enough cash on hand to last another three months. It seems a spate of binding orders for more than 15,000 vehicles from companies like Walmart and two fleet leasing companies, Zeeba and Kingbee, were enough to keep it in the clear. Its a big reminder that the EV space is still very new, and some of the companies making headlines right now might not be the ones that we are talking about in 10 years time.

Although they were delivered this week, the CTVs wont have their big day until at least November of 2024. Thats the current planned launch date for NASAs first crewed mission to the moon in 53 years, Artemis II. The little CTVs will drive the four astronauts the first nine miles of their trip into space, though the hulking Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft will take them for the rest of their 10-day mission. Until then, the three EVs will be used for astronaut training exercises.
Cherokee County court officials announced the conviction of a man who possessed multiple articles of child pornography.

District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway announced that 31-year-old Chas McKinley Bryan was convicted on June 30 of five counts of sexual exploitation of children.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

According to court documents, in March 2019, authorities learned that child pornography was being downloaded to a Cherokee County residence.

On May 2, 2019, authorities conducted a search warrant of Bryans home and recovered multiple devices that contained images of children being sexually abused.

Each time an image or video of a child being sexually assaulted is viewed, downloaded, or distributed, that child is victimized again, Assistant District Attorney Rachel Clark said. The children depicted in this abusive imagery may be nameless strangers on the internet, but their innocence is deserving of protection.

TRENDING STORIES:

Authorities said the evidence they recovered from Bryans home included images of young children.

We are thankful for the dedicated Cherokee Sheriffs Office investigators who work tirelessly to keep a watchful eye on the dark side of the internet to protect vulnerable victims, Treadaway said. Through these diligent efforts, the defendant has been brought to justice, and his abhorrent behavior has been stopped.

Bryan is set to be sentenced at another date.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Animal welfare groups across Chicago urged people to take caution as they adopt and give away pets after a Wicker Park man was accused of animal cruelty for allegedly adopting, torturing and killing several kittens.

Thomas Martel, 22, drowned and squeezed two cats to death and fatally mutilated another with a sharp object, Chicago police alleged in an arrest report.

Officers found another cat dead in a plastic bag inside Martels Wicker Park apartment.

Martels girlfriend told officers the cat died after it was microwaved, the arrest report said.

Martel turned himself into the 14th District station in Logan Square alongside his attorney on Monday, the report said.

Each of the at least four cats Martel allegedly killed had been named Shelly, police said. .

Martel was charged with two felony counts of animal torture and four felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. He was released after his father posted the required 10% of his $75,000 bond, under the condition that he will be electronically monitored and not acquire or have contact with animals, court records show. His next court appearance is scheduled for Monday.

Adoption agencies and animal welfare groups across Chicago told the Tribune the case was disturbing and unusual.

Id like to think that most people are looking for a pet, said Avril Kulla, field service coordinator for the Anti-Cruelty Society. Its a big city. So unfortunately, we see a lot of different shades of neglect and cruelty.

People who need to give up animals can bring them to trustworthy shelters like the Anti-Cruelty Society, Kulla said.

We dont turn away animals, she said. We just want to provide people a safe place to take their animals.

The organization also investigates incidents of animal cruelty, she added. It can be hard to prove animals have been abused without evidence, and its important to call 911 and, if possible, record video when abuse is seen in action, she said.

Kulla also encouraged people to avoid outlets like Craigslist for pet adoption. People looking to adopt or give away animals should instead use monitored websites from recognized organizations, she said.

There are no kinds of restrictions whatsoever with regard to how people interact on there, who can post and can pick up, she said.

Pet owners should have extensive conversations and a safe first meeting with people looking to adopt, Kulla said. Asking questions about what happened to someones last pet and who their veterinarian was is another important step, she added.

It can be a bit of a personal question. But it shouldnt be something someone is not willing to share, Kulla said.

PAWS Chicago CEO Susanna Wickham praised Martels girlfriend for reporting the alleged abuse to police. Animals are voiceless and rely on people to speak up for them, she said.

Staffers across her organization, which she said runs the Midwests largest no-kill shelter, felt a collective angst upon hearing about the alleged kitten killing and torture, Wickham said.

I was nauseous reading the details of what happened to those kittens, she said. That is exactly what we try to prevent when we find homes for homeless pets.

Deliberate abuse against animals is rare, she said, but harmful neglect is more common. Many animals arent fed enough or are kept in hoarding situations, she said.

The adoption process at PAWS is intensive, Wickham said. The organization gets a strong sense of how the animal will be cared for and what an adopters history with animals is like, she said. If the adopter gets a pet, it will have been spayed or neutered, fed and vaccinated.

So I think you can adopt with confidence, she said.

Chicago is facing the high season for stray kittens, Wickham said. She encouraged people who find newborn cats to bring them to animal care and control.

People who are just breeding or putting a cat on Craigslist may not realize the potential pitfalls they might be facing, she said. These could be good Samaritans trying their best to find a home for kittens they found.

Pet owners giving up their animals should be wary of people looking to take them for free, said Chicago Animal Care and Control spokesperson Armando Tejeda.

If they cant afford a $50 adoption free, whats someone going to do later if something comes up with the pet, Tejeda said.

People should also watch out for standoffishness and an unwillingness to share a veterinarian reference for past pets, he added.

In the past 12 days, 471 new animals have been brought to CACC, Tejeda said. The numbers havent been so high since way before COVID, he said, a trend he contributes to people returning to work and moving.

Adoption counselors are still meeting with potential adopters and running background checks to make sure pets and people are good fits, but the city agency has temporarily waived adoption fees.

Tejeda said Martels name didnt appear in the citys shelters records. Im glad they caught him, he said.

jsheridan@chicagotribune.com
The newest member of Shedd Aquarium's penguin population, a southern rockhopper chick who hatched on June 16, is weighed during a daily wellness exam, Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Chicago. The chick's parents, Edward and Annie, became famous in 2020 as part of the aquarium's "field trips," where penguins would visit locations such as the nearby Field Museum and Soldier Field while the aquarium was closed during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

CHICAGO (AP)  Its bright and early at Chicagos Shedd Aquarium and the penguin populations newest member is ready for a wellness check.

A fuzzy brown southern rockhopper chick is gently plopped onto a scale in an exam room and Shedds penguin team members are happy with the results. So, it seems, is the chick, who waves its flippers in the air and stretches out its neck.

Youre doing the happy flaps! says senior trainer Katy Roxbury, who offers the chick bits of herring.

The first southern rockhopper penguin hatched at Shedd in eight years came out of its shell on June 16. The aquarium made modifications to the exhibit area and brought in a few new female penguins last year as part of the rockhopper breeding program. Shedd's penguin colony also includes Magellanic penguins.

We were very excited when we found out that this egg was fertile, says penguin and otter supervisor Megan Vens-Policky. Weve been monitoring it closely. Were seeing great growth and were seeing very attentive behavior from the parents, so we couldnt be happier with how things are going.

The chicks parents, Edward and Annie, became famous in 2020 when they joined the aquariums field trips, visiting locations such as the nearby Field Museum and Soldier Field while the aquarium was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the daily wellness exam, the chick is weighed to see how much food its getting from mom and dad. Aquarium team members also offer additional food items, which helps the chick become comfortable with being handled.

The chick will remain nameless for three months while the penguin team focuses on its health and development. The sex of the chick will be determined by testing DNA from inside its egg shell.

Shedd is part of the Species Survival Plan, a global conservation program designed to optimize the genetics and health of the rockhopper population within accredited zoos and aquariums.

The southern rockhopper population is a population of concern out in the wild so its one we definitely want to learn more about, says Vens-Policky.
China beats SpaceX and Blue Origin to reach orbit with a methane-fueled rocket, edging ahead of the US in the space race

Zhuque-2 carrier rocket is shown at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on July 12, 2023 in the Gansu Province of China. VCG/VCG via Getty Images

China pulled ahead in the space exploration race by reaching orbit with a methalox rocket first.

The fuel, based on methane, is coveted by companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin.

SpaceX's own methalox-fueled rocket Starship exploded before reaching this milestone in April.

China has beaten the US companies SpaceX and Blue Origin to a space exploration milestone: putting a methane-fueled rocket in orbit.

Chinese firm LandSpace launched their Zhuque-2 rocket from the Gobi Desert on Tuesday, reaching orbit shortly after. The US Space Force tracking the rocket confirmed the launch's success, astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell tweeted Wednesday.

The rocket was fueled with methalox, a composite liquid fuel of methane and oxygen. Several US companies are focusing on developing methalox-fueled rockets, but all have failed to reach orbit.

That includes SpaceX's Starship mega-rocket, which was destroyed after its maiden launch in April. Relativity Space's Terran 1, which also uses methalox, also failed to reach orbit when it launched for the first time in March.

Meanwhile, the future of New Glenn, Blue Origin's methalox rocket, is uncertain after its BE-4 engine exploded during testing in June, per Space.com.

SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket explodes after launch from Starbase on April 20, 2023. Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images

A fuel you could source from space

Methalox is a coveted fuel for deep space exploration and reusable rockets.

The fuel is lauded as cheaper, more stable, and more environmentally friendly than kerosene.

The other advantage is that it could be mined off-world, on Mars, for instance. This is a draw for companies like SpaceX that want to colonize the red planet, per Space.com.

China's private space firms are dashing toward space

Zhuque-2 blasts off from its launchpad on July 12, 2023 in Jiuquan, Gansu Province of China. VCG/VCG via Getty Images

This was only the second launch attempt for Zhuque-2, Redbird 2 in English. The rocket suffered an anomaly on its first launch in December 2022, per Space.com.

The medium-sized rocket, designed to deliver a payload to space, stands 162 feet tall.

While the successful launch is a marked achievement, it pales compared to the ambition of US companies for their methalox rockets.

SpaceX's Starship is about 2.5 times taller than Zhuque-2 and aims to transport a crew to the Moon. This adds a lot of complexity to the launch. Meanwhile, Relativity Space is attempting to fully 3D-print its rockets, a first in the industry.

Still, the successful launch marks another milestone in China's rapidly growing space program, which in the past five years managed to put a crewed space station in orbit, land a rover on Mars, and send a probe to the far side of the Moon.

Private Chinese space firms have been rushing into the industry since 2014, when the government opened the sector to private investment, per Reuters. LandSpace was one of the earliest and best-funded entrants, per Reuters.

Read the original article on Business Insider
China calls on Germany to see its development 'rationally'

BEIJING (Reuters) - China hopes Germany can see its development "rationally, comprehensively and objectively", its embassy in Berlin said on Thursday, after Germany released its long-awaited China strategy paper.

The 64-page document comes as the West is seeking to reduce dependencies on China - which policymakers have labelled "de-risking".

"Forcibly 'de-risking' based on ideological prejudice and competition anxiety will only be counterproductive and artificially intensify risks," the Chinese embassy said in a statement.

Stating that China is a partner for Germany in dealing with challenges, the embassy added that it does not correspond to objective facts or in the common interests of both nations to see China as a "competitor and institutional rival."

It highlighted free trade and climate change as areas in which China and Germany hold common interest.

"Pragmatic cooperation between China and Germany in various fields such as economy and trade is mutually beneficial and complementary, and represents greater development opportunities rather than risks for both sides," said the embassy.

The statement reiterated Beijing's opposition to "meddling of its internal affairs" by using issues including Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and human rights. "China will resolutely safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests," it said.

(Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Alison Williams and Nick Macfie)
rocket lifting off between two launch towers and sending out a cloud of dust behind

A methane-fueled rocket just reached Earth orbit for the first time ever.

The Zhuque-2 rocket, developed by Chinese company Landspace, successfully soared to orbit after launching from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert on Tuesday (July 11) at 9 p.m. EDT (0100 GMT or 9 a.m. local time on July 12).

U.S. Space Force tracking confirmed Chinese reports that the methane-fueled rocket made it to orbit, tweeted astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell.

It was a milestone effort for Zhuque-2, which suffered an anomaly during its debut flight on Dec. 14, 2022. Beijing-based Landspace issued a statement shortly thereafter confirming that the second stage of the rocket was lost (along with a clutch of satellites) and that an investigation would ensue to find the cause, which has not yet been released.

Related: The environmental impact of rocket launches: The 'dirty' and the 'green'

rocket lifting off between two launch towers and sending out a cloud of dust behind

Landspace's methane-fueled Zhuque-2 rocket blasts off from China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on July 12, 2023. (Image credit: VCG via Getty Images))

Methane, aside from burning with a pretty blue color during launch, has been billed by advocates as being more environmentally friendly. While methane is a greenhouse gas, it is cleaner than the standard RP-1 (kerosene) used in many rockets.

Zhuque-2's colorful plume caught a lot of attention on Twitter.

Wow! Close-up look at Zhuque-2 Y2 launch. Nice shot of the methane CH4 flame. Credit: LandSpace, @byspto pic.twitter.com/rVBOMHXfn6July 12, 2023

See more

Wow! Such a unique angle to watch a rocket launch. Bird view of Zhuque-2 Y2 methane rocket launch shot by a drone right above the launch pad. Full HD: https://t.co/fACfZOvEO0 https://t.co/FdgI1NMo6O pic.twitter.com/Pz3oSlBLGFJuly 12, 2023

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Photos of Zhuque-2 Y2 launch today. Source: https://t.co/VQrkixB4Hh pic.twitter.com/5aNFWsgFIzJuly 12, 2023

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More neat photos of LANDSPACE's Zhuque-2 Y2 https://t.co/ICqbkaqfKs https://t.co/JmHbcJS27X pic.twitter.com/CVpSiw4cmhJuly 12, 2023

See more

Many U.S. companies are working on methane-fueled rockets as well, including SpaceX with its Starship system, Blue Origin with New Glenn, Rocket Lab with Neutron, United Launch Alliance with Vulcan Centaur and Relativity Space with its Terran line. Some of these vehicles have suffered issues in recent months, however.

Terran 1 failed to reach orbit on its debut launch in March, for example, and SpaceX issued a self-destruct command to Starship during its first fully stacked launch in April after the vehicle suffered several anomalies. (SpaceX is developing Starship to help settle Mars, and methane fuel can be sourced on the Red Planet, company founder and CEO Elon Musk has stressed.)

Vulcan Centaur was supposed to fly for the first time in early May, but that liftoff has been delayed after an anomaly occurred during testing of the rocket's upper stage.

RELATED STORIES:

 China's 1st liquid-fueled rocket moved to launch pad for liftoff this month

 Chinese startup aims to debut new reusable rocket next year

 The 12 biggest rocket failures of 2022 show why spaceflight is still hard

Blue Origin's New Glenn development is also uncertain following reports Tuesday (July 11) that one of the company's BE-4 rocket engines exploded during testing in late June.

The BE-4 engine not only powers New Glenn, but also the first stage of Vulcan Centaur. More information about impacts to the two vehicles may come during an already-scheduled phone call with reporters Thursday (July 13) by ULA CEO and President Tory Bruno concerning progress of his company's rocket.

China and its private space companies have been on a tear in terms of launches, taking 54 missions to orbit in 2022 and targeting more than 60 in 2023. By comparison, SpaceX (by far the busiest U.S. launcher) launched 61 rockets to space in 2022.
China renews call for US to lift sanctions; 'open' to Raimondo visit

(Refiles to remove extraneous 'Thursday' in paragraph 1)

BEIJING (Reuters) - China on Thursday renewed its call for the United States to lift "unilateral" sanctions against Chinese enterprises ahead of a possible visit by the U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Chinese companies involved in using what the U.S. calls forced labour in the far-western region of Xinjiang. China has repeatedly denied the accusations.

"The U.S. has seriously damaged Chinese companies' interests," China's commerce ministry spokesperson Shu Jueting told a press conference.

"China is firmly opposed to it, and urges the U.S. side to immediately stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese firms and lift its unilateral sanctions against them," Shu said.

When asked about a possible visit by Raimondo, Shu said: "China is open to such a visit and is in communication with the U.S. over the matter."

"China will remain committed to addressing economic and trade concerns through communication and dialogue, while promoting constructive and practical cooperation," Shu said.

Raimondo said in March that the Biden administration was considering a pilot programme to address risks involved in investment in China.

On Monday, China's finance ministry said it was required the U.S. to "lift bans on Xinjiang-related products" and take "practical actions" in response to its major concerns about sanctions.

The ministry statement followed a recent visit to Beijing by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, which yielded no breakthrough but was described as "productive" by both sides.

The two countries agreed to keep channels open for economic talks.

(This story has been refiled to remove the extraneous word 'Thursday' in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Joe Cash and Ethan Wang; editing by Robert Birsel)
China has unveiled plans to send astronauts to the moon by 2030, racing to join the U.S. as the only countries to put people on the moon.

China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) deputy chief engineer Zhang Hailian shared the plans at an aerospace summit in Wuhan on Wednesday, according to state-run news agency Xinhua.

The mission is part of a larger plan that involves establishing a lunar research station on the surface of the moon.

According to Chinese officials, the mission is expected to launch before the end of 2030 and will help establish best practices for how to construct a lunar base and for conducting exploration and scientific investigations on the moon.

The U.S. is itself pushing to build a mini space station in lunar orbit, as well as put boots back on the lunar surface  something that hasnt been done since 1972.

NASAs administrator, Bill Nelson, has previously warned that China is a country to watch, and that NASAs efforts to reach the moon in the next decade must stay on track.

According to Nelson, if the U.S. space agency is able to make it back to the lunar surface first, it can ensure that the moon is a continued peaceful outpost for everyone.

China was a late player to the space game, having launched its first satellite in the 1970s  more than a decade behind the U.S. and Russia.

Ever since, though, the country has been rapidly advancing its technology and trying to catch up. The country even has plans for building reusable rockets to rival SpaceXs technology.

In 2013, China became the third country to successfully put a rover on the moon, something no other country has achieved since. Its lunar rover has been busy studying the moons far side, while the countrys space program plans out its lunar future.

These new lunar plans are part of Chinas efforts to rapidly expand its space program, which has also landed a rover on Mars.

China, which tends to announce astronaut crews a few days before launch, has not announced how many astronauts it plans to use for its lunar program nor identified potential recruits.

Currently, there are three Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts, on the countrys space station: mission commander Jing Haipeng and rookies Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao.

Two launch vehicles will send a moon surface lander and crew-toting spacecraft into lunar orbit, where they will dock with each other, according to state-run Global Times. After docking, the astronauts will enter the lander and descend to the lunar surface.

Once they land, they will work to collect samples of lunar regolith, the soil and rocks that make up the moons surface. They are also expected to carry out other exploration tasks and scientific experiments before returning to the spacecraft in orbit.

Chinese researchers are working to not only develop the technology needed to safely land crews on the lunar surface, but also to support the various parts of the mission, such as lunar space suits and any type of exploration vehicles like a rover.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
China's June trade data is way down from a year ago, marking yet another big red flag for China's ailing economy

Shenzhen, China Tuul & Bruno Morandi/Getty Images

China's exports tanked 12.4% in June from a year, Reuters reported, citing Chinese customs data.

China's imports fell 6.8% in the same period.

Both measures fell way short of economist expectations.

China's economy has flashed another red flag.

The country's exports tanked 12.4% in June from a year ago, while imports fell 6.8% in the same period, Reuters reported Thursday, citing data from the General Administration of Customs.

That's a big miss, according to the economists Reuters polled. They expected exports to fall by 9.5% and imports to decline by 4%.

In fact, the slump in China's exports was the worst since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic over three years ago, according to Reuters' records.

"A weak global economic recovery, slowing global trade and investment, and rising unilateralism, protectionism and geopolitics" contributed to the poor showing in exports, said Lu Daliang, a General Administration of Customs spokesperson, at a news conference, per Reuters.

After an initial spurt, China's economy has struggled to recover from three years of on-off COVID-19 lockdowns, pointing to a disappointing showing for the world's second-largest economy this year.

The country may even be on the edge of deflation, Insider reported.

Other recent data out of China has been disappointing, with manufacturing activity contracting for a third straight month in June, according to official statistics.

In May, China's industrial output grew 3.5% from a year ago  slowing from a 5.6% growth in April. Meanwhile, retail sales growth also slowed from 18.4% in April to 12.7% in May.

"The post-Covid recovery appears to have run its course, an economic double dip is nearly confirmed," economists at Nomura wrote in a June 16 note seen by Insider.

China's economy grew 3% in 2022 and Beijing has set a 5% GDP growth target this year.

China's flagging economy is hitting young people especially hard. The youth unemployment rate hit a record high of 20.8% in May, according to official statistics. This means one out of five of those between 16 to 24 years old are out of work.

Some economists expect China to introduce a raft of stimulus measures to boost its flagging economy, but Beijing may take a more conservative stance, according to one analyst.

"We expect we will see more of a shot-gun approach to stimulus, with many smaller and more targeted measures adopted," Robert Carnell, ING's head of research for Asia Pacific wrote in a July 6 note. This means Beijing is likely to implement a mix of monetary policy easings, extended subsidies, and tax breaks, "but no wall of money," he added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
FILE PHOTO: A participant applies rainbow coloured facepaint before a 5.17 km run to mark International Day Against Homophobia in a park in Beijing

China's security drive hits embassy activities, LGBT events, some diplomats say FILE PHOTO: A participant applies rainbow coloured facepaint before a 5.17 km run to mark International Day Against Homophobia in a park in Beijing

By Laurie Chen, Yew Lun Tian and Brenda Goh

BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Some diplomats in China say they are facing heightened scrutiny and interference from Chinese authorities, which is thwarting foreign officials' efforts to re-engage with the country after three years of COVID-induced isolation.

Twenty envoys from 12 Western and Asian delegations told Reuters that in recent months they had noticed larger police presences around some diplomatic premises and increased attempts by Chinese authorities to intimidate embassy contacts and disrupt civic outreach endeavours, including LGBT and gender-themed events.

The challenges facing diplomats, mostly from Western nations, come as President Xi Jinping wages a national security campaign that has unnerved international business, and which three envoys said was deterring Chinese people from interacting with foreign missions.

China this year passed changes to a counterespionage law that widened the definition of spying and expanded police powers; blocked access to some data sources for overseas users; and investigated consultancies that provide information on the world's second-largest economy.

Thirteen diplomats from nine Western and Asian delegations said that the challenges they face when arranging events about gender equality and LGBT issues, or broader cultural activities, showed how China's red lines have shifted.

They described planning activities around these topics - including a film screening and panel discussion on women's advancement in the workplace, to mark International Women's Day - only for venue hosts or participants to withdraw, telling the diplomats that police had warned them against working with foreign missions. The envoys did not identify the local partners.

The diplomats spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity because of the matter's sensitivity. Their accounts, however, were consistent in describing increased pressure on their work and on their Chinese contacts. Two said the interference was the worst in their roughly 10 years of combined experience in China.

"These new Chinese actions considerably limit soft diplomacy conducted by embassies and send a chill among potential Chinese attendees who are already harassed if they want to express any criticism of the regime," said Guy Saint-Jacques, a Canada-based business adviser on China who was Ottawa's ambassador to Beijing between 2012 and 2016.

China's Foreign Ministry told Reuters in a statement that it "always abided by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and has provided necessary protection and assistance" to foreign delegations in China.

"Any country has the right to adopt domestic legislation to safeguard national security, which is in line with the common practice of all countries," it said. "Chinese citizens equally enjoy the rights stipulated in the constitution and laws."

The Ministry of Public Security, which oversees policing, did not respond to questions about the envoys' accounts.

Some recent Chinese actions around foreign missions drew widespread attention, including a warning from authorities aimed at embassies displaying Ukraine flags.

Despite the crackdown, diplomats at most of the missions said they had still held successful events this year, including for Europe Day, which celebrates European unity. A few other delegations said they had not encountered issues with their events but that they tended to keep them to embassy grounds or, in the case of those held externally, avoid civic topics such as LGBT rights so as not to provoke China.

"We maintain regular contacts with representatives of the local civil society, not just in China, but throughout our 145 EU delegations and offices worldwide," European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano told Reuters.

UNESCO, the United Nations' cultural agency, told Reuters it had worked with embassies in Beijing through the U.N. Resident Coordinator's Office and had organised events without problems, including a February briefing with Dutch and Tajik officials on the U.N. 2023 Water Conference.

TIGHTENING ENVIRONMENT

Still, Chinese civil society has come under pressure with the arrests of lawyers, women's rights activists and others. In May, the Beijing LGBT Center, which advocated for same-sex marriage, shut down, citing "forces beyond our control".

Yaqiu Wang, senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch, described the pressure on diplomatic activities as China's "latest attempt to eliminate the last remaining bit of space for independent Chinese civil society activism".

Further, Wang said, Western governments should take these developments as a sign that Beijing "has no genuine interest in fostering an environment conducive to open and free engagement with the rest of the world".

Police often contact Chinese LGBT or feminist activists before embassy events to pressure them not to go, even summoning them to police stations, said three diplomats and two Chinese nationals who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.

One Western envoy said a participant in an educational exchange had indicated she could no longer meet embassy officials after being warned by her university employer that doing so posed a national security risk.

"We get the impression that China is trying to restrict room for any activities intended to promote certain political issues, and they are trying to curb the effectiveness of our public communications," said another Western diplomat.

In April, Chinese human rights activists Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan were arrested while headed to meet European Union officials in Beijing, according to the EU. China has not confirmed the arrests but has said it opposes interference in its internal affairs. Reuters' efforts to reach the pair were unsuccessful.

Three diplomats told Reuters the incident had made them more careful about meeting with civil society figures.

"You really worry about the safety of our Chinese contacts," said a Western diplomat.

Eight diplomats reported an increased police presence outside some diplomatic premises, with ethnic Chinese visitors stopped on their way in or out by people who would sometimes identify themselves as security officials and ask about discussions in the embassy.

Joseph Klingler, Washington-based partner at law firm Foley Hoag, said China was obligated under the Vienna Convention to prevent any disturbance of the peace of a mission or impairment of its dignity, and to accord full facilities for the performance of the mission's functions.

"A case could be made that the intentional disruption of embassy activities violates one or the other of these provisions, if not both," he said.

(Reporting by Laurie Chen, Yew Lun Tian and Brenda Goh; additional reporting by Engen Tham in Shanghai; editing by David Crawshaw.)
State and Commerce Department officials email accounts were targeted by Chinese hackers, The New York Times and CNN reported.

The hackers targeted the accounts in the weeks before Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing last month, according to the outlets. Microsoft previously reported Tuesday that accounts from 25 organizations, including federal agencies, were targeted in the attack.

U.S. government officials have insisted that no sensitive information was accessed in the compromised accounts, the Times reported. The State Department first discovered the hack on June 16 and informed Microsoft that day, according to the outlet.

The Times reported the hack did not appear to be directly related to Blinkens visit and that investigations into what materials were compromised are in the early stages.

Microsoft said an investigation it conducted found the hack began in May.

This type of espionage-motivated adversary seeks to abuse credentials and gain access to data residing in sensitive systems, Microsoft said in a report.

A spokesperson for the Chinese government called the allegation of hacking disinformation, according to The Associated Press.

According to the Times, U.S. officials said that only a few email addresses from each of the 25 organizations were targeted, but it is unclear exactly how many were accessed.

Microsoft claimed Chinese hacking group Storm-0558 committed the attack. In May, the company announced another Chinese group had attempted to hack U.S. cyber infrastructure.

Senate Intelligence Chairman Mark Warner (D-Va.) said his committee is closely monitoring the situation.

Its clear that the [Peoples Republic of China] is steadily improving its cyber collection capabilities directed against the U.S. and our allies, Warner said in a statement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Failure to develop an effective strategy for dealing with national security threats from China has allowed their intelligence to aggressively target the UK, a report has said.

The report by Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee said China has penetrated "every sector" of the UK's economy.

It accuses the government of failing to recognise the issues involved.

The prime minister said he was "keenly aware" there was more to do.

Rishi Sunak said the government had taken measures to prevent interference by reducing Britain's reliance on Chinese technology, but he wanted to have "open" and "constructive" relations with China.

According to the report, which is highly critical of the UK government, "China's size, ambition and capability have enabled it to successfully penetrate every sector of the UK's economy".

The level of resources dedicated to tackling the threat of China's "whole-of-state" approach "has been completely inadequate," the report says.

"The nature of China's engagement, influence and interference activity may be difficult to detect," it says.

"But even more concerning is the fact that the Government may not previously have been looking for it."

The committee says that the intelligence agencies' focus on covert Chinese activity meant that "they did not even recognise that they had any responsibility for countering Chinese interference activity in the UK."

'Monitoring and controlling'

The report also examines China's interference in UK academia, targeting of industry and technology, investment deals involving China and China's involvement in the UK's critical national infrastructure.

Chinese investment in the UK, the report says, has gone unchecked. It expresses "serious concern" at the fact that the government, in the committee's view, "does not want there to be any meaningful scrutiny of sensitive investment deals".

The government has "shown very little interest in warnings from academia", about China's leveraging of fees and funding, influence over UK academics "through inducements and intimidation" and the "monitoring and controlling" of Chinese students.

Some academic institutions "seem to be turning a blind eye" to such efforts, "happy simply to take the money," the report added.

In a section on the targeting of industry and technology, the report says overt Chinese acquisition routes have been welcomed by the government "regardless of the risks to national security."

Committee chairman Julian Lewis said: "We are on a trajectory for the nightmare scenario where China steals blueprints, sets standards, and builds products, exerting political and economic influence at every step."

'Challenge to the international order'

On China's investment in the UK's energy sector, the report says it is "naive to assume that allowing Chinese companies to exert influence over the UK's civil nuclear and energy sectors is not ceding control to the Chinese Communist Party."

It adds: "We question how any department can consider that a foreign country single-handedly running our nuclear power stations shouldn't give pause for thought."

In response to the report, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he still wanted to have "constructive" relations with China, but acknowledged it posed "an epoch-defining challenge to the international order."

Mr Sunak, who has been under pressure from some members in his party to take a tougher stance on China, said: "We are not complacent and we are keenly aware that there is more to do."

The prime minister also highlighted that the ISC probe began in 2019 and took most of its evidence in 2020, which pre-dated security reviews in 2021 and 2023.

These "comprehensive" national security and international policy reviews "considerably strengthen" the UK's position on China," he said.

"The government has already taken actions that are in line with many of the committee's recommendations."

ISC members say they are "surprised at how long it has taken for a process to be put in place to identify and protect UK assets."

This, they say, is a "serious failure and one that the UK may feel the consequences of for years to come."

The committee says it recognises the difficult trade-offs involved in balancing security and prosperity, but it urges the government to "ensure that it has its house in order such that security concerns are not constantly trumped by economic interest."
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said on Wednesday that he had garnered donations from more than 40,000 people in his presidential run, meeting a threshold that takes him one step closer to appearing on the Aug. 23 debate stage in the Republican primary.

In addition to meeting the donor requirement, Christie must also get at least 1 percent support in three qualifying polls. He has already met that mark in one survey, reaching 3 percent support in a poll released on Wednesday from Morning Consult.

After running for the GOP nomination in 2016 and then dropping out to back Donald Trump, Christie has emerged in the 2024 contest as one of the former presidents fiercest critics.

Last night, we went past 40,000 unique donors in just 35 days, Christie told Anderson Cooper on CNN, noting that he far exceeded the number of donors he acquired in the same time frame in 2016. There is a donor in every state in America, and we have over 200 donors in 36 states.



Throughout his campaign, Christie has aimed to cast the former president as a failed leader whose legal and ethical baggage have made him unfit for office. But the former governor  alongside all other contenders in the field  has a significant way to go to knock Trump off the top spot in the contest.

In the aforementioned qualifying poll, Trump garnered 56 percent support. The next highest-polling candidates were Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis with 17 percent and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy with 8 percent.

All individuals who want to appear in the August debate must also sign a loyalty pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee. Christie suggested on CNN that he would sign it but not necessarily follow through with the promise.

Ill take it every bit as seriously as Donald Trump took it in 2016. We all signed the pledge in 2016, Christie said. At the next debate after we all signed the pledge, one of the questioners said, You all signed. Would you reaffirm by raising your hand? And nine of us raised our hand and Donald Trump didnt.

Trump has not officially announced whether he will attend the August event.

A super PAC affiliated with Christies campaign, Tell It Like It Is, followed up Christies comments on Wednesday evening with a donation plea that declared he had made the stage.
Cirque du Soleil returns to Sacramento this summer. Heres where, when and how to get tickets

Cirque du Soleil is returning to Sacramento this summer with a show at the Golden 1 Center.

Corteo, directed by Daniel Finzi Pasca, will run for four days from Aug. 3 to 6. It first premiered in Montreal, Canada, in 2005, and since has been performed in 20 countries.

The Italian word Corteo means a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown, according to the Cirque Du Soleil news release.

The production follows a clown who pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels and highlights the strength and fragility of the clown.

Cirque du Soleil: Alegria was performed in West Sacramento last summer.

How to get tickets to Cirque du Soleil Corteo

Tickets for Corteo can be purchased through Ticketmaster and range from $55 to $159 per ticket, depending on where you decide to sit.

The production runs for 125 minutes and has 16 acts, according to the news release.Below are the dates when you can see the show:
Some Civilian Retirees Must Get New ID Cards or They Could Soon Be Barred from Bases

Military bases are set to stop accepting Civilian Retiree Identification Cards after next month as part of the Defense Department's move toward a federal ID standard, though commanders may choose to continue accepting the cards temporarily.

The DoD introduced ID cards for its civilian retirees to get on base in 2009 as some installation commanders allow them to use the base's morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) facilities.

However, in February, the department announced that it would stop issuing the cards because of a federal law that pushed states to require more documentation from residents before issuing IDs, part of the Real ID Act passed in 2005.

Read Next: Military Couple at Center of Lawsuit Challenging Porn Restrictions in State Law

Civilian Retiree ID Cards will no longer be valid after Aug. 31; instead, civilian retirees will likely need a Real ID-compliant driver's license, in addition to potentially re-registering with their local base, according to the February memo. Commanders can overrule the new requirement.

The change will not affect uniformed military retirees or their dependents.

The Real ID Act came in response to the federal 9/11 Commission report, which found that "all but one of the terrorist hijackers acquired some form of identification document" to help with conducting the attacks.

After a number of delays to enforcement, all states now issue compliant IDs. A Real ID-compliant driver's license features a star on the front of the card in the upper right corner.

The February memo that terminated the Civilian Retiree ID Cards suggested that, by presenting a Real ID-compliant driver's license and Standard Form-50 retirement document titled Notice of Personnel Action, civilian retirees could enroll at a base's Visitor Control Center "to facilitate future visits."

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service has said its retirees may present Form 2574, Armed Forces Exchange Services Privilege Card, in place of the retirement form.

Officials at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, plan to enroll civilian retirees in the DoD's Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS). A Facebook post says the base will accept Civilian Retiree ID Cards that become invalid after Aug. 31 until the transition is complete and the retirees have their DBIDS cards.

"DoD civilian retirees have traditionally enjoyed MWR facilities and programs, including escorting guests on the installation at the discretion of the Joint Base Commander," according to the post. "We want to ensure that all DoD civilian retirees will continue to enjoy base access privileges while maintaining security measures."

Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, also said on its Facebook page that civilian retirees will need to apply for DBIDS cards.

The DoD is switching over to Real IDs for its civilian retirees sooner than the Transportation Security Administration, for example, will require them for airline passengers. Travelers will be able to fly with non-compliant IDs through May 6, 2025.

-- Amanda Miller can be reached at amanda.miller@military.com.

Related: New Defense Department ID Cards Are Finally Compatible With TSA Security
A mental health facility in Clark County is getting funding to help with the communitys mental health needs.

>>Area programs working to combat dangerous animal tranquilizer being added to fentanyl

The Board of Clark County Commissions is allocating $3.6 million to McKinley Hall, which will be located at the former Heart House location on East High Street, a Clark County Commission spokesperson said.

It will provide 24-hour care for people who need services for both mental health and substance use withdrawal.

There is a significant gap in services available for Clark County residents with mental health and substance use disorders, particularly when it comes to accessing resources round the clock, said McKinley Hall Chief Executive Officer Wendy Doolittle

There will be six crisis stabilization beds, three for withdrawal management and three for mental health crises.

Many individuals who experience overdoses may not choose to go to the hospital but could benefit from being transported to a facility specifically designed to initiate the withdrawal management process, said Doolittle. Additionally, there is an issue when residents no longer meet the criteria for psychiatric hospitalization but still require a supportive environment before returning home. To address these challenges, this new program will provide a space with 24-hour oversite and assistance to address this issue.

The facility will offer separate facilities for both men and women and renovations are expected to begin later this year.
The Clarke County Sheriffs Office is hosting a free youth summit for middle school students on Saturday, July 15 at the Boys & Girls Club at 440 Dearing St. Ext. in Athens.

The event will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is aimed at providing skills for youth to deal with current societal issues.

The program focuses on gun violence prevention, gang violence prevention, and a mock law enforcement stop.

By addressing these subjects, the sheriffs office aims to equip young persons with the tools to promote safety, foster positive decision making and build stronger communities, according to the sheriffs office.

The student will be provided insight into the consequences of gun violence and engage in a platform about the dangers associated with gangs.

The sheriffs office said its sponsors, Georgia Power and Athens Coca-Cola, helped stage the event so it can be free.

A lunch will be provided for participants during which times they can connect with law enforcement professionals and other community members.

Drug bust: Appalachian drug agents arrest five in fentanyl trafficking racket in north Georgia

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Clarke County Sheriff hosts event to educate students on gun violence
An old David Letterman skit has resurfaced amid the ongoing writers strikes in Hollywood.

In May, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike after a deal was not reached with representatives from Hollywood studios.

The union represents more than 11,500 writers across film, television and other entertainment forms. Production across the industry has been affected. The production of high-profile shows including Severance, The Last of Us, and The White Lotus have been impacted.

There is precedent for the strike. In 2007, the WGA took industrial action, with a key issue in the negotiations being royalties from DVD sales.

The 2007/08 strike lasted for 100 days, with nearly 25 per cent of primetime scripted programming over that period lost completely.

A sketch from The Late Show with David Letterman, which aired around that time, has recently gone viral on social media.

Shared by username @Todd_Spence, the clip is captioned: During the WGA Strike of 07/08, David Letterman did a bit on the AMPTP [Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers]. As relevant now as it was then.

In the clip, Letterman speaks about the strikes that were ongoing at the time, stating: The big media companies have been criticised for refusing to negotiate but judging from this announcement, it seems like maybe the writers might be the ones who are being unreasonable.

During the WGA Strike of '07/'08, David Letterman did a bit on the AMPTP. As relevant now as it was then. pic.twitter.com/1GZgc4BQ7q  SPENCE TODD (@Todd_Spence) July 11, 2023

Can you believe that? All along we thought the enemy was big corporate show business but based on this announcement maybe were wrong, maybe the writers have been unreasonable.

Letterman then played a fake public service announcement in which a voiceover is played over clips of picketing writers.

The Writers Guild of America is trying to portray the studios as greedy and unwilling to compromise, says the voiceover.

But consider the facts: when the writers complained about their share of revenue from online streaming of their programmes, we proposed a contract that doubled their percentage but the writers refused to sign even after we tripled and quadrupled our offer.

On the screen, visuals show 0 per cent being doubled to 00 per cent and tripled to 000 per cent and quadrupled to 0000 per cent.

(AP)

You just cant win with these people, adds the voiceover before signing off: AMPTP: Cowards, Cutthroats & Weasels since 1982.

Viewers have applauded the clip. One person wrote: This bit is pretty spot-on in how the AMPTP responds to union proposals.

Another added: Classic Letterman. I love it, while someone else wrote: Same s***, different decade.

In 2007, Lettermans production company and the WGA reached an agreement that allowed the late-night host star to resume his CBS show with his team of writers, even as the strike continued elsewhere in Hollywood.

The major networks and studios had vowed to not give in to the writers demands but Lettermans production company  Worldwide Pants  was able to reach an agreement with the striking writers because the company owns the late-night show and licensed it to CBS. In contrast, other shows are owned by their networks.

(2019 Invision)

We are a writer-friendly company, Rob Burnett, the chief executive of Worldwide Pants, said at the time. We dont have a problem giving the writers what they are asking for. We think they deserve it, and were happy to give it to them.

Earlier this week, a new report from Deadline claimed that AMPTP plans to let the WGA bleed out before resuming negotiations. It claims that the AMPTP plans to let the strike continue until the writers run out of money and are willing to compromise on their demands.

Multiple US late-night shows have been pulled off the air as a result of the strike, with Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and Stephen Colberts programmes on hiatus until an agreement is reached.

Following the announcement of the 2023 Emmy nominations on Wednesday night (12 July), nominees including Successions J Smith Cameron and Alan Ruck, Abbott Elementarys Janelle James, and The Last of Us star Melanie Lynskey have reiterated their support of the striking writers.

Find the full list of Emmy nominees here.
Classical music blares into homes near California parks. Police apologize for glitch

Residents in one California city found themselves blasted by classical music at full volume after new cameras at nearby parks glitched, police reported.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused by the classical music, Santa Monica police posted July 12 on Facebook. The music has been turned off while police look for other solutions.

Cameras newly installed in city parks to deter crime are equipped with speakers to play classical music to discourage trespassing after hours, police said.

They provide your police department with additional tools to help us monitor and respond quickly to suspicious activity, police wrote.

The cameras, installed July 6, initially played classical music at an acceptable level, police said. But on Tuesday, July 11, a software glitch caused the music to play at full volume.

We truly do apologize, police said, asking residents to suggest other ideas to deter crime in parks.

One person commenting on the Facebook post said theyd enjoy hearing classical music in a park at night, while another blasted police for the lack of consideration for neighbors

I got a migraine couldnt sleep all night and I have to go to work for 17 hours, one person complained.

But others found humor in the situation.

How about a 80s Rock night, featuring Journey, Styx, ELO, and Kansas?! suggested one comment

Santa Monica is about 15 miles west of downtown Los Angeles.

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Climate change is increasing stress on thousands of aging dams across the US

Flood damage in Edenville, Mich., after a dam failed on May 19, 2020. AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

Heavy rainfall in the Northeast on June 9-11, 2023, generated widespread flooding, particularly in New Yorks Hudson Valley and in Vermont. One major concern was the Wrightsville Dam, built in 1935 on the Winooski River north of Vermonts capital city, Montpelier. The reservoir behind the dam rose to within 1 foot of the dams maximum storage capacity, prompting warnings that water could overtop the dam and worsen already-dangerous conditions downstream, or damage the dam.

Hiba Baroud, associate professor and associate chair in the department of civil and environmental engineering at Vanderbilt University, explains how flooding stresses dams in a changing climate.

How serious is the risk when flooding overtops a dam?

Dam overtopping can result in erosion, which subsequently could lead to a dam breach or failure and a sudden, uncontrolled release of impounded water.

The risk of dam overtopping results from the combined effect of a hazardous event, such as heavy rainfall, and the vulnerability of the dam. A vulnerable dam could be old, poorly maintained or not have enough spillway capacity to safely release water from the dam.

A dams design can affect its ability to withstand overtopping and resist failure. For example, concrete dams can typically better withstand certain levels of overtopping compared to soil embankment dams.

Overtopping is the leading cause of dam failures in the U.S. It accounts for 34% of all dam failures. How long water flows over a dam and the volume of water that flows over it are important factors in determining the likelihood that a dam will fail.

The consequences of a dam overtopping, and possibly failing, depend on several factors, such as the purpose of the dam, its size and its location. If a dam is designed for flood protection and is surrounded by homes, businesses or critical infrastructure, a large uncontrolled release of water could be catastrophic. Dams that are small and located in rural areas may cause less damage if they are overtopped or fail.

How old are most US dams?

There are more than 91,000 dams across the U.S., in all 50 states, with diverse designs and purposes. The average dam age is 60 years, and more than 8,000 dams are over 90 years old.

Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers produces a report card for the nations infrastructure that assigns grades based on the condition of structures like roads, bridges and dams, and the investments that they need. The most recent report card estimates that 70% of U.S. dams will be more than 50 years old by 2030.

Overall, the report gave U.S. dams a D grade and estimated that more than 2,300 high hazard potential dams  those that could cause loss of life or serious property damage if they fail, based on the level of development around them  lacked emergency action plans.

Are there ways to strengthen older dams against flooding without completely replacing them?

Decommissioning or replacing dams can be complicated and cost-prohibitive. It also can have cascading effects on the surrounding community, and possibly on other infrastructure. Regularly maintaining and upgrading older dams can be a cost-effective way to strengthen them and make them resilient to natural hazards.

When dams no longer serve the purposes for which they were built, they may be partially breached or entirely removed to restore the rivers natural flow.

The Association of State Dam Safety Officials estimates that it would cost US$157.7 billion to rehabilitate all nonfederal dams in the U.S. Of this amount, about one-fifth ($34.1 billion) is for rehabilitating high hazard potential dams. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes approximately $3 billion for dam safety projects, focusing on rehabilitation, retrofitting and removal.

Is climate change increasing stress on older dams?

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural hazards like storms that threaten dams. And these shifts dont follow historical trends. Conditions that once were considered extreme will likely be more common in the future.

For example, one recent study on predicting coastal flooding found that in New England, a 100-year flood  thats an event of a magnitude that now has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year  could become an annual occurrence by the late 2100s.

The fact that the climate is changing also means that extreme events are becoming more extreme. In 2015, a 1,000-year rainfall event in South Carolina resulted in breaches of 47 dams.

Designing new dams and upgrading existing infrastructure will need to be based on updated design procedures that take into account future climate projections, not just historical hazardous events. While older dams arent necessarily unsafe, they were constructed following outdated design standards and construction procedures and for different environmental conditions. That influences the likelihood and consequences of their failure during disasters.

Do you see this event in Vermont as a warning for other communities?

The disasters that have hit the U.S. in recent years should spur government agencies and communities to prepare and plan for disasters through proactive steps such as developing emergency action plans.

While the number of high hazard potential dams in the U.S. has more than doubled in the last 20 years as development has moved farther into rural areas, the proportion of these dams with an emergency action plan has also increased. It is now at 76%, which is much higher than just a few years ago.

Vulnerable dams and the risk of dam failure cascade through our economy and affect many sectors. Dams serve many purposes: They provide water for drinking and irrigation, generate energy and protect communities from flooding. They are also part of a large navigation network that transports more than 500 million tons of commodities across the U.S. each year.

As my colleagues and I have shown, its important to understand the direct and indirect costs when critical infrastructure systems like dams fail. This information is crucial for developing strategies that can help the U.S. prepare for future disasters.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation has a variety of fascinating free newsletters.

It was written by: Hiba Baroud, Vanderbilt University.

Read more:



Hiba Baroud receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Transportation.
Sultan Al Jaber is an Emirates oil executive and president of this year's COP28 climate talks (Francois WALSCHAERTS)

Sultan Al Jaber, Emirates oil executive and president of the most important climate summit since the Paris Agreement in 2015, has a quick answer when asked when the world will stop burning fossil fuels: when there's enough clean energy to replace them.

"We cannot shut down the energy system of today before we build the new energy system of tomorrow that is equipped with zero-carbon emission sources," said Jaber, head of the United Arab Emirates national oil company ADNOC.

"We don't want to create an energy crisis."

The phase down of fossil fuels is both "inevitable" and "essential", he said, mindful of calls by some countries for a decision at COP28 to phase out fossil fuels from the global energy mix.

But "I don't have a magic (wand)" as to when that will happen, he told AFP in Brussels, after outlining his action plan and goals for the year-end summit to ministers from European Union nations and China.

There are still 800 million people in the world -- mostly in Africa -- who still do not have electricity, Jaber pointed out, with a global population projected to expand significantly in the next 30 years.

"Even today, there's already a shortage of supply," he added.

Since his appointment as COP28 president at the beginning of this year, Jaber has been under heavy fire from critics saying his position as an oil and gas executive is a conflict of interest because burning fossil fuels is by far the main driver of global warming.

An open letter from around a hundred US and European legislators has called for him to step down.

But Jaber has at the same time received strong endorsements from veteran climate negotiators such as UN Special Envoy John Kerry and UN Climate chief Simon Stiell, formerly a climate minister from Grenada.

Jaber himself rejects the criticisms out-of-hand, pointing to his long experience as a climate negotiator, and his role as head of the government-owned renewable energy company Masdar, which he founded.

"We don't see this as a conflict of interest," he said in the interview.

"Indeed, it is in our common interest to include someone who comes with a business background," noting that he's the first CEO to ever lead a climate COP.

"It gets me motivated to prove to the world that a person with my track record and credentials can provide a completely different set of value propositions through my experience," he added.

bl-ico/mh/klm/rox
Clothing-Optional Descanso Resort Wins Coveted TripAdvisor Reward

Descanso Resort in Palm Springs just received a Travelers Choice Best of the Best Award for 2023 from TripAdvisor. The upscale clothing-optional resort for men opened its doors less than two years ago, but this is the second time the resort has been honored by TripAdvisor. Earlier this year Descanso Resort was selected by users as the Best Specialty Hotel for men.

Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay mens resort recognized in the top one percent is incredibly humbling, Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso, told Out Traveler. We appreciate TripAdvisor and are grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us achieve this.

Clothing-Optional Descanso Resort Wins Coveted TripAdvisor Reward

PHOTO COURTESY DESCANSO RESORT

Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from the restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping of downtown Palm Springs. The resort has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of five-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in TripAdvisors top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

The most recent honor is given to fewer than one percent of TripAdvisors eight million listings around the world. Overall, Descanso Resort ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the U.S.

Clothing-Optional Descanso Resort Wins Coveted TripAdvisor Reward

PHOTO BY HANNES VAN DER MERWE

Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests, said John Boris, chief growth officer at Tripadvisor. With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industrys resilience and ability to adapt.

Santiago Resort was once again honored by TripAdvisor with a 2023 Travelers Choice award, placing it among the top ten percent of travelers top reviewed destinations. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.

Clothing-Optional Descanso Resort Wins Coveted TripAdvisor Reward

PHOTO BY JOHN ELLIS

Descanso Resort features 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy king-size beds, and luxe details. Amenities include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Multi-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations.

You can learn more and book your reservations by visiting descansoresort.com.
Cluster bombs from US arrive in Ukraine, general says

Austin explained the US decision regarding cluster munitions for Ukraine

Ukraine has received cluster bombs from the United States, General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the Tavria operational and strategic grouping of troops, confirmed to CNN on July 13.

We just got them, we havent used them yet, but they can radically change the situation on the battlefield, Tarnavskyi said.

Earlier, Ukraine pledged to use U.S. cluster bombs only in "appropriate places," Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin told CNN.

First of all, I think we should remember that they are fighting hard to defend their sovereign territory, Austin said.

You know, they're not asking for the bombs to go invade ... another country, as the Russians did, theyve been using cluster bombs from the very beginning.

The U.S. secretary of defense emphasized that the Ukrainian military will record the places where cluster bombs are used and prioritize demining efforts.

Read also: Cluster munitions for Ukraine a temporary measure  White House

"We will help them do that, in those places where they gave us the conditions," Austin concluded.

Washington on July 7 announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine, which included Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional bombs (DPICM), also known as cluster bombs. U.S. President Joe Biden later clarified his decision to supply these bombs was made in light of the Ukrainian military's dwindling artillery stocks.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov later emphasized that these armaments will only be used in efforts to reclaim Ukrainian territories, and not in populated areas. He also pledged to maintain meticulous records of their usage, promising to share reports on their deployment and effectiveness with Ukraine's international partners.

Read also: U.S. confirms transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine, delivery expected within days, says Ukrainian PM

These steps will make it possible to sweep these areas for unexploded charges post-war, as they pose a danger to civilians.

The provision of this ammunition to Ukraine provoked different reactions around the world. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said that the supply of such weapons would help compensate for the Ukrainian army's shell deficit.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance does not influence the decisions of individual countries to supply such weapons, while the United Kingdom and Spain said they disapproved.

Russia claims that the supply of cluster bombs to Ukraine "will not change anything," while Cambodia warned against the use of these bombs because of the risks to the civilian population.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on July 12 that the Armed Forces would use cluster bombs exclusively to engage military targets in the occupied territories.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A recent high school graduate died Wednesday after drowning in a Midlands lake, the Kershaw County Coroners Office said.

Gabriel Clyburn, an 18-year-old Lancaster County resident, was identified as the victim, Coroner David West said Thursday in a news release.

Clyburn was swimming with friends in a part of Lake Wateree thats in the Liberty Hill area by Singleton Creek Road, according to the release.

At one point, Clyburn went under and Kershaw County 911 received an emergency call at about 5 p.m., the coroners office said.

Members of the Kershaw County Rescue Squad Dive Team recovered Clyburns body, according to the release.

Information about where in the lake Clyburn was recovered, and how long the teen had been in the water, was not available.

Clyburn had recently graduated from Andrew Jackson High School and was going to attend Coastal Carolina University this fall, according to West.

This is at least the second drowning death in Lake Wateree this month.

On July 1, a 25-year-old Great Falls man was fishing with family in a portion of Lake Wateree in Ridgeway when he went into the lake to retrieve fishing equipment and went under, the Fairfield County Coroners Office said. He drowned and died, according to the Fairfield County coroner.

There have also been at least the five other water deaths in the Midlands in the previous two months.

Also in Lake Wateree on June 18, a 37-year-old man was swimming with family when he disappeared under water for more than an hour and died, the coroners office said.

On June 13, a 67-year-old South Carolina mans body was recovered in the Newberry County portion of Lake Murray, according to the Newberry County Sheriffs Office.

On June 10, a 13-year-old was pulled from Kendall Lake in Camden and later died after being flown to Prisma Health Richland, the Kershaw County Coroners Office said.

On May 5, a 15-year-old Camden High School student died following a boating accident while fishing on the Wateree River, according to the Kershaw County Coroners Office.
Seal of the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office

A Colts Neck man who committed three armed robberies throughout Monmouth County in 2021 has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, said Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago.

Conor Kavanagh pleaded guilty to the charges on January 30. The 31-year-old man admitted to all three armed robberies.

In the first robbery, which took place on November 13, Kavanagh approached the teller window at the PNC Bank inside of Stop & Shop on Route 36 in Keyport and passed a note informing them that he was in possession of a weapon. He then left in a green Toyota pickup truck with an unspecified amount of cash, Santiago said.

A month later on December 14, Kavanagh robbed the Wells Fargo on Newman Springs Road in the Lincroft section of Middletown, authorities said. According to Santiago, the crime was committed in identical fashion to the first, with Kavanagh wearing similar clothing and leaving the scene in a green Toyota pickup truck.

Then three days later on December 17, Kavanagh robbed the Wells Fargo on Route 36 in Eatontown in the same fashion as the first two robberies.

More: Colts Neck man indicted in three bank robberies in Monmouth County last fall

Following the robbery in Middletown, police discovered evidence pointing to Kavanagh as the suspect, according to Santiago.

Then after the robbery in Eatontown, police observed Kavanagh in a pickup truck that matched the one the suspect was seen driving. Upon searching his pickup truck, detectives discovered cash from the Eatontown bank robbery as well as the clothing the suspect was caught wearing on security footage, according to Santiago.

Authorities said they later discovered a storage unit in Shrewsbury linked to Kavanagh, with cash from the previous two robberies. Authorities have not revealed how much money Kavanagh stole.

Police also discovered evidence through Kavanaghs phone records that he had been searching online for local banks.

At Kavanaghs sentencing hearing on July 7, it was determined that he would have to serve at least 85 percent of the first 12 years of his sentence before being eligible for parole. Additionally, Kavanagh has been ordered not to return to the financial institutions where the crimes were committed as well as to make restitutions.

Kavanagh's case was prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Stephanie Dugan, with Kavanagh being represented by Edwin Wu.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Colts Neck man sentenced to 15 years in 3 armed robberies
Columbus police Chief Elaine Bryant talks about the events seen on body camera footage that her division and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office released Thursday from a fatal police shooting that happened Saturday on East Livingston Avenue.

Columbus police and the Franklin County Sheriff's office released parts of the body camera footage on Thursday from a Saturday night shooting that left a 45-year-old man dead.

But police are not releasing the names of the four officers or the deputy who fired at Antwan Lindsey.

The names of the eight officers involved in a fatal shooting on July 6 on Interstate 70 are also not being released. Body camera footage in that shooting is also not being released.

In both cases, police are citing the implementation of Marsy's Law, which went into effect in April that protects the rights of victims of crime.

City Attorney Zach Klein said Thursday the law has put his office in a tough position.

"This is not something we take lightly," he said. "From a following the law standpoint, the lack of disseminating the name, it's not something we're doing in a vacuum."

However, concerns have been raised that Klein and police are picking and choosing what to release, particularly in light of body camera footage being released from an April 29 incident during which someone shot at Columbus officers and video from a shooting in the Short North that showed shots being fired, along with the names of the officers who shot back.

An amendment to Marsy's Law was added to Senate Bill 16, related to liability for donations to food pantries, that went into effect the first week of July. That change requires police to automatically withhold the name of a person who is a victim of a violent crime, including police officers, unless that victim explicitly allows their name to be released. Ohio law states that if a police officer is fired upon, they are the victim of an attempted murder or felonious assault, which is a crime of violence and their name is withheld.

Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein, center, speaks Thursday about why police have been limited in what information they can release after fatal shootings involving police officers.

Klein said lawyers from his office and others met with state lawmakers, including Rep. Andrea White, R-Kettering, who was the main sponsor of Marsy's Law, when it was being amended to explain the possibility of a situation like Saturday's shooting, in which someone shoots at police and they return fire.

As the law is written now, the public may want the officers' names to be released, but the law does not make any exceptions for police who are crime victims, Klein said.

"The legislature chose to act despite being given the knowledge and information that experienced officers and lawyers gave them. That was their decision," he said.

Klein said the only remedy would be another amendment to the law or a legal challenge in court.

White said that when the constitutional amendment for Marsys Law in Ohio was on the ballot in November 2017, 83% of voters approved it. The language in the constitutional amendment is what defines a victim and does not have any exceptions for victims based on their profession.

House Bill 343, passed last year, created a statutory framework for implementation, which was streamlined through SB 16 earlier this month, she said. That process does not change the definition of victim and does not add any rights. It all relates to how victims received information and what crimes required what types of notifications.

This is a constitutional issue because the constitution is what defines a victim, she said. People who are victims are afforded equal rights whether or not theyre law enforcement.

The General Assembly does not have the ability to change the definition of a victim through passage of a law, White said. Should the people of Ohio want to create an exception for law enforcement, she said, another constitutional amendment would need to be passed or a legal challenge would have to make its way through the court system.

In addition to Marsys Law, Klein said a part of Ohio Revised Code that regulates what documents are public records and can be released prevents the release of the body camera footage from an exchange of gunfire between Columbus police and Abdisamad Ismail, 19, on Interstate 70.

Because a Columbus police officer suffered a "grievous bodily injury," the footage is an exception to the Ohio Public Records Act, Klein said.

"We are in a box legally of what we can provide," he said.

In a statement Thursday, Columbus police reiterated what Klein said.

"We want to be clear: this was not a choice made by the Columbus Division of Police," the statement said. "It is a state law by which we (and all other agencies) are required to abide and uphold. In fact, this was a concern CPD raised with state lawmakers."

Columbus police also said the release of the body camera in the shooting that left Ismail dead had to be denied in its entirety because of a portion of Ohio public records law that requires footage that shows "grievous bodily injury" to an officer be withheld from the public.

In general, any camera footage that shows someone being seriously injured is not a public record, unless a police officer, corrections officer or certain other state employees caused the injury, according to the law.

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus city attorney explains why police bodycam video is limited
A Columbus man pleaded guilty Thursday to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to up to 13 years in prison.

Jonathan Hopkins, 19, shot and killed 46-year-old Reynard Reed in the city's Driving Park neighborhood last July. Reed's body was found in front of a home on the 600-700 block of Lilley Avenue.

According to Franklin County Assistant Prosecutor Keith McGrath, Reed was arguing with Hopkins' mother, with whom Reed was in a relationship. The woman's husband came out of the house to intervene, and Reed punched the man. Hopkins then came out and shot Reed, killing him.

A witness said they saw Hopkins fire multiple shots. Five days after the incident, Hopkins turned himself in.

At Thursday's hearing, prosecutors dropped a murder charge in exchange for his plea of guilty to the charge of voluntary manslaughter.

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Julie Lynch sentenced Hopkins to prison for 10 to 13 years.

Dispatch reporter Jordan Laird contributed reporting.

LCarey@Dispatch.com

@LilyLCarey

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus man sentenced to prison in 2022 shooting
A truck drives by Doug Harrisons property in Comal County. Harrisons application for a wastewater treatment plant on his 500-plus-acre ranch in Comal County stirred controversy as residents have raised environmental concerns. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

COMAL COUNTY  Facing a two-lane highway about 13 miles west of New Braunfels, a 546-acre ranch hugging the west fork of Dry Comal Creek has caused a stir in the community.

Behind a small gate, hills dotted with live oaks and a few freely roaming horses can be seen. But neighbors and environmentalists worry it wont remain this way.

Doug Harrison, a retired entrepreneur, and his wife have lived and raised their family on the ranch for the past two decades. But late last year, Harrison filed an application with the state to build a wastewater treatment plant on the property large enough to serve a 1,400-lot subdivision.

The permit would allow 600,000 gallons of treated wastewater per day to be discharged into the west fork of Dry Comal Creek, which connects to the Comal and Guadalupe rivers  the most popular tubing destinations in the state.

The ranch also sits over the recharge zone for the Edwards Aquifer, a vast underground lake thats the source of drinking water for more than 2 million people. And that has many local residents and Texas environmentalists concerned about wastewater and runoff from a potential subdivision on Harrisons property  even though the couple hasnt yet put the ranch up for sale.

Its another example of a conflict that has played out across Central Texas for generations between the rights of property owners to do what they want with their land  and maximize their profit when they sell it  and the desire of environmentalists and many locals to protect aquifers, rivers and the bucolic character of their communities.

The property would likely draw a lot of interest from developers: Comal County was the ninth fastest-growing county in the country last year and the fourth fastest-growing in the state, according to the U.S Census Bureau. The countys population jumped from just over 108,000 in 2010 to an estimated 188,642 in 2022.

A cow and a calf walk on farmland near the Harrison property in Comal County about halfway between New Braunfels and Bulverde. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

People float down the Comal River on tubes in New Braunfels. Kristopher Bolstad, owner of Comal Tubing, is among the residents who raised environmental concerns after Doug Harrison submitted an application for a wastewater treatment plant on his property near Dry Comal Creek, which feeds into the Comal River. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

Harrison said the sketch of the 1,400-lot subdivision he included with his permit application was just a way to show the maximum number of homes that could fit on the property and the kind of water treatment system that would be needed if a developer bought the ranch.

If a developer were to buy from us  and that really, truly is our last preference  they may do something like this and they may do something entirely different, Harrison said. Im not a developer, and so I cant really speak to what they would or wouldnt do

Harrison said he is considering selling the ranch in 10- or 20-acre lots to lower the density, but said he needs to see how much money is being left on the table with that option. Selling to a developer is likely the most profitable option.

Harrisons application included a request for a domestic reuse authorization, which would allow treated wastewater to be used to water medians, parks and other common areas rather than discharging it into Dry Comal Creek.

Residents packed the Smithson Valley High School cafeteria on June 8 and told representatives from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that they were concerned about possible pollution, flooding and harm to local tourism if the Harrisons application was approved.

The people who come to Comal County to float the rivers were on Kristopher Bolstads mind as he addressed a TCEQ panel.

What am I supposed to tell my customers when all of a sudden someone says or posts something that says there are 600,000 gallons of wastewater that flows down towards the Comal [River]? said Bolstad, who owns Comal Tubes in New Braunfels. I operate off of tourism. And while it might not seem like a big deal to yall, New Braunfels is a very tourist-orientated place.

Bolstad added, We all live here. Were going to have to deal with all this no matter what, and you get to go back to your homes. Just keep that in mind.

A new subdivision under construction between New Braunfels and Bulverde. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

Battling to keep development at bay

Four miles from the Harrisons ranch on a triple-digit June afternoon, Milann Guckian cleaned out her small pool overlooking the rolling, tree-covered hills between San Antonio and Austin. She and her partner bought the 5-acre lot in 1996 as their retirement place, and after Guckian retired from Valero, where she worked as a lead technician for refinery operator crews in Corpus Christi, they moved into their custom-built home in 2017.

We love it here, we built this house to grow old in. It would be a shame if we couldnt age here, said Guckian, 65.

But it hasnt been the retirement oasis they dreamed of.

First came the quarry project. The same year that Guckian and her partner moved to Comal County, her neighbor sold his 1,500-acre ranch to a real estate investment group from Alabama. That summer, an 18-by-24-inch sign appeared on the fence announcing the land would be a quarry operated by Alabama-based Vulcan Material.

That inspired Guckian to found Preserve Our Hill Country Environment, and she rallied 86 affected parties, including nearby residents, businesses, the Comal school district and environmental groups to duel things out in court with Vulcan Material, a battle that has stretched for the past six years.

Guckian said Harrison was involved with the fight against Vulcan Material from the beginning, even donating money so the new organization could hire lawyers. Now her focus has shifted to fighting Harrisons wastewater permit application with another coalition of locals.

We only have finite resources, especially when it comes to water, she said. Look across the United States of America right now. And look how much trouble people are having with water. Texas is not immune to that.

This is something that everybody needs to take responsibility for, Guckian added. That includes developers, industry and citizens.

Guckian is hopeful that if their efforts to stop a high-density development on Harrisons land fall short, the community can rally like they did a year before she moved to Comal County.

Milann Guckian, president and founder of Preserve Our Hill Country Environment, on her property in Comal County. Guckian, who bought the property 27 years ago as a place to retire, is among the residents who raised environmental concerns after Harrison submitted an application for a wastewater treatment plant on his nearby land. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

In 2016, Comal County residents reached an arbitration agreement with TCEQ, a developer named Randolph Todd and property owner Franklin Meyer about how the wastewater for Meyer Ranch, a 1,600-home, 700-acre subdivision, would be handled.

The settlement called for wastewater to be treated and reused on site, and the developer added a water retention pond to hold stormwater and reduce flooding in surrounding areas.

Ed Harris, a neighbor of Meyer Ranch who led the charge against the original subdivision plans and founded an organization called Friends of Dry Comal Creek, said the situation with the Harrisons ranch feels similar to the Meyer Ranch fight.

When a property owner receives a permit for a wastewater treatment facility, Harris said, that means that their property is more valuable and a developer is willing to buy it.

If the TCEQ grants the wastewater treatment permit to the Harrisons and a developer purchases the land, the new owner could use the same permit, according to the TCEQ. The agency said a new owner can apply to make amendments to the permit and wouldnt be required to reuse treated wastewater on the property. In other words, they could discharge it into Dry Comal Creek.

The TCEQ said it is still responding to comments it has received about Harrisons application. Commenters have 30 days after receiving a reply to request a contested case hearing, which is similar to a civil trial and is overseen by an administrative law judge. The judge would make a recommendation to TCEQ commissioners, who would make the final decision on the permit.

Jamie Miller, the wastewater engineer for Harrisons project, said the technology to treat and reuse wastewater would be similar to whats used at Meyer Ranch but would have even higher standards.

Miller said the treated wastewater would be tested daily to make sure it meets federal and state standards and that information would be available to the public.

It is really important to us to be good stewards of our environment, Miller said.

Horses graze on Harrisons property in Comal County between New Braunfels and Bulverde. Harrisons application to the state for a wastewater treatment plant was accompanied by a sketch of a potential 1,400-lot subdivision. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

Mounting concerns about the Edwards Aquifer

Guckian called the reuse application a big step in the right direction. But it hasnt alleviated many residents concerns about the prospect of a big subdivision on Harrisons ranch.

During the June TCEQ meeting, Brandon Kuhn, a Comal County resident and avid cave explorer, asked the panel how many caves and sinkholes were on Harrisons ranch. His question was met with a few seconds of silence before the panel disclosed that caves arent considered during the application process. That was followed by a gasp from attendees.

Kuhn and others noted at the meeting that many of the caves and sinkholes in Comal County are connected to the same cave system as Honey Creek, the longest known cave in Texas, and Natural Bridge Caverns, the largest commercial cavern in Texas and a major New Braunfels tourist attraction.

Theyre like arteries and veins of the human body. If you dump things, its kind of like each sinkhole and cave is almost like an injection site. Kuhn said in an interview with The Texas Tribune after the meeting.

Brandon Kuhn, a local cave explorer, outside a cave near the Harrison property in Comal County. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

First: Daddy long-legs spiders crawl on the roof of a cave near the Harrison property in Comal County. Second: Kuhn walks along the caves. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

Annalisa Peace, executive director of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, is also worried about how a new subdivision on Harrisons land could impact the aquifer.

Harrisons ranch lies a couple thousand yards from the aquifers recharge zone  where groundwater can enter the aquifer  and sits on top of the contributing zone, where runoff can make its way into rivers and streams.

For that site, this is just way too dense, Peace said as she paced around her San Antonio office with Hairpin, her scruffy 17-year-old terrier, following at her heels. There are caves there, this is on the contributing zone, its very near the recharge zone. A lot of that [waste]water would be going directly into the aquifer through these recharge features with no filtration.

Peace said that because of state law, TCEQ does not have to consider geological features on the property until after a permit has been granted.

Peace is also concerned about adding more impervious cover in the area  roofs, roads and driveways that cause runoff during storms that can lead to flooding or polluted stormwater making its way into rivers and creeks.

Annalisa Peace, executive director of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, at the nonprofits headquarters in San Antonio. The Edwards is one of the most prolific water systems in the world, Peace said, adding that its also incredibly vulnerable to pollution. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

Annalisa Peace, executive director of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, discusses concerns about impervious cover and downstream flooding while pointing to a map of the Edwards Aquifer at the nonprofits headquarters. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

These areas are getting a lot of development, and with the increases in impervious cover, youre going to see increased flooding in these communities downstream, which tend to be lower income. Peace said. Theyre bearing the brunt of land-use policies up here.

Harrisons neighbor Erin Bell lives with her family on Big Heart Ranch, where she breeds horses and offers clients lessons in dressage, a form of competitive horse riding. Shes also worried about how a subdivision would affect her business.

I dont think developers are thinking about us. They dont know how much theyre going to affect us, said Bell, whose family bought the 34-acre ranch in 2012. Ive already started fencing my property to protect myself a little bit.

Bell is also frustrated with what she calls Harrisons lack of transparency.

Hes a businessman before he's anything else. Whenever we moved here, he said he had no intention of ever selling, she said. Later he said he was maybe going to sell it to someone who would keep it the way it is. And that keeps changing.

Thats why when he says his intentions are this or that, I dont really believe him.

Erin Bell, owner of Big Heart Ranch and a horse dressage company, unlocks a gate on her property with her horses, Posey, left, and Joy. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

First: Erin Bell, owner of Big Heart Ranch and a horse dressage company next to Harrisons property, explores a cave on her land in Comal County. Second: Bells 2-year-old, James, runs across the backyard as she and her dog, Lacey, watch. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

A lot of people want to live here

Following the TCEQ meeting, Harrison said he was inspired by the number of people who attended and shared their concerns. He added that he would try to communicate more with the community about his plans for the ranch.

But he also said his neighbors need to have more realistic expectations about development in the area.

New Braunfels has just exploded and is going to continue doing that. Its a beautiful part of the world. And a lot of people want to live here, Harrison said. One of the things I see over and over is once somebody gets here, they go, Hey, Im here now, lets close the gates and keep everybody else out. Its just not realistic  there will be more developments.

Harrison said he fondly remembers being on the same side as Guckian and admires the way she has managed to halt the quarrys opening for the past six years. They won in a lower court before an appeals court reversed that decision and allowed the TCEQ to issue a required air quality permit, and now theyre asking the Texas Supreme Court to hear the case.

A barbed wire fence along pastureland in Comal County. Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune

Ive been on both sides of the table, right?, Harrison said. Ive been with my neighbors and have helped fund my neighbors in these exact kinds of meetings about Vulcan quarry. Ive experienced some of these same kinds of frustrations.

Guckian said even though she and Harrison are on opposite sides of this fight, hes a nice guy, very family oriented. Hes a good man when it comes to it. The next time I see Doug, Ill hug his neck.

But Guckian believes the Hill Countrys land and resources need to be carefully preserved.

Im not against development, she added. I just want responsible development that takes our natural resources into consideration.

Disclosure: Valero has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.

Correction, July 13, 2023 at 2:53 p.m. : A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that a 3rd Court of Appeals ruling allowed the Vulcan quarry to begin operations. The ruling allows the TCEQ to issue the company an air quality permit, but other permits are required before the quarry can operate.
Coming to Johnson County: Biscuit sandwiches in the a.m., pizza at night, booze all day

Denver-based Atomic Cowboy, a combination bar, brunch and pizza place, will open its second restaurant in the Kansas City area this fall.

The restaurant, with a rotating menu serving customers all day, is opening an Overland Park location at 7101 W. 80th St. in November, three years after it opened its first KC spot in Westport at 4144 Pennsylvania Ave. The new location will move in next to the UMB Bank building, recently remodeled to allow a tenant next door.

Atomic Cowboy serves breakfast items like its Lola  fried chicken and bacon sandwiched between two biscuits and drizzled in syrup  through its Denver Biscuit Co. menu, available from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Fat Sullys Pizza menu is offered after 11 a.m., selling double cheeseburgers and custom pizzas.

At its Westport location, a bar is surrounded by pool tables, high-tops and neon signs. Bartenders pour Moscow mules, breakfast cocktails and beer on tap from open to close.

Founder Drew Shaders initial plan wasnt to operate three concepts under one roof, he said, adding, It just kinda worked out that way.

The original Atomic Cowboy opened in Denver 20 years ago, only serving spirits at first. Four years later, Shader put a pizza shop inside the bar, which proved to be a great success. Separately, he opened a biscuit food truck and called it the biscuit bus.

Eventually, his biscuits migrated into the bar and created the mishmash of eateries seen today.

The Overland Park location will be the businesss eighth spot, with another six in Colorado.

The restaurant will feature a slice window, where patrons can walk up and order pizza to-go.

Shader said hes looking forward to planting roots in the Overland Park community, saying the new location has a more neighborhood feel than its sister location in nightlife-heavy Westport.

Its an awesome area, he said. Everything they do there, from the farmers market to just how the community is around there.  Were excited about it.
I commuted from LA to UC Berkeley by plane to avoid paying Bay Area rent. It cost me around $6,000  and I didn't miss a single class.

Courtesy of Bill Zhou / Photo by Heyang Qiu

Bill Zhou flew to UC Berkeley from Los Angeles three times a week for an academic year to avoid paying Bay Area rent.

The transportation fanatic paid for most of his flights using frequent-flyer miles and points.

Here's how he mastered the supercommute, while maintaining perfect attendance and a 3.88 GPA.

This is an as-told-to essay based on conversations with and Reddit posts written by Bill Zhou, a 26-year-old transportation engineer. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I've always had a love for transportation. Growing up, I would ride different bus routes on my way home from school just for fun. Whenever I travel to a new place, the first thing I do is explore its transit system, whether it's the mass-transit railway in Hong Kong or the double-decker buses in the UK. In London, I rode all the city's Tube lines in one day.

I also love aviation and trying out different airlines. I've flown with more than 100 airlines and am set to reach 1 million miles later this year.

So when I got accepted last year into a one-year master's at the University of California, Berkeley, in transportation engineering, I had this wild idea of living in Los Angeles and commuting to school by plane to avoid the expensive rent around the campus.

I knew I would go back to LA after graduation because I really enjoyed my job and wanted to stay at my company. Bay Area rent for a private bedroom and bathroom is super expensive, and I didn't feel justified in spending that much money. My apartment in LA is a great deal  if I left, I would have to break the lease and probably wouldn't be able to get a price like that again.

I took 238 flights and spent a total of $2,413.14 on airfare

Courtesy of Bill Zhou / Photo by Heyang Qiu

The main reason I could afford flying three times a week to school was that I had accumulated a lot of frequent-flier miles and credit-card points over the past few years. Earlier in the pandemic, I took advantage of the cheap fares and flew a couple of "mileage runs" (when you book the cheapest airfare for the furthest distance) to accumulate more miles and qualify for elite status.

Once I had the highest elite status with Alaska Airlines, I was able to earn 2.5 miles for every one I flew. By the time school started in August, I had 850,000 miles with Alaska Airlines and could use those miles to greatly reduce the cost of my commute.

Since I knew what my class schedule looked like, I did a lot of planning and booked all my tickets in advance. Besides the month of August, all my travel dates fell within the off-peak travel season, so my tickets were much cheaper.

For Alaska Airlines, I usually booked their mileage tickets, which start at 5,000 miles one way and paid $5.60 out of pocket to cover tax. This calculated to $1552.10 and 407,500 miles.

For Southwest flights, I booked most of the tickets during its Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Valentine's Day sales, when flights were as cheap as $30. This calculated to $758.24 and 156,945 points.

I spent an additional $71.30 and 5,500 miles on United flights, $15.60 and 6,500 miles on Avianca flights, and $15.90 on Spirit flights. In total, I took 238 flights and spent $2,413.14 on airfare.

I spent 75,955 minutes on my commute, equivalent to nearly 53 days

Bill Zhou

Bill Zhou plans out his commute schedule on the plane.Courtesy of Bill Zhou / Photo by Heyang Qiu

I scheduled all my classes to fall on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. If I had to fly every day for the entire semester, it wouldn't have worked out. Door-to-door, the commute from my house to campus was around 4  to 5 hours each way.

The beginning of the semester was pretty hectic because we had a two-week boot camp with engineering-leadership classes every day. Flying back and forth daily was exhausting  honestly, I barely made it through. I thought about giving up at one point, but it was too late to find an apartment. And I already had all my tickets booked.

For the fall semester, I would wake up at 3:40 a.m. and leave home by 4:20 a.m. Then I would drive 30 minutes to the metro station by Los Angeles International Airport and park there. Parking at the station was $3 a day, compared with $50 a day at the main terminal. About 4:50 a.m., I would take the shuttle to LAX. The shuttle arrives every 10 minutes and takes between 10 to 15 minutes depending on which terminal you're going to.

I would reach the airport about 5:10 a.m., 10 minutes before boarding began. The TSA security check wasn't really an issue this early in the morning and would typically take me only 10 minutes to get through. My flight would take off from LAX at 6:00 a.m. and land in San Francisco no later than 7:30 a.m.

Courtesy of Bill Zhou / Photo by Heyang Qiu

After landing in San Francisco, I would go to the Alaska Airlines lounge from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and eat breakfast, catch up on homework, and reply to emails. Then I would take the BART train from the airport to downtown Berkeley, which took around an hour. About 9:45 a.m., I would take either the AC Transit 52 bus, the F line, or the UC Berkeley campus shuttle to go up the hill to my first class at 10:10 a.m.

My classes ended around 2 p.m., but I usually stayed later to meet with classmates, work on projects, and finish my homework. I would typically leave campus around 5 p.m., take the BART to San Francisco International Airport and arrive at the airport around 6:15 p.m., in time to catch the 7 p.m. Alaska Airlines flight. I would get into LAX around 8:30 p.m., take the shuttle to get to my car by 9 p.m., and then drive the 30 minutes home.

For the spring semester, I did a similar commute, except my first class didn't start until noon. So I would usually take an 8:20 a.m. Southwest flight to the Oakland airport.

I never missed a class and graduated with a 3.88 GPA

Courtesy of Bill Zhou / Photo by Heyang Qiu

I almost never dealt with flight delays on the way to school because my flights were usually the first ones out in the morning. Later in the afternoon, flights are more likely to be delayed  but the first flight is almost always on time. Sometimes, it would get stressful traveling to the airport in the morning if there was an accident on the freeway or the BART was delayed.

Amazingly, I never missed a class. I graduated with a 3.88 GPA. Including airfare, gas, parking, and a $491 ticket I got from the California Highway Patrol, the commute cost me approximately $6,100 for the year. In total, I spent 75,955 minutes on my commute, equivalent to 52.75 24-hour days.

My passion for aviation and public transit made the commute more enjoyable

Bill Zhou

Courtesy of Bill Zhou / Photo by Heyang Qiu

I wouldn't recommend anyone try this unless they're interested in transportation like I am. For me, I didn't view this as a dreadful commute  but as a small trip every time I got to class.

I'm pretty happy flying and taking public transportation and enjoy the process, but not everybody would feel the same. Also, it was affordable only because I had so many flight miles. If I had to pay for every ticket in cash, it wouldn't have worked out.

For me, this experience was worth it. This is probably one of the wildest things I've done, and I'm so glad I made it through without missing any classes. That itself is a miracle. Also, it's a great way for me to demonstrate my dedication and commitment to achieving a specific goal  and that's all that matters.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Joshua Rohrer is pinned against a police car by police during his arrest on Oct. 13.

A magistrate is accused of breaking the rules that govern the conduct of judicial officials for Facebook comments he made almost two years ago.

The complaint against Magistrate Mark Oakes, filed by attorneys Joseph Mead and Elizabeth R. Cruikshank of the Georgetown University Law Center, details Facebook comments Oakes made in response to other comments about the arrest of then-homeless veteran Joshua Rohrer.

Rohrer, a 39-year-old combat veteran who served in Iraq and Kuwait in 2004 and 2005, was arrested by Gastonia Police in October 2021. During his arrest, a police officer tased Rohrer's service dog, Sunshine Rae. Sunshine escaped from where she was being held while Rohrer was in jail, ran into traffic, and was killed.

The incident caused significant public controversy, and Rohrer is suing the Gastonia Police Department over his treatment during his arrest, as well as the police department's numerous public Facebook comments about him. The judicial complaint, separate from the lawsuit, will spark an investigation into Oakes' conduct for the responses he posted on the Gastonia Police Department's Facebook page shortly after Rohrer's arrest.

The judicial complaint alleges that Oakes, who set Rohrer's bond at $3,000 after his arrest, commented on the police department's Facebook page on Oct. 29, 2021, just weeks after setting Rohrer's bond.

Magistrate Mark Oakes is shown on the witness stand in Gaston County Superior Court on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. [Brittany Randolph/The Star]

In his comments, Oakes called people criticizing the arrest "low information loud mouths," the complaint states.

"I know more about this case than you, I promise," Oakes said in one comment according to the complaint. "Vets are not above the law. They must abide by it too. You refuse to acknowledge it I see but the truth still remains. Play in your own sandbox romper room."

In another comment, Oakes is accused of saying, "again, low information loud mouth is what you are. You're too young to understand the romper room comment obviously. Go change your diaper."

In yet another comment, Oakes reportedly said, "low information loud mouths are always a problem in society. You just regurgitate what one or two people who weren't even there are saying. Sheep."

In a written statement, Oakes apologized for his comments.

"Mr. Rohrer, you are a veteran serviceman and I am grateful for your service. I apologize for the things I posted on social media. I in no way intended any disrespect to you personally. I understand that my comments were and have been distressing to you and for that I am truly sorry," he said. "I have lived and learned much since that time and I send to you my heartfelt thanks for your service in my behalf and to this country. I ask for your forgiveness."

In the judicial complaint, Rohrer's attorneys argue that Oakes' comments "fell far outside the bounds of what is appropriate for a judicial officer" and violated the state rules of conduct for magistrates. According to state law, magistrates must abstain from public comment about the merits of a pending court proceeding. Oakes, they wrote, did exactly that, commenting about the merits of Rohrer's case, which was still pending at the time of his comments.

In addition to violating the rules of conduct for magistrates, his comments were inflammatory and threatened the judiciary's appearance of impartiality, according to the complaint.

The complaint was sent to Chief District Court Judge John Greenlee, who supervises magistrates. Greenlee acknowledged Wednesday that he had received the complaint and said that he has never before received a complaint about a magistrate's social media posts. He will be launching a formal investigation.

Judge John Greenlee speaks to the attorney for Moses and Monica Colbert with Faith, Hope, & Love Community Enrichment Ministries at the Gaston County Courthouse Monday morning, June 5, 2023.

The complaint, however, is not Oakes' first brush with public controversy.

Oakes held activist Lydia Robinson in contempt of court after Robinson showed up in the magistrate's office to report that she received a death threat. Robinson reported that Oakes' demeanor toward her changed when he appeared to recognize her name, as Robinson led protests over an incident at Tony's Ice Cream in 2020.

Attorney Eddie Meeks, who represented Lydia Maria Robinson, speaks Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in her appeal of a misdemeanor charge of criminal contempt of court. [Brittany Randolph/The Star]

Oakes wrote in the contempt order that Robinson argued with him after she was asked to leave and videoed part of the exchange. Robinson was cleared of the contempt charge by a North Carolina appellate court, which found problems with both Oakes' original order on Aug. 2, 2020, and the decision to uphold that order by now-retired Superior Court Judge Jesse Caldwell on Sept. 23, 2020.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Complaint targets magistrate for Facebook comments
Two Sedgwick County deputies and a bystander who pulled an unconscious man from a van overturned in a lake say what happened was a miracle.

Five Wichita men were injured when their 2010 Ford van left the I-235 south ramp from I-135 south and landed in a lake Tuesday evening.

All but one of the men were ejected or able to get themselves out.

The fifth was trapped underwater inside the van.

What happened next is the miracle, says Deputy Clinton Harris.

100 percent without a shadow of a doubt this was completely divine and it was all for Gods glory, he said.

It was around 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Harris had agreed to work past his shift. He was headed back to the station when he saw a traffic infraction and decided to pull the driver over.

Deputy Nathan Kingery was headed the other direction on I-135, saw Harris and prepared to turn around to help with the stop.

Meanwhile, Josh Hicks, a Nebraska man who works HVAC and was in town with his 17-year-old daughter for a softball tournament, saw the accident in his rear view mirror. He stopped, reversed and agreed with his daughter that she should call 911. Others kept driving, he said.

Harris followed the vehicle with the traffic infraction as it took the I-135 south to I-235 south ramp. Then, his eyes were drawn to Hicks and his daughter, who were getting out of their truck.

He then looked down to the lake just off the highway and saw the overturned van.

Hicks was already running down to the lake.

Harris called off his traffic stop and alerted that he needed fire and EMS for a submerged vehicle. He ran down to the van.

Kingery, a minute behind him, heard the call change.

The passengers who had escaped the van told Harris one person was still inside.

Harris had learned water rescue techniques in the U.S. Navy but was about to use them for the first time in a real life situation.

The thick mud made it hard to move. Harris treaded through and even fell in the water as he moved around the van.

Body cam video shows Harris and Hicks moving through roughly waist-high water as the vans horn continued to blare.

Harris tried to go to the front of the van but realized, with the depth of the water, mud and additional weight he carried, he could drown.

Harris went to the back of the van. The back window was smashed out. There was a gap to see inside. He guessed the cabin was about 80% full of water.

He didnt see anyone.

Kingery arrived shortly after Harris did.

Kingery saw three passengers who appeared OK and a fourth laying face down, who Kingery thinks was ejected from the vehicle. Another passenger was with the one on the ground. Kingery saw movement but called out a code blue, meaning unresponsive, as he ran into the water to help.

Harris said he moved to the passenger side of the vehicle and used a window break tool to bust out a window. He felt inside but didnt touch anyone.

Harris moved to the next window and did the same thing, then again a third time.

Video shows Harris propped his torso on the sill of the broken glass as he tried to reach further down into the van.

Hicks said he yelled to the other passengers, asking where the man had been sitting. One of them responded. Hicks then went back to a window Harris had already busted and that they had both already checked.

Harris was getting ready to break the front passenger window when Hicks told Harris that he thought he had the man.

Im pretty tall so I got some pretty long arms and I was giving everything I had to get down as far as I could in there and grab ahold of anything I could get my arms on, Hicks said, adding he reached in a few times before he got the man. It was pure luck, pure luck I grabbed at the right spot.

He added that it was by the grace of God he happened to still be in that seat.

Body cam video tells the next part of the story:

Right here, right here, right here, Hicks told Harris as he pulled the man up and got his head above water.

You got him, you got him, Harris yelled back, warning Hicks to be careful of cutting the man on the glass while the two pulled him from the van.

Kingery, we got him, Harris yelled.

Kingery was on the other side of the van, searching as well.

It seemed like forever but after a couple minutes the victim was able to be pulled out of the vehicle, Kingery said in a phone interview later.

The three helped get the man to shore. Based on the size of the man, Harris said, not one or two of them could have done it.

The guy that was there, myself and Kingery, it was purposeful, he said. I think it was 100 percent divine appointment.

They got him to the bank and began CPR. Harris went first. Kingery stepped in when Harris fatigued. They were able to get the man breathing before EMS arrived.

Everyone helped to get the man on a stretcher and up the steep hill. He was rushed to the hospital.

As the scene cleared, Harris noticed he had blood all over his arms.

He needed 14 stitches on a finger on his left hand, left wrist and right hand. He also had other cuts that were cleaned and glued.

The cuts happened while he was reaching in through the broken glass.

The man who had been submerged in the van was listed in critical but stable condition at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis intensive care unit around 1 p.m. Thursday. Of the other four passengers , one did not appear in the hospitals system, two have been dismissed and one was stable.

All but the man in critical condition are in their early 20s. He is in his 40s.

Hicks said the daughter of the man critically injured reached out to him on Facebook on Thursday afternoon and said her father was recovering quickly.

Im just glad he is alive and breathing, Hicks said. I have been pretty shook up wondering if we got to him fast enough.

Hicks said he had some scrapes and bruises from the rescue, but there was never any hesitation about whether he should jump in to help.

Somebody needs help, you gotta help em, he said.

Harris, who joined the department January 2021, said he felt a calling to get into law enforcement. He said there have been dozens of times when something lined up so perfectly, he calls it divine.

That guy whenever he does wake up, which I believe he will, hes a living testimony of the timing of God, he said. And if he doesnt have a relationship with Jesus before this happened, I pray that this is the thing he needed in his life to allow that to be the outcome for him.
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has vowed to oppose the Senate Judiciary Committees consideration of two judges over what is called the blue slip policy.

In a letter addressed to current Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), CBC chairman Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) called on Durbin to use his power as the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee to institute several reforms immediately before the caucus can consider the nominations of Jerry Edwards Jr. to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana and Brandon Long to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

President Biden announced the nominations of Edwards and Long in June.

In the Senate, a blue slip is an opinion written by a senator from the state where a federal judicial nominee resides. Both senators from the nominees state are sent a blue piece of paper that the Judiciary Committee uses to survey their views on the nominee.

The blue slip rule, precedent upheld by Senate tradition, has historically given a home state senator the ability to stop a lower-court nominee by refusing to return the blue slip to the committee. But the chairman of the committee decides how strictly the precedent is upheld, and enforcement has varied.

Horsford called on Durbin to waive the blue slip custom for U.S. attorneys and marshals, mandate the return of blue slips only from a home-state senator for each nominee and require senators who refuse to return a blue slip for a nominee to explain why they oppose the nominee as a measure of accountability and to ensure the opposition is nondiscriminatory, according to the letter.

In addition, Horsford also called on Durbin to create a process that involves CBC members with a jurisdictionally vested interest in the nomination.

Horsford pointed to Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassleys decision to eliminate the blue slip policy for appellate judges, saying that move made historic nominations like Nancy Abudus possible. Abudu is the first Black woman to sit on the 11th Circuit overseeing Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

The blue slip policy has discriminatory roots; it was used by segregationist lawmakers to undermine progress made to guarantee civil rights for Black Americans. Lawmakers created the process to prevent school integration after Brown v. Board of Education, according to the Alliance for Justice.

In asking Durbin to end the policy, he argued that the blue slip is a fundamentally undemocratic vestige of Jim Crow, saying its use has had a substantial impact on the Black community.

Decisions made by federal judges play a critical role in determining the scope of individual civil rights and liberties. Judges matter, and the opinion of a few can impact the lives of many, Horsford said.

Ultimately, Horsford told Durbin the blue slip will undermine our joint endeavor to make a dramatic mark on the judiciary.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Photo: wavebreakmedia (Shutterstock)

In a new report, The Washington Post discovered that adults seeking to ban certain childrens picture books in schools were mostly targeting titles that focus on LGBTQ characters and stories. In fact, they accounted for 75 percent of the complaints. The top reason adults were seeking to ban picture books is to stop children from reading about gay, bisexual, transexual and queer people.

The second-most-common reason is the books should be considered inappropriate and the third is that some stories were anti-police. The publication filed records requests with 150 school districts across the country, asking for copies of every book challenge they received during the 2021-2022 school year.

Read more

For the book Julian Is a Mermaid, a Pennsylvania woman claimed that the book having a boy dress up as a mermaid will confuse a child  to use drag clothing and makeup. For the book A Place Inside Of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart, a Black child deals with police killing a girl in his hometown. However, a man in Virginia said that the story has very dark and sinister parts and that law enforcement is depicted as villains throughout this work.

Sylvia Loosveldt in Washington said that Ibram X. Kendis Antiracist Baby Picture Book should be removed from schools because teaches young students to become racist by telling them they should look at others only on the basis of skin color. Other books, like Skippyjon Jones, was accused of promoting negative stereotypes about Mexicans.

Zetta Elliott, whose book A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart, explained that despite criticism that the book portrays cops as villains its a story that needs to be told. So what do you do with this complicated relationship Black people have to the United States? she said.

I wanted to write something that would give a child an opportunity to honor all of their emotions. As conservatives continue to double down on the war on woke, their crusade against books that actually represent what America looks like will brutally continue.

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Convicted Oath Keeper's attorney says it's 'ridiculous' prosecutors appealed for a harsher sentence and that the feds should 'channel their inner Elsa and just let it go'

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 05: A member of the right-wing group Oath Keepers stands guard during a rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Building on January 5, 2021 in Washington, DC. Today's rally kicks off two days of pro-Trump events fueled by President Trump's continued claims of election fraud and a last-ditch effort to overturn the results before Congress finalizes them on January 6. Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

A lawyer for a convicted Oath Keeper slammed the DOJ for appealing his client's sentence.

Prosecutors requested a 10-year sentence for David Moerschel; he was ultimately sentenced to three.

"Typical DOJ, they got their pound of flesh and still want more," Moerschel's lawyer said. "I wish they would channel their inner Elsa and just let it go."

An attorney for a convicted Oath Keeper for his role in the failed January 6, 2021, insurrection snapped at the Justice Department for appealing for a harsher sentence, saying prosecutors should take a page out of Elsa's playbook from the movie "Frozen" and "let it go."

"Typical DOJ, they got their pound of flesh and still want more," Scott Weinberg, who represents David Moerschel, told Insider. "I wish they would channel their inner Elsa and just let it go."

The department took the unusual step Wednesday of appealing the sentences of eight Oath Keepers convicted on multiple counts  including seditious conspiracy for some  in connection to the deadly mob at the US Capitol seeking to install Donald Trump as president.

Moerschel was among nine people who were indicted on seditious conspiracy and other charges, and he was sentenced in June.

Prosecutors asked him to get 10 years in prison, but the judge ultimately handed down a three-year sentence.

The defendants whose sentences the DOJ appealed are Moerschel, Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs, Kenneth Harrelson, Jessica Watkins, Roberto Minuta, Joseph Hackett, and Edward Vallejo.

US District Judge Amit Mehta sentenced Rhodes, 57, to 18 years in prison for his role in the riot, the harshest sentence handed down to any of the hundreds of people indicted related to the failed insurrection. But that number fell short of the 25 years the DOJ had requested.

One department official Insider spoke to Thursday said the DOJ's decision to appeal the eight defendants' sentences showed that it was "really sending a message." And a former federal prosecutor who worked with ex-special counsel Robert Mueller said the move indicates that the feds see the offenses as "incredibly serious."

Read the original article on Business Insider
ST. PETERSBURG  Among the residents in this gated, waterfront community are a retired judge and Trader Joes employee. Engineers, pilots and a dance teacher. A gig worker with three jobs and an executive working from home. Retirees living their dream, families raising children and young adults just starting out.

Poll workers shoot them funny looks when they see their addresses on their IDs. People ask strange questions about how they cook their meals and go to the bathroom when they explain where they live. They can hear Rowdies goals and see their decks on TV during the Firestone Grand Prix. And many say they live here for less than $1,000 a month.

They are the residents of the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina. Among the 660 slips where commercial and recreational boats dot the postcard-worthy waterfront, more than 100 people live aboard their vessels.

There are those who call it a retirement plan, others a way of life  and for some, a necessity. They can live at the marina on $230 a week. They see it as a haven from the affordable housing crisis, and a testament that the waterfront is for everyone.

Now theyre fighting to save their neighborhood. The marina is ripe for redevelopment and needs renovations. But the city doesnt want to pay. Instead, officials have long sought a private company to do it in exchange for running the marina and collecting rent.

The majority of the renovations would be paid for by five years worth of slip rentals, not taxpayer dollars. The city would still get a cut of the revenue.

St. Petersburg received two proposals by a Friday deadline, though the city only released the bidders names, not details. One came from Safe Harbor Marinas, which in 2019 submitted an unsolicited proposal that pitched taking on the cost of renovating the marina in exchange for the right to lease and operate it. The other came from Suntex Marinas. Both operate a number of marinas around Florida.

The specifics would be spelled out in a five-year contract that needs a supermajority vote from the City Council. But marina residents say that the uncertainty surrounding their home port is unsettling and that the city has not been communicative or transparent about their future. Like their neighbors on land, they fear being displaced if slip rents go sky-high.

Were a neighborhood in this town. We are an integral part of this town, said Mark Fay, 68, a retired electrical engineer who has lived at the marina with his wife, Karen, 70, a medical technician, since 1997. We arent something to be shipped off somewhere else.

We have nowhere to go

The residents point to their neighbor, the St. Pete Pier. If that $92 million redevelopment was paid for with public dollars, then why cant the marinas?

The city likely took on debt when the municipal marinas first docks were built in 1963, said Joe Zeoli, managing director of city development. In his 35-year career at the city, hes had stints as the director for downtown waterfront facilities, which includes the marina.

The city doesnt want to take on debt and be responsible for budget overruns, Zeoli said, as was the case for the pier. That would fall to the developer. Zeoli said the city isnt in the business of redeveloping marinas.

We do one every 50 years, they do one every day, he said of a private developer. I believe they can deliver a superior product for less cost.

Any deal with the city comes with a twist. Under the city charter, St. Petersburg can offer a developer no more than a five-year lease that must be approved by six out of eight council members. A longer lease triggers a citywide referendum.

After five years, the winning developer could ask for a public vote on a longer-term lease, seek another five years or get bought out by the city.

Estimates three years ago put the cost of remaking the marina at $30 million.

Prior proposals to privatize marina operations havent gone over well with the marinas slip holders. There were fears that slips for smaller boats would be eliminated to accommodate yachts and more lucrative rent. And they felt left out of the citys plans.

We are a distinct group of people here that are not well-represented, said Charles Adkinson, 46, who works in video production. He sold his familys home near the Treasure Island Causeway to move to the marina.

He lives on a 61-foot, three-deck trawler with his wife, Crystal, 41, a boatmaker, and two daughters, 12 and 14. Where we get scared about this is that we are not ready to leave yet, and if something changes, and they privatize it, and its suddenly $5,000 a month, what do we do?

Like, we have nowhere to go.

Zeoli said neighborhood meetings will begin when a prospective developer has been identified. He said the city is not ceding control of design and construction or how the marina is operated. And the city will require proposals to include plans for smaller vessels.

Not all boaters oppose the citys plan to go private. But they want more amenities, in addition to needed repairs. Residents said the power to their vessels  the lines run beneath the docks  get shut off every high tide to stop the risk of electrocution.

Kimberly Jamieson said its possible to renovate the harbor without displacing small boats. She once lived in a marina in Palmetto that was privatized by Safe Harbor Marinas, the past and current bidder.

Everything stayed pretty reasonable, said Jamieson, 57, a hairdresser who lives on a 35-foot cruiser with her two dogs. They did it in small doses so that people can get moved around, and I dont think anyone got kicked out.

They did a really good job. And you know, we can just hope for the best.

Zeoli, however, said that no matter what course the city chooses, significant rate increases are expected to maintain the marina for years to come.

Were very focused on affordability for this marina as well, he said. That being said, the rates have got to be commensurate with what its going to take to improve the facility.

The lower-income side of the marina

Jill Godfrey was born in St. Petersburg. She grew up in Bay Pines and took a rowboat to school at what is now Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8, parking it under the dock at the McDonalds restaurant next door.

She danced professionally around the world before returning home, finding an apartment on Fourth Street North.

The rent kept going up during the pandemic and Godfrey was having trouble finding work during the lockdown. She overheard her neighbor talking about buying a sailboat. Out of necessity, she bought a 28-foot Bluewater Triton she calls The Dolphin Dancer and colored everything turquoise.

Some residents have boats that have many of the comforts of a house. Godfreys is more like a college dorm.

Godfrey, 60, doesnt have a shower or an oven. Only a hot plate, toaster, coffee maker, minifridge, an ice-making freezer and her dock dog, Chance, who prefers land.

Youre basically on the lower-income side of the marina, she said. Right here on Dock 1 are the small boats.  So were like the trailer park marina. Just as mobile home park residents dont own the land beneath their trailers, the people who live here dont own the water under their boats.

Godfrey shattered her elbow a year and a half ago while working at Home Depot. She makes $230 a week working at a dance store and teaching classes and tries to find other production work.

Every year theyre raising it 10%, she said of the slip rent. And in a couple of years, I definitely wont be able to afford it. And if I cant find more jobs, I may not even be able to afford it for a few more months.

In St. Petersburg these days, living on a boat docked in the marina is cheaper than owning a home. But some residents have high insurance costs. They have to stay on top of upkeep and maintenance, and that can be costly. At the start of this year, the marina began requiring liability insurance and proof of mobility, that the vessel is operable.

Theres not a million-dollar boat on this dock right now, said Charles Adkinson. But how many million-dollar houses are there between here and any neighborhood in St. Pete?

Marina residents dispute the notion of being considered rent-dodgers.

Its unfortunate, said James Coe, 54, a retired engineer who lives on Dock 4 with his wife, Katherine. But its like with anything. You got a few that dont do things well, and it gives everyone else a bad name.

And they point out that they contribute to St. Petersburgs coffers: About $300,000 of marina fees goes back into the citys general fund every year as a return on investment, plus payments for general and administrative costs.

Said Fay, the resident since 1997: Theres a considerable amount of cash flow out of this marina, into the community at large.

Crown jewel

Hurricane Ian last year was too much for Keri Vinson. Her neighbors boat got stuck under a finger pier and was left tilting to one side. His mast got caught up in hers. Neighbors managed to untangle the mess. Her portside piling snapped and she said it took the city four to five months to replace it.

Vinson has lived at the marina for seven years. Her low credit score and $27,000 income setting up concert equipment keep her from living on land. After the death of her fiance two years ago, she wants to sell her sailboat and get a recreational vehicle.

You got to worry about if youre going to even have a home to come home to, because thats my home, said Vinson, 53. So if it sinks, Im homeless. Thats a scary thought.

Pilings and finger piers are due for replacement. During storms, water sloshes above the piers. Residents point out uneven, sinking sidewalks marked with a traffic cone, bathrooms that are often out of order  and wharf rats.

Still, the residents say they want to be in the heart of it all in St. Petersburg, within walking distance to everything. Its even worth jockeying for spaces in their designated parking lot at Demens Landing when the Saturday Morning Market is held at Al Lang Stadium.

I just feel really blessed that I have this less than 400 square feet, that I can be on the water and pay my fair share to be here, said Jamieson, the hairdresser who lives with her dogs. And nobody knows for how long thats gonna be. But I do think it is very much a blessing to be able to be here.
Construction of an access road was underway this week for a Muslim cemetery in Homer Township, as officials say attempts to require a special-use permit for burial grounds may not stop the project that has concerned several area residents.

The Muslim Ummah Cemetery has a Will County permit to develop 5 acres at 18131 S. Meader Road, and plans to accommodate 24,000 graves on 40 acres.

The owner filed a permit request June 29 for the remaining 35 acres, which is being reviewed by the Will County Land Use Department, said Mike Theodore, the departments spokesman. No building plans have been submitted for the property, he said.

Burials will be natural and environmentally friendly with no embalming of the body and no need for a traditional cement liner or casket, according to the cemeterys website. The deceased body is wrapped in a biodegradable shroud and placed directly into the earth, in compliance with the practices of Sunnah or traditional Islamic customs.

More than 200 residents, many who use private water wells, attended a meeting in May to express their concern about the potential impact the cemetery would have on their water supply.

Sean Conners, the Will County Health Departments environmental health division director, told residents he consulted with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Public Health and was told this type of burial is probably the greenest way you can go with low risk for contamination.

Conners said the general conclusion is a cemetery of this nature has little risk to the groundwater if all conditions are met. The Illinois Water Well Construction Code and Illinois Groundwater Protection Act have no reference for setback for cemeteries, Conners said. The water well code has various listing for other setbacks, which are 75 feet, he said.

Will County Land Use and Development Committee Chairman Frankie Pretzel, a Republican from New Lenox, said Wednesday the owners of the cemetery followed all permitting processes, which means county officials cannot stop the natural, eco-friendly burials.

They already got their permit and theyre well on their way, Pretzel said. I honestly dont believe theres anything we can do at this point, on the property they have now.

Homer Township Supervisor Steve Balich, who is the Republican leader on the Will County Board, said there is no official effort by the county or township to stop the eco-friendly burials.

The Will County Land Use and Development Committee did recommend updating its ordinances to require cemeteries have a special-use permit, a move that must still be approved by the Will County Board. The countys Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing to discuss the amendment at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Will County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago St., Joliet.

While the cemetery owner has followed all procedures, Balich said its unclear if the cemetery owners will have to file for special-use permits if the update passes.

I dont know how thats going to play out, he said.

Balich also pointed to the proposed Natural Organic Reduction Regulation Act, which passed the Illinois House but not the Senate in the 2023 session, as a possible solution for concerned residents.

The bill, filed by Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-14th, states the practice of natural organic reduction in the state is declared to be a practice affecting the public health, safety and welfare and is subject to regulation. The bill states the preparation, care and final disposition of a dead human be attended with appropriate observance and understanding.

The cemetery owner did not respond to multiple calls and emails for comment. According to the website, the cemetery will be open to all Muslims who desire to be buried in a dedicated Muslim cemetery.

Homer Township trustees said Monday a permit for construction of an asphalt access road and a cul-de-sac turnaround was issued after a $25,000 security bond was provided by the owner for any repairs needed for Meader Road after it is built.

The website outlines the planned development and construction for the cemetery with check marks next to the items that have been completed. The projects May and July goals, phase one development and open for burials, respectively, do not have check marks.
The New Castle County Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding a car that was stolen from a man after he was kidnapped from Banning Park near Newport on Wednesday afternoon.

Police said a 27-year-old man was eating lunch in his car at 1:10 p.m. near the pond in Banning Park when he was approached by a man with a gun. He told the 27-year-old to move over and got into the driver's seat, according to police, and drove to Christiana Fashion Center with the owner of the car still inside the vehicle.

The carjacker told the owner of the car to get out, police said, and then drove away. The 27-year-old went into a nearby business and called police. He was not injured, but his car is still missing.

Police described the stolen car as a 2007 gray Mazda 6 with Delaware registration 748925.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Daryl Haines at 302-395-8137 or email him at Daryl.Haines@newcastlede.gov.

Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on Twitter at @h_edelman.

CRIME: 4 men involved in Delaware's largest fentanyl seizure indicted by federal grand jury

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Banning Park carjacking, kidnapping under investigation by police
Councilman W. Howard Myers, front and center, walks into the Petersburg District Court for a hearing on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017.

PETERSBURGDuring pandemic, the federal government dispersed billions of dollars throughout the states to help them respond to the economic impacts and shore up infrastructure.

The money had to be spent in four areas: to replace lost public sector revenue for government services, to respond to the negative health and economic impacts of Covid-19 by supporting small businesses, households, nonprofits, or other impacted industries, to provide additional pay for essential workers, and to invest in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.

Petersburg received a total of almost $21 million of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), separated in two tranches of $10.5 million. Most of the money was spent on infrastructure projects, offsetting the increasing cost of health insurance for government employees, and seed money for the city's capital projects.

One of the beneficiaries was also a councilmember.

How was the first tranche spent?

At the top of the list is $2.1 million for storm drainage projects and $2 million for the Petersburg Economic Development Authority's Gap Financing Revolving Loan Fund. The city created a revolving loan fund in 2021 to help finance large projects for the furthering of the city's Strategic Plan. The $2 million will act as seed money for these projects.

The Hotel Petersburg, owned by Nat Cuthbert--Councilman Charlie Cuthbert's brother--was listed as of one of the projects that could receive money from this fund, according to the ARPA application.

A majority of the money set aside for the Southside Depot rehab, storm drainage projects, Farmer St. building rehab (where the new police headquarters will be), and the EMS life saving equipment have not yet been spent as of February 2023.

The city also set aside $520,000 to address "community recovery needs" for businesses, nonprofits and individuals experiencing financial hardship. As of Feb. 2023, only $154,000 has been spent. It is not known what the city will do with the remaining $350,000, as this money hadn't been apportioned yet since we last requested a FOIA.

Here is the breakdown of the 1st tranche of money:

Storm drainage projects: $2.10 million (none had been spent as of Feb. 2023)

Economic Development Authority Revolving Loan Fund: $2 million

Health Insurance Costs: $1.68 million (to absorb the increase in health costs)

Southside Depot rehabilitation: $1.36 million ($174,000 spent as of Feb. 2023)

Farmer St. Building rehabilitation: $1.27 million ($97,000 spent as of Feb. 2023)

Community recovery needs: $520,000 ($154,000 had been spent as of Feb. 2023)

Petersburg Library Foundation - Learning Center: $269,000

EMS/ Fire life saving equipment: $263,000

Parks and Rec rehabilitation: $250,000 ($90,000 spent as of Feb. 2023)

EMS/Fire department radios: $226,000 (none had been spent as of Feb. 2023)

Downtown master plan: $100,000

Police dept. radios: $98,500

Wilcox Lake dam rehab: $90,000 (none had been spent as of Feb. 2023)

How will the second tranche be spent?

Council approved of the budget for the second tranche of $10.5 million in March. Included in the second tranche was more money set aside for Southside Depot rehab and the new police headquarters on Farmer St., several studies including a fire/ police promotional study, an economic development study, downtown masterplan, and the city comprehensive plan.

Also included in the second tranche is money for three vehicles for assessor office, neighborhood services, and planning offices, and well as money to cover the cost for rising health insurance cost for FY 2024.

Here's the breakdown:

Farmer St. Building rehab: $2.2 million

Employee healthcare stipend: $1.6 million

Southside Depot rehab: $1.33 million

Poor Creek infrastructure project: $950,000

Hazardous duty pay: $782,000

City comprehensive plan and implementation: $600,000

Police dispatch system and vehicles: $570,000

Emergency procurement: $500,000

Turf equipment: $500,000

City Parks Rehab: $394,000

Cemetery rehab: $300,000

Animal Shelter: $100,000

Police training: $100,000

Downtown masterplan: $100,000

Economic development study: $100,000

Petersburg Area Art League: $100,000

Fire and police promotional study: $100,000

Three vehicles for assessor office, neighborhood services, and planning: $92,000

Explore Petersburg tourism: $72,500

Fire PPE: $11,000

Gun violence intervention and other initiatives overlooked while councilman gained

The city received 107 requests for funding from individuals, organizations, companies, and city departments, including money for a police case manager and gun violence intervention funding. Most of these requests were denied, while Councilman Howard Myer's real estate rental business, the W. Howard Myers Enterprises, received $40,000 in ARPA funds.

When the P-I asked city spokesperson Joanne Williams about how the funding was determined and dispersed, she replied that "info was sent to you via FOIA." A FOIA request can only obtain public documents, and is not a substitute for answering questions for the public.

Here are some of the requests that were denied:

Gun violence intervention funding on behalf of the police department ($100,000)

Nonprofit Pathways ($15,000)

Revitalization of water infrastructure for the public schools on behalf of PCPS ($278,500)

Rebuilding for community outreach and impact for Bethany Baptist Church ($400,000)

A police case manager ($112,000)

Alamo Addiction Recovery Center ($110,000)

A water audit on behalf of former city manager Stuart Turille ($150,000)

Old Towne Studio 7 ($23,000)

Meanwhile Myers was chosen to receive ARPA funding under "community recovery needs," along with nine other businesses, individuals, and nonprofits, totaling around $154,000:

VSF LLC dba Old Towne Civic Center: $55,840, Business grant

W. Howard Myers Enterprises: $40,000, Business grant

The Hope Center: $25,000, Business grant

The James House: $11,700.00, Business grant

Historic Petersburg Foundation: $10,000, Business grant

Alternative Counseling Group: $1,000, Business grant

Tia Farley: $7,500, Hardship - Individual

Shavone Robinson: $1,595, Hardship - Individual

Delores Raigns: $1,314, Hardship - Individual

Old Towne Studio 7 requested funding in 2021 but was not chosen to receive money. A year later, they shut down the business because they could no longer keep it open.

City charged over $4,000 for the P-I to see ARPA applications

We requested to see the 107 applications and supporting documents through the Freedom of Information Act, to see why each organization needed the money and how they were planning to spend it. We were told that it would cost us $4,265 for this request, because a finance staff member "must read, review, and redact 107 applications for the privacy of personal/confidential information submitted" in addition to having the finance director proof it "to make sure all sensitive data has been redacted."

The estimated amount of time the finance department said they would need to go through all the applications was 128 hours.

We tried to refute the exorbitant cost based on the FOIA law that states that public bodies may not charge unreasonably high fees without proper reasoning. When we asked why information needed to be redacted from the applications, we were told that the applications "contain personal, financial, and confidential information that should not be part of public information."

The two-page ARPA application consists of the following questions: A statement of need, the category of eligibility it falls under, how much the project will cost and if they already have additional funds, a schedule of when the project will be completed, how they have been impacted by COVID, how the project fits into the city's "Strategic Plan," and how it will benefit the city.

The questions asked in the application require minimal sensitive information.

With the city not willing to send us the applications without charging thousands of dollars, we modified our request to view just the nine applications of individuals and businesses that received the grant money, with no additional supporting documents attached. We were again told that it would cost us $200 based on five hours of work needed to redact the application.

Councilman Howard Myers requested ARPA money to "recover losses"

The first page of Howard Myer's ARPA application which nearly everything was redacted.

The second page of Howard Myer's ARPA application.

We modified our request for a third time, asking for just the application for councilman Howard Myer's business, the W Howard Myers Enterprises, and were given his application with nearly the entire application redacted.

According to the application, Myers requested $80,000 in funding "to recover losses because of the Covid-19 Pandemic and venue shutdown by Governor Northam's Mandate 2019-2021." He was ultimately rewarded with $40,000.

Myers, through his LLC, manages properties around the city and rents apartments and office space, including the building on 30 Franklin St. and the Cameron Lofts.

Myers did not respond to inquiries on why he needed the ARPA funds and if he was the only employee of his LLC.

Joyce Chu, an award-winning investigative journalist, is the Social Justice Watchdog Reporter for The Progress Index. Contact her with comments, concerns, or story-tips at Jchu1@gannett.com or on Twitter @joyce_speaks.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg councilman received ARPA funding while others overlooked
Cranston school official said she knew who stole PTO funds. Then she confessed, police say

CRANSTON  A Cranston School Committee member was arrested Wednesday on charges that she embezzled funds from the parent-teacher group she led, according to a state police news release.

Tera Norberg, who also serves as president of the Stone Hill Elementary School Parent Teacher Group, was arrested by members of the State Police Financial Crimes Unit on charges that include unlawful appropriation, embezzlement, giving a false document to a public official and obstructing an officer in execution of duty, the news release from Col. Darnell S. Weaver said.

The investigation began this month when state police were informed about possible embezzlement involving the Stone Hill Elementary School Parent Teacher Group's bank account. The school department's business office had launched an internal inquiry into the missing funds, police said.

More: Sen. Josh Miller will face another charge in SUV-keying case

More: Former Cranston councilman arrested again, charged with child molestation. What we know

Norberg was asked to provide bank statements for the parent teacher group, police said, and she initially said she'd discovered the theft from the account and identified the person responsible. Police said she provided a notarized document to the school department business office, stating that the culprit would fully reimburse the stolen funds.

But later, Norberg admitted to state police that she had stolen the money using a debit card associated with the parent teacher group and had fabricated the identity of the guilty party, the news release said.

Norberg was arraigned at state police headquarters and released on $10,000 personal recognizance, police said. A pre-arraignment conference has been scheduled for Oct. 11 at District Court, Providence.

The Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit asks anyone with additional information about this case to contact them at (401) 764-5179.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Cranston School Committee member charged with embezzlement
Firefighters rescued a man in a vacant apartment building after a two-alarm fire there sent clouds of black smoke into Downtown Seattle.

The fire in the building off Ninth Avenue and Madison Street in Seattles First Hill neighborhood started just after 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Seattle Fire said 911 callers reported that flames were coming from the top floor of the four-story building.

As soon as firefighters arrived, they searched the building and found a man in his 20s on the top floor.

He was carried out of the building, treated by paramedics, and then taken to a hospital.

Crews found that the flames had spread through several areas of the building and burned through the roof.

Firefighters left the building because of worries that the building could collapse. They fought the fire from outside and used fire trucks aerial ladders to get water onto flames coming through the roof.

Shortly after 11 p.m., the roof began to cave in.

The building is in a busy area where there are hotels and is not far from Virginia Mason Hospital and medical buildings.

A viewer sent us video he took from his hotel room across the street from the building that shows how intense the fire was.

Investigators are looking into what caused the fire.
A Cruise Ship Pulled Up for a Beautiful View. Then Blood Started Turning the Water Red

Red Wave

Luxury cruise ship passengers were exposed to a grisly sight after docking at the Faroe Islands capital of Torshavn over the weekend.

Specifically, locals were in the process of butchering 78 long-finned pilot whales  a type of dolphin  in the adjacent bay, tinting the surrounding waters with blood, Yahoo News reports.

It was such a traumatizing view that the cruise ship operator Ambassador Cruise Line issued an apology on Monday, writing that "we strongly object to this outdated practice."

"Ambassador can confirm that the arrival of Ambition in Torshavn in the Faroe Islands today coincided with the culmination of a hunt of 40+pilot whales in the port area," the company wrote. "We were incredibly disappointed that this hunt occurred at the time that our ship was in port."

The Slaughter

The yearly practice of hunting and slaughtering pilot whales, dubbed grindadrap, dates back hundreds of years in the autonomous Danish territory, a group of 18 volcanic islands between Iceland and Norway. The tradition involves hunters forming a circle of boats around the helpless animals and driving them into a shallow bay. Once beached, they are slaughtered by men armed with knives.

More than 500 dolphins have been killed since hunting resumed in May, Agence France-Presse reported in mid-June.

The practice has drawn plenty of criticism, with activist and conservationist groups opposing the slaughter. Volunteer pressure group Blue Planet Society called the most recent hunt "another sickening massacre of pilot whales."

Locals, however, have historically defended the hunt.

"We are very proud of this practice and we will continue as long as we decide," Faroese whale expert Bjarni Mikkelsen told Yahoo News in May.

Other netizens had a straightforward solution to save future cruise ship passengers from watching the slaughtering of pilot whales.

"It's simple," one user wrote, responding to Ambassador's apology. "Exclude Faroe Islands from your route completely. Just don't support their economy in any way until they stop. You have this power. Use it."

More on sea animals: Mischievous Sea Otter Keeps Stealing Surfboards
Republican Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Marco Rubio (Fla.) are pitching a bill that would ban the use of the term Latinx from official government communications, the Texas senators office announced Thursday.

Hispanic Americans overwhelmingly oppose the term Latinx, and I want to make sure our government does not bow to woke activists in our federal departments or agencies by insisting on ridiculous terminology like this, Cruz said in a release, adding that the term has no place in official government communication.

The bill, called the Respect for Hispanic Americans Act, would prohibit federal agencies from using Latinx  a gender-inclusive variation of the Spanish terms Latino and Latina  in official communications or forms from agency heads or employees.

Though many Democrats and progressives picked up the gender-neutral term, some Spanish-speakers criticized the terms -x ending, both because it replaces the Spanish grammar construction of the male -o and female -a endings and because the sound is difficult to pronounce in the language.

A Pew Research survey conducted in 2019 found less than one-quarter of U.S. adults who self-identified as Hispanic or Latino had heard of the term Latinx, and that just 3 percent said they use the term to describe themselves. A Gallup survey conducted in 2021 found that just 4 percent of Hispanic Americans use the Latinx term to describe their ethnic group.

Hispanic Americans dont need fabricated woke terminology imposed on us. The term Latinx has no place in our federal agencys official communication as its a degradation tossed around by progressive elites, Rubio said in the release.

Cruz also knocked the made-up term on Twitter.

In the House, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) introduced a similar bill earlier this year, called the Reject Latinx Act.

Salazar at the time accused the Biden administration of waging a woke crusade on Latino identity and the Spanish language, with her office labeling the term in a release as a woke invention of the neo-Marxist left.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Nelson Acosta

HAVANA/LISBON (Reuters) - Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel arrived in Portugal for a state visit, his office said on Thursday, and confirmed his attendance at an upcoming summit with the European Union, a day after the EU's parliament called for sanctions against him.

Diaz-Canel is set to visit Lisbon's parliament on Friday, then head to Brussels, where heads of state from the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) will from Monday attend the first EU-CELAC summit in eight years.

Cuba will attend the summit "in a constructive spirit and help to strengthen bi-regional ties on a basis of equality respect," the Cuban presidency said in a tweet.

Cuba said on Monday it wanted stronger ties with Europe but criticized the EU's approach to the summit as manipulative and opaque. Two days later, the European Parliament passed a resolution strongly criticizing Cuba's human rights record.

The resolution called for sanctions against Diaz-Canel and other top officials, and suggested that "autocratic regimes should not participate in such summits."

Cuba condemned this, saying the parliament lacked the authority to judge the Caribbean island, and questioning the bloc's objectives in re-launching the regional ties.

In July 2021, thousands of Cubans took to the streets in anti-government protests, the largest since Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution. The Communist government then imprisoned hundreds of activists, drawing condemnation from both the EU and the United States.

The Cuban government says the United States helped incite the unrest and accuses those jailed of committing crimes ranging from vandalism to assault and sedition.

Leaders at the Brussels summit are expected to discuss issues such as climate change, development funding and Haiti's security crisis.

(Reporting by Nelson Acosta in Havana and Andrey Khalip in Lisbon; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Frances Kerry)
Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price, right, and his attorney David Willingham appear in court on Thursday where a judge granted his request for his arraignment on grand theft, perjury and conflict of interest charges to be continued until Aug. 28. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price made his first appearance in court Thursday morning on charges that he bilked the city out of thousands of dollars in health insurance payments and voted on contracts in which he had a financial interest.

Price, 72, sought to have his arraignment on grand theft by embezzlement, perjury and conflict of interest charges continued until Aug. 28, a request that was granted by L.A. County Superior Court Judge Kimberley Baker Guillemet.

The veteran politician did not enter a plea and did not speak to reporters assembled inside the downtown L.A. courtroom.

L.A. County Dist. Atty. George Gascon filed the charges against Price last month. The embezzlement allegations stem from charges that he received nearly $34,000 in medical benefits that he was not entitled to because he listed his current wife, Del Richardson Price, as his spouse on city forms from 2013 to 2017, according to the criminal complaint. Prosecutors allege Price was still legally married to another woman at the time. Price and Richardson Price did not legally marry until 2018, court records show.

Richardson Price, who accompanied her husband to Thursday's hearing, declined to speak to reporters before the brief court appearance.

In a written statement, Curren Price said he was grateful for the continuance.

"As we said when the charges were brought, we believe that the charges filed by the D.A.s office are completely unwarranted and that the facts will bear this out," Price said. "I have always conducted myself, in and out of the public eye, with integrity and professionalism.

Read more: L.A. City Councilmember Curren Price charged with embezzlement and perjury

The council member remains free without bail, though L.A. County Deputy Dist. Atty. Casey Higgins asked Guillemet to set a few conditions on his release Thursday.

Price will have to be formally booked at a police station and then released, and he must publicly announce any conflicts of interest and recuse himself from all future council votes connected to his wife or her former firm, Del Richardson & Associates, according to Higgins. Guillemet granted the conditions.

If convicted of all charges, Price could face eight to 10 years in state prison, depending on whether prosecutors seek consecutive or concurrent sentences, Higgins said after the hearing.

Price hasn't provided a detailed rebuttal to the charges. When asked about his marriages in 2017, he said he thought his divorce from his previous wife had been finalized and that he was legally married to Richardson Price.

The conflict of interest counts stem from allegations that Del Richardson & Associates received more than $150,000 between 2019 and 2021 from companies incorporated or co-owned by real estate developers with projects before Price.

In the criminal complaint, prosecutors alleged that Price cast votes in support of two affordable housing projects  one in South L.A., the other on the Westside  during the period when his wife's consulting firm was working for developers of those same projects. Neither project was in Price's district.

The perjury charges center on allegations that Price failed to list income Richardson Price received from those developers on his financial disclosure forms.

At the time Price voted for the two projects, he was already under scrutiny. The Times reported in April 2019 that Price had voted on matters involving at least 10 companies that were listed on his disclosure forms as having provided income to his wife's firm.

Months later, the state's Fair Political Practices Commission opened an investigation into Price, after receiving a complaint that accused him of voting on projects that generated income for his wife, in violation of conflict of interest law. The complaint was filed by Susan Hunter, who at the time was a community organizer with the Coalition to Preserve L.A., a group backed by the Hollywood-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which opposes development projects.

Read more: Curren Price faced serious questions about money and his wives long before D.A. filed charges

Hunter also accused Price of putting false information about his wife's income on his financial disclosure statements, according to FPPC paperwork obtained by The Times.

In June 2019, the FPPC sent Price and his wife a letter informing them that it was investigating Hunter's complaint. The agency said it would be forwarding a similar notification letter to Hunter. In an interview this week, Hunter said the D.A.'s office never contacted her.

Jay Wierenga, a spokesperson for the FPPC, said he cannot confirm any connection between the letter and the criminal charges, or if his agency was working with prosecutors. On Thursday, Higgins said the FPPC was aware of the allegations in the case and had provided discovery. He declined to comment further on any connection between any complaint made to the FPPC and the D.A.s case.

Price stopped attending council meetings after the charges were filed. He stepped down as president pro tempore, the council's No. 2 leadership position, and from all of his committee assignments.

He has continued to represent his South L.A. district, and recently met with residents affected by the LAPD's botched detonation of an illegal fireworks cache in a residential neighborhood in 2021. Meanwhile, council members have delayed a vote on whether to suspend him, deferring that decision until Aug. 25 at the earliest.

Times staff writer Julia Wick contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A CVS pharmacy clerk was freed on $100,000 bond Thursday for the stabbing of a serial Manhattan shoplifter earlier this month in a final, fatal confrontation.

Scotty Enoe, 46, was turned loose a week after his arrest, surrendering his passport and agreeing to wear an ankle monitor pending his next court appearance on charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

This was an act of self-defense, his attorney Adam Freedman said of the incident in which Charles Brito was knifed to death. Obviously, hes very pleased to be out and is looking forward to fighting the case. My client was doing nothing more than working when he was attacked.

A law enforcement source told the Daily News that Enoe walked away after an initial confrontation with Brito, who had entered the store on multiple prior occasions.

When things escalated, Enoe stabbed the alleged thief eight times, prosecutors said.

I didnt stab him over CVS products, the source quoted Enoe as telling police. I stabbed him over punching me. Look at my face.

According to Freedman, his client was stocking the shelves near the freezer when the 50-year-old homeless man started the fight that ended with his death.

Enoe, unlike his victim, had no criminal record. A police source said Brito was involved in two prior incidents at the store on Broadway and W. 49th St. in recent weeks, and cops said the dead man had rung up 16 arrests since 2017.

At the suspects earlier arraignment, Assistant District Attorney Julie Nobel accused Enoe of bringing a knife to what was otherwise a fistfight, adding, This is a strong case.

She said that Enoe provided a statement admitting his guilt in the case. Under the terms of his release, the defendant will be allowed to work  although it remained unclear if he would return to the CVS outlet.
Dalbeattie farmer died after attack by cow with her calf

An attack by a cow that had recently given birth resulted in the death of a farmer in the south of Scotland, an inquiry has concluded.

Derek Roan, 71, had tried to move the 550kg (1,200lbs) Galloway beef cow with her calf back to the main herd.

He died of severe chest trauma after the accident at Barnbarroch Farm near Dalbeattie in June last year.

Sheriff Joanna McDonald concluded there were no reasonable precautions that could have avoided Mr Roan's death.

There were also no defects found in working systems.

An inquiry was held at Dumfries Sheriff Court into the accident on the family-owned farm on 19 June 2022.

The family had featured on BBC Two's This Farming Life. They run two dairy farms and a milk delivery business.

Mr Roan was described as an "experienced stockman" and the risks associated with cattle-handing "would have been well known to him".

He had lived and worked at Barnbarroch his entire life and ran it in partnership with his wife and two sons.

On the day of the accident he had planned to move the cow and its calf.

At about 16:00 his son saw his father's quad bike in a field and assumed he was working nearby.

About half an hour later he found Mr Roan lying on his side with injuries to his face and an ambulance was called.

Mr Roan was taken to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary but later died.

The hearing was told that his injuries were so severe, it would not have significantly improved his chance of survival had he been found any sooner.

His son told the inquiry that he believed the cow had felt threatened and attacked his father.

Sheriff McDonald said Mr Roan had been a "respected member of the farming community both locally and nationally".

In delivering her determination, she extended her condolences to his family.
One-third of Americans under heat alerts as blistering weather spreads from Southwest to California

A man wipes his brow as he walks under misters, Thursday, July 13, 2023 in downtown Phoenix. Even desert residents accustomed to scorching summers are feeling the grip of an extreme heat wave smacking the Southwest this week. Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Southern California are getting hit with 100-degree-plus temps and excessive heat warnings. (AP Photo/Matt York)

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (AP)  More than a third of Americans were under extreme heat advisories, watches and warnings Thursday as a blistering heat wave that's been baking the nation spread further into California, forcing residents to seek out air conditioning or find other ways to stay cool in triple-digit temperatures.

The sweltering conditions were expected to build Friday and through the weekend in Central and Southern California, where many residents should prepare for the hottest weather of the year, the National Weather Service warned. Highs in inland desert areas could top 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.8 degrees Celsius) during the day, and remain in the 80s (above 26.6 C) overnight, offering little relief.

In the desert city of Palm Springs, many homeless people were left to contend with the heat on their own, with just 20 indoor beds at the lone overnight shelter.

John Summers, a homeless resident, climbed through a dry riverbed Thursday to seek shade at an encampment.

I basically just use water as much as I can. And hit shade. And, you know, the mall, wherever theyll let you in, he said.

Roman Ruiz, the citys homeless services coordinator, said homeless residents struggle daily just to find a place with enough shade.

I dont know how anyone can do it really, he said. I feel so bad, and yet theres not much I can do.

The mercury was expected to near 110 degrees (43.3 Celsius) in the city Thursday.

Elsewhere, officials prepared to repurpose public libraries, senior centers and police department lobbies as cooling centers, especially in desert areas.

The heat wave came as the California State Fair prepared to kick off Friday in Sacramento, forcing organizers to cancel planned horseracing events due to concerns for animal safety.

Forecasters said the long-duration heat wave is extremely dangerous, especially for older people, homeless residents and other vulnerable populations. The heat could persist into next week as a high pressure dome moves west from Texas.

In Las Vegas, regional health officials launched a new database Thursday to report heat-caused and heat-related deaths in the city and surrounding Clark County from April to October.

The Southern Nevada Health District said seven people have died since April 11, and a total of 152 deaths last year were determined to be heat-related. The tally includes deaths due to heat exposure or hyperthermia and cases with those reasons listed as significant factors, district spokesperson Jennifer Sizemore said.

Phoenix hit 110 degrees (43 Celsius) for the 14th consecutive day Thursday, putting it on track for a possible new record next week. The longest measured stretch of 110 degree-plus temperatures for the city is 18 days, recorded in 1974.

The overnight low temperature at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Thursday morning was 95 degrees (35 C), which means temperatures may not be dropping far enough to allow people to recover after dark.

While there are some 200 cooling and hydration centers operated at libraries, community centers, churches and other public spaces across metro Phoenix, most close anywhere between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., leaving people with few options for cooling off in the still-sweltering nights.

David Hondula, chief heat officer for the City of Phoenix, said some centers plan to close later over the weekend, including one downtown near a large encampment of homeless people that will stay open 24 hours.

Hondula suggested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency could play a role in the future to help keep cooling centers open longer.

Wed certainly be interested to have that conversation," he said.

Meanwhile in California, cooling centers in and around Sacramento planned to offer some extended evening hours. In the small Central Valley city of Galt, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of the state capital, the police department planned to open its air-conditioned lobby between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. from Friday until Monday.

We want to make sure that anybody who does not have the ability to find appropriate shelter, that they can have a place to go to keep themselves in a safe and cool environment, Lt. John Rocha said.

The same lobby served as a warming center during Californias unusually wet, cold and snowy winter, demonstrating the weather whiplash the state has experienced this year.

Employers were reminded to adhere to regulations that require outdoor workers are given water, shade and regular breaks to cool off. The state will be performing spot checks at work sites to make sure the rules are being followed, said Jeff Killip with California's Division of Occupational Safety & Health.

Meanwhile the wildfire season is ramping up amid the hot, dry conditions with a series of blazes erupting across the state this week, Wade Crowfoot, secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, said at a media briefing this week.

Global climate change is supercharging heat waves, Crowfoot added. California has instituted a $400 million extreme heat action plan to protect workers, help vulnerable communities and assist local communities in opening cooling centers.

People looking to cool down in California's many rivers should be wary, UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said, noting that waterways swollen from the epic Sierra Nevada snowpack remain dangerous as there is still snow left to melt.

Be aware that the water will still be icy cold despite how hot the air will be and could be flowing very fast, much faster than usual for mid-July, he said.

___

Har reported from San Francisco. Associated Press writers Anita Snow in Phoenix, Ken Miller in Oklahoma City, Ken Ritter in Las Vegas, John Antczak in Los Angeles and Julie Watson in San Diego contributed.
'Data terrorists' are stealing a shocking amount of kids' data from schools to sell on dark web: Expert

'Data terrorists' are stealing a shocking amount of kids' data from schools to sell on dark web: Expert

Data terrorists are stealing children's confidential files from schools with relative ease and dumping their info on the dark web unless the school districts pay a ransom, according to experts.

Most of the time, the victims will not even know it happened, said Ross Brewer, CRO of SimSpace, with 30 years of experience in cybersecurity.

"This is highly personal information we're talking about," Brewer told Fox News Digital. "Schools are an attractive target for criminals because they know schools store large amounts of personally identifiable information on their students and often their parents."

"This could be a student's psychological issues, even suicide attempts, health information, truancies, parent interactions that are scooped up in these hacks."

HOW HACKERS ARE NOW TARGETING YOUR VOICE AND HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

This disturbing crime trend first gained traction during the pandemic, then temporarily dipped in 2020 and 2021 before it became a lucrative and widespread crime over the last year and a half.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"In 2022, 65 individual ransomware attacks affected 1,436 schools and colleges, potentially impacting 1,074,926 students," according to a July 2023 study by Comparitech, which has uncovered large-scale cybersecurity breaches around the world.

There have already been 37 confirmed attacks on schools this year, compared to 26 at this point last year, Comparitech reported.

US MARSHALS SERVICE ATTACKED BY RANSOMWARE TARGETING SENSITIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION

Between June 2022 and May 2023, there were 190 known ransomware attacks against educational institutions, which included an 84% spike over the last six months, according to a study by Malwarebytes, which included colleges and universities.

"The education sector is particularly vulnerable to cybercriminals, because schools are more worried about teaching their students than about cybersecurity," Brewer said. "Schools are often not well-resourced, with low IT budgets meaning they cannot afford the latest cyber defenses."

While the numbers appear jarring, it is likely just the tip of the iceberg, according to Brewer, who said about 85% of ransomware attacks are not reported.

Even victims of highly publicized cases likely do not know their information was stolen.

In March, a cybergang hacked the Minneapolis School District and demanded a $1 million ransom.

The district did not engage with the ransom demands, and more than 300,00 intimate student files were uploaded to the dark web, including complete sexual assault case folios, medical records, discrimination complaints, Social Security numbers and contact information of district employees.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SEIZES HIVE RANSOMWARE GANG WEBSITE

The Associated Press followed up with a shocking report last week that included interviews with six students whose sexual assault case files were exposed.

"The message from a reporter was the first time anyone had alerted them," the article said.

"Truth is, they didnt notify us about anything," said a mother whose sons case file has 80 documents.

The criminals in this case were especially aggressive and shared links to the stolen data on Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and the dark web, which standard browsers cannot access, the AP reported.

A handwritten note naming three students involved in one of the sexual abuse complaints was featured for a time on YouTube competitor Vimeo, which promptly took down the video.

"Please do something," begged a student in one leaked file, recalling the trauma of continually bumping into an ex-abuser at a school in Minneapolis. Other victims talked about wetting the bed or crying themselves to sleep, according to the AP report.

CRIMEWARE SERVICES FOR CROOKS ARE FUELING THE SURGE OF CYBERCRIME

"Hackers have no qualms about targeting learning institutions and stealing privacy data from innocent children," Brewer said.

"They are purely motivated by greed, and they know that schools will often pay a ransom to avoid sensitive or even embarrassing information being released on the dark web or worse the public facing internet."

Other big districts were recently stung by data theft, including San Diego, Des Moines, Iowa, and Tucson, Arizona, according to the AP.

Photo graphic of a computer with a blue atlas on the screen and a lock.

Despite the tragic outcome, he agreed with the Minneapolis School District's decision not to pay the ransom.

"It goes back to Margaret Thatcher, who said, 'We don't negotiate with terrorists,' and these are data terrorists," Brewer said. "By negotiating or by paying the ransom, you're not only fueling the cyber crime, but inadvertently funding other crimes that impact children, including trafficking, drugs and everything that's related to crime while growing their cyber crime network."

Brewer then asked what is to stop them from dumping the files even if the school district pays.

HOW TO AVOID VACATION RENTAL SCAMS

"There's the expression, No honor among thieves,' right? The same criminals that broke in and stolen children's data are saying, 'Don't worry, we'll delete your information if you pay and everything's gonna be fine.' You have to be either really optimistic or naive to believe them."

Two states - North Carolina and Florida - banned state agencies and local governments from even interacting with cybercriminals demanding ransoms.

"North Carolina and nations like Australia are right to instruct schools and other critical national infrastructure organizations not to pay ransoms, as every ransom paid inspires more criminals to join the hacking community," Brewer said.

"Even if an organization pays the ransom, the hackers still have a digital copy of childrens data and can still sell it on the dark web."

There are many ways to keep your data safe from malware that include two-factor authentication and keeping software up to date.

Cybercrime, in general, is a very lucrative criminal enterprise, according to Brewer, who said his company SimSpace expects cyber crime to reach $10.5 trillion by next year, which is up $3 trillion from a decade ago, which makes it a worldwide issue.

However, the U.S. has felt the brunt of the attacks, according to Malwarebytes' study, which says America had 107 reported attacks between June 2022 and May 2023.

The next closest was the U.K. with 28, according to the study.

Brewer said countries, particularly the U.S., need "urgent" legislation that hits cybercriminals targeting schools with a "sledgehammer."

"These cybergangs and criminals targeting children need to know that they're being hunted down and being sanctioned, so they go for other targets," Brewer said.

"Lawmakers need to make (the punishment) so heinous that the criminals go, Whoa. It's just too hot. We got to keep away from schools and go after companies or banks or things like that."

The March attack in Minneapolis is still having a crippling effect as officials and law enforcement continue to work the case.

External specialists and law enforcement are still reviewing the leaked data, the district told Fox News Digital in an email.

"This has been an arduous manual process that should be concluded soon. Accuracy is key," the district said.

Parents who spoke to The Associated Press expressed rage and frustration with the school district for not telling them that their children were victimized four months after the attack.

"MPS has every intention of notifying individuals whose information may have been made accessible in this breach," the district said in the statement.

"As a precautionary measure, potentially impacted individuals will be offered free credit monitoring services, including information on how they can place a fraud alert on their credit file, place a security freeze on their credit file and obtain a free credit report," the statement went on.

Officials said they have made more resources available on the district site.
Theres a small controversy brewing in the percolator of the internet over, of all things, travel.

Agnes Callard, a philosophy professor from the University of Chicago, published an essay in The New Yorker titled The Case Against Travel back in June, and it has been rebutted by several other writers. In fact, I didnt see her original article until those rebuttals started showing up in my news aggregator  The New Yorker is not a publication which I normally read.

Im not going to rebut Callard or her opponents. Honestly, I simply dont have a dog in this fight.

David Murdock

There are people who love to travel and find much personal reward in it  I am not one of those people. At best, I am a reluctant traveler. In fact, I wouldnt likely have noticed the whole kerfuffle had I not been reading Alain de Bottons 2002 book, The Art of Travel.

To tell yall the truth, I cant even say why I ordered that book. The likeliest explanation is that it was mentioned favorably in a book I was reading, I found an inexpensive copy, and voila.

What I do know is that Im truly enjoying de Bottons book. Its arranged in chapters that need not be read sequentially, and Im not. The first morning after it arrived, I picked it up to peruse the table of contents, saw a chapter titled On Habit, and  well, I just had to read that one. After enjoying it, I noticed an earlier chapter titled On the Sublime  another must read. Then, On Curiosity  same story.

So, Ive been reading a chapter or two of this book every morning since. This morning, I read On the Country and the City, which was wonderful. It chronicles de Bottons three-day trip to the Lake District in the United Kingdom.

All the chapters begin by listing a place and a guide. The place for this chapter is obvious, but the guide is the poet William Wordsworth, likely the most famous resident of the Lake District, who died in 1850. Although he lived in London for years, he always yearned for his home there.

Then it sort of popped into my head that I travel like Im reading this book  without any sort of plan whatsoever. There are people who plan out vacations to the last detail; I am not one of them. Just get in the car and go is my motto. That so irritates some people that I usually find it easier simply to travel alone.

My favorite trips have been like that  I had a general idea of where I was headed, but no particular timetable. Usually, I dont even bother with reservations, unless Im going somewhere that will likely require one. By the way, one of my favorite travel stories of all time involves trying to find a hotel in a city in which Id never been as night was falling.

When I get wherever there is, I like to look around  thats why tour group packages are out of the question for me. Again, some of my favorite travel stories involve times where I was simply looking around wherever I found myself.

One of my favorite trips was back in 2020 that started when I flipped a coin at the end of my driveway to see which way I was going to go  and went  and had the best time. One can do a lot with a full tank of gas and a yen for wandering.

Most of the time, though, Im quite content to stay home. Attalla itself is so fascinating to me that Im not quite done with looking at it. That mountain visible from my front porch in Reece City fascinates me so that I dont think Ill ever quite end my viewing of it. It changes so from season to season. Theres just so much to see here, if one looks around.

I wouldnt have even left the house at all yesterday had it not been for the fact that I was out of notebook paper, a fact I didnt realize until I was writing. I had one sheet left. What if I had more than one notebook-paper-sheet of things to say? I never know what I have to say until Ive said it.

So, off to Walmart for paper (it was that early), and then  hey, Cracker Barrel is going to open in a few minutes. Havent been there in a while. I made it home, but I wandered around a bit before I did. One of these days, Im going to get a map of Etowah County and drive on all the roads in the county. But I know very well that it will take more than a day.

Im simply not a natural at traveling like Dad was. Mom used to say, That man wont let his shirttail touch his back. Thats simply not me  Im fine with settling in with a book. However, Im starting to feel that old familiar need to wander. Its been coming on a while. Its not reading about traveling that makes me want to travel; Im reading about traveling because I want to travel. Ill let yall know.

David Murdock is an English instructor at Gadsden State Community College. He can be contacted at murdockcolumn@yahoo.com. The opinions reflected are his own.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: David Murdock looks at traveling
Mike2focus/Dreamstime

Florida resident David Sosa was arrested twice because Martin County sheriff's deputies twice mistook him for a wanted man who had the same name but otherwise bore little resemblance to him. That unlucky experience, according to a January 20 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, did not violate Sosa's constitutional rights. Sosa is asking the Supreme Court to overturn that decision, and he is not alone: He is joined by four other David Sosas who signed onto an Institute for Justice (I.J.) brief that underlines their common peril.

"As David Sosas," the I.J. brief explains, "they're interested in this case because the ruling below puts them at risk of a lawless three-day detention whenever they're in Florida, Georgia, or Alabama"the three states that comprise the 11th Circuit. "If something like this could happen to one of the David Sosas in Florida," says David Sosa, a 51-year-old resident of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, "it could happen to a David Sosa anywhere, which is why I'm supporting this important case."

During a routine traffic stop in Martin County, Florida, nine years ago, David Sosathe one who brought the lawsuit that the 11th Circuit rejectedwas arrested based on a 22-year-old Harris County, Texas, warrant for a man with the same name who was accused of selling crack cocaine. "Although Sosa protested during the traffic stop that the wanted man's date of birth, height, weight, social security number, and tattoo information did not match his own identifiers," the appeals court noted, "deputies arrested, detained, and fingerprinted Sosa." They detained the demonstrably innocent man for three hours before releasing him.

Four years later, in April 2018, the same law enforcement agency, the Martin County Sheriff's Department, made the same mistake again. "Another deputy sheriff checked Sosa's driver's license during a traffic stop and found the same Texas warrant," the 11th Circuit explained. "Again, Sosa objected that the identifiers listed on the warrant did not describe him. Sosa also told the deputies about the misidentification in 2014." Deputies arrested Sosa anyway and "brought him to the Martin County jail, where, despite Sosa's continued insistence to deputies and jailers that he was not the wanted man, his detention lasted three days over a weekend." He was finally released after a fingerprint comparison confirmed what all the other information about the suspect indicated: He was a different David Sosa.

Despite this comedy-cum-tragedy of easily detected and corrected errors, a three-judge 11th Circuit panel concluded in 2021 that even Sosa's second arrest (the more egregious of the two incidents) was reasonable under the Fourth Amendment. "When a valid warrant underlies an arrest, but law-enforcement officers mistakenly arrest the wrong person because of a misidentification, a 'reasonable mistake' standard governs the constitutionality of the arrest," it said. Applying that standard to the deputy who arrested Sosa the second time around, the judges concluded that the differences Sosa noted between himself and the suspected drug dealer "were not material, viewed in the totality of the circumstances."

The panel nevertheless thought Sosa had stated a valid 14th Amendment claim: that the sheriff's deputies violated his "substantive due-process right to be free from continued detention after it should have been known that [he] was entitled to release." The en banc 11th Circuit opinion issued in January rejected that conclusion, saying it was foreclosed by Baker v. McCollan, a 1979 case in which the Supreme Court held that "a detention due to mistaken identity 'gives rise to no claim under the United States Constitution' when it lasts only 'three days' and is 'pursuant to a warrant conformingto the requirements of the Fourth Amendment.'"

Where does that leave David Sosa? He was wrongly arrested twice and has no assurance that the same thing won't happen again. After the first arrest, the 11th Circuit panel noted in its 2021 decision, "no one created a file or otherwise documented that Sosa was not the wanted Sosa. Nor did the Sheriff's Department have any system to prevent Sosa's future mistaken arrest on the wanted Sosa's warrant."

Worse, Sosa's experience suggests that all the other innocent Americans named David Sosa have cause to worry that they could be victims of the same confusion. The David Sosa wanted in Texas, I.J. notes, is "not the David Sosa who chairs the philosophy department at the University of Texas. Nor is it the New York-based songwriter David Sosa. It's also not the David Sosa who's a cardiologist in Albuquerque, the one who works at the USDA, the law student at University of Miami, or the David Sosa who owns a construction company in Winston-Salem." All told, I.J. identified "at least 924" David Sosas in the United States, and "only one of them is suspected of selling crack cocaine in Harris County, Texas, back in the 1990s."

According to the 11th Circuit, none of those other David Sosas would have a constitutional claim if he were arrested and detained based on nothing more than his name. I.J. argues that the appeals court "ignored the Petitioner's Fourth Amendment rights based on a misstatement of law in one of this Court's decisions that has been abrogated but never expressly overruled." In Baker, it says, the Supreme Court "concluded erroneously that the Fourth Amendment has nothing to say about an ongoing seizure so long as police relied initially on a facially valid arrest warrant." That conclusion, the brief says, "is contrary to this Court's current jurisprudence and is no longer good law."

The constitutional provision that the 11th Circuit did address, the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause, "should have also protected Sosa's right to be free from arbitrary detainment, but the court below flouted centuries of precedent establishing that fundamental right," I.J. adds. "It should have been obvious to both the arresting officers and the court below that police cannot jail an innocent person for three days before they verify his identity."

The problem highlighted by this case is not limited to David Sosas, of course. In 2020, for example, New Orleans Harbor Police arrested Sara Saucier as she disembarked from a honeymoon cruise to Cozumel. They claimed she was wanted in East Baton Rouge Parish for failing to return a leased vehicle in 2017.

"At first," Saucier told the CBS affiliate in Baton Rouge, "I thought they would realize they made the mistake and they'd let me go as soon as they did realize it, so I was hopeful at first." Instead, "she spent the day and night in Orleans Parish Prison" and was transported the next day to East Baton Rouge Parish Jail, where the sheriff's office says it finally realized it had the wrong Sara Saucier. The wanted woman was notably shorter and had a different birth date.

Jennifer Heath Box, a Texas tourist who was arrested in December after a cruise out of Port Everglades, Florida, was even less lucky. The ABC affiliate in Miami reports that she "spent three nights inside the Broward County Jail, including Christmas Day," because Deputy Peter Peraza confused her with a Jennifer Heath who was facing felony child endangerment charges in Houston. The suspect would have been 26, and the charges involved a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old. "I'm 49 years oldhuge age difference," Heath Box told the TV station. "I don't have children under the age of 5."

When a deputy at the jail ran her driver's license, Heath Box said, her record was clean, but that did not deter Peraza, who was sure he had the right woman. "The whole time I was like, 'this is not happening,'" she said. "The strip search, the humiliation, the shackles, the prison uniform, being issued blankets."

I.J. is urging the Supreme Court to reject the notion that reckless errors like these do not implicate constitutional rights. "The Constitution demands more from officers who conduct warrant checks than the Respondents did in this case," it says. "It should have been immediately obvious that they had the wrong David Sosa before they arrested him. There's no excuse for taking three days to figure it out."

The post David Sosa Says Mistakenly Arresting Him Twice Based on His Name Violated His Rights. Other David Sosas Agree. appeared first on Reason.com.
After days of anticipation, many folks won't get to see the northern lights. Here's why.

The northern lights were supposed to reach the US this week. What happened? Gunar Streu/McPhoto/ullstein bild via Getty Images

This week's forecast for seeing the northern lights across the US was hopeful, but it's now unlikely.

Original forecasts predicted the lights reaching across 17 US states as far south as Maryland.

It's difficult to predict the phenomenon, even in the hours just before the lights appear.

Disappointed? You're not alone.

Predictions for a stunning display of the northern lights across the continental US this week were promising, but forecasters say it's unlikely now.

"This one got blown out of proportion a bit," Bill Murtagh, the program coordinator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center, told USA TODAY.

Earlier this week, news outlets reported that a solar storm would reach Earth, enhancing viewings of the northern lights  also known as aurora borealis  across the US.

Experts predicted the aurora borealis would be most visible on Thursday and could be seen in Midwestern and Western states, reaching as low as Annapolis, Maryland, according to USA TODAY.

The northern lights are a beautiful display created by high-energy particles from the sun. Shutterstock/CoolKengzz

But now, those forecasts are much bleaker. Few  if any  US states will be able to see the northern lights. Part of the problem is how unpredictable space weather is.

"There are so many uncertainties, it makes it difficult to predict," Murtagh told USA Today. And as hard as it is to forecast weather here on Earth, "we are decades behind the forecast capabilities of our colleagues in meteorology," he said, referring to space weather.

That's because the aurora starts with the sun, which is notoriously tempermental and difficult to predict.

A prominence emerges near the solar north pole, then appears to break away and swirl in a vortex. NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory

The sun is constantly emitting a stream of electrically and magnetically charged particles, called the solar wind. This wind washes over Earth, where our planet's magnetic fields funnel it to the poles. There, the solar particles interact with molecules in our atmosphere to create the dancing lights of the aurora.

Usually the northern lights are only visible north of the continental US, in snowy Arctic regions. But when plasma erupts from the surface of the sun, or a "hole" opens in the sun's outer atmosphere, it can accelerate the solar wind and add a flood of fresh particles to the regular stream. When these "solar storms" inundate Earth, they can drive especially vibrant, dancy aurora and push the phenomenon farther south.

The sun has been especially active lately, as it builds toward the peak of its 11-year cycle. That brought the aurora as far south as Arizona in March, making it visible in far more states than forecasters had predicted.

Scientists rely on observations of space and solar activity in order to forecast the northern lights, but things can change quickly. Even in the days and hours leading to a possible appearance of the northern lights, it's still difficult to predict them.

Now, based on the sun's rotation and other factors, NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center isn't forecasting any significant auroral activity for the continental US states this week.

Read the original article on Business Insider
SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, left, and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland speak during a press conference announcing a strike by The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists on Thursday, July, 13, 2023, in Los Angeles. This marks the first time since 1960 that actors and writers will picket film and television productions at the same time. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Leaders of Hollywood's actors' union voted Thursday to join screenwriters in the first joint strike in more than six decades, shutting down production across the entertainment industry after talks for a new contract with studios and streaming services broke down.

Its the first time two major Hollywood unions have been on strike at the same time since 1960, when Ronald Reagan was the actors guild president.

In an impassioned speech as the strike, which begins at midnight, was announced, actors union president and former The Nanny star Fran Drescher chastised industry executives.

Employers make Wall Street and greed their priority and they forget about the essential contributors that make the machine run, Drescher said. It is disgusting. Shame on them. They stand on the wrong side of history.

Hours earlier, a three-year contract had expired and talks broke off between the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers representing employers including Disney, Netflix, Amazon and others.

Outside Netflix's Hollywood offices, picketing screenwriters chanted Pay Your Actors! immediately after the strike was declared. Actors will begin picketing alongside writers outside studio headquarters in New York and Los Angeles on Friday.

It looks like its time to take down the MASKS. And pick up the SIGNS, Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis said in an Instagram post with a photo of the tragic and comic masks that represent acting.

The premiere of Christopher Nolans film Oppenheimer in London was moved up an hour so that the cast could walk the red carpet before the SAG boards announcement. Stars including Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Matt Damon left the event once the strike was announced.

The strike  the first for film and television actors since 1980  casts a shadow over the upcoming 75th Emmy Awards, whose nominations were announced a day earlier. Union rules prevent actors from doing any interviews or promotions around the awards, and they may not appear at the ceremony.

The strike rules also prevent actors from making personal appearances or promoting their work on podcasts or at premieres. And they are barred from do any production work including auditions, readings, rehearsals or voiceovers along with actual shooting.

While international shoots technically can continue, the stoppage among U.S.-based writers and performers is likely to have a drag on those too.

Disney chief Bob Iger warned the strike would have a very damaging effect on the whole industry.

This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption, Iger said on CNBC. Theres a level of expectation that they have that is just not realistic.

A nearly two-week extension of the actors union contract, and negotiations, only heightened the hostility between the two groups. Drescher said the extension made us feel like wed been duped, like maybe it was just to let studios promote their summer movies for another 12 days.

Before the talks began June 7, the 65,000 actors who cast ballots voted overwhelmingly for union leaders to send them into a strike, as the Writers Guild of America did when their deal expired more than two months ago.

When the initial deadline approached in late June, more than 1,000 members of the union, including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Bob Odenkirk, added their names to a letter signaling to leaders their willingness to strike.

While famous names predominate, the strike also includes tens of thousands of little-known actors who scramble for small parts at sometimes meager pay. The union says modest-but-essential income streams including long-term residuals for shows they appear in have dried up.

Stakes in the negotiations included that kind of pay, which actors say has been undercut by inflation and the streaming ecosystem, benefits, the growing tendency to make performers create video auditions at their own expense, and the threat of unregulated use of artificial intelligence.

At a moment when streaming and AI and digital was so prevalent, it has disemboweled the industry that we once knew, Drescher said, drawing applause from her fellow union leaders. When I did The Nanny' everybody was part of the gravy train. Now its a vacuum.

The AMPTP said it presented a generous deal that included the biggest bump in minimum pay in 35 years, higher caps on pension and health contributions, and a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors digital likenesses.

A strike is certainly not the outcome we hoped for as studios cannot operate without the performers that bring our TV shows and films to life, the group said in a statement. The Union has regrettably chosen a path that will lead to financial hardship for countless thousands of people who depend on the industry.

SAG-AFTRA represents more than 160,000 screen actors, broadcast journalists, announcers, hosts and stunt performers. The walkout affects only the unions actors from television and film productions, who voted overwhelmingly to authorize their leaders to call a strike before talks began on June 7. Broadway actors said in a statement that they stand in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA workers.

The 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since their own talks collapsed and their contract expired on May 2. The stoppage has showed no signs of a solution, with no negotiations even planned.

That strike brought the immediate shutdown of late-night talk shows and Saturday Night Live, and several scripted shows, including Stranger Things on Netflix, Hacks on Max, and Family Guy on Fox, which have either had their writers rooms or their production paused. Many more are sure to follow them now that performers have been pulled too.

___

Associated Press journalists Sian Watson in London, Krysta Fauria in Los Angeles, and Jake Coyle and Jocelyn Noveck in New York contributed to this story. For more on the Hollywood strikes, visit https://apnews.com/hub/hollywood-strikes/
Defenders advance south of Bakhmut, consolidate new positions in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Ukrainian defenders have advanced south of Bakhmut, prevented the Russian invaders from regaining their lost positions north of Bakhmut, and continue to advance on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts.

Source: Hanna Maliar, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine

Quote: "EAST. Today, like yesterday, the situation in the east is hot.

The enemy continued to attack on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Avdiivka and Marinka fronts. Our defenders did their best to hold back the enemy, and they succeeded. Heavy fighting is currently underway.

On the southern flank of the Bakhmut front, like yesterday, there is an advance with fighting and strong enemy resistance.

On the northern flank, the enemy attacked, trying to regain lost positions. But to no avail.

SOUTH. The offensive continues on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts.

In the areas of Novodanylivka, Balka Shyroka, Mala Tokmachka and Novopokrovka, our troops have succeeded and are now consolidating the lines they have reached."

Details: Maliar has added that the Russians are now moving units and using all available reserves.

Due to the fact that Ukrainian soldiers are destroying Russian equipment storage points on a daily basis, the number of Russian attacks has slightly decreased, as Maliar commented on the situation in the south.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Washington  The House adopted a controversial amendment to the annual National Defense Authorization Act that would ban the Pentagon from covering travel expenses for service members seeking abortions, potentially dooming the bill's passage.

House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark told CBS News earlier Thursday that Democrats would "oppose the bill" if it contains the amendment on the abortion policy. Republicans can only afford to lose four votes without Democratic help.

In the Senate, GOP Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville has been blocking military nominations and promotions over the military abortion policy, which covers certain abortion-related travel expenses for service members based in states with restrictive reproductive healthcare laws. Tuberville is exercising the hold until the Pentagon or new legislation changes the policy.

Clark said Democrats would also "fight" on the floor against other "culture war" amendments to the defense bill. They include cutting diversity, equity and inclusion offices and prohibiting the use of federal funding for diversity, equity and inclusion training.

There are also Republicans who want to add language prohibiting the sale or transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine and cutting Ukraine funding by $300 million. The vote on the Ukraine funding amendment easily failed.

The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, Washington Rep. Adam Smith, told CBS News on Tuesday that Republican leadership would likely need Democratic votes to pass the defense bill, because he expected a "chunk" of Republicans to oppose it over funding for Ukraine.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has accused Republicans of jeopardizing its passage.

"It's outrageous that this is what Republicans are doing," Jeffries said. "With the defense bill, it should be about our national security."

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he is hopeful the defense bill will pass by Friday with bipartisan support. McCarthy said he supported the abortion amendment introduced by Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson, even as some moderate members of his party have voiced concern.

Republican Rep. Nick LaLota, a member of the Armed Services Committee, said the amendments should be separate from the defense bill.

"Congress must pass the NDAA," LaLota tweeted Thursday. "The amendments which would cause the NDAA to fail put our military's lethality at risk and should be debated outside of the NDAA. We cannot play games with our soldiers' lives, pay, or military readiness."

Only two Republicans voted against including Jackson's abortion amendment in the final bill.

Scott MacFarlane and Nikole Killion contributed reporting.

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[Source]

Police in New Castle County, Delaware, are warning against South American theft groups (SATG) that allegedly target Asian American homes in a trend that has now been reported in multiple states.

What SATGS are: SATGs, also known as South American crime tourists, are highly organized criminal enterprises that travel from state to state to commit burglaries, police said in a news release. They are known to steal cash, jewelry, watches, gold bars and designer merchandise from the homes of their victims, who are reported to be Asian Americans.

How SATGs operate: The groups allegedly utilize radios, disguises, lookouts and surveillance to swiftly execute their plans. Afterward, they ship the stolen items back to their home countries or sell them before they leave the U.S., according to police.

One Wilmington home has purportedly been targeted twice. Joshua Huang said his family was at their restaurant, Hong Hing, when burglars broke into their property to steal items worth thousands of dollars.

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Its pretty frustrating to get robbed again, Huang told Fox Philadelphia of Saturdays break-in. It makes me wish that this time we could actually catch them, so that we could get our money back.

What police are doing: New Castle police said they have responded to multiple burglaries of similar nature so far this year. In partnership with agencies from multiple states, they have also made arrests, apprehending nationals from countries such as Chile and Colombia.

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Four burglary suspects are currently being sought. They are identified as Miguel A Gutierrez-Diaz, Juan Camillo Cuervo-Martinez, Benjamin Andres Ovalle-Taibo and Jonathan Andres Vejar-Caro.

How to stay safe: Homeowners are urged to take several precautions to protect themselves and their properties from criminals.

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A comprehensive home security system that includes burglar alarms, motion sensors and security cameras is encouraged. Security bars, door locks, window locks, glass reinforcements and light timers are also advised.

Subject to discussion with their homeowners association, automated license plate readers may also be installed at the entrances and exits of neighborhoods.

Expensive items may also be listed with their serial numbers.

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It just makes it easier to track stolen property if we have specific information we're looking for, Cpl. Michael McNasby said, as per CBS News.
A Delaware police department last week warned of "South American Theft Groups" burglarizing homes throughout the country after making several arrests.

"Crime tourists travel from state-to-state committing burglaries and thefts. These groups are often unrelated to each other but use similar methods of targeting expensive homes and homes owned by Asian Americans," the New Castle County Police Department said in a Facebook post. "Thieves typically ship the items they steal back to their home countries or attempt to sell the items prior to leaving."

OAKLAND POLICE ARREST 9 TEENAGERS, AGES 12 TO 17, FOR DOZENS OF ROBBERIES

The New Castle County Police released home security footage of a suspected crime tourist targeting a home during a burglary. Authorities have warned of South American crime tourists targeting homes.

New Castle police have made several arrests of Colombian and Chilean citizens. Others are wanted on outstanding warrants.

Authorities said the groups often use "advanced techniques," including radios, disguises, lookouts, and surveillance, and that the groups work fast to execute their crimes.

"They're also crafty with bringing tools, whether it be a window punch to knock out a slider or a ladder to access a second-story window," New Castle County Police Cpl. Michael McNasby told FOX Philadelphia.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Joshua Huang told the news outlet that he was with his parents and younger brother at their family restaurant, Hong Hing, on Saturday when their Wilmington home was targeted for the second time.

The New Castle County Police released images of suspects from South America that were arrested and who are wanted for allegedly targeting homes in the Delaware area.

The home was first robbed in November 2022.

"Its pretty frustrating to get robbed again," Huang said. "It makes me wish that this time we could actually catch them, so that we could get our money back."
Delta Air Lines still sees very strong travel demand, raising its full-year forecast after a strong second quarter (MARIO TAMA)

Delta reported record results in the second quarter on Thursday, raising its full-year forecast on continually robust travel demand as more international markets reopen.

The big carrier, the first US airline to report results, described an extension of the banner industry conditions that have followed the devastating Covid-19 downturn.

"We see strong demand both domestically and internationally as far as we can see," said Delta President Glen Hauenstein.

Executives have for more than a year pointed to pent-up demand for flying after the pandemic shutdowns.

Delta profits more than doubled to $1.8 billion, while revenues jumped 13 percent to $15.6 billion.

Both revenues and operating profits were at quarterly record, the company said in its earnings release.

Delta also raised its full year earnings outlook to a range of $6 to $7 per share, up a dollar.

The conditions have enabled Delta to reinstate its quarterly dividend and accelerate repayment of debt that mounted during the Covid-19 downturn.

The company said its international business continued to tick higher, benefitting from the reopening of Japan and an especially strong flow of traffic between the United States and southern Europe.

A Korean Air joint venture enjoyed a strong performance, while demand to destinations in South America and the Caribbean was also robust.

Executives also highlighted an improved outlook for business travel heading into the fall.

"As we see more and more offices trying to reopen or reopening... that's a great constructive backdrop as we head into the fall and post-Labor Day period," Hauenstein said.

Shares of Delta rose 1.2 percent to $48.51 in midday trading.

jmb/st
FILE - A Delta Airlines plane leaves the gate on July 12, 2021, at Logan International Airport in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Delta Air Lines soared to a record quarterly profit of more than $1.8 billion as summer vacationers packed planes, especially to international destinations, and the airline enjoyed a tailwind from falling fuel prices.

The results released Thursday beat Wall Street expectations, and Delta raised its forecast of full-year earnings.

Delta officials said strong demand for tickets has continued at the beginning of the July-through-September quarter, when it expects revenue similar to the record second quarter, and even into the December holidays.

I think its going to be more of the same, CEO Ed Bastian said in an interview. International bookings, which traditionally start to trail off into the fall, are still going to be at a higher level than normal.

Revenue on flights between the U.S. and Europe, Delta's most important overseas market, soared 65%. The airline will run its European summer schedule longer than normal to take advantage of American tourists who are overrunning the place after staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Savanthi Syth, an airline analyst for Raymond James, said Deltas comments are positive for rivals American and United, which also get a large chunk of revenue from international flights. Last year, when travel to many countries was still restricted, domestic-looking airlines such as Southwest benefitted.

A key part of Deltas strategy involves pursuing high-income travelers, whom it says account for three-fourths of all spending on air travel. Drawing on government and private research, Delta says high-income households have accumulated $27 trillion in wealth since 2019.

They have the means, and when we ask them where they are going to spend, their No. 1 priority is premium travel experience, Bastian said. Thats our bread and butter.

In the second quarter, Deltas revenue from sales of premium seats and services rose 25%  better than the 18% gain in the main cabin.

Airlines need more revenue to remain profitable in part because they are facing sharply higher labor costs. Earlier this year, Delta pilots won a new contract that their union says will boost average pay 34% over four years and cost Delta more than $7 billion.

Across the airline industry, companies have hired aggressively to rebuild work forces that they shrunk after the pandemic hit the United States in early 2020. Industry officials say all that hiring should help airlines run better than they did last summer.

Canceled flights have returned closer to historical norms  2% of all scheduled flights since June 1, according to FlightAware. Deltas cancellation rate of 1.2% is better than average but well above Alaska and Southwest and slightly higher than rival American Airlines  and four times Deltas rate during the same period before the pandemic.

Bastian said the figures mostly reflected disruptions caused by storms along the East Coast last month. He said operations should be smoother the rest of the summer.

Bastian declined to join others  notably, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby and JetBlue Airways President Joanna Geraghty  in blaming the Federal Aviation Administration, which is struggling to fix a shortage of air traffic controllers. Rather, he said it was critical for airlines not to schedule too many flights  and think about obstacles "including those things you dont control, such as air traffic control.

Deltas profit compared with earnings of $735 million in the second quarter of 2022. The quarter broke Deltas previous record for net income, set in the second quarter of 2016.

The airline said adjusted profit, which excludes some one-time items, was $2.68 per share. Analysts expected $2.40 per share, according to a survey by FactSet.

Delta raised its forecast of full-year earnings per share by $1, to between $6 and $7.

Revenue rose 13% to $15.58 billion. Adjusted revenue, which excludes the companys oil refinery near Philadelphia, was $14.63 billion, enough to beat analysts prediction of $14.44 billion.

The average flight was 88% full in the second quarter, one point better than a year ago. Delta doesnt provide figures for average fares, but passengers paid 2% more per mile.

Labor was Deltas biggest expense, at $3.7 billion, a one-year increase of nearly $740 million, but that was offset by lower fuel prices, which saved Delta a little more than $700 million even though its planes burned 16% more fuel.

Airline stocks, which struggled last year, have rebounded in 2023. Delta shares were little changed in midday trading. They are up 46% so far this year.
US urged to show respect in climate talks

09:25, July 13, 2023 By Hou Liqiang ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Climate cooperation between China and the United States should feature mutual appreciation and acknowledgment, experts said.

Their remarks came ahead of the four-day China visit by John Kerry, US special presidential envoy for climate, which is scheduled to start on Sunday.

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced on Wednesday Kerry's upcoming visit, during which the two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on working together to tackle climate change.

This comes about 11 months after climate talks with the US ground to a halt following the controversial visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi, the then speaker of the US House of Representatives.

Experts said her visit to Taiwan on Aug 2 undermined the political trust required for China-US climate cooperation.

Before his upcoming visit, Kerry held formal consultations with his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua on the sidelines of the COP27 United Nations climate change conference in Egypt in November.

Recalling previous progress in China-US climate cooperation, Zhang Jianyu, executive director of the BRI Green Development Institute, stressed the importance of respect, appreciation and acknowledgment in helping to secure future progress in the two nations' climate cooperation.

Under the administration of former president Barack Obama, for example, China and the US laid the foundations for international support for the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. In 2021, the two nations issued the US-China Joint Glasgow Declaration on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s, he said.

Respect, appreciation and acknowledgment of the efforts made by the other side in tackling climate change were key to this progress, Zhang noted.

The US should fully acknowledge the efforts and progress China has made in tackling climate change, rather than placing new requirements on China, he said, adding that President Xi Jinping's announcement in September 2021 that China will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad was one of the examples demonstrating China's great and concrete climate endeavors.

"Don't just look to the future, but also reflect on the past," Zhang stressed.

Tang Xinhua, associate researcher with the Institute of International Relations at Tsinghua University, said that competition far outweighs cooperation in the climate diplomacy policy toward China of US President Joe Biden's administration, and US strategic competition with China also poses challenges to the two countries' climate cooperation.

"As a premise for advancing China-US climate cooperation, the US should adjust its relevant strategies and policies," he said.

He called on the US to respect other countries' national conditions, take actions based on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, and prevent ideological differences from adversely impacting China-US climate cooperation.

Tang said the two nations could work together to allow the COP28 UN climate change conference, which is due to be held in the United Arab Emirates later this year, to play a bigger role in advancing full and effective implementation of the Paris treaty. They could also strengthen the interconnectivity of the two countries' clean energy markets, and bolster cooperation on net-zero technologies.

"They should reach a consensus on cooperation on clean supply chains and jointly safeguard the stability and completeness of the global clean energy supply chain system," he said.

At a regular news conference on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, "It is hoped that the US will work with China to create the enabling conditions and atmosphere for China-US climate cooperation."

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Democrat asks Jordan to tell GOP lawmaker to shut up during heated FTC hearing

Editors note: A previous version of this story inaccurately described which court cleared the way for Microsofts acquisition of Activision Blizzard.



Tensions boiled over during the House Judiciary Committees contentious Federal Trade Commission (FTC) oversight hearing Thursday morning.

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) called out the hypocrisy and the lack of integrity of some Republican lawmakers who questioned FBI Director Christopher Wrays judgment in a Wednesday hearing and were now interrogating FTC Chair Lina Khan.

He alleged that these GOP lawmakers weaponized the government Jan. 6 to overthrow the government in contradiction of their oath of office.

Is the gentleman accusing us of a lack of integrity? one Republican lawmaker interrupted.

Mr. Chairman, if you would ask whoever it is to shut up? Cohen shot back.

Im sure [Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio)] will rule when he comes back, the lawmaker quipped.

Cohens office did not immediately return a request for comment.

A few minutes later, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) implied Khan, a British-born American with Pakistani parents, was under Republican attack for her work in part because of her ethnicity.

When we treat a witness who looks like you with the politics of personal destruction, and when we only attack witnesses who look like you with allegations of incompetence and a lack of ability to lead their agency, its indicative of the need for this committee to reflect what the American people look like, Johnson said.

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Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), who questioned Khan before Johnsons remark, bristled at the assertion, requesting Johnsons comments be stricken from the record.

I would ask that that portion of his testimony be taken down as inappropriate and argumentative to and making a racial slur against myself and other members of the Congress, who, by the way, yesterday treated what I would call a very white man of a greater age very similarly, Issa said.

Republicans hammered Khan on what they characterized as her mismanagement of the agency, politicized rulemakings and aggressive and unproductive action to stop corporate mergers.

They repeatedly pointed to a ruling issued this week by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California that cleared the way for Microsoft to buy the video game company Activision Blizzard, a ruling the FTC said Thursday it would appeal.

Democrats have been largely supportive of the FTCs efforts to prevent corporate mergers that they argue would harm consumers and give single businesses too much power over their industries.

Jordan sought to settle tensions, reminding the committee, We should all engage in proper decorum, not disparage colleagues, not disparage people in the government, not disparage anyone.

No personal affront was intended, Johnson clarified.

The hearing comes on the heels of a similarly heated hearing the committee held Wednesday where Republican lawmakers grilled Wray about the agencys credibility and accused the agency of being politically biased in its ongoing investigations of former President Trump.

Updated at 3:02 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A group of Democratic senators sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday asking the Justice Department to protect patients abilities to travel out-of-state for abortion  a right thats increasingly under attack.

The letter follows Idaho passing a far-reaching law in April prohibiting anyone from helping a minor get an abortion in another state without parental consent, with the crime punishable by two to five years in prison. Its passage came despite U.S. Supreme Court justices explicitly saying when they overturned Roe v. Wade that such a law would be unconstitutional.

Lawmakers in Iowa, Texas and Tennessee have also proposed legislation to crack down on abortion travel  though none have passed it yet  leading to concern that Idahos aggressive position will bleed into other states, the senators wrote.

Given the work of many of our states to protect access to abortion care no matter whether a patient comes from the state or travels from another, we are alarmed by efforts in other states to curb interstate travel, which may present an unprecedented attack on Americans rights, the senators wrote.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is among the senators calling on the DOJ to safeguard the right to travel out-of-state for abortions.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is among the senators calling on the DOJ to safeguard the right to travel out-of-state for abortions.

The letters signatories include Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Peter Welch (Vt.), Raphael Warnock (Ga.), Alex Padilla (Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) and John Fetterman (Pa.)

The senators called on Garland to hold a briefing by July 26 with the Reproductive Health Task Force, which the DOJ established weeks after the Supreme Court struck down Roe. That task force, the senators reminded Garland, vowed last year to monitor state-level action that infringes on patients ability to inform and counsel each other about the reproductive care that is available in other states.

For millions of women, traveling to out-of-state providers for abortion has become the only way to terminate a pregnancy. Since the fall of Roe last year, clinics in states where abortion remains legal say theyve been inundated with patients from the dozen-plus states that have obliterated access to the procedure.

Its terrible. Were at a 50% increase just in the year, Adrienne Mansanares, CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, told HuffPost last month. While out-of-state visitors once comprised around 20% of the branchs patients while Roe was in effect, that figure has soared to more than 50%.

Weve seen hundreds of patients from Texas, patients from as far away as Florida and North Carolina and South Carolina, Jennifer Welch, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, told HuffPost last month. Weve seen patients from 34 different states, she added, which is more than triple the number her branch saw in years prior.

Related...
Democrats ask DOJ to protect ability of patients to travel out of state for abortion

A group of Senate Democrats urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) Wednesday to protect the ability of Americans to travel outside their home states to obtain abortions, as some Republican-led states look to crack down on out-of-state abortion access.

Given the work of many of our states to protect access to abortion care no matter whether a patient comes from the state or travels from another, we are alarmed by efforts in other states to curb interstate travel, which may present an unprecedented attack on Americans rights, the senators from mostly Democratic-led states said in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland.

The letter  which was signed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.)  pointed to a new Idaho law in particular.

The law, signed by Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) in April, makes it a crime for an adult to help a minor obtain an abortion outside the state without parental permission, which it defines as abortion trafficking.

Lawmakers in Iowa, Texas and Tennessee have also proposed legislation targeting providers who offer care to out-of-state patients and companies and governmental entities that provide assistance to those seeking to travel out of state for an abortion, the letter noted.

The group of Senate Democrats requested a briefing later this month from the Justice Departments Reproductive Health Task Force, which was created in the wake of the Supreme Courts decision last June to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The task force is meant to monitor state and local actions that threaten to block individuals ability to inform and counsel each other about the reproductive care that is available in other states, among other issues.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) insists his trip to New Hampshire with a group preparing to run a third-party bid for the presidency has nothing to do with a potential challenge to President Joe Biden, even as Democrats are growing increasingly anxious about a possible 2024 election spoiler putting Donald Trump, the GOP front-runner, in the White House again.

No Labels, the political organization advocating for a third-party candidate, has been openly flirting with recruiting someone to lead its ticket for months. The group announced Wednesday that Manchin will headline a town hall in the early nominating state next week alongside former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, a Republican, stoking speculation over whether the conservative Senate Democrat will make a third-party bid for the White House.

Manchin, who is up for reelection next year, has yet to announce his plans for 2024. In true Manchin fashion, he is playing coy about his intentions and not ruling out a presidential run. During an interview on Wednesday, Manchin dismissed the notion that an event taking place in teh Granite State has anything to do with politics.

It has nothing to do with any election, it has everything to do with common sense and solving common problems, Manchin told HuffPost.

No Labels promotes bipartisan cooperation, but its actual ideology is extremely vague. The group is registered as a nonprofit and does not disclose its donors, though it has said it has raised tens of millions of dollars for the effort.

The group has secured ballot access in several states, including Alaska, Oregon, Colorado and Arizona. Earlier this year, Arizona Democrats filed a lawsuit seeking to knock it off the ballot in the state because it failed to comply with the requirements for a political party, including disclosing donors and registering with the Federal Election Commission.

No Labels outlined its plan earlier this year to run a Republican and Democrat for president and vice president next year in case the two parties dont select a suitable candidate. Past third-party efforts have had little success, however, and no third-party candidate has won a state on the presidential level in decades.

A recent Echelon Insights poll found that Manchin would draw single digits if he decided to run for president on a third-party ticket. The June survey also found that Manchin would attract voters from both parties but pull more undecided voters in a race with Trump and Biden.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) could draw undecided voters from both parties if he ran as a third-party presidential candidate under the No Labels banner, according to a recent poll.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) could draw undecided voters from both parties if he ran as a third-party presidential candidate under the No Labels banner, according to a recent poll.

Its difficult to imagine Manchin launching a third-party run with the knowledge that it would almost certainly result in his failure. He could simply be maximizing his time in the limelight, as he often does, and positioning himself as a centrist who is unafraid of criticizing of Biden ahead of a tough Senate reelection fight. But anythings possible at this point.

Democrats are clear-eyed about the threat a third-party bid could pose to Bidens reelection effort. Former House Democratic leader Richard A. Gephardt is planning to launch a new group to oppose the No Labels initiative, while officials from the progressive group MoveOn and centrist group Third Way are planning to brief Senate Democratic chiefs of staff about the risks involved.

I like No Labels. I think their focus on the middle is important. But I think if they run a candidate, they will give Donald Trump the presidency, Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who is up for re-election next year, told HuffPost.

I want to know who fund No Labels. Who is No Labels? asked Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.). Whos putting a lot of money into this? Increasingly they look like a political party, but they appear to be skirting the rules about disclosure for political parties.

Manchins Democratic Senate colleagues would prefer to see him run for reelection in West Virginia, where Republicans have the best chance of flipping a seat. Democrats are facing a very tough Senate map next year, with several incumbents up for reelection in red states. If they can pick off West Virginia, Republicans could take back control of the 51-49 Senate.

I think his absence in West Virginia would be a very significant minus, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said, adding that he shared concerns about a No Labels candidacy drawing support away from Biden in 2024.

It pulls votes from Joe Biden, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the number two Senate Democrat, said of a potential No Labels third-party bid. I hope he runs for reelection in West Virginia.

Related...
Democrats are more likely to take back the House after a recent New York court decision

A cadre of House Democrats celebrate after final passage of the party's Inflation Reduction Act at the Capitol on August 12, 2022. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

A recent appeals court decision out of New York may be what pushes Democrats to win the House in 2024.

The appeals court ordered the Independent Redistricting Commission to redraw the state's congressional map.

The congressional map used in 2022 led four Republicans to flip previously Democratic-held seats.

A New York appeals court just ordered its congressional map to be redrawn, a move that could help Democrats take back control of the US House of Representatives in 2024.

According to the New York Times, the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court in Albany declared the congressional map that was used in 2022  which led to Republicans, including Rep. George Santos, flipping four previously Democratic seats  was never supposed to be the map used long-term.

If this decision stands  the Times reported the GOP plans to appeal it to the Court of Appeals  it's a massive boost for the Democratic Party, who currently have ten fewer seats in the House than Republicans.

The ruling would also act as a counter to North Carolina, whose GOP-majority state supreme court is allowing the Republican-led general assembly to redraw its congressional map in a favorable way for the Republican Party.

The ruling in New York was praised in a statement by Rep. Suzan DelBene, the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

"After last year's Republican power grab resulted in an out-of-state special master drawing a map that was rubber stamped by a partisan judge, today's decision by the New York Court is a reaffirmation that the will of the voters should be respected when it comes to drawing fair maps," DelBene said.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed DelBene, attacking the judge who appointed the special master to draw up the current congressional map of New York.

"The Appellate Division decision confirms that the New York State Constitution requires congressional district lines be drawn by an independent redistricting commission. In contrast, the current congressional map was drawn by an unelected, out-of-town Special Master appointed by an extreme right-wing judge, who himself was handpicked by partisan political operatives," Jeffries said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Democrats Put Black Georgia State Rep. In office and Then She Does This...

Rep. Mesha Mainor, D-Atlanta, center, speaks in favor of HB 231 in the House chambers during crossover day at the Georgia State Capitol, Monday, March 6, 2023, in Atlanta.

Atlanta voters will now have a Republican representing them in the state legislature. Now you might be wondering how a Republican managed to squeak through in one of the bluer districts in the country. And the answer is she was elected... as a Democrat.

On Tuesday, State Representative Mesha Mainor announced that she was leaving the Democratic party and joining the Republican party. The move makes Mainor the first Black woman to serve as a Republican in the Georgia General Assembly. Mainors district, which stretches from Westview to Midtown Atlanta, is deep-blue. And her former party was quick to call Mainor out for playing a bait and switch with her constituents.

Read more

Rep. Mesha Mainors switch to the GOP is a stinging betrayal of her constituents, who elected a Democrat to represent them in the state legislature, wrote the Georgia Democratic Party in a statement. House District 56 deserves a representative who will do the job they were elected to do.

However, Republicans like Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene applauded the move, welcoming her to the party. On Twitter, Mainor explained her decision by calling it a Moral decision, adding, I will NEVER apologize for being a black woman with a mind of my own.

Its an interesting move for Mainor, who told Axios in April that she would never switch parties, despite her disagreements over school vouchers and other Democratic policy platforms. In fact, she told the outlet that she was a lifelong Democrat because they fought for those that have been forgotten.

Mainor has clearly switched up her opinion on the two parties quickly. On Wednesday, she tweeted, Democrats cannot say they care about people in marginalized communities when they want to keep them oppressed and suppressed.

The newly minted Republican isnt up for re-election until 2024, which means her mostly Democratic constituents are stuck with her until then. Mainor previously vowed to run again this cycle. But this time around, voters will likely have a whole new set of questions.

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Some demonstrators were reportedly killed in clashes with Kenyas security forces on Wednesday after protests flared for the second time in a week over a raft of unpopular tax hikes proposed by the national government, an opposition leader told CNN.

Protests broke out across Kenya, including the capital Nairobi, where Opiyo Wandayi, who leads the opposition in Kenyas parliament told CNN that demonstrators railing against the tax hikes were forcefully dispersed by police.

I was involved in the Nairobi protests. We were dispersed with water cannons, tear gas canisters, and live bullets, Wandayi said.

He told CNN protesters were killed during the nationwide clashes.

We are still verifying but so far, we have confirmed nine deaths across the country. The numbers might increase because there were many people with fatal injuries.

CNN has not confirmed these numbers and has reached Kenyan police for a comment.

Kenyan media also reported casualties from the protests on Wednesday afternoon.

A Kenyan opposition supporter kicks a teargas canister fired by Kenya Police officers during demonstrations in Nairobi, Kenya on July 12, 2023. - Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images

According to CNN affiliate, Citizen TV, at least five demonstrators were killed during confrontations with riot police in the countrys Machakos and Kajiado Counties.

Some of the protesters allegedly pelted stones at public properties and also destroyed a section of a major highway in Machakos Mlolongo town, Citizen TV reported.

A steep cost for Kenyans

Kenyan opposition leader and former prime minister Raila Odinga has led calls for nationwide protests over the increases.

Odinga lost the election in August last year and believes the results were manipulated and has since led civil disobedience protests against his political rival.

A Kenyan court temporarily halted the implementation of the Finance Act 2023 touted by President William Ruto as a measure to shore up public finances and increase domestic revenue.

However, the Ruto administration defied the court order and increased tax on fuel prices, which has led to a rise in cost of transport and staple goods.

Kenyan opposition supporters react and throw stones towards Kenya Police officers during demonstrations in Nairobi, Kenya on July 12, 2023. - Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images

Wandayi told CNN the tax hike has come at a steep cost for many Kenyans.

Kenyans are basically now on their knees. These new tax proposals have added serious pain to an already difficult situation. Kenyans who are on payroll are taking home negative salaries, and those who are in the informal sector are unable to make ends meet, he said.

Many Kenyans are unable to put three meals on the table in a day, and they are very angry at the situation as it is currently.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Deputy fired after hes accused of raping woman while on duty, Georgia police say

A Georgia deputy is out of a job after allegations he raped a woman he met on duty, state investigators say.

George Rahming, 38, was arrested July 12 on charges of rape and sexual assault, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The now-former Newton County sheriffs deputy also faces two counts of violation of oath of office, online records show.

On July 10, the sheriffs office asked the GBI to investigate after a woman reported that she was raped by a deputy in uniform. Authorities said the womans claims were substantiated early in the investigation.

Rahming was on patrol when he saw the woman and eventually made contact with her, investigators said in a news release. Thats when hes accused of assaulting the woman, who wasnt in custody.

Authorities didnt release additional details.

Rahming had been with the sheriffs office for nearly two years before his firing, the GBI said.

He remained in custody at the Newton County Jail as of July 13, online records show.

Newton County is about 40 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline's online chatroom.

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tried to get under Donald Trumps skin this week by implying on a radio talk show that the ex-president arrogantly thinks hes entitled to the Republican nomination and that he would be short-cutting the process if he doesnt show up on the Milwaukee debate stage next month.

You have got to earn the nomination, DeSantis argued.

DeSantis should watch out what he wishes for. If past performances are an indication, Trump could walk away from a debate stronger, while DeSantis is more likely to struggle in the spotlight.

Thats not to say DeSantis is wrong. He isnt. Trump should do the debate so voters can see how the two leading Republican candidates  and the others, including Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina  hold up under the intense pressure of a live debate. Even when candidates squirm away from embarrassing questions, theres a lot to be learned about their character from their behavior. If, as Trump continues to hint, he wont debate, it will be a disservice to voters  and behavior that will send yet another message as to his character.

Wont make the case

Further, as DeSantis points out, Trump lost to Biden last time. He should get on stage and tell Republicans why he is now a better candidate than he was in 2020.

That is, of course, an impossible case to make to anyone who isnt already Trump-blind, given the Jan. 6 insurrection that he incited after losing the election. Then there was the E. Jean Carroll civil case in May, when a jury found that he sexually abused her in the dressing room of a luxury department store in 1996, awarding her $5 million for battery and defamation.

And lets not forget the classified records case here in Florida. Trump was indicted under the Espionage Act for holding onto secret documents at his Mar-a-Lago mansion and obstructing the governments efforts to get them back. His lawyers latest ploy is to try to postpone the case until after the 2024 election. If he were convicted after winning, he could potentially pardon himself, setting a new high-water mark in corruption.

For any of Trumps challengers, the sound bite of him refusing to answer questions about any of those things would be campaign gold, of course.

DeSantis knows that, but he has other reasons to push the debate issue  namely, shaky donors as his poll numbers remain stubbornly low. A debate where he shows substance and strength against Trump could be that elusive game-changer his campaign has been seeking.

DeSantis own challenges

DeSantis notoriously has struggled with a failure to connect with national voters in unscripted moments: During a 2018 debate preparation, one of his advisers even told him he should write the word LIKABLE in all caps on the top of his notepad, ABC News reported. But the risk of going on stage during a live event he cant control is probably worth it to him. Hence, his appearance on conservative radio host Howie Carrs show on Wednesday as he tried to goad Trump by calling him, in essence, a coward if he doesnt attend the debate.

Will it work? Not likely. But none of that changes the fact that Republicans, whose party has been hijacked by Trump, deserve to see a full debate on Aug. 23. Unfortunately, what theyll probably get is a pale version of that, with everyone in the room dancing around the one man who isnt there.
When Anna Ben-Hur was a college junior, controversy gripped her campus at the University of Massachusetts Amherst when a handful of pro-Israel organizations tried, unsuccessfully, to cancel a panel about free speech and Palestinian rights.

The organizations, one of which sued to stop the 2019 event, said the panel would promote antisemitism and make Jewish students fearful. Ben-Hur, who grew up in Teaneck in a Jewish Israeli family, said the attacks on the event and its supporting groups made her feel less safe.

UMass was putting out statements that were anti-Palestinian, all in the name of protecting Jewish students, she said. As a member of Students for Justice in Palestine, I didnt feel protected at all. I didnt feel that demonizing pro-Palestinian organizations did anything to help me."

Abire Sabbagh, a Rutgers Ph.D student and staffer at the Palestinian American Community Center, at a flag raising on Sunday, June 4, 2023.

She was more concerned, she said, about far-right extremists appearing on campus, adding that "those were the times I felt unsafe.

Today, students and activists worry that efforts to suppress pro-Palestinian voices will intensify amid a growing push at statehouses, universities, town halls and the White House to adopt whats known as the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Developed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, the measure has sparked controversy because it would label many criticisms of Israel as antisemitism.

The national debate has landed in New Jersey, where legislators have, for a second time, introduced a bill that would formally adopt the guidance as the working definition of antisemitism. The bill is still in committee, but it has already sparked a flurry of dueling opinion columns and an online petition with more than 1,000 signatures asking state legislators to reject it.

Palestine Education Director, at the Palestinian American Community Center, poses for a photographWednesday, June 14, 2023

Supporters say the measure is needed to combat right-wing bigotry as well as anti-Israel activity on the left that sometimes crosses the line into antisemitism. Opponents say the wording is so broad that it can be used  and has been used  to discredit and silence legitimate criticism of Israels policies.

In this country, were permitted to criticize our own U.S. government, said Abed Ayoub, national executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. What this definition does is prevent us from criticizing a foreign government. It limits the free speech of Americans.

Double standards

The IHRA created the definition to provide guidance about antisemitism at a time when Jewish Americans face a rise in hate crimes, bias incidents and anti-Israel activity. It describes antisemitism as calling for violence against Jews, demonizing or making stereotypical allegations about Jews and denying the Holocaust.

It also states that it is antisemitic to compare Israeli policy with that of the Nazis, to apply double standards to Israel not demanded of other nations; or to deny the Jewish people "their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.

Some Jewish activists say the disproportionate focus on Palestinian righs advocacy undermines the fight against antisemitism, focusing on progressive activists despite evidence showing that anti-Jewish beliefs are more prevalent in right-wing circles, especially among young conservatives.

The lead author of the IHRA definition, Kenneth Stern, has spoken against its use in official law or policy. It was intended to serve as a tool for monitoring and discussion. Instead, it "stops academic freedom and, I think, harms Jewish students," Stern said at a congressional hearing on extremism and antisemitism in Teaneck in October.

Theres debate in the Jewish community about whether being Zionist is required to be inside the tent," Stern said. "I don't know how that's going to be decided, but I sure as heck don't want government to decide it."

Gives a person so much power

Palestinian advocates worry that the adoption of the IHRA definition could deepen hostility they face, including lawsuits, harassment and online blacklists that accuse them by name of supporting antisemitism or terror.

When students sued Fordham University over the denial of a Palestinian rights club, pro-Israel groups cited the IHRA definition in court briefs supporting the school. The students, who came from different faith and ethnic backgrounds, had their names, photos and information published on an anti-Palestinian page that turns up first in web searches.

For me, personally, I can handle it, but for many of my classmates and peers, especially Palestinian ones, it was particularly awful for them, said Veer Shetty, who graduated in 2021. There was one student who was particularly vicious, emailing us and calling us antisemites. The messages were threatening and angry.

Veer Shetty poses for a portrait in Union Square Park on Monday, June 19, 2023, in New York. Shetty, who graduated from Fordham University in 2021, said the administration blocked students' attempts to advocate for Palestinian rights.

A student organizer with Fordham Students for Justice in Palestine  still an unsanctioned club  spoke to The Record and USA TODAY Network on the condition of anonymity. He said he worried that his involvement would land him on an online blacklist that could hurt him in a job search or cause Israelis to deny him entry to Palestinian territories.

Imagine one person angry about what I say could ruin my chances and prohibit my ability to enter Palestine, said the student, a senior from Brooklyn. It gives a person so much power, for what, defending my homeland?

For similar reasons, a recent Rutgers graduate from Bergen County also declined to use his name. At Rutgers, Students for Justice in Palestine asked the administration to erase names and emails of its leaders on the club's page because of harassment, he said.

The Rutgers Student Assembly passed a resolution in support of IHRA in 2021. "If it is enforced on a university level, then that could directly impede upon SJPs right to protest on behalf of Palestinian rights," the student said.

Palestine Legal, an advocacy group, has responded to more than 1,700 incidents between 2014 and 2020 targeting speech supportive of Palestinian rights. The incidents included discrimination, legal threats, disciplinary investigations, censorship and false accusations of antisemitism, according to their website.

A chill on free speech

Academics are often the target of such claims. Earlier this year, a Westfield district parent filed a complaint with the New Jersey Schools Ethics Commission against Sahar Aziz, a Board of Education member, over tweets on her personal Twitter account. The Deborah Project, a pro-Israel legal group, later joined the lawsuit.

The complaint noted that Aziz retweeted an article that referred to "master-race democracy" in Israel and retweeted a post stating that Israel practices apartheid and is a colonialist state. The complaint also notes that Aziz was among thousands of academics who signed an online letter that expresses support for an international boycott campaign and for Palestinian scholarship on campus.

The ethics complaint cites the IHRA definition to allege she engaged in antisemitism. Aziz, professor of law and Middle East Legal Scholar at Rutgers Law School, researches and writes about race, religion and civil rights and is a frequent commentator on such issues.

The School Ethics Complaint against Sahar Aziz, the first Arab American and Muslim member of the Westfield Board of Education, is actually a veiled and concerted effort by the Deborah Project to smear Professor Aziz and silence her academic scholarship that is in any way critical of the human rights record of the State of Israel," read a statement from her attorney, Matthew Giacobbe.

Sahar Aziz, professor at Rutgers University Law School and author of The Racial Muslim: When Racism Quashes Religious Freedom, published Nov. 30, 2021.

Westfield is one of several New Jersey municipalities that has adopted the IHRA definition at the local level, although its board of education has not done the same. The definition is being considered by the Clifton City Council.

Similar complaints, filed by a bevy of far-right pro-Israel groups, are being filed across the country. Advocates worry these kinds of complaints will grow if IHRA definition is adopted as law or policy.

The backlash has put people at risk, Ayoub said. Extremists have surveilled academics, sharing their private information online, including their home addresses, he said. One client was followed to a hotel where she was speaking at a medical conference. Outside, people she did not know drove a truck with a billboard bearing an image of her face, while calling her an antisemite.

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee said that it contacted the FBI in May because of escalating threats and intimidation against clients. The group also issued an advisory urging community activists and organizations to consider security measures when planning events, specifically public events and events held on college campuses.

A changing climate

The IHRA campaign comes a time when the Palestinian rights movement has grown nationally, especially on college campuses, and Democrats sympathies in the Middle East shift toward Palestinians. The shift is driven in part by a far-right turn in Israel by leading politicians, reports about human rights violations and social media activism.

Supporters say it is intended to tackle hate speech and bias at a time when Jewish Americans, especially students, report harassment on campus and say they are collectively blamed for Israels actions. The Record and NorthJersey.com documented their experiences with harassment and bias in a recent series.

"Every week that goes by is another example of Jewish student rights to an equal educational opportunity not being protected," Rabbi Esther Reed, executive director of Rutgers Hillel, said at the hearing in Teaneck in October.

Reed said students worried about appearing "too Jewish" or wearing clothing with the word Israel on it. "No student should be afraid to express their Jewish identity in New Jersey," Reed said.

Anti-Israel rhetoric often crosses the line into antisemitism by demonizing and applying double-standards to the only Jewish state in the world, say organizations that support the codification of the definition.

In this climate, Jewish groups are calling for more action on antisemitism. The American Jewish Committee, one of the leading advocates for the IHRA definition, said in an online statement that "it is foremost a flexible educational tool intended to help people recognize antisemitism  not sanction speech."

But critics, including some progressive Jewish groups, say the measure goes too far. Citing the definition, pro-Israel groups have accused leading human rights organizations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Israeli B'Tselem of antisemitism over their findings that Israel is practicing apartheid against the Palestinian population. Individuals who repeat the claim are accused of antisemitism.

Individuals and groups engaging in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign, popular among activists, are also labeled antisemitic. Modeled after the South African anti-apartheid movement, supporters say it is intended to pressure Israel to end its occupation and human rights violations. Critics say it singles out and tries to delegitimize the Jewish state.

Under the IHRA measure, universities, groups and individuals fear they could be the subject of investigations, fines, defunding and attacks on their reputation.

The backlash can be intimidating, said Abire Sabbagh, a Ph.D. student at Rutgers University and staff member at the Palestinian American Community Center in Clifton. She has worked for a politician who received threats and hate messages over support for Palestinian causes. She has been threatened at her current job. Her information, too, has been shared on Canary Mission, a website that compiles dossiers on activists.

You are constantly living with the worry  is this going to affect my career? Sabbagh said. Am I going to be able to do anything else later on? It adds to activist burnout. It affects and discourages others from being part of movement.

"It makes you scared to stand up for your own people and your own rights, because of these types of definitions that make you think if you criticize Israel, you will automatically be called antisemitic."

Around 40 countries, the U.S. State Department and some U.S. states and universities have already adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism. People have lost jobs, reputations have been damaged and artistic and academic events have been canceled in its wake, reports in the U.S. and Europe show.

Stern, the definition's lead author, said was it "never intended to restrict free speech" or infringe on academic freedom. Universities and other institutions should instead work to foster inclusive environments that promote empathy and understanding, he said.

"There is a difference between being harassed and intimated and shut down, which should never happen, and having to engage with difficult ideas," Stern said. "... You want to pull together students who are Zionist and anti-Zionist and give them tools to have credible discussions and figure out why we have such differences."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Antisemitism bill will chill free speech, say students, activists
A group of 37 teachers and students from five mainland universities plan to visit Taiwan from July 15 to 23 at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, according to a mainland spokesperson.

Led by Hao Ping, Party chief of Peking University, the group includes members from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Wuhan University, and Hunan University, said Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, late Tuesday in response to a media query.

During their trip, the mainland teachers and students will engage in exchanges with their peers from Taiwan University, Chengchi University, Chinese Culture University, and Dong Hwa University.

The trip will also include stops in Taipei, Taichung, New Taipei, Hsinchu, and Hualien.

"This trip, made by the first group of its kind to travel to the island in more than three years, is conducive to promoting the resumption of cross-Strait exchanges," Chen said.

He expressed the hope that all the mainland group's exchanges and visits in Taiwan will go smoothly.

"We support and encourage young people on both sides of the Strait to enhance exchanges and mutual understanding, learn from each other through exchanges and interactions, and jointly create a bright future," Chen said.

From late March to early April this year, Ma Ying-jeou led a group of Taiwan students who visited several cities on the mainland. He repeatedly expressed the hope that teachers and students from mainland universities could go to Taiwan for exchanges during discussions at Fudan University, Wuhan University, and Hunan University.
'NATO really disappoints me: I expected more,' says one soldier (Anatolii Stepanov)

From their boltholes in the trenches in the frontlines of Ukraine's battle to resist the Russian forces, Kyiv's troops expressed frustration that they could not join NATO immediately.

"Who else is going to fight here? No one!" said one.

They argue that they are all that stands between the Russian aggressors and the rest of Europe.

In a room of a small house in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, a soldier monitored half a dozen screens showing images relayed by drones.

Major Vladislav, deputy commander of an infantry battalion, searched the landscapes flickering on the screens for the slightest hint of Russian troop movement.

Through an audio link, he liaised with the drone operators hiding out in shelters just a few kilometres away.

Even on the frontline, the officer followed the latest developments from Tuesday and Wednesday's NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. It was "crucial, important for Ukraine and for Europe" that the alliance admit his country, he said.

"For the moment, they deliver us NATO weapons," said the soldier, who goes by the nom-de-guerre Oscar.

"On the other hand, we are already acting as NATO's shield," so NATO membership would simply be official acknowledgment of that role, he argued.

"The more of our Ukrainian soil we lose, the more the Russians get closer to the borders of Europe."

At the end of the NATO summit Ukraine came away with a pledge of long-term military support -- but without a fast-track to membership of the alliance.

- 'NATO disappoints me' -

From a deep covered trench, part of a network of trenches near the front line, several drone pilots concentrated as they operated the aerial vehicles above.

One of them, trainee pilot Gummi, 28, was bitter about the outcome of the summit.

"Ukraine will be accepted into NATO -- but not now. It will only be after the end of the war," he said.

"If a NATO country is attacked, it is considered as an attack against another country," he added, referring to Article 5 of the NATO treaty stating an attack against one member is an attack against them all.

"Who will come and fight here? Nobody. We are doing it all with our own hands," he said.

"We expect our allies to express their sympathy and their concern, and they say: 'We will help you and will do everything we can to ensure Ukraine wins... but you have to do it yourself'," he said.

Iaroslav, 23, sitting beside him, was just as frustrated.

"NATO really disappoints me," he said. "I expected more -- more weapons to be supplied: tanks, aviation, long-range systems, missiles."

Ukraine's forces may be counter-attacking he argued, but if they had enough weapons, the offensive would go much quicker, saving lives in the process.

Gummi said the war would go on "until we put (the Russians) out of action with our own hands, our own human resources".

"I don't know how long that will take," he added, "because there won't be an eternal supply of weapons, either".

bur-epe/jj/gw
Disney Results (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Disney chief Bob Iger has spoken out against the looming potential of the actors union joining the writers strike, calling the threat very disturbing.

Appearing on CNBCs Squawk Box on Thursday (13 July), the CEO, 72, addressed the strike recommended by Sag-aftra, complaining that its timing is the worst in the world  as it would effectively shut down Hollywood.

I understand any labour organisations desire to work on behalf of its members to get the most compensation and be compensated fairly based on the value that they deliver, Iger said.

We managed, as an industry, to negotiate a very good deal with the directors guild that reflects the value that the directors contribute to this great business. We wanted to do the same thing with the writers, and wed like to do the same thing with the actors. Theres a level of expectation that they have that is just not realistic.

This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption, he added. And they are adding to the set of the challenges that this business is already facing that is, quite frankly, very disruptive.

This story is being updated
Disney CEO Bob Iger has admitted that the profusion of Marvels Disney+ TV series may have contributed to the studios recent disappointments.

Iger made the bold statement in an interview at the annual Sun Valley Conference in Idaho on Thursday (13 July), which is also known as the summer camp for billionaires.

There have been some disappointments. We would have liked some of our more recent releases to perform better, Iger, 72, told CNBCs David Faber.

Its reflective not as a problem from a personnel perspective, but I think in our zeal to basically grow our content significantly to serve mostly our streaming offerings, we ended up taxing our people way beyond  in terms of their time and their focus  way beyond where they had been.

Marvels a great example of that, Iger added. They had not been in the TV business at any significant level. Not only did they increase their movie output, but they ended up making a number of television series, and frankly, it diluted focus and attention. That is, I think, more of the cause than anything.

Earlier this year, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania  the third instalment in the Paul Rudd-led superhero saga  sank at the box office earning $476m (363m) worldwide, which is barely above Disneys pandemic-era Marvel movies.

Iger also spoke about the recent disappointment of Pixars Elemental, which he put down to the consecutive release of Pixar movies on Disney+ during the pandemic.

Bob Iger and Tatiana Maslany in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (Getty Images/Disney+)

There were three Pixar releases in a row that went direct to streaming, in part because of  mostly because of Covid, Iger said. And I think that may have created an expectation in the audience that theyre going to eventually be on streaming and probably quickly, and there wasnt an urgency. And then I think there was some, I think youd have to agree that there were some creative misses, as well.

In the same interview, Iger hit out at the looming actors union strike. This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption, he said of Sag-aftras imminent strike, which coincides with the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike.

In June, over 1,000 actors, including several-well known celebrities, namely Meryl Streep, John Leguizamo, Jennifer Lawrence, Constance Wu and Ben Stiller, signed a letter to guild leadership, declaring that they were prepared to strike.

Follow along here for real-time updates on Sag-aftras imminent strike.
Schools in the southern part of the Lancaster County will now offer free meals to all students. However, kids in Indian Land who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will still have to pay.

Some parents said the decision sends the wrong message. They told Channel 9s Tina Terry it creates more division between Indian Land and the rest of the school district, and it could hurt some kids.

Im a bit surprised and taken back that the school board decides its OK to treat Indian Land different, rather than looking for a way to treat everyone equally, said Revery Johnson.

Johnson raised four kids in Indian Land. He told Terry hes disappointed in the recent change, which means schools would serve free breakfast and lunch to every child in the district except those in Indian Land.

ALSO READ: Anonymous donors take care of thousands of dollars of lunch debt at Stanly County middle school

At a meeting Tuesday, the school board of trustees talked about the new community eligibility program that is making it possible. Schools with a certain percentage of students who qualify for free and reduced meals can now offer free meals to every student, regardless of their economic status.

Schools in the southern part of the county qualify for the program but none of the schools in Indian Land do.

We certainly have to look at how we can make this work so were not creating a further divide in our district, said board trustee Melvin Stroble.

Stroble suggested holding off on the vote. He also proposed using general fund money to pay to include Indian Land schools -- about $2 million. Leaders decided against spending that money.

In Indian Land, there are a lot of people living paycheck to paycheck, people that are working every hour to afford to live here, because its closer to where they work, Johnson said. That check they will write every week for meals makes a difference in their budget.

Local leaders who supported the change said they didnt create the rules that qualify schools for this program.

The district can re-evaluate whether to spend its own money to expand the program next year.

(WATCH BELOW: Caldwell County schools providing kids with lunch through the summer)








A Miami-Dade teacher found himself in cuffs after the father of a 12-year-old girl discovered he was having an inappropriate, physical relationship with his daughter, authorities said.

Martai McCullough, 26, is facing charges of molestation of a child, lewd and lascivious conduct on a child, lewd and lascivious exhibition on a child and offenses against students by authority figures. As of Wednesday, the Miramar man had bonded out of jail, court records show.

McCullough taught at Horace Mann Middle School in El Portal. Hes been employed by Miami-Dade County Public Schools for the last three years, the district said.

A Horace Mann Middle School teacher is facing charges for molesting a 12-year-old and exposing himself to her, Miami-Dade police said. Google Maps

On June 30, a father approached a Miami-Dade Schools police officer and detailed how McCullough was having an inappropriate relationship with his pre-teen daughter, an arrest report read.

His daughter was in McCulloughs class during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 academic school years.

A Horace Mann Middle School teacher is facing charges of molesting a 12-year-old girl and exposing himself to her, Miami-Dade police said. Miami-Dade Jail

The young girl told the officer she and McCullough began exchanging post-it notes just before Christmas in 2022. They would say I love you and the two would verbally say it to each other as well.

This progressed to him buying her lunch, through delivery apps like UberEats, the report read. She would also skip class to go to his classroom where they would hug each other.

He would eventually move to kissing the 12-year-old and have her sit on his lap, the report read. At the end of the year, they moved to talking through Instagram direct messages. He would ask her for feet pictures.

They would also video chat each other in which McCullough would expose himself, the report read. He sent her several crude and explicit messages about sex acts he wanted to do.

Detectives obtained the post-it notes and screenshots from when McCullough would expose himself.

McCullough was arrested Tuesday afternoon at Horace Mann Middle.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools said it was deeply troubled by the disturbing allegations made. It has started the process of firing McCullough and will keep him from being employed with the district.

This type of comportment will not be tolerated as it runs contrary to the professional conduct we expect from all employees, the district said in a statement.

Detectives say he confessed to the crimes and noted his relationship with the 12-year-old started as a fantasy that led to him falling in love with the victim.
Disturbing new details emerge in case of Tennessee surgeon killed by patient, as family breaks silence

Disturbing new details emerge in case of Tennessee surgeon killed by patient, as family breaks silence

An affidavit revealed that beloved Tennesse hand surgeon Benjamin Mauck was shot to death in front of a stunned nurse, as his devastated family broke their silence Thursday in a statement.

Larry Pickens, 29, allegedly gunned down the acclaimed doctor, who was known for his expertise in treating children with congenital hand deformities, in an exam room.

Mauck, 43, was treating Pickens at about 2 p.m. at Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics in Collierville, about 30 miles east of Memphis.

A nurse practitioner, whose name is being withheld by Fox News Digital, told police she was in exam room C-2 when "Mr Pickens removed a pistol from his waistband and fired three rounds at Dr. Mauck," according to an affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital.

ACCLAIMED MEMPHIS HAND SURGEON SHOT TO DEATH BY PATIENT IN TARGETED ATTACK: POLICE

Detectives found Mauck on the floor of the exam room with a gunshot wound to his neck, chest and upper abdomen near paperwork with the suspect's name on it, the court document says.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Police called the killing a targeted attack and noted that no one else at the facility, which was packed with other patients and staff, was harmed.

COLORADO DENTIST ACCUSED OF POISONING WIFE'S PROTEIN SHAKES TO START NEW LIFE WITH LOVER

The nurse and other employees recognized Pickens from prior visits to the clinic and identified him as the shooter, the affidavit states.

Pickens fled and was arrested minutes later walking on Poplar Avenue near the entrance to the clinic wearing a backpack, which contained a black Smith & Wesson SD40 pistol with an empty chamber and two empty magazines.

Officials have not disclosed a possible motive for the slaying of the father who leaves behind two young children and his wife, Rhiannon Mauck.

Mauck's family attorney, Blanchard E. Tual, released a statement thanking the community for their outpouring of support.

"This week, a senseless act of violence took an incredible person from us," the statement reads. "As we grieve this tragedy, our family is choosing to focus on the positive contributions Ben made to the world, personally and professionally. Amid his professional contributions, Ben remained a family man, first and foremost."

Pickens was arraigned Thursday on one count each of first-degree murder and aggravated assault at the Collierville Courthouse for the shocking slaying. He is being held in jail on a $1.2 million bond.

Patients raved about Mauck in online reviews, calling him "exceptionally friendly" and skilled.

RANDY TRAVIS STAGEHAND SHOT DEAD BY JEALOUS WIFE: POLICE

He has more than 700 patient reviews with a rating of 4.9 out of 5 on the clinic's website. "Awesome doctor!" one patient wrote. "He performed surgery on my left thumb. Thanks to him I'm sitting here with my left thumb."

The killing comes two weeks after Memphis Magazine published a feature on Mauck, who was named one of 2023's Top Doctors in Memphis by the Castle Connolly medical group.

"I'm a very detail-oriented person, and I really enjoy the complexity of hands," he told the magazine. "In orthopedic surgery, we often say that millimeters matter, and with hands, one millimeter can make a huge difference."

In addition to his work at Campbell, Mauck headed the congenital hand clinic at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, according to the article.

PENNSYLVANIA NURSE ACCUSED OF KILLING 2 PATIENTS, INJURING 3RD FELT BAD FOR THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE: POLICE

A 2020 profile in the Memphis Business Journal said Mauck saw about 70 pediatric patients there a month.

He often treated children with "complex hand abnormalities" and is one of only about 10 surgeons in the U.S. with that skill set, according to the piece.

"I love being able to help kids born with something that could potentially make their lives very, very difficult," he told the publication.

READ THE AFFIDAVIT AGAINST LARRY PICKENS FOR THE ALLEGED MURDER OF DR. BEN MAUCK

Mauck could surgically create a thumb using an index finger for babies born without the critical digit.

He graduated from the University of Tennessee-Memphis Medical School and specialized in elbow, hand and wrist surgery.

Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics closed all nine of its locations Wednesday in honor of Mauck. They reopened Thursday.

"We are shocked and heartbroken," a clinic spokesperson said in a statement. "We ask that you please lift his family in prayer."
ASEAN efforts to kick-start a five-point peace plan to end the violence and renew peace talks has been ignored by Myanmar's ruling junta (AJENG DINAR ULFIANA)

ASEAN foreign ministers were still working for a united position on the Myanmar crisis Thursday, a day after the bloc's ministerial meeting ended.

Myanmar has been ravaged by deadly violence since a military coup ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government in February 2021, unleashing a bloody crackdown on dissent.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations chair Indonesia had on Wednesday urged a political solution to the crisis at two-day foreign minister talks.

More than two years after the coup, the divided 10-member bloc's peace efforts remain fruitless, as the junta ignores international criticism and refuses to engage with its opponents.

By Thursday, ministers had still not agreed on a communique.

A Southeast Asian diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a joint text was still being worked out.

A second diplomat attending the meetings told AFP on condition of anonymity the delay was because "they are working on the language on Myanmar" and a joint communique could arrive as late as Friday.

An early draft seen by AFP on Tuesday had left a section on Myanmar blank, as the group wrangled over its content and language.

The second diplomat said some countries want outright re-engagement with the junta, while others are pushing for a five-point plan agreed two years ago with Myanmar's rulers to remain the basis for re-engagement.

This confirmed the "deep divisions within ASEAN on the Myanmar issue", the diplomat added.

- Thai dialogue track -

Thailand has launched a separate track to the ASEAN efforts, speaking directly with the Myanmar junta and other actors in the conflict.

Last month, Bangkok hosted the junta's foreign minister for controversial "informal talks" that further split the bloc.

Then on Wednesday, on the second day of ASEAN talks, Thailand's top diplomat announced that he met last week with Suu Kyi -- who has been detained since the coup, and jailed by a junta court for a total of 33 years.

Don Pramudwinai said he met the Nobel laureate on Sunday in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw and said she was in "good health" and "encouraged dialogue".

Don "freely discussed what he wanted" with Suu Kyi, junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said in an audio statement posted by the military's information team Thursday, adding that her health was "good".

On Thursday, Don told reporters: "It has been two years now, (and) not much improvement. So there must be re-engagement with Myanmar."

- 'Safe, stable, prosperous' -

Indonesia has said any other efforts must support ASEAN's existing five-point peace plan to end the violence and renew talks.

The Southeast Asian diplomat who spoke to AFP said ASEAN members would support Thailand's initiative, "provided it served the purpose of complementing the chair's role".

Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir told reporters that all members were working towards the "same issue", which was ensuring that Southeast Asia was "a region that is safe, stable and prosperous".

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Jakarta had engaged in "quiet diplomacy" with all sides of the conflict, and in its seven months as chair had held more than 110 engagements concerning Myanmar.

But analysts said Thailand was taking the lead on the crisis, undercutting ASEAN efforts and shifting the centre of negotiation to Bangkok.

A Thai foreign ministry official declined to comment on Indonesia's work as ASEAN chair.

Southeast Asian ministers were on Thursday meeting with their South Korean, Japanese and Chinese counterparts for ASEAN-plus-three talks.

Economic cooperation, the disputed South China Sea and Myanmar were expected to be high on the agenda, analysts said.

"Japan and South Korea have an interest to prevent Myanmar from joining China's orbit," said Teuku Rezasyah, an international relations expert at Padjadjaran University.

China was represented at the talks by top diplomat Wang Yi instead of Foreign Minister Qin Gang after Qin pulled out for "health reasons", according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

After that meeting, Wang was to meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for their second round of talks in as many months, seeking to manage tensions.

burs-jfx/aha
 Read the full article on Motorious

It's no surprise.

The recently released J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS) rankings have revealed a remarkable performance by Stellantis brands, with Dodge and Ram taking the lead and Alfa Romeo making a significant impression. Out of the 33 brands included in the study, Dodge secured the top spot, closely followed by Ram, while Alfa Romeo demonstrated its excellence among luxury brands. This achievement marks the fourth consecutive year that Dodge has ranked among the top two brands, a testament to its commitment to delivering customer satisfaction and exceptional vehicles.

Check out the celebrities banned by Ferrari here.

The J.D. Power IQS rankings are based on data provided by new vehicle owners who have owned their cars for 100 days. It should be noted that some brands may choose not to participate in the study, resulting in an unofficial ranking. However, Stellantis brands have fully embraced the evaluation, with Dodge emerging as the clear leader in the 2023 IQS. This achievement underscores Dodge's unwavering dedication to producing vehicles that align with customer expectations.

Ram, the renowned truck brand under Stellantis, secured the second position in the rankings, surpassing competitors such as Ford, Toyota, GMC, and Chevrolet. The brand's impressive ascent saw it climb 16 places compared to last year, solidifying its reputation for producing high-quality vehicles. This marks the third time since 2020 that Ram has ranked in the top three, reflecting its consistent commitment to meeting customer needs. With the upcoming releases of the Ram Rampage and a midsize truck, Ram continues to demonstrate its dedication to excellence.

Alfa Romeo, the luxury brand within Stellantis, secured the third position in the J.D. Power 2023 IQS rankings. Notably, the brand made a significant leap of 24 places compared to last year. Additionally, it claimed the top spot among all premium brands evaluated in the study. Alfa Romeo's impressive performance highlights its commitment to delivering exceptional quality and customer satisfaction.

Although Jeep did not rank in the top five, the brand exhibited improvement from the previous year. Moving up from 23rd place in 2022, Jeep now sits at 19th place in the 2023 rankings. Notably, the Jeep Gladiator claimed the top position in the midsize truck segment, further emphasizing Stellantis' commitment to continuous improvement across its brands and products.

The outstanding performance of Dodge, Ram, and Alfa Romeo in the J.D. Power IQS study reflects Stellantis' dedication to providing customers with an exceptional ownership experience. The rankings highlight the brands' commitment to producing high-quality vehicles that meet and exceed customer expectations. As Stellantis continues to refine its offerings and enhance its brands, customers can expect an even more exceptional ownership experience in the future.

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Dogs are being trained to hunt and save this endangered species of amphibians from dramatic declines in their population

Dogs are being trained to hunt a species of European amphibians to the benefit of the newts.

An English springer spaniel named Freya is being trained to seek out the great crested newt, a species protected under rules that are overseen by Natural England, a public body in the U.K. sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs.

In the past, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his frustration about the time-consuming process of counting newts, which he felt was negatively impacting the countrys progress and success.

This is because developers have to spend time searching for and relocating these amphibians before starting construction projects, as reported by the Guardian.

Its difficult to find these small amphibians when theyre on land because they spend most of their time underground. This makes it hard for conservation policies and practices to work effectively in detecting them.

Nicola Jayne Glover, a Ph.D. student studying ecology at the University of Salford in the U.K., along with her colleagues, taught Freya to recognize the scent of live newts.

They accomplished this by directing the newts odor through open pipes of different lengths, helping Freya learn and distinguish their unique smell, the Guardian noted.

Over 16 trial runs, Freya was able to detect great crested newts up to 2 meters away, with an 87% success rate, reports the Guardian.

The great crested newt is a type of amphibian that is found exclusively in Europe. Female newts, which are bigger than males, can grow up to 7 inches long. This makes them the largest newts in Europe, known for their sturdy bodies.

The Natural England website states, Great crested newts have seen dramatic declines in their populations over the last 60 years despite being protected under U.K. and EU law.

Our study provides a general baseline for the use of detection dogs in locating T. cristatus and similar amphibian species during their terrestrial phase, Glover told the Guardian, which noted that she believes many dogs can be trained to identify newts.

In fact, she has already trained her other dog to do this task and claims both canines have already saved the lives of numerous newts.

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The Justice Department asked a Florida federal judge Thursday to disregard former President Donald Trump's request for an indefinite delay in the federal criminal case over his handling of sensitive government records.

"There is no basis in law or fact for proceeding in such an indeterminate and open-ended fashion, and the Defendants provide none," special counsel Jack Smith argued in his filing.

In an 11-page motion filed in Florida Thursday, Smith pushed back on a claim by Trump's attorneys that going to trial during the 2024 presidential election would risk the viability of a fair jury selection process.

Prosecutors said there was "no reason to credit the claim," arguing that "the Government readily acknowledges that jury selection here may merit additional protocols (such as a questionnaire) and may be more time-consuming than in other cases, but those are reasons to start the process sooner rather than later."

Judge Aileen Cannon has set a trial date for Aug. 14, but prosecutors have asked to postpone until December. Trump's legal team argued Monday night that neither timeline is acceptable, but did not suggest a different start date. Late Monday night, Trump attorneys argued in a filing that his trial should not take place as scheduled, and potentially not until after the election.

Defense attorneys have accused the government of trying to "expedite" Trump's trial, though it was Cannon who set the Aug. 14 trial date. Smith also addressed the defense's accusation by saying they have it "exactly wrong."

"A speedy trial is a foundational requirement of the Constitution and the United States Code, not a Government preference that must be justified," Smith wrote. He noted that under the law, "any deviation from its 70-day benchmark must be justified," that is, it is the defendant's right to have a speedy trial within 70 days of arraignment.

In Thursday's filing, the government also asked Judge Aileen Cannon to proceed with jury selection on Dec 11, 2023.

Also among the reasons Trump's attorneys cited in support of a delay was the volume of discovery that has been turned over by the government, stating that they have already received 428,300 records and nine months' worth of CCTV footage from the government.

The special counsel pointed out, "Although the Government's production included over 800,000 pages, the set of 'key' documents was only about 4,500 pages.'" And Smith called the claim about "'nine months of CCTV footage'" "misleading," explaining that "the Government obtained footage only from selected cameras (many of which do not continuously record) from selected dates throughout the period for which it obtained footage."

Trump's attorneys had also claimed that the statute under which he was charged, the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA), creates several complexities, and they lack defense counsel with security clearances to review classified information.

The special counsel pointed out that the government would have made the first set of classified information available on July 10, if the defense counsel had obtained security clearances. But in order to receive the interim clearance, counsel would have had to fill out and submit the necessary forms. By Thursday, only two "have completed this task." Smith noted that the court's deadline for them to do this is Thursday.

Smith also disclosed that some of the classified materials and witness statements containing classified information will be sent to a SCIF (sensitive compartmented information facility) in Miami "early next week," so they may be reviewed by defense attorneys with clearance. Once the defense counsel has final clearances, the rest of the Mar-a-Lago documents will also be brought to the Miami SCIF.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 37 counts related to his alleged mishandling of sensitive government records.

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This aerial photo taken on May 9, 2023 shows the container terminal at Lianyungang Port, east China's Jiangsu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's customs data showed Thursday that the country's total goods imports and exports expanded 2.1 percent year on year in yuan terms in the first half of 2023.

The country saw goods imports and exports exceeding 20 trillion yuan (about 2.8 trillion U.S. dollars) for the first time in the January-June period, according to the General Administration of Customs.

Exports grew 3.7 percent year on year to 11.46 trillion yuan while imports edged down 0.1 percent from a year earlier to 8.64 trillion yuan, the data showed.

China has seen its economic performance picking up on the whole despite a severe and complex external environment, while the volume and quality of its foreign trade improved steadily and in line with expectations in the first six months of the year.

The goods imports and exports in the first and second quarters reached 9.76 trillion yuan and 10.34 trillion yuan, respectively, with both registering year-on-year growth, according to the data.

Data also revealed that China's foreign trade had maintained an upward trajectory in the first half of the year.

The imports and exports recorded in the second quarter was 6 percent higher than that of the first quarter. Both May and June registered 1.2 percent month-on-month increases.

The scale of private enterprises' imports and exports grew notably in the January-June period, increasing 8.9 percent year on year to 10.59 trillion yuan. The volume represented 52.7 percent of the country's total.

The import and export volumes of foreign-funded enterprises and state-owned enterprises accounted for 30.7 percent and 16.4 percent of the country's total, respectively.
The Justice Department (DOJ) Thursday strongly opposed a motion from former President Trumps legal team to indefinitely delay the Mar-a-Lago trial until after the 2024 election.

There is no basis in law or fact for proceeding in such an indeterminate and open-ended fashion, and the defendants provide none, the Justice Department wrote.

Trumps team offered a smattering of reasons the trial should be delayed well beyond the Dec. 11 date suggested by prosecutors, ranging from the demands on Trumps time as a candidate for office to difficulties parsing through the evidence in the trial.

The defendants chide the government for seeking an expedited trial but in doing so they have it exactly backward. A speedy trial is a foundational requirement of the Constitution and the United States Code, not a Government preference that must be justified, prosecutors wrote.

In the 11-page brief, government lawyers scold Trumps defense team for failing to file paperwork to get the security clearance needed to review the classified documents, noting that just two of the four lawyers on the team, which includes representation for Trumps accused co-conspirator Walk Nauta, have done so.

They also argue the schedule allows counsel two months to review such evidence before additional motions would be required.

But the briefs strongest language attacks two other arguments made by Trumps attorneys, including that he will need time to dedicate to his campaign.

The demands of defendants professional schedules do not provide a basis to delay trial in this case. Many indicted defendants have demanding jobs that require a considerable amount of their time and energy, or a significant amount of travel, they write.

The Speedy Trial Act contemplates no such factor as a basis for a continuance, and the court should not indulge it here.

Prosecutors also attacked an argument from Trumps team that they may seek to build a case using the Presidential Records Act.

Trumps team last year sought to withhold records from investigators using the law, arguing that it gave the former president the power to determine what were presidential versus personal records. That argument was largely rejected by an appeals court.

The DOJ called the plan to raise the argument again borderline frivolous.

As for the impact of the Presidential Records Act on this prosecution, any argument that it mandates dismissal of the indictment or forms a defense to the charges here borders on frivolous, they wrote, noting that the act is not a criminal statute, and in no way purports to address the retention of national security information.

The defendants are, of course, free to make whatever arguments they like for dismissal of the indictment, and the government will respond promptly. But they should not be permitted to gesture at a baseless legal argument, call it novel, and then claim that the court will require an indefinite continuance in order to resolve it.

Trump was charged on 31 counts last month, on charges including violation of the Espionage Act as well as obstruction of justice for his efforts to retain more than 300 documents with classified markings.

Judge Aileen Cannon initially set an August trial date for Trump, a placeholder date that complies with laws giving defendants a right to trial within 70 days of arraignment.

The DOJ additionally writes that the complexities of Trumps case, including thoroughly vetting jurors, argue in favor of getting the trial underway quickly.

To be sure, the government readily acknowledges that jury selection here may merit additional protocols (such as a questionnaire) and may be more time-consuming than in other cases, prosecutors write.

But those are reasons to start the process sooner rather than later.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
January 6 Capitol Riot Trump SupportersBrent Stirton/Getty Images

The Department of Justice on Wednesday appealed the sentences of seven members of far-right extremist group the Oath Keepers  including founder Stewart Rhodes  for their roles in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. According to Politico, the appeal signals prosecutor's dissatisfaction with the severity of the members' sentences.

"This is very surprising," tweeted former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, a New York University law professor, explaining that appeals of sentences by prosecutors are "rare."

This is very surprising; appeals of sentences by the govt are rare.

Note: not a lot of political skin to lose by bringing this appeal. https://t.co/5FMd2sQaLu  Andrew Weissmann (weissmann11 on Threads) (@AWeissmann_) July 12, 2023

"Sentencing appeals are unusual (judges have considerable discretion) & while the govt can object to procedural or substantive flaws at sentencing, the cases are hard to win," wrote former U.S. attorney and federal prosecutor Joyce Vance. "Strong sign DOJ wants clear precedent for long sentences for those even more responsible for the insurrection that the Oath Keepers."

The solicitor general has to give her permission for a govt's appeal like this. Sentencing appeals are unusual (judges have considerable discretion) & while the govt can object to procedural or substantive flaws at sentencing, the cases are hard to win. Strong sign DOJ wants https://t.co/cDOtQt69lM  Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) July 13, 2023

Related

Convicted Oathkeeper leader warns Trump: "You're going to be found guilty if you try to go to trial"

U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta in May delivered the harshest sentence of any Capitol attack defendant  18 years  to Rhodes to reflect his leadership role in what the federal judge described as a criminal conspiracy aiming to violently disrupt the transfer of presidential power.

The sentence for Rhodes, a disbarred attorney and Yale Law School grad, however, was seven years shorter than the prosecutor-recommended 25-year prison term and four years below the "guidelines range" they agreed upon based on Rhodes' conduct.

Several of Rhodes' associates received sentences that similarly fell below the recommended guidelines ranges. Among those who were convicted of seditious conspiracy like Rhodes:

Florida Oath Keeper leader Kelly Miggs was sentenced to 12 years; the Justice Department sought 21.

Robert Minuta of New York received a 4.5-year sentence; the DOJ sought 17 years.

Joseph Hackett of Florida was sentenced to 3.5 years; the DOJ sought 12.

Arizona's Ed Vallejo was sentenced to three years; the Justice Department sought 17.

Florida's David Moerschel received a three-year sentence; the Justice Department sought 10 years.

The department also appealed the convictions of two Oath Keepers who, though convicted of conspiring to obstruct Congress, were acquitted of seditious conspiracy. Jessica Watkins of Ohio received an 8.5-year jail sentence, though the DOJ sought 18 years, and Kenneth Harrelson of Florida was sentenced to 4 years, after the DOJ sought 15.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

The sentences reflect Mehta's view of Rhodes as the main force behind the conspiracies. During sentencing hearings, several defendants claimed that Rhodes manipulated or roused them into participating in the insurrection.

Dozens of Oath Keepers, after acting as security for speakers at former President Donald Trump's rally that day, would join the rioters and lead one of the early advances into the Capitol. The group split up once inside with half the members gunning for the Senate and the other half heading toward the House. Three Oath Keepers involved pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy and cooperated with federal prosecutors.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department declined Politico's request for comment. Though scant information is included in the court filings  the appeal notes the government's objections but does not provide a rationale  more information is likely to come from formal documents that will be filed in the coming months.

The government's appeals will likely be considered alongside the appeals filed by the same defendants who are challenging both their convictions and their sentences.

Read more

about January 6
Less than 24 hours after Wednesdays homicide at Genesee and Hopkins streets in southwest Rochester, two men were shot about two blocks south at Genesee Street and Frost Avenue.

Officers from the Rochester Police Department responded to the double shooting around 1:30 p.m. Thursday after hearing gunfire in the area, said Lt. Greg Bello. Several calls to 911 reported that two men had been shot.

Bello said both men are in their 20s and each was hit at least once in the upper body.

They were taken by ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital, where one is in critical condition and the other is in stable condition, Bello said.

No suspects are in custody, and police are asking anyone with information to call 911.

The victim of Wednesdays homicide  the citys 24th of 2023  has been identified as 38-year-old Dwayne Hall Jr. of Rochester. He was killed around 3:45 p.m. near Genesee and Hopkins, when a man he was fighting with pulled out a handgun, shot him at least once in the torso and fled, said Capt. Frank Umbrino.

On Tuesday evening, two men were shot  one fatally  in a drive-by shooting near North Union and Weld streets in northeast Rochester.

The homicide victim in that case, Sayyos Rios, 40, of Rochester, was sitting on his porch.

The apparent target, a 19-year-old man standing nearby on the sidewalk, was shot several times in his upper and lower body. He was taken by private vehicle to Rochester General Hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.

The two men were not friends, police said.

Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Two shot in Rochester NY on Genesee St. near site of earlier homicide
'Dr. Roxy', the plastic surgeon who livestreamed procedures on TikTok, banned from practicing medicine in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio  Dr. Katharine Roxanne Grawe, a plastic surgeon accused of injuring patients while livestreaming some procedures on the social media app Tik Tok, will never again work as a doctor in Ohio.

The State Medical Board of Ohio on Wednesday voted to permanently revoke the medical license of Grawe, who also goes by "Dr. Roxy." The board said Grawe, whose license has been suspended since Nov. 18, neglected her patients as she livestreamed parts of their procedures, spoke into a camera, and answered viewer questions  all while the surgeries were taking place.

The Ohio medical board reached a decision Wednesday.

"This case isn't about some antiquated view of social media ... These patients trusted Dr. Roxy because of what they saw on social media. She made major surgeries with potentially life-altering complications seem like one big party," an attorney representing the state's case against the doctor said while asking the board to revoke Grawe's license.

Grawe addressed the board before the vote, pleading for members to have an open mind when considering the accusations against her.

Grawe claimed that the discipline she's already faced was far more severe than she ever thought was possible. She also complained about the impact the accusations against her had on her life outside of the office as she said her kids have been attacked in school and her husband left her.

Grawe said she used social media in an attempt to break down the "stiff and scary wall between patients and practitioners." She now understands, she said, that she fell short of the medical board's ideals.

"As I stand here today, I see how many of those silly videos seemed unprofessional," Grawe told the board. "I understand how my actions at times seemed careless and offended my patients and colleagues."

PREYING ON PATIENTS: State medical board failed to protect Ohioans from doctors' sexual misconduct

'Put patients in danger for the social media world'

Jonathan B. Feibel, vice president of the medical board, called out Grawe for what he described as "recklessness" and disregard for the board's rules.

Before Grawe's license was suspended, the secretary of the medical board cautioned the doctor at least twice in the previous four years about the need to maintain patient privacy when sharing photos or video on social media, according to the suspension notice filed online.

In September 2021, Grawe was urged by the secretary of the board to undertake remedial education courses related to plastic surgery complications, professionalism and ethics. She was asked to provide certificates of completion of the courses, along with summaries about what she learned and how she would apply it to her future practice.

After completing the remedial education courses, the board alleged Grawe continued to film and live broadcast medical procedures of some patients until on or about Oct. 14.

Despite the warnings, Feibel said Grawe dismissed complaints as coming from disgruntled former patients.

"It's not appropriate to put patients in danger for the social media world. Dr. Grawe's social media persona was more important to her than the lives of the patients she treated," Feibel said.

Grawe's medical license was originally suspended on Nov. 18 after "clear and convincing" evidence arose that her continued practice presented "a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public."

The state medical board permanently revoked the medical license of Dr. Katharine Roxanne Grawe, a Powell plastic surgeon accused of injuring patients while livestreaming some procedures online, on Wednesday.

Procedure livestreamed on social media

The board cited three patients who reported having complications after Grawe performed surgery on them at her practice, Roxy Plastic Surgery.

In one case, a patient was sent to the emergency room by a nurse practitioner at Roxy Plastic Surgery less than a week after receiving liposuction, a Brazilian butt lift, and a skin-tightening procedure from Grawe. Free air was found in her abdomen and medical staff determined she was suffering from hepatic encephalopathy, or loss of brain function when a damaged liver doesn't remove toxins from the blood.

The patient was quickly transferred to another hospital for further evaluation and treatment. There, she underwent exploratory surgery and surgeons found her bowel had been perforated and she had a serious bacterial infection.

The patient required a prolonged stay with multiple debridements, or procedures to remove dead tissue, open abdomen, and skin grafting, according to Grawe's notice of suspension.

At least part of her procedure at Grawe's office was livestreamed on social media, during which Grawe was looking and speaking to the camera while performing liposuction on the patient's abdomen, according to the board.

At least one patient suffered severe damage and infection to her abdomen and she will likely suffer complications for the rest of her life, said both Feibel and Dr. Yeshwant P. Reddy, another member of the medical board. Such an outcome and disregard means Grawe shouldn't be allowed to practice medicine again, the doctors said.

"Can she go back and practice, correcting herself? Reddy said. "No, I don't think so."

WILL THE DOCTOR SEE YOU NOW? Maybe not amid the changing health care landscape in the US.

Ex-patient after decision: 'Finally, I have closure after 11 years'

Mary Jenkins, a former patient of Grawe, was in attendance at the medical board's meeting Wednesday. Although Jenkins wasn't one of the three patients who filed the latest complaints against the doctor, she won a lawsuit in 2016 against Grawe for a botched breast reconstruction surgery.

Jenkins, a North Side resident, founded Christians Overcoming Cancer in 2006 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Surgeons removed Jenkins' right breast in 2006, but she put off having reconstructive surgery until meeting Grawe in 2012.

Grawe performed a procedure at Mount Carmel St. Ann's in which a flap from Jenkins' abdomen was removed and used to construct a right breast. The flap, however, died after becoming congested with blood and was removed two days later by Grawe.

Jenkins was left with "a gaping hole in her chest that required extensive wound therapy," according to a pretrial statement filed by her attorney, David Shroyer. She spent four months in a nursing facility while the wound healed.

Jenkins' lawsuit stated Grawe's attempts to address the complications, which included leech therapy rather than surgery, "were professionally negligent and fell well below accepted standards of medical care." A jury awarded Jenkins $358,000 for the botched procedure.

Jenkins cried after the medical board stripped Grawe of her license Wednesday. She said the board's action was long overdue and wished something had been done to prevent more patients from enduring the pain she's suffered.

"I don't know what to call this feeling. I feel good, but I also feel bad," Jenkins said. "Finally, I have closure after 11 years of enduring and remembering all that I went through."

Mary Jenkins, a former patient of Powell plastic surgeon Dr. Katherine Roxanne Grawe, is emotional when talking to reporters after state medical board revoked Grawe's medical license. Jenkins won a lawsyit against Grawe in 2016 for a botched breast-reconstruction surgery.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: 'Dr. Roxy' loses medical license for livestreaming surgeries on TikTok
Envy Peru

Drag Race Holland winner turned host of Make Up Your Mind, Envy Peru, is the latest drag queen to fall victim to a violent attack in the rising tide of assaults targeting the community.

Envy took to Instagram to tell the harrowing and heartbreaking tale. Today I got a wake-up call that we still have a long way to go, she began.

I was attacked in broad daylight by 4 young men while on the bus in Amsterdam, she wrote. They threatened me with a weapon while making offensive slurs towards me and filming it. Even when I tried to distance myself from the situation by moving away, they continued and kept trying to hit me.

While some watched on, Envy shared that she did have one ally in the crowd. As I tried to get away, what shocked me the most was that only one sweet lady stood up for me - in a whole bus full of people, she said.

Even after leaving the bus, Envy said the threats continued. When the bus finally got to my stop at central station, I sensed the boys following me, then one of them ran towards me and kicked me to the floor, she recounted. Four women stood up for me and scared the boys away and escorted me to where I needed to go. I dont know their names because I was in shock! But if one of them might read this.. Thank you so much.

Envy said that shes thankfully doing okay, but felt like she had a responsibility to report the incident to the police. I was hesitant to file a report since I am a person in the public eye, she said. But as a proud member of our community and Pride Ambassador, I cant be silent! These hate attacks need to stop! I know a lot of our community members stay silent when violence happens towards them because of fear.

But I decided Im going to go to the police and will show them the footage I took of the incident. Nobody should go through this, and these cowardly actions should be punished, she concluded.

www.instagram.com

The attack on Envy is the latest in a string of similar incidents. The Vivienne shared that she had been assaulted at McDonalds last month. She reported the incident and a suspect was arrested.

As PinkNews reported, two queens, husbands George and Jason Sullovan, were attacked outside the Boom Battle Bar in Bournemouth, England when a group of six boys spotted them holding hands.

A report issued by GLAAD confirms that there has been a surge in violence targeting drag queens. GLAAD found 141 incidents in 2022 of anti-LGBTQ protests and threats targeting specific drag events, including during Pride festivities and false rhetoric against performers deployed in campaign ads for the midterm elections, it reported. Its almost like incendiary rhetoric leads to real-world harm. Imagine that.

Our hearts go out to Envy Peru today, and to all the queens who face backlash and violence from a hateful but loud minority of people.
DRC has one of the fastest growing populations in the world  why this isn't good news

Getty Images

The demographic profile of a country matters because it sets its development pace  it creates opportunities and presents risks. For many developing countries, the challenge is to manage a demographic profile that puts pressure on particular cohorts of people. One country that needs to manage this challenge is the Democratic Republic of Congo. Jacques Emina, who has studied demography in the country for the last two decades, unpacks the numbers.

What are the DRCs demographic challenges? Whats driving them?

With 102 million people in 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo is the fourth most populous country in Africa after Nigeria, Ethiopia and Egypt. Its the 15th most populous country in the world.

Its estimated that by 2050, the DRC will have 215 million people and join the worlds 10 most populated countries. This isnt so surprising, given the size of the country: 2.3 million square kilometres, making it the second-largest country in Africa (behind Algeria).

The countrys population reflects higher-than-average growth compared to other countries on the continent. The DRCs population grew by 3.3% in 2022. The continents average was 2.5%. The average world population growth rate was 0.8% in 2022.

The DRCs growing population has serious consequences for the wellbeing of its people. Without policies that take account of the countrys demographic profile  a growing population and a very high number of young people versus working age people  social conditions like poverty and hunger will increase.

There are two main reasons for the high population growth: a decrease in deaths and a high number of births.

Over the past decades, the DRC has seen a consistent drop in under-five mortality, though this is still relatively high compared to the world average. In 1995, under-five mortality was estimated at 175 deaths per 1,000 births. This dropped to 87 deaths per 1,000 births in 2018. In the same year the global under-five mortality rate stood at 40 deaths per 1,000 births.

Life expectancy in the DRC has also increased from 49 years in 1995 to 62 years in 2023. The current global life expectancy is 73 years.

When it comes to numbers of births, Congolese women average 6.2 babies in their lifetimes. This is four births more than the global average of 2.3 babies.

The DRCs fertility rate is driven by four major factors.

Firstly, cultural values encourage people to have children. Large families are celebrated. The countrys most recent demographic and health survey found that Congolese women on average wanted six children; men wanted seven.

Secondly, an early start to childbearing means more years of giving birth. More than 30% of girls in the DRC are married before they turn 18. About a quarter of young women give birth by their 18th birthday compared to 14% worldwide. And 27% of adolescent Congolese girls aged 15-19 have children.

Thirdly, very few women use contraception in the DRC. The percentage of women of reproductive age who use an effective form of modern contraception was estimated at around 7% in 2018. This was up from 4% in 2007.

The fourth factor driving population growth is the absence of a national population policy. This typically includes a set of measures designed to influence population dynamics.

What impact is this having?

The DRCs galloping demography has several implications.

The first is a high dependency ratio. This is when there are far more economically dependent people than economically active ones because of the demographic age profile of the country. The economically active population faces a greater burden to support economically dependent people, particularly children. Children under the age of 15 account for 41.6% of the DRCs total population. This indicates that employed people aged 15-64 bear a heavy burden amid low incomes.

The country also faces significant planning challenges. School attendance rates increased from 52% in 2001 to 78% in 2018. Nevertheless, 7.6 million children aged 5-17 are still out of school.

The DRC lags behind in other key human development measures:

What interventions are needed?

A countrys population profile can offer opportunities, or whats known as a demographic dividend. This is when a high percentage of people are young and there are jobs for them.

But the DRC is missing out on this opportunity and will continue to do so unless it:

invests in human capital by improving its education and health systems. Most Congolese are paying out of their own pockets for healthcare. Education is free, but the system is weak due to low budget allocations.

designs a population policy to guide population dynamics. This would include policies on birth, migration and where people live. These should be linked to an integrated national development policy.

makes progress on gender equality. This should include increasing the enrolment of girls in high schools, discouraging child marriage and enabling young mothers to attend school.

improves governance and tackles corruption to promote investment in education, health and employment.

creates data systems that can underpin evidence-based policies.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. Like this article? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

It was written by: Jacques Emina, University of Kinshasa .

Read more:



Jacques Emina does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho says two Idaho school districts have dress code policies that discriminate against Latino students and result in higher rates of discipline.

The Nampa and Caldwell school districts have violated students civil rights to be free from discrimination based on race, national origin and the color of their skin, by implementing dress code policies that target Latino students, the ACLU said in a report released this week.

Both school districts have dress code policies that prohibit students from wearing clothing that is affiliated with a gang. The ACLU said these codes are vague and give schools broad discretion to target and label Latine students as gang. Latine is a gender-neutral term for people from Latin American countries of origin.

The ACLU found that the two districts have prohibited students who have no affiliation with gangs from wearing Catholic rosaries to school, clothing that expressed Brown Pride, and cholo clothing, a clothing style that represents cultural pride for some Latinos.

These policies result in disproportionate discipline of Latine students simply for wearing clothing closely tied to their religion, culture and ethnicity, the ACLU said in the report.

The school districts say they work with local police on their dress codes and say the policies are necessary to protect students from gang affiliation.

Latino students have twice the expulsions as white students

Across the country, students of color face a disproportionate number of suspensions and expulsions at school, said Erica Rodarte, the ACLU legal fellow who wrote the report.

In Nampa and Caldwell, Latino students received in and out-of-school suspensions at a higher rate than non-Latino students, the report said. Also, Latino students had double the number of expulsions compared to white students.

Its a really concerning finding, said Rodarte in a Zoom interview with the Idaho Statesman. If a student is not in the classroom because theyre in out-of-school suspension, are they receiving educational services? Theyre missing class time. Theyre the ones that are being the most effected because theyre not able to access their education. If theyre expelled, theyre completely removed from the classroom or from the school district and that stays on their record.

The trends found in Nampa and Caldwell also affect students emotionally, said Rodarte. They are labeled as troublesome, and the policies have an impact on how comfortable they feel in school and how well they do academically.

Schools ban cholo style, Brown Pride, rosaries

Earlier this year, a Caldwell High School student, Brenda Hernandez, was forced to remove a sweatshirt that said Brown Pride on it. The school district said Brown Pride was associated with several street gangs, but Hernandez said she was trying to show pride in her Mexican-American heritage. She said she is not part of a gang.

Hernandez spoke to the ACLU for its report. She said the experience made her feel like she was not welcome in her own school.

I honestly hate going to school now, she said in the report. Every time I get called down to the office, I get anxiety and I think what are they going to do to me?

Other Nampa and Caldwell School District students said their schools banned them from wearing rosaries to school. One anonymous community member told the ACLU that Lone Star Middle School and South Middle School instituted the policy likely in response to a school resource officers belief that rosaries are gang-related.

Rodarte said many of the questionable policies within the two school districts appear race neutral in how they are written, but in practice, target Latino students.

The Brown Pride clothing, cholo style and rosaries are very much tied to (Latinos) cultural identity, said Rodarte.

The ACLU mentioned at least five other students, parents and community members in the report about how they experienced discipline from dress code violations from wearing cultural clothing.

In an email, Caldwell School District spokesperson Jessica Watts said gang issues in Canyon County are increasing and are more covert.





The district stood by the dress code policies, saying the policies protect all the children and youth of Caldwell.

Watts said the policies are directed by the Caldwell Police Department, and the district will continue to partner with police to address gang concerns.

Students should use their voice and speak out about issues that may arise at their school, Watts said.

She said the districts dress code was revised in 2018 and 2022.

Students and staff are encouraged to email trustees with their concerns or suggestions pertaining to the district dress code, Watts said.

The Nampa School District said in a statement that it does not endorse or support any practices that discriminate against any of our students. The Nampa School District continues to strive for excellent (excellence) for all students, including our Hispanic and LatinX students and families.

The district also said it will continue to work with Nampa police to curb gang violence in school.

The Caldwell School District had 5,384 students enrolled in 2022 and Nampa had 13,346, according to the Idaho Department of Education.

ACLU recommendations to school districts

The ACLU recommended the Nampa and Caldwell School Districts review their dress codes and disciplinary policies to ensure students regardless of race, national origin, color and religious affiliation are not targeted and labeled as gang members.

The organization also said the school districts should support rather than exclude students who are at risk of being involved in gangs or are affiliated with gangs.

Public education is accessible and should be accessible to all students regardless of whether they are involved or are at risk of being involved in gangs, Rodarte said. Its really important to be able to support those students because education can actually be a way for them to feel like they have a place to turn to if they are at risk of being involved in gangs.

The ACLU also recommended the districts hire diverse staff and teachers to better reflect the communities they serve. It also recommended that districts have accessible data about disciplinary actions.

Fluent in English, Idaho student was put in an English Learner class. What happened?

Idaho schools restrict speech about gender identity, sexual orientation in classrooms
The driver in a Daytona Beach crash on April 1 that resulted in the deaths of three teenagers was arrested and charged in a February drive-by shooting according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

Miguel Miranda, 19, of Deltona, was charged Wednesday with aggravated battery and firing into an occupied dwelling in the Feb. 12 shooting on Trade Street in Deltona. He was being held Thursday in the Volusia County Branch Jail without bail.

A wreck on International Speedway Boulevard on April 1, 2023, left three teens dead.

Drive-by gun found in crashed vehicle

Detectives responded to the Feb. 12 drive-by shooting at around 7:20 a.m. and found a 16-year-old boy shot in the arm. The teen was sleeping in a front bedroom with his 7-week-old nephew when two shots came through the window, one striking him. The infant wasnt injured, said sheriff's spokesman Andrew Gant.

Miguel Miranda

After an investigation of video surveillance footage and follow-up interviews with the victim and with the registered owner of the vehicle, Miranda emerged as one of several persons of interest, Gant said.

In announcing the arrest, the sheriff's office named Miranda as the driver in the April 1 crash, information that had not been publicly disclosed.

Gant said that during the crash investigation, a 9mm handgun was recovered from near the drivers seat where Miranda was sitting. The gun was identified as the same one that fired the bullet recovered from the bedroom on Trade Street.

Cell phone records also showed Mirandas phone was in the area of the shooting on Trade Street at the time it occurred, and left the county immediately after, sheriff's detectives said.

Charge possible in triple fatality crash Criminal charges possible for driver in crash that killed 3 teens in Daytona Beach

Miranda was driving a Nissan Murano when he crashed into a tree at West International Speedway Boulevard and Franklin Street at 5:03 a.m. on April 1.

"Arriving crews had to overcome entrapment, an ejection, two trauma alerts, and three fatalities," the Daytona Beach Fire Department reported at the time. "Unknown what caused the accident."

Three of Miranda's friends were killed in the crash, including two who had been interviewed during the drive-by shooting investigation, Gant said. The only other survivor of the crash was a 16-year-old girl who suffered serious injuries.

Victims identified

A tragic crash: Three teens killed when car hits tree off International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach

Tight bonds: Victims in triple-fatality crash on International Speedway Boulevard identified; each has a story

Pair were inseparable: Brothers killed in Daytona crash planned to travel to New York to meet music producer

The News-Journal previously identified the three teens who died in the crash as Richard Anthony Acevedo, 19, Adam Robert Acevedo, 17, of Deltona, and Michael Liburd, 14, of Orange City.

Richard Acevedo, the father of Richard and Robert, told the News-Journal in a previous story that Miguel was his son Richard's best friend. Acevedo said he was told that Miguel possibly fell asleep while driving.

Miranda went to Pine Ridge High School, as did the Acevedo brothers.

Previous arrest

According to the Volusia Sheriff's Office and court records, in July 2021, Miranda and Anderson Cantres, 27, Miranda's brother, were arrested on charges of attempted murder following a drive-by shooting in Deltona.

In the shooting, on Danforth Avenue, deputies responded at around 10:30 p.m. to a report of a vehicle being shot several times. There were no injuries.

An April 1, 2023 crash off International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, killed three teens and left two injured.

Detectives interviewed both Cantres and Miranda and determined Cantres fired the shots in the July incident while Miranda drove the car and supplied the gun. Cantres was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, shooting into a dwelling, and other charges.

Miranda was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated stalking, principal to shooting into a dwelling, principal to shooting into an occupied vehicle, and two counts of principal to aggravated assault.

Cantres reached a plea deal with prosecutors and is incarcerated at Graceville until July of 2034, according to the state Department of Corrections.

As for Miranda, he was 17 at the time of the crime and was sent to the Department of Juvenile Justice. A Florida Department of Law Enforcement background check on Miranda shows a number of charges filed against him as a juvenile but no convictions and does not indicate the disposition of the drive-by shooting case.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Driver in triple-fatality crash charged with shooting teen in home
Drugs and guns found after multi-county chase ends in Columbia, SC cops say

A man is behind bars after leading law enforcement officers on a chase through multiple Midlands counties Wednesday, according to the Fairfield County Sheriffs Office.

James Cowart, a 43-year-old Winnsboro resident, was charged with multiple traffic offenses, in addition to drug and weapons crimes, the sheriffs office said in a news release.

The chase began in the afternoon when a deputy tried to pull over the vehicle Cowart was driving after seeing it swerve into oncoming lanes of traffic, according to the release.

Cowart refused to stop on Peach Road and drove off, heading south on Interstate 77, the sheriffs office said.

A pursuit continued down I-77 and into Richland County, where Cowart led deputies onto Blythewood Road and Wilson Boulevard before returning to the highway, according to the release.

Deputies with the Richland County Sheriffs Department joined the chase, and at one point in the pursuit Cowart drove into the northbound lanes of I-77 as he continued to head south, the sheriffs office said.

Richland County deputies were able to stop Cowarts vehicle near Exit 18 on I-77, the Farrow Road exit, according to the release. The chase ended in Columbia, more than 15 miles from where the initial traffic stop was attempted.

Information on how the vehicle was stopped was not available, but the Fairfield County Sheriffs Office said there were no injuries.

I want ... to thank the Richland County Sheriffs Department for their assistance, Fairfield County Sheriff Will Montgomery said in the release.

When he was taken into custody Cowart, a convicted felon, was found to be in possession of several guns and a substance believed to be methamphetamine, according to the release.

Cowart was charged with multiple traffic offenses, including failure to stop for a blue light and siren, in addition to charges for possession of methamphetamine, and several gun-related charges, the sheriffs office said.

Cowart was taken to the Fairfield County Detention Center where hes waiting for a bond hearing, according to the release.

I am proud of the professionalism of our deputies in how this incident was handled, Montgomery said. We are glad to be able to take three more guns off of the streets from a person who has no legal right to possess them.

Cowart is also wanted in Alabama, as well as Kershaw County, where he failed to appear in court after being arrested on a larceny charge, judicial records show. Cowart was arrested on that charge on June 22, 2021, and posted a $7,500 surety bond that same day, according to court records.

Cowart also has a previous conviction in Kershaw County on a speeding charge, court records show.

Information about the charges facing Cowart in Alabama was not available.
A man and woman were killed Tuesday night after a vehicle jumped a Foothill Farms sidewalk and ran into pedestrians.

The 20-year-old woman behind the wheel was under the influence at the time of the crash, the California Highway Patrols North Sacramento office said in a news release.

According to officers, the pedestrians were walking on the south sidewalk of Elkhorn Boulevard near Hillsdale Boulevard when a 2003 Honda Civic driving east made an unsafe turning movement to the right, traveled up onto the sidewalk and collided with the victims just before 8:30 p.m.

Both victims were pronounced dead by Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District paramedics. Their identities will be released by the Sacramento County Coroners Office after family has been notified.

The North Highlands driver was taken to a hospital for minor injuries before being taken into custody by CHP officers on suspicion of driving under the influence. One occupant in the Civic, an 18-year-old man, was injured; a 20-year-old riding in the car was not injured, the CHP said.

The driver remains in Sacramento County Main Jail custody in lieu of $500,000 bail and faces DUI charges and two counts of felony vehicular manslaughter. Shell be arraigned in Sacramento Superior Court on Thursday.
China plans to land its taikonauts on the moon before 2030 to carry out scientific exploration, according to a preliminary plan released by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Wednesday.

The plan is to launch two carrier rockets to send a lunar lander and a manned spacecraft to a lunar orbit, respectively. The craft and lunar lander will rendezvous and dock with each other, and then taikonauts will enter the lander.

As the lunar lander descends and arrives at the preset area on the lunar surface, taikonauts will carry out scientific tasks and collect samples.

After completing the planned tasks, taikonauts will return to the lander, which will lift them back to the lunar orbit to dock with their spacecraft.

In the final step, the spacecraft will fly taikonauts back to Earth with lunar samples.

Chinese researchers are working on the development of the Long March-10 carrier rocket, a new generation of manned spacecraft, lunar lander, lunar landing spacesuit, manned lunar rover, and other equipment, said Zhang Hailian, deputy chief designer with the CMSA at a space industry forum in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province.

The new carrier rocket will have three and a half stages with a carrying capacity of about 27 tonnes to the lunar transfer orbit, and the rocket body is five meters in diameter.

The new generation of manned spacecraft has three parts -- an escape tower, a re-entry capsule, and a service capsule, Zhang said, adding that the new spaceship will employ module designs that can satisfy the needs of both near-Earth and deep-space explorations.

The landing rover will consist of two parts -- a landing section and a propulsion section, and can send two taikonauts to the lunar surface at the same time.

The lunar rover will weigh 200 kg and can accommodate two taikonauts.

In addition, the spacesuit being developed for the moon landing, with a single working time of no less than eight hours, will feature better mobilities to help taikonauts walk, climb, squat, drive, and operate machines.

Zhang said China would also explore the construction of a lunar scientific research station and carry out systematic and long-term lunar exploration and related technical tests and verification.
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag will leave politics after the upcoming elections, to relieve her family of the burden of threats made to her, she said in a newspaper interview published on Thursday.

"My work has been a heavy burden for my husband and my children," Kaag told Dutch daily Trouw.

"I'm not quitting because my security is an issue for me. But it is for them. I would like it for them if things would quieten down."

On a Dutch TV program recently Kaag's two daughters talked about their concerns for their mother because of threats made to her, causing the minister visible emotion when she was confronted with the recording.

In May, Kaag, 61, said the environment for politicians in the Netherlands had become "toxic", as she and many of her colleagues were continuously threatened and often needed tight security.

Kaag's decision to leave comes three days after long-serving Prime Minister Mark Rutte unexpectedly announced he would quit politics once a new government is formed.

Rutte handed in the resignation of his fourth coalition government on Friday after failing to reach an agreement on stricter immigration policies.

Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra this week also said he would not run in the next elections, expected to be held in mid-November.

A veteran U.N. diplomat, Kaag entered Dutch politics in 2017 when she became foreign minister in Rutte's third cabinet.

She led the pro-EU, left-leaning D66 party to second place in the 2021 elections, behind Rutte's conservative VVD.

(Reporting by Bart Meijer; editing by Jason Neely)
Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, who once contributed to $28K worth of damage at a Chicago hotel, doesn't worry about AI because it 'can't destroy a hotel room'

"Hotel California" was released in 1976. Asylum

Joe Walsh, the guitarist for The Eagles, had a unique take on AI's role in the music industry.

While on a final tour with The Eagles, Walsh told The Associated Press that he's not worried about AI.

"When AI knows how to destroy a hotel room, I'll pay attention to it," Walsh told the AP.

Joe Walsh, the guitarist for rock group The Eagles, claimed that he's not worried about artificial intelligence's place in the music industry quite yet  and it's not because of AI's lackluster songwriting skills.

Walsh, who played guitar on the song "Hotel California," doesn't think AI will disrupt the music industry in a significant way because it can't yet embody the kind of spirit that would trash a hotel room  something Walsh has been known to do.

"It's computers, it has nothing to do with music," Walsh told the AP on Wednesday. "It can't destroy a hotel room, it can't throw a TV off the fifth floor into the pool and get it right in the middle."

According to CBS, Walsh destroyed a fancy Chicago hotel room during a wild night with John Belushi, running up a bill for $28,000.

"When AI knows how to destroy a hotel room, I'll pay attention to it," Walsh added on Wednesday to the AP.

The Eagles kick off their final US tour in September.

The music industry is in an early stage in its prickly relationship with AI, where there is still much legal gray area, especially as it relates to copyright law.

Several AI-generated songs featuring copycat vocals based off artists such as Drake, The Weeknd, and Rihanna have gone viral, and have quickly been taken down after record labels threatened legal action.

Read the original article on Insider
Editorials from The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board are the opinions of the Board, not of the Post newsroom.

Florida's property insurance crisis continues unabated, and we're not sure what's worse: insurers  Farmers Insurance being only the latest  pulling up stakes and hightailing it out of the Sunshine State, or our state leaders' pitiful response to their departures. Both, unfortunately, have become routine to the detriment of frustrated policyholders.

Take the initial response of Jimmy Patronis, Florida's chief financial officer and the one high-level public official charged with overseeing the property insurance industry. He went full bellicose in a tweet, which we're sure made the executives at Farmers think twice about their decision to stop writing new or renewing existing policies in Florida. Not.

Farmers Insurance: Another insurance carrier is pulling its business from Florida: What it means for you

Florida's Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis needs to find ways to engage, not hector, in addressing the state's property insurance crisis.

"Hearing rumors @WeAreFarmers might pull out of Florida," Patronis tweeted on Monday. "If that's true my office is going to explore every avenue possible for holding them accountable. Don't get to leave after taking policyholder money."

Patronis didn't stop there. The next day he sent out a diatribe of a press release, accusing Farmers of "... playing politics" and not "... running a successful company." "Farmers Insurance is well on its way to becoming the Bud Light of insurance," he wrote. The CFO concluded with a platitude about consumers having "a seat at the table" and an olive branch: "While the communications by the insurance carrier has been garbage, there's still time to change course."

Don't hold your breath. The insurer's decision to drop auto, home and umbrella policies in Florida was a business decision, something Patronis, as a partner in a Panama City seafood restaurant, should understand. The move affects an estimated 100,000 policies, roughly 30% of the insurer's Florida business. Policies under other Farmers' brand names aren't affected. Still, the news that a major carrier is leaving Florida citing "risk exposure" is not good news.

Our View: Editorial: We asked the experts when property insurance bills will drop. The answer's bad.

What Florida's policyholders are left with are dropped coverage, ever increasing premiums and tough talk from a CFO that simply amounts to empty threats. Patronis is in his second  and final  term as the state's insurance watchdog. During his tenure, his bark has proven to be far worse than his bite as holding insurers accountable to benefit consumers' pockets hasn't made it to the top of his priority list.

In fact, Patronis, like other members of the Florida Cabinet, have raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the industries they are supposed to oversee. According to a Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald analysis, insurance companies, executives and agents have donated at least $74 million to Florida politicians and business groups, with Patronis, pulling in nearly $2 million.

For policyholders, however, the crisis is only getting worse. Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Florida's insurer of last resort, is fast becoming a first option and is expected to grow to 1.7 million policies by year-end. For those still fortunate enough to get insurance from the private market, the price is going up  a lot. The cost in Florida is expected to jump by at least 40 percent this year, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

More: As premiums continue to skyrocket, Florida residents ask: Do I need home insurance?

State lawmakers have tried to address the problem with two special sessions and the recent regular session. But they largely approved industry priorities of fighting lawsuits and funding for reinsurance, the source that insurers rely on to underwrite coverage for consumers. State leaders, along with the industry, have called for patience, but that's in increasingly short supply as desperate homeowners watch their premiums double seemingly overnight.

Policyholders need relief now. If nothing else, we deserve far more than the bluster coming from our CFO.

If Patronis really wants to reassure the people he's supposed to represent, consumers, the people worried about their insurance coverage, he had better find ways to better engage with insurers instead of hectoring them. Lawmakers gave him some consumer resources in SPB 7052, a bill the Florida Senate designed to give the CFO more resources to hold bad actors in the insurance industry accountable. If the legislation is more than lipstick on a pig, then Patronis and his team had better start using it to boost consumer confidence.

'Own this failure': Florida Democrats blame GOP colleagues over Farmers Insurance departure

We've said it before and it bears repeating: If there were ever a time when Florida needed a competent, engaged and more independent CFO, now is that time. Patronis, though, has been too easily distracted by the political priorities of others, most notably Gov. Ron DeSantis. Bluster and name-calling simply won't cut it. Smarter, tougher engagement with the industry by Patronis will beat out a Bud Light putdown any day of the week.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Rants no substitute for policies in fixing Florida property insurance mess
Editorial: Tourist-tax task force gets one last chance to go bold before it goes home

It was tremendously disappointing to watch the task force convened to seek out the best uses for Orange Countys bed tax  formally known as the tourism development tax  be quickly corralled away from any conclusions that would be truly innovative or transformative.

Instead, the task force was carefully herded toward a set of recommendations that favored the countys biggest venues: The Amway Center. The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Camping World Stadium.

And, God help us, the Orange County Convention Center  already one of the largest in the solar system, and endlessly voracious in its hunger for tax dollars.

There was one bright spot, however. The last meeting of the task force, scheduled for Monday, was set aside for discussing new ideas. Like finding ways to provide more affordable housing dollars to help out the legion of workers who support Orange Countys tourist industry. Or taking steps to de-clog this areas over-stressed, undercapitalized transportation network.

That discussion almost didnt happen  once the rankings of the big-name projects was complete, representatives from several of the biggest tourism players in the area made a bid to cancel Mondays meeting. That was shameful, and it was even more disheartening to see Mayor Jerry Demings defending that mindset.

However, we still see a few bright spots that could emerge from this discussion. We hope the task force puts its weight behind making them happen.

Try something new

The first is a proposal to take advantage of a 1985 law that allows an additional 1 percent tax on hotel stays - known as a tourist impact tax. Task force co-chair (and former Orlando Sentinel opinion editor) Jane Healy has been a key proponent of adding an impact tax, with the revenues devoted to affordable housing.

This sounds like a workable option and one the task force should recommend to the County Commission. Monroe County is already using a tourist impact tax to bolster housing in Key West, so its not a radical idea.

And Orange Countys case for adding this penny is rock-solid. It has one of the lowest per-capita incomes in the state (thanks in large part to low wages in the tourism industry) yet some of the highest housing costs. The County Commission knows as much: Last year, it hired a consultant, which found that Orange County faced a housing crisis - and came close to the impossibly high standard set by the Legislature to be deemed an emergency.

Theres no doubt that this areas low wages reflect the impact of tourism on our community. But tourists would also benefit from this levy, because it largely flows to the workers who make their beds, bake their pizzas and bag up their souvenirs.

Or get to the point

However, we hope the task force takes this last opportunity to push forward another proposal, one thats far more straightforward. Again and again, Demings and tourism-industry leaders have insisted that Orange County cant, just cant, divert any of its existing bed-tax revenue toward affordable housing or transit. Its not that they dont care about those things, they have argued. Its just that state law doesnt allow TDT funding to be used for any other purposes.

So heres our radical proposal: Change the law.

Its an idea that might well be popular enough to pass. Many county leaders across Florida are probably tired of bumping into restriction after restriction or watching millions of unspent tourist-tax dollars pile up in reserves while their counties struggle to meet critical needs.

Its not a new idea. In fact, state Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, tried to accomplish that in the 2023 session. Orange County should ask its legislative delegation to drum up support for passing that bill next session.

Orange County is in a particularly strong position to make the argument for greater flexibility. Its tourism industry pours billions of sales-tax dollars into state coffers every year, making it a donor county to other regions. This would be a way to bolster the local economy  and it would likely increase the amount of money Orange County consumers have to spend on things that are subject to that state tax, instead of dumping more than half their income into rent.

Monday, the tourist-tax task force will have one more chance to take a truly bold stand - and push forward either the impact tax, or more leeway in the use of the tourist-development tax. Or both.

They can bow once again to the insiders, who have already gotten most of what they wanted. But we hope the task force members find the courage to say what needs to be said: This county doesnt need to invest more money in boosting already overfunded venues. It needs to get families off the streets, to provide better public transit, to ease overcrowded roads. One or two relatively minor tweaks in state law would provide those opportunities. They should at least ask that they be considered.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Contact us at insight@orlandosentinel.com
In this photo provided by Egypt's presidency media office, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi speaks during the summit on the Sudan conflict, at the Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, July 13, 2023. Egypt is hosting a summit about the Sudan conflict which include leaders of Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad, Eritrea, Central African Republic and Libya. (Egyptian Presidency Media Office via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  After years of failed talks, Ethiopia and Egypt said Thursday they aim to finalize within four months an agreement on the operations of Africas largest dam, an apparent breakthrough in a dispute that Cairo has described as an existential threat.

The joint statement on expedited negotiations, issued by Ethiopias government, came after Ethiopias prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, discussed the dam with Egypts President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on the sidelines of a regional meeting about the conflict in neighboring Sudan.

Sudan is a third party to the talks about the $4.6 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on Ethiopias stretch of the Blue Nile, which is located just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Sudanese border.

Egypt depends on the Nile River to supply its booming population of 100 million with fresh water, while Ethiopia says the dam helps to pull millions of its 110 million citizens out of poverty. Tensions rose as the dams reservoir began to be filled annually in the past few years.

The new statement does not describe the foreseen agreement as a legally binding one, which Egypt and Sudan have sought. It also doesnt say whether the talks will be under the auspices of the African Union, which Ethiopia has preferred. The United States has been among a variety of mediators in the past.

In a separate statement, the president of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, commended the Ethiopian and Egyptian leaders for their joint decision to reinitiate the negotiations on the dam.

Key questions in the talks have been how the countries will resolve any future disputes around the dam and how much water Ethiopia will release downstream if a multi-year drought occurs.
By Aidan Lewis

CAIRO (Reuters) -Egypt on Thursday embarked on a fresh bid to halt fighting between Sudan's warring factions and contain the humanitarian crisis it has unleashed, using a summit of neighbouring states to try to revive international efforts to contain the war.

The leaders of Sudan's seven neighbours in a joint statement called on the warring parties to commit to a ceasefire, appealed to regional states not to interfere in the conflict, and agreed to facilitate delivery of aid.

They also warned of the possibility of Sudan's fragmentation or "descent into chaos that could lead to the spread of terrorism and organised crime" and called on the international community to meet aid pledges made last month.

Conflict between Sudan's army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in the capital Khartoum in April and has triggered a sharp surge of violence in the troubled Darfur region as well as fighting in North and South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.

More than 3 million people have been displaced, including 700,000 to neighbouring countries, most of which have been struggling with poverty and conflict. The United Nations has warned of a growing hunger crisis.

Using air strikes and artillery, the army has struggled to dislodge the RSF from positions across Khartoum.

The United States and Saudi Arabia had negotiated a series of ceasefires, but suspended talks in Jeddah after violations. Earlier this week, Ethiopia hosted a regional East African summit, but Sudan's army boycotted it, claiming lead sponsor Kenya was biased.

Priorities for Egypt, which has maintained close ties to Sudan's army, include reasserting itself on a file it feels excluded from by other regional efforts, and preventing cross-border support for the RSF, diplomats said.

Its plan aims to achieve a three-month ceasefire and open aid pathways by convening meetings with military and tribal leaders, taking advantage of long-term ties, two Egyptian security sources said.

"All of our brothers in Sudan must uphold the supreme interest and keep Sudan's politics and unity away from external interference that seeks to achieve narrow interests," Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told the summit.

DAM NEGOTIATIONS

Representatives of the RSF and Sudan's army did not appear at the summit. But Sudan's ruling council, headed by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said it welcomed the outcomes and that the army was ready to stop fighting if the RSF halted attacks on civilian and government sites, and stopped blocking roads and looting.

Some of the leaders attending also said they welcomed the Egyptian initiative but hoped it could be coordinated with other diplomatic efforts.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called for the Cairo and Jeddah processes to align with the regional IGAD initiative announced earlier this week.

"I would like to underline that such processes, including today's summit, need to align with the IGAD-laid, and African Union-supported, existing initiative," Abiy said.

Abiy could be seen in animated conversation with Sisi and other top Egyptian officials as a closed session of the summit began.

Speaking on Wednesday, U.N. special envoy Volker Perthes described mediation attempts as "emergency diplomacy", and said factions had used previous ceasefires to re-position.

"The two warring parties still think they can win the war so they accept diplomatic initiatives when they think it can help their aims," he said.

Relations between Egypt and Ethiopia, Sudan's two biggest neighbours, have been strained in recent years by a dispute over the giant dam Ethiopia has constructed on the Blue Nile.

But the two leaders met on Wednesday ahead of the summit, after Abiy last week said he would slow the fourth filling of the dam and ensure Sudan and Egypt received enough water, a conciliatory move.

After the summit, Egypt and Ethiopia issued a statement saying they would launch urgent negotiations to finalise an agreement on the dam within four months.

(Additional reporting by Nafisa Eltahir, and Ahmed Mohamed Hassan in Cairo, Nadine Awadalla, Nayera Abdallah, and Tala Ramadan in Dubai, Julia Payne in Brussels, Dawit Endeshaw in Addis Ababa and Bhargav Acharya in Johannesberg; writing by Nafisa Eltahir and Aidan Lewis; Editing by Alex Richardson, Conor Humphries and Nick Macfie)
Elderly man killed and two others injured by hit-and-run driver fleeing Secret Service in Washington DC

An elderly man has been killed and two other people injured in a hit-and-run by a driver trying to flee the Secret Service in Washington DC.

The tragic incident unfolded just before 1.30pm on Wednesday close to the National Mall at the US capital when uniformed Secret Service agents spotted a vehicle with an expired registration.

Secret Service spokesperson Lt Paul Mayhair said that the officers tried to pull the Honda Accord over t the intersection of 17th Street NW and Constitution Avenue, next to the Ellipse and near the National Mall.

Initially, the unidentified driver indicated that they would pull over but then suddenly sped off south along 17th Street NW, crossing through a red traffic light and striking three pedestrians who were walking across the crosswalk, authorities said.

An eyewitness told NBC Washington that he was standing by the intersection at the time of the crash and saw the 75-year-old man thrown into the air when the car hit him.

The victim landed on the hood before the driver allegedly ran over him again and then fled the scene.

All of a sudden, it just hit the guy. The guy flew up  I saw him when he was flying up. He came down on the hood, said the unnamed witness.

All of a sudden, he backed up a little bit and ran over him again and kept on continuing down until the light.

The Secret Service agents rendered aid to the victims  including a 75-year-old man and a 13-year-old girl  on the scene.

The elderly man was then rushed to hospital in critical condition where he died from his injuries. The other two victims suffered minor injuries.

The suspect, whose identity is still unknown, managed to get away in the chaos and is still believed to be on the run as of Thursday morning.

Authorities are now looking for the suspect and for the blue 2006 Honda Accord with Virginia tags 8718BE used in the hit-and-run.

Police tape on scene of deadly hit-and-run (NBC News)

An alert has been issued to law enforcement agencies in the area to be on the lookout.

Anyone with information is urged to call 911 immediately.

The incident comes just weeks after a 19-year-old crashed a U-Haul van into the barricades outside the White House.

Sai Varshith Kandula, from Missouri, was arrested on the scene by Secret Service agents who found he was carrying a Nazi flag in the van.

Investigators say Mr Kandula plotted the attack for six months in an attempt to try to seize power from the government.
During the occupation of Kherson, Russian invaders tortured women in detention centres with beatings, electric shock, cold water, threats and humiliation.

Source: Presentation of the report on Ukrainian women held by Russia at a press conference in Ukrinform

Quote of Onysiia Syniuk, legal analyst of ZMINA: "We managed to record cases of torture against five women. [The Russians used] beatings, the use of electric current, the use of water. Water was either poured into the mouth, or a cotton cloth was pulled over the head, the water poured on it, and when it dried, it contracted and did not let air pass. Electric shock was applied to the bare chest."

Details: According to Syniuk, human rights defenders of the ZMINA Human Rights Centre collected testimonies of victims and witnesses. In particular, about 30 women were identified, who at different times were kept on the premises of the temporary detention centre No 1 of the General Directorate of the National Police in Kherson Oblast.

According to human rights activists, women were constantly humiliated. They were forcibly stripped during detention, them and their children threatened with rape.

Psychological violence was used. In particular, some torture was carried out in cells in the presence of other women to intimidate detainees. The tortures themselves were carried out day and night; screams were heard in all rooms of the isolator.

One of the victims was forced to listen to the cries of her husband, who was held in the cell nearby. For more effective psychological pressure, the doors of both cameras were opened.

The women were detained in violation of all their rights. They were not told why they were detained, or where they were taken.

The number of people in the cells was at least twice the norm. Only five minutes were given for showering. Food was brought once a day, in insufficient quantities, and by evening it turned sour.

There was no medical support, and when a doctor very rarely came, he said that women feigned illness, the activists stated at the press conference.

After such torture and humiliation, the women suffer from numerous diseases, weight loss, stress, etc. after their release, the researchers report.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) slammed Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) after he gave an outrageous defense of white nationalists Monday, claiming many of them simply have different beliefs as Americans.

I think we really need to treat whats going on with alarm. I mean a huge ring, all the bells. This country is on fire, and what Sen. Tuberville is doing is trying to normalize white nationalism and racism, Warren told a group of reporters at a Black media roundtable Wednesday.

Tubervilles unprecedented hold on hundreds of military promotions in protest of the Pentagons abortion policy has prevented the Marine Corps from confirming a leader for the first time in over 150 years. The Alabama senator was asked by CNNs Kaitlan Collins to clarify comments he had made in May about white nationalists serving in the military, to which he said he simply called them Americans with different beliefs.

[Hes saying] those are just Americans just like you and me, those are the people we should arm, and those are the people who should be in our military because thats just part of Americanism, Warren said of Tubervilles comments.

If that doesnt set everybodys hair on fire in this country, then we are in real trouble because this is an attack on what it means to be a democracy in this nation.

However, Tuberville backtracked his initial comments on Tuesday, telling D.C. reporters, White nationalists are racists, CNN reported. The lawmaker has refused to apologize for his earlier comments.

Warren also slammed the Supreme Court for embracing legacy admissions and declaring that programs designed to help Black and Latino students access higher education were unlawful. She added that the Alabama lawmaker and the high courts decisions are linked to a broader regressive movement.

They take every word and turn around what it means. We totally embrace equality. We totally embrace a form of college admissions that says to white families who have children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, you can get special help, she explained. But people who have been discriminated against over and over and over, you cant do anything to try to level the playing field. Even a tiny little bit.

Warren made it clear that stopping the normalization of white nationalism cannot be put on hold until the upcoming 2024 election. We cant wait for an election  [Elections] matter, but we got to start shutting this down. They are trying to rebuild an America thats always been there. They want to normalize that throughout this country, and weve got to call it out for what it is.

Related...
Elon Musk thinks China is interested in an international AI framework Illustration shows AI (Artificial Intelligence) letters and robot hand

By Kanishka Singh and Anna Tong

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Billionaire Elon Musk said on Wednesday he thinks China is interested in a cooperative international framework on artificial intelligence, from conversations he had when he visited a few weeks ago.

Musk made the remarks in a Twitter Space event with two U.S. congressmen, Democrat Ro Khanna and Republican Mike Gallagher.

"China is definitely interested in working in a cooperative international framework for AI regulation," Musk said. He added that he had advocated for artificial intelligence regulations and oversight, including in his meetings in China.

Musk's remarks came on the day he launched his long-teased artificial intelligence startup, xAI, after arguing for months about AI's potential for "civilization destruction."

Musk recently traveled to China and met the foreign, commerce and industry ministers as well as Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang. His Tesla electric car company has a factory in Shanghai.

Musk later said the Chinese government would seek to initiate artificial intelligence regulations.

On Thursday, China issued a set of interim measures to manage the booming industry, paving the way for its tech companies to roll out AI services.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China attached great importance to the development and governance of AI and "advocates adhering to the principle of human-centred intelligence and creating artificial intelligence for good."

"China is willing to enhance communication and exchanges with the international community on AI security governance, promote the establishment of an international mechanism with universal participation, and form a governance framework and standards that share broad consensus," Wang told a regular briefing in response to a question about Musk's comments.

Several governments are considering how to mitigate the dangers of the emerging technology, which has experienced a boom in investment and consumer popularity in recent months after the release of OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Regulators globally have been scrambling to draw up rules governing the use of generative AI, which can create text and images. Its impact has been compared to that of the internet.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Anna Tong, additional reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Sandra Maler and Leslie Adler)
China on Wednesday successfully launched a new carrier rocket into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

The Zhuque-2 carrier rocket blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China July 12, 2023. The carrier rocket completed the flight mission according to the procedure, making the launch a success. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

The Zhuque-2 carrier rocket blasted off at 9:00 a.m. (Beijing Time) and completed the flight mission according to the procedure.

Developed by the Chinese rocket company LandSpace, the Zhuque-2 is the world's first rocket powered by liquid oxygen-methane fuel and successfully entered its planned orbit.

The launch marks a breakthrough in the new low-cost, liquid propellant application for China's carrier rockets.

The Zhuque-2 is a two-stage rocket with a body diameter of 3.35 meters and a height of 49.5 meters. Its takeoff weight is about 219 tonnes, and its takeoff thrust is about 268 tonnes.

Liquid oxygen-methane fuel is a type of rocket propellant formed by liquid oxygen and methane, the latter of which is the main component of natural gas.

The successful launch of Zhuque-2 is expected to reduce the cost of commercial rocket launches and bring changes to the commercial rocket launch market.

LandSpace CEO Zhang Changwu said the company chose the liquid oxygen-methane rocket as its development route from the very beginning. In the future, it can achieve lower costs and develop reusable rockets.

The mission mainly examined the whole test launch and flight process and tested the compatibility of each system interface.

"We will continue to take the Zhuque series launch vehicle as our core products, continue to optimize and iterate the rockets, further improve their performance, and provide the market with low-cost, high-performance, and large-capacity rocket products," he said.

Various types of reusable liquid oxygen-methane rockets have undergone research and development processes globally. Some are under development, while others are in the engine test phase or undergoing the comprehensive assembly test.

According to Gao Yushan, vice director of Xi'an Aerospace Propulsion Institute affiliated with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, to meet the large-scale and frequent demand of space transport in the future, the high-thrust, high-performance, and reusable liquid oxygen-methane engine is an important direction of development.

The successful tests of multiple liquid oxygen-methane engines developed by Chinese institutions and companies, and the launch of Zhuque-2, indicate that China has established the design, production, and test system for the liquid oxygen-methane engine and can gradually meet the needs of the domestic commercial launch market.

According to Gao, China is developing a 200-tonne liquid oxygen-methane engine, which can provide strong power for future large- and medium-sized launch vehicles.
Elon Musk says he told China's leaders that if a 'digital superintelligence' is created, it could take charge of the country

Elon Musk made a trip to China in May. Alain Jocard/Getty Images

Elon Musk's warning for China: superintelligent AI could take control of the country.

The billionaire said he told senior leaders about the potential threat during a recent China trip.

It comes as Musk makes his own foray into the AI field with his new company, xAI.

Elon Musk says he told senior leaders in China that the creation of an artificial-intelligence-led "digital superintelligence" could usurp the Chinese Communist Party and take control of the country.

He said in a Twitter Spaces call on Wednesday that he had spent "a fair bit of time with senior leadership" in China following a trip in May. Musk said they had discussed the potential dangers of AI and the potential of the technology to claim power.

"I think that did resonate," Musk said during the call. "No government wants to find itself unseated by a digital superintelligence."

The call on the "future of AI" came as the billionaire unveiled xAI, his new company that aims to rival OpenAI and other tech companies while setting out to "understand the true nature of the universe."

"I think trying to understand the universe is going to be pro-humanity, from the standpoint that humanity is just much more interesting than not humanity," he said during the call, which took place alongside Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Mike Gallagher.

Musk has previously raised alarms about the potential dangers of AI becoming a kind of "superintelligence" with some capabilities that humans have. His concerns have grown increasingly louder since the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT.

He said on the Twitter Spaces call that he wanted to "press pause" on the advancement of AI but that it didn't seem realistic.

During his trip to China, Musk was treated like royalty. He met with senior government officials and business leaders to discuss popular topics such as AI.

Musk said on the call that his conversations with leaders in the country had sparked interest in working on a "cooperative international framework" to regulate AI. But he acknowledged that there was a fair bit of distrust toward the US.

However, Gallagher expressed skepticism about China's willingness to control the pace AI evolves and said he was worried about it potentially being used for total techno-totalitarian control.

A representative for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside of regular working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Alodias Italian restaurant in Lexington reopened on Wednesday, according to a social media post from the restaurant, two weeks after the restaurants staff walked out after they say they werent paid.

The popular restaurant on West Main Street was temporarily closed by employees on June 28 after former employees claimed they had not been paid for weeks. The incident has since incited an investigation into the restaurant by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

In addition, Alodias Lexington location is currently listed for sale on Era Real Estates site for $1.9 million. Its advertised on the site as a rare opportunity to own a highly profitable, turnkey restaurant business with an established brand, a prime location and a loyal customer base.

On Alodias Facebook page, the restaurant said it would open the doors of its Lexington location Wednesday night due to contractual rules with its lease that required the restaurant to reopen. To staff the Lexington restaurant, Alodias second restaurant in Irmo closed its doors temporarily starting July 10 to allow employees from that location to work at the Lexington location instead.

Well be back in full force soon, the Facebook post said. Again, we appreciate you all!

Lauren Brunson, a former manager at Alodias in Lexington, said the Irmo store is a different animal and she is unsure how they plan to staff the restaurant. To her knowledge, she said, no previous employees at the Lexington restaurant plan to return.

Irmo has maybe a count of 12 tables. Its a small, small area. Its a small store. Lexington is not, Brunson said. Lexington has, I mean, triple the amount of tables, so you need that much staff at least.

Zoe Spires, a former employee whose now-deleted Facebook post on the lack of employee pay received hundreds of comments, said in a separate Facebook comment on July 3 that she and other employees at the restaurant have now been paid by Alodias owner Adam Huneau.

Spires previously told The State that workers checks were bouncing and some were being paid with cash from the restaurant or from the general managers personal funds before the restaurant eventually closed.

In a comment to Spires original post, Huneau said the pay problem was due to a cash flow issue.

The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation confirmed it is currently investigating Alodias possible failure to pay employees the amount owed on the agreed upon date. The investigation was first reported by the Post and Courier.

South Carolina law states every employer in the state must pay all wages due at the agreed upon payday.

South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation spokesperson Lesia Kudelka said that the departments payment and wages office received three complaints referencing tips and minimum wage, which fall under the U.S. Department of Labor rather than the states department.

Huneau has not responded to requests for comment from The State, but in an interview with The Lexington Chronicle said that he has a letter from his general manager noting payments made to employees, including Spires, with cash from the restaurant or from the general managers personal funds.

Brunson said she never received payment prior to the closing of the restaurant and was only paid when she and other employees were later asked to return to the restaurant to pick up their wages. Brunson said she was paid with a mix of cash and a check.

According to Brunson, employees were asked to sign a paper while at the restaurant confirming that they had been compensated in cash for pending checks that have either been returned, put on hold, or remain uncredited.

In a text shared with The State, employees were warned that their check still may be put on hold and that they should avoid an additional fee by cashing their check at a specific bank in Irmo.

Brunson was given her pay by a prep manager and said she has still not been in contact with Huneau.

I was one of his managers. He has my information. He has my email, Brunson said. I was the one sending him nightly reports every night for finances, so Im just kind of flabbergasted.

On Facebook, Spires wrote that she took down her initial post to protect Huneaus family and spoke with the owner on the phone and received an apology from him.

Everything has been worked out. Alodias was a great place to work, Spires wrote in a comment on July 3. If Alodias does stay open then thats awesome because the food is delicious and the employees are awesomeim just not longer a fan of the OWNER after all of this.

In his interview with The Lexington Chronicle, Huneau said he was struggling with vertigo caused by acute labyrinthitis during the troubles at the Lexington restaurant and said that these issues impacted his handling of the situation.

In a now-deleted statement from Adam and Besty Huneau posted to Alodias Facebook page on July 3, the owners said they wished Spires the best.

Its funny how God works. Im not sure exactly what His plan is yet, but I know His hand is moving. I had a chance today to speak to Zoe Spires. I have forgiven Zoe and I ask for her forgiveness, the statement said. There is enough hate and ugliness in this world and I will not be participating in any of it.

In an informational document for individuals who have had a complaint filed against them, the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation said investigations are generally complete within 180 business days.

Alodias serves Italian food, featuring a variety of homemade pasta dishes for dinner. The restaurants Lexington location is located at 101 West Main Street.
This is an opinion commentary by arts and culture columnist Maxine L. Bryant.

Every July 4, the United States celebrates Independence Day. This is the day, in 1776, that the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence signifying separation from Great Britain and the colonies became an independent nation called the United States of America.

A quick search on the internet revealed that Independence Day is a day of freedom to express our pride in being a nation of hope and prosperity.

Lets consider the meaning of the word "freedom." According to the Oxford Dictionary, freedom means having the power to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. It is the absence of being subjected to a tyrant-type government. It is also the state of not being subject to or affected by a particular thing.

In the U.S. there are many factors that affect Blacks more than whites. These things could be considered collateral consequences. In this conversation, collateral consequences are indirect impacts of being Black in the U.S. They are impacts Blacks must contend with in this countrythose ways in which Black Americans are subject to or affected by a particular thing.

With that said, the question regarding freedom for Black Americans remains relevant.

Today, I will focus on an invisible collateral consequence that impacts the quality of life for many Blacks in the Lowcountry. As the nation celebrates a National Day of Freedom, are Blacks in the Lowcountry free from being subject to or affected by a particular thing?

Sapelo Island and the Hog Hammock community is one of the last intact saltwater Geechee communities remaining on the Georgia coast. The triple threat of sea level rise, tourism and development threaten its existence.

Toxins in the air we breathe

Consider environmental racism, a particular collateral consequence many Black citizens in the Lowcountry are subjected to. Robert Bullard defines environmental racism as any policy, practice, or directive that differentially affects or disadvantages (whether intended or unintended) individuals, groups, or communities based on race or color.

According to a Princeton University study, the U.S. oil and gas Industry releases about 9 million tons of toxic chemicals into the atmosphere annually with much of it being released into communities where Black Americans live. The study also cites that more than 1 million Black Americans live within a half-mile of natural gas facilities and more than 6.7 million Blacks live in counties with oil refineries. This puts Black Americans at a higher risk of cancer and other health ailments.

According to the Princeton Student Climate Initiative, while sea-level rise and climate change affects all who live along the coasts of the Gullah Geechee corridor, which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, Black communities bear the brunt of the impact. A research essay composed by student researchers at Princeton concluded that communities of color are impacted by environmental racism that is manifested in terms of air quality, ocean acidification and natural disasters.

The Georgia Hazardous Site Inventory fact sheet indicates that Georgia has more than 60 toxic sites along its coast. Per the July 2022 list of HSI, 35 of those sites are in Chatham County and about half of the 35 sites encompass neighborhoods where most of the residents are Black, according to Census data.

The HSI divides sites with environmental hazards into five categories:

CLASS I are sites that have known exposure to regulated substances, that have sources of continuing release of contamination, or that are causing serious environmental problems.

CLASS II are sites that require further evaluation before the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) determines if corrective action is needed. In such cases responsible persons are given an opportunity to take voluntary action to clean the site and report back to EPD, at which time the site is either removed from the HIS list or reclassified based on the results.

CLASS III sites are those that do not meet residential clean-up standards but do need some type of corrective action.

CLASS VI sites are already conducting corrective action or have completed the required action under other federal or state authority. However, the site still needs corrective action as determined by the Georgia EPD.

CLASS V sites have a known release that requires corrective action which is being performed.

As of 2022, there are HSI sites in every category in Chatham County and a significant number are in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Hazardous substances found in Chatham County zip codes include lead, benzene, mercury, acetone, chloroform, methyl chloride, arsenic, zinc and nickel. Some of the contaminants impact ground water supply and soil.

So, thats the problem. What are possible solutions?

Education is key. Thats the purpose of thisr column  to educate and raise awareness so that persons living in impacted communities can have knowledge of potential environmental harms. Remember knowledge is power. Residents can empower themselves to action by first knowing. Neighborhood association meetings offer a great forum to discuss environmental harms.

Maxine L. Bryant

Turn knowledge into action

Taking action is another key component in terms of solutions. There is power in numbers. Residents in affected areas can come together to contact Georgia's Environmental Protection Division to inquire, monitor and insist that action be taken on businesses that are contributing contaminants to their neighborhoods.

I was recently told of soot that covers many homes on the westside of Savannah. This soot is layered on roofs so thick that it must be raked off. If the soot is layering roofs, imagine what its doing to residents who are breathing in the contaminated air?

Taking action involves developing a plan of action. There are local resources that are available to assist with this. The Georgia Southern Water Institute has a program designed to educate residents in areas impacted by poor water quality and teach steps to take to reduce harm.

Additionally, the Georgia Southern Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Center has scheduled community meetings called Krat Teet Famlee (family conversations) that are designed to address myriad areas of concern for local residents, including air quality.

Have you heard the saying, If its to be, its up to me? That means each person and each community must take steps to address issues plaguing them. Each person and each community must take steps to be free from being affected by subpar air quality. Being aware of the issues and engaging in conversations designed to identify steps to address subpar air quality are initial steps.

Lowcountry community residents can refuse to be subject to or affected by this particular thing-subpar air quality resulting from environmental racism. In this sense, Lowcountry residents can be agents of change in their own communities and demand freedom.

Community action does not absolve companies who contribute to environmental contamination from their responsibility to cease polluting air and water in Black and Brown neighborhoods. Nor does it free them from the responsibility of righting their wrong through financial compensation to victims of their actions.

Righting this wrong in Savannah is a joint effort  if its to be for us, it is up to us.

Maxine L. Bryant, Ph.D., is a contributing lifestyles columnist. She is an assistant professor, Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology; director, Center for Africana Studies, and director, Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Center at Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus.

Contact her at 912-344-3602 or email dr.maxinebryant@gmail.com. See more columns by her at SavannahNow.com/lifestyle/.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Environmental racism limits freedoms of Black Americans
EU, Japan celebrate close cooperation with end of EU food restrictions in wake of Fukushima disaster

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, center, walks with European Council President Charles Michel, left, as he shakes hands with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after an EU-Japan summit in Brussels, Belgium, Thursday, July 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union and Japan celebrated their close cooperation with Thursday's announcement that the 27-nation bloc will lift the food import restrictions it had imposed in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a short summit with EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, further cementing a diplomatic unity that was only reinforced since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

We know that the Pacific security and European security are indivisible, von der Leyen said after both leaders discussed their joint strategic challenges at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

In an attempt to decrease their dependencies for critical raw materials on China, Japan and the EU decided to step up their cooperation in that sector too.

And a dozen years after an earthquake set off the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the EU decided to lift the remaining import restrictions based on the advice of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

We have taken this decision based on science and based on the proof of evidence, von der Leyen said.

Japan at the same time agreed to be more lenient on EU farm and food imports.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the two EU chiefs, Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, also discussed concerns over North Korea's missiles (JOHN THYS)

The EU and Japan are working on a cooperation agreement for raw materials to whittle down China's dominance in the sector, leaders said in Brussels on Thursday.

Coordination also extended to semiconductors, to help boost economic security in Japan and the EU, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said.

The three spoke in a joint media conference after holding a brief, two-hour summit held in the wake of a NATO summit in Lithuania this week that all three leaders had attended.

Their meeting touched on a range of issues, with some -- notably on questions of security -- addressed through the prism of Japan's current role chairing the G7 group of advanced, Western-oriented nations.

North Korea's launch of a solid-fuel intercontinental missile on Wednesday was condemned, with Michel saying it and Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme "threaten regional and international security".

"We condemn this in the strongest possible terms," he said.

Von der Leyen said the EU and Japan were launching a "strategic dialogue" to coordinate on the "unprecedented challenges to peace and security" in the Asia-Pacific, which she said included the issue of economic security.

Russia's war in Ukraine -- also condemned by the leaders -- showed how various supply chains can be disrupted, she said.

When it came to the raw materials fuelling their economies, the EU and Japan "share similar dependencies," she said.

"One of our objectives is to reduce over-reliance on a handful of suppliers, many of them based in China, for products that are vital for our economies," von der Leyen said.

Michel said that "over history, we've seen the abuse of dominant positions and this causes difficulties".

Kishida agreed on the need for cooperation, though did not directly name China as the reason.

"We welcome this direction (with the EU), as like-minded countries and partners will provide supply-chain and critical infrastructure resilience," he said.

"It's important that Japan and the EU and like-minded countries coordinate and respond with one voice to economic security as well as towards de-risking," Kishida said.

- Semiconductors, AI -

He added that, in supply chains for computer chips, "we are working together on the advanced skills for the semiconductor industry".

The trio also discussed cooperation on artificial intelligence, with von der Leyen saying they wanted to ensure that AI products they developed did not fall into the hands of other countries that could use them for military ends.

Japan's big domestic win at the Brussels summit was the European Union immediately dropping import restrictions on Japanese food imports from the Fukushima region, which was affected by the March 2011 nuclear accident that occurred there.

The commission said that, based on data supplied by Japan, there was no public health threat to European consumers who ate plants, fish and mushrooms from Fukushima, which up to now had been banned.

Brussels, though, urged Japan to continue to monitor fish and seaweed close to the plant for radioactivity.

"We're happy that the EU made the decision to lift import restrictions on Japanese food," Kishida said, adding that "this was based on science".

Michel said that "in parallel" the EU was working on improving access of European beef, fruit and vegetables to the Japanese market.

rmb/rox
EU wants to send military instructors to Ukraine when "circumstances allow"

The European External Action Service intends to expand the European mission to train Ukrainian troops. They want to "deploy" this mission to the territory of Ukraine when "circumstances permit" them to do so.

Source: EL PAIS

Details: Reportedly, the European External Action Service (EEAS) plans to increase efforts to strengthen Ukrainian air defence and boost the co-funding of advanced weapons systems.

Thus, the diplomatic service of the EU offers member countries to increase funding to purchase fighter jets and air defence systems for Kyiv.

"Including missiles and fighter jets," an internal document of the European diplomatic service, accessed by the media, says.

The report analyses the formulas of "security obligations" the EU can undertake with Ukraine.

In particular, Brussels wants to expand the European mission to train Ukrainian troops; it is currently based in Germany and Poland.

Eventually, they want to "deploy" it to Ukraine, when "circumstances permit."

The media believe that the mission will probably be deployed to Ukraine after the war is over.

The document of the EU diplomatic service also refers to "security obligations" to Ukraine. It urges EU member countries to increase assistance in the repair of equipment sent to the Ukrainian army, demining, and cybersecurity support to combat hybrid threats, disinformation and interference.

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A woman shelters from the sun with a shirt near the Colosseum in Rome (Reuters)

As nations across Southern Europe and parts of the US face temperatures topping 40C, El Nino conditions are building in the Pacific that bring a chance of a record-breaking event that will bring more such sweltering heat.

Last month saw a weak El Nino form, a periodic climatic event around the warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific, which can cause knock-on heat around the world. But an update from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) on Thursday said that it will almost certainly strengthen throughout the year, with an 81 per cent chance it will peak with a moderate to strong intensity between November and January. There is a one in five chance that this event will be of historic strength, rivaling the major one experienced in 1997, Noaa said.

Such an event would only increase the chances of more extreme heat as seen in Italy, Spain, Greece and parts of the US this week. The European Space Agency (ESA), whose satellites monitor land and sea temperatures, said July will be a torrid month, with the heatwave in the region  named Cerberus  pushing temperatures up towards 48C (118F).

"Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland are all facing a major heatwave with temperatures expected to climb to 48 Celsius on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe," it said.

Tourists have been warned to take care in the extreme heat, with Cerberus has taken hold across many popular British family holiday hotspots in the Mediterranean. An Abta spokesman said: "High temperatures around our favourite holiday hotspots are not uncommon at this time of year and it is always important that you take sensible precautions, particularly making sure that you and your family drink plenty of bottled water as it is extremely easy to become dehydrated, and always use plenty of high factor sun cream.

A runner jogs in Tempe, Arizona at sunrise (AP)

"Follow the example of local people and leave the beach at midday and early afternoon when the sun is at its most powerful, to have a long, leisurely alfresco lunch in the shade.

"Holidaymakers have the option of cooling off in the pool or sea and don't forget to put on the air conditioning or turn on the fan at night to ensure you have a cool, restful sleep."

Rebekah Sherwin, an expert meteorologist from the Met Office's global forecasting team, said the "heatwave conditions already occurring across much of southern Europe, northwest Africa and the Middle East are expected to continue through the coming week".

She added: "Peak temperatures, which are around 10 to 15C higher than average, could reach the mid-40s degrees Celsius in parts of southern Europe and up to 50C in parts of North Africa.

Ms Sherwin said that "unusually high" sea surface temperatures are also occurring across the region, with many parts of the Mediterranean seeing surface temperatures as high as 25 to 28C.

Holidaymakers on Alimos beach, near Athens (Louiza Vradi/Reuters)

Weather alerts were in place across Spain's Canary Islands, Italy, Cyprus and Greece, with the Greek authorities expecting temperatures to reach as high as 43C or 44C on Friday or Saturday.

In Greece, the government has ordered the suspension of work between 12pm and 5pm local time in areas where the risk from heat is very high, and also requested remote work for private sector employees with health conditions.

In the Balkans, beachgoers in the Croatian town of Nin smeared themselves in its medicinal local mud to protect themselves from the sun while 56 firefighters with 20 vehicles and three aircraft struggled to contain a brush fire near the Adriatic town of Sibenik.

In Southwest US, searing conditions will build into Friday and throughout the weekend in the central and southern parts of California, where many residents should prepare for the hottest weather of the year, the US National Weather Service warned.

Midday highs were mostly expected to be above 38C, and desert areas could reach nearly 49C, forecasters said. Across the US, more than 111 million people were under extreme heat advisories, watches and warnings. The heat could continue into next week as a high pressure dome moves west from Texas. In Arizona, temperatures have hit 43C for more than a dozen consecutive days.

The United Nation's World Meteorological Organisation said on Monday that global temperatures recorded in early July were among the hottest on record.

Presss Association, Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report
ADragan via Getty Images

This summer, against the backdrop of record-shattering heatwaves and the typical desire to hit the beach, some people may be wondering if the lotion we slather on to protect against the Sun is just as dangerous as the skin cancer sunlight can generate.

Since the dawn of humanity, we've depended on the Sun to survive. Our solar system's star drives weather on Earth, influences ocean currents, climate and makes plant life possible. But only relatively recently have humans developed mechanisms to protect ourselves from it as much as physically possible when exposed. Of course we're talking about sunscreen. While there is evidence that Ancient Egyptians and Greeks used mixtures of plant extracts to prevent tanning (they likely didn't know about the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun), the first sunblock was developed less than a century ago.

Today, there are many to choose from and the importance of its use is emphasized in the mere fact that rates of melanoma have been rising rapidly over the past few decades.

However, sunscreen has a PR problem. One in which headlines often point out that some sunscreens have previously included carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic chemicals. Indeed, in July 2021, Johnson & Johnson recalled five aerosol sunscreen products because they had been contaminated with benzene, a known carcinogen. The presence of the chemical wasn't intentional.

In 2019, the FDA requested additional safety data on sunscreen components from manufacturers, heightening fears around safety and sunscreen. Consumer watchdogs like the Environmental Working Group often publish warnings about the potential health risks of sunscreen chemicals. And it's not just the potential to harm human health, but also the environment. In 2018, Hawaii banned sunscreens that contain octinoxate and oxybenzone fearing that they could damage coral reefs. Concerns have also been raised about the use oxybenzone, a potential hormone disruptor, in sunscreen.

The seeming catch-22 of sunscreen has made it difficult for some people to choose the right sunscreen  or wear it at all. However, in the United States, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. It's estimated that one-fifth of Americans will develop some form of it in their lifetimes  a striking statistic to dermatologists given it's also one of the most preventable cancers. While most cancers are caused by genetic mutations in DNA that trigger genes in normal cell growth to become oncogenes, skin cancer is caused by excessive sun exposure. And most Americans don't wear sunscreen regularly.

"There are more skin cancers than all other cancers combined in the United States," Dr. Darrell S. Rigel, a clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine and former president of the American Academy of Dermatology, told Salon. "Melanoma, the most dangerous kind of skin cancer, is the most common cancer in women ages 25 to 29 and the second most common after breast cancer in women ages 30 to 34. It strikes younger, and we are seeing younger and younger people get it."

Rigel said when weighing the risk of chemicals in sunscreen and getting skin cancer, what is really happening is that people are weighing an "unproven risk with a proven benefit."

"It's an unproven hypothetical risk that has actually been disproven in some studies, versus a proven risk," Rigel said. "But I'm biased because I see all the people who get skin cancer, but the people who get skin cancer, they virtually all say 'I wish I protected myself from the sun years ago.'"

The sun gives off two kinds of damaging rays: UVA light, which causes wrinkles and UVB, which causes sunburn. Both contribute to the development of skin cancer. (There are also UVC rays, which are far more dangerous than UVA or UVB, but they luckily don't reach the Earth's surface.) Sunscreen works by blocking UV light via physical or chemical filters or both. Sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide create a physical barrier between the skin and the Sun. These sunscreens physically reflect light off the skin. Then there are chemical sunscreens that are designed to absorb UV rays, acting as sponges that turn damaging rays harmless.

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"There's been some evidence that some of the chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the bloodstream after being applied to the skin, especially when they're applied to a large surface area of the skin," Dr. Bruce A. Brod, a clinical professor of dermatology at University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, told Salon. "But we don't have any evidence to show that chemical sunscreens that are absorbed in the skin are harmful."

Indeed, two separate FDA studies published in 2019 and 2020 found that ingredients commonly found in chemical sunscreens, including oxybenzone, can be absorbed in the skin and linger for days. However, what Brod and other dermatologists are quick to point out is that there is no evidence to suggest that it's harmful and causes cancer. In both studies, the authors emphasized that their findings did not mean people should refrain from wearing sunscreen.

"The benzene issue was a one-off. There were some impurities in the production process, but it's been fixed," Rigel said, adding that a separate study found that exposure to benzene in a sunscreen  assuming you used it everyday for a year  was still less than the amount of benzene inhaled when filling up a tank at the gas station.

The tide is turning on research suggesting that sunscreen poses environmental risks, too. Aaron Boyd, a PhD candidate at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, recently demonstrated how exposure to sunscreen may actually be a lower risk for small aquatic animals compared to some tests done on each individual chemical.

"Researchers overwhelmingly perform studies testing the toxicity of UVFs [ultraviolet filters] in isolation by exposing test organisms to one chemical at a time," Boyd said in a media statement, describing an experiment on water fleas. "In fact, less than 3% of aquatic toxicology studies published to date have investigated whole sunscreen mixtures, leaving a massive knowledge gap to be addressed."

When it comes to sunscreen, the FDA isn't responsible for safety testing. Instead, it sets the standards that companies have a responsibility to follow. However, the FDA has proposed experiments to be done to better understand the effects of sunscreen.

"But those experiments are basically done every weekend in the summer when tens of millions of people are using sunscreen. And they're not seeing any of those hypothetical risks," Rigel said. "So the bottom line with that, is it's not a major risk to wear sunscreen. The flip side is what's the risk of not using sunscreen, right? That is a proven risk and the risk is skin cancer."

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Tom Cruise at the premiere of "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" Bryan Bedder / Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

How can Tom Cruise top himself this time? "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" is finally here, and it features one of the action franchise's most jaw-dropping stunts yet. But it's also just the latest film this summer to end without wrapping everything up, as a second part is still to come. So what's in store for part two, and how will Cruise risk his life once again? Choose to accept your mission of reading on for more information on "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two."

"Dead Reckoning Part Two" will be released in June 2024

"Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part Two" will arrive in less than a year, as it's slated for June 28, 2024.

These seventh and eighth "Mission" films were announced in 2019, and though they were initially scheduled for release in 2021 and 2022, the plan was always for them to debut a year apart. Like "Part One," "Part Two" will be directed by Christopher McQuarrie. The filmmaker told Fandango that "Part Two" won't feel like a "reset," as it will continue the "escalation" from "Part One," and it "takes off right from" the start.

Filming on "Part Two" has already started

Meeting that June 2024 release date should be feasible given filming on "Dead Reckoning Part Two" already began in March 2022. McQuarrie recently told Collider "we've shot all but one of our international locations" for "Part Two," and "we've shot our big action except for the biggest set piece." He added that the plan is to wrap principal photography "early next year."

In 2022, McQuarrie also said on the "Light the Fuse" podcast that there were "days" of filming remaining on "Part Two," and he noted that the two movies share some of the same sets. "There's a place in 'Part One' that gets revisited in 'Part Two,'" he teased. "Part Two" has seemingly not been delayed due to the 2023 writers strike.

New cast members include Hannah Waddingham and Nick Offerman

Some stars who weren't in "Dead Reckoning Part One" will join the cast in "Part Two," including "Ted Lasso" star Hannah Waddingham. In March, McQuarrie shared a photo of her in the film, though her role hasn't been revealed.

Nick Offerman will also make his "Mission" debut in "Part Two." His character is "IMF adjacent," he teased on the "Light the Fuse" podcast. Other new cast members will include "Mindhunter" star Holt McCallany, who is reportedly playing the secretary of Defense, as well as Janet McTeer and Lucy Tulugarjuk. Rolf Saxon is also returning as William Donloe, the analyst from the Langley vault sequence in the original 1996 film. And on "Light the Fuse," McQuarrie teased that a character from "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" will return in a "delightfully unexpected way" following "an Easter egg" in "Part One." It's possible he means Angela Bassett's Erika Sloane, as a photo of her appears as an Easter egg in the first film.

It will feature an "outrageous" stunt sequence

Every "Mission" attempts to top the previous one with a jaw-dropping new stunt, and "Dead Reckoning Part Two" will be no exception. "There's stuff coming in eight that is beyond anything we've done," McQuarrie told Collider, also teasing to the outlet that there's a "sidebar action sequence involving the team, which we haven't shot yet," that involves "elements that I've never worked with before."

Whatever this is, it's seemingly not in act three, as McQuarrie told the "Light the Fuse" podcast in 2022, "We have the bulk of the third act action sequence in the can for 'Part Two.' We already know what the third act of 'Part Two' is, and it's off the chain." He added that this is "one of two really big, really ambitious sequences in the movie," and the one that hadn't been shot yet is so ambitious that he still wasn't sure at the time of the interview "how, physically, to achieve it." McQuarrie also teased to Fandango that the final shot of "Part One" should "give you an indication" of what they've got cooking. So could this suggest the complicated stunt he's talking about involves having Cruise actually dive to the bottom of the ocean?

One of the big stunts that has already been shot is an aerial sequence that was filmed in South Africa. McQuarrie shared a wild photo last year of Cruise hanging off a plane during filming, and Cruise shot a promo video for CinemaCon standing on that same plane. In December 2022, he also thanked fans for the success of "Top Gun: Maverick" by skydiving while filming in South Africa. "The aerial sequence is  It's just outrageous," McQuarrie told Empire. Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish teased that Cruise will be "walking on the outside of an airplane  in the air, not on a green screen."

According to Variety, flight scenes were shot on an aircraft carrier in the Adriatic Sea. Tom Cruise also teased on the "Light the Fuse" podcast that "Part Two" will go to the Arctic, though according to The Guardian, producers dropped an "attempt to obtain permission for dozens of helicopter landings on Svalbard" in March.

Will it be a goodbye to Ethan Hunt?

There have been mixed messages regarding whether "Part Two" will serve as Cruise's swan song in the franchise. "The plan is for the seventh and eighth films to serve as a sendoff for Cruise's Ethan Hunt character," Variety described in a 2022 report.

Despite this, McQuarrie told Fandango ahead of the "Dead Reckoning Part One" premiere that "Part Two" won't be the last "Mission" film, and there are already ideas for what happens next. So does that mean the franchise will say goodbye to Cruise but continue on with a new lead star?

Don't count on it. Cruise recently told the Sydney Morning Herald he plans to continue with the "Mission" franchise into his 80s. "I hope to keep making Mission: Impossible films until I'm [Harrison Ford's] age," he said. Who are we to doubt the living manifestation of destiny?

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When Ray Epps, now 61, arrived in Washington DC in early January, 2021, he believed he was answering the call of his president.

Mr Epps was one of the thousands of MAGA loyalists who believed former President Donald Trump's lie that the 2020 election had been stolen. He also thought he and a throng of conservative allies would protest the election's certification.

The night before the Capitol riot on Jan 6, Mr Epps told a crowd of fellow Trump supporters that they should enter the Capitol. This exchange was caught on video. He did not call for violence, and later claimed that he was encouraging a peaceful protest inside the building.

Nearly 900 people have been arrested for their participation in the failed insurrection that occurred the following day. Though Mr Epps is not among that number, he has nonetheless become the focus of a MAGA-world conspiracy theory placing the blame for the entire debacle squarely on his shoulders.

Who is Ray Epps?

Mr Epps is a former Marine who runs a wedding and event venue in Queen Creek, Arizona. He describes himself as a staunch conservative, and was a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump.

Mr Epps went to Washington DC believing that the 2020 election had been stolen. Politico has reported that Mr Epps is a former Oath Keeper, the militant right-wing gang whose members are currently under investigation on seditious conspiracy charges.

Since the Capitol riot, his life has been turned upside down by the very people he once marched alongside.

The conspiracy theory

After failing to pin the Capitol riot on Antifa, right-wing media outlets refocused their efforts to reshape their narrative around Mr Epps. According to the New York Times, obscure right-wing outlets like Revolver Media began reporting on selectively-edited videos of Mr Epps during the Capitol riot, and later capitalised on the footage from 5 January in which he called for people to enter the Capitol.

The theory claims that Mr Epps, who was not arrested in the wake of the Capitol riot despite apparently encouraging people to enter the building and participating in the event himself, could only have evaded law enforcement if he was working with the government.

To explain this apparent contradiction, outlets and conspiracy theorists decided that Mr Epps had to have been an FBI agent sent into the crowd to stir dissent and set up a "false flag" event meant to justify the incarceration of hundreds of Trump supporters.

Larger right-wing media platforms, including Fox News' Tucker Carlson, picked up on the story, thrusting Mr Epps into the mainstream conservative consciousness. Republican lawmakers including Senator Ted Cruz and Representatives Thomas Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Matt Gaetz leapt on the theory in their efforts to reframe the Capitol riot narrative.

Mr Trump himself eventually signed onto the conspiracy theory, feeding the man who believed his lies into the right-wing conspiracy machine's ever hungry maw.

What really happened?

Days after the Capitol riot, Mr Epps learned that the FBI was treating him as a person of interest in its then nascent investigation into the riot. He immediately called the agency and agreed to call them to discuss what had happened.

During their talks, Mr Epps insisted that he had remained peaceful and had instructed other rioters to do the same. Video footage that was eventually edited and used to suggest Mr Epps was inciting violence actually showed that he was trying to talk down other protesters who were getting angry.

In one video, he tells another protester, Ryan Samsel, to relax and reminds him that the Capitol police were doing their jobs. According to the Times, Mr Samsel was questioned by the FBI and fully corroborated Mr Epps' version of events.

He came up to me and he said, Dude  his entire words were, Relax, the cops are doing their job, Mr Samsel told investigators.

Further, Mr Epps was able to prove that he had left the Capitol before the violence began in earnest. A protester who had fallen ill required help away from the chaos, and Mr Epps volunteered to help lead them out.

The fallout

Since then, Mr Epps life has turned upside down. He has become a persona non grata in conservative circles due to his association with the conspiracy theory.

After the conspiracy theory picked up steam, Mr Epps began receiving death threats and even had intruders trespass on his property. According to Mr Epps, those individuals approached him and demanded to know the "truth" about his supposed involvement with the FBI.

He has had to leave his home in Arizona and is currently hiding out in an RV with his wife at an undisclosed location.

Mr Epps told theTimes that he fears the direction the US is heading, and called what was done to him "criminal."

I am at the center of this thing, and its the biggest farce thats ever been, he said. Its just not right. The American people are being led down a path. I think it should be criminal.

Lawsuit

In July 2023, Mr Epps filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News and its former host, Tucker Carlson. Mr Epps filed the lawsuit in the Superior Court of Delaware, the same court in which Fox was given a $787.5m judgement to settle a separate defamation case brought by Dominion Voting Systems, the New York Times reports.

Fox News has since sought to have the lawsuit moved to the Federal District Court in Wilmington.

Mr Epps is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.

The move comes after Mr Epps demanded in March that Fox News and Carlson retract their stories and issue on-air apologies to him.

Ray is taking the next steps to vindicate his rights by seeking accountability for Foxs lies that have caused him and [his wife] Robyn so much harm, his attorney, Michael Teter, told the Times.

The lawsuit blames Fox News for spreading 2020 election fraud misinformation, painting Mr Epps as a loyal viewer who trusted the networks commentary.

When Fox, through its on-air personalities and guests, told its audience that the 2020 election had been stolen, Epps was listening, the complaint says. He believed Fox. And when Epps kept hearing that Trump supporters should let their views be known on Jan. 6 in Washington D.C., Epps took that to heart.

It goes on further to claim that Fox News and Carlson made Mr Epps the villain of their stories, and said Carlson in particular became fixated on the former Marine.
You are here: China

Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), has signed an order to commend two outstanding military units and two individuals.

An office of the CMC equipment development department and a unit of Troop 92730 of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) were given first-class merit citations.

Zhang Xiongwei, a professor with the Army Engineering University of PLA, and Zhang Jianning, a senior neurosurgery doctor and professor at the Chinese PLA General Hospital, were given third-class merit citations in defense-related science and technology.
Tommy Pintacuda, spokesperson for Teamsters Local 61, informs UPS workers about current contract negotiations during a demonstration outside the Asheville UPS Customer Center July 12, 2023.

ASHEVILLE - The clock is winding down for some in the package delivery business.

UPS workers with Teamsters Local 61 led yet another demonstration at Ashevilles UPS Customer Center the morning of July 12, in protest of how UPS has handled contract negotiations with the union that represents 340,000 of its workers.

Tommy Pintacuda, spokesperson for Teamsters Local 61, which represents all UPS centers in Western North Carolina, yelled out if we dont get it? to the crowd. About 30 Teamsters chanted in response, Shut it down. Many of the protesters held signs that read Just practicing for a just contract.

With the current national contract set to expire at the end of the month, negotiations between UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters over a new five-year workers contract have reached a stalemate. In response, UPS workers across WNC have led numerous demonstrations in the past two weeks, from Asheville to Henderson, Franklin, Hickory and Lenoir, as part of a national effort across the union.

Pintacuda said the Teamsters have the backing of all the unions in Europe and confirmed that if an agreement is not reached by July 31, then UPS workers across WNC, the country and Europe will go on strike August 1.

Everything will shut down, Pintacuda told the Teamsters at the demonstration. If we do go on strike, we have to stay together. Im still optimistic that a deal will happen, but if it doesnt, guys, be ready.

Since national contract talks began in April, there have been tentative agreements on some issues, such as scrapping the two-tier wage system for drivers who work weekends and make less money, as well as adding air conditioning to U.S. small delivery vehicles purchased after Jan. 1, 2024, according to the Associated Press.

Negotiations have reached a standstill, with both sides saying the other has caused the halt. Pintacuda said the company has gone silent before meeting all the demands of its workers, one of the most prominent being sufficient pay and improved working conditions for part-time workers.

Since July 5, its been silent, Pintacuda told the Citizen Times July 11. They had worked all through the weekend leading to July 4, all day July 4 and into the early morning of July 5. Then around 4:15 a.m., thinking we were very close to a deal and getting what we needed for the part-timers, the company basically said they have no more to give and left the room.

However, according to Jim Mayer, senior director at UPS, the company is ready to negotiate, and it's the Teamsters who walked away from the table.

"The Teamsters have stopped negotiating despite historic proposals that build on our industry-leading pay," Mayer told the Citizen Times July 12. "We have nearly a month left to negotiate. We have not walked away, and the union has a responsibility to remain at the table. Refusing to negotiate, especially when the finish line is in sight, creates significant unease among employees and customers and threatens to disrupt the U.S. economy."

More: Without NC funding, child care workers in Asheville, Buncombe could see big pay cuts

Mayer noted the progress that has been made on the contract, including air conditioning in vehicles, a holiday for Martin Luther King Day and changes to work rules. Regarding concerns over how part-timers are treated, Mayer mentioned that UPS part-time workers have an average wage of $20 an hour after 30 days, health insurance at no cost to them, and a pension, which only 7% of part-time employees at private employers have access to, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But according to Pintacuda, part-time workers are given substantially lower pay than full-time workers, starting at $16 an hour as compared to $21 an hour. UPS part-timers dont receive health care benefits until after nine months, and theres many, many people who dont even make it that long, according to Albert Arguelles, who has worked part time at UPS for three years. Pension benefits kick in after five years, he said.

Theres a constant inflow of people, but no one ever stays, Arguelles told the Citizen Times July 12, adding that hed estimate the turnover rate is nearly 90%. And it feels like its part of the plan, because if they never get to the health benefits, or any of the other stuff, then it costs the company less money.

Arguelles described a work environment where six hours of work is squeezed into three and a half hours and where the flow of packages is so quick that boxes overflow onto the ground and mistakes in loading are made. Without a good load, full-time drivers must spend more time in the back of the truck during drop-offs, and drivers like Dwight Patton have seen temperatures in the back reach 127 degrees without air conditioning, he said.

UPS workers hold picket signs during a demonstration outside the Asheville UPS Customer Center July 12, 2023.

Its very physically demanding and taxing, and it doesnt have to be, is the problem, Arguelles said, calling the work environment toxic. One of the things we say as people who work there is UPS stands for unrealistic production standards, and it comes from the top. Supervisors are on our side, but they are replaceable and not in a union. If they dont do what the company is making them do, theyll just replace them with someone who will.

Arguelles said the warehouse itself is gross, disgusting, dirty, adding that its nothing like the pictures hes seen of FedEx and Amazon warehouses from friends who work there. He said he worries about how being in that environment for several hours every day will affect his long-term health and ability to do the job.

More: Buncombe County adopts $610M budget, raises property taxes for salaries, schools

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration visited the warehouse about six months ago, according to Arguelles, and the company hired a cleaning company for about two or three weeks after to make it look good, but Arguelles said he hasnt seen a cleaning crew since.

The part-timers have more hope than in past contracts, with a union president and new higher ups that are making a point to give us credit where credit is due, Arguelles said.

Its a good job. It always has been, Pintacuda said. The company will send out press releases and talk about the health benefits, etc., but won't talk about the harassment, what these workers go through every day, how they were essential workers during the pandemic, putting their family at risk and working excessive hours while the company doubled its profits every year of the pandemic.

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. News tips? Email Ryley at rober@gannett.com. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville UPS workers lead demonstration over worker contract
After ex-deputy Scot Peterson was acquitted, who now pays for his exorbitant legal bills?

The Broward Sheriffs Office will be asked to pay the six-figure legal fees of former deputy Scot Peterson, the school resource officer who recently was acquitted of all charges for failing to confront the Parkland school shooter, his attorney said Thursday.

Petersons attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, did not give the exact dollar amount for legal fees, which include the costs of subpoenas, visual aids for the jury and depositions for the lengthy case, but called the final six-figure amount exorbitant.

Eiglarsh added, Prosecutors should have thought about that before pursuing charges against an innocent man.

Peterson last month was found not guilty on all criminal charges of child neglect, culpable negligence and perjury. His attorney successfully argued Peterson didnt know where the shots were coming from during the massacre at the school in Parkland on Valentines Day 2018.

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Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor made no apology for the decision to pursue the case against Peterson, saying in a prepared statement after the verdict that Peterson stood by, leaving an unrestricted killer to spend 4 minutes and 15 seconds wandering the halls at leisure  firing close to 70 rounds.  The evidence showed he stood in one safe spot for more than 40 minutes while the victims on the third floor were killed and injured and while other law enforcement officers took action.

A civil attorney will be brought on to assist. Eiglarsh gave a within 90-day timeframe. Hes pursuing that, Eiglarsh said of the effort to recover legal fees. He  deserves to be reimbursed for the money he had to spend on costs and legal fees, which were exorbitant.

State law allows law enforcement to request reasonable attorneys fees and costs from their employer when the action arose out of the performance of the officers official duties and are found not guilty, according to the law.

Police departments then generally cooperate, said Bob Jarvis, a professor in NSUs Shepard Broad College of Law. They dont want to fight the police unions and its something the deputies expect. Its part of the workplace relationship. If you always fought it, whod want to work for you?

Peterson resigned in lieu of being fired from the Sheriffs Office.

Peterson was painted both as a scapegoat and a coward, criticized by many people, including his boss at the time, former Sheriff Scott Israel.

Peterson, for his part, is doing the best he can to enjoy his freedom but its challenging because he still has litigation over his head for what will probably be another couple years, Eiglarsh said.

He was referring to a pending civil trial, which involves the families of the murdered victims. A Broward judge on Wednesday authorized the reenactment of the mass shooting at the school. Attorneys for the victims, led by David Brill, hope to gather evidence to demonstrate that Peterson would have heard dozens of shots and known they were coming from the schools 1200 building.

Gunman Nikolas Cruz murdered 17 students and staff, injuring 17 others. A judge sentenced Cruz to 34 consecutive life sentences last year.

Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Twitter @LisaHuriash
Jack Smith; Donald TrumpPhoto illustration by Salon/Getty Images

Prosecutors on special counsel Jack Smith's team interviewed Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for "several hours" in March as part of the ongoing federal investigation into efforts to interfere with the 2020 presidential election, Benson told CNN Wednesday.

"[The interview] really underscored, I think, the depth through which the federal prosecutors are looking into everything and the seriousness with which they're taking what occurred and the quest for justice to ensure it doesn't happen again," Benson told CNN's Kaitlan Collins Wednesday evening.

Though Benson did not disclose specific details about the interview  including whether she was asked about former President Donald Trump or if Smith was present  she did reveal that prosecutors focused on, among other subjects, "the impact of the misinformation on [election workers'] lives and the threats that emerged from that from various sources."

Related

"Ominous sign": Legal experts say Jack Smith "closing in" after piercing Trump's "inner circle"

"Myself and the election officials who have  at request or simply because we have a story tell  have been speaking to authorities, I think it's really a reflection of our desire to ensure that the law is followed, and where there's evidence of wrongdoing, there's justice that is served," Benson said.

She added that she is "willing to speak with anyone," including the grand jury, "about what we endured."

"If and when we are requested, we'll be a part of any proceedings that require my testimony," Benson said, adding that "it's important for the American public to know that what occurred in 2020 was really detrimental to who we are as Americans."

Benson's interview with federal prosecutors is the third recent meeting between Smith's team and officials in key battleground states that Trump and his allies targeted in efforts to subvert the results of the 2020 election reported in recent weeks. CNN reported that Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger met with prosecutors last month in connection to the probe, and former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers told Collins last week that he was interviewed by investigators seeking information relevant to the federal inquiry a few months ago.

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The revelation also indicates the special counsel's meticulousness in building up the case regarding the former President and his allies. CNN legal analyst Elliott Williams, a former deputy assistant attorney general, argued on Thursday's edition of "CNN This Morning" that Benson's recent meeting is evidence of the depth of Smith's investigation.

"They have spoken to people in Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and now Michigan," said Williams. "What I am seeing is a pretty broad national conspiracy touching on any aspect of election meddling or election interference. They could be building one massive case, the mother of all election conspiracy cases, that could be charged in any one jurisdiction bringing in evidence of all the others... it's pretty vast!"

Olivia Troye, a former national security advisor for former Vice President Mike Pence, said during the appearance that the round of latest interviews appears to signal that Smith is nearing the end of his investigation and that charging decisions will be made soon.

"I think they're getting close to wrapping it up, hopefully," she said. "I think they need to move forward. I think they're now talking to people who are really there at the front lines of it from 2020, being bullied and intimidated by these individuals."

Benson's interview occurred after her office complied with a government subpoena late last year, providing an array of documents including communication between Michigan officials, former Trump attorneys and individuals working for his campaign to Smith's office. Included in the materials was an email from a local Michigan elections official reporting a voicemail they received from someone who identified as a lawyer for Trump's former personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani.

"While the City Clerk of Rochester Hills, Michigan, I received voicemails in December 2020 specifically requesting access to the election equipment," the email read.

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about the Jan. 6 probe
Ex-Fox Execs Are Now Appalled By 'Disinformation Machine' They Helped Create

Three former executives of Fox say they now regret their role in setting the stage for the right-wing news network thats come to dominate the media landscape today.

In a joint statement, Preston Padden, Ken Solomon and Bill Reyner expressed deep disappointment for helping to give birth to Fox Broadcasting Company.

In the 1990s, Reyner was lead counsel while Padden was a lobbyist as they worked to get waivers from restrictions against foreign ownership and cross-ownership of newspapers and broadcast, allowing Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch to establish his fledgling network.

Solomon, as vice president of network distribution, recruited affiliates.

We all greatly admired Rupert Murdoch and his vision and bold efforts at the time, they said. We genuinely believed that the creation of a fourth competitive force in broadcast television was in the public interest.

None of the three ever worked for Fox News, but they expressed regret that the Fox Broadcasting Company they helped create led to the right-wing media network.

We never envisioned, and would not knowingly have enabled, the disinformation machine that, in our opinion, Fox has become, they wrote, adding that the judge in the Dominion lawsuit found the network had spread false news.

Fox did not appeal the decision but instead acknowledged it and paid nearly $800 million in damages to Dominion, they wrote.

The trio also called out the networks role in promoting Donald Trumps big lie about the 2020 election and slammed Fox News for contributing to the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol.

In fact, the connection between Fox and the January 6 attack is so strong that multiple Jan 6 defendants have pleaded not guilty arguing they were suffering from Foxitis  a disease caused by watching false news on Fox! they wrote.

Read the full statement here.
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty/Soteryx

A former CIA officer allegedly duped an aspiring covert operative into believing she was part of a quasi-official recruitment program for budding spies, then coerced her into repeatedly having sex with him so she could learn how to use her body as a weapon.

The woman claims she was told it would replicate the purported off limits work every CIA officer was inevitably called on to do, and that the techniques she picked up would become a valuable part of her technical skillset.

But the fabricated and extended training exercise did nothing to help the young cybersecurity specialist realize her dream of joining the agency, and instead groomed her for ongoing sexual abuseultimately landing her in a psychiatric facility, according to a bombshell lawsuit obtained by The Daily Beast.

The 58-page complaint lays out a raft of stunning accusations against Shaun Wiggins, the co-founder and CEO of Soteryx, an Upstate New York data analytics consulting firm (and provider of active shooter training), whose corporate bio says he served as a Clandestine Service Officer for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, identifying and engaging key foreign national stakeholders critical to U.S. interests. Wiggins also worked for the Department of Defense Inspector General, as an external affairs officer. The company says its leadership includes several other ex-feds, such as a former FBI Special Agent in Charge, a former Department of Justice staff attorney, and a former Navy SEAL who also worked for the CIA. (The CIA did not respond to The Daily Beasts request for verification of Wiggins past employment, though he is regularly cited in local media as having worked for the agency.)

Wiggins, who has twice run for local office both as a Democrat and as a Conservative, allegedly told the woman, who is identified in the complaint only as Jane Doe, that when she wasnt using sex to seduce information out of enemy targets, she could use it to develop stronger connections between herself and other operatives, the complaint says. Specifically, according to the filing, Wiggins said that the bond between case officers on missions together was such that it wasnt unusual to form sexual relationships with colleagues.

https://www.facebook.com/saratogaparentsforsaferschools/photos/a.242148273123901/303651260306935/?type=3

Doe says she thought she had found the perfect job opportunity at Soteryx, which appeared to offer an ideal onramp to her dream career. Wiggins gained Does trust, then turned it against her, assaulting her again and again over the course of what she believed was an 18-month extended job interview, according to the complaint. It says the arrangement also put Doe in dire financial straits, since Wiggins regularly withheld her pay until she completed more training exercises. The cloak-and-dagger aura permeated just about every aspect of the bogus setup, the complaint states: when Doe was struggling to buy food, Wiggins left $100 for her in a secure spot outside the Soteryx offices.

As became increasingly clear, though Wiggins was not conducting an actual CIA recruitment, it says. Rather Wiggins was operating as a groomer, using his position of actual and apparent authority and power to cause [Doe] to accede to his repeated sexual assaults.

Doe brought the complaint against Wiggins and Soteryx under New York States Adult Survivors Act, which provides sexual assault victims a one-year lookback windowending in late Novemberduring which cases that otherwise would have expired under the statute of limitations can be reopened. As of May, roughly 130 lawsuits have been filed via the act, including ones naming famous defendants such as boxer Mike Tyson, director James Toback, and former President Donald Trump.

I am grateful for the Adult Survivors Act, which has allowed so many survivors of sexual assault and abuse to hold their abusers accountable, Does lawyer, Megan Goddard, told The Daily Beast. Abusers should always be held responsible for the harm they inflict, but the window for survivors to file lawsuits under the Adult Survivors Act ends in November of 2023.

Wiggins and Soteryx did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

A Gateway to the CIA

The allegations against Wiggins can be traced back to August 2017, when Doe was hired at Soteryx. She reported exclusively to Wiggins, who led her to believe her work at Soteryx, along with his connections, would prepare her for a job at the CIA, according to the complaint.

Because of the nature of the work she was interested in, she understood that the position would require her to trust Wiggins and that she may be exposed to some unique situations, outside of the standard 9-5 office job, it states.

Doe graduated from college in 2009 and, as she entered her mid-20s, decided she wanted to join the CIA. To bolster her chances, she got a certificate in international cyber conflict and followed the advice of a professor who said some practical work experience would look good on her resume.

That spring, Doe spotted a blurb in the local paper about an upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremony at Soteryx, a new cybersecurity firm in Saratoga Springs. Intrigued by Wiggins CIA background, which she read about on the Soteryx website, she attended the ceremony and introduced herself to Wiggins. Before Doe even had a chance to contact him, Wiggins found her on LinkedIn and messaged her to arrange a meeting, according to the complaint.

The two met three times at a local restaurant, but no job offer was forthcoming, the complaint says. After two months, Doe assumed she hadnt passed Wiggins informal interview process. But as late summer rolled around, Doe ran into Wiggins by chance at a Saratoga Springs coffee shop. She reiterated how interested she was in a CIA career, and this time, Wiggins expressed interest in hiring her, according to the complaint. He assured Doe that working for him would be a gateway into her working for the CIA through his experience and contacts, the complaint states.

From the start, Wiggins began to control Doe and separate her from others, all under the guise of training, according to the complaint. For starters, he insisted Doe only communicate with him privately via WhatsApp.

[Doe] understood that she needed to learn about communications which could not be traced as part of her training, so was not concerned about the unusual communication style, the complaint states. Additionally, while Wiggins permitted [Doe] to take occasional babysitting jobs to earn the money necessary to meet her expenses, he prohibited her from any work that might impinge on these training exercises.

Wiggins told Doe he planned to shape [her] into the ideal recruit, and demanded she be on call 24 hours a day, according to the complaint.

You, my dear, are an agent in waiting! he told her on one occasion, the complaint continues.

Toward the end of September, Doe says Wiggins told her about the off limits training he planned to conduct. She responded enthusiastically, trusting Wiggins that it would simulate actual CIA techniques.

The tone of the messages soon started to shift, with Wiggins complimenting Does hair and asking if she had ever been a model, according to the complaint. Still, there was enough talk about tradecraft to keep Doe interested. In October 2017, Wiggins told Doe that working with her had put him back in agency mode, and offered her a tour of CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, the complaint states, noting that Wiggins told Doe that he had previously worked with the guy who managed the technology that brought down disgraced FBI agent Robert Hanssen, who was caught spying for the Russians.

You crossed the point of no return, Wiggins allegedly messaged Doe, which the complaint says Doe took to mean she really was being trained to join the CIA.

Later that month, according to the complaint, Wiggins informed Doe that she was ready to go to the next level. This meant becoming his covert traveling companion, Wiggins allegedly said, dangling trips to London, Paris, and Switzerland.

I am your handler now, Doe says he wrote to her on WhatsApp.

He also taught Doe how to leave unobtrusive chalk markings in public places to leave signals for other spies, according to the complaint. One denoted a meeting, while another denoted an emergency meeting, Doe claims Wiggins said. A third mark signified an immediate extraction, according to Doe.

Is it a request for extraction or to tell someone else they are going to be immediately extracted? Doe messaged Wiggins.

Yes, Wiggins replied.

Phase 2 of Training

In December 2017, Doe says Wiggins told her that she was now ready for Phase 2 of her CIA training.

I saw an intense side of you, the complaint says he wrote to her on WhatsApp. I like that.

Wiggins said hed be stepping up the training to even higher levels but she still needed [s]ome education, it says. Wiggins planned to conduct some testing to see how you react, according to a transcription of their messages included in the complaint.

That same day, the complaint says Wiggins messaged Doe again: Ive been amazed how potent very well trained women can use their bodies as a weapon Very effectively.

I bet, Doe responded.

Decimated our marines in Russia, Wiggins said. ... Had to develop special training to counter act [sic]... Cost MILLIONS. So I dont say it lightly.

Wiggins spoke of his own CIA recruitment, which he said involved a female CIA officer who purportedly used sexual tactics to test Wiggins loyalty and unwavering dedication to the CIA, the complaint states.

Im working on developing you, Wiggins allegedly wrote to Doe. And I think you are going to be a superior officer I need to get more self discovery out you [sic]. As a colleague.

That is the best compliment I have received to date, Doe wrote back. And will be hard to surpass.

Doe says Wiggins told her that she was in my hands now, and to get ready for a wild, wonderful and fantastic ride.

Soon, according to Does lawsuit, Wiggins would assault her for the first time.

On Jan. 31, 2018, Doe accompanied Wiggins on what he described to her as a big trip to New York City, according to the complaint. He gave Doe his credit card to check them both into the hotel; she was surprised to learn there was only one room booked. So Doe, assuming there had been a mistake, secured a second room. Upon hearing this, Wiggins became visibly irritated, assailing [Doe] for having ruined everything, the complaint states. Wiggins then went to his room to meet with a contact he claimed to be involved with Does supposed CIA recruitment.

When Doe later met up with Wiggins at the hotel bar, he told her that his CIA connections still had doubts about [Does] commitment to the recruitment process, according to the complaint. He pointed out a man nearby and indicated he was undercover CIA, then told Doe to kiss him on the cheek as a signal to the man that she was committed to being recruited, the complaint states. Doe then went up to Wiggins room for a conference call with Soteryxs COO, Wiggins brother, according to the complaint. Doe says she briefly returned to her own room, only to be summoned back by Wiggins, who answered the door in nothing but boxers and a T-shirt.

Wiggins then forced himself on a shocked Doe, the complaint alleges.

[Doe] did not know how to respond and believed that she was being tested, so even though she did not want to have sex with him, she froze, it goes on. After Wiggins was done sexually assaulting her, he told [Doe] to put her clothes back on, telling [her], Very good. You can get dressed now.

Struggling to Make Ends Meet

Unnerved, Doe says she told Wiggins she had concerns about this training process, and pressed him for answers.

In response, Wiggins allegedly told Doe, Your world will shift. It will be an awakening. This will be the beginning of your clandestine life. All this is part of being under me. You must trust me completely.

In February 2018, more than six months after she was hired, Doe still hadnt been paid, according to the complaint. Her rent was coming due and she didnt have enough money to cover it, she told Wiggins, who responded that hed come by her place with her money. Instead, he raped her again, alleges the complaint, which says Doe felt she had no other option and that she was giving up her dreams if she did not allow him to test her in this manner.

By March, Doe still hadnt been paid. And the assaults kept coming, according to the complaint. Three weeks later, Doe says she finally got her first check, for $1,500. In April, after Doe asked for proof of employment to qualify for a car loan, Wiggins gave Doe a letter confirming her employment at Soteryx, at an annual salary of $50,000.

However, up until this point, and through the end of her employment, [Wiggins and Soteryx] had not paid [Doe] anywhere near $50,000.00, instead only paying her small increments to meet her immediate bills that regularly came on the condition of sexual assault, the complaint states.

In August, Doe says she was assaulted by Wiggins an eighth time. And, the complaint says she wrote in a message to him, she was still barely making ends meet, being forced to choose between food and toothpaste, food and tampons, food and soap, etc.

In response Wiggins left $100 for Plaintiff in a secure spot outside his office building, the complaint states. A few days later Wiggins texted Plaintiff, Ill get you on a regular payroll soonwhich never occurred.

Thats Rape

In late October 2018, Doe rejected Wiggins final sexual advances and quit Soteryx.

She got a job as a waitress, abandoning her goal of joining the CIA, according to the complaint. Over the next few years, Doe put out feelers to numerous law enforcement agencies to try and figure out what type of legal recourse she had, if any. All the while, Doe says Wiggins regularly stopped by the restaurant to try and convince Doe to come back to Soteryx.

It wasnt until 2021, when an empathetic coworker with whom she became close and who was a legal aid attorney visiting her restaurant listened to her extraordinary story, the complaint states. It says that after Doe was done, the attorney told her, [T]hats rape. Only then did Doe fully grasp how fully she had been victimized and traumatized by Wiggins, according to the complaint.

Eventually, [Doe] was able to tell her family about her experience. [Doe] completed a four-week intensive outpatient program at Four Winds Saratoga, a psychiatric hospital, and she continues her recovery, it says, adding that she has sustained and will continue to sustain serious psychological injuries, emotional distress, mental anguish, embarrassment, and humiliation.

Doe is seeking undetermined damages for sexual assault, battery, and infliction of emotional distress, as well as gender discrimination and sexual harassment. She has asked the court for anonymity, as she says she has already experienced embarrassment among her family, friends, and co-workers, damage to her good reputation, disruption of her personal life, and the loss of enjoyment of the ordinary pleasures of everyday life.

Wiggins and Soteryx have not yet filed a response in court to Does allegations.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Exclusive-Canada unfreezes talks with Turkey on export controls after NATO move-source FILE PHOTO: Turkish President Erdogan meets with Canadian PM Trudeau ahead of a NATO leaders summit in Vilnius

By Jonathan Spicer and Huseyin Hayatsever

ANKARA (Reuters) -Canada has unfrozen talks with Turkey on lifting export controls on drone parts after Ankara gave its nod for Sweden to join NATO, a person familiar with the talks said, a move seen as one of several concessions won in exchange for the Turkish blessing.

President Tayyip Erdogan's greenlight, which ended more than a year of opposition to Sweden's membership bid, came as a surprise even to allies at home who had supported him in demanding Stockholm first take steps against groups deemed terrorists by Ankara.

Erdogan's decision, announced ahead of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Vilnius, was followed quickly by a statement from Washington that the United States would move ahead with a transfer of F-16 fighter jets in consultation with Congress.

In a potentially significant move for Turkey's defence industry, NATO member Canada agreed to re-open talks on lifting export controls on drone parts including optical equipment, the person familiar with the talks said, declining to be identified because they were not authorised to discuss details with media.

Canada suspended the export of some drone technology to Turkey in 2020 after concluding the equipment had been used by Azerbaijan's forces fighting Armenia in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Those export controls, which "were imposed for important reasons," remain in place, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office said in statement.

"The Prime Minister discussed Sweden's accession to NATO with our partners in Vilnius, including with President Erdogan," the statement said.

"Canada remains committed to the principle that there should be no restrictions, barriers or sanctions to defence trade and investments among Allies."

Ahead of the NATO summit, Turkey, already seeking assurances over the F-16s in talks with Washington, asked that Canada's export controls also be rolled in to the final discussion, the person familiar with the talks said.

Turkey sought "a package deal", the person said.

Canada agreed to reopen talks on the matter that had been frozen since Turkey initially objected to NATO membership bids by both Sweden and Finland last year as long as Turkey pledged to ratify Sweden's bid at Vilnius, the person said.

At Vilnius, Canada outlined its position to Turkey on rules regarding uses of any exported technologies, and was awaiting a response. This means the talks on export controls are no longer frozen, a move that helped play a role sealing Erdogan's pledge over Sweden, the person said.

Asked whether Turkey was in talks with Canada to lift export curbs, a Turkish defence ministry official said it was unacceptable for NATO allies to impose export restrictions on each other and "a certain progress has been made at the Vilnius Summit on that issue".

"But we will follow the results of the negotiations and decision taken at the Vilnius summit," the official said.

ERDOGAN'S 'LEVERS'

In an interview with Turkish media published on Thursday, Erdogan said his country expects all NATO allies to lift sanctions and restrictions on its defence industry.

On Wednesday, Erdogan said he was "more hopeful than ever" about the sale of the F-16 fighter jets, after meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden a day earlier. Turkey had requested in October 2021 to buy $20 billion of F-16 fighters and nearly 80 modernisation kits for its existing warplanes.

Ankara's objections have been a major obstacle in the path of Sweden and Finland joining NATO after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Turkey's demands included a tougher line against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which took up arms against the Turkish state in 1984. The PKK is designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

Turkey's parliament ratified Finland's membership in March, after Erdogan said Helsinki had taken concrete steps to crack down on groups seen as terrorists, and to free up defence exports.

Erdogan said on Wednesday he would forward Sweden's ratification to parliament when it reopens in October, adding Stockholm would provide a roadmap to Turkey regarding the steps it would take before the approval.

The leader the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), upon which Erdogan's AK Party depends for its parliamentary majority, said on Tuesday that Sweden had failed to distance itself from terrorism, but added that Erdogan would make the final call about Sweden's membership bid.

Erdogan met with MHP leader Devlet Bahceli on Thursday.

Erdogan has also said he expects steps from the EU, including on updating a customs union and visa-free travel, before Turkey begins "work on implementing the promises (it) has made."

A European diplomat said Erdogan "may have maximised how much he could get from holding Sweden up".

"We've seen in the past he likes to use his levers."

(Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever in Ankara and Jonathan Spicer in Istanbul; Additional reporting by Steve Scherer in Ottawa and John Irish in Vilnius; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Federal prosecutors interviewed Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for several hours in March as part of the ongoing criminal probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 election, Benson told CNN Wednesday.

Her comments confirmed CNNs earlier exclusive reporting on the meeting.

[The interview] really underscored, I think, the depth through which the federal prosecutors are looking into everything and the seriousness with which theyre taking what occurred and the quest for justice to ensure it doesnt happen again, Benson told CNNs Kaitlan Collins on The Source.

While Benson did not reveal the specifics of the interview  including whether she was asked about former President Donald Trump and whether Smith was present at the meeting  she said among the areas investigators seemed focused on was the impact of the misinformation on [election workers] lives and the threats that emerged from that from various sources.

Myself and the election officials who have  at request or simply because we have a story tell  have been speaking to authorities, I think its really a reflection of our desire to ensure that the law is followed, and where theres evidence of wrongdoing, theres justice that is served.

Benson added that shes willing to speak with anyone, including the grand jury, about what we endured.

If and when we are requested, well be a part of any proceedings that require my testimony, she said, adding that its important for the American public to know that what occurred in 2020 was really detrimental to who we are as Americans.

Her interview with Smiths team marks yet another recent meeting between prosecutors and officials from key battleground states that were targeted by Trump and his allies as part of their bid to upend Joe Bidens legitimate victory in the 2020 presidential election.

CNN has previously reported that Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger also met with federal prosecutors late last month as part of the same investigation. And Rusty Bowers, a former top GOP official in Arizona, revealed to CNNs Kaitlan Collins that he was interviewed by federal investigators seeking information about matters relevant to Smiths probe.

Bensons interview came after her office complied with a subpoena from Smith late last year, turning over a broad swath of documents that included communications between Michigan election officials, former Trump lawyers and individuals working for the former presidents campaign. Benson told CNN Wednesday that she and her team have been in near constant communication with officials.

Included in the documents provided to Smiths office was an email from a local Michigan elections official reporting a voicemail they received from someone who identified themselves as a lawyer working for Trumps then-personal attorney Rudy Giuliani.

While the City Clerk of Rochester Hills, Michigan, I received voicemails in December 2020 specifically requesting access to the election equipment, the email read.

One call came from a lawyer with Rudy Giulianis team, the official wrote. An audio file of the voicemail was also included, according to records obtained by CNN.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct when Benson spoke with investigators. It was in March.

CNNs Kaanita Iyer contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Executives who helped create Fox News say network has become dangerous disinformation machine

A group of men who helped establish Fox News say they now believe the conservative broadcaster has become a disinformation machine thats destabilising democracy.

In a blog post on Wednesday, Preston Padden, a former lobbyist for the company, Ken Solomon, a former distribution executive, and Bill Reyner, a former lawyer for the then-nascent cable network, all offered a mea culpa.

aaWe never envisioned, and would not knowingly have enabled, the disinformation machine that, in our opinion, Fox has become, the men wrote.

The Fox News logo is displayed outside Fox News Headquarters in New York, April 12, 2023

The Independent has contacted Fox News for comment.

The trio said that in the 1990s, as Rupert Murdoch was laying the groundwork to launch Fox News, they believed in his insurgent mission.

At the time of our work in the 1990s, we all greatly admired Rupert Murdoch and his vision and bold efforts, the blog post reads. We genuinely believed that the creation of a fourth competitive force in broadcast television was in the public interest.

Now, however, the former Fox allies believe the network is causing direct harm.

Arguably the worst has been Foxs role in promoting Trumps Big Lie about alleged widespread fraud in the 2020 election and, in our opinion, Foxs role in contributing to the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol that undermined our democracy, the post continues. In fact, the connection between Fox and the January 6 attack is so strong that multiple Jan 6 defendants have pleaded not guilty arguing they were suffering from Foxitis  a disease caused by watching false news on Fox!

The post claims that Mr Murdoch admitted in emails with Mr Padden to knowing Donald Trumps claims about the 2020 election being stolen were false, despite Fox News heavily nonetheless featuring news and commentary that suggested the election was rigged.

In April, Fox News paid over $787m to settle a defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems, which alleged the network repeatedly made false claims that the companys voting machines were part of a conspiracy to steal the election.

As part of the suit, Mr Murdoch admitted that top Fox News hosts Maria Bartiromo, Lou Dobbs, Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro endorsed at times this false notion of a stolen election.

I would have liked us to be stronger in denouncing it in hindsight, Mr Murdoch said, according to court documents.
The News

Germany released its first China strategy on Thursday, as the EUs largest economy seeks to grapple with an increased reliance on an increasingly aggressive China.

The 64-page document made clear that Germany sees China as a rival, and wants companies to de-risk" and be less dependent on Beijing. But its not advocating for a full de-coupling from China, and it still described China as a partner, especially on issues like climate change and global health.

Weve curated insights and analysis on what experts make of the document.

Insights
Researchers searching for a pair of World War I-era minesweepers that mysteriously vanished in Lake Superior over a century ago instead found a long-missing ship that sank to the bottom of the lake nearly four decades earlier, in 1879.

The tug boat called Satellite, which sank on June 21, 1879, was located by a crew last June, the Michigan-based Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society announced this week.

The story behind the discovery unfolded in June 2022, when Josh Gates of Discovery Channel's "Expedition Unknown" traveled to Michigan to search for two French minesweepers that disappeared in 1918. The twin vessels  Inkerman and Cerisoles  were en route to Europe when the ships vanished in a storm, killing 78 crewmembers.

Last June, Gates joined the Shipwreck Society's crew aboard the 47-foot R/V David Boyd and the ship's sonar identified a submerged wreck. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was deployed to reach the target nearly 300 feet below the surface and the images revealed a surprise  the shipwreck was not a steel minesweeper, but the wooden-hulled Satellite.

The Shipwreck Society posted eerie video of the wreck, showing various angles of the ship with shattered wooden planks inside.

According to the Shipwreck Society, the Satellite had four barges in tow when she ran into problems. It's unclear whether the ship had a mechanical issue or if it struck something in the lake and started taking on water.

"Regardless of what happened, the Satellite went to the bottom of Lake Superior and has not been seen for 142 years," the group wrote, noting that no one on board died in the sinking.

There are no known photos of the Satellite, but the ship's appearance was touted in the press over a century ago. According to the Shipwreck Society, the Detroit Press and Tribune wrote: "It is said that her cabin and upper works were the most elaborate put upon a craft of her kind."

There are roughly 10,000 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, but only about 350 of them are located in Lake Superior, according to the Minnesota Historical Society. One stretch of the lake where ships have routinely met their demise has been dubbed the "graveyard of the Great Lakes."

In April, researchers found the wreckage of two ships that disappeared in Lake Superior in 1914. In March, a ship carrying a load of coal when it sank in a storm in 1891 was discovered in the lake.

And in February, a 144-foot shipwreck that searchers called a "Bad Luck Barquentine" was found in Lake Superior more than 150 years after it sank.

Record-breaking 19-foot-long Burmese python captured in Florida

FDA approves first over-the-counter birth control pill

Tornadoes hit Chicago suburbs
You are here: China

This aerial photo taken on July 12, 2023 shows Xuelong 2 sailing on the Huangpu River in east China's Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese scientists set off for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition on Wednesday aboard the Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai.

The expedition, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, is intended to conduct investigations into the geology and geophysics of the mid-ocean ridge, as well as atmospheric, sea ice, marine and subsurface environmental surveys, and surveys of biomes and pollutants.

It will improve China's capabilities in the areas of Arctic Ocean environmental protection and marine pollution assessment, and will obtain key information and data needed for related research, such as mid-ocean ridge dynamics.

In addition, the team will work with scientists from countries including Russia and Thailand on relevant research to promote international cooperation on Arctic scientific expeditions.

The expedition team is expected to return to Shanghai in late September after a trip of 15,500 nautical miles.
A Boeing employee stands in the shade during the UK heat wave 18th July 18 2022, at Farnborough, England.

A Boeing employee stands in the shade during the UK heat wave 18th July 18 2022, at Farnborough, England. Credit - Richard Baker / In PicturesGetty Images

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Its hot out there and getting hotter. The last few weeks have brought some of the highest temperatures on record at great cost to human health and wellbeing. For a moment, the office air conditioning can feel like a refuge from the extremes outside, but it may be time for businesses to start feeling the heat.

At the heart of the issue is what climate experts call physical risk. This term is somewhat self explanatory. The physical effects of climate change pose a physical risk to businesses assets and operationsthink of hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding, to name a few. These extreme weather events are financially material, and hurt the bottom line. A 2021 report from Impax Asset Management Group found that two-thirds of large companies globally have at least one asset highly exposed to the physical risk of climate change; its likely the share of at-risk companies has grown since then.

Read more: Human Adaptation to Heat Cant Keep Up With Human-Caused Climate Change

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This is actually going to touch every sector, Brian Deese, recently President Bidens top economic advisor, told me in 2020 when he was the global head of sustainable investing at Blackrock. Those risks, while they do accelerate out into the future, are more pressing on the market today than most market participants understand.

Phenomena like fires and floods may be the most obvious example of physical risk, but heat falls into the same bucket. Indeed, a 2021 Moodys report identified heat stress as one of two physical risks that affect almost every sector. In agriculture, heat can kill crops. That harms retailers, too, who are dependent on crops in their supply chain. For the travel industry, extreme heat can shift consumer demandmaking some destinations desirable and others anathema. Across many sectors, heat stress makes it more difficultand at times impossiblefor employees to work outside.

Are you working outside in a heat wave? Tell us about it.

A quick look at financial disclosures shows many big companies are already noting heat as a material financial risk to their operations. Walmart, for example, says the company is vulnerable to rising costs of cooling its massive facilities; Disney says excessive heat may affect demand for its tourism products.

Read more: Why Extreme Heat Is So Bad for the Human Body

And, if the direct impact on individual businesses werent enough, theres also a macro effect to consider: a significant body of research now shows that extreme heat is a drag on the global economy. A study published in the journal Science Advances found that human-caused extreme heat cost the global economy as much as $29 trillion between 1992 and 2013. A different study from the Climate Impact Lab found that higher temperatures could reduce the average income globally by nearly a quarter by 2100 compared to a no-climate-change scenario.

Where does this all leave companies? Those with adequate resources are building programs to address heat risk. Walmart, for example, is assessing its supply chain to ensure it can bounce back from extreme weatherincluding heat stressas part of a comprehensive climate program.

Beyond the week-to-week, month-to-month impact of heat, its also important to consider the role businesses can play in avoiding the worst possible heat. By cutting their own carbon emissionsand pushing a bigger societal shift toward a low-carbon economycompanies not only protect their own growth prospects but also the wellbeing of all of society.
This spring, a family contacted me from Texas. Their teenage son has been on testosterone for a year, but Texas recently passed ban on transgender care means their child can no longer be prescribed hormones. As multiple studies show, without access to hormones and gender-affirming health care, this child is now at a higher risk of poor health outcomes, including depression and suicide. In fact, their son is increasingly exhibiting these symptoms and does not want to go to school.

Transgender care is evidenced-based, lifesaving and, as such, a public health imperative. Laws criminalizing care are cruel and dangerous for transgender people of all ages. As a doctor licensed in California, I am ready and willing to provide care for this patient via telemedicine. But current California law does not protect me from efforts by Texas to criminalize providers for acting in our patients best interest.

Opinion

A bill authored by California Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, would change that, opening opportunities to address the concurrent public health, human rights and medical crises unfolding across Texas and the country. Known as a shield law, Senate Bill 345 passed through the Senate and is now making its way through the Assembly. It proposes substantial protection  from arrest, loss of license, or other forms of retribution  to medical providers licensed in California who use telemedicine to provide gender-affirming care and abortion care regardless of a patients location.

As with abortion, unjust bans have decimated access to gender-affirming care across the country. Eighteen states now restrict gender-affirming care for youth, and some have made it a felony for health care professionals and parents of trans youth to provide or facilitate such care. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have both signed laws banning transgender care for youth, though Floridas has since been temporarily enjoined by a federal judge.

Trans kids are already much more vulnerable to abuse and neglect than cisgender kids, and, with these laws, their prospects are worsening. A Kaiser Family Foundation summary of public health data notes that transgender youth who cannot access puberty suppressors and hormone therapy face worse mental health outcomes, including higher rates of suicidal thoughts and suicide. On top of this, transgender youth in some states now face the trauma of losing their parents, who can be arrested for getting their children the very care they need.

Bans on gender-affirming care are deeply intertwined with abortion bans, all of which disproportionately affect communities of color, low-income communities and trans and gender-diverse communities. As clinics close and doctors leave states where they are unable to practice evidence-based medicine, the costs to access essential care with travel to another state  loss of work, child care, flights, gas, hotels and food  are out of reach for many.

At a time when stigma and stochastic violence against vulnerable communities is on the rise, trans folks are especially vulnerable to both discrimination in health-care settings and to being reported to police by the very health care medical professionals from whom they seek help, especially if they have to travel for care.

As a physician, I am skilled in both transgender health and abortion care. I have a choice between following the Hippocratic Oath that I took upon finishing medical school and breaking a law that is inherently misguided and wrong. I choose to follow my conscience. Expanding telemedicine to serve patients regardless of their location enables me to provide lifesaving care thats critical to meeting patients needs and reducing harm. Through secure video-conferencing, I can provide hormone therapy, medication abortion and other essential care.

By expanding shield laws, we can mitigate harms and increase access to vital health care in all 50 states, including in rural and low-income areas of California. Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, Washington and Vermont all now have strong shield laws protecting providers using telemedicine.

SB 345 will save lives. With the protections it offers, more providers in California will use telemedicine to stem the growing national public health crisis.

Jen Hastings, MD, is genderqueer and an assistant clinical professor at the UCSF Department of Family and Community Medicine with more than 25 years of experience in transgender health care and reproductive care in California.
Fact check: Is Kamala Harris the most unpopular vice president ever?

Republicans like to claim Vice President Kamala Harris is the most unpopular VP ever.

Because Quinnipiac, Marist and other polls were not available at the founding of the Republic, well never know for sure.

What we do know is that Harris is viewed far more unfavorably than favorably in poll after poll. Her numbers are lower than her four immediate predecessors at this point in their terms, though Dan Quayles unfavorables were worse. So were Dick Cheneys in his second term.

Harris latest favorable rating in the July 1-5 Economist/YouGov poll was 39% of registered voters, while 55% viewed her unfavorable, a 16 percentage point difference.

Cheney had a bigger gap in his second term. President George W. Bushs vice president had favorables that kept sinking as the Iraq War became more unpopular. Regarded as an architect of the 2003 invasion, Cheney was seen favorably by just 30% of adults in July 2007. More than twice that many had an unfavorable view, according to the Gallup Poll.

In July 2015, his seventh year as vice president, Joe Bidens approval rating was 49%, with 39% disapproval, a Quinnipiac University poll found. Biden avoided serious controversy during his two terms, gaining a reputation as a behind-the-scenes Washington player adept at negotiating deals with Republicans.

Al Gore was especially popular in his seventh year as Bill Clintons vice president in 1999. A CNN/USAToday/Gallup poll found 59% had a positive opinion of Gore, 25% did not.

Quayle, President George H.W. Bushs vice president, had unfavorables as high as 59% in the Gallup Poll in the summer of 1992, as he and Bush sought a second term.

Vice presidents and polls

Comparing polls involves a lot of variables. Two forces drive many lof these numbers.

One is kind of obvious: as the president goes, so goes the vice president. Bushs popularity was falling in the summer of 1992. So were his sons approval ratings in 2007. Clintons were way up in 1999.

Vice presidents cant escape their boss shadow, as they spend their time touting the administrations achievements.

As the vice president, she owns this administrations agenda and failures on any issue, said Kamy Akhavan, executive director of the University of Southern California Dornsife Center for the Political Future.

A vice president is often not in a position to fight back when the opposition starts firing away, as Republicans are doing with Harris.

Shes taking the high road, but the low road is where you start scoring points, said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion in New York.

The other, more recent trend, is that voters judge the vice president almost solely as a political figure.

They often dont know or see them much, so Democrats tend to rally around Democrats and Republicans around Republicans.

Pences favorable ratings remained between roughly 42% and 45% throughout his four years as vice president, while his unfavorable number hovered around 50%, according to a YouGov poll.
Despite frequent claims from Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama that new Pentagon reproductive health policies would result in thousands more abortions a year, the number estimated by a study Tuberville himself cites is far lower, though nearly impossible to actually know.

Tuberville is protesting new Pentagon reproductive health policies, which provide a travel allowance to service members and their dependents who must cross state lines to get an abortion because of where they are stationed. In the wake of the Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade last year, many states had so-called trigger laws go into place, immediately restricting abortion access. Tuberville is holding up hundreds of senior military nominations that must be confirmed by the Senate to protest the policies.

The Defense Department said earlier this year that because service members cannot choose what states they are stationed in, the Pentagon would provide up to three weeks of leave and a travel allowance for service members and dependents who have to travel out of state to receive care. The leave also applied to people who were traveling to receive other reproductive health care not covered by the military, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI).

In a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in December, Tuberville referenced a briefing he said he received from the acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. The briefing, he said, stated that the new policies would increase DoD subsidized abortions by as much as 4,100 per year. That estimate does not include dependents, which your policy also intends to cover, who might seek assistance in obtaining an abortion.

The new policies providing a travel allowance to receive an abortion do apply to dependents. Tubervilles office told CNN that the number he is referencing came from a study by the RAND Corporation, a research organization which often conducts research on behalf of the DOD.

Tuberville repeated a similar claim on Monday, during an interview on CNNs The Source with Kaitlan Collins.

Weve done a couple of dozen abortions in the military for the last 40 years, a couple dozen a year, he said. Now were going to have 4,000 to 5,000 a year because this new rule, this new supposedly law that this administrations pushing through. So lets think about the unborn.

Facts First: Tubervilles claim is incorrect. He is misleadingly comparing the number of covered abortions provided by DOD health facilities with an estimate of how many women in the military receive abortions outside of those health facilities, have ectopic pregnancies or still births annually. RAND researchers, one of whom was directly involved in the study Tuberville cites, told CNN that Tuberville is significantly overestimating the number of women in the military who would take advantage of the new DOD policies.

The survey being referenced by Tuberville was conducted in 2020 and sponsored by the Defense Department, according to Dr. Sarah Meadows, a senior sociologist at RAND.

While its not possible to know exactly how many people would use the Pentagons new policies to be reimbursed for travel to receive an abortion, the estimates calculated through the 2020 survey provide a window into how many women in uniform may seek out abortion care.

In the survey, Meadows said they asked women who had been pregnant in the last 12 months how their pregnancy ended  in a birth, miscarriage, or other. The other category included ectopic pregnancies, still births and abortions. Meadows said other data on pregnancies led researchers to believe the bulk of the pregnancies marked as ending in other were abortions.

That number was then taken by RAND and applied to the total population of women in the military, which gave them an estimated range of how many pregnancies of members of the military would end in one of the other categories.

The other thing to keep in mind, Meadows explained, is thats total. That is every active-duty service woman in every state in the continental United States, to include Alaska and Hawaii. So, of those, only a certain percentage will need to travel to receive abortion care  So, people use those numbers, but its really only like half, 46% actually, of those women who are seeking an abortion will need to travel to get it based on where they live.

Even Meadows estimate of about 2,000 assumes all of the women who would need to travel to get an abortion would take advantage of the Pentagons new policies, which even she said is not likely. Previous data shows that a not insubstantial percentage of women dont feel comfortable even getting contraceptive care through military health facilities, Meadows said.

They dont want the military health system to know what theyre doing, essentially, she said. So, I dont think its unreasonable to think that  theres still this barrier, that youre going to have to go to your commander and say, I need this, you know, administrative leave, and then I have to process the paperwork to get reimbursed for travel and my hotel and per diem.

RAND senior political scientist Dr. Kyleanne Hunter added that many women in the military are barely comfortable telling their commanders of planned pregnancies because of long-existing stigma.

What we do know as well from other research surveys, but also a lot of focus group research that has been done in the past, is that service women are often very uncomfortable even telling commanders about pregnancies that are wanted, she said. And theres a lot of stigma around just reporting pregnancies  a planned, wanted pregnancy. So again, I think that we dont have an estimate, but its a very reasonable assumption that having to go through the process of getting the travel claim will provide an additional barrier.

Both Hunter and Meadows pushed back on the idea that the Pentagons new policy was providing more abortions as Tuberville has claimed. It is a factually incorrect statement to say that theyre paying for abortion, Meadows said.

The Defense Department is not allowed to provide abortions in DOD health facilities outside of three exceptions  in the cases of rape or incest, and when the life of the mother is at risk. A defense official told reporters last year that between 2016 and 2021, a total of 91 covered abortions were performed  coming out to roughly 15 a year.

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In a white coat and gloves, Ai Kimura is cutting up a fish sample at the Tarachine lab, about an hour's drive from the now-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Japan's eastern coast.

Four times a year, Ms Kimura and her team of volunteers collect samples of fish from the waters around the plant. They have been doing this since the lab was founded in 2011, just months after a devastating tsunami flooded the reactors, causing a radiation leak.

Except Ms Kimura is not a scientist - and neither are any of the women who run the non-profit lab, whose name Tarachine is derived from the term for "mother" in old Japanese. Shaken after the tsunami, Ms Kimura says locals started the lab to find out what was safe to feed their children because it was hard to come by information on the risks of radiation. So they asked technical experts to train them on how to test for radioactive substances and log the readings, raised funds and began educating themselves.

It was the decision of a shattered community that never thought an accident at the nuclear power plant was possible. Now, 12 years on, they again find themselves struggling to trust the Japanese government as it insists it's safe to release treated radioactive water from the plant into the Pacific Ocean.

Earlier this month, Japan received the green light to start pumping more than a million tonnes - about the same volume as 500 Olympic-size pools - of the treated water that has been used to cool the melted reactors. It has accumulated in more than a 1,000 tanks and now, as they reach capacity, it needs to go somewhere.

Japan's nuclear regulator has given Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (Tepco), which runs the plant, the go-ahead. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said the watchdog's two-year review found that the plan complies with international standards and the treated water will have "a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment". Neighbouring South Korea too delivered a similar assessment, despite sticking to a ban on some Japanese food imports. China and Hong Kong have announced similar bans.

But the people who live in and around Fukushima are not convinced.

Volunteers from Tarachine collect samples from the sea around the Fukushima plant

"We still don't know the extent to which the contaminated water has been treated. That's why we oppose the release," Ms Kimura says, adding that many local families are worried about the discharge of the treated water.

Tepco has been filtering the water to remove more than 60 radioactive substances, but the water will not be entirely radiation-free. It will have tritium and carbon-14, radioactive isotopes of hydrogen and carbon respectively that cannot be easily removed from water. But experts say they are not a danger unless consumed in large quantities because they emit very low levels of radiation. That's also why before the filtered water is released it will go through another phase of treatment where it's diluted with seawater to reduce the remaining substances' concentrations.

Japan's government has said that by the end of the filtration and testing process, the treated water will be no different than the water released by nuclear plants around the world.

'The invisible enemy'

But the facts are up against fear in Fukushima, where the reminders of the "invisible enemy" - as many here call radiation - are constant.

After the disaster the government declared a 30km (22 miles) exclusion area around the plant, evacuating more than 150,000 people. Although a lot has changed, whole neighbourhoods are still empty and greenery covers the roofs and windows of long-abandoned homes. Signs on storefronts have faded away but metal barriers and yellow tape warning people to keep out remain on the narrow, deserted streets.

Even the Tarachine lab is proof of how much the community fears the "invisible enemy", despite assurances to the contrary.

Ai Kimura tests samples for radiation at the Tarachine lab

In the main lab, one volunteer is chopping cabbage before taking it to be measured for gamma radiation, and another is treating water before the sample is tested. In the hallway there are bags of soil and dust from vacuum cleaners that have been used in homes nearby. At the back of the room, food samples are dried before they're tested for radiation. On the walls, there are charts and maps of the nuclear plant and the sea around it, with markings in various colours to show the degree of radiation and how far it has travelled.

The women collect samples but they also test material sent to them by local people. "Some families brought us acorns [to test]," Ms Kimura said. "In Japan we make spinning tops from acorns with toothpicks. The government wouldn't think to check that. We were asked by some mothers to measure the radiation levels at their local park."

The lab measures all sorts of samples for radioactive substances such as strontium-90, tritium and caesium-134 and 137, tracking their levels over the years.

"We upload all our findings on our website so anybody can find it," Ms Kimura says. "We have been able to confirm that radioactive substances have decreased gradually in the food we measure. If they release the water, it's ultimately undoing the power of nature that brought it to this level."

She sees the contentious plan as a big step backwards. She says there are still "lingering emotional wounds" from the 2011 disaster and this decision is reopening them.

The plan - in the works for two years now - is a necessary step in the lengthy and costly clean-up, experts say. For the plant to be decommissioned, the radioactive debris inside the melted reactors must be removed. And to do that, they must first discharge the water that has been used to cool the reactors since a tsunami crippled the plant in 2011.

The treated radioactive water is being stored in more than 1,000 tanks

In March, Tepco's boss Akira Ono told the Associated Press that they're only now beginning to fully comprehend the damage inside the reactors. The most pressing task, he said, was to safely start releasing the water to clear the area around the plant. They also need to make room for more water because the melted debris needs to be cooled throughout.

"The real problem is not the actual physical effect of the radiation. It's our fear of it," says molecular pathology expert Gerry Thomas, who worked with Japanese scientists on radiation research and advised the IAEA as well.

She says the science was lost among warring nuclear activists soon after the disaster, and to reassure a shocked and terrified population, the government went to great lengths to show they were taking all the necessary precautions.

"The politicians are trying to prove they're cautious and, you know, they're looking after everybody. But actually, the message that people receive is, well, this stuff must be really, really dangerous."

The long arm of fear

And now the fear - and the lack of trust - is proving hard to shake off.

Worse, it's also affecting livelihoods. Fishermen say that discharging the treated water will tarnish the reputation of their catch, driving prices and already struggling businesses down. They say the industry here never recovered fully since the disaster and is still dependent on government subsidies.

Inside the nuclear plant, Tepco official Kazuo Yamanaka points to two fish tanks - one where flatfish swim in regular sea water, and another where they are in water with the same radiation levels as that which will be pumped into the ocean. He says the fish are closely monitored - while there is a rise in tritium levels inside them at first, it plateaus and then the fish flush it out of their system once they're back in standard sea water.

"I am a radiation expert, so I know that tritium has very little effect on the human body and living organisms," he said. "We are all concerned about the same thing - radiation - and that is why we are so anxious. I hope that these data and images will help to reassure people a little.

Toru Takahashi, whose family has been fishing for three generations, is far from reassured: "We're against it. We're already seeing the negative effects. We've seen contractors who say they won't buy Fukushima products."

Toru Takahashi (left) says the the fear has already hurt business

For him, this is personal. Giving up the family business is not an option, he says, as he supervises port staff who unload buckets of fish to wash and make ready for auction and then the market.

He says it's a fraction of the business they had before the 2011 disaster: "We are still at 300 million yen [a year], including all the small boats. Before, we made around 700 million yen [3.9m; $5.1m]."

He fears it might get worse once the water is released, given the import bans already announced by China and South Korea.

When asked if sound science is enough to overcome these concerns, Mr Yamanaka admitted that "we cannot control the reputation, no matter how nicely we dress it up", adding that "we believe our efforts will one day settle these arguments".

"I know we've lost the trust of the people - it'll take time to get it back."
A state investigation faulted California Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles for faulty practices that led to the death of a patient. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)

Faulty practices at a Los Angeles hospital led to a patient hemorrhaging to death hours after giving birth by cesarean section, a state investigation found.

California Hospital Medical Center in downtown L.A. failed to recognize signs that the patient was bleeding internally, which resulted in the woman returning to the operating room four hours after those signs began to emerge, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The patient, who was at high risk for bleeding, died the same day in March as her C-section, according to the state report. An autopsy found the cause of her death was hemorrhagic shock  severe loss of blood causing inadequate delivery of oxygen to the cells  along with an impaired ability for the blood to clot and stop bleeding, the report indicated.

State investigators called an immediate jeopardy situation at the hospital, which means that its failure to meet requirements had caused or would likely cause serious harm or death. The label was removed after California Hospital Medical Center turned in a plan that included reeducating staff in its labor and delivery department on detecting and treating hemorrhages, according to the state report on its findings.

"I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family for their unimaginable loss," hospital president Alina Moran said in a statement. "When there is an unexpected patient care outcome, we conduct a review of the care that was provided and work to identify opportunities for improvement."

"As part of our process, we have met with the family and shared the changes we have made and are making in order to prevent similar incidents. ... The safety of our patients remains our highest priority," Moran said.

Read more: Cedars-Sinai faces federal civil rights investigation over treatment of Black mothers

The hospital did not incur any financial penalties as a result of the findings, a spokesperson said.

In its report, the Department of Public Health faulted the hospital for more than a dozen deficiencies, or failures to meet conditions for federal programs that reimburse hospitals. In some cases, the state agency specifically said that faulty practices had resulted in the death of the patient.

For instance, hospitals are supposed to maintain an ongoing program to improve their performance, but the state team found it had failed to properly keep up such efforts. Hospital staff told the state that California Hospital Medical Center had not followed its own processes for managing obstetric hemorrhages.

"This deficient practice resulted in [the patient's] death four hours after a Cesarean section delivery," the state team concluded.

State investigators also found there was a 1-hour delay in getting the patient a second transfusion of red blood cells. And the hospital failed to inform its governing body about the patient who had hemorrhaged to death, hampering its ability to push for improvements, the state found.

The state team also found other problems involving other patients at California Hospital Medical Center during its April review, including failing to take steps to prevent patients from developing potentially deadly blood clots.

Read more: State investigators found lapses that could threaten patients at Inglewood hospital

The L.A. hospital was founded more than a century ago and is now part of Dignity Health, one of the biggest healthcare systems in the country. The California Department of Public Health has issued other findings about the facility over the past year and a half: Last summer, a sponge was left in the vagina of a patient with endometrial cancer who was being prepared for surgery and was not removed until the following day, in violation of hospital policies, it found.

Earlier this year, state investigators faulted another Southern California hospital  Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood  for lapses that could jeopardize patients in its labor and delivery unit. The findings followed public protests and calls for investigation of the death of April Valentine, a 31-year-old woman who delivered a baby at Centinela Hospital. Black women like Valentine have been at higher risk of dying of pregnancy complications than other women in California.

And The Times reported this week that Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is facing a federal civil rights investigation over its treatment of Black women who give birth there. The investigation follows allegations of discrimination after the death of Kira Dixon Johnson, who died after going to Cedars-Sinai to deliver her second son.

The state report did not name the patient who died after the C-section at California Hospital Medical Center.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Photograph: Beth Nakamura/AP

The family of Michael Reinoehl, an anti-fascist activist killed by police in 2020 while wanted for fatally shooting an Oregon man during a pro-Trump rally, have filed a lawsuit alleging his civil rights were violated when officers sprayed more than 40 bullets outside the apartment complex where he died.

Related: Impactful and beautiful: how US homeless shelters are getting a radical redesign

The federal lawsuit filed on behalf of his children alleges that police killed Reinoehl at the apartment complex in Lacey, Washington, without ever identifying themselves. His family is seeking compensation for pre-death pain and suffering experienced by Reinoehl and for his two children, who they say suffered permanent and irreparable emotional injury from their fathers death and the highly publicized, sensational and political nature of his killing.

The actions of the officers, before, during, and after the shooting, show that they either had no plan to arrest the man without injury, made no effort to follow such a plan, or planned to use deadly force from the start, the lawsuit states.

The controversial circumstances around Reinoehls killing have long raised questions, particularly after witnesses and law enforcement officers offered conflicting accounts of what occurred and whether officers identified themselves.

A taskforce led by the US Marshals Service, which was involved in Reinoehls death, previously determined that he had been shot and killed after firing a round from a handgun. However, more than 20 witnesses interviewed by the New York Times said they did not hear officers identify themselves or give commands before they started shooting.

Donald Trump, who was president at the time, praised Reinoehls death, calling it retribution, and said the US marshals didnt want to arrest him.

The activists killing came after a summer of unrest in Portland with widespread racial justice protests following the murder of George Floyd, and clashes between far-right groups and leftist protesters.

In one such confrontation, Aaron Jay Danielson, a far-right activist, was killed at a pro-Trump car caravan in downtown Portland on 29 August. Trump immediately seized on Danielsons killing, arguing Portland was a lawless city out of control and urging police to arrest his killer.

Reinoehl, a father of two who said he provided security at Black Lives Matter protests in Portland, told Vice News in an interview that he had killed Danielson while acting in self-defense. He said that he had come to the aid of a friend who was surrounded by Trump supporters in what he said was a heavily armed caravan and that a man threatened him and a friend with a knife.

I had no choice. I mean, I, I had a choice. I could have sat there and watched them kill a friend of mine of color. But I wasnt going to do that, he said.

Members of the US Marshals Service, the FBI and state and local law enforcement located Reinoehl in Washington on 3 September. The taskforce which oversaw the operation told law enforcement that Reinoehl would be violent and he would not be taken alive, according to documents published by Vice.

Officers cornered Reinoehl in his Jetta and fired their weapons, with one officer shooting through his own windshield, according to the lawsuit. The 48-year-old ducked and ran away from the threat, looking for cover, the lawsuit states, but made it only a few yards before being surrounded and gunned down. He was struck by at least five bullets, according to the lawsuit.

Law enforcement officers dressed in militia-style fatigues raced a short distance through a quiet residential neighborhood in three unmarked SUVs toward their target: a man they were supposed to arrest, the lawsuit states. Without any warning or announcement that they were police, four officers opened fire with automatic assault rifles and handguns.

Authorities have said Reinoehl tried to fire at officers during the incident, but the lawsuit filed by Reinoehls family says that he never even took the gun out of his pocket.

A prosecutor in Washington opted not to file criminal charges against the officers who killed Reinoehl. A judge last year dismissed a federal lawsuit filed by Danielsons estate against the city of Portland and local officials.
Family says they paid $17K for service dog that doesnt do what hes supposed to do

An Indian Trail mother says she spent thousands of dollars on a service animal to help her daughter with her medical condition, but the dog doesnt do what hes supposed to.

Kimberly Cain says her daughter, Talitha, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 10 years old.

Whole new world. We had to start doing carb counting, insulin shots, just everything changed, she said.

MORE ACTION 9: Family says pool builder dug hole, did little else

She wanted another layer of protection, so she started looking into service dogs. She was drawn to a company in Las Vegas, Diabetic Alert Dogs of America.

I got excited because they were able to deliver. They said that they could do it and I got excited, and I let my emotions take over, she told Action 9s Jason Stoogenke.

She bought a dog, Espn. She says she paid $17,000 and that Espn was supposed to alert them if Talithas sugar levels got too high or too low. But Cain says the dog has only alerted them 10 times. Three of those were correct, she said.

He had a mission and that mission was to help save my daughters life and help her in any situation that she had that might be uncomfortable or hard for her. And instead, Im taking care of what I feel like (is) another kid, she said.

Diabetic Alert Dogs of America told Stoogenke it offers a free lifetime training guarantee to all of its customers. But Cain says shed have to pay for all the travel expenses to get Espn back to Vegas or bring a trainer to the Charlotte area. She says its too steep for her wallet.

I am hurt. I am very hurt. Im very sad, she said. I feel I was taken advantage of.

MORE ACTION 9: Fort Mill family was pleased with new home until it rained heavily

If you have a concern with Diabetic Alert Dogs of America, you can file a complaint with the Nevada Attorney General.

If you are considering buying a service dog for any medical condition:

- Research the company.

- Assistance Dogs International gives accreditation, but only for nonprofits. Even then, its not required but may give you more peace of mind.

- Make sure you know your rights (preferably get in writing) if the dog doesnt perform like he/she is supposed to.

- If youre worried about the cost, remember your flexible spending account should help (if you have one). Also search for grants online (for example, Veterans Affairs).

As for diabetes specifically, Stoogenke read studies on whether dogs are effective for that disease. The research is mixed.

(VIDEO: Disabled veteran says Charlotte restaurant didnt allow service dog inside)
Angelica Hernandez, left, an employee for the last 20 years at a McDonald's restaurant in Monterey Park, and Anneisha Williams, right, an employee for the last 10 years at a Jack in the Box restaurant in Los Angeles, join other fast-food workers from across L.A. in a rally outside the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. The rally was held to raise awareness of their push for better working conditions. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Scores of Los Angeles fast-food workers spent their Thursday protesting for higher pay and better working conditions, even as labor's latest legislative pushback against the restaurant industry has stalled.

Wearing bright red shirts and carrying signs, more than 100 local fast-food workers and union organizers crowded on the steps of the downtown Los Angeles building housing the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce in the morning with plans to protest at individual restaurants later in the day.

"We are fighting for ourselves to live," one worker said as the crowd cheered.

In Sacramento, however, that fight stalled, at least for now. That's because one facet got stuck in a state Senate committee.

Assembly Bill 1228 aims to hold fast-food corporations responsible for ensuring their franchisees comply with labor laws, and would make franchisee violations of employment laws enforceable against franchiser and franchisee equally. The International Franchise Assn. and others in the restaurant industry have strenuously opposed the measure, saying it would hurt the small-business operators that own franchises of big companies, such as McDonald's.

Read more: 'I feel duped': Inside the fast-food industry's push to dismantle a new California labor law

It's highly contentious legislation, introduced this year, that represents the latest iteration of a multiyear battle between organized labor and fast-food businesses over control of workplace standards.

But Senate Judiciary Chair Tom Umberg said in a session Tuesday that the bill had been pulled from the agenda by its proponents.

The decision to pull the bill was made to give opponents more time to speak with the authors, according to Service Employees International Union California, a major proponent of the bill. Umberg said he plans to reintroduce it at a hearing in August or September.

The bill's author, Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) said the decision to reschedule the bill's judiciary hearing was "a positive one."

"I respect the space that is being provided for deeper vetting and look to serve as a resource for clarity, not only as a former franchise owner myself, but also as a Legislator whos sat down with fast-food workers across our state," he said in an emailed statement. "We have the opportunity to create a safer and more respectable work environment for these workers while enhancing the industry as a whole, and that is what we are working toward.

The union said its pushing for the bill to go up for a vote sooner  in August  rather than later.

Californias leaders have listened to fast-food workers, who have been speaking out about the exploitative and abusive conditions in the industry for years, said David Huerta, president of SEIU California and SEIU United Service Workers West. We are confident that the Legislature and the Administration are fully committed to bringing greater accountability to this industry.

Opponents of the bill have derided AB 1228 as "a drastic bill" that would "fundamentally destroy" the franchise model in California by forcing national fast-food companies to exert more control over local franchised restaurants.

It would mean "turning locally owned and operated restaurants into corporate run restaurants and stripping local restaurant owners of their authority as small business owners," according to a statement by Stop the Attack on Local Restaurants coalition, made up of fast-food corporations and trade groups.

The California Chamber of Commerce has labeled AB 1228 and many other employee-focused bills as job killers.

The union organized a series of rallies on Thursday for fast-food workers who are "fed up" with rampant labor law violations in their industry, according to a Thursday news release by SEIU, and don't have time to wait for a fraught legislative process to play out.

Trey McGuire, 19, who works at a Lancaster location of hot dog fast-food chain Wienerschnitzel, said it's frustrating and difficult to work 12-hour shifts and still make so little. He's under pressure to make enough to provide for his 20-month-old child  and another kid on the way, with his partner six months pregnant.

McGuire and his family rolled up to the protest outside the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce decked out in matching red "FAST FOOD WORKERS UNIDOS" T-shirts distributed by the union.

It definitely doesn't help workers feel valued, McGuire said, that the owner of the store he works at seems to own two Teslas.

"He drives up to work three days a week always in different cars," McGuire said. "It makes us want to push harder and fight for what's ours."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A man is dead after officials say he fell into a manhole.

Floyd County police officials told Channel 2 Action News on Wednesday that Robert Hall was on working with a plumbing contractor at Armuchee High School when he slipped and fell into a maintenance hole.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

When officers arrived, they found Hall unconscious at the bottom of the manhole. After he was pulled from the maintenance hole, he was pronounced dead.

Floyd County School officials sent Channel 2 Action News the following statement:

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you all of a situation that occurred. On July 12, 2023, our school system learned about the death of an employee of an outside contracting company who was working a job site at Armuchee High Schools campus. This accident has impacted our school system family and stakeholders in many ways and we are actively sending support to those directly affected by this. We have extended our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family during this time. We also understand this is a difficult time for the company who lost this employee, and we would like to extend our thoughts to them and anyone else who knew and loved this individual.

TRENDING STORIES:

Hall was the father of four children and was engaged to Melina Rich.

To donate to Halls funeral fund, click here.

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IN OTHER NEWS:




Father of 4 killed after falling into manhole was months away from his wedding

An 8-year-old girl says her father was the best dad a girl could ever have.

Her father, Robert Hall, was killed while working on a plumbing job at a Rome high school on Wednesday.

Floyd County police officials told Channel 2 Action News that Hall was on working with a plumbing contractor at Armuchee High School when he slipped and fell into a maintenance hole.

Channel 2s Tom Jones talked to Halls family on Thursday and learned that he and his fiancee had plans to get married in a few months.

His daughter, Leeannahh, said she loved the times they shared.

He was the best, she said. He came home every day with a smile on his face.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Her father wont be coming home again.

The 34-year-old plumber was on a ladder when he fell into the hole. Officers said he lost consciousness at the bottom and couldnt be revived.

It hurts so bad to know that hes not with us anymore, his sister, Kari Hall, said. He loved his family. He loved his fiancee. He loved (her) with every bit of his soul.

TRENDING STORIES:

Halls family wants to know how this could happen. They said they were told he was in the hole for 45 minutes before help arrived.

It dont make sense to me why it takes so long to get down there when you should have been prepared for anything like that. Doing a job like that, Kari Hall said.

Hall said there is often methane gas in the sewer lines, which she thinks may have contributed to his death.

You know that stuff is awful. Itll kill you, Hall said. I feel like maybe thats what got him.

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Hall and his fiancee, Melina Rich, have four children. They were planning to get married in October. The invitations had already been sent out.

They have already started their life together. They wanted to make it official, sister Roby Hames said. Theyve already paid caterers and venues.

Instead of planning a wedding, his family is now planning a funeral. Hames aid she wont forget her mother calling her and telling her about the incident.

And she told me that hes gone. I said, Where did he go? Ill go get him. I didnt comprehend, she said.

The family says Hall died doing what he loved.

He loved the grime and dirt. Everything about it. Making something thats not working workable again, Hames said.

Halls family said hed worked as as a plumber since he was a teenager.

Hes done it since he was 15 when he started working, Hall said. And thats all hes done. Hes never worked another job.

Floyd County School Superintendent Dr. Glenn White sent us a statement that said, in part:

During this time, we have extended our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family. We also understand this is a difficult time for the company who lost this employee, and we would like to extend our thoughts to them and anyone else who knew and loved this individual.

Halls manager says he was an amazing gentleman and they wished they could bring him back.

You can donate to the familys GoFundMe HERE.
Loved ones are mourning the loss of a Wisconsin man  a son, brother, husband, father, relative & friend to so many  after he spent weeks in the hospital following a brutal attack.

Joshua Davies, 39, was attacked over his tattoos outside of Tabis Lake Country Wine & Bar on June 17, WISN reported. Friends told officers he had been trying to leave the bar to get away from someone who confronted him.

But Kevin Sehmer, 64, followed Davies outside while screaming about God and tattoos, according to WISN. The witnesses said he then punched Davies to the ground, leaving him unconscious after his head hit concrete.

A group of people flagged a Hartland police officer down at about 11 p.m. that night, according to a July 13 news release from the department.

The officer found Davies lying on the sidewalk going in and out of consciousness, police said. He was rushed to a hospital with critical injuries.

Sehmer was arrested the next day, police said, then charged with a felony count of aggravated battery.

Over the next several weeks, Davies was treated for a traumatic brain injury, his mother Patti Pearson said on Facebook.

The suffering and pain my brother endured for the last 26 days was not his fault, sister Jamie Davies told FOX6.

He died of his injuries at 2:19 a.m. Wednesday, July 12, police said.

This was a tragic, horrific, senseless, heinous act that has now taken my brothers life, Jamie Davies told FOX6, adding that Sehmer did not know her brother.

She said her brother had tattoos he designed, and they were absolutely nothing that would be offensive to anyone, according to the outlet.

No one should ever have to go through what he did! I cant even express into words how I feel, Pearson wrote on Facebook. As a family we (mourn) his loss & will do our best to stay strong through all this, just as strong as Josh was through all this! We will hold his legacy up high in knowing the life he lived and all the wonderful memories we all have!

Josh is now an incredible and amazing guardian angel, she continued. It will never be the same here without him!

An investigation into the attack is ongoing, police said. Prosectors told FOX6 they are considering additional charges.

Court records show a preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 31.

Hartland is a suburb of Milwaukee.

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FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before a House Committee in the Judiciary oversight hearing, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. | Patrick Semansky, Associated Press

FBI Director Christopher Wray testified in front of the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday, where he fielded pointed questions about the politicization and weaponization of the agency from GOP lawmakers, while many Democrats came to his defense.

Instead of focusing on specific investigations that are captured in headlines, including those surrounding former President Donald Trump and Hunter Biden, President Joe Bidens son, Wray diverted attention to the wide breadth of work the FBI  and its 38,000 employees  engage in to protect American citizens.

Take violent crime. Last year alone, working shoulder to shoulder with our partners and the state and local law enforcement, the FBI arrested more than 20,000 violent criminals and child predators. Thats an average of almost 60 bad guys taken off the streets per day every day, he said in his oral testimony.

He also mentioned ongoing investigations into drug trafficking at the Southwest border and the Chinese government's interference as other examples of the work the FBI does.

Related

GOP lawmaker accuses FBI of creating a two-tiered system of justice

This is Wrays first appearance before the House Judiciary Committee since Republicans gained control of the chamber.

He tackled questions  and accusations  about the agency suppressing information on social media, categorizing pro-life Catholics as extremists, retaliating against whistleblowers, and deploying domestic surveillance programs while scrutinizing conservatives, as committee chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said in his opening statement.

In a survey last fall, four out of five Americans said they believe theres a two-tiered system of justice in America today, Jordan said. They said that because there is. They said that because of what theyve witnessed.

Jordan cited the Western District of Louisiana courts preliminary injunction ruling released on July 4, which found that the government agency used its power to silence the opposition.

Opposition to COVID-19 vaccines; opposition to COVID-19 masking and lockdowns; opposition to the lab-leak theory of COVID-19; opposition to the validity of the 2020 election; opposition to President Bidens policies; statements that the Hunter Biden laptop story was true; and opposition to policies of the government officials in power, the court document surrounding the adherence of free speech stated. All were suppressed.

Jordan said he wants to hold back money from the FBI for its new headquarters in Washington, D.C., and block reauthorization for foreign surveillance, which the FBI allegedly used to conduct improper searches of Americans.

Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana focused his questions on the same court ruling.

(The FBI) did it under the guise of disinformation, he said, and asked Wray to define disinformation.

To this, Wray said the federal agency addresses foreign hostile actors who engage in covert efforts to use our social media platforms, which is something that is not seriously undisputed.

Johnson quickly expressed that as inaccurate, since the agency allegedly targeted American citizens.

The FBI is not in the business of moderating the content or causing any social media company to suppress or censor, Wray stated before Johnson cut him off, That is not what the court has found.

Related

Wray dodges questions related to FBIs unlawful surveillance of Americans

GOP lawmakers also referenced the FBIs low approval ratings in recent years. An NBC News poll from last week found 37% of registered voters surveyed say they have a positive view of the FBI and 35% say they have a negative view.

Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida quoted publicly available text exchanges between Hunter Biden and a Chinese businessman, which suggested that he was sitting with his father, the vice president at the time, and asked Wray if the texts implied a shakedown.

When Wray refused to answer, Gaetz called him deeply uncurious, and switched to pressing the FBI chief on FISA, or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the surveillance of foreign entities.

Lets go from the deeply uncurious to the downright nosey. How many illegal FISA queries have occurred under your leadership of the FBI? Gaetz asked.

Gaetz cited numerous reports that alleged that the illegal queries were between more than 200,000 to a million. Wray dodged the question, reaffirming that there are many reports and that he didnt have a number.

Seems like its a number you should know how many times the FBI is breaking the law under your watch, especially if its over a million, the Florida representative said.

Jordan, an Ohio Republican who led the hearing, pointed to a closed-door hearing with Steven DAntuono, the former assistant director-in-charge of the FBIs Washington field office as proof of abnormalities in the Mar-a-Lago search.

For example, the U.S. Attorneys Office wasnt looped in and the FBI did not wait for Trumps attorney to be present before the search.

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers praised Wray, defending the investigations into Trump and the search of his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida.

Further, progressives like Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, the ranking member on the Judiciary Committee, categorized the GOPs allegations as conspiratorial and performance art.

Related

What did the White House say about the hearing?

According to NPR, the White House criticized the hearing in a statement.

Extreme House Republicans have decided that the only law enforcement they like is law enforcement that suits their own partisan political agenda, said Ian Sams, the White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations.

Instead of backing the blue, theyre attacking the blue  going after the FBI, federal prosecutors, and other law enforcement professionals with political stunts to try to get themselves attention on the far right.

Wray, a Republican, was appointed by Trump in 2017 to lead the FBI after James B. Comey was fired for opening an investigation into possible collusion with Russia, as Politico reported at the time.

His appearance comes a month after House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said he will start proceedings to hold Wray in contempt of Congress. The FBI said at the time that it is cooperating with Comers requests.

On many instances throughout the hearing, Wray refused to answer questions about open investigations.

Youre still a registered Republican, and I hope you dont change your party affiliation after this hearing is over, said Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., thanking Wray for leading the agency in protecting citizens.
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the oral contraceptive Opill for over-the-counter sales, making it the first hormonal contraceptive pill available in the U.S. without a prescription.

The approval marks a major win for medical groups, including the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which have been pushing for years for an over-the-counter birth control pill. It also comes amid legal battles over womens reproductive rights.

HRA Pharma's Opill. (HRA Pharma)

This is a monumental decision, said Dr. Melissa Simon, a professor of clinical gynecology at Northwestern University. OTC birth control is available in over 100 countries, so weve been behind in availing safe, effective such as this oral contraceptive pill to individuals who are trying to avoid pregnancy.

Opill, also known as the mini-pill, contains one hormone, progestin, and is taken daily. It was first approved by the FDA as a prescription in 1973.

The FDA said it is approving the over-the-counter version for all users of reproductive age, including teenagers, a move that is expected to remove barriers to access and reduce the risk of unintended pregnancies.

Almost half of the 6.1 million pregnancies in the U.S. each year are unintended, according to the FDA.

When used as directed, daily oral contraception is safe and is expected to be more effective than currently available nonprescription contraceptive methods in preventing unintended pregnancy, Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a release.

People who want to grab the medication off store shelves will have to wait a little longer, however. The maker of the Opill, Perrigos HRA Pharma, said it doesnt expect it will be available until early 2024.

HRA Pharma hasnt yet disclosed how much the over-the-counter pill will cost. The price will need to be very low, experts say, because over-the-counter medications typically arent covered by insurance.

The FDAs move comes about two months after an outside advisory committee voted unanimously to recommend making Opill available without a prescription.

At the time, scientists at the FDA had expressed concerns about whether women with breast cancer or a history of breast cancer would know not to use the drug. But FDA committee members said they didnt expect that to be a problem because they said many women with breast cancer are aware they should not use hormonal contraceptives.

Another concern was side effects, such as vaginal bleeding, and whether users, particularly teenagers, would know to seek the help of a health care provider.

Still, ultimately, the FDA committee agreed most women could determine on their own whether the medication was appropriate for them to use.

Over-the-counter birth control pills are already in more than 100 other countries, according to Free the Pill, an advocacy group dedicated to educating about birth control.

A 2022 survey from KFF, formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation, found more than three-quarters of women of reproductive age were in favor of making birth control pills available without a prescription. The leading reason for supporting the switch from prescription to over-counter was convenience, according to the survey.This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Birth control pillsGetty Images/Jamie Atlas

On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an over-the-counter birth control pill, marking the first time an oral contraceptive has ever been available without a prescription in the United States to prevent pregnancy. Known as Opill (norgestrel), the much-anticipated announcement is a historic moment for female health.

"When used as directed, daily oral contraception is safe and is expected to be more effective than currently available non-prescription contraceptive methods in preventing unintended pregnancy," said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research in a statement. "Today's approval marks the first time a nonprescription daily oral contraceptive will be an available option for millions of people in the United States."

Related

Male birth control options are in development

Opill was first FDA-approved in 1973 as a progestin-only medication, which refers to the class of drugs it falls under. Opill works by thinning the lining of the uterus, which can prevent sperm from reaching an egg by thickening mucus in the cervix.

Dr. Alison Edelman, professor and OB/GYN at Oregon Health & Science University, told Salon that she thinks it's important that the first pill to be available over the counter is progestin-only. Compared to combination oestrogen-progestin pills, progestin-only pills carry fewer risks like blood clots.

"Progestin-only pills really can be used by almost anybody, no matter the age range of a reproductive individual, and then also by a number of disease states," Edelman said. "So even if you have some chronic medical diseases, taking this pill can help prevent pregnancy and it doesn't make your disease state worse."

People who have a history of breast cancer are not advised to take Opill while folks with other forms of cancer should consult with their doctors before use, the FDA advises. In the statement, the FDA said it's approving over-the-counter use for all people of reproductive age, including teenagers.

"I don't think I can emphasize enough the landmark nature of this approval for women and people with pregnancy capacity."

As Salon previously reported, over-the-counter availability will improve accessibility to birth control. A study published in The Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law in 2021 found that low-income people and people of color are more likely to live in contraception deserts. Despite the significant progress, the U.S. has lagged behind for decades as a majority of the world doesn't require a prescription to access oral contraceptives.

"I don't think I can emphasize enough the landmark nature of this approval for women and people with pregnancy capacity in the United States," Edelman added. "Especially given the changes in our ability to have control over our bodies and our destinies with the ruling of Dobbs last year."

Dr. Melissa Simon, an obstetrician gynecologist at Northwestern Medicine, called the decision "monumental" in an email to Salon.

"The FDA should be applauded for aligning contraceptive access with science," Simon said. "Over-the-counter birth control is available in over 100 countries, so the U.S. is substantially behind in availing safe and effective ways such as this oral contraceptive pill to individuals who are trying to avoid pregnancy and plan their families."

"The FDA should be applauded for aligning contraceptive access with science."

Currently, there are some details that remain unknown. Exactly when Opill will be available for purchase is unclear, as that is determined by the pill's manufacturer, Perrigo. In the company's press release about Thursday's news, Perrigo said Opill will be available in stores and online at leading retailers across the U.S. in early 2024. Another unknown detail is its cost, which will determine how accessible it is to Americans, despite not requiring a prescription.

In an email statement to Salon, Frederique Welgryn, Perrigo's global vice president for women's health, said the company is "committed to ensuring that Opill is widely accessible and affordable to most women and people who need it ."

"We are also working on a consumer assistance program to help some women and people who would benefit from using Opill, but are struggling to make ends meet," Welgryn said. "In addition we will work to list Opill with private insurers and Medicaid, and will support efforts, together with the advocacy groups, on obtaining insurance coverage for Opill, which will take more time as OTCs are not currently covered by insurance."

Edelman emphasized that determining the cost will be incredibly important.

"We really want to make it cost effective," Edelman said. "I'm somebody who comes from a framework that birth control should be free, but I understand that that's not the system that we have in place. A lot of countries have contraceptive methods that are free and subsidized, but a lot of other countries have a different system of health than we do."

"If the price point is set too high, this will prohibit those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds from access."

Simon said determining cost "is critical to ensuring equitable access" to everyone who wants to benefit from this pill.

"If the price point is set too high, this will prohibit those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds from access," Simon said. "This is especially important in states that have near total or total abortion bans, where access to and use of contraception to prevent unintended pregnancy is critical."

Edelman said it's important to note as well that this news is not a replacement for access to abortion.

"We can provide as much contraception in the world and as much access in the world but, you know, we always have contraceptive failures," Edelman said. "We have individuals that can't take contraception and we have things that happen in pregnancy  so this is not going to replace the need for access to abortion. But it's just one added piece to the puzzle that helps allow people to make choices for themselves."

Read more

about birth control
Opill labeling Perrigo / PR Newswire

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday announced it had approved norgestrel tablets for over-the-counter sales, making the medication the first instance of a non-prescription oral birth control pill to be okayed by the government in the nation's history. "Approval of this progestin-only oral contraceptive pill provides an option for consumers to purchase oral contraceptive medicine without a prescription at drug stores, convenience stores and grocery stores, as well as online," the FDA said in a press release.

The medicine, known as "Opill," is expected to be available in early 2024, its Dublin-based manufacturer, Perrigo Company, told the New York Times. While no price for the medication has been announced, Frederique Welgryn, the company's Global Vice President for Women's Health, said in a statement accompanying the FDA's announcement that Perrigo is committed to making Opill "accessible and affordable to women and people of all ages."

Norgestrel was initially approved for prescription use by the FDA 50 years ago, with Perrigo Company launching its push to make the medication available without a prescription in 2015, according to an administration memo authored by Dr. Karen Murry, Deputy Director of the FDA's Office of Nonprescription Drugs.

"Increasingly, women in some parts of the U.S. have few options once an unintended pregnancy occurs," Murry noted, in direct reference to the ongoing push by conservative legislators and activists to limit reproductive health options for women seeking to end their pregnancies. "Thus, giving women greater ability to prevent a pregnancy, rather than to face wrenching personal choices after an unintended pregnancy occurs, has the potential for individual and societal benefit."

Opill's approval comes just months after an independent panel of 17 agency advisors voted unanimously that the medication's over-the-counter benefits outweighed any potential risks, including to those users who have had breast cancer, or are on other hormone-based contraceptives at the time.

According to the FDA, "almost half of the 6.1 million pregnancies in the U.S. each year are unintended," which has been linked to "negative maternal and perinatal outcomes." A 2016 study published in the Journal of Women's Health found that nearly one-third of all women who have tried to get a prescription or refill of their hormonal contraceptives had encountered difficulties doing so.

Use of Opill according to its directions is not only safe, explained Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, but it is also "expected to be more effective than currently available nonprescription contraceptive methods in preventing unintended pregnancy."

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Federal student loans in Illinois and throughout the US won't be forgiven, so now what?

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to reject President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan is putting 1,713,900 Illinoisans back on the hook for nearly $65 billion in student loan debt.

Repayment of the debt by Illinois borrowers as well as borrowers in every other state was on hold while the Supreme Court decided if President Biden had the authority to forgive as much as $430 billion in federal student loans.

Due to the economic challenges created by the pandemic, the Biden Administration also had extended a moratorium on student loan repayment.

Now that the Supreme Court has ruled against Biden's plan, here's what we know so far:

When will I have to start making payments on my student loans?

Federal student loan interest will resume starting on Sept. 1 and payments will be due starting in October.

More: Illinois has $3.5 billion in unclaimed funds. Is any of it yours?

What if people can't resume payments?

Borrowers who fail to make payments risk delinquency and default, which can damage your credit rating and make you ineligible for additional aid and government benefits.

However, the Department of Education is instituting a 12-month on-ramp to repayment, running from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, so that financially vulnerable borrowers who miss monthly payments during this period are not considered delinquent, reported to credit bureaus, placed in default, or referred to debt collection agencies. Before missing a payment, borrowers are encouraged to see what their options are by checking out studentaid.gov.

How does Illinois compare to other states when it comes to student debt?

According to CreditDonkey, a personal finance website, Illinois has the eighth largest student loan debt in the country. In Illinois, there are a total of 1,713,900 student loan borrowers, with an average loan debt of $37,869 per borrower.

What states have the highest student loan debt per borrower?

Maryland has 864,700 student loan borrowers in the state and a total federal student loan debt balance of $36,787 billion. This equates to an average loan debt of $42,543 per borrower, the highest of all states. Georgia, Delaware, Viriginia and New York round out the top five.

Which states have the least student loan debt?

South Dakota has the lowest average loan debt per borrower with an average amount of $28,218 per student loan borrower. Iowa has the second lowest proportion of student loans per borrower at $29,845; followed by Alaska, $30,427; North Dakota, $30,542; and Wyoming, $30,581.

Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Here's what you need to know about student loan payments resuming
Feds are now tracing crypto cash used by Mexican cartels that sell fentanyl

The Department of Homeland Security has ramped up its effort to stop fentanyl and the chemicals used to make it from entering the U.S. by tracing cryptocurrency used by Mexican cartels, according to two U.S. officials involved in the strategy.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told NBC News in an interview at the International Mail Facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Thursday that DHS is seeking to hold individuals accountable, seizing their property and also interdicting and interrupting their financial flow.

The U.S. government faces a significant hurdle in stopping fentanyl production because the chemicals needed to make it are largely produced in China and shipped to Mexico, where cartels manufacture the drug and then bring it across the U.S. border to sell.

Mexican officials burning drugs (Salwan Georges / The Washington Post via Getty Images file)

Although the chemicals are controlled substances in China, it remains the largest supplier of precursor chemicals. Fentanyl is now the No. 1 killer of Americans aged 18 to 45, according to Families Against Fentanyl, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it claims the lives of more than 70,000 Americans each year.

Mayorkas told NBC News the Biden administration is negotiating with China to get its cooperation to stop the production of the chemicals that make fentanyl.

Were hoping that the negotiations that we are commencing with Chinas representatives will actually create some space for us to address with our Chinese counterparts the scourge of fentanyl precursors, Mayorkas said.

Under increasing pressure to take action by families who have lost loved ones and Republicans who blame the Biden administrations border policy, DHS announced in April that it has put more pressure on Mexico to stop the manufacture and distribution of fentanyl.

In just the first two months of the stepped-up DHS campaign to stop fentanyl at the border, more than 10,000 pounds of the drug were seized by Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations and 284 people were arrested, according to a June statement.

The next phase of the strategy will seek to go after high-ranking members of cartels that traffic fentanyl by increasing manpower and using forensic accounting to trace cryptocurrency used to buy precursor chemicals.

A seized pill press machine is displayed at a DEA news conference in Los Angeles in 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)

Customs and Border Protection is also increasing its ability to track what are known as pill presses from entering the U.S., the officials said. While such presses are often used in Mexico, CBP has confiscated them at the mail facility at JFK airport to stop people from using them inside the U.S. to turn fentanyl powder into pills mimicking less-lethal drugs, misleading consumers about the drug they are taking.

But families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl say its too little too late.

Lisa Leap lost her daughter Katie Wagner in 2021 to a fentanyl overdose, just four months after Katie turned a corner coming out of a rehab facility.

"She was a fun person. She loved life. She lived life to the fullest. And she lived life by her own terms. If she had a choice, she would still be here," said Leap.

Leap called on the Biden administration to do more and asked Americans not to dismiss those addicted to the potent drug.

A lot of people like to disregard drug addicts, but they dont realize that these people are somebodys loved ones, Leap said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The probe into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center comes years after the 2016 death of Kira Dixon Johnson, who died from abdominal bleeding following a cesarean section at that hospital.

Concerns over racial discrepancies in maternal care have prompted the federal government to launch a civil rights investigation into a Los Angeles hospital.

According to ABC News, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is the subject of a Department of Health and Human Services probe examining how it handles Black women who give birth there.

Maternal health is a priority for the Biden-Harris Administration, the HHS spokesperson said in a statement, and one in which the HHS Office for Civil Rights is working on around the country to ensure equity and equality in health care.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles is the subject of a Department of Health and Human Services probe examining how it handles the care of Black women giving birth there. (Photo: Adobe Stock)

In response to inquiries about the investigation, a Cedars-Sinai representative said hospital leaders, clinicians and researchers have long been concerned about racial discrepancies in maternity care and have been working to address the issue locally and on state and federal levels.

The spokesperson added that the hospital has made ongoing efforts to address the problem, including giving more than $2.2 million in grants to nonprofits addressing racial disparities in maternal care, hosting annual training sessions on unconscious bias, conducting research to identify racial disparities and collaborating with groups and Black leaders to seek solutions.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that 861 women died in the United States in 2020 due to maternal causes, up from 754 in 2019. More than 80 percent of those fatalities were preventable, with Black, American Indian and Alaska Native women having a two to three times higher risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes than white women.

According to a March 2023 study released by the National Vital Statistics System, maternal death rates increased in 2021, with Black women continuing to be the most impacted.

It found that non-Hispanic Black women died during and shortly after pregnancy at a rate 2.6 times higher than that of non-Hispanic white women  a difference consistent with other studies.

The HHS investigation comes more than seven years after the April 2016 death of Kira Dixon Johnson at Cedars-Sinai pushed discussions of racial disparities in Black maternal care to the national forefront. She died from abdominal bleeding following a cesarean section, while her baby, Langston Johnson, survived.

Charles Johnson, Kira Johnsons husband, told ABC News he is glad HHS is carrying out the investigation and treating it seriously, saying its been an extremely long time coming.

Johnson told ABC in 2019 that once he saw blood in his wifes catheter after she gave birth to their second son, he begged medical personnel to tend to her, but his cries went unanswered. Ten hours later, she was transported into a surgery room and died from internal bleeding.

This investigation is a very important step, Johnson said, ABC reported, toward accountability, transparency and ultimately an important step in making sure that families from all walks of lives receive the safe, dignified, respectful care that they deserve not only in material health but healthcare as a whole.

In a medical malpractice lawsuit filed in March 2017 and a civil case brought against the hospital in May 2022, Johnson contended that racism contributed to his wifes treatment. He noted that both lawsuits have been resolved, though he kept the details private.

Johnson collaborated with then-Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., on legislation to help prevent maternal fatalities. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump officially signed it into law. Among other things, the law calls for HHS to grant money to all states to fund review panels to determine why women are dying in childbirth and develop plans for continuing provider education to improve care.

Johnson also established 4 Kira 4 Moms, a nonprofit organization that promotes policies and funding to alleviate the inequities in Black maternal care.

The dedicated father said Cedars-Sinai and other medical facilities nationwide were being held accountable due to his wifes story and the awareness his family has tried to spread about discrepancies in maternal health care.

My hope is that this will have an impact not only on whats happening at Cedars-Sinai, Johnson said, but other hospitals across the country.

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The post Feds probe LA hospital and treatment of Black women giving birth appeared first on TheGrio.
A fence set on fire months earlier and a fight led to fatal shooting at Eastlake Park, documents say

Phoenix police.

A man who was arrested after a shooting at Eastlake Park told Phoenix police the other man set fire to his fence, and he feared for his family.

Larry Hall, 71, was arrested this week after he allegedly shot and killed 60-year-old Jerry McGee, who he believed had set the fire two months ago and attacked him with a stick that day, according to court documents.

On July 11, just after 9:30 a.m., Phoenix police responded to Eastlake Park at 1549 E. Jefferson St. for reports of a shooting. Two different calls had come in, one from a man's girlfriend of four years and one from the Hall reporting the incident. When police arrived, officers met with Hall, McGee, and McGee's girlfriend around the southeast corner of the park.

McGee had multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:52 a.m.

In an interview with McGee's girlfriend, she told police Hall had pulled up in a pickup and began speaking with a woman, later learned to be Hall's niece and a friend of McGee. Following the talk, Hall exited his truck and approached McGee, who was seated at a covered picnic table, according to court documents.

'College prospect to handcuffs': Teen gets 18 years in prison after fatal shooting in Tempe

A verbal argument began between the two and eventually turned physical when Hall grabbed a gray plastic bucket and swung at McGee.

McGee then grabbed a wooden stick and swung at Hall before the two were separated by McGee's girlfriend and Hall left the area.

Hall would return around 10 to 15 minutes later, this time with a handgun, McGee's girlfriend said, and shot him multiple times, documents state.

According to Hall's niece, McGee had a previous issue with a different family member, not present at the incident, and had been making comments earlier in the day while at the park about starting a fire at Hall's house.

Hall was told about McGee's statement when he arrived at the park to give his niece cigarettes, leading to the quarrel. Ultimately, Hall's niece told police that she believed her uncle acted to protect his family.

Westgate shooting: Police search for 3 suspects. Here's what we know

Hall corroborated his niece's statement, saying in an interview at police headquarters, that she had pointed out McGee and mentioned his statements about burning down Hall's house, according to court documents.

Hall told them he approached McGee initially to ask if he knew who he was, but McGee said he did not know Hall. Hall asked McGee if he was the one responsible for setting fire to his fence two months ago.

McGee admitted he had, which prompted the argument, according to court documents.

The order of events presented by Hall differed from what McGee's girlfriend told police. Hall said McGee instigated the squabble turning physical by reaching for a wooden stick on the table, then the two fought. McGee grabbed the plastic bucket and swung it at Hall.

Court documents state that Hall told investigators that he had left the park to go home and grab his gun and return to the park for "closure," saying he had "felt disrespected by the victim who had treated him like a dog."

Police prompted Hall about potentially reporting the incident to them rather than dealing with it himself, but Hall said he "wanted to handle the situation like a man," according to court documents. He told police he feared for his family and wanted to let McGee know to leave them alone.

As he came back to the park, Hall concealed the gun in his waistband and made his way toward McGee.

McGee then stood up from the table and ruffled through his pants pockets, but Hall said he did not see anything as McGee walked around the table. Hall denied coming to the park with the intent to kill McGee but brought his gun, so both men would have a weapon, court documents state.

Hall told investigators he fired once away from McGee as he kept walking toward him, then fired an unknown amount of times.

According to court documents, McGee was unarmed.

Hall was booked into jail on $500,000 bond and is facing one count of first degree murder.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man arrested in Phoenix in shooting of man who allegedly burned fence
Newly minted Illinois state Sen. Natalie Toro was posing proudly for photos with Senate President Don Harmon earlier this week in a sweltering gym on Chicagos North Side when a woman approached her and shouted a prediction: Youre gonna lose in March!

The challenge came minutes after Toro secured the Senate appointment over several candidates, including Graciela Guzman, who was backed by many of the same progressive groups and officials who helped elect Mayor Brandon Johnson. After the vote that gave Toro the win, dozens of Guzmans supporters vowed theyd defeat her next year when the Senate seat is up for election in the Democratic primary.

We want the ballot box! they chanted.

Most Chicagoans probably cant name their state senator, whose Springfield lawmaking duties are far removed from the essential potholes-and-permits power wielded by aldermen.

But the high emotions and big crowd that jammed into the Hamlin Park field house Monday to see Democratic Party insiders name a 20th District replacement for Cristina Pacione-Zayas prove the importance the posts have for some residents, and for a party thats continuing to separate along ideological lines, with various factions looking to exert their power.

The fight will certainly be joined again in Marchs Democratic primary election, when Toro will try to leverage the incumbents advantage to win a full term, and Guzman and others will undoubtedly try to unseat her.

The battle for the 20th District is playing out as Chicago is at the vanguard of Americas urban Democratic move to the left. Johnson swept into City Hall this year on an unabashedly progressive platform before naming Pacione-Zayas as his deputy chief of staff, and traditionally moderate and conservative parts of the Northwest Side, for instance, have begun electing increasingly progressive aldermen in recent elections.

In picking a successor to finish Pacione-Zayas term, Democratic committeepersons that have precincts in the Senate district heard from six candidates who made presentations about why theyd be the best choice.

But the 11 committeepersons making the final decision werent equal in the Byzantine process. Their shares were weighted based on votes cast within the district.

So the 32nd Ward committeeperson, Ald. Scott Waguespack, had the equivalent of 11,069 votes toward the appointment, while 47th Ward committeeperson Paul Rosenfeld had the equivalent of just 217 votes, with the other nine committeepersons falling in between.

Toro knew she was going to have to run the political gauntlet at the Democratic committeepersons meeting, joking at one point that she wished she had brought as many friends as Guzman. And her fight to hold the seat next year is shaping up to be a tough one.

She came in Monday having run unsuccessfully in 2022 for a seat on the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

In that race, Toro received the endorsement of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, the citys largest police union, a controversial group whose president, John Catanzara, downplayed the role Jan. 6 protesters played in the aftermath of the Capitol insurrection and compared Mayor Lori Lightfoots vaccine mandate to the Holocaust.

Catanzara resigned from the Police Department in 2021 while facing a disciplinary hearing related in part to allegedly homophobic remarks he made on social media.

35th Ward committeeperson Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa joined many progressive ward organizations in the district in backing Guzman. He hammered Toro on Monday for her association with the police union, and for mailers sent in support of her campaign for the County Board by a political action committee funded in large part by the FOP.

This district is a safe district for the LGTBQ community. This district is a majority-migrant district, Ramirez-Rosa said. So I want to know how you reconcile your statement of being in support of the LGBTQ community, in support of the migrant community, while at the same time your campaign (is) materially benefiting from tens of thousands of dollars from the right-wing FOP.

Toro said she was glad Ramirez-Rosa asked her about the FOP connection, then promptly distanced herself as much as she could from Catanzara.

I think, maybe naively as a first-time candidate, I was under the impression that any candidate should go to a labor union to earn the support of the rank-and-file members of the union, she said. I in no way agree with any of the views of their homophobic, racist leader.

She also told the panel of committeepersons it was insulting that I have to defend myself against this, but I will if thats whats going to gain me more trust.

In the end, five committeepersons backed Guzman, who was the Senate district director for Pacione-Zayas. But their combined weighted vote paled in comparison with that of the six who supported Toro, among them Waguespack and Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court Iris Martinez, the Democratic Party leader for the 33rd Ward who also supported Toros County Board run.

Between them, Waguespack and Martinez controlled 22,086 of the 22,487 weighted votes needed for victory. No candidates other than Toro and Guzman received votes from the Democratic officials.

Waguespack voting for Toro rather than Guzman was notable.

He has long been a progressive leader in the City Council, but hes recently found himself more on the outs of the councils progressive wing as it has moved further left. Waguespack chaired the powerful Finance Committee under Lightfoot, but Johnson unseated him shortly after becoming mayor, part of a council reorganization Ramirez-Rosa helped orchestrate.

Waguespack said he backed Toro because he liked that shes a Chicago Public Schools kindergarten teacher and has done a good job lining up support from community organizations in his ward. In doing so, he opted not to back Guzman, who has a close connection to a top Johnson administration official.

After she won, Toro said she wasnt surprised Ramirez-Rosa came at her about the FOP connection.

I was expecting it. It was the narrative I knew he was going to spin, because I havent made any mistakes, she said. I dont have a machine behind me. Im new to this, and Im doing it because I want to improve the lives of the children in my community.

If the appointment process had been a popularity contest in the Hamlin Park field house gym, Guzman and her cheering, sign-waving backers would have walked away with it. Guzman said she will definitely run for the seat against Toro in 2024.

Speaking to the committeepersons before the vote, Guzman laid out the stakes as she saw them, which are certain to carry over into the 2024 race.

I come to you firmly grounded, supported by community today with a clear progressive vision for the 20th District, to continue my work as a principled public servant, she said.

Dr. Dave Nayak, a physician who worked to pass legislation in Springfield to allow the state to pay for funerals of gun violence victims under 17, said he also will be on the Democratic primary ballot after taking part in the committeepersons selection process.

Make no mistake, we will be outsiders, he said. We will not have the support that an incumbent receives from senate leadership. But we feel very strongly that when the community understands our work that we have done for many years in the 20th, they will know that Dr. Dave puts people first.

All three touted their progressive bona fides, a near requirement in an overwhelmingly Democratic district in which the aldermen elected to new terms this year were more liberal as a group than the Democratic ward committeepersons who won their seats in 2020.

Guzman said she already has a track record getting legislation passed in Springfield, and that the grassroots support on display Monday will carry her further with district voters next year.

I believe that in our democracy, the voters are the strongest decision makers, Guzman said in a statement after she lost. I am excited to speak with my neighbors over the next few months and collaborate on a progressive and principled vision for the 20th district.

jebyrne@chicagotribune.com
Authorities say the base of the statue will not be moved to prevent disturbing the graves of Confederate soldiers that surround the monument

A Confederate memorial in America's most honoured cemetery is coming down. But what should be done with it?

When Judith Ezekiel was five years old, her grandfather drove her and her two brothers to Arlington National Cemetery, to see a statue made by their relative.

Moses Jacob Ezekiel, Judith's cousin four times removed, was a renowned Jewish sculptor in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. His most famous work, what he called the "crowning achievement" of his career, has stood inside Arlington since 1914: the Confederate Memorial.

"My grandfather was quite proud of his artistic prowess," Ms Ezekiel says. At some point in their childhoods, Judith says, he took all 15 of his grandchildren to see Ezekiel's work.

The monument, a bronze statue and plinth on top of a granite base, commemorates the men who fought and died for the slave-holding southern states in the US Civil War.

For more than a century, this statue commemorating the Confederacy has stood inside Arlington - known as America's most sacred shrine. Overlooking Washington DC across the Potomac river, it hosts some 400,000 graves: US soldiers, sailors, astronauts, actors, and even two presidents.

But by next year, by order of the US government, the monument must be removed. The decision is part of an ongoing movement to rethink how the US remembers the Confederacy.

Some 377 memorials have been renamed or removed since 2015. But as of 2022, some 723 remain, according to a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Hundreds more roads, schools and parks named after Confederate leaders also remain.

As a child, Ms Ezekiel and her brothers went to see the memorial designed and built by her distant relative

Ms Ezekiel, a historian and professor emerita of women's and African American studies, thought little more of the statue until decades after her visit, in 2017.

That August, white supremacists gathered in Charlottesville, Virginia to protest the proposed removal of another statue, of Confederate General Robert E Lee.

Men marched through the streets chanting "Jews will not replace us" and "white lives matter". An avowed neo-Nazi drove his car into a crowd, killing one person and injuring dozens more.

Watching the horror unfold on the news, Judith saw the far right demonstrators near a statue of Thomas Jefferson in the city. "The irony is that it was sculpted by a Jew - it was also sculpted by Moses Ezekiel," she says.

As the violence unfolded in Charlottesville, Ms Ezekiel called her relatives. "What can we do about Moses Ezekiel's monument in Arlington?" she asked.

Her distant cousin had fought for the Confederacy. He was determined to build a monument to correct what he believed were "lies" told about the South.

His statue features a stereotypical depiction of a black woman, handing a baby to a southern soldier. Scholars view it as an artistic representation of the once popular idea that the war was a "lost cause", not about slavery, but instead a just fight for state's rights. Historians now largely view this explanation for the war as a myth, spread to cast the Confederacy in an honourable light, and to mask the brutality of the country's slave-owning past.

Moses Ezekiel himself said he wanted to "correct" the history of the South with this statue, and added a stereotypical depiction of a black woman

Within days, a public letter signed by Ms Ezekiel and dozens more relatives of the sculptor appeared in the Washington Post. Moses Ezekiel's family wanted his famous Confederate memorial removed.

"Like most such monuments, this statue intended to rewrite history to justify the Confederacy and the subsequent racist Jim Crow laws. It glorifies the fight to own human beings, and, in its portrayal of African Americans, implies their collusion.

"As proud as our family may be of Moses's artistic prowess, we  some twenty Ezekiels  say remove that statue. Take it out of its honored spot in Arlington National Cemetery and put it in a museum that makes clear its oppressive history."

"It was a protest," Ms Ezekiel says. "There's this blemish in the family history, which is that the Ezekiel line goes back to southerners, some of whom were Confederates, and at least one of whom, it turns out, owned a human."

Now the family have seemingly got their wish. In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, the US Congress set up the Naming Commission, a group tasked with making a list of monuments and names that honour the Confederacy, and recommendations for what to do with them.

Last year, the body announced its findings - among them, an order to remove the Confederate memorial in Arlington. Only its granite base will remain, so surrounding graves are not disturbed.

The statue is based on the far western side of the cemetery. Dozens of graves surround it, including that of Moses Ezekiel himself, marked with a metal plaque right by the base of the statue.

According to Arlington spokesperson Kerry Meeker, it's not a common stop for tour groups, partly because it is located far from the site's main entrance.

Some, however, have visited recently. One grave for a Confederate sailor has a clean white naval cap placed on top of it.

The decision to remove the statue has already proved controversial. The cemetery reportedly received some 300 written responses about the monument within months of the removal order.

Some opposed to the statue's removal are now suing the US Department of Defense over the plan. According to the suit, the plaintiffs want to stop the "illegal, arbitrary and capricious decision to tear down and remove, and thereby desecrate" the memorial. They say the statue has "extraordinary significance to American history and cultural heritage".

LM Siegel is a member of Defend Arlington, a campaign group that is part of that lawsuit. She fears removing the statue could set a precedent.

"Removing it is like ripping off the bandages and reopening a wound," she says.

"I was taught, don't mess with people's graves," she adds. "This is sacrilege - it's wrong, it's illegal, and it's immoral."

She quotes President Woodrow Wilson, who said in his speech at the statue's unveiling in 1914 that a monument like this could only happen in a democracy.

"He [said] in most places the losers... basically get themselves turned into slaves, and subjugated or killed. But in our country, we reconcile, and we build a memorial for reconciliation."

Aside from the cultural or moral concerns, there's the problem of how to actually remove a 32ft (10 metre) tall statue made of granite and bronze.

In December, Richmond in Virginia - southern capital in the Civil War - removed the last Confederate monument owned by the city and took it to a civil rights museum on a lorry

Once it is removed, what becomes of it is unclear: an NBC report from 2020 states that of 130 monuments removed, just 35 were moved to new homes - often museums or Confederate cemeteries. The remainder likely end up in storage, as none come forward to take them.

The statue would be the first war memorial that has ever been removed from Arlington. The Department of Defense says it must be removed by 1 January 2024 at the latest, "as it offers a nostalgic, mythologized vision of the Confederacy".

The same words are on an educational plaque near the statue, which adds that the monument features "highly sanitized depictions of slavery".

The cemetery installed that plaque in 2020, before the decision to remove the statue. "Most tour groups do not have the background to properly contextualize the Memorial," Ms Meeker says.

A public consultation is due to begin in the autumn of 2023, to determine what to do with the memorial once it is gone.

Defend Arlington however hope it can be legally stopped before the 1 January deadline for its removal.

Even Ms Ezekiel and her family were torn about what they wanted done with it, when they wrote their protest letter.

"Some people wanted it ground to dust and thrown away. Others said no, it needs to be in a museum because it's a piece of art. Others still said it needs to be in a museum because it's a part of racist history that needs to be shown.

"I don't like it artistically. But, you know, it can't be denied that he was a great sculptor."
Fire kills "nearly all of the animals" at Florida wildlife center

An early morning fire on Thursday killed nearly all the animals at a wildlife center in Florida, officials said.

CBS affiliate WTSP reported the fire broke out around 2 a.m. local time on Thursday at the Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center in Madeira Beach, near St. Petersburg on Florida's Gulf Coast.

"We suffered from a tragic fire last night. Nearly all of the animals are gone. We are devastated," a post on the wildlife center's Facebook page said.

Sonny Flynn, who owns the center, told WTSP that all of the mammals inside the building died and many of the reptiles were injured. Small mammals, lizards, amphibians, turtles and tortoises, fresh and saltwater marine life, and alligators were among the 250 animals at the center.

"They didn't deserve this. This is my whole life," Flynn told the station. "They all have names, they all have personality, I come in every morning and talk to them like Dr. Dolittle."

#BREAKING UPDATE: Multiple animals have died and others are hurt after a fire ripped through the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center and another business in Madeira Beach. https://t.co/dsV0gN7v2c  10 Tampa Bay (@10TampaBay) July 13, 2023

Flynn said about 95% of the animals at the center were "pet surrenders because people didn't know how to take care of them, or they weren't able to take care of them."

Madeira Beach Fire Department Fire Chief Clint Belk told news outlets that crews were met with heavy fire and smoke at the front of the building.

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies said the blaze impacted both the wildlife center and a restaurant, WTSP reported.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause.

Founded in 2011, the center says it has changed its focus to education and conservation, according to its website.

"Our immediate goal is the provision of humane, professional care for pet surrenders and orphaned native wildlife that cannot be safely returned to the wild," the center says.

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Ammunition and litter in a trench of a former Russian position in Novodarivka, in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, on July 6, 2023. (David Guttenfelder/The New York Times)

A top Russian general in Ukraine has lashed out at his bosses after being fired from his command, accusing them of undermining the war effort with dishonesty and politicking, in the latest sign of turmoil within the Kremlins military leadership.

In a four-minute recording released late Wednesday night, Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov addressed his troops, accusing his superiors of inflicting a blow on his forces by removing him from his post in retaliation for voicing the truth about battlefield problems to senior leadership behind closed doors. His firing, and the unusual public airing of his grievances, reflected the disarray that has roiled Russias military command since a failed mutiny three weeks ago.

While the 58th Combined Arms Army he commanded has been holding off a Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia region, we were hit in the rear by our senior commander, who treacherously and vilely decapitated our army at the most difficult and tense moment, Popov said  an apparent reference to Gen. Valery Gerasimov, chief of the armed forces.

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Since the mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group and its boss, Yevgeny Prigozhin, several senior officers have been detained or pushed out of their posts, according to a person close to the Russian military, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Speculation has swirled in particular about the fate of Gen. Sergei Surovikin, the head of the air force and a former chief of forces in Ukraine, who hasnt been seen publicly since the rebellion and was said this week by a top Russian lawmaker to be taking a rest.

The person close to the Russian military said Surovikin, a Prigozhin ally who reportedly knew in advance of the mutiny, was being detained. In January, the Kremlin removed Surovikin from overseeing Russian forces in Ukraine and put Gerasimov in direct control of conducting the war, even as he remains chief of the Russian General Staff, an unconventional conflation of duties for a military at war.

Adding to this weeks upheaval, another top Russian commander in Ukraine, Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov, deputy commander of the Southern Military District, was killed in a Ukrainian airstrike Tuesday in the occupied city of Berdiansk  one of the highest-level Russian losses since the war began.

The recording of Popov offered an exceedingly rare public glimpse into what a top Russian officer thinks about how President Vladimir Putins costly war is being waged. Western governments are eager for that kind of intelligence, but U.S. officials say they have limited insight into the views of Russian military leaders or the recriminations against them.

Also murky is the status of Wagner troops and their leader, Prigozhin  who, as of last week, was reported to be in Russia and roaming free, despite having mounted a rebellion that he said was aimed at removing inept military leaders, not Putin.

Were not even sure where he is and what relationship he has, President Joe Biden told reporters in Helsinki on Thursday. If I were he, Id be careful what I ate.

Until his short-lived uprising, Prigozhin, a civilian, frequently denounced Russias military command publicly, accusing it of incompetence and backstabbing, which he said led to the insurrection. Popovs comments suggest that similar discontent exists high within the uniformed ranks.

But so far, there is little indication that the fallout from the mutiny has hurt Russian forces ability to defend against the Ukrainian counteroffensive, which began last month and has made only incremental progress.

Popov said that he ended up in a difficult situation with the Russian militarys leadership, in which he had to choose whether he would be a coward, who would tell his superiors only what they wanted to hear, or would call a spade a spade. He told his troops he had no right to lie in their name or in the names of those who had died, and therefore outlined all the problematic issues that exist in the army in the current day in terms of combat work and support.

Specifically, he said he had reported the lack of counter-battery and artillery reconnaissance capabilities and the excessive deaths and injuries that Russian troops were suffering on the battlefield.

Apparently, in connection with this, the senior commanders felt some kind of danger in me and swiftly, in a single days light, concocted an order from the Minister of Defense that removed me from the deployment and got rid of me, Popov said.

It wasnt clear whether he intended his farewell speech to his troops to be made public.

In an interview with state news channel Rossiya 24, Putin said Thursday that the weapons and tanks the West had supplied to Ukraine werent having the desired effect. He reiterated Russias opposition to NATO membership for Ukraine, saying it would pose a security threat to Russia.

It was not immediately clear whether Popovs firing was connected to the Wagner uprising, but the removal of a high-level general whose forces appeared to be performing successfully, on one of the most important stretches of the front line, left many Russian observers shocked.

The removal of Popov is a monstrous act of terrorism against army morale, military blogger Roman Saponkov wrote on Telegram, saying that Wagners failure had emboldened the Russian military leadership to purge its ranks.

The Telegram channel Rybar, run by pro-war military blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk, said Popov enjoys colossal support among the rank and file in the Russian military, who found the news of his firing greatly demoralizing.

The conflict between Popov and Gerasimov highlights the main thing: the absence of unity in the Russian armed forces, Rybar wrote. The enemy will surely take advantage of this.

Alexander Sladkov, a war correspondent for Russian state television, said that Popov was not an insurrectionist and would most likely reappear in a different position on the front. He warned that the Russian military should be preserving every soldier and general in combat because we have great trials ahead of us. Popov said he was still waiting to hear from military leaders about how he could continue his service.

Tension over the military turmoil was palpable in the Telegram posts of Russian politicians and commentators.

The recording of Popov was released on social media by Andrei Gurulyov, a lawmaker and former general who once commanded the same 58th Combined Arms Army that Popov headed.

Andrei Turchak, the secretary-general of the ruling United Russia party, assailed Gurulyov for publicizing the recording. He said on Telegram that the remarks had been private and accused Gurulyov of making a political show of the affair, adding, The army was and remains outside of politics.

Oleg Tsaryov, a pro-Moscow former Ukrainian official, once seen by American intelligence officials as a possible puppet leader the Kremlin might try to install in Kyiv, shot back on the same platform, Andrei Turchak is right, the army should be outside of politics. But politics should also be outside of the army. He added, If the system inside the army were really effective, we wouldnt see more and more spillage on the outside.

Julian E. Barnes contributed reporting from Washington.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
The casket of Newark firefighter Augusto "Augie" Acabou is carried from the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart with family members and friends in tow during his funeral days after he died battling a fire aboard the Italian-flagged Grande Costa d'Avorio cargo ship at the Port of Newark, Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Newark, N.J. The fire claimed the lives of Acabou and Wayne "Bear" Brooks Jr. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

NEWARK, N.J., (AP)  A firefighter who was fatally injured along with a colleague while battling a massive fire aboard a cargo ship docked in New Jersey last week was posthumously promoted to captain during his funeral service on Thursday.

Hundreds of mourners, including dozens of uniformed firefighters and law enforcement officers, came to the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark to honor Augusto Augie Acabou, 45, a Newark native who had been a city firefighter for nine years. He was recalled as a dedicated public servant who was always trying to make his friends and colleagues laugh.

Our city mourns grievously for one of our heroes  a Newark boy that made his way here with a proud and close-knit family and found a noble and honorable profession, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka told the mourners. We close our eyes and bow our heads collectively as one city, knowing that this man that we lay to rest here today was one of the very best amongst us,

Acabou and another Newark firefighter, Wayne Bear Brooks Jr., 49, both died while fighting the July 5 fire aboard the Grande Costa dAvorio, an Italian-flagged vessel carrying thousands of vehicles and other goods that was docked at Port Newark. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A funeral service for Brooks will be held Friday.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday approved the first birth control pill to be sold without a prescription in the U.S., a move long sought by reproductive health advocates and physicians to make contraception easier to obtain.

Approving Opill for over-the-counter (OTC) use could significantly expand access to contraception, especially for younger women and those in rural and underserved communities, who currently need to overcome logistical barriers to get birth control.

Today marks an important step in the drive toward meaningful access to essential healthcare for Americans. The FDAs approval of the first daily over-the-counter oral contraceptive will provide millions with access to safe and effective birth control without a prescription, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement.

The pills manufacturer, the Dublin-based Perrigo, said Opill would most likely be available in stores and online starting in early 2024 for women of all ages.

Its cost was not announced, and a key question is how the company will make the pill affordable  the Affordable Care Act requires insurers to cover preventive services including specific types of birth control, but only if they are prescribed. Insurers usually dont cover OTC products.

Hormone-based birth control has required a prescription, usually so providers can screen for risk of rare blood clots. But OTC birth control is available in more than 100 countries worldwide.

The push to make birth control available over-the-counter has been happening for years, but after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and ended the constitutional right to an abortion, the movement took on more urgency.

Health advocates say there have been concerns over access to birth control well before the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

But while the ruling last summer gave a jolt of energy to the reproductive rights movement, it also has made it harder to separate the issue of contraception from the politics of abortion.

A Texas federal judge in December ruled that federal clinics that confidentially distribute contraception to teens violate Texas state law and U.S. constitutional rights.

And Justice Clarence Thomas argued that the Supreme Court should reconsider its past rulings codifying the right to contraception access.

At a time when reproductive health and rights are under relentless attack, the FDAs decision clears the way for access to a birth control pill without having to wait weeks or even months for a medical appointment, said Raegan McDonald-Mosley, CEO of the reproductive rights advocacy group Power to Decide.

This long overdue advancement will help more people have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child, McDonald-Mosley said.

OTC birth control has support from major medical organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Opill was first approved for use with a prescription 50 years ago. Its what is known as a minipill because it is progestin-only pill, rather than a combination pill of progestin and estrogen, so it has virtually no risk of clotting. But it can be less effective if its not taken around the same time every day.

Still, Opill is effective and could help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 45 percent of all pregnancies are unintended.

Updated at 9:41 a.m. ET.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  A testing setback will delay the first flight of United Launch Alliances Vulcan rocket to the end of the year, the companys CEO told reporters.

Denver-based ULA expected the launch to occur in early May, but recovery from a March testing anomaly ha taken longer than anticipated. CEO Tory Bruno told reporters during a July 13 media briefing ULA has identified the root cause and is in the process of incorporating a fix, but the rocket wont fly before the end of this year.

The corrective action is low risk, straightforward, he said, adding that the production is moving smoothly at the companys factory. That will allow us to fly before the end of the year.

ULA, along with Elon Musks SpaceX, is one of two companies with rockets cleared to fly national security space missions for the U.S. Defense Department and the intelligence community. The company is in the process of replacing its legacy Atlas V and Delta IV vehicles  longtime workhorse rockets for the U.S. government  with the more powerful Vulcan.

The company previously expected Vulcan to begin flying national security missions in 2022, following certification by the Space Force that the rocket is cleared to fly high-value missions. Repeated delays  many involving the rockets BE-4 engine built by Blue Origin  have slowed the certification process, which includes a requirement that Vulcan fly two missions.

The most recent schedule setback, Bruno said, means Vulcan wont be available to fly its first national security mission until mid-2024  and thats if all goes smoothly for the rocket over the next year. Prior to the test anomaly, the company was slated to launch the Space Forces USSF-106 mission at the end of this year, which will feature a classified program as well as an experimental navigation satellite dubbed Navigation Technology Satellite-3, or NTS-3.

Bruno said the plan to host USSF-106 on a Vulcan rocket had not changed. The Space Force did not immediately confirm whether ULAs vehicle would still fly the mission or provide details on the implications for the programs supported by USSF-106.

That includes NTS-3  a key demonstration for the Space Force as it considers ways to augment its GPS satellites with new capabilities. The L3Harris-built spacecraft is meant to showcase technologies like steerable beams to provide regional coverage, a reprogrammable payload that can receive upgrades in orbit and protections against signal jamming.

Expanding portfolio

For ULA, the Vulcan flight delay comes as the company is expanding from a manifest dominated by national security and NASA missions to one that is split evenly between government and commercial launches.

By the end of 2025, ULA expects to be flying missions every two weeks. Along with its share of national security space launches, the company has won contracts in the last two years from Amazon to fly 47 launches for its Project Kuiper program, a constellation of more than 3,000 satellites that will expand broadband access.

Bruno said the companys portfolio is much more balanced than in years past. ULAs launch rate has quadrupled, he said, and the new business has helped it fund upgrades to its launch infrastructure and manufacturing facilities.

Its allowed us to be lower cost and more efficient because of these capital improvements and how we build and fly the rocket, he said. It is no small trick to quadruple the rate at which you fly rockets. So, we have been managing massive construction projects.
Finland's President Sauli Niinisto and President Biden smile after their news conference Thursday in Helsinki, where Biden welcomed Finland to the NATO alliance. (Sergei Grits / Associated Press)

In the same room where former President Trump praised Vladimir Putin five years ago, President Biden celebrated the expansion of the alliance that has helped stall Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The ceremony in the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, marked the Nordic country's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the end of seven decades of military nonalignment and the expansion of the defense blocs eastern boundaries to Finland's 800-mile border with Russia.

The moment also showed how Russia's invasion has bolstered European unity since Trumps trip to the same venue in 2018. During his four years in office, Trump repeatedly criticized NATO, a pillar of U.S. foreign policy for more than half a century, and grumbled that its members were not spending enough on their own defense.

In Finland, Trump met with Putin privately for two hours, then sided with his Russian counterpart over the U.S. intelligence community on whether the Kremlin interfered in the 2016 election, telling reporters Putin was "extremely strong and powerful in his denial today." Trump's failure to confront Putin rippled across the globe, undermining European confidence about whether the U.S. would honor the NATO pact to defend its allies in the event of a Russian attack.

On Thursday, Biden offered a markedly different message, declaring that U.S. commitments to NATO are "rock solid" and vowing that the alliance would defend every inch of its territory. He said the group reaffirmed its "unwavering support" for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia's assault.

"Putin has already lost the war," Biden told reporters when asked whether NATO's decision to delay Ukraine's membership would prolong the conflict. "What agreement is ultimately reached depends upon Putin and what he decides to do, but there is no possibility of him winning the war in Ukraine."

The contrast was a glaring reminder of how quickly U.S. political winds can shift  from Trump's nationalist policies and disdain for multilateralism to Biden's quest to rebuild American credibility on the world stage and reinvigorate the Western military bloc  and whether they might change direction again in 2024. Biden is poised for a rematch with Trump, who is leading the field for the Republican nomination.

At a news conference Thursday, a Finnish reporter pointed out that a bipartisan group of senators in Washington has struggled to pass a bill that would prevent any U.S. president from withdrawing from NATO without Senate approval or an act of Congress.

"I absolutely guarantee it. There's no question," Biden said when asked if the U.S. would remain a reliable partner to the alliance despite political instability at home. "I'm saying as sure as anything could possibly be said about American foreign policy  we will stay connected to NATO."

Read more: Ukraine and expansion top NATO agenda as Biden tries to cement unity

Finns had long resisted joining NATO, but the politics of the question shifted after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Finland's major political parties quickly changed their positions on the issue, and Helsinki officially became the alliance's 31st member in April. Sweden, too, declared that it wanted to join NATO shortly after Russia's invasion, but its accession was delayed for more than a year by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who argued that Stockholm had been too lenient toward Kurdish militants.

Erdogan lifted his objections before Tuesday's annual NATO gathering in Vilnius, Lithuania, clearing the path for Sweden's membership.

Erdogan relented after a White House pressure campaign that included working to strike a deal with the U.S. to sell Ankara new fighter jets. Sweden also promised to help Turkey join the European Union. But Sweden's NATO membership still has a couple of hurdles to clear. U.S. lawmakers who oppose the sale of F-16 jets have yet to approve the deal, and the Turkish president has said his country's parliament will not take up Sweden's NATO bid until October.

Read more: Fight over NATO membership for Ukraine overshadows Biden's diplomatic triumph

During a meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Biden recalled threatening Putin with the expansion of NATO if Russia continued to provoke the alliance.

"You may remember my telling you, I said to our friend in the east [Putin] that if he wants the Finland-ization of NATO, he's going to get the NATO-ization of Finland," Biden told Niinisto.

Biden said it took him "about three seconds to say yes" when he spoke to Niinisto about Helsinki's bid, calling it the "fastest ratification that occurred in modern history."

"We have to stick together," Niinisto said.

"The world is watching to see, will we do the hard work that matters to forge a better future? Will we stand together?" Biden said at the news conference standing alongside Niinisto. "This week, Finland, the United States and our allies and partners said a resounding, loud yes. Yes, we'll step up."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  Floridas Republican attorney general, in a Thursday letter to the Justice Department, shot back at California Democrats who urged the DOJ to investigate the state over migrant flights to California and Marthas Vineyard, contending that the transfers were legal.

California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom and his states attorney general have called Floridas transport of migrants from New Mexico to Sacramento cruel and a political stunt. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has responded by labeling a decision by Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta to ask federal authorities to investigate both the California and Massachusetts flights not a legal request and called their actions a political stunt.

Moody on Thursday sent a three-page letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland outlining why he should ignore the request from California officials.

Californias letter requesting that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate Florida is a ridiculous political stunt, Moody said in a statement. Our voluntary immigration relocation program is lawful, and Californias request fails to identify any violation of federal law. As an Attorney General who leads hundreds of highly-qualified lawyers and has led dozens of legal challenges against this administration, it is jarring that California is not competent enough to articulate even a minimal legal basis for its request.



Moody, in her letter to Garland, also questioned why Newsom and Bonta were only requesting an investigation of the DeSantis administration and not GOP Texas Gov. Greg Abbott or Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams over their migrant relocation efforts.

Abbott has bused more than 20,000 migrants to Democrat-led cities like Washington, D.C., New York City and Chicago while Adams has transported migrants to Florida, Texas, Delaware and as far away as China. By comparison, DeSantis in total has flown about 85 migrants to Marthas Vineyard and Sacramento.

[Newsom and Bonta] take aim at the State of Florida because Floridas governor is running for president and is among the front runners to be nominated to run against the current president, Moody wrote. The two most senior elected Democrats in California evidently do not believe that the current president can win re-election against Gov. DeSantis. Instead, they hope that DOJ can be improperly utilized, yet again, against a Republican presidential candidate during an election.

Bonta's office did not immediately responded to a request for comment. The DOJ declined to comment.

The letter to Garland also revealed that California law enforcement officials have already traveled to Florida to investigate the migrant flights to Sacramento but did not provide any additional details.

Moodys office did not immediately answer questions as to who California authorities may have talked to or if they came to Tallahassee. Bontas office in mid-June submitted a lengthy public records request to both DeSantis office and the Division of Emergency Management, which has oversight of the private vendors that have been hired as part of the multi-million migrant relocation program.



The letter from California officials to Garland noted that Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, a Democrat, concluded "that individuals were induced to accept free travel based on false representations that they would be transported from San Antonio to Marthas Vineyard and receive housing, education, and employment opportunities.

Moody, who was reelected last year and is seen as a potential 2026 candidate for Florida governor, has been a steadfast, reliable ally of DeSantis and has endorsed his campaign for president. She has sued the administration of President Joe Biden multiple times over immigration policy and has been as sharply critical of the president.

Floridas first round of migrant flights from Texas to Marthas Vineyard last September sparked angry denunciations as well as lawsuits and an investigation by a Texas sheriff and the U.S. Department of Treasurys inspector general. State legislators tweaked the program earlier this year to undercut one lawsuit from a Democratic state senator who contended it did not properly follow budget guidelines and state policies.

The letter sent last week from California officials to Garland noted that Salazar asserted that individuals were induced to accept free travel based on false representations that they would be transported from San Antonio to Marthas Vineyard and receive housing, education, and employment opportunities.

Moody said in her letter to the Department of Justice that the states emergency management division has stated that all the flights were voluntary and that the migrants gave verbal and written consent and were transported to a third-party charity group in California.

Moodys office did not immediately respond to questions about whether or not DeSantis office requested that the letter be sent to Garland. The attorney generals office also did not answer a question on whether it requested and received information about the flights before sending the letter to the Department of Justice.
A new Florida Democratic Party wants to oust a rich senator? See it to believe it | Opinion

The Florida Democratic Party finally has a few things going for it: positive news headlines, a new leader and renewed sense of energy.

Party leaders are calling the annual Leadership Blue fundraiser at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach last weekend a new day for them. Democrats had an embarrassing show in last years midterms, when they lost Miami-Dade County for the first time in decades. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio cruised to reelection by double digits.

Fanfare and fancy events aside, a new day will begin when Democrats start winning statewide elections again.

The partys new chair, former Agriculture Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, scored an important win in May when a Democrat flipped a mayoral seat in the states largest city, Jacksonville. Fried is now gearing up to take on a Goliath in 2024: U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. As the Herald reported on Wednesday, the party is hunting for a candidate to challenge the Republican incumbent.

Among those considering a run is former Miami U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, who is the favorite of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, according to POLITICO.

Is he vulnerable?

Scott, a former two-term governor, has never been a charismatic or even well-liked politician. Democrats believe his vulnerabilities offer them one of the few opportunities to flip a Senate seat next year.

Scott is notorious for releasing a 12-point plan last year  part of which he later walked back  that would put funding for Medicare and Social Security at risk. His recent video posted on Twitter warning socialists and communists not to travel to Florida was equally cringe-worthy. It was an apparent, and awkward, attempt to mock travel advisories the NAACP and Equality Florida issued over the states policies limiting or banning classroom discussion about race and LGBTQ issues.

But Scott does one thing very well: pour millions of his own fortune to win every election hes entered by razor-thin margins. He funneled $64 million to win his U.S. Senate seat in 2018, the Herald reported. His ground game with Latinos, a crucial group of voters, also helped him oust three-term U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

And thats going to be the test for Democrats. Without money, they cannot win statewide. Without investment from the national party and donors who essentially abandoned Florida last year, hype will only go so far.

Demographic changes in the Sunshine State are also working against Democrats. The number of registered Republicans surpassed registered Democrats in 2021, and now the GOP leads by more than 500,000 voters. When Scott won his first gubernatorial term in 2010, it was Democrats who led by a similar margin. Even back then, Nelson was the only Democrat elected statewide.

In need of cash

Fried said at a news conference over the weekend that the National Democratic Committee has assured her that defeating Scott is a priority, the Herald reported. But the partys resources will be split to defend Senate seats in conservative-leaning states such as Montana, West Virginia and Ohio, as well as in swing states like Wisconsin, where Democrats have fared better in recent elections.

All of that will weigh on donors minds. Its no secret that many Democrats no longer see Florida as a purple state. Joe Biden lost Florida in 2020, but proved that the path to the White House no longer has to run through the Sunshine State. There will be tons of polling between now and the 2024 elections to gauge whether its worth investing in Florida Democrats again.

Winning an expensive seat race should not be the only measure of success. Democrats have set the bar so low that smaller local wins, and closer losses, will be a shift. Much work is needed to rebuild the electoral infrastructure the party neglected for so long.

There have been previous iterations of the new Democratic Party, while Republicans continued to grow their dominance in the state. Floridas electoral future will only change when there are two competitive parties. One of them still needs to prove it can win elections.
Heres what Florida law requires mayors to disclose about their finances and side jobs

A recent controversy over expensive event tickets and side jobs held by Miamis mayor has cast a spotlight on the rules for local elected officials. Here is what those rules are:

Employment and Personal Finances

Floridas ethics laws require local elected public officials to disclose their primary sources of employment each year. Starting next year, this requirement will become more rigorous.

On the current form, which was due July 1, any mayor or commissioner must list primary sources of income from the previous year, but not every single job. Office holders could choose between listing every source of income that exceeded $2,500 or reporting only those jobs that provide income greater than 5% of the elected officials total gross income.

Under new legislation adopted this year and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, mayors and commissioners will be required to file a different form, one that includes net worth, assets and liabilities exceeding $1,000, plus an itemized breakdown of all sources of income that exceed $1,000. It will require the office holder to provide the amount of income received from each source.

Officials will have the option of substituting their tax returns for the itemized breakdown.

Local municipal governments sometimes have their own disclosure requirements. In the case of Miami, the mayor and commissioners must file a form by July 1 that lists assets and liabilities in excess of $5,000 as of Dec. 31 of the previous year.

Presidential candidate disclosure

Local officials running for the highest office in the land, president, have an additional disclosure requirement: an itemized breakdown of income and investments. It must be filed with the Federal Election Commission. In the case of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who is currently seeking the Republican nomination, hell have to disclose these details dating back to 2021  and his wifes income sources from 2022.

That form was initially due July 14  30 days after he filed to run. The FEC granted Suarez a 45-day extension, as is common when asked. His new deadline: Aug. 28

The FEC granted @FrancisSuarez a 45-day extension for filing the financial disclosure required of all presidential candidates.



The FEC disclosure  which will include far more detail about his income than what Florida law requires for a mayor  is now due on Aug. 28. pic.twitter.com/fJrGa2h4eR  Sarah Blaskey (@Blaskey_S) July 10, 2023

If a candidate drops out of the race before the deadline for filing with the federal government, that candidate is no longer obliged to file, according to the FEC.

Gifts

State law prohibits lobbyists or companies doing business with or seeking permits or approvals from a local government from giving gifts worth more than $100 to that governments elected officials.

Gifts exceeding that amount from those with no business in front of the city are legal but must be disclosed, unless from immediate family members. The deadline to report is the end of the next quarter after the gift was given.

Forms are collected by county clerks and filed with the Florida Commission on Ethics. Officials who receive no gifts need not fill out a form.

Consequences for violating the rules can range from fines to removal from office. Gift givers can face a lobbying prohibition of up to two years.

Campaign contributions

As candidates, local officials in Florida can accept individual contributions up to $1,000 per donor. Sometimes business people bundle donations using multiple corporations they control to make several contributions.

Committees  commonly known as PACs  that support one or more candidates or causes have no limits on the size of a contribution.
A Florida man was sentenced Wednesday for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

According to court documents, 29-year-old Daniel Lyons Scott is a member of the Proud Boys organization known by the nickname Milkshake.

In the days before Jan. 6, investigators say Scott and co-defendant Christopher Worrell used the encrypted messaging app Telegram to discuss ways to block the Congressional certification of the Electoral College vote after the 2020 election.

READ: Disney CEO Bob Iger: DeSantis claim that company is sexualizing children is preposterous

On Jan. 6, Scott left his hotel in Washington, D.C. and joined Worrell and other Proud Boys to begin walking towards the Capitol. According to court documents, Scott wore a bulletproof vest under his jacket.

Just before 1 p.m. Scott and other Proud Boys breached a police line and illegally entered Capitol grounds, eventually advancing to a staircase in front of the west terrace guarded by two U.S. Capitol Police officers.

According to court documents, Scott moved up the stairs suddenly, pushing both officers backward before pulling one of them back into the crowd of rioters.

READ: Man, woman discovered dead in shooting at east Orange County home

Investigators say Scotts assault on the police line allowed the crowd behind him to surge up the staircase and into the Capitol building. They would be the first rioters to make it so far that day.

Scott pleaded guilty in February to felony charges of obstruction of an official proceeding and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers.

He was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. The judge also ordered Scott to pay $2,000 in restitution to the Architect of the Capitol.

READ: Shortage of garbage truck drivers leads to recycling items piling up in Altamonte Springs

According to the Department of Justice, Since Jan. 6, more than 1,069 people have been arrested from nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the U.S. Capitol breach.

That investigation is ongoing. People with tips on other possible suspects are still encouraged to submit them by calling 1-800-225-5324 or by visiting their website here.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




Footage captures police response to fatal shooting of Tennessee surgeon by patient at clinic

Dramatic footage has captured the police response to the targeted shooting of a Tennessee surgeon by a patient inside an exam room.

Larry Pickens, 29, has been charged with first-degree murder of Benjamin Mauck at Campbell Clinic Orthopedics in Collierville on Tuesday and is due to be arraigned on Thursday morning.

Police say the suspect lay in wait for several hours at the health centre before shooting Mauck with a handgun in front of other patients and staff.

Footage obtained by WREG shows armed police officers going door-to-door at the clinic minutes after the shooting.

He fled, he fled, hes not in there, a witness can be heard telling the officers. He had a gun and he came running out.

As police swarm the clinic, patients keep their arms raised and continue to provide the officers with information.

Dr Benjamin Mauck was fatally shot by a patient in an exam room at the Campbell Clinic in Memphis (Campbell Clinic)

Suddenly, the armed officers run out of the front doors of the clinic as sirens blare.

The suspect was arrested outside the clinic about five minutes after the shooting without incident, Collierville Police Chief Mike Lane said.

Mr Pickens, who had no criminal record prior to Tuesdays shooting, was being held on $1.2m bail ahead of his first appearance at the Collierville Town Court on Thursday.

Larry Pickens, 29, has been charged with the first-degree murder of Collierville surgeon Benjamin Mauck (Collierville Police Department)

Mauck, a 43-year-old specialist hand, wrist and elbow surgeon, was remembered by colleagues, patients and friends as a beloved colleague and a dedicated physician.

The married father of two had worked at Campbell Clinic Orthopedics since 2012. He was also director of the Congenital Hand Deformities Clinic Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital, where he told Memphis magazine operated on children with congenital defects.

He was named on Memphis magazines 2023 Top Doctors List just last week.

Cancer survivor Josh Jacobs told WREG he credited Mauck with saving his life. Mr Jacobs was referred to the surgeon after he noticed a bump on his hand, which was later diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

He told the news site that Mauck performed the operation to remove one of his fingers.

Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari said in a statement that a patient had been threatening to harm employees at the clinic for the past week.

Ms Akbari called for stricter gun regulations in the wake of the shooting.
A former California police chief was found guilty Thursday of four felonies, including conspiracy to obstruct Congress, over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Alan Hostetter, 56, was convicted of conspiring to obstruct and obstructing an official proceeding, as well as entering a restricted area and engaging in disorderly or disruptive conduct with a dangerous weapon, after defending himself at a bench trial.

According to the U.S. attorneys office for the District of Columbia, Hostetter coordinated and conspired with several other rioters from California to travel to Washington, D.C., for the certification of the 2020 presidential election.

On Jan. 6, the 56-year-old carried a hatchet in his backpack as he breached a police line and made his way to the upper west terrace of the Capitol.

He later posted a photo of himself on the terrace on Instagram, saying, This was the shot heard round the world!the 2021 version of 1776. That war lasted 8 years. We are just getting started.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth noted Hostetters past career in law enforcement as he handed down his ruling Thursday. Hostetter briefly served as chief of police in La Habra, Calif., according to NPR.

No reasonable citizen of this country, much less one with two decades of experience in law enforcement, could have believed it was lawful to use mob violence to impede a joint session of Congress, Lamberth said in court, according to The Washington Post.

Belief that your actions are for a greater good doesnt negate consciousness of wrongdoing, the judge added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The News

Authorities on Monday arrested Alex Mashinsky, the founder and former CEO of the bankrupt Celsius crypto lending company, Bloomberg first reported.

Mashinsky has been reportedly charged with fraud and attempted manipulation of other crypto currencies shortly before Celsius own collapse. Celsius has also agreed to a $4.7 billion settlement with government regulators, CNBC reported.

The arrest is the latest high-profile crackdown on the crypto market in recent months. Weve curated insights and analysis on what experts make of future of crypto in the U.S.

Insights

Celsius scheme was more egregious than FTX , argues crypto insider Ram Ahluwalia. In a Twitter thread following the earlier state charges against Celsius, he details how several departments across Celsius were both aware of and encouraged to engage in fraudulent behavior, whereas the alleged FTX fraud was centralized around founder Sam Bankman-Fried (a previous Semafor investor).

Cryptocurrency companies are fleeing the U.S. to avoid regulations. After failing to rebrand themselves as compliant businesses eager to work with government, crypto trading firms and venture capital companies are scattering executives across Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean in an effort to decentralize operations. But an all-out exodus is unlikely because energy costs to mine for crypto still remain much lower in the U.S. 

A new Senate-led crypto regulation bill is the the best shot at becoming law, writes Sam Lyman for Forbes. Republicans are reassured that co-sponsor Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wy.)  dubbed Congress crypto queen  will help preserve the U.S. as a hub for crypto miners and entrepreneurs, while Democrats have Sen. Kristen Gillibrands (D-NY) background of cracking down on insider trading. Their bill will help address the million-dollar question of whether crypto is a security or commodity.

Know More

Mashinsky reportedly made misleading statements hoping to push investors to purchase Celsius own currency, CEL, and to redirect their funds into the companys Earn Interest Program, with promised returns as high as 17% on their deposits, according to the complaint.

The Security and Exchanges Commission also alleges that Mashinsky told investors that Celsius profitability was much higher than it actually was and that he reassured investors that the company did not engage in risky trading.

Mashinsky faces separate charges from New York state prosecutors for allegedly orchestrating a $20 billion fraud scheme against investors.
Former Eddy County official Wesley Hooper charged with 16 felonies from gas card use

A former official at Eddy County was charged with multiple felonies after police alleged he fraudulently received travel reimbursements and misused fuel cards while still employed by the county.

Wesley Hooper previously served as Eddy County Community Services Director and was one of three finalists for county manager in 2019 to replace Rick Rudometkin, a job that ultimately went to Allen Davis who was replaced recently by former-Finance Director Roberta Gonzales.

He was charged by the Eddy County Sherriffs Office with a series of felonies and misdemeanors, police said, tied to fraudulent charges of more than $4,000 between August 2022 and February 2023.

Wesley Hooper, Eddy County community services director, listens during a community meeting on the City of Carlsbad's Comprehensive Plan.

More: Loving man allegedly hit and killed a Carlsbad cyclist while driving drunk

The alleged fraud was discovered, police said, during routine internal accounting, and police were notified in March 2023, before announcing the charges against Hooper Wednesday.

Court records show Hooper was charged with 13 counts of making or permitting false public voucher, two counts of identity theft and one count of fraud more than $500 but no more than $2,500 - all fourth-degree felonies.

He was also charged with three petty misdemeanor charges of fraud of $250 or less.

The Carlsbad Current-Argus has reached out to Hooper's attorney Gary Mitchell, but did not receive as response as of the publication of this article.

More: Carlsbad man charged with homicide by vehicle out on bail while awaiting trial

Hooper pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and is scheduled for a preliminary examination Aug. 2 before Carlsbad Magistrate Judge Kelly Calicoat.

Records show the charges stemmed from fraudulent use of two county fuel cards, after transactions were provided to investigators by Davis in March 2023, about a month before Davis retired from the post.

The 13 transactions in question ranged from about $25 to $96 made in cities throughout New Mexico, including the Eddy County seat Carlsbad and as far away as Santa Fe, Los Lunas and El Paso, Texas.

More: Dell City man killed in truck crash in Culberson County, Texas near Guadalupe Mountains

Those records show Hooper also received mileage reimbursements for hundreds of dollars at a time for his personal vehicle despite not using it.

Through surveillance footage acquired from the gas stations, police tied the transactions to a white Tahoe truck bearing an Eddy County sticker, according to a criminal complaint.

In a meeting with Gonzales, police reviewed fuel invoices, noticing the mileage was rounded instead of a precise accounting.

More: Carlsbad man accused of drunk driving crash that killed an El Paso man and his dog

Two county community services employee PINs were used in the invoices: Veronica Parras and Warren Hardin.

Records show Gonzales told police the employees dont use county vehicles often.

When asked by police, Parras and Hardin denied using county vehicles.

More: 16-year-old Xavier Welch reported missing from Carlsbad

Parras told investigators she had not traveled using a county vehicle since Mothers Day 2022, and the criminal complaint noted that Hardin never traveled, according to witnesses.

This indicated, Interim Finance Director Jessica Stygar told police, the gas cards were being used fraudulently.

The gas card charges corresponded with Hoopers travel, read the complaint, who was the only person believed to have access to the vehicles.

More: Man charged in Carlsbad 2002 cold case murder sought after shooting, stabbing

Gonzales later told police it was discovered Hooper was using his own gas card and PIN number until December 2022.

Eddy County employees are allowed to either use a county vehicle and its assigned gas card or drive their own vehicles and apply for reimbursement when traveling.

Records show Hooper stated he was using a county vehicle because his personal vehicle had mechanical issues, but a county inquiry revealed he was still submitting mileage reimbursements for travel in a personal vehicle.

More: Honduran man charged with sexually-assaulting teen mom in Carlsbad released on bail

This resulted in a dual payment, the complaint read, a violation of the countys travel policy.

Hooper justified the alleged violation to balance unreported mileage from his personal vehicle over the last few years, the complaint read, for which he never submitted or received reimbursements.

He also denied using employees social security numbers to make the gas purchases, although Gonzales told police Hooper would have had access to that information.

He also received a $1,000 a month stipend for using his personal vehicle despite allegedly not doing so, the complaint read.

Police met with Hooper June 16. He told police he frequently traveled to Santa Fe to meet with lawmakers, and denied using the county vehicle a whole lot.

Hooper said he did not believe he violated county policy despite being advised by Davis that he have violated county policy and possibly the law in a March 27 meeting, according to the criminal complaint.

He admitted to purchasing fuel using a county gas card on multiple occasions while also receiving personal mileage reimbursements but denied using his employees PINs.

Records show Hooper told police to manage the budget, a county employee could use anothers PIN, but he denied ever doing so.

He said he resigned from this position after Davis gave him the option to resign. Hooper was hired by the county in 2015.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Former Eddy County official Wesley Hooper charged with 16 felonies
A federal grand jury charged a Milledgeville man who taught at Washington County High School with producing, distributing and receiving child pornography this week, officials said.

An indictment alleges Michael Allen Dendy, 32, produced child sex abuse material by enticing minors to participate in sex acts that were filmed or photographed, according to a press release from the U.S. District Attorneys Office. The indictment was returned Tuesday by a grand jury.

Dendy was also accused of distributing the material and possessing child pornography. Police arrested Dendy for the charges in January, which ended his time teaching at Washington County, where he had taught since 2020, according to the press release.

Before he taught at WCHS, Dendy taught at Griffin High School from 2018 to 2020. He previously taught at high schools in Maryland and Mississippi, the statement said.

The formal charges against Dendy tally 21 counts including five counts of production of child pornography, seven counts of distribution of child pornography, eight counts of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, the press release said.

The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Washington County Sheriffs Office with help from sheriffs offices in Virginia and Maryland, according to the press release.

Parents and guardians of children who may have encountered Dendy and have concerns related to this investigation can contact the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) tip line at 1-866-347-2423.
Former HR boss at Twitter says the company failed to pay $500 million in severance pay owed to laid-off staff

Elon Musk. Carina Johansen/NTB/AFP via Getty Images

A former Twitter HR boss says it failed to pay $500 million in severance pay to laid-off staff.

She said in a lawsuit that employees were given much less severance pay than promised.

Since taking control of the company, Elon Musk has laid off thousands of workers.

A former HR boss at Twitter says that the company failed to pay $500 million in severance pay owed to laid-off staff.

Courtney McMillian filed a lawsuit against Twitter and owner Elon Musk in San Francisco on Wednesday, accusing the social media giant of not correctly compensating workers when it laid them off.

The lawsuit details how, since at least 2019, Twitter had calculated staff's severance based on a matrix that incorporated factors such as role, base pay, location, performance metrics, and reason for their termination.

Twitter stated in its merger agreement from April 2022  when Musk first offered to buy the site  that for one year from the closing of the merger it would continue to provide staff with "severance payments and benefits ... no less favorable" than those available before the merger. Twitter's then-CEO Parag Agrawal and then-Chairman Bret Taylor confirmed this to employees, per the lawsuit.

After taking control of the company, Musk began laying off thousands of workers, which he said was necessary to cut costs and avoid bankruptcy.

Per the lawsuit, Twitter offered the terminated employees "at most" three months of compensation, comprised of two months of non-working employment to comply with the notice requirements of the WARN Act and one month of severance pay.

The lawsuit said that was just "a fraction" of what laid-off workers were entitled to under the severance plan. For example, senior employees were entitled to six months' base pay plus an extra week per full year of service, while non-senior employees were entitled to two months plus an extra week per year of service, according to a copy of the matrix attached to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit says that Musk and fellow members of Twitter's leadership didn't pay laid-off staff the amount they were owed under the matrix "because of the expense involved."

The lawsuit asks the court to order Twitter to pay back at least $500 million it says the company owes in severance pay. McMillian's lawyers did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on how it calculated this figure.

Twitter did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, made outside of regular working hours.

Since Musk took over, Twitter has been hit by a range of lawsuits ranging from vendors who said their invoices hadn't been paid to employees who said they weren't paid a proportion of their promised 2022 bonuses.

McMillian worked as Twitter's head of total rewards from August 2020 to summer 2022, before becoming its head of people experience, per her LinkedIn. She appears to have been laid off in November, though her separation date was in January.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Former Mozambique finance minister is extradited to the US to face trial over $2 billion scandal

FILE - Former Mozambican Finance Minister Manuel Chang sits in court in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, on Jan. 8, 2019. Chang who has been held in prison in South Africa for nearly five years was on Wednesday July 12, 2023 extradited to the United States to face a fraud and corruption trial over a $2 billion scandal involving fraudulent government loans. (AP Photo/Phill Magakoe, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

JOHANNESBURG (AP)  A former Mozambique finance minister who has been held in prison in South Africa for nearly five years was extradited Wednesday to the United States to face a fraud and corruption trial over a $2 billion scandal involving fraudulent government loans.

South African authorities said that Manuel Chang, who was Mozambique's finance minister from 2005 to 2015, was handed over to U.S. authorities after his last-ditch court effort to avoid extradition failed in May.

Chang is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn.

Changs attorney, Adam Ford, said his client is relieved to have finally gotten to America where he can confront the baseless charges against him.

"He looks forward to his day in court and expects to be fully vindicated, Ford said in an email.

It brings to an end a nearly five-year legal battle by Chang to avoid facing trial in the U.S. and be extradited instead to his home country, where rights groups have protested that he would likely be treated leniently.

He is accused of receiving bribes of up to $17 million during a scheme that secured loans for Mozambican state-owned companies from foreign banks and financiers for maritime projects. The money was looted through kickbacks and other corrupt dealings, according to U.S. prosecutors.

Chang was indicted in federal court in New York over his involvement in the scheme, which U.S. authorities allege defrauded American and international investors. He has not commented on the charges against him.

The loans totaling $2 billion were intended for the purchase of fishing vessels and naval patrol boats and other resources to help Mozambiques fishing industry, but it's alleged that never happened.

The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services confirms that the Republic of South Africas law enforcement agencies successfully surrendered Mr Manuel Chang to the United States of America on July 12, 2023, the ministry said.

The scandal caused a financial crisis in Mozambique when the International Monetary Fund withdrew its support for the country after the so-called hidden debts were revealed in 2016.

Chang was arrested at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg in 2018 on a U.S. warrant.

The Mozambican governments own attempts to have him face trial in Mozambique have been dismissed by several South African courts.

In a letter a month ago to U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis, Ford sought to have the case dismissed, asserting that Changs right to a speedy trial had been violated.

The attorney noted that a U.S. jury in 2019 acquitted a co-defendant, Jean Boustini, a Lebanese national who worked for a Middle Eastern shipbuilding company, who was accused by American authorities of helping in a money laundering scheme that involved more than $2 billion as part of a scheme to defraud U.S. investors and others.

Mr. Chang is confident that, if he were ever tried in the United States, a jury would reach a similar result, Ford said in the letter.

In 2021, Swiss bank Credit Suisse agreed to pay at least $475 million to British and American authorities to settle bribery and kickback allegations stemming from their involvement with the corrupt loans.

At least 10 people have already been convicted and sentenced to prison by a Mozambican court over the scandal, including Ndambi Guebuza, the son of former Mozambican president Armando Guebuza. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for receiving up to $33 million from the corrupt deal.

___

Associated Press writer Bobby Caina Calvan in New York contributed.

___

Associated Press Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
Former police chief who defended himself at trial is convicted of conspiracy in Jan. 6 riot

FILE - Alan Hostetter speaks during a pro-Trump election integrity rally he organized at the Orange County Registrar of Voters offices in Santa Ana, Calif., Nov. 9, 2020. A former California police chief was convicted on Thursday, July 13, 2023, of joining the riot at the U.S. Capitol with a hatchet in his backpack and plotting to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's 2020 electoral victory. A judge in Washington's federal court heard testimony without a jury before convicting Hostetter, a right-wing activist and vocal critic of COVID-19 restrictions who defended himself at his bench trial with help from a standby attorney. (Paul Bersebach/The Orange County Register via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  A former California police chief was convicted on Thursday of joining the riot at the U.S. Capitol with a hatchet in his backpack and plotting to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's 2020 electoral victory.

A judge in Washington's federal court heard testimony without a jury before convicting Alan Hostetter, a right-wing activist and vocal critic of COVID-19 restrictions who defended himself at his bench trial with help from a standby attorney.

Hostetter used his closing arguments to spin conspiracy theories about the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. He falsely claimed the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump, portrayed himself as a victim of FBI corruption and referred to the mob's attack as a federal setup involving crisis actors wearing costumes. He downplayed violence at the Capitol, referring to the riot as basically the equivalent of a three-hour hissy fit.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth told Hostetter that no reasonable person  let alone a veteran police officer  would believe that it was legal to use mob violence to obstruct Congress.

Belief that your actions are for a greater good does not negate consciousness of wrongdoing, Lamberth said.

Hostetter  who previously served as police chief in La Habra, California, near Los Angeles  was convicted on all four counts, including conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and entering a restricted area with a deadly or dangerous weapon. The judge scheduled sentencing for Oct. 13, and denied a Justice Department request to have Hostetter jailed immediately.

Federal prosecutors said Hostetter has no evidence to support his conspiracy theories but stressed that he was charged with crimes for his actions on Jan. 6  not his political beliefs. One prosecutor, Jason Manning, said Hostetter advocated for violence and mobilized allies to join him in Washington on Jan. 6 because he didn't like the election results.

For many Americans, the horror of January 6th came out of nowhere. Not for the defendant, Manning said.

Hostetter was arrested in June 2021 along with five other men. Their indictment linked four of Hostetters co-defendants to the Three Percenters wing of the militia movement. Their name refers to the myth that only 3% of Americans fought against the British in the Revolutionary War.

Hostetter said he doesn't have any connection to the Three Percenters movement and accused prosecutors of falsely portraying him as a caricature of some radical terrorist.

One of Hostetter's co-defendants, Russell Taylor, pleaded guilty in April to a conspiracy charge. Taylor testified for the government at Hostetter's trial. A trial for the other four is scheduled for October.

The six men  Hostetter, Taylor, Eric Scott Warner, Felipe Antonio Martinez, Derek Kinnison, and Ronald Mele  were part of a chat group called The California Patriots-DC Brigade" on Telegram, an encrypted messaging platform, prosecutors said. Taylor posted that he created the group for fighters who were expected to bring weaponry and plates with them to Washington on Jan. 6, according to prosecutors.

All six co-defendants entered restricted areas of the Capitol grounds during the riot, prosecutors said. Hostetter wasn't accused of entering the Capitol building.

On Instagram, Hostetter posted a photo of himself and Taylor on the building's Upper West Terrace with rioters in the background. A message under the photo said, "This was the shot heard round the world!  the 2021 version of 1776. That war lasted 8 years. We are just getting warmed up.

Hostetter began teaching yoga after more than 20 years in law enforcement. In the spring of 2020, he founded a nonprofit called the American Phoenix Project. He used the tax-exempt organization to oppose COVID-19 restrictions and to advocate for violence against political opponents after the 2020 presidential election.

In November 2020, Hostetter drove from California to Washington to attend the Million MAGA March" supporting Trump. On the way, he posted a video on his nonprofit's YouTube channel in which he expressed his belief that the election had been stolen from Trump and called for killing tyrants and traitors.

In December 2020, Hostetter's nonprofit hosted a Stop the Steal rally in Huntington Beach, California.

The enemies and traitors of America both foreign and domestic must be held accountable. And they will, he said at the rally. There must be long prison terms, while execution is the just punishment for the ringleaders of this group.

A day before the riot, Taylor gave a speech at a Virginia Women for Trump rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court in which he called for violence to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, prosecutors said.

We are free Americans and in these streets, we will fight and we will bleed before we allow our freedom to be taken from us, Taylor said, according to the indictment.

More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. Approximately 100 of them have been convicted after trials decided by judges or juries. More than 600 others have pleaded guilty.
China pledges to foster new cooperation highlights with Indonesia

Xinhua) 09:27, July 13, 2023

Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (L) shakes hands with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi during their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

JAKARTA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to foster new cooperation highlights and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Indonesia, said Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi on Wednesday.

The senior Chinese diplomat made the remarks while meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, saying that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Wang noted that bilateral relations have shown broad prospects for development. He said China is ready to work with Indonesia to make preparations for the next stage of high-level exchanges.

He said China stands ready to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation together with Indonesia and foster more new cooperation highlights in green development, digital economy, food security, poverty reduction and poverty alleviation.

Wang said the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) is a major landmark project under the Belt and Road Initiative, and carries the aspirations of the Indonesian people for a better life. It is also a successful story of Asian countries joining hands to achieve modernization.

He believes that the HSR will be completed and opened to traffic on schedule with the joint efforts of both sides and play its due role in Indonesia's economic and social development.

Wang said this year also marks the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, noting that China will continue to support the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-centered and effective regional cooperation architecture, and support ASEAN in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.

Wang also believes that Indonesia, as the ASEAN chair, will inject new vitality into the development of China-ASEAN relations. Together, China and ASEAN will inject more stability and certainty into a turbulent and intertwined world, he said.

Marsudi said China is an important strategic cooperation partner of Indonesia, adding that her country attaches great importance to relations with China and has high expectations for high-level exchanges between the two sides in the future.

She thanked China for supporting Indonesia's hosting of multilateral events and the importance China attaches to ASEAN, adding that Indonesia will play its role as the chair to promote the deepening of ASEAN-China cooperation.

Wang will attend the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia from Thursday to Friday.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A bombshell lawsuit, originally obtained and reported by The Daily Beast, alleges that a former U.S. Central Intelligence Agency spy sexually assaulted a woman and manipulated her into believing that he was assessing her for a CIA candidacy program.

The lawsuit  brought by an anonymous accuser  claims that Shaun Wiggins, co-founder and CEO of the data analytics firm Soteryx, engaged in sexual assault, battery, infliction of emotional distress, gender discrimination, and sexual harassment, against the woman.

According to the filing, Wiggins employed his accuser, referred to as Jane Doe, for a period spanning 2017-2018. At the time, Doe was in her mid-twenties and looking to build a career in U.S. intelligence. On Soteryxs website, Wiggins corporate biography says that he worked with the CIA by identifying and engaging key foreign national stakeholders critical to U.S. interests as a Clandestine Service Officer.

Upon beginning her work with Wiggins, the filing states the woman understood that through her employment, she would be trained on skills that would prepare her to work for the CIA and that Soteryx and Defendant Wiggins would be able to provide connections to advance her career into the CIA.

Instead, Doe claimed she found herself being groomed to perform sexual acts with Wiggins under the guise that using her body as a weapon was part of a rigorous program intended to prepare her for clandestine operations.

According to the suit, following months of preparation and exercises, the first time Wiggins assaulted Doe, he did so under the guise that his CIA contacts were not convinced of her fitness for the agency. They want me to push you harder, he allegedly said. After allegedly assaulting Doe, Wiggins reportedly told her that the training had gone well, and shed done a good job.

The assaults continued for months, the complaint states, and Wiggins refused to pay Doe despite her being his employee at Soteryx. Wiggins would allegedly demand that Doe be available to him at odd hours, even commanding her to be ready for him at his apartment, where he would assault her. According to the suit, Defendant Wiggins seemed to tie Plaintiffs compensation to her willingness to be assaulted by him.

The cumulative stress and trauma of the relationship resulted in Doe having to attend an inpatient psychiatric program following her break with Wiggins, according to the filing.

Doe was able to sue Wiggins under New Yorks Adult Surviors Act, which in 2022 granted survivors of sexual assault a one-year window to file civil lawsuits against their assailants, even if the statute of limitations had expired. The law is the same one used by author E. Jean Carroll in her successful civil rape and defamation suit against former President Donald Trump.

Through her lawsuit, Doe is seeking damages, compensatory, punitive, and liquidated commensurate with that life-altering trauma that she experienced, the effects of which continue to haunt and constrain Plaintiffs career and personal life even now.

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Harriet O'Neill, a former Texas Supreme Court Justice, has joined the team of prosecutors assisting with the upcoming impeachment trial of suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Harriet O'Neill, a former Republican Texas Supreme Court justice, has joined the team of prosecutors assisting with the upcoming impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Paxton was suspended from office in May after the Texas House voted in favor of 20 articles of impeachment. His impeachment trial is set for Sept. 5 in the Senate. If Paxton is convicted on any impeachment article, he will be removed from office for the remainder of his term, and he could be permanently banned from serving in any public office in the state.

O'Neill was a lawyer in Houston for 10 years before she was elected to the 152nd District Court in Houston and then the 14th Court of Appeals. In 1998, she was elected to the Texas Supreme Court and served as a justice for 12 years before returning to private practice.

"I am proud to join the esteemed team working with the House Board of Managers," O'Neill said in a statement. "The facts in this case are clear, compelling and decisive, and I look forward to presenting them before the members of the Texas Senate."

More: How Ken Paxtons body man overheard, spilled information that spurred bribery allegation

O'Neill will assist the Texas House Board of Managers, a group of seven Republicans and five Democratic House members who are leading the prosecution against Paxton, according to a news release.

The group is chaired by Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, who was also the chairman of the House General Investigating Committee, which oversaw the investigation into Paxton that led to his impeachment.

"Justice O'Neill is an accomplished, respected, conservative jurist, and I am grateful that she has joined this case," Murr said in a statement. "As a longtime judge and elected official, she understands the gravity of this matter and its importance to the state of Texas."

Statesman staff writer Ryan Autullo contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Former Texas Supreme Court Justice joins team prosecuting Ken Paxton
Cassidy Hutchinson, a former Trump White House aide who testified before the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, has signed a deal to release a book in September.

The book, entitled Enough, will be published by Simon & Schuster and share Hutchinsons experiences leading up to her time in the national spotlight testifying before the panel.

With Enough, she provides a riveting account of her extraordinary experiences as an idealistic young woman thrust into the middle of a national crisis, Simon & Schuster said in its announcement.

Hutchinson testified last year that former President Trump wanted to join the mob of his supporters during the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6 following his speech at the Ellipse earlier in the day, but the Secret Service prevented him.

She also alleged Trump was repeatedly told by staff members that his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election were illegal and could lead to violence. She was serving as an aide to the then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows at the time.

Hutchinson also said Meadows had told her before the event that things might get real, real bad on Jan. 6.

She also recalled being told by Tony Ornato, Trumps deputy chief of staff, that Trump tried to grab the steering wheel of the limousine he was riding in following his speech and lunged at the head of his security detail upon being told that he could not go to the Capitol for safety reasons.

Those involved in the alleged incident, including Ornato and Trump, have denied it happened.

Hutchinson also told lawmakers she was offered job opportunities and financial assistance while she was working with the committee and was told by her attorney, The less you remember, the better.

She risked everything to tell the truth about some of the most powerful people in Washington and some of the most consequential events in recent American history, the publishers announcement states.

The value of her book deal was not announced.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former UK Prime Minister: After Russia, our greatest enemy is "Ukraine fatigue"

Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has stressed the importance of providing support to Ukraine.

Source: Johnson in an interview with CNN after the NATO summit in Vilnius, writes European Pravda

Details: According to the ex-prime minister, it is important that the United States continues to supply weapons to Ukraine stably.

He said that in addition to the Russian army itself, the greatest enemy of Ukrainians is now the threat of "Ukraine fatigue."

"But theyve got to win, its absolutely crucial," Johnson said, explaining that it is vital for democracy and freedom around the world.

He also said that "there can be no possible excuse" for postponing Ukraine's entry into NATO.

"The last remaining objection was that it was going to be provocative to Vladimir Putin. Well, weve seen what happens when you dont have Ukraine in NATO, you provoke the worst war in Europe in 80 years."

Details: When Johnson was asked whether, in his opinion, the re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States is a threat to Ukraine, he recalled that it was under the Trump administration that Ukraine received its first Javelins.

Nevertheless, CNN recalls that the context of these events matters  by that time the power had changed in Ukraine, and Trump was suspected of pressuring Kyiv to get an investigation against his political rival.

Boris Johnson resigned in June amid a row over parties in Downing Street during Covid restrictions, although he said an investigation into Partygate had been used to kick him out of the parliament.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Worker protests. Suspended dining services. Expired rations. Water supply cutoffs.

Reports of conditions at this years ROTC Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox, Kentucky read like dispatches from a neglected outpost or underfunded sleepaway camp, not a flagship officer training program managed by the biggest branch of the wealthiest military on earth.

Thousands of college-aged officers-in-waiting have congregated at the base for a months worth of classes and field drills designed to imbue the Armys next generation of tough, adaptable leaders with the skills needed to thrive in ambiguous and complex environments.

For some aspiring lieutenants, the ambiguous and complex environment that awaited them at CST may have been more than they bargained for.

Tales of shoddy provisions and contracting woes began flooding social media platforms in late June. Army Times sifted through the rumors, contacting base officials and CST participants to separate fact from fiction.

The deluge began, as with most contemporary digital scandals, with a viral TikTok video. The eleven-second clip, which has amassed 1.5 million views since hitting the platform July 3, showed dozens of Fort Knox employees gathered in a driveway chanting, No Pay, No Work in rhythmic unison. Other clips uploaded to the video-sharing service capture the scene from different angles.

Cadets, cadre, and other CST support personnel  speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press  said the walkout occurred during the final week of June outside Sprocket 1, the cadres principal dining facility (DFAC).

The videos bold-texted captions claimed the protesting DFAC employees hadnt been paid in over a month. Richard Patterson, a spokesperson for U.S. Army Cadet Command (USACC), acknowledged in a statement to Army Times that the command terminated the food service contract that supported the Warrior Restaurants for CST on July 1st due to the contractor not fulfilling its obligations. Patterson declined to say whether or not unpaid wages precipitated the termination, deflecting the matter to the contracting company. Army Times was unable to confirm whether the DFAC employees had gone without pay prior to the walkout.

The strike and subsequent contract debacle derailed the programs dining operations. The cadres DFAC shut down until July 5, when base leadership hired a new temporary food service provider. USACC shifted Army cooks to the chow line to keep other cadet dining facilities up and running.

Base leadership relied on extra stockpiles of Meals, Ready-to-Eat to plug the gaps in the food supply. Adding to the displeasure of replacing hot meals with pre-packaged feed, trainees found that many of the distributed MREs had expired.

Patterson confirmed to Army Times that some of the MREs at Cadet Summer Training have passed their inspect/test date stamped on the MRE cases by the manufacturer, but stressed that the out-of-date packets had been tested before distribution and were safe to eat.

Subpar grub still slipped past inspectors. One member of the instructor cadre told Army Times that a number of cadets under their purview received moldy MREs. Several cadre personnel said they struggled to carve out time for DFAC meals (when they were available) because of demanding schedules. Limited options forced some cadets to buy food off-base with their own money.

Multiple sources told Army Times the dining situation had largely stabilized by July 7. Yet that semblance of normalcy was again disrupted the following week.

On the morning of July 10, Cadet Summer Training personnel received a message from Knox leadership ordering them to refrain from drinking from all freshwater sources except the water point at Densberger and bulk water at LSA Baker, two facilities on base. The warning also prohibited trainees and staff from refilling water containers at any water points or any buildings on Fort Knox. (Some cadre members reported never receiving official notice of water issues.)

Later that afternoon, Hardin Countys water authority diagnosed the problem as a water main break  a burst pipe  that sapped water pressure across the entire installation. County officials issued a boil water advisory in response, prompting base officials to set up multiple potable water points throughout Fort Knox and the training area to ensure cadets and cadre had fresh drinking water, according to Patterson. The county ultimately lifted the advisory Wednesday afternoon.

Few training participants  past or present  seemed surprised by the turbulence.

USACC willfully ignores [quality of life] for Cadre and Cadets every summer, one ROTC graduate vented in response to a comment request from Army Times. Same BS, different year.

The title of an anonymous blog post detailing the DFAC drama framed the issue in blunter terms: CST cadre arent real people.
Who is Fort Pierce lawyer Sasha Dadan, hired by Walt Nauta in classified documents case?

FORT PIERCE  Waltine "Walt" Nauta, the man charged alongside Donald J. Trump for allegedly mishandling classified documents, will be represented Tuesday during a federal court hearing by a Fort Pierce attorney whose legal experience has been exclusively in state court, records show.

Sasha Dadan, 34, a former assistant public defender now in private practice, was hired by Nauta shortly before he appeared in a Miami federal courtroom July 6 to plead not guilty to charges related to his alleged role in assisting the former president conceal dozens of boxes that prosecutors say contained some of the nation's most-guarded military and intelligence secrets.

U.S. Navy veteran Walt Nauta who has served as an aide to Donald Trump in the White House and at his Palm Beach estate, and Florida criminal attorney Sasha Dadan and leave at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse after his arraignment, Tuesday, July 6, 2023, in Miami.

Trump appeared in Miami federal court on June 13 to plead not guilty to all 37 counts against him. Both were indicted on June 8.

Classified Information Procedures Act hearing

Dadan will be joined Tuesday by Nautas Washington, D.C., defense attorney Stanley Woodward Jr. for a hearing scheduled by U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon, in part to discuss how documents containing sensitive information would be handled and presented at trial.

Nauta and Trump are not expected to attend the hearing at the Alto Lee Adams Sr. U.S. Courthouse, in Fort Pierce.

Cannon set a trial date of Aug. 14, but federal prosecutors asked for the proceeding to be moved to Dec. 11. Trump's lawyers though, want Cannon to hold off on setting a date for his criminal trial, and argued in court papers that not doing so could unfairly impact the outcome of the presidential election and result in a "miscarriage of justice."

The matter may be raised Tuesday in court.

Its unclear how much Dadan will participate in Tuesdays hearing. She didnt respond to a voicemail left Tuesday seeking comment.

Neither she nor Nauta spoke during his arraignment, deferring instead to Woodward, who isnt licensed to practice law in Florida, but has been approved to represent Nauta along with Dadan, who is licensed in the U.S. Middle District and Southern District of Florida.

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Dadan, however, has spent her nine-year legal career in Indian River and St. Lucie County state courts, handling mostly traffic, misdemeanor and some felony cases, a review of court records show. She also represents clients in family court.

Heres a look at Dadans background, education and political experience

Education: AA Degree Palm Beach State College; BA Degree in Public Communications Minor in Sociology, Florida Atlantic University; JD Degree Florida A&M College of Law. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2014.

Background: The daughter of a Cuban mother and Argentine father, Dadan was born in Palm Beach County and grew up in Fort Pierce. Shes fluent in Spanish.

In 2018 Dadan told TCPalm's Editorial Board she and her brother were raised by a single mother after her father left the country. For six years she was married to Port St. Lucie City Commissioner Anthony Bonna until they divorced in 2021, court records show.

Work history: Since 2020, Dadan has owned her own law practice, Dadan Law Firm, and handles primarily criminal and family law matters. She is also licensed to practice in the U.S. Middle District and Southern District of Florida.

She got her legal start in August 2014 working as an assistant public defender in the 19th judicial Circuit, representing about 3,000 clients in cases involving felonies, misdemeanors, DUIs, and juvenile offenses. She left the office in June 2016.

From 2016 to 2018 Dadan worked at Safespace, in Stuart, representing domestic violence victims. She also handled civil cases involving domestic violence injunctions, time-sharing and child support matters. She helped establish the first Injunction for Protection program on the Treasure Coast assisting survivors of domestic violence seeking an injunction in the courtroom.

Political experience: In 2018, Dadan challenged State Rep. Toby Overdorf, a Palm City environmental consultant, during the Republican primary race for state House District 83, which covers northern Martin County and a southern portion of St. Lucie County.

In August 2018, Overdorf won the GOP primary, beating Dadan by a vote of 9,188 (54%) to 7,822 (46%).

Volunteer and civic engagement: She is a member of the Florida Association Women Lawyers of Martin County; St. Lucie County Association of Defense Lawyers, Martin County Bar Association, and former Chair of the Lady Lawyers Luncheon in Martin County.

Melissa E. Holsman is the legal affairs reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers and is writer and co-host of Uncertain Terms, a true crime podcast. Reach her at melissa.holsman@tcpalm.com. If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the Treasure Coast.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Fort Pierce lawyer Sasha Dadan has spent legal career in state court
A North Texas man pleaded guilty Wednesday to assaulting officers with a weapon during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia.

Thomas John Ballard, 36, of Fort Worth, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon, which is a felony offense.

U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Leon scheduled a sentencing hearing for Nov. 1.

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Ballard was in a crowd of protesters at the lower west terrace of the U.S. Capitol building.

Court documents say that Ballard used a police baton to repeatedly hit police officers and pushed a piece of metal scaffolding at the legs of officers. The documents also say that Ballard threw multiple objects at law enforcement, including a tabletop, a bottle of unknown liquid, a pole, pieces of a wooden plank, and two other unknown objects.

He was arrested on Aug. 10, 2021, in Fort Worth.

At his sentencing, he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, as well as potential financial penalties.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Texas.

The case is being investigated by the FBIs Washington Field Office, as well as the Metropolitan Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Capitol Police and FBIs Dallas Field Office.

In the 30 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the Capitol riot, including more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

This investigation remains ongoing.
Foster parents of 10 kids share how much need there is in Bradenton. A beautiful, messy story

Small fingers clutch a tissue in one hand and a tablet in the other.

A 2-year-old boy sits wrapped in a blanket on the couch. He has a cold, but he gathers enough strength to spring from the couch and jump on a small trampoline, squealing with delight.

Hes one of ten children who live with foster parents Mindy and Roy. The Bradenton Herald is not using their legal names to protect the privacy of the children in their care.

Mindy brought the child home after nine days of detoxing from an alphabet soup of drugs in a neonatal intensive care unit, she said. His mom is still in jail, and the couple has adopted him.

Parental drug abuse is still the leading cause of a childs removal from the home, and while the number of Manatee County kids in foster care has declined in recent years, there is still a big need for foster families  especially those that can keep siblings together.

Florida has been behind on its goal of keeping 65% of sibling groups together for the past two years.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes, there are fewer foster homes available, as well as kids with more needs, especially teens.

At any given time, there are over 1,000 children who cant stay in their homes in Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties, said the Safe Children Coalition, a local community-based nonprofit.

The large bedrooms in Mindy and Roys home on the Manasota campus have plenty of room for childrens belongings. Two of the large bedrooms have two bunk beds in them and attached bathrooms.

There are many reasons why children come into foster care, none of which involve a foster parent; all of which are big-time struggles with the birth family that are not going to be solved overnight, Mindy said. She and her husband maintain communication with his birth parents.

Its in the best interest of the child in this particular situation, she said.

Mindy and Roy are in a unique position. Unlike most foster parents, they live on the Guardian Angels of SW Florida Campus, a collection of houses meant to make it easier for foster parents to take care of large sibling groups, which is in high demand.

The outside of Mindy and Roys home has plants, flowers, and a lot of toys.

The Guardian Angels campus in Palmetto was created through a partnership between Guardian Angels of SW Florida and One More Child.

The homes are move-in ready, with furniture, large bedrooms and attached bathrooms. Down the street is the Azinger Compassion Center, where foster families and others in need can get food, diapers and necessities.

Large bedrooms in Mindy and Roys home on the Manasota campus have plenty of room for childrens belongings. Two of the bedrooms have a set of bunk beds in them and attached bathrooms.

A growing need

Floridas ability to place siblings together has been declining since 2016. Over the past two years, the state has fallen below its target of 65%, according to the latest data from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).

The Safe Children Coalition has slightly exceeded that target at roughly 67%.

DCF also tracks the number of children placed outside their home county, which is important data because children that remain close to their families can maintain connections and reduce the emotional impact of separation.

But so far in 2023, almost half of the children in the 12th Judicial Circuit  which includes Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties  were placed outside their home county, which is about 10% higher than the statewide average.

Children who are removed from their homes suffer so much trauma: the conditions they endured that led to removal, being taken away from loved ones, and being out of the home for potentially long periods of time can detrimentally affect childhood experiences, said Brena Slater, president and CEO of Safe Children Coalition.

Every child in foster care has been impacted by trauma because the act of removing the child is traumatic. Plus, they were living in some environment that was bad enough that caused them to be removed, Mindy said.

A young child, formerly in foster care, looks out the living room window. His parents fostered him since birth and ended up adopting him.

Mindy and Roy have fostered dozens of kids over the years.

Its a calling, she said.

The couple attends church every week with their foster children, one of the requirements of living on the campus. After dealing with all the brokenness, I need hope, Mindy said.

The familys calendar is full of court dates, doctor visits, therapy and meetings with guardians ad-litem, the childrens legal advocates.

One recent exhausting morning, it took Roy over an hour to get four children to four different schools.

The goal is that the foster parents will help the birth parents get their life together, get their kids back, and start functioning on a positive level in society and take care of their own kids, Mindy said.

Manatee County supports SCC efforts with funding for two reunification teams to work hand in hand with the families as they approach reunification, said Jacqueline House of the Safe Children Coalition. The biggest challenge is locating affordable housing for families in the process of reunification.

Reunification teams are a collaboration of case managers, foster caregivers, the guardian ad litem program, and childrens legal services.

The goal is to have parents work on the problems that led to their family crisis through programs and supportive resources until it is safe for children to return home. SCC remains involved with the families after reunification for a minimum of six months for supervision.

Manatee Countys reunification rate last year was 94%.

We believe all children deserve to be in a safe, stable and nurturing home; foster families are crucial in providing that while the reunification effort is taking place, Slater said in a release.

Feeding ten children can be daunting and even the largest kitchen can feel the strain of having enough food on hand for growing youth. Mindy and Roy said they try to have a variety of snacks available and cook their meals to accommodate the cultural tastes of the children.

Drug abuse is No. 1 impact

The opioid epidemic has ravaged local families, prompting the removal of 902 children from their homes in 2015 in the 12th Circuit, according to state data.

Numbers have decreased over the past few years, House said, but drug abuse is still a huge problem.

She attributes that decrease to prevention and diversion programs for parents through partnerships with local governments and foundations.

However, there are still many challenges to finding quality foster care, House said.

In Manatee County, its almost always drugs, addiction and domestic violence. Those things almost always go hand in hand. You dont solve those overnight, Mindy said.

One of our kids had been living in a car for two years, had failed to go to school. He was seven, he didnt know his alphabet, he couldnt count to 10. He was super-vigilant because he had been the lookout for his drug-addicted mother to make sure she didnt pass out and die of fentanyl, she said.

A young child curiously peers at the camera with a pile of shoes belonging to the foster children he shares his home with lay on the floor.

Local foster care sees improvement

SCCs data shows how the communitys efforts are steadily making a difference. After the spike of 902 children removed in 2015, 706 children were removed in 2019, and 483 in 2021.

In the best situation, an addict is going to need 6 to 12 months of care, therapy, all of the pieces that it takes to heal a parent before a parent is then able to get a job, get a home, transportation get functional and stable enough to take care of themselves, then take a care of a baby or a child or a teenager, Mindy said.

Mindy pulls open a drawer filled with hair ties and beads from a bank of drawers filled with toiletries and other necessities that foster children can access any time they want. Mindy said she has taken training to be able to do many different cultural hairstyles to make her foster children feel secure.

Last year, 160 Manatee County foster children were reunited with their families.

But there has been a loss in foster homes because the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes, House said.

The children entering the system of care have greater needs than in past years, especially with the teens entering care, House said.

In 2022, 78 foster children and sibling groups were cared for on the Manatee campus, according to a Guardian Angels annual report. Two more foster homes are under construction as the community grows, filling a desperate need.

Guardian Angels of SW Florida raises all necessary funds for the campus in Palmetto, every home built, and the licensing specialists in Circuit 12. One More Child provides the oversight and programming for our local staff and foster families. Its a match made in Heaven, Tim Boyd, director of Guardian Angels of SW Florida, said in an email to the Bradenton Herald.

An increase in the number of available licensed foster care homes could better meet the needs of children who require placement in safe, loving homes, SCC said.

Foster parents dont want to keep your kids  I promise!  we dont! Mindy said.

Its a beautiful, messy story.

The childrens rooms in Mindy and Roys home have personal touches to make children feel at home.

Sibling groups have their own cabinet with a child-proof lock to keep the toddler out for their special foods, usually provided by their parents on visits.

Mindy and Roys van can seat 15 with several car seats to accommodate the 10 children, foster and adopted, that they care for.

A hallway in Mindy and Roys home is lined with bookshelves and filled with books and toys for all ages.

How to be a foster parent

SCC is holding an information session on July 18 for those interested in becoming foster parents in Circuit 12 (Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto Counties).

For more information visit sccfl.org/foster or call Jeremy Gorzynski at 941-404-0079.
Fox host complains Biden doesnt push other world leaders out of his way physically like Trump did

Fox News host Jesse Watters bizarrely complained that Joe Biden does not assert dominance by shoving other world leaders out of his way like Donald Trump did.

The longtime Fox News anchor, who was recently announced as Tucker Carlsons replacement on the network, said that the US president allowed every world leader to walk all over him during the Nato summit in Lithuania.

He said his behaviour was unlike Mr Trumps, who was recorded shoving the president of Montenegro, Dusko Markovic, to be at the centre for photo-ops during a 2017 summit.

Expressing disappointment, Watters said: The American president usually dominates every room.

When [George W] Bush went overseas, he commanded authority. Every leader was trying to get facetime. Optics is always important in politics, especially overseas. The worlds watching.

Trump knew that. 2017, when all the leaders were heading to a photo op, Trump pushed the president [sic] of Montenegro out of the way so he could be front and centre. Sorry, Montenegro, we got the F-35s.

Biden doesnt do that. Looks like a freshman on the first day of school, he said, referring to the 2017 summit during Mr Trumps visit to the Nato headquarters in Brussels.

He said Mr Biden is letting all world leaders walk all over him. They are all acting like he is not there. They are reaching over his body, shoving him out of the way.

He claimed nobody wanted to meet Mr Biden.

The network played the visuals of Mr Bidens visit to Vilnius, Lithuania, for the Nato summit where world leaders gathered, including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, to discuss Russias war in Ukraine.

Last week an attempt by Watters to mock Mr Biden for mixing up Iraq and Ukraine went comically awry when the host managed to confuse the countries himself.

Watters was discussing two recent gaffes by Mr Biden that saw the president say Iraq when he meant to say Ukraine.

Commenting on the internal uprising in Russia that left its president Vladimir Putin on the back foot over the weekend, Mr Biden said Mr Putin was clearly losing the war in Iraq and losing the war at home in the latest in a series of verbal blunders for the gaffe-prone president.

But Watterss attempt to chide Mr Biden flopped when he commented that the president comes out and confusing Iraq with Afghanistan.

Fine, just dont send Iran $800bn, referencing the aide the US has sent to Ukraine since Russia invaded at the beginning of 2022.
DeSantis gets the hook Illustrated / Getty Images

After the poorer-than-expected showing by Republicans in the 2022 election, Rupert Murdoch's media empire  Fox News, the New York Post and Wall Street Journal  embraced Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over Donald Trump as the GOP's future. The Post even ran a cover calling DeSantis "DeFuture." Now that love affair appears to be over.

"Fox News is not taking it quite so easy on Mr. DeSantis anymore," the New York Times reported, noting that the governor's presidential campaign has "failed to immediately catch fire" against Trump. DeSantis as a congressman and governor often found a "safe space" on the network, but in recent appearances "he has confronted noticeably tougher questions" from Fox News hosts.

That's no accident, Rolling Stone reported. Murdoch and his family have soured on DeSantis, who trails Trump in the polls by a wide margin. "They are transactional and can smell a loser a mile away," a "Fox insider" told the magazine. It's not just Fox: In recent weeks, the Wall Street Journal and New York Post editorial pages have both taken shots at the candidate. But the Murdochs haven't completely abandoned DeSantis yet, "in part because they likely would have nowhere else to turn except to crawl back to Trump." If DeSantis stumbles, where do Murdoch and his media properties turn?

What the commentators are saying

Rupert Murdoch may have a fearsome reputation as a conservative kingmaker, Ben Mathis-Lilley wrote for Slate, but he "or all his wealth and influence, does not appear to be any more savvy or knowledgeable about politics than the average person reading the news." Murdoch might have thought DeSantis a viable alternative to Trump because of his hard-right views and "relatively dignified and competent" leadership in Florida. But his support of DeSantis might have been counterproductive: It recast Trump "as an anti-establishment insurgentan underdog, somehow, in a race he was already winning."

DeSantis may not be to blame for his stumbles, Edward Luce wrote at the Financial Times. Trump's hold over the GOP is just too strong: "MAGA voters cannot get enough of the Trump drama." This means that the Florida governor's attempt to present himself as "Trump without the indictments and future jail sentences" is a fatal misreading of the Republican electorate. The Republican Party "is in the grip of a personality cult that defies any common sense rules of democratic politics."

Which means that Rupert Murdoch is "stuck with the monster he created," Philip Bump wrote for The Washington Post. Fox News spent Trump's presidency "defending him and undercutting his opponents out of fear that their viewership would bail." Even after he left the White House, "Trump has continued to be a focus of Fox News coverage." No wonder other GOP candidates  including DeSantis  have failed to get traction. "Few people bear more blame for his current position than Rupert Murdoch."

What's next?

A sign of how things are going for DeSantis: He has already had to deny that he would run as Trump's vice presidential candidate in the 2024 presidential election. Fox News  naturally  reported that he rebuked the idea during an appearance on a Wisconsin radio talk show. "I don't think so," DeSantis told the host. "I'm not a number two guy. I think I'm a leader."

In the meantime, Murdoch is reportedly casting about for another Republican  not Trump  to support in 2024. One possibility? Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Youngkin hasn't joined the legion of candidates running for the GOP nomination, the New Republic noted, but might be "exactly what people like Murdoch hoped DeSantis would be." He's a conservative, but "less cringey and flagrant in his embrace of the right-wing agenda." The Virginia governor, however, has said he plans to remain in his current position. "So the Murdochs may be stuck with DeSantis after all."

There is still time for the Florida governor to make a comeback  and reenter Rupert Murdoch's good graces. "There are a lot of people who are trying to write the obituary of a well-funded and popular figure in the party before the debates have even started," one Republican analyst told Rolling Stone. He added: "I think it's too early for that."

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Ray Epps, in the red Trump hat, center, gestures to a line of law enforcement officers as people gather on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Epps has filed a lawsuit against Fox News accusing the media news company of promoting a conspiracy theory about him.

Ray Epps, in the red Trump hat, center, gestures to a line of law enforcement officers as people gather on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Epps has filed a lawsuit against Fox News accusing the media news company of promoting a conspiracy theory about him.

A two-time Donald Trump voter is suing Fox News for defamation, claiming host Tucker Carlson promoted a conspiracy theory that the man was an undercover government agent who tried to provoke the former presidents supporters into violence on Jan. 6, 2021.

In March, Ray Epps, who is from Arizona, demanded a retraction from Carlson, but Carlson never did. Epps filed the lawsuit Wednesday. In a statement, Michael Teter, Epps lawyer, said because of the conspiracy theory and attacks from those who believe it, Epps and his wife have lost their wedding venue business, theyve had to sell their home and they have endured significant emotional and psychological harm from the attacks.

For years, Fox News and Mr. Carlson created and amplified conspiracy theories about Ray that lacked any foundation in fact, Teter said in a statement. Their lies exposed Ray and his wife, Robyn, to harassment, intimidation, and abuse  voicemails warning Ray to sleep with one eye open, bullet casings found on their property, death threats sent to their home.

The lawsuit states that Fox News needed a scapegoat to blame other than Donald Trump or the Republican Party after the insurrection.

Eventually, they turned on one of their own, telling a fantastical story in which Ray Epps  who was a Trump supporter that participated in the protests on January 6th  was an undercover FBI agent and was responsible for the mob that violently broke into the Capitol and interfered with the peaceful transition of power for the first time in this countrys history, the lawsuit reads.

Right-wing conspiracy theorists have latched on to Epps after he was seen on video the night of Jan. 5, 2021, urging supporters to enter the Capitol the next day. On the day of the insurrection, Epps was on video trying to stop someone from attacking the police. Epps was never formally charged for his participation in the insurrection because he never entered the Capitol, leading conspiracy theorists to believe he was protected because he was an undercover government agent.

In April, Epps said Carlson was obsessed with him.

Hes going to any means possible to destroy my life and our lives, Epps said in an interview with 60 Minutes that aired in April.

After the insurrection, police put a picture of Epps on an online wanted list, according to The New York Times. The FBI interviewed Epps in March 2021, removing him from the wanted list.

In January 2022, the special House committee investigating the Capitol insurrection said in a statement that Epps cooperated and he was not a federal agent.

Mr. Epps informed us that he was not employed by, working with, or acting at the direction of any law enforcement agency on January 5th or 6th or at any other time, and that he has never been an informant for the FBI or any other law enforcement agency, the committee said through a spokesperson.

Fox News did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In March 2021, Dominion Voting brought a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News for claiming the technology company rigged the 2020 election. The lawsuit was settled in 2023, and Fox News paid Dominion Voting more than $787 million.

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France's Trade Minister Olivier Becht: trade ties with Gulf Arab states are expanding year-on-year (Mumen KHATIB)

Trade ties between France and Gulf Arab states, namely Qatar and the UAE, are expanding year-on-year, France's trade minister told AFP on Thursday, praising the deepening partnership as "good news".

During a visit to the United Arab Emirates, Olivier Becht said trade ties between the UAE and France totalled more than 7 billion euros per annum, up from 6 billion euros before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Trade with Qatar has almost doubled over the same period to more than 4.6 billion euros, mainly because of higher French imports of Qatari liquefied natural gas, he said.

"We have not only restored the (trade) figures that were recorded before the pandemic, but also improved them, and this is good news," Becht told AFP in Dubai, two days after he held meetings in Doha.

Last year during a visit by Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan to Paris, the UAE and France signed a strategic agreement to cooperate in the energy sector, including in hydrogen, renewable and nuclear energy.

"The main areas of cooperation" with Qatar and the UAE, Becht said, include energy transition. He singled out electric vehicles, green hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel as main areas of focus.

French-Qatari trade ties have been boosted by a strong energy partnership, especially after Russia's invasion of Ukraine sparked an energy supply crisis, the trade minister said.

"We have a long-term partnership with Qatar in many fields, especially in the field of energy," Becht said.

"We will still be using gas in the next few years," he added, arguing that the energy transition will take a long time.

Earlier on Wednesday, Becht met UAE Foreign Trade Minister Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.

"Trade ties between the UAE and France are growing fast," Al Zeyoudi said afterwards, adding that non-oil bilateral trade in 2022 grew by more than 20 percent from 2021.

am/ho/srm
Twins Erin and Joshua had to wait 21 years before their parents told them who was born first. Erin Reid

Twin parents Colin and Heather Reid didn't tell their kids who was older until their 21st birthday.

They didn't want them to know the order of their birth in case it changed the dynamic of their bond.

The secret was revealed at their 21st birthday in a stunt resembling a gender reveal.

Like many twins, Erin and Joshua Reid grew up sharing many secrets because of the extra special bond between the two.

It was a little unnerving for their parents, Heather and Colin, who often felt out of the loop. But it was nothing compared to the frustration of their kids who were banned from knowing a key fact about their existence.

"Our mom and dad always refused to tell us who was born first," Erin told Insider. Instead, she said, the siblings were left to wonder who had the "upper hand" by being slightly older than the other, potentially "lording it" over them.

"They decided not to tell us because they didn't want us to be super competitive and get into fights," the college student said about her parents' concern about dynamics such as power play.

"Our mom thought that when you tell a twin they're older, they'll portray that role. Our dad agreed that we should be as equal as possible," she went on.

It was impossible for the twins to find out the exact time of their delivery

The South African siblings had no way of finding out the information for themselves. Unlike in countries such as the US and UK, the exact time of delivery is not stated on birth certificates in their native land. They resigned themselves to waiting for their parents to tell them when they felt ready.

They waited for 21 years. They finally discovered the truth earlier this summer at a fun, "coming of age" birthday party at their home in Johannesburg. Heather, who, Erin said, is "known for her creativity," devised an "original" way to share the surprise.

The Reid twins have celebrated every milestone of their lives together. Erin Reid

In an apparently unique twist on the now-traditional "gender reveal" ceremony for babies, the young adults were set to open a confetti cannon that would shoot either blue or pink glitter, depending on whether the boy or girl was born first.

"We thought it was a fantastic idea," Erin said, adding, "Mom said we had to make a big deal about it because she'd kept the secret for so long."

The college student said that she and Josh didn't bother to ask their parents who was older during their early years. She said that they barely gave it a thought. Then, when they were about the age of 7, friends at their school  particularly other multiples  wanted to know.

The twins badgered their parents to tell them who arrived first when they were born in 2002

"The first question we got asked when people realized we were twins was who is older," Erin said. "The hardest part was explaining to them that we didn't know. They couldn't understand how that could happen. 'Why can't your mom and dad just tell you?' they'd say or, 'That's so weird.'"

The siblings pestered their parents in vain. "We were always given the same answer about it avoiding arguments," Erin said. "Mom said it wasn't a big deal  and I can see her point now  but, at the time, it felt like it was!" Nonetheless, she said, the "not knowing" didn't affect her "close" relationship with Joshua. "We did everything together, sharing all the milestones like going to school and learning to drive," she said.

Joshua, who is working as a waiter, told Insider that the "older/younger" issue stayed at the back of their minds. He said he was "excited" when his parents arranged the 21st birthday party for the "big reveal." When they arrived, guests were asked to vote on who they believed was born first. Erin got 36 votes, and Joshua got 27.

Pink confetti fired from a canon revealed the 21-year-old secret that Erin was slightly older than her twin brother, Joshua. Erin Reid

The majority was proven right. There was a 10-second countdown, and the paper fired from the confetti was pink. Erin had been born at 2:05 pm and Joshua a minute or so later. "Mom had a C-section, so I guess the doctor pulled me out because of my position," Erin said.

She said she felt vindicated because she'd long suspected she was older. "I looked at baby photos, and I always seemed chubbier," she told Insider. As for Josh, he told Insider that he felt a little deflated at first but saw the funny side. "It doesn't make any big difference that Erin's my big sister."

There has been a lot of buzz about the unusual 'reveal' on TikTok

Still, he said, "there's been the odd outburst from her of 'Na, na, na, na, na!'"

Erin posted video of the quirky reveal on her TikTok and was amazed to get more than 6 million views. "I didn't expect it, but people seem to be fascinated," she said. She said a lot of the commentators said they wished they'd done the same stunt for their own twins. Parents expecting twins said they planned to copy her parents' strategy.

"Joshua and I have said that, if we ever have twins ourselves, we'll do it too," Erin said.

Read the original article on Insider
French President Emmanuel Macron received a severed human finger in the mail, according to news reports.

The parcel containing an amputated finger arrived at the Elysee Palace on Monday, The Evening Standard reported.

"The finger was initially put in a fridge where the police put their snacks," a source at the official presidential home told the newspaper. "This was to make sure it was preserved and could be analyzed as quickly as possible."

FRENCH GOVERNMENT RECOMMENDS TIKTOK RESTRICTIONS AFTER MACRON BLAMED CHINESE APP FOR FUELING YOUTH RIOTERS

Tests revealed the finger belonged to a "living human being" who was contacted and given "full medical support." The package containing the finger did not have a note.

"Its not at all clear why this finger was sent to the president," the source said, adding that the owner of the finger would not be identified.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The bizarre incident comes as Macron is grappling with discontent and mass rioting over several issues. Residents throughout the country have voiced anger and frustration over pension reforms and, most recently, the police killing of Nahel Merzouk, a 17-year-old of Algeria-Morocco descent.

Thousands of police are expected to be out in Paris when Macron and the country celebrate Bastille Day, a national holiday.
U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate, shown in this Aug. 19, 2022 photograph taken in Jackson, Miss., heard arguments Nov. 28, 2022, spent two days this week listening to concerns of Jackson residents about water quality and transparency around the water process and communication.

Over a period of two days, community groups in Jackson converged at the United States Courthouse to talk about concerns over a lack of transparency and communication from JXN Water and third party water administrator Ted Henifin, who is in charge of fixing the city's water system.

In a packed courtroom, U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate listened as representatives explained concerns such as the need for quicker and more information regarding the status of the water, whether or not they can trust if the water is safe to drink, confusion over the billing system and issues with communication from JXN Water's call center and Henifin directly.

There were also calls to change the stipulated order so that JXN Water would be subject to open records request, so that residents can be aware of current repairs, water testing results and data collected by the company.

An advisory board of community leaders was also suggested by multiple organizations to assist JXN Water and as a way for more community involvement.

While Henifin maintains that the city's water is perfectly safe to drink, multiple organizations and individuals complained that residents have still been reporting dirty, brown and smelly water, low water pressure and sometimes a lack of any running water at all in their homes.

Brooke Floyd, the director of nonprofit JXN People's Assembly, but speaking as a concerned resident, said her house has lost water pressure three times in July. She has tried to call JXN Water multiple times, only for the call to disconnect while on hold. She said she would like JXN Water to give out some sort of notice or warning before turning off people's water. She was also confused as to whether or not she should boil her water when it turns back on.

History of Jackson water crisis: Jackson water crisis flows from a century of poverty, neglect and racism

The organizations also shared concerns about the lack of local, minority businesses being used for contract work when it comes to repairs. Those businesses deserve a "seat at the table," and multiple organizations feared that Henifin is not giving them enough consideration. Danyelle Holmes, who was representing Mississippi Poor People's Campaign, requested that the court require JXN Water to share all current and future contracts of contractors the company does business with. Holmes also shared qualification and salary concerns of some of the employees in JXN Water, particularly Jordan Hillman, the chief operating officer.

Jose Nunez, director of the Immigrant Alliance for Justice and Equity, spoke on behalf of the Hispanic population in Jackson, saying a lot of their homes still have unsafe water and some are afraid to report it because of the status of their immigration papers. Others can't speak English. He said he represents about 10,000 Hispanic residents living in Jackson.

Wingate listened and asked questions to each person who shared concerns, but continually asked what each group defines as transparency. He also wondered where these transparency concerns were when the city was in charge of the water system.

It seems like youve only been interested in transparency since Mr. Henifin has been here," Wingate said.

The organizations who shared their concerns included:

NAACP

Southern Poverty Law Center's Mississippi state office.

Working Together Jackson

Immigrant Alliance for Justice and Equity

Mississippi Poor People's Campaign

People's Advocacy Institute

International Museum of Muslim Cultures

Institute for Democratic Education in America

Grace House

Mississippi Votes

Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson community organizations seek fixes with JXN Water, transparency
Fry yay! 7 places to load up on great fries for National French Fry Day around OKC

Whether crinkle-cut, waffle, shoestring, thick-cut or steak, one thing is certain  Americans love fries.

In fact, its estimated that the United States produces about 40 billion pounds of potatoes each year with over $100 billion impact on the economy, according to the National Potato Council. Nearly a third of those potatoes end up frozen as fries.

National French Fry Day is being celebrated by many fast food chains, but local restaurants offer some of the most delicious fries year-round.

So whether you eat your fries plain, dipped or loaded, there's no reason you shouldn't enjoy National French Fry Day. Here are seven great ways to fry in Oklahoma City and other parts of the state.

More: National French Fry Day 2023: Get free food or deals at McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's

1. Duck fat fries at Fassler Hall

What's better than a French fry? A French fry cooked in duck fat. That's exactly what you'll get at Fassler Hall, 421 NW 10, and you choose from a selection of house made condiments like curry ketchup, basil aioli, gouda cheese sauce and more for dipping.

Kitchen hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday

2. Hand-cut fries at Mob Grill

Mob Grill, 11 NE 6, inside The Parlor Food Hall, offers up hand-cut fries seasoned with their "Bada-Bing Spice." They'll serve them to you gangster style, with MOBs cheese sauce or even let you have them fully loaded with cheese sauce, bacon, pulled pork and grilled marinated jalapenos.

Kitchen hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday

3. Waffle fries at Waffle Champion

The "plain" waffle fries at Waffle Champion, 1212 N Walker Ave., are seasoned with garlic salt and parsley. Those wanting to take things up a notch can opt for the cheese fries or bacon cheese fries to add extra delicious layers.

Kitchen hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Sunday

Sweet potato fries are another great option for National French Fry Day.

4. Sweet potato fries at McNellie's

James E. McNellie's Public House, 1100 Classen Drive, offers up delicious traditional fries, but the fries most people flock to the pub for are its sweet potato option. Available as a side option for any of the restaurant's burgers or sandwiches, they're a great choice for those who want to take a step outside the plain fry box.

Kitchen hours: 11 a.m. to Midnight Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday

5. Fresh-cut fries at Tucker's

Classic, yes, a standard, sure, but there's nothing regular about the fresh-cut fries at Tucker's Onion Burgers, 324 NW 23, and four additional metro-area locations. The perfect companion for the restaurant's burgers and shakes or lemonades  sounds like summer memories waiting to be made.

Kitchen hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday

More: It's National French Fry Day 2023Here are the tools you need to make the best fries at home

Many restaurants load their fries with various toppings, makign them perfect for sharing - if you're feeling generous.

6. Tequila Sunfryz at Guyutes

Guyutes, 730 NW 23, takes waffles fries to another level by making a shareable appetizer or meal out of them and topping them with tequila queso, pulled pork, a sunny side egg, jalapenos, tomato, red onion and cilantro crema. Their plain waffle fryz are always available as a standard side, as well.

Kitchen hours: 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily

7. Cheese fries at Eskimo Joe's

No fry day menu would be complete in Oklahoma without mention of Eskimo Joe's, 501 W Elm Ave. in Stillwater. If you haven't ever had Eskimo Joe's cheese fries, it's time to plan a trip to "Stillwater's Jumpin' Little Juke Joint." My personal recommendation is any iteration of the cheese fries with the sweet peppered bacon included.

Kitchen hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: National French Fry Day: Where to get your fry fix around OKC
(Bloomberg) -- Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan fended off Republican attacks over her adherence to ethics laws and aggressive antitrust enforcement at a heated congressional hearing Thursday, during which she was labeled a bully and told her leadership was a disaster.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Kahn calmly defended her participation in a case involving Meta Platforms Inc. despite a recommendation from the agencys top ethics officer, explaining that she had no financial stake in that company or any others that the FTC is investigating.

There was no ethics violation created by my participation, Khan told the House Judiciary Committee, adding she consulted with ethics officials and followed the recommended framework in making her decision. I have not a penny in financial stock.

Republicans alleged that Khan gave misleading testimony before Congress in April over her participation in the case, a contention she denied outright.

The hearing into oversight of the FTC took a contentious turn right at the start when Chair Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, called her stewardship of the FTC a disaster and questioned whether the agencys curbs on Twitter Inc.s privacy practices were politically motivated since Elon Musk bought the platform last March. Jordan and Washington Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers sent Khan a letter Wednesday accusing her of creating a toxic environment at the FTC and under-enforcement of merger and privacy laws.

Read More: Lina Khans Bad Week Dims Hopes for New Era of Tech Antitrust

Khan got strong support from the White House.

Chair Khan has delivered results for families, consumers, workers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs, spokesman Michael Kikukawa said in an email. Those results include everything from protecting our kids from unlawful use of their personal data, to making it cheaper and easier for consumers to repair items they own, to moving to ban non-competes that hurt workers, to stopping bad mergers like a semiconductor megamerger that wouldve stifled innovation.

Thursdays hearing was a rough homecoming for Khan, demonstrating the sharp turn the House has taken on antitrust issues since Republicans took over the chamber in January. Before her tenure at the FTC, Khan served as a staffer for the panel in 2019 and 2020, working on a bipartisan investigation into major tech platforms.

Democrats and some Republicans who had worked with Khan on that probe criticized the focus on ethics. Representative Ken Buck, a Colorado Republican, said that members of Congress arent barred from buying individual stocks even as they pass legislation that could impact their investments.

We cant pass a stock ban, but we can call you into Congress and suggest that somehow you shouldnt be involved in cases involving some of these companies because you wrote a law review article, Buck said.

Democratic Representative Glenn Ivey of Maryland also took aim at the GOPs focus on the FTCs Twitter probe, where Jordan and others alleged the agency had sent overbroad requests for information and interviews. Ivey read from some of the panels own requests to the federal agencies and companies that mirrored the FTCs requests to Twitter.

If were gonna throw rocks, lets make sure were not in a glass house, he said. We should be very careful were using the power of this committee and the House in a respectful way, just like were asking the FTC to.

Khan also defended the agencys decision to appeal a ruling in favor of Microsoft Corp.s acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. Republicans criticized the FTCs record of merger losses, asking if she was losing on purpose to influence Congress to pass antitrust legislation.

We fight hard when we believe there is a law violation, she said. When we get an adverse ruling, our teams look closely at the text of opinion and see if there are errors on matters of law that warrant an appeal.

Khan declined to comment on whether the FTC was looking into OpenAI in response to questions about the agency opening a probe into the startups popular ChatGPT chat bot.

Some of the concerns were seeing in this AI space with ChatGPT and some of these other services are being fed a huge trove of data, she said. There are no checks on what type of data are being inserted into these companies.

The FTC has had complaints about chatbots disclosing sensitive personal information as well as making libelous and defamatory statements, she said.

Thats the kind of fraud and deception we are concerned about, she said.

--With assistance from Daniel Papscun.

(Updates with comments on OpenAI in 15th paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
American regulators now appear to be clamping down on generative AI in earnest. The Washington Post has learned the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an investigation into OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT and DALL-E. Officials have requested documents showing how the company tackles risks stemming from its large language AI models. The FTC is concerned the company may be violating consumer protection laws through "unfair or deceptive" practices that could hurt the public's privacy, security or reputation.

The Commission is particularly interested in information linked to a bug that leaked ChatGPT users' sensitive data, including payments and chat histories. While OpenAI said the number of affected users was very small, the FTC is worried this stems from poor security practices. The agency also wants details of any complaints alleging the AI made false or malicious statements about individuals, and info showing how well users understand the accuracy of the products they're using.

We've asked OpenAI for comment. The FTC declined comment and typically doesn't remark on investigations, but has previously warned that generative AI could run afoul of the law by doing more harm than good to consumers. It could be used to perpetrate scams, run misleading marketing campaigns or lead to discriminatory advertising, for instance. If the government body finds a company in violation, it can apply fines or issue consent decrees that force certain practices.

AI-specific laws and rules aren't expected in the near future. Even so, the government has stepped up pressure on the tech industry. OpenAI chief Sam Altman testified before the Senate in May, where he defended his company by outlining privacy and safety measures while touting AI's claimed benefits. He said protections were in place, but that OpenAI would be "increasingly cautious" and continue to upgrade its safeguards.

It's not clear if the FTC will pursue other generative AI developers, such as Google and Anthropic. The OpenAI investigation shows how the Commission might approach other cases, though, and signals that the regulator is serious about scrutinizing AI developers.
Huw Edwards - BBC

Three BBC employees, two current and one former, have become the latest to come forward with allegations against BBC presenter Huw Edwards after his identity was revealed by his wife on Wednesday.

BBC Newsnight reported new claims from staff members who said they had received inappropriate messages from Edwards, some late at night and signed off with kisses.

Both said there was a reluctance among junior staff to complain to managers about the conduct of high-profile colleagues in case it adversely affected their careers, Newsnight said.

The allegations are the latest aimed at the BBCs highest-paid journalist who is receiving in-patient hospital care for serious mental health issues.

After Edwards was named as the presenter at the centre of the allegations, multiple BBC colleagues and high-profile media personalities spoke out to support him.

The Sun originally published claims by the parents of a concerned youth, who said a household name had paid their vulnerable child thousands of pounds for explicit pictures.

Since then, a lawyer for the young person said this was rubbish and insisted nothing unlawful had happened.

In the days since, three other young people have come forward in the press to make allegations about the presenter, who has not been named.

1. Teenager used presenters cash to fund drug addiction

On Saturday, July 8, The Sun published an anonymous interview with the mother and stepfather of an apparently vulnerable youth who had been exchanging messages with the unnamed BBC presenter.

The parents alleged that their child was 17 when the relationship started and had been sent 35,000 over a three-year period for explicit images. But on Monday, a lawyer acting on the young persons behalf denied these claims.

2. Young person felt threatened by abusive messages

A second individual, understood to be in their 20s, claimed to BBC News that they had made contact with the unnamed presenter through a dating app. At the time they did not know who he was.

The young person said they felt pressured to meet up with him but never did. When they hinted online that they had contact with the presenter and may name him, he is claimed to have sent them abusive messages.

The BBC claimed it had seen and verified the chat.

3. Presenter broke lockdown rules to meet youth

A third young person came forward to claim in The Sun that the BBC presenter allegedly broke lockdown rules to meet with them.

It was claimed that a 23-year-old travelled across London to another county to meet them at their flat in February 2021 after first meeting on a dating site the previous year.

It was also claimed that on the day of the alleged hour-long meeting, during which the unnamed presenter and the 23-year-old just chatted, the presenter sent a gift of 250 to a PayPal account. The Sun claims two other payments of 200 and 250 were made afterwards.

4. Presenter sent creepy Instagram messages to teenager

A fourth young person claims they were contacted on Instagram by the unnamed presenter, who sent love hearts and x kisses, it is claimed in The Sun.

The unnamed fourth person, who said they were 17 at the time, called the messages creepy, looking back now. They said they were taken aback by the sending of a love heart emoji.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
A man walks past a model of G20 logo outside the finance ministry in New Delhi

By Shivangi Acharya and Sarita Chaganti Singh

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Global finance chiefs will meet in India next week to discuss increasing loans to developing nations from multilateral institutions, reforming the international debt architecture and regulations on cryptocurrency, Indian officials said.

The finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of 20 (G20) nations will also discuss a multilateral agreement on taxing conglomerates with cross-border operations, while the Russian war in Ukraine was also bound to come up, they said.

The July 17-18 meeting in Gandhinagar, the capital of the western state of Gujarat, will be the third finance chiefs' meeting under India's G20 presidency and will set the tone for a leaders summit in New Delhi in September.

The meeting is likely to be attended by most senior treasury officials from G20 member-nations, including U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, as well as the World Bank's newly appointed President Ajay Banga and the International Monetary Fund's Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.

Senior treasury officials from Russia and China are also expected to attend, according to two Indian officials, who did not want to be named.

India will try to keep the focus of member nations on discussing issues of debt and other economic issues, and not push for any consensus on Ukraine war, one Indian official said, declining to be identified.

During the two-day meeting, the group is likely to discuss a "substantial" increase in annual loans to developing countries from multilateral institutions as recommended by an independent panel formed in March, said another Indian official, who also did not want to be named.

The independent panel, headed by economists Lawrence Summers and N.K. Singh, was commissioned by the G20 to propose reforms to multilateral development banks with a focus on increasing funding for sustainable developments goals and climate change, among others.

The official also said the group will continue to work towards resolving differences in helping low-income countries manage their debt burdens and free up funding for climate financing.

Countries like Zambia and Ghana have been waiting for big creditors to make progress in providing debt relief under the so called "Common Framework", which is led by the G20.

Global creditors, debtor nations and international financial institutions agreed in April to galvanize the Common Framework - a platform supposed to speed up and simplify the process of getting over-stretched countries back on their feet.

Though Zambia, locked in default for almost three years, struck a deal last month to restructure $6.3 billion in debt owed to governments abroad including China, many challenges remain.

The finance ministers and treasury heads will also attempt to bring agreement on the principles of managing cryptocurrencies in their respective geographies.

The first volume of a report and a "guidance note" to develop a globally coordinated framework for regulation and supervision of crypto assets will be discussed in Gandhinagar, India's Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth said in a video address on Wednesday.

At the first meeting of the finance chiefs in February, the IMF endorsed the Indian government's position that crypto assets would require global and coordinated regulation, while giving sovereigns option to ban such assets.

The G20 is also expected to discuss the key differences in taxation of large multinational companies under a framework put forward by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The OECD agreed on Wednesday to defer levying taxes on large multinational companies by one year to 2025 until a common framework is in place.

(Additional reporting by Maria Martinez and Leigh Thomas; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
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Tesla CEO and Twitter owner Elon Musk said Wednesday he is launching an artificial intelligence (AI) startup called xAI to "understand reality."

The company said on its website that it is separate from Musk-owned X Corp, "but will work closely with X (Twitter), Tesla, and other companies to make progress towards our mission."

Some of the team led by Musk worked on OpenAI's GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 chatbots, according to the website.

Musk was an initial investor in OpenAI and part of its board, but he left the board in 2018.

The company also includes engineers from other top tech companies, including Google Research, Microsoft Research.
Rep. Ruben Gallegos (D-Ariz.) campaign announced Thursday that he brought in $3.1 million in the second quarter of fundraising for this year in the race for Sen. Kyrsten Sinemas (I-Ariz.) Senate seat.

The campaign said Gallego received more than 105,000 contributions with 58,533 donors giving in the second quarter. The average donation was $29, and 98 percent of the donations received were for $100 or less.

The Arizona Democrat has raised close to $7 million since he launched his campaign, including $3.7 million in the first quarter of fundraising.

For the second quarter in a row, over 50,000 people have chipped in what they could to support Rubens campaign because they know its time to elect a U.S. Senator who fights for Arizonans  not special interests or big corporations, said Nichole Johnson, Gallegos campaign manager, in a statement.

With two quarters of momentum and a strong foundation of grassroots support, we are the only team in this race that is built to win, Johnson added.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Gallego is vying for Sinemas seat, with Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb as the only major Republican contender in the race. Former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake (R) is expected to join the race later this year.

Sinema has not said whether shell run for her seat again. She changed her party status from Democrat to independent last year, though she largely caucuses with the Democratic party.

The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates the Senate race as a toss-up.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A gender-fluid fashion influencer posted a video in a dress, sparking transphobic backlash towards them and the brand  but they don't regret it

Lawn said when it hit Twitter, people began sending them horrible messages and comments. davidrosslawn / Instagram

David Ross Lawn is a gender-fluid fashion influencer who posted a video wearing a Son de Flor dress.

Lawn was bombarded with transphobic hate after a conservative commentator caught wind of their post.

Lawn told Insider they plan to keep creating videos to inspire people to wear what they want to.

A gender-fluid fashion influencer was bombarded with transphobic hate after a fashion brand reshared a video of them wearing one of their dresses on Instagram.

On July 1, 31-year-old David Ross Lawn, who uses they/he pronouns, posted a video wearing items from Son de Flor, a linen clothing and accessories brand, on Instagram. The video, which was captioned, "ways to style the sondeflor classic dress," featured Lawn twirling in a room and showing off several of the brand's dresses.

Lawn is a "cottagecore influencer'' who typically shares fashion content with their 158,000 followers on Instagram and 575,000 followers on TikTok. Since they posted their first video online in November 2020, their audience has been steadily growing. Lawn told Insider that most of their followers are LGBTQ+, and their post was initially well received.

Soon after Lawn posted the video, however, Son de Flor re-shared it on their own Instagram page and things took a turn. Lawn said they began to receive hateful, transphobic messages on social media and some of Son de Flor's customers said they would no longer support the brand because they showcased a gender-fluid person on their Instagram page.

Lawn said they faced a wave of hate after the criticism went viral

Lawn said some negativity was directed to their original post, which isn't unusual, but the problems grew exponentially when the Son de Flor post hit Twitter.

In a tweet published on July 3, conservative columnist and political commentator Bethany S. Mandel complained to her 120,000 followers about the post being featured by the brand, which she described as "a modest old-fashioned linen company."

The tweet was viewed over 13.6 million times and received over 4,000 responses in replies and quote-tweets

Mandel parlayed her viral tweet into a column with the British current affairs magazine The Spectator, titled "Is my favorite dress company the new Bud Light?" an apparent reference to the wave of backlash and boycott threats the beer brand faced after partnering with popular transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

In her article about Lawn's Instagram post, Mandel wrote, "Son de Flor makes 'traditional' clothing  yet decided to use a 'gender-fluid' bearded model," arguing that the brand had abandoned its core market.

While Lawn said the article didn't bother them too much, the backlash following Mandel's Twitter thread felt overwhelming.

Some of Mandel's followers started going to Son de Flor's Instagram account and writing negative comments about Lawn and the brand.

"It got messy with people sending me all kinds of horrible messages and comments," they said. "I was being called all sorts of things ranging from a 'pedophile' to a 'groomer,' which is baffling because I'm literally just showing how I style Son de Flor dresses."

Mandel and The Spectator did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Son de Flor knew they risked backlash as a result of their post but are standing by Lawn

Son de Flor co-founder Vaida Ribinskaite told Insider that the brand believed they risked losing part of their sales in the short term due to their support of Lawn, but said they had not experienced a drop in revenue, despite the backlash.

In the immediate aftermath of the sharing Lawn's video, the brand noticed that its Instagram follower count had dropped from 320,000 to 317,000 followers. But within a few days, it had increased to 328,000, it said.

Soon after the incident on July 5, the brand posted an Instagram video reiterating its support for Lawn. "We are always open and very, very friendly to anyone who wants to work and be friends with Son de Flor," Ribinskaite said in the video, which was generally well received by commenters.

Lawn wants to keep using their platform as a way to be creative and inspire others

Lawn told Insider that the criticism has not changed their outlook on social media and that they plan to keep using their platform for "creativity, positivity, and self-expression." They also felt encouraged by Son de Flor's support for their videos.

"It means a lot to me that they publicly said that they celebrate it and that they want to continue to showcase all beautiful souls in their clothing," Lawn said.

Lawn does not plan to make any adjustments to the content they create, despite any backlash from people who disagree.

"Showcasing personal style is not a crime, nor is working with brands to show that their clothing is for all people," they said. "I love creating content. No amount of hate will stop that. Love always wins, after all."

For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here.

Read the original article on Insider
Germany delivers aid to Ukraine: Gepard air defence systems, shells and other equipment

The German government decided to deliver a new batch of military aid to Ukraine, which included equipment for the IRIS-T SLM air defence system, ammunition, six Gepard air defence systems and other equipment.

Source: Updated data from the German government

Details: In particular, the new batch of military aid delivered to Ukraine includes:

6 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns Gepard

3,230 155-mm projectiles

1,184 rounds of 155-mm smoke ammunition

1 bridge for a Biber bridge-laying tank

A Biber bridge-laying tank

5 border protection vehicles

10 laser aiming equipment IRIS-T SLM

1 truck tractor train 8x8 HX81

4 semi-trailers

24,192 rounds of 40-mm calibre ammunition

2 sets of spare parts for Vector drones

10 fire command units IRIS-T SLM

Background:

On 11 July, Germany confirmed the delivery of a new aid package worth about EUR600 million to Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Defence, Kyiv will receive 2 launchers for the Patriot air defence system, 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 25 Leopard 1 tanks and 1 Luna unmanned aerial vehicle system.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Phoenix police car

A Glendale man is in jail after he admitted to police that he gunned down someone as captured by video over the weekend at a north Phoenix apartment complex, according to court documents.

Leroy Junior Allen, 44, was charged with murder in a July shooting death at an apartment complex off West Northern Avenue near North 27th Avenue, according to court records. The male victim's identity was redacted in charging documents as Phoenix police say next-of-kin notification remains pending.Police cornered in on Allen as the suspect through a 2007 white Chevrolet Tahoe whose license plate numbers were seen on surveillance footage and whose VIN was found inside a backpack at the crime scene, according to the charging documents. During a separate investigation in June about the Tahoe being parked at a business, Allen told police he purchased the vehicle and provided them with an address, court documents explained.

Witnesses told police they recognized the Tahoe as belonging to someone named Junior and that the vehicle was present when the victim tried to sell them a handgun, court documents showed. Subsequently, the same witnesses identified Allen as Junior after police showed them his photo and mentioned where he lived, court documents added.

'College prospect to handcuffs': Teen gets 18 years in prison after fatal shooting in Tempe

Phoenix police obtained surveillance video that showed Allen was joined by the victim and a woman at a liquor store a day before the fatal shooting, according to court documents.

Charging documents revealed the surveillance video from the shooting showed a man with physical descriptors matching Allen and traveling in a white Tahoe, according to charging documents. The video also captured a shooting by the man against the victim, charging documents show. The woman, resembling the person seen with Allen and the victim the day before, was present during the shooting caught on video, according to court documents. The woman left with the shooter in a white Tahoe, court documents added.

Westgate shooting: Police search for 3 suspects. Here's what we know

Investigators on Sunday evening found Allen and the white Tahoe at a Glendale home, and police arrested him and seized the vehicle, court documents show.

Allen told police he joined the woman in going to the apartment complex where the shooting happened because she was owed money from the victim for the sale of the gun, according to court documents.

Police were told by Allen that the situation escalated after he told the victim to pay the woman and showed the victim a gun he said he could sell him, court documents noted. Allen told police the victim then turned around and pointed a handgun at him, leading him to shoot at the victim, according to charging documents.

Allen told police he tossed the gun into a trashcan near his home, charging documents mentioned.

As of Wednesday, Allen was being held in jail on a $500,000 bond, according to jail and court records.

Allen also was charged with armed robbery with a deadly weapon and possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, according to court records. Allen has been convicted of multiple drug related offenses, court and prison records show.

Allen's charge was listed as second-degree murder in initial court documents released Tuesday, but court records on Wednesday showed the charge listed as first-degree murder.His preliminary court hearing is set for July 19, according to court records.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Glendale man tells police he did fatal shooting, court docs state
The claim: Image shows a Google statement informing user of a 10-year ban

A July 3 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) includes an image that appears to show a statement from Google.

you (sic) have been banned from Google, the message reads. Due to several requests from the United States Government on the topics you have been searching over the last 5 years, we have decided to take action. You no longer have permission to use Google, nor make a new Gmail account under your name.

It goes on to inform the user that they can resume using Google on June 26, 2033.

The post was shared more than 1,300 times in a week. Other versions of the claim amassed thousands of additional interactions on Instagram, Twitter and Reddit.

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Our rating: Altered

The image is not a legitimate Google communication, the company told USA TODAY. Google typically notifies users of government requests before action is taken or information is disclosed. Accounts are disabled permanently  not for 10 years  unless the user wins an appeal, which would allow their account to be immediately reinstated.

Message is not authentic, says Google

Google told USA TODAY it is not behind the viral image.

This is not a legitimate message from our support team, said Google spokesperson Christa Muldoon. We clearly state the reasons an account may be suspended in our Help Center. The rationale listed in this image does not reflect any of our policies or enforcement, including for Search.

Fact check: No, Lady Gaga has not endorsed Donald Trump

The websites Help Center says reasons an account might be disabled include hacking, creating a false identity, phishing, sexually explicit content and valid legal requests.

It also outlines violations for its search feature, which include spam and content that is hateful, terroristic or violent.

Accounts are also disabled permanently, not for a set period of time. Users can appeal to have their account reinstated, which will occur immediately if their appeal is successful.

Stock image.

The purported screenshot mentions government requests but appears to confuse account penalties with government information requests.

Governments may request that Google provide certain user information. However, the company states its policy is to notify the user of such a request before any information is disclosed except in cases of emergencies or legal requirements.

Google states in its terms of service that the government must issue a subpoena in all legal cases in which it is requesting information from the company. In criminal cases, it must also have a court order and search warrant. Google may respond by disclosing the information, narrowing the request to limit the information that is disclosed or providing no information and rejecting the request.

Other elements of the image suggest it isn't legitimate, including the "you" not being capitalized at the start of the message and the trademark symbol at the end of "Google," which is not used in the company's official communications.

USA TODAY reached out to several users who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No, viral image does not show Google message banning user | Fact check
Google Bard logo

Google's parent company Alphabet is rolling out its artificial intelligence chatbot Bard in Europe and Brazil.

It is the product's biggest expansion since its March launch in the US and the UK and heats up the rivalry with Microsoft's ChatGPT.

Both are examples of generative AI that can respond to questions in a human-like way.

Bard's launch in the EU had been held up after the main data regulator in the bloc raised privacy concerns.

The Irish Data Protection Commission said that the tech giant had not provided enough information about how its generative AI tool protects Europeans' privacy to justify an EU launch.

The company said it has since met the watchdogs to reassure them on issues relating to transparency, choice and control.

In a briefing with journalists, Amar Subramanya, engineering vice president of Bard, added that users could opt out of their data being collected.

Mr Subramanya declined to comment on whether there were plans to develop a Bard app.

"Bard is an experiment," he said. "We want to be bold and responsible."

Bard can talk

Google has also now added new features to Bard, which apply worldwide.

These include the ability for the chatbot to speak its answers back to you and for it to respond to prompts that also include images.

"Starting today, you can collaborate with Bard in over 40 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, German, Hindi and Spanish," Google senior product director Jack Krawczyk said in a blog post.

"Sometimes hearing something out loud can help you approach your idea in a different way. This is especially helpful if you want to hear the correct pronunciation of a word or listen to a poem or script."

He said users can now change the tone and style of Bard's responses to either simple, long, short, professional or casual.

They can also pin or rename conversations, export code to more places and use images in prompts.

Wave of investment

The hype around the capabilities of generative AI has prompted global tech figures to call for a halt on their development.

Depending on who you speak to, AI could either lead to the end of humanity or solve climate change, or both.

Over the last six months companies have been investing billions with the hope of generating much more in advertising and cloud revenue.

Mistral AI, a start-up that was just a month old, picked up an 86m round of seed funding to build and train large language models.

This week Elon Musk announced the formation of an AI start-up called xAI, with a team including several engineers that have worked at OpenAI and Google.

Mr Musk has previously stated he believes developments in AI should be paused and that the sector needs regulation.

Elsewhere American AI company Anthropic launched another rival chatbot to ChatGPT called Claude 2, which can summarise novel-sized blocks of text.

Claude 2 is publicly available in the US and the UK and uses a safety method described by the company as "Constitutional AI", referring to a set of principles to make judgements about the text it is producing.

Nonetheless, novelty appeal in AI chatbots may be waning, with recent web user numbers showing that monthly traffic to ChatGPT's website and unique visitors declined for the first time in June.

Google has also been hit by a fresh class action in the US over the alleged misuse of users' personal information to train Bard.

The complaint, filed in San Francisco federal court by eight individuals seeking to represent millions of internet users and copyright holders, said Google's unauthorised scraping of data from websites violated their privacy and property rights.

"Google does not own the internet, it does not own our creative works, it does not own our expressions of our personhood, pictures of our families and children, or anything else simply because we share it online," the plaintiffs' attorney Ryan Clarkson said in a statement.
More than a dozen Republican attorneys general sent a letter to major corporations Thursday warning them to refrain from using racial preferences in hiring and promotion decisions.

Pointing to the Supreme Courts decision undercutting the use of affirmative action in college admissions, the group said that companies would expose themselves to serious legal consequences for discriminating against different groups even for benign purposes.

The Supreme Courts recent decision should place every employer and contractor on notice of the illegality of racial quotas and race-based preferences in employment and contracting practices, the letter from 13 attorneys general states.

Though the high courts ruling in the college admissions cases did not directly implicate so-called diversity, equity or inclusion policies that have seen widespread adoption among the countrys largest employers, many legal experts believe workplace diversity efforts will see additional challenges that they unlawfully boost some groups over others.

The letter, which was directed at Fortune 100 companies and other large businesses, alleges that racial discrimination is all too common and violates federal and state civil rights laws.

Responsible corporations interested in supporting underprivileged individuals and communities can find many lawful outlets to do so, wrote the group, led by the attorneys general of Kansas and Tennessee. But drawing crude lines based on skin color is not a lawful outlet, and it hurts more than it helps.

Conservatives have stepped up their attacks on businesses over what they perceive as woke policies, namely around diversity initiatives and ESG-related efforts.

DEIs defenders note that many of the things that employers have adopted, such as statistical breakdowns of their workforce or setting hiring goals, are aspirational and nonbinding.

Nevertheless, the attorneys general argue that many of these efforts effectively serve as illegal race-based quotas and called on companies to stop.

If your company previously resorted to racial preferences or naked quotas to offset its bigotry, that discriminatory path is now definitively closed, the letter states, citing the Supreme Court opinion. Your company must overcome its underlying bias and treat all employees, all applicants, and all contractors equally, without regard for race.

The letter was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Rep Greg Murphy of North Carolina has accused President Joe Biden of having had so much plastic surgery during an appearance on Fox News on Wednesday morning.

Mr Murphy, a Republican, used to serve as an affiliate professor of surgery and chief of the division of urology at the East Carolina University School of Medicine before his election to the US House. In an interview with Maria Bartiromo, he called on his medical background to suggest that Mr Biden is becoming unfit to serve.

Lets look at Joe, Mr Murphy said. Hes had so much plastic surgery, so much botox, so much filler  thats on the outside. And Maria, I deal in a surgical field that has a lot of older patients, and so I have seen patients through the year decline mentally  its just a fact, its what happens.

Mr Biden is currently the oldest serving president in American history at 80, and would be 86 by the time his second term ended.

A majority of Americans say they are concerned about Mr Bidens age and fitness for office, with some Republicans like Mr Murphy going so far as to suggest that the president is suffering from dementia by citing a recent Axios story on his allegedly bad temper.

The fact that hes having these labile emotional swings, outbursts to his staff, really speaks  a form of dementia has that, Mr Murphy said. You cant control your emotions.

The irony is that Axios reported that some Biden staffers believe the president should more readily display his temper publicly to assuage voters concerns about his mental capacity and level of engagement with the job. In any case, Mr Murphys allegation that Mr Biden has a significantly reduced mental capacity may be politically motiviated. Later in his interview with Bartiromo, Mr Murphy said that Mr Biden never was fit to serve as president.

Lets just be honest: the guy is not fit for office, he never was fit for office, and he surely would not be fit for another five years, Mr Murphy said.

Mr Murphys allegation that Mr Biden has had plastic surgery may have more substantial backing. A number of plastic surgeons have speculated that the president has undergone a variety of cosmetic procedures including a facelift, hair plugs, botox injections, and more since the 2008 presidential campaign.

Mr Biden himself has never confirmed those rumours, though it is not at all uncommon for major politicians to undergo cosmetic surgery. Other world leaders from Brazils Dilma Rouseff to Italys Silvio Berlusconi had plastic surgery during their careers, and there has been reporting on Donald Trumps possible plastic surgery ventures as well.
The GOP debate could have anti-Trump firebrands on stage thanks to a new clarification of which polls count

Christie knocked Trump on Wednesday, saying he is "afraid" of his political opponents. Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images and Robert Perry/Getty Images

To get to the GOP presidential debate stage, candidates must hit certain fundraising and polling requirements, as per the RNC.

A key stipulation is that candidates must poll 1% or higher in 3 national polls with 800 or more registered Republican likely voters.

Now that the RNC confirmed it will recognize the Morning Consult tracking poll, anti-Trump candidates like Chris Christie may qualify for the debate.

The Republican National Committee confirmed that it will acknowledge the Morning Consult tracking poll for the presidential debate, means that anti-Trump candidates like former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson will have plenty of opportunities to qualify for the debate.

In June, the RNC released its criteria to qualify for the first GOP presidential debate in Milwaukee. This included candidates needing to receive 40,000 unique donations with at least 200 unique donors in 20 or more states. While that may seem like a given for a presidential candidate, some like Hutchinson  who said a week ago he only had 5,000 unique donors  are struggling to hit that mark.

The key stipulation that initially appeared to disqualify many fledgling candidates was one about polling: the RNC said that candidates must also "poll at least 1% in three national polls OR 1% in two national polls and 1% in one early state poll from two separate 'carve out' states" to qualify for the debate. Additionally, the RNC said the polls must each survey at least 800 registered likely Republican voters for it to count.

As Insider's Walt Hickey previously wrote, surveys containing "800 registered likely Republican voters" are not easy to come by. He referenced a tweet from FiveThirtyEight's Nathaniel Rakich, who found that in early June, there had only been 12 polls with 800 registered likely Republican voters in the entire cycle, and predicted very few remaining until the first presidential debate in August.

With that understanding, it appeared that many of the fledgling GOP candidates wouldn't have sufficient opportunities to hit 1% support in enough qualifying polls before August to qualify for the debate.

That is, until the RNC confirmed to Politico that Morning Consult national polls will indeed count to qualify for the debate.

Morning Consult, a business intelligence and polling company, releases new GOP primary poll results from a population of more than 3,000 registered likely Republican voters each and every week.

It's also, coincidentally, the only survey tracked by FiveThirtyEight with more than 800 registered likely Republican voters that has Hutchinson and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie polling with 1% or more support or more.

Christie, who announced Wednesday night that he hit the 40,000 unique donors goal, no stands a far better change of qualifying for the GOP debate.

While Hutchinson still has a ways to go to hit his unique donor goal, his team can rest easier knowing they stand a decent shot of satisfying the other requirement to get to the debate. Just 35,000 more unique donors to go.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) participates in a hearing regarding Air Force General Charles Q. Browns nomination to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)

WASHINGTON  A divided House voted on Thursday to overturn a Pentagon policy guaranteeing abortion access to service members regardless of where they are stationed and to bar health services for transgender military personnel, imperiling passage of the annual defense bill as right-wing lawmakers rallied Republicans around their drive to load the measure with conservative policy dictates.

The vote was 221-213, nearly along party lines, to attach the abortion proposal to the bill, with Republicans propelling it to passage over near-unanimous Democratic opposition. It was one of a series of controversial amendments that hard-right lawmakers demanded be put on the floor as a condition for allowing the legislation to move forward.

By a vote of 222-211, the House also adopted a measure to bar the militarys health plan from covering gender-transition surgeries  which currently can be covered only with a waiver  and gender-affirming hormone therapy.

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Democrats condemned the moves, with some warning on Thursday that they could not support the defense bill with the abortion restriction included.

The MAGA majority is using our defense bill to get one stop closer to the only thing they really care about: a nationwide abortion ban, Rep. Katherine M. Clark of Massachusetts, the Democratic whip, said in a floor speech.

Democratic support is seen as crucial for passing the defense bill in the narrowly split House, where Republicans have only a slim majority. The $886 billion measure would grant a 5.2% pay raise to military personnel, counter aggressive moves by China and Russia, and establish a special inspector general to oversee U.S. aid to Ukraine

But on Thursday, Democrats called the abortion measure unacceptable in the wake of the Supreme Courts ruling last year overturning abortion rights, which set off a rush by some states to enact bans and curbs on the procedure. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., a Navy veteran, said the Republican provision puts servicewomen and military families lives at risk by denying the basic right to travel for health care no longer available where they are stationed.

Republicans defended the move as a matter of principle, arguing that the Pentagon policy it would overturn  offering time off and travel reimbursement to troops traveling out of state to obtain an abortion  violated a prohibition against taxpayer-funded abortions.

This illegal Biden-endorsed policy has no place in our military, said Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, the author of the proposal. The taxpayer money is going directly to support abortions, and anyone in this chamber that says differently is blatantly lying to the American people.

The debate unfolded after Speaker Kevin McCarthy capitulated this week to a small group of ultraconservative Republicans who had threatened to block the defense legislation if their proposals, including pulling U.S. aid to Ukraine, did not receive consideration.

Instead the House moved forward on Thursday, slogging through dozens of proposed modifications with the fate of the bill still in doubt.

It overwhelmingly defeated two Republican efforts to cut U.S. military assistance for Ukraine. The vote was 341-89 to reject a measure from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to end a $300 million program to train and equip Ukrainian soldiers, which has been in place for almost a decade. And by a vote of 358-70, the House rejected a proposal from Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., to prohibit sending any more security assistance to Ukraine. In both cases, the supporters were all Republicans.

Those results were a victory for mainstream Republicans, who have defended U.S. military assistance to Ukraine as vital to countering Russia and are expected to support the Biden administration when it approaches Congress to approve additional money for Ukraine, likely this fall. But they reflected how anti-Ukraine sentiment is growing in the Republican ranks. In the spring, only 57 Republicans voted against a $40 billion package of military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine.

In hours of floor debate on Thursday, Republicans made the case for attaching an array of social policy dictates to the defense legislation, arguing that they were working to thwart a bid by the Biden administration to inject its progressive vision into every area of government, including the Pentagon.

It is this administration that has turned the Department of Defense into a social-engineering experiment wrapped in a uniform, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said on the floor. The American people Ive talked to back home dont want a weak military; they dont want a woke military; they dont want rainbow propaganda on bases; they dont want to pay for troops sex changes.

Though defense bill debates have often been a forum for partisan policy fights, the debate in the House has been particularly nasty, exposing Republican divisions and threatening the customary bipartisan consensus around the legislation. The measures Republicans have proposed stand no chance of passing the Democratic-led Senate, and a protracted fight over the measure could imperil its chance of enactment.

Republicans managed to mess up a bipartisan bill and put it on a path to becoming a hyperpartisan one by loading up with every divisive social issue under the sun, said Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, the senior Democrat on the Rules Committee, accusing GOP leaders of catering to a dozen or so far-right MAGA wing nuts.

Republican leaders, who can afford to lose no more than four votes on their side if Democrats remain united in opposition, had been counting on Democratic votes to help pass the defense bill. The demands of hard-right lawmakers to load the bill with a deeply conservative cultural agenda could cost them those critical votes.

They have also alienated some mainstream Republicans, including those from politically competitive districts. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said in an interview on Thursday that he would oppose an across-the-board cut to diversity training.

Youve got to have basic training on our core values, which is: We dont like racists in the military. We dont like antisemites in the military. We dont like sexists in the military, he said.

But Bacon said he backed the proposal to undo the Pentagons policy on abortion access and the one to deny coverage for gender-transition procedures, saying: If you want to do it, do it on your own dime.

While Republicans failed in several efforts to cut back assistance to Ukraine, it was not clear whether a proposal to bar the Biden administration from sending cluster munitions to Ukraine, as the president announced he intended to do last week, would suffer a similar fate.

Republican leaders have been agitating for cluster munitions to be sent to Ukraine for months, while most Democrats were outraged at President Joe Bidens decision. They argued that the unwieldy warheads  which scatter upon impact and routinely leave unexploded ordnance in the ground, endangering civilians for decades to come  would cost the United States the moral high ground in the war.

This week, a number of conservative Republicans aligned themselves with the Democrats opposing the move.The House was set to debate it later Thursday night.

Annie Karni contributed reporting.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
 Flash

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President of Algeria Abdelmadjid Tebboune will pay a state visit to China from July 17 to 21, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Thursday.

"This is the first visit to China by President Tebboune during his term of office," foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily news briefing in response to a query.

Wang said that during the visit, President Xi will hold talks with President Tebboune to jointly draw the blueprint for the future development of China-Algeria relations and have an in-depth exchange of views on the international and regional issues of common concern.

Wang said that China and Algeria enjoy a profound traditional friendship and always treat each other with mutual respect, equity and support. China is the first non-Arab country to recognize the interim government of Algeria, and Algeria had made outstanding contributions to the restoration of China's lawful seat in the United Nations.

"In 2014, Algeria established a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, becoming the first Arab country to do so," Wang said, adding that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Tebboune, China-Algeria relations have experienced comprehensive and profound development.

He added that, with deepening political mutual trust, the two sides have conducted fruitful practical cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, maintained close communication and coordination on international and regional issues, and firmly safeguarded international equity and justice, as well as the common interests of developing countries.

"China looks forward to working with the Algerian side, taking this visit as an opportunity to deepen mutual trust, expand cooperation, enhance friendship, push for greater development of China-Algeria comprehensive strategic partnership, and make greater contributions to promoting security and stability in the Middle East and enhancing solidarity and cooperation among developing countries," said Wang.
A group of Texas professors filed a lawsuit Thursday against Gov. Greg Abbott (R), alleging that his ban on TikTok at Texas publicuniversities violates the First Amendment and prevents professors from conducting their TikTok-related research.

Banning public university faculty from studying and teaching with TikTok is not a sensible or constitutional response to concerns about data-collection and disinformation, Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, said in a statement. Texas must pursue its objectives with tools that dont impose such a heavy burden on First Amendment rights. Privacy legislation would be a good place to start.

The lawsuit was filed by the Knight Institute on behalf the Coalition for Independent Technology Research, which is a nonprofit that was founded in 2022 to advance, defend, and sustain the right to study the impact of technology on society.

Texas banned TikTok in December because of security risks associated with the use of TikTok, Abbott said in a news release.

According to the lawsuit, the TikTok ban is unconstitutional and seriously impeding college faculty from completing any TikTok-related research that would illuminate or counter the data-collection and disinformation-related practices that the ban is ostensibly meant to address.

The ban has forced Jacqueline Vickery, an associate professor in the Department of Media Arts at the University of North Texas, to change her research, which focuses on how young people use social media for informal learning, activism, and self-expression, as well as change the way she teaches, according to the lawsuit.

Abbotts office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At least 35 states have banned TikTok on state devices and networks, according to the Knight Institute. Montana became the first state to ban TikTok on all personal devices operating within the state.

Texass TikTok ban is an assault on academic freedom, which is the lifeblood of every university and a central concern of the First Amendment, Ramya Krishnan, a senior staff attorney at the Knight Institute, said in a statement. The court should make clear that Texas cant shut down an important avenue of teaching and research at its public universities when there are far less intrusive measures that would secure its aims.

Related...
Gray whales were nicknamed 'devil fish' for fighting back when harpooned by whalers. Now they approach boats and let humans pet them, baffling scientists.

Gray whales frequently approach boats and let humans touch them in the lagoons of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula. Guillermo Arias/AFP/Getty Images

Gray whales were hunted to the brink of extinction in the 18th and 19th centuries.

They were known to fight back when harpooned, even damaging boats, earning the nickname "devil fish."

Now gray whales in Baja California frequently interact with humans in a remarkable shift.

Gray whales put up such a fight against whalers and their boats they earned the nickname "devil fish." Today, in the same places where the whales were hunted to the brink of extinction just decades ago, they swim right up to boats, enchanting and even befriending the people in them.

One of those remarkable encounters was captured in March in the Ojo de Liebre, a lagoon in Mexico's Baja Peninsula. The video showed a gray whale right beside a boat, allowing the captain to pick whale lice off its head.

Although some thought the whale was purposefully going to the captain for help with the whale lice  which are actually crustaceans, not insects  experts told Insider that's probably not the case.

Still, the fact that the gray whales of the Baja lagoons interact with boats and humans at all baffles researchers.

"This is what's so strange. They were hunted almost to extinction," Andrew Trites, director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of British Columbia, told Insider. "You would think being near a person in a boat is the last thing the few remaining gray whales would've ever done and they would've had this disposition to avoid them at all costs, the few that survived."

Gray whales were hunted close to extinction in the 18th and 19th centuries by commercial whaling. During that time, the whales developed a reputation for fiercely fighting back when harpooned, even attacking and damaging whaling boats.

They were also specifically hunted in the warm, shallow lagoons of Baja, where the famous migrators spend their winters birthing and nursing their calves. The gray whales then make the longest migration of any mammal, with most traveling more than 10,000 miles to their foraging grounds near Alaska.

After international conservation regulations were enacted in the 1930s and 40s, gray whale numbers bounced back. There are now believed to be 14,526 North Pacific gray whales, down from an estimate of 27,000 in 2016 due to an Unusual Mortality Event that started in 2019. Hunting gray whales is illegal, with some exceptions for Indigenous peoples in Alaska, Canada, and Mexico.

But the fact that the recovered whales are not only unbothered by humans and boats, but actively seek out encounters with them, remains a mystery. Trites said it's possible the whales simply have short memories, or that it could just be the shift in circumstances, that the whales are approaching people on their own terms.

Trites said he's witnessed the encounters in the lagoons of Baja several times and that he's always amazed by it, especially by the fact that the whales are initiating it.

"The whale turns on its side, looks you in the eye. It clearly is very curious about people," he said. "It isn't people running up to whales, it's whales coming to people."

A whale watcher touches a gray whale at Ojo de Liebre Lagoon in Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur state, Mexico on March 27, 2021. Guillermo Arias/AFP/Getty Images

Another confounding aspect of the behavior is that the whales seem to only do this when they're in Baja, and generally don't continue the behavior during their migration up the West Coast or while they're in their foraging grounds.

Leigh Torres, a marine ecologist and professor at Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute, studies a population of gray whales that forage off the Pacific Northwest coast. When she was visiting a Baja lagoon in March, she happened to see one of the whales she frequently studies off of Oregon.

"The whale behaved completely differently down there," Torres told Insider.

It's unclear why the whales exhibit the behavior in the first place, let alone why they only do it in Baja. But Trites and Torres both said it could have to do with their priorities. When the whales are foraging, they eat enough in order to fast for the four to six months they are in Baja.

"I think when they're here they're just super focused on feeding and don't have the luxury, let's say, of expending energy and time to interact with the boats," Torres said.

Trites speculated it's possible whales just get a little bored in the lagoons. He said it's also possible the whales are playing when they approach boats, or that they get some sort of tactile pleasure from the interactions, such as the captain picking off whale lice.

It may just be out of curiosity too, he said, that "to see people and things around them enriches their day."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Wildlife officials have confirmed the presence of a grizzly bear in the Pryor Mountains south of Billings. It is the first confirmed presence of a grizzly in that area since the late 1890s

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials have confirmed that a grizzly bear was recently observed in the Pryor Mountains south of Billings. While potential sightings of grizzly bears roaming the Pryors have been reported several times in recent years, this is the first confirmed sighting and is based upon a photograph taken of the animal. The sighting marks the furthest expansion east of grizzly bear movement in 125 years.

Historically, grizzly bears occupied most of Montana, including the Pryor Mountains, but likely have not inhabited these mountains since the late 1800s, a FWP news release states. Wildlife officials contacted area landowners to alert them to the observation and provide them with information on bear conflict prevention.

Officials have also installed game cameras in the area of the sighting in an attempt to document the bears movements, and have searched for additional bear sign, specifically hair for DNA testing to determine the grizzly bears origin.

In recent years, grizzly bears on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountain Front have expanded in numbers and dispersed into areas where they havent existed for decades. In June 2020 a sub-adult male grizzly was spotted five miles northwest of Big Sandy, Montana, 80 miles northeast of Great Falls. The most recent sighting in the Pryor Mountains pushes the confirmed presence of a grizzly bear another 50 miles east of the 2020 sighting.

Wildlife officials estimate Montana's current grizzly bear population to be between 1,800 and 2,000 animals

FWP officials are advising anyone recreating in the Pryor Mountains to follow bear safety protocols, including carrying bear spray, knowing how to use it and staying alert and looking for bear sign, especially where visibility is limited. Common bear sign to look for includes tracks, scat, diggings, torn up logs, carcasses, daybeds and overturned rocks.

Anyone recreating in bear country across the state is also advised to avoid traveling at dawn, dusk, or night when bears are typically most active, to make human-associated noises such as shouting and talking to alert bears of your presence, and to travel in groups with members kept closely together. Never store food or other scented items in tents while camping and avoid animal carcass sites.

To avoid conflicts with bears and other wildlife property owners are urged to remove or secure food attractants such as garbage, bird feeders and pet food. Chickens and other small livestock should be properly secured with electric fencing or inside a closed shed with a door, and domestic fruit should be picked up as soon as possible.

Landowners are legally allowed to drive off grizzly bears from their property as long as such efforts are done without jeopardizing human or bear safety, explained grizzly bear conflict specialist Wesley Sarmento. Carefully driving bears off their property with a hard-sided vehicle helps keep bears fearful of people.

Grizzly bears are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act in all lower 48 states. To report any bear conflicts or concerns contact Daniel McHugh at dmchugh@mt.gov or 406-850-1131. For more information on bear safety, visit: fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear/be-bear-aware

This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Confirmed grizzly siting in Pryor Mountains is first since late 1890s
Ground vehicles are the new frontier in Ukraine's drone war

Ground vehicles are the new frontier in Ukraine's drone war Former serviceman creates ground drones for Ukrainian army

By Max Hunder

KYIV (Reuters) - After the role of unmanned aerial vehicles in the Ukraine war expanded dramatically since Russia invaded 16 months ago, attention is turning to ground drones that developers say could be the next frontier in military innovation.

Among the Ukrainian engineers working in the sector is 22-year-old Yevhen Hnatok, who said he had already supplied several dozen remote-controlled ground vehicles for the armed forces.

In a recent demonstration, a small green machine with chunky wheels and a landmine strapped to its back moved through long grass almost undetected.

"If they see it at this distance, they won't even have time to pray," he told Reuters, referring to Russian forces.

As more experimental technologies are introduced onto the battlefield, small-scale engineers like Hnatok are hoping to influence the war's outcome with Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) that carry weapons and explosives or conduct reconnaissance.

Russia, too, has invested in UGVs including combat robots, and Ukraine wants to counter that, as it has done in the aerial drone sphere, by encouraging innovation among small enterprises.

Hnatok's machines vary in size and capability: the smaller ones can carry an anti-tank mine or a remotely operated machine gun up to 10 km (6 miles) away from their operator, and he is working on a larger vehicle capable of carrying a 20mm cannon.

Other machines can transport artillery shells to gunners.

The young engineer said the goal was to replace as many troops as possible with machines on the frontlines in order to save lives.

One of the main challenges to Ukraine's ambitious summer counteroffensive has been the dense networks of anti-infantry and anti-tank mines laid by Russian troops. Losing an expendable UGV to a landmine is preferable to losing a soldier.

One advantage of UGVs is their low cost - the parts for Hnatok's smaller machines cost less than 30,000 hryvnias ($812).

The impact of combat UGVs from both sides has been extremely limited so far, according to Samuel Bendett, senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security.

However, he said the UGV sector was one to watch, with well-educated and technologically adept volunteers, especially in Ukraine, scrambling to create new vehicles that would give their armies an advantage.

"It's this type of battlefield innovation at the tactical edge in Ukraine that's going to (bring about) eventual emerging solutions that can lend themselves to long-term survival in combat."

ARMS RACE

Ukraine's community of grassroots defence innovators is a smorgasbord of young IT professionals and older Soviet-educated aerospace and tank engineers. Hnatok, dressed in scruffy black clothes and punk rocker boots, is neither.

The engineer, who only completed nine years of school, said he learnt most of his skills in building remote-controlled vehicles from his stepfather.

"We would build little rockets together, things like that," he recalled.

Having taken part in combat near Kyiv and in eastern Ukraine in the first months of the invasion, Hnatok decided to start making UGVs in February, after he saw an online post showing off a Russian vehicle.

"I thought: 'why don't we start making them?'"

Hnatok said he does not profit from his vehicles, but asks his military buyers to cover production costs.

Combat footage posted online shows how Moscow has already deployed remotely operated versions of old tanks packed with explosives that are sent towards Ukrainian positions.

It is also working on higher-tech, self-driving options such as the Marker UGV, which has demonstrated AI and machine learning capabilities and has been able to traverse through controlled environments without an operator, said Bendett.

Of UGVs more broadly, he added: "The ultimate goal is to have these systems function autonomously in battle ... with human operators, UAVs, aerial and manned assets in a networked environment ... but we are far from that."

Hnatok said he was happy to make lots of cheap smaller UGVs, including single-use kamikaze vehicles, but that he would need more staff to fulfil existing orders.

The engineer said he also faced problems with parts supply, with components such as caterpillar tracks now retailing at inflated prices due to a global demand spike caused by the war.

"If before the war a transmitter cost 2,000 hryvnias, it now costs up to 12,000."

($1 = 36.9290 hryvnias)

(Reporting by Max Hunder; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Alex Richardson)
The tax is a "step in the right direction", says Siddhartha Iyer, a Supreme Court lawyer who has been fighting to ban online gaming

The Indian government's decision to impose a 28% tax on online gaming poses an "existential threat" to the booming industry and could spell its death knell, say experts.

Shares of Indian online gaming platforms and casinos have crashed following the GST (Goods and Services Tax) Council's decision.

The country's 900+ gaming start-ups had been paying a small tax on the fee they charged for offering games. But the imposition of a 28% GST on the full face value of a gaming transaction will mean the entire amount collected from players will now come under the ambit of taxation.

According to industry estimates, total tax collection on player winnings will go beyond 50%, including GST, platform commissions and income taxes when the new law is implemented.

In effect, for every $100 (76.8) spent by a player, there will be a "sunk cost" of $28 towards GST, in addition to a $5-15 charge by the gaming platform and a 30% tax deducted at source (TDS) on any winnings drawn.

This will "disincentivise players and is totally inconsistent with global standards" where VAT or GST is levied at a median rate, and that too only on platform fees or commissions, said Sudipta Bhattacharjee, partner at corporate law firm Khaitan & Co.

"The move has completely blindsided the industry. It will shake investor confidence and lead to a funding winter," Mr Bhattacharjee added.

India's gaming boom

The online gaming industry has seen a massive boom in India over the last five years, with an annual compounded growth rate of 28-30%. Driven by easy access to affordable smart phones and cheap mobile data, the sector attracted $2.5bn in foreign direct investment, including from the likes of Tiger Global.

But these growth rates will now be called into question as the GST council's decision will impact startups at "multiple levels", including their user base, revenues as well as investor sentiment, according to Soham Thacker, Founder & of CEO of GamerJi - an eSports tournament company.

"Many gaming companies, in order to limit the impact on the investors side, may choose to relocate their business outside India," Mr Thacker added.

"They have killed the multibillion-dollar industry with a single stroke. And at the same time the decision could give a massive boost to illegal and illegitimate operators in the country," Gaurav Gaggar, Promoter of Poker High, a poker site, said.

Terming the decision "unconstitutional, irrational, and egregious", the All India Gaming Federation said the government had ignored over 60 years of "settled legal jurisprudence" by lumping online skill gaming with gambling activities.

The number of paid gamers in the country has also increased significantly in recent years

Gambling, which is seen as a chance-based game, is illegal in many India states and is frowned upon. But most states have allowed online games which are seen as skill-based.

The industry body expects hundreds of thousands of job losses in the online gaming sector because of the latest move.

Gaming startups in India currently employ 50,000 people and were expecting to create another 3,50,000 direct and 10,00,000 indirect jobs by 2028.

A 'catastrophic' move

Many gaming companies the BBC spoke to said there was a lack of consistency behind the ruling.

"It is very unfortunate that when the government has been supporting the industry such a legally untenable decision has been taken," Roland Landers, CEO of the All India Gaming Federation said in a statement. "It will be catastrophic for the $1tn digital economy dream of the prime minister."

Indian PM Narendra Modi has on more than one occasion praised the gaming industry as a sunrise sector that had the potential to create jobs and cater to the global market.

The tax is a "step in the right direction", says Siddhartha Iyer, a Supreme Court lawyer who has been fighting to ban online gaming

"This kind of extortionist tax regime flies in the face of these steps and advocacy needs to happen at multiple levels to retract this proposal," said Mr Bhattacharjee.

He expects the gaming industry to unite and mount a strong legal challenge if the federal and state governments go ahead and enact the amendments into their tax laws.

But India's revenue secretary called the move a "unanimous" decision that would not be reviewed or rolled back.

The moral question

Announcing the decision late on Tuesday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the GST council, which comprises of federal and state finance ministers, said "no one wanted to kill an industry".

"But they can't be encouraged to such an extent over essential goods and services," she said.

The 28% tax is a "step in the right direction", Siddhartha Iyer, a Supreme Court lawyer who has been fighting to ban online gaming told the BBC.

Mr Iyer called gaming a "speculative activity".

"Every week there is a story of someone killing themselves because of this [debts incurred due to online gaming]," he said.

"Here, under the GST regime, the government has taken the view that [these games] are gambling and that is correct in my opinion because you are putting a wager on the performance of something not in your control," Mr Iyer added. "We tax alcohol and cigarettes because we want to discourage people from these activities, it should be the same for this [online gaming] as well."

Others like Faisal Maqbool, a former gaming addict who lost close to 400,000 rupees ($5,000, 3,750) while playing an online card game in 2022, say even stricter measures are needed.

"This is an addiction. And it has afflicted children and teenagers. Along with higher taxes, the government needed to put in restrictions on the basis of age, income etc. I vouch for a total ban on these activities," Mr Maqbool told the BBC.

Read more India stories from the BBC:
Guatemala's political turmoil deepens as 1 candidate is targeted and the other suspends her campaign

Sandra Torres, presidential candidate with the National Unity of Hope party (UNE), speaks during a press conference before the closing of the polls during general elections in Guatemala City, Sunday, June 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo )

GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  Guatemala sank deeper into political turmoil Thursday as prosecutors targeted a progressive presidential candidate who proved to be surprisingly popular, prompting his opponent to suspend her campaign, saying the playing field was no longer even.

The government's actions against candidate Bernardo Arevalo  first suspending his Seed Movement party, then raiding the country's election tribunal offices after it certified election results  sparked other objections as well, from within and outside Guatemala. U.S. officials called them a threat to the countrys democracy.

By Thursday afternoon, those actions appeared to have backfired. Candidates left and right warned the government to let the voters' prevail  not likely what President Alejandro Giammattei expected when his administration decided to intervene in the June 25 election, which ended with Arevalo and conservative candidate Sandra Torres moving on to an Aug. 20 presidential runoff.

Arevalo dismissed the government's actions as illegal.

What they are trying to do is simply plant doubt about our honesty, he told a news conference Thursday, adding that the raid and partys suspension had a clear political purpose.

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal issued an angry statement declaring that it would safeguard Guatemalas democracy in the face of any attempt to interfere with the electoral process.

Torres, whose UNE party has been a key force in allowing Giammattei to advance his legislative agenda, said she was halting her campaign activities to protest the government's actions. It was likely that she realized Giammatteis missteps could sink her own candidacy.

We want to demonstrate our solidarity with the voters of the Seed party and also with those who came out to vote, she said. As a candidate, I want to compete under equal conditions.

She called on the president to show his face.

Giammatteis office issued a statement saying that it respects the separation of powers and would not be involved in any judicial processes. It also said that in line with the law, it would make presidential security available to the presidential and vice presidential candidates participating in the runoff.

Arevalo was a surprise winner in the June 25 election, garnering 11.7% of the votes. In the days before the vote, he had polled below 3% and was not among the top six or seven candidates, all of whom were considered to be on the conservative end of the political spectrum. Torres obtained 15.8% of the vote. No candidate came close to exceeding the 50% threshold necessary to win outright, necessitating the August runoff.

A former diplomat and academic, Arevalo has framed himself as the candidate who would bring change to the country, while portraying Torres as someone who would likely maintain the status quo.

Arevalo also promised to bring back prosecutors and judges who were critical to the nation's fight against corruption but were forced out of the country under Giammatteis administration.

As the wait dragged on for certification of the election, anxiety grew that the government was looking for a way to change the results. First, several losing parties waged a legal challenge, leading Guatemalas highest court to suspend the certification and order a review of hundreds of challenged polling place tallies. The review concluded with no change in the results.

Then late Wednesday, Curruchiche announced the Seed Movement's suspension, an action that appeared to violate Guatemala's election laws, which prohibit suspending parties during an ongoing election. Curruchiche said the party allegedly violated the law while gathering the signatures it needed to form.

The day began Thursday with prosecutors raiding the offices of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal just hours after it certified the election results.

The Attorney Generals Office said Thursday that the purpose of the raid was to seize evidence from the office responsible for voter rolls and party registration. A raid was also expected to take place at the Seed Movements party headquarters Thursday.

The U.S. State Department had already accused Curruchiche and his boss, Attorney General Consuelo Porras, of obstructing corruption investigations in Guatemala, and put them both on its list of undemocratic actors.

Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Thursday that the U.S. government was deeply concerned by the actions of the Attorney Generals Office, which he said threatened the legitimacy of the electoral process. The will of the Guatemalan people, as expressed through the June 25 elections results, must be respected, he said.
A gun found in a car after a deadly crash connected the driver to a shooting that occurred in February, according to a Florida sheriffs office.

Deputies with the Volusia Sheriffs Office arrested Miguel Miranda, 19, on July 12 in the shooting of a 16-year-old babysitter in February, according to a news release from the sheriffs office.

Deputies responded to a shooting around 7:20 a.m. on Feb. 12 in Deltona and found a 16-year-old with a gunshot wound to his arm, police said.

The teen had been babysitting his 7-week-old nephew and sleeping in a bedroom when two bullets came through a window, according to the sheriffs office. One bullet struck the teen in his arm, and the infant was not hurt.

Detectives had few leads initially, but follow-up interviews helped direct them toward multiple people of interest, including Miranda, police said.

On April 1, Miranda was driving a car in Daytona Beach when he crashed and three of his friends were killed, the release says. Two of those killed had also been interviewed during the shooting investigation, police said.

Detectives found a 9mm handgun near the drivers seat while investigating the crash, the release says. A ballistics comparison determined that the gun was the same one used in the shooting of the teen babysitter, according to the sheriffs office.

Detectives also searched Mirandas cellphone data and found that his phone had been in the area at the time of the shooting, the release says.

Miranda is charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and firing into an occupied dwelling, police said. He is being held on a $400,000 bond.

Volusia County court records did not show charges for Miranda in connection with the crash.

Deltona is about 30 miles northeast of Orlando.

7-year-old shot to death as grandpa shields him in fight over jet ski, Florida cops say

Pastor dies after shooting at banquet hall, Florida cops say. Changed his life preaching

Man tracks down and kills 3 men after dispute at Florida store, then calls 911, cops say
After Missouri House Minority Leader Crystal Quade launched her Democratic campaign for governor this week by emphasizing a humble early life that included becoming the first person in her family to graduate high school, Republican Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe took to social media to highlight his own upbringing by a single mom with six children.

Quades entry into the 2024 race for governor has for the moment placed the candidates childhood and youth at the center of the contest  and spurred a fight over what lessons Missourians should take from their by-the-bootstraps narratives.

As Quade and Kehoe, a candidate for more than a year, seek to make an impression among donors and voters, they are also contrasting their origin stories with the other major GOP candidate, state Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, son of John Ashcroft, a former governor, senator and U.S. attorney general.

We had no money. I didnt make excuses. My siblings and I had to work hard to support my mom and we earned the opportunity to achieve the American Dream, Kehoe wrote on Twitter after Quades launch.

Kehoe, 61, was born and raised in North St. Louis. He has said that he never met his father and began working at age 15 washing cars at a Ford dealership and worked his way into sales management by his early 20s, and that his mother worked three jobs.

Kehoe went on to own a prominent car dealership in Jefferson City before his election to the Missouri Senate in 2010. He also has a beef cattle production business on a family farm in Phelps and Pulaski counties, according to an official biography. When Quade launched her campaign, the Springfield Democrat noted that I dont own a car dealership, or a cattle farm.

Quade, 37, said at her formal announcement at a Springfield coffee shop on Monday that she had grown up in similar cafes as her mother worked double and triple shifts as a waitress. She said that after her mom met her stepfather, they moved to Webster County and that his factory job offered stability that allowed her to become the first in the family to graduate high school.

Quade, who was first elected to the Missouri House in 2016, described working as a server across Springfield to pay her way through Missouri State University. Im running for governor so that people working extra shifts today can make life better for their kids tomorrow, she said.

Missouri Democrats in recent years have struggled to win statewide elections, with former President Donald Trump supercharging the states decades-long drift toward Republicans. The last Democrat to win a statewide election, former Auditor Nicole Galloway in 2018, lost the 2020 race for governor to Gov. Mike Parson by 16 percentage points.

But Quade is running after the U.S. Supreme Court ended the federal right to abortion and Missouri became the first state in the country to impose a near-total ban following the decision. Abortion bans have proven unpopular with voters nationally and the issue helped buoy Democrats in midterm congressional elections last year.

The whole idea  is just to say, Look, Im one of you, but like you, Ive made something of myself, Daniel Ponder, a political science professor at Drury University in Springfield, said of Quade and Kehoes early life narratives.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat, speaks with reporters.

Conflicting lessons from upbringings

While Quade and Kehoe have both talked about facing challenges early in life, the candidates are promoting very different campaign messages based on them.

In a statement, Kehoe campaign spokesman Michael Hafner said the lieutenant governor is thankful to live in a country where someone like him could go on to own a business and even create jobs for others to provide for their families.

Those experiences have defined Mike Kehoes character, Hafner said. The progressive Left presents a vision of the American dream that relies on entitlements and government handouts, rather than opportunities for hand-ups.

Quade this week said she was running a campaign on pocketbook issues, focusing on strengthening public schools, making health care more affordable and expanding child care across the state. Her opponents, she said, want to give tax cuts to corporations and wealthy individuals while the rest of us are figuring out how to pay for things that are too expensive.

Missouri ranks at the bottom in too many categories, from teacher pay and maternal mortality to state worker pay, Quade said.

Unfortunately, my opponents in the Republican legislature have no interest in campaigning on those issues, she said. They have one playbook, a relentless full scale attack on our rights and our freedoms. They seek to divide us at every turn.

Offering a potential window into how Republicans will combat Quade, James Harris, a Jefferson City-based Republican consultant, said she was attempting a kind of class warfare but that Kehoe was demonstrating how he achieved the American dream.

I think the difference, though, with Gov. Kehoe and Crystal Quade, is Gov. Kehoe, through his own work, believes the best day is when someone earns their first paycheck. And Crystal Quade believes that the best day is when they cash a welfare check, Harris said.

But Geoff Gerling, a former executive director of the Jackson County Democratic Committee, said Quades view  and the view of the larger Democratic Party  is that government works best when it allows people opportunities to succeed for themselves and for future generations.

Republicans, he said, would rather punish what they view as failure and reward those who are already successful.

No party has a monopoly on coming up from humble beginnings. It doesnt matter. Its how you got there and how you want to legislate once you have become a successful politician or policymaker based on your experiences, Gerling said.

Contrast with Ashcroft

Despite their differences, both Quade and Kehoe have sought to distinguish themselves from Ashcroft.

Quade said in Springfield that my daddy wasnt a U.S. senator or governor and Kehoe campaign manager Derek Coats said in a statement on Wednesday that the lieutenant governor became a successful small businessman without a famous last name.

Ashcroft, 50, was an engineer and taught engineering and technology courses at Saint Louis Community College before earning a law degree from Saint Louis University in 2008. An official biography says he worked with his father in the Ashcroft Law Firm, specializing in helping businesses comply with federal regulations.

Ashcroft was elected state secretary of state in 2016 and re-elected in 2020.

Im grateful for a family history of public service, but while others are focused on the past, I am focused on the future of Missouri. On creating educational freedom for families, reducing red tape on businesses and fighting rising crime, Ashcroft said in a statement.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft

Harris said that while the Ashcroft name is known around the state, he has a good story of his own and has been an outspoken conservative. He suggested Ashcroft doesnt need to respond to the criticism of his family history, saying that typically if a candidate is responding they are losing.

I think anyone that knows the Ashcroft family, theyre frugal people. They dont drive fancy vehicles, they dont dress, act lavish and you know, theyre very frugal, Harris said. So, if I was him, I would just talk about my vision for the future of the state.

In a brief interview with The Star in January, John Ashcroft said his son would be a profoundly valuable asset to the state if elected governor.

You know, I also was chairman of the National Governors Association and Ive seen and worked with a lot of governors. He certainly has the character and capacity and the industry to do it. Ive never seen anybody work as hard in state government as he does, Ashcroft said.

Gerling said if he were advising Secretary Ashcroft, he would tell the Republican to keep your mouth shut on the issue of his family history and continue trying to outflank Kehoe on the right.

I would anticipate this next year the Secretary of States Office becoming more and more political and thats his answer to it, Gerling said.

Over the past year Ashcroft has made several moves to attract attention from conservatives, including putting forward a rule prohibiting public library employees from giving minors access to materials without first receiving parental permission. He has also pulled Missouri out of a national system designed to improve the accuracy of voting rolls as conspiracy theories in conservative circles fuel fears related to any perceived centralized control of elections.

Very little public polling has been released in the race. In a poll of 706 likely Republican voters conducted last week by Remington Research, a firm that works with GOP candidates, for the political news service Missouri Scout, Ashcroft had 34% support to 14% for Kehoe. State Sen. Bill Eigel, a Weldon Spring Republican who has been running an exploratory campaign, was at 4%. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4%.

In the poll, a full 48% of likely GOP voters remain undecided.
Hagshaw Hill wind farm in South Lanarkshire was Scotland's first commercial wind farm

Wind energy has entered a new era on a hill in South Lanarkshire, as the first generation of turbines are dismantled.

Twenty-eight years after starting to produce power as Scotland's first commercial windfarm, Hagshaw Hill has been approved for "re-powering".

Its owner, Scottish Power Renewables, plans to build fewer, larger turbines.

Where those coming down have their nascelle, or generating unit, 35m (114ft) above the ground, the new ones could be as high as 140m (460ft).

And with improvements in blade design and the efficiency of turbines, each installation will be able to harness as much as 10 times more power from the wind than the ones they are replacing, with a capacity rating of six megawatts.

Scottish Power Renewables says the 14 larger turbines they want to install on the site near the village of Douglas will produce five times as much power as the 26 old turbines they are replacing.

However, there are industry concerns that re-powering will be delayed and made much more costly by lengthy planning processes.

The application to repower Hagshaw Hill wind farm was first made in December 2018. It was approved in February 2020.

Charlie Jordan wants to see planning permission for repowering wind farms fast-tracked

Replacement turbines require entirely new planning permission. But Charlie Jordan, chief executive of Scottish Power Renewables, says they could be fast-tracked because there is so much information already available about the sites.

"We've been operating this site for the best part of 30 years," he said. "We know everything about the site from an environmental perspective and we need to take the information and use it to accelerate planning of repowering projects."

New planning guidelines, published this year by the Scottish government, say that future planning approvals for wind farms should be "in perpetuity".

However, the requirement for new permission is being seen as an opportunity to ensure local communities secure more financial benefit from the profits now being made by wind farm operators.

When first installed, they required large subsidies, but the cost and efficiency of the technology has plummeted so that they can now be installed onshore on a commercially-viable basis.

The current stage of the process at Hagshaw Hill, which began earlier this month, is the dismantling of the turbines. On Wednesday, the seventh of 26 turbines was being removed, as the sixth was taken away by trucks.

Wind farms are currently being dismantled on Hagshaw Hill

Ryan Walker, project manager for crane and transport specialist Forsyth of Denny, says it is not about demolition but reversing the process of construction.

Whereas larger turbines will require each blade to be separately removed, all three of them can be lifted at once on these smaller and older ones.

Weather permitting atop the 500m hill, a team of 11 contractors with three cranes are lifting the turbines, the nascelles and the steel towers at a rate of one per day, ahead of the concrete foundations being removed.

Re-powering will gather pace across Scotland as other turbines reach the end of an expected working life of 25 years, extending for some of them up to 30 years.

Ryan Walker is part of the team dismantling the old wind turbines

They suffer from wear and tear in components and weather damage to the blades, as well as being much less efficient than the turbines that will replace them.

There are more than 11,000 wind turbines installed in Britain, with many more planned for offshore. And while most of a turbine can be recycled, including the steel towers and components in the gearing and generator, more than 33,000 blades present a challenge.

Many replaced blades have so far been sent to landfill. In some cases, they can be incinerated. But as replacement begins, the industry is looking for ways to re-purpose or re-cycle them instead.

ReBlade is one company, based in Glasgow and Dumfriesshire, with plans to build a re-purposing factory. Run by Fiona and Steven Lindsay, former Scottish Power employees, its demonstration projects include park benches and furniture.

Fiona Lindsay wants to find more ways to reuse or recycle wind turbine blades

It is announcing today a contract with SSE to use former blades as shelters in Dundee for electric vehicle charging points.

The skills involved in cutting extremely durable composite glass fibre are not available in Scotland, so it has gone to a boat-building firm near Colchester.

Fiona Lindsay says wind farm operators want to find ways to avoid sending blades to landfill, and will pay to have them re-purposed.

A longer-term financial basis is yet to be negotiated, but ReBlade hopes to employ hundreds of people by the end of the decade in re-using materials, with plans to open a re-manufacturing facility in the Dumfries area.

Energy minister Gillian Martin said: "We support in principle the 'repowering' of existing wind farm sites. Bold action is required to tackle the climate emergency and our processes aim to ensure applications for development are dealt with quickly.

"Decisions on wind farms at Hagshaw Hill in South Lanarkshire and Tangy IV on the Kintyre Penninsula were made within 15 months, a year ahead of average.

"We expect communities to benefit from the deployment of onshore renewables and have set out how developers and neighbourhoods can work together to ensure maximum engagement and benefit from renewable energy developments."
Jack Winn and Traverse City

Following the announcement that some LGBTQ+ members, particularly transgender and queer folks, are not welcome at her salon, a Michigan salon owner has been barred from affiliating with Jack Win Pro, a product line she had used, promoted, and sold there.

According to a since-deleted Facebook post, Christine Geiger advised those looking for hair care services and identified as anything other than a man/woman to seek services at a local pet groomer. She announced that at Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City, some customers are categorically banned because of who they are.

You are not welcome at this salon. Period, she said of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals.

Geiger claimed that shes fine serving lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, but she drew the line at providing services for the TQ+ people represented in the LGBTQ+ acronym.

The plus symbol, she claimed, represented pedophiles. It does not.

Jack Winn Pro, a hair care products manufacturer, publicly distanced itself from Geigers remarks after they gained national attention on Tuesday.

People on Facebook and elsewhere were outraged at the blatant bigotry demonstrated by the small business owner.

It has come to our attention that disturbing comments have been attributed to one of our product users. We want to make it clear that we disapprove of and reject hate speech in any form. Such actions go against the very values we hold dear and strive to uphold, the company posted on Instagram. The stylist who made those comments no longer has authorization to represent our brand or products.

In the post, Jack Winn Pro committed that the company is investigating the reported incident so that appropriate action can be taken.

We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and reiterate our commitment to supporting their rights, the manufacturer wrote.

Michigans Attorney General, Dana Nessel, indicated through a spokesperson earlier Wednesday that she knows about Geigers statements.

At the Department, we have received several complaints pertaining to the bigotry exhibited by the salon proprietor in Traverse City, and the Attorney General finds the comments to be hateful, reprehensible remarks that seek only to marginalize a community already suffering from discriminatory animus in Michigan and elsewhere, Nessels press secretary Danny Wimmer told The Advocate.

(Pictured above is Jack Winn and a photo of Traverse City.)
Vice President Harris will spend the coming weeks traveling the country to meet with key Democratic constituencies, the White House announced Thursday.

Harris, who will be an important surrogate for the Biden campaign as the 2024 race gets underway, is set to meet with prominent groups in the LGBTQ, Black and Latino communities, as well as with a major anti-gun-violence group.

From visits to Florida and Massachusetts to Illinois and Indiana, the Vice President will continue her leadership while ensuring communities and constituencies not only have their voices heard but that they have a seat at the table in the Biden-Harris Administration, the White House said in a statement.

Harris will first travel to Chicago on Sunday for the Rainbow Push Coalitions annual convention. The following week, she will attend Delta Sigma Thetas national conference in Indianapolis.

Later in July, Harris will head back to Chicago for the UnidosUS annual conference, and she will travel to Boston for the NAACPs national convention.

Harris will travel to Orlando, Fla., in August for the African Methodist Episcopal Church Womens Missionary Society quadrennial convention, the White House said, and attend an Everytown for Gun Safety gathering in Chicago.

The events are part of Harriss work within the White House, where she has taken the lead on key issues like voting rights, preventing gun violence and maintaining relationships with diverse communities. But the stops also underscore how Harris will spend much of the next year and a half traveling the country to energize key Democratic constituencies that will be important in President Bidens reelection bid.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  Russias pattern of cyber belligerence against Ukraine, heightened by an ongoing invasion, necessitates continued support from the U.S., according to President Joe Bidens pick to lead Cyber Command and the National Security Agency.

While Ukraine deserves great credit for shoring up its digital defenses and coordinating with NATO members, Russian hacking attempts will likely not abate, Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh told lawmakers during his July 12 confirmation hearing.

We would expect that Russia will continue to use every cyber capability that they have as part of their unlawful conflict, he said. Wherever we can provide assistance, we should continue to do that.

Russia uses cyber to project power, soften targets and meddle in foreign affairs. Microsoft in June attributed a wave of cyberattacks against Ukrainian government agencies and information-technology vendors to hackers associated with the GRU, Moscows military intelligence service. The group, dubbed Cadet Blizzard, also focused efforts on countries funneling military aid into Eastern Europe, the company said.

The U.S. dispatched cyber experts to Ukraine in late 2021, ahead of Russias invasion. The so-called hunt-forward operation  a defensive and cooperative measure, taken at the invitation of a foreign government  was designed to identify network weaknesses and expose unsavory behavior.

Tech Watchlist reveals Pentagon vision of future digital battlefield

Hunt-forward ventures are part of CYBERCOMs persistent engagement strategy, a means of being in constant contact with adversaries and ensuring proactive, not reactive, moves are made. The command, tasked with guarding Department of Defense information and coordinating cyberspace operations, has conducted dozens of such missions, including in Albania, in the wake of Iranian cyberattacks, and in Latvia, where malware was unearthed.

I think we need to engage our adversaries if theyre conducting activities that are malign and have a negative impact on the national security of the United States or a negative impact on our allies and partners, said Haugh, who serves as CYBERCOMs deputy commander. And that ability to do that, and the ability to put pressure on them, expose their activities, while also making our allies and partners more resilient, is absolutely critical every day.

If confirmed by the Senate, Haugh would replace Army Gen. Paul Nakasone, who has worked the dual CYBERCOM-NSA role since 2018. Nakasone earlier this year described Russia as a very capable adversary.

Senior military confirmations are in a holding pattern as Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville protests a Pentagon policy for troops seeking abortion services in states where it is now illegal to administer them. More than 200 positions or assignments are being blocked.
A heat wave named Cerberus has southern Europe in its jaws, and it's only going to get worse

A little girl touches her father's head as they are engulfed by mist from a public fountain in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, July 13, 2023. Weather services issued a heat warning for the current week in southern Romania, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Centigrade (104 Fahrenheit) in the shade. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Tourists in central Athens huddled under mist machines and zoo animals in Madrid were fed fruit popsicles Thursday as southern Europeans suffered through a heat wave that was projected to get much worse heading into the weekend.

Temperatures in parts of Mediterranean Europe were forecast to reach as high as 45 degrees Celsius (113 F) starting Friday.

The high-pressure system affecting the region, which crossed the Mediterranean from north Africa, has been named Cerberus after the three-headed dog in ancient Greek mythology who guarded the gates to the underworld.

Officials in several countries were preparing emergency measures, cellphone alerts and adjustments to staffing levels.

In Athens and other Greek cities, working hours were changed for the public sector and many businesses to avoid the midday heat, while air-conditioned areas were opened to the public.

Its like being in Africa, 24-year-old tourist Balint Jolan, from Hungary, told The Associated Press. Its not that much hotter than it is currently at home, but yes, it is difficult.

Cerberus is being tracked by the European Space Agency, which warned that the heat wave will also be felt in parts of northern Europe.

Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland are all facing a major heat wave, with temperatures expected to climb to 48 degrees Celsius on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia  potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe the agency said Thursday.

In the Arctic, a record high temperature of 28.8 degrees Celsius (83.8 degrees F) was measured at Slettness Fyr on the northern tip of the Norway, Norwegian meteorologists said Thursday. This tops a previous record from July 1964 when the thermometer reached 27.6 degrees Celsius (81.7 degrees F). The United Nations World Meteorological Organization on Monday said global temperatures recorded in early July were among the hottest on record. As Spain's politicians fret about how the high temperatures might affect turnout in a general election this month, animals in Madrids Zoo were being treated this week to frozen food to cool off amid the sweltering heat. Zookeepers fed pandas and bears with watermelon popsicles, seals with frozen sardines and lions with frozen buckets of meat. Television ads in Italy reminded city dwellers to look after their pets and check in regularly with elderly relatives. Authorities were awaiting an autopsy of a 44-year-old roadworker who collapsed near Milan and later died in hospital. Storms overnight felled trees in an Italian region bordering Slovenia and Austria, while baseball size hail fell in valleys near Bergamo in Lombardy.

Rainfall provided some respite in Croatia, but evacuation orders were issued in several areas as a wildfire swept through coastal areas of the country. In North Macedonia, the high heat triggered a spike in emergency calls for health assistance, while residents in Kosovo, which is also landlocked, flocked to an artificial beach near the capital Pristina. Authorities in Cyprus urged the Mediterranean island's residents to avoid forest areas where wildfires could be caused unintentionally.

Meanwhile, emergency services in nearby Turkey also grappled with simultaneous fires and floods. Flooding in the northern Black Sea coast claimed three lives. In the southwest Milas region, 26 water-dropping planes and helicopters helped 600 firefighters contain a wildfire. While there are heat and fires on one side of the country, there are floods and deluges on the other, Turkish Deputy Agriculture Minister Veysel Tiryaki said Thursday. "In our country as well as around the world, we are struggling with climate change." ___ Ciaran Giles reported from Madrid. Jovana Gec on Belgrade, Serbia Srdjan Nedeljkovic in Athens, Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia Cyprus, Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, Andrew Wilks in Ankara, Turkey, Konstantin Testorides in Skopje, North Macedonia, Colleen Barry in Milan, Italy and Florent Bajrami in Pristina, Kosovo, contributed to this report.
Across a wide swath of the U.S. from Texas to Nevada, a major heat wave that is threatening to break temperature records continued to bake parts of the South and Southwest on Wednesday, sending people scrambling for relief and adding to what has become a series of weather extremes that researchers say fit the pattern of a warming environment.

Temperatures well into the triple digits are expected this weekend from California to Texas to Florida, with parts of Nevada forecast to reach 116 degrees Fahrenheit and cities in Arizona expected to hit a staggering 118 F.

Today is Day 12 of 110-plus, and the exclamation on this event is yet to come, said David Hondula, who directs the Phoenix Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, which was gearing up for a weekend spike in temperatures.

A lady walks under misters outside a restaurant, Wednesday, July 12, 2023 in Gilbert Ariz. Even desert residents accustomed to scorching summers are feeling the grip of an extreme heat wave smacking the Southwest this week. Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Southern California are getting hit with 100-degree-plus temps and excessive heat warnings. (AP Photo/Matt York) (Matt York / AP)

Last month was the warmest June globally since at least 1850, when record-keeping began, according to a new report by Berkeley Earth, a nonprofit research organization that focuses on climate data analysis. The report found that June 2023 broke the previous record, set last year, by a large margin, putting the planet on track for one of the warmest years on record  if not the warmest.

The report comes as long stretches of oppressively high heat and humidity grip much of the U.S., with those across the entire southern portion of the country bearing the brunt of extreme temperatures. And theres no end in sight.

Hondula said his primary concern was the citys population of people experiencing homelessness.

We know there will be hundreds of people living on the street during this heat event and at much, much higher risk than everybody else, Hondula said.

Last year, heat played a role in 425 deaths in Maricopa County, where Phoenix is, according to a report released this June. About 56% of the heat deaths involved people experiencing homelessness.

A resident tests the temperature of drinking fountain water during a heatwave in Austin, Texas, US, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. A record-breaking heat wave is about to send temperatures soaring from California to the Gulf of Mexico, posing health risks and straining power grids for days to come. (Sergio Flores / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Hondula said a small team within his office was traversing the city, contacting unsheltered people, handing out supplies and helping direct them to cooling centers for relief.

The status quo is just not good enough. We have a lot more to do locally, Hondula said, adding that he was concerned because critical nighttime temperatures were slated to exceed 90 F for several more days. The lack of respite has been a concern over this whole period.

Meanwhile, local heat-relief centers were seeing a surge in visits.

"We're packed," said the Rev. Katie Sexton-Wood, the executive director of the Arizona Faith Network, an interfaith nonprofit organization that organizes and operates 11 heat-relief centers at Maricopa County houses of worship.

Since May, 4,144 visitors had taken refuge in such centers, which typically operate from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. and offer sleeping mats, food, water and case workers. Trailers designed for showers and wellness checks visit each of the sites. Staff are trained to administer naloxone in case of an overdose.

It is life-threatening to be outside in those temperatures. We have seen those numbers skyrocket in the past two weeks, Sexton-Wood said of visits to the participating churches, adding that each facility had moved its cooling center into bigger rooms to accommodate the demand.

Dangerous heat will be possible across the southern & western US next week. The Climate Prediction Center has #Houston under a Moderate risk of excessive heat. Portions of New Mexico, Arizona, and western Texas are under a High risk of excessive heat. #TXwx #HOUwx #GLSwx #BCSwx pic.twitter.com/ysISUmZhQZ  NWS Houston (@NWSHouston) July 12, 2023

Studies have shown that as the world warms, climate change is increasing the frequency, severity and duration of extreme heat events. The return of a naturally occurring climate pattern known as El Nino is also expected to amplify extreme weather events this year.

President Joe Biden tweeted Tuesday evening that the heat was related to the ongoing climate crisis.

"Right now, families across America are experiencing the devastating impacts of the climate crisis  from floods to extreme heat," he wrote.

The Berkeley Earth findings largely agreed with a separate report released last week by the European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service that found that both global surface air temperatures and sea surface temperatures were hotter last month than any previous June on record.

The new and worrying milestones were fueled by what Berkeley Earth researchers said were particularly warm conditions in the North Atlantic, eastern equatorial Pacific, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, southern Africa, and Antarctica. A prolonged heat wave also baked much of the southern United States for weeks last month.

Scorching conditions are now enveloping even more of the country. Across the Southwest this week, residents sought relief from weeks of triple-digit temperatures.

For some, staying cool during the long, punishing heat wave remains a major challenge.

Maria Larumve Cruz lives at the Rancheria mobile home community in Phoenix. On Tuesday afternoon, when it was 108 F outside, conditions felt even hotter inside her trailer.

Cruz, 61, said she has diabetes and gets anxious about the heat.

Because Im afraid Ill have heatstroke and drop dead, she said in an interview conducted in Spanish.

The dangers of extreme heat are apparent to Cruz, who saw a neighbor get sick and die during the heat wave.

Temperatures are likely to reach record territory this weekend. Be careful out there and please practice good heat safety. #azwx #cawx pic.twitter.com/AlI3j0cfTh  NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) July 12, 2023

She arrived from the hospital after dialysis. She couldnt handle the heat, Cruz said in Spanish. She went to her room to wait for her daughter. But the woman couldnt handle it, and when her daughter arrived she was dead.

Heat is expected to build over the coming days in the Southwest and across much of the southern part of the country.

Phoenix, which has already suffered through 12 consecutive days at or above 110 F, is forecast to see temperatures spike as high as 118 F over the weekend.

"Temperatures are likely to reach record territory this weekend," officials with the Phoenix office of the National Weather Service tweeted Wednesday. "Be careful out there and please practice good heat safety."

Denise Chow reported from Vancouver, British Columbia; Evan Bush from Seattle; and Erin McLaughlin from Phoenix.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
SANFORD, Maine  Paul Pelletier was given a choice: keep working 65 or 70 hours a week, managing a popular restaurant full-time, and live for six months more, or retire, slow down, and enjoy a longer life moving forward.

Pelletier heeded the advice of his doctor and chose the longer life  one in which he and his fiancee, Jill Brown, will get married and spend the coming years traveling to places they have never been.

And so, in a decision that seemed abrupt to some customers, Pelletier closed Back Street Sanford on School Street on June 30 and is now focusing on the heart-related health challenges he has been facing for about three months.

Paul Pelletier is seen here on July 11, 2023, at the bar of Back Street Sanford, the restaurant he owned and operated for five years. Pelletier is retiring and selling the popular spot on School Street in Sanford, Maine.

During an interview at the restaurant on July 11, Pelletier said he made his decision days after experiencing his latest cardiac event.

Running any business can be stressful, Pelletier said. But the restaurant business, especially since COVID, has been extremely tough.

Pelletier announced the closure on social media, saying the decision had been made with heavy hearts.

We have been so fortunate to serve not only this fantastic community but also surrounding communities with various businesses since 1985, Pelletier said. We have enjoyed our time in business and would like to thank all of our customers for their loyalty, support and patronage over the years.

Brown said the decision was an incredibly painful one for her fiance to make.

Paul Pelletier and his fiancee, Jill Brown, seen here on July 11, 2023, in the dining room of Back Street Sanford, the restaurant Pelletier owned and operated for five years. Pelletier is retiring and selling the popular spot on School Street in Sanford, Maine.

We had many employees  quite a few very good employees, she said. And to make a decision like that so abruptly, and to not be able to open the doors, was very difficult for Paul.

Pelletiers decision caps a career of nearly 40 years spent owning and operating well-known stores and restaurants in Sanford and neighboring communities such as Lebanon and Dayton.

That convenience store that used to be on Mill Street in Springvale? That was the first business Pelletier bought in 1985, when he was three years out of Sanford High School.

Trains in Lebanon  the store that eventually expanded to include a popular bar? That was Pelletier, too.

In all, Pelletier said, he has owned nine businesses over the decades and employed between 500 and 600 people.

Purple Palace drama: Man sues his grandmother over ownership of York Beach breakfast spot

Back Street Grill property on the market

Pelletier bought Back Street Grill at an auction in 2018. He spent three months renovating the place, transforming the upstairs into a larger, brighter bar and giving the dining area on the first floor a new touch. He reopened it as Back Street Sanford, keeping what he could of the popular spots original name.

The restaurant became known for its versatile menu, with the haddock sandwich, haddock nuggets, teriyaki prime rib, and lemon chicken salad among the most popular items with customers, Pelletier said.

Pelletier said he is going to miss his employees and customers. Judging from comments on social media, theyre going to miss him, too.

Paul Pelletier and his fiancee, Jill Brown, are seen here on July 11, 2023, in front of Back Street Sanford, the restaurant Pelletier owned and operated for five years. Pelletier is retiring and selling the popular spot on School Street in Sanford, Maine.

Between Back Street Grill and Back Street Sanford, a restaurant and bar have been at that brick building at the corner of School and Bodwell streets for 25 years. For decades beforehand, the spot was the location of Genes Bakery  a local landmark that had delicious maple squares, as Pelletier recalled during his interview.

Back Street Sanford is currently on the market with Town Square Realty. Pelletier said he is selling the building for $999,999, which he said is roughly $300,000 lower than the market rate.

Wedding Cake House: Maines most photographed home seeks new life as seasonal attraction

Pelletier said the building is turnkey-ready, there for someone whod like to buy it and jump right into continuing the locations long history as a restaurant. He added hes making a few improvements in the meantime.

Somebody can come in, buy some product, and (be) ready to go, he said.

Paul Pelletier is seen here on July 11, 2023, at the bar of Back Street Sanford, the restaurant he owned and operated for five years. Pelletier is retiring and selling the popular spot on School Street in Sanford, Maine.

While the building also might be suitable for other kinds of businesses, Pelletier expressed hopes that it will continue as a dining destination  ideally, one owned and managed by a local individual, who has experience in business and as a cook or a chef. He said Sanford needs a restaurant as big as Back Street in its downtown.

We can hold 156 people in here, with the two floors, Pelletier said. Once you reopen the place, its going to fill back up again ... People will be ready to come in and enjoy good food again.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Back Street Sanford owner closes popular Maine restaurant
Here's What You Need To Know About The Backlash Against Jonah Hill's Ex

When Sarah Brady bravely shared text screenshots on her Instagram Story over the weekend that she alleged were from her ex-boyfriend, actor Jonah Hill, it resonated with women all over the world.

The coercive, controlling language in the screenshots is immediately triggering for anyone who has endured emotional abuse. It also seemingly exposes Hills hypocrisy for publicly touting how much therapy has helped him and even going so far as to make a glowing documentary about his therapist.

As the posts were widely shared and debated all over social media, many responded with hand-wringing sentiments to the tune of, But that was gross of her to share their private texts, or, She humiliated him publicly! Shes the abusive one!

I know all too well how this knee-jerk abuse apologia festers in misogynist corners of social media. What I was not expecting was generally well-meaning, otherwise liberal women leaping to Hills defense.

Emily Nussbaum, winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for criticism, chimed in on her Twitter account to chastise Brady, claiming that she caused harm by sharing the texts. For younger women such as myself who have looked up to Nussbaum for ages, reading this was truly shattering and brings up an issue that I feel uniquely equipped to address.

I consider myself as close to an expert as possible on this topic. I am 31 years old and have had a social media profile and a cellphone since I was 11. A core foundation of nearly all of my socializing, from puberty onward, has been texting. Fittingly, I wrote and performed a sold-out run of a one-woman show in New York City when I was 23 years old called Text Me Back, which was entirely based around sharing real text screenshots from my phone on a giant projector and making fun of them. It got me my lit agent, for whom I am writing the Text Me Back book of personal essays.

Ive reckoned with this question for a long time now, and to me, its not a question at all. There is no legal precedent for text conversations being private, and none of us signed NDAs. Why anyone would hold on to the assumption that any digital communication would remain private  when we all have instant screenshot capabilities and immediate digital access to our support systems, with which we can share said screenshots  is beyond me.

Maybe it is just my age and the constant presence of digital communication throughout my life, but I dont send emails and texts with the assumption that they will never be shared beyond the person I send them to. It was drilled into us by our parents and during computer lab class in elementary school: Never send an email you wouldnt want to see on the cover of The New York Times. Nothing on a computer or phone is truly private, and most people my age and younger were never fooled into thinking that it was. Same goes for texting, dating apps and any social media.

But even more importantly, as an emotional abuse survivor, I support sharing texts to warn other women about a dangerous man, and/or to show others that they are not alone. Survivorship can be so, so lonely. Literally any way that a survivor chooses to share their story is good, and they are being incredibly brave and taking a huge risk by doing it at all.

When I chose to come forward about my emotional abuser  a popular and well-liked fellow performer in the comedy community  authority figures, peers and strangers disappointed me in a myriad of ways that I am still reconciling.

Abuse apologists think that mens feelings are more important than womens safety.

I first went to the institution where we both performed, and then to a private Facebook group for women in the comedy community to share stories, give each other advice and help spread word about which men in our community to avoid. I was met with not only a lack of support, but was actually chastised by the moderators, who told me that sharing my abusers name and photo made our female members who are close to him uncomfortable.

How on earth are we supposed to forge true safe spaces and solidarity if women continually insist on defending the reputations of men? Why were they so preoccupied with ensuring that I wasnt being too mean to my abuser? Why wasnt their immediate concern protecting me and holding me up, as opposed to taking time out of their lives to email me with ridiculous rebuttals like, His most recent ex didnt have that experience, so youre lying!

That era of my life was so, so dark, and Im still dealing with the emotional fallout of publicly feminist women turning their backs on me in my most vulnerable moments.

The author performs onstage.

The author performs onstage.

I am still recovering from the trauma of my own emotional abuse and how my coming forward played out, because it feels eerily similar to Bradys journey. I wish her the healing, closure and support that we all deserve but that this patriarchal society so rarely affords us as survivors. (I also want to send her a cake and a luxury blanket and a spa weekend.)

A major misogynist sticking point in reaction to the powerful Me Too movement was the constant chorus from abuse apologists who insist that something bad a man did wasnt illegal, and therefore its not OK to share or try to hold him publicly accountable. Well, guess what? Sharing texts isnt illegal, either.

As women and survivors, we can never win. If Brady hadnt shared these texts purportedly sent by Hill, misogynists would instantly claim that shes lying because theres no evidence. (For the record, victims stories are legally considered evidence in and of themselves.)

And because Brady shared these alleged texts, she is being met with a chorus of those same misogynists whining that its improper to share such private things. This is why abuse was considered an in-the-home issue for so long  never discussed except via whispers  for fear of breaking a social rule. Abuse apologists think that mens feelings are more important than womens safety.

Some other commenters online have even accused Brady of being vindictive and getting revenge by sharing these texts. If you view a woman simply sharing a mans actual words  that he voluntarily wrote and sent out  as revenge, who are you truly implicating? You are admitting that the texts were bad and that them getting out would hurt the mans reputation. Maybe get mad at the man who wrote the bad things in the first place?

The onus should not be on the recipient to shield someones wrongdoing from the world. Victims do not owe their abusers secrecy or privacy.

Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-866-331-9474 or text loveis to 22522 for the National Dating Abuse Helpline.
A Lebanese army vehicle drives in Khiam, near the border with Israel, in southern Lebanon

Hezbollah members wounded in flare-up on Lebanon border with Israel -sources A Lebanese army vehicle drives in Khiam, near the border with Israel, in southern Lebanon

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Several members of Lebanon's powerful armed Hezbollah group were wounded on Wednesday in a flare-up on the southern border with Israel, two Lebanese security sources and a source briefed on the developments told Reuters.

The Israeli military said it used "a non-lethal weapon" to distance "a number of suspects" attempting to damage the security fence with Lebanon to the north.

The incident took place on the 17th anniversary of the start of a month-long war between Hezbollah and Israel that killed 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and around 160 Israelis, most of them troops fighting Hezbollah inside Lebanon.

In a televised address to mark the occasion, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said the incident was under investigation but did not say more.

The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) told Reuters it was aware of "disturbing reports about an incident along the Blue Line," urging all sides to refrain from escalating given the situation was "extremely sensitive."

The Lebanese source briefed on developments described the incident as an attack and said several Hezbollah members had been wounded, but could not immediately provide more details.

A Lebanese security source said Israeli troops had fired "something like a grenade" that emitted shrapnel and hurt three Hezbollah members. A second said an Israeli grenade had wounded three people believed to be members of Hezbollah.

A separate source briefed on the incident said Israel had incorporated "preventive technologies" following repeated attempts to sabotage the border fence.

That source said one of these technologies, "a non-lethal, landmine-like version of a stun grenade," had gone off on Wednesday and it was "designed to stun, through loud noise."

Reuters could not independently verify the sources accounts of the developments.

Lebanon last year delineated its maritime frontier with Israel through U.S.-mediated talks, but the land border remains disputed and tensions have risen in recent weeks.

Last week, rockets fired from south Lebanon prompted cross-border strikes by Israel's military.

Lebanon's foreign ministry this week said it would file a complaint to the United Nations in New York over what it described as Israel's "annexation" of the northern part of Ghajar, a village straddling the Israel-Lebanon border.

Lebanon considers it part of its territory, but Ghajar's residents assert an allegiance to Syria.

A Lebanese parliamentary delegation planning on visiting the southern border on Thursday indefinitely postponed the visit "due to the security developments on the border".

(Reporting by Maya Gebeily and Laila Bassam in Beirut; and Dan Williams in Jerusalem; Editing by Toby Chopra, Howard Goller and Diane Craft)
Hijacked police van image is from film -- not France riots

Social media posts claim a photo of protesters commandeering a police van was taken during riots in France in summer 2023. This is false; the image is from a 2022 French film.

"France 2023. You've been warned," says a July 2, 2023 tweet sharing the picture, which shows several black-clad figures leaning out of a police van -- one brandishing a firearm.

Screenshot of a tweet taken July 13, 2023

Other posts with the photo circulated elsewhere on Twitter, including in French and German.

The claims come amid protests in France over the fatal shooting of Nahel M, a French teenager of Algerian and Moroccan descent, by a police officer during a June 27 traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. Rioters have set cars ablaze, looted businesses and clashed with police across Europe.

Out-of-context photos and videos have spread widely in social media posts falsely claiming they show the unrest.

Similarly, the police van image does not depict the riots -- it comes from the Netflix movie "Athena" (archived here), which premiered at the 2022 Venice Film Festival.

A reverse image search uncovered social media posts about the film with screenshots of the same scene, which appears about six minutes into the movie and in the official trailer (archived here).

Screenshot from the film "Athena," taken July 13, 2023

The French-language movie, directed by Romain Gavras, shows France descending into civil war following riots over police violence. It centers on a housing project in a Paris suburb where riots break out over the death of a young man in police custody.

AFP has fact-checked other out-of-context visuals related to the 2023 French protests here and here.
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The Hills 12:30 Report: House GOP tees up controversial votes on military spending plan, PLUS all the Free French Fry Day news you need to know

TALK OF THE MORNING

Full House to vote on contentious defense bill amendments

House Republicans allowed votes on controversial amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, paving the way either for possible approval of the must-pass bill by the end of the week or a complete collapse of their efforts to get it through the chamber.

The $886 billion military spending plan has been tangled up in efforts to attach hot-button GOP priorities, including abortion, gender-affirming care, diversity initiatives, Ukraine funding and other culture war issues.

The hardline House Freedom Caucus and its allies have sought to use the crucial Pentagon bill to bolster those efforts, even though amendments could alienate Democrats and threaten the bills passage in a House floor vote with the GOPs razor-thin majority.

Staying on track: The House Rules Committee met just after midnight to complete its consideration of the defense bill.

The panel ultimately agreed to let 80 amendments on hot-button topics squeak through for debate among all House lawmakers. There are nearly 300 additional non-controversial amendments that were allowed separately to keep the ball rolling on the overall legislation while leadership hashed out which of the more controversial amendments would be added.

This makes it possible for the full House to finish considering the NDAA this week, after some members had worried the amendments battle would stretch the debate into next week. (The Hill)

Its Thursday, July 13. Im Elizabeth Crisp, filling in for Cate, with a quick recap of the morning and whats coming up. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. Send me your tips: ecrisp@thehill.com and follow me on Twitter @elizabethcrisp.

In Congress

Republicans back whistleblower despite federal indictment:

GOP members of Congress are rallying around Gal Luft, the think tank leader who has been indicted on charges that hes operated as an unregistered agent of China and facilitated illegal arms dealings.

Luft has been held up among Republicans as a key whistleblower as they carry out probes into Hunter Biden and his business dealings, and they argue that he only faces prosecution because of politics.

What we know: Lufts indictment marks the latest GOP grievance over the Department of Justice and federal authorities, coming as Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee grilled FBI director Christopher Wray this week over several instances that they say show political weaponization of the federal government.

The charges against Luft are that he helped connect an unnamed former high-ranking government official to Chinese officials in 2016 and facilitated payment without registering as a foreign agent  a violation of federal law. He is also accused of illicit arms trafficking.

GOPs attacks on President Biden boiling over: A week before the charges against Luft became public, he claimed in a video shared by the New York Post that he was arrested to prevent him from testifying before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on the details of the Biden familys business dealings

Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) called Luft a very credible witness on Biden family corruption in a tweet last week.

Comer also has requested that Wray provide his committee with copies of the FBIs report without redactions of details about government interactions with Luft. The think tank leader has claimed he shared his concerns with federal authorities, but nothing came of the allegations. (The Hill)

In the White House

Source of cocaine found at the White House likely to remain a mystery:

The Secret Service has ended its investigation into the discovery of cocaine at the White House after failing to identify a suspect, lawmakers briefed on the matter disclosed Thursday.

Members of the House Oversight Committee told reporters after a private Secret Service briefing that the probe will officially wrap up Friday. The Secret Services said there was not sufficient DNA or fingerprint evidence to help them in their investigation and no video evidence to give them a lead.

Basically they told us that the investigation will be over tomorrow, they dont know who it is, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) said.

The small bag of cocaine was found in a White House cubby used by visitors and staffers on July 2.

The White House did not immediately respond to The Hills request for comment. (The Hill)

Harris hits the road to hype administration to key groups:

Vice President Harris has a busy travel schedule ahead of her.

The White House has announced that shell be traveling the country to spread the word of the administrations accomplishments to key Democratic constituencies. The trip comes at a critical time for the Biden administration as the president (and vice president) aim for a second term in the White House.

Harriss schedule has her meeting with prominent LGBTQ groups, Black and Latino communities and anti-gun violence groups.

From visits to Florida and Massachusetts to Illinois and Indiana, the vice president will continue her leadership while ensuring communities and constituencies not only have their voices heard but that they have a seat at the table in the Biden-Harris administration, the White House said in a statement.

Harris will first travel to Chicago on Sunday for the Rainbow Push Coalitions annual convention in Chicago. The following week, she will head to Indianapolis for the national conference of Black sorority Delta Sigma Theta (notably, Harris was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Howard University). (The Hill)

2024

Trumps rivals hesitate to attack him. That could spell trouble:

Some Republicans believe former President Trumps slate of GOP rivals are missing an opportunity to stand out in the crowded race for the partys 2024 nomination by treating Trump with kid gloves.

Trump, who has never hesitated to attack his opponents, is seen as the frontrunner in the race as he tries to reclaim the White House after losing to President Biden in 2020.

The Hills Brett Samuels talked to several strategists with deep GOP roots about the tightrope candidates walk between lightly criticizing Trump and taking him head-on.

From Samuelss report: There is a belief with the first debate on the horizon that the likes of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) will need to more forcefully take on Trump if they want to shake up the race.

Doug Heye, a former spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, told Samuels that if candidates stick to the side of only tepid criticism of the former president then nothing is going to change.

But several of Trumps GOP rivals have taken to indirectly addressing the elephant in the room, even though Trump has never held back on attacking his opponents.

DeSantis, who has been polling behind Trump and struggled to keep his campaign afloat in recent weeks, has mostly shied away from criticizing Trump directly. When he has been more forceful, it has not always worked in his favor. A strange video the DeSantis campaign released last week attacking Trumps past support of the LGBTQ community was a dud  drawing backlash even from Republicans.

Candidates appear to still be feeling out the reality that they need to court support from some Trump backers if they dont want to flame out.

More from Samuels here.

RELATED: Former Trump aide and Jan. 6 witness Cassidy Hutchinson signs book deal (The Hill)

In other news

FDA approves first over-the-counter birth control pill:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a birth control pill to be sold over the counter for the first time.

No details have been released about the price for Opill, but it is expected to be available in early 2024.

Prescription-less birth control has been embraced by both Democrats and some Republicans in recent years.

Its expected to significantly expand access to contraception, especially for communities that have less access to regular health care. (The Hill)

Notable tweets

B-A-N-A-N-A-S: Swalwell accuses GOP lawmakers of just wanting to talk about Hunter Biden photos:

GIF: https://media.giphy.com/media/UI1qLkl9hekmoJWduz/giphy.gif

Credig: GIPHY / Saturday Night Live

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) called out his Republican colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee this week as they grilled FBI Director Christopher Wray, noting they were trying to make something of private citizen (AKA the current presidents son) Hunter Bidens non-consensually leaked nude photos. Its bananas, Swalwell says repeatedly.

You just have to watch the video shared here on Twitter.

Breaking the Rules (or House members bedtimes, at least):

While you were sleeping  The House Rules Committee announced at 12:09 a.m. that it would continue its talks over the Pentagon spending proposal thats been held up over squabbles on some far-right members demands. (Background here)

The Committee has reconvened, the panels GOP leadership account tweeted. Be sure to check out the confused replies.

On tap

The House and Senate convened at 10 a.m., but either or both could leave town by the end of the day as the countdown to August recess looms. President Biden is in Finland but heading back to the White House today after his overseas trip. Vice President Harris is in D.C. but will make a quick jaunt to New York this afternoon for a campaign event, returning to D.C. tonight.

6:15 a.m.: President Biden met with Finland President Sauli Niinisto at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland.

10 a.m.: House Intel began a closed-door meeting on the Intelligence Authorization Act.

10:30 a.m.: Biden held a joint press conference with Niinisto.

11:30 a.m.: Senate Intel began a closed-door meeting on pending intelligence matters.

12:45 p.m.: Biden leaves Helsinki en route back to the White House with an expected return to the White House around 9:30 p.m.

All times Eastern.

Heres the full schedule of todays committee hearings.

What to watch

10 a.m.: House panel that oversees public buildings began a hearing titled When the Lights Are On But No Ones Home: An Examination of Federal Office Space Utilization. (Tune in or watch the replay here)

2 p.m.: House Small Business Committee holds a hearing on Fraud in Pandemic Lending Programs. (Watch here)

3 p.m: House Judiciarys panel on immigration holds a hearing titled The Consequences of Criminal Aliens on U.S. Communities. (Watch here)

In lighter news

Today may only be Thursday, but its also Fry Day  as in National French Fry Day!

Fast food spots across the country are celebrating by giving out free french fries and other perks! 

Ive rounded up a few places where you can get your fry freebies:

McDonalds has free fries of any size today. No purchase necessary, but only one per person and you have to download and log into the McDonalds app.

Wendys is also celebrating the day with free any-size fries, but theirs require an in-app purchase AND you have a couple of extra days to get in on the action because their deal runs through Sunday. Claim it via the Wendys app or website.

Burger King will give you a free order of fries  any size with a purchase and the weeks restarting on Mondays. BUT Its a bit more of an intricate to set up. It may be better suited for the Kings most loyal subjects. You must sign up for (or be an existing member of) the chains free but more complicated Royal Perks program.

Smashburger will have free fries with any purchase in-store, on the chains website or on the app with the easy-to-remember code: FRIES.

BONUS! Another way to ketchup on the Fry Day festivities: UberEats has teamed up with Heinz for a special deal. You can get $5.70 off orders if you have some French fries in your UberEats order.

And because you made it this far, try not to let your heart melt if you watch this video of puppies and piglets palling around.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
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The Federal Reserve will raise interest rates twice more in 2023. Or maybe not. Inflation is way down compared with a year ago. But not enough. The labor market is incredibly resilient. But too tight. A mild U.S. recession is inevitable. But perhaps not this year.

Is there anyone who looks at the current economic data with predictive clarity? That may be the murkiest question of all.

While financial markets lean on instincts and economists drill for data, consumers are left with gasoline and eggs as their crystal balls. Those necessities may tell Americans a lot about their wallets, but economists strip out food and energy when calculating core inflation.

On Wednesday, the government reported that the Consumer Price Index cooled significantly in June, opening a door to some of the most hopeful news since the Fed began trying to tame rapid price increases 16 months ago (The New York Times and Bloomberg News).

The core inflation index, on a monthly basis, climbed at the slowest pace since August 2021. Investors celebrated. Stocks soared. The White House exulted, calling the result Bidenomics in action.

Fed officials, reluctant to overreact to snapshots in data rather than trends, have signaled in recent weeks that theyre likely to hike rates again at the central banks meeting later this month after pausing last time. Inflation last summer exceeded 9 percent. It was 3 percent in June. The Fed insists theres still a way to go to achieve a target goal of 2 percent.

They dont want to unleash animal spirits too quickly here and have everyone go bananas, Julia Pollak, chief economist at ZipRecruiter, told the Times. But by November, it may be clear in the data that their job is done.

 Consumer advocates say American banks are losing interest in approving mortgages for inexpensive homes, writes The Hills Daniel de Vise. The result is a patchwork of risky lending products that expose the most vulnerable homebuyers to unregulated transactions that can leave them indebted and homeless. A Senate committee met Tuesday to discuss the bad players, a group one senator said should have a special place in hell.

 CBS News: How high will mortgage rates climb? Experts weigh in.

 CNBC: Mortgage rates wont go back down to 3 percent in my lifetime, says one real estate expert. Heres why.

Related Articles

 The Washington Post: TSA facial recognition scanning at airports is supposed to be voluntary. Even Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) had trouble on his way to catch a flight.

 The Associated Press: Test scores show U.S. students slipping further behind academically in the past school year.

 The Hill: Reading for fun plunges to crisis level for U.S. students.

 Forbes: Higher education is now the most politically polarized institution in America, on par with the presidency.

 NPR: Microsoft says Chinese hackers breached email, including U.S. government agencies.

 The administration published its July National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan (envisioned as a long-term project).

LEADING THE DAY

 CONGRESS

 The Associated Press / Patrick Semansky | FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

FBI Director Christopher Wray fired back at GOP critics Wednesday during a House oversight hearing, telling Republican lawmakers from Florida and Texas, who assert the bureau is biased against conservatives, that their constituents dont seem to think thats the case (The Hill).

We have more applicants from the state of Texas annually in the last several years than any other state in the country, and I think that speaks very well of the view of Texans about the FBI, Wray told Judiciary Committee member Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas).

The comments came as Wray navigated hours of questions about the credibility of the bureau, The Hills Rebecca Beitsch and Ella Lee report. Wray, a Trump appointee, was at times aided by Democrats who sought to defend the FBIs actions by highlighting wrongdoing by former President Trump or his associates. Still, the blurry fault lines were on display as some Democrats attacked the FBIs handling of the Trump classified documents investigation and the bureaus spy tools. Wray received one rare thank you from a Republican for his work.

Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) thanked Wray for his work in protecting law-abiding Americans from the evil that exists all around us, adding, Youre still a registered Republican, and I hope you dont change your party affiliation after this hearing is over.

The directors responses were some of the most pointed hes delivered on Capitol Hill. In his opening remarks, he nodded to the work of a small FBI bureau in Ohio  one that happens to be in the district of Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), one of the bureaus fiercest critics.

The work the men and women of the FBI do to protect the American people goes way beyond the one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines, Wray said.

The Washington Post: FBI chief Wray: Insane to say Im biased against conservatives.

Meanwhile, House consideration of the annual defense authorization bill is likely to be kicked into next week as House Republicans battle over which hot-button-issue amendments will get votes on the floor, write The Hills Emily Brooks, Mychael Schnell and Mike Lillis. The extended timeline is just the latest reflection of the challenges facing Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and GOP leaders as they race to iron out internal differences and unite as a party to pass their top policy priorities with a pencil-thin majority in the lower chamber. While the bill cleared its first procedural hurdle Wednesday, the way forward is far from clear.

Up to now, the focus of the divisions has been on issues related to spending, as members of the hard-right Freedom Caucus have jousted with more moderate Republicans over the size and scope of the federal government. The current fight is different, focused on culture war issues like abortion and wokeness, which have split the ideological wings of the conference and extended the debate on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which GOP leaders had hoped to pass this week.

Beyond the NDAA, House Republicans are tucking abortion restrictions into government spending bills, giving lawmakers a way to show their anti-abortion bonafides without putting the difficult issue to a direct vote. The Hills Aris Folley and Nathaniel Weixel report that the moves are likely to set up a clash in the Senate, as Democrats are vowing to block poison pill provisions, and even some Republicans acknowledge the bills will need to be bipartisan.

 The New York Times: The GOPs far right seeks to use the defense bill to defund the Ukraine war effort.

 Axios: McCarthy defends Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) amid Freedom Caucus drama.

 Roll Call: Bipartisan measure aims to thwart cross-border human trafficking.

 The Hill: A think tank leader charged with acting as an unregistered agent of China and other serious felonies  and who previously made bribery allegations against the Biden family  is the latest fodder for Republicans who say the Justice Department is being politically weaponized.

 POLITICS

Did GOP presidential contenders get smart advice about trying to prosper in the crowded Republican primary by tossing the political equivalent of Nerf balls at Trump?The Hills Bret Samuels writes that aspirants who claim they really want to shake up the White House race  including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who served in the Trump administration  might need to catapult flaming boulders at the contests leading Republican if they hope to go the distance next year. At least thats the view of some political pundits. The August debate in Milwaukee was supposed to set that stage, except Trump is now expected to skip the event.

When postmortems of the 24 GOP race are written: #1 will be the bad advice nearly all candidates got to not go after Trump, Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former Trump White House official, tweeted. Fear of alienating Trump voters materialized in candidates failing to stand out in any real way, while also failing to weaken their chief opponent.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.)  who says hes pondering a presidential race and has not committed to seeking reelection amid a Senate challenge from GOP Gov. Jim Justice in a deeply red state  will participate Monday in a town hall sponsored by No Labels in New Hampshire (The Hill). When asked about a third-party White House bid, Manchin told CNN, Everything is on the table. Nothing is off the table.

 The Associated Press / J. Scott Applewhite | Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) at the Capitol in June.

2024 roundup: Republicans support early voting next year, a practice they once vilified. The turnabout defies Trump, who tells voters without factual evidence that Election Day versus election month ensures more secure ballots (The Washington Post).  Whats at the heart of Chris Christies GOP presidential bid? He has a dream. Detractors say he doesnt have a prayer (The Washington Post).  Would DeSantis compete as a running mate on a ticket with Trump if he lost the GOP presidential primary? I dont think so. Im not a No. 2 guy, he responded during a Wisconsin radio interview (NBC News).  Biden favors frequent potshots aimed at Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), whos holding up Pentagon promotions and praising infrastructure funding that he voted against (Politico).  The next wave of abortion rights ballot measures looks different than the last (Vox).

Trump world: Former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani  who has been recommended for disbarment in Washington, D.C., based on his legal actions on behalf of the former president  is elsewhere accused of failing to turn over key evidence as part of a defamation lawsuit filed by two Atlanta election poll workers who have asked a federal judge to impose severe sanctions on the former New York City mayor (Politico).  The Justice Department is taking the unusual step to try to block a Trump deposition in a lawsuit brought by fired FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page. Its complicated (CNN).

IN FOCUS/SHARP TAKES

 ADMINISTRATION & NATO

 The Associated Press / Pavel Golovkin | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Wednesday.

President Bidens high-profile diplomatic trip to the NATO summit in Europe has exposed some cracks in the U.S.s relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said a lack of urgency to include his country in the alliance would only allow Russia to continue its terror. Biden has hit the brakes on NATO accepting Ukraine into the alliance as the war-torn country has been vying for a membership, writes The Hills Alex Gangitano. Biden took to Vilnius to assure other world leaders that a country engaged in a war with Russia wouldnt be accepted as a member  citing the mutual defense agreement that a war with a NATO ally is a war with all.

That point was reiterated later by national security spokesman John Kirby, who said the inclusion of Ukraine isnt likely while acknowledging there are frustrations. Bidens comments on Ukraine not being ready to join NATO were some of his clearest yet on the matter, and other alliance leaders agree. Biden said Wednesday after a one-on-one meeting with Zelensky that the Ukrainian president understands NATO membership for his nation is not relevant at this time.

When asked in Europe how long it will take for Ukraine to join NATO, Biden responded, I think until the war is over. But, look, the one thing Zelensky understands now is that whether or not hes in NATO now is not relevant as long as he has the commitments that  guarantee his security, along with a number of other NATO countries.

 Reuters: NATO allies offer Ukraine security assurances.

 Politico EU: Zelensky puts a brave face on lackluster NATO membership signal.

 Bloomberg News: NATO is papering over the cracks after Zelensky loses his cool.

The NATO summit this week delivered yet another blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin, The Hills Brad Dress reports, with allies standing as united as ever against his war in Ukraine while announcing efforts to expand the alliance and boost defense spending. The most punishing setback for Putin came on the eve of the summit, when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hashed out a deal to admit Sweden into NATO after more than a year of resistance. Erdogans reversal not only expanded the borders of the western security alliance  it also signaled the Turkish leader is moving closer to the west and away from Putin.

 Politico EU: No Champagne for Swedes at NATO yet, PM says. (They did celebrate with a beer.)

 Reuters: China lashes back at NATO criticism, warns it will protect its rights.

After a whirlwind trip to Lithuania, Biden is in Finland today, where he will meet with President Sauli Niinisto and participate in a summit with Nordic leaders. Finland is NATOs newest member, having joined the alliance earlier this year (The Associated Press and Yle).

OPINION

 One Republican strategy that isnt paying off, by Thomas B. Edsall, columnist, The New York Times.

 The great Ron DeSantis campaign train wreck, by Edward Luce, U.S. national editor and columnist, Financial Times.

WHERE AND WHEN

The House will meet at 10 a.m.

The Senate will convene at 10 a.m.

The president has begun his day in Helsinki, Finland, where he plans a bilateral meeting with Niinisto at 1 p.m. local time. Biden will participate in a group photo with Nordic leaders at 2 p.m. local. Biden will participate in the U.S.-Nordic leaders summit at 2:15 p.m., then hold a joint news conference with Niinisto at 5:30 p.m.. Biden will then depart Finland at 7:40 p.m. local and return to the White House by 9:35 p.m. ET.

Vice President Harris will travel to New York City to headline a campaign reception at 5:30 p.m.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken departed the NATO summit in Lithuania to head to Jakarta, Indonesia, through Saturday to participate in the annual U.S.-ASEAN foreign ministers meeting, East Asia Summit foreign ministers meeting and the ASEAN regional forum.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra travels today to New York City for three events to mark the anniversary of the introduction of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. At 9:15 a.m., he will join forces with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Small Business Administration head Isabella Casillas Guzman for a roundtable and press briefing at the New York Marriott Marquis. At 11:15 a.m. at Comunilife in the Bronx, Becerra will join a roundtable with local and federal officials. At 2 p.m. in the Bronx, the secretary will tour vocational VIP Community Services.

First lady Jill Biden will be in Atlantic City, N.J., to speak at the National Governors Association summer meeting at 1 p.m. about workforce training programs that help high school and community college students.

Economic indicator: The Bureau of Labor Statistics at 8:30 a.m. will release the producer price index for June. The Labor Department will report at 8:30 a.m. on claims for unemployment benefits filed in the week ending July 8.

ELSEWHERE

 INTERNATIONAL

Hours after Russian Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin began a short-lived march on Moscow, the countrys domestic security service detained several high-ranking military officers, including Gen. Sergei Surovikin, head of aerospace forces, The Wall Street Journal reports. Surovikin, known as General Armageddon for bombing campaigns he waged in Syria, is being held and interrogated in Moscow. The Kremlins effort to weed out officers suspected of disloyalty is broader than publicly known.

The detentions are about cleaning the ranks of those who are believed cant be trusted anymore, a source told the Journal.

Andrei Kartapolov, the head of the Russian Dumas defense committee, said Wednesday that Surovikin is taking a rest, when pressed by a reporter, adding he is unavailable right now (The New York Times).

The Times previously reported that U.S. officials believe Surovikin had advance knowledge of the mutiny but do not know whether he participated. In the days since, intense speculation has surrounded his whereabouts, only one of the many lingering mysteries about the coup. Despite a deal announced by the Kremlin, under which Prigozhin was supposed to head to Belarus to avoid prosecution, the Wagner Group leader appears to remain in Russia.

 Reuters: Russian hackers lured embassy workers in Ukraine with an ad for a cheap BMW.

 The Associated Press: Russias threat to pull out of Ukraine grain deal raises fears about global food security.

 Along Sri Lankas 1,056 miles of coasts and lagoons, artisanal fishermen cast and gather their nets several times a day. Nearly half of the countrys animal protein intake comes from fish, which is close to three times the global average. The exact style of net employed and method of fishing varies among villages, born from generations of experience, but palpable differences in tide patterns and fish catches from climate change have complicated the work (Al Jazeera).

Seas have become rougher, which means fishermen either have to take time off or risk their lives, said Aruna Maheepala, a socioeconomic and aquatic resources senior scientist at the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency.

 The Associated Press: Frances anti-immigration far right gets boost from riots over police killing of a teenager.

 The New York Times: How a peaceful country became a gold rush state for drug cartels. In Ecuador, an intelligence official said: People consume abroad, but they dont understand the consequences that take place here.

THE CLOSER

 The Associated Press / Olivier Matthys | Flags at NATO headquarters in Brussels in 2020.

Take Our Morning Report Quiz

And finally  Its Thursday, which means its time for this weeks Morning Report Quiz! Inspired by the summit this week in Lithuania, were eager for some smart guesses about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Be sure to email your responses to asimendinger@thehill.com and kkarisch@thehill.com  please add Quiz to your subject line. Winners who submit correct answers will enjoy some richly deserved newsletter fame on Friday.

What year was NATO founded?

1956 1949 1933 1945

Which NATO member doesnt have a military of its own?

Denmark North Macedonia Iceland Canada

NATOs Article 5 specifies an armed attack on one member nation is considered an attack on all. What is the only time Article 5 has been invoked?

During World War II During the dissolution of Yugoslavia During the Bosnian war After the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United States

Which two countries jointly applied for NATO membership in 2022?

Austria and Switzerland Finland and Sweden Belgium and the Netherlands Spain and Andorra

Stay Engaged

We want to hear from you! Email: Alexis Simendinger and Kristina Karisch. Follow us on Twitter (@asimendinger and @kristinakarisch) and suggest this newsletter to friends!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Vice President Kamala Harris (L) and Vice President John C. Calhoun (R). Credit - Getty Images (2)

On Wednesday, the Senate advanced the nomination of Kalpana Kotagal to be a member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It was a relatively ordinary confirmation vote except for one thing: with her vote, Vice President Kamala Harris tied a 191-year-old record for casting the most tiebreaking votes in Congress.

The record had been held by South Carolinas John C. Calhoun, who made his 31 tiebreaking votes in almost eight years as the vice president for both John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson from 1825-1832. The tiebreakers of Calhouns era were often related to the party division breakdown, says Daniel Holt, assistant historian of the U.S. Senate Historical Office. Thats a complicated picture in the 1820s and 1830s, as the two-party system was still developing and party affiliation was very fluid.

Harris, on the other hand, tied his record in just two and a half yearsin part because of how bitterly entrenched and divisive the politics of the two-party system have become. Joel K. Goldstein, scholar of the vice presidency, says Harris has a high number of tiebreaking votes due to a combination of factors: a closely divided Senate, the polarization of our politics and the change in the filibuster rule so that it no longer takes 60 votes to bring an appointment to the floor. It only takes 50 but you need 51 to confirm an appointment.

The tiebreaking role comes from the Constitutions Article 1, Section 3, which says, The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

More from TIME

The 2022 midterm election which brought Democrats a 51-49 majority in the Senate didnt spare Harris from having to use her tiebreaker role. With Democratic senators John Fettermans hospitalization for depression and Dianne Feinsteins absence due to a severe case of shingles, Harris was once again called upon to cast the deciding vote.

She and the other record holder held different views about their position. Harris wrote in a San Francisco Chronicle article before being sworn in as Vice President, It is my hope that rather than come to the point of a tie, the Senate will instead find common ground and do the work of the American people. Calhoun, on the other hand, relished the role. In some cases, Calhoun maneuvered behind the scenes to get to a tied vote, allowing him to cast the deciding vote, says Holt.

Casting a crucial deciding vote was a double-edged sword, says Calhoun biographer and Baylor University associate professor of history Robert Elder. For someone trying to angle for the presidency, these votes raised his political profile and gave him the opportunity to craft an independent political image. But they also made him go on the record about divisive issues, which is always a liability for a politician. 

Harris and Calhoun also approached the responsibility differently. Calhoun frequently acted in opposition to President Andrew Jackson, according to Elder: he broke two tie votes to sink Martin Van Burens nomination to be minster to Great Britain in January 1832, despite Jacksons support of the nomination. The big issues while Calhoun was vice president were things like internal improvements (canals and roads) and whether the government should protect home industry or open the country to free trade, Elder says. These were explosive political issues that created durable political coalitions, but not parties in which the members of Congress were expected to toe the party line. It was much less predictable in that sense.

But nowadays, The biggest difference, and the obstacle for Harris in creating an independent persona, is the expectation that Harris will support Bidens agenda and vote for the Democratic side of the chamber in a tie, Elder continues. The fact that she will surpass Calhouns record is an illustration of the fact that there are two evenly matched parties in the Senate who vote virtually in lock step, but it doesnt give her much of a platform.

Goldstein concurs: When she breaks a tie vote, she is essentially voting the Administrations position, he says. As long as the Vice President shows up, the tie goes to the Administration.

Surprisingly, Harris isnt the only member of this White House who holds a tiebreaking record: Biden does, too. When he served as Vice President under Barack Obama, Biden didnt cast a single tiebreaking vote. Twelve other Vice Presidents served without ever casting a fateful Senate vote, but Biden is the only one to serve two full terms without casting a tiebreaker.
By Lisa Richwine and Dawn Chmielewski

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Hollywood actors will go on strike at midnight on Thursday after talks with studios broke down, joining film and television writers who have been on picket lines since May and deepening the disruption of scores of shows and movies.

Studios now face their first dual work stoppage in 63 years, forcing them to halt many productions across the United States and abroad. The twin strikes will add to the economic damage from the writers walkout, delivering another blow to an industry struggling with changes to its business.

Both SAG-AFTRA - Hollywood's largest union, representing 160,000 film and television actors - and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) are demanding increases in base pay and residuals in the streaming TV era plus assurances that their work will not be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI).

The actors' union announced at a Thursday press conference that the strike will begin at midnight after its national board unanimously authorized the walkout.

Fran Drescher, former star of "The Nanny" TV show and the president of SAG-AFTRA, called the studios' responses to actors' concerns "insulting and disrespectful."

"I am shocked by the way the people that we have been in business with are treating us," Drescher said. "I cannot believe it, quite frankly, how far apart we are on so many things, how they plead poverty that they're losing money left and right when giving hundreds of millions to their CEOs. It is disgusting."

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the trade association that negotiates on behalf of Netflix Inc, Walt Disney Co and other companies, said it was "deeply disappointed that SAG-AFTRA has decided to walk away from negotiations."

The group said it had offered the highest percentage increases in minimum pay levels in 35 years, "substantial increases" in pension and healthcare contribution caps, and a 76% increase in foreign residuals paid from big-budget streaming shows, among other benefits.

The studios also put forward "a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors' digital likenesses," the AMPTP said. Actors are worried that their digital images will be used without their permission or proper compensation.

"Rather than continuing to negotiate, SAG-AFTRA has put us on a course that will deepen the financial hardship for thousands who depend on the industry for their livelihoods," the AMPTP said.

ECONOMIC DAMAGE

The strike by roughly 11,500 writers has sent late-night television talk shows into endless reruns, disrupted most production for the fall TV season and halted work on big-budget movies.

The walkout by SAG-AFTRA, which represents actors from bit-part players to Hollywood's biggest movie stars, will effectively shutter the studios' remaining U.S.-based productions of film and scripted television.

It will also hamper many overseas shoots involving SAG-AFTRA talent, such as Paramount Pictures' sequel to "Gladiator," which director Ridley Scott has been shooting in Morocco and Malta.

Some production work not involving SAG-AFTRA performers can proceed, such as location scouting or some post-production editing. But the loss of actors, who will also not promote their films or TV shows while on strike, will put more pressure on media companies to find a resolution.

Hollywood has not faced simultaneous strikes since 1960, when members of the WGA and the Screen Actors Guild both walked off the job in a fight over residuals from films sold to TV networks.

Disney CEO Bob Iger, speaking from a gathering of media and tech moguls at a resort in Idaho, told CNBC on Thursday that the writers' and actors' unions had unrealistic expectations.

"It's very disturbing to me," Iger said, noting the entertainment industry's ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. "This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption."

Actors say the rise of the streaming era has made it harder to earn their livelihoods, especially for the many thousands of SAG-AFTRA members who are not household names.

"You have to make $26,000 a year to qualify for your health insurance and there are a lot of people who get across that threshold through their residual payments," actor Matt Damon said at a promotional event held for the film "Oppenheimer" on Wednesday. "There's money being made and it needs to be allocated in a way that takes care of people who are on the margins."

Many streaming services, however, have yet to turn a profit after companies spent billions of dollars on programming to try and attract customers.

Disney, Comcast Corp's NBCUniversal and Paramount Global each lost hundreds of millions of dollars from streaming in the most recent quarter. At the same time, the rise of online video has eroded television ad revenue as traditional TV audiences shrink and movie ticket sales remain below pre-pandemic levels.

The WGA's work stoppage has rippled throughout California and beyond, hitting caterers, prop suppliers and others who rely on Hollywood productions for business. The economic damage is expected to spread after actors join the picket lines on Friday.

Broadcast networks have already announced fall schedules heavy with reality shows, which are not affected by the strikes.

(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen, Dawn Chmielewski and Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by Mark Porter and Bill Berkrot)
Negotiators for Hollywoods actors union unanimously recommended a strike after talks with studios broke down, setting the stage for performers to join writers on picket lines as early as today, disrupting TV and movie production across the US.

The national board of Hollywoods largest union, SAG-AFTRA, will vote on a strike order on Thursday morning. If approved, Hollywood studios would face their first dual work stoppage in 63 years.

The 160,000 members would join a walkout by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) as both demand increases in base pay and residuals in the streaming TV era plus assurances that their work will not be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI).

The WGA, representing 11,500 screenwriters, has been on strike since 2 May. Both unions are in dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

Fran Drescher, former star of The Nanny and the president of SAG-AFTRA, said studios responses to the actors concerns had been insulting and disrespectful.

Meanwhile, Disney CEO Bob Iger has condemned the threatened strike action as very disruptive at the worst time as well as calling the expectations of writers and actors just not realistic.

Key points

Deadline for Hollywood actors negotiations with studio passes

17:12 , Oliver O'Connell

A deadline for Hollywood actors to reach a deal with studios and streaming services passed Thursday without word on whether a strike will be called.

The Screen Actors Guild -American Federation of Television and Radio Artists had set a deadline for 11:59 p.m. Wednesday  mere hours after this years Emmy nominations were announced  for a deal to be reached. Just after midnight Thursday, no update had been announced.

If the actors strike, they will formally join screenwriters on the picket lines outside studios and filming locations in a bid to get better terms from studios and streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon. It would be the first time since 1960 that the two guilds are on strike at the same time.

Read more...

Deadline for Hollywood actors negotiations with studio passes with no word on strike

Read full statement from SAG-AFTRA leadership

17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The leadership of the actors union SAG-AFTRA released the following statement late on Wednesday night.

Dear Member,

After more than four weeks of negotiations, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)  the entity that represents major studios and streamers, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, and Warner Bros Discovery  remains unwilling to offer a fair deal on the key issues that you told us are important to you. Because of this, weve called for a meeting with our National Board this morning to vote on a strike order.

From the time negotiations began on June 7, the members of our Negotiating Committee and our staff team have spent many long days, weekends and holidays working to achieve a deal that protects you, the working actors and performers on whom this industry relies. As you know, over the past decade, your compensation has been severely eroded by the rise of the streaming ecosystem. Furthermore, artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to creative professions, and all actors and performers deserve contract language that protects them from having their identity and talent exploited without consent and pay. Despite our teams dedication to advocating on your behalf, the AMPTP has refused to acknowledge that enormous shifts in the industry and economy have had a detrimental impact on those who perform labor for the studios.

Though weve engaged in negotiations in good faith and remained eager to reach a deal that sufficiently addressed performer concerns, the AMPTPs responses to our proposals have not been adequate.

We will update you immediately after the National Boards vote and information will be provided on how the strike impacts your ability to work. Details on picket times and locations will be provided as well. Please check your inbox.

Our ninety-year history is a testament to what can be achieved through our conviction and unity. For the future of our profession, we stand together.

In unity,

Fran DrescherPresident

Duncan Crabtree-IrelandNational Executive Director & Chief Negotiator

SAG-AFTRA press conference scheduled for 12 noon pT

17:36 , Oliver O'Connell

The union will hold a press conference today, Thursday 13 July, at 12 noon Pacific Time at SAG-AFTRA Plaza in Los Angeles, following the conclusion of the National Board vote.
News Analysis: The House is in chaos again, but it's just another week for Kevin McCarthy

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) stops to speak to members of the media gathered in National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

Hard-line conservatives threw the House of Representatives into chaos again this week, and Speaker Kevin McCarthy was once again forced to appease the same people who nearly denied him the job just six months ago.

The hard-right House Freedom Caucus latest revolt against McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) was over the National Defense Authorization Act, the law that authorizes the annual spending for the U.S. military.

That bill has historically passed with bipartisan support, and Republicans and Democrats had reached broad consensus on this years version, passing it



out of committee on a 58-1 vote last month. But GOP hard-liners demanded a slew of controversial last-minute amendments, including a measure to ban the military from reimbursing service members who travel to obtain abortions, and another to prohibit the armed forces from paying for gender-affirming healthcare.

After Republicans approved those amendments in a marathon voting session Thursday night, Democrats pulled their support from the defense spending bill, forcing Republicans to pass it by themselves.

The amended bill passed Friday morning by a 219-210 vote. Four Democrats voted with the GOP, and four Republicans opposed the bill.

McCarthy has tried to project calm in the face of the hard-liners continued demands. Hes managed to weather the Houses roiling crises so far without losing his job or triggering a U.S. debt default. And after enduring the public embarrassment of his 15-ballot fight to become speaker and a recent Freedom Caucus tantrum over his debt-ceiling deal with President Biden, he seems resigned to the mayhem.

This just seems like another week in Congress, he told reporters Tuesday. Ill get through it. Well figure it out as we go.

Read more: McCarthy proved he's a stronger House speaker than many expected. But GOP is split over cutting government

Although hard-line conservatives in the House succeeded in making their changes to the spending bill, the current fight is unlikely to end in their victory. The Senate is still in Democrats hands, as is the White House, and Democratic negotiators will insist on stripping out the most controversial measures before allowing the bill to become law.

McCarthys most important allies recognize that reality.

The final [defense spending] bill, it will be bipartisan, House Rules Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) told reporters Wednesday afternoon. No matter what we come out of here with, were going to sit down and negotiate with a Democratic Senate and a Democratic president. So the bill is going to move.

Were working hard  harder, in my opinion, than we should have to work, but everythings hard in this Congress, he said ruefully.

Democrats expressed outrage that McCarthy had abandoned the bipartisan bill and capitulated to the right wing of his conference.

The bill we passed out of committee sent a clear, united message to our allies and partners, global competitors and the American people that democracy still works, and Congress is still functional, the top Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee said in a statement Friday. That bill no longer exists. What was once an example of compromise and functioning government has become an ode to bigotry and ignorance.

An even bigger battle looms after Congress returns from its August break.

Lawmakers must pass a government funding bill by the end of September to avoid a government shutdown, and Freedom Caucus members are gearing up to use that negotiation as leverage to further slash spending.

On Monday, 21 of their members sent McCarthy a letter with a list of demands for the government funding bill  and threatened to vote against the defense bill if they dont get what they want. The letter, organized by Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-Pa.) and caucus policy Chairman Chip Roy (R-Texas), stipulated that McCarthy abandon the agreement he struck with Biden this spring to avoid a debt default and authorize spending at lower levels.

Roy shrugged when asked about concerns that the Freedom Caucus demands might lead to a government shutdown.

Everybody gets just so spun up about Oh, its shutdown drama, Roy told The Times. You only have so many leverage points here. At some point, the power of the purse has to mean something.

Moderate lawmakers worry that the Freedom Caucus decision to turn the defense bill into another partisan brawl indicates that the looming government shutdown fight will get ugly.

Its really discouraging to see that even this might be partisan. This has always been a place where we have come together as a country, Rep. Scott Peters (D-San Diego) told The Times.

Freedom Caucus members arent particularly worried about political blowback from a government shutdown. In fact, many of them believe that triggering shutdowns has worked for them in the past.

In 2013, when Roy was chief of staff to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), he helped persuade House Republicans to force a 17-day shutdown in an attempt to repeal Obamacare.

At the time, House GOP leaders hoped that rank-and-file Republicans would feel the pain and never want to shut down the government again. But the stunt had no obvious political ramifications  Republicans did extremely well in the next midterm election  and hard-line Republicans internalized the opposite lesson.

When we went into that shutdown, we referred to it as a touch the stove moment, said Doug Heye, a Republican strategist who worked for GOP House leadership at the time. And the reality is, they didnt get burned. Its not that they didnt learn their lesson  they learned the wrong lesson.

Freedom Caucus members helped drive then-Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) into retirement in 2015, then blocked McCarthy from becoming speaker not long afterward because they didnt trust his conservative bona fides.

They even caused havoc for then-President Trump at times, demanding his Obamacare repeal plan move hard to the right to earn their support.

But their power to cause chaos has grown this year due to the House GOPs



thin majority. Because Republican leaders can afford to lose the support of only four members on any House vote, the dozen or so far-right lawmakers are able to disrupt the chamber at any time.

The partys right wing forced McCarthy to make deep concessions before



allowing him to become speaker after 15 rounds of voting over five days in January. They were unhappy this spring with his deal with Biden to avoid hitting the debt ceiling, saying it didnt go far enough  then grew furious when he relied on Democratic votes to overcome their objections.

They responded by withholding their support for GOP bills for more than a week, grinding the House to a halt in a warning to McCarthy.

Read more: Ambition keeps him loyal to Donald Trump. But what does Kevin McCarthy stand for?

Roy credited McCarthy for listening more closely to his group after their post-debt-ceiling show of force.

Hes being much more inclusive and open about including us and sitting at the table and talking through everything, he said.

Given the circumstances, McCarthy is handling it as well as he can and as well as anybody can, Heye said.

But the GOP strategist warned that the possibility for a government shutdown by the end of the year is very real due to the Freedom Caucus, which he called the Nothing Will Ever Be Good Enough Caucus.

And the groups latest antics are frustrating more mainstream Republicans.

When Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), a McCarthy ally who represents a swing district, was asked whether the Freedom Caucus pressure on the speaker was healthy or helpful, he offered a deadpan response.

I mean, they think it is. Some of us would disagree, he said. Im one of the ones whod disagree.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, grilled FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday concerning the bureau's collection of American citizens' personal data.

During the exchange, which took place during Wray's appearance before the House Judiciary Committee, Jayapal warned that the FBI could face a "very difficult" process to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) if the bureau couldn't ensure Americans' privacy is being protected.

"I do want to focus on some areas of concern around Americans' civil liberties that I have had long-standing concerns about," Jayapal told Wray as she began her questioning. The congresswoman noted testimony he gave the Senate Intelligence Committee in March that the FBI doesn't currently purchase commercial data on U.S. citizens, but also referenced a declassified report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) that said the opposite.

She then asked Wray how the FBI uses the data it purchases.

FBI DIRECTOR CHRIS WRAY REVEALS HIS SINGLE DARKEST DAY IVE HAD IN THIS JOB'

Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is sworn in during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

"Respectfully, this is a topic that gets very involved to explain. And so what I would prefer to do is have our subject-matter experts come back up and brief you, and they can answer your questions in detail about it because there's a lot of confusion that can be unintentionally caused about this topic," Wray responded.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"But does the FBI purchase data?" Jayapal asked.

Wray said his testimony that the FBI doesn't purchase data is the same, regardless of what the ODNI report said. "But again, there is a lot of precision and technical dimensions to this," he added.

"Well, I do appreciate that. But I am looking at a report that is from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence saying that the FBI purchases data," Jayapal said.

"I understand that," Wray said.

GOP REP CHALLENGES WRAY OVER COURT RULING ON FBI SUPPRESSION OF CONSERVATIVE FREE SPEECH: YOU SHOULD READ IT

FBI Director Christopher Wray and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.

Jayapal asked if the FBI's contracts it has with data brokers, from whom the ODNI report she referenced said the bureau purchased data, provided location data.

"My testimony about purchasing commercial database information that includes location data derived from internet advertising remains the same, which is that we currently do not do that," Wray responded, repeating his answer.

Jayapal asked if the data the FBI had already purchased contained location data.

"Again, I'm not trying to be obtuse or difficult here. I just know from experience that the more you drill into this whole issue of commercial data, geolocation data, etc., that it gets very involved. In some cases it involves pilot projects that are in the past, in some cases it involves national security information, etc., so I just want to make sure that we get you the information you need," Wray said.

GAETZ SAYS FLORIDIANS DESERVE BETTER AFTER WRAY BOASTS ABOUT STATE'S FBI RECRUITMENT

Jayapal responded she would "take that," but said it was "an extremely important issue for the American people to understand how their data is being used," including location, biometric, medical, mental health, communications and internet activity data.

"While I understand that that's complicated, that is the reason that you come before us, so that the American people can hear this," she said.

Jayapal went on to question Wray about any written policies the FBI might have to outline "how it can purchase and use commercially available information," but Wray insisted his response would be part of the same briefing he offered in his previous answer.

Jayapal cited a Supreme Court case that found it was "a violation of the Fourth Amendment for the government to access historical location data without a warrant," and said she would follow up with Wray on whether the FBI had a written policy on how it interprets that decision.

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS ATTEMPTS TO EXPLAIN AI IN LATEST WORD SALAD GAFFE: KIND OF A FANCY THING

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

"This is a critically important issue for the American people to understand. We have bipartisan support around FISA reauthorization and the concerns we have around FISA reauthorization. And unless we really understand what measures the FBI is taking to ensure that people's privacy is protected, I think it's going to be a very difficult reauthorization process. I'm sure you know that," Jayapal said.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, thanked Jayapal for her questioning, calling it "well said."

A number of House Republicans are urging Congress not to renew FISA when it expires at the end of this year, a move those lawmakers say would curb the governments ability to spy on U.S. citizens.
The House Ethics Committee has reportedly revived a probe into Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) regarding allegations of misconduct, as investigators have reportedly begun reaching out to witnesses.

A witness from Florida told CNN they spoke with investigators recently about alleged lobbying violations.

Other witnesses have also been contacted by the Ethics Committee, a source close to the matter told CNN.

The Ethics Committee investigation is a continuation of their 2021 probe into Mr Gaetzs alleged misconduct while serving as a representative. It is unclear what misconduct the witnesses were interviewed for, though the initial probe regarded sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, misuse of state identification records and bribery.

Earlier this year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to charge Mr Gaetz after a sex trafficking investigation that was deferred to them by the Ethics Committee upon request.

Last year, an ex-associate of Mr Gaetz, Joel Greenberg, was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to six federal crimes, including sex trafficking of a minor.

After the DOJ reached a conclusion, the Ethics Committee restored its own investigation.

A spokesperson for Mr Gaetz directed The Independent to comments he made to CNN regarding the investigation.

The Florida lawmaker said the investigation is not something Im worried about adding that hes focused on the work.

The Ethics Committee typically operates through leaks and so this is no surprise, Mr Gaetz said. But the Ethics Committee has never found me to be in violation of House rules, though theyve been investigating me during my entire seven years in Congress.

He added: Its also funny that the one guy who doesnt take the corrupt lobbyist and PAC money seems to be under the most Ethics investigation.

The committees decision to pursue the investigation by reaching out to witnesses marks the first time investigators have taken steps since the probe was revived.

The Ethics Committee is currently led by Rep Michael Guest (R-MS).

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy declined to comment to CNN about the investigation claiming he doesnt know anything regarding the details of it.
Republican members of the House Foreign Affairs Committees oversight subcommittee clashed with White House Climate Envoy John Kerry Thursday, with members bringing up Kerrys familys one-time ownership of a private jet and one member accusing him of grifting.

Many of the GOP members of the committee kept their questions to foreign policy at the budget hearing Thursday, questioning Kerry on how the U.S. could lead on reducing emissions without cooperation from other major emitters such as China and India, both of which are classified as developing nations and subject to lesser commitments in emissions reduction.

However, Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) quipped that he hoped the former secretary of state was not inconvenienced flying a private jet to the hearing.

Kerry took exception to the remark, calling it pretty stupid and noting that he works out of the State Department and would not require a plane to travel to the Capitol. He also went on to say he did not own a private jet.

Later in the hearing, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) cited a report from earlier this year that the Kerry family jet had been sold.

When we are asking Americans to make serious sacrifices for the common good  that smacks of hypocrisy [and] it actually hurts your cause, Walz said.

Yes, my wife owned a plane and she sold the plane  I have flown on it, Kerry responded.

Asked by Waltz if he had flown a private jet in a personal or official capacity as part of the Biden administration, he replied, Possibly once.

Walz argued the broader point was that Kerry must lead by example if asking other Americans to make sacrifices for the common good.

Were not asking Americans not to fly, Kerry countered.

An even more contentious exchange occurred between Kerry and Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), who cast doubt on the scientific consensus on climate change due to temperatures falling after 2016, an El Nino year, and carbon dioxide parts per million reaching 2,000 at one point before humans existed.

The difference between the periods of time youre looking at in terms of heat, et cetera and human input is night and day, Kerry replied. Number two, why do you think 195 countries in the world, their prime ministers, their presidents

Because theyre grifting like you are, sir, Perry interjected.

Kerry was presumably referring to the 195 signatories of the Paris Climate Agreement, including the U.S. as of President Bidens re-entering the agreement in 2021.

The Hill has reached out to the State Department for clarification.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  House Republicans convened a hearing on Thursday to spotlight the Defense Departments repeated failures to pass an audit, with conservatives joining liberal Democrats in a scathing rebuke of the Pentagons financial management.

The hearing highlighted the emerging Republican schism between the partys fiscal hawks and defense hawks on top of ongoing tension within the party over Ukraine aid.

The U.S. spends more on defense than China, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, South Korea, Japan and Ukraine combined, said Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Wisc., who convened the hearing as chairman of the House Oversight Committees national security panel. The American people work diligently to earn every dollar, but it seems the [Defense Department] has become a master of squandering those funds without batting an eye.

The Pentagon has never passed an audit, failing five in a row. Republicans on the panel joined Democrats in grilling John Tenaglia, the Defense Departments principal director for pricing and contracting, on some of the underlying reasons for this failure. He attributed the repeated audit failures in part to the slow pace of retiring legacy systems.

Brett Mansfield, the Pentagon Inspector Generals deputy for audits, and Asif Khan, the financial management director at the Government Accountability Office, also testified.

There have been instances as part of the audit process where [the Defense Department] themselves have found assets in warehouses like Black Hawk helicopters that werent on the property records, said Khan. In that respect, audit readiness really does impact the militarys readiness.

Grothman noted that no one from the Pentagon comptrollers office participated because the entire senior leadership team was either out of the office or on vacation. He convened the hearing the same week the House debated the $874 billion National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2024.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., so far has sided with fiscal hawks. Hes resisted efforts to increase defense spending beyond President Joe Bidens proposed $886 billion military budget  a 3.3% increase over this year  which Congress agreed to as part of the debt ceiling deal.

The places him at odds with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. The Senates defense authorization bill, which the Armed Services Committee advanced last month, includes nonbinding language that calls for supplemental defense spending to increase the Pentagon budget beyond the debt ceiling cap.

Instead, House Republican leaders allowed a vote on a defense bill amendment that would require an annual Pentagon audit and cut the Defense Department budget by 0.5% if it fails. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., was part of an agreement Republican leaders reached with the conservative Freedom Caucus to advance the defense bill. The vote is expected to occur by the end of the week.

The only thing thats actually growing faster than the [Defense Department] as a budget unit is the interest on our national debt, Biggs said at the Oversight Committee hearing. Biggs said there is no consequence for the audit failures, criticizing the defense bills top line.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C. said her my blood just boils over the audit failures, decrying the Pentagon wasting taxpayer dollars. And Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., said the most ravenous leviathan of our government that devours the peoples wealth is the Department of Defense.

Democrats on the committee joined in the criticism. Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the House Oversight national security panel, referenced a May report from CBS 60 minutes detailing defense contractors price gouging the Pentagon.

He also urged lawmakers to vote against a series of National Defense Authorization Act amendments that would end aid to Ukraine after Grothman highlighted a Pentagon accounting error that inflated the cost of U.S. weapons sent to Kyiv by $6.2 billion. Those votes are also expected by the end of the week.

Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., noted that the Defense Department spends $41.6 million per year on Viagra, more money than it cost to repair a collapsed bridge in her Pittsburgh district. She also pointed to contractors losing hundreds of millions in spare parts for the F-35 fighter jet program.

Tengalia said the Pentagon is taking steps to address this issue by improving contract terms and conditions.
FILE - Lina Khan, the nominee for Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), speaks during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation confirmation hearing, April 21, 2021 on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Republicans who say the Federal Trade Commission has been overzealous and politicized under President Joe Biden are set to interrogate agency head Lina Khan on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Saul Loeb/Pool via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The chair of the Federal Trade Commission defended her aggressive legal strategy toward the country's biggest technology companies Thursday as House Republicans charged that the agency has become overzealous and politicized under President Joe Biden.

Republicans charged that Lina Khan is harassing Twitter since its acquisition by Elon Musk, arbitrarily suing large tech companies and declining to recuse herself from certain cases. In April, the committee subpoenaed Khan after an investigation by the panel that concluded the agency went after Musk for political reasons.

Biden's FTC is trying to usher in a radical departure from the norms that made the American economy great and to give the government unchecked power over business practices, said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

Khan pushed back on the criticism, arguing that more regulation has become more necessary as the companies have grown and that tech conglomeration has the potential hurt the economy and consumers.

Our competition mission is driven by the tenet that vigorous antitrust enforcement is critical to the growth and dynamism of our economy, as well as to our shared prosperity and liberty, Khan said. Recent decades, however, have vividly illustrated how Americans lose out when markets become more consolidated and less competitive.

The hearing comes as the agency has been embroiled in several legal cases against technology companies and as Khan  an outspoken critic of Big Tech before becoming the agencys head  has tried, not always successfully, to toughen government regulation of those companies and prevent them from growing any larger.

Khan and the agency suffered a major defeat Tuesday when a federal judge declined to block Microsofts looming $69 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard. The FTC had sought to ax the deal, saying it will hurt competition.

U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley said the deal, the largest in the history of the tech industry, deserved scrutiny but the FTC hadnt shown that it would cause serious harm. The FTC is now appealing her ruling.

In a similar case, another judge rebuffed the FTCs attempt earlier this year to stop Meta from taking over the virtual reality fitness company Within Unlimited.

Republicans focused on the agencys poor legal record on those antitrust cases.

Are you losing on purpose? asked Rep. Kevin Kiley, a California Republican, citing a past comment from Khan that suggested courtroom losses would signal to Congress that it needs to update its antitrust laws.

Absolutely not, Khan replied, while acknowledging that "unfortunately, things dont always go our way.

Republicans questioned the wisdom behind aggressive regulation, and whether it could hurt small businesses as well. California Rep. Darrell Issa criticized the FTC's left turn since she took over two years ago.

Shame on you, Issa said. The reality is were a global market, and you are thinking only of who you want to go after for some reason, and I cannot find your logic.

As the hearing drew to a close, White House Spokesman Michael Kikukawa issued a statement saying that Biden appointed Khan because he believes in fair and vigorous enforcement of antitrust laws.

Chair Khan has delivered results for families, consumers, workers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs  on everything from protecting our kids from unlawful use of their personal data, to making it cheaper and easier for consumers to repair items they own, to moving to ban non-competes that hurt workers, to stopping bad mergers like a semiconductor megamerger that wouldve stifled innovation, Kikukawa said.

The FTC has also sued Amazon for allegedly engaging in a yearslong effort to enroll consumers without consent into Amazon Prime and making it difficult for them to cancel their subscriptions. In a complaint filed in federal court last month, the agency accused Amazon of using deceptive designs, known as dark patterns, to deceive consumers into enrolling in the service.

In addition, Khan and other FTC officials have repeatedly warned they will also crack down on harmful business practices involving artificial intelligence, in messages partly directed at the developers of widely-used AI tools such as ChatGPT.

Much of the Republicans' focus has been on the FTC's actions toward Twitter, which the agency has been investigating as part of ongoing oversight into the social media companys privacy and cybersecurity practices. The GOP lawmakers noted that the agency probe included efforts this spring to obtain Musks internal communications and information about journalists he hired, and gave access to internal records, to investigate the companys past actions before he took over.

Jordan said that Khan's oversight of Twitter seems like an obsession.

Why are you harassing Twitter?" Jordan asked.

Khan said the agency has been focused on Twitter's lax security and privacy policies. She noted that the agency has been investigating the platform for years, since before Musk's tenure.

The FTC has been watching the company since Twitter agreed to a 2011 consent order alleging serious data security lapses. But the agencys concerns spiked with the tumult that followed Musks October takeover of the company and mass layoffs.

Twitter, now under parent company X Corp., on Thursday ahead of the congressional hearing asked a federal court to end that consent order and rein in an investigation that has spiraled out of control and become tainted by bias.

Republicans also criticized Khan for not recusing herself from the Meta case after the company had sought her recusal over Khans past advocacy against Facebooks big mergers. They questioned her about whether she had ignored recommendations to do so, citing an internal agency memo.

"There was no violation under the ethics law," Khan said, noting that she had no financial entanglements that would necessitate recusal.

Democrats defended Khan's work. New York Rep. Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat on the Judiciary panel, told Khan at the opening of the hearing that he hopes Republicans can put their baseless and often personal attacks on pause long enough to focus on the importance of your mission.

Khan, a legal scholar, was a known tech critic when she took over the agency in 2021. Her nomination was seen as a signal from the Biden administration that it would be tough on technology companies as they have been under intense pressure from other regulators and state attorneys general.

She was a professor at Columbia University Law School and became known for her scholarly work in 2017 as a Yale law student, Amazons Antitrust Paradox. That work helped lay the foundation for a new way of looking at antitrust law beyond the impact of big-company market dominance on consumer prices.

And she has experience with the Judiciary committee, having served as a counsel to the panels antitrust subcommittee in 2019 and 2020. In that position she played a key role in a sweeping bipartisan investigation of the market power of the tech giants.

Jordans House Judiciary panel has gone after the tech companies, as well, for what Republicans say is censorship of conservatives. The committee subpoenaed the chief executives of the five largest tech companies in February as part of an effort to investigate Big Techs moderation of content.

__

Associated Press writer Josh Boak contributed to this report. O'Brien reported from Providence, Rhode Island.
House Republicans are pressing for abortion restrictions in government spending and must-pass policy bills, giving lawmakers a way to show their anti-abortion bonafides without putting the difficult issue to a standalone vote.

The moves set up a clash with the Senate: Democrats say they will block any poison pills, and even Republicans acknowledge the bills will need to be bipartisan.

The anti-abortion provisions are wide-ranging. Some are written into the text of the underlying legislation, while some are amendments.

They touch on the militarys reimbursement for abortion-related travel, whether Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals should provide abortions, and changes to how the abortion drug mifepristone is dispensed.

Its just to create division, culture, wars, etc. And they think that thats going to distract the public from the unbelievable harm theyre doing in terms of the programmatic cuts from the services that people rely on, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, told The Hill on Tuesday.

The fight over abortion access to military personnel has been playing out in the Senate for months, as Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) single-handedly stalls military promotions in protest of the Pentagons policy of reimbursing service members who need to travel out of state to obtain an abortion.

The policy was enacted last year in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, which had for almost 50 years protected the federal right to an abortion.

That issue has moved to the House, where it threatens to delay a vote on the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and conservatives are pushing an amendment that would rescind the policy.

Its unclear whether the amendment will end up as part of the larger bill, but appropriations bills have already advanced in the House with anti-abortion provisions included.

Last month, the House Appropriations Committee advanced the Food and Drug Administration spending bill, which included a provision rolling back a policy that allows pharmacists to dispense mifepristone  one of the drugs used in medication abortion  and for it to be sent to patients by mail.

The full committee also advanced the annual Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding bill that banned VA medical centers from performing any abortions or gender-affirming care.

The VA said last year that medical facilities would offer abortion access to veterans and eligible dependents in cases that endanger the life or health of an individual, even in states that ban abortion without exceptions.

In a statement tied to the anniversary of the Supreme Court ending Roe, the GOP Appropriations Committee majority celebrated the anti-abortion provisions included in the bills.

One year after Roe v. Wade was overturned, an increasing number of House Republicans are shying away from taking steps to restrict abortion at the national level as polls show majorities of Americans favor protecting the procedure.

The House GOP majority has seemingly abandoned plans for any national abortion ban and faced difficulty in moving even bills that cover a much narrower scope, including a measure to permanently codify and expand the Hyde Amendment, a provision that prohibits certain federal funds from being used on abortion procedures.

That bill has yet to come to the floor, with opposition from moderate House Republicans being a factor.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) said that while she has not read the proposed anti-abortion NDAA amendments, she warned that Republicans shouldnt be focusing on abortion bans, especially if the policies arent related to the underlying legislation.

We shouldnt be doing anything thats not germane. This is an issue Ive been very vocal on, Mace said. We have voted on three or four or five different abortion bills or amendments so far this year, but what have we done to protect women?

But the effort to restrict abortions from within funding bills could allow Republicans to send a message to voters without subjecting vulnerable swing-district members to a vote.

They know its unpopular, their policy position, people believe in abortion rights and reproductive rights, and so theyre trying to do things through a more hidden process, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said.

Still, Republicans pushing for controversial anti-abortion policies is not new.

In 2018, House Republicans demanded a rider on the annual health spending bill that would have cut federal funding from Planned Parenthood and eliminated a federal family planning program.

But it didnt advance in the Senate, a possibility that lawmakers on both sides acknowledge will likely happen this year as well.

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I dont know anything thats going on in the House, but 60 votes in the Senate, either to make room to restrict abortion or to enhance or to increase its availability? Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said. I dont know how something would pass the Senate.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, also isnt anticipating any new major moves on abortion through the appropriations process.

That is in major part because our chair and vice chair, Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), met very early on this year, she said. The agreement was were going to try to do regular order, and that there would be no new poison pill amendments in our final bills  and thats an agreement between the parties.

Remember, theres poison pills on each side. And so, while I dont think well get rid of things that we have previously known as poison pills, [we] will not let any new ones happen, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
House Republicans vote to make it harder for troops to get abortions

The Pentagon is seen from Air Force One as it flies over Washington, March 2, 2022. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File

House Republicans voted to eliminate a Pentagon policy that makes it easier for service members to obtain abortions.

Republicans tacked on their proposal to a massive Pentagon funding bill.

Only two Republicans broke with their party in opposing the measure. One Democrat supported it.

House Republicans voted overwhelmingly Thursday evening to eliminate a Pentagon policy that makes it easier for service members to obtain an abortion, a vote underlining the intense conservative anger over the issue.

The House voted largely along party lines 221-213 in tacking on the restriction to a larger must-pass bill funding the Pentagon. Only two House Republicans, Reps. John Duarte of California and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, broke with the party. One House Democrat, Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, voted in favor of the measure.

Duarte is regarded as one of the most vulnerable GOP incumbents, though many of the other Republicans in this category voted in favor of the restrictions. Cuellar is often the singular Democrat to oppose abortion rights.

Rep. Ronny Jackson, a Texas Republican, proposed the amendment to a massive Pentagon funding bill that would end the Pentagon's policy of providing travel reimbursement to service members looking to obtain an abortion. The assistance was passed in the wake of the Supreme Court's landmark 2022 decision that gut abortion rights. Some Republicans have blasted the Defense Department over the policy. Sen. Tommy Tuberville has gone so far as to block the confirmation of a new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a leader for the Marine Corps.

President Joe Biden and the White House reportedly view the issue as a winner for them. Biden has essentially left it to Senate Republicans to rein Tuberville in. Thursday's vote illustrates the sheer number of Republicans who agree with Tuberville's position even if some lawmakers may disagree with his tactic of holding up military promotions.

House Republicans have a number of other amendment votes to press through Thursday evening. The must-pass funding bill, the National Defense Authorization Act, has often been overshadowed by legislative fights for policies that lawmakers want to jam into the bill.

CNN's Melanie Zanona wrote that the inclusion of the abortion restrictions will lead the final House vote to be extremely one-sided. The final NDAA bill generally passes with large bipartisan support.

It's unclear what will happen with the policy given that the Democratic-led Senate is passing its own version of the legislation. Both houses must then work out a compromise before the final legislation can be passed and sent to Biden.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The city started disbursing reparations payments to locals in 2022, in the form of vouchers for housing, and has since expanded them to include cash.

The predominantly Black Fifth Ward in Evanston, Ill. The Chicago suburb is preparing to pay reparations in the form of housing grants to Black residents who experienced housing discrimination. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

As talk of reparations ripples through the federal and local governments nationwide, Evanston, Ill., has become the first city in the United States to put money in the hands of Black residents affected by years of discrimination.

Im excited to see that over 100 municipalities have followed in their inspiration and what's happened in Evanston. We all look forward to seeing more legislation put into law and then into practice, and then disbursed, Robin Rue Simmons, the founder and executive director of First Repair and chairperson of the citys reparations committee, told Yahoo News.

Simmons, a former alderwoman in Evanston, which has a 16% Black population and is located about 12 miles north of Chicago, has been a pioneer in bringing reparations to one of the Black communities affected by the aftermath of slavery in the United States.

Most federal policy is implemented with a spark in a local community, a grassroots leader. Every other area of government we look at hyperlocally. And then it trickles up to our congressional leaders, she said.

But Simmons recalled just having her own city in mind when she started out on the journey of repairing harm to the dwindling number of Black residents in the community.

Robin Rue Simmons, then an alderwoman of Evanston's Fifth Ward, in 2021 with a photograph of her mother, aunt and grandmother. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

I'm a part of a village, the Fifth Ward of Evanston, a historically Black community, and we were losing our residents, who happened to be my neighbors, my friends and family, Simmons said. So the spark was the exodus of Black families, the declining homeownership rates and the widening racial gaps.

'This isnt over': Demand for national reparations intensifies after dismissal of Tulsa lawsuit

In months of research to bring reparations to her city, Simmons soon found out there was no other local reparations initiative on which to model an approach to the problem. Evanston started from ground zero in 2019, she said, to consider best practices for repairing harm done to its Black community.

Heres how the city is now putting cash into the hands of its Black citizens.

What are the reparations?

Simmons said Evanston used the widening race, education and wealth gaps, as well as the mass exodus of Black residents, as markers to address the economic and educational harm they had suffered. By consensus, she said, the Black community decided that housing should be an area of priority for redress.

"Our harm report also showed that housing is an area in which we were harmed and stripped away of wealth and opportunity, Simmons explained. So we've started with housing.

The Restorative Housing Program was initially funded from $10 million that came from a city sales tax on recreational cannabis.

In 2022, the citys reparations committee started giving $25,000 to about 620 applicants, in the form of vouchers toward the purchase of a home, mortgage assistance or home renovations. The benefits are also transferable to descendants. An additional $10 million was added to the reparations pot from real estate transfer taxes. This year, the committee has expanded from vouchers to include cash, overcoming some dissent from the community and taxation hurdles.

The First Congregational Church of Evanston, UCC. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The biggest challenge has been staffing IT and logistics in terms of taxation. How will certain types of benefits, namely cash, impact residents that are receiving other government-funded benefits and not strip away those very important benefits like housing and food access and health care and so on? Simmons said. So that took years for us to get to a place with confidence.

Who is eligible?

Residents who are receiving reparations are described as "ancestors," defined as African American or Black individuals who were at least 18 years old and living in Evanston between 1919 and 1969, or as descendants of Evanston residents living during that time. During this period, Black residents were victims of housing discrimination as a result of early city zoning laws.

Simmons says that addressing the economic disadvantage associated with factors like redlining and overcrowding is an acknowledgment that these ordinances were harmful to the Black community and were responsible for racial segregation, as well as other disparities.

Price tag on reparations for Black descendants of slaves sparks debate, as Democrat proposes $14 trillion

To separate the harms to Evanston allowed us to have a very specific injury, with a very specific way to measure the harm, and therefore a very specific way to determine eligibility, which is everybody Black in Evanston that was here during that period and their descendants, Simmons said.

Jo-Ann Cromer, a lifelong Evanston resident who applied for reparations, in her home on in 2021. (AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar)

How are the funds being disbursed?

Residents can pick up their checks at the citys Civic Center. Simmons has also requested that checks be hand-delivered to Evanston residents, with a thank-you note offering an opportunity for further engagement.

She said that along with the check, the reparations committee would hold a ceremonial dinner with elected and community leaders and a plaque would be given to each of the recipients as a reminder to hold their leaders accountable.

Whats next

The application process is closed now, as the committee prepares to develop a new program or extend the reparations program. Simmons said the next phase will focus on addressing the education gap.

My hope is that although this is a 10-year commitment, that future city councils will prioritize reparations and continue the work even into perpetuity, or as long as it takes for us to address our racial gaps, she said.

A Black Lives Matter sign at the corner of Emerson Street and Dodge Avenue in Evanston in 2021. (Eileen T. Meslar/Reuters)

Black Reparations Fund aims to help local initiatives, as federal efforts stagnate

Simmons emphasized the need for more research and public education around understanding the public benefit of reparations and broadening the conversation to differentiate public policy and equity from reparations.

Reparations is simply justice, justice that is overdue justice that all other communities are receiving and we are not, she said.

Repairing the harm in the Black community, yes, uplifts and liberates and empowers Black families, but it also repairs an entire community and creates healthy families, healthy communities, more wealth, increased tax revenue. There's a long list.
Approximately 40 human body parts were found in the home of a Kentucky man, who the FBI says was a part of a multi-state scheme to buy and sell human remains.

The scheme, reported by McClatchy News in June, led to the initial arrests of six people. They included a mortuary worker in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the manager of the morgue at Harvard Medical School.

Some of the body parts stolen from morgues in Massachusetts and Arkansas ended up in the Mt. Washington, Kentucky, home, officials said.

The Kentucky man, according to the FBI, used the pseudonym William Burke on Facebook. Burke was a serial killer in the 1800s in Scotland and sold victims bodies to an influential lecturer, federal authorities say.

Under the Burke alias, the Mt. Washington man sold body parts through Facebook, according to details in the criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. A Pennsylvania man he is accused of selling human remains to has since been arrested.

The Pennsylvania man, McClatchy News reported in 2022, had human brains, heart, livers, skin and lungs in his home, according to the Cumberland County District Attorneys Office. The body parts were stowed in 5-gallon buckets, police said.

When FBI agents went to the Louisville-area home, they asked the 39-year-old man if anyone else was there. He replied, only my dead friends, according to the FBI.

Inside the home, agents found 40 human skulls and other body parts, the complaint says.

The skulls were decorated around the furniture, according to the complaint. One skull had a head scarf around it. One skull was located on the mattress where (he) slept.

An attorney for the man could not immediately be reached for comment by McClatchy News.

The Harvard manager had been secretly harvesting human organs and was selling them across the country, officials said in previous McClatchy News reporting.

We are so very sorry for the pain this news will cause for our anatomical donors families and loved ones, George Daley, dean of the faculty of medicine at the Harvard Medical School, wrote in a June 14 statement. The reported incidents are a betrayal of HMS and, most importantly, each of the individuals who altruistically chose to will their bodies to HMS through the Anatomical Gift Program to advance medical education and research.

A Little Rock mortuary worker also involved in the scheme stole and sold four brains, three hearts, two testicles, a penis and one large belly button, according to an April indictment obtained by McClatchy News.

The complaint mentions both the Harvard morgue manager and Little Rock mortuary worker, but it is unclear how the Kentucky man obtained the body parts. Authorities did say a Harvard Medical School bag was found inside his home.

The FBI said the Mt. Washington man used Facebook to sell human remains as recently as June. He has only been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

Horrific and morbid. Colorado funeral home sold stolen, infected body parts, feds say
Police have been accused of a heavy-handed response and criticised for using tear gas against civilians (Luis Tato)

Kenya's interior ministry on Thursday said more than 300 people including a lawmaker had been arrested following violent anti-government protests that left seven people dead.

There were deadly clashes and looting on Wednesday in parts of the East African nation as protesters took to the streets over tax hikes and economic pressures in defiance of a government ban.

Police have been accused of a heavy-handed response and criticised for using tear gas against civilians, including at a school where dozens of children were hospitalised.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who called the protests, has vowed to keep up the street action until cost of living pressures come down.

But the interior ministry said that "acts of lawlessness... can neither be accepted nor tolerated".

"There is no relationship between lowering the cost of living and destruction of critical infrastructure built using public funds. That is hooliganism, lawlessness, and a recipe for anarchy," Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki said.

"Security officers are directed to enforce the law firmly and decisively and deal with all criminals, including economic saboteurs, looters, and vandals, who are destroying private and private property."

He said 312 people "who directly or indirectly planned, orchestrated, or financed" the protests had been arrested and would be charged, including a member of parliament.

"The search for more culprits is on," he added.

The death toll from the unrest rose to seven after a man died in clashes between rival groups in Sondu on the border of Kericho and Kisumu, the latter an Odinga stronghold.

"One person succumbed to injuries at the hospital," Kericho police commander Geoffrey Mayek told AFP.

Six others were killed when police opened fire on demonstrators in the towns of Mlolongo and Kitengela on Nairobi's outskirts, and in Emali along the highway to Mombasa.

In Nairobi's Kangemi slum, dozens of children were hospitalised, some unconscious, after teargas was fired near their classrooms.

The National Gender and Equality Commission, a state authority, strongly condemned the incident.

"School children... who should be shielded from such chaos, were tragically caught in the crossfire," it said, condemning the vandalism and rights abuses linked to the protests.

Odinga initiated a string of anti-government rallies this year after losing to William Ruto in presidential elections last August -- a vote he claims was "stolen".

Last week, protests in several cities also saw six people killed.

ho-np/amu/bp
(Bloomberg) -- Hungary may ratify Swedens NATO membership bid in the autumn, a ruling Fidesz party lawmaker said, which would clear one of the last bottlenecks remaining for the Nordic nation to become a full-fledged member of the alliance.

Most Read from Bloomberg

An extraordinary parliament session wont be needed to approve the decision, Zsolt Nemeth, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of parliament, told Inforadio in an interview. Instead its expected to be discussed when parliament reconvenes for its regular autumn session in mid-September.

Hungary and Turkey have been the last holdouts against Sweden joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a bid triggered, along with Finlands, by Russias invasion of Ukraine last year.

Nemeth said there was no urgency for Hungary to call an extraordinary session of parliament for earlier approval as Turkey would only discuss the ratification process when its national assembly reconvenes Oct. 1.

Turkey appeared to drop its opposition to Swedens application at the NATO summit in Vilnius this week after a more than a year of insisting that Stockholm further crack down on Kurdish activists living in the Nordic country that Ankara labels terrorists.

Read more: Sweden Gets Boost as NATO Breakthrough Eases Long-Running Gloom

Prime Minister Viktor Orban had said from the outset that Hungary would approve Swedens bid once Turkey agrees, which Nemeth said was part of a complicated diplomacy play. Orban also said Hungary wont be the last one to approve the accession bid.

The Turkish-Swedish debate created political opportunities for Hungary, Nemeth said, with Hungary having closely cooperating with Turkey throughout the talks.

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Hungary plans to take more Ukrainian POWs from Russia  media reports

Flag of Hungary

Hungary plans to take another group of Ukrainian prisoners of war from Russia with the mediation of the so-called Russian Orthodox Church or ROC, but without the participation of Kyiv, the RBC-Ukraine news agency reported on July 13.

The agency cited sources in the Ukrainian special services as the basis for the report.

Read also: Hungary preparing psyop to discredit Ukraine over prisoner swap, claims Ukrainian ombudsman

The ROC is also actively discussing the visit of representatives of the Hungarian government to Russia, which, according to preliminary data, should take place on Aug. 8-11, one of the sources said.

The purpose of the visit is, in particular, to discuss the next round of transfers of Ukrainian prisoners of war who are of Hungarian origin, the source said.

As last time, everything is happening without the participation and agreement of Ukraine, without any legal grounds, which is a gross violation of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law.

Read also: Ukrainian ombudsman accuses Hungary of violating international law by holding Ukrainian POWs

On the Russian side, a member of the ROC Synod, Metropolitan Antoniy (Anton Sevryuk) of Volokolamsk will reportedly act as a negotiator.

At the same time, Budapest does not have a list of specific military personnel it wants to take away, but the Hungarians undisputed demand is that they belong to the Hungarian national minority in Ukraine and that they know the language.

The Russian special services are allegedly engaged in the search and selection of residents of Ukraines Zakarpattya Oblast among the POWs, the source said. Thus, they want to form a group of 10-15 Ukrainian soldiers before the arrival of the Hungarian delegation.

Ukrainian POWs in Hungary  What is known

The ROC announced on June 8 that it had handed over a group of Ukrainian prisoners of war to Hungary. The following day, Ukraines Main Intelligence Directorate stated that it had not received this information and was in the process of verifying it.

Subsequently, Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen confirmed the transfer of the Ukrainian POWs, who were residents of Ukraine's Zakarpattya Oblast. Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing its lack of knowledge about negotiations between Budapest and Moscow, requested detailed information about the released Ukrainians and a meeting with the temporary charge d'affaires of Hungary.

Read also:

Oleh Kotenko, the authorized representative for missing persons, announced on June 16 that Ukraine had determined the locations and identities of 11 of its soldiers.

According to sources quoted by the Hungarian branch of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the transfer might have been a personal initiative of Semjen, unknown to the rest of the Hungarian government.

As of June 23, Ukraine had repatriated five of the POWs, while another six remained in Hungary.

Read also: Ukraine returns three POWs from Hungary

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The International Criminal Court building is seen in The Hague

By Anthony Deutsch

THE HAGUE/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The International Criminal Court is investigating a surge in hostilities in Sudan's Darfur region since mid-April, including reports of killings, rapes and crimes affecting children, the top prosecutor told the United Nations on Thursday.

The regular army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been battling in the capital Khartoum and other areas of Sudan in a power struggle that exploded in mid-April.

More than 3 million people have been uprooted, including more than 700,000 who have fled into neighbouring countries.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said last week that Sudan, Africa's third largest country by land area, was on the brink of full-scale civil war that could destabilise the wider region.

"The office can confirm that it has commenced investigations in relation to incidents occurring in the context of the present hostilities," the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan's office said in a report to the U.N. Security Council.

ICC prosecutors are "closely tracking reports of extrajudicial killings, burning of homes and markets, and looting, in Al Geneina, West Darfur, as well as the killing and displacement of civilians in North Darfur and other locations across Darfur," the report said.

It is also examining "allegations of sexual and gender-based crimes, including mass rapes and alleged reports of violence against and affecting children," it said.

In El Geneina, witnesses have reported waves of attacks by Arab militias and the RSF against the non-Arab Masalit people, the largest community in the city, that have sent tens of thousands of people fleeing to nearby Chad.

While the ICC cannot currently work in Sudan due to the security situation, it intends to do so as soon as possible, the report said. Under a 2005 U.N. Security Council resolution, its jurisdiction is limited to the Darfur region.

The ICC has four outstanding arrest warrants related to the earlier fighting in Darfur between 2003 and 2008, including one against former Sudanese President Omar al Bashir on charges of genocide.

Al Bashir and two of his former ministers who are also wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes in Darfur had been in custody in Sudan. The army said Bashir and one of the former ministers, Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein, had been moved to a military hospital before the outbreak of the fighting. The other former minister, Ahmed Haroun, said he had broken out of prison with others 10 days after the start of the conflict.

Khan said he had sent a request to Sudan's government, which has a long history of not cooperating with the ICC, to find out the current location of the suspects.

In April, the ICC opened its first trial dealing with Darfur crimes in the case of alleged Janjaweed leader Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman.

While applauding the ICC's investigation, the U.S. State Department on Thursday condemned continued "atrocities and ethnically targeted killings" committed in West Darfur.

"The atrocities and violence in Darfur demand accountability, meaningful justice for victims and the affected communities, and an end to impunity," department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

(Reporting by Anthony Deutsch and Stephanie van den Berg; Additional reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien and Michael Perry)
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The International Criminal Court's prosecutor said Thursday he is investigating alleged new war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudans Darfur region during the country's current conflict that has killed more than 3,000 people and forced over 3 million to flee their homes.

Karim Khan told the U.N. Security Council that fighting between government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Security Forces has spilled into Darfur which was wracked by bloodshed and atrocities in 2003. He said the world, the country and the council are in peril of allowing history to repeat itself.

In 2005, the Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the ICC, and Khan said the court still has a mandate under that resolution to investigate crimes in the vast western region.

Darfur has been one of the epicenters of the current conflict that began on April 15, turning into an arena of ethnic violence with the paramilitary troops and allied Arab militias attacking African ethnic groups. Earlier Thursday, the U.N. human rights office said at least 87 bodies  some of them from the ethnic African Masalit tribe  were uncovered in a mass grave in West Darfur, and cited credible information that they were killed by Rapid Support Force fighters and an allied militia.

We are investigating those allegations, Khan told the council. We are by any analysis not on the precipice of a human catastrophe but in the very midst of one.

There are women and children, boys and girls, old and young, in fear of their lives, living with uncertainty in the midst of conflict, and as their homes are burnt. Many as we speak will not know what the night will bring and what fate awaits them tomorrow, the prosecutor said.

Khan said the ICC is also looking to investigate many other allegations in West Darfur including looting, extrajudicial killings and the burning of homes, as well as allegations in North Darfur.

He said anybody inside or outside Sudan who aids or abets crimes in Darfur will be investigated. And he said he instructed his office to give priority to crimes against children and sexual- and gender-based violence.

We must act urgently, collectively, to protect the most vulnerable if this oft-repeated phrase of `never again' is to mean anything, Khan said.

The vast Darfur region was engulfed in bloodshed in 2003 when rebels from the territorys ethnic central and sub-Saharan African community launched an insurgency accusing the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum of discrimination and neglect.

The government, under then President Omar al-Bashir, responded with a scorched-earth assault of aerial bombings and unleashed local nomadic Arab militias known as the Janjaweed, who are accused of mass killings and rapes. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes.

In April, the first ICC trial to deal with atrocities by Sudanese government-backed forces in Darfur began in The Hague, Netherlands. The defendant, Janjaweed leader Ali Muhammad Ali AbdAl-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, pleaded innocent to all 31 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Khan told the council the prosecution has closed its case and the trial is expected to continue, notwithstanding the ongoing conflict.

He quoted one unnamed witness who told the court that after 20 years: We want justice. We want that all those who turned our lives into humiliation and suffering and exhaustion to be held accountable ... We want peace. We want to return to our homeland.

Al-Bashir also faces ICC charges of genocide and crimes against humanity related to the Darfur conflict. He had been in prison in Khartoum since he was ousted from power in 2019 with two other sought by the ICC.

In a report to the council, Khan said his office understands that the three suspects were released from Kober prison in the capital Khartoum after fighting broke out in April. He said his office recently sent a letter to the government seeking confirmation of their current location.

Khan briefed the Security Council soon after leaders from Sudans seven neighboring countries met in Cairo on Thursday for the most high-profile peace talks since conflict erupted across the northeastern African country 90 days ago.

The 12 weeks of fighting have turned Khartoum, Sudans capital, into an urban battlefield.

The conflict forced more than 2.4 million people to flee their homes for safer areas inside the country, according to the International Organization for Migration. Around 738,000 others have crossed into neighboring countries, the agency said.
Once believed to be gone forever, platypuses are being reintroduced to Sydneys Royal National Park after disappearing five decades ago.

Conservationists arent sure exactly why the peculiar egg-laying aquatic mammal vanished from the rivers of Royal National Park. It could have been due to a chemical tanker spill on the nearby Princes Highway or excessive predation by foxes or cats, the Good News Network reported.

Regardless, theyre making a comeback!

In a collaborative effort involving the University of New South Wales, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and World Wildlife Foundation, conservationists recently reintroduced the first batch of five female individuals into the Hacking River.

This marks the initial phase of the reintroduction project.

Recent studies estimate at least 15,000 species are now facing the threat of extinction on Earth. Determining the exact extinction rate is challenging since many endangered species have yet to be identified or studied.

Species have been going extinct while new species have emerged since the Earth began harboring life billions of years ago.

But today we are undergoing what scientists call the sixth mass extinction, which is triggered by human activities, such as the unsustainable use of land (in large part due to animal agriculture for meat production), water and energy use, and human-driven climate change.

Although this unfortunate mass extinction is currently underway, some efforts to bring back species have been successful, as some have been put back on the map.

An example is that of the black-footed ferrets in the Northern Great Plains of North America, which were declared extinct years ago until being successfully brought back to their natural habitat.

The goal is also to put the Australian platypuses in the right position to get back on track.

Weve put females in a week to 10 days before the males go in, just to let those girls settle in without those males who are a bit bolder, a bit boisterous, said Rob Brewster, an Aussie conservationist with the WWF, according to the Good News Network.

Hopefully, those females have found that little niche in their new environment and they can settle in together from there on, he added.

Penny Sharp, the New South Wales Environment Minister, said, Royal National Park is Australias oldest national park and I am pleased this historic reintroduction will help re-establish a sanctuary for this iconic species, reported the Good News Network.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Idaho is home to great nuclear achievements and the deadliest disaster in U.S. history

While New Mexico may get all the attention for its role in the Manhattan Project, Idaho arguably could be called the state with the most significant nuclear history.

In its brightest moments, it has led the way in harnessing nuclear as a renewable energy source.

In its darkest, it has been the site of what is considered the deadliest nuclear accident in American history.

Oddly Idaho explores curious quirks and nostalgia in The Gem State.

The Atomic Energy Commission announced on Feb. 18, 1949, that it had selected Idaho as the site for the National Reactor Testing Station  known today as the Idaho National Laboratory  35 miles west of Idaho Falls, where it planned to spend $500 million on reactors, research facilities and other projects, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.

The now defunct Experimental Breeder Reactor No. II is seen on the Idaho National Laboratory site between Idaho Falls and Arco. EBR-II was one of dozens of nuclear reactors that once operated on the 890-square-mile site. Only a few reactors are still working.

The research paid off in 1951 when Idahos Experimental Breeder Reactor I in Arco made history by powering on four light bulbs. The next day, it generated enough energy to light the entire building and parking lot.

An astounded Soviet Union refused to believe the incredible claim and declared the United States to be lying about it at a United Nations conference, according to the Idaho National Laboratory.

Although this mere 400 kilowatts of power seems small by todays standards, it was absolutely monumental in the context of 1951, the Idaho National Laboratorys website states. This was the first time a usable amount of electricity had been generated using nuclear technology, and it paved the way for an energy source of the future.

The achievement  proving that nuclear could be used as a practical power source  was so momentous that President Lyndon B. Johnson designated the reactor as a National Historic Landmark in 1966. You can still visit the decommissioned reactor today at the laboratorys museum.

Idaho scientists made history again in 1955 when they lit the entire town of Arco using nuclear energy. The short-lived event lasted for just an hour in the dead of night, but even today, a sign above city hall still brags that Arco was the first city in the world to be lit by atomic power.

President Lyndon B. Johnson holds one of the light bulbs that were the first in the world to be lit by nuclear energy.

Idaho gets countrys first-of-its-kind nuclear fallout shelter

Many saw nuclear as the gateway to an exciting future. But as America carried memories of the atomic bombings of Japan and fears of a Cold War attack, others worried nuclear advancement would lead to disaster.

The U.S. Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization chose Boise as the site of the countrys first community nuclear fallout shelter in 1960, which would serve as a prototype for future civil defense shelters across the United States, a Statesman article reported at the time. The Statesman attributed the choice to a handful of young fathers in Highlands (who) began pestering the federal government. They worried the Idaho Falls laboratory and the Mountain Home Air Force Base could make Idaho an enemy target.

The two-story Boise Bomb Shelter, which can still be found at 600 W. Curling Drive, was built partly through a $122,000 grant (nearly $1.3 million today) from the Federal Civil Defense Agency. Made with steel-reinforced concrete, it included a laundry room, speaker system, air filtration systems, a diesel generator, kitchen, dormitories and decontamination showers, according to the Idaho Architecture Project.

The Boise Bomb Shelters opening celebration drew large crowds and was featured in Life magazine.

Controversially, it was large enough to shelter only 1,000 people. Residents of the expensive Highlands area paid $100 each to hold on to the slim hope that they wouldnt die in a war.

Paying members didnt take this privilege lightly. In the event of a nuclear attack, they planned to protect their means of survival through force.

We mean business when we say this shelter is for members only, said member Glenn Buettner, according to the Idaho Architecture Project. Well deputize 35 to 40 security guards from our membership to keep intruders out.

The Statesman reported that Boises remaining 75,000 residents at the time were sore as a boil that federal dollars were being spent on this exclusive shelter when many of them had spent their own money to build backyard shelters.

A number of local leaders attended the shelters opening ceremony, including the mayor, governor and state civil defense leader.

Roxann Jensen, daughter of Boise Bomb Shelter architect Edgar B. Jensen, remembered how palpable fears of nuclear war were while growing up in Boise. Now 74, she recalled a giant siren resembling a megaphone that stood near where Rhodes Skate Park exists downtown today.

When that went off, boy, you hid under your desk, or you took shelter somewhere, Jensen told the Statesman by phone. I remember writing in my diary about how concerned everybody was and fearful because we just didnt know what was going to happen.

After the Cold War, the shelter changed hands several times. The Boise School District used it for offices and storage until Boise local John Farren bought the space to turn into music studios. He submitted plans in 2021 to build condos on top of it, but the project has not moved forward since then, according to city planning records.

Farren did not respond to the Statesmans request for an update.

The Boise Bomb Shelter still stands in the North End today.

Only fatal nuclear reactor accident in U.S. history

Fears of dying at the hands of nuclear power came true in Idaho. But the source was not the Soviet Union.

On Jan. 3, 1961, Navy electrician Richard Legg, 26, and Army Spcs. John Byrnes, 22, and Richard McKinley, 27, arrived at the laboratory to restart the SL-1 reactor after it had shut down for 11 days during the holiday season, according to the INL. They were three of the many military members stationed in Idaho Falls to train and to work there.

The men needed to lift control rods to reconnect the reactor to its operating equipment as part of their assignment.

One of the workers lifted the rod too far out of the reactors core, prompting SL-1 to rapidly surpass full power operation, resulting in a nearly instantaneous sequence: a fission chain reaction that generated enormous amounts of heat and a steam explosion, an Idaho National Laboratory document states.

While salacious rumors later circulated about why the accident occurred, the prevailing theory was that the rods known habit of sticking caused the worker to push it forward with too much force, according to the laboratory.

In 1954, scientists intentionally caused the Borax-I reactor, which was a precursor to the SL-I reactor, to explode. That experiment, pictured here, later helped scientists understand what caused the SL-1 disaster, according to the Argonne National Laboratory.

The explosion killed Legg and Byrnes instantly. Firefighters and other responders who rushed to the scene found McKinley alive. With little regard for their safety, they ran into the explosion room, put him on a stretcher and carried him to the laboratorys ambulance, where he died a short time later.

The authorities in Idaho had to decide what to do with a radioactive corpse, author and former Idaho Nuclear Navy officer Todd Tucker wrote in his book Atomic America. Taking him to a morgue or mortuary in Idaho Falls was out of the question. Besides being completely unequipped to deal with this kind of hazard, the drive would kill any ambulance driver.

Eventually, a responder drove the ambulance half a mile into the desert, jumped out and sprinted away, according to Atomic America. It was left there for hours, corpse and all, until a team could decontaminate the vehicle.

To recover Leggs body, which was pinned to the ceiling, rescue workers formed a chain and took turns running into the room for 65-second stints. It was all the radiation their bodies could take.

An Idaho nuclear physicist checks U.S. Highway 20 outside of Idaho Falls for contamination on Jan. 4, 1961, one day after the SL-1 accident.

The mens funerals were overseen by the Atomic Energy Commission and all lasted less than 10 minutes to prevent mourners from exposure to the radiation emitting from the bodies, according to Tuckers book. Their lead-lined caskets were lowered into deep metal vaults that were then covered in 3 feet of concrete.

The grave of Legg, whose body was the most radioactive, came with an eerie warning.

Victim of nuclear accident, it read. Body is contaminated with long-life radio-active isotopes. Under no circumstances will the body be moved from this location without prior approval of the Atomic Energy Commission in consultation with this headquarters.

Altogether, 790 people were exposed to radiation from the event, which took 18 months to clean up, according to INL. The laboratory maintains that only rescue workers were affected and radiation did not reach local communities.

Contaminated debris and material were buried 8 to 15 feet into the ground. The Environmental Protection Agency conducts periodic inspections of the area to ensure its safety.

Today, little more than a fence and sign remain to mark where the accident happened.

Sometimes when I will be driving in the desert, Im like, Oh, thats where SL-1 was, Sarah Neumann, INL spokesperson, told the Statesman by phone. The building is gone. They removed it, dug everything out, put a new cap over all that, and then it has soil and sagebrush on top of that. So it really looks like the rest of the desert. You wouldnt know it was even there.

Idahos nuclear future

Despite the accident, Idaho has continued to be a global leader of nuclear advancement in the intervening six decades.

The most significant advancements the Idaho National Laboratory is now leading are the efforts to build the worlds first nuclear microreactors. These are designed to be small enough to fit in the back of a truck and strong enough to power entire towns, some of which will run on nuclear waste, thus helping reduce that waste. They are working with a number of partners on these projects.

Nuclear experts hope these tiny reactors will be able to provide power to remote villages and disaster zones around the world.

Yasir Arafat sits near a prototype of his MARVEL nuclear microreactor.

The furthest along of these is the Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation project, also known as MARVEL.

We want to give them a nuclear reactor that is small, transportable, they can put it on the ground and it will run for five, 10, or 20 years, depending on the design, Yasir Arafat, project lead for the MARVEL reactor, told Power magazine. Were going to be making this microreactor so safe, so benign, but also economically feasible, that it can be widespread around not just the U.S., but around the world.

MARVEL will be the first new test reactor at Idaho National Laboratory in more than 40 years, according to the Department of Energy. It is expected to begin operating at an Idaho testing facility by the end of 2024.

If that succeeds, Idaho will once again make history, and experts around the world will look to the Gem State as the heart of a potential nuclear future, just as they have before.

Every commercial nuclear reactor across the globe owes something to the work that was done here in Idaho, Neumann said.
After illegal vote and months of turmoil, 3 Richland School Board members need to go | Opinion

Its time for the Richland School District to start anew.

With ballots coming out for the Aug. 1 primary election, voters must support the recall and rid the district of Richland School Board members Audra Byrd, Kari Williams and Semi Bird.

From the time Bird and Byrd were elected in 2021, the school district has been in turmoil.

Yes, they rode into office on a wave of frustration over Washington Gov. Jay Inslees attempts to slow the spread of COVID-19  especially by requiring students to wear masks at school.

But despite what their supporters expected, once they took office they had a duty to follow state law. Its clear by now that they knowingly ignored that obligation.

In an unnecessary, belligerent move in February 2022, Byrd, Williams and Bird voted to make masks optional for the next school day.

It wasnt their call to make, and the result was chaos while district officials dealt with the consequences of their misguided action.

For starters, defying the state mask mandate could trigger the loss of state funding.

The vote also came as a surprise because Byrd, Williams and Bird ignored the spirit of the Open Meetings Act when they took their vote. There simply was not enough time to alert school employees and manage the change, so Richland School Superintendent Shelley Redinger ended up closing school for two days.

In the end, students returned to class wearing masks until the governors mandate was officially lifted a few weeks later.

All that disruption was for nothing.

Richland School Board members were told repeatedly by school attorneys and other state officials that they did not have the authority to override state law.

But Byrd, Williams and Bird didnt care.

Whats worse  they still dont seem to care. The three have shown no remorse for their decision.

Semi Bird even publicly insisted that because the mask requirement was a mandate, it really wasnt a law.

To be clear  mandates and laws carry the same power and the same weight. The difference between them is how they come to be.

Washington state laws are created and approved through the legislative process, while mandates come from a governor in times of crisis.

Breaking the law  or defying a mandate  leads to consequences.

Considering that Semi Bird has decided not to run for the school board again in order to focus on running for governor, we hope he would realize by now the correct definition of a mandate.

Audra Byrd is not up for re-election, so if she is not recalled she would be able to serve out the rest of her term.

Kari Williams is up for re-election, and she appears on the primary ballot twice  once for trying to retain her seat and once for the recall.

Its possible she could be recalled from her current position and ousted right away, but still end up on the ballot in the general election in November.

It might help voters to know that Semi Bird is the chairman of the Benton County Republican Party and that the Richland School Board candidates endorsed by the party are Gene Nemeth, Aaron Riggs and Nino Kapitulo.

On her Facebook site, Audra Byrd also has supported these three.

In a recent Letter to the Editor, former Richland School Board member Heather Cleary is supporting the re-election of Richland School Board member Jill Oldson, and newcomers Chelsie Beck and Katrina Waters.

The League of Women Voters of Benton-Franklin will broadcast their candidate forums beginning Thursday and Friday, July 13 and 14. They will be available through Election Day on a variety of websites, including the League, the Columbia Basin Badger Club and the city of Richland.

As for the recall, remember that it wasnt clear how virulent COVID-19 would be as it evolved from one variant to the next.

Byrd, Williams and Bird ignored both the available science and the law. None of them had any expertise in either. All they had was emotion on their side.

There has been strife and divisiveness in the Richland School District for too long. Its time to oust these three board members and release the baggage they carry with them.
Imagine Dragons members say they aren't 'righteous warriors' for waving rainbow pride flags onstage: 'Everybody deserves the right to feel included'

Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons waves a pride flag on stage in 2022. Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

Insider spoke to the members of Imagine Dragons about their new Hulu documentary, out Friday.

The concert doc shows Dan Reynolds waving a rainbow flag and Ben McKee rocking trans pride colors.

The band opened up about LGBTQ+ allyship and making their show a "safe place" for all fans.

Last September, during a sold-out show at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Imagine Dragons was in the middle of playing "It's Time"  one of the band's many instantly recognizable hits  when Dan Reynolds spotted a fan in the crowd with the progress pride flag.

Without hestitation, Reynolds hoisted the flag into the air as he walked down the runway, belting the serendipitous lyrics: "I'm just the same as I was / Now don't you understand? / That I'm never changing who I am."

It's a standout moment in the band's new Hulu documentary, "Imagine Dragons Live In Vegas," out Friday. The concert doc was largely filmed during the band's special homecoming show, the culmination of their meteoric rise to stardom over the past decade.

But it wasn't the first time Reynolds showed support for the LGBTQ+ community on stage, and it wouldn't be the last.

"We care deeply about human rights, basic human rights, about the ability to love who you want," Reynolds tells Insider. "Some of us grew up with religious backgrounds where we witnessed a lot of hate, a lot of bigotry. And I think we are looking to just take that responsibility seriously and do our best to contribute love to the world, to have a voice for those who don't get to be on a stage."

Reynolds grew up Mormon, and he's long been open about his journey to reconcile the church's anti-gay doctrine with his own support for gay rights. In 2017, he launched the inaugural LoveLoud Fest in Salt Lake City, Utah, as a fundraising event for LGBTQ+ organizations. It raised $1 million in its second year.

Justin Tranter, a queer musician who cowrote the Imagine Dragons anthem "Believer," has praised Reynolds as "the definition of an ally" and a true friend to the queer community.

"We've done very little," Reynolds demurs. "I want to make it clear. It's not like we're these righteous warriors looking to be heroic. We've done very little, but we've been given a lot. And so we take it seriously to take the extreme amount of luck that we have been given, and to do it right, to do the universe, and to try to de-stigmatize and give back."

Still, it's no small thing to see explicit allyship from one of the biggest artists in the world, especially as anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has been on the rise in the US.

Ben McKee in "Imagine Dragons Live in Vegas." Courtesy of Hulu

Each member of the band has made a point to be inclusive in their electrifying live performances  particularly bassist Ben McKee, who often plays a guitar with the colors of the trans pride flag.

"Everybody deserves the right to feel included," he tells Insider. "And it just seemed like I had the opportunity to bring some symbols of that love and inclusion into the performance."

Unlike Reynolds, McKee says he was raised with the understanding that queerness was a natural part of life, which bleeds into his art today.

"Growing up, I never had a Christmas or Thanksgiving where there wasn't a same-sex couple at the table that I grew up loving," he says. "I never knew it was something different than what other people were experiencing."

"I want everybody that comes to our shows to be able to feel like they are represented by our music and to be able to see something that makes them feel welcome," McKee adds. "Imagine Dragons shows are a safe place for everyone."

Read the original article on Insider
The Indian State of Manipur Is on the Verge of Civil War. Modi Hasn't Said a Word About It

Indian paramilitary soldiers inspect the site of a car bomb explosion in Kwakta, some 50 kilometers from Imphal, capital of the northeastern Indian state of Manipur on June 22. Manipur is caught in a deadly conflict between two ethnic communities that have armed themselves and launched brutal attacks against one another. The clashes, which have left at least 120 dead by the authorities' conservative estimates, persist despite the armys presence. Credit - Altaf QadriAP

The Indian state of Manipur is on the verge of civil war. In the last few weeks, more than 250 churches have been torched, more than 100 people killed, and more than 40,000 people displaced. Yet Prime Minister Narendra Modi hasnt said a single word in public about itlet alone visited the conflict-ridden region.

The world has largely remained silent about the unrest in Manipur between the predominantly Hindu Meitei, who form a bare majority in the state, and the mostly Christian Naga and Kuki tribes.

My organization, Hindus for Human Rights, is doing all we can to wake the world up to the crisis in Manipur and the broader threat to democracy in India. We mobilize Hindus to draw on the pluralistic teachings of our faith and oppose the Hindu nationalism of Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. We co-led a protest at the White House during Modis visit to the United States last month, at which members of the heartbroken Manipuri diaspora asked, Modi, Biden, are you listening? Is anybody listening?

Dozens of houses are seen vandalized and burnt following ethnic clashes and rioting in Sugnu, in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur on June 21. Altaf QadriAP

It is for these reasons that we are encouraged by the European Parliaments decision on Wednesday to urgently discuss the crisis in Manipur, with a vote on a resolution expected on Thursday. This is a welcome development at a time when French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to roll out the red carpet for Modi in Paris during his state visit from July 13 to 14 to mark Bastille Day, and following weeks of silence from world leaders as Modi traversed the globe with trips to Australia, Egypt, Japan, Papua New Guinea, and the U.S.

For those unfamiliar with the current crisis in Manipur, it reflects the complex dynamics at the heart of Indias easternmost state. Manipur joined India in 1949, over the objections of many Manipuris, especially in the Naga community. It has experienced secession movements, ethnic rivalries, and serious human rights violations by Indian security forces and the military ever since then.

Residents of Churachandpur take part in a silent march while carrying dummy coffins to commemorate all the tribal people who lost their lives in the ethnic clashes in Manipur on June 23. Biplov BhuyanSOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

While Hindu nationalism was not the original cause of Manipurs problems, its certainly exacerbating things now. The most recent wave of violence came in April after Manipurs High Court upheld a BJP-led state government policy to grant Meiteis Scheduled Tribe status. This policy would grant the non-tribal community constitutional rights reserved for the minority Naga and Kuki tribes, especially access to land. Naga and Kuki community leaders fiercely oppose this proposal, and argue that it would defeat the purpose of acknowledging historically marginalized groups.

Over the past two months, protests against this policy have spun into a series of violent attacks, reprisals, and even calls for war. Neither the BJP-led state government nor the central one has provided meaningful support to the countless Manipuris caught in the violence.

Now, in response to the European Parliaments deliberations on Manipur, the Indian government has retained a European lobbying firm, which has urged the European Parliament to discuss the matter with India before any resolution is passed. Modi neither wants to publicly discuss Manipur nor have Europe discuss it.

Zuan Vaiphei, 32, left, an armed tribal Kuki, keeps a watch on rival Meitei community bunkers, along a de facto frontline which dissect the area into two ethnic zones in Churachandpur, in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur on June 20. Two months ago, Vaiphei was teaching economics to students when the simmering tensions between the two communities exploded. Altaf QadriAP

Thats why Macron should raise the matter during Modis visit to Paris. The European Parliaments deliberations add political cover to Macron for a diplomatically sensitive visit. And raising the matter is in the spirit of Bastille Day, which marks the beginning of the French revolution and Frances transition to liberal democracy.

Promoting liberte, egalite, and fraternitethe motto of the French revolutionis the non-negotiable duty of every French leader. Macron, who is on shaky ground over the police killing of a teenager and ramming through an unpopular hike in the retirement age, has a chance to demonstrate his commitment to liberalism and democracy by pushing Modi to end his silence on Manipur. The ball is in Macrons court on Bastille Day.
The indictment of a think tank leader charged with acting as an unregistered agent of China has inflamed an already heated debate over the Department of Justice (DOJ), with Republicans rallying around Gal Luft and arguing the charges against him are further evidence of politicization.

Luft, co-director of the Maryland-based Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, is accused of recruiting and paying an unnamed former high-ranking U.S. government official on behalf of principals based in China in 2016 without registering as a foreign agent, as is required by U.S. law. He also faces arms trafficking and sanctions violations for trying to broker illicit arms deals.

But just a week prior, Luft claimed in a video first published by the New York Post that he was arrested to prevent him from testifying before the House Oversight Committee on shady Biden family business dealings.

He also claims he shared allegations against the Biden family with FBI and DOJ officials during a March 2019 meeting, which he said they covered up. That made him patient zero of the Biden family investigation, he said in the video.

Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), chairman of the Oversight and Accountability Committee, called Luft a very credible witness on Biden family corruption in a tweet last week. Comer and other Republicans have heralded Luft as a whistleblower in the Hunter Biden laptop probe.

On Wednesday, Comer requested that FBI Director Christopher Wray provide the Oversight Committee with an unredacted copy of the FBIs report after allegedly meeting with Luft in March 2019, when Luft supposedly shared his allegations. The ask followed a House Judiciary Committee hearing where Wray was grilled on the agencys purported politicization.

To be clear, the Committee takes no position regarding the federal charges against Luft, Comer wrote in a letter to Wray. Instead, the Committee requests narrowly tailored information he allegedly provided the DOJ and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in March 2019 regarding his interactions with the Chinese company, CEFC.

For some Republicans, the indictment has lent new credence to claims from within the party that the Biden administration has turned the DOJ into a weapon and pointed it at the political right  especially surrounding a purported double standard between conservatives and the Bidens.

The presidents son is at the heart of GOP complaints.

Last month, Hunter Biden took a plea deal with DOJ prosecutors, agreeing to plead guilty to misdemeanors for failing to pay income taxes in 2017 and 2018. He also said he would enter a pretrial diversion program for possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user or addicted to a controlled substance.

In response to the deal, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters it perpetuates the perception of a two-tier system of justice in America. Other top Republicans, including Comer and Senate Republican Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) made similar remarks.

If you are the presidents leading political opponent, the DOJ tries to literally put you in jail and give you prison time. But if you are the presidents son, you get a sweetheart deal, McCarthy said, referring to former President Trump, who faces a slew of legal woes.

Trump called the younger Bidens plea deal a mere traffic ticket. The former president faces New York charges alleging he falsified business records and federal charges alleging he violated the Espionage Act and obstructed justice in taking classified records from his presidency and not returning them.

When FBI searched Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in Florida last year in relation to the classified documents probe, Republicans threatened to defund the agency, accusing it of unfairly targeting the former president for political reasons.

Those threats reemerged Wednesday at a GOP-led House Judiciary hearing, during which Wray faced relentless questioning from Republican members over his leadership of the investigative agency.

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) accused the FBI of acting as a political tool of the Biden administration, pointing to the Mar-a-Lago search as proof of the homes of conservative political opponents being raided.

Leaders of the House Judiciary, Oversight and Accountability, and Ways and Means committees have opened a joint investigation into the federal Hunter Biden case.

The Ways and Means Committee, led by Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), released a transcript from an IRS whistleblower alleging the DOJ slow-walked its investigation into the younger Biden days after his DOJ deal was made public.

Biden attorney Abbe Lowell wrote in a 10-page letter to Smith that ever since the GOP assumed a majority in the House in 2023, its leaders and committees ignored protocol to feed their obsession with attacking the Biden family.

Jordans domain included Wrays testimony before the Judiciary Committee. The Ohio Republican has also asked the Justice Department to turn over information about special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into Trump.

And Comers probe is tied to Luft, the indicted think tank leader. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Israel, Luft was arrested Feb. 17 in Cyprus but fled after being released on bail and remains a fugitive, the Justice Department said in a press release. His indictment was unsealed Monday.

The timing is always coincidental, according to the Democrats at the Department of Justice, Comer told Fox News host Laura Ingraham Monday night.

In light of the charges against Luft, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee asked the GOP to turn over information detailing its interactions with him. Luft has played a key role in Comers probe of Biden family business dealings and whether Biden and his son, Hunter, accepted a bribe.

We are concerned that an official committee of the House of Representatives has been manipulated by an apparent con man who, while a fugitive from justice, attempted to fortify his defense by laundering unfounded and potentially false allegations through Congress, ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) wrote in a letter alongside Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.)

Those allegations  and Lufts indictment  were notably not mentioned during the House Judiciary Committee hearing, where lawmakers asked questions of the FBI director for nearly six hours.

House Republicans have given no indication theyre weakening their focus on the Justice Departments operations, calling on Democrats Wednesday to join in the fight.

I hope (Democrats) will work with us in the appropriations process to stop the weaponization of the government against the American people and in this double standard that exists now in our justice system, Jordan said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Inmate found dead in Georgia detention center, deputies say

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into the death of a Habersham County inmate.

The GBI said the inmate died early Thursday in his cell at around 3:15 a.m.

Deputies said the inmate had numerous health issues.

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He was not identified by officials.

The age of the inmate is unclear, but deputies described him as older.

The Habersham County Sheriffs Office has requested assistance from the GBI to investigate this death.

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Doug Burgum, the Republican governor of North Dakota, is running for president. But he has a problem: Most voters dont know who he is.

Burgum has a solution for thatto make a splash on the debate stage. But theres another problem: The Republican National Committee requires at least 40,000 individual donors as one of its criteria for allowing a candidate on the debate stage, and Burgum is far from the household name who could gather all those donors.

So Burgum, once again, came up with a novel solution. He wants to give 50,000 campaign donors $20 all-purpose gift cards in exchange for a $1 contribution. Its a million-dollar gambit that could work a lot more effectively than spending $1 million on a meager number of television ads.

But the clever strategy could create its own set of thorny problems, according to experts who say it may not be legal. Beyond that, the RNC may or may not find it meets their new donor requirements for qualification.

GOP Candidate Doug Burgum: Ill Vote for Trump, But We Wont Do Business

The Daily Beast brought the question to seven experts in campaign finance law. All of them agreed on one thing: Theyd never heard of anything like it. But while conversations were peppered with words like desperation, gimmick, and thirsty, the experts were divided on the legality.

Some believe the scheme, while perhaps unsavory, does pass legal muster as a campaign expense. Burgum would not need to qualify for the debate if he werent a candidate, they said, so in that sense his expenses pass the FECs irrespective test.

Other experts, however, argued that the ploy appears to be a reimbursement scheme, which would violate the straw donor bancontributions in the name of another person. And some said it could add up to an en masse conversion of $950,000 in campaign funds to personal use, which would be another serious violation.

Burgum spokesperson Lance Trover told The Daily Beast that the giveaway actually has two purposesa means to pull enough donors to get RNC approval, but also an outright monetary gift.

Doug knows people are hurting because of Bidenflation and giving Biden Economic Relief Gift Cards is a way to help 50,000 people until Doug is elected President to fix this crazy economy for everyone, Trover said. It also allows us to secure a spot on the debate stage while avoiding paying more advertising fees to social media platforms who have owners that are hostile to conservatives.

Legal experts pointed to that second point as justification for the expense, but the campaign, for whatever reason, didnt mention that in its own solicitations. Neither Burgums tweets promoting the offer nor the language on the paid landing page say that the offer will help the campaign accomplish anything other than covering the cost of the donation and then some.

For all of Burgums challenges, hes got one advantage: The billionaire software developer turned governor doesnt have to worry about how much this ploy would cost. For Burgum, its like lifting up the couch cushions: $1 million is one one-thousandth of $1 billion.

Federal campaign finance laws allow candidates to fill their campaign accounts with as much of their own money as they want, a rule that gives a leg-up for ultra-wealthy candidates like Burgum, former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), or one-time Democratic presidential longshot Michael Bloomberg. (And thanks to a Supreme Court ruling last year, candidates can also repay themselves with as much campaign money as they want, including money from individual donors.)

USA-ELECTION/DESANTIS Republican presidential candidate North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum waits for the start of the Fourth of July Parade in Merrimack, New Hampshire. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

As for the permissibility of the giveaway, Saurav Ghosh, director of federal reform at government watchdog Campaign Legal Center and a former enforcement attorney with the Federal Election Commission, falls in the legal camp.

It does seem desperate, but I dont really see a legal problem with it as long as everything is disclosed, Ghosh told The Daily Beast.

Jordan Libowitz, communications director for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, offered a similar assessment.

This is the single thirstiest thing Ive seen in politics, Libowitz told The Daily Beast. But he concluded that the move is probably explainable as traditional campaign spending. If Burgum doesnt get on that debate stage, the campaign is over, he said.

Other experts, however, observed possible violations of the lines that Ghosh and Libowitz drew.

Michael Kang, a campaign finance specialist and professor at Northwestern Universitys Pritzker School of Law, believes the arrangement violates the straw donor ban.

The straw donor error is that youre disclosing that youre the contributor, when really its someone else, Kang said. In this case, its the campaign.

Paul S. Ryan, a campaign finance expert and deputy executive director at the Funders Committee for Civic Participation, expressed the same concern, adding that the original source of the money is not actually the campaign, but Burgums own investment in his candidacy.

Its the candidates money through a reimbursement scheme, so presumably these reports will be false, listing a donors name when its not really the donor, Ryan said. When any of those donors passes the $200 threshold that requires disclosure of their personal information, he said, the Burgum campaign would appear to be in violation if those reports included the gift card donation.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum Launches 2024 GOP Nomination Race

(Ghosh disagreed, saying a reimbursement with campaign funds is like dividing by 0 in campaign finance world.)

Caleb Burns, a partner at the law firm Wiley Rein, explained that the restriction on using campaign funds for personal use is limited to situations where the campaign funds are spent for reasons irrespective of the campaign.

You cant use campaign funds to pay the mortgage on your family home, but if an expense is tethered to a campaign purpose, then campaign funds can be spent without limit, Burns said.

According to some experts, Burgums own explanation, as well as the language the campaign is presenting to donors in the fundraising solicitation itself, are essentially admissions that his operation is converting as much as $950,000 in campaign funds to personal use.

While qualifying for a debate would certainly appear to pass the irrespective test, neither Burgums explanation nor the fundraising landing page allude to the debate. (Both statements also call the gifts Biden Economic Relief cards.)

People are hurting because of Bidenflation, and giving Biden Economic Relief cards is a way to help 50,000 people until we get in office and fix this crazy economy for everyone! Burgum tweeted on Monday, including a link to the fundraising solicitation and its similar pitch.

When it comes to providing economic relief to the American people, Im not messing around! Burgum added.

Brendan Fischer, a campaign finance expert and deputy director of Documented, told The Daily Beast that this appears to be an open acknowledgment that the campaign is violating the law, noting that the statute applies the personal use ban as covering any personwhich would appear to include donors.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum Set to Enter GOP Presidential Race

Burgum is using campaign funds to cover peoples personal expenses, which is precisely what the law prohibits, Fischer said, adding that the campaign should have asked the FEC for an advisory opinion, but may have calculated that the notoriously deadlocked FEC is unlikely to enforce the law.

Fischer and Kang also wondered if the FEC would be concerned about the legitimacy of the expense. They pointed to former Democratic presidential longshot Andrew Yangs idea of giving a group of supporters $1,000 cash as a real-world experiment for his universal basic income proposal, a move that raised legal questions in the 2020 primary.

(Tech entrepreneur and fellow GOP longshot Vivek Ramaswamy unveiled his own fundraising innovation this week, offering a 10 percent commission for any supporter who bundles money from other donorsessentially paying them as independent contractors.)

Former FEC commissioner Ann Ravel, a Democrat, said that while the exchange seems inappropriate, she expressed doubt that the donation scheme would violate bans on straw donations or vote-buying.

FEC regulations do not apply specifically to a situation where a candidate gives money or makes expenditures to encourage contributions to the campaign of the candidate for purposes related to the campaign, Ravel told The Daily Beast, though she added that the personal use issue might be applicable.

Rick Hasen, director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project at the University of California School of Law and author of the Election Law Blog, defended Yangs proposal at the time, but sees the Burgum case differently.

The difference here and what creates the potential problem is the literal reimbursement of campaign donors for their donations, he told The Daily Beast.

Hasen previously made a similar point to Ravelsthat Yangs plan would be legal unless it were tied to voting. While the Burgum giveaway is not paying for votes in an election, a legal line, it could be seen as paying for the required informal measure of support to qualify for the debate.

An RNC spokesperson didnt return a request for comment. But a Republican source familiar with the early debate format planning told The Daily Beast that, while the party weighed the pros and cons before implementing the new qualification rulewhich Democrats used in 2020they didnt foresee Burgums scheme.

I dont think any of us envisioned that scenario. Hes thinking outside of the box, the Republican said, adding that no one has complained yet.

I think its innovative, and he has the money to do it, the person said, adding that everybodys talking about him at the RNC.

I dont think hell do it for long, the source said. He got a lot of headlines.

Jake Lahut contributed to this report.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Years before he became known as the father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer worked as a physics professor at the University of California, Berkeley, when he met who became perhaps the greatest love of his life.

Her name was Jean Tatlock, and just as she captured the famed physicists heart, their romance has captured the imaginations of historians for nearly a century. And they arent the only ones. Tatlock is portrayed by Florence Pugh , alongside Cillian Murphys Oppenheimer, in the new film Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan .

Affiliated with the Communist Party, Tatlock is often credited with introducing Oppenheimer to radical politics, something that haunted him in his later life and career. Despite their 10-year age gap, and though they were separated by the time he led the famous Manhattan Project, Tatlock had an undeniable impact on Oppenheimers life, and her tragic death weighed on him as he began his work on the atomic bomb.

A free-spirited woman with a hungry, poetic mind, she was always the one person in the room, whatever the circumstances, who remained unforgettable, according to American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin.

Meeting Oppenheimer

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1914, Tatlock was the second child of J.S.P. Tatlock and Marjorie Fenton. Her father, who had a docorate from Harvard University, was an acclaimed English professor and literary scholar and was considered a foremost expert on the works of Geoffrey Chaucer , according to Brotherhood of the Bomb by Gregg Herken.

Jean inherited her fathers intellect. Before attending Vassar College in 1931, she took a year off to travel in Europe, staying with a friend in Switzerland who was a devoted follower of psychologist Carl Jung . After meeting a close-knit community of psychoanalysts during the trip, she decided to study psychology herself, according to Bird and Sherwin.

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After graduating from Vassar in 1935, she studied at the Stanford Medical School, where her intellect and good looks intimidated the other classmates. They also caught the interest of Oppenheimer, then a physics professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where Tatlock completed her prerequisites before enrolling at Stanford.

Oppenheimer and Tatlock began a passionate and intense romance in 1936, when she was 22 and he was 32. The decade age gap didnt seem to matter. A friend described Tatlock as Oppenheimers truest love and said he was devoted to her, according to Bird and Sherwin. He reportedly proposed to Tatlock twice, though she turned him down.

Tatlock was impressed with Oppenheimers knowledge of English literature, and she introduced him to the poetry of John Donne . Its widely believed the Trinity testthe first detonation of the nuclear weapon in 1945was named after a Donne poem and inspired by Tatlock, according to The First Atomic Bomb by Janet Farrell Brodie.

Communist Affiliations

Tatlock was a dues-paying member of the Communist Party of the United States of America while dating Oppenheimer, an association that would later bring a great deal of scrutiny to the famed physicist. Tatlock wrote for the Western Worker, a major West Coast communist publication, and she introduced him to several prominent members of the party, according to Robert Oppenheimer: A Life Inside the Center by Ray Monk.

I find I am a complete Red when anything at all, Tatlock wrote to a friend, according to American Prometheus. She also pushed Oppenheimer to move from mere theory to action, and when he commented that he would have to settle for staying on the periphery of political struggles, Tatlock remarked, Oh, for Gods sake, dont settle for anything.

However, Oppenheimer denied that Tatlock was solely responsible for his political interests or affiliations, noting that he first read about Soviet communism after his father lent him a book on the subject before he met Tatlock. According to Bird and Sherwins American Prometheus, Oppenheimer described Tatlocks communist involvement as on-again, off-again affairs and never seemed to provide for her what she was seeking. I do not believe that her interests were really political.

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From 1939 onward, Oppenheimer claimed he only saw Tatlock on rare occasions, and in 1940, he wed Katherine Puening, more commonly known as Kitty Oppenheimer, to whom he was married the rest of his life. However, he and Tatlock remained the closest of friends and occasional lovers, according to Bird and Sherwin, and she would phone him for comfort during her occasional bouts of depression.

By 1943, Tatlock was a pediatric psychiatrist at Mount Zion Hospital in San Francisco, at the start of what seemed to be a promising career. The 29-year-old was also being treated for clinical depression, which might have worsened when Oppenheimer drastically reduced contact with her after becoming director of the Los Alamos Laboratory that year, according to Bird and Sherwin.

A Tragic Death

Tatlock was placed under surveillance by the FBI due to her relationship with Oppenheimer and past involvement with communist politics. When Tatlock and Oppenheimer had one last meeting in June 1943, she confessed that she still loved him and wanted to be with him. Unbeknownst to her, FBI agents monitored the entire visit, according to Monks biography.



For reasons of love and compassion, he had become a key member of Jeans psychological support structureand then he had vanished, mysteriously, Bird and Sherwin wrote in American Prometheus. In Jeans eyes, it may have seemed as if ambition had trumped love.

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Tatlock died by suicide on January 4, 1944, at age 29. Her father discovered her body after entering her San Francisco apartment through a window after she didnt respond to the doorbell. He found her lying in the bathroom, her head submerged in a partially-filled bathtub, with a suicide note on the dining room table, according to Monk.

I am disgusted with everything, the note read, according to Bird and Sherwin. To those who loved me and helped me, all love and courage. I wanted to live and to give and I got paralyzed somehow. I tried like hell to understand and couldnt.

One of the first people to learn of her death was FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover , due to the agencys surveillance, according to Monk. Oppenheimer was despondent upon hearing the news. Due to the unusual circumstances around her death and the FBI surveillance, many have speculated that Tatlock was murdered , but most of her loved ones believe the cause of death was suicide.

Tatlocks relationship with Oppenheimer would be used as evidence against him in 1954, when the United States Atomic Energy Commission held security hearings that explored his communist associations and other past actions. Oppenheimer lost his security clearance as a result of the hearing, effectively ending his formal relationship with the U.S. government.

See Oppenheimer in Theaters Now

Oppenheimer, now in theaters, is directed and written by Christopher Nolan . Cillian Murphy stars as J. Robert Oppenheimer, with Florence Pugh tackling the role of Jean Tatolock. Other cast members include Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Rami Malek, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, and Kenneth Branagh.



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Interfaith Sanctuary homeless shelter has made an emergency call for portable air conditioning units for its residents at the Red Lion Downtowner Hotel in Boise because the hotels air conditioning is broken.

The temperature is expected to hit 106 degrees this weekend, and some rooms are already getting too hot for residents, some of whom are elderly and medically fragile.

Four residents deemed particularly fragile have been moved back to Interfaith Sanctuarys emergency shelter on River Street.

I would say we have a higher percentage of very medically fragile patients (this year) that the heat can actually exacerbate their medical issues, so were trying to manage that for guests, Jodi Peterson-Stigers, executive director of Interfaith Sanctuary, said Wednesday by phone.

In all, 88 people are staying at the Red Lion hotel as part of a program through Interfaith Sanctuary and paid for by the city of Boise until Interfaith Sanctuary is able to open a new shelter on State Street.

The program with the Red Lion, started during the pandemic, is being used to house families, elderly and those who are medically fragile.

The air conditioning broke five days ago, and repairs are not expected for another two weeks, Peterson-Stigers said.

In all, 42 rooms are being occupied by Interfaith Sanctuary residents. Many rooms are being cooled by box fans, Peterson-Stigers said, but thats not enough to keep the rooms cooled down.

Interfaith has asked the community to donate or lend at least 16 portable air conditioning units immediately, particularly before this weekends spike in temperatures.

Air conditioning units can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the emergency shelter at 1620 W. River St.

Monetary donations can also be made through Interfaith Sanctuarys website.

A message left for the Red Lion general manager was not immediately returned.
Protestors hold a rally for reproductive rights in the Iowa State Capitol rotunda as the Iowa Legislature convenes for special

Protestors hold a rally for reproductive rights in the Iowa State Capitol rotunda as the Iowa Legislature convenes for special session to pass 6-week 'fetal heartbeat' abortion ban on July 11, 2023. Credit - Zach Boyden-HolmesThe Register/USA Today Network/Reuters

Reproductive health clinics in Iowa are scrambling to see as many patients as they can before the states ban on abortion as early as six weeks is expected to go into effect on Friday.

Theres been a lot of frustration, a lot of anger, but also a lot of galvanized resolve among myself and staff to keep doing everything we can for our patients right up until the ban, and then working within the parameters of the law afterward, to continue being here for our patients as much as possible, says an OBGYN-trained doctor, who works at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Des Moines, Iowa and requested anonymity out of concerns for her safety.

The states new bill bans abortion as soon as an ultrasound can detect embryonic or fetal cardiac activity. It has narrow exceptions for a medical emergency as well as rape or incest, if the incident was reported to law enforcement or a public or private health agency. Governor Kim Reynolds has said she plans to sign the bill into law on Friday, and it would take effect immediately afterwards. She had called the Iowa legislature into a rare one-day special session on July 11 for the sole and single purpose of passing this bill.

Read More: Iowas New 6-Week Abortion Ban Just Became a GOP Litmus Test

Planned Parenthood, along with the ACLU and the Emma Goldman Clinic, have sued state officials over the legislation, seeking a temporary injunction to prevent the legislation from going into effect. A hearing on the temporary injunction is scheduled for Friday afternoon before Reynolds plans to sign the ban. It is unclear whether the judge will provide a decision before the signing.

That leaves Iowa providers unsure of what the laws governing abortion will look like 24 hours from now. Planned Parenthood provides abortions at two Iowa health centers, in Des Moines and Iowa City; these facilities provided more than 3,300 abortions in 2022. When the legislature approved the abortion ban on Tuesday night, Planned Parenthood canceled some patients they thought would have already met the cardiac activity standard. But when we discovered the governor wasnt going to sign it until Friday, we got right back on the phone, says Dr. Sarah Traxler, Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States. Staff called patients back to try and see as many people as they could before Friday.

The organization is dealing with a delicate balance, Traxler says, of keeping patients on schedule but also being wary of patients who may have planned to drive several hours only to be told that they cant be seen because the law has gone into effect. Toeing that line, its pretty hard, she says.

The clinics have been packed. In general, Planned Parenthoods Iowa clinics that provide abortions see up to 24 patients a day, according to Traxler; on Wednesday, they had double or triple overbooked, she says. Staff are working longer hours, sometimes coming in on vacation days and switching around childcare. Its an all-hands-on-deck type of situation right now, the doctor at the Des Moines clinic says.

Another challenge for reproductive health clinics is a 24-hour waiting period that Iowa already requires for getting an abortion. Patients must get two separate appointments at least 24 hours apart, which means its possible that some patients who have had their first visit may not be able to complete their second visit without a judge handing down an injunction on Friday, says Francine Thompson, executive director of the Emma Goldman clinic, a nonprofit independent organization that provided 686 abortions from October 2021 through September 2022. Theres lots of fear and confusion about that, Thompson says. The confusion is intensified, along with the fear and we recognize that its not accidental and that the legislature has spent years attacking abortion care and imposing medically unnecessary barriers to care.

If the law goes into effect, abortion providers know they will be unable to do the procedure once embryonic or fetal cardiac activity is detected. If its still before that cutoff, they can provide an abortion. But if not, they say they will refer patients to a clinic in another state where they can be seen. For patients living in Iowa, thats going to be Nebraska, Minnesota, or Illinois, Traxler says. She notes that Nebraska just approved a 12-week abortion ban, so if patients were farther along in pregnancy, that would not be an option either.

For now, the Des Moines doctor feels empowered that she and her staff are able to help patients who may be the last ones to receive abortions at these stages in Iowa for a long time. Im proud to be able to do that work, she says. The patients are extremely thankful.
Abortion providers and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging Iowas abortion restriction that would ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which is typically when a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, the Emma Goldman Clinic and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Iowa filed the challenge in district court less than 12 hours after the bill passed.

"Today, we continue the fight to protect Iowans fundamental right to reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy as we seek a temporary injunction to block the egregious abortion ban Iowa lawmakers rammed through during an unprecedented one-day special session," Ruth Richardson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States said in a statement Wednesday.

"These out-of- touch politicians have inserted themselves into the exam rooms of Iowans, who no longer have control over their bodies and futures because of an unpopular, narrow political agenda," Richardson added.

Planned Parenthood signage is displayed outside of a health care clinic in Inglewood, California on May 16, 2023.

Without Iowa court intervention, the legislation banning abortion will take effect immediately when Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signs it Friday.

IOWA REPUBLICANS PUSH THROUGH 6-WEEK ABORTION RESTRICTIONS AS PRO-CHOICE GROUP VOW LAWSUITS

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The law includes exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.

Pro-abortion activist block members from the The Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral as they pray in front of a planned parenthood clinic in New York, on July 1, 2023.

Iowa's abortion providers heartedly disagreed, saying that the bill only provides "so-called exceptions" for women.

"While the ban contains some so-called exceptions, the reality is that the vast majority of Iowans will be unable to access abortion," Planned Parenthood wrote in a statement.

IOWA REPUBLICAN GOV. KIM REYNOLDS CALLS SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO PURSUE NEW ABORTION RESTRICTIONS

The new legislation comes after the Iowa Supreme Court declined to reinstate an earlier 2018 law that would have had much the same effect. Abortion providers are arguing that since the Iowa Supreme Court blocked earlier legislation, then they should block the near-identical legislation now.

"Today  just weeks after defeating a similar abortion ban  we are asking the court to immediately act to protect Iowans access to essential health care," said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "Every person deserves the freedom to make their own personal decisions about their bodies and their future. To strip people of that fundamental freedom is unconscionable.

The ban was passed last week when Reynolds called legislators back for a special session.

"Today, the Iowa legislature once again voted to protect life and end abortion at a heartbeat, with exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother," Reynold's said in a statement Tuesday. "I believe the pro-life movement is the most important human rights cause of our time."

Fox News' Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
Iowa has passed a 6-week abortion ban. What options do women have in neighboring states?

Iowa is joining a growing list of states that have enacted strict abortion bans since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, reversing the landmark 1973 ruling that guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion nationwide.

On Tuesday, Iowa lawmakers passed a bill that bans all abortions once a "fetal heartbeat," or electrical cardiac impulses, is detected in the embryo at around the sixth week of pregnancy. The ban includes narrow exceptions for cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormalities and preservation of the life and health of the pregnant person.

The fallout of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision overturning Roe has created a patchwork of different abortion laws in states across the country. While some states, including Iowa, enacted strict limits on the procedure, others placed legal protections around abortion rights to preserve patient access.

As a result, abortion providers in the region say they've seen more patients traveling from out of state to obtain the procedure. Officials with Planned Parenthood North Central States, which includes Iowa, said they've seen a 100% increase in patients traveling from other states.

Previously, abortion was legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks. Going forward, women seeking abortions past six weeks will need to consider travel outside of Iowa.

What do abortion laws look like in the states surrounding Iowa?

Minnesota

Abortion is legal up until "fetal viability," or when a fetus can survive outside the uterus with or without medical aid. That occurs at about 25 weeks of gestation. Minnesota law does allow abortions after viability to save the pregnant person's life, or to preserve their health.

Unlike other states, Minnesota law does not require patients seeking abortion to meet certain requirements to obtain an abortion.

South Dakota

Abortion is considered a criminal act in South Dakota, with limited exceptions, because of a trigger law that went into effect June 24, 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe.

Abortion is legal in cases to preserve the life of the pregnant person. Beyond that, abortion is inaccessible in the state under South Dakota law.

Under the law, any person, including a doctor, who performs an abortion could be charged with a class 6 felony, which carries a maximum two-year prison sentence and a $4,000 fine.

North Dakota

North Dakota has a near-total ban on abortion, which went into effect in April, making abortion legal only in cases of rape and incest  and only up to six weeks of pregnancy. Many women don't know they're pregnant at six weeks, which is two weeks after she misses her first period.

Abortion is permitted at any stage if the procedure would:

Save the life of the pregnant person.

Preserve the pregnant person's physical health.

Providers or those who aid an abortion could face felony charges if they violate the law.

Nebraska

Abortion is legal up until 12 weeks of pregnancy, or 12 weeks after first day of the last menstrual period.

The ban, which went into effect in May, does allow exceptions after 12 weeks of pregnancy:

To save the life of the pregnant person.

To prevent serious risk to the pregnant person's physical health.

If the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest.

However, to obtain an abortion in Nebraska, patients are required to receive counseling and wait 24 hours before obtaining the procedure. If the patient is under the age of 18, they also must receive parental or guardian consent.

Kansas

It is legal to get an abortion in Kansas up to 21 weeks and six days of pregnancy. After that, abortions are legal only if the procedure would:

Save the pregnant person's life.

Preserve the pregnant person's physical health.

Last year, voters rejected a proposed state constitutional amendment that would have rejected any right to an abortion in the state, blocking lawmakers from enacting abortion bans.

However, Kansas law does require patients to undergo a 24-hour waiting period, view an ultrasound of the pregnancy and receive state-directed counseling before obtaining an abortion. In addition, parents of a minor must consent before the procedure is provided.

Missouri

Under a trigger law that went into effect with the fall of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, Missouri has a near-total abortion ban that outlaws the procedure except in cases when:

The pregnant person's life is endangered.

The pregnant person's physical health is severely compromised.

Missouri law also makes it a felony to perform or induce an abortion but specifies that women undergoing abortions cannot be prosecuted.

Illinois

There are no restrictions on abortions in Illinois before "fetal viability," the stage of pregnancy when a fetus has developed enough that it is able to survive outside the uterus. This usually happens around 25 weeks of pregnancy.

An abortion may be performed after viability only:

To save the pregnant person's life.

To preserve the pregnant person's health.

Wisconsin

Abortion providers in Wisconsin have stopped offering abortion services after the state reverted to a law from the 1800s that enacts a total abortion ban, unless the procedure is needed to save the life of the pregnant person.

Doctors who violate the law could face felony charges that include up to six years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

A lawsuit challenging this 19th-century law is making its way through the state courts. If the judge rules in favor of the plaintiffs, the state's previous abortion law  which allows the procedure up to 20 weeks of pregnancy  would go into effect.

Until it is clear whether this law will be enforced, advocates say abortion services arent available in Wisconsin.

Michaela Ramm covers health care for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at mramm@registermedia.com, at (319) 339-7354 or on Twitter at @Michaela_Ramm

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: As Iowa adopts 6-week abortion ban, what are options in nearby states?
An Iowa state senator announced Thursday he was backing Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in the 2024 presidential primary process, flipping his support from Donald Trump after the former president lashed out at Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R).

Iowa Republicans must be united if we are going to take our country back and reverse Joe Bidens failures, said Jeff Reichman (R), a first-term state senator, in a statement. Governor DeSantis has achieved the same type of commonsense policy victories in Florida as we have in Iowa under Governor Kim Reynolds, and he will deliver historic success for the conservative movement as president as well.

Reichman in March was listed among roughly a dozen Iowa officials who the Trump campaign rolled out as early endorsers of the former president.

Reichmans support for DeSantis comes as Trump drew criticism from Iowans for his broadside against Reynolds earlier in the week, when he complained about her approach to the 2024 caucuses in her state after she appeared at multiple events with DeSantis.

Reynolds, who coasted to reelection last November, has said she would remain neutral in the 2024 process so all candidates feel welcome to campaign in the state.

Reynolds appeared last week alongside DeSantiss wife, Casey DeSantis, at the launch of her Mamas for DeSantis initiative for the Florida governors presidential campaign. She has attended previous events with DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R), and she is scheduled to attend a town hall with Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) in the coming days.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Trump this week also ruffled feathers when he opted to skip a convention in Des Moines hosted by The Family Leader, a major conservative group in Iowa, which will be attended by most other 2024 candidates.

Some Iowa officials were frustrated further by Kari Lake, the former Arizona gubernatorial candidate and a surrogate for Trump, scheduling an event in support of the former president at the same time as Fridays Family Leader gathering.

The former president is set to attend a town hall in Iowa next week hosted by Fox Newss Sean Hannity.

Polling out of Iowa in recent months has shown Trump with a lead over DeSantis, who is running in second, and strategists have argued any challenger to the former president will need a strong showing in the Hawkeye State to have a chance at winning the nomination.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A man holds up a skeleton of a fish in a dried out marsh in Chibayish, Iraq (Asaad NIAZI)

Mohammed Hamid Nour is only 23, but he is already nostalgic for how Iraq's Mesopotamian marshes once were before drought dried them up, decimating his herd of water buffaloes.

Even at their centre in Chibayish, only a few expanses of the ancient waterways -- home to a Marsh Arab culture that goes back millennia -- survive, linked by channels that snake through the reeds.

Pull back further and the water gives way to a parched landscape of bald and cracked earth.

Mohammed has lost three-quarters of his herd to the drought that is now ravaging the marshes for a fourth-consecutive year. It is the worst in 40 years, the United Nations said this week, describing the situation as "alarming", with "70 percent of the marshes devoid of water".

"I beg you Allah, have mercy!" Mohammed implored, keffiyah on his head as he contemplated the disaster under the unforgiving blue of a cloudless sky.

The buffaloes of the marshes produce the milk for the thick clotted "geymar" cream Iraqis love to have with honey for breakfast.

As the marshes dry out, the water gets salty until it starts killing the buffaloes. Many of Mohammed's herd died like this, others he was forced to sell before they too perished.

"If the drought continues and the government doesn't help us, the others will also die," said the young herder, who has no other income.

Both the Mesopotamian marshes, and the culture of the Marsh Arabs -- or Ma'adan -- like Mohammed who live in them, have UNESCO world heritage status. The Ma'adan have hunted and fished there for 5,000 years, building houses from woven reeds on floating reed islands where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers come together before pouring into the Gulf.

Even their beautifully intricate mosques were made of reeds.

But the marshlands have shrunk from 20,000 square kilometres (7,700 square miles) in the early 1990s to 4,000 (1,500 square miles) by latest estimates -- choked by dams on the great rivers upstream in Turkey and Syria and the soaring temperatures of climate change. Only a few thousand of the quarter million Ma'adan who lived in the marshes in the early 1990s remain.

Experts say that Iraq's management of the waters has not helped.

- 50 degrees C -

AFP crisscrossed the central Chibayish marshes at the end of June, where at dawn it was already 35 degrees Centigrade (95 degrees Fahrenheit) before temperatures shot towards 50.

Iraq is one of the five countries most touched by some effects of climate change, according to the United Nations. Rainfall is rarer and rarer, and in the next 25 years the World Bank said the temperature will go up by an average of 2.5 degrees.

Water levels in the central marshlands and the Euphrates which feeds it are "dropping by half a centimetre a day", said engineer Jassim al-Assadi, of Nature Iraq, the country's leading conservation group.

That will get worse "over the next two months as the temperatures rise and more and more water evaporates," he added.

To draw water for his remaining buffaloes, Mohammed Hamid Nour takes his canoe out into deeper water, where salt levels are lower.

He rolled up his sleeves to fill a water tank on the canoe revealing a tattoo of the Zulfikar, the sword of Imam Ali, one of the founding figures of Shi'ite Islam. He got it for "baraka" or blessing, he smiled. He needs all the help he can get.

- Saddam's bid to kill them -

The marshes already almost died once when former dictator Saddam Hussein dried them out so he could hunt down the Shi'ite rebels who had taken refuge there after the failed uprising in the wake of the First Gulf War in 1991.

In a few months, Saddam turned 90 percent of the marshes into a "desert", Assadi recalled. Most of the Ma'adan fled or "moved elsewhere in Iraq or emigrated to Sweden or the United States".

But when Saddam was toppled by the American-led invasion in 2003 the ditches he dug to drain the marshes were destroyed, and both the marshes and the Ma'adan returned.

Two decades later, the water level is plummeting again.

"The level of the Euphrates in Iraq is around half of what it was in the 1970s," said Ali al-Quraishi, of Baghdad's University of Technology.

Dams upstream in Turkey, where the Tigris and the Euphrates have their sources, and others on their tributaries in Syria and Iran, are the "principle" cause, he said.

"The Turks have built more dams to meet the needs of agriculture there. As the population rises, more water is needed for irrigation and domestic use," the expert added.

Water has always sparked tensions between Iraq and Turkey. With Iraq asking Ankara to release more, the Turkish ambassador to Baghdad, Ali Riza Guney, sparked outrage last July by accusing the Iraqis of "wasting water".

There is a grain of truth in the Turkish claim, scientists say. Iraq's water management is far from ideal.

Since the time of the ancient Sumerians, Iraqi farmers have flooded their land to irrigate it, which is considered hugely wasteful.

But now water for agriculture is short, with the authorities drastically reducing arable farming to make sure there is enough drinking water for the country's 42 million people.

Iraq's President Abdul Latif Rashid told the BBC last month that the government "has taken significant steps to improve the water management system in talks with neighbouring countries", without going into detail.

- Pollution and heavy metals -

Meanwhile in the central marshes, there is so little water even canoes get stuck.

Where there was water "two months ago" is now a desert, said herder Youssef Mutlaq.

Not long ago a dozen or so "mudhifs" -- traditional reed houses -- were still occupied.

"There were lots of buffaloes, but when the water started to disappear, people left," said the 20-year-old as his animals chewed feed from a bag with less and less grass to be found.

Pollution is also rising alongside salination. Sewers, pesticides and waste from factories and hospitals are dumped directly into the Euphrates along its course, and much of it ends up in the marshes, said Nadheer Fazaa, of Baghdad University, and a specialist on climate change.

"We have analysed the water and found numerous pollutants like heavy metals" which cause illness, the scientist said.

And all the while, the fish are dying. Where once the binni -- the king of the Iraqi table -- swam, there are now only fish unfit for consumption.

While the causes of the disaster are not being tackled, some are trying to limit the consequences of the drought.

- 'Our life is there' -

The French NGO Agronomists and Vets Without Borders (AVSF), supported by France, is training their Iraqi colleagues and trying to help herders and fishermen.

"We spent last summer distributing drinking water for both the people and the animals of the wetlands," said vet Herve Petit, an expert in rural development.

Many herders have been forced to "sell off their animals at derisory prices", he added.

But such initiatives are rare. Engineer Jassim al-Assadi is one of the few battling for the marshes and alerting the authorities.

Khaled Shemal, of the water resources ministry, said they were "working hard" to restore the wetlands. But drinking water and supplies for homes and agriculture came first.

In the meantime, many Marsh Arabs have left for the towns and cities, where they are often treated as pariahs. Last year, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) called it an "exodus".

Walid Khdeir left the wetlands with his wife and six children "four or five months ago" to live in a house on dry land in the city of Chibayish.

"It was difficult, our lives were there like our grandparents' before us. But what can we do?" the 30-year-old said.

Today, he is fattening buffaloes to resell but is obliged to buy fodder at exorbitant prices because there is hardly a blade of grass for them to eat.

"If the water comes back like before, we will return to the marshes. Our life is there," he said.

gde/tgg/dp/fg/db/lb
A view shows the fish pond which was abandoned due to water pollution and shortages in Basra

Iraq's water crisis drying up fish farming in Basra A view shows the fish pond which was abandoned due to water pollution and shortages in Basra

By Mohammed Aty

BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraq is in the grip of a severe water shortage which has left crop growers and food producers such as Iraqi fish farmer Qasem Karam facing the loss of their livelihoods.

Walking over dusty land in the sweltering midday heat in the southern province of Basra, Karam points to his dried up carp ponds, once irrigated by the Shatt al-Arab river.

"Everything is full of salt now because of water scarcity and pollution," he said, pointing at white patches of salt crust nearby.

"These ponds cost us a lot of time, money and effort. We had an economic plan, but it is all destroyed."

Upstream damming in Turkey and Iran has hit waterflows on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers which form the Shatt al-Arab river, plus dumping of wastewater and poor rainfall due to climate change have led to a drastic reduction in fish farming, experts and officials said.

Lower water levels have also increased evaporation and made the water more saline.

Karam and three other fish farmers Reuters spoke with said the loss of suitable water was driving them out of a once thriving and profitable business.

According to an official at Basra's agriculture directorate, Abbas Dakheel, only four authorised fish farms continued to work this year, as opposed to 15 in 2020.

"This water is green, dirty and polluted. No fish can live in this water," said Karam, kneeling down next to a pipe irrigating his pond.

He said that his fish were now either sick, failing to grow or dead as a result.

Jumaa Shia, head of Basra's directorate of water resources, said the city of 1.3 million needs to share its decreasing water resources among domestic users, agriculture, the oil industry and electricity generation.

To save water, authorities have taken measures including closing down some 95 unauthorized fish farms in Basra.

(Reporting by Mohammed Aty,; Writing by Charlotte Bruneau,; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
The IRS whistleblowers who alleged political interference in the federal investigation into Hunter Biden will testify before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee next week.

The committee announced that IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley, who served as the supervisor of the investigation at the IRS, and the second anonymous whistleblower leveling the accusations are set to appear before the panel on July 19 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

"These whistleblowers have provided information about how @TheJusticeDept refused to follow evidence that implicated Joe Biden, tipped off Hunter Bidens attorneys, allowed the clock to run out with respect to certain charges, and put Hunter Biden on the path to a sweetheart plea deal," the committee announced Wednesday on Twitter.

The whistleblowers alleged that officials at the Justice Department, FBI and IRS interfered in the investigation into Hunter Biden, and said decisions in the case seemed to be "influenced by politics." They also alleged federal prosecutors blocked lines of questioning related to President Biden, and said the U.S. attorney in charge of the probe, David Weiss, did not have full authority to bring charges.

HOUSE GOP DEMAND TRANSCRIBED INTERVIEWS FROM HUNTER BIDEN PROSECUTOR, DOJ, IRS, SECRET SERVICE OFFICIALS

Their testimony comes as the committee, led by Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., investigates the Biden family's business dealings.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Since taking the gavel in January, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability has made rapid progress in our investigation into the Biden familys domestic and international business dealings to determine whether these activities compromise U.S. national security and President Bidens ability to lead with impartiality," Comer said in a statement. "From the thousands of financial records weve obtained, we know the Biden family set up over 20 shell companies, engaged in intentionally complicated financial transactions with foreign adversaries, and made a concerted effort to hide the payments and avoid scrutiny."

Comer said the whistleblowers have confirmed "many findings of our investigation."

HUNTER BIDEN INVESTIGATORS LIMITED QUESTIONS ABOUT 'DAD,' 'BIG GUY' DESPITE FBI, IRS OBJECTIONS: WHISTLEBLOWER

Rep. James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky and chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, speaks during a hearing in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 8, 2023.

"Additionally, these whistleblowers provided information about how the Justice Department refused to follow evidence that implicated Joe Biden, tipped off Hunter Bidens attorneys, allowed the clock to run out with respect to certain charges, and put Hunter Biden on the path to a sweetheart plea deal," Comer said. "Americans are rightfully angry about this two-tiered system of justice that seemingly allows the Biden family to operate above the law."

Comer stressed the importance of hearing from the whistleblowers, and other witnesses about this "weaponization of federal law enforcement power."

"This hearing is an opportunity for the American people to hear directly from these credible and brave whistleblowers," Comer said. "I look forward to their testimony as the Oversight Committee, along with the House Judiciary Committee and Ways and Means Committee, work to deliver transparency and accountability."

The testimony comes amid a joint-congressional investigation with the Oversight Committee, Judiciary Committee and House Ways and Means Committee into the federal probe into Hunter Biden, and whether prosecutorial decisions were influenced by politics.

US ATTORNEY LEADING HUNTER BIDEN PROBE BREAKS SILENCE ON CLAIMS INVESTIGATION WAS 'INFLUENCED BY POLITICS'

Hunter Biden arrives at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2023.

House Republicans are demanding more than a dozen federal officials, including the U.S. attorney in charge of the investigation into Hunter Biden, appear before multiple congressional committees for transcribed interviews regarding allegations of politicization and misconduct at their agencies throughout the years-long probe into the presidents son.

The Justice Department announced last month that Hunter Biden had entered a plea agreement that would likely keep him out of prison. As part of the deal, the president's son will plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of willful failure to pay federal income tax and to one charge of possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

Hunter Biden is set to make his first court appearance on July 26.

The Justice Department has denied the investigation was influenced in any way. U.S. Attorney David Weiss from Delaware, who is in charge of the probe, has said the investigation is "ongoing."
Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant revealed Thursday that Israel and other intelligence partners thwarted more than 50 attempts to attack Jewish and Israeli targets worldwide, all orchestrated by Iran. Most of them were at the last stages of execution and were stopped at the "last moment."

In his visit to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, Iran's northern neighbor, Gallant accused Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of overseeing a terrorist campaign "of unprecedented measure" targeting Israelis and Jews.

IRAN MOVES TOWARD POSSIBLE ATOM BOMB TEST IN DEFIANCE OF WESTERN SANCTIONS: INTEL REPORT

During his meeting with Ilham Aliyev, president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the parties discussed further ways to strengthen strategic ties and cooperate in the face of mutual challenges.

"We have many shared challenges  particularly the fight against terrorism  which not only threatens national security but also aims to destabilize the region. While facing challenges, we also have many new opportunities," said Gallant.

Gallant expressed his appreciation to the president for his leadership and personal commitment to deepening the bond between their countries, starting with the opening of the Azerbaijani embassy in Israel.

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Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev to discuss strengthening ties between their nations on July 13, 2023.

ISRAEL COMPLETES WITHDRAWAL FROM JENIN AMID EXCHANGE OF ROCKETS, AIRSTRIKES

The leaders emphasized shared goals for greater security, economic and technological exchanges, and common regional peace and stability. Gallant also met with his Azeri counterpart and the chief of the state border service.

Earlier this week, an Afghan citizen was arrested by Azerbaijan security services on suspicion of planning an attack against the Israeli embassy. The local intelligence agency monitored the movements of 33-year-old Pavzan Musa Khan, who entered Azerbaijan through Iran.

Leaders of Middle Eastern nations discussed security, economic and tech exchanges, and regional peace and stability on July 13, 2023.

Israel confirmed that the Azerbaijani authorities arrested the suspect after he was observed in the vicinity of Israel's embassy, and he is currently under investigation by local authorities.

Israel has had a strategic alliance with Baku for two decades and has sold it billions of dollars worth of arms. According to reports, Azerbaijan supplies Israel with oil and access to Iran in return.

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen visited Azerbaijan in April; President Isaac Herzog visited the country the following month.
WASHINGTON  Israeli President Isaac Herzog will visit the White House on Tuesday and deliver a joint address to Congress during his two-day trip to the nation's capital, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a news release.

"The two leaders will discuss opportunities to deepen Israels regional integration and to create a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East," Jean-Pierre's statement said. "President Biden will stress the importance of our shared democratic values, and discuss ways to advance equal measures of freedom, prosperity, and security for Palestinians and Israelis."

Biden and Herzog will also discuss Russia's "deepening" military relationship with Iran and Iran's "destabilizing behavior in the region," she said.

The meeting will also emphasize Israel's "enduring partnership and friendship" with the U.S., and Biden will "reaffirm the ironclad commitment of the United States to Israels security," Jean-Pierre said.

Herzog will meet with Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday. He will be the third foreign leader to have delivered a joint address to Congress this year. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered an address in June, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol did the same in April.

Biden met with Herzog at the White House in October, when he emphasized the U.S.' "ironclad" commitment to Israel.

Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is not joining Herzog for the visit. In an interview that aired Sunday on CNN, Biden was asked when Netanyahu would be invited to the White House. He said Herzog would be coming and that "we have other contacts."

"Bibi, I think, is trying to work through how he can work through his existing problems in terms of his coalition," Biden said in the interview, using Netanyahu's nickname.

While the White House supports a two-state solution for the Israelis and the Palestinians, that option appears unlikely under the far-right Israeli government.

Israels military raided the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank this month in the biggest incursion in 20 years. The military said the operation was meant to target militants. At least 10 Palestinians were killed.

In June, the Israeli government approved the construction of thousands of new homes in the West Bank. The U.S. asked Israel's ambassador in the U.S. this year to come to the State Department, which had protested a new Israeli law that would allow expanded construction of settlements in the West Bank.

Beyond settlements in the West Bank, a two-state solution is further complicated by the geographic separation between Gaza and the West Bank and leaders' varying control in those areas, including Hamas in Gaza and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.

Israel's government has also recently faced countrywide demonstrations against a planned judicial overhaul that would limit the Supreme Court's oversight.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Several high-profile celebrities have shown their support for SAG-AFTRAs newly-announced strike that will effectively shut down Hollywood.

Follow along here for real-time updates on Sag-aftras historic strike.

On Thursday (13 July), SAG-AFTRAs negotiating committee, which represents 160,000 TV and film actors, made the official decision to go on strike alongside the Writers Guild of America, who have been on the picket line since May.

Union members should withhold their labour until a fair contract can be achieved, SAG National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said in a press conference. They have left us with no alternative.

The strike will begin at midnight tonight, with protests beginning Friday (14 July) morning.

Its been over 60 years since actors and screenwriters have simultaneously picketed film and TV studios. The decision came hours after contract negotiations with companies such as Netflix, Amazon, Disney and Warner Bros, failed to pass before the Wednesday (12 July) midnight deadline.

The acting unions demands are similar to those of its counterpart, the Writers Guild of America (WGA). Among the formers chief demands include increased wages, higher streaming residuals and improved working conditions.

Following the announcement, numerous A-list stars publicly spoke out as they joined the union strike.

Well, everythings f***ed, Issa Rae declared in a video posted to her Instagram Story, with the overlayed text: WGA and SAG [solidarity emoji] and AMPTP [middle finger emoji].

It looks like its time to take down the masks and pick up the signs, reads a photo posted to Instagram by Jamie Lee Curtis, tagging SAG-AFTRA in the caption.

We will win this! Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon tweeted in encouragement. I am proud to be standing tall with the @WGAWest and @WGAEast as actors and writers together demand a fair share of the record-breaking profits the studios have been reaping from our labour for far too long.

The @sagaftra strike has at last arrived. I am proud to be standing tall with the @WGAWest and @WGAEast as actors and writers together demand a fair share of the record-breaking profits the studios have been reaping from our labor for far too long.

We will win this!   Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) July 13, 2023

Greys Anatomy star Sara Ramirez changed their Instagram profile picture to the Sag-aftras on strike logo.

Sara Ramirez Instagram (Sara Ramirez Instagram)

SAG board member, Communitys Yvette Nicole Brown, shared a selfie on Instagram with the caption: In preparation we all got together last week to create our signs. I was on sticks! When youre out there without a splinter thanks to the perfectly placed duct tape, think of ya girl!

Shortly before the official strike announcement, Oppenheimers cast walked away from the films London premiere to write their picket signs in preparation for the imminent strike.

During red-carpet interviews with press, before the movies screening, Matt Damon had confirmed to Variety that once the strike is officially called, he and the cast  Emily Blunt, Ramy Malek, Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh  were going to walk obviously in solidarity.
The Vilnius NATO summit demonstrated the extent to which Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has impeded the goals for which the Kremlin says it launched the war, such as to prevent NATO expansion, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on July 12.

However, Russian information space has shown muted response to developments at the NATO summit, which "likely indicates that the Kremlin has internalized these defeats and desires to avoid dwelling on them," the ISW said in its latest update.

"Many Russian sources are reporting on the NATO summit in a dispassionate and muted manner that is not commensurate with the wider defeat that the summit actually represents for Russia's pre-war aims," reads the update.

Moscow has repeatedly claimed that its war against Ukraine aims to push back NATO from Russian borders, calling potential NATO enlargement an alleged threat to Russia's security.

Ukraine war latest: G7 agrees on long-term security commitment for Ukraine Key developments on July 12: * G7 unveils plan to deter future Russian aggression against Ukraine * Zelensky meets Biden, NATO leaders on sideline of NATO summit * NATO allies pledge new military package for Ukraine * Russian attacks wounds 18, including 6 children, in Zaporizhzhia The Group o The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Query

At the Vilnius summit on July 11-12, NATO allies agreed to remove the Membership Action Plan (MAP) from Ukraine's path toward membership, simplifying the process. However, the alliance didn't give Kyiv a much-desired invitation.

NATO also adopted a three-part support package for Ukraine and reaffirmed that the country would definitely join the alliance. Some allies announced new military aid, and the Group of Seven presented plans for long-term security commitments to Ukraine.

"Very importantly, during these two days of the summit, we have put to rest any doubts and ambiguities about whether Ukraine will be in NATO. It will! For the first time, not only do all allies agree on this, but a significant majority in the alliance is vigorously pushing for it," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on July 12.

"Previously, Russia's rulers wanted to have their own fence in front of NATO's door. We have left this Russian ambition on the margins of European history  behind the fence of our unity in Europe and, more broadly, in the free world," added Zelensky.
Italian citizens upset with a judges ruling on a sexual assault case involving a teenage girl took matters into their own hands  by posting their own videos of groping.

The judges of the fifth criminal section of the Court of Rome recently acquitted a 66-year-old janitor accused of putting his hand down a students pants and touching her buttocks in April 2022  because,according to EuroNews, the incident lasted less than 10 seconds.

The teenager was walking down a flight of stairs at a Rome high school when Antonio Avola allegedly put his hand inside her underwear.

When the 17-year-old confronted Avola, he replied, Come on love, you know Im only joking, according to EuroNews.

Although Avola was charged with sexual assault, the judge denied the prosecutors request for a four-year prison sentence since the groping had only lasted between five and 10 seconds and that his hand had not lingered down her underwear.

Italians have reacted to the ruling by posting videos where they grope themselves or are groped by others for 10 seconds to demonstrate that even a seemingly brief assault is unacceptable.

Among the first users to post was actor Paolo Camilli, who is best known for working on The White Lotus.

Others followed suit.

Non siamo un paese per donne, lo dicono i numeri:

1 femminicidio ogni 3 giorni.

Stipendi piu bassi rispetto a quelli degli uomini.

Sentenze che le vedono vittime due volte.

Palpeggiare una donna per #10secondi non e reato.

La violenza ora si misura in secondi...#12luglio#Romapic.twitter.com/kVaTxlNQK8  saverio giangregorio (@saveriolakadima) July 12, 2023

Vean estos videos de representacion, no mames DIEZ SEGUNDOS SON UNA ETERNIDAD !!!!!! #10secondi#PalpataBrevepic.twitter.com/U87OY3pt1U  Meredith G  (@MerGarza) July 13, 2023

The victim hasnt commented on the videos, but was reportedly outraged by the initial verdict.

The judges ruled that he was joking? Well, it was no joke to me, the student told Corriere della Sera newspaper, according to the BBC.The caretaker came up from behind without saying anything. He put his hands down my trousers and inside my underwear. He groped my bottom. Then, he pulled me up  hurting my private parts. For me, this is not a joke. This is not how an old man should joke with a teenager.

The student said she feels betrayed by both her school and by the justice system.

Im starting to think I was wrong to trust the institutions. This is not justice, she said.

Related...
FILE PHOTO: Recruits of the Swiss army Tank School 21 perform an attack exercise with the Leopard 2 tank in Bure

ROME (Reuters) -Italy is planning to buy German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks to boost its ground forces in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a defence undersecretary told parliament on Thursday.

Isabella Rauti, a member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, told the lower house defence committee that buying the tanks was part of a drive to significantly upgrade the country's army.

The move marks the first formal Italian initiative to add to its armoury since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

The administration aims to include the programme in the multi-year defence budget for 2023-2025, setting aside initial funds worth 4 billion euros ($4.5 billion) from 2024 to purchase the new tanks and upgrade other military hardware, Rauti said.

A defence source, who asked not to be named, told Reuters the state was planning to buy 125 Leopard 2 tanks, adding that the 4 billion euro investment would carry through to 2037.

Rauti said no specific procurement process for the tanks had been triggered and the government would seek parliamentary approval before implementing the plan.

The Leopard is jointly manufactured by German companies Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall.

The Italian army at present relies on some 200 Ariete tanks, of which only around 50 are fully operational, the defence source said.

Along with buying the new Leopards, the government is planning to modernise the Ariete fleet to improve their efficiency and safety, Rauti said.

"Buying the Leopards and modernising the Ariete will ensure a number of units sufficient to meet NATO requirements," she said, adding that the 4 billion euro budget would include updating the existing tanks.

($1 = 0.8954 euros)

(Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Crispian Balmer)
The Jamess Webb Space Telescope's view of the spectacular Phantom Galaxy

July 12 marks one year since the James Webb Space Telescope's first four images were released to the public.

To mark the occasion, NASA expert Taylor Hutchison spoke to Space.com about the impact the $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has had on science in its first 12 months. The astrophysicist also explained what could be forthcoming from the JWST during its second year of operations.

The first thing Space.com asked Hutchison is how the James Webb Space Telescope has changed astronomy since its first images were seen by the public on July 11 and July 12, 2022. "Oh, gosh! It's changed so much. It's funny; this is a telescope that we were anticipating for many, many years. And now that we have this data, it's really opened up so much science that wasn't possible before," Hutchison exclaimed. "The kind of light that it probes in the universe has begun to uncover things that we've never been able to see before. And so it really has revolutionized quite a bit of science, just in this first year."

Related: James Webb Space Telescope celebrates 1st year of science with jaw-dropping view of cosmic nursery (photo)

The Rho Ophiuchi stellar nursery as seen in stunning detail by the JWST in an image released to celebrate a year of observations from the powerful space telescope on July 12

Hutchison went on to explain that the JWST is a feat of engineering that has made her field of science, the observation of very early galaxies, much more accessible by allowing astronomers to see further back in time than ever before.

"NASA put out four science goals for this observatory. And one of them happened to be trying to look back in time, as far as we possibly can, to see some of these first galaxies that ever formed," Hutchison said. "I think that's probably the most exciting part to me; we're continuing to push the limits of how much further we can go and how much we can push this telescope to see as far as it possibly can."

The current limit of the JWST's vision has allowed astronomers to see light that has been traveling for around 13.4 billion years to reach us, meaning astronomers are catching glimpses of the earliest galaxies ever seen. Some of these existed just 300,000 to 500,00 years after the Big Bang. The NASA astrophysicist explained what is that makes the JWST so adept at visualizing these early galaxies.

"The JWST is focused on a kind of light called infrared light, which I like to describe as a kind of heat vision as it's thermal light," Hutchison continued. "What's really fascinating is the light that you see from distant galaxies in space. They're glowing in all kinds of light, but the further away you go from a galaxy, the longer it takes that light to reach you. And so you have this interesting stretching in space-time that happens."

Hutchison explained how light that may have been emitted from these galaxies in the ultraviolet or visible parts of the electromagnetic spectrum has, by the time it reaches the JWST's instruments, been shifted to infrared. "That's a really important concept when you're trying to find the most distant galaxies ever," Hutchison added. "Because that's the first light you'll see and it pops up in infrared. And this is why JWST is such a powerful instrument because it is meant for that. And it's really, really good at what it does."

Webb's (reversed) transmission spectrum, with the

Though the astrophysicist's work directly involves distant galaxies, it's the observations that JWST has made closer to home that have really impacted Hutchison during the past 12 months.



Hutchison said it was the telescope's use of spectroscopy (the analysis of light to identify the chemical fingerprints of specific elements) to determine the composition of the exoplanet WASP-96 b's atmosphere that was the most mind-blowing.

"A year ago, when the first images were shown, they showed this light fingerprint, and I was taking my cat to the vet that day, and I had to pull over and cry because it was just exquisite," Hutchison recalls.

An image of Stephan's Quintet taken by the James Webb Space Telescope.

The astrophysicist also said that thing that was most surprising during the first year of JWST science was, while everyone expected bigger and crisper images, just how powerful the telescope has actually turned out to be.

"I was blown away by how good this telescope is!" Hutchison said. "If you just happen to stare at any place in the universe with this telescope, you will see things that we weren't expecting to see. It's doing better than we ever expected."

RELATED STORIES:

 The James Webb Space Telescope wraps 1st year peering across the universe. What has it discovered so far?

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With regards to the second year of JWST science, it is this discovery of the unexpected that really has Hutchison excited for the future. "What are we going to find that completely shocks us and that we weren't expecting that really changes the way that we interpret the universe?" the astrophycisist asked. "That's what I'm really looking forward to in the second year."

As for budding young astronomers watching how this period of history unfolds, Hutchison advised having fun exploring JWST data and wandering through the cosmic images produced by the telescope.

"Anyone can get involved in science if they want to," she concluded. "Just continue to be inspired by it and follow your passions where they take you. I think that more people are excited about this observatory and the data that's coming out... it's beautiful."
How a Japanese artist set the record for world's largest GPS drawing with his marriage proposal

[Source]

Nearly 14 years ago, a Japanese artists marriage proposal set a Guinness World Record.

Yasushi Takahashi, also known by his artist name Yassan, knew in 2008 that he wanted to propose to his girlfriend but did not know how, according to Google Stories.

Takahashi, now 46, was eventually inspired after seeing GPS art online for the first time. GPS art involves creating shapes by following a predetermined route plotted on GPS and uploading the collected positioning data to mapping tools, such as Google Earth, to form a visual representation of the traveled route.

Setting his plans in motion

Determined to create his own GPS art, Takahashi began planning a predetermined route across Japan, from the island of Hokkaido to the shores of Kagoshima, to spell out MARRY ME for his girlfriend.

More from NextShark: Its Japan-centric: Elon Musk names Japan as Twitters ideal market

After plotting his course, Takahashi left his job on June 30, 2008, and set out on his journey on his 31st birthday. His adventure took him around six months to complete, beginning on July 22, 2008, and ending on Jan. 2, 2009, he revealed in a video documenting his journey.

Traveling Japan

Although writing his proposal message was the main goal of his journey, Takahashi also noted in his video that he wanted to see more of Japan in person.

More from NextShark: US nationals arrested, charged for climbing worlds 2nd tallest building in Malaysia

His video includes pictures of the places he visited, including Abashiri Prison Museum in Abashiri, Hokkaido, and the Asahikawa Zoo in Mashike, also in Hokkaido.

He finished his 4,451-mile journey on Jan. 2, 2009, at Hyodo Cliff in Hita, a city in Kyushu in Oita prefecture.

More from NextShark: China stops issuing visas for travelers from S. Korea, Japan in retaliation for COVID restrictions

Roadblocks and hardships

In his video, Takahashi noted that he encountered several problems along the way, including a minor accident that saw his car ending up offroad.

Recalling his adventure to Google, the Japanese artist also said he had to camp out in his car on some nights and face heavy rain, snow and earthquakes, among other forces of nature.

More from NextShark: Man dressed as Joker injures 17 in Tokyo train knife and fire attack on Halloween

Despite those problems, Takahashi told Google he never gave up, adding, I even found time to relax.

A memory to hold on to

After his trip ended, Takahashi uploaded his travel data to Google Earth and showed his plotted message to his girlfriend, which read MARRY ME with a doodle of a heart with an arrow through it at the end.

I kept thinking, where are you going without me? his girlfriend recalls in his video. Of course, I answered yes, she adds, prompting her and Takahashi to laugh.

Takahashis heartwarming proposal set a Guinness World Record in 2010 for the largest GPS drawing made by an individual.

About the artist

Born in Saitama prefecture in 1977, Takahashi, a graduate of Inter Media Art at the Tokyo University of the Arts, has made over 1,400 GPS images since then.

He also became the subject of a documentary series called The Walkumentary Series in 2014, a project launched by the brand Hi-Tec.
An image of former White House senior adviser Jared Kushner during a video interview with the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

An image of former White House senior adviser Jared Kushner during a video interview with the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, testified last month before a federal grand jury about Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election, according to The New York Times and CNN.

Kushner testified at a federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., where he reportedly told the grand jury that Trump truly believed the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.

The federal investigation being led by special counsel Jack Smith is focusing on Trumps failed efforts to stay in power by falsely claiming the election was fraudulent and filing frivolous lawsuits to overturn fair election results.

Former New York City Mayor and Trumps former attorney, Rudy Giuliani, was recommended for disbarment in Washington, D.C., earlier this month over his efforts to help Trump overturn the election. Giuliani filed a lawsuit claiming there was election fraud in Pennsylvania, where now-President Joe Biden won by more than 80,000 votes. Last month, the Justice Department interviewed Giuliani to discuss his role in trying to overturn the results.

Read the full story at the New York Times.
New Jersey lawyer pleads not guilty to a second series of sexual assaults in Boston

Matthew Nilo stands during an appearance at Suffolk Superior Court, Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Boston. Nilo, a New Jersey lawyer already charged in connection with a series of sexual assaults in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood about 15 years ago, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to new charges stemming from a different series of sexual assaults in another area of the city that occurred at roughly the same time. (Lane Turner/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

BOSTON (AP)  A New Jersey lawyer already charged in connection with a series of sexual assaults in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood about 15 years ago pleaded not guilty on Thursday to new charges stemming from sexual assaults in another area of the city that occurred at roughly the same time.

Matthew Nilo, 35, was released on $50,000 bail at his arraignment in Suffolk Superior Court after entering pleas to a total of seven new charges, including rape, aggravated rape and assault to rape.

The new charges stem from five attacks on four women  one woman was attacked twice  in Boston's North End between January 2007 and July 2008, prosecutors said. Nilo lived in the neighborhood at the time, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said, and the attacks followed a similar pattern to the Charlestown cases.

Nilo was previously freed on $500,000 bail after pleading not guilty in June in connection with the Charlestown attacks. He worked for a New-York-based cybersecurity company, was hired in January after passing a background check, and was suspended following his arrest.

Advances in DNA testing and genealogical testing led to identifying Nilo, who now lives in Weehawken, New Jersey, as a suspect, Hayden said.

Nothing can eliminate the terror experienced by these survivors, Hayden said after the arraignment. But at least now they have the knowledge that Mr. Nilo must answer to the horrible charges hes alleged to have committed. We hope this provides some solace to survivors of these attacks.

Nilos attorney, Joseph Cataldo, said his client denies the charges and the district attorney's office was piling on.

I think theyre trying to solve some unresolved cases, and Im afraid that the government might be piling on, just trying to claim that Mr. Nilo committed these crimes, Cataldo said outside the courtroom.

Nilo was tied to the Charlestown cases through DNA taken from a drinking glass he had used at a corporate event this year, and Cataldo has questioned the constitutionality of the way that evidence was collected without a warrant.

Hayden thinks it will stand up in court.

We're confident in the legality of the evidence we have recovered," Hayden said.

Nilo is scheduled to be back in court on Sept. 14.
Jim Jordan blames earpiece for stumbling over words in Fox interview: I drew a blank

Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) stumbled over his words during a rant on Fox News show Hannity on Wednesday evening creating a discombobulated sentence.

Mr Jordan began by commenting on Christopher Wray, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, testifying to the House Judiciary Committee.

The Ohio Republican told host Sean Hannity and fellow guest rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL): A federal judge disagreed with what Christopher Wray testified to today and he did that decision on July 4th just eight days ago for goodness sake, thats exactly what happened with the

But then Mr Jordan paused in the middle of his sentence and began spouting an incomprehensible statement: The decision the  when it came to the, the decision with Mr

The Ohio rep interrupted his string of thoughts to apologise to Mr Hannity, claiming he drew a blank and blamed feedback from his earpiece for causing the misspoken words.

Ive got a huge echo in my ear and I cant even hear, Mr Jordan said.

After another brief pause, Mr Jordan seemed to collect his thoughts and continue his sentence coherently, in part thanks to Hannitys encouragement.

Later on in Hannitys programme, the Fox News host mocked President Joe Bidens speech and movements at the Nato summit, calling him embarrassing.

In the same segment, guest Kristi Noem  Republican governor of South Dakota  claimed Mr Biden can barely get through a sentence.

Fox News also targeted Vice President Kamala Harris simplified explanation of artificial intelligence on Fox & Friends on Thursday claiming she has the intellect of a three-year-old.

Guests and hosts of Fox News have often used the Presidents and Vice Presidents verbal mistakes to attack their intelligence.

On Twitter, journalist Aaron Rupar called out the hypocrisy of allowing Mr Jordan to misspeak while attacking Democrats.

If Joe Biden did this during a live interview Fox would spent nights yelling about how hes in cognitive decline, Mr Rupar wrote.

if Joe Biden did this during a live interview Fox would spent nights yelling about how he's in cognitive decline pic.twitter.com/BVfYxgCpoP  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 13, 2023

Mr Jordans word salad comes just hours after he grilled Mr Wray during a hearing on Wednesday regarding several investigations opened by the House Judiciary Committee  which Mr Jordan heads.
Joe Manchin has the straightest and whitest staff of any Democratic senator, survey finds

Joe Manchin has the straightest and whitest staff of any Democratic senator, survey finds

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia at a hearing on Capitol Hill on May 2, 2023. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Sen. Joe Manchin appears to have the least diverse staff of any Democratic senator.

A Senate diversity survey found that 0% of his staff identify as LGBTQ, and just 12% are non-white.

And women make up just 46%  among the lowest for Democratic senators.

Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia appears to have the least diverse staff of any Democratic senator.

According to an annual survey of diversity among Senate Democratic staffers released this week, just 12% of the conservative West Virginia Democrat's staffers identify as non-white  the lowest of any Senate Democratic office.

And in a stark contrast from the rest of the Democratic caucus, 0% of his staffers identify as LGBTQ, according to the survey.

When it comes to gender diversity, Manchin also ranks low among the rest of his colleagues: 46% of his staff are women. Just three Democrats  Sens. Maria Cantwell of Washington, Chris Coons of Delaware, and Raphael Warnock of Georgia  employ a similar number, or fewer, women as a percentage of staff.

By contrast, most Democratic senators employ majority-female staff.

A spokeswoman for Manchin's Senate office did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

Senate Democrats have released a survey of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity every year since 2017 as part of a broader diversity initiative. The survey began collecting data for LGBTQ identification in 2019.

During that time, Manchin's staff has consistently been among the least diverse in terms of both race and sexual orientation. Last year, just 7% of his staff identified as non-white, while 4% identified as LGBTQ.

Senate Republicans do not release any diversity data, leaving the public unable to ascertain the make-up of their offices.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Syrian refugees are seen at the Zaatari refugee camp in the Jordanian city of Mafraq

DUBAI (Reuters) - Jordan's foreign minister on Thursday called on the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) to reverse a decision to cut food subsidies to Syrian refugees by Aug. 1.

The WFP office in Amman told Reuters that an "unprecedented funding crisis" had forced it to cut food help for 50,000 out of some 465,000 refugees it was helping in Jordan.

"This is not on Jordan," Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said in a Twitter post. "It is on those who are cutting support. We can't carry this burden alone."

"We urge WFP and others cutting subsidies to Syrian refugees to reverse decision," he added.

The United Nations' humanitarian agencies and other aid groups are struggling to keep up aid to Syrians as needs skyrocket and funding streams dry up.

More than 15 million people need aid across the country - a record number - and malnutrition rates are at an all-time high. But the U.N. said in June that its $5.4 billion appeal for humanitarian work in Syria this year had only been 11% funded.

At the time, the WFP announced it would cut food aid to 2.5 million of the 5.5 million people it supports. It was not immediately clear if those figures included refugees outside of Syria's borders.

The WFP's Amman office on Thursday said it had "exhausted all options" and that even after taking this step, it was still facing a critical funding shortage.

"Without the necessary funds, WFP will be compelled to reduce its response further," it said.

Millions of Syrians have fled their homeland since conflict broke out there in 2011 following protests against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, who was then isolated across the region for his crackdown on demonstrations.

The Arab League welcomed Syria back into the fold earlier this year, and Arab countries say it is time for Syrians seeking refuge on their territory to go home.

Safadi said on Thursday that the UN "must work to enable voluntary return. Until then, its agencies must keep sufficient support."

(Reporting by Clauda Tanios; Writing by Clauda Tanios and Maya Gebeily; Editing by Peter Graff and Conor Humphries)
Judge deciding if new charges will be thrown out against man acquitted in beauty queens death

A judge is deciding if a man acquitted in the murder of a South Georgia teacher can be charged in a neighboring county.

Ryan Dukes was found not guilty in the murder of Tara Grinstead, a South Georgia high school teacher and beauty queen in Irwin County.

Dukes attorney now wants new charges in Ben Hill County thrown out.

Authorities in Ben Hill County charged Dukes with hindering apprehension, tampering and lying just days after he was found not guilty of Grinsteads murder in Irwin County.

But Dukes attorneys say the statute of limitations on those charges ran out a long time ago.

Dukes watched the latest legal proceeding via Zoom from prison where hes spending the next five years. Although he was acquitted of Grinsteads murder, he was convicted of concealing her death.

Dukes attornies presented witnesses, some also via Zoom, showing law enforcement considered Dukes and his high school friend, Bo Duke, suspects.

A jury also convicted Duke of hiding her body. He was in court Thursday, too.

RELATED STORIES:

Do you recall that either of the defendants who are here today, Mr. Ryan Duke or Mr. Bo Duke, if you recall those names being mentioned at that time? attorneys asked former Irwin County Deputy Alan Morgan.

Yes, sir, Morgan said.

Grinstead vanished from her Ocilla home in 2005. Her remains were found years later.

Her mother was also in the courtroom listening to Thursdays hearing.

The state questioned the defense witnesses hard, insisting that Dukes name may have been out there but so were names associated with hundreds of other leads, so the statute of limitations clock didnt start until the actual arrest of both men in 2017.

In fact, until 2017, after Mr. Dukes arrest, you never spoke to anyone outside the GBI about these allegations, correct? defense attorneys asked Morgan.

Thats right, Morgan said.

The hearing ended around 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The judge will make his ruling soon about whether Dukes will now face new charges related to Grinsteads murder.

RELATED NEWS:
Judge in Italy says groping is only a crime if it lasts more than 10 seconds

A stock image shows a woman being groped from behind. Getty Images

A judge in Italy ruled that groping that lasts less than 10 seconds isn't criminal.

The ruling was in response to a case in which a school caretaker groped a 17-year-old student.

The controversial decision has sparked uproar in Italy, as well as a viral social media trend.

A judge in Italy has ruled that groping is not a crime if it lasts less than 10 seconds.

The ruling this week was in response to an April 2022 incident involving a 17-year-old student at a Rome high school and a 66-year-old school caretaker, identified as Antonio Avola, according to BBC News.

The woman, now 18 and identified only as Laura, was walking up some steps to class when the incident occurred, the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera reported. She felt her pants fall down, a hand touching her buttocks, and then a man grabbing her underwear, BBC News reported.

According to the media outlet, the student turned around and saw Avola, who said: "Love, you know I was joking."

The student reported him to the police.

Avola later admitted to touching the student without her consent, but said it was a joke, BBC News reported.

The groping lasted for between five and 10 seconds, per Corriere Della Sera.

A public prosecutor in Rome had asked for a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Avola, but he was acquitted of sexual assault charges.

A judge ruled that the groping "does not constitute a crime" because it lasted less than 10 seconds, per BBC News.

The controversial ruling has caused uproar in Italy, with the term "palpata breve"  a brief groping  becoming part of a video trend on TikTok and Instagram, in which Italians simulate groping their intimate parts for 10 seconds straight while staring at the camera.

The trend was started by actor Paolo Camilli, who was in "The White Lotus," with social media influencers and other Italian celebrities following suit, Corriere Della Sera reported.

Speaking to Corriere Della Sera, Laura said she hopes prosecutors appeal the ruling, adding that the decision has made her feel both angry and betrayed.

Laura also told the newspaper that she fears the ruling will prevent other victims of sexual harassment from reporting it to the police.

"After this decision, if a girl is groped, she will end up thinking that it is not worth reporting violence," she said.

Read the original article on Insider
Report on Fukushima's nuclear-contaminated water regretable: IAEA working group expert

Xinhua) 09:50, July 13, 2023

BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- An expert in the technical working group of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said he is disappointed with the agency's recent report on Japan's plan for dumping its nuclear-contaminated water.

Liu Senlin, a researcher with the China Institute of Atomic Energy who participated in the IAEA's assessment work, said the report on the safety of the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water from Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean was released in haste, and it lacks sufficient consultation with experts and is limited in many respects.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi delivered the report to the Japanese government on July 4 during his visit to Japan.

When the IAEA Secretariat sought opinions from the technical working group on the draft report, the experts were given a very limited window of time, and there were no further discussions and consultation before the report was released in the name of the IAEA director general, Liu said.

Liu believes the IAEA's assessment was limited as it neither included other possible disposal options nor addressed the effectiveness and long-term reliability of the water purification system.

Calling the assessment "a peer review" based on data and information provided by the Japanese side, Liu said experts from various parties did not reach consensus on various issues during the last two years of work.

While raising the technical threshold and regulatory requirements on the discharge, the assessment did not appease concerns of the international community regarding its legitimacy, nor did it sufficiently discuss the follow-up tasks and long-term monitoring or make appropriate arrangements, Liu said.

The report did not represent the IAEA's recognition or approval of Japan's decision to dump the nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean, Liu added.

Liu said an urgent task of the IAEA should be to establish an independent long-term international monitoring mechanism for effective supervision of Japan's measures. Meanwhile, the reasonable concerns and participation of Japan's neighboring countries, the Pacific island countries, and other relevant countries should be fully taken into account.

Liu also called for ensuring the independence of on-site supervision and sample monitoring by the IAEA, rather than solely relying on the data and information provided by Japan.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Court news

WORCESTER  A Superior Court judge allowed a motion to remove the tracking GPS on a former Worcester Public Schools and adjunct faculty member at Quinsigamond Community College accused of sex trafficking and rape Thursday.

In 2020, John B. Clayton IV, 66, of Northborough was arrested on charges that he promised to help drug-addicted women but instead forced them into prostitution.

According to court documents, Clayton's attorney, R. Bradford Bailey, filed a motion Thursday on behalf of his client requesting Judge James Reardon modify the conditions of Clayton's special conditions for release by removing the requirement for GPS monitoring.

Bailey cited Clayton's full compliance with the court during previous out-of-state travel in the three years since his arrest, argued he is a low-risk individual for failing to appear and argued the 2020 Supreme Judicial Court case Commonwealth v. Norman found the monitoring violates both the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article 14 of the state Declaration of Rights.

According to court documents, Clayton has traveled out of state 11 times since his arrest, mostly to Georgia where his ailing mother lived. He traveled to Georgia nine times since his arrest as well as one trip to New Hampshire and Pennsylvania each.

Bailey wrote Clayton complied with all conditions imposed on him for travel, and said this history now means the GPS tracking is no longer the least restrictive means to assure his appearance in court.

Citing his age, a record that only includes a few motor-vehicle matters and the active role he has taken in defense planning, Bailey wrote Clayton stands at a low risk of fleeing.

Bailey also argued the SJC's decision in Commonwealth v. Norman found that there was no proof GPS monitoring increased the likelihood of a defendant appearing in court. The ankle bracelet was also ruled to have a chilling effect on free expression and exposed defendants to greater risk of indignity and arrest.

Reardon allowed the motion but said Clayton is still required to seek court approval for out-of-state travel. Court records show Reardon allowed travel to Pennsylvania from Friday to Sunday and to Georgia from Aug. 1 to Aug 15.

In 2020, Clayton was charged with seven counts of trafficking a person for sexual servitude, two counts of rape and two counts of witness intimidation. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution alleges Clayton, sometimes using the alias Joseph Hallenbeck, would reach out to vulnerable women on social media, offering them help for their addictions.

Instead, he would force them to have sex with him and another individual and would give them money and marijuana in return, prosecutors allege.

Clayton has maintained he was helping the women and Bailey argued in court there may be a "consent defense."

From 2002 to 2014, Clayton taught at South High Community School, where he developed course content for advanced placement science courses and started the school's robotics program, Bailey wrote.

He also taught physics and engineering courses at Quinsigamond Community College for four years before his arrest.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Judge OK- GPS tracker for ex teacher removal accused of trafficking
A federal judge Thursday scolded former Chicago Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson for failing to comply with the terms of his supervised release, but in the end agreed to stay an order that Thompson pay $50,000 in restitution to federal banking regulators pending the outcome of his appeal.

The hearing before U.S. District Judge Franklin Valderrama was called after court probation officials accused the former 11th Ward alderman of failing to pay restitution for his tax-related conviction once he was released from prison on a one-year term of supervised release in December.

Thompson also allegedly failed to notify his probation officer that he was earning money as a consultant.

Thompsons attorney, Chris Gair, told the judge Thursday that Thompson in no way tried to skirt the obligations of his supervised release, and that the issues were largely due to a series of miscommunications and misunderstandings.

If there was a mistake, the person who should be admonished is me, not Mr. Thompson, Gair said.

Gair said Thompson has now paid his $8,300 obligation to the IRS plus another $1,500 in costs of prosecution, leaving only the restitution to the Federal Deposit and Insurance Corporation, which Thompson is appealing before the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

Thompson is now earning about $4,000 a month as a self-employed consultant, Gair said, though further details on his clients or the nature of the work were not revealed in court.

Meanwhile, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Petersen said Thompson had been notified by his probation officer that if he wanted a stay on the order for restitution to the FDIC, he should have filed a motion before Valderrama.

He decided not to pay it because he thinks its going to be reversed on appeal, Petersen said. Maybe it will be and maybe it wont be, but the appropriate thing to do at that point was to come to the court.

Valderrama scolded Thompson on that point, and said he was inclined to deny the tardy request for a stay, which was finally made last week. But since the government did not oppose it, the judge granted the motion.

The conditions of supervised release, sir, isnt a request. It is not a suggestion. It is an order that you must comply with, Valderrama said directly to Thompson near the end of the hearing.

After the judge asked Thompson if he understood his obligations, the former alderman said, Yes, your honor. And if I could just add  before Gair leaned over and whispered, No.

Thompson, 54, grandson of Richard J. Daley and nephew of Richard M. Daley, Chicagos two longest-serving mayors, was convicted by a federal jury in February 2022 of two counts of lying to federal regulators about loans he had with the now-shuttered Washington Federal Bank for Savings in his familys Bridgeport neighborhood.

He was sentenced to four months in prison and was released five days before Christmas, records show.

[ Former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson sentenced to four months in prison in tax case ]

Under state law, Thompson was forced to resign his seat on the Chicago City Council immediately after the conviction on felony charges. His license to practice law also was suspended by the Illinois Supreme Court following his conviction  a decision he is still trying to reverse.

Thompsons appeal of his conviction is pending before the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
A federal judge this week dismissed a lawsuit challenging the Chico Unified School Districts policy of protecting the gender identities of students from their parents.

U.S. District Court Judge John Mendez said in a ruling that the authority of the district to safeguard the information overrode parental rights. In doing so, Mendez also kept intact guidance by California school officials to shield the privacy rights of transgender students.

Chico staff were not forcing students to adopt a different identity or telling them to keep it secret from their parents, the judge wrote. Instead, school officials were just allowing students to choose who they wanted to share their identities with. The only exception was for health reasons.

The decision from Mendez, who is based in Sacramento, comes as states across the country are diverging widely in their support of transgender children.

The ruling was prompted by a lawsuit filed in January on behalf of Aurora Regino, the mother a child who was in elementary school last year. She is represented by the Center for American Liberty, which is led by Harmeet Dhillon. Earlier this year, Dhillon lost a bit to lead the Republican National Committee.

Reginos child, then 11, began identifying as a different gender than was assigned at birth and told a school counselor. The counselor encouraged the student to adopt a new identity, go by different pronouns and told the childs teachers about the change, according to the lawsuit.

Regino said the district should have informed her too. The child later returned to being identified by the gender assigned at birth.

Parents, not schools, have the right and responsibility to make major life decisions on behalf of their minor children, the lawsuit argued.

That, and other arguments on Reginos behalf, did not convince Mendez.

The issue before this Court is not whether it is a good idea for school districts to notify parents of a minors gender identity and receive consent before using alternative names and pronouns, but whether the United States Constitution mandates such parental authority, Mendez said. This Court holds that it does not.

The judge said the district had shown a legitimate reason for protecting the wishes of students. If not, they could face domestic abuse, bullying and other harassment.

The California Legislature was best suited to address Reginos concerns, Mendez added.

A proposal introduced earlier this year by Assemblyman Bill Essayli, R-Corona, would give parents the right to know if their child at school is identifying by a different gender. But the bill has not received a hearing.

Mark Trammell, the executive director of the Center for American Liberty, said in a statement that a different body should make a decision on the issue.

The Supreme Court must take the lead and define how far the constitutional rights of parents extend, he said.

Trammell added that the ruling was expected to be appealed.
A state-court judge upheld her Monday order preventing transgender people in Kansas from changing the sex listed on their drivers licenses, saying that a recent rush of such changes have created a public safety concern.

In a Zoom hearing Wednesday, the Department of Revenue failed to convince District Judge Teresa Watson that she should lift the ban she put in place Monday on changes to peoples listed sex on their licenses. The order expires July 24, but Watson is likely to hold another hearing to determine whether to extend the ban.

Nearly 200 transgender people in Kansas recently changed the sex listed on their license in anticipation of a new law, which took effect July 1 and rolled back some LGBTQ rights in the state. The new law does not mention drivers licenses specifically, but it mandates that a persons sex be defined as either male or female and that it be based on ones biological reproductive system identified at birth.

The month of June saw changes to the listed sex for 172 licenses  a third of all changes made in the past four years, when the practice was permitted. Watson cited this spike in changes as key evidence in her decision, saying, the immediacy is supported by information provided by the department.

Licenses are used by law enforcement to identify criminal suspects, crime victims, wanted persons, missing persons and others, she wrote. Compliance with legal requirements for identifying license holders is a public safety concern.

The order comes as part of a lawsuit filed by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach (R), who sued two officials in Gov. Laura Kellys (D) administration for what he argued were violations of the new law that went into effect July 1. Ahead of that date, Kellys administration had pledged it would continue allowing license changes at Kansass motor vehicles division, which is housed in the Department of Revenue.

Kobach argued the practice violated the new law, which he viewed as prohibiting any new changes and reversing any previous ones made to peoples official sex listed on licenses.

Attorneys at Kellys Department of Revenue made the case that the new law is in direct conflict with a previous law, which requires people to list their gender, not sex identified at birth, when applying for licenses. Ted Smith, a department attorney, reportedly told Watson that the agency is bound by the previous law that relates more specifically to drivers licenses, rather than the attorney generals legal theory.

In her decision Wednesday, Watson indicated the new law applies to state laws and regulation. Watson has yet to hear from transgender people about how the new law affects them. Five trans Kansas residents have asked to intervene in the lawsuit, but Watson reportedly has not yet ruled on that request.

With the recent ban, Kansas became one of the few states not to allow trans individuals to change the sex listed on their drivers licenses. Montana and Tennessee prohibit changes to drivers licenses, while Oklahoma restricts changing birth certificates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The jury in the trial of Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooter Robert Bowers found Thursday he is eligible for the death penalty, shifting the focus of the proceeding to whether he should be sentenced to death or life in prison.

They deliberated for approximately two hours.

Bowers, 50, was found guilty on June 16 of all 63 charges against him for killing 11 worshippers and wounding six others at Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue in 2018, the deadliest attack on Jewish people in the US. Twenty-two of those counts were capital offenses.

The jury in the next phase will hear from survivors and loved ones of the victims, who will speak to the lasting impact of Bowers rampage.

On Monday, the jury will move to sentence selection, the final phase of the trial, to decide whether to recommend death for the capital offenses in light of all aggravating and mitigating factors.

It has been nearly five years since 11 people were taken from us. They were beloved and valued family members, friends and neighbors, Maggie Feinstein, director of the 10.27 Healing Partnership, a support group for the families, said in a statement.

They cannot speak for themselves, and so their family members will speak for them. In the next phase of the trial, our justice system will perform its duty to listen to their voices. We support them and we stand with them.

New Light Congregation, in a statement Thursday, said: Significant progress has been made in the past eighty years in combating antisemitism but there is still work to be done.

This trial is an important step in drawing a line between speech and action. We commend the jury on their difficult work and trust in their judgment as we enter the final sentencing phase of the trial.

In general, a death penalty trial is split into two parts, the guilt phase followed by the penalty phase. In this case, however, the judge granted the defenses request to split the trial into three parts: the guilt phase, the eligibility phase and the sentencing selection phase. Each part has opening statements, closing arguments and a verdict.

During the eligibility phase, prosecutors had to prove Bowers had an intentional mental state when he committed the crimes and at least one aggravating factor applied to the mass shooting.

Prosecutors argued the shooting showed extensive planning and a clear intent that, in Bowers own words, All Jews had to die.

In contrast, the defense sought to question whether Bowers acted with intent and highlighted his mental health issues.

Two doctors testified for the defense that they diagnosed him with schizophrenia and noted his delusional thoughts and conspiracies about Jews. The prosecution called their own doctors, including a forensic psychiatrist, who disputed the diagnoses.

The mass shooting also left six wounded, including four police officers who responded to the scene. Eight people who were inside the building escaped unharmed.

The rampage unfolded on a day when the synagogue was hosting three congregations, Tree of Life, Dor Hadash and New Light, for weekly Shabbat services.

During closing arguments Wednesday, the defense team said the shooters delusions took over his thinking.

In 2018, that delusional belief system took over his thinking and made him incapable of really doing anything except following the dictates of that belief system, defense attorney Michael Burt told the jury.

The defense team has focused on the threshold intent factors in the case, attempting to prove that Bowers was incapable of forming the intent to kill or inflict serious harm due to mental illness, which Burt emphasized in his 90-minute closing argument.

People dont go into a church and kill a bunch of older people for no reason, Burt said. Weve tried to provide you with reasons that we think explain how this horrible crime couldve happened.

Two medical experts called by the defense testified they had diagnosed the shooter with schizophrenia, and one also diagnosed him with epilepsy.

Burt said theres a difference between a rational, conscious intent to kill, as opposed to a crazy, delusional intent that is found in mental illness.

In the prosecutions rebuttal argument, attorney Eric Olshan disputed the defense experts diagnoses, saying Bowers does not have schizophrenia, epilepsy, or delusions.

He just believes things that are repugnant, Olshan said.

Even if the defendant had these illnesses, they would say nothing about whether he could form the intent to kill, the prosecutor told the jury.

Dont be distracted from the simple and commonsense fact that everything the defendant did in the months leading up to October 27 and on that horrific day was because thats exactly what he intended to do, Olshan said.

US District Judge Robert Colville instructed jurors before closing arguments not to consider the fact that Bowers did not testify in the trial. You must not draw any adverse inference against him because he did not take the witness stand, he said.

The jury heard from a total of 20 witnesses over more than two weeks of testimony in the trials latest phase.

On the day of the massacre, Bowers approached the synagogue with three handguns and an AR-15 rifle and began firing near the entrance to the synagogue and then opened fire on congregants, according to testimony.

Police eventually shot Bowers multiple times before he surrendered and was arrested.

Those who died included a 97-year-old great-grandmother, an 87-year-old accountant and a couple married at the synagogue more than 60 years earlier.

Before the shooting, Bowers spent years posting about attacks on immigrants and Jewish people on Gab, a small social media platform used by far-right extremists.

He criticized migrants as invaders and repeatedly disparaged the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, a Maryland charity originally founded a century ago in New York that provides support to refugees all over the world, regardless of religion.

CNNs Ray Sanchez contributed to this report.

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Jury reached its decision in penalty phrase of Tree of Life killer

Jury reached its decision in penalty phrase of Tree of Life killer

A federal jury reached its decision Thursday in the penalty phase of the Tree of Life synagogue killer, determining if the convicted murderer should face capital punishment.

The panel in Pittsburgh reached its verdict after two hours of deliberations, weighing the fate of Robert Gregory Bowers, 50, who was convicted last month on all 63 federal charges in the Oct. 27, 2018, massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue.

The government is seeking the death penalty and U.S. District Judge Robert J. Colville would have to impose capital punishment if the panel ultimately recommends death.

A mourner stands in front of a makeshift memorial outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 29, 2018. (Matt Rourke / AP file)

We are grateful for the jurys effort to reach a just decision today, Jeffrey Finkelstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, told reporters outside the courthouse.

The federation does not have a position on the death penalty. But this was an act of antisemitism and the defendant deserves to answer for his crime.

The shooting that shocked the nation happened 4 years ago in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

The massacre took the lives of Joyce Fienberg, 75; Richard Gottfried, 65; Rose Mallinger, 97; Jerry Rabinowitz, 66; Cecil Rosenthal, 59; David Rosenthal, 54; Bernice Simon, 84; Sylvan Simon, 86; Daniel Stein, 71; Irving Younger, 69; and Melvin Wax, 87.

I also hope that the next phase of the trial, which will allow the families of the victims an opportunity to speak, will give them a sense of relief and fulfillment, Finkelstein said.

The community and even loved ones of victims are not unified in opinion on whether Bowers should be put to death for the mass shooting, according to Finkelstein.

There is some divide, not only between congregations but also among the victims families, Finkelstein said. Theres always different opinions.

The defense argued that the shooter is psychotic and has brain abnormalities, leading to his deadly actions that day in Pittsburgh.

But the government maintained the truck driver from nearby Baldwin was a bigot who understood what he was doing the day of the massacre.

He was active on social media, ranting about immigrants, pushing conspiracy theories and threatening Jews.

This was an act of antisemitism, not an issue of mental illness, Finkelstein said. This was hatred toward Jews. I want to thank the jury for all of their incredible work.

Bowers defense lawyers and prosecutors did not make themselves immediately available for comment on Thursday.

Carolina Gonzalez reported from Pittsburgh and David K. Li from New York City.

This story first appeared on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Max

Every now and again on Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw would meet a certain kind of man. Hed be cute but not devastating, and their chemistry would be undeniable but not quite smoldering. He would stick around for an episode or two, enabling some of the shows most puckish humor, and then he would kindly exit stage left while Carrie and the girls gossiped about him at brunch. In its second season, And Just Like That is finally bringing these guys back.

Last season, we got Petera figure best remembered for projectile-vomiting next to Carrie after a date and not much else. And at the start of this season, there was Carries podcast producer Franklin, who unfortunately got laid off along with her and the rest of the team when she refused to talk about vaginal dryness on air. (Im still baffled by thatliterally, why?) This week, we finally got a whiff of the old Sex and the City when an app developer named George Campell (Peter Hermann) nearly runs Carrie over in a bike lane. Now thats love in Manhattan, baby!

Critics have already proclaimed that And Just Like That Season 2 feels a lot more like Sex and the City, and this week feels like the beginning of that transformation. Carries dressing up like Cosmopolitan editor Helen Gurley Brown for Charlottes Halloween benefit before moseying over to a hotel bar to pick up guys with her friends Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury) and Nya Wallace (Karen Pittman). Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Harry (Evan Handler) show up in The Americans cosplay, while Miranda (Cynthia Nixon, who also directs this episode) dons a clown nose to satirize the comic disaster that is my life. Does it get more Sex and the City than this?

Actually, it does. Poor Seema has a rough night with a hot prospect whose erectile dysfunction necessitates a penis pump. From the staging, to the yellow lighting, to the rapid-fire back-and-forth, it all screams Samantha Jonesespecially later on, when Seema discovers that her good-natured tolerance of this schmucks penis pump has apparently not earned her the privilege of being able to use her vibrator. Sir, she asks, do you seriously have the balls to say something about my device when I wake up to your freshly washed penis pump drying in my dish rack? Honestly? Get him.

Charlotte York Is Now My Favorite And Just Like That Character

Naturally, Seema calls Carrie to talk through all thisand its at that moment when Carrie stops dead in her tracks in a bike lane, just as a biker skids toward her and wipes out at her feet.

Some of Sarah Jessica Parkers best comedic moments come when Carrie finds herself at odds with the citybe it when shes stumbling across wet concrete in stilettos, or when shes yelling Youre so busy! at a rude passerby on the street. This scene belongs in that pantheon. Carrie has been slowly moving on from Mr. Big for a while, but in this episode, it feels like And Just Like That is finally letting her (and Sarah Jessica Parker) really have fun again.

Sarita Choudhury. Craig Blankenhorn/Max

In a New York minute, Carrie is stammering about an urgent care center that she once saw the Olsen twins walk into and is guiding her cranky biker there. Then, shes helping him fill out his forms. And then, shes stopping by his (very strange, airplane hangar-like) apartment with soup to help him put the finishing touches on his app.

While Carrie romances the tech bro, Charlotte gets a blast from the past when Rock comes home from the skate park with a Ralph Lauren reps business card. Harry, high on a paranoid buzz from The Americans, doesnt want Rock anywhere near it. (Teen model? Next stop, rehab!) Sadly, he never stood a chance; Charlotte, once a teen model for Ralph, is obsessed with the idea of Rock picking up her mantle. And besides, how can Harry say no when Rock is promising to use the gigs pay to plant trees in Israel?

This season of And Just Like That has honored Charlotte and Harry with some great comedic material, and this week builds on that foundation. While Charlotte chaperones Rock on set, Harry shows up in his Americans wig to snoop. It turns out, he doesnt like being the restrictive parent. Before long, however, Charlotte convinces him to leave before Rock sees him and all trust is broken. As funny as Kristin Davis and Evan Handler have reliably been this season, its also heartening to see Charlotte and Harry get their due as the shows most communicative couple.

Kristin Davis and Alexa Swinton. Craig Blankenhorn/Max

On the opposite end of that spectrum, apparently, are Miranda and Che Diaz (Sara Ramirez), who simply will not admit that their situationship is doomed.

Now that Mirandas back in New York and Che has a Manhattan apartment, things have gotten a little complicated. Che is a night owl, and Miranda is a morning person, and neither of them can stop ramming their legs into the chair as they sneak in or out of bed. Che isnt exactly sympathetic toward Mirandas problems getting out in the morning, but then again, why is Miranda riding the train home to Brooklyn from Hudson Yards at 5 every morning to make her ex and her son, two grown men, breakfast? (Shes convinced theyd starve if she didnt, but if thats truly the case perhaps she should let them!)

The problems between Miranda and Che seem to run deeper than sleep schedules. Ches sitcom has gone into testing, and while audiences seem to love Tony Danza, the same cannot be said for the shows star. The bad feedback only seems to deepen the gap in understanding between Che and Miranda. When Miranda insists theyll succeed because theres no one else like you, Che scoffs. Is that really the truth, they seem to wonder, or has Miranda simply never met someone like them before? It took me 46 years to figure out who I am, Che tells Miranda, and a focus group an hour to fucking destroy me.

Sarah Jessica Parker. Craig Blankenhorn/Max

Now, they want space. Its just as well, since Miranda is moving in with her friend, Nya, anyway. But also why is she doing that? Does the former Manhattan power attorney really not have enough money to rent her own apartment until Steve moves out of the house? Miranda jokes that while she and Nya go through their divorces, they can be like an angry Laverne and Shirley. Maybe she just wants someone she can actually talk to. Still, its hard to understand why shed choose to solidify her flop era by living somewhere that demands a single bed.

In the end, at least one person breaks up this week. Carrie and George might never have been together-together, but she ends things pretty quickly once it becomes clear that his business partner, Paul, will never let him have an hours peace. The break-up, ironically enough, might be the Sex and the City-est part of the entire episode. At one point, Paul calls when George and Carrie are about to have sex, sending Paul into a work frenzy as Carrie crawls on all fours on the floor to retrieve her shoes and escape without having to talk to Paul.

And Just like That, Everything Is Better in Season 2Even Che Diaz

Parker plays up the physical comedy as Carrie peeks over the edge of the phone that George is FaceTime-ing on and then sneaks around it, crawling on all fours to gather her shoes from under the bed and leave the room undetected. When she leaves the bedroom, she searches for Paul in his maze of white hallways and cant find him.

Its in these moments when And Just Like That feels most like Sex and the City. Episode writers Samantha Irby and Lucas Froehlich capture Carries flirting style perfectly in the beginning of the episode, as she walks George through his intake forms at urgent care, and by staging Carrie and George in different places during the break-up, they enhance the dialogues comedy by forcing Parker and Hermann to shout it all through the museum-like set.

Karen Pittman, Cynthia Nixon, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Sarita Choudhury. Max

From that idiosyncratic break-up, to the upbeat song that plays afterward, to the closing linea play on getting back on the bikethis episode felt like a time machine, and not just because weve somehow warped from summer to October. From the writing, to the direction, to the charismatic performances, it looks like Carrie and her friends might be getting their groove back. (Heres hoping for Miranda.)

Keep obsessing! Sign up for the Daily Beasts Obsessed newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

Read more of our And Just Like That coverage HERE.

And Just Like That Needs to Stop Enabling Carries Ageism

And Just Like That Episode 4 Brings Back Carrie Bradshaws Biggest Hater

Everything We Know About Che Diazs Comedy Pilot

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WASHINGTON Justice Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday defended the Supreme Court against criticism from progressive Democrats, asserting that the nation's highest court is "an institution of law not of politics."

Democrats have slammed the high court in recent weeks for a series of 6-3 decisions handed down in the final days of its term that gutted affirmation action, ended President Joe Bidens $400 billion student debt relief plan and allowed a graphic designer to deny making websites celebrating same-sex weddings.

The court is an institution of law. Its an institution of law not of politics, not of partisanship, Kavanaugh said at a judicial conference in Minnesota, according to the Associated Press.

We have lived up, in my estimation, to deciding cases based on law and not based on partisan affiliation and partisanship, Kavanaugh said. We dont caucus in separate rooms. We dont meet separately. Were not sitting on different sides of the aisle at an oral argument.  We work as a group of nine.

It was the first public remarks of any justice since the 2022-2023 term ended late last month. Members of the court regularly fan out and speak to judicial conferences over the summer.

President Joe Biden greets Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as he arrives to deliver the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on March 1, 2023.

The Supreme Court has veered to the right since President Donald Trump named three nominees  Kavanaugh along with Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett. That movement became clear for many Americans last year when the high court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 precedent that established a nationwide right to abortion.

This term there were fewer cases decided on 6-3 ideological splits: Five compared with 14 last term, according to an analysis by the blog Empirical SCOTUS. Kavanaugh was in the majority in 96% of this terms decisions, more than any other justice.

Despite wins for the courts liberal wing  including two significant voting cases  the courts critics have focused on the most closely watched cases that landed in late June, including the affirmative action and student loan decisions. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., last month described the court as a MAGA-captured Supreme Court.

Kavanaugh only briefly mentioned the ethics issues that have dogged some justices  including conservatives Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito and the liberal Sonia Sotomayor. He noted that Chief Justice John Roberts said in May that the justices were continuing to work on that as a group.

Thats accurate, he said. Im not going to add anything to what the chief justice has said on that topic.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kavanaugh defends Supreme Court as Dems see politics in final rulings
The Justice Department on Wednesday appealed the sentences handed down to seven members of the Oath Keepers  including founder Stewart Rhodes  for their roles in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, a signal that prosecutors are not satisfied with the severity of the jail terms delivered by the federal judge overseeing the case.

U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta sentenced Rhodes to 18 years in prison  the harshest sentence for any Jan. 6 defendant  reflecting his leadership of what Mehta characterized as a dangerous criminal conspiracy aimed at violently derailing the transfer of presidential power.

Nevertheless, the sentence for the Yale Law School graduate and disbarred attorney was seven years shorter than the 25-year prison term prosecutors recommended and four years below an agreed-upon guidelines range based upon Rhodes conduct.

In a series of filings, prosecutors also signaled they were appealing the sentences  all delivered by Mehta, an appointee of President Barack Obama  of several other defendants convicted for their own role in Rhodes alleged conspiracy.

Many of Rhodes coconspirators faced sentences that similarly fell below the guidelines ranges for their conduct  in some cases by several orders of magnitude. Among those who, like Rhodes, were convicted of seditious conspiracy:



Florida Oath Keeper leader Kelly Meggs received a 12-year term; DOJ sought 21 years.



Roberto Minuta of New York was sentenced to 4.5 years; DOJ sought 17 years.



Joseph Hackett of Florida received a 3.5-year sentence; DOJ sought 12 years.



Ed Vallejo of Arizona received a 3-year sentence; DOJ sought 17 years.



David Moerschel of Florida was sentenced to three years: DOJ sought 10 years.



DOJ also appealed the conviction of two Oath Keepers acquitted of seditious conspiracy but convicted of conspiring to obstruct Congress:

Jessica Watkins of Ohio, who was sentenced to 8.5 years in jail; DOJ sought 18 years.



Kenneth Harrelson of Florida, who was sentenced to 4 years; DOJ sought 15.

The sentences reflected the fact that Mehta viewed Rhodes as the key driver of the conspiracies. During sentencing hearings, several of the defendants similarly pointed to Rhodes, claiming they were manipulated and ginned up by him to participate in the attack on the Capitol.



Dozens of Oath Keepers, many of whom were performing security details for speakers at Trumps Jan. 6 rally, would later join the mob and lead one of the early surges into the building. Once inside, the group split up, with half heading toward the Senate and the other half toward the House. Three Oath Keepers who joined them pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy and cooperated with prosecutors.

A DOJ spokesperson declined to comment. The court filings are bare-bones, noting the government's objection to the sentences but not providing a rationale, which is likely to come in formal briefs filed in the coming months.

The government's appeals will go to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, located just blocks from the Capitol and in the same federal courthouse where the trials were held. They're likely to be considered in tandem with appeals filed by the same defendants challenging both their convictions and their sentences.
The Justice Department announced Thursday a civil rights investigation into dilapidated and unsanitary conditions at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, as well as violence against detainees.

The department will look into the conditions in which inmates are held, their access to mental and physical health care and violence perpetrated against detainees.

The investigation was sparked in part by the death of Lashawn Thompson, an incarcerated man who died in the jail last year covered in lice and filth, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJs Civil Rights Division said in a news conference Thursday.

Addressing conditions of confinement in our country requires focus on the conditions that exist inside our jails, Clarke said, stressing jails should have constitutional and humane conditions in which people can live while they navigate the criminal justice process.

Detention or incarceration in jail should not include exposure to unconstitutional living conditions that place lives in jeopardy or risks serious harm or assaults, Clarke said.

Incarcerated people are entitled to basic protections of their civil rights, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement following the news conference. During this comprehensive review of the conditions of confinement at the Fulton County Jail, the Justice Department will determine whether systemic violations of federal laws exist, and if so, how to correct them.

Thompsons family is encouraged by the Justice Departments investigation, Michael Harper, an attorney for Thompsons family, said in a statement Thursday, adding they hope that the responsible parties will be held accountable.

Harper previously attributed Thompsons death in custody last September to unsanitary conditions, including being housed inside a bug-infested cell that Harper said was not fit for a diseased animal.

This is inexcusable and its deplorable, he said in April.

At the time of his death, Thompson had been in custody on a misdemeanor assault charge since June 2022, Harper has said. Thompson was housed in the psychiatric wing of the jail because he suffered from mental health issues, per the attorney.

Thompsons death and a preliminary internal investigation led Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat to request the resignations of the facilitys chief jailer and two assistant chief jailers. All three stepped down in April, according to a statement from the office.

The Civil Rights Divisions Special Litigation Section, which is conducting the investigation with the US Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia, will also probe whether the county and sheriffs office discriminate against persons with psychiatric disabilities inside the jail, a news release said.

The Fulton County Medical Examiners office listed Thompsons manner and cause of death as undetermined, according to a document previously sent to CNN. The report listed schizoaffective disorder, bipolar and acute exacerbation as other conditions.

A separate medical review commissioned by attorneys for Thompsons family determined his death was a homicide, citing in part a lack of medication in his system they said indicated his severe mental illness had gone untreated. Dehydration, malnutrition and severe body insect infestation, including lice and bed bugs, were also listed as significant conditions.

However, Dr. Kendall Von Crowns, the chief medical examiner in Tarrant County, Texas, who reviewed and analyzed the report for CNN, said it was too difficult to determine the manner of death based on the independent report.

Without viewing the original autopsy, toxicology report and photos of Thompsons body, it looks like malnutrition and dehydration is the cause of his death, Von Crowns told CNN.

In its news release Thursday, the Justice Department indicated it had not reached any conclusions regarding the allegations in this matter.

CNNs Nick Valencia contributed to this report.

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Homeless people, ex-convicts and others who might not have access to birth certificates or other documents necessary to get a state-issued photo ID card will benefit from a new municipal ID program approved Thursday by the Kansas City Council.

The citys new Fountain Card will be free and give people access to city services open only to residents, such as free brush pickup and access to pools and community centers.

They can also be used to establish bank accounts at participating financial institutions, which will be a boon to employers who now find themselves forced to pay some workers in cash because those employees dont have bank accounts and find it difficult and expensive to cash their paychecks.

Mayor Quinton Lucas said the program would have been a godsend to people like his mother, who was born in Kansas City but did not have a birth certificate that would allow her to get a state-issued ID.

It was more challenging, oddly enough, as she got older to get certain identity documents, Lucas said, and what did that mean? Not having access to banking, right? More challenges for her family, any number of things, school registration, etc.

The state issues photo ID cards to people who do not have a drivers license, either because they dont want or cant qualify for one. Documents needed to get a state ID include proof of citizenship or immigration documents indicating the applicants status.

You need a state-issued ID to vote. A city ID wont work.

But getting a Fountain Card will be easier than getting a state ID. There is a long list of documents the city will accept proving you are who you say you are  and that you live in Kansas City. They include utility bills, school yearbooks, work and school ID cards, payroll stubs, credit card bills and more.

Officials say the card could double as a library card and be used on public transit, if and when the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority installs some kind of screening system for customers on the free system. It would also be helpful to parents when enrolling their children in school.

Immigration issue not raised

In heralding the new program, Kansas City officials have barely mentioned another group that would benefit from having a government ID that they could secure without having a valid drivers license, passport or Social Security number:

Immigrants who are in the county illegally or have the right to be here while awaiting the outcomes of their asylum claims.

Immigrants have been at the center of the discussion when other cities have adopted their own photo ID systems, including New York City, Detroit and Los Angeles.

But Lucas, co-sponsor of the ordinance that initiated the program, and other city officials supportive of it have made little mention of immigrants in the several public meetings where it has come up since March.

That didnt change when the council voted 10-1 Thursday authorizing the citys health department to set up and administer the program. For the third time in council and committee votes on the measure, Councilwoman Heather Hall was the lone no vote and offered no explanation.

Hall did not respond to requests for comment.

About as far as Lucas has gone was to use a euphemism for immigrants in a tweet on June 29 explaining the origin of his effort to initiate a municipal ID program. He said it began after he was approached four years ago by advocates for our New American community; in homelessness outreach; and those seeking better services for all.

In a text exchange with The Star, Lucas chief of staff, Morgan Said, acknowledged that the citys ID cards would be available to non-documented residents. She denied that her boss was avoiding references to immigrants without documentation.

Two people active in the immigration rights movement told The Star that it is understandable why city officials might be reluctant to discuss the issue given what happened to the ID program approved last year by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.

Weeks after KCKs Safe and Welcoming City Act, which included the ID program, was approved in February 2022, the Republican-dominated Kansas Legislature passed a bill blocking the program. The bill included a provision not in Kansas Citys ordinance that would have prevented the United Government from helping the federal government enforce immigration laws.

The states Democratic governor, Laura Kelly, then signed the bill into law.

Kansas City leaders would be right to worry about similar pushback from Jefferson City over the Fountain Card program, said Marcus Winn, director of voter engagement at More2, an affiliation of religious organizations working in support of social justice issues.

If we cant count on Gov. Kelly, I dont know why we would think Gov. Parson would be more reliable, said Winn, referring to Missouris Republican governor, Mike Parson. From a gut level, it makes sense to me why they might be downplaying it.

Judy Ancel, president of the Cross-Border Network for Justice & Solidarity in KCK, also said that Kansas City officials were wise not to focus on immigrants as a group that might benefit from the ID program. Missouri officials might be motivated to follow Kansas lead and pre-empt it.

Its the fear that public officials have that, you know, its going to turn into some battle royale, which theyre going to lose because they dont have the power to be able to set their own agenda as Kansas City, Missouri, has learned with this police budget, she said.

Other than in replies to tweets that Lucas has posted in the past few weeks promoting the Fountain Card plan, no opposition has surfaced so far.
Karabakh has been at the centre of a decades-long territorial dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which have fought two wars over the mountainous territory (Tofik BABAYEV)

A separatist official in Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan on Thursday called on Russia to ensure free movement on the only road linking the breakaway region to Armenia, warning of dire humanitarian consequences.

Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan earlier announced fresh EU-mediated peace talks, as Western engagement grows in region where Russia -- distracted by its war in Ukraine -- appears to be losing influence.

Karabakh has been at the centre of a decades-long territorial dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which have fought two wars over the mountainous territory, mainly populated by Armenians.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijan said it was shutting the only road linking the region to Armenia, accusing the Armenian branch of the Red Cross of smuggling.

State Minister Gurgen Nersisyan called on Russia -- which helped broker the latest ceasefire between the two countries -- to step in.

"We ask to ensure unimpeded movement, transportation of people and cargo along the corridor connecting Artsakh with Armenia," Nersisyan said, using the Armenian name for the region.

Russia sponsored the latest ceasefire that ended six weeks of fighting in autumn 2020 and saw Armenia cede swathes of territories it had controlled for decades.

Under the deal, the five-kilometre-wide Lachin Corridor was to be manned by Russian peacekeepers to ensure free passage between Armenia and Karabakh.

- 'Irreversible consequences' -

Since Azerbaijan shut the corridor there have been concerns over a humanitarian crisis in the restive enclave, which is experiencing food shortages and where locals lack access to health services, according to separatist authorities.

"The situation is terrible, in a few days we will have irreversible consequences," Nersisyan said.

AFP this week spoke to locals in the rebel region's main city, Stepanakert, who reported food shortages and critical problems with access to medical services.

Nersisyan called on residents to gather at in the Stepanakert Renaissance Square Friday at 9:00 am (0500 GMT) to "begin a peaceful struggle for our existence".

Armenia, which has relied on Russia for military and economic support since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, has accused Moscow of failing to fulfil its peacekeeping role in Karabakh.

With Russia bogged down in Ukraine and unwilling to strain ties with Azerbaijan's key ally Turkey, the United States and European Union have sought to repair ties between the Caucasus rivals.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Pashinyan announced a next round of peace talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Saturday in Brussels under the mediation of European Council President Charles Michel.

- EU talks -

"I confirmed my participation in the meeting, and I hope we will achieve progress in our talks on a peace treaty," Pashinyan said.

An EU official said the trilateral meeting -- the sixth in nearly two years -- would cover humanitarian issues, border delimitation, the peace treaty and rights and security of Karabakh Armenians, and connectivity.

"We consider the leaders-level engagement essential to promote peaceful settlement and to prevent escalation," the official said in Brussels, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Pashinyan also said the "illegal blockade" contradicts a ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The UN's top judicial body ordered Azerbaijan in February to ensure free movement along the Lachin Corridor, Karabakh's sole land link with Armenia.

"As far as the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor and the deepening humanitarian crisis are concerned, the binding ruling of the ICJ creates a possibility for a greater international consolidation to prevent Azerbaijan's policy of ethnic cleansing in Karabakh," Pashinyan said.

bur/gw
Here are area restaurants with seven or more priority or critical health code violations, with highlighted links to some original public record reports.

Restaurants correct most violations at the time of the original inspection or shortly thereafter. Links to the follow-up inspections show how each establishment has corrected or is working to correct any remaining violations.

If an inspection or follow-up report needs clarification, restaurant and grocery store owners can email Jenna Thompson at jthompson@kcstar.com. The Star will post appropriate responses in the same online locations as the original report.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture cited these operations for seven or more priority health code violations (direct links to the reports are not available).

For complete Kansas health inspections, click here.

K-Machos Mexican Grill and Cantina, 11741 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, had 14 priority violations during a July 7 inspection following a complaint.

Brewbakers Bar & Grill, 9482 Renner Blvd., Lenexa, had 12 priority violations during a July 10 joint inspection.

El Saguaro Mexican Grill, 824 N. Ridgeview Road, Olathe, had nine priority violations during a routine July 11 inspection.

Burger King, 4811 Roe Blvd., Roeland Park, had seven priority violations during a July 5 routine inspection.

The Kansas City Health Department cited this operation for seven or more critical violations:

Tin Roof, 424 Westport Road, had 12 critical violations during a July 8 routine inspection.
A Kentucky man with at least 40 skulls and dozens more human parts in his home has been arrested as part of a nationwide probe into the sale of body parts.

Federal agents raided the Mount Washington home of James Nott, 39, on Tuesday as part of the sprawling investigation. Inside, cops found the numerous skulls, along with spinal cords, femurs, and hip bones, according to charging documents.

When officers asked if anyone else was home, Nott responded, Only my dead friends.

Investigators also found several weapons at the home, including an AK-47, according to a probable cause statement. Nott has a previous felony conviction, making his ownership of the firearms illegal.

In the charging documents, the feds noted that Nott had been selling body parts over the internet using a Facebook account with the name William Burke. Burke was an infamous 1800s Scottish serial killer.

However, Nott was not immediately charged in connection with those sales.

Nott had been communicating with Jeremy Pauley, a Pennsylvania resident who was busted in August 2022 for buying body parts that were stolen from a mortuary in Arkansas.

Pauley had also been buying human remains from Harvard Medical Schools morgue manager, according to an ongoing federal investigation. Morgue boss Cedric Lodge and his wife, Denise, were arrested last month and charged with selling an array of body parts across state lines.

Some crimes defy understanding, U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam said at the time. The theft and trafficking of human remains strikes at the very essence of what makes us human.

Federal agents have not drawn any direct connections between Nott and the Lodges. It remains unclear how Nott obtained his eccentric collection of dead friends.
Actor Kevin Spacey leaves Southwark Crown Court, London, Thursday July 13, 2023. Spacey took a dramatic pause in his testimony Thursday and appeared to almost choke up as he recalled the intimate and somewhat sexual friendship he shared with a man now accusing the actor of violently groping him. He said he was crushed when he learned of the allegations. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP)

LONDON (AP)  Kevin Spacey fought back tears and dabbed his eyes with a tissue Thursday as he told jurors in a London court how sexual misconduct allegations six years ago had destroyed his career.

My world exploded, Spacey said at his sexual assault trial. There was a rush to judgment and before the first question was asked or answered I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days.

The emotional testimony came toward the end of his nearly three hours in the witness box, in what could be the most consequential speaking part of his life. He denied sexually assaulting three men and chalked up crotch-grabbing allegations by a fourth as having been a clumsy pass.

The allegations that sent Spacey's stellar film and stage career into a spiral came in 2017 as the #metoo movement gained momentum in the U.S. and a fellow actor accused him of sexually inappropriate behavior three decades earlier.

News of those accusations led others to come forward, including four men in England who said the two-time Oscar winner sexually assaulted them between 2001 and 2013.

Prosecutor Christine Agnew has called Spacey a sexual bully who delights in making others feel powerless and uncomfortable.

The four alleged victims, who didn't know each other, independently described disturbing encounters that escalated from unwanted touching to aggressive fondling. One man who called Spacey a vile sexual predator said he passed out or fell asleep on the actors London sofa and woke up to find him performing oral sex.

Spacey spoke in a calm tone and earnest demeanor, raising his voice in contempt only briefly to address some of the allegations.

At times he was humorous, humble and self-deprecating as he breezed over a career in acting that began, he joked, when he emerged from his mother's womb. He repeatedly dropped names of some of the stars in his universe, including high school classmate Val Kilmer and Judi Dench  whom he said he taught to play ping-pong.

Spacey seemed more than content to reflect on happier times in his career but was repeatedly drawn back to the reason he was addressing a jury of nine men and three women at Southwark Crown Court.

He could face a prison term if convicted of charges that include sexual and indecent assault counts and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. Spacey, 63, has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Defense lawyer Patrick Gibbs went through the allegations chronologically with Spacey, dating to the early 2000s when he came to work at the Old Vic Theatre in London and later became its artistic director.

Spacey took a dramatic pause in his testimony as he recalled the intimate and somewhat sexual friendship he shared with a man now accusing the actor of violently groping him. He said he was crushed the man accused him of sexual assault.

I never thought that (the man) I knew would ... 20 years later stab me in the back, Spacey said.

The accuser had testified that Spacey's fondling culminated w hen the man was driving and Spacey grabbed his crotch so violently he almost ran off the road. He told police he warned Spacey to never do it again and threatened to knock him out.

That never happened, Spacey testified. I was not on a suicide mission in any of those years.

Spacey said the man was funny and charming, appearing wistful as he looked at a photo the man sent him from a mountainous trek he took to raise money for charity.

Im a big flirt," Spacey said, acknowledging he probably made the first moves. He said he touched the man but not in a violent, aggressive, painful way.

Spacey's description of gentle stroking was in direct contradiction to the testimony from the alleged victims. They said he caught them by surprise when he aggressively grabbed their privates through their clothing.

It wasnt like a caress," one man testified. "It was like a cobra coming out and getting hold.

Spacey called that man's account madness and said it never happened. He also denied he made racially offensive remarks to the man during a rehearsal for a charity theater event.

Addressing the most serious charge in the case, Spacey raised his voice and denied the suggestion he drugged a man before assaulting him.

I know the way I am with someone and I would never be behaving in the way he claimed  it makes no logical sense," he said.

Spacey said he couldn't recall the man when police confronted him. After repeatedly watching video of the man's interview by a detective, he said he pieced together that they had a brief consensual sexual encounter in his apartment that ended when the man left in a hurry.

The person that I had this intimate moment with was suddenly awkward and fumbling, he said. "If he regretted it immediately, I dont know. I cant speak for him, but something was weird.

He said his phone records indicated they continued to text each other over several months.

Spacey said he primarily accepted the account of a fourth man who accused the actor of kissing his neck twice and grabbing his crotch during a night of heavy drinking.

The man testified that Spacey looked panicked when he pushed him away and said, I dont bat for that team."

Spacey said he didn't recall making the clumsy pass but was glad the man said he ceased when the man said he wasn't interested.

At least two of the men have also filed suit against Spacey.

Spacey said he successfully fought his accusers in U.S. courts but is in debt with legal bills.

Prosecutors in Massachusetts dropped charges against him when the alleged victim refused to testify. A jury in New York jury last fall cleared Spacey in a $40 million lawsuit by Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp on allegations dating to 1986.

Spacey said he fought that case the same way he has in London, but doggedly digging through old records, boxes of photos and any evidence that could disprove the claims.

Looking across the courtroom at his 12-person audience, Spacey noted that he had been swiftly cleared in the New York case by a unanimous jury of my peers.

Spacey faces hours of cross-examination Friday and his lawyer will then present several witnesses on his behalf.
Court sketch shows Kevin Spacey dabbing his eyes with a tissue as he gives evidence at Southwark Crown Court - Elizabeth Cook/PA

Kevin Spacey has told his sexual assault trial that his world exploded in 2017 when allegations first emerged against him on the internet.



The Oscar-winning actor took the stand on Thursday morning at Southwark Crown court to launch his defence against allegations he assaulted young men.



The 63-year-old denies charges including sexual assault and indecent assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.



He was seen dabbing his eyes with a tissue and could be heard sniffing as he gave evidence in the witness box, as he recalled a rush to judgment as he lost everything in a matter of days.

Giving evidence earlier, Spacey also told jurors he was a big flirt and that he had looked himself up on Google to find out where he was at the time of some alleged offences.

Follow below for the latest updates.

04:06 PM BST

That's all for now

The court proceedings have finished for the day so we are closing this blog now.

Thanks for following along and do join us for further updates in the next session.

03:43 PM BST

Kevin Spacey has now left court for the day

Kevin Spacey leaves after giving evidence at his sexual assault trial at Southwark Crown Court - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

03:42 PM BST

Spacey 'upset' some LGBTQ+ people when he came out

Kevin Spacey has said he had been looking to come out as gay for two years before the statement which upset members of the LGTBQ+ community.

Addressing the reasons for making the statement while facing allegations of an unwanted sexual advance in the US, he told jurors at Southwark Crown Court: I was under a lot of pressure that I had to say something if I didnt it was going to be a nightmare, a PR nightmare.

Members of the LGTBQ+ community were upset because I came out while I was responding to an accusation now I understand why it was read that way but I hadnt put those two things together.

The allegations made by actor Anthony Rapp against Spacey were found not proven in October last year by a jury in a civil trial. He told jurors he had wanted to come out for two years and at one stage had picked out a particular event to do it.

Spacey continued: I thought in the face of this terrible accusation maybe I can do something at least positive. The gay community had been pressuring me for a very long time about coming out.

Maybe now that the allegation against Mr Anthony Rapp has been proven to be false, maybe people will read that with a little bit more understanding now.

03:12 PM BST

Spacey felt 'rush to judgment' when allegations surfaced

Kevin Spacey has said his world exploded in 2017 when allegations first emerged against him on the internet.

Kevin Spacey grew emotional when he told jurors of how allegations against him impacted his life.

The Oscar-winning actor was seen dabbing his eyes with a tissue and could be heard sniffing as he gave evidence in the witness box.

Telling the court about the first allegations that emerged against him online, Spacey said: There was a rush to judgment and before the first question was asked or answered I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days.

02:51 PM BST

Spacey: 'The moment he told me he was not interested I stopped'

Kevin Spacey has told jurors that he primarily has no issue with what a fourth complainant has told the court.

Spacey is accused of having had a panicked look on his face after a man rejected an alleged sexual grab at an expensive property he was staying at in the Cotswolds in the early 2010s.

Patrick Gibbs KC, for Spacey, reminded the actor that he told police it was entirely possible that he made a clumsy pass at someone.

The American Beauty actor told jurors: I dont remember doing that but I accept that I did. I primarily, with a few issuesI have no issue with what (the man) testified to. We all had some drinksI made a pass and Im only happy that he testified that the moment he told me he was not interested I stopped.

Asked if he sought the man out the following day and why, Spacey said: I can only presume that I went there to apologise.

The actor said he did not remember a great deal about that evening.

01:53 PM BST

Spacey denies drugging complainant

Jurors heard that Kevin Spacey initially did not remember the complainant or any of the alleged events, before something in the mans recorded police interview triggered a memory.

The Hollywood actor went on: The description of our interactions, the attitude that he claimed I had, and then implying, although here in the witness box he accused me of drugging him, and then falling asleep for hours and hours and waking up in the morning to this terrible attack on him  none of that was true.

Spacey insisted the story made no sense to him.

01:32 PM BST

Spacey: 'Consensual' evening with complainant

Kevin Spacey told a jury he did not drug a complainant or perform a sex act on him while he was asleep, saying that behaviour makes no logical sense.

He told the jury at Southwark Crown Court: I remember the end of the evening and that was what struck me in my mind because we had a consensual and, I believe, a very nice and lovely evening.

If he regretted it immediately I dont know, I cant speak for him, but something was weird  it was strange.

Asked if he remembered any physical contact he had with the man, Spacey told jurors: I dont remember but I know the way I am with someone and I would never be behaving in the way he claimed  it makes no logical sense.

I think we were very comfortable with each other.

He said he did perform a sex act on the man but claimed it was consensual.

01:20 PM BST

Complainant 'hurriedly left' after 'intimate moment'

Kevin Spacey told a jury that a complainant hurriedly left after the pair shared in an intimate moment.

The complainant told the court about an incident in the late 2000s where things went further, claiming Spacey had drugged him before waking up to find the defendant performing a sex act on him.

Spacey said: We had had a sexual encounter after which I had gone to the bathroom and I came back from the bathroom and it was like something had changed.

The person that I had this intimate moment with was suddenly awkward and fumbling and I dont want to say ran out but hurriedly left. And it felt very odd.

I felt like maybe he was making an excuse and it concerned me and my memory is that I called this person to make sure they were OK and they were OK.

12:37 PM BST

Spacey: West End accuser's claims are 'madness'

Kevin Spacey described accusations against him by a man he allegedly met at a West End theatre in the mid-2000s as madness.

He is alleged to have grabbed the mans crotch like a cobra after a barrage of vile comments.

Its madness, Spacey told the jury. It never happened.

I never said any of the things that he claims I said to him and wouldnt and never have to anyone in my life.

He told the jury he did not recognise the complainant at all when showed a photograph of him.

Asked what he remembered of the day in question, Spacey said: Not a great deal.

12:31 PM BST

In pictures: Kevin Spacey arriving at court earlier

Kevin Spacey arrives at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday morning - ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The US actor arrived to take the stand - HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images

12:21 PM BST

Spacey: 'I was not on a suicide mission'

Kevin Spacey denied that he almost caused the first complainant to come off the road after he grabbed the man while he driving him to a showbiz party in the early 2000s.

The Hollywood actor said: That never happened.

I was not on a suicide mission on any of those years.

11:57 AM BST

'Very fun time together'

Kevin Spacey accepted that he touched one of the complainants but not in a violent, aggressive, painful way.

The Oscar-winning actor said: He was a lads lad, he was funny and charming and flirtatious.

He added that he touched the man in romantic and intimate ways, telling the court: Im a big flirt.

Spacey said he and the man did not take things further because the alleged victim made it clear that he did not want to go any further and that happens at times, and you just respect how far someone wants to go.

I cant remember specific conversations we had but I remember the tone, I remember the atmosphere, I remember the laughter, Spacey went on. We had a very fun time together.

The actor accepted that he touched the man but insisted: It did not happen in a violent, aggressive, painful way.

It was gentle and it was, in my mind, romantic.

11:31 AM BST

Court sketch: Kevin Spacey gives evidence

Court artist sketch of actor Kevin Spacey giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday - Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire

11:19 AM BST

'Somewhat intimate' relationship with alleged victim

Kevin Spacey described his relationship with the alleged victim as somewhat intimate.

He told jurors: We talked about a lot of things, it was very relaxed with him  somewhat intimate.

We enjoyed each others company.

The two-time Oscar winner told the court he was clearly the dumbest man in England because he was still renting a phone while staying in the UK.

He said he was able to retrieve phone records from back to the early 2000s after his business partner was told the records went all the way back.

11:18 AM BST

Spacey 'liked' accuser

Kevin Spacey told jurors he liked a man who made allegations against him.

The complainant alleged the actor aggressively grabbed his crotch while he drove him to a showbiz party in the early 2000s.

Asked if he liked the man, Spacey said: I liked him a great deal.

We had a good time together. We laughed a lot.

11:10 AM BST

Spacey Googled himself to seek whereabouts

Spacey told a jury he found his first alleged victim to be charming and funny.

Spacey is accused of aggressively grabbing the mans crotch while he drove him to a showbiz party in the early 2000s.

He told jurors he had made efforts to find out where he was at the time alleged offences took place.

Spacey said: I happen to keep everything, so I have a storage facility in Baltimore and a storage unit in London, and I started to go back and look through boxes and boxes and boxes of where I was, contracts between myself, my publicists and photographers, to look at dates to try to be able to say where I was and what time.

The actor also said he had googled himself to check where he was at certain times.

10:54 AM BST

Spacey helped 'revitalise' Old Vic

Kevin Spacey told a jury how he became involved in the Old Vic theatre in London.

He said: There is something quite unique about the Old Vic.

The court heard that the theatre had fallen into disrepair around the early 2000s but there was a movement to revitalise it.

Spacey said: I was crazy enough at some point to throw my hat in the ring as a possible candidate.

He was artistic director of the Old Vic until 2015. He added that the same year he was given an opportunity to do a television series that was going to shoot in the US that was called House Of Cards.

10:53 AM BST

Glengarry Glen Ross was my breakthrough, Spacey tells court

Kevin Spacey told jurors that he considered his appearance in 1992 movie Glengarry Glen Ross to be his first significant film role.

He told Southwark Crown Court that his mother considered herself an Anglophile and he first visited the UK as a child.

Speaking about the first time he came to London as an actor, he told the jury he had stayed for several months in 1986 for a production of Long Days Journey at the Haymarket Theatre.

He said fellow actor Richard Harris put him up in his sons apartment while he stayed in the UK.

10:43 AM BST

Spacey recounts childhood memories

Giving evidence, Kevin Spacey told a jury at Southwark Crown Court about his childhood and how he became an actor.

The court heard he was born in South Orange, New Jersey, in the US to a mother who was a private secretary and a father who worked in the aircraft industry.

He named a number of schools he went to, including one which fellow actor Val Kilmer attended.

He described how he loved his first experience of acting in drama class in his eighth grade and how he went on to attend The Juilliard School of Drama in New York after school.

The court heard he got his first job in New York in a very small series of parts in Shakespeare in the Park.

10:31 AM BST

Defence addresses jury on 'rumour and fame'

Patrick Gibbs KC addressed the jury at the start of the defence case in the trial of Kevin Spacey.

He said: A couple of weeks ago when I very briefly identified the issues to you I suggested that there might be some obstacles in your route to the truth, and those obstacles, I suggested then, were rumour and fame and how fame makes people behave towards you and secrecy and sexual confusion.

He added that he hopes the obstacles are in pretty clear sight for the jury.

I asked you just to keep an eye out for what actually happened  whether it was consensual, whether it appeared to be consensual, what by contrast has been or may have been reimagined with a sinister spin and what has just been made up, Mr Gibbs went on.

The barrister added that he hoped the jury could see why those questions may at least have been worth keeping in mind.

10:27 AM BST

What Spacey's four accusers have told the trial

The Hollywood star, standing trial under his full name Kevin Spacey Fowler, was labelled a sexual bully when proceedings began last month.

The 63-year-old denies charges including sexual assault and indecent assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.

Over the course of the trial at Southwark Crown Court, each of Spaceys four accusers have given evidence  variously describing him as a vile sexual predator, slippery and atrocious, despicable, disgusting.

One complainant, who alleges the actor aggressively grabbed his crotch while he drove him to a lavish showbiz party in the early 2000s, described Spaceys behaviour as like he thought he could groom me.

Jurors also heard Spacey allegedly grabbed another mans crotch like a cobra after meeting him at a West End theatre in the mid-2000s following an alleged barrage of vile comments.

The House Of Cards and American Beauty star is also accused of having had a panicked look on his face after a third man rejected an alleged sexual grab at an expensive property he was staying at in the Cotswolds in the early 2010s.

On Monday, an aspiring actor told the court of an incident in the late 2000s where things went further  claiming Spacey had drugged him before waking up to find the defendant performing a sex act on him.

10:25 AM BST

Kevin Spacey takes the stand

Kevin Spacey has taken the stand in his trial.

His defence lawyer Patrick Gibbs KC told the jury at Southwark Crown Court that he would be calling the Hollywood actor to the witness box.

The two-time Oscar winner began by swearing an oath to tell the truth during his evidence.

09:55 AM BST

Follow our live coverage

Welcome to our live coverage on the latest updates from Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spaceys sex offences trial.

The star will launch his defence today after prosecutors concluded their evidence on Wednesday.

The 63-year-old denies any wrongdoing.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
A New York City photographer spotted a crazed man clutching a six-inch blade Wednesday and creeping up on musicians in Times Square as hundreds of tourists walked nearby.

Shutterbug Richard Moore told the New York Post that he had noticed the man on a granite bench flashing the weapon at tourists and screaming at about 10 a.m. on Broadway between West 43rd and 44th streets.

"I thought, Oh, this isnt very good," Moore, of Hells Kitchen, told the local newspaper.

The knife-wielding man, who was clad in all red, then jumped from the bench and walked directly behind one of the musicians, who all appeared to be part of a Romanian band.

NYC SCOOTER SHOOTING SUSPECT CHARGED WITH MURDER, ACCUSED OF RANDOMLY FIRING AT PEDESTRIANS

"I noticed he had this knife in one hand, and he got close enough to one of the musicians to put his other hand on the musicians shoulder," said Moore, who took photos of the chilling encounter.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"This isn't gonna be good," Moore thought to himself before the man suddenly fell back and returned to the bench.

MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY DROPS 300 CONVICTIONS BUILT BY CORRUPTED NYC OFFICERS

The photographer called 911 and waited 12 minutes for cops to arrive and arrest the man, the Post reported.

"Police got him from behind," Moore said. "I dont know if they grabbed the knife, or he dropped it."

A man is detained and patted-down by police in Times Square, New York City, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. The man was photographed approaching a group of musicians from behind while carrying a knife.

He added that the three police officers "took him down safely."

The NYPD identified the knife-wielding wacko as 22-year-old Deqon Massiah, who has been charged with menacing, harassment and criminal possession of a weapon.

NEW YORKERS PAN MANHATTAN DA ALVIN BRAGG FOR NOT PROSECUTING 'REAL CRIMINALS' AS HE ARRESTS TRUMP

Times Square has been plagued by attacks on tourists over the years, including a Maryland man who was slashed and robbed in 2022 and a San Diego visitor stabbed in the neck with a pair of scissors last New Year's Eve.

A new Siena College poll found that 70% of Big Apple residents fear they'll be a victim of a crime.

Meanwhile, 87% of New York State residents think crime is either a very serious or somewhat serious problem, according to the poll.

A New York City police offer holds a six-inch knife that was taken away from a man arrested for allegedly menacing tourists in Times Squares July 12, 2023.

"Crime isnt just something that happens to others far away according to New Yorkers," said Siena College Poll Director Don Levy in a press release.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg admitted to FOX 5 New York in a recent interview that even he has concerns about crime.

"I know the statistics that transit crime is down, but when one of my family members gets on the train, I, too, get a knot in my stomach," he told the news station.

Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
The News

A group of China-based hackers breached email accounts at U.S. government departments, Microsoft said.

The breach, which exploited a security flaw in the software giants cloud, targeted 25 organizations including the emails of the U.S. commerce secretary, according to reports.

Weve compiled insights you should read on the hack and why it matters.

Insights

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo is a particularly important target for Beijing given her departments role in the export controls on Chinese businesses , said Emily Kilcrease, senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. The rules have launched something of a proxy war between Washington and Beijing, and its possible that China is trying to understand Raimondos personal views on the situation.

There will be outrage about Chinas ability to infiltrate the emails of a top U.S. official , but the reality is that this is what governments do, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof tweeted. We would hack into emails of the Chinese commerce secretary if we could.

This isnt the first time that hackers from China have exploited holes in Microsofts security. In June, alleged state-backed hackers infiltrated the networks of hundreds of organizations around the world, and nearly a third of those were foreign ministries and other government agencies. The U.S. has said in the past that China represents its largest cyber security threat.

Know More

Cyberspies accessed the emails for about a month before the breach was discovered, The Washington Post reported. The issue was discovered around the time that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing.

A spokesperson for the National Security Council told the Post that officials contacted Microsoft to find the source and vulnerability in their cloud service. We continue to hold the procurement providers of the U.S. government to a high security threshold.

Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Wednesday that the U.S. is the worlds biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief. She added that cybersecurity institutions in China have issued reports to reveal U.S. governments cyberattacks against China over the years, but the U.S. has yet to make a response.
What we know about the inner workings of Mayor Craig Greenberg's search for an LMPD chief

Through nondisclosure agreements and by refusing to name finalists for the job, Louisville Metro Government has ensured few details about the inner workings of the search for the citys next police chief are known to the public.

But through publicly available promotional materials, documents obtained under Kentuckys open records law and conversations with the Mayor Craig Greenbergs office, The Courier Journal has been able to piece together some details about what the hiring process looks like.

To conduct its search for its next police chief, the city hired Public Sector Search & Consulting, a Rocklin, California-based firm that bills itself as the only national firm focused exclusively on recruiting police executives. According to a contract obtained by The Courier Journal under Kentuckys open records law, the city agreed to pay the company $95,000 to help find LMPDs next chief over a six-month period.

Last month, Greenberg said the city had 19 candidates. He also announced the creation of a seven-person interview advisory committee to help vet candidates.

Greenberg spokesperson Kevin Trager said on July 5 that the administration expects to select a chief by the end of the month and that interviews would be taking place over the next two weeks.

However, he also said the city will only release details about who gets the job, foregoing naming finalists or holding panels with candidates  as is standard practice in other cities.

The secretiveness surrounding the hiring process prompted backlash, including from the Louisville branch of the NAACP, which said in a statement: Mayor Craig Greenbergs pre-election pledges of transparency are sounding more and more like empty rhetoric.

Heres what we know about Louisvilles search to hire its next police chief.

Seeking a Louisville police chief: The brochure

Details about the hiring process can be found in a 12-page electronic brochure posted to Public Sector Search & Consultings website advertising Louisvilles top police job.

The brochure  illustrated with photos of Waterfront Wednesday, the Belle of Louisville steamboat, Churchill Downs and the now-abandoned former police headquarters building downtown  said Metro Government is looking to hire a transformational leader who is innovative, reform-oriented, data-informed, and community-minded.

It was also quick to mention the Department of Justices recent scathing report on LMPD, a likely consent decree and the fractured relationship between police and the community.

The next Chief will increase transparency and implement meaningful community-led reforms while embracing fair, impartial, and constitutional policing, the company wrote. The Chief will be expected to improve the police departments internal policies, practices, and systems to address structural and institutional racism, bias, or other practices that divide the community and/or the workforce.

It added: The community expects the next Police Chief to begin the process of rebuilding trust in the police department by strengthening and developing more authentic relationships between the LMPD and Louisvillians in every community.

In the brochure, the company told potential candidates the selection process was confidential.

While encouraging candidates to apply by June 23 for optimal consideration, the firm said the position would be considered open until a final selection is made.

Candidates were asked to send a cover letter, resume and list of references to the company.

Only the most highly qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the selection process in late June 2023, the company wrote. The top candidates (typically three) will be forwarded to Mayor Greenberg for consideration.

Finding qualified candidates for LMPD chief

In pitching its services to Louisville Metro Government, Public Sector Search & Consulting used the very first line of its proposal to hone in on the tumult and divide the city and the country experienced in 2020.

The killing of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd ignited protests and outrage not seen since the civil rights era, the company wrote. This led to national and local conversations about how public safety services are delivered and how police interact with the community, particularly with African American men, and those experiencing mental health issues.

Former LMPD Chief Erika Shields had implemented some reforms, the company added, but there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done.

Public Sector Search & Consulting told the city that it could identify and screen candidates, receive feedback from the community and even help negotiate a compensation package with Greenberg's pick.

To find qualified candidates, the firm said it would:

Vet internal candidates from within LMPD

Identify candidates from other large municipalities and contact them to gauge their interest

Use a proprietary internet tool to search for and contact police executives who may be looking to find another job

Use personal contacts of Public Sector Search & Consulting staff.

To make its case, Public Sector Search & Consulting showcased recent chief searches it was hired for in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Seattle, Nashville, Dallas, Albuquerque and elsewhere. In all, its staff  dominated by retired police chiefs  had taken part in over 60 police executive searches in five years, the company said.

The firm also highlighted its record of attracting diverse candidates, mentioning that 60% of its clients selected a candidate from a traditionally underrepresented group.

The company said it will divide candidates into classifications of recommended, qualified and others before presenting them to the search panel. Then, the company said a group of candidates  typically 4-8  would advance to panel interviews.

Some recommendations not followed in search

The search firm made several recommendations that were either not followed or were only partially followed by the city.

Among them were naming finalists and holding a Meet the Candidates event that would have either centered around public vetting or a candidate interview forum.

But Greenberg's office has emphasized several times that the names of finalists will be kept secret, even making the seven members of the interview advisory committee sign nondisclosure agreements.

Despite public concern, Greenberg spokesperson Kevin Trager said July 5 that the city would "definitely not" hold any publicly broadcast candidate forum.

The search firm also suggested a private meetings with the finalists and LMPD employees. But Angela Ingram, a public information officer with the department, said no meetings will occur.

Ingram said she was also "not aware of a survey distributed specifically to LMPD employees," which was another recommendation by Public Sector Search & Consulting. Instead, employees "were free to participate and provide input in the mayors community survey regarding LMPDs police chief," she said.

The survey contained four questions directly relating to policing, three of which asked citizens to rank predetermined lists of qualifications, priorities and leadership qualities.

In an email, Ingram said LMPD respects "the process that the mayor has implemented in naming LMPD's next permanent police chief."

The firm also recommended conversations with eight to 10 small community focus groups like city officials, community partners and advocacy groups  including NAACP, Urban League, LGBTQ leaders, and disability, homeless and mental health advocates, faith community leaders, neighborhood/business leaders, and others.

This suggestion was made to help provide a community perspective that should be considered throughout the process, according to the contract between Public Sector Search & Consulting and the city.

The city held over a dozen focus groups, said Matt Erwin, communications director for Greenberg's office. However, representatives from both the Urban League and the Louisville branch of the NAACP did not attend one.

Leaders from both organizations were asked to participate in a focus group, said Erwin, who provided evidence of the email invitation to The Courier Journal.

However, neither Lyndon Pryor from the Urban League nor Raoul Cunningham from the Louisville NAACP recall seeing the email. Both men said they would still be willing to meet with the city. At this point, neither has given direct input into the hiring process. However, in a press release Sunday, the NAACP was sharply critical of the secrecy surrounding the process, calling on the city to name finalists and hold public forums.

Other recommendations were followed, but not to the degree that the search firm suggested.

For example, the firm recommended that the city hold three to four forums to allow community members who were not involved in a focus group to express their thoughts about the type of candidates they would like to lead LMPD. Two of these community forums were held, not three or four.

The forums were online and lasted about an hour, with participants given the opportunity to take part virtually on their own devices or at public libraries.

The search firm also suggested interviewing "internal stakeholders," including "the rest of the city council. While there was not a required group meeting or interviews with the mayor, Councilman Jeff Hudson said Greenberg highly encouraged him to reach out with his thoughts on the police chief.

Hudson said Greenberg has an open door and specifically texted him to ask if there were any suggestions I wanted to make about the police chief.

Councilwoman Paula McCraney, the Democratic Caucus chair, is also serving on Greenbergs seven-person advisory committee.

Louisville's last permanent chief, Shields, was named in January 2021 following a nationwide search by a different firm. Like the Greenberg administration, then-Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer did not disclose finalists or hold any kind of public vetting of candidates.

More: Louisville mayor's police chief search using NDAs, other secretive policies

Reach reporter Josh Wood at jwood@courier-journal.com or on Twitter at @JWoodJourno. Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at emcrary@courier-journal.com or on Twitter at @ellie_mccrary.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville's police chief search: Details on Greenberg's process
What you need to know about the SAG-AFTRA strike that will upend Hollywood

NEW YORK  Lights, camera, pause. Hollywood is officially on hiatus as the union representing on-screen talent has joined screenwriters in striking against the studios, amid stalled contract negotiations.

SAG-AFTRA officially announced its strike would commence at midnight PST Friday, after the unions contract expired late Wednesday and negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) fell apart. Union leadership noted that while the strike was an instrument of last resort, settling for an unfair deal wouldnt just destroy each of us, but the industry at large.

Heres a breakdown of what the strike means for screens big, small and beyond.

Why is SAG-AFTRA striking?

The union, representing roughly 160,000 actors, broadcast journalists, hosts and more, is seeking more than an increase in pay and improvement in working conditions.

SAG wants to ensure their livelihoods are protected amid the emergence of evolving technologies, such as streaming services and artificial intelligence, concerns shared by the Writers Guild of America, who began their strike in May.

Oscar winners like Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and Ariana DeBose last month were among the hundreds of SAG members who signed a letter in which they laid out their demands to prevent a strike.

We feel that our wages, our craft, our creative freedom, and the power of our union have all been undermined in the last decade. We need to reverse those trajectories.

What are the ramifications of a SAG-AFTRA strike for Hollywood?

Members of the union will be ordered to stop performing, forcing sets that have yet to shut down amid the writers strike to do so  in turn likely delaying a whole host of release dates. Theyll also be prohibited from promoting upcoming work. Excited to see Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro on the Oscars campaign trail for Martin Scorseses long-awaited, Killers of the Flower Moon? That all depends on when this strike ends. In the meantime, press junkets, interviews, or any posting of promotional content are all on hold.

Oppenheimer star Emily Blunt, for instance, confirmed to Deadline Thursday that, were the strike to break out during the premiere of Christopher Nolans much-anticipated docudrama, the star-studded cast would be leaving together as cast in unity with everyone.

The strike might also put a damper on this years San Diego Comic-Con. In addition to promotional panels being on the list of big no-nos for represented actors, many studio staples like Marvel, Sony and HBO already reportedly pulled out of presentations or panels as a result of the writers strike.

Is all acting work prohibited under the strike?

Most on-screen theatrical work  such as TV, film, and streaming  isnt allowed for members during the strike. However actors are expected to be permitted to appear in music videos, commercials, corporate or educational videos, and on broadcast news. Its expected that non-SAG-AFTRA podcast and audiobook gigs will also be allowed. Voice-over work which has been negotiated by SAG is expected to be OK, but will require the unions approval, sources tell Vanity Fair.

Morning and talk shows, as well as reality or game shows and the like are handled by the Network Television Code and should remain unaffected by the strike.

Is Broadway on strike, too?

While many SAG members also do live theater, live theatrical performance falls under a separate union: Actors Equity. As such, live theater such as Broadway plays and musicals, are not affected by the strike, an Actors Equity representative confirmed to The Daily News, adding: Audiences can still feel good about buying tickets to Broadway and other live theatre!

Who might you see on the picket line?

Because of the breadth of those represented by SAG-AFTRA, theres a good chance onlookers will spot plenty of familiar faces picketing for professional protection.

That star-studded letter seen by Rolling Stone, notes that what might be considered a good deal in any other years is simply not enough, due to the unprecedented inflection point in our industry, was also signed by the likes of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ben Stiller, Neil Patrick Harris, Eva Longoria, Riley Keough and Ziwe.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and a coalition of Republican attorneys general in a letter Thursday threatened serious legal consequences against Fortune 100 companies that continue to consider race and diversity, equity and inclusion in their hiring practices.

Kobach and Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti led the letter, which was also signed by an additional 11 attorneys general, including Missouris Andrew Bailey. The letter references the U.S. Supreme Courts recent decision striking down affirmative action in universities to argue that any continued use of race based hiring would violate federal employment discrimination laws.

We urge you to immediately cease any unlawful race-based quotas or preferences your company has adopted for its employment and contracting practices, said the letter addressed to Fortune 100 CEOs. If you choose not to do so, know that you will be held accountablesooner rather than laterfor your decision to continue treating people differently because of the color of their skin.

The Fortune 100 are the top earning public and private companies in the U.S.

The letter pointed to specific practices at large companies to grant preferences to contractors with diverse staff or with minority leadership. The attorneys general criticized pledges by several major tech companies made to foster diversity and support Black-owned businesses during racial justice protests in 2020.

Such overt and pervasive racial discrimination in the employment and contracting practices of Fortune 100 companies compels us to remind you of the obvious: Racial discrimination is both immoral and illegal, the letter said.

The state attorney generals pledged to enforce the law vigorously.

In a release announcing the letter, Kobach invoked the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

All Americans should be judged based on the content of their character, not the color of their skin, Kobach said, borrowing language from Kings famous I have a dream speech.

The letter is a sign of additional fallout that could come from last months landmark Supreme Court decision on college admissions.

Following the decision, Bailey directed colleges in Missouri to stop any existing affirmative action policies. At the University of Missouri-Columbia this will mean removing race as a factor for graduate admissions and eliminating race-based scholarships.The university had already eliminated diversity statements from its hiring practices.

In Kansas, lawmakers included language in the state budget that would have limited universities ability to ask about diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring. Lawmakers failed to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys veto of the provision.
Vladimir Putin

Concerns surrounding the recent Wagner mutiny and the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin are causing significant unease in the Kremlin, The Moscow Times reported on July 13.

Read also: Papal envoy meets Russian ombudsperson wanted by ICC for abducting Ukrainian children

The threat of further internal destabilization and potential loss of power, coupled with the risk of arrest under ICC warrant, are preventing Putin from deciding if he will participate in the upcoming BRICS summit in South Africa.

According to the report, the Kremlin is eager to announce Putin's first official international trip post-ICC warrant. This action would serve as a message to Western adversaries that Putin is not in isolation, while also assuring Russian society of the stability of his regime.

A Moscow Times source has indicated that a series of recent setbacks has left Putin feeling uneasy and doubtful.

Two main scenarios are being prepared within the Kremlin and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Russia's participation in the BRICS summit, the article says.

Read also: NATO should have made it clear to Kremlin that taking Ukraine was impossible  exLithuanian PM

The first involves Putin's participation. The second, driven by concerns for internal and external security, would have Putin remain in Moscow and engage via a video link, while an official delegation travels to South Africa.

Read also: South Africa grants immunity to BRICS summit participants, amid possible visit by Russias Putin

The upcoming BRICS summit, bringing together Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa  nations maintaining close ties with Moscow despite the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine  is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg on Aug. 22-24.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Kuwait announced this week that it will print thousands of copies of the Quran in Swedish to be distributed in the Nordic country, calling it an effort to educate the Swedish people on Islamic "values of coexistence." The plan was announced after the desecration of a Quran during a one-man anti-Islam protest that Swedish police authorized in Stockholm last month.

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said the Public Authority for Public Care would print and distribute 100,000 translated copies of the Muslim holy book in Sweden, to "affirm the tolerance of the Islamic religion and promote values of coexistence among all human beings," according to the country's state news agency Kuna.

On June 28, Salwan Momika, a 37-year-old Iraqi Christian who had sought asylum in Sweden on religious grounds, stood outside the Stockholm Central Mosque and threw a copy of the Quran into the air and burned some of its pages.

A cleric holds a Quran outside the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, during a protest on June 30, 2023, against the burning of a Quran outside a Stockholm mosque. / Credit: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty

The stunt came on the first day of Eid-al-Adha, one of the most important festivals on the Islamic calendar, and it triggered anger among Muslims worldwide. Protests were held in many Muslim nations, including Iraq, where hundreds of angry demonstrators stormed the Swedish embassy compound.

CBS News sought comment from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Kuwaiti government's announcement, but did not receive a reply by the time of publication.

The U.S. State Department condemned the desecration of the Quran in Stockholm, but said Swedish authorities were right to authorize the small protest where it occurred.

"We believe that demonstration creates an environment of fear that will impact the ability of Muslims and members of other religious minority groups from freely exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief in Sweden," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. "We also believe that issuing the permit for this demonstration supports freedom of expression and is not an endorsement of the demonstration's actions."

A supporter of Iraq's Sadrist movement holds up a copy of the Quran outside the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, June 30, 2023, during a second day of protests against the burning of a Quran outside a Stockholm mosque that outraged Muslims around the world. / Credit: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty

The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution Wednesday condemning the burning of the Quran as an act of religious hatred. The U.S. and a handful of European nations voted against the resolution, which was introduced by Pakistan on behalf of the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), arguing that it contradicts their perspectives on human rights and freedom of expression.

A total of 28 countries voted in favor of the resolution, while 12 voted against it and seven abstained.

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A Los Angeles first-grade teacher has been charged with sexually assaulting six female students, the L.A. County district attorney's office announced Wednesday afternoon.

Martin Reyes Jr., 29, who taught at Sunrise Elementary School in Boyle Heights, faces 10 counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14.

Reyes, a Northeast Los Angeles resident, was arrested Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement this week. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 27, according to the district attorney's office.

He remains in custody with bail set at $1 million, jail records show.

Martin Reyes Jr., 29, is being held on $1 million bail, charged with crimes against female students at Sunrise Elementary School in Boyle Heights. (Los Angeles Police Department)

Our educators are entrusted with creating a safe and nurturing environment where students can learn and grow without the fear of abuse or exploitation, Dist. Atty. George Gascon said in a statement Wednesday. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that schools are places where all students can thrive, free from the threat of sexual violence."

Authorities said the family of a female student contacted law enforcement on May 22 and alleged that Reyes had sexually assaulted her, according to the district attorneys office. LAPD investigators have since identified five more girls with similar allegations.

The alleged assaults were all said to have occurred inside a classroom during recess, according to the district attorney's office, and all of the girls were students enrolled in Reyes' class.

Calls and emails seeking comment from the district attorneys office and LAPD were not immediately returned late Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement, a Los Angeles Unified spokesperson said the district could not disclose information about student and personnel matters, citing confidentiality concerns.

The spokesperson did share a message previously sent to the school community in which officials said they were notified Tuesday morning that a Sunrise Elementary employee had been arrested "for alleged misconduct with a minor." The message did not name the employee.

"In late May, the school community shared their concerns about this employee with the school. Upon receiving these concerns, we immediately contacted the Los Angeles Police Department and removed the employee off-campus pending the results of an investigation," that message read.

Student safety "continues to be our utmost priority," the message continued. "Students and the greater school community are always encouraged to share any and all concerns with their school or with local authorities."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Lancaster County teen drowned Wednesday while swimming in a South Carolina lake.

According to our partners at the Rock Hill Herald, Gabriel Clyburn was swimming with friends in Lake Wateree in Kershaw County when he went under and didnt come back up.

ALSO READ: Family, friends pay tribute to student-athlete that drowned at Lake Norman

Officials said he had just graduated from Andrew Jackson High School and was planning to attend Coastal Carolina University this fall.

The Herald reports Clyburn was the second person to drown in Lake Wateree this month.

(WATCH BELOW: He loved you before he even met you: Family speaks after Cornelius teen drowns in SC lake)
LANSING  Lansing Community College is being sued over a data breach that may have exposed the names and Social Security numbers of hundreds of thousands of students and employees, including those who haven't attended or worked there for decades.

The college is facing at least four lawsuits filed in federal court this week, according to court records.

The lawsuits, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District, claim the college did not encrypt Social Security numbers, retained personal data on former students and staff for too long and did not follow best practices for data security.

"There has been no assurance offered by LCC that all personal data or copies of data have been recovered or destroyed, or that defendant has adequately enhanced its data security practices sufficient to avoid a similar breach of its network in the future," according to one of the lawsuits, filed on behalf of Ayden Heinig, Ashton Chapin, Kyashya Richardson and Gabriel Banish. Their affiliation with the school was not outlined in the lawsuit.

Three of the lawsuits were filed on behalf of Daquarious Alexander, Sameer Shah and Ivory Whitby. Whitby, according to the lawsuit, last attended the school in 1994.

The lawsuits seek class-action status, which the court could grant if it believes there are more than $5 million in damages and more than 100 people affected.

Lansing Community College said it has "no evidence of any identity theft or fraud in connection with this incident." Spokeswoman Marilyn Twine has declined to confirm how many people were affected by the breach, although she attested to Maine regulators that 757,823 people were affected in the breach, including 18 Maine residents.

She would also not say how many letters the school sent notifying people who may have been impacted by the breach. She declined to make President Steve Robinson or other college officials available to answer questions about the breach.

On Thursday, Twine said in an email that "Lansing Community College is unable to comment on any pending litigation."

The school, in a letter to its community, said an investigation of "suspicious activity on its computer network" was completed on May 24, and found that between Dec. 25, 2022, and March 15, 2023, "an unauthorized actor may have had access to certain systems."

The college shut down for several days in March after discovering the breach.

The college has not said what years were impacted by the data breach, but the State Journal has spoken with people who said they last attended the college more than 30 years ago and have gotten letters saying their data may have been exposed.

It's not clear why the school waited more than a month after the investigation was completed to notify the public.

The college is offering a year of credit monitoring service to people who had data potentially exposed and who sign up for the program.

Michigan's Attorney General's office said having Social Security numbers compromised is the "worst-case scenario" in a data breach.

Three of the lawsuits were filed by Chicago-based Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman. The firm was joined by Siri & Glimstad LLC of New York and Federman & Sherwood of Oklahoma City some of the litigation. The fourth lawsuit was brought by The Miller Law Firm of Rochester, Michigan and Shub & Johns LLC of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing Community College faces lawsuits over data breach
In lawsuit, former Bucks County inmate claims letter confirms excessive force used on him.

A federal judge has ruled a civil rights lawsuit by a former Bucks County inmate who alleges his mental illness worsened after corrections officers beat and strangled him while he was confined to a restraint chair can proceed to trial.

In a strongly worded order, U.S. District Court Judge Karen Spencer Marston denied Bucks Countys request to dismiss the case through summary judgment stating that Mubarak Alexander plausibly alleged the county used "objectively unreasonable" physical force against him.

Viewing these allegations as true, the court finds that an unprompted, group-assault of a restrained and compliant inmate is inhumane and atrocious, let alone, objectively unreasonable," Marston wrote in her May order rejecting the countys motion.

Bucks County Correctional Center

Did Bucks jail staff use excessive force Lawsuit claims 'excessive force' used against mentally ill woman in Bucks County jail

Alexander, 30, of Philadelphia, currently a state inmate in Schuylkill County, alleges seven corrections officers participated in assaulting him while he was strapped and handcuffed in a restraint chair in July 2018. His suit names as defendants the county and corrections employees.

The lawsuit also alleges that an infirmary nurse refused to either document or treat his injuries as a result of the assault and former Warden Paul Langana advised him against filing grievances about the assault.

Alexanders court-appointed attorney Amara Chaudhry Kravitz was unavailable for comment Wednesday. Through its spokesman James O'Malley, the county declined comment on the order citing ongoing litigation.

The lawsuit alleges the assault took place in a common area of the jails mental health unit where other inmates and staff could witness it and that this type of behavior among corrections staff was condoned by supervisors, and that two supervisors took part in the assault.

Mubarak Alexander says Bucks County Jail restrained him for no reason

Alexander was an inmate in Bucks County between March 2018 and November 2020, when a judge sentenced him to 30 to 60 months in state prison after he pleaded no contest to felony theft and other offenses that occurred while he was incarcerated.

During his nearly 1,000 days in the jail, Alexander, who is diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and auditory hallucinations, alleges he spent most of his time in the restrictive housing or mental health units, often on suicide watch, a restrictive protocol for inmates at risk for self harm.

Alexander alleges that while on suicide watch in the mental health unit on July 6, 2018, corrections officers entered his cell, handcuffed him and took him to a common area where he was placed in a restraint chair, limiting movement of his arms and legs.

The restraint chair is a use-of-force option for corrections officers when an inmates behavior presents a threat to themselves or others.

In an amended lawsuit filed earlier this year, Alexander claims that officers placed him in a restraint chair for no behavioral reason.

While in the chair, Alexander alleges, officers repeatedly punched, elbowed and hit him in the face, head, chest and arms, stomach, legs and genitals while other corrections staff cheered and encouraged the assault, according to the lawsuit.

After the assault, Alexander claims, a sergeant placed a towel around his bloody face and neck, and squeezed tightly making it hard to breathe.

The towel was then replaced with a spit mask, a mesh cloth covering the face and head. Alexander alleges after applying the mask, the officers yanked it backward, choking him, before taking him to infirmary.

At the infirmary, Alexander alleges the nurse on duty refused to treat his injuries, including a bloody mouth, bruises and extreme pain and told the corrections staff that Alexander refused medical treatment.

When Alexander asked the nurse to photograph and document his injuries, she refused, telling him the corrections staff should have documented them, since use-of-force incidents are supposed to be video recorded.

In his lawsuit, though, Alexander told the nurse that the sergeant responsible for recording turned the camera off not long after he was removed from the cell.

Bucks County denied this news organization a copy of the Use of Force incident report filed for the incident Alexander alleges in his lawsuit citing it as exempt under the noncriminal investigation exemption of the Pennsylvania Right to Know law.

The documents are filed when officers use physical force against an inmate and include information about the reason for the use of force, whether the incident was video recorded, if a misconduct was issued and medical treatment provided or refused. All officers and supervisors involved in a use of force must fill out the incident reports, which are then reportedly reviewed by corrections administration.

Alexander claims he was left in the restraint chair after he was returned to an empty shower in the mental health unit and remained there restrained until the next shift, when a different supervisor returned him to his cell and took him out of the chair.

More excessive force allegations Was it necessary for Bucks corrections officers to use force against mentally ill woman 6 times?

The lawsuit does not say how long Alexander was left in the restraint chair. The county corrections policy sets a four-hour limit for restraint chair use, unless an offender is still behaving aggressively. The maximum time allowed in a restraint chair under the policy is eight hours, and in those cases a shift commander must be informed.

In the lawsuit, Alexander alleges after the assault he suffered an increase in his auditory hallucinations and suicidal thoughts.

Letter confirms assault. Does it suggest a pattern?

Alexander claims he filed multiple grievances with the corrections department about the assault and Lagana met with him and directed him to stop filing the grievances and stop talking to people about the assault.

But Alexander did not stop, according to the lawsuit.

Three years after the alleged assault, Alexander received a response to a grievance he filed with the Bucks County Prison Oversight Board in October 2020.

Bucks County Chief Public Defender Ann Russavage-Faust signed the letter, which was dated March 2021 and included in the lawsuit filing.

Russavage-Faust said the board investigated Alexander's allegations and learned the guard who struck him was immediately fired by prison officials. The other guards who were present during the incident were re-trained, according to a copy of the letter.

In his lawsuit, Alexander also alleges the mistreatment he experienced is not an anomaly and there is a "widespread practice or custom" at the jail of assaulting compliant and restrained mentally ill inmates, and the county has failed to adequately train officers on use of force appropriate in situations involving inmates displaying symptoms of mental illness.

The suit also noted the county does not have a separate use-of-force policy in place for inmates with mental illness, which is contrary to national standards.

2024 opening for forensic psych center Bucks County moves forward with mental health treatment center in Doylestown

In her order, Marston rejected the countys argument that Alexander failed to either adequately document the existence of a practice or custom of mistreatment of mentally ill inmates or identify county corrections training policies or allege whether the defendants were following those policies.

Marston found the county has no policy on the appropriate amount of force to be used in situations involving inmates with mental illness and that the countys use-of-force training does not specify what is the appropriate amount of force to be used with inmates showing signs of mental distress and lacks training on the appropriate use of the restraint chair.

Alexander has also sufficiently alleged that the need for this training is so obvious that the countys failure to have specialized training for officers working in the MHU could amount to deliberate indifference.

Marston also wrote that Alexanders allegations are plausible and suggested that assaultive conduct was consistent with the custom and practices at BCCF and, in fact, that such assaultive behaviors upon a mentally ill inmate was something which the (corrections officers) expected would be tolerated and not punished.

Alexanders experience may be part of a broader practice at BCCF that was known and accepted by prison officials, Marston added.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Judge: Excessive force lawsuit against Bucks County jail can proceed.
He learned downtown Fresno as a kid. Now this business leader is helping its rebirth | Opinion

Unlike his classmates at Edison High Computech that also bused to the magnet school from neighborhoods throughout Fresno, Elliott Balch was never daunted by downtown.

More than my peers, I knew how to get around, Balch recalled during a conversation in the Downtown Fresno Partnerships Fulton Street office. That was rare. Folks came from all over the city and really didnt know their way around downtown. But I knew all the streets.

Balchs connection to downtown Fresno was born from parents who worked in city government, and has only deepened since. Years later, after earning degrees from Harvard and the University of Chicago, he followed in mom and dads civic footsteps by serving as Fresnos downtown revitalization manager under Mayor Ashley Swearengin.

Balch subsequently joined Swearengin at the Central Valley Community Foundation, Fresnos largest philanthropic nonprofit, where he played a behind-the-scenes role in the success of Measure P and made a short-lived run for Fresno mayor in 2019.

Opinion

Even though Balch never physically left downtown (the CVCF office is also on Fulton), its health and vibrancy is once again his primary concern. In March, the 42-year-old was named president and CEO of the Downtown Fresno Partnership, the business improvement district.

Considering whats ahead for the citys urban core, Balchs hire couldnt have been better timed. Downtown Fresno, buoyed by an unprecedented influx of state and federal dollars, is poised for radical transformation.

Yes, such statements have been uttered (and written) before. But never have they been backed by a $250 million gift, courtesy of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature, to replace downtowns aging water, sewer and stormwater drainage systems, erect parking structures and provide street and multimodal transit improvements.

By pouring $250 million into infrastructure, the hope is to spur a billion-dollar residential building boom that serves to both revitalize downtown and alleviate the citys affordable housing crunch. Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyers goal is to have 10,000 people living downtown, more than double the current number.

To see development at the scale that we want, these infrastructure upgrades need to happen, Balch said. Every project in downtown Fresno will benefit economically from having those things taken care of. ... Weve got all the elements we need to go big.

More tax revenues downtown, and people

The last major investment in downtown Fresno  the 2017 reopening of Fulton Street  resulted in increased tax revenues and foot traffic from new businesses and special events. However, due in large part to the lack of housing, the project didnt spur true revitalization as hoped.

As a requirement of the $16 million federal transportation grant, city officials tracked five years worth of sales tax data for both Fulton Street and Kings Canyon Road. According to Balch, the increase in tax revenues along Fulton doubled those along Kings Canyon during the survey period.

At the same time, there is excellent evidence suggesting downtown Fresno rebounded from the pandemic at a faster rate than downtowns of other North American cities. In a study conducted by the University of Toronto, researchers used cell phone data to determine that downtown Fresno experienced 21% more foot traffic between September and November in 2022 than during the same months in 2019.

The only downtowns in the study with a higher recovery rate than Fresnos were Salt Lake City and Bakersfield.

Balch said a separate demo by a firm that provides customizable cell phone tracking data showed 1.5 million people (including 557,000 unique visitors) set foot upon Fulton Street between May 2022 and May 2023.

I see more people, and I definitely see more people after hours, Balch said. If you go back 10 years during ArtHop nights there wasnt a soul on Fulton Mall. Now there are thousands of people strolling about and taking things in.

I can also look back 10 years ago trying to create promotions for people to come to Grizzlies games, and there were maybe one or two places open for them to have dinner or a drink beforehand. Now there are 24 places open before Thursday, Friday and Saturday games within walking distance.

Goals include public restrooms, boutique hotel

The Downtown Fresno Partnerships primary function is to promote and support downtown. That means hosting events, providing security to supplement police patrols and improving the physical environment via trash collections as well as signage and landscape improvements.

The partnership also works hand in hand with City Hall on certain initiatives including the Youth Ambassador Program, a hospitality and cleaning crew focused on downtown made up of 20 paid interns that is already making a positive impact since its April launch.

Balchs list of immediate goals includes solving downtowns public restroom dilemma (It was topic No. 1 in meeting No. 1 when the PBID was first created. Weve got to figure that out, he said), providing day care service and luring a boutique hotel.

He would also like the partnership to play a larger role in nurturing an enabling environment for development. Not only for large-scale projects that encompass an entire building or city block, but also for fledgling entrepreneurs interested in opening a barber shop, juice bar or the like.

The organizations role has never been defined in that way exactly, Balch said. But I think were doing our jobs if were delivering the things that benefit all of our members.

Downtown Fresno didnt intimidate Balch as a high school student. Nothing has changed now that hes a key cog in its rebirth.
At least 100 killed during record-breaking monsoon rains in India

At least 100 killed during record-breaking monsoon rains in India

Weeks of relentless monsoon rains have killed at least 100 people in India and injured dozens more in treacherous landslides and flooding, government officials said Thursday.

The hardest hit state has been Himachal Pradesh, where at least 91 people have been killed between June 24 and July 13 due to the torrential downpours that have washed away vehicles, homes, buildings and bridges, according to AFP.

Other affected areas include:

 Twelve people died of rain-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, government officials told The Associated Press.

 At least 10 were killed amid incessant rain and flash flooding in Punjab state.

 About a dozen people lost their lives in neighboring Uttarakhand state, including nine on Tuesday when debris fell on their vehicles on a national highway, officials told AFP.

"There is a huge loss of life and property, the loss is being assessed," Punjab water resources and revenue minister Brahm Shankar Jimpa told AFP.

Also, hundreds of tourists stranded in the Himalayas after floods severed road connections had to be airlifted to safety over the past week, Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu told reporters, according to CNN. Rescue evacuations included about 250 tourists from Chandra Taal lake, a popular tourist destination in the southwest part of the Himalayas.

These visuals are from Chandra Taal , Lahaul. The tents that you see here are the tourist camps.



Due to heavy snowfall and bad weather, it has become very difficult to evacuate them. We are exploring all possible options. pic.twitter.com/wU9vsQDoAS  Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) July 12, 2023

The monsoon brings South Asia around 80 percent of its annual rainfall and is vital both for agriculture and the livelihoods of millions of farmers. But it also brings destruction every year in the form of landslides and floods.

The city of Chandigarh, located in Punjab, received more than 30 inches of rain over the course of 48 hours. Many other weather stations recorded rainfall amounts close to a foot (300 mm) in the same timeframe. Shimla in Himachal Pradesh was inundated by 12.44 inches (316 mm) while nearby Sundernagar recorded 10.28 inches (261 mm).

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The Yamuna River, which snakes past the capital of New Delhi also in the north, recorded its highest levels since 1978 on Wednesday, with levels reaching 207.5 meters (681 feet), according to the Central Water Commission.

Delhi on Sunday marked its wettest July day in more than 40 years, authorities told CNN.

AccuWeather forecasters say floodwaters may take a significant time to recede even after the heaviest rainfall gradually comes to an end.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app.AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
By Emma Farge and Khalid Abdelaziz

GENEVA (Reuters) -The U.N. human rights office said on Thursday at least 87 people including women and children had been buried in a mass grave in Sudan's West Darfur, saying it had credible information they were killed by the country's Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

RSF officials denied any involvement, saying the paramilitary group was not a party to the conflict in West Darfur.

Ethnically motivated bloodshed has escalated in recent weeks in step with fighting between rival military factions that erupted in April and has brought the country to the brink of civil war. In El Geneina, witnesses and rights groups have reported waves of attacks by the RSF and Arab militias against the non-Arab Masalit people, including shootings at close range.

"According to credible information gathered by the Office, those buried in the mass grave were killed by RSF and their allied militia around 13-21 June...," the U.N. statement said.

Local people were forced to dispose of the bodies including those of women and children in the shallow grave in an open area near the city between June 20-21, it added. Some of the people had died from untreated injuries, it said.

"I condemn in the strongest terms the killing of civilians and hors de combat individuals, and I am further appalled by the callous and disrespectful way the dead, along with their families and communities, were treated," said U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk in the same statement, calling for an investigation.

An RSF senior official who declined to be identified said it "completely denies any connection to the events in West Darfur as we are not party to it, and we did not get involved in a conflict as the conflict is a tribal one."

Another RSF source said it was being accused due to political motivations from the Masalit and others. He reiterated that the group was ready to participate in an investigation and to hand over any of its forces found to have broken the law.

It was not possible to determine exactly what portion of the dead were Masalits, a U.N. spokesperson added.

The ethnic killings have raised fears of a repeat of the atrocities perpetuated in Darfur after 2003, when "Janjaweed" militias from which the RSF was formed helped the government crush a rebellion by mainly non-Arab groups in Darfur, killing some 300,000 people. Sudanese civilians have fled the area on foot, some having been killed or shot as they escaped.

"This report is a good first step, but more efforts are needed to uncover more violations," said Ibrahim, a refugee in neighbouring Chad, who asked to withhold his last name for fear of retribution.

Army spokesperson Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah told Reuters the incident "rises to the level of war crimes and these kinds of crimes should not pass without accountability."

"This rebel militia is not against the army but against the Sudanese citizen, and its project is a racist project and a project of ethnic cleansing," he said.

(Reporting by Emma Farge in Geneva and Khalid Abdelaziz in Dubai; Additional reporting by Nafisa Eltahir in Cairo; Editing by Rachel More and William Maclean)
A heated debate over whether Puerto Rico should become a state has grown more intense, raising questions about the direction of the League of United Latin American Citizens. (AP)

WASHINGTON  One of the nations oldest and most venerated Latino civil rights organizations is at a critical juncture that some members say could determine its direction  or have dire implications for its future.

A messy legal dispute, rooted in a decades-long debate over whether Puerto Rico should become a state, has led to infighting among the members and leadership of the group, the League of United Latin American Citizens, known as LULAC.

Some have accused its president of fueling the very discrimination the organization first set out to eliminate. Half a dozen current and former members contend that Domingo Garcia, a Dallas lawyer who has led the group since 2018, is seeking to marginalize Puerto Rican members after he almost lost his seat last year to a candidate of Puerto Rican origin.

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They said the organization had suspended Puerto Rican members and fired, without cause, some of its most prominent leaders of Puerto Rican descent. Two amendments to the groups constitution are up for consideration, one of which threatens to purge all island residents from its ranks.

LULAC has become instrumental in turning out the vote in Democratic politics, as most Latinos have historically tended to lean Democrat. The civil rights organization will be among major Latino advocacy organizations looking to play a pivotal role in the 2024 presidential election as Latinos have emerged as important swing voters.

They are now one of the fastest-growing and quickly diversifying racial and ethnic voting blocs in the United States. An estimated 34.5 million Hispanic Americans were eligible to vote in the 2022 election alone.

Next month, the organization is set to hold its national convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and some members worry that the tension may feed into historical perceptions of a division between Mexican Americans in the Southwest and Puerto Ricans on the East Coast. There is also concern that the amendments could empower a small clique within the group who have long sought to shut out its Puerto Rican members.

Others argue that the infighting could distract from the issues they say should be front and center for the organization, such as increasing access to education or the lingering effects of the pandemic on Latinos, among the hardest hit by the health and economic crises.

Founded in 1929 in South Texas by a group of mostly Mexican American veterans of World War I, LULAC has weathered bitter infighting before. Early on, its founders limited group membership solely to U.S. citizens, barring undocumented workers and Mexicans in the borderlands who sought to join.

At its founding, the group worked to expand Hispanic civil rights at a time when Texas Rangers would set up blockades to intercept Mexican American organizers and signs outside some restaurants still read No Mexicans or dogs allowed.

From a small network of local groups, LULAC rose to national prominence, winning legal battles to desegregate and better integrate public schools and promote homeownership and economic mobility for a younger generations of Latinos. The group was part of a successful effort to end segregation in Californias public schools, which paved the way for the landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1954 that found segregating children in schools by race was unconstitutional.

As the group gained influence and expanded its reach, rifts developed among its membership. Latinos, once often seen as a monolithic group, have grappled in recent years with questions about political and cultural identity, as they have become the second largest ethnic voter bloc behind white people. The suspensions and proposed changes to the organizations constitution could be a harbinger for its future.

The first proposed amendment would rewrite a provision in the constitution to limit group members to residents of the United States of America, meaning the 50 states and the District of Columbia  but not Puerto Rico. If that fails, another would mandate that Puerto Rican membership be proportional to the Puerto Rican population in the United States.

Carlos Fajardo, whose position as Puerto Rico LULAC state director is in limbo  the group said he was among Puerto Rican leaders currently suspended  called the suggested amendments bigoted and the latest act of discrimination against Puerto Ricans.

It is sad, Fajardo said, adding that the groups president had also done a lot for Puerto Ricans, who were accepted into the group more than 30 years ago. We are having to fight for our civil rights within a civil rights organization.

Joe Henry, who is the groups state political director for Iowa and Mexican American, said it did not make sense for the organization to exclude residents of Puerto Rico, who are American citizens. He argued that such a move would run counter to the groups spirit and mission. Our organization is about  an injury to one is an injury to all, Henry said.

Garcia, the groups president, who is also a Mexican American, rejected the claims of discrimination.

No such thing, Garcia responded in an interview when asked about claims that he was trying to limit the power of Puerto Rican members. He said the issue was that organization had not been able to confirm whether the groups councils in the territory had been funded by a political party, which could jeopardize its status as a nonprofit.

We have had Puerto Rican councils for 30 years, it has never been a problem, he said. This is only an issue of where the funding comes from.

Amendments to the groups constitution have rarely been approved, Garcia and other leaders said, requiring a two-thirds vote from all registered delegates present at the national assembly. The group has about 132,000 members and supporters in the United States and Puerto Rico, but not all attend its conference.

Mexican Americans and Puerto Ricans historically have composed the two largest Latino subgroups in the United States, with Mexicans and Mexican Americans accounting for nearly 60% of the Latino population, or about 37.2 million people, according to the Pew Research Center, more than four times the number of people of Puerto Rican origin.

The tension within LULAC started to build last year when hundreds of members gathered in Puerto Rico for the groups 2022 conference. The event was brought to a halt abruptly, the night before groups elections, including a contest between Garcia and Juan Carlos Lizardi, the son of Elsie Valdes, a longtime board member and Puerto Rico statehood activist.

A Texas judge ordered the organization to pause its proceedings after five leaders filed a lawsuit in Dallas County against the groups board members, arguing that the New Progressive Party in Puerto Rico had been working with LULAC insiders like Valdes to sway the election outcome. After being informed that the conference was suspended, about 900 members still gathered in Puerto Rico and held a symbolic voice vote in support of Lizardi.

Bernardo Eureste, who drafted the amendments that seek to deny Puerto Rican residents membership, said the proposal only sought to clarify what was already in the groups constitution and to stop what he said was a takeover of the organization.

When asked if the amendments went against the groups spirit of unity, as some members claimed, he responded: Were you sent to me by the Puerto Ricans? Or the people from the mainland?

c.2023 The New York Times Company
A letter to Lionel Messi, from one Rosarino to another: South Florida may just surprise you

Dear Leo,

Welcome to South Florida! Youve come to a very special place  one where a Rosarino like yourself can feel right at home. I know I did.

You see, I too hail from Rosario, the Chicago of Argentina, our beloved Cuna de la Bandera, the birthplace of the national flag.

And like you, I didnt have a direct path from there to here. You dominated in Europe, I landed in Los Angeles for a few years. But when my parents moved the family to Miami, back in September 1990, it instantly felt right.

We couldnt believe how much it reminded us of Rosario, our proud port city on the banks of the powerful Parana River, full of character and characters, futbol and folklore. We put behind us the mountains and dry weather of California and happily immersed ourselves in the flat terrain and humidity of South Florida.

The thick, clingy, all-consuming dampness here felt  familiar, hanging over everything, permeating your skin and making you feel temps deep in your bones, whether its hot or cold. Youve noticed during previous visits, right, Leo? It has a particular scent, too, doesnt it? Hard to describe, but you know it when you smell it. (I remember my mothers smile that first summer when I asked: Mami, why does it smell like Rosario here?)

Of course, humidity means  mosquitoes. Those, yeah, not so fun  but you cant say they dont remind you of Rosario.

South Florida gave us water  everywhere. Not just at the coastline, but by the supermarket, the bank, our house. Wide expanses of water surround entire neighborhoods, with lakes, rivers and canals providing a vacation-like contrast to the monotony of daily life. We Rosarinos love being around water, dont we?

We also love cumbia and Fernet Branca, mates and milanesas  all readily available here. In fact, we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to restaurants and markets with our traditional flavors.

The one specialty we havent been able to find, in 30+ years, are Carlitos Rosarinos. We only seem to get the Buenos Aires version of this toasted sandwich, which lacks our key ingredient  ketchup  and, yes, I wont deny that were a bit bitter about that 

But I digress. Lets focus on what unites, not divides, us.

For example, much is said about the Miami accent, that incomparable intonation that blends English, Spanish and Caribbean rhythms, words and sayings, making it stand out from the rest of the country. Just like much is said about the Rosario accent, known for its complete and utter disregard for the letter S. Say a plural word without pronouncing the S at the end and you immediately get: Youre Rosarino, arent you?

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Here youll hear Argentine accents all around (been to Aventura Mall lately?), and there are palm trees far and wide to remind you of those lining beautiful Orono Boulevard. Rosario has multiple murals in your honor, and new ones are popping up here every day!

Youll also have, unlike in Europe, just a 1- to 2-hour time difference with Rosario. It will be so much easier for you and your wife, your childhood sweetheart Antonela, to feel closer to loved ones back home.

Interestingly enough, South Florida and Rosario both embody a certain swagger and boast idiosyncratic personalities that well defend tooth and nail. (Think Pitbull and Fito, to name just two from the music world.) Both regions are fiercely proud of everything they have and everything they are.

Rosario has the elegant Teatro El Circulo, here we have the eclectic ArtsPark at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood.

There we cross the river to get to La Isla, our popular coastal oasis, here were all about the island life: Jungle Island, Palm Beach Island, the Isle Casino  And lets not forget, Star Island, the VIP of islands.

There we have the beachy shore of La Florida, here youre IN Florida.

Enough said.

I admit we dont have anything here quite like the majestic and moving National Monument to the Flag, with its almost 230-foot-tall tower overlooking the river, one of my most treasured spots. It is the beating heart of the city, the gathering point for Rosarinos in good times and in bad. South Florida does have the 450-foot-tall Guitar Hotel at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood. Youve seen it, its pretty impressive  and I guess it IS a gathering place, of a sort 

So there you have it: some observations from one Rosarino to another. I wont say all are reasons to fall in love with a place, though thats what happened for my family. I wish the same for your family.

In whatever ways South Florida changes your life, I sure do hope it leaves a positive impression.

Goodness knows you will most certainly change life around here. And we thank you.

Now about those Carlitos  think theres anything you could do about that?
Letters to the Editor: Immigrants take a citizenship test. How would natural-born Americans score?

A man clutches a small American flag before his naturalization ceremony in Houston in 2019. (Annie Mulligan / For The Times)

To the editor: Testing prospective citizens on civics is fine. But how many current citizens could pass the American citizenship exam? ("U.S. citizenship test changes are coming, raising concerns for those with low English skills," July 6)

In one 2017 survey, 37% could not name a single right guaranteed by the 1st Amendment, and only 26% could name the three branches of government. One-third could not even name one branch.

In 2019, the nonpartisan Knight Commission on Trust, Media and Democracy unanimously recommended that, as a standard for civic literacy (though not a requirement for graduation), all high school graduates should be able to pass the American citizenship exam.

Our new citizens, taken together, are likely more informed on American civics than most native-born Americans.

Charlie Firestone, Santa Barbara

The writer is the former executive director of the Knight Commission.

..

To the editor: I hardly believe the changes to the naturalization test to become a U.S. citizen will be an obstacle for most immigrants. The long, storied history of immigrants in this country is filled with people overcoming obstacles to become productive members of our nation.

The real story should be how many of our own citizens could pass this exam. Based upon recent events in our nation's political landscape, it would be a dismally low number.

As of today, I do not know of a single school district that has passage of this exam as a requirement for a high school diploma. This fact is counter to the very reason we have a public education system in this country  to create an informed electorate.

Jason Y. Calizar, Torrance

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Vote Jess for Olympia School District #2

My name is Matthew Kaphan, and youll see me in the voter ballot running for Olympia School Board District 2. Instead of voting for me, Im asking you vote for Jess Tourtellotte-Palumbo.

Jess recognizes the importance of creating an inclusive and equitable environment where every child can thrive. Her emphasis on promoting diversity, inclusion, and social-emotional support within our schools will foster an environment where all students can feel valued and supported.

Jesss experience in education gives her invaluable insights into the day-to-day realities of what our students need to succeed after graduating. Jesss vision for the future of education aligns with the changing landscape of our society. She recognizes the importance of preparing students for the demands of a rapidly evolving world.

Jesss lived experience as a disabled student gives her a unique perspective on the challenges students face. She understands the diverse needs and concerns of our families and will work tirelessly to address them. Her collaborative approach will foster strong partnerships between schools, parents, and the broader community.

Jess Tourtellotte-Palumbo embodies the qualities and values we need. Her passion and experience in education and her commitment to inclusivity and progress make her the standout choice for Olympia School Board District 2. I wholeheartedly endorse Jess and encourage you to join me in supporting her candidacy.

Matthew Kaphan, Olympia

Thank you, Olympia School Board Director Reed

Im writing to thank Olympia School Board member Talauna Reed for her dedicated work for equity. While I appreciate all the boards rigorous work, she is the only one who voted no to a budget that defunded music programming and other positions that directly support students and families, while keeping funding for programs that arent proven to help all students.

Director Reed shares vital awareness and abilities for building needed solutions.

Anne Hundley, Tumwater

Impeach John Roberts and Clarence Thomas

The systemic and repeated ethics violations committed by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Clarence Thomas have eroded public trust in the Supreme Court and undermined the rule of law.

In recent months, multiple reports have detailed the ethical misconduct of Roberts and Thomas. For example, in January, the New York Times reported that Roberts improperly intervened in the investigation of sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh. And in February, the Washington Post reported that Thomas used his position on the Supreme Court to benefit his wife, Ginni Thomas, a conservative political figure.

Other ethical violations committed by Roberts and Thomas have included:

Using their positions on the court to benefit their own personal interests.

Interfering in investigations into their own misconduct.

Lying to Congress.

Receiving bribes and secret paid trips from political megadonors with matters before the court.

Roberts and Thomas repeated ethical violations have eroded public trust. A recent poll found that only 38% of Americans trust the integrity of the Supreme Court  a significant decline from just a few years ago.

The rule of law is essential to our democracy. When the Supreme Court is corrupt, it undermines the rule of law and de-legitimizes the court system itself. This is why there are ethical requirements placed on judges at all other levels.

I urge U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland and U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to call for the impeachment of John Roberts and Clarence Thomas. They have shown that they are unfit to serve on the Supreme Court.

Caleb DeLeeuw, Olympia
Letters to the Editor: Leslie Van Houten is out of prison. Her victims are still dead

Leslie Van Houten reacts after hearing she is eligible for parole during a hearing in 2017. Six years later, she was released from prison. (Stan Lim / Associated Press)

To the editor: Where is the justice for Rosemary and Leno LaBianca, their family and our society in Leslie Van Houtens parole? Anti-death-penalty advocates constantly assure us that life in prison is a more severe punishment than execution, and now we see the speciousness of that argument.

The arguments for releasing Van Houten were meritless. That she used her time in prison to get an education, was a "model prisoner" and tried to find meaning for her remaining life should be expected, not rewarded.

That she was on drugs and duped by Charles Manson is no excuse. She was an adult who chose to take drugs and follow Manson.

Van Houten deprived the LaBianca family and our society of Rosemary and Leno LaBianca's lives. She does not deserve to be free for the simple reason that Rosemary LaBianca did not deserve to be stabbed to death 14 times.

Angela M. Sousa, Beverly Hills

..

To the editor: Van Houten, now 73, as a drug-addicted and easily manipulated teenager, participated in the gory murders of innocent people.

Now, after decades of living like a caged animal in a cell but amassing an impressive prison record, the state parole board recommended her release. These hand-picked, competent members found that she no longer poses an unreasonable risk to public safety, and in upholding Van Houten's parole, an appeals court cited her "decades of therapy, self-help programming, and reflection.

But Gov. Gavin Newsom succumbed to political pressure in trying to block Van Houten's parole. Add that to the calls from conservatives, many of them surely Christian, for continued vengeance despite their doctrine of punishment for sins followed by redemption and salvation. I suppose that does not apply when your crimes draw too many new crews.

The current facts support Van Houten's release from prison. The murders were truly awful, but what murder isn't? Our hearts don't have to be blackened by vengeance.

Diana Beard-Williams Brown, Palmdale

..

To the editor: Rich Pfeiffer, an attorney who helped facilitate Van Houten's release, stated that it was "mean" of the governor in past instances to deny parole at the last minute.

Since Pfeiffer is on the side of a woman who repeatedly stabbed her victim, then capped her atrocity with a refreshing slurp of chocolate milk from her victims' refrigerator, one gets the impression his definition of "mean" is quite flexible.

The LaBianca family might have another word for what was done to them by this monster.

Douglas Soesbe, Palm Springs

..

To the editor: The Times' coverage of Van Houten's release takes a myopic view. Stop framing the issue as whether the convicted deserves a second chance or the victims deserve to see her die in prison.

It costs the state about $100,000 per year to imprison someone, so Van Houten's prison stay came with a $5-million bill to the taxpayers.

Money, in other words, is a critical part of this story: Can Californians think of more effective ways to spend this money to enhance public safety for all?

Merete Rietveld, Los Angeles

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Lincolnton man charged with indecent liberties with a child, deputies say

The Lincoln County Sheriffs Office has arrested a man in connection with the sexual assault of a child in 2016.

On April 17, 2023, the Lincolnton Police Department received reports about an alleged incident that involved 50-year-old Terry Wayne Rudisill.

The female victim told police that three incidents occurred between her and Rudisill when she was 15 years old. She said she was staying at a residence in west Lincoln at the time.

ALSO READ: Local nurse focuses on compassion when helping sexual assault survivors

The claims were investigated and presented to the District Attorneys Office where a decision was made to pursue charges.

Upon learning of the location of the incidents, the Lincolnton Police Department transferred the case to the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office.

Rudisill was then charged with two counts of statutory sex offense with a child and three counts of taking indecent liberties with a child, according to deputies.

He turned himself in on July 11 but was released after posting bond.

VIDEO: Local nurse focuses on compassion when helping sexual assault survivors
WHO linked myocarditis in newborns to viral infection, not COVID-19 vaccine | Fact check

The claim: The WHO admitted that fully vaccinated mothers are giving birth to babies with heart defects

A July 7 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) features a screenshot of a People's Voice article with a picture of a masked pregnant woman.

"WHO Admits That Fully Jabbed Moms Are Giving Birth to Babies With Severe Heart Defects," reads the article's headline.

The post garnered more than 1,000 likes in three days. Similar versions of the claim have been shared on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks

Our rating: False

There was an increase in myocarditis cases, but the World Health Organization linked this to enterovirus infections, not COVID-19 vaccination. The organization's statement doesn't mention vaccines or COVID-19.

WHO statement doesn't mention COVID-19 vaccination

The People's Voice article references a May 16 WHO statement about an increase in severe myocarditis cases in newborns and infants in Wales.

The WHO links the increase in cases to enterovirus infections, however, and doesn't mention the COVID-19 vaccine at all.

The statement says between June 2022 and April 2023, 10 hospitalized newborns with positive enterovirus PCR tests were found to also have myocarditis.

Non-polio enteroviruses cause about 10 to 15 million infections and tens of thousands of hospitalizations each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though most people don't get sick or have only mild illnesses, infants and individuals with weakened immune systems can develop serious complications.

Myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle, is listed as one of several infections that can be caused by the enterovirus, according to the CDC.

Bhanu Bhatnagar, a spokesperson for the Europe division of the WHO, told USA TODAY the claim about the organization linking myocarditis to the vaccine is "entirely incorrect."

"(The) WHO hasnt made this assessment of myocarditis in the U.K.," Bhatnagar said in an email.

Fact check: FDA still recommends COVID-19 vaccine, contrary to viral claim

Emma O'Brien, a spokesperson for the U.K. Health Security Agency, which reported the cases to the WHO, also told USA TODAY the claim is false.

"The WHO article mentions nothing on vaccines as you can see," O'Brien said in an email. "Enterovirus is already known in rare circumstances to cause myocarditis in very young babies. Large-scale studies worldwide have found no evidence of any increased risk of myocarditis in infants of mothers who were vaccinated against COVID-19 in pregnancy. The COVID-19 (vaccine) is the best way to protect yourself against serious illness."

The People's Voice, previously known as NewsPunch, has a lengthy history of publishing fabricated stories, many of which have been debunked by USA TODAY.

The WHO still recommends the COVID-19 vaccine.

USA TODAY reached out to the People's Voice and the user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

The claim has also been debunked by the Associated Press, Reuters and PolitiFact.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Article falsely claims WHO linked myocarditis to vaccine | Fact check
Local nurse credited with saving man having medical emergency on flight from Florida

A Dayton-area nurse helped save a mans life 30,000 feet in the air.

A passenger on an Allegiant Airlines flight heading from Florida to Dayton had a medical emergency. Workers on the flight asked if any medical professionals were able to help the man.

At that point, Katheryn Bailey, who flying home to Vandalia from her vacation, jumped into action to help the man.

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She stabilized the man having severe chest pains but 30 minutes later, his condition grew much worse, even with strong medication.

About three minutes into the Nitroglycerine, the patient is unresponsive. He just like totally went out, Bailey told News Center 7s Mike Campbell.

Bailey said she told everyone around her that she need help moving the man.

Passengers helped me get him out and down in the aisle. I tore his shirt and put the defibrillator on him, she described.

Bailey was grateful the airline had everything she needed, including a defibrillator. She relied on her medical training, not thinking about being 30,000 feet up in the air.

It probably would have really freaked me out. I just concentrated on saving his life, she said.

After stabilizing the man, she told the flight crew that she believed the man needed a doctor and hospital care immediately upon landing. The flight crew then decided to do an emergency landing in Cincinnati. Once they landed, paramedics rushed onboard and took the man to a hospital.

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After that, those on the flight cheered for Bailey.

They were coming up to me and thanking me, she recalled.

Bailey didnt want to be called a hero and said she just did what she felt was the right thing.

Im just like, Wow, did this really happen? Seriously, it was an overwhelming experience, Bailey said.

Bailey did not learn the mans name but said she was told he was stable by the paramedics that took him off the airplane.

News Center 7 reached out to the airline and officials at the airport for more information on the mans condition. Were awaiting a response.
Seven Murdock High School students spent a week shoveling dirt, mixing cement, and laying bricks in the tropical heat of the Dominican Republic to build a house for a family in need without cell phones or access to the internet.

This was the first time that the nonprofit organization Bridges to Community partnered with Murdock High School to connect local youth with the opportunity to learn a new culture while promoting community empowerment. Along with building a house, the group also helped design and paint a mural at a local elementary school.

Each student was required to complete at least 40 hours of local service to be considered for the global leadership and service program. The Murdock students worked with the Winchendon Community Action Committee to complete their hours.

The group of Winchendon students and residents created a relationship with local masons to learn how to build a house to complete the service project.

The trip cost $1,800 per student, which included plane tickets, hotel accommodations and food expenses. The high school students' trip costs were covered by the Murdock Trust scholarship, which is a foundation that funds enrichment opportunities like the service trip. Anyone who wasn't a Murdock student had to pay all of the expenses.

Murdock High teacher Stephanie Rondeau went with the group and the school paid for her traveling expenses.

What did the group do while in Dominican Republic?

The group arrived at Santo Domingo, the capital city, on Sunday, June 11. When they arrived, the group was allowed to explore the city and see landmarks. The following day headed to the village where they would build the house, and it took the group about three hours to get to the village. Between seven days, the group of volunteers help build a house and paint a mural for a K-6 elementary school.

Miranda Jennings, executive director of Winchendon CAC, said she has been wanting to organize a service trip with Bridges to Community and Murdock High for a while. Jennings is a current board member of Bridges to Community. She said she has been working with the nonprofit since 1990.

Jennings said she has been doing service trips since she was 16 years old, and she claims it changed the trajectory of her life. She said she brought her 10-year-old daughter with her, and this is her daughter's third service trip.

"I think the highlight was just seeing [my daughter] connect with everybody. She worked really hard and she like loved being with the high school students," she said. "They were such great role models for her, and seeing her connect with people even across language barriers and cultural differences was really special."

The other service project the group did during their trip to the Dominican Republic was designing and painting a mural for a local elementary school.

Teaching local empowerment

The family getting support from the bridge organization still has to pay for a small portion of the construction cost to build their house. Jennings said the non-profit organization isn't trying to save anyone, but instead focus on teaching communities how to sustain and empower themselves.

"The organization focuses on developing sustainable community and empowering community," she said. "We aren't coming in to save them, but we are working with local masons to learn from them and build bridges of understanding the community."

After the house was built each student wrote a letter to the family and each letter was translated for the family before putting them inside the walls of the house. Jennings said one of the greatest moments was after the last student read her message out loud, the mother of the family said she didn't want them to seal that letter in the foundation because she wanted to frame it in her kid's room.

"The Murdock students blew me away with the level of respect, hard work, passion, energy and positivity that they all brought to this trip," she said. "This was the first time out of the country for a lot of them, so I wasn't sure how it was going to go. It was really hard work with no running water, no internet or cell phones, no air conditioning, but they were amazed."

A group of Murdock high school students and local Winchendon residents took a trip to the Dominican Republic between June 11 to June 19 to build a house for a family in need.

The students' experiences and perspective

Everyone in the group, students and adult chaperones, learned the process of how to build a house from the local masons. The group had native guides to translate, local cooks to provide them with traditional Dominican meals, and they got to immerse themselves into a community and into their culture.

Recent Murdock graduate and Youth Changemaker Co-director, Angelina Dellasanta said she immediately jumped on the opportunity to do the service trip because she loves to learn about other cultures and at the same time help a family in need.

"I take any opportunity to help impoverished families," she said. " I love traveling, going to new places, and I'm passionate about community service."

Dellasanta said the group went to an elementary school to design and paint a mural with the students. She said kids from kindergarten to sixth grade handed in a drawing of what they think should be include in the mural design. The elementary school student body decided to make the mural theme protecting the environment.

Then one of the Murdock volunteers took elements from each submitted drawing to create a mural design that depicted all of the natural environment that the kids grew up in.

"We painted the whole mural with the kids, and it captures everything that they're so proud of in their community from growing plantains and beans to having a beautiful river and mountains," Jennings said. "Then they put the values that are important to kids on the mural, like solidarity, collaboration, hard work and respect."

More: Youth Changemakers put on festival Taste of Winchendon returns to Beals library lawn thanks to Youth Changemakers

Murdock senior and member of the Youth Changemaker group, Christian Lao, said this trip was an emotional experience for him because his parents are originally from the Dominican Republic, and he hasn't visited the country since 2013.

"I was very happy to be back [in DR] with my people and it's very nice to be in such a welcoming community welcome us," he said. "I wanted to go and help out the poor people of my country."

Lao said he speaks fluent Spanish, but the rest of the group doesn't so the group was guided by two natives who work with the bridge program. The guides were there to help the group communicate with locals and understand their culture.

Both Lao and Dellasanta said they are grateful for the experience and the ability to help out a family who is less fortunate.

"I think you it was the best week of my entire life," Dellasanta said. "I would wholeheartedly suggest that anybody who might be remotely interested in helping a family like this to do the bridges program and you will not regret going."

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Murdock HS students on Dominican Republic trip with Bridges to Community
Standing on the stage at the Central Campus auditorium, Lockport High School District 205 Superintendent Robert McBride said there are three stories of space above and three stories of space below the auditorium.

The auditorium is used for a band practice one period a day and occasionally faculty meetings will be held there, McBride said. The cafeteria, below the theater, is used during three periods during the day, he said.

You are standing in the absolutely most unused space in this building, McBride said. Thats a huge amount of space that really nobodys in for most of the day.

Central Campus, which opened in November 1909, is the districts freshman campus, and every few years it becomes the center of community debate on whether to build a school or renovate the building. Annually, the district spends between $500,000 to $1 million on upkeep for central campus, he said.

The district has been gathering information from the community, McBride said, and officials are considering ways to renovate the building.

That includes other options for the theater space, such as creating a multipurpose center or gathering space with a cafeteria and auditorium feature. Or, a space with more modern classrooms. Or a more modern, secure and accessible main entrance.

I think our public expects us to be smart about the assets and spaces we have. What were discovering is theres a tremendous amount of space in this building that is not used or maybe misused, McBride said.

Decision making

Between 2006 to 2012, district officials twice asked voters to support a new school, McBride said. Both referendums failed.

The district bought land at 159th and Cedar Road, in Homer Glen, for nearly $2.5 million in 2008. The board issued bonds for the purchase, and the bonds were paid off in 2018, said Jeannette Castillo, the districts spokeswoman.

Fast forward to now, we still have the issue of this building, but its almost now 20 years older, McBride said. You have a building thats aging. It has needs. At one point, the district kind of made a decision that it really wasnt going to invest major dollars. It would fix things, keep things running.

In the fall, McBride said he established the Central Campus Advisory Committee, a group of 17 community members, and asked it to decide two things: if Central should continue as a school building and, if yes, than what renovations should be completed.

The committee met throughout the semester, he said, and decided the building should remain a school and that a larger scale renovation is needed.

They came to the conclusion that there is so much space in this building that could be used differently, more efficiently, that it would make sense to do a more major renovation beyond the cost of just all the electric, heating and cooling, McBride said.

The committee and district officials also agreed renovation would be cheaper than building, which is estimated to cost between $165 million to $200 million, McBride said.

McBride said he and district officials also toured other schools that renovated older buildings, such as Downers Grove North High School, built in the 1920s.

Ken Sorensen, associate principal for operations and technology at Downers Grove North, showed McBride how the district built a gym, science labs and culinary labs and addressed accessibility and safety issues.

It was an opportunity for him to see the space and give his staff an opportunity to think about some ideas that other schools have done and have incorporated, Sorensen said. Weve been really happy with the outcome.

In the spring and summer, more than 300 community members toured central campus, as the district gathered feedback on how to best renovate the space, McBride said.

We really started exploring renovation because its more cost effective. We found that people have a lot of investment in this building, and its history, and its story, McBride said. This whole project, if we do it, is all about preservation and renovation.

School walk through

By the main entrance, McBride said the administration office should have windows into the hallway so students could look into the offices and for building administrators to view the main entrance.

Modern school buildings have that feature, he said, but district officials have preserved the original floor with the schools crest in the main entrance.

Around the corner, a room that used to be a closet was renovated into the business department office.

Inside a business classroom, window air conditioning units keep the room cool and a corner of the room has servers and wiring.

What you see a lot of in this building, because were trying to connect modern and old, and jerry-rigging things, you see a lot of mechanicals hanging, McBride said.

Farther down the hall from the business classroom, the foyer built in the 1930s still has the original wood paneling, ceiling and stain glass windows.

The school was built in a square shape, with the middle forming a concrete courtyard. Within the courtyard, there is a cylinder-shaped building, built in the 1950s, that holds classrooms and the library, with the bottom floor now used for storage, McBride said.

One thing the district is considering, McBride said, is putting a clear roof over the courtyard. But it would cost between $9 million to $12 million just to install, and a design concept would have to be created, he said.

The districts two important programs: Lockport Academy, an alternative placement for students with individualized education program needs, and the Career and Community Connections, for students with special needs to help them transition to work post graduation, are housed at Central Campus and quickly outgrowing their spaces, McBride said.

In the Lockport Academy space, in the basement, students walk through windowless hallways to get to class and the teachers work in windowless offices. To get to the entrance for the program, the students walk through a back gate and a side entrance.

Nearby, there is a space that used to house an auto shop that the district uses for storage, McBride said, which could potentially be used to expand the academy space.

Its a tight space for students with alternative needs. Could you open it up, brighten it up, could you have a proper entrance? McBride said. Are we sending the wrong signal to some kids who are pretty fragile.

A look ahead

McBride said when he was brought on as superintendent in 2019, the board asked him to develop a plan for either renovating Central Campus or building new. First, McBride and his staff worked on a demographic study, which found the districts population will remain steady through 2032. It would be hard to justify a new building, McBride said, if the districts population isnt growing.

The districts architects are drawing up renovation plans with associated costs to be presented to the board in the fall, McBride said.

McBride said he believes the board will approve some form of major renovation, which will require a referendum given the cost, likely in March or November 2024.

I think where theyre feeling is, theyd rather go to the community and say, Hey lets dream big. Lets think big. Lets give this iconic spot a second life, McBride said.

Board member Veronica Shaw said she was a freshman during the 1997-1998 school year and remembers there being a lot of stairs and steps to get to classrooms, spaces that were unused and no air conditioning.

Shaw said her children will one day attend Central Campus, and one of her sons has a disability, so its important to her that students with disabilities are able to access the building. The building also needs new mechanics and a rethinking of spaces, such as the auditorium and courtyard, she said.

I would like to see updated learning spaces that accurately reflect students experiences after high school, Shaw said.

Board President Ann Lopez-Caneva said the campus needs to be renovated but preserved, because it has a rich history. The mechanics and electrical need to be updated, Lopez-Caneva said, and space like the auditorium need to be reconstructed for a different use.

Lopez-Caneva and Shaw said they would support going to referendum if the community feedback supports a major renovation.

Its going to be less costly than a new building, Lopez-Caneva said. We just want to preserve that building.
Longtime Sheriff Robert C. 'Bobby' Knowles dies; He was 'epitome of a public servant'

Former St. Lucie County Sheriff Robert C. "Bobby" Knowles

ST. LUCIE COUNTY  Former St. Lucie County Sheriff Robert C. Bobby Knowles was described as a mix of old world policing and visionary, all at the same time.

Knowles, who was elected sheriff in 1984 and held the office until Sheriff Ken Mascara took over in 2001, joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Vietnam before a long stint as an investigator with the State Attorneys Office.

Robert C. "Bobby" Knowles, former St. Lucie County sheriff

He graduated high school, entered the Marines, served our country in the Marines and then was an active reservist for many years, joined the State Attorney's Office and then served our community as sheriff, Mascara said. This guy was the epitome of a public servant.

Knowles, 82, died Saturday by suicide. A celebration of life is scheduled 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. July 23 at Pelican Yacht Club, 1120 Seaway Drive, in Fort Pierce.

Robert Crowder, who said he met Knowles in 1968 at the police academy and served as his undersheriff until 1992, said Knowles was hard-headed and independent but typically knew the right things to do.

I think a more timid person would not have done half the things that he did, but he had a lot of ideas and he just charged ahead and brought things in that needed to be done, said Crowder, who became Martin County Sheriff and served until 2013.

Knowles, a Fort Pierce native, was not without controversy. For example, he implemented a program to house some jail inmates in military tents  the so-called tent city.

"Those are the same tents I lived in, in Vietnam," Knowles said in an interview in a 2000 Fort Pierce Tribune article. "I was the first cot on the left when you walked in."

He also made headlines for "chain gang" style work crews.

"We try to show people that if you go to jail, it's not a fun place to be," Knowles was quoted as saying in a 1997 article in The Stuart News. "Hopefully it sends a message that St. Lucie County is not a good place to commit crime.

'No-nonsense guy'

Former State Attorney Bruce Colton said he met Knowles in 1972 when Colton started as an assistant public defender just out of law school. Knowles was an investigator with the State Attorneys Office.

Back then the prosecutor, the assistant state attorney that I had cases with, was part-time, Colton said. Except in the courtroom, I dealt primarily with Bobby when it came to discussing cases and working out pleas.

Colton soon joined the State Attorneys Office and worked together with Knowles.

He was a friendly, funny guy, but he was also a no-nonsense guy when it came to business, Colton said. He was good as an investigator. He knew what you needed to put together a case.

Former St. Lucie County Sheriff Robert C. "Bobby" Knowles

Colton said drug smuggling then was rampant, and he worked on several task forces to combat that.

We did investigations, did surveillances and got boats as they were coming in the inlet and airplanes as they were landing, Colton said. When I say we, it was Bobby and the investigators and law enforcement.

Thomas Walsh, a former prosecutor and current senior judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit, said Knowles was a hard worker with a reputation for honesty and being straightforward.

Some people I'm sure will criticize that straightforwardness, but at a time when politics was anything but straightforward, he ran as a Republican in a very Democratic community, who knew that the sheriff's department was in dire need of getting dragged into the 21st century, Walsh said. Bobby Knowles did that.

More than 50-year-old cold case solved: 'When I opened the box ... it didn't take long,' detective says of solving 1969 St. Lucie County murder

Innovation

Mike Monahan, who said he joined the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office in 1975 under Sheriff Lanie Norvell and left in 2012 as a major, said Knowles created the school resource unit, a full-time marine unit and bought the first helicopters, among other things.

The agency grew rapidly and grew quickly with technology and enhanced training and expanded units, he said.

Knowles was quoted in a 2000 Fort Pierce Tribune article as saying, "We basically took an administration that was operating very much in the '50s and brought it into the '80s."

Monahan said when Knowles took office, crime was widespread, noting topless bars, peep shows, adult bookstores and gambling, and they cleaned all of that up.

He got ordinances written to stop all of that, Monahan said. The county is a better place for that.

Walsh remembered Knowles on the front lines during the so-called cocaine cowboys era. He recalled a portion of Interstate 95 was paved, but closed.

It was without any question, the longest airplane landing field in the world, and the entities that landed on it were offloading cocaine, Walsh said. A lot of people were killing people all in South Florida, because they were competing for this very lucrative business.

Those, Monahan said, were the days when the bales of marijuana were falling out of the sky, and the cocaine was washing up on the beach.

We worked a lot of drug cases, a lot of big drug cases, Monahan said. We stopped a lot of criminal activity in the county, but when he became sheriff, he truly focused on that stuff.

Crowder said innovations instituted at the Martin County Sheriffs Office when he took office were things Knowles started.

He learned from Knowles the importance of the local political structure.

You've got to get elected every four years, Crowder said. You also need to know who you can trust and who you can't trust.

No charges: St. Lucie Sheriff Ken Mascara cleared in criminal probe related to 2020 elections

He didnt bend

Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said he came to the Martin sheriffs office in 1993 as a captain.

More than anything, I worked with his people. And we always had a good experience with St. Lucie County, Snyder said. They were a no-nonsense, hard-working law enforcement entity, and I think he gets a lot of the credit for it.

Knowles, he said, was not someone to push.

Bobby Knowles was that old style, Snyder said. He was a piece of hickory, and he didn't bend.

Colton noted a drug trafficking case involving top Martin County sheriffs officials in which drugs being stored at the agency as evidence and to be destroyed were being stolen. Bales of marijuana and kilograms of cocaine were being shipped to New York. Knowles headed the investigation. James Holt was the Martin sheriff at the time, Colton said.

We ended up charging a captain and lieutenant in the sheriff's office, a guy who was a part-time deputy, but also a pilot for one of the big airlines, Colton said. They all pled and went to prison, and Bobby ended up being a hero over making that investigation.

Jim Russakis said he met Knowles in 1983, and became close friends and supported him politically. He said Knowles was a good speaker, and entertaining.

He said Knowles bought property off the rural Carlton Road when he was sheriff. He built a home out of cypress and was extremely, extremely happy. He called it Lone Cypress Ranch and kept cattle and a horse, Russakis said.

He loved it out there, Russakis said. That was his serenity.

Russakis described Knowles as one of the greatest sheriffs in the areas history.

He put his heart in this county, Russakis said. He really did.

TCPalm mentions suicide when the person is or was a public figure or if the death happened in a public place.

Those who are feeling suicidal or experiencing emotional distress can call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Robert C. 'Bobby' Knowles modernized St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office
There have been at least four other "family annihilation" cases in Indiana since Jeffrey Mumper fatally shot his wife, son and daughter as they slept in their Bloomington home Sept. 6, 2020, then killed himself.

The Indiana examples are among 227 cases an IndyStar investigation found across the U.S. since 2020 in which a person killed family members from at least two groups including spouses, children, parents or siblings. The research revealed the killers were almost always male and, in more than half the cases, like Jeffrey Mumper, the perpetrator ultimately killed themselves.

Officers from the Bloomington Police Department investigate after a triple murder-suicide Sept. 6, 2020, that left four family members dead at a home in the 2600 block of South Olcott Boulevard in the Hyde Park neighborhood.

Here is a look at some of those other cases:

Cases in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Lafayette

The killing of five people in Indianapolis on Jan. 24, 2021, was the citys worst mass killing in more than a decade. But the explosion of violence started with the kind of family dispute that plays out in nearly every home with a teenager, according to police and the prosecutor. Raymond Ronald Lee Childs III, then 17, now faces six murder charges in the fatal shootings of his mother, father, two siblings, a pregnant teen and her unborn child. Another brother was shot and left for dead, but survived.

American Annihilation: What's behind the growing trend of a person, most often a man, killing their own family?

Court documents allege the shootings spun out of an argument over Childs, who is being tried as an adult and has pleaded not guilty, staying out too late. The surviving brother told police their father's last words were: "I'm sorry Raymond; I love you."

An Indianapolis teenager is accused of murdering his mother, father, two siblings, a pregnant teen and her unborn child in this home on South Adams Street on Jan. 24, 2021.

Four months later, a Fort Wayne man staying with his former girlfriend slashed her to death with a knife, along with her 5-year-old son, 3-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter. The woman's body was found in her home June 3, 2021, kneeling next to the bed where her children died.

In July 2021, a 27-year-old man in Lafayette shot and killed his girlfriend and their 3-year-old daughter. Before she died, the little girl told police: "My daddy killed me." The killer pleaded guilty last year and was sentenced to 120 years in prison.

And in November 2021, another Fort Wayne man shot and killed his parents, 15-year-old sister and himself.

Other high-profile family annihilation cases over the years

Other examples in the U.S. date back to the countrys founding. Local communities sometimes documented these tragedies in familicide pamphlets. Motives varied and weapons became more lethal, but the results remained the same.

GET HELP: Resources for suicidal thoughts, child abuse, mental health, domestic violence

One of the first reported cases was from 1782, when Connecticut merchant William Beadle axed his wife and two children to death before killing himself, reportedly because he had suffered financial troubles and wanted to spare the family from poverty.

In 1835, John Cowan hacked his wife and two children to death in Cincinnati acting on suspicions that his spouse was having an affair.

In 1971, John List, a Sunday school teacher in New Jersey, shot and killed his wife, mother and three children, because he believed the family was straying from their Christian faith and wanted to ensure they went to heaven.

In 2018, Chris Watts, an oil field worker in Colorado, strangled his pregnant wife and smothered his two toddler daughters to death. Watts was having an affair with a coworker and reportedly believed he needed to kill his family to be with her.

Alex Murdaugh arrives at the Colleton County Courthouse before day 13 of his double murder trial in Walterboro, S.C., on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.

In 2021, Alex Murdaugh shot his wife and son in their home in Islandton, South Carolina. During his televised murder trial, which captivated the nation, the prosecution argued the personal injury lawyer killed his family to divert attention from his financial crimes and opioid addiction.

Murdaugh, a prosecutor told the jury, was a "family annihilator."

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Family annihilation cases in Indiana and US history
Last past week was the hottest week on record. The Canadian wildfire season is record-breaking, and has resulted in poor air quality for us in Delaware. Climate change is upon us. Fourteen years ago, when I was assigned a climate change program, we thought the current conditions were some time off  maybe the 2030s.

Unfortunately, we were wrong; the adverse impacts of a changing climate are upon us now and will continue to worsen. Living in coastal Delaware, I see up close the impacts of rising sea levels and increased flooding and storm events on our beaches and ecosystems. The agricultural sector is also adversely impacted by increased heat and more extreme events. We can no longer ignore the impacts of human induced climate change.

Delaware Interfaith Power and Light essay contest winners were recognized in both the Delaware House and Senate.

What kind of world am I leaving my daughter and grandsons? Is there no hope? While the situation is dire, there is still hope. One place I see hope is in the younger generation, and specifically I saw it in the high schoolers who took part in the RENEW essay contest this year put on by Delaware Interfaith Power and Light.

These high school students took the time to write about climate action, environmental justice, and the web of life in nature. Their knowledge of what is happening and what we can do was clearly evident in their writings. Ten of the contestants received awards, with Raina Lakhani taking first place, Sudip Chowdhury second and Sidrisha Sarbajna third. Seven others received awards as honorable mentions. Many thanks to Tekstrom, Inc. for supporting this competition.

Resolutions recognizing these students were presented in both the House and Senate of the Delaware State legislature on June 27. It was an honor to see our state leaders recognize these students and acknowledge the need to address climate change. Later that day, important legislation was passed that put actions to their words.

There is hope! Slowly society is acknowledging that we must change and that change must come from everyone. As with most large-scale changes, we must change the heart of society and I see that happening in our younger generations; these essays are a bright example. Government is slowly working to regulate and incentivize the actions needed to reduce our carbon footprint and work with those most impacted by the adverse effects of climate change.

Delaware Interfaith Power & Light recognizes that all faiths acknowledge the need to care for our planet and its people, especially marginalized people. The students participating in the RENEW essay contest gave me hope that our vision will be in good hands.

Randi Johnson, PhD, is President of Delaware IPL.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware climate change: Listen to our kids
Lorraine Kelly repeatedly misgendered Sam Smith while discussing the singers look for the Barbie premiere.

Hosting her ITV daytime show Lorraine on Thursday (13 July), Kelly talked to guest Vogue Williams about the pink carpet hits and misses from Wednesday nights (12 July) European premiere for Greta Gerwigs movie.

While the majority of the guests opted for Barbie-inspired all-pink outfits, Smith  who has written a song titled Man I Am from the perspective of Ken for the Barbie soundtrack  went for a far more casual look.

Smith, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, wore an oversized navy sweatshirt and baggy jeans to the London event.

Discussing the outfit on Lorraine, Williams joked that Smith looked like they were dressed for an airport rather than a red carpet event.

However, while Williams referred to Smith using they/them pronouns, Kelly referred to the singer repeatedly as he and him.

Its a bit big for him, Smith said. If he was my son, Id be saying, Son, thats too big for you.... Hes going to stand out. He knows what hes doing, does that fella.

On Twitter, viewers branded the moment awkward and pointed out that Williams had looked uncomfortable during the segment.

@reallorraine VERY lazy journalism not addressing Sam Smith with they/them pronouns come on - seriously!! #Lorraine  Ollie  (@ollieollieGA) July 13, 2023

I guess Lorraine didnt get the memo about Sam Smith and their chosen pronouns, awkward, one commenter wrote.

Not Lorraine misgendering Sam Smith over and over!! another wrote. Shes normally pretty good with this stuff. Vogue looked visibly uncomfortable!!! And she seemed to be emphasising THEY too for Lorraine to pick up on it but it didnt work!! Im sure shell be upset she got it wrong.

Another commenter tweeted Kelly: @lorraine Im not sure if you are aware but Sam Smith uses the pronouns They/Them.

@lorraine consistently misgendering Sam Smith one tweet read.

@reallorraine VERY lazy journalism not addressing Sam Smith with they/them pronouns come on - seriously!! another viewer wrote.

The Independent has contacted Kelly and Smiths representatives, as well as ITV, for comment.

Smiths look on the red carpet (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

In 2019, Smith came out as non-binary and gender-queer, saying that they would be using they/them pronouns going forward.

Today is a good day so here goes, they shared on Twitter. Ive decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM. After a lifetime of being at war with my gender Ive decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out

However, Smith said in 2022 that they understood people were learning when it came to pronouns, adding that mistakes happen.

I just want to create a safe space for everyone. But also, were all learning together, they told Zane Lowe.

The pronoun thing is interesting, because mistakes happen. Even me, I make mistakes quite a lot, and its an uncomfortable feeling making a mistake.

Editing yourself is great, but I think its really good for people to see you mess up and then correct yourself, Smith continued. We need to lean into the uncomfortable feeling of being wrong sometimes, because its OK Were all in it together.
A super PAC dedicated to defeating Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is poking fun at his recent criticism of the upcoming Barbie film, releasing a mock commercial purporting to sell the new Ted Cruz doll collection.

Introducing the Ted Cruz doll collection. Thats right. The senator more focused on Barbie than his own job now has his own line of toys inspired by his work, begins the fake commercial, which was posted to Twitter on Thursday by the Lose Cruz super PAC.

The video then provides examples of some of the mock Barbie dolls in the collection, and each focuses on politically sensitive issues for the Texas senator, who is up for reelection next year.

You can get Insurrection Barbie: Play at the podium as you try to destroy democracy. Try Podcaster Barbie: With your recording studio, you can promote the MAGA agenda. And everyones favorite, Cancun Barbie: Grab your luggage and hop on a plane to avoid your responsibilities. Get your Ted Cruz Barbie doll today, the video continued.

The attack ad comes as one of the summers hottest Hollywood films has faced some backlash after a trailer for the film briefly depicted a map containing what some see as the nine-dash line of the South China Sea  a marker China has used to assert its territorial claims to that area. A 2016 United Nations tribunal declared those claims invalid under international law.

Cruz and others have sounded the alarm about the film, which he has described as advancing Chinese propaganda.

China wants to control what Americans see, hear, and ultimately think, and they leverage their massive film markets to coerce American companies into pushing Chinese Communist Party propaganda  just like the way the Barbie film seems to have done with the map, a spokesperson for Cruz said.

Vietnam banned the film because of the map, while the Philippines ultimately decided against banning it.

Considering the context by which the cartoonish map of the character Weird Barbie was portrayed in the film, the Review Committee is convinced that the contentious scene does not depict the nine-dash line, the Philippine governments Movie and Television Review and Classification Board said in a statement.

Instead, the map portrayed the route of the make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the real world, as an integral part of the story, the statement continued.

A spokesperson for Warner Bros. Film Group also dismissed claims that the map contained the nine-dash line, telling Variety, The map in Barbie Land is a child-like crayon drawing, and adding, The doodles depict Barbies make-believe journey from Barbie Land to the real world. It was not intended to make any type of statement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Lottery player saw someone won the big prize  but he didnt realize it was him

A Michigan man won the big prize during a Lucky For Life drawing earlier this year  but he had no idea for weeks.

I saw the winning ticket was bought in Charlotte, and meant to check my ticket, Shea Nowlan, of Charlotte, told Michigan Lottery officials. I ended up forgetting to check and then several weeks later saw the prize wasnt claimed and thats when I remembered to check my ticket.

When he finally did check his ticket, he realized he had won $25,000 a year for life, according to a July 13 news release from the Michigan Lottery.

The Eaton County man had matched the five white balls during the Jan. 20 drawing, officials said. He bought his winning ticket at ABC Liquor in Charlotte, about 20 miles southwest of Lansing.

Nowlan was given two options when claiming his winnings: $25,000 a year for 20 years or life, whichever is greater, or a one-time payment of $390,000, according to the release.

He chose the lump-sum payment, officials said, and plans to save his prize money.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

Store worker buys lottery ticket on day off. It left a whole bunch of people crying

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Fukushi Masaichi

A Japanese doctor who studied syphilis discovered an interesting treatment for the lesions caused by the disease: tattoo ink. This led him to a fascination with tattoos and then, as his appreciation deepened, to a unique collection. Fukushi Masaichi collected about 2,000 human skins with extensive tattooing and sometimes displayed them. But his collection was an unfortunate victim of World War II air raids.

Fukushi Masaichi: The good doctor

Dr. Fukushi Masaichi was born in 1878 and later studied at the Tokyo Imperial University of Medicine and in Germany. He researched syphilis and its impact on the aorta and thyroid. During his study of syphilis patients, he found that syphilis legions were less common and took on a different appearance on tattooed skin. (Some modern descriptions of his work say that tattoo ink cured the lesions, but that was not the understanding in the 1910s or today.)

As Masaichi studied more and more tattooed patients, he became a massive fan of the art form. Unsurprisingly, he preferred Japanese-style tattoos, especially the full-bodysuits common among members of the Yakuza and other gangsters.

He met many gangsters, laborers, and other tattooed patients at the Mitsui Memorial Hospital, and he started offering an odd proposition.

He asked tattooed patients if they would allow him to harvest their skin after their death and prepare it for display and study. For someone who had unfinished tattoos or partial bodysuits, he sometimes even offered to pay for their tattoos to be completed with the condition that he could harvest their skin after death.

The tattoo collection

Masaichi's collection of skins quickly made him famous in Japanese tattoo culture. Tattooed individuals found the doctor's fascination just fine, even if others have often found it offputting or scary.

He started the Tattoo League of Japan, which met in public bathhouses to share tattoos, even though Masaichi himself was not tattooed.

His collection quickly grew from the early 1910s to the 1940s, eventually reaching approximately 2,000 human skins. He used two methods of collecting the skin after death, a wet method and a dry method. In both cases, the skin was carefully removed and scraped of nerves and other tissues. Then, in the wet method, it was dipped into a chemical bath to preserve it. In the dry method, it was carefully stretched and dried.

Masaichi then displayed the tattooed skin either flat, generally in a frame, or on a mannequin in a case.

Fukushi Masaichi tattoo collection.

The collection is (mostly) destroyed

Fukushi Masaichi obviously kept the collection locally, which was fine until Japan started a war with most of the Pacific, including America. When American bombers reached Japan, air raids threatened the collection.

Unfortunately for tattoo fans, those air raids did eventually hit the collection. Only 105 skins remain, alongside thousands of photos and Masaichi's notes.

A few journalists of tattoo culture have been able to see the collection, but it resides at the University of Tokyo Museum of Medical Pathology. It is not open to the public.

Videos and photographs are available online that show some of the images.
Macron calls on Israel to increase volume of aid to Ukraine

French President Emmanuel Macron would prefer that Israel and some other democratic countries do more for Ukraine during the full-scale war with Russia.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Voice of America

Quote: "Yes, we would hope that Israel will take more part in the Ukrainian issue."

Details: This is Macrons answer to journalists' questions about whether Israel should increase aid to Ukraine.

According to the French president, there are "other UN countries that believe in democratic values, but have not provided much equipment".

Macron expressed hope that these countries will be able to change their attitude and do more in the coming months.

At the same time, the French president said that he was convinced that NATO countries should also do more for Kyiv, especially during Ukraine's counteroffensive. He also stated that he would continue to "be close" to Ukraine, even if it was a "war of attrition".

Background: Macron has said that he understands the disappointment of the Ukrainian side regarding the decisions that were made at the summit in Vilnius regarding Ukraine's path to NATO.

Earlier, it was reported that France decided to transfer missiles that will allow Ukrainian troops to land strikes in the deep rear of Russia.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
VICTORIA, British Columbia  The battle over Canadas proposed purchase of Boeing P-8 Poseidon aircraft is heating up, as the premiers of the countrys two largest provinces called for an open competition that would allow Canadian vendors to bid.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault and Ontario Premier Doug Ford issued a joint statement July 12 calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to allow Canadian firms to compete to provide the Royal Canadian Air Force with a new maritime patrol aircraft.

They were responding to the decision by Defence Minister Anita Anand to champion the purchase of the Boeing P-8A aircraft for the militarys Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) project.

The U.S. State Department on June 27 approved the Foreign Military Sale to Canada for 16 P-8A aircraft and related equipment at an estimated cost of $5.9 billion.

The Canadian military had originally planned a competition starting in 2024 to replace the Royal Canadian Air Forces CP-140 Aurora aircraft in the CMMA program. Bids were to have been submitted in 2027. Both Boeing of Seattle, with its P-8, and Bombardier of Montreal, Quebec, with its special mission Global 6500 aircraft, were interested in the business.

But in a surprise move in March, Canada requested pricing from the U.S. government for a fleet of Poseidons. Public Services and Procurement Canada, the federal contracting department, announced that the P-8 was the only aircraft that could meet Canadas needs.

That has sparked a campaign of political lobbying by Bombardier and its industry partners, which include General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada of Ottawa, Ontario.

In their joint statement Ford and Legault stated the Canadian companies deserve a chance to compete. These domestic firms should be able to compete in open, transparent tenders for important Canadian procurements, such as Canadas Multi-Mission Aircraft replacement, the premiers noted. They called on Trudeau and Anand and other ministers in the ruling Liberal government to stand up for the Ontario and Quebec aerospace and defence sectors and allow our firms to compete in an open CMMA tender.

Ontario has the largest economy in Canada, followed by Quebec. The latter is the largest of Canadas 10 provinces in area and is second only to Ontario in population.

Its an important contract and we can understand the U.S. government must put a lot of pressure on the Canadian government, but we have a Canadian company, Bombardier, having plants in Ontario and Quebec that can supply what is needed, Legault told reporters July 10 in Winnipeg where he was meeting with other premiers.

Ford also emphasized the need to buy Canadian. Right now theres a big footprint with Bombardier here in Ontario and we just want to endorse them to have a fair process, Ford said July 10. If Boeings better, then Boeing gets it. If Bombardiers better, they get it. But it has to be a fair and transparent process. I love things made in Canada.

Public Services and Procurement Canada has issued a statement pointing out that the U.S. notification did not commit Canada to the purchase of the P-8. Canada continues to assess its options, the statement noted. The final decision will be based on Canadas assessment of the offered capability, availability, pricing and benefits to Canadian industry and communities.

No details were provided on when the final decision would be made.

Boeing has been conducting its own public relations campaign to support the deal. It noted it has over 550 Canadian suppliers across the country, with 81 directly contributing to the P-8 program.

In strong collaboration with our Canadian industry P-8 partners and our extensive supply chain in-country, we appreciate the opportunity to build upon our more than 100-year relationship with Canada and grow our Canadian partnerships and investments, Ted Colbert, CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, said in a statement on May 30.

Bombardier president Eric Martel thanked the premiers for their support. This is a once-in-a-generation decision about the future of Canadas airborne surveillance, he said July 12. The federal government must do better than a sole-source contract.
Madison County coroner IDs three men who died in Greyhound bus crash on I-70

The Madison County Coroners Office released the names of the three people who died when a Greyhound bus collided with three tractor-trailers parked on the exit ramp to the Silver Lake Rest Area on westbound Interstate 70 near Highland on Wednesday.

According to Coroner Steve Nonn, they include:

Bradley D. Donovan, 47, of Springfield, Illinois

Buford Paya, 71, of Supai, Arizona

Juan E. Vasquez-Rodriguez, 34, of Passaic, New Jersey.

All three men suffered blunt trauma and were pronounced deceased at the scene, according to a news release from Nonn.

A final cause of death will be released after toxicology tests are completed.

Illinois State Police has said at least 14 others on the bus were injured. This includes the driver, according to the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1700. Authorities have not released the medical conditions or names of the injured victims.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash along with state police. Federal investigators have said they would investigate how the parked trucks contributed to the cause of the crash.

No charges have been announced in connection with this crash.
(Bloomberg) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he will hold a virtual meeting with Tesla Inc.s Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk tomorrow.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Anwar didnt provide details on the planned discussions while speaking to reporters after attending an event with the enforcement agencies Thursday.

The Star newspaper last Friday cited Anwar as saying he will meet Musk this week to discuss further investments in the Southeast Asian country.

Tesla in March said it will sell its electric cars in Malaysia to tap into the rising foreign demand for EVs in Southeast Asia. The company plans to set up an office in the country, introduce service centers and build a network of superchargers.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Four baby raccoons were trapped inside a California chimney after their mom crawled inside to give birth, video shows.

A photo taken from the roof of the Upland home shows the mama raccoon looking up at the camera from inside the chimney, according to a video San Bernardino County Fire posted on Facebook.

Fire and animal control officials worked for two hours on July 6 to safely extract the newborns from the homes fireplace, officials said in a news release.

But the mom stayed just out of a rescuers reach halfway up the chimney. So rescuers set the babies cage on the roof near the chimney, hoping the newborns chitters and cries would lure the mom out of the chimney to reunite with her babies on her own.

That didnt work, officials said. Rescuers tried again a few nights later, but the mom had moved on by that point.

The team took the babies to a wildlife rescue facility, where they will be cared for until theyre old enough to be released back into the hills near where they were born, the video says.

Mama raccoon and babies made a home in Home Depot. Colorado rescuers needed a forklift

Workers demolish an abandoned home in Utah  then they hear chirping in the rubble

Furry surprise greets officers when they search backpack for drugs, Florida cops say
A man was arrested near Bohemian Park after allegedly beating a 68-year-old woman with a metal broomstick in Arden Arcade on Wednesday, according to the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office.

Local authorities received a call of a felony assault shortly after noon, and deputies found the woman outside her apartment with injuries to her hands and back. The woman, who refused medical transport, was treated on scene for her injuries and later drove herself to a hospital, according to Sgt. Amar Gandhi, spokesperson for the Sheriffs Office.

The 21-year-old man, who sheriffs officials believe to be homeless, was riding a bike when he engaged in a verbal altercation with the victim, according to Gandhi. When the conversation escalated, the man allegedly grabbed a metal broomstick and struck the victim, who tried to block herself with her hands. When she turned to get away, she was struck several more times on the back, Gandhi said.

Deputies found the man at Bohemian Park and arrested him for assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse.

The suspect is currently held in the Sacramento County Main Jail and is ineligible for bail, the Sheriffs Office said in a news release.
A Kentucky man accused of selling human remains on Facebook was arrested on firearms charges after federal agents said they found his apartment in Mount Washington decorated with dozens of human skulls.

Federal agents said they linked James Nott, 39, to a network of individuals who allegedly bought and sold human remains stolen from Harvard Medical Schools morgue, according to the complaint. Six people were charged with trafficking human remains last month when the alleged thefts from the Harvard morgue were first revealed.

According to court documents, FBI investigators reviewed Facebook messages between Nott and Jeremy Pauley, a 40-year-old in Enola, Pennsylvania, who had been charged in the scheme earlier. The two allegedly conversed about selling body parts. Court records show Pauley has signed an agreement to plead guilty to conspiracy and interstate transport of stolen goods. The remains found in Notts home were not believed to be from the Harvard morgue, but he allegedly attempted to sell them to someone connected to the morgue case.

According to the complaint, Nott allegedly sent Pauley photos and videos of skulls he was selling publicly on Facebook, stating that these will be here soon.. not claimed yet.

yeah some of these prices are fucking garbage out there. I dont mind paying up a little for shop stock, Pauley allegedly replied. Makes things look good. How much total for the couple and the last video you sent plus the spines?

According to the federal complaint, Nott had been publicly listing human remains for sale on Facebook under the name of William Burke, an apparent reference to a serial killer in Scotland who sold his victims corpses in the early 1800s.

Authorities conducted a search of Notts apartment on Tuesday and reported finding several firearms, explosives and ammunition, as well as multiple AK-47 assault rifles that were obtained from out of state.

The building in Mount Washington, Kentucky, where James Nott rented an apartment, shown via Google Maps.

The building in Mount Washington, Kentucky, where James Nott rented an apartment, shown via Google Maps.

The complaint noted that before entering the apartment, officers asked Nott if anyone else was inside, to which he responded, Only my dead friends.

Inside the home, law enforcement found additional human remains, which included skulls, spinal cords, femurs and hip bones, according to the complaint.

Authorities described the skulls as being placed decoratively around his furniture, with one of them wrapped in a headscarf and another in the bed where Nott slept.

Nott was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. It was unclear if federal prosecutors would pursue further charges related to the buying and selling of human remains. Attorneys prosecuting Notts case did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment.

Last month, federal charges were announced against half a dozen people with connections to Cedric Lodge, 55, who was fired as Harvards morgue manager.

According to a federal complaint, Lodge and his wife, Denise Lodge, allegedly agreed to sell human skin stolen from Harvards medical school to Katrina Maclean, who operated a store called Kats Creepy Creations. Authorities said Maclean would ship the skin to Pauley to tan it into leather.

Pauley addressed the recent allegations in a long statement posted on Facebook, saying that in most states it is legal to sell and buy human remains and pushing back against shaming for collecting human remains.

Now I completely understand its not everyones cup of tea. I understand that some people dont show the respect others would like to see. But in my time I have met some of the most intelligent, wholesome, and respectful people you could meet, Pauley wrote.

Pauley stated that his collection of human body parts began as a way for him to conserve history, restoring it and appreciating the wealth of knowledge that comes with it.

There has always been a fascination with death and our own mortality dating back hundreds of centuries. Some fear it, some embrace it, some learn from it. Thats just a fact, Pauley wrote.

The Lodges have pleaded not guilty, as have Maclean and another co-defendant, Joshua Taylor, who is also accused of buying remains to resell them.

Related...
Man dies in hospital after standoff with police in Byesville

BYESVILLE  A local man is dead following a standoff with law enforcement, according to the Guernsey County Sheriff's office.

The sheriff's office and the Byesville Police Department were dispatched to a residence on North Ninth Street on Tuesday afternoon, in reference to an individual making suicidal threats.

Officers made verbal contact with the man, identified as 33-year-old Jeremiah Wise.

Negotiations between Wise and the Crisis Negotiation Team continued for several hours before Wise exited the residence. He brandished a firearm in the direction of the officers and was shot. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

The Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) was requested to investigate the fatal officer-involved shooting. BCIs investigation remains active and ongoing. Once completed, the investigation will be referred to the Guernsey County Prosecutors Office. At the conclusion of the case, the investigation will be posted to the Attorney Generals website.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Police-involved shooting: One man dead following standoff in Byesville
A man who noticed his pupils were mismatched said he ended up being diagnosed with a brain tumor behind his eye: 'I put it off for a few weeks telling myself it was nothing'

Aled Harris noticed his pupils were mismatched, and later discovered he had a tumor behind his eyes. Aled Harris

A 35-year-old teacher noticed his pupils weren't the same size, and found out he had a brain tumor.

Aled Harris told Insider he discovered the issue but ignored it for weeks, until it got worse.

When he saw a neurologist, he was sent for a scan that revealed a benign tumor behind his eye.

A man who went to the hospital to check his oddly mismatched pupils said he eventually learned he had a brain tumor.

Aled Harris, a 35-year-old British teacher based in China, noticed in May that his pupils seemed different in size, he told Insider on Wednesday evening.

"When you look in the mirror while washing your hands, it kind of just jumps out at you. One pupil being bigger than the other gives you kind of an intense look. It strikes you as weird when you first notice it," he said.

Harris started monitoring his eyes closely and found that on some days, his pupils returned to a normal size. On other days, the difference could be huge, he said.

A close-up of Harris' eyes. Aled Harris

Harris visited an eye doctor in June, who checked his eyes and told him they were normal. That day, his pupils were similarly sized, and there were no noticeable abnormalities, Harris told Insider.

"That settled my nerves for a few more weeks," Harris said. "But then my anxiety got the better of me, and I finally went to see a neurologist."

He returned to the hospital in early July. Almost immediately, the neurologist examining Harris told him to see a consultant, who in turn ordered a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. "The consultant took one look and said I needed brain scans," he said.

At that point, Harris still hoped the condition was insignificant. "Perhaps a genetic quirk I hadn't realized I have or whatever," he said.

However, the scans revealed he had a tumor behind his eye that was growing but benign  meaning it's not cancerous. "When I first saw the scans with a big old tumor, my heart just sank," he said.

The tumor was already pushing against his eye, and doctors said they had to operate soon. He's scheduled to undergo surgery this week.

Even so, Harris counts himself lucky. The tumor sits in a region of his brain that's accessible via his sinuses, and the surgeons won't have to drill through his skull to get it out, he said.

His doctors told him the tumor was serious but "not the end of the world." Chances of successful removal are high, and he'd recover quickly compared to most tumor surgeries, Harris said.

He's also relieved that he addressed the issue early and got a second opinion.

"With things like headaches, it's easy to think they're normal. When your eyes suddenly go funky, it's harder to ignore," he said.

The teacher posted photos of his eyes and a copy of his MRI scan on Tuesday on the r/oddlyterrifying subreddit, where his post got loads of attention.

Harris encourages others to get their eyes checked if they notice a similar issue, even if it's just to get some peace of mind. But he noted there might be a wide number of reasons that could explain such a phenomenon.

"I don't want to terrify anyone," he said. "There could be nothing wrong with you."

Common symptoms of brain tumors include headaches and vision changes, according to Johns Hopkins.

However, they also include seizures, difficulty thinking or speaking, personality changes, weakness on one side of the body, loss of balance, hearing loss, memory loss, and confusion or disorientation. Sometimes, brain tumors don't cause symptoms and can go unnoticed for extended periods of time.

Medical experts still aren't sure exactly why tumors form in all cases, though some risk factors include cancers spread from other parts of the body, exposure to radiation, or genetic conditions.

Read the original article on Insider
Man shot in chest in Seattles U-District dies at hospital

A man who was shot in Seattles University District Wednesday night later died at Harborview Medical Center.

It happened near the intersection of Northeast 50th Street and 12th Avenue Northeast. Officers arrived at around 9 p.m. to find a man with several gunshot wounds to his chest.

Police helped the victim until medics arrived and took him to Harborview, but he didnt survive.

A short time later as police were investigating at the scene, a man who had been shot in the leg arrived at the University of Washington Medical Center.

Investigators said the man is believed to be the shooting suspect.

We dont yet know what led up to the gunshots.

Homicide detectives will lead the investigation.

If you have information about the shooting youre asked to call the Seattle Police Department Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
Man who shot, threw wife out of vehicle back in Lincoln County jail after waiving extradition

A man accused of throwing his wife out of a vehicle after shooting her multiple times in June waived his extradition after shooting his wife several times and is back in Lincoln County jail, according to deputies.

Randall Lane Shropshire, was arrested in connection with the crime in Knoxville, Tennessee, without issue on July 1. After his extradition, he made his first court appearance on Thursday. Leandre Shropshire, Randalls wife, is still in the hospital and could get out soon.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Sheriff: Arrest made after husband shoots wife, throws her from vehicle onto side of highway

According to deputies, they received a call on June 30 about a woman being shot and pushed from a vehicle. Randall left the scene and his wife was left with gunshot wounds, a release said.

Randall received a $700,000 bond. He was charged with first-degree murder and felonious restraint.

(WATCH BELOW: Closure: Family of man killed by CMPD officer in 2019 settles lawsuit with city)
Man slits throat of assisted living worker, then tries to kidnap her grandkid, cops say

A man ambushed a 64-year-old woman while she left work and tried kidnapping her granddaughter, according to Pennsylvania police and local news reports.

The incident occurred in Blairsville, about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh, around 6 a.m. on July 12, according to a news release from the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers.

While leaving an overnight shift at an assisted living facility in Blairsville, the man attacked the woman and slit her throat from ear to ear, according to WTAE, citing police.

He then tried kidnapping the womans 9-year-old granddaughter and then fled the scene in her car, according to Crime Stoppers. The woman was taken to an area hospital.

The 35-year-old man later broke into several area businesses, including a truck store, where he stole a Ford F-250, according to Crime Stoppers.

PSP has a warrant for Michael Aaron WHITFIELD for a carjacking and burglaries that occurred in Indiana and Westmoreland counties 7/12

Any tips call PSP indiana 724-357-1960-

Crime stoppers reward $2000 pic.twitter.com/WXRaqCLiW0  Troopers Steve Limani & Cliff Greenfield (@PSPTroopAPIO) July 13, 2023

Considered armed and dangerous, the man was last seen wearing a black tank top and driving on Route 217, according to Crime Stoppers.

Police have a warrant for his arrest and are offering a reward of $2,000, public information officers for state police Troop A wrote in a statement.

A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Police in Indiana County did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on July 13.

Woman dies after rescue from rushing creek near campsite, Colorado officials say

Daughter uses dead mothers insurance policy to steal $39,000, Georgia officials say

Classical music blares into homes near California parks. Police apologize for glitch
Man tracks down and kills 3 men after dispute at Florida store, then calls 911, cops say

A simmering neighborhood argument turned into a triple murder in Florida, and it was the suspect who called 911 to report the killings, according to the Daytona Beach Police Department.

It happened around 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12, and the bodies were discovered at various locations in the neighborhood, including two left along a street, officials said.

Multiple people called 911 to report someone had been shot.

One of the callers identified himself as Jerome Anderson and Anderson stated he had shot someone, police said in a news release.

Officer Keme Okoya responded to the area and located Jerome Anderson standing in front of 613 Park Drive. Officer Okoya observed Anderson holding a cell phone in one hand and a black handgun in the other hand. Anderson was detained and placed in handcuffs.

Three victims were found in the neighborhood:

Antoine Melvin, 42, was located inside the kitchen area at 613 Park Drive, dead from gunshot wounds.

John Burch, 64, was found fatally shot directly in front of 614 Park Drive.

Patrick Lassiter, 35, was discovered wounded in the road on South Martin Luther King Boulevard and taken to Halifax Hospital where he died.

Investigators say the shootings occurred as the result of an argument that began the night before at the King Food Grocery on South Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Anderson, 38, made statements pertaining to murdering (the other men) during the course of the argument, according to an affidavit.

Surveillance video shows Lassiter had his hands in the air and was walking backwards in the road when he was shot, officials said. Anderson then fires the handgun again towards Lassiter while Lassiter is on the ground, officials said.

Anderson has been charged with three counts of first-degree premeditated murder, and possession of a weapon and ammunition by a convicted felon, officials said. He also has outstanding warrants in Volusia County for aggravated battery and tampering with a witness, police said.

Daytona Beach is about 90 miles south of Jacksonville on Floridas east coast.

Felon vanished along densely forested Florida river. Then deputies looked under boat

Massive tree crashes into Florida home, killing woman inside, first responders say

Boy was kept afloat by weeds when deputies found him stuck in Florida pond, cops say
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced Thursday afternoon that he will oppose Julie Su, President Bidens pick to head the Department of Labor, making it doubtful that she has enough votes to win confirmation.

While her credentials and qualifications are impressive, I have genuine concerns that Julie Sus more progressive background prevents her from doing this and for that reason I cannot support her nomination to serve as Secretary of Labor, Manchin announced in a statement.

Biden announced Sus nomination to serve as secretary of Labor in February, praising her as someone who spent her life fighting to make sure that everyone has a fair shot, that no community is overlooked, and that no worker is left behind.

Since then, her nomination has stalled in the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim 51-seat majority.

The lack of progress for months had fueled speculation that Su faced opposition from at least two Democratic senators.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing on Su in April.

Su, who previously served as labor secretary for the state of California, could still get confirmed as long as no other Democrat defects. Vice President Kamala Harris could break a 50-50 deadlock on the Senate floor.

But senators speculate that Su is unlikely to move forward as Manchin is probably not the only Democrat who doesnt want to vote for her.

As state labor secretary, Su helped devise and enforce a law to require independent contractors in the state to classify as W-2 employees.

Small business advocates raised concerns about her support for state-level legislation to empower government officials to set rules for wages and working conditions at independently owned franchise restaurants.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters Tuesday that hes still trying to round up enough votes to confirm her.

Shes a very good nominee, shell make a great Labor secretary and were going to do everything we can to get her passed, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Julie Su, President Joe Bidens pick to be the next Labor secretary whose nomination has been stalled for months, now faces opposition from a key Democrat: Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

With all Republicans planning to oppose her, she can only afford to lose one more member of the Senate Democratic Caucus  and several remain non-committal.

I believe the person leading the U.S. Department of Labor should have the experience to collaboratively lead both labor and industry to forge compromises acceptable to both parties, Manchin said in a statement Thursday. While her credentials and qualifications are impressive, I have genuine concerns that Julie Sus more progressive background prevents her from doing this and for that reason I cannot support her nomination to serve as Secretary of Labor.

Su, currently the Department of Labors acting secretary, first joined the Biden administration in 2021 as the deputy secretary of labor. She was confirmed to the role with the unanimous support of Democrats in the Senate and no support from Republicans.

Biden nominated Su to permanently lead the Labor Department at the end of February.

Biden continued to back Su after Manchins statement.

President Biden and his team continue fighting for Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Sus confirmation  because she is highly-qualified, experienced, and has proven herself time and time again when it comes to delivering for Americas workers and our economy, a White House official said. The Presidents support for Acting Secretary Su is unwavering, and we hope Senator Manchin and Senator Sinema reconsider their position.

While Manchin did voice his opposition to Su today, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona has yet to publicly lay out her position.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.) speaks during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

For the record:

8:26 p.m. July 13, 2023: An earlier version of this post identified Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona as a Democrat. She is an independent.



Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia said Thursday that he will oppose Julie Sus nomination for secretary of Labor, dealing a significant blow to the Californians prospects of securing confirmation.

Manchin announced his position Thursday afternoon after declining for months to commit to a vote. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) told Politico on Thursday that he would support Sus bid, while Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) have yet to state a position.

The White House suggested Thursday that Sinema is also opposed to Sus nomination. The Presidents support for Acting Secretary Su is unwavering, and we hope Senator Manchin and Senator Sinema reconsider their position, a White House official wrote in an emailed statement.

In a statement, a Sinema spokesperson said that the senator does not provide previews of her votes.

If either Sinema or Tester oppose Su, her nomination will probably die in the Senate, a setback for the influential labor figure and a setback to the White House, which has invested considerable time and resources in her bid.

Any Labor secretary should demonstrate their ability to lead both labor and industry to forge compromises acceptable to both parties, Manchin said in a statement. While her credentials and qualifications are impressive, I have genuine concerns that Julie Sus more progressive background prevents her from doing this and for that reason I cannot support her nomination to serve as secretary of Labor, he wrote.

Su, who currently serves as acting secretary of Labor, would be Bidens first Asian American Cabinet secretary. Before joining the Labor Department, she led Californias Labor and Workforce Development Agency.

In the weeks leading up to Manchins announcement, her supporters felt more optimistic about her chances. Su traveled to the West Coast and helped broker a deal between dockworkers and their employers. White House officials publicized the deal as evidence of Sus abilities, and continued to push her nomination even with no vote scheduled. The White House even assembled a war room to discuss her nomination.

But Sus record in California has caused some concern in Washington. She was a key enforcer of AB 5, a controversial gig worker law, and opponents of her nomination worried that Su would bring similar policies to the federal level  despite the fact that she said she wouldnt.

A coalition of businesses, freelancers and other workers called Stand Against Su have also funded ads opposing her.

The ads targeted Montana and West Virginia, where Manchin and Tester are up for reelection in 2024. Members of Congress have pressed Su on her California record while she continues to fill the role of Labor secretary in an acting capacity.

That is something unique to me, Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), a longtime supporter of Su, told The Times last month. Big money has come out and put up billboards in certain states to encourage those senators to think twice before voting for her.

No federal law dictates when Su would need to vacate her acting position if she fails to win confirmation. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told NBC News that if she does not have the votes, she should stay where she is.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Massive python wrestled by hunters at 1 a.m. sets Florida record. It was a fight

A record-setting Burmese python was captured in remote South Florida, heightening fears that the invasive snakes are feasting out of control on native wildlife.

The massive female was discovered around 1 a.m. on Monday, July 10, by hunters in Big Cypress National Preserve, about 45 miles west of Miami.

Interested to learn the full scope of the size of their catch, the team contacted the Conservancy of Southwest Floridas python team to collect measurements, the Naples-based conservancy said in a news release.

The results: 19 feet ... and 125 pounds, officially the longest ever documented. The longest Burmese python previously recorded in Florida was 18 feet, 9 inches.

A group of python hunters found the snake along U.S. 41 near Monroe Station, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports.

Dramatic video shared on Instagram shows the snake on multiple attempts tried to bite 22-year-old Jake Waleri as he wrestled with it in the middle of the road.

Waleri called the snake an absolute monster and says the group battled it for about three minutes before he got a grip on its head.

It was a fight, Waleri says in a video shared on YouTube. Its the only snake Ive ever seen that scared me enough that I just didnt know what to do.

The hunters donated much of the carcass to the conservancy for study. The conservancy has its own Burmese python removal team, and it holds a 2022 state record for catching the heaviest python found in Florida: 215 pounds.

Conservancy Biologist Ian Easterling says the 19-foot snake may count as the longest Burmese python on record anywhere.

We had a feeling that these snakes get this big and now we have clear evidence, Easterling said in the release.

Her genetic material may prove valuable for an eventual understanding of the founding population of South Florida. We will be collecting measurements and samples that will be distributed to our research collaborators.

The conservancy is an environmental nonprofit working to control the spread of pythons. It is credited with removing more than 30,000 pounds of python from a 150-square-mile area in southwestern Florida.

Burmese pythons are native to India, lower China, the Malay Peninsula and some islands of the East Indies, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The snakes were brought to the U.S. as part of the exotic pet trade and made their way into the wild by way of an intentional or accidental release, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports.

215-pound invasive Burmese python is heaviest to be found in Florida, biologists say

Divers catch a record 24,699 invasive lionfish in tournament off Floridas Gulf Coast

How do you catch snake twice your size? Odd how to video shared by Florida trapper
Matt Gaetz is back on the anti-Ukraine hamster wheel and floating the suggestion that Russia, not Ukraine, should be part of NATO so the organization can become an anti-China alliance

Matt Gaetz is back on the anti-Ukraine hamster wheel and floating the suggestion that Russia, not Ukraine, should be part of NATO so the organization can become an anti-China alliance

Matt Gaetz. Alex Wong via Getty Images

Matt Gaetz thinks NATO could be better off with Russia, instead of Ukraine, as a member.

"Why not extend NATO to Russia and make it an anti-China alliance?" Gaetz told Newsmax.

Gaetz recently slammed the Biden administration's decision to transfer cluster bombs to Ukraine.

GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, who's not been shy about his anti-Ukraine views, thinks NATO could be better off with Russia instead of Ukraine as a member country.

"Why would you pick Ukraine? Why not extend NATO to Russia and make it an anti-China alliance?" the Florida Republican told Newsmax on Tuesday.

"Are we really thinking that we're more afraid of the broke-down tanks from Russia than the fact that China is building a secret military base on the island of Cuba, 90 miles away from the United States?" Gaetz added.

His comments came amid an eventful NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where the alliance's member countries stopped short of extending an invitation to Ukraine to join it.

The State Department referred Insider to comments given by spokesperson Matthew Miller during his press briefings on Tuesday and Wednesday. During the press briefing on Tuesday, Miller said the alliance "has made clear that Ukraine will become a member of NATO."

"Over the past several years, Ukraine has become increasingly interoperable and politically integrated with the Alliance and has made substantial progress on its reform path," Miller said.

This is not the first time Gaetz has expressed his disapproval of US support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

On February 9, Gaetz introduced a House resolution calling on the US to "end its military and financial aid to Ukraine." The resolution also urged combatants to "reach a peace agreement."

More recently, Gaetz slammed the Biden administration's decision to transfer cluster munitions to Ukraine. The Florida Republican said in a tweet dated July 10 that he is co-sponsoring a measure to block the transfer.

"These cluster bombs will not end the war in Ukraine and will not build a more stable country," Gaetz wrote in his tweet.

And Gaetz is not the only Republican lawmaker who is against US involvement in the Ukraine war. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who supported Gaetz's resolution in February, introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would direct the "President to withdraw the US from NATO."

"They are not a reliable partner whose defense spending should be paid for by American citizens," Greene said on Tuesday while introducing her amendment.

"Western European countries could and should be stepping up their financial contributions to ensure the security of NATO. Instead, they are entirely beholden to Russia, and the US taxpayers expected to foot the bill," Greene said.

Representatives for Gaetz did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Editor's note: July 14, 2023  This story has been updated with responses from the State Department.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) plans to facilitate another transfer of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) to Hungary, RBC Ukraine reported on July 13, citing sources in Ukrainian security services.

As was the case with the previous POW hand-over, this will be conducted without cooperation with Kyiv and the captives are of Hungarian ethnic origin, the unnamed sources told the news agency.

According to the report, members of ROC talk about a visit by Hungarian officials, expected to occur on Aug. 8-11, during which the parties will discuss the issue of the next POW transfer.

Head of the ROC's external relations Anthony, Metropolitan of Volokolamsk, will represent the Russian side at the talks, RBC Ukraine wrote.

The Hungarian side reportedly does not have a specific list of prisoners, therefore, Russian security services are currently selecting 10-15 Ukrainian soldiers of "Zakarpattia origin" for the hand-over.

"The demand of the Hungarians is Hungarian ethnicity and knowledge of the Hungarian language. This demand is non-debatable - the Hungarians will not accept anyone except representatives of the Hungarian national minority in Ukraine," one of the sources told the news agency.

Hungary denies involvement in Ukrainian POW transfer, Ukraines intelligence says otherwise Hungarys Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto denied his governments involvement in the transfer of 11 Ukrainian prisoners of war from Russia to Hungary, the Index news website reported on June 20. The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

On June 8, the Russian Orthodox Church announced that it had handed over to Hungary a group of 11 Ukrainian captives of "Zakarpattia origin" at Budapest's request. Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen later confirmed the transfer.

Ukraine's westernmost Zakarpattia Oblast is home to around 150,000 ethnic Hungarians, including 400 serving in the Ukrainian army.

On June 19, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry demanded immediate consular access to the POWs. According to the ministry, they were kept in isolation without access to open sources of information and were unable to communicate with relatives without "third parties" presence. However, Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the Ukrainian POWs "can move freely in Hungary and do whatever they want."

Szijjarto also denied the involvement of the Hungarian government in organizing the transfer but Ukrainian military intelligence said they have evidence of Budapest's complicity.

On June 20, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry informed that three out of 11 POWs have been returned home, and the government continues to work to retrieve the rest of the group.
The Medical Center at Wellen Park will provide multidisciplinary medical suites for physicians, specialists and healthcare professionals with custom-designed spaces for in-office procedures and outpatient services.

NORTH PORT  CASTO Healthcare Real Estate is expected to break ground by the end of this year on a planned 75,000-square-foot medical office building just west of the U.S. 41 and River Road intersection.

CASTO, a Sarasota-based company, will both develop and manage the three-story facility.

According to a news release, The Medical Center at Wellen Park will provide multidisciplinary medical suites for physicians, specialists and healthcare professionals with custom-designed spaces for in-office procedures and outpatient services.

The office office is part of a health care-related building boom in south Sarasota County.

A third-generation family-owned company, CASTO was founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1926 and has had a residential and commercial real estate presence in Florida since 1995.

It branched into the medical office field five years ago.

In addition to the new facility, CASTO is leasing Class A medical office space at two other locations in the region  Center Point Medical Center in University Park, and Pinebrook Medical Office in Venice.

Access to quality healthcare close to home is essential for the good health and wellness of our residents, Rick Severance, president of Mattamy Homes Wellen Park Division, said in the same statement. Were pleased to partner with CASTO in meeting the future medical needs of our growing community and region.

By attracting local physicians and medical professionals who have visiting privileges at our nearby hospitals, the medical center adds another layer of comprehensive healthcare. It enhances the choices available to patients in office or at a nearby local hospital with minimal travel time.

The Medical Center at Wellen Park will offer office spaces ranging from 1,500 to 25,000 square feet and 409 dedicated parking spaces.

With an estimated build time of 12 to 18 months, the medical center could open in early to mid-2025.

Aaron Ruben, executive vice president of CASTOs southeast operations and the leasing agent for the Wellen Park center, said in a prepared statement that Wellen Prak offers a great location for medical professionals and the communitys growth will appeal to doctors seeking to establish or expand a successful practice.

As a Class A medical facility, the building will be state-of-the-art and dedicated solely for healthcare professionals. Each medical office will be tailored to meet the needs of the practice, he added.

CASTOs two other medical office buildings are both close to regional hospitals. Center Point Medical is near Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and Pinebrook Medical is near Sarasota Memorial Hospitals Venice campus.

According to the company web site, CASTO has partnered with Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, its parent company Universal Health Services; Fresenius Kidney Care; BioSpine Institute; Regional Diagnostic Radiology; and Manatee Physicians Alliance; among others.

While North Port does not yet have a hospital, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is in a due diligence phase of plans to build an acute care hospital on 32 acres it owns off of the Sumter Boulevard Exit off of Interstate 75.

SMH also owns a 27.8-acre site at the southwest corner of U.S. 41 and West Villages Parkway near the State College of Florida Venice campus and operates a free-standing emergency room at Bobcat Village off of Toledo Blade Boulevard.

HCA Florida Healthcare opened a medical office in the West Villages Shopping Center last April and HCA Florida Englewood Hospital closed on the purchase of almost 30 acres in Wellen Park in May and plans to open a free-standing emergency room.

Hospital officials hinted that it could expand that to a hospital as well.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: More medical offices planned for Wellen Park area of North Port
Mental health services for children and teens continue to be a pressing need in New Hampshire in the wake of the pandemic, according to providers and advocates who spoke at a roundtable in Manchester Monday.

Depression and anxiety among youth rose during the pandemic, and services have struggled to keep up.

We have some young adults here that have spent their entire high school in this traumatic situation  addiction crisis, layered with COVID, layered with mental health, said Mary Forsythe-Taber, the executive director of Makin It Happen, a youth-focused organization in the greater Manchester area.

Sen. Maggie Hassan and Loreley Godfrey, a Portsmouth resident and advocate, during a roundtable discussion on youth mental health Monday in Manchester.

The speakers  who included advocates, representatives of mental health providers and the head of the states behavioral health division  described various ways theyre trying to meet that need, supported by recent infusions of federal funding.

More: Teens tell their truth about social media and mental health. 'I always have my phone.'

That includes planned investments in community mental health, efforts to better integrate mental health services in schools and a new University of New Hampshire graduate program that aims to train school social workers.

But high demand and shortages of staff continue to leave some families waiting months for services. The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester is booking some intakes six months out and has about 350 families on the waitlist, according to Director of Child and Adolescent Services Jeanna Still.

A lot of people are deterred by the very lengthy waits, she said in an interview after the event. And they think, Well, six months, I can't wait that long. 

But, she said, there are ways to get in the door faster  and families should still reach out for help. The center offers first-come, first-serve intakes at certain times on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It also has clinicians in local schools. For kids with the most urgent needs, staff can quickly connect them with Hampstead Hospital or other services.

We have relationships that allow our most vulnerable populations in the community to have immediate access, she said.

Sen. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat, organized Mondays event.

When I travel around New Hampshire, [mental health] is one of the first things, if not the first thing, almost everybody wants to talk to me about  regardless of where they're from in the state, what community they live in, what kind of work they do, whether they have family members with mental illness or not, she said.

Loreley Godfrey said schools could do more to educate students about mental health and make sure they know what resources are available. The 18-year-old Portsmouth resident began advocating on the issue after a friend of hers had a panic attack in her car.

I had to pull over and I did not know how to help her, she said. I was looking up on my phone, you know, how to help someone with a panic attack. Because I had never learned that essential skill of taking care of someone who was going through a mental health crisis.

Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis in New Hampshire can call or text 833-710-6477 for the states mobile crisis services or 988 for the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. These articles are being shared by partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information visit collaborativenh.org.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH youth mental health needs remain a challenge to meet
SANDUSKY, Ohio  A Michigan woman who was seriously injured when she was struck in the head by a metal bracket that flew off a roller coaster at an Ohio amusement park is suing the park for negligence.

Rachel Hawes filed the lawsuit against Cedar Point amusement park Wednesday, nearly two years after the piece of metal flew off the Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster  at the time, the world's second-tallest coaster at more than 400 feet high  while she was waiting in line to ride it, landing her in intensive care.

The lawsuit says she suffered permanent, disabling personal injuries, including skull fractures and traumatic brain injury when the metal plate detached from a train car and struck her head on Aug. 15, 2021. She and her father, who was waiting with her in line, and her husband are plaintiffs in the suit that identifies roughly $13.2 million in losses and medical costs.

The suit comes after a state investigation found last year there was no evidence that Cedar Point acted illegally or had reason to believe the ride was unsafe.

Amusement park ride injuries are relatively rare  and from flying metal likely exceedingly so  at only 1 in more than 15 million rides, according to industry estimates. But they can be especially severe, given high speeds and thrilling heights like those on the Cedar Point coaster, which hasn't reopened since Hawes was injured.

PREVIOUSLY: Woman 'fighting for her life' after being struck in the head by falling roller coaster piece

Metal bracket flies off train of Top Thrill Dragster

A photo of the metal proximity flag that struck Rachel Hawes in the head. Hawes filed a lawsuit against Cedar Point two years after the incident.

Hawes was waiting in line to ride the Top Thrill Dragster with her father when the metal plate dislodged from a train and struck her in the head.

The object was an "L-shaped" bracket roughly the size of a man's hand that had been attached to the back of a train car, state investigators said.

Bolts had secured the bracket in place, hovering just over the track as the train zoomed along. A series of sensors monitoring the coaster showed it reached 120 mph in 3.8 seconds and shot up the ride's 420-foot climb for a ride that lasted less than 20 seconds, David Miran, the Ohio Department of Agriculture's chief of amusement rides, told the Akron Beacon Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.

During its descent, the bracket hit the coaster's track and came off, Miran said.

An investigation by the ODA found that half of the bolts that secured the bracket to the train body had also dislodged.

David Miran, ODA chief of amusement rides, said Top Thrill Dragster's green train, as seen in this file photo, lost an "L-shaped" bracket on the back of the train car during an Aug. 15, 2021, ride. [Karen Schiely/Beacon Journal file photo]

Head injuries, quality of life concerns

Bodycam footage from first responders depicts a confusing and frantic scene as rescuers and people nearby began to realize what happened and the extent of Hawes' injuries. A summer trip to the amusement park turned terrifying, tragic and life-altering.

Before Hawes' trip to Cedar Point in 2021, she was enrolled in graduate school to become an educator. All changed following her injuries, the lawsuit says.

She suffered a traumatic brain injury, bleeding and brain swelling, according to the complaint. Hawes was also treated for a right-side open skull fracture with a cerebral laceration, contusions and loss of consciousness that exceeded 24 hours, according to the lawsuit.

She was rendered "permanently disabled," no longer able to reach potential earning capacity  more than $1.2 million, according to the suit. Her medical costs soared to more than $2 million.

Attorneys for Hawes and her family members didn't immediately respond to a message from USA TODAY Friday seeking more details. The lawsuits said her future medical care and daily living assistance could cost an additional $10 million.

Dangerous mishaps at amusement parks this summer

Amusement parks and carnivals across the country have reported several dangerous mishaps so far this season.

A North Carolina roller coaster was shut down June 30 after video filmed at Carowinds amusement park showed a large crack on a steel support pillar that moved out of place as the ride operated.

Earlier this month, fairgoers in Crandon, Wisconsin, were left stuck upside down on a ride for hours after a malfunction with the coaster.

And in Georgia, in another amusement park accident over the July 4th holiday weekend, a 5-year-old boy plunged 20 feet from a waterslide.

How often are people injured on amusement park rides?

In 2021, there were an estimated 1,224 injuries on amusement park rides in the U.S. and Canada, according to data from 238 parks collected by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Of those injuries, about 383 were on roller coasters.

"The chance of being seriously injured on a fixed-site ride at a U.S. amusement park is 1 in 15.5 million rides taken," the IAAPA says.

North Carolina coaster closes: Video shows crack on support pillar at Carowinds

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Woman injured by Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster in Ohio files suit
FILE PHOTO: Outgoing Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum registers as a candidate to pursue the ruling MORENA party's candidacy, in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum holds a 10 percentage point lead in voter preferences in the contest to be the Mexican ruling party candidate for the 2024 presidential election, an opinion poll showed on Thursday.

According to the June 30-July 4 survey by polling firm Parametria, the ruling National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) has a big lead over the opposition in the run-up to next June's election, suggesting its candidate is favorite to win.

Sheinbaum and former Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard are the top contenders for the candidacy, which MORENA is due to announce on Sept. 6 after national polling to pick a winner.

The Parametria poll showed that among the general public, Sheinbaum had 30% support, while Ebrard had 20%. Their four other competitors had 30% between them, and the remaining fifth of respondents backed no one or expressed no opinion.

The survey was based on 800 face-to-face interviews, and had a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3.5 percentage points, Parametria said.

Support for MORENA has been buttressed by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's personal popularity. He cannot run again because Mexican presidents are by law restricted to a single six-year term.

The poll showed that once voters expressing no preference are factored out, MORENA had 58% support, with two allied parties receiving a further 6% in total.

By contrast, combined backing for three opposition parties ranging from the center-left to the center-right that aim to field a joint candidate in 2024 stood at just 26%.

The poll showed that Sheinbaum and Ebrard were comfortably the most popular of the presidential contenders. The balance of positive opinion for Sheinbaum was 66%, and for Ebrard 51%. The opposition hopefuls featured all had negative balances.

Ebrard was the best known contender, recognized by 69% of respondents, while Sheinbaum was familiar to 62%.

Parametria data showed that in a head-to-head contest, Ebrard led Sheinbaum as recently as last August-September. Since then, however, Sheinbaum has moved ahead and now has an advantage of around 18 percentage points.

Still, a separate daily tracking poll by polling firm Consulta Mitofsky has shown Ebrard recently gaining ground on Sheinbaum. On June 30, Sheinbaum was 10.5 percentage points ahead of Ebrard. By July 12, that gap had closed to 8.1 points.

(Reporting by Dave Graham; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Miami gets yet another chance to save its ancient past. Will we blow it again? | Opinion

Miami, as anyone who has lived here for a while can tell you, is not exactly known for valuing its history.

The opposite, really: This is a community far too quick to jettison the old for the new, even when that attitude damages the very things that make South Florida unique  and make it a draw for the tourists we depend on for our economic survival.

Now, though, the city has taken a step to preserve a recently uncovered piece of its most ancient history, part of a prehistoric settlement on the banks of the Miami River. Thats welcome news. There are many more details to nail down and considerations for the developer to be debated. But maybe its a sign that were starting to care, at least a little, about our heritage. Perhaps it is even  dare we hope?  the mark of a maturing city.

Were talking about the unanimous decision this week by the citys historic preservation board to approve temporary protection for a portion of a prehistoric settlement in the Brickell neighborhood of Miami. The property at 444 Brickell Ave. is part of a larger chunk of land on the river that the Related Group is planning to redevelop. The preservation boards decision means no more demolition or building permits on the smaller piece of property for at least six months, and its a step toward final designation as a legally protected archaeological site. Independent archaeologists have said it is one of the most significant prehistoric sites in South Florida.

We have known for decades, of course, that the land at the mouth of the river and along its edges was special. Previous redevelopment projects in that area have uncovered evidence of a Tequesta Indian settlement that goes back thousands of years and stretched along both sides of the river.

Historic landmark

The Miami Circle was uncovered first, in 1998, and is now a national historic landmark. Its owned by the state, purchased for $27 million to save it from development. As we spelled out in our editorial series last year, Broken Promises, however, it is treated with classic Miami disrespect as more of an unofficial dog park than a precious piece of our cultural legacy.

Other, subsequent archaeological discoveries have resulted in piecemeal preservation at best. One such discovery, in 2014, wound up with a negotiated deal that has been a deep disappointment. Developers of a project on the river in downtown Miami  Met Square  agreed to save circular post-hole foundations and display artifacts found of their site. The Met Square project has been built, but litigation continues. The builder, MDM, insists it is preserving what it promised. But the reality, nine years after the announcement of a history-making preservation deal, has fallen far short of expectations.

Miami has another chance to overcome its long-held disdain for the past with this latest site, and this time we can do better. The developer seems to have followed all requirements once the initial discoveries were made. But theres big money involved. Related bought the parcel for $104 million in 2013, property records indicate, with a $164 million construction loan in January for the first tower, the Herald has reported. There are expectations and rights that go with that.

Theres another viewpoint, though, without a price tag. Members of some Native American groups, who supported the move by the preservation board, want to see all excavation at the site stopped, calling it a desecration of indigenous peoples resting places. Thats not about money. Its about honoring our shared past.

Where Miami goes from here will shape its future. We will need creative methods, good faith and extraordinary cooperation to preserve our past, in this particular instance and others yet to come. For too long, we have allowed our leaders to dismiss our past as unimportant.

In this moment, we have a chance to choose a different path.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said her office will take over the state prosecution and pursue murder charges against Rashad Maleek Trice, the man accused in the kidnapping and death of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith.

Trice faces kidnapping and sexual assault charges, among others, across multiple local jurisdictions in connection to the death of Wynter Cole-Smith and assault of her mother last week.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel

"The department has begun the process of reviewing police reports for potential murder charges," Nessel's office said in a statement Thursday.

Nessel said she is working with Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido, and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, to review current charges against Trice, which will be reissued by her office.

A booking photo taken of Rashad Maleek Trice by the Ingham County Sheriff's Office. Trice has been charged with kidnapping slain 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith.

This is a tragic case, and by consolidating the prosecution into one venue, we are recognizing the hardship the surviving victim and family continue to face, Nessel said in a statement.

Authorities say Wynter was taken from her home by Trice and discovered deceased in a Detroit alley on July 5, ending a three-day search involving multiple law enforcement agencies from Lansing to Detroit.

Trice allegedly assaulted and stabbed his former girlfriend, kidnapped her daughter, Wynter, and then stole her mothers car to flee. Federal authorities have said they believe Trice killed the toddler, possibly with a phone charging cord, and left her body in Detroit before his capture in St. Clair Shores.

A flyer is handed out to community members who attend the vigil in memory of Wynter Cole-Smith on Friday, July 7, 2023, on Erwin Avenue near the body of the 2-year-old Lansing toddler was found in Detroit.

Nessel's office said the single prosecution on state charges would help "minimize the traumatizing effect that multiple trials and obligations to testify would necessitate on witnesses, surviving victims, and all loved ones of Cole-Smith and her mother." In their own statements, top prosecutors in Macomb, Ingham and Wayne counties said they agreed with the statewide strategy.

More: Nessel expected to file murder charges in Wynter Cole-Smith death, attorneys tell judge

Earlier Thursday, Ingham County prosecutor and an attorney for the man charged with kidnapping a Lansing toddler that sparked a statewide search told a judge a murder charge likely will be filed by the state Attorney Generals office.

In total, Trice faces charges in three jurisdictions  eight including assault with intent to murder in Ingham County, as well as eight others in Macomb County and two charges including kidnapping filed by federal prosecutors.

No plea was entered by Trice at his hearing on the charges in Lansing Thursday.

"We would like to leave the preliminary exam on at this point," Ingham County Public Defender Keith Watson, who is representing Trice, told Simmons. "However, Mr. Trice is prepared to waive his right to conduct a preliminary examination within 21 days considering the extensive amount of discovery in the case, and considering the fact that there appears to be some machinations relating to the Attorney General's office."

More: Suspect in slain toddler's disappearance accused of striking a child last year

Trice is accused of stabbing and sexually assaulting Wynter's mother, with whom he had a previous relationship, the night of July 2 at her Lansing residence, before kidnapping Wynter, leaving her 1-year-old brother behind, and fleeing in a car police said he stole. Trice was arrested July 3 in St. Clair Shores after a police chase in which he crashed into an officer's car. Wynter was not with him; her body was located days later near Coleman A. Young International Airport in Detroit.

On Tuesday, Trice appeared with his court-appointed attorneys in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids for a preliminary hearing on federal charges of kidnapping a minor and kidnapping resulting in death.

More: Suspect charged in kidnapping of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith

U.S. Magistrate Judge Ray Kent expressed some skepticism on whether there was enough evidence for the federal government to prosecute Trice, but ultimately ordered the case to a grand jury. The grand jury, which could convene in the next three weeks, according to prosecutors, will determine if there is sufficient evidence to send Trice to a full jury trial.

"The facts provide plenty of evidence to establish probable cause," Kent said, before binding Trice over.

Trice is being held at the Newaygo County Jail.

Detroit Free Press reporter Arpan Lobo and Lansing State-Journal reporter Krystal Nurse contributed to this story.

Contact Matthew Dolan: 313-223-4743 or msdolan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @matthewsdolan

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Man accused of Wynter Cole-Smith's death could face murder charges
Michigans secretary of state told CNN on Wednesday that she was interviewed in March by federal prosecutors investigating efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) told CNNs Kaitlin Collins on The Source on Wednesday that she was interviewed for several hours by special counsel Jack Smiths team in March. While she did not answer questions about specific details, she said the prosecutors were focused on the impact of the misinformation on our lives and the threats that emerged from from various sources.

Myself and the election officials who have  at request or simply because we have a story tell have been speaking to authorities, I think its really a reflection of our desire to ensure that the law is followed, and where theres evidence of wrongdoing, theres justice that is served, she said.

CNN noted that Bensons comments confirmed its earlier reporting on the interview.

Benson declined to confirm whether Smith was present for her interview or if she was asked about former President Trump. When asked if she would testify to a grand jury, she said that she is willing to speak with anyone about what we endured.

Its tricky, because these are ongoing investigations, and none of us want to compromise the very seriousness with which this effort is proceeding, she said. But I think its important for the American public to know that what occurred in 2020 was really detrimental to who we are as Americans, and its important that there be justice and accountability for what occurred.

And I have confidence that our federal prosecutors are looking carefully at the law without bias or favor and ensuring that the law is enforced and that theres accountability where violations occurred, she added.

Bensons confirmation that she spoke to federal prosecutors in connection to the 2020 election probe comes just a week after former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers (R) revealed he was interviewed by the FBI for the probe.

A spokesperson for Smiths office declined to comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Microsoft sign in Los Angeles, California.

China-based hackers have gained access to the email accounts of around 25 organisations, including government agencies, Microsoft says.

The software giant has not provided details of where the government agencies are based.

However, the US Department of Commerce has confirmed to the BBC that Microsoft notified it about the attack.

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo was among the individuals impacted by the breach, according to reports.

"Microsoft notified the Department of a compromise to Microsoft's Office 365 system, and the Department took immediate action to respond," a US Department of Commerce spokesperson told the BBC.

"We are monitoring our systems and will respond promptly should any further activity be detected," they added.

US media reported that the State Department had also been targeted by the hackers.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a BBC request for comment.

China's embassy in London told the Reuters news agency that the accusation was "disinformation" and called the US government "the world's biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief."

Microsoft said the China-based hacking group - which it refers to as Storm-0558 - had accessed email accounts by forging digital authentication tokens required by the system. The tokens are typically used to verify a person's identity.

"Storm-0558 primarily targets government agencies in Western Europe and focuses on espionage, data theft, and credential access," the firm said.

The company said its investigations found that the breaches began in the middle of May and that it has now "mitigated the attack and have contacted impacted customers."

"We added substantial automated detections for known indicators of compromise associated with this attack... and we have found no evidence of further access," it added.

In May, Microsoft and Western spy agencies said Chinese hackers had used "stealthy" malware to attack critical infrastructure on American military bases in Guam.

Experts said it was one of the largest known cyber espionage campaigns against the US.

A key US military outpost, Guam's ports and air bases would be crucial to any Western response to a conflict in Asia.

Beijing called the Microsoft report "highly unprofessional" and "disinformation".

China routinely denies involvement in hacking operations regardless of the available evidence or context.
ALBANY, N.Y.  A mid-level appellate court sided Thursday with Democrats in their quest to take another crack at gerrymandering New Yorks congressional district lines.

A judicial panel said a redistricting process that would ultimately end up in the Democratic-dominated Legislature can start from scratch. This would result in new maps being drawn in time for the 2024 elections.

But the case is expected to be appealed to the Court of Appeals, the states top court, which will ultimately decide the issue. That looming decision will potentially reshape the political calculus in the congressional elections in New York, which has emerged as one of the countrys top battlegrounds.

Former Rep. John Faso, who has helped organize Republican efforts around redistricting in recent years, confirmed the ruling will be challenged.

"We remain confident the Court of Appeals will uphold the decision in Harkenrider v. Hochul - that the fair lines established by the District Court will be maintained and will preserve the New York Constitution's prohibition against mid-decade redistricting," he said in a statement.

The state judiciary threw out lines Democrats drew in 2022 that would have given the party clear advantages in 22 of New Yorks 26 congressional seats. Then, court-drawn maps and strong Republican turnout resulted in last year's midterm elections where Democrats won only 15 of the 26 seats.

The Democratic maps were tossed when the courts concluded that lawmakers did not take the proper steps before drawing the lines themselves. A new Independent Redistricting Commission was supposed to come up with two draft plans before the state Legislature could pick up the mapmaking pen, but they never met again after releasing one draft plan and a Steuben County judge took over the process.

Democrats had argued that the maps drawn by that judge should only have been used for the 2022 elections. A lawsuit brought by allies of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee called for the process to start from scratch before next years vote.

Three of the five judges who heard the case before the Third Judicial Departments appellate division agreed.

The right to participate in the democratic process is the most essential right in our system of governance, the judges wrote in a decision handed down on Thursday morning. The procedures governing the redistricting process, all too easily abused by those who would seek to minimize the voters' voice and entrench themselves in the seats of power, must be guarded as jealously as the right to vote itself; in granting this petition, we return the matter to its constitutional design.

The judges ordered the IRC to reconvene and start drafting new plans.

Should that process move forward, Democrats would be able to vote on the maps early next year and potentially approve their own next February.

Still, its been clear from the moment the case was first brought that the ultimate decision would ultimately rest with the Court of Appeals. Republicans did not immediately have comment on the decision on Thursday, but both sides have long expected the case to reach the next level.
Milan Kundera had the questionable good fortune to live through what seemed like the historic victory of his defence of the individual against the state  only to see his lifes work become shockingly relevant again before his death on Tuesday aged 94. That Kundera, the most widely read of the second generation of Soviet bloc dissident writers, never won the Nobel Prize for Literature is a stain on an award that has dwindled into irrelevance. It also hints at why Kunderas work will continue to be read.

The reasons for the Nobel Committees snub, which occurred at the height of the awards geopolitical if not literary significance, are not hard to fathom. Most obviously, Kundera was never particularly interested in or engaged by politics. Instead, his work was a passionate defence of the right to pursue ones own individual desires and lusts against bureaucratic maniacs of whatever stripe who wished to colonise individual experience on behalf of the state. To his critics on both the Right and the Left, Kunderas stance was borderline immoral, not to mention hopelessly bourgeois. While the Left preferred Che and the Right preferred Solzhenitsyn, Kundera insisted on the human right to be left alone.

As alienating as Cold War ideologues found Kunderas bourgeois anti-politics, there were also plenty of writers and critics who objected to the qualities of his prose. The intense musicality of his sentences could seem like an artefact of a romantic moment that had passed. His world-class talent for aphorisms could seem similarly dated, a parlour trick that impressed college students on their junior year abroad: there is no perfection only life (The Unbearable Lightness of Being); to laugh is to live profoundly (The Book of Laughter and Forgetting). He objectified women, in a way that grew increasingly detached from dominant Anglo-Saxon sensibilities. Surely the world had better things to do with its time than to vicariously wallow in the lusts of yet another ageing male writer.

Kundera never saw himself as a political man, as a moralist, a liberal, a conservative, or as an author of texts whose highest destiny was to become movie scripts. He was, quite simply, a novelist. For him, the novel was the highest form of aesthetic endeavour, a kind of anti-scripture representing the sensibility of the individual, containing an outlook, a wisdom, a position; a position that would rule out identification with any politics, any religion, any ideology, any moral doctrine, any group. The faith he placed in the novel as a compass that can be used to negotiate lifes big questions can seem hopelessly antiquated. Yet if you dont believe that, why bother to write one?

In choosing to write his later books in French, Kundera pulled off the near-miraculous feat of being expressive in a second or third language at a world-class level, putting him in the company of Vladimir Nabokov. The French returned the favour, honouring Kundera, protecting his privacy, and appreciating his uncompromising defence of the individual aesthetic at a point in history when other Western literary cultures had ceased to take novels quite so seriously. We already had novels with a thesis, wrote his friend and admirer, the French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy. We had so-called committed novels in which at least one character served as spokesman for the convictions of the author. Kunderas response was that a conviction is not novelistic, that it cannot shed the awkwardness (or worse, the vulgarity) of concepts rendered in images unless it is immediately relativized, broken, put on hold.

It is both fitting and also a bit frightening that Kunderas breakthrough novel, The Joke, published in 1967 in Czech, may be his most accessible  and might have a hard time getting published today in London or New York. The novel tells the story of a Prague university student named Ludvik, whose life is destroyed by a single, ill-timed joke poking fun at the progressive politics of a pretty female classmate who ignored him. When Ludvik returns to school after vacation, he is summoned before the schools humourless ideological commissars who insist that his words were offensive. When none of his fellow students dares to speak up on his behalf, he is expelled from school.

Sound familiar? Of course it does. And with decades of communist cancel culture under his belt, Kundera can tell us what happens next. Injured and embittered, Ludvik is exiled from the class of successful young urbanites and spends the subsequent decades of his life nursing a furious grudge against those who wronged him, and plotting his revenge.

Harbouring a special contempt for a state official named Zemanek, who actively pushed for Ludviks expulsion from university, he returns to Prague and strikes up an affair with Zemaneks wife. But their tryst fails to yield the compensation that Ludvik hoped for. Instead, it ends with an affable encounter with Zemanek, who appears to have no recollection of their shared history. Ludvik concludes that holding on to bitterness towards the past is futile, and that he must reconcile himself to the idea that he will never right the wrongs he has suffered.

The idea that the act of forgetting binds together both perpetrators and victims in the common pursuit of survival is at once deeply humanistic and at the same time deeply unsatisfying to moralists who prefer heroes who win out and villains who receive a timely come-uppance. But such endings made little sense to people in places such as Czechoslovakia, for whom learning to live with injustice and defeat was a geographical requirement. Kundera followed The Joke with Life is Elsewhere, a brilliant though largely overlooked satirical novel that posited a different type of forgetting through the story of a poet named Jaromil, who escapes his surroundings by devoting himself to poetry.

The twinned necessities and dangers of memory and forgetting would occupy Kundera for the rest of his life. The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, published in 1977, was a recognisable masterwork of dissident literature, addressing the forced forgetting of the communist state through seven interlocking stories that brought together historical-political and personal narratives of forgetting in a modernist style with touches of magical realism. What made the book really sing, however, was the combination of these hallmarks of serious world lit with hot, entirely un-Soviet sex scenes, including a long-term menage a trois and a concluding orgy, which announced the primacy of individual desire over politics in a way that shocked Puritans of both the Right and the Left.

Kundera deepened his exploration of forgetting to Tolstoyan depths in The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Published in 1984 in French and set during the 1968 Prague Spring, a philandering surgeon named Tomas is stuck in a love triangle with his wife, Tereza, a dissident photojournalist, and his favourite mistress, a painter named Sabina. Tereza is heavy; Sabina is light, finding release in sex and in the act of betrayal. Sickened by the tightening political noose, the dangers facing Tereza, and the meaningless of his existence, Tomas escapes with her and their dog Karenin to Zurich. When the homesick Tereza leaves Tomas and returns to Prague with Karenin, Tomas is heartbroken, and follows them back home, where they are blacklisted. Moving to the countryside, Tomas abandons both his work and his womanising, and finds love with Tereza. In a touching scene that prefigures the novels end, Karenin develops cancer and dies on the operating table, while smiling at her owners attempts to save her life.

What was perhaps most shocking to sophisticated readers after the postmodernist playfulness of The Book of Laughter and Forgetting was Kunderas determination in The Unbearable Lightness of Being to tell a Tolstoyan-existentialist love story without reference to either God or politics. In fact, our lives do have meaning, Kundera insisted, if we choose to make it so. For some, Kunderas erotic philosophy was compelling. For others, it was a retrograde abandonment of both art and life. Clearly, Kundera himself was compelled by both Tereza and Sabina, which is what gave the novel its force.

There are readers and critics who acclaimed Kunderas Nineties novels, beginning with Immortality, ostensibly the conclusion of a trilogy composed of his prior two novels, and Slowness, as masterworks. I am not among them. I find them bloated, pompous and self-indulgent. In some sense, I understand Kunderas genius to have itself become a victim of history. Once the Eastern Bloc crumbled, the author unavoidably lost touch with the driving necessity of making human sense out of the cruel illogic of totalitarian systems of control, which had been replaced by an everlasting peace made out of bourgeois liberal individualism and oodles of Nutella.

Alas. The paradise that staunched Kunderas art has proved to be as illusory as the acts of remembering and forgetting can be in his fiction. Luckily, we have Kunderas masterworks as guides to the new-old world in which the people of the West increasingly find themselves embracing the unfreedoms of the East, in what is surely one of historys greatest jokes  a joke that Kundera the novelist would have greeted with liberating irony.
Modi was greeted by French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne at Orly airport outside Paris (Bertrand GUAY)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to France on Thursday focused on defence ties as the EU parliament urged his country to do more to protect ethnic and religious minorities.

Greeted by his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne at Orly airport outside Paris, Modi stepped off his official plane to military honours around midday ahead of two days of meetings.

Despite differences over the war in Ukraine and tensions over human rights in India, Western democracies are courting Modi and the world's most populous country as a counterweight to China in Asia.

"India is one of the pillars of our Indo-Pacific strategy," an aide to Macron told reporters this week on condition of anonymity.

French President Macron invited Modi to be guest of honour at the country's annual Bastille Day military Parade on Friday and will treat him to a sumptuous dinner at the Louvre museum in the evening.

In a sign of deepening defence ties, the Indian leader is reportedly set to unveil the purchase of another 26 French-made Rafale fighter jets, as well as a deal for three Scorpene-class submarines.

But amid the pomp and diplomatic courting, a resolution from the European parliament on Thursday served as a reminder of the Hindu nationalist's controversial leadership style and domestic agenda.

Sitting in Strasbourg in eastern France, EU parliamentarians approved a motion that urged India to end violence in the country's restive northeastern Manipur state and protect minorities there.

Clashes between the majority Meitei, who are mostly Hindus, and the mainly Christian Kuki tribe have left at least 120 people dead, 50,000 displaced and over 1,700 houses destroyed, the parliament said.

It criticised the "nationalistic rhetoric" of the local state government, run by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Modi's role during Bastille Day in France was "an affront not only to India's minority communities, journalists and human rights defenders, but also to India as a democracy," the text's chief negotiator, Pierre Larrouturou, said.

Organisers of a protest against Modi in central Paris on Thursday are set to produce a giant head representing Modi declaring "I hate democracy".

- Rights concerns -

Modi has visited France four times since Macron came to power in 2017, while Macron was honoured with a state visit to New Delhi in 2018.

Aides on both sides have talked up the personal chemistry between the two leaders and pointed to cooperation on climate change, space technology and nuclear power as part of a 25-year-old "strategic partnership" between France and India.

Modi told French newspaper Les Echos that bilateral trade had doubled in the last nine years and Macron's "thinking really matches ours".

India and France "are naturally compatible" and "we see France as one of our foremost global partners," Modi added.

India is one of the biggest buyers of French arms, with Modi announcing a landmark deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets during a trip to Paris in 2015 that was worth around 4.0 billion euros at the time.

Few observers expect Macron to raise rights concerns with Modi publicly.

"The fact that explains France's relative success in this relationship is that unlike the US, the UK, Canada, Germany and a few other European countries, you've hardly seen France commenting on the internal affairs of India," Constantino Xavier from the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, a New Delhi-based think tank, said this week.

"That has been appreciated on the Indian side."

- Balancing game -

Modi has been dogged by allegations he was complicit in religious violence during his tenure as chief minister of the western state of Gujarat in 2002 when around 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in sectarian riots.

Indian government and judicial probes have cleared him of culpability.

Since his first crushing electoral victory in 2014, he has also been denounced by rights groups for increased discrimination and violence towards the country's Muslims, as well as stifling independent media.

But India's clout is growing internationally, with its swelling middle classes helping turn the country into the fifth-biggest economy in the world.

Many European and American businesses, including US tech giant Apple, are ramping up production there to mitigate the threat of supply chain disruptions from China.

The war in Ukraine has heightened concerns in the West about the risk of conflicts disrupting the flow of key raw materials and technology from China, but it has also exposed a rift with India.

New Delhi, which has long sought to balance its ties with Moscow and the West, has declined to condemn Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and has emerged as a top buyer of discounted Russian oil during the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II.

apz-adp/tgb/gw
According to Reznikov, the meetings in Vilnius were productive

Based on the results of the July 11-12 NATO summit in Vilnius, Ukraine will receive more than EUR 1.5 billion ($1.68 billion) in security assistance from its partners, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in a Twitter post on July 13.

This aid comprises at least seven packages, including SCALP cruise missiles, Leopard tanks, additional Patriot air defense systems, and F-16 pilot training.

Read also: G7 leaders officially announce security guarantees package for Ukraine

 In particular, Germany is slated to provide a military assistance package worth EUR 700 million. The minister provided the following breakdown of Berlins assistance:

25 Leopard 1A5 tanks;

 40 Marder IFVs;

 Two Patriot AA batteries;

 20,000 155mm artillery shells;

 5,000 smoke charges.

Norway will supply military assistance, featuring 1,000 Black Hornet micro-drones and two fire control centers and launchers for NASAMS air defense systems. Norway's military aid budget to Ukraine has also been elevated from $240 million to $930 million.

The UK will transfer over 70 combat vehicles, thousands of rounds of tank ammunition, and a $64.7 million batch of spare parts.

Read also: Norway to provide 1,000 more Black Hornet microdrones to Ukraine, more NASAMS air defenses

France will contribute long-range SCALP cruise missiles and additional engineering equipment for mine clearance.

An agreement has been established with the Netherlands for the training of Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet pilots, along with a financial contribution to strengthen Ukrainian missile defense and artillery capabilities.

Read also: Ukraine would make NATO stronger  Zelenskyy in Vilnius

Canada is allocating $410 million in new funding to fortify transatlantic security, including the provision of armored vehicles for the Ukrainian military.

"Meetings in Vilnius were very productive," Reznikov concluded.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Rikkie Valerie Kolle, a transgender woman who was crowned Miss Netherlands, puts on her makeup

Miss Netherlands' first transgender winner becomes target of hate speech Rikkie Valerie Kolle, a transgender woman who was crowned Miss Netherlands, puts on her makeup

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Rikkie Valerie Kolle, the first transgender woman to be crowed Miss Netherlands, once saw her success in the pageant as a symbol of her nation's openness. Then she was bombarded with hate online.

Kolle, 22, said she became a target of hate speech after winning the 94-year-old competition last week. Now, she will go on to participate in the Miss Universe pageant. If she wins she will be the first transgender woman to claim that title.

Kolle said in an interview that she was trying to concentrate on the good, rather than hurtful comments on social media.

"I thought we were really accepting.... in the Netherlands, but the hate comments show the other side of our society. I hope that's a wake up call," she told Reuters.

"For now, I fully ignore it. I focus on the good things coming my way."

The negative comments were unprovoked, she continued, adding people were insulting her for being herself.

"I just want to show the world Rikkie and of course my trans story, and being backlashed for that is really sad."

(Reporting by Piroschka van de Wouw; Writing by Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Emma Rumney)
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Kansas City giant H&R Block and two other tax preparation companies, accusing them of illegally sharing Missourians data with large technology firms.

The lawsuit, filed in St. Louis, alleged that H&R Block, Taxslayer and TaxAct violated the states consumer protection law by sharing sensitive information with Meta, which owns Facebook, Google and perhaps other tech companies.

The last thing we need is for Big Tech giants to have access to personal information because these tax companies decided to evade the law, Bailey said in a statement Thursday. My office isnt standing for it.

Bailey asked a judge to issue a permanent injunction against the tax preparation companies, barring them from collecting sensitive data without disclosures. The lawsuit seeks full restitution for Missourians who allegedly had their data used. And it asks for a civil fine and a payment to the state equal to 10% of the amount recouped from restitution.

H&R Block, founded in 1955, is headquartered in downtown Kansas City and is one of the countrys leading tax preparation companies. The firm offers consulting services as well as online tax filing on their website.

A company spokesperson said in an email Thursday that H&R Block had not been served the lawsuit and does not comment on pending litigation.

TaxSlayer is based in Georgia, while TaxAct is in Iowa. The two companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday.

Baileys lawsuit alleges that the tax preparation firms used a computer code, called pixels, to send sensitive information, including tax return information, to technology companies despite explicitly promising not to share such information with third parties in their privacy policies.

The companies, according to the lawsuit, gave Meta access to information such as names and financial information such as savings account contributions.

It accuses the companies of violating the states Merchandising Practices Act, the states consumer protection law, in four different ways: misrepresentation, omission, deception and unfair business practices.

Bailey employed the same law earlier this year when he tried to effectively ban gender-affirming care for adults as well as kids. Bailey ultimately withdrew that rule after lawmakers passed a ban on care for minors.

The lawsuit filed Thursday builds upon litigation that Baileys predecessor Eric Schmitt filed last year alleging that the White House violated the First Amendment by colluding with social media companies to suppress conservative speech about COVID-19 regulations and false claims about the 2020 presidential election.

A federal judge issued an injunction in Missouris favor earlier this month.
Missouri finally helps new mothers who need health care. But what took so long? | Opinion

Lets give credit where its due: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson last week did a wonderful thing by signing a new law that extends Medicaid health care coverage for postpartum mothers.

We cant help but temper the praise a bit: The bill should have passed much earlier than it did. In February, we called on state leaders in Jefferson City to pass the bill  and not to encumber it with unnecessary antiabortion rights efforts that would have hobbled it  and that has finally happened. Thats good news for families across the state.

The law is absolutely necessary. As advocates pointed out during legislative debates earlier this year, roughly 60 Missouri women die every year either while pregnant or within a year after giving birth  giving the state the 12th-highest maternal mortality rate in the country.

Can those numbers be reduced? We believe so. A recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last fall showed that 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.

Previously, though, postpartum mothers in Missouri could receive only 60 days of Medicaid assistance after giving birth. That meant that doctors had a short time frame to diagnose a range of maternal medical conditions  hypertension, diabetes, depression  that can emerge during the months after a child is born.

That status quo clearly hasnt been sufficient.

Its almost like we treat pregnancy as though, well this is just a time for celebration, which it is, Tracy Russell, executive director of Nurture KC, told The Star last year. But that all too often comes at the expense of treating the trauma on the body and the mind that can occur during the course of pregnancy and parenthood.

Now, however, more of those women will be eligible for a year of coverage. Officials estimate that 4,600 new mothers in the state of Missouri will benefit.

Getting to this point wasnt easy, however.

A similar bill failed during the 2022 session of the GOP-controlled Missouri General Assembly. (Kansas expanded Medicaid coverage to new mothers that same year.) It finally passed this year, thanks to a coalition of women senators on both sides of the political aisle. That effort was fraught with obstacles: Conservative lawmakers added a provision to the original legislation to deny postpartum Medicaid coverage to patients whose pregnancies end because of abortion.

The provision was cruel on its face. Whatever your feelings about abortion, the health of actual Missouri mothers should never be held hostage to a right-wing crusade against the women who dont want to be mothers.

It was also bad law. Experts said that requirement probably would have violated federal rules for the program, which mandate that post-pregnancy coverage shall be available regardless of the reason the pregnancy ends.

Thankfully, the antiabortion rights provision was stripped before the bill made its way to Parsons desk.

Lets be clear, though: The new law will be pro-life in the very best sense of the term.

Pro-child policies should include maternal health, Kansas City pediatrician Dena K. Hubbard wrote for The Star last year. Postpartum coverage creates access to physical and mental health care services during a critical time that directly impacts mothers, babies and families.

It would be great if doing the right thing for Missouri mothers and their families hadnt been such an arduous journey. Well never know how many women suffered because the legislature dragged its heels for a year.

Now, though, the bill is law. Good. Thats cause for celebration  and, hopefully, the beginning of more and better efforts to help new families in the Show-Me State.
Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek, who was appointed by Republican Gov. Mike Parson, will face a challenge in the GOP primary for the 2024 election.

House Budget Committee Chair Cody Smith, a Carthage Republican, announced on Thursday that he was jumping into the race against Malek, the first person of color to hold statewide office in Missouri.

As a small business owner and realtor for over 15 years, Ive seen firsthand the consequences of government red tape and crippling taxes, Smith said in a statement. I ran for state representative to fight government overreach, and today Im ready to take this fight statewide.

Smith, first elected to the House in 2016, vowed to protect taxpayers from the woke liberals who want to bankrupt our businesses and families as treasurer. The Republican serves as chair of the powerful House Budget Committee, which oversees the state budget.

This year, Smith moved to strip state funding from public libraries in retaliation for a lawsuit challenging a new state law that bans certain materials in school libraries. The move was ultimately voted down in the Senate.

Smith, as budget chair, also helped negotiate Parsons push last year to lower the states individual income tax rate.

Im proud to have championed the largest income tax cut in Missouri history, as well as saved millions in taxpayer dollars by reducing our debt, he said in a statement.

Smith is the first Republican to mount a challenge against Malek, who has never held elected office. Malek took office in January after his GOP predecessor, Scott Fitzpatrick, was elected state auditor.

Malek was born and raised in India and immigrated to Missouri in 2001. He previously owned and operated his own law firm in Wildwood, a St. Louis suburb.

Malek, in a statement Thursday, touted his record and said its an honor to serve as treasurer.

My office has been working hard for the people of Missouri, including setting a new record in returning millions in unclaimed money and property to its rightful owners, he said. I am a proud fiscal conservative, and I look forward to earning the opportunity from Republican voters next August to be the Republican nominee for State Treasurer.

Smiths entry into the race marks the second time a Parson appointee will face a Republican primary challenger, illustrating a push by Republicans to capitalize on their lack of political experience.

Attorney General Andrew Bailey, another Parson appointee with no prior elected experience, faces a challenge from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Scharf.
I was at the BBC on Wednesday afternoon when the news broke that Huw Edwards was the person everyone has been speculating about. I could tell something was afoot, as the newsroom started rushing around, in anticipation of some incoming storm. Reporters immediately stationed themselves outside the building, eliciting the views of anyone passing by. One of the security guards shared his opinion with me: Lovely man. So nice to us. Such a shame. Others were less sympathetic.

I was there to talk about cluster bombs on The Moral Maze. Are there any moral limits on the sort of weapons one can use in a just war? Cluster bombs leave unexploded bomblets in the ground for years to come, with curious children often the casualties.

But most people at the BBC werent interested in this. A popular newsreader was alleged to have had dealings with at least one young person, the nature of which was still unclear. But the country  in its media and social media guise  was transfixed. The police have said they do not think any crime has been committed. The newsreader lies in a hospital bed, suffering severe distress. I wonder what the man from Kyiv thought about our moral priorities?

Perhaps this is an unfair juxtaposition. The Suns expose of Huw Edwards could be seen as a legitimate expression of public-interest journalism. If the BBCs highest paid newsreader had been acting inappropriately with people young enough to be his grandchildren, abusing his celebrity, isnt this the sort of thing tabloid journalism exists to bring to light?

But there is another player in all of this who has come out of the last few days very badly indeed: the great British public. Notwithstanding the question of The Suns behaviour, we get the journalism we deserve. And there is nothing the British public enjoys more than seeing the mighty fall, especially when caught with their trousers down.

Social media is often blamed for amplifying our vices  and it does  but it also reflects back to us something of the underlying reality. We enjoy the downfall of others. We take a certain secret or not-so-secret pleasure in their suffering, dressing up our gossipy schadenfreude as moral concern. For too many of us, morality has become a pretext for cruelty. Something we relish, revelling in the prurient finger-pointing, pretending were part of some kind of high-minded moral crusade to root out hypocrisy. With a public like this, how can we expect the media to do anything other than spend its time sniffing about after other peoples sins?

And which of us could withstand this sort of scrutiny? If our lives  our private lives  were written up as unsympathetically as possible, by people clever with words, intent on dialling up to the max all that we have got wrong, I suspect even the saintliest among us would look like a wrong-un. If you dont think, there but for the grace of God go I, you dont understand the terrifying power of the press.

But defend someone who has been disgraced, and the mob may turn on you too. You are an apologist for grooming or racism or whatever. Look, he sits with sinners and tax collectors, they said of Jesus, implying he was one too. So, best keep your head down. Or throw more stones at the guilty, thus to direct attention away from you.

For who would take on the mob? Politicians need their votes, so are reluctant to stand against a social media cascade of mimetic hatred. Large organisations fear those weasel words of the PR advisor: reputational risk. And most individuals cower, powerless.

While all this poisonous dance is being played out, a man is hiding under the covers of his hospital bed, clearly unwell, surely terrified. He may well have done wrong. And of course, people do need to be held to account for this. But, as a man of faith, the hard work will be done in silence, as he confronts his maker. We used to believe that God was our judge. A God who knew all the secrets of our hearts. A God who loved us nonetheless. We dont believe in this God anymore. We believe in Rupert Murdoch. And its not been a happy swap.
Wilson County Schools

Youre going to hell.

My parents say I cant talk to you because youre gay.

I bet if I kissed you, youd like it.

You dont deserve to live.

My parents say youre a pervert and if I beat you up, they wouldnt care.

You should kill yourself.

Die!

Those are some of the things that Tennessee mom Lindsey Patrick-Wright says were shouted at her sixth grader, Pippy, at West Wilson Middle School in Mount Juliet this year. Patrick-Wright recited the list during the public comment session at the Wilson County School Board meeting over the weekend. She later told the Daily Beast she left out one comment.

My mom says its Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve!

Patrick-Wright says Pippy replied, Well, Im a lesbian, so I dont want Adam or Steve.

Patrick-Wright reports that Pippy first came out to her family as a lesbian in the fourth grade. Six months later later, Pippy asked to be referred to by the pronouns she and they.

Then it was they, them, Patrick-Wright said.

Two teachers and a counselor have been remarkably supportive of Pippy, Patrick-Wright says, and did try to give my child a safe space at school.

Pippy also had a number of very close and protective friends

But my child should not have had to hear the awful things that they heard, Patrick-Wright said.

The mother reported that the verbal abuse intensified around February, the time of this years school musical, The Addams Family.

My kid shaved their head, and they did it in part because they were playing Uncle Fester, Patrick-Wright said.

The mother estimated that over the school year, Pippy came home from school upset at least 30 percent of the days, if not 50.

And its primarily because a lot of this was happening on the bus, Patrick-Wright said. It happened in the hallway, in the cafeteria, and on the bus. And those are three areas where it is very difficult for the staff and the teachers to moderate behavior.

She added, I think the teachers are doing the best job that they can. And I dont blame the administrators. I blame the elected officials who are allowing this rhetoric to be repeated in the homes.

She offered an estimate of how much of the bigotry comes from adults.

All of it, she said.

Since 2015, the Tennessee legislature has enacted 19 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, more than any other state. Senate Bill 1440 legally defines a gender as a persons immutable biological sex as determined by anatomy and genetics existing at the time of birth and evidence of a persons biological sex.

Right-wingers with ties to such extremist groups as Moms for Liberty have begun showing up at Wilson County School board meetings. They denigrated the public schools and called for banning books with any LBGTQ+ content.

Patrick-Wright noted that many of the agitators do not even have a kid in the local public school system.

Ive been getting up at board meetings this whole year to talk about book-banning and to talk about the epidemic of Moms for Liberty and what theyre doing to dismantle the public education system, she told The Daily Beast. That's what Ive been focused on. I havent wanted to put my kid in the spotlight.

But in recent days, Pippy announced that they had decided not to attend school in person next year.

They advocated for themselves to attend virtual school so that they didnt have to face this bullying every day, Patrick-Wight said. Theyre excited about it, and weve got plenty of activities to keep them social.

The decision meant Patrick-Wright was free to speak her mind without fear of repercussions for her child.

It allows me to stand up and speak for the parents who arent ready to, and for the kids who cant, she told The Daily Beast.

In between regular meetings, the seven school board members hold work sessions. Board member Joseph Padillawho represents Pippys districtproposed during a July 6 working session that a parent or guardian be notified in writing within three days of when any teacher, counselor or administrator becomes aware that a student is identifying as a gender that does not align with a childs sex on their birth certificate.

This is common sense to me, Padilla said at the session.

Board member Carrie Pfeiffer was the only one of the six other board members who spoke out against the idea of a school outing a kid.

I would say that it is not the role of the school, she told her colleagues. I would say that it would undermine, if not destroy, the relationship between students and their teachers.

Padilla replied with the myopic view of the far right. What were trying to do here is just let the parents know if their child is wanting to go by a different name.

Pfeiffer was not having it.

My position on that is that you as a parent have a responsibility to know your child and to talk to your child and to parent your child, and that it is not the schools job to do your parenting for you and to have that relationship on your behalf, she said.

And it is the schools job to maintain a relationship, an educational relationship with the child, and that if the child does not trust the people who are their teachers, that that has a significant impact on the ability of the child to learn.

Padilla was not about to accept what really was common sense.

A child gets in a fight at school, we call the parents, he said. If a child gets caught with drugs at school, we call the parents.

Are you suggesting that a child's sexual orientation or transgender orientation is a disciplinary matter? Pfeiffer asked.

Patrick-Wright watched a video of the work session online and she arrived at the regular school board meeting on Monday night with much to say. She also had a stack of T-shirts that Pippy had designedalong with stickers and buttonsemblazoned with three words that Padillo repeatedly uttered during the school year and that Pippy had made a mantra of their own.

WILSON COUNTY VALUES.

Patrick-Wright was wearing one when she stepped up to the podium during the public comment session.

Im responsible for these shirts and I want to tell you why, she said. If Im not here in person, Im watching these meetings at home with my 13-year-old that goes to Wilson County Schools and we repeatedly see our zone representative, Joe Padilla, make bigoted comments and propose discriminatory policies that target LGBTQ students and say that he's just representing Wilson County values.

The surprise was that Pfeiffer was also wearing one of Pippys WILSON COUNTY VALUES shirts. Padillo had on an American flag shirt as Patrick-Wright addressed him directly.

Wilson County deserves to know that the majority of us do not subscribe to the bigoted ideas of what you think Wilson County value stands for, she said.

She then recited the list of terrible things that her child had been called during the school year.

And the kicker is, my kids lucky when they go home, she then said. They have a family that loves and supports them, a family that doesn't believe their identity is a mental illness.

She again spoke directly to Padillo.

Joe, not all kids have that support at home, and you all know that. How dare you propose taking away the one lifeline that a kid might have of a trusted teacher? How dare you propose taking away the ability for a teacher to be that lifeline? Shame on you!

She then addressed the full board, as she had at other meetings about banned books.

Your colleague proposed the forced outing of trans students and only one of you stood up to him, Patrick-Wright said. These books arent dangerous. Your rhetoric is dangerous. Your proposed policies are dangerous. We are not asking you all to understand our kids. We are asking, we are begging you, if you will not support our kids, leave them alone.

She ended with a plea.

Do better! All of you!

The West Wilson Middle School was destroyed by a tornado in 2020. The pandemic followed. And now, just as things were otherwise getting back to normal, another kind of sickness has spread from political leaders to families to the school.

And a magical 13-year-old with a magnificent mom is being driven to go virtual to escape a psychic virus called bigotry.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Mom dies after crashing into manure spreader, MN cops say. Familys heart is broken

A mother of three died after crashing her vehicle into a manure spreader, Minnesota authorities say.

Brenna Amos was driving a GMC Terrain at 10:40 a.m. Tuesday, July 11, when she rear-ended a manure spreader being pulled by a tractor, according to the Goodhue County Sheriffs Office. The crash happened in the area of Red Wing and Featherstone Township, southeast suburbs of Minneapolis.

The 65-year-old driver of the tractor, sheriffs officials said, told authorities he heard a long bang and was pushed forward. He was not injured.

Amos was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the sheriff. The crash remains under investigation.

Her death came a day before her 34th birthday.

My heart is broken and my familys heart is broken, Amos sister, Alanna Battey, said in a Facebook post Wednesday.

Amos was married to Chad Amos and they had three sons, ages 12, 10 and 4, according to a GoFundMe.

An obituary states Amos received degrees in liberal arts and surgical technology. She most recently worked as a cast technician.

Brenna had a love for cats, but her main passion in life was her three boys, the obituary states. She had a feisty personality, was a loyal friend and a fierce wife and mother.

Three brothers die after passing out in manure pit at Ohio farm, authorities say

Father of three drowns in manure pit on a Colorado dairy farm, officials say
The Montana State Library Commission voted Tuesday to leave the American Library Association, the oldest and largest library association in the world, because the ALAs president described herself as a Marxist lesbian in a social media post last year.

Emily Drabinski, who was elected president of the ALA in April 2022 and took office this month, celebrated her election in a social media post that has since been deleted.

I just cannot believe that a Marxist lesbian who believes that collective power is possible to build and can be wielded for a better world is the president-elect of @ALALibrary, Drabinksi wrote in a tweet last year. I am so excited for what we will do together. Solidarity! And my mom is SO PROUD I love you mom.

During a meeting Tuesday, Tom Burnett, a member of the Montana State Library Commission, made a motion to immediately withdraw the state library from the ALA and send the association a letter to explain that our oath of office and resulting duty to the Constitution forbids association with an organization led by a Marxist, according to the Montana Free Press.

In a statement published on its website Thursday, the ALA  a nonpartisan nonprofit founded in 1876  outlined its mission, described how its presidents are elected and noted that ALA's operational decisions are "made by ALA staff leadership working with a full range of committees and advisory groups.

It also described how the Montana State Library has benefited from ALA membership, including more than $218,000 in program grants over the past two years and a 24% increase in federal funding from 2019 to 2023.

"Despite the decision in Montana this week, ALA remains committed to providing essential support, resources, and opportunities for every library and library worker in every state and territory across the nation to help them better serve their communities," the group said.

Drabinski did not immediately return a request for comment.

After about an hour of public comment Tuesday, the commission voted 5-1-1 in favor of the motion. Commission Chair Peggy Taylor abstained, and Commissioner Brian Rossmann, the only active librarian on the commission, cast the one opposing vote.

Dana Gonzalez, who spoke in favor of withdrawing from the ALA, said the commission ought not promote, celebrate or support what scripture condemns and then quoted Bible scriptures that she said condemned what Drabinski wrote in her tweet, according to the Daily Montanan.

Bozeman parent Cheryl Tusken also spoke in favor of the motion.

I think this is a really good move to send a really clear signal to our national organizations that we are not in agreement with the direction they are taking these organizations, Tusken said, according to the Montana Free Press.

Rossmann, who works at the Montana State University Library, said the ALA presidency is largely a ceremonial role, the Montana Free Press reported.

Susan Gregory, the director of the Bozeman Public Library, spoke in opposition to the measure. In her 40 years of involvement with the ALA, she said, she has never seen the organization provide a program or presentation about Marxism.

We dont leave the United States because we dont like or agree with whomever the sitting President of the United States is, Gregory said in a written statement to the commission. I hope that the Montana State Library Commission will understand the critical importance of remaining in our professional association so that we know what is happening in the world, our country and neighboring states to improve public libraries.

Last year, the Montana State Library Commission voted down a proposed logo that used rainbow colors because some members said it didnt clearly convey the librarys work. During debate over the logo, multiple members who ultimately voted against it said it looked too similar to the LGBTQ Pride flag, the Montana Free Press reported. The commission subsequently adopted an alternate logo with an updated color scheme.

The commissions actions are examples of a larger trend of libraries being pulled into the national debate over what information children can access freely at school or in libraries  particularly when that information includes LGBTQ people or themes.

Conservative advocacy groups and some elected officials have painted LGBTQ books and content in schools as grooming, using a decades-old false moral panic about LGBTQ people.

In the last few years, parents and local conservative advocacy groups have started asking for certain books to be removed completely from schools and public libraries. In its annual book censorship report, the ALA found that there was a 75% increase in the number of challenges against books between 2021 and 2022.

Of the 13 books that made the ALAs Most Challenged Books list in 2022, seven  more than half  were challenged for having LGBTQ content.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
More than 2,000 civilians killed due to war in Kharkiv Oblast

Since Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine began, at least 2,038 civilians have been killed in Kharkiv Oblast, 77 of them were children.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, in an interview with Ukrinform news agency

Quote: "As of beginning of July, 2,038 civilians were killed in Kharkiv Oblast, 77 of them children. Almost 3,000 people were injured, including 240 children."

Details: He added that 29 settlements in the Kupiansk district and a 5-10-kilometre zone in the northern direction remain under occupation, where the Ukrainian side has no access to. Therefore, the actual death toll may be higher.

In addition, the Oblast Military Administration has information about the mass graves of Ukrainian civilians and military personnel.

Quote: "Probably not as big as in Izium, but they are still there. We have approximate information about their locations in the north."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
More Than 29,000 Apply For Iowa Private-School Funds in First Year

This article was originally published in Iowa Capital Dispatch.

More than double the number of expected students applied for Iowas Education Savings Account program to pay for private school attendance, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced last week.

The governors office reported that more than 29,000 students applied for the program and over 17,500 have been approved, far exceeding the states projection that just over 14,000 students would be approved to use an ESA in the first year of the program. The state has until July 31 to approve or reject the remaining applications.

The tremendous response from Iowa families demonstrates theres both a need and a strong desire for school choice in our state, Reynolds said in a statement. Allowing parents to choose the education thats best for their children levels the playing field and creates equal opportunities for Iowas students.

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Reynolds signed the program into law in January. Lawmakers approved $107.4 million to fund the program in its first year during the 2023 legislative session  but the program is already set to cost at least $26 million more. Funding for every application already approved as of last week would cost the state $133.5 million. The state has confirmed every approved account will be funded.

Officials with the governors office said exact costs and numbers are still unknown, as the money will only be disbursed if the student is accepted to attend private school. Reynolds office said the finalized numbers on cost and how many students are participating will not be available until October.

There are about 9,000 open seats available in accredited private schools, the governors office said, meaning there may be more ESA applications accepted than there are available spots. If a student is approved for an ESA but does not attend private school, their account will be closed for the school year and the funds will be returned to the states general fund.

Related

Arizona Parents are Using Public Ed $ for Kayaks, Trampolines & SeaWorld Tickets

The ESA program funds will be managed through Odyssey, a New York-based education technology company. Funds within an ESA will remain in the states possession until the students parent or guardian approves the private schools invoice requesting payment for tuition and associated fees.

Students accounts will begin receiving funding July 15, the governors office said.

While final numbers remain unconfirmed, 40% of the applications approved  roughly 7,000  are students currently attending a public school who plan to move to an accredited private school using ESA funds. The remaining 60% are students already attending accredited private schools.

For the 2023-24 school year, current private school students are only eligible to create an account if their family has a household income up to 300% of the federal poverty line (FPL)  roughly $90,000 for a family of four.

That threshold will raise to a maximum of 400% of the federal poverty line in the 2024-25 school year; all Iowans, regardless of income, will be eligible for ESAs from the programs third year forward.

The governors office reported that among approved applicants:

14% have household incomes below 100% of the FPL  $30,000 or less for a family of four.

31% have household incomes between 101% and 200% of the FPL  between $30,000 and $60,000.

36% have household incomes between 201% and 300% the FPL  between $60,000 and $90,000.

19% have household incomes above 300% the FPL  more than $90,000 for a family of four.

Some opponents of the ESA program say the program will hurt Iowas public education system. The program diverts the $7,635 per-pupil funding for a student from their public school district to the ESA account. Reynolds and Republicans have argued that the laws provision granting public school districts $1,205 in state funding for each private school student with an ESA in their district will offset the lost funding.

Mike Beranek, president of the Iowa State Education Association said the money being used to fund the ESA program could be used to help improve Iowas public schools and give every student an equal chance for success.

Unfortunately for Iowans, the governor and the majority party in the statehouse have decided that unlimited budgets are reserved for just a select few Iowans, Beranek said in a statement. A voucher program that would initially have cost Iowa taxpayers almost a billion dollars over the next three years will cost Iowans even more.

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter.
More than $500,000 worth of cocaine, marijuana seized at El Paso port of entry

Nearly 160 pounds of cocaine and marijuana worth more than $500,000 were seized in three separate incidents at an El Paso port of entry, officials said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers made the seizures from July 6 to July 10 at the Paso Del Norte bridge, officials said.

These seizures demonstrate the vigilance of our CBP Officers, and their excellence in detecting individuals attempting to introduce drugs into our communities, CBP El Paso acting Port Director Luis Mejia said in a statement.

The first incident happened July 6 when a 28-year-old woman, who is a Mexican citizen, attempted to cross into the U.S. in a vehicle, officials said.

The vehicle was first searched by a CBP canine and underwent a "non-intrusive exam," officials said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized $550,000 worth of cocaine and marijuana from July 6 to July 10 at the Paso Del Norte bridge.

Officers then found multiple bundles of marijuana throughout the vehicle. The bundles contained a total of 108 pounds of marijuana, officials said.

More: 5 El Paso police officers arrested in sex assault, family violence and hit-and-run cases

Two days later, a 25-year-old man, who is a Mexican citizen, attempted to cross into the U.S. in a vehicle.

A CBP canine helped officers find multiple packages of cocaine in the trunk area of the vehicle, officials said. The packages contained a total of 33.3 pounds of cocaine.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized $550,000 worth of cocaine and marijuana from July 6 to July 10 at the Paso Del Norte bridge.

The final seizure happened July 10 when a 36-year-old woman, who is a U.S. citizen, attempted to cross into the U.S. in a vehicle.

The vehicle was inspected by officers who found 17.1 pounds of cocaine in multiple bundles hidden within the vehicle, officials said.

The woman attempted the drug-smuggling attempt with two children in the vehicle, officials said. The children were remanded to the custody of a relative.

The total amount of drugs seized in the three cases was worth about $550,000, officials said.

The names of the people involved in the smuggling attempts were not released.

The suspects were detained. The July 6 case was turned over to local law enforcement agencies, while the other two cases were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations, officials said.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: $555,000 worth of cocaine, marijuana seized at El Paso port of entry
MTG has been avoiding the chair of the GOP Freedom Caucus in an attempt not to get kicked out, report says

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., concludes a news conference in the Capitol Visitor Center on May 18, 2023. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been ousted from the GOP Freedom Caucus, a member told NBC.

The group's chairman had repeatedly attempted to tell MTG  but she ignored him, some members said.

One member told NBC she had been kicked out because of her feuding with other members.

The ultraconservative GOP Freedom Caucus voted to kick out Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia  but she tried clinging on by repeatedly avoiding its leader's attempts to do it, NBC News reported.

Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, a member of the caucus, told NBC News' "Meet the Press NOW" on Wednesday that Greene was removed for her public feuding with other caucus members.

"She's not a member of the Freedom Caucus, and she shouldn't be in the future," Buck told NBC. "She has consistently attacked other members of the Freedom Caucus in an irresponsible way, and as a result of that she was kicked out of the Freedom Caucus."

Buck's comments are the most definitive yet about Greene's status in the group.

The vote to remove Greene took place on June 23, shortly after her public showdown with Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, some members told NBC. Caucus members also did not agree with her criticism of colleagues who voted against Rep. Kevin McCarthy becoming House Speaker earlier this year, CNN reported.

After the vote, Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania repeatedly tried to deliver the news to Greene  but she ignored him, the members said.

"The chairman has been trying to call her to let her know, but there haven't been any returned phone calls," Buck told CNN on Tuesday.

Greene had told reporters on Tuesday that she has not spoken with Perry, saying she only found out about the decision through the press.

"Congratulations, y'all did a great job. And I guess the Freedom Caucus does a good job of talking to you more than [their] members," she told reporters on Tuesday, according to the Hill. "I don't have time for the drama club."

A representative for Greene did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Greene is the first lawmaker to be ousted from the caucus since it was launched in 2015. The group is very selective in who it allows to be a part of it. It also refuses to release a full roster of its members.

Some lawmakers have spoken out in support of Greene, with McCarthy telling Axios on Wednesday he believes her ousting in a "loss" for the caucus.

"I think Marjorie Taylor Greene is one of the best members we have, I think she's the one of the most conservative members and one of the strongest legislators," he added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
There are multiple victims in criminal case against fired deputy, investigators believe

This story has been updated.

At least two victims have come forward, and detectives believe there are more, in the criminal case against a fired Whatcom County sheriffs deputy facing a myriad of criminal allegations.

Austin Michael Case, 23, of Ferndale, was arrested Wednesday, July 12, on suspicion of third-degree rape, first-degree extortion, first-degree burglary, fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation and two counts of unlawful imprisonment, according to Whatcom County Jail records.

Bail was set at $250,000 at Cases first appearance Thursday, July 13, in Whatcom County Superior Court.

Case, who was hired in January by the Sheriffs office, was fired the same day he was arrested, The Bellingham Herald reported.

Two women have accused Case of using his position as a law enforcement officer to sexually assault, threaten and blackmail them.

He is currently the subject of an internal affairs investigation being conducted by the Sheriffs Office.

On June 29, the Sheriffs Office was notified about social media conversations that caused concerns regarding Cases adherence to the expectations for sheriffs office employees, according to a sheriffs office press release on Wednesday.

Case was placed on administrative leave and an internal affairs investigation was started the same day. The internal affairs investigation is expected to determine whether Case violated any rules or regulations governing sheriffs office employees, the release states.

Deputy Austin Case

The sheriffs office has not answered The Heralds questions regarding whether Cases leave was paid or unpaid, when his field training began, when the agency first started having concerns about Case, or what potential policy or rule violations the internal affairs investigation concerns.

Once the investigation is completed, the findings will be reported to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, which is responsible for certifying and decertifying Washington state law enforcement officers who violate the commissions rules and/or state law.

First appearance

At Cases first appearance Thursday, there initially was some confusion about which attorney was representing him, delaying the hearing.

Further confusion over the nature of the hearing followed.

It later was determined that Case had retained Lisa Elliott, a private attorney out of Seattle who specializes in defending law enforcement officers against civil rights and use of force accusations, according to her LinkedIn page and several attorney profiles. She is also the city attorney for Roy, Washington, according to the citys website.

Because Elliott had not been given any paperwork or had time to review the documents with Case, Whatcom County Superior Court Commissioner Ann Vetter-Hansen explained all of Cases rights to him at the hearing.

The commissioner then said when she had given Elliott the opportunity to delay the hearing or be sent documents, Elliott chose to move forward.

Oh my gosh your honor, is he being arraigned right now? Elliott said. ... It was my understanding that hes just supposed to be released on his own recognizance.

No maam, that is not what were going to do. Were going to decide his release conditions and whether or not the court will be imposing bail, Vetter-Hansen said in response. She then explained how first appearances are typically conducted in Whatcom County.

It sounds like youre frustrated with the situation in which you find yourself, and I can understand that, but Im doing things the way I always do things and the way we always do things in the Superior Court. So the expectation will be that you be prepared, Vetter-Hansen said.

Because Cases defense attorney had not yet received a copy of the charging document, Skagit County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rosemary Kaholokula then read it aloud in court. The Skagit County prosecutors office is handling the case due to conflicts of interest.

Case, who appeared in an orange jail jumpsuit via video from a private room, looked down and shook his head at least twice while the allegations were being read aloud.

Elliott said there was no evidence except for one persons word making the allegations against Case.

I dont believe that just one person making allegations without any substantiating evidence amounts to probable cause, Elliott said.

The commissioner ruled there was probable cause for the charges expected to be filed against Case.

Kaholokula, the Skagit prosecutor, asked the commissioner to set bail at $250,000 for Case due to his egregious abuse of his power and his authority.

He used his authority specifically to sexually assault two different women. This is incredibly dangerous, Kaholokula said.

Roughly 20 firearms, all legally owned, were taken from Cases home, Kaholokula said.

Elliott said Case had lived in Whatcom County his entire life, had no previous criminal history and that he had been free for the last several months while the allegations were being investigated. She said Case was not a danger to the community and there was no reason to have any kind of bail.

Elliott asked that Case be released on his personal recognizance.

Vetter-Hansen, the commissioner, said there were grave concerns that Case poses a likelihood to intefere with the administration of justice. She then set bail.

A sexual assault protection order for the two women was also put into place and Case is prohibited from possessing firearms.

His arraignment has been scheduled for July 21.

Criminal investigation

During the internal affairs investigation, the sheriffs office determined that some of the allegations against Case could constitute crimes.

On July 10, the sheriffs office contacted the Mount Vernon Police Department and requested that a criminal investigation against Case be opened, according to a Thursday afternoon Skagit and Island County Multiple Agency Response Team, or SMART, press release. Its not uncommon for a law enforcement agency to conflict out a criminal investigation of an employee as this allows for an impartial, independent investigation, the release states.

The scope of the investigation into Case proved to be very resource consuming for any one agency, the SMART press release states. It was then determined that SMART would be activated.

SMART, which includes a team of investigators, technical experts and command staff throughout Skagit and Island counties, is most commonly activated for police shootings or deadly force incidents. In criminal investigations similar to Cases, SMART can be activated when the scope of work exceeds the current capacity of a single agency, the release states. Such limitations can include staffing, current caseloads or complexity of an investigation.

While the criminal investigation into Case is in its early stages, SMART detectives have contacted two victims and established probable cause to arrest Case.

Detectives also obtained search warrants for Cases house and vehicle.

It has been determined that the criminal activity occurred outside Cases duties with the sheriffs office, the release states.

Detectives believe there are additional victims and are requesting their assistance with the investigation, according to the release.

Anyone with information that would assist the SMART investigation is asked to call the tip line at (360)-661-2319, which is being monitored by detectives.

Case recently hired

Case was hired by the Whatcom County Sheriffs Office on Jan. 15.

Shortly after, he attended and completed the 720-hour Basic Law Enforcement Academy in Burien. He was then assigned to a field training officer and continued his training.

Case was still in his 15-month probationary period, during which his performance and ascription to the values of the organization were evaluated at least daily, when he was terminated, the Sheriffs Office said.

While Case was employed as a deputy, he was always under the direct supervision of a field training officer and never was released to perform law enforcement duties independently of the direct control of an experienced and specially trained field training deputy, according to the Sheriffs Office press release.

Some information for this story was contributed by reporter Puneet Bsanti.
Twitter asked a federal judge to nix an FTC order governing its data practices, claiming the agency and its head are biased against company CEO Elon Musk.

The motion filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of California accuses the agency of misconduct and bias against Twitter and Musk. The filing comes the same day FTC Chair Lina Khan will face questions on those same issues from Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee.

Shortly thereafter  when Elon Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022  the FTC embarked on a new campaign of unceasing demands, demanding responses to long lists of wide-ranging questions and requiring burdensome document productions, according to the court filing.

The FTC declined to comment.

Twitter has had a consent decree with the FTC since 2011 to resolve cybersecurity vulnerabilities that resulted in data breaches in 2009. The order put strict requirements on the company, including mandated independent audits of its privacy and security practices. The order was renewed last year due to violations of the previous 2011 order.

The restrictions are supposed to last until 2042. Thursdays motion is paired with a request for an order blocking the FTC from forcing Musk to sit for a deposition due to concerns the agency is biased against him.

The Court should not permit the FTC to continue invoking judicial power to prosecute an investigation so infected by bias that it has lost any plausible connection to lawful purposes, according to court documents.

A hearing on the motions is currently scheduled for Aug. 17.
(Reuters) -Twitter has filed a lawsuit against four unnamed entities in Texas for data scraping last week, a move that showed why the Elon Musk-owned social network recently placed daily limits on the number of tweets a user could read.

The complaint by Musk's X Corp, which owns Twitter, alleged that the entities indulged in "unlawfully scraping data" and sought monetary relief of more than $1 million, the lawsuit said.

The daily limits imposed in July by Twitter sparked widespread criticism and have helped Threads, the recently launched rival service by Meta that crossed 100 million signups in a record five days.

Musk, meanwhile, reiterated the reason for data limits in a reply to a tweet that referenced the data-scraping lawsuit.

"Several entities tried to scrape every tweet ever made in a short period of time. That is why we had to put rate limits in place," Musk tweeted.

Twitter did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on the lawsuit outside regular business hours.

The volume of automated signup requests from the four defendants' IP addresses far exceeded what any single person could send to a person, which severely taxed Twitter's servers, the lawsuit claimed.

The case is X Corp Vs John Does 1-4, in the district court of Dallas County, Texas, no. DC-23-09157.

(Reporting by Shubham Kalia and Juby Babu in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza and Arun Koyyur)
Three fairly mummified bodies found near a Rocky Mountain camp (AFP/Getty)

Three heavily decomposed bodies were found at a remote Rocky Mountain campsite in Colorado, and may have been there for a year, Gunnison County authorities said.

A hiker noticed one of the bodies on Sunday and notified the police, who found the other two bodies on Monday, Gunnison County Undersheriff Josh Ashe said in a statement. One body was in a wooded area that hikers dont usually explore, Sheriff Adam Murdie told CBS News, adding that the other two bodies were found in a zipped-up tent.

The statement said it appeared the individuals have been deceased for a substantial period of time. Because the bodies were fairly mummified, it suggests they had likely been there through the winter or even since last fall, the sheriff said.

Whether they froze to death in the winter or the combination of starved or froze, thats what it sure seems like, said the sheriff, noting that the actual causes of death wont be known until the autopsies are completed. Due to the condition of the bodies complicating the process, autopsies could take as long as three weeks, he added.

Although Sheriff Murdie said it would be more common for campers to die of carbon monoxide poisoning by using heaters in enclosed spaces  rather than freezing or starving  this situation doesnt indicate that was the case, due to how the bodies were found and the remoteness of the site.

Investigators are trying to determine what they were actually doing there and why, Mr Murdie told CBS News. The sheriffs department is looking for missing persons reports that could provide more insight into the events leading up to the finding.

Sheriff Murdie added that a number of items were also recovered from the scene: personal belongings, tarps, and a lean-to built from logs over a fire pit.

This is not a typical occurrence anywhere, by any means, said Mr Murdie. He said that the discovery shouldnt suggest the area is unsafe for hiking.

Undersheriff Ashe echoed this notion, telling the outlet that investigators didnt observe anything on-scene that makes us believe that there was crime involved in this, including no weapons or signs of violence.
Myths about will power and moral weakness keep people with opioid use disorder from receiving effective medications like methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone

A nurse dispenses liquid Methadose, an FDA-approved medication that helps people addicted to opioids. Whitney Hayward/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

The most effective science-based treatment for opioid use disorder is medication. Methadone and buprenorphine prevent intense cravings and other symptoms of withdrawal, while naltrexone works by blocking the effects of opioids.

Despite abundant research showing these medications reduce the risk of relapse and overdose, many people, no matter their relationship with opioids or with people who use them, are still hesitant to support the use of these medications. And the majority of people who would benefit from such treatments do not have access to them.

We study opioid use disorder and the attitudes that surround it. To better understand hesitancy around the use of medication to treat opioid use disorder, we and our colleagues conducted focus groups with three populations intimately involved in the opioid crisis  those in recovery, their friends and family and their health care providers  as well as with community members with no direct connection to opioid use disorder. We spoke with 101 people in all across rural and urban locations in Indiana.

We asked what they thought about using medication to treat opioid use disorder. We found all four groups had negative opinions about using medication. No matter who they were, participants voiced an underlying belief that opioid use disorder results from moral weakness that can be overcome with willpower and commitment to behavior change, despite research-based evidence that overwhelmingly shows that opioid use disorder is a chronic brain disease best managed with medication.

Across all four groups, we heard three myths about using medication for opioid use disorder. Research reveals these stigmatizing beliefs are counter to reality.

Medication isnt trading one drug for another

Many of our participants expressed the belief that using medication is the same as using opioids to get high. This misperception is likely rooted in the outdated idea that recovery is defined by total abstinence from all substances, except perhaps caffeine and nicotine. As one service provider working with people in recovery declared, If youre on Suboxone or youre on methadone and youre not being tapered down, youre using.

The truth is, taking medication is not the same as using prescription or street opioids to get high. These medications do not produce the same experience of euphoria or high as heroin, morphine or other opioids. In different ways, methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone all reduce cravings and allow people to remain sober and to work, raise their children and engage in activities of healthy productive living  all challenges for people to do well when using opioids to get high.

Suboxone is a medicine containing buprenorphine and naltrexone. It is most often taken under the tongue. Eamon Queeney/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Medication is an important part of long-term recovery

We found that peoples overall discomfort with the idea of using medication to treat opioid use disorder led to a belief that such treatment should be used only as a steppingstone on the way to sobriety. A community member we spoke with said, Its a way of weaning them off everything. I think thats just one of the steps they have to take to get clean.

The belief that medication should be used for only a short time runs counter to research showing higher rates of relapse after tapering. Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services discourage rapid tapers and affirm that long-term use is the best way to prevent relapse, overdose and death.

Long-term treatment counts as success

Many of our study participants voiced the belief that long-term use of medication means the treatment did not work. As one family member put it, If youre on it for 10 or 15 years, then thats not really helping you.

The myth that long-term use of medication means the medicine is ineffective  or has failed  runs counter to both the life outcomes of those on maintenance treatment and the physiological reality that such drugs may remain necessary to normalize brain function for the person in recovery.

Just as those with high blood pressure or diabetes may need to remain on medications for the long term, so might some people with opioid use disorder. Keeping people in treatment and alive through use of medications is treatment success, not failure.

Marchers celebrate National Recovery Month in Grand Rapids, Mich. Sacred Heart/flickr, CC BY-SA

An estimated 3 million Americans have had or currently struggle with opioid use disorder. The latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates nearly 83,000 deaths in 2022 involved opioids.

Methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone are lifesaving medications. Myths associated with their use cause avoidable relapse, overdose and death by keeping people from using the most effective tool for entering into and maintaining recovery.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts, from an independent nonprofit. Try our free newsletters.

It was written by: Melissa S. Fry, Indiana University and Melissa Cyders, Indiana University.

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Melissa S. Fry receives funding from Indiana University Addictions Grand Challenge Program, and provides evaluation services to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration funded programs.

Melissa Cyders receives funding from Indiana University Addictions Grand Challenge Program and the National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Getty Images

Just a day after this years Emmy nominations were announced and two months after Hollywood writers went on strike, the actors have voted to join the picket lines.

SAG-AFTRA, the union led by actor Fran Drescher that represents around 160,000 film and television actors, voted to strike Thursday after failing to reach an agreement with major studios. Starting at midnight Friday, the actors and writers will begin their dual walkout for the first time since 1960.

The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us, Drescher said, according to The Washington Post. Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal.

Drescher, who is most known for her lead role on the 1990s television sitcom The Nanny, was voted president of the Screen Actors Guild in September 2021. Heres a look at how she came to earn such a pivotal role in Hollywood.

Becoming President

Getty Images

Drescher was born on September 30, 1957, in Queens and grew up in the New York City borough with two working parents. According to The Nation, she picked up her first job as a grocery store cashier at age 14 and eventually dropped out of college to pursue acting.

While Drescher has written that her unique background sometimes made her feel like a gefilte fish out of water among her Hollywood peers, it also helped establish her staunch pro-union stance. Which brings us to the actors guild.

According to Variety, SAG-AFTRA is primarily dominated by two rival factions: Unite for Strength and Membership First. The majority Unite for Strength, which has controlled the union since 2009, sought a replacement in summer 2021 for Gabrielle Carteris, who announced she would not seek reelection as president. Their candidate was Drescher.

Membership First members have generally taken a more combative line in contract talks, which made Dreschers candidacy unpopular among many of the groups members. According to The Nation, they believed Drescher lacked labor experience and felt she had been nominated because of her name, not her negotiating ability.

Despite this, following an election filled with mudslinging, Drescher defeated actor Matthew Modine by 5 percent of the vote and became president. What I dont know, I promise you I will learn very quickly, and what I do know cannot be taught, she said at the time in a virtual address to members.

Recent Controversies

Although Drescher has pleasantly surprised a lot of members during her tenure with her outspoken nature, it has also gotten her into trouble of late.

She has been an outspoken critic of COVID-19 vaccine mandates in Hollywood. During her speech at Februarys Screen Actors Guild Awards, Drescher urged colleagues to use their financial influence to pressure governors into relaxing restrictions. Money talks and bulls walks! she said on stage, quoting her character from the 1984 film This Is Spinal Tap.

Then in recent days, she drew criticism for traveling to Italy amid last-chance negotiation efforts between the actors and studios. She attended Dolce & Gabbanas five-day Alta Moda festival, with Kim Kardashian posting a photo with Drescher at Sundays closing show. According to The Hollywood Reporter, her attendance upset a number of Hollywood insiders who felt the trip wasnt a good look amid the pivotal impasse.

However, on Thursday, Drescher blasted the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, calling their responses to the unions proposals insulting and disrespectful, according to The Washington Post. Time will tell if Drescher can help strike a deal that keeps most of her fellow actors happy.

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Tennis champion Naomi Osaka and her longtime boyfriend, rapper Cordae, recently welcomed their first child, a baby girl.

We may have just learned the name of Naomi Osaka and Cordaes baby girl, and its a name in line with the non-traditional vibe she teased.

While performing at Canadas Calgary Stampede this past weekend, the rapper may have revealed the name  or at least a part of the name  he and Osaka chose for their baby girl.

Rapper Cordae (left) and tennis champ Naomi Osaka attend the 2021 Met Gala in New York City. Two are now the proud parents of a daughter, and Cordae over the weekend shouted out my baby girl Shai. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

My daughter Shai was just born a couple days ago, so I dedicate this performance to my baby girl Shai, Cordae told the audience in between songs, according to a video circulating on social media.

Love you, Im going back home, he added.

Word of the couples new bundle of joy arrived on Tuesday via a source to People, who informed the publication that mom and baby were both doing well.

Neither Osaka nor Cordae has said much more concerning their daughter, including confirming whether Shai is, in fact, her first name or a nickname. However, Osaka hinted at the type of baby names she and Cordae were considering earlier this year.

We have been discussing names. I would say that we are going for something more unique than traditional, Osaka told People.

The name Shai might not be as unique as some celebrity baby names weve seen in recent years  including North (daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye Ye West), Wilde Wolf (son of Eve), Blaze (son of Kandi Burress), RZA (son of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky), and True Legend (the newborn son of Da Brat and wife Jesseca Judy Harris-Dupart). However, the name does hold special meaning in several languages, most notably in Hebrew, in which Shai means gift. The name also follows a trend of punchy one-syllable names, which have skyrocketed in popularity as of late, largely perpetuated by celebrities.

Osaka initially announced she was expecting her first child in January via a series of photos on Instagram that included an ultrasound and a lengthy statement.

Cant wait to get back on the court but heres a little life update for 2023, she captioned the post.

Last month, Osaka revealed the gender of her baby when she shared shots from her princess-themed baby shower.

While Cordae may have revealed the babys name, the babys gender reportedly was a secret from him for a while. Osaka revealed the gender to the public in June, though she admitted to People she had known since February. Ive been preparing, but [Cordae] doesnt know the gender yet; only I know, Osaka told People at the time. So its not like I can build out the room or anything.

Osaka apparently had a change of heart regarding the babys room. On Thursday, she shared Shais cloud-themed nursery, awash with sunlight, pastels, light woods and minimalistic stuffed animals, in an exclusive with People and divulged how she crafted the room.

The nursery for Cordae and Naomi Osaka daughter was designed with the help of Crate & Kids. (Photo courtesy of Crate & Barrel)

I wanted something that felt very peaceful and serene that would help the baby and me feel comfortable, said Osaka. She added that Crate & Barrels Crate & Kids team, which helped her design the space, really brought that vibe to life through the color palette, textures and a cloud mural.

Regarding other touches in the room, Osaka admitted she didnt know much about nurseries but knew she wanted at least a rocking chair and didnt want to compromise her style. The four-time Grand Slam champion eventually went with the brands modern Pollie Rocking Chair.

As a new mom, Osaka also ensured she had a place to sleep in the nursery, ample storage and a few special additions. There are two photos that I really wanted to include in the nursery. Above the daybed, I hung a photo of a sleeping bear and a sleeping tiger, she said. Those photos are really special to me and make me feel peaceful, which is how I want my daughter to always feel in her room.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. TheGrios Black Podcast Network is free too. Download theGrio mobile apps today! Listen to Writing Black with Maiysha Kai.

The post Naomi Osakas boyfriend, Cordae, reveals their daughters name appeared first on TheGrio.
a person wearing glasses on stage in front of a sign reading "Webb space telescope"

NASA has announced a new senior project scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope.

Jane Rigby has taken the reins from John Mather, who has held the position since 1995. Rigby was one of the scientists who helped get the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) up and running in space, and steps into her new role with years of experience already working on the telescope in different capacities, according to a NASA statement announcing Rigby's new position.

Among her other involvements with JWST, Dr. Rigby led the team to certify the telescope's scientific capabilities during its pre-operational time in space. JWST launched on December 25, 2021, and began official operations in July 2022. The satellite is the largest, most powerful telescope ever built, and has capabilities beyond those of its space-fairing predecessors, such as the Hubble Space Telescope.

Related: James Webb Space Telescope celebrates 1st year of science with jaw-dropping view of cosmic nursery (photo)

As new senior project scientist for the telescope, Rigby brings a lot to the table. She holds a Ph.D. in astronomy from University of Arizona, as well as degrees in physics and astrophysics from Penn State. Her ongoing research has involved the development of new techniques for observing galaxy lifecycles, star formation and galactic nuclei.

In addition to JWST's characterization of science performance commission, Rigby has authored more than 140 peer-reviewed publications. She was also awarded the Out to Innovate 2022 LGBT+ Scientist of the Year.

two people on stage explain a diagram of a telescope observation

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"This mission is seeing the universe in a whole new way," Rigby said in the NASA statement. "I'm so excited to lead this amazing team, as we maximize the science return from the most powerful telescope humanity has ever built."

As for Mather, he will be staying on as senior project scientist emeritus. Having guided JWST since its infancy, his passion for the project hasn't diminished.

"I'll be enjoying every minute of the team's amazing results and cheering for our successes," Mather said in the NASA statement, adding, "I'll be traveling and telling the world what we are doing. And I'll be working on what's next for NASA  I'm not retiring a bit.
Three specially designed, fully electric, environmentally friendly crew transportation vehicles for Artemis missions arrived at Nasas Kennedy Space Center in Florida (NASA/Isaac Watson)

Nasa has unveiled special vehicles that will transport moon-bound Artemis astronauts to their spacecraft and pay homage to the agencys history as well.

Canoo Technologies of California, which was awarded the contract to manufacture the special vehicles, delivered three fully electric crew transportation astrovans to Nasas Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday.

The environmentally friendly vehicles are designed to carry four astronauts in their advanced Orion crew survival system spacesuits as well as support personnel including a spacesuit technician, Nasa said in a statement.

The vans are customised to accommodate Nasas unique specifications for the Artemis missions, providing room for specialised equipment for the drive to Launch Pad 39B ahead of the launch to the moon.

They also pay homage to the legacy of Nasas human spaceflight and space exploration efforts, the agency said, adding that aspects of the design such as the interior and exterior markings and the colour of the vehicles were chosen by a creative team.

Representatives, including those from Nasas Astronaut Office in Houston and the Artemis launch director, provided insights for the design of the vehicle, for which Canoo was awarded the contract to manufacture the vehicles last April.

The collaboration between Canoo and our Nasa representatives focused on the crews safety and comfort on the way to the pad ahead of their journey to the moon, said Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Nasas Artemis launch director.

I have no doubt everyone who sees these new vehicles will feel the same sense of pride I have for this next endeavour of crewed Artemis missions, he said.

Artemis II is the first crewed mission under the Artemis programme that will send four astronauts around the moon and bring them home.

Ahead of the mission, Nasa said the astrovans fleet will be used for astronaut training exercises at the spaceport.

The Artemis II launch will be followed by the Artemis III mission, in which Nasa plans to land the first woman and first person of colour on the moon, and pave the way for more lunar surface missions in the future.
three electric minivans with nasa logos sit in a parking lot in front of a large building

Attention Artemis astronauts: Your new rides to the launch pad have arrived.



Canoo Technologies on Tuesday (July 11) delivered three specially designed, fully electric crew transportation vehicles (CTV) to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The new trio of "astrovans" will enter service as soon as late 2024, when the four astronauts assigned to NASA's Artemis 2 mission launch on the first crewed mission to fly around the moon in more than 50 years.



"I have no doubt everyone who sees these new vehicles will feel the same sense of pride I have for this next endeavor of crewed Artemis missions," said Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA's Artemis launch director, in a statement.



Canoo based the new NASA crew transports on its LV, or Lifestyle Vehicle, which the company describes as having a "multi-purpose platform to maximize cabin space, utility and productivity on a compact footprint." The three vehicles can carry four astronauts in their Orion crew survival system pressure suits and support personnel (including a suit technician), as well as have the room for specialized equipment for the trip from Kennedy's Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building to Complex 39B, where the crew's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft will be poised for liftoff.

Related: NASA's Artemis program: Everything you need to know

three people stand next to an electric minivan near a launch pad

Externally, the new Artemis vehicles appear to be somewhat of a cross between the livery of the Apollo astronaut transfer van with the sleek outline of the shuttle-era Airstream  only with a more modern look accentuated by their street-view windows and panoramic glass roofs.



Many of the design aspects, from the interior and exterior markings to the color of the vehicles to the wheel wells, were chosen by a team that included Blackwell-Thompson and members of NASA's Astronaut Office at Johnson Space Center in Houston. Canoo, which bills itself as an advanced mobility company, was awarded the contract to manufacture the three vehicles in April 2022.



"The collaboration between Canoo and our NASA representatives focused on the crews' safety and comfort on the way to the pad," Blackwell-Thompson said.



For its part, Canoo chairman and CEO Tony Aquila said his company was proud to be a partner with NASA in "one of the world's greatest endeavors."



"The selection of our innovative technologies by NASA to take a diverse team of astronauts to the moon showcases a great commitment to sustainable transportation. We are inspired by NASA's pioneering and trailblazing spirit," said Aquila in a statement.

an electric minivan sits near the launch pad at kennedy space center in florida

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The Canoo CTVs join a new generation of astrovans that include SpaceX's fleet of Tesla Model X electric cars used to transport Dragon crews and a customized Airstream that will take astronauts flying on Boeing's Starliner to the launch pad.



The Apollo and space shuttle-era vans are now on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, in the Apollo/Saturn V Center and Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, respectively.



Ahead of being used by Artemis 2 crew members Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch of NASA and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency, the new CTV fleet will be used for astronaut training exercises at Kennedy Space Center. The three vehicles will then be used for future missions that will explore the moon's south pole or visit the Gateway in lunar orbit, beginning with Artemis 3, which NASA, following the White House's direction, has said will land the first woman and first person of color on the moon.

Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2023 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved.
China's Global Development Initiative suits global needs

Xinhua) 09:51, July 13, 2023

BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- China-proposed Global Development Initiative (GDI) responds to the urgent needs and dynamics of global development, said Joseph Matthews, a senior professor at the BELTEI International University in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

"The initiative focuses on development as the master key to addressing all problems, and strives to solve difficult issues of development and create more opportunities for development, leaving no countries and no individuals behind," he said.

China has been seeking to renew global focus on development issues and explore pathways for practical cooperation in an era when the world is bedeviled by daunting challenges and great uncertainties.

The initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2021, aims to steer global development toward a new stage of balanced, coordinated and inclusive growth.

"Through the Global Development Initiative and the Belt and Road Initiative, China has made great contributions to promoting the steady growth of global economy in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, and has always shared its fruits of development with the rest of the world," said Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, an arm of the Royal Academy of Cambodia.

Phea said China has always provided assistance to other developing countries with no political conditions attached, greatly advancing their socioeconomic growth and reducing poverty.

"China has played and will continue to play a pivotal role in promoting global development, governance, globalization, multilateralism and free trade, which are fundamental to building a just, equitable, open, and inclusive world," he told Xinhua.

Since putting forward the GDI in 2021, China has promoted the sharing of development fruits with other countries to build more consensus and create more opportunities for global development.

China has taken a big step toward the recovery of the whole world through the GDI, said Selcuk Colakoglu, director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia Pacific Studies.

"This is a reflection of China's responsibility to pay attention to global growth in general, and also in the post-pandemic world. This is a roadmap of how global development is put on track," said the scholar.

"The initiative will be a guideline for global development in the next stage in the post-pandemic world," he added.

"The GDI is another public good that China provides to the rest of the world," Matthews said. "It has importantly contributed to strengthening international development cooperation."

"The GDI advocates the spirit of open and inclusive partnership," he said, expressing his confidence that it will inject vigorous impetus into the implementation of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

China has stood shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the world in terms of promoting holistic and impactful human development, said Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, adding that Chinese firms operating in Africa have contributed over 20 percent to the continent's economic development in the last decade.

China's great contribution to global development is not only reflected in its own development, but also in sharing development experience with other countries and assuming global responsibilities, said Xulio Rios, director of the Observatory of Chinese Politics in Spain, hailing China's development experience as the common wealth of all mankind, which is particularly important to the countries in the Global South.

To support the implementation of the GDI, China announced 32 concrete actions in 2022, half of which have been accomplished by now. The GDI project pool, with its first list of projects released last year, is being enlarged and now includes nearly 200 projects. China has created the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund and increased its capital to 4 billion U.S. dollars.

Over 100 countries and international organizations showed their support of the GDI, and nearly 70 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. China has also signed Memorandums of Understanding on cooperation with nearly 20 countries and international organizations in this regard.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The new regional defence plans of the North Atlantic Alliance, approved at the Vilnius summit, provide for a set of measures to defend and deter Russia as the biggest and most immediate threat.

Source: German media outlet Bild, quoted by European Pravda

Details: The new NATO defence plans are more than 4,400 pages long and describe in detail what military capabilities the Alliance's 32 member countries should demonstrate together with Sweden in the land, air and naval forces, as well as in the cybersphere and space.

Among other things, it is assumed that in the future, 300,000 military personnel of the Alliance will be in a state of high operational readiness, including 35,000 soldiers of the Bundeswehr.

The number of forces deployed on the eastern flank will be increased to brigade level (4,000 troops).

The Alliance is also discussing the creation of a second NATO Land Command. The German city of Wiesbaden, where the US Army has its base, is being discussed as its location. The First Land Command is now located in Izmir, Turkiye.

In the event of aggression, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of NATO in Europe will be allowed to make more decisions without prior consultation with NATO bodies. Thus, the Alliance will be able to respond faster to threatening situations.

In addition, according to the plans, NATO should develop more forces capable of withstanding fierce battles. There should be more long-range artillery systems and missiles; air defence systems are also being expanded to protect against enemy attacks.

Other measures include strengthening the protection of underwater pipelines; for this purpose, at the Naval Command base in Northwood, Britain, a new surveillance centre is being created.

Background: On 11 July, the North Atlantic Alliance leaders at the Vilnius summit agreed on new large-scale defence plans, reflecting the need to combat threats such as Russia and terrorism.

For some time, Turkiye blocked the approval of the Alliance's plans due to wording regarding geographical locations such as Cyprus. But at the last moment, the blockade of Turkiye was overcome.

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The NATO summit this week delivered yet another blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin, with allies standing as united as ever against his war in Ukraine while announcing efforts to expand the alliance and boost defense spending.

The most punishing setback for Putin came on the eve of the summit, when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hashed out a deal to admit Sweden into NATO after more than a year of resistance.

Erdogans reversal not only puts the gears in place to expand the borders of the western security alliance  it also signals the Turkish leader is moving closer to the west and away from Putin.

Hes no longer interested in being dependent on Putin economically and strategically, said Asli Aydntasbas, a visiting fellow at Brookings Institution with the Turkey Project. I think Russians are upset. I think the Kremlin is very upset.

It also helped repair Turkeys strained relations with its NATO allies and gave President Biden a major win heading into the high-profile summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

At the end of the summit, Biden declared that NATO was more united than ever in its history.

We will not waver, Biden affirmed in the Wednesday speech. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

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Erdogans Sweden approval also came just days after he freed Ukrainian fighters from the Azov regiment, a move that deeply angered the Kremlin because the prisoners of war were supposed to remain in Turkey until the end of the war.

Aydntasbas said the prisoner release is an even bigger blow than the Sweden deal, the latter of which was likely anticipated. She assessed the Turkish leader has now sensed Putin has become weak  especially after the Wagner revolt  and is drifting closer to Biden.

I wouldnt call this a reset, but it lays the groundwork for a reset between the West and Turkey and that would be a big deal, she added. Because at the end of the day, Turkey is NATOs second largest army and its drift away from the West has been a big issue.

Aydntasbas, however, acknowledged Erdogan often makes deals for transactional benefits, and since he does not view the Ukraine war as a binary issue, he is likely to continue to play both sides.

Erdogan only backed Sweden after he extracted concessions from the West, including enhanced counterterrorism operations, more arms sales and Swedish support for Turkeys European Union membership hopes. Erdogan may also have won a deal to purchase long-awaited F-16 jets from Washington to modernize his air force, as the U.S. announced the paused sale was moving forward a day after the Sweden agreement.

At the summit, Western allies also agreed to boost defense spending levels, a commitment that, if adhered to, would strengthen the alliance and its support for Ukraine. Members are now pledging to spend a minimum of 2 percent of gross domestic product on military resources and security.

NATO has for years tried to get the commitment to stick, to no avail. But Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said 11 allies have now reached or exceeded the target, while overall spending by Canada and Europe increased by 8.3 percent this past year.

This is the biggest increase in decades, Stoltenberg said. And we expect this number will rise substantially next year.

Putin secured a minor victory in the dashing of Ukraines NATO aspirations, with GOP presidential contender and former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley saying that Biden made Putins day by refusing to commit to Kyivs future NATO membership.

But the U.S. and Ukraine sought to minimize the damage at the end of the summit.

NATO decided against fast-tracking Kyiv into the alliance or setting a clear timeline for membership, a move Ukraine says will only embolden Russia and allow Moscow to use inclusion into the alliance as a bargaining chip in peace talks.

But the alliance still took steps toward admitting Ukraine, removing a procedural hurdle, establishing a NATO-Ukraine council and affirming that Kyiv is closer than ever to membership.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had expressed disappointment in the membership process just a day earlier, said he held a powerful meeting with Biden Wednesday.

The meeting was at least twice as long as planned, and it was as meaningful as it needed to be, Zelensky tweeted. If the protocol had not stopped the meeting, we would have talked even longer.

NATO allies this week also announced big steps toward supporting Ukraine in the long run, putting a damper on Moscows hopes of weakening Western support for the war.

A coalition of 11 NATO countries set a date for F-16 training in August for Ukrainian pilots; France confirmed the shipment of much-needed long-range missiles for Ukraine; and the Group of Seven (G7) economic and political bloc announced a long-term security commitment for Kyiv.

Russia has tried to downplay the news coming out of the summit. Moscows Foreign Intelligence Service chief told state-run media outlet TASS that the summit did not bring any surprise to Russia.

But Liana Fix, a fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations, said Russias attempts to weaken the narrative have largely failed.

From a Russian propaganda perspective, it makes sense to downplay this as much as possible, she said. But the facts just speak against Russia, especially the long-term commitment of G7 members to deter Russia and to erode the optimism in the Kremlin [hoping] everyone in Europe gets tired.

The Vilnius summit showed allies are standing by Ukraine, even as there are concerns about a lagging counteroffensive launched in early June and the prospect of a longer war, Fix said.

At the beginning of this year, the messaging was all about Ukraine [and] what it means for this one counteroffensive this year, she continued. And I think that was recognized as a bit of a trap.

This is sort of an attempt to make clear that the commitment is not only until the end of this year, but the commitment will also extend to the next year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NATO should have made it clear to Kremlin that taking Ukraine was impossible  exLithuanian PM

Former Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius

NATO missed an opportunity at its summit in Vilnius in Lithuania on July 11-12 to send a powerful signal to Moscow that its plans to take over Ukraine are absurd, former Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius said on July 13.

Read also: No doubt Ukraine to join NATO after war, says Pentagon chief

Before the summit, it looked like there was complete agreement that what we were talking not about Ukraines actual membership in NATO, as everyone, including (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy, said that we could not expect Ukraine to be immediately granted membership in the Alliance while the war was ongoing, Kubilius said during an online discussion of the Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

The question was about the formal procedure of invitation to membership, which, however, has great political significance, Kubilius said.

It would be quite a clear political signal to Russian political elites and ordinary people, he said.

The official compared it to a long-range missile against Russia.

Russians must clearly see the Wests understanding that Ukraine is on the Wests side, that Russia cannot get Ukraine, Kubilius said.

No matter how much nostalgia they have for the past, etc. Even just from a strategic point of view, it was necessary to send a signal to the Kremlin: listen, guys, all your absurd plans for a war against Ukraine are nonsense, Ukraine will be a NATO member.

But it wasnt done.

Only two countries, Germany and the United States, hesitated, Kubilius said.

At the same time, he expressed hope that during the next summit in Washington it will be a good opportunity for both (U.S.) President Biden and the entire administration to make another statement.

NATO Summit in Vilnius  What is known

The summit in Vilnius brought together leaders from 31 NATO countries, including U.S. President Joe Biden, along with additional delegations from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and Sweden (Turkey has finally agreed to unblock Swedens membership).

Read also: NATO Summit shows Russia-Ukraine war will continue into 2024, says military expert

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Vilnius on July 11, along with the First Lady, Olena Zelenska.

Ukraine hoped to receive a clear signal regarding the prospects of a future membership of the alliance.

On the eve of the summit, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that allies had agreed that Ukraine would join NATO in the future without a Membership Action Plan  the traditional process of accession for new members.

Although NATO member states on July 11 agreed on a unified communique concerning Ukraines membership in the alliance, they made no timeframe commitments as to when Kyiv might receive an invitation to join.

Read also: NATOs reluctance to invite Ukraine incentivizes Putin to continue the war  Kurt Volker

The communique noted that Ukraine would be invited to join the alliance once member states agree and all prerequisites have been satisfied, without specifying what those prerequisites are, exactly.

The document also remarked that the alliance would aid Ukraine in implementing reforms on its pathway to prospective membership.

In addition, the leaders of the G7 officially announced that they had reached an agreement on a declaration outlining security guarantees for Ukraine.

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(Bloomberg) -- Volodymyr Zelenskiy was running hot ahead of his sit-down with NATO leaders on Tuesday evening.

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The Ukrainian president had been angered earlier in the day by what he said was an absurd reluctance to give his country a clear timeline on membership.

That outburst in turn riled the partners who have funneled billions of dollars of weaponry and aid into Ukraines defense against the Russian invasion  the US had been given no warning before Zelenskiy unleashed his attack on social media.

Over dinner in Vilnius, with US President Joe Biden back at his hotel, the other leaders delivered a clear message to Zelenskiy, according to one person who was present.

You have to cool down and look at the full package, Zelenskiy was told. He had, after all, been given a renewed commitment to eventual membership and new security guarantees from the Group of Seven nations. By the next day, the message appeared to be sinking in.

Whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude, UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told reporters the following morning. Youre persuading countries to give up their stock of weapons and ammunition, he added.

This account of the behind-the-scenes wrangling is based on interviews with more than a dozen diplomats and officials involved in the summit who asked not to be named discussing private conversations.

NATO leaders were trying to thread a needle on Ukraines membership bid when they arrived in Vilnius: They were seeking language that looked like progress and that Ukraine could sell as progress but fundamentally didnt leave them any closer to getting dragged into a war with nuclear-armed Russia.

Political Will

Added to that, they were dealing with a Ukrainian government operating under the intense pressure of the war and whose expectations werent always in line with political reality as seen from the alliance.

I understand the Ukrainians frustration, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said in an interview.

In the days running up to the summit, diplomats sympathetic to Ukraine had been insisting that Kyiv was making realistic demands on the issue of membership. But the Ukrainian administrations public comments suggested otherwise.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Tuesday that Ukraine has been hoping to receive a formal invitation to join NATO at the summit, even if membership, and the collective defensive commitments that come with it, would only be formalized after the war ends. That was never going to happen, other diplomats said.

There was a lack of political will, Kuleba told Bloomberg Televisions Annmarie Hordern.

Crucially, it was the US and Germany that insisted on dialing back the commitment to Ukraine joining the alliance. Earlier drafts of the communique offered a clearer pathway to Ukraine eventually joining, but Biden and Chancellor Olaf Scholz were wary of going too far.

Their teams demanded changes in the final days before the summit, upsetting lots of the other European nations, as well as the Ukrainians.

When Biden landed in Vilnius on Monday evening, the language on the membership path was still not nailed down. The next day, the Ukrainian team heard that the text was close to settled and they werent going to like it. They decided to send the provocative tweet, in an effort to jolt the debate back in their favor.

The post certainly captured the attention of the negotiators, but its effect was counterproductive.

The Americans were particularly irritated. The British intervened in an effort to calm the situation while the Germans also tried to come up with alternatives.

As the situation threatened to come off the rails, Zelenskiys chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, called US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, but the text was approved anyway before the Ukrainians arrived.

When Zelenskiy did get to the summit, he was met by frank criticism from several other leaders, who made it clear that hed overstepped the mark.

The concern among Kyivs more ardent supporters was that the allies were going to repeat the mistake of 2008 when a vague commitment to Ukrainian membership proved a provocation to Russia without offering sufficient protection against military aggression.

By attaching two conditionalities to Ukraines membership that didnt exist before, NATO is giving the impression of a cold shoulder to Ukraine, said Kristine Berzina, a geopolitical analyst at the German Marshall Fund in Washington. It undoes the work NATO agreed the night before, reaching an agreement on Swedens bid, and it dampens the other very pro-Ukrainian and very rough Russia language in the summit communique.

Some of those insisting on caution recall the history of European wars and, in particular, the way nations were dragged into long-running conflicts during the early part of the last century.

Theres also the complexity of how the war in Ukraine might end and the possibility that it will leave parts of Ukraines territory in dispute and occupied by Russian forces. Some diplomats were concerned that a clear commitment to triggering NATO membership would complicate any eventual negotiations.

But there was also a collective understanding of the need to project unity.

Zelenskiy was never alone at the dinner, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said in another Bloomberg Television interview. There was no animosity, everybody was speaking a similar language.

The alliance will not take in any country during a war, because that would put NATO immediately in a war, he added.

Zelenskiy still seemed frosty as he headed into a meeting with Scholz on Wednesday morning, especially by comparison with the UKs Rishi Sunak  one of Ukraines more enthusiastic cheerleaders  and Mark Rutte of the Netherlands, whos been spearheading efforts to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets to the Ukrainian air force.

By that stage, diplomats on both sides were framing Zelenskiys outburst the previous day as a familiar maneuver designed to raise the stakes in a negotiation, a move that has paid off in the past, but this time did not  the Ukrainian president had repeatedly threatened not to show up in the weeks leading up to the summit.

When he spoke to reporters around midday, Zelenskiys tone had shifted.

We understand some are afraid to talk about our membership in NATO now because they are afraid of the global war, Zelenskiy told reporters. Ukraine accepts that it can only join when it will be safe on our land, he added.

Then he said he wanted to include words of gratitude for the steps taken by allies, peppering his comments with that word  gratitude.

Were going to make sure that you get what you need, Biden said standing alongside Zelenskiy later on Wednesday, wearing a tie in the Ukrainian colors. And I look forward to the day were having the meeting to celebrate your official, official membership in NATO.

--With assistance from Natalia Ojewska, Kitty Donaldson, Andra Timu, Maria Tadeo, Arne Delfs, Alberto Nardelli and Daryna Krasnolutska.

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Some NATO states strongly resisted membership for Ukraine before summit - ex US amabassador

American diplomat John Herbst

The NATO Summit in Vilnius did not live up to expectations due to the strong resistance of some members of the alliance towards extending Ukraine an invitation to join the organization, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst said on July 12.

The hopes that there would be something more at the NATO Summit in Vilnius did not come true, Herbst said during an online discussion of the Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

Read also: Ukraine cannot join NATO amid ongoing war, Zelenskyy admits

Its a missed opportunity.

There was strong resistance to the decisions that could be made at the summit, Herbst said.

We saw and knew that the White Houses approach would be soft, so many NATO countries insisted that Washington be tougher and more decisive, the diplomat said, adding that Germany also shared Washingtons position.

Read also: NATOs reluctance to invite Ukraine incentivizes Putin to continue the war  Kurt Volker

The NATO summit was preceded by weeks of difficult negotiations, the former envoy said. In this regard, he expressed disappointment with its results.

The drama unfolding in Vilnius was increased by criticism from Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, he said.

Herbst believes that the statement of the president of Ukraine was straightforward and demonstrated all the concerns that he and all Ukrainians have.

Herbst said that supporters of Ukraines accession to NATO should not be disappointed but should continue to work to get a result at the next summit in Washington.

Their interests and concerns must be taken into account by Washington, he added.

Read also: Boris Johnson warns Washington against Ukraine fatigue after NATO summit

NATO Summit in Vilnius  What is known

The summit in Vilnius brought together leaders from 31 NATO countries, including U.S. President Joe Biden, along with additional delegations from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and Sweden (Turkey has finally agreed to unblock Swedens membership).

President Zelenskyy arrived in Vilnius on July 11, along with the First Lady, Olena Zelenska.

Ukraine hoped to receive a clear signal regarding the prospects of a future membership of the alliance.

Read also: Ukraine would make NATO stronger  Zelenskyy in Vilnius

On the eve of the summit, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that allies had agreed that Ukraine would join NATO in the future without a Membership Action Plan  the traditional process of accession for new members.

Although NATO member states on July 11 agreed on a unified communique concerning Ukraines membership in the alliance, they made no timeframe commitments as to when Kyiv might receive an invitation to join.

The communique noted that Ukraine would be invited to join the alliance once member states agree and all prerequisites have been satisfied, without specifying what those prerequisites are, exactly.

The document also remarked that the alliance would aid Ukraine in implementing reforms on its pathway to prospective membership.

In addition, the leaders of the G7 officially announced that they had reached an agreement on a declaration outlining security guarantees for Ukraine.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
New NDAA amendment would add two more F-15EXs for Air Guard in 2025

WASHINGTON  The Air National Guard Base would receive two additional F-15EX Eagle II fighters under a proposed amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2024.

The amendment, proposed by Rep. John James, R-Mich., and accepted by voice vote on the floor of the House Wednesday, would increase the Air Forces advance funding for the F-15EX by $30.6 million.

This would allow the Air Force to buy two more Boeing-made F-15EXs, James said in a Tuesday House Rules Committee hearing. And the amendment would require the Air Force to send these two F-15EXs to an Air National Guard base that has A-10 Warthogs, but is without an identified aircraft to replace them after the Air Force retires the A-10 by the end of this decade.

The 127th Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan, which is in Jamess district, is one such unit.

Bringing the F-15EX mission to Selfridge and increasing our capacity to project combat power by solidifying our industrial base, increasing capacity for these fighters, is in our vital national interest, James said. I cannot stand idly by while the A-10s at Selfridge are retired without a replacement fighter mission.

I testified in support of my amendment in the NDAA that would bring a new fighter mission to Selfridge ANGB. It's unacceptable to not have a fighter mission at Selfridge, and I remain committed to fighting for this vital base, not just for #MI10 but our national security. pic.twitter.com/N1vm3p4lYd  Rep. John James (@RepJames) July 12, 2023

The proposed $30.6 million would be in addition to the $92 million increase in advance F-15EX funding the House Armed Services Committee included in the NDAA in June, James said. That $92 million increase would allow the Air Force to buy six more fighters in 2025. Those two increases, on top of the $228 million the Air Force originally requested, would bring the services total advance procurement spending for the F-15EX to $350 million in 2024.

The two amendments together would mean the Air Force would buy 32 F-15EXs total in 2025, and would increase the services total planned procurement from 104 to 112, Noah Sadlier, who is Jamess communication director, told Defense News.

And with the 48 F-35s the Air Force plans to procure in 2025, it would mean the service would buy 80 new fighters in total that year. Air Force leaders maintain the service needs to buy at least 72 new fighters each year to modernize its fleet and lower the average age of those planes.

The F-15EX is an updated version of the fourth-generation F-15, with advanced avionics such as fly-by-wire controls and improved electronic warfare capabilities.

But the Air Force now has only two test F-15EXs in its possession, and production problems delayed Boeings delivery of the next six F-15EXs. That batch of fighters was originally expected to arrive in December 2022.

The Government Accountability Office said in a June report supplier problems with the quality of a critical component of the fighters forward fuselage assembly was the main cause of the delay. GAO did not specify what that component was, but said it is needed to ensure safety of flight and that the quality problems have now been fixed.

Boeing could start delivering the latest F-15EXs later this summer, though a timeline has not yet been set.
Nearly 100,000 Georgians kicked off Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids in June, state says

Georgias June 1 deadline for Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids redetermination deadlines came and went.

The Georgia Department of Community Health released data on the number of Georgians who lost coverage Wednesday, showing nearly 100,000 people lost their health coverage.

Another nearly 57,000 people remain pending and will keep their coverage, for now, while their eligibility is determined.

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Data from DCH showed that the state had started the renewal process for 216,991 Georgians on Medicaid and PeachCare back in May.

By the end of June, 64,423 were renewed, while 95,578 lost their health coverage.

Of those renewed, more than 50,000 were able to retain their coverage due to officials use of what they call the ex parte process.

The ex parte process is when state officials use available data from Georgians on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps, or the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, also called welfare, was used to confirm the residents who kept their coverage were eligible.

As previously reported by Channel 2 Action News, state officials had used the integrated eligibility system in April to review and retain 66,127 cases via information for SNAP and TANF benefits.

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Another 169,442 people were sent redetermination packets in May to determine if they could keep their health benefits from the state.

Officials said those Georgians had until the end of June to send in updated information so they could keep their health insurance, and as of June 30, more than 46,000 completed packets were sent in.

While the packets were sent in, that doesnt necessarily mean all 46,000 or more individuals will keep their benefits.

As the unwinding process continues in Georgia, the states own limited Medicaid expansion program started July 1, with coverage to begin taking effect in September, according to state officials.

The Georgia Pathways program is supposed to cover up to 345,000 eligible Georgians, though Gov. Brian Kemp said previously that the first year was expected to cover between 31,000 and 100,000 residents.

As of June 30, DCH reported there were 231,885 renewals completed, between Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids.

Beneficiaries who need to submit additional information for coverage determination will have 90 days after their termination dates to submit updated proof of eligibility, officials said.

For those whose eligibility was denied, and who have initiated an appeal, Medicaid coverage remains in place. Denials can be appealed up to 30 days after termination.

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FILE PHOTO: Signage is seen at the headquarters of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C.

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group of 95 U.S. lawmakers on Thursday urged the Biden administration to finalize stricter emissions limits than it proposed in April, already prompting opposition from most automakers, a letter seen by Reuters showed.

A dozen Democratic senators, including Ed Markey, Tom Carper, Alex Padilla, Ron Wyden, Elizabeth Warren, Jack Reed and independent Bernie Sanders joined more than 80 House members in asking the Environmental Protection Agency to finalize stricter tailpipe emissions limits that would result in 69% of new vehicles being electric in 2032, rather than 67% under the agency's proposal.

"We believe the United States should be on a path to eliminating harmful tailpipe pollution from new light-duty and medium-duty vehicles by 2035," the lawmakers wrote in the previously unreported letter.

The EPA said in April the proposed 2027-2032 model year standards would cut emissions by 56% over 2026 requirements, but sought comment on a tougher option.

The lawmakers, including Democratic Representatives Doris Matsui, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jan Schakowsky, Katie Porter and Adam Smith, said the EPA should by the end of the year finalize the tougher proposal resulting in a 61% cut by 2032.

They cited "the urgency of and benefits from addressing threats to public health, including climate change, the unprecedented resources supporting zero-emission vehicle purchases, manufacturing and infrastructure, and the dramatic advances in clean vehicle adoption."

Republican lawmakers and Republican state attorneys general have urged the EPA to abandon its aggressive emissions cuts, while environmental campaigners want tougher cuts.

A group representing major automakers including the Detroit Three wants the administration to significantly soften requirements, calling the EPA proposal "neither reasonable nor achievable."

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents General Motors, Ford Motor, Volkswagen, Toyota Motor, Hyundai Motor and others, recommended "adopting requirements for 40% to 50% (electric, plug-in electric and fuel vehicles) in 2030 with continued increases through 2032. In contrast, Tesla has urged the EPA to finalize stricter emissions limits.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Barbara Lewis)
Nearly 40% of US fast attack submarines are in repair or awaiting maintenance as shipyards face a shortage of workers and and supply chain issues, according to a new report from the Congressional Research Service.

Of the 49 fast attack submarines in the Navy, a total of 18 are either in depot maintenance or awaiting maintenance, known as idle. According to the report, that number is significantly higher than the Navy target of 20% of the fast attack fleet undergoing maintenance and zero submarines sitting idle and waiting to begin maintenance.

Bloomberg was first to report on the number of submarines that are out of commission.

The last year the Navy was under its target rate was in fiscal year 2015, when a total of 10 submarines  or 19% of the fast attack fleet  were either in or awaiting maintenance. Since then, the number and rate of submarines out of commission has steadily risen to its current high of 37%. The number of fast attack submarines in the Navy has also steadily declined from a high of 53 a decade ago to the current fleet of 49 subs.

The growing number of ships in maintenance stems from a shortage of workers able to carry out the necessary work and a lack of space at the maintenance shipyards, according to the report. In addition, supply chain issues have affected the availability of repair parts, especially since many submarine components are from sole-source supplies.

The Navy continues to meet all of its operational requirements, said Commander Jackie Pau, a Navy spokeswoman. As planned, about one third of our fast attack submarines are currently in maintenance receiving critical repairs to sustain a mission ready force. Maintaining a world-class and worldwide deployable Navy is the first line of defense for the United States  Our Submarine force is a critical investment to global security and stability.

The Navy plans on purchasing two fast attack submarines each year for the next several years. But the fast attack fleet faces a valley or trough in the coming years because of a low number of sub purchases during 1990s in the post-Cold War era.

The strain on the submarine fleet will be exacerbated by the agreement between the US, UK and Australia to provide Canberra with three to five fast attack submarines in the early 2030s. The agreement, known as AUKUS, is a big part of the US shift to focusing on the Indo-Pacific and identifying China as the pacing challenge.

The subs perform a range of missions including anti-submarine warfare, carrying out strikes with cruise missiles, deploying special operations forces, and more. The Navy has three classes of fast attack submarines in service: older Los Angeles-class attack subs, Seawolf-class subs, and the newer Virginia-class subs.

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Homeowners are concerned that trains, trucks and cranes coming with a new inland port will put their safety at risk.

But homeowners living along Lake Lanier near White Sulphur Road tell Channel 2 Action News they fear the charm in their community will go from quietness to loud trucks and trains.

The reason why we moved here was to get close to nature, said homeowner Bonnie Bright.

They say they have concerns about the Georgia Ports Authority approved $46.6 million plan to build an inland port right outside their neighborhood.

Homeowner Darrell Riveiro told Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln that word is starting to spread around the community about the project.

I think now people are starting to understand, that this is going to be a reality, Riveiro said.

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Homeowners say they have several concerns with this project. First, there are environmental issues involving pollution.

We are going to get more trucks than we normally do, Bright said.

Residents also have concerns with the sound coming from trucks and trains.

Its going to be extremely active, Riveiro said.

Homeowners also fear being closed off from the quickest route to downtown Gainesville, White Sulfur Road, after learning it will be permanently closed because of this project.

The Georgia Ports Authority told Channel 2 Action News, the inland port in their community will be on a much smaller scale compared to the Port of Savannah.

The last thing we want to do is upset the people of Georgia, said Griff Lynch, the Executive Director of the Georgia Ports Authority.

He said the disruptions will be minimal.

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These trains that arrive at the facility, will be approximately 3,000 feet long. So, theyre not full trains, he said.

Lynch said the cranes will also be fully electric to keep the noise produced down.

The first rail hub was completed in 2018 in Murry County. A terminal in Troup County will follow the Gainesville location.

One of the thoughts is, if we can put it on the rail, itd be great not only from a sustainability standpoint but taking trucks off the road that are going through fairly congested areas in Georgia, Lynch said.

Currently, goods being shipped into and from the Port of Savannah get hauled across the state on 18-wheelers.

Lynch said having three inland ports will alleviate the distance tractor-trailers will have to travel by only going to these hubs, rather than traveling across the state to Savannah.

It would handle about 10,000 containers of the lets call it 60,000 containers that will be handled a year, Lynch said.

He said that number could grow to 200,000 containers a year.

Lynch said the Ports Authority selected Gainesville because of the Kubota manufacturing facility. Kubota is an agriculture machinery company Lynch said is one of the Ports top customers.

The volume that will use this terminal already exists. So, we dont look at it as bringing trucks to the area, he said.

Lynch said there will be eight tracks inside the hub. Hall County said it plans to reroute White Sulphur Road a mile south, so homeowners can get downtown.

We put forward about $5 million to help redirect White Sulfur, Lynch said.

The project is expected to be completed in 2026.

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Lansing 54-A District Court Judge Kristen Simmons holds a hearing with Ingham County Public Defender Keith Watson, his client Rashad Trice and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Aylysh Gallagher on July 13, 2023, in Lansing.

LANSING  Attorney General Dana Nessel's office confirmed Thursday it would handle state charges against a man charged with kidnapping a Lansing toddler that sparked a statewide search.

Rashad Trice, 26, currently faces kidnapping and sexual assault charges, among others, across multiple local jurisdictions in connection to the murder of Wynter Cole-Smith, 2, and the assault of her mother.

"The Department has begun the process of reviewing police reports for potential murder charges," Nessel's office said in a release. "In concert with Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido, and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, charges previously announced against Trice will be reviewed and reissued by the Department of Attorney General.

This is a tragic case, and by consolidating the prosecution into one venue, we are recognizing the hardship the surviving victim and family continue to face, Nessel said. I am grateful for the partnership with Prosecutors Dewane, Lucido, and Worthy which allow all of us to place the victims needs first while seeking justice for Wynter and her mother.

Wynter's body was found near Detroit's Coleman A. Young Airport on July 5.

Attorneys hinted at Nessel's decision a hearing for Trice earlier Thursday.

"It's my understanding that given the jurisdictional nature of this offense, that it's the attorney general's intent to charge the murder of Wynter and therefore it would encompass this case as well," Aylysh Gallagher, an Ingham County assistant prosecuting attorney, told, Ingham County 54A District Court Judge Kristen Simmons during a probable cause hearing.

Ingham County Public Defender Keith Watson, who is representing Trice, told Simmons his client was prepared to "waive his right to conduct a preliminary examination within 21 days considering the extensive amount of discovery in the case, and considering the fact that there appears to be some machinations relating to the Attorney General's office."

Dewane in a statement said he supported the decision.

"By having one prosecutorial entity handling the entire course of conduct, there will be a single point of contact for law enforcement, consistency for the victims and Wynters family as well as provide for judicial economy by having consolidated court hearings," Dewane said.

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy issued similar statements.

More: Reports: Man accused in Lansing toddler's death rammed police car, fought officers before arrest

Trice is currently being held in the Newaygo County Jail without bond.

Trice also faces two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and charges of first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated domestic violence as a second offense, unlawful driving away of an automobile and felonious assault in Ingham County.

More: Feds charge Rashad Trice with kidnapping in abduction, death of Wynter Cole-Smith

Trice is accused of stabbing and sexually assaulting Wynter's mother, with whom he had a previous relationship, the night of July 2 at her Lansing residence, before kidnapping Wynter, leaving her 1-year-old brother behind, and fleeing in a car police said he stole. Trice was arrested July 3 in St. Clair Shores after a police chase in which he crashed into an officer's car. Wynter was not with him.

On Tuesday, Trice appeared with his court-appointed attorneys in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids for a preliminary hearing on federal charges of kidnapping a minor and kidnapping resulting in death.

More: Rashad Trice to face grand jury hearing in Wynter Cole-Smith kidnapping case

U.S. Magistrate Judge Ray Kent expressed some skepticism on whether there was enough evidence for the federal government to prosecute Trice, but ultimately ordered the case to a grand jury. The grand jury, which could convene in the next three weeks, according to prosecutors, will determine if there is sufficient evidence to send Trice to a full jury trial.

"The facts provide plenty of evidence to establish probable cause," Kent said, before binding Trice over.

U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit court judges ruled in U.S. v. Windham that a person can face federal kidnapping charges if they use a phone or a car during the crime even if it didn't cross state lines.

"In what appears to be a question of first impression for this Court, the Court finds that Windhams intrastate use of a cell phone and automobile satisfies  1201(a)(1)s interstate commerce requirements," according to court records.

Lucido authorized eight felony charges against Trice. Those charges include third-degree fleeing and eluding police, attempt to disarm an officer, receiving and concealing a motor vehicle, assault with dangerous weapon, resisting and obstructing causing injury, and three counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer. No court dates have been set there, according to court records.

Detroit Free Press reporters Arpan Lobo and Matthew Dolan contributed to this story.

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Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at 517-267-1344 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Nessel to prosecute suspect in death of Lansing toddler Wynter Cole-Smith
Netherlands to sign up to G7 declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine

Flag of the Netherlands

The Netherlands will sign the declaration on security guarantees offered by the G7 countries, Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra announced on Twitter on July 12.

"I welcome the G7 Declaration of Support for Ukraine, including the announced security arrangements," Hoekstra said.

Read also: Nordic countries to join G7 security guarantees to Ukraine

The Netherlands will join in this initiative and will contribute to these security arrangements for Ukraine in close coordination with international partners.

G7 leaders announced that they had agreed on a declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine earlier on July 12.

Read also: G7 was about getting Russia to negotiate  opinion

The text of the declaration of support for Ukraine is published on the UK government's website.

During a briefing, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida noted that any country could later join the declaration.

G7 declaration of support for Ukraine  Highlights

The text of the document states that the G7 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free, independent, democratic and sovereign Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and emphasized that Ukraine's security is an integral part of the security of the Euro-Atlantic region.

Read also: NATO inviting Ukraine a matter of months  Biden

They pledged to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression for as long as necessary.

Each of the G7 countries will work with Ukraine on specific bilateral security commitments in order to:

strengthen the Armed Forces of Ukraine (through supply of modern military equipment, increasing the interoperability with partners, training and education of military personnel, intelligence sharing, assistance in combating hybrid threats, etc;)

strengthen Ukraine's economic stability (energy security, rebuilding Ukraine, conditions for its economic prosperity);

provide technical and financial support, in particular for Ukraine to continue its reforms.

Read also: Ukraine's unprecedented frontline experience crucial for NATO security, says Zelenskyy

The G7 leaders pledged to immediately consult with Ukraine in the event of a possible future Russian attack and to provide rapid and sustained assistance to Ukraine. They also promised to continue to hold Russia accountable, including through new sanctions, export controls, and punishment for war crimes and other atrocities.

The G7 leaders also backed the need to create an international mechanism to compensate Ukraine for the damage caused by Russian aggression.

In return, Ukraine committed to:

increase transparency and accountability for partner assistance;

continue anti-corruption, law enforcement, judicial, corporate governance, economic, security and public administration reforms, promote defense reforms, strengthen democratic civilian control over the Armed Forces, and increase transparency in defense institutions and industry.

Other states may join in the declaration initiative at any time.

Read also: Austria opposes EU security guarantees for Ukraine

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who attended the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 11-12, said that the G7 guarantees could become a "security umbrella" for Ukraine.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
[Source]

Netizens are applauding a hawker in Singapore for offering free food to a woman who said she forgot to bring her wallet.

About the heartwarming moment: On Saturday, Singaporean plant-based food company Unreel Foods (@unreelfoods) posted a two-minute TikTok video that was filmed at Senja Hawker Centre in Singapore.

Pan, an Unreel Foods employee, filmed herself telling a hawker named Faridah that she forgot to bring her wallet and her phone to the hawker center.

"Do you think I can still get a plate of rice from you?" Pan can be heard asking Faridah.

More from NextShark: Beauty influencer apologizes for using anti-Asian slur in makeup tutorial video

After considering Pan's question for a moment, Faridah says, You sit down, later I give you.

After Pan returns to retrieve her free meal, she tells Faridah that she never actually forgot or lost her wallet. The Unreel Foods employee then gives the kind hawker 10 Singaporean dollars (approximately $7.56) to pay for her food, as well as 58 Singapore dollars (approximately $43.84) to thank you for the kindness that you showed me.

$58 you see how you want for your own shop or next time if got people need you can give them food also, Pan explains to a shocked Faridah.

More from NextShark: Singaporean man goes full 'Super Saiyan 3' for free McDonald's ice cream in viral video

Why she did it: Before the video ends, Pan asks Faridah why she decided to give her a free meal.

Because food, you see... we are giving food to everyone. Food is hunger, Faridah says. Those people who really don't have [money], we cannot say you must pay, we are not that kind of persons. You have to feed people.

Showing her support: Pan ended the social experiment video with a message for all her viewers, writing, Celebrate her [Faridahs] kindness by supporting her business Subakani Family stall at Senja Hawker Centre."

More from NextShark: Golden retriever puppy in Bangkok gets mugshot and charged for getting lost

Words of praise: Several TikTok users have commented on the video, which has already garnered over 126,000 views.

Omg I love these kind of videos. So nice to see it locally too, one TikTok user wrote.

So sweet of this young lady in helping someone in need, another user commented.

More from NextShark: Singaporean man sentenced for selling videos of sex acts with women he met on Tinder

This is heartwarming, there's still hope in humanity, another said.
Nevada man accused of committing 3 murders in Las Vegas within 24 hours

A Las Vegas man in custody for allegedly committing two murders within a 24-hour period in January was rebooked last Friday on a third murder charge that occurred within the same time period, according to police.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) said 42-year-old Jesus Gonzalez was identified as a suspect in a homicide that occurred on Jan. 9, 2023.

At about 1:45 p.m. that day, the Las Vegas Fire Department responded to a fire in the 3800 block of East Charleston Boulevard.

MAN ARRESTED IN LAS VEGAS ATTACK ON ONE-LEGGED MAN, HOTEL STREAK IS A VICTIM, FAMILY SAYS

When firefighters arrived, they entered a burning apartment and discovered a woman suffering from stab wounds. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by responding medical personnel, sparking an investigation by the LVMPD homicide unit.

FOX 5 Las Vegas reported that the day before on Jan. 8, at about 5:30 p.m., police responded to reports of an unresponsive woman inside a residence on North 17th St.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Officers discovered the woman suffered from an apparent gunshot wound, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

ARMED LAS VEGAS WORKER STOPPED LIKELY MASS SHOOTER IN HIS TRACKS BUT RECEIVED LITTLE ATTENTION: EXPERT

A Las Vegas police cruiser.

Detectives identified Gonzalez as the suspect, and he was apprehended in California on Jan. 13. He was booked in a Los Angeles jail before being extradited to Clark County, Nevada.

At about 2:45 a.m. on Jan. 9, police also responded to a shooting on Franklin Avenue, where they found an adult man lying on the street and suffering from gunshot wounds. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives identified Gonzalez as the suspect and on Feb. 16, he was rebooked on the charge of open murder with a deadly weapon.

WILD BRAWL OF SCANTILY CLAD WOMEN BREAKS OUT AT LUXE LAS VEGAS CASINO: VIDEO

In total, Gonzalez faces three counts of open murder with a deadly weapon.

The investigations into all three murders are ongoing.

Police ask anyone with information about any of these incidents to contact the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments Homicide Section at 702-828-3521 or email at homicide@lvmpd.com.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or crimestoppersofnv.com.
A newborn baby girl was given up for adoption at a Spartanburg hospital this week.

She was born Monday and weighed 6 pounds, 9.6 ounces and was 18.9 inches long at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

The baby was surrendered under South Carolinas Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act and was the fourth baby this year to be surrendered.

Last year, seven babies were surrendered, the most since 2009 when the South Carolina Department of Social Services DSS has been publicizing the numbers.

The act was enacted in 2001 and named for an infant who survived being buried in a landfill in Allendale County. Nurses named him Daniel as he recovered at a hospital. In all, 60 babies have been surrendered since the act was passed. Six babies were surrendered in 2016 and 2019.

Children younger than 60 days can be surrendered in certain places such as hospitals or fire departments and no action is taken against the parents as long as the child is not injured.

The mother lives in Greenville County so the Greenville County Department of Social Services took custody of the baby and placed her in a foster home.

A permanency planning hearing will be held at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 29 at the Greenville County Family Court, 350 Halton Road, Greenville.

For more information on the hearing, please contact the Greenville County Family Court at (864) 467-5800 or the Greenville County DSS office at (864) 467-7797.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state will buy textbooks for Temecula Valley Unified School District students: "We'll send the district the bill and fine them for violating state law." (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

In the latest salvo in a battle between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the president of the Temecula Valley Unified School District over a banned book, Newsom announced Thursday that the state would purchase the book for district students if the board did not ensure that students had sufficient material before the start of the school year on Aug. 14.

The feud between the district and Newsom began last month when the school board voted to reject a curriculum that included a social studies book because its materials referenced LGBTQ+ activist Harvey Milk.

Cancel culture has gone too far in Temecula: radicalized zealots on the school board rejected a textbook used by hundreds of thousands of students and now children will begin the school year without the tools they need to learn, Newsom said Thursday in a release.

The state will "deliver the book into the hand of children and their parents" if "the school board wont do its job by its next board meeting to ensure kids start the school year with basic materials," Newsom said.

"We'll send the district the bill and fine them for violating state law," he said.

State law requires that school districts have enough materials for every student, and the FAIR Act requires that school districts adopt social studies curricula that provide information on the roles that diverse Americans, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, have had in history and contemporary society.

The board must purchase one of the four standard programs approved by the state, a governor's spokesperson said.

"Temecula Valley Unified School Districts current curriculum is outdated and in violation of state law," the governor's office said in a release. "Students in the district are forced to use a textbook published in 2006."

The cost of the curriculum is about $1.6 million, and the fine would be about $1.5 million under Assembly Bill 1078, which is making its way through the state Legislature.

In a statement emailed to The Times, school board President Joseph Komrosky said that Newsom had "mischaracterized not only what has occurred, but why."

Komrosky said the curriculum was rejected not only for its reference to Milk but also over concerns regarding the districts process, including whether it had "adequately engaged the community regarding the adoption of curriculum" and whether the curriculum was appropriate for English learners and special education students.

A school survey regarding the curriculum received few responses.

After an "intense effort," Komrosky said "district stakeholders" had assembled a curriculum to be presented at the board meeting set for Tuesday.

"What is also unfortunate is that the Governor knows this and has elected to publish this threatened action ahead of the Districts hard work on this matter that will come to fruition in just a few days," Komrosky said.

Read more: Hollywood actors' union SAG-AFTRA votes to strike. 'We are the victims here.'

The move comes after the Temecula Valley school board voted in May to ban the book after objections raised by Komrosky, who baselessly called Milk a "pedophile."

Milk  a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the first out gay man to be elected to public office in California  was mentioned only in supplemental material included with the book.

Newsom fired back at Komrosky on Twitter, slamming him as "ignorant" for his "offensive comments."

This isnt Texas or Florida, Newsom wrote on Twitter. In the Golden State, our kids have the freedom to learn. Congrats Mr. Komrosky you have our attention. Stay tuned.

A few days later, Komrosky and school board member Danny Gonzalez held a news conference in which they responded at Newsom.

Gov. Newsom, Im glad that I have your attention. Now you have mine, Komrosky said to applause from supporters attending the conference.

Komrosky did not back away from his comments regarding Milk and said he had "received my first death threat" after the governor's tweet.

Gonzalez waved away concerns that students would not have textbooks for the start of the school year.

Our students and teachers will have what they need for the start of the year, he said, and I continue to work through this daily.

Komrosky said Thursday that the district had made arrangements with the publisher of its current curriculum "to provide enough textbooks for every single K-5 student of the District."

Should a new curriculum not be adopted, the district would move forward with the texts already in use, Komrosky said.

Hannah de la Cruz, who has a second-grader in the Temecula Valley school district, said, "I find the banning of this curriculum to be politically motivated and not serving the best interests of the students or the teachers."

Read more: Third bus of migrants arrives in L.A. from Texas, latest in Gov. Abbott's political protest

The rejection of the curriculum is not the only move the board has made in recent weeks that has made some uneasy.

In June, the mostly conservative school board fired Supt. Jodi McClay without cause. McClay had previously clashed with the board's conservative members over the banning of critical race theory and the curriculum that included mentions of Milk.

McClay had voted for the curriculum and opposed banning CRT.

A recall effort targeting Komrosky, Gonzalez and board member Jennifer Wiersma, funded by the One Temecula Valley PAC, is underway.

"They made a mountain out of a molehill to engage in politically partisan culture wars," said Jeff Pack, co-founder of the political action committee. "Our sense is, these are nonpartisan seats. If you're bringing your politics or your religion or your personal views on things into the seat, then you're not doing the kids and the school district justice. And you're not doing right by the voters."

In June, the governor and state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta sent a letter to the school board demanding information about its "process and decision-making" regarding its decision to ban the textbook.

"Concerning statements made by Board members during the May 16 meeting, including allegations about LGBTQ+ community leader Harvey Milk, the Attorney Generals letter expresses deep concern about the potential discriminatory intent," the governor's office said.

And since the school board's decision on the textbook, Newsom and State Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond have thrown their weight behind Assembly Bill 1078, which would, among other things, require a two-thirds supermajority for a board to remove materials from a curriculum.

Censoring learning materials based on bigotry and ignorance prevents our students from getting a good education, Thurmond said in the governor's release.

Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Newton County deputy accused of raping woman while on patrol, GBI officials say

A Newton County deputy has been arrested after officials say he raped someone while on patrol.

Officials identified the deputy as George Rahming, 38, of Covington, and confirmed that he has been fired.

The Newton County Sheriffs Office received an allegation from a woman who said she was raped by a deputy in uniform, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

After it received the allegation, the sheriffs office requested that the GBI conduct the investigation.

According to the allegation, Rahming was on patrol in uniform when he saw a woman who he eventually made contact with. The GBI did not specify what led to them making contact.

During the encounter, investigators said he engaged in sexual activity with the victim.

The victim was not in custody at the time of the incident, according to authorities.

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Rahming has been charged with rape, sexual assault and violating oath of office and is in custody at the jail.

According to the GBI, Rahming had been employed with the Newton County Sheriffs Office for about two years.

Channel 2s Audrey Washington was in Rahmings neighborhood on Thursday, where people who knew him were shocked.

Neighbors said that seeing the sheriffs deputys car parked in front of his home on Highgate Trail made them feel safe. Now, theyre nervous and scared.

As soon as Debbie Morris saw the commotion at her neighbors house across the street, she just knew something terrible happened.

I saw the tow truck, towing the car that was in front of his house, Morris said. Then I saw three other cop cars following behind the tow truck.

Nelly Miles with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said that after the woman made the allegation against Rahming, the Newton County Sheriffs Office started to investigate.

Essentially this woman was not in custody, he was wearing his uniform, she wasnt accused of any crimes, Miles said. This woman is a victim.

Washington went to Rahmings home, but the people inside did not answer the door.

Neighbors said they were in shock.

You think that when you have a sheriffs deputy in your neighborhood you think that youre going to be safe, so to hear that is very devastating, Morris said. It makes me really nervous.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the GBI regional investigative office in Conyers at 770-388-5019.

Rahming is waiting for his first court appearance. Washington learned that hes been fired.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Next chapter of Yellowstone on ice as Hollywood actors join writers on the picket lines

First it was the writers  and now the actors who work on movies and television have gone on strike. So, what does that mean for the future of Yellowstone?

The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) authorized the move on Thursday after talks between the union and Hollywood studios stalled. The last time actors went on strike was in 1980.

So, why are the actors on strike? To be paid equitably, they say. The entry of streaming services over the last decade has complicated matters. Actors are also getting a smaller piece of residuals, the cut artists get from the money projects make after its first run.

The actors join the Writers Guild of America who went on strike in early May on a a similar platform. This is the first time both the actor and writers unions have been on strike since 1960, when Ronald Reagan was the actors union president.

Heres what we know:

Is Yellowstone season 5 production affected by the actors going on strike?

Not much, since the show is not currently in production.

Even before the writers strike, the future of Yellowstone was in limbo after word broke in February that the final episodes of season 5 could be the shows last with Kevin Costner as John Dutton. Scheduling conflicts with Costners multi-part western movie epic Horizon precluding the star from continuing his role as patriarch of the Montana ranch family.

Paramount confirmed as much in early May, stating that the back half of Yellowstone season 5 will be the shows last in its current form. A sequel show is in the works with series creator Taylor Sheridan.

Sheridan, who writes most of Yellowstone, put down his pen in support of the striking writers. The writer-director also said that the last few scripts of Yellowstone season 5 hadnt been completed before the strike.

With uncompleted scripts and now zero union actors to bring the words to life, the back half of Yellowstone season 5 is in limbo until agreements are met with the writers and actors.

Will the strike stop production of Yellowstone spinoff shows?

Nope, because no other Yellowstone project is filming at the moment.

The last Yellowstone spinoff show to film in Texas was Lawmen: Bass Reeves, which wrapped production in early June. The limited series, created by Taylor Sheridan, stars David Oyelowo as the titular real-life lawman who was the first black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River.

Another Yellowstone spinoff is a second season of 1923. Harrison Ford stars in the prequel show that was supposed to begin filming in June but was put on hold after the writers strike.

How will the strike affect movies and television as a whole?

Just as the writers strike halted many movies and shows that were filming, so will the actors strike.

SAG-AFTRA has over 160,000 members, with just about every actor in Hollywood in its membership. This means that now virtually anything being filmed with actors is now on hiatus as the artists head to the picket lines.
For Mason, New Hampshire, entering a regional cooperative school district was far easier than leaving it.

In 1961, schools across the Granite State were consolidating, taking advantage of an expansion in the 1947 state law creating cooperative school districts. Mason was part of that; it joined with Greenville, Lyndeborough, New Ipswich, and Wilton to create an alliance that would allow the districts to share space and resources.

A half-century later, Mason wanted out. It would take the town six years of negotiations, appeals to state authorities, and political acrimony to pull it off.

House Bill 530, signed by Gov. Chris Sununu at the end of June, changes state law to allow a three-fifths supermajority of voters in one or more towns to leave a cooperative school district, and sets a high bar for the remaining towns to stop them.

It didnt go well, commented New Hampshire School Boards Association Executive Director Barrett Christina, then a staff attorney for the organization, in 2010. It was not a pleasant experience.

The process is one that many New Hampshire towns are familiar with. Surrys withdrawal from SAU 38 was also contentious and led to further departures within the SAU. Most of New Hampshires cooperative school districts were formed 60 years ago, and some argue that the means in which to dissolve those districts are unnecessarily complex.

This year, towns and school districts will have a slightly easier time breaking out. House Bill 530, signed by Gov. Chris Sununu at the end of June, changes state law to allow a three-fifths supermajority of voters in one or more towns to leave a cooperative school district, and sets a high bar for the remaining towns to stop them.

Under current law, the only way for one or more towns to break away is if a majority of voters in those towns, as well as a majority of voters across the district, vote to do so.

That process has meant that towns that would like to leave a district must effectively convince a majority of voters in all towns to agree  and that larger population towns can override the effort by smaller towns to leave.

HB 530, which takes effect July 30, preserves in state law the traditional approach to dissolution. But it also gives smaller towns a new chance to leave without needing to persuade the whole district.

Moving forward, if 60 percent of the break-off districts voters opt to leave, that district may leave  unless a 60 percent supermajority of the whole cooperative district votes to block the effort.

The new law comes a year after some House Republicans had supported a bill, House Bill 1679, that would dissolve all cooperative school districts entirely by 2025, and require the school districts to rejoin if they wanted to continue. That bill was ultimately shelved by the House Education Committee.

To Rep. Rick Ladd, a Haverhill Republican and chairman of the House Education Committee, the new law helps address a longstanding issue without tipping the balance too far toward withdrawing towns.

It places the bar very, very high, but it is one way to withdraw, Ladd said. And we feel that this is a compromise measure to allow this act to occur.

New Hampshires cooperative districts were first created in 1947 as way to share resources among smaller towns.

Before cooperative districts, if a towns school district wanted to send its students to another districts schools and facilities, it needed to enter into a tuition agreement with the larger school district. That arrangement was not equal: The larger, receiving district would retain full control over the curriculum and budgets of its schools, while the sending district largely served in an advisory role.

Cooperative districts are structured more as a partnership. Individual school districts band together under an alliance, and decisions over facilities and curriculum are made jointly, by a cooperative school district board representing all of the districts. The arrangement allows small and rural towns and cities to pool tax revenues and give students access to more specialized facilities and instruction. And in some cases, it helps to create financial balance between property-poor and property-rich communities.

Today, New Hampshire has around 30 cooperative school districts, most of which were formed in the 1950s and 1960s. But Ladd and others say that in the 60 years since, some of the towns in those districts have changed dramatically. Some have seen property values plummet or school enrollment swiftly decline. Those shifts can cause imbalances in resources that can make the arrangements more expensive for smaller towns, Ladd argues.

And critics of the current law have said the departure process creates too many hurdles. First, the school board of a pre-existing school district must conduct a review and send a feasibility plan to the State Board of Education making the case for leaving. Then, if the cooperative school board votes against the plan to leave, it must also file a report arguing against the breakup. The state board must then vote on which report it will accept, and only then can a special election be held among the voters.

That process creates too many points at which the cooperative district can thwart the withdrawal, Ladd argued. By allowing for a three-fifths supermajority to decide, some of that friction is reduced, he said.

Not all are in support of the new withdrawal law. In testimony to the House, Jason Call, a Jefferson resident, worried the bill would encourage further animosity between towns.

Districts make decisions based on what is best for the entire district, he said. If its even easier to withdraw, districts will have even less incentive to make good long-term decisions if they are always wondering if they will lose substantial numbers of students or significant valuation.

Barbara Widger, of Manchester, had a different concern.

This is likely to harm already property-tax-poor towns, she said in her testimony.

This story was originally published by New Hampshire Bulletin

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Law makes it easier for NH towns to withdraw from school districts
Michael Gove, a staunch Brexiteer, chaired a Cabinet committee overseeing preparedness for no-deal Brexit - Lucy North/PA

Planning for no-deal Brexit made the UK more match fit to respond to the Covid pandemic, Michael Gove has said.

Mr Gove, who was Cabinet Office minister and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the pandemic began in 2020, told the Covid Inquiry that planning for leaving the EU was some of the best preparation possible for a crisis.

The veteran Tory, who is now the Levelling Up Secretary, was questioned by the inquiry over his previous roles and pandemic planning.

Giving evidence on the fifth week of the inquiry, the 55-year-old denied that moving staff over to Brexit work had a detrimental effect on pandemic planning.

He said the Civil Service expanded in readiness for departing the EU after being asked by Kate Blackwell KC, counsel to the inquiry, whether staff were overworked.

Better in dealing with the crisis

The nature, the pace and the intensity of the work undoubtedly placed pressure on individuals and the system, but it also ensured a greater degree of match fitness for what none of us anticipated but what was to come the year after, said Mr Gove.

I would argue that the skills acquired, honed and refined during EU exit preparation helped us not only to have an organisational system that was better in dealing with the crisis, but also having a cadre of people whod been through an intense process that enhanced their ability to respond.

The preparation for EU exit in and of itself was some of the best preparation that could have been undergone for any future crisis.

Mr Gove, a staunch Brexiteer, chaired a Cabinet committee overseeing preparedness for no-deal Brexit across government departments under Boris Johnsons premiership.

The Exit Operations committee had to work at an accelerated tempo because of the EU exit deadline, he said.

I do believe that it was helpful for all of government to be operating at that pace, because we made government more match fit overall for the terrible events that this inquiry has been set up to look at, he added.

Focus had been on flu pandemic

Asked whether workforce capacity issues resulting from moving staff over to prepare for a no-deal Brexit had a detrimental effect on pandemic planning, Mr Gove said: No, because I havent yet seen any activity that has been identified that would have enabled us to significantly better deal [with the pandemic].

He also said Britain was unprepared for a coronavirus pandemic because it was focused on responding to a flu outbreak instead.

Ultimately, the pandemic that occurred was not a flu pandemic. It was one for which we were unprepared because few western nations, if any Western nations had anticipated the particular type of pandemic that Covid-19 was, he said.

The MP for Surrey Heath added that the Cabinet Office did flex rapidly once it was clear what the scale of the pandemic was in the spring of 2020.

The inquiry continues next week, when the first of six modules will come to an end.

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Lloyd Austin

There is no doubt that Ukraine will join NATO once its war with Russia is over, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in an interview with CNN on July 13.

We heard just about every country in the room say as much, Austin said in Vilnius, Lithuania, following the NATO Summit.

Read also: NATO Summit: three scenarios for Ukraine

He said that there is still work to be done in bringing Ukraines equipment and training up to NATO standards.

While we are doing this work now as they fight this war, Austin said, there is more that will need to be done to ensure that they have a full complement of capabilities.

Ukraine will not be able to join NATO as long as the war continues, but understands that accession will take place when it has secured its territory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on July 12.

NATO Summit in Vilnius  What is known

The summit in Vilnius brought together leaders from 31 NATO countries, including U.S. President Joe Biden, along with additional delegations from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and Sweden (Turkey has finally agreed to unblock Swedens membership).

Read also: G7 leaders officially announce security guarantees package for Ukraine

President Zelenskyy arrived in Vilnius on July 11, along with the First Lady, Olena Zelenska.

Ukraine hoped to receive a clear signal regarding the prospects for its future membership of the alliance.

On the eve of the summit, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that allies had agreed that Ukraine would join NATO in the future without a Membership Action Plan  the traditional process of accession for new members.

Although NATO member states on July 11 agreed on a unified communique concerning Ukraines membership in the alliance, they made no timeframe commitments as to when Kyiv might receive an invitation to join.

The communique noted that Ukraine would be invited to join the alliance once member states agree and all prerequisites have been satisfied  without specifying what those prerequisites are, exactly.

Read also: NATO inviting Ukraine a matter of months  Biden

The document also remarked that the alliance would aid Ukraine in implementing reforms on its pathway to prospective membership.

Following the summit, Zelenskyy said that he was convinced that Ukraine would receive an invitation to become a NATO member after the end of the war.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Sultan Al Jaber is an Emirates oil executive and president of this year's COP28 climate talks (Francois WALSCHAERTS)

Sultan Al Jaber, Emirates oil executive and president of the most important climate summit since the Paris Agreement in 2015, has a quick answer when asked when the world will stop burning fossil fuels: when there's enough clean energy to replace them.

"We cannot shut down the energy system of today before we build the new energy system of tomorrow that is equipped with zero-carbon emission sources," said Jaber, head of the United Arab Emirates national oil company ADNOC and head of the upcoming COP28 climate summit.

"We don't want to create an energy crisis."

With global temperatures hitting record highs last week and countries buffeted by floods, storms and crop-withering heatwaves, the world remains far off track to meet its climate goals.

That has prompted some countries to call for a decision at COP28 to entirely phase out planet-warming fossil fuels from the global energy mix.

Jaber said the phase down of fossil fuels is both "inevitable" and "essential".

But "I don't have a magic (wand)" as to when that will happen, he told AFP in Brussels, after outlining his action plan and goals for the year-end summit to ministers from European Union nations and China.

There are still 800 million people in the world -- mostly in Africa -- who still do not have electricity, Jaber pointed out, with a global population projected to expand significantly in the next 30 years.

"Even today, there's already a shortage of supply," he added.

Since his appointment as COP28 president at the beginning of this year, Jaber has been under heavy fire from critics saying his position as an oil and gas executive is a conflict of interest because burning fossil fuels is by far the main driver of global warming.

An open letter from around a hundred US and European legislators has called for him to step down.

- Tripling renewables -

But Jaber has at the same time received strong endorsements from veteran climate negotiators such as UN Special Envoy John Kerry and UN Climate chief Simon Stiell, formerly a climate minister from Grenada.

Jaber himself rejects the criticisms out-of-hand, pointing to his long experience as a climate negotiator, and his role as head of the government-owned renewable energy company Masdar, which he founded.

"We don't see this as a conflict of interest," he said in the interview with AFP.

"Indeed, it is in our common interest to include someone who comes with a business background," noting that he's the first CEO to ever lead a climate COP.

"It gets me motivated to prove to the world that a person with my track record and credentials can provide a completely different set of value propositions through my experience," he added.

With less than five months to go until COP28 in Dubai, Jaber identified main priorities, including fast-tracking the transition to a net-zero economy and revamping climate finance.

He has also said the UN climate forum should call for tripling global renewable energy capacity to 11,000 gigawatts, doubling energy efficiency, and doubling the production of hydrogen to 180 million tonnes per year, all by 2030.

Last year's climate summit in Egypt saw the creation of a new financial facility for poor countries already ravaged by impacts, but rebuffed attempts to spell out the need to ditch fossil fuels.

- Global stocktake -

That same fault line will run through COP28, pitting the European Union and scores of developing countries against China, India and other emerging giants, along with the United States, the world's largest oil and gas producer.

"We want to stay focused on keeping 1.5 within reach," said Jaber, referring to the Paris Agreement's aspirational goal for capping global warming.

He said that the private sector and nuclear power would both have key roles to play.

"I have no doubt that we will be able to deliver a concrete outcome... supported by (the) private sector and private capital", he said.

"Nuclear power is a secure, sustainable, low carbon baseload source of power," he continued. "In my view, it can provide a very robust bridge in this transition."

COP28 -- expecting 70,000 participants, double the largest COP to date -- will see the first "global stocktake" of progress towards the Paris climate treaty's goals.

With countries far off track, Jaber has asked ministers from South Africa and Denmark to pave the way for talks on how to accelerate decarbonisation and put the world on a course consistent with the 1.5 degrees Celsius target.

Also on Thursday, the UAE published their revised national plan for cutting carbon emissions.

Experts at the Climate Action Tracker research NGO have said they will analyse it to see whether it will change their assessment of the country's previous plan as "highly insufficient."

bl-ico/mh/klm/rox
No way in hell : Omar says she will not attend Israeli presidents upcoming address to joint session of Congress

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) said Wednesday that she has no plans to attend Israeli presidents Isaac Herzog upcoming joint address to Congress, citing the ongoing tensions between Israeli government and Palestine.

There is no way in hell I am attending the joint session address from a President whose country has banned me and denied @RashidaTlaib the ability to see her grandma, Omar wrote in a Twitter thread. She said the U.S. shouldnt be inviting a president of a government that barred her and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) from visiting their country.

Israeli President Isaac Herzogs address comes on behalf of the most right wing government in Israels history, at a time when the government is openly promising to crush Palestinian hopes of statehoodessentially putting a nail in the coffin of peace and a two-state solution, Omar said in her thread.

Omar added in her thread the recent issues and concerns with the country and its government, noting the far-right members of the governments attempt to push legislation that will overhaul the countrys Supreme Court.

She also noted that she recently opposed an invitation for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis joint address to Congress last month due to his governments human rights record.

The United States can and should use its diplomatic tools to engage with the Israeli government, but giving the current government the honor of a joint televised address sends the absolute wrong signal at the wrong time, Omar concluded in her thread.

Herzog, who has been the countrys president since 2021, is set to address a joint meeting of Congress on July 19, as the politician is visiting Washington to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of Israel.

Herzog will be the second Israeli president to address Congress after his father, Chaim Herzog, did so in November 1987.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
'No way in hell': Rep. Ilhan Omar says she won't attend Israeli president's address in protest

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said there is no way in hell she will attend Israeli President Isaac Herzogs address to a joint session of Congress next week.

Omar announced she would boycott Herzogs speech in a statement on Twitter Wednesday. The Democratic lawmaker criticized the Israeli president over the countrys human rights violations and for representing "the most right wing government in Israels history." She also accused Israel's government of "essentially putting a nail in the coffin of peace and a two-state solution" with Palestine.

Herzog has served as Israels president since 2021. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., first invited Herzog last year to address a joint session of Congress in honor of Israels 75th birthday.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who succeeded Pelosi in the role after Republicans won control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections, announced late last month that Herzog would visit Washington on July 19 for the address.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. on the floor before President Joe Biden speaks during the State of the Union address from the House chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington.

This is not the first time Omar has not attended a joint address to Congress in protest. She also opposed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis address to Congress over human rights abuses in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Omar is one of the most outspoken critics of Israel and the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians. In 2019, she and a fellow progressive Democrat, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., were barred from entering Israel by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Omar and Tlaib are two of just three Muslim members of Congress.

Omar noted on Twitter that Herzog's visit "comes during the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank in history." The death toll of Palestinians killed in the West Bank this year has risen past 100, according to data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The United States can and should use its diplomatic tools to engage with the Israeli government, but giving the current government the honor of a joint televised address sends the absolute wrong signal at the wrong time, Omar added.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ilhan Omar to boycott speech by Israel President Isaac Herzog
Kristyn and Nathan Frazee planned and saved for years to build their dream home.

The couple was referred by word of mouth to Eric Eberhart, who owns a construction business out of Cass County called JSE Construction. The Frazees hired Eberhart in November 2022 to do site preparation and concrete work  a decision they would come to deeply regret.

After paying Eberhart thousands of dollars, the Frazees stood on one of the piers they said Eberhart told them he put down to elevate their Warrensburg home to prevent it from flooding. But they realized it easily moved, and another contractor later told the family that had they built their first home on the piers, 50 to 60 mph winds could have knocked it down, putting them and their children in harms way.

He cut corners on absolutely everything he did, Kristyn Frazee said about the work at their house.

The Frazees arent the first to complain about Eberhart. Since 2017, Eberhart has been ordered to pay numerous companies that claimed he owed them money and three customers who alleged he did shoddy or incomplete work, amounting to tens of thousands of dollars in judgments, according to court records in Jackson and Cass counties. Others have aired their complaints on social media.

Despite court orders, three of Eberharts former clients say he has not paid the full amount awarded. The Frazees and another woman, who said Eberhart bankrupted her, have not filed lawsuits.

Reached by phone, Eberhart referred The Star to his attorney, K. Adam Sommer, of Warrensburg.

Sommer called it unfortunate that people are willing to say things on social media about other people without a concern for the truth.

It is unfortunate that they have chosen to attempt to go after somebodys livelihood in this way, he said, adding that defamatory statements will be met in kind.

Eberhart allegedly did such a poor job that the Frazees asked for their money back, which they said amounted to $28,500. Believing they were ripped off, the couple consulted with a lawyer, who said they would win on paper if they took Eberhart to court but that the effort could prove pointless.

Eberhart likely wouldnt pay them, like he hadnt paid back others, they were told.

The couple took to Facebook, posting pictures of the work Eberhart did to warn everyone about this con artist.

Sadly our family has fallen victim to the biggest scam we never thought would happen, Kristyn Frazee wrote May 9.

Since then, Kristyn Frazees inbox has been flooded with people who describe themselves as Eberhart victims, she told The Star.

The couple believes Eberhart committed fraud and should be criminally investigated.

Concrete overflows a forming tube at the construction site of a new home Nathan and Kristyn Frazee planned to build near Warrensburg, Missouri.

When the Frazees attorney sent Eberhart a demand letter seeking a refund earlier this year, Sommer responded that Eberhart was declining.

My client provided work as he was directed by Mr. Frazee, he wrote.

The Frazees consulted with Blue Springs attorney Jason Rew, who quickly found the contractors trail of litigation.

My concern was youre going to spend some money, I dont know how much, on attorney fees and pursuing this guy and it doesnt appear as though hes made a habit of paying judgments, Rew said. And you may have nothing to show for it.

Winning a lawsuit doesnt mean the defendant immediately pays up, Rew said. Oftentimes, plaintiffs must pursue assets like real estate, bank accounts or heavy equipment in order to cash in their judgments.

Contractors routinely face legal disputes, Rew said. But hes never seen a court record like Eberharts.

Whats uncommon is how he has not even bothered to show up and defend any of these cases, Rew said. Its not uncommon for people to have a lot of judgments against them, especially in construction cases, but its pretty uncommon to not show up.

Court judgments unpaid

In 2018, Lori Payne hired Eberhart to install an epoxy floor in the basement of her Raymore home for $5,000. Most of it looked good, she wrote in a small claims petition she filed months later, but the final quarter of it was horrible.

After he later ruined everything by putting down too much product, she wrote, he left her with chemicals and a sponge and told her to wipe the floor. She was so upset she could barely speak. Weeks passed as she tried to get Eberhart to redo the floor, she said. He eventually told her she had an attitude problem and to F off, according to her complaint in court.

A judge ordered him to pay her $2,604.

But Payne, who now lives in Arizona, said Eberhart did not pay her that full amount. She said she got about $300 from one of his checking accounts, but that he then closed it out.

Once he finds out someones garnishing his accounts, he just closes them all, said Payne, who was eventually contacted by another woman who claimed he had done the same thing to her.

Following a recommendation from a plumber, that woman, Pina Murphy, hired Eberhart to stain the concrete floors in the basement of her Harrisonville home in 2018.

After working for several days, Eberhart told her the work was finished, but warned her to avoid the fumes downstairs. He left the basement tented off from the rest of the house, she said, and she stayed at a hotel.

The next day, she said, she discovered a mess.

Instead of a brown finish, the floor was red. Workers left footprints in the stain and cracked her new bathtub, broke a window and damaged her sump pump, she said.

By the time she realized the state of the basement, Murphy had already cut Eberhart a check.

In a text to her, she said, the contractor acknowledged the bad job, saying his company does too much of this kind of work to leave something looking that way. He vowed to make it right.

But she says he never refunded the money.

Even filing a lawsuit was challenging: Murphy said the contractor kept dodging servers from the Cass County Sheriffs Office. She eventually had to hire a private process server to track him down.

Once he was finally served, Eberhart failed to show up in court. A judge in June 2018 ordered JSE Construction to pay $5,000, plus court costs of about $460.

But the judgment was just the beginning. Like other alleged victims, she couldnt get him to actually pay up. She found out where he banked, but learned he had closed his account. Then, she said, a private process server she hired chained up a piece of his heavy equipment.

Finally, he agreed to pay her $3,000.

Hes a scammer, said Murphy, now 52. He knows what hes doing.

Deception, fraud, false pretense

The largest amount Eberhart has been ordered to pay to a former customer came following a claim filed in 2018 in Jackson County Circuit Court.

The year before, Mary Ann Silvius, of Kansas City, paid Eberhart $17,300 to replace a two-car detached garage, according to public court filings. Eberhart told her they were good with the city and that everything had been approved, she wrote in the petition. He planned to start work by May 2017.

Three months later, in August of that year, Eberhart acknowledged he was struggling to timely finish the work, according to the court records. He later said he spoke with the city and should have a new permit by the end of business today, Silvius wrote.

But Silvius lawyer alleged that a review of the citys permits website revealed no permit was ever issued for her project.

By early 2018, Silvius attorney sent Eberhart a demand letter in an effort to settle the issue; he allegedly did not respond or refund her money.

Her petition contended Eberhart violated the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, calling his operation unlawful and claiming he used deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise and misrepresentation. When Eberhart did not show up for court, Judge Mary Weir found him in default and ordered Eberhart to pay Silvius a total of $17,863, which included attorneys fees.

Reached by The Star, Silvius said she has not seen any of that money.

Nathan and Kristyn Frazee expected to already be living on this plot of land near Warrensburg, Missouri.

As of Wednesday, the Missouri Attorney Generals Office had received one complaint that a consumer paid for JSEs services but that the work was shoddy and unfinished, said spokesperson Madeline Sieren. The AGs office is trying to mediate that case.

The attorney generals office encouraged anyone who believes they were ripped off to call the consumer protection hotline at 800-392-8222 or to submit a complaint at ago.mo.gov.

Undoing Eberharts work

Karen Bunch first hired Eberhart to do concrete work on her new Cass County home. She had planned to hire an Amish crew to build the house, but he beat their bid by $5,000 for the whole house and was available to start immediately.

The framing went well, but nothing else did.

While she was tending to her ill mother in the St. Louis area, she said, Eberhart told her things were progressing. So she kept sending $2,000 checks each week.

Upon her return, she found problem after problem.

First, it was the shoddy toilet: Bunch said the contractor misjudged the plumbing and had to stack the toilet on top of layers and layers of plywood to fit into place.

He must have thought I was an idiot at that point, she told The Star. I said, What the hell are you doing?

The adjacent shower leaked so much she had to have the walls ripped out several times. And as Bunch began asking questions and demanding repair, Eberhart seemed to disappear.

He stopped returning calls and texts, she said.

Karen Bunch hired contractor Eric Eberhart to build her Cass County home. But she says he left the home unfinished and needing thousands of dollars in repairs. Bunch says the contractor dumped piles of crushed concrete in her front yard and incorrectly installed shingles on the roof.

He left her with a semi-completed home that she describes as unlivable.

The windows are so poorly sealed that dust is a constant struggle.

Shingles have flown off the roof. A radiant heat floor system she paid nearly $10,000 for is inoperable because he didnt install it correctly, she said.

Piles of concrete litter her yard.

Theres a lot of Eric in this house that aggravates me on a daily basis, she said.

He left the upstairs unfinished, she said. Same with the kitchen.

To get through winters, she nests in her bedroom with electric blankets and space heaters. The house gets as cold as 48 degrees, she said.

This guy totally bankrupted me, Bunch said. At this point Im going to have to sell off part of the acreage just to stay in this shitty house.

After spending tens of thousands of dollars, Bunch is left with a home that will cost thousands more to fix. Some friends who have inspected it have suggested she demolish the home and start over.

She never pursued civil litigation, expecting he would avoid paying her like he had done with others. Bunch, 66, who uses a wheelchair and a ventilator because of severe multiple sclerosis, said shed like to pursue an elder abuse case against Eberhart.

I dont think Im ever going to see a red cent, she said. It will cost about $30,000 to finish the house because they have to undo so much.

As he allegedly started dodging her calls in 2019, Eberhart told Bunch he had been hired into a full-time construction job, she said. She assumed that meant he had stopped solo work  and stopped ripping off others.

Then, she saw Frazees Facebook post.

It would almost be a comedy of errors if he hadnt destroyed so many lives, she said. Nobody can touch him.
None of us are safe. Coconut Grove man viciously beaten up, community leader says

While on a walk to his Coconut Grove home, taking strides with ear buds in listening to his favorite songs, Gregory Breidenbach was jumped by several men who yelled homophobic slurs and viciously beat him up in the street last weekend, a community leader said.

During the early morning hours on Saturday, Breidenbach was near Virrick Park when the attack happened, Billie Baldwin, president of the Womans Club of Coconut Grove, said in a community release. While being beaten unconscious, the attackers shouted expletives such as f*****.

He was found half-naked by police at Douglas Road and Florida Avenueand lying in the street unresponsive. Allegedly, she said police escorted him home instead of going to the hospital.

Miami police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

As long as these thugs are wandering the streets, none of us are safe to walk home at night, she said.

Breidenbach would eventually go to the hospital, where he is scheduled for face reconstruction surgery. Some of his injuries include a cracked orbital socket, fractured and detached nasal cavity and a fracture under his ear.

Baldwin said his cheek bone will also be replaced with a metal plate and work will be done to try to repair nerve damage.

He really needs your prayers, she said. It is hard for him to respond to all the outpour of friends and community members that saw his Facebook account of what happened.

His recuperation will take at least two months.

Because of certained expletives said in the attack, Baldwin believes it was a targeted hate crime.

This hate crime needs to be aired by all of us with a resounding zero tolerance for hate crimes by us all, she said.

Breidenbach told Local 10 News he feels anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation make him and others targets.

Unfortunately, it was such a brutal attack that I thought it was my responsibility to get out there and let other people know. Its just not safe right now, he said. Youve got to be aware of whats going on around you.
After 20 years in business, a beloved Norfolk restaurant is closing its doors on Saturday.

Fine dining restaurant Voila! in the West Freemason neighborhood is closing as its owners, husband and wife John and Maggie Tsouris, begin their retirement. The restaurant has already been fully reserved for its last week.

The Tsourises have owned restaurants in Hampton Roads for 34 years, starting with The Boulevard Cafe in Virginia Beach and Enricos Ristorante in Norfolk. They bought Voila!, originally opened in 2003 by the owner of nearby Omars Carriage House, in 2012.

With customer favorites like beef Wellington and duck a lorange, Voilas food and cocktail menu showcased international cuisine in an elevated dining experience.

Located on the corner of Botetourt and York streets, the small restaurant is decorated with old Virginia opera posters and eclectic chandeliers along with art on the windows to match the cobblestone streets that surround the building.

When reflecting on the restaurants accomplishments over the years, Maggie Tsouris said Voila! has thrived by just sticking with the classics.

I think people want a certain amount of inventiveness, she said. But when it comes down, push come to shove, they like some of the basic stuff. People always say that to us. I dont try to reinvent the wheel with my drinks.

In the past, Voila has participated in various community events, including Dining Out For Life, an annual restaurant fundraising event to raise money to support people living with HIV.

Even after the restaurant shut down for 77 days during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Voila! continued to receive local support despite reopening with only eight tables and no barstools to meet distancing requirements.

We appreciate all the support, John Tsouris said. And were definitely going to miss everybody.

The Tsourises said they excited for their retirement, and they have plans to travel and spend time with their two young grandchildren. John Tsouris will focus on writing an international cuisine cookbook.

Originally from Greece, John Tsouris came to Los Angeles at 17 years old. The Tsourises met at a restaurant in Long Beach, California, where John worked as a chef and Maggie as a server. Theyve been married for 46 years and have spent nearly four decades in Hampton Roads together.

But the best part of the job was the customers they met while working, John Tsouris said.

We just made a lot of people happy. We made a lot of friends, he said. I think for me, thats good enough.

Gabby Jimenez, gabrielle.jimenez@virginiamedia.com
North Carolina Teen Detained At Airport For Using Travel Hack To Cut Costs, Dad Says

A North Carolina father feels that American Airlines put his teenage son in an unfair position after he tried to utilize a travel loophole.

Hunter Parson of Charlotte told local news channel WJZY that his son Logan  a minor traveling alone for the first time  was interrogated, detained, forced to buy a new ticket, and banned from flying American Airlinesafter engaging in skip lagging.

Skip lagging, or hidden city ticketing, is when someone buys an airline ticket with multiple stops and leaves the airport during a layover rather than getting on the next flight to the tickets final destination.

Its a cost-cutting hack that can be more affordable than buying a direct flight to a desired destination. Its also legal but is frowned upon by many airlines, CBS News reports.

Parson told WJZY that he bought Logan a ticket from Gainesville, Florida, to New York City, which had a stop in Charlotte, after using the resource Skip Lagged, which Parson said his family had been using for the past five to eight years.

Logan was meant to leave the airport during its stop in his hometown to meet his family, but Parson said that a gate agent in Florida was suspicious after seeing Logans North Carolina drivers license.

According to Parsons, Logan was interrogated a little bit and then taken to a security room.

They kind of got out of him that he was planning to disboard in Charlotte and not going to make the connecting flight, Parsons told WJZY.

As a result, American Airlines canceled Logans ticket and forced his family to purchase a direct flight.

Our concerns were that hes a minor, Parsons told WJZY. He was left to fend for himself, several states away.

Parsons also thinks his son should have gotten a stern warning rather than the airline putting a minor in that situation.

In January 2021, American Airlines announced in a memo that it would begin cracking down on skiplagging. When contacted by WJZY and People for comment about Parsons allegations, American Airlines said that hidden city ticketing violates its terms and conditions and is outlined in the companys conditions for carriage.

Our records indicate the customer was questioned only at the ticket counter about their travel while attempting to check-in for their flight, a representative for American Airlines told People in an email. A member of our Customer Relations team has been in touch with them to address their concerns.

An American Airline rep later told WJZY that they were attempting to contact the Parson family to figure out exactly what happened to Logan at the Florida airport and were initially unaware that the teen had been detained. The company added to the news channel that the second ticket the Parson family had to purchase would likely not be refunded, and Logan would be banned from flying American for three years for violating their policies.

Related...
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is pledging to ramp up his countrys nuclear capabilities after he oversaw the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Wednesday, according to state media.

North Korea fired its first ICBM in three months after it accused a U.S. aircraft of violating its airspace. Kims latest statement suggested he would accelerate the testing of weapons as the U.S. continues to support South Korea and conduct joint military drills with its ally.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim said a series of stronger military offensives will be launched until the U.S. imperialists and the south Korean puppet traitors admit the shameful defeat of their useless hostile policy toward the DPRK in despair and give up their policy.

The U.S. condemned North Koreas launch of the Hwasong-18 missile, which was first test-fired in April, saying officials will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and Republic of Korea and Japanese allies. The U.S. also said North Korea violated resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, which is set to meet Friday afternoon to discuss the ICBM launch at the request of the United States, Albania, France, Japan, Malta and the United Kingdom.

Kim said the Korean Peninsula is being seriously threatened by the hostile forces, requiring more intense efforts to implement the line of bolstering nuclear war deterrent, KCNA reported. The outlet reported Kim said his Wednesday launch of fully demonstrated the might of the [Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea] fully equipped with the firm nuclear war deterrence for self-defence and the overwhelming offensive power.

KCNA also noted the ICBM launch had no negative effect on the security of the neighboring countries. The missile flew 620 miles and a maximum altitude of 3,730 miles before it landed in water between Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
people watch a large tv screen with an image of a missile launching into a blue sky

North Korea test-fired a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Wednesday (July 12).

The missile may have been a new road-mobile Hwasong-18 ICBM, the Associated Press (AP) reported , citing experts. Japanese and South Korean news agencies first reported the test-firing, citing their nations' respective militaries.

The ICBM launched from the region around North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, at 10 a.m. local time (0100 GMT) on July 12, reaching a maximum altitude of 3,730 miles (6,000 kilometers) before landing in the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

Related: North Korea's rocket and missile program (photos)

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno was quoted as saying the vehicle flew for 74 minutes, making the longest recorded flight for a North Korean ballistic missile.

The regime launched a liquid-fueled Hwasong-17 ICBM last year that flew for 71 minutes. North Koreas previous ICBM tests have reportedly been liquid-fueled missiles.

The development of a solid-fueled ICBM would mean North Korea can launch long-range attacks on shorter notice, as solid-fueled rockets need less launch preparation time than their liquid-propellant counterparts. Solid rockets can also be more easily moved and are thus harder to track.

The test follows North Korea threatening "shocking" consequences as a response to what it described as reconnaissance activity near its territory conducted by the United States, the AP noted.

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The United Nations has imposed a range of sanctions on North Korea in relation to its weapons development programs. Despite this, the country has ramped up both its testing campaign and its capabilities in recent years.

"We strongly condemn North Korea's launch of a long-range ballistic missile as a grave provocative act that harms the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the international community and is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions," the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in response to the test, the BBC reported .

The AP reported that some experts believe Pyongyang may increase missile and weapons testing in the runup to the 70th anniversary of the signing of an armistice that ended the Korean War. That signing occurred on July 27, 1953.
SEOUL, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday test-fired its latest Hwasongpho-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the country's state news agency reported Thursday, calling it the core weapon system of its strategic force.

The missile traveled up to a maximum altitude of 6,648.4 km and flew a distance of 1,001.2 km for 4,491 seconds before accurately landing on a preset area in the eastern open waters off the Korean Peninsula.

The test-fire was conducted by setting the first stage as a standard ballistic flight mode and the second and third stages as high-angle flight mode, said the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

It added that the test-fire proved the capability, reliability and military utility of the Hwasongpho-18 and verified the dependability of the nuclear strategic force of the DPRK. The country's nuclear units will soon be equipped with the new-type strategic weapon system under a long-term plan for building the state nuclear force.

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, guided the test-fire on the spot.

Kim touted the latest test-fire as another important stride in developing the strategic force of the DPRK. He said that the current situation of the Korean Peninsula made it imperative for the DPRK to bolster its nuclear war deterrent and the country will steadily accelerate the development of a more developed, effective and reliable weapon system, the KCNA said. 
North Korea: What missiles does it have?

The Hwasong-18 missile uses solid fuel

North Korea has continued regular tests of its missiles this year, after a significant increase in tests carried out in 2022.

It recently also attempted unsuccessfully to launch a space satellite.

Which missiles has North Korea been testing?

North Korea has tested a variety of ballistic and cruise missiles in recent years.

It's also tested hypersonic missiles, which can fly at several times the speed of sound and at low altitude to escape radar detection, as well as others launched from submarines.

The recent effort to launch a space satellite was its sixth attempt to do so and failed because the rocket carrying it lost thrust, according to North Korea's state news agency.

North Korea tested a record number of missiles in 2022, including ones capable of reaching US territory.

graph

In April, North Korea tested what it called "its most powerful" missile to date - the Hwasong-18. It's a solid-fuel missile, which are generally quicker to launch than liquid-fuel ones.

It reportedly flew about 1,000km on its maiden flight, but its true range is estimated to be in excess of 15,000km, according to the US-based CSIS Missile Defense Project.

A second test launch in July 2023 saw a Hwasong-18 reach a claimed altitude of over 6,600km, with a flight time of 74 minutes.

Graphic showing types of North Korean missiles

In November last year, an intercontinental ballistic missile was tested at a high angle, short-range trajectory. Launched at a lower trajectory, this same missile could have reached the US mainland, according to the Japanese government.

Images from North Korean state media of Kim Jong-un with his daughter at the launch appear to show it was the Hwasong-17 - or possibly a modified version of it.

The missile is believed to have a range of 15,000km or more, and could potentially carry three or four warheads, rather than only one. Several earlier attempts to launch the Hwasong-17 are thought to have failed, although it may have been used in a test carried out in March 2022.

In October last year, North Korea fired another type of missile which flew over Japan - thought to have been the intermediate-range Hwasong-12. This can travel up to 4,500km - putting the US island of Guam in the Pacific within range.

North Korea has also been testing the Hwasong-14 ballistic missile with a range of 8,000km - although some studies suggest it could travel as far as 10,000km, making it capable of reaching New York.

And there is the Hwasong-15 missile, which is believed to have a range of 13,000km, putting all of the continental US in its sights.

What nuclear weapons does North Korea have?

The last time North Korea tested a nuclear bomb was in 2017. The explosion at its Punggye-ri test site had a force, or "yield", of between 100-370 kilotons.

A 100 kiloton bomb is six times more powerful than the one the US dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.

North Korea claimed this was its first thermonuclear device - the most powerful of all types of atomic weapon.

Map showing main nuclear test sites in North Korea and table of tests over time

However, North Korea may be aiming to test a smaller type of nuclear warhead with similar explosive force, according to Joseph Byrne, research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

"It seems they are now testing a new capability - a miniaturised warhead that can be fitted onto a range of missiles, including short-range missiles" he says.

Six underground tests have previously been carried out at Punggye-ri. However, in 2018 North Korea said it would shut the site down, because it had "verified" its nuclear capabilities.

Some of the tunnels into the site were subsequently blown up in the presence of foreign journalists. However, North Korea did not invite international experts to verify if it had been put beyond use.

Restarting North Korea's nuclear reactor

In 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a promise to then-US president Donald Trump that North Korea would destroy all its nuclear material enrichment facilities.

However, the UN's atomic energy agency, the IAEA, says satellite images suggest that North Korea has restarted the reactor which makes its weapons-grade plutonium.

In September 2022, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said there were signs that a test site at Punggye-ri was open again. And in March this year, Mr Grossi said that activity there as well as at Yongbyon was "deeply regrettable."

The IAEA has not had physical access to North Korea's nuclear facilities since April 2009.
This photo provided on July 13, 2023, by the North Korean government shows what it says is the test-firing of an Hwasong-18 ICBM, at an undisclosed location, in North Korea, on July 12, 2023. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to further bolster his countrys nuclear fighting capabilities as he supervised the second test flight of a new, powerful intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the mainland United States, state media reported Thursday.

Kims statement suggested North Korea would ramp up weapons testing activities to expand its arsenal in response to recent U.S. steps to enhance its security commitment to ally South Korea. On Thursday, in an apparent show of force against North Korea, the U.S. flew a nuclear-capable B-52 bomber to the Korean Peninsula for joint aerial exercises with other U.S. and South Korean fighter jets.

(Kim) clarified again that there will be no change and vacillation in the strategic line and policy of (the North Korean) government to steadily accelerate the development of more developed, effective and reliable weapon system," the Korean Central News Agency said.

Kim said North Korea is compelled to bolster the country's nuclear war deterrent because the security environment on the Korean Peninsula is being seriously threatened by the hostile forces every moment.

The Korean Central News Agency reported Kim's comments a day after the launch of the Hwasong-18, which was first test-fired in April and which Kim has called the most powerful weapon of his nuclear forces.

The road-mobile ICBM has built-in solid propellant, which makes it more difficult to detect in advance than liquid-fueled missiles.

KCNA said the launch was meant to reconfirm the technical credibility and operational reliability of the missile. Kim called the launch another important stride in efforts to boost the Norths strategic forces, KCNA said.

According to KCNA, the missile was launched at a high angle to avoid neighboring countries. It flew 74 minutes and a distance of 1,001 kilometers (622 miles) at a maximum altitude of 6,648 kilometers (4,130 miles) before landing in a targeted area in the open waters off the Norths east coast.

The missiles flight time is the longest recorded by any weapon launched by North Korea. If launched on a standard trajectory, the missile could fly to the mainland U.S., though some experts say North Korea still has some technologies to master to acquire functioning nuclear-armed missiles.

South Korea, Japan and the United States criticized North Korea over the launch that they said posed a threat to regional and international peace. Adam Hodge, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, said in a statement that the U.S. will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and South Korean and Japanese allies.

The United Nations Security Council scheduled an open meeting late Friday afternoon to discuss the ICBM launch at the request of the United States, Albania, France, Japan, Malta and the United Kingdom.

Wednesday's launch violated U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban any North Korean launches using ballistic technologies. But it's unclear if the council can impose new sanctions on North Korea because China and Russia, both veto-wielding permanent members, had blocked the U.S. and others' previous attempts to do so over North Korea's other recent ballistic launches.

South Korea's military said Thursday it maintained a firm readiness to repel potential provocations by North Korea and was pushing to achieve peace through strength, based on the strong military alliance with the United States. Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson, Lee Sung Joon, said the South Korean and U.S. authorities agreed to maintain a solid joint defense posture after the North Korean launch.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said that Thursday's South Korea-U.S. training involving the U.S. bomber improved the allies' joint operational capabilities and demonstrated Washington's resolve to implement its extended deterrence" commitment, a promise to use full U.S. capabilities, including nuclear, to protect its allies.

North Korea has been focusing on reinforcing its nuclear capability after Kims high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with then-President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019 due to disputes over U.S.-led sanctions on North Korea.

Thursday's KCNA dispatch accused the U.S. and South Korea of recently taking frantic confrontation attempts and bringing a new chain of nuclear crises to the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea often issues such harsh, warlike rhetoric in times of tension with its rivals. KCNA cited a U.S.-South Korean agreement to strengthen the allies deterrence capabilities such as the periodic docking of a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea and the establishment of a new bilateral nuclear consultative group, whose inaugural meeting is slated for next week in Seoul.

The United States has expanded military drills with South Korea and taken steps to enhance "regular visibility of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula in response to the Norths advancing nuclear arsenal. North Korea conducted about 100 missile tests since the start of 2022. Experts say Kim eventually aims to use his enlarged arsenal to win greater concessions in future diplomacy with the United States.

Wednesdays ICBM launch came two days after Kims sister and senior adviser, Kim Yo Jong, threatened shocking consequences to protest what she called provocative United States reconnaissance activity near its territory. The U.S. and South Korean governments dismissed the Norths accusation as groundless and urged it to refrain from escalatory actions.
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey introduced a congressional resolution on gun violence in response to the deadly shootings in Fort Worth over the Fourth of July weekend.

The resolution aims to spur action on the passage of common sense gun safety legislation that will help prevent gun violence and keep our communities safe, according to Thursday news release from Veasey.

Gun violence continues to tear apart communities in North Texas and across the country, Veasey said. Over the July 4th holiday, three Texans were killed, and more than a dozen were injured in two separate acts of gun violence in my hometown of Fort Worth. Texans and Americans deserve to feel safe in our communities, which is why I introduced this resolution and why I continue to work with my colleagues to advance effective and reasonable gun violence prevention measures that will help end tragedies that have become far too common.

Three people were killed and eight others were injured on July 3 in the Lake Como neighborhood at an afterparty on Horne Street following the annual homecoming celebration ComoFest.

Cynthia Santos, 22; Paul Willis, 18; and Gabriella Navarette, 18, were the victims killed at the Como block party.

Christopher Redic Jr., 20, and Brandon Williams, 19, were arrested on suspicion of murder in connection to the Como shooting, Fort Worth police announced July 7.

I dont know much about the two gunmen that were arrested, said Veasey in a speech referencing the gunmen accused in the Como shooting. But I bet you theyre just as bad as the person that was responsible for so many of those murders during that 1994 era.

According to Veasey, three men were killed in February 1994 in Lake Como. The west Fort Worth neighborhood has had a history of violence on July 3 beginning in 1988, when 15 people were arrested during a night when rocks and bottles were thrown at cars. Eight people were shot on the Fourth of July weekend in 2021. Residents say outsiders have been responsible for much of the violence in the neighborhood.

It should be easy to pass bills like background checks and raising the age limits for AR-15s and make sure that people like the ones I just described dont ever get their hands on a firearm in their lives, said Veasey about the 1994 and 2023 Como gunmen. Weve got to do better.

Five people were also injured in a shooting on the evening of July 3 in the Polytechnic Heights neighborhood in east Fort Worth. Angel Salas was arrested in connection the shooting and faces charges of aggravated assault.

Veaseys resolution is the latest effort in his history of working to prevent gun violence, he said. He serves as deputy whip of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and helped get the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act  which implemented several changes to the mental health system, school safety programs, and gun safety  passed into law.

Veasey has also been a co-sponsor of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which would make it unlawful to sell or transfer a firearm in any transaction without a Brady Background Check.
A Burleson man who idolized the Columbine High School shooters pleaded guilty Thursday to possessing a homemade bomb, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

Noah Robert Calderon, 22, was charged on April 18 via criminal complaint with possession of prohibited weapons, possession of components of explosives, and deadly conduct and was indicted on May 10.

He pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm and one count of receipt of child pornography.

This defendants obsession with mass shooters put him squarely on the Justice Departments radar. When he violated the law, we took immediate action, potentially thwarting an act of violence, said Simonton. The discovery of one crime, possession of an unregistered firearm, led to the discovery of another, possession of child pornography. We are proud to hold him accountable for both. 

The collaborative work by the FBI and our law enforcement partners led to todays outcome which holds Mr. Calderon accountable for creating and possessing a homemade bomb and for possessing explicit videos of a child, said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough. The FBI is committed to protecting the communities we serve from violent acts and the exploitation of innocent children. We ask the public to remain alert and to continue reporting suspicious or threatening behavior to law enforcement.

The investigation began in October, when the FBI received a tip about Calderons social media activity.

Court documents said that Calderon displayed a fascination with high-profile mass shootings online, particularly the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School. He posted several images of himself in tactical-style vests posing with AR-15-style rifles and shared Columbine-themed posts along with images of homemade explosives.

In March, the FBI received another tip that Calderon had detonated a homemade bomb in his residential neighborhood in Burleson.

In plea papers, he admitted that he had purchased explosive substances online. He also admitted that he stored 659.2 grams of explosive powder, along with a lighter, a cannon fuse, cardboard tubing, a glass jar marked frag that contained metal ball bearings, lead, a funnel, and measuring spoons, in his garage.

A subsequent search of his Google account revealed queries related to the Columbine gunmen, the Charleston church shooter, a pipe bomb how to make search, a how to make propane bombs search, and a wear (sic) were the propane bombs in Columbine search, as well as searches of the names of several local public schools.

In plea papers, Calderon admitted to searching information on how to make a bomb.

A search of his phone also revealed sexually explicit videos taken from a video chat between Calderon and a 13-year-old girl.

He admitted he was aware of the childs age when he saved the sexually explicit videos, according to plea papers.

Calderon faces up to 30 years in federal prison  up to 10 years on the firearm count plus anywhere from five and 20 years on the count of child pornography.

His sentencing is set for 9 a.m. on Nov. 3.

The FBIs Dallas Field Office, the Burleson Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives Dallas Field Division conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Weimer is prosecuting the case with National Security Division Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and Jacob Warren.
A committee of four Northern Lebanon school board members met Tuesday night to discuss a draft of a policy on students' usage of bathrooms and locker room facilities.

The policy would create two kinds of bathrooms, locker rooms and showers located on district property in the district: facilities based on sex assigned at birth and facilities based on gender identity.

The committee, composed of board president Barry Naum, vice president Michael Marlowe, and directors Robbie England and Staci Murray, did not take action on the policy. The revised version of the draft will now be sent to the administration for an assessment of feasibility and application and to their solicitor for formal legal review.

The policy could come to the August board meeting for a vote, but Naum said that they would reconvene the policy committee for further revisions if needed.

Four members of the Northern Lebanon School District board of directors met Tuesday night to discuss and draft policy on facilities usage in the the district's buildings.

"This issue is fundamentally driven by the current state of our culture and law, in our country it's a question of accommodation for transgender individuals," Naum said. "This conversation has dominated nearly every aspect of our culture right now. This necessarily includes our public school systems. This is not an action that any of us have hoped for, nor is it one that we take lightly."

The district has not previously had a policy regarding the use of private facilities, and up until now matters surrounding the topic have been made on a case-by-case basis by the administration.

Naum said that to the board's knowledge, there weren't any current requests from students for accommodations, and they believe that the policy is not directed toward any student or group of students.

Under the draft, the superintendent would be granted the broad responsibility of ensuring that a portion of the facilities within any school district building would be designated to sex assigned at birth, and a portion designated for gender identity. It does not set any kind of standard or ratio as to what portion of the facilities would be designated for each type.

Several revisions to the policy were proposed during the meeting, including the board being responsible for maximizing the number of single-use facilities available to students when pursuing construction or modifications to district buildings and grounds.

It was also proposed by Murlow that the purpose of the policy be rewritten to include the board's mission of ensuring the privacy of all students and protecting individuals and the district legally, as well as making the policy clear to all students, parents and individuals that use the facilities, allowing them to make informed decisions on the level of privacy they require.

Several questions arose through the definitions of gender identity, sex assigned at birth and consistent assertion outlined in the policy that will need be clarified for later versions of the policy, including how a student would identify, how long they would have to identify for, and who in the district would need to know about it.

Joseph Murphy was the only member of the audience of seven who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, held before the committee began discussions on revisions.

"This just feels like it's a separation policy, and not bringing the community together. When you look at successful education institutions, one of the things that is really hard to measure is a sense of community, and this does not create a sense of community. This creates a sense of division among students."

"You may have a student that says, 'Oh, somebody's in my bathroom, I don't know who it is, I'm going to run to the office, because I don't know who this is."

Murphy was concerned that the policy would lead to even more problems and had questions as to who would monitor the bathrooms, where the bathrooms would be and how many single-use facilities the district had and how much it would cost.

"This is an opportunity for this district to educate the community about transgender folks, not separate them. Because these folks have to go out into the world. Your own vision statement says preparing them for the world. This does not prepare them for the world. This prepares them for an us-versus-them environment when they leave, and that's really really concerning."

Naum said the he did not know how many single-use facilities the district had, or what the cost would be, but did say that the district was looking into the possibility of renovations for the secondary school building that would contemplate single-use facilities.

High-speed chase: High-speed chase of stolen Maserati began in York County, ended in Lebanon County crash

He said that what the believes the policy sets out to do is provide all students with the opportunity to be in a place that offers them a level of privacy and safety that they are comfortable with.

Facilities where a person may be in the state of undress designated for sex assigned at birth shall only be utilized by members of that sex and facilities designated based on gender identity may only be used by members of that gender identity, outside of specific circumstances such as custodial maintenance while the facility is not occupied by the opposed sex, to render emergency medical assistance, or during natural disasters, emergencies or when necessary to prevent a serious threat.

PA transgender legislation: Transgender Pennsylvanians struggle through the state's name change rules

The policy also states that all students, regardless of which facilities they use, have an expectation of privacy. Any action taken by a student in a district facility that violates the privacy of another student in that facility is strictly prohibited, and students who violate privacy of another will be disciplined.

The committee proposed to add to this section that discipline would be handled according to the student handbook. Under the current version of the policy, a privacy violation is not explicitly defined. Naum said what constitutes a privacy violation was a question that bears consideration.

Daniel Larlham Jr. is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at DLarlham@LDNews.com or on Twitter @djlarlham

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Northern Lebanon Pa. school committee discusses bathroom policy
The aurora borealis, or northern lights, will likely not be visible tonight in Wisconsin, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center.

That is because there are not enough disturbances in the magnetic field surrounding the Earth, which causes the northern lights to appear.

NOAA measures geomagnetic activity with the Planetary K Index, shortened to Kp, which describes these disturbances on a scale of 0 to 9. The Kp is predicted to be 2 Thursday night.

The aurora forecast for July 13, 2023 shows that the aurora borealis will likely only be visible in Canada.

In order to see the northern lights in Wisconsin, the K index needs to be at least 6, according to NOAA. As it is, the northern lights are expected to be visible in Canada, but not much further south.

Dr. Terri Gee, director of Barlow Planetarium at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Fox Cities Campus, told the Post-Crescent Tuesday "it is very difficult to predict aurora more than 24-48 hours in advance."

More: After days of optimistic forecasts, northern lights chances are now slim. What happened?

While reporting on possible auroras Thursday night was widespread, including from the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin, Gee said the initial prediction came from the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which forecasts about a month out.

Fortunately, she said, aurora fans may not have to wait long for the next display of the northern lights, because of the sun entering an active phase.

"Even if it doesn't work out this time, we'll have more chances for (the aurora) to happen in the coming months," Gee said.

Rebecca Loroff is a breaking and trending news reporter for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. Contact her at rloroff@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Chances of seeing northern lights Thursday in Wisconsin now slim
NY cop arrested for allegedly sending herself menacing texts was in relationship with chief: lawsuit

NY cop arrested for allegedly sending herself menacing texts was in relationship with chief: lawsuit

A police officer in New York , who was arrested on criminal charges after allegedly sending herself menacing text messages and then blaming her colleagues, is now accused of having a sexual relationship with the police chief, according to lawsuit filings.

Ossining police officer Emily Hirshowitz was charged last month with three counts of first-degree filing a false instrument, a felony, and four counts of third-degree falsely reporting an incident, according to local media.

In May of last year, Hirshowitz reportedly filed a complaint with the DA's office regarding harassing and anonymous texts she received on her personal phone. She claimed "that a fellow police officer or multiple police officers at my department are involved" and pushed for an investigation to expose the alleged perpetrator, according to local media.

The texts reportedly urged her to commit suicide and others stated she is a "dumb [expletive]," "useless" and a "reject." The DA's office ultimately determined this year she had sent the texts to herself.

NEW YORK COP ALLEGEDLY SENT HERSELF MENACING TEXTS, THEN BLAMED COLLEAGUES: PROSECUTOR

After her arrest, former Ossining officers Louis Rinaldi and Andrea Zambrano filed a lawsuit against the village and local leaders alleging that Ossining Police Chief Kevin Sylvester "was having an ongoing sexual relationship" with Hirshowitz and tried to blame Rinaldi for the menacing text messages. The suit claims Sylvester was behind Hirshowitz's initial complaint to the DA's office accusing Rinaldi of sending the texts.

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FLORIDA COP LOSES IT WHEN ANOTHER OFFICER PULLS HIM OVER FOR DANGEROUS SPEED: 'I'M GOING TO WORK, MY MAN'

"Sylvester  conducted numerous interviews of police officers, directly asking each officer if they were aware the Officer [Louis] Rinaldi was sending the texts to Officer Emily Hirshowitz," the lawsuit claims, according to the New York Post.

Rinaldi and Zambrano claim in their suit that Sylvester unfairly forced them to resign after butting heads with the chief and being suspended without pay following internal departmental charges.

Rinaldi resigned in May, while Zambrano resigned in 2020, according to the New York Post. The suit claims Sylvester has interfered with them securing employment at other police departments.

"OPD is having trouble recruiting people because of the hostile and manipulative tactics of Chief Sylvester and the support he has received from village officials who have looked the other way for many years," Zambrano's attorney George Hritz told Fox News Digital.

He added that higher-ups at the department are "quietly supporting" the legal efforts.

HOW TO IGNORE YOUR FRIEND'S TEXT MESSAGES AND PRETEND YOU NEVER SAW THEM

"Our clients look forward to bringing even more evidence to light and to presenting their case in open court. Excellent new leadership can be found among existing personnel of the OPD, including people already employed in its upper ranks, several of whom who have been quietly supporting our efforts," Hritz said.

After Hirshowitz's arrest, Sylvester allegedly pushed for a lighter punishment than what was doled out to Rinaldi and Zambrano when they faced unrelated department charges.

"Sylvester told [village officials] that Hirshowitz had been set up by Plaintiffs Rinaldi and Zambrano and personally recommended she not be suspended without pay," the lawsuit states.

Hirshowitz was ultimately suspended with pay, local media reported last month.

The villages legal counsel questioned if the plaintiffs had evidence to back up their claims and called the allegations "ludicrous."

"Some (claims) are so ludicrous that you dont dignify them with a denial," lawyer Brian Sokoloff told the Westchester Journal News.

Sokoloff told Fox News Digital that the lawsuit is a "a disgusting misuse of a court to slander a dedicated police chief" by two former officers who "voluntarily left their employment with the Village."

"Apparently, they are unable to secure work as a police officer anywhere else. In this country, every court clerks office is open for anyone to sue anyone for anything, but when, lacking evidence, you insert lies designed to destroy a mans reputation, there are consequences," Sokoloff said.
NYC could see $1.6B in annual costs for thousands of new teachers under class size law: watchdog

A recently passed state law to shrink class sizes in New York City could cost at least $1.6 billion each year to employ an additional 17,700 teachers, according to an analysis by the Independent Budget Office released Wednesday.

The projections topped the citys own estimates to comply with the law, which the Adams administration has repeatedly criticized as a costly mandate that pits competing school priorities against each other for a finite amount of cash.

Our analysis provided some caveats about how implementation ... may come into conflict with fiscal constraints and hiring challenges, said Louisa Chafee, director of the publicly funded watchdog agency.

Analysts found the price tag could reach up to $1.9 billion based on the average salary for newly hired teachers plus raises approved by the teachers union in a new contract this week.

The bulk of that money would need to be spent on schools with higher grade levels, where students have more class options and, for example, could not be shuffled between biology and chemistry for their science credits.

The estimates surpassed the citys own estimate of $1.3 billion, which pre-dated the contract between the city and the United Federation of Teachers. The city will receive $756 million in state funding split between class size reduction and other priorities next school year, the analysis showed.

The class size legislation signed into law last year caps kindergarten through third-grade classes at 20 students; fourth- through eighth-grade at 23 students; and high school at 25 students.

The administration has continued to distance itself from the new law, even after it was passed.

We were not big proponents of the class size bill, Schools Chancellor David Banks said on CBS New York over the weekend.

Listen, Im the chancellor. I want to see all schools have small class sizes, right? he added. But the reality is that the research tells us the small class sizes are not the end-all-be-all.

The full phase-in of the class size law is expected to come as city schools are in a financial bind.

According to the analysis, the city plans to slash vacant positions  including teachers, principals and paraprofessional that are funded but remain unfilled  by 3,500 openings through 2026. That could further strain the education budget just as the city loses access to an influx of cash for pandemic recovery.

The significant need for additional teachers will likely require the Administration to reverse recent reductions to budgeted headcount, read the report, and while the DOE will also be grappling with the exhaustion of federal COVID relief aid.

The Department of Education did not return a request for comment on the headcount, but said the law will require very real, serious tradeoffs and hard choices.

As the report describes in detail, our over-enrolled schools tend to have more affluent student bodies and this law will require us to invest substantially in our most well-off schools, said public schools spokesman Nathaniel Styer.

While over-enrollment is more prevalent in schools with lower concentrations of poverty, the analysis shows, the legislation prioritizes lowering class sizes in high-poverty schools. Only 9% of the schools with the highest poverty rates met the class size requirements in the 2021-22 school year.

The chancellors repeated claim that high-poverty schools will not benefit from the class size mandate because they already have small enough classes is a red herring, said Leonie Haimson, executive director of Class Size Matters.

Haimson also pointed to potential cost savings from smaller classes, including lowering remediation costs and referrals to special education.

In any case, the conclusions of this brief reinforce the need for the city to start moving now on a realistic, effective class size reduction plan as quickly as possible, she said, and to quickly reverse their planned shrinkage of teaching staff.
Mayor Adams suffered a stinging political setback Thursday as the City Council overrode his veto of a package of bills aimed at vastly expanding a rental assistance program for low-income New Yorkers.

The override action  which marks the first time the Council has quashed a mayoral veto in a decade  enacts the package despite Adams opposition, effective in 180 days.

New Yorkers need us to do this, and our city needs us to do this, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Queens) said in a press conference before the override vote, adding that she has found the mayors opposition to the rental aid reforms disconcerting and based on incorrect information.

After the override passed, homeless advocates gathered in the Council chamber erupted in cheers. The fact that we have to override a veto is incomprehensible to me, the speaker said before casting her vote.

The fraught situation  which comes against the backdrop of the mayors increasingly hostile working relationship with Council Democrats  revolves around the CityFHEPS program, which provides some low-income New Yorkers vouchers that heavily subsidize their rent on open market apartments.

The Councils package is designed to make it easier to receive the city-funded vouchers via a range of reforms.

The core reform is a bill abolishing the so-called 90-day rule, a relic of former Mayor Rudy Giulianis administration requiring people to stay in homeless shelters for at least three months before being able to apply for a voucher. By doing away with that rule, eligible New Yorkers would be able to apply for vouchers as soon as they enter the shelter system.

In addition to rolling back the 90-day restriction, the Council bills would make anyone at risk of eviction, including someone who receives a rent demand from a landlord, eligible for vouchers as long as they are low-income earners  taking out the shelter stay requirement entirely. To further expand eligibility, the package proposes increasing the household income cutoff from 200% of the federal poverty level to 50% of area median income.

In vetoing the package last month, Mayor Adams argued the city would not be able to bear the additional $17 billion in cost that his team projects the reforms would create over the next five years. He also said an existing voucher application backlog at the citys short-staffed Human Resources Administration would be exacerbated by the reforms, threatening to leave New Yorkers in need of the subsidies on even longer wait lists.

On Thursday, 42 of the Councils Democrats voted for enacting the bills despite Adams veto  well over the 34-member threshold required to sustain an override. The chambers six Republicans and two conservative Democrats, Queens Robert Holden and Brooklyns Kalman Yeger, voted no.

Beyond cost and application processing concerns, the mayor has argued the Council lacks legal authority to enact the reforms  and in a statement after the override vote, he hinted that his administration may bring the matter to court.

We are reviewing our options and next steps, the mayor said.

Since taking office in January 2022, Mayor Adams has faced calls from homeless advocates and Council Democrats to eliminate the 90-day rule via executive action.

However, as first reported by the Daily News, Council Democrats grew impatient with waiting on the mayor to take action this spring and opted to advance legislation to lift the rule on their own instead.

Only after the Council passed its package of bills in May did the mayor issue an emergency action temporarily suspending the 90-day rule. In doing so, the mayor said he has always supported lifting the 90-day rule and that its the remaining components of the Councils package that hes concerned about due to projected costs.

The Council passed the bills in May with support from 41 of the chambers Democrats. The 42nd Democrat to add his voice to the override vote was Queens Councilman Francisco Moya, who was absent from the May vote.

Council Dems say the mayors cost projection for the CityFHEPS package is exaggerated, touting an estimate from the Community Service Society showing that the expense clocks in at $3 billion over the next five years.

Council leaders have also argued the wider impacts of the reforms could produce budget savings.

They say thats because expanding CityFHEPS would decrease the need for stays in shelters, in which the per-person, per-night cost to the city is more expensive than the equivalent expense for vouchers. Creating more shelter space is especially critical at the moment, Council leaders say, given the citys scramble to find housing for the tens of thousands of mostly Latin American migrants who have arrived since last spring.

Amid soaring rents, a lack of affordable housing and an uptick in eviction filings in the city in the past year, Council Democrats have also contended that the CityFHEPS reforms are critical tools for helping New Yorkers stay in their homes.

Before Thursdays vote, Manhattan and Bronx Councilwoman Diana Ayala, a Democrat who used to be homeless and authored the main bill of the Councils package, said the reforms are long-term solutions to help New Yorkers exit and avoid homelessness.

To say the least, she said, the mayors veto is shortsighted.

Queens Councilwoman Tiffany Caban, a democratic socialist who penned another bill in the package, took it a step further, calling the mayors fiscal concerns outright lies.

Then again, I will say that the mayors veto comes as no surprise given his disastrous approach to housing, said Caban, noting that his appointees recently approved rent hikes on the citys stabilized apartments.

The mayor is not alone in raising concern about the costs that come with the CityFHEPS reforms, though.

The fiscally hawkish Citizens Budget Commission released a fact-sheet ahead of Thursdays vote arguing the costs that come with the reforms could worsen the citys ballooning deficit.

In the face of a reported budget gap of $5 billion in fiscal year 2025, when these bills would go into full effect, such spending is unaffordable, the fact-sheet said. The City Council has not said how it would fund the expansion  what other services they would cut or what revenue they would raise.

The last time the Council overrode a veto was in 2013, when the chamber undid then-Mayor Michael Bloombergs effort to block a police reform bill.

The Thursday override comes amid increasingly frayed relations between the mayor and the Council.

During this springs budget negotiations, Speaker Adams accused the mayor of seeking agency spending cuts that would cause a lot of harm to New Yorkers in need. After agreeing to a spending plan that didnt reverse all cuts pushed by the mayor, the speaker stood next to him in the City Hall Rotunda last month and accused his team of employing a counterproductive budgeting approach.

On Thursday, she said she hopes the Council and the mayor can have a productive working relationship going forward.

We will need to do far more to address the housing crisis, she told reporters. My hope is that after today we can put aside our differences with the administration.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose reputation of being soft on crime and not prosecuting the most violent criminals, admitted that even he gets "a knot" in his stomach when members of his family take the train in New York City.

The DA was interviewed recently by FOX 5 New York about NYPD crime statistics that show hard crimes like shootings, murders and robberies decreased in numbers during the first six months of the year, with shootings dropping 24%, and murders decreasing by 3%.

He credited the decrease to daily communication between his team and law enforcement officials.

MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY DROPS 300 CONVICTIONS BUILT BY CORRUPTED NYC OFFICERS

District Attorney Alvin Bragg speaks at a press conference, Sept. 8, 2022.

Bragg also said prosecutors and police conduct long-term investigations involving wire taps, and targeted enforcement. As a result, the DAs office and NYPD are seeing returns on their investigative work.

Overall, in the first six months of the year, major crime in the subway has decreased 4.4% compared to the same period last year.

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But the statistics also showed major crimes in the transit system increased 18.2% last month, with 195 incidents last month compared to 165 during the same period last year.

NEW YORKERS PAN MANHATTAN DA ALVIN BRAGG FOR NOT PROSECUTING 'REAL CRIMINALS' AS HE ARRESTS TRUMP

"I know the statistics that transit crime is down, but when one of my family members gets on the train, I, too, get a knot in my stomach," the DA told the news station.

Bragg acknowledged that the signs were encouraging and the statistics on crime across the city were moving in the right direction.

Still, he said more can be done.

DA ALVIN BRAGG'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR SAID CRIMINALS AREN'T BAD DUDES,' RIPPED RACIST JUSTICE SYSTEM

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg

"I live here, Im raising my family here, so we have a lot more work to do," Bragg told the news station.

The top Manhattan prosecutor was elected as a reform-minded DA. He has repeatedly been criticized for letting murderers and abusive individuals off the hook.

Braggs also been ridiculed for cutting a sweetheart deal with a career criminal who went on to punch a woman randomly; his slap on the wrist for a man who viciously assaulted a 55-year-old nurse; and jailing, yet ultimately releasing, the bodega owner who killed an aggressive ex-convict who attacked him on murder charges.

During his first year as the top prosecutor in 2022, Bragg downgraded over half of the felony cases to misdemeanors.

He campaigned on criminal justice reform and sent a memo to staff on "Day One" to downgrade certain felonies like armed robberies of commercial businesses. The move came when crimes were up 27.6% in New York City.

Fox News Digital's Emma Colton contributed to this report.
Zhang Chaoyang, minister of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, delivers a speech during a ceremony at the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone (SETC-Zone) in Suez, Egypt, July 12, 2023. Egypt and Chinese industrial developer TEDA celebrated on Wednesday the 15th anniversary of launching their joint economic and trade cooperation zone at Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) east of the capital Cairo. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

CAIRO, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Egypt and Chinese industrial developer TEDA celebrated on Wednesday the 15th anniversary of launching their joint economic and trade cooperation zone at Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) east of the capital Cairo.

The ceremony was attended by Egyptian and Chinese officials, diplomats, and representatives of the SCZone and TEDA, who witnessed the signing of contracts for new investment projects at the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone (SETC-Zone).

Since 2008, TEDA Egypt has been developing an area of more than seven square km in the Suez Canal economic region. It has completed the first phase of development of about 1.34 square km and is currently working on the second phase, which covers an area of six square km.

SCZone chairman Waleid Gamaleldien said that Egypt is willing to provide full support to the TEDA zone by providing all necessary infrastructure and facilities with the latest international standards, describing the joint zone as "one of the most important industrial zones of the SCZone."

Labelling the TEDA zone as "an unprecedented model for the successful cooperation between Egyptians and Chinese," the SCZone chairman said at the ceremony that experience has been gained in the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through the TEDA zone project.

Home to more than 140 companies, the TEDA zone has attracted investments of more than 1.6 billion U.S. dollars and created more than 5,000 jobs for Egyptians, according to Gamaleldien.

At the ceremony, Zhang Chaoyang, minister of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, said he was proud of the success of the TEDA zone.

Describing the zone as "a prominent example of the strategic partnership between Egypt and China," Zhang underlined the important role that SCZone has played in supporting Chinese investments in the region.

Abdul-Majeed Saqr, governor of Egypt's Suez governorate, said the TEDA zone was a "reliable partner" for Egypt in attracting more investments.

"I have visited the TEDA zone many times, and every time I find something new. The construction of the park is getting better and better, and there are more and more enterprises," he said.

Chang Weicai, head of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, emphasized that the building of the TEDA zone has led to the establishment of many joint economic and technical projects between Egypt and China.

"This has greatly contributed to advancing social and economic development in Egypt," Chang added.

He stressed the willingness of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Egypt to support the development of the TEDA zone to further facilitate economic and trade cooperation between China and Egypt.

During the ceremony, TEDA zone also unveiled its 2030 Vision-Strategic Upgrade Plan.

Song Caicen, executive director of TEDA companies in Egypt, said that the vision aims at fostering a number of leading enterprises with outstanding competitive advantages and strong capacity, so as to promote industrial agglomeration and cluster development. 

Abdul-Majeed Saqr, governor of Egypt's Suez governorate, delivers a speech during a ceremony at the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone (SETC-Zone) in Suez, Egypt, July 12, 2023. Egypt and Chinese industrial developer TEDA celebrated on Wednesday the 15th anniversary of launching their joint economic and trade cooperation zone at Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) east of the capital Cairo. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

This photo taken on May 29, 2023 shows the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone (SETC-Zone) in Suez, Egypt. Egypt and Chinese industrial developer TEDA celebrated on Wednesday the 15th anniversary of launching their joint economic and trade cooperation zone at Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) east of the capital Cairo. (SETC-Zone/Handout via Xinhua)
An OceanGate advisor who backed out of the doomed Titan dive wrote a now-disputed letter that convinced RMS Titanic to let its employee go on the expedition, legal docs allege

A boat with the OceanGate logo in Everett, Washington, on June 22. Lindsey Wasson/Associated Press

The company that owns the rights to the Titanic is lobbing new allegations against OceanGate.

RMS Titanic Inc. said it let Paul-Henri Nargeolet use the sub because of now-disputed safety claims.

Legal counsel to OceanGate rejected that characterization in comments to Insider.

The world's preeminent authority on the Titanic shipwreck was permitted to join the ill-fated Titan dive on OceanGate's false promises of top-tier safety, a new legal filing alleges.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a 77-year-old French submersible expert who is also a Titanic historian, was one of five passengers who died when the submersible imploded after disappearing during a dive to the century-old shipwreck last month.

Nargeolet spent two decades working with RMS Titanic Inc.  the company that owns the sole rights to the Titanic wreckage  and participated in and led dozens of dives to the shipwreck, including several previous trips in the Titan.

In a document filed in federal court on Saturday, RMS Titanic said it "approved" Nargeolet's participation in the doomed Titan expedition because of a 2021 OceanGate letter that touted the Titan's top-tier construction.

But David Concannon, the author of the letter who is on OceanGate's counsel, rejected the filing's claims in comments to Insider this week.

"PH told me directly in 2021 and 2022 that he was on the Ocean Gate Expeditions on his own accord," Concannon said in an email to Insider, referring to Nargeolet by his nickname. "He was not there as a representative of any other company, nor did he require permission from anyone to participate."

The RMS Titanic Inc. filing said Nargeolet was on the Titan as a guest, not as a representative of the company. The filing said that RMS Titanic Inc. "has never" endorsed tourist dives to the shipwreck but that the company gave Nargeolet a "dispensation" from the policy to participate in the exhibitions because he was the company's full-time director of underwater research.

RMS Titanic Inc. did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The suggestion that Nargeolet, who spent three summers as an expert on OceanGate's Titan expeditions following the 2021 letter, would have had to rely on a legal letter to determine whether the sub was safe is "ridiculous," Concannon said.

Concannon also said it was Nargeolet who convinced him of the vessel's safety  not the other way around.

"PH was one of the four or five most knowledgeable experts about deep sea submersibles in the world," Concannon said. "I spent more than three weeks at sea with him in 2021 and 2022. I watched him assess the safety of the sub every day."

Nargeolet told the journalist David Pogue during a 2022 OceanGate expedition that he was satisfied with the Titan's safety features.

Concannon, who has gone on previous expeditions to the Titanic shipwreck, made headlines last month when he said in a Facebook post that had since been made private that he made a last-minute decision to back out of the $250,000 expedition to deal with "another urgent client matter."

The Titan sub imploded while on a dive last month, killing the five passengers on board. Reuters

Disputed partnerships

The Saturday legal filing from RMS Titanic Inc. cites a May 2021 letter that Concannon filed on behalf of OceanGate to inform a federal district judge in Virginia of the company's upcoming tourist dives. The letter was also filed to assure the court that OceanGate had no intention of disturbing the shipwreck or infringing on RMS Titanic Inc.'s rights to the wreckage.

The letter mentioned the Titan's "engineering evaluation work performed by Boeing Company under contract to OceanGate" alongside the "detailed engineering and development work under a Company issued $5 million contract to the University of Washington's Applied Physics Laboratory."

It was OceanGate's full-throated support of its submersible  and Concannon's representations that Boeing and the University of Washington were involved in its creation  that convinced RMS Titanic to "approve" Nargeolet's participation on the expedition, the legal filing said, "believing Titan was properly designed and developed."

OceanGate media materials and its late CEO, Stockton Rush, publicly and frequently touted the Titan's apparent ties to Boeing as an "industry partner" that gave "design and engineering support" over the years.

But in the aftermath of the Titan's disastrous end, Boeing and the University of Washington denied partnering with OceanGate on the sub's development and downplayed their relationships with the ill-fated company.

"Boeing was not a partner on the Titan and did not design or build it," a company representative told Insider last month.

The University of Washington, meanwhile, said it had previously worked with OceanGate on another submersible but had parted ways before the Titan's creation, CNN reported.

"It now appears that certain entities, including Boeing and University of Washington are disputing the representations Mr. Concannon made in the letter he filed with the court," the RMS filing said.

Concannon said OceanGate made those representations "over and over" again.

"The information was provided to me by OceanGate, and I had no reason to disbelieve it," he told Insider, emphasizing that Boeing and UW had not disputed what he personally said, as the RMS Titanic said in its filing, but instead were rejecting the company line that OceanGate frequently espoused.

Boeing and the University of Washington did not immediately respond to requests for updated comments.

Concannon, who said he had known Nargeolet for 25 years, called the French historian the "most qualified" person to make safety representations to RMS Titanic because of his years of experience and close ties to OceanGate.

"If Wernher von Braun told you he believed the Saturn V rocket was safe to take you to the moon, would you question his expertise?" he said, referring to the chief architect of NASA's Saturn V launch vehicle.

Correction: July 12, 2023  This story has been corrected to clarify that David Concannon changed the privacy settings on his Facebook post about backing out of the Titan trip. A previous version erroneously said the post had been deleted.

Read the original article on Insider
Odyssey of baby V.J.: Why a raped infant went home to Canton abuser after hospital visit

Baby V.J. was first examined at Aultman Hospital in Canton.

CANTON  Baby V.J. doesn't have a law named after her  but maybe she should.

That sometimes happens for crime victims. After the fact, laws get introduced, passed and enacted to prevent others from suffering the same fate. Like the Adam Walsh Child and Safety Protection Act, Matthew Shepard Act or Megan's Law, named for Megan Kanka.

Too often, it comes after a victim's death.

But V.J. is alive.

She was 5 months old when she was raped last year by her 22-year-old father. He was sent to prison for life with no possibility of parole. V.J.'s 26-year-old mom is serving four years' probation (The Canton Repository is not naming the parents to help protect the identity of the baby.)

Along the way, though, V.J.'s story exposed flaws in a system designed to protect children.

What happened to baby V.J.?

After the rape, she was taken by her mom to Aultman Hospital on a Saturday in September. When Stark County Children Services did not respond to the hospital after being notified of suspected abuse, V.J. was sent home for the rest of the weekend. To the same house with her rapist. She waited days  presumably in pain according to court records  before she was treated at Akron Children's Hospital to repair tears to her anus.

"Unbelievable ... that should never have happened," said state Rep. Phil Plummer, R-Dayton, when he was provided details of the case by a reporter. "This is mind-blowing."

Plummer and state Rep. Susan Manchester, R-Waynesfield, had previously sponsored a law to require Children Services agencies to better communicate with law enforcement in suspected abuse cases.

House Bill 4 went into effect last year, before V.J.'s rape. But it contains a seven-day window for much of the inter-agency information sharing. Although the change in the law had added a layer of protection for children in suspected abuse cases, it didn't address V.J.'s situation  and won't stop it from occurring again.

Here's why:

By law, mandatory reporters, such as Aultman physicians, still must report suspected child abuse to Children Services or law enforcement. Only one or the other. But not both.

So, that's what they did.

On that Saturday, Sept. 17, Aultman staff contacted Stark County Children Services four times about V.J., but the agency did not send a case worker to the hospital. Instead, they waited until Sept. 19, to follow up on it. And no one notified Canton police of the suspected abuse until Sept. 20, four days after the rape.

"I'm willing to research this to see if the law needs changed again," said Plummer, who'd worked in law enforcement for three decades, including a stint as Montgomery County sheriff.

Aultman staff did not contact police

An ensuing Canton police criminal investigation of the rape revealed that:

V.J.'s mom took her daughter to Aultman's emergency room on Sept. 17 for rectal bleeding. She provided them two stories  that the infant had a constipated bowel movement the night before; that she'd noticed blood while changing a diaper that morning. Both accounts, mom later admitted, were lies.

An Aultman nurse noted the severe damage to V.J. was clearly not from a hard poop. That's why hospital staff repeatedly contacted Stark County Children Services. However, the agency's response remained the same; they would not be coming to the hospital, but instead would follow up on the case on Monday morning.

Emergency room physician Aaron Clark declined to have Aultman staff contact police because he told a nurse "he couldn't be sure" V.J.'s injuries were from abuse.

It wasn't until two days later, when V.J. was taken to Akron Children's, that the extent of her injuries were diagnosed. Staff there notified Canton police shortly after midnight.

Aultman Hospital declined comment and Clark did not respond to requests for comment for this story.

Jerry Coleman, executive director of Stark County Job & Family Services, which operates Children Services, said he could not comment on specific cases. He did speak, generally, about agency response.

Jerry Coleman, executive director of Stark County Job & Family Services.

"We're constantly re-evaluating. ... The system always looks to improve," Coleman said.

He said the agency has and will respond to suspected abuse calls from a hospital, based on information it receives. But he noted Children Services does not have legal authority to take emergency custody of a child, without an order from a Family Court judge.

Such action, he said, can be done on the spot only by law enforcement.

That's true. State law does give police power to remove a child from a home, if the child is in imminent danger. However, because neither Aultman nor Children Services had notified Canton police while V.J. was there, officers never had that option.

So, V.J. went back home, suffering from an injury that would eventually lead to surgery. Back to a Webster Avenue NE house with her mom, a father who'd raped her and four other adults.

Although Coleman did not speak about V.J.'s case, the agency was already familiar with her.

V.J.'s mom has two other kids and was pregnant with a fourth at the time of the rape. The custody status and where the four children currently live is unclear. V.J.'s mom initially responded to a request to be interviewed for this story, but never provided one.

According to police records, Children Services had worked out a plan with V.J.'s mom a month prior to the rape: The baby's father, once charged as a juvenile for a sex crime, was not to be alone with her.

The father's public defender who represented him in court did not respond to a request to be interviewed for this story. The conviction is being appealed in the 5th District Court of Appeals.

Aultman nurses upset over handling of case

Here's what happened on Sept. 19, three days after V.J.'s rape, when a Children Services case worker followed up on Aultman's report:

V.J. was taken to the Children's Network of Stark County. The state's first child advocacy center when it was founded in 1987, the Network brings together a multitude of disciplines, such as Children Services, law enforcement, medical staff and child advocates under one roof.

Children's Network

After a medical exam at the Network, the case worker was told to take V.J. to Akron Children's for a thorough evaluation. Finding damage to the infant, staff there performed a sexual assault kit on her, and reported the abuse to Canton police.

Finally, action was underway.

But the inexplicable delay wasn't lost on Canton police detective Kevin Sedares, who was among those assigned V.J.'s case on Sept. 20.

In a written report, Sedares wrote that Children Services' case worker assigned to V.J. could not explain why the agency hadn't responded to Aultman two days prior.

"I then went to Aultman ER and spoke with several staff who were highly upset with the manner in which the case was disposed of on Aultman's side," Sedares wrote.

Within two days of being notified, police had arrested V.J.'s father; they'd searched the Webster Avenue home and confiscated evidence, including bloody wipes and diapers; and detective Vincent Romanin got a confession from the father that he'd raped the baby.

Canton Police officer Vincent Romanin.

"The confession was very important," said Kelsey DiFrancesco, the assistant Stark County prosecutor who'd prosecute and ultimately secure convictions of V.J.'s parents.

After all, there were multiple adults in the house and V.J. had spent two more days there after the rape.

Sedares, the detective, remained frustrated by how Children Services and Aultman initially responded when V.J. showed up in the hospital emergency room.

So, he wasn't done.

Text message: ER doc knew mom was lying

Especially when he later examined a text message between V.J.'s parents, which occurred when V.J. was at Aultman.

"The doctor said it doesn't look like she just had a poop; it might be something else and to take her to her doctor on Tuesday and see what he says," V.J.'s mom texted to the baby's father while she was at Aultman.

In November, Sedares emailed those connected to the Children's Network of Stark County. He explained that he now had evidence that the system needed fixing.

"The ER doctor had told (the baby's mother) that the injuries were not from a bowel movement ... yet sent the infant home anyway," he wrote. "We as a team of professionals who work together in the protection of children must absolutely ensure that another incident like this never happens again."

Through a public records request to the city of Canton, The Canton Repository obtained copies of email exchanges amongst those Sedares had contacted. They show that, in unison, many of those involved directly or indirectly with V.J.'s case agreed with Sedares:

Dr. Cortney Owoc, pediatric director at Aultman, who also works at Akron Children's, referred to the handling of V.J.'s case as a "HUGE miss at Aultman." She also wrote, "This case is awful." In a separate email, she wrote, "My initial alert to this case was by two Aultman nurses, sobbing. "Both moms. Both went to the physician multiple times with concerns. I think empowering them will be very important."

Dr. Paul McPherson, chief of the division of child protection and child abuse prevention at Akron Children's, said: "I too am disheartened about what happened to the patient and the missed opportunity to protect." In a separate email, he pointed out that Aultman tried to do the right thing by contacting Children Services multiple times. "Unfortunately, their response was lacking," he wrote.

Chelsea Fashbaugh, Children's Network administrator, said: "We absolutely need to do better. ... I will ensure that Children Services is a part of meetings/training in the future ... "

Alissa Edgein, nurse practitioner at the Akron Children's Care Center of Stark County at the Children's Network, said, "I do want you to know that (Children Services) is also looking into how this case could have been handled better on their end. This was a tough one for all of us."

The series of emails also indicated internal fixes  to prevent a reoccurence  may be in the works.

Owoc made a host of suggestions and explained she'd begin working with others to come up with a plan "to improve care for any and all potential abuses cases (presented) to Aultman ... namely early involvement of the pediatric hospitalist group being the most important."

McPherson largely agreed with Owoc's ideas, and added one.

"Detective Sedares, your suggestion of contacting law enforcement concurrently with (Children Services) is timely as it is important," McPherson wrote. "The Ohio Revised Code requires mandated (reporters) to contact either law enforcement or CPS when abuse is suspected.

"Frequently Akron Children's Hospital social work staff contacts both. I cannot speak for the typical practice for Aultman Hospital, but that will be an important point of discussion in future training."

Edgein's ideas included more and better training; early contact with the Children's Network or an on-call child abuse provider through Akron Children's; or even establishing some sort of direct referral system, should Children Services not respond on the spot.

Plummer, the state legislator, said he'll research related state laws, to see if something else needs changed. He said he wasn't aware of other instances where the either/or contact route to law enforcement or Children Services had been an issue.

After all, nothing in the law had prevented the hospital or Children Services from contacting police immediately.

"I didn't think we'd have to legislate common sense," Plummer said. "Shame on Children Services for letting that kid go back home ... that baby fell through the cracks; it's unbelievable."

Another fix in law needed? Parents convicted

House Bill 4, Plummer explained, was a response to the death of 10-year-old Takoda Collins in Montgomery County in 2019. It came after what prosecutors said was years of abuse.

In that case, Plummer said, Children Services wasn't communicating with police, so each side had only a partial story.

"The biggest hurdle there was the child advocacy groups; everybody wants to get territorial," he explained.

When the bill cleared the House and Senate in February 2022, Plummer and co-sponsor Manchester lauded the improvements.

"This legislation works to prevent any cases from failing through the cracks," Plummer said in a prepared statement. "House Bill 4 helps prevent any vital information from being lost and through a collaborative effort of all agencies, including law enforcement, we can help improve the outcome for children in dire need of help."

Among the changes is that Children Services agencies must now disclose to law enforcement confidential information it discovers during a child abuse or neglect investigation  within a seven-day window. It also requires Children Services to give written notice of a report's receipt or closure of an investigation to the reporter.

"With this legislation, we are creating safety nets for the children during the process of investigation," Manchester said at the time. Too many times you hear about a child that should have been protected by the system. We dont want that to happen to the children of Ohio."

DiFrancesco, who prosecuted V.J.'s parents, said medical evidence from both Aultman and Akron Children's hospitals were presented during the father's trial held in Stark County Common Pleas Court in March.

Akron Children's staff testified; DiFrancesco did not subpoena testimony from Aultman staff.

Stark County Common Pleas courthouse, where V.J.'s parents were convicted in March.

After being found guilty by a jury, V.J.'s father was sentenced to life in prison, with no chance of parole, on March 23 by Judge Kristin Farmer. The baby's mom, who'd changed her plea to guilty, got her four years' probation on endangering children and obstructing justice charges.

Her sentence also included a stipulation that she is not allowed to contact her baby, V.J., during that period  unless it's part of a care plan set up by Children Services.

After the criminal cases concluded, Sedares, the detective, filed a complaint with the State Medical Board of Ohio, over treatment V.J. had received at the Aultman emergency room.

The status of the complaint is unclear.

Under Ohio law, such complaints and investigative materials are confidential, said Medical Board spokesperson Jerica Stewart. Only formal action by the board, such as suspension or revocation of a medical license, for example, is a public record.

However, an email from a Medical Board investigator to Sedares on May 17  also obtained in the public records request  indicated the board had subpoenaed and received V.J.'s medical records.

The investigator wrote that interviews were next.

Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 ortim.botos@cantonrep.com.On Twitter: @tbotosREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Raped Canton baby sent back to abuser's home from Aultman Hospital
Ohio plastic surgeon who livestreamed parts of procedures on TikTok loses her license

Ohio plastic surgeon who livestreamed parts of procedures on TikTok loses her license

An Ohio plastic surgeon known on TikTok as "Doctor Roxy," who livestreamed parts of procedures on the social media platform and was accused of botching the operations of three patients, was stripped of her medical license Wednesday.

The State Medical Board of Ohio voted to permanently revoke Dr. Katharine Roxanne Grawe's license and fine her $4,500 "based on her failure to meet standard of care," the board's spokesperson said in a statement.

Grawe, who amassed more than 825,000 followers and 14.6 million likes on her posts, will no longer be able to practice medicine and perform surgery in the state.

Dr. Katherine Roxanne Grawe, known to her online followers and patients as

"It is the responsibility of the State Medical Board of Ohio to protect the public through the regulation of licensed medical practitioners," the board said. "The board accepts this responsibility and carefully reviews all presented evidence before making a formal decision."

The order will take effect "upon mailing of the final documents."

Sometimes I did silly or fun videos simply to make people smile in this world, which is often negative and difficult to navigate, NBC affiliate WCMH of Columbus quoted her as telling the board Wednesday.

The board was unswayed.

Dr. Roxy claims that this will change her life forever. Well, she has single-handedly forever changed the lives of at least three people. Dr. Jonathan Feibel, a member of the board, said at the hearing.

The board suspended Grawe's license on Nov. 18, writing in its suspension order that based on its review of her case, there was clear and convincing evidence that she violated regulations.

Dr. Grawes continued practice presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public, the order said.

A notice of summary suspension dated Nov. 18 said Grawe had been cautioned about her social media use in October 2018 and again in September 2021.

The board pointed to three patients whom Grawe inappropriately treated at her practice, Roxy Plastic Surgery in Powell, about 18 miles northwest of Columbus, from May 2020 through March 2022. The patients suffered severe complications after the procedures.

One patient, who underwent liposuction of the abdomen and arms and a Brazilian butt lift on March 21, 2022, had part of the procedure broadcast on social media, the notice of summary suspension said.

While looking at the camera and speaking to the camera, you were engaged in liposuction of Patient 1s abdomen," the board documents said. "Despite liposuction being a blind surgery that requires awareness of the tip of the cannula to avoid injury, your attention to the camera meant at those moments you were not looking at the patient or palpating the location of the tip of the cannula. A cannula is a surgical instrument.

The patient was transferred to another hospital on March 28, 2022, and was found to have a perforated small bowel and necrotizing soft tissue infection and needed a prolonged stay to recover.

Grawe can appeal the board's decision. She and her lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Her TikTok and Instagram accounts are now private.

The boards decision was praised by former patient Mary Jenkins, who sued Grawe in 2019 after the tissue of her breast reconstruction died.

It will never go away, because every time we look down, we see a scar, and we will always remember," Jenkins said, WCMH reported.

Jenkins sued in 2014 and won a $358,000 jury verdict against Grawe in 2016. Grawe was found negligent in her failure to diagnose and treat the complication" Jenkins had in her procedure, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Ohio plastic surgeon who livestreamed parts of procedures on Tik Tok has license revoked

An Ohio plastic surgeon known on Tik Tok as Doctor Roxy who livestreamed parts of procedures on the social media platform and accused of botching the surgeries of three patients, was stripped of her medical license on Wednesday.

The State Medical Board of Ohio voted to permanently revoke Dr. Katharine Grawes license, and issued her a fine of $4,500 based on her failure to meet standard of care, the boards spokesperson said in a statement.

Grawe, who raked in over 825,000 followers and 14.6 million likes on her posts, will no longer be able to practice medicine and surgery in the state.

Dr. Katherine Roxanne Grawe, known to her online followers and patients as

It is the responsibility of the State Medical Board of Ohio to protect the public through the regulation of licensed medical practitioners, the board said. The board accepts this responsibility and carefully reviews all presented evidence before making a formal decision.

The order will be effective upon mailing of the final documents.

At Wednesdays hearing, Grawe spoke before the board.

Sometimes I did silly or fun videos simply to make people smile in this world which is often negative and difficult to navigate, WCMH of Columbus reported.

The board was unswayed in making their decision.

Dr. Roxy claims that this will change her life forever. Well, she has single-handedly forever changed the lives of at least three people. Dr. Jonathan Feibel, a member of the board, said at the hearing.

The decision comes seven months after Grawes license was suspended on Nov. 18.

In the suspension order, the Board wrote that based on their review of her case there was clear and convincing evidence that she violated regulations.

Dr. Grawes continued practice presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public, the order documents said.

A notice of summary suspension dated Nov. 18 said that Grawe had been cautioned regarding her social media use in October 2018 and again in September 2021.

The board pointed to three patients who Grawe inappropriately treated during procedures at her practice, Roxy Plastic Surgery in Powell, about 18 miles northwest of Columbus, from May 2020 through March 2022. Those patients suffered severe complications after the procedures.

One patient, who received a liposuction of the abdomen and arms and a Brazilian Butt Lift on March 21, 2022, had part of the procedure broadcasted on social media, the notice of summary suspension said.

While looking at the camera and speaking to the camera, you were engaged in liposuction of Patient 1s abdomen, the board documents said. Despite liposuction being a blind surgery that requires awareness of the tip of the cannula to avoid injury, your attention to the camera meant at those moments you were not looking at the patient or palpating the location of the tip of the cannula. A cannula is a surgical instrument.

That patient was transferred to another hospital on March 28, 2022 and was found to have perforated small bowel and necrotizing soft tissue infection and required a prolonged stay to recover.

Grawe has the ability to appeal the boards decision. NBC News has reached out to Grawe and her lawyer for comment.

Her TikTok and Instagram accounts are now private.

The boards decision was praised by former patient Mary Jenkins, who sued Grawe in 2019 after the tissue of her breast reconstruction died.

It will never go away because every time we look down, we see a scar and we will always remember, Jenkins said, WCMH reported.

In Jenkins civil case, she filed a lawsuit in 2014 and in 2016 won a $358,000 jury verdict against Grawe which found that the surgeon was negligent in her failure to diagnose and treat the complication, Jenkins had in her procedure, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

This article first appeared on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
An Ohio plastic surgeon known on TikTok as "Dr. Roxy" had her medical license permanently revoked after livestreaming procedures and effectively harming her patients in the process.

The Ohio Medical Board voted Wednesday to ban Dr. Katharine Roxanne Grawe from ever practicing medicine again in the state.

The board said Grawe, who originally had her license suspended in November, neglected her patients as she livestreamed parts of their procedures, spoke into a camera and answered viewer questions  all while the surgeries were taking place at her clinic, Roxy Plastic Surgery, in Powell, a city north of Columbus.

Grawes TikTok account is currently private, as is her Instagram account, which still had more than 118,000 followers as of Thursday.

TIKTOK'S CHINA-LINKED PARENT BYTEDANCE TO LET US STAFF CASH OUT STOCK: REPORT

The board warned Grawe about her actions as early as 2018, citing concerns over patient privacy and possible ethics violations, according to a previous board suspension notice.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The notice also listed three patients of Grawe's who suffered severe complications and needed intense medical care after she operated on them. One woman's intestine was found to be perforated a week after her surgery, a procedure that Grawe partially livestreamed on TikTok.

The unnamed patient suffered severe damage to and bacterial infections in her abdomen, as well as loss of brain function from the amount of toxins in her blood, according to the notice.

A spokeswoman for the state medical board told The New York Times that Grawe has 15 days after the boards order is mailed to appeal the decision.

SHARON OSBOURNE, COURTENEY COX, VICTORIA BECKHAM SHARE PLASTIC SURGERY REGRETS

At the hearing, Grawe told the medical board she made the videos because she loved teaching about plastic surgery but recognized she had "fallen below the boards ideal in multiple ways" and that many of the videos shared to the platform "appeared silly and unprofessional."

Grawe also reportedly told the board that her husband had left her amid the stress of the controversy, her children were being harassed at school, and she had to fire 20 clinic employees.

The board had warned Grawe twice, in letters sent in October 2018 and September 2021, that she needed to uphold patient privacy on social media.

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The second letter instructed Grawe to undergo remedial courses about professionalism and ethics, and Grawe claimed she completed those social media ethics classes in December 2021. Despite this, the now former doctor continued to post videos of plastic surgeries, including Brazilian butt lifts, through October 2022.
"One mistake could cost us life": National Guardsmen told about battles for Volnovakha

Ruslan and Myron are contract soldiers who took part in fierce battles for Volnovakha in Donetsk Oblast. Ukraines defenders had to carry out combat missions under the constant attacks with air bombs and artillery.

The National Guard of Ukraine shared their memories of the events at the front.

Ruslan began his career in the army as a conscript. Then, he realised that he was in a circle of like-minded people. The more a man communicated and studied military matters, the more he wanted to sign a military contract.

When he dared, on the leadership's orders, he began to participate in battles in Donetsk Oblast, particularly in the suburb of Volnovakha.

Military serviceman Myron

Photo: National Guard

Ruslan's group was advancing under constant bombardment and artillery fire.

The Russian convoy advanced at maximum speed, making it difficult for the military to take the desired position. As a result, a decision was made to shoot at Russians from an open lane and adjust actions from there to destroy the occupiers, the soldier says.

"At the moment when I was the last one to go to the shelter, a volley from a Grad (a Soviet-made 122 mm multiple-launch rocket system) rang out. It was during the movement, a few metres from me, when a projectile hit. When I came to my senses, I realised that the shrapnel had hit my leg. Comrades immediately dragged me to a shelter and provided medical assistance," Ruslan noted.

Then, barely conscious, he was taken by car to the hospital in the village of Valerianivka, where his treatment journey began. Now the national guard is undergoing rehabilitation to continue working for victory.

For heroism and clear performance of assigned combat tasks, the President of Ukraine awarded Ruslan with the "For Military Service to Ukraine" badge.

In 2021, another national guard-to-be, Myron, signed a contract and plunged into military affairs. He also took part in the battles for Volnovakha.

"The rhythm of life changed. The day was scheduled by the hour: learning, training, and service. Military service teaches discipline and restraint, I can't say that it reflected badly on me. Such skills are one hundred per cent necessary for every man in civilian life," Myron said.

A month before the start of a full-scale invasion, a rotation of National Guardsmen began in the military unit. Then, he moved to Donetsk Oblast. There, he felt the aggravation of the situation on the border of Ukraine.

"This month helped me realise that the time of reckoning has come and one must be ready for any events," the National Guard said.

During the first days of the Russian invasion, Myron and his comrades were ordered to recapture the suburb of Volnovakha.

"We were divided into three main groups, I was in the assault one, [serving] as an assistant grenade launcher," the fighter recalls.

The task of the military force was to arrive at the indicated place, take the best available position there, and strike at the occupiers' equipment.

"It was a reasonable risk; even if I could turn back time, I wouldn't change my decision. Every shot was worth its weight in gold, and one mistake could have cost us our lives.

I charged the grenade launcher and held my breath. With the first shot, we managed to hit the tank that was driving ahead; the convoy stopped for a while due to an unexpected shot", Ruslan recalls.

Then the man, together with other brothers-in-arms, realised that the occupiers could start hitting them with any weapon at their disposal. After completing the combat mission, the National Guardsmen withdrew to a safer place.

Note: The city of Volnovakha in Donetsk Oblast is currently under the temporary occupation.

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One of Russia's most senior generals in Ukraine said he was fired for questioning the Kremlin's war management, and accused his bosses of backstabbing his men and 'decapitating' the army

Soldiers conduct military exercises in Moscow, Russia, on September 1, 2022. Russian Defense Ministry/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

A top Russian general in Ukraine is accusing the Kremlin of "decapitating" the war effort.

Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov said he was giving honest feedback to his bosses, and was immediately fired.

Popov then blasted senior command, saying it was hitting its troops "from the rear" at a critical time.

One of Russia's top generals said he was relieved of his command after questioning the Defense Ministry's management of the war, and then accused his superiors of backstabbing the country's army.

Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, who was in charge of the 58th Combined Arms Army in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, published a voice note discussing his dismissal and how he criticized his superiors.

The voice note was on Wednesday posted by the Telegram channels of several Russian military bloggers, as well as a channel run by Andrey Gurulev, a member of the Russian state duma and a retired general.

In his voice note, Popov said he was faced with the choice of either telling his bosses what they wanted to hear or to "call a spade a spade."

Popov said he decided to question the Kremlin over Russia's lack of counter-battery combat capabilities, the absence of artillery reconnaissance stations, and the mass Russian casualties that have resulted from this shortfall.

He added that he urged his superiors to rotate troops and relieve those who had fought on the frontlines for a long time.

According to Popov, he was immediately fired from his post by Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov.

"As many commanders of divisional regiments said today, the servicemen of the armed forces of Ukraine could not break through our army from the front," Popov said in his voice note, according to a translation by CNN. "Our senior commander hit us from the rear, treacherously and vilely decapitating the army at the most difficult and tense moment."

As of Wednesday evening, neither the Russian state media nor the Defense Ministry has commented on Popov's remarks, whether he has been fired, or on the circumstances of such a dismissal.

Russia's Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours.

Popov's claims come as Russia loses another top commander

In 2022, Popov was the commander of Russia's forces in Balakliya, a region in Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, according to documents retrieved by Reuters. His troops were pushed out of Kharkiv in September by Kyiv's forces in a messy retreat that the Kremlin called an effort to "regroup."

Popov was then given command of Russia's 58th Army in Zaporizhzhia. In comments to state media on June 8, Popov said his forces had repelled Ukrainian forces there amid Kyiv's counteroffensive.

His claims of getting dismissed from the army come as Ukraine said it killed another of Russia's most senior war commanders, Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov, in a missile strike on Monday in Berdiansk. Gurulyov, the state duma member who published Popov's voice note, confirmed to Russian state TV on Wednesday that Tsokov was killed.

Tsokov was the deputy commander of Russia's southern military district.

Meanwhile, Gen. Sergei Surovikin has been missing since the Wagner Group's short-lived rebellion in late June, The New York Times reported.

He was in charge of Russia's operations in Ukraine from October 2022 to January 2023, until Gerasimov assumed command. Surovikin was then designated as one of Gerasimov's three deputies.

When asked on Wednesday about Surovikin's whereabouts, the head of the Russian Duma's defense committee, Andrei Kartapolov, told a reporter that he was "taking a rest" and is "unavailable right now."

The Times reported earlier that Surovikin knew of Wagner's mutiny before it happened.

Read the original article on Business Insider
'Only my dead friends': Kentucky man used skulls, human remains as home decor, FBI says

FBI agents served a search warrant at James William Notts apartment Tuesday morning in Mount Washington. They found 40 skulls and dozens of human bones inside, according to an affidavit.

When FBI agents searched a Mount Washington, Kentucky, apartment Tuesday and found 40 human skulls, spinal cords, femurs and hip bones inside, they asked occupant James Nott if anyone else was home.

Only my dead friends, he responded.

Agents found one skull wrapped in a head scarf and another sitting on a mattress where Nott slept. Others were strewn around Apartment No. 3 as if they were decorations.

The grisly discoveries were disclosed in a criminal complaint that put Nott in the middle of a multistate and international trade in body parts stolen from the morgue at Harvard Medical School and a mortuary in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The complaint and an FBI affidavit to search Notts home in Mount Washington - which is roughly 25 miles southeast of Louisville - says Nott received body parts from abroad and sold them in the United States.

In Facebook posts describing the parts and their price, Nott used the pseudonym William Burke, which the affidavit says in a footnote was used by a serial killer active in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1827-28 with his partner, William Hare.

Together the pair sold the bodies of their victims to Dr. Robert Knox an influential lecturer in anatomy at the University of Edinburgh.

The U.S. scheme was discovered when police in East Pennsboro Township, Pennsylvania, got a tip the human remains could be found at the residence of Jeremy Pauley, in nearby Enola.

Police executed a search warrant and found items that included human organs and skin.

Pauleys wife, Sarah, provided law enforcement with screen shots that showed he was communicating with a woman who worked at a mortuary in Little Rock, Arkansas.

She allegedly stole remains that were due to be cremated and sold them to Pauley over Facebook. They included human hearts, brains lungs and two fetal specimens. Payment was by PayPal.

Pauley told the FBI about a network of people involved in the sale and transportation of fraudulently obtained body parts.

According to the complaint and a story in the New York Times, one member of the network was Cedric Lodge, morgue manager for Harvard Medical Schools Anatomical Gift Program. Lodge was steading parts from cadavers and selling them on the internet, according to the complaint.

According to the affidavit, Pauley communicated over Facebook with Nott, who identified himself by the pseudonym, about the sale and shipment of human remains. Nott sent him photos and videos, it says.

How much for the couple you sent, plus the spines, Pauley asked.

Nott quoted him a price and Pauley replied, Works for me.

Pauley, Lodge and four others were charged in federal court in Pennsylvania with interstate transportation of stolen property and conspiracy.

During the search of Notts home in Mount Washington, the FBI said it found an AK-47, a loaded .38 special and ammunition.

In 2011, Nott pleaded guilty to possession of a destructive device and a firearm. He was charged Tuesday with being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

He waived a detention hearing and is being held without bail in the Oldham County Jail, pending further court decisions. He was assigned counsel from the federal public defenders office and his arraignment was set for Aug. 4.

Reporter Andrew Wolfson can be reached at (502) 396-5853 or awolfson@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Harvard body parts scandal: Kentucky man accused of using skulls as decor
OnPolitics: The investigation into the White House cocaine is over.

A view of the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 5, 2023, Cocaine found in the White House posed no threat to national security, a top aide to President Joe Biden said July 7, 2023, underlining that a highly sensitive facility nearby was not in use at the time.

Hi OnPolitics readers! The investigation into the cocaine found at the White House seemingly has more questions than answers, with the Secret Service concluding the inquiry without determining who brought the illegal drugs into the building.

"At this time, the Secret Service's investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence," the Secret Service said in a statement on Thursday, USA TODAYs Joey Garrison and Bart Jansen reported.

Wait, really? The FBI didnt find fingerprints or DNA on the bag of cocaine, according to a summary of findings from the Secret Service. Officials also searched surveillance footage and visitor logs of hundreds of people who had access to the lobby where the substance was found.

The cocaine was found July 2, while President Joe Biden was away from the White House at Camp David, the country residence of the presidency.

A farce: Republicans were immediately skeptical about the results of the investigation.

"You can't tell me in the White House with 24/7 surveillance and a cubbyhole by a situation room you don't know who left it there," House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters. "The American people think that's a farce."

Keep reading: Secret Service concludes investigation into White House cocaine without identifying culprit

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Investigation into cocaine in the White House ends without culprit
Miami-Dade County administrators realized too late it needed to renew a local gas tax for another 30 years, a lapse that will cost the budget millions of dollars before the 6-cent levy kicks in again next year.

An item up for a vote at Tuesdays County Commission meeting renews the local gas tax thats authorized under Florida law. Miami-Dade last authorized it 30 years ago when the tax was created, and state law has it expiring on Aug. 31.

The county doesnt plan to start collecting it again until Jan. 1, causing a four-month gap that will mean a 6-cent discount for consumers and a loss of about $18 million to county coffers, said Rachel Johnson, deputy chief of staff to Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

Johnson said the state notified Miami-Dade of the pending expiration too late for the the county to take the required steps needed to renew the tax without a gap. She said administrators werent aware of the pending expiration before hearing from the state, leaving Miami-Dade no choice but to delay collecting the tax at the pump for 17 weeks.

The Florida Department of Revenue sent David Clodfelter, the countys budget director, a letter asking about the tax renewal on June 14. At the time, according to the letter, Miami-Dade had 16 days to renew the tax and approve sharing agreements with municipalities by a July 1 deadline.

As per Section 336.025(1) all the impositions and rate changes of the tax shall be levied before July 1 to be effective September 1 of the following year for a period not to exceed 30 years, read the letter from Fili Arsa, a state accountant. The county shall provide the department with a certified copy of the interlocal agreement ... with distribution proportions established by such agreement.

Miami-Dade shares about a third of the gas-tax revenue with cities. A Levine Cava memo on the renewal vote said the county will cover the municipal costs, so the lapse wont affect city budgets.

Johnson said the county will dip into remaining federal COVID-19 stimulus dollars to cover the lost revenue.

No budget gaps exist for the county and municipalities, Levine Cava said in the memo.

Diverting the federal dollars to cover the lost tax revenue means the COVID money cant be used for other local needs.

The tax is budgeted to generate about $64 million this year. The tax funds road projects and other transportation needs.
BEIRUT, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday called on all Lebanese to be aware of Israel's hostile intentions, the National News Agency reported.

"All Lebanese, regardless of their political, spiritual, and partisan orientations and affiliations, must be aware of Israel's hidden intentions," Berri said in commemoration of the 17th anniversary of the Israeli war on Lebanon in July 2006.

Berri's statement comes amid increased tensions on the Lebanese-Israeli border over two tents installed by Lebanon's party and military group Hezbollah in the north of the southern town of Ghajar and Israel's building of a wall around the same area.

On Thursday, Hezbollah urged the Lebanese government and people to take immediate action to prevent the Israeli settlement in the northern part of Ghajar in the light of its recent constructions in the Lebanese part of the occupied town.

Hezbollah warned that this recent move by Israel is not an ordinary violation but a complete occupation of Ghajar.

As part of the UN Security Council resolution that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel must withdraw from the northern part of Ghajar, which did not yet happen.

Apart from occasional tensions in recent months, the Lebanese-Israeli border has largely remained quiet since Israel fought a month-long war in 2006 with Hezbollah backed by Iran, Israel's arch foe. 
The cast of Oppenheimer left a London premiere prematurely to go and write their picket signs in preparation for the imminent strike by the actors union.

On Thursday (13 July), lead actors of Christopher Nolans highly anticipated war biographic, including Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and Ramy Malek, walked out of the films UK premiere in solidarity with Sag-Aftra.

Youve seen them here earlier on the red carpet, Nolan announced to the cinemas audience.

Unfortunately, theyre off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by Sag, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of the unions, and we support them.

Ahead of the screening, the actors had been walking the red carpet, posing for pictures, interacting with fans and speaking to press.

In a red-carpet interview with Variety, Damon revealed that once the strike is officially called, the cast is going to walk obviously in solidarity.

Thats why we moved this [red carpet] up because we know the second its called, were going home, he said.

Christopher Nolan says the cast of #Oppenheimer left the premiere to go and write their pickets and join the strike pic.twitter.com/rc2SaSxcfk  Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 13, 2023

Sag-aftra approved a strike on Thursday, bringing about a simultaneous strike from actors and writers, which hasnt happened in 60 years.

The decision came hours after contract negotiations with companies such as Netflix, Amazon, Disney and Warner Bros, failed to pass before the midnight deadline.

The acting unions demands are similar to those of its counterpart, the Writers Guild of America (WGA), whose members have been striking since May. Among the formers chief demands include increased wages, higher streaming residuals and improved working conditions.

Follow along here for real-time updates on Sag-aftras imminent strike.

This story is being updated
This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cillian Murphy as Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer in a scene from "Oppenheimer," left, and physicist Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer on the test ground for the atomic bomb near Alamogordo, N.M., on Sept. 9, 1945. (Universal Pictures via AP, left, and AP Photo)

The day Christopher Nolan called Cillian Murphy about his new film, Oppenheimer, Murphy hung up the phone in disbelief.

The Irish actor, though a regular presence in Nolan films going back almost two decades, had always been a supporting player. This time, Nolan wanted him to lead.

Hes so understated and self-deprecating and, in his very English manner, just said, Listen, Ive written this script, its about Oppenheimer. Id like you to be my Oppenheimer, Murphy, 47, told The Associated Press earlier this year. It was a great day.

For Murphy, it is never not exciting to get a call from Nolan. Its just hard to predict if hes going to. He knows there are some movies hes right for and some movies he isnt.

I have always said publicly and privately, to Chris, that if Im available and you want me to be in a movie, Im there. I dont really care about the size of the part, he said. But deep down, secretly, I was desperate to play a lead for him.

Murphy first met Nolan in 2003. He was brought in to screen test for Batman  not just the movie, the character. Murphy knew he wasnt right for the Dark Knight, but he wanted to meet the man whod directed Insomnia and Memento. They hit it off and Murphy got to tap into a sinister intensity to play the corrupt psychiatrist Dr. Crane/Scarecrow, who would go on to appear in all three films. Nolan would also call on Murphy to be the conflicted heir to a business empire in Inception and a traumatized soldier in Dunkirk.

We have this long-standing understanding and trust and shorthand and respect, Murphy said. It felt like the right time to take on a bigger responsibility. And it just so happened that it was a f---ing huge one.

Soon after the phone call, Nolan flew to Dublin to meet Murphy and hand him a physical copy of the script, which he devoured right there in Nolans hotel room. It was, he said, the best hed ever read.

Then the scale of it started to sink in.

This would be a film about the charismatic and controversial theoretical physicist who helped create the atomic bomb. Oppenheimer and his peers at Los Alamos would test it on July 16, 1945, not knowing what was going to happen. There was a non-zero chance that the heat from the explosion could set off a chain reaction that would ignite the atmosphere and literally set the world on fire.

It didnt, but several weeks later the United States would drop those bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing tens of thousands of people and leaving many with lifelong injuries. Soon, the United States was at work to strengthen its nuclear arsenal, developing plans to work on an even more catastrophic weapon: the hydrogen bomb.

As Nolan has said, Like it or not J. Robert Oppenheimer is the most important person who ever lived.

Oppenheimer, which opens in theaters on July 21, features a starry cast including Emily Blunt as Oppenheimers wife Kitty, Matt Damon as the man who hired Oppenheimer for the job at Los Alamos, Robert Downey Jr. as a founder of the Atomic Energy Commission and many more rounding out the pivotal players in and around this tense moment in history.

You realize this is a huge responsibility. He was complicated and contradictory and so iconic, Murphy said. But you know youre with one of the great directors of all time. I felt confident going into it with Chris. Hes had a profound impact on my life, creatively and professionally. Hes offered me very interesting roles over and Ive found all of them really challenging. And I just love being on his sets.

Murphy continued: Any actor would want to be on a Chris Nolan set, just to see how it works and to witness his command of the language of film and the mechanics of film and how hes able to use that broad canvas within the mainstream studio system to make these very challenging human stories.

Over the years, Murphy has come to appreciate that with Nolan theres always something deeper to discover than whats literally on the page. Dunkirk, he recalled, was only 70 pages and there wasnt much to his character, not even a name.

He said, Look, lets figure it out together and you and me can find an emotional journey for the character. And we did it. We did it out in the water on that boat. That comes from trust and respect, Murphy said. Im really proud of that performance.

As with all Nolan endeavors, secrecy around Oppenheimer is vitally important. Murphy loves the old-fashioned approach that builds interest and anticipation.

Theres an awful lot to talk about when we can talk freely, Murphy said with a smile.

The difference from other Nolan originals, even Dunkirk, is that Oppenheimer is rooted in historical fact and actual transcripts. You can read the book its based on, Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwins Pulitzer Prize-winning American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer. You can watch the 1981 documentary The Day After Trinity on The Criterion Channel.

And you can try to parse Nolans words for clues. Hes talked about recreating the Trinity test, the fascinating paradoxes, the twists, turns and ethical dilemmas; for him, the story is cinematic and both dream and nightmare. But ultimately, its something that just needs to be seen.

The question will be how Chris presents it, Murphy said. I think people will be very surprised and wowed by what he does. Anything I say will just seem a bit lame as compared to seeing this in an IMAX theater.

The time for discussions will be after the movie comes out. But Murphy did offer up that they worked hard to get Oppenheimers look right, from the narrow silhouette to the pipe and the porkpie hat. Oppenheimer, he said, seemed aware of his own potential mythology. But, again, those conversations will have to wait.

Im really proud of the movie and Im really proud of what Chris has achieved. This was, for sure, a special one, certainly because of the history with me and Chris. We were not walking around the set high-fiving, but it did feel special. Murphy said. Its an event every time he releases a film, and rightly so. Whether Im in them or not, I always go to see his movies.

___

A version of this story first moved on May 3, 2023. It's being sent again in advance of the film's release next week.
Some of the stars of the upcoming film Oppenheimer, including Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy, reportedly walked out of the movies London premiere as SAG-AFTRA called a strike.

The performers appeared on the red carpet at the promotional event for the buzzed-about film, which is poised to hit theaters July 21. But as SAG-AFTRA, the largest union for actors, called a midnight strike Thursday after contract negotiations with film studios failed, the entertainers exited the screening, according to multiple reports.

We have to acknowledge, youve seen them here earlier on the red carpet. Unfortunately, theyre off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by SAG, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of the unions, said Christopher Nolan, the films director, during remarks at the premiere. And we support them.

During a red carpet interview with Variety, Damon suggested the move by the films stars would happen, saying, Look, if its called now, everyones going to walk obviously in solidarity.

The union is demanding higher compensation and mandates to limit the use of artificial intelligence in Hollywood.

The SAG-AFTRA strike is poised to start two months after the Writers Guild of Americas members took to the picket lines over similar demands. Its the first time since 1960 that both unions are on strike at the same time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Orange County Public Schools is putting out a call for its next school lunch heroes.

The districts Food and Nutrition Services team is looking to beef up its staffing before the next school year.

To do so, the department is hosting three job fairs this month with interviews provided on the spot:

July 17 - Wolf Lake Elementary School - 1771 W. Ponkan Rd, Apopka

July 18 - Olympia High School - 4301 S. Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando

July 19 - Azalea Park Elementary School - 1 Carol Avenue, Orlando

Read: Orange County Public Schools to examine solutions to student behavior issues

The district said benefits include competitive pay; no nights, weekends or holidays; retirement packages through the Florida Retirement System; and paid employee health insurance.

You can learn more about apply ahead of time here.

Read: Orange County Public Schools addresses concerns over possible gang violence

WE NEED SCHOOL LUNCH HEROES! @OCPS_FNS is holding three job fairs this month. Benefits include competitive pay, no nights, weekends or holidays, retirement packages through the Florida Retirement System, paid employee health insurance, and MORE! Apply at: https://t.co/UmJF373mlX pic.twitter.com/Cn6Odps1bJ  ocpsnews (@OCPSnews) July 12, 2023

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Orcas may just be the beginning. Whales and humans are likely to have more strange encounters in the future.

Orcas have been ramming boats near Spain and Portugal; Gray whales in Baja Mexico frequently approach boats and let humans pet them. Amanda Fletcher/Getty Images; Guillermo Arias/AFP/Getty Images

Orcas are targeting boats near Spain while gray whales in Baja let humans pet them.

A marine ecologist said she expects more interactions like this as the animals recover from whaling.

Why the whales interact with humans in these ways it still unknown to scientists.

Orcas ramming boats and gray whales letting humans pick whale lice off them have recently made headlines  but these interactions may indicate more of what's to come.

"As whale populations recover from whaling and humans venture more into the oceans for various things, including ecotourism, we're going to have more of these interactions between whales and humans that we don't quite understand," Leigh Torres, a marine ecologist and professor at Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute, told Insider.

The population of killer whales near the Iberian Peninsula has especially caused concern. A few years ago they started targeting boats, causing at least three to sink. Since 2020, scientists have documented hundreds of instances of killer whales approaching or striking a boat.

While experts doubt the encounters are actually attacks  a more likely explanation is that the orcas are playing  they certainly feel violent to the people on board and pose a risk to both the whales and humans.

An ocean away, whales are engaging with humans in a different kind. Gray whales that spend the winters nursing their calves in the warm, shallow waters of the lagoons on the Pacific coast of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula frequently swim up to the side of boats, even letting humans pet them.

"The whale turns on its side, looks you in the eye. It clearly is very curious about people," Andrew Trites, director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit at the University of British Columbia, told Insider. "It isn't people running up to whales, it's whales coming to people."

The gray whales befriending boats is especially interesting because just decades ago they were hunted to the brink of extinction in those same lagoons. But after conservation measures made whaling illegal, the North Pacific gray whales have dramatically recovered, allowing for these more friendly, social interactions between whales and humans.

And it's not just the gray whales. Commercial whaling in the 18th and 19th centuries put many species at risk of extinction, including fin, humpback, and blue whales. Each of those species has seen varying population increases in recent decades, though it's worth noting some species, including fin, blue, and North Atlantic right whales, are still endangered.

Torres said both the gray whales in Baja and the orcas near Spain and Portugal are examples of fascinating behaviors that have popped up recently that scientists don't quite understand, and that she expects more to arise as whales continue their recovery.

She also urged caution when it comes to interacting with whales, as humans often tend to see animals through our own bias and may not fully understand what a whale is doing.

"We do need to be careful about those interactions," she said. "This is their habitat and we're sort of visiting, so we need to give them the space that they need to do what they need to do."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The owner of a Kouts medical clinic found guilty in March of failing to turn over more than $474,000 in federal payroll taxes withheld from employees paychecks was sentenced Thursday to 15 months in prison and one year of supervised release, according to a release from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Kathy Lynch, 64, of Kouts was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after she was found guilty in March of nine counts of willful failure to pay employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service following a three-day jury trial, according to the release.

Jurors deliberated for less than an hour in March before finding Lynch guilty on all counts.

Lynchs Attorney Scott King Thursday said he would be meeting with her next week to discuss the sentence and which options are available to her.

King described the sentence as well below the sentencing guidelines. The guidelines called for a 27-month sentence. With federal good time credit, the sentence would end up at 12 months.

According to documents in the case, for years Lynch failed to remit and pay federal payroll taxes for the Kouts nursing clinic she owned and operated. Over the course of 16 years, Lynch withheld payroll tax money from her employees paychecks but instead of paying those taxes to the IRS, as required, she spent the funds on personal and business expenses.

Lynch, who owned and operated two health care clinics, Kouts Health Care, Inc., and its predecessor, Kouts Family Health Care, Inc., was found to have withheld the payroll taxes from January 1999 to September 2015 without submitting them to the IRS.

During the trial Assistant U.S. Attorney Abizer Zanzi painted Lynch as a woman who used money from her business for things like concert tickets and travel while ignoring the IRS and its repeated attempts to collect the payroll taxes she took from employees but never remitted to the agency.

King framed Lynch as a hardworking single mother who was trying to meet her financial obligations in the wake of a messy second divorce that left her in financial turmoil and with debt from her ex-husbands business.

During the trial Lynch testified to using business funds to take her staff to concerts and travel as a way to treat them when she could have been making the required payments to the IRS. She also made payments each month on a truck along with payments on a personal bankruptcy, among other questionable expenses, money Zanzi said should have been used to pay the taxes.

cnapoleon@chicagotribune.com
Pakistani, Indian lovers defy all to be together

Pakistani Seema Haider (R) snuck across borders to be with Indian Sachin Meena, who she met playing the online shooting game PUBG (Shubham Koul)

A love-struck couple from arch-rivals India and Pakistan, who met in a gaming chatroom before sneaking across borders to be together, say their passion trumped national rivalries or fear of religious backlash.

Sachin Meena, 22, an unmarried Indian shopkeeping assistant and a Hindu, connected with 27-year-old Seema Haider, a married Pakistani mother of four and a Muslim, playing the online shooting game PUBG during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

"We became friends and our friendship turned to love and our chats became longer -- every morning and night -- before we finally decided to meet," said Seema, speaking to AFP from the cramped courtyard of Sachin's two-room family home, where she now lives.

Seema, who left Pakistan and her husband with her four children by smuggling herself into India via Nepal in May -- for which the couple were arrested then bailed out last week -- said she has since married Sachin and taken his name.

"I converted to Hinduism," she said, sitting next to Sachin in the village of Rabupura, about 55 kilometres (35 miles) from New Delhi.

"I'd rather die than return or leave Sachin".

While the lovers have found each other, the history of their respective nations is bitter.

India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed nations, have fought three wars since being carved out of the subcontinent in 1947.

Each expelled the other's high commissioner in 2019, and bilateral diplomatic, cultural, business and sporting links are very limited.

Indian police insist that Seema's long-term stay will be impossible.

"I request the Indian government to grant me citizenship", Seema pleaded, a red headscarf covering her hair and her four young children playing nearby.

- 'Destined' -

Apostasy is considered punishable by death in some interpretations of Islam. Seema said she had already received online threats and insisted the couple would "live and die together".

Seema's proclamation of "undying love" for Sachin and a promise to only return to Pakistan "as a dead woman" when they featured on a raucous Indian TV debate this week drew cheers from the crowds sitting around them.

Seema said she had been first attracted by Sachin's gaming skills.

Three years later, the couple met in person in March in Nepal.

She became sure about leaving her "abusive" Pakistani husband -- charges he denies -- after the first meeting.

The couple said it took months of meticulous planning with help from YouTube videos on how to enter India via Nepal. In May, she succeeded.

"It was very difficult to travel from Pakistan to India," she said. "I believe that with God's love, we were destined to meet".

Sachin's family only learned of her existence when he rented a nearby apartment with her.

"There was some resistance, but my father and everyone accepted us. They are happy for us," said Sachin. "I will do everything for them."

Indian police found out after they tried to get married at a local court.

- 'Still my family' -

Seema's estranged husband, Ghulam Haider, left his job as a labourer and rickshaw driver to earn more money for his family in Saudi Arabia.

Haider, who said he had not heard of PUBG, wants his family back.

"I earnestly appeal to Indian and Pakistani authorities to bring my wife and children back to me," Ghulam Haider told AFP by phone from Saudi Arabia.

Haider said the couple, from different Baloch tribes, have a defiant love story of their own.

Forbidden by their families from marrying, they ran away to get hitched -- a taboo in Pakistan that can sometimes lead to so-called honour killings.

"Later, a jirga (council of elders) was summoned to settle the matter and a fine of one million rupees (around $3,640) was slapped on me," he said.

"I am far from my home, from my family, and it is very agonising for me because we married out of love."

- 'She is an adult' -

In India, the couple have received a popular welcome. Crowds from nearby villages have been visiting them since their arrest grabbed national headlines.

"We took selfies," said Rakesh Chand, 37, who drove over an hour to offer his congratulations, one of the dozens lining up to greet them.

"Sachin is very happy, even his family has accepted them, so the government must ensure that she isn't forced to leave."

But on the streets near her old home in Pakistan, Dhani Bakhsh village in eastern Karachi, the news has not been welcomed.

While people know about Seema's story, few are willing to talk about the incident openly -- though they gossip in small groups on street corners.

"Let's forget about her, as she has gone and she is an adult," said Haider's cousin Zafarullah Bugti, blaming PUBG for turning Seema into "a psycho".

Seema herself is unrepentant, calling Sachin the "love of her life" and insisting she will dedicate herself to her family.

"My children will get all the love, care and attention here," she said.

ak-bb-pjm/qan/cwl
Paralyzed Black Woman Says That A White Gas Station Employee Refused To Assist Her | Peter Dazeley via Getty Images

A paralyzed Black woman took to social media in tears after being denied service by a Thorntons gas station employee in Louisville, Kentucky.

Atlanta Black Star broke the news of Zakiya Wrights viral TikTok video sharing what allegedly happened between her and a white female employee.

Under her account @wintermarie5, she posted videos where she was visually distraught. Wright prefaced the TikTok with a typed caption stating how hard using a wheelchair can be, especially when you have to deal with uneducated people.

She opens the video with tears in her eyes, expressing her apprehension to come to social media, but she felt she needed to share what happened.

Im at 2007 Brownsboro Road, and I am trying to get gas. My son is in the car with me, and, like, I cannot physically f**king walk. If you know me, then you know Im in a wheelchair; I use assistance and have hand controls. The lady just told me, I dont know how to pump gas,' Wright said in the video.

Wright stated she told the employee it was self-explanatory and said she would show her what to do once she assisted her.

However, Wright claimed the employee still did not care to help her.

She gon holler, If you driving then you can walk, right?' Wright said in the video. And I am trying to explain to her that I cannot walk. Im paralyzed. She gone holler, How you driving?

She continued, Once again, Im using assistance and how does that even f**king matter? Its a whole wheelchair sign on this gas pump, and that means if I need assistance you supposed to help me.

In an attempt to report the situation, Wright claimed she asked the employee for her name, to which she replied, I aint got no name. Why dont you walk in the store and find out.

She ended the video by zooming into the gas station window to show the employee with whom she had the heated exchange. The video has received over 14,000 comments and nearly 3 million views.

Several users urged the creator to file a lawsuit based on disability discrimination.

The outlet shared the phrasing of the Americans with Disabilities Act that mandates self-service gas stations make accommodations for disabled customers who cannot pump their gas.

The regulation reads in part:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires self-serve gas stations to provide equal access to their customers with disabilities. If necessary to provide access, gas stations must:

Provide refueling assistance upon the request of an individual with a disability. A service station or convenience store is not required to provide such service at any time that it is operating on a remote control basis with a single employee but is encouraged to do so, if feasible.

Let patrons know (e.g., through appropriate signs) that customers with disabilities can obtain refueling assistance by either honking or otherwise signaling an employee.

Provide refueling assistance without any charge beyond the self-serve price.

Atlanta Black Star reported that Wright made two since-deleted follow-up videos about the situation on her Instagram. She communicated that she did contact lawyers about the issue but couldnt afford the retainer fee. She also stated the corporate office for Thorntons claimed they could only release surveillance footage with a lawyers request.

She told viewers she learned the employees name was Vicky but could not confirm it. She added someone called a police officer to the scene of the altercation but told Wright he couldnt file a police report because no crime took place, and it was a civil matter.

Wright has started a GoFundMe campaign to assist with physical therapy.
Lina Khans debut appearance before a GOP-controlled committee immediately descended into partisan sniping Thursday, with lawmakers looking to score political points on each other while taking shots as the Federal Trade Commissions embattled chair.

Khans role as one of the Biden administration's most progressive leaders made her the direct target of partisan bickering over the agencys alleged overreach and waste of taxpayer funding in recent court losses. Though Khan is unlikely to back down in the face of GOP attacks, Congress can impact her ability to fulfill her wide-ranging goals by restricting the agency's budget.

My problem is that youre a bully, said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.). You run this organization and its left turn came when you took over.

Issa, along with other Republicans, criticized Khans budget request for a $160 million increase as Congress begins considering the FTCs FY 2024 budget, which the GOP has proposed cutting by more than 25 percent.

I would contend that you have overstepped your boundaries and your half-billion dollar budget is being wasted, Issa said. And I for one will not support your $160 million dollar increase as long as you do not stick to those things that you do well.

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), was quick to defend Khan. Today, it is the chair of the Federal Trade Commissions turn to step into the alternate universe that is the House Judiciary Committee under MAGA Republican leadership, he said. Ultimately, today youll face attacks because youre doing your job, and that is what threatens Republicans the most.

Outside the political theatrics, Rep. Kevin Kiley, (R-Calif.) asked Khan about her losing streak in the FTCs merger and acquisition cases, referencing its loss earlier this week in its attempt to stop Microsofts takeover of Activision Blizzard. Youre 0-4 in merger trials, he said. Why is your track record so poor when it comes to actually winning cases?



Khan responded that the agency has had court wins, including a case against the so-called Pharma Bro, Martin Shkreli.

Are you bringing cases that you expect to lose? Kiley asked.

Absolutely not, Khan responded.

Well your track record seems to suggest otherwise, he said.

Kiley was critical of Khans past statements that he described as willing to bring losing cases in order to prompt Congress to update the antitrust laws. Youre actually bringing the cases, youre losing because you dont have the authority that you want from Congress, so this is how you think youre going to persuade Congress to give you more authority, is by exceeding the authority that you now have?

Overall though, Khan was criticized over her alleged mismanagement of the agency, perceived ethical violations and attacks on big business, especially Elon Musk and Twitter, and whether she is using her position to advance a partisan progressive agenda  all key Republican attack points on the Biden administration.

This wasnt harassment, it was a shakedown, Jordan said of FTCs open investigation into Musks actions since buying Twitter, which the agency claims may have violated an existing privacy settlement with the agency. Jordans Weaponization of the Federal Government Subcommittee issued a report in March summarizing more than a dozen letters from the FTC to Musk that he claimed show the investigation was partisan.

On Thursday, Twitters parent company X Corp asked a federal court overseeing its settlement to either throw it out entirely or put it on hold until the FTC turns over documents to Twitter outlining its bias against the company. Twitter is also seeking to bar the agency from deposing CEO Elon Musk.

Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) chastised Khan for ignoring advice from the FTCs internal ethics officer to recuse from its case challenging Metas acquisition of a virtual reality app.

It is unbelievable to me that you would not ask for written advice on this topic, Hageman said. Khan said that she only received verbal guidance, and did not see a written memo  which ultimately held the recusal decision was hers alone  until it was reported in the press.

Khan responded repeatedly that she followed all ethical guidelines.

At issue is Khans decision to not recuse from the agencys challenge to Metas virtual reality app deal. Former Republican FTC Commissioner Christine Wilson resigned earlier this year over the issue, and one of her staffers at the agency now works for Jordan. It was reported in recent weeks that Khan went against the agencys informal ethics guidance that she recuse from the case over statements she made prior to joining the agency. Khan maintains she acted appropriately.

After the hearing, the White House voiced its support for Khan. "Chair Khan has delivered results for families, consumers, workers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs," spokesman Michael Kikukawa said in an email. That includes "everything from protecting our kids from unlawful use of their personal data, to making it cheaper and easier for consumers to repair items they own, to moving to ban non-competes that hurt workers, to stopping bad mergers like a semiconductor megamerger that wouldve stifled innovation."
Pedestrian struck, shot in northwest Charlotte, MEDIC says

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and shot in northwest Charlotte, according to MEDIC.

This incident occurred just before 2:30 a.m. on the 3800 block of Brookshire Boulevard.

MEDIC said the pedestrian was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

ALSO READ: Friends, family mourn 17-year-old killed in northeast Charlotte shooting

It is unclear what led up to either incident.

This is a developing story, check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

VIDEO: Friends, family mourn 17-year-old killed in northeast Charlotte shooting
Guests attend the fourth China-Arab States Political Parties Dialogue in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 13, 2023. Co-hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), and the Party committee of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the event's attendees included political leaders from 19 Arab countries and leaders of 67 political parties and organizations. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

YINCHUAN, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The fourth China-Arab States Political Parties Dialogue opened Thursday in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also chairman of the Fatah party, sent a written message to the event. Co-hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), and the Party committee of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the event's attendees included political leaders from 19 Arab countries and leaders of 67 political parties and organizations.

Noting that the dialogue is an essential platform for the exchanges and cooperation between the CPC and political parties of Arab countries, attendees to the event vowed to facilitate further exchanges and mutual learning between the Chinese and Arab civilizations, and jointly build a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era.

A declaration on the implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative was approved at the event. 

Guests attend the fourth China-Arab States Political Parties Dialogue in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 13, 2023. Co-hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), and the Party committee of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the event's attendees included political leaders from 19 Arab countries and leaders of 67 political parties and organizations. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Guests attend the fourth China-Arab States Political Parties Dialogue in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 13, 2023. Co-hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), and the Party committee of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the event's attendees included political leaders from 19 Arab countries and leaders of 67 political parties and organizations. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Guests attend the fourth China-Arab States Political Parties Dialogue in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 13, 2023. Co-hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), and the Party committee of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the event's attendees included political leaders from 19 Arab countries and leaders of 67 political parties and organizations. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Guests attend the fourth China-Arab States Political Parties Dialogue in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 13, 2023. Co-hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), and the Party committee of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the event's attendees included political leaders from 19 Arab countries and leaders of 67 political parties and organizations. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Guests attend the fourth China-Arab States Political Parties Dialogue in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 13, 2023. Co-hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), and the Party committee of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the event's attendees included political leaders from 19 Arab countries and leaders of 67 political parties and organizations. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)
A courts ruling earlier this year that the way Pennsylvania funds public schools is unconstitutional helped make education spending one of the thorniest issues in state budget negotiations.

Along with a partisan divide over spending taxpayer money to help students attend private and religious schools, education funding has left the states 2023-24 spending plan incomplete.

The state government is approaching a second week without full spending authority, with the final OK on a $45 billion spending plan stymied over a dispute about creating a $100 million program to allocate state subsidies for students in the lowest performing districts to attend private or religious schools.

Complicating matters is the judges ruling, which ordered the Legislature and governor to fix the system but with no guidance about how  or how quickly  it should be done.

The budget still in limbo includes about $800 million for public education, significantly less than what Democrats wanted. The states poorest districts will split $100 million through a program designed to help them close some of the gap between them and more affluent districts.

Schools were unconstitutionally underfunded last year, this year, and they will be unconstitutionally underfunded next year, said Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg, senior attorney for Public Information Law Center, which successfully pursued the school funding case.

Education advocates were hoping to see a significant down payment  about $2 billion  to start addressing the systems shortcomings, as well as a plan to overhaul how the state funds its schools. The lawyers hoped to see it as planning begins for the next fiscal year.

We dug a hole for a number of years. Its going to take us a number of years to dig out, Urevick-Ackelsberg said.

Some districts are deeply in the hole, thousands of dollars per pupil short of where they need to be, and the $100-million split wont get at the real change needed, said Bruce Baker, a University of Miami education professor who researches public school financing.

In other states with similar court rulings, action has not always been swift. But some states have managed to make sustained investments, said Maura McInerney, legal director for the Education Law Center, which also was involved in the funding lawsuit.

I think it takes a lot of political will and leadership, she said. There is no reason to wait here.

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro cautioned it would take time, and said fully funding public schools was a priority. But he also voiced his support behind the Republican-controlled Senates school voucher program. And even if the vouchers dont pass this cycle, the budget still gives increases for private education through a tax credit that largely benefits private schools.

House Republicans described the vouchers as a potential solution to the courts decision, saying that the court left reform open to a variety of paths.

The voucher would give up to $10,000 to families to use for private school. An eligible student must attend one of the states 15% lowest-performing schools, based on standardized test scores, and come from a family that makes under 250% of the federal poverty level, or $75,000 for a family of four.

Its inclusion as part of this budget would lead to the most ambitious and beneficial school reform measure in decades, Minority Leader Rep. Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, said in a statement. Cutler and House Republicans lost the fair funding lawsuit.

Increasing public education funding alone will leave many Pennsylvania students trapped in failing schools, Cutler said.

While Shapiro said he would use his line-item veto to kill the voucher program to keep from hitting an impasse last week, he pushed House Democratic leadership to considering alternatives, like vouchers and the tax credit program while working to reach constitutional compliance.

Even with that promise, Senate Republicans have called on Shapiro to sign the budget bill without nixing the program. Theyre not without some leverage.

The chamber has adjourned until September, with key pieces of the budget unresolved. There is still legislation needed to direct how the money in the budget can be spent  including for some of Shapiros and House Democrats priorities.

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Man linked to 2 women found dead in Minnesota storage units threatened to kill tipster who feared human trafficking

Man linked to 2 women found dead in Minnesota storage units threatened to kill tipster who feared human trafficking

A tipster who reported a Minnesota woman missing before her body was found in a storage unit last week said he tried to get her help for a drug addiction but was threatened by a man whom authorities have identified as a person of interest in her case, law enforcement documents show.

The person of interest, Joseph Jorgenson, 40, was charged with second-degree murder in the killing of a second missing woman whose dismembered remains were discovered in a different storage unit on June 28.

The tipster called the Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force and said a friend, Fanta Xayavong, 33, was missing and possibly a victim of sex trafficking, according to applications for search warrants filed this month that were obtained by NBC affiliate KARE of Minneapolis.

Fanta Xayavong. (St. Paul Police Department)

He told authorities that before Xayavong disappeared roughly two years ago, shed struggled with drug addiction and hed tried to get her into rehab, according to the documents.

JORGENSON threatened to kill him, the documents say, adding that the tipster provided text messages showing the threats.

The tipster, who didnt respond to a request for comment, described Jorgenson as very abusing toward Xayavong, according to the documents.

He contacted authorities after he learned that the remains of another woman linked to Jorgenson, Manijeh Mani Starren, had been found in a storage unit, St. Paul police spokesman Mike Ernster told reporters last week.

Authorities confirmed with her family that Xayavong had last been seen in July 2021, according to the documents. She was reported missing on May 25, Ernster said.

Both women had been in relationships with Jorgenson, Ernster said.

The applications, filed in Ramsey County District Court, sought access to the property surrounding Jorgensons suburban apartment, along with his email, Facebook and Uber accounts.

Xayavongs body was found July 6 in a storage unit in Coon Rapids, about 25 miles northwest of St. Paul, St. Paul police said in a statement last week.

Ernster said the manner of death was homicide. He didnt provide additional details about the cause of death.

According to a statement of probable cause in Starren's case, her dismembered remains were found in a storage unit in Woodbury, about 9 miles southeast of St. Paul.

Starren's father reported her missing on May 1 and told authorities that she'd struggled with drug addiction and mental health issues and that she was supposed to have gone to a drug treatment center when she disappeared, according to the document.

During her father's last call with her on April 18, she seemed paranoid and afraid, and he believed she was afraid of her boyfriend, the document says.

Authorities later found security video showing Jorgenson pushing her into her St. Paul apartment on April 21, according to the statement.

Starren was never seen leaving the home again, though Jorgenson was later recorded on video leaving her apartment with two duffel bags and a suitcase, and in a search of her apartment, authorities found large amounts of blood around the apartment that someone appeared to have cleaned up, the document says.

Jorgenson was arrested June 26 after he allegedly started a fire in his apartment when authorities tried to take him into custody, police said in a statement. Authorities said he fought with officers and tried to disarm them.

Jorgenson's bond was set at $5 million.

A lawyer for Jorgenson couldnt be reached for comment. A relative didnt respond to a request for comment.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Pilot says he escaped serious injury by jumping into the ocean when a New Zealand volcano erupted

Pilot Brian Depauw reacts in the witness box at the Whakaari White Island eruption trial at the Auckland Environment Court, in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday July 13, 2023. Depauw, a helicopter pilot said Thursday he and two of his passengers had escaped serious injury by jumping into the ocean when a New Zealand volcano erupted in 2019, killing 22. (Nick Monro/Pool Photo via AP)

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  A helicopter pilot said in court on Thursday he and two of his passengers had escaped serious injury by jumping into the ocean when a New Zealand volcano erupted in 2019, killing 22.

Another two of pilot Brian Depauws joy flight passengers did not make it to the water, were engulfed by a cloud of hot ash from the White Island eruption, and suffered serious burns.

Belgian-born Depauw, who speaks with an Irish accent, testified at the Auckland District Court on Thursday in the trial of three tourism companies and three directors charged with safety breaches over the Dec. 9 disaster.

The water is what saved us, Depauw told the court.

Depauw and his four German passengers were among 47 people on White Island, the tip of an undersea volcano also known by its Indigenous Maori name, Whakaari, when superheated gases erupted. Most of the 25 survivors were severely burned.

Depauw, who currently lives in Canada, said he had only been working for tour operator Volcanic Air for three or four weeks and was making his first unsupervised flight with the company the day the volcano erupted.

He had told his passengers, two German couples, during safety instructions: If you see me run -- I always kind of make a joke -- follow me as well.

When the volcano erupted, the passengers wanted to return to the helicopter, but the pilot decided the water was a safer option.

I heard my customer saying should we run now? I looked behind me and saw the plume going up 1,000 or 2,000 feet (305 or 610 meters) high, I saw boulders and debris arcing toward us, so I said: Run, run, run to the water. Follow me, Depauw told police in a video statement recorded three days after the eruption and shown to the court on Thursday.

Depauw and one of the couples crossed the 150 meters (492 feet) to 200 meters (656 feet) to the water before they were overtaken by ash.

The minute I hit the water, it went black. The ash came and obviously hit us and I couldnt see anything, he said.

It would be a minute or two minutes. I was underwater trying to hold my breath as long as I could until I saw some light through the ash, Depauw added.

He then helped his two passengers who had avoided burns to a boat. The man had lost his glasses and the womans contact lenses were scratched by the ash cloud so both had difficulty seeing.

The couple that didnt reach the water were burnt quite badly, Depauw said.

Court photographs showed Depauws helicopter was blasted by the force of the volcano off its landing pad and its rotors were bent.

Under questioning by prosecutor Steve Symons on Thursday, Depauw said he had thought there would be warning signs before the volcano erupted. He had not known at the time that the volcano had erupted as recently as 2016.

The way I understood it was there would be some signs and some time to vacate the island if the volcano was about to erupt, Depauw said.

He said his only injuries had been a cut knee, a pulled back muscle and some temporary ash iritation to his eyes.

The islands owners, brothers Andrew, James and Peter Buttle; their company Whakaari Management Ltd.; as well as tour operators ID Tours NZ Ltd. and Tauranga Tourism Services Ltd. have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Other tour operators have pleaded guilty and will be fined at a later date.

Each of the companies faces a maximum fine of 1.5 million New Zealand dollars ($927,000) while each of the brothers charged faces a maximum fine of NZ$300,000 ($185,000).

The trial, scheduled to run for 16 weeks, was adjourned on Thursday and will resume on Monday.
Move Forward supporters listened to the vote outside parliament in Bangkok

The reformer who won Thailand's election has failed to win enough votes in parliament to become prime minister.

Pita Limjaroenrat swept to victory in May as voters rejected nearly a decade of conservative military rule.

He has a lower house majority but could not win over enough unelected senators, all 249 of whom were appointed by a previous military government.

Mr Pita also faces last-minute legal challenges which could yet disqualify him. He denies breaking election rules.

"I accept it but I'm not giving up," he told reporters. "I will not surrender and will use this time to garner more support."

To no one's surprise, all but 13 senators opposed Move Forward, either abstaining or voting against its young leader. There were cheers from the crowd outside parliament every time a vote went in favour of him - groans and jeers when they went against.

In order to win the 42-year-old Harvard graduate and former tech executive needed the votes of more than half of the 749 members in parliament's two chambers, but he only secured 324 votes, 51 short of the required 375.

Under the rules, parliament keeps voting until a PM is elected - another vote is scheduled for next week. But it's not clear how Mr Pita can make up the shortfall.

Mr Pita swept to victory as voters rejected nearly a decade of conservative military rule

That raises the risk that the political turmoil seen so often in recent years in Thailand will flare up again - the hopes of millions of Thais for a fresh new beginning for their country appear to have been dashed.

"You have a lot of elements for democracy, but at the very least you need an election. And that election should mean something. Why should I bother coming to vote any more, because my vote doesn't matter any more obviously," one Move Forward supporter said bitterly.

Apart from parliamentary numbers stacked against him, Mr Pita faces other hurdles in the path to power. The notoriously conservative Constitutional Court is now assessing two complaints against him; one that he holds shares in a defunct media company.

The other complaint says Move Forward's proposal to amend the draconian royal defamation laws - which have jailed hundreds of critics of the monarchy - amounts to an attempt to overthrow Thailand's entire political order.

As the votes were cast, hopes were raised but then faded

On Tuesday outgoing Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha announced his retirement. Mr Prayuth was the army chief who carried out the 2014 coup to oust civilian leaders accused of massive corruption. It was Thailand's second military uprising since 2006 and in both instances, a member of the powerful Shinawatra political dynasty was removed from power.

One of the largest blocs in Mr Pita's coalition is led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of exiled former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.

The decades-old lese majeste laws, which can land people in jail for speaking against the monarchy, were strictly enforced under Mr Prayuth's leadership and critics said this was used to crush free speech.

During his term, people have been jailed for selling calendars with satirical images of ducks and dressing up like the country's queen.

Mr Pita has described Mr Prayuth's term as Thailand's "lost decade" and has promised to end the country's cycle of corruption and military uprisings. He pledged reforms that would "demilitarise, demonopolise and decentralise" the country.

One of his most contentious campaign promises is to amend the lese majeste laws in a country where the monarchy is officially revered.

Opponents of Move Forward cited its promise to amend the harsh royal defamation law as justification for blocking it in parliament. Royalist MPs accused the reformists of risking violence and even civil war by touching on the issue of the monarchy.
People gathered outside the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill to hold a vigil a week after a deadly shooting there

By Brendan O'Brien

(Reuters) -A federal jury on Thursday decided that Robert Bowers was eligible for the death penalty for killing 11 worshippers at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue in 2018, the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, local media reported.

Last month, the jury found Bowers, 50, guilty of dozens of federal hate crimes in the trial at the U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania. Federal prosecutors had charged Bowers with 63 counts, including 11 counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death.

In the first phase of the sentencing portion of the trial, the jury briefly deliberated on Wednesday afternoon and then again for about two hours on Thursday morning before reaching their decision that Bowers was eligible for the death penalty, KDKA TV, a local CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh, reported.

In the final phase of the sentencing portion of the trial, both prosecutors and defense attorneys will have the chance to make arguments on whether Bowers deserves the death penalty. Victims and families of those killed in the shooting will also have the opportunity to speak to the court. The jury will then deliberate Bowers' fate.

In federal capital cases, a unanimous vote by jurors is required in order to sentence a defendant to death, and the judge is obligated to abide by the jury's decision. If jurors are unable to reach a unanimous decision, the offender is instead sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of release.

On June 16, the jury found him guilty on all counts, after defense lawyers accepted that he planned and carried out the attack. Jurors heard testimony from some of the survivors of the attack and evidence of Bowers' antisemitism, including multiple posts attacking Jews made on a far-right website in the months leading up to the attack.

Defense lawyers argued that Bowers suffers from major mental illness, including schizophrenia, and so lacked the necessary level of intent.

In their arguments in support of making Bowers eligible for the death penalty, prosecutors said that he had the necessary intent and premeditation to qualify for the sentence. They presented witnesses and evidence to show he carefully planned the attack and deliberately targeted vulnerable elderly worshipers.

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; additional reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; editing by Tim Ahmann and Bill Berkrot)
The Pittsburgh shooter who killed 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018 was found eligible Thursday for the federal death penalty.

A federal jury announced that Robert Bowers is eligible for the death penalty, allowing the trial to move to the sentencing stage where further testimony and evidence will be heard. The jury sided with government prosecutors who argued that Bowers had the required legal intent to kill.

Bowers, 50, was found guilty in June on all 63 felony charges, 22 of which can carry the death penalty, including federal hate crime charges. The capital offense charges include 11 counts of obstructing free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death and 11 counts of hate crimes resulting in death.

His attorneys offered a plea deal for Bowers to plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence without parole, but prosecutors turned it down.

Bowers opened fire at the Tree of Life synagogue located in Pittsburgh on the morning of Oct. 27, 2018, killing 11 worshippers and injuring seven others, including officers who shot back at the gunman. During final arguments Wednesday, prosecutors argued that Bowers had planned the attack for months.

On Oct. 27, 2018, this defendant violated the safe, holy sanctuary that was the Tree of Life synagogue, prosecutor Soo Song said. He turned it into a killing ground.

Bowerss legal team argued that his mental illness and his delusional belief that he could prevent a genocide of white people by killing Jewish people hindered his ability to form intent.

Song refuted the defenses claims, saying Bowers regrets that he didnt kill dozens more, strategically planned the attack and considered other Jewish targets. He posted on social media about his hatred of Jewish people before the attack and told police officers at the time that all these Jews need to die.

The Anti-Defamation League said at the time that the shooting was the deadliest attack carried out against Jewish people in U.S. history.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A federal jury in Pennsylvania ruled Thursday that Robert Bowers, the convicted gunman who killed 11 worshipers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh in October 2018, is eligible for the death penalty.

Prosecutors have been seeking such a punishment after Bowers was found guilty in mid-June of all 63 criminal counts facing him, including hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death.

The jury Thursday sided with prosecutors who argued that Bowers -- who spent six months planning the attack and has since expressed regret that he did not kill more people -- had formed the requisite legal intent to kill.

The trial will now move to a final phase to determine if Bowers will be sentenced to death or life in prison. If jurors decide Bowers deserves to die, it would be the first federal death sentence imposed during President Bidens presidency.

PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTER FOUND GUILTY OF KILLING 11 IN FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY TRIAL

Bowers lawyers had argued that his ability to form intent was impaired by mental illness and a delusional belief that he could stop genocide of White people by killing Jews.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

On Oct. 27, 2018, Bowers opened fire with an AR-15 rifle and other guns at the Pennsylvania synagogue. Seven people were wounded, including five police officers.

"I am grateful to God for getting us to this day," Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life Congregation, who survived the attack, said in a written statement after the verdict for Bowers criminal trial was announced. "And I am thankful for the law enforcement who ran into danger to rescue me, and the U.S. Attorney who stood up in court to defend my right to pray."

WHO IS ROBERT BOWERS? PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTER POSTED VIEWS ONLINE

Carole Zawatsky, CEO of the Tree of Life Congregation, also told The Associated Press at the time that she hoped the criminal trial verdict would provide survivors and victims family members with "some level of comfort and helps to ease the pain, even if ever so slightly."

Two hours before Bowers burst into the Tree of Life Synagogue and opened fire during a Shabbat service, he posted on the chat site Gab.com about the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, the New York Times has previously reported.

"HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our people. I cant sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, Im going in," a message attributed to Bowers said.

HIAS, a Maryland-based nonprofit, helps refugees around the world and is guided by Jewish values, according to the organization.

Police said Bowers had 21 guns registered in his name and was not known to law enforcement before the shooting. He is a registered voter with "no affiliation" in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Fox News Maria Paronich, Louis Casiano and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The house where four college students were brutally stabbed to death last November will remain standing until October, the University of Idaho announced Wednesday, following outrage from some of the victims family members over its planned demolition.

In an email to students and employees, President Scott Green said that the university had reversed course on its decision to demolish the rental house on King Road in Moscow, Idaho, where Madison Maddie Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, were killed on Nov. 13. Bryan Kohberger, a former criminology student at Washington State University, in nearby Pullman, has been charged with four counts of murder and is facing the death penalty if convicted.

We will revisit this decision in October, said Green, who noted that the university still fully expected to demolish it.

The Moscow, Idaho, residence where students Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves were found dead on Nov. 13 is roped off amid investigations in January.

The Moscow, Idaho, residence where students Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves were found dead on Nov. 13 is roped off amid investigations in January.

Thank you to the University of Idaho for honoring the wishes of the families by not demoing the King Rd. house, the Goncalves family said in a statement provided to HuffPost by their attorney, Shanon Gray.

The owner of the house donated it to the university earlier this year. The university had initially planned to tear it down this spring, long before the murder trial was set to begin, with the permission of both the prosecution and defense teams, which Green noted in his email. That did not sit well with some of the victims family members, specifically the Goncalveses, who were vocal in their objections.

The university asked for the families opinions on the demolition and then proceeded to ignore those opinions and pursue their own self-interests, Gray said in an early July email to The Idaho Statesman.

Gray told the Statesman that members of the Mogen and Kernodle families also opposed the demolition of the property until after the trial, which is scheduled to start Oct. 2. The trial could be delayed, however, after a judge on Monday granted the defenses request to stay the proceedings.

The home itself has enormous evidentiary value as well as being the largest, and one of the most important, pieces of evidence in the case, Gray told the Statesman.

Prosecutors have disputed that the house would play a role in the trial; unlike other high-profile cases, they did not plan for the jury to tour the scene of the killings.

The scene has been substantially altered from its condition at the time of the homicides including removal of relevant property and furnishings, removal of some structural items such as wallboard and flooring, and subjected to extensive chemical application creating a potential health hazard, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said in an email to the university that was viewed by CNN. These are some of the reasons that we have concluded that a jury view would not be appropriate.

In his original Feb. 24 announcement, Green had called the proposed demotion a healing step that would counter efforts to further sensationalize the crime scene.

He echoed that sentiment Wednesday, saying, It is a constant reminder of the heinous acts that went on inside it. It is also a place that continues to draw unwanted attention from media, YouTubers and others.

Still, Green acknowledged Wednesday that the house elicits deep emotional responses from those who are working through grief and who fear that its destruction could impact the court case.

We hear all these arguments, take them seriously and weigh them against the greater good for our university.  This is why the decision about what to do with the King Road house is so difficult, he said.

Following the removal of hazardous asbestos and lead, Green said, personal items from the residents will be removed and families will soon be able to retrieve their loved ones possessions to the extent they wish to do so. We will continue to work discretely and respectfully with the families on this.

Related...
Navalny under arrest after an anti-corruption rally in Moscow, 2017 - Getty

Alexei Navalnys latest trial began on 19 June at the maximum-security Penal Colony 6, some 150 miles east of Moscow. Already serving a nine-year sentence for various trumped-up offences, Vladimir Putins last heavyweight political opponent was facing a further 30 years for allegedly inciting and financing extremism and rehabilitating Nazi ideology  an apparent reference to his support for Ukraine.

The proceedings were briefly transmitted via a scarcely audible video feed to a separate room for journalists. Navalny, in a black prison uniform, rebuked the judge for his seriously limited independence and for failing to let his parents into the courtroom. He said he had been given 3,828 pages of documents detailing the offences he had purportedly committed while isolated in prison, but protested: Although its clear from the size of the tomes that I am a sophisticated and persistent criminal, its impossible to find out exactly what Im accused of. He complained that in the past, whenever I said the word Putin, they simply turned off the microphone and stopped the video feed.

As if on cue, the judge ruled that the rest of the trial would be held behind closed doors.

Kira Yarmysh, 33, Navalnys spokeswoman and one of his closest aides throughout the tumultuous past decade, viewed the images in a secret sanctuary somewhere in Europe. In a Zoom interview two days later, she told me that it was upsetting to see how thin her boss had become, but reassuring to see he had not lost his fearlessness, defiance or sense of humour.

Kira Yarmysh in a replica of Navalnys prison cell, part of an exhibit in the Netherlands, March 2023 - REUTERS/Anthony Deutsch

So Putins scourge, Russias most celebrated political prisoner, a man Putin refuses to refer to by name, had not been broken by 30 months of extreme physical and psychological deprivation while incarcerated, I asked. Definitely no, she replied. Hes probably the most optimistic man in the whole of Russia at the moment.

Yarmyshs fighting spirit likewise remains firmly intact, though she too has paid a heavy price for supporting Navalny.

She was sitting next to him when he famously succumbed to poisoning on a flight from Tomsk to Moscow in 2020. She also accompanied him when he returned to Moscow after recuperating in Germany, together with his wife Yulia, only to witness him being arrested on arrival. Yarmysh has herself been locked up four times, endured prolonged house arrest and now lives in indefinite exile from her homeland.

This personable and articulate young woman nonetheless remains utterly convinced that Navalny will one day lead a new, free and prosperous Russia.

I would not do what Im doing if I didnt have this faith, she said. I honestly believe that historical justice is on our side. Putin will fall sooner or later and I cant see anyone else more fit or capable to be president than Alexei.

As she spoke  with Navalny incarcerated, the Ukraine war distracting the Wests attention and Moscow ruthlessly crushing all dissent  that seemed hopelessly optimistic. But then, two days after our interview, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the mercenary Wagner group, led a dramatic and apparently mutinous advance on Moscow before striking a mysterious deal with the alarmed Russian President. The extraordinary episode exposed Putins fragility, and Yarmyshs optimism suddenly felt a fraction less far-fetched.

Yarmysh was raised in a middle-class family in the very city Prigozhin seized, Rostov-on-Don. Fiercely intelligent, she earned a place to study journalism at the elite Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) by dint of winning a national televised quiz competition.

After graduating, she worked in public relations for the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, then for a Russian airline. She could have prospered in Putins corrupt Russia, she says. While under house arrest in 2021, she watched one of her former MGIMO classmates compere Putins annual televised call-in show with the Russian public. It could have been me, she laughs.

But the rigged parliamentary elections of December 2011 set her on a different path.

I was very infuriated that [for] once in my life I tried to be a decent citizen and participate in elections and it was in vain, she tells me in near-perfect English. She joined a mass protest and found it a joyful, liberating experience. I was happy that I could turn my anger into something. At least I could protest and be visible.

She attended more protests. In 2013 she volunteered to help in Navalnys campaign to become Moscows mayor (he came second, with 27 per cent of the vote, and was never allowed to contest another election). The following year she applied to become his press secretary. He was under house arrest at the time, so she was given the job after being interviewed by his staff.

Several months passed before she actually met her tall, charming boss with his glamorous wife Yulia and children, Daria and Zakhar, at one of his many trials. She was impressed.

He was charismatic and radiated energy, she remembers. She soon became a key player in his campaign to expose the corruption of Putins cronies and build a national political organisation through astute use of social media.

Navalny with (l-r) daughter Daria, son Zakhar and wife Yulia - Getty

Her first five-day spell in a Moscow detention centre came in February 2018, after she used a YouTube broadcast to publicise a rally supporting a boycott of that years presidential election, from which Navalny had been banned. She was in a cell by herself, and passed the time by reading books. It was boring, she says, adding that detainees are treated far more harshly in 2023. Now, everything is different.

Three months later she was detained again for organising anti-Putin rallies prior to his fourth inauguration. She was locked up for 25 days with several other women. With Navalnys encouragement, she turned the experience into a novel, The Incredible Events in Womens Cell Number 3, published in Britain last month.

In August 2020 she accompanied Navalny to Siberia for a corruption investigation. They expected to be harassed, but their visit to Tomsk was completely calm, very peacefulit was the best trip ever.

She sat next to Navalny on the flight back to Moscow. Shortly after taking off, he began to feel unwell. He turned very pale and asked her to talk to him, to distract him, then went to the toilet. Yarmysh suspected nothing untoward, even when the pilot asked if there was a doctor on board. Then another Navalny aide rushed back to say he was unconscious on the floor of the flight attendants kitchenette and had obviously been poisoned.

The pilot made an emergency landing in Omsk. Navalny was rushed to hospital. Yarmysh had to explain to the doctors who he was and that he had been poisoned. She alerted his wife and broke the news of his poisoning on Twitter. It was very, very scary that he wouldnt make it, but we were not thinking about it I was just focusing on my duties, she says.

Two days later, Navalny was flown to Germany where he was found to have been poisoned with Novichok, the Putin regimes signature nerve agent. He spent almost three weeks in a coma. While he recuperated in the Black Forest, the Bellingcat investigative journalism outfit tracked down the assassination team. Navalny famously called one of them, pretending to be a security official, and duped him into confessing that they had put the Novichok in his underpants. The absurdity of Putins henchmen is brilliantly captured in the Oscar-winning documentary Navalny, released last year, as is the drama of his return to Moscow.

Navalny addressing thousands in Khabarovsk, 2017 - Evgeny Feldman

Yarmysh says there was never any doubt he would go home, despite the dangers. It was never a matter for discussion. Everyone realised he would never stay anywhere but Russia. But his team did not believe the regime would be stupid enough to arrest him at the airport, in full view of the media hordes. Or to do so for allegedly violating his parole conditions by leaving the country. As Yarmysh says: He didnt wilfully leave Russia. He was taken out unconscious and evacuated.

That was the last time she saw Navalny. He was dispatched to Penal Colony Number 2, but not before he had delivered another devastating blow to Putins credibility. Two days after his arrest, his organisation, FBK (Anti-Corruption Foundation), released a documentary exposing in vivid detail the 1 billion pleasure palace that Putin had secretly built for himself on the Black Sea coast.

Yarmysh was detained two days later for tweeting details of a demonstration against Putins corruption. This time she was held for nine days, during which the regime charged her with violating Covid regulations by encouraging the rally. It was a huge hypocrisy because everything in Moscow was working. All the concert halls, the restaurants and museums were open, she says.

She spent the next seven months under house arrest while awaiting trial. She was alone in a strange flat, her landlady having ejected her from her own apartment following her arrest  I was too dangerous. She was allowed no visitors save her lawyer, and no phone calls, internet or mail. She wore an electronic tag. She had to persuade a policeman to remove her rubbish. After two months she was allowed to leave the flat for an hour a day, provided she ventured no more than 500 metres away.

That April, despite having been under house arrest and lacking any internet access, she spent her fourth spell in a detention centre after colleagues used her Twitter account to promote another protest rally. Perversely, those 10 days proved a relatively pleasant interlude: she had company, and was allowed to make a daily 15-minute phone call.

Four months after that, Yarmysh was convicted of violating Covid rules and sentenced to 18 months of restricted freedom, during which she would be confined to her flat from 8pm to 8am. In the hiatus before her sentence was enforced, she fled Russia.

Kira Yarmysh was one of Navalnys closest aides throughout the tumultuous past decade - Kira Yarmysh Instagram

It was an easy decision, she says. By then Navalnys FBK and political party had been designated extremist organisations and forcibly disbanded. Yarmysh reckons a dozen of his closest colleagues had been arrested, and 10 times as many forced into exile. Abroad, at least, she and they could continue to work full-time for Navalny, exposing Putins corruption and denouncing his war in Ukraine.

She will not say where she now lives. Her secrecy is not because she fears for her life  it is to deny Putin a propaganda weapon. Of course the Russian secret services know where I am, but if you announce your place they will try to make a whole point about you living in a Nato state or something.

Meanwhile, she has been placed on Russias wanted list for evading her sentence, meaning she would be arrested immediately if she tried to return home. She has also been charged with publishing false information about the Ukraine war on YouTube  an offence punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Her novel remains on sale in Russia, but because she has also been deemed a foreign agent, bookshops can only display it with an opaque black cover concealing its title. The authorities reportedly tried to find evidence that it promoted LGBT subjects and drug use, she says, but nothing happened so I guess that check was useless.

Yarmyshs plight is nothing compared to Navalnys, of course. She communicates with him by old-fashioned letter, receives updates from his lawyers, and paints a grim picture of a prison regime that is clearly designed to break his spirit, if not to kill him.

Alexei Navalny at an unauthorized anti-Putin rally in Moscow, 2018 - Getty

Early on, he could mix with other inmates at Penal Colony 6, to which he was moved in June 2022, and even formed a prisoners union that fought for better conditions, including the right to have chairs, rather than stools, while working. The authorities are said to have given him an unwashed homeless man and a psycho who screamed for 17 hours a day as cellmates.

For the past year, however, he has been held in solitary confinement or, worse, a punishment cell. His alleged offences, Yarmysh says, include walking without his hands behind his back, buttoning his uniform up incorrectly, washing his face at the wrong time, addressing his guards disrespectfully and declaring his innocence when asked his name and offence.

Earlier this year she tweeted that she did not rule out that he was being slowly poisoned, on account of crippling stomach pain he was experiencing. In April it was reported that he had lost 8kg in weight in just over two weeks and an ambulance was called. But the Kremlin would only say his health was a matter for the federal prison service.

Navalnys punishment cell is tiny, scarcely six square metres. It has one small, closed window facing an inner courtyard and no ventilation. His bunk is fastened to the wall from 5am to 10pm. He is not allowed to lie on the floor. The only furniture is a stool. There is no hot water. The lights are never turned off. He is forced to listen to incessant Russian state radio and interminable Putin speeches. Its another torture because he cant turn it off, says Yarmysh.

A replica of Navalnys prison cell - Getty

He is allowed no personal belongings except a mug, toothbrush and solitary book (he has been reading various US presidential memoirs). He is allowed no visitors save his lawyers, and all his communications with them are monitored. His parents were last permitted to visit him 14 months ago, his wife 17 months ago (his family have just launched a lawsuit against the penal colony for refusing them visiting rights). Not even his guards can talk to him, and they have cameras on them to ensure they dont. He can write and receive letters, but they are censored and he is only given a pen and paper for 30 minutes a day.

He is allowed one hours exercise at 7am each day, and as mandatory labour, he sews in a room near his cell, equipped with a solitary sewing machine. Exactly what he sews is a huge mystery, says Yarmysh. No one knows. Even he doesnt know. Its some sort of stripes.

Unlike his fellow inmates, Navalny cannot receive food parcels or buy food from the prison store. He has to survive on whatever the prison provides. Alexei is being tortured by hunger because what hes provided with is insufficient, says Yarmysh. He has lost a lot of weight, suffers from severe back pain and deteriorating eyesight, and is suing the prison for the right to see a dentist.

Technically Navalny can be held in the punishment cell for a maximum of 15 days, but the authorities circumvent that by releasing him and putting him back in the following day. Solitary confinement is an improvement only because the cell is a little bigger, and he is allowed two books instead of one.

Yarmysh insists that Navalny has no regrets about returning to Russia and that after more than two decades of harassment by the regime in Moscow, his spirit is indomitable. I know him. Nothing can break him. He has survived so much and sacrificed so much that I cant see how any torture they come up with can break him, she says. He honestly believes in what hes doing. He wants Russia to be free and his children to grow up in a peaceful, prosperous country.

He has the wholehearted backing of his family. Im dreaming of the day when you will be free and our country will be free. Stay strong, my love, Yulia declared when she and Daria, 22, a student at Stanford University, accepted the Oscar for Navalny in Hollywood in March.

Today the family come and go from Moscow, risking arrest. Its very difficult for them, but theyre very strong people and believe in what hes doing, says Yarmysh. Alexei told me many times it would be impossible to do what hes doing if his family didnt support him.

While Navalny has lost his political organisation inside Russia, and can communicate with the outside world only through smuggled messages, he still believes he is advancing his cause through his imprisonment. He serves as a symbol of defiance, says Yarmysh. Hes setting an example of a person whos not afraid [of Putin], and right now a lot of Russians need such an example.

Alexei Navalny with his supporters in Moscow, 2019 - Getty

But she does fear for his physical health and ability to survive endless imprisonment.

I think Putin is trying to make him suffer as much as he can  physically, psychologically, by any means, she says. I think he would like to see Alexei killed. Maybe hes not given the direct order yet, but that might change any minute and right now hes just being tortured and that torture is destroying his health so badly it might cause his death.

The Ukraine war has further complicated Navalnys position by distracting the Wests attention from his plight, and reducing its leverage over a dictator who no longer cares what it thinks of him. Public interest is the only thing that helps Alexei to stay relatively secure, she says. Without this public attention, everyone will forget about him and Putin will kill him.

Sergey Smirnov, editor-in-chief of Media-zona, an independent Russian media outlet, agrees. It has become easier for Putin to deal with dissidents. He no longer has to answer questions from the West, he told me in an email, adding that the war had led to a sharp increase in the number of political prisoners and harsher terms for them. Navalnys position has worsened because he openly opposes the war and Putin.

But heres the paradox. The war could also, just conceivably, prove Navalnys salvation. Yarmysh believes that Putin launched it to distract Russians from acute domestic problems, thinking he would win it in days and could use it as a pretext for crushing all dissidents. But 17 months on, she believes, the opposition to his rule is silently swelling, along with the death toll.

He has definitely miscalculated, and Im sure that this war will be the end of Putin, she says. He definitely will fall. Hes not eternal. Something will definitely happen to him. Hes not only an old man [now hes 70]  hes obsolete in terms of his mindset. Someone whos so out of date will eventually go away and something new and bright will come instead.

Wishful thinking? Probably. Smirnov agrees that if Putin loses power, the political prisoners have a good chance of being released, but adds: The necessary condition is a change in the political regime. So far, the likelihood of this looks small, even if Putin is defeated in the war with Ukraine.

But then Prigozhins rebellion caught everyone by surprise, and seems to have ushered in a period of unusual uncertainty, of flux. If Navalny can stay alive, who knows what might happen?

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Consequences of the Russian shelling of Mariupol

Poland and South Korea have formally agreed to help Ukraine and signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of post-war reconstruction, Korean outlet The Chosun Ilbo reported on July 13.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is on an official visit to Warsaw, held a high-level meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda.

The two leaders signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation in the restoration of Ukraine. However, the details of this memorandum have not yet been disclosed.

"We have agreed that South Korea and Poland can be the best partners in the restoration of Ukraine," the South Korean president said.

Read also:

Yoon Suk Yeol also said that he and Duda agreed to work in a spirit of solidarity with each otherto protect the norm-based international order.

"We have decided to continue to support it," he added.

On July 11, President Andrzej Duda did not rule out the possibility of deploying the Polish troopsto Ukraine if a decision is made to negotiate and conduct a "peacekeeping operation."

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
MONTREUX, Switzerland, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, famous for its legendary live music performances, is undertaking efforts together with academic partners and researchers to keep its musical heritage spanning over five decades alive and catapulting it into the digital era.

Alain Dufaux, executive director of the Cultural Heritage & Innovation Center (CHC) at the world-renowned Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) told Xinhua that digitizing and preserving the audio-visual collections and adding value were a top priority.

In partnership with the Claude Nobs Foundation and other sponsors, EPFL is in charge of the Montreux Jazz Digital Project to digitize and enrich the collection of the recordings and safeguard its long-term preservation.

"EPFL is digitizing the archives of the Montreux Jazz Festival in collaboration with the Claude Nobs Foundation. We set up the project already 15 years ago," Dufaux said.

According to the Claude Nobs Foundation, more than 5,000 concerts have so far been recorded -- totaling more than 11,000 hours of video and 6,000 hours of audio -- and 200,000 professional photographs have been digitized.

Swiss music promoter Claude Nobs who died in 2013 founded the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1967, and built it into an international festival and events platform for music lovers.

The foundation oversees the curation and conservation of Claude Nobs' audio and visual archives, which are one of the world's largest collections of live music recordings, and all of which were recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival since its inception.

"Nowadays, with AI we can do a lot of things such as finding the solo performances in the collection, where we have a guitar, how to enhance the quality of the videos," Dufaux commented.

"This year, together with the Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music (IRCAM) in Paris, we have started to create new performances from the archive, involving AI co-creations. Such actions are organized by the Living Archive Research Group, a joint program driven by the School of Design and Art School of Valais (EDHEA), the Swiss Center for Affective Sciences of the University of Geneva (CISA), EPFL CHC, and the Artists in Lab program from the Zurich University of the Arts."

In 2013, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed the Montreux Jazz Festival audio and visual collection in its international Memory of the World Register, the documentary equivalent of "World Heritage."

"We are trying to connect instruments and musicians to the memory of the Montreux Jazz Festival, using artificial intelligence and numeric tools for interactive and generative purposes," Dr. Christophe Fellay, head of the Sound Department at EDHEA, told Xinhua.

The 57th Montreux Jazz Festival from June 30 to July 15 drew 250,000 spectators to the shores of Lake of Geneva.

Asked about potential collaboration with Chinese AI experts and musicology researchers, Fellay said: "We can have partners in China, and of course, we can develop collaborations at the university level, that would be great."

Didier Grandjean, a professor at CISA, said: "We don't have a specific project with the Chinese at the moment."

"In the past, we did specific projects in China on the relationship between affection and emotion, and developed a model for China, India, the U.S., and many countries around the world." 
Search called off for French boy lost in 'village of the damned'

Emile went missing when his grandparents were packing for a walking trip - Jam Press

French police have called off a search for a two-year-old boy who went missing from a remote village in the Alps five days ago.

The boy, Emile, was last seen walking down the street from his grandparents home in Le Haut Vernet on Saturday afternoon.

Authorities will now concentrate on analysing the considerable amount of information gathered during the search.

Police admit they have no idea what happened to the two-year-old.

Remy Avon, the prosecutor of Digne-les-Bains, said: At the moment we have no clue, no information, no element that can help us understand this disappearance.

Emile vanished from the mountainous village, which has a population of just 25, as his grandparents were preparing for a day out.

The gendarmerie is briefed before searching the surrounding hillsides - NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP

Volunteers helped with the search in searing temperatures - NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP

Francois Balique, the local mayor, told French media: He took advantage of this fleeting moment [of inattention] to leave. His grandparents realised he was no longer there when they went to put him in the car.

Despite having just a handful of inhabitants, Le Haut Vernet has been the site of several tragedies, with locals calling it a village of the damned. More than a hundred people were killed in a plane crash eight years ago.

Police have searched houses and  accompanied by sniffer dogs and drones combed a three-mile area around the hamlet. A helicopter was used to broadcast a message from Emiles mother over loudspeakers, according to reports.

A blood stain was discovered in a car in the area during the search but was later dismissed when analysis showed it belonged to an animal.

Police said on Thursday night they were ending the large-scale search for Emile, and would instead explore the information they had collected.

Mr Avon said: The judicial investigation into the causes of the disappearance will continue, in particular by analysing the considerable mass of information and elements collected over the past four days.

He added that the possibility Emile went missing alone could not be ruled out, even if this probability is very small.

Earlier in the week, Mr Avon warned the two-year-olds life was very much at risk given a recent heatwave.

A picture of Emile released by authorities shows a blond and hazel-eyed boy with a dandelion tucked behind his ear. He was wearing a yellow top, white shorts and hiking shoes on the day he disappeared.

Some 500 volunteers joined in the hunt, looking in the woodland and fields that surround the village.

We took part in a big search this morning with 50 other people, said Roxane, 19, who came with two friends to help on Monday.

There was a gap of two metres between each of us, we looked in the fields, and in the woods. We looked out for the smallest clue, maybe an item of clothing or a shoe he could have lost.

French media said Emiles family, who are described as very religious, attended a service at the chapel in Le Haut Vernet on Wednesday evening.

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Britton Hamilton was offered a job as a New Orleans Police Department officer after passing a civil service exam and a physical agility test  on the condition of passing a medical and psychological exam.

He cleared the medical exam, which informed the department that he is a transgender man, according to a federal lawsuit filed in Louisiana.

However, troubles with his onboarding followed after he was asked questions related to being transgender, including how do your parents feel about your transition? during his psychological exam, the complaint says.

Then, Hamiltons job offer was suddenly pulled on Jan. 26, 2021, according to the complaint filed on June 22.

The police department is accused of refusing to hire Hamilton because he is transgender, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act 1964, which prohibits job discrimination based on sex, the complaint says.

I was caught off guard when I saw that because Ive been transitioning for over six years, Hamilton told TV station WDSU when he learned the job offer was rescinded. My name is changed, my gender is changed, Im married since 2018, legally everyone looks at  look at me, Im a man.

Hamilton is now suing the City of New Orleans, which oversees its police department. Attorneys from Sternberg, Naccari, and White LLC law firm, based in New Orleans, are representing him.

The New Orleans Police Department declined a request for comment from McClatchy News on July 13, as the lawsuit is pending. McClatchy News contacted the city for comment on July 13 and didnt receive an immediate response.

We are confident in Mr. Hamiltons case and look forward to this matter being heard by the court, attorney Chelsea Brener Cusimano, of Sternberg, Naccari, and White LLC, told McClatchy News in a statement on July 13.

The lawsuit comes after Hamilton filed a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The federal agency launched an investigation and granted him the right to sue on March 28, according to the complaint.

The hiring problems following questions about his transition

After Hamilton received the conditional job offer from the New Orleans Police Department in December 2020, the departments hired psychologist questioned him about his experience as a transgender man during the psychological exam, the complaint says.

These types of questions werent asked of Hamiltons co-applicant, a heterosexual man who he befriended during the application process, and violated his rights protected under federal law, according to the complaint.

The questions included how Hamiltons parents and wife feel about his transition, how it affected him and whether hed seen a counselor about his transition, the complaint says.

Meanwhile, Hamiltons friend and co-applicant told him he wasnt asked about his experience as a heterosexual man, how it affected him and whether he saw a health professional in relation to it, according to the complaint.

Afterward, Hamilton began dealing with hiring problems his friend didnt face, the complaint says.

The police department told Hamilton that it needed to see his military medical records from when he served in the U.S. Army before his transition, according to the lawsuit.

While in the process of retrieving and providing these records, his job offer was rescinded for the stated reason that he failed the psychological and behavioral characteristics of the exam, the complaint says.

Why the department said Hamilton failed the exam

In proceedings with the EEOC, the New Orleans Police Department accused Hamilton of being dishonest about his discharge from the military in 2009 and said he wasnt hired because he wasnt qualified, according to the complaint.

The department told the EEOC Hamilton lied by saying he left the Army due to meningitis when Army records said he left for headaches and chronic sinus disease, the complaint says.

Another reason the department said Hamilton wasnt hired was because he didnt pay his medical bills for years, according to the complaint.

Hamilton argues several heterosexual New Orleans police officers have unpaid bills but were hired, the complaint shows.

With no known transgender police officers employed by the department when Hamilton applied, the department took back Mr. Hamiltons offer of employment, due to his transgender status, the complaint says.

The lawsuit seeks to recover relief for Hamilton over economic damages, including loss of pay, and non-economic damages, including emotional distress and anxiety, according to the complaint. It demands a trial by jury.

According to a 2021 report by Insider, about 3,700 people in the U.S. belonged to the Transgender Community of Police & Sheriffs, an international peer-support and educational organization supporting transgender law enforcement employees.

Of its 6,000 international members, about 500 had publicly expressed their transgender identity at the time, Julie Callahan, the organizations founder, told the outlet.

As for Hamilton, he told WDSU that he thought joining New Orleans police force would be the ultimate opportunity as the city is LGBTQ friendly.

I want to serve the community and, especially people of color, who may now view police officers badly, he said, according to the outlet.

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Portland drag show sets record

While the art of drag is under attack in some parts of the U.S., Portland, Ore., is celebrating it and setting world records ahead of International Drag Day on July 16.

The city this week hosted the worlds longest continuous drag performance, clocking in at 48 hours, 11 minutes, and 30 seconds. Drag-a-Thon was held from Monday to Wednesday at the famed Darcelle XV Showplace nightclub, and it was certified as the longest by Guinness World Records. The previous record was 36 hours, 36 minutes, and 40 seconds, set six years ago in Melbourne, Australia.

The show featured performances from more than 120 queens, kings, and emcees, with more than 600 songs and 700 set changes. Participants included such famous performers as Peppermint, Eureka O'Hara, and Lala Ri. The event raised about $290,000 for the Trevor Project, which assists LGBTQ+ youth in crisis, including $50,000 donated by producer Wildfang.

RuPaul sent a congratulatory video that was played for the crowd. My goodness. This is spreading the love and the joy of drag throughout the world, RuPaul said in the video, according to Portland TV station KATU. Oh, my goodness. Big kiss from Mama Ru.

This event has been a historic testament to the power of self-expression, Emma McIlroy, founder and CEO of Wildfang as well as the producer of Drag-a-Thon, said in a press release. Ive produced a lot of shows over my career, but nothing like Drag-a-Thon. Were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the Portland community  theres no other city in the world where we could have pulled this off.

Additionally, she told local TV station KGW, The only place that people are going to come out at 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. to watch a drag show is Portland. More than 2,500 people attended.

The show was a demonstration of support for drag artistry at a time when right-wing politicians are seeking to ban drag performances, especially in publicly funded venues or where theyre accessible to young people. More than 525 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures around the nation this year, and some restrict drag shows. A federal court recently ruled Tennessees anti-drag law unconstitutional, but the state plans to appeal. Last week, a coalition of organizations, businesses, and individuals in Montana filed suit challenging that states anti-drag statute.

This is the time for us all to stand together, let the world know that in America, we are free to be exactly who we are, performer Bolivia Carmichaels told KGW.

The nightclubs founder, drag queen Darcelle XV (offstage, Walter W. Cole Sr.), died in March at age 92 but had already approved the Drag-a-Thon. Darcelle XV was recognized by Guinness World Records in 2016 as the worlds oldest drag performer, and the club is the longest-running drag club west of the Mississippi. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is now run by Coles son, Walter W. Cole Jr. The Portland City Council recently announced plans to rename a public square for Darcelle XV.

Darcelle was proud of so many things, but mostly her Guinness World Record, drag queen Poison Waters told KATU. When she was in the hospital, she said, Poison, I didnt retire. She never wanted to retire. She was so proud of being the oldest working drag queen in the world. And of course when she passed away, the record went to somebody else. So the fact that we have a new one now that is still in her club, she said, Don't let them forget me. How could we ever? And she said, Remember, my names on the door. And now we have a new record to go right by hers.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat who represents a U.S. House district that includes Portland, issued a statement praising the record-setting performance. Congratulations to Darcelle XV Showplace and every drag queen who participated to break the world record for the longest continuous drag performance, he said. It is only fitting Darcelles legendary showplace brings home this historic recognition.

Despite hateful attempts to restrict or even ban drag performances across the country, in Portland drag is not going anywhere. We are proud to celebrate this incredible performance art and the entire LGBTQ+ community today and every day. Congratulations to all!
Screenshot: Twitter

A Portland police officer Corey Budworth accused of hitting of a photographer during a Black Lives Matter protest released a public video apology to the woman, according to KGW8 News. The video comes conveniently after prosecutors dropped his criminal charges in connection to the incident.

The Black Lives Matter protests of 2020 resulted in the injuries of many demonstrators who were struck with batons, pepper-sprayed and shot with rubber bullets as they were ambushed by the police in riot gear in the street. One of those people was Teri Jacobs, an independent photographer who was seen in a viral video being knocked onto the ground by Officer Budworth as the police stormed through the street. Budworth also walked up to her while she was on the ground and struck her in the face with his baton before walking off.



Read more

Budworth was downtown as a part of the Portland Police Bureaus Rapid Response Team to do crowd control. However, once he was slammed with that fourth-degree misdemeanor assault charge, the entire team resigned. Jacobs was given $50,000 in settlement from the city in her civil rights lawsuit.

However, the two had a one-on-one conversation through the restorative justice process to settle the tension.

Watch Budworths Apology Here:



Portland Police officer Corey Budworth issued a video apology after hitting a photographer in the head with a baton during 2020 protests. Prosecutors dropped fourth-degree assault charge against the officer last week. https://t.co/ETCJZTcc7R pic.twitter.com/ePJZDvyTFx  Kyle Iboshi (@KyleIboshi) July 11, 2023

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said in a statement that he looks forward to more conversations like these between the cops and the community.

This resolution, through a restorative justice process, is a brave example of what healing can and should look like. If a police officer and a protester can come together in dialogue, understanding, and healing, I believe our city can as well, he said.

Budworth has been on administrative leave since June 2021 but is expected to return to duty while still awaiting the results from an internal affairs investigation.

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I would rather be an educator than a chef that holds her recipe, chef Ketsuda Nan Chaison of Mestizo says.

I would rather be an educator than a chef that holds her recipe, chef Ketsuda Nan Chaison of Mestizo says.

Portland,Oregon,has long been known for its vibrant food scene  but like the citys population in general, this scene has been pretty racially homogenous. In other words: super white. Over the past few years, however, Portland has finally been becoming a destination for chefs and restaurateurs of color to experiment and, most importantly, reshape the scene to be more flavor- and culture-inclusive.

The citys collaborative spirit, creativity and resourcefulness is most evident in its pop-up culture, a movement thats truly elevated the culinary scene, perhaps even redefining what fine dining looks and tastes like.

Take Dame Collective as an example. Its composed of a long-standing establishment (Dame Restaurant) and its sister restaurant, Lil Dame, which is a collaborative space with communal seating and three rotating pop-ups, including chefs Lauro Romero and Alfonso Torres Clandestino and chef Luna Contreras Chelo.

Chefs such as Luna Contreras and Lauro Romero left their restaurants to pursue pop-ups full time. Contreras' Chelo, a pop-up at Lil' Dame, is pictured above.

Chefs such as Luna Contreras and Lauro Romero left their restaurants to pursue pop-ups full time. Contreras' Chelo, a pop-up at Lil' Dame, is pictured above.

Over the past three years, Portlands hospitality industry has seen more pop-ups emerge as restaurants and food carts closed, according to Eater Portland. While this change has left some chefs out of work, it created a shift in power that inspired multifaceted and beneficial partnerships between restaurants. So much so that chefs such as Contreras and Romero left their restaurants to pursue their pop-ups full time.

The Latinx-owned and led Clandestino offers a seasonal menu in an open-format kitchen, preparing fresh tortillas by hand, as well as scallop crudo and pork cochinita. At Chelo, a Mexican fonda inspired by Contreras grandmother delivers nostalgic, yet innovative, takes from her childhood like pato en mole, tlayuda and gorditas.

Pop-ups have allowed me to grow and given me the flexibility to collaborate and create, without the constraints of a brick and mortar, says Contreras, who recently participated on Netflixs Snack vs. Chef. This new wave feels as if were letting go of the old guard of chefs, making way for a more sustainable way to keep our restaurants alive.

Contreras makes a case for why the shift to pop-ups resonates with Black and brown chefs especially.

Contreras makes a case for why the shift to pop-ups resonates with Black and brown chefs especially.

Contreras is arguably one of the most visible faces in the Portland pop-up scene, largely because of her consistent collaboration with other food industry friends, such as chef Ketsuda Nan Chaison from Mestizo. Shes also active at farmers markets, selling her own hot sauces and hosting her own pop-ups. Contreras makes a case for why the shift resonates with Black and brown chefs especially; it provides alternatives to the usual route for underrepresented communities.

Its not like [our people] have tons of money where we can come up with a restaurant out of the blue, like I sometimes see others do. And youre like, Oh man, I feel like Ive worked so hard! Contreras says. For pop-up chefs, work has become more about thriving than surviving. For starters, paying a portion of rent for the space, rather than signing an expensive and sometimes exploitative lease, saves a lot of money.

The added support and resources are what makes the model at Dame Collective and elsewhere even more appealing. For Contreras, who is transgender, the Dame Collective setup has been a breath of fresh air after leaving her previous restaurant for what she calls a lack of respect and support, as a brown woman experiencing gender dysphoria.

Because the restaurant industry can be brutal and thankless, that support is crucial, especially as more queer chefs and people of color make Portland their culinary playground. And opting to launch a pop-up can be a catalyst to building community on a more reasonable budget.

Winemaker Bertony Faustin, owner of Abbey Creeks hip-hop-themed tasting room in downtown Portland, agrees. Pop-ups are invaluable. Theyre the easiest way to test the market without any real risk, says Faustin, who is Oregons first Black vineyard owner in over 50 years. Its a win-win.

The visiting chef or brand doesnt take away from the host, he notes. It actually makes us shine brighter. Thats how we grow as a society and change the world, by actually connecting and helping one another.

"Where can I create more change? In this place where you don't expect me to be," says Bertony Faustin.

Prior to opening his location, Faustin took his wines to the Society Hotel in Chinatown where he promised love, magic and moments with every glass. His current space in downtown Portland is anything but your typical tasting room; it centers Black music culture with an intentionally curated playlist and vino named after icons such as Beyonce and Missy Elliott.

People of color talk about growing up as tokens, but someone needs to see you, Faustin says. I wont be anyone elses token but Ill be mine every day. I could have gone to urban areas, but where can I create more change? In this place where you dont expect me to be. Showing up and staying, of course, is a powerful act of resistance. And pop-ups are key to facilitating that.

Pop-ups have also proved to serve as a space for fostering and educating the next generation of chefs. Restaurants such as Magna Kusina and the aforementioned Mestizo started as pop-ups and are now hosting other up-and-coming chefs, providing an opportunity to pay it forward with mentorships.

I would rather be an educator than a chef that holds her recipe, Chaison of Mestizo says. If somebody can use [my space] and make a living out of this, I would love to help. When I started, I didnt have mentors, I was struggling. Now, Im at a point where my restaurant is more established and I can think of helping others.

Her restaurant specializes in Latin American classics such as tostones, seafood ajillo and pozolito with a Thai flair. But beyond delicious gluten-free comfort food, the space is known for its role in the community. Together, Contreras and Chaison have launched multiple fundraisers, some with 13 other chefs in the room, blending their culinary knowledge with social responsibility for the causes they care about as immigrants and women of color: trans and queer rights, Asian American and Pacific Islander rights, and immigrant rights, among others.

The two became friends after Contreras shared a tamale dough recipe that would be adapted into Chaisons ethereal empanadas. The collab is one simple yet powerful example of how chefs in Portland are uplifting each other in a mostly white industry.

Thats the beauty of Portland. The local culture stands on a foundation of embracing creators and innovators  people who arent afraid to try something new if it means bettering the world. And though theres always been a never-ending plethora of dining choices, a new wave of culinary experts have found a way to make us all feel welcome there.
When Argentinian geologist Federico Alvarez Hazer immigrated to Baltimore one year ago to live with his wife, he imagined that his days working on fossil dig sites close to home  as he had in South Americas Patagonia region  were over.

He was shocked to discover Dinosaur Park: a 3.63-acre tract of land nestled behind a business park in Laurel, Maryland that had been preserved following the discovery of several fossils more than 100 million years old.

And he was even more surprised when he quickly found himself involved in a noteworthy discovery at the park, unveiled at a news conference Wednesday morning.

It was Alvarez Hazers hammer that struck a dinosaurs 3-foot-long shin bone buried in the dirt, during an Earth Day dig event while he was helping to excavate a dinosaur vertebra just inches away.

Dinosaur Park staff members say both bones, and numerous others, are part of a prehistoric bone bed  the first discovered in Maryland since 1887, according to a news release from the Prince Georges County Department of Parks and Recreation.

But the shin bone might be the collections crown jewel. Local experts believe its the largest theropod fossil discovered in eastern North America.

I was working with my hammer, and I broke a part of the tibia bone, and I said Oh s***, a bone, Alvarez Hazer told The Baltimore Sun. We start to dig and it was long, long, long.

Theropods are a class of large, three-toed, carnivorous dinosaurs that include the T. rex, though the bones discovered at Dinosaur Park predate the famous dinosaur. The initial hypothesis is that the shin bone belonged to an Acrocanthosaurus. At approximately 38 feet long, that dinosaur would have been the largest theropod in the Early Cretaceous period, which was more than 100 million years ago.

Wednesday, Alvarez Hazer was among the team that used shovels to carefully lift the shin bone from the dirt (punctuated by a group hug) and then place it onto a waiting forklift.

The bone bed also included a 4-foot-long limb bone, belonging to an unidentified massive dinosaur, which was transported off the site on Wednesday, shrouded in protective burlap and plaster.

The list of bones discovered on the bed since 2018 is extensive. A tail barb from a stingray, which could be the second oldest found in the world. The tooth of a small tyrannosaur, the first evidence of a distant T. rex relative in Maryland. An ankle bone, claw and vertebrae from an ostrich-like dinosaur called an ornithomimid.

The discoveries hold important clues to understanding the prehistoric past of eastern North America, which is often covered by development and heavily forested lands, said Thomas Holtz, a University of Maryland paleontologist who was the first to confirm the theropod discovery at the park.

Where we dont have greenery on it, weve got light industrial parks, or shopping malls or houses or whatever. So we dont have those rocks exposed, Holtz said at the news event Wednesday. And because of that, our knowledge of the dinosaurs from the eastern part of North America has been lacking compared to what we know about in the West. But this site is helping to change that.

Back in the 1800s, the Dinosaur Park site was an iron mine, and African American miners were the first to discover dinosaur bones in 1858, according to the parks website. About a year later, geologist Phillip Thomas Tyson brought the bones to a meeting of the Maryland Academy of Sciences, where his colleagues identified them as dinosaurs.

Then, in the winter of 1887, paleontologist Othneil Charles Marsh of Yale University sent fossil collector John Bell Hatcher to search the iron mines for more fossils, and Hatcher recovered hundreds.

But organized fossil collecting on the site essentially stopped when iron mining came to a halt in the early 20th century. By the 1980s, paleontologists revived interest in the site, and since October 2009, the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission has protected the site from development and unrestricted collecting.

Dinosaur Park is open to the public on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Digging isnt allowed, but park staff members guide visitors as they look for fossils on the surface. Over the years, several discoveries have come from young children, eagerly scanning the rocky area for traces of the extinct.

The story of the recently announced bone bed dates back to 2013, when Dinosaur Park staff member Max Bovin spotted an exposed section of bone in the dirt, which was later determined to be the 4-foot-long limb bone. But at that time, staff members elected not to disturb it.

The bone had the blue-green tint that park staff members tell visitors to look for when searching for fossils, Bovin said. So leaving it in place was a great instructional tool for the hosts of enthusiasts, young and old, that visit the park during guided fossil hunts.

But there was another reason the bone was left undisturbed. It was encased in ironstone, a class of sedimentary rock that is a real pain to work with because of its dense deposits of iron, said JP Hodnett, paleontologist and program coordinator at Dinosaur Park.

The best course of action sometimes is just to let nature kind of take its course, Hodnett said at the news event Wednesday. Maybe itll soften the sediments, maybe it will help expose them more, so we know how much of it is about having to really put in a lot of effort and energy to crack open something and it could just be nothing.

Over time, the bone became even more compelling. In 2014, during a landscaping effort to clear some brush, a piece of heavy machinery struck the ironstone, breaking off a chunk and revealing more of the bone.

I came out one day and the whole end of it was cracked off  the ironstone that the bone is inside of, Bovin said.

By 2018, shortly after Hodnett started his job at Dinosaur Park, staff members decided to excavate the bone in an effort to preserve it, he said. After delays, including some due to the coronavirus pandemic, the effort began in 2021, Hodnett said.

But as the team of excavators made their way around the bone, they found more fossils. A vertebrae here. A tooth there.

That made us go: Wait, theres something special going on here, Hodnett said.

Then came this years Earth Day event, when volunteers stumbled upon the tibia.

Madison Mateo, a rising junior studying geology at George Mason University, was also volunteering on the site when the tibia was found, and returned over the following days as more of the bone was uncovered  in between classes, of course.

The Rockville native said she figured she would need to travel to the West Coast to be involved in fossil digs, but was surprised to learn about the site in her own backyard.

It was very exciting to have something like this so close to me, she said.

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President Joe Biden, left, and Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy talk during an event with G-7 leaders on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, while announcing a joint declaration of support for Ukraine. | Susan Walsh, Associated Press

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO leaders dont see eye-to-eye on the timing of Ukraine joining the alliance, but President Joe Biden said things were moving in the right direction Wednesday after meeting with Zelenskyy at a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Ukraine secured security commitments from G7 leaders who issued a joint declaration of support for Ukraine Wednesday meant to act as a bridge until it reaches NATO membership. NATO, however, offered no timetable for Ukraine joining, which Zelenskyy hoped for.

Its going to happen, were moving in the right direction, I think its just a matter of getting by the next few months here, Biden said during remarks in Lithuania.

The reason Ukraine isnt being invited to join NATO immediately is because it would instantly put the United States in a shooting war with Russia, State Department press secretary Matthew Miller said Tuesday. NATOs collective defense provision means an attack on one is an attack on all.

Leaders from the G7 countries committed to offering Ukraine the assistance it needs to defend itself from Russia and deter future Russian aggression. Ukraines security is integral to the security of the Euro-Atlantic region, the G7 leaders from the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan said in their joint statement.

Biden said the latest steps start a process for countries to negotiate long-term bilateral security commitments with Ukraine.

Were going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defense across land, air, and sea, Biden said. It will be a force of stability in the region and deter against any and all threats.

U.S. President Joe Biden, second left, shakes hands with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council during a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. NATO leaders gathered Wednesday to launch a highly symbolic new forum for ties with Ukraine, after committing to provide the country with more military assistance for fighting Russia but only vague assurances of future membership. | Pavel Golovkin, Associated Press

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While Zelenskyy called the lack of timetable to join NATO absurd, he said Ukraine counted on assistance from the U.S. and other countries.

Its big support and I understand its all your money, but you have to know, you spend this money not just for fighting, you spend this money for our lives, and I think that we save the lives for Europe and for all the world, Zelenskyy said.

Biden called NATO stronger, more energized, and yes, more united than ever in its history, in remarks after his meeting with Zelenskyy and said it didnt happen by accident and it wasnt inevitable. He said the U.S. would not waver in its support of Ukraine.

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We will not waver, I mean that, Biden said. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today and tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

Finland is the newest member of NATO after joining in April, and on Monday, Turkey agreed to allow Sweden to join after previously opposing its membership. There are now 31 NATO countries.
In pricey Palos Verdes, the ocean view is great  until your house slides into a canyon

A major ground shift caused some homes along Peartree Lane in Rolling Hills Estates to collapse. The area sits on a major landslide complex. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Palos Verdes Peninsula  a land of rolling hills, jagged cliffs and sweeping views of the city and ocean  boasts some of the most beautiful terrain in Southern California.

Its also long proven to be some of the most dangerous.

For hundreds of thousands of years, the peninsula has been plagued by an ancient landslide complex that slowly reshapes the topography. The earth lurches and warps, sometimes slowly, sometimes rapidly, destroying homes and infrastructure along the way.

The latest damage was dealt to Rolling Hills Estates, where a major ground shift led to 12 homes being evacuated after a fissure snaked its way through the neighborhood. Foundations cracked, walls collapsed and some homes were visibly leaning as the hillside upon which they were perched slowly descended into a canyon.

Land movement is a stubborn, if periodic reality for much of California, particularly the coastal hills of the South Bay and Orange County.

Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel and San Clemente have dealt with destructive slides. In the 1920s, a handful of homes in San Pedro slid into the ocean, creating whats now known as the Sunken City. A mile south of Rolling Hills Estates, the city of Rancho Palos Verdes is hatching plans to avoid a similar fate.

This remains an active situation, said Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Britt Huff at a city council meeting on Tuesday, adding that due to a break in a sewer main, five additional houses were ordered to evacuate earlier that day.

At the meeting, the council declared a state of emergency in order to access broader resources from state and federal agencies.

No one expected this. Landslides dont really happen in this area, said resident Lisa Zhang.

Read more: A chunk of Rancho Palos Verdes is sliding into the sea. Can the city stop it?

A landslide-prone peninsula

The peninsulas bout with landslides is well-documented in the geological record, stretching back millenniums but coming to a head 67 years ago when an L.A. County road crew accidentally reactivated an ancient slide complex while building an extension of Crenshaw Boulevard in Rancho Palos Verdes.

The crew dug up and shifted thousands of tons of dirt, throwing things off balance enough to send the land in the Portuguese Bend into a super-slow-motion descent and activating a landslide.

Thats just one ancient landslide complex. According to El Hachemi Bouali, assistant professor of geosciences at Nevada State University who co-authored a report on the Portuguese Bend landslide complex, there are areas all across the peninsula at similar risk.

Due to precipitation and geology, the hills are uniquely susceptible to movement. Layers of clay  bentonite and montmorillonite, to be specific  are found beneath the ground, interspersed between layers of bedrock. When water absorbs into the earth, it expands and lubricates the clay until it's slippery enough for the land to ride downward with the force of gravity. Even thick layers of bedrock will slip.

Diagram showing block glide and slump types of landslides.

Water infiltrating the earth is the most common cause of landslides, according to Brian Collins, a research civil engineer with the U.S. Geological Survey. In California, these types of landslides are typically triggered during a big rainy season.

But there is another factor at play. The Palos Verdes Peninsula  like Laguna Beach and San Clemente  is packed with people. Those people have sprinklers, gutters, irrigation systems and leaky pipes that all add water to the earth.

Inland, an area as hilly and craggy as the Palos Verdes Peninsula might not be expected to house roughly 65,000 people. But anywhere with a view of the ocean, with secluded canyons to hike and ride horses in, will always be attractive  especially right next to L.A.'s flat sprawl.

What caused the slide?

Theres no official diagnosis on what caused the landslide. According to city officials, a geologist will study the site and draw a conclusion from there, reviewing both the history of the area and any recent changes to the land.

But geologists and structural experts have suggested a few likely culprits: land grading, rainfall or something as simple as a broken pipe.

Graphic showing possible factors of what caused the Rolling Hills Estates landslide.

The townhomes destroyed in the landslide were built in the 1970s, and according to Kyle Tourje, a structural assessor with Alpha Structural, much of the land was graded and reshaped to make room for buildable lots starting in the 1950s.

So even though lots might be relatively flat, if land was moved in order to make it flat, the soil might not be as compact as it should be. When soil is looser, its more susceptible to water.

Tourje said the record rainfall of winter and spring didnt help, but he thinks the slide was likely caused by a concentrated water source such as a broken pipe or sewer drain.

On a big graded tract like this, one line that feeds one sink of one single house can affect the soil, he said. Next month, your water bill is extremely high. Next thing you know, your house is at the bottom of the canyon.

Tourje works on landslide damage every week but only comes across slides of this magnitude a few times per year.

This is a total loss. These homes will have to be completely demolished, he said.

Bouali, on the other hand, says unless a smoking gun appears, such as a burst pipe or a residents $1,500 water bill for June, hes leaning toward rainfall as the primary culprit.

My guess is that there has been a slow decrease of the slope's resisting forces due to infiltration of precipitation into the clay layers, Bouali said, adding that even though the rain fell in the spring, it might take until July for the water to flow through the layers of clay.

He points to Californias Landslide Susceptibility map, which shows almost the entire peninsula as highly susceptible. Given the areas geological makeup, as well as the roughly 20-degree downward slope upon which the homes were perched, the landslide didnt necessarily come as a surprise.

Since the 70s, regulations have become stricter with limits on how steep builders can grade lots and requirements for more subsurface drainage systems and more compact soil.

But those measures might not help if the slippery layer is 60 feet underneath all the grading and maybe several strata of bedrock, according to Tony Lee, a local geologist who has worked in the area for 30 years.

Lee said most of his clients come from other areas of the peninsula where slides are more prevalent, but he's already received multiple calls from homeowners in Rolling Hills Estates wanting to get their properties checked.

Read more: Does your home insurance cover a landslide? Here's what you need to know

The allure of living in a landslide zone

Common sense might suggest that the land is uninhabitable  that building homes on terrain prone to landslides will inevitably lead to disaster.

But California is a beautiful place, and Californians love looking at it. Its the same reason that hillside homes are perched on stilts in a region that deals with devastating earthquakes. The same reason buyers flock to the fire-prone hills of Malibu or the Western Sierra or cram beach houses onto the sand as ocean levels rise.

Ill be here until I cant be here anymore. Ill slide away with the land, said Claudia Gutierrez, a longtime resident of Portuguese Bend, an area about a mile southeast of the slide site that has been dealing with landslide issues of its own.

If the Rolling Hills Estates landslide is the hare, moving quickly and aggressively, then the Portuguese Bend landslide is the tortoise, with the land slowly shifting roughly eight feet per year for the last 15 years.

It has caused chaos in the community, with houses sliding across property lines and roads warping into roller coasters. But according to Gutierrez, that hasnt kept people away.

We had homes in the middle of the active landslide zone that sold for more than $2 million last year, she said. Im amazed.

Read more: What you need to know about the Rolling Hills Estates landslide

For newcomers, the peninsula offers not only great views but stellar schools, cool coastal weather, larger lots and a more relaxed, rural feel compared to the bustling cities surrounding it. And for longtime residents, even though theyd be able to sell their houses, the peninsula has become home  even if that home is slowly slipping out from under them.

According to local real estate agents, the landslides have never been a major concern to residents of Rolling Hills Estates.

People think this was an isolated incident, said Mingli Wang, a longtime real estate agent in the area. People believe their homes are safe. They dont think itll happen to them.

She noted that during home sales in the city, sellers disclose natural hazards such as the area being high-risk for fires or a dormant earthquake zone. But landslides are not part of the disclosure.

Wang is a resident herself, and she's not concerned about the community's safety going forward.

Steve Watts of Vista Sothebys International Realty said that landslides are never part of the conversation during a sale in the city.

If your house is hanging off the edge of a cliff, theyll sometimes get a soil report to check how deep the bedrock is. But its very minor, he said.

Watts said the gated neighborhood where the homes slid into the canyon might see a slow market in the short-term, but sales will be back to normal before long.

Zillow puts the median home value in Rolling Hills Estates at $1.918 million, nearly double the $1.067-million mark set in 2015. Many homes in the city face Torrance, missing many of the ocean views featured elsewhere on the peninsula, but still fetch prices north of $5 million. The cheapest single-family home currently on the market is offered at $1.8 million.

When Bouali, the geologist, leads classroom discussions about hazardous areas, the conversation inevitably leads to the question, Why do people even live there?

He said it often comes down to the cost of moving. And Southern California has an additional factor: most of the region deals with some sort of natural disaster risk, whether its a landslide, flood, wildfire or earthquake. Pick your poison.

That said, he added that he wouldnt personally live on the peninsula.

Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
US Air Force aircraft have been refueled by private tanker planes for the first time ever.

A privately-owned KC-135R tanker refueled U.S. Air Force aircraft for the first time in a recent exercise. For years now, the service has been exploring the idea of using contractor-operated tankers for training and other non-combat missions to help ease the growing pressure on its organic tanker fleets.

A US Air Force E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft as seen from the Metrea KC-135R tanker refueling it during Exercise Resolute Hunter 23-2. Metrea

Private aerospace firm Metrea announced the milestone in a press release, which says that the company's KC-135Rs provided aerial refueling support during Exercise Resolute Hunter 23-2 to the Air Force. Resolute Hunter is a biannual U.S. Navy-led exercise and "is the DODs only dedicated Battle Management, Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (BMC2ISR) exercise," according to that service. The Air Force and foreign air arms routinely participate in the event, which is staged out of Naval Air Station Fallon (NAS Fallon) in Nevada.

"From June 23 through June 29, Metrea Strategic Mobility (MSM) provided four aerial refueling support missions for RC-135 [Rivet Joint] and E-3 [Sentry] aircraft," according to the release from Metrea. "The total included 13 boom contacts and nearly 90,000 pounds of fuel offloaded, providing both aerial refueling training for the RC-135 and E-3 crews."

One of Metrea's KC-135Rs in 2020. Hans Jacobs

The specific mention of boom contacts is important. Metrea is one of just two private companies that even own tankers of any kind configured with booms, the method by which the majority of Air Force aircraft are refueled in flight. The other is Omega Air Refueling, which still primarily operates tankers with probe-and-drogue refueling systems. Probe-and-drogue is the aerial refueling method for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, as well as many U.S. allies and partners abroad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfWtHdJWEvo\u0026t=1s

Previously known as Meta Aerospace, Metrea acquired four retired ex-Republic of Singapore Air Force KC-135Rs back in 2020. When those aircraft were purchased they were painted overall gray, as seen earlier in this story. Now they wear one of at least two multi-tone schemes that are broadly reminiscent of one the Air Force used on its tankers for a time in the 1980s and 1990s. That Air Force scheme had some general similarities to the shading of orca whales, leading to it being nicknamed the "shamu".

https://twitter.com/nycrich425/status/1560015170285539329 https://twitter.com/DeanWest_/status/1679080573984202753

Metrea became the first private company to actually transfer fuel to any other plane using a boom-equipped tanker in April when one of its KC-135Rs linked up with a Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane  a notable exception to that service's use of probe-and-drogue refueling systems.

A US Navy P-8A Poseidon being refueled by a Metrea KC-135R. Metrea

Metrea's KC-135Rs "are [also] equipped with two wing-mounted Multi-Point Refueling System (MPRS) pods which facilitate refueling with probe equipped Navy, Marine Corps and partner nation aircraft," the company's press release notes.

The video below shows a US Air Force KC-135R refueling Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornet fighters using wing-mounted probe-and-drogue pods.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlKY5kLsih8

Metrea is currently on contract with the Navy's Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), but it says that deal makes its KC-135R aircraft available to other branches of the U.S. military and America's allies and partners in the course of training and other non-combat missions like helping aircraft make peacetime transits from one location to another. Unlike the Air Force, the Navy has long utilized other contractor-operated tankers to help provide this kind of aerial refueling support.

"It was fitting that we could support the U.S. Air Force in achieving this major milestone during the same week that we marked the 100th anniversary of aerial refueling, Jon Ty Thomas, Head of Metreas Air and Space Group, said in a statement. "Our team worked closely with NAVAIR, Air Combat Command, and the receiver RC-135 and E-3 units to pull this off and deliver the training effect needed. We look forward to supporting more U.S. Air Force refueling requirements as well as increasing demand from allies and partners."

The Air Force marked the 100th anniversary of aerial refueling on June 27. On that day in 1923, two modified de Havilland DH-4B biplanes belonging to the U.S. Army Air Service successfully demonstrated the concept of aerial refueling during a flight over California. You can read more about that event and the anniversary here.

A picture of the two modified DH-4Bs during the aerial refueling test on June 27, 1923. USAF

Metrea is also sending one of its KC-135Rs to the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in the United Kingdom, which opens on Friday. The theme of this year's iteration of that air show is SKYTANKER23," also in celebration of the aerial refueling anniversary.

Beyond the immediate significance of this milestone, the Air Force's utilization of Metrea's could have much further reaching impacts. The service is currently in the process of a complete overhaul of its tanker fleets.

Right now, the Air Force is continuing to acquire new KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers from Boeing and is in the process of divesting its entire inventory of older KC-10A Extenders. Its current plan is to eventually replace its own KC-135Rs with a mix of new, but more traditional tankers and an advanced and possibly stealthy type that will be developed under the Next Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS) program. The Air Force had talked in the past about holding a competition to acquire the additional more conventional tankers, but the service's top leadership has indicated in the past year or so that it is leaning toward just buying more KC-46As.

All three of the US Air Force's current tankers. From front to back, a KC-135, a KC-46, and a KC-10. USAF

However, the Air Force's KC-46As have been beset by serious technical and quality control problems that have limited their true operational capabilities. A complete overhaul of the aircraft's complex hybrid 2D/3D Remote Vision System (RVS) that operators in the main cabin use to guide the boom into receiving planes is in the works, but won't be ready until 2025 at the earliest. The Pegasus' boom itself needs fixing, as well. As an aside, the crews of KC-135s, like the ones Metrea flies, include boom operators who perform their work from a physical position look out the rear of the aircraft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThbmESQTZrU

The issues with the KC-46A have already contributed to increased strain on existing tanker fleets. This, in turn, has long prompted concerns about the overall tanker capacity the Air Force would be able to bring to bear in a potential future high-end conflict, such as one against China across the broad expanses of the Indo-Pacific region.

For years now, the Air Force, together with U.S. Transportation Command, has been exploring alternative options for increasing tanker capacity, and more importantly boom tanker capacity. Contractors like Metrea have been brought up regularly in the course of those discussions, as The War Zone has highlighted in the past. The broad idea is that private firms could provide aerial refueling support for training and other non-combat tanks, and do so more flexibly and at lower cost, all while freeing up the Air Force's own tankers for higher priority missions. You can read more about all of this here.

All told, Metrea's KC-135 fleet refueling Air Force aircraft during Exercise Resolute Hunter could finally open a door of sorts to the service making greater use of contracted tanker aircraft in the future.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
Ray Epps, a Trump supporter who became the focus of right-wing conspiracy theories after he protested in Washington on Jan. 6, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News and former host Tucker Carlson for claiming he was an undercover FBI agent who helped provoke the riot at the Capitol.

In his lawsuit, Epps accuses Fox News of telling a fantastical story that he acted as a government-sponsored instigator of the violence that ensued as Congress sought to count the electoral votes to certify Joe Biden's victory.

The lawsuit, which seeks punitive and compensatory damages to be determined at trial, argues that Carlson launched a years-long campaign that spread falsehoods that destroyed the lives of Epps and his wife, who now reside in Utah but were living in Arizona at the time.

Ray Epps, center at U.S. Capitol (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images file )

Fox and Mr. Carlson made Epps the central figure in a lie they concocted about January 6, 2021. After destroying Eppss reputation and livelihood, Fox will move on to its next story, while Ray and Robyn live in a 350-square foot RV and face harassment and fear true harm," the lawsuit says. "Fox must be held accountable."

Fox News did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Carlsons lawyer, Bryan Freedman, declined to comment.

According to the lawsuit, FBI investigators met with Epps in March 2021 and removed his photo from its website of wanted suspects a few months later in July.

"That should have been the end of the matter for Epps," but instead he was cast as a "villain," the lawsuit says. It goes on to say that Carlson fixated on Epps, devoting over two dozen segments" to him.

Epps was seen on video telling other Trump supporters the night before the Jan. 6 riot that they needed to go into the Capitol. But body camera video from during the attack shows Epps asking law enforcement officers how he can assist them, with offers to help move rioters back from the police line.

The footage from Jan. 5 spread online in right-wing circles and fueled conspiracy theories that he secretly worked for the federal government.

In testimony before the now-defunct House Jan. 6 committee, Epps said that he wasnt a federal agent and wasn't working for the CIA, the National Security Agency or the Metropolitan Police Department.

The only time Ive been involved with the government was when I was a Marine in the United States Marine Corps, Epps said.

The lawsuit alleges Fox News repeatedly broadcast defamatory statements from Carlson and shared them across its websites, social media accounts and subscription service platforms.

As a result, the lawsuit alleges, Epps got death threats that led him to give up his business and prompted the sale of his property and his relocation into an RV.

The complaint includes screenshots of what his lawyers said were threatening messages Epps got, as well a photo of a bullet casing allegedly found on the couple's property.

The consequences to Ray and Robyn have been enormous. They lost their successful wedding venue business, they had to sell their home that they spent years building, and they have endured significant emotional and psychological harm from the attacks," Epps' attorney Michael Teter said in a statement Wednesday.

The lawsuit was filed this week in Delaware state court and has been moved to federal court at Fox News request.

Teter previously called on Carlson, who was still with Fox at the time, to publicly retract his false and defamatory statements about Epps.

In a letter in March, Teter said Carlson persists with his assault on the truth by pushing false and fanciful notions about Epps' role in the Capitol attack.

Carlson was the host of Tucker Carlson Tonight at Fox News until April, when he was booted from the network amid the fallout over the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit.

Fox News agreed to a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion in April stemming from allegations that it had published and promoted the false claim that Dominion's voting machines rigged the 2020 election.

Epps lawsuit says, As Fox recently learned in its litigation against Dominion Voting Systems, its lies have consequences.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
ISLAMABAD, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif have talked over phone with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Prime Minister's Office said.

During the conversation, the prime minister congratulated the Uzbek president on his re-election in the presidential elections held recently in Uzbekistan, the office said in a statement on Wednesday.

Highlighting the importance attached by Pakistan to bilateral relations with Uzbekistan, Sharif expressed his strong confidence that bilateral relations between the two countries would continue to strengthen, the statement said.

Mentioning the operationalization of the preferential trade agreement and the Uzbekistan-Pakistan transit trade agreement, the Pakistani prime minister said that both deals would enhance economic and trade ties between the two countries.

The two leaders also discussed the prospects of accelerating regional development and agreed on the need to further expand bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, connectivity, agriculture, information technology, textiles and logistics. 
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference at the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum in Titusville, Fl. DeSantis used the event to sign bills into law that increase penalties for offenses involving sexual battery on children and drug trafficking targeting children, and a third bill involving pretrial release and detention. Credit - Paul HennessySOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

Since announcing his presidential bid, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has made being tough-on-crime a cornerstone of his campaign. As purported proof of his track-record on public safety, hes claimed that Florida leads the nation in crime reduction and is experiencing 50-year crime lows.

At the same time, hes criticized big progressive cities, like Chicago, Philadelphia and Portland, Or. and blamed their justice reform policies for crime, while arguing that Floridas pro-law enforcement stance is responsible for its relative safety.

The problem with these claims is that they are not only factually inaccurate, they also show just how little the presidential hopeful knows about crime in his own statelet alone the nations. DeSantis arguments deserve further investigation because they rely on inaccurate data that dont (and cant) paint the full picture of crime in Florida, obscures place-based variations and upticks in certain forms of crime across Florida, and contradicts the evidence on the relationship between criminal justice reform and crime.

More from TIME

Floridas crime data are too flawed to claim 50-year lows

DeSantis cant be sure that Florida has achieved 50-year crime rate lows because the state itself doesnt know what its crime trends are, due to flawed data.

This is because, in 2021, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) was in the process of shifting from its traditional data collection systemthe Summary Reporting System, which reports monthly crime counts and documents only the most serious offense in an incidentto align with new national FBI reporting standards, the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which includes a greater number of crimes and allows for the reporting multiple offenses within one incident. While the NIBRS system will be an important transition in the long-term for more accurate crime reporting nationwide, some state agencies, including FDLE, did not meet the FBIs 2021 reporting deadline and were excluded from national crime statistics.

In the place of accurate FBI data, DeSantis is basing his claims about Floridas crime rates on FDLEs 2021 annual crime report. This report is methodologically flawed since a total of 239 agencies (covering about half the states population) reported their crime trends using the old Summary Reporting System methodology. Others submitted with the new NIBRS methodology, others did a mix of both, and someincluding Hillsborough County, where Tampa isdidnt enter data whatsoever, meaning they were excluded from the 2021 statewide crime trends that DeSantis regularly cites.

These methodological clashes in Floridas crime reporting create gaps in information that make it difficult to definitively claim any statewide crime trendslet alone that the state has reached 50-year-crime rate lows.

Florida cities lagged behind more progressive cities in crime reduction

DeSantis tough-on-crime rhetoric relies on state-level total crime data to argue that Florida outperforms more progressive places (particularly cities) in crime reduction. Even if Floridas state-level data was accurate, this comparison wouldnt make sense for two reasons.

First, it compares Floridas state-level data with cities, while ignoring place-based patterns of crime concentration within Florida itself. Meaning, DeSantis claims dont acknowledge the neutralizing effect that state data can have on crime trends, if some Florida cities experienced sharp upticks in crime while others saw declines.

Second, DeSantis claims rely on statewide total crime rates, which can also be misleading if certain minor crimes (like shoplifting or drug possession) went down across the state, while more serious crimes (like murder or rape) went up.

To help determine whether Florida cities have truly made progress in reducing serious crimesand to see how they stand up to more progressive peerswe analyzed local police department data from the states four largest cities and compared their crime reduction rates with four other cities (Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and Richmond, California) that are relatively progressive on criminal justice, many of which have shouldered their share of criticisms from DeSantis.

Courtesy of Brookings Institution.

Our analysis finds that place matters when talking about crime trends, and the story DeSantis is telling about the state of Florida versus big progressive cities in other states is much more complex than he makes it seem.

Looking at changes in violent crime rates between 2019 (the year DeSantis took office) and 2021 (the most recent year data were available), we found that three of Floridas largest citiesJacksonville, Tampa, and Orlandohad significant upticks in violent crime. Tampa led the bunch with a 37% spike, then Jacksonville at 21%, and Orlando at 19%. Miami, on the other hand, saw its violent crime rate decrease by 8%.

Looking at other cities deemed progressive on criminal justiceChicago, New York, Philadelphia, and Richmond, Ca.all made more progress on reducing violent crime rates than Tampa, Jacksonville, and Orlando.

Read More: DeSantis Moves to Trumps Right on Criminal Justice

For instance, Richmond which has embraced public health and community violence intervention approaches to reducing crimereduced its violent crime rate by 20% during this period (during which violent crimes were spiking nationwide).

And New York Cityone of DeSantis favorite targets and a city that has, for decades, championed safety through environmental design (such as cleaning up public spaces and train stations)had the lowest violent crime rate of any in the sample in 2021 at 439 violent crimes per 100,000 people compared to Orlandos 832 violent crimes per 100,000 people.

Our analysis makes it clear that there is no one statewide story that can be told about crimeand that many of Floridas largest cities are not achieving the violent crime reductions that DeSantis claims.

Progressive criminal justice reform policies do not cause crime

DeSantis tough-on-crime message hinges on blaming progressive criminal justice reforms, like ending cash bail or electing a progressive prosecutor, for rising crime rates.

But the evidence on the relationship between criminal justice reform and crime rates do not support his claims. New Yorks 2019 bail reform legislation, for instance, was found to have a negligible effect on crime rates. Progressive prosecution practices in cities like Philadelphia, too, have not led to crime increases. In fact, some cities like Boston and Baltimore, have actually reduced violent crime by stopping the prosecution of lower-level offenses, like nonviolent misdemeanors, which often make it hard for individuals to obtain a job or a loan due to criminal records, and can increase their likelihood of further criminal justice system involvement.

Importantly, the non-Florida cities in our sample have made significant strides in reducing violent crime through the kinds of progressive non-punitive approaches that DeSantis would call soft-on-crime. In Philadelphia, for instance, efforts to transform and clean vacant lots in high-poverty neighborhoods were associated with a 29% reduction in gun violence. Similar strategies are working in Chicago. And all four have violence interrupter programs, which have been associated with a 63% decrease in gun violence in the Bronx, and a 43% reduction in Richmond.

On the other hand, many of the tough-on-crime policies that DeSantis proposed in his criminal justice packageincluding permit-less carry and stronger penalties for drug crimesare associated with higher violent crime rates and lasting reductions in social mobility for communities of color. So, when DeSantis argues that reducing crime requires punitive approaches over root-cause ones, it may be time to ask him what his tough-on-crime stance has done for Tampa, where violent crime rates are up nearly 40%.

When DeSantis compares crime-ridden cities like New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia to his safe state of Florida, it is important to remember there is much more context, nuance, and evidence underlying the picture hes painting. DeSantis flawed statements on crime and safety matternot just for winning campaignsbut for ensuring the safety and well-being of all Florida residents.
Prosecutors are 'sending a message' by asking for harsher sentences for Oath Keepers defendants: DOJ official

Stewart Rhodes, founder of the citizen militia group known as the Oath Keepers speaks during a rally outside the White House in Washington. Susan Walsh/AP Photo

The DOJ wants harsher sentences for eight Oath Keepers members convicted over the Capitol riot.

One department official told Insider the DOJ is "really sending a message" by appealing the 8 defendants' sentences.

A former federal prosecutor said it's "very rare" for the DOJ to make such a move, signaling that the feds see the offenses as "incredibly serious."

The Justice Department took the unusual step this week of appealing the sentences of eight convicted members of the Oath Keepers, including its founder, over the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot  a move one department official told Insider shows the DOJ is "really sending a message here."

"It's very unusual for DOJ to appeal, but these are unusual cases and unusual times," said the Justice Department official, who requested anonymity to speak about the cases. "The key here is that the judge departed from DOJ's sentencing recommendations on [eight] defendants. There probably wouldn't be an appeal if it was just one."

Andrew Weissmann, an ex-top prosecutor in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, also told Insider that it's "very rare" for "the government to take any appeal, particularly in sentencing, because the district court has an enormous discretion."

Weissmann said that the move shows that the DOJ believes the convicted Oath Keepers members committed an "incredibly serious offense" that warrants harsher sentences than the ones handed down by the judge overseeing their cases.

Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes and the other defendants were indicted on seditious conspiracy charges, among others, related to the deadly 2021 Capitol riot.

US District Judge Amit Mehta sentenced Rhodes to 18 years behind bars for his role in the insurrection  the most severe sentence to date for any of the more than 1,000 people who have been charged with crimes connected to the attack on the Capitol.

In Rhodes' case, prosecutors wanted a sentence of 25 years in prison.

The other defendants were also given shorter prison sentences than what the DOJ had requested.

In addition to Rhodes' sentence, the department also appealed the sentences of Kelly Meggs, who received 12 years behind bars; Kenneth Harrelson, who got four years; Jessica Watkins, who received 8.5 years; Roberto Minuta, who was sentenced to 4.5 years; Joseph Hackett, who got 3.5 years; Edward Vallejo, who received three years; and David Moerschel, who was also sentenced to three years.

It's not yet clear what the feds' legal arguments will be. The DOJ appeal filing didn't include details laying out prosecutors' reasoning; the department official told Insider those details will be laid out in court later.

The DOJ declined to officially comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, an attorney for Moerschel called the Justice Department's appeal "ridiculous."

"Typical DOJ, they got their pound of flesh and still want more," Moerschel's lawyer Scott Weinberg told Insider. "I wish they would channel their inner Elsa and just let it go," Weinberg said, referring to Disney's "Frozen" movie.

Minuta's attorney, William Shipley, told Insider in a statement: "The Government is legally entitled to appeal what it believes were errors made by the District Court during the sentencing process. But to the extent the Government believes the sentences imposed were simply not long enough, the intention to appeal is abusive and appears to be for the purpose of continuing to advance its inaccurate narrative about the Organization and the individual defendants such as Mr. Minuta."

"The Government sought sentences as if it had prevailed on every charge it brought, and that all its factual and legal claims had been vindicated by the trials," he said. "That is simply false."

Meggs' attorney declined to comment, and lawyers for Rhodes, Harrelson, Watkins, Hackett, and Vallejo did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Public meeting to be held on I-675, Wilmington Pike interchange project

The Montgomery County Transportation Improvement (TID) wants to hear from the public about a construction project.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Public feedback wanted on Wilmington Pike, I-675 interchange project

A public information in-person meeting will be held later tonight about the Interstate 675, Wilmington Pike interchange project.

It will take place at the Sinclair Centerville campus from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the 5800 block of Clyo Road.

TID will be holding it along with the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Greene County Engineers Office, and the City of Centerville.

>>RELATED: ODOT approves $3 million for Wilmington Pike/I-675 interchange project

A virtual meeting will also be held on July 18 at 12 p.m. on the projects website.

Those working on the project said they want comments regarding the social, environmental, and economic impacts of the proposed project.

Feedback is also wanted on any possible existence of cultural resources or hazardous materials in the project area.

In September 2021 ODOT approved $3 million for the project.

All public comments for the project are welcome until Aug. 18.
A Pueblo man recently accepted a plea agreement in connection to his father's death last September and is set to be sentenced, according to court records.

Paul Sandoval, 42, pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide, a Class 5 felony, in the death of his 90-year-old father, Benny Sandoval. In return for his guilty plea, all other charges against Paul Sandoval were dismissed.

Paul Sandoval was originally charged with second-degree murder and robbery of an at-risk adult. The plea agreement did not stipulate a sentence for the charge of criminally negligent homicide; sentencing was left to the discretion of the court.

Paul Sandoval could be sentenced to anywhere between one and three years in the Colorado Department of Corrections, with a fine of no less than $1,000 and no more than $100,000, unless "extraordinary mitigating or aggravating factors" are found, according to the agreement offered by the 10th Judicial District Attorney's office.

The plea agreement also states that Paul Sandoval will have to pay an as-yet-undetermined amount of restitution.

The charges stem from an incident in which Paul Sandoval allegedly "slammed" his father, Benny Sandoval, into the ground on Sept. 8.

According to a 911 call transcribed in an arrest affidavit, the caller stated he and Benny Sandoval were woken up by the defendant, who was demanding money. When Benny said he did not have any money, the defendant looked under his father's mattress, the witness claimed.

The witness said Benny Sandoval then got up, and the defendant grabbed him from behind and began slamming him on the ground. The witness stated the defendant had been drinking vodka that night.

Benny Sandoval reportedly confirmed to deputies who responded to the scene that his son had woken them up looking for money, and attempted to grab Benny's wallet and car keys after being told he didn't have any money to give his son. However, Benny reportedly stated that his son "pushed him on the floor and that's it" and said he was "fine."

Benny Sandoval, according to the affidavit, told deputies his son was trying to get the keys and cash to go purchase more alcohol.

Following the September incident with his son, Benny Sandoval declined to press charges. Later that day, at about 8 p.m., family members called 911 because they believed Benny Sandoval was having a stroke.

He was taken to an area hospital and later flown to a Colorado Springs hospital with a brain bleed. On Sept. 27, he was put in imminent hospice care due to rapid decline and died on Sept. 30.

Paul Sandoval will be sentenced by Judge Amiel Markensen at 9 a.m. Sept. 15.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter@jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

More public safety news: Pueblo police seeking public's help to locate 'armed and dangerous' homicide suspect

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo man pleads guilty to negligent homicide in father's death
Purgatory behind bars: Hes spent 11 years in jail  and no one knows if hes guilty

Devalos Perkins stood in front of his cell door  deranged, and clinging to the metal shard hed ripped from the sprinkler head. A jail sergeant ordered him to drop the weapon.

Fk you, come and get it, Perkins yelled.

Ten minutes earlier, as alarms blared, detention center officers rushed to mop the floor. They didnt realize he had the piece of metal that could be used to hurt them.

Now more alarms were sounding.

Four officers with a specialized guard unit  the Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office Direct Action Response Team  were called in to take him down, jail records show.

They wrestled with him, trying to angle each wrist and ankle into restraints.

But Perkins fought back.

They used a stun gun on him  once, twice, finally, a third time.

The prongs caught the inside of Perkins thigh, delivering painful electrical shock waves. He gave up.

The guards slapped a pair of handcuffs on his wrists and hoisted him to his feet. Two guards walked him backwards to a waiting restraint chair.

The chair was not yet a familiar place  but it would become one.

Devalos Perkins' Purgatory

This is the start of a 4-part news series by The Charlotte Observer examining how a cold case murder devolved into a mans decade-long purgatory in jail, mental health hospitals and court. Subsequent chapters reveal how Devalos Perkins ended up in jail and show the resulting brokenness across three families after a robbery in a gas station parking lot led to murder. With no end in sight, prosecutors have yet to prove his guilt. Our investigation digs into how one provision of North Carolina law threatens to keep him in purgatory forever.

A decade of jail bunks and hospital beds

Perkins would have worse episodes over the next 10 years.

Hed been to jail and even prison plenty of times before. But on Oct. 1, 2012, he entered purgatory.

His mental spiral began almost immediately.

Perkins, now 37, has been behind bars in North Carolina since he was in his 20s for a murder case that went cold seven years before he was arrested.

An investigation by The Charlotte Observer spanning more than a year found shocking insights into a broken system for mentally-ill North Carolinians involved with courts. Perkins case is among the worst documented in public records.

The picture reporters pieced together from hundreds of documents and extensive interviews provides details into the life of a man who has spent over a decade watching the world through a cell window for a crime hes not even been convicted of.

Data for solitary confinement stays indicates an order for Perkins to be moved but does not represent the total number of days he's been in the disciplinary unit, which is not known. Similarly, the number of times he's assaulted guards may be higher as some of his criminal charges for assaults in jail were later dropped.

Over the years he has flung urine and feces at guards; attacked officers and nurses; racked up thousands of dollars in fines for destroying jail property; and told doctors theres a global cabal of imaginary enemies listening to his thoughts, according to jail and court documents.

Hes had pepper spray pumped into his cell and lived in solitary confinement for days at a time during an endless shuffle between hospital beds and jail bunks.

The Mecklenburg County Detention Center solitary confinement cells measure approximately 70 square feet. All have cinder block walls and include a metal door with windows and a food pass. The illustration depicts the kind of cell Devalos Perkins was repeatedly sent to for days at a time as a form of punishment.

His incarceration is marked by his time on-and-off suicide watch and in-between a revolving door of judges and lawyers, including one who withdrew from his case telling the court he was so concerned for his personal safety that he could not provide effective assistance of counsel if required to sit near (Perkins) in court.

Perkins has been evaluated again and again by psychiatrists, most of whom say the same thing: Hes not capable of standing trial to determine if hes guilty of murder. Judges have signed off on the cycle that has left him in a purgatory-like place  neither convicted nor cleared of the crime.

Timeline of Devalos Perkins in jail

Action by guards / prison

Action by Devalos Perkins

Year 11 of purgatory

Cases like Perkins have drawn criticism from criminal justice reform and victims rights advocates and even some law enforcement officials. In Perkins case, Mecklenburg Countys sheriff has called out his lengthy stay in the detention center in Charlotte, saying such situations have worsened overcrowding in the jail.

A Charlotte mother just wants closure, and hopes that someday, Perkins will admit he pulled the trigger of the gun that killed her 20-year-old son in 2005.

The chances of a successful prosecution generally decrease as the case gets older, acknowledges Bill Bunting, Mecklenburg Countys assistant district attorney in charge of the homicide unit. The DAs office otherwise generally refused to comment on Perkins case.

Perkins says its well past time he has his day in court. Five years into his detention he wrote a letter pleading with a judge:

I been back and fourth from the mental hospital for evaluations. Now I am compitint to go to trial, I notice my lawyer is not.

But despite the case not going to trial, a single word in a provision of state law keeps Perkins in jail  and threatens purgatory forever, as this multi-part investigative series by The Charlotte Observer shows.

The biggest kicker? As he stays in jail, authorities have already set free two other men originally believed to have been involved in the crime.

Sources

Scenes not witnessed by the reporter in this series were compiled from research, interviews and public records including documents from the Mecklenburg County Detention Center and Clerk of Superior Court.

Credits

Kallie Cox | Reporter

Anna Douglas | Editor

Rachel Handley | Illustrations & Design

Gabby McCall | Page Design

David Newcomb | Development & Design
President Biden said Thursday there is no possibility of Russian President Vladimir Putin winning the war in Ukraine while adding hes already lost the conflict as Biden capped a trip to Lithuania and Finland as a show of strength against Russian aggression.

Biden, in a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, was asked whether his assurance that Ukraine will be able to join the NATO alliance once its war with Russia ends might encourage Putin to drag out the conflict.

Biden noted no country can join NATO while in the middle of a war, because it would drag the entire alliance into conflict  a stance Biden and his administration have been stressing this week as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the alliances resistance to fast-tracking its membership.

The issue of whether or not this is going to keep Putin from continuing to fight, the answer is Putins already lost the war, Biden continued. Putin has a real problem. How does he move from here? What does he do?

And so, the idea that theres going to be what vehicle is used, he could end the war tomorrow. He could just say, Im out,' Biden added. But what agreement is ultimately reached depends on Putin and what he decides to do. But there is no possibility of him winning the war in Ukraine. Hes already lost that war.

More from The Hill

NATO delivers gut punch to Putin

Zelensky thanks Biden for difficult decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine

NATO summit exposes rifts in Biden, Zelensky bond

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and the fighting has dragged on in the 17 months since with no end in sight. The U.S. and its allies have provided billions of dollars in support for Ukraine to defend itself.

Biden has previously argued Putin will not be able to win the war in Ukraine because the Ukrainians have put up a staunch defense in response to the Russian invasion, and his aggression has galvanized the NATO alliance.

The president this week attended a NATO Summit in Lithuania, where continued support for Ukraine was at the top of the agenda.

The U.S. and its Group of Seven allies announced plans Wednesday for security negotations with Ukraine to ensure it had the military support it needed in the short-term and in the future to defer further Russian aggression.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kurt Volker, Former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine, has said that the decisions of the Vilnius NATO summit were perceived by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a lack of the Alliance's determination to offer Ukraine membership.

Source: Ukrinform news agency, citing Volker at the Kyiv Security Forum Online Discussions

Quote: "The decisions that were made: the removal of the MAP for example, the elevation of the NATO Ukraine Commission to a Council, so the efforts to help Ukraine become more interoperable  they are good things, they are positive steps. And they do reflect a good will, but taking it from the perspective of Putin, I think what he saw is hesitation, he saw a lack of resolve to actually do what our city (Kyiv  ed.) said."

Details: Volker compared the NATO summit with the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021.

"Its really streaking the hesitation that is apparent in that decision and in the decision now not to make it clear unequivocal commitment to the future of Europe and the future of European security," he added.

Background:

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that during the two days of the NATO summit in Vilnius, any doubts and ambiguities about whether Ukraine would join the Alliance had been removed.

Earlier, Kurt Volker criticised the U.S. President Joe Biden's position on Ukraine's membership in NATO.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Wagner mercenaries the opportunity to keep fighting at a meeting just days after their failed mutiny but suggested Yevgeny Prigozhin be moved aside in favour of a different commander, the Kommersant newspaper said.

Putin initially said he would crush the June 23-24 mutiny, comparing it to the wartime turmoil that ushered in the revolutions of 1917, but hours later a deal was clinched to allow Prigozhin and some of his fighters to go to Belarus.

Mystery surrounds the fate of that deal as well as the future of Wagner, one of the world's most battle-hardened mercenary forces, and Prigozhin, a former convict who rose to become known as "Putin's chef" and Russia's most powerful mercenary.

The Kremlin said on Monday that Putin had held talks with Wagner commanders and Prigozhin at a meeting on June 29, five days after the mutiny. The mercenaries, the Kremlin said, reaffirmed their loyalty to Putin.

But Kommersant, one of Russia's top newspapers, published Putin's remarks to its most experienced Kremlin correspondent, Andrei Kolesnikov, which suggested the future of Prigozhin and Wagner was in doubt.

"But Wagner does not exist," Putin told Kommersant when asked if it would be preserved as a fighting unit. "There is no law on private military organisations. It just doesn't exist."

Asked about Putin's remark, the Kremlin said on Friday that there was no legal entity named Wagner and the legal status of such companies was a complicated one which needed consideration.

Putin then related details about the June 29 Kremlin meeting with 35 Wagner commanders at which he suggested several options for them to continue fighting, including that a senior Wagner figure known by his nom de guerre "Sedoi" - or "grey hair" - take over command.

NEW COMMANDER?

"Sedoi" is the nom de guerre of Andrei Troshev, a senior Wagner commander, according to European Union sanctions documents, French official documents, sources with knowledge of the matter and Russian media reports.

A highly decorated veteran of Russia's wars in Afghanistan and Chechnya, Troshev is from St Petersburg, Putin's home town, and has been pictured with the president.

"All of them could have gathered in one place and continued to serve," Kommersant quoted Putin as saying. "And nothing would have changed for them. They would have been led by the same person who had been their real commander all that time."

Putin said that many of the commanders had nodded their head at his suggestion but Prigozhin, who was sitting at the front, did not see this, Kommersant said.

"'No, the boys won't agree with such a decision'," Putin quoted Prigozhin as saying.

The remarks do not appear in an official Kremlin transcript of comments Putin made to Kolesnikov and a state television reporter on Thursday. Prigozhin did not reply to a request for comment.

'CAREFUL WHAT YOU EAT'

Prigozhin has not been seen in public since leaving the southern Russian city of Rostov on June 24.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday said the United States was unsure where Prigozhin was but joked that the mercenary chief could be poisoned.

"If I were he, Id be careful what I ate. Id be keeping my eye on my menu," Biden said, according to White House transcript.

"But all kidding aside...I don't think any of us know for sure what the future of Prigozhin is in Russia."

Wagner helped Russia annex Crimea in 2014, fought Islamic State militants in Syria, operated in Central African Republic and Mali and took the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut for Russia earlier this year with considerable losses on both sides.

For months before the mutiny, Prigozhin had been openly insulting Putin's most senior military men, using a variety of crude expletives and prison slang.

He has insisted his actions on June 23-24 were aimed only at settling scores with the top military brass who he said were losing the Ukraine war for Russia. He said he was not challenging Putin or the Russian state.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Nick Starkov, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien, Simon Cameron-Moore and Angus MacSwan)
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Fran Drescher has righted her wrongs. Or, at least, a few of them.

After The Nanny star was caught partying in Italy and brushing shoulders with noted Writers Guild strike scab Kim Kardashian earlier this week, Drescher, who is the president of the Screen Actors Guild, was lauded on social media Thursday for her strongly worded comments about the now-official SAG-AFTRA guild strike. If actors were afraid that Drescher wasnt going to fight on their behalf, they should now be able to rest easy having seen the newly radicalized Drescher.

If we dont stand tall right now, Drescher said at the press conference, where the SAG-AFTRA strike was officially announced, we are all going to be in jeopardy of being replaced by machines.

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher: "How they plead poverty that they are losing money left and right when they give $100 millions to their CEOs."



If we dont stand tall right now, we are all going to be in jeopardy of being replaced by machines pic.twitter.com/zIIsNQjZHa  philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 13, 2023

The Writers Guild of America has been on strike for over two months, fighting for streaming residuals and protesting against artificial intelligence. SAG will join the picket line at midnight tonight.

We are the victims here, Drescher said. We are being victimized by a very greedy entity. I am shocked by the way the people we have been in business with are treating us. I cannot believe how far apart we are on so many things, how they plead poverty while giving millions of dollars to their CEOs. Shame on them! They are on the wrong side of history!

Though the strike stems from incredibly serious issues concerning peoples livelihoods and carries with it many passionate emotions, social media users did have fun Thursday latching onto Dreschers sudden and, daresay, inspiring fury. Thats our Fran Fine!

The studios have made so many weird choices, one Twitter user shared, but the weirdest might just be pissing off a Queens woman with an iconically forceful voice.

Others compared Drescher to the resistant cast of Newsies. Some argued Drescher could become president, following in the footsteps of former SAG president Ronald Reagan.

The studios have made so many weird choices, but the weirdest might just be pissing off a Queens woman with an iconically forceful voice   Caroline D Framke  (@carolineframke) July 13, 2023

I think Fran Drescher, among other things, is exhausted in the particular way I have only ever seen people involved in union negotiations be exhausted.  Linda Holmes thisislindaholmes.com (@lindaholmes) July 13, 2023

The last time SAG struck simultaneously with the WGA its leader was Ronald Reagan.



Therefore we can conclude that Fran Drescher will soon be President of the United States of America. pic.twitter.com/S0Yi9A55hg  Jordan Hoffman (@jhoffman) July 13, 2023

Take it easylets not forget that Drescher has previously been outspoken policies that were considered anti-vax. Still, its good to see that shes been able to step up for her SAG members when they need it most. Growth is growth, people! Norma Fran!

I did not expect to be so impressed by Fran Drescher today, but I am. #TheJigIsUp https://t.co/OTfFlNybRM  Jenelle Riley (@jenelleriley) July 13, 2023

The AMPTP has radicalized Fran Drescher  Pat Casey  (@Pat_Kc) July 13, 2023

"Fran Drescher got me hyped AF to shut down Hollywood"



Time traveler: what  Vinnie Mancuso (@VinnieMancuso1) July 13, 2023

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Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, in an interview with Fox News Digital this week, said the construction of a wall at the southern border is not enough to stop the ongoing migrant crisis, and he said he believes the military should be deployed to both the southern border and possibly the northern border.

"I think that building the wall is not and has not been enough. They are now building tunnels underneath that wall, literally underground tunnels that are being used to bring in illegal migrants and even to support human trafficking and drug trafficking," Ramaswamy said in Manchester, New Hampshire. "So, I think that's a serious problem."

Ramaswamy said that, if elected, he would deploy troops to the southern and potentially the northern borders.

"I would use our own military to secure our own southern border. I think that is legally, ethically and constitutionally justified. That is how we seal the southern border. In fact, I think it's going to be an approach that we will eventually need to seal our own northern border as well," he said.

RAMASWAMY SAYS HE FOUND COMMON GROUND WITH ABORTION PROTESTER WHO INTERRUPTED CAMPAIGN STOP

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks to supporters at a campaign event on July 11, 2023, in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Ramaswamys remarks come as the U.S. remains in a migrant crisis at the southern border now into its third year. Numbers have recently dropped from the highs seen before the ending of Title 42 in May, but it is unclear how long that will last.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The U.S. saw more than 1.7 million migrant encounters in fiscal year 2021 and more than 2.4 million in fiscal year 2022. Even with a sharp drop in encounters in May, there were still beyond 200,000 for the month.

Meanwhile, at the northern border, while numbers have been significantly lower, there has been a significant increase. So far in fiscal year 2023, there have been more than 115,000 encounters, compared to 109,535 in fiscal year 2022 and 27,180 in fiscal year 2021.

While the Biden administration has said it is rebuilding legal asylum pathways shut down by the Trump administration while also dealing with a hemisphere-wide migration crisis, Republican critics have accused the administration of fueling the crisis by ending Trump-era policies and expanding "catch-and-release."

RAMASWAMY SAYS THERE'S NO LIMIT TO WHAT HE'LL SELF-INVEST INTO HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Republican presidential candidates have been firmly on the side of increased enforcement and stricter measures to combat illegal immigration  coming out in favor of policies that include restoring the Trump-era "Remain in Mexico" policy and ending birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants.

Ramaswamy said he would not only restore "Remain in Mexico"  which kept migrants in Mexico for the duration of their asylum hearings and was abolished by the Biden administration  but also put greater pressure on Mexico to control its own border.

"Yes, absolutely. And I think this is part of what we are going to need  Mexico to regain its sovereignty means Mexico needs control of its own southern border. Many of the immigrants, most of the illegal migrants that come into the United States illegally through the southern border did not actually start in Mexico. They started in other countries south of Mexico. So, I think that Remain in Mexico is absolutely essential to create the incentives for Mexico to take control of its own borders and its own sovereignty," he said.

The entrepreneur, who is the son of legal immigrants, reasserted his belief that birthright citizenship should not be in play for the children of illegal immigrants.

ENDING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP FOR CHILDREN OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS GAINS STEAM IN GOP 2024 FIELD

"I don't think that you should be able to earn citizenship, that you do legally earn citizenship if you're the child of illegal immigrants who crossed that border illegally. And I say this as somebody who actually celebrates birthright citizenship as a major American accomplishment. Most nations identities were founded on an ethnicity or a monarch or a religion, not America's. America was a country founded on a set of ideals that anybody could be a part of, regardless of their ethnicity," he said.

"So, I say that starting from a very good place in the unique heritage of this country, to say that still we're a nation founded on the rule of law, and your first act of entering this country cannot be a lawbreaking one," he said.

WHO'S IN AND WHO'S ON THE SIDELINES  YOUR GUIDE TO THE 2024 GOP PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION RACE

The GOP hopeful said he would seek to pass a constitutional amendment on the matter and also go a step further and require those born in the U.S. to take a civics test at 18 similar to the way that foreign nationals are required to take.

"I would go further and codify into a constitutional amendment that I would support if necessary that dovetails on the constitutional amendment that I've already said that I would support, which is to say that anyone born in this country, if you want to enjoy the full privileges of citizenship at age 18, that means that you have to pass the same civics test that a naturalized citizen has to pass in order to become a full voting citizen as well," he said.

"So, in many ways, I'm going even further with the unique American vision that says: Yes, we are a nation founded on ideals. That means that more than just being born here, it's being born here but also having the civic duty of knowing something about this country, of actually having a stake in this country in order to be a full voting citizen."

Fox News' Matteo Cina contributed to this report.
BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President of Algeria Abdelmadjid Tebboune will pay a state visit to China from July 17 to 21, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Thursday.

"This is the first visit to China by President Tebboune during his term of office," foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily news briefing in response to a query.

Wang said that during the visit, President Xi will hold talks with President Tebboune to jointly draw the blueprint for the future development of China-Algeria relations and have an in-depth exchange of views on the international and regional issues of common concern.

Wang said that China and Algeria enjoy a profound traditional friendship and always treat each other with mutual respect, equity and support. China is the first non-Arab country to recognize the interim government of Algeria, and Algeria had made outstanding contributions to the restoration of China's lawful seat in the United Nations.

"In 2014, Algeria established a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, becoming the first Arab country to do so," Wang said, adding that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Tebboune, China-Algeria relations have experienced comprehensive and profound development.

He added that, with deepening political mutual trust, the two sides have conducted fruitful practical cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, maintained close communication and coordination on international and regional issues, and firmly safeguarded international equity and justice, as well as the common interests of developing countries.

"China looks forward to working with the Algerian side, taking this visit as an opportunity to deepen mutual trust, expand cooperation, enhance friendship, push for greater development of China-Algeria comprehensive strategic partnership, and make greater contributions to promoting security and stability in the Middle East and enhancing solidarity and cooperation among developing countries," said Wang. 
Raven-Symone is not here for the recent Hollywood trend of using Type 2 diabetes medication, Ozempic, for weight loss purposes.

I have pre-diabetes in my family and diabetes in my family, she explained in an interview with E! News. If Im not careful with my intake of types of foods, I am more susceptible to getting diabetes. So, I think its very important we understand certain medications are made for certain people and to not take that away just for glamazon purposes.

The former Disney star says that she knows people who use the drug to regulate their hormones and actually need it.

I think its sad because we can regulate our own hormones and manage our sugar levels by eating the correct foods and cutting our addiction of sugar off, but well get there when we get there, Raven-Symone told E! News.Do what you gotta do, Just make sure you save some medication for the people that actually need it.

About Ozempic

Ozempic is an injectable for Type 2 diabetes that has gained attention due to its weight loss effects. Ozempic and other similar drugs like Wegovy, can result in suppressed appetite, leading to rapid weight loss. Because of the side effects, the purchase of the drug by those looking to lose weight has drastically impacted the availability for those with diabetes. In fact, the FDA recently reported a shortage of Ozempic due to the increased demand for the drug.

Other celebrities have expressed their concerns about using Ozempic for weight loss when not medically necessary. Medical professionals are concerned over the trend. And many believe that patients need to work with their providers to evaluate and assess their weight and best treatment options.

Youre taking away from patients with diabetes, Dr. Caroline Apovian, co-director of the Center for Weight Management and Wellness at the Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, explained to PEOPLE. We have lifesaving drugs and the United States public that really needs these drugs cant get them.

The post Raven-Symone Reacts to Ozempic Trend appeared first on 21Ninety.
Mr Epps (centre) was outside the Capitol on 6 January 2021

A former US Marine who became the focus of right-wing conspiracies surrounding the Capitol riot is suing Fox News for defamation.

The legal action accuses Fox of telling a "fantastical story" suggesting Ray Epps was a federal agent to make him a "scapegoat" for the raid on Congress.

Mr Epps was filmed encouraging people to enter the Capitol complex in January 2021, but he was not charged.

The lawsuit, filed in court in Delaware on Wednesday, does not specify damages.

It also names Tucker Carlson, who was taken off air by the network earlier this year.

Mr Epps' lawyer says his client and his wife had to close their wedding venue business in Arizona and move to a small motorhome in Utah because of threats and harassment they endured as a result of the conspiracy theories.

Mr Epps was in Washington the night before the riot with Trump supporters near the Capitol and on the day of the riot itself.

He was seen in a video urging people to enter the building. Members of the crowd chanted back "Fed! Fed!" - accusing him of being a law enforcement official.

Mr Epps has said in interviews that he has no ties to law enforcement agencies and that he did not enter the Capitol during the riot.

He has also said he got carried away by his mistaken belief that widespread fraud swayed the 2020 election and his support for Donald Trump.

Mr Epps has said he was questioned by FBI agents, but has not been arrested in connection with the riot.

In a statement, Mr Epps' lawyer Michael Teter said the lawsuit "marks another moment of accountability".

"For years, Fox News and Mr Carlson created and amplified conspiracy theories about Ray that lacked any foundation in fact," Mr Teter said.

"They have endured significant emotional and psychological harm from the attacks," the attorney added.

It is the latest legal action against Fox News, which settled a lawsuit by voting machine company Dominion for $787.5m (606m) in April.

Fox also faces a $2.7bn defamation lawsuit filed by another election technology company, Smartmatic, which accuses the channel of broadcasting lies that "decimated" its business.

Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond in Virginia, told the BBC the volume of evidence that emerged during the Dominion case was vastly larger than what has so far appeared in Mr Epps' lawsuit.

"But the allegations in the complaint, if proved, might expose Tucker Carlson and Fox to some liability," Mr Tobias added.

He also said the "difficult part" for Mr Epps will be to prove "that somehow there was actual malice in the reporting, and that they were engaged in serious misconduct in neglecting to do what should have been done by way of fact checking".

The BBC has contacted Fox News and Mr Carlson for comment.

With reporting by Bernd Debusmann
Amid a cascade of devastating reports showing classroom test scores plummeting nationwide, U.S. students have also hit a record low in their leisure time: Casual reading has collapsed.

Only 14 percent of students say they read for fun every day, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report released recently, down 3 percentage points from 2020 and 13 since 2012. The report indicates 31 percent of students never or hardly ever read for fun.

Experts say the relationship between reading and academic success is crucial at a time when students are facing roadblocks to reading for fun, ranging from social media to not being introduced to books that interest them.

We definitely have a crisis on our hands, and whats wonderful is I really definitely think that we have an antidote for what ails us here, said Sasha Quinton, executive vice president and president for Scholastic School Reading Events. If we focus on that book joy and just connecting kids to funny stories and explosive stories and things that sparked their interest, then they are learning to read and they are on the path to being lifelong readers.

The crisis Quinton speaks of has built up through multiple factors, one of the biggest arguably being technology and social media, which is reaching younger and younger children.

Common Sense Media reported in 2015 that most children had a phone by the age of 14. In 2022, Stanford Medicine found that the average age had reached 11, a critical point where the love of reading is either nourished or dissipates.

Its really important to know what the average age now that kids have their own smartphone is, and we know that we lose our kids around 9, where they stop reading for pleasure, said Quinton.

The NAEP report released at the end of June revealed reading scores for the average 13-year-old dropped to their lowest point since 2004. Among the lowest-performing students, reading scores were thrown back to levels not seen since before 1971.

The importance of letting students choose books that interest them is paramount for experts who say children need to be able to relate to the books to want to spend time with them.

Miah Daughtery, the vice president of academic advocacy focused on literacy at NWEA, a nonprofit research organization, points to tracking by the Cooperative Childrens Book Center that shows a lack of diversity in published authors.

If we take a look at it from a publishing perspective, the books that are even being published reflect a really small percentage of whats available to students that reflect the balance of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, then you layer on top of that disorder that national conversation and rhetoric and I would even say insistence on book challenges and bans, Daughtery said. So all of those things together are not creating strong conditions that would consistently encourage independent reading.

Book bans have been a hot topic in many Republican-led states that have created processes to make it easier to get titles critics deem inappropriate out of schools. PEN America, a free speech group, recorded a record number of book bans at the beginning of the current school year, with more than 1,500 titles removed from classrooms or school libraries.

It is also important to understand the stress and environment children have experienced these past 10 years under the youth mental health crisis  particularly once it was kicked into high gear by the COVID-19 pandemic  and the effect that can have on reading.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System showed in the decade leading up to the pandemic, feelings of sadness and hopelessness among young people skyrocketed 40 percent.

If a student is in an environment where there is any amount of stress, thats going to sort of raise their baseline level beyond whats going to last for focus, and reading is not going to happen, said Brooke Wilkins, a reading specialist at the Mid Valley School District in Pennsylvania.

While the trend against reading for fun has been going on for quite some time, many advocates are optimistic that educators and parents can reverse it.

Parents are the first line of defense, as experts stress the importance of reading with children and leading by example to help their children choose a book instead of their phone.

I do think theres going to be a turning point, certainly, as you saw with the decline in NAEP scores on reading, that everyones attention is to the issue of reading, so I think theres been a renewed effort. Much of that is on teaching children the skills needed to become successful readers, said Erin Bailey, the director of content for Reading is Fundamental.

Educators are highly aware of the issue and have been working to find solutions to get their students excited about reading.

Daughtery, who is also a former teacher, said she implemented a tactic with her high school seniors that seemed to help kick-start their reading.

Its called the reading minute. You pick a book; the book doesnt matter, right? And then, you as the adult, you have to read the book and you find the cliffhanger spot in the book, like where the most exciting things happen. You read, literally for 1 minute, its a read-aloud of the cliffhanger, but you stop it right before the cliffhanger, she said, adding of the seniors: Theyd be like, Oh, Miss Daughtery, what happened? and Id be like, I dont know  you got to read the book.

Updated at 11 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A recently hired Whatcom County Sheriffs deputy has been fired from his position and arrested on suspicion of rape, extortion and assault, the Sheriffs Office announced Wednesday afternoon in a press release.

Deputy Austin Michael Case was fired from the sheriffs office Wednesday, July 12, after it was determined that he did not meet Sheriffs Office expectations, the release states.

Case was arrested at the Sheriffs Office the same day after he was fired. He was then booked into the Whatcom County Jail, according to the release.

Case was booked into the downtown Whatcom jail shortly after 3:30 p.m. on suspicion of third-degree rape, first-degree extortion, first-degree burglary, fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation and two counts of unlawful imprisonment, according to jail records and the press release.

There is no indication at this point that any of the crimes alleged occurred at a time when Mr. Case was on duty with the Sheriffs Office, the release states.

Details of the criminal allegations were not immediately made public. Formal charges are pending.

Internal affairs investigation

On June 29, the sheriffs office was notified about social media conversations that caused concerns regarding Cases adherence to the expectations for sheriffs office employees, according to the release.

Case was placed on administrative leave and an internal affairs investigation was started the same day. The internal investigation is expected to determine whether Case violated any rules or regulations governing sheriffs office employees, the release states.

The internal affairs investigation is ongoing.

Once the internal affairs investigation is complete, the findings will be reported to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. The commission is responsible for certifying and decertifying Washington state law enforcement officers who violate the commissions rules and/or state law.

During the internal affairs investigation, the Sheriffs Office determined that some of the allegations against Case could constitute crimes.

The sheriffs office requested the Skagit and Island County Mutual Aid Response Team, or SMART, conduct a criminal investigation into the allegations against Case. SMART is a conglomeration of law enforcement agencies from Skagit and Island counties with specialized investigative skills, according to the press release.

It is general practice for the Sheriffs Office to request that an outside law enforcement agency investigate allegations of criminal conduct against sheriffs office employees.

The criminal investigation into Case by SMART is continuing, according to the release.

Newly hired

Case was hired by the sheriffs office on Jan. 15.

Shortly after, Case attended and completed the 720-hour Basic Law Enforcement Academy in Burien. He was then assigned to a field training officer and continued his training.

Case was required to complete a 15-month probation period during which his performance and ascription to the values of the organization were evaluated at least daily, the press release states. All new law enforcement employees are required to complete the 15-month probation period.

While Case was employed as a deputy, he was always under the direct supervision of a field training officer and never was released to perform law enforcement duties independently of the direct control of an experienced and specially trained field training deputy, according to the release.
Remember murder hornets? So far so good in Whatcom County, state ag department says

The Northern giant hornets, commonly referred to as murder hornets, appears to have been eradicated in Washington state.

Locally, there have been no confirmed sightings since late summer 2021, when four Northern giant hornet nests were found and eradicated in Whatcom County.

An Bellingham resident posted on the Nextdoor website a photo of a large wasp that they thought was a Northern giant hornet outside their yard near Ted Edwards Park. The Washington State Department of Agriculture later confirmed the photo to be a horntail wasp, which cannot sting and is not a threat.

The Northern giant hornets have not been officially declared as eradicated in Whatcom County, said Amber Betts, the public information officer for the state ag department. The hornets would be officially declared eradicated following three years without detection, Betts said.

WSDA personnel are continuing detection efforts through a trapping team, community scientist trappers and public reports.

Northern giant hornets have a distinctive large yellow/orange head unlike local native wasps. They are up to 2 inches long and are the worlds largest hornet species, according to the WSDA website.

The hornets do not generally attack people, they normally target and destroy honey bee hives. The hornets kill entire hives by decapitating them. Northern giant hornets can attack people and pets if they feel threatened and their venom is extremely toxic. They are known for stinging their targets repeatedly.

If it becomes established, this hornet will have negative impacts on the environment, economy, and public health of Washington State, the WSDA website said.

A Bellingham Herald article from 2022 reported that the Northern giant hornets attacked a team attempting to eradicate their nest in August 2021 but their hornet suits prevented them from being stung.

If Northern giant hornets are detected in Whatcom County, the WSDA personnel would deploy traps, survey the area and notify the public to ask them to be on the lookout. If they find one hornet, they would attempt to track it back to the nest with the plan to eradicate it, Betts said in an email to the Bellingham Herald.

If a Northern giant hornet or hive is spotted, it can be reported to the WSDA the Hornet Watch Report Form or emailed to hornets@agr.wa.gov. A call can be made to 1-800-443-6684, but the WSDA states that online or email reporting is preferred.
Republican mayoral candidate Jefferson Shreve released a public safety proposal Thursday calling for the hiring of a public safety director, stricter gun control measures, increased recruitment of IMPD officers, tackling violent crime and addressing root causes of crime.

"Crime is rampant in Indianapolis  and it calls for systemic change," Shreve said at a news conference Thursday at The Vanguard restaurant in Broad Ripple, a community that saw three shooting fatalities on one weekend last month. "We're on track to break yet another crime record this year."

Indianapolis has had 100 criminal homicides this year so far, compared to 116 on the same date in 2022 and 133 in 2021, according to IMPD data.

Shreve accused Hogsett of failing to improve Indianapolis' public safety and of not having a plan.

Republican mayoral candidate Jefferson Shreve smiles on stage Tuesday, May 2, 2023, during his election night watch party at the Hotel Tango in Indianapolis.

The Hogsett campaign criticized Shreve's plan as not being a serious set of policies.

"Today's speech was a hodgepodge of repackaged programs that already exist and meaningless platitudes," Blake Hesch, Hogsett's campaign manager, wrote in a statement. "And when it comes to Jefferson's relationship with the gun lobby, he was either misleading them in 2016 to get the NRAs highest grade, or hes misleading us now. Either way, hes willing to say or do anything to get elected."

Hesch was referring to the AQ rating, the highest available for a candidate without an established voting record, given to Shreve by the National Rifle Association during Shreve's 2016 Indiana Senate bid, when he lost the Republican primary.

Shreve had told IndyStar in April that he has an NRA membership that dates back to him having taken their handgun safety course in 2011, when he bought a handgun that he still owns, but that was the extent of his involvement in the NRA.

Here is what Shreve proposed he would do, if elected mayor.

Strict gun control

In a break from his Republican colleagues at the Indianapolis City-County Council and the Indiana General Assembly, Shreve called for working with the state legislature to give Indianapolis the ability to set its own, stricter gun control laws.

A 2011 Indiana law prohibits cities, including Indianapolis, from passing local gun control regulation. Shreve's proposals would require a repeal or change to state law. He said he's been speaking with state legislators and will work those relationships to pass these laws.

Shreve said he would seek:

Raising the legal age to purchase a gun from 18 to 21

Repealing permitless carry, which the Indiana General Assembly successfully passed for handguns last year

Banning assault weapon sales

Indianapolis Republicans on the City-County Council had strongly opposed the measures when Hogsett proposed them, calling it unconstitutional and said it violated rights of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves.

Shreve's gun control plan bears striking resemblance to that of his opponent, Mayor Joe Hogsett's, administration. This week, the City-County Council passed Hogsett's gun control plan, which included the above three gun control measures, but which was symbolic because Indiana law prevents it from being enforced.

Shreve acknowledged the similarities. But he pointed to what he considers a key difference.

"Critics may say that Shreve policies on parts of this subject are not different from Mayor Hogsetts," he wrote in his plan. "However, the process of approaching the General Assembly matters."

He differentiated himself from Hogsett stating that he would take the plan to the General Assembly at the start of session, in year one of his administration, if elected. He accused Hogsett of releasing his gun plan as a "political talking point" that rolled out after the legislative session ended this year.

Shreve also said he would expand the boundary for local ordinances banning firearm discharge to include the entire city limits. Indianapolis' current firearm discharge ordinance only applies within the police special service district, which are the old Indianapolis city limits before Unigov, along reservoirs, and across public ways, he said.

Hiring a public safety director

Shreve said his top hiring priority if elected would be appointing a public safety director from "top shelf talent". The position was scrapped by Mayor Hogsett when he took office in 2016 as part of bureaucratic restructuring that made the mayor the de factor head of public safety. In its place, Hogsett created the Office of Public Safety.

At the time, Hogsett said it was to eliminate an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy and take a more holistic approach to crime.

"The mayor's portfolio is huge," Shreve said when asked why there is a need for a public safety director instead of the mayor overseeing public safety. "I'm not a former firefighter. I'm not a former cop ... I'm a business executive ... A public safety director will live police, fire, EMS dispatch, morning, noon and night, data-driven, and be fully accountable to this mayor and the city of Indianapolis in ways that the mayor of a city of nearly a million people cannot do that well and properly."

Police recruitment and retention

Shreve said he would hire 300 police officers that IMPD is lacking. He criticized Hogsett for the fact that Indianapolis has fewer police officers today than it did in 2017. IMPD has fewer sworn officers as of June 29, at 1,528, than it did in 2017, when it had 1,676 sworn officers.

IMPD has struggled with hiring and retention of police officers since at least 2018 and the problem worsened during the pandemic when many staff in the police department took early retirement.

From 2016 when Hogsett took office to March 23, 2023, IMPD has hired 715 new officers, according to IMPD Assistant Chief Chris Bailey. Hogsett has boasted raising first-year officer pay to $72,000 in campaign ads.

The city has the money to pay for 1,843 officers.

When asked how he would recruit 300 additional officers, Shreve said if IMPD was better at retaining officers, it would struggle less with the shortage. He said police officers are leaving Indianapolis for other cities because they don't feel adequately supported by the administration or the community.

Next year, the Fraternal Order of Police, the police union is expected to renegotiate its collective bargaining agreement, which covers officers with three or more years on the force, with the city, Bailey previously told IndyStar.

Shreve said during that process, he would move more dollars that are currently going to higher first-year officer salaries to raising salaries of veteran officers.

Solving violent crime

Shreve said he would solve cases of violent crime and raise the solve rates by beefing up IMPD's detective core and retaining senior officers.

"It wasn't a lifetime ago  it was just an administration ago  when our solve rate was up at 80%," he said. "Today it's around 30%. This is unacceptable."

Addressing root causes of crime and accountability

Shreve said he would also address root causes of crime, including mental health, and provide transparency through sharing of data about police actions, prosecutorial actions and criminal court actions.

The election is Nov. 7.

Contact the reporter at 317-903-7071 or kcheang@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Shreve calls for stricter gun control in public safety plan
Matt Rosendale and Ronny Jackson

Right-wing members of Congress want to amend this years defense spending bill to restrict abortion, gender-affirming health care, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs for military personnel  and their efforts could seriously hold up the bill or even kill it, although its passage is crucial.

The House of Representatives, which has a Republican majority, Wednesday voted 217-207 to advance the $886 billion National Defense Authorization Act to a final vote, Politico reports. The House Rules Committee had voted Tuesday to let the full chamber consider 290 amendments. But that batch of amendments did not include the ones prioritized by the far right, and Speaker Kevin McCarthy is trying to work out a deal with the most conservative Republicans.

Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana, for instance, wants to include an amendment that would deny gender-affirming surgery or hormone treatment to transgender troops, according to a memo obtained by Politico this week. Trans people can serve openly in the military since President Joe Biden lifted predecessor Donald Trumps trans ban, and they can get their health care covered by insurance.

Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas wants to deny funding for any abortion-related services. Under a Biden administration policy, troops who are stationed in a state that bans or restricts abortion and seek the procedure in another state can get their travel expenses reimbursed.

Another Texan, Rep. Chip Roy, has said he will likely vote against the bill  something he and other members of the far right do regularly. Year after year, Republicans pass an NDAA that propagates the cultural rot at [the Department of Defense] while massive contractors get rich, he said Monday, Politico reports.

Obviously theres hot-button issues that need to be addressed and dealt with: abortion, transgender issues, [diversity, equity, and inclusion programs], climate change, all the social engineering going on at DOD thats destroying our Defense Department, he told the site later in the week. Were trying to figure out how were going to pull all that together and get across the finish line.

For the House, ideally, the bill would cross that finish line would be Friday. But McCarthy told The Washington Post its no problem if that doesnt happen. Were going to get it passed.  It doesnt have to be on a specific time, he said.

But the Senate, which has a slim Democratic majority, undoubtedly wouldnt pass a defense bill that included all the right-wing amendments. The House version already has provisions that ban drag shows on military bases and any teaching about critical race theory, while eliminating the Defense Departments chief diversity officer, the Post reports. Adding the restrictions on abortion and trans health care, plus gutting DEI programs further, would make it even less palatable to Democrats. The Senate hasn't voted on its version of the bill yet, and the two chambers have to reconcile their versions before the measure can go to Biden for his signature.

Democratic lawmakers have spoken out against the far rights efforts to remake the bill. To say that we need to kill this good, strong bill because it needs to be more discriminatory against people is something that I would hope the overwhelming majority of this body would reject, said Democratic Rep. Adam Smith, according to Politico. Republicans from swing districts also want to block some of the extreme amendments, particularly the abortion restrictions, the Post reports.

The Human Rights Campaign has spoken out against the anti-trans efforts. "House Republicans have a choice this week," said a statement from David Stacy, vice president of government affairs. "They can reject these politicized amendments that single out transgender service members and their families or they can embrace the anti-LGBTQ+ extremists in the House of Representatives. We call on the House to reject these cynical and cruel attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, which fly in the face of overwhelming evidence and are being used as a political weapon. Injecting their self-ignited culture war into this national defense bill is a recipe for disaster.

Meanwhile, two LGBTQ+ Democrats have proposed an amendment to deny funds to Uganda because of its recently enacted antigay law. Rep. Robert Garcia, a gay man from California, and Rep. Becca Balint, a lesbian from Vermont, are sponsoring the amendment, which says, None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this Act or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense are authorized to be made available to provide assistance for the Uganda Police Force or Uganda Peoples Defense Force, including assistance in the form of equipment or training or to coordinate joint exercises with such groups.

The African nation already criminalized homosexuality, but the new law expands on that, providing for the death penalty in some situations and making the "promotion of homosexuality" illegal.

Pictured, from left: Republican U.S. Reps. Matt Rosendale and Ronny Jackson
A group of Republican senators is urging the State Departments internal watchdog to investigate the suspension of senior diplomat Robert Malleys security clearance  ratcheting up scrutiny of the administrations handling of the incident. As President Joe Bidens top Iran envoy, Malley had been helming the administrations efforts to restore a nuclear deal with Iran when his security clearance was quietly suspended sometime this spring. He was put on unpaid leave in late June following media reports that his clearance had been suspended.

In a letter sent July 13 and obtained by POLITICO, Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) led a group of 15 Republicans in urging the State Departments Office of Inspector General to investigate whether officials at the department followed all laws and rules when suspending Malleys security clearance. They pressed the watchdog for details on just how much access Malley maintained to sensitive information after officials suspended his clearance.

Administration officials have not said when or why Malleys security clearance was suspended, but those familiar with the investigation have told POLITICO that it came after the State Departments Bureau of Diplomatic Security launched a probe into whether Malley could be trusted with classified material.

Malley kept doing State Department work for weeks after his clearance was suspended, taking phone calls and fielding media interviews.

When lawmakers noticed his absence from a key Congressional Iran briefing, State officials indicated that he was taking leave for reasons unrelated to his government work. But as CNN broke the news that Malleys security clearance had been suspended, the State Department announced that he had been put on full, unpaid leave and that his deputy had stepped in as acting special envoy for Iran.

Republicans are now calling for an investigation into the saga. Hagerty, the top Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee panel that oversees the State Department, wrote in the letter that its signatories were alarmed to learn that Malley could have mishandled classified information.

In the letter, Hagerty and others posed a host of questions to the head of the Inspector Generals Office. The queries highlight just how little is known about Malleys mysterious departure from the State Department:

When was he notified in writing that his clearance had been suspended, as required by the State Departments manual? When were the actions that led to the suspension? Did he lose physical access to the highly-secured area around the secretary of States office? When were members of Malleys team ordered to stop sharing classified information with him? Why wasnt he put on unpaid leave as soon as his clearance was suspended?

The letter also homes in on a challenge the department may soon face: replacing Malley. Last years National Defense Authorization Act included a requirement  pushed for by Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee  that diplomats in Malleys role secure Senate confirmation. Malley took the job before that requirement became law. But now, his successor is subject to it.

The letter also signals that Republicans believe the State Department may have broken that law when Abram Paley took over as acting special envoy for Iran. Is Paley exercising significant authority pursuant to the laws of the United States? it asks. It also noted that Paleys assignment would have required certain notifications be sent to relevant congressional committees and asked whether that was done.

A spokesperson for Senate Foreign Relations Chair Bob Menendez declined to comment on whether or not his office received any notice of Paleys new role. And a spokesperson for Hagerty said the senator is unaware of any notification reaching the panel. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller declined to comment on communications with Congress about Paleys role.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken defended Malley in an interview with MSNBC this week, saying he has served the U.S. admirably. The two men have been friends for decades.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has also come to Malleys defense, saying: Ive always known him to be someone whos very careful when it comes to Americas secrets.

Hagerty called Malleys situation troubling.

Im deeply concerned, he said in an interview, and I think every American should be deeply concerned about whats going on with Malley.

Nahal Toosi contributed reporting.
Republicans are getting creative to fundraise for the first debate

Republican presidential candidate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum speaks during an interview following a town hall meeting with employees at Rueters Equipment on Friday, June 9, 2023, in Elkhart, Iowa. | Charlie Neibergall, Associated Press

Presidential campaigns are expensive, but Republican candidates hoping to make it to the first debate in August just need $1 from 40,000 people to get there.

To be invited to Fox News Aug. 23 debate in Milwaukee, the RNC requires candidates reach polling and fundraising minimums, including raising money from at least 40,000 donors with at least 200 donors from 20 different states. The mandate encourages candidates to campaign for small-dollar donors across the country and not just rely on a few big-dollar backers.

So far, though, only a few campaigns said theyve qualified. The other campaigns are getting creative, trying to raise money by offering to pay people to donate.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a long shot candidate with low name ID, is gifting $1 donors $20 gift cards in an attempt to grow his donor base. Pitched to potential supporters in digital ads as Biden Relief Cards, one digital campaign ad tells potential supporters, People are hurting because of Bidenflation, and giving Biden Economic Relief cards is a way to help 50,000 people until we get in office and fix this crazy economy for everyone!

Its an unusual strategy with a high cost per acquisition, but its also an expense that Burgum can afford: the former software company executive sold his company to Microsoft for $1.1 billion in 2002.

Related

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is another Republican presidential promising to pay his donors. Ramaswamys campaign uploaded a video this week introducing his Vivek Kitchen Cabinet, which offers supporters 10% of the donations they raise for the campaign through a dedicated fundraising link meant to share with their network.

Ramaswamy said in a tweet Thursday that so far 1,000 people signed up for the program and that his campaign raised donations from more than 65,000 donors as of earlier this week.

Related

Former Vice President Mike Pence, whose campaign said they havent yet met the debate threshold due to Pences late entrance into the race but are confident they will, is running its own digital ads asking for $1 donations.

I promise you, you put us up on that stage and were going to stand strong for all the conservative values and ideals that have always led the Republican Party to victory, Pence says in one video ad.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christies campaign said it met the debate fundraising requirements on Wednesday. While former President Donald Trump has said hes not sure if hell attend the debate, Christie managed to attract small-dollar donors by promising to take Trump head on.

Related

Donald Trump doesnt want to get on stage with me because he knows Ill tell the truth, Christie said in an ad. Ill call him out like no one ever has. Unlike everyone else in this race, I wont run from him. Ill go right at him. Get me on the stage. Chip in just $1 today.

A Morning Consult poll released Tuesday will count toward making it to the August debate, according to NBC News. The poll found eight candidates reach the 1% minimum threshold: Trump at 56%; Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 17%; Ramaswamy at 8%; Pence at 7%; former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, and Christie at 3%, and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson at 1%.
Democrats stood by Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan as she weathered hours of questioning before the House Judiciary Committee, during which Republicans called her a bully whose tenure at the antitrust agency had been a disaster.

Republicans hammered Khan for allegedly mismanaging the agency and its resources, misleading Congress, launching politically motivated antitrust action and withholding requested information from the committee.

Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) accused Khan of fostering a system where her and her cronies have unchecked power over business practices in our country.

Khan defended her agencys mandate to promote competition and its ambitious legal antitrust enforcement strategy.

Our competition mission is driven by the tenet that vigorous antitrust enforcement is critical to the growth and dynamism of our economy, as well as to our shared prosperity and liberty, Khan said.

Recent decades, however, have vividly illustrated how Americans lose out when markets become more consolidated and less competitive.

Democrats, who have largely supported efforts by the FTC to block corporate mergers, provided cover for Khan throughout the hearing.

In his opening statement, ranking member Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) praised the FTC for returning more than $430 million to consumers and warned Khan she would face misleading attacks on her work in the alternate universe that is the House Judiciary Committee under MAGA Republican leadership.

Republicans attacked Khan for participating in a case against Meta Platforms Inc. despite an internal ethics recommendation that she recuse herself. GOP lawmakers alleged Khan gave misleading testimony before Congress in April 2023 about her decision to participate.

Khan denied the allegation, explaining she had no financial stake in any company being investigated by the FTC.

While Republicans have ripped Big Tech for allegedly censoring conservative voices and perspectives on their platform, GOP lawmakers accused the FTC chair of harassing Twitter during the hearing.

Twitter disclosed in March that the FTC was investigating the companys data security and privacy practices. The House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Khan in April over her agencys investigation into Twitter and its CEO Elon Musk.

Flashback: Democrats blast GOP for wasting our time in hearing over Twitter Files

The social media giant asked a federal court Thursday to terminate an FTC order restricting Twitters data security practices, alleging in the filing that the investigation has spiraled out of control and become tainted by bias.

Khan argued that consolidation in the tech industry could hurt consumers and contribute to the very censorship Republicans were concerned about.

The FTC is firing on all cylinders, fighting every day to protect the American people from unlawful business practice, Khan said.

Republicans also pointed to a series of legal losses the FTC has recently suffered, including a ruling handed down Tuesday allowing Microsoft to close a deal to buy the video game company Activision Blizzard. The FTC said Thursday it would appeal the ruling.

Jordans hearing was somehow more unproductive than we expected, wrote Liz Zelnick, director of economic security and corporate power at the nonprofit watchdog Accountable.US.

While committee Democrats were unified in praise of the FTCs actions to protect families from junk fees, deceptive industry practices, privacy violations and consolidation of corporate power, the Republican majority harped on fringe non-issues that help no family get ahead.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce demanded answers from Khan ahead of the hearing on what Sean Heather, the chambers senior vice president for international regulatory affairs and antitrust, described as the unprecedented regulatory blitz on the U.S. economy under Khans leadership.

Chair Khan needs to commit to reverse the agencys present course or otherwise expect Congress to reign in the FTCs Budget, Heather wrote ahead of the hearing.

Rep. Ben Cline (R-Va.) informed Khan that the House Appropriations Committee was preparing to pass a 25 percent reduction in the agencys budget for its rank partisanship.

The massive cut is unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate or be approved by President Biden.

Tensions boiled over early in the hearing when Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) asked Jordan to tell a Republican lawmaker who interrupted his time to shut up.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) bristled at Rep. Hank Johnsons (D-Ga.) comments implying Khan, a British-born American with Pakistani parents, was under intense scrutiny for her work in part because of her ethnicity.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) offered an olive branch, identifying an opportunity for the FTC to work with Congress to strengthen laws to prevent data brokers from selling sensitive data on his constituents.

If Congress is bought off, if people are just coming here to beat you up over what email account you use or what trip youve been on to Europe, I think it misses these things that are far more central to the life our constituents lead, Gaetz said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
New fossilized galeaspid fish found in central China's Xiushan Formation

Xinhua) 09:58, July 13, 2023

This image shows the life restoration of Dayongaspis colubra. (Xinhua)

CHANGSHA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Researchers have discovered a new fossilized galeaspid fish, dating back some 438 million years, in the Xiushan Formation in central China's Hunan Province.

The creature lived during the Silurian era, which was about 410 to 440 million years ago.

The Silurian Xiushan Formation is a paleontological formation widely distributed across southern China, and has long been considered a paradise for the reproduction of invertebrates. However, it is not thought to be an ideal habitat for galeaspids.

The new galeaspid species, Dayongaspis colubra, represents the first fossil record of galeaspids in the Xiushan Formation, challenging the traditional view that galeaspids could not survive in the Xiushan Formation.

The new finding also indicates that the fossils extend from the upper part of the Rongxi Formation to the lower part of the Xiushan Formation, suggesting a broader stratigraphic range than previously assumed.

The study has been published in the journal Historical Biology.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China expresses strong condemnation over the burning of the Quran that happened once again in relevant country, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday, adding that the so-called "freedom of speech" is not a reason for stoking conflicts and antagonism between civilizations.

From July 11 to 12, the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council held an urgent debate on acts of burning the Quran in relevant countries and passed a draft resolution proposed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, with a vote of 28 in favour, 12 against and 7 abstentions. The resolution condemns the recent public and premeditated acts of desecration of the Quran, decides to hold a topic discussion and an interactive dialogue at the 54th and 55th sessions of the UN Human Rights Council respectively and requests the High Commissioner to present an oral update on the root causes of religious hatred.

In response to a related query, Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson, told a daily news briefing that China supports holding this urgent debate and expresses its strong condemnation over the burning of the Quran.

China advocates mutual respect, inclusiveness and mutual learning between civilizations, and firmly opposes all forms of Islamophobia, Wang said.

He said that the so-called "freedom of speech" is not a reason for stoking conflicts and antagonism between civilizations. All religious beliefs and feelings need to be respected.

China will work with the international community to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, advocate equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations, safeguard the world's diversity of civilizations and together advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, he added. 
Alfonso Leo Adderly, a retired Miami-Dade County Court judge and member of one of Miamis pioneer Black families, died July 4, at the University of Miami Medical center. He was 84.

A quiet and unassuming man, Adderly once said that he knew from age 6 that he would be a lawyer. He knew, too, that he would have big boots to fill: His late uncle John Johnson was Miamis second Black judge, appointed after the late Judge L. E. Thomas, Miamis first Black judge, resigned in the late 1960s.

Adderly was born in what was known then as Miamis Colored Town, or the Central Negro District. Today the area is known as Overtown, so dubbed by Blacks as they moved northward to the outskirts of Miamis downtown area to places like Liberty City, also known back then as The Sticks, and to other unincorporated areas of Dade County.

The only child of the late Alfonso and Elaine Johnson Adderly, he spent his early childhood living carefree on Northwest 10th Street under the watchful eyes of his doting grandparents Samuel D. and Ida Ellen Johnson. He was not short of playmates because most of the Johnson clan lived close by and he had a host of cousins to play with. Among them was Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields, who would go on to become founder and chief curator of the Black Archives, History and Research Foundation of South Florida.

Our mothers were sisters, and we grew up as brother and sister, Fields said. From childhood and throughout his life, my cousin enjoyed giving the correct answers to questions and correcting others. In retirement he, and his devoted wife Wilda, traveled around the world and often shared their adventures with family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

Booker T. Washington 2017 Living Legends: Standing, from left, Barbara J. Mason-Gardiner, Class of 1960; Roland C. Burroughs, Class of 1953; Father James McPhee, Class of 1955; A. Leo Adderly, Class of 1956; Antonio Dixon, Class of 2004. Seated, from left: James Campbell, Class of 1953; Patricia Worthy Oyeshiku, Class of 1960; and Jessie Monroe Robinson, Class of 1961. Photo provided by George Storr

1956 Booker T. Washington grad

Adderly attended Miamis segregated public schools and graduated in 1956 from Booker T. Washington Junior/Senior High School, where he was a member of the schools marching band.

A stellar student, he later enrolled in Morehouse College, where he earned a bachelors degree in 1960. Adderly then was a teacher in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system before moving on to attend Howard University, where he received his law degree in 1964.

It was during his college years that his decision to become a lawyer and take an active role in his community was cemented. He once said that it was while he was at Morehouse, and later at Howard, that he became  an eyewitness to history  the Civil Rights Movement.

After law school, he joined the movement as Miami Project Director of Voter Education for the National Urban League. Years later, he wrote these words in his Living Legend award application to the Booker T. Washington Alumni Association: With an assistant director and 10 workers in the field, we registered 10,000 new voters prior to the 1964 presidential election. My entire adult life has been dedicated to community service.

Adderly was admitted to practice law in Florida, the District of Columbia and before the United States Supreme Court. And in 1966, he became one of the original nine attorneys on staff at Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., serving until 1969. That year, he was appointed to Legal Services Board of Directors and was its president 1971-1972.

He also worked for the Greater Miami Urban League as staff attorney, served as a public defender for the city of Miami, and was an associate in the Miami law firm of Britton, Cohen, Kaufman, Benson & Schantz.

Adderly had practiced law for 16 years when he was appointed to the judiciary in 1981, serving as a Miami-Dade County Court judge, and he was elected in 1986 and re-elected in 1990. He retired from the bench in 2003.

Adderly had practiced law for 16 years when he was appointed to the judiciary in 1981, serving as a Miami-Dade County Court judge, and he was elected in 1986 and re-elected in 1990.

He gave generously every year to charities such as The Carter Center, Doctors Without Borders, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and many others.

He was active in many organizations, including the Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. fraternity; the Florida Bar Association; the District of Columbia Bar; the National Bar Association; the Miami Dade County Bar; the Florida Conference of County Court Judges; the Judicial Council of the National Bar Association; and the Catholic Lawyers Guild.

And he served on the boards of several other organizations, including the South Florida Council of Boy Scouts of America, the James E. Scott Community Association, and the Northwest Miami Jaycees. He also served as a judge in the category of speech for The Miami Herald Silver Knight Awards.

Beautiful memories

Somewhere between building his career and serving his community, Adderly found the time to fall in love. In 1979, he married his beloved Wilda.

He was my love and my best friend for more than 44 years, said his wife, Wilda J. Burnett Adderly. He was loving and protective of me, and we did everything together... We traveled the world, visiting every continent except Antarctica.

I will always miss him, but I will always think of the wonderful times we had together. I have beautiful memories to sustain me.

Their last trip together was several months ago when they traveled to Dubai. Back home, Adderlys health began to fail, and his wife became a loving and diligent caregiver.

In addition to his wife Wilda and cousin Dorothy, Adderly is mourned by a son, Samuel Adderly; daughters Elaine Adderly-Breedlove and Kimberly Brusch (Aaron); grandchildren Tyauna Adderly, Tatiana Streeter, Hannah Brusch, Noah Brusch and Rachel Brusch,; cousins Jewel Johnson Wilson, Betty Johnson Jones, Joyce Silver, George Johnson, Richard Johnson, Mercai McKenzie, Juanita Greene and Theodore Owens; goddaughter Yvonne Farrington-Russell and godson Victor Fields; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, 1835 NW 54th St. in Miami. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1475 NW 12th Ave., Miami.

The writer can be reached at bea.hines@gmail.com.
Retired Officer Who Criticized Memphis For Tyre Nichols Found Dead Outside His Home | RLTheis via Envato Elements

The retired Memphis police officer who criticized police after they beat Tyre Nichols to death, has now died. Mark LeSures family members said they found him dead on his driveway on Sunday.

He was in the driveway when we got here, lying face down, LeSures aunt, Rose LeSure-Jones, told WREG-TV. Whatever it was he didnt deserve this. He really didnt. He was a good guy. One of the good guys, really.

According to WREG, a woman named Shuntae Daniels is accused of stealing from LeSure after he collapsed on the driveway. The court documents reveal that Daniels first asked LeSure for gas money when she saw him outside of his home. Daniels told police that he went inside the house to bring the money for her, then collapsed when he came outside.

According to police, Daniels admitted that she went into the home after LeSure collapsed and stole from him, taking his phone and wallet. She also said she went through his pockets outside. Additionally, Daniels admitted to using Lesures phone to send $1,500 to herself, police said.

She was also heard on Surveillance video as she said, We are going to see who knows the law. Daniels is now facing charges of aggravated burglary, theft of property and identity theft.

LeSure, who joined the Memphis Police Department in 1992, retired recently and returned to school to obtain his masters degree. The 57-year-old had also served in the U.S. Army, spending ten years as a military police officer. Friends and family say he is remembered for his dedication to the community.

He had outreach ministries to young people in the community, a few blocks away. Westwood community center and now they just lost a mentor, LeSures friend Randie Fleming told WREG. Its one thing you hear gang members shooting and killing each other dying, but someone who is an upstanding guy, he served his community.

The retired officer was part of a group who launched a non-profit to help the youth.

We are starting a non-profit for this neighborhood to try to get these kids engaged, get them away from gun violence, pick up a book, he told WREG in 2022. We fought with our pen and paper, we didnt fight with fists and guns.

LeSure spoke up earlier this year after police beat Tyre Nichols to death during a traffic stop.

Human beings man, thats what happened, he told The New York Times. They let their emotions get the best of them, and there was no veteran officer there to stop them. Usually, when vets are there, things go differently because we have that experience to say, I understand youre mad, but you got to stop. You cant do this, it isnt right.'

Memphis police faced nationwide backlash after bodycam footage showed officers chasing Nichols, then kicking him and beating him as he desperately called for his mother. The five officers involved in the fatal incident, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr., Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith, were fired from the department. All five officers pleaded not guilty in February after facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated assault and aggravated kidnapping, as Blavity previously reported.

Police said the investigation into LeSures death is ongoing.
HACKENSACK  The retrial of a Manhattan man accused of killing his wife's lover and then lighting his body on fire in the basement of his Teaneck home in 2011 is drawing to a close.

Months after jury selection began, the retrial of Sui Kam "Tony" Tung is finally ending, as the prosecution rested on Tuesday and the defense called only two witnesses on Wednesday before resting.

The prosecution alleges it was Tung who pulled the trigger on the night of March 6, 2011, and lit the match, a year to the day after his wife took their three daughters and moved out.

In 2016, Tung was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of Robert Cantor and an additional 10 years for setting Cantor's body on fire, but in 2019 a state appeals court granted him a new trial, which began in June.

Tung declined to testify in his own defense, just as he didn't testify in his first trial.

Judge Kazlau listens to opening arguments. Opening statements for the retrial of Tony Tung for the murder of his ex-wife's lover and setting his body on fire in Teaneck in 2011 begins before Bergen County Superior Court Judge Christopher Kazlau in Hackensack, NJ on Thursday June 1, 2023. Tung is being defended by Ian Silvera and Christine Farolan.

The bulk of Wednesday morning was used to argue whether an email from former Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli to a NorthJersey.com reporter and an article written by two other reporters were to be admitted into evidence. The defense pointed out that the article referred to potential accomplices. After the arguments, Judge Christopher Kazlau allowed the email and article to be submitted into evidence.

Tung's defense attorney, Ian Silvera, called Andrzej Syniec, an assistant operational manager for the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office who helps take care of the computer systems, and Mark Turtur, an investigator hired by the defense.

Syniec confirmed that he pulled the Molinelli email from the Prosecutor's Office archives at the behest of his boss but said he didn't see the content of the emails. The email showed it was sent to Molinelli by former Record reporter Tim Nostrand.

Turtur said he was given the assignment to obtain the Record article written by two former Record reporters. He said he was not the one who found and printed out the email and didn't know who did, but that he did confirm with someone at The Record that the article was written for the paper.

Molinelli, who is now a private attorney in Woodcliff Lake, was called as a rebuttal witness by the Prosecutor's Office. He testified about what his role as the Bergen County prosecutor entailed and was asked to look at the email between him and the Record reporter.

The former prosecutor said he was "very much aware" of his obligation to work with the media and he "generally wasn't in the position to give out information in an investigation."

NJ news Parental rights candidates are rattling NJ school boards. Meetings have been tempestuous

He said the response of not ruling out accomplices was a "vanilla response."

During cross-examination, Molinelli referred to the previous trial twice when prompted about the involvement of Cantor's family, friends and colleagues, which Kazlau immediately told the jury to disregard. He briefly sent the jury out of the courtroom to instruct Molinelli to not refer to a previous trial or conviction.

Silvera called for a mistrial, which Kazlau denied. The jury was called back in, and Silvera continued to question Molinelli. The former prosecutor said he didn't remember exact details of the case and couldn't recall there being public pressure from Cantor's friends, family and colleagues, including a protest outside the courthouse in February 2012, to make an arrest. He also didn't recall their hiring a private investigator.

Closing arguments are expected to take place on July 25 before jury deliberations begin.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Teaneck NJ murder trial of Tony Tung nears finish in Bergen
An RFK press dinner in New York reportedly devolved into a farce

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at the New York State Capitol, May 14, 2019, in Albany, New York. Hans Pennink/AP Photo

Long-shot Democratic presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. found himself in an unusual crisis.

According to The New York Post, Kennedy Jr. was a dinner that descended into a farce.

One attendee, who wanted to underline his point, began to fart on purpose.

We know how a fart goes over in church. Now, thanks to Page Six we know how not silent the news is when someone lets it rip in front of a presidential candidate.

According to The New York Post, a recent dinner between long-shot Democratic hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the press descended into a farce as two writers faced off on global climate change.

"I'm farting!" former gossip columnist Doug Dechert exclaimed as he verbally jousted with art critic Anthony Haden-Guest over climate change.

Haden-Guest had called his friend a "miserable blob" as dinner took a turn when climate change came up. Dechert, who reportedly screamed, "The climate hoax!" Not satisfied, Dechert then resorted to farting to underline his point, presumably exacerbating the greenhouse effect in the process.

Kennedy Jr., an environmentalist who has pivoted to dismissing vaccine science, was described as maintaining a "steady composure in the face of the crisis."

Sure, his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, faced down the Cuban missile crisis. And his father, Robert F. Kennedy, was in the thick of the federal response to defending civil rights protestors.

But not everyone can choose their moment.

Haden-Guest said he just simply couldn't believe his decades-long friend would dismiss climate change.

"Doug said it was a hoax and scam," he told The Post. "A scam for who? Who is benefiting? That's not a political thing, it's a human existence thing."

When The Post called Dechert after the affair, he was apologetic for his rhetorical tactic.

"I apologize for using my flatulence as a medium of public commentary in your presence."

He then asked to be referred to as a "gallivanting boulevardier" or a "beer-fueled sex rocket."

If only, Dechert was in a wind storm.

Read the original article on Business Insider
RICHMOND, Ind.  A Richmond woman faces a neglect charge after a stroller holding her 1-year-old niece rolled into a street and was nearly struck by a police car.

The neglect-of-a-dependent charge filed Tuesday against 27-year-old Raina Kay Harper is a Level 6 felony carrying a maximum 30-month prison term.

According to a Wayne County sheriff's deputy, he was driving in the 3600 block of East National Road on Monday when he saw a woman, later identified as Harper, take her hands off a stroller she was pushing to begin shoving her boyfriend.

"The stroller then began to roll freely away from her, and partially enter onto the roadway," the deputy wrote. "At this time, I slammed on my brakes to avoid hitting the stroller."

Harper's boyfriend tried to persuade the deputy "everything was fine," according to an affidavit, and indicated he did not want the Richmond woman "in trouble" for shoving him.

More: Richmond man faces battery, drug, gun charges after struggle with police

The man said based on rude comments he had made, he "deserved" to be shoved.

Harper, who was taken into custody, maintained she had not intended to "let the stroller go."

She said her disagreement with her boyfriend was over financial matters.

Both Harper and her boyfriend at first indicated the baby in the stroller was theirs. Later, however, Harper acknowledged the baby belonged to her sister.

The mother came to the scene to take custody of her child. She was told the Indiana Department of Child Services would be notified about the incident.

Harper was also charged with a misdemeanor count of battery. An initial hearing in her case is set for July 27.

Harper was convicted of dealing in a narcotic drug, in Wayne Superior Court 2, in 2015. Four years after that, she was convicted of obstruction of justice in Fayette Superior Court.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Richmond woman charged with neglect after stroller rolls into street
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has some fans on Capitol Hill  they just happen to be Republicans

Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images; Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images.

RFK Jr. might be running for President as a Democrat, but he has some fans among GOP lawmakers.

Sen. Ron Johnson told Insider he hopes Kennedy "gains traction and wins the nomination."

House Republicans have invited Kennedy to testify next week, and some Democrats say it's a political ploy.

When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launched his campaign to be the Democratic Party's presidential nominee in April, at least one Republican senator took the time to watch the entirety of Kennedy's nearly two-hour-long speech: Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.

"I hope he gains traction and wins the nomination," Johnson said of Kennedy, later quipping that he didn't "want to harm his chances by saying good things about him."

It's not all that difficult to see why Johnson, despite his roots as a Tea Party-style Republican, would find the Democratic presidential candidate attractive, even if he's not formally endorsing the man he calls "Bobby."

Both Johnson and Kennedy have questioned the science surrounding vaccines and got to know one another during the COVID-19 pandemic as fellow travelers in the "medical freedom" movement, largely defined by skepticism of the COVID vaccine and opposition to pandemic-era health mandates.

"He's displayed extraordinary political courage," said Johnson, recounting Kennedy's own narrative about how he took up anti-vaccine advocacy. "I got to respect people who do that."

Johnson's liking for Kennedy goes beyond just COVID and vaccines  he's on a similar wavelength with other aspects of Kennedy's conspiratorial worldview as well.

While the Republican senator stopped short of fully embracing the idea that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by intelligence agencies, he said that JFK and the Unspeakable  a book recommended to him by Kennedy that makes that very case  is "a pretty compelling and well-researched book."

Kennedy has long argued that his uncle was murdered by the CIA  and has also expressed doubts about who really killed his own father, former New York Sen. and US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.

And Johnson suggested that the continued refusal by both Biden and Trump to declassify all of the records pertaining to Kennedy's assassination merited further suspicion. "That tells you something, doesn't it?"

A curiosity and an opportunity

Kennedy, currently polling at an average of 14% in recent national polls, is unlikely to pose a serious challenge to President Joe Biden's renomination.

Many of Kennedy's political positions  even beyond his skepticism of vaccines  are out of step with Democratic primary voters, including his opposition to US support for Ukraine, and his espoused views on transgender people and the origins of AIDS.

But his unorthodox campaign has drawn interest and support from prominent, powerful figures, including Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and venture capitalist David Sacks. It's also a reminder of the fact that many Democratic voters say they'd like to see a nominee other than Biden, even if it's not Kennedy.

Meanwhile, right-wing media and conservative influencers have been all too eager boost Kennedy's candidacy, giving him greater exposure to a predominantly Republican audience.

That's certainly the case with some Republicans on Capitol Hill, who see Kennedy's candidacy as both a curiosity and an opportunity to score points against the other side.

"'Kennedy Democrats' are finding out the hard way they no longer belong in the Democrat Party," Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana recently tweeted. "Not my grandpa's Democrats!"

"Powerful," wrote Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas as he retweeted a video of Kennedy from the southern border, commending him as "one of the very few Dems willing to go to the border."

The 'backdrop of a committee hearing room'

House Republicans have invited Kennedy to testify next Thursday before the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, a panel that's served as a key organ for GOP grievances against the FBI, Big Tech, and the so-called "Deep State."

Among the lawmakers who will have the opportunity to question Kennedy is Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, an idiosyncratic libertarian who's long been critical of the science around vaccines.

"I'd be interested in talking to him about vaccines," said Massie, who says he's followed Kennedy's "pretty active" advocacy around the issue on Twitter.

Rep. Jim Jordan, who says he texts with Kennedys campaign manager, has invited the Democratic presidential candidate to testify before a House subcommittee next week. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Asked why the Democratic presidential candidate had been invited, subcommittee chair Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio pointed to Kennedy's membership in the so-called "Disinformation Dozen," a group of 12 online influencers identified by the nonprofit group Center for Countering Digital Hate as the source of the vast majority of anti-vaccine content on social media platforms in 2021.

The White House later cited that report to pressure social media platforms to ban the accounts, and both Kennedy and his organization, Children's Health Defense, have been removed from Twitter and Instagram in recent years, though his personal account has since been reinstated on both platforms.

Jordan also drew a link between the actions that social media companies have taken against Kennedy to former President Donald Trump's recent 37-count federal indictment for mishandling classified documents, obstructing justice, and making false statements.

"The Biden administration is trying to censor their Democrat opponent, and indict their Republican opponent," said Jordan. "Pretty scary stuff."

While Jordan offered little observation on Kennedy's campaign beyond pointing out his "unbelievable" polling, he said that he's texting buddies with Dennis Kucinich, the former Ohio congressman who's now managing Kennedy's campaign.

"He's a great guy, he's truly a friend," Jordan said of Kucinich. "You know, he's lefty. He's liberal, I'm conservative. But he's an old-school liberal who believes in the First Amendment."

Rep. Dan Goldman of New York, one of the more prominent Democrats on the subcommittee, characterized Kennedy's scheduled testimony as a mere political ploy to elevate Biden's primary opponent, giving him the "backdrop of a committee hearing room" to aid his campaign.

"What is clear from all of their investigations is they are solely focused on politically harming President Biden," said Goldman. "This is yet another cog in that."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The New Rochelle police detective who shot and killed Jarrell Garris earlier this month was arrested and charged with assault in the third degree before he was a sworn police officer, although the charges were ultimately dismissed, court records show.

The detective, Steven Conn, was later sued in connection with the August 2015 incident that led to those charges.

Conn was again sued in 2019, this time in his capacity as a New Rochelle police officer, by an aggrieved New Rochelle resident who alleged Conn shot his dog without provocation, according to court paperwork.

When asked about both lawsuits, a spokesperson for the New Rochelle Police Department would not comment.

The New Rochelle Police and Court Facility on North Ave. in New Rochelle, photographed July 11, 2023.

The July 3 shooting of Garris has stirred an uproar in New Rochelles Black community given longstanding tensions with the city and the police. This is owed in part to the June 2020 shooting death of Kamal Flowers, a Black man, at the hands of a New Rochelle police officer, which the police deemed justified. A grand jury later declined to indict the officer.

The latest shooting, of New Rochelle native Garris, is currently under investigation by New York State Police and the state Attorney Generals Office. Garris, 37, died Monday.

Conns background has come under scrutiny given the contention from Garris' family that it was not necessary to shoot Garris to defuse the encounter, which arose out of reports of stolen food from the local supermarket.

Police say Garris grabbed an officer's gun and attempted to remove it from the holster during a scuffle with Conn and two other responding officers. The department released partial body camera footage of the incident, but the footage is grainy, and much of the scuffle is not clearly visible. The footage also cuts off abruptly before Conn fires his service pistol at Garris, who has one hand cuffed during the altercation with the officers.

Jarrell Garris dies after shooting: New Rochelle native shot by police dies after days in coma. New York AG to investigate

What do court records say about Steven Conn's previous assault charge?

In connection with the earlier August 2015 incident, Conn was sued by Shedner Dorcena, a Haitian immigrant who says that Conn attacked him on a school bus while he was dropping kids off from summer camp, court papers show. Dorcena had been working as a driver for a bus company that summer.

Private attorneys who represented Conn in connection with this incident did not return a request for comment.

Dorcena accused Conn of cutting off his school bus in the middle of the road, boarding the bus and punching him repeatedly, seemingly without provocation. The incident put him in the hospital for several weeks, Dorcena said.

"[Conn] came in my bus. He's punching me, like 50 or 40 times," Dorcena told the USA Today Network New York in a brief interview. "I got damaged and [received] a brain injury, my eyes, my face, my teeth and my shoulder, my neck."

Photos of Dorcena's injuries included in court records show his swollen, bloodied face and bruising on his face and arm.

In court records, Conn disputed the narrative laid out by Dorcena. Conn said he was prompted to drive to the location of Dorcena's bus because of text messages from his fiancee at the time suggesting she felt unsafe. The fiancee had been working as a monitor for the children on Dorcena's bus.

You do not respect our Black lives: New Rochelle residents enraged over police shooting of Jarrell Garris

Conn raced to the scene in his car and stepped onto Dorcena's bus in order to check on his fiancee, he explained. Conn said that Dorcena grabbed him first, leading to the pair's physical confrontation.

Conn's recollection was elicited through transcripts of depositions conducted as part of Dorcena's lawsuit. After the encounter, Conn was arrested and charged with assault in the third degree, he said, a misdemeanor. The charges were ultimately dismissed before trial.

Conn said in his deposition that his injuries largely consisted of scrapes to his feet, neck and back.

Richard Adam, Dorcena's attorney, said that the case was settled earlier this year. The terms were not disclosed.

As part of the deposition, Conn laid out his police training and general approach to de-escalating tense situations with civilians. Though he was not yet a police officer at the time of the incident with Dorcena, he was employed by the village of Scarsdale as a traffic enforcement officer.

Though he alluded to the potential need for officers to "take necessary action" when warranted, Conn said that "it's always better to calm a situation down than to be the aggressor" and to "de-escalate the situation however you can."

Working in traffic enforcement, he explained that if a situation is heating up and de-escalatory tactics are not working, an officer should "just walk away."

"I think by and large, the majority of society when they interact with police, it's a rattling experience. You know, people get nervous. They, you know, sometimes let their emotions take over," he said. "So if you could slow things down and explain to them what's going on... that always helps, I find."

William Wagstaff III, an attorney for Garris' family, said Conn's remarks in the deposition, in contrast with how he handled the encounter with Garris years later, betray a level of hypocrisy.

"The two female officers clearly conveyed to [Conn] that they had it under control," Wagstaff commented. "You escalate the situation by barging in and then grabbing him. It flies in the face of what he said in that deposition."

Steven Conn sued for shooting dog while a New Rochelle police officer

Princess is seen on July 7, 2023.

In 2019, Conn was sued in his capacity as a police officer for shooting a New Rochelle resident's dog the year prior. A supplemental report completed by Conn at the time states that the dog "growled and charged" at him when he arrived on scene.

"I discharged my firearm multiple times and hit the dog," Conn wrote. "The dog stopped, began to bark, rolled on the ground and then limped back."

Princess is seen on July 7, 2023.

However, the lawsuit alleges that the dog, named Princess, displayed "absolutely no signs of aggression towards anyone." Princess survived the shooting.

"I thought that was a ridiculous use of the firearm," said Montgomery Delaney, an attorney who represented the plaintiff in that case. "The dog is milquetoast. They stereotyped that dog because it was a pit bull."

New Rochelle attempted to get the entire case tossed out of court, but Justice Terry Jane Ruderman largely ruled against them, according to court paperwork. The city appealed her ruling to the Appellate Division, but the case ultimately settled before the appeal was decided.

Asher Stockler is a reporter for The Journal News and the USA Today Network New York. You can find him on Twitter at @quasiasher or send him an email at astockler@lohud.com. Reach him securely: asher.stockler@protonmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New Rochelle cop who shot Jarrell Garris was sued for alleged assault
Rupert Murdoch Bails On Ron DeSantis, Reportedly Has New Name To Fight Trump

Billionaire media baron Rupert Murdoch reportedly wants to see one Republican in particular take on former President Donald Trump, the front-runner in the 2024 GOP primary for president.

On Wednesday, The New York Times reported Murdoch has privately told people he wants to see Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) enter the race.

Youngkin earlier this year ruled himself out of a run, with commentators suggesting he was readying himself for the 2028 election. However, in May there was renewed speculation that he may throw his hat into the ring one election cycle earlier.

Murdochs reported pick came as his media organizations  including Fox News  soured on his initial choice to take on Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), amid the governors faltering campaign.

On Tuesday, Rolling Stone reported that Murdoch and top Fox executives had grown increasingly displeased with the DeSantis campaigns perceived stumbles, lackluster polling, and inability to swiftly dethrone Trump. Relations between Murdoch and Trump have also gone south in recent years.

Related...
Instructor Doug Anderson works with students in the back of an ambulance while Sabrina Rodriguez, playing the part of a patient, lays on the gurney during an EMT certification class at the Olton Volunteer Ambulance Association. Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune

LUBBOCK  After a tornado barreled through the small town of Matador last month, volunteers mobilized to pick up the pieces  so many that the town was closed by law enforcement the following day.

The scene of neighbors helping neighbors sift through debris offered a fresh reminder that in lonely stretches of rural Texas, help after a natural disaster, a house fire or a heart attack is likely to come in the form of volunteers.

An abundance of volunteers, however, is not commonplace. In fact, in nearby Olton, the volunteers who answer the pleas of their fellow residents are worn out and ready to hang up their boots. There is uncertainty about who will refill the ranks.

Were getting older and some of us would like to slow down, weve got a couple thats going to retire this year, so thats on our minds all the time, said Jimmy Brooks, director of the Olton Volunteer Ambulance Association. We just do the best we can with what weve got, and well continue to do that as long as we can.

Rural fire trucks and ambulances have long been staffed by neighbors and friendly, familiar faces in the community. The will to volunteer can be seen in the face of disasters, but finding consistent volunteers to staff those critical resources is a challenge in rural communities and nationwide.

[At least four people killed after tornado hits Matador, a small town outside Lubbock]

In 2020, 65% of U.S. firefighters were estimated to be volunteers  nearly a quarter less than in 1984.

The problem is bound to get worse as the current batch of volunteers is getting older and close to retiring, and there are fewer people living there to refill the ranks, Brooks and other local officials fear.

Our situation here mirrors pretty well whats going on in rural Texas as far as EMS and fire departments are concerned, and thats the lack of volunteers, said Lamb County Judge James DeLoach. We dont have as many people here as we used to in rural areas, and not as many people willing to volunteer.

New census data shows several of the rural counties surrounding Lamb County  which includes Olton and is about 55 miles northwest of Lubbock  have had population decline over the last year. Lamb itself has lost 2.4% since 2020.

More volunteers are also needed in the Panhandle, where wildfires can burn for days and stretch for miles. So far this year, there have been at least 23 wildfires recorded in the Panhandle by Texas A&M Forest Service.

The emergencies dont always happen where theres a population center, said Steven Denny, public information officer for Potter County Fire Rescue. So its important to have these volunteer departments, especially in West Texas rural areas.

The station is close to Perryton, where another tornado hit last month, but they didnt respond to the disaster because, like Matador, the town was full. Potter County Fire Rescue relieved the usual crews there and responded to emergencies unrelated to the tornado, something Denny said stations in the region do to help after deaths in the department.

Its pretty critical that we have volunteer responders, but it can be a rewarding activity to do, Denny said. You get to help somebody on their absolute worst day.

For the people who live and travel through the vast Texas plains, where medical care is already limited, the lack of volunteers could eventually make it harder to get any kind of aid in a life-or-death situation.

Once in a while when we get caught short, its because weve got one truck out on a call and have another coming in, said Brooks, who is also director of the EMS in nearby Earth. Most of the time we can cover that, but sometimes were short. It depends on how many people weve got in town at that particular time.

According to DeLoach, there are 12 EMS trucks to serve the population of nearly 13,200 in Lamb County, and some of the crews worry about what could happen if multiple calls come in, and there arent enough people to respond.

The crew at Olton VAA is mostly full, with 12 certified personnel and six drivers that cover two trucks. The trucks are typically staffed with a driver and two EMTs  more certified people on board means better care for the person injured or dying during the nearly hourlong trek to the nearest major hospital.

But, Brooks said, finding certified personnel  let alone on a volunteer basis  has been tough to come by. This is why training new health care workers has become a priority of his, even if the students will possibly leave Olton and practice elsewhere as soon as the course is done. The current class has a dozen people in it, but only three are likely to practice in the small town of 1,860 people.

The Olton Volunteer Ambulance Association is across the street from the public school. Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune

Jimmy Brooks, director of the Olton Volunteer Ambulance Association, in front of the station's ambulances on July 10, 2023. Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune

An city map hangs in the Olton Volunteer Ambulance Association. Credit: Contributor

Jose Martinez practices CPR during an EMT certification class in the Olton Volunteer Ambulance Association. Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune

While that can be a bittersweet part of the training process, it is inevitable in rural communities. DeLoach has been a licensed paramedic since 1990 and says he has seen less and less people willing or able to volunteer over several decades now.

When I started, it wasnt hard to get a class anytime we wanted and we used to never start an EMT class without 10 people, DeLoach recalled. Now, were lucky if we get a class every year and then, we might get two people out of that class.

This has happened for a number of reasons, such as the rising cost of living limiting peoples ability to work for free, ongoing workforce shortages or how few certification courses are offered in rural areas.

Im amazed our rural ambulance services still have enough volunteers to run calls, said DeLoach, who started as a volunteer. I encourage my judges and commissioners courts that Im familiar with to meet EMS and fire departments at the table and work on a solution.

One of those solutions is more certification courses, which DeLoach helps with by running basic and advanced EMT classes in Littlefield and Muleshoe. He used to only have students from the towns he was teaching in, but now they travel from across the region.

You very rarely had someone from out of your county in your class when I first started, DeLoach said. Now, its not out of the ordinary for somebody to drive 40 or 50 miles to come to a class.

Since October, more than $9 million has been awarded by the Texas Department of State Health Services to fund EMS scholarships, particularly for students in rural or underserved areas, as a way to build up the workforce.

A truck drives through Olton on July 10, 2023. Olton is about 50 miles northwest of Lubbock. Credit: Justin Rex for The Texas Tribune

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
Two people were injured by shrapnel and taken to hospital as a result of a Russian drone attack on Kyiv on the night of 12-13 July, and two more people were poisoned by fumes, but refused to go to hospital. Debris from downed Russian targets fell in four districts of the capital.

Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine on Telegram,

Quote: "The enemy launched another attack on Kyiv on the night of 12-13 July. As of now, debris has been recorded falling in four districts of the capital.

At one address, firefighters were putting out a fire on the balcony of the fourth floor of a 16-storey residential building. Two people were injured as a result of the incident (poisoning from inhaling fumes), but they refused to be hospitalised. In addition, one person was rescued and brought to a safe distance from the building.

At another address, the facade of a 25-storey residential building was damaged on the 24th floor without subsequent burning. Before the firefighters arrived, two people with shrapnel wounds were found at the scene and hospitalised.

At another address, a fire broke out in a one-storey non-residential building and spread to the roof over a total area of 20 square metres. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire.

In addition, the firefighters extinguished a fire in the green area near the building. There were no fires at other addresses."

Details: The State Emergency Service has reported that 95 firefighters and rescue workers and 19 basic and special fire appliances were involved in the process.

Background: The Ukrainian Air Defence Forces detected and shot down about 10 Russian drones that attacked Kyiv on the night of 12-13 July.

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NEW DELHI, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday left for official visits to France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

During his visit to France, Modi will attend the celebrations of the French National Day, or Bastille Day, in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, the country's Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra told the media on Wednesday.

"This year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership," Modi said in his departure statement.

India and France will enhance cooperation across various domains including space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment and culture, he added.

From Paris, Modi will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, the UAE, for an official visit on July 15.

The UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Modi expressed his anticipation of exchanging views on enhancing global cooperation to facilitate energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement. 
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty/Reuters/CAT UXO

Cluster munitions will be a game-changer for Ukrainian efforts to end the Russian invasion. At least, thats what the Ukrainian Minister of Defense said on Tuesday.

The news was not received as well in Russia. That same day, Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu threatened to use their own cluster munitions against Ukraine, claiming that they had refrained from using them so far.

Kremlin News Stars Unravel in Post-Mutiny Television Fiasco

Russia, realizing the threat that such ammunition poses to the civilian population, has refrained and is refraining from using them in a special operation the minister said on Tuesday. If the United States supplies cluster munitions to Ukraine, the Russian Armed Forces will be forced to use similar weapons against the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a response.

Shoigu was not telling the truth. Russia has actually been using cluster munitions since the very beginning of the conflict. Moscow has not held back on its conventional systems, from cluster munitions to thermobaric weapons.

The threats do, however, show how seriously the Russian military is taking the prospect of a Ukrainian military with large stockpiles of cluster munitionsand for good reason.

The Biden administration announced that it would send Ukraine dual-purpose improved conventional munition (DPICM) to help Ukraines artillery shortage on July 6. These cluster rounds are artillery shells made up of smaller bomblets that scatter across a wide area and detonate individually. Unlike prior U.S. announcements that it would send Ukraine HIMARs, Patriot missiles, and Abrams tanks, sending cluster munitions stirred up commentators and human rights activists like never before in this conflict. For them, the concern is less about escalating the conflict and more about the perceived danger to civilians and implications for international law.

The arguments for sending cluster munitions are straightforward: the rounds spread bomblets over a wider area than a traditional artillery shell, so Ukrainian gunners need to use fewer rounds to achieve the same effect. Using fewer rounds to the same effect cuts down on demand for ammunition, which Ukraine is short on, and increases the longevity of the artillery pieces themselves, which need replacement and repairs after intense use. As Ukraine is in the middle of a counteroffensive, Kyiv is betting that these weapons will make the fight easier.

Ukrainian military serviceman Igor Ovcharruck holds a defused cluster bomb from an MSLR missile in the region of Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Danger Ahead

The arguments against sending cluster munitions are more varied. Critics usually voice concerns that cluster munitions increase the amount of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Ukrainian soil, question the legality of their use under international law, and claim their use will provoke a symmetrical Russian escalation.

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) can be a problem for the Ukrainian military now and endanger civilians in the future. Because cluster munitions contain so many sub-munitions, malfunctions could leave intact explosives target areas for years, which could detonate if someone steps on them. Multiple U.S. soldiers have been killed or wounded by stepping on unexploded bomblets over the past decades. UXO, either from cluster or non-cluster munitions, can also threaten civilians for years to come. Proponents of using cluster munitions against Russia dont dispute the risks of UXOrather, they see pushing Russia off Ukrainian soil as an absolute priority to end the conflict.

Cocky Idiot: Wagners Men Spill Messy Secrets of Russian Mutiny

Because the main objection to clusters is the number of duds, the failure rate for submunitions is a serious point of contention. The U.S. claims it will only send munitions with a two percent dud rate or lower, meaning that significant use will leave numerous unexploded bomblets on the battlefield. Groups like the Red Cross claim that the rate is much higher in realitywell above 10 percent.

Not all cluster munitions have the same failure rate. The dud rate in Ukraine will depend on how the submunitions are constructed and how long theyve been in storage. UXO seems to be an explicit concern for the Biden administration. When announcing the transfer, Pentagon officials stated that they would be carefully selecting rounds with lower dud rates, for which we have recent testing data.

U.S. Army soldiers draw 155mm Base Burn Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) rounds to carry into their vehicles during a load exercise at Camp Hovey, South Korea. (2nd Lt. Gabriel Jenko/US Army via Reuters)

To a certain extent, the die is cast. The U.S. already decided to send cluster munitions, and Ukrainians are set on using them to support their counteroffensive. Questions of UXO, friendly casualties and future harm to civilians will depend on how widely they are used, whether cluster manufacturers were honest about their dud rate, and how well Ukraine is able to disarm and remove the massive amount of unexploded ordinance littering the countrys north and east.

Meanwhile, the Kremlinunable to stymie the delivery of the munitionshas been left to respond using the usual playbookwith lies and showboating.

It should be noted that Russia is armed with cluster munitions, as they say, for all occasions. At the same time, they are much more effective than American ones, their range is wider and more diverse, Shoigu said this week, adding that Russian forces are taking additional measures of an organizational and technical nature to protect personnel and equipment from striking elements of cluster munitions.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Russia to consider F-16s transfer to Ukraine as nuclear threat from West  Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that Russia will consider the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as a threat from the West in the nuclear sphere.

Source: Lavrov in an interview with Lenta.ru

Details: The Russian minister has stated that the very fact of the appearance of F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine will be considered "a threat in the nuclear sphere".

According to him, F-16 fighter modifications have a base on which nuclear weapons can be fixed.

Lavrov has called the US plans to transfer the F-16s to Ukraine an example of an "extremely dangerous development of events", adding that Washington and its NATO allies are allegedly creating risks of a direct armed conflict with the Russian Federation.

Background: Ukraine signed a memorandum with its 11 partner states at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. The memorandum defines the conditions for training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
A Russian secret service has detained at least 12 high-ranking military officers, including General Sergei Surovikin, in connection with the mutiny of Yevgeny Prigozhin; 15 officers have been suspended or fired.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, referring to sources

Details: According to the sources of WSJ, Surovikin was detained a few hours after the beginning of the mutiny, and he is being held in Moscow at the moment. He has not been accused of committing any crime.

He has not been in custody but, reportedly, was being interrogated many times since the investigators were specifying what his role in the mutiny was.

One of the sources states that Surovikin knew about the plans concerning the mutiny but did not participate.

The general may be released when Putin decides what to do with the consequences of the mutiny.

In total, at least 13 high-ranking officers have been detained for interrogation; some of them were later released. About 15 officers have been suspended from fulfilling their duties or fired.

"These detentions are connected with removing those who, as it is thought, cannot be trusted anymore," one of the sources stated.

Andrei Yudin, deputy of Surovikin, and Vladimir Alekseev, deputy head of military intelligence, have been detained as well but later released. They have been suspended from fulfilling service duties; their movements are limited; and they are under surveillance.

Alekseev had long-standing ties to the Wagner group but, like Surovikin, called upon the mercenaries to lay down their arms at the beginning of the mutiny.

Among other detainees, there is former General-Colonel Mikhail Mizintsev, who used to hold the office of the Minister of Defence and joined the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) at the end of April.

Mizintsev got the nickname "Butcher of Mariupol" for being the commander of the Russian storm of the city with mass bombings of residential districts in order to force Mariupol to surrender. Mizintsev was suspended from the post of deputy Minister of Defence, responsible for logistics, and joined the Wagner PMC a few months before the mutiny.

Neither the Kremlin nor the Defence Ministry of Russia have responded to the requests of WSJ to provide commentary.

Background:

Earlier, the Russian FSB claimed it had closed the criminal case against the mutiny.

Yet Surovikin, who was linked to Prigozhin by the Western media many times, has not appeared in public since his address to Wagnerites on 24 June at night, in which he called upon them to lay down their arms.

Financial Times reported on the detention of Surovikin. The outlet stated that he was in custody, but so far it is not clear if he was accused of conspiracy or detained for interrogation.

The Bloomberg agency also reported that Surovikin was being interrogated by military prosecutors concerning his ties to Prigozhin for several days. The source of the agency reported that Surovikin had been being held "in one location", but he is not in prison.

Russia denied the information about the detention of Surovikin.

On 12 July, Andrii Kartapolov, head of the Defence Committee of the State Duma of Russia, claimed in response to a journalists questions that Surovikin "is on vacation" and "is so far not available".

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Consequences of falling debris in one of the districts of Kyiv, July 13, 2023

Russia launched another massive attack on Ukraine in the early hours of July 13, targeting the country with Kalibr and Iskander missiles, and Shahed drones.

Kyiv bore the brunt of the Shahed kamikaze drone attack, with Russia launching at least two waves of the weapons, from the northern and southern directions. Explosions were heard around the Ukrainian capital as air defenses engaged and destroyed drones that breached city limits.

Read also: Russians launch overnight strike on Ukraine with drones and missiles

Most of the 20 downed Shaheds were shot down on the approach to Kyiv, but people were injured in the capital after debris fell on residential buildings.

REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

Ukraines Air Force later reported that all of the Shahed suicide drones over the city of Kyiv and the surrounding oblast had been intercepted.

The spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, Yuriy Ihnat, said that both Shaheds and cruise missiles had been launched at Ukraine by the Russian military.

Read also: Ukrainian army shows off how it intercepts attack drones with guns  video

One Iskander-M ballistic missile was also used, which was launched from the occupied Crimea, from the Dzhankoy area, Ihnat said

Two Kalibr cruise missiles were launched from the Black Sea, both were destroyed in different areas by air defense forces.

In Mykolaiv Oblast, a Kalibr and four Shaheds were shot down during the night, although the debris damaged an educational institution and private houses, according to regional governor Vitaliy Kim.

In one of the settlements of the region, missile fragments damaged the building of an educational institution and 10 private houses. There were no casualties.

One drone was also shot down at night over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, reported Serhiy Lysak, the head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration.

Anti-aircraft missile units, fighter aircraft, mobile firing groups of the Air Force and air defenses from other components of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were involved in repelling the enemy attack, officials said.

Read also: Ukrainian army creating more mobile air defence units

Ukraines Interior Ministry reported on the consequences of the fall of debris in four districts of Kyiv: two people were hospitalized, there was damage to building facades, and several fires resulting from the fall of debris were extinguished.

Although during the attack Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko reported one fatality in the Podilskyi District of Kyiv, this information has not yet been confirmed.

The Kyiv City State Administration reported that about 10 Iranian drones were destroyed in the skies over Kyiv. Fragments of drones and interceptor missiles fell to the ground in the Darnytskyi, Solomianskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Obolonskyi, and Podilskyi districts of the city, damaging residential buildings.

The two people who were injured in Darnytskyi district were a 19-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man (shrapnel wounds), Kyiv authorities said. The injured civilians have been hospitalized.

One person was rescued from a building in Shevchenkivskyi District in the aftermath of the attack, Kyiv authorities reported.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukrainian air defence destroyed all 20 Shahed drones launched by the Russians on the night of 12-13 July, as well as 2 Kalibr cruise missiles.

Source: Colonel Yurii Ihnat, spokesman of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during the national 24/7 newscast; Air Force on Telegram

Quote: "We can say that there was a night attack that involved Shaheds and cruise missiles, and one Iskander M-type ballistic missile was also recorded. It was launched from occupied Crimea from the Dzhankoi area.

Two Kalibr cruise missiles were launched from the Black Sea, both of which were destroyed on different fronts by air defence systems.

Additionally, Shahed-131/136-type UAVs were detected incoming from two directions: Primorsko-Akhtarsk (from the south) and from the north (Kursk direction).

We can say that most of the UAVs headed towards Kyiv Oblast, where a significant number of the assault drones were destroyed.

So, in the end, we have a successful air defence operation: 20 Iranian-made Shaheds (all that were launched that night  ed.) were destroyed, and 2 Kalibr cruise missiles were also destroyed."

Details: The Telegram channel of the Air Force notes that information regarding the consequences of launching a missile from the Iskander-M tactical missile system is being clarified.

Anti-aircraft missile units, fighter aircraft, mobile fire groups from the Air Force and air defence of other components of the defence forces of Ukraine were involved in repelling the Russian attack.

On 12 July and previous days, Air Force aircraft inflicted more than 15 group air strikes on Russian invaders.

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Russia is sending 'disposable' soldiers to fight Ukraine high on amphetamines to ensure they 'still run at machine guns,' military expert says

Russia is sending 'disposable' soldiers to fight Ukraine high on amphetamines to ensure they 'still run at machine guns,' military expert says

A Ukrainian soldier checks a wrecked Russian tank outside of the village of Mala Rogan, east of Kharkiv, on April 1, 2022. SERGEY BOBOK/AFP via Getty Images

Russian soldiers are going into battle high on drugs, according to a recent report.

A military expert said the practice is common in warfare.

"This is what some institutions do to make sure their soldiers still run at machine guns," Mick Ryan said.

Russia has taken to chemically lowering its soldiers' inhibitions to guarantee these ill-trained civilians and convicts continue to fight no matter the odds in the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to a UK defense think tank.

The Royal United Service Institute published a May report examining how Russia's military tactics have evolved in the second year of conflict, citing Ukrainian military personnel who said the Russian soldiers they encounter often appear to be "under the influence of amphetamines or other narcotic substances"

The men most likely to be battling while high are Russia's "disposable infantry," which primarily consists of conscripts from the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics, prisoners drafted by the Wagner Group, and mobilized draftees, the report said.

According to the Royal United Service Institute report, these "disposable" troops are sent in small groups to "skirmish" with Ukraine's defense "until killed." Ukrainian troops have noted that many of the Russian soldiers continue to advance even after being hurt.

Material recovered from the battlefield suggests Russian soldiers are most likely taking the substances in liquid form, the report said.

The drugging of active-duty soldiers may be a bleak battlefield strategy, but it's not an uncommon one, according to Mick Ryan, a retired Major General in the Australian Army and a military strategist, who said he witnessed the tactic when he was on the border of East Timor with an infantry battalion in 2000.

"This is nothing new, sending troops forward under the influence of drugs, it's actually pretty common in military history," Ryan told Insider.

As Insider reported earlier this year, several countries have a history of supplying their soldiers with performance-enhancing drugs. British stores used to sell syringes of heroin as gifts for troops during World War I; the Nazis pumped their men full of meth to increase awareness and vigilance on the battlefield; and the US military distributed painkillers and "pep pills"  also known as speed  to soldiers headed toward long-range reconnaissance missions during the Vietnam War.

Russia has its own checkered history with drug and alcohol use during war. A UK intelligence update in April suggested Russian soldiers are dying in Ukraine as a result of alcoholism.

A captured Russian soldier told CNN earlier this year that his commanders in Ukraine were high on their supply of painkillers and ordered troops to do dangerous, nonsensical things, like run under mortar fire.

The tactic is likely a necessary measure to ensure Russian troops continue to fight even when their leaders have given them little worth fighting for, Ryan said.

The Ukrainians, he said, have "heaps of purpose." They know exactly who they're fighting and what they're fighting for  an enemy that wants to destroy their nation, Ryan said.

The Russians aren't so lucky.

"Sometimes you replace good purpose and good leadership and good team building with drugs," Ryan told Insider. "This is what some institutions do to try and make sure their soldiers still run at machine guns."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The rebellion organized by Russias Wagner mercenary group in June is seen by many analysts as a sign of weakness and fragility of Vladimir Putins regime.

First, several thousand armed mercenaries managed to march for hundreds of kilometers from Rostov to the vicinity of Moscow, and no one was able to stop them on the way. To many, this demonstrates the Kremlins inability to control the situation.

Second, Putins decision to strike a deal with Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and let him get away with his rebellion unpunished is also seen as a sign of weakness. This shows that anyone, provided that they have enough armed men at their disposal, can rebel against Putin and face no consequences.

Russian political analyst Georgy Satarov told the Kyiv Independent that by allowing Wagner mercenaries to operate independently in Ukraine and elsewhere, Putin had destroyed the states monopoly on violence with his own hands.

There is no state in (Russia), he said. There is the power of a criminal boss in a gang but no state.

However, other analysts warn that talk about the imminent collapse of Putins regime may be wishful thinking. It has been predicted many times  especially after Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022  but has failed to materialize so far.

Regardless of the weakness supposedly demonstrated by Putin, his regime may still be quite stable and last for many years, they argue.

Russia comes to the brink of civil war: How we got here and what it means Visually, the scene was a familiar one. Russian armored vehicles emblazoned with the Z logo in the central streets of a once peaceful city, masked soldiers standing at key intersections, and confrontational conversations with bemused local civilians. But this wasnt a Ukrainian city in the first da The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

A surreal rebellion

Wagner launched the rebellion on June 23 following a long-running conflict with the Defense Ministry, which had ordered the mercenaries to be integrated into the regular army by July 1. Prigozhin started the rebellion after claiming that the mercenaries had been attacked by the Russian army.

Several thousand Wagner mercenaries took over Rostov-on-Don, a major city in southern Russia, and marched all the way to the vicinity of Moscow, stopping just 200 kilometers south of the capital. The Wagner troops shot down several helicopters and one plane and killed more than 10 Russian servicepeople, including pilots, according to Russian media reports.

During most of the march, there was little resistance to the mercenaries, which prompted speculation that the police, the National Guard, and the army were reluctant to confront Wagner.

Eventually Prigozhin concluded a deal with Putin late on June 24 and halted the mutiny, with Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko as an intermediary. The Russian authorities agreed not to prosecute Prigozhin and the mercenaries and let them move to Belarus.

Even after sanctions, Russian economy can pay for war The Russian economy has faced unprecedented sanctions since the Kremlin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. The latest events  the Wests embargo on seaborn oil and price cap on Russian oil sales worldwide  are seen as a blow to the Russian economy, whose backbone is the energ The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Progozhins rants

Many see the Wagner rebellion as a result of Russias war against Ukraine.

By launching the invasion, Putin triggered economic turmoil, political instability, and discontent among some parts of the elite and the population.

Discontent with Russias military blunders and lack of progress on the battlefield is growing among the supporters of the war. A year and a half after the launch of the invasion, Russia has lost about half of the territories it occupied at the beginning of the full-scale war and is facing another Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Prigozhin himself has long criticized the military leadership for numerous failures. On June 23  shortly before the rebellion  he went so far as to partially recognize the true causes of Russias aggression.

Now the Defense Ministry is trying to deceive society and the president and claim that Ukraine was preparing some crazy aggression and that Ukraine and the whole NATO bloc were planning to attack us, he said. In reality the special military operation was started for absolutely different reasons.

He said that the invasion had been started as a publicity stunt for Russias military leadership in order to let Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu get a marshals rank and a medal and to allow oligarchs to profiteer.

Prigozhin also said that the Russian army is killing ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine and that the Russian authorities and Kremlin-linked oligarchs had been robbing the Donbas. He called the Russian leadership mentally ill assholes.

How Russia loses allies, influence amid its aggression against Ukraine By invading Ukraine, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin sought to strengthen Russias geopolitical standing and spread the countrys influence across the globe. In reality, it backfired. Due to Russias unprecedented aggression and its heavy defeats on the battlefield, the Kremlin became much weaker, The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Split among hawks

The rebellion also caused a split among supporters of Russias war against Ukraine. Some backed Wagner due to their discontent with Russias military leadership, while others lashed out at Prigozhin and called him a traitor who jeopardized Russias war effort.

Alexander Khodakovsky, who had been a Russian-backed proxy leader in the Donbas until 2022 and is currently serving as a top official of Russias National Guard, said that the rebellion had split Russian society in half.

"We prayed to God to ensure that the enemy wouldn't take advantage of the situation and send all of its forces into battle. We wouldn't have stood a chance then," he said on Telegram on June 24. Were having a hard time anyway, and yesterday everything was hanging by a thin thread.

Khodakovsky said that those who understood what was at stake and how close we were to defeat will never understand those who hailed Wagner and were glad that someone challenged the authorities.

There are also other links between the rebellion and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Sergei Sazonov, a Russian political philosopher, told the Kyiv Independent that the rebellion became possible because most of Russias combat ready troops are deployed in Ukraine, and there are few troops inside Russia who can put down a mutiny.

Could mobilization, battlefield defeats cost Putin his regime? Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has raised the stakes in his war against Ukraine, and he may be paying the price. By announcing the mobilization of conscripts on Sept. 21 and the illegal annexation of more Ukrainian territory on Sept. 30, he increased domestic instability in Russia. People who wer The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Weakness?

Putins deal with Wagner mercenaries was praised by some Russian supporters of the war as a legitimate compromise but others lambasted it as a concession to terrorists.

So, the blood of pilots killed by Wagner is not considered blood, right? the pro-war Fighter-Bomber Telegram channel wrote on June 24.

Some commentators believe that Putins failure to suppress the rebellion by force shows his weakness. They argue that Russias law enforcement agencies were reluctant to oppose the rebellion, and Putin did not want to confront Wagner troops because he doubted his own troops loyalty.

Putins power has been shaken, Russian journalist and political blogger Michael Nacke said on his blog on June 29. A dictator must demonstrate that a coup is punishable in order to stay a dictator.

Russian political analyst Yekaterina Shulman said on the Bild television channel on June 27 that autocracies like Putins regime are very brittle constructs from the historical standpoint.

Authoritarian regimes are vulnerable to coups detat because autocracies cant afford electoral rotation, she said.

The Wagner rebellion triggered speculation that more revolts or coups may happen in the future, especially if Russia suffers defeats in Ukraine.

Nacke argued that the closer Putin is to defeat (in Ukraine), the more likely a coup detat is.

Satarov said that part of the Russian elite had already taken issue with Putin because of the Western sanctions and economic turbulence caused by Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

But now they may switch to action, he said.

Putin lacks troops in Ukraine but fears mobilization in Russia Although Russia surpasses Ukraine in terms of weapon capabilities, the number of troops it has committed to Ukraine is insufficient for the full-scale war its waging. Russias hawks have urged Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to introduce martial law and to initiate full or partial mobilization to The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Overoptimistic forecasts?

Other analysts warn, however, that there is a tendency to underestimate the stability of Putins regime, and many forecasts of his imminent overthrow have proved to be false in the past.

It's wishful thinking, Sazonov said. The fact that Putin unilaterally got Russia involved in a war that it didn't want  and that it is obediently waging this war  proves that Putin's power is solid.

Sazonov believes that Putin agreed to the deal with Prigozhin because he is accomplice of Putin and has a lot of compromising materials on him.

Prigozhin had strong leverage in the negotiations, he said.

The mercenaries did not meet much opposition on the way to Moscow but there were enough troops in and around the capital, according to Sazonov.

If Putin had decided to suppress the rebellion by force, it would have likely been a success, Sazonov argued.

They have razed cities to the ground in Ukraine, and they would have easily destroyed Prigozhin as well, he said.

A coup against Putin: Wishful thinking or a real possibility? Ukrainian intelligence has claimed that a coup is being prepared against Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Although such intelligence claims may be dubious, analysts can assess the possibility of a coup detat by taking into account the economic and political situation in Russia. Some of them argue The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Beefing up National Guard

The Wagner rebellion and instability in Russia may also have an impact on the situation on the front line in Ukraine.

Some hoped that the turmoil in Russia would immediately lead to a Ukrainian breakthrough and disintegration of Russian troops but this has so far failed to happen.

However, Wagners march towards Moscow showed that, with most combat-ready troops deployed in Ukraine, Russias interior is dangerously exposed.

As a result, the Russian authorities are considering beefing up the National Guard to enable it to face similar threats in the future.

Viktor Zolotov, head of Russias National Guard, said on June 27 that the National Guard would receive tanks and other heavy military equipment.

This means that Russia will have to redeploy heavy equipment from the front in Ukraine or produce less for the war effort and more for the National Guard, according to Nacke.

Putin wants to create a personal bodyguard, he said. He wants the National Guard to defend him from the army.

What will the invasion of Ukraine bring for Russia? The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing economic crisis caused by Western sanctions have already transformed Russia. The countrys economy is expected to shrink by 20% in the second quarter and by around 3.5% for the full year following intensified sanctions, JPMorgan said on Feb. 28. Howe The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

Shoigus role

One of Prigozhins main demands was the resignation of Defense Minister Shoigu and General Staff hief Valery Gerasimov, whom he accuses of numerous failures in the war.

Despite rife speculation about their impending resignation, Putin has so far refused to sack Shoigu and Gerasimov.

Nacke believes that Putin will not fire Shoigu and Gerasimov because he sees them as very loyal, and Prigozhins rebellion actually strengthened their position.

A dictator always chooses people based on the principle of loyalty, not that of competence, Nacke said. Thats why Putin surrounds himself with people who are subordinated to him completely and pose no threat.

Nacke said that, after Prigozhins rebellion, this policy has become even more relevant for Putin.

Now Putin is sure that no new people should be recruited, and only the old guard should be in charge, he said. Because he has given (Prigozhin) considerable autonomy and this led to a mutiny.

This will ensure that the Russian armys structural problems will remain because Shoigu and Gerasimov have failed to address them, according to Nacke.

Wagner a shadow of what it once was: Russia security expert on the rage of mercenary boss Prigozhin After seeming to have calmed down over early spring, the internal conflict between Wagner mercenary group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Russian Defense Ministry has escalated dramatically. In the early morning of May 5, Prigozhin recorded a video in front of what he claimed to be the bodies of doz The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

Totalitarianism and mobilization

The turmoil in Russia comes as Putin faces an existential choice between ramping up the invasion of Ukraine to the level of total war and keeping the status quo.

Putin launched a mobilization of conscripts in September 2022 but it was officially stopped in October.

Since then, there have been isolated reports of conscription and a campaign to recruit volunteers for the army. However, Putin has been reluctant to re-launch the full-fledged mobilization of conscripts since then as public discontent grew.

In April, Prigozhin called for re-launching a mobilization of conscripts, introducing the death penalty for sabotaging the war effort, creating a planned economy and mobilizing the industry for the war effort. He has lashed out at the Russian military leadership for failing to do so.

Igor Girkin, a Russian warlord who launched the war in the Donbas in 2014, is an opponent of Prigozhin but he has also lambasted the Kremlin for failing to switch to total war.

Sazonov says that switching to total war would require turning the country into a totalitarian military camp. He believes that Putins regime is incapable of being transformed into a fully totalitarian one because it lacks a consistent and clear ideology in which a large part of the population would sincerely believe.

They dont have an ideology, he said. Theyre trying to come up with one but you cant just artificially create it.

Its also quite difficult for Putin to mobilize all resources for the war because the invasion of Ukraine is perceived by the population as Putins whim, not as a war for (Russias) survival, Sazonov said.

You cant do it just by issuing a decree from above, he said. Its necessary for the masses to sincerely want that. A decree can be issued but it will be sabotaged by the bureaucracy.
"Friction and confusion" reigns over the Russian command after the mutiny of Wanger Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Source: Reuters

Quote from Milley: "At the strategic level it is pretty clear that you [Russias command  ed.] have a significant amount of friction and confusion," General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said.

Details: At the same time, according to him, it remains unclear how this mutiny affected the situation on the front line.

He added that it is difficult to predict how this situation will end. However, he is sure that this is not the end.

Milley says that the Russian occupation forces in Ukraine are now focused on the situation on the ground and their own survival.

Background:

According to an agreement with self-proclaimed Belarusian President Lukashenko, after the mutiny in Russia, Wagner's leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was supposed to go to Belarus with a part of his mercenaries.

After that, the foreign ministers of two Baltic countries called on NATO to strengthen its eastern borders in response to the deployment of fighters of the Wagner Private Military Company in Belarus.

Polish President Andrzej Duda said that the relocation of the Wagner Group to Belarus is a very negative signal for his country.

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MOSCOW  A Russian general in charge of forces fighting in southern Ukraine has been relieved of his duties after speaking out about problems faced by his troops, a move that reflected new fissures in the military command following a brief rebellion by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, the commander of the 58th army in the Zaporizhzhia region, which is a focal point in Ukraines counteroffensive, said in an audio statement to his troops released Wednesday night that he was dismissed after a meeting with the military brass in what he described as a treacherous stab in the back to Russian forces in Ukraine.

Popov said the military leadership was angered by his frank talk about challenges faced by his forces, particularly the shortage of radars tracking enemy artillery, which resulted in massive Russian casualties.

The top officers apparently saw me as a source of threat and rapidly issued an order to get rid of me, which was signed by the defense minister in just one day, he said. The Ukrainian military has failed to break through our armys defenses, but the top commander hit us in the rear, treacherously and cowardly beheading the army at this most difficult moment.

In this photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Thursday, June 8, 2023, Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, the commander of the 58th Army, is seen in a photo at an undisclosed location. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Popov, who uses the call name Spartacus, addressed his troops as my gladiators in the audio message released by retired Gen. Andrei Gurulev, who commanded the 58th army in the past and currently serves as a lawmaker. The 58th army consists of several divisions and smaller units.

The 48-year-old Popov, who has risen from platoon commander to lead a large group of forces, has encouraged his soldiers to come directly to him with any problems  an easygoing approach that contrasted sharply with the stiff formal style of command common in the Russian military. Russian military bloggers say hes widely known for avoiding unnecessary losses  unlike many other commanders who were eager to sacrifice their soldiers to report successes.

I faced a difficult situation with the top leadership when I had to either keep silent and act like a coward, saying what they wanted to hear, or call things by their names, Popov said. I didnt have the right to lie for the sake of you and our fallen comrades.

Many military bloggers argued that Popovs dismissal eroded troop morale at a time of relentless Ukrainian attacks. One blogger, Vladislav Shurygin, said it has dealt a terrible blow to the entire army, while another, Roman Saponkov, described it as a monstrous terror attack against the armys morale.

Russian general believed to be detained in aftermath of Wagner mutiny

In a sign that many in Russian officialdom share Popovs criticism of the military leadership, Andrei Turchak, the first deputy speaker of the upper house of parliament and head of the main Kremlin party United Russia, strongly backed the general, saying that the Motherland can be proud of such commanders.

Andrei Kartapolov, a retired general who heads the defense affairs committee in the lower house, also said the Defense Ministry should deal with the issues raised by Popov.

News of Popovs dismissal added to the blow that Russian troops received when another senior officer, Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov, was killed Tuesday by a Ukrainian missile strike.

Popovs remarks about the need to rotate his exhausted troops that have been fighting the Ukrainian counteroffensive since early June, reportedly angered General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov, who shrugged them off as panicky and promptly ordered his dismissal.

Gerasimov was shown meeting with military officers Monday in a video released by the Defense Ministry, the first time he was seen since last months abortive rebellion by Prigozhin, who had demanded his ouster. The uproar fueled by Popovs dismissal could further erode the position of Gerasimov, who has faced broad criticism for his conduct of the fighting in Ukraine.

Pro-Kremlin political analyst Sergei Markov noted that Popovs statement echoed criticism of the top brass by Prigozhin. However, he added that the generals statement wasnt a rebellion, but instead a call for intervention by President Vladimir Putin.

Such public disputes at the top of the Russian army isnt a show of force, he said.

During the June 24 revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, mercenaries from Prigozhins Wagner Group quickly swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot before driving to within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of Moscow.

Prigozhin called his mercenaries back to their camps after striking a deal to end the rebellion in exchange for an amnesty for him and his mercenaries and permission to move to Belarus.

The rebellion represented the biggest threat to Putin in his more than two decades in power and badly dented his authority, even though Prigozhin said the uprising wasnt aimed against the president but intended to force the ouster of Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The Wagner chief was harshly critical of their conduct of how they have conducted the action in Ukraine.

On Monday, the Kremlin confirmed Prigozhin and 34 of his top officers met with Putin on June 29, a startling announcement that raised new questions about the terms of the deal with Wagner. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wagners commanders pledged loyalty to Putin and said they were ready to continue to fight for the Motherland.

Putin has said Wagner troops had to choose whether to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry, move to Belarus or retire from service. While details of the deal remain murky, uncertainty also has surrounded the fate of Gen. Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of the Russian group of forces fighting in Ukraine who reportedly had been detained for questioning about his ties to Prigozhin.

Speaking in Helsinki on Thursday after a NATO summit, U.S. President Joe Biden said he is not certain about what fate awaits Prigozhin.

Im not even sure where he is, Biden said. If I were he, Id be careful what I ate, Id be keeping an eye on my menu. But all kidding aside ... I dont know. I dont think any of us know for certain what the future of Prigozhin is in Russia.

The Defense Ministry said Wednesday that mercenaries of the Wagner Group were completing the handover of their weapons to the Russian military, part of the Kremlins efforts to defuse the threat it posed.
Russian general appears to say he was fired for telling the truth about Ukraine war

A Russian army general has said he was fired for telling the truth about the war in Ukraine and the conditions of his troops on the front lines, according to audio released by a Russian lawmaker.

Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov commanded Russia's troops in the southern Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, leading the 58th Combined Armed Army.

In an audio message apparently intended for his soldiers but posted to Telegram on Wednesday by Andrey Gurulev, a politician and a former deputy commander of Russias Southern Military Command, Popov appears to say he was removed from his post for speaking the truth.

I called things by their proper name, focused on the most important thing  the tragedy of the modern war. This is the absence of counter-battery combat, reconnaissance and the massive injuries of our brothers from enemy artillery, Popov said, according to the audio clip.

Gurulev, a member of United Russia, the largest party in Russia, did not say how he obtained the recording. NBC News has not been able to independently confirm that the audio features Popov.

Amid setbacks, retreats and even an armed mutiny of mercenary fighters previously allied with Moscow, Russia has struggled to achieve major victories during the 16-month war in Ukraine.

According to the audio, Popov said commanders across the regiment reported that Ukrainian troops could not get through Russian front lines until an unspecified intervention from a senior military leader compromised their positions.

"We were hit from the rear by our senior commander, treacherously and villainously beheading the army in the most difficult and tense moment," he said, according to the audio.

It is not clear what incident that referred to.

According to the audio, Popov expressed his gratitude and support to his soldiers, whom he called gladiators because of his "Spartak," or Spartacus, call sign.

Major General Ivan Popov with the Russian military. (Russia Defense Ministry)

"In your name and in the name of all of our fallen brothers in arms, I had no right to lie. Therefore, Ive outlined all the troubling issues that exist today in the army in terms of combat work and support," he said, according to the audio.

Andrey Turchak, a Russian senator and deputy speaker of the Russian Federation Council, said Thursday the audio was an internal message intended for the 58th Army only.

The fact that MP Gurulev somehow got it and made a political show out of it should stay on his conscience. Same as his other statements and comments, Turchak said on Telegram.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner private military group, which led last months aborted mutiny, had long complained that the countrys top military brass, namely Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov, did not supply his troops with enough ammunition or provisions to take territory in eastern Ukraine.

Popovs apparent statement adds to speculation of widespread dissatisfaction with the leadership among Russias military forces.

The Defense Ministry has been asked for comment.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A Syrian girl looks out of a tent in a camp for the displaced Syrians in the town of Ketermaya, Lebanon, July 15, 2023. Lebanese officials and lawmakers denounced Thursday a new resolution adopted by the European Parliament appealing for crisis-ridden Lebanon not to deport Syrian refugees. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese officials and lawmakers denounced Thursday a new resolution adopted by the European Parliament appealing for crisis-ridden Lebanon not to deport Syrian refugees.

The criticism came two days after the European Union's law-making body passed a resolution on the situation in Lebanon, in which the bloc "expresses concern about the escalation of anti-refugee rhetoric by Lebanese political parties and ministers."

The European Union urges Lebanon "to refrain from deportation, discriminatory measures, and incitement of hatred against Syrian refugees," said the resolution.

Lebanon's Minister of the Displaced Issam Charafeddine and Economy and Trade Minister Amin Salam slammed the EU resolution as a clear interference in the country's internal affairs.

"This is a decision to put pressure on Lebanon not to send an official delegation to Syria to draw a roadmap and implement a mechanism for the safe return of the displaced to their homes," Charafeddine was quoted by the National News Agency as saying.

He called for an emergency cabinet session to denounce the "unfair" EU decision as Lebanon has already been affected by deep-seated socioeconomic and security challenges.

Salam said the European Parliament has neither the right nor the authority to issue a decision on the displacement and deportation affair, as it was Lebanon's internal matter, and European countries themselves have long been reluctant to receive the refugees.

Amal Abou Zeid, a parliament member of Change and Reform Parliamentary bloc, said in the statement that the European Parliament's unanimous vote on the resolution is biased, irresponsible and unacceptable.

According to the resolution, conditions are not met for the voluntary, dignified return of refugees in conflict-prone areas in Syria. It meanwhile called on the EU and the member states to continue to provide funding for UN relief agency and Syrian refugees.

Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with the government estimating around 1.5 million Syrian refugees.

Lebanese officials insist on returning Syrian refugees to their homeland as the country's internal security and economic situation can no longer tolerate their stay in Lebanon. 

A Syrian boy swings in a camp for the displaced Syrians in the town of Ketermaya, Lebanon, July 15, 2023. Lebanese officials and lawmakers denounced Thursday a new resolution adopted by the European Parliament appealing for crisis-ridden Lebanon not to deport Syrian refugees. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

Syrian boys play in a camp for the displaced Syrians in the town of Ketermaya, Lebanon, July 15, 2023. Lebanese officials and lawmakers denounced Thursday a new resolution adopted by the European Parliament appealing for crisis-ridden Lebanon not to deport Syrian refugees. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

A Syrian boy looks out of a tent in a camp for the displaced Syrians in the town of Ketermaya, Lebanon, July 15, 2023. Lebanese officials and lawmakers denounced Thursday a new resolution adopted by the European Parliament appealing for crisis-ridden Lebanon not to deport Syrian refugees. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

A Syrian boy jumps with a rope in a camp for the displaced Syrians in the town of Ketermaya, Lebanon, July 15, 2023. Lebanese officials and lawmakers denounced Thursday a new resolution adopted by the European Parliament appealing for crisis-ridden Lebanon not to deport Syrian refugees. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
Russian invaders shell nine districts in Sumy Oblast

Consequences of shelling of Sumy Oblast

Russian invading forces have shelled nine districts of Sumy Oblast over the past 24 hours, the regional military administration reported on Telegram on July 12.

In total, 28 enemy attacks were recorded during the day.

The Russians targeted the districts of Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Yunakivka, Khotin, Seredyna-Buda, Novoslobidske, Znob-Novhorodske, and Esman, employing artillery, automatic grenade launchers and mortars. A total of 165 explosions were recorded.

Read also: Ukrainian general calls on Sumy Oblast border residents to evacuate, citing 'dangerous developments'

According to preliminarily data, there were no casualties or damage to civil infrastructure.

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A Russian navy ship docks in Cuba as tough times bring the old friends together

As a series of welcoming cannon blasts rang out from a nearby colonial fort, the Russian navys training class ship Perekop sailed into Havana on Tuesday.

While in Cuba for a four-day visit, the Perekops sailors will carry out a wide range of activities, according to Cubas state-run Prensa Latina news service, and members of the Cuban public will be given the opportunity to tour the ship.

It is the first official visit by a Russian naval vessel to Cuba in years  and another sign of the reforging of the relationship between the two Cold War-era allies after the collapse of the Soviet Union nearly brought down the Cuban economy with it.

While Russias invasion of Ukraine has led to its widespread ostracization, the Cuban government increasingly has defended Moscow.

We are condemning, we are rejecting, the expansion of NATO towards Russias borders, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel told Russian-controlled network, RT, in a rare interview in May.

He also blasted US economic sanctions on Russia, while heralding Russian projects of cooperation and collaboration under development in Cuba.

The Russian navy's training class ship Perekop sailed into Havana on Tuesday. - Patrick Oppmann/CNN

The two countries have also announced a flurry of agreements and exchanged high level delegations. The deals include allowing Russia to lease land in Cuba for up to 30 years, develop beachside tourist facilities near Havana, open a supermarket with Russian products and supply the island with badly needed fuel.

According to Jorge R. Pinon, a senior research fellow at the University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute, from the beginning of the Ukraine war, Russia has sent Cuba more oil than at any time since the fall of the USSR. So far in 2023, Pinon estimated, Russian has delivered approximately $167 million worth of oil.

The oil has been a crucial lifeline for cash-strapped Cuba this year, as shortages led to days-long waits to fill up cars across the island.

Rekindling ties

For much of the Cold War, Cuba and the former Soviet Union cultivated deep ties.

The USSR stationed thousands of diplomats, spies and military advisers on the island and built a towering embassy in Havana meant to symbolize a scimitar in the heart of US imperialism.

A generation of Cubans braved unfamiliar cold weather to study in Soviet countries. A popular TV game show called 9550  for the number of kilometers separating Cuba from Russia  quizzed Cubans about Soviet life with the grand prize a paid trip to the USSR.

But following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba lost its main trading partner and entered a deep economic depression. Since then, Cubans either regard their once-upon-a-time closeness with Russians with deep nostalgia or with the disdain of a failed marriage.

The oil has been a crucial lifeline for cash strapped Cuba as shortages in 2023 led to days-long waits to fill up cars across the island. - Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Images

Now, the rekindled relationship has led some Cuba watchers to lament a missed opportunity for the US.

While former US President Barack Obama restored diplomatic relations with Cuba and eased economic sanctions, his successor, President Donald Trump reversed much of that opening. The current incumbent, President Joe Biden, has for the most part kept Trump-era sanctions in place while demanding that Cuba release prisoners jailed for taking place in widespread protests two years ago.

It seems that under Trump and followed by Biden, the US has all but ceded the field, said Ric Herrero, executive director of the Cuba Study Group, which promotes greater engagement between the US and Cuba.

There has been very modest easing of sanctions, mostly citing humanitarian concerns, and opening up travel, remittances and restaffing the embassy and consulate but we have seen a White House that otherwise has been unconcerned with Cuba, Herrero said.

But the USs top diplomat in Havana said the talk of a greater Russian presence in Cuba so far appears to be just lip-service.

Theres a great Spanish expression that between said and done theres a wide gap, Benjamin Ziff, Charge dAffaires at the US Embassy in Havana, told CNN. We havent seen, talking with our contacts here, any evidence of increased Russian anything and frankly I think the Cuban government would be making a huge mistake if that they sought to follow that model and not the model 90 miles away that has 300 years of history.

The Russians are not the only ones flexing military might in Cuba. On Tuesday, the Cuban government blasted the US for its nuclear submarines three-day visit to the US Naval base at Guantanamo Bay, calling it a provocative escalation.

More than sixty years after the US and the USSR faced-off over Soviet nuclear missiles secretly placed in Cuba, the East and West still appear to be jockeying over who will exert greater influence over the island.

Despite the high cost of the war in Ukraine and economic sanctions, Russian officials say they are committed to Cuba.

Cuba has been and remains Russias most important ally in the region, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said while meeting with his Cuban counterpart Alvaro Lopez Miera in late June in Moscow.

We are ready to render assistance to the island of freedom and to lend a shoulder to our Cuban friends, Shoigu said.

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One of the cells of the detention center in Kherson, where the occupiers illegally detained women

During the Russian occupation of Kherson, at least 30 women were held at a police detention center, with some of them subjected to torture, legal analyst of the ZMINA Human Rights Center, Onysia Syniuk, said at a press conference on July 13.

Read also: Ukrainian official took bribes of up to $10,000 to facilitate illegal border crossings  SBI

Human rights activists presented a report on the illegal detention of Ukrainian women at the detention center at 3 Teploenerhetykiv Street in Kherson City, based on the testimonies of victims and witnesses.

Most of the women were detained by the occupation authorities in July-August 2022 and held until the end of October, when Russian troops began to retreat from the west bank of Kherson Oblast.

"The women were held in the detention center from one hour to almost three months," said Syniuk.

According to official data, these women were between 32 and 58 years old. According to the detainees themselves, the youngest woman who had been in the detention center for a longer period was 21 years old. At the same time, among the detainees who were held in the temporary detention center for a short time, there were minors.

The women were suspected, among other things, of guerrilla activities and assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Among the detainees are Ukrainian law enforcement officers, people whom Russia suspected of having contact or family ties with representatives of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, the Armed Forces or the resistance movement in the temporarily occupied territories of Kherson Oblast.

In particular, the occupation administration detained a Right Sector volunteer who helped in a military hospital, an employee of the Kherson Oblast Municipal Emergency Rescue Service, an employee of the paramilitary security personnel department, a housewife, a cadet of the Kharkiv Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University, an employee of the Patrol Police Department, and a deputy director of a gymnasium.

Read also: Two people dead, two more injured after Russia strikes another hospital  in Hulyaipole, Zaporizhzhya Oblast

The Russians also detained women to use as hostages for the detention of family members, relatives and friends.

One of the women was detained for several days after she turned away and did not greet Russian soldiers who entered the bus at a checkpoint.

The Russians who carried out the detentions introduced themselves as representatives of the "Russian Interior Ministry police" or "military criminal police," mostly did not provide warrant cards or other documents and wore balaclavas. During the detention, they put psychological pressure on the women and used force. One of the detainees was brought to the detention center with a hemorrhage under her eye and bruises on her head.

Read also: Explosions heard in Kerch as occupation authorities declare missile interception

The conditions of detention were inadequate: five to nine detainees were held in cells designed for two or three people at a time, they could not wash properly for the first three weeks, and the food was often spoiled and insufficient for everyone.

Human rights activists claim that the Russian law enforcers systematically tortured women, including those professionally associated with law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, or those they suspected of having ties to the Ukrainian resistance movement.

"Most often, women were tortured with electric shocks, water, and beatings," the human rights organization's website reports.

We also know of a case of sexualized torture  the victim was electrocuted on the chest. There were also threats of violence.

Read also: Photographers refute complaints of torture made by Russian prisoners of war

The report describes a former police officer in Kherson Oblast, Olha Honchevska, who was detained with her civilian husband, also a former police officer, and illegally held in a remand prison for a month and a half.

"Olha and the other women in the isolation ward were fed once a day, and they mostly bathed using bottles," the human rights activists said.

Olha was subjected to psychological pressure: they threatened to shave her head, abduct her parents; she was kept near the rooms where the others were tortured. Later, during interrogation to find out about her overseers from the SBU, the woman was electrocuted. Then, holding her by force, three men put a cloth over her face and began to pour water on her, making her unable to breathe.

Read also: Russians destroy railway station in Kharkiv Oblast with artillery  photo

Nataliya Sosmiy, a cadet of the Kharkiv Ivan Kozhedub National Air Force University, was detained in her yard by 30 armed Russians in balaclavas and illegally held in an isolation cell for three weeks.

The Russians accused her of "leading a double life and collaborating with the SBU".

Read also: SBU apprehends suspected Russian FSB agent they say aided capture of Sievierodonetsk

When Sosmiy was brought to the detention center, she was surrounded in the hall by about 15 Russians who forced her to undress for "inspection"  they lifted her T-shirt, pulled her pants and touched her body. The occupiers also threatened to rape her and her minor daughter, and later beat her during interrogations.

"Representatives of the Russian Federation inflicted suffering on detained women to obtain information, confessions or intimidated them to suppress resistance in the occupied territories," said Syniuk.

In addition, Russians used threats of sexual violence and harassment to exert psychological pressure and assert their dominant position. Such threats of sexual violence are part of the culture of the Russian military and are not punished by commanders.

Nataliya Okhotnikova, Human Rights Advisor at ZMINA, said that there is reason to believe that Russian representatives are committing not only war crimes but also crimes against humanity.

Read also: SBU charges pro-Russian blogger for creating network of fire spotters across Ukraine

"We will pass (this report) on to the SBU and the Prosecutor General's Office, as well as plan to submit to the International Criminal Court the data from all women who have given their consent to do so, in order to facilitate the proper investigation of all the incidents described in the report," she said.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Children

The Russians in July have taken an estimated 280 children from the Antratsyt district in the Russian-occupied part of Ukraines Luhansk Oblast to the Cossack cadet corps in the Republic of Kalmykia, Russia, Ukraines National Resistance Center (NRC) reported on July 13.

By the end of the summer, the invaders plan to take out a total of about 500 Ukrainian children, the NRC said.

Thus, the Russians not only abduct children from the temporarily occupied territories, but also zombify them with aggressive propaganda, turning them into future Janissaries, the report says.

The Janissaries were members of an elite fighting force first formed by the Turkish Sultan in the 14th Century, and at first made up of Christian-born soldiers taken as youths from the Balkans.

Read also: Ukraine frees two children abducted by Russia, says Presidents Office

On March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Russias childrens ombudsperson, Maria Lvova-Belova, for their involvement in the unlawful removal of children from Ukraine to Russia since Feb. 24, 2022.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted on April 27 a resolution that recognized the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia as an act of genocide.

The Russians have taken more than 19,500 Ukrainian children from the territories they have occupied, according to the Ukrainian authorities.

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A 22-year-old soldier with the alias David has been fighting on the forefront for three years, and commands a tank crew. The man has no fear of death and seeks revenge.

A personal tragedy backs the soldier's desperate courage, as the Russians killed his sister and friend, reports Ukrainian Witness, the chronicles of Ukrainian resistance to Russian aggression.

David is in charge of a tank crew at the 28th Separate Mechanised Brigade named after the Knights of the First Winter Campaign. Nearly 30 Russian combat units were destroyed under his command.

His brothers-in-arms gave him the alias in honour of the famous footballer David Beckham, as he had been playing football for a long time before his military service and keeps doing it in the army.

The 22-year-old tank crew commander. Photo by Ukrainian witness

The 22-year-old tank crew commander. Photo by Ukrainian witness

"My guardian angel is kinda contused. I've long wanted to be a sniper..." he says jokingly.

He has tattoos with images of playing cards on his arms. This shows that he loves risk and is not afraid of any combat missions, David says. He is highly motivated since the Russian invaders have caused great pain to the soldier and his family.

"The Russians shot my sister along with my family in Kharkiv during the evacuation. I also lost many close friends in this war. And I promised myself: I will keep on doing my duties until the war is over. Even if it means death," the fighter said.

He admits reacting aggressively to the death of his close friend with the alias Chai (Tea). The man wanted to use his tank to drive straight into the Russian foxholes.

The tank, nicknamed Tuman (fog) by the military. Photo by Ukrainian witness

The tank, nicknamed Tuman (fog) by the military. Photo by Ukrainian witness

The young man recalled a case when, under his leadership, "the tank crew turned into infantry". This situation usually happens when a tank is hit.

This happened in August 2022 on the Kherson front. A Russian artillery shell wrecked a major part of their tank. The vehicle was still moving, but it could no longer fire.

The tanker said that he almost died several times. He got under the rubble of a local house. He was saved by infantrymen who were nearby.

"The guys accomplished their task: they led our infantry into the village," the serviceman added.

David accidentally met a relative he had never met before and made many friends at the front.

David at rest. Photo: Ukrainian witness

David at rest. Photo: Ukrainian witness

The man admits that he is not afraid of death. He believes that the greater the fear, the worse it is for a person.

David spoke about his own experience in combat.

"It's easier to fight in the Donetsk region than in Kherson due to the peculiarities of the landscape. A likely reason is that the Russians have specific equipment in the south that senses ground vibrations. Using this equipment, the enemy knew where and in what direction our vehicles would move," the tanker said.

He adds that on the Donetsk front, Ukrainian tanks face "trouble" from Lancets (Russian-made attack UAVs).

The tank commander says they do not pose a grave danger, but they can temporarily disable the vehicle.

Previously: National Guard officer Bur (Drill) spoke about how the infantrymen survive in the extremely challenging conditions of the war near the city of Kreminna.

Read also: "One mistake could cost us life": National Guardsmen told about battles for Volnovakha

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By Guy Faulconbridge and Vladimir Soldatkin

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that he had not heard of any new proposals on the Black Sea grain deal which expires next week but was working with Turkey on ways to ensure Russian grain exports regardless of any deal.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has proposed to President Vladimir Putin that he extend the deal in return for connecting a subsidiary of Russia's agricultural bank to the SWIFT international payment system, sources told Reuters.

Russia has threatened to ditch the grain deal, which expires next Monday, because its demands to ensure shipments of its own grain and fertilizer have not been met. The last two ships travelling under the Black Sea accord are currently loading cargoes at the Ukrainian port of Odesa ahead of the deadline.

Asked about remarks by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan who said that Putin had made some suggestions on the grain deal, Lavrov said: "I am not aware of any new proposals."

Lavrov said Putin and Erdogan had long been discussing plans to ensure that wheat supplies to developing countries continued independent of any other parties.

"Turkey was interested in helping to process our grain and participate in a scheme that would allow us to help developing countries regardless of anyone or anything," Lavrov said.

FOOD CRISIS

The United Nations and Turkey brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative last July to help tackle a global food crisis worsened by Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and blockade of its Black Sea ports.

To convince Russia to agree to the initiative, a three-year pact was also struck last July in which the United Nations agreed to help Moscow overcome any obstacles to its own food and fertilizer shipments.

Ukraine is a major producer of grains and oilseeds and the interruption to its exports at the start of the conflict pushed global food prices to record highs. The current deal helped to bring down prices and ease a global food crisis.

Putin has said the grain deal may be over due to what he cast as the West's duplicity over continued obstacles to Russia's own agricultural exports to world markets.

A key demand by Moscow is the reconnection of the Russian agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT international payment network. It was cut off by the European Union in June 2022 over Russia's actions in Ukraine.

The EU is considering connecting a Rosselkhozbank subsidiary to SWIFT to allow specifically for grain and fertilizer transactions, three sources familiar with discussions told Reuters on Wednesday.

Guterres has proposed to Putin that Russia allow the grain deal to continue for several months, giving the EU time to connect a Rosselkhozbank subsidiary to SWIFT, two of those sources familiar with discussions told Reuters.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said last week that Moscow would not be satisfied with such a proposal because it would take "many months" to open a subsidiary and another three months to connect it to SWIFT.

She also rejected a U.N. attempt to create an alternative payment channel between Rosselkhozbank and U.S. bank JP Morgan.

(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Gareth Jones)
Russia's massive exploding tank bombs make a big boom but don't do much damage, UK intel says

A composite image showing the before and after of a tank explosion, after Russian forces reportedly filled the vehicle with explosives and sent it towards Ukraine's lines. Romanov_92/Telegram; Insider

Russia is filling armored vehicles with explosives and directing them at Ukraine's troops, the UK MOD said.

But it hasn't had much of an impact, it said, with most detonated before they reached their targets.

The MOD said there was a good chance Chechen forces were pioneering the use of the tactic.

Russia is loading aged armored vehicles with explosives and driving them towards Ukrainian troops, but despite making a huge explosion they are doing little damage, according to UK intelligence.

The UK Ministry of Defence said in an intelligence update on Thursday that there had been several reports of Russian forces "using antiquated armoured vehicles packed with several tonnes of explosives as vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs)."

But most of them have "certainly detonated before they reached their target through a combination of anti-tank mines and direct fire," the MOD said.

It did say that the tactic causes "extremely large explosions, which are still likely to have a psychological effect on defending forces."

It also added that Russian crews likely bailed out of the vehicles after setting them on their course.

Russian war blogger Romanov_92 shared footage on Telegram last month of what he said was a captured Ukrainian tank that Russian forces had filled with explosives and sent back towards Ukrainian positions.

The account said the tank blew up after hitting a mine before it reached Ukraine's lines.

Mark Hertling, a retired US general, criticized Russia's strategy on Twitter last month: "Pack a tank with explosives, have a volunteer drive it, then jump off after pointing it toward the enemy. What a stupid way to conduct armored operations by the Russians."

But Russia's defense ministry said over the weekend that it had successfully destroyed a Ukrainian stronghold using the tactic.

A Russian tank was recently hit by a drone and made such a big fireball that it engulfed the whole vehicle, which experts said showed it was likely filled with explosives, Insider's Sam Fellman reported last month. No crew was seen trying to leave the tank.

According to the UK MOD, most uses of this tactic have been recorded near Marinka, a city in eastern Ukraine that has been obliterated in the fighting. It also said its use started days after Chechen units came to the area as reinforcements.

"There is a realistic possibility that Chechen forces are pioneering the tactic," the MOD said.

Chechen forces have mostly been operating outside of Russia's military command during the conflict, but recently signed contracts with Russia's defense ministry to be brought under the ministry's control.

The MOD said Chechen fighters have been associated with the use of improvised explosive devices since the Chechen Wars that began in the 1990s.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Russia's military leaders are at each other's throats at a crucial time in the Ukraine war

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mikhail Metzel

Russian military leaders are at each other's throats amid continued losses in the Ukraine war.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has been accused of treason by Russian general who claims he was fired for raising concerns.

Another top general who supported Yevgeny Prigozhin has reportedly been detained.

Ukrainian forces are on offense and attempting to shatter Russian lines. But at this critical juncture in the war and while Russia's army continues facing losses, Russian military leaders appear to have more pressing targets in mind: each other.

As Russian officials struggle with the fallout of a rebellion and the challenges of a Ukrainian counteroffensive, one military general is now accusing the defense ministry's top boss of treason after he was fired for raising concerns about conditions on the front lines. And another top general with connections to the Wagner mercenary group has reportedly been detained as infighting continues.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has been in the hot seat for months, but the most serious threat to his reign came from Wagner, a paramilitary force which staged a failed rebellion against Shoigu and other top military leaders last month. Yevgeny Prigozhin, a one-time Putin ally and the head of Wagner, singled Shoigu out as being primarily responsible for Russia's problems on the battlefield.

Prigozhin often criticized Shoigu, as well as top general Valery Gerasimov, for a lack of supplies and ammunition that he believed was hindering Russia's efforts to gain ground in Ukraine and getting Wagner fighters killed in the battle for Bakhmut.

But even after Prigozhin all but disappeared following the Wagner revolt, concerns about Russia's military leadership persist.

Ivan Popov, a senior Russian general, has accused Shoigu of acting "treacherously" in a voice message posted to Telegram Wednesday night. Popov claimed he was removed from his post after flagging issues that Russian forces were facing on the front lines in Ukraine.

Politico reported that the Russian lawmaker Andrey Gurulyov, a Russian parliamentary member, posted the voice note to Telegram. Popov said in the message that he was dismissed after raising questions about "the lack of counter-battery combat, the absence of artillery reconnaissance stations, and the mass deaths and injuries of our brothers from enemy artillery."

Popov, who served as the commander of Russia's 58th Combined Arms Army, was heavily involved in Russia's operations in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, where Ukraine's counteroffensive is currently underway. He said in the voice note that "I had no right to lie, therefore I outlined all the problematic issues that exist today in the army in terms of combat work and support."

The former commander added, without specifying who he was referring to, that a top military leader "signed the order and got rid of me." Popov went on to say that Ukrainian forces "could not break through our army from the front," but that "our senior commander hit us from the rear, treacherously and vilely decapitating the army at the most difficult and tense moment."

Shoigu isn't the only high-ranking military official whose fate could be in question.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Sergei Surovikin, the head of Russia's aerospace forces, has been detained by the FSB along with several other senior military officials. The news comes after a top Russian lawmaker told a reporter that Surovikin was "taking a rest."

"He is unavailable right now," Andrei Kartapolov said, according to a video posted to Telegram on Wednesday.

Surovikin, who worked with Prigozhin during Russia's military intervention in Syria and served as a liaison between Wagner and the Russian military during the war in Ukraine, was reportedly aware of the Wagner boss' plan to stage a mutiny against top Russian officials.

Surovikin was tapped to be the overall commander of Russia's forces in Ukraine last October, but he was abruptly replaced three months later by Gerasimov, chief of the general staff. According to The New York Times, Surovikin shared Prigozhin's discontent with both Shoigu and Gerasimov.

Gerasimov, for his part, was also not seen publicly until Monday, more than two weeks after Wagner's mutiny. The Times reported that Russian officials released footage showing Gerasimov getting an update from Surovikin's Russian Aerospace Forces. Surovikin, however, was not in the video. His deputy, Col. Gen. Viktor Afzalov, delivered the update.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Japanese TV personality Ryuchell, who has died at the age of 27 (Screenshot)

Japanese model and TV personality Ryuchell has died at the age of 27.

According to reports, the Aishiteru! star was found unconscious by their manager at the agencys office in Shibuya, Tokyo on Wednesday (12 July).

The cause of Ryuchells death is unknown. Authorities have said that they are investigating whether the celebrity died by suicide.

Ryuchell had been a role model in Japan for their genderless fashion and LGBT+ activism.

In 2016, Ryuchell  real name Ryuji Higa  married fellow Japanese social media personality Peco. The couple had a son in 2018.

In August 2022, Ryuchell announced that they no longer identified as a husband. In an Instagram post, they said that they would rather be considered as a life partner or parent to Pico and their son. The couple soon divorced.

The following month, they discussed details of their sexual orientation with the Japanese Womens magazine Very, stating: Being able to fall in love with a woman allowed me to imagine a life completely different from the one I thought I would have and taught me joys I never knew existed.

Somewhere along the way, I began to struggle with the concept of being the ideal man and the ideal husband and who I really was. When I got married, I decided to take the truth about my sexuality to the grave.

The Japanese TV personality Ryuchell, who has died at the age of 27 (Screenshot)

The Doyo wa Karafuru star went on to become a vocal supporter of the LGBT+ community. They made numerous appearances on Japanese talk shows advocating for LGBT+ rights in the country.

Many fans have paid tribute to Ryuchell on social media following news of their death.

This is genuinely heartbreaking. Rest in peace, Ryuchell, one person wrote.

Another fan added: This is so upsetting I feel like they were just starting to live their truth... rest in peace.

One person wrote: Rest well beautiful Ryuchell. Your vibrant, joyful fashion style was so impactful and influenced gender-neutral fashion forever. Your LGBT+ advocacy was brave and beautiful. Receiving mass hate on the internet is something no human is built for. Fly high angel.

Reporter and producer Hanako Montgomery wrote: So saddened by the terrible news of Ryuchells passing. An advocate for LGBT+ rights here in Japan, Ryuchell also helped popularize genderless kei fashion. 27 years old.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
A group of advocates made impassioned pleas Tuesday to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, urging them to earnestly comply with the countys 2020 declaration of racism as a public health crisis.

Toward the close of off-agenda public comments, board chair Supervisor Rich Desmond called on county staff to make a report to the board about efforts undertaken by county agencies to address racism.

In the 2020 resolution, the supervisors declared that racism, and the health inequities therefrom, constitutes a public health crisis affecting our entire community. Among other action items in the resolution, the board agreed to identify and implement solutions to eliminate institutional, structural and systemic racial inequity in all community services provided by the County.

Eleven protesters at this weeks meeting said the board had shirked that obligation in favor of a diversity, equity and inclusion-based strategy that largely ignored systemic racism and did little to materially change living conditions for the most vulnerable county residents.

If we believe this  that systemic racism is a problem  then we need to pursue approaches that explicitly name race as the root cause and aim to heal that problem specifically, said April Michelle Jean, a policy director at Public Health Advocates. People have used diversity, equity and inclusion to de-center race and racism.

Many of the advocates asked that the board seek local consultants who are experts in both racial equity and public health; engage residents  particularly residents of color  in the process of changing county policies and procedures; and evaluate county budgets with race and racism in mind.

Liz Blum, a co-founder of Decarcerate Sacramento, pointed out that a disproportionate number of inmates in Sacramento Countys jails are Black.

Sacramento cages Black people at four times the rate of white people, Blum told the board. Centering racial equity means asking why, getting to the root causes of this inequity and implementing intentional solutions.

The day after the meeting, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office reported that 1,258 people incarcerated in the jails were Black, while 967 were white. According to the U.S. Census estimates, only 11% of the countys residents are Black; 61% are white.

Public comment in the morning has typically been cut off at 30 minutes during Desmonds tenure as chair, but public comment continued for nearly an hour at the beginning of Tuesdays meeting. Most addressed the board about either the 2020 racism declaration or about ongoing contract negotiations with in-home supportive services workers.

Those workers have demanded during nine months of negotiations that their pay gradually increase from their current wage of $16.50 an hour to $20 an hour, over a three- or four-year contract.

Some speakers linked the two issues, because a disproportionate number of recipients of in-home services are low-income seniors and disabled people of color, and because the workers themselves are also disproportionately non-white. The service providers chief negotiator, Marcus McRae, confirmed that 70% of the unions members in Sacramento County are people of color.

Racism is a public health crisis, said a tearful Kula Koenig, senior local policy director at Public Health Advocates. You can see it because the people that are asking for more money are the Black and brown folks who take care of our people.
JAKARTA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said on Thursday that the United States should take concrete actions to bring China-U.S. relations back to the right track.

When meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of a series of ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings, Wang, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said both sides have reached a consensus through in-depth and candid communications during Blinken's visit to China last month, and agreed to return to the agenda set by the two heads of state in Bali, Indonesia.

He called on the U.S. side to adopt a rational and pragmatic attitude and work with China in the same direction. 
AG-AFTRA member Christine Robert pickets in solidarity with striking WGA (Writers Guild of America) workers outside Netflix offices on July 12, 2023.

In a live-streamed press conference today, SAG-AFTRA confirmed what we all suspected would happen: the actors are walking out. After negotiations between the actors guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers failed to produce an acceptable successor contract, SAG-AFTRA allowed its contract to expire Wednesday at midnight.





SAG-AFTRA Press Conference

And now, the actors are joining the writers on the picket lines as they withhold work until they get a fair and equitable contract. With a strong mandate from the first strike authorization vote and an unanimous vote from the negotiating committee, it seemed almost certain that the National Board of the Guild would authorize the labor action.

Read more

Union members should withhold their labor until a contract has been achieved, said National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland in a livestreamed media conference. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said that it was with great sadness that we came to this crossroads... we are the victims here. I am shocked by the way that people we have been in business with are treating us.

Drescher was emotional as she delivered the news to both the general public and members of the SAG-AFTRA. It was insulting, she said, describing how they were treated in the negotiation room. We came together ... with the largest strike authorization vote in our unions history.

The jig is up AMPTP! We stand tall. You have to wake up and smell the coffee. We are labor, and we stand tall, and we demand respect, and to be honored for our contribution. You share the wealth, she said, emotional at the end of her speech, because you cannot exist without us.

The floor opened for questions, including the AMPTP response to the SAG-AFTRA strike announcement. AMPTP stated it had a historic AI proposal. However, Crabtree-Ireland described the AI proposal, stating that AMPTP offered background actors to work one day on set, then, they would have their likenesses scanned and those likenesses could be used by the studios in perpetuity. Actors would get paid for one working day.

The [AMPTP] knows what it takes to get a deal, Crabtree-Ireland said, before saying that the AMPTP at the negotiating table called striking and collective action uncivilized. He also mentioned that the AMPTP refused to negotiate meaningfully on streaming revenue.

The last time that the Screen Actors Guild (prior to its merger with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) went on strike alongside the Writers Guild of America was back in 1960, when Ronald Reagan was SAG president. This united front alongside not just the striking WGA, but also the Teamsters, IATSE, and Hollywood Craft Unions, show that solidarity is going to be key to winning a fair contract for all workers.

I have zero doubt that these companies could have agreed to every single item in our proposal package without a problem whatsoever in their bottom line. They could do that. They choose not to do that, said Crabtree-Ireland when discussing whats at stake when there is so much contention across the board.

We told the CEOs and the AMPTP across the table as it relates to our streaming revenue proposal we would be flexible. The issue is that there has to be a change in structure. Crabtree-Ireland also described a streaming revenue proposal that would share subscription revenue with productions based on how much viewership that production brought in.

Drescher reiterated that we have to stand together on this as the issues that SAG-AFTRA is fighting for are issues with the industry at large. Crabtree-Ireland also said that they have solidarity with international unions because this is a just fight that everyone is a part of. This strike is 100% necessary and 100% deserved, Crabtree-Ireland stated.

Drescher also pushed back against the idea that the general public wouldnt be interested in the nuances of a SAG-AFTRA strike. She said, unequivocally, that the public has an allegiance to all of us... I dont think that your assumption that the [public] dont really care about anything but being entertained over the summer... when the [actors] that give so much to them... are saying we are being taking advantage of in a terrible way.





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How Salida traffic stop led to the arrests of 3 Modesto men on kidnapping, extortion charges

Three Modesto men have been arrested on suspicion of beating and extorting a Wisconsin man the trio allegedly had taken hostage.

Conducting a traffic stop in Salida on Monday, Deputy Austin Larson observed that one of the passengers seemed nervous and scared, according to a Stanislaus County Sheriffs Office news release. When pulled aside by the deputy for a private conversation, the 25-year-old Wisconsin man said he was being held against his will by the others in the car.

Luis Arteaga Ceballos, 21; Luis Vega Garcia, 21; and Jesus Vega Garcia, 25, now face multiple charges related to the alleged kidnapping.

On July 9, the victim flew to California for business. According to Sgt. Veronica Esquivez, it is unclear what exactly the man was doing, but it is known he has a shoe business.

In Modesto, the man met Ceballos and entered his vehicle, the news release says. After driving around, Ceballos drove to a dead-end street, where a second vehicle arrived. The victim exited Ceballos vehicle and attempted to flee, but two men caught and beat him before demanding money and jewelry, which the victim did not possess.

The men took the victim to an unknown location, where he was bound and beaten once more. The victims family sent several thousand dollars electronically after being contacted for ransom.

After the traffic stop by the deputy, the victim was treated at Doctors Medical Center. He is expected to recover fully from his injuries, which include a fractured nose and bruising. The victim has returned to Wisconsin.

The three men are facing charges of extortion, kidnapping, assault with great bodily injury and false imprisonment. Ceballos also is facing four more charges relating to illegally carrying a loaded firearm.

According to the Sheriffs Office, the bond set for Jesus and Luis Vega is $560,000 each, while Ceballos bond amounts to $1,121,000.
Almost a year after being stabbed multiple times on stage before a lecture in Chautauqua, N.Y., Sir Salman Rushdie said he has crazy dreams about the incident.

In an interview with the BBC, the 76-year-old British-American author said he is working with a very good therapist but is still indecisive on whether he will attend another public event that is not invitation-only and controllable. His attacker, 24-year-old Hadi Matar  who is being charged with attempted murder  pleaded not guilty in August 2022.

Thats just silly because a couple of thousand people saw him do it, Rushdie said in response to a question about the plea during the BBC interview. Im led to believe that thats just a holding plea and that actually he might well change his plea. And if I was his lawyer, I would advise him to do so.

Salman Rushdie says hes lucky in first interview since stabbing

Rushdie has faced backlash and threats for his work for decades, especially from those who thought his depiction of Islam in his novel The Satanic Verses, released in 1988, was blasphemous. Some of that backlash included the banning of the book in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Sudan.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rocket strike

Ukraines SBU security service has pressed charges against blogger Serhiy Lebedev, known by his pseudonym Lokhmatyi, who the agency says created a Telegram channel with over 30,000 subscribers to search for and employ adjusters of Russian missile strikes on cities in Ukraine.

One of Lebedev's informants gave him the coordinates of a residential high-rise building in Mykolaiv, which the Russian army hit with S-300 missiles in the fall of 2022, the SBU press service reported on Telegram on July 13.

Read also: FBI, Ukraines SBU told social media that bona fide accounts were suspicious, US report says

The attack killed seven civilians, including a child.

The blogger also involved a resident of Zakarpattya Oblast in covert cooperation, who leaked the locations of military units in the region to Lebedev.

The blogger reportedly works for the FSB, and he is also listed as a "freelance journalist" for the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

Read also: SBU detains suspect it says gave positons of Ukrainian artillery near Bakhmut to FSB

Lebedev repeatedly produced multiple paid stories from Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine for Russian state television. His materials disparaged Ukrainian military and political leaders while expressing support for Russian aggression.

He has been charged with high treason and violation of the laws and customs of war. If found guilty he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The SBU noted that the suspect is currently hiding in occupied Donetsk, so comprehensive measures are being taken to bring him to justice.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A pair of alleged criminals schemed to steal more than $70,000 in cash from unsuspecting Iowans last month.

Johnn Tatis-Mendez, 26, of Paterson, New Jersey, was arrested for first-degree theft against an older individual, a Class B felony Tuesday, July 11 in Iowa City. Tatis-Mendez helped organize an operation to allegedly steal $26,000 in cash from a local couple. He has also been connected to a similar scam in Des Moines in which $45,000 in cash was taken.

Police allege Tatis-Mendez and an unnamed co-conspirator executed the first of their three scams against a 79 and 80-year-old in Iowa City on June 6. They phoned the couple pretending to be their son. The caller claimed they had been arrested and needed bond money.

A second caller, posing as their sons defense attorney, contacted the family and instructed them to put $26,000 cash in a shoe box and give it to a driver who would appear outside their home, the police complaint alleges. The parents withdrew the money and gave it to who police said was an unwitting Uber driver that arrived at their home.

Uber offers its Uber Connect service, where packages can be given to drivers and delivered to a destination of their choice, complete with tracking services. The company said its service made same-day delivery easier than ever when it launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, but drivers have had concerns that the service might turn them into mules for drugs, money or any other illegal activity.

It was unclear if the alleged scammers used Uber Connect in this case.

The driver then delivered the cash to Tatis-Mendez and a co-defendant at a gas station in Grinnell, where they had been waiting for about 45 minutes.

Police matched Tatis-Mendezs New Jersey drivers license photo to surveillance footage from the gas station and determined he was the one who took the money from the Uber driver.

The co-defendants New York drivers license picture was also matched with surveillance footage at a nearby hotel as well as the gas station.

The pair arrived in Grinnell in a white Lexus with New Jersey plates. License plate reader cameras tracked the same car in the Des Moines area on June 9 and 10.

Des Moines police documented reports on June 8 and 9 similar to the Iowa City crime, with one person claiming to have lost $36,000 in cash and another turning over $9,000 to the alleged scammers. One of the two residents was also over the age of 60.

Authorities executed a search warrant on the Lexus, revealing a receipt for a Des Moines hotel room from June 6-8.

Police spoke with the registered owner of the Lexus that Tatis-Mendez and the other alleged scammer had been driving around Iowa. The owner said they rented the vehicle to Tatis-Mendez on June 5 so he could attend a concert in Ohio. The vehicle owner later traced the car through a GPS tracker to a hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota on June 11, where the pair had allegedly abandoned it.

Bloomington police found the vehicle outside of the hotel and surveillance footage confirms the pair checked in to a hotel under the co-defendants name on June 11 before boarding two different flights to New York on consecutive days, June 12 and June 13.

The Press-Citizen could not identify any prior criminal history for Tatis-Mendez in Iowa, New Jersey or New York. He is being held in the Johnson County jail and his bail has been set at $25,000.

Police warn locals of similar scams

Theft committed against those over the age of 60 in Iowa elevates the crime by one degree as part of the states elder abuse laws. Class "B" felonies are punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

Iowa City police warned the community about scams last year and said they receive between 10 and 30 reports of scams per month.

"While advances in technology have greatly improved our lives, making things like banking and staying in touch with loved ones easier; they have also created opportunities for people with ill-intent to take advantage of that technology for criminal purposes," a 2022 release from the city said. "Often times, scammers target members of the community who might not be fully familiar with the technology they possess, depriving them of money or personal information."

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on Twitter @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: New Jersey man apprehended for cash scams in Iowa City, Des Moines
School board fires teacher who criticized ban of song by Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus

Wisconsin teacher Melissa Tempel has been fired after she publicly criticized her school district's decision to ban her first graders from performing the song "Rainbowland," by Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton.

Im devastated that the board decided to terminate my contract and remove me from my classroom, but I am a teacher at my core and no school board can take that away from me, the 44-year-old educator tells TODAY.com.

"Tonight I have an achey breaky heart but tomorrow Im gonna get up and keep fighting for what is right," she added in a tweet. "Thanks for all the love!"

TODAY.com reached out to the Waukesha School District Board of Education for comment, but did not hear back at the time of publication.

The Waukesha School District Board of Education voted on July 12 to terminate Tempel, NBC affiliate WTMJ of Milwaukee reported.

Today I was fired for tweeting that first graders couldnt sing Rainbowland by @MileyCyrus featuring @DollyParton. Tonight I have an achey breaky heart but tomorrow Im gonna get up and keep fighting for what is right. Thanks for all the love! pic.twitter.com/aacAxAvDni  Maestra Melissa (@melissatempel) July 13, 2023

Tempel spoke to TODAY.com in March, after she voiced her opposition to the Waukesha School District's decision to ban her elementary school students from performing the Miley Cyrus-Dolly Parton duet.

Its just a really good song about peace, love, appreciating diversity and getting along, and my students liked it so much, Tempel told TODAY.com at the time.

"When I told them, they were just so sad, she added. They kept asking: Why? Why? It was really hard  I had to say I didnt know.

A statement from the Waukesha School Districts public relations and communications office in March confirmed that the song was reviewed by a central office administrator.

They determined that the song could be deemed controversial in accordance with the policy, the statement said, adding that the decision was fully supported by the Superintendent but that at no time was the Board of Education involved.

After Tempel publicly disagreed with the decision, Superintendent James Sebert asked for an investigation into the educator, citing the "hundreds" of phone messages and emails he received as a result of her social media posts, as reported by NBC affiliate WTMJ of Milwaukee.

During the July 12 meeting, WTMJ reported, Sebert said the way Tempel publicly disagreed with the decision was in direct violation of multiple board policies.

After the vote, Tempel's attorney told WTMJ they were disappointed with the outcome but added that they "have everything we need in terms of a factual basis to file a First Amendment claim."

"Im a citizen teacher with First Amendment Rights," Tempel tells TODAY.

"Now every student that Ive been privileged to teach knows that when I taught them that in this country every person has a voice and the right to be heard, I meant it," she adds. "Last night I slept so well because I know I have done nothing wrong."

CORRECTION (July 13, 2023 at 6:52 p.m. ET): An earlier version of this story incorrectly spelled Melissa Tempel's last name as Temple in several places. The story has been updated with the correct spelling.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf will have to find money for pay rises in existing budgets - Wattie Cheung

Public services in Scotland are facing savage budget cuts after it emerged no new UK Treasury funding would be sent to Holyrood to help pay for the huge pay rises being handed out by the SNP.

Rishi Sunak on Thursday announced a new stance in pay talks in England, following months of strikes, reaching a deal with teachers and handing an ultimatum to doctors to accept a final offer of six per cent.

However, in a move that experts warned could cause turmoil within the devolved government, the Prime Minister insisted the increases would be met from within existing budgets, rather than borrowing or tax rises.

Treasury sources confirmed that this meant no new cash would be sent to the Scottish Government as a result of the English pay settlements, as it would have been if departmental spending had increased to fund the rises.

It will leave Humza Yousaf, the First Minister, with a major headache over how to fund the unprecedented pay awards he has already granted to trade unions, in a bid to avoid strikes north of the border.

The Scottish Government last week agreed to increase the pay of junior doctors by 12.4 per cent for 2023/24, a major last-ditch concession to avoid strike action this week in the already crisis-hit NHS.

SNP ministers have also agreed generous pay settlements for teachers, of seven per cent this financial year, which will also now have to be funded from within existing budgets.

Rishi Sunak has reached a pay deal with teachers and has delivered an ultimatum to doctors - Geoff Pugh

They had already faced a struggle to balance the books, in part because of a mounting bill to pay for Scottish-only welfare handouts.

Liz Smith, finance spokesman for the Scottish Tories, said: SNP ministers must be fully transparent with the public as to how their pay deals for Scottish workers will be funded.

The SNP faced a similar dilemma last year, when John Swinney warned a lack of extra cash for pay rises, through the Barnett formula used to determine devolved budgets, would mean deep cuts to public services.

The devolved government ended up spending around 900 million above what it budgeted for on pay deals at the expense of other priorities in the year to April.

Deals are yet to be reached this year with groups such as the police, who were awarded seven per cent in England and are demanding 8.5 per cent in Scotland.

Job cuts

Under Kate Forbes, the previous finance secretary, the Scottish Government had planned to cut the number of public sector workers to bring the pay bill under control. However, the policy appears to have been ditched, experts said.

If these [UK] pay deals are funded through existing budgets, i.e cuts to other things, there will be no Barnett consequentials, Ben Zaranko, a senior research economist with the Institute For Fiscal Studies, said. The Scottish Government will have to do something similar  cut something else to fund higher pay awards.

SNP ministers have already been forced into unpopular decisions to balance its budget this year, such as abruptly withdrawing 46m it had previously promised to universities and colleges, causing uproar in the sector.

Mr Yousaf suggested that the decision had to be made to fund pay rises for teachers, who received a two-year package which will see salaries rise by 14.6 per cent.

Teachers south of the border said they would accept a 6.5 per cent rise, although junior doctors rejected a six per cent offer, despite Mr Sunak warning it was final.

Mr Sunak said that he was not prepared to increase taxes or borrowing to pay for the more modest increases in England. He said the significant rises would instead be paid for by finding savings and efficiencies.

Increase fees

Extra cash will also be raised through increases to fees for UK visa applications and for migrants to use the NHS. However, these are not expected to lead to extra cash for the Scottish Government.

If the money is being found from existing UK budgets then there will not be additional money available through the Barnett formula and the money will need to be found from the Scottish budget, Emma Congreve, deputy director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, said.

The Scottish Government is doubly hamstrung when they have to find the money in year because they cant revisit any of their tax rates until the next financial year. As there are limited borrowing powers, the only option is to find the money from existing budgets.

She added: One other way of doing it is reducing the size of the public sector workforce. There is little sign, as yet, of there being appetite for significant job cuts, with a promise of no compulsory redundancies.

According to the Scottish Government, public sector workers north of the border are paid between four and six per cent more than those in the rest of the UK.

A spokesman added: The Scottish Government will continue to assess public pay deals against available budget, with a number already agreed.

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Two environmental groups are questioning the effect a new electric vehicle plant will have on the landscape in Richland County, saying the project could increase flooding in African American communities and cause more pollution.

In a letter about Scout Motors plan to fill wetlands, environmentalists say the federal government needs to require a detailed study of the companys plan to destroy streams and wetlands in the Blythewood area.

The study, called an environmental impact statement, could delay the project, but conservationists say it would allow time to examine the landscape impacts, including how they might affect Black communities. Those concerns were expressed in a June 29 letter from the Southern Environmental Law Center and Congaree Riverkeeper to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which must approve the request to fill wetlands

Scout is proposing to eliminate up to 74 acres of wetlands, seven miles of creeks and 38 acres of ponds for an electric vehicle plant that could create up to 4,000 jobs in the Columbia area. The companys $2 billion investment would produce as many as 200,000 electric vehicles each year. Scout plans to break ground this year and begin production by 2026.

The Scout plant, announced in March, would be located along Interstate 77 in the rapidly growing Blythewood area north of Columbia. The project would be done in phases, the first of which would result in construction of six buildings of about 3.1 million square feet. An interchange would be built, as well as a rail spur. The next phase would include development of 25 more buildings totaling 12.9 million square feet.

Many people hailed the announcement of the Scout plant this year, including some environmentalists who support non-polluting, electric vehicles. But the Southern Environmental Law Center and Congaree Riverkeeper said there is no denying the project will alter the area.

In addition to the development itself, the growth it will induce will likely bring significantly more development, traffic, noise, and air pollution, the letter said. The new developments and increased traffic will in turn fill additional wetlands and streams and further degrade water quality in the area and downstream.

Communities that could experience increased flooding downstream are the historically Black neighborhoods of Lincolnshire, Haskell Heights and Denny Terrace, the law centers comment letter to the federal government said. Thats a particular concern because the climate is changing and storms are becoming more intense, the law centers letter said.

Patricia Gold, secretary of the Lincolnshire Community Organization, said shes concerned about it. The Lincolnshire neighborhood, off Fairfield Road in north Columbia, had flood problems during a 2015 deluge that swamped the capital city, she said.

I do know about the plant and that they are destroying a lot of wetlands up in the Blythewood area, Gold said. Of course, thats going to impact those of us who are below that.

As it stands, the request to fill wetlands includes a plan to protect some 5,000 acres near Congaree National Park on the other side of Richland County. The wetlands offset plan also includes protecting an island in the Broad River.

Chad Johnston, an attorney representing the county and the state Department of Commerce, said detailed plans have been drawn up to prevent flooding from the Scout plant.

An onsite stormwater system is being designed to go beyond the typical requirements, he said. An analysis also is being done of downstream areas to make sure the plant doesnt flood those areas, he said. Detention basins will help control pollution, he said in an email Wednesday.

Johnston said its unlikely Scout could reduce the size of the proposed manufacturing plant. He also said the commerce department and Richland County do not believe an environmental impact statement is warranted.

State Sen. John Scott, a Richland County Democrat whose district includes the Scout plant site, said downstream neighborhoods, which also are in his district, are far enough away from the site. Scott, who is African American, said the plant will mean jobs for minorities.

Lincolnshire, Haskell Heights and Denny Terrace are six to nine miles downstream from the watershed that is being developed for the project.

Critics have been throwing rocks at this plant ever since they got started, Scott said. This is a $2 billion investment for South Carolina.

Bob Perry, a former state Department of Natural Resources official who now works for a company involved in the wetlands aspect of the project, said a watershed closer to the Scout site would be hard to use to offset the wetlands loss because the watershed is too urbanized and filled with utility easements.

Other concerns by the environmental groups focused on the plan to protect nearly 5,000 acres near Congaree National Park to offset the loss of wetlands.

While protecting land near Congaree would bolster protected areas near the states only national park, the environmental law centers letter said the property is also near a nuclear fuel factory. That factory  Westinghouse  has groundwater contamination that could seep onto the land being preserved, the letter said. So far, the contamination has not left the property.

Has (Scout) considered the movement of that groundwater onto the mitigation sites or considered whether it could impact the safety or quality of the land to be protected? the letter asked.

An environmental impact statement could examine groundwater movement and whether anything could be done to prevent the Westinghouse pollution from oozing onto the wetlands area to be saved near the national park, environmentalists say.

Last months comments highlight the complexity of a major economic development project that is supposed to produce less-polluting vehicles that arent dependent on oil, but one that has an effect on important natural resources.

Emily Wyche, an attorney for the law center, said her organization likes the idea of building an electric vehicle plant, but it needs more detailed study.

This will bring jobs, working on clean cars, and its all important and exciting, she said. But we cant have different standards for projects we support, in terms of environmental impacts. Were hopeful the decision makers, the applicants will continue to engage to reduce their impacts.
The Secret Service has been unable to identify who left a bag of cocaine in the West Wing of the White House earlier this month, the agency announced on Wednesday, noting that its investigation has concluded.

Our official statement on the completion of the investigation of the contraband item found at the White Househttps://t.co/DhCJaXSfxP  Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) July 13, 2023

The Secret Service notes that the bag and substance underwent a series of forensic tests, including advanced fingerprint and DNA analysis, to no avail: On July 12, the Secret Service received the FBIs laboratory results, which did not develop latent fingerprints, and insufficient DNA was present for investigative comparisons. Therefore, the Secret Service is not able to compare evidence against the known pool of individuals.

CNN reported earlier on Thursday that the Secret Service has landed on a theory that the baggie was left by one of the hundreds of employees and visitors who stop by the White House every day. The location where the drugs were found contains cubbies where tour groups and staffers can leave their phones and belongings before entering a secure area.

The conclusion of the Secret Services investigation is unlikely to mollify Republicans, who have been attempting to link the discovery to Hunter Bidens own history of drug use. Former President Donald Trump has insinuated that not only Hunter Biden, but President Joe Biden himself were the ones consuming the drug. Trump also suggested on Monday that the Secret Service was engaged in a cover-up on behalf of the Biden family.

The White House has Security Cameras (far more than Mar-a-Lago!) all over the place, especially the location in question, Trump wrote on Truth Social. THEY 100% KNOW WHO IT IS. If they dont release information, it means they destroyed the tapes & the Cocaine was for use by Hunter, & probably Crooked Joe, in order to give this total disaster of a President a little life and energy!

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has shut down questions about whether the cocaine could have belonged to the Bidens. The bag was discovered on Sunday, July 2, and Jean-Pierre has stated that the family had not been in the White House Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, so to ask that question is incredibly irresponsible.

Republicans have yet to offer an explanation for why Joe or Hunter would be storing their stuff in a publicly accessible cubby in the West Wing.

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The Secret Service is ending its investigation into the discovery of cocaine at the White House after failing to identify a suspect, lawmakers briefed on the matter disclosed and the Secret Service confirmed on Thursday.

Emerging from a closed-door briefing in the Capitol sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF), lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee said the probe will officially end Friday.

The Secret Service is ending their investigation tomorrow, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) told reporters.

Basically they told us that the investigation will be over tomorrow, they dont know who it is, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) said.

Greene said the Secret Service was able to narrow down a list of approximately 500 potential suspects but would not detail who was included because it was classified, only saying that the list included quite a mix of people.

The Secret Service briefed the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on the investigation after Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) sent a letter Friday to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle requesting a staff-level briefing on the matter.

The cocaine was found July 2 and days later the Secret Service confirmed that it was in fact the drug. It was found in a lobby area of the West Wing off the West Executive Ave entrance in an area where individuals deposit electronics and personal items prior to entering, the Secret Service told The Hill. Greene said it was left in a cubby in the lobby area.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) said the Secret Service told lawmakers that .007 grams of cocaine was found. Lawmakers briefed on the matter said the Secret Service does not have a timeline of when the cocaine was left in the White House.

It could have been that day, it couldve been a week before, it couldve been months before, Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), the top Democrat on the panel, told reporters.

The Secret Service confirmed on Thursday that its investigation into how the item entered the White House has concluded due to lack of physical evidence.

The agency said the packaging of the cocaine underwent fingerprint and DNA testing. The Secret Service review developed an index of several hundred individuals who may have accessed the area where the substance was found and developed a pool of known persons for comparison of forensic evidence gleaned from the FBIs analysis of the substances packaging.

The substance and packaging underwent further forensic testing. The substance was analyzed for its chemical composition. The packaging was subjected to advanced fingerprint and DNA analysis, according to the Secret Service, which added that both analyses were conducted by the FBIs crime laboratory.

The FBI lab results were given to the Secret Service on Wednesday and there were no fingerprints and no sufficient DNA for investigative comparisons so they couldnt compare evidence against the known pool of individuals. There was also no surveillance video footage that could provide a lead.

The Secret Service has been leading the investigation. The White House has stressed that is is taking the investigation seriously but deferred all questions to the Secret Service.

White House principal deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton told The Hill on Thursday that the White House has been briefed by Secret Service on the outcome of their investigation and are reviewing the information.

The discovery earlier this month has caused political headaches for President Biden and raised concerns about security at the White House complex. The discovery led to a precautionary closure of the White House complex.

While uncorroborated, conservative media associated the cocaine found to the presidents son Hunter Biden, who has had a history of drug use, despite there being no such links and the fact that neither Hunter nor the president were at the White House on the day of the discovery. The family was at Camp David at the time.

Former President Trump also lashed out at the media for its coverage and questioned: Does anybody really believe that the COCAINE found in the West Wing of the White House, very close to the Oval Office, is for the use of anyone other than Hunter & Joe Biden.

Emerging from Thursdays briefing in the Capitol, Republicans expressed frustration at the Secret Services inability to find a suspect in their investigation.

Burchett said he left the briefing early, calling the investigation a complete failure.

This thing is ridiculous a lot of people are upset about it because they dont, clearly the Secret Service is failing at their job, he added.

Greene criticized the Secret Service for not performing drug tests on the 500 potential suspects, and said she asked the agencys briefers why they would not consider doing so.

So my question for them were admonishing them along those lines of how can you dare leave that off? Its a simple drug test. And if theres a list of 500 people where one of them potentially brought an illegal drug into the White House, thats a list of 500 people that should go through a simple drug test, she told reporters.

And Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) argued that the situation amounted to unequal treatment in favor of the Biden administration.

It seems to me that Biden Inc. strikes again, McCarthy told reporters. How can in the White House, 24/7 security, they find cocaine but now they just close the investigation only with the Bidens in charge there is no equal justice.

Anything revolving around Biden Inc. gets treated different than any other American and thats got to stop, he later added.

Raskin, however, said he was satisfied with the thorough investigation.

Emily Brooks contributed. Updated at 1:45 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SYDNEY, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Police in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) on Thursday appealed for dashcam footage after a six-vehicle crash killed one and critically injured two in Sydney's northwest.

At about 1:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, emergency services were called to a multi-vehicle pile-up at the intersection of Blaxland Road and First Avenue, Eastwood, which involved a Mitsubishi SUV, a Holden Commodore, a Kia SUV, a Toyota sedan, an Audi hatchback, and a van.

A 61-year-old female passenger of the Holden died at the scene, while out of the same car, a 67-year-old female driver and a 63-year-old female passenger were sent to hospitals with critical injuries.

A 31-year-old man behind the wheel of the Mitsubishi was treated for a head injury and in stable condition, with other drivers uninjured. Both Mitsubishi and Holden cars have been seized to undergo forensic examination.

"Police established a crime scene which was examined by specialist officers from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit," said NSW Police Force, adding that an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

This is the second six-car accident reported in Sydney this week. On Tuesday, a collision at Strathfield in Sydney's inner west injured five people, and a 22-year-old man was arrested. 
The Secret Service is closing its investigation into cocaine found in the White House without naming a suspect, officials told lawmakers on Thursday.

The Secret Service briefed Oversight Committee members and staff about their investigation into the found cocaine, which was found in an area for storing electronics that can be accessed by both White House visitors and staff. President Biden was not at the White House at the time the cocaine was found.

They are bringing it to a close, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), a member of the Oversight Committee, told reporters after the briefing.

The Secret Service confirmed in a statement that it was closing the investigation, saying At this time, the Secret Service's investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), another member of the Oversight Committee, added that lawmakers were told investigators would not be able to find the individual responsible and therefore it is concluded.

We did have a discussion about operational security for the West Wing, Mace added about potential next steps.

The Secret Service, in a lengthy statement, outlined the hurdles to finding a suspect. Those included the FBI laboratory results not finding latent fingerprints and not finding sufficient DNA, meaning that the Secret Service is not able to compare evidence against the known pool of individuals. There also isnt surveillance video footage, according to the Secret Service.



Without physical evidence, the investigation will not be able to single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered, the Secret Service added.

A law enforcement official previously told POLITICO that it was unlikely a culprit would be found because the area where it was found is highly trafficked.

The Secret Service told lawmakers that it had to sort through a list of roughly 500 people that includes both staff and visitors. Secret Service officials told lawmakers that they had found roughly .007 grams of cocaine, according to Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who was in the briefing.

But their investigation on who deposited the cocaine at that location or when it was left there was inconclusive, according to Oversight Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who attended the briefing.

I dont know what else could be done about that. They did say they were going to try to talk to the White House about further security improvements that could be made, Raskin said.
The U.S. Secret Service imagines a disguise Hitler might use to try to evade capture (1944).

An empire isnt much of an empire without colonies; at least thats what much of Europe seemed to believe for the past few centuries. If Adolf Hitler wanted his thousand-year Reich to really last a thousand years, he was going to need some of those colonies, especially if the rest of the Axis powers were going to have colonies as well.

In 1940, he was a full year away from attempting to invade the Soviet Union for the lebensraum (or living space) he promised the German people. The Nazis were at war in Europe, but to make the war effort last, they needed resources, too. It seems they looked for those resources in a place that is well-known for harboring Nazis after World War II  and it all began with a German-born Argentinian who planned to make South America Germanys breadbasket.

By August 1940, the war in Europe was in full gear. Germany had already taken half of Poland, Norway, Denmark, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. Britain was under the constant threat of Nazi invasion. In the Western Hemisphere, many of the countries there remained neutral, even as the Battle of Britain raged in the skies over London. The United States ramped up its role as the Arsenal of Democracy, but many Americans remained opposed to direct intervention.

The U.S. would, of course, enter the war eventually. Brazil would contribute more than 25,000 troops to the liberation of Italy, the only South American country to send troops. Only Bolivia and Colombia would declare war against the Axis Powers before the end of 1944. The rest would remain neutral until February or March of 1945, but that didnt mean they were ignored for the duration of World War II.

Far away from the front lines of Europe, German-born Argentinian Arnulf Fuhrmann was launching a scheme in neighboring Uruguay. According to his plan, written in pencil, all he needed was six machine guns and two hours to turn the South American nation into a Nazi German colony, growing food for the Third Reich.

Fuhrmann settled in South America at the end of World War I and began working as a journalist. He set up a German-speaking enclave in Uruguay. As the Nazis rose to power, so did the German colonys support for Hitler. He left his work as a journalist to become a pro-Nazi agitator, distributing anti-Semitic literature. When World War II broke out in Europe, Uruguayan officials became less tolerant of his attitudes and began to crack down on Nazism in their borders.

Nazis in South America for an assembly.

He hatched a plan with five fellow Germans in Salto, Uruguay to raid specific targets in the country. Although a Uruguayan investigation did not release the particulars of his plan, he and his compatriots planned to take control of the countrys military forces within a few hours. With the military in hand, he would deploy it over two weeks to seize control of other vital areas of the country, effectively giving him power over Uruguay itself.

If it seems overly simplistic in hindsight, it didnt appear that way to the Uruguayans, who called Fuhrmanns plan realistic, real, and likely imminent. With control firmly in his Nazi hands, his first acts would have been the immediate elimination of Jews, political leaders, and Freemasons. He then would have declared the country a Nazi colony of peasants. From there, he planned to begin stoking tensions between Argentina and Chile to initiate a conflict over territorial disputes.

Luckily, Uruguayan investigators uncovered his plan and arrested him in August 1940. They found him and his five co-conspirators with six light machine guns, ready to implement the plan. Fuhrmann attempted to escape to Argentina but was arrested crossing the border. He was tried for a similar plot there. Germany tried extraditing him to Berlin, but Argentina refused, locking up the six men. Fuhrmann was sentenced to 13 years in prison but was released in 1946. He disappeared shortly after.
A surprise twist in Secret Invasion has concerned fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

In the latest episode of the Disney+ series, which focuses on the Kree-Skrull war first hinted at in 2019s Captain Marvel, its revealed that a long-running character has been an imposter for quite some time.

Rather than being the character weve known them to be since their introduction, they have actually become a member of a shape-shifting alien group who are planning to invade Earth by taking on the form of humans.

*Spoilers follow - you have been warned*

Its revealed in episode four that Colonel James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) is one such Skrull. This twist has led to many questions from the Marvel fandom, who are now wondering how long exactly hes not been human.

Speaking about the twist, studio president Kevin Feige explained the decision to make Cheadles character a Skrull.

We needed to have a character that one would not expect to be a Skrull, he said. Don was on board for this reveal of playing and revealing another side of Rhodey and revealing that, yeah, Rhodey has been a Skrull.

It was very early days when we pitched this concept to Don, and he very much was into it and into being able to play with different sides of Rhodey that we havent seen before.

However, many fans have shared their concert that emotional moments involving Rhodes might lose their power when watching certain MCU titles back.

Its because of this that some have theorised that the character became a Skrull between his appearance in 2021 series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Secret Invasion.

Rhodey (Don Cheadle) is revealed to be a Skrull in Secret Invasion episode four (Disney+)

However, Feige appeared to suggest this was not the case by stating: We like the idea of fans going back and watching some of the other appearances of Rhodey and realising that that wasnt him.

The characters most recent Marvel appearances include Avengers: Infinity War (2019) and Avengers: Endgame (2021). Fans are in agreement that, if its revealed he was a Skrull in these films, it will cheapen memorable moments.

Love how this ruins some of the best stuff in Endgame, one fan wrote, with another adding: To put it blantantly, I am not happy with this story decision whatsoever and think it actively ruins emotional beats of previous movies (depending on which are confirmed to be the Skrull version).

Find more reactions to the reveal below.

I dont know about this one. I can only think of one other appearance when they were a Skrull. If they were a Skrull in Endgame, I dont know if I like that. https://t.co/yhHyTm6oh8  Kyle Arking (he/him) (@ArkingKyle) July 12, 2023

Ok I dont like that. Imagine if they were a skrull during Civil War or Endgame dawg, it would cheapen a lotta stuff https://t.co/LLJwhli24y  Tyler (@cobraxty) July 13, 2023

oh lord the damage this show has done to the mcu is irreversible https://t.co/nlUFU6L4LI  emilie  secret invasion spoilers (@beautifxlmxnd) July 13, 2023

Rhodes will be at the forefront of forthcoming Marvel show Armor Wars, which will no doubt bring the actual version of Cheadles character back. Answers can be expected soon, but whether or not it will change the way fans view his past MCU appearances remains to be seen.

Secret Invasion is available to stream on Disney+ now. New episodes are released weekly on Wednesdays.
Reuters

A Secret Service probe into who left a small bag of cocaine in the White House earlier this month has concluded without a suspect being identifiedreigniting right-wing conspiracy theories about sham probes and Hunter Biden.

At this time, the Secret Services investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence, the Secret Service conceded in a press release on Thursday.

The determination puts a disappointing cap on a bizarre saga for the Biden administration, which had promised to conduct a thorough investigation. Conservative pundits had seized on the discovery, pointing a finger at Hunter Biden despite there being absolutely no evidence implicating the presidents son.

The probe appears to have come up empty, however. Sources told CNN investigators combed through visitor logs and watched hours of surveillance footage in the days that preceded the July 2 discovery. The baggie was found in a cubby hole in the West Wing where staff-led tours of the White House pass through.

A summary of the agencys findings, obtained by the Associated Press, said that no fingerprints or DNA were found on the baggie despite it being examined by an FBI crime lab.

Fox News Anchor Still Just Asking Questions About Hunter and White House Coke

The Secret Service was reportedly unsure of the exact day the cocaine was left in the White House, with sources telling CNN the cubby was in a blind spot for security cameras.

In their statement, the Secret Service conceded there was no surveillance video footage found that provided investigative leads or any other means for investigators to identify who may have deposited the found substance in this area.

Without physical evidence, the investigation will not be able to single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered.

Outrage ensued from Republican lawmakers, who remain hell-bent on continuing the probe despite the Secret Services admission there are no leads left to chase.

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) reportedly stormed out of a Secret Service briefing for lawmakers just moments after it began. Outside, he called the probes conclusion bogus and the investigation a complete failure.

Yall know you cant go in [the White House] without giving your Social Security number anyway, and to say that its just some weekend visitor, thats bogus, Burchett said. Nobodys buying that at all.

The unfounded finger-pointing at Hunter Biden was only stoked when White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre snapped at a New York Post reporter who asked if she could say once and for all the drugs didnt come from a Biden family member.

They [the Biden family] were not here on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, so to ask that question is incredibly irresponsible, Jean-Pierre replied.

On other occasions, Jean-Pierre deflected questions about the cocainepromising a proper probe but saying little more.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) insinuated on Thursday that the lack of answers may be part of a cover-up by the Biden administration, though she didnt mention the presidents son by name.

Every time theres something strange going on with President Biden or his family, or anything regarding his administration or the White House, no one can ever seem to find an answer, Mace said. This is one of the most secure locations in the world, some of the best law enforcement officers in the world, and they dont have any answers.

Fox News' Julie Banderas: "Were just asking questions... all the major broadcast networks last night led with the cocaine found at the White House. Not one broadcast mentioned the name Hunter Biden. Now, were not saying it is Hunter Bidens. Were calling it for what it is!" pic.twitter.com/cxZE2oRV8n  Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) July 6, 2023

The Hunter Biden conspiracy hasnt been limited to lawmakers.

Last week, Fox News anchor Julie Banderas stopped short of outright accusing Hunter Biden, instead claiming to be just asking questions about whether the coke belonged to him.

When told Hunter Biden wasnt among the hundreds and hundreds of people who would have been in the White House in the days preceding the discovery, she insisted, [The Bidens] were there before it was discovered and after. Hunter Biden was, in fact, at Camp David two weekends in a row with his father. These are legitimate concerns of the American public.

The Secret Service has narrowed down 500 people as the potential source of cocaine in the White House.



But they are ending the investigation tomorrow without administering drug tests to these individuals. A total failure.



The American people deserve to know who smuggled illegal pic.twitter.com/I9tP4LkLyH  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) July 13, 2023

In an impromptu press conference Thursday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) demanded the Secret Service order drug tests for hundreds of people who visited or work in the White House to see if any results returned positive for cocaine.

It makes no sense to me whatsoever why they would not follow through on one simple task, and thats to drug test a list of 500 people that they have that are potential suspects for this, Greene said. This was a failure of this investigation.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) said she was told that the cocaine was found in the 15th of 182 lockers used by White House visitors to store their devices. The cubby in question was unlocked and missing a key, she said.

Unlike Greene, Boebert said shes fine with the Secret Service choosing to not drug test White House visitors, adding that it would have been a very unusual thing to drug screen random citizens, the Post reported.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Oleksii Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, wants NATO members to provide Ukraine with information about its corrupt officials who hide their fortunes in the banks of these countries.

Source: Danilov during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "We are periodically accused of taking a position on corruption... I have feedback. I would very much like the members of the alliance to provide us with information about those corrupt officials who currently hide money in bank accounts located on the territory of the alliance members so that they give us information about their estates, yachts, and so on.

Because this kind of one-way traffic is happening. We are constantly told about corruption; for some reason, they don't want to tell us about Monte Carlo, Las Vegas, where these corrupt officials spend their fortunes. I would very much like us to establish maximum cooperation here.

I want to remind you that during all the years of independence, when we are told about corruption, only one corrupt official, namely Pavlo Lazarenko, was pointed out to us by the United States at one time, and he was imprisoned there for a while. And if there are many of them there, let's work together to find them and 'bring them out into the sun' so that everyone can see who they are."

Details: At the same time, Danilov expressed his firm conviction that Ukraine will join the North Atlantic alliance.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Security Service of Ukraine detains chief financial officer of occupiers in Kupiansk

Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine has exposed another official collaborating with Russians in the liberated areas of Kharkiv Oblast.

Source: press service of the Security Service of Ukraine, Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Details: As shown by the result of the investigation, a 45-year-old former official of the Kupiansk City Council decided to build a career under Russian occupation.

During the temporary occupation of the city, she headed the "finance department" of the local administration of the Russian Federation.

On this post, the collaborator introduced a "rouble zone" in the region and also organised the financing of expenses for the needs of Russian troops.

After the liberation of Kupiansk, the malefactor tried to hide from justice. However, the Security Service of Ukraine officers established her location and detained her.

The person involved was informed of suspicion of collaboration activities.

The court chose a preventive measure in the form of detention without the right to pay bail for the malefactor. She faces up to 10 years in prison.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






A heavy truck toting a robust machine arrived a few months ago in a quiet Lake Mary neighborhood of medical offices, small shops and the citys fire station No. 37.

At the back of the mobile drilling rig, workers lowered a steel snout to the ground and bored a pair of holes several hundred feet into the earth and into the Floridan Aquifer. It was a renewed effort to probe for the 1,4-dioxane that plagues the drinking water of tens of thousands of residents in Seminole County.

This is a very positive step, said Jake Varn, a former director of Floridas department of environment and a lawyer now assisting the city of Sanford.

The pair of deep holes, or monitoring wells, were ordered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The wells could finally determine whether the source of the 1,4-dioxane deep underground is, as Sanford has repeatedly asserted, the contaminated Siemens factory site in west Lake Mary, Varn said.

Its the first major step to confirming what Sanford has thought for years, Varn said.

Resolving who is at fault for 1,4-dioxane in drinking water has been a long time in coming.

The chemical was documented by state investigators as contaminating the ground beneath the Siemens factory in 2001. Sanford, Lake Mary and Seminole County found the chemical in their drinking water in 2013 and 2014.

The investigation into the fate of the Siemens factorys 1,4-dioxane and how the chemical got into drinking water has been plodding at times, marked with unfulfilled assurances, detoured by lapses in institutional memory, and, according to state records, now hints at contention.

The state has not determined the source of potential dioxane contamination in Sanfords groundwater wells, said a spokesperson for Siemens, the giant German corporation, in a statement.

The responses of the two cities and the county have amounted to on-the-job training, thanks to the nation being ill-equipped for obscure and unregulated chemicals such as 1,4-dioxane, according to groups pushing for protections.

1,4-dioxane is just one of many harmful chemicals linked to serious human health problems with a long history of contaminating tap water across the country, said Sydney Evans, science analyst with Environmental Working Group, a national not-for-profit focused on safe drinking water. Yet the EPA continues to move far too slowly in regulating drinking water contaminants.

This unconscionable negligence is especially concerning when it comes to 1,4-dioxane because the only effective home filtration option is reverse osmosis, which is not accessible for most people. We urgently need federal action to ensure utilities protect the public from this and other dangerous chemicals, Evans said.

Industrial chemical infiltrated Lake Mary, Sanford, Seminole water wells; few knew and there was no coordinated response

Since 1996, no contaminants have been added to the list of those regulated by the EPA for drinking water. The agency faces obstacles in regulating new chemicals, advocacy groups acknowledge, including legal battles with manufacturers and users.

Sometimes we throw all of our frustrations at the Environmental Protection Agency for being so slow, said Sonya Lunder, a Sierra Club senior toxics policy advisor. And then realize that everything goes to court these days.

Missed warning

There were early warnings about 1,4-dioxane.

In 2000, Florida environmental authorities began to grapple with what to do about 1,4-dioxane and other chemicals spreading underground into a drinking water aquifer from a factory near Sarasota that had produced bomb parts.

In 2001, Thomas Mohr, then an engineering geologist in California and today a leading 1,4-dioxane expert, published a lengthy paper stressing that the nations sites contaminated with toxic chemicals like those at the Siemens factory should be re-evaluated.

The presence of 1,4-dioxane should be expected, he wrote, warning additionally that the chemical may have migrated a considerable distance from the original pollution site.

In 2006, the EPA warned that 1,4-dioxane can travel swiftly and widely through aquifers.

In 2010, the Florida Department of Health reported that 1,4-dioxane and other chemicals were being cleaned up at the Lake Mary Siemens factory but that 1,4-dioxane remained at high levels.

Finally, in 2013, the EPA required water utilities across the nation to conduct one-time testing for the presence of substances that werent regulated but were thought to be hazardous.

They included a metal, molybdenum; a pest-control agent, methyl bromide; PFAS chemicals; a hormone, testosterone; a virus, norovirus; and a synthetic compound, 1,4-dioxane.

Central Florida water utilities reported back. Among them, Leesburg, Titusville, Kissimmee and Winter Park found no 1,4-dioxane.

Orlando Utilities Commission, the regions biggest water provider, did get a positive hit. OUC detected a very low level in April 2013 but tested six months later and found none.

In all, there were relatively few findings of significant concentrations of 1,4-dioxane in Florida drinking water, according to a database kept by the Environmental Working Group.

The city with the highest concentration of 1,4-dioxane was Lake Mary. Seminole County had the second highest, while Sanford ranked sixth, according to the groups data.

For drinking water safety, the EPA pairs with the Florida departments of environment and health, which then provide rigid guidance to local water utilities on what to do, how and when.

Outwardly and ordinarily, the partnership conveys confidence and trustworthiness.

But when 1,4-dioxane was documented in tap water of Lake Mary, Sanford and Seminole County in 2013 and 2014, the county and cities were left adrift, according to government documents and recent interviews.

In essence, since there are no rules for 1,4-dioxane in drinking water, it wasnt specifically in the job descriptions of the Florida and U.S. environmental agencies to immediately assist the two cities and county.

With little direction from above, Lake Mary, Sanford and Seminole County opted to go it alone in solving their shared plight, rather than to consider benefits of collaboration, and to quietly pursue markedly different solutions.

Lake Mary hit hardest

Lake Mary was especially sucker punched by what it didnt know about 1,4-dioxane.

I had never even heard of it before, said Bruce Paster, public works director for Lake Mary who retired this spring after a nearly 40-year career.

In 2001, the city drilled a drinking water well  well No. 5  just south of the Siemens factory property. Before it was put to use, the water in well No. 5 was found to be stewing with carcinogenic solvents.

Siemens factory owners eventually paid for an upgrade at the citys water treatment plant that would remove the solvents.

In late June, a Siemens spokesperson described that history: Siemens voluntarily entered into publicly-available agreements with both the city and state to fund and support remediation efforts.

By 2006, the treatment plant had been equipped and Lake Mary turned on well No. 5.

Water wells that extend down into the Floridan Aquifer are prized by water utilities  they are costly and challenging in a number of ways but are essential for a communitys water supply.

No. 5 proved to be a reliable workhorse, or so it appeared. It produced prodigious amounts of drinking water, from 1 million to nearly 2 million gallons daily, according to state records.

Nearly eight years later, in 2014, 1,4-dioxane was found in No. 5  a lot of it.

Well No. 5 would turn out to be the most contaminated with 1,4-dioxane by far among the citys wells. It was taken out of service and is now partly dismantled with an uncertain future, according to city officials.

After No. 5 was turned off, Lake Marys other wells and drinking water still contained several times the limit of 1,4-dioxane recommended by state and federal guidelines.

The city asked the Florida Department of Health if its drinking water was safe.

In 2016, the health department said it found even higher concentrations of 1,4-dioxane in city drinking water than was first discovered during EPA-mandated tests in 2014 and 2015.

Ingesting water with the highest level of 1,4-dioxane, as documented by the health department, would cause, at most, an extremely low increased risk of cancer, the Department of Health stated in July 2016.

Later in 2016, underscoring the uncertainty and ambiguity surrounding 1,4-dioxane, the department issued statewide guidance for the chemical with a more cautious tone.

The guidance noted that the health effect of chemical exposure can range widely from one person to the next and concluded that the public health goal is to stop the pathway of exposure for 1,4-dioxane as soon as possible.

Lake Mary officials relied on the 2016 health department statement to buy time, understanding it could not continue to provide drinking water tainted with a toxic but poorly researched chemical.

Although not required to do so, Lake Mary decided that it needed to identify and install a treatment system to address this new contaminant of concern now before it could become an issue for the public, city officials stated in an internal memo.

City officials said their new water treatment plant is unlike any other in Florida. It injects water with hydrogen peroxide, blasts it with ultraviolet light and finishes with carbon filtration, all to remove the vast majority of 1,4-dioxane.

The water treatment plant was costly, estimated at nearly $40 million. It was paid for voluntarily by owners of the telephone equipment factory as part of a 2017 agreement with the city and state. The owners of the Siemens factory declined to disclose a specific price.

The water plant went into service in 2021, or two decades after 1,4-dioxane was found at the Siemens factory site.

Its definitely the most modern way to clean water, Paster said, adding that 1,4-dioxane at any concentration should not be in drinking water. Our fear is what would happen if levels would grow and if it would migrate to more wells.

Seminole Countys response faltered

Seminole Countys initial response to 1,4-dioxane was to adjust flow rates of its wells to reduce concentrations of the chemical to below the recommended limit.

That was eight years ago. Since then, the county apparently had not taken or planned any steps to get rid of the chemical entirely from drinking water. It tacitly accepted its presence at those reduced levels.

This week, however, Seminole officials posted a brief explanation of 1,4-dioxane on the countys website and assured the public that its water was safe to drink. This came a day after the Orlando Sentinel published online the first part of this series, revealing the toxic chemical has contaminated drinking water wells in northwest Seminole for years.

It is the first time in eight years that Seminole has publicly disclosed that its drinking water has 1,4-dioxane.

The message on the website states that through August county staff will collect samples from all 25 potable water wells and the points of entry for all five potable water systems on a monthly basis.

The county also has started working with a consultant to assist with developing short and long-term plans to address internal protocols and processes related to sampling, monitoring and reporting, according to the website.

County officials concede the history of its response is murky because senior leadership, with the passing of time and with turnover, lost track of the matter.

Seminoles water utility consists of nearly a dozen separate service areas. The most affected by 1,4-dioxane is the largest, the Northwest Service Area.

With some of Seminoles most affluent developments, including the gated, 2,200-home Heathrow, the service area takes in an area from Interstate 4 to the east, the countys border to the west, Wekiva Springs Road to the south and the St. Johns River to the north.

A test in August 2013 of the service area water found I,4-dioxane at nearly twice the concentration of the recommended limit. As with Lake Mary and Sanford, there likely is no way of knowing when the chemical first infiltrated drinking water of the Northwest Service Area.

The county responded by modifying flows from three wells: the Heathrow wells 2, 5 and 6 located along the west side of I-4 less than a half-mile from the Siemens plant. By 2016, the concentrations of 1,4-dioxane were hovering around half the recommended limit.

This spring, the Orlando Sentinel reached Kim Ornberg, who was hired as the countys environmental director late last year. New to her role, she had not heard of the 1,4-dioxane contamination.

Since learning of it, Ornberg has not been able to unravel the intent or actions of previous county administrations, she said.

Lee Constantine, a Seminole county commissioner for the past 10 years and before that a state senator for a decade, has prioritized water issues in Seminole.

He, too, learned of 1,4-dioxane for the first time when interviewed by the Sentinel in June. He then held meetings with the county manager, Darren Gray, who was hired this spring and also had not been told of the matter, and Orneberg.

What they concluded was that the county has had no means or proposal for removing 1,4-dioxane from drinking water. That needed to be rethought, Constantine said.

I cannot tolerate that chemical in our homes, Constantine said. The conversation that I had with the county manager is that they cant either. And theyre going to put together a plan of action to minimize this exposure. This is the health, safety and welfare of citizens.

Sanfords push for answers

Compared to Lake Mary and especially to Seminole County, Sanford has been persistent and at times aggressive in seeking to rid itself of 1,4-dioxane. The city also had been tormented by the slow pace of results.

Urgently wanting help in 2016, the city of Sanford urged the state Department of Environmental Protection to engage and confirm whether the Siemens plant was the source of its water contamination. The department answered that it would.

The state agency will gather data, wrote Paula Cobb, a deputy secretary then, in a letter to Sanford officials to develop a comprehensive approach to determine the potential sources of 1,4-dioxane, identify responsible parties, and evaluate an appropriate resolution.

That didnt happen and Sanford decided it had to protect itself by taking on the tasks and expenses it thought the state should have been pursuing.

Sanford hired two expert firms to determine the source of 1,4-dioxane found in several of its water wells, and in one in particular, the Twin Lakes No. 2 well in a grassy field next to Sams Club, 1.6 miles northeast of the Siemens factory.

In March 2013, the EPA testing found slightly more 1,4-dioxane than the recommended limit in Twin Lakes No. 2. Pumping from that well was curtailed to reduce the citys drinking water concentrations of the chemical to less than the recommended limit.

The two firms determined 1,4-dioxane likely had plunged deeply into the Floridan Aquifer at the Siemens factory and, hitchhiking along with the natural movement of water in the aquifer, drifted north and slightly east under Interstate 4 and to the citys Twin Lakes No. 2 well.

In 2018, Ardaman & Associates concluded it is highly probable the Siemens factory is the source of contamination and that still higher concentrations of the chemical in the Floridan Aquifer would eventually reach Sanfords wells.

Two years later, another expert hired by Sanford, Liquid Solutions Group, reviewed Ardamans investigation, findings and conclusion and stated the Siemens site is a likely source of dioxane contamination affecting the city of Sanford wellfields.

This June, Sanfords city commission opted for a new but uncertain strategy: seeking a treatment plant like that in Lake Mary  only much larger  to be paid for by state and federal agencies.

Its projected cost at nearly $80 million is staggeringly high relative to conventional plants. It will basically take care of everything, said Art Woodruff, Sanfords mayor.

This month, however, results came back from the drilling of monitoring wells this past spring near Lake Marys fire station 37. Sanford officials say that what one of the wells encountered may go far in determining who is responsible for 1,4-dioxane in the Floridan Aquifer and in the citys drinking water.

Drilling those wells occurred after some dispute.

Steven Siros, a Siemens factory owners lawyer, told the state in February the monitoring wells were not technically justified.

Tim Bahr, director of the departments waste management division, responded to Siros in March that the state would contract for the wells to be drilled and reserved the right to seek the full costs from the Siemens factory owners  as much as $400,000.

One of those wells drilled in April detected a high concentration of 1,4-dioxane.

To city of Sanford officials, its a smoking gun, making it increasingly clear that 1,4-dioxane migrated in the Floridan Aquifer from the Siemens factory to Sanford drinking water wells.

Sanfords lawyer, Varn, said the state Department of Environmental Protection now has enough evidence to press Siemens factory owners to mount a comprehensive investigation of 1,4-dioxane in the Floridan Aquifer.

Well be very anxious to find out what the departments plans are, Varn said.

Toxic Secret: Our series about 1,4-dioxane in Seminole water

Tuesday, July 11: Part 1  A toxic chemical, 1,4-dioxane, has infiltrated waters of three utilities.

Today: Part 2  Local water utilities have struggled with how to address 1,4-dioxane, a likely carcinogen

Tuesday, July 18: Part 3  1,4-dioxane has a seemingly sinister ability to invade the Floridan Aquifer.

Thursday, July 22: Part 4  1,4-dioxane in Seminole water has been a virtual secret. How one family found out.

Know more about this issue?

Do you have pertinent information about the 1,4-dioxane contamination in Seminole County water you would like to share with us for our reporting? If so, please email us at toxicsecret@orlandosentinel.com.

About the journalists who reported this series

Kevin Spear is the Orlando Sentinels environmental reporter. He has been with the newspaper for 34 years and for most of that time has covered key issues relating to water, wildlife and land use. He can be reached at kspear@orlandosentinel.com

Caroline Catherman is the Orlando Sentinels health reporter. She joined the newspaper in 2021 after previously working in public health research. She can be reached at ccatherman@orlandosentinel.com

Martin E. Comas is the Orlando Sentinels Seminole County reporter. He started at the newspaper in 1988 and has covered key Seminole stories including the death of Trayvon Martin and its aftermath, and the controversies surrounding disgraced Tax Collector Joel Greenberg. He can be reached at mcomas@orlandosentinel.com

Joe Burbank is the Orlando Sentinels senior photographer. He joined the newspaper in 1988 after working for Agence France-Presse news. He has spent more than three decades covering Central Florida with his visual reporting. He can be reached at jburbank@orlandosentinel.com

Rich Pope is the Orlando Sentinels videographer. He joined the newspaper in 2003. He has received Emmy nominations, along with recognitions from the Online News Association and Florida Society of Newspaper Editors. He can be reached at rpope@orlandosentinel.com

Help support our investigative reporting

Contributions to the Orlando Sentinels Community News Fund helped us produce this series. Please consider supporting our reporting by donating to the fund at OrlandoSentinel.com/donate
The migrant boat, seen here in a photo released by Spain's Red Cross, left Senegal eight days ago (Handout)

A boat carrying 41 migrants that set off from Senegal landed in Spain's Canary Islands, the emergency services said Thursday as rescuers continued searching for three other missing boats from Senegal.

"A boat carrying 41 migrants reached... (a beach on) Tenerife by its own means," the emergency services said, indicating it landed on Thursday afternoon and three of the migrants were taken to hospital for light injuries.

According to the Red Cross, whose staff interviewed the migrants, the boat left the coast of Senegal eight days earlier.

Among their number was "at least one minor", a spokesman told AFP, without specifying the nationalities of the rescued migrants.

Senegal lies about 1,500 kilometres (about 1,000 miles) south of the Spanish islands.

The boat landed as Spain's coastguard continued searching for three migrant boats carrying some 300 migrants reported lost by Caminando Fronteras, a Spanish NGO that helps migrant vessels in distress.

Spain's Salvamento Maritimo coastguard said a plane deployed Thursday had found nothing, with a spokeswoman saying rescuers had contacted ships in the area for help and were also in touch with the Senegalese authorities.

Caminando Fronteras has said the biggest boat left the southern fishing town of Kafountine on June 27 carrying some 200 people, "among them many minors".

The other two, one carrying 50-60 people and the other 65 people, left Mbour some 75 kilometres (50 miles) south of the capital Dakar.

The Spanish islands have long been a draw for migrants seeking a better life in Europe, with many boats setting off from the coastline of Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Senegal.

But the Atlantic route is particularly dangerous due to the strong currents, with migrants travelling in overloaded wooden boats known as pirogues that are often unseaworthy, and without enough drinking water.

Atlantic crossings began surging in late 2019 after increased patrols along Europe's southern coast dramatically reduced Mediterranean crossings.

In the first six months of 2023, 7,213 migrants reached the Canary Islands by boat, interior ministry figures show.

vab/hmw/gw
Senior housing to be built on Belleville street thats been vacant for more than 20 years

A new federally-subsidized complex with affordable apartments for senior citizens is still planned off Illinois 15 in Belleville.

The City Council has extended a special-use permit for construction of the $19.1 million development, called Trolley Circle, at 1110 Comwest Parkway for an additional year, through April 18, 2024.

It was already approved last year, said Cliff Cross, director of economic development, planning and zoning. This is just an extension because they needed a little more time to get everything in place.

Cross recently told members of the councils Economic Development and Annexation Committee that Trolley Circle Limited Partnership, the Pennsylvania-based owner, had discovered it would need to spend an extra $300,000 to fix mine-subsidence problems.

Aldermen extended the special-use permit at the City Council meeting on June 20. They also voted to give Trolley Circle an estimated $300,000 in property-tax rebates over a five-year period after the complex is completed to reimburse it for the unexpected costs.

The estimate is based on the fact that similar developments have generated about $120,000 in annual property taxes for the city, according to Cross. Under that scenario, the 50% rebate could cut Trolley Circles bill by $60,000 for each of the five years for a total of $300,000.

(The assistance is) pretty worthwhile because were making that kind of money, too, Cross said, noting that the now-vacant land isnt yielding much in the way of property taxes.

Federal tax credits

Last year, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced that they were awarding $34 million in federal low-income-housing tax credits for 25 complexes that would serve low- to moderate-income families, seniors, veterans and people with special needs.

Trolley Circles $1.4 million in tax credits would be sold to private investors, according to Andrew Field, agency spokesman.

That would generate an expected $12.4 million in equity to go back into the development costs and then help keep rents affordable for a minimum of 30 years, he said. ... Its like permanent underwriting.

The original development cost of $17.4 million has risen to $19.1 million, said Barry Accountius, vice president for development with Ohio-based Woda Cooper Companies.

Woda is co-developing Trolley Circle with the Housing Services Alliance, a Pennsylvania nonprofit that joined with private investors to form Trolley Circle Limited Partnership.

The partnership hopes to begin construction this September and complete it by December 2024. Rent amounts will be finalized closer to the completion date, Accountius said.

An X marks an area near the intersection of Illinois 15 and South 74th Street in Belleville, where a Pennsylvania-based partnership is building senior housing under the name Trolley Circle. Google Maps

70 rental units

Trolley Circle will consist of two three-story accessible buildings containing 70 rental units (53 one-bedroom and 17 two-bedroom) for seniors age 55 and older who live independently, according to the IHDA project overview.

The development will feature community gathering spaces, a fitness center, a sustainable green design, smartly outfitted units with new appliances, individual HVAC systems and controlled building access, it stated.

Trolley Circle is centrally located to walkable amenities and within walking distance to several public bus stops connecting to many points of local interest.

Comwest Parkway is now surrounded by vacant land. Its northeast of the intersection of Illinois 15 and South 74th Street and south of Westfield Plaza shopping center, which is largely empty.

Comwest Parkway was built more than 20 years ago with a boost from an Illinois Capital Development Board grant of $535,000. It was meant to provide access to a business park proposed by two men and the Catholic Diocese of Belleville that never got built.

Walkable amenties for Trolley Circle tenants would include the McDonalds restaurant in Westview Plaza, but the reference also reflects the hope that the shopping center can be redeveloped, according to Accountius.

Weve been talking to the city on and off, and I know theyre excited to see something happen with what I call the old Kmart building, he said. We believe this area has a chance at regrowth, and I know that affordable housing can be a catalyst for that.

Were hoping for more walkable amenities. Thats always our hope, and often it does come true.

Perhaps more important, Accountius said, is that a Metro Bus (No. 14 Memorial Hospital-Westfield Plaza) goes by the Comwest Parkway intersection on South 74th Street.

The Westfield Plaza Kmart store closed in 2017, along with 28 of the companys other stores. Cross said the city is looking at various opportunities for the building but has no specific plans at this time.

Mixture of incomes

Trolley Circle tenants will represent a mixture of income levels, with roughly a third of apartments priced for and available to people with incomes at 80% of the regions median or lower, a third at 60% or lower and a third at 30% or lower, according to the IHDA project overview.

Its all affordable, Field said. Its not market rent.

Trolley Circle is similar to Lofts on the Square, an apartment building that opened in downtown Belleville last year, in that its designed to provide affordable housing for senior citizens. But all Lofts tenants must have incomes at 60% of the regions median or lower.

Trolley Circle also is different because its new construction, while Lofts on the Square resulted from redevelopment of a historic art-deco building that originated as Hotel Belleville in 1931 and later became known as the Meredith Home. The Lofts received low-income-housing tax credits but also historic tax credits.

Lofts on the Square was a project of the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority. The complex filled up quickly and still has a waiting list, according to Executive Director Mike Lundy.

Lundy noted that efforts are being made nationwide to help senior citizens stay out of nursing homes and live independently, particularly in places where they can interact with others.

Theres a lot of benefits, he said. And I just think people live longer if theyre not isolated by themselves.
(Bloomberg) -- South Korea ranks near the bottom of major democracies contributing aid to Ukraine and near the top for weapons sales since war hit the country. That has put President Yoon Suk Yeol in a tough spot during a high-stakes visit to Europe.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Yoon was given a seat at the table at the NATO summit in Vilnius as the bloc seeks help from partners such as South Korea, Japan and Australia to aid Kyiv in beating back Russias full-scale invasion.

His next stop is Poland, the biggest buyer of South Korean weapons, where Yoon and dozens of executives from the countrys arms industry will hold talks on Thursday. Some of the companies will discuss reconstruction of Ukraine as Poland has turned into the worlds gateway to Ukraine.

South Korean government policy prohibits lethal aid to countries at war and Ukraines envoy to Seoul says its time for a change, adding theres a lot in its arsenal that could help Kyiv.

We would be glad to receive anti-aircraft and counter-battery radars, anti-drone systems, armored ambulances, military trucks, and communication systems, said Dmytro Ponomarenko, Ukrainian ambassador to South Korea. The Ukrainian government believes South Korea could do much to make our victory closer.

Full scale invasion of Ukraine has raised the stakes for countries such as South Korea and Japan that have relied on Russia for energy sources. It led to their leaders first visit to the NATO summit last year, while stoking worries about a possible invasion of Taiwan by China, which would put their security alliances with the US to a crucial test.

South Korea has sent humanitarian aid and promised additional assistance totaling $230 million to Ukraine, which includes demining equipment and emergency medical evacuation vehicles. Thats less than the amounts provided by countries with smaller economies such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Sweden, according to data compiled through May 31 by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

Seoul has pledged to provide Ukraine with an increased level of humanitarian aid compared to last year, the presidential official told reporters ahead of Yoons trip to the NATO summit, without releasing specific amounts. The trip isnt likely to significantly alter the size of the package, the office said.

Russias war in Ukraine has opened a door for South Koreas economy. Its defense exports more than doubled last year as buyers replaced Soviet-era weaponry with more advanced arms. South Koreas defense exports totaled about $17 billion in 2022, up from $7.25 billion a year before.

This will come into greater focus as Yoon during the visit in Poland, which accounted for more than 70% of South Koreas weapons exports last year.

South Korea has found itself uniquely positioned in the global arms market with weapons that are relatively affordable and designed to defeat Soviet-based conventional systems used by its neighbor North Korea. Meanwhile, Washington seems to be giving the green light to Seoul to sell to states in places like eastern Europe as US defense contractors race to fill orders for weapons that will go to Kyiv and Taipei, which is staring down threats from China.

In December, Poland received the first shipment of 28 K2 tanks and 48 self-propelled K9 howitzers that were part of a $5.77 billion agreement reached in August with South Koreas Hyundai Rotem Co. and Hanwha Defense Systems Corp.

One of the most recent acquisitions from Poland has come from a $3.55 billion deal to supply it with Hanwhas multiple-launch rocket systems Chunmoos. Thats on top of a $3 billion deal for 48 FA-50 fighter jets that will replace Soviet-era MiG aircrafts that Poland donated to Ukraine.

South Korea is ranked as the worlds ninth largest weapons exporter, according to a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Yoon is aiming to take the country to number four by 2027.

Defense stocks of companies such as Hanwha Aerospace Co., Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. and LIG Nex1 Co. have skyrocketed since the war began in Ukraine in February 2022, outpacing gains in the South Koreas benchmark Kospi index by 98%.

--With assistance from Akshay Chinchalkar and Natalia Ojewska.

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HANOI, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Total vehicle sales in Vietnam in the first half of this year hit 137,327 units, down 32 percent year-on-year, local media reported on Thursday, citing the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association (VAMA).

The sales of passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and special-use vehicles declined by 37 percent, 11 percent and 65 percent, respectively, Vietnam News Agency reported.

As the government approved the reduction of 50 percent of the registration fee for new cars manufactured and assembled in Vietnam from July 1, it is forecast that the Vietnamese auto market will prosper in the coming months, the news agency reported, citing experts.

In June alone, about 23,800 vehicles were sold in Vietnam, up 15 percent from the previous month, according to VAMA. 
Serial Boston rape suspect Matthew Nilo's attorney on Thursday said the government is "piling" sexual assault cases against his client in an attempt to solve them.

His comments came after a pre-trial conference in Suffolk County for Nilo in which his attorney suggested the suspect would be posting a $50,000 bail for seven sexual assault charges filed against him in June, on top of the $500,000 bail he posted last month for seven other sexual assault charges filed against him in May.

"They have not turned over any discovery from the new allegations, no police reports. I think they're trying to solve some unresolved cases, and I think the government might be piling on, just trying to claim that Mr. Nilo committed these crimes," Nilo's attorney, Joseph Cataldo, told reporters outside the court.

Cataldo added that he thinks it was "unconstitutional" for the government to collect Nilo's DNA without a warrant and believes the court will rule in his client's favor.

BOSTON SERIAL RAPE SUSPECT MATTHEW NILO HID DARK SECRETS IN DOUBLE LIFE AS FIANCE, ATTORNEY: EXPERT

Matthew Nilo and fiancee, Laura Griffin await his hearing in Suffolk County Court in Boston, Massachusetts, Thursday, July 13, 2023. Nilo is facing even more sexual assault charges stemming back to 2007.

Nilo, a 35-year-old Boston native, is accusing of sexually assaulting or raping eight woman  including one woman twice  between 2007 and 2008 in the Charlestown and North End areas of Boston.

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The court ordered Nilo, who appeared beside his fiancee, held on additional $50,000 cash bail Thursday upon the condition that he does not contact any of the victims in the case and stays 1,000 feet from Charter Street in the North End of Boston, where several of the alleged assaults occurred.

Matthew Nilo and fiancee, Laura Griffin await his hearing in Suffolk County Court in Boston, Massachusetts, Thursday, July 13, 2023. Nilo is facing even more sexual assault charges stemming back to 2007.

He has not been ordered to stay in Boston and may return to his home in New Jersey with a GPS ankle monitor, but his passport has been revoked.

Matthew Nilo and his fiancee, Laura Griffin, walk hand-in-hand after leaving Suffolk County Court in Boston Thursday, July 13, 2023. Nilo is being released on bail as he faces even more sexual assault charges stemming back to 2007.

"He does have the cash on him personally," Nilo's attorney, Joseph Cataldo, told the magistrate on Thursday.

BOSTON SERIAL RAPE SUSPECT MATTHEW NILO NOW ACCUSED OF ATTACKING 8 WOMEN

Cataldo also said his client plans on fighting the 14 charges filed against him "vigorously in court, both on a factual basis and on a legal basis."

Matthew Nilo and his fiancee, Laura Griffin, walk through the lobby of Suffolk County Court in Boston on Thursday, July 13, 2023. Nilo is being released on bail as he faces even more sexual assault charges stemming back to 2007.

A Suffolk County grand jury in June indicted Nilo on seven charges, including one count of rape, one count of aggravated rape, three counts of assault with intent to rape and two counts of indecent assault and battery stemming from attacks that took place in the North End between 2007 and 2008, when Nilo would have been 19 or 20.

BOSTON SERIAL RAPE SUSPECT MATTHEW NILO RELEASED ON BAIIL

In May, authorities charged Nilo with three counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping, one count of assault with intent to rape and one count of indecent assault and battery. The initial charges were filed in connection with attacks on four women between 2007 and 2008 in the Terminal Street area of Charlestown after DNA linked him to the four alleged crimes.

Matthew Nilo and his fiancee, Laura Griffin, leave Suffolk County Court in Boston on Thursday, July 13, 2023. Nilo is being released on bail as he faces even more sexual assault charges stemming back to 2007.

During Thursday's press conference prosecutors read new details about the assaults Nilo was most recently charged in.

Matthew Nilo and his fiancee, Laura Griffin, walk through the lobby of Suffolk County Court in Boston on Thursday, July 13, 2023. Nilo is being released on bail as he faces even more sexual assault charges stemming back to 2007.

On Jan. 6, 2007, around 1:20 a.m., a 24-year-old woman was walking home to the North End while talking on the phone when a male grabbed her from behind on Charter Street.

"Don't f---ing turn around," the male stated before kicking her left thigh and pinning her to the ground with his foot, according to Assistant District Attorney Lynn Feigenbaum.

ALLEGED BOSTON RAPE VICTIM FEARS SUSPECT MATTHEW NILO COULD GET AWAY AFTER RELEASE ON BAIL

The male restricted both of her arms so she could not fight back but fled toward Commercial Street when the victim screamed.

The Boston Police Department and FBI linked Matthew Nilo, 35, of Boston, to a string of rapes in Boston between 2007 and 2008 through forensic genealogy and DNA analysis.

On July 13, 2007, around 4 a.m., a 33-year-old woman was walking home on Charter Street in the North End when a male restricted her arms from behind and sexually assaulted her. The victim screamed, and the suspect fled toward Commercial Street.

NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY LINKED TO STRING OF BOSTON RAPES APPARENTLY PROPOSED TO FIANCEE WEEKS BEFORE ARREST

A blue Honda Accord was captured on nearby surveillance footage around the time of the attack, and prosecutors noted that a blue, 1994 Honda Accord was registered in Nilo's name in 2007.

Matthew Nilo's profile pictures on Facebook dating back to 2007 and 2008 show him holding bottles of booze and partying with friends.

On Jan. 3, 2008, around 11 p.m., a 24-year-old victim was walking home on Charter Street while talking on the phone when a male restrained her from behind and pushed her onto the sidewalk.

"The attack was so violent that she fell right out of her shoes," Feigenbaum said.

NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY ACCUSED OF BOSTON RAPE SPREE THROUGH DNA REPRESENTS NEW TYPE OF CRIMINAL SUSPECT: EXPERT

The suspect held the victim down and assaulted her, at which point she yelled, and he jogged away.

Matthew Nilo has been indicted in Superior Court in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, but has not been arraigned yet.

The same victim was attacked by a male whom she "100%" believes was the same suspect just 11 days later on Jan. 14 around 7 a.m., when she was walking to work and sexually assaulted her, prosecutors said. The assault ended when a car drove by and the suspect fled toward Commercial Street.

"The victim was transported after the attack to the hospital and underwent a sexual assault evidence collection kit. This kit was sent to the crime lab in 2008, but no DNA profile could be obtained from any piece of evidence. However, in 2023, based on the similarities between attacks recently tied to the defendant, the victim's pants were sent to a private lab, and a mixture of three DNA profiles was located on the interior waistband of her pants," Feigenbaum said.

Only one of the three DNA profiles was male, and "testing reveals it was 43.3 billion times more likely that the mixture included the defendant, Matthew Nilo, than another contributor," the prosecutor explained.

Nilo denied knowing or having any physical or sexual contact with the victim when police questioned him in 2023.

Matthew Nilo enters his arraignment at the Hudson County Superior Court on Thursday, June 1, 2023 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Nilo, a cyber attorney in Manhattan, is accused of raping three women in Boston between 2007 and 2008.

In the last case read aloud in court on Thursday, the suspect allegedly attacked another victim on the Fourth of July in 2008. A 23-year-old female took a cab home from Faneuil Hall to the North End. While walking down Foster Street, a male attacked her from behind and sexually assaulted her. The suspect threatened the victim with a gun, but she was able to fight him off, according to Feigenbaum.

The Boston Police Department and FBI said in May that they linked Nilo to the four sexual assault cases from Charlestown through forensic genealogy and DNA analysis. The attacks were DNA-linked, authorities said when they arrested the suspect at his residence in New Jersey.

Nilo will again appear in court for a pre-trial hearing on Jan. 16, 2024.
A shark swimming in the ocean Courtesy of Disney

She's always been fascinated by sharks, and now, Candace Fields is doing everything she can to save them.

Fields is a PhD student at Florida International University, studying the population dynamics and geographic population structure of large predators, with a particular focus on oceanic whitetip sharks. Her goal is to use genetics and tracking to learn more about this critically endangered species and assist in its recovery plan.

"Sharks have a negative reputation, and I've always been intrigued by this and wanted to get closer to them to learn more about their behavior," Fields told The Week. "I want to change perspectives."

Fields grew up in the Bahamas, which is a shark sanctuary, and learned early on that it's "important to understand the diverse range of sharks out there, that all play a critical role in the ecosystem." There are many misconceptions about sharks, like they are "all brainless swimming mouths," Fields said. "That is not the case. They have a preference for specific foods and they have preferences for the time of day to go hunting. They can very easily swim by a meal and not take it."

In addition to her studies and research, Fields has learned more about sharks through her participation in Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), a nonprofit founded in 2020 by four Black women who did not feel welcome in the marine and shark sciences. Members aim to be role models for the next generation while promoting diversity and inclusion in their field. On top of it all, Fields is also a contributor to National Geographic's SharkFest, and will be featured in the upcoming program "Bull Shark vs. Hammerhead."

"I feel quite proud to be a Bahamian on screen talking about sharks in the Bahamas and how important the Bahamas is for shark conservation," Fields said.

Her mission on and off screen is to get people to better understand how globally, sharks have seen serious population declines due to overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change. She believes that the tides are turning, and "generally speaking, there's now much more public support for conservation and trying to help populations recover and maintain stability and avoid extinction."

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Sheep herder crawls away from bear that bit his head as he defended flock, officials say

A sheep herder got attacked by a bear as he tried to defend the herd in a horrifying overnight encounter in the Colorado wilderness, officials said.

The attack left the 35-year-old man severely injured, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said in a news release. Officials did not identify the man.

The herder was working for a permit holder of a sheep grazing allotment in the San Juan National Forest, officials said. He was sleeping in a camp in the Weminuche Wilderness above Lemon Reservoir when he was woken up by a disturbance between a black bear and his sheep about 1 a.m. Tuesday, July 11.

The herder shot at the bear with a .30-30 caliber rifle before it attacked him, officials said. He was left with bite wounds to his head, his left hand and arm, and severe lacerations to his left hip area and back.

He crawled back to his tent after the attack and called his cousin. Emergency rescuers airlifted him to Mercy Regional Medical Center, where wildlife officials collected DNA samples.

After his initial treatment, he was flown about 150 miles to Grand Junction for surgery.

Three wildlife officers went to the Transfer Park trailhead and to the camp near the Burnt Timber Trail, where they quickly found a blood trail and the mans rifle, officials said.

They also found two dead sheep with wounds consistent with bear depredation and took DNA samples, officials said.

Then the search for the bear began. Officers werent sure whether the bear had been shot, and requested a team of dogs to search for the bear.

The team of hounds soon honed in on a scent trail south of the creek drainage and tracked the bear to the Florida River with wildlife officers following in steep and treacherous terrain, officials said.

An agent from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service shot and killed the bear just before 11 p.m., officials said.

This is a difficult part of the job, said Adrian Archuleta, Colorado Parks and Wildlife area wildlife manager. But when it comes to injuries to humans as a result of a predator attack, human health and safety is our top priority.

Its the agencys policy to euthanize a bear that attacks a person, officials said.

Wildlife officers estimated the bear was an 8-year-old male that weighed about 250 pounds. The bear had wounds to its chest, but officers couldnt tell whether they were gunshot wounds.

They collected more DNA samples to compare to those collected from the victim and the attack site, and also discovered sheep wool in the bears stomach, officials said. The agency will also test for rabies since the bear bit a human.

It was the first reported bear attack in Colorado in 2023 and the first in La Plata County since May 2021, officials said.

What to do if you see a bear

Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.

There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.

Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize youre a human and nonthreatening.

Stay calm: Bears usually dont want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.

Dont scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.

Pick up small children: Dont let kids run away from the bear. It could think theyre small prey.

Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.

Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Dont make any sudden movements.

Dont drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.

Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.

Again, dont run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.

Dont climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.

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Shooting that killed Hamilton Co. girl was act of retaliation against someone else, prosecutor says

A man has been formally charged with the deadly shooting of a 9-year-old girl at a home north of Cincinnati Monday night.

Qasseem Dixon has been charged with aggravated murder for the shooting of DaMyiah Barton-Pickens in Silverton. He made his first court appearance today, according to our news partners at WCPO in Cincinnati.

As News Center 7 previously reported, the shooting happened on Plainfield Road south of U.S. 22.

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Prosecutors said the drive-by shooting was done in retaliation. WCPO reported that a relative of the child allegedly robbed a man. Prosecutors said that the man then hired Dixon to drive by the home.

At least 28 rounds were fired into the home of Barton-Pickens grandmother. One of those rounds hit the child. She was rushed to a hospital where she later died.

The man who allegedly hired Dixon has not been charged or arrested.

In court Thursday, Dixons bond was set at $2.5 million.

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A second man was taken into custody by law enforcement in connection to the shooting. WCPO reported that the man, Demario Williams, was driving the car Dixon was in the day after the shooting. Prosecutors said when police tried to stop the vehicle Williams was driving, he refused to stop. He drove away from officers until he crashed his car.

A fully loaded Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun was found in the floorboard of the car, WCPO reported. He told the court he was not involved in the shooting.

Williams was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and is being held on a $100,000 bond.
Police: Suspect in shooting outside popular North End pastry shop considered armed and dangerous

Boston Police are asking for the publics help locating the suspect in a brazen shooting outside a popular North End pastry shop earlier this week.

On Friday, Boston Police issued an arrest warrant for Patrick Mendoza, 54, of Boston on charges of assault by means of a dangerous weapon (gun), assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and assault and battery in relation to the shooting outside Modern Pastry on July 12.

Mendoza should be considered armed and dangerous, according to BPD. Anyone that sees him should contact 911 immediately.

Police describe Mendoza was while, 511, weighing 160 pounds with black hair.

Surveillance video of the shooting showed the gunman open fire in the direction of Modern Pastry before confronting a bystander who witnessed the incident.

Police were called to Modern Pastry on Hanover Street just after 11 p.m. Wednesday for an apparent shooting.

The police report of the shooting indicated Mendoza knows his target.

The report says the victim told an investigator Mendoza began swearing and yelling at him, calling him [expletive]

Modern Pastry closes at 10 p.m. and it didnt appear anyone was inside the shop at the time of the shooting.

New video shows brazen shooting in front of Modern Pastry in Bostons North End Wednesday night. No arrests yet. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/16wUOhBPMt  Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) July 14, 2023

Police could be seen canvassing the area and gathering ballistic evidence in the hours after the shots were fired.

In the summertime, there are typically long lines outside the shop of people waiting to get cannolis and other pastries.

There were no reported injuries in the shooting.

The shooting remains under investigation.

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At the June 20 meeting of the Nixa school board, parent Jeanne Coburn spoke about student access to seven challenged or flagged books.

A book about a Missouri teenager from a conservative Christian home who goes on a cross-country road trip to end a pregnancy was permanently removed from library shelves at the June 20 meeting of the Nixa school board  or so it initially appeared.

Three board members voted for removal, which is more votes than the other options received. But three votes on a seven-member board is not a majority.

A question about the vote was raised after the special meeting, which was called to determine the level of student access to seven challenged or flagged books.

In response, the board plans to take a second vote on the "Unpregnant" book at its Thursday meeting. It also plans to tweak its existing policy to avoid a similar issue in the future.

The book by authors Jenni Hendricks and Ted Caplan was originally challenged in October 2022 by parent Carissa Corson. She objected to the storyline and alleged that it "goes against Nixa's sex education policy and undermines parental authority."

A district-convened committee reviewed the book and decided it should remain on high school library shelves without any restriction but Corson appealed the committee ruling to the board.

Nixa school board member Alex Bryant, elected in April, was one of three members who voted to remove the book "Unpregnant" during the June 20 meeting.

At the June 20 meeting, the board heard from patrons about "Unpregnant" and other books. Here is a breakdown of how board members voted on that book:

Retain without restriction  Mike Copeland, Heather Zoromski

Require parental permission  Jason Massengale, Joshua Roberts

Remove  Bridget Bidinger, Alex Bryant, Linda Daughtery

"Because none of the three options received a majority of the votes, the board has to revisit the topic and revote," said Zac Rantz, chief communication officer for Nixa Public Schools. "A final decision will only be in place once one of the three options receives a majority of votes from the board members."

Rantz said if there is "no majority vote in place" after three rounds of voting, the committee decision of "retained without restriction" will be final.

At the meeting, the board is expected to tweak policy KLB, which outlines public questions, comments or concerns regarding district instructional media, and library materials.

The tweak spells out that the board will vote up to three times and if a majority vote is not reached, the committee decision will be "accepted as the board's final decision."

Rantz said the goal is to create a process for all challenged district materials, including books, to be reviewed in a consistent way.

Nixa parent Carissa Corson challenged the book "Unpregnant" in October 2022 and appealed the committee-level decision to the board.

The News-Leader reached out to U-Turn in Education, a group created by Nixa parents and residents to advocate for a wide-range of educational materials to be available to students and to oppose censorship.

At the June 20 meeting, the board voted to remove three books, restrict two books, and retain one book without restriction.

More: Nearly 300 books targeted, banned in MO schools since new state law took effect in August

Several members of the U-Turn group spoke against removing or restricting access to the books.

Of the Thursday meeting, the group issued a statement:

"U-turn looks forward to the Nixa bchool board updating its processes to better align with recommendations U-turn has provided and what the library coordinator recently requested as well. We believe following their own policies and leaving their personal, political and religious beliefs out of the decision is in the best interest of the students, parents, and staff.

"This is closely aligned with U-Turn's objective of supporting a wide breadth of educational opportunities for all, including a diverse and inclusive library catalog.

"The board has a plan for how the district can maintain it's high standards. We just hope they will follow their own standards and policies. U-Turn will continue to be present and support educational opportunities for all."

Claudette Riley covers education for the News-Leader. Email tips and story ideas to criley@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Nixa school board to vote again on removal of "Unpregnant" book
A long-running renovation project downtown finally will start its own new chapter in Boise history.

The four-story Avery Hotel and Brasserie, commonly known as the old Bouquet building, has partially opened to the public.

The fine-dining restaurant quietly debuted at 1010 Main St. last week. Diners were treated to a French-inspired menu of cote de boeuf, cassoulet, rabbit and more. Tiners Alley, a late-night gastrotavern in the rear, also is serving drinks in a similar soft-opening mode. Offering an English pub vibe, it will add food service with a separate menu in the coming weeks.

The boutique hotels 39 rooms can be booked, but only for Sept. 1 and afterward. Right now, the historic structure  built in the early 1900s  has only its ground-floor occupancy permit.

Its all about the elevator, explains Cal Elliott, The Averys founder and executive chef. Weve been waiting on an elevator part for a year and a half.

Elliott has climbed a few stairs  and ladder rungs  over the past eight years. Leading a rebirth of the long-neglected building, he has worked diligently toward this moment.

Old becomes new

A Boise native, Elliott left for New York City in 1993 to spend the next 28 years as a chef. Upon returning to Idaho, he had an ambitious vision for the future Avery building. Locals remember the first floor as various iterations of The Bouquet, a live-music and dance club for decades. It closed in 2015. Thats when Elliott became involved.

The upper stories hadnt been relevant for more than half a century. A former hotel and theater, the prominent building on Main Street was in serious disrepair.

Thats all been changed.

The Averys rooms are comfy and elegant, its website boasts. This is a place where old-world charm meets contemporary comfort ... romantic, functional and stylish  perfect for a night in, enjoying our onsite amenities or for inspiring discoveries in downtown Boise and beyond.

The boutique hotel describes its rooms as old world charm meets contemporary comfort.

For now, though? Fine-dining enthusiasts can salivate over Elliotts newly opened, high-end restaurant.

As a New York chef, Elliott helped earn a Michelin star for the now-defunct Brooklyn restaurant Dressler. He went on to launch his own Williamsburg eatery, Rye  a Michelin Bib Gourmand pick  before closing it in 2018.

Thought-out menu

After returning to Boise and diving into The Avery project, Elliott opened the popular Little Pearl Oyster Bar, 160 N. 8th St., in 2020. It was a way, he explained to the Statesman, to keep my knives sharp, so to speak.

So it should come as no surprise that The Averys seasonal menu is pretty thought-out, Elliott says.

I want to be accessible and approachable, he explains, but also provide something that is maybe unique.

Its a small menu, but its a ton of work, because we do everything in-house.

Scallup Crudo ($21) is a starter that features tomato vinaigrette, sea beans, shaved fennel, black olives and herbs.

The Averys starters are tempting and diverse. They range from Scallupi Crudo ($21) and Duck and Rabbit Rillette ($15) to Yellowtail Nicoise ($24) and Grilled Quail ($24).

But theres no resisting the seven entrees, including one designed specifically to serve two: Dry-Aged Cote de Boeuf (bone-in rib-eye steak, $4.50 per ounce). Craving a variety of satisfying meats? Order the rich Cassoulet ($49) with lamb, duck, housemade sausage, pork belly and rabbit, served with a baguette. (It, too, will serve two diners, Elliott says.)

Seafood fans will enjoy Pan-Roasted Sole Meuniere ($34) with haricots verts (French green beans), potatoes, toasted pecans and beurre blanc. Or lean Italian with Handmade Ricotta Ravioli ($28), featuring parmesan broth, fava beans, morels, English peas, pea shoots and parmesan.

If theres an entree that Elliott would recommend to impress, it is Black Rabbit ($42), which he describes as a show stopper. It features a bacon-wrapped, stuffed saddle  and 52-ingredient mole. The rabbit is served with a summer vegetable.

With a full liquor license, The Avery offers wine, beer and cocktails in both its main restaurant and Tiners Alley.

Approachable to everyone

Despite its upscale ambiance and cuisine, The Avery Brasserie does not have a formal dress code.

Everybody can come in, Elliott says, Were approachable to everyone. But we put a lot of work into it.

Looking for an entree to impress? Order the Black Rabbit. I would probably say the rabbit is a show stopper, executive chef Cal Elliott says.

During the soft opening, customers have dined wearing whatever they want, Elliott says. Its summertime. There were sandals. We love it. Its no big deal. Nobodys gonna shame you.

But, he adds, the staff is going to look good.

Feel underdressed? Visit Tiners Alley. It will have an alleyway entrance, but also will be reachable from The Avery. Tiners will center on the elegant 1905 Brunswick bar repurposed from The Bouquet. And a pool table. And fireplace. The Averys fine dining, Elliott explains, and the back is casual.

Breakfast and lunch soon

The Avery Brasserie is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Reservations are recommended through Resy.com, but the restaurant also accepts walk-ins at its communal table and bar.

When Tiners Alley opens fully, it will operate from 6 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays through Saturdays.

And when The Avery Hotel makes its official grand-opening debut, the Brasserie will add breakfast and lunch, Elliott says. Thatll happen sometime in August.

For now, hes focused on maintaining high-quality dinner service.

Boise is not New York. That makes things challenging when youre an experienced New York City chef simultaneously unleashing two new restaurants, and menus, in the same hotel.

You try to offer two very different experiences, Elliott explains, but then you have to think about cost control and what you can get in, and how much labor is involved. Its a process, for sure, putting a menu together, especially in a short amount of time with people you havent cooked with before.

Its been a ton of work, but its been super satisfying. Everyone in our kitchens working really hard and is really eager to learn. We have a great kitchen staff. Theyre a little green and a little young and a little underexperienced, but theyre super eager.
Atomic Wings features 10 signature sauce options for its bone-in and boneless wings.

A franchisee couple is set to bring 10 Atomic Wings locations to the Midwest, with the first coming to Sioux Falls next year.

Eric and Stefanie Engelstad, who own Firehouse Subs in Sioux Falls, will be taking on the role of the area representative for Atomic Wings to help future developments in the region.

Atomic Wings was founded in New York in the 1980s, but the franchise model for Atomic Wings wasnt started until 2016. Eric said that makes it a very small business-friendly model for those looking to start their own restaurants.

More: Sinless Sweets gluten-free, vegan bakery to close storefront

This new adventure attracted our attention, and it was something that we wanted to pursue, Eric said. We were able to visit a couple of locations and came back impressed with the quality and the flavor of the wings.

Eric has been in the restaurant industry for more than 10 years and, for a time, was the area representative for Firehouse Subs.

Stefanie and Eric Engelstad are bringing the first Atomic Wings franchise restaurant to Sioux Falls next year.

His wife, Stefanie, previously worked in banking and did business development for a law firm before joining her husband in the restaurant industry three years ago. She took on more of the development, marketing and HR office role while helping oversee the operations of six Firehouse locations.

This role will play to both of our strengths and experiences, Stefanie said. The expansion of Atomic Wings would be great in the market. We feel that not only Sioux Falls, but the Midwest, will really embrace it because theres definitely space for some good wings.

More: Lucky's bar to open new location in southern Sioux Falls

Whats on the menu

The restaurant uses fresh chicken, which comes in both regular and boneless. The chicken is also steamed as well as fried, so it comes out juicy and meaty, the Engelstads said.

There are 14 signature sauces, such as thai chili, mango habanero, garlic parmesan and lemon pepper. They also have atomic and nuclear, which are hotter than hot.

A local franchisee couple is bringing an Atomic Wings location to Sioux Falls in early 2024.

The mango habanero is one of my favorites, Eric said. The sweet and spicyjust the taste of the wings, I think, is unparalleled to the others that we have here.

Certain celebrities and influencers have even come up with their own sauce, like La La Anthonys jalapeno pineapple. Atomic Wings has even been featured on Jimmy Fallon.

Other menu items include tenders, chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, jalapeno poppers and salads.

More: New food truck owner focusing on giving back to EMS professionals, community

Connecting with franchisees and the community

The couple will open the first Atomic Wings in early 2024. Theyre still looking for a location in Sioux Falls, but Stefanie said she feels the city can become a multi-location market in the future.

During the next few years, the Engelstads will bring (and represent) at least 10 locations in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska, and theyre now looking for other people wanting to franchise.

Were excited to start connecting with others for this, Stefanie said.

Atomic Wings' chicken wings are both fried and steamed.

Eric is no longer the area rep for Firehouse Subs, but he still plans to keep the franchise location in town while taking on this venture.

Although Atomic Wings isnt currently tied to a charity, like how Firehouse Subs gives back to first responders, the Engelstads are hopeful thats something they can pursue as part of the franchise in the future.

Giving back to the community is a big thing for Eric and myself, personally, and through the restaurants, Stefanie said. Thats not to say that Atomic wont allow franchisees to find local ways to support whats important to them down the line, so hopefully, someday we can give back to the community through Atomic.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: How this Sioux Falls couple plans to bring Atomic Wings to the Midwest
WARSAW, Poland  Slovenian Defense Minister Marjan Sarec has announced the countrys government is in talks to purchase the German-made IRIS-T medium-range air defense system in the near future.

At the moment, we do not have a very efficient air defense system, Sarec told public broadcaster RTV Slovenija. Some in Slovenia say that we are collectively protected by NATO, but it takes some time for allied aircraft to reach Slovenia, and air defense with such a system is something different from aircraft.

The ministry has not disclosed the acquisitions estimated value. However, local paper Delo reported that Ljubljana aims to spend about 200 million ($223 million) to purchase the surface-launched, medium-range (SLM) variant of the system which is manufactured by Diehl Defence.

Owing to the planned acquisition, Slovenia could join an expanding group of eastern flank allies who are in the process of securing the IRIS-T for their militaries. Last May, Estonia and Latvia announced they are kicking off negotiations to buy the system.

Germany has also delivered the interceptors to Ukraine to support the nations combat against the ongoing Russian invasion. The IRIS-T has a range of up to 40 kilometers (25 miles).

In the cabinet, Sarec represents the Freedom Movement party of Prime Minister Robert Golob which rules together with two smaller coalition partners, the Social Democrats and the Left. The planned IRIS-T purchase is already creating tensions within the government, as the latter partys representatives have criticized it, claiming Slovenia does not need to buy the interceptors to bolster its security.

The Slovenian Ministry of Defence, meanwhile, wants the investment to be understood as a national contribution to an emerging NATO air defense network.

Slovenia, together with 19 other countries, accepted the German initiative to strengthen the European pillar of NATOs joint air and missile defence through the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), a spokesperson for the agency told Defense News. Slovenian Minister of Defence Maran Sarec has been authorised by the government to sign a memorandum of understanding on the joint procurement of land-based air defence systems under the ESSI.

Editors note: This story was updated on July 14 to include a comment from the Slovenian MOD.
A home that has solar panels installed on the roof in Cottonwood Heights on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

The following story was reported by The Utah Investigative Journalism Project in partnership with the Deseret News.

Several Utah-based solar companies and executives were accused of deceptive and fraudulent business practices in Minnesota in spring 2022, and while their Minnesota operations have ended, others are still in business across the country.

The solar industry is booming, thanks in part to salespeople going door to door offering or promising energy savings and a way to do something good for the environment.

Thats exactly what Caitlin Owens, a health administrator who lives in North Carolina, thought in summer 2019 when she listened to a sales pitch from a door-to-door salesman from Brio Solar LLC, a Utah-based solar panel installation company.

Brio was among the companies that Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison accused of deceptive and misleading tactics, according to a complaint filed April 25, 2022. Along with Brio, Bello Solar Energy LLC, Avolta Power Inc. and Sunny Solar Utah LLC are named in Ellisons civil lawsuit against the Utah companies; three of their executives, Jared Fager, Michael Kaelin and Alan Whitaker; and three lending services that partnered with the solar companies to finance consumer loans.

The solar defendants use deceptive and misleading tactics to gain customers trust, gain access to their homes, and sell them solar panels that cost far more than the average Minnesota solar PV system, the 59-page complaint filed in the lawsuit reads.

None of the companies, executives, or their attorneys listed in the lawsuit responded to multiple requests through email or phone calls for comment.

According to a statement from Ellisons office, the complaint alleges those companies cost Minnesota consumers anywhere from $20,000 to over $55,000 by using deceptive and fraudulent methods in their sales tactics and contracts.

(Brio) did the assessment, Owens said of her North Carolina solar panel purchase in an interview. Then showed me essentially what I would be approved for with a loan and compared it to what my current power bill was. Essentially, I would be saving money by paying a loan payment instead of my energy bill.

With a 25-year warranty and assurances that Brio would be there to service and repair her panels, Owens said she thought it would be a long-term cost saving opportunity that would also allow her to do something good for the environment.

I was like, I dont know why I would say no, Owens said.

The installation process went smoothly, and Owens didnt have any problems until October 2022 when she saw her panels had stopped generating energy for a month.

At first, she attributed it to the weather. Then November came and went and the panels still didnt generate any energy, and she knew there was a problem.

I needed to call Brio, Owens said. Come to find out, Brio doesnt exist anymore. I went online, and I couldnt find a website.

Solar panels are photographed in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 12, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Bringing the heat

The Minnesota Attorney Generals Office said it received many complaints reporting deceptive sales practices, some of which were similar to Owens situation.

The Attorney Generals Office has received dozens of complaints and sworn statements about these companies from Minnesota consumers, an Aug. 26, 2022, press release reads. The complaints sparked an investigation in which the office found that since these companies were started, they have falsely represented that their salespeople work for, or are partners with, local utilities despite cease-and-desist letters and other warnings to consumers from utilities across the country.

Again, none of the executives or their lawyers accused in the lawsuit nor their former or current companies responded to multiple requests to comment. However, the documentation filed with the court on behalf of the executives and companies denies all of the allegations in the initial complaint filed in the lawsuit.

A majority of the court filing is spent describing some of the methods that were taught to the companies salespeople and the experiences consumers reported having with them.

They describe sales as going to war, and train their sales team to use aggressive and misleading tactics to sell solar panels to consumers, the complaint reads. It goes on to quote Kaelin, one of the solar companies executives named in the lawsuit, telling representatives in a sales training, We have to be willing to beat people up a bit, you know, give them a little grief.

Some sales representatives who went door to door for the companies would wear fluorescent utility vests and represent themselves as being energy consultants with local utility companies, such as Xcel, which handles much of Minnesotas power grid, according to the complaint.

The complaint also describes a salesman in a training video saying, We wear these vests to try to help with image and describes his efforts to mislead homeowners into believing that he is not there to sell them anything by talking to them as if he is there to dig a ditch in (their) yard.

One report made by an 81-year-old woman, identified as M.D. in the complaint, claimed that a representative from Avolta Power, Inc, called her and identified themselves as working with Xcel. It wasnt until after she signed a contract with Avolta for a $33,000 solar panel installation and tried to get out of it that she found out the representative didnt work with Xcel.

Another Brio customer, a 28-year-old Marine veteran identified as J.P., also reported that a sales representative told him it had partnered with Xcel to create greener energy, save money and ease the strain on Xcels energy grid. After taking out a loan for $38,320, J.P discovered Brio was not partnered with Xcel. The complaint states that he will pay more than $16,500 in interest on that loan over the next 25 years.

There are 21 other reports from consumers about similar incidents listed in the complaint. Court documents reveal there are 96 individual Minnesota consumers who are prepared to testify on behalf of the state in addition to the hundreds of filed complaints made to Minnesota leaders.

The lawsuit goes on to quote Fager, another of the three executives included in the suit, allegedly demonstrating a sales script for sales representatives, using their home state of Utah as an example:

So, the reason they have me out here today is the state of Utah has been mandating that here in the state we start shutting down power plants and what thats doing is thats causing, because theres less energy, thats causing an increase in our costs for energy, Fager read.

Fager and Kaelin dubbed those strategies pain cycles, the complaint said, and sales representatives were to use them to create more incentive for consumers to buy into their systems.

Its like you just punched them in the face and then youre like, heres an ice pack, right? Kaelin describes during one of his sales trainings, the complaint reads.

Using those high-pressure sales tactics and falsely presenting themselves as working with utility companies, the salespeople would persuade homeowners to sign paperwork presented as quotes or estimates, when they were actually a contract to install solar panels, according to the Minnesota complaint.

The solar companies and executives are also accused of charging nearly double the average price of a residential solar system in Minnesota, asking consumers to pay $5,000 to $6,000 per kilowatt produced compared to the $3,750 average, according to an affidavit filed by the Minnesota attorney general. Then, the complaint continues, once panels were installed, they were not connected to the grid, were not completed or did not work as promised.

Thats similar to the situation Owens found herself dealing with in North Carolina. When she began to unravel her solar troubles, she also found that Brio had charged her $1,500 to connect her inverter with the manufacturing company, SolarEdge, though the company does not charge monitoring services.

Solar panels are pictured installed on an apartment complex in Cottonwood Heights on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

A tangled solar web

The solar companies named in the complaint have been able to continue operating under new names through a doing business as filing after appearing to close. These filings made with the business state of origin, often referred to as DBAs, declare that a company is using a name other than the name it initially registered with, and allow the company to use either name.

Three of the companies listed in the Minnesota lawsuit  Brio Energy LLC, Bello Solar Energy LLC and Avolta Power Inc.  are nearly identical companies with the same three or four executives managing the same company under a new name. The lawsuit alleges that the frequent name changes cause customer confusion. Further, the dates of the name changes correlate to various public warnings and legal actions due to deceptive sales tactics cited in the complaint.

In 2015, two different companies using similar names registered with the state of Utah within seven months: Brio Energy LLC and Brio Solar Energy LLC. Brio Energy LLC is one of the corporations listed in the Minnesota lawsuit. The companys original certificate of organization lists Jared Fager as the managing member. He is also named individually in the lawsuit. Brio Solar Energy is also in the lawsuit, but under a different name.

Brio Energy also has two registered doing business as names: Pure Solar Energy and Clean Energy Educators. Brio Solar Energy LLCs certificate also lists Fager as the agent and member of the company alongside Coomer Enterprises, which, in its documentation, lists Adam Coomer as its manager.

Brio Solar Energy did not keep its name long. In August 2017, it changed its name to Total Solar Solutions LLC. Those name changes were preceded by the electric utility of Austin, Texas,

Austin Energy, sending a cease-and-desist letter to Brio Energy, alleging that Brio had made fraudulent and misleading statements.

In August 2020, Total Solar Solutions then changed its name to Bello Solar Energy LLC, which is named in the lawsuit. Coomer is not listed as a party in the lawsuit.

Prior to that name change, Blue Ridge Electric, a North Carolina and South Carolina utility, issued a notice to customers in February 2020 that they had no retail partnership with any companies, despite members calling to confirm that after conversations with Brio representatives.

Avolta Power Inc. is the only solar company in the lawsuit that has not gone by any other name that is on file. According to court documentation filed by Fager, Avolta is the umbrella corporation that now oversees Brio. Avolta is incorporated in the state of Delaware, though it lists a Utah address  the same one listed for the company that housed Bello Solar Energy  with Coomer as the president and agent of the company on its Utah business documentation.

Ultimately, that means that the same executives and corporations named in the Minnesota lawsuit and in complaints across the country have continued to rebrand over the years without customer knowledge.

Seven months after the Minnesota lawsuit was filed, a consent judgment, which is an agreed upon settlement that does not imply liability, was entered in November 2022 for Brio Energy LLC, Bello Solar Energy LLC, and Avolta Power, Inc., requiring that three mandates be met:

The completion of all projects in the state.

A refund for cancellation fees collected from consumers, totaling $34,801.95.

A $100,000 payment to the state of Minnesota, split across the three companies.

Fager also accepted a consent judgment in November 2022 that ordered him to personally pay the state $71,315.63.

Kaelin, vice president of sales at Brio and Avolta, was accused in the Minnesota lawsuit of creating and directing the companies misleading sales practices in Minnesota and for the company at large. He accepted a consent judgment on March 27 that released him from liability in the lawsuit and did not require him to pay any fines as it was discovered he had not personally trained individuals in the Minnesota company.

The Utah Department of Commerce lists Fager as the director at Avolta Power Inc. Additionally, there were no filings made with the state of Utah to remove Fagers information from Brio Energy or Bello Solar Energy until January 2023.

Even now, the three companies and names are considered active and licensed to do business in Utah, according to the commerce departments database.

Avolta is the only one that appears to still be operating, as there are no websites or information available on Brio, Bello, Pure Solar Energy, Total Solar Solutions or Clean Energy Educators when searched.

Fager has since created a new solar company based in Utah: Elite Solar Group, LLC. This LLC also has a DBA for Nova Solar, which is what the business uses as its main identifier to consumers. The filed applications for both Elite Solar and Nova Solar list the same address that was listed as Brio Energys address.

The complaint from the Minnesota Attorney Generals Office notes that Kaelin and Fager are co-founders of the additional company, but Fager denies in his affidavit that Kaelin is involved in its founding. Despite the filing, Kaelins LinkedIn page lists him as both CRO and Co-Founder of Nova Solar, though business documentation did not list Kaelin as a member or manager for the company.

Sunny Solar Utah, LLC, helmed by Alan Whitaker, who is also named as an individual in the lawsuit, has a DBA filed for the name Sunny Renewable Energy. The company was still operational at the time of the lawsuit, but failed to renew its Utah business license by its expiration on Feb. 14, and its website domain has lapsed.

On March 3, Whitaker and Sunny Solar Utah also accepted a consent judgment requiring the company and Whitaker to pay a combined $20,000.

By May 19, 2023, the Minnesota Attorney General announced that he had reached a settlement and obtained separate judgments against all 10 defendants in the lawsuit with no implication of liability. The total settlement was more than $310,000. All solar projects for these consumers must be completed by June 27 or be canceled without penalties.

Solar panels are photographed in Salt Lake City on Friday, May 12, 2023. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Complaints

In the past five years, the Utah Division of Consumer Protection has received 83 complaints about solar companies  a volume that is probably a little more than other industries, communications director Zach Whitney said.

Thirteen of those complaints resulted in the consumer protection agency taking administrative action against a company. All have closed their doors.

According to court documents, Evelar Solar was a Lehi company found to be in violation of several Utah codes for taking deposits, never installing a solar system and not refunding deposits. The Division of Consumer Protection handed down a cease-and-desist order and a $5,000 fine.

Altaray Solar LLC closed its doors after being cited for 24 violations of failing to provide products after taking payments and 45 violations of stating it had approval from the customer for services when it did not. That resulted in a $50,000 fine from the Consumer Protection Division.

Legend Solar LLC was found to have not fulfilled at least 100 agreements with customers and not refunding them when requested. That led to a $500,000 fine from Consumer Protection.

The Consumer Protection Division provides detailed resources on its website that consumers can use when looking to hire someone or when a door-to-door salesperson comes knocking.

The website also lists tips and best practices in 13 different categories of consumer resources, including home improvement. Because contractors are required to have business licenses in Utah, the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing has a license verification page where customers can verify a business licenses validity.

The Consumer Protection Division also recommends ensuring a price estimate, summary of the work, start date and estimated completion date. It should also include any payment schedules or credit terms.

Any consumer who feels theyve been mistreated by a company can file a complaint at consumerprotection.utah.gov/consumers/ or on a federal level at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Once a complaint is filed, the Consumer Protection Division investigates to see if any statutes have been violated.

Anytime anyone feels that they have been taken advantage of or something was misrepresented, please submit a complaint, Whitney said. We rely on people telling us when there are bad actors in any industry.

Britta Clark with the Better Business Bureau of Utah also says locals should be vigilant.

As solar becomes more popular we are seeing in the industry a sort of a boom, especially in states like Utah that have climates that are sunny and hot, Clark said.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 1,476 established solar businesses in the United States, and 50 in Utah. The problem, Clark says, isnt with the solar industry as a whole, but that it often comes from door-to-door salespeople who are out on their own and arent accountable for how they do their sales.

She warns about salespeople who might distract you while you are reading the contract, or who hand you an iPad and scroll down to the bottom for you to sign without letting you look over the contract details.

Clark also stresses that consumers need to do their homework and be prepared for aggressive salespeople. Even if one salesperson gets busted or loses their job it wont necessarily stop bad practices in the industry.

In Utah especially, she said, you can be fired by one door-to-door company in the morning and hired by another one in the same afternoon.
WELLINGTON, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The danger of indiscriminately releasing nuclear fission products into the ocean is that the products can find their way into the food chain, a New Zealand scientist has said on the impending discharge of radioactively-contaminated cooling water from Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean.

"Once in the food chain the long-lived nuclear fission heavy nuclei like cesium-137, strontium-90, and iodine-131 tend to concentrate in human muscle, bones and thyroid, respectively. Cancers can be the result," said David Krofcheck, senior lecturer in Physics at the University of Auckland.

Tony Hooker, director of the Centre for Radiation Research, Education and Innovation at Australia's University of Adelaide, said there is a growing question regarding the use of the sea as a dumping ground when oceans are already stressed and struggling.

"Dilution is no longer the solution to pollution," Hooker said, adding that the Pacific Islands Forum scientific panel has proposed to use the wastewater to make concrete, therefore locking up the residual radioactive tritium.

"Japan's plan to begin releasing the treated, contaminated cooling water into the Pacific Ocean is premature, and presently, ill-advised," said Robert Richmond, director of the Kewalo Marine Laboratory at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

"The peoples of the Pacific did not contribute to the present problems and have nothing to gain from Japan's plan for the contaminated water release over the next 30 years, but have much at risk for generations to come," he said, adding that it is in violation of the precautionary principle as well as transboundary safety considerations.

Jamie Quinton, Head of School of Natural Sciences at Massey University of New Zealand, said that for several years now, Japan has been intending to release over 1.25 million tons of Fukushima wastewater into the sea as part of its plan to decommission the power station, when its storage capacity reaches its limit in 2023.

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has built the infrastructure to extract tons of newly contaminated water each day - water that is needed to keep the core of each of its three damaged reactors cool. It includes a processing plant called Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), which filters most of the radioactive elements present in the wastewater, Quinton said.

Controversy with environmental groups arose because in April and May 2011, over 300,000 tons of untreated water was dumped into the ocean to free up water tanks, and these were 100 times over the legal limit for radioactivity release, he said, adding that while this led to the creation of the ALPS and dramatically improved the elemental profile of the wastewater, this initial dumping started the mistrust.

International law expert Duncan Currie told Xinhua that the ALPS treatment at best did not remove tritium, and there was next to no scientific information on the effects of tritium on the marine environment, including on different species.

Currie noted that the planned target in the treatment of Fukushima nuclear wastewater is only to remove other radioactive isotopes to "regulatory," rather than detectable levels.

Meanwhile, tests of ALPS treatment systems have not been encouraging, Currie said. The assessment prepared by TEPCO is deficient and inadequate, according to Richmond of the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

New Zealand should be concerned over nuclear wastewater effects on the Pacific, Currie said, citing modeling that shows the movement of radioactive water to the North Pacific, including for instance through uptake in highly migratory fish and marine mammals.

Quinton noted that if the release of wastewater into the ocean is to proceed, "getting the process correct and within regulations is of particular importance to Japan's aquaculture-based industries." 
Soldier went missing during World War II. His remains have now been identified

A U.S. Military soldier from Massachusetts has been accounted for after going missing during World War II, military officials said.

Wing O. Hom, a 20-year-old from Boston, went missing while his unit was fighting against German Forces near the town of Cisterna di Latina, Italy, according to a July 11 news release by the United States Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

German forces hadnt reported Hom as a prisoner of war in 1945, and the War Department issued a finding of death early that year.

A year later, investigators recovered a set of human remains about 3 miles from where Hom was last seen. The remains were thought to be Hom, but investigators couldnt positively identify them.

For years, the remains were interred at what is now the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery. Historians determined one of the unidentified remains must have belonged to Hom.

In 2021, the remains were sent to a lab in Nebraska for analysis and identification, according to the release.

Scientists used anthropological DNA analysis, and Homs body was identified in April 2023, officials said.

He will be buried in New York in October, officials said.

Homs name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Nettuno, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII, officials said in the news release. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Ghostly creature  not seen since WWII  spotted swooping over London, photos show

Search of sunken WWII battlefield in Pacific finds planes, ships, amphibious vehicles

Unidentified sailor killed in Pearl Harbor attack finally has a name, agency says
General Francisco Franco, commander in the south, is visiting the headquater of the Northern Front in Burgos. F.l.t.r.: General Cavalcanti, General Francisco Franco Bahamonde and the Nationalist commander in the north General Emilio Mola Vidal (with glass

General Francisco Franco, commander in the south, is visiting the headquater of the Northern Front in Burgos. F.l.t.r.: General Cavalcanti, General Francisco Franco Bahamonde and the Nationalist commander in the north General Emilio Mola Vidal (with glasses). Burgos. Photograph. August 19, 1936. Credit - Imagno-Getty Images

The first thing I ever knew about the poet, journalist, and activist Nancy Cunard was a commanding broadsheet she dispatched in the summer of 1937, containing the challenge that, decades later, would spark the questions that prompted my book, Tomorrow Perhaps the Future. She addressed it to many of the most important writers of Britain and Ireland, sometimes sending multiple copies with the idea that theyd pass them on. It made its way to George Bernard Shaw and Evelyn Waugh; to T. S. Eliot, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett; to Rebecca West, Rose Macaulay and the Woolfs; to Cecil Day-Lewis, Stephen Spender, Louis MacNeice and W. H. Auden. It reached Aldous Huxley and George Orwell; Vita Sackville-West and Sylvia Pankhurst. It went to Vera Brittain and H. G. Wells; to Rosamond Lehmann and her brother, John; to Sylvia Townsend Warner and her partner, Valentine Ackland.

Nancy printed her missive in black and red and addressed it, broadly and grandly, to the Writers and Poets of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Large type announced: THE QUESTION. Along the left-hand side of the sheet was added, vertically: SPAIN.

The Question (though technically there were two) appeared perfectly straightforward. Are you for, or against, the legal Government and the People of Republican Spain? Are you for, or against, Franco and Fascism?

Nancy assured her writers that she would publish the answers they chose to send, by which she meant: you are asked to state a position publicly. As far as she was concerned, not taking a position was impossible.

Photo shows Hon. Nancy Cunard, daughter of Lady Cunard and apparent heiress to the Cunard steamship millions, who has taken up residence in the Grampion Hotel in Harlem while gathering material for a new book. Bettmann Archive

The project centered around her fundamental and appealingly simple belief in the value of taking sides, and on an arresting proposition: that history will sometimes present moments when convictions have to be decided upon, when lines are drawn that must be acknowledged.

The Spanish Civil War began in July 1936 when a group of disaffected generals  including Francisco Franco, who would emerge as their leader  attempted to launch a coup against their countrys elected government. Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany offered decisive material support to Francos side (the nationalists) while the Republican government received from its fellow democracies in France, the United States, and Great Britain only a queasy refusal to intervene. As the Republic battled to survive this well-resourced attack, relying on a tenacious popular resistance to the military takeover and on arms from Soviet Russia and Mexico, many observers understood the war as an opportunity to halt the global advance of fascism: one that their own governments seemed loath to take up.

Almost a year into the war, Nancy Cunard was framing things like this: It is clear to many of us throughout the whole world that now, as certainly never before, we are determined or compelled, to take sides. The equivocal attitude, the Ivory Tower, the paradoxical, the ironic detachment, will no longer do.

More from TIME

These were the questions I had in response: what happens when the stakes of political life have become so high that people no longer feel neutrality is an option? Can the mere act of declaring a side be of any value? And do writers really have any particular responsibility  or, indeed, any special right  to weigh in on the causes of the day? By the time I finished the book, many writers around the world had been asking themselves that final question. Just last year, PEN America held an Emergency World Voices Congress of Writers in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine, yet the crises deemed relevant to practitioners of literature went beyond the war. In this moment of chaos and violence, the chief executive, Suzanne Nossel, said, we can address what the role of the writer is, as we face down the rise of authoritarianism, disinformation run amok, social fissures that are widening here in this country, and a surge in book banning and threats against free speech. In the late 1930s, writers were mobilizing to address very similar trends, but not all of them agreed that it was their place to do so.

When the idea of a pamphlet announcing the partisanship of Britain and Irelands most eminent writers and intellectuals occurred to Nancy Cunard  who had already spent months in Spain as a journalist in 1936, and would return in 1937 and 1938  she assembled twelve additional signatories (all of them male) to the questionnaire, but later claimed it solely as her own. It was she who drafted the questions, arranged for them to be printed in Paris, and came up with a list of recipients. Names kept on occurring to her, until she had mailed out over two hundred copies. The cooperation of the other signatories was in fact of little significance. Had every one of them said No, she told a scholar in the sixties, I should have made the little work all the same  and how! You see in those days there did exist ENTHUSIASM for what was felt to be good and right and true.

Her enthusiasm, it turned out, was matched by others. The pamphlet eventually consisted of 148 replies, but at least twenty-five were left out for space, which implies that a great proportion of Nancys dispatches hit home. In London, the Left Review agreed to publish it. They printed 3,000 copies of Authors Take Sides on the Spanish War and immediately sold out.

Nancy had not limited her outreach to writers she knew or to those she assumed would agree with her, but she was convinced that the results would overwhelmingly favour the Republic, and she was right. Of the printed responses, only sixteen chose neutrality, and just five were against the Spanish government. (The responses left out for space were all pro-Republican.) In Paris, she had sorted the answers herself, categorising them as For the Republic, Against or Neutral? without adhering to any particularly discernible method, just as her basis for approaching respondents had hardly been scientific. Some of those who ignored her commands and chose to equivocate were overruled and placed in the For pile, when perhaps they intended to be Neutral. On the other hand, there were statements published under Neutral that could convincingly have been designated as For. And at least Nancy did allow for Neutral. The phrasing of her questions had been unashamedly leading. The point of the questionnaire was not to achieve a balance of opinion. The intention was to publish a declaration.

It is to be hoped that some methodical person has made a collection of the various manifestos and questionnaires issued . . . during the years 19367, Virginia Woolf later remarked, taking a very dim view of the inquisition to which she felt herself subjected in those days. Private people of no political training were invited to sign appeals asking their own and foreign governments to change their policy; artists were asked to fill up forms stating the proper relations of the artist to the State, to religion, to morality . . .

Some of the hostile responders assumed that Nancy was asking them to choose between fascism and communism, which she wasnt; others assumed she would leave out anything unfavourable to her pro-Republican position (their responses duly appeared in the pamphlet). Not everyone was convinced that the simple act of declaring themselves could be of much use. Rebecca West, sending hers in, worried that six lines is terribly little and it sounds very trite and boring. E. M. Forster could not share Nancys conviction that manifestos by writers carry any weight whatever.

Nancys questionnaire was in a sense asking too much and asking too little. It is all too easy to sit down in some quiet place, compose a few lines, and settle back satisfied in the fulfilment of a civic duty. To scribble a name on a sheet of paper is easy, Woolf pointed out in the book she was writing that summer, but an expression of opinion was not positive help. On the other hand, its easy to imagine intellectuals baulking at nailing their colours to the mast as publicly  or as simplistically  as Nancy wanted. A war in someone elses country was surely more complicated than she was prepared to allow.

Yet its not difficult to see why Nancy thought the project important. At the League of Nations in Geneva, she had witnessed the Republics fellow democracies still refusing to confront Germany or Italy over their invasion of Spain. While the powers pass resolutions, she had reminded her readers, international Fascism kills. With so much relying on changing the narrative outside of the country, harnessing the opinions of articulate public figures  the publishers listed forty of them down the front cover  and having them sound the alarm in their cumulative authority was a sensible, even inspired, contribution. Her pamphlet was a signal that what was happening in Spain was a matter of gravity and relevance. The following year, Donald Ogden Stewart took up the idea and canvassed American authors in Writers Take Sides: Letters About the War in Spain from 418 American Authors. John Steinbeck and William Faulkner were among those who put their opposition to Franco on record.

Barcelona populace greets Franco troops after city's successful seige by rebels. Undated photograph. Bettmann Archive

Nancy wasnt asking her respondents to merely lament how wicked it all is, as George Orwell would accuse her, but, in stating a side, to do something more difficult: to forsake such unimpeachable generalisations in favour of specifics. But in the pamphlet that emerged, the particularity of Spain  its history and traditions; the nature of its political scene  often fell by the wayside. Many took Nancys cue in using it as an opportunity to voice their suspicion of the fascist powers in Europe. Nancy had set up a symbol that allowed her correspondents to continue their own debates. To read the pamphlet is to see a cohort of writers pondering their place in the world.

When Nancy asked James Joyce for a response to the pamphlet, she received a strident telling-off. Joyce would provide no such thing, she later told his biographer, because it [was] politics. Politics was getting into everything. T. S. Eliot replied to her request with the opinion that at least a few men of letters should remain isolated, claiming a special position for writers  a place above the fray. The author and traveller Norman Douglas, one of her closest friends, boasted, If Fascists annoy me, I hop it. If Communists annoy me, I hop it, turning neutrality into merely the good fortune of having options.

But Nancys exhortation to writers was more than just a statement of faith in their influence. She also saw in fascism an implacable enemy of the arts. Most of her responders regarded fascism  particularly as demonstrated in the regimes of Hitler and Mussolini  as not just hostile to intellectuals and repressive of artistic freedom but antithetical to culture: mere barbarism, as Leonard Woolf and others put it. (As it happened, barbarism was also how Franco described socialism.)

The poet Valentine Ackland expected both reason and tenacious courage from artists: attributes required for making a stand. After all, the deployment of reason alongside the imagination helps us to make sense of phenomena confronting us. Writers, whether identifying as intellectuals or artists, are dealers in trust. They have to be able to convince, on some level at least, if they want their creations to move and engage. This, I think, is why Nancy saw writers endowed with a special responsibility towards truth, why they were the natural enemies of fascist movements that warped and suppressed it.

As any censor knows and fears, in the arts there are secret languages which can encode, and thus protect, independence; that can entrench dissent in realms where it is difficult to identify and impossible to root out. A press is very dangerous! Nancy once wrote of her time as a publisher in the 1920s. It means the dissemination of ideas. Responding to her questionnaire, Cyril Connolly, the editor of Horizon magazine, pointed out that the aggressive aims of fascist states required a populace that was rendered both warlike and servile  the stultifying, in other words, of the human race. When a system relies on the prevention of independent thought, the use of the intellect (the dissemination of ideas) becomes a primary form of resistance.

Adapted from Sarah Watlings new book, Tomorrow Perhaps the Future: Writers, Outsiders, and the Spanish Civil War, published by Knopf
SOUTH BEND  Discussing the end of affirmative action, members of a South Bend Tribune panel on Wednesday voiced concerns that fewer students of color are likely to enroll at top-tier universities in the coming years. That outcome could entrench existing racial disparities in employment and wealth, they fear.

Others are reading: Notre Dame profs wary of affirmative action ban as potential admissions changes loom

The panelists were Jennifer Mason McAward, an associate professor of law at the University of Notre Dame Law School; Darryl Heller, director of Indiana University South Bends Civil Rights Heritage Center and an assistant professor of womens and gender studies; and Christian Owens, a 2003 graduate of Washington High School who went on to earn degrees in political science and sociology from Duke University. Alesia Redding, audience engagement editor, served as the moderator.

Heres a breakdown of the courts ruling, its potential effects and Owens' personal testament to the power of higher education.

The Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action

When people apply to college, admissions offices first determine who qualifies on the basis of certain academic standards, Mason McAward said. But that leaves a surplus of potential admits, especially at top-tier universities like Notre Dame.

To recruit ideologically diverse classes, schools consider various aspects of a students identity, one of which is race. Cases brought against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina challenged the schools' race-conscious admissions practices.

Mason McAward said the universities tried to prove to the court two things: that they used race in a narrowly tailored, qualitative way during the admissions process, instead of using it to admit a quota of non-white students; and that diversity is a crucial objective.

But the courts six conservative justices decided to strike down precedent that had allowed schools to weigh race as one of many factors. As colleges choose to grant or deny admission, they can no longer consider race alone.

"They criticized the idea of diversity as something that's not coherent and is inescapably imponderable," Mason McAward said. "And then this court said, whatever we might think of diversity, we are concerned about using race as any kind of plus-factor in admissions."

Enrollment of non-white students at elite colleges likely to fall

Elite universities are likely to admit significantly fewer students of color without race-conscious admissions, panelists said.

Such declines have been documented in nine states that already banned affirmative action. In 1996, California passed Proposition 209, making it the first state to prohibit public universities from using race as a factor in admissions. Idaho most recently banned the practice in 2020.

Darryl Heller

Schools in those states have poured money into alternative ways to attract diverse students, such as recruiting heavily in certain areas or striving to admit more low-income and first-generation students.

Its taken 15-plus years in California and unbelievable amounts of money, and now the diversity numbers are back up, but that is not true for every racial group, Mason McAward said.

For African Americans and Native Americans," she added, "they still have not gotten back to the same numbers at the flagship California schools that they had before (Proposition 209).

What the effects of declining enrollment may be

Heller said higher education could become more segregated as elite universities accept fewer Black students, who may then choose to enroll at historically Black colleges and universities.

Declining enrollment of racial minorities could make top college campuses feel less welcoming to students of color who are accepted, Heller said.

I think its going to be a much harder environment for non-white students, when admitted, to just be able to perform well in what could become increasingly hostile environments, Heller said.

Universities may increasingly seek proxies for race, Heller said, such as socioeconomic status.

Over the past decade, only 10%-12% of Notre Dame admits have received Pell Grants, which are awarded to low-income students in extreme need of financial aid. That statistic places the university among the bottom quartile of 27 private institutions it uses for comparison. Notre Dame aims to increase the figure to 15% by fall 2024.

While the proxies may help schools to achieve more diversity, Heller sees them as unfortunate markers of a discriminatory society. He worries that fewer students attending top universities may entrench existing disparities in wealth, homeownership and employment.

"Is 25 years (of affirmative action) enough to cover over 300 years of discrimination?" Heller said. "I don't think that there's an answer to when that should end. But I'm pretty convinced that we won't ever get to that end unless we reckon fully, clearly and deeply with the history and legacy of race and racism in this country.

"This court just kind of ignored that history."

Why are legacy admissions under fire?

Many universities give preference to applicants with a family member who attended or donated money to the university, a practice known as legacy admissions.

Notre Dame is a leader in this area. Legacy students usually make up around 20%-25% of its incoming classes. Universities say they rely on the practice to build a strong alumni community and donor base.

Critics of legacy admissions note that alumni of elite universities tend to be wealthier and whiter than a standard pool of college applicants, Mason McAward said. While race-conscious admissions have been banned, many argue that legacy admissions inadvertently give preference to white students.

A civil rights group has already filed a complaint asking the Department of Education to review Harvards legacy preferences. A recent paper found that 100 universities have dropped the use of legacy admissions since 2015.

Just by the nature of the history of racism and segregation  an overwhelming majority of legacy admissions are white, Heller said.

A personal testament to the role of higher education

Christian Owens father, Robert Owens, grew up in Mississippi during the Jim Crow era. Robert was a teenager in 1942 when he rode in the back of a pickup truck, with his mom and a couple of siblings, to South Bend.

Christian Owens

Robert's mother had a simple goal: a chance at a better life for herself and her kids.

Robert's family was after the same thing as about six million other Black Americans who moved from the South to other regions of the U.S. from the 1910s to the 1970s, a movement known as The Great Migration.

After military service, Robert struggled with employment in South Bend, but he eventually landed a solid job as a bus driver at Transpo.

His focus turned to supporting his children as they sought higher education. In turn, he knew, theyd be more likely to make a better living than he could.

His son Christian, now 38, graduated from Washington High School in 2003. A great-grandson of enslaved people, Christian went on to earn degrees in political science and sociology from Duke University. He now works as an equities trader.

Christians older brother, Elijah, earned his medical degree from Columbia University. After doing a residency in neurology at Harvard Medical School, he became a doctor. Today, he runs a practice in South Carolina.

Christian said the success of his own lineage leaves him dismayed by the courts ruling.

His father Robert's opportunities were scarce. But with his body, his will and his spirit, Robert helped to afford his children a chance to earn degrees from top-tier universities.

I get the sense that weve lived through a golden age of the historically disadvantaged actually having upward mobility, he said. So I had such a strong reaction to the decision. Im worried.

There are Robert Owenses today, theyre out there, theyre working just as hard, they want the same thing for their kids, he added. What does it mean if  a courts going to come in and say, You cant target these kids because youre looking at their race. I think its going to be difficult.

Email city reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jordantsmith09

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend experts talk Supreme Court decision to end affirmative action
US actor Kevin Spacey arrives to the Southwark Crown Court in London (HENRY NICHOLLS)

Kevin Spacey said Thursday he was a "big flirt" but denied any "aggressive" behaviour as the Hollywood actor entered the witness box of his sexual assault trial in south London.

The Southwark Crown Court has earlier heard the testimony of four men, who cannot be named for legal reasons, accusing Spacey of sexual offences between 2001 and 2013.

The actor, an Academy Award winner for "The Usual Suspects" and "American Beauty", has denied all the charges.

One complainant alleged the actor assaulted him multiple times and, in particular, grabbed him while he was driving Spacey to a party, nearly causing him to "come off the road".

Spacey in his testimony admitted to having touched the man but said "it didn't happen in a violent, aggressive, painful way".

"It was gentle... and it was, in my mind, romantic," Spacey, wearing a dark suit and glasses, told the jury.

Spacey described himself as a "big flirt" and claimed there was a mutual flirtation between the two men.

But the alleged victim "made it clear that he did not want to go any further," the 63-year-old actor added.

Spacey said he felt "crushed" after the allegations were made against him, saying it was like a "stab in the back".

Asked about the testimony of another alleged victim, who accused Spacey of making crude remarks at a West End theatre event before grabbing his crotch, Spacey described them as "madness" and denied it happened.

"I never said any of the things that he claims I said to him and wouldn't and never have to anyone in my life," Spacey said.

He also claimed he didn't recognise the complainant when shown a photo of him and said he remembered "not a great deal" from that day.

- 'I lost everything' -

Addressing claims from another accuser, who recounted that the actor performed a sex act on him while he was asleep, Spacey said they had shared an "intimate moment".

He said that when the complainant, an aspiring actor, came back from the bathroom, he was "suddenly awkward and fumbling" and left in a rush.

"I remember the end of the evening and that was what struck me in my mind because we had a consensual and, I believe, a very nice and lovely evening," Spacey added.

Spacey also said he "primarily" had no issue with the testimony of the fourth complainant, who said he rejected Spacey, whom he met at a country pub, after the actor allegedly kissed his neck and grabbed him in the groin.

"I made a pass and I'm only happy that he testified that the moment he told me he was not interested I stopped," Spacey said.

Speaking about the time when the first accusations emerged against him in the US in 2017, Spacey said his world "exploded".

"Before the first question was asked or answered I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days," a visibly emotional Spacey told jurors.

Spacey at the time made a statement coming out as gay, which he said "upset" the LGBTQ community because he did it while "responding to an accusation".

"Now I understand why it was read that way but I hadn't put those two things together," he said.

US actor Anthony Rapp brought a lawsuit against Spacey over the assault allegation but lost the case last year.

acl-jwp/rox
Dutch Karin Bansgerg, 57, waters the trees on the land she has bought to build her new house with the aid given to her by the government after losing her house because of the Tajogaite volcano eruption on La Palma

Spanish volcano victims feel forgotten, want change from election Dutch Karin Bansgerg, 57, waters the trees on the land she has bought to build her new house with the aid given to her by the government after losing her house because of the Tajogaite volcano eruption on La Palma

By Borja Suarez

LA PALMA, Spain (Reuters) - Living in rows of look-alike makeshift homes as hardened black lava covers the once-bucolic valleys where they used to dwell, many residents of the Spanish island of La Palma feel resentment and yearn for political change in this month's general election.

The eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano over three months in late 2021 devastated the southern portion of the island, part of the Canaries archipelago in the Atlantic, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people and destroying about 3,000 buildings, and hundreds of plantations.

Karin Bansberg, 57 and a Dutch national, has been living in La Palma for 31 years. Inside her tiny wooden home provided by the government, she sobbed as she remembered her 15,000-square metre (3.71-acre) plot of land where she had a house, stables and gave horse-riding lessons.

"And I have nothing... There are days when I fall apart," she told Reuters.

"(Prime Minister Pedro) Sanchez has not done many good things and much less here. Lots of visits and photo ops, and he has done very little. I think we need change," she added, complaining that a 100,000-euro ($110,210) subsidy she received to buy a new plot will not make up for what she lost.

Sanchez, in power since 2018, called the snap election in May after his leftist coalition was routed in regional and municipal ballots, including the Canary Islands.

Opinion polls show his coalition lagging behind the combined right for the July 23 national ballot.

The government has pledged more than 550 million euros for reconstruction, but most residents and businesses see that as too little, considering La Palma Island Council estimated damage at around 1 billion. They complain of delays in getting aid.

The prior Socialist regional administration has denied criticism of insufficient aid and delays.

"Surely one could do better, but with other governments it would have been worse," former regional leader Angel Torres said earlier this year as Sanchez was visiting the island.

"We lost a lot... our way of life, the livelihood," said Jaime Morcillo, 74, fighting back tears. He and his wife lost their home and banana plantation and now live in a container home. Their five children also lost their homes.

"I am thankful, but to stick us into a container and that's it... It can't be," Morcillo said, lamenting also that the container settlement was in a remote area without any social venues.

Retired businessman and volcano evacuee Luis Galo said the ousting of the Socialists in May's regional election was more than deserved: "You can't say you will do what you won't do... Now we have another election coming up and I think it will reflect this change."

Not all share the same view as some fear the ascension into government of the far-right party Vox alongside the centre-right frontrunners, Spain's mainstream People's Party.

"No, no, no, before the PP and Vox, I want freedom," said Maria del Carmen Gonzalez, 45, a Socialist voter who also lost her land to the volcano. "I don't want what those people believe in."

A common hope for the election is that local politicians from the Canaries Coalition Party, who now rule the region in a tie-up with the PP, get parliamentary seats in Madrid.

"That's really important, because if not we will be forgotten... Although they say it's Spain, they are forgetting us," said Bansberg, who voted in the regional election, but, as a Dutch citizen, cannot vote in the general one.

($1 = 0.9074 euros)

(Writing by Andrei Khalip; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
New Speaker Rivas weighs in on psychedelics, housing and health care worker minimum wage

Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

RIVAS SAYS YES TO THREE CONTROVERSIAL BILLS

Via Mathew Miranda

Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas supports legalizing psychedelic drugs, raising health care worker minimum wage to $25 and a controversial housing bill opposed by some Assembly Democrats and the San Francisco Giants.

He doled out those opinions, plus more on his leadership plans and priorities for a new era in the California Legislature, at the Sacramento Press Club on Wednesday.

The housing bill, introduced by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, passed the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources despite the chairs opposition on Monday. It extends an existing law that allows streamlining of multifamily housing developments in cities that arent meeting state-mandated requirements.

Im excited to support any and all efforts to ensure that well get a good policy across, Rivas said.

Wiener is also pushing for SB 58 to decriminalize psilocybin (magic mushrooms), psilocyn, DMT, mescaline and ibogaine. The bill passed its final policy committee on Tuesday, and now advances to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. This marks the San Francisco Democrats second bid to remove criminal penalties for possession and personal use of certain psychedelics.

Rivas said yes, when asked if California should legalize psychedelics.

As for the proposed minimum wage increase, Rivas paused for 10 seconds before saying I want to be respectful of the process, yes.

NEWSOM STUMPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH BOND ISSUE

Via Maggie Angst...

With budget negotiations in the rearview mirror, Gov. Gavin Newsom is turning his attention to the next priority -- securing legislative and voter approval of his multi-billion-dollar plan to house thousands of mentally ill people across California.

Newsom held a roundtable Wednesday with state and local lawmakers and behavioral health advocates to drum up support for a proposed ballot measure that he says will help the state treat brain health early before we punish it later.

There is no other issue that impacts more people in more ways on more days than the issue of behavioral health, the issue of mental health, Newsom said during a press briefing afterward.

A pair of bills from Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, D-Stockton, and Assembly Member Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks, that would enact the governors plans are making their way through the legislature.

Irwins calls for using $4.68 billion in new bond revenue to build 10,000 new mental health treatment beds. Eggmans would reform the states Mental Health Services Act, passed by voters as Proposition 63 nearly 20 years ago and used by counties to fund services for residents with serious mental health issues.

Newsoms vision is to combine the two bills into one ballot measure that would go before voters in March 2024. But first, two-thirds of lawmakers need to vote in support.

OPIOID OVERDOSE PREDICTIONS....FOR 2022

Via Gillian Brassil...

It sounds a bit odd to predict something for a year thats come and gone. But thats what the Centers for Disease Control says about opioid deaths nationwide in 2022. They stayed flat, although California is among the states where cases are still expected to have risen.

The data is predictive to adjust for incomplete reporting. Drug overdose deaths are often initially reported without a cause because they require lengthy investigation

The latest report predicts fewer than 110,000 overdose deaths for the year ending in Feb. 2023, with most caused by illicit synthetic drugs like fentanyl. Still, CDC data predicts that California cases will rise year over year by about 200 cases to roughly 12,200 deaths. It is among the half of states predicted to increase rather than decrease.

Overdose deaths had been rapidly increasing since 2019, the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. About 69,000 deaths were suspected for the year ending in Feb. 2019, ballooning to over 110,000 in the year ending in Feb. 2022.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said the data shows our nation is finally seeing early indications of success in the overdose rate that we must sustain with even more urgent action.

Tackling the opioid epidemic has been a Biden administration priority. This week, the White House announced a plan to curb the spread of a powerful veterinary tranquilizer, xylazine, that is being combined with illicit fentanyl.

Gov. Gavin Newsom too has made cracking down on fentanyl a priority, launching a partnership between the state and San Francisco to seize illicit drugs and approving $30 million for making its own naloxone from settlements with opioid manufacturers.

Naloxone can reduce or reverse effects of an opioid overdose. If you think someone is having an overdose, the California Department of Public Health recommends the following:

Call 911 and give naloxone. Keep the person awake and breathing. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking. Stay with the person until 911 responders arrive.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

The best place for Mexican food in Sacramento? Laurel Rosenhall asked Robert Rivas at the Sacramento Press Club.

(long pause)

Really? Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silvas house he responded.

Best of The Bee:
Special counsel Jack Smiths team sharply rebuked Donald Trumps bid to postpone until after the 2024 election his criminal trial for allegedly hoarding classified documents, characterizing the former presidents call for delay as unfounded and one of his key legal arguments as borderline frivolous.

In an 11-page filing signed by assistant special counsel David Harbach, prosecutors said federal law and the Constitution require the trial to be put on as soon as practical  not with an open-ended date built around Trumps political calendar.

There is no basis in law or fact for proceeding in such an indeterminate and open-ended fashion, and the Defendants provide none, Harbach writes.

The filing is Smiths latest bid to prevail on U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon to adopt his proposed schedule, which would result in a trial opening in mid-December, a year sooner than Trump has called for.

Smiths team rejected the notion that issues raised by Trump are particularly complex or unprecedented, citing cases related to former President Richard Nixon and cases that have upheld the power of special counsels to conduct federal investigations. And Trumps contention that the Presidential Records Act  a federal recordkeeping law with no criminal component  provides him a defense in this case is borderline frivolous, Harbach wrote.



The Defendants are, of course, free to make whatever arguments they like for dismissal of the indictment, and the Government will respond promptly, he said. But they should not be permitted to gesture at a baseless legal argument, call it novel and then claim the court will require an indefinite continuance in order to resolve it.

The prosecutors seemed to dance around the issue of Trump's reelection bid and the complications it is certain to cause for any trial in the coming year or more.

The conditions that Defendants argue will make it a challenge to select a jury will not appreciably change after the completion of the election, the special counsels team asserted.

The prosecution also appeared to dismiss the idea that Cannon should show any deference to the involvement of Trump and his close aide and co-defendant, Walt Nauta, in a campaign for the nations most important office.

The demands of Defendants professional schedules do not provide a basis to delay trial in this case, Harbach wrote. Many indicted defendants have demanding jobs that require a considerable amount of their time and energy, or a significant amount of travel. The Speedy Trial Act contemplates no such factor as a basis for a continuance, and the Court should not indulge it here.

The filing also provided a new glimpse into the volume of evidence prosecutors obtained, describing 4,500 pages of key documents that they have flagged for Trumps attorneys out of a larger 800,000-page batch of unclassified evidence. About a third of those 800,000 pages  a figure Trump cited as a basis to delay the trial  are content-free email headers and footers, the special counsel team indicated.

In addition, prosecutors have turned over the vast majority of unclassified information to Trumps legal team, including all witness statements given to prosecutors through May 12, 2023. More recent witness statements will be turned over in the next week, the Justice Department team said.

The government has made these productions promptly despite having no obligation to do so, Harbach wrote, citing Cannons trial procedures.

Most of the 340 classified documents relevant to the case will be provided to defense attorneys as soon as they receive interim clearances, he added, a process prosecutors have said can happen quickly. The remaining few would be shared after a 45 to 60 day clearance process, they noted in a recent filing.

All documents and witness statements containing classified information for which defense counsel have been cleared will be delivered to a federal courthouse in Miami early next week, Harbach indicated. That courthouse is equipped with a secure facility for cleared lawyers to review classified material.

Prosecutors also indicated they produced all search warrants and relevant material from devices it obtained with a few exceptions: three devices produced voluntarily whose relevant contents will be shared next week and two devices obtained from Nauta.

While federal magistrate judges handled the initial arraignments in the case, the first hearing before Cannon, a Trump appointee, is set to take place on Tuesday in Fort Pierce, Fla. The announced subject for the hearing is the process and schedule for handling classified information in the case. Its unclear whether any or all of that session will be open to the press or public.
Special counsel Jack Smiths prosecutors on Thursday trashed former President Donald Trumps demand to delay his trial until after the election, saying there is no basis in law for such a move.

Federal prosecutors derided the claims by Trump that putting him on trial before voters go to the polls in November 2024 would amount to an unfair interference in the election in which Trump is seeking a return to the White House.

There is no basis in law or fact for proceeding in such an indeterminate and open-ended fashion, and the defendants provide none, prosecutors wrote in a filing to U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon.

The prosecution called border(ing) on frivolous another key Trump defense claim that the Presidential Records Act somehow supersedes the criminal counts he was charged with in a 37-count indictment.

The filing also mocked Trumps claim that he will be far too busy running for president to handle the demands of a trial.

Many indicted defendants have demanding jobs that require a considerable amount of their time and energy, or a significant amount of travel, prosecutors wrote. The Speedy Trial Act contemplates no such factor as a basis for a continuance, and the Court should not indulge it here.

Cannon, who made several pro-Trump decisions in an earlier stage of the case, will preside over an initial hearing Tuesday when she may rule on Trumps demand for an indefinite delay in the trial. The government wants the Trump trial to start in December.

Trump is accused of illegally keeping classified documents that he took with him to Mar-a-Lago after leaving the White House in 2021, and defying a subpoena for their return.

Walt Nauta, his loyal valet, is charged with helping Trump hide the documents from prosecutors by moving boxes at the Florida resort.

Trump has repeatedly said the Presidential Records Act allowed him to do whatever he wanted with the documents, including top-secret classified records.

But Smiths team said that argument holds no legal water.

The PRA is not a criminal statute, and in no way purports to address the retention of national security information, prosecutors said.
I spent a week working my remote desk job from Disney World. Here are my 5 biggest takeaways.

I worked my remote desk job from Disney World for one week and I learned a lot. Jenna Clark

I spent a week working my freelance desk job remotely from Disney World's four theme parks.

It was difficult to find indoor locations to work from, but I found the park inspiring.

I'll be bringing my own lunch next time to save money.

Now that I've been living in Orlando for a few months, I took my job to the place that makes me the happiest  Disney World  to see what it would be like to work in the middle of the magic.

I'm very fortunate to have a job that allows me to work remotely with flexible hours, so I spent a week working from the four theme parks at Disney World. I live a few minutes away and was able to use my annual pass to get into each park, so tickets weren't an added expense.

Here are my biggest takeaways from the experience.

The parks are a great place for tasks such as brainstorming and generating ideas

I found myself working outdoors in the Florida heat often. Jenna Clark

As a writer, my job requires a lot of research and brainstorming to generate ideas for stories that are interesting, unique, and haven't been told before.

I constantly found myself inspired by the hundreds of guests from around the globe I saw each day and the unique loop music and themed decor in each area of the parks.

I found I was able to come up with some potential story ideas simply when sitting in busier areas, such as Sunset Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios, or when walking from one work location to another.

I missed my monitor more than I thought I would

I didn't think I'd miss my computer monitor from home so much. Jenna Clark

Although an extra monitor isn't a necessity when it comes to doing my job, it sure does make some things, like referencing multiple tabs and keeping organized, easier.

Since I've made it a habit to use my monitor when working, I found that some tasks which would've normally only taken me a short amount of time took longer when I was working at the parks because I didn't have the external screen.

I know I technically could have brought my monitor with me to the parks, but it wouldn't have been feasible or ideal as I would've had to carry it in a large duffel bag or even a suitcase. It would've likely also caused some difficulty when making my way through security.

I was more productive because I could reward myself with a treat or a character meeting after each task

Meeting characters was a wonderful reward for getting work done. Jenna Clark

When working at my home office, I sometimes have difficulty focusing on the task at hand and admittedly spend more time than I'd like scrolling through Twitter or TikTok.

However, when working at the parks, those distractions were alleviated as I told myself that after I finished each major task I could take a break and meet a character, watch a cavalcade, or buy a snack if I was up to it.

So, naturally, I worked more efficiently because I knew I had something to look forward to. I'm a believer in celebrating the small wins in life and rewarding myself with some magical moments throughout the day made working from the parks even more fun.

I was shocked by the lack of indoor seating areas that I found to work from

If you want to work indoors at Disney World, you may need to buy some food. Jenna Clark

Considering Florida tends to be very hot the majority of the year, I was surprised by how few indoor seating areas there were available in the parks. I found that a majority of the indoor spaces where I could sit and work at a table were at quick-service dining locations.

Although you can sometimes simply walk into a quick-service restaurant and sit at a table as I did at Pizzafari, there are other times when staff will check if you have a mobile order in the works or are headed to order food.

With that being said, it's safe to say that if you're wanting to sit and work in air conditioning, have a couple of dollars handy just in case you need to purchase something.

I'll probably bring my own lunch next time to save money

Some of the food at Disney World can get pricey. Jenna Clark

Although buying a meal from one of the park's quick-service restaurants can be convenient, I find many of the meals are expensive for food that is average.

A chicken-strip meal from Columbia Harbour House at Magic Kingdom cost me $10.50. I'd much rather save my money to treat myself to a table-service meal for a special occasion in the future.

I also wasn't able to use my annual-passholder discount at quick-service dining spots.

Read the original article on Insider
My spiritual home is in Missouri. 6 things to know about Mission: Impossible actress

Kansas City can boast of ties to several famous folks in entertainment  actors Jason Sudeikis, freshly nominated for Emmy Awards, Paul Rudd and Eric Stonestreet, who has a home in the area.

Actress Hayley Atwell deserves at the very least a footnote on that list.

Dont let the British accent fool you.

She knows that Kansas City is all about its sports teams and barbecue.

She knows what the Plaza lights are  and she wouldnt mind lighting them. (Hint, really big hint.)

Marvel fans know the actress as British operative Margaret Peggy Carter, aka Agent Carter.

Now, Atwell is the newest member of the Mission: Impossible family, starring with Tom Cruise in the franchises seventh film, Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One, which hit theaters this week.

As the new female lead, she plays professional thief Grace, described as a sparring partner for Cruises character, Ethan Hunt, as they search for a rogue artificial intelligence system.

Reviews are overwhelmingly gushing, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. We care about these characters, who care about each other, and thats what matters most.

In all the publicity shes been doing for the movie, no one has asked her if shes ever thrown out a first pitch at an MLB game.

She has  and it was at a Kansas City Royals game.

Here are six things to know about this actress who has Missouri roots.

#AgentCarter's Hayley Atwell just shouted out KC, the Chiefs and Royals as her dad's family is here. Hayley...I love you. LOL! #babymama  Black Skellington (@SammyMojito) January 7, 2015

1. Her father is from Kansas City

Atwell has dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and the United States, according to her IMDB bio. Her mother, Allison (Cain) is English, and her father, Grant Atwell, was born in Kansas City.

Her parents divorced when she was 2. Hayley  named after British actress Hayley Mills of Parent Trap fame  lived with her mother in London. But she spent summers in Missouri with her father.

I would spend all of my holidays from school in Kansas City. So I guess you could say that I was educated in England, but my spiritual home is in Missouri, she told People magazine in 2015.

The American side of me is the more domesticated, family side and the English side is my education and sense of humor.

Sluggerrr posed with actress Hayley Atwell before a 2015 Royals game at Kauffman Stadium.

2. She threw a strike at Kauffman Stadium

In June 2015, during the Royals World Series-winning season, Atwell threw out the first pitch before the Royals played the Cleveland Indians. She chronicled her trip to Kansas City on Twitter. (Those links are no longer available.)

Well, I didnt mess it up, she wrote.

.@HayleyAtwell spent her summers in KC growing up so its great to have her back at #TheK! #ForeverRoyal pic.twitter.com/isIh3sAXXP  Kansas City Royals (@Royals) June 2, 2015

She took photos with the players and team mascot Sluggerrr. (The Star took photos, too.)

The Royals lost, 2-1.

in other news: hayley atwell throwing the first pitch at the royals game earlier this week pic.twitter.com/nV7ddVXupA  kayla kumari upadhyaya (@KaylaKumari) June 4, 2015

The Royals get Hayley Atwell/Agent Carter. The #stlcards get...some random golfer. *sigh*  Rachel (@ThatGlassChair) June 3, 2015

3. Not a fan of comic books until 

Atwell has played a range of roles in her career  a debutante (Brideshead Revisited), actress (Woody Allens Cassandras Dream) and Ellas beloved mother in Kenneth Branaghs Cinderella. She was nominated for a Golden Globe in 2011 for her work in The Pillars of the Earth, a miniseries about the British throne.

But Peggy Carter is her most famous role, playing her in several movies and TV series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including two seasons of the ABC series Agent Carter in 2015 and 2016, and Rudds first Ant-Man movie.

She told People magazine that she wasnt a big comic book fan before she played Agent Carter.

I was never into it when I was a kid, she said. I approach this job as I would any job Im doing. I look at it aside from the success of the Marvel franchise and focus on the integrity of who the character is. (Peggy) has to use her wits and intelligence to get out of sticky situations and thats always exciting to see.

Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter in the former ABC series Agent Carter.

4. She is not dating Tom Cruise

It feels a little dirty, is what Atwell told one British publication about rumors that persisted about her relationship with Cruise.

Theyve been working on Mission: Impossible for three years, beginning at the height of the pandemic and wrapping only recently in April. From time to time rumors would erupt about a possible romance between the two stars. Tabloids reported she and Cruise fancied each other.

But Atwell said in a recent interview that she thinks of Cruise and writer-director Christopher McQuarrie more like two uncles.

I would be like, Ooh, theres some weird rumors, and it feels base, it feels a little dirty, it feels grubby, its not what Im about, she told Britains The Independent about having to tell Cruise about the tabloid chatter.

Why are things being assumed or projected onto me about my relationship with my work colleague and boss? Its involving people in my actual life, my personal life, who have to be on the receiving end of that. It becomes invasive.

Atwell is engaged to music producer Ned Wolfgang Kelly, who proposed in April, in Venice, while wearing his underwear.

5. She helped create her Mission: Impossible character

During her Mission: Impossible screen test, Atwell was told the search was on for an actor to create the character around, not an actor to fit the character.

When she was chosen she spent months training physically and also studying other movies for clues to the chemistry that could exist between Grace and Ethan, she said in a recent interview with the Australian lifestyle website Man of Many.

We watched a lot of 70s heist movies, she said, including Whats Up, Doc? with Barbra Streisand, Paper Moon and The Sting.

Lots of movies that had sort of a cat-and-mouse feel to them and a sort of wholesome, endearing, exasperating relationship between the protagonists, she said.

Hayley Atwell, a British actress with Kansas City roots, is Tom Cruises new sparring partner in Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One, the franchises seventh installment that opened Wednesday.

6. She wants to turn on the Plaza Lights

It was the dream of Kansas City native and Saturday Night Live star Heidi Gardner: Turn on the holiday lights on the Country Club Plaza. She got to in 2019.

But even before that, Atwell revealed she had the same dream.

This is an excerpt of an interview Atwell did with an editor at Rotten Tomatoes in 2015 while filming Agent Carter.

RT: Yes. Okay, so Im going to ask, since youre from Kansas City, is Gates your favorite barbecue or do you have a better barbecue that you like?

HA: Oh my God, no. It is all about the K.C. barbecue, and its all about the Chiefs and the Royals. In fact, we watched the Royals game (World Series) on set, and we had to stop every time something happened; it was such an amazing game.

RT: Oh yeah? Im originally from Kansas City myself. Its great to see a K.C. girl make good!

HA: Absolutely. I hope Im invited back to turn on the Christmas lights there.

RT: Yes, the Christmas lights at The Plaza are super exciting!

HA: Exactly. Lets hope maybe this time next year, Ill be doing that.

RT: Thatd be great. Lets start that Twitter campaign now.
MANILA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday said it has approved a 300 million U.S. dollars loan to help achieve integrated and sustainable urban development to improve the livability of 88 municipalities, benefiting 7.6 million citizens in Bangladesh.

The Manila-based bank said that the program "Improving Urban Governance and Infrastructure" aims to strengthen urban governance and provide capital investment for improved delivery of municipal services.

The ADB said the loan will help prepare and implement an urban governance improvement action plan and digitalize the monitoring and evaluation system.

The loan will support specific interventions to promote women's leadership role, pursue equity through budget earmarking for addressing the specific needs of women and the vulnerable, and adopt guidelines on climate-resilient and socially inclusive public spaces and facilities. 
Stanley Tucci says he was 'afraid' of 21-year age gap when dating wife Felicity

Stanley Tucci revealed the reason why he kept trying to break off his relationship with his now wife Felicity Blunt: their 21-year age gap.

The actor was discussing his fears over starting a new relationship after the death of his first wife, Kate Tucci, on the BBC's "Desert Island Discs" podcast.

"I was kind of afraid to get into a relationship, and I kept trying to break it off because I'm 21 years older than she is and I didnt want to feel old for the rest of my life," he said. "But I knew this was an incredibly special person."

Stanley Tucci and Felicity Blunt (Joe Maher / Getty Images)

Tucci, 62, described meeting Felicity Blunt through her sister, Emily Blunt, for the first time at the premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada" in 2006. Tucci starred in the film alongside Emily Blunt, and his first wife Kate and Felicity Blunt spoke "a lot" on the night of the premiere.

About a year and a half after Kate Tucci's death from breast cancer in 2009, Tucci said he was vacationing in Italy with his family when he found out Emily Blunt was getting married in Italy.

"So I took two and a half days and went to the wedding and met Felicity again," he said.

He went straight to London to film "Captain America," and while getting drinks during production he broke the news to Emily Blunt: "I'm dating your sister."

When Felicity Blunt found out, Tucci said she shockingly asked, "You told her? I haven't even told her!"

To which Tucci cheekily responded: "Well, she was my friend first."

Tucci and Felicity Blunt tied the knot in 2012. The pair share two children, and Tucci is also a dad to three children with his first wife Kate.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
One Redditor dealing with a pushy HOA may have a new ally protecting their bat houses: the state of Indiana.

In the fight for money-saving and eco-friendly home improvements, HOAs can present an obstacle. Their first concern is the appearance of the neighborhood, and an HOA may have the power to impose fines on residents who are simply trying to make the best decision for their property and the planet.

Some HOAs have interfered with solar panel installation, clotheslines, and drought-friendly landscaping. In some cases, it takes a change in state laws to get them to back down.

But one Redditor may already have the law on their side. The poster claims theyve had a longstanding conflict with the nearby HOA, which doesnt govern their property.

They complained about all the honeysuckle that runs along my fence line  They complained about an oak tree that is older than the country, the homeowner said, listing multiple grievances in a subreddit dedicated to complaints about HOAs.

The Redditor said that most recently, the HOA has complained about several bat houses that he built with his grandsons on his property.

Its cut down on mosquitoes, the poster said of the bat residents, which are known predators of the blood-sucking pests. Every few years, the state comes to check for endangered bats. They found 12 in one house.

Endangered animals, including the Indiana bat, are subject to both state and federal protections, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. That may put a kink in the HOAs development plans, which are apparently happening 175 yards away from the bat houses.

According to the original poster, the state representatives who came to check on the bats are pretty serious about endangered animals and really dont like construction too close.

The bats were temporarily removed from the neighborhood by the local government and transferred to the Columbus Zoo to be checked out and tagged, according to the original poster.

If the HOAs construction was found to be disruptive to the bats, the project could be canceled or limited. No idea what will happen; its up to the state, the user wrote.

One commenter wishes the HOA would have the outcome it deserves for disturbing the neighborhoods beneficial bats. Wait until summer nights come along and they get devoured by mosquitoes. Serves them right.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet.
Still reeling from catastrophic flooding that left at least 1 dead, Vermont braces for another round of rain

Dangerous weather could bring more flash floods to Vermont  just as the state begins its long recovery from devastating rainfall that deluged the region earlier this week.

At least one person died in the recent storms and flooding, the Vermont Department of Health said in a news release. Stephen Davoll, 63, died in a drowning accident in his home on July 12, the release said. No additional details were provided.

More severe thunderstorms, flash floods, hail and even tornadoes could hit Vermont Thursday, the National Weather Service warned.

Teams wrapped up rescue missions for residents trapped by floodwater and there were no reported deaths or ongoing missions tied to the earlier round of storms, Vermont Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison said Thursday.

Southern Vermont is facing a moderate risk of excessive rainfall and thunderstorms expected Thursday afternoon will last through the night, the weather service said. Much of the already waterlogged state is under a new flood watch.

The rainfall totals for Vermont, New Hampshire and parts of New York could reach 1.5 to 2 inches, the weather service warned. While rainfall totals for Vermont are expected to be lower than they were earlier in the week, the soil is saturated and rivers are still running high, making the region more prone to flooding.

Most of the dangerous weather is expected between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday, Morrison said, when the likelihood of localized flash flooding is high.

This is not expected to be a repeat of Monday and Tuesday, but it will be dangerous in the areas that experience flash flooding, she said.

Another round of heavy rain is heading for the state Sunday, Gov. Phil Scott said Thursday.

This isnt over, and it wont be over after this storm, he warned.

Streets are seen flooded by recent rainstorms in Montpelier, Vermont. - Brian Snyder/Reuters

Today I will submit the request for President Biden for a major disaster declaration, which, if approved, would provide federal disaster relief funds, which would be very helpful to communities in the recovery phase, Scott added.

Biden approved an initial emergency declaration for Vermont Tuesday that set the aid process in motion.

Officials now are urging residents not to put themselves or first responders in danger by ignoring road closures or taking unnecessary chances around floodwater.

They are filled with oil, gas, sewage, chemicals and more. They are foul and nasty, said Morrison. Do not let your kids play in stormwater.

Vermont is still reeling from the catastrophic flooding that turned streets into rivers and rushed through buildings, leaving many trapped in their homes and cars. More than 200 people had been rescued since Sunday, Morrison said Wednesday.

Members of the Colchester Technical Rescue team respond to a call in Montpelier, Vermont. - John Tully for The Washington Post/Getty Images

Those returning to their flooded homes should take precautions when entering. Do not turn on your circuit breaker or use any power sources until youve had your system checked by a licensed electrician, she said.

The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency visited Vermont to survey the damage and urged residents to be aware of post-flooding dangers.

It takes just 6 inches of water for someone to be wiped off their feet, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said Wednesday.

And in that water, we see a lot of debris. We see downed power lines. We see things that can cause additional damage.

Other states have also sent crews to Vermont to assist with rescues.

Even with all the help, its going to take years  if not a decade  for Vermont to recover, Morrison said.

CNN meteorologists Dave Hennen and Taylor Ward and CNNs Jamiel Lynch, Holly Yan, Nouran Salahieh, Sara Smart, Kristina Sgueglia, Caroll Alvarado, Jessica Xing, Jillian Sykes and Artemis Moshtaghian contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Store worker buys lottery ticket on day off. It left a whole bunch of people crying

A North Carolina worker bought a lottery ticket on her day off  and the prize left her in tears, officials said.

It was just a whole bunch of people crying out of excitement, Kimberly Coleman said, recalling the moment she told her family she hit the jackpot.

Now, Coleman has big plans to help her relatives, the N.C. Education Lottery wrote in a July 12 news release.

One of my dreams is to save the money to buy a house in the future where my mom could live with me, Coleman, who is from Waynesville, told lottery officials. I want a house where I can help take care of her later on.

Kimberly Coleman of #Waynesville looks forward to helping her mom after a $200,000 win! My mom is my world so to be able to help her makes me really happy, she said. Her Carolina Jackpot ticket was from Quick Pantry on Dellwood Road. #NCLottery https://t.co/njO9jA9iOj pic.twitter.com/OmESfoPwxK  NC Education Lottery (@nclottery) July 12, 2023

Officials said Coleman scored a six-figure prize after stopping at a familiar spot. On a day when she wasnt on the clock, she went to her workplace and spent $5 on a lottery ticket for the Carolina Jackpot game.

The scratch-off ticket  purchased at a Quick Pantry gas station store in Waynesville  was worth $200,000. Coleman couldnt contain her emotions.

I kind of acted like a fool a little bit jumping up and down, she told lottery officials.

And when she told her family about her winning ticket, the tears started to flow.

I brought it home and showed my mom and she started to cry, Coleman said in the release. I cried too.

Coleman kept $142,501 after taxes. In addition to helping her mother with a home, she said she hopes to share her prize money with relatives.

My mom is my world so to be able to help her makes me really happy, Coleman told the N.C. Education Lottery.

Waynesville is in Haywood County, roughly 30 miles southwest of the popular mountain town of Asheville.

Its not the first time someone bought a lucky lottery ticket at their workplace. Last year, officials said another North Carolina woman got richer after playing the lottery while she wasnt on duty.

Lottery winner wanted to spoil his mom. Then she won her own North Carolina jackpot

Wife scratches NC lottery ticket while her husband drives  then the screaming started
FILE - A Capitol Police SUV is parked across the street from the Hinds County Courthouse, left, and the main offices of the Jackson Police Department, right, in downtown Jackson, Miss., Feb. 13, 2023. On Wednesday, July 12, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Latasha Smith, a Mississippi woman who says she was hit by a stray police bullet while lying in bed. Smith was in bed when an officer from the state-run Capitol Police fired several bullets at a suspect running through her Jackson apartment complex, according to her federal complaint. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Mississippi woman who says she was hit by a stray police bullet while lying in bed.

Latasha Smith, 49, was in bed on Dec. 11 when an officer from the state-run Capitol Police fired several bullets at a suspect running through her Jackson apartment complex, according to her federal complaint. A stray bullet entered Smith's apartment and struck her arm. Smith, who said her teenage daughter was home during the episode, was taken to a hospital.

In April, Smith sued Mississippi Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell and Capitol Police Chief Bo Luckey, arguing that police officers under their watch violated her constitutional rights by acting with deliberate indifference for her life. She also claimed that Tindell and Luckey failed to properly train officers.

In a Wednesday ruling, U.S. District Judge Tom Lee granted Tindell and Luckey's request to dismiss the lawsuit, writing that they cannot be liable because they are not alleged to have participated in the shooting incident and because state officials cannot be sued for violations of state law in federal court.

NBC News obtained surveillance video from Smith's apartment complex that appeared to show an officer firing on a man who was fleeing after jumping out of a suspected stolen car.

Tindell told the news outlet that the officer was initially placed on leave but later returned to active duty after an internal investigation determined the officer did not break any laws.

A spokesperson for Tindell did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Smith's attorney, Dennis Sweet IV, said in a phone interview that he and Smith are considering an appeal.

We're disappointed," Sweet said. "The truth is they went into the community, there was a high-speed chase, a lady in bed got shot, and there is no recourse. And thats going to be the new police force in Jackson.

Officers from the Capitol Police have been patrolling around state government buildings in and near downtown, while the Jackson Police Department patrols the entire city. A new Mississippi law would expand the patrol territory of the Capitol Police department within Jackson. Critics say Capitol Police are aggressive and expanding the territory could endanger lives in the majority Black city.

Smith is Black. Her complaint said the Capitol Police use disproportionate and unnecessary force against African American citizens.

Members of the majority-white and Republican-controlled Legislature said they passed the law to improve safety in Jackson, which has had more than 100 homicides for each of the past three years. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate has temporarily blocked the law from taking effect.

On Wednesday, the same day Lee dismissed Smith's lawsuit, the U.S. Department of Justice said it was seeking to join a federal lawsuit the NAACP filed against the state to block the new law.

___

Michael Goldberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mikergoldberg.
An aerial view takes in downtown Long Beach. City officials recently settled a case with a family who said their child was burned at a city-run day camp. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The city of Long Beach has agreed to pay $300,000 to the guardian of a child who was allegedly burned by a Cup Noodles soup at a city-run day camp in 2021.

A lawsuit against the city was filed last year on the then 7-year-old's behalf alleging negligence.

The City Council approved the settlement at its meeting Tuesday.

According to the complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the child attended the Silverado Park day camp Aug. 23, 2021, where she purchased a Nissin Cup Noodles for lunch.

Read more: Rolling Hills Estates residents watch their world sink, hope to salvage memories after landslide

The styrofoam container, the complaint said, should have been filled with hot water  as directed on the packaging. But staff allegedly filled it with water and then heated the entire container in the microwave.

"[H]ot water was to be added to the Nissin Cup Noodles so that the water would not become unreasonably and dangerously hot and the Styrofoam packaging would not become compromised," the plaintiffs wrote in the complaint.

The cup spilled on the child, causing "severe burns and permanent scarring."

Benjamin T. Ikuta, an attorney with the firm that filed the suit on behalf of the girl, told the Long Beach Post that he was happy the city took responsibility for the incident.

The City of Long Beach obviously should not have handed a small child essentially a styrofoam cup of boiling water, he said.

Ikuta and the city did not immediately respond to The Times' requests for comment.

Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Thousands have been killed in three months of fighting in Sudan

The bodies of at least 87 people allegedly killed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan have been found in a mass grave, according to the UN.

The organisation said Masalit people were among those buried in a shallow grave just outside El-Geneina.

Fierce fighting between the RSF and Sudan's armed forces has been continuing since April.

But the RSF and their allied militias have denied any involvement in the recent fighting in West Darfur.

Thousands have died and millions have been forced from their homes as a result of fighting between Sudan's regular army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by al-Burhan's former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, known as "Hemedti".

The UN said at least 37 bodies were buried in the West Darfur region on 20 June, and another 50 at the same site the next day. Among those buried were women and children.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said he was "appalled by the callous and disrespectful way the dead, along with their families and communities, were treated".

He called for an investigation into their deaths and said the RSF was obliged to treat the dead "with dignity".

Earlier this week, the RSF rejected allegations from Human Rights Watch that they had killed 28 members of the Masalit community and injured dozens of civilians before destroying the town of Misterei in May.

An adviser to the RSF leadership, Mustafa Mohamed Ibrahim, told the BBC the clashes there were part of an ongoing civil war between Arab groups and the Masalit "which is old and renewed".

Last month, the West Darfur governor was killed shortly after he accused the RSF of carrying out a genocide against the Masalit people.

The Masalit people once lived under a sultanate in West Darfur, most of which was incorporated into Sudan more than 100 years ago.

They are predominately Muslims and have accused successive Sudanese governments of promoting "Arabism" - overlooking them for basic services such as education and health.

There are concerns that attacks by the RSF and Arab militias against the Masalit community could result in a repeat of the 2003 Darfur killings, when 300,000 people were killed by the Janjaweed militias, who later grew into the RSF.

The UN has already received reports of Arab militia targeting Masalit men and said the conflict has taken on an "ethnic dimension".
Rapid Support Forces upload disarmed weapons for display during Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visit to the war-torn Darfur region at Rapid Support Forces Headquarter in Umm Al-Qura, Darfur, Sudan September 23, 2017

In a clear sign of their seriousness to end the escalating conflict in Sudan, four East African states, led by Kenya, are pushing for the deployment of a regional force to protect civilians and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches millions of people trapped in the war zone.

But getting the agreement of the warring factions will be a tough call, as they have shown no interest in anything other than military victory since the conflict broke out in mid-April.

Meanwhile Egypt is hosting a summit of Sudan's neighbours to discuss ways to end the conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The military, headed by Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, controls most of eastern and central Sudan, and is fighting to hold on to its bases in the capital, Khartoum.

The rival RSF, led by Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, known as "Hemedti", has made advances in Khartoum, where its fighters have been accused of murders, rapes and occupying and pillaging hospitals.

The military bombs RSF positions relentlessly in the capital, reportedly causing widespread civilian casualties.

Over the media horizon, horrifying violence rages in Sudan's western region of Darfur.

The RSF has overrun most of the region. Along with their allied Arab militia, RSF fighters have driven out many thousands of ethnic Masalit from their historic homeland in western Darfur.

They burned the palace of the sultan, the group's customary leader. When the governor, Khamis Abbakar, called it "genocide" men in RSF uniform abducted and killed him.

More than 160,000 Masalit refugees have fled across the border to Chad.

The RSF also ransacked the city of Zalingei, home to the Fur community, and encircled the two biggest cities in the region, al-Fashir and Nyala.

Many Darfuris fear this is the culmination of a long-standing plan to transform the ethnically-mixed region into an Arab-ruled domain.

With Darfur worst-affected by the conflict, people are fleeing into neighbouring Chad

The urgent need in western Darfur is civilian protection. Ironically, the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur had exactly this mandate. But it was withdrawn two years ago in a decision that now seems terribly misguided.

RSF forces are also besieging the capital of North Kordofan state, El-Obeid.

Should they capture it, the military will survive only in pockets west of the River Nile.

In South Kordofan, a rebel group, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North, waging its own insurgency for the past 12 years, has advanced towards the state capital, Kadugli, as the military finds itself over-stretched fighting the RSF.

Suddenly, there is a flurry of diplomatic activity. But there is no agreement on who should be in the lead.

Since the second week of the conflict, the US and Saudi Arabia have been convening ceasefire talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

But hopes for a cessation of hostilities - the most recent over the Eid al-Adha holiday - have come and gone without a slackening in the pace of violence.

The US and Saudi Arabia say they will float a new proposal in the coming days. They have also made efforts to bring the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on board, which is significant because the UAE is seen as the major backer of the RSF and, according to some reports, continues to arm them. The UAE has not commented on the reports.

Just over a month ago, unimpressed with the low energy of the African Union (AU) in responding to the crisis, East African leaders launched their own initiative under the auspices of the regional body, Igad.

A quartet - made up of the leaders of Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Djibouti - was appointed to seek a ceasefire, humanitarian access and political dialogue in order to restore Sudan's transition to democracy.

Air strikes and artillery shelling have led to the destruction of residential blocks in Khartoum

Kenya's President William Ruto - who heads the group - has been outspoken, describing the war as "senseless", condemning both warring parties for using their military power "to destroy the country and kill civilians", and warning that there are "already signs of genocide" in Darfur.

It is this group of leaders, meeting in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on Monday, that took the first steps towards organising a regional intervention force.

Their second track is working with the Americans and Saudis to convene a face-to-face meeting between the warring generals - Burhan and Hemedti - to secure a ceasefire.

Track three is an "inclusive political process" to start by August. That requires bringing civilian representatives together, and giving them enough political backing so that they have real leverage in talks, as part of efforts to ensure that Sudan returns to the path of democracy.

But Gen Burhan rejected the initiative, claiming that Mr Ruto is biased towards the RSF. He also accuses leaders of some of the civilian parties of siding with Gen Hemedti - they counter that Gen Burhan has mobilized Islamist groups on his side. He first agreed, then refused, to attend Monday's meeting. A delegate from the RSF attended.

The military claims the legacy and legitimacy of government, though it took power in a coup with the RSF in 2019, before their leaders fell out, triggering the civil war.

The military certainly has a stronger claim to government than the RSF, which is a paramilitary group run by the Dagolo family, making money from its gold mines, mercenary activities and business empire.

It has shown no interest in governing, and has allied itself with Arab supremacists from Darfur and neighbouring countries.

Gen Burhan's handicap is that his forces cannot protect either the state or the population. In fact they don't even control the capital, the customary minimum threshold for being accepted as a legitimate government in Africa.

The US initially failed to signal its support for Mr Ruto's initiative, preferring to stick with the AU. But it has come around to engaging with what is the highest-level African intervention thus far.

Sudan's conflict is already destabilizing South Sudan. Gen Hemedti demanded that South Sudan cease paying the Sudanese government - meaning Gen Burhan - for use of the oil pipeline to Port Sudan, the only export route for that country's main source of revenue. South Sudan has not yet commented on the demand.

Over the weekend, Mr Ruto travelled to Chad to confer with President Mahamat Deby. Deeply fearful of the potential of the Darfur crisis to destabilize his country, Mr Deby held a crisis meeting with Darfuri leaders, including the commanders of the former rebel groups, to discuss how best to respond.

Egypt is already hosting more than 250,000 newly arrived refugees from Sudan. It fears that the ongoing destruction of Khartoum is leading to the inexorable exodus of the country's entire middle-class - Egyptians speak of two million and even more.

President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi announced a joint initiative with Qatar and is convening its own summit meeting.

Egypt's sympathies lie openly with Gen Burhan, which helps explain why he is stalling on the Igad plan. Mr Sisi sees Gen Burhan as his most reliable ally in Sudan, and is ready to tolerate a return of Sudanese Islamist groups - which have the backing of Qatar and Turkey - if it means stabilising the country.

But there are fears in some diplomatic circles that rival African and Arab peace processes will cancel each other out.

Little aid is getting into Sudan to help victims of the conflict

The United Nations has been sidelined. Its special representative for Sudan, Volker Perthes, was chosen for his technical skills in supporting institution-building during the now-aborted transition to democracy, rather than experience in mediating a brutal conflict.

Additionally, Gen Burhan has declared him persona non grata. Most Sudanese are dismayed by the UN's failures in Sudan and don't want to see it leading a diplomatic effort.

Similarly, Sudanese worry that the European Union's obsessive focus on migration means that they will deal with any leader who promises to stem the mass exodus.

Some Sudanese blame the EU for supporting the RSF in the past as part of a plan to control the country's borders - a claim the EU disputes.

The challenge of peace in Sudan is huge. The African leaders' plan is the boldest and most comprehensive yet, but there are still many roadblocks on the path to peace - not least the refusal of the warring sides to accept that there is no military solution to the conflict.

Alex de Waal is the executive director of the World Peace Foundation at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the US.
A picture taken on June 16, 2023 shows bodies strewn outdoors near houses in the West Darfur state capital El Geneina, amid ongoing fighting in war-torn Sudan (-)

A summit of African leaders from war-torn Sudan's neighbours Thursday urged an end to the fighting, as UN experts reported a mass grave had been discovered in the country's Darfur region.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) meanwhile said it has opened a new probe into alleged war crimes in Sudan, adding that the escalating violence was a "matter of great concern".

While Cairo hosted the crisis meeting on the nearly three-month-old conflict, gun battles, explosions and the roar of fighter jets again shook the Sudanese capital Khartoum, residents told AFP.

At least 3,000 people have been killed and millions have fled their homes in the war between Sudan's rival generals, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.

Leaders of Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Chad, South Sudan, Central African Republic and Libya as well as of the African Union and Arab League met in Cairo to discuss the war and its regional impact.

The United Nations has warned that Sudan's conflict risks spiralling into "a full-scale civil war, potentially destabilising the entire region".

The ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan said in a report to the UN Security Council Thursday that his office "can confirm that it has commenced investigations in relation to incidents occurring in the context of the present hostilities".

Khan said there had been a "wide range of communications" about alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan since the fighting broke out in April.

In Cairo, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hailed the "noble efforts" of Sudan's neighbours in "receiving hundreds of thousands of refugees with limited resources in an extremely difficult global economic situation".

He called on the international community "to honour the commitments" made last month when donors pledged $1.5 billion in aid -- less than half the estimated need for Sudan and its affected neighbours.

The summit called on both parties to secure corridors for urgently needed aid, even as Sudan's humanitarian crisis deepened.

Hundreds of people were seen queueing for drinking water in Wad Madani, 200 kilometres (130 miles) south of Khartoum, and a 24-hour electricity blackout hit most of the country.

- 'Denied decent burial' -

Since the war erupted on April 15 between Sudan's army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, nearly 724,000 people have fled abroad, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The Chadian president, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, said that within "just one week, Chad received more than 150,000 people, most of them women and children fleeing the violence".

The IOM says 240,000 people have escaped to Chad from Sudan's western region of Darfur, where entire towns have been ransacked.

The UN's human rights office OHCHR on Thursday reported new evidence of atrocities in the region.

It said the bodies of at least 87 people allegedly killed by the RSF and its allies between June 13-21 were buried in a mass grave in the West Darfur capital of El Geneina near the Chad border.

Some of the victims belonged to the non-Arab Massalit ethnic group, while seven women and seven children were among the dead, the office said, adding that the RSF were "denying those killed a decent burial".

- 'Humanitarian disaster' -

Sudan's neighbours -- many already mired in economic and political crises -- have feared a widening regional spillover since the conflict began.

Sisi, a close ally of the Sudanese army, said more than 250,000 Sudanese had fled to Egypt, "joining around five million Sudanese citizens who have lived in Egypt for many years".

Human Rights Watch said Thursday that thousands more Sudanese are "stranded in dire humanitarian conditions" on the border, and urged Cairo to "rescind its entry visa rule" which was recently toughened.

Central African Republic's president, Faustin-Archange Touadera, warned of growing "small arms smuggling" across his country's "porous border" with Sudan.

"There are severe shortages in food and fuel," he said, warning of an impending "humanitarian disaster".

The Cairo summit follows multiple efforts to broker an end to the violence and repeated US and Saudi-brokered ceasefires that were all violated.

East African regional bloc IGAD held talks Monday in Addis Ababa calling on the warring parties to "sign an unconditional ceasefire".

The Sudanese army boycotted the gathering, after Khartoum's foreign ministry objected to Kenyan President William Ruto's leadership of the IGAD quartet because it accuses Nairobi of siding with the RSF.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called Thursday for diplomatic efforts to "align with the IGAD-African Union process", while African Union Commission head Moussa Faki Mahamat urged a "political process without foreign interference".

burs/srm/jsa
Sunken ship of the only slave trader executed in US may have been found off Brazil

They called it The Boat. It was a reef-like spot off the coast of southern Brazil where the fish seemed to gather, and the fisherman seemed to get lucky.

The local Black community passed on the tradition of The Boat for years, wondering occasionally if this spot could be the boat that brought their enslaved ancestors to shore.

Now, archaeologists think thats exactly what it might be.

In 1851, this young captain Nathaniel Gordon from Maine was commissioned to bring the ship Brig Camargo from San Francisco to New York. Halfway, he decided to steal the ship so he became a pirate, Yuri Sanada, an explorer, film producer and the founder of the AfrOrigins Institute, told McClatchy News on July 12.

Gordon sailed the ship to Mozambique and bought about 490 or 500 enslaved people and went to Brazil, Sanada said. The pirate-turned-slave-trader arrived in the Angra dos Reis bay, about 100 miles west of Rio de Janeiro, in 1852 when slave trading was already illegal in Brazil.

When he got to Brazil, he was chased by the British Navy and the Brazilian Navy. He couldnt leave the bay, Sanada said.

After he offloaded his cargo, he decided to scuttle the ship. He set fire to the ship and made a hole in it and it sank, Sanada said. Gordon wanted to erase his tracks, just eliminate all the proof by sinking the ship.

The enslaved Africans who Gordon brought to Angra dos Reis were likely sold to a large farm in the area which was established to receive illegal slaves, Sanada said.

Aerial photos show the coastline near Angra dos Reis.

The wanted captain fled Brazil dressed as a woman and spent a decade on the run, Sanada said. After 10 years, Gordon was caught in the mouth of the Congo (on a ship) with 980 enslaved (people) aboard. He was captured and taken back to the U.S. in 1860.

Gordon faced two trials during which he was convicted and sentenced to death. He became the only man in U.S. history to have been executed for the crime of slave trading, Ron Soodalter, author of the book Hanging Captain Gordon, told McClatchy News.

The sunken Brig Camargo proved more elusive than its infamous captain.

A scuba diver jumps off the boat during a research expedition.

A team of researchers, led by Sanada, decided to search for the 170-year-old Camargo shipwreck. With the local Black communitys help, researchers determined a possible location of the wreck, then scanned the area using sonar and conducted scuba dives.

Researchers identified a large shipwreck buried under 15 feet of mud at the spot locals referred to as The Boat, Sanada said. They think the wreckage is the lost Camargo.

Because of the mud and very bad visibility in the area, researchers will have to return in the fall to dredge and study it closer to confirm their preliminary conclusion.

A scuba diver looks at an underwater structure in the bays murky waters.

We have lots of information from the boatyard about the Camargo, Sanada explained. The size of the ship, the material it was made of and other key details will allow archaeologists to determine if this wreck fits the Camargos description.

Sanada also hopes to find artifacts on the wreck  beads from Africa or spoons from America  that match the Camargos age and route.

Still, for the local Black community who are the descendants of the enslaved Africans brought over on the Camargo and other ships, the preliminary findings already have a deep significance.

Emerson Luiz Ramos, a member of the local Black community, expressed the importance of finding the shipwreck. The Brig Camargo is a denunciation, in reality finding her is a denunciation that says the Atlantic Slave Trade was forbidden and Brazil allowed this slave trade, he said in a translated video from AfrOrigins.

Some members of the research team and local community during a scuba diving expedition.

The research team included the AfrOrigins Institute, the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture, George Washington University, the Fluminense Federal University and other independent researchers.

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13)  The Court of Appeals (CA) has voided the decision of the Energy Regulatory Commission denying the joint rate hike petitions of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and listed conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC).

SMC made the last part of the CA ruling public through its disclosure on Wednesday, which showed that the court sided with the groups power units South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC) and San Miguel Energy Corp. (SMEC).

The company said the decision by the 13th Division of the CA, dated June 27, has granted the consolidated petitions of SPPC and SMEC.

The CA stated that ERCs ruling in September 2022 is annulled and set aside, arguing that it was issued with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.

In August 2022, SMC and power distributor Meralco sought a temporary price increase, claiming losses recorded due to skyrocketing oil prices amid the war between Ukraine and Russia.

The energy regulator, however, rejected their plea, citing that millions of consumers in Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon and Calabarzon would be affected by the proposed price adjustments.

SMC then brought the fight to the CA, seeking to reverse the ERCs decision.

RELATED: CA issues TRO vs. ERCs denial of SMC power units rate hike plea

As the ERC ruling was overturned, the CA also granted the joint motions for a price adjustment for SPPC (from June 2022 to January 25, 2023) and SMEC (from June 2022 to date).

San Miguel Global Power (SMGP), the energy arm of SMC, welcomed the decision on Thursday, saying it upholds the constitutional mandate of due process that guarantees the right to be treated fairly and effectively by quasi-judicial bodies like the ERC

It added in a statement that the CA ruling assure[s] a fair and balanced regulatory environment that equally protects the rights and interests of all stakeholders involved.

SPPC and SMEC are subsidiaries of SMGP.

Both SMGP and Meralco said their petition for a temporary power rate hike was the least cost option for consumers.

It is regrettable that the ERC's unfair decision early on to reject our joint petition with Meralco for a temporary rate hike resulted in consumers shouldering the burden of much higher electricity rates, SMGP said.

The company assured the public that it would explore ways to soften the burden of the current power crisis.

Meralco also reacted to the CA decision, noting that while it upheld the firm and SMCs position, there were some matters that we feel need to be clarified.

The power distributor said it is in discussion with its legal team, hinting at the possibility of appealing the issue to the Supreme Court.

To ensure continuity of supply of electricity to our customers and avoid exposure to volatile WESM (Wholesale Electricity Spot Market) prices, we shall also start negotiating with power suppliers for emergency power supply agreement to replace any capacity that we might lose if SMEC terminates its PSA (power supply agreements) with Meralco as a result of the CA decision, Meralco said.
Critics of legacy admissions argue they maintain racial hierarchies that disproportionately benefit white students. YinYang/iStock via Getty Images

Not long after the U.S. Supreme Courts June 2023 decision to ban the use of race in college admissions, people began to ask questions once again about the fairness of legacy admissions.

Legacy admission is a practice in which colleges give a preference to the children of graduates when deciding which students to let in.

As a researcher who specializes in education and workplace policies, I have examined why people support legacy admissions and not affirmative action. I found that even though legacy admissions are based on parental connections to a given school, support for the policy actually has something to do with race.

Race is at the heart of a complaint that Black and Latino community groups filed against Harvard University just days after the courts 6-3 ruling against affirmative action. The groups filed the complaint with the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights. The complaint argues that legacy admissions are tantamount to racial discrimination because Harvard grants preferential treatment to legacies  70% of whom are white. The complaint alleges that Harvards use of legacy admissions therefore violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits racial discrimination in institutions that receive federal funds.

The groups  the Chica Project, African Community Economic Development of New England and the Greater Boston Latino Network  are among the growing number of those who question the double standard that lurks behind legacy admissions. And that is: Why can family ties be considered in the college admission process, but not race?

Legacy admissions have faced growing criticism after the recent Supreme Court decision that ended the consideration of race in college admissions. Anadolu Agency/Anadolu via Getty Images

Examining rationales

As a researcher, I began to probe peoples attitudes about legacy admissions  and whether the practice is fair  over a decade ago. I found that those who support legacy admissions do so in part because they want to maintain a racial hierarchy. In this hierarchy, white Americans are the dominant group, and ethnic minorities are subordinates.

Dominance is based on group access to resources that have positive social value. These resources include power, status and prestige. Relative to ethnic minorities, white Americans have higher levels of wealth, education and labor market participation. They also occupy more positions of authority.

To examine peoples beliefs about racial hierarchy and how much they support it, I used a construct called social dominance orientation. Researchers have described social dominance orientation as the degree to which individuals support a group-based hierarchy and the domination of inferior groups.

Those who seek to maintain the hierarchy will support policies that benefit the dominant group. Similarly, they will oppose policies that they believe threaten the hierarchy by benefiting ethnic minorities.

Taking a closer look

I used social dominance orientation in two different studies to examine peoples attitudes toward legacy admissions versus affirmative action. In the first study, I recruited 80 UCLA students from an online database maintained by the university. Of that group, 38 were Asian, 36 were white, four were Latino and two were multiracial.

I first measured social dominance orientation by asking participants to rate how positively or negatively they felt about the eight statements in the social dominance orientation scale. Examples of the statements include: Its probably a good thing that certain groups are at the top and other groups are at the bottom. Another one is: Some groups are simply inferior to other groups.

After completing the measure, participants were randomly assigned to review either a legacy policy or an affirmative action policy. I then measured participants policy support by asking them to rate how strongly they agreed or disagreed with various statements about the policy that they were assigned to review. One statement was: This admissions policy will help admit highly qualified individuals. Another statement was: To what extent do you agree or disagree that this policy is legitimate and should be continued?

Just as was found in previous research, I found that people who wanted to maintain social dominance for white people were largely the same people who supported legacy admissions. They also largely opposed affirmative action.

These findings are consistent with the idea that individuals who seek to maintain the existing hierarchy will not support a policy that benefits ethnic minorities. However, they will support a policy that benefits the dominant group. This is relevant to the discussion of legacy admissions because members of the dominant group  in this case, white Americans  are more likely to have parents who went to college.

Research shows that those who support legacy admissions also largely oppose affirmative action. XiXinXing via Getty Images

Underlying motives

In the second study, I took a closer look at support for legacy admissions. Even though Asian American and white American students were supportive of legacy admissions in the first study, I couldnt establish why. Both Asian Americans and white Americans were the majorities in the student population at UCLA  37% and 32%, respectively  so it was unclear whether their support for legacy admissions reflected a desire to maintain the existing hierarchy or self-interest. In other words, it was possible that both Asian American and white American students supported legacy admissions not because they wanted to uphold the hierarchy. Rather, their support could have been because both groups believed their children and grandchildren would benefit from the policy in the future.

To better determine the underlying motivation for support of legacy admissions, in the second study I examined only the views of Asian Americans. Fifty-four self-identified Asian students participated.

Consistent with the first study, I first measured participants social dominance orientation. I then randomly assigned participants to read about legacy admissions that would benefit either Asian Americans or white Americans. Half the participants received an admissions excerpt that concluded: Because legacy policies improve the admissions prospects for alumni children, Asians will be the primary beneficiaries. For the other half, the excerpt concluded: Because legacy policies improve the admissions prospects for alumni children, whites will be the primary beneficiaries. I then measured participants support for the legacy policy by using the same items from the first study.

If Asian Americans supported legacy admissions in the first study simply because they believed that their children and grandchildren would benefit from this policy in the future, then in the second study we would have seen support for the use of legacy admissions when they read that the policy would benefit Asian Americans. Instead, I found that support is driven not by self-interest but a desire to maintain the hierarchy. The results revealed that Asian Americans supported legacy admissions only when white Americans were the perceived beneficiaries. There was no significant support for legacy admissions when Asian Americans were the perceived beneficiaries.

In all, the results show that support and opposition to policies doesnt depend on the actual policies. Rather, it depends on the perceived effect the policies will have on the racial hierarchy.

The quest for equality

Policies like affirmative action can level the playing field and increase access to college for historically excluded groups. However, legacy admission policies can maintain the hierarchy because they disproportionately benefit white people  the historically advantaged group.

Now that consideration of race in college admissions has been banned, universities have an opportunity to revamp how they decide which students to admit. In writing for the majority, Justice John Roberts noted that the Constitution requires schools to be colorblind. He wrote that a student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual  not on the basis of race. But if colorblind is the standard, do legacy admissions meet it? Based on my analysis of the evidence, the answer would have to be no.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts, from an independent nonprofit. Try our free newsletters.

It was written by: Angelica S. Gutierrez, Loyola Marymount University.

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Angelica S. Gutierrez does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
A top aide to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas reportedly collected Venmo payments from top lawyers with cases in front of the court that were apparently earmarked for the judges Christmas party.

The aide scooped undetermined amounts of cash from at least seven lawyers during the holiday season of 2019 along with memos suggesting the payments were intended for Thomas upcoming shindig, The Guardian reported Wednesday.

Thomas Christmas Party, CT Christmas Party and CT Xmas party were some of the remarks included with the payments to Rajan Vasisht, who served as a key Thomas administrative aide for two years.

The lawyers who apparently chipped into the party were all former clerks for Thomas and very prominent conservative lawyers in their own right, several of whom have argued cases in front of the court.

Thomas did not disclose the party donations on required disclosure forms and did not recuse himself from cases involving the lawyers who forked over cash. Vasisht refused to comment.

One of the lawyers who chipped in was Patrick Strawbridge, who recently argued that affirmative action in college admissions is unconstitutional. Thomas agreed with the lawyer who once helped him financially, along with a 6-3 majority of the conservative-led court.

Another was Elbert Lin, who successfully argued a case in which the court limited the Environmental Protection Agencys ability to regulate climate-killing pollution.

Ethics experts say there is no excuse for judges or their staff to be collecting any amount of money from lawyers, especially those with potential business before courts on which they serve.

Judges and their clerks should not collect money from lawyers for any reason, tweeted Richard Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer. Who does Justice Thomas think he is, a teenage kid having a bar mitzvah.

The report marks the latest accusation of highly suspect behavior by Thomas, perhaps the most far right-wing judge on the nine-member top court.

Thomas regularly accepted lavish vacations and gifts worth hundreds of thousands from billionaire GOP mega donor Harlan Crow, including one island-hopping jaunt to Indonesia on a mega-yacht and private plane.

He also sold the Georgia home his elderly mother lives in to Crow.

Crow paid private-school tuition for a now-grown nephew of Thomas whom the judge raised as a son because his biological parents had substance-abuse issues.

Thomas did not disclose any of Crows gifts on mandatory annual financial disclosure forms.

Thomas has claimed that he was told by unnamed fellow judges that the extravagant gifts were not reportable because he and Crow are also personal friends.

The revelations, and similar reported ethics missteps by Justice Samuel Alito and liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor, have sparked widespread calls for tougher ethics rules for Supreme Court justices and more scattered calls for Thomas to resign or be impeached.

The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said Tuesday that the revelations show the justices need to bring their conduct in line with even basic ethical standards imposed on far less-influential officials.

If they just establish the basic standards of every other branch of government, it would give us much more confidence in their integrity, said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

Durbin and other lawmakers plan a vote next week on legislation that would require the court to adopt an ethics code. While the measure is unlikely to pass amid Republican opposition, it sends a signal of discontent about the court.

The nations highest court operates without any real ethics code, instead following what Chief Justice John Roberts has referred to as a set of foundational ethics principles and practices.

Justices have to file annual forms disclosing gifts but there is no enforcement process for omissions. They decide on their own without interference or review on whether potential conflicts require them to recuse themselves from cases.


If you were to take a swim in the clear blue waters surrounding Santa Cruz, California, in recent days, you may have encountered an unlikely predator. Small and dark, whiskered and fluffy, she has developed a knack for theft and a taste for surfboards.

Her name is 841. She is a sea otter.

This week, the US Fish and Wildlife Service announced it had launched a multi-agency search for Otter 841 in an attempt to capture and rehome her, after observing her "concerning and unusual behaviour".

Teams from the US and state wildlife agencies have been sent out to sea, armed with a bait surfboard, but so far, she has evaded apprehension.

Otter 841's capture will mark the end of her brief reign of terror and delight along the balmy coast of Santa Cruz - a story of fearlessness, crime and, possibly, a southern sea otter's family legacy.

For weeks this summer, Otter 841 has been approaching surfers at sea, stealing and even damaging their equipment - leaving large bite marks on brightly painted surfboards.

Local surfers "have never seen anything like it", Santa Cruz photographer Mark Woodward told the BBC. Mr Woodward, who has been following Otter 841's journey, once saw her "ride a decent wave" on a stolen board.

It's very strange, he said. "Sea otters have never gone near surfers before."

The complete tale of Otter 841 begins a little over five years ago, with a different otter, Otter 723 (otters who are released into the environment get numbers for names, those who stay in captivity get names).

Living in the wild in the central coast of California, Otter 723 was fed by humans and soon became habituated to people, and their snacks.

After she began approaching kayaks and paddleboards in search of food, Otter 723 was re-captured and sent to live at the Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center in Santa Cruz. There, scientists soon realised she was pregnant with a female pup. That pup was Otter 841.

She was raised in the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where researchers took precautions to stop her mother's love of humans from being passed on. Otter 841's caretakers would wear black ponchos and welding masks - nicknamed the 'Darth Vader outfit' - whenever they fed her, said Kevin Connor, spokesperson for the aquarium.

"The facilities that have permission to care for otters have to follow really strict guidelines. We don't want them to have that positive association with people," Mr Connor said. "We want them to stay wild, we don't want them to depend on us."

And in her first year back in the sea, Otter 841 swam, ate and floated around California's central coast without incident, alongside a small population of other otters.

Hunted to near extinction by the fur trade, just around 3,000 southern sea otters remain alive today. While they once resided throughout North America's Pacific coast - all the way from north-western Mexico to Alaska - they are now found only in a narrow band of ocean in California's central coast.

Smart and wily, otters are top predators of invertebrates, foraging and eating a quarter of their own body weight in food every day - how Otter 841 was likely getting by on her own.

"She's very healthy, she's a big girl," photographer Mark Woodward said, recalling a time he watched her hang out in the water, "eating crab after crab".

But then reports emerged of her hanging out with surfers, visits that soon escalated.

Last week, Mr Woodward captured photos of an apparently serene 841, bobbing along the water peacefully atop a stolen surfboard. But she appeared to become increasingly aggressive, with videos showing her accosting swimmers, wrestling surfboards out of their hands, and hopping on boards herself before dragging them away.

And Otter 841 seemed to develop a particular preference for foam surfboards, frequently used by beginners, and seemingly better for an otter to sink her teeth into.

"On Sunday, as soon as she finished feeding she took off into the surfers," Mr Woodward said. "She bit every single board and picked the rainbow one."

The behaviour was highly unusual. Most southern otters have a strong fear of humans, a fear that helps keep them safe.

By Monday, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Monterey Aquarium decided Otter 841 had to be brought in, for the safety of herself and for others.

Scientists at the aquarium are still unsure why she, like her mother, seemed immune to this fear. She may have had an early positive interaction with humans. Perhaps she was fed. But so far it's just speculation.

Could it just be strong otter family genes? "I don't think so," Mr Connor said.

There's no telling when Otter 841 will be found. When she is, wildlife authorities will place her in an aquarium.

"[They will] find her a home where she can live with some of the best seafood for dinner every day and be an ambassador for her species," Mr Connor said, perhaps a fitting role for the most famous thieving otter around.
FILE PHOTO: Ecuador's Interior Ministry incinerates more than nine tons of cocaine seized in different operations, in Ecuador

By Yury Garcia and Alexandra Valencia

GUAYAQUIL/QUITO (Reuters) - Violence is rising sharply in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, as criminal groups brawl to control transport of drugs despite increased seizures, security forces and residents say, highlighting broader public fears about spiraling crime ahead of presidential elections next month.

The murders, gun battles and even cases of dismemberment in the port city of 2.8 million have hit the economy and created a climate of fear for inhabitants, echoing worsening crime rates seen in several Latin American countries in the years since the coronavirus pandemic.

Guayaquil registered 1,390 violent deaths in the first half of the year, nearly as many as it tallied in all of 2022 and close to half of the 3,500 cases registered nationally, according to police figures.

The violence, often in areas near to ports, is due to rivalries between seven major criminal groups, said Fausto Salinas, the commander of Ecuador's national police.

The groups, backed by international cartels, are seeking territorial control within the city and the chance to control domestic movement of drugs - from imports across the border to shipments out of the country, as well as local sales, he said.

"Now there's a war for control between criminal organizations," Salinas told Reuters, explaining seizures spark fighting over other routes, worsening violence.

Outgoing President Guillermo Lasso has been heavily criticized for failing to tamp down violence, despite using emergency powers to authorize soldiers to patrol the streets and use their weapons against criminals.

Lasso's government has blamed violence on the streets and in prisons on criminal infighting to control routes used by Mexican cartels, the Albanian mafia and others to move drugs.

Wellington Avila, a Guayaquil taxi driver who was kidnapped eight months ago, said criminal expansion is obvious.

"The groups now have so much power, they were allowed to get stronger," said Avila, 45, who escaped his captors by jumping from his moving car, which was later used in robberies. "All we can do is entrust ourselves to God."

Although campaigning for the Aug. 20 election will only begin on Thursday, all eight hopefuls vying to replace Lasso have promised to improve security, pledging improvements to the prison system, justice system and policing, as well as expanded border patrols.

Candidate Luisa Gonzalez has called for better living conditions in poor neighborhoods, education and more jobs so young people do not fall prey to gangs.

Regarded as one of the leading presidential hopefuls, Gonzalez is backed by former President Rafael Correa, who expanded social programs during his term and retains significant political influence, despite a conviction for corruption and his current residence in Belgium.

"(The criminals) have the power and I don't have any faith that this will change with a new president," said Maria Belen Gonzales, 30, who was forced to shut her clothing store in southern Guayaquil because of gang extortion.

COCAINE AND BANANAS

Security forces say they broke up 764 criminal groups, seized 5,300 firearms and arrested 39,000 people nationally in the first half of the year, while forty-five alleged criminals were killed by police.

Half of 106 tonnes of drugs confiscated so far in 2023 were found in Guayaquil. In 2022 Ecuador seized 205 tonnes of drugs, principally cocaine.

But enforcement is only a bandage on growing security pressures at trafficking points like borders and ports, said ex-Army intelligence chief and analyst Mario Pazmino.

"Citizens are the prey of the criminal," said Pazmino, adding security forces must have constant presence in public places.

Manual checks at Guayaquil's ports led to the seizure of 38 tonnes of drugs so far this year, said area anti-narcotics director Darwin Sangoquiza. Seizures totaled just 44 tonnes during all of 2022.

Shipments of banana - Ecuador's top agricultural export - are a particular target for traffickers, who have moved cocaine as far as Italy in containers of the fruit.

Some 7,000 containers of Ecuadorean bananas are shipped to Europe and the United States each week and exports were valued at $3.27 billion last year.

"We are not getting the security we were hoping for," said Jose Hidalgo, head of the Ecuadorean Banana Exporters' Association, which spent $100 million on security last year. "The effect on competitiveness is really serious."

Lasso's efforts to fight drug shipments - including a delayed plan to install a cargo scanning system - have fallen short, said Luis Cordova, a violence and conflict researcher at Universidad Central de Ecuador.

The next president will need a strong team of security advisors to tackle the problem, he said.

(Reporting by Yury Garcia in Guayaquil and Alexandra Valencia in Quito, Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Alistair Bell)
Texas hotter-than-usual weather has sent residents searching for a chilling relief over the past few weeks. The heats subsequent power grid blackouts are being buffered by an unlikely ally: renewable energy.

During the heatwave, temperatures in southeastern Texas and northern Mexico reached well over 100 degrees, with the heat index (the feels like temperature) climbing close to 125 degrees in some Gulf Coast cities. Forecasters warned that the rising temperatures will not be stopping anytime soon.

The heat has caused one of the states four nuclear plants to stop working, as well as one coal plant. Solar energy and batteries were able to make up the difference and keep the lights (and, more importantly, the air conditioning) on for many Texans.

The use of solar energy and batteries to maintain Texas power grid goes against the political narrative in the state that solar energy is unreliable. The states lawmakers have blamed solar and wind energy for the instability of the grid, such as with the 2021 winter storm that killed 250 people and a series of summer blackouts in 2022. However, both of these claims are misleading, as dirty energy sources were to blame.

Texas is currently a national leader in renewable energy production, generating nearly 17 gigawatts of solar power alone, an amount equivalent to 17 nuclear power stations.

However, the political narrative around solar energy has slowed more renewable energy operations from starting in the Lone Star State. Instead, lawmakers have advocated for systems that isolate Texas from the rest of the national power grid and rely on dirty coal.

The state is highly susceptible to hotter-than-average conditions because of its proximity to the jet stream. One report suggested the state is five times more likely to experience heat waves directly resulting from the overheating of our planet.

We can blame the fact that the temperatures [in Texas] are five degrees warmer on climate change, and that the likelihood of this event has increased by some large amount, Michael Wehner, a senior climate scientist with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, told Inside Climate News.

Dangerous climate change is here now  if thats not clear, youre not paying attention, Wehner added. If the electrical system fails again in Texas, people will die.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Suspect in machete attack case in Marlborough deemed too dangerous to release

MARLBOROUGH  A local man was declared too dangerous to release to the public after police alleged he nearly severed another man's hand off at the wrist in a machete attack.

Marlborough District Court Judge Pacifico DeCapua Jr. ordered Abel Hernandez, 40, held without bail for 120 days after a hearing to determine whether Hernandez is a danger to the public.

Authorities allege a 36-year-old man was near 152 Broad St., where Hernandez lived, when Hernandez attacked the man with a machete at about 8:30 p.m.

Authorities said Hernandez caused a "significant laceration" to the man's left wrist, nearly severing the hand from the man's arm.

Earlier: Machete-wielding man is accused of causing seriously injury in Marlborough

The victim said he did not know the man who attacked him. Witnesses identified Hernandez as the attacker, and he was found about two hours later walking on Hildreth Street. Police said they did not find the machete and that they do not know the reason for the alleged attack.

Police charged Hernandez with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury; mayhem; and possession of cocaine. He also had three unspecified warrants for his arrest.

Hernandez pleaded not guilty Monday during his Marlborough arraignment and was ordered held without bail until Tuesday's hearing.

He is due back in court on Aug. 9 for a probable cause hearing.

Hernandez's lawyer, Cornelius Dailey Jr., did not return call seeking comment.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Marlborough man accused in machete attack ordered held without bail
Suspect in March homicide at Citrus Heights apartment is arrested in Roseville, police say

Police arrested a 30-year-old man Tuesday on suspicion of shooting a Citrus Heights man to death in his apartment earlier this year.

The Citrus Heights Police Department began investigating the homicide after they found Jason Tanom Simmons, 30, shot in the head inside his apartment in the 7800 block of Sayonara Drive in Citrus Heights on March 20.

After analyzing evidence and interviewing witnesses, police identified Joshua Zell Brisbane of Roseville as the suspect and a warrant was issued for his arrest, police said in a news release.

On Tuesday, Brisbane was arrested in Roseville with the help of the Roseville Police Department SWAT team and Sacramento County Probation officers.

Brisbane was safely taken into custody without incident and booked into the Sacramento County jail on homicide charges, the Citrus Heights Police Department said.

Brisbane is being held in the Sacramento County Main Jail without bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon.

Anyone with information relating to the crime is asked to contact the Citrus Heights Police Department crime tip tine at 916-727-5524.
Suspected serial rapist arraigned on new charges in attacks on 4 women in Boston

A suspected serial rapist accused of sexually assaulting women in Boston 15 years ago was ordered held Thursday on $50,000 bail on new charges in connection with five additional attacks on four women during the same time period.

Matthew Nilo, a 35-year-old lawyer from New Jersey, was arraigned in a Boston court on charges including one count of rape, one count of aggravated rape, three counts of assault with intent to rape, and two counts of indecent assault and battery.

During the hearing, Nilos attorney, Joseph Cataldo, informed the court that his client was in possession of cash and intended to post bail.

These new charges stem from attacks on four women in Bostons North End between January 2007 and July 2008, according to the Suffolk District Attorneys Office.

At the time of the assaults, Nile was attending college in Wisconsin but could have been at his North End home during school breaks.

The North End attacks took place around Charter Street. All of the victims were walking alone in the dark, either at night or early in the morning, when Nilo allegedly assaulted them, prosecutors said. One of the victims was attacked twice in a span of 11 days.

In January 2008, one of the victims, a 24-year-old woman, was attacked twice in eleven days.

And DNA taken from her clothes gave police a big break.

At the arraignment, the prosecutor said the DNA was a match to Matthew Nilo.

Testing reveals it was 43.3 billion times more likely that the mixture included the defendant, Matthew Nilo, than another contributor, Assistant District Attorney Lynn Feigenbaum told the court.

Among the people filling the courtroom for Nilos arraignment was Lori Pinkham, one of the survivors from the Charlestown attacks.

She is insisting on going public.

Somebody has to be here to hold him accountable. Im not ashamed of what happened. I didnt do anything wrong, Pinkham said.

Matthew Nilos attorney says police have the wrong guy.

And he says investigators had no right to collect Nilos DNA from a corporate event in New York.

There was no warrant in his case. They seized his DNA unconstitutionally. They should have sought a warrant, they did not. We will be filing a motion to suppress of the unconstitutional seizure of his DNA, defense attorney Joseph Cataldo said.

In June, Nilo pleaded not guilty to three counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping, one count of assault with intent to rape, and one count of indecent assault and battery in connection with four alleged attacks on women in Bostons Charlestown section between August 2007 and December 2008. He was released after posting $500,000 bail.

Nilo, who was living in the city at the time of the Charlestown attacks, was linked to the crimes by DNA he left on a drinking glass, according to investigators.

A judge ordered Nilo to wear a GPS tracker, have no contact with the victims, and stay away from Charter Street in the North End. He was previously ordered to surrender his passport and stay away from Terminal Street in Charlestown.

Nilo is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing on September 14.

An investigation remains ongoing.

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By Noele Illien and John Revill

BERN (Reuters) -A Swiss parliamentary investigation into the role played by state institutions in the collapse and emergency rescue of Credit Suisse will take 12 to 15 months to complete, its president said on Thursday.

UBS agreed to buy Credit Suisse for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.48 billion) in March after panicked customers withdrew cash from their accounts at the stricken lender.

The collapse has proved controversial, with Swiss political parties raising concerns about the huge amount of state aid involved, potential job losses as well as the size of the newly enlarged UBS, already Switzerland's biggest bank.

The investigation is only the fifth of its kind in the country's modern history and the committee of lawmakers conducting it has sweeping powers to call on the Swiss cabinet, finance ministry and other state bodies.

The parliamentary commission will investigate the "legality, expediency and effectiveness of the conduct by the competent authorities and bodies in the context of the Credit Suisse crisis and report to the Swiss parliament," it said in a statement.

After an initial meeting on June 16, the committee held its first regular meeting in Bern on Thursday.

It decided to operate under a duty of strict confidentiality for committee members and people called for questioning, citing the secrecy of information to be disclosed.

The investigation, which is being led by 14 lawmakers from the country's upper and lower houses, will examine how the Swiss government and the finance ministry, acted in the run up to the crash.

It will also scrutinise the role played by financial regulator FINMA as well as the Swiss National Bank.

Commission president Isabelle Chassot, a lawmaker from Die Mitte party, told a briefing in Bern she expected the commission to last 12 to 15 months.

Chassot said the commission could invite anyone to its hearings, but declined to give specifics.

There has been debate in Switzerland whether Credit Suisse bankers, who are not the subject of the inquiry, will be grilled by lawmakers.

"I cannot say who will be invited, but bankers could be invited," Chassot told Reuters. "It depends on the status of the invited person whether they have to come or not.

"If they are a witness, they must attend, if they are here to give information, they can refuse to testify," she said.

The committee was not a judicial authority she said, but a political enquiry which will compile its findings in a report.

"It will point out shortcomings, if there are any," Chassot said, adding it would make recommendations to relevant authorities.

($1 = 0.8627 Swiss francs)

(Reporting by Noele Illien in Bern and John Revill in Zurich; editing by David Evans, Alexandra Hudson and Jane Merriman)
A convoy carrying humanitarian aid arrives in Syria after crossing the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, on July 10, 2023 (OMAR HAJ KADOUR)

Syria will let humanitarian aid flow through its main border crossing into rebel-held areas, reopening a conduit that had closed after a Security Council stalemate, the country's UN ambassador said Thursday.

Damascus has made a "sovereign decision" to let aid move overland from Turkey through the Bab al-Hawa crossing in northwest Syria for six months starting Thursday, ambassador Bassam Sabbagh told reporters.

He said he sent a letter to this effect to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council.

Through an arrangement that began in 2014, the UN largely delivers relief to northwest Syria via neighboring Turkey through the Bab al-Hawa crossing.

But a UN deal allowing for this mechanism to work -- without the authorization of Damascus -- expired on Monday.

The UN says more than four million people in northwest Syria are in need of food, water, medicine and other essentials.

Russia on Tuesday vetoed a nine-month extension of the agreement, and then failed to muster enough votes to adopt a six-month extension, during a vote at UN headquarters in New York.

Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the UN was studying Sabbagh's letter.

Even as the Bab al-Hawa crossing closed, two other crossings remained operational.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad opened them after an earthquake in February that killed tens of thousands of people in Turkey and northwest Syria.

But 85 percent of the aid reaching rebel-held areas went through Bab al-Hawa.

- 'Gold standard' monitoring -

Damascus regularly denounces the aid deliveries as a violation of its sovereignty, and Russia has been chipping away at the deal for years.

The cross-border aid accord originally allowed for four entry points into rebel-held Syria before being reduced to one -- Bab al-Hawa -- after years of pressure from China and Russia at the Security Council.

Moscow is a major ally of Damascus, and its intervention in Syria since 2015 helped to turn the tide in the regime's favor.

Syria's conflict has killed more than 500,000 people, displaced millions and battered the country's infrastructure and industry.

The 15 Security Council members had been trying for days to find a compromise to extend the cross-border aid deal.

"The priority needs to be getting aid flowing again, fast, to the people who need it - and then getting certainty over its future," ambassador Barbara Woodward of Britain, which is chairing the Security Council for the month of July, said after the announcement by Syria's ambassador.

"But without UN monitoring, control of this critical lifeline has been handed to the man responsible for the Syrian people's suffering," she added.

Woodward said that under the old UN arrangement, aid going through Bab al-Hawa had "gold standard" monitoring to make sure assistance was not diverted away from people in need.

Richard Gowan, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, a think tank, called the decision to open crossing "a cynical move by Syria to marginalize the Security Council, and get a stronger grip on UN aid deliveries."

"Basically this is a way for Syria to reassert its sovereignty over areas it has not been able to win back militarily," he told AFP.

Russia's push this week for a six-month extension of the UN deal came in a resolution that also denounced Western sanctions against Syria.

Syrian ambassador Sabbagh said the Western rejection of the Russian resolution amounted to obstruction.

He said the Syrian government had decided to open up Bab al-Hawa "in light of the intransigence of some members of the Security Council and their persistence in refusing to introduce any serious improvement" to the existing aid mechanism.

The two crossings that were opened after the earthquake are scheduled to shut down August 13.

Asked what will happen to them, the ambassador said, "we will assess the situation. We still have time from now until the 13th."

abd/dw/acb/des
(CNN)  Elon Musk on Wednesday announced the formation of a new company focused on artificial intelligence, after months of teasing plans to build a rival to ChatGPT.

The company, called xAI, unveiled a website and a team of a dozen staffers. The new company will be led by Musk, according to the website, and will work closely with X (Twitter), Tesla, and other companies to make progress towards our mission.

The goal of xAI is to understand the true nature of the universe, the website states, echoing language Musk has used before to describe his AI ambitions.

Musk was an early backer of ChatGPT-creator OpenAI, but later criticized the company for inputting safeguards that aim to prevent the viral chatbot from spewing biased or sexist responses.

The danger of training AI to be woke  in other words, lie  is deadly, Musk tweeted in December, responding to a Twitter user who asked OpenAIs CEO if it was possible to turn off the woke settings on ChatGPT.

In an interview with then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson in April, Musk said teased plans for his new AI venture. Were going to start something which I call TruthGPT, he said, describing it as a maximum truth-seeking AI that cares about understanding the universe.

Musks announcement of the new company comes months after he warned in an interview that he thinks AI could cause civilization destruction and joined other tech leaders in calling for a pause in an out of control AI race.

Few other details on the companys mission were immediately available, but the website indicates it is actively recruiting staff. At the moment, all of the dozen staffers on the website appear to be men.

The announcement of Musks latest venture comes at a precarious moment for Musk.

Twitter, the company he acquired for $44 billion in October, now faces an uncertain future after Meta launched a rival app called Threads. Metas app topped 100 million sign-ups in less than a week. Meanwhile, there were multiple reports of Twitters usage declining.

The turbulence at Twitter comes after months of Musk alienating some users and advertisers by slashing staff, pushing through controversial policy changes and making a number of incendiary remarks.

In addition to Twitter, Musk runs several other companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink and The Boring Company.
Syria says UN can deliver aid through shuttered Turkish crossing for six months

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The Syrian government on Thursday said the United Nations could use a border crossing from Turkey to continue delivering aid to northwest Syria for another six months after the Security Council failed to renew its authorization for the operation.

The U.N. aid deliveries would have to be "in full cooperation and coordination with the Syrian Government", Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh wrote in a letter on Thursday to the Security Council, seen by Reuters.

U.N. Security Council approval for the Turkish-based aid operation delivering help to several million people in rebel-held northwest Syria expired on Monday as members struggled to convince Russia to extend it for more than six months.

Russia vetoed a nine-month authorization renewal at the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday and then failed in its own bid for a six-month extension of the operation, which has been delivering aid including food, medicine and shelter since 2014.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had pushed for a 12-month renewal. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the Syrian letter had been received and the United Nations was studying it.

"Under the U.N. mandate, Bab al-Hawa had gold standard aid monitoring, to ensure aid was not misused," British U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward said in a statement.

"Without U.N. monitoring, control of this critical lifeline has been handed to the man responsible for the Syrian people's suffering," she said, in a reference to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

She said the priority was to quickly get aid flowing again to those who need it and then, certainty over the operation's future, adding: "We will not hesitate to bring this back to the Security Council."

Security Council authorization was needed because the Syrian government did not agree to the U.N. operation. It initially authorized aid deliveries in 2014 into opposition-held areas of Syria from Iraq, Jordan and two points in Turkey. But Russia and China whittled that down to just one from Turkey: Bab al-Hawa.

COUNCIL AVENUE 'DEAD'

Russia's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said there was now no need for the council to vote on any authorization for cross-border aid deliveries and that avenue was "officially dead" now that the Syrian government had given its own approval.

"Every effort to put another draft to vote will constitute nothing but political games," he posted on Twitter.

Russia and Syria have argued that the operation violates Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They say more aid should be delivered from inside the country, raising opposition fears food and other aid would fall under government control.

"The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic has taken the sovereign decision to grant the United Nations and its specialized agencies permission to use Bab al-Hawa crossing," Sabbagh wrote.

They would be allowed "to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in need in northwest Syria, in full cooperation and coordination with the Syrian Government, for a period of six months, starting from July 13, 2023," he said.

After an earthquake killed more than 50,000 people in Turkey and Syria in February, Assad allowed the United Nations to use an additional two border crossings from Turkey to dispatch aid. That approval expires on Aug. 13.

A violent crackdown by Assad on peaceful pro-democracy protesters in 2011 led to a civil war, with Moscow backing Assad and Washington supporting the opposition. Millions of people have fled Syria with millions more internally displaced. Fighting has since abated with Assad back in control of most of Syria.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Kanishka Singh and Deepa Babington)
(Bloomberg) -- President Tsai Ing-wens government moved to strengthen Taiwans equality laws after a series of sexual harassment scandals rocked the islands political elite ahead of a critical election.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Employers who commit sexual harassment will now face fines as large as NT$1 million ($32,144) and as long as three years in prison under the revised legislation, according to a cabinet statement.

The recent spate of sexual harassment cases generated a lot of expectation from the public that the President will improve related regulations, Lo Ping-cheng, the minister charged with leading the discussions, said at a briefing in Taipei on Thursday unveiling the changes.

The move to specify a higher penalty for employers who offend appeared to send a strong signal that those in power had a responsibility to set the benchmark for standards in the workplace.

The cabinets proposals will now be delivered to the legislature for approval. Lo said the government hopes the bill will be passed as soon as possible, without committing to a firm deadline.

A wave of high-profile #MeToo cases have ensnared at least 10 people linked to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in recent months. Those scandals have hit as Taiwanese voters are preparing to choose their next president in January, in a vote that will define cross-strait and US-China relations for years to come.

The DPP is already facing an erosion in public support as a global decline in demand for electronics has led to a slowing domestic economy. Still, its been hard for Taiwans opposition Kuomintang Party to capitalize because at least two of its members have also faced harassment accusations. At least two lawmakers from the Taiwan Peoples Party have also been implicated.

Getting ahead of the #MeToo allegations could provide the DPP with an opportunity to win back some public favor.

Wen-Ti Sung, a specialist on Taiwanese politics and cross-strait relations at Australian National University, said: If the DPP proves it can move beyond merely apologizing to victims to spending concrete political capital on pushing through long-standing legislative reforms, it will go some way to repair the DPPs self-professed brand as a progressive party.

Making Waves

The #MeToo movement started with a Netflix show about a fictional presidential campaign. Wave Makers portrays a senior political figure who promises to speak out for a junior staffer, after she is groped at work but forced to stay quiet.

After watching the show, former DPP staffer Chen Chien-Jou went public on Facebook with allegations the partys head of womens affairs dismissed her harassment complaint. Hsu Chia-tien, who led that department during the time Chen complained, resigned from her post as DPP deputy secretary-general.

READ MORE: Taiwans DPP Apologizes in #MeToo Case as Tsai Backs Probe

Since then, the #MeToo storm has ensured powerful political figures, popular celebrities, and revered pro-democracy leaders. More than 200 people have been implicated, according to an online tally based on news reports and social media posts. Bloomberg News was unable to independently verify the veracity of the accusations.

Many of the recent victims have voiced concerns that originally their complaints werent taken seriously.

The most obvious problem laid bare by Taiwans #MeToo movement is institutional betrayal, said Luo Tsun-Yin, a professor at Shih Hsin Universitys Graduate Institute for Gender Studies, who sits on the Education Ministrys gender equality education commission. When they stand up they are not being supported by the organizations.

President Tsai personally apologized twice in one week after one of her policy advisers resigned following accusations, and said shed instructed her government to enact a broad reform plan including a review of and amendments to current gender equality rules.

Progressive Reputation

Taiwans #MeToo moment comes years after the US had a national reckoning over harassment and gender discrimination. The scandals contrast with the islands image as one of Asias most progressive societies: Taiwan was the first place in the region to legalize same-sex marriage and elected its first female president in 2016.

A Ministry of Labor survey conducted last year found 3.3% of female employees and 1.3% of male workers had experienced sexual harassment at work. The manpower ministry overseeing the island of 23.3 million people, however, received only 165 complaints in 2022.

Our gender culture still hasnt caught up with the laws, said Fan Yun, a DPP legislator who recently won a sexual harassment lawsuit against a KMT lawmaker. Speaking up takes a lot of courage, because speaking up in this culture may lead to victim shaming.

In China, where Wave Makers is censored, some users of the Twitter-like Weibo platform have been closely watching Taiwans #MeToo movement unfurl. The ruling Communist Party has suppressed Chinas nascent #MeToo movement, viewing it as a vehicle for spreading liberal Western values.

The difference is only whether our society has given enough support to the victims for them to have the courage to stand up, one user wrote on Weibo.

Maybe we will have our own trigger several decades later, another user wrote.

--With assistance from Cindy Wang and Sing Yee Ong.

(Updates with analyst comments in paragraph 13.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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A Taiwanese man and his young son are reportedly stranded in a homeless shelter in Sunnyvale, California, following his wifes death in a car crash last year.

An American journey: Austin Cheng, 35, and his late wife, Maple, moved to the U.S. from Taiwan several years ago in search of better opportunities. Their son William, now aged 3, was born in the U.S.

The family moved back to Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maple and William then returned last year while Austin planned to follow after saving enough money.

The crash and its aftermath: The familys plight started after Maple was killed in a car crash near San Bernardino in November 2022. William, who was aged 2 at the time, survived the incident but sustained severe injuries.

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The crash forced Austin to return to the U.S. immediately. The expenses quickly drained his funds. As a result, he and William  who was still recovering from the crash  ended up living in a car for about two weeks. A friend in the Bay Area then temporarily took them in before they moved to the Home First shelter in Sunnyvale.

The shelters resources, however, are limited. Austin has yet to arrange for Maples funeral, and her ashes are still in his luggage.

I miss my wife dearly, Austin told NBC Bay Area. I have not yet taken care of funeral arrangements for my wife because of the expensive costs.

More from NextShark: Chinese astronauts back home after historic 6-month mission in space

"Wave of depression": The series of unfortunate events led Austin to contemplate ending his life. Apart from losing his wife, the image of William in a coma attached to multiple medical devices sent him spiraling into depression.

"This series of tragic events swept Austin under a wave of depression," Aubri Lee, who organized a GoFundMe campaign to help the family, wrote. "He had contemplated suicide, and a nurse suggested that he undergo an examination. So he received behavior health counseling from the same hospital."

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Plans for the future: Austin is currently unable to look for a job because no one else can take care of William. Once help becomes available, he plans to work, arrange a funeral for Maple and pay their debts.

Lee noted that the minimum funeral cost is well over $3,000, while Austin has to pay around $100,000 for his sons medical bills and his mental health treatment.

As of this writing, the campaign has raised over $42,000 since being started on Friday.

More from NextShark: Kyle Richards, Megyn Kelly defend Gwen Stefani amid backlash over Im Japanese claim
Gov. Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign is encountering enough turbulence that aides felt compelled to send out a "confidential" memo aimed at quieting concerns among donors.

DeSantis increasingly has been confronted by interviewers about his low poll numbers, and publicly has shrugged off the idea that his campaign is in trouble. Yet the need for the memo indicates that some DeSantis supporters are worried.

Here are three takeaways from the memo, which is labeled a "confidential friends and family update" that is "not for distribution" and was first obtained by NBC News.

Focus on early states

DeSantis has been building up operations in early states such as Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, waves to the audience while arriving with Chris Ager, chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, during a stop at a New Hampshire Republican Party dinner, Friday, April 14, 2023, in Manchester, N.H.

The memo makes it clear that DeSantis is all in on these states right now, instead of broadening the campaign to the large group of states that vote on Super Tuesday.

"While Super Tuesday is critically important, we will not dedicate resources to Super Tuesday that slow our momentum in New Hampshire," the memo states. "We expect to revisit this investment in the Fall."

A campaign that is running strong in the early voting states might be tempted to devote resources to more states. The fact that the campaign is laser focused on the early states indicates DeSantis' team feels there is a lot of work to do there, and that spending money on a national campaign is unwise.

Shots at Tim Scott

As DeSantis struggles, there has been reporting that some big donors are taking a deeper look at Sen. Tim Scott., R-S.C.

The memo shows that DeSantis' campaign views Scott as a threat.

"While Tim Scott has earned a serious look at this stage, his bio is lacking the fight that our electorate is looking for in the next President," the memo states. "We expect Tim Scott to receive appropriate scrutiny in the weeks ahead."

It also states former Vice President Mike Pence and Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie "don't feel remotely viable."

As for how he will take on former President Donald Trump, who is trouncing DeSantis in most early polls, expect more of the same tactics.

"Our campaign will make the contrast between Joe Biden and Ron DeSantis clear  but we won't avoid Trump's failings when asked. Our strategy? Question Asked, Question Answered, then on to how we beat Joe Biden," the memo states.

What's to come: An emphasis on his bio, 'woke military' and more

The section of the memo that deals with DeSantis' message leads with his bio, arguing it hasn't been fully explored by the campaign and will be a major focus going forward.

The memo notes that DeSantis didn't sign up for a government pension while in Congress.

From USA TODAY: Stuck in neutral: Ron DeSantis is way behind Donald Trump. Here's his comeback plan.

"This and many other examples have yet to even be explored and will likely be feature of his bio in the Fall," the memo states.

DeSantis is a husband and father of young children who graduated from Yale University and Harvard Law School and served in the military. Whether the campaign can more successfully leverage his background and credentials remains to be seen.

The governor's team also said they will focus on "big, bold ideas that will get people talking" and lead to more "earned media" and news reports on the campaign.

Echoing DeSantis, who has blamed sagging poll numbers on "corporate media" attacks in recent days, the campaign concluded that "standing in the polls" is directly tied to news coverage. Toward that end, they said DeSantis surrogates would aim to appear "on every possible news segment."

"The earned media is the cake," the memo states. "The paid media (early states and national conservative cable) is the icing and keeps the messaging points from the earned media hits in the voter's face."

The memo also states that over the next two months, the governor will broaden his focus beyond immigration policy to the economy.

More to come in the Fall of 2023. including woke military, the deep state, school choice and beyond."

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: DeSantis 'confidential' memo lays out strategy to gain ground on Trump
A teacher who spoke out after her students were banned from singing 'Rainbowland' by Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus has been fired

A Wisconsin teacher has been fired after her students were banned from singing "Rainbowland" by Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Wisconsin teacher Melissa Tempel was fired after speaking out over her school's "Rainbowland" ban.

Tempel wanted her students to sing the song by Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus at the school concert.

The district determined that the song, which is about acceptance, was too controversial.

A Wisconsin school board unanimously voted to fire the teacher who spoke out after her first-grade students weren't allowed to sing "Rainbowland," a song by Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus, at a school concert.

Melissa Tempel, a teacher at Heyer Elementary School in Waukesha, made headlines in March when she tweeted that the song had been banned from the school's spring concert.

"Rainbowland," which was written by both Parton and Cyrus, is a song about acceptance.

"Wouldn't it be nice to live in paradise / Where we're free to be exactly who we are," one of the lyrics reads. "Let's all dig down deep inside / Brush the judgment and fear aside / Make wrong things right, and end the fight."

In an interview with Insider in April, Tempel said she decided to speak up because she just "can't not say anything anymore."

"If I have to lose my job, then at least I'll be able to sleep at night knowing that I stuck up for kids," she added.

Tempel was placed on administrative leave in April. Jill Underly, the Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction, then urged Waukesha School District Superintendent James Sebert to reevaluate the teacher's suspension.

"Toxicity undoubtedly contributes to teachers leaving the profession, and we cannot afford to lose our educator workforce to misguided choices made in the name of student protection," she wrote, according to The Washington Post.

Instead, following an internal investigation, Sebert recommended that Tempel be fired due to her "inappropriate" and "disruptive" tweet. In a statement sent to Insider in April, Sebert said the school's principal had determined that "Rainbowland" could be "deemed controversial" in accordance with the district policy regarding "Controversial Issues in the Classroom."

Wisconsin teacher Melissa Tempel. Melissa Tempel

On Wednesday, the School District of Waukesha's Board of Education agreed with Sebert and made Tempel's termination official.

Summer Murshid, Tempel's attorney, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the teacher "looks forward to vindicating her rights in federal court."

"This is not a case about culture wars or rainbows. It's a case about constitutional rights, and Miss Tempel has them like every other person in this country," she added.

Dave Dringenburg, a member of the parental advocacy group Alliance for Education in Waukesha, told the Washington Post that the board's decision wasn't "truly representative of the opinions of a majority of Waukesha residents."

"While Ms. Tempel was terminated in part for being 'disruptive,' the board's inconsistent implementation of policy has led the district to years of disruption in our schools and community," he added.

The "Rainbowland" ban has shone a light on other recent policy changes at the district, including banning teachers from wearing rainbow lanyards.

After finding out she had been officially fired, Tempel told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel she had a message for her students.

"I really miss you guys and love you and wanted to be there with you this year," she added. "I hope that we get to see each other really soon."

Representatives for the School District of Waukesha's Board of Education, Tempel, Parton, and Cyrus did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is attempting to rally support for a bill that would reveal to Americans if their household devices are spying on them.

Mr Cruz took to the Senate floor on Tuesday to rally support for the Informing Consumers about the Smart Devices Act  warning that as more and more Americans bring smart devices into their homes, the result could be a loss of privacy.

In Texas, weve become very aware of that cost, Mr Cruz said. The past few years, smart thermostats have allowed electric companies to control the temperature in your own home from afar in the name of conserving energy. Furthermore, a lot of Americans dont realize or expect that the growing number of smart household devices and appliances, have cameras on them, and microphones that can surreptitiously record families and transmit data.

Mr Cruz says his bill would require technology manufacturers to clearly disclose whether their appliances have listening devices, cameras, or any other spying technologies. The bill would not apply to cell phones, laptops, or other devices that a consumer would reasonably expect to include a camera or microphone.

Mr Cruz first introduced the proposal back in January with Sen Maria Cantwell of Washington, a Democrat. Sen Raphael Warnock of Georgia also joined the bill as a co-sponsor in late March, shortly after it was marked up by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation committee. According to Mr Cruzs testimony, the bill passed the Commerce Committee by a voice vote but has not yet been taken up by the full Senate.

At its core, Mr Cruz said, the bill is designed as a consumer protection measure to let Americans know what theyre bringing into their home  a right that he feels takes precedent over concerns about government overreach.

Now, Im sympathetic to the argument that there are too many mandates from government and that many of the mandates are unnecessary, burdensome, and costly, Mr Cruz said. But requiring a manufacturer to tell you if theyre spying on you does not fall into that category. And I have to say in assessing the minimal burden, the disclosure burden, against the harm, I fall down on the side of individual liberty. I fall down on the side of privacy.

Privacy is, in many ways, one of the defining issues of the internet age  particularly at a time when the buying and selling of peoples personal data is a multi-billion dollar industry that is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years.

I dont think the American people want their air fryer spying on them, Mr Cruz said. And at a minimum, they have a right to know if their air fryer is spying on them.
Tell them I didnt do it. The voices in Devalos Perkins head destroy chances for trial.

Dr. Mark Hazelrigg sat in a quiet, private office at Central Regional Hospital.

A click of a button would transport him to the Mecklenburg County Jail.

On the other end of Hazelriggs Zoom screen was a mumbling Devalos Perkins. The forensic psychologist had spoken to the 35-year-old man before but his case was still puzzling.

Perkins had gained weight since they last spoke, and Hazelrigg hoped it would be a good sign.

Nah, nah, nah, an agitated Perkins said, according to the doctors notes.

I dont need no evaluation. I was in (Central Prison) safe keeping for nine months, Im good.

A few questions later, Hazelrigg learned Perkins was not taking his medication and in fact, was not good.

One question from the doctor set Perkins off more than the others: Are you hearing voices?

You asked me about 10 questions, now this, Perkins screamed at the camera. Im done!

He stormed out.

Hazelrigg, a doctor at one of North Carolinas state-run mental health hospitals, heard Perkins arguing with the guards who werent able to convince him to stay in the interview.

The doctors report for the court was summarized in one sentence: Mr. Perkins is currently incapable to proceed.

It wasnt new for Perkins, and his day in court kept getting pushed further into the future.

Over the past nine years, he had been evaluated at least nine times  only twice, court records show, was he judged at least temporarily lucid enough to stand trial. Both times, he back-tracked and proceedings were paused again.

Perkins is still incarcerated, nearly 20 years after his alleged crime and 11 years after his arrest for murder.

A now-defunct provision in North Carolina law may keep him here, without a guilty verdict, until the day he dies.

Hazelriggs August 2021 patient notes describing the conversation and abrupt end would sum up Perkins state of mind much like he and others had done before:

Psychotic symptoms.

Disorganized thoughts.

Unstable emotional control.

Paranoid.

Probably having auditory hallucinations.

Devalos Perkins' Purgatory

This 4-part news series by The Charlotte Observer examines how a cold case murder devolved into a mans decade-long purgatory in jail, mental health hospitals and court. This chapter illuminates why Devalos Perkins, now 37, has been perpetually considered legally incapable of being put on trial. In Chapters 1 and 2, we tell the story of how he ended up in jail and show the resulting brokenness across three families after a robbery in a gas station parking lot led to murder.

Hidden struggles

Most of Perkins story has received little public attention. Instead, it lives in a thick pile of manila folders in the court clerks office, and in short paragraphs entered into a guard incident log.

Some of the unsealed records in his file highlight the grim truth of a psychotic man who is deeply paranoid, delusional, and unable to understand his charges.

Over a dozen other envelopes in his files remain sealed.

As hes been awaiting trial in Charlotte since his arrest in 2012 on a first-degree murder charge, Perkins has been shuffled between the Mecklenburg County jail, Broughton Hospital, Central Prison, and Central Regional Hospital dozens of times.

Eventually, his behavior was considered so dangerous the court blocked him from returning to Broughton, one of the states three mental hospitals for the criminally insane. Instead, hes now sent to Central Regional Hospital.

The Observer attempted to reach Perkins by sending him letters, and using the jails online messaging system but did not receive a response. The Observer also contacted his lawyer who did not respond.

Hes spent a large portion of his time in jail in solitary confinement. His mundane days have been peppered with assaults on guards, being Tased or punched, hunger strikes, and long hours in the jails restraint chair, incident reports show.

Just last year, following a detention center disciplinary hearing, he was issued a sanction and told he would spend 150 days in solitary confinement, according to jail incident logs. This punishment, jail records show, came after guards said Perkins assaulted an officer who was trying to clean up a massive pile of trash in his cell.

His list of diagnoses by various doctors over the last 20 years include schizophrenia, antisocial personality disorder, social anxiety disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, court records show.

Hes tried several forms of medication over the years, including at least six different antipsychotic drugs. Hes gone through the same cycle for years: Take meds; be considered able to stand trial for a few weeks; relapse to a state of complete delusion behind bars.

That is how Dr. Hazelrigg found Perkins in 2021 during the last significant evaluation on record the Observer was able to obtain in his case.

Officials with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services refused the Observers attempt to interview Hazelrigg. A spokesperson said DHHS is seeing an increase in court orders for capacity evaluations and defendants found incapable to proceed. This combined with a staffing shortage leaves fewer hospital beds and increased wait times for mentally-ill defendants.

Jail purgatory 2.0

The nearly 11 years Perkins has spent in jail isnt the first time hes been held in legal limbo.

A year after Justin Ervins death  but before Perkins was named a murder suspect  he was arrested in Charlotte on drug charges, illegally living in his car and armed robbery, court records show.

Over a two-year period facing charges, he was twice ordered to stay in a mental health hospital; once fired his lawyer; and twice deemed incapable of proceeding to trial due to his mental health.

The case  and that purgatory ended  when Perkins in 2008 took a plea deal that allowed him to plead guilty to a lesser charge.

Other times, for other crimes, Perkins has stood trial and been found guilty, public records show. Leading up to his 2012 arrest, Perkins had multiple convictions, including in 2003 for property damage; in 2005 for drug possession; and in 2006 for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Over a dozen other times he was charged with a crime that was later dismissed without leave, according to public records.

Mental health evaluations in court documents related to the 2006 armed robbery case paint a disturbing portrait of Perkins in his early 20s.

In a forensic evaluation, an expert was brought in to interview Perkins.

Perkins, 22 at the time, shuffled into the room wearing a malodorous orange jumpsuit, the report says. He was in tears and shackles.

Why do I feel like Im going crazy, he whimpered.

The evaluator gave Perkins an hour to calm down before the interview. At this time, Perkins had been diagnosed with an unspecified psychotic disorder and was being treated with medication meant for patients with schizophrenia, the evaluation report shows.

He attempted suicide in the past and had difficulty with anger management and anti-social behavior, the doctor wrote.

Perkins remained emotionally distraught and suspicious throughout the evaluation; he had a hard time sitting still, the doctor noted.

Why we keep on doing this? Why this keep happening to me, he tearfully asked.

In a later interview with another doctor in 2008, Perkins noted that at one point he had been held in seclusion and solitary confinement  the hole  for eight months.

I hear voices, everyone punking me down.

I am feeling like I am going crazy and everyone on the inside is trying to erase my memories of my family.

The voices in Devalos Perkins mind

Over the years Perkins kept hearing voices that sounded like his family, according to court records. They promised him money and power, and they warned him about things.

Its hard to know if hes had real contact with his loved ones. The Observer spoke briefly to his mother, who lives in Charlotte. She was reluctant to talk and did not agree to be interviewed. She shared only that she had no information about her sons case and that it had been years since she last spoke to him.

Perkins heard other voices, too.

There was a secret society trying to kill him. He knew it. The voices told him, and they said the government was using members of the court system to do it.

The voices were there to study his mind, to tell him how to answer questions, and to control his movements, he said. They warned him about the secret society, the high secret service the aluminati and about the other threats to his life, he told doctors throughout his hospital stays and evaluations.

Sometimes the voices sent him messages through the television in jail, he explained.

Doctor notes in his court file show he believed a microchip was installed in his brain to control his thoughts.

And while some days he could give detailed explanations of the legal system and his charges, on others he didnt know what a judge or jury was.

The voices and behavior show up in Perkins evaluations by multiple doctors going back to at least 2006.





By the time he was charged with murder in 2012, Perkins believed the government could read his mind  but he could stop them by keeping his mouth open, he told one doctor. On that day, he opened his mouth, kept it open, and refused to answer any more questions.

Perkins delusions deeply concerned his attorney at the time, Grady Jessup, who requested an evaluation of Perkins in 2013.

He feels the masons and/or the Illuminati are controlling his life, Jessup wrote in court documents. He stated he is an alien and not from this world, he is not human.

For three weeks he had refused attorney visits. He had also stopped taking his medication. In the Mecklenburg County jail, he was accused of assaulting guards, breaking sprinklers, and smearing feces on his cell walls.

Months later, Perkins wrote to a judge  one of a series of letters, some more coherent than others  a short rambling single paragraph:

This is inmate Devalos Perkins #323484, I want a new attorney I fill the one I got aint wit me hes wit aluminati and want me sent away in prison.

Almost capable

Dr. Hazelrigg has pages of notes from his years of evaluating Perkins.

Once, hed thought, Perkins was doing better. And Hazelrigg noted his symptoms were under control because of his medication.

That finding would finally allow Perkins to return to court in 2015.

After more than three years in jail doctors determined he might be mentally stable.

But when called to evaluate Perkins just before his hearing, Hazelrigg found him delusional again  and markedly more paranoid.

Perkins still wanted to have a trial.

Hazelrigg noted that Perkins concretely maintained he will just, Tell them I didnt do it, referring to the judge.

Hazelrigg testified Perkins could not stand trial. Instead, he was sent to a state mental health hospital.

While its unclear how long he stayed in the hospital, court records show he was soon after removed from the facility for assaulting staff and patients.

Hed repeatedly attacked multiple fellow patients; tackled a staff member so hard, the persons head was injured; hit a nursing assistant four times in their face; directed sexually-inappropriate behavior toward a female worker; and attempted to break into the nurses station, a description in court documents shows.

The hospital staff called police after doctors reported theyd lost clinical control of the unit with Perkins there.

When police arrived they cuffed Perkins, pepper sprayed him, and left. The next day Perkins punched another staff member and was placed in restraints for hours due to continued threats. Two days later, he was back on his Mecklenburg jail bunk.

Records show this instance in 2016 of violence in the mental health hospital was at least the third time staff there reported abuse at the hands of Perkins.

During his previous admissions to Broughton in 2014 and 2013, Perkins records tell the same story. He repeatedly attacked nurses and patients until finally, the care staff said he was too dangerous to treat and sent him back to Central Prison, or the Mecklenburg County Jail.

For most mentally-ill suspects behind bars, these hospital stays are the best option for treating and stabilizing defendants so that they are considered legally-capable of standing trial, experts and officials have told the Observer. But in Perkins case, any progress in the hospital has eroded each time hes returned to jail, records indicate.

His case file shows the seemingly-hopeless cycle whenever Perkins has grown closer to a potential end to his purgatory.

He once told his lawyer he wanted to accept a plea offer to reduce his murder charge  but he refused to answer the questions legally required on the paperwork in court.

When told he might be eligible for a more generous plea, Perkins changed his mind and told Jessup he didnt want one.

Instead, he asked for the death penalty, which had already been taken off the table.

Jessup explained to the judge: He wanted the death penalty, because the world is going to end in 2020 and he doesnt want to be alive when the world ends.

Five years later, in 2018, another plea deal was being discussed, according to his court records.

Perkins wrote to the district attorneys office: I been in jail over five years on a cold case murder & robbery charge that happen 2005 and I didnt commit.

Most of the time Ive been incarcerated for this charge, I have been back and forth from the mental hospital for evaluations. Now I am compitint to go to trial.

Two months later, he sent another letter asking to go to trial and for a third time, asking for a new attorney who he believed could better represent him.

I dont feel comfortable with this lawyer, he is working with (the) state DA. Can you please have these charges dismissed or give me a new attorney? Thank you.

Soon after Jessup withdrew from the case. In court, Perkins said he wanted to fire him.

Norman Butler took over the case as his public defender and said while Perkins was initially able to assist in his defense and discuss the plea, he quickly deteriorated and refused to come to court. Butler requested another capacity evaluation, according to court records.

That was 2018 and it was the last time, based on court records, the case was potentially close to a plea deal or advancing to trial.

Devalos Perkins mental health

Incapable to proceed cases

Perkins insists he didnt commit the murder. But his behavior in jail and mental hospitals shows he isnt safe for society either.

When hes deemed too dangerous for mental health institutions and too sick for jail, Perkins is sent to a ultra-high security safekeeping prison facility located in Central Prison in Raleigh.

Legal and mental health experts say there are no easy answers about where someone in Perkins condition should be detained or supervised. North Carolinas mental health system for criminal defendants generally seeks to treat the most severe of cases outside of jail but in practice, thats nearly impossible.

Across the state, hundreds of people were found incapable of proceeding over a recent four-year period, state data show.

Even with the most difficult cases, the law forbids indefinite pre-trial detention.

But Perkins is an exception.

Our investigation shows hes caught in legal ambiguity  sentenced to purgatory due to a single word in state law that was amended a year after his arrest.

The law may have the power to imprison Perkins for the rest of his life.

Sources

Scenes not witnessed by the reporter in this series were compiled from research, interviews and public records including documents from the Mecklenburg County Detention Center and Clerk of Superior Court.

Credits

Kallie Cox | Reporter

Anna Douglas | Editor

Rachel Handley | Illustrations & Design

Gabby McCall | Page Design

David Newcomb | Development & Design
Biden said U.S. support for Ukraine won't waver. Congress and voters are having second thoughts.

WASHINGTON  After President Joe Biden promised more U.S. military support for Ukraine at a NATO summit in Vilnius, he now needs Congress to put the money where his mouth is.

NATO allies and G7 nations agreed on new long-term security guarantees to Ukraine and assured Kyiv of a path into the military alliance, despite falling short of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's request for a clear timeline for NATO ascension.

Biden said in a speech from Vilnius that the United States' commitment to Ukraine "will not weaken."

"We will not waver," he said. "We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes."

Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the U.S. government has spent more than $100 billion on aid for Kyiv, and although Ukraine is staging a counteroffensive against Russia, there are some signs that part of the American electorate is beginning to waver in its support for backing the Ukrainian war effort. Republican voters, in particular, have become increasingly skeptical of sending more aid overseas, according to a recent poll.

That skepticism is also growing in Congress, where some Republicans are threatening to strip money for Ukraine from a defense spending bill expected to provide Kyiv with crucial billions in additional military assistance. Other lawmakers have advocated for more limitations and called on the Biden administration to ensure oversight on Ukraine aid packages.

Why it matters: Since Russian President Vladimir Putin's escalation last year, the war in Ukraine has become the top U.S. foreign policy issue. Many politicians and experts also believe helping Ukraine to defeat Russia is crucial for American national security and will discourage other countries  such as China  from attempting something similar.

President Biden welcomes President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine on the South Lawn of the White House December 21, 2022. The Ukrainian President visited Washington to meet with Biden and US lawmakers. President Zelenskyy will also address a joint meeting of Congress at the Capitol during his first trip outside his country since Russia began its violent invasion of Ukraine in February.

'Tell me how we do well if Putin wins'

Even as opponents of more Ukraine aid are increasingly voicing their disapproval in Congress, proponents are indicating that there still is bipartisan support in Congress to finance the long-term security guarantees for Ukraine that Biden made in Vilnius.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., one of the most vocal Republican supporters of Ukraine in Congress, expressed confidence Tuesday that the House and the Senate would agree on a supplemental spending bill that includes "money for Ukraine" in addition to funding for domestic defense needs and funding to address a global food crisis.

Graham told USA TODAY he intends to persuade Republicans who question the need to continue funding Ukraine by asking a question of his own: "Tell me how we do well if Putin wins?"

That question may go unanswered by some Republicans.

Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., a member of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, told USA TODAY he will not support a Ukraine funding supplemental bill.

"There's been zero accountability, zero strategy and zero plan to end the conflict from the Biden administration," Bishop said. "They want to ratchet up our involvement and make the taxpayers foot the bill.

"Its alarming, and I dont see how anyone rational can continue to support this blank-check policy."

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said in an interview with USA TODAY that if the U.S. government wants to continue funding Ukraine, "there will be a need for a supplemental."

Tillis said Biden will run out of the money he has used for expedited defense packages to Kyiv and will need Congress to pass a spending bill so the U.S. government can "continue to provide munitions, training" and other support for Ukraine.

Other lawmakers have expressed concern about whether the aid is being used for its intended purposes. Most recently, a group of Republican senators took aim at the Biden administration after the Defense Department announced it had overestimated the value of U.S. security aid to Ukraine by $6.2 billion.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and four other senators wrote in a letter Monday to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that the accounting error is a "transparent attempt to bypass Congress for additional funds, while continuing to prioritize Ukraine over more vital U.S. interests, including deterring China in the Pacific."

"This is yet another example of why we do not support further appropriations to Ukraine," the Republican senators said.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D.-Ore., a supporter of additional funding for Ukraine, also told USA TODAY he believes it is important to have oversight.

"We need to be very vigorous to make sure it's spent wisely," he said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) sits before Attorney General Merrick Garland testifies in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 1, 2023 in Washington.

'They just got lucky'

The debate on Capitol Hill mirrors the debate on Main Street, where voters across the country have conflicting views on sending more money to Kyiv  even if they want Ukraine to win the war.

"We're taking this money from Americans that work hard for their money and we're sending it overseas," said Artem Joukov, 32, a recently graduated Ph.D. student and registered Republican from Plano, Texas. "It's wonderful if people want to help out of their own private funds, but to use government funds when we're running a $1.5 trillion deficit per year, I don't think is wise."

Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., said in an interview with USA TODAY that he believes what Putin "has done is crystal-clear in most American minds."

"We're not fighting. The Ukrainians are fighting and dying," Connolly said. "We're supplying them and training them, and I think that is an understandable proposition for most Americans that merits their support."

Yuliya Kindziayeva, 42, a Democrat living in California who is from Belarus, said she wants to see the U.S. government further increase its aid to Ukraine because she believes a Russian victory will result in further invasions.

"If Ukraine doesn't stop Putin, Putin will go further and further into Europe, especially Eastern Europe," she said.

Having grown up in Belarus, Kindziayeva said, she knows what it is like to live under a dictator and said Americans who don't support military aid for Ukraine are taking democracy for granted.

"People who were born and raised here, sometimes they think that they are special and they deserve democracy," Kindziayeva said. "To be honest, they just got lucky.

"But any other country over there also deserves to be free and to be democratic, especially in Eastern Europe," she said. "And sometimes, countries need help."

In conversations with constituents about why Washington should continue to support Ukraine, Wyden has emphasized the national security concerns related to Russia and invoked his own family history as the son of Jewish immigrants who fled the Nazis before World War II.

"I just came off several town hall meetings in rural Oregon, so I was out with voters," Wyden said. "I said, 'Look, my dad fled the Nazis in the 30s, and not all our family got out. We know something about authoritarians, and that's Putin.'"

U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., participates in a Senate Finance Committee hearing with Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra on March 22, 2023 in Washington, DC.

'We need everybody to do their part'

Other voters are concerned about the U.S. government sending more lethal weapons and military equipment to Ukraine.

"I don't see that it's in America's best interest that we're sending billions of dollars of anything over to Ukraine, much less weapons, munition and now illegal cluster bombs," said Aaron Bennion, 47, an independent voter who lives in Portland, Oregon.

"I would support sending stuff like food, medical supplies, things to support the Ukrainian people themselves," Bennion added.

Biden's controversial decision to supply Ukraine with cluster bombs, which carry an increased risk of causing civilian causalities, has also caused tension with his allies in Congress.

Connolly, a Democratic congressman from Virginia, said he does not support Biden's move to send cluster bombs to Kyiv.

"The very supply and deployment of these weapons guarantees that future generations of Ukrainian children are going to be maimed and killed by unexploded ordnance," Connolly said. "I understand the military imperative that President Biden felt he was faced with, and I know it's a very difficult and painful decision for him, but I come down on the side of opposing the use of cluster bombs."

Joukov, a Republican from Texas, also said it is unfair the American government is spending more on Ukraine than its NATO allies are.

"We're one of many countries in NATO, and yet we bear the brunt of the burden," Joukov said. "If the people that are closer to the crisis are unwilling to spend their own money to fund it, then perhaps the cause is not as just, or as great, or as likely to succeed as we might believe over here."

Getting NATO allies to commit to spending 2% of their GDP on defense is "very related" to shoring up support for additional Ukraine funding in Congress, Connolly said.

"We need everybody to do their part," he said. "When they don't, it erodes confidence in NATO and the alliance itself."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine aid: Voters, GOP split as Biden promises more support at NATO
Delk Kennedy and Karine Jean-Pierre

A conservative radio station owner in Tennessee has come under fire after he made a racist comment, referring to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre as Buckwheat.

On Monday, during a segment on WKOM's 3 Dudes with a View program, the hosts discussed recent developments in the state regarding access to gender-affirming care by minors.

The show discusses local information and politics, and according to an online description, the program reflects "the tone of the community with informative and entertaining talk weekday mornings on WKOM 101.7 FM with Delk Kennedy, Jim York, Clayton Harris."

Kennedy owns the station.

The men discussed a federal appeals courts ruling to allow a state law banning access to gender-affirming care to take effect while it is being challenged in court.

After going on about how children should be protected from these procedures and that Tennessee values dictate that kids shouldnt have access to this type of care, Kennedy asserted several false claims about health care for transgender people and the laws surrounding access to this treatment in Democratically-led states.

President Biden has come  both he and Buckwheat Jean-Pierre have come out and in favor of a national law, allowing minors without the consent of their parents to have gender changing procedures. And in some cases, states have enacted laws California, places like that  where if a child wants gender-changing surgery and the parents wont consent, the child can be removed from the home as abused and neglected, placed in foster care, and be given the gender changing procedures.

None of this is true. Gender-confirmation surgeries are almost never performed on minors. Major medical associations in the U.S. support gender-affirming care for trans youth.

Later in the conversation, Kennedy again referred to Jean-Pierre as Buckwheat while discussing Bidens decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine.

Whats interesting to me is that Jen Psaki, the former White House [Press Secretary], she had Jean-Pierre Buckwheats job before she came out just a year or two ago, saying that cluster bombs were a war crime. And guess what Joe Biden did last week? He sent cluster bombs to Ukraine. And yet thats how stupid they think the American people are. They think they can get away with this.

Throughout the 1930s, Buckwheat was a Black child character in the Little Rascals or Our Gang series. He was widely regarded as a racial stereotype.

By Tuesday, the station had seemingly been inundated with messages from people who pointed out the owners racist comments.

The hosts discussed the critical messages received by the show about the segment and continued to make jokes, dismissing the criticism.

Apparently, you calling her Buckwheat just really set these white folks off, one of the hosts told Kennedy.

There we go, Buckwheat, Buckwheat, Buckwheat, Kennedy replied.

Actually, thats a compliment to Karine Jean-Pierre, he said, mispronouncing her name.

Jean-Pierre is the first Black lesbian to hold the position of top spokesperson for the president of the United States.

Kennedy claimed that because on the show, The Little Rascals, the character Buckwheat was intelligent, he was actually giving her praise.

It is a compliment because the character Buckwheat if you go back and look at the old Little Rascals movies, is an intelligent, admirable character, he said before several times calling the White House Press Secretary Claude Jean-Pierre.

He repeated, Buckwheat in Little Rascals is not some stereotypical old song of the South Darkie. He is a very admirable, smart, capable person.
A federal appeals court last week reinstated a new Tennessee law than bans gender-affirming treatments for transgender youth, leading to some legal whiplash for Tennesseans as the law was first blocked from full enforcement and is now in total effect.

The ruling was a temporary one, though, and the case is likely to continue to make headlines in the coming months in the ongoing struggle over LGBTQ rights in Tennessee.

Here's what to know about the case and the legal proceedings so far.

What is the case?

In April, a trio of transgender youth and their families sued Tennessee over the new law, which legislative Republicans passed earlier this year. The lawsuit, L.W. v. Skrmetti, was filed in federal court.

The suit was filed on behalf of three Tennessee families  Nashville residents Samantha and Brian Williams and their 15-year-old transgender daughter L.W.; Rebecca Roe and her 15-year-old son Ryan; and anonymous parents of a 12-year-old son. The plaintiffs also include Memphis-based Dr. Susan Lacy, who provides gender-affirming care for her patients.

The law bans medications such as puberty blockers and hormone treatments for children who identify as transgender or nonbinary. Gender-affirming surgeries, which were very rare in Tennessee but at the center of the trans youth care controversy, were also banned under the law. The law went into effect on July 1, while children who currently take medications have until March 31, 2024 to cycle off the treatment.

How are the families challenging the law?

The lawsuit argues the law is unconstitutionally discriminatory, as a child could be prescribed a puberty blocker or hormone medication for any diagnosis other than gender dysphoria under the law. Families describe the treatments, taken after a series of tests and medical advisement, as life-saving treatment.

I dont even want to think about having to go back to the dark place I was in before I was able to come out and access the care that my doctors have prescribed for me, L.W. said in a statement this spring.

Republican lawmakers, and now Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, have argued the treatments are in some cases irreversible and cause harm to minors who aren't yet mature enough to make their own medical decisions.

"The Tennessee General Assembly passed a law to protect Tennessee children from the lifelong consequences of these interventions, and we will vigorously defend that law," a Skrmetti spokesperson said in April.

Who are the judges in L.W. v. Skrmetti?

The lawsuit, filed in Tennessee's Middle District, is before U.S. District Court Judge Eli Richardson. Richardson was appointed to the bench by then-President Donald Trump in 2017.

When Skrmetti appealed Richardson's preliminary ruling that blocked Tennessee from enforcing part of its law last month, a three-judge panel from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling. The court has jurisdiction over Tennessee.

Chief U.S. Circuit Judge Jeffrey Sutton, a George W. Bush appointee, and Judge Amul Thapur, a Trump appointee, found in favor of the state.

Judge Helene White, another George W. Bush appointee, dissented in part from the panel's opinion, finding Tennessee's law is likely unconstitutional on the basis of sex discrimination.

While the 6th Circuit is now expected to issue a final ruling on Tennessee's appeal of the preliminary injunction, Richardson will still preside over a full trial on the lawsuit.

What are the judges saying?

In an early ruling, Richardson said Tennessee's evidence to prove the alleged harm of gender-affirming treatment was "minimally persuasive."

Richardson found Tennessee's medical experts had never diagnosed or treated a minor with gender dysphoria, while the plaintiff's medical experts have treated "hundreds" of cases.

Richardson found the law likely infringes on Tennesseans' constitutional rights, namely the Equal Protection clause, as treating someone disparately based on transgender status is inherently discriminating based on sex. Richardson leans on a legal precedent from a 2020 U.S. Supreme Court case, Bostock v. Clayton County, in which a conservative-leaning court sided with three Georgia employees fired because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

More: How a Supreme Court decision last year is reshaping the legal battle over LGBTQ discrimination

In the 6th Circuit, though, Sutton dismissed the Bostock ruling as inapplicable and instead relies on a court precedent set in the Dobbs decision, the landmark ruling striking down the constitutional right to an abortion. The Supreme Court's conservative majority rejected an argument in Dobbs that anti-abortion laws discriminate based on sex.

"If a law restricting a medical procedure that applies only to women does not trigger heightened scrutiny, as in Dobbs, a law equally applicable to all minors, no matter their sex at birth, does not require such scrutiny either," Sutton said in his ruling on an emergency stay.

What does the future of the case look like?

The 6th Circuit's decision is the latest legal whiplash in the case, but it may not be the last.

The ruling was on Tennessee's emergency request for a stay, meaning the ruling allowed Tennessee to fully enforce its law without fully overturning Richardson's injunction against the law.

"These initial views, we must acknowledge, are just that: initial. We may be wrong. It may be that the one week we have had to resolve this motion does not suffice to see our own mistakes." Sutton wrote in the ruling.

Sutton said the court will expedite considering a full appeal, promising a ruling by Sept. 30 at the latest. The ruling could either strike down Richardson's preliminary injunction or uphold it, which would block Tennessee from enforcing part of its law.

Meanwhile, the main case is still advancing toward a full trial early next year.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What is the Tennessee law at the center of a trans rights legal battle
71-year-old woman's road trip wins praise from Chinese netizens

People's Daily Online) 10:14, July 13, 2023

Recently, a 71-year-old grandmother embarked on a road trip to some of China's highest altitudes, earning widespread praise from netizens.

A short video showcasing the composed and steady driving of the grandmother, surnamed Xu, in a mountainous region has garnered significant attention online. "She navigates a narrow mountain pass at an altitude of over 4,580 meters so easily. I suspect many younger individuals lack that kind of courage," a netizen commented.

A screenshot showing Xu driving the car.

According to Xu's daughter, the family trio, including the grandmother, her daughter, and grandson, began their journey to southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region from their home in Shandong Province in eastern China on July 3. "So far, everything is going well. Starting from Shandong, we've already passed through central China's Henan and Hebei provinces. Now we are in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, and will reach Xizang soon."

She shared that since they departed from Rizhao city in Shandong on July 3, short videos featuring her mother's driving during the trip have garnered numerous views and received much applause.

This isn't the grandmother's first road trip. Her daughter bought an SUV for her in May 2021, and the family trio embarked on their first road trip to the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China just two months later.

"During our first road trip, some viewers questioned whether the journey might be too challenging for an older person. However, the landscape was quite conducive to driving, and my mother is an experienced driver. So, there was no problem at all."

"My mother acquired her driver's license in her fifties and has been driving for approximately 20 years, so she has plenty of experience," the daughter said, adding that her mother didn't even suffer from altitude sickness on this occasion.

Xu, who experienced hardship in her younger years, has held jobs as a tractor driver, factory worker, and business owner. Despite these challenges, she is industrious, loves learning new things, and maintains a positive outlook.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
(CNN)  Milan Kundera, the Czech writer who became one of the 20th centurys most influential novelists but spent much of his life in seclusion, rarely engaging with the public, died in Paris on Tuesday, according to the Moravian Library in Brno. He was 94.

Milan Kundera, a Czech-French author who is among the worlds most translated authors, died on July 11, 2023 in his Paris apartment, the library, a state-funded research organization, said in a statement.

The author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Kundera was known for his witty, tragicomic tales, which were often intertwined with deep philosophical debates and satirical portrayals of life under communist oppression.

Born in April 1929 in Brno, Czechoslovakia, Kundera was part of an influential generation of Czech writers, film makers and intellectuals who came of age during the turbulent post-World War II years.

Like many of that generation, Kundera joined the Communist Party as it took power shortly after the war and was, for some time, a staunch believer in its ideology. He was expelled from the party in 1950 for criticizing the regime, but had his membership restored a few years later.

As a successful writer and a sought-after academic, he became an influential critical voice within the party during the period of liberalization in the late 1960s that became known as the Prague Spring. It was during this era that his first novel, The Joke, was published.

That book  a deeply satirical look at revenge set in the totalitarian country  became a bestseller at home and around the world. And it was this book, and Kunderas activities during the Prague Spring, that later cost him nearly everything he held dear.

In August 1968, a Soviet invasion abruptly ended the dream of a more democratic version of socialism. By the early 1970s, Kunderas books were banned and removed from libraries. He lost his teaching job and was barred from publishing.

He was declared an enemy of the regime and was relentlessly harassed by the communist police. His phone was tapped, his life disrupted. Eventually, the regime succeeded. Kundera was forced to emigrate and was stripped of his Czechoslovak citizenship.

Exile in Paris

He spent the rest of his life in exile in Paris, becoming a French citizen in 1981.

It was in Paris that Kunderas literary career truly blossomed, with the publication of his three most acclaimed works, The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, The Unbearable Lightness of Being and Immortality.

A believer in the power of the novel, a genre he said should be recognized as its own art form, Kundera gradually became more and more protective of his work.

He scrutinized translations of his work and banned all adaptation of his books following the 1988 film based on The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Kundera served as a consultant on the movie, starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Juliette Binoche, but later said the picture had little in common with the spirit of the book.

Immortality was the last novel he wrote in his native Czech language before switching to French  a move that underlined Kunderas complicated relationship with his homeland following his exile.

He returned rarely and when he did, he traveled incognito, booking into hotels under a pseudonym. While his Czech citizenship was restored in 2019, he was by then a French author whose home was in France.

Kundera always rejected the idea that his work was inspired by his own life experiences, a claim that was heavily scrutinized in 2008 when the Czech weekly newspaper Respekt published an article accusing the acclaimed author of acting as a communist police informant in 1950.

Based on an investigation by the Czech Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes, the story alleged that a police report from that year showed that Kundera, then a student dormitory leader, denounced a young ex-pilot who had defected after the communist coup and later returned as a Western agent. He was arrested and spent 14 years in labor camps.

Kundera, having spent more than two decades living in seclusion and declining to do interviews, took the unusual step of speaking up. He strongly denied the accusation, calling it the assassination of an author.

He was defended by many high-profile Czech and international writers, including the former Czech President and playwright Vaclav Havel.

Nonetheless, the episode left an uncomfortable question mark over the true inspiration for some of Kunderas most acclaimed novels, many of which revolve around the themes of disillusionment, responsibility, guilt and denunciation.
Five Texas families with transgender children and three medical providers are suing the state over a new law preventing minors from accessing gender-affirming health care, arguing in a lawsuit filed this week that the measure threatens the health and wellbeing of transgender young people.

Texas Senate Bill 14, scheduled to take effect Sept. 1, prohibits health care providers from administering gender-affirming medical care to minors for the purpose of transitioning a childs biological sex or affirming a childs perception of their own sex if that perception is inconsistent with the childs biological sex. Biological sex under the law is determined by an individuals sex organs, chromosomes, and endogenous profiles.

Specifically, the states ban bars physicians and other medical professionals from knowingly providing a range of medical treatments used to treat gender dysphoria, including puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries, to minor patients. The provision of those same treatments, however, is still permitted to treat other medical diagnoses, such as precocious puberty.

The new law also subjects providers who violate it to a range of penalties, including the revocation of their medical licenses or other authorization to practice medicine, and it strips state funding from any entity, organization, or individual that provides or facilitates gender-affirming health care to transgender youths.

The state attorney general under the law is permitted to take certain legal action against an individual if there is reason to believe that person is committing, has committed, or is about to commit a violation of the measure.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill into law in June, making Texas the largest state in the nation to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youths. In all, 20 states have passed laws restricting access to transgender health care.

In the lawsuit filed Wednesday in Travis County District Court in Texas, parents of transgender children and teenagers between the ages of 9 and 16 argued that enforcing the law would cause probable, imminent, and irreparable injuries to their families.

Because my daughter might need puberty blockers in the next few months, I am temporarily relocating out of state with her and my other child. Her father will stay behind to continue working in Texas, said Mary Moe, a plaintiff and the mother of Maeve Moe, a 9-year-old transgender girl. We all intend to return and reunite in our home once it is safe for Maeve to receive this care in the state.

I am heartbroken to have to take my children away from their home and their father, even temporarily, she added. But I know that Texas is not a safe place for my daughter if this law forbids her access to this care.

Nathan Noe, a 16-year-old transgender boy and another plaintiff in the lawsuit, said Thursday that, as a young child, the idea of growing up as a woman felt so indescribably and inexplicably wrong.

I was constantly unhappy, he said. Being on testosterone has tremendously improved all aspects of my life. I am now able to focus on all of the positives of my life and experience my teenage years to the fullest. I am able to socialize and balance schoolwork without thinking about my gender all the time.

I love Texas, Noe said Thursday in a statement. This is my community. This is where my family lives. This is the place I grew up and I do not want to leave it because my government has decided to attack people like me.

Additional plaintiffs in Wednesdays lawsuit include three medical professionals and two LGBTQ organizations that represent hundreds of families and health professionals across the state. They are represented by Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the ACLU of Texas, the Transgender Law Center and the law firms Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP and Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer, LLP.

Defendants include the Texas Medical Board and Health and Human Services Commission, as well as John Scott, the states acting attorney general. Scotts office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Families and health providers in Texas sued the state and other state defendants to block Senate Bill 14 before the legislation goes into effect on September 1.

According to the suit, the law, which was signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in June, would ban necessary and life-saving medical care for Texass transgender youth, cut off access to care for adolescent minors already receiving treatment, and require the state to revoke the medical licenses of physicians providing the best standard of care to their trans patients.

The plaintiffs in the case are represented by Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, the ACLU, Transgender Law Center, and the law firms Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP and Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer, LLP, according to a press release.

Wednesdays suit was filed in Travis County District Court and seeks a temporary injunction against the law.

Five families, three medical professionals, and two LGBTQ+ rights groups, PFLAG and GLMA, have brought the legal challenge.

The families involved are suing pseudonymously over fears that they and their children, who are transgender, would be targeted. Those children range in age from nine to 16.

Because my daughter might need puberty blockers in the next few months, I am temporarily relocating out of state with her and my other child. Her father will stay behind to continue working in Texas, Mary Moe, a plaintiff and the mother of Maeve Moe, a nine-year-old transgender girl, said in the release. We all intend to return and reunite in our home once it is safe for Maeve to receive this care in the state. I am heartbroken to have to take my children away from their home and their father, even temporarily. But I know that Texas is not a safe place for my daughter if this law forbids her access to this care.

Sixteen-year-old trans boy Nathan Noe, said, The idea of growing up as a woman felt so indescribably and inexplicably wrong, and I couldnt picture myself as a young teenage girl. I was constantly unhappy. He explained, Being on testosterone has tremendously improved all aspects of my life. I am now able to focus on all of the positives of my life and experience my teenage years to the fullest. I am able to socialize and balance schoolwork without thinking about my gender all the time. I love Texas. This is my community. This is where my family lives. This is the place I grew up and I do not want to leave it because my government has decided to attack people like me.

Other plaintiffs worried about the mental health of their children over the law.

As a parent, I dont want to see my child suffer and dont understand why the state government would try to strip away my ability to seek the best possible health care for my child, Lazaro Loe, who is the father of 12-year-old trans girl Luna. If S.B. 14 goes into effect and Luna loses access to this health care, I am deeply concerned about the anxiety, depression, and suicidality that she will face. Her happiness, health, autonomy, and independence would be stripped away by this cruel legislation; and we likely would be forced to leave our home here in Texas.

Representatives from the litigation team said the law went against the Texas state constitution.

Transgender Texans, like all Texans, have the right to get the medical care they need, said Brian Klosterboer, a staff attorney with the ACLU of Texas. The Texas Constitution forbids our state government from overriding the judgment of patients, their families, and their medical providers.

Klosterboer said the legislation was a textbook example of discrimination.

The attack that Texas legislators and the governor have launched against transgender youth and their families and providers is stunning in its cruelty, said Paul D. Castillo senior counsel for Lambda Legal. They are actively ignoring the science, dismissing best-practice medical care, intervening in a parents right to care for and love their child, and explicitly exposing trans youth in Texas to rampant discrimination. This law is not just harmful and cruel, it is life-threatening.

The executive director of the medical professional group GLMA, Alex Sheldon, said, In joining this filing, GLMA is issuing a resounding rejection of S.B. 14, recognizing it as an affront to healthcare ethics and the medical evidence that should govern healthcare policies.

They added that under the law, the organizations members are forced to make an unthinkable choice: either endanger the health and wellbeing of their transgender patients by abiding by this harmful legislation or violate the law by delivering evidence-based, life-saving care in accordance with their extensive medical training and professional ethics.

The legal team notes that bans such as S.B. 14 have been opposed by the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The ACLU of Texas notes that, according to research by the Williams Institute of UCLA, there are an estimated 122,700 trans Texas, of whom about 29,800 are youth between the ages of 13-17.

(Photo above is of Brian Klosterboer of the ACLU of Texas.)
Photo 65576124  Wellesenterprises | Dreamstime.com

Texas A&M University has come under fire for pushing out an incoming director of the school's journalism program following a series of complaints over her political views.

Last month, Texas A&M announced that it had appointed Kathleen McElroy, the director of the journalism program at the University of Texas at Austin from 2016 to 2022, to lead Texas A&M's journalism program. According to The Texas Tribune, McElroy originally received an offer to run the program as a tenured professor, pending approval of the school's board of regents.

However, McElroy says that the school soon began altering the terms of her contract, following conservative backlash over her writing on racism and diversity initiatives within newsrooms and college campuses.

According to the Tribune, several members of the school's board of regents had read an article in the Texas Scorecard highlighting McElroy's views on faculty diversity and objectivity in journalism. The article quoted extensively from an op-ed McElroy had written for The Daily Texan in 2020, where McElroy called for tracking faculty diversity and wrote that "because of racism throughout fundamental American institutionsincluding education and, in my particular field, journalismgrowing diversity in higher education seems difficult."

McElroy told The New York Times, where she once worked as an editor, that Texas A&M's interim dean for liberal arts had warned her of the backlash over her writing. "I said, 'What's wrong?'" McElroy recounted to the Times. "He said, 'You're a Black woman who was at The New York Times and, to these folks, that's like working for Pravda.'"

Eventually, McElroy says she agreed to sign a five-year contract without tenure, which was swiftly downgraded to a one-year contract, which emphasized "that the appointment was at will and that she could be terminated at any time," according to the Tribune. Following this offer, McElroy decided to turn down the position and return to her previous job at the University of Texas at Austin.

McElroy's story is akin to a different controversy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in which journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones had a similar tenured teaching offer revoked following conservative uproar over the political beliefs expressed in her writing. In both cases, politically appointed boards of regents made the decision to deny tenure. A recently signed law in Texas banning diversity, equity, and inclusion offices in public state colleges only adds to the political nature of McElroy's effective ouster.

However, just as in Hannah-Jones' case, this case is concerning not simply because a university decided not to hire a professor with controversial beliefs but because of how it went about it. Faculty may reasonably object to McElory's views on journalismfor example, her skepticism of objectivity in journalism or her views on how diversity should be approached in the newsroom. However, once faculty have duly voted to hire a professor, the intervention of political appointees is inappropriateand poses a real threat to academic freedom.

"Members of the boards of trustees of universities have no expertise to assess the quality of an individual's work and the potential contribution that a faculty member might make to the campus," wrote Princeton politics professor Keith E. Whittington in The Volokh Conspiracy (which is hosted by Reason) in a 2021 article about Hannah-Jones. "What board members do have are political opinions and personal interests. If boards can block faculty hiring and promotion decisions, the inevitable result will be to shrink the range of acceptable ideas that can be expressed, taught and investigated on the university campus."

Texas A&M's decision to deny tenure to McElory is yet another entry in our increasingly fraught culture war politics over what should be taughtand who should teachat American public universities. While these are pressing questions that deserve inquiry, intervention in controversial hiring decisions is best not left to political appointees.

The post Texas A&M's Treatment of Journalism Director Raises Academic Freedom Concerns appeared first on Reason.com.
Two Texas police officers are crediting "divine intervention" after they made a daring rescue to save a woman who was trapped in a submerged vehicle at a local lake on Independence Day weekend.

Dallas Police Department's Sergeants Paul Kessenich and Matt Carlson told Fox 4 that they were on a separate call on July 3 at 3 a.m. when the dispatch rolled in of a woman stuck in a submerged vehicle just down the street at the local Bachman Lake.

"I just happened to be in a parking lot right," Carlson said to Fox 4. "Not to be too religious, but what are the chances for the sergeant of the dive team, Paul, being like 60 seconds away from her."

"I put it on divine intervention because we just were there at the right time," Kessenich said. "And that lady needed help, and we were the right people to help her at the time."

Dallas Police Department's Sergeants Paul Kessenich and Matt Carlson saved a woman who was sinking in a submerged car at a local lake on July 3 at 3 a.m.

When they arrived, they heard muffled screaming from the woman who was trapped underneath the water.

"When we heard the muffling, we knew," Kessenich said. "And I'm yelling to Matt. I said it's time to take our gear off."

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"As he's formulating plans telling me exactly what we're going to do, she just pops up, and she starts flailing her arms, and we know she's not going to make it," Carlson said. "So I just looked at Paul and said, Im going in!"

FLORIDA GOOD SAMARITAN SPRINGS TO ACTION, PULLS WOMAN FROM CAR SUBMERGED IN POOL: SHE WAS PRETTY SHOCKED

"We stripped our gear pretty quick. And when we dove in, we got to her at the car," Kessenich recalled to Fox 4. "And we held her at the trunk that was still just hovering above the water line."

The unidentified woman's vehicle was submerged at Bachman Lake in Dallas, Texas.

Body camera footage released by the Dallas Police Department shows additional responding officers arrive at the scene and watch as Kessenich and Carlson haul the woman's body from the lake.

"Keep her up," one of the officers is heard instructing in the suspenseful footage. "Grab both her shoulders."

FATHER IN MAINE DROWN WHILE TRYING TO RESCUE DAUGHTERS FROM POND

After the woman was placed on the landing, officers can be seen laying her on her back and administering lifesaving CPR to the unresponsive woman.

"I gave her one breath and start compressions. And after compressions, she came back to life," Kessenich recalled to Fox 4.

The Dallas Police officers administered life-saving CPR and resuscitated the unresponsive woman.

She soon starts coughing, and they ask for her name.

"Stay right there," one officer said. "Got a pulse."

The unidentified woman was taken to a local hospital, where she is recovering well. Dallas police did not share how the unidentified woman crashed into the lake.
Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas) hauled in $833,000 in the second quarter of fundraising for this year as Republicans look to keep the House majority heading into 2024.

De La Cruz, who flipped the 15th Congressional District in Texas last cycle for the first time ever, ends the second quarter with more than $1 million cash on hand, according to figures first shared with The Hill.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude by the incredible support our campaign has earned. This shows that my positive vision for South Texas, hard work, and no-nonsense approach are resonating with our community, De La Cruz said in a statement.

Im proud to be working in a bipartisan manner to strengthen our local economy, build safe communities for our children, deliver for Border Patrol agents, and preserve Social Security and Medicare for our abuelitos. Washington, DC may be a telenovela, but down here somos familia, she added.

The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates De La Cruzs South Texas seat as likely Republican.

House Republicans hold a slim majority in the lower chamber, with Democrats only needing to net five seats next year to flip the House.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
For the record:

12:32 p.m. July 13, 2023: A previous version of this story said the third bus of migrants arrived in Los Angeles early Thursday. The bus arrived Thursday afternoon.



A bus carrying 30 migrants from the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas arrived in Los Angeles on Thursday, the third in a series launched by Gov. Greg Abbott and sent to California.

Volunteers with the L.A. Welcomes Collective, a network of nonprofit, faith and immigrant rights groups, were waiting along with a representative from the mayor's office to greet the bus at Union Station when it arrived shortly before 1 p.m. They were alerted that the bus had left the border city of Brownsville early Wednesday.

The trip started with 35 asylum seekers, but five got out in Salome, Ariz., according to Jorge-Mario Cabrera with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights.

Arriving downtown after a 30-hour journey, the remaining migrants were met by paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire Department and representatives from the aid groups.

They were then taken on a bright green DASH bus to St. Anthony's Croatian Catholic Church, where the Welcomes Collective set up a triage center for passengers arriving from Texas to reunite with family and access social services.

At the church, passengers disembarked with backpacks, a guitar and jugs of water. Some carried their children in their arms; others balanced tote bags on their shoulders.

"We are grateful to the City of Brownsville for sending information in advance about this bus so we can better prepare to welcome them," Lindsay Toczylowski, executive director of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, said in a statement. "We will continue to work with our community partners to receive migrants with dignity and ensure their legal needs are met."

Toczylowski's organization and others in the collective offered migrants food, clothing and legal consultations upon their arrival at the church. There, passengers also reunited with family members from around L.A.

Gaspar Lamour, 36, was there to pick up his cousin Esting Victor, 28, who had journeyed from Jacmel, Haiti, with his wife and child. Like most migrants arriving at the border, Victor already had a family member living in the States  Lamour has lived in the U.S. since 2022 with his wife and two children.

Read more: Column: Texas vs. California: Mean tweets, migrant dumping and the 'race to the bottom'

Gladys Leon also arrived at the church to pick up her cousin Xochitl, along with Xochitl's husband and their two children, 10 and 2. Leon said the family fled rampant violence in Guerrero, Mexico. She planned on letting them stay with her at her home in northeast Los Angeles.

"She's an asylum seeker," Leon said. "She called me and said she was coming on a bus. She sounded nervous, excited."

Mayor Karen Bass' office said the city and county of Los Angeles have been working with the nonprofit coalition and faith partners according to a response plan put in place this year.

"As we have before, when we became aware of the bus yesterday, we activated our plan," a spokesperson for Bass said in a statement.

City and county officials have worked with nonprofit groups and faith partners to welcome the groups of migrants who have been bused to L.A. from Texas. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

This latest bus rolled into the station a little less than a month after the first Texas-funded bus arrived there June 14, carrying 42 migrants. Another bus, carrying 41 migrants, pulled into L.A. on July 1.

The 118 migrants who have been sent to California are a small fraction of the 22,000 whom Texas has bused to Democrat-run cities including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver and Washington.

Abbott has used the buses to protest Democrats' policies on immigration, often dropping passengers off at locations sure to create media spectacles  for instance, on Vice President Kamala Harris' lawn on a freezing Christmas Eve night.

However, many migrants have eagerly boarded the buses. For those with few resources, a free bus ride to reunite with family in cities distant from the border is a welcome offer.

Read more: This nun defends migrants. She says both Texas and California used them as pawns

That's why in Los Angeles, as well as other destination cities, nonprofit groups have decided to collaborate with the program, albeit begrudgingly. Though committed to getting migrants relocation assistance and helping communities prepare to welcome them, the aid groups are loath to support Abbott's political protest.

Guerline Jozef, executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, said her organization is coordinating with partners in Texas and the L.A. Welcomes Collective.

In Texas, the alliance has worked to ensure that all migrant passengers have given consent and are provided with adequate food and water on the buses. In L.A., Jozef has worked to make sure that local nongovernmental organizations and city officials are aware and prepared for the buses' arrival.

Jozef was clear that she condemns Abbott's politics and his practice of what she calls "using people as pawns." But if the buses can be a way for migrants to reunite with family and get to an embracing community, she said, she feels obligated to welcome the passengers to board  even if it leaves her organization subject to criticism.

Migrants coming from Texas get off a bus at St. Anthony's Croatian Catholic Church in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

"We are committed to continuing to welcome all people with dignity, and if that means somebody putting them on a bus to their final destination, where they have family and friends, we will continue to support and welcome them, Jozef said.

It's unlikely that Texas will send as many migrants to L.A. as it has to New York and Washington, given that only a small minority arriving on the Texas border are trying to make it to California. Most who want to reach the West Coast cross from Tijuana  Mexico's second-largest city  straight into San Diego.

Local officials in Los Angeles have been key partners in welcoming the buses that have arrived, Jozef said.

"We are  grateful to the city and county of Los Angeles for working with various local organizations to make sure that our newly arrived community members have food, water, legal assistance, and other necessities upon arrival and while connecting with their loved ones," Jozef said in a statement Thursday morning, adding a Haitian proverb: "Anpil men, chay pa lou! Many hands lighten the load."

Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Texas soldier 'willfully' disappeared. Then his wife died  and he was found alive.

In the days after her husband was reported missing to the Texas Army base where he was stationed, Cam Chamberlain sent a series of urgent Facebook messages to a longtime friend: When he disappeared, she said, he left her with no food and no money.

She wasnt working, she was estranged from her family, and her efforts to get help from the Army had gone nowhere, two longtime friends said.

Im scared, she wrote to Jessica DLynn Pyles in a message the friend shared with NBC News. Im alone. I just want the pain to go away. I cant take it anymore.

Cam Chamberlain. (Courtesy Jessica DLynn Pyles)

Within a week of that message, Cam Chamberlains death was announced, and the next day, her husband  who had been missing for 11 days  was discovered alive. Spc. Craig Chamberlain, 23, had willfully disappeared from his unit, according to Army officials at his post, Fort Cavazos.

Military authorities have offered few answers about what happened, and friends of Cam Chamberlain, who was in her late 20s, have said theyve found no solace in the aftermath of her death: There have been no autopsy, no obituary and no funeral.

Officials confirmed her death in a statement May 25. The couple lived off base, and a spokeswoman for the Killeen Police Department referred questions about the case to Fort Cavazos authorities, who put out a statement confirming the death. They didnt provide details about when or where she died, and her cause and manner of death havent been disclosed.

Army investigators launched a criminal probe. A spokeswoman for the Armys Criminal Investigation Division declined to comment further, citing an ongoing investigation.

I cant even mourn her death the way family should, because its as if she never existed at all now, said Shandy Eubank, one of the longtime friends.

Spc. Craig Chamberlain (U.S. Army)

The day after authorities announced that his wife had died, Craig Chamberlain was found in rough shape in the Killeen area, said his mother, Virginia Chamberlain. In an interview with NBC News, she declined to say where her son is now.

A spokeswoman at Fort Cavazos declined to discuss his status in the Army, saying he was the subject of an administrative investigation in connection with his disappearance. The inquiry has been completed but cant be disclosed because of privacy rules.

A quick marriage and an overseas assignment

Craig and Cam Chamberlain met a few years ago through a dating app and were married in 2020, according to her Facebook page. Though Eubank believed the couple had rushed things, they initially seemed happy, she said.

The way he treated her  he put her on a pedestal, said Eubank, who met Cam when they worked together at an insurance company in Waco more than a decade ago. He treated her better than anyone had treated her.

She was a people person, Eubank said  someone who was as outspoken as she was happy and goofy.

DLynn Pyles said, You knew where she stood on things.

In an interview with a Texas newspaper, Cam described her husband as laid back, patient and carefree. He has a unicorn tattooed on the upper part of his right arm, his mother said.

Craig Chamberlain was assigned to the 704th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company at Fort Cavazos, formerly known as Fort Hood, one of the largest Army bases in the country, which sits roughly midway between Austin and Waco.

A rift emerged between the couple over time, which Cam attributed partly to difficult family dynamics, Eubank said. Cam publicly identified as a transgender woman and had a rocky relationship with her own family, telling friends that her mother had disowned her, Eubank and DLynn Pyles recalled.

Efforts to reach Cam Chamberlains mother were unsuccessful. Messages left at a phone number listed as her brothers werent returned.

Cam told Eubank that she struggled with her husbands family, as well. Eubank remembered her friend recounting a conversation in which her mother-in-law challenged her ability to be in a loving relationship: How can she know she loves Craig when she doesnt know what gender she is?

Virginia Chamberlain called the comment very, very inaccurate.

Did we have our differences? Absolutely, she said. But I will say I never bullied Cam. I never said a statement like that to Cam. Not once did that ever come out of my mouth.

Craig Chamberlains father, Gordon Chamberlain, added that although he hadnt met Cam before his son married her, I said wed treat Cam like anyone else that comes into our lives.

The Army was sending Craig to South Korea, and Cam planned to stick with him, Eubank said, despite the growing tension between them. Fort Cavazos officials confirmed he had been ordered to South Korea in December for a long-term assignment.

In a Jan. 8 Facebook post, Cam seemed excited about the trip  and traveling to other parts of Asia.

Cant wait for the FOOD, she wrote in a post that DLynn Pyles captured in a screenshot and shared with NBC News. I love real Asian food.

But months passed, and the couple went nowhere. Then, on March 20, she posted that her husbands orders had been deferred for six months  and that she learned so only the night before he was to have left.

You never know what comes next, she wrote in another post that DLynn Pyles shared. Plans change faster than this Texas weather.

A spokeswoman for Fort Cavazos declined to comment on the deferment, saying it was part of the bases administrative investigation.

A missing soldier

By the time Cam Chamberlain reported her husband missing  he had last been seen May 15  their relationship had become so toxic that she had planned to split up with him, she told DLynn Pyles in a Facebook message.

Even though Im getting divorced I still cant help but think hes in danger, she wrote. I still love him and Id blame myself if anything happened to him.

In other messages to DLynn Pyles, she pleaded for money. In one message, she said her husband had refused to pay her their Basic Allowance for Housing, or compensation provided to service members and their families who live off base.

"He went missing and left me with no food. No nothing," she said in a message. "His command wont help me."

In a statement, officials at Fort Cavazos didnt address Cam Chamberlains claim. They said that caring for our soldiers and families is a top priority.

If soldiers and family members have pay issues that cannot be resolved at the unit level, they should seek help from their units personnel office, the statement said.

In another message, Cam shared a missing person flyer for her husband  a flyer later circulated by local media that said Craig disappeared without his keys and phone. Hed been suffering from a bout of extreme depression, the flyer said.

As she searched for her husband, she tracked the sometimes grim responses to his disappearance on social media.

In a lengthy comment thread on a local stations Facebook page, people made jokes about how the bases name change didnt prevent another soldier from disappearing and casually suggested his wife may have had something to do with it.

In response to a user who said she hoped his wife didnt see the comments, Cam responded: I have seen them. All of them. And I hope that each and every one of them goes through the pain I am going through.

She also began to talk more about her husbands disappearance. In a message to DLynn Pyles, she said her husband had lied to her about South Korea. She didnt offer additional details, but in an interview with the Killeen Daily Herald while Craig was missing, she said Army officials had recently told her that he had stopped reporting to work in March.

He told me he was going to work the whole time, so I didnt think anything of it, but in reality, he wasnt really going to work, she told the newspaper. He was just saying he was going to work.

Virginia Chamberlain cast doubt on her daughter-in-laws account, saying photos from the time show her son with long hair and a scruffy face.

"You cant report for duty like that in the Army," she said.

Officials at Fort Cavazos said in a statement that Craig Chamberlain had failed to travel to his new assignment for unknown reasons. A spokeswoman for the base declined to comment when she was asked about the accuracy of Cam Chamberlains comments.

A plea for help

The last time DLynn Pyles heard from Cam was May 21, when she sent a Facebook message asking for $40. Shed gone to her mothers house in Fort Worth  a place where she said she was no longer welcome  and had spent the last of her money on a ride home to Killeen.

DLynn Pyles said she couldnt give her the money  shed just gone shopping and had $20 to her name, according to a screenshot of the message.

I totally understand, her friend responded.

Four days later, DLynn Pyles messaged Cam  Are you good?!  and then called. There was no response, and DLynn Pyles soon found herself on Facebook groups linked to Fort Cavazos searching for answers.

The next day, on May 26, Craig Chamberlain was found alive. It was a week and a half after he had been reported missing and not long after a civilian search party set out with his parents to find him.

Virginia Chamberlain said the group  made up of complete strangers  were with us every single day looking for our son.

"And they were there when we found him," she said. "They are now family to us."

The base offered few specifics about how or where Craig was found. In a statement, military officials accused him of willfully disappearing and said the search involved the tremendous efforts and support by the Fort Cavazos and Killeen communities.

Virginia Chamberlain also declined to say where her son was found. She described his path forward as a hard journey with a lot of healing to take place.

"This is a very delicate story," she added. "Theres a lot of lives that have been affected by it. My heart truly does break for Cams friends and Cams family  even with the things that have gone on in the past."

For DLynn Pyles, Cams death was especially hard given that one of the things her friend had wanted most was a committed partner, someone with whom she could establish the kind of family she didnt have.

"Craig has been the longest relationship shed had since Ive known her," DLynn Pyles said in a text. "She was longing for THAT kind of love."

Now, DLynn Pyles added, she just wants the truth about Cam  "even if it breaks my heart."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(Bloomberg) -- Thai politician Pita Limjaroenrat faced his first major test in his bid to occupy the countrys top political office Thursday, as lawmakers gathered to elect a new prime minister in a vote that will test whether conservative groups are willing to undermine the results of a May election.

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Pita, 42, was officially nominated for the job by Cholnan Srikaew, leader of Pheu Thai Party, the second-biggest outfit in Pitas coalition that commands a total 312 lawmakers in the newly-elected 500-member House of Representatives. The National Assembly started casting their votes at 4:00 p.m. in Bangkok, after more than six hours of debates and speeches among its 750 members.

Although the young reformist is the sole candidate running for the top job after his progressive Move Forward Party emerged as the biggest winner at the polls, theres no guarantee he will win the premiership.

He must first seek to win enough support from military-appointed senators to meet the threshold of 376 votes to become prime minister under electoral rules designed by the royalist establishment after a 2014 coup. On top of that, Pita also faces legal challenges that could see him disqualified as a lawmaker and his party disbanded over its push to amend the countrys royal defamation law.

His disqualification would risk unleashing more protests, extending a decades-long political battle between conservative and democratic forces that has hit Thailands troubled stocks, bonds and currency markets. The nations benchmark stock index is the worst performer in Asia this year, and the baht is the second-biggest decliner in Southeast Asia since the May 14 vote.

Thursdays hours-long parliament meeting was dominated by debates surrounding Move Forwards key platform vow to amend the lese majeste law, also known as Article 112 of the Thai criminal code that penalizes criticism of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and other royals. Challenges have been mounting for Pita, with conservative parties outside of the coalition and many members of the 250-member Senate, which is stacked with pro-royalist allies, ruling out support for Pita for this reason, even if hes backed by the majority of the elected lower house.

Still, the Harvard-educated politician said he sought to work together with lawmakers who opposed him but vowed to not soften the partys stance. With the backing of a coalition of eight pro-democracy parties that swept the general election, Pita has to ensure the support of an additional 65 lawmakers  either from elected conservative politicians or the military-appointed upper house Senate  to hit the 376-vote mark to secure the premiership.

There are groups that want to block me from premiership and my coalition from forming a government. Theyre using the monarchy to protect their interests and pitting the monarchy against the peoples votes on May 14, Pita addressed lawmakers in a closing speech. The politicization of the monarchy must end. We must find ways to improve and preserve the relationships between the king and the people in era of change.

READ: Thai PM Aspirant Risks Disqualification as Challenges Mount

Should he fail to win the required votes, though, he can seek a re-vote, with the next session likely to be held on July 19.

As regards the case brought against him by the poll panel, Pita has said he didnt own the shares but managed them as part of an estate left behind by his late father, and added that the shares have recently been transferred to a family member to avoid a plot to thwart his premiership bid.

In the short run, this development increases the likelihood that Pita will not have enough support in parliament, said Napon Jatusripitak, visiting fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. In the long run, it raises concerns about the erosion of democratic principles and the potential for widespread protests.

READ: Latest Hurdle for Thai Election Winner Centers on Media Shares

Outside of the parliament complex, Pitas supporters were gathering in orange-colored clothing  Move Forwards distinctive color. Multiple protests were organized across the country on Wednesday following the Election Commissions legal challenge.

Pita has warned that efforts to thwart him will exact a heavy toll.

The cases against Pita and Move Forward bear uncanny similarity to earlier ones against Thanathorn Juangrungruangkit, leader of Move Forwards predecessor party. Thanathorn was found guilty by the same court for holding media shares and disqualified as a lawmaker. His party, known as Future Forward, was later dissolved in another case, igniting a mass protest movement in 2020 that led to unprecedented calls for monarchy reforms.

--With assistance from Suttinee Yuvejwattana, Napat Kongsawad and Pathom Sangwongwanich.

(Updates with details of voting in the second paragraph.)

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Thailands Election Winner Fails First Parliament Vote to Become Prime MinisterWhat to Know and What Comes Next

Thailand's Parliament Votes to Select Prime Minister

Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party, speaks to members of the media at Thailand's Parliament in Bangkok, July 13, 2023. Credit - Valeria MongelliBloomberg/Getty Images

His progressive party may have won more votes than any other in Thailands election in May, sparking hopes of change for the countrys political system, but Pita Limjaroenrats bid to become the next Prime Minister was just rejected by an unelected senate in the Thai parliaments first round of voting for its next leader.

Its a sharp blow to the pro-democracy movement in a country that has spent the last nine years ruled by a military-backed government. Pitas Move Forward Party had promised to steer Thailand sharply onto a more progressive path, with policies such as legalizing same-sex marriage and reforming stringent royal defamation lawswinning widespread public support amid simmering frustrations at the countrys conservative establishment. But by Thursday night local time in Bangkok, after five hours of debate and a two-hour roll-call vote, Pita fell well short of the 375 votes he would need to be confirmed as Prime Minister.

He came into the session with the backing of a 312-member coalition of the National Assemblys newly-elected 500-member lower house but received the support of only 13 of 249 junta-appointed senators. But with 705 votes cast before the session adjourned, Pita mustered a total of just 324 votes in favor of his candidacy with 182 votes cast against him and 199 abstentions, which effectively count as votes against.

The result was entirely predictable, Mark S. Cogan, an associate professor of peace and conflict studies at Japans Kansai Gaidai University, tells TIME.

For those expecting a democratic result to come from a rigged, faux-democratic system, their expectations are pure fantasy, says Cogan. Until electoral and judicial barriers are removed that prevent a seamless transition of power, outcomes like these will continue.

But the saga isnt over. The countrys future remains highly uncertain, experts say, as many options still remain on the table for what could come nextand, though he faces an uphill battle, Pita could still clinch the top job in another round of voting, set to take place on July 19.

More from TIME

A rare debate on royals

While much attention in the run-up to the vote on Thursday was devoted to whether or not Pita would be disqualified for an alleged breach of election law by holding shares in a media companyan issue that remains to be resolvedduring the National Assemblys pre-vote debate on Pitas candidacy, his partys opposition to the countrys royal defamation, or lese-majeste, laws took center stage instead, marking a rare moment that the monarchy was explicitly discussed in parliament.

If you let people insult the monarchy without any laws to keep them in check, our country will burn, said an impassioned Chada Thaiseth, an MP from the conservative Bhumjaithai Party. How about I propose a law allowing people to shoot those insulting the monarchy?

But Pita claimed that the status quo, rather than his candidacy, represented the more radical option.

If lese-majeste wasnt [being] abused, then we wouldnt be at this political conflict at this point, Pita said in his closing argument before the lawmakers began to cast their votes. Im presenting myself as the opportunity to return normalcy to politics.

Move Forward won strong popular support in particular for its calls to amend Section 112, the countrys controversial lese-majeste lawwhich carries up to 15 years in prison for criticizing the royal family, and which in recent years has been used to target pro-democracy activists.

But the partys stance on Section 112 also became the target of a petition accepted by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday. The petition called for the dissolution of Move Forward, arguing that the partys plan to amend Section 112 violated the constitution, which forbids the public from overthrowing the monarchy. The court has given Move Forward 15 days to present its defense.

A blow for democracy

Thailands general election in May, which saw prominent opposition parties Move Forward and Pheu Thai sweeping the majority of the contested seats, was widely perceived as a public mandate against the junta, which has been met with fervent protests from pro-democracy activists over the years.

But the odds were always going to be stacked against Pita on his road to taking the premiership from the junta, even after his success in the election.

This outcome underscores the longstanding notion that democracy in Thailand is allowed to thrive only when it aligns with, or does not threaten, the established political order, Napon Jatusripitak, a visiting fellow at Singapores ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, tells TIME.

Despite forming an eight-party coalition that included Pheu Thai, the elections second most popular party, Move Forward was unable to gather enough support to form a government, leaving Pita reliant on votes from senators and MPs outside his coalition alliance to become Prime Minister. The junta-appointed Senate has been used by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha since 2017 to ensure the militarys control of parliament with him at the helm. (After announcing his retirement from politics on Tuesday, Prayut remains caretaker Prime Minister until his successor is selected.)

Pita was also hit in recent weeks by controversy over shares that he allegedly owned in a media company when he applied to run for officea potential violation of Thailands electoral laws. On Wednesday, the pro-military Election Commission tried to get Pita disqualified on the eve of the Prime Minister vote by referring his case to the Constitutional Court, recommending that Pita be suspended as a member of parliamenta maneuver that Move Forward labeled an abuse of power.

Pita, for his part, has denied breaking election rules.

What comes next?

Thursdays session will be followed by another round of votes next week, along with the possibility of new contenders and shifts in coalition alliances.

Speaking to reporters after the parliamentary session, Pita said that while the second round of voting is expected to be tough, he will continue to try gathering support from more senators and MPs. And as for the partys stance on the lese-majeste law, which polarized the debate in parliament Thursday, the mission remains the same, Thai PBS reported.

What happened today is not entirely the end of everything, Titipol Phakdeewanich, dean of the political science faculty at Ubon Ratchathani University, tells TIME, pointing to the pending court rulings on Pita and Move Forward, as well as the opportunity for Move Forward to gather more senator support for the next prime ministerial vote. I dont think there will actually be an extreme situation, unless the court decides to conclude Pitas case, he says.

Should Pita ultimately fail to become Prime Minister, which appears likelier after Thursdays initial vote, experts fear that could fuel mass protests across the country.

In anticipation of public demonstrations on Thursday, authorities set up shipping containers around the parliament buildingsimilar to the tactic used last year to block protests against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-chas tenure. That did not stop large crowds of Move Forward supporters from thronging the area on Thursday, clad in the partys signature shade of orange, to watch a broadcast of the votes on Pita together, though they left in disappointment.

In the long term, the frustration and discontent among the public, particularly those who feel that their democratic aspirations have been undermined, could lead to widespread mobilization and demands for political reforms, says Napon. The lack of a clear pathway for their grievances to translate into change through parliamentary channels could further erode public trust in the existing political institutions and contribute to a sense of disillusionment with the democratic process.

Correction, July 13

The original version of this story misstated how many senators abstained in the vote on Thursday. It was 199, not 198.
There's an obvious problem with Shopify's gimmicky calculator that claims to calculate the true cost of meetings

The Shopify logo is pictured outside the The Well building on Spadina Ave. in Toronto. Lance McMillan/Toronto Star via Getty Images

There's a big problem with Shopify's calculator for the true cost of meetings.

Shopify's COO says the salary indicator on each meeting just reflects the average salary for the role.

That means the meeting's cost won't be accurate in the first place: It's just an estimate.

Look, some meetings could be emails. We know that. And Shopify has swooped in with what it says is a solution: airing the cost of meetings to scare bosses into scheduling fewer of them.

It works on paper. If there's an hour-long meeting, everyone's hourly salary will be factored into a Google calendar invite. The sum of their salaries is presented as the cost of the meeting.

But that's also where the tool's biggest problem becomes painfully apparent. Shopify COO Kaz Nejatian told CNBC that the calendar's list of salaries is just an approximation, not an actual reflection of how much each person earns.

"What we did was we took the average compensation for the average employee in a bunch of disciplines across the company. Engineering, design, sales, customer service, whatever that was," Nejatian told CNBC.

"And we just applied that to the people who were invited to the meeting," he added. "So the person doing the inviting, knowing how much they were costing the company, and the people who were invited, could say, 'You know what, this meeting isn't that important.'"

People with the same job title, however, can take home a different paycheck based on their job scope and skill set. So unless people are willing and comfortable with having their salaries aired, there's no way for managers and employees alike to use this tool as anything more than a rough cost estimate.

The truth is? Most people are going to hate the idea of having their payslips laid out for everyone to see.

Sure, Nejatian's point to Bloomberg that "no one at Shopify would expense a $500 dinner," but "lots and lots of people spend way more than that in meetings without ever making a decision" makes sense. And if "time is money," it should be saved, per Nejatian.

But if we can't even get a number that accurately reflects how much each meeting costs, one has to ask  what's the point of launching the thing at all, Shopify?

At least one thing's for sure: The calculator generated a flurry of positive press for Shopify on the heel of job cuts and as it enters a midlife crisis.

Nejatian did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13)  The Philippines and its civic spaces remain repressed one year into the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as little has been done to improve the protection of human rights in the country, an international watchdog observed.

This comes amid virtually non-existent accountability on the arrest and detention of activists, the criminalization and attacks on journalists, and the red-tagging of human rights defenders, rights monitor Civicus said in a report published Thursday citing local progressive groups.

It described civic space as created by a set of universally-accepted rules, allowing people to organize, participate, and communicate with one another freely, thus influencing political and social structures.

The watchdog rated the state of civic space in the Philippines 34 out of 100, or repressed. This means it is significantly constrained. Individuals and civil society members who are vocal critics of those in power are at risk of surveillance, harassment, intimidation, imprisonment, injury, and death.

Civicus report highlighted the prosecution, killings, and disappearances of activists and critics of the government, such as Dexter Capuyan and Gene Roz Jamil Bazoo de Jesus. The two indigenous rights defenders have been missing since April.

The case of detained former Senator Leila de Lima  an outspoken critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his administrations bloody drug war  was also pointed out. While she has been acquitted in two drug cases, she faces one last.

She has been detained since Feb. 24, 2017.

Civicus was also alarmed by the violence faced by Filipino journalists, specifically: the killing of Oriental Mindoro Radio journalist Cresenciano Bundoquin and the attack on photojournalist Joshua Abide and his family, which left his four-year-old nephew dead and three others wounded.

Last October, a few months into Marcos presidency, veteran broadcast journalist Percival Percy Lapid Mabasa was brutally gunned down outside his barangay.

Civicus also called attention to red-tagging through the cases of Windel Bolinget, Jen Awingan, Sarah Abellon-Alikes, and Steve Tauli. The four are leaders of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance whom the Anti-Terrorism Council in June designated as terrorists and accused of communist links.
"Things got so loud": UK Ambassador shares impressions of Russian night attack on Kyiv and thanks Ukraine's air defence

Melinda Simmons, the UKs Ambassador to Ukraine, said that she did not have a restful sleep due to the nighttime drone attack on Kyiv on 12-13 July.

Source: Simmons on Twitter; European Pravda

Details: The ambassador explained to her followers on Twitter that there had been a drone attack on Kyiv overnight and debris had fallen on the very area where she lives and a neighbouring area, so it had been a "pretty nasty night."

Quote: "No wonder things got so loud. This morning Im grateful for Ukrainian air defence and for my windowless shelter. Now [it's] time to get some air."

Pretty nasty night.  UAV attacks on Kyiv from several directions, reportedly, including the district I live in and its neighbour. No wonder things got so loud. This morning Im grateful for  air defence and for my windowless shelter. Now time to get some air.  Dame Melinda Simmons (@MelSimmonsFCDO) July 13, 2023

Pierre Heilbronn, France's special envoy for aid and reconstruction, who is now in Kyiv, also shared his impressions of the attack, noting that it was a "short and loud night."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Think you know everything about Utah? Think again: Here are 5 unsolved Utah mysteries you might not know about

In this Nov. 18, 2020, file photo provided by the Utah Department of Public Safety, a Utah state worker stands next to a metal monolith in the ground in a remote area of red rock in Utah. The mysterious silver monolith that was placed in the Utah desert disappeared less than 10 days after it was spotted by wildlife biologists performing a helicopter survey of bighorn sheep, federal officials and witnesses said. The Bureau of Land Management said it had received credible reports that the three-sided stainless steel structure was removed on Nov. 27. | Utah Department of Public Safety via Associated Press

You might think you know everything about Utah, but have you heard about these Utah mysteries? From grave robbers to disappearances to mysterious monoliths, Utah has its fair share of unexplained enigmas.

Lets dive into five of Utahs most compelling  and head-scratching  mysteries.

1. The legend of grave robber Jean Baptiste

Ready for a historical tale of dastardly crimes? Then youll love the story of Jean Baptiste.

According to Salt Lake Magazine, Jean Baptiste was an immigrant who came to Salt Lake City in the 1850s. Baptiste had a penchant for grave robbery, per the Deseret News, and quickly set about stealing clothes and jewelry from graves and did so for years.

Related

According to the Deseret News, Baptiste was caught grave digging red-handed. Baptistes crimes were found to be so scandalous that even Brigham Young commented on the case, saying, I am unable to think so low as to get at such a mean, contemptible, damnable trick.

Instead of punishing the grave robber by execution, it was decided that he would be exiled. Baptiste was originally banished to Antelope Island, but was then transferred to Fremont Island.

Three weeks after Baptiste was marooned on Fremont Island, it was discovered to be abandoned. The cabin that Baptiste resided in had been torn up and a cow carcass was found. According to the Deseret News, ... the supposition was that Baptiste had made thongs of cowhide, used the cabin wood for a raft and escaped.

Baptiste was never found. While a skeleton, shackled with a ball and chain, was discovered in the Jordan River years later, it was never confirmed as Baptiste. For all we know, Baptiste successfully escaped and continued his career of grave robbing elsewhere.

2. Butch Cassidys mysterious death

Who hasnt heard of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid? The subject of multiple movies, books and more, the notorious Cassidy is known for his career as an outlaw. But did you know about the outlaws ties to Utah  and his mysterious death?

Born as Robert LeRoy Parker in 1866 in Beaver, Utah, Cassidy was the eldest of 13 children in a Latter-Day Saint family, as the Deseret News reported. His family eventually moved to Circleville in 1879, according to Utah.com.

Cassidy robbed his first bank in Colorado in 1889. He spent some time in a Wyoming prison for possessing stolen horses, but after his release, Cassidy and his Wild Bunch gang robbed banks and trains for the next 20 years.

According to History.com, Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were believed to be killed in 1908 in Bolivia. After a confrontation with the Bolivian authorities, the bodies of two men were found  one, believed to be the Sundance Kid, with a gunshot to the forehead and another, believed to be Cassidy, with a gunshot to the temple.

It looked like Cassidy killed the Sundance Kid, and then himself.

While the bodies of the two men bore resemblance to the legendary bandits, it was never confirmed to be them. Rumors swirled about Cassidys alleged survival and family members added fuel to the fire by claiming that Cassidy visited his family in Utah in 1925, per History.com.

Cassidys sister, Lula Parker Betenson, claimed that her brother lived the rest of his days in Washington until his death in 1937.

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So did Butch Cassidy survive the Bolivia shootout and live the rest of his life in anonymity? While historians are divided, some believe he did. But no one knows for sure  and as of now, it looks like well never know.

3. Susan Powell

Perhaps one of Utahs most well-known cases, the disappearance of Susan Powell has been the subject of much speculation. It was most recently examined in the hit podcast Cold.

According to Cold, Josh and Susan Powell were married in 2001. Together, they had two children: Charlie, age 7, and Braden, age 5.

The Powells marriage started to fall apart in 2008, per Cold, and Susan Powell began to consider divorce. She decided that if Josh Powell didnt agree to attend marriage counseling by April 2010, shed file for divorce.

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Susan Powell disappeared in December 2009. On the night of her disappearance, Josh Powell took their two sons on a unexpected winter camping trip to the West Desert, according to Cold.

While the police searched for Susan Powell, suspicion fell on Josh Powell. Traces of blood were found in the familys home, according to Cold. One of Susan Powells co-workers allegedly heard Josh Powell say that the best place to hide a body was in the West Desert before her disappearance.

The story of the Powell family took yet another tragic turn when Josh Powell killed his two sons, and himself, in February 2012, per Cold.

Susan Powell was never found. In December 2014, a judge declared her dead. It is widely believed that Josh Powell was responsible for her disappearance and likely death.

Despite this, Susan Powells parents still have hope. I think at the right time shell be found, Chuck Cox told the Deseret News in 2019.

4. The disappearance of Elizabeth Salgado

Elizabeth Salgado disappeared off the streets of Provo in 2015. While her remains were found in 2018, what exactly happened to Salgado remains a mystery. Her case has been featured in many true crime podcasts, including Unsolved Mysteries.

Elizabeth Salgado moved from Mexico to Provo in 2015, according to ABC4. She attended Nomen Global Language School to learn English.

Just three weeks after her move, Salgado disappeared from the school.

Its the worst thing that can happen to a family, not knowing where shes at or what is happening to her, Rosenberg Salgado, Salgados uncle, told ABC4 in 2017.

In 2018, the remains of Salgado were found in Hobble Creek Canyon, the Deseret News reported. The cause of death was not determined.

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Salgados family requested DNA testing on her remains earlier this year. Her family suspects that she was murdered by someone close to her, per ABC4.

5. The Utah monolith

On Nov. 18, 2020, a metal object, between 10 to 12 feet tall, appeared in the Utah desert. But it disappeared just as quickly as it appeared  by Nov. 27, it was gone, according to Vox. So was it aliens? Abstract art? A sign from the future?

Dubbed the Utah monolith, this mysterious object was first spotted in the air by a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter. One of the biologists is the one who spotted it and we just happened to fly directly over the top of it, pilot Bret Hutchings told KSL-TV.

Related

Intrigue around the Utah monolith increased when it was reported that a similar object was found in Romania on November 27, the same day the Utah monolith disappeared. But it gets even weirder  a third monolith appeared in California on Dec. 2, the same day the Romania monolith disappeared, according to Vox.

The California monolith was taken down on Dec. 3, but reappeared the next day. A fourth and final monolith appeared in New Mexico on Dec. 7 and was taken down the same day.

Related

Were all four monoliths connected? Was it an elaborate hoax? While no one really knows what the Utah monolith was  or who installed it  it most likely wasnt from aliens or the future. But whether or not it was abstract art? Well let you decide.
Archbishop Desmond Tambala led protesters marching through Lilongwe (Amos Gumulira)

About 5,000 demonstrators on Thursday staged an anti-LGBTQ protest in Lilongwe, the capital of the conservative southern African nation of Malawi, where same-sex relationships are illegal.

The rally comes against the backdrop of a court case brought by a Dutch national and transgender woman from Malawi who are challenging the constitutionality of the country's laws on homosexuality.

Organised by the local Catholic Church and backed by other religious groups, demonstrations were held simultaneously in other major cities including Blantyre, Mzuzu and Zomba.

Archbishop Desmond Tambala led protesters who marched through Lilongwe carrying placards before handing a petition to lawmakers outside parliament.

"Homosexuality goes against everything that we believe as a people," said the petition read out to parliamentarians by Sheikh Dinala Chabulika, of the Muslim Association of Malawi.

Reverend William Tembo of the Malawi Council of Churches said same-sex relationships were "strange, and we are not ready to accept these unfamiliar phenomena in Malawi".

"We are a family-oriented nation, a nation that fears God, and that is why the church stands against same-sex campaigners," said Tembo.

The protesters called on President Lazarus Chakwera, a former evangelical preacher, to resist pressure to legalise same-sex marriage.

Government spokesman Moses Kunkuyu told protesters the administration would take into account the concerns raised by religious leaders.

The demonstrations coincided with a constitutional court case brought by Jan Willem Akstar, a Dutch NGO worker, and Jana Gonani, a local transgender woman.

The pair is seeking to have bans on same-sex marriage and gay-sex overturned, arguing they violate the right to privacy and dignity, among others.

Gay sex is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in jail in the country.

Akstar and Gonani have separately faced charges under the colonial-era legislation outlawing sodomy.

Gonani was sentenced to eight years in jail in 2021.

Akstar, 51, is currently on trial and is also facing charges of sexual abuse relating to his time working for a financial aid charity in Blantyre.

Their cases were joined before the constitutional court, which will begin hearings next week.

Malawi's justice ministry issued a moratorium on arrests and prosecutions for consensual homosexual acts in 2012, but the order was suspended by the High Court in 2016 pending a judicial review.

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Thousands of Ukraine civilians are being held in Russian prisons. Russia plans to build many more

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  The Ukrainian civilians woke long before dawn in the bitter cold, lined up for the single toilet and were loaded at gunpoint into the livestock trailer. They spent the next 12 hours or more digging trenches on the front lines for Russian soldiers.

Many were forced to wear overlarge Russian military uniforms that could make them a target, and a former city administrator trudged around in boots five sizes too big. By the end of the day, their hands curled into icy claws.

Nearby, in the occupied region of Zaporizhzhia, other Ukrainian civilians dug mass graves into the frozen ground for fellow prisoners who had not survived. One man who refused to dig was shot on the spot  yet another body for the grave.

Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are being detained across Russia and the Ukrainian territories it occupies, in centers ranging from brand-new wings in Russian prisons to clammy basements. Most have no status under Russian law.

And Russia is planning to hold possibly thousands more. A Russian government document obtained by The Associated Press dating to January outlined plans to create 25 new prison colonies and six other detention centers in occupied Ukraine by 2026.

In addition, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree in May allowing Russia to send people from territories with martial law, which includes all of occupied Ukraine, to those without, such as Russia. This makes it easier to deport Ukrainians who resist Russian occupation deep into Russia indefinitely, which has happened in multiple cases documented by the AP.

Many civilians are picked up for alleged transgressions as minor as speaking Ukrainian or simply being a young man in an occupied region, and are often held without charge. Others are charged as terrorists, combatants, or people who resist the special military operation. Hundreds are used for slave labor by Russias military, for digging trenches and other fortifications, as well as mass graves.

Torture is routine, including repeated electrical shocks, beatings that crack skulls and fracture ribs, and simulated suffocation. Many former prisoners told the AP they witnessed deaths. A United Nations report from late June documented 77 summary executions of civilian captives and the death of one man due to torture.

Russia does not acknowledge holding civilians at all, let alone its reasons for doing so. But the prisoners serve as future bargaining chips in exchanges for Russian soldiers, and the U.N. has said there is evidence of civilians being used as human shields near the front lines.

The AP spoke with dozens of people, including 20 former detainees, along with ex-prisoners of war, the families of more than a dozen civilians in detention, two Ukrainian intelligence officials and a government negotiator. Their accounts, as well as satellite imagery, social media, government documents and copies of letters delivered by the Red Cross, confirm a widescale Russian system of detention and abuse of civilians that stands in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions.

Some civilians were held for days or weeks, while others have vanished for well over a year. Nearly everyone freed said they experienced or witnessed torture, and most described being shifted from one place to another without explanation.

Its a business of human trafficking, said Olena Yahupova, the city administrator who was forced to dig trenches for the Russians in Zaporizhzhia. If we dont talk about it and keep silent, then tomorrow anyone can be there  my neighbor, acquaintance, child.

INVISIBLE PRISONERS

The new building in the compound of Prison Colony No. 2 is at least two stories tall, separated from the main prison by a thick wall.

This facility in Russias eastern Rostov region has gone up since the war started in February 2022, according to satellite imagery analyzed by the AP. It could easily house the hundreds of Ukrainian civilians who are believed detained there, according to former captives, families of the missing, human rights activists and Russian lawyers. Two exiled Russian human rights advocates said it is heavily guarded by soldiers and armored vehicles.

The building in Rostov is one of at least 40 detention facilities in Russia and Belarus, and 63 makeshift and formal in occupied Ukrainian territory where Ukrainian civilians are held, according to an AP map built on data from former captives, the Ukrainian Media Initiative for Human Rights, and the Russian human rights group Gulagu.net. The recent U.N. report counted a total of 37 facilities in Russia and Belarus and 125 in occupied Ukraine.

Some also hold Russian prisoners accused or convicted of a variety of crimes. Other, more makeshift locations are near the front lines, and the AP documented two locations where former prisoners say Ukrainians were forced to dig trenches.

The shadowy nature of the system makes it difficult to know exactly how many civilians are being detained. Ukraines government has been able to confirm legal details of a little over 1,000 who are facing charges.

At least 4,000 civilians are held in Russia and at least as many scattered around the occupied territories, according to Vladimir Osechkin, an exiled Russian human rights activist who talks to informants within Russian prisons and founded Gulagu.net to document abuses. Osechkin showed AP a Russian prison document from 2022 saying that 119 people opposed to the special military operation in Ukraine were moved by plane to the main prison colony in the Russian region of Voronezh. Many Ukrainians later freed by Russia also described unexplained plane transfers.

In all, Ukraines government believes around 10,000 civilians could be detained, according to Ukrainian negotiator Oleksandr Kononeko, based on reports from loved ones, as well as post-release interviews with some civilians and the hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers returned in prisoner exchanges. Ukraine said in June that about 150 civilians have been freed to Ukrainian-controlled territory, and the Russians deny holding others.

They say, We dont have these people, its you who is lying, Kononeko said.

The detention of two men from the Kherson region in August 2022 offers a glimpse at how hard it is for families to track down loved ones in Russian custody.

Artem Baranov, a security guard, and Yevhen Pryshliak, who worked at a local asphalt plant with his father, had been friends for over a decade. Their relationship was cemented when both bought dogs during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Baranovs common-law wife, Ilona Slyva. Their evening walks continued even after Russia seized their hometown of Nova Kakhovka  shy Baranov with a giant black Italian mastiff and Pryshliak with a toy poodle whose apricot fur matched his beard.

Their walk ran late the night of Aug. 15, and Pryshliak decided to stay at Baranovs apartment rather than risk being caught breaking the Russian curfew. Neighbors later told the family that 15 armed Russian soldiers swooped in, ransacked the apartment and seized the men.

For a month, they were in the local jail, with conditions relaxed enough that Slyva was able to talk to Pryshliak through the fence. Baranov, he told her, couldnt come out.

She sent in packages of food and clothes but did not know if they were reaching him. Finally, on Baranovs birthday, she bought his favorite dessert of cream eclairs, smashed them up, and slipped in a scrap of paper with her new Russian phone number scrawled on it. She hoped the guards would have little interest in the sticky mess and just pass it along.

A month went by, and the families learned the men had been transferred to a new prison in Sevastopol, in Crimea. Then the trail went dark.

Four more months passed. Then a call came from the family of a man they had never met but would soon come to know well: Pavlo Zaporozhets.

Zaporozhets, a Ukrainian from the occupied Kherson region charged with international terrorism, was sharing a cell in Rostov with Baranov. Since he faced charges, he had a lawyer.

It was then that Slyva knew her gift of eclairs  and the phone number smuggled within them  had reached its destination. Baranov had memorized her number and passed it through a complex chain that finally got news of him to her on April 7.

Baranov wrote that he was accused of espionage  an accusation that Slyva scorned as falling apart even under Russias internal logic. He was detained in August, and Russia illegally annexed the regions only in October.

When he was detained, he was on his own national territory, she said. They thought and thought and invented a criminal case against him for espionage.

Baranov wrote home that he was transported across prisons with his eyes closed in two planes, one of which had about 60 people. He and Pryshliak were separated at their third transfer in late winter. Pryshliaks family has received a form letter from the Rostov prison denying he is an inmate there.

The number of civilian detainees has grown rapidly over the course of the war. In the first wave early on, Russian units moved in with lists of activists, pro-Ukrainian community leaders, and military veterans. Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov was taken when Russian forces seized control of his city but exchanged within a week for nine Russian soldiers, he said.

Then they focused on teachers and doctors who refused to work with the occupation authorities. But the reasons for apprehending people today are as mundane as tying a ribbon to a bicycle in the Ukrainian colors of blue and yellow.

Now there is no logic, Fedorov said.

He estimated that around 500 Ukrainian civilians are detained just in his city at any time  numbers echoed by multiple people interviewed by the AP.

A Ukrainian intelligence official said the Russian fear of dissidents had become pathological since last fall, as Russians brace for Ukraines counteroffensive. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the situation.

The AP saw multiple missing person notices posted on closed Ukrainian social media chats for young men seized off the streets. The messages, written in Ukrainian, describe detentions at gunpoint at home and on the street, with pleas to send information and emojis of hearts and praying hands.

The Geneva Conventions in general forbid the arbitrary detention or forced deportation of civilians, and state that detainees must be allowed to communicate with loved ones, obtain legal counsel and challenge allegations against them. But first they must be found.

After months writing letter after letter to locate Pryshliak, his sister-in-law Liubov thinks she knows why the prisoners are moved around: So that the families cannot find them. Just to hide the traces of crimes.

SLAVES IN THE TRENCHES

Hundreds of civilians end up in a place that is possibly even more dangerous than the prisons: the trenches of occupied Ukraine.

There, they are forced to build protection for Russian soldiers, according to multiple people who managed to leave Russian custody. Among them was Yahupova, the 50-year-old civil administrator detained in October 2022 in the Zaporizhzhia region, possibly because she is married to a Ukrainian soldier.

Under international humanitarian law, Yahupova is a civilian  defined as anyone who is not an active member of or volunteer for the armed forces. Documented breaches of the law constitute a war crime and, if widespread and systematic, may also constitute a crime against humanity.

But the distinctions between soldiers and civilians can be hard to prove in a war where Ukraine has urged all its citizens to help, for example by sending Russian troop locations via social media. In practice, the Russians are scooping up civilians along with soldiers, including those denounced by neighbors for whatever reason or seized seemingly at random.

They picked Yahupova up at her house in October. Then they demanded she reveal information about her husband, taping a plastic bag over her face, beating her on the head with a filled water bottle and tightening a cable around her neck.

They also dragged her out of the cell and drove her around town to identify pro-Ukrainian locals. She didnt.

When they hauled her out a second time, she was exhausted. As a soldier placed her in front of a Russian news camera, she could still feel the dried blood on the back of her neck. She was going to give an interview, her captors told her.

Behind the camera, a gun was pointed at her head. The soldier holding it told her that if she gave the right answers to the Russian journalist interviewing her, she could go free.

But she didnt know what the right answers were. She went back to the cell.

Three months later, without explanation, Yahupova was again pulled outside. This time, she was driven to a deserted checkpoint, where yet another Russian news crew awaited. She was ordered to hold hands with two men and walk about 5 meters (yards) toward Ukraine.

The three Ukrainians were ordered to do another take. And another, to show that Russia was freeing the Ukrainian civilians in its custody.

Except, at the end of the last take, Russian soldiers loaded them into a truck and drove them to a nearby crossroads. One put shovels into their hands.

Now you will do something for the good of the Russian Federation, he said.

And so Yahupova ended up digging trenches until mid-March with more than a dozen Ukrainian civilians, including business owners, a student, a teacher, and utility workers. She could see other crews in the distance, with armed guards standing over them. Most wore Russian military uniforms and boots, and lived in fear that Ukrainian artillery would mistake them for the enemy.

The AP confirmed through satellite imagery the new trenches dug in the area where Yahupova and a man on the Ukrainian crew with her said they were held. He requested anonymity because his relatives still live under occupation.

Sometimes we even worked there 24 hours a day, when they had an inspection coming, he said.

The man also spoke with other Ukrainian civilians digging mass graves nearby for at least 15 people. He said one civilian had been shot for refusing to dig. Satellite imagery shows a mound of freshly-dug earth in the spot the man described.

The man escaped during a Russian troop rotation, and Yahupova also made her way out. But both said hundreds of others are still in the occupied front lines, forced to work for Russia or die.

When Yahupova returned to her home after more than five months, everything had been stolen. Her beloved dog had been shot. Her head ached, her vision was blurred, and her children  long since out of the occupied territories  urged her to leave.

She traveled thousands of miles through Russia, north to the Baltics and back around to the front line in Ukraine, where she reunited with her husband serving with Ukrainian forces. Earlier married in a civil ceremony, the two got wed this time in church.

Now safe in Ukrainian territory, Yahupova wants to testify against Russia  for the months it stole from her, the concussion that troubles her, the home she has lost. She still reflexively touches the back of her head, where the bottle struck her over and over.

They stole not only from me, they stole from half the country, she said.

TORTURE AS POLICY

The abuse Yahupova described is common. Torture was a constant, whether or not there was information to extract, according to every former detainee interviewed by the AP. The U.N. report from June said 91% of prisoners described torture and ill-treatment.

In the occupied territories, all the freed civilians interviewed by the AP described crammed rooms and cells, tools of torture prepared in advance, tape placed carefully next to office chairs to bind arms and legs, and repeated questioning by Russians FSB intelligence agency. Nearly 100 evidence photos obtained by the AP from Ukrainian investigators also showed instruments of torture found in liberated areas of Kherson, Kyiv and Kharkiv, including the same tools repeatedly described by former civilian captives held in Russia and occupied regions.

Many former detainees spoke of wires linking prisoners bodies to electricity in field telephones or radios or batteries, in a procedure one man said the Russians dubbed call your mother or call Biden. U.N. human rights investigators said one victim described the same treatment given to Yahupova, a severe beating on the head with a filled water bottle.

Viktoriia Andrusha, an elementary school math teacher, was seized by Russian forces on March 25, 2022, after they ransacked her parents home in Chernihiv and found photos of Russian military vehicles on her phone. By March 28, she was in a prison in Russia. Her captors told her Ukraine had fallen and no one wanted any civilians back.

For her, like so many others, torture came in the form of fists, batons of metal, wood and rubber, plastic bags. Men in black, with special forces chevrons on their sleeves, pummeled her in the prison corridor and in a ceramic-tiled room seemingly designed for quick cleaning. Russian propaganda played on a television above her.

There was a point when I was already sitting and saying: Honestly, do what you want with me. I just dont care anymore, Andrusha said.

Along with the physical torture came mental anguish. Andrusha was told repeatedly that she would die in prison in Russia, that they would slash her with knives until she was unrecognizable, that her government cared nothing about a captive schoolteacher, that her family had forgotten her, that her language was useless. They forced captives to memorize verse after verse of the Russian national anthem and other patriotic songs.

Their job was to influence us psychologically, to show us that we are not human, she said. Our task was to make sure that everything they did to us did not affect us.

Then one day, without explanation, it was over for her and another woman kept with her. Guards ordered them to pack up, cuffed them and put them in a bus. The weight Andrusha had lost in prison showed starkly in the cast-off jacket that hung from her shoulders.

They were soon joined by Ukrainian soldiers held captive elsewhere. On the other side, Andrusha saw three Russian soldiers. Although international law forbids the exchange of civilians as prisoners of war, the U.N. report on June 27 said this has happened in at least 53 cases, and Melitopol Mayor Fedorov confirmed it happened to him.

A man detained with Andrusha in March 2022 is in captivity still. She doesnt know the fate of the others she met. But many former captives take it upon themselves to contact the loved ones of their former cellmates.

Andrusha recalled hours spent memorizing whispered phone numbers in a circle with other Ukrainians, on the chance one of them might get out. When she was freed, she passed them along to Ukrainian government officials.

Andrusha has since regained some of her weight. She talks about her six months in prison calmly but with anger.

I was able to survive this, she said, after a day back in the classroom with her students. There are so many cases when people do not return.

In the meantime, for loved ones, the wait is agony.

Anna Vuikos father was one of the earliest civilians detained, in March last year. A former glass factory worker on disability, Roman Vuiko had resisted when Russian soldiers tried to take over his home in suburban Kyiv, neighbors told his adult daughter. They drove a military truck into the yard, shattered the windows, cuffed the 50-year-old man and drove off.

By May 2022, Vuiko was in a prison in Kursk, Russia, hundreds of kilometers (miles) away. All his daughter has gotten from him since is a handwritten letter, which arrived six months after he was taken away and four months after he wrote it. The standard phrases told his daughter nothing except that he was alive, and she suspects he has not received any of her letters.

I think about it every day, she said. Its been a year, more than a year.  How much more time has to pass?

___

Arhirova reported from Kyiv. Contributors include Michael Biesecker in Washington, Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kherson and Evgeniy Maloletka in Zaporizhzhia.
WASHINGTON  Three variants of the Marine Corps amphibious combat vehicle are rolling down the production line at BAE Systems York, Pennsylvania, facility, and the company expects to finalize the fourth variants design this fall, program leaders said.

The Marine Corps began fielding the personnel variant, which will make up the vast majority of the ACV fleet, in early fiscal 2021. The ACV command and control vehicle, or ACV-C, is in production now and should reach initial operational capability in the second quarter of FY24  likely around March, according to Col. Tim Hough, the program manager for Advanced Amphibious Assault.

Though the Marine Corps decided to move into ACV-C production in March 2022 following design reviews and testing, Defense Department testers found ACV-C is operationally effective as a stationary command post but not operationally effective as a mobile command post. The ACV-C does not have enough secure beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) voice and data nets to support the [command and control] mission, according to the director of operational test and evaluations annual report, released in January.

When the ACV-C is stationary, embarked staff can set up additional BLOS external antennas to support communication demands, the report continued. The embarked staff is limited to a single BLOS net when the ACV-C is mobile.

Hough, during a presentation at the Modern Day Marine conference, said the service had originally taken the mission gear from the aging assault amphibious vehicles command and control variant and repurposed it in the ACV. Following the DOT&E testing, the service integrated in four additional beyond-line-of-sight antennas and the Network-On-The-Move system to give the vehicle greater voice- and data-sharing capability.

That integration work is taking place now, even as BAE is building the first vehicles that will go to the fleet.

Mark Brinkman, BAE Systems program director for the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle, told Defense News at the conference the ACV-C is in full-rate production at the York assembly line, with the first vehicle set for delivery to the Marine Corps before the end of the year.

The production line is also working on three ACV-30 vehicles, a variant of the vehicle that features a 30mm cannon. These are known as production-representative test vehicles and, once completed, will be used for operational testing that will help the Marine Corps confirm the design is ready to enter production.

Brinkman said the ACV-30 test vehicles will go to the Marines in early 2024 for testing shortly thereafter.

The 30mm cannon variant should hit initial operational capability by the third quarter of FY26, according to Hough, meaning at least one unit will have enough vehicles and sufficient spare parts for a deployment overseas, as well as the training to operate and maintain these vehicles without outside help.

At that point, Brinkman said, it will be the largest direct fire weapon system in the [ground combat element], since the Marine Corps has gotten rid of their tanks.

The recovery variant, or ACV-R, will allow for field-level maintenance and towing of other ACVs. That vehicle is in design.

Hough said the Nevada Automotive Test Center built a test demonstrator to consider ACV-Rs design given its weight and size constraints. NATC worked with BAE to create a final vehicle design, which has made it through a preliminary design review and will head to a critical design review soon.

If approved there, it would then move into the construction of production-representative test vehicles for further in-field testing, as is happening for the ACV-30.

Hough said ACV-R wont hit initial operational capability until early FY28, so the Marines will continue to use the AAV recovery variant for field-level maintenance until then.

Hough said the Marine Corps will continue buying and fielding ACVs through FY29.

The Marine Corps kicked off fielding ACVs in FY21. Brinkman said more than 200 of the baseline ACV personnel variants have come off the production line, and Hough said 139 of those have arrived at operational units or the schoolhouse.
"The three men closest to me have gone to war". Aliona Danilova, founder of the Ukrainian Women's Battalion, talks about family, war, and her determination to help

Aliona Danilova's stepfather, husband and 19-year-old brother are all at war. Three generations of men who went to the front to fight as volunteer soldiers, motivated to protect their homes from Russian occupying forces.

A month after the full-scale invasion began, Aliona felt helpless, believing that she was not doing enough to help the Ukrainian military.

One night, overwhelmed by despair, pain and tears, an idea came to Aliona: a womens battalion made up of volunteers who want to become a reliable rear guard for the Ukrainian defence. They would help the military by buying bulletproof vests, helmets, thermal imagers, quadcopters, radios, tactical backpacks and first aid kits.

Aliona Danilova, founder of the Ukrainian Women's Battalion, talks to Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia about her idea and what motivated her to make it happen.

This is her story, in her own words.

My stepfather and brother

It all started with Maidan [the Revolution of Dignity in 2013-2014  ed.]. I remember sitting in front of the TV with my mother and grandmother watching the news. In Khmelnytskyi Oblast, where I come from, it seemed scary and incomprehensible. I was 16 years old, and I wasnt very politically conscious or patriotic  I hadnt needed to be.

My stepfather went to the front almost as soon as the invasion began, and in February 2015 he was taken captive. We started looking for him, and scammers started preying on us. They told us we had to sell our house and apartment, and that then they would tell us where he is. I found it interesting that they spoke Ukrainian.

My stepfather's parents were desperate and nearly decided to do as they were told, but then for some reason the Russians switched on my stepfather's phone. They probably wanted to find something on it. That's how we found out that he was alive, and then we found volunteers who could add him to the prisoner swap list.

After my stepfather was freed, no one ever asked him about his time in captivity. It was not a policy of silence, but a wish to avoid triggering him.

Alionas stepfather on duty

After he came back, Cyborgs started appearing at our house, defenders of the Donetsk airport [the term "cyborgs" was adopted in reference to their courage and invincibility - ed.]. They were my stepfather's brothers-in-arms, his friends.

My brother (now 19 years old) was finishing eighth grade, but he was doing poorly at school, and my mum was thinking about where to send him next.

A year later, my brother made up his mind and said he would join the military like my stepfather. He went to the Odesa Military Lyceum and then entered the Odesa Intelligence Academy, where he is currently studying.

In 2020 no one even imagined that there would be a full-scale invasion. My brothers parents and relatives thought he would complete his studies and then sit quietly in an office, studying theory. But no one knew then that theory would become practice, and he would never finish his studies.

Students at military academies normally sign a contract on arrival. Then, from their third year of study, they are taken on combat missions, afterwards returning to the academy to tighten up their theoretical knowledge before continuing their practical study.

My husband

I met my husband in 2016 at Ostroh Academy. I was entering my first year, and Zhenia was studying psychology part-time. He was already serving in the military at the time but wanted to pursue a civilian profession as well.

He was walking around our student accommodation looking for someone to iron his shirt. My friend said casually: "Oh, Aliona can do it". She convinced me that it wouldn't take long, and for some reason, I agreed.

Fifteen minutes later, there was a knock on our door, and Zhenia came in with a bar of chocolate as a thank-you. We let him in, and he started telling us stories from the front: how people had died, that one person had been hit so badly there was nothing left of him.

Aliona with her husband

Later, my friend and I sat down together and decided that we shouldn't be friends with him, as he kept telling these horrifying stories. Zhenia had followed me on social media, but at the time it didnt seem important.

Three years later, during finals, my friend mentioned the guy whose shirt I ironed. She asked if I had seen that he had been injured.

I went on his Instagram and saw a video of him lying in hospital, barely conscious, holding his intestines. He had been hit by a machine gun: all his organs were injured, they were glued together in pieces. One kidney and spleen had to be removed, as well as a fragment of his liver.

I texted him words of support, and we chatted for a while. Six months later, we saw each other again at the student accommodation: he came back to take his exams and was undergoing rehabilitation. But the conversation didnt go further than hello and a polite chat.

While I was studying, I moved to Kyiv, and another guy proposed to me. My future husband never forgot this. Zhenia told me: "You know I like you so much, I would marry you." I thought he was joking, but he asked me several times a month if I had changed my mind.

I came to Kyiv during COVID, got sick and needed to see a doctor. Zhenia met me at the metro station with a huge bouquet of daisies, put me in his car and told me almost as if it was fact that our next steps would be marriage and starting a family.

I still didn't think he was serious, but Zhenia had plans for me. He said he made only one mistake  when he let me go after our first meeting.

From the moment he first brought me to his apartment until now, I always have a bouquet of fresh flowers. He's always there, even when he's far away.

Aliona with Zhenia and the cat

The full-scale invasion: Kyiv

In January and February 2022, Zhenia was preparing for war: he cleaned his weapons, went to a shooting range, and organised his backpack.

On the 24th of February, Zhenia woke up around 04:30 and read the first reports of explosions in Kharkiv. He woke me up and said, "Princess, the full-scale invasion has begun." He was already dressed and ready.

At first, I didn't believe it, but I turned on the news and there it was  footage of tanks entering Kyiv and Kharkiv Oblasts. He asked me to go to my parents' house because he was afraid that I might be killed because of my political stance and the photos of us, but I refused. So my cat and I stayed home, and my husband went to war.

Around 6 am, I woke my mother up with the bad news. She didn't believe it at first. My stepfather was summoned to the city council at 04:30 (Kyiv time) to form roadblocks. At first, they didn't want him to fight because he had already been in captivity. And he and my mother had a daughter, who was then almost five years old.

And so the three men closest to me went to war.

Shelter in Kyiv

While I was in Kyiv, my husband and his fellow soldiers came to my place to wash, eat and clean their clothes. For Zhenia, this support was huge. I didn't think about it. It seemed this was the way it should be: the husband at the front, and the wife helping in the rear. I was doing my best to ensure that this bullshit (the war  ed.) would end quickly.

Because the fighting was almost in Kyiv itself, I spent most of my time sitting in the basement with my cat. Almost all of Kyivs residents had left: several men of pre-retirement age took on the guarding of our area, along with a security guard and an old lady.

The fighting arrived in my area for the first time at the end of March. I stayed in the apartment, feeling the ground and windows shaking.

I thought about leaving Kyiv to visit my parents, but no one wanted to pick people up from my area, not buses or taxis.

My mother found a man who took people from the capital to Khmelnytskyi and beyond. But a few minutes before I was due to meet him, he said he was too afraid to go.

My husband was furious when he saw this message, as he is a man of his word. I am convinced that he would help even strangers while under fire.

In a shelter with the cat

I stayed for another day: a neighbour came to visit me and asked me to take her cat while she went to have dialysis done. My patience was running out by the evening, and I called her to ask when she would pick up her cat. It turned out that she was already in Lviv. So I had two cats, which would make evacuation even harder.

Luckily, some of the guys in my husband's unit had to go to Khmelnytskyi Oblast on business and were able to help me escape.

The Ukrainian Women's Battalion

I arrived at my parents house around the 25th of March and realised that all the men I loved were at the front. I sat crying in the middle of the night, feeling helpless. Then I created a group on Telegram, where I added all the available women I know. There were around 50 participants.

And thats how the Ukrainian Women's Battalion was created. The women quickly divided up responsibilities and identified areas of work. We understood that the military needed protective equipment first: armour, modular tactical vests and helmets.

We discovered that we would have to keep records of the assistance we provided after one of the soldiers tried to resell the armoured vest we gave him.

For the first six months, we didn't stop, and a year later, we received an award.

One of the awards won by the Ukrainian Women's Battalion

It was a whirlpool of emotions: we all cried because we didn't think we needed to be rewarded for our help. There is a war going on, and we must somehow survive. I am grateful for those awards, but they cannot compare to the sacrifice of the military, who buy us each day of life in Ukraine.

We had conflict over language in the team, some participants continuing to speak Russian and listen to Russian music. I had to say goodbye to those I couldn't convince to change.

Now the team consists of 80 people, a lawyer, an accountant, and several different departments for advertising, communications, purchasing, etc.

Diverse volunteer activities

Unfortunately, fundraising remains a challenge. People need to continue donating throughout the war, not just when something catches their attention (for example, the blowing up of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant).

To make up for this, we don't just raise funds, but also allow people to buy things themselves, including T-shirts, medicines and other items.

We also have a project called "Voice of a Woman", where Ukrainian women can apply for psychological support, and tell their stories from the war.

Victoriia Andrieieva, Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia

Translators: Myroslava Zavadska, Yuliia Kravchenko

Editor: Bea Barnes
Gov. Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign is encountering enough turbulence that aides felt compelled to send out a "confidential" memo last week aimed at quieting concerns among donors.

DeSantis increasingly has been confronted by interviewers about his low poll numbers, and publicly has shrugged off the idea that his campaign is in trouble. Yet the need for the memo indicates that some DeSantis supporters are worried.

Here are three takeaways from the memo, which is labeled a "confidential friends and family update" that is "not for distribution" and was first obtained by NBC News.

Focus on early states

DeSantis has been building up operations in early states such as Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, waves to the audience while arriving with Chris Ager, chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party, during a stop at a New Hampshire Republican Party dinner, Friday, April 14, 2023, in Manchester, N.H.

The memo makes it clear that DeSantis is all in on these states right now, instead of broadening the campaign to the large group of states that vote on Super Tuesday.

"While Super Tuesday is critically important, we will not dedicate resources to Super Tuesday that slow our momentum in New Hampshire," the memo states. "We expect to revisit this investment in the Fall."

A campaign that is running strong in the early voting states might be tempted to devote resources to more states. The fact that the campaign is laser focused on the early states indicates DeSantis' team feels there is a lot of work to do there, and that spending money on a national campaign is unwise.

Shots at Tim Scott and rivals

As DeSantis struggles, there has been reporting that some big donors are taking a deeper look at South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott.

The memo shows that DeSantis' campaign views Scott as a threat.

"While Tim Scott has earned a serious look at this stage, his bio is lacking the fight that our electorate is looking for in the next President," the memo states. "We expect Tim Scott to receive appropriate scrutiny in the weeks ahead."

It also states former Vice President Mike Pence and Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie "don't feel remotely viable."

As for how he will take on former President Donald Trump, who is trouncing DeSantis in most early polls, expect more of the same tactics.

"Our campaign will make the contrast between Joe Biden and Ron DeSantis clear  but we won't avoid Trump's failings when asked. Our strategy? Question Asked, Question Answered, then on to how we beat Joe Biden," the memo states.

What's to come: An emphasis on his bio, 'woke military' and more

The section of the memo that deals with DeSantis' message leads with his bio, arguing it hasn't been fully explored by the campaign and will be a major focus going forward.

The memo notes that DeSantis didn't sign up for a government pension while in Congress.

Quiet as a mouse? Feud between DeSantis, Disney could have profound implications on corporate speech

From USA TODAY: Stuck in neutral: Ron DeSantis is way behind Donald Trump. Here's his comeback plan.

"This and many other examples have yet to even be explored and will likely be feature of his bio in the Fall," the memo states.

DeSantis is a husband and father of young children who graduated from Yale University and Harvard Law School and served in the military. Whether the campaign can more successfully leverage his background and credentials remains to be seen.

The governor's team also said they will focus on "big, bold ideas that will get people talking" and lead to more "earned media" and news reports on the campaign.

Echoing DeSantis, who has blamed sagging poll numbers on "corporate media" attacks in recent days, the campaign concluded that "standing in the polls" is directly tied to news coverage. Toward that end, they said DeSantis surrogates would aim to appear "on every possible news segment."

"The earned media is the cake," the memo states. "The paid media (early states and national conservative cable) is the icing and keeps the messaging points from the earned media hits in the voter's face."

The memo also states that over the next two months, the governor will broaden his focus beyond immigration policy to the economy.

More to come in the Fall of 2023.... including woke military, the deep state, school choice and beyond."

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: DeSantis 'confidential' memo lays out strategy to gain ground on Trump
TikToker says China Airlines trapped her cat in its cage with no food for 38 hours, ruining a dream trip to Bali

Stills from Nina Galy's TikTok documenting her 38-hour ordeal with China Airlines. Nina Galy/TikTok

TikToker Nina Galy went viral posting about her ordeal trying to get her pet cat from LA to Bali.

She accused China Airlines of botching the transit, forcing them to abort the trip while in Taiwan.

She told Insider her cat was locked up in the dark for 38 hours with no food.

A TikToker accused an airline of stranding her pet cat for hours without food or comfort in a 38-hour ordeal that cost her thousands of dollars.

Nina Galy hoped to travel from Los Angeles to Bali, Indonesia, with her pet, whose name is Baby Cat.

She booked a flight with China Airlines, the national carrier for Taiwan, with a layover in Taipei, according to documents she shared with Insider.

Galy said she thought she had done everything necessary to navigate the complicated rules around flying with pets  but ended up stranded in the middle of her trip at Taipei Taoyuan Airport.

Her TikTok posts about the saga while she was stuck went viral, amassing some 15 million views.

Speaking to Insider, she said she planned to sue China Airlines for its handling of the situation. China Airlines did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

She said that China Airlines staff in Taiwan told her they never should have accepted her cat at LAX, that it was not cleared to enter Indonesia, and that her only option was to pay $1,800 to fly home.

Galy posted a TikTok on Thursday, to her account of over 400,000 followers, showing herself in tears at the airport.

She begged airport workers to let her see her cat, who had already been locked in her cage for 15 hours.

Instead of reuniting them or letting Galy get her connecting flight to Bali, the worker told her she had to go back to the US.

"Does anybody care that she's an animal that hasn't eaten?" Galy asked of Baby Cat.

@ninadoesthemost China Airlines says Human Error is the reason my Cat is stuck in Taiwan.  original sound - Ninadoesthemost

Galy told Insider her plan was to travel to Bali with Baby Cat because she would soon be moving there. She believed Baby Cat, who she has had for about 10 years, could fly with her in the cabin.

She got a vet to issue a travel certificate, and spent almost $1,500 on consultations, blood tests, vaccinations, and other protocols.

"We then sent the lab results to the USDA for a travel certificate, which cost me an additional $150 for two prepaid overnight labels," Galy said. She said the vet repeatedly checked all her documents were in order.

According to US government guidelines, a pet dogs or cat can enter Indonesia from the US under certain conditions. It needs to be in good health, has a microchip, have lived in the US for six months, not have been exposed to rabies, and have various vaccines.

From what Galy showed Insider, it appeared that Baby Cat met those criteria.

But things went awry when Galy arrived at LAX. She was told Baby Cat could not fly with her in the cabin as she had expected, but had to ride in the hold with the cargo.

A spokesperson for LAX declined to comment to Insider, saying it was an issue for the airline.

Galy said she phoned her brother who rushed a cat carrier to the airport. She said she paid four additional fees to get Baby Cat on the plane. She said the first was $230, then $90, another $90, and another $320  she said it was not clear to her what the money was for.

"The confusion of the check-in staff was baffling, but they did put a baggage tag on her that said final destination: Bali," Galy said. "So I figured I had a few blips in my plan, but 21 hours later, we would both be soaking up the Bali sun in our new home."

But, when Galy got to Taiwan after 13 hours of flying, expecting to get her connection to Bali, she landed "to a complete nightmare." She said she was greeted by a gate attendant who took her to an area outside of boarding and told her to wait for a manager.

"This is when I knew something was terribly wrong," she said.

After an hour of waiting, she said a manager, "who didn't seem to be friendly, or have a sense of urgency about the matter," told her she needed to go back to the US as Indonesia would not accept her cat.

"He told me I was not allowed to switch airlines, and that I was not allowed to stay in the airport another 24 hours, forcing me to buy another return ticket with China Airlines," Galy said.

She said the manager told her Baby Cat had only been allowed that far due to "human error" at LAX.

"I requested that they at least cover my ticket back to America, because they had already admitted the fault of human error," she said. "But when I articulated this to the manager, his response was, 'I do not accept your opinion. China Airlines does not owe you anything.'"

Galy said the manager had a "general lack of empathy" and even walked away from her several times during the conversation, saying he "couldn't deal with it."

Feeling "defeated, confused, and traumatized," Galy gave in and paid $1,800 to get back to LA, on a plane that left 13 hours later. She was told she couldn't see Baby Cat in that time.

"My cat had to remain in the basement for an additional 13 hours by herself, until our 12.5-hour flight back was ready to board," she said. "They said they covered her cage with a blanket, so she's trapped in the dark, for what would be 25 hours, before boarding the return flight."

This was when Galy turned to TikTok.

"I have traumatized my cat, I have sedated her, I have starved her, she has been in a cage for almost 15 hours now with no food and nowhere to relieve herself," she said in her video.

"When I paid for baby cat to fly, they put a baggage tag on her carrier that said 'Final destination: Bali.' At that point in time, if she was not able to go and enter Bali, why was that even able to print from your system?"

Galy and her cat were reunited the next day when they landed in the US. She updated her TikTok followers saying her cat was fine, though she "smells terrible."

"She definitely peed in her cage and threw up," she said.

@ninadoesthemost Im choosing not to share the details of what was told to me for legal reasons. However, the gravity of this situation was known BEFORE I arrived to Taiwan, and they also did accept responsibility for human error. So now Ive got even more work to do with this  original sound - Ninadoesthemost

"I felt like the worst pet owner ever," Galy told Insider. "I felt like I had betrayed the trust that had taken me almost 10 years to build with my cat."

She added that she knew "for a fact" Baby Cat had not received any food or been allowed out of her cage to relieve herself "because her cage was zip-tied shut," she said.

Galy said that she saw China Airlines' corporate account on Instagram watch updates she posted about the situation, but that she had not heard from them.

"I am pursuing legal action and am seeking an international lawyer to help solve this effectively," she said.

Galy is currently now in Bali going through with her trip as planned, but left Baby Cat at home in California.

Read the original article on Insider
(Bloomberg) -- A super political action committee supporting Tim Scotts presidential ambitions brought in $19 million over the past quarter, likely leaving the South Carolina senator behind the frontrunners for the GOP nomination.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The money raised by Trust in the Mission  the Scott-allied super PAC  and the $6.1 million in direct donations Scotts campaign received in the six weeks since he officially declared his candidacy, give the Republicans team a total of $25.1 million for the quarter.

Scotts campaign fundraising totals fall short of those announced by former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in recent days, but puts him in a dead heat with fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley.

Haley and her allied super PAC raised just slightly more than Scott  a combined $26 million  in the past quarter.

Neither Scott nor Haley has yet to find much support among Republican primary voters. Scott stands at just 3.2% in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls, putting him in fifth place. Haley, in fourth, stands at 3.4%. Trump continues to dominate the field at 53%, followed by DeSantis, the only other candidate in double digits, at 20.6%.

Some Republicans have questioned whether Scott and Haley  both hailing from South Carolina  will split their political and financial support, making it difficult for either candidate to mount a serious challenge to Trump.

Trump raised $9.5 million in the first six weeks of his campaign, and, in the most recent quarter, garnered $35 million more. DeSantis raised $20 million in his initial 38 days. Both campaigns also have super PACs, which are scheduled to disclose details of their second quarter fundraising by the end of the month. The group supporting DeSantis says it has raised more than $130 million since it launched in March.

The candidates are required report detailed information about their campaign contributions, including names of many donors, to the Federal Election Commission by Saturday.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Tom Holland has admitted that Hollywood is not for me.

The British actor has appeared in a number of box office smashes, including the Spider-Man film franchise and the 2022 Uncharted adaptation.

Appearing on the On Purpose podcast, Holland, 27, said that while he loved making films, he did not enjoy being in the Hollywood entertainment industry.

Look, I really am a massive fan of making movies but I really do not like Hollywood, it is not for me, he told host and life coach Jay Shetty.

The business really scares me. I understand that Im a part of that business, and I enjoy my kind of interactions with it. But that said, I am always looking for ways to kind of remove myself from it, to kind of just live as normal a life as possible.

Holland admitted that some friends of his had lost themselves in the entertainment industry, which he was keen not to do.

I definitely think it has been an ongoing thought, which is, Dont lose yourself, he said.

Ive seen so many people come before me and lose themselves, and Ive had friends that Ive grown up with that arent friends of mine anymore, because theyve lost themselves to this business.

Holland said he worried about losing himself in the industry (Jay Shetty Podcast)

I just am really, really keen to focus on what makes me happy Thats the stuff that I should protect.

Elsewhere in the interview, Holland spoke candidly about getting sober, admitting that he was obsessed with alcohol before cutting it out.

The Marvel star gave up drinking during Dry January  a month when people give up alcohol for a month after the festive period  after becoming really worried he had a problem.

I didnt one day wake up and say, Im giving up drinking, he said. I just, like many Brits, had had a very, very boozy December. [It was] Christmas time, I was on vacation, I was drinking a lot and Ive always been able to drink a lot.

All I could think about was having a drink. Thats all I could think about. I was waking up thinking about it. I was checking the clock, Whens it 12pm?

Holland continued: It just really scared me. I just was like, Wow. Maybe, maybe I have a little bit of an alcohol thing. So I sort of decided to punish myself and say, Ill do February as well. Ill do two months off. If I can do two months off, then I can prove to myself that I dont have a problem.

Holland found that, by the time he got to his self-imposed deadline, he was the happiest Ive ever been in my life.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13)  The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to hand down its decision on July 18 on the Philippine governments plea against the courts move to resume its investigation into the Duterte administrations war on drugs.

Judgment in the above appeal will be delivered in open court on Tuesday, 18 July 2023 at 10h00, the ICC said in a scheduling order dated July 12. It was signed by ICC Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut.

The ICC halted its probe into the anti-drug campaign in November 2021 at the request of the Duterte administration.

Last January, the courts pre-trial chamber authorized the resumption of the investigation as it was not convinced that the Philippine government is making a real or genuine effort to conduct probes and prosecutions regarding the matter.

In February, the Marcos administration, through Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, appealed to suspend the ruling and reverse the decision, insisting that the Hague-based tribunal had no jurisdiction over the country.

RELATED: Drug war victims see no justice under Marcos admin  ICC

In 2018, then President Rodrigo Duterte pulled the country out of the ICC following the launch of the preliminary investigation by ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. A formal inquiry began in September 2021.

With a one-year waiting period before it takes effect, the Philippines only officially stopped being an ICC member state in March 2019.

EXPLAINER: ICC and its authority

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he cannot cooperate with the ICC.

On March 27, the ICCs Appeals Chamber rejected the Philippine governments request to suspend its probe pending resolution of Manila's main appeal against the resumption of the probe in the absence of persuasive reasons.

With the failure of its bid to stop the proceedings, Marcos then said the country will be disengaging from any contact, from any communication with the ICC.

Dutertes war on drugs claimed over 6,000 lives, according to government data, but local and international human rights organizations estimate an even higher tally of between 12,000 and 30,000.
Tommy Tuberville tried to brush off a request from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to discuss the Alabama senators refusal to approve key military promotions, alleging that he didnt have time for a call with the Pentagon chief. Tuberville reconsidered a few hours later, opting to take a brief break from defending white nationalists to get on the phone with Austin.

Tuberville, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has blocked hundreds of military promotions over his opposition to the Pentagons policy of providing some abortion services for service members, veterans, and dependents. As a result of the blockade, major positions within the U.S. military remain vacant, including that of the highest-ranking officer in the Marine Corps.

Its not yet known if he and Austin were able to reach any sort of agreement during their call on Thursday.

According to CNN, Austins office attempted on Thursday to set up a phone call with Tuberville. Tubervilles office initially stated the senator was unavailable on Thursday or over the weekend. CNNs Kaitlan Collins noted that Tubervilles initial evasion of Austin took place after he accused the defense secretary of failing to reach out to him and discuss the issue.

When questioned as to why hed brushed off the head of the Pentagon, Tuberville told CNN that he had been on the run and unable to contact Austin while out of office, adding that he had his cell phone number and would talk to him. It seems he followed through a little earlier than expected.

Austin told CNN earlier on Thursday that Tubervilles stonewalling is a national security issue. Its a readiness issue. And we shouldnt kid ourselves.

I think any member of the Senate Armed Services Committee knows that, he added.

President Biden also blasted Tuberville on Thursday while speaking at a news conference in Helsinki, Finland. Id be willing to talk to him if I thought there was any possibility he would change his ridiculous position, Biden said. Hes jeopardizing U.S. security.

The idea that we dont have a chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the idea that we have all these promotions that are in abeyance right now and we dont know whats going to happen, the idea they are injecting into fundamental foreign policy decisions what in fact is a domestic social debate on social issues, is bizarre, Biden told reporters. And its just totally irresponsible, in my view.

Biden, when asked if he would talk to Sen. Tuberville (R-AL) about him blocking military promotions:



I'd be willing to talk to him if I thought there was any possibility he would change his ridiculous position  I expect the Republican Party to stand up and do something. pic.twitter.com/mu9SWXhaSE  The Recount (@therecount) July 13, 2023

Im confident that the mainstream Republican Party no longer  does not support what hes doing. But they got to stand up and be counted, the president added. Thats how it ends.

Earlier this week, the senator caused a firestorm when he claimed that he was totally against racism, but that if the Democrats want to say white nationalists are racist then Im against that too. The senator had disputed the idea that white nationalists are racist the previous night, claiming they simply have a few different beliefs.

Tuberville ultimately acknowledged that white supremacists are racist.

The senator has become a point of exasperation for many Republicans. Recently, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has found himself fielding questions about Tubervilles antics that hed rather not answer. Earlier this week, McConnell dodged a direct condemnation of Tuberville when pressed about the senators statements, only managing to say that white supremacy is unacceptable.

Tubervilles freeze in the Armed Services Committee has also led to increased pressure on McConnell to resolve the issue. No, I dont support putting a hold on military nominations. I dont support that. As to why, you need to ask Sen. Tuberville, McConnell told reporters in May.

Despite McConnells condemnation of the embargo, Tuberville has given no indication hes feeling pressure from Republican leadership. Im not gonna change my approach, he told CNN on Monday.

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It Took Forever, but Ukraine Is Finally Building Its Own Howitzers

As Russian tanks poured into Ukraine in February 2022, the engineers at the Kramatorsk Heavy Duty Machine Tooling Plant were preparing to destroy what theyd spent the last seven years building: the only prototype 2S22 Bohdana long-range truck howitzer, Ukraines first artillery system developed to use Western-caliber 155-millimeter rounds.

Better to destroy it, they reasoned, than let it fall into the hands of invading Russian troops.

But just a few months later, the 28-ton prototype showed up hundreds of miles away on the opposite side of Ukraine, helping to deliver the killing blow in Ukraines siege of the Russian garrison on Snake Island.

Now, videos show that Ukraine had assembled two more Bohdanas now seeing combat in the massive see-saw battle for control of Bakhmut.

This suggests that Ukraine may genuinely have the capacity to begin production on the long-range guns despite the damage wrought by Russias invasion.

Ukraines Wheeled Artillery Future

Artillery played a dominant role in the intense battles that occurred during Russias initial 2014-2015 invasion of Ukraine. It became clear to Ukraines military that it would need more and better artillery in the event of a future conflict with Russia. Other critical needs included drones for artillery spotting, counterbattery radars to locate enemy artillery, and electronic warfare systems.

NurPhoto - Getty Images

But Ukraines stock of Soviet 152-millimeter howitzer shellsand their capacity to build morehas fallen far short of what was needed. Furthermore, Ukraine has been in possession of comparatively small numbers of longer-distance self-propelled howitzers like the modern 2S19 Msta-S (around 35 pre-war) and the older 2S5 Gigantsit-S and 2S7 Pion (around 18 and 13 in pre-war service) that could strike regular enemy artillery from beyond easy retaliatory range and quickly reposition.

Inconveniently, the obvious place to get more 152-millimeter artillery and ammo was RussiaUkraines primary security threat. As that was not an option, Ukraine needed to find more modern howitzers that could use NATO-standard 155-millimeter shells and could be sourced from more sympathetic countries.

Work on this Western-style howitzer began in 2016, drawing from a proposed truck-based design drafted back in 2009. Indigenous production of the guns high-strength rifled barrel posed significant challenges overcome by the purchases of new machine tools and use of a special alloy developed for the 120-millimeter Molot mortar built in Sumy.

The 2S22 was first paraded through Kyiv in 2018 with a non-functioning gun, only to be completed the following year. Seemingly inspired by Frances CAESAR artillery truck, it combined a long-range howitzer with a KrAZ-6322 six-wheel off-road truck manufactured by Ukraines Kremenchuk Automobile factory.

Sergey Voronkov/Ukrainian military - Wikimedia Commons

As for CAESAR, the gunnery crew had to dismount in order to load and fire the howitzer while standing on a ramp at the back of the vehicle. A maximum firing rate of 4-6 rounds per minute was possible, drawing from an onboard supply of 20 shells. The 2S22 could sustain road speeds of 50 miles per hour (or 18 mph off-road). The armored cab for the five crew protected against small arms, lower-energy artillery fragments, and mines smaller than 14 pounds.



The Bohdanas paradigm departed from Ukraines Soviet legacy of tank-resembling self-propelled howitzers like the 2S1, 2S3 and 2S19, with tracks and turrets. These were intended to follow closely behind tanks and needed better armor and all-terrain mobility.

But new Western-style wheeled howitzers were built on the idea that modern, longer-range guns and shells could shoot from far behind the frontline, and thus could get by with using cheaper truck chassis staying closer to road networks. These relied on rapid shoot-and-scoot capability to dodge counterbattery fire.

However, progress on the 2S22 nearly froze in 2020 due to difficulties acquiring the necessary 155-millimeter shells (eventually obtained from Turkey and the Czech Republic), government-commercial disputes which flared into legal challenges and temporary cancelation of all funding, and the need to correct for excessive recoil by devising an improved muzzle break.

Sergey Voronkov/Ukrainian military - Wikimedia Commons

Finally, just a few months prior to Russias invasion, official firing trials were held, demonstrating a capacity to hit targets up to 26 miles away and exceeding expectations. (Theoretically, rocket-propelled shells may achieve ranges of 31 miles.) However, the Bohdana prototype still lacked the autoloader and digital fire control system that were hallmarks of other cutting-edge self-propelled howitzers.

Bohdana: The Howitzer That Lived

When Russias full-scale invasion began in February of 2022, Putins forces appeared poised to overrun Ukrainian defenses in Donetsk and capture Kramatorsk. The promising new weapon seemingly had arrived just too late to aid in Ukraines existential struggle, and thus was marked for scuttling.

But Ukrainian politician Sergey Pashynsky claimed in a Facebook post that he intervened to prevent this fate. Instead, the 2S22 was disassembled and its components trucked to relative safety in Zhitomyr in western Ukraine, where it was re-built. (Russia, meanwhile, never made it to Kramatorsk.)

The 2S22 reemerged in June, when a video showed that it was deployed near Ukraines border on the Black Sea with Romania on the Danube River450 miles southwest of Kramatorsk.

#Ukraine: As Russians rapidly withdraw from the famous Snake Island, the Ukrainian army shows how they regularly targeted it- here we see a Ukrainian-developed Bohdana 155mm self-propelled howitzer destroying Russian positions on the island with fire correction from a TB2 drone. pic.twitter.com/oUq6AUSiQi   Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) June 30, 2022

The 2S22s mission was sustained bombardment of the Russian garrison on Snake Island 20 miles way, which Russias Navy had captured on the wars first day. By June, the Russian garrison had sustained devastating losses from Ukrainian Bayraktar drones and warplanes. Surveillance imagery provided by Bayraktars orbiting vulture-like around Snake Island allowed to the 2S22s crew to correct for accuracy, allegedly even knocking out a Russian Pantsir air defense vehicle.

Ukrainian General Staff/Facebook - Wikimedia Commons

Ukraines ability to shell the virtually cover-less island round-the-clock from land seemingly proved the final straw. After days of continual bombardment, Russia evacuated the surviving troops, leaving behind the wreckage of numerous air defense vehicles, a helicopter, and a half-dozen lost boats and ships.

The original 2S22 (last seen in action December) remains in service with Ukraines 1st Special Forces Brigade. Meanwhile, the Kramatorsk factory has apparently assembled two more pre-production 2S22s based on the MAZ-6317 truck. Between 2016-2018, Ukraine purchased at least 320 MAZ-6317s from Belarus with Chinese engines swapped in for Russian ones.

A video published in July shows that these now serve in Ukraines 57th Motorized Brigade, a unit founded in 2014 from Kirovohrads Territorial Defense Force units. Since 2022, the lighter-weight 57th has seen action in Kherson and Bakhmut, and ordinarily incorporates only towed artillery in its force structure.

The Future Bohdana

Back in January of this year, Ukraines defense minister Oleksii Rezinkov announced that Ukraine had put up funding to begin serial production of the Bohdana. Declining to state how many were on order, Reznikov claimed that procurement for the first divisions was made, whichin Soviet-style nomenclaturemay imply multiple battalion- or regimental-sized units.

However, it was difficult to assess how literally to take his statement, as Ukraines defense-industrial complex has reliably struggled to follow through on official proclamations, including similar ones made regarding Ukraines BM-Oplot super tank both this years and in 2018.

But the fact that at least three Bohdanas are now operational suggests that the capacity to manufacture more actually exists, especially with the Kramatorsk plant now moved to western Ukraine.

That said, theres a new factor consider: the production model Bohdana will likely involve yet another new chassis, as MAZs from Russia-aligned Belarus arent renewablenor are KrAZ-6322s dependent on a Russian engine. At a defense expo in Abu Dhabi, Reznikov suggested the use of six-wheeled KraZ or German MAN trucks, or even an eight-wheeled variant based on the Czech Tatra T815. But such adaptations dont always proceed as smoothly as expected.

Another question is whether or not Ukraine will attempt to finally fit production Bohdanas with an automatic loading and digital fire control systems as intendedaccepting the attendant delaysor proceed without to field more artillery tubes sooner.

The Kramatorsk factory is also co-developing with Slovakia the latters new Eva 6x6 howitzer truck by state-owned Konstrukta Defense, which will also aid in finalizing the Bohdanas design. EVA, too, has a range of 25 miles, but will also feature an MRSI mode allowing multiple rounds to hit a target simultaneously and require only three crew due to greater automation. Reportedly, Ukraines satisfaction with cooperation on the importing of the Slovakian Zuzana 2 howitzer underlays the new deal, though some media outlets warn of political risks depending on the results of Slovakian elections.

Wikimedia Commons

Like many Ukrainian armament programs, the Bohdanas development was torturous and has yet to be finalized. But Mikhail Zhirokova chronicler of the Bohdanas many ups and downs who is clear-eyed about the shortcomings of Ukraines defense industry, deems the current plans for mass production very promising in a recent article. He argues that Russias lack of agile truck-style artillery narrows the possibilities of quickly changing positions, and therefore makes our counterbattery struggle more effective.

In quality and sheer quantity, self-propelled artillery donated or purchased from abroad like the CAESAR, PzH 2000, Zuzana 2, and M109 will dominate in Ukraines military for the foreseeable future. But the capacity to indigenously produce long-range artillery compatible with NATO-standard 155-millimeter ammunition should boost Ukraines longer-term ability to sustainably defend itself against its biggerbut clumsierinvader.

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With Ron DeSantis stalling in the Republican presidential primary, some wealthy donors whod hoped he could beat Donald Trump are now giving Tim Scott a serious look.

Billionaire businessman Ronald Lauder, the Estee Lauder makeup heir who supported Trump in 2020, recently flew to South Carolina to meet with Scott, the states junior senator and longshot presidential candidate, according to three people aware of the late June meeting.

The meeting comes amid widespread angst among wealthy GOP backers about the emerging 2024 field, and DeSantis bumpy start in particular. Many high-dollar donors in Trumps native New York City have tired of the former president and worry about his general election chances. But they say their faith in the Florida governor has been shaken by early campaign missteps and his hardline positions on abortion, transgender rights and other culture-war issues. They fear time is running out for anyone else to break through.

Now, several donors are starting to more seriously mull backing Scott  a more traditional Republican alternative to the populist and combative Trump and DeSantis.

During their nearly hourlong discussion at a restaurant in Daniel Island, just outside Charleston, Lauder and Scott discussed what the senator sees as his path to victory. The two have spoken since their initial meeting, including in recent days, according to a person familiar with the conversation.

Lauder, who declined to comment on the meeting, plans to get together with Scott again as he decides whether to cut him a check, one of the three people confirmed. Hes also interested in speaking with other candidates, the person said.

Lauders surveying of the field appears sparked by his souring on DeSantis. He had donated $200,000 to DeSantis initial gubernatorial run in 2018 and $10,000 to a super PAC supporting his reelection last year. And DeSantis visited him several months ago to pitch his candidacy, as POLITICO previously reported.

The cosmetics tycoon is not alone in the shift.



A lot of donors that Ive met are all curious and want to meet Tim and see what hes about, said Andy Sabin, a metal mogul and Republican contributor. Hes the one guy running whos got some personality and charisma. His delivery is terrific.

Sabin was initially planning to support DeSantis White House bid but shifted allegiances to Scott during the spring. In an interview with POLITICO on Wednesday, Sabin said he is planning to host a fundraiser for Scott next month at his home in the Hamptons. Hes donated the maximum allowable amount to Scotts campaign and said he intends to give to his super PAC.

Sabin applauded Scotts personal responsiveness, saying the candidate texts back when he reaches out. Despite doing business in North Dakota and being contacted by Gov. Doug Burgums presidential campaign, Sabin said he is sticking with Scott. He cited an aggressive state law Burgum signed that bans nearly all abortions.

Scott has also supported abortion restrictions, saying he would sign the most conservative abortion bill that would reach his desk. But he has not explicitly stated his support for a national ban earlier than 15 weeks of pregnancy.



No Republican, in my opinion, can win a national election unless they believe in at least a 15-week abortion window, because women vote, Sabin said.

Other New York-based donors are also kicking the tires on Scott, according to three people based in the city who work closely with donors and were granted anonymity to freely discuss internal strategy. Two of those people are not affiliated with any candidate and one is partial to Trump.

The major donors are still open and are still looking, said one Republican who works closely with New Yorks monied class. They originally were with DeSantis. Theyre looking for other options and Tim Scott right now is probably their top target.

New York donors are not a reflection of the Republican Party at large and are often invested in candidates with a more moderate approach than the GOP base supports. But their anxiety about DeSantis does pose a major threat to the financial base that he was hoping to build in his efforts to take on Trump. And it illustrates larger concerns among the establishment that he hasn't quite met the expectations of him.

DeSantis has proven himself a prodigious fundraiser, and indicated as much in a statement on Wednesday. Our campaign is grateful for the tens of thousands of grassroots supporters  and major donors  who have made it possible for us to build an unmatched organization in the early nominating states with the ability to compete for the long haul, campaign spokesperson Andrew Romeo said.

Some of the donors in question previously supported Trump, but either soured on him or doubt his chances of defeating President Joe Biden in a general election, according to two of the people.



Stanley Druckenmiller  a billionaire investor who has given to the campaigns of moderate politicians, mostly Republicans  has also expressed interest in donating to Scotts presidential campaign, according to a person familiar with their conversations. Druckenmiller previously gave to Scotts Senate reelection run and recently praised his White House bid during an interview at the Bloomberg Summits conference in Manhattan.

Scott still faces an uphill climb in fundraising.

Trumps team said the former presidents joint fundraising committee raised more than $35 million in the second quarter. The DeSantis campaign said it raised $20 million. And a super PAC backing the governor announced it had raised $130 million since early March, a number that includes an $82.5 million transfer from a Florida political committee affiliated with DeSantis.

And despite his stumbles in the primary  and his ruffling of some potential donors  DeSantis still appears to attract wealthy Republican backers. He recently held back-to-back fundraisers in New York at the Yale Club and the home of a prominent contributor. He will host another soiree in Southampton later this month with Nick Sinatra listed on the host committee, according to an invitation obtained by POLITICO.

Scott is posting nowhere near the kind of numbers Trump and DeSantis are. His team said Wednesday that hed raised $6.1 million in the quarter ending June 30, with more than $21 million cash on hand. The super PAC supporting Scotts bid said it raised $19.2 million so far this year, with more than $15 million cash on hand at the end of June.

Former Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), who is co-chairing the PAC, declined to provide the names of major donors who have given to it in recent months, but said the process is ongoing.

Id say the first visible fault lines we started to see along this theme was the comment made by DeSantis on Ukraine, Gardner said, referring to the Florida governors comments in March that the countrys war with Russia amounted to a territorial dispute.

The remark, in response to a questionnaire from then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson, stood in contrast to the Ukraine support offered by more traditional Republicans, including Nikki Haley, Mike Pence and Scott.

Former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, who serves as national co-chair of Scotts presidential campaign and has close connections within the donor class, said a number of backers know some about Scotts record in the Senate, and they find him likable. But they want to learn more about him.

Since before he formally announced his run, Scott has been attempting to combat a narrative that, as a genial 57-year-old senator, he is running for vice president. He and his top aides have vehemently denied that notion, while his team is spending millions of dollars on television advertisements in Iowa and New Hampshire to raise his name recognition with voters.

Theyre trying to figure out if hes for real, Haslam said of donors. Is he in this thing to win it, and can he do that? Theres a lot of donors  and voters  out there who are ready for somebody to be president whos never been president before.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misidentified one of the people listed on the host committee of a fundraiser for DeSantis.
In this photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Thursday, June 8, 2023, Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, the commander of the 58th Army, is seen in a photo at an undisclosed location. Popov said in a statement to his troops that he was dismissed after speaking out about the problems faced by his troops on the battlefield in Ukraine, a sign of new fissures in the Russian military command following a brief rebellion by mercenary chief Yevgney Prigozhin. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

MOSCOW (AP)  A Russian general in charge of forces fighting in southern Ukraine has been relieved of his duties after speaking out about problems faced by his troops, a move that reflected new fissures in the military command following a brief rebellion by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, the commander of the 58th army in the Zaporizhzhia region, which is a focal point in Ukraine's counteroffensive, said in an audio statement to his troops released Wednesday night that he was dismissed after a meeting with the military brass in what he described as a treacherous stab in the back to Russian forces in Ukraine.

Popov said the military leadership was angered by his frank talk about challenges faced by his forces, particularly the shortage of radars tracking enemy artillery, which resulted in massive Russian casualties.

The top officers apparently saw me as a source of threat and rapidly issued an order to get rid of me, which was signed by the defense minister in just one day, he said. The Ukrainian military has failed to break through our army's defenses, but the top commander hit us in the rear, treacherously and cowardly beheading the army at this most difficult moment.

Popov, who uses the call name Spartacus, addressed his troops as my gladiators in the audio message released by retired Gen. Andrei Gurulev, who commanded the 58th army in the past and currently serves as a lawmaker. The 58th army consists of several divisions and smaller units.

The 48-year-old Popov, who has risen from platoon commander to lead a large group of forces, has encouraged his soldiers to come directly to him with any problems  an easygoing approach that contrasted sharply with the stiff formal style of command common in the Russian military. Russian military bloggers say hes widely known for avoiding unnecessary losses  unlike many other commanders who were eager to sacrifice their soldiers to report successes.

I faced a difficult situation with the top leadership when I had to either keep silent and act like a coward, saying what they wanted to hear, or call things by their names, Popov said. I didn't have the right to lie for the sake of you and our fallen comrades.

Many military bloggers argued that Popovs dismissal eroded troop morale at a time of relentless Ukrainian attacks. One blogger, Vladislav Shurygin, said it has dealt a terrible blow to the entire army, while another, Roman Saponkov, described it as a monstrous terror attack against the army's morale.

In a sign that many in Russian officialdom share Popovs criticism of the military leadership, Andrei Turchak, the first deputy speaker of the upper house of parliament and head of the main Kremlin party United Russia, strongly backed the general, saying that the Motherland can be proud of such commanders.

Andrei Kartapolov, a retired general who heads the defense affairs committee in the lower house, also said the Defense Ministry should deal with the issues raised by Popov.

News of Popovs dismissal added to the blow that Russian troops received when another senior officer, Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov, was killed Tuesday by a Ukrainian missile strike.

Popov's remarks about the need to rotate his exhausted troops that have been fighting the Ukrainian counteroffensive since early June, reportedly angered General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov, who shrugged them off as panicky and promptly ordered his dismissal.

Gerasimov was shown meeting with military officers Monday in a video released by the Defense Ministry, the first time he was seen since last month's abortive rebellion by Prigozhin, who had demanded his ouster. The uproar fueled by Popov's dismissal could further erode the position of Gerasimov, who has faced broad criticism for his conduct of the fighting in Ukraine.

Pro-Kremlin political analyst Sergei Markov noted that Popov's statement echoed criticism of the top brass by Prigozhin. However, he added that the general's statement wasn't a rebellion, but instead a call for intervention by President Vladimir Putin.

Such public disputes at the top of the Russian army isn't a show of force, he said.

During the June 24 revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, mercenaries from Prigozhins Wagner Group quickly swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot before driving to within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of Moscow.

Prigozhin called his mercenaries back to their camps after striking a deal to end the rebellion in exchange for an amnesty for him and his mercenaries and permission to move to Belarus.

The rebellion represented the biggest threat to Putin in his more than two decades in power and badly dented his authority, even though Prigozhin said the uprising wasn't aimed against the president but intended to force the ouster of Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The Wagner chief was harshly critical of their conduct of how they have conducted the action in Ukraine.

On Monday, the Kremlin confirmed Prigozhin and 34 of his top officers met with Putin on June 29, a startling announcement that raised new questions about the terms of the deal with Wagner. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wagners commanders pledged loyalty to Putin and said they were ready to continue to fight for the Motherland.

Putin has said Wagner troops had to choose whether to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry, move to Belarus or retire from service. While details of the deal remain murky, uncertainty also has surrounded the fate of Gen. Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of the Russian group of forces fighting in Ukraine who reportedly had been detained for questioning about his ties to Prigozhin.

Speaking in Helsinki on Thursday after a NATO summit, U.S. President Joe Biden said he is not certain about what fate awaits Prigozhin.

Im not even sure where he is, Biden said. "If I were he, Id be careful what I ate, Id be keeping an eye on my menu. But all kidding aside ... I don't know. I dont think any of us know for certain what the future of Prigozhin is in Russia.

The Defense Ministry said Wednesday that mercenaries of the Wagner Group were completing the handover of their weapons to the Russian military, part of the Kremlin's efforts to defuse the threat it posed.

___

Follow AP's coverage of the fighting in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Kremlin.ru via Wikimedia Commons

Yevgeny Prigozhins armed mutiny has exposed unprecedented cracks in the regime of Vladimir Putinand the divide keeps widening. On Thursday, decorated Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov attempted to squash the latest controversy coming out of Moscow, only to see his efforts backfire dramatically.

On his radio show, The Full Contact, Solovyov weighed in on news that Major General Ivan Popov, who commanded Russian military units in southern Ukraine, was allegedly dismissed from his position for informing military leadership about the grim realities of Russian forces on the frontlines. In an audio message published by Russian lawmaker Andrey Gurulyovan ever-present fixture on Solovyovs showsPopov complained about the deaths of Russian soldiers and the lack of Russian counter-artillery systems and reconnaissance.

Addressing the scandal, Solovyov compared Popov to Prigozhin and criticized his friend Gurulyov for disseminating the recording. I think that publicizing his statement is a brave and phenomenally incorrect step. Popov is a respected general who had every opportunity to carry his point of view across, since he knows many people in the presidential administration very well. He could have picked up the phone and gotten his message and his point of view to the Supreme Commander, with whom he met, as I understand it.

Solovyov went on: For him to make it public was an emotional step which was wrong, in my opinion. Now the Ukrainian media is happily rehashing it. Publicizing this does not make us stronger. As a combat general, he unfortunately was excessively emotional. He recorded a strong statement, I understand him. But it shouldnt have been made public.

Viewers immediately barraged Solovyov with a bevy of messagesand to the hosts dismay, most of them supported Popovs stance.

Kremlin News Stars Unravel in Post-Mutiny Television Fiasco

One viewer wrote: Perhaps his leadership shouldnt have allowed things to get that far and then remove him. Solovyov fired back: After something like this, you could not avoid removing him! He added: Every time you move on to the way of ultimatums, you are making a colossal mistake. You cant do this! Every general understands this very well. It no longer matters whos in the right! These methods of uncovering the truth are unacceptable in times of war... Otherwise, a comparison to Prigozhin is unavoidable!

He hinted at cracking down against those who refuse to sugarcoat the problems, referring to the Great Purge by Joseph Stalin: Do you want 1937 that preceded 1945? Is this where everything is going?

For me, its extremely sad that [Popov] succumbed to his emotions and decided to act in this manner. His questionable methods overshadow his goals. It is a big mistake! And it was a big mistake for my friend, Lt. Gen. Andrey Gurulyov, to publicize it... The country is at war! You have to be able to control your emotions!

Apparently failing to follow his own advice, Solovyov angrily snapped back at one listener after another for supporting Popov. Some cretin says we never declared war. Some cretin is trying to lecture me. Listen, you, cretin, get out of here! Im responding to some idiot by the name of Andrey... I dont care at all whether we officially declared war, he said.

Another audience member, identifying herself as Yulia, complained that military commanders are not being allowed to tell the truth. Solovyov fired back: Who isnt being allowed to do it? How can you not allow a combat general to tell the truth? Why are you pouring out this nonsense? You have to shoot people at the front for lying! Thats for sure! Solovyov proceeded to complain about the widespread media coverage of Popovs statement: Now its everywhere! In the enemy media and everywhere else, everyone is writing about this!

Another listener, Irina, wrote that Popov did not violate any rules by recording his message. Solovyov promptly shut her down: Yes, he did. If you dont understand what youre talking about, that is your problem! He then yelled at another commentator, without specifying what he said or asked: Andrey, you are a pathetic nobody, a cretin! Get out of here, Ukrainian swine! You are a worthless piece of shit!

Afterwards, the hostnotorious for his neurotic behavior and frequent emotional outbursts demanded: I call on everyone to stop and think before making any emotional statements... Anything else leads to anarchy and death!

Putins Panicked Purge May Signal a New Mutiny on the Horizon

Solovyov then went on to read another message: Someone by the name of Stalin writes, Shoigu created these conditions for them. The Defense Minister is not responsible for this! This is an issue for the General Staff. You shouldnt use a pseudonym that in no way relates to you! You are no Stalin! You are a piece of shit! Stalin wouldnt write this trash! Dont defile Stalins name, you are a pitiful nobody! You are a pathetic piece of shit, and not Stalin!

The host bitterly complained about the Wagnerites who are resting, instead of participating in the conflict alongside Russian troops, despite recently claiming that Prigozhins mercenary army consists of Putins soldiers, ready to carry out his every command.

Referring to another Russian general who has not appeared publicly since the coup, another commentator asked the host: Where is Surovikin?

I would also like to know the answer to that question, Solovyov responded ominously. When the time is right, we will find out.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Gen. Sergei Surovikin and Vladimir Putin Alexey Druzhinin / Sputnik / AFP via Getty Images

A Russian lawmaker said Wednesday that one Russian commander in Ukraine, Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, had been removed from duty and another, Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov, was killed in a Ukrainian missile strike on Monday. The death of Tsokov, the deputy commander of Russia's Southern Military District, was "one of the highest-level losses for Russia during the course of the war," The New York Times reported.

Russian MP Andrei Gurulyov said Tsokov "died heroically" in the occupied town of Berdiansk. He also posted an audio recording of Popov saying he had been fired as commander of the 58th Army, which has been fighting in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, for raising questions about the high Russian casualty rate and lack of artillery support. "It was necessary either to keep quiet and be a coward or to say it the way it is," he said. Popov accused senior military leaders of treason.

Popov is one of at least 15 senior military officers suspended or fired since Wagner paramilitary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin led a short-lived mutiny against Russia's military chiefs, The Wall Street Journal reported. And another top commander, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, is one of at least 13 officers who has been detained or arrested. Surovikin, the head of aerospace forces and former top Russian commander in Ukraine, has not been seen publicly since the mutiny, and another Russian lawmaker, Andrei Kartapolov, said Wednesday the general was "taking a rest" and "unavailable right now." Surovikin, the Journal reported, is being held and interrogated in Moscow. He is an ally of Prigozhin, who has also vanished from public view.

Meanwhile, Russian authorities arrested a Ukrainian man they accused of fatally shooting a former Russian submarine commander, Capt. Second Rank Stanislav Rzhitsky, as he was jogging in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar. Ukraine's military intelligence claimed Tuesday that Rzhitsky had commanded a submarine that was involved in missile attacks on Ukraine, and Russian law enforcement reportedly got the alleged Ukrainian gunman to confess to being recruited by Ukrainian intelligence to gun Rzhitsky down.

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Colombia's agent Eduardo Valencia Ospina and his delegation wait for judges to enter the World Court in The Hague, Netherlands, Thursday, July 13, 2023, where the United Nations' highest court delivers its judgment in a long-running maritime border dispute between Nicaragua and Colombia. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  The United Nations' top court on Thursday rejected a case brought by Nicaragua in a decades-long dispute with Colombia over maritime borders and entitlements in the Caribbean.

The International Court of Justice dismissed Nicaragua's bid to gain economic rights over an area of the Caribbean Sea that lies more than 200 nautical miles (230 statute miles, 370 kilometers) from its shores.

Nicaragua wanted the international court to review the limits of its continental shelf, and determine new maritime boundaries for the Central American nation.

Colombia already claims exclusive economic rights in much of the area that lies to the east of Nicaraguas 200 nautical mile boundary. Bogota argued that there is no precedent for extending a countrys 200-nautical-mile zone, when it clashes with that of another nation.

Members of Colombia's legal team hugged in court after the ruing, and President Gustavo Petro tweeted that it was a great victory for Colombia in The Hague.

He added that he hoped the ruling "ends the controversy over our borders, and we will now focus on the sustainable development of our archipelago.

The area has long been claimed by both countries, and Nicaragua gained fishing rights over a big portion in a 2012 ruling by the world court in The Hague. But Colombias navy has continued to patrol the waters, which are also used by drug traffickers.

Colombias maritime claims are linked to its sovereignty over the San Andres and Providencia Archipelago, which lies about 700 kilometers (435 miles) north of Colombias Caribbean coast but only 110 kilometers (68 miles) from Nicaraguas coast.

The world court's president, Joan E. Donoghue, said that a country's right to claim a continental shelf beyond the 200-nautical-mile limit cannot extend within 200 nautical miles from the baselines of another state. The baselines are points on land from which the continental shelf is measured.

"Nicaragua is not entitled to an extended continental shelf within 200 nautical miles from the baselines of San Andres and Providencia, Donoghue said.

The decision means the world court didn't have to review maritime boundaries between Colombia and Nicaragua, established by the court in a 2012 ruling, which have been under dispute for the past two decades.

The leader of Nicaragua's delegation, Carlos Jose Arguello Gomez, said that his country would study the judgment because it has consequences in a very large and complicated area. But he added that "in principle, obviously, whatever the court said, Nicaragua will comply with it.

Under international law, coastal states have sovereignty over waters extending 12 nautical miles beyond their coastlines. They have exclusive economic and environmental rights over the seabed and waters that extend up to 200 nautical miles beyond their coast.

However, some countries have tried to obtain jurisdiction over underwater features that lie beyond that limit, by proving that these features are connected to their continental shelves  that is the shallow seabed that extends beyond the coast.

A 1928 treaty between Colombia and Nicaragua recognized Colombias sovereignty over the islands of San Andres and Providencia, and gave Colombia economic rights over most of the waters around San Andres.

Nine decades later, Nicaragua filed a lawsuit against this treaty, saying it violated international law and deprived the nation of its right to 200 nautical miles of territorial waters.

In a 2012 ruling, the International Court of Justice sided mostly with Nicaragua and redrew the maritime borders between both countries. The new borders extended Nicaraguas exclusive economic zone, and stripped Colombia of about 80,000 square kilometers (30,000 square miles) of territorial waters.

Colombia didn't recognize the ruling, and withdrew from the courts jurisdiction a year later, in 2013.

____

Manuel Rueda contributed to this report from Bogota, Colombia.
Blinken warns Beijing on hacking as US, China keep dialogue going

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (C) speaks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at an alliance summit in Vilnius, Lithuania (Odd ANDERSEN)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Beijing's top diplomat on Thursday of consequences over hacking after a breach blamed on China again threatened to undermine a nascent stability in ties between the two powers.

Less than a month after Blinken paid a rare visit to Beijing, he met for more than an hour and a half with Wang Yi, the Chinese Communist Party's foreign policy supremo, on the sidelines of Southeast Asian talks in Jakarta.

"Director, good to see you," a smiling Blinken said in the only public comments between the two sides after the longer-than-expected meeting at a hotel.

A senior US official later said that Blinken raised with Wang the breach of US government sites reported this week by Microsoft, which blamed Chinese hackers motivated by espionage.

Blinken "made clear that any action that targets US government, US companies, American citizens, is of deep concern to us and that we will take appropriate action to hold those responsible accountable", the official said, on condition of anonymity.

The official stopped short of saying that Blinken directly accused China of involvement.

The State Department has publicly said only that it is investigating the hacking, which according to Microsoft affected approximately 25 organisations.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller called the Jakarta talks "candid and constructive" and part of efforts to "responsibly manage competition" between the world's two largest economies.

Wang is representing China at the Jakarta talks as Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who would normally attend such meetings, is ill, according to China's foreign ministry.

Blinken told Wang to convey his "best wishes" to Qin, another US official said.

- No progress on military talks -

Incidents have repeatedly impacted efforts to repair US-China relations, with Blinken scrapping his first planned trip to Beijing in February after Washington said it detected a Chinese espionage balloon over the US mainland.

Blinken eventually visited in mid-June, becoming the first US secretary of state in China in nearly five years, opening a flurry of diplomacy since then.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen went to the Chinese capital last week and climate envoy John Kerry is set to go in the coming days.

But US officials acknowledged that Blinken has not achieved a key goal of resuming US dialogue with the Chinese military, seen as crucial to preventing disagreements from escalating into all-out confrontation.

Blinken "underscored we have a responsibility to keep our channels of communication open, including between our two militaries", the second US official said Thursday.

"I think it's urgent that we do so. We haven't achieved that yet," he said.

China has demanded that the United States lift sanctions on its defence minister, Li Shangfu, which were imposed over weapons purchases from US adversary Russia.

Wang met separately Thursday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Blinken is not scheduled to meet Lavrov but the two will both attend an 18-nation East Asia Summit meeting Friday, their first time in a room together since a G20 meeting in New Delhi in March.

Blinken has refused most talks with Lavrov since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, believing that Moscow is not serious about diplomacy, and has pressed China not to support the war.

- New plea on Taiwan -

Tensions between the United States and China have soared in recent years over a host of issues, including China's growing assertiveness in the region.

Blinken voiced hope to Wang on "maintaining peace and stability" over Taiwan, Miller said.

US officials fear China is readying plans to invade the self-governing democracy, which Beijing claims as its territory, and want to preserve the status quo.

But Blinken spoke in unusually sanguine terms about China after his trip to Beijing, avoiding the Cold War-like talk of a long-term global confrontation with the rising Asian power that was popular under former president Donald Trump's administration.

Blinken, addressing the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, said he saw no "clear finish line" in relations with China.

sct-dsa/jfx/aha
(Bloomberg) -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Chinas top foreign policy official as the two countries look to maintain dialog even after ties were roiled anew by allegations that Chinese hackers had breached US officials email accounts.

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Blinken raised the issue of Chinese hacking when he met Wang Yi in Jakarta, their second meeting in less than two months. The State Department declined to say whether he called out Wang over revelations in the last two days that hackers accessed email accounts at the State and Commerce Departments, including Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

Microsoft Corp. said the latest breach was orchestrated by hackers based in China. Beijing dismissed the allegation.

Neither side specifically mentioned the alleged hack in their readouts of the meeting, highlighting how the two governments are looking to establish some sense of order even as they air their grievances. The US called the talks candid and constructive, while Beijing blasted Washington for containing and suppressing Chinas economic, trade and technology development.

State Department spokesman Matthew Millers phrasing about the talks was almost identical to that used when Blinken met Wang and other top officials in Beijing last month.

He described the meeting as part of ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of communication to clarify US interests across a wide range of issues and to responsibly manage competition.

See: Asean Latest: Australia PM to Visit China at Appropriate Time

Chinas description of the meeting was harder-edged. While also calling the meeting constructive, the Foreign Ministry said Wang told Blinken the US must remove all the unjustifiable, illegal sanctions against China.

China has chafed at the Biden administrations refusal to lift sanctions imposed by the Trump administration in 2018 on Defense Minister Li Shangfu. The Treasury Department has also imposed sanctions on Chinese officials and companies over a range of other issues, including alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang, cooperation with Iran and Russia, and a crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong.

Xi and Bidens governments have tried to rebuild lines of communication, while also fighting a tit-for-tat trade war thats seen both sides restrict exports critical to advanced technologies. The Biden administration is keen to mend fences with Americas main geopolitical rival, partly to reassure allies that it isnt dragging them into a conflict.

Blinkens visit to China was followed by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen last weekend, and US climate envoy John Kerry is set to arrive in Beijing on Sunday for more talks.

Chinese officials have reason to reduce frictions: it would give them room to focus on jump-starting the economic recovery.

Blinken and Wangs talks on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Jakarta lasted about 90 minutes, longer than the planned hour, according to US officials.

Wang made clear Chinas problems with the US on a range of topics, while Blinken said the US would protect its interests, the officials said. The two also discussed Beijing military activities in the South China Sea, days after the Peoples Liberation Army sent its largest sortie of warplanes into sensitive areas near Taiwan in three months.

Blinkens meeting with Wang last month in Beijing was the thorniest of his visits to China, with Wang blasting illegal US sanctions and putting the blame on Washington for worsening ties.

--With assistance from Jacob Gu.

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A storm system spawned more than 11 tornadoes across the Chicago metro area on Wednesday evening, which prompted hundreds of passengers at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to seek shelter. The twisters caused extensive damage to homes and businesses.

Just before 6:30 p.m. CDT, the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Chicago confirmed a "large and extremely dangerous" tornado touched down in Summit, Illinois, and was moving toward Chicago. Summit is located 10 miles southwest of downtown Chicago.

About 30 minutes later, the NWS confirmed a tornado had touched down near Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The agency warned the tornado was intermittently touching the ground and additional circulations were possible.

As the tornado neared O'Hare International Airport, hundreds of passengers, pilots, flight attendants and airport staff crowded into the lowest level of the airport for shelter. At least 172 flights were canceled, and more than 550 departing and arriving flights were delayed from O'Hare on Wednesday, according to FlightAware.

A video shared on Twitter showed just how close the powerful tornado came to the airport on Wednesday. The large spiraling vortex could be seen spinning in the distance as planes waited at the gates of the airport.

The Director of Communications at O'Hare and Midway Kevin Bargnes told WGN9 that there was no damage from the tornado at either airport.

For those who lived in downtown Chicago, the tornado sirens created an eerie scene on Wednesday evening. Many who live in high-rise apartment buildings were worried about where they could quickly find shelter.

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"I'm in a 60-story apartment building, so my options are somewhat limited," longtime Chicago resident Lynn Becker told The Associated Press. "We have to, I assume, go into the core of the building."

Preliminary tornado reports from Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

In Elgin, Illinois, which is located about 34 miles northwest of Chicago, at least 20 to 30 homes sustained significant damage from the tornadoes on Wednesday, NBC5 Chicago reported.

Among the additional storm reports, damage was reported to several barns and roofs, and multiple trees and powerlines were reported down. According to the Storm Prediction Center, a warehouse located near O'Hare International Airport also sustained damage.

A drone video from Chicago and Midwest Storm Chasers showed the trail of destruction a tornado left behind in Countryside, Illinois, which is a town located roughly 15 miles southwest of Chicago. Homes were missing roofs and several trees had been knocked over.

As of Thursday evening, the NWS office in Chicago confirmed at least 11 tornadoes touched down across northeastern Illinois on Wednesday. The majority of Wednesday's tornadoes were rated EF0 or EF1.

Correction: A previous version of this story labeled Elgin, Illinois, as a county. Elgin is a city located in Cook and Kane Counties.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app.AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13)  The Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives wants an inquiry into the new logo of the gaming regulator amid public backlash.

"Now therefore be it resolved, the House of Representatives, through the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, investigate, in aid of legislation, the questionable procurement of the new logo of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor)," according to the House resolution filed on July 12.

Pagcor unveiled its new logo during the agency's 40th anniversary celebration on July 11.

The logo, which resembles a flame with shades of blue and red, "symbolizes the flame that ignites change and drives progress," said Pagcor Chairman Alejandro Tengco.

However, critics called out the flame-like design which resembles the logos of a popular instant noodles brand and an oil company.

In a statement, PAGCOR denied allegations of plagiarism that circulated online. The agency added that it began its own probe on the source of the "malicious and baseless campaign."

Some netizens pointed out the similarities of the new logo to the logo currently used by a website called "Tripper."

"At the outset, the website lacks credibility and in fact, bears resemblance to a phishing site," PAGCOR said.

The agency said it consistently holds the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

"The allegation made against PAGCOR is entirely false and driven by malicious intent," PAGCOR said.

According to the Notice of Award on PAGCOR's website, the 3.036 million contract for the new logo design was awarded to PrintPlus Graphic Services.

"The questionable procurement of PAGCOR's new logo raises concerns about possible corruption and misuse of public funds. We must hold those responsible," said House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro in a statement.

Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday also noted that 3 million contract is "a staggering amount considering how much work was put into it."
(Bloomberg) -- The woman in charge of getting Europes toughest piece of ESG legislation through the blocs parliament says shes confident the US will embrace the global accountability the bill introduces, once politicians stop being distracted by lobbyists.

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US skepticism toward the legislation has perhaps been confused a little bit by the lobbying going on, said Lara Wolters, the lawmaker helming the passage of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive through EUs legislative chamber. This week, she worked to close any loopholes companies might try to use.

What were after here is accountability and surely the US government doesnt support a lack of accountability for causing or contributing to human rights harms, Wolters, a Dutch member of the EU parliament whos been in the chamber since 2019, said in an interview.

The comments come roughly a month after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned of negative, unintended consequences stemming from CSDDD. If passed, the directive means large companies selling products and services in the EU  wherever theyre based  would risk civil lawsuits for failing to address human rights and environmental violations in their value chains. CSDDD would also require companies to have climate transition plans that are aligned with the Paris Agreement.

Yellen said in June that the Biden administration is concerned about the directives extra-territorial scope. Theres support for CSDDDs high-level aims, but some requirements where there is no clear nexus to the EU are concerning, so talks are underway with the EU, Yellen said.

The EUs plan to push ahead with CSDDD underscores the very different trajectory the bloc is on from the US when it comes to environmental, social and governance frameworks. In the US, Republicans have sought to ban ESG across much of the country, and are penalizing firms that embrace it.

In a hearing last month, US Representative Frank Lucas, a Republican from Oklahoma, said Europe shouldnt set standards for US companies, and regulators must be diligent in defending US sovereignty.

The House Financial Services Committee is holding hearings this month, during which the matter is set to come up. Among legislation proposed by the GOP is a requirement that the US Comptroller conduct a study on the detrimental impact of CSDDD and of ESG reporting requirements.

In Europe, meanwhile, lawmakers and regulators are rolling out the worlds most comprehensive set of rules ultimately designed to reinvent capitalism and steer money into greener, fairer activities. Much of the legislation is global in scope, as it requires compliance from asset managers and businesses that target EU customers.

Though far from perfect in its execution of the huge array of measures being pushed through, the European Union has moved much faster than other jurisdictions with its ESG ambitions.

Wolters says that CSDDD is necessary because markets cant be relied on to self-regulate.

Its our job as policymakers to make guard rails where market forces fail, she said. I think the aim is absolutely one that the US government probably can subscribe to.

Regulatory focus on ESG risks in supply chains is already shaping corporate priorities. A recent survey by Deloitte showed that ESG is now the second-top concern of chief procurement officers. As recently as 2021, it ranked seventh.

As its currently worded, CSDDD would require ESG due diligence checks up and down the value chains of companies or subsidiaries with annual sales in the EU starting at 40 million ($45 million).

The directive also targets the finance industry. An analysis published in June by the European Central Bank found that the litigation risks for banks may substantially increase once CSDDD becomes reality. The ECB has recommended a gradual phase-in of the directive.

CSDDD has already made its way through the EU Parliament and lawmakers are now negotiating its final wording with the European Council and the EU Commission. Wolters says theres little likelihood the cross-border scope of the directive will be curtailed.

What were doing here is, were setting out how companies of a certain size, of a certain turnover, ought to behave when it comes to human rights and environmental harm, Wolters said. And in this case, where there is significant turnover within the EU, I think its only normal that we set rules for that.

(Adds finance industry exposure to the regulation in third-to-last paragraph.)

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A tributary of the Parana river, the Tiete river is covered in a visible foam (NELSON ALMEIDA)

Not far from Latin America's biggest city, Sao Paulo, a river is covered in a white layer that resembles fresh snow but is in fact a smelly, toxic foam.

The Tiete river, some 1,100 kilometers long, is crucial for potable water, irrigation and energy production in southeast Brazil, the country's most populated area.

But parts of the waterway, including one area just 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the metropolis, have been befouled by phosphate and phosphorus residues from household detergents used by Sao Paulo's 22 million inhabitants and washed down the sewers.

A tributary of the Parana river, the waterway has been covered in a visible foam layer since last week, at one point spread over more than 10 kilometers and also spotted blighting several waterfalls.

"When these residues enter the fast-running waters of the Tiete, it is as if a washing machine has been turned on," said Malu Ribeiro of the NGO SOS Mata Atlantica, describing the foamy mess.

The NGO warns that fumes from the foam can cause sore throats and breathing problems, and contact could irritate the skin.

The impact on animal and plant life was likely similar to that caused by "acid rain," said Ribeiro.

The phenomenon is not a new one: The foam is a frequent feature of the river in the dry winter months when there is less water to dissolve the chemicals.

In the 1990s, the situation was sometimes so bad that the foam ran down the streets of some cities near the river's shore.

Improvements to water treatment have alleviated the problem, but some years are still worse than others.

Ribeiro said the foam is worse in periods with big temperature fluctuations. In winter the contrast can be quite extreme, with very cold mornings and very hot afternoons.

"Cold water is heavier, and it carries polluting residues to the bottom... But when it is heated by the sun, these residues rise to the surface and form a thicker foam," she explained.

SOS Mata Atlantica is advocating for a ban on phosphate and phosphorus in domestic cleaning products.

Water treatment must be improved too: In the Alto Tiete basin that serves Sao Paolo, just over half of wastewater is treated, according to official data from 2021.

Sao Paulo's environment secretariat has promised to invest 5.6 billion reais (about $1.1 billion) in the water treatment network by 2026.

na-rsr/lg/tmo/mr/mlr/bfm
Transfer of F-16s to Ukraine to be considered nuclear threat, says Russian FM Lavrov

F-16

Russia will consider the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as a nuclear threat, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with a Russian media outlet on July 13.

During the hostilities, our military wont check whether each specific aircraft of the specified type is equipped for the delivery of nuclear weapons or not, Lavrov said.

Read also: NATO already training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, says NATO chief Stoltenberg

The very fact of the appearance of such systems in the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be considered by us as a threat from the West in the nuclear sphere.

Responding to a question about the possibility of Russias use of nuclear weapons in the war against Ukraine, Lavrov said the scenarios for the use of such weapons are clearly defined in Russias military doctrine.

The diplomat added that the United States and its NATO satellites allegedly create risks of direct armed conflict with Russia, which threatens with catastrophic consequences.

Training and provision of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine  What is known

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has stated that Ukraines allies will individually determine the timing for training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s.

Read also: Ukrainian battlefield awareness software compatible with F-16 jets  minister

At the NATO summit in Vilnius, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov signed a memorandum with his counterparts from 11 countries to create a coalition dedicated to the training of Ukrainian fighter pilots. The program may extend to include other types of fighter aircraft in addition to F-16s.

Besides Ukraine, the coalition includes the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Sweden.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on May 19 that his country, along with the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark, have agreed to participate in training Ukrainian pilots to fly Western fighter jets.

Read also: Ministerial advisor shares his opinion on when Ukraine will receive F-16s

Romania revealed plans on July 6 to inaugurate a regional training center for F-16 pilots, which will be open to NATO partners and allies, including Ukraine.

The supply of fighter jets is contingent on the understanding that Ukraine will refrain from using them for strikes on Russian territory.

The training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s could take from six to eight months, Dutch Defense Minister Karin Hildur said at a NATO public forum on July 12.

F-16 fighter jets may arrive in Ukraine during the first quarter of 2024, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on July 12.

Kuleba also revealed that training for Ukrainian pilots is expected to commence in August or early September.

Read also: Romania opens training center for Ukrainian pilots

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Trooper forced back into traffic as fleeing motorcyclist tries to ram him, video shows

A Massachusetts state trooper trying to stop a motorcyclist from fleeing was pushed into a busy intersection by the biker, police video shows.

The trooper manages to jump off the front of the motorcycle just before he wouldve rammed into a passing pickup truck, the video shows. The motorcyclist speeds away, according to the video.

On Friday, July 7, troopers arrested Colin James Webb, 19, of Reading, in connection with the July 5 incident in Wakefield, a Massachusetts State Police news release said.

Webb faces charges, including assault and battery on a police officer, assault with a dangerous weapon, refusing to identify himself to police, speeding and other charges.

A trooper ran over to Webbs motorcycle after spotting him driving erratically, troopers said. Webb refused to turn off the motorcycle engine and dismount, according to troopers.

The video shows the trooper arguing with Webb and trying to shut off the ignition before standing in front of the motorcycle straddling the front wheel.

When Webb takes off, the trooper hops backward into the intersection behind him to avoid being run over, then jumps out of the way before hitting the passing truck, the video shows.

Wakefield is about 15 miles north of Boston.

Classical music blares into homes near California parks. Police apologize for glitch

Dog detects nearly 900,000 fentanyl pills stashed in porcelain sinks at border, feds say

Martial artist spots man setting fire  and chases him down, California police say
When far-left activist Michael Reinoehl was shot dead by law enforcement in a hail of bullets in September 2020, then-president Donald Trump infamously cheered his death as retribution, and Attorney General Bill Barr touted the killing as the takedown of an admitted Antifa member.

Reinoehls estate is now suing in federal court, alleging that the 48-year-old father of two was killed in a sudden and unprovoked attack and that the law enforcement officers responsible for Reinoehls death either had no plan to arrest [him] without injury or planned to use deadly force from the start.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, contends that law enforcement did not afford Reinoehl an opportunity to surrender; failed to observe a standard of care for high-risk law enforcement operations; and neglected to provide any warning or announcement that they were police.

At the time of his death, Reinoehl had been labeled a fugitive and charged with murder in the second degree. When his body was searched he had a pistol in his pants pocket and a disassembled rifle in his backpack. The sheriff deputies who opened fire claimed they saw him reaching for his waist.

Reinoehl, a white man, was a left-wing activist in the Portland area and identified as 100% ANTIFA all the way. He assumed a security role during many of the racial justice protests that roiled downtown Portland during the summer and fall of 2020  and frequently attracted right-wing agitators.

On the night of August 29, 2020, Reinoehl shot and killed a man named Aaron Jay Danielson during a street confrontation, in which Danielson (a supporter of the local far-right group Patriot Prayer) also deployed bear spray. In a video interview Reinoehl later claimed that the killing had been self-defense.

That claim was never adjudicated because Reinoehl was killed in a barrage of more than 40 bullets fired by law enforcement in Washington state, acting under the auspices of a federal fugitive task force directed by the U.S. Marshals service.

Reinoehls violent death has long been a matter of public controversy. A local prosecutor declined to bring criminal charges against the officers in the chaotic killing, which began with a sheriff deputy firing shots at Reinoehl through the deputys own windshield. The prosecutor, however, pointedly called on the the Justice Department to investigate whether use of force was in violation of federal law or policy.

According to the federal lawsuit filed by Reinoehls estate (embedded below), the Antifa activist had gone into hiding for his own safety after his deadly encounter with Danielson, because it had provoked a drive-by shooting of his home with his children inside. After the alleged drive-by shooting, law enforcement soon located Reinoehl in Lacey Washington, a two-hour drive from Portland.

The lawsuit is filed against the U.S. government, Pierce County Washington, and four named members of law enforcement from Washington state  including two sheriff deputies, a local cop, and a state corrections officer  who are described as operating under the vanishingly thin pretense of a United States Marshals Service task force.

The lawsuit alleges that a bare-bones scheme to take Reinoehl did not include any plan for officers to attempt to announce or identify themselves as law enforcement or to give any warning before using deadly force. The suit also contends officers were briefed on inaccurate intel  including the claim that Reinoehl considered himself to be at war with police.

The suit also claims that as soon as Reinoehl was spotted exiting a residence in the Olympia suburb and walking toward his VW Jetta, the chain of command if there ever was any, broke down. According to the filing, sheriff deputies without supervisory roles initiated the confrontation, driving aggressively up on Reinoehl, without lights or sirens, with one deputy then shooting at the Jetta from inside his Ford Escape.

The lawsuit describes how the sudden onslaught likely appeared to the suspect: From the perspective of a reasonable person in Reinoehls shoes, the aggressive driving, sudden and unprovoked shooting, and physical appearance of the individual Defendants was indistinguishable from the armed and violent far-right extremists who Reinoehl feared had recently shot up his home.

The suit cites civilian witnesses who said they heard no identification or instructions from the officers over the gunfire as Rienohel attempted to flee. He was shot dead in a spray of more than 40 rounds, one of which lodged in a bystanders apartment and shrapnel from which hurt a young child playing nearby. Riehnoehl was ultimately hit five times.

The suit alleges that  though Reinoehl was armed  there was no bullet in the chamber and the weapon was still in his pocket when he was laid out dead on the street. Several of the officers, it alleges, learned of his weapon after the killing and had time to coordinate accounts of their shooting before speaking to investigators  a practice the suit calls inconsistent with law enforcement standards, for obtaining reliable information. The suit also decries that the federal Marshal on the scene, and in charge of the task force, still has not given a statement to investigators to this day.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for pre-death pain and suffering; compensation for Reinoehls loss of his civil right to be free from the use of excessive force by law enforcement, as well as punitive and exemplary damages.

Reinoehls death played out against a backdrop of rancid 2020 presidential politics. The Trump administration attempted to paint the city of Portland into a false avatar of lawlessness and violence that only Donald Trump could tame. This included his deployment of federal agents to the city to confront protesters at a federal courthouse.

For his part, Trump relished the death of Reinoehl and spoke frequently of the law enforcement killing as though it were an execution. In a Fox News interview, the former president insisted: This guy was a violent criminal, and the U.S. Marshals killed him. And I will tell you something, thats the way it has to be. There has to be retribution when you have crime like this.

Later, during a rally in North Carolina, Trump declared that the U.S. Marshals didnt want to arrest him and crowed of Reinoehls violent death: We got him.

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Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis

Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the frontrunners for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, have spoken out against providing cluster bombs to Ukraine, the Hill reported on July 12.

Read also: Cluster munitions for Ukraine a temporary measure  White House

Trump said that the U.S. President Joe Biden "should not be dragging us further toward World War III by sending cluster munitions to Ukraine."

Ron DeSantis also opposed the Biden administration's decision to supply Ukraine with cluster bombs.

"I would not do that, no. I think it runs, I think it probably runs a risk of escalation," DeSantis said.

"Basically what I said from the beginning is no weapons that could lead to attacks inside Russia or escalating the conflict."

Washington announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine on July 7, which included Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICMs), also known as cluster bombs.

Biden said his decision to supply the bombs was made in light of the Ukrainian military's dwindling artillery stocks.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov later emphasized that these armaments will only be used in efforts to reclaim Ukrainian territories, and not in populated areas.

He also pledged to maintain meticulous records of their usage, promising to share reports on their deployment and effectiveness with Ukraine's international partners.

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Donald TrumpMario Tama/Getty Images

During an episode of "The Rob Carson Show" on Thursday, Donald Trump was asked to comment on the recent discovery of cocaine in the White House, using the opportunity to craft a narrative about Hunter Biden "feeding" some to the president to give him energy.

"I would say perhaps, who knows, but I think perhaps it was a Hunter deal and they left it for him and he forgot to pick it up, just like he forgot to pick up his computer," Trump said. "I think that they know exactly who it was, but it sounds like it was left there for somebody to pick up, and I would think it was Hunter." Believing the Bidens to have been at the White House at the time in which the cocaine was on the premises, Trump went on to say, "I think this could be a re-run of the laptop from hell because he didn't pick that up. Wouldn't pick it up. And I think that maybe he didn't pick up the cocaine too, and feed a little bit to his father to give him energy."

The same day that Trump's interview aired, the Secret Service concluded its probe into the matter of the cocaine, failing to identify a suspect.
Trump rants against Justice Department after setback in second E. Jean Carroll case: I didnt rape her

NEW YORK  Former President Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the Justice Department for refusing to back his defense in the upcoming second E. Jean Carroll civil rape case.

Hours after officials said his statements against Carroll were not protected by his role as president, Trump denounced the DOJ for a travesty of justice.

In May, a Manhattan jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages in her lawsuit against Trump for sexual assault and defamation.

He repeated false claims that he never met Carroll and that everything he said about the writer was true, potentially digging himself a deeper legal hole.

The statements that I made about Carroll are all true. I didnt Rape her, Trump said on his social media site. A hostile ... Jury shockingly awarded a woman who I dont know, have never known, and dont want to know, $5,000,000.

Trump was found liable for sexually assaulting Carroll, a former advice columnist, in a Manhattan department store changing room after a chance meeting nearly three decades ago. A jury found it could not specifically determine if he raped her.

The verdict also covered defamatory statements Trump made about Carroll after leaving the White House.

The ex-president now faces a second trial in January for rants he made against Carroll while serving as president. A judge also permitted Carroll to add claims that he has repeated lies about her even after being found liable by a jury.

Robbie Kaplan, Carrolls lawyer, said she does not want to amend the claim again to include Trumps latest outburst. But she said she might use it as ammunition to ask for more damages.

Trump derides the Carroll case as part of a partisan witch hunt aimed at blocking him from winning back the White House.

His latest eruption was sparked by a Justice Department decision that Trump can be held personally liable for remarks he made while serving in office, a reversal of its previous position.

The DOJ said late Tuesday it no longer has a sufficient basis to conclude that Trumps statements about Carroll were motivated by any aspect of public service.

Previously, the department had agreed with Trumps attorneys that he was protected from the lawsuit by the Westfall Act, which gives federal employees immunity from lawsuits brought over conduct occurring within the scope of their employment.


(Bloomberg) -- US prosecutors rejected Donald Trumps attempt to delay a trial over his handling of classified records until after the 2024 presidential election, saying it flies in the face of federal standards requiring speedy trials.

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Trumps argument that the politically charged nature of the case will make it too difficult to find impartial jurors is a reason to start the process sooner rather than later, Special Counsel Jack Smith said in a filing Thursday in Florida seeking to start the trial on Dec. 11.

The potential difficulties for jury selection in such a case will not appreciably change after the election, Smith said.

Lawyers for Trump and his co-defendant Waltine Walt Nauta agreed with the government that US District Judge Aileen Cannons original trial date in August was too soon, but argued in a brief earlier this week that the judge shouldnt put any date on the calendar at all.

Trump argued the intersection between the Presidential Records Act and the criminal charges has never been addressed in court and will result in a dismissal of the indictment, a claim prosecutors say borders on frivolous.

The government also shot down Trumps argument that an indefinite delay is needed due to the volume of evidence that his lawyers must sift through, as well as potential delays from his team getting the necessary security clearances to view the most sensitive documents.

While prosecutors have handed over more than 800,000 pages of evidence, they pinpointed 4,500 key documents that back the charges, Smith said. And while Trumps lawyers havent yet received the full clearance they need to review all of the 340 classified documents seized from Mar-a-Lago, their interim clearance is sufficient to see most of the evidence, according to the filing.

Prosecutors also pushed back on Trumps claims that his campaign schedule would interfere with trial preparation.

Read More: Trump Seeks to Delay Documents Trial With Eye to 2024 Election

Trump and Nautas professional schedules do not provide a basis to delay trial in this case, prosecutors wrote. Many indicted defendants have demanding jobs that require a considerable amount of their time and energy, or a significant amount of travel.

The parties are set to make their first appearance before Cannon on July 18.

The case is USA v. Trump, 9:23-cr-80101, US District Court, Southern District of Florida.

(Updates with more details from filing)

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Two New Pandas Were Born in South Korea. Heres Why Theyll Eventually End Up in China

Giant panda mother Ai Bao and her newly born female twin pandas at Everland Amusement and Animal Park in Yongin, South Korea, on July 7. The South Korean zoo has announced the birth of two giant panda twins -- the first to be born in the country -- triggering an outpouring of excitement online. Credit - Handout/Everland/AFP/Getty Images

Many countries have no pandas. Some have just one or two, in the hopes that they might breed. South Korea now has five, thanks to the births on Tuesday of twin cubs at Everland theme park just outside Seoul.

But while panda lovers in South Korea celebrate the arrival of the baby bears, a countdown for their relocation to China has already begun. Thats because almost all pandas, even ones born abroad, are considered the property of Chinaas part of a loan program it has with selected zoos around the world.

The newly born female twin pandas at Everland Amusement and Animal Park in Yongin, on July 7. Handout/Everland/AFP/Getty Images

Negotiations are already scheduled to begin next month for Fu Bao, the twins elder sister who was born at Everland in 2020. She is set to be sent back to China for breeding before she turns four, the age when pandas usually reach sexual maturity.

How China monopolized its national animal

If youre looking at a giant panda in a zoo outside of China, it almost certainly belongs to China.

For decades, China has used its adorable mascots, which are native to a few mountain ranges in south central China, as part of its unique panda diplomacy strategy. In 1972, it notably gifted two pandas to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., amid warming relations between the two countries.

It is a low-hanging fruit that can be used to generate goodwill between China and the people of other countries, Benjamin Ho, assistant professor at the China program in Singapores S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, tells TIME. Pandas housed in foreign zoos have remained important symbols of cooperation between China and countries around the world. The worldwide panda breeding program is also marketed as a joint research opportunity to broaden panda conservation efforts.

Read More: Meet the Pandas: Chinas New Diplomats

But in the 1980s, faced with dwindling panda numbers, China decided to stop gifting pandas and start loaning them instead.

As part of a captive breeding program to boost the numbers of the vulnerable species, China loans giant pandas to zoos around the world for 10 to 15 years, at a price of up to $1 million per yearfunneled into Chinas panda conservation efforts.

People unveil Ai Bao, then two years old, during a welcoming ceremony for a pair of giant pandas from China at Incheon International Airport in South Korea, on March 3, 2016. Lee Jin-manAP

Zoos also spend an additional hundreds of thousands of dollars to care for pandas, and some even go into serious debt to house themthough pandas have also been credited for their economic benefits as popular zoo attractions.

Read More: I Get to Hug Them All the Time. What Its Like to Take Care of a Pair of History-Making Panda Cubs

If loaned pandas die during their care, its another expense to incur. When Lin Hui, a celebrity panda at a Thai zoo died in April, the zoos director said that Thailand would have to fork out 15 million baht ($430,000) in insurance payout to China.

As of March, there were an estimated 66 pandas across zoos in about 20 countries outside of mainland China. But when their leases are up, the pandas will have to be returned to China.

What about pandas born outside of China? With rare exception, they belong to China, too.

Since 1985, China has required that the offspring of loaned pandas be returned to China. Zoos are also required to pay a baby tax of at least $200,000 for each cub.

Tohui, a female panda born in Mexicos Chapultepec Zoo, who died in 1993 at 12 years old, was the first panda to be born and survive infancy outside of China. Her daughter, 33-year-old Xin Xin, who was born before China stopped gifting pandas and started loaning them instead, is now one of the worlds last living pandas who doesnt belong to China.

Some unhappy returns

At times, panda hosts have decided to cut their leases short out of practical reasons. Meanwhile, China has also recalled its furry diplomats for political reasons.

In January, a Finnish zoo announced that it was considering returning two giant pandas it had loaned from China because the zoo could no longer afford their hefty upkeep. Similarly, Calgary Zoo in Canada announced in 2020 that, because of a shortage of bamboo during the pandemic, it would be returning a pair of giant pandas to China, four years before they were due to leave the zoo.

Imbued with political significance, the cuddly bears have also occasionally been used as pawns in geopolitical gamesmanship. In 2019, China recalled two pandas from the San Diego Zoo in California amid an escalating trade war between the two countries.

And in at least one instance, public pressure proved powerful enough for a panda loan to be discontinued. Just this year, Chinese social media users expressed serious concern and anger over a viral footage of a sickly looking panda in Memphis ZooYa Ya, who had spent 20 years on loan in Tennessee. Despite clarifications from the zoo and assurances from experts flown in from China that Ya Ya was healthy, Chinese social media remained flooded with allegations of mistreatment and concerns over the state of Ya Ya, who was seen sporting thin, patchy fur in her enclosure.

Is it time to end panda diplomacy? asks an editorial published in Chinese state mouthpiece Global Times at the height of the controversy, before Ya Ya was ultimately returned to China in April at the end of her lease.

A caretaker carries panda cub Fu Bao during a ceremony to reveal her name at Everland Amusement and Animal Park in Yongin on November 4, 2020. Jung Yeon-jeAFP/Getty Images

But panda diplomacy doesnt look to be ending anytime soon. Back in South Korea, over the past three years, the panda Fu Baos close bond with her caretakers at Everland has melted hearts across the world. As her return date draws near, even some Chinese panda fans online are calling for her to remain in South Korea so she can spend more time with her beloved human friends and her new baby sistersthough it would only delay the inevitable.

When Fu Bao returns, I hope that we give her as much, if not more love than South Korea, reads a comment on Weibo. Because shes our national treasure, a treasure that brings luck. Please let Fu Bao continue to be happy.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13)  Amid religious uproar, Pura Luka Vega, the drag queen behind the viral "Ama Namin" video, said her performance was not meant to disrespect or blaspheme but instead challenge the notions of praise and worship.

The video depicts Vega in a drag outfit meant to resemble Jesus Christ performing to a rock rendition of "Ama Namin," the Filipino translation of the Lord's Prayer.

According to Vega, her intention was not to mock or demean religion. "In my mind, queerness has always been there naman, I feel like it's my way of actually praising God."

"If you would ask naman me what my religion is, it's really Roman Catholic  not a devout one  but I respect and I know how it is. Then again, I also did that intentionally to challenge our notions of how we worship or how we sing our praise," Vega said on Twitter Spaces.

Vega added that she felt she was careful in rendering her performance, and questioned why so many had taken offense.

"Was it offensive because I am a queer individual or was it of other factors?" she posed.

The drag queen argued the Bible had been weaponized to deprive the LGBTQIA+ community of basic human rights.

"I just want to create a narrative that despite all of these, Jesus, as the embodiment of God's love for all, does not forget about the oppressed, including the LGBTQIA+ community," she said.

Addressing those offended, Vega on Thursday said "the performance was not for you to begin with."

The Philippine Statistics Authority's census on Religious Affiliation in the Philippines published February 2023 found that at least 88% of Filipinos were Christians.

Lawmakers cry blasphemy

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri condemned Vega's performance "in the strongest possible terms," and claimed it bordered on criminal activity.

"It offends the sensibilities of our Christian brothers and sisters, deeply demeans the faith of millions of Filipinos, and dangerously scales the boundaries of protected speech and expression," Zubiri said.

"In this case, a criminal charge can be filed under Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes those who 'offend any race or religion in the performance of obscene or indecent plays, scenes, acts or shows in theaters, fairs, or any other place.' We urge the authorities to look into this matter," he added.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, a proponent of the LGBTQIA+ community in the upper chamber, likewise lamented the performance.

"As a woman of faith, I admit I personally find this regrettable. Alam ko madami ding miyembro ng [I also know many members of the] LGBTQIA+ community, persons of faith among them, find this regrettable," Hontiveros said.

"I also caution against the use of this incident to deny rights and protections to a community that has long been marginalized and excluded. I wish for self-reflection, compassion and healing for both the religious and LGBTQIA+ communities," she added.

Senators Koko Pimentel and JV Ejercito also slammed Vegas performance.

"The true test of creativity is in gaining the admiration of people thru the brilliance of the work. Creativity is not about being brave enough to offend people. Hence we should not let this guy profit from his despicable work," Pimentel said.

"Ama Namin is sacred to us Christians; using it for humor is extremely offensive and disrespectful. Artists should always exercise discernment, as their craft may inspire division or worse, aggression," Ejercito added.
Two people are dead and one is injured after an Osage Beach plane crash, according to a press release from the Osage Beach Police Department.

The Osage Beach Police Department and other agencies responded to Grand Glaize Airport around noon on Thursday, after someone saw a plane take off from Lee C. Fine Airport, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and appear to crash.

At 12:13 p.m. Osage Beach PD advised they had received a report of a possible downed aircraft that had just taken off from Lee C. Fine airport. The aircraft has been located in the treeline at the old golf course between Rt KK and US 54.



Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/0neAndoGe6  MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) July 13, 2023

Responders found the plane and its occupants in the wooded area southeast of 1252 Highway KK. Twenty-two-year-old Hayden M. Ritchhart of Carrolton and 19-year-old Evan R. Vandiver of Richmond, Missouri, were pronounced dead at the scene. The third occupant, 54-year-old Gary Vandiver, also of Richmond, Missouri, was found seriously injured and was airlifted to a hospital, according to the police department.

The police department believes that Ritchhart was flying the plane at the time of the crash.

According to the police department, investigators with the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are on their way to the site.

The Osage Beach Police Department was assisted by the Osage Beach Ambulance, Osage Beach Fire District, Mid-County Fire District, Lake Ozark Fire District, Camden County Emergency Management, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri State Park Rangers, Mercy Ambulance, Staff for Life and Lake Regional Hospital.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Osage Beach plane crash kills two people, injures one
Two women were killed and a man was arrested. Now SC prosecutor says charges are dropped

The charges have been dropped against a man who was arrested after two women were killed in 2021, according to the 8th Circuit Solicitors Office. Now another man will be arrested in the double murder.

Cassius Marcello Broadwater, 23, had two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime dismissed Thursday, Solicitor David Stumbo said in a news release.

The charges were dropped after new forensic evidence and witness statements were brought to light in recent weeks of the investigation, the solicitors office said.

Information about the new evidence was not available, but Greenwood Police Chief T.J. Chaudoin said Broadwater was cleared after his office received forensic work from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Index-Journal reported.

All defendants charged with crimes in the 8th Judicial Circuit are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, Stumbo said in the release.

It was not clear if the new forensic evidence and witness statements were used in arrest warrants for Quindaris Keondre Washington, who is now charged with the murder of Ariel Beeks and Kyndall Curry, the solicitors office said.

The 21-year-old Washington was already being held at the Greenwood County Detention Center on multiple charges, including a count of murder from a January 2022 arrest in a separate shooting, records show. The victim, 21-year-old Quinton Payne, was shot multiple times and died on June 12, 2021, at a Greenwood home, according to the Greenwood County Coroners Office.

That was a little more than two weeks before Beeks and Curry were killed.

On June 28, 2021, the bodies of the 23-year-old Beeks and 22-year-old Curry were found sitting inside a parked car in the 200 block of Jones Street, the coroners office said. They were shot multiple times while inside the parked vehicle, according to the coroners office.

Police said Beeks and Broadwater shared a child, and authorities initially believed the shooting was the result of domestic violence, WHNS reported.

Information about how Washington was connected to Beeks and Currys deaths was not available, and Stumbo said there will be no further comment on the case because his office is prosecuting the new charges.

While Broadwaters charges connected to Beeks and Currys deaths were dismissed, he remains behind bars at the county jail, the solicitors office said. Jail records show Broadwater is being held on multiple drug charges, but they are unrelated to the murders of Beeks and Curry, according to the solicitors office.

Beeks was survived by her daughter and parents among other family members, according to her obituary.

Curry was survived by her mother and brother, and other family members, her obituary said.

Memorial services for both women were held in July 2021, the Robinson-Walker Funeral Service said.
U.S. to pay nearly $1M to settle sexual assault case against former top general

The U.S. government will pay nearly $1 million to a retired Army colonel who in 2019 accused a former senior military officer of sexual assault, according to court documents released Thursday.

The agreement came to $975,000, according to a statement by Ariel Solomon of Solomon Law Firm, the lawyer representing the plaintiff. Retired Gen. John Hyten has denied the allegations, and an Air Force investigation was unable to find evidence of wrongdoing.

Now-retired Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser made headlines in 2019 when she publicly accused then-Gen. Hyten, who at the time had been nominated to serve as the militarys second-highest military officer, of sexually assaulting her when she worked for him in December 2017.

Spletstoser, who was Hytens aide while he served as head of U.S. Strategic Command in 2017, accused the general of unwanted sexual advances and inappropriately touching her in a hotel room during a prominent national security conference in California.

The Air Force in 2019 said it could not corroborate Spletstosers accusations. Prominent lawmakers came to Hytens defense and eventually confirmed him for the vice chair job. He served until 2021.

Hyten argued that Spletstoser couldnt sue him because the nature of the allegations was incident to military service. This is a key element of the Feres Doctrine, which prohibits service members from suing the government for injuries experienced in the performance of their duties.

But a federal judge ruled in October 2020 that Spletstoser could proceed with her case, arguing that the alleged assault could not conceivably serve any military purpose.

The case, Kathryn Spletstoser v. United States of America, was brought in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Hyten, who retired in 2021, now works at Blue Origin, an aerospace and defense company founded by Amazons Jeff Bezos.

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh referred questions to the Department of Justice, which declined to comment. Multiple attempts to reach Hyten through colleagues and Blue Origin went unanswered.

Solomon, Spletstoser's attorney, said the decision is a victory for her client, and caps a controversial case that has dragged on for four years.

The details of the lawsuit rocked the national security community when they first emerged in 2019. Spletstoser alleged that Hyten came to her hotel room while they were attending the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, Calif. Once inside, the lawsuit states, Hyten grabbed her and rubbed against her, ejaculating in his shorts. Spletstoser also alleged that he later retaliated against her for rejecting his advances.

Colonel Spletstoser is a combat veteran, who represented the United States with grit and grace throughout her military career, Solomon said in her statement. This victory is an important step in the right direction, however, to obtain justice for other countless survivors of military sexual trauma, Congress must act.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has compared Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov to the famous comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.

Source: European Pravda, referring to Reuters

Quote from Wallace: "Anyone seen Surovikin recently? One of their best generals has disappeared for now. And they've kept Laurel and Hardy in charge of the campaign. You know, you've got Gerasimov and Shoigu there."

Details: Wallace has stressed that Shoigu and Gerasimov remain responsible for Russia's war against Ukraine.

He has noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to keep Shoigu and Gerasimov in office despite numerous military failures was the right one. "That's good news for Ukraine. That's who you want in charge," Wallace added.

For reference: Laurel and Hardy (Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy) were British-American comedians who were one of the most popular comedy couples in the history of cinema.

Laurel and Hardy

Background: UK intelligence suggested that General Sergei Surovikin, who was close to the head of the Wagner Group, was indeed sidelined after the coup.

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MILAN and COLOGNE, Germany  The debate over U.S. cluster munition deliveries to Ukraine has ignited a fresh look in the British military at a capability that has faded along with their banning: the destruction of enemy airfields.

That is according to the U.K. Defence Minister Ben Wallace, who was speaking at a side event of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12.

Wallace said he wants British industry to come up with an alternative to achieve the same destructive effects, albeit without the danger of unexploded ordnance left behind by the types of submunition-laden shells that the United States is giving to Ukraine.

One challenge to our industry is, we see the Ukrainians struggle to shut down runways, he said at the NATO Public Forum, an event organized by a smattering of think tanks from both sides of the Atlantic. So what I have got in my weapons stock, should we find ourselves in a conflict where I need to do this? It goes back to: If you cant use cluster munitions, you need to innovate and come up with something else, Wallace said.

An international convention bans the production, use and transfer of cluster munitions because of the risks they pose to civilians even long after wars end. The United States and Ukraine are not a signatory to that treaty, and neither is Russia, whose forces have reportedly clusters munitions and even worse, as Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren, who was speaking alongside Wallace at the event in Vilnius, put it.

There is a history of militaries developing munitions, mostly in the 1970s, specifically aimed at damaging enemy runways so comprehensively that any repairs would take a long time. Such strikes would effectively keep valuable adversary warplanes off the battlefield, the thinking went.

British forces used to have the so-called JP233 submunition dispensing pods, for example, notes Mark Cancian, an analyst at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. Strapped under warplanes, the weapons were designed to blanket runways with hundreds of exploding bomblets.

A French-designed weapon, the Durandal, consisted of a warhead plowing underneath the tarmac to deliver a series of explosions aimed mangling a runways foundation, according to Cancian.

Defense experts believe there are several methods today that could deliver a wider area of destructive coverage without the design constraints of cluster munitions: the saturation of target areas with conventional, air-burst munitions, or by sending swarms of cheap drones.

A swarm of 1,000 mini drone-copters could cover a very large area, especially if launched via a GMLRS rocket, said Nicholas Drummond, an adviser to Krauss-Maffei Wegmann in the U.K., referring to the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System.
Conservative and conspiratorial websites suggest a spike in cases of a rare heart condition among infants in the United Kingdom is related to Covid-19 vaccination. This is false; health authorities say the increase in myocarditis in late 2022 was due to enterovirus infections, and studies show no evidence linking the condition in newborns to shots received during pregnancy.

"The (World Health Organization) issued a warning regarding an 'unusual surge' of myocarditis cases in babies that were born within the United Kingdom," says a July 10, 2023 tweet with thousands of interactions.

"A hospital in the South Wales region reported only one myocarditis case in infants and newborns over the past six years. However, over a span of less than a year, between June 2022 and April 2023, 'ten babies under 28 days of age presented with symptoms of myocarditis' at that same hospital."

The post shares a clip from an Epoch Times show hosted by Roman Balmakov. The website, backed by the Falun Gong Chinese spiritual movement, has previously spread misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic.

"Now I know what you're thinking at this point: What could have possibly led to this increase in myocarditis cases in babies during the years 2022 to 2023?" Balmakov says in the video shared online. "Could it have anything to do with the large-scale push to get everyone in the country -- including pregnant women -- fully vaccinated?"

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 11, 2023

Similar theories have circulated in multiple languages on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as websites such as Zero Hedge, which has previously promoted misinformation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said in a May 16, 2023 statement (archived here) that, starting in summer 2022, there was an increase in "severe myocarditis" among children in the United Kingdom.

But the statement makes no mention of Covid-19 vaccination, as Balmakov notes in his original July 8 segment. Instead, it says the reported spike in myocarditis was "associated with enterovirus infection in Wales" -- context the social media posts omit.

"Although enterovirus infections are common in neonates and young infants, the reported increase in myocarditis with severe outcomes in neonates and infants associated with enterovirus infection is unusual," the WHO said.

The agency told AFP in a July 11 email that Covid-19 vaccination is linked to "some cases of heart inflammation, called myocarditis and pericarditis." But myocarditis is far more common following infection.

"The Covid-19 (vaccine) is the best way to protect yourself against serious illness," said Emma O'Brien, a spokesperson for the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in a July 11 email.

Enterovirus cases

Between June 2022 and March 2023, 15 newborns and young infants "presented with a picture consistent with neonatal sepsis in Wales and Southwest England," the WHO said in its May statement. Testing confirmed nine cases of enterovirus.

Enteroviruses are different from coronaviruses, spreading primarily through contact with bodily secretions instead of airborne particles. Enteroviruses are common and mostly affect babies, children and teenagers, according to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

"The viruses may not cause any symptoms, or they may cause only mild symptoms," the hospital says on its website (archived here). "But in some cases, an enterovirus can be more severe and cause complications. Some of the viruses, such as polio, can cause serious illness."

The WHO said in its statement that in each enterovirus case where the child lived, myocarditis was "a presenting factor." The peak incidence occurred in November 2022.

Preliminary investigations "have not identified any other clusters in any other region beyond those in South Wales and Southwest England in the United Kingdom in the past 12 months," the agency said.

"Based on the limited information available at this point, WHO assesses the public health risk as low."

O'Brien of the UKHSA said enterovirus "is already known in rare circumstances to cause myocarditis in very young babies." The WHO says on its website (archived here) that viral infections are the most common cause of the heart condition, whose symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath and heart palpitations.

Despite rare cases of myocarditis and Covid-19 vaccination, O'Brien said "large-scale studies worldwide have found no evidence of any increased risk of myocarditis in infants of mothers who were vaccinated against Covid-19 in pregnancy." Such cases have occurred most frequently in young males with a second dose of a messenger RNA (mRNA) shot, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (archived here).

"Documentation of possible cases and outcomes is important for continued safety surveillance of mRNA vaccines," says an August 2022 study on Covid-19 vaccination and pregnancy (archived here). "Reassuringly, in the hitherto published literature, there is no report of vaccine-associated myocarditis in the pregnant people."

Covid-19 vaccines are "strongly recommended in pregnancy" by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also recommends pregnant people get vaccinated against Covid-19, saying on its website (archived here) that a "growing body of observational data so far have not identified any safety concerns for Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy."

AFP has fact-checked other false and misleading claims about vaccines here.
UK intelligence suggests that the Russian occupiers' use of old equipment as a battering ram with explosives could have been initiated by units from Chechnya.

Source: UK Defence Intelligence report on Twitter on 13 July, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The use of outdated armoured vehicles by Russian soldiers as vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) has been mentioned in multiple sources from June 2023. The crew probably bailed out the vehicle after directing it.

Most Russian VBIED reports have been made in and around Marinka, and they began days after Chechen soldiers arrived in the region.

Quote: "There is a realistic possibility that Chechen forces are pioneering the tactic," the UK Defence Intelligence reports.

The analysts recall that Chechen fighters have a history of being competent at using IEDs that dates back to the Chechen Wars in the 1990s. Similar VBIEDs were also reportedly manufactured in January 2023 by Chechens fighting for Ukraine.

The Defence Intelligence say that most of Russias VBIEDs have almost certainly detonated before they reached their target through a combination of anti-tank mines and direct fire.

"However, these VBIEDs cause extremely large explosions, which are still likely to have a psychological effect on defending forces," the report reads.

Background: The previous report of the UK Defence Intelligence suggested that from the public appearance of Russian top officials, General Surovikin, who is close to Evgeny Prigozhin, the financier of the Wagner Private Military Company, was really pushed into the background after the rebellion.

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Ukraine is already preparing agreements on guarantees for its security  Zelenskyy

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting to discuss the results of the NATO Summit in Vilnius. The meeting was attended by diplomats, government officials and representatives of the Office of the President.

Source: European Pravda

Details: In a post on social media, Zelenskyy said that Kyiv is working to transfer each agreement following the NATO summit in Vilnius into "concrete steps to ensure that all agreements become concrete results".

Among other things, Ukraine is working on the content of the NATO-Ukraine Council, preparing to conclude bilateral agreements on "security guarantees", and preparing for the next NATO summit in Washington.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "A good Summit should yield good results

It is already impossible to imagine NATO without Ukraine, and we will constantly add more strength to our cooperation."

Background: The Vilnius Summit decision contains quite positive wording regarding Ukraine. In particular, the NATO Summit agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan on Ukraine's path to the Alliance. At the same time, the Allies made it clear that they would invite Ukraine to join NATO "when the conditions are met".

The summit decision does not contain a list of conditions that Ukraine must fulfil. But, according to European Pravda, they will also include political ones, i.e., those related to reforms.

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155mm cluster munitions ukraine

Kyiv's forces have already received controversial cluster munitions promised by the U.S. last week, a top Ukrainian general told CNN Thursday.

We just got them, we haven't used them yet, but they can radically change [the battlefield], Brig. Gen. Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the Tavria Joint Forces Operation, said in an interview Thursday with CNN's Alex Marquardt.

https://twitter.com/CNN/status/1679535422102200331

Last week, the Pentagon announced that the U.S. would send Ukraine "hundreds of thousands" of rounds of cluster munitions known as Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICMs).

The rationale behind providing Ukraine with DPICMs was two-fold, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin H. Kahl told reporters, including from The War Zone, last week.

The first is that the U.S. has a large stockpile of them and giving some to Ukraine wont have the same effect on supplies as the donation 155mm unitary rounds. The U.S. alone has donated more than two million of those to Ukraine.

The other main reason Kahl stated is that the rounds contain many individual submunitions or bomblets that scatter over a wide area. That will help Ukraine defeat the massive amount of fortifications Russia has built up, especially trenches.

A US Army briefing slide discussing the functioning of a more modern DPICM-XL projectile. US Army

You can read more about these 155mm rounds, including what they are capable of and why they are controversial in our coverage here.

Tarnavskyi told CNN that the munitions will give Ukraine a battlefield "advantage" that could change how the Russians fight the war.

The enemy also understands that with getting this ammunition, we will have an advantage. The enemy will give up that part of the terrain where it is possible to use this, he said.

Ukraines top leaders will determine where the weapons will be used, Tarnavskyi said, noting that this is a very powerful weapon.

In an effort to convince U.S. President Joe Biden to sign off on providing DPICMs, Ukrainian officials agreed in writing that they will not use the rounds in civilian populated urban environments, and that they will record where they use these rounds.

In his interview with CNN, Tarnavskyi emphasized that Ukraine will live up to that agreement, even in areas occupied by Russian forces.

He added that news of the DPICMs has rattled Russians.

The Russians think that we will use it on all areas of the front, he added. This is very wrong. But they are very worried.

During the recently-concluded NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Biden for making the tough choice to provide the cluster munitions and said it was only fair that Ukraine receive them.

"I want us to take a look at this from a different perspective, from a perspective of fairness," Zelensky said during a press conference. "Russians are constantly using cluster munitions on our territory, and they are fighting only on our land. They're killing our people."

https://twitter.com/JenniferRadema/status/1679333191025303553

But there has been some reporting that Ukraine had already received DPICMs, from Turkey.

"Turkey began sending Ukraine a form of U.S.-designed, artillery-fired cluster bomb in late 2022 after months of Kyiv pleading with the Biden administration for the munitions," Foreign Policy reported in January, citing "current and former U.S. and European officials familiar with the decision."

However, "a senior Turkish official has strongly denied reports alleging that Ankara delivered cluster bombs to Ukraine last year," Middle East Eye reported a few days later.

"We don't have cluster munitions and we haven't provided them to Ukraine," Ibrahim Kalin, the Turkish president's spokesperson, said in a briefing with reporters at the time. "Ukrainians themselves denied it."

Though Tarnavskyi said Ukraine has yet to use the cluster munitions, we will likely learn of their use rather quickly - perhaps even before any official announcement of when they are - given the ubiquity of open-source reporting on social media in this war.

Update 3:17 p.m. Eastern Time:

"There are cluster munitions in Ukraine at this time," Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II confirmed to reporters, including from The War Zone, at a Pentagon press briefing Thursday afternoon.

We know that there were some provided by a third country before, but yes, the U.S. cluster munitions are in Ukraine.

Sims did not name that third country.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Ukraine gets a fraction of what it wanted at NATO summit

Ukraine collected many promises at Vilnius, except the one it craved the most.

In a joint communique, the 31 NATO member states said Ukraine's future is in the alliance, which it will one day join. They got rid of the need for a Membership Action Plan, effectively reducing the number of steps the country needs to pass to get in.

They also launched the Ukraine-NATO Council, which is meant to enable closer coordination between the two, and extended the Comprehensive Assistance Package (which provided 500 million euros in defense aid so far) into a multi-year program.

The G7 countries came out with a pledge to create a bilateral assistance framework for Ukraine that others can join, while France said it will provide Ukraine with long-range missiles.

However, despite Kyiv's pleas, no time frame was provided when it came to Ukraine's actual membership. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine will receive an invitation to join when "the allies agree, and conditions are met," postponing the decision indefinitely.

The summit had left the Ukrainian delegation with a bitter taste.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said prior to the summit that "it's unprecedented and absurd when the time frame is not set," was forced to thank allies after the summit for their "practical and unprecedented support for Ukraine."

Zelensky: Invitation to NATO would be ideal The results of the summit are good, but if there was an invitation [to NATO], it would be ideal, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a joint conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius on July 12. The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

Lots of support and one failed gamble

Ukraine has collected a steady stream of military and financial support following the summit.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said that Oslo would increase its aid to Ukraine by over $238.6 million, putting its total value for 2023 at $960 million.

The EU promised to devote 500 million euros to boost the production of ammunition for Ukraine and to replenish the stocks of EU member countries.

Ukrainian pilots will also train on F-16s starting in the late summer, with the planes to arrive no earlier than the end of the year from 11 NATO countries that have joined a coalition dedicated to providing the fighter aircraft to Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on July 11 the provision of SCALP-EG cruise missiles to join their British equivalent, Storm Shadow, provided by the U.K two months prior.

And Ukraine is now waiting to hear about the ATACMS, the provision of which is still up for debate in Washington.

"There are such conversations, but there is no decision" on the issue of ATACMS yet, Zelensky said at a press conference.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also are to present a package worth $770 million, including Patriot missile systems, Leopard tanks, Marder vehicles, and artillery ammunition.

However, Zelensky came to Vilnius to receive security guarantees and a time frame for potential NATO membership. He was public about his intent.

Editorial: A smart NATO would seek Ukraines accession Editors note: Editorials are articles that present the opinion of the editorial team of the Kyiv Independent. When one looks at the history of the West supporting Ukraine in the fight against Russia, one pattern shines through: missed opportunities. The whole war is ripe with opportunity for NATO The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent

"We value our allies... But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that certain wording is being discussed without Ukraine," he wrote prior to the summit.

Zelensky was particularly dissatisfied with the "vague wording about 'conditions' (which) are added even for inviting Ukraine."

He concluded that there appears to be no readiness to invite Ukraine and make it a member. "Uncertainty is weakness," he concluded.

According to the Washington Post, the aggressive tone did not strike well with the U.S.

U.S. officials considered watering down what Kyiv would be offered after Zelensky's comment, the Washington Post wrote, citing "six people familiar with the matter."

U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace addressed the issue by saying Ukraine must show "gratitude" to allies to keep support intact.

"There's a slight word of caution here, which is, whether you like it or not, people want to see gratitude," he added, referring to those in the U.S. and other countries that question the need to continue to provide aid to Ukraine.

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on July 12 that "the American people do deserve a degree of gratitude  for their willingness to step up."

Zelensky soon backed down, choosing a friendlier tone after the summit.

He praised the "practical and unprecedented support for Ukraine" and said that at the summit, Ukraine had obtained "unambiguous clarity that Ukraine will be in NATO."

Biden chalked Zelensky's earlier statements up to the understandable pressure he is under.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said "the assurance is there: Ukraine will become a NATO member as soon as the preconditions are met. That's an agreement that hasn't previously existed with such clarity."

Ukraine and its allies understood the country wouldn't join NATO during the war, which would draw the alliance into a conflict with Russia. However, Zelensky said that Ukraine's people deserve certainty from the alliance. Many Ukrainians see themselves as fighting on NATO's behalf to protect Europe from Russia's threat, paying for it with their lives.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, who hosted the event said: "Ukraine is buying us time with their blood, so we can prepare and give a strong retort to Russia."

And Russia will remain a threat after the hot phase of the invasion ends and it's hard to imagine that a political solution can be reached, given Russia's current behavior, Mark Carleton-Smith, the former top commander of the U.K. military, said in an interview.

Retired chief of UK military: As international partners deliberate, Ukrainians pay the price Ukraine has been forced to do battle with less equipment than it needs because of the caution of its international partners, said Mark Carleton-Smith, the U.K.s former top military commander, during his visit to Kyiv. Carleton-Smith, who was in the country as part of the Warsaw International Forum The Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov

This outcome signals that the allies don't see eye to eye on the issue of providing Ukraine with a membership time frame.

Federico Borsari, a fellow with the Center for European Policy Analysis, wrote that the communique "inelegantly confirmed" that allies currently disagree on the invitation for Ukraine and that meeting those mysterious conditions may not be enough if disagreements remain.

This was on display when Biden flatly said in a recent interview that Ukraine was not ready for NATO. Germany is the other major member who is concerned about letting Ukraine in the door, concerned about the escalation with Russia.

Central European states are more supportive of Ukraine's accession, with 23 NATO members making declarations in its favor.

The council and guarantees

Now, Ukraine is trying to capitalize on what it did get from Vilnius.

The NATO-Ukraine Council will replace the previous format of cooperation between Kyiv and the alliance, the NATO-Ukraine Commission, which has existed since 1997.

Stoltenberg said the new format opens more opportunities for practical cooperation. During the public part of the meeting, he welcomed Zelensky as an "equal" and hoped to soon welcome him as an "ally."

Indeed, the council is supposed to be a body where allies and Ukraine sit as equal members for dialogue, decision-making, and talks about membership. It's also meant to be a crisis consultation mechanism between NATO and Ukraine.

However, while replacing the commission with the council was a good step, it was also a pretty small one, a half dozen analysts wrote for CEPA and the Atlantic Council. The fact that it served as a centerpiece of the communique and press moment suggests that it may have been one of the few things the allies agreed on.

As for assistance, Ukraine will see continued support through the Comprehensive Assistance Package. According to the communique, it's meant to "help rebuild the Ukrainian security and defense sector and transition Ukraine towards full interoperability with NATO.

Allies will continue to fund the CAP in a sustained and predictable way.

The G7 states, in turn, issued their own pledge to create a framework for bilateral security assistance to Ukraine, including "modern military equipment across land, air and sea  prioritizing air defense, artillery, long-range fires, armored vehicles and other key capabilities such as combat air and by promoting interoperability."

They also said it would also help build up Ukraine's industrial base, train troops, share intelligence and build cyber defense capabilities.

Zelensky tried to spin the commitments as security guarantees, however, they fall short of being guarantees, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

Biden called it a "powerful statement" of commitment, which would "help Ukraine build strong capable defense across land, air and sea."

Yet Patrick Turner, former assistant secretary at NATO, wrote that "there is vague talk of security assurances from key allies" that are "unlikely to add up to much, to end the war or to deter Russia."

Speaking before the summit, Carlton-Smith said that while bilateral aid is not immaterial, it's not even that useful. He said what Ukraine needs strategically is the strongest security guarantee that it can possibly have, not just to contain tomorrow's Russia but also to underwrite national civic confidence in Ukraine, which would aid in its reconstruction.

Think tank Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies Director Valentin Badrak said that the types of weapons the allies have chosen to provide, the timing for F-16s, and the lack of news about the ATACMS shows that they're more interested in a slow offensive for Ukraine than an end to the hot phase of the war in 2023.

He wrote that it's in Ukraine's best interest to kickstart its own munitions production, as well as create joint munitions production projects jointly with other countries and acquire more advanced Western military technology.

Where tech is concerned, the NATO allies also committed to investing at least 2% of their GDP on defense and 20% of their defense budgets on major equipment, including related R&D.

But scaling up military production may be easier said than done. In a recent investigation, the Kyiv Independent found that European states have failed to kick their planned ammunition production into high gear due to protectionism and red tape.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13)  Skyway's operator on Thursday blamed drainage problems for the flooding at the expressway's at-grade section in Bicutan, Paranaque.

The portion of the Skyway has been flooded since Wednesday, resulting in heavy traffic on both directions.

"These incidents were primarily due to a drainage system problem outside of the Skyway system, which we traced in February this year, due to ongoing construction works in the area that are unrelated to our operations and outside our direct control," Skyway O&M Corporation said in a statement on Thursday.

It added that a private stakeholder is already working on the portion of the drainage system within their property to resolve the issue.

"We are hopeful that this corrective action will restore the smooth flow of floodwaters to the nearby creek and put an end to the flooding at Skyway At-Grade Bicutan, which has disrupted the traffic flow and greatly inconvenienced our riding public," Skyway O&M Corporation said.
Kateryna Rozhkova

In an interview with Ukrainska Pravda on July 12, First Deputy Chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), Kateryna Rozhkova, shared her vision of how Ukraines planned national military risk insurance would work.

Read also: Ukraine's FX reserves hit record high thanks to international support, says central bank

Another significant piece of work is the system of military risk insurance, said Rozhkova.

I have a vision in my mind of how it should work, similar to the Motor Insurance Bureau. It should be mandatory insurance for certain sectors or enterprises.

According to her, this concept needs to be finalized, coordinated, laws need to be adopted, and it should be implemented before establishing a fund to finance it all.

Lastly, there is a question of corporate governance, she added.

Read also: IDS Ukraine concerned over competition for manager of company's corporate rights

The form and structure are correct, but they have not worked in terms of the collective suitability of supervisory boards.

Read also: EU Commission readies 50 billion relief fund for Ukraine

The deputy chairman notes there are concerns about the NBUs board potentially serving as an oversight board for the proposed insurance authority.

"We have so much work to do that I don't think we need to take on the function of the National Commission on Securities and Stock Market Regulation," Rozhkova said.

Read also: NABU charges ruling party MP over accepting a bribe

It was previously reported that the NBU opposes the involvement of Ukraines postal service Ukrposhta in the banking business, and this position has remained unchanged since 2015.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Joe Biden

Days after NATO allies refused to give Kyiv a tangible timeline of when it might be invited to join the Alliance, U.S. President Joe Biden said that Ukraine will become a NATO member.

Read also: NATO should have made it clear to Kremlin that taking Ukraine was impossible  exLithuanian PM

During a press briefing on July 13, he emphasized that countries cannot join NATO while they are at war, but Ukraine will ultimately join the Alliance.

First of all, no one can join NATO while a war is going on, because that guarantees were in a war, the president said.

Its not about whether they should or should not join, its about when they can join. And they will join NATO.

Biden also added that there are no chances for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to win the war he unleashed against Ukraine.

Putin has already lost the war; Putin has a real problem  how does he move from here, what does he do (now), he said in response to a question as to if the war in Ukraine could drag on for years to come.

Read also: No doubt Ukraine to join NATO after war, says Pentagon chief

There is no possibility of him winning the war in Ukraine. I don't think the war can go on for years, for two reasons. Number one, I dont think that Russia could maintain the war forever, in terms of their resources and capacity. Number two, I think there will be a circumstance when, eventually, Putin is going to decided its not in the interests of Russia  economically, politically, or otherwise  to continue this war.

Read also: NATO inviting Ukraine a matter of months  Biden

Biden concluded by saying that he expects Ukraine to make some headway in pushing Russian troops back, which will then make negotiations with Moscow possible.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukraine is proving it can kill Russia's most valuable officers even when they think they are safe

The Storm Shadow cruise missile is on display during the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, north of Paris, France, Monday, June 19, 2023 Lewis Joly/AP Photo

Ukraine killed a senior Russian officer in a long-range missile strike this week.

Lt Gen Oleg Tsokov is the latest in a series of senior Russian officers killed in Ukraine.

An analyst told Insider that Ukraine's long-range weapons gave them an important advantage.

On Tuesday, reports began to circulate on Russian Telegram channels of the death of another top Russian military officer in Ukraine.

Lt Gen Oleg Tsokov was killed in a Ukrainian strike using a UK-made Storm Shadow missile, said the reports, that were later confirmed by state media outlets and officials.

The blast hit a hotel housing Russian officers in the occupied city of Berdiansk, far from the front lines.

Ukraine's success rate in assassinating Russia's generals has been astonishing. According to Japanese intelligence in February, 20 Russian generals have been killed so far in the war, Nikkei reported.

So what's behind the high Russian death toll?

Ian Williams, an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that problems with Russia's command structure, and sophisticated weapons like the Storm Shadow, were among the factors.

"I think the reason many high-level Russian officers have died through much of the war is their proximity to the front, due to the Russian military's problems with command and control and delegation," he said.

A rigid Russian command structure means that junior officers often feel unable to make independent decisions, and morale on the front line is said to be poor, meaning senior officers take direct control and expose themselves to danger.

Poor Russian communications systems also played a role. One Russian general was killed in the early months after he using a regular cellphone which was easily traced using cellphone data. The Kremlin has since banned the use of the devices on the front line.

But even when Russian generals are positioned well behind the front line, as was the case with Tsokov, Ukraine's long-range precision weapons mean they can still be pursued.

The recent acquisition of Storm Shadow missiles means Ukraine can reach Russian top brass in places that used to be safe. The missiles have a range of 150 miles, almost triple that of the missiles Ukraine was previously using.

"In general, having the ability to conduct deep precision strikes, combined with good intelligence and a rapid targeting cycle, can open opportunities for strikes on very specific targets, including individuals," said Williams.

According to a senior Japanese intelligence official cited by Nikkei, strong local intelligence appeared to be another key factor behind the assassinations.

"There may be informants in the two eastern regions giving information to Ukraine," the source told the publication, referring to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions occupied by Russia.

One assassination of a senior officer has taken place inside Russia's borders, which may indicate the increasing confidence Ukraine has in targeting Russian military leaders away from the battlefield.

According to reports, Capt. Second Rank Stanislav Rzhitsky, a former submarine commander, was gunned down while jogging in the Russian city of Krasnodar this week. Rzhitsky had posted his jogging route on the app Strava, per Russian media. Russian officials say a man they've arrested on suspicion of the murder has admitted to working for Ukrainian intelligence.

The killings follow wider instability that has shaken the Russian military, with its former supreme commander in Ukraine, General Sergei Surovikin, rumored to have been arrested following the failed Wagner uprising.

Williams said that currently most Storm Shadow strikes seem to be hitting their targets, but Russia would likely try to counter this by bolstering its air defense and moving command centers further away.

He also pointed to the fact that Ukraine did not have access to deep stockpiles of Storm Shadow missiles, its key weapon for long-range assassinations.

However pulling back command centers in itself carries risks, he said, allowing Ukraine to disrupt Russian defenses.

"It becomes easier to disrupt communications, and Russian commanders have generally relied on proximity to maintain control of their units," he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
On Thursday, Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Commander of the Tavriia Operational and Strategic Group of Forces, confirmed that Ukraine received cluster munitions from the USA.

Source: Tarnavskyi in an interview with CNN

Quote: "We just got them [cluster munitions  UP], we haven't used them yet, but they can radically change [the battlefield  CNN].

The enemy also understands that with getting this ammunition, we will have an advantage. The enemy will give up that part of the terrain where it is possible to use this."

Details: Tarnavskyi added that the senior leadership will make decisions about the areas of the front where these weapons will be used.

Quote: "The Russians think that we will use it on all areas of the front This is very wrong. But they are very worried."

Background:

Earlier, the United States announced new military aid to support the Ukrainian army, which includes cluster munitions.

Washington's announcement drew criticism from non-governmental organisations and alarmed several European countries and Canada, as cluster munitions are considered more dangerous to civilians, and there is a convention that bans their use and storage.

Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that Ukraine undertakes to use cluster munitions observing five principles, including not using them in cities and on the territory of Russia, as well as keeping records of damage zones.

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A senior Russian general who was fighting in Ukraine has said he was suddenly dismissed from his position after he accused the militarys leadership of betraying his troops with a lack of support.

General Ivan Popov, who was leading the Russian assault in the Zaporizhzhia region, says Vladimir Putins defence minister Sergei Shoigu signed the order to get rid of me.

In a Telegram post published late last night, Popov said he had raised questions about the lack of counter-battery combat, the absence of artillery reconnaissance stations and the mass deaths and injuries of our brothers from enemy artillery.

I also raised a number of other problems and expressed it all at the highest level frankly and extremely harshly, he said in the audio message.

It comes after another senior Russian general was killed by a Ukrainian airstrike using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, according to reports from both sides of the conflict.

Russia struck Kyiv with an overnight bombardment for the third night in a row, with Ukraine saying its air defences shot down all 20 Shahed drones and two Kalibr missiles.

Key Points

Were not Amazon: Ben Wallace cautions Kyiv over weapons demands

No membership but Ukraine to get security package from G7 allies

Putins forces rain drones on Kyiv and nearby region for second night in a row

War wont end until West drops plans to defeat Moscow, say Lavrov

Why Ukraines plea for Nato membership is such a challenge for the West

Zelensky hits out at absurd Nato for Ukraine membership delays

Ukraine downs 20 drones, 2 missiles overnight

06:57 , Arpan Rai

Ukraines air defence has shot down all 20 Shahed-136/131 drones launched by Russian forces overnight, the countrys air force said.

It added two Kalibr missiles were also downed by the active air defences. The Russian forces also used one Iskander-M ballistic missile to attack Ukraine, according to the air force.

Russian forces unleashed a barrage of self-exploding Iranian-made Shahed drones in early hours today, according to the Kyiv City Administration.

Explosions were heard in different parts of the city, and debris from intercepted drones fell on five districts of the Ukrainian capital.

Some buildings were damaged, and two people hospitalized with shrapnel wounds.

Senior Russian general killed in airstrike with British Storm Shadow missile

06:40 , Arpan Rai

A high-ranking Russian general has been killed in Ukraines Zaporizhzhia in an airstrike carried out using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, according to multiple reports from both sides.

Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov was among the Russian military commanders present in the Dune hotel when a barrage of cruise missiles struck the southern region.

Russias defence ministry did not immediately confirm the death but it has been reported by the countrys tightly-controlled state media.

An aid to the Ukrainian mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko, wrote on his Telegram channel: It is reported that today in the Berdiansk area, the Russian Lieutenant General Oleg Yuriyovych Tsokov was liquidated.

In September last year the same general was gravely wounded on the battlefield but survived, the mayor said.

A member of Ukraines parliament, Yurii Mysyagin, said that the the British Storm Shadow came to visit accurately.

Senior Russian general says he was fired after accusing defence ministry of treachery

05:37 , Arpan Rai

A senior Russian general who was fighting in Ukraine has said he was suddenly dismissed from his position after he accused the Moscow defence ministrys leadership of betraying his troops over lack of sufficient support.

In a Telegram post published late last night, General Ivan Popov said he had raised questions about the lack of counter-battery combat, the absence of artillery reconnaissance stations and the mass deaths and injuries of our brothers from enemy artillery.

He was the commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army, leading the Russian assault in the Zaporizhzhia region.

I also raised a number of other problems and expressed it all at the highest level frankly and extremely harshly, he said in the audio message.

I had no right to lie, therefore, I outlined all the problematic issues that exist today in the army in terms of combat work and support.

He added that the Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu got rid of me by signing the order.

Popov accused the senior Russian commander of hitting the battalion from the rear treacherously and vilely decapitating the army at the most difficult and tense moment while claiming Ukraine could not break through the Russian army from the front.

Russian spy chief spoke to CIA boss about what to do with Ukraine

05:11 , Arpan Rai

Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin has said he and CIA counterpart William Burns had discussed what to do with Ukraine in a phone call late last month, reported Russias TASS news agency.

Mr Naryshkin confirmed that his counterpart had raised the events of 24 June, when the Wagner mercenaries took control of a southern Russian city and advanced towards Moscow before reaching a deal with the Kremlin to end the revolt.

This comes after The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported on 30 June that the CIA director had called the Russian foreign intelligence chief to assure the Kremlin that the US had no role in a brief mutiny a week earlier by Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner fighters.

Mr Naryshkin said that for most of the call, lasting about an hour, we considered and discussed what to do with Ukraine.

There were no immediate remarks from the CIA on TASSs report.

The two leading intelligence officials have maintained a line of communication since the start of the Ukraine war at a time when other direct contacts between Moscow and Washington are at a minimum, with relations at their lowest point since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.

Zelensky welcomes G7 security pledges: For our children'

04:55 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed fresh pledges of weapons and ammunition to fight Russias invasion along with longer-term security commitments from the West even as he expressed disappointment over the lack of a clear path for his country to join Nato as the alliance wrapped up its annual summit.The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children, he said while flanked by US president Joe Biden and other leaders from the Group of Seven most powerful democratic nations.A joint declaration issued by the G7 lays the groundwork for each nation to negotiate agreements to help Ukraine bolster its military over the long term. Mr Zelensky described the initiative as a bridge toward eventual Nato membership and a deterrent against Russia.We will not waver, Mr Biden vowed after the summit in Lithuania ended. I mean that. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

Biden hails unbroken Ukrainian people in Nato speech

04:25 , Arpan Rai

President Joe Biden hailed the unbroken people of Ukraine and the incredible dignity with which theyve acted to repel Russias invading forces as he pledged on behalf of the Western world to maintain support for Kyivs defence for as long as necessary.

Mr Biden delivered his remarks to a boisterous crowd whod gathered hours ahead of time to hear him speak in the Great Court at Vilnius University, following the conclusion of this years Nato leaders summit, at which leaders of the 31-member defence alliance agreed to expedite Ukraines bid for membership in the bloc once the war with Russia has been brought to a close.

Biden hails unbroken Ukrainian people and says Natos commitment will not waver

Overnight drone attack on Kyiv kills one, says mayor

03:51 , Arpan Rai

At least one person has been killed after explosive debris from a drone fired by Russia fell on a district in Kyiv, officials said.

Ukraine deployed anti-aircraft units to down Iranian-made Shahed drones fired by Russian forces for a third consecutive night, in and around Kyiv.

The body of one resident was recovered when emergency services put out a fire in the capitals historic Podil district, mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

He also reported a fire in an apartment building in Kyivs Podil district where two people were injured.

Two more people were injured in Shevchenkivskyi district further west, where a balcony caught fire in an apartment building. Debris also struck the central Solomyanskyi district.

The head of Kyivs military administration, Serhiy Popko, described the assault as a mass attack by Shahed drones that had approached from different directions.

Anti-aircraft forces identified and destroyed about 10 foreign targets, he wrote on Telegram.

Pictures on the military administrations website showed buildings with burnt out areas or damaged facades.

Nato in numbers: Which members have the biggest armies and how has the military alliance grown?

03:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), which is currently holding its latest summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, is a political and military alliance of North American and European countries forged in the aftermath of the Second World War  in the hope of avoiding future hostilities between nations.

It sought to achieve this through the realisation of three specific goals: deterring Soviet expansionism, preventing the revival of militant nationalism and encouraging European political integration.

While that first obligation lost its relevance following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the gradual disintegration of the USSR, Nato has been forced to constantly evolve and adapt in response to global geopolitical tensions over the last half century as the nature of the threats and challenges nations faced changed, from fascism and totalitarianism to Islamist terror factions and cyber-warfare.

Read more:

Which Nato members have the biggest armies and how has the military alliance grown?

Ben Wallace accused of scolding Ukraine over demands for weapons: Were not Amazon

02:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Defence secretary Ben Wallace has been accused of scolding the Ukrainians after revealing that he told them Britain was not retail giant Amazon when presented with a list of weapons demands.

In a summit that has revealed cracks between Western leaders and Kyiv, Mr Wallace also said he had advised Ukraine that the international community wanted to see gratitude for its support in the war with Russia.

Asked about the row, Rishi Sunak distanced himself from the comments, saying the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had repeatedly expressed his gratitude. I think everyone can see thats how he feels, he said.

Read more:

Ben Wallace accused of scolding Ukraine over weapons demands: Were not Amazon

Ukraines greatest weapon isnt on the battlefield

01:00 , Eleanor Noyce

In welcoming fresh pledges of more weapons, ammunition and the long-term security commitments made by members of the G7, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared  at least publicly  a happier figure on the second day of Natos summit in Lithuania than he did on the first.

On Tuesday, he had angrily denounced the absurd delays to his nation being given a timetable for the Nato membership it craves and then was left frustrated when the communique from the alliance said that Kyiv could join when allies agree and conditions are met  without laying out what those conditions were.

A flash of anger over delays to Nato membership gave way to a more conciliatory tone from Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit in Lithuania, writes Chris Stevenson. But dont expect him to back down on pushing Western allies for more help  his nations survival depends on it:

Ukraines greatest weapon isnt on the battlefield

Why Ukraines plea for Nato membership is such a challenge for the West

Thursday 13 July 2023 00:01 , Eleanor Noyce

For Ukraine, what it is asking for has been simple  a pathway to membership of Nato to protect its future in the wake of Russias invasion. For its Western allies however, making that a reality is not so straightforward.

The advantages of membership for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky are obvious. Article 5 of the alliance treaty is a cast-iron mutual defence clause that has US, UK and French nuclear weapons at its core. Given the vast swathes of destruction that Moscows aggression has wrought, being given a seat at the Nato table would also give Kyiv the extra layer of security needed during what will be a long period of reconstruction (whenever that comes).

Chris Stevenson reports:

Analysis: Why Ukraines plea for Nato membership is such a challenge for the West

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

Wednesday 12 July 2023 23:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Russias special military operation in Ukraine has been raging for one year now as the conflict continues to record devastating casualties and force the mass displacement of millions of blameless Ukrainians.

Vladimir Putin began the war by claiming Russias neighbour needed to be demilitarised and de-Nazified, a baseless pretext on which to launch a landgrab against an independent state that happens to have a Jewish president in Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine has fought back courageously against Mr Putins warped bid to restore territory lost to Moscow with the collapse of the Soviet Union and has continued to defy the odds by defending itself against Russian onslaughts with the help of Western military aid.

Thomas Kingsley and Joe Sommerlad report:

Heres why Putin really invaded Ukraine

Russia's Defense Ministry says Wagner mercenaries are surrendering their weapons to the military

Wednesday 12 July 2023 22:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Mercenaries of the Wagner Group are completing the handover of their weapons to the Russian military, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday, a move that follows the private armys brief rebellion last month that challenged the Kremlins authority.

The disarming of Wagner reflects efforts by authorities to defuse the threat it posed and also appears to herald an end to the mercenary groups operations on the battlefield in Ukraine.

The actions come amid continued uncertainty about the fate of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and the terms of a deal that ended the armed rebellion by offering amnesty for him and his mercenaries along with permission to move to Belarus.

Read more:

Russia's Defense Ministry says Wagner mercenaries are surrendering their weapons to the military

Russia: as NATO returns to Cold War 'schemes,' we are ready to respond

Wednesday 12 July 2023 21:46 , Eleanor Noyce

The latest NATO summit showed that the Western alliance was returning to Cold War schemes, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, adding that the Kremlin was ready to respond to threats by using all means.

The NATO summit in Lithuania ended with the United States and its allies giving Ukraine new security assurances for its defence against Moscow more than 500 days into Russias invasion of its neighbour.

The summit was also buoyed by the prospect of Sweden joining the military alliance as its newest member after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday abruptly dropped his prior objections.

The Russian ministry said in a statement late Wednesday: The results of the Vilnius Summit will be carefully analysed. Taking into account the challenges and threats to Russias security and interests that have been identified, we will respond in a timely and appropriate manner, using all means and methods at our disposal.

The summit showed NATOs inability to adapt to the new geopolitical situation in the world, the ministry said.

It said NATO was continually lowering the threshold for the use of force, escalating political and military tensions.

Taking the course of escalation, they issued a new batch of promises to supply the Kyiv regime with more and more modern and long-range weapons in order to prolong the conflict as long as possible - to exhaustion, the ministry said.

In addition to the decisions already taken, we will continue to strengthen the countrys military organisation and defence system.

Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of a craven lust for land and power and praised NATOs unity and support for Ukraine.

Biden hails unbroken Ukrainian people in Nato speech to spirited crowd of 10,000 - and one Trump fan

Wednesday 12 July 2023 21:30 , Eleanor Noyce

President Joe Biden on Wednesday hailed the unbroken people of Ukraine and the incredible dignity with which theyve acted to repel Russias invading forces as he pledged on behalf of the Western world to maintain support for Kyivs defence for as long as necessary.

Mr Biden delivered his remarks to a boisterous crowd whod gathered hours ahead of time to hear him speak in the Great Court at Vilnius University, following the conclusion of this years Nato leaders summit, at which leaders of the 31-member defence alliance agreed to expedite Ukraines bid for membership in the bloc once the war with Russia has been brought to a close.

Andrew Feinberg reports:

Biden hails unbroken Ukrainian people and says Natos commitment will not waver

Biden and Ukraines Zelensky discuss readiness for security talks - White House

Wednesday 12 July 2023 21:01 , Eleanor Noyce

U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed during a meeting on Wednesday US readiness to begin negotiations with Ukraine on bilateral security commitments, according to a White House readout.

The pair also discussed continued U.S. assistance to help Ukraines ongoing counteroffensive against Russia during the meeting held as NATO concluded a summit in Lithuania, the statement said.

UN asks Putin to extend Black Sea grain deal in return for linking Russian bank to SWIFT - sources

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:38 , Eleanor Noyce

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has proposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he extend a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of grain from Ukraine in return for connecting a subsidiary of Russias agricultural bank to the SWIFT international payment system, sources told Reuters.

Russia has threatened to ditch the grain deal, which expires on Monday, because several demands to dispatch its own grain and fertilizer abroad have not been met. The last two ships traveling under the Black Sea agreement are currently loading cargoes at the Ukrainian port of Odesa ahead of the deadline.

A key demand by Moscow is the reconnection of the Russian agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT international payment network. It was cut off by the European Union in June 2022 over Russias invasion of Ukraine. An EU spokesperson said in May the EU was not considering reinstating Russian banks.

However, the EU is considering connecting to SWIFT a subsidiary of Rosselkhozbank to allow specifically for grain and fertilizer transactions, three sources familiar with discussions told Reuters on Wednesday. The European Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Guterres has proposed to Putin that Russia allow the Black Sea grain deal to continue for several months, giving the EU time to connect a Rosselkhozbank subsidiary to SWIFT, two of those sources familiar with discussions told Reuters.

Guterres sent a letter to Putin on Tuesday proposing a way forward to further facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports and ensure the continued Black Sea shipments of Ukrainian grain, a U.N. spokesman said on Wednesday.

The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by the Russian Federation, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

He gave no further details on the proposal, but added that Guterres was engaged with all relevant parties on the issue and was willing to further discuss his proposal with Russia.

(AP)

NATO summit results in brief: Mixed news for Ukraine, hope for Sweden and a response to Russia

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:01 , Eleanor Noyce

U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts wrapped up a two-day summit Wednesday with pledges of long-term support for Ukraine but no offer of the countrys protection under the alliances security umbrella.

Results from the meeting in Lithuania, a nation on NATOs eastern flank that borders Russia, were mixed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky was grateful for the pledges of more arms and ammunition but disappointed that his country has no clear time frame for joining the worlds biggest security alliance.

After an evening of pre-summit intrigue, Sweden took a big step toward becoming NATOs 32nd member country when Turkey signaled it would give its approval but not before October.

Lorne Cook reports:

NATO summit results in brief: Mixed news for Ukraine, hope for Sweden and a response to Russia

Nato in numbers: Which members have the biggest armies and how has the military alliance grown?

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:30 , Eleanor Noyce

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), which is currently holding its latest summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, is a political and military alliance of North American and European countries forged in the aftermath of the Second World War  in the hope of avoiding future hostilities between nations.

It sought to achieve this through the realisation of three specific goals: deterring Soviet expansionism, preventing the revival of militant nationalism and encouraging European political integration.

Joe Sommerlad reports:

Which Nato members have the biggest armies and how has the military alliance grown?

Who is likely to be the next secretary general of Nato?

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:00 , Eleanor Noyce

There was rightly much talk at the Nato summit about Sweden acceding to Nato membership, a new partnership with Japan, and help with post-war construction in Ukraine, as well as discussion of continuing military support for the war-torn country, cluster bombs, and Ukraines path to becoming a full ally. But there was also much speculation about who the next secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is going to be.

As Jens Stoltenbergs term is extended for a further year, Sean OGrady looks at some of the candidates mooted to replace him in 2024:

Who is likely to be the next secretary general of Nato?

Ukraine would benefit from ATACM missiles - US army general

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:50 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine would benefit from the U.S. provision of ATACM long-range missiles, President Joe Bidens nominee to become the Armys chief of staff, General Randy George, told a Senate committee on Wednesday.

The ATACMS obviously are great. That missile is a great system, adds range. So thats basically what it would be providing is the ability to attack deeper targets, George, currently the Armys vice chief of staff, said at his confirmation hearing.

Asked if they would be helpful to Ukraine, George responded: Yes. He stopped short of saying whether he would recommend sending them if confirmed for the job.

Kyiv has long sought the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, arguing the missiles would help it strike Russian invasion forces far behind the front lines.

But ATACMs are limited in supply and have not been among the weapons systems that the Pentagon has suggested are nearing approval for delivery - even as it approves other weapons, like cluster bombs and Abrams tanks, for Ukraine.

The Pentagon said on June 29 that it did not expect any imminent decision to send ATACMs to Ukraine.

Washington has committed more than $41.3 billion in military assistance to Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbour on 24 February 2022.

Biden vows NATO unity in face of Putin's 'craven lust' for power in Ukraine

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:40 , Eleanor Noyce

President Joe Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of having a craven lust for land and power on Wednesday and pledged that the U.S.-led NATO alliance would not falter in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Speaking in Lithuania at the end of a two-day meeting of NATO leaders on Russias doorstep, Biden praised the people of the formerly Soviet-occupied country and heralded the addition of Finland to the alliance and the admission soon of its neighbour Sweden.

Biden, who has made unifying NATO one of his top foreign policy priorities, said Putin had badly underestimated the resolve of the military alliance.

NATO is stronger, more energized and yes, more united than ever in its history. Indeed, more vital to our shared future. It didnt happen by accident. It wasnt inevitable, Biden said to thousands of people at Vilnius University, many of them cheering him on with Lithuanian and American flags.

When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart. He thought NATO would break. He thought our unity would shatter at the first testing. He thought democratic leaders would be weak. But he thought wrong.

Bidens speech aimed to rally allies and showcase his role on the world stage ahead of a 2024 re-election campaign focused on healing divisions at home and abroad.

Despite the positive message, U.S. officials privately struggled with their counterparts in Vilnius to forge a consensus on where the war was headed, how to bring it to a close and what assurances to give Ukraine about its future in the Atlantic military alliance, according to four NATO diplomats involved in those conversations.

Ukraine, seeking an invitation to join NATO or at least a specific timetable for accession, received neither. NATO allies, instead, agreed that Ukraine would join eventually, when allies agree and conditions are met, their statement said but offered no details on when, if ever, Kyiv would meet such conditions.

Before leaving the United States to attend the summit, Biden bypassed allies concerns about approving cluster munitions for Ukraine to battle Russia.

Suspect arrested in killing of a former Russian submarine captain who reportedly attacked Ukraine

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:28 , Eleanor Noyce

A 64-year-old man has been arrested in southern Russia for the shooting death of a former submarine commander who is alleged by some in Ukraine to have killed more than 20 civilians in a long-range missile strike last year.

Sergei Denisenko was detained on suspicion of shooting former 2nd Capt. Stanislav Rzhitsky, reportedly during a morning jog in the city of Krasnodar on July 10.

Denisenko was found in possession of a pistol and silencer, officials said. Some Russian media outlets identified him as a native of Sumy, a city in Ukraine.

Read more:

Suspect arrested in killing of a former Russian submarine captain who reportedly attacked Ukraine

Zelensky fires back at Wallace: Maybe the minister wants something special

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:00 , Eleanor Noyce

President Volodymyr Zelensky  told about Ben Wallaces remarks about Amazon and wanting to see gratitude  fired back by saying he didnt know what [Mr Wallace] meant and asked whether he wants something special.

I believe we were always grateful to the United Kingdom, Mr Zelensky told a press conference. We were always grateful to prime ministers and to the minister for defence, because the people in the United Kingdom have always supportive  we are grateful for this.

I didnt know what he meant and how else we should be grateful, he added. We could get up in the morning and express our gratitude personally to the minister  Maybe the minister wants something special, but I think we have wonderful relations [with the UK].

Russian spy chief says he spoke to CIA boss about 'what to do with Ukraine'

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:55 , Eleanor Noyce

Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin said on Wednesday that he and CIA counterpart William Burns had discussed what to do with Ukraine in a phone call late last month, Russias TASS news agency said.

The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported on 30 June that Burns had called Naryshkin to assure the Kremlin that the United States had no role in a brief mutiny a week earlier by Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner fighters.

Naryshkin confirmed that Burns had raised the events of 24 June, when the mercenaries took control of a southern Russian city and advanced towards Moscow before reaching a deal with the Kremlin to end the revolt.

But he said that for most of the call, lasting about an hour, we considered and discussed what to do with Ukraine.

No comment was immediately available from the CIA.

Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022, says other countries should not negotiate its future on its behalf, and the United States has repeatedly backed this principle, described as nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.

Burns and Naryshkin have maintained a line of communication since the start of the Ukraine war at a time when other direct contacts between Moscow and Washington are at a minimum, with relations at their lowest point since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.

UN chief sends Putin proposal to keep Black Sea grain deal alive

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:45 , Eleanor Noyce

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent Russian President Vladimir Putin a letter on Tuesday proposing a way forward to further facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports and ensure the continued Black Sea shipments of Ukrainian grain.

The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by the Russian Federation, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Wednesday.

A deal allowing the safe Black Sea exports of grain and fertilisers from Ukraine is due to expire on Monday.

Ukraines greatest weapon isnt on the battlefield

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:23 , Eleanor Noyce

In welcoming fresh pledges of more weapons, ammunition and the long-term security commitments made by members of the G7, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared  at least publicly  a happier figure on the second day of Natos summit in Lithuania than he did on the first.

On Tuesday, he had angrily denounced the absurd delays to his nation being given a timetable for the Nato membership it craves and then was left frustrated when the communique from the alliance that Kyiv could join when allies agree and conditions are met  without laying out what those conditions were.

My colleague Chris Stevenson reports:

Ukraines greatest weapon isnt on the battlefield

Article 5: NATO's common defense pledge that stands in the way of Ukraine's admission while at war

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:16 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may have gotten support and vague assurances from NATO leaders in Vilnius this week, but he ultimately returns home without a clear commitment that his country will be joining the club any time soon.

Instead, the alliance leaders said they were removing obstacles on Ukraines membership path so that it can join more quickly once the war with Russia is over.

For many, that argument gives Russias president a pretext to prolong the war, which President Vladimir Putin ostensibly launched to keep Ukraine from joining NATO.

Read more:

Article 5: NATO's common defense pledge that stands in the way of Ukraine's admission while at war

Live: Zelensky speaks after Nato summit in Vilnius concludes with declaration of support for Ukraine

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:42 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is speaking after the Nato summit in Vilnius concluded with an overwhelming declaration of support for Ukraine.

Watch live:

Erdogan says Russia changed stance on Azovstal commanders' release

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:40 , Eleanor Noyce

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Russia had changed its stance on the release of former commanders of Ukraines garrison in Mariupol after an initial negative statement on the issue.

First, there were some statements from Russia but afterwards when they learned about some circumstances, the situation entered a positive track, Erdogan said at a press conference in Vilnius.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Kremlin: Putin has no plans to speak to Erdogan yet - TASS

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:35 , Eleanor Noyce

Russian President Vladimir Putin currently has no plans to speak to his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan, Russias TASS news agency reported on Wednesday, citing the Kremlin spokesman.

Earlier, Erdogan, speaking at a news conference after a NATO summit in Vilnius, said Turkey could act as mediator between Moscow and Kyiv to reach a deal to end the fighting in Ukraine if the two parties made such a proposition.

Erdogan said last weekend that he had invited Putin to visit Turkey in August.

(via REUTERS)

Russian defence ministry says Wagner is completing handover of its weapons

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:30 , Eleanor Noyce

The Wagner mercenary group is completing its handover of weapons to Russias regular armed forces, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday, more than two weeks after the group staged a brief armed mutiny.

The ministry said Wagner had handed over more than 2,000 pieces of equipment, including tanks and rockets, and more than 2,500 tonnes of ammunition.

The handover follows a deal with the Kremlin under which Wagner and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin called off their short-lived mutiny last month.

The Wagner fighters, who took part in some of the heaviest fighting of the war in Ukraine, were given the option of joining Prigozhin in exile in Belarus, joining Russias regular armed forces or going home.

During the June 23-24 mutiny, the mercenaries took control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and shot down an unspecified number of military helicopters, killing their pilots, as they advanced towards Moscow.

Prigozhin said his mens actions were intended as a protest against what he called the corruption and incompetence of Russias military leadership in its handling of the Ukraine war.

The mutiny is widely perceived as having posed the most serious challenge to President Vladimir Putin since he assumed Russias presidency on the last day of 1999.

It was defused in a deal brokered by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Under that deal, which the Kremlin said was struck to avert bloodshed, a criminal case against Prigozhin and his fighters was dropped.

UK defence minister likens Russian military chiefs to Laurel and Hardy comedy duo

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:16 , Eleanor Noyce

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace on Wednesday compared two of Russias top military leaders to the slapstick comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.

Speaking to reporters at a NATO summit in Vilnius, Wallace made the comparison to the bumbling, bowler-hatted comedians of the 1920s to 1950s when describing Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff of Russias armed forces.

Wallace noted that the pair remained in charge of Russias faltering war in Ukraine while Sergei Surovikin, one of Russias most prominent generals, had vanished from public view since a mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group last month.

Anyone seen Surovikin recently? One of their best generals has disappeared for now, Wallace said. And theyve kept Laurel and Hardy in charge of the campaign. You know, youve got Gerasimov and Shoigu there.

Critics in the West and even inside Russia say Russian invasion forces in Ukraine have been naive, poorly equipped, slow to react, and dogged by muddled command structures.

But Russian President Vladimir Putin has kept both men in their posts.

Thats good news for Ukraine. Thats who you want in charge, Wallace said.

Ben Wallace, left, speaks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a NATO summit in Vilnius (AP)

Erdogan says Turkey could mediate between Russia and Ukraine if they propose it

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:11 , Eleanor Noyce

Turkey could act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine to reach a deal to end the war if the two parties make such a proposition, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.

Erdogan was speaking at a news conference after a NATO summit in Vilnius.

(Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Ben Wallace accused of scolding Ukraine over demands for weapons: Were not Amazon

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:05 , Eleanor Noyce

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has been accused of scolding the Ukrainians after revealing that he told them Britain was not retail giant Amazon when presented with a list of weapons demands.

In a summit that has revealed cracks between Western leaders and Kyiv, Mr Wallace also said he had advised Ukraine that the international community wanted to see gratitude for its support in the war with Russia.

Asked about the row, Rishi Sunak appeared to try to distance himself from the comments, saying the Ukrainian President Zelensky had repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

Kate Devlin reports:

Ben Wallace accused of scolding Ukraine over weapons demands: Were not Amazon

Nato in numbers: Which members have the biggest armies and how has the military alliance grown?

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), which is currently holding its latest summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, is a political and military alliance of North American and European countries forged in the aftermath of the Second World War  in the hope of avoiding future hostilities between nations.

It sought to achieve this through the realisation of three specific goals: deterring Soviet expansionism, preventing the revival of militant nationalism and encouraging European political integration.

Joe Sommerlad reports:

Which Nato members have the biggest armies and how has the military alliance grown?

Macron: G7 declaration on security framework for Ukraine shows long-term support

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:55 , Eleanor Noyce

The G7s declaration on a security framework for Ukraine shows its long-term support for Ukraine, said French President Emmanuel Macron at a NATO summit on Wednesday.

Macron added that he hoped Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan would quickly ratify Swedens entry to NATO.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Russian defence ministry says Wagner is completing handover of its weapons - state media

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:48 , Eleanor Noyce

Russias Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that the Wagner mercenary group that staged a brief armed mutiny last month was completing the handover of its weapons, state news agencies reported.

Ukraine would benefit from ATACM missiles, Army general says

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:45 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine would benefit from the U.S. provision of ATACM long-range missiles, President Joe Bidens nominee to become the Armys top general, General Randy George, told a Senate committee on Wednesday.

The ATACMS are obviously are great. That missile is a great system, adds range. So thats basically what it would be providing is the ability to attack deeper targets, George, the Armys vice chief of staff, said at his confirmation hearing to become chief of staff.

Asked if they would be helpful to Ukraine, George responded: Yes.

Kyiv has long sought the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, arguing the missiles would help them strike Russian forces far behind the front lines.

Decisions made at summit bring Ukraine closer to NATO, says Polish president

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:35 , Eleanor Noyce

A range of decisions were made on Ukraine during a summit in Vilnius that bring it closer to NATO, Polands president said on Wednesday, adding that there was no comparison between what had been decided regarding Ukraine in at a 2008 summit and now.

The bar was set high...we raised this Ukrainian expectation that a formal invitation to an alliance be issued for Ukraine, Andrzej Duda told a news conference. Such a far-reaching decision has not been made, but a whole series of decisions have been made regarding Ukraine, undoubtedly bringing Ukraine closer to NATO.

(AFP via Getty Images)

One killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine as Zelensky talks to NATO

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:32 , Eleanor Noyce

Russia launched a drone strike on Kyiv early on Wednesday, and an old man was killed in Russian shelling in southern Ukraine as President Volodymyr Zelensky met NATO leaders in Lithuania, Ukrainian officials said.

There were no deaths in the second attack on the capital in successive days. But an 81-year-old man was killed and his 82-year-old wife wounded in shelling of the southern city of Kherson, Kherson region governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

Eighteen people, including six children, were also wounded in a Russian attack on a residential area in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia at about 1:00 p.m. (1000 GMT), Zaporizhzhia region governor Yuriy Malashko said.

The Russian shelling and heavy fighting did not stop as Zelensky was meeting NATO leaders to discuss security threats posed by Moscow, which denounced the Western military alliances summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.

Ukraine shot down 11 out of 15 Iranian-made Shahed drones fired by Russia overnight, and two people were hurt in a fire caused by the attack on Kyiv, officials said.

A difficult night ... The enemy attacked our area with Shaheds, Ihor Taburets, the military head of the Cherkasy region southeast of Kyiv, said on the Telegram messaging app.

Ukraines military said on Wednesday morning Russian forces had carried out 65 air strikes and fired at least 71 times from heavy weapon rocket systems at Ukrainian troop positions and populated areas along frontlines in the previous 24 hours.

On Tuesday, Russia drones also attacked Kyiv and the southern port of Odesa, and Kherson came under artillery fire.

In the latest fighting, a Ukrainian military spokesperson reported some success near the Russian-occupied eastern city of Bakhmut but gave few details as Kyivs troops pressed on with a counteroffensive launched early last month.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports and denies deliberately targeting civilians. Russias TASS news agency cited military groupings as saying they had repelled several Ukrainian attacks in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine over the past day.

Russia to put destroyed NATO equipment on show near Western embassies

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:30 , Eleanor Noyce

Russia plans to display NATO equipment it has destroyed in Ukraine outside the embassies of Western countries that supplied it, parliamentary speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said on Wednesday.

The proposal to install burned equipment next to the embassies of those countries that send it to Ukraine is especially interesting, said Volodin, who issued orders for such a display to be organised.

Russian officials have repeatedly criticised Western countries for supplying weapons to Ukraine, arguing they risk prolonging the conflict and causing further escalation.

Ukraine has asked for the weapons to defend itself and recapture Ukrainian territory occupied by Russian forces since Moscows full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been meeting with leaders from the 31-member NATO alliance this week in a bid to secure long-term security commitments.

The only person who is responsible for this conflict is President Putin, Sunak says

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:25 , Eleanor Noyce

Rishi Sunak rejected any suggestion that the security package agreed at the Nato summit could in fact raise tensions with Russia.

Mr Sunak told the press conference: The only person who is responsible for this conflict is President (Vladimir) Putin.

President Putin has engaged in an unprovoked and illegal invasion of another country, violating their territorial integrity and sovereignty.

He added: We are going to continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes to end the suffering and make sure that they can have their sovereignty and freedom back.

UK at forefront of efforts to support Ukraine - Sunak

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:21 , Eleanor Noyce

At the Nato summit in Vilnius, Rishi Sunak said the UK had been at the forefront of efforts to support Ukraine.

Weve led the way on Ukraine, moving first on tanks and long-range missiles, training their troops for the counter-offensive and, just today, Ive announced that we are providing more ammunition, 70 more combat vehicles as well as a new rehabilitation centre for injured Ukrainian veterans, he said.

In response to Ben Wallaces suggestion that Volodymyr Zelensky should show more gratitude for the support, the Prime Minister said the Ukrainian president had done so repeatedly.

President Zelensky has expressed his gratitude for what we have done on a number of occasions, not least in his incredibly moving address that he made to Parliament earlier this year and he has done so again to me, as he has done countless times when I have met him.

So I know that he and his people are incredibly grateful for the support we have shown, the welcome that we have provided to many Ukrainian families, but also the leadership we have shown throughout this conflict.

But Mr Sunak acknowledged people across Ukraine are fighting for their lives and freedom every single day and paying a terrible price for it so he understood Mr Zelenskys desire to do everything he can to protect his people.
Ukraine has maintained a small bridgehead across the Dnipro River despite coming under heavy Russian fire.

Ukraine continues to maintain a small bridgehead on the Russian-occupied side of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast, but it is under heavy fire, according to Kremlin-connected milbloggers.

Ukrainian formations continue to supply the groups that landed in the Antonovsky Bridge area with the help of high-speed boats, the Rybar Telegram channel said Wednesday. They are covered by artillery operating from the area of Kherson and Sadovy.

Those troops are dug in and not advancing, according to Rybar. However, heavy Ukrainian artillery fire from across the river is also preventing Russian troops from advancing as well.

https://twitter.com/narrative_hole/status/1678854559958020097 https://twitter.com/Roberto05246129/status/1678787627892211712

https://twitter.com/rybar_force/status/1678859136878911491

The situation near the bridge backs a trend we've been seeing for weeks now as Ukraine tries to maintain the bridgehead. Its forces trying to resupply its troops there by boat have come under fire while Russian troops attempting to advance toward the river have also been attacked and pushed back.

https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1677319605511921665 https://twitter.com/parrot_soldier/status/1676899422146371584 https://twitter.com/beverley_kyle/status/1679225700421705728

Whether Ukraine is shaping the battlefield for a future attack or just trying to pin down Russian troops to keep them from supporting the defense of the ongoing counteroffensive remains unclear at the moment.

As we noted back in January, any large-scale attempt to cross the Dnipro is a huge challenge.

A major Ukrainian river crossing, using pontoon bridges, is impossible right now due to the ongoing Russian shelling, a Ukrainian military advisor told us at the time. The Russians, you might remember, came under tremendous fire trying to get across the river during their retreat back in the fall.

Do you want to be the driver of a tank crossing a huge river on a temporary bridge on barges? the Ukrainian military advisor asked rhetorically. Everything is shaking. The Russians are trying to shoot you with artillery. And how fast can you get one brigade from the right bank to the left bank over a temporary bridge? Its impossible.

Given that Russia still has a good degree of fire control over the river, and loitering munitions, First Person Video (FPV) drones and surface-to-surface missiles, it is unlikely the calculus expressed in January has changed much.

But this is still something to keep an eye on as the counteroffensive progresses and we will provide updates when warranted.

Before we head into the latest updates from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here.

The Latest

The donations to Kyiv announced during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania continued Wednesday. In addition to an undisclosed number of SCALP-EG air-launched, conventionally armed cruise missiles promised by France and Patriot launchers and other equipment promised by Germany we told you about yesterday, Ukraine is set to receive the following aid:

30 Bushmaster armored vehicles from Australia, worth A$100 million ($67 million) according to Reuters.

More than 70 combat and logistic vehicles, thousands of rounds of ammunition for Challenger 2 tanks, and a 50 million pound ($65 million) support package for equipment repair. Britain will also launch a project through NATO to establish a medical rehabilitation center for Ukrainian soldiers, according to Reuters..

Norway will transfer an additional 1,000 Black Hornet drones to Ukraine for reconnaissance, according to the Eurointegration news site. Norway also donated a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missiles Systems, or NASAMS support package containing two additional fire control centers, two launch units and spare parts to ensure endurance, redundancy and flexibility to already donated air defense systems, according to the Norwegian Defense Ministry.

Ukraine and Sweden signed an agreement on cooperation in defense procurement, Ukraines Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in a Tweet. This document provides great opportunities both for our Armed Forces and for Swedish companies like SAAB and others.

https://twitter.com/oleksiireznikov/status/1679044310845607936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1679044310845607936%7Ctwgr%5Edc66f78f9bff244868540c7f1301cbc801376004%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eurointegration.com.ua%2Fnews%2F2023%2F07%2F12%2F7165593%2F

The Netherlands also gave Ukraine a badly needed mobile hospital.

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1679033387095400448

Also meeting in Vilnius, the G-7 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K and the U.S) released a joint statement of support for Ukraine, promoting the following:

Security assistance and modern military equipment, across land, air, and sea domains  prioritizing air defense, artillery and long-range fires, armored vehicles, and other key capabilities, such as combat air, and by promoting increased interoperability with Euro-Atlantic partners;

Support to further develop Ukraines defense industrial base;

Training and training exercises for Ukrainian forces;

Intelligence sharing and cooperation;

Support for cyber defense, security, and resilience initiatives, including to address hybrid threats.

Zelensky also met with U.S. President Joe Biden and thanked him America's generosity.

https://twitter.com/zelenskyyua/status/1679152050876080128?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

In an interview with ABC news, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan did not rule out the U.S. providing "longer-range missiles."

"...with respect to the long range missiles you're referring to, President Biden will continue to discuss that issue with President Zelensky today," Sullivan said. "He has said he has been looking at it and he continues to do."

Though no particular system was mentioned, Zelensky has long sought U.S.-produced Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles, which can hit targets at about 200 miles away.

https://twitter.com/kyivpost/status/1679127184726687744?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Asked by a reporter when Ukraine might get ATACMS, Zelensky, the former comedian, showed he hasn't lost his chops or timing after more than 500 days of being under constant Russian attack.

After the question, he gave a sly smile, adjusted the microphones in a pause for effect, then delivered his answer like a punchline.

"I don't know," he said with a grin.

https://twitter.com/OstapYarysh/status/1679162283790835712?s=20

As he was boarding Air Force One, Biden was asked if sending ATACMS to Ukraine was something he is considering.

Yes, but they already have the equivalent of ATACMS now, said Biden, without offering specifics. What we need most of all is artillery shells, and they're in short supply. We're working on that.

Zelensky seemed very satisfied with everything we're doing, when we left, Biden said.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace dished out some caustic quips, taking aim at both Ukraine and Russia.

He likened the generals leading Russias war effort  Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Gen. Valery V. Gerasimov to Laurel and Hardy, according to The New York Times.

He also chided Ukrainian leaders for constant demand for aid, suggesting they show more appreciation for the tens of billions in arms and training already provided.

There is a slight word of caution here, which is, whether we like it or not people want to see gratitude. You know, were not Amazon, Wallace said, according to the Times, adding that Britain has given Ukraine so many mine-clearing vehicles that I think theres none left.

https://twitter.com/shashj/status/1679082954390138880

The Russian general reported to have had advanced knowledge of Wagner Private Military Company boss Yevgeny Prigozin's mutiny last month has not been seen in public since it was called off. Though there has been speculation that Gen. Sergei Surovikin, head of the Russian Aerospace Forces, was detained, one Russian member of parliament said that Surovikin was "resting now" and "not available."

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1679126660942102528?s=20

Modern Leopard 2 tanks will be repaired in Germany, not Poland, after negotiations between the two countries broke down, Reuters reported.

Leopard 2A5 and Leopard 2A6 tanks will be repaired in Germany and likely in Lithuania, said a German defense ministry spokesperson.

Berlin and Warsaw had aimed to establish a joint maintenance hub in Poland to reduce the distance the tanks have to be shipped, but the talks dragged on for months amid accusations the prices demanded for the repairs in Poland were far higher than the usual rates.

Berlin has supplied around 20 Leopard 2A6 tanks to Kyiv, while Poland delivered the older Leopard 2A4 tanks.

https://twitter.com/noelreports/status/1679093133521330179?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Speaking of tanks, the Swedish-donated Stridsvagn 122 main battle tanks, a variant of the Leopard 2 tanks, have appeared in Ukraine. Sweden announced it was donating 10 in February.

https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1679212149627842579?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Irked by the massive amount of weaponry being provided to Kyiv, Russia plans to display NATO equipment it has destroyed in Ukraine outside the embassies of Western countries that supplied it, a top Russian official said Wednesday according to Reuters.

https://twitter.com/Apex_WW/status/1679135968845086720?s=20

"The proposal to install burned equipment next to the embassies of those countries that send it to Ukraine is especially interesting," said parliamentary speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, who issued orders for such a display to be organized.

Another Russian T-90 tank was damaged, this time near Bakhmut by drones - one a kamikaze, the other dropping a thermobaric grenade.

https://twitter.com/Feher_Junior/status/1679141262207733763?s=20

The crew of this Ukrainian Panzerhaubitze 2000 155mm self-propelled howitzer shows off its rapid-fire skills.

https://twitter.com/region776/status/1679138065707573248?s=20

Ukrainian artillery troops from the 77th Separate Aeromobile Brigade are seen working on Russian positions.

https://twitter.com/region776/status/1679136538339278854?s=20

This Russian unit looks like it is right out of Hollywood casting for a war movie.

https://twitter.com/narrative_hole/status/1679126129007894533?s=20

Illustrators in Ukraine had a little fun with AI-generated artwork. See any familiar baby faces?

https://twitter.com/KyivPost/status/1679200801590243341?s=20

And finally, while it's been a while since we've seen the infamous trench beaver, a family of the dam-building critters were recently spotted on the Dnipro River in central Kyiv. A bucolic alternative to the horrors of war.

https://twitter.com/jimmysecuk/status/1679219430247522305?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

That's it for now. We'll update this story when there's more news to report about Ukraine.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Ivan Popov

The Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) continues to see unrest among its commanders as its war in Ukraine drags on with increasing casualties and equipment losses.

In what may be the latest challenge to Russia's top military leadership, Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, former commander of Russia's 58th Army, announced that he's been fired for criticizing the course of the war. In a recording published late Wednesday on the Telegram channel of Russian legislator Andrei Gurulev, Popov said he was fired a day after calling out Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's handling of the so-called special military operation. Popov was the commander of troops in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where Ukrainian forces have been making slow advances during their counteroffensive.

"As many regiment and division commanders have said today, the Ukrainian Armed Forces failed to breach us on the frontline, but instead we have been struck from the rear by our own senior commander (Shoigu) treacherously and despicably," according to a translation by the Winds of Change Research Group. "Defanging the army at the most difficult and tense moment."

https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1679270090624352256?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Popov complained about "the absence of counter-battery warfare, absence of artillery reconnaissance stations, and massive sheep's death of our brethren from the enemy's artillery."

Perhaps even more ominous for Moscow, Popov added that he remains in touch with "all soldiers, sergeants and officers of the Army."

The criticisms leveled by Popov echo Wagner Private Military Company boss Yevegeny Prigozhin's constant rants against Shoigu and Army Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov that ultimately led him on his aborted mutiny last month.

Speaking of Prigozhin, the Pentagon said Thursday Wagner's forces are not playing any significant role in Ukraine.

Broadly speaking, at this stage, we do not see Wagner forces participating in any significant capacity in support of combat operations in Ukraine, the Pentagons top spokesman told reporters, including from The War Zone, Thursday. The majority of those forces, we assess, are still in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, but really effectively are no longer contributing as a significant combat capability. Obviously, something we'll continue to keep our eyes on. But that's kind of where things stand right now.

Of course, given that Wagner turned in thousands of weapons and more than 2,500 tons of ammunition to the Russian Defense Ministry as we reported yesterday, it's unclear what level of major independent combat power Wagner has left. You can read more about that in our story here.

https://twitter.com/maxseddon/status/1679157016206376960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1679157016206376960%7Ctwgr%5E1a1188ed137482c06007722a8bc7fc15fb759554%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Fwagner-turns-over-2000-heavy-weapons-including-tanks-sam-systems

Meanwhile, as we reported yesterday, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, the commander of Russia's Aerospace Forces accused of being aware of Prigozhin's plans ahead of time, remains out of sight.

While his status remains unclear, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that he was one of "at least 13 senior officers were detained for questioning, with some later released, and around 15 suspended from duty or fired" in the wake of Prigozhin's putative putsch.

https://twitter.com/IuliiaMendel/status/1679504468243628032

How this military leadership shakeup affects Russia's war efforts, and what actions Popov takes in the future remain to be seen. But they are issues that we will be keeping a close watch on. We will provide more details when they emerge.

Before we head into the latest updates from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here.

The Latest

Overnight Thursday, Russia attacked Ukraine with 20 Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 attack drones from Kursk in the northeast and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in the southeastern, the Ukrainian Air Force reported Thursday on its Telegram channel.

All 20 drones were shot down, mostly in the Kyiv region, the Ukrainian Air Force claimed.

Russia also fired two Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles from the Black Sea, which were destroyed, and one Iskander-M ballistic missile from the Dzhankoy air base in occupied Crimea, the Ukrainian Air Force added.

The battle damage assessment from the Iskander missile was still being determined.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed it "launched a long-range sea-based high-precision weapons strike against AFU ammunition depots. The goal of the attack has been reached. All the assigned targets have been neutralized."

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1679558540208250887

On Tuesday, we told you that the deputy commander of the Southern Military District, Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov, was killed, reportedly by a Storm Shadow cruise missile strike in Berdiansk, according to a Russian Telegram channel.

Today, Ukrainian media, citing military officials, is reporting that the bodies of Russian soldiers were taken out by trucks from the destroyed Duna Hotel last night.

"As a result of the strike on Duna Hotel in the temporarily occupied Berdiansk, the active removal of bodies of Russian servicemen by trucks to the local morgue was observed during the night," Andrii Kovalov, spokesperson for the General Staff of the Armed Forces, claimed during the national joint 24/7 newscast, according to Ukrainian Pravda.

https://twitter.com/pravda_eng/status/1679422916868608002?s=20

Less than a week after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Snake Island to commemorate the 500th day of Russia's all-out war, the Russians are said to have bombed the small Black Sea rock.

"At dawn, the enemy attacked [Snake Island] with a high-explosive bomb, using tactical aircraft," Ukraine's Operational Command South reported Thursday on its Facebook page.

With no permanent Ukrainian military presence on the island, it is unclear why Russia bombed it.

We have examined low resolution satellite imagery from July 13th as well as checked FIRMS for infrared events on the island in the last 24 hours and could not see anything unusual, although that does not definately mean a strike did not occur.

You can read more about the history and significance of the island in our story here.

https://twitter.com/KyivPost/status/1679462150798974977

Its expected that the U.K. Defense Ministry next week will lay out what the military will look like in the future in a new review aimed at reshaping the armed forces, Defense News reported Thursday. The war in Ukraine and the United Kingdom's support of Kyiv's cause are going to factor heavily into review.

Among other things, the review will include looking at ways to tackle weapon stockpile shortages, according to James Heappey, minister of the armed forces, the publication reported.

Stockpiles are to get you through the first phase of a war. Nobody has made any secret of the fact the stockpiles we hold are insufficient. Maybe there is an announcement about stockpiles in in the [Command] paper next week, Heappey told the audience at the Global Air & Space Chiefs conference in London on July 13.

Londons support of Ukraine with substantial supplies of missiles, ammunition and other weapons since the war started last year has exposed shortages.

The U.K. sent 100,000 unspecified artillery rounds to Ukraine in 2022, plus more than 300,000 so far this year.

https://twitter.com/defense_news/status/1679586006394175493?s=20

The German military has increased its order with Rheinmetall for 120mm tank ammunition - the type used by Leopard 2 tanks - to 4 billion ($4.48 billion), the German arms maker announced Thursday.

That could result in "hundreds of thousands" of such rounds being procured, the company said in a release. The order underscores Rheinmetall's role as a major supplier of 120mm tank ammunition to the German armed forces, according to Rheinmetall. It also reflects the German militarys commitment to rebuilding its capabilities and increasing its ammunition stocks due to the new security situation. The framework agreement also encompasses a significant amount of tank ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces.

The German military has agreed to spend nearly $4.5 billion on 120mm tank ammunition, the type used in Leopard 2 tanks. (Rheinmetall photo)

More video has emerged of a Caesar 155mm self-propelled howitzer in action on the frontline. In he case of this video, it was one provided by Denmark.

https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1679428060582387713?s=20

Sometimes in war, you have to trade protection for mobility and speed. Such is the case with this battle uiggy in use with the Azov Brigade.

https://twitter.com/region776/status/1679423850814246912?s=20

The war in Ukraine continues to be a military memorabilia lover's dream come true. Mobilized troops have been supplied by the Russian Defense Ministry with a host of weapons that would make most collectors smile, like these PPS submachine guns, PPSh-41s, SKS Karabins and other guns that debuted during WWII.

https://twitter.com/NOELreports/status/1679427187097624578?s=20

In Russia, the problems associated with the mobilization of troops is seemingly ongoing.

A mass fight among contract soldiers broke out in a military camp near Moscow, which you can see in this video below.

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1679550274623381517

In an effort in part to help Ukrainian veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has approved the draft law on legalizing medical cannabis, the Kyiv Independent reported Thursday, citing lawmaker Iryna Herashchenko.

The draft law proposes to license the economic activity of cultivating hemp for medical, industrial, and scientific purposes. It aims to help Ukrainian war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, people with cancer, and other serious diseases to get pain relief and reduce other symptoms, the publication reported.

According to the bill, cannabis circulation would be under strict control of the state, and only people with a doctor's prescription could buy cannabis-based drugs.

To become law, it has to be adopted in the second reading (possibly after undergoing some changes) and then signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1679459430893596672

One of Europes most iconic statues is about to get a big-time makeover.

The State Inspectorate of Architecture and Urban Planning of Ukraine announced on its Facebook page that it issued a permit Thursday to repair the shield of the Motherland-Mother monument in Kyiv.

The repair work will consist of replacing the existing Soviet coat of arms with the Ukrainian trident on the monuments shield.

Work on the monument, constructed in 1981, is expected to start in the near future, the directorate said.

https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1679453330618175488?s=20

And finally, sometimes soldiering is harder than it should be. As you can see in this video, a Russian soldier had a problem trying to figure out which way to put a mortar round in the tube.

https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1679586572960669697?s=20

That's it for now. We'll update this story when there's more news to report about Ukraine.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Ukraines top diplomat calls out Russian spin about F-16s being nuclear threat

Dmytro Kuleba

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has responded to Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov's statements that the provision of F-16s to Ukraine is a "nuclear threat" to Russia in a Twitter post shared on July 13.

The top diplomat pointed out that the only threat to Russia is the Ukrainian soldier.

"This is whom Putin & co should be most afraid of," Kuleba said.

Kuleba said that Ukraine will receive F-16s on schedule, and "Russia will swallow it despite Lavrovs sabre-rattling."

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Russian media that Russia would consider the transfer of F-16 fighters to Ukraine as a "threat in the nuclear sphere."

Training and provision of F-16 fighters to Ukraine  What is known NATO

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Ukraine's allies would individually determine when to start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.

At the NATO summit in Vilnius, Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov signed a memorandum with 11 colleagues to create a coalition to train F-16 pilots. There is also a possibility of including other types of fighters in the program, not just F-16s.

In addition to Ukraine, the coalition includes: the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Sweden.

On May 19, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that his country, the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark had agreed to participate in training Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter jets.

Romania announced on July 6 that it was opening a regional training center for F-16 fighter pilots, which will be available to its allies and NATO partners, including Ukraine.

At the same time, the fighter jets will be supplied on the condition that Ukraine does not use them to strike Russian territory.

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said on July 12 at the NATO public forum that training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 could take about 6-8 months.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that F-16 fighters could appear in Ukraine in the first quarter of 2024.

He also confirmed that training for Ukrainian pilots should begin in August or early September.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukraine war latest: Biden says Putin wont use nukes; US cluster munitions already in Ukraine

Key developments on July 13:

Ukraine receives cluster munitions from US, says commander

Biden: No real prospect of Putin using nukes

Ukraine confirms striking on Russian military barrack in occupied Berdiansk

EU parliament adopts plan to increase ammunition production for Ukraine

The U.S. has already delivered the cluster munitions it had pledged as part of the latest $800-million aid package to Ukraine just a week ago, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, the commander for Tavria military sector confirmed to CNN on July 13.

He hasnt specified the number of delivered cluster munitions. Cluster munitions are air-dropped or ground-launched explosive weapons that disperse multiple smaller submunitions over a wide area.

We just got them, we haven't used them yet, but they can radically change (the battlefield), Tarnavskyi said.

Cluster munitions will give the Ukrainian forces an advantage on the battlefield, forcing Russian troops to give up the territory targeted by these munitions, according to Tarnavskyi.

The U.S. President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced the new $800-million aid package, including cluster munitions, on July 7.

While Russian forces have been using munitions with the dud rate of 30-40%, the U.S.-provided cluster munitions would have the dud rate not higher than 2.5%, according to Sullivan.

Cluster munition duds can injure civilians, which caused the debate over the delivery of such weapons to Ukraine. Some NATO allies were concerned over the delivery.

Over 120 countries banned using, developing, producing, acquiring, stockpiling, or transferring cluster munitions in the 2010 convention. Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia are not signatories to the convention.

Brigadier General Tarnavskyi told CNN that Ukraines leadership would decide where to use these powerful weapons, emphasizing the restrictions on using clusters in heavily populated areas of Russian-occupied territories.

The Russians think that we will use it on all areas of the front. This is very wrong. But they are very worried, said Tarnavskyi.

In response to increasing Western military support for Ukraine, Russian officials are issuing explicit or implied nuclear threats against Kyiv and its allies.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on July 13 that there is no real prospect of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons against Ukraine or the West.

Not only the West, but China and the rest of the world have said: don't go there, Biden said in Helsinki, Finland, at a press conference taking place after the NATO summit in Vilnius.

Locals near Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant brace for potential disaster: It would be the end of us Editors note: For this story, the Kyiv Independent talked to residents who live in Russian-occupied settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. For their safety, we have changed their names. From the rooftop of his home, Anton can easily see the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear plant The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko

Ukraine confirms strike on Russian barrack in occupied city

The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces has confirmed the July 11 strike on a hotel in the occupied port city of Berdiansk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast that was used as barracks for the Russian military.

In its morning update on July 13, the military reported that Russian forces had been actively transporting the bodies of killed troops from the Dune hotel to local morgues.

Russian pro-war Telegram channels reported on July 11 that the strike on the Dune hotel killed a top Russian general, Oleg Tsokov. They claimed that a Storm Shadow long-range missile was used in the attack. The Ukrainian military didnt say what weapon was used in the attack.

The next day, a Russian lawmaker and former commander of the 58th Army Andrey Gurulev said on Russian state TV that Tsokov had been killed.

Ukraines General Staff hasnt mentioned Tsokov or any other possible targets in its report confirming the attack in Berdiansk.

Berdiansk is in southern Ukraine, in the area where Ukrainian forces are conducting its counteroffensive, launched in early June.

According to the exiled Russian media outlet, Meduza, Tsokov was deputy commander of Russia's Southern Military District.

Tsokov was reportedly injured in Ukraine in September 2022.

Russias attacks

The General Staff in its evening update on July 13 reported that Russian forces launched two Kalibr cruise missiles, an Iskander-M ballistic missile, and 20 Shakhed kamikaze drones across Ukraine over the past day.

Ukrainian forces reported downing all the Kalibr missiles and Iranian loitering munitions, according to the report. The military didnt say whether the Iskander-M missile was downed or hit a site.

Around half of the 20 drones targeted Kyiv. Although they were reportedly downed, the debris has fallen in five out of Kyivs 10 districts, injuring two civilians and damaging houses, according to Kyiv authorities.

In addition, Russian forces conducted 46 airstrikes and about 40 shelling attacks against the Ukrainian positions, as well as cities and villages, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.

The attacks were reported in Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Donetsk Oblast.

Russian forces focus their military efforts in eastern Ukraine, where 20 combat clashes were reported in the areas near Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinka.

Investigation: EU inability to ramp up production behind acute ammunition shortages in Ukraine Editors note: This investigation is a collaboration between the Kyiv Independent and partners, including The Investigative Desk, Lighthouse Reports, and Follow the Money (Netherlands), El Diario (Spain), Delfi (Estonia), and Liberation (France). Key findings: * Over a year into Russias full-sca The Kyiv IndependentAnna Myroniuk

EU parliament adopts plan to increase ammunitions production for Ukraine

The European Parliament adopted a $560-million plan on July 13 to increase ammunition and missile production for Ukraine to help the country defend itself against Russia's invasion.The Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) also aims to speed up delivery to the Ukrainian military.

ASAP is part of the EU's plan first presented early this year to deliver $2.2 billion worth of artillery rounds to Ukraine. The shipments should include both current stocks and newly produced shells.

"We delivered on the most urgent aspect of the law: ensuring the provision of more ammunition for Ukraine. It is a testimony of Europe's solidarity and for our collective security," said the leader of the parliament's negotiating team Cristian Busoi.

The legislation needs to be approved by the European Council to become law.
Vadym Prystaiko, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, has called President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's promise to thank British Defence Minister Ben Wallace for military assistance every morning "unhealthy sarcasm".

Source: Vadym Prystaiko, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, in an interview with Sky News

Quote: "I believe it was responded with a little bit of sarcasm, President Zelenskyy said that each and every morning he will wake up and call Ben Wallace to thank him I dont believe that this sarcasm is healthy."

Vadym Prystaiko says he doesn't think President Zelenskyy's "sarcasm" at the NATO summit "is healthy".



"We're not expecting anybody to fight for us, we only ask for equipment," he says. https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3



 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/p0gQI6Zcsm  Sky News (@SkyNews) July 13, 2023

Details: At the same time, Prystaiko added that Ukraine does not have to show Russia that there may be some misunderstandings between it and its partners  Russians should know that Ukraine and its partners work together.

He also said that if anything happens, "Ben can call me and tell me anything he wants".

Prystaiko also emphasised that Ukraine does not expect anybody to fight for it, but only asks for equipment.

Background:

Earlier, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace called on Ukraine to express more gratitude to its partners for military support instead of constantly making demands for unlocking new types of weapons.

When President Zelensky was asked to comment on this statement, he assured that Ukraine is very grateful to the UK and its people for their support. But he also added: "We can wake up every morning and personally thank the minister."

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13)  The Supreme Court has dismissed petitions challenging the constitutionality of several regulations on COVID-19 issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

The ruling also covers regulations issued by the local government units and some government offices with regards to the management of the health crisis.

The high court said the petitions were filed in the wrong court.

"The Court held that petitions were dismissible for violating the doctrine of hierarchy of courts as the resolution of the issues raised therein required the determination and adjudication of extremely technical and scientific facts that necessitates the conduct of a full-blown proceeding before a court of first instance," the SC said in a statement.

The consolidated petitions questioned the guidelines and resolutions issued by the national government and some localities on mandatory vaccination, implementation of face-to-face classes, and alert levels, among others.

"The petitioners collectively contended that the foregoing issuances trampled on their right to life and liberty without due process of law, constituted an impairment of their right to travel, as well as infringement of the equal protection clause for applying only to those without access to private vehicles, and is discriminatory against the unvaccinated," the SC said in a statement.

The Department of Health (DOH) welcomed the high courts dismissal and reiterated that all regulations and policies that were made during the time of the pandemic was for the common good.

At present, the DOH still continues to call on the people to get vaccinated and boosted as this remains to be our best defense against the COVID-19 virus, the agency said.

It has been proven that vaccines, along with the application of our layers of protection, have helped in our march towards the new normal as we have built a strong wall of immunity against the virus, it added.

The COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in question were issued during the last two years of former president Rodrigo Duterte's administration.

The World Health Organization declared in May that COVID-19 is no longer a global health emergency.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has relaxed health protocols in the country, including the mandatory wearing of face masks.
Ukrainian civilians imprisoned by Russia are being treated like livestock and forced to dig mass graves, report says

A Ukrainian tank during firing practice process at special shooting range near the frontline in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine on March 29, 2023. Muhammed Enes Yildirim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Ukrainian civilians imprisoned by Russia are being forced to dig mass graves, the AP reported.

They're also being forced into livestock trailers in the occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia, per AP.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has slammed NATO for not allowing it into the alliance, saying that "for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror."

Ukrainian civilians who are being held prisoner in Russian-occupied territories are being forced to dig mass graves for their fellow prisoners, The Associated Press reported.

In the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, which is located on the frontlines of Russia's military invasion, Ukrainian civilians also have to share one toilet and were forced into a livestock trailer while being held at gunpoint, the report said.

It went on to say that in one instance, a civilian who refused to dig trenches and graves on Russian officials' orders was immediately shot and that his body was placed in one of the graves.

The AP reported that as Russia continues its offensive against Ukraine, it's planning to hold possibly thousands more Ukrainians as prisoners across occupied Ukrainian territories and wants to build as many as 25 additional prisoner colonies by 2026.

The news comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes an aggressive push for Ukraine to be admitted to NATO.

"It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the Alliance," he tweeted. "This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine's membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia," Zelenskyy continued. "And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror. Uncertainty is weakness. And I will openly discuss this at the summit."

Ukrainian civilians have reported family members missing since the early months of Russia's unprovoked military invasion last year. And as of May 2022, United Nations human rights workers had found more than 200 cases of "enforced disappearance[s]" carried out mostly by Russian armed forces.

The Ukrainian government now believes Russia has detained a total of about 10,000 civilians, Oleksandr Kononeko, a prisoner exchange negotiator, told AP. The prisoners are reportedly scattered throughout Russia and Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine.

Conditions inside the facilities are squalid. Torture, including electric shock and beatings, is a regular practice, per the AP.

Olena Yahupova, a 50-year-old civilian told the AP that she was detained in Zaporizhzhia in October and was forced to dig trenches there for Russian soldiers until March.

She also was beaten and forced to provide statements to a Russian news outlet to show that Moscow was releasing Ukrainian civilians, AP reported.

"It's a business of human trafficking," Yahupova told AP. "If we don't talk about it and keep silent, then tomorrow anyone can be there  my neighbor, acquaintance, child."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukrainian defenders kill over 500 Russian soldiers in one day

Ukrainian defence forces have killed 510 invaders, and destroyed 9 armoured combat vehicles and 23 artillery systems over the past day.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces from 24 February 2022 to 13 July 2023 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses  ed.]:

approximately 236,040 (+510) military personnel;

4,092 (+2) tanks;

7,999 (+9) armoured combat vehicles;

4,425 (+23) artillery systems;

678 (+4) multiple-launch rocket systems;

421 (+6) air defence systems;

315 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft;

310 (+0) helicopters;

3,752 (+26) tactical UAVs;

1,271 (+0) cruise missiles;

18 (+0) ships/boats;

6,995 (+17) vehicles and tankers;

652 (+5) special vehicles.

The information is being confirmed.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Ukrainian defence forces shot down a Russian drone over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast late on 12 July.

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "Late in the evening, our defenders shot down an aggressor's drone in the skies over the region."

Details: Lysak said that there were no attacks on the cities and districts in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the night of 12-13 July.

Background: The Ukrainian Air Defence Forces detected and shot down about 10 Russian drones that attacked Kyiv on the night of 12-13 July.

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Serhiy Cherevatyy

Ukrainian military has achieved partial success on the Bakhmut southern flank, Lieutenant General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander of Ukraines Ground Forces, said on national television on July 13.

Our troops have had partial success on the southern flank and are holding their positions, he said.

In general, the initiative belongs to the Defense Forces.

Daily combat work continues in the region, while the Armed Forces of Ukraine are advancing to occupy the dominant heights and oust the Russians from their positions, the general added.

The Russian invaders shelled Ukrainian positions 538 times with various types of artillery and carried out two air strikes in the past day, he noted.

In addition, the enemy transferred the so-called Kadyrovites (soldiers of Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov) to the Klishchiyivka district in Donetsk Oblast.

The battles with them showed clearly that their work is gendarme and police, while they are of no value as military, he said.

At the same time, the Kadyrovites had to retreat after suffering losses, Cherevatyi added.

Read also: Ukrainian troops defeat Russian units near Bakhmut, 10 soldiers captured, platoon eliminated

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar has recently announced that the Armed Forces of Ukraine advanced toward the war-torn town of Bakhmut. Ukrainian forces are holding their positions there, she added.

On July 10, Maliar announced that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had occupied the dominant heights around Bakhmut.

Meanwhile, Cherevatyi reported that Ukrainian fighters could force the Russians to withdraw their troops from the town with the help of artillery strikes.

As of July 10, the Defense Forces liberated 24 square kilometers in the Bakhmut area amid the ongoing counter-offensive.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Nicaragua was disputing a 2012 ruling by the Hague-based ICJ (Eitan Abramovich)

The UN's top court dismissed Nicaragua's claims against Colombia Thursday in a decades-long Latin American legal battle over an oil- and fish-rich swathe of the Caribbean Sea.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said it "rejects" Nicaragua's bid to improve an earlier 2012 ruling that gave it a large chunk of the Caribbean, while awarding seven small islands to Colombia.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro hailed the "victory" in the latest instalment of a legal saga that has dragged out at the Hague-based court since 2001.

"Great victory for Colombia in The Hague," tweeted Petro, Colombia's first-ever leftist president. "The ICJ did not agree to Nicaragua's claims to expand its continental shelf.

"We hope with this ruling to close the border dispute and focus on bringing sustainable development to our archipelago."

Nicaragua, in Central America, went back to the Hague-based ICJ in 2013 to argue that its territory should extend beyond the 200 nautical miles (230 miles, 370 kilometres) from its coastline that is customary under international law.

Seeking to extend what it won in 2012, Nicaragua claimed its territory should instead follow the continental shelf that extends under the sea from its coastline.

Colombia disputed that, saying it overlaps with the area in which the archipelago of islands is located.

ICJ chief judge Joan Donoghue said the court, by a majority, "rejects the request made by the Republic of Nicaragua" to move the lines of its territory "beyond the boundary determined by the court" in 2012.

- 'Exorbitant demands' -

Nicaragua said it would "obey" the ruling as it has done before.

"My only and basic comment is that the court has spoken and Nicaragua has always listened and obeyed," its representative at the ICJ, Carlos Arguello Gomez, told journalists at the court.

"That is exactly what's happening now and that's what's going to happen."

The dispute has raised military tensions, with the ICJ in a related case ordering the Colombian navy in 2022 to stop interfering in Nicaraguan waters.

"In this dispute, maritime areas rich in biodiversity, fishing resources, scenic beauty, but also natural resources such as hydrocarbons are at stake," Nicolas Boeglin, professor of public international law at the University of Costa Rica, told AFP.

Nicaragua and Colombia share no land borders but diplomatic relations have been strained for almost a century over disputed maritime limits.

Nicaragua finally took Colombia to the court in 2001, and in 2012 it won several thousand square kilometres of territory in the Caribbean that had previously been Colombian.

A furious Colombia, which was left with only seven islets, said at the time it would no longer recognise the court's jurisdiction on border disputes.

Nicaragua then went back to the court in 2013 alleging that Colombia had carried out violations of the judgment.

The International Court of Justice was set up after World War II to rule in disputes between UN member states. Its judgments are final and cannot be appealed.

A number of Latin American states including Chile and Bolivia, Guyana and Venezuela, and Guatemala and Belize have asked the ICJ in recent years to resolve decades- or in some cases centuries-old territorial claims.

bur-sag/dk/jj
Nicaragua is disputing a 2012 ruling by the Hague-based ICJ that gave it a large chunk of the Caribbean, while awarding seven small islands to Colombia (Eitan Abramovich)

The UN's top court will give its verdict Thursday in the latest legal battle between Colombia and Nicaragua over an oil and fish-rich swathe of the Caribbean Sea.

The Latin American rivals have been fighting it out for more than two decades at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over their maritime boundaries.

Judges will hand down the ruling at the court's headquarters in The Hague at 3:00 pm (1300 GMT).

Nicaragua, in Central America, is disputing a 2012 ruling by the Hague-based ICJ that gave it a large chunk of the Caribbean, while awarding seven small islands to Colombia, in South America.

The following year Nicaragua went back to court to argue that its territory should extend beyond the 200 nautical miles (230 miles, 370 kilometres) from its coastline that is customary under international law.

Managua argues that its territory should instead follow the continental shelf that extends under the sea from its coastline.

But Colombia disputes this, saying it overlaps with the area in which the archipelago of islands is located.

The ICJ in a related case ordered the Colombian navy in 2022 to stop interfering in Nicaraguan waters.

"In this dispute, maritime areas rich in biodiversity, fishing resources, scenic beauty, but also natural resources such as hydrocarbons are at stake," Nicolas Boeglin, professor of public international law at the University of Costa Rica, told AFP.

- 'Exorbitant' demands -

The two sides exchanged barbs in court during hearings in December last year, with Colombia accusing Nicaragua of making the most "exorbitant" demands in legal history.

It said Nicaragua "did not scientifically demonstrate that it has a continental shelf" that extends beyond 200 miles.

Nicaragua meanwhile accused Colombia of threatening the "public order of the ocean".

Nicaragua and Colombia share no land borders but diplomatic relations have been strained for almost a century over disputed maritime limits.

Nicaragua finally took Colombia to the court in 2001, and in 2012 it won several thousand square kilometres of territory in the Caribbean that had previously been Colombian.

A furious Colombia, which was left with only seven islets, said at the time it would no longer recognise the court's jurisdiction on border disputes.

Nicaragua then went back to the court in 2013 alleging that Colombia had carried out violations of the judgment.

The International Court of Justice was set up after World War II to rule in disputes between UN member states. Its judgments are final and cannot be appealed.

A number of Latin American states including Chile and Bolivia, Guyana and Venezuela, and Guatemala and Belize have asked the ICJ in recent years to resolve decades, or in some cases centuries-old territorial claims.

bur-sag/dk/jhe/giv
A potential solution to the problem of Kansas Citys growing 911 hold times will take longer than officials initially expected, as its equipment manufacturer tries to develop a first-of-its-kind system.

Regional leaders decided Thursday to make a formal request to Motorola, which makes the equipment used in the metros 911 system, to research and develop a way to set up an auto-attendant in Kansas City as requested by police officials.

With Kansas City police fielding more 911 calls, the Board of Police Commissioners last month called for an emergency meeting at the Mid-America Regional Council, known as MARC, which administers the 911 system, to hash out new ways for calls to be handled.

The Kansas City Police Department currently answers all 911 calls in the city. In an effort to decrease the amount of time callers wait for dispatchers and to improve officer response times, the police board wants residents to be able to select, through an auto-attendant, if they are trying to reach police, the fire department, emergency medical services or non-emergency assistance.

Under the existing system, a caller to Kansas Citys 911 talks to a dispatcher, but may be put on hold before they can describe their emergency. That dispatcher then routes the call to the appropriate agency.

Other cities, such as St. Louis, use an auto-attendant feature on their single-host server. But Kansas Citys multi-host system is more complicated, so Motorola is trying to customize software to make an auto-attendant feature work here.

Motorola believes it has the solution, but the research and development could take months, potentially into early next year. If it works, Kansas City leaders say, it would be the first such 911 system in the country.

There are a lot of unknowns, said Hassan Al-Rubaie, MARCs 911 technical services manager. Its uncharted territory for us.

If all goes well, Al-Rubaie added, he could see Motorola marketing the technology to other 911 systems across the country.

There is no timeline for when Motorola will complete its work. It is also unclear what implementing the system might cost, though a KCPD official said it could be tens of thousands of dollars annually.

Questions among law enforcement leaders about the technology remain, such as how it will work if someone calls 911 in crisis and cant select an option on the auto-attendant.

The decision of whether to implement the changes will ultimately be made by Kansas City. A KCPD spokesperson said the department continues to explore any and all options to optimize 911 functionality and operations to best serve the community.

Wait times have been a growing issue for the Kansas City Police Department.

The average 911 hold time is now 60 seconds, though some callers  including in the case of a man severely beaten outside Arrowhead Stadium before a Luke Combs concert  have been on hold much longer.

Call takers are doing more with less: In June, KCPD fielded 23,000 more calls compared to that month last year, while each shift of the communications unit was working, almost daily, below minimum staffing requirements.

The unit is authorized to have 109 positions, but as of last month, it had 28 vacancies. Some candidates have gone to other agencies, where the pay is better than KCPDs starting hourly rate of $20.48.

Tamara Bazzle, a shift supervisor, told police board members in June that the unit was maintaining service through more than 6,000 hours of overtime for employees, former employees and independent contractors.

Mayor Quinton Lucas, a member of the police board, called the substantial amount of overtime concerning.

Before she spoke to the board, Bazzle worked a shift during which the call volume was non-stop and insane. Some employees have been burnt out in the stressful job, and supervisors are jumping in to help take calls.

With an increase in homicides and the city on pace to suffer its deadliest year yet, officers are also spending more time at the scenes of violent crimes, which decreases the number of officers available to send to other calls.
University of Idaho puts demolition of home where students were killed on hold

The University of Idaho announced Wednesday it will delay the demolition of the rental home where four students were found stabbed to death last November.

The plan to demolish the off-campus house on King Road in Moscow, Idaho, is now on pause until October, according to a statement from University of Idaho President Scott Green.

We know that every action and decision around this horrific incident is painful and invokes emotions. That is why every decision we have made this far is with the families of the victims and our students in mind, Green said in the statement.

While we look forward to removing this grim reminder of this tragedy, we feel holding until October is the right thing to do, he added.

Although a demolition date was not formally set, university spokesperson Jodi Walker previously told The Associated Press the school wanted the house gone before the start of the fall semester.

The decision to wait comes amid objections to the homes demolition from some of the victims families, who are asking it wait until the trial for suspect Bryan Kohberger ends.

Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial earlier this year. Earlier this week, a judge issued a brief stay in the case, allowing the defense more time to review grand jury materials.

The trial has been scheduled to start in early October.

Shannon Gray, a lawyer for the family of victim Kaylee Goncalves, told the Idaho Statesman earlier this month that the university is disregarding the familys request to preserve the home until the trials conclusion, adding that at least two other families are also opposed to the raze until the trial ends.

The former owner of the property donated the home to the university following the murders. The home was released by the court, with the prosecution and defense stating they arent opposed to its destruction, according to university attorney Kent Nelson.

Crews began clearing the home of personal belongings earlier this month and will be making the items available to the victims families in the coming weeks, according to the university.

We appreciate how so many have responded with empathy and patience, Green said Wednesday.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The University of Idaho president announced on Wednesday that it will pause plans to demolish the home where four students were killed in November 2022.

University of Idaho President Scott Green made the announcement in an email to all students and staff. Five people lived at the King Road residence in Moscow, Idaho, including three of the victims  Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen. Another victim, Ethan Chapin, was dating Kernodle and was staying the night on Nov. 13, 2022, when all four were allegedly killed by Bryan Kohberger.

"In response to this tragedy, we have tried to do what is right, knowing full well there are no actions or decisions that will be met with full support. This is why the decision about what to do with the King Road house is so difficult. On the one hand, some people want it taken down. It is a constant reminder of the heinous acts that went on inside it. It is also a place that continues to draw unwanted attention from media, YouTubers and others. On the other hand, it elicits deep emotional responses from those who are working through grief and who fear that its destruction could impact the court case. We hear all these arguments, take them seriously and weigh them against the greater good for our university," Green wrote in the email.

"Because of this, upon the completion of the remediation of the house, including lead and asbestos abatement, we will pause demolition. We will revisit this decision in October. There is no legal requirement for leaving the house standing  both the prosecution and defense have released any interest in the house for their cases. We still fully expect to demolish the house, which was given to the university by the former owner. But we believe leaving the house standing, for now, is the right course to take," he added.

FAMILIES OF IDAHO STUDENT MURDER VICTIMS STEP IN OVER PLAN TO DEMOLISH CRIME SCENE

Work crews are parked outside of 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. The property was slated for demolition after the landlord donated it to the University of Idaho following the Nov. 13, 2022 murders of students Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20 and Ethan Chapin, 20, inside the home.

The victims of Nov. 13 University of Idaho massacre, from left to right: Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen.

The University of Idaho previously asked for the victims families' opinion on demolishing the King Road house "and then proceeded to ignore those opinions and pursue their own self-interests," according to Shanon Gray, an attorney for Kaylee Goncalves' family.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"The home itself has enormous evidentiary value as well as being the largest, and one of the most important, pieces of evidence in the case," Gray said.

CREWS ENTER UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO STUDENTS' HOME SLATED FOR DEMOLITION AFTER QUADRUPLE STABBING MURDER

Work crews are parked outside of 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. The property was slated for demolition after the landlord donated it to the University of Idaho following the Nov. 13, 2022 murders of students Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20 and Ethan Chapin, 20, inside the home.

Work crews were seen entering and exiting the home in June.

Gray previously told Fox News Digital that "The University of Idaho is choosing to demolish the home on King Road despite the wishes of the victims' families [Goncalves Family and members of the Mogen and Kernodle Families]."

Bryan Kohberger and his alleged victims, clockwise from top left, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves.

"By waiting to demo the King Road home until after the trial would honor the families' wishes and support the judicial process if the home is needed in the future by the prosecution, defense or jurors," Gray continued. "The home itself has enormous evidentiary value as well as being the largest and one of the most important pieces of evidence in the case."

Fox News' Haley Chi-Sing contributed to this report.
The University of Idaho will hold off on tearing down the house where four college students were fatally stabbed until October, a delay the schools president described Wednesday as the right thing to do.

We know that every action and decision around this horrific incident is painful and invokes emotions, University of Idaho President Scott Green said in a statement. That is why every decision we have made this far is with the families of the victims and our students in mind.

A lawyer representing the family of victim Kaylee Goncalves criticized the planned demolition last month, saying that school officials had asked the victims families for their opinions about what to do with the home but then proceeded to ignore those opinions and pursue their own self interests.

By waiting to demo the King Rd home until after the trial would honor the families wishes and support the judicial process if the home is needed in the future by the prosecution, defense or jurors, attorney Shanon Gray said in a statement. The home itself has enormous evidentiary value as well as being the largest and one of the most important pieces of evidence in the case.

From top left, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle.

"Thank you to the University of Idaho for honoring the wishes of the families by not demoing the King Rd. house," Gray said in an email Wednesday.

The owner of the three-story, six-bedroom home, which is less than a mile from the schools flagship campus in Moscow, previously gave the house to the university after the slayings.

Crews began removing students' personal items from the home earlier this month in preparation for demolition, the school said.

"The university is working to make those items available discretely and respectfully to the families in the coming weeks," the school said Wednesday.

Ethan Chapin, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Goncalves, 21, were found dead on Nov. 13.

Bryan Kohberger during a hearing in Latah County District Court, on June 9, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. (Zach Wilkinson / The Moscow-Pullman Daily News via AP pool file)

Bryan Kohberger, 28, was arrested Dec. 30 in the killings and indicted in May on four counts of first-degree murder. Kohberger, who was pursuing a doctorate in criminal justice from a nearby university at the time of his arrest, has pleaded not guilty.

The trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 2.

Prosecutors said last month that they plan to pursue the death penalty in the case.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
London (CNN)  Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged the United States not to grow weary of Ukraines grinding battle against Russia, telling CNN that victory over Moscow is imperative.

In an interview with CNN Tonights Laura Coates as a key NATO summit concluded Wednesday, Johnson called on the US to continue its support of Ukraine, including the steady flow of weapons. He said that there could be no possible excuse to delay Ukraines NATO membership.

There can be no possible excuse or reason to keep faffing around and delaying, Johnson said, adding that it was very important to establish that Ukraine was on the path to NATO membership. The last remaining objection was that it was going to be provocative to Vladimir Putin. Well, weve seen what happens when you dont have Ukraine in NATO, you provoke the worst war in Europe in 80 years.

US President Joe Biden and G7 leaders unveiled a substantial show of support for Ukraine Wednesday at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, offering a joint declaration of support aimed at bolstering Kyivs military capability.

Biden acknowledged that the alliance did not invite Ukraine to membership during the summit as it works on necessary reforms, but said it would continue to boost the countrys security. Biden has emphasized that Ukraine is not ready to enter NATO, telling CNN in an exclusive interview last week that Russias war in Ukraine needs to end before the alliance can consider adding Kyiv to its ranks.

When Zelensky arrived in Lithuania on Tuesday he issued a blistering statement expressing his frustration at not receiving more specific details on when and how Ukraine would join the alliance. Biden said on Wednesday that he had talked to Zelensky about the kind of guarantees we could make in the meantime.

During his time as Britains Prime Minister, Johnson was a vocal supporter of Ukraine and developed a close working relationship with Zelensky, becoming one of the first foreign leaders to make the precarious trip to Kyiv. Johnson resigned as Prime Minister in September 2022 and as a Member of Parliament in June, in the wake of scandals over his handling of the UKs coronavirus crisis.

On Wednesday he warned that aside from the Russian army, the biggest enemy that the Ukrainians have in the conflict is Ukraine fatigue.

Its the exhaustion of the rest of the world, and particularly the supporters of Ukraine, in making sure that they win.

But theyve got to win, its absolutely crucial, he added, explaining that a Ukrainian victory is vital for democracy and freedom around the world.

In the interview, Johnson also said that he was supportive of Bidens decision to provide Ukraine with anti-cluster munitions, despite the UK condemning the move. I think President Biden has done the right thing to supply them and the faster the Ukrainians can use them to recapture their territory, the more lives will be saved.

However, he stopped short of calling on the UK government to also send the weaponry, pointing out that Britain is a member of the Convention on Cluster Munitions treaty. More than 100 countries, including the UK, France, and Germany, have outlawed the munitions under the treaty. However, the US and Ukraine are not signatories to the ban.

The White House announced on Friday that President Biden had approved the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine  a controversial decision which was met with both praise and criticism.

When asked if the possible re-election of Donald Trump in the next presidential elections could jeopardize US support for Ukraine, Johnson pointed out that it was Trump who first approved sending Javelin anti-tank weapons to Ukraine in 2019, prior to the outbreak of war.

Trump has a strong record already in helping the Ukrainians, he claimed.

Johnson did not mention, however, the circumstances surrounding Trumps hold up of military aid to Ukraine in 2019 that was at the heart of the first impeachment inquiry. In a phone call with the newly elected Zelensky in July 2019, Trump appeared to pressure him to investigate his then-Democratic rival Joe Biden in exchange for releasing the aid.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Boris Johnson warns US against Ukraine fatigue as NATO summit concludes"
Two climbers had to spend the night on a frigid mountain after they tried climbing the tallest peak inside a Colorado national park  without the proper equipment, officials said.

They had set out July 11 to climb Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, but at some point, they became stranded and called rangers for help by that evening, National Park Service officials said in a news release.

Rangers stayed in contact with them overnight, and Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue teams went out to rescue them first thing on Wednesday, July 12, officials said.

The climbers left from Chasm Lake and started climbing the Casual Route on the East Face of the peak, also called the Diamond. But they were unprepared for the peaks year-round wintry conditions and didnt have the equipment they would have needed to either get themselves out or spend the night in cold temperatures, officials said.

But thats what they ended up having to do. The next day, rescue teams helped the climbers out of the steep terrain, officials said.

They climbed to the summit and then hiked down with the rescue teams through the North Face of Longs Peak, reaching the trailhead that evening, officials said.

Longs Peak is the highest elevation peak inside Rocky Mountain National Park  at 14,259 feet, it towers over all the other summits in the park.

Climbing Longs Peak is a serious objective with serious outcomes, officials said in the release. For most of the year, Longs Peak is in winter conditions, which requires winter mountaineering experience and knowledge of equipment. Disregard for the mountain environment any time of year has inherent danger. All climbers should have knowledge of climbing routes, the necessary equipment and knowledge to self-rescue, and necessary gear in the event of an unexpected overnight stay on the mountain.

26-year-old woman falls 500 feet to death at Rocky Mountain National Park, rangers say

Hiker dies after tumbling 50 feet down Colorado cliff as family member calls for help

22-year-old climber plunges 100 feet down summit and cant move, Colorado officials say
The US 69 project in Overland Park is a dangerous mess. Shut it down already | Opinion

Road hazards

What are Overland Park and the state thinking with the 69Express project to widen U.S. 69? (April 24, 1A, Johnson Co. road work adding U.S. 69 toll lanes will disrupt traffic) Theyd be better off closing it for the safety of the public and workers.

The patterns change daily. The off- and on-ramps are short, and the lanes are narrower than Ward Parkways. It is a danger to all drivers.

And all this for toll lanes? They shouldve shut down the highway for safety and sped up construction at the least.

- Joe DeMarco, Overland Park

Snuff them out

I agree with Brittany Mahomes 100% regarding enforcement of fireworks laws. (July 4, 2A, Brittany Mahomes complains about Fourth of July fireworks)

I live in Raytown, and at midnight on Independence Day, it sounded like a country at war.

Either enforce the laws or eliminate them.

- Donald Merker, Raytown

Have empathy

I am tired of people being unable to put themselves in someone elses shoes. If you were lucky enough to pay off your student loans, count your blessings. (July 5, 5A, Letters)

My very first day at university, I was told that working while going to school was bad for academics and that we should rely on student loans and our parents to get through college. I did a decent job of minimizing the amount I took out  until graduate school.

I was misled by my program into believing that I had access to records and a skeletal collection for my thesis. My prospective graduate adviser sexually assaulted me before I ever began the program. I was offered admittance under another professor who similarly sexually harassed me and was not producing graduating students. Bringing this up as a Title IX complaint was not enough to get a deeper investigation into my program, because administrators were close with professors.

Nepotism runs deep. Colleges everywhere are criminally negligent.

Now, I am not saying that everyone experiences this, but I have come across many people who have.

Why would anyone want someone to suffer because you got yours? Selfish.

- Hunter Lee, Wichita

Its on them

To the students crying that the Supreme Court invalidated President Joe Bidens federal student loan relief plan: I say you signed on to the loan, and therefore it is your responsibility to pay the entire debt  not the governments.

- George E. Burden, Lees Summit

What a tax mess

As a relatively new resident of Kansas City, I am having a hard time understanding the assessment process here. First, why does Jackson County give the contract to an out-of-state company? All money paid for the process of assessment goes to the economy of another state. That isnt logical.

Next is the entire idea of drive-by evaluations. I own a condo in a building with more than 200 units at all stages: updated, under renovation and in their original condition. How can drive-by evaluation account for that? Again, no logic.

Now to my appeal process. First, the phone calls where I was on hold for 45-plus minutes several times. Finally, the county took my request for in-house photos, as I have made no improvements since closing in late 2019. I have original air conditioners, one 5-by-7-foot bathroom that needs new plumbing and updating, chips in my granite island and tile floors, and appliances that are on their last legs.

Next, I was was given an Ohio phone number to schedule my appointment. I was told after giving my personal info that someone in Kansas City would call me to set up an in-person appointment. No one called, while others I know have already completed their appeals. Now I am told there are no more appointments available.

I am one unhappy resident.

- Barbara Ruhmann, Kansas City
US bans former Panama president for 'significant corruption,' Blinken says

FILE PHOTO: Then Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has banned former Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez from entering the U.S. for his "involvement in significant corruption," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday.

"Today, I am announcing the designation of former Panamanian President, Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez as generally ineligible for entry into the United States, due to his involvement in significant corruption," Blinken said in a statement released by the State Department. "While serving as Panama's vice president and then president, Varela accepted bribes in exchange for improperly awarding government contracts."

A Panama judge last November called two former presidents, including Varela, as well as a slate of other high-profile figures, to trial over money-laundering related to the Odebrecht bribery probe, a sweeping corruption investigation which rippled across Latin America. The trial is due to begin later this year.

Ricardo Martinelli, Panama's president from 2009 to 2014, was summoned, as was Martinelli's successor and vice president, Varela, who served as president until 2019.

Varela and Martinelli were banned from leaving Panama in 2020 when investigations began. Both have denied committing any crimes.

Odebrecht and its parent company, Braskem, Brazil's largest petrochemicals firm, agreed in 2016 to pay $3.5 billion to settle bribery-related charges brought by U.S., Brazilian and Swiss regulators.

The scandal over bribes for public-works contracts spread to other countries where Odebrecht did business, including Peru, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler and Sandra Maler)
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry says China, the world's largest polluter, cannot be allowed to stymie progress on the environment (ALEX WONG)

US climate envoy John Kerry hit back Thursday at claims that he uses a carbon-spewing private jet as he was grilled by Republican lawmakers on the State Department's environmental agenda ahead of a trip to China.

Kerry, who flies to Beijing for talks on emissions reduction at the weekend, said he had largely used commercial airliners in his work in President Joe Biden's administration and recalled no flights on private aircraft in that time.

Kerry, a former secretary of state who has long been a target of Republicans, appeared irritated by Florida congressman Cory Mills saying he hoped "it wasn't too problematic for your operational team and your private jet to get here."

"I just don't agree with your facts, which began with the presentation of one of the most outrageously persistent lies that I hear, which is this private jet," Kerry told the Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee's oversight panel.

"We don't own a private jet. I don't own a private jet. I personally have never owned a private jet. And obviously it's pretty stupid to talk about coming in a private jet from the State Department up here."

Kerry's critics have slammed his use of a Gulfstream GIV-SP chartered from his wife's company that made 48 trips during the Biden administration, according to Fox News, before it was sold last year.

Fox did not accuse Kerry of using the private plane on official business and his office told the network he travels commercially or by military transport for work.

"He doesn't own one but he sure does use one!" Arizona Republican Andy Biggs tweeted after the hearing, alongside an article reporting that the jet had emitted more than 300 metric tons of carbon.

Scott Perry accused Kerry of wasting resources on man-made climate change, falsely describing global warming as a problem that "doesn't exist."

Kerry asked why the world's scientists and governments would invent the threat and Perry told him: "Because they're grifting, like you are, sir."

The envoy was also forced to defend his negotiations with China amid criticisms of Beijing's human rights record and the Chinese Communist Party's refusal to do more to curb fossil fuel emissions.

Kerry, who leaves Sunday for talks with his counterpart Xie Zhenhua, said China, the world's largest polluter, could not be allowed to stymie progress on the environment.

He was circumspect however on the prospect of being able to persuade the world's number two economy to accept the same curbs as other leading nations.

"Let me just be frank with you -- that's not going to happen in this visit... But the Chinese government understands that this is a growing issue of concern," he said.

The United States and China are the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases as well as some of the world's biggest investors in renewable energy.

Kerry follows in the footsteps of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who last month paid the highest-ranking US visit to Beijing in nearly five years, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen who was in China last week.

ft/acb
U.S.-supplied cluster munitions have reached Ukraine after President Biden last week said he had made the difficult decision to approve the controversial transfer, a top military officer confirmed Thursday

CNN first reported that a Ukrainian general confirmed Kyiv has received the weapons, but they had yet to use them on the battlefield.

There are cluster munitions in Ukraine at this time, Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, joint staff director for operations, told reporters Thursday.

Cluster bombs are highly controversial munitions that are outlawed by more than 100 nations because of the long-lasting risk they pose to civilians. Explosions from the devices indiscriminately disperse hundreds of projectiles over a larger area, some of which may not explode on impact.

Biden has defended his decision to send the weapons to Kyiv over concerns that Ukrainian troops are running low on ammunition as they attempt a large-scale counteroffensive against Russian forces to take back territory.

U.S. and Ukrainian officials have argued that the cluster munitions could help break through Russian defenses and be a game changer in the war.

But lawmakers in Washington and human rights groups have expressed concerns about the transfer, arguing that the bombs will threaten civilians safety.

U.S. officials, meanwhile, have said they received assurances from Ukrainian officials that they will not use the munitions in areas with civilians.

Our folks in Europe are in constant communications with the Ukrainian leadership on all sorts of thoughts about tactics, techniques and procedures. Sims said. Weve talked with Ukrainian leadership about the employment of cluster munition.

He added that Ukraine does not have any interest in using the cluster munitions anywhere near the civilian population, unlike the Russians.

The Russians have employed these weapons against civilians in civilian communities, which is a significant difference from what the Ukrainians intend to do, Sims said. The Ukrainians intend to use cluster munitions in the tactical environment against Russians, not against civilians.

However, opponents of the weapons argue that arenas of war today may become civilian areas later, and the unexploded bombs could explode on unsuspecting civilians years from now  as they have in other post-war countries.

These unexploded cluster munitions will be killing and maiming innocent Ukrainian men, women, and children for decades to come, long after the war  we pray  has ended, former President Trump said in a statement earlier this week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, shakes hands with Chinese Communist Party's foreign policy chief Wang Yi during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, July 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, Pool) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The State Department says it plans a massive increase in diplomatic personnel and spending for facilities at new U.S. embassies in the Pacific islands as the Biden administration forges ahead with efforts to counter Chinas growing influence in the region.

In a notice sent to Congress this week, the department said it envisions hiring up to 40 staffers over the next five years for each of four recently opened or soon-to-be-opened embassies in the Pacific. Those include an embassy in Honiara, Solomon Islands, that opened in January; an embassy in Nukualofa, Tonga, that opened in May and planned embassies in Port Vila, Vanuatu, and in Tarawa, Kiribati. Currently there are only two temporary American staffers each in Honiara and Nukualofa.

At each of those posts, the department says it will spend at least $10 million for start-up, design and construction costs. Only a portion of that amount is included in the administrations current budget proposal and the department said that in addition to that amount, each new embassy will need $3.3 million a year to cover upkeep and operating costs.

The update to Congress, which was sent on Wednesday and obtained by The Associated Press, comes as the administration moves to boost the U.S. presence in the Pacific in response to Chinas increasing assertiveness there.

It also came as Secretary of State Antony Blinken was visiting Indonesia for a southeast Asian regional security forum and planned an extended Pacific trip at the end of July.

The notice pointed out that China has permanent diplomatic facilities in eight of the 12 Pacific island nations that the United States recognizes and said the U.S. needs to catch up.

The lack of a permanent U.S. diplomatic presence in more heavily populated (Pacific islands) undermines U.S. efforts to engage as an indispensable partner and Pacific power during a time of heightened strategic competition," it said. "To address this challenge, the United States has moved to dramatically increase its diplomatic and development engagement with the region.

In the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and Kiribati, initial staffing at the embassies will be limited to four resident American diplomats, including an ambassador, and five local staffers along with an as-yet undetermined number of local security guards, the department said.

However, it added that projected staffing at each embassy over the next five years could jump to between 30 and 40 American and local employees "as facility space allows.

At the same time, the department said that attracting experienced and competent staff to fill the new posts will be difficult without offering incentives to prospective employees, suggesting that Congress may need to allocate more money if the U.S. is to remain competitive with China in the region.

Recruitment for new and existing positions remains extremely difficult without a commensurate compensation package to attract talented officers asked to serve in remote locations subject to extreme weather phenomena, poor telecommunication systems, and inadequate medical and schooling facilities, it said.

Rectifying this situation would require an investment in resources and creative solutions to attract and retain a cadre of Pacific experts," it said. "The United States needs to significantly increase staffing resources if it plans to robustly engage in the Pacific islands to preserve an open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

The notification did not elaborate on what those resources or creative solutions might be.
A US Green Beret drill with fake guerrilla fighters shows how Sweden has been preparing for an 'unconventional' clash with Russia

A US Army Special Forces soldier instructs Swedish Home Guard troops on combat tourniquet application in Kalix on May 28. US Army/Staff Sgt. Anthony Bryant

In May and June, US Army Green Berets conducted unconventional warfare training in Sweden.

Unconventional warfare is meant "to coerce, disrupt, or overthrow" a government or an occupier.

Sweden is used to such a threat, having spent decades next to the Soviet Union and now Russia.

After months of tough negotiations, Turkey's president announced his support Sweden's NATO membership bid on Monday, moving the Scandinavian country a step closer to becoming the transatlantic alliance's newest member.

The addition of Sweden, already a close US military partner, will increase NATO's ability to deter and counter Russia. Swedes have been preparing for a potential war with their larger neighbor for decades, and they can teach the rest of the alliance a thing or two.

Indeed, a recent drill in northern Sweden where US Green Berets trained a guerrilla force to take on the Swedish Home Guard shows how the Swedes are planning an unconventional response to a clash with the Russians.

Sweden's unconventional warriors

Swedish Home Guard soldiers move through a taiga forest during a reconnaissance lane in Kalix on June 1. US Army/Staff Sgt. Anthony Bryant

Unconventional warfare is a versatile mission set that can be used to overthrow a government or defeat an invading army. In the US military, unconventional warfare is the bread and butter of the Green Berets of US Army Special Forces.

US Army Special Operations Command defines unconventional warfare as "activities conducted to enable a resistance movement of insurgency to coerce, disrupt, or overthrow a government or occupying power." To do that, Green Berets work "through or with an underground, auxiliary, and guerrilla force in a denied area."

While other members of the US special-operations community took on unconventional-warfare missions during the past 20 years of fighting in the Middle East, the Green Berets remain the premier force for it. Using knowledge of the local culture and language, teams of about 12 Green Berets recruit, train, and advise much larger partner forces into combat.

Swedish Home Guard soldiers patrol with US Special Forces soldiers during an exercise in Sweden in November 2020. US Army/Sgt. Patrik Orcutt

In late May and early June, Green Berets from the 10th Special Forces Group, which is assigned to Europe, trained with members of Sweden's Home Guard, which consist of "stand-by units" assigned to territorial defense and crisis response.

The US and Swedish troops trained for a variety of skill sets and missions, but halfway through the exercise, shifted into a scenario where the American commandos trained "a simulated guerilla force" composed of other Swedish troops, to take on the Home Guard.

Forming and training a guerrilla force to take on a larger unit is a classic unconventional-warfare scenario. During the drill, the Green Berets worked with their partners to plan missions that "would degrade, disrupt or destroy Home Guard capabilities," according to a US Special Operations Command Europe press release.

"The scenario gave us time to almost completely rehearse what we'd be doing in irregular warfare  conducting a link-up with a force we didn't know too much about, working through assessments, hitting a few targets to see what their capabilities are, what we have to work with and what direction we need to go," the Green Beret team sergeant said in the release.

US Army Green Berets work with friendly forces during a personnel-recovery scenario in Kalix, Sweden on May 29. US Army/Staff Sgt. Anthony Bryant

Sweden isn't new to the Russian threat. Swedes lived in the Soviet Union's shadow during the Cold War and saw a few tense encounters with their neighbor but remained neutral until joining the EU in 1995. Despite working closely with NATO, Sweden was still militarily non-aligned until it sought NATO membership earlier this year.

During the Cold War, the Swedish government did try to prepare the public for emergencies, distributing pamphlets with guidance for how to response to conflict or other crises. Stockholm revisited those guidelines in 2018, issuing an updated document with tips and instructions for dealing with natural disasters, conflicts, and other disruptive events, including cyberattacks and disinformation.

"We must be able to resist various types of attack directed against our country," it says.

The information in the pamphlet would be key to a special-operations force conducting unconventional warfare against the Russians, as a key tenet of the mission set is winning the hearts and minds of the local population.

Winning wars unconventionally

US Army Green Berets demonstrate detainment procedures during training in Kalix, Sweden on May 29. US Army/Staff Sgt. Anthony Bryant

While the US military has a long history with unconventional warfare, it leaned into the mission set two decades ago.

Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Pentagon opted to give special operators a leading role in the campaign against Al Qaeda and its Taliban allies. Instead of committing large numbers of conventional forces, the US military went in with Green Berets, Delta Force operators, and Night Stalkers, crushing the Taliban in a shift campaign that lasted a few weeks.

The US military is now shifting away from those kinds of campaigns and refocusing on the large-scale, conventional wars it would expect to fight against Russia or China. Unconventional warfare can still play an important role in that kind of war, but it would be a supporting role.

Cadets talk to role-players during West Point Irregular Warfare Group's Unconventional Warfare Exercise in April 2019. US Military Academy

During the fierce fighting in North Africa during World War II, commandos from the British Special Air Service and Commonwealth Long Range Desert Group harassed German and Italian forces with constant raids behind enemy lines and were even able to destroy more aircraft on the ground than Allied air forces did in the air. German Gen. Erwin Rommel was forced to move large forces away from the frontline to defend his supply lines and airfields.

Today, Ukraine is running an unconventional-warfare campaign in Russian-occupied territory and within Russia. Ukrainian special operations have been scouting Russian positions, marking them for strikes by long-range weapons and sabotaging Russian logistical nodes and command-and-control centers.

The success of Kyiv's commandos proves that unconventional-warfare is still a valuable mission set that can be applied against any foe.

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. He is working toward a master's degree in strategy and cybersecurity at Johns Hopkins' School of Advanced International Studies.

Read the original article on Business Insider
California and Arizona face record heatwave as Southwest swelters with 113 million on alert

California and Arizona face record heatwave as Southwest swelters with 113 million on alert

More than 113 million Americans are currently under alerts as an intensifying heatwave blankets the US south with triple-digit temperatures.

The National Weather Service has issued a slew of excessive heat advisories, watches and warnings across a huge area spanning from California to south Florida.

The climate crisis, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, is making long-lasting, dangerous heat five times more likely in places like Texas, Arizona, and Mexico, according to analysis from Climate Central.

Residents of Southern California were warned to brace for the hottest temperatures of the year with an excessive heat watch in effect through Sunday in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

In Arizona, Phoenix is expected to break its 1974 record of 18 straight days with a temperature above 110F (43C). Nevada and West Texas could also see heat records broken over the weekend, NWS meteorologists predict.

Across the Atlantic, Europe is sweltering under the Cerberus heatwave, which forecasters say could last for up to two weeks.

The heatwave has already been blamed for one death in Italy as Greece introduced a mandatory work stoppage and Spain ground temperatures reached 140F (60C).

Key Points

More than 113 million Americans under extreme heat alerts

Southwest could see record temperatures as heatwave worsens into the weekend

US delivery driver praises help hand in sweltering deliveries



European Space Agency releases heat map as Europe braces for sweltering month

17:55 , Eleanor Noyce

As temperatures are expected to reach 48C on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, the European Space Agency has released a map depicting the land surface temperature across Europe.

On 10 July, temperatures hit 42C in Milan, 46C in Rome and Madrid and highs of 47C in Seville, characterised by the sea of red sweeping the continent.

Following last years summer heatwave across Europe, more than 60,000 people died, with Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal experiencing the highest mortality rates.

This summer, The Red Cross has urged locals and tourists alike to be cautious and look out for those who are most vulnerable.

Climate warming amplified this year by El Nino severely affects food production, water availability as well as our health. To properly adapt to these changes we need timely information at actionable resolution which the Copernicus programme is providing with Sentinel-3 and soon with the Copernicus Land Surface Temperature Monitoring mission at 50 m resolution, Benjamin Koetz, Mission Scientist of the Land Surface Temperature Monitoring mission, explained.

Map released by European Space Agency shows land surface temperature across Europe on 10 July 2023 (European Space Agency)

In pictures: Wildfires tear through Croatias coastal towns

09:34 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Towns in Croatia were evacuated on Thursday after wildfires tore through the country as a result of the Cerberus heatwave.

Pictures show volunteers trying to put out the blaze in teh coastal town, Grebastica.

(AP)

(AP)

(REUTERS)

Tourists struggle to stay cool in Athens as temperatures soar

09:08 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Tourists in central Athens huddled under mist machines and zoo animals in Madrid were fed fruit popsicles Thursday as southern Europeans suffered through a heat wave that was projected to get much worse heading into the weekend.Temperatures in parts of Mediterranean Europe were forecast to reach as high as 45 degrees Celsius (113 F) starting Friday.The high-pressure system affecting the region, which crossed the Mediterranean from north Africa, has been named Cerberus after the three-headed dog in ancient Greek mythology who guarded the gates to the underworld.Officials in several countries were preparing emergency measures, cellphone alerts and adjustments to staffing levels.In Athens and other Greek cities, working hours were changed for the public sector and many businesses to avoid the midday heat, while air-conditioned areas were opened to the public.Cerberus is being tracked by the European Space Agency, which warned that the heat wave will also be felt in parts of northern Europe.Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland are all facing a major heat wave, with temperatures expected to climb to 48 degrees Celsius on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia - potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe the agency said Thursday.

People cool off from a water spray device amid high temperatures in Athen (EPA)

UK weather: Met Office issues two yellow warnings as Britons brace for unusual winds

08:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Parts of the UK are under yellow weather warnings as unseasonal heavy gusts of winds are expected to bring disruptive weather over the weekend after days of heavy showers.

The Met Office has issued two yellow warnings.

The first is for heavy winds bringing potential disruption to South Wales and southwest England, which starts on Friday morning and will last till evening 7pm. The second warning covers the eastern parts of England which is set to have an unseasonably windy day throughout Saturday.

Two yellow National Severe Weather Warnings for wind have been issued highlighting the potential for impacts such as travel disruption to South Wales and southwest England on Friday and the south and east of England on Saturday, the forecaster said on Thursday.

Met Office issues two yellow warnings as Britons brace for unusual winds

How Europe's heatwaves can get extremely deadly

07:30 , Stuti Mishra

The sweltering temperatures in Europe threaten a repeat of last year's extended heatwave, when the continent experienced its hottest summer on record.

Those temperatures led to an onslaught of devastating droughts and raging forest fires, and were driven by the human-induced climate crisis.

This year, the world has heated up more and El Nino  a cyclical phenomenon  is driving more heat across the world.

Last year the extreme heatwaves contributed to more than 60,000 deaths in Europe in 2022, according to a new report  a number much higher than previous estimates.

Here's what the report found:

'It's like being in Africa': Tourists describe sweltering heat in Europe

06:45 , Stuti Mishra

Tourists visiting the Mediterranean are shocked at the sweltering temperatures.

"It's like being in Africa," a 24-year-old tourist Balint Jolan, from Hungary, told The Associated Press. "It's not that much hotter than it is currently at home, but yes, it is difficult."

Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland are all facing a major heat wave, with temperatures expected to climb to 48C on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia  potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe.

The heat has prompted health alerts and advisories for tourists with one British citizen fainting in Rome earlier this week. A 44-year-old man was also reported dead in Italy.

Temperatures to reach 45C today in Southern Europe

06:14 , Stuti Mishra

Temperatures in parts of Mediterranean Europe were forecast to reach as high as 45C from today as a sweltering heatwave takes over the continent sparking health concerns.

Officials in several countries were preparing emergency measures, cell phone alerts and adjustments to staffing levels.

Weather maps from private forecaster AccuWeather show Spain hitting 37C on Friday morning with worsened conditions expected over the weekend.

Very high temperatures in central and southern Italy are also predicted for Friday, when the capital could see record-breaking temperatures between 40 and 45C.

Scorching earth, from Balkans to Spain

03:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Health authorities issued a top, red alert warning for 10 Italian cities for the next two days, including Rome, Florence, Bologna and Perugia.

In Greece, the government has ordered the suspension of work between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. local (0900-1400 GMT) in areas where the risk from heat is very high, and also requested remote work for private sector employees with health conditions.

In the Balkans, beachgoers in the Croatian town of Nin smeared themselves in its medicinal local mud to protect themselves from the sun while 56 firefighters with 20 vehicles and three aircraft struggled to contain a brush fire near the Adriatic town of Sibenik.

Cloke said that the current heatwave was caused by hot air coming up from the Sahara, with the air mass then becoming lodged across parts of Europe.

Images captured by the ESAs Sentinel 3 satellites had measured the land surface temperature at more than 60 Celsius in the western Spanish region of Extremadura on Tuesday.

Weather forecasts and official records are based on the air temperature which is significantly lower than the land surface reading. The record European temperature of 48.8C was registered in Sicily in August 2021 and that figure could be exceeded.

Next week there will be an even stronger heatwave than this one, some values in the central south will be really freaky, said Luca Lombroso, meteorologist from the AMPRO group in Italy.

Between Tuesday and Wednesday in Rome and Florence we will probably exceed 40 degrees, which will also be approached in the north, he added.

Animals are also feeling the strain.

Italian farmers lobby group Coldiretti said milk production was down by around 10% because cows eat less in the heat, drink huge quantities of water and make less milk.

A heatwave with temperatures of 40C hit North Macedonia (AFP via Getty Images)

UK must adapt its buildings for higher temperatures, say scientists

02:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The UK is one of the countries that will have to adapt the most radically to cool down buildings as climate change drives up the global average temperature, according to a new study.

Like other countries in Northern Europe, such as Ireland, Switzerland and those in Scandinavia, homes were built to retain heat during cold winters.

But rising temperatures because of climate change means more unwanted heat during the summer, which can be fatal for older and more vulnerable people.

Danny Halpin reports:

UK must adapt its buildings for higher temperatures, say scientists

More than 113 million Americans under extreme heat alerts as relentless temperatures continue

01:00 , Eleanor Noyce

More than 113 million Americans were under heat alerts on Thursday as stifling, life-threatening temperatures dug in across large parts of the country.

In the south and southeast, relentless, hazardous heat is expected to continue for at least another week after constant triple-digit temperatures in the past month.

A wide area will experience temperatures of 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius), from a combination of heat and humidity, the National Weather Service reported.

Louise Boyle reports:

100million under extreme heat alerts in US amid relentless temperatures

Land temperatures in Spain surpass 60C as deadly heatwave sweeps Europe

00:01 , Eleanor Noyce

The temperature of the ground in some areas of Spain has hit more than 60C during the deadly heatwave sweeping Europe, satellite recordings have shown.

It was so hot that a heat map that highlights scorching temperatures in red turned even darker  to black.

Temperature records have been broken on most of the continent, including France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, where highs of 40C were recorded again on Wednesday.

Jane Dalton has the full story:

Land temperatures in Spain surpass record 60C in deadly heatwave

Will the UK see a 40C heatwave again this summer?

23:00 , Eleanor Noyce

As temperatures continue to soar globally, many are left wondering if the UK will experience another scorching 40C heatwave this summer, similar to the year before.

Speculation is rife that the country will get a blistering heatwave this month as weather maps have shown conditions could become hotter in the coming days.

The summer in the UK has already begun on a hotter note, with June temperatures smashing all-time records.

Read more:

Will the UK see a 40C heatwave again this summer?

Europe heatwave: Is it safe to travel to Italy, Spain, Greece and Croatia?

22:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Travellers from the UK, US and elsewhere in the world may be looking with concern at planned trips to the Mediterranean.

As the busiest summer getaway since 2019 begins, travellers to southern Europe are likely to experience extreme heat. An area of high pressure appears to have settled over the Med with little sign of abating.

The deadly Cerberus heatwave (so named by Italian meteorologists) is gripping southern France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey, as well as smaller countries in the Mediterranean region.

Simon Calder reports:

Europe heatwave: Is it safe to travel to Italy, Spain, Greece and Croatia?

Cerberus heatwave: Why UK weather is wet and windy as Europe swelters

21:00 , Eleanor Noyce

A deadly heatwave sweeping across Europe with temperatures forecast to shatter records in the coming days stands in complete contrast to the weather faced by the United Kingdom that has had wet and windy conditions continuing this week.

As the UK gets prolonged showers  the Met Office predicts unsettled conditions to continue for the next few days  the Mediterranean region grapples with soaring heat that could touch a new European record as soon as this week.

Temperatures are expected to go beyond 40C in parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Turkey in the next few days.

Stuti Mishra reports:

Why UK weather is wet and windy as Europe swelters under Cerberus heatwave

Cerberus heatwave threatens new record temperatures for Europe

20:45 , Eleanor Noyce

Southern Europe sweltered under a fierce heatwave on Thursday, with a warning that temperatures could hit record highs for the continent next week, raising fears about the impact on human health, crops and animals.

Weather alerts were in place across Spains Canary Islands, Italy, Cyprus and Greece, with the Greek authorities expecting temperatures to reach as high as 43C (109.4F) or 44C on Friday or Saturday.

Authorities put an ambulance on standby near the archaeological site of the Acropolis in Athens, ready to provide first aid to tourists wilting in the heatwave, which Italys Meteorological Society has named Cerberus.

The European Space Agency (ESA), whose satellites monitor land and sea temperatures, said July could be a torrid month.

Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland are all facing a major heatwave with temperatures expected to climb to 48C on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, potentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe, it said.

The impact of extreme summer heat has been brought into focus by research this week that said as many as 61,000 people may have died in Europes sweltering heatwaves last summer.

Governments and employers are under pressure to do more to protect workers exposed to the burning sun in the latest heatwave, named after the three-headed dog of the underworld in Greek mythology.

There are concerns about the impact on those working outdoors in Italy after a 44-year-old man who was painting road markings in the northern town of Lodi collapsed and died this week.

Heat is a silent killer. So this is the main concern that peoples lives are at risk, said climate scientist Hannah Cloke, a professor at Englands Reading University.

Certainly, we should immediately stop pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, Cloke added, warning that some changes to the climate were already locked in.

People cool off from a water spray device amid high temperatures in Athens, Greece (EPA)

Children play in a water fountain near the walls of Jerusalem's Old City (REUTERS)

Tourists walk with umbrellas in Istanbul, Turkey (EPA)

Cerberus heatwave fans out to Balkans

20:30 , Eleanor Noyce

Swathes of the Balkans sweltered in temperatures above 40C (104F) on Thursday in a heatwave named Cerberus, after the three-headed dog of the underworld in Greek mythology, that has fanned across Europe.

In Croatia, 56 firefighters with 20 vehicles and three aircraft, struggled to contain a bushfire that was spreading rapidly due to strong southerly winds near the Adriatic town of Sibenik.

In the countrys Adriatic resort of Nin, dozens of beachgoers covered themselves in thick black mud believed to have medicinal properties and an effective sunscreen.

It (mud) is definitely better than sun screen, I think protection factor is much better, said a tourist from Slovakia who only gave his name as Josef.

Meteorologists and doctors in Montenegro, Bosnia and Serbia, warned people to stay indoors or drink plenty of liquids if venturing outside.

Temperatures were expected to stay around 40C across the region into next week.

Stories from the day: Thursday, July 13

20:00 , William Mata

Your 8pm round-up of headlines

Land temperatures in Spain surpass 60C as deadly heatwave sweeps Europe

The temperature of the ground in some areas of Spain has hit more than 60C during the deadly heatwave sweeping Europe, satellite recordings have shown.

Cerberus heatwave: Why UK weather is wet and windy as Europe swelters

A deadly heatwave sweeping across Europe with temperatures forecast to shatter records in the coming days stands in complete contrast to the weather faced by the United Kingdom that has had wet and windy conditions continuing this week.

Warnings issued to tourists over European heatwave Cerberus as temperatures soar and worker die

Tourists have been warned to take care as Southern Europe swelters in a heatwave where temperatures have pushed well past 40C  with Italy reporting the death of a street sign painter.

The heatwave in Greece (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

As Europe and US swelter in heatwaves  El Nino conditions threaten to escalate extreme temperatures

19:30 , Eleanor Noyce

As nations across Southern Europe and parts of the US face temperatures topping 40C, El Nino conditions are building in the Pacific that bring a chance of a record-breaking event that will bring more such sweltering heat.

Last month saw a weak El Nino form, a periodic climatic event around the warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific, which can cause knock-on heat around the world. But an update from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) on Thursday said that it will almost certainly strengthen throughout the year, with an 81 per cent chance it will peak with a moderate to strong intensity between November and January. There is a one in five chance that this event will be of historic strength, rivaling the major one experienced in 1997, Noaa said.

Chris Stevenson reports:

As Europe and US swelter  El Nino conditions threaten more extreme temperatures

The best pictures from Italy

19:00 , William Mata

Reuters photographers have put together a montage of people taking care and cooling down in 40C weather in Italy.

 From @reuterspictures: Italy swelters as heatwave raises temperatures across the nation https://t.co/ibrHWFz6CZ pic.twitter.com/bC1WsNQTvc  Reuters (@Reuters) July 13, 2023

Parts of California warned to brace for searing temperatures

18:50 , Eleanor Noyce

Parts of California were warned to prepare for searing temperatures - the hottest of the year so far, NWS reported.

The most at-risk regions are Californias Central Valley, the Mojave and Sonoran desert regions, and southern California, Nevada, and Arizona including the cities of Las Vegas, Phoenix, Bakersfield and Fresno.

Midday highs were mostly expected to be above 100F (37.7 C), and desert areas could reach 120F (48.8 C), forecasters said.

The heat will be extremely dangerous and potentially deadly due to the intensity, longevity, and a relatively cool start to summer that may have limited the ability for people to acclimate to more typical hot summer weather in this region, forecasters said.

Please plan accordingly, this is not the time to be hiking or be outside for long durations, NWS LA office tweeted.

If you need to work outside, shift hours to the early morning, take frequent breaks and hydrate!

In California, the state reminded employers of health and safety regulations that mean outdoor workers are given water, shade and regular breaks to cool off. There are few protections for outdoor workers in other parts of the south including Texas.

The extreme heat and dry conditions were also increasing the wildfire risk in the Golden State with fire agency, Cal Fire, reporting a number of blazes have ignited since the beginning of July.

Arizona undergoes hot streak as mercury hits 110F in Phoenix for 13 consecutive days

18:45 , Eleanor Noyce

The climate crisis, driven by burning of fossil fuels, is making long-lasting, dangerous heat five times more likely in places like Texas, Arizona, and Mexico, according to analysis from Climate Central.

The mercury has hit 110F (43.3C) in Phoenix, Arizona for 13 days in a row as officials advised residents to limit outdoor activities, and be alert to signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The risks of heat-related illness rise when the temperature surpasses 90F.

The city has opened a heat relief network to allow those without air conditioning to cool off at places like public libraries.

An intense heatwave is also building further west, and is likely to see temperature records topple this weekend, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Heat alerts were in place across much of the southern and western US on Thursday (NOAA/National Weather Service)

More than 113 million Americans under extreme heat alerts as relentless temperatures continue

18:35 , Eleanor Noyce

More than 113 million Americans were under heat alerts on Thursday as stifling, life-threatening temperatures dug in across large parts of the country.

In the south and southeast, relentless, hazardous heat is expected to continue for at least another week after constant triple-digit temperatures in the past month.

A wide area will experience temperatures of 110 degrees Fahreheit (43.3 Celsius), from a combination of heat and humidity, the National Weather Service reported.

Louise Boyle has the full story:

100million under extreme heat alerts in US amid relentless temperatures

'Californian summer in full swing

18:30 , AFP

After a historically wet winter and a cloudy spring, Californias summer was in full swing on Thursday as a heat wave thats been scorching much of the US south west brings triple digit temperatures and an increased risk of wildfires.

Blistering conditions will build Friday and throughout the weekend in the central and southern parts of California, where many residents should prepare for the hottest weather of the year, the National Weather Service warned.

Midday highs were mostly expected to be above 37.7C, and desert areas could reach 48.8C, forecasters said.

(REUTERS)

Customers praised for leaving water bottles in mailboxes during US heatwave

18:10 , Eleanor Noyce

As a sweltering heatwave grips the southwestern United States, a delivery driver has shared his appreciation for a customer who left him a frozen water bottle in their mailbox during the 100F weather.

In a viral video posted to TikTok, a postal service worker gave insight into the difficulties of delivery driving during rising temperatures. As @ThatPostalDad made his usual delivery run in 102F weather, he opened a persons mailbox to find a cold water bottle waiting to be taken.

The postal worker immediately grabbed the water bottle and poured the entire bottle on his head to cool off. When its 102F outside and someone leaves an ice cold bottle of water in their mailbox, he wrote over the post.

Meredith Clark reports:

Customers praised for leaving water bottles in mailboxes during US heatwave

US: South west could see record temperatures

18:00 , William Mata

Reuters reports that a prolonged heat wave blanketed a swath of the US stretching from California to South Florida, with forecasters expecting temperatures that could shatter records in parts of the Southwest in the coming days.

This video shows the reality for Americans living through it.

A prolonged heat wave blanketed a swath of the US stretching from California to South Florida, with forecasters expecting temperatures that could shatter records in parts of the Southwest in the coming days https://t.co/3oFXoB0St9 pic.twitter.com/aBvXjwm3Kq  Reuters (@Reuters) July 13, 2023

Iraq's water crisis drying up fish farming in Basra

17:50 , Eleanor Noyce

Meanwhile, Iraq is in the grip of a severe water shortage which has left crop growers and food producers such as Iraqi fish farmer Qasem Karam facing the loss of their livelihoods.

Walking over dusty land in the sweltering midday heat in the southern province of Basra, Karam points to his dried up carp ponds, once irrigated by the Shatt al-Arab river.

Everything is full of salt now because of water scarcity and pollution, he said, pointing at white patches of salt crust nearby. These ponds cost us a lot of time, money and effort. We had an economic plan, but it is all destroyed.

Upstream damming in Turkey and Iran has hit waterflows on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers which form the Shatt al-Arab river, plus dumping of wastewater and poor rainfall due to climate change have led to a drastic reduction in fish farming, experts and officials said.

Lower water levels have also increased evaporation and made the water more saline.

Karam and three other fish farmers Reuters spoke with said the loss of suitable water was driving them out of a once thriving and profitable business.

According to an official at Basras agriculture directorate, Abbas Dakheel, only four authorised fish farms continued to work this year, as opposed to 15 in 2020. This water is green, dirty and polluted. No fish can live in this water, said Karam, kneeling down next to a pipe irrigating his pond. He said that his fish were now either sick, failing to grow or dead as a result.

Jumaa Shia, head of Basras directorate of water resources, said the city of 1.3 million needs to share its decreasing water resources among domestic users, agriculture, the oil industry and electricity generation. To save water, authorities have taken measures including closing down some 95 unauthorised fish farms in Basra.

Spain animal hospital treats heat-struck chicks for re-release into wild

17:40 , Eleanor Noyce

A wildlife recovery centre in central Spain is sparing no effort to nurse the many bird offspring afflicted by the blistering summer heat back to health so they can be re-released into the wild.

Heat waves have become more frequent in Spain in recent years, part of a global pattern of rising temperatures widely attributed by scientists to human activity.

Young common swifts, black redstarts, common kestrels and imperial eagles are habitual patients at Madrids regional Centre for the Recovery of Wild Animals (CRAS) during summertime, as theyre particularly vulnerable to the scorching temperatures that can top 40C (104 Fahrenheit).

Swifts are the stars of the summer because theyre the ones that come in the most, CRAS director and veterinary chief, Silvia Villaverde, told Reuters, adding they had exceeded the 1,400-swifts mark so far this year.

Their chicks are complex to care for, as they require constant individual feeding with a diet made up exclusively of insects, which places a large burden in terms of time, resources and staff on the centre, she said.

They are often brought in by hikers who find them lying on the ground after theyve either jumped out of their nests or been pushed out by their siblings due to the harrowing heat.

CRAS also receives many kestrels that have just fledged but are still incapable of securing food on their own or have crash-landed in places inaccessible to their parents, said forestry engineer Alejandro Martinez.

After a day or two without food, with these high temperatures, they dehydrate very easily, he added.

To reintroduce the assorted birds back into the wild, CRAS uses a fostering technique in which the chicks are placed in other nests and adopted by new parents who teach them proper behaviour, including how to fly or hunt.

Red is the colour

17:30 , William Mata

The ESA Earth Observation has shared a heat map of Europe showing the colour red as the most extreme heat.

Spain and northern Africa are illuminated the most in the graphic.

After the hottest June on record, July is not looking so fresh either. 



A major heatwave is predicted to rise temperatures as high as 48C.



This map shows Land surface temperatures reaching 46C in Rome and Madrid, and 47C in Seville.#Cerberus

 https://t.co/lEwVxkecb2 pic.twitter.com/LAyKdL4LDF  ESA Earth Observation (@ESA_EO) July 13, 2023

Homeless struggle in Spain

17:00 , William Mata

As Spain is facing a new summer heatwave, about 800 homeless people have to deal with temperatures - AFP reports.

The heat is about 38C in Madrid, and above 40C in other parts of the country.

Their stories are told in this video.

VIDEO: As Spain is facing a new summer heatwave, about 800 homeless people have to deal with temperatures up about to 38 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) in Madrid, and above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in other parts of the country. pic.twitter.com/UiCFTUgZsP  AFP News Agency (@AFP) July 13, 2023

Report: More than 100 million Americans under extreme heat alerts as relentless temperatures continue

16:01 , William Mata

More than 100 million Americans were under heat alerts on Thursday as stifling, life-threatening temperatures dug in across large parts of the country.

In the south and southeast, relentless, hazardous heat continued after weeks of triple-digit temperatures.

A wide area would experience temperatures of 110 degrees Fahreheit, from a combination of the heat and humidity, the National Weather Service reported.

Read Louise Boyles full report here.

Relentless heat is continuing across large parts of the United States this summer. The climate crisis is making extremes much more likely (NOAA)

Poland in drought after heatwave

15:50 , William Mata

Poland has also been hit by the heatwave and is in midst of a drought with temperatures in Warsaw 13C higher than average.

The Polish capital is expected to be a balmy 32C, which is far in excess of the 19C the city usually feels in July.

As a result, water levels are low and crop yields are also expected to be on the wane.

Polands record temperature is 37C.

A woman protects herself from sunshine with an umbrella during a hot day in downtown Warsaw (AP)

Photos of the heat: Thursday, July 13

15:38 , William Mata

A woman enjoys the sun in the Tuileries gardens, Paris (AP)

A woman uses an umbrella to take shelter from the sun as she walks in downtown Rome (AP)

An Icelandic horse is sprayed with water at a stud farm in Wehrheim near Frankfurt, Germany (AP)

A man cools off at a fountain during a sunny day in Belgrade, Serbia (AP)

US: Heatwave leaves more than 112 million under alerts

15:17 , William Mata

The heatwave which is expanding across the US has seen 112 million people issued with an alert, Axios has reported.

The south west will bear the brunt of the latest heat - with a heat dome in the area.

Texas is also set to be hit with 42C heat, having just come off another heatwave in June.

Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, California and Arizona are all other states for which alerts are in place.

The heat in Arizona (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Watch: Record-breaking heatwave hits Italy

15:00 , William Mata

Met Office has not predicted summer heatwave for UK

14:37 , William Mata

As already reported, the Cerberus heatwave will not bring 40C plus temperatures to the UK - and instead the Met Office has predicted cool winds.

The weather agency has told Sky that it is unlikely that a heatwave will come to Britain this summer, unlike in 2022.

Rachel Ayers said temperatures will be up in August but there is a "below average" chance of super warmth.

Britons take a dive in hot weather (PA)

Europe heatwave: Is it safe to travel to Italy, Spain, Greece and Croatia?

14:26 , William Mata

Travellers from the UK, US and elsewhere in the world may be looking with concern at planned trips to the Mediterranean.

As the busiest summer getaway since 2019 begins, travellers to southern Europe are likely to experience extreme heat. An area of high pressure appears to have settled over the Med with little sign of abating.

The deadly Cerberus heatwave (so named by Italian meteorologists) is gripping southern France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey, as well as smaller countries in the Mediterranean region.

Simon Calder wonders whether it is now too hot to travel to the regions.

A Croatian holiday destination (Sun Gardens, Croatia)

Warning of wildfires in Greece

14:23 , William Mata

Greece's minister of climate change and civil protection has warned that wildfires could hit the country.

We are going to have fires, we are going to have floods... and we have to deal with what is happening, Vasilis Kikilias told Sky News.

He added that wildfires are a particular concern when winds pick up in a few days time, as they are forecast to do.

Mr Kikilias said that climate change was behind the extreme weather.

A man holds an umbrella as he and other tourists enters the ancient Acropolis hill during a heat wave, in Athens (AP)

More on emergency measures in Greece

14:19 , William Mata

Greeces government has shared more details of the emergency measures in place to deal with the heatwave.

Temperatures of more than 44C could hit the country within the next week.

The labour ministry has said that when heat stress is high between 12pm and 5pm work must be stopped.

It has also said high-risk members of the private sector must work from home and that special provisions should be given to outdoor workers.

Visitors walk near the Parthenon temple, which sits atop Acropolis hill, during a heatwave in Athens (REUTERS)

Pictures from around Europe

13:45 , William Mata

A newly married couple poses for photos during sunset as a man takes a dip in the water in Lagonisi southeast of Athens (AP)

A rainbow umbrella stands with the Hollywood sign landmark seen in the background in Los Angeles (AP)

A woman shelters from the sun with a shirt near the Colosseum (REUTERS)

A man jogs at the Pincio terrace during a heatwave across Italy (REUTERS)

When will temperatures peak?

13:15 , William Mata

Europe will see different peaks at different times over the next few days.

Germany will see highs of around 34C on Saturday, as will Austria.

But the most extreme heat will come to Italy a little later - with temperatures above 40C expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

There is a similar outlook in Spain and France.

A man cools down in Italy (REUTERS)

Is heatwave going to hit the UK?

12:45 , William Mata

The UK has had wet and windy conditions this week while other parts of Europe have baked.

Temperatures are expected to go beyond 40C in parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Turkey in the next few days.

The Met Office has instead issued a yellow weather warning for wind for the UK.

Stuti Mishra reported the difference in conditions here.

On Twitter, the Met Office forecast strong gusts across southern, central and eastern England, into Saturday.

 Yellow weather warning issued 



Strong gusts across southern, central and eastern England



Saturday 0900  2359



Latest info  https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs



Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/JuUB3jhA3H  Met Office (@metoffice) July 13, 2023

Killer Cerberus heatwave sweeping Europe turns heat maps black as health alerts issued

12:25 , William Mata

The Cerberus heatwave is bringing temperatures to central and southern Europe that are so extreme, heat map graphics are turning the most critical shade of black.

The map turns a dark shade of red when the mercury reaches the high 30s and then creeps into black when it gets to 40C and beyond. Parts of central and southern Spain have already been shaded black, while Greece is also dark over the coming weekend.

See the full story here.

Heat map showing black areas (European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-3 imagery)

Record temperatures

11:30 , William Mata

Hot weather is expected to be on the way in central and southern Europe in the next fortnight.

Already the heat map for Spain has showed black patches, suggesting the most extreme heat.

Here is a look at what the record temperatures are for countries.

France

Record: 46C - 2019

Expected peak this next week: 35C

Germany

Record: 40.03C - 2022

Expected peak this week: 34C

Italy

Record: 48.8C - 2019

Expected peak this week: At least 40C

Spain

Record: 47.6C - 2021

Expected peak this week: 43C

Heat map showing black areas (European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-3 imagery)

Heatwave stretches in America

10:52 , William Mata

America has also been feeling the impacts of the heat

A prolonged heatwave blanketed a swath of the US stretching from California to South Florida on Wednesday, with forecasters expecting temperatures that could shatter records in parts of the south west in the coming days.

The National Weather Service issued excessive heat advisories, watches and warnings for areas where about 100 million Americans live. The sweltering conditions are expected to worsen over the weekend and continue into next week.

The south west was bracing for potentially deadly heat with much of the area under an excessive heat warning.

At the National Weather Service office in Phoenix, a meteorologist looks at his monitor with multiple heat records close to being broken as a prolonged (REUTERS)

Thunderstorms also forecast in France

10:31 , William Mata

Thunderstorms have been forecast for Paris and other parts of France on Saturday. The BBC weather predictor has said that thundery showers and a moderate breeze, could be on the way.

Last month, France was submerged in flooding with chaotic scenes witnessed in the capital.

Showers have already been striking parts of the country this week.

Rain also hit the Tour de France on Wednesday with the peloton getting soaked on the run in to Moulins.

TotalEnergies' Italian rider Daniel Oss cycles in the rain, in a lone breakaway ahead of the pack of riders during the 11th stage of the 110th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 180 km between Clermont-Ferrand and Moulins, in central France (AFP via Getty Images)

Rome, Bologna and Florence all on red alert

10:05 , William Mata

Nine Italian cities have all been put on red alert because of the extreme weather.

Bologna, Bolzano, Florence, Frosinone, Latina, Perugia, Turin, Rome and Rieti have all been given the warning.

Italy has already seen heat of more than 40C while the islands of Sicily and Sardinia were forecast to be as high as 48C.

The country was also home to the first fatality. A 44-year-old worker was reportedly painting a zebra crossing in 40C heat in the town of Lodi outside Milan, Italy, at midday on Tuesday when he collapsed.

Italian MP Nicola Fratoianni tweeted: We are facing an unbearable heat wave. Perhaps it is the case that in the hottest hours all the useful precautions are taken to avoid tragedies like the one that happened today at #Lodi.

Non si puo morire sul #lavoro, non si puo morire per il troppo #caldo.

Siamo di fronte ad unondata di caldo a livelli insopportabili. Forse e il caso che nelle ore piu torride vengano presi tutti gli accorgimenti utili ad evitare tragedie come quella accaduta oggi a #Lodi. https://t.co/r3Zq4DYm2W  nicola fratoianni (@NFratoianni) July 11, 2023

Welcome to the live blog

09:59 , William Mata

Hello and welcome to our live updates on the heatwave sweeping Europe.

The Cerberus heatwave is affecting the lives of millions across the continent while there is also there is also the threat of storms.

At least one person has died as a result as record temperatures could strike in the coming days. Keep following for more.
The US House majority is in play next year after a weak GOP midterm showing and recent court ruling

Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., holding his one-year-old son Matthew, speaks at an Independence Day parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 in Phoenix. Schweikert, who won his last election by just 3,200 votes, is now among the top 2024 targets for Democrats, who sense better-than-expected odds of retaking the House majority they lost last year. (AP Photo/Jonathan J. Cooper)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP)  Republican Rep. David Schweikert used to win his wealthy, suburban Phoenix congressional district by nearly 30 points. Then Donald Trump was elected president, and his victories started shrinking.

Schweikert, who won his last election by just 3,200 votes, is now among the top 2024 targets for Democrats, who sense better-than-expected odds of retaking the House majority they lost last year.

After an anemic showing in the midterms, Republicans have virtually no cushion in their quest to retain control of the House, which was made all the more complicated by a surprise U.S. Supreme Court decision last month that will likely bring two new safely Democratic districts. Democrats need to pick up just five seats to control the House.

Republicans are counting on a strong showing from incumbents like Schweikert, one of 18 GOP lawmakers representing districts that supported Democrat Joe Biden for president in 2020. Many are in upscale suburbs like Scottsdale that lean conservative but have rejected Trump and the party he now dominates.

In contrast, only five Democrats represent districts that Trump won.

Ive been Republican since JFK, said Roy Ross, a 74-year-old retired oil company manager who registered as an independent when he moved to Schweikert's district from Tennessee two years ago. But the last two elections, I just said, I cant do that.

Still, he said, I cant say that Im hearing a lot from Democrats, either.

Schweikerts fate in Arizona, and that of the GOPs House majority, will come down to the decisions of voters like Ross.

Other factors make for a volatile 2024 House landscape and point to terrain much more favorable to Democrats than what they faced in last years midterms.

Trump is the early front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination, which could drive up turnout among his critics and force vulnerable Republicans to take uncomfortable positions. And abortion, which helped power Democratic victories in the midterms, remains salient a year after the conservative majority on the Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy.

Democrats are already targeting key Republicans over abortion and looking to tie them to GOP figures like Trump who are unpopular with swing voters.

Between overturning state-level protections for reproductive freedoms to prioritizing tax breaks for the wealthiest few and big corporations, vulnerable Republicans are signing their own pink slips ahead of next Novembers election," said Courtney Rice, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the House Democrats campaign arm.

Republicans see plenty of reasons for optimism. Looking to expand the playing field beyond the 18 districts that voted for Biden, Republicans are targeting 37 other districts where they believe a Democratic incumbent is vulnerable.

Two Democrats from swing districts  Reps. Elissa Slotkin in Michigan and Katie Porter in California  are leaving their House seats to run for the Senate, improving the odds for Republicans who wont have to run against an incumbent. Bidens lackluster popularity could be a drain on his party, and prices for gas, food and housing remain high.

Democrats are reminding voters why they took away the Democrats gavels in the first place  extreme, unreasonable, and out of touch, said Rep. Richard Hudson, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the GOPs House race arm. Republicans are on offense, recruiting dynamic candidates and out-raising the Democrats, putting us in position to grow our majority.

After Trumps 2016 election, Schweikerts district started trending toward the center as some voters who historically backed Republicans reluctantly voted for Democrats or left their ballots blank. Redistricting ahead of the 2022 midterms accelerated the trend.

Schweikert eked out a victory of less than 1 percentage point last year against a relatively unknown rival who got minimal support from national Democrats. Neither party will be ignoring the district this time around. Democrats have already started attacking Schweikert over abortion.

The race has attracted interest from a crowded field of Democrats, with no obvious front-runner.

Schweikert has walked a fine line, managing to avoid associating too closely with Trump without jeopardizing his path to the GOP nomination. On abortion, he says he opposes it but believes it should be left to the states.

The parties have changed, Schweikert said, describing the districts shifting voting patterns between conversations with doctors, entrepreneurs and a physicist at a neighborhood parade in Arcadia, one of Phoenixs most prestigious enclaves. These people want me to fixate on their prosperity and not the eccentricities of the virus, the last election, those sorts of things.

The U.S. Supreme Court found last month that Alabamas congressional map violated the Voting Rights Act, a ruling that will require the state to create a second majority-Black district that strategists in both parties believe will be safely Democratic. Thanks to the ruling, a similar process is likely to play out in Louisiana, giving Democrats another safe seat.

In New York, Democrats are hopeful an ongoing lawsuit will allow them to draft a new political map that tilts in their favor. An appeals court on Thursday ordered new congressional lines to be drawn, though Republicans pledged to appeal.

But Republicans have the advantage in North Carolina, where conservatives recently took the majority of the state Supreme Court and are expected to draw new maps that favor the GOP. The U.S. Supreme Court just reaffirmed the court's power to get involved.

Control of the House will largely come down to staunchly red or blue states that wont get much attention from presidential campaigns.

More than half of the 18 Republican-held districts that Biden won are in New York and California, two states that defied the midterm Democratic successes in much of the rest of the country. Most of the rest are scattered around the West  two in Arizona and one each in New Mexico and Oregon.

Strategists who work on House races believe several factors were behind Democrats struggles in New York and California, states they usually dominate. They say voters there were uniquely drawn to Republican messaging targeting crime and homelessness and, as residents of states staunchly supportive of abortion rights, were less swayed by fears of losing access. Republicans still see crime and homelessness as potent issues, along with immigration.

There are two public policy issues that look as though they could dominate next years election, abortion and immigration, said Dan Schnur, a former Republican strategist who now teaches politics at three California universities. Both of the parties are not only vulnerable on one of those issues but dont appear to have any clue as to how to deal with them.
US lawmakers make bipartisan push for psychedelics research in defense bill Representatives host a press conference on psychedlics in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in Washington

By Moira Warburton

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers on Thursday pushed to include a provision allowing medical research of psychedelic drugs as part of a sweeping annual defense policy bill, saying it could help treat post-traumatic stress disorder and other ailments despite possible concerns.

"These are powerful substances, I don't want to give that short shrift," Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who first sponsored a bill on the topic in 2019, told a Capitol Hill press conference. "But they also have powerful potential as well."

Veterans' groups have for years been pushing for research into the potential medical benefits of psychedelics - including LSD and magic mushrooms - for their ability to alleviate the effects of PTSD and depression.

Because the U.S. government currently classifies these drugs as Schedule 1 - meaning they have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use - they are effectively impossible for scientists to study.

Republican Representative Dan Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL and co-sponsor of the amendment, pointed to potential uses for survivors of sexual trauma and law enforcement officers.

The measure would direct the Secretary of Defense to conduct a clinical report on the uses of psychedelics in military treatment facilities.

Crenshaw said he had spoken to Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy and had the House leader's support for including the language of the amendment in the final National Defense Authorization Act.

"I still can't find one member of Congress that is actually opposed to this," Crenshaw said.

The Republican-controlled House is expected to pass its version of the NDAA as soon as Friday, then the Democratic-majority Senate will pass its version. Following that, lawmakers from both chambers must negotiate on a compromise before the bill can be sent to President Joe Biden to sign into law or veto.

(Reporting by Moira Warburton; Editing by Scott Malone and Susan Heavey)
(CNN)  The color of the ocean has changed significantly over the last 20 years and human-caused climate change is likely responsible, according to a new study.

More than 56% of the worlds oceans have changed color to an extent that cannot be explained by natural variability, said a team of researchers, led by scientists from the National Oceanography Center in the UK and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US, in a statement.

Tropical oceans close to the equator in particular have become greener in the past two decades, reflecting changes in their ecosystems, according to the study published Wednesday in the journal Nature.

The color of the ocean is derived from the materials found in its upper layers. For example, a deep blue sea will have very little life in it, whereas a green color means there are ecosystems there, based on phytoplankton, plant-like microbes which contain chlorophyll. The phytoplankton form the basis of a food web which supports larger organisms such as krill, fish, seabirds and marine mammals.

Its not clear exactly how these ecosystems are changing, said study co-author Stephanie Dutkiewicz, senior research scientist in MITs Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences and the Center for Global Change Science. While some areas are likely to have less phytoplankton, others will have more  and its likely all parts of the ocean will see changes in the types of phytoplankton present.

Ocean ecosystems are finely balanced and any change in the phytoplankton will send ripples across the food chain. All changes are causing an imbalance in the natural organization of ecosystems. Such imbalance will only get worse over time if our oceans keep heating, she told CNN.

It will also affect the oceans ability to act as a store of carbon, Dutkiewicz said, as different plankton absorb different amounts of carbon.

While the researchers are still working to unpick exactly what the changes mean, what is clear, they said, is that the changes are being driven by human-induced climate change.

Clear trend

The researchers monitored changes in ocean color from space by tracking how much green or blue light is reflected from the surface of the sea.

They used data from the Aqua satellite which has been monitoring ocean color changes for more than two decades and is able to pick out differences that are not visible to the human eye.

They analyzed color variation data from 2002 to 2022 and then used climate change models to simulate what would happen to the oceans both with additional planet-heating pollution and without.

The color changes matched almost exactly what Dutkiewicz predicted would happen if greenhouse gases were added to the atmosphere  that around 50% of our oceans would change color.

Dutkiewicz, who has been running simulations that showed the oceans were going to change color for years, said she is not surprised at this finding.

But still I found the results very sobering; yet another wake-up call that human induced climate change [has] significantly impacted the earth system, she told CNN via email.

Dutkiewicz told CNN it was difficult to say whether color changes could become visible to humans if the process continues.

If a big tipping point was reached in some places: maybe. Though youd have to study the colors for a while to be able to pick up on the changes, said Dutkiewicz.

Next up, Dutkiewicz will try to better understand the color changes in different ocean regions, as well as looking into what might be causing them, she said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Climate change is making our oceans change color, new research finds"
US and Nordic leaders pledge to keep supporting Ukraine

Joe Biden and the leaders of the Northern European countries have pledged to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Source: a statement by the press service of the White House, reported by European Pravda

Details: On 13 July 2023, the presidents of Finland and the United States, as well as the prime ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, met in Helsinki for the third US-Nordic Leaders' Summit.

At the meeting, the Nordic countries and the United States reaffirmed their unequivocal condemnation of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine.

Quote from the White House: "They pledged to continue their support for Ukraine for as long as it takes, including through sustained security, economic, legal, and humanitarian assistance."

Details: The leaders have also pledged to continue diplomatic efforts to build the broadest possible international support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the United Nations Charter.

The White House has stressed that this includes enhanced engagement and dialogue with global partners on the challenges Ukraine faces because of the war.

Background: Earlier, the Nordic countries  Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden  welcomed the G7 declaration on security commitments for Ukraine and announced their readiness to contribute to its long-term security.

At the NATO Summit in Vilnius, the G7 countries agreed on a framework document on "security guarantees" for Ukraine. The leaders did not agree on the specific parameters of the "security guarantees".

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walk during an unannounced visit in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 20, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP

US officials almost edited NATO's invitiation for Ukraine after Zelenskyy's fiery tweet.

The Washington Post reported that the tweet left the White House and US NATO delegation "furious."

Zelenskyy called the invitation "unprecedented and absurd," but his tone changed during the summit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's fiery tweet slamming NATO for their "unprecedented and absurd" timeline for Ukraine's membership left allies stunned  and almost pushed US officials to edit their invitation for Kyiv to eventually join the alliance, The Washington Post reported.

On Tuesday, Zelenskyy posted a lengthy, frustrated tweet before his arrival to the NATO summit in Lithuania. He expressed frustrations at NATO's proposed timeline for Ukraine's membership  which, given the final copy of the summit's communique, isn't really a timeline at all.

"It's unprecedented and absurd when time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership. While at the same time vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine," Zelenskyy tweeted.

"It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the Alliance," he added. "This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine's membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror."

Zelenskyy's tweet was likely in response to NATO foregoing a roadmap or timetable for Kyiv to gain membership. Instead, Ukraine is at the mercy of "when allies agree and conditions are met," meaning when its war with Russia ends.

The tweet's a scathing callout, and according to the Post, left the US delegation "furious." Prior to Kyiv arriving, there were informal discussions on how best to respond, leading to US officials suggesting they revisit or remove any mention of Ukraine's invitation to membership at all.

Ultimately, the language remained in the communique, and Zelenskyy's tone noticeably softened during the remainder of the summit as NATO leaders announced a major package of military support for Kyiv.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly pushed for Ukraine to join NATO as soon as possible and has worked with allies to procure Western weapons and assets for Ukraine.

The summit's kick-the-can approach extends Ukraine's long limbo towards NATO inclusion. In 2008, NATO pledged that Ukraine "will become" a member of the world's foremost alliance, in part due to the advocacy of US President George W. Bush. But the communique left unaddressed any timetable for formal consideration, even as Russian President Vladimir Putin and his advisors saw Ukraine slipping from their control. Six years later, Russia would seize the Crimea peninsula by force and back separatist fighters in Ukraine's east.

Read the original article on Business Insider
People exit the headquarters of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Washington, D.C.

By Luc Cohen and Hannah Lang

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Alex Mashinsky, founder and former CEO of bankrupt cryptocurrency lender Celsius Network, pleaded not guilty Thursday to U.S. fraud charges that he misled customers and artificially inflated the value of his company's propriety crypto token.

Three federal regulatory agencies also sued Mashinsky and Celsius in connection with the case.

Mashinsky was charged with seven criminal counts - including securities fraud, commodities fraud and wire fraud - according to an indictment unsealed earlier on Thursday.

He is one of several crypto moguls to be indicted in another blow for the industry, which is undergoing a reckoning after a slump in crypto prices led to the collapse of several companies, including exchange giant FTX. That company's founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, was charged with fraud last year, and has pleaded not guilty.

Mashinsky, 57, arrived in federal court in Manhattan for his arraignment wearing a gray polo shirt, jeans and no handcuffs.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona Wang said he would be released on a $40 million bond secured by his Manhattan residence.

"Whether it's old-school fraud or some new-school crypto scheme, it doesn't matter one bit. It's all fraud to us," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said at a press conference detailing the charges.

'PROFITS IN YOUR POCKET'

Founded in 2017, Celsius filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July 2022 after customers rushed to withdraw deposits as crypto prices fell. Many have been unable to access their funds.

Crypto lenders such as Celsius grew rapidly as crypto prices surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. They promised easy loan access and eye-popping interest rates to depositors, then lent out tokens to institutional investors, hoping to profit from the difference.

Celsius was among the first in a series of bankruptcies in the cryptocurrency sector last year as token prices cratered amid rising interest rates and stubbornly high inflation. It filed for bankruptcy shortly after Singapore-based crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital and rival crypto lender Voyager Digital did likewise.

Mashinsky and Celsius' former chief revenue officer, Roni Cohen-Pavon, were charged with market manipulation of the company's crypto token, known as Cel, as well as a fraudulent scheme to manipulate the price of the cryptocurrency and wire fraud related to the manipulation of the token, according to the indictment.

Prosecutors alleged Mashinsky also personally reaped approximately $42 million in proceeds from selling his holdings of the Cel token. Celsius was not charged.

U.S. Attorney Williams said at the press conference that Cohen-Pavon is located abroad and is an Israeli citizen, but declined to comment on whether the former Celsius executive would be extradited.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also sued Mashinsky and Celsius on Thursday, according to a court filing, alleging he and his firm raised billions of dollars through the sale of unregistered crypto securities and misled investors about the financial state of the privately held company.

The SEC, along with other regulatory agencies which also filed lawsuits Thursday, accused Mashinsky and his company of touting Celsius as safe - akin to a traditional bank - even as they took increasingly risky steps to deliver promised returns of as much as 17%.

Celsius used emails with phrases like "Pour Yourself a Cup of Profits" and "Profits in your Pocket" to promote its interest-earning program.

While the firm lost millions of dollars as customers raced to withdraw funds, Mashinsky and Celsius continued to claim it company was financially secure and had enough funds to meet withdrawals, regulators said.

The SEC also said Celsius engaged in "risky trading practices" and made uncollateralized loans, despite telling investors it did not. The company also falsely claimed to have raised $50 million from its initial token sale, and claimed to have 1 million active users when in fact it only ever had around 500,000 depositors, many of whom were no longer active, the SEC said.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Federal Trade Commission also sued Celsius and Mashinsky. The FTC said it had reached a settlement with Celsius that will permanently ban it from handling customers' assets.

The Justice Department entered into a non-prosecution agreement with Celsius, in which the company accepted responsibility for its role in the alleged schemes and pledged to continue cooperating with investigators, Williams said,

Thursday's lawsuits add to a series of challenges for Celsius Network and its founder. In January, New York state's attorney general sued Mashinsky, also alleging fraud.

The crypto industry has been on even shakier ground since the SEC sued crypto exchanges Binance and Coinbase Global last month raised risks of further regulatory challenges for the sector.

However, the industry got some cheer in another federal court in New York on Thursday. In a landmark ruling, a judge decided Ripple Labs did not violate federal securities law by selling its XRP token on public exchanges, a win that sent that cryptocurrency's value soaring.

(Reporting by Hannah Lang in Washington, Luc Cohen and Chris Prentice in New York and Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Elizabeth Howcroft in London; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Michelle Price and Jonathan Oatis)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Secret Service said on Thursday it had concluded its investigation into cocaine found at the White House and said it had been unable to identify a suspect.

The cocaine was found "inside a receptacle used to temporarily store electronic and personal devices prior to entering the West Wing," the Secret Service said, confirming earlier Reuters reporting.

In a statement on Thursday, the Secret Service said it had been unable to obtain fingerprints from the package that held the cocaine and could not obtain a sufficient DNA sample to compare against a pool of people it had identified who could have brought it into the White House. The statement also said there was no surveillance video footage found that sparked any investigative leads.

"Without physical evidence, the investigation will not be able to single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered," the Secret Service said. "At this time, the Secret Service's investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence."

(Reporting by Paul Grant and Rami Ayyub; editing by Tim Ahmann, Heather Timmons and Jonathan Oatis)
The change to the regulations was brought in by then-Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng

Employers can no longer use agency staff to cover striking workers during walkouts, the High Court has ruled.

The judgement, which follows a judicial review brought by 13 unions, overturns controversial government legislation introduced last year.

The TUC, which co-ordinated the action, called the ruling a "major blow" to "ministers' attempts to undermine the right to strike".

The government said it was disappointed and considering its next steps.

"The ability to strike is important, but we maintain there needs to be a reasonable balance between this and the rights of businesses and the public," a spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said.

The change to regulations, which became law in January, was a response to the wave of strikes over pay and conditions that hit the UK last year.

It was brought in by then-Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, who at the time said he wanted to remove "burdensome, 1970s-style restrictions" which made the use of temporary workers during strikes a criminal offence.

But the unions, which represent around three million workers, argued that the government had breached their rights by failing to consult them on the changes.

On Thursday, Judge Thomas Linden upheld their challenge in a written ruling, quashing the regulations.

'Irrational'

He said Mr Kwarteng had made his decision to change the rules based on "precious little information", relying instead on a 2015 consultation which predated Covid and the cost-of-living crisis.

This, he said, was "so unfair as to be unlawful and, indeed, irrational".

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said the ruling was "a badge of shame for the Conservatives, who have been found guilty of breaching the law".

"Bringing in less-qualified agency staff to deliver important services risks endangering public safety, worsening disputes and poisoning industrial relations.

"The government railroaded through this law change despite widespread opposition from agency employers and unions."

Richard Arthur, head of trade union law at Thompsons solicitors, which represented the unions, called the ruling "a significant victory" for the trade union movement.

He added it would preserve "a vital safeguard in ensuring the right to participate in industrial action is effective".

His colleague Rachel Halliday said the regulations would be quashed from 10 August.

The government has the right to ask whether it can appeal against the decision, and it could also carry out a fresh consultation exercise.

However, it would have to take into account the responses, and in his ruling Judge Linden said Mr Kwarteng "did not even consider the information available as to the responses to the 2015 consultation".

The Department for Business and Trade said it had believed the decision to repeal the ban on agency workers covering strikes "complied with our legal obligations".

"We will consider the judgement and next steps carefully," the spokesperson said.
A group of House lawmakers is demanding answers and accountability from the Navy in the wake of an exclusive Military.com report that found that the USS Boxer sickened its own crew by intentionally dumping fuel into the ocean.

In a Wednesday letter obtained by Military.com, four House members of the California delegation and a senior member of the Armed Services Committee asked Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro to "hold accountable those responsible for this incident." They also urged Del Toro to brief Congress on the Navy response to the contamination incident in 2016.

Military.com used interviews with key personnel who were on the ship at the time of the incident, as well as documents obtained from sources and the Navy, to piece together the story in June of how sailors on the Boxer chose to dump the fuel, how it contaminated the ship's water supply, and the health impacts on the crew. Following the story's release, veterans groups also began calling for answers.

Read Next: Iraq Vet Stole Humvee Before Smashing it into Building at Fort Stewart, Prosecutors Say

"It is critical that we learn from this incident to prevent similar situations from happening again," the lawmakers wrote in the letter to the Navy.

While on a deployment in 2016, sailors in the USS Boxer's engineering department were ordered to dump fuel into the ocean by a senior enlisted sailor. Sailors who served on the ship said that, while the procedure is not uncommon, it requires the ship to keep moving to prevent sucking contaminated water into the drinking water system.

However, in this case, the exact opposite happened: The ship stopped, causing the crew's water to become tainted, according to sailors who were aboard the ship and documents from that time. Following the Military.com reporting, the Navy publicly admitted for the first time that the contamination occurred.

The ship was not ready to deal with the massive contamination that ensued. Rations of bottled water quickly ran out. Crew members were told that if they wanted drinking water, they could buy it from the ship's store but soon that ran out too.

Meanwhile, sailors and Marines were told by the ship's top doctor that the water was safe and, eventually, they had no choice but to drink, bathe and cook with it.

The letter is signed by California Reps. Sara Jacobs, Mike Levin, Scott Peters and Juan Vargas, as well as Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., the ranking member on the Armed Services' seapower and projection forces panel. The lawmakers demanded that the Navy provide details on the contamination -- as well as answer why it took the service seven years to publicly acknowledge the contamination.

The Messenger was the first outlet to report on the letter.

A spokesperson for Del Toro said that they "look forward to responding to and working with our partners in Congress on this matter."

The Boxer contamination is not an isolated incident. Last fall, the Navy acknowledged that it had had two recent instances of water contamination aboard aircraft carriers.

One, aboard the USS Nimitz, involved jet fuel -- often referred to by its official designation, JP-5 -- getting into the water supply after the crew tried to clean a water tank that they didn't realize contained the substance. The other involved bacteria in the water system aboard the carrier Abraham Lincoln.

However, in both instances, the admissions came after sailors posted details and images of the contamination on social media.

The contamination on the Boxer lingered for months until the ship was able to pull into Dubai and fully flush and clean the entire drinking water system. However, years later, service members from that deployment told Military.com they are experiencing health problems that range from skin and eye issues to infertility.

In addition to demanding answers on how the incident was allowed to happen in the first place, the lawmakers say they want to know what steps the Navy is taking to prevent similar contamination in the future, and whether the service is working with the Department of Veterans Affairs to help address the disability claims of those affected.

"We have a responsibility to protect the health and quality of life of our service members, so it is vital that we prioritize their well-being, offering comprehensive and high-quality health care, as proof of our commitment to their service," the five lawmakers wrote.

There is a significant amount of uncertainty surrounding the actual effects of diesel ingestion or inhalation on the body. As a result, many of the sailors and Marines on the Boxer who spoke to Military.com have been left wondering whether the 2016 incident is connected to any health issues they are now experiencing.

Military.com is not aware of any disciplinary action taken against any of the leaders on the Boxer connected to the incident.

The ship's commander, Capt. Michael Ruth, has since retired from the Navy. The senior enlisted sailor who ordered the fuel be dumped was later selected to become a chief warrant officer, but he too has retired from the service.

Other officers, like the ship's chief engineer and senior medical officer, appear to still be in the Navy.

"Incidents such as the one on the USS Boxer not only endanger the lives of our sailors and Marines but also risk undermining the trust of current and potential future service members, consequently jeopardizing our recruitment and retention efforts," the lawmakers wrote.

-- Rebecca Kheel contributed to this report.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Poisoned Water: How a Navy Ship Dumped Fuel and Sickened Its Own Crew
With summer in full swing and families going on vacation across the country and worldwide, people should be cautious about their activities.

Here are several recent tragedies on vacation excursions:

Cameron Robbins, 18, was celebrating his high school graduation with friends in the Bahamas May 24 when he and several hundred other high school graduates boarded Blackbeard's Revenge sunset cruise.

HAUNTING LAST WORDS SHOUTED TO BATON ROUGE TEEN AFTER HE WENT OVERBOARD AND VANISHED

Robbins jumped off of ship at around 9:30 p.m. into what authorities describe as "shark-infested" waters located near the uninhabited Athol Island, northeast of Nassau.

Cell phone video from inside the boat shows a shadowy object appearing to move in the direction of Robbins but is too dark to identify.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

A shadowy object, which social media speculates to be a shark, appears to move toward Cameron Robbins after he reportedly jumped overboard from a Bahamas cruise.

The mother of a young man who was friends with the teenager and on the same boat previously told Fox News Digital several people on the boat attempted to grab Robbins before he jumped off the ship, but he broke away.

"This was a booze cruise, and they were on their way back when this happened," one student's mother said. "My son texted me when it happened, saying, Cameron jumped off. They cant find him.' They were out there until 2, 3 in the morning."

Cameron Robbins (center) was on a cruise in the Bahamas when he reportedly jumped overboard and vanished.

Robbins had just graduated from Baton Rouge's University Laboratory School May 21 before his trip to the Bahamas.

Matthew Urey and Lauren Barham were on their honeymoon in December 2019 when they decided to book an excursion through Royal Caribbean, which ended with a lawsuit.

NEWLYWED SUING ROYAL CARIBBEAN DESCRIBES VOLCANO-ERUPTION HORROR: 'COULD FEEL MY SKIN BURNING'

The excursion was run by a tour company in New Zealand, which took passengers up a mountain where they would see a volcano.

The volcano erupted during the excursion, killing 19 people and two tour guides. A total of 38 passengers went on the excursion.

Photo taken by Matthew Urey Dec. 9, 2019, just moments before the White Island volcano erupted.

The newlywed couple spent several days in medically-induced comas at hospitals hundreds of miles apart.

Urey and Barham reunited in Richmond, Virginia, after the incident at White Island.

Matthew Urey and Lauren Barham on their wedding day Oct. 18, 2019.

In an earlier statement to Fox News, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said, "We continue to support the needs of those affected by this tragic incident. We respectfully decline further comment while the investigation is still proceeding."

The couple sued Royal Caribbean.

CALIFORNIA MODEL INVOLVED IN GRISLY PARASAILING ACCIDENT IN MEXICO RETURNS TO US

San Diego model Katie Malone was vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in June 2018, celebrating her birthday, when she decided to go parasailing.

Malone's parachute broke 45 minutes into the excursion, later crashing at an airport in the area.

"The boat flipped over and people started pulling the lines, trying to pull her down, and that was when the parachute line broke and then sent her down the Mexican coastline hundreds of feet in the air," her brother Brendan Malone told FOX17 Nashville.

Katie Malone, left, was injured in a parasailing accident in Mexico.

Malone's injuries included a fractured pelvis, skull and ribs, facial injuries and a collapsed lung, according to a GoFundMe page.

Kelly Malone, her mother, told FOX5 San Diego Katie's head injuries required her to visit a doctor in the United States.

Katie Malone suffered gruesome injuries in her accident.

"It was sad to see her in that condition," Kelly Malone said. "Actually, that morning, she sent me some pictures of her  she went surfing the day before  and then you see her like that. And you see her in the hospital, and it just breaks your heart. It's hard. It's a really emotional journey."

LOCKPORT, NEW YORK, CAVE TOUR BOAT CAPSIZES, KILLING 1, INJURING 11 OTHERS, OFFICIALS SAY

A tour boat traveling through a cave in Upstate New York capsized June 12, leaving one person dead and 11 injured.

The accident happened while passengers were traveling on a Lockport Cave Tours boat on the Erie Canal just before 11:30 a.m., according to New York State Police.

Officials said there were "roughly 30 onboard" the boat that capsized.

Water in the cave where the boat capsized was around 4-6 feet deep, according to WIVB-TV.

Daniel Morrissette, a passenger on the boat, told ABC News he was having trouble breathing because the boat was on top of him.

"By the time I realized what happened, the boat was on top of me and I couldnt find any air pockets or anything. And Im just trying to, like, breathe because Im underwater," Morrissette said.

The Associated Press and Fox News' Ryan Gaydos, Stephen Sorace, Bradford Betz, Stephanie Pagones and Chris Eberhart contributed to this report.
These vending machines are being used to suck pollution out of the air  heres how theyre creating forests inside cities

The vending machine has become a modern aspect of Japanese culture. In Tokyo, for example, its hard to walk a block without spotting several of them against a building.

Although the purpose of the vending machine can be summed up with one word, convenience, one of Japans leading drink-makers plans to give them an extra mission  pulling carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the atmosphere.

CO2 is the main gas released by human industrial activities that is heating up our planet.

Asahi Group refers to these machines as a possible forest in the city, The Straits Times reports.

The new vending machines are currently in the process of being patented.

They will have a white powder-like substance made from calcium minerals. Once this substance absorbs a specific amount of CO2, it will be used for industrial purposes like producing fertilizer and creating algal sea beds.

According to the Japan Times, company spokesperson Yoshiie Horii said Asahi Group plans to experiment with the Kanto and Kansai regions, where they will install around 30 units.

This experiment aims to help the company become carbon neutral by 2050. Each machine is expected to absorb around 132 pounds of carbon dioxide, approximately 20% of the pollution it produces.

Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are higher than they have been in at least 3 million years. In 2019 alone, humans dumped more than 40 billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.

In Japan, there are around 4 million vending machines. These machines sell all kinds of things, from toys to green tea.

Beverages make up a little over half of the vending machine market, as reported by the Japan Vending System Manufacturers Association (JVMA).

The vending machine market is shrinking year by year and the market environment is difficult, Horii is reported as saying.

Even though vending machine vendors have managed to reduce the environmental impact of these machines by more than 60% in the past 20 years, they still consume a lot of electricity because they operate 24 hours a day.

Using the macines to absorb the planet-warming carbon pollution they create is definitely a step in the right direction.

The vending machine has become a modern aspect of Japanese culture. In Tokyo, for example, its hard to walk a block without spotting several of them against a building.

Although the purpose of the vending machine can be summed up with one word, convenience, one of Japans leading drink-makers plans to give them an extra mission  pulling carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the atmosphere.

CO2 is the main gas released by human industrial activities that is heating up our planet.

Asahi Group refers to these machines as a possible forest in the city, The Straits Times reports.

The new vending machines are currently in the process of being patented.

They will have a white powder-like substance made from calcium minerals. Once this substance absorbs a specific amount of CO2, it will be used for industrial purposes like producing fertilizer and creating algal sea beds.

According to the Japan Times, company spokesperson Yoshiie Horii said Asahi Group plans to experiment with the Kanto and Kansai regions, where they will install around 30 units.

This experiment aims to help the company become carbon neutral by 2050. Each machine is expected to absorb around 132 pounds of carbon dioxide, approximately 20% of the pollution it produces.

Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are higher than they have been in at least 3 million years. In 2019 alone, humans dumped more than 40 billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.

In Japan, there are around 4 million vending machines. These machines sell all kinds of things, from toys to green tea.

Beverages make up a little over half of the vending machine market, as reported by the Japan Vending System Manufacturers Association (JVMA).

The vending machine market is shrinking year by year and the market environment is difficult, Horii is reported as saying.

Even though vending machine vendors have managed to reduce the environmental impact of these machines by more than 60% in the past 20 years, they still consume a lot of electricity because they operate 24 hours a day.

Using them to absorb the planet-warming carbon pollution they create is definitely a step in the right direction.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
Maria Corina Machado holds up her arm as she speaks during a debate with other opposition presidential hopefuls, at the Catholic University Andres Bello UCAB in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. The opposition will hold primaries on Oct 22 to choose one candidate to face President Nicolas Maduro in 2024 elections. From left are Andres Velasquez, Carlos Prosperi, Freddy Superlano, Maria Corina Machado, Delsa Solorzano, Andres Caleca, Tamara Adrian and Cesar Perez Vivas. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)  Maria Corina Machado has been a longtime foe of Venezuelas government, and not exactly a unifying figure for its critics. But the governments move to ban her from public office has helped rally the fractured opposition and focus much-needed attention on their effort to hold an independent presidential primary.

The ban was issued just days after she entered the race, and Machado says it shows that the government knows that it could face defeat.

If anyone had doubts about the strategic importance, the value, of the primaries,  the actions of the regime have made this clear: The primary is an opportunity to build civic and citizen strength, Machado told reporters.

Opposition factions have been organizing a primary since late last year to choose a candidate for the arduous task of facing President Nicolas Maduro in the 2024 election under a system that independent observers say gives all the advantages to his socialist party.

Disagreements over who can vote, how and where prompted critics and supporters to question the primary's viability. But it gained traction  and additional government attention  thanks to two recent decisions by the primary organizing commission, which is independent from the government.

First, the panel allowed Venezuelans living abroad to participate in the Oct. 22 primary, creating an online registration system and announcing 90 voting centers in more than 30 countries  and 217,000 have registered so far. Then, the group chose to organize the election without help from Venezuelas electoral authorities, avoiding the use of the government-owned electronic voting system.

The campaign comes at a time of economic crisis that has pushed 7.3 million people to migrate and has made food and other necessities unaffordable for those who remain. The monthly minimum wage is roughly $5, but feeding a family can run about $390.

Fourteen people signed up for the primary. But they had not been drawing much attention from an international community whose focus on Venezuela has waned since the start of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Machados ban has delivered just that kind of attention.

It drew swift condemnation from heads of state, regional organizations and rival opposition figure Juan Guaido, whom Machado has fiercely criticized in recent years since he declared himself Venezuelas interim president after Maduros 2018 re-election.

Even Colombias President Gustavo Petro, a key Maduro ally, spoke out against the ban.

It is clear that no administrative authority should take away political rights from any citizen, said Petro, who was handed a similar 15-year ban in 2013 and fought it successfully through a regional human rights body.

Machado is a conservative, free-market firebrand seen as radical even among the right-leaning opposition for her unwillingness to negotiate with the Maduro government, but she has nonetheless become the leading candidate.

Her ban, dated just three days after she entered the race, cites allegations of fraud and tax violations and accuses her of seeking the economic sanctions that the U.S. government imposed on Venezuela last decade.

The Venezuelan government frequently sidelines adversaries by banning them from public office, and not just in presidential contests. Such a ban was used retroactively in 2021 to remove gubernatorial candidate Freddy Superlano when he was ahead of a sibling of the late President Hugo Chavez but had not yet been declared the winner.

Superlano and longtime opposition leader Henrique Capriles  also officially barred from running for public office  have joined the primary despite their bans.

Superlano and Machado were among eight candidates who participated in a university-sponsored debate Wednesday in Caracas. Both decried the use of the bans, but unlike Superlano and other participants, Machado insisted she does not support the idea of creating a list of runners-up to replace the primary winner should that candidate not be allowed to register for the 2024 election.

David Smilde, an expert on Venezuelan politics at Tulane University, said Machado is hoping she can win the primary despite her ban and then appeal to voters, the military and the international community to pressure the government to let her run for president.

Its a vague plan, but understandable given the situation, he said.

Smilde said Maduro and the leadership of the all-powerful United Socialist Party of Venezuela have absolute control of institutions, and that allows them to trickle out as many obstacles as they want to tilt the balance. He said Maduro and his allies would rather not suppress rivals as blatantly as Nicaraguas President Daniel Ortega, who imprisoned candidates to eliminate competition ahead of last years election.

Theyd prefer not to become Nicaragua, Smilde said, but he added that they'd still rather be like Ortega than lose any of their grip on power.

Election campaigns in Venezuela typically involve handouts of free food, home appliances and other goods on behalf of ruling-party candidates, who also get favorable state media coverage. Wednesday's opposition debate, in contrast, could only be seen online.

Machado, who previously promoted election boycotts, told reporters last week that five people who participated in her recent campaign events were unjustly detained. She said a bus used for campaigning was seized by authorities, causing the owner to suffer a medical emergency due to the anguish of losing his livelihood.

The parliament of the European Union, which sent election observers to Venezuelan regional elections in 2021, passed a resolution Thursday calling the bans on Machado, Capriles and Superlano arbitrary and politically fabricated.

Venezuela's National Assembly leader Jorge Rodriguez responded that the statement reflected psychotic thinking and said the current Assembly wouldn't allow any further European Union election observers to enter the country.

The participation of observers is among the electoral conditions that the government and a U.S.-backed opposition group were supposed to negotiate in a dialogue process that began in 2021. But the talks have stalled.

Machado, 55, was accused of treason in 2004 while head of a group trying to organize a referendum to oust Chavez. She left the organization in 2010 and was elected to the National Assembly, but she was expelled in 2014 after the Panamanian government gave her its seat at a gathering of the Organization of American States to let her speak about the violence affecting Venezuela following Maduros election.

Ruling party boss Diosdado Cabello has repeatedly doubted that the Oct. 22 primary will even take place. Machado and other opposition candidates say they know they face an uneven playing field but have to press on anyway.

The opposition faces an enemy that has no shame in using the weapons of the republic and the nations treasury to stay in power at any cost," said candidate Andres Caleca.

But he said Maduro and his allies no longer have the votes. "That is their weakness.
Vermont man drowns at home as flooding claims first victim with more rain predicted  live

Vermont authorities confirmed the first flood-related death following catastrophic rain on Wednesday.

Some 117 rescues were made in Vermont as the towns of Londonderry and Weston remained largely inaccessible. Officials were beginning to assess how many homes had been destroyed and what the financial cost would be from damaged roads, bridges and railways.

Vermont Emergency Management confirmed on Thursday that 63-year-old Stephen Davoll died as a result of a drowning incident in his home on Wednesday. It is the first death linked to the historic floodings in the state.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared the floodings a 1-in-1,000-year weather event caused by the climate crisis, after a woman died in the Empire State when she was swept away while trying to escape her home with her dog.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott said at a news conference that thunderstorms were expected to move into parts of the state by Thursday night, which could cause more flash flooding.

The period we are more concerned about is Sunday because that could be more widespread and heavier, but not nearly on the scale of what we saw earlier in the week, National Weather Service meteorologist Seth Kutikoff also said.

Key Points

Travel disrupted as 13 million people in the US north-east under flood alert

One killed, 50 rescued so far as US northeast faces extreme downpour and flooding

Governor says Vermont downpour 'worse than Irene'

Watch: Drone footage shows Montepelier underwater as dam threatened

First flood-related death in Vermont confirmed

23:17 , Andrea Blanco

Vermont Emergency Management confirmed on Thursday that 63-year-old Stephen Davoll died as a result of a drowning incident in his home on Wednesday. It is the first death linked to the historic floodings in the state.

In Vermont, communities were cleaning up from the floods that were more destructive in some places than 2011s Tropical Storm Irene and regarded as the worst natural disaster since the 1927 floods, which killed dozens of people and caused widespread destruction.

Officials were beginning to assess how many homes had been destroyed and what the financial cost would be from damaged roads, bridges and railways.

National Weather Service shares protocol to prepare for flash floods

22:30 , Andrea Blanco

Will you be ready for sudden flash floods? Stay #WeatherReady by enabling weather alerts on your phone. If flooding occurs while youre outdoors, immediately get to higher ground, and NEVER enter flood waters in a vehicle or on foot. https://t.co/uucDwbLg9C pic.twitter.com/9jQZ5pzZ8h  National Weather Service (@NWS) July 13, 2023

Snow shovels repurposed to clear mud from floods

21:52 , Andrea Blanco

Volunteers pulled out their snow shovels Wednesday to clear inches of mud after torrential rain and flooding inundated communities across Vermont, trapping people in homes, closing roadways and littering streets and businesses with debris.

The water drained off most streets in the state capital of Montpelier, where the swollen Winooski River flooded basements and ground floors, destroying merchandise and furniture across the picturesque downtown. Other communities cleaned up as well from historic floods that were more destructive than Tropical Storm Irene in many places. Dozens of roads remained closed, and thousands of homes and businesses are damaged.

But with people still being rescued, high water still blocking some roads and new flash flood warnings issued with more rain on the way, the crisis is far from over, according to state Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison.

Vermonters, keep your guard up, and do not take chances, she said.

Morrison said urban search and swift water rescue teams came to the aid of least 32 people and numerous animals Tuesday night in northern Vermonts Lamoille County, bringing the total to more than 200 rescues since Sunday, and more than 100 evacuations.

Vermont under severe thunderstorm watch

21:37 , Andrea Blanco

This isnt over, and it wont be over after this storm, Gov. Phil Scott said on Thursday. Today I will submit the request for President Biden for a major disaster declaration, which, if approved, would provide federal disaster relief funds, which would be very helpful to communities in the recovery phase.

Rains and severe weather forecast for southern Vermont

21:12 , Andrea Blanco

Vermont residents are poised for another deluge with the National Weather Service warning: Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. Some t-storms will be severe with damaging winds, large hail, and locally heavy rainfall.

The storms are set to hit the state between 4pm and 8pm with saturated soils likely to exacerbate runoff and flooding.

Rains expected for Vermont and US northeast

20:48 , Andrea Blanco

While stifling temperatures have gripped many parts of the country, Vermont and other Northeastern states barely have had time to recover from historic flooding in recent days when the National Weather Service forecast more heavy rainfall across parts of New England in the coming days, where rivers and streams are already running high.

APTOPIX Northeast Flooding Vermont

Possible renewed flooding in Easter New York, according to Weather Service

20:20 , Andrea Blanco

Showers and thunderstorms moving across the region Thursday afternoon through early Friday may produce renewed flooding in Eastern New York and Western New England, the National Weather Service said on Thursday.

Showers and thunderstorms moving across the region Thursday afternoon through early Friday may produce renewed flooding in Eastern New York and Western New England. pic.twitter.com/Eox8Rnym9E  NWS Northeast RFC (@NWSNERFC) July 13, 2023

People return to devastated houses after water recedes

20:00 , Andrea Blanco

Residents in Vermont are returning home to find their houses and belongings damaged after severe flooding left the capital city Montpelier as a swirling, brown waterway.

One resident posted a video of their front yard with the entry door blocked with mud and stones and car stuck.

Finally got to return to the house and get my stuff  heres the aftermath of yesterdays mudslide and flood in Ludlow, Vermont. Grateful I got out when I did! Dont think Ill be moving that truck anytime soon pic.twitter.com/BROrWyccOr  alisha durgin (@babygotbckcntry) July 12, 2023

Road reparation continues in Orange County after floods

19:36 , Andrea Blanco

Debora Kopald, who lives in the Town of Highland in Orange County, New York,  where a woman died after she was swept away while trying to escape her home with her dog, told The Independent that all road roads were either washed out or covered with boulders on Monday.

I live at the end of ... a hill- and there is only one way out - and part of the road caved in - they are telling us not to drive on the rest [because] it might cave in all the way. Its a fire hazard and very serious, Ms Kopald said.

Weather conditions have improved in Orange County, as Vermont gears for storms set to hit the state between 4pm and 8pm.

WATCH: Residents kayak through flooded town as Vermont hit by severe flooding

19:05 , Andrea Blanco

Dangerous heat wave baking US Southwest brings triple digit temperatures

18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

After a historically wet winter and a cloudy spring, Californias summer was in full swing Thursday as a heat wave thats been scorching much of the US Southwest brings triple-digit temperatures and an increased risk of wildfires.

Blistering conditions will build Friday and throughout the weekend in the central and southern parts of California, where many residents should prepare for the hottest weather of the year, the National Weather Service warned.

Midday highs were mostly expected to be above 100 degrees (37.7 C), and desert areas could reach 120 (48.8 C), forecasters said. Little relief was expected overnight when temperatures could remain in the 80s (above 26.6 C). An excessive heat watch was in effect through Sunday for interior Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Read more...

Dangerous heat wave baking US Southwest brings triple digit temperatures, fire risk to California

18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Volunteers turned out in droves to help flooded businesses in Montpelier, a city of 8,000, shoveling mud, cleaning, and moving damaged items outside. Weve had so much enthusiasm for support for businesses downtown that most of the businesses have had to turn folks away, said volunteer organizer Peter Walke.

Similar scenes played out in neighboring Barre and in Bridgewater, where the Ottauquechee River spilled its banks, and in Ludlow, where the Black River sent floodwaters surging into several restaurants co-owned by chef Andrew Molen. He said Sams Steakhouse is likely closed for good after the water inside reached nearly 7 feet (more than 2 meters) high.

The only thing thats probably gonna be salvageable is the silverware, and even then, after being in that muck for so long, you wash everything, do you really want to put that on the table? Its pretty intense what happened, Molen said.

Another of his restaurants, Mr. Darcys, had a couple feet of water inside, damaging the foundation. But Molen said he hasnt focused on cleaning up yet, because the first order of business has been making sure local residents and first responders stay fed. His crew has been cooking at one of the restaurants that remains functional and using ATVs through standing water to bring the meals to a local community center.

AP

Snow shovels repurposed to clear mud from floods

18:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Volunteers pulled out their snow shovels Wednesday to clear inches of mud after torrential rain and flooding inundated communities across Vermont, trapping people in homes, closing roadways and littering streets and businesses with debris.

The water drained off most streets in the state capital of Montpelier, where the swollen Winooski River flooded basements and ground floors, destroying merchandise and furniture across the picturesque downtown. Other communities cleaned up as well from historic floods that were more destructive than Tropical Storm Irene in many places. Dozens of roads remained closed, and thousands of homes and businesses are damaged.

But with people still being rescued, high water still blocking some roads and new flash flood warnings issued with more rain on the way, the crisis is far from over, according to state Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison.

Vermonters, keep your guard up, and do not take chances, she said.

Morrison said urban search and swift water rescue teams came to the aid of least 32 people and numerous animals Tuesday night in northern Vermonts Lamoille County, bringing the total to more than 200 rescues since Sunday, and more than 100 evacuations.

AP

17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

US town submerged by catastrophic flooding captured in drone footage

Watch: Extraordinary amount of sediment washed down mountains by initial deluge

17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The Weather Channels Justin Michaels posted this video from Ludlow, Vermont, showing the huge amount of sediment piled up by the flooding this week, as more rain looms.

WATCH  The amount of sediment that came down from the Green Mountains in Ludlow, VT is extraordinary. With more flooding rain forecast, its a race against the clock to get as much done as possible before the rain begins again. @weatherchannel is storytelling in Vermont. pic.twitter.com/qRb9sY8Uzn  Justin Michaels (@JMichaelsNews) July 13, 2023

Chicago tornado cluster has thousands seeking shelter at OHare Airport

16:44 , Oliver O'Connell

At least eight tornadoes and thunderstorms touched down in the greater Chicago area on Wednesday, setting off sirens and other warnings in Americas third-biggest city.

The National Weather Service issued an advisory for people in the Chicago area to seek shelter for the night after one tornado touched down near the OHare International Airport.

Shweta Sharma has the story.

Tornado cluster tears through Chicago as thousands shelter at OHare Airport

Reminder: Never attempt to drive a flooded road

16:30 , Oliver O'Connell

With storms passing through today, the risk of additional flash flooding exists especially for the eastern half of the state into Vermont.



**Remember**



Never attempt to drive through a flooded road.



It takes just 12 of moving water to sweep a car away.#NYwx pic.twitter.com/ewq1xo3Vc9  Jack Durkin (@DurkinWeather) July 13, 2023

NH senator praises first responders for assisting neighbouring Vermont

16:15 , Oliver O'Connell

New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen has praised the National Guard and firefighters from her state for their assistance across the border in Vermont following the deluge that hit that state this week.

She tweeted: Thanks to @NHNationalGuard and Bedford and Manchester firefighters for their quick response in assisting our neighbors in Vermont following the devastating floods. The bravery and dedication of swift water rescue crews are making a difference as we respond to this crisis.

Thanks to @NHNationalGuard and Bedford and Manchester firefighters for their quick response in assisting our neighbors in Vermont following the devastating floods. The bravery and dedication of swift water rescue crews are making a difference as we respond to this crisis.  Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) July 13, 2023

16:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Residents kayak through flooded town as Vermont hit by severe flooding

Numerous scattered showers and thunderstorms set to hit this evening

15:25 , Oliver O'Connell

Vermont residents are poised for another deluge with the National Weather Service warning: Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. Some t-storms will be severe with damaging winds, large hail, and locally heavy rainfall.

The storms are set to hit the state between 4pm and 8pm with saturated soils likely to exacerbate runoff and flooding.

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. Some t-storms will be severe with damaging winds, large hail, and locally heavy rainfall. Please ensure you have a way to receive our warnings today and keep an eye on the sky! #NYwx #VTwx pic.twitter.com/SGUb4AbiFX  NWS Burlington (@NWSBurlington) July 13, 2023

Vermonts catastrophic flooding was visible from space

15:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Vermont is beginning the long and gruelling clean-up from catastrophic flooding this week  the scale of which is so vast that it can be seen from space.

The Green Mountain State wasnt alone: other Northeastern states are facing their own expensive recoveries from major, slow-moving storms which dumped months of rain on the region in a matter of days.

Louise Boyle filed this report.

Vermonts catastrophic flooding is visible from space

US faced 12 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2023, says NOAA

14:29 , Stuti Mishra

In 2023 so far, the US has faced 12 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The US governments climate and environment body said that June 2023 was record hot for some parts of the US, while other locations were roiled by severe weather and poor air quality.

So far, the average temperature for the contiguous US was 49.2 degrees F, (1.7 degrees above the 20th-century average), ranking as the 21st-warmest year based on the data of first six months.

Till 11 July, there have been 12 confirmed climate disaster events, NOAA said, with losses exceeding $1 billion each.

Chart from NOAA shows 12 confirmed climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1bn each to affect United State (NOAA)

Land temperatures in Spain surpass 60C amid deadly heat

13:29 , Stuti Mishra

As deadly heat engulfs southern US, the temperatures across the Mediterranean are also set to break records.

The temperature of the ground in some areas of Spain has hit more than 60C during the deadly heatwave sweeping Europe, satellite recordings have shown.

It was so hot that a heat map that highlights scorching temperatures in red turned even darker  to black.

Temperature records have been broken on most of the continent, including France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, where highs of 40C were recorded again on Wednesday.

Read more:

Land temperatures in Spain surpass record 60C in deadly heatwave

Eight tornadoes touch down in four Chicago counties

12:29 , Stuti Mishra

Extreme weather also threatened the Chicago area, where at least eight tornadoes touched down in four counties in northeastern Illinois.

One tornado touched down near Chicagos OHare International Airport on Wednesday evening, prompting passengers to take shelter and disrupting hundreds of flights. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

A confirmed tornado was on the ground around 7pm, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago.

This tornado has been touching the ground intermittently so far and is moving east. There are additional circulations along the line south of OHare. Seek shelter if in the warned area, it said.

The view from Chicago Midway Airport as a tornado-warned storm pushed through moments ago.



Over 1.7 million people in the Chicago area were included within this tornado warning.



Video sent in by: Taylor Mobley#weather #tornado #stormhour #ilwx #wx pic.twitter.com/DO56S1lBza  Nash Rhodes (@NashWX) July 12, 2023

Death Valley can see 'highest temperature on Earth', expert warns

11:29 , Stuti Mishra

The southern parts of the US is bracing for potentially deadly heat with much of the area under an excessive heat warning.

The National Weather Service issued excessive heat advisories, watches and warnings for areas where about 100 million Americans live. The sweltering conditions are expected to worsen over the weekend and continue into next week.

Meteorologist Colin McCarthy warned on Twitter that Death Valley, one of the hottest places on the planet, can see temperatures "soar up to 131F (55C), which, if recorded by a weather station, would be the highest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth".

The National Weather Service is now forecasting Death Valley to soar up to 131F (55C), which, if recorded by a weather station, would be the highest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth. pic.twitter.com/Jonl9GBfzB  Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) July 13, 2023

The records show Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley recording a temperature of 134.1F (56.7C) in July 1913, which is considered the highest temperature recorded on Earth, however, that reading has been under question by scientists with several meteorological experts asserting that there were irregularities.

More rains expected for Vermont and US northeast

10:29 , Stuti Mishra

While stifling temperatures have gripped many parts of the country, Vermont and other Northeastern states barely have had time to recover from historic flooding in recent days when the National Weather Service forecast more heavy rainfall across parts of New England in the coming days, where rivers and streams are already running high.

Jodi Kelly, left, practice manager at Stonecliff Veterinary Surgical Center, behind, and her husband, veterinarian Dan Kelly, use a canoe to remove surgical supplies from the flood-damaged centre (AP)

Excessive heat is baking US Southwest and expected to get worse

09:29 , Stuti Mishra

A prolonged heat wave blanketed a swath of the US stretching from California to South Florida on Wednesday, with forecasters expecting temperatures that could shatter records in parts of the Southwest in the coming days.

The National Weather Service issued excessive heat advisories, watches and warnings for areas where about 100 million Americans live. The sweltering conditions are expected to worsen over the weekend and continue into next week.

People return to devastated houses after water recedes

08:29 , Stuti Mishra

Residents in Vermont are returning home to find their houses and belongings damaged after severe flooding left the capital city Montpelier as a swirling, brown waterway.

One resident posted a video of their front yard with the entry door blocked with mud and stones and car stuck.

Finally got to return to the house and get my stuff  heres the aftermath of yesterdays mudslide and flood in Ludlow, Vermont. Grateful I got out when I did! Dont think Ill be moving that truck anytime soon pic.twitter.com/BROrWyccOr  alisha durgin (@babygotbckcntry) July 12, 2023

City of Montpelier warns of sinkholes after flooding

07:29 , Louise Boyle

Officials in the Vermont city of Montpelier warned residents to beware of potential sinkholes as flood waters recede and saturated ground settles.

Sinkholes can develop fast and without warning. Do not walk or drive around closed roads or barricades. Please also obey traffic signals and be on the lookout for deep potholes filled with water that may damage or incapacitate your vehicle, the city said.

A man walks down street flooded by recent rain storms in Montpelier, Vermont (REUTERS)

Watch: Bernie Sanders calls Vermont flooding 'worst natural disaster since 1927'

06:29 , Louise Boyle

Pictured: Clean-up continues in Vermont

05:29 , Stuti Mishra

Andrew Brewer, a resident of Montpelier and former business owner on Langdon Street, helps wash away the mud from the sidewalk (Getty Images)

A person bikes around downtown once flood waters receded (Getty Images)

In an aerial view, a kayaker paddles through the flooded waters of Elm Street (Getty Images)

Bailey Road, a clothing and home goods store on Main Street, was left severely damaged from flood waters (Getty Images)

European heatwave Cerberus claims first life as worker dies in 40C heat

04:58 , Louise Boyle

A deadly heatwave sweeping Europe has claimed its first life in Italy.

A 44-year-old worker reportedly collapsed while painting a zebra crossing in 40C heat at noon on Tuesday in the town of Lodi, close to Milan. The man is said to have lost consciousness due to the intense heat and was later pronounced dead.

An area of high pressure  named Cerberus after the underworld monster from Dantes Inferno  is blanketing the country. Italy saw highs of 40C on Wednesday with Sicily and Sardinia forecast to be as high as 48C.

European heatwave Cerberus claims first death and temperatures could reach 48C

What is El Nino and what impact might it have?

03:30 , Louise Boyle

The UNs World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has announced the return of the weather cycle El Nino, which could lead to record global temperatures this year.

After three years of the cooler La Nina pattern, which often lowers global temperatures slightly, the WMO announced on Tuesday that El Nino conditions were present and are expected to gradually strengthen into the winter.

The last significant El Nino event occurred in 2016, which has gone down as the warmest year the world has seen since records began.

What is El Nino and what impact might it have?

What is making South Asian monsoons more deadly?

01:59 , Louise Boyle

Torrential downpours this week have led to the deaths of 100 people and unleashed havoc in northern India. Officials have described it as the worst monsoon the country has experienced in decades, writes Stuti Mishra.

The countrys deadly monsoon comes as countries the world over grapple with similar extreme weather.

The northeastern US experienced historic downpours this week, China evacuated thousands of people from flooding and landslides, and Japanese officials reported the heaviest rain ever experienced. Scientists say the climate crisis is playing a significant role in the intensification of such extreme weather - heres how.

Drone footage captures Vermonts catastrophic flooding

New threats of flash flooding strike the south

Thursday 13 July 2023 00:34 , Louise Boyle

Forecasters warned on Wednesday of possible life threatening flash flooding in parts of southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana as heavy rain battered the region.

The National Weather Service urged residents in four towns in Arkansas Columbia County and Louisianas Claiborne Parish  Haynesville, Emerson, Horsehead and Walkerville  to move to higher ground.

Low water crossings, small creeks and streams, highways, streets and underpasses in those areas could experience life threatening flash flooding, the weather service said in a bulletin.

Forecasters said as many as 10 inches (25 cm) of rain had already fallen in the area and fresh thunderstorms could dump another four inches (10 cm).

Associated Press

Watch: Aerial footage shows massive landslide in Vermont after extreme rain

Wednesday 12 July 2023 23:01 , Louise Boyle

Climate activists sound the alarm after Vermont flooding: Wake up, wake up

Wednesday 12 July 2023 22:30 , Louise Boyle

Vermont is underwater. Citizens are kayaking through the streets to seek refuge. This is not a sign. This is a siren. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up. pic.twitter.com/UUSKl8wjxW  Climate Defiance (@ClimateDefiance) July 12, 2023

Vermont flooding can be seen from space

Wednesday 12 July 2023 22:02 , Louise Boyle

Vermonts flooding damage is so catastrophic that it can be seen from space, new satellite images have revealed.

An aerial view of the Winooski River in Richmond, Vermont on June 27, 2019, left, and at right, an overview of the same area during flooding on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 (Satellite image 2023 Maxar Technologies)

Vermont introduces statewide boil water notice

Wednesday 12 July 2023 21:33 , Louise Boyle

Vermont was advising residents in flood-effected areas to boil water due to risk of contamination from the excessive flooding.

The boil water notice will remain in effect until sampling can be performed to assure the water is safe, the state said.

Watch: Bernie Sanders says Vermont flooding worst natural disaster since 1927

Wednesday 12 July 2023 21:13 , Louise Boyle

New flood threats

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:50 , Louise Boyle

The National Weather Service warned of severe weather conditions and heavy rainfall on Wednesday across the central US.

A slow-moving storm system was blanketing the Midwest, Mississippi Valley and Plains regions.

A moderate risk of excessive rainfall is in effect on Wednesday for portions of far southwest Arkansas and northwest Louisiana, NWS noted. Heavy rainfall overnight has caused sensitive ground conditions with additional heavy rainfall expected, posing risk of scattered to widespread instances of flash flooding.

Watch: Stranded locals rescued by zip-line as torrential rains cause extreme flooding in India

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:30 , Louise Boyle

City of Montpelier warns of sinkholes after flooding

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:10 , Louise Boyle

Officials in the Vermont city of Montpelier warned residents to beware of potential sinkholes as flood waters recede and saturated ground settles.

Sinkholes can develop fast and without warning. Do not walk or drive around closed roads or barricades. Please also obey traffic signals and be on the lookout for deep potholes filled with water that may damage or incapacitate your vehicle, the city said.

Watch: Vermont Governor Phil Scott calls flooding 'historic' and vows to clean up damage

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:50 , Louise Boyle

The town of Ludlow counts its losses

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:33 , Louise Boyle

We sustained catastrophic damage. We just really took the brunt of the storm, Ludlow Municipal Manager Brendan McNamara told The Associated Press on Tuesday, as he assessed the floods impact around the town of 1,500 people.

Among the losses was the towns water treatment plant. Its main supermarket remained closed. The main roadway through town had yet to be fully reopened and McNamara couldnt begin to estimate how many houses had been damaged.

The towns Little League field and a new skate park were destroyed, and scores of businesses were damaged.

People walk across a bridge damaged by flood waters, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Ludlow (AP)

Thankfully we got through it with no loss of life, McNamara said. Ludlow will be fine. People are coming together and taking care of each other.

Colleen Dooley returned to her condominium complex in Ludlow on Tuesday to find the grounds covered in silt and mud and the pool filled with muddy river water.

I dont know when well move back, but it will certainly be awhile, said Dooley, a retired teacher.

What is making South Asian monsoons more deadly?

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:10 , Louise Boyle

Torrential downpours this week have led to the deaths of 100 people and unleashed havoc in northern India. Officials have described it as the worst monsoon the country has experienced in decades, writes Stuti Mishra.

The countrys deadly monsoon comes as countries the world over grapple with similar extreme weather.

The northeastern US experienced historic downpours this week, China evacuated thousands of people from flooding and landslides, and Japanese officials reported the heaviest rain ever experienced.Scientists say the climate crisis is playing a significant role in the intensification of such extreme weather - heres how.

As rains kill more than 100 in India, what makes south Asias monsoons more deadly?

The Southwest is baking in prolonged 100-degree heat

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:51 , Louise Boyle

Even Southwestern desert residents accustomed to scorching summers are feeling the grip of an extreme heat wave smacking Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Southern California this week with 100-degree-plus temps and excessive heat warnings.

To add insult to injury, the region has been left high and dry with no monsoon activity, which can help offset the blazing temperatures. In Arizona, the monsoon season officially begins June 15 and can bring powerful storms with high winds, lightning and heavy bursts of rain.

The heat has made parts of Phoenix feel like a ghost town. Sunset concerts were canceled, and covered restaurant patios equipped with cooling misters sit empty. (AP)

Warnings about extreme temperatures in Phoenix, Arizona, on 10 July 2023 (AP)

Pictured: The clean-up in Vermont

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:30 , Louise Boyle

Simon Jennings, of Montpelier, Vt., removes mid-20th century mannequins from the flood-damaged antique, art, and furnishing store (AP)

Juliana Jennings, of Montpelier, Vt., removes a wet Persian rug from the flood-damaged antique, art, and furnishing store J. Langdon she shares with her husband, in downtown Montpelier, Vermont (AP)

Watch: Senator Bernie Sanders shares update on flooding to fellow Vermont citizens

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:12 , Louise Boyle

Heres what @FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell wants Vermonters to know about the agencys response to the flooding emergency. pic.twitter.com/ea9aRnepe4  Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) July 12, 2023

The whole house was just shaking'

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:50 , Louise Boyle

Vermonters were beginning to share harrowing stories of narrow escapes amid the extreme flooding.

Jeane Wolfe and Jerry Williams told The Vermont Digger, that it sounded like a waterfall rushing into their basement in the early hours of Tuesday.

The whole house was just shaking, Ms Wolfe told the local newspaper. We knew that we had to leave.

They were eventually able to evacuate with help from a rescue crew, and made it to a temporary shelter.

Watch: Water cascades down rocks close to Bear Mountain Bridge after storm lashes New Yorkstate

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:29 , Louise Boyle

All hands on deck: Vermont officials give update

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:09 , Louise Boyle

Officials in Vermont gave an update on Wednesday amid extreme flooding as Governor Phil Scott described it as an all hands on deck response.

Local water rescue teams were overwhelmed with demand so additional swift response teams had been drafted in from North Carolina, while an additional Massachusetts team was on the way.

Governor gives update on Vermont flooding

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:50 , Louise Boyle

Vermont Governor Phil Scott said that floodwaters had surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. Irene killed six people, washed homes off their foundations and damaged or destroyed more than 200 bridges and 500 miles of highway.

The flooding has already caused tens of millions of dollars in damage throughout the state.

There have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to the flooding in Vermont, where swift-water rescue teams aided by National Guard helicopter crews performed more than 100 rescues, Vermont Emergency Management said.

The Associated Press

Pictured: Vermonts state capital marooned

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:30 , Louise Boyle

Drone footage shows flooding in Montpelier, Vermont on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, around the state capital building (Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets via AP)

More rain on the way for Vermont

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:10 , Louise Boyle

More rain was forecast for the Green Mountain state on Thursday and Friday - but nowhere near the historic levels it has experienced so far this week.

There would be a 50 per cent chance of showers throughout the day on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. This is expected to increase to 70 per cent in the evening with the added chance of a thunderstorm.

Friday afternoon would also be possibly showery but nothing near the torrential downpours of earlier this week.

Watch: India suffers catastrophic flooding

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:50 , Louise Boyle

It wasnt only the US being struck with severe flooding as the climate crisis ramps up extreme impacts globally. In Manali, India, flash flooding caused massive destruction.

Montpelier gives an update

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:31 , Louise Boyle

The city of Montpelier, Vermont gave an update on Wedneday morning via its Facebook page.

Public work crews were assessing damage in the downtown area and residents were asked to avoid the area as the clean-up gets underway.

Thank you to all our incredible emergency responders, public works crews, and our community members who have worked tirelessly to get us through this, the city wrote.

Before and after the rains in Richmond, Vermont

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:10 , Louise Boyle

An overview of the Winooski River in Richmond, Vermont on June 27, 2019 (left) and on July 11, 2023, after heavy rains triggered flooding (Satellite image A2023 Maxar Tech)

Vermont governor and FEMA chief to provide update on Wednesday

Wednesday 12 July 2023 14:50 , Louise Boyle

Vermont Governor Phil Scott is holding a press conference on Wednedsay morning at 11.30am local time with Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the states congressional leaders to provide updates on the historic flooding.

The event can be watched lived through local media outlets or on Governor Scotts Facebook page.

Watch: The clean-up begins in Vermont

Wednesday 12 July 2023 14:30 , Louise Boyle

Vermont slowly starts to recover

Wednesday 12 July 2023 14:17 , Louise Boyle

The long and gruelling recovery work is slowly starting in Vermont after the state was deluged by two months worth of rain in two days this week.

In the capital city of Montpelier, where streets were flooded Tuesday by the swollen Winooski River, officials said that water levels at a dam just upstream appeared to be stable.

It looks like it wont breach. That is good. That is one less thing we have to have on our front burner, Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser said. (AP)

Jodi Kelly, left, practice manager at Stonecliff Veterinary Surgical Center, behind, and her husband, veterinarian Dan Kelly, use a canoe to remove surgical supplies from the flood-damaged center, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Montpelier, Vermont (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The US braces for more extreme weather in coming days

Wednesday 12 July 2023 14:15 , Graeme Massie

Despite heavy rainfall being expected to ease later on Tuesday over New England, more extreme weather was brewing across the United States.

There was risk of heavy rainfall on Tuesday in the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, the National Weather Service said in its short-term outlook.

Texas and other parts of the Southwest will continue to get extreme heat with advisories, watches and warnings in effect from Florida and Texas to California.

Some parts of Florida would experience record-tying/breaking temperatures in the coming days. When combined with the humidity, the real feel of the heat will range between 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Eastern Texas will hit the upper 90s to low 100s on Tuesday, spreading northward into additional portions of the Southern Plains and Central Plains on Wednesday. High humidity will lead to heat indices up to 110F here as well.

West Texas, as well as the Desert Southwest, will not see as much humidity but the air temperature will be hotter, ranging between the mid-100s to mid-110s, posing a similarly high risk of heat-related impacts.

Southern US to face dangerous heat conditions

Wednesday 12 July 2023 13:30 , Stuti Mishra

After extreme rainfall battered the US northeast, the southern parts of the country are bracing for extreme temperatures, the forecast from National Weather Service shows.

The forecaster said "there's going to be sweltering #heat across the Southern half of the US" by the end of this week, with "probabilities of a greater than a 100 degree (over 37C) heat index on Saturday (L) and Sunday (R)".

Looking forward to the weekend already? Well there's going to be sweltering #heat across the Southern half of the U.S. The two graphics are probabilities of a greater than a 100 degree heat index on Saturday (L) and Sunday (R). 70% probability is in red. Stay Cool!!! pic.twitter.com/VuCdyPGdcN  National Weather Service (@NWS) July 11, 2023

Next week is expected to get even hotter with "hazardous" conditions in some parts, as "heat wave that will impact the South-Central and Southeast US," according to NWS.

Here are our latest key messages on the heat wave that will impact the South-Central and Southeast U.S. over the next week. pic.twitter.com/ot2ky1C0aI  NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) July 11, 2023

Extreme heat warnings and advisories have been put in place already in several parts including southern Nevada, southern California, eastern Arizona, Oklahoma and Texas.

Meanwhile, Flordia will start to see "dangerous heat" this week "through at least Thursday, continuing the hot and dry start to the rainy season for portions of the Sunshine State," the Weather Channel reported.

Flood warning for Vermont set to expire but some rains to continue

Wednesday 12 July 2023 12:45 , Stuti Mishra

The flood warning by the National Weather Service (NWS) for parts of Vermont is set to expire at 10.30am ET today, with no further flooding expected for central, northeast, northwest, and southern Vermont, including various counties.

The weather service said heavy rain had ended across the region. However, light rain may still persist. No new flooding is expected, but existing floodwaters may be slow to recede, the service warned.

A man walks down street flooded by recent rain storms in Montpelier, Vermont (REUTERS)

Pictured: Traversing the floodwaters

Wednesday 12 July 2023 12:02 , Graeme Massie

A person rows a paddle board in a flooded area in Montpelier, Vermont on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

Watch: Are global floods getting worse?

Wednesday 12 July 2023 11:03 , Graeme Massie

Vermont capital hit hard

Wednesday 12 July 2023 10:06 , Graeme Massie

Downtown Montpelier, a city of 8,000, was swamped between the capitol building and the Winooski River. Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser warned on Tuesday that the Wrightsville Dam several miles to the north could exceed capacity for the first time.

There would be a large amount of water coming into Montpelier which would drastically add to the existing flood damage, he said, adding that there are very few evacuation options remaining. People in at risk areas may wish to go to upper floors in their houses.

Just before noon on Tuesday, Montpelier Police said waters had risen to within a foot of the top of the dam, and every foot of water that goes over the spillway would double the flow into the city.

Multiple rescue crews were positioned in Montpelier, where dispatch, police and fire operations were relocated to a water treatment plant after heavy flooding at City Hall and the police and fire departments. Also, the radio towers they use for emergency calls are not functional, Police Chief Eric Nordenson said.

Shelters were set up at churches and town halls, but at least one refuge had to close as flooding worsened. Delivering food and water to more than 200 people sheltering at the Barre Municipal Auditorium has been a challenge.

Were trying to find paths to get supplies in to them, said John Montes, American Red Cross of Northern New England regional disaster officer.

The Associated Press

Watch: Devastating floods batter Vermont

Wednesday 12 July 2023 09:30 , Graeme Massie

Watch: Drone footage shows Montepelier underwater as dam threatened

Wednesday 12 July 2023 08:30 , Graeme Massie

Floodwaters begin receding in Vermont

Wednesday 12 July 2023 07:21 , Stuti Mishra

Floodwaters receded in Vermont cities and towns pummelled by a storm that delivered two months of rain in two days, officials say, allowing the focus to be on recovery now.

In the capital city of Montpelier, where streets were flooded on Tuesday by the swollen Winooski River, officials said that water levels at a dam just upstream appeared to be stable.

It looks like it wont breach. That is good. That is one less thing we have to have on our front burner, Montpelier town manager Bill Fraser said.

Mr Fraser said the dam remains a lingering concern but with the water receding the city was shifting to recovery mode.

Public works employees were expected to start removing mud and debris in the downtown on Wednesday and building inspections will start as businesses begin cleaning up their properties.

Biden calls Vermont governor from Europe

Wednesday 12 July 2023 06:04 , Graeme Massie

President Biden called Vermont Governor Phil Scott on Tuesday from Europe where he was attending the annual NATO summit in Lithuania.

Just got off the phone with [POTUS] Joe Biden, who offered his full support and that of the entire federal government as Vermont responds to historic flooding. I appreciate the President and his entire team for their support, hard work and close collaboration, Governor Scott tweeted.

I just got off the phone with @POTUS Joe Biden, who offered his full support and that of the entire federal government as Vermont responds to historic flooding. I appreciate the President and his entire team for their support, hard work and close collaboration. pic.twitter.com/janNy5eVIn  Governor Phil Scott (@GovPhilScott) July 11, 2023

Vermont is one of a number of states and cities suing Big Oil over the climate crisis

Wednesday 12 July 2023 05:07 , Graeme Massie

In September 2021, Vermont joined other states and cities in suing some of the countrys top fossil fuel companies by alleging they misled the public about the impact their products have on the climate crisis.

The state wants the companies to tell consumers that the use of fossil fuel products harms the environment, Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan said after the lawsuit was filed in Vermont Superior Court in Burlington.

The warnings could be similar to those noting the danger of tobacco products or food products that include nutritional and calorie information, he said.

Donovan, speaking outside the Chittenden County courthouse in downtown Burlington where the lawsuit was filed, said they are not trying to prevent the companies from selling their products in the state and that Vermonters will continue to be able to use fossil fuels.

What we are saying is that Vermonters have the right to know, Donovan said. Give Vermonters accurate information. Put a label on the product and let Vermonters decide.

The suit names ExxonMobil Corporation, Shell Oil Company, Sunoco LP, CITGO Petroleum Corporation and other corporations.

A spokesperson for ExxonMobil said at the time that the lawsuit was baseless and without merit and they look forward to defending the company in court.

Legal proceedings like this waste millions of dollars of taxpayer money and do nothing to advance meaningful actions that reduce the risks of climate change, he said. Citgo declined to comment on pending litigation. The other two companies did not respond to requests for comment.

The Associated Press

NWS Burlington gives historic rainfall totals

Wednesday 12 July 2023 04:08 , Graeme Massie

Without further ado, we have our final rainfall map for a historic two-day rainstorm. The greatest storm total was 9.2, with many 6-9 amounts along and just east of the Green Mountains, tweeted NWS Burlington.

Police say Wrightsville Dam levels are holding 1ft from spillway

Wednesday 12 July 2023 03:08 , Graeme Massie

We have monitored the water levels at the Wrightsville Dam for the last two hours and seen no significant changes, MPD said on Tuesday afternoon.

We have been in close contact with the onsite Vermont Dam Safety Representative who believes minimal increases can be expected. We will continue to monitor the dam throughout the night. Reminder that downtown is still an active emergency area and people should stay out until after the water recedes.Thank you all for your patience and cooperation.

Governor has to hike to emergency centre on snowmobile trails

Wednesday 12 July 2023 02:02 , Graeme Massie

The roads around my house were completely impassable this morning. Grateful for the @VTVast snowmobile trail network, which I was able to hike through to get to an open road and on to our emergency response center, Gov Phil Scott tweeted on Tuesday.
(CNN)  Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey told a court in London Thursday in his ongoing sexual assault trial that he touched the complainant  who is one of four men who made allegations against the actor  in a romantic and intimate way.

He was funny and charming and flirtatious; over time we began  Im assuming it was me  began to touch him in more romantic and intimate ways, Spacey told Londons Southwark Crown Court.

The Hollywood star, 63, denies all 12 charges against him. They include three counts of indecent assault, seven of sexual assault, one of forcing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and one of forcing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

The charges relate to alleged incidents in and around London in the 2000s and early 2010s, during the 12-year period in which Spacey served as artistic director at Londons Old Vic theater.

Spacey went on to say in his evidence that the pairs relationship became somewhat sexual but added that the two did not engage in sexual relations, as the victim did not want to go any further.

That happens at times, and we just respect how far someone wants to go or not, Spacey said.

The actor described the time he and the complainant had together as fun and said that he was crushed at the allegations made against him by the accuser.

I never thought that the (man) I knew would, I dont know, 20 years later stab me in the back, he said.

Prosecutors wrapped up their arguments on Wednesday, according to the UKs Press Association.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Actor Kevin Spacey tells court he touched complainant in romantic and intimate ways"
Vermont man drowns at home as flooding claims first victim with more rain predicted  live

Vermont man drowns at home as flooding claims first victim with more rain predicted  live

Vermont authorities confirmed the first flood-related death following catastrophic rain on Wednesday.

Some 117 rescues were made in Vermont as the towns of Londonderry and Weston remained largely inaccessible. Officials were beginning to assess how many homes had been destroyed and what the financial cost would be from damaged roads, bridges and railways.

Vermont Emergency Management confirmed on Thursday that 63-year-old Stephen Davoll died as a result of a drowning incident in his home on Wednesday. It is the first death linked to the historic floodings in the state.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared the floodings a 1-in-1,000-year weather event caused by the climate crisis, after a woman died in the Empire State when she was swept away while trying to escape her home with her dog.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott said at a news conference that thunderstorms were expected to move into parts of the state by Thursday night, which could cause more flash flooding.

The period we are more concerned about is Sunday because that could be more widespread and heavier, but not nearly on the scale of what we saw earlier in the week, National Weather Service meteorologist Seth Kutikoff also said.

Key Points

Travel disrupted as 13 million people in the US north-east under flood alert

One killed, 50 rescued so far as US northeast faces extreme downpour and flooding

Governor says Vermont downpour 'worse than Irene'

Watch: Drone footage shows Montepelier underwater as dam threatened

Woman died in New York as she tried to escape flooding

08:00 , Andrea Blanco

One death in New York was blamed on the storm  a woman whose body was found after she was swept away in Fort Montgomery, a small Hudson River community about 45 miles north of New York City.

Gov Phil Scott said he planned to submit a request for a major disaster declaration to President Joe Biden. Its separate from, and in addition to, the federal emergency declaration the president already signed on Tuesday, he said. If approved, the declaration would provide federal support for recovering communities.

In Vermonts small state capital of Montpelier, where the swollen Winooski River had flooded downtown, the elevator at City Hall was damaged, making the building inaccessible, spokesperson Evelyn Prim said.

Cleanup from the hazardous floodwater damage in City Hall is expected to take several months. Because of this, City Hall will be closing until further notice, she said.

AP

People return to devastated houses after water recedes

06:00 , Andrea Blanco

Residents in Vermont are returning home to find their houses and belongings damaged after severe flooding left the capital city Montpelier as a swirling, brown waterway.

One resident posted a video of their front yard with the entry door blocked with mud and stones and car stuck.

Vermont residents clean up from historic flooding

05:00 , Andrea Blanco

Northeast Flooding (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Northeast Flooding (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Northeast Flooding (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

WATCH: Vermont Governor Phil Scott calls flooding 'historic' and vows to clean up damage

04:00 , Andrea Blanco

Vermont slowly turns to recovery after being hit by flood from slow-moving storm

03:00 , Andrea Blanco

Floodwaters receded in Vermont cities and towns pummeled by a storm that delivered two months of rain in two days, allowing officials to focus on recovering from a disaster that trapped residents in homes, closed roadways and choked streets and businesses with mud and debris.

In the capital city of Montpelier, where streets were flooded Tuesday by the swollen Winooski River, officials said that water levels at a dam just upstream appeared to be stable.

It looks like it wont breach. That is good. That is one less thing we have to have on our front burner, Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser said.

Fraser said the dam remains a lingering concern but with the water receding the city was shifting to recovery mode. Public works employees were expected out Wednesday to start removing mud and debris downtown and building inspections will start as businesses begin cleaning up their properties.

The slow-moving storm reached New England after hitting parts of New York and Connecticut on Sunday. Some communities received between 7 and 9 inches (18 centimeters and 23 centimeters) of rain. Towns in southwest New Hampshire had heavy flooding and road washouts, and the Connecticut River was expected to crest above flood stage Wednesday in Hartford and towns to the south.

AP

VOICES: Vermont floods prove that theres no place to hide from the climate crisis

02:00 , Andrea Blanco

Nature and climate change will always be one step ahead of us, writes David Calloway, founder of Callaway Climate Insights.

Vermont floods prove that theres no place to hide from the climate crisis

Vermonts catastrophic flooding is visible from space

01:00 , Andrea Blanco

Vermont is beginning the long and gruelling clean-up from catastrophic flooding this week  the scale of which is so vast that it can be seen from space.

The Green Mountain State wasnt alone: other Northeastern states are facing their own expensive recoveries from major, slow-moving storms which dumped months of rain on the region in a matter of days.

The Independents Louise Boyle has more:

Vermonts catastrophic flooding is visible from space

WATCH: Drone footage shows Vermont town underwater

Friday 14 July 2023 00:00 , Andrea Blanco

Vermont braces for more rain in wake of historic flooding

Thursday 13 July 2023 23:30 , Andrea Blanco

Vermont prepared for the next round of storms  and possibly a tornado  as people took advantage of calm weather Thursday to clean up from historic flooding that damaged thousands of homes, businesses and roads, and left some residents stranded.

As floodwaters receded, the good news was that there were no new rescue missions, dams were holding up and more roads reopened.

The bad news was that strong thunderstorms were expected to move into parts of the state by Thursday night, which could cause more flash flooding, Gov. Phil Scott said at a news conference. Conditions could spawn a tornado, he said. And the state could get more heavy rain over the weekend.

First flood-related death in Vermont confirmed

Thursday 13 July 2023 23:17 , Andrea Blanco

Vermont Emergency Management confirmed on Thursday that 63-year-old Stephen Davoll died as a result of a drowning incident in his home on Wednesday. It is the first death linked to the historic floodings in the state.

In Vermont, communities were cleaning up from the floods that were more destructive in some places than 2011s Tropical Storm Irene and regarded as the worst natural disaster since the 1927 floods, which killed dozens of people and caused widespread destruction.

Officials were beginning to assess how many homes had been destroyed and what the financial cost would be from damaged roads, bridges and railways.

National Weather Service shares protocol to prepare for flash floods

Thursday 13 July 2023 22:30 , Andrea Blanco

Will you be ready for sudden flash floods? Stay #WeatherReady by enabling weather alerts on your phone. If flooding occurs while youre outdoors, immediately get to higher ground, and NEVER enter flood waters in a vehicle or on foot. https://t.co/uucDwbLg9C pic.twitter.com/9jQZ5pzZ8h  National Weather Service (@NWS) July 13, 2023

Snow shovels repurposed to clear mud from floods

Thursday 13 July 2023 21:52 , Andrea Blanco

Volunteers pulled out their snow shovels Wednesday to clear inches of mud after torrential rain and flooding inundated communities across Vermont, trapping people in homes, closing roadways and littering streets and businesses with debris.

The water drained off most streets in the state capital of Montpelier, where the swollen Winooski River flooded basements and ground floors, destroying merchandise and furniture across the picturesque downtown. Other communities cleaned up as well from historic floods that were more destructive than Tropical Storm Irene in many places. Dozens of roads remained closed, and thousands of homes and businesses are damaged.

But with people still being rescued, high water still blocking some roads and new flash flood warnings issued with more rain on the way, the crisis is far from over, according to state Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison.

Vermonters, keep your guard up, and do not take chances, she said.

Morrison said urban search and swift water rescue teams came to the aid of least 32 people and numerous animals Tuesday night in northern Vermonts Lamoille County, bringing the total to more than 200 rescues since Sunday, and more than 100 evacuations.

Vermont under severe thunderstorm watch

Thursday 13 July 2023 21:37 , Andrea Blanco

This isnt over, and it wont be over after this storm, Gov. Phil Scott said on Thursday. Today I will submit the request for President Biden for a major disaster declaration, which, if approved, would provide federal disaster relief funds, which would be very helpful to communities in the recovery phase.

Rains and severe weather forecast for southern Vermont

Thursday 13 July 2023 21:12 , Andrea Blanco

Vermont residents are poised for another deluge with the National Weather Service warning: Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. Some t-storms will be severe with damaging winds, large hail, and locally heavy rainfall.

The storms are set to hit the state between 4pm and 8pm with saturated soils likely to exacerbate runoff and flooding.

Rains expected for Vermont and US northeast

Thursday 13 July 2023 20:48 , Andrea Blanco

While stifling temperatures have gripped many parts of the country, Vermont and other Northeastern states barely have had time to recover from historic flooding in recent days when the National Weather Service forecast more heavy rainfall across parts of New England in the coming days, where rivers and streams are already running high.

APTOPIX Northeast Flooding Vermont

Possible renewed flooding in Easter New York, according to Weather Service

Thursday 13 July 2023 20:20 , Andrea Blanco

Showers and thunderstorms moving across the region Thursday afternoon through early Friday may produce renewed flooding in Eastern New York and Western New England, the National Weather Service said on Thursday.

Showers and thunderstorms moving across the region Thursday afternoon through early Friday may produce renewed flooding in Eastern New York and Western New England. pic.twitter.com/Eox8Rnym9E  NWS Northeast RFC (@NWSNERFC) July 13, 2023

People return to devastated houses after water recedes

Thursday 13 July 2023 20:00 , Andrea Blanco

Residents in Vermont are returning home to find their houses and belongings damaged after severe flooding left the capital city Montpelier as a swirling, brown waterway.

One resident posted a video of their front yard with the entry door blocked with mud and stones and car stuck.

Finally got to return to the house and get my stuff  heres the aftermath of yesterdays mudslide and flood in Ludlow, Vermont. Grateful I got out when I did! Dont think Ill be moving that truck anytime soon pic.twitter.com/BROrWyccOr  alisha durgin (@babygotbckcntry) July 12, 2023

Road reparation continues in Orange County after floods

Thursday 13 July 2023 19:36 , Andrea Blanco

Debora Kopald, who lives in the Town of Highland in Orange County, New York,  where a woman died after she was swept away while trying to escape her home with her dog, told The Independent that all road roads were either washed out or covered with boulders on Monday.

I live at the end of ... a hill- and there is only one way out - and part of the road caved in - they are telling us not to drive on the rest [because] it might cave in all the way. Its a fire hazard and very serious, Ms Kopald said.

Weather conditions have improved in Orange County, as Vermont gears for storms set to hit the state between 4pm and 8pm.

WATCH: Residents kayak through flooded town as Vermont hit by severe flooding

Thursday 13 July 2023 19:05 , Andrea Blanco

Dangerous heat wave baking US Southwest brings triple digit temperatures

Thursday 13 July 2023 18:45 , Oliver O'Connell

After a historically wet winter and a cloudy spring, Californias summer was in full swing Thursday as a heat wave thats been scorching much of the US Southwest brings triple-digit temperatures and an increased risk of wildfires.

Blistering conditions will build Friday and throughout the weekend in the central and southern parts of California, where many residents should prepare for the hottest weather of the year, the National Weather Service warned.

Midday highs were mostly expected to be above 100 degrees (37.7 C), and desert areas could reach 120 (48.8 C), forecasters said. Little relief was expected overnight when temperatures could remain in the 80s (above 26.6 C). An excessive heat watch was in effect through Sunday for interior Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Read more...

Dangerous heat wave baking US Southwest brings triple digit temperatures, fire risk to California

Thursday 13 July 2023 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Volunteers turned out in droves to help flooded businesses in Montpelier, a city of 8,000, shoveling mud, cleaning, and moving damaged items outside. Weve had so much enthusiasm for support for businesses downtown that most of the businesses have had to turn folks away, said volunteer organizer Peter Walke.

Similar scenes played out in neighboring Barre and in Bridgewater, where the Ottauquechee River spilled its banks, and in Ludlow, where the Black River sent floodwaters surging into several restaurants co-owned by chef Andrew Molen. He said Sams Steakhouse is likely closed for good after the water inside reached nearly 7 feet (more than 2 meters) high.

The only thing thats probably gonna be salvageable is the silverware, and even then, after being in that muck for so long, you wash everything, do you really want to put that on the table? Its pretty intense what happened, Molen said.

Another of his restaurants, Mr. Darcys, had a couple feet of water inside, damaging the foundation. But Molen said he hasnt focused on cleaning up yet, because the first order of business has been making sure local residents and first responders stay fed. His crew has been cooking at one of the restaurants that remains functional and using ATVs through standing water to bring the meals to a local community center.

AP

Snow shovels repurposed to clear mud from floods

Thursday 13 July 2023 18:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Volunteers pulled out their snow shovels Wednesday to clear inches of mud after torrential rain and flooding inundated communities across Vermont, trapping people in homes, closing roadways and littering streets and businesses with debris.

The water drained off most streets in the state capital of Montpelier, where the swollen Winooski River flooded basements and ground floors, destroying merchandise and furniture across the picturesque downtown. Other communities cleaned up as well from historic floods that were more destructive than Tropical Storm Irene in many places. Dozens of roads remained closed, and thousands of homes and businesses are damaged.

But with people still being rescued, high water still blocking some roads and new flash flood warnings issued with more rain on the way, the crisis is far from over, according to state Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison.

Vermonters, keep your guard up, and do not take chances, she said.

Morrison said urban search and swift water rescue teams came to the aid of least 32 people and numerous animals Tuesday night in northern Vermonts Lamoille County, bringing the total to more than 200 rescues since Sunday, and more than 100 evacuations.

AP

Thursday 13 July 2023 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

US town submerged by catastrophic flooding captured in drone footage

Watch: Extraordinary amount of sediment washed down mountains by initial deluge

Thursday 13 July 2023 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The Weather Channels Justin Michaels posted this video from Ludlow, Vermont, showing the huge amount of sediment piled up by the flooding this week, as more rain looms.

WATCH  The amount of sediment that came down from the Green Mountains in Ludlow, VT is extraordinary. With more flooding rain forecast, its a race against the clock to get as much done as possible before the rain begins again. @weatherchannel is storytelling in Vermont. pic.twitter.com/qRb9sY8Uzn  Justin Michaels (@JMichaelsNews) July 13, 2023

Chicago tornado cluster has thousands seeking shelter at OHare Airport

Thursday 13 July 2023 16:44 , Oliver O'Connell

At least eight tornadoes and thunderstorms touched down in the greater Chicago area on Wednesday, setting off sirens and other warnings in Americas third-biggest city.

The National Weather Service issued an advisory for people in the Chicago area to seek shelter for the night after one tornado touched down near the OHare International Airport.

Shweta Sharma has the story.

Tornado cluster tears through Chicago as thousands shelter at OHare Airport

Reminder: Never attempt to drive a flooded road

Thursday 13 July 2023 16:30 , Oliver O'Connell

With storms passing through today, the risk of additional flash flooding exists especially for the eastern half of the state into Vermont.



**Remember**



Never attempt to drive through a flooded road.



It takes just 12 of moving water to sweep a car away.#NYwx pic.twitter.com/ewq1xo3Vc9  Jack Durkin (@DurkinWeather) July 13, 2023

NH senator praises first responders for assisting neighbouring Vermont

Thursday 13 July 2023 16:15 , Oliver O'Connell

New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen has praised the National Guard and firefighters from her state for their assistance across the border in Vermont following the deluge that hit that state this week.

She tweeted: Thanks to @NHNationalGuard and Bedford and Manchester firefighters for their quick response in assisting our neighbors in Vermont following the devastating floods. The bravery and dedication of swift water rescue crews are making a difference as we respond to this crisis.

Thanks to @NHNationalGuard and Bedford and Manchester firefighters for their quick response in assisting our neighbors in Vermont following the devastating floods. The bravery and dedication of swift water rescue crews are making a difference as we respond to this crisis.  Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) July 13, 2023

Thursday 13 July 2023 16:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Residents kayak through flooded town as Vermont hit by severe flooding

Numerous scattered showers and thunderstorms set to hit this evening

Thursday 13 July 2023 15:25 , Oliver O'Connell

Vermont residents are poised for another deluge with the National Weather Service warning: Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. Some t-storms will be severe with damaging winds, large hail, and locally heavy rainfall.

The storms are set to hit the state between 4pm and 8pm with saturated soils likely to exacerbate runoff and flooding.

Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. Some t-storms will be severe with damaging winds, large hail, and locally heavy rainfall. Please ensure you have a way to receive our warnings today and keep an eye on the sky! #NYwx #VTwx pic.twitter.com/SGUb4AbiFX  NWS Burlington (@NWSBurlington) July 13, 2023

Vermonts catastrophic flooding was visible from space

Thursday 13 July 2023 15:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Vermont is beginning the long and gruelling clean-up from catastrophic flooding this week  the scale of which is so vast that it can be seen from space.

The Green Mountain State wasnt alone: other Northeastern states are facing their own expensive recoveries from major, slow-moving storms which dumped months of rain on the region in a matter of days.

Louise Boyle filed this report.

Vermonts catastrophic flooding is visible from space

US faced 12 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2023, says NOAA

Thursday 13 July 2023 14:29 , Stuti Mishra

In 2023 so far, the US has faced 12 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The US governments climate and environment body said that June 2023 was record hot for some parts of the US, while other locations were roiled by severe weather and poor air quality.

So far, the average temperature for the contiguous US was 49.2 degrees F, (1.7 degrees above the 20th-century average), ranking as the 21st-warmest year based on the data of first six months.

Till 11 July, there have been 12 confirmed climate disaster events, NOAA said, with losses exceeding $1 billion each.

Chart from NOAA shows 12 confirmed climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1bn each to affect United State (NOAA)

Land temperatures in Spain surpass 60C amid deadly heat

Thursday 13 July 2023 13:29 , Stuti Mishra

As deadly heat engulfs southern US, the temperatures across the Mediterranean are also set to break records.

The temperature of the ground in some areas of Spain has hit more than 60C during the deadly heatwave sweeping Europe, satellite recordings have shown.

It was so hot that a heat map that highlights scorching temperatures in red turned even darker  to black.

Temperature records have been broken on most of the continent, including France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, where highs of 40C were recorded again on Wednesday.

Read more:

Land temperatures in Spain surpass record 60C in deadly heatwave

Eight tornadoes touch down in four Chicago counties

Thursday 13 July 2023 12:29 , Stuti Mishra

Extreme weather also threatened the Chicago area, where at least eight tornadoes touched down in four counties in northeastern Illinois.

One tornado touched down near Chicagos OHare International Airport on Wednesday evening, prompting passengers to take shelter and disrupting hundreds of flights. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

A confirmed tornado was on the ground around 7pm, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago.

This tornado has been touching the ground intermittently so far and is moving east. There are additional circulations along the line south of OHare. Seek shelter if in the warned area, it said.

The view from Chicago Midway Airport as a tornado-warned storm pushed through moments ago.



Over 1.7 million people in the Chicago area were included within this tornado warning.



Video sent in by: Taylor Mobley#weather #tornado #stormhour #ilwx #wx pic.twitter.com/DO56S1lBza  Nash Rhodes (@NashWX) July 12, 2023

Death Valley can see 'highest temperature on Earth', expert warns

Thursday 13 July 2023 11:29 , Stuti Mishra

The southern parts of the US is bracing for potentially deadly heat with much of the area under an excessive heat warning.

The National Weather Service issued excessive heat advisories, watches and warnings for areas where about 100 million Americans live. The sweltering conditions are expected to worsen over the weekend and continue into next week.

Meteorologist Colin McCarthy warned on Twitter that Death Valley, one of the hottest places on the planet, can see temperatures "soar up to 131F (55C), which, if recorded by a weather station, would be the highest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth".

The National Weather Service is now forecasting Death Valley to soar up to 131F (55C), which, if recorded by a weather station, would be the highest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth. pic.twitter.com/Jonl9GBfzB  Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) July 13, 2023

The records show Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley recording a temperature of 134.1F (56.7C) in July 1913, which is considered the highest temperature recorded on Earth, however, that reading has been under question by scientists with several meteorological experts asserting that there were irregularities.

More rains expected for Vermont and US northeast

Thursday 13 July 2023 10:29 , Stuti Mishra

While stifling temperatures have gripped many parts of the country, Vermont and other Northeastern states barely have had time to recover from historic flooding in recent days when the National Weather Service forecast more heavy rainfall across parts of New England in the coming days, where rivers and streams are already running high.

Jodi Kelly, left, practice manager at Stonecliff Veterinary Surgical Center, behind, and her husband, veterinarian Dan Kelly, use a canoe to remove surgical supplies from the flood-damaged centre (AP)

Excessive heat is baking US Southwest and expected to get worse

Thursday 13 July 2023 09:29 , Stuti Mishra

A prolonged heat wave blanketed a swath of the US stretching from California to South Florida on Wednesday, with forecasters expecting temperatures that could shatter records in parts of the Southwest in the coming days.

The National Weather Service issued excessive heat advisories, watches and warnings for areas where about 100 million Americans live. The sweltering conditions are expected to worsen over the weekend and continue into next week.

People return to devastated houses after water recedes

Thursday 13 July 2023 08:29 , Stuti Mishra

Residents in Vermont are returning home to find their houses and belongings damaged after severe flooding left the capital city Montpelier as a swirling, brown waterway.

One resident posted a video of their front yard with the entry door blocked with mud and stones and car stuck.

Finally got to return to the house and get my stuff  heres the aftermath of yesterdays mudslide and flood in Ludlow, Vermont. Grateful I got out when I did! Dont think Ill be moving that truck anytime soon pic.twitter.com/BROrWyccOr  alisha durgin (@babygotbckcntry) July 12, 2023

City of Montpelier warns of sinkholes after flooding

Thursday 13 July 2023 07:29 , Louise Boyle

Officials in the Vermont city of Montpelier warned residents to beware of potential sinkholes as flood waters recede and saturated ground settles.

Sinkholes can develop fast and without warning. Do not walk or drive around closed roads or barricades. Please also obey traffic signals and be on the lookout for deep potholes filled with water that may damage or incapacitate your vehicle, the city said.

A man walks down street flooded by recent rain storms in Montpelier, Vermont (REUTERS)

Watch: Bernie Sanders calls Vermont flooding 'worst natural disaster since 1927'

Thursday 13 July 2023 06:29 , Louise Boyle

Pictured: Clean-up continues in Vermont

Thursday 13 July 2023 05:29 , Stuti Mishra

Andrew Brewer, a resident of Montpelier and former business owner on Langdon Street, helps wash away the mud from the sidewalk (Getty Images)

A person bikes around downtown once flood waters receded (Getty Images)

In an aerial view, a kayaker paddles through the flooded waters of Elm Street (Getty Images)
Days after floods devastated Vermont, causing residents to deal with historic amounts of damage, Governor Phil Scott is seeking aid from the White House.

Scott formally submitted a request to President Joe Biden for a Major Disaster Declaration for the Green Mountain State.

Vermonters have faced incredible loss as a result of this historic and catastrophic flooding event, Scott shared on Facebook. While were still focused primarily on the immediate response, as we transition to the recovery phase, federal assistance will be critical to support families, businesses and infrastructure. With support from Washington, and the inspiring resiliency of Vermonters, we will be able to rebuild and recover.

If Biden approves, Vermont would receive funding under the federal Public Assistance (PA) and Individual Assistance (IA) programs, allo w ing communities in declared counties to receive at least 75% reimbursement for storm response and recovery, including repairs to public infrastructure.

Vermont communities are cleaning up from the floods that were more destructive in some places than 2011s Tropical Storm Irene and regarded as the worst natural disaster since the 1927 floods, which killed dozens of people and caused widespread destruction. Unlike that event, no injuries or fatalities have been reported with this weeks flooding.

Transportation officials were moving equipment to areas that were considered more flood-prone to prepare for the storms as they continued to evaluate damage, including to rail lines. Amtrak and other railroad service has been suspended.

One death in New York was blamed on the storm  a woman whose body was found after she was swept away in Fort Montgomery, a small Hudson River community about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of New York City.

A FEMA search-and-rescue team out of Beverly was deployed to Vermont to assist residents as recovery from the historic damage gets going.

Search-and-rescue crews from Mass. assist as Vermont turns to recovery after catastrophic flooding

A record-setting 5.28 inches of rain fell on Montpeiler Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Water in downtown Montpelier remained waist-deep Tuesday, shutting down roads and stranding residents.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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'We take it very seriously': Assistant DA in Athens cited for contempt of court

An assistant district attorney in the Western Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office this week was cited for contempt after a judge determined he disobeyed a court order.

The contempt was filed against prosecutor Jason Hasty, a veteran attorney from Atlanta who recently joined the office as a senior assistant district attorney.

Superior Court Judge Lawton Stephens issued the contempt order which stems from a court order issued on May 24 that instructed the district attorneys office to prepare a transport order for a defendant to appear at a hearing.

The transport order was not prepared, the defendant was not present, and the case had to be continued, the judge's order reads.

Contempt motion: Judge denies contempt motion filed against District Attorney Gonzalez in Athens case

New fire station: Check out the list of Athens properties under consideration for a new fire station

The order cites disobedience as a reason the contempt order.

Hasty was found in contempt, but Stephens allowed that the attorney could purge the contempt should he pay $200 to the Boys and Girls Club through the clerk of court.

District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez did not have an immediate comment on the matter.

This is an internal matter currently and we take it very seriously, the office responded Wednesday when asked for comment. That said, gathering all the facts will take some time before we are prepared to issue a statement.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Assistant District Attorney is cited for contempt for disobeying order
The new Vietnamese generation leaves the seafood business behind in Mississippi. Why?

Editors note: This article was done in conjunction with the School of Media & Communication at the University of Southern Mississippi as part of a grant exploring how to support local journalism.

The son does not know how to sew the nets. The father took the old boat out last month, but caught no shrimp. And the docks at Bayou Caddy, where Sau Truong once taught young Elvis Ta the ways of the Gulf of Mexico, are quiet this summer. The fishermen have all gone home.

Real soon, Ta predicts, the Gulf Coast shrimp industry will be gone.

One by one, the children of Vietnamese fishermen on the Mississippi Coast are forsaking the livelihood that once meant everything to their families. The water was Truongs world  four decades ago, he had fled home, crossed an ocean and eventually bought his own boat. He had never learned English but borrowed money and saved what he could to forge a life in a new place doing the only work he knew how.

But so much has changed since those early days: Hurricane Katrina, a devastating oil spill, freshwater floods and tumbling prices have plunged fishermen from Texas to Florida into crisis. State officials estimate that those forces have killed more than 80% of shrimp in recent years, and now, many children and grandchildren of the Mississippi Coasts roughly 10,000 Vietnamese residents are abandoning the Gulf  for good.

Its sad, Ta said. But he knew he would never fish forever. His parents wanted him to go to school. They hoped he would get a good job. They needed him to have health insurance, so Ta works a 9-to-5 at the Department of Agriculture. He sells HVACs and solar. He owns a DJ company.

And he, with help from his sister, supports his father, whose career has left him dependent on children who once helped him catch shrimp but now make more money than he ever did.

Youre losing a tradition, said Jane Nguyen, a branch manager at Boat People SOS in Biloxi, a nonprofit that serves Vietnamese residents.

If theres no shrimp, I sit at the house

The federal government ruled the conditions in Mississippi and Louisiana a disaster last month, which meant shrimp have died so fast the industry now qualifies for congressional funding. On some trips now, Truong lost money  because at the same time he reels in less and less, the price of diesel for boats has soared, the country imported 1.8 billion pounds of shrimp last year and the price of most local catch has dropped less than $3 per pound.

In Vietnamese, through his sons translation, Truong put it simply:

If theres shrimp, Im going to work it. If theres no shrimp, I sit at the house.

Ta said he mostly sits at the house.

Sau Truong stands on his shrimping boat, Miss Mimi, at Bayou Caddy in Bay St. Louis on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Truong made shrimping his career after immigrating from Vietnam, but encouraged his children to pursue other careers.

Truong is one of thousands of immigrants who came here in the 1970s and 80s to flee communist forces in the Vietnam War. They came to Mississippi, bought boats, sewed nets and took loans from seafood processors instead of banks, who would not lend to foreigners.

They became a fixture of the seafood economy on the Coast. They took jobs in oyster plants. They worked long hours. They saved. Many never learned English, but their children born here became their futures in an unfamiliar world, and they often took them to fish.

It was tough work: fishing trips lasted days at a time and they lived off the land. Some children saw their fathers for only weeks in a year.

Disasters plague Mississippi seafood workers

Then came disaster. Hurricane Katrina drowned the fishing boats.

Then another, when five years later, a Deepwater Horizon drilling platform exploded, spewed oil across the Gulf of Mexico and forced fishing across the region to a sudden and catastrophic halt.

Now, freshwater could ruin them. Louisiana opened its Bonnet Carre Spillway  a flood control gate outside of New Orleans  for 123 days in 2019. The rush of freshwater killed oysters and shrimp across the Mississippi Sound, and by then, state officials had sounded pleas for help.

A lot of people are just trying their best to survive, said Dave Do, a program coordinator at the Boat People SOS in Alabama.

Bayou Caddy is reflected in the windows of a shrimp boat in Waveland, Mississippi on July 4, 2023.

It just really wasnt worth it for them to even go out, Nguyen said. Theyre spending so much more money on fuel versus what theyre getting once they sell.

In June, federal officials ruled the freshwater floods a commercial fishery failure and told Gov. Tate Reeves disaster assistance would be available in the near future. They said losses ranged from 35 to 100%.

It is Mississippis fourth fisheries disaster declaration in 13 years, and is aimed at restoring long-term impacts that state officials said persist years after the region first got money from the spillway impacts in 2019.

You always want better for your children

For some, the shift is not a shock. Nguyen said many parents are excited to see kids follow careers that they choose, instead of careers they have no choice but to do.

As parents, you always want better for your children, she said, and many have made peace with the fact that better does not include fishing.

Elvis Ta and his father Sau Truong on Truongs shrimping boat, Miss Mimi, at Bayou Caddy in Bay St. Louis on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Instead of following his father into the shrimping industry, Ta works for the Department of Agriculture, owns an HVAC company and DJs for weddings on the side.

But tradition is hard to shake. Lang Le fled Vietnam for New Orleans in 1975, and now directs a service agency there called VIETNO. She said many people have abandoned fishing but not lost their passion for the water.

Now, Le said, fishing is not so much a way of life, but its just a way of leisure.

None of Tas cousins, their cousins or anyone else he knows plans to become a fisherman. Truong is the last one left, and he will take the rusting and faded boat out again this month, to try for shrimp.

Soon, he will retire, and return to Vietnam.

And then, Ta said, thats it.

Theres nobody coming behind us.

Southern Miss Student Media Center journalist Sethanie Smith contributed to this report.

Elvis Ta stands on his fathers shrimping boat, Miss Mimi, at Bayou Caddy in Bay St. Louis on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Instead of following his father into the shrimping industry, Ta works for the Department of Agriculture, owns an HVAC company and DJs for weddings on the side.

Sau Truongs shrimping boat, Miss Mimi, at Bayou Caddy in Bay St. Louis on Thursday, June 29, 2023.
Alyssa Farah Griffin

On Wednesday's episode of The View, co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said she agreed with the Supreme Court's recent ruling in favor of a website designer who refused to create LGBTQ+ wedding sites.

Griffin, the former White House Director of Strategic Communications under former President Donald Trump during his time in office, told her co-stars, "I actually agree with the Supreme Court decision, but let me explain, and I do not think it protects this woman's right to discriminate."

"Basically, what it says is, because something like creating a website would be freedom of expression or speech, this would also  let's flip it on its head  it would protect a gay web designer from having to create a bigoted, anti-LGBTQ website," she continued.

"They have the right based on their viewpoint protection to say, 'I don't want to do that.'"

Griffin's comments were met with pushback from moderator Whoopi Goldberg, who responded, "They [already] have the right to say that. You don't know somebody's gay unless you ask them, so if the web designer says, 'Um, we're booked up,' they don't have to deal with that other stuff this woman made this about."

Goldberg later stressed that "this is about being able to say, 'I don't want to do a gay person's website,' that's what this is about."

Joy Behar took the opportunity to slam Griffin's former boss, asking, "Does this mean that if I owned a salon and, let's say, Trump wanted to get a haircut, could I say no?" When Goldberg answered yes, Behar added, "I would like to open up a salon just for that to happen!"

While Griffin has been vocal in her support of LGBTQ+ rights in the past, she also touted Donald Trump's ally status on a June episode of The View, noting that he sells Pride merch on his website and once held a Pride event.

On the same episode, Goldberg called attention to the Michigan salon owner who claimed to be exercising her First Amendment rights by refusing service to transgender and queer clients. "If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman, please seek services at a local pet groomer," the owner wrote on Facebook. "You are not welcome at this salon. Period."

Goldberg responded, stating, "Listen, if you can do this - if this woman can say this because she believes this is her right - what is to keep her from saying, Im not going to serve you, you look Jewish. Im not going to serve you, you might be Black.'"
Violent crime is down in Kansas but up in Topeka. Property crime hit a 50-year low

Kansas has released new crime statistics showing violent crime decreased in the state for the second year in a row, while property crime hit a 50-year low.

And while property crime has also been declining in Topeka, violent crime has been on the rise in the capital city.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation on Monday released the 2022 crime index report, covering certain crimes reported in the past calendar year. Crimes so far this year are not included.

Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault and battery. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle thefts.

Other crimes, such as drug charges, are not included in the KBI crime index, which is based on definitions from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Violent crime down in Kansas, but up in Topeka

Newly released crime statistics show declining numbers of both property crimes and violent crimes in Kansas. But in Topeka, violent crime is increasing while property crime is decreasing.

Violent crime went down in Kansas for the second straight year, reversing what had been a multi-year trend of rising violent crime that peaked in 2020. Even with the recent drops in violent crime, the index remains 9.5% above the 10-year average.

"Violent crime in Kansas had been steadily rising each year since 2014, but seems to have started to level off," the KBI said.

Kansas recorded 12,849 violent crimes in 2022, for a rate of 4.4 per 1,000 people. The rate was 4.6 in 2021 and 4.7 in 2020, with a 10-year average of 4.0.

Topeka had the second-highest crime rate of any city in the state. The 1,257 violent crimes reported in 2022 was a rate of 10 per 1,000 people, up from 8.7 in 2021, 7.2 in 2020, 7.3 in 2019 and 6.1 in 2018.

The 10 highest violent crime rates per 1,000 people in 2022 were:

Junction City: 10.4

Topeka: 10.0

Horton: 9.9

Kansas City, Kan.: 9.9

Minneapolis: 9.6

Osage City: 9.5

Wichita: 9.3

Iola: 8.3

Parsons: 7.3

Mulberry: 7.2

"The KBI cautions against using data to make direct comparisons between jurisdictions," the KBI said. "Often these comparisons are not valid as the factors influencing crime vary widely between communities."

The report notes that some agencies failed to submit data and others did not submit complete data. While both the Topeka Police Department and Shawnee County Sheriff's Office provided a full year of data, Rossville police provided no data. Partially complete data was provided by police departments in Silver Lake, Auburn, the airport authority and Seaman, Shawnee Heights and Auburn-Washburn school districts.

"The data represents the most accurate information available, reflecting crime as reported by law enforcement agencies through the Kansas Incident Based Reporting System," the KBI report states.

The data also does not include crimes not reported to law enforcement.

Kansas and Topeka violent crime statistics

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation reports that violent crime totals dropped in 2022 for the second straight year, reversing a years-long trend of rising violent crime.

Violent crime trends are largely based on aggravated assault and battery, which are by far the most common violent crimes in Kansas.

The 10,484 aggravated assaults and batteries statewide in 2022 was down from 10,985 in 2021 and 11,201 in 2020, but above the 10-year average of 9,015.

Kansas recorded 163 FBI-defined murders in 2022, which was down from 173 in 2021 and 193 in 2020. Murders remain above the 10-year average of 148.

"These decreases may be a positive indicator, but they are far from the much lower prepandemic rates," the KBI said.

"Finding a common circumstance for these murders is difficult, as 42.9% of the reports indicated 'unknowncircumstance,'" the KBI said. "Also, 20.2% of the murders listed an unknown suspect. Arguments, as a circumstance,accounted for 20.9% of murders; illegal drug transactions totaled 5.5%; and gang activity and driveby incidentsmade up 3.1%. All other circumstances totaled 27.6% of the total murders in 2022. Domestic violence murdersaccounted for 21.5% of the 2022 murder total."

More: What Kansas governor and attorney general candidates say about new violent crime numbers

The 1,160 rapes reported in 2022 was down from 1,187 in 2021 and 1,190 in 2020, and slightly below the 10-year average of 1,165.

The 1,042 robberies reported in 2022 was down from 1,077 in 2021, 1,312 in 2020 and the 10-year average of 1,436.

The increase in violent crime in Topeka is also attributable to aggravated assaults and batteries:

The 15 murders in 2022 is down from 16 in 2021 and 20 in 2020, but up from 13 in 2019 and 14 in 2018.

The 51 rapes in 2022 is down from 64 in 2021, 66 in 2020, 83 in 2019 and 86 in 2018.

The 120 robberies in 2022 is down from 126 in 2021, 213 in 2020, 252 in 2019 and 255 in 2018.

The 1,071 aggravated assaults and batteries in 2022 is up from 878 in 2021, 607 in 2020, 570 in 2019 and 417 in 2018.

Kansas property crime hits 50-year low amid declining trend

Property crimes have long been declining in Kansas, and in 2022 hit a 50-year low. Kansas recorded 61,125 property crimes in 2022, the lowest since 1973, when there were 75,123.

The statewide property crime rate was 20.8 per 1,000 people.

The 8,264 burglaries in Kansas in 2022 was a 15.2% drop from 2021 and below the 10-year average of 12,655.

"Some criminologists have attempted to explain the recent declines by noting that people have been spending more time at home due to the COVID19 pandemic," the KBI reported.

More: 'More time in prison and less time terrorizing people': Kansas cracks down on gun crimes

The 45,303 thefts were an 8.8% drop from 2021 and below the 10-year average of 55,084.

The 7,558 motor vehicle thefts was 11.2% below 2021 and below the 10-year average of 7,698.

"This statistic is notable," the KBI said, "because motor vehicle thefts tend to have a relatively high rate of reporting compared to other property offenses, suggesting they would be a more accurate barometer of the actual number of property offenses occurring in our state."

In Topeka:

The city recorded 5,163 property crimes in 2022, for a rate of 41.1 per 1,000 people. That is down from 43.1 in 2021, 47.6 in 2020, 55.7 in 2019 and 52.3 in 2018.

The 659 burglaries in 2022 is down from 829 in 2021, 821 in 2020, 1,012 in 2019 and 983 in 2018.

The 3,754 thefts in 2022 is compared to 3,686 in 2021, 4,116 in 2020, 5,004 in 2019 and 4,897 in 2018.

The 750 motor vehicle thefts in 2022 is down from 843 in 2021, 1,019 in 2020, 981 in 2019 and 735 in 2018.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation reports that property crime totals dropped in 2022, continuing a years-long trend of declining property crime.

What is the crime rate in my community?

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has annual crime index statistics online dating back to 2003. More information on crime in your community is available there, with statistics broken down by county and by local police departments.

Jason Alatidd is a statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jtidd@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jason_Alatidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas crime statistics show declines in violent crime, property crime
Virgin Galactic plans its next commercial flight to the edge of space for August

FILE - Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity departs Mojave Air & Space Port in Mojave, Calif., for the final time as Virgin Galactic shifts its SpaceFlight operations to New Mexico, Feb. 13, 2020. Virgin Galactic is aiming for early August 2023 for its next flight to the edge of space, a trip that is expected to include the first of many ticket holders who have been waiting years for their chance at weightlessness aboard the company's rocket-powered plane. (Matt Hartman via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  Virgin Galactic is aiming for early August for its next flight to the edge of space, a trip that is expected to include the first of many ticket holders who have been waiting years for their chance at weightlessness aboard the company's rocket-powered plane.

The company announced Thursday that the window for the commercial flight from Spaceport America in southern New Mexico will open Aug. 10. The short up-and-down flight will be streamed live on Virgin Galactic's website.

Virgin Galactic confirmed that three private passengers will be on the flight. The plane has room for six  two Virgin Galactic pilots and four passengers.

Hundreds of people have purchased tickets over the years, including celebrities, scientists and entrepreneurs. The company is expected to release more details about the crew and three passengers next week.

The flight will mark Virgin Galactic's third this year. The most recent was in June  a research flight during which two Italian Air Force officers and an engineer with the National Research Council of Italy conducted a series of microgravity experiments during their moments of weightlessness.

Virgin Galactic has been working for more than a decade to send paying passengers on short space hops and in 2021 finally won the federal governments approval. Founder Richard Branson joined Virgin Galactic employees for the first flight that summer.

It usually takes about an hour for the mother ship to carry the plane to an altitude where it is released and fires its rocket motor to make the final push to the edge of space.

Once they reach their highest point, passengers can unstrap from their seats, float around the cabin for a few minutes and take in views of the Earth. Then they strap in for the glide back down to the runway.

Virgin Galactic plans to fly monthly from its outpost in the New Mexico desert.
Virgin Media worker

Virgin Media is being investigated by the telecoms regulator over complaints that it is too difficult for customers to cancel their contracts.

People told Ofcom they struggled to speak to a customer services agent by phone, with some calls being dropped and others facing long waiting times.

Others said they had to make repeated requests to cancel their services.

Virgin Media said complaints relating to "difficulties leaving" had halved over the past year.

It is the latest in a series of setbacks for the media giant, which has come under fire in recent months over disruption to its services. That led to an apology in April when thousands of people in the UK reported they were unable to access the internet twice in one day.

In June, some Virgin Media email users were left unable to send or receive emails for 36 hours, and while this issue was resolved, some customers still could not access their inboxes two weeks later.

The BBC has asked Virgin Media whether this disruption to emails has been fully resolved.

All of this comes after telecoms companies raised their prices substantially in April, with Virgin Media telling customers they faced an average 13.8% increase in their bills.

Cost of living: Tackling it together

What are my rights for changing my broadband supplier?

If you're near the end of your contract, you could benefit by switching to a different supplier altogether, or if you're good at negotiating you might even be able to get down the price of your current deal by calling

If you're not out-of-contract and you're struggling to pay your bill, there is support available

You can arrange a payment plan with your provider, or you might be allowed to switch to a cheaper internet package without paying a penalty fee

There are also broadband and mobile tariffs available which are meant to help people on universal credit and other means-tested benefits

Virgin Media is one of the suppliers offering a "social tariff" for 12.50 per month

There are no charges for getting a social tariff, no fee to leave before the contract expires, and the price won't increase midway through

Find out if you're eligible for a social tariff here

Ofcom is also investigating how Virgin Media has handled complaints, and whether customers knew their rights.

It said companies should tell customers that they have the right to escalate their complaint to an independent ombudsman.

'Unnecessary barriers'

"Our rules are there to protect people and make sure consumers can take advantage of cheaper deals that are on offer," said Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes.

"That's particularly important at the moment as households look for ways to keep their bills down.

"We're taking action today, on behalf of Virgin Media's customers, to investigate whether the company is putting unnecessary barriers in the way of those who want to switch away."

Ofcom said it was important for customers to be able to switch providers easily in order for the telecoms market to remain competitive.

This means people can take advantage of better deals elsewhere, and potentially save money.

If it finds Virgin Media broke the rules, the company could face a fine and be told to change its procedures.

"Any allegation that Virgin is making it tough for customers to cancel its services is a very bad look for the UK's third-biggest broadband provider, particularly in the midst of a bitter cost-of-living crisis," said Alex Tofts from comparison site Broadband Genie.

"If Ofcom's investigation finds the company in breach of its rules the damage to its reputation is likely to far outweigh any fine."

A Virgin Media spokesperson said: "We are committed to providing our customers with excellent service, supporting them with any issues and giving clear options should they wish to leave.

"Complaint rates relating to 'difficulties leaving' have halved over the past year, showing the progress we're making, and we will keep working with Ofcom throughout its investigation, while making further improvements in how we handle customer complaints to provide a better overall experience."
Many of these things that were concerned about with AI are already against the law, Arati Prabhakar, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, told theGrio.

Vice President Kamala Harris convened civil rights leaders and experts for a White House meeting to discuss the societal impacts of AI in an effort to learn more from stakeholders about growing concerns with the rapidly advancing technology.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way people live and how companies operate across the globe by making tasks and services more swift and efficient. But there are also concerns about AIs potential harm to already vulnerable populations, particularly Black and brown communities. Tech companies have been warned they could also be violating their civil rights in various areas, from housing and health care to the criminal justice system.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a meeting on artificial intelligence held in her ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington on July 12. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

There is a component that has been well documented about the legitimate concerns that many of us have about how racial bias and other types of biases will impact the lives of people because of AI, said Harris, sitting at a large oval table alongside nearly a dozen participants and White House senior officials inside her ceremonial office.

Harris expressed other concerns  like AI being used to spread misinformation and disinformation online and potentially suppress employment and privacy rights.

We want to make sure that we are cognizant of and intentional about those populations of people that are particularly vulnerable, she said. And then we want to make sure that we are thinking about the impact of this on our systems of justice.

However, the vice president emphasized that the Biden-Harris administration believes it is a false choice to think of AI as either an opportunity for advancement or a tool used for bad.

Innovation has so much possibility to improve the condition of human life, Harris explained.

We must also ensure that in that process, she added, we are not trampling on peoples rights.

Participants in Wednesdays White House meeting told theGrio they appreciated that Harris had convened it. They described it as a substantive and engaging discussion about the actual impact of AI on everyday people and real solutions to a global challenge rapidly advancing in real time.

Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, the nations largest federation of labor unions, told theGrio she was particularly pleased to hear the White House acknowledging that it is feeling the urgency of the moment, and that time is not on our side.

Civil rights leaders and consumer protection experts listen to Vice President Kamala Harris (center) during a meeting Wednesday on artificial intelligence in her office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Maya Wiley, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said raising concerns about AI with the White House was to call out not simply the fact that the technology can discriminate, but that it can also lead to us widening the racial gaps, the income gaps [and] the gender gaps in various categories.

As an example, Wiley recalled a medical study that exposed a racial bias in health care algorithms between Black and white patients based on how often they visited the doctor. She also referenced a hiring algorithm used by Amazon that discriminated against women because most of the data it used was from the resumes of white men.

Wiley said that more broadly, researchers found that even when there were attempts to control for overt discrimination, they found bias in terms of race and gender in employment algorithms.

Shuler said that during the meeting, she expressed concerns shared by some of the nearly 13 million AFL-CIO members related to how AI and the advancement of technology in the workplace are contributing to a lot of fear over potentially being replaced by AI technology, particularly for Black workers.

The public sector has been a pathway for disproportionately Black workers to access the middle class, and AI is being talked about right now as a way to make government, quote, more efficient, said Shuler. That would have a huge impact on the public sector and a disproportionate impact on workers of color.

Shuler also raised concerns about the gigification of work due to AI technology like ChatGPT.

A laptop screen shows the OpenAI ChatGPT artificial intelligence-generated answer to the question What can AI offer to humanity? that was posed by a user in London in February. On Wednesday, a group of civil rights leaders and others shared concerns about such technology with Vice President Kamala Harris. (Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

She told theGrio: These technologies are being introduced in industries where there are disproportionately workers of color, immigrants, women [and] women of color.

Wiley noted that the U.S. government would have to take critical policy and legal steps in order to protect consumers and workers from the harms of AI.

We, as a civil rights community, want to see real meaningful regulation [and] implementation of some of the really important work this administration has already done, she told theGrio.

Wiley said enforcing laws that are already on the books could serve as a powerful tool for the federal government under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. But she also wants the White House to prevent the discrimination and widening of inequities before a company hypothetically violates civil rights protections.

We need to make sure that companies are being accountable [and] transparent in identifying and preventing problems before they start, she said, because wed rather prevent people from being harmed than litigate after they are.

Dr. Arati Prabhakar, director of the White House Office on Science and Technology Policy, noted that four federal agencies  the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice  sent a joint statement to tech companies vowing to monitor the development and use of AI and enforce the law where violations are identified.

Many of these things that were concerned about with AI are already against the law, Prabhakar told theGrio.

In addition to its efforts to curb the misuse of AI, the White House official said the administration also is working with Congress on developing legislation spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Vice President Kamala Harris (center) listens as Arati Prabhakar (right), the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, speaks during Wednesdays meeting on artificial intelligence. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Prabhakar said concerns about AI are also a global issue and not just a U.S. issue. She noted that the administration is also working with our like-minded partners around the world.

Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Ohio, who sits on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, said in a statement to theGrio that while AI has the potential to improve the lives of Americans, she strongly supports policies that will ensure artificial technology is deployed equitably, including measures to support and bolster representation in the AI workforce, prevent harmful biases, and protect Americans fundamental right to privacy.

It could also cause significant harm if we do not consider the potential ethical, safety, and security consequences for our communities, Sykes added. It will take an interdisciplinary approach to ensure this ever-evolving technology benefits all Americans.

Wiley and Shuler praised Harris for her leadership on the issue of AI.

We are fortunate to have a vice president whos both so knowledgeable, so engaged and actively interested  not just in listening and learning, but in figuring out solutions, Wiley told theGrio.

Shuler similarly said: You couldnt ask for a more competent and qualified leader on this issue than Vice President Harris because of her track record as [attorney general] of California . [and] in the Senate.

During her remarks on Wednesday, Harris said the number-one priority for the Biden-Harris administration is the safety of Americans.

Were going to continue to do this work together, she said, with a sense of urgency and commitment to solutions.

Gerren Keith Gaynor

Gerren Keith Gaynor is a White House Correspondent and the Managing Editor of Politics at theGrio. He is based in Washington, D.C.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post VP Harris meets with leaders on AI and civil rights concerns appeared first on TheGrio.
Russias top mercenary Yevgeny Prigozhin has probably been murdered after leading a failed rebellion against the Kremlin regime, a former senior US military leader has suggested.

Prigozhin, the Wagner Group chief, ordered his soldiers to march on Moscow last month amid an ongoing feud with Russias top military brass about its strategy in the Ukraine war.

I personally dont think he is, and if he is, hes in a prison somewhere, Robert Abrams, a retired general, told ABC News when asked if he thought the warlord was alive.

The Kremlin claimed that president Vladimir Putin met with Prigozhin five days after the latter stood down his troops.

But Prigozhin has not been seen in public since then and general Abrams cast doubt on whether the meeting ever actually took place.

Id be surprised if we actually see proof of life that Putin met with Prigozhin, and I think its highly staged, he said.

The move by Prigozhin, viewed by some in Russia as a potential successor to Putin, plunged the country into a temporary meltdown.

On 24 June Prigozhin claimed to have taken control of all of Russias military sites in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and demanded that the military leadership come to him after accusing them of killing his forces with a rocket attack on the front line.

He vowed to take revenge for the deaths and to stop the evil brought by the military leadership of this country in an extraordinary series of audio clips published the night before.

Some reports suggest Prigozhin is in Belarus (PRIGOZHIN PRESS SERVICE)

Images and video circulating on social media showed armed men on the streets of Rostov, skirting the regional police headquarters in the city on foot, as well as tanks positioned outside the headquarters of the Southern Military District - key to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

It sparked a huge security response in Moscow, where anti-terrorist measures were put in place and additional checks on roads, with unconfirmed footage showing military vehicles on the streets.

Russias FSB Security Service, meanwhile, opened a criminal case for armed mutiny against Prigozhin and said his statements and actions constituted calls for the start of an armed civil conflict on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Prigozhin later called off the rebellion, saying he wanted to avoid bloodshed and the charges against him were later dropped.

Putin conceded in a speech to military personnel in Moscow that a civil war had been narrowly avoided and some analysts suggested that his authority had been badly damaged by the public spat between Wagner and the Kremlin.

The Kremlin suggested Prigozhin would be exiled to Belarus as punishment but his whereabouts since the failed rebellion have remained a mystery. His fellow mercenaries involved in the rebellion were also reportedly being allowed to leave to Belarus.

But neither Russia nor Belarus has confirmed where Prigozhin is. Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring project, said a business jet that Prigozhin reportedly uses landed near Minsk on the morning of 27 June.

On Wednesday this week Russias defiance ministry said the Wagner Group was completing the handover of tits weapons to the military.

The disarming of Wagner reflects efforts by authorities to defuse the threat it posed and also appears to herald an end to the mercenary groups operations on the battlefield in Ukraine.
China warns NATO against destabilizing Asia-Pacific

10:49, July 13, 2023 By Yang Sheng and Fan Anqi ( Global Times

The NATO Summit communique released on Tuesday mentioned China much more than past summit declarations and accused the China-Russia relationship of challenging the so-called rules-based order, which shows a greater level of hostility toward China, Chinese analysts said.

They slammed the message the communique sends, warning that China needs to be prepared for an increased NATO presence in Asia, and said that internal divergences among the US-led alliance will also increase if it continues its unwise expansion to the rest of the world while the existing security problems in Europe are already severe.

China firmly opposes NATO's "eastward expansion" into the Asia-Pacific region, the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) said in a statement on Tuesday in light of the joint communique issued earlier in the day by leaders of NATO members after their summit which described China as a "systemic challenge."

The NATO communique this year claimed that "China's stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values," but it also said "We remain open to constructive engagement with the PRC."

Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday that compared to the Madrid summit in 2022, which only mentioned China in one sentence of its declaration, the Vilnius communique mentioned China much more frequently. It presents an image of China that comprehensively "threatens" NATO in the fields of politics, security, science and technologies, as well as trade and economy.

The Chinese mission strongly rejects the claims of NATO, saying that the communique is filled with repetitive rhetoric echoing a Cold War mentality and ideological bias. It disregards basic facts and deliberately distorts China's stance and policies, tarnishing China's image, a statement issued by the mission read.

As a product of the Cold War, NATO has a bad track record in history. Against the backdrop of the deteriorating international security landscape, instead of reflecting on its own responsibilities, NATO, as a regional military bloc, has been making groundless accusations, meddling in affairs beyond its borders, and creating confrontation. This fully exposes NATO's hypocrisy and its ambition of seeking expansion and hegemony, the Chinese mission said.

China's warning

The statement of the Chinese mission sternly warns that China will firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests and firmly oppose NATO's eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region, and that any action that jeopardizes China's legitimate rights and interests will be met with a resolute response.

In response to the NATO Summit declaration that accuses the China-Russia relationship of undercutting the "rules-based international order," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that China-Russia relations are based on the principles of non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting of third parties.

Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a routine press conference on Wednesday that "We urge NATO to stop groundless accusations and provocative remarks against China," and that it should "give up the wrong approach of seeking absolute security, stop messing up Europe and stop trying to destabilize the Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world."

Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that NATO's relations with China will be determined by the state of China-US relations because the alliance is led and deeply controlled by Washington. In the future, China needs to be prepared for an increased NATO presence in Asia and be prepared for potential threats that the US-led alliance poses toward China's national interests and sovereignty.

However, the US attempt to force its European allies to share its burden of confronting China in the Asia-Pacific has received strong opposition from major EU powers like France. The latest proof is that NATO removed a plan to establish a liaison office in Japan from the joint communique, according to Japanese media Nikkei Asia.

A sentence noting that NATO would continue discussions with the Japanese government toward opening a liaison office in Tokyo had survived several rounds of discussions, but was deleted in the last round of talks, a source told Nikkei Asia.

The more Washington pushes its allies to expand to the Asia-Pacific, the more divergences will emerge within the alliance, said Chinese analysts.

European countries like France prefer to pursue their own strategies on the Asia-Pacific rather than blindly following US instructions, and they view a NATO military presence in the Asia-Pacific as encroaching on their own strategies and compromising Europe's strategic autonomy, as they will be forced to follow the US in the region, Cui said.

Furthermore, if NATO establishes an office in Japan, it would be seen as a tangible sign of its eastward expansion. Such a move would certainly provoke China, and European countries do not want to become embroiled in new troubles in Asia which has nothing to do with Europe's security while the huge mess in Europe remains unsolved, experts said.

The highly sensitive word "Taiwan" was not mentioned in the NATO communique. A key reason why some US allies in Asia, especially Japan, feel "threatened" by China is that they are following the US to intervene in China's core interest and internal affair - the Taiwan question. Many European members of NATO such as France believed it would be very unwise to follow the US and Japan as this will put them into unnecessary danger, while these EU members are also trying very hard to have a stable, win-win relationship with China, experts noted.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the NATO summit this year.

The Japan-NATO collaboration will go beyond traditional security areas and extend to cyber, emerging and disruptive technologies and strategic communications, Kishida said on Wednesday at the summit about Japan's recently agreed deal with NATO, called the Individually Tailored Partnership Program (ITPP), according to media reports.

Yoon also said that South Korea will increase military information sharing with NATO and participate in a NATO trust fund for assistance to Ukraine, the Yonhap News reported.

Ukraine's disappointment

Although the words "the People's Republic of China (PRC)" was mentioned 15 times in the communique, the Ukraine crisis is the real main deal of the summit as this is about to what extent the members of NATO should continue their economic and military support for this endless and massive geopolitical crisis, experts noted.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday jolted the summit of NATO leaders by blasting their joint statement on his country's prospective membership, decrying its lack of a concrete timeline as "unprecedented and absurd," the Washington Post reported.

But on Wednesday, G7 countries have agreed a joint framework for providing long-term security pledges to Ukraine, a symbolic commitment that Zelensky said would help his country on its journey to becoming a NATO member, the Financial Times reported.

But the promises to sustain existing financial and military support to Kiev fall short of Zelensky's declared goal of winning an invitation to join the US-led military alliance and are more political gestures than concrete measures at this stage, the report said.

Cui Heng, an assistant research fellow from the Center for Russian Studies of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that "It's very clear that NATO has shut the door for Ukraine to join the alliance for the near future," and this once again proves that NATO only wants to use Ukraine to confront Russia, but does not want to break the rules to offer Ukraine real protection, therefore Kiev needs to consider how to realize sustainable peace and end the terrible conflict with Russia in other more effective ways.

According to the NATO Principles of Enlargement, a country applying for membership should settle its "ethnic disputes or external territorial disputes, including irredentist claims, or internal jurisdictional disputes" by peaceful means.

Based on this, Cui Heng said that Ukraine cannot meet the conditions by completely defeating Russia and regaining control of all its claimed territories which are now under Russian control, or it gives up all of these territories. Either scenario is extremely unlikely in near future.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
(CNN)  More than 3.1 million people have been forced to flee their homes amid an increasingly desperate humanitarian situation in war torn Sudan.

Human rights groups are warning of widespread ethnic violence, attacks on civilians and rampant sexual violence against women and girls as the warring factions  the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)  continue to battle for control of the northeastern African country.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported Wednesday that more than 2.4 million have been internally displaced in Sudan while 737,801 people have crossed the border into neighboring countries.

The toll on civilians continues to grow, according to the latest report from the UNs Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) which states that 414,625 individuals comprising 483,672 households, have been displaced, an increase of 183,102 individuals compared to last week.

The number of refugees fleeing to neighboring countries, mainly Egypt, Chad and South Sudan, is also increasing with an estimated 750,000 civilians leaving Sudan entirely.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has said that 20,000 refugees crossed into Chad just last week, adding that many of them are seriously wounded and report being deliberately targeted in an increasing ethnic dimension to the violence.

We can see that they have suffered, many lost family members, and we dont even dare ask them, Where are the men? The answer from the mothers is often that they were killed. So, you just see many women, many children, WFP Chad Country Director Pierre Honnorat said, describing desperate scenes from the Zabout refugee camp in Goz Beida in a call with journalists.

Many are seriously wounded and have harrowing stories of the violence they have experienced Honorat said, appealing for funding, adding that the situation is really critical.

In a statement, WFP said its urgent priorities include treating the wounded and helping dangerously malnourished children crossing from Darfur into Chad.

According to WFP, one in 10 displaced children from Sudan is malnourished.

UN officials condemned increasing reports of gender-based violence in Sudan earlier this month, with Save the Children warning of alarming numbers of children and teenage girls being sexually assaulted and raped by armed combatants.

Martin Griffiths, UNs relief operations chief said its unconscionable that Sudans women and children are being further traumatized this way. He labeled Sudan a crisis of humanity.

The situation in Darfur, western Sudan, is also said to be critical with the UN receiving continued reports of heavy fighting and attacks on civilians.

In addition to clashes between RSF and SAF, OCHAs report also notes increased RSF and militia presence reports emerging from other Darfur states, as well as fighting in North and South Kordofan, in an increasingly complex fighting landscape across Sudan.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Desperate scenes as more than 3.1 million people displaced by war in Sudan"
A view shows the tanks, which were handed over by the Wagner mercenary group to Russia's regular armed forces, according to Russian Defence Ministry

Wagner forces not engaged in Ukraine in any significant way -Pentagon A view shows the tanks, which were handed over by the Wagner mercenary group to Russia's regular armed forces, according to Russian Defence Ministry

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Wagner mercenary group is not participating in military operations in Ukraine in any significant way, the Pentagon said on Thursday, more than two weeks after the group staged a brief armed mutiny in Russia.

"At this stage, we do not see Wagner forces participating in any significant capacity in support of combat operations in Ukraine," said Pentagon spokesperson Air Force Brigadier General Patrick Ryder.

Wagner fighters had waged some of the fiercest and bloodiest battles during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But in the wake of the June 23-24 revolt, fighters were given the option of going into exile, joining Russia's regular forces or going home. On Wednesday, Russia's defense ministry said Wagner was completing its handover of weapons to Russia's regular armed forces.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Three stores in the Charlotte region were among nearly a dozen North Carolina retailers fined over $22,000 combined for overcharging customers.

A total of 10 stores were fined in nine counties for excessive price-scanning errors, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Standards Division said Thursday.

Three stores in Mecklenburg County were fined a total of $4,800. The local stores that were fined were Dollar General, Walmart and Auto Zone.

In April, more than three dozen stores were fined a combined $304,635, including seven stores in Mecklenburg that were fined $58,185.

Im happy to see that this report is shorter than previous quarters as compliance has improved statewide, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a statement. Troxler said its important for customers to check their receipts and notify store managers if they see charges that dont match shelf prices.

A state consumer-protection program performs random inspections of price scanners for accuracy in retail stores.

Overcharging in Charlotte-area retail stores

Periodic, unannounced inspections in retail stores check if shelf and register prices match. Heres what turned up during the latest round around Charlotte:  Auto Zone at 3701 South Blvd., Charlotte, paid $975 in penalties. An initial inspection in April found an error rate of 24% based on 12 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in May found an error rate of 4.33% based on 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be reinspected.  Walmart at 11145 Bryton Town Center, Huntersville, paid $1,695 in penalties. An initial inspection in April found an error rate of 6% based on six overcharges in a 100-item lot. A follow-up inspection in May found an error rate of 2.67% on eight overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store will be inspected again.  Dollar General at 1801 Hickory Grove Road, Gastonia, paid $2,130 in penalties. An initial inspection in March found an error rate of 20% based on 10 overcharges in a 50-item lot. A follow-up inspection in April found an error rate of 6.33% on 19 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store passed inspection in June.





Past store inspection failures

Over the past year, several local stores were fined totaling nearly $185,000, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.

 In April, seven stores in Mecklenburg were fined a total of $58,185, including Dollar General, Family Dollar, Circle K and Target.

 In February, eight stores in the Charlotte region, including Dollar General, Family Dollar, Circle K, Target, Walmart and 7-Eleven, were fined nearly $39,000.

 In December, 17 stores in the region, including Walmart, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Circle K and Sams Mart, were fined over $40,000.

 In August, eight stores  four Walmarts, three Dollar Generals and one Target  were fined a total of $63,505 in the region.

 In April 2022, several area Walmart and Dollar General stores were fined a combined $42,165 for overcharges.

How store inspections work in NC

Stores are fined for failing to meet the 2% or less price scanning error rate, according to the state.

If a store has more than a 2% error rate on overcharges, inspectors talk with the store manager and make a follow-up inspection. Stores are penalized if they fail the follow-up inspection.

Stores are re-inspected every 60 days until meeting the 2%-or-less error rate, and could face additional fines. Undercharges are also reported but dont count against a store.

What to do if you find a price scan error?

Along with notifying store employees about price discrepancies, customers who see price scanner errors on their receipts may file a complaint with the state Standards Division. Call 984-236-4750.
Igor Girkin has once again predicated that there will be a mutiny in Russia

Russia may face another armed mutiny after the dismissal of Russian Army Major General Ivan Popov, who previously complained about the colossal problems of the occupying forces in Ukraine.

Thats according to convicted war criminal and former official of the Russian puppet authorities in Donetsk, Igor Girkin (Strelkov), who posted his views on his Telegram channel on July 13.

Popovs dissatisfaction with the situation at the front, openly expressed to the Russian military leadership, leaked out through another general and part-time member of the Russian State Duma, Andrey Gurulev, Girkin said.

After that, the now former commander of the 58th Army, who calls himself Spartacus and his supporters gladiators, recorded an appeal to the Russian military, in which he accused the General Staff of complete indifference.

Read also: Russian MoD seizes Wagner Group military equipment

For his part, Girkin believes that since this scandal eventually spilled into public, the uncontrolled collapse of the Russian army has come even closer.

Girkin notes that, unlike Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who failed to bring his armed mutiny to its logical end, Popov might definitely count on the support of the military, which could have more serious consequences for the Kremlin regime.

The appeal of the retired commander to the public is ... a most dangerous precedent, Girkin said.

Almost mutiny. Especially since this time it was not organized by some criminal who by the will of fortune made his way from rags to riches, but a natural staff general. And not one of the worst. Later, as many commentators rightly point out, only mutinies and the uncontrolled disintegration of the army will take place. And in fact, its just a step away.

A new major defeat of the Russian armed forces in Ukraine, which is probably just around the corner, may lead to a new march on Moscow, this time by the regular army, Girkin said.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
[Source]

A 4-year-old girl died after choking on food at a Costco in Washington state on Sunday.

What happened: According to authorities, the girl was believed to be eating a hotdog at a Costco branch in Kennewick when she began choking. The responding emergency medical service (EMS) personnel at the scene were from the Kennewick Fire Department, Ben Shearer from the Pasco Fire Department said.

Bystanders immediately came to the girls aid by performing CPR on her, with reports noting that an automated external defibrillator was also used to try and save her.

No need for an autopsy: The EMS personnel reportedly managed to remove the hotdog from the girls throat, and she was subsequently taken to a hospital. She was later pronounced dead due to asphyxia.

More from NextShark: Leading global investment company requires bosses to seek permission when hiring white men

Since the incident was witnessed by bystanders at the scene and EMS was involved, Benton County Coroner William Leach told Fox News that an autopsy is not necessary.

What happened next: The Costco branch reportedly closed its Kennewick store following the incident and reopened on Monday.

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WATCH: Biden confuses Ukraine with Russia, Zelenskyy with Putin during gaffe-filled trip to Lithuania

President Biden committed multiple speaking gaffes during his trip to Lithuania this week to shore up support for Ukraine amid its war with Russia, including confusing the two nations, as well as their leaders.

While speaking to the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania on Wednesday Biden referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as "Vladmir," seemingly confusing Zelenskyy with Russian President Vladmir Putin.

Appearing to not realize his mistake, Biden went on to say he "shouldn't be so familiar," and referred to Zelenskyy as "Mr. Zelenskyy."

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS ATTEMPTS TO EXPLAIN AI IN LATEST WORD SALAD GAFFE: KIND OF A FANCY THING

President Biden stands with President Volodomyr Zelenskyy during G-7 Declaration of Joint Support for Ukraine during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023.

Putin and Zelenskyy each hold a different version of the same name, with "Volodymyr" being the most commonly used version in Ukraine.

At a later speaking event following the summit, Biden confused the two nations, referring to Ukraine as Russia.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Russia could end this war tomorrow by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and recognizing its international borders and ceasing its attacks  its inhumane attacks  on Russia  I mean by Russia on Ukraine," Biden said, correcting himself.

HOUSE DEM JAYAPAL GRILLS FBI'S WRAY ON COLLECTING AMERICANS' DATA, WARNS OF DIFFICULT FISA REAUTHORIZATION

The gaffes are just the latest in a string of near-constant fumbles by Biden, including last month when he told reporters Putin was "clearly losing the war in Iraq."

They've also led to frequent questioning of Biden's cognitive abilities as president. Should the 80-year-old win a second term as president, he will be 86 when he leaves the White House.
West Siders want a seat at the table when Democratic National Convention comes to Chicago: Its important that they invest in our people

CHICAGO  The Democratic National Convention will descend on the United Center next August like a made-for-TV political Cirque du Soleil spectacle, putting a spotlight on Chicago.

For residents of the proud West Side, the impending gala offers an opportunity, but its also something of a double-edged sword. They worry their part of the city will host the event at the arena without enjoying much of that light or seeing many trickle-down benefits of the expensive party.

Now theyre trying to figure out how to get a seat at the table with the decision-makers to ensure they get their say, while local members of Congress also are attempting to make sure the West Side residents and businesses arent left out.

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, who has represented the West Side since 1997, is pledging he and other members of Illinois Washington delegation will press the Democratic National Committee to secure Black businesses dont get left behind when contracts and jobs are awarded ahead of the event.

After decades of gentrification spurred in part by the 1996 Democratic convention in the hard-partying neighborhoods east of the United Center  which sits on Madison Street east of Damen Avenue  even the definition of West Side and the stadiums place in it is a point of contention.

Technically the United Center is in the West Side of Chicago, said Anthony Jones, an organizer and outreach coordinator for Westside Rising, a nonprofit organization that seeks to represent the interests of various West Side groups. The West Side, traditionally, goes from Halsted back west. Traditionally. But since weve redistricted our maps and all this other stuff, the West Side has been fragmented and broken into multiple pieces. And now the United Center is in Near West Side, but its the West Side. And its all political. So how can you exclude the West Side from the West Side?

West Siders know all about the ways a political convention can have an impact on a neighborhood.

While development was already underway in the vicinity of Fulton Market and West Town, that trend exploded in the aftermath of the 1996 Democratic shindig and then-Mayor Richard M. Daleys big spending to beautify the scruffier parts of the area so delegates and members of the national media traveling from their downtown hotels to the arena would get a more flattering view.

Daley splashed out more than $60 million to pretty up the city ahead of the 1996 convention, according to a Tribune analysis at the time. In addition to a tree-planting spree in the West Loop and downtown, artisanal street lamps cost more than $1 million in public funds, while spending on bridge makeovers and renovations to Daley Plaza and State Street downtown climbed into the tens of millions.

The last convention really helped the east side of the ward, of that area, said Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. Now, hopefully, it will transfer some things to the west side of that area.

Vast areas of the West Side need much more help than a brief injection of cash from the DNC could bring. Mayor Lori Lightfoots Invest South/West program was a signature project from her single term in office to try to boost parts of the city that have long lacked the direct economic stimulus seen in wealthier Chicago ZIP codes.

In some neighborhoods, scars of past decades are still fresh in vacant city lots, some empty for decades or since widespread unrest broke out following Martin Luther King Jr.s assassination.

West of the United Center, theres evidence there of 1968, what happened over there, said Bradly Johnson, chief community officer at the youth development organization BUILD and a board member at Westside Rising. And the West Side hasnt really been invested in since that time, since the late 60s.

But in East Garfield Park, Burnett notes there already are signs of encroaching gentrification just west of the United Center. If we dont capture trying to bring some stability and diversity in the area, well lose it. It will be all million-dollar homes, Burnett said. Homes are already selling for $750,000 west of Western (Avenue) there.

The city is working to ensure developers who buy city-owned vacant lots in the area invest heavily in affordable housing units so longtime residents dont get pushed out, he said.

Burnett was first elected in 1995 to represent the 27th Ward, which stretches through the West Side and includes the United Center, and he witnessed Daleys wrought-iron fence Potemkin village rise west of the Loop. Hes well aware there will be opportunities to improve and beautify the West Side ahead of the 2024 convention.

(Daley) made everybody do it on their lots. He made deals with them to do it on their lots, right? Burnett recalled. He gave them plays on other stuff if they did the wrought-iron fencing, like you may not have to do as much landscaping, put the wrought-iron fence in first. Or you may be encroaching on city land, were going to let that slide if you put the wrought-iron fencing in.

While Mayor Brandon Johnson hasnt discussed specific plans for infrastructure improvements and might be hard-pressed to justify big outlays in the face of more pressing needs, Burnett said he plans to offer ideas on how to spread the wealth, through CTA improvements and other projects that would help residents in East Garfield Park and farther west.

Well see how aggressive this group will be with some of these things, Burnett said of the Johnson administration. I expressed to the mayor that I was there in 96 and I saw how a lot of things happened and I can give some ideas on how to take advantage of some of this stuff.

Were gonna try to juice it for what we can, he said.

West Siders hope that juice extends to the kinds of jobs many residents need.

Pre-convention, I think its important that they invest in our people, thats No. 1, said Carol Johnson, board member of Westside Rising, founder of the Westside Cultural Alliance and member of the Garfield Park Advisory Council. And some of our small businesses, when it comes to jobs, theres going to be a lot of jobs that are going to be available for the convention, right? And so, its important to me that our community gets first choice as to employment, and be part of sitting at the table when it comes to jobs.

Congressman Davis said he aims to try to make sure of it.

Were anticipating a meeting with (Democratic National Committee Chairman) Jaime Harrison  to talk about the impact of the convention on African Americans living in Chicago, period, but especially those in the arena of the United Center, and expect that to occur, Davis said. So Im anticipating serious involvement of vendors and people who do the kinds of things you do in a convention, and were having some of those conversations now.

Burnett pointed to the Hatchery, a food and beverage business incubator in East Garfield Park, as a likely site for events tied to the convention. And the Garfield Park Conservatory, a renowned gem of the West Side, will certainly see some action.

But some West Side activists are leery of letting elected officials set the agenda.

We need some key community leaders  not those that they pick for us, but the ones we do ourselves, not the ones they delegate, but the ones we pick ourselves  there should be a strategy, like they have nominations for who sits on whatever, there should be nominations for which community members are part of the process of it, Carol Johnson said.

Can Mayor Johnson, a proud West Side resident who speaks often of his aim to lift up that part of the city, help?

I think we can sit down and meet with him and make that happen, but again we dont know when everything is happening, Carol Johnson said. We just need to be informed.

In a statement, Deputy Mayor of Business and Neighborhood Development Kenya Merritt said the administration is excited to host the convention, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on our local economy. But its too early to say specifically how the event will help in disadvantaged communities, Merritt said.

As of now, we do not have any developments tied to next years convention, but what we do have is a continued, strong commitment to inclusive growth and development throughout all of Chicago, including the West Side, she said.
Whatcom County Council acts on measure to stop Nooksack River tubing. Heres why

Floating on rafts and inner tubes on the Nooksack River, a popular practice in the summer months as the river meanders through the South Fork Valley, has been outlawed to protect the threatened Chinook salmon.

It prohibits flotation devices of any kind on the rivers south fork from June 1 to Oct. 1 until Chinook spawning runs recover substantially.

Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu was expected to sign the measure Friday, and it was to take effect July 25, said spokesman Jed Holmes.

County Council members voted 4-2 on Tuesday to enact the ban, and it will last until the early Chinook natural-origin spawners reach 50% of the recovery goal of 9,900 fish, according to the text of the ordinance.

These fish are dying before they can spawn, Treva Coe, assistant natural resources director for the Nooksack Indian Tribe, told the council in a presentation Tuesday.

Primary threat to the salmon is low water levels in the river, high temperature and habitat loss, Coe said.

We know from these published studies that rafting and other forms of recreation can stress Chinook and increase the risk of pre-spawn mortality, she said.

The south fork of the Nooksack River Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Whatcom County, Wash. Bellingham Herald file photo

Tubing can also disturb salmon nests called redds, and kill the eggs, Coe said.

Some 2,400 Chinook died in the south fork in summer 2021 during a blistering heat dome that sent temperatures above 100 degrees, Coe said.

Several speakers at a public hearing Tuesday claimed without evidence that the scientific studies were faulty and that tubers werent harming the fish.

Others said the ban would harm South Fork Valley businesses that rely on recreational visitors.

We will not survive without the additional revenue that is brought in during the summer, said Jackie Rossing, owner of the Acme General Store.

Councilmembers Tyler Byrd and Ben Elenbaas voted against the measure, and Councilwoman Kathy Kershner was absent.

Elenbass said he feared the councils action would alienate the community, where businesses profit from the crowds who enjoy the summer pastime of floating down the river in inner-tubes.

Spawning chinook salmon run upstream on the North Fork Nooksack River. FOR THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Im just not convinced that a ban on tubing is the right thing. I would much rather go back to the drawing board and come up with a management plan, he said.

Councilwoman Kaylee Galloway said the rivers south fork is the highest priority for recovery for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Nooksack Indian Tribe and the Lummi Nation.

Further, salmon are an indicator species for climate change, Galloway said.

We might as well think of salmon as the canary in the coal mine, warning of future danger, she said.

Coast Salish people revere the salmon spiritually and rely on them for food, according to the Lummi Nation website.

Salmon play an important role in the lives of the Lummi people; ceremonial practices, subsistence, and economic well-being of tribal members are major factors to promote and protect salmon populations in the area of the Lummi Nation, the website said.

Chinook salmon are the primary food source for the southern resident orca, which is considered endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
Whatever happened to the search for Berkley resident Donald Flint?

BERKLEY  It's been more than six years since 48-year-old Donald Flint disappeared without a trace.

Flint, who is developmentally disabled, disappeared on June 8, 2017.

The search for Flint, 48, began after his mother, Nadine, reported him missing from her mobile home on Padelford Street in Berkley.

Former Police Chief Scott Labonte previously said Flint worked part-time at Home Depot in Taunton and was known to wander off by himself occasionally, but never for so long or so far.

According to police, Flint could not be tracked by officers because he did not have a cellphone or GPS wristband tracking device in his possession at the time of his disappearance.

Donald Flint, 48, of Berkley disappeared without a trace on June 8, 2017.

What happened when Flint disappeared?

When Flint went missing the community and law enforcement officers from the surrounding communities mobilized to help find him.

Flints disappearance sparked an intense manhunt in 90-degree heat of a square-mile area, including swampy woods, behind his house and the nearby privately owned airfield.

Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) divers and Taunton Police Sgt. Matthew McCaffrey also searched unsuccessfully for Flint in a pond near a farm on Myricks Street.

Flint was described at the time as a white man who is 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighs 180 pounds and has brown eyes, very fine gray hair and prominent ears.

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Police from Berkley and nearby communities search for Donald Flint, a 48-year-old Berkley resident after he was reported missing on June 8, 2017 (Taunton Daily Gazette File Photo)

Possible sightings in 2018

There was a report of possible sightings of Donald Flint in Gilford, New Hampshire, in February of 2018. Someone had called Berkley police saying they had twice seen a man resembling Flint at the Lowes store in Gilford, prompting Berkley police to reach out to Gilford police for help, the Gilford chief told the Taunton Daily Gazette at the time.

Gilford police posted "Have you seen Donald Flint?" on Facebook in hopes of helping track him down, but, unfortunately, despite the raised hopes, the report did not lead anywhere.

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Where does the case stand now?

Berkley Police Chief Christopher Baker said recently, unfortunately, the department doesnt have any new leads in the case.

Any new leads we would welcome from whatever sources we can get them, he said. We would follow up on them immediately, but at this time, we have no new leads we are currently following.

Flint would say Hi to everybody'

Berkley resident Ginny Starvish, 72, said recently many people knew Flint, and she became acquainted with him while visiting Star Drive-In on Myricks Street in East Taunton.

Donald lives on the street that is the way to the Star Drive-In, said Starvish, a registered nurse and co-founder of the non-profit Cancer Care Community Advisory Board in Raynham. You could drive by Donalds house, and he would sit on his tractor lawn mower and wave to everybody.

Starvish said she would talk with Flint when he was buying ice cream at Star Drive-In.

He is very friendly, she said. Hed say hi to everybody."

Starvish said she became acquainted with Flints mother, Nadine, and had some telephone conversations with her.

It doesnt seem possible he vanished into thin air, she said.

Starvish said she hopes police will continue to investigate Flints disappearance.

If you have any information about Flint's whereabouts

Anyone with with any information about Flints possible whereabouts or why he is missing can call Berkley Police at 911 or the departments business phone number, 508-822-7040.

Former Taunton Daily Gazette reporter Charles Winokoor contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Developmentally disabled Berkley man Donald Flint disappeared in 2017
What's all the buzz about AI? Here's what we know for Jacksonville health care

Dr. Shahla Masood is professor and chairwoman of the pathology and laboratory medicine department at the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville. She is shown with digital scans of tissue samples electronically sent to a New York company for evaluation. The college is using the first federally approved artificial intelligence-based software to help physicians make faster and more accurate breast and prostate cancer diagnoses.

At a time when artificial intelligence is being incorporated more and more into the mainstream, the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville has adopted the first federally authorized AI-based computer software to help physicians make faster and more accurate breast and prostate cancer diagnoses.

The software was developed by a New York-based digital pathology company called Paige, which stands for Pathology Artificial Intelligence Guidance Engine. Physicians scan images and send them and related data to the company electronically for analysis.

"AI is a tool, like any other tool," said Paige CEO Andy Moye, who once was a Navy pilot based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. "But particularly in health care  it's a tool that's going to save lives."

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Dr. Shahla Masood, the professor who heads the college's pathology and laboratory medicine department in Jacksonville, said AI is an invaluable supplement to a physician's and pathologist's expertise.

AI can provide an objective second opinion and pinpoint a diagnosis when test results indicate multiple possibilities, she said. And the speed of AI's calculations can lead to treatment getting underway sooner.

"Looking at lab results, they have trained machines to find the earliest changes," she said. "It's not about changing traditional diagnosis but using digital pathology as an added process, to give added consistency, much quicker."

With artificial intelligence trending in the news today and across the world, many people  including some skeptics  want to know more.

What is artificial intelligence and who created it?

The multiple candidates for the father of AI include British logician and computer pioneer Alan Turing in the 1940s and computer scientist and cognitive scientist John McCarthy in the 1950s. The U.S. Department of Defense is even in the mix and began training computers in the 1960s "to mimic basic human reasoning."

As for a definition of AI, McKinsey Explainers, a series by McKinsey & Co. management consulting firm experts that provides "direct answers to complex questions," provided the following:

"Artificial intelligence is a machines ability to perform the cognitive functions we usually associate with human minds, such as perceiving, reasoning, learning, interacting with an environment, problem-solving and even exercising creativity," according to McKinsey. "Ultimately, the value of artificial intelligence isnt in the systems themselves but in how companies use those systems to assist humans  and their ability to explain to shareholders and the public what those systems do  in a way that builds and earns trust."

Earning trust will be the key to answering a popular Google question: Will AI take over the world?

UF Health Jacksonville digital pathology prep tech Reginald Hyacinthe loads a cartridge of slides containing tissue samples into a digital scanner to be sent to for analysis. The University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville is using the first federally approved artificial intelligence-based software to help make diagnoses.

Business leaders were surveyed on that question at the Yale SEO Summit in June. According to a CNN report, 58% of them said they were "not worried" and that AI could never destroy humanity, while 34% of them said that was a possibility in 10 years and 8% said it could happen sooner in five years.

Experts at LyRise, a platform that helps companies recruit AI talent, wrote that artificial intelligence will not destroy humanity, despite its powerful potential.

"One of the main reasons why AI is not an existential threat is that it is a tool, not a being. AI is created and controlled by humans and it can only do what it is programmed to do," according to LyRise. "It does not have the ability to make its own decisions or develop its own goals."

LyRise also noted that AI is designed with safety mechanisms, such as the ability to be overridden by humans, and research is underway "to ensure that AI is developed responsibly and that its potential risks are identified and addressed."

Masood, of the UF College of Medicine-Jacksonville, equated the impact of AI to that of cellphones or the internet. They might have been intimidating  even frightening  at first, but we have since come to count on them.

"AI is the latest discovery in computer science, how to use computers to focus on learning concepts with almost unlimited applications not only in health care, but industry," she said. "We can teach machines to learn about anything  To mimic the human mind."

How can AI benefit health care?

The key benefit is "improved diagnostic speed and accuracy," according to the magazine Medical Economics.

"AI algorithms can process large amounts of data quickly and accurately, making it easier for health care providers to diagnose and treat diseases," according to the magazine. "AI algorithms can analyze medical images, such as X-rays and MRI scans, to identify patterns and anomalies that a human provider might miss. This can lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses, resulting in better patient outcomes."

Paige's Moye said AI can navigate "complex pattern recognition, allowing computers  to find patterns in different things." That, he said, can help doctors determine whether a patient has cancer or not, early on.

Moye

"Getting the right diagnosis in a sooner period of time," he said. "Waiting for results over days and weeks is the most agonizing time."

In addition, AI can also monitor patients vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure and note sudden changes, among other things, according to Medical Economics.

As a result, AI is one of many tools that can be utilized by physicians, Masood said. Information from the patient and doctor, lab tests and imaging, age and family history are among the other factors considered.

"Medicine is not black and white. Many diseases share similarities," she said. A diagnosis is made after "we put all these things together like a puzzle. AI is that last piece of the puzzle," she said.

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What did federal regulators say about Paige AI?

After multiple clinical trials and regulatory reviews, the software received marketing authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2021 for use in prostate cancer diagnosis and later in breast cancer diagnosis.

Pathologists examine biopsies of tissue suspected for diseases, such as prostate cancer, every day," said Dr. Tim Stenzel, director of the Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health in the FDAs Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "Identifying areas of concern on the biopsy image can help pathologists make a diagnosis that informs the appropriate treatment. The authorization of this  software can help increase the number of identified prostate biopsy samples with cancerous tissue, which can ultimately save lives."

In a Paige study, 18 pathologists evaluated 610 prostate biopsy tissue samples prepared at 218 different institutions. Two evaluations were performed on each sample: one with the assistance of Paige and one without. The study found that physicians using the prostate software had 70% reduction in false negative diagnoses and 24% reduction in false positive diagnoses. Results were published in 2022 in the College of American Pathologists' Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

"That made their eyes open," Moye said.

How did UF come into play?

Paige, which was founded in 2017, contacted UF about using the software. Moye has a personal tie: He obtained his master's degree in business from UF in 2007.

In addition to UF, the software is being used at about two dozen other sites, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and by the National Health Service in Oxford, England, Moye said.

"We have the most studied algorithms out there," he said. "They've really got to feel comfortable."

UF has adopted Paiges full portfolio of AI offerings, including the Paige Prostate Suite and PaigeBreast Suite.

Masood

"The choice to adopt AI was made, first and foremost, with our patients in mind," Masood said. "WE are committed to providing our patients with the best possible outcomes and to improving the diagnostic experience for our pathologists. Using an AI-powered application saves our pathologists from the tedious and repetitive tasks involved in diagnosis, improves their diagnostic confidence and gives them the ability to focus their attention on the cases that need their expertise the most."

UF also uses AI in other areas that involve research and validation, she said.

Do other Jacksonville-area hospitals use AI?

To a varying degree, yes.

Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic "is developing, testing and using in clinical practice" many AI-based tools at all its locations, including its Jacksonville hospital, according to a statement. "Data scientists and clinician-researchers are working together to take expansive sets of data and applying sophisticated AI and machine learning algorithms to achieve medical insights. They are applying AI in a way that quickly solves problems, leading to the creation of new healthcare tools and treatments."

Also, Mayo in Minnesota has built a new Research Department for AI and Informatics and established a Center for Digital Health and a Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, which are used by all its locations. And it has launched Mayo Clinic Platform, which "enables connections between innovators and users to drive the transformation of heath care," according to the statement.

HCA Healthcare, which owns and operates HCA Florida Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville and HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, is "building on a legacy of innovation," according to a statement. One example: Memorial is one of two HCA hospitals helping to develop a scheduling and staffing program that uses an "AI, machine-learning algorithm to predict staffing needs."

Baptist Health uses AI to "improve patient experience and clinical and administrative efficiency," according to the health system. In primary care offices, with patient consent, the technology "acts as a scribe" during appointments, allowing physicians to focus on patients rather than documentation.

Other AI examples are delivery robots at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville that give nurses and other clinicians more time caring for patients.

Chief digital and information officer Aaron Miri is leading the incorporation of AI "into health care workflows while keeping privacy, accuracy, safety and ethics top-of-mind," Baptist Health said. Miri's team developed tools that provide administrative support by "summarizing meetings, analyzing data and records to provide diagnosis information and retrieving relevant information from large sources of data," according to a Modern Health report cited by Baptist.

Ascension St. Vincent's did not provide information about its AI use by Friday afternoon.

bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: UF College of Medicine-Jacksonville uses AI for cancer diagnoses
Whiskeytown officials are urging visitors never to feed otters or geese and here's why

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service scientists and local recreational park officials are asking people not feed or approach the North American river otters and Canada geese that swim in Whiskeytown Lake, Lake Shasta and the Sacramento River.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area officials are blaming geese droppings for creating unsafe swimming conditions after large samples of E. coli bacteria were found in samples from Clear Creek six days ago.

Clear Creek is a popular swimming and fishing area. But the park's Canada goose population lives almost entirely on the human food visitors feed them and on the edible garbage that park visitors leave behind. Feeding wildlife at Whiskeytown is illegal and punishable by a $250 fine.

And those geese tend to leave something very undesirable behind: E. coli, a type of bacteria often found in animal and human feces, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since a single goose can defecate approximately one to three pounds per day, according to the recreation area's health advisory, We have a goose problem at Whiskeytown," Superintendent Josh Hoines said.

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Bacteria can end up in beach sand and lakes after people, dogs or wildlife poop in or near the water, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even dirty diapers can contaminate sand and lake water, the agency said.

An North American river otter pops its head above the water in the Sacramento River near Caldwell Park in Redding on Sunday, July 9, 2023.

A sizeable population of North American river otters living in dens along the banks of the Sacramento river, said California Department of Fish and Wildlife unit biologist Jennifer Carlson.

The otters are "frequent swimmers" in the Sacramento River, where they're often seen year round, Carlson said.

So far this summer, interactions between with North American river otters and people have stayed low. "The (river otters) are seen foraging for fish, which is what their primary prey is," Carlson said.

But human run-ins with animals can happen if swimmers aren't aware of the danger wild animals present. That has prompted park officials to also ask people visiting the recreation area to steer clear of any North American river otters and Canada geese they see.

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In June 2020, a man was injured after he swam too close to a female otter's den, which contained three otter babies, at Manzanita Lake at Lassen Volcanic National Park, Superintendent Jim Richardson said.

Otter jaws are powerful and can generate 80 pounds of force when biting with their full strength, according to scientists from the Burke Museum on the University of Washington campus in Seattle.

A North American river otter is seen swimming the Sacramento River in Redding below the Diestelhorst Bridge on Sunday, July 9, 2023.

"Usually they avoid people, but during pupping season when they are having their pups, they are more protective of their young," Carlson said. "They may approach people if they are protecting their young."

Feeding otters in the wild can also lead to the animals acting more aggressively towards humans, as a recent experience in the Bay Area shows.

Experts from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were attempting to capture a sea otter at Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz after the animal started acting aggressively toward surfers, according a USA Today report on Wednesday morning.

The female sea otter had been born in captivity but was released into the wild and had begun showing aggressive behavior toward people as a result of being fed by humans, officials said.

Officials said there have been no confirmed reports of injuries caused by the sea otter in Santa Cruz.

Carlson said to avoid serious incidents involving otters and geese, visitors should "admire wildlife from a distance and don't get to close to and them to where you force an interaction between you and that animal. It could turn out to be a negative reaction and we don't want to see anyone get hurt or have to put down an animal as a result of potentially injuring a person."

To keep the area safe, Whiskeytown officials suggest visitors do not feed wildlife. They also ask people to dispose of trash properly, shower before swimming in the lake, keep babies and toddlers in protective swim diapers and ensure that adults use the park's restrooms, rather than polluting the water by using the lake.

Ethan Hanson started working for the Redding Record Searchlight after four years with the Los Angeles Daily News as a freelancer. His coverage includes working the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament in South Bend, Indiana, and writing about the St. Louis Rams' move to Los Angeles with the Ventura County Star. He began his career as a play-by-play broadcaster for LA Pierce College from 2011-2017. Follow him on Twitter at @EthanAHanson_RS and ethan_a_hanson on Instagram. Help Record Searchlight journalism thrive by subscribing today!

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Feeding otters and geese at Whiskeytown poses risks and here's why
(CNN)  North Korea fired what it said was a solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday, just days after Pyongyang threatened to shoot down US military reconnaissance planes flying over nearby waters.

The launch follows several other recent tests of North Koreas intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), which have raised alarm among adversaries as the isolated authoritarian nation ramps up its efforts to develop weapons capable of potentially striking major US cities.

A White House statement said the launch risks destabilizing the security situation in the region.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, speaking from the sidelines of the NATO summit meeting on Wednesday, called the launch unacceptable and a threat to regional stability and the international community.

Wednesdays test was of the Hwasong-18, a powerful solid-fueled ICBM of a type that Pyongyang last launched in April, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Leader Kim Jong Un said at the time the Hwasong-18 would provide the country with a powerful strategic attack means and boost its nuclear capabilities.

Pyongyang tested the liquid-fueled Hwasong-17 in March.

The ICBM fired on Wednesday flew about 1,000 kilometers, staying airborne for 74 minutes, according to Japans Defense Ministry  a marginal advancement on the ballistic missiles it tested earlier this year.

Heres what we know about the ICBMs in North Koreas arsenal.

Liquid vs. solid-fueled missiles

The Hwasong-17 is a liquid-fueled ICBM unveiled in 2022, when North Korea held its first long-range missile test in more than four years. Liquid-fuel technology is comparatively easier to master.

The Hwasong-18, meanwhile, is a solid-fueled missile, according to Pyongyang  which makes it far more advanced, and would allow North Korea to launch long-range nuclear strikes more quickly.

Solid-fueled ICBMs are more stable, and can be moved more easily to avoid detection before a launch that can be initiated in a matter of minutes, experts say  compared to liquid-fueled missiles that may need hours before launch, giving time for adversaries to detect and neutralize the weapon.

North Koreas advancement from the Hwasong-17 last year to the Hwasong-18 this year suggests its missile program is making progress, experts say, reflecting Kims goal of matching the military capabilities of other nations like the United States or European countries.

Successive launches allow North Korea to gather more data to refine its missile technology.

Can it carry a nuclear warhead?

ICBMs could, at least theoretically, put the entire US mainland in range of a North Korean nuclear warhead  but theres a lot of unknowns about the missiles capability to deliver a nuclear payload on target.

Past tests have shown the possible range of North Koreas missiles  the tests in March and April all traveled about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). And the Hwasong-17 test last year flew 1,090 kilometers (681 miles), lasting 68 minutes before landing in the sea.

The 74-minute flight time of the latest missile is a few minutes longer than those tested in March and April.

Its not clear what kind of payloads were involved in these tests. The weight of the payload affects how far a missile can fly, so without this information, observers cannot know for sure the missiles actual range.

Another question is whether a North Korean nuclear warhead could survive reentry into Earths atmosphere.

ICBMs are fired into space, where they speed along outside Earths atmosphere before their payloads undergo a fiery reentry process, much like a space shuttle or space capsule, before plunging down on their targets.

If the process of reentering the atmosphere isnt executed with pinpoint accuracy and with materials that can withstand the immense heat generated, the warhead will burn up before reaching its target. The angle at which the warhead reenters the atmosphere can make the process more difficult.

The launch of Hwasong-18 shows that it has a range of about 15,000 kilometers based on the altitude, distance and the flight time of the missile, said Yang Wook, a researcher at Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul.

However, it cannot be evaluated that North Korea has succeeded in obtaining full technology of an ICBM as it hasnt proved the functions for reentry and accuracy using multi-warheads that are required for the use of the missile, Yang said.

Whats next in North Koreas missile program?

Kim has laid out an ambitious plan to give North Korea a credible nuclear deterrent, meaning an arsenal powerful enough to prevent any adversary, most notably the US, from attacking.

Experts have said the leader has set a long list of weapons modernizations in recent years that he is now working through  with ICBMs only one of those items. Other goals may include launching a military satellite, or putting a nuclear-powered submarine to sea.

Previously, North Korea has announced plans to enhance the accuracy of its missiles and increase the range up to 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles).

These ambitions were made clear last year when Kim dramatically ramped up the frequency and intensity of weapons testing, which eased slightly this year, but remains at much higher levels than in past years.

The country fired more missiles in 2022 than any other year on record  at one point launching 23 missiles in a single day.

These tests also refocused attention on North Koreas nuclear goals, with Kim vowing to develop his nuclear forces at the highest possible speed last year. The US and international observers began warning last year that an underground nuclear test could be imminent, after satellite imagery showed new activity at North Koreas nuclear test site. Such a test would be the countrys first since 2017.

Joseph Dempsey, research associate for defense and military analysis at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said more North Korean tests are likely in the works.

North Koreas emergent ICBM force is still relatively untested  further developmental tests to verify their reliability and operation within a range of flight parameters are to be expected, he told CNN.

How has the US and its allies responded?

The test on Wednesday sparked strong condemnation from neighboring countries.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, currently at the NATO summit in Lithuania, said he would call for strong international solidarity among bloc members in response to the launch. On Wednesday morning, he presided over an emergency National Security Council meeting from Lithuania.

US and South Korean officials met shortly after the test to share information, according to South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). Both countries are analyzing the launch.

The Japanese chief cabinet secretary lodged a protest against North Korea through embassy channels in Beijing.

The United Nations Security Council has passed resolutions prohibiting Pyongyangs ballistic missile testing, but last year China and Russia blocked new resolutions, which the US sees as a green light for North Korea to continue its programs.

This story was first published on CNN.com. North Korea says it tested an advanced solid-fueled ballistic missile. Heres why adversaries are alarmed
Julie Su at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on her nomination to be Labor Secretary, on Capitol Hill in Washington

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's support for his nominee for labor secretary, Julie Su, is "unwavering" and the White House hopes Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema "reconsider their position" on her nomination, a White House official said on Thursday.

Earlier on Thursday, Manchin, a Democrat, said he will oppose Su's nomination as labor secretary, arguing she had a "progressive background" that would prevent her from forging compromises between labor and industry representatives.

"President Biden and his team continue fighting for acting secretary of labor Julie Su's confirmation  because she is highly qualified, experienced and has proven herself time and time again when it comes to delivering for America's workers and our economy," said the White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Echo beach in Bali, Indonesia, on Thursday, March 16, 2023

Echo beach in Bali, Indonesia, on Thursday, March 16, 2023 Credit - Nyimas LaulaBloomberg/Getty Images

The Indonesian paradisiacal province of Bali, the so-called Island of Gods, is tired of being plagued by nuisance foreigners. It wants tourists, of course. They bolster its economy. It just doesnt want its reputation thats attracted so many over the years to be ruined by tourists.

From a German woman stripping at a temple in Ubud town to an American man defacing a Balinese police car, the problem of unruly guests has become so bad that provincial governor Wayan Koster ordered last month to attach a list of almost obvious dos and donts onto tourist passports. The local government has deported at least 136 foreigners so far this year, as of June 9, for various acts of misconduct.

But cracking down on bad behavior isnt enough. On Wednesday, Koster told Balinese lawmakers that all international tourists will be charged a taxabout $10 per personstarting from next year, with the money to be used to preserve the provinces culture and environment.

Balis tourism has rebounded since the pandemic, with 439,475 tourists recorded as of Mayalmost four times the size since it first reopened for foreign travel in 2022. But with reopening came a renewed wave of social taboos committed by visitors, ranging from fights with local authorities to public sex. Many foreigners have also routinely disregarded local traffic laws, which compelled the government to announce in March a ban on tourists riding motorbikes.

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Frustrations have been simmering over a general lack of respect shown by outsiders toward locals and their customs. Earlier this year, a group of 17 tourists at a homestay lodged a complaint against their neighbors over crowing roosters. In response, Koster said, They dont have to come to Bali. We have no business dealing with such people.

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Imposing a tax on Balis foreign visitors was first raised in 2019, amid damages brought by overtourism before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. And theres precedent elsewhere: at the start of the year, Malaysia asked hotels to resume charging a 10 ringgit ($2) per night tourist tax, and last year Bhutan imposed a fee of $200 a night for visitors stays in the countrywith officials defending the tax for the stress tourism has put on the countrys infrastructure.

Balis impending tourist taxwhich will be charged electronicallyhas raised concern among some businesses that worry it may deter foreigners, but Koster dismissed this, saying the relatively small charge will not be a problem for the provinces tourism figures. We will use it for the environment, culture and we will build better quality infrastructure, he told Agence France-Presse, so traveling to Bali will be more comfortable and safe.
Why can't L.A. create homeless camps in vacant lots? I found out the hard way

Several times a week I drive the same route, taking a shortcut through a neighborhood of old warehouses and auto repair shops on my way home. I know I will see two things.

First comes a vacant lot on the corner, dilapidated, surrounded by chain-link fencing. Then, a couple blocks to the south, a homeless encampment with jumbles of rusted cars and tents, piles of junk and battered furniture, on either side of the road.

Lately, I have been imagining a connection between the two  the empty land and the camp.

With newly released statistics showing that homelessness continues to rise dramatically throughout Los Angeles County, the sight of people living on the streets has become so common, so much a part of our urban landscape, that we often drive past without noticing. We are saddened, frustrated, resigned.

But what if the residents of the small encampment on Deering Avenue could get shelter and services they need in that unused lot  not to push them out of the way but to provide a safer space with portable toilets and showers, maybe even a security guard? Though it wouldn't be a permanent fix, social service agencies would know exactly where to bring food and other help.

It could be a first step to getting people back indoors. A simple enough idea, right?

Nothing about the homelessness crisis is simple.

Though I knew this from the start, the message was made clear when I got out of my car and walked along Deering Avenue one day. Someone from the encampment had taped a cardboard sign to the wall, with words scrawled in black ink: We dont bother you, so dont bother us.

A woman named Maylin  she didnt want to give her last name  was running a broken plastic comb through her long, black hair. The 32-year-old said she had been living in the encampment for about five months, ever since her car broke down. Her two kids were staying with relatives while she tried to get back on her feet.

Maylin hesitated when asked if she felt safe on the streets. There is drug use in the camp and occasional fighting. She nodded at the mention of the lot up the road, saying she would welcome a more secure place to sleep.

Yes, she said. Of course.

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But there was a catch. Several times in recent months, she had declined invitations to a homeless shelter. Mainly for legal reasons, she said. I dont want to put my name in the system because my kids and my family get benefits, like food stamps. I dont want my situation getting in the way of that.

Her explanation did not make a lot of sense to me but Maylin insisted that she would stay in a camp only anonymously, no signing in or signing out: I dont want my family to lose their benefits.

The urban campground as seen from the 4th Street bridge, the day before it was shut down on Sept. 24, 1987. (Los Angeles Times file photo)

Then-Mayor Tom Bradley took a shot at creating an urban campground in 1987, designating 12 acres near the L.A. River for people on Skid Row. The experiment  armed with $400,000 worth of social services and day care  lasted just 103 days before succumbing to a chaos of dust-filled air, leaky showers and inadequate drainage.

The city tried again in 2021, briefly opening an East Hollywood parking lot to about 70 tents, each with its own 12-by-12-foot space, at a reported cost of $180,000 a month for sanitation and security. Other attempts have focused on less-expensive temporary shelters and safe lots where people living in their cars can stay overnight.

The nonprofit Hope the Mission has built several tiny-house villages, bringing construction down to $40,000 a bed. Ken Craft, the founder, believes that getting people into a stable environment  and out of street-survival mode  is an essential first step.

"When it comes to interventions, Im agnostic, Craft said. I dont care if its safe camping, safe parking, a tiny home  the most important thing is that we provide a place where people can be safe, be out of the elements and have their basic needs met.

Read more: See which California counties are the most expensive for renters in the U.S.

Not everyone agrees. Los Angeles Countys struggle to house an estimated 75,000 homeless  a 9% increase over last year  has given rise to a confusing web of government and private agencies with different strategies. There is no consensus about how best to help people like those living along Deering Avenue.

An empty lot at the corner of Deering Avenue and Roscoe Boulevard in Canoga Park. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Planning department records show the lot at Deering Avenue and Roscoe Boulevard is owned by a company that has earmarked it for future retail use. The city would have to broker a deal; it might be easier to use some of the estimated 126 government-owned parcels currently vacant throughout L.A.

Cost is one obstacle. The debate over short-term versus long-term solutions is another. While advocates such as Craft believe in employing a variety of approaches, others worry that anything less than permanent housing equates to nudging the homeless out of sight, out of mind.

In Los Angeles, said Pete White, executive director of the L.A. Community Action Network, the temporary very often becomes the permanent.

And then there is the NIMBY crowd, the homeowners and renters who have shown a ferocious determination to keep homeless shelters and housing out of their neighborhoods. Imagine their response to a safe-camping site, all those tents and rusted cars crowded into a lot down the street?

Its a social question and a political question, said Benjamin Henwood, director of the Center for Homelessness, Housing and Health Equity Research at USC. This is the part where I dont envy politicians.

The scene along Deering Avenue in Canoga Park. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Not long ago, as Rick Conemac closed his machine shop on Deering Avenue for the day, someone from the encampment threw a bottle that shattered at his feet.

They had let some bad people in there, Conemac said. I had to call the police.

The truce between business owners and homeless people here is uneasy at best. Conemac complains about a spigot outside an adjacent building where the encampment can get water.

Read more: Faced with another bad homelessness count, L.A. reacts with frustration

Thats the reason theyre here, he said. Meanwhile, youve got the street looking like hell and Im seeing less business because customers dont want to come to this area.

It doesnt matter to him that city workers occasionally come through to collect trash and spray down the street. Nor is he mollified by the idea of moving everyone to a nearby lot.

All they do is coddle these people, Conemac said. No one is on the owners side of anything.

As a five-year resident and unofficial leader of the Deering Avenue encampment, Gilberto Gutierrez wasnt interested when someone came by recently to offer temporary housing 10 miles away in the mid-San Fernando Valley.

Thats way too far, Gutierrez said. Here, we know how to do stuff.

Like other camps around the city, the group has developed its own microeconomy, rooting through trash bins for recyclable materials and scavenging old bicycle parts to repair and sell.

There can be another reason for refusing help.

The 38-year-old Gutierrez, wearing sunglasses and black hoodie pulled over his head, kneels beside a car to shade himself from the late-afternoon sun. A motorcycle accident and long hospital stay have left him jobless and in constant pain; an addiction to meth doesnt jibe with checking into a shelter.

Everywhere you go, you have to follow rules, he said. I dont want that.

What about a temporary camp with fewer regulations? Might he and his group opt for a safe place to pitch their tents for a while, a place to get help? Gutierrez smiles from behind those big, dark glasses.

There are many people who might like that, he said. It just depends.

Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
100 DJI Mavic 3 Fly More Combo Drones

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry explains that it cannot carry out purchases of Mavic drones because they are made in China.

However, they remain one of the most popular types of UAVs in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and are purchased by 270 different purveyors in Ukraine.

Yuriy Nikolov, editor of the Nashi Hroshi project, tried to explain what was going on at the Defense Ministry in an interview with Radio NV.

Yuriy Nikolov

Editor of the Nashi Hroshi project

I've already run out of imagination. I can no longer explain the actions of the Ministry of Defensein any way. My colleagues and I even tried to come up with some fantastic corruption motivation the (defense) ministry might have.

The ministry does not want to buy Chinese Mavic drones - currently the most popular ones at the front. This is the drone that is being purchased through Prozoro at a frantic pace by various military units and authorities. Why is the Defense Ministry sabotaging the procurement of what our soldiers actually need? We tried to brainstorm.

Perhaps the Defense Ministry has some other favorite manufacturer which it is trying to help. Perhaps theyre thinking lets not buy Mavics, but rather some other model. We found out that there is no analogue from different manufacturers and sellers, and there is physically nobody else to lobby for.

We thought: okay, maybe then the ministry is saving state resources to buy other types of drones instead of Mavics. Maybe there is something better that performs other functions but is, you know, better. Unfortunately, even fighters from the front say that they arent getting swamped with other types of drones they could use. there is no such thing as being overwhelmed by any other necessary drones. They arent being sent other either domestically-made or imported drones that fit the bill.

The simple fact is that the Ministry of Defense is sabotaging the very thing that is most popular - Mavics. There are no reasons for this, at least no corruption-related reasons.Im far from calling on counter-intelligence to check the intentions of the ministry, because I have been working with procurement for a long time, so I know that in 95% of cases, a lot can be explained by the sleight of hand of those who are engaged in it.

Therefore, it is more likely that there is some kind of systemic failure here, but it is so systemic that it simply threatens all of us.

This is no secret. Sergeant Markus (a well-known senior NCO in the Armed Forces of Ukraine) called a muster for Magura's 47th Brigade. They had taken great losses in equipment during their offensive on the Zaporizhzhya front. This is the same (front) where we are having the most progress now. Theyre taking great losses, but thank God, only in equipment and not in soldiers.

Read also: Mahura Brigade commander calls for calm after chief sergeants resignation

And he literally says: "We need everything  from large technical equipment to Mavics." He saysthat Mavics are needed. And Im not getting more of them.

Markus says that we need Mavics, and we are collecting money all over Ukraine, getting donations to large funds, going out in Europe and all over the world, trying to buy those drones, as well as snatching them from under the Russians noses. After all, the more drones we buy, the fewer our enemies, the Russians, who are doing the same, will get. And that's the story. I just can't figure this puzzle out.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attend the North Atlantic Council meeting alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12. Credit - Valda KalninaEPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The medias coverage of the July 11-12 NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania largely centered on Ukraines NATO membership bid and President Volodymyr Zelenskys frustration over not being offered a clear-cut timetable for joining the alliance. But behind the headlines, another significant story about the meeting went largely unnoticed: NATO is continuing to gradually move toward the Asia-Pacific region to counter Chinas increasing power.

For the second consecutive year, Japan and South Korea, which are not NATO members, were invited to attend the annual summit. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida walked away with a so-called partnership program with NATO, a five-page agreement that aims to strengthen defense cooperation between Japan and the alliance, up to the fielding of joint exercises. The NATO joint communique stated in no uncertain terms that China is a potential threat that needs to be taken seriously.

NATO, it seems, is making a concerted decision to add Asia to its docket at a time when the alliance has its hands full managing Europes largest war since 1945. If this is the plan, NATO policymakers should step on the brakes before it goes too far.

NATOs new Asia-Pacific mission is remarkable for several reasons. When the alliance was formed in 1949 amid the looming post-war threat posed by the Soviet Union, it had a clear-cut purpose: protect Western Europe from the threat of Soviet expansionism. Once the Soviet Union collapsed in December 1991, NATO lost its raison detre. Expanding to Central and Eastern Europe was no longer an obstacle, and the alliance has nearly doubled in size from its Cold War peak. With its geopolitical adversary dead and buried, NATO increasingly looked outside of Europe, in places like Libya, Afghanistan, and Iraq, to maintain relevance.

More from TIME

Courtesy of Russian President Vladimir Putins disastrous invasion of Ukraine, NATO has re-discovered its original purpose: the collective defense of its member states on the European continent. NATO approved new defense plans this week for the first time since the end of the Cold War. Enhancing deterrence against a near-peer rival in Russia is now NATOs first, second, and third priority.

But that could be undermined if NATO distracts itself in Asia. NATOs newfound sense of purpose would be diluted, as would attempts to revitalize defense investments in Europe. NATO unity will be harder to maintain the further it gets bogged down in Asian security issues; there are already substantial differences among members about the nature and extent of the China threat and how best to respond to it.

The disagreements surrounding NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenbergs initiative to open a small NATO office in Tokyo is instructive. While Stoltenberg sees the office as a way to make NATOs relationship with Japan more durable, French President Emmanuel Macron sees the project as wholly unnecessary.

NATOs European members insist that security on the continent requires a constant American military presence. If thats true, their priority should be to live up to the spending guidelines adopted at the 2014 Wales summit and devote a minimum of 2% of their individual GDP to defense spending. While NATO members have added a combined $350 billion to their defense budgets since 2014, plenty of work still needs to be donetoday, only 11 out of 30 members meet the benchmark (the latest NATO data didnt include Finland, its most recent member). Its particularly scandalous that the German Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the wealthiest country in Europe, suffers from numerous deficiencies.

NATOs rationale for venturing into Asian security affairs is clear enough. The U.S. categorizes China as its pacing challenge, a country that seeks to displace Washington as the worlds leading center of gravity. There is growing concern in the U.S. and Europe about Chinas military modernization and propensity to coerce its neighbors.

Yet rhetoric aside, NATO would struggle to sustain a regular operational presence in Asia. With the exception of the U.S., U.K., and France, the alliance doesnt have the capacity to project power in Asia even if it wanted toand NATO is heavily dependent on U.S. military power, intelligence, and reconnaissance capabilities in any event. The most that could be done by the defense alliance are a few freedom of navigation operations in contested waterways, symbolic deployments that dont do much other than irritate the Chinese. Given these ongoing military deficiencies as well as the current security environment on the European continent, one must ask why the alliance would even consider ratcheting up its ambitions.

One must also ask how focusing on Asia helps the alliance preserve military support to Ukraine. Just this week, the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany, and Canada committed to arming Ukraines defense for as long as it takes. Yet Europes defense industrial base, hampered for decades by underinvestment, already struggles to balance Ukraines ongoing needs with its own. Expanding NATOs, and therefore Europes, remit into Asia will only compound the problem, forcing more difficult choices ahead.

Then theres the question of whether NATOs diagnosis of the China threat is even accurate. In terms of nuclear weapons, China possess less than 8% of Washingtons arsenal. Chinas global footprint consists of one foreign base compared to Washingtons expansive network of 750 bases in 80 countriesincluding a vast network around China. While U.S. officials view China as a growing threat to the U.S.-led international order, the gap between Washingtons capabilities and Beijings is regularly understated.

In life, there is such a thing as too much ambition. This aptly sums up NATOs Asia-Pacific dreams.
Tommy TubervilleLev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

In the 1970s and 1980s, overt white supremacists and their organizations were largely marginalized in American society. As a way of staying relevant and expanding their influence, the leaders of the white right decided to repackage themselves and the movement to become more "respectable," which meant putting on suits and ties and modifying their message of hate and its presentation. Central to this campaign involved changing themselves from white supremacists, operating under various labels such as the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazis, into "white nationalists," a term that would eventually evolve to include the "alt-right," identitarians, so-called race realists, ethnonationalists, Western chauvinists and more. In reality, the supposed differences between "white supremacy" and "white nationalism" are largely pedantic, if not simply double talk, obfuscation and evasion.

So to be clear, white supremacists believe that "white people" are a "superior race" and that black and brown people, Jews, Muslims and other nonwhites are inferior be it because of biology or "culture." White nationalism is the political project through which the goal of white dominance and total control over society is obtained and maintained. In such a society, nonwhites are to be subordinated and eventually removed. In the most "extreme" versions of the white supremacist project non-whites are to be enslaved or eliminated. The more "generous" versions of the white supremacist political project allows a role for a small number of "honorary whites" who believe in those values and idolize Whiteness and "Western culture."

In a 2020 report from the Center for American Progress, Simon Clark offers this context:

There is little new in the ideas that underpin white nationalism, white supremacy, the alt-right, and fascism. At its core, white nationalism is little more than an attempt to cloak white supremacist ideas in the more respectable language of racial separatism, just as the alt-right has tried to repackage fascist thought in a more modern form. All these variants are built on common notions of a white identity and racial superiority. They promote hate and violence as valid political tools, rejecting values of equality, coexistence, and the rule of law in favor of raw power and ethnic division. Derek Black, a former white nationalist leader who is now an academic who studies the origins of racist ideas, takes a cultural approach to understanding the movement by identifying its most significant symbols of identity. He defines a white nationalist as someone who interacts with information outlets primarily serving the white nationalist movement, is friends with other white nationalists, attends white nationalist events, and supports the cause financially and politically. Black explains that white nationalist ideas are totems that white nationalists use to show that they belong in the movement. Members spend a great deal of time defining and arguing about these terms as well as spreading them into mainstream society by trying to insert them into mass media. Black is pointing to a central tactic in the political strategy of white nationalists and white supremacists. They understand that their cause is not widely popular and that they are losing the battles of ideas and demography. This reality pushes them to try to smuggle their ideas into mainstream dialogue by exploiting so-called fellow travelers and political opportunists. Recently, the movement has had notable success, particularly among American and European politicians who are exploiting fear for electoral ends.

In all, as shown by its policies, base of support, and vision for American society (a restoration of what is euphemistically and in Orwellian New Speak described as "traditional" and "patriotic" American values) today's GOP is a white identity organization. In a 2018 conversation, anti-racism activist and author Tim Wise offered this powerful description of how racism and white supremacy are central to today's Republican Party and "conservative" movement:

All that stuff is continuing, and it seems to me that we are barking up the wrong tree when we focus on the extremes and we ignore mainstream white nationalism, which, as you said, is essentially in control of one of the two major political parties. It is not a fringe movement, it is the Republican Party. As you have long said about the Republican Party, it is a white identity organization. I would even go so far as to say the Republican Party is a white identity cult at this point, with just a few people hanging on, trying to steer the ship back in what they consider to be a less offensive direction. But I've got news for them: They're going to get thrown overboard, their day is done. There is no future for a Republican Party that is not a white nationalist party at this point. White identity politics, unlike its black or brown equivalent, is very much about attempting to hoard the advantages and the hegemonic dominance that whites, as a group, have generally had for 400 years in what we now call the United States.

In one of the most recent examples of how white supremacy has been mainstreamed and normalized by today's Republican Party and "conservative" movement, during an interview on Monday with Kaitlan Collins on CNN, Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville refused to condemn "white nationalists" as being inherently racist. On Tuesday night, Tuberville made a tactical pivot in response to the criticism he received for his de facto defense of white supremacy, as CNN reports:

Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama finally condemned White nationalists, telling reporters on Capitol Hill on Tuesday that "White nationalists are racists," after previously refusing to equate White nationalism with racism. Tuberville had doubled down Monday when asked about his previous comments on White nationalism and said it was an "opinion" that White nationalists are racist.

In response to Tuberville's comments and supposed change of mind about "white nationalists" and racism, the pro-democracy group The Lincoln Project warned on Twitter:

We cannot let this story fade and allow the Republican Party to normalize their abhorrent views. They proudly promote white nationalism, and it's a prime example of the moral rot that's taken over the GOP. We must defeat them or risk losing our country to their radicalism.

Tuberville's refusal to condemn white nationalism as being synonymous with racism, and then his non-apology and insincere reconsideration, are an example of what sociologist Joe Feagin has described as "the white racial frame" and the related "logic" of evasion that many (white) Americans use when discussing so-called race relations in American society. In total, Tuberville's verbal contortions about "white nationalism" is one of many examples of how white supremacist ideas and ideology have become mainstreamed and normalized in the Age of Trump.

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Trump described the white supremacists who rampaged in Charlottesville, injuring dozens of people and killing Heather Heyer, for example, as "very fine people." His followers carried Confederate flags into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, wore Nazi and Ku Klux Klan and other hate regalia to his rallies, and assaulted black and brown police and other law enforcement with racial slurs. MAGA is an attempt to end multiracial pluralistic democracy.

Tuberville's verbal contortions about "white nationalism" is one of many examples of how white supremacist ideas and ideology have become mainstreamed and normalized in the Age of Trump.

Political scientists and other experts have repeatedly shown that racist and white supremacist values and beliefs are heavily correlated with a given white person's support for Donald Trump and his MAGA movement. In addition, racism and white supremacy are highly predictive of support for the Republican Party and its candidates and policies more generally.

Predictably, the Republican Party and larger right-wing and conservative movement's positions and public policies on a range of issues including immigration, guns, the economy, civil and voting rights, support for democracy, "law and order' and crime, the social safety net and healthcare, wealth and income inequality, the size of the federal government are heavily influenced by racism and white supremacy. Historically and to the present, right-wing political entrepreneurs and other leaders have proven to be very skilled at using racism and white supremacy in a type of divide-and-conquer strategy to generate anger and rage and resentment among white Americans so that they will reject policies and initiatives that would actually benefit them.

Related

Senate Republicans grow more radical in the minority

Trump rose to power and political prominence, after all, through the racist birther conspiracy theory that claimed Barack Obama, the country's first black president, was a usurper who was not eligible to be president. As has been extensively documented, Donald Trump's senior advisor Stephen Miller played a critical role in shaping the ex-president's regime to closely align it, literally, with the ideology and policies advocated for by overt white supremacists such as neo-Nazis and other racial authoritarians and hatemongers.

A majority of Republicans and Trump followers believe in the white supremacist conspiracy and paranoid delusion that "white people" are going to be made "extinct" and "forced out of their own countries" by non-white people including Muslims. Channeling the antisemitic Protocols of the Elders of Zion, this "great replacement" is supposedly being orchestrated by "globalist elites", "bankers" and "financiers such as George Soros" and the "Democratic Party", i.e. Jewish people. The Great Replacement conspiracy theory was not too long ago a fringe belief, largely held by neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan members, and other right-wing extremists and hate mongers, ideas and people that one had to seek out in obscure print magazines, newsletters, private mailing lists, and internet chat rooms. Now such beliefs and people are mainstreamed on Fox News, routinely bellowed and advocated for by Republican elected officials and other leaders, and sent out across the right-wing echo chamber disinformation propaganda machine.

There is a direct connection between how as the Republican Party and "conservative movement" have become more racist and more white supremacist they have also become more fascist, authoritarian, violent, anti-human, cruel, sexist, misogynistic, bigoted, hateful, anti-intellectual, and generally irresponsible and antagonistic towards democracy, human freedom, human rights, and the good society.

America's final epitaph will be long. But one theme will stand out: racism and white supremacy proved mortal to American democracy; birth defects at the nation's inception that were never fixed and only became worse.

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about Republicans and racism
A 27-year-old Wichita man responsible for a fatal crash in 2020 near MacArthur and Hoover roads was sentenced Thursday to three years, seven months in prison, according to Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office spokesman Dan Dillon.

Gabriel Ortiz pleaded guilty on May 30 to involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence and two counts of aggravated battery in the Sept. 5, 2020, collision that killed 55-year-old Sonia Lopez of Wichita. Authorities have said Lopez was a passenger in a Toyota Sienna van that Ortiz hit head-on with an Infiniti Q50 in the 5600 block of West MacArthur around 2:15 a.m.

Ortiz was driving the car while drunk and speeding more than 100 mph in the moments leading up to the collision, according to his arrest affidavit. He veered off the road while driving east and crossed the center line when he over corrected, the affidavit says.

Lopez died at a local hospital from multiple blunt force injuries, according to her autopsy report. Three others in the van were hurt, two seriously, authorities have said.

Ortiz was arrested and extradited from San Diego in January 2022 to face charges in connection with the crash

He will have to serve three years of post-release supervision after hes released from prison, Dillon said.

Sedgwick County District Judge David Kaufman handed down the sentence, he said.
Wisconsin teacher who criticized decision to ban 'Rainbowland' performance is fired

A Wisconsin teacher who expressed frustration after her school district barred her first graders from singing "Rainbowland" was fired Wednesday.

Melissa Tempel tweeted in March that the administration had vetoed the choice for "Rainbowland," a duet by Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton, which the officials deemed controversial under school policy, and added: "When will it end?"

The Waukesha School District Board of Education voted Wednesday to terminate Tempel, NBC affiliate WTMJ of Milwaukee reported.

She was placed on administrative leave after the superintendent determined the way she disagreed with the decision violated school board policies.

After the vote Wednesday, Tempels attorney said that they were disappointed with the decision but that they have what is necessary for a First Amendment lawsuit.

Tempel told reporters she wouldnt have done anything differently even had she known the outcome. She thanked people for their support and kind messages.

"And I really just want to say hi to my students, because I havent been able to talk to them since March, and I really miss you guys," Tempel said.

Tempel tweeted in March: "My first graders were so excited to sing Rainbowland for our spring concert but it has been vetoed by our administration. When will it end?" She included lyrics from the 2017 song.

The song includes lyrics about working together and living in harmony: "Cause I know if we try, we could really make a difference in this world" and "Living in a Rainbowland  Where were free to be exactly who we are / Lets all dig down deep inside / Brush the judgment and fear aside."

The Board of Education has said that when the song was suggested, the principal checked with the central office about district policies.

"They determined that the song could be deemed controversial in accordance with the policy," the board said in a statement in March. The board said it wasn't involved.

Tempel's social media post prompted emails and phone calls to the district.

Superintendent James Sebert asked for an investigation. Sebert said he got "hundreds" of phone messages, as well as emails, after the post, some of them of a threatening nature.

"It was essentially all-encompassing," he said. "The amount of negative attention that Ms. Tempel brought to the school district of Waukesha during that period was overwhelming."

Tempel had been placed on administrative leave. Sebert said at Wednesday's meeting that he felt the way Tempel disagreed with the decision "was in direct violation of multiple board policies."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Woman injured in 2021 by metal part from Top Thrill Dragster files lawsuit against Cedar Point

David Miran, ODA chief of amusement rides, said Top Thrill Dragster's green train, as seen in this file photo, lost an "L-shaped" bracket on the back of the train car during an Aug. 15, 2021, ride. [Karen Schiely/Beacon Journal file photo]

SANDUSKY  Rachel Hawes filed a lawsuit against Cedar Point Wednesday two years after a piece of metal fell off the Top Thrill Dragster rollercoaster, striking her in the head.

The lawsuit lists Hawes, her husband, and her father as plaintiffs and Cedar Point's parent company Cedar Fair, other corporations and unnamed individuals as the defendants.

Woman injured: 'Fighting for her life.' Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragster victim was struck by bracket size of a 'man's hand'

The Michigan resident seeks compensation and punitive damages for the company employees alleged negligence that led to the 2021 incident, according to a complaint filed in the Common Pleas Court of Erie County.

According to the lawsuit, she received permanent, disabling personal injuries, including skull fractures and traumatic brain injury when the metal proximity flag plate fell off a train car, hitting her head.

She is seeking damages in excess of $25,000. The lawsuit identifies roughly $13.2 million in losses but does not include a specific compensation amount.

Metal bracket ripped off of train of Top Thrill Dragster

A photo of the metal proximity flag that struck Rachel Hawes in the head. Hawes filed a lawsuit against Cedar Point two years after the incident.

Hawes was waiting in line to ride the Top Thrill Dragster with her father when a metal object dislodged from a train and struck her in the head.

The object, identified as a metal proximity flag plate, is an "L-shaped" bracket roughly the size of a man's hand that is attached to the back of a train car, the Beacon Journal reported in 2021.

Ready for fun?: Everything you need to know before heading to Cedar Point this summer

Bolts secure the bracket that hovers just over the track. A series of sensors monitor the coaster as it reaches 120 mph in 3.8 seconds over a 420-foot hill in 17 seconds, David Miran told the Beacon Journal in 2021.

During its descent, the bracket came in contact with the coaster's track and fell off, said Miran, the Ohio Department of Agriculture's chief of amusement rides

An investigation by the ODA found that half of the bolts that secured the bracket to the train body had also dislodged, according to the 2021 Beacon Journal story.

Suit claims alleged negligence, destruction of evidence

The lawsuit claims that Cedar Fair and Cedar Point employees failed to ensure the safety of park guests, including Hawes.

This includes failing to install, inspect and maintain the Top Thrill Dragster and failing to train and supervise employees at the time of the incident.

Prior to the 2021 season, the complaint alleges that Cedar Point changed its off-season maintenance procedures, which limited the maintenance program.

The lawsuit claims that Cedar Point "willfully destroyed/removed" evidence when it dismantled the return side of the roller coaster after it permanently closed the ride last year. This was done in spite of a request from the plaintiffs to preserve all evidence, the suit alleges.

Head injuries, quality of life concerns

Prior to Hawes' trip to Cedar Point in 2021, she was enrolled in graduate school to become an educator, but that all changed following her injuries, according to the lawsuit.

The complaint states she suffered a loss of earning capacity of about $1.2 million because the incident rendered her "permanently disabled."

Hawes' medical costs to treat her injuries reached over $2 million, according to the lawsuit. Future medical treatment and daily living assistance could cost an additional $10 million.

The incident resulted in bleeding around the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage) and brain swelling (cerebral edema), according to the lawsuit. Blood also clots formed in her sigmoid sinus located at the base of the brain and blood pooled between the skull and the surface of the brain.

She also suffered from communicating hydrocephalus, a blockage that can result in excess cerebrospinal fluid. According to the lawsuit, a VP shunt plate, which acts like a long catheter, was used to drain the extra liquid.

Hawes was treated for a right-side open skull fracture with a cerebral laceration, contusions and loss of consciousness that exceeded 24 hours, according to the lawsuit.

Immediately following her injury, the complaint states she was transported to Firelands Regional Medical Center before being transported via medical helicopter to St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo.

She also received treatment at Hurley Medical Center and McLaren Neurologic Rehabilitation Institute in Flint, Michigan, and other facilities for speech, physical and occupational therapy.

Lawsuit seeking damages for all plaintiffs

The lawsuit alleges that Hawes' "suffered serious personal injury, conscious pain and suffering, medical expenses, inability to be gainfully employed, mental anguish, and the loss of the ability to engage in her regular activities from which she derived pleasure in life."

Her husband was also deprived of the "consortium, society, companionship, care, assistance, attention, protection, advice, guidance, and the counsel of his wife, as well as mental anguish," according to the complaint.

Hawes' father, according to the lawsuit, experienced "fight, terror, and serious emotional distress," for seeing his daughter get struck by the metal part.

Additionally, the lawsuit seeks damages for the alleged destruction of evidence.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Woman injured from Cedar Point rollercoaster files lawsuit
A woman who lived in a floating village reveals how she got groceries and mail to the remote Canadian settlement

Jessie Hutch (left) and her home in the floating village (right). Jessie Hutch.

Jessie Hutch lived in a floating village in Rivers Inlet, Canada, on and off for two years.

The area is remote and full of bears. It's also peaceful, beautiful, and calming.

Groceries were delivered every two weeks by boat, and the homes float on large logs.

Jessie Hutch and her boyfriend lived at their Rivers Inlet home for two years, she told Insider. The spread-out Canadian village is made up of floating homes.

Jessie Hutch and her boyfriend Jonathan Brakefield (left) lived in a remote Canadian floating village (right) on and off for two years. Jessie Hutch.

Hutch  who is originally from Kitchner, a small city in Ontario, Canada  lived in Rivers Inlet, British Columbia, on and off for two years, she told Insider. The small village was made up of nine other people with homes built entirely on floating logs.

When Hutch and her boyfriend, Jonathan Brakefield, joined the community in April 2021, their job was to develop the properties into what is now Finn Bay Lodge. The couple moved to the remote floating village because Brakefield had previously worked at a different fishing lodge in the area and loved it, she said.

While she didn't live at Rivers Inlet the whole two years  Hutch said she switched off between there and her second home in Torio, Panama, every few months  she loved her time on the water and shared the whole experience on TikTok, where she has 39,000 followers and posted about life in the Inlet.

Plus during COVID, "it felt better to be in a remote, small area as opposed to a city," she told Insider.

Rivers Inlet  which is on the territory of the Wuikinuxv Nation, the indigenous community in the area  is well-known for its salmon fishing.

Rivers Inlet is in British Columbia, Canada. Insider.

Rivers Inlet  which is on the territory of the indigenous community of the Wuikinuxv Nation  is known for its fishing, according to British Columbia's website. It's around 30 miles long with a few rivers feeding it (the Kilbella River, the Chuckwalla River, and the Wannock River), but Hutch measures it by boat ride: "Everything is about a 30-minute boat ride away, and the head of the Inlet is around an hour and a half," she said.

Instead of typically renting a home on land, people get 10- or 15-year leases from the Wuikinuxv Nation to live in Rivers Inlet. "It's like you're renting the water in front of the land," Hutch explained.

Formerly, it was a major fishing area with large salmon runs but now it's a fishing and wildlife getaway, according to Land Without Limits.

The area is filled with little islands and is "absolutely beautiful," Hutch said.

The closeby village of the Wuikinuxv Nation had a population of 90 in 2016, but around 9 people lived in Hutch's floating village while she was there, she told Insider.

"This place is so much more remote than anywhere I've ever been in my life. It definitely feels like things can go wrong very easily," she said.

The couple flew into Rivers Inlet by float plane, as there is no road access, and had dinner with a bear on their first night.

The couple flew into Dawsons Landing by float plane (left), where they had a steak dinner with a grizzly bear (right). Jessie Hutch.

When they arrived at Dawsons Landing, a general store and landing for the float plane, the manager told her, "Skittish will be happy to see you," Hutch recalled.

"I thought it was a seal, or anything other than a bear," Hutch said. She looked, and there was a grizzly bear on the floats at Dawsons Landing.

The couple set up camp with a grill, and had a steak dinner as the bear sat a few meters away, feasting on mussels, she said.

"I was like, 'This is incredible. I'm also scared. Where am I? This is wild,'" she added.

The bears are usually harmless and move along, but if there's a food source, they'll stay until the source runs out, Hutch said.

All the homes in Rivers Inlet float on the water. "There's a lot of bears behind you, so you don't really want to go on land," she said.

Finn Bay Lodge. Jessie Hutch.

Hutch shared a lot about the community on TikTok, including how the floating homes are attached to the land via larger logs called "boomsticks" that connect to the land and are secured together with industrial chains.

The homes themselves are built on huge floating logs, which keep the cabins above water, Hutch explained. They need constant maintenance because they're slowly sinking  you have to always make sure they're floating.

They can last around 50 years, Hutch estimated, but at a point, they become a liability.

"You have to tear it apart and get rid of it because these things can't just die into the ocean," Hutch said.

According to Hutch, despite living on floating logs, the homes felt pretty stable. "If a boat goes by really fast, you would be able to feel that," Hutch told Insider.

The interior of the homes (left), and walking along a log out to the water (right). Jessie Hutch.

The homes have a rustic, Canadian lumberjack feel, Hutch said. Plus, there are no sidewalks  you just walk on the logs.

Cars aren't a thing either. Hutch had a boat, affectionately called Tubby, which she would use to get around, she said.

Thanks to its remoteness, she would get her groceries delivered by barge every two weeks.

The barge would deliver food and supplies every two weeks. Jessie Hutch.

"We loved seeing the barge because it's like you have a little bit of civilization," she told Insider.

She'd preorder with a worker, and they'd deliver the goods with a crane. They would bring gas, generators, fresh food, and frozen food, she explained. Her TikTok video about getting icecream from the barge has 375,000 views as of writing.

While Hutch and her boyfriend had a good experience with the barge, they kept a supply of backup canned items, just in case  one of their neighbors once couldn't get groceries because the barge couldn't reach them due to ice, Hutch said.

Most of the people who live there don't really use the barge.

"I think they'll take a boat to Port Hardy (the nearest community) and load up on their groceries twice a year," Hutch said. Otherwise, they live off what's there, such as fresh seafood.

International mail is tricky and Amazon deliveries are impossible. "I think people have tried in the past and it just says: 'Cannot deliver,'" she said.

The couple traveled around by boat. Jessie Hutch.

They can get post sent through Canadian Mail, which is delivered by the barge or collected through a local store accessible by boat.

Getting a professional flown in due to plumbing or electrical problems is expensive and almost impossible, so Hutch said her boyfriend did most of the work. Plus, the community helped each other out.

Despite Finn Bay's population of 10 at the time, including Hutch, there was a big community feel.

You would quickly meet people in Rivers Inlet, Hutch said. Jessie Hutch.

Her nearest neighbor was a 20-minute boat ride away, and the general store was a 30-minute boat ride away, she said.

Everyone had their own little area, but they all relied on each other. "You're the new person in the Inlet, so everybody wants to meet you. You get to meet people really quickly," she said.

Everyone checked up on each other to make sure no one's fallen in the water, she added.

It was also important to socialize, as you can go stir-crazy in a cabin by yourself, she said. One neighbor would often pop by and ask if they'd want to fish with him, she recalled.

It was important to actively do things despite bad weather to avoid falling into dark days, she said.

Rivers Inlet. Jessie Hutch.

There were times when it rained for days on end, she said. She wore rubber rain gear and treated it like a normal day because she said if she stayed inside too long, she'd get a little depressed.

She dealt with solitude by calling friends and family, and incredibly even had a WiFi connection.

As much as she loved her time at Rivers Inlet, Hutch said she could only do a couple of months at a time since she's such a social person.

Truthfully, she doesn't think she could've done it without her boyfriend. "It's so remote that it would be almost scary," she said.

Despite the remoteness, weather, and bears, Hutch said she enjoyed her time at Rivers Inlet.

Hutch found Rivers Inlet a calm and peaceful place. Jessie Hutch.

While Hutch recently left Rivers Inlet in June 2023 for a new adventure in Haida Gwaii, an archipelago in British Columbia, she said she'll miss the freedom of Rivers Inlet, calling it a no-judgment zone.

"When you live in a city, I think people have higher expectations of themselves and their peers," she told Insider. "But there, you're on your own and nobody's watching you."

You can follow Hutch on TikTok here.

Read the original article on Insider
Havana, Cuba (CNN)  As a series of welcoming cannon blasts rang out from a nearby colonial fort, the Russian navys training class ship Perekop sailed into Havana on Tuesday.

While in Cuba for a four-day visit, the Perekops sailors will carry out a wide range of activities, according to Cubas state-run Prensa Latina news service, and members of the Cuban public will be given the opportunity to tour the ship.

It is the first official visit by a Russian naval vessel to Cuba in years  and another sign of the reforging of the relationship between the two Cold War-era allies after the collapse of the Soviet Union nearly brought down the Cuban economy with it.

While Russias invasion of Ukraine has led to its widespread ostracization, the Cuban government increasingly has defended Moscow.

We are condemning, we are rejecting, the expansion of NATO towards Russias borders, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel told Russian-controlled network, RT, in a rare interview in May.

He also blasted US economic sanctions on Russia, while heralding Russian projects of cooperation and collaboration under development in Cuba.

The two countries have also announced a flurry of agreements and exchanged high level delegations. The deals include allowing Russia to lease land in Cuba for up to 30 years, develop beachside tourist facilities near Havana, open a supermarket with Russian products and supply the island with badly needed fuel.

According to Jorge R. Pinon, a senior research fellow at the University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute, from the beginning of the Ukraine war, Russia has sent Cuba more oil than at any time since the fall of the USSR. So far in 2023, Pinon estimated, Russian has delivered approximately $167 million worth of oil.

The oil has been a crucial lifeline for cash-strapped Cuba this year, as shortages led to days-long waits to fill up cars across the island.

Rekindling ties

For much of the Cold War, Cuba and the former Soviet Union cultivated deep ties.

The USSR stationed thousands of diplomats, spies and military advisers on the island and built a towering embassy in Havana meant to symbolize a scimitar in the heart of US imperialism.

A generation of Cubans braved unfamiliar cold weather to study in Soviet countries. A popular TV game show called 9550  for the number of kilometers separating Cuba from Russia  quizzed Cubans about Soviet life with the grand prize a paid trip to the USSR.

But following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba lost its main trading partner and entered a deep economic depression. Since then, Cubans either regard their once-upon-a-time closeness with Russians with deep nostalgia or with the disdain of a failed marriage.

Now, the rekindled relationship has led some Cuba watchers to lament a missed opportunity for the US.

While former US President Barack Obama restored diplomatic relations with Cuba and eased economic sanctions, his successor, President Donald Trump reversed much of that opening. The current incumbent, President Joe Biden, has for the most part kept Trump-era sanctions in place while demanding that Cuba release prisoners jailed for taking place in widespread protests two years ago.

It seems that under Trump and followed by Biden, the US has all but ceded the field, said Ric Herrero, executive director of the Cuba Study Group, which promotes greater engagement between the US and Cuba.

There has been very modest easing of sanctions, mostly citing humanitarian concerns, and opening up travel, remittances and restaffing the embassy and consulate but we have seen a White House that otherwise has been unconcerned with Cuba, Herrero said.

But the USs top diplomat in Havana said the talk of a greater Russian presence in Cuba so far appears to be just lip-service.

Theres a great Spanish expression that between said and done theres a wide gap, Benjamin Ziff, Charge dAffaires at the US Embassy in Havana, told CNN. We havent seen, talking with our contacts here, any evidence of increased Russian anything and frankly I think the Cuban government would be making a huge mistake if that they sought to follow that model and not the model 90 miles away that has 300 years of history.

The Russians are not the only ones flexing military might in Cuba. On Tuesday, the Cuban government blasted the US for its nuclear submarines three-day visit to the US Naval base at Guantanamo Bay, calling it a provocative escalation.

More than sixty years after the US and the USSR faced-off over Soviet nuclear missiles secretly placed in Cuba, the East and West still appear to be jockeying over who will exert greater influence over the island.

Despite the high cost of the war in Ukraine and economic sanctions, Russian officials say they are committed to Cuba.

Cuba has been and remains Russias most important ally in the region, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said while meeting with his Cuban counterpart Alvaro Lopez Miera in late June in Moscow.

We are ready to render assistance to the island of freedom and to lend a shoulder to our Cuban friends, Shoigu said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "A Russian navy ship docks in Cuba as tough times bring the old friends together."
A woman went viral on TikTok after getting ticketed for wearing a crop top. A year later, she says the 'indecent exposure' citation has finally been dropped.

A woman went viral on TikTok after getting ticketed for wearing a crop top. A year later, she says the 'indecent exposure' citation has finally been dropped.

A woman said wearing a crop top in Winnfield, Louisana, landed her a ticket for "indecent exposure."

Casey LaCaze-Lachney shared her experience in a now-viral TikTok from June 2022.

A year later, in a new TikTok, she said the city has expunged the citation from her record.

A woman has settled an "indecent exposure" citation a year after she was ticketed over wearing a crop top at a festival, she said.

On June 6, 2022, Casey LaCaze-Lachney took to TikTok to recount her experience at the Dugdemona Festival, an annual festival, in Winnfield, Louisiana. As of Thursday, the video has been viewed over 8 million times to date.

"You see my outfit?" she said in the viral video, spinning to show her black crop top and jean shorts. "I got a fucking ticket for indecent exposure in Winnfield, Louisiana."

LaCaze-Lachney went on to say that three female police officers gave her a ticket at the festival, alleging that they didn't give her the option to leave the event and change her clothes at her home, a mile away.

"All of my bits are covered. The fuck?" she said in the video. "Are you kidding me?"

The Winnfield Police Department appeared to respond to LaCaze-Lachney's TikTok in a Facebook post on June 15, 2022, saying her video "had a negative impact on the service of our police officers during this family fun-filled festival."

"An unnamed citizen was cited for a city ordinance and has since taken to a popular social media site, blasting police officers," the post said. "However, 3 female officers responded to various complaints about the person's attire and the person of interest was issued a citation under the city ordinance."

The post went on to cite a city ordinance that stated, "It shall be unlawful for any person to wear pants, trousers, shorts, skirts, dresses, or skorts in any public place or places open to the public which either intentionally exposes undergarments or intentionally exposes any portion of the pubic hair, cleft of buttocks, or genitals."

However, LaCaze-Lachney's outfit in the video didn't expose any of those parts of her body.

The post went on to say that LaCaze-Lachney would have to appear in court to settle the dispute and that she could have had to pay of up to $300 or perform 40 hours of community service if she was found guilty of indecent exposure.

But the Winnfield Police Department dropped the charges on July 12, 2022, and the chief of police Johnny Ray Carpenter issued LaCaze-Lachney an apology, saying her outfit did not violate the city ordiance, according to a July 2022 from the Shreveport Times.

Then, on June 19, 2023, LaCaze-Lachney took to TikTok to share that the city had expunged the citation from her record.

She said in the video  which has been viewed just over 10,000 times  that she and her legal team "had a couple of meetings" with city representatives over the course of the last year, but there was little movement. Then, she said, a week before her legal team was going to file an official complaint against the city over the incident, representatives from the city called her and said they wanted to settle.

After a week of negotiations, the city agreed to pay for and expunge the citation from LaCaze-Lachney's record, she said, and representatives also agreed to examine the ordinance cited against her with the city council. (Representatives for the City of Winnfield did not respond to Insider's request for comment.)

"I know that may not be a big deal to you guys, but to me and the city of Winnfield, it was actually a really big deal," she said of the settlement.

However, LaCaze-Lachney said she never received clarification from the police or the city as to why she was cited in the first place.

"I still haven't gotten any answers as to why this happened to me, and I don't think I'm going to," she said.

In a statement to Insider, Randall T. Hayes, one of LaCaze-Lachney's lawyers, called his client "the kind of citizen that every town needs."

"She stood up for her rights and she refused to accept bad behavior from the police," he continued. "Government officials, especially in small towns, often get away with misconduct because their victims don't fight back. Casey fought back in the best way possible  by speaking out and by demanding that her rights be recognized."

"If more people did as she has done, the world would be a better place," he said. "It was my privilege to be able to help her hold the city accountable."

Read the original article on Insider
Whats worse than stupid?: Sushi chef forced to blowtorch fish after couple were surprised it was raw

[Source]

A sushi chef was reportedly forced to sear sashimi after a pair of customers returned their fish to be cooked.

Smiles fade fast: A worker at the unnamed restaurant detailed the incident in a now-viral Reddit thread. They said a couple came for lunch and ordered the omakase, a multi-course menu that features the chefs best of the best.

The worker said they explained what was in the order, which cost $110 per person. They recalled the couple being all smiles and thumbs up until they were served the first course: a massive bowl of sashimi.

The smiles falter and within a minute, Im being called back to the table, the worker wrote. They ask us to take back all this beautiful fish and cook it.

More from NextShark: Woman reapplies for her own job after higher salary offered for the job in new listing

Chef frustrated: The worker told the couple that the fish cannot be cooked but can be seared by the chef. The customers agreed and the fish was returned to the chef, who then spent 10 minutes blowtorching each individual piece of fish.

The chef spends about 10 minutes blasting each fish muttering, Whats worse than stupid? Thats what this is, the worker recalled.

Debate ensues: After the searing, the worker said they dropped the now-mangled food off. The couple took a bite, asked for their check and declined the rest of the course. The worker said they then stepped in:

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This is where the debate came in. I was feeling extra spicy so I said keep the bill as it is. Myself and the menu explained what the order was and they both had smartphones to do even a little Googling on what they were about to spend $220 on. Another server felt bad and said they didnt eat, [so] dont charge them anything.

The parties met in the middle and ultimately charged the couple for just one order. The worker said they believe it was the correct move, but the other server still felt bad for charging the customers for food they did not eat.

I maintain that if youre about to spend a lot of money on food, you should be sure its food youre going to enjoy, the worker noted. If you walk into a sushi restaurant, order the chefs choice and are expecting cooked food, thats a level of either stupidity or ignorance that I will be charging you for.

More from NextShark: TikTok user explains why some Chinese restaurants are closed on Tuesdays

Reactions: The Reddit thread has received over 13,000 upvotes since its posting. Many commenters agreed that the customers should have paid the full price.

Charge normal, full price. You don't reward stupid behavior, one user replied.

Another commented: LMAO IT IS 2023. If you can't look up what a restaurant is and what they serve before you go, then you go in and order an expensive experience, which is exactly what they did, then you deserve to pay the full order.

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100% charge for what hit the table, another responded. Im sure you have a Philly fry roll or some other Americanized stuff that they could have ordered off the menu with a few simple questions to you.

Meanwhile, others expressed shock at the existence of people who still do not know what sushi is.

"How do these stupid f*cks even survive daily life?" one user wrote. "'Lets get sushi. Whats that? IDK but lets go get it and then potentially be pissed off cause we are too stupid to know what we are eating.'"
A driver has been arrested weeks after a husband and wife were killed in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 55 in Illinois, state police say.

Michael Trinka, 33, faces 12 counts of aggravated driving under the influence following the June 27 crash in Will County, Illinois State Police said in a Wednesday, July 12, news release.

Trinka was driving his Ford F-150 the wrong direction when he struck a GMC Yukon, which was then struck by a semi, according to state police.

The driver and front-seat passenger of the Yukon, identified as Ron Dube, 35, and Kelly Dube, 34, were pronounced dead at the scene. Married since 2010, the couple had four children, according to an obituary.

Three of their children were in the SUV and received non-life-threatening injuries, state police said. The Dubes had just dropped off their oldest child at a sleepover, WLS reported.

Now these kids dont have a parent. My four grandchildren do not have a parent anymore, Ron Dube Sr. told WMAQ.

Tinka also suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken into custody Wednesday and jailed on a $3 million bond, according to state police.

An obituary states the Dubes, of Emington, were raising a young family with love, lessons and the core values they both subscribed to as parents.

Kelly and (Rons) personalities were so different but they fit together so perfectly, according to the obituary. They were the most loving and caring people you could meet.

Man with 12 DUI charges gets 131 years in crash that killed dad of 2, officials say

High school sweethearts killed in crash weeks after graduation, Illinois families say

Desperate moms plea leads cops to hurt toddler after DUI crash, California police say
EDITORS NOTE: An earlier version of the story and headline included the wrong amount of back wages.

A years-long state lawsuit against owners of two Yakima orchards has concluded after Rene and Carmen Garcia paid $500,000 in back wages to more than 400 workers.

The couple owns G&G Orchards Inc. and RC Orchards LLC. The Washington state Department of Labor & Industries found that between 2018 and 2021, workers were not paid properly for the fruit they harvested. They were also required to stay on site while machines were repaired.

According to a news release from L&I, the Attorney Generals Office filed a lawsuit in Yakima County Superior Court after the couple rebuffed extensive efforts to reach a settlement. The investigation ultimately found the companies owed workers about $408,000 in wages and interest, and an additional $42,000 for machinery breakdown time.

In September 2021, the Garcias told the Yakima Herald-Republic they were proud of how they treated their workers, and that the lawsuit against them was discriminatory.

Its hard being a small business, and then being Hispanic makes it that much harder, especially when we feel targeted and bullied by your office, Carmen Garcia wrote in a letter to the Attorney Generals Office. I feel like were being forced to pay for something we dont owe just because were Hispanic.

But it was not the first time the two orchards had come under fire for labor abuses. Northwest Justice Project filed a separate lawsuit for back wages in 2020 on behalf of seven H-2A workers who worked under the Garcias. They eventually received $240,000 in wages and damages.

Under the new settlement, the Garcias will be required to notify their employees about their entitlements. L&I will also require them to conduct audits, provide a detailed payroll report from 2022, and change record-keeping practices to better reflect the hours worked by employees.

In the news release, L&I Director Joel Sacks said the department will do its best to reach foreign workers who would benefit from the settlement.

Employers make a commitment to pay for a workers time and labor, and this payment reflects a lot of hard work to make sure that promise was kept, Sacks said in the news release.
Yankees are the most motivated to trade for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani: report

NEW YORK  The Yankees could give the ultimate boost to their lineup and rotation  by acquiring Shohei Ohtani.

The list of teams interested in adding the Angels pitcher/slugger, an impending free agent, before the Aug. 1 trade deadline starts with New York, according to ESPNs Buster Olney.

In talking with sources (Wednesday), they see the Yankees as potentially being the most motivated because Gerrit Cole, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, theyre middle-aged players right in the prime of their careers, Olney said Thursday on Get Up.

This is the Yankees window to win now. You bring in Ohtani, suddenly that Yankees rotation with him involved looks so strong. Ohtani hitting in Yankee Stadium, which favors left-handed sluggers, thats something Im sure the Yankees would be willing to pay for if Ohtani is made available by the Angels.

Ohtani leads all MLB batters with 32 home runs while pitching to a 3.32 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 100 1/3 innings.

The Angels have not indicated they would trade the 2021 AL MVP but, at 45-46, sit in fourth place in the AL West and recently lost fellow superstar Mike Trout to a fractured hamate bone.

The Yankees are 49-42 and a game out of the final AL wild-card spot.

The 29-year-old Ohtani would elevate a Yankees lineup that finished the first half 28th in team batting average and 19th in runs. Judge, who hit an AL-record 62 home runs last season to win the 2022 MVP over Ohtani, hasnt played since June 3 due to an injured big toe.

Ohtani would also help a Yankees rotation thats been without Frankie Montas all season and only recently got back Carlos Rodon. Luis Severino, who also missed nearly two months due to injury, has a 7.38 ERA.

Olney listed the Rays and Rangers as teams also interested in Ohtani, who is expected to command more than $500 million this offseason.
By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will travel this week to India for meetings with Group of 20 finance officials and Indian officials, and then on to Vietnam for bilateral talks, the Treasury Department said on Thursday.

Yellen, who returned to Washington on Sunday after a visit to China, will use the G20 meetings to continue pushing for reforms at the multilateral development banks and for moves to accelerate sluggish progress on debt restructuring processes for low-income countries, a senior Treasury official said.

The official noted that Western leaders estimated that multilateral development banks could unlock $200 billion in extra lending firepower over the next decade through measures that were already under way, or under deliberation.

Treasury hoped the World Bank could create a mechanism to provide more resources for countries tackling global challenges such as climate change, and would like the World Bank to explore options for lending to sub- and super-sovereign actors, not just national governments.

Yellen would also urge all official bilateral creditors, including China, to speed up slow-moving debt restructuring efforts. Recent movement on Zambia's debt was encouraging, but other cases needed to move faster, the official said.

Treasury was pushing for publication of a user manual for borrowing countries aimed at increasing the efficiency of the overall debt restructuring process, the official added.

The U.S. Treasury secretary, who has focused heavily on "friend-shoring" - taking steps to build more resilient supply chains through expanded ties with trusted partners - will hold bilateral talks in India and Vietnam, Treasury said.

Throughout the July 13-21 trip, Yellen would emphasize the need for countries to have diverse, resilient supply chains, although that was not a message "specifically targeted at China," and it did not reflect any plans by the U.S. to decouple from the Chinese economy, the official said.

"If you're talking about diversifying ... your supply chain, you're basically saying I don't want 100% dependence on critical components anywhere in the world. That's not specifically targeted at China," the official said.

Yellen raised concerns with Chinese officials during her visit about what she called punitive actions against U.S. firms and China's recent move to restrict exports of gallium and germanium, two critical minerals used to make semiconductors.

That move was "perhaps the clearest example one can have of why we talk about building diversified and secure supply chains," the official said, adding U.S. officials were still trying to understand exactly how that action would be put in place.

Yellen would also work with Vietnamese officials on U.S. concerns about Vietnam's currency practices, the official said, lauding Vietnam's "constructive dialogue" on the issues.

"Secretary Yellen will highlight this progress during her visit to Vietnam as one example of how our countries can work together to address challenges and help enhance Vietnam's financial and macroeconomic resilience," Treasury said.

Yellen would hold a news conference on July 16, ahead of the G20 meeting, as well as bilateral meetings with officials from India and the European Union, Treasury said.

In Vietnam, she will meet with Vietnamese finance officials and central bankers, as well as the economic commissioner from the Vietnamese Communist party, Treasury said.

She will also participate in a lunch with women economists, following on similar meetings she has held in Japan, South Korea and China, and take part in a female leadership conference hosted by Foreign Trade University, Treasury said.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Andrea Ricci)
Yeshiva reformers want NY Education Department to follow up on NYC probe of ultra-Orthodox schools

A yeshiva reform group demanded Wednesday that state education officials follow up on what it believes was a lax city investigation of whether seven ultra-Orthodox schools provide students with basic education in subjects like reading and math.

New York State Education Department rules require private and religious schools  including yeshivas  to offer basic instruction in some subjects that is at least substantially equivalent to what students get at public schools.

The yeshiva reform group, Young Advocates for Fair Education, alleged in a petition to the state education commissioner that seven yeshivas were determined to skirt a rigorous examination of their basic education programs in a highly anticipated city government probe.

In probes of two of the seven schools, Mayor Adams administration deferred to preliminary findings of investigations years ago.

The other five yeshivas were quickly approved under a policy that approves programs tied to a registered high school. Under state law, registered high schools meet standards that allow them to issue diplomas and administer Regents examinations.

Even as we are hopeful, we need to roll up our sleeves, said Beatrice Weber, executive director of Young Advocates for Fair Education. There is real work still to be done.

A complaint by yeshiva reform advocates in 2015 led to the city investigation of more than two dozen ultra-Orthodox schools.

In June, the city determined 18 yeshivas were either found to fall short or were suspected of falling short of law requiring them to offer instruction in subjects such as reading and math comparable to what public school students receive.

Of the 11 schools found compliant, the advocates say seven didnt get a real investigation. Young Advocates for Fair Educations petition filed Wednesday was about those seven schools.

We will follow any additional guidance from the state based on any appeals, said city education spokesman Nathaniel Styer.

In the investigation completed in June, the city bucked its responsibility by relying on information gathered during ex-mayor Bill de Blasios administration in its assessment of two yeshivas, said a lawyer for Young Advocates for Fair Education.

Under de Blasios administration, former city schools chancellor Richard Carranza submitted findings in 2019 that he wrote should be reviewed as directional feedback as part of an ongoing process, not as conclusions, documents show.

[The NYC Department of Education] should not be permitted to relieve itself of its obligations by misleading the Commissioner and the public it purports to serve, reads the petition.

The yeshiva reform group also said determinations for the yeshivas affiliated with registered high schools do not provide detailed findings. The group alleges that credible evidence about a lack of basic instruction should have triggered a closer look.

A religious group that favors the status quo at yeshivas was quick to criticize the reform groups legal action.

Given that its purpose is to criticize and undermine yeshivas, it is no surprise that [Young Advocates for Fair Education] are targeting schools that have received the City and States seal of approval, read a statement from Parents for Educational and Religious Liberty in Schools.

The state Education Department, which functions as a judge in appeals brought under state education law, declined to comment on the petition.
MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images

A judge on Thursday found conspiracy theorist, COVID denier, and Jan. 6 defendant Alan Hostetter guilty of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, rejecting the police-chief-turned-yogis wild claims that the Capitol riot was actually an entrapment operation launched by the federal government in a plot to oppress Trump supporters.

Hostetter, who at one time headed up the La Habra Police Department in California before retiring to become a yoga instructor, showed up to the pro-Trump insurrection with a hatchet in his backpack and a bullhorn, through which he cheered on rioters, Judge Royce Lamberth said in handing down his verdict.

Hostetter represented himself in court and waived his right to a jury trial, opting instead for a bench trial, where a judge decides a defendants fate. He floated one absurd premise after another, trying in vain to convince Lamberth that the sacking of the Capitol had in fact been carried out by crisis actors wearing costumes, not a violent mob of MAGA fans trying to overturn the 2020 election. Joe Biden stole Donald Trumps rightful victory, Hostetterwronglyinsisted in court. However, he also insisted he and the others in the crowd had no intention of disrupting the vote certification going on inside the halls of Congress.

The Jan. 6 riot was not actually a riot, but little more than a three-hour hissy fit, he said during his closing arguments on Thursday.

In response, Lamberth told Hostetter that he had acted corruptly with consciousness of wrongdoing, and that even if he truly believed the 2020 presidential election was fixed (it wasnt), he should have known, as a former law enforcement official, that what he was doing was illegal.

Belief that your actions are for a greater good does not negate consciousness of wrongdoing, said Lamberth.

Jan. 6 Convict Tells the Truth About Trump: Hes a Cult Boss

Hostettera self-described member of the radical right-wing militia group the Three Percenterswas not being prosecuted for engaging in protected First Amendment activity, Lamberth emphasized, adding that the First Amendment does not give anyone a right to obstruct or impede Congress by making it impossible for them to do their jobs safely, or to enter a restricted area while carrying a dangerous weapon.

The trial began earlier this month, following a guilty plea in April by one of Hostetters five co-defendants, Russell Taylor, who later testified against Hostetter. The other four are set to go to trial in October. On YouTube, law professor and Los Angeles Times legal affairs correspondent Harry Litman, himself a former federal prosecutor, referred to the proceedings as the CRAZIEST January 6th Trial Yet.

At the outset, which began more than two years ago, Lamberth strongly urge[d] Hostetter not to try to represent yourself.

But Hostetter ignored the recommendation, casting aside the slim historical odds facing pro se defendants, and forged ahead. In May, he filed a rambling motion in court, complaining that the government was gaslighting him, going on to float pages of disjointed claims about, variously, Hunter Biden, Twitter censorship, and the so-called QAnon Shaman. His most recent filing laid out the lone exhibit he planned to present in his defense; the prosecutions list took up a full 38 pages.

The Capitol riot was a federal scheme, Hostetter argued in the May 30 filing, previewing a surreal entrapment defense he said he planned to employ in court. He then laid out a deranged set of what he called the three fundamental pillars to the Triune Entrapment Defense, arguing, among other things, that Biden is an imposter president and that Jan. 6 was a false flag.

In a filing submitted to the court 12 days earlier, Hostetter had provided more than 40 pages of bullet-pointed questions such as, Do we now know our own government assassinated JFK? Are the files still hidden 60 years later? Why? What are some of the reasons Tucker Carlson was canceled? He spoke of being followed by strangers in an organized community stalking campaign, and a profound experience with Christ in August 2021 that he is not yet ready to discuss publicly.

He said he planned to call 29 witnesses to combat this Gaslighting and this corrupt indictment, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, CNN reporter Donie OSullivan, and imprisoned Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio.

Earlier filings by Hostetter had put forth equally unmoored allegations. In one, dated Dec. 6, 2021, Hostetter moved for dismissal on grounds of what he believed was outrageous government conduct. He claimed the FBI was after him because of his anti-lockdown protests in the early days of the COVID pandemic, and that the government had targeted him using third party intermediaries [that] might include such organizations and secret societies such as Yale Universitys Skull and Bones, Freemasonry, and specific religious denominations known for secrecy such as Scientology and Mormonism, which will be expanded upon further into this motion.

Karren Kenney, a stand-by lawyer the court provided to assist Hostetter, did not immediately respond to The Daily Beasts query as to whether or not he asked for, or took, any of her advice.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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WELLS, Maine  York County Community College is no longer seeking an arrangement for students to stay longer at local hotels but is moving full speed ahead with its hopes for on-campus dorms in the future.

Chris Burbank, the colleges director of strategic initiatives and partnerships, announced this new approach during the Wells Planning Board meeting on July 10.

After hearing feedback from the Planning Board and elsewhere, York County Community College (YCCC) decided to withdraw its request that a change be made in the town ordinance to allow students to stay at local hotels for longer than the current limit of 28 days for transient guests, Burbank said.

In Wells, Maine, York County Community College is currently exploring the feasibility of having dormitories on its campus.

We want to be good partners and good community stewards, Burbank said. We heard the concerns that were addressed  We will no longer be seeking that.

Currently, the school has an arrangement with the Hampton Inn that allows students to live there during semesters, provided that they vacate their rooms every 28 days. To meet that town requirement, YCCC has had to be creative, scheduling field trips and taking other complying steps.

Despite its withdrawn proposal, YCCC will continue its arrangement with the Hampton Inn, Burbank said. The arrangement has helped the college, which does not have on-campus housing.

Wildwood at Terrace Green: A new unique 43-home neighborhood breaks ground in Kennebunk

At their previous meeting, some Planning Board members pushed back against the idea of exempting students from the 28-day limit. The board also received an email from a resident who did not like the proposal.

I cant think of a worse idea, Adrienne Angelo, of Schooner Way, wrote. These are young people who want to party on their time off and will not abide by any dormitory regulations.

During a public hearing on July 10, however, Cindy Davidson, who teaches at YCCC, advocated for more flexibility on the time period students may stay at the inn. Davidson read from a statement she had prepared before she knew YCCC would be withdrawing its request.

Ive seen first-hand the efforts the students are willing to make, Davidson said. The college is helping them with temporary housing.

Varanos successor: Battery Steele offers eclectic menu and craft beers in Wells

Davidson said students at the inn are supervised and have not prompted complaints from other guests or responses from local police. She added that it is unfair to hold against the students the transgressions of other hotel guests, in particular those taking advantage of the countys housing program.

There is no comparison, she said. It is unfair to hold it against the students because of what other people, in another program, did at other facilities, where there was no structure and no supervision. Forcing the students to vacate their premises every 28 days is ludicrous. Moving out during final exams is brutal.

As for the colleges lone, remaining ask of the town, YCCC still hopes voters can approve a standalone district that one day would allow for dormitories to be built on campus. Currently, the college is conducting a feasibility study on whether such dorms would be beneficial, not just for YCCC but also for the community.

We hope to have that information finalized sometime this fall, Burbank said.

After the public hearing on July 11, the Planning Board discussed the proposed new district on campus during a workshop. The board primarily focused on definitions related to students and workforce housing, which is something YCCC hopes to provide when dorms have more vacancies during the summertime.

YCCC President Michael Fischer, who attended the meeting with Burbank, said he was open to any language that may be required to make the boundaries of workforce housing clear.

Our job  is to create a trained and educated and skilled workforce, Fischer said. Every decision weve made at the college has been towards that. We believe that if we do that, we create socioeconomic mobility for our students and economic prosperity for our community.

After the end of the workshop, the Planning Board voted to advance the requested college district to the Wells Select Board with a recommendation in support of the proposal. In the meantime, the towns planning office and YCCC will make the decided-upon adjustments to the proposals language.

Next, the Select Board will discuss the proposal, schedule a public hearing, and decide whether to advance it to the town meeting this November.

Wedding Cake House: Maines most photographed home seeks new life as seasonal attraction

Fast food restaurant pitched in Wells Plaza

In other business, the Planning Board received a site plan pre-application from Bridge33 Capital, which is seeking to build a 2,275-square-foot fast-food restaurant and drive-through at Wells Plaza on Route 1. The plaza is home to Hannaford, Renys, a movie theater, and other small businesses.

According to Project Manager Craig Burgess, of Acorn Engineering, the restaurant would be built on a newly established parcel of less than an acre, across the parking lot from Hannaford and close to Route 1.

Burgess said the developer does not yet have a tenant for the fast-food stop, which, if approved, would be across the street from a McDonalds.

Members of the Planning Board will conduct a site walk at the property on Thursday, July 20, at 5:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York County Community College drops hotel request, eyes dorms for future
A YouTuber charged viewers to see autopsy photos of a murdered 11-year-old boy, an act the prosecutor called 'disgusting'

A YouTuber charged viewers to see autopsy photos of a murdered 11-year-old boy, an act the prosecutor called 'disgusting'

An influencer making content. AP Photo/Jessica Hill

YouTuber Zav Girl received criticism for charging viewers to see photos of a murdered boy.

11-year-old Gannon Stauch was killed by his stepmother Letecia Stauch in 2020.

Zav Girl obtained the photos via FOI, and said she thought they were "interesting and informative."

A YouTuber received a barrage of criticism after charging viewers to see autopsy photos of an 11-year-old boy who was murdered by his stepmother.

True Crime YouTuber Zav Girl obtained photos of the body of Gannon Stauch, who was murdered by his stepmother Letecia Stauch in 2020. Letecia was found guilty by a Colorado court on May 8 of stabbing and shooting Gannon to death in a fit of "hatred and jealousy," then shoving his body in a suitcase, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Zav Girl obtained photos of Gannon's autopsy via a public-records request, and posted a video about them on her Patreon account, where people could pay $3 to watch.

Michael Allen, the Colorado prosecutor who led the case, told News Nation that doing this was "the lowest of human forms."

"Gannon deserved so much more in life from his stepmother and he certainly deserves dignity and respect in death," he said. "And there's nothing about what this YouTuber is doing that provides any dignity or respect to Gannon."

Gannon's father Al Stauch also spoke with News Nation, saying knowing Gannon's photos were being viewed this way was "retraumatizing."

"We just finished the trial just over two months ago. And now we're having to kind of relive some of this stuff and not being able to put it behind us," he said. "The word I use to describe it is evil."

Zav Girl issued a statement on her YouTube channel, where she has 89,000 subscribers, on Tuesday. She said people had been "very divided on how they feel" about the video and she was "hearing a lot from both sides."

"The reality of the situation is that different people feel differently about this," she said. "Some people genuinely think making a video including the autopsy photos is bad and I respect their opinion and feelings."

Others, like herself, she said, thought the photos were "interesting and informative," and were "able to view it all in a more scientific detached way."

"It's just one of those things where it depends on the person," she said.

In the statement, Zav Girl said she was "not adamantly against taking the video down" if people were "truly unhappy with it." Her whole Patreon account has since been removed.

Zav Girl said she was charging the fee because she "spent a lot of time and worked hard" putting the video together. She also said she had been dealing with threats and was going to take a step back from her channel while she dealt with them.

Allen said Zav Girl's statement and justification "rings hollow."

"Scientifically, they could have used body diagrams that the autopsy also included instead of putting out Gannon's just completely broken body that reflects the depravity and horror that he had to live through and suffered," he told News Nation. "It's outright disgusting."

Insider has reached out to Zav Girl for further comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Zelensky tweet on Nato so infuriated US officials they reconsidered policy, report says

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskys obvious impatience over Natos slow-moving decision-making process has reportedly irritated US officials enough that they reconsidered Ukraines invitation to join the alliance.

For months, Mr Zelensky has appealed to Nato leaders hoping they would accept his countrys application to join the alliance as they fight off Russian troops.

But Nato countries have been reluctant  not wanting to rock the boat too much with Russia during the middle of the war.

Then, after Nato countries failed to deliver a specific timeline to Mr Zelensky on Nato membership before the summit this week, Mr Zelenskys frustration resulted in a more aggressive approach in the form of a tweet.

Its unprecedented and absurd when time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraines membership. While at the same time vague wording about "conditions" is added even for inviting Ukraine. It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the Alliance, Mr Zelensky wrote on Tuesday.

This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraines membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror.

He added: Uncertainty is weakness. And I will openly discuss this at the summit.

Mr Zelenskys strong message was a clear response to Natos unspecific and vague statement regarding Ukraines membership: We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine when allies agree and conditions are met

However the Ukrainians message to Nato leaders left US officials feeling particularly furious, a source familiar with the situation told The Washington Post.

Several US officials allegedly questioned whether the alliance should get rid of the passage which Mr Zelensky found absurd, The Post reported.

We value our allies. We value our shared security. And we always appreciate an open conversation.

Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Because it is about respect.



But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that    (@ZelenskyyUa) July 11, 2023

The US has already given Ukraine more than $75bn in assistance. Most recently the Pentagon announced that they had sent the controversial cluster munitions to assist in Ukraines fight against Russia.

Despite the hiccup, byy the end of the Nato summit on Wednesday, Mr Zelesnky had come to Natos accept decision calling it a significant security victory while still reiterating the preferred outcome would be an invitation to join Nato.
Zelenskyy said he thinks Ukraine can defeat Russia by next July. His own officials are significantly less optimistic.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at the press conference during the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023. Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Zelenskyy told reporters Wednesday that he thinks Ukraine can defeat Russia within one year.

That jars with recent comments by his own officials, including his foreign minister and top general.

Few experts predict that Ukraine can achieve victory over Russia quickly, if at all.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a surprising and optimistic prediction for the end of the war with Russia, saying he thought he could secure victory by July 2024.

Speaking at a NATO summit in eastern Europe, Zelenskyy said he hoped Ukraine would win the war in time for the next summit, which is being held in Washington, DC, in about a year's time.

NATO made clear that Ukraine can't joint while it is still at war, leading Zelenskyy and some around them to suggest it could still join quickly by achieving victory.

Earlier this month, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukraine's Presidential Office, said he was confident Ukraine will "receive a full invitation" to the Washington summit because "by this time, Russia will finally lose its subjectivity and cease to exist as a country that can wage wars."

16 months into the war, few observers are suggesting that either side is in a position to win quickly.

And some of Ukraine's other officials, including its Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, appear to agree, and are planning for the long haul.

In an interview with Radio Free Europe published on Wednesday, Kuleba seemed to have a far different timeline in mind, saying he hoped that Ukraine would be in a position to use F-16 fighter jets by around March 2024, a significantly humbler aim than victory.

"Training [for the F-16s] should begin sometime in August, possibly early September," he told Radio Free Europe. "I think that if by the end of the first quarter of next year, the first F-16s fly in Ukrainian air, piloted by Ukrainian pilots, then it will be according to the schedule."

While not mentioning a specific time frame, Ukraine's top military general, Valery Zaluzhny, told The Washington Post last month that even the slow progress in Ukraine's counteroffensive was extraordinary given its limited arsenal.

He also admonished observers who were expecting quick results as unrealistic.

"This is not a show," Zaluzhny told The Post. "It's not a show the whole world is watching and betting on or anything. Every day, every meter is given by blood."

"Without being fully supplied, these plans are not feasible at all," he added. "But they are being carried out. Yes, maybe not as fast as the participants, the observers, would like, but that is their problem."

Ukraine has aggressively pressed its case to join NATO, a yearslong aim which existing members have been hesitant to attach to a particular timeline.

NATO said in 2008 that Ukraine could join at a future date, but declined its September 2022 request for "fast-track" membership.

Earlier in the summit Zelenskyy decried the lack of a defined timeline as "unprecedented and absurd."

Experts previously told Insider that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine that could end the war remain a distant prospect.

John E. Herbst, who was the US ambassador to Ukraine from 2003 to 2006, told that Putin would need to conclude "there's really no way in the world to achieve his objective" before he would be prepared to negotiate.

Read the original article on Business Insider
As Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins stresses, operating sustainably and equitably is the only way to do business.

But to operate sustainably demands constant commitment  from raising awareness to driving new innovation.

Thats why at Cisco Live U.S. 2023, the company highlighted its culture of advancing sustainability, along with some critical new product announcements. These reflected the companys core purpose: powering an inclusive future for all. Sustainability is a key element of that purpose, for Ciscos employees, its customers, and for the planet.

As Robbins announced in a Cisco Live keynote address this week in Las Vegas, sustainability is now among the companys top five customer priorities. And this was reflected in last years elevation of sustainability to a senior leadership role, with Mary de Wysocki named the companys first chief sustainability officer.

As for innovation around sustainability, there was no shortage of it at Cisco Live. One key focus area was energy management for data centers and beyond. Energy-hungry and heat-generating data-center servers and switches draw up to 2 percent of all electricity in the United States alone, and energy consumption can represent up to 30 percent of data center costs. So, optimizing energy usage should be a major concern for all forward-looking organizations.

Capturing insights into the functions and efficiency of those data centers is a critical first step. To that end, there are some important Cisco Live announcements centered around Nexus Dashboard and Webex Control Hub.

Cisco Nexus Dashboard is a powerfully intuitive interface for cloud and data-center networks. It already provides the essential visibility needed to monitor, optimize, and secure even complex networking environments. And moving forward, that visibility will extend to energy management across the Cisco Networking Cloud.

By integrating additional capabilities from Cisco API integration partners Panduit and Vertiv, Nexus Dashboard will supply a wide range of insights related to energy usage and sustainability. These will include real-time and historical insights into the energy consumption, energy costs, and greenhouse-gas emissions of Cisco Nexus switches and other IT equipment in the data center. It will also monitor the ambient temperature of data centers to help improve cooling efficiency, while keeping an eye on any additional servers, switches, storage, etc. that are connected to Panduit and Vertiv.

As a world-class collaboration platform, Webex connects hundreds of millions of users around the world. But like any such widely used tool, it creates its own impact on data-center energy demands. So, earlier this year Cisco announced that a new feature, Carbon Emission Insights, would be integrated into Webex Control Hub to monitor energy usage from Webex devices.

Now those insights will extend to the impact on data centers from Webex services like meetings, messaging, and video. With these new features, Sustainability Insights can expand an organizations ability to meet their data-center sustainability goals by:

Estimating data-center carbon emissions based on energy consumption of Webexs cloud-based services

Showing monthly trends for energy consumption, including emissions output and emissions savings.

Empowering organizations to improve their sustainability practices.

Nexus and Webex are just the beginning. Additional energy-management insights will soon be captured by other Cisco platforms, such as Intersight, Ciscos IT operations platform delivered as a service. Intersight will soon offer expanded visibility into energy consumption across infrastructures, including compute nodes, servers, blades, racks, fabric interconnects, and chassis.

Cisco sits at the unique intersection of sustainability and technology, empowering our customers to make informed technology choices, said Denise Lee, vice president of Ciscos Engineering Sustainability Office. Across Ciscos portfolio, we are designing solutions to bring energy management and circularity to smarter buildings, more sustainable data centers and a more sustainable internet for the future. Working with partners to create integrated ecosystems is a critical part of our roadmap and how we hope to accelerate the speed and scale to our collective journey towards Net Zero.

An energy-efficient Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing our visibility into and management of physical systems, everything from industrial robots and wind farms to water utilities and supply chains.

And its another area in which Ciscos energy-management technologies can have an impact across a variety of industrial and operational settings.

One such solution is the Cisco IoT Operations Dashboard. It allows customers to securely access real-time insights from their equipment, even if that equipment resides in challenging or far-off environments. This enables them to remotely detect and troubleshoot issues, thereby speeding responses and reducing the expense and carbon impact of sending service trucks or boats to remote locations.

Buildings are a large drain on energy resources, by some estimates generating more than 30 percent of all carbon emissions globally. So, managing them efficiently is an important element to reducing the impact of negative climate gases.

Cisco is pioneering the use of energy networking, which today powers lighting, security cameras, and other low-voltage systems from the networks DC power systems. This eliminates the energy loss that results in converting from AC to DC power. Energy networking is featured in Ciscos renovated New York and Atlanta workspaces and is making its way into customer buildings and offices.

Furthering the smart-building cause, Cisco partner Energybox is using Cisco IoT devices and software to help customers optimize their energy usage through remote monitoring, management, and control of systems like heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and lighting.

Overall, new Cisco equipment is designed from the ground up with energy efficiency a top priority. Based on its own lab research, the company estimates that modernizing a data center with the latest Cisco UCS X-series from prior server generations can help reduce power consumption by up to 40 to 56 percent (based on various configurations), reduce the amount of hardware and raw materials, and cut operating costs.

Energy management is a big part of Ciscos long-standing focus on sustainability. But its only one part. For example, Cisco has set a goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) by 2040. And it has committed to 100 percent product return upon request, at no cost to our customers.

Mary de Wysocki believes this broad commitment to sustainability will only expand.

One of the fascinating areas going forward will be how we think about incorporating sustainable decisions deeper into our business, she said. I do think that as we show up into the community, we can have a positive impact as we think about the right technologies, policies, and practices.
East Africa Commercial and Logistics Center is expected to open in Tanzanias capital city, Dar es Salaam, in June 2024, providing trade and investment opportunities for the public.

Speaking at the 47th International Trade Fair that was recently held in Tanzania, Executive Director at Taikang Asset Management, Cathy Wang, said that to facilitate and add vitality to the 2024 trade fair, the venue will be devoted to contributing Chinese experience to the industrialization of Tanzania, promoting sustainable development, expanding opportunities, and addressing related challenges for both China and Tanzania.

The national foreign investment strategy of China is trade first, investment follows [whereby] export trade plays a leading role in manufacturing investment projects through trade expansion channels, she said, adding that it is made possible, in part, by their unwavering commitment to facilitating Chinese enterprises to enter Africa and enhancing the economic and trade exchanges and cooperation with Tanzania.

The East Africa Commercial and Logistics Center is a reflection of that commitment, Wang noted, adding that construction of factories can be started when the market is relevantly mature. Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Exaud Kigahesaid said the 47th International Trade Fair was an opportunity for Tanzanians to build networks with Chinese companies and do business with them.

We should have a close network with them to learn new technologies, he said. He also noted that rather than needing to fly to China, the Chinese might establish businesses here and manufacture goods locally. In order for Tanzanias economy to expand, he claimed, Tanzania should be the key to East Africa and Central Africa.
Germany has taken over the rotating one-year presidency of the Sahel Alliance  a key development body from the region  with Berlin saying that jobs, agriculture, and security will be its top priorities during the tenure.

Germanys Development Minister Svenja Schulze traveled to Mauritania earlier this week to formally take over the presidency of the Sahel Alliance from its predecessor Spain. I am taking over the presidency of the Sahel Alliance to show that Germany, together with its partners, is there for the region and is committed to the region, said Schulze in the capital, Nouakchott. My priorities for the Sahel Alliance are jobs, agriculture, and social security in the region. And preventing state-free spaces, she said in tacit reference to two main challenges directly threatening the Sahel  poverty and Islamic terrorism.

Founded by Germany, France, and the European Union in 2017, the 18-member Sahel Alliance has spent more than $30.71 billion in a region stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea south of the Sahara. The EU considers its relationship especially with the so-called the G5 Sahel countries  namely Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger  to be of strategic importance to the bloc in terms of security and stability, international climate and sustainable development commitments and migration routes linked to Europe. At the same time, Germany has long been a significant player in stabilization and development efforts in the largely francophone Sahel. Berlin has already announced that when the German military ends its military mission in Mali in May 2024, it plans to expand economic aid and partnership programs in the wider Sahel region.
The urgent debate held on Wednesday in Geneva on the sidelines of the 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) highlighted by the adoption of a resolution condemning acts of religious hatred, which constitute incitement to violence and discrimination.

The resolution was adopted by 28 in favor, 12 against and seven abstentions, at the meeting convened in the wake of recurrent desecrations of the Holy Quran.

Members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) voted unanimously in favor of the resolution, while all Western countries voted against, as did Costa Rica.

The resolution provides for holding a high-level debate at the 54th session of the UNHRC in September 2023, to prepare a report to be submitted by the High Commissioner at the 55th session in March 2024.

The text views desecration as incitement to hatred, and stressed the need to hold the perpetrators of such acts of religious hatred accountable, in line with states obligations under international human rights law.

On Tuesday, Morocco called on the HRC to act with unity and intransigence against the recurrent desecration of the Holy Quran, which damages the feelings of over a billion Muslims.

The fight against radicalization, extremism, obscurantism, and violence must in no way be selective. These demonstrations must be unequivocally condemned, Moroccos Permanent Representative in Geneva, Omar Zniber stated.

Morocco, a fervent human rights defender, has always attached itself to a free and unhindered expression of opinions, whatever they may be, the diplomate recalled. The Kingdom constantly reaffirms its unwavering commitment to promoting the values of mutual respect, tolerance, coexistence, acceptance of others, and the culture of peace, he added.

At the opening of the meeting, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, deplored that hate speech in all its forms is on the increase throughout the world, calling for it to be addressed through dialogue and education.
Egypt is the continents new leader in the total equity funding raised by start-ups in Africa from June 2022 to June 2023, overtaking Nigeria, according to London-based African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA).

Per AVCA data, startups in the North African country raised $540 from June 2022 to July 2023. The amounts represent a 25% decrease from the $710 million raised the previous year but stands as the least decline among the big four African countries. Egypt, also per the data, was the only country to climb over the half-billion mark within the period.

Funding to tech firms in Nigeria according to AVCA fell the most at 77% year on year to $470 million from $2 billion.

South Africa and Kenya, two other major destinations for funding for startups on the continent, lost respectively 53% and 69 per cent to their investments. Both landed during the period respectively $420 million and $300 million.

Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya, all raised $4.6 billion between June 2021 and June 2022, a figure way higher than their cumulative funds raised this year, $1.7 billion, between June 2022 to July 2023, AVCA says in its report.

The financial sector, popularly known as fintech, continued to attract most equity funding, though at a slower pace, AVCA said. Funding, AVCA also notes, grew 15% in Cote dIvoire and 34% in Cameroon. The association also argues that the biggest jump by far was recorded in Algeria from $30m to $150m, attributable to a single deal  YASSIRs investment in November 2022.
The United States Agency for International Development, USAID, announced Wednesday the appointment of a former deputy coordinator of Private Sector Program at the State Department, British A. Robinson, as the new coordinator of Prosper Africa (the U.S. Government initiative to increase trade and investment between African nations and the United States).

Robinson, according to the agency, will collaborate closely with the White House National Security Council and the 17 participating U.S. federal agencies, including USAID, to advance the U.S. Governments Strategy for sub-Saharan Africa, and implement commitments from the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022.

She will work with businesses, investors, and government leaders here in the United States and in Africa to build upon crucial partnerships with nations across the continent that are already confronting some of the worlds most pressing challenges, such as the climate crisis, extreme poverty, and hunger, the agency added.

The 56-year old woman is described as a visionary leader and social impact champion with decades of experience in public-private partnerships, corporate social responsibility, public health, education, and government relations.

She has long years of experience under her belt. She recently served as President and CEO of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, and she was the founding CEO of the Womens Heart Alliance.

She also worked as Deputy Coordinator/Director of Private Sector Engagement for the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) at the Department of State, where she oversaw partnerships with businesses and investors to strengthen the worlds largest global health program devoted to addressing HIV/AIDS.

I am proud to serve as the Prosper Africa Coordinator. I look forward to fostering transformative partnerships with businesses and investors across the U.S. and African countries, Robinson said after her appointment. Prosper Africa seeks to work with African government and private sector partners to foster healthy business climates, and identify and promote new market opportunities.
Yara International ASA, a global leader in plant nutrition headquartered in Oslo, Norway, announced its withdrawal from Cameroon following a deal to sell its majority stake in Yara Cameroon to NJS Group, a minority shareholder and longstanding partner.

Per the deal, NJS Group takes over the 65% stake held by Yara International France in the company. The move gives the Cameroonian group full control of the company, in line with the companys ambition to optimize its offerings for the agricultural sector, currently focused on controlled livestock development.

Yara Cameroon makes a significant contribution to the countrys agricultural productivity by importing and distributing its own NPK compounds and calcium nitrate fertilizers, ensuring high yields and high quality for food and export crops.

NJS Group is focused on agriculture and is known for over forty years for its implementation of sustainable agricultural practices supported by significant investments and efficient operations management.

The group is also present in the CEMAC zone.

Both sides have concluded an exclusive distribution agreement for premium NPK fertilizers, YaraMila, and YaraLiva Nitrabor Calcium Nitrate.
The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed the utmost importance it attaches to its fisheries partnership with Morocco and the essential interest it has in its continuation, in a spirit of trust, solidarity and mutual interest.

Relations with Morocco in the field of fisheries are part of a global and mutually beneficial partnership, which makes Morocco and the EU strategic partners for stability, development and prosperity in the region, said a joint statement issued at the end of the 5th session of the Joint Commission responsible for monitoring the Partnership Agreement in the field of sustainable fisheries, held Thursday in Brussels.

This 5th session, held in accordance with the Partnership Agreement for Sustainable Fisheries between Morocco and the European Union, provided an opportunity to make an overall assessment of the four years of implementation of the Fisheries Protocol of July 18, 2019, which expires on July 17, in accordance with its Article 16.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said at a press conference in Rabat on Wednesday that the Kingdom will decide on the future of cooperation with the EU in the fisheries sector in light of the governments own assessments and in consultation with European partners.

Bourita also described the implementation of the protocol as satisfactory, noting that cooperation over the past four years has been positive and mutually beneficial.
Egypt has joined a list of international players by hosting a regional summit of leaders from Sudans six neighboring countries in Cairo this Thursday, July 13, focused on preventing the outbreak of a civil war and addressing the deepening humanitarian crisis in the northeastern African country.

The peace talks, hosted by Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, were attended by the leaders of Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad, Eritrea, the Central African Republic and Libya.

According to Egyptian security sources, the summit aims to stave off foreign interference in Sudan while influencing the fighting between both sides of the conflict  the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The peace plan proposed by Egypt reportedly aims to achieve a three-month ceasefire and open aid pathways amid a series of meetings with military and tribal leaders.

The high-level meeting in Cairo comes weeks after talks brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States in Jeddah broke down after the two warring sides failed to stop fighting and violated at least 10 cease-fire agreements.

The urgency of finding a lasting solution of the conflict was also underscored by the latest discovery of a mass grave in Sudans West Darfur region, which was reportedly credited to the paramilitary RSF. The United Nations human rights office Thursday released a statement reporting at least 87 people, including ethnic Masalits were buried in the mass grave. Ongoing fighting between the RSF and SAF has in recent weeks sparked ethnically motivated bloodshed, bringing the country to the brink of civil war.
Morocco and the European Union (EU) have announced, on Thursday in Brussels, that they will continue scientific cooperation with the common objective of ensuring the sustainability of fisheries resources in the region.

Morocco and the EU have taken note of the recommendations contained in the report of the Joint Scientific Committee, which met last June. In this context, they will continue their scientific cooperation with the common objective of ensuring the sustainability of fisheries resources in the region, reads a joint statement issued at the end of the 5th meeting of the Joint Commission responsible for monitoring the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between Morocco and the EU.

This meeting provided opportunity for an overall assessment of the implementation of the four-year Fisheries Protocol of July 18, 2019, which expires on July 17, in accordance with its Article 16, the statement said.

Morocco and the EU expressed satisfaction at their exemplary cooperation, which has permitted, under all circumstances, the operation of artisanal and industrial vessels, the transparent and rigorous management of the Protocol and the continuous scientific monitoring of the state of fishery resources.

The parties welcomed the satisfactory implementation of the various dimensions of the Fisheries Agreement and its Protocol, in particular the excellent state of progress of the projects for the development of the Moroccan fisheries sector, the joint statement said, noting that these projects could continue beyond the expiry of the Protocol, as provided for in the agreement.

On Wednesday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, said at a news conference that the government is incorporating scientific data into its thinking and assessment of the Fisheries Agreement, with the aim of preserving this important natural resource for Morocco and Moroccans, and ensuring its sustainability.
The history of Japanese immigrants and those with Japanese heritage spans more than 100 years in Lincoln County, and the new exhibit at the Historical Museum in North Platte documents their impact on Nebraska.

Hiroshi Tajima, consul general of Japan, toured the museum and other sites on a visit Wednesday. Steven Kay of North Platte arranged the visit to draw attention to the legacy of the Japanese in Lincoln County.

Museum Director/Curator Jim Griffin explained the various aspects of the exhibit and pointed out the contributions the Japanese had in building the railroad and in agriculture.

Tajima said he knew about the Nebraska connection but was impressed with the gathering of artifacts and historical documents at the museum.

I learned about the history of Japanese Americans coming to Nebraska, but I was very impressed at how engaged these Japanese Americans were in different fields, Tajima said. Originally, I learned they started with the railroad construction, but then they moved on to various fields including farming.

Tajima said he had heard and read about the history and always wanted to come to North Platte to see for himself the pictures and artifacts.

Today the relationship between Japan and the United States is so strong and very good, Tajima said. Of course, in the past we had difficult times. It was more than 100 years ago that the Japanese came to America and eventually became Japanese Americans.

Im just grateful for all their wonderful history and contribution that has been made to the American community. I think thats the real foundation of what our relationship is now.

Tajima said the part that stood out to him on this visit is the way Japanese Americans have protected their history.

I think the special part is that families that have been through difficult times have maintained their family history, Tajima said. This is really proof of their long-lasting, rich history.

Vickie Sakurada Schaepler, Japanese Hall and history project coordinator for Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering, accompanied the consul general on his tour of North Platte.

The tour included a visit to William F. Buffalo Bill Codys mansion at Scouts Rest Ranch and a tour of the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center, where Tajima met with local leaders including Gary Person, president and CEO of the North Platte Area Chamber and Development Corporation, North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher and District 42 state Sen. Mike Jacobson.

Person said the visit was basically a relationship-building opportunity that has the potential for future business investments from Japanese interests.

The primary purpose of Mr. Tajimas visit was to see the Japanese exhibit, Person said. He spoke about the five trade mission trips taken by former Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Person said those trips could pay many dividends in the future.

Kelliher presented Tajima with an official North Platte cowboy hat.
FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel visited North Platte Wednesday to discuss areas his agency is concerned with when conducting investigations throughout the state of Nebraska.

He said the FBI addresses a wide variety of crime, including violent crime, organized drug trafficking, human trafficking, elder fraud, public corruption, civil rights violations, transnational organized crime and agricultural cyber-crime.

The way that we do that here, especially North Platte, he said, is were hand in hand with our local partners. And theres really nothing we do alone. Everything we do is in partnership with law enforcement here to combat threats, whether its terrorism whether its violent crime.

The FBI primarily leans on tips to help prevent and combat crime, with Kowel emphasizing the importance of those public tips to their work in central Nebraska.

We in the FBI might not see a lot of activity thats happening but we know people out on the farms, on the ranches, in the ag sector might see things that are suspicious  might see data being exfiltrated, might see suspicious activity, and we encourage them to call us, he said.

To report a crime, call the FBI Omaha office at their 24 hour tip line at 402-493-8688.

We have seen cases of intellectual property theft where people working on behalf of foreign adversaries are trying to steal our innovation in the agricultural arena, he said. And a lot of the reason for our success in our country is because of the innovation. It takes millions and millions of dollars to develop the seeds we use, the hybrids we use, the fertilizers we use.

Even general telemetry of farming crops, such as field planting patterns, fertilizer mixtures, even weather data can provide valuable insight.

A more insidious but possible threat could come from a malicious actor paying attention to raw data, and injecting some form of subtle malware, he said. It wouldnt damage things enough to cause alarm, but taints data, influencing crop manufacturing so the yield from the year is significantly less than normal.

People should be aware of the possibility bad actors can get into our systems and slightly affect how fertilizer is applied, or how crops are hydrated and could affect the yield and use that to affect markets, he said.

He said extraction of agricultural data from foreign entities has been described as one of the greatest illegal transfers of wealth in the history of the world in terms of the innovation stolen from the United States by the government of China.

One unique factor the FBI has to address is the vast scale and variety of data always moving throughout the internet. Since the FBI cant be everywhere, they rely on people hardening their own systems, establishing robust firewalls, knowing how to open and close ports on routers and secure other cyber vulnerabilities.

We know that a lot of the important data in our country, a lot of the infrastructure, the innovation, its held in the private sector, he said. Its not controlled by the US government, so we really value the partnerships we have with the Nebraska Farm Bureau, with entities across the state.

He said the FBI has faced foreign actor threats from over the world, but the biggest ones are China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.

Were very concerned about threats to our agriculture industry, he said.

He said the U.S. Government has identified 16 key critical infrastructure components for national security and agriculture ticks all those boxes; it is an essential resource to keep citizens fed.

Due to the worlds ever-increasing integration into cyberspace, the internet has provided larger attack vectors into many more niche domestic spaces over time, he said.

We know that the smaller the entity is, he said, whether its the municipal government, whether its a hospital, whether its a school system, the less protection they might have on their networks, on their infrastructure.

Given the sophistication of some cybercriminals, these businesses can be easy targets for exploitation such as installing ransomware or stealing data to sell or use for other purposes.

He said that cybercrime also happens domestically, but couldnt say whether domestic criminals posed more of a threat.

A big component of combatting cybercrime is working with companies when they are the victim of a cyber-attack. Through sharing intelligence they gathered about the cybercriminal and past experience with other companies, they can identify what to look out for, and even pre-empt an attack if they can anticipate it.

Theres many times that we become aware of information from our investigations, from our overseas partners that we detect an intrusion before the company actually knows, Kowel said.

He said there was a hospital in Butler County last year where they identified foreign actors accessing data systems before the hospital even knew. They were able to contact the hospital and give them instruction on how to mitigate that threat.

Other dangers online are posed toward children, especially for sex trafficking. Predators employ manipulative tactics to lure kids for sex trafficking or a practice known as sextortion.

Sextortion happens when a person on line obtains embarrassing or private information on a naive individual and manipulates them into filming or photographing sexual acts they then send to the criminal. Kowel said the practice is transitioning from solo actors to groups who practice it as a business.

The same goes for scammers targeting the elderly, who can be mentally vulnerable and convinced or coerced into losing their life savings because they answered a call or replied to an email from an individual looking to take their money.

Violent crimes also come through online circles. Radicalized ideas can spread through websites whether through memes or propaganda and if it comes across a person susceptible to these messages, people in these categories tend to go from flash to bang real quick.

They radicalize themselves in ideology and then use that ideology to go commit a crime of violence.
Photo: Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Alex Mashinsky was never as popular as Sam Bankman-Fried or as brash as Do Kwon, but on Thursday he joined them in what is becoming a very fast-growing club: onetime crypto kingpins who have been arrested and charged with billions of dollars worth of fraud.

Mashinsky is the co-founder and CEO of Celsius Networks, a lending platform that, according to the companys own marketing materials, worked just like a bank. In fact, its model would be familiar to anyone who had a Chase account: Deposit some crypto there, and in return, the depositor would get a high-yield payment so that Celsius would lend it out to other investors. Mashinskys company would offer yields as high as 17 percent. (By way of comparison, a Chase account for cash would give you practically nothing back.. This promise  of huge returns for no risk  was one of the driving forces behind Celsiuss popularity, which had about $25 billion in assets at its peak, according to the Justice Department.

But such a good deal was too good to be true. Exactly a year ago, Celsius filed for bankruptcy. It turns out it didnt have the money to pay such high yields to its customers, and money it lent out was caught up in the other collapses that had leveled the markets  TerraUSD and Luna, the related digital currencies created by Kwon, and Three Arrows Capital, the hedge fund that was propping those currencies up. Celsius now owes creditors $4.7 billion.

Bros sis fuck yeah Mashinsky was arrested!!!!! one of those creditors  he goes by Pablo and has an avatar of the Toxic Avenger  wrote in a Telegram group Thursday morning after the news broke.

The Justice Department charged Mashinsky with seven counts of fraud, market manipulation, and conspiracy, according to the indictment. On top of that, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Commodities Futures Trading Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission all charged Mashinsky and Celsius with civil fraud charges. (Celsius settled with regulators for about $5 billion, which will get paid after creditors receive their money.) Celsiuss other co-founder and chief financial officer, Roni Cohen-Pavon, was also arrested and charged with criminal fraud. The new charges add to Mashinskys already existing problems, since hes facing civil fraud charges filed by New York attorney general Letitia James in January.

According to the indictment, Mashinsky orchestrated a handful of frauds while leading Celsius: He lied about the success of its fundraising using digital tokens, he lied about the profitability of its loans, and he lied about the safety of its holdings. Perhaps the biggest alleged fraud was around Celsiuss own digital currency, CEL. In order to fund its operations, it needed to sell its own tokens, which basically functioned like stock. Prior to its collapse, outsiders would have seen that there was a high demand for CEL, but almost all the buying was secretly being done by Celsius itself  a move that allegedly inflated the price up. This also directly benefited Mashinsky  who allegedly sold hundreds of thousands of the CEL tokens, even as he publicly said he was buying more of them, according to the indictment.

Amazingly, Mashinsky and Cohen-Pavon documented their alleged market-manipulation plans on WhatsApp. In January 2022, Mashinsky asked his CFO whether they needed to keep the value of the CEL token above $5. That day, the token dropped about ten cents to around $4.22, and Cohen-Pavon remarked that just keeping it from falling more was not simple. A few months earlier, the two of them outright discussed how the value of the token was illusory. The issue is that people are selling and no one is buying except for us, Cohen-Pavon wrote in an October message, according to the indictment. The main problem was that the value was fake and was based on us spending millions (~8M a week and even more until February 2020) just to keep it where it is.

This was apparently well known in the company. According to the SEC: One employee called Celsius a sinking ship, while another wrote that there is no hope  there is no plan and that Celsiuss business model is fundamentally broken. On May 21, 2022, a Celsius executive candidly acknowledged in an internal message: We dont have any profitable services.

Mashinsky, who is an Israel-born serial entrepreneur, had started Celsius in 2017 as a way to challenge Wall Street banks, which he derided as slow, boring, TradFi dinosaurs in an age of financial innovation. Just days before Celsius collapsed, he was scolding people on Twitter for saying that Celsius customers were having trouble withdrawing. Even after Celsius filed for bankruptcy  exposing a $1 billion hole in its balance sheet  he defended himself as the victim of a nefarious whisper campaign from those who were out to get him. No financial Institution anywhere in the world is safe from the Financial Terrorists trolling Twitter and YouTube trying to bring down any fintech or Tradfi player for a quick profit, he wrote in a private March 12 tweet, which appears to compare the collapse of Celsius to Silicon Valley Bank. None of these bad actors have been held accountable since late 2021. Its time to change the laws to limit free speech on [social media] to not include causing intended financial harm with false claims.
Marlon Blackwell, an Auburn University alumnus and award-winning architect, has been selected to design the future Global War on Terrorism Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization that veterans, military spouses and supportive Americans founded in 2015. The foundations goal is to plan, fund and build a national memorial to honor those who served and sacrificed as part of global counterterrorism operations since Sept. 11, 2001.

Its a great and humble honor for our firm to design the Global War on Terrorism Memorial, Blackwell said in a release. It is a profound opportunity to provide a place to honor all those who have served and sacrificed to defend our country against terrorism, along with the many individuals and families who have been impacted by this conflict with no clear end in sight. Our firm will create a place of reverence, reflection, and restoration which fulfills the Foundations vision and mission.

Blackwell was selected out of a pool of 177 world renowned American and international candidates. The process of selecting a designer began about one year ago, and the 177 candidates were narrowed down to five finalists that were interviewed in June.

Michael Rod Rodriguez, the president and CEO of the foundation, said the purpose of this memorial is to honor, heal, empower and unite.

Rodriguez served in the U.S. Army for 21 years and stepped into the leadership role with GWOTMF in 2018. His family has a history of serving in the military. His grandfathers served during WWII, his father served during the Vietnam War and his son continues to serve.

In April, the GWOTMF was authorized to begin designing a memorial on the National Mall near the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the soon to be completed National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial. The memorial will stand on a piece of land surrounded by 23rd Street, Constitution Avenue and Henry Bacon Drive.

Itll provide me a tremendous opportunity to heal. I think of some of the stuff that I carry around, but also allow us to heal as a nation, Rodriguez said. I also have faith that this memorial will empower those that have served. Give them a space in our nations capital to come together and just have that fellowship and show the world, because again, we have not as a nation done that.

The project is privately funded and estimated to cost about $100 million. Rodriguez said they plan to complete the memorial and host a dedication for it in 2027.

Rodriguez described the process of building a memorial in Washington, D.C. as long and arduous, which makes it more important to get started now so the senior leadership at the start of this war will have a chance to see it.

There is a 24-step process that goes into this project that includes creating the design concept, receiving approval from various commissions, obtaining permits, raising 110% of construction costs and more. The actual construction will take between 18 to 24 months.

Rodriguez said he really wanted to avoid what happened to the WWII generation where most of the veterans, including both of his grandfathers, never got the chance to see the completed memorial.

Its an absolute necessity as a nation for us to come together and recognize the sacrifice of all the brave men and women that have stepped up and served in this incredibly complex, multi-generational, multi-theater war, Rodriguez said.

Now that Blackwell has been selected, he will begin meeting with members of the Design Advisory Council, which is comprised of Gold Star families, veterans and other Global War on Terrorism stakeholders. Members of DAC, including families who have lost loved ones in service, will advise Blackwell and share their stories to help him generate ideas for the design.

Blackwell said hes looking forward to listening to their stories and to finding ways to manifest their stories in to the design.

I feel very confident that well come up with something thats worthy for this site and this place and for the armed forces and civilians that served, Blackwell said.

Rodriguez believes Blackwell is the right man for the job.

Marlons proven track record as a world-class designer, combined with his personal experiences in a family with a history of military service, will contribute to a design that serves as a lasting tribute to the courage and sacrifice of all who have served in the Global War on Terrorism  especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, Rodriguez said.

Blackwell was born into a military family with a father who served in the Vietnam War. His brother also served in the Gulf War and his step brother served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He applied to be a designer for this project because he believes its important to honor those that have served this country and to help them find ways to heal.

Blackwell graduated from Auburn University in 1980 with a bachelor of environmental design and later earned his masters from Syracuse University. He returned to Auburn University in 2009 to teach as part of the Paul Rudolph Visiting Professorship.

Auburn was just foundational for me I had great teachers at Auburn, a diverse set of educators that really challenged me, really challenged my preconceptions about things, (and) helped me open up, he said.

In 1992, Blackwell opened his firm Marlon Blackwell Architects in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he continues to work on national and international projects. His firm has received more than 120 national design awards.

The American Institute of Architects honored Blackwell with the 2020 Gold Medal, the organizations highest honor, recognizing an individual whose significant body of work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture, according to a release from GWOT.

In 2016, Blackwell received the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award, recognizing his firms contributions and influence in architecture nationally.

To make a donation for the construction of the memorial, visit the GWOT Memorial Foundation website.
The City of Opelika has entered a homeless shelter service agreement with Valley Rescue Mission to provide shelter and programs to serve homeless people living in Opelika.

Valley Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization located in Columbus, Georgia, that provides community-based housing to individuals who are homeless. VRMs goal is to transition people into permanent housing and employment.

A big part of what this relationship is about is how can we help the homeless that are there in Opelika, said Mike Gaymon, president and CEO of VRM.

The intake process will include multiple screening tests related to drugs and other issues. After the screenings, Gaymon said they will find a program that best fits the individual or find mental or health resources they may need.

Many of the VRM workers are graduates of the program whove decided to stay and help others going through similar situations. VRM also has connections to mental and physical health resources.

Gaymon, said the Christian-based nonprofit has been on a mission to help the homeless for over 60 years. Its grown to include programs for people facing addictions and a program to help women and children escaping domestic violence.

VRMs four programs include a womans shelter, a mens transitional living program, womans addiction program and mens addiction program. Gaymon said VRMs success rate is about 94%.

This will be the first time that weve entered into a formal agreement with a government entity, and to be able to say heres how we can help serve these folks, how it will be done and the process that we will follow, Gaymon said.

Through the agreement, the City of Opelika will pay the cost of services for the people the city brings to VRM. The city will only transport homeless individuals that agree to go through the program and sign a consent form.

We have been working on a solution for the homeless in our city for some time, Mayor Gary Fuller said in a release. Through our partnership with Valley Rescue Mission, the city will be responsible for transporting someone who has consented to transport and will fund each person for one year at the shelter. This is an excellent example of public-private partnerships and how we can help those in need.

On Tuesday night, the Opelika City Council approved the agreement with VRM. Several council members voiced their excitement for the opportunity to work with VRM and commended the organization for the good work they do.

One of the things that we found out back in December when we had the freeze was that we didnt have any places for people, and so we started looking into that, said city council president Eddie Smith.

One Voice is a local homeless shelter that helps people in Opelika, but Smith said their main focus is on mothers and children.

The city began to look at different options available and came across VRM. Smith said they had the opportunity to tour the VRM facilities and were impressed.

Smith said the goal is to help the homeless instead of incarcerating them. Now local judges will have somewhere else to refer people to.

At the council meeting, Opelika Municipal Court Judge Wes McCollum said he likes the idea of the VRM program and hes looking forward to working with them.

Were always willing to try things, McCollum said. We always come back and evaluate how those things are working so that we dont continue to do something thats maybe wasting resources or not being beneficial to the people that were trying to help, but its becoming more and more difficult to just incarcerate people.

The City and the Opelika Police Department dont have a record of the number of homeless people currently living in Opelika.

I think over the next year or so well know more about what the depth of the problem is, but you have to have a way to help them when you start looking into it, Smith said.

OPD Captain Tony Amerson said when officers encounter someone with an emergency need, especially during non-business hours, it can be difficult to find assistance.

Law enforcement may end up spending time and their personal funds to assist the individual until they can connect them with further resources, Amerson said. We have been working on better ways to provide assistance to citizens who may be homeless, suffering from mental health issues or substance abuse, and the mayors new partnership with Valley Rescue Mission is going to be a valuable resource for officers when they encounter citizens in need.

Currently, there are 112 people in one of VRMs four programs. The majority is from Muscogee County, but they also have people from Alabama, Tennessee and Florida.

Don Harbuck, VRM ministry director, said the transitional living program provides individuals will clothing, food and shelter as well as helps them find a job and permanent housing so they can become successful members of the community. VRM currently has two people that will be graduating from the program this month.

Were graduating men every single month from complete homelessness into permanent housing and a productive member of society, Harbuck said.

There are 20 women and 60 men in the addiction program and 15 women and 24 children living in the womens shelter facility.

VRM also works with Columbus Technical College to provide the men and women with opportunities to become certified in different fields. They currently have 37 people involved in a certificate program and 54 people enrolled in GED.

Last year VRM fed 129,600 meals, distributed 14,000 grocery bags of food and provided 42,000 nights of lodging. Gaymon said theyre also excited to have 115 professions of faith.
The Racial Justice Network has announced it will be creating a new chapter to serve the Lee County area.

RJN, a multi-racial, grassroots organization based in Minnesota, has chapters across the country. The organization is committed to fighting for racial justice and building bridges across racial, social and economic lines.

We believe that confronting issues that directly impact our communities will expose and abolish the systematic practices that are in place, RNJ stated on its website.

Elder James Johnson, the CEO and founder of the national network, has a long history of advocating for victims of police violence and other racial justice issues in the South. He said their plans to create a new chapter in Lee County aligns with their plan to establish a chapter in every state and county.

Issues local chapters tend to focus on focus on include the educational race gap, the Thirteenth Amendment and the over-policing of communities, human rights complaints, police brutality, dispute health disparities amongst minorities and political and economic parity.

Its going to be hard for a judge to come out of Georgia or South Carolina to deal with the issues that other chapters may have, said Johnson, a civil rights leader.

Candance Brewer, RNJs national president, has over 19 years of experience in fighting for social justice. She serves as a social justice activist, youth mentor, humanitarian, motivational speaker, private investigator, and minister.

She is also the CEO and president of the South Carolina chapter of Protect Our Stolen Treasures organization that advocates for police accountability, against gun violence, sexual assault and domestic violence.

If you are interested in starting or joining a chapter, please visit the Racial Justice Network website for more information.
fuck her

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I can hear this. 

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So all this is hilarious







Edited at 2023-07-13 12:42 am (UTC) I haven't been liking her since being anti-vaxx during the pandemic.So all this is hilarious

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goddamnit another one?

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Mhmmm



ETA: She was spreading that 5G coronavirus conspiracy theory.



Edited at 2023-07-13 01:03 am (UTC)

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She's a Zionist too

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SHE'S A CANCER SURVIVOR wtf

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I'm mostly concerned with whatever is going on with IRL Morty and Sylvia. I mean, if Fran's 65, they're at least in their 80s, but I hope it's just old age stuff.

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was there an actor for morty? i don't remember them showing him.

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Yeah. Steve Lawrence played Morty in a few episodes in the final season. There was also a faceless Morty who was shown from the back and spoke in at least one episode, but I highly doubt that it was Steve Lawrence.

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That episode with the striking waiters and Mr. Sheffield dragging her across the line is one I always remember when I think of The Nanny... Too bad it seems Fran irl is nothing like that.



And I know a good bunch of this is studios trying to stir shit up to weaken the guild and turn them against each other but jeez, Fran is making it so easy for them by not being the best representative at such a pivotal moment.



I do wish the actors the best and I hope they back the WGA because that evil plan that leaked earlier today is beyond vile.

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Eh I would go to a D&G show in Italy, but guess what, I'm not the president of a union about to go on strike.



Terrible choice, you'd think someone in her circle would have been like em...optics!

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I googled after a previous user comment and this article came up...bloody hell.



It's like a checkmark list of how to be a horrible human.



Edited at 2023-07-13 10:48 am (UTC)

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D. Dolce and S. Gabbana are horrible humans.





Strike aside, watching all those celebrities flock and suck up to them is very typical, but also slightly disappointing. Except for the Kardashians. Of course THEY would.

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oohhh damn. aint that something huh. Damn I loved The Nanny and always cracked up every time wow tsk what a bummer lol

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Yikes, that's bad. Posing with Kim, of all people?! Noted staunch union supporter Kim??  And Fran fought really hard to be elected, as I recall. Bad choice.

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Kim probably doesn't care because reality tv isn't apart of the union (or it wasn't) there was a huge thing about it and why people can be paid so little because it's not a union job. And Fran fought hard to oust Gabrielle Carteris who people were good with until they weren't and she's already proving not to be the best. I doubt she last even the five years Carteris did.

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Shes a moron who I cant believe they elected, and her going a D&G show (gross people) and posing with Kim K who crossed picket lines to work and is also a gross person when a strike is looking its a trifecta of shitty decisions

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I hate to defend Kim K but she didnt exactly cross the picket line. Actors already under contracts were expected to continue working until their now authorization to strike. WGA knew that and understood.



Like, thats why Barbie cast is still promoting. Promo is considered a no no when striking.

Now that the strike is authorized theyll have to stop and thats why they started promo and premieres weeks ago.



Dont get me wrong shes trash, but the showing up to set when shes an actor on it isnt a reason why. Its just interesting to me people accuse her of this while not critiquing all the other actual big name actors (Barbie cast, Beetlejuice) that are still working too when its their own field. But obviously they arent in the wrong either cause SAG told them to keep working.

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Thats good context to know thank you! (Tone is hard on here so Im clarifying that Im serious)

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So many of my childhood faves ended up being trash. 

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i love fran fine i dont know this dumbdumb. and with kim kardashian of all people like thats not enought o piss anyone off on a good day. also this isnt the time i know but Kirk Acevedo is fine as hell.

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I agree with you regarding Kirk.

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finding out shes trash has been really sad

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Same. I grew up with the show. :(

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i'm just now finding out and am sad bc i was really looking forward to in the VC Andrews adaptation of Dawn

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My first thought  and it isn't my thought, others reminded us of it n a previous post  is "who benefits from having this article out right now?" Do the studios smell blood in the water with this statement? Does this indicate that SAG is not getting the support they need and will () strike in a few hours?

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This was a commitment fully known to the negotiating committee. She has been in negotiations every day either in person or via videoconference



Perhaps some truth on both ends. She couldve gone but didnt have to get photo ops with the Kkklan.

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Yeah I'm a little surprised the response here is not at all considering this... My first thought is that this article has the tendrils of folks trying to quell the efforts of the union generally by attacking the leader.



Also I didn't realize this position is unpaid that's pretty dumb.

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where does it say "underage" in the article?

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The Sun reported they were 17 yo



Edited at 2023-07-13 12:16 pm (UTC)

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but they've since backtracked and the police found nothing illegal happened, and since it was apparently through onlyfans and they take ID, the person would have to be 18 (i think the person themselves said they weren't a minor:). there's lots of info flying around, it's confusing.

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There was talk of him getting a knighthood after his coverage of the Queen's death. Hope he's getting the help he needs.

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Why would someone get a knighthood to report a 95 year old woman died?

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lmao it'd surely be like a lifetime achievement type thing

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I don't get it either. I just know it was talked about. It's all bollocks if you ask me.

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Probably for being dignified or whatever.

He should get an acting award though. They all knew she was dead and spend hours acting like she was only poorly.

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I just feel for his kids

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This whole thing is so confusing. Basically The Sun made up shit (or at least their source did)?

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Someone told the Sun shit, they didn't fact check it printed it on their front page, then we had a week of people guessing who it was on twitter mainly accusing other people most notably known gay presenters.



Then before it came out who it was GB News (even lower than Fox) used a silhouette that was based on the first image of Huw when you search him on google.



Presenter-gate has been the top story all week.



Meanwhile Boris Johnson has failed to turn over a phone containing 5 months worth of WhatsApp messages that the High Court ordered him to hand over as party of the investigation into the Tories hosting parties when the rest of us were locked down.

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Not just didnt fact check it.



Refused to give the BBC any info and ignored the person involved in the story when reporting lies.

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It is SO frustrating, but not surprising that Boris has managed to avoid being the main headline this week for more poor behaviour 

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and also George Osbourne, former chancellor and pretty much the architect of British austerity for the past 15 years was accused of rape but shhh don't look at that look over here instead.

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B-b-but he forgot his password :(

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It's also not really about Huw Edwards (or pretend caring for "vulnerable youngsters) it's about the Sun's well known hatred for the BBC.

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Good old sex scandal to distract and whip up people's attention. If he did do something illegal, then yeah let's deal with that. Particularly since there are now allegations of inappropriate messages to other BBC staff. But when you look at the facts as presented, he's allegedly paid for some naked pics of a person. Which is the whole porn industry and sex work?

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huh? who?



Edited at 2023-07-13 12:40 pm (UTC)

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no, Huw

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is it pronounced Hugh????

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I feel like the royal fam is livid that any past footage of the Queens death will now be slightly overshadowed by everyone knowing the man saying it was involved with this scandal.

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the queen has plenty of her own scandals to be overshadowed by lol but you're right they get pissy about everything

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The Queen protected Andrew!

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Thats great they can choke

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lmao good i hope they suffer

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This story gets weirder and weirder. According to the BBC, the parents never cared to respond to the BBC

after they had filed for an official complaint against Huw. The victims lawyer said that the young person denies all of the allegations.



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The Sun should have been sued into oblivion long before now, but I hope this does it.

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Let's hope they follow the news of the world into the abyss.

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Johnny Depp 100% banked on the fact that everyone hates The Sun so much that they'd only hear that he sued them and assume he won and wasn't a wifebeater.

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If the person isnt underage then thats some reckless reporting done by The Sun which is on brand I guess.

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From what I've read it's kind of a gray area. Age of consent there is 16 but for stuff like leaking nudes, anyone under 18 is considered a child. The victim says all this happened when they were 17. So like if their relationship was physically sexual, that's not a crime but the asking for and giving/selling of explicit photos would be?

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No the victim says they were 18 and not a victim.



Their mother and step-father say different and went to the Sun and said that the victim used the money to buy crack.



The Police have concluded there is not a case.

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MTE I think they were blinded by the possible opportunity of a) damaging the BBC which they always try to do to get the government to scrap the license fee and privatise it, and b) covering up Boris Johnsons and the Tory partys partygate investigation which is going horribly wrong for them at the moment.

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I mean, if it wasn't illegal and didn't involve a minor then I say let his family sort it out and call it a day

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I am confused by this article

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Obviously it's worse if the person in question was underage, and it was reckless to print that without confirmation.



But uh, that's still allegedly a 60-year-old famous man hitting up a teenager for sexual pics. Being in the clear legally is one thing. If it happened, I'm gonna go ahead and consider him a shithead anyway.



Edited at 2023-07-13 12:59 pm (UTC)

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But uh, that's still allegedly a 60-year-old famous man hitting up a teenager for sexual pics. Being in the clear legally is one thing. If it happened, I'm gonna go ahead and consider him a shithead anyway.



lmao right i don't get this energy, this guy gets "poor him" and the benefit of the doubt and 40 year old matt smith dating a 25 year old is like get out the guillotine?

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If it was through onlyfans, isnt that a good thing? Dude gets paid for his pics, older dude gets his porn?

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I'm making a moral judgement. I think it's a bad thing when much older people, who in addition to their seniority also have fame to tip power dynamics in their favor, seek out teenagers for sexual interactions of any kind.



I don't think 61-year-olds acquiring sexual services from 18-year-olds is a good thing, no. I think it's bad even if it happened in a legal framework, I think it's bad even though OnlyFans allows it, I think it's bad whether the 18-year-old was completely comfortable with it or not. I hope he was.



I just think any 61-year-old man who seeks out sexual contact with an 18-year-old is a bad person. So yeah, moral judgement on my part.

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Yeah, I don't get the "poor guy" comments like... he's still a creepy pervert if he was paying for pics of an 18-year old. It may not be illegal creepy but he's definitely still a wrong-un.

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the sun is in big trouble

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good. let them burn. shithole of a newspaper.

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Everything about this is just horrible  the story itself, that The Sun are on their high horse about this despite publishing pictures of topless 16 year olds for years (and doing countdowns for 15 year olds) and that they seemingly didn't contact the young person for comment, that social media is full of people pointing fingers at other BBC presenters with 0 evidence, that several women who worked with Huw have got inappropriate texts from him, that his wife felt compelled to name him and share that he had a severe mental illness and was in the hospital...I could go on. It's just fucked up

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Ugh the social media glee and memes over the weekend was disgusting.

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I really hope this story finally sinks the S*n to the depths where they belong. I was honestly shocked when the news came out on who the 'BBC Presenter' actually was, but the S*n's known for making shit up so the mess with this story tracks.



I hope his family is getting the support they need.

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A few years ago I was contacted by them and asked if I would take pictures of an incident that was happening in my street, I declined. That paper is only good for burning.

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OSHA Issues Citations to Kansas Contractors After Trench Collapse

Two workers survived the January 2023 incident, but the company is facing $333,949 in proposed penalties.

A citation for willful and serious violations has been issued to one Kansas contractor after two workers survived a trench wall collapse, and another is facing a citation for one serious violation.

While a worker was in a 9-foot-deep trench in Salina, Kansasnearly 110 miles west of Topeka, Kansasa wall collapsed. In an attempt to rescue the buried worker, a foreman began digging, but when the wall collapsed more, he eventually found himself buried up to his knees, according to a news release. The workers, both employees of Precision Plumbing LLC, were rescued and survived the January 2023 incident.

Now, nearly six months after the trench collapse, Precision Plumbing LLC is facing a citation for two willful and six serious violations and $333,949 in proposed penalties.

While the willful violations include a lack of cave-in protection and having soil piles and equipment too close to the trench edge, the serious violations were issued for not ensuring hard hat usage, not giving workers eye protection, not protect[ing] workers from drowning hazards due to an unsupported water pipe in the trench and not develop[ing] a program on chemical hazards and train workers on how to use chemicals safely, OSHA noted.

In addition, Multicon Inc., the general contractor at the site, is also facing a citation for one serious violation and proposed penalties of $14,063. The citation was issued after OSHA discovered that a Multicon superintendent failed to ensure the trench collapse hazards they informed Precision Plumbing about were corrected, per the news release.
For decades, natural gas has been Europes primary source of electricity, meaning natural gas prices have largely determined electricity producer prices. However, following Russias invasion of Ukraine, Europe's power utilities have accelerated the build-out of renewable energy, particularly solar, capacity while cutting back on electricity generation from fossil fuels. Indeed, Europe's utilities generated a record 10.4% of electricity from solar sources in June, more than double solar's share in the continent's energy mix since 2018 and a key milestone for the continent's energy transition efforts.

Unfortunately, surplus power from solar generation has depressed wholesale electricity prices, leading to lower revenues and profits for Europes utilities. This phenomenon, also known as the renewables cannibalization effect, can be chalked up to Europe's electricity system, which both prioritizes clean electricity supplies. Another factor thats cutting into utility profits is the capture rate. Capture rates and prices are the primary factors that determine how much utilities earn from selling electricity over a given period. The capture rate is a measure of the capture price divided by the market price available. Whereas the typical capture rate for gas plants is close to 100%, capture rate for renewables is typically less than 100% and even lower still for solar assets due to the highly intermittent nature of solar energy.

Lower Natural Gas Demand

Unfortunately for the U.S., Europe's increasing reliance on solar for electricity generation might mean lower demand for its natural gas and LNG.

Whereas Chinas imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) hit 5-month highs in June, weak demand, especially in Europe, kept a lid on prices. Last month, China imported 5.96 million metric tons of LNG, 28% higher than the 4.64 million the country purchased a year ago and also higher than 5.54 million metric tons imported in May. However, that still proved inadequate as the spot price slipped to $9.00 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), 87% below its record high of $70.50 in late August and the lowest since April 2021.

The much-awaited buying frenzy by the EU as it looks to fill its gas stores ahead of winter has yet to materialize. Europe imported 9.50 million metric tons in June, down from 12.11 million in May and the lowest monthly total since August 2022. Rocked by one of the worst energy crises in living memory, the European Union launched a gas buyers cartel in 2022 and started issuing tenders for supplies. According to Sefcovic, some 50 gas suppliers and large industrial gas consumers in the EU immediately expressed interest in being part of the blocs joint gas-buying effort. A key objective of the whole endeavor is to keep gas prices low by buying in larger volumes.

Well, Europes gas buyers club has been a resounding success, with the continents gas stores nearly 80% full. Unfortunately, Europes purchases of U.S. LNG have also dwindled, with Junes volumes clocking in at 4.15 million metric tons, down from 5.63 million tons in May. Europes gas inventories, including in the United Kingdom, have now hit 889 terawatt-hours (TWh), according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe. Stocks are now +246 TWh +38% above the 10-year seasonal average, although the surplus has narrowed from +280 TWh +81% in March.

Meanwhile, U.S. gas inventories have also been ticking higher, with stocks for the week ended June 30, 2023, up 72 Bcf to 2,877 Bcf.

The deluge of gas has put nearby futures prices under immense pressure, with futures for gas delivered in October 2023 now trading at a discount of almost 12 euros per megawatt-hour to prices for April 2024. In contrast, they traded at a premium of more than 5 euros at the beginning of the year and a full 38 euros a year ago.

China and Asia Become Key U.S. Customers

Luckily for U.S. gas producers, China and Asia are quickly replacing Europe as key customers.

Asia's imports of U.S. LNG climbed to 1.34 million metric tons in June, up from 1.21 million in May and the most since February. Indeed, China and Asia are now the U.S. biggest LNG customers, a position Europe held last year when it purchased as much as 65% of U.S. output.

The United States largest producer of LNG, Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG), has signed a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) sale and purchase agreement with Chinas ENN Energy Holdings.

ENN will purchase ~1.8M metric tons/year of LNG on a free-on-board basis at Henry Hub prices for a 20-year term, with deliveries to commence mid-2026 ramping up to 0.9 million tonne per annum (mtpa) in 2027. Last year, ENN signed a 13-year deal with Cheniere to purchase 900K metric tons/year, again based on Henry Hub prices.

The deal is subject to the completion of Chenieres Sabine Pass project, which is being developed to include up to three liquefaction trains with an expected total production capacity of ~20M tons/year of LNG.

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CurrentLy, Sabine Pass has six fully operational liquefaction units aka ?trains, each capable of producing ~5 mtpa of LNG for an aggregate nominal production capacity of ~30 mtpa. Cheniere processes more than 4.7 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas into LNG. Sabine Pass has multiple pipeline connections to interstate and intrastate pipelines, and is located less than four nautical miles from the Gulf of Mexico thus providing easy access to seafaring vessels.

Previously, Cheinere entered another long-term liquefied natural gas sale and purchase agreement with Norways national oil company Equinor ASA (NYSE:EQNR) that will see Equinor purchase 1.75M metric tons/year of LNG on a free-on-board basis for a purchase price indexed to the Henry Hub price, for a 15-year term.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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OPEC has lifted its crude oil demand forecast for 2023, to 2.4 million barrels per day (bpd), according to the groups latest Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) released on Thursday.

OPECs expectation for this years oil demand is an upward revision of 100,000 bpd from last months forecast.

Global oil demand next year is expected to grow by 2.2 million bpd on the back of a continued rebound in Chinese economic activity, and firm growth in other non-OECD countries.

Meanwhile, OPEC is expecting Non-OPEC liquids supply to grow by 1.4 million bpd this year and nextno change from last months MOMR outlook. The United States, Brazil, Norway, Canada, Kazakhstan, and Guyana are all expected to contribute to this supply growth, with Russia dragging down the increase on the other side with a slowdown.

OPEC cautioned, however, that there are still uncertainties surrounding US shale ou output, particularly with the prospect of unplanned maintenance this year. OPEC sees US liquids production growing next year by 700,000 bpd, mostly from the Permian, non-conventional NGLs, and the Gulf of Mexico.

To reach that growth, OPEC estimates that non-OPEC countries will invest $480 billion for upstream capex in 2024.

Demand for OPEC crude oil is expected to reach 29.4 million bpd this yearan upward revision of 100,000 bpd from last months report. Demand for OPEC crude will reach 30.2 million bpd next year, the report suggests.

OPEC left its 2023 global GDP growth forecast unchanged at 2.6% despite better-than-expected economic growth in the United States, Japan, Brazil, and Russia in H1, and the trend of relatively higher growth in China and India appears well supported. Dragging down OPECs estimates for global GDP growth is the Euro-zone, which saw a decline in economic growth courtesy of Germany. OPEC is estimating a 2.5% GDP growth next year, with China and India expected to grow of 4.8% and 5.9%, respectively.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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A frequently overlooked aspect of Venezuelas immense economic and humanitarian crisis is the tremendous environmental damage occurring as a result of autocratic president Nicolas Maduro ruthlessly exploiting the petrostates vast oil resources. Strict U.S. sanctions, which cut Caracas off from global financial and energy markets, along with sharply weaker oil prices and plummeting oil production, forced Maduro to secure alternate sources of income as Venezuelas finances crumbled. Due to a chronic lack of capital national oil company Petroleos de Venezuela, known as PDVSA, remains incapable of conducting crucial maintenance and refits of existing petroleum infrastructure. That accelerated the collapse of Venezuelas economic backbone, its petroleum industry and contributed to an ever-greater number of environmental incidents, with Caracas determined to pump as much petroleum as possible regardless of the consequences.

Historically, even before PDVSA ceased reporting operational data in 2016, the volume of spills and related incidents, such as the emission of toxic gasses in Venezuela, was uncomfortably high. NASAs Earth Observatory, in September 2021, asserted that data from PDVSA, news agencies, scientific reports and environmental groups indicated there were 40,000 to 50,000 oil spills between 2010 and 2016. Oil spills and leaks from derelict petroleum infrastructure as well as due to operational discharges, are plaguing Venezuela causing considerable environmental damage. Since 2016, the situation has deteriorated significantly, with oil spills in Venezuela in recent years soaring to record highs.

According to a report by The Observatory of Political Ecology of Venezuela, there were 86 oil spills during 2022 compared to 77 a year earlier. The lack of reporting by the national oil company PDVSA along with the opaqueness of the authoritarian Maduro regime, hides the true volume of spills. This makes it extremely difficult to assess the scale of the damage occurring because of Venezuelas petroleum industry. A lack of data forces the observatory to rely on satellite images and other sources of information, making it near-impossible to accurately record and report all spills.

Meanwhile, for the five years from 2016, The Venezuelan Observatory of Environmental Human Rights counted 199 oil spills (Spanish) or an average of around 40 per year. During the second half of 2022, from July to December, the environmental think tank recorded 35 oil spills on Venezuelan territory. Those numbers further underscore that the volume of spills as well as other environmentally damaging incidents caused by oil industry operations, are spiraling out of control. There are allegations that the autocratic Maduro regime and PDVSA are covering up environmentally damaging events, and other bad press, including the emission of toxic gases and petroleum spills.

The Observatory of Political Ecology of Venezuela claims that during 2022 most of Venezuelas oil spills recorded occurred in the states of Zulia and Falcon, which are at the heart of the OPEC members heavily corroded oil industry. Those states contain a significant portion of Venezuelas oilfields as well as industry infrastructure such as derricks, storage tanks, pipelines and refineries. The observatory counted 31 oil spills in Zulia during 2022, the highest number in any of Venezuelas states. It is Lake Maracaibo, South Americas largest lake and one of the worlds oldest, located in Zulia which is receiving the brunt of emissions and spills from Venezuelas heavily corroded petroleum industry.

Oil was first discovered near Lake Maracaibo in 1914, with commercial production commencing in 1922. That early oil rush saw poorly planned and maintained petroleum facilities installed around and on the lake for roughly a century or even more. Ramshackle and heavily corroded pipelines, oil derricks, subsurface storage facilities and other oil infrastructure crisscrosses the lake as well as its shores. A considerable portion of these are up to a century old, with many of those having not been charted nor maintained. That aging and decrepit infrastructure is continuously spewing oil into Lake Maracaibo. The pollution is so severe that local communities claim Lake Maracaibo persistently smells like an oil refinery, with noxious gases rising from water permanently covered in a noxious black stain. Then there are the waterbodys shores which are constantly covered in a thick residual black oil slime. The damage which has occurred to what is arguably one of South Americas most important and biodiverse marine ecosystems appears irreversible.

While Lake Maracaibo is experiencing the brunt of the environmental damage occurring at the hands of oil industry operations in Venezuela, it is not the only region sharply impacted. Falcon state, which is home to the worlds second-largest refinery, the 940,000 barrel per day Paraguana Refinery Complex, suffered 29 oil spills in 2022. Leaking pipelines and storage tanks at the facility are responsible for most of the petroleum spills which occur in Falcon State. The facility has also suffered frequent outages due to heavily corroded facilities, explosions and fires. Spills and other toxic emissions from the Paraguana complex are occurring at an alarming rate causing considerable damage to the surrounding coast and marine environment.

In a 2021 report, the Venezuelan Academy of Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences stated: Along the coast, hydrocarbon spills and the discharge of waste by the oil industry happen with greater frequency every day," Of considerable concern is that refined products like gasoline are more toxic and damaging to the environment than crude oil. There are frequent low-level spills from the Paraguana complex, with oil regularly spewing into the nearby Caribbean Sea and onto the nearby coastline.

The troubled 146,000 barrels per day El Palito refinery in Carabobo state also has a long history of discharging crude oil and refined products into the surrounding area. One of Venezuelas worst recorded oil spills in recent years, which seriously impacted the ecologically sensitive Morrocoy National Park occurred, occurred in late-2020 when nearly 27,000 barrels of oil were spilled from the El Palito refinery swamping nearby beaches. This came on the back of a series of restarts of El Palito, which saw the facility emit noxious gases and spill oil into the surrounding environment. Since then, El Palito was refitted by the state-owned Iranian National Company of Petroleum Refining and Distribution in an approximately $110 million deal struck between Caracas and Teheran. The refinery finally recommenced operations in June 2023.

Iran is a key backer of the autocratic Maduro regime, providing considerable technical support and skilled engineers to refit refineries as well as other critical infrastructure. Teheran is also an important supplier of condensate, which is crucial for blending with the extra-heavy crude oil produced in Venezuela so that it can be processed and exported. That reliable supply of condensate has allowed PDVSA to ramp up operations and, consequently crude oil production as well as exports. The heightened tempo of industry activities, while allowing Venezuelas oil output to grow to 819,000 barrels per day, according to Caracas, is responsible for the growing number of petroleum spills and other environmentally damaging incidents.

Oil leaks are not the only major environmental issue caused by Venezuelas heavily corroded petroleum industry. Toxic emissions from oil industry operations are also a major problem. The OPEC members intermittently running ramshackle refineries emit a host of toxic gases, including greenhouse gases, whenever they operate. There is also the noxious smoke and other fumes emitted by frequent fires and explosions at Venezuelas dilapidated refining facilities. The most recent reported fire occurred at the Cardon refinery in January 2023. The facility, which has a capacity of 305,000 barrels per day but typically operates intermittently, processing 60,000 barrels per day, experienced its second fire this year in January 2023. Those incidents followed a major blaze in December 2022 blaze which was reputedly the third fire to occur that year.

Venezuela is suffering immense environmental damage at the hand of the countrys once-mighty petroleum industry. The merciless pursuit of oil production growth, regardless of the ramshackle state of industry facilities, is driving the volume of spills and other environmentally damaging incidents ever higher. Scientists believe that the damage suffered by Lake Maracaibo is so severe that much of it is now irreversible, with many of the waterbodys marine ecosystems destroyed. The rising severity and volume of spills, coupled with a lack of clean-up efforts, will continue wreaking havoc on the environment. Maduros most enduring legacy for Venezuela will be an environmental disaster that is having a calamitous impact on the worlds 11th most biodiverse country, which will take billions of dollars and decades to remediate.

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Saudi imports of fuel oil from its OPEC+ partner, Russia, jumped to a record-high in June as the Kingdom looks to burn more fuel oil for summer power demand, at the expense of crude oil, amid the production cuts, analysts and traders have told Reuters.

Last month, the worlds largest crude oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, imported a record volume of 193,000 barrels per day (bpd) of fuel oil from Russia, a tenfold surge compared to a year ago, according to data from analytics firm Kpler cited by Reuters.

Analysts believe there is a link between the record fuel oil imports from Russia and the Saudi pledge to cut production. To keep crude exports, Saudi Arabia is prioritizing fuel oil power generation, according to Royston Huan, fuel oil and feedstocks analyst at Energy Aspects.

We believe there is a linkage to the cuts, as Saudi Arabia will be incentivized to prioritize their crude exports, therefore prioritizing fuel oil utilities burn over crude oil burn, Huan told Reuters.

Russia began exporting fuel oil to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries this year, as its products are now embargoed in Europe, the previous top market for Russian crude and petroleum products.

For Saudi Arabia, cheap Russian imports leave more crude available for exports. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, traditional Middle Eastern allies of the United States, have not shied away from importing, storing, trading, or re-exporting Russian fuels despite American efforts to persuade them to join a crackdown on Russian attempts to evade the Western sanctions on its oil.

Saudi Arabia is also said to be making money from diesel trading after the EU embargo on Russian fuels, as the worlds top crude exporter is now importing record volumes of cheap diesel from Russia and exporting record levels of its own diesel to the higher-priced Asian market in the Singapore hub.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Via the Jamestown Foundation

During a regional conference held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in May 2023, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov underscored the paramount importance of the Lapis Lazuli international transit corridor. He emphasized how further development of this landmark project would revolutionize the regional transportation system, propelling it to new heights of efficiency and connectivity (Turkmenportal.com, February 27; Khaama.com, May 30). The multimodal east-west corridorwhich is still under development, though some parts are already being utilizedbegins in Afghanistan and includes overland routes passing through Turkmenistan, followed by ferry connections across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan. From there, goods are transported by rail to Georgia, Turkey and potentially onward to Europe (Silkroadbriefing.com, August 21, 2022; Aze.media, December 22, 2022). Overall, the corridor aims to boost exports, expand economic opportunities and improve transportation infrastructure for all the countries involved.

With an initial investment of $2 billion, development of the project began in 2018, starting in Torghundi, Afghanistan; connecting with Turkmenistans railway network; passing through the ports of Baku, Poti and Batumi; and ultimately reaching Kars and Istanbul in Turkey. It is expected that the corridor, operating under the International Road Transport carnet, will be able to handle 80 percent of the products transported from South Asia to Europe (China-briefing.com, January 6). In January 2021, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Afghanistan signed a tripartite roadmap to deepen cooperation on the Lapis Lazuli Corridor (Trend.az, January 24, 2022). After connecting the Lapis Lazuli route with the BakuTbilisiKars railway in 2018, goods from Afghanistan have already been transported from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan and then onward to the West. The first test cargo sent from Afghanistan in December 2018 was delivered to Baku within 12 days. From January to May 2020, 55,500 tons of cargo were transported through Azerbaijan in the direction of Afghanistan as well as in the reverse direction (Report.az, September 8, 2022).

As it is known, instability in Afghanistan poses a significant threat to expansive transit projects in Central Asia, South Asia and throughout Eurasia, with economic and humanitarian crises contributing to radicalization. Thus, the inclusion of Afghanistan in regional cooperation is considered crucial to resolving these crises and mitigating security threats. The United States withdrawal and the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan has led to significant changes and constraints within the country, resulting in a lack of diplomatic relations with other nations and growing economic problems. Consequently, Kabuls participation in regional projects such as the Lapis Lazuli Corridor may help improve the countrys domestic situation and regional standing

Furthermore, with the COVID-19 pandemic and Russias war against Ukraine, the countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus, especially Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, are actively deepening cooperation in the fields of logistics and transportation. These countries are focused on constructing and further developing alternative transit routes, including the Middle Corridor and the Lapis Lazuli Corridor. They are also engaged in negotiations with the Central Asian states on initiatives such as CASCA+ (Central Asia, South Caucasus and Anatolia). For example, the unification of transportation tariffs, the establishment of interconnected railway infrastructure and increased freight traffic are high on the agenda for Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and others (Trend.az, May 25; Khaama.com, May 30).

Additionally, Ashgabat and Kabul have taken various measures to strengthen their cooperation, including the construction and modernization of transportation infrastructure and the improvement of border controls and customs procedures (Khaama.com, May 30). Turkmenistan is especially interested in the Lapis Lazuli project, as evidenced by its hosting of a regional conference in December 2022 to discuss the routes implementation strategy. The event, organized by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, brought together more than 60 representatives from Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkeyall signatories of the agreement to develop the route. This reflects not only these regional countries commitment to the project but also European countries active involvement in developing the Lapis Lazuli Corridor (Newscentralasia.net, December 13, 2022; Turkmenportal.com, May 2).

Notwithstanding that the Lapis Lazuli transport corridor was initially created to strengthen trade relations for landlocked Afghanistan and provide a secure route for transporting Afghan goods to European markets, the corridors significance extends well beyond Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. According to Batyr Annaev, deputy director general of the Agency for Transport and Communications of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, this corridor will serve as a key transit route from China to Europe (Trend.az, May 25). Keep in mind that the Middle Corridor, stretching from China to Europe, consists of two main lines: the northern line (ChinaKazakhstanCaspian SeaAzerbaijan) and the southern line (ChinaKyrgyzstanUzbekistanTurkmenistan-Caspian SeaAzerbaijan). As it continues to be developed, the Lapis Lazuli Corridor (TurkeyGeorgiaAzerbaijanTurkmenistanAfghanistan) could be considered the third line with the potential to connect Afghanistan to the worlds oceans (Ankasam.org, September 20, 2022).

Additionally, the Lapis Lazuli route has extension opportunities toward Pakistan and India. Extending to growing powers India and Pakistan would offer significant economic and security benefits for the countries using the corridor (Ankasam.org, September 20, 2022). This could also lead to improved relations between Islamabad and New Delhi, as well as the opportunity for Uzbekistan to access European markets through the Trans-Afghan Transport Corridor.

In sum, the Lapis Lazuli transport corridor is expected to boost regional integration and create new trade opportunities, gaining increased significance amid the war in Ukraine and revitalization of the Middle Corridor. This route has gained special prominence due to international sanctions against Russia, thus presenting itself as an alternative transit route between Europe and China. Furthermore, the corridor is in line with the strategic interests of many European countries as it bypasses their three biggest regional rivalsRussia, China and Iranand connects to the continents landlocked regions.

Moreover, the individual countries participating in the development of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor have their own interests at stake. Turkmenistan hopes to diversify its economy, Afghanistan seeks an alternative trade route and Azerbaijan aims to enhance regional connectivity. Generally, the transportation corridor is expected to intensify regional integration and trade opportunities for Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. The routes potential extension to include Pakistan and India would offer critical economic benefits and enhanced access to the Indian Ocean. Nevertheless, further consultations with international partners and donors as well as increased investments are needed to realize the projects full potential. Ultimately, with the improvement of infrastructure and regional connectivity, this transit project will likely enhance economic and political stability among the countries involved as well as in the regions where they operate.

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By Nuray Alekberli-Museyibova

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Total oil exports out of Russia slumped by 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) in June, to the lowest level in more than two years, according to estimates by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in its Oil Market Report published on Thursday.

Russias oil exports declined by 600,000 bpd to 7.3 million bpd in June, which was the lowest level of oil exports from the country since March 2021, per IEAs estimates.

Revenues have also plunged, both compared to May and to the levels at this time last year.

Russias estimated export revenues dipped by $1.5 billion from May and stood at $11.8 billion in June. The revenues in June were nearly half the levels of a year ago, the IEA said.

Last week, data from Russias Finance Ministry showed that oil and gas revenues for the Russian budget slumped to $5.8 billion (528.6 billion Russian rubles) in June, down by 26.4% from the same month last year. Compared to May 2023, oil and gas budget revenues for Russia also dropped in June, by 7.4% from $6.3 billion (570.7 billion rubles) in the previous month, the data showed.

Russia said last week that it would cut its crude oil exports by 500,000 bpd in August in a bid to ensure a balanced market, and the reduction in exports would come from a further 500,000-bpd cut in oil production.

Moscow has promised a further 500 kb/d cut to exports from August to stem declining prices and revenues, but may hold production steady as domestic oil demand rises seasonally, the IEA said in its report today.

Tanker-tracking data monitored by Bloomberg showed earlier this week that Russian crude oil exports by sea dropped by 205,000 bpd to 3.21 million bpd on a four-week average basis in the four weeks to July 9. The latest four-week average export volumes fell below the 3.38 million bpd in the four weeks to February 26, after holding up above that level for months.

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By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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NEW YORK  It's hard not to feel grudging respect for Gerald Daniel Blanchard's long resume of crime  no matter what side of the law you're on.

He once stole half a million dollars from a bank before it officially opened by using a concealed pinhole camera inside the branch. He escaped from a police interrogation room by hiding in the ceiling tiles. Then there was the time he swapped a priceless jewel from an alarm-equipped museum display case with a gift shop replica, Indiana Jones-style.

Its like a chess game. You need to know 10 moves ahead of what the police are doing, Blanchard said in a recent Zoom interview. I was more into it for the thrill and the excitement.

Wired magazine called Blanchard the worlds most ingenious thief, and The Globe and Mail newspaper described him as "Canadas most sophisticated bank robber and fraud artist." Audiences can get into his head when Hulu airs the documentary feature The Jewel Thief on Thursday.

Director Landon Van Soest traces Blanchard's evolution into a criminal mastermind, going from shoplifting at an Iowa RadioShack as a teen to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars while disguised in a burqa in Cairo. He often taunted police to try and catch him.

For me, its really a film about obsession and ambition and addiction that kept driving him to something bigger, said Van Soest. He always had to outdo himself. He always had to outsmart someone.

A portrait emerges of a creative, calculating and patient man with a strong engineering bent despite a learning disability and borderline dyslexia. But Blanchard is not always a reliable narrator, with some of his embellishments knocked down in the documentary.

There were a lot of different versions of many of these stories, said Van Soest. We just kind of chose to lean into that. We were going to present many different versions of some of these stories and let the viewers walk away and make up their own minds.

The movie uses interviews with Blanchard and footage from his own extensive archives, as well as speaking with his mother, accomplices and the police who chased him. It's enlivened by a soundtrack that includes songs like Janes Addictions Been Caught Stealing.

Blanchard was a thin, nerdy-looking kid who grew up poor in Omaha, Nebraska, with a single mom who worked two jobs, and he developed a grudge against banks.

I like stealing from the banks and corporations, he tells the AP. "The reason why I dont like stealing from people is because they work hard for the money. I remember my mom crying on the phone when I was younger saying, We dont have the money to turn the lights on. Our food is going to go bad.

Early petty shoplifting emboldened him to disconnect a RadioShack's alarm system and take the entire inventory one Easter Sunday. He sold it all to friends and teachers. His home was soon visited by a SWAT team.

Blanchard later figured out how to scam stores by crafting fake receipts for shoplifted goods and returning them for a refund, a skill he used when he found himself penniless at the Canada border after serving 4 years behind bars.

A customs agent gave him $10 to take the bus. He instead bought a $9 disposable camera and stole another, photocopied the sales receipt at a Staples for 10 cents, and returned both. With the money, he did the same thing with more expensive items  a rechargeable battery and a computer program. By the end of the day, he had a couple hundred dollars.

The Jewel Thief would likely not have been made  or at least the tone would be vastly different  if Blanchard's crimes had caused bloodshed or death. His honor code, or his criminal calculations, didn't include anyone getting hurt.

I would always scale my crimes, he explained. If you use a gun, whats the consequences? If you dont use a gun, whats the consequence? Could somebody be hurt? And so I put a scale and I basically thought in my mind, whats the least amount of prison time I could get if I got caught?

The crime that would put Blanchard in prison for a long time started when he walked into a Canadian bank under construction wearing a hardhat and safety vest bought at a Home Depot. He installed a $50 Toys R Us baby monitor into a wall and messed with the motion detector so he could shut it off. Blanchard watched remotely as money was put into ATM machines, and struck that night.

As you might guess, Blanchard is not much of a fan of TV crime shows. It frustrates me. And I cant watch it because its so fake. I always analyze it saying, They should have did it this way or that way or You cant do it this way. Im always analyzing and thinking things many steps ahead.

Blanchard's list of crimes  including, as a prisoner, breaking into the commissary of the Anamosa State Penitentiary in Iowa  includes the 1998 theft of one of Sisis stars, a jewel once belonging to a 19th century Austrian empress. He had replaced it with a fake, a ruse which went unnoticed for several days.

The piece was only recovered when Blanchard  looking for a deal from prosecutors  took police to his grandmothers Winnipeg house, where the jewel had been carefully stashed. In fact, Blanchard still had much of the cash he stole. He wasn't a big spender.

I had lots of money and I never just blew it away or threw it away like most people do. I would always save it. If I could steal something, thats what I would do, he says.

It's hard to watch The Jewel Thief without wondering if he could have used his skills for good, such as advising on bank security.

Van Soest calls him clearly a very intelligent, very capable person that could have offered something much more positive to society. But Blanchard says that once he had a criminal record, law enforcement jobs became impossible.

He tells The AP he's happy with where his life is now. I learned deep inside myself is the void that I have, which is money doesnt bring happiness, he said.

Ive lived a poor life being young. I lived a wealthy life. I've lived the middle class life. So Ive had the whole spectrum in my lifetime and Im comfortable with living a normal middle class life.

12 Nebraska outlaws and their stories Maurice "Blondie" Denning James Butler Hickok (later Wild Bill) Doc Middleton Jesse James Sam Bass Charles Wesley Cox Thomas Limerick Kid Wade Earl Keeling David McCanles
WASHINGTON  A retired Army colonel has reached a court settlement of nearly $1 million in a sexual assault lawsuit against Air Force Gen. John Hyten, who led the Offutt-based U.S. Strategic Command from 2016-19 before serving as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The settlement with the U.S. government ends more than four years of investigations, reviews and congressional digging into the matter, which delayed  but ultimately did not defeat  Hytens nomination for vice chairman in 2019. He served two years and did not seek a second term.

Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser, who served as Hytens aide in 2017 at StratCom, filed the lawsuit, and in the settlement reached in U.S. District Court in California on Wednesday, the federal government will pay her $975,000.

It is my sincere hope that the successful outcome in my case will embolden other survivors of military sexual violence to come forward  no matter how high ranking the perpetrator, she said in a statement Thursday.

Spletstoser had received positive reviews for her work at StratCom but was forced out after an internal investigation concluded that she had been responsible for creating a toxic work environment.

After Hytens nomination was announced, Spletstoser came forward with accusations that he had made a series of unwanted sexual advances by kissing, hugging and rubbing up against her in 2017 while she was one of his top aides. She said that she repeatedly pushed him away and told him to stop and that he tried to derail her military career after she rebuffed him.

Hyten vigorously denied her allegations during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in July 2019, with his wife seated behind him and Spletstoser looking on from a short distance away.

I want to state to you and to the American people in the strongest possible terms that these allegations are false, Hyten testified at the time. Nothing happened, ever.

An internal Air Force investigation determined there was insufficient evidence to charge him or recommend discipline. And a senior Air Force official said at the time that investigators also found no evidence Spletstoser was lying. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters.

It is not uncommon for the U.S. government to pay out large sums of money to settle lawsuits, but a sexual assault case against such a high-ranking military officer is far more rare.

The number of reported sexual assaults in the military has increased nearly every year since 2006. And while the services have made inroads in making it easier and safer for service members to come forward, it still remains a highly unreported crime.

Hytens nomination was delayed for months while senators pored over thousands of pages of documents and interviewed the general and Spletstoser. The eventual Senate vote of 75-22 to confirm him reflected a bit more opposition than most military nominations, which usually get near-unanimous support.

Ten of the no votes came from female senators, including Vice President Kamala Harris, who was then a senator from California, and Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, a survivor of sexual assault while in college and the only Republican to vote against him.

Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer voted to confirm Hyten, calling him a strong person for the position.

Spletstosers attorney, Ariel Solomon, said in a statement Thursday that the legal payout stands out as the only known settlement paid by the government for a sexual assault case brought against a member of the United States military.

This article includes material from World-Herald staff writer Steve Liewer.

Photos: Offutt Air Force Base through the years
An 18-year-old man who Omaha police said threatened to shoot at responding officers and kill himself outside Westroads Mall in Omaha was taken into custody Wednesday night.

Police, including a SWAT team, went to the west parking lot at 7:11 p.m. after the North Platte man called 911 on himself. An Omaha Police Department spokesman said the man shot a gun outside the mall but did not shoot at anyone.

Shoppers inside the mall were evacuated to a safe location, police said. There was no threat to anyone inside the mall.

Police said the man was holding a handgun. The man eventually put the handgun down, and he was taken into custody without incident. Police said they found several spent shell casings outside the mall and a vehicle damaged by gunfire.

The man is currently in the Douglas County Jail.

Chief Deputy Douglas County Attorney Brenda Beadle said the man will be charged with multiple offenses, including terroristic threats, use of a weapon and discharge at an occupied building. Beadle said the man is scheduled to appear in court Friday afternoon.
An 18-year-old man and 39-year-old woman were arrested following a Wednesday night incident in east Omaha in which the teenager allegedly cut a 65-year-old man with a knife and the pair then took the older mans car.

The alleged incident occurred near the boat docks at Levi Carter Park located near Carter Boulevard and 12th Street East. At 9:46 p.m., police responded to the scene and spoke with the 65-year-old man. The man told police he got into an argument with the 18-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman.

Police said the argument turned physical when the younger man cut the older man. Both the 18-year-old man and the woman then allegedly got inside the older mans car and drove away. Police said the two people then were involved in a hit and run before they crashed at 5307 Lindbergh Drive, which is about one mile away from the park.

Police located the woman in the area. They later located the 18-year-old man at his residence.

The 18-year-old was arrested and taken to Douglas County Jail on suspicion of robbery and third-degree assault. The woman was arrested and taken to the jail on suspicion of theft by receiving.

The 65-year-old man was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center. He was treated for minor injuries.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2023
Multiple education professionals discussed the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic during a virtual panel Thursday, urging the need to find systemic solutions to Nebraskas teacher shortages.

The conversation was included in a two-part virtual hearing from the Nebraska Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to hear testimony around the implications of the pandemic on education.

The committee is a 13-person group of volunteers that help the commission investigate state issues. They will provide their findings and recommendations from public testimony to the commission to help address education problems made worse by COVID-19.

The best thing we can do about the teacher shortage is to keep the teachers we have, said Guy Trainin, a professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincolns department of teaching, learning and teacher education. And we do that by not adding to the work  by making sure we dont add to their workload and helping them out and then bring more people in the profession.

Nebraskas educator shortage was severely impacted by the pandemic and has only worsened over the past few years. In a survey published earlier this year, the Nebraska Department of Education found that the number of reported unfilled teaching jobs across the state was up nearly 60%.

Trainin said the districts that are being hit the hardest from the shortages are in high-need, urban areas or in rural communities. In the metro area, the Omaha Public Schools has been losing the most staff over the past two years.

One of the top issues is lack of substitute teachers and paraprofessionals, Trainin said.

These are the people who make sure that services to students are continuous, Trainin said. Most schools and systems are now operating with a fraction of substitute teachers and paraeducators that they need to move forward.

Trainin said the state needs to be more innovative in creating solutions to bump the number of substitute teachers and paraprofessionals, in turn relieving the workload of teachers to prevent them from leaving their roles.

Dawn Lindsley, a Nebraska 4-H extension educator, pointed out that state officials have made some strides in addressing the shortage. The State Board of Education has been working on improving teacher certification and lawmakers have passed education legislation such Legislative Bill 762, which would devote $1 million to tuition assistance for paraprofessionals looking to become teachers.

Ted Hamann, a Nebraska Advisory Committee member, asked how the teacher shortages have been affecting different groups of Nebraska students.

(We) are paying attention to the civil rights concerns by race, ethnicity, gender, religion...are there any particular ways to circle back to this broader issue of teacher shortages that the pandemic exacerbated? Hamann said. Has that exacerbation visited certain districts or certain kinds of student populations in a way that a body worried about civil rights should be paying particularly careful attention to?

Trainin said the state has seen less school participation in career and technical education, including fewer females in computer science.

The number of boys that took computer science courses stayed the same before and after the pandemic. But the number of girls diminished by about 40%, Trainin said. Thats a really significant impact. Im not 100% sure why its happening. But we know that in some districts, there was no possibility because they did not have the teacher workforce to provide those (courses).

Trainin and Lindsley were also joined by Adriana Villavicencio, an assistant professor from the University of California, Irvine, who talked about how the pandemic negatively affected students academic, physiological and psychological needs.

Villavicencio said the pandemic worsened issues for immigrant and English Learner (EL) students.

I think weve seen, even in states with a healthy and long history of serving immigrant families, a real shortage of teachers who are equipped to serve ELs and to serve them in a way thats more integrated into the community and integrated into the school community, Villavicencio said.

Trainin also pointed to students in special education, who suddenly lost most or all of their services when learning shifted online. Teacher shortages, which are also more extreme in the special education field, have contributed to special education students not receiving the services they deserve in Nebraska schools.

(Teachers) were really making progress with students and suddenly everything stopped. Kids regressed, Trainin said. This is the first group we (need to) think about as we come back to provide services. We need to make sure we serve them because (they are) probably one of the most disrupted groups.

The Nebraska Advisory Committee encourages community members to attend its next public forum to gather more testimony about how COVID-19 has affected K-12 education, especially when it comes to civil rights.

The in-person event is still in the planning phase, but will take place in the afternoon of Aug. 9 in Lincoln. People can check the Federal Register website for details once they are finalized.

The World-Herald's 2023 All State Academic Team Nayera Abdessalam Sophie Cullum Louis Giacalone Justin Golus Daniel Kasparek Ina Satpathy Natalie Thompson Kevin Vuong Aden Williams
Four Omaha men accused of shoplifting electronics from the Grand Island (Neb.) Best Buy store Tuesday afternoon were arrested after a multiagency pursuit in west Omaha.

Four agencies, including an Omaha police helicopter, tracked down the suspected shoplifters.

The theft occurred shortly before 5 p.m.

The group was observed leaving the Grand Island Best Buy in a Ford Expedition. Several law enforcement agencies began searching for the vehicle as it was believed to be traveling east from Grand Island.

Officers located the vehicle, which was determined to be stolen, as it was eastbound on Nebraska Highway 92 in Saunders County. A Wahoo police officer attempted a traffic stop, but the suspects vehicle struck the officers cruiser and sped away. Omaha police helicopter Able-1 began tracking the vehicle from the air until it came to a stop in a neighborhood near 168th Street and West Maple Road in Omaha.

Pilots directed units on the ground to the area as the four men ran. Officers from several law enforcement agencies  including the Omaha Police Department, Douglas County Sheriffs Office, Wahoo police and Nebraska State Patrol  began a search of the area. Three of the suspects were located and taken into custody within 10 minutes. The fourth suspect was located and taken into custody approximately two hours later. Officers found nearly $10,000 worth of stolen electronics inside the Expedition.

The four men were arrested on suspicion of flight to avoid arrest and theft by receiving stolen property totaling $5,000 or more. Two also were cited for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. On Wednesday, all four being held in the Douglas County Jail. Additional charges are pending in Hall and Saunders Counties.

Best Buy staff members told Grand Island police thwt the men grabbed 31 electronic devices. The items were valued at $9,849.69.

Grand Island Police Capt. Jim Duering described the crime as a very overt theft. They werent attempting to conceal their intent. They walked in, started forcing their way past security measures and stealing the property, basically in plain view.

The shoplifting was very similar to what youre seeing on the news on both coasts where theyve decriminalized some of the property crimes, Duering said. But we still throw people in jail for that around here.

Duering expressed appreciation to the other agencies for their great work in catching these guys.
By Alaba Yusuf

There comes a prime time in the life of a nation when its citizens, democratically, determine the next course of action for the corporate existence of their countrys sovereignty  through a referendum or outright general election. Britains rattling BREXIT battle is one of such. And the Presidential Election in Nigeria this weekend aligns both Commonwealth Comity nations. Neither is a do or die affair; nonetheless, they are monumental milestones that could make or mar peoples collective destiny.

Thus, when British political philosopher and legal luminary, Lord Acton, postulated for forms of government, let the fools contest; whatever is best administered is best governed, the great Victorian historian and essayist must have had his heart tortured by the rat race often associated with the political class of his time, particularly politicians desperate craving to lord it over one another in a cyclical style of hegemonic ascendancy. The Nigerian political firmament presents a rainbow of optical illusion, one that creates confusion with 73 aspiring presidential candidates from a legion of 91 political parties. A real rat race of pretenders and contenders.

That notwithstanding, monopoly of opinion is never known to be an attribute of civil rule. In fact, democracy would have failed in its own definition, as government of the people, for the people and by the people, if competition is taken off the affairs of men and women. Contest, therefore, opens the space for choice and options. Hence, the embedded principles of elections and fundamental human rights, the sweet taste of victory and the sour feel of loss, all make democracy a game of continuous search for the best hands as helmsmen the world over. Good governance and exemplary leadership therefore remain the ultimate goal in any political contest. And Nigeria is never an exception in this lure for power and service to fatherland.

For once, lets halt attention on the inanities and litany of errors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Lets shift focus from unfulfilled political promises, breaches of the rule of law, scandals of certificate forgery and one-sided anti-corruption campaign, issues of police and security agents harassment, toga of global headquarter of extreme poverty, general insecurity and international repudiation of President Muhammadu Buharis administration. These are aches that defy the potency of panadol or paracetamol. I forbid Tramadol. Say nay to hard drugs.

For good effect, lets zoom our minds binoculars on the Presidential elections slated for Saturday February 16. It is Nigerias ultimate date with fate. Without iota of doubt, this poll shall present a veritable case study of a political panic-drama; one poised to pitch mere pretenders against real contenders, patriots against power-grabbing zealots. In other words, concerned citizens in combat with confrontational cabals.

A perfect scenario for confusion is all well laid out by INECs registration of over 70 contestants, all vying for the key to Aso Rock Villa. Real rat race in human race. Sadly, ego and the zeal to seal political deals with the eventual winner, has left both the gladiators and spectators alike in the uncertain terrain of suspense and lucre permutations. Many have dropped by the way side, even though the umpire (INEC) says they cant jump ship now, for they are legally bound to complete the race even on crutches.

Meanwhile, whatever becomes the end result of this epochal political chess game of February 16, would definitely ricochet like a rubber ball on the entire nation and international canvass of opinion. The socio-economic and political lives of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria would practically be affected or impacted by this crucial general election. Hence, Nigeria is practically the cynosure of the worlds eyes. How we tackle the choice of who will run the affairs of 200 million people, the largest headcount of black beings in the globe, remains a spectacle in mankinds mind.

No wonder that democratic leaders and institutions the world over are keeping a tab on the pulse of events in the domain of the Giant of Africa! The United Nations, African Union, European Union, ECOWAS, world media and other well meaning organisations have already detailed independent observers and monitors to ensure that the 2019 elections, which the opposition PDPs candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is favored to win, turns out free, fair, credible and transparent. This is a task that must be done. For only equity can guarantee tranquility in a heterogeneous society.

The reality of worlds interest has jolted not a few in the incumbent APC Federal Governments camp. Some have lost their tempers so much they have resulted to hate speech and unprovoked innuendos. The arrowhead of this is Governor of Kaduna State, El-Rufai, who yelled hell to foreign election observers whom he referred to as those who want to interfere and shall return to their countries in body bags. What?

Even President Buhari was quoted as teasing the beleaguered people of Zamfara State, to whom he prayed God brings abundant rainfall and bumper harvest, so the that these fellow countrymen and women will have the energy to fight again. Another oddity.

His Campaign spokesman, Festus Keyamo, a lawyer, also publicly accused the United States of tacitly backing the opposition leader, Atiku Abubakar, whom the Buhari government once tagged a corrupt man on American wanted list. Let him step into the US, if he wont be arrested, they had taunted. All hot air.

Atiku has since been to America and back, walking free as air and daily getting endeared to Nigerian voters in their millions. The tumultuous crowd that welcomed the PDP Flagbearer in North West States of Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Kano, have since demystified Buharis mythical bloc vote from his homestead. The threat was so much that former US President Bill Clintons intention to visit Nigeria this week, to cultivate truce between the top rival parties at the poll, had to be cancelled. Because the Senior American doesnt want to be seen as a meddlesome interloper in the affairs of another sovereign country.

Despite the odds, the Second Signing of the National Peace Accord took place in Abuja, Wednesday 13 February, with all stakeholders pledging peace and appealing for fairness and justice throughout the duration of the elections. Respect and treat Mother Nigeria with tender love, were the watchwords. And statesman Atiku, quoting former President Good Jonathan, assured the nation: my ambition is not worth a drop of blood of any Nigerian.

But barely 72 hours to a crucial poll, unity and equity seem to be on the run in the country. While insecurity to lives and property pervade, gross job loss and mass unemployment exist in a plagued economy, coupled with the ugly label of being the epicenter of global extreme poverty and squalor. The question now is: Which way Nigeria? To be or not to be? The world is askance.

Therefore, is time not ripe for the candidate who wants to make Nigeria work and great again? Atiku surely has the Midas Touch to turn adversity into prosperity, poverty into plenty, apathy into sympathy, hostility into friendliness and peoples sorrow into collective joy.

Hence Nigerians, in their leadership quest, should endeavor to seek out a statesman of class and panache, one who sincerely loves the country and has proclivity and affinity with the people, a patriot with empathy and compassion, a knowledgeable welfarist, a bridge builder and unifier, a charismatic and humble element, a great listener and team player, a business-minded executive with belief in both job and wealth creation, a defender of democracy and constitutionalism, a proven law abiding citizen and, in a nutshell, a congruent leader who fuses capacity, competence and character together to enhance and advance peoples-centered vision, to create and propagate equitable national developmental innovations. Such a leader is the answer to Nigeria of today. And it is not an Eldorado!

And who can fix this messy scene? No other but quintessential humanist and political bridge builder, a detribalised Nigerian, non fanatical man of faith, a wealth creator and educationist, Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria (1999-2007). His recent nationwide campaign of love and hope, is a clear testimony to the fact that Atiku is the Peoples Choice. He is a unique unifier and a world class astute leader of repute.

For a nation that is still recovering from a scary democratic summersault in Osun State gubernatorial election, which former Vice President Atiku Abubakar rightly described as a travesty of justice and imposition of tyranny by the ruling APC, efforts should be made to avoid further pitfalls. The systemic burning of places housing INEC sensitive electoral materials are enough bad omen.

Hence our nation urgently needs the services of a defender of democracy and believer in constitutionalism; a due process persona and a dogged fighter who won 14 landmark constitutional cases which today are helping to advance, nourish and polish democracy in Nigeria. One such epochal legal feat was the Supreme Court judgement that prevented a President or Governor from having the power to fire his Vice or Deputy, because of the political umbilical cord of a shared common and indivisible joint ticket on which they ran for office! Atiku exemplify constitutionalism and the rule of law unlike ex military Head of State, retired General Muhammadu Buhari, who claims to be a converted democrat.

At this juncture in our national history, it takes the wisdom and rare wit of a gentle giant to stake the odds. We need one who has been tested and trusted; one who can embrace the tedious trips to law courts and pay huge legal bills to secure judgement in Nigeria. The experience of such a great leader of men and women is what Nigerians require to tame current APC monstrous misnomers. No doubt, Atiku has the sagacity and capacity to unweave the web of political entanglement that an incumbent administration can throw at any challenger gunning to become president this year.

So without prejudice to the 72 other contestants in the Presidential Poll slated for February 16, Atiku is remains head and shoulder above them all. Atiku is the man for the top job; one to truly keep Nigeria united, restructured and secured. Atiku, the consummate philanthropist and large hearted welfarist is capable of wielding and cementing the fault lines of this country. He surely knows how to create and bring back jobs through viable and profitable private public partnership and direct foreign investments. He has even vowed to bring about equity, tranquility and development across the nation.

That aside, brand Atiku is a household name that needs little or no publicity. He is well known to all strata of society  be it the young or old, poor or rich, men or women, business class or the working class. Atiku is at home everywhere he goes. He is detribalised, generous and charitable, compassionate and caring, law abiding and a seasoned politician, education investor and wealth creator, innovator of note and above all, a visionary leader with a mission to return sanity back to our common humanity.

Finally, eligible voters are enjoined to think right and help save Nigeria from falling off the political cliff of implosion, self immolation and precipitous perdition. With Atiku, the best among the rest, Nigeria will work again. Surely, it is prime time to serve Atikus ripe fruits to Nigerians from the altar of Aso Rock Villa. Lets all vote for an achiever and mentor to others. Lets be Atikutated and get Nigeria working again.

Alaba Yusuf, public affairs analyst and journalist, wrote from Abuja
By Levinus Nwabughiogu-Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives, requesting the approval of N500 billion to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

Essentially, the president is seeking the amendment of the 2022 supplementary appropriation act to accommodate the funds.

Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas read the letter of the presidents request at Wednesdays plenary.

Titled Request for the amendment of the 2022 appropriation act, the letter reads in part: I write to request the approval of the House of Representatives an amendment of the 2022 appropriation act in accordance with the law.

The request has become necessary in other to source funds to provide necessary palliatives to cushion the effect of the recent removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria.

The sum of N500 billion only has been extracted from the 2022 appropriation act of N819.536 for the provision of palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal. I expect that the House will speedily consider the request.

Abbas however added that the House will consider the Presidents request at plenary on Thursday.
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President Bola Tinubu has requested the National Assembly to approve N500 billion for palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.

This is contained in a letter addressed to the House of Representatives and read by the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas at plenary on Wednesday.

I write to the House of Representatives to approve the amendment of the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act.

The request has become necessarily important to among other things source for funds necessary to provide palliative to mitigate the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy on Nigerians.

Thus, the sum of N500 billion Naira only has been extracted from the 2022 Supplementary Act of N819,536,937,815 for the provision of palliative to cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal.

While I hope that the House of Representatives will consider this request expeditiously, he said.

In his ruling, the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas said that the request would be considered on Thursday, July 13, urging members interested to prepare for the debate.

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The magistrate said the sentence would run concurrently, and directed that the sum of N150,000, being the proceed of the crime, should be transferred from the convicts account to the victims account.

A 25-year-old man, AbdulGafar Ayanrinde, posing as a lawyer to defraud unsuspecting victims has been sentenced to three years imprisonment by an Osogbo Chief Magistrates Court in Osun State.

Ayanrinde, who specialises in fraud, impersonation and stealing, was arrested by NSCDC operatives on May 24, 2023.

A statement by the spokesperson of Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kehinde, Adeleke on Wednesday, July 12, said Ayanrinde committed the offences between 18th and 22nd May 2023.

Adeleke further disclosed that Ayanrinde, having presented himself as a barrister at law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, duped five unsuspecting members of the public, and also stole an iPhone worth 450,000,00.

During the trial, the NSCDC spokesperson said Ayanrinde pleaded guilty to the two counts bordering on impersonation of a legal practitioner contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 34 Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, and obtaining money under false pretenses contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 34 Laws of Osun State of Nigeria.

After admitting to committing the crime, the defendant was pronounced guilty by Magistrate M.A. Olatunji, who sentenced him to three years imprisonment for each of the counts.

The magistrate said the sentence would run concurrently, and directed that the sum of N150,000, being the proceed of the crime, should be transferred from the convicts account to the victims account.

The Nigeria Correctional Service shall provide facility and enabling environment for the academic advancement of the convict while in custody, the spokesperson added.
Amarah Kennedy, the businessman who was accused of circulating the n*de photos of his ex-lover, was arraigned before a Chief Magistrates Court, in Ogba, Lagos by the Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday, July 12.

The police arraigned the suspect on six counts charge of provocation, unlawful conversion of funds and publication of n*des on social media without the consent of the persons.

The charge read in part

That you, Amarah Kennedy, sometime in September 2022, in a hotel, at Olodi Apapa, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, insulted, annoyed, disgraced and/or provoke one Adams Kadijal Gbemisola without her consent did share her n*de in the social media and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24 of the Cybercrime Stalking (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2015.

That you, Amarah Kennedy, on June 4, 2023, at the Olodi Apapa area of Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, insulted, annoyed, embarrassed, provoke one Nne Esther Ogbuji  without her consent shared her n*de picture on Facebook and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 24 of the Cyber Stalking (Protection and Prevention) Act Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2015.

Though the charge was read to him, the court did not take Amarahs plea.

Chief Magistrate A.O Layinka thereafter granted him bail in the sum of N2m with two sureties in like sum. She ordered that the case file be duplicated and sent to the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

She thereafter adjourned the case to August 3, 2023, for legal advice.

TOEI had earlier reported that the widows in search of love, met the accused on different WhatsApp and Facebook chat groups for singles at separate times and began having relationships with him.

Trouble started when they fell out and he allegedly started to send their n*des to their relations, colleagues and friends. He also sent the n*de photos to the WhatsApp platform of the church of one of the women identified simply as Kester, and thereafter began to demand for money.


By Izunna Okafor, Awka

The new Police Commissioner in Anambra State, CP Aderemi Adeoye, has announced the immediate removal and replacement of DPO Kennedy Oti as the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the B Division, in Awka, the State capital.

The announcement which CP Adeoye made during his maiden press conference with newsmen at the Commands Headquarters in Amawbia, on Wednesday, came just few hours after the 247UREPORTS publication on alleged recurrent illegal arrests of some residents by the DPO and his junior officers who would end up extorting the sum of 20,000 each from the victim, to release them, without telling them why they were arrested.

According to the investigative report published by 247UREPORTS on Wednesday July 12, the DPO and his men launched and daily perpetrated the illegal arrest and extortion during the week that the Finland-based self-acclaimed Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, declared a week-long sit-at-home. No fewer than thirty innocent young men were reportedly arrested on daily basis by the DPO and his boys throughout last week; as they would usually come out at about 8.pm to hunt for prey. And each of the victims who was recently raked each night by the officers was said to have paid the sum of 20,000 to buy their release.

The DPO and his officers were also accused of torture, dehumanization, and manhandling of the victims, as was narrated to 247UREPORTS by one of the victims who also lost his band new phone and risked his new car in the course of his own arrest by the officers when he went to buy fruits at the UNIZIK Junction, Awka at about 9:20.pm last Thursday. The victim, after recounting his ordeals in the hands of the officers, also called on the States Commissioner of Police and the Inspector-General of Police to take urgent action against the unprofessional conducts of the DPO and his boys against the innocent citizens of the State.

It was shortly after the publication that the Anambra CP announced the removal of the accused DPO to newsmen in Anambra State

For your information, ladies and gentlemen, we have dealt with that malfeasance; the DPO has been removed. Within few hours of the report and complaints, the DPO was removed, and another senior officer, more refined, was posted to take charge of the B Division, CP Adeoye told newsmen.

He further stressed that the Command, under his watch, would not tolerate any form of harassment or extortion from the members of the public, adding that his Command is even trying to encourage nightlife in Anambra State, as that would be a testament that normalcy has returned to the State.

So who will not allow a situation where our men will be going about the beer parlour, drinking joints and others such places and be arresting people. You know, people are trying to cool off from their hardship Somebody whose minimum wage is 20,000, and you arrest him and tell him to pay 20,000 for his bail. We condemn it. Even though they are allegations, we are investigating it; but we condemn any such conduct, he said.

Speaking further, he said, We will descend hard on any officer that engages in such malfeasance. If, at the end of the investigation, we find out that the allegations are true, certain sanctions will be applied on those officers involved. Under my watch, nobody will harass you anywhere in Anambra State.

The Anambra Police Chief said he had earlier held a conference with the DPOs, Area Commanders, and other top officers of the Command, where he said he told them to go back and lecture their men, from the most junior to the most senior, as there will be no excuse for any misconduct.

While re-emphasizing that any officer found wanting in the State would be seriously dealt with; he also revealed that he had initiated awards known as the Commissioner of Police Commendation Award in Anambra State, among other exceptional reward packages for officers who perform exceptionally and gallantly in the discharge of their duties in the State, as a means to boost their morales and encourage others to do better.

We are here to serve the people, and that, we will do the best of our ability, he said.

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As he chairs inaugural meeting

Bauchi State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed who doubles as the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, has reiterated commitment of the governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in collaborating with the Federal Government and security agencies to salvage the country, in addition to providing citizenry with dividends of democracy for the growth development of Nigeria.

Mohammed was speaking during the inaugural meeting of the PDP Governors Forum today in Abuja, emphasizing on the need for members to work together in order to provide a platform for peer review of critical issues, policies and achievements for the success of the Party in forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states.

He however called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be neutral in the conduct of the exercise, saying the Party is concerned about the welfare of Nigerians, during the hardships and beyond.

Governor Bala noted that providing Nigerians with exemplary leadership they desire, execution of development project in both rural and urban areas remain the top priority of the members of the Forum, adding that governors under the umbrella of the PDP will collectively change the narratives in their respective states for the growth development of Nigeria and the citizenry.

In attendance were Governors Bassey Umo Eno, Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri, Douye Diri, Sherrif Obervwori and Peter Mbah of Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Delta and Enugu respectively.

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FOLLOWING threat by the factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Simon Ekpa to impose another sit at home on the entire South East geopolitical zone, the Anambra State government said yesterday that it would never yield to non-state actors.

Reacting to the threat, the state government, through the press secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Mr. Christian Aburime said Ekpa is a fugitive who should be completely ignored.

Aburime said: Anambra State under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo will never yield to non-state actors on this illegal sit-at-home order.

READ ALSO: Sit-At-Home: Ebonyi Police arrests 15 suspected unknown gunmen

Simon Ekpa is a fugitive and rabble rouser who should be completely ignored by the citizens of Anambra and by extension the entire South East. The imposition of sit-at-home orders by unauthorized individuals or groups is a clear violation of the law and Anambra State will never observe any sit-at-home order by a Simon Ekpa.

Our markets, schools, businesses and other social activities will remain open.

Anambra State will never be a breeding ground for anarchy, fear or lawlessness.
KanyiDaily recalls that the DSS arrested Godwin Emefiele on June 10, a day after President Bola Tinubu suspended him as the CBN Governor and transfer his responsibilities to Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, the Deputy Governor of the Operations Directorate.

Following his arrest, Emefiele sued the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Director General of the DSS, seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights to freedom of movement and dignity to human life.

In the suit, the suspended CBN Governor argued that his arrest and detention since June 10 without valid order of court be voided and set aside. He demanded compensation of N5M as exemplary damages for his alleged unlawful detention.

During the proceedings, the counsel to the AGF, Tijjani Ghazali argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, emphasizing that Emefieles arrest and detention by the DSS were administrative decisions within the executive arm.

The DSS also challenged the courts jurisdiction to hear the suit, citing a subsisting order from a chief magistrate court for Emefieles detention.

In his Judgement on Thursday, July 1, the Presiding Judge Hamza Muazu held that Emefiele should be released on bail if he is not taken to a competent court within one week.

Judge Muazu stated that the former CBN governors continued detention without trial constitutes to a grave violation of his fundamental human rights.

However, the judge noted that Emefiele failed to demonstrate that his arrest, detention, and investigation were unlawful, as they were based on a valid court order.

Muazu said, Detention, no matter how small, can amount to a breach of fundamental rights.

Though I am in sympathy with the applicant (Emefiele), but my sentiment will not go far to deliver judgement by granting all the reliefs sought by the applicant.

The applicant has not shown that his arrest, detention and investigation were unlawful.

However, I am concerned that the application is not without merit. The applicant is entitled to fair hearing.

At this point, the continued detention of the applicant cannot be justified in the absence of any charge against him.

At the very least, justice demands that applicant should be released on administrative bail.

Consequently, I hereby make an order, directing the respondents to within one week, charge the applicant to court or release him on administrative bail.

KanyiDaily recalls that the DSS had been trying to arrest Godwin Emefiele since last year during the administration of the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari.

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The suspension was contained in a letter NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/363.

It directed the suspension of Parts A3 and D43 with regards to the operation of Max Airs Boeing 737 aircraft type with immediate effect.

Parts A3 deals with the airlines Aircraft Authorization and D43 deals with Aircraft Listing of the Operations Specifications issued to Max Air Ltd.

By implications, the airlines domestic operations would be halted pending when the regulatory agency lifts the suspension.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) hereby suspends Parts A3 (Aircraft Authorization) and D43 (Aircraft Listing) of the Operations Specifications issued to Max Air Ltd. with regards to the operations of the Boeing B737 aircraft type in your fleet.

With the above suspension, you are to immediately suspend the operations of all Boeing B737 aircraft in your fleet.

The Authoritys action is due to the several occurrences that involved your Boeing B737 aircraft as listed hereunder, read the letter signed by Director, Operations Training & Licensing, Captain Ibrahim Bello Dambazau, for Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Musa Nuhu.

The letter listed the occurrences to include the Loss of Number 1 Main Landing Gear (MLG) wheel during the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registration marks 5N-MBDwhich occurred between Take-off at Yola Airport Adamawa State and on landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja Nigeria on 7th May 2023;

Another incident was Fuel Contamination of the main fuel tanks of aircraft B737-300, Registration Marks; 5N-MHM, leading to the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) shutdown on ground Yola Airport on the 7th of July, 2023.

The third incident was the aborted take-off of Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registration marks 5N-MBD, which occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) due to high Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) indication on the 11th of July, 2023.

Lastly, an air return by aircraft B737-300, Registration Marks; 5N-MHM to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) due to duct overheat indication in the cockpit on the 11th of July, 2023.

According to NCAA, it had constituted a team of inspectors to conduct an audit of Max Air.

The result of this audit, it said, must be found satisfactory by the Authority prior to considering the restoration of the privileges of the Operations Specifications to your organisation to further operate the aircraft type.

In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has recovered N454bn in looted public funds and as well, secured 90 convictions in the last four years.

This was disclosed by the ICPC Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner in Osun State, Demola Bakare, at an event in Ede to mark this years African Union Anti-Corruption Day on Wednesday.

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The Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has issued a directive to deploy troops to assert control over regions where the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) imposed a sit-at-home order in the South-East states.

Lagbajas directive comes in response to an announcement made by Finland-based pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, who ordered a two-week sit-at-home protest scheduled to commence on Monday, July 31.

Ekpa said the protests aim, to demand the immediate and unconditional release of the IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was sacrosanct, noting that the sit-at-home order was to facilitate the freedom of the Biafran nation, among other objectives.

The pro-Biafra agitator, however, warned that disobeying the sit-at-home order would have serious consequences.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu declared Ekpas announcement unlawful and stated that it would not be tolerated.

Nwachukwu said that the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, has been directed to conduct robust patrols, secure flashpoints, and ensure that citizens can freely carry out their lawful activities.

The renewed threat by IPOB to compel the people in southeastern Nigeria to sit at home is not only appalling but a violation of the fundamental rights of southeastern Nigerians and, therefore, unlawful. This will never be condoned, Nwachukwu stated.

The Chief of Army Staff has handed down clear directives to the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army operating in synergy with other security agencies to ensure robust patrols to dominate all flashpoints and emplace measures to ensure citizens are free to go about their legitimate businesses.

The army spokesperson, however, called upon Nigerians in the South-East region to disregard the sit-at-home order and encouraged them to support the security forces in their efforts to counter IPOB.

We implore the good and enterprising people of the South-East to shun all forms of cajoling or threats aimed at unlawfully compelling them to be reclusive by sitting at home. We urge them to join forces with the security operatives to resist this illegality perpetrated by IPOB.

Similarly, the police have vowed to resist the sit-at-home order in any part of the South-East.

He noted that Ekpa, who claims leadership of IPOB, resides in Finland and issues command from there while expecting people in Nigeria to comply with his orders, which the army finds unacceptable.

Similarly, the Nigeria Police Force has vowed to resist the sit-at-home order in any part of the South-East.

The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that the police have taken action against non-state actors enforcing the order, resulting in arrests and the confiscation of weapons.

Adejobi assured South-East citizens that adequate security measures had been put in place to protect them and urged them to continue with their lawful activities.

Also, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State sought support for the abolition of the sit-at-home order during his visit to the Nigerian Navy headquarters in Abuja.

Governor Mbah previously declared the sit-at-home order banned in Enugu, citing its negative impact on the states economy. Despite the declaration, the order has remained in effect on Mondays.

The governor emphasised that attracting investors to the state would be difficult if the current state of affairs continued.
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From Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu BAUCHI

The Nigerian Chapter of West African College of Physicians has today holds it 47th Annual General and Scientific meeting in Bauchi.

Speaking during the official ceremony of the event held at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, New Site at Gubi Campus, the National Chairman, double as Vice President, Mr Jarmia Madaki said the College was established on 23rd October 1976 as an organ of world health organisation (WHO) which is an agency of Economic of West African States (ECWAS).

According to Madaki, said the College in each country refer to as chapter and that theres thirteen chapters and Nigeria is one of the thirteen and the largest chapters and also a founding chapter.

In so doing, the College rotate that Annual General meeting as a way of including every body. Nigeria has also taking a pattern the West African College of Physicians chapter inline with this inclusivity.

He said that, The College has very one important tradition which in every year its bring experts to one country to actually looking at issues that affect the subregion including Nigeria and to take a theme and deliberately on its, we bring our experts to look at it, we holds symposium, we make special presentations and discussion which at the end, we would come out with suggestions and recommendations to the government.

Adding the theme will be subjected scientific rigour, through our discussion, through paper presentations, through symposium and at the end we come up with a communique which we hope will actually help and provinding guide that would assist the Government on how best to deliver healthcare in this difficult time. And we woull be looking at two safetys on this healthcare delivery in phase of disaster and also the manance of briandrian as its affect healthcare delivery and medical education,.

The theme of this year is Health related Sustainable Development Goals the progress so far in Nigeria.

In his speech, the Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau commended the chapter of the Nigerian College of Physicians for choosing the State from region to host the event.

Jatau informed the gathering that the State government under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed has placed high priority in the areas of health sector by declaring State of emergency on health which health summit was convinced.

He said, to further improve on our public and private health sector, additional tertiary healthcare facilities from the initial, comprising of State Specialist Hospital and Federal Medical Center Azare, as well as Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Airforce Referral Center and National Obstristic and Festula Centre in Ningi respectively.

And all these achievements was as a result of reinforcement by the establishment of two high health institutions of College of Medical and Sciences at ATBU and Federal University of Health Sciences and Nutrition in Azare.

In addition to that, 23 specialist doctors, 116 community health workers comprising nurses and midwifes, 1313 health workers across differe cader, 606 medica paramedical staff were employed in June, 2023.

He assured the Chapter of his excellency continues support to the uplifting and promoting all activities in the State.

Earlier in his speech, the LOC chairman, Dr Alkali Mohammed the Chapter had conducted a medical community outreach to 2,000 rural dwellers on various illnesses at Durum village as our program schedule in every segment of Annual General meeting as part of our social responsibility.

He thanked the CMD of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital for accepting to host the event and the State Governor, Bala Mohammed for honoring their invitation despite his tide schedule.

The event witnessed high profile pesonalities including heads of different health institutions across the region, fellows, technocrats as well as politicians.

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From Nasir Shuaibu BAUCHI

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, (ATBU-TH) Bauchi has seek for stronger collaboration with media towards sensitization and enlightenment of the general public on the new Patients Bill of Right in the state.

The Chief Medical Director CMD Dr Yusuf B Jibrin made the call when he received a delegation team from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) led by its Executive Chairman, Babatunde Irukera yesterday in Bauchi.

Noted that the hospital is currently experiencing such challenges with some patients and its staff during treatment process. Saying Some patients they dont complaint to the management, they just went to the Press and air their views or anger

The Chief Medical Director Dr Jibrin explained that the core mandate of the hospital is to give the patients clinical services, health care services, training as well as research in accordance with the global best practices.

He disclosed that the hospital was established in 2010, 13 years back to cater not only to the state citizens, but to the entire northeast subregion and beyond to offer them with tertiary care.

The CMD said with the domestication of the Patients Bill of Rights, the patients should expect an improved better services from staff of the hospital.

He thanked the Commission for bringing the PBoR bill down to the State for the domestication of the bill in the hospital. He assured that the PBoR bill will be fully implemented in the hospital as well as ensure strick compliance by the management.

Earlier in his speech, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Babatunde Irukera said the FCCPC is an agency of the Federal Government with the mandate to protect the Nigerian people.

According to him, if the bill is been domesticated properly it will reduce the rate medical malpractices, improve environment for both patients and staff in the hospital amongst others.

He explained that the PBoR is an aggregation of patients rights that exist in other instruments including, the Constitutiion, Consumer Protection Act, Child Rights Act, Freedom of Information Act, National Health Act, the Hippocratic Oath, other professional ethical codes and sundry regulations.

He further explained that the bills has three components that provided patient rights, patient responsibilities and provider responsibilities respectively.

It provide access to information, patient related information, fee related information, confidentiality, quality of care, patients dignity, access to emergency care, visitation, patients refusal of care, interruption of service by provider and compliant,.

Other highlights of the event was drama presentation, singing and unveiling of the PBoR guidelines at the hospital.

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A federal high court in Abuja has order the DSS to release the former central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele of bail within seven days  and to charge him to court is they have evidence against him.

The order was given by Justice Hamza Muazu.

President Bola Tinubu had ordered for the suspension of the former CBN Governor before he was immediately arrested by the DSS. He has remained in the detention cells of the DSS.

Stay tuned

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday May 29 2023, in his inaugural address at Eagle Square, Abuja, declared that there would no longer be a petroleum subsidy regime as it was not sustainable.

And barely 48 hours from that, Kolo Mele Kyari, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) followed with his own announcement of an upward review in the pump price of premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol, saying the increase takes effect that same day, Wednesday, 31 May and that it was in line with current market realities.

The first announcement by NNPCL sounded more like a directive to all marketers to sell at the new price though this was later corrected to say the new regime is to be used only by NNPCs retail outlets.

The NNPCL circular had it that the petroleum pump price adjustment for the Abuja pump price was increased from N194 to N537 per litre, while Nassarawa moved from N189 to N537 per Litre.

The pump price for Plateau increased from N189 to N537 per litre, while Kwara was increased from N189 to N515 per litre.

The pump price in Kogi was increased from N189 to N537, Benue increased from N189 to N537, Niger state was increased from N189 to N537, Adamawa was increased from N199 to N550 per litre, and Taraba was increased from N199 to N550 per litre.

The pump price in Bauchi increased from N199 to N550, Gombe increased from N199 to N550, and Borno increased from N199 to N557.

Yobe was increased from N199 to N557, and Kano increased from N194 to N540. A litre of petroleum in Kaduna was increased from N194 to N540, and Katsina from N194 to N540. Sokoto increased from N194 to N540, and Jigawa increased from N194 to N540. Kebbi state moved from N194 to N545. Zamfara moved from N194 to N540. The pump price of petroleum moved from N189 to N515 in Abia, and Imo increased from N189 to N515.

Anambra was increased from N189 to N520, Enugu from N189 to N520 and Ebonyi was also increased from N189 to N520. Rivers from N189 to N511, Akwa Ibom moved from N194 to N515, and Bayelsa from N189 to N515.

Cross River was moved from N194 to N511, Edo from N189 to N511, Delta moved from N189 to N511, and Lagos was increased from N184 to N488, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti was increased from N189 to N500.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, petrol was sold for an average of N254.06 per litre in April 2023. On 29 May 2023, after the speech, it sold for as high as N550, with speculations of prices going as high as N750 in the coming days.

The question is: how did NNPCL arrived at the figures dished out as the appropriate pricing of the product across the country?

Is it not curious that NNPCL never gave any rational data when it single-handedly fixed the new pump price at over N500 per litre from N198 per litre? It did so a mere 48 hours without any public debate after the Presidents announcement that fuel subsidy is no more.

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Lets look at the facts of the matter: Based on Tinubus speech, not much changes in the pricing template  just the subsidy bit is removed. Recall that in 2016, when the first subsidy removal was implemented by the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) released its new pricing template, which showed that two components make up the petrol price under the absurd Nigerias 100 percent dependence on fuel imports for its domestic needs: landing cost and distribution cost.

Here is how petrol pricing works under the peculiar situation the nation has found itself as explained by experts: At the time the landing cost of one litre of petrol was N119.74, while the distribution cost was N18.37 per litre, the total pump price was N138.11. The PPPRA mandated fuel stations to sell between N135 to N145 per litre. Here, there was zero subsidy!

In 2023, the landing cost and the distribution cost have changed as the sole importer made us believe, but the biggest change has been in the structure of the state oil company, which has now become NNPC Limited, and no longer has the absolute power to fix prices. The distribution cost today should be about N30 to N35 per litre, while the landing cost is where the conversation or rather the fraud is.

The NNPCs landing cost when the last PPPRA template was published in 2021 was $561.96 per metric ton. Today, this price is between $680 and $750 per metric ton as claimed by the NNPC which has enjoyed both import monopoly of petrol and the subsidy largess thereof for over five years. So from the companys data, this should naturally bring the new landing cost per litre to N266 per litre. Add distribution cost, the expected pump price should be N296-N300 per litre without subsidy.

So how did Kyari arrived at the over N500 per litre he is asking us to pay at the companys retail outlets meaning that the prices will be far higher at outlets owned by private marketers both major and independents?

Why must Nigerians be made to pay N530 or more per litre of petrol for any quality of the product, because NNPCL which is a monopoly and now a private company said so?

Late Aret Adams former GMD of NNPC unequivocally said the deregulation of petrol business must not necessarily translate to consumers paying more per litre. Please check Newswatch of March 2001. No successor to his office has disproved him, even as we speak.

And late Prof Tam David West who served as Nigerias Petroleum Minister 1983-1985, under Gen Muhammadu Buhari and stood out as OPECs wonderkid at the time, laboriously unbundled the headache prone data in the confusing product -to- market formula which old NNPC hitherto used to argue its case with. He turned the transaction data into an easy to grasp arithmetic. No one has countered the foundational data and logic presented by Tam David-West of blessed memory.

Recall that this same Bola Tinubu challenged the claim of the existence of anything subsidy in the first instance in a letter he published in Jan 2012 to contest President Goodluck Jonathans administration proposal to raise pump price of petrol

Tinubu said the pump price of petrol in Nigeria should be about N40 per litre.

Interestingly, this same Tinubu who is now the President of the Federation has become deaf and dumb now over this Kyaris broad daylight rebranding of the subsidy scam. Thats Nigeria for you

Now the President is coming out with his proposed N500 billion subsidy palliative which at best is another big fraud between him and the NNPCL boss. Where is the money going to come from when we have established that there was no subsidy in the first instance? The phantom subsidy was a convenient public finance heading, used to settle political cabals and cronies.

If such cabals and cronies are taken off the juice from the fuel pumps, lets first be sure that new cabals have not simply cornered the new pump price per litre which appears designed to create an equally huge windfall for a few. This matter is going to hunt Tinubu throughout his stay at Aso Rock. Mark my word

(IFEANYI IZEZE writes from Abuja: [email protected]; 234-8033043009)
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A civil rights advocacy group in Nigeria, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA), on Thursday, petitioned world leaders over the failure of the Nigerian Government to arrest erstwhile leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF), Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, protesting what it perceived as glaring evidence that Dokubo is a threat to the Nigerian state and the Nigerian people.

HURIWA, in a statement by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, warned that the President Bola Tinubu government is creating a monster out of Asari-Dokubo who dared the military to arrest him and he would crumble Nigerias oil production to zero.

HURIWA addressed the petition to the European Union, the President of the United States of America, the French President, the British Prime Minister, the German Chancellor and other world leaders.

HURIWA called for their urgent high level intervention in getting President Tinubu to immediately order the arrest of one Asari-Dokubo for his dangerous hate speech and threat to the Igbo ethnic tribe of Nigeria.

The group expressed concerns that the administration of President Bola Tinubu seems to be afraid of Asari-Dokubo, despite that the ex-agitator is threatening to destroy the country if arrested for unlawful possession of assault rifles and threat to the lives and property of Igbo people in the country.

HURIWA had issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Federal Government to arrest Asari-Dokubo over his suspected link to the violent phenomenon of unknown gunmen in the South-East or risk unprecedented protests that would reverberate all over the country.

HURIWA noted that Asari-Dokubo, who visited Tinubu last month, had in a viral video brandished multiple AK-47 rifles and threatened to kill Igbos because they supported the Labour Party and Peter Obi in the February 25, 2023 presidential election against the preferred candidate, in the person of Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.

HURIWAs Onwubiko declared: The petition has become imperative because despite calls from several quarters, particularly non governmental organizations and prominent civil rights activists, Nigerias President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pointedly ignored these calls.

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President Tinubus nonchalance in this regard is believed to be as a result of his closeness to Mr. Asari Dokubo, who he intends to continue to use to nefariously, foment insecurity and unrest in the South East region of Nigeria.

President Tinubu must stop treating threats and individuals that constitute grave threats to national security with kid gloves. The failure of all the security forces to take in Asari Dokubo who reportedly displayed military grade weapons and threaten Igbos is a serious dereliction of duty.

HURIWA most passionately appeal to the European Union and the other copied world leaders, to urgently bring pressure to bear on Nigerias President to order immediate arrest, investigation and prosecution ofAsari-Dokubo. This is the only way to bring about peace and tranquility in the South East and Nigeria as a whole.
By Joshua Chibuzo Andrew, Owerri

Ex Imo PDP Spokesperson, Collins Opurozor has owned -up for his former party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo state and some other opposition parties of hitting up the polity and fueling insecurity in the state.

In a world press conference held on Wednesday in Owerri, the Imo state capital, the Convener of the group, Collins Opuruzor, said that insecurity in the state is largely sponsored by foremost opposition elements(PDP) in the state who also are the ones to shout to high heavens to fuel unfounded speculations.

Opuruzor, who was the immediate-past Publicity Secretary of the Imo PDP cited the recent brutal attack at the PDP state Secretariat on June 10, where some members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party including himself almost lost their lives, as a glaring evidence of those who are behind insecurity in Imo state.

According to him, the PDP governorship candidate Senator Samuel Anyanwu sponsored thugs who invaded the party office to kill any member of the State Working Committee on sight. That evil act, he said was what prompted seven key members of the SWC including himself to leave for the ruling APC where, he said their safety was guaranteed.

The former PDP Spokesman further accused the representative of Ideato-North/Ideato-South federal constituency, Ikenga Ugochinyere Imo, of inciting the people of Imo with unguarded comments targeted at twisting the narrative and disparaging the state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma as its government.

Ikengas latest outburst on Uzodinma, according to him, has created mass resentment both in Ideato nation and Imo state at large against the combative style of representation which he had adopted.

Listen to him, It is very unfortunate that desperate political actors within the mainstream opposition in the State now wish to ruthlessly swim through the blood of innocent Imo citizens in their voyage to the shores of power.

While these opposition elements sponsor and actively participate in stoking the fires of insecurity in the State, they further willfully sabotage the efforts of security agencies in combating crime and keeping Imo people safe. A peaceful Imo does not satisfy their unbridled lust for power! So, mischievously, they scream to the high heavens about the Governments determination to keep the wolf of insecurity far away from Imo State.

In some instances, they even accuse the Government of masterminding insecurity. Their voices are loudest, and their anger undisguised, whenever any major breakthrough is recorded. What else could be more insane!

It is necessary to take you back to the origin of this wicked agenda to capture power in Imo through violence, bloodshed and anarchy. This is because most persons who tend to discuss the security issue in Imo State almost always divorce the issue from its history. They often end up with the blunder of ahistoricity.

Recall that after some opposition leaders had been caught pants down on tape threatening to make Imo State ungovernable, on the 5th of April, 2021, barely one year after the incumbent administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma came into office, armed bandits struck at the Imo State Correctional Center in Owerri, and freed no fewer than 1,844 prison inmates.

This number of inmates unleashed on the innocent residents of Imo State is larger than the entire military size of Gambia, Barbados and Mauritius. It was a declaration of war against the State, preparatory to a violent takeover of the reins of authority by a desperate coterie within the opposition.

Shortly afterwards, abductions, arson and killings became daily facts of life in Imo State. Owerri was invaded and violently attacked almost every other day. But before the end of the last quarter of 2022, the State Government, working with security agencies, had effectively addressed the situation, reclaimed Imo territory and resettled those who had fled their homes because of the unfortunate situation. God did not allow the machinations of the forces of darkness to prevail over Imo State.

As the leading civil society group in Imo State, what we now find extremely disturbing is that, as the November 11th Governorship Election in the State approaches, these anti-Imo elements in the opposition PDP have once again commenced their onslaughts against the State. They create uproar in the East, and strike in the West, and ask Imo people to blame the Government. But the people have come to realize that when the witch cries at night and the baby dies in the morning, it is unnecessary to ask who killed the baby.

They have even criticized the Governor for visiting Lagos to make peace between our own brothers in Lagos and the Government and people of that State! This is an initiative which Ndigbo all over the world have applauded, yet the unrepentant enemies of peace in Imo State still consider it a taboo. This is mind-boggling. In short, they have vowed that until and unless they are allowed to impose themselves on the State, Imo shall never be safe again. This is their article of faith and campaign mantra.

We call on you, gentlemen of the press, to seek to establish why the Party and their Governorship Candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, decided never to let the police know about the attack, thereby forcing some SWC members to dump the Party.

This alone will ultimately explain the most active force behind the insecurity in the State. We consequently urge the Inspector General of Police and Director General of the State Security Service to beam their searchlights on the activities of the PDP in the State, and immediately move into action to investigate and prosecute those behind that horrifying attack. It will open a can of worms!

For us as a civil society group, it is alarming, and provocative too, that a member of this same PDP in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, would turn around to accuse the Governor of the State of fuelling insecurity in Imo. Within twenty-four hours, the Ideato-born lawmaker addressed a press conference, issued another press statement and made two television appearances, all targeted at twisting the narrative and disparaging the Governor of the State.

Is it not curious that Ikenga would accuse the Governor of perpetrating electoral fraud using Ebubeagu security agents, yet he could not tell his audience how he, a self-confessed critic of the Uzodinma administration, won his own election even while he was in Abuja without a single member of the Ebubeagu outfit seen nor any gunshot fired in the entire Ideato Federal Constituency on Election Day?

Everyone in Imo State is aware that, more than anyone else, Governor Hope Uzodimma has personally been a direct victim of insecurity in the State when it lasted. His house in Omuma was attacked, houses of his close associates and Party members were razed, the country home of the deceased President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was bombed, and APC members were targeted and killed, and some even gruesomely beheaded. How does Ikenga explain this?

Is it not shocking that Ikenga, by his own admission, would decline to participate in a pan-Igbo meeting in Abuja convened by Ohanaeze Ndigbo which was aimed at permanently resolving the security situation in the region? How could he then turn around to accuse Governor Uzodinma, who provided the lofty initiative, leadership and resources for such patriotic engagement, of not showing commitment to resolving the issue?

He needs to be reminded that part of his mandate as a parliamentarian is not to fight personal battles, settle age-long scores and make new enemies for Ideato people, which will certainly hamper the progress of the land. Ikenga made a lot of promises to his constituents before he was elected, including that he would restructure Nigeria. Time is ticking very fast, and the impression which most enlightened people within Ideato get from his renewed unprovoked attacks on Governor Uzodinma is that he is already looking excuses not to come home and hold constituency briefings to render account for his representation.

The lawmaker has refused to respond to a very weighty statement credited to a civil society organization called Citizens Center for Democracy Awareness (CCDA) since May 25th, 2023, in which he was described as a strong sympathizer and supporter of the non-state actors that create insecurity and enforce sit-at-home in the Southeast, he has instead chosen to unsheathe his sword and go after Governor Uzodinma, who has effectively tamed the menace of insecurity in Imo, rekindled confidence in the people and restored the integrity of the institutions of state.

We are aware that Ikengas latest outbursts have created mass resentment in Ideato against the combative style of representation which he has adopted. Also, we have credible intelligence that prominent individuals and groups have started to mass together in Ideato to kickstart the process of his recall from the House of Representatives.

While we urge Ideato people to remain peaceful, law-abiding and to refrain from taking steps capable of undermining the hard-earned peace in the State, we call on security agencies to quickly take appropriate steps to defuse the tension which has trailed Ikengas comments by inviting him to make necessary clarifications about his incendiary claims against Governor Hope Uzodinma.

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President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate seeking the approval of the sum of N500 billion for palliatives to cushion the effect of the recent fuel subsidy removal on poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

This is coming barely 24 hours after a similar request of the president was read on the floor of the House of Representatives by the speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.

The request was contained in a letter to the Senate and was read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during plenary on Thursday. July 13, 2023.

What the president is saying

The letter which is titled Request for the amendment of the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act, reads, I write to request the approval of the Senate for the amendment of the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act.

The request has become necessary in order to among other things, source the funds necessary to provide palliatives to mitigate the effect of the recent removal of fuel subsidy on Nigerians.

The sum of N500 billion had been extracted from the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act of N819,536,937,815 for the provision of palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

Akpabio thereafter referred the letter to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

What you should know

Recall that President Bola Tinubu during his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, announced that fuel subsidy is gone as there was no provision for that in the 2023 budget from July 1.

The President pledged his administrations support to channel the money to provide basic infrastructural needs to Nigerians.

The action of the president has been backed by some stakeholders and interest groups including state governors, legislators, oil marketers, and economic and financial experts, among several others.

However, this did not go that well with organized labour due to the spike in the pump price of petrol, leading to a declaration of a planned strike action and protest by the NLC and TUC.

The strike was however suspended on the backdrop of the judgment of the Industrial Court which restrained them from going ahead with the strike as well as the outcome of the meeting between the leadership of the organized labour and representatives of the Federal Government.

The Federal Government and organized labour had in June set an 8-week deadline for fuel subsidy removal palliatives.
THE Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the operations of Max Airs Boeing 737 aircraft over safety concerns.

The suspension was conveyed in a letter dated July 12, according to a report.

Specifically, the NCAA suspended Parts A3 (Aircraft Authorisation) and D43 (Aircraft Listing) of the Operations Specifications issued to Max Air Limited regarding the operations of the Boeing B737 aircraft.

Citing a series of incidents that raised safety concerns, the NCAA directed the airline to immediately suspend the operations of all Boeing B737 aircraft in its fleet.

Some of the incidents cited by the NCAA include the Loss of Number 1 Main Landing Gear (MLG) wheel during the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registration marks 5N-MBD, which occurred between Take-off at Yola Airport Adamawa State and on landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja Nigeria on 7th May 2023.

The aviation regulator also cited Fuel Contamination of the main fuel tanks of aircraft B737-300, Registration Marks; 5N-MHM, leading to the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) shutdown on ground Yola Airport on the 7th of July, 2023.

It also raised concern over the aborted take-off of Max Air Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registration marks 5N-MBD, which occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) due to high Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) indication on July 11, 2023.

There was also the incident of an air return by aircraft B737-300, Registration Marks; 5N-MHM, to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) due to duct overheat indication in the cockpit on the July 11, 2023.

The Authority has constituted a team of inspectors to conduct an audit of your organisation. The result of this audit must be found satisfactory by the Authority prior to considering the restoration of the privileges of the Operations Specifications to your organisation to further operate the aircraft type, the NCAA said in the letter addressed to Max Air.

The ICIR, on July 10, reported that Max Air was one of the two airlines that accounted for the highest number of domestic flight delays between January and March 2023.

The Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria (AIB-N), had in three separate reports flagged Max Air for serious incidents, The ICIR reported.

Reacting to the suspension on Thursday, July 13, the Executive Director of Max Air, Shehu Wada, said the airline was working to resolve the issues.

The fact is that there was the issue of adulterated fuel which we also noted. It was noticed by our maintenance. We now decided to give ourselves a two-day break to be able to audit ourselves, which the NCAA got the wind of.

That is the true story. So safety is our number one priority, and we are looking at it. Nobody will joke with the life of anybody, Wada said in a statement.




Shimon Hayut

A 28-year-old Israeli yahoo boy, Shimon Hayut, has been arrested in Greece for scamming hundred of women of thousands of dollars after posing as the son of a billionaire.

He is reported to have conned unsuspecting women he met on Tinder by posing as the son of Simon Leviev, the son of billionaire diamond merchant Lev Leviev.

He was arrested in Greece following a joint operation between Interpol and Israeli police.

Israeli authorities have requested his extradition to his home country, where he has been wanted on charges of theft, forgery and fraud since 2011.

He is also under investigation for fraud in the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany.

One of his victims, Cecile Fjellhoy, 29, from Lillestrom in Norway, says Hayut convinced her he was wealthy when they met in London. She said he overwhelmed her with his lavish spending on private jets, hotels, dinners and on staff including a bodyguard.

Unknown to her, he was only setting her up for a huge scam.

She was so taken in by his act she readily agreed when he asked her for a credit card  claiming he could not afford to leave a digital trail because of security issues.

Fjellhoy claims that she filled out documents for an American Express platinum card according to his instructions and he told her to file an income of 200,000.

She took out huge loans for the card and claims Hayut was soon living large at her expense.

Fjellhoy was captured on video sobbing uncontrollably while narrating her ordeal
Senator Shehu Sani

The Senator who represented Kaduna Central at the Eighth Senate has challenged anyone who believes in Nigerias current ranking on the ease of doing business to visit the country to actually do so.

The Presidency had announced on Thursday that Nigeria had moved up 15 spots on the global Ease of Doing Business index released by the World Bank.

The Doing Business Index is an annual ranking that objectively assesses prevailing business climate conditions across 190 countries based on 10 ease of doing business indicators.

The ranking captures ease of doing business reforms that have been validated by the private sector and offers comparative insights based on private sector validation in the two largest commercial cities in countries with a population higher than 100 million.

Lagos and Kano states were profiled.

In the new ranking, Nigeria is now ranked 131 out of 190 countries, compared to its 146th place last year.

The World Bank Report also revealed that Nigeria is now one of the top 10 most improved economies in the world for the second time in three years.

Nigeria is one of only two African countries to be thus ranked.

Pooh-poohing the rating, Sani took to his verified Twitter handle @ShehuSani on Thursday, saying;
Celebrity couple, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian reportedly want to reignite the spark in their romance so desperately they turned to a love doctor to help them save their troubled marriage.

The couple who share four children reportedly began to grow apart in the wake of Kanye Wests religious awakening and the birth of their fourth child via surrogate in May 2019.

According to Radar Online, the 42-year-old rapper and his 39-year-old wife had to turn to a love therapist in a bid to save their failing marriage by focusing on their problems in the bedroom

A source who disclosed this to Radar Online, said things appear to be getting better since the couple started counselling.

They have therapy sessions at least once a week where they each vent about their frustrations to an expert, who gives tips about how to open up and communicate better. The therapist is giving them suggestions to put the sizzle back in their sex life, They tried counseling a couple of years ago, and it essentially saved their marriage. Theyre hoping lightning can strike twice, the insider added.

The source claimed Kim Kardashian was allegedly not happy with her really strange marriage to her outspoken husband.

Kanye is going through a really tough time right now. It is really hard for Kim to deal with. She is stressed dealing with his mood swings and manic episodes, the insider said of how Kim struggles with her husbands ongoing battle with his mental health.

The source noted Kim hired a team of therapists to be on call 24/7 for when her troubled husband went on tour.

Kanye will be watched, even if he doesnt know about it, one source had noted. He says hes fine and doesnt need help but Kims nervous so shes making sure hes under a watchful eye  or 5, the source said.

Kim and Kanye married in 2014 and share daughters North, 6, and Chicago, 2, as well as sons Saint, 4, and their newest 8-month-old baby Psalm.




Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze

Nigerian Actor, Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki) has celebrated his long time friend/colleague Osita Iheme (Pawpaw) as he turns 38 today.

The duo became quite popular because of their penchant to feature together in Nollywood comic films.

Chinedu in his post, noted that theyve come a long way and was super-excited for their growth so far.

Sharing the photo above, he wrote; Weve come a long way. ? Happy birthday to my buddy #osita! ?? Walk and never stumble, brotherly

See his post below:




File photo

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, on Thursday, handed a 55-year-old man, Bashiru Adeyanju 14 years prison sentence.

It was gathered that the man had attempted to rape of his daughter.

Justice Monisola Abodunde sentenced the convict without an option of fine.

The court, which found Adeyanju guilty of the offence based on his confessional statement and the accounts of witnesses called during the trial, however, discharged him of the offence of serial rape.

The judge said the three years that the convict had already spent in prison during the trial should be subtracted from the jail term.

The prosecution counsel, Mr Wale Fapohunda, had during the trial said that the convict committed the offences on September 10, 2017, at No. 30, Irona Street, Ado-Ekiti.

Fapohunda, who is the states Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, had said that Adeyanju on the said date, unlawfully attempted to have sexual intercourse with his 17-year-old daughter.

He explained that Adeyanju, whose wife left him when the victim was 10 years old, confessed that he always beat the victim whenever she refused to have sexual intercourse with him.




This is a round-up of some-breaking news in Nigeria, Today, Sunday, 19th, April 2020.

Finally, Buhari Breaks Silence On His Chief Of Staff, Abba Kyaris Death

President Muhammadu Buhari has finally reacted to the death of his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari.

Buhari who accepted the death as an inevitable will of God, made his thoughts known in a media chat by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

Read more details here

Jonathan Reacts To The Death Of Abba Kyari

Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to the death of Mallam Abba Kyari who until his passing away, was the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Jonathan while consoling with the government of Nigeria and the family of the deceased, prayed God to strengthen them to bear the loss.

Read more details here

COVID-19: Four Coronavirus Patients Discharged In Lagos

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has revealed that four coronavirus (COVID-19) patients have been discharged after recovering from the virus.

The governor made this known in a post on his verified Twitter page on Saturday.

Read more details here

Abba Kyaris Death A Win-Win, Nigeria Is Free  Gandujes Commissioner, Muazu

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Kano State, Muazu Magaji, has reacted to the death of the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari.

The Kano State Commissioner while reacting to the death of Kyari noted that Nigeria is now free.

Read more details here

Tinubu Mourns Abba Kyaris Death

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has sent his profound condolence to the family of the late Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.

Speaking earlier today, Tinubu expressed sadness over the death of Abba Kyari, President Muhammadu Buharis Chief of Staff.

Read more details here

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BLOOMINGTON  A Bloomington man faces up to 60 years in prison after entering a guilty plea Thursday in a McLean County sexual assault case.

Ryan S. Godsil, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of predatory criminal sexual assault of a minor under 13 years old (Class X felony).

Godsil was previously charged with three additional counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a minor under 13 years old, but the charges were dismissed by the state.

Assistant State's Attorney Mary Lawson said the offense occurred Nov. 6, 2021, and sometime between Nov. 7 and Dec. 1, 2021.

Officers from the Normal Police Department were dispatched to Godsil's residence Dec. 8, 2021, and a warrant for his arrest was issued Dec. 16, when a judge found probable cause, Lawson said.

Godsil entered an open plea to the charge and Judge Jason Chambers will decide his sentence.

The charge is eligible for mandatory supervised release of at least three years or up to life after he serves 85% of his prison sentence. He faces a minimum of six or a maximum 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

He also is ordered not to have contact with any person under 18 years old and to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

His sentencing hearing is set for Oct. 10 at 2:30 p.m.

Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph Bryant Lewis Derek Roesch Justin M. Mata Marcus D. Wesley Phillip Tinch Trisha L. Hanke William B. Givens David L. Oliver Kenneth E. Funk Jordan R. King Holly M. Isaacson Kenneth L. Minton Tony L. Jackson Britley L. Hilger Jasmine L. Smith Jackie S. Claypool Noah R. Demuth Brandon L. Parsano Alexander N. Williams Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano Jaylin S. Bones Jordan R. King Dominique M. Banks Austin T. Daugherty Sandra M. Lewis Samantha E. Morris Nolan C. Love Nikkita L. Sandefur Katlin M.B. Wilson Eli C. Garozzo Tysean T. Townsend Curtis J. Byrd Noral K. Nelson Charles J. Tankson Davis, Micah S Livingston, Joshua D. Kevin L. Ewen Emmanuel K. Mpay Ahmad S. Manns Dylan R Mann Tony L. Jackson William R. Linden Zadek U. Moen Zachary T. Willis Cecily M. Sexton Tonisha A. Jackson James A. McConnaughay Jessica M. Longberry Barry D. Guyton Keon E. Spiller Melina Aguilar Carlos D. Cregan Wayne M. Damron Terrance L. Ford Stanley M. Miller Darryl R. Vinson Jarvis K. Heads Wesley M. Noonan Brad Carter Brian K. Burnett Kenneth D. Downey Kenyon J. Bones
Hong Kong: CE commends rescue team

Chief Executive John Lee today presented the recipients of the inaugural Chief Executives Award for Exemplary Performance, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions search and rescue team, with certificates of commendation.



Officiating at a presentation ceremony, Mr Lee said the award had been created to motivate civil servants to strive for continuous improvement.



He said: I encourage the civil service to take the exemplary performance of the search and rescue team as a role model and to strive for excellence in their work, so as to bring into full play the spirit of teamwork and courageous commitment of the civil service, to take a result-oriented approach, and to safeguard public safety and health so that the public can live with greater safety, peace of mind and happiness.



In February, the 59-strong team was deployed to carry out search and rescue operations in earthquake-stricken areas of Turkey and rescued four survivors during an operation that lasted for 216 hours.



Mr Lee commended the team for demonstrating perseverance, unparalleled courage, professional competence, co-operation and solidarity, qualities that he said exemplified the excellence the Government strives to promote.



Nominations for the award commenced in March, with the Civil Service Bureau inviting all bureaus to nominate outstanding teams or colleagues for the honour. More than 20 nominations were received.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Philippines makes high-profile hype over illegal S.China Sea arbitration ruling attempting to recapture the US' hegemony in region: experts

Global Times) 10:53, July 13, 2023

US, South China Sea Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

Hyping again the illegal and invalid South China Sea arbitration on the occasion of its seventh anniversary, the Philippines on Wednesday made a high-profile declaration that the ruling has become "a beacon whose guiding light serves all nations," backed by support from the US and its allies in an attempt to recapture the US' hegemony in the region and increase China's diplomatic costs in handling the issue, experts said.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo described the country's move as taking "the path of principle, the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes," Filipino media ABS-CBN News reported.

He said he hoped it would continue to serve as an inspiration for other countries involved in similar disputes, and that the ruling "stands as a beacon whose guiding light serves all nations."

The wording of this year's anniversary is strikingly different from previous years, experts said, as it showed the Philippines is growing tougher in its stance. It has for the first time described it as a "beacon" of international law practice, trying to put itself on the moral high ground and extend the issue from a legal one to a political one.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin slammed the statement by the Philippines side at Wednesday's press briefing, reiterating that China does not accept nor recognize the South China Sea Arbitration, nor accept any claim or act based on it, as the arbitration violated the principle of state consent and exercised its jurisdiction ultra vires and rendered an award in disregard of law.

The South China Sea Arbitration has been widely questioned by the international community. Many authoritative legal experts and scholars, including those from the Philippines, have openly pointed out the illegality and errors of the ruling, the spokesperson said, noting that China's position has received extensive support and understanding from over 100 countries.

The US and its allies including Canada, Japan and the EU, have chimed in to amplify the noise made by the Philippines.

We continue to urge Beijing to comport its maritime claims with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which was adopted in 1982, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Experts said the hype, which emerges every year around the anniversary of the ruling, is mostly just a reiteration of old arguments without theoretical foundations of international law or persuasive arguments.

They noted that the purpose of the US is to vigorously promote the formation of an international order alliance by utilizing its dominant position in the international system, with the South China Sea Arbitration as a key focal point.

The US aims to increase China's costs in safeguarding its rights in the South China Sea, including building defense facilities there, Chen Xiangmiao, director of the world navy research center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The Chinese Embassy in Canada on Tuesday expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition to Canada's statement on the South China Sea Arbitration, which made unfounded criticisms of China's legitimate and lawful position on maritime issues and tarnishes China's maritime law enforcement activities.

Refuting the Canadian statement which said China's coercive behavior in the East and South China Seas is dangerous, the Embassy said it is the US who frequently sends warships and aircraft to the South China Sea to flex its muscles and pressure other countries to take sides on maritime issues.

Chen warned that the US and its allies are trying to solidifying the ruling by carrying out maritime activities such as holding military drills in the South China Sea.

What's more, many expressions in the statements issued by the US and its allies have extended beyond the scope of the arbitration content, experts pointed out. For example, Canada's statement mentioned the East China Sea, Chen noted.

The US managed to expand access to four additional military bases in the Philippines in Aprilto boost its military flexibility in possible war scenarios with China. Three of the sites are in the northern Philippines, including a naval base at Cagayan's Santa Ana, which is only about 400 kilometers from China's island of Taiwan. Another is on Balabac Island near the South China Sea, according to media reports.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region.

100 years ago

July 13, 1923: An electrician died at Chanute Field in Urbana, witnesses said, after he noticed a suspended wire, remarked "Wonder if it's hot?" and touched it. He received a shock of roughly 2,300 volts of electricity and died at the scene before a pulmotor sent by the Urbana Fire Department could reach him.

75 years ago

July 13, 1948: Mrs. E.D. Lewis and daughters Veronica Ann, 3 1/2 years old, and Mary Teresa, who will be 2 on Aug. 15, left the Ford County village of Roberts on Saturday by train for San Francisco. They will sail from there on July 16 for Okinawa, where her husband, S. Sgt. E.D. Lewis, is stationed with the Army Air Forces. Veronica Ann has been in 37 of the 48 states and will add three more on her way; Mary Teresa has been in 31 states.

50 years ago

July 13, 1973: The newly formed McLean County Sailing Club will hold its first regatta this weekend at Evergreen Lake. The club was founded on June 25, 1973, to encourage the sport and sponsor regattas on Lake Bloomington and Evergreen Lake.

25 years ago

July 13, 1998: Nearly 55 years ago, the 141st Field Artillery battalion toured European battlefields during World War II; last month, they toured Beer Nuts, Pontiac's Caterpillar plant and the Old Courthouse Museum in downtown Bloomington. For the past 17 years, some of the battalion's surviving members have gathered annually to reminisce. This year's hosts were veteran Wib Henkel and his wife Idelle of Flanagan.

101 years ago: See vintage Pantagraph ads from 1922 Gerthart's Union Gas and Electric Co. Hoover Dr. J.A. Moore Dentists Moberly & Klenner W.P. Garretson W.H. Roland Pease's Candy Thor 32 Electric Washing Machine The Kaiser's Story of the War Ike Livingston & Sons Gossard Corsets Cat'n Fiddle 'Stolen Moments' Case Model X The Johnson Transfer & Fuel Co. The Pantagraph want ads Franklin Motor Car Co. 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' Calumet Baking Powder Mayer Livingston & Co. Newsmarket 'The Emperor Jones' 'California Fig Syrup'
EUREKA  The Wall That Heals has arrived in Eureka.

The three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and accompanying education center are set to be open 24 hours a day Thursday through Sunday at Maple Lawn Homes, a 102-cottage retirement community spread over 60 acres at 221 S. Clinton Drive on the north side of the city.

This is the first time the wall has been in Woodford County since it debuted in 1996 and it's the only stop for the wall in Illinois this year.

Mary Hinrichsen, president of American Legion Post 466 Auxiliary in Eureka and the wife of a Vietnam War veteran, spearheaded the two-year effort to bring the wall to town.

After gathering pledges of monetary and in-kind support from individuals, businesses and the city of Eureka, she applied for a visit in May 2022 and learned in October that Eureka was approved.

"Our Vietnam War veterans are getting older. Many won't be able to see the memorial in Washington. So we're glad to bring it to them," said Hinrichsen, who returned last week from the 40th annual Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association reunion in San Antonio, Texas, which she attended with her husband.

Dozens of volunteers will contribute their time as Eureka hosts the wall, serving in four-hour shifts.

Some of the volunteers plan to work during the overnight hours. Eureka Mayor Eric Lind said the city's police department will provide security at the wall during that time.

"We've been told to expect many visitors between midnight and 4 a.m., when it's dark and quiet," he said. "It's a good time to cry and grieve in peace.

"It's a honor to have the wall in Eureka. I look forward to welcoming all who visit to learn, remember and heal."

The wall was brought to Eureka from Fairbury on Tuesday by motorcycle escort along westbound U.S. Route 24 and northbound Illinois Route 117. The escort was led by ride captain Mike Ackley, Goodfield State Bank vice president.

An opening ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Thursday with a C-130 flyover at noon.

A closing ceremony is planned for 1:45 p.m. Sunday.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial honors the more than 3 million Americans who served in the U.S. armed forces in the Vietnam War, and bears the names of the 58,281 American men and women who died fighting.

The replica wall is 375 feet long and 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Names on the wall are engraved so family and friends can trace the names of service members.

The wall is transported from community to community in a 53-foot trailer.

When parked, the trailer has sides that open into an education center that tells the story of the Vietnam War, the wall and one of the most divisive eras in American history.

The education center also includes digital photo displays of "Hometown Heroes," service members from the area being visited whose names are on the wall, and "In Memory," digital photo displays of area veterans who returned home from the war and later died.

The wall is a project of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, a not-for-profit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Two fund staff members will lead the volunteers at the Eureka site, educate visitors and ensure the reflective atmosphere.

The wall has been to more than 700 U.S. communities, Canada and Ireland. It's the only replica affiliated with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and it is the largest replica.

The wall's 2023 national tour is sponsored by USAA, which offers financial products and services exclusively for the military community. A partnership with the Truckload Carriers Association, trucking industry, and Blue Beacon Truck Wash paves the way for the wall to travel throughout the country.

For more information about the wall's Eureka visit and to learn about volunteer opportunities, go to thewallthatheals-eureka.com. The website also has a list of visit sponsors.

James Hinrichsen, Mary Hinrichsen's husband, enlisted in the Army on Sept. 27, 1966, shortly after he was drafted. Less than four years later, in April 1970, he was in Vietnam piloting Cobra helicopters.

His tour ended in April 1971 and he went to Fort Riley in Kansas. After leaving active duty in May 1972, he joined the reserves and retired as a lieutenant colonel in October 1995.
SPRINGFIELD  U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, leads former gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey by six points in the Republican race for the 12th Congressional District, according to a poll released Wednesday.

The poll, conducted by Cor Strategies, an Illinois-based center-right political firm, found Bost with 43% and Bailey with 37%. About 20% were undecided. There were 661 people polled and the margin of error was 3.8%.

We just released the first poll for the IL-12 Republican primary race between Mike Bost and Darren Bailey on Live from the Lincoln Desk which shows Bost holding an early 6-point lead over Bailey (43%-37%). Watch the full release on YouTube here: https://t.co/rJ9VX2yE6C pic.twitter.com/sSWnJRlgrU  Cor Strategies (@CorStrategies) July 12, 2023

The results offer a first glimpse at the state of the race since Bailey announced his primary challenge of the five-term incumbent last week.

Collin Corbett, the polling firm's founder, said the results suggested "a much different race than what you saw with Rodney Davis and Mary Miller" last year in Illinois 15th Congressional District.

In that contest, Miller defeated Davis 58% to 42%. The former started with a lead, but Miller surged ahead with a boost from former President Donald Trump.

"In that race, Rodney started off with a huge lead and Mary just kept chipping away day after day, week after week until the very end when Trump came in, they were able to put it away and defeat Rodney in that primary," Corbett said. "This will not be that type of race. This is going to be a neck-and-neck race, this will be a dogfight all the way through Election Day."

The poll was not commissioned by either campaign, the firm confirmed.

It also found Trump leading the GOP presidential field in the district with 53%, followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 16% and former Vice President Mike Pence at 9%. All other candidates were in the low single digits.

Bost campaign manager Myles Nelson said the result proves "that Republican voters are happy with the job Mike Bost is doing."

"At a time when no one can agree on anything, only 8% disapprove of the job he's doing in Congress," Nelson said. "Mike also holds an outside the margin of error lead against a candidate who JB Pritzker spent $30 million supporting in an effort to convince Illinois Republicans to vote for him just last year. We're happy with where we're at and know we will have the resources to continue building our support moving forward.

Bailey's campaign did not immediately return a request for comment.

Bost was first elected to the Southern Illinois congressional seat in 2014 after serving for two decades in the Illinois House. His most serious challenge until now came in 2018, when he defeated Democrat Brendan Kelly by about seven percentage points in the general election.

The district has changed significantly since, with Springfield Democrats redrawing it during the last redistricting process to remove more liberal pockets of the Metro East region while adding vast swaths of conservative southeastern Illinois.

Under the old district lines, Trump carried the district with 56% of the vote in 2020. Under the current lines, Trump would have received 70% of the vote.

An added consequence of this is the inclusion of most of Bailey's former state Senate district into the new congressional district.

The poll results bear out this geographic split. Bost leads by 30 percentage points in the Metro East region near St. Louis and by 26 points in the deep Southern Illinois region known as Little Egypt.

Bailey, on the other hand, leads by 27 percentage points in the Wabash Valley in southeastern Illinois and by 11 points in Central Illinois.

Other data points in the poll showed positives for both candidates.

Bailey actually has higher name recognition in the district than Bost. Though typically unusual for a challenger to be more well-known than the incumbent, it makes sense in this context given that Bailey was the Republican nominee for governor in 2022.

Bailey was viewed favorably by 55% and unfavorably by 14% of those polled. Bost was viewed favorably by 54% and unfavorably by 8%.

Though it is not ideal for an incumbent to register under 50% in a head-to-head matchup, Corbett said Bost's lower name recognition means he has more room to grow than Bailey does.

This could be aided by the more than $1 million cash Bost has on hand plus promised support from the National Republican Congressional Committee. Bailey only opened his federal campaign account at the start of the month.

Another factor is a possible Trump endorsement. About 31% of respondents said they would vote for the candidate endorsed by the former president, 8% would vote against and 52% said it would have no impact.

Doing some back-of-the-napkin math, Corbett said, they determined that a Trump endorsement could move support up to 10 points either way.

If Trump endorses Bost, it might put the race out reach for Bailey given the incumbent's structural advantages. And while a Trump endorsement of Bailey wouldn't necessarily seal the deal for the challenger, it would give the challenger's campaign something to run on.

"A Trump endorsement gives you something to talk about," Corbett said. "And that's the gift here for the Bailey campaign. It isn't necessarily the fact that it gives you the bump in the polls. It's that now for nine months, you can just say the name Donald Trump over and over and over again, and now you actually have something to campaign on."

Bailey is running a campaign as an outsider. He will try to portray Bost as a swamp creature who has been in Washington too long. There is very little if any distinction that can be made between the two on policy.

There is no indication the former president intends to get involved in the race anytime soon.

Polls are a snapshot in time. The election is still eight months away and much can change. Still, the poll result forebodes a contentious, potentially expensive GOP primary battle once again in downstate Illinois.

Election advantages due to district mapping
OmniBSIC Bank has successfully relocated its Madina Market branch to a more accessible and convenient location at the prestigious Atlantic Mall, Atomic Junction. This strategic move aligns with the Banks commitment to continue providing exceptional banking experience for its cherished customers.



With our team of dedicated professionals, customers are assured of top-notch customer service, ensuring that every interaction is efficient, user-friendly and convenient at all times.



During the opening of the branch, the Accra North Zonal Head of the Bank, Nana Akosua Akyaa Bediako expressed her excitement for the branch relocation, emphasizing the bank's commitment to enhancing convenience and accessibility for its valued customers.



She stated, "We are excited about this move. The new location offers a better ambiance, customer experience, easier accessibility, a spacious parking area and these attributes really underscore our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our valued customers".



Chidinma Braye-Yankee, the Group Head for Corporate Communications, Service Quality, and E-Banking, also addressed the staff of the branch, encouraging them to uphold the OmniBSIC brand promise of superior service delivery. She noted that, "We are not only reinforcing our brand identity with this relocation but it is also a statement to reassure customers that they will consistently receive the exceptional service that the OmniBSIC brand is known for.



Rev. Dr. Joshua Ofori, Senior Pastor of Resthouse Church, graced the occasion of the launch and led the Staff and Management to officially open the new branch for business.



The relocation of the Madina Market branch exemplifies the Banks dedication to providing outstanding service to its customers. The bank strives to continuously innovate and improve in order to guarantee the utmost convenience and satisfaction for its esteemed clientele.



The OmniBSIC Atomic Mall relocated Branch is open for business from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8am and 5pm.









OmniBSIC Bank



OmniBSIC Bank is a fully-fledged universal bank that traces its roots to a merger between the erstwhile OmniBank and Sahel Sahara Bank. The merger was spurned by the banking sector consolidation programme introduced by the Bank of Ghana (BOG) in 2017, through a number of directives including the increment of the minimum capital requirement almost fourfold.



The union between the banks is one of the most successful mergers in the financial services industry. It can be described as synergistic since both banks shared similarities in business models, values, and customer experience and were both committed to offering exceptional customer service in Ghana's banking industry.



This milestone was achieved through the collaborative effort of shareholders, directors, management, and the staff who showed a willingness to embrace change to become bigger and better in the Banking industry.



OmniBSIC has reinforced its corporate governance structures and invested in its infrastructure to align with BOG's Corporate Governance and other regulatory directives. The Bank is dedicated to maintaining the highest level of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all operations, thereby creating a reliable framework for clients to conduct their banking activities with us.



With our headquarters at Atlantic Tower, Airport City, and an extensive Branch network of 40 across Ghana, OmniBSIC provides a complete range of products, services, and digital offerings tailored to the needs of our Corporate, SME, and individual customers while supporting the communities in which we operate.



In our commitment to creating excellent banking experiences for our customers every day, the Bank continues to invest in technology and employee development. All staff are thus carefully selected and developed through comprehensive training programmes.

Source: Peacefmonline com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The scorching sun beat down mercilessly as I stood at my elder sister's graveside, surrounded by a sombre atmosphere that mirrored the heaviness in my heart. A deep sadness engulfed me as I reflected on the painful journey that had led us to this point. My sister, a vibrant and strong-willed woman, had succumbed to the clutches of breast cancer, but her battle had been fraught with misguided choices and missed opportunities for proper medical care.



It all began when my sister first received her diagnosis. The doctor had urged her to undergo hospital treatment, stressing the importance of early intervention and the potential for a successful recovery. However, my sister, deeply rooted in her religious beliefs and traditional African customs, chose a different path. She turned to the plethora of churches and African medical interventions that promised miraculous healing.



"I have faith in the power of prayer and the traditional remedies handed down through generations," she would say firmly, dismissing the doctor's pleas for modern medical intervention. "I trust that I will be healed, and my ancestors will guide me to the right cure."



Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, as my sister travelled from one religious gathering to another, seeking solace and healing through prayers and rituals. In the meantime, the cancer continued its relentless assault on her body. I watched helplessly as her once vibrant spirit slowly waned, overshadowed by the ravages of the disease.



The turning point came when my sister finally realized the gravity of her condition. She returned home, frail, her body ravaged by pain and suffering. The doctor's prognosis was bleak, offering little hope for a meaningful recovery.

As I stood there by her side, holding her feeble hand, she whispered words that will forever haunt me. "I should have listened," she rasped, her voice filled with regret. "I should have sought proper medical care when there was still time."



The days that followed were agonizing, filled with the stench of decay that permeated our home. My sister's body deteriorated rapidly, leaving us with no choice but to burn plants and incense to minimize the unbearable odour that accompanied her final moments.



In the aftermath of her passing, I found myself grappling with a mix of grief and anger. I mourned the loss of my sister, but I also mourned the missed opportunity for proper medical intervention. It was a painful lesson that left an indelible mark on my soul.



I realized that while faith and traditional remedies have their place in our lives, they should never replace the importance of seeking timely medical care. Cancer is a formidable opponent that requires a multifaceted approach, combining the power of modern medicine with the comfort of faith and the support of our cultural heritage.



Now, as I reflect on my sister's journey, I am committed to raising awareness about the importance of early detection and proper medical care. I advocate for regular screenings and encourage those affected by cancer to seek professional help without delay. It is a cause that has become my life's mission, driven by the painful lesson I learned from my sister's tragic journey.



In the end, the loss of my sister has taught me that cancer care is a battle that requires every tool at our disposal. To honour her memory, I strive to ensure that no one else has to experience the heartache of a preventable loss, reminding others that timely medical intervention is crucial in the fight against this merciless disease.  Ama*, 55.

The narrative above is not dissimilar to what many  medical professionals and families alike  can relate to. The canker that is cancer continues to ravage lives and livelihoods. Cancer, a silent epidemic, continues to cast a dark shadow over Ghana and the limitedness of data ensures that its full extent, in direct and indirect terms, is hard to quantify. We will return to that.



A menace to society



The burden is compounded by entrenched cultural beliefs, and financial constraints, which create a daunting environment for those affected. Already, the country faces a double burden, battling both communicable and non-communicable diseases. This is why the transformative efforts of Trust Hospital's Oncology Services - Trust Cancer Care, and the potential for a brighter future in national, even sub-regional, cancer care, is significant. The menace, however, has been exacerbated by:



Limited Data, Cost and the Double Burden



As has been mentioned, despite being a major public health problem, Ghana's battle against cancer is hindered by a scarcity of comprehensive data. Conservative estimates suggest that in 2020, there were an estimated 24,009 new cases of cancer and 15,802 cancer deaths in the country. The most common cancers in Ghana are breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer and liver cancer. However, increased testing is showing a prevalence of blood-related cancer.



The average cost of cancer care varies depending on the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer, and the location of the treatment. However, cancer care can be very expensive in the country. For example, the cost of a course of chemotherapy can range from US$1,000 to US$5,000, and the cost of a mastectomy can range from US$2,000 to US$5,000.



The high cost of cancer care can be a barrier to treatment for many Ghanaians. A study by the Ghana Cancer Society found that only 20percent of Ghanaians with cancer receive any type of treatment. Furthermore, the absence of a national cancer registry makes it difficult to track the incidence and prevalence of cancer in Ghana and makes it difficult to plan and allocate resources for cancer care.



Also, the limited availability of cancer treatment facilities necessitates long-distance travel for patients, adding to the overall cost of care. Additionally, the high cost of cancer drugs and medical equipment poses a significant barrier to treatment. Compounding the issue is the absence of health insurance coverage for cancer care, resulting in many Ghanaians having to bear the financial burden of their treatment.



The lack of accurate statistics has made it difficult to quantify the magnitude of the problem and develop effective strategies for prevention and treatment. Furthermore, the country faces a double burden as communicable diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS persist alongside the rise of non-communicable diseases like cancer.



Superstition, limited income, and low early detection



Deep-rooted cultural beliefs often lead individuals to resort to alternative, unproven remedies or seek solace in faith-based interventions. These practices, coupled with limited financial resources, hamper early detection efforts and delay proper medical care. Consequently, many cases go undiagnosed until they reach advanced stages, severely limiting the chances of recovery and survivorship.



Shunning free screenings and anonymity



Despite efforts to provide free screenings, many individuals in Ghana are reluctant to participate due to scepticism and fear. The stigma surrounding cancer leads some patients to use pseudonyms, further hindering efforts to accurately track and address the problem. Overcoming this resistance is crucial in improving early detection rates and promoting a culture of proactive healthcare-seeking behaviour.



Enter the Trust Hospital



Pink October and the Birth of Trust Cancer Care:



During Pink October, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about breast cancer, Trust Hospital conducted regular screenings that shed light on the alarming prevalence of the disease. In 2022 alone, the hospital screened 6,000 women and men for breast cancer and the results of this enlightening exercise provided us with enough baseline and paved the way for the introduction of Trust Hospital's Oncology Service - Trust Cancer Care.



Still in its nascent stages, Trust Cancer Care provides:



Comfort, privacy, and changing perceptions:



The Trust Cancer Care unit at the Trust Hospital provides patients with an environment that prioritizes comfort, privacy, and emotional support. This approach has been instrumental in empowering patients to navigate their cancer journey with strength and resilience. As a result, patients are more receptive to seeking treatment at tertiary facilities, which were once considered a "death sentence."



The Trust Hospital has provided comprehensive care and unwavering support at every step of the patient's journey through Case Managers and Clinic psychologists.



Through a collaborative approach with the patients and their caregivers, Trust Hospital develops personalized treatment plans tailored to meet each patient's unique needs, striving for the best possible outcomes. Their innovative approaches specifically target cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissues, reducing side effects, and ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.



The qualified team and well-equipped Premium Centre



Trust Cancer Care boasts a highly qualified team of oncologists, surgeons, and specialized medical professionals dedicated to providing comprehensive care. The Premium Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology, enabling accurate diagnoses, effective treatments, and improved patient outcomes.



Together with a highly skilled team of professionals  oncologists, surgeons, nurses, and support staff  who are passionate about delivering the highest standard of care to patients, there is a range of services and treatment options. These include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and surgical interventions, all supported by evidence-based research and advanced technology.



Driving down costs and partnerships



Recognizing the financial burden associated with cancer care, Trust Hospital is actively engaged in multiple partnerships to drive down costs and make treatment accessible to all. Collaborations with pharmaceutical companies, nonprofits, and government initiatives aim to demystify cancer treatment and improve affordability.



Currently, the centre has partnered with the world's largest biotech company  Roche. The partnership has equipped the Chemotherapy unit at Trust Hospital's Premium Center and has enabled the hospital to provide complete cancer treatment to its patients. Roche's generous contribution underscores the shared belief in the importance of cancer treatment and it is anticipated that other partnerships will be concluded in the near future.



As an added layer, Trust Hospital has also introduced the Cancer Care Academy, an annual three-day learning conference designed to offer healthcare professionals the latest education on cancer care. This was informed by the necessity of educating all health workers, not just clinicians and oncologists, about cancer care management.



The academy aims to provide comprehensive knowledge to nurses, radiologists, pharmacists, lab technicians, and other healthcare professionals. The Cancer Care Academy will be held annually, ensuring continuous education and professional development in the field of cancer care.



This marks only the beginning of a remarkable journey towards attaining comprehensive cancer management in our country. Let us unite, hand in hand, and forge ahead with unwavering determination. Together, we possess the power to achieve this noble mission, touching the lives of countless individuals, one patient at a time.

Source: Dr Juliana Oye Ameh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Trust Hospital









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Ghana has been urged by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) to halt the expulsion of refugees from Burkina Faso.



It said it was concerned by reports that hundreds of Burkinabe citizens - mainly women and children - had been deported from Ghana after fleeing there to escape violence in their homeland.



The UNHCR said it was ready to provide more support to Ghana to address the needs of refugees.



More than two million people in Burkina Faso have been forced from their homes by an Islamist insurgency that is spread across several countries in Africa's Sahel region.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Bantama Central branch of the Christ Apostolic Church International (CACI), has crowned its annual 40-day Fasting and Prayers programme with mass donation exercise to some needy homes in the Ashanti Region.



The items worth GHC80,000.00 were presented to the Kumasi Childrens Home, Remar Rehabilitation Center and the Destitute Infirmary at Bekwai.



They included bottled water, soft drinks, boxes of biscuits, bags of rice, crates of eggs, cooking salt, cartons of milo and milk, bags of sugar, cooking oil, washing detergents, toilet papers, bathing soaps, diapers, play toys for kids, bales of clothes, footwear and television sets.



The Church also presented food items and clothing to its Paga and Navrongo Missions.



Apostle Samuel Amponsah Frimpong, Chairman of the Christ Apostolic Church International, who presented the items to the beneficiary institutions, said there was the frequent need for Christians to reach out to the needy and the marginalised in society.



He said if the Christian exhibited these Christ-like traits, communities would live peacefully with one another, and urged members of the church not to relent in offering help to those who needed it most.



If only one can afford, feeding and clothing the less privileged should be the way to go. This will make those people feel loved and consider themselves as worthy of the society, he said.



Apostle Amponsah Frimpong was hopeful the churchs 40-days long activities will reflect positively in the lives of the congregants and make them live healthy, happier and wealthier.



The Reverend Prince Asare, a Pastor from the CACI Navrongo Missions, speaking to the Ghana News Agency, said the act of the Bantama Assembly was a denotation of true Christians.



The gesture, he explained, would go a long way to impact the church positively, ensuring population growth, total transformation and reformation.



He said in the area of evangelism, most people lack clothes and footwear adding that, the bales of clothes and footwear would help revive peoples participation in the church.



GNA

Source: Gna









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Prominent Ghanaian author Ama Ata Aidoo was mourned by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who expressed profound sadness at her passing during her burial service.



Attended by significant figures from the literary and cultural spheres, the service served as a platform to honor Aidoos remarkable contributions to literature.



President Akufo-Addo delivered an emotional tribute at the burial service, acknowledging the late Aidoos unparalleled talent and describing her as a literary icon whose words resonated with readers around the world.



He praised her groundbreaking works, which showcased her ability to weave captivating narratives that explored complex social issues.



Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that Aidoos literary prowess extended beyond the pages of her books, as she used her voice and pen to champion social justice, womens empowerment, and African identity.



He also eulogized her for her immense contribution to the development of Ghana and the African continent. Aidoo, a renowned feminist and academic, passed away on May 31 at the age of 81 after a short illness.



The President expressed his gratitude for Aidoos dedication to nurturing young talents and praised their friendship over the years.



He stated that Ghanaians and the world would not only miss Aidoo for her literary brilliance but also for her indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to advancing African literature and culture.



The legacy left behind by Ama Ata Aidoo will undoubtedly continue to inspire and shape the world of literature for generations to come.









Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
On Friday, 30th June, 2023, the Deputy Head of Corporate Affairs of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi was presented with a citation and an award at the Third 3rd edition of the CONVERGENCE OF YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS / AWARDS (COYALA, 2023) under the theme, INSPIRING A NEW MINDSET FOR YOUNG POLITICAL AND BUSINESS LEADERS held at the British Council Auditorium, Accra.



The award and citation acknowledges him as the 2023 YOUNG TOURISM ICON OF THE YEAR.



The Deputy Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi was among several others who received awards for their outstanding contribution to putting Ghana and Africa on the global map by projecting the rich Ghanaian and African Culture, Heritage and Resources through Tourism and the media landscape. The citation reads For your committed efforts in promoting tourism in Ghana, dedication to duty and outstanding performance at the Ghana Tourism Authority.



As part of his remarks after receiving the award, Mr. Kusi said On behalf of myself, my institution the Ghana Tourism Authority, my family and team, I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to God Almighty first and secondly to the Organisers for the honour. I am deeply humbled by the award and accept the challenge that it imposes on me to continue exhibiting exemplary leadership and discovery of young talents hinged on nothing else but compassion and people-first. Again he noted that l accept with humility, appreciation and pride this citation and award and dedicate to all who have contributed to my success.



Mr. Kusi is a PR and Marketing Practitioner with vast experience in his field of expertise. As a Pan Africanist, Nationalist and a Cultural Activist, he believes that people of African descent must have common interest and should be unified through culture, traditions and their heritage. He holds two (2) Masters Degrees; one is Master of Arts Degree in Public Relations from the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), now University of Media, Arts and Communications and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing from the Methodist University Ghana. He also holds a Certificate from the School of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.



He was at the GIMPA Law School for one year but did not complete his course of study due to other equally important national assignment. He attended Prempeh College, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.



Mr. Kusi was appointed as the Board Secretary of the Authority from 2010  2014 where he served the Board of Directors diligently, effectively and efficiently. Again, after his tenure of office as the Board Secretary, he was appointed as the Special Assistant to the then Chief Executive of the Authority, Mr. Charles Osei Bonsu. He has served on various Tourism Committees and won several awards.



The annual awards scheme, COYALA is an initiative of WEST AFRICA YOUNG LEADERS SUMMIT with Comrade Barry Ndu Nwaihim as the CEO / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CONVENER to recognize outstanding performance and contribution of personalities both old and young in the academia, corporate world, politics, entrepreneurs, civil society, etc. It is to acknowledge inspiring African personalities that remain committed to serving humanity by doing very well in their respective fields of endeavor and nurturing the young ones in diverse ways.



COYALA, 2023 bought together citizens of different African countries under the same roof to interact, discuss and brainstorm on issues affecting the continent whilst proferring solutions. There were delegates from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Togo, Burkina Faso, etc



Comrade Barry Ndu stated that the selection of the few was based on their works and brands and therefore said, The excellence they have exhibited over time is what we are celebrating today. As a people, we must begin to appreciate and celebrate individuals when they are still alive. Now is the time to leave a legacy of transparency, forthrightness, sincerity and tenacity of purpose, hardwork and diligence in the minds of our young ones who aspire to become great leaders tomorrow. He ended by quoting Jomo Kenyata, Our children may learn about the heroes of the past. Our task is to make ourselves architects of the future. He therefore took the opportunity to advice and urge young leaders in every sector of society to be a true reflection of focus, integrity, honor and self discipline.



All award receipients, by virtue of their commitment to serve humanity, were inducted into the AFRICAN LEADERS HALL OF GREAT ACHIEVERS







COYALA 2023 AWARD RECEIPIENTLIST



1. Hon. Betty Nana Efua Krosbi Mensah  Member of Parliament, Afram Plains North Constituency





2. Dr. Leticia Adelaide Appiah  Executive Director, National Population Council





3. Dr. Hassan Ayariga  Founder, All Peoples Congress, APC





4. H. E. Alieu M. Massaquoi, Ph.D  Charge DAffaires, Liberian Embassy, Ghana





5. HRM Eze Dr. Amb. Chukwudi Ihenetu  King of IGBOS IN Ghana





6. Hon. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo  Member of Parliament, Shai Osudoku Constituency





7. Sen. Ireti Heebah Kingibe  Senator representing FCT National Assembly, ABUJA





8. Chief Prince Alao Taofik  CEO, Bizzy Express Delivery Service





9. Chief Emma Nnokwute  CEO, Prince Chi Ghana Ltd.





10. Roselyn Felli  Media Personality, Joy Prime (Multimedia Group)





11. Hon. Frank Annoh Dompreh  Member of Parliament, Nsawam Adoagyiri and Majority Chief Whip, Ghana Parliament



12. Alberta Ablordeppey  Philantropist and Published Author



13. Mr. Kofi Atta Kakra Kusi - ( Deputy Head, Corporate Affairs of Ghana Tourism Authority)  Young Icon of Tourism Award, 2023





















Source: Peacefmonline com









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Former PNC General Secretary, Atik Mohammed has urged the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare not to be perturbed by the leaked audio recording in which a supposed Police Commissioner and a former executive of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are heard plotting for the removal of the IGP.



In the leaked audio recording that has gone viral, the two people could be heard discussing why the IGP must be dismissed.



Touching on the matter during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" discussion programme, Atik Mohammed noted that whether IGP leaves or stays in office is the sole decision of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and to him, this tape is not authentic to convince the President to remove Dr. Dampare.



"The IGP stays or leaves on the authority of the President and if the President hasn't said he doesn't appreciate his work, all you are doing will result in nothing."



He charged the IGP to focus on his duties stressing "his service is to the Republic of Ghana and not to any political party".



"The IGP should continue to work and work to bring honour to Ghana," he encouraged Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A deputy spokesperson for the Alan Kyerematen campaign team, Richard Nyamah has called for an inquiry into the alleged leaked tape of a plot by a Police Commissioner and an executive of the governing New Patrioitic Party for the removal of the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.



The viral audio recording has become a matter of concern to Parliament.



Richard Nyamah says the leaked tape shouldn't be trivialized.



"It's very difficult to dismiss it. It sounds a bit authentic to me," he said on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show Thursday morning.



Richard Nyamah disagreed with critics who say the tape should be brushed aside.



"For me, let's not wash this under the carpet because the issue is serious", he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.



He strongly believes there must be thorough investigations into the leaked tape, emphasizing "we need to check it because if we have such people in charge of your security, then you are sitting on a time bomb".



He, however, seized an opportunity to commend the IGP saying "he's brought some professionalism and dignity to the Police Service, to the uniform".





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has added his voice to calls for an inquiry into the alleged leaked tape of a purported plot to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare from office.



The leaked audio recording in which a supposed Police Commissioner and an executive of the governing New Patriotic Party could be heard plotting to depose Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare in order to tamper with the 2024 elections has become a serious matter for concern.



Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, a lecturer at the Central University, commenting on the tape during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show called for investigations into it stressing the "things said on the tape are very serious. We can't just sweep it under the carpet".



He feared for the future of the country stating this trend of secret recordings is breaking social relationships and called for punishment to the persons heard on the tape if it is established that the tape is true.



"Such people should be punished," he insisted.



He also condemned the politics attached to the appointment of an Inspector General of Police, particularly when one could say the Police Chief's allegiance should be to the government in power.



He advised that the Police should be allowed to do their work without political interferences and questioned why an IGP whose service is to the nation should become a political puppet.



"Let's allow them to do their work professionally," he emphasized.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appealed to the Senate to approve a borrowing request of $800 million from the World Bank. Recall that former President Muhammadu Buhari had, towards the tail end of his administration, forwarded same request to the 9th Senate in May. However, the 9th Assembly could not consider the request before its tenure ended in June 11.



In a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio 4during plenary on Thursday, July 13, President Tinubu asked the 10th Senate to approve the borrowing request. He told the lawmakers that the loan would be used to scale up the National Social Safety Net Programme.



The letter reads in part



Please note that the federal executive council led by President Muhammadu Buhari approved an additional loan facility to the tune of $800 million to be secured from the World Bank for the National Social Safety Net programme. Copy of FECs extract attached.



You may also wish to note that the purpose of the facility is to expand coverage of shock responsive safety net support among the poor and vulnerable Nigerians. This will assist them in coping with basic needs.



You may further wish to note that under the conditional cash transfer window of the programme, the federal government of Nigeria will transfer the sum of N8,000 per month to 12 million poor and low income households for a period of six months, with a multiplier effect on about 60 million individuals.



In order to guarantee the credibility of the process, digital transfers will be made directly to beneficiaries accounts and mobile wallets.



It is expected that the programme, will stimulate economic activities in the informal sector, and improve nutrition, health, education, and human capital development of beneficiaries households.



Given the above, I wish to invite the Senate to kindly grant approval for the additional loan facility of $800 million to be secured from World Bank for the National Social Safety Net Programme.



While hoping that this submission will receive expeditious consideration by the Senate, please accept the assurances of my highest regards.









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Atik Mohammed has slammed the Minority in Parliament for threatening to boycott Parliament over the Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson's criminal trial.



Mr. Gyakye Quayson won the Assin North by-election following a court ruling which disqualified him from holding himself as parliamentary representative for Assin North constituency.



His qualification was due to a petition sent to the Supreme Court which indicated that Mr. Gyakye Quayson held dual citizenship when he was elected into Parliament in 2020.



However, the NDC presented him to contest the election again resulting in his winning the seat again.



He is facing a criminal charge by the Attorney General over his dual citizenship issue.



In view of this, the NDC Members of Parliament say they will not participate in the business of Parliament but join their colleague to court.



The former PNC General Secretary, Atik Mohammed has cautioned the MPs to revoke their decision to boycott Parliament, stressing they will be doing their constituents no good to join Gyakye Quayson to court.



"We pay them to represent us. They should just do that and stop this shenanigans," he said.



He added; "You are not doing good service to your constituents and you are defeating the very point you seek to make by following Gyakye Quayson to the court...You cannot deliberately deny your people your representation. It's an irresponsibility."



Atik noted that the MPs can solidarize with their colleague "without abdicating your responsibilities".





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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" " Several members of the royal family attend a wedding including (L-R): Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Princess Anne, Lady Frederick Windsor, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex on May 18, 2019. Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images

Much of the world is fascinated by the British royals, with all of their titles. But those who live outside the U.K. have a difficult time deciphering the Brits' peerage system, which is a complex, overlapping web of dukes, earls, barons and more.

Britain's peerage system, which dates to Anglo-Saxon times, consists of five ranks: duke, marquess, earl, viscount and baron, according to Debrett's, a leading source of information on the British peerage system. Over the centuries, peerages were inherited, created or conferred by the British king or queen, originally to landowners who advised him or her, as a sort of Royal council. The older your peerage, the more status within your rank. In 1958, the government passed the Life Peerages Act, which allowed for the creation of life peerages, or honorary titles granted by the government. Those receiving a life peerage, which can't be inherited, also received the title of baron or baroness.

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Under the modern monarchy, one of the biggest privileges of being a peer, whether hereditary or life, is that it gives you the right to sit in Britain's House of Lords, the upper chamber of Great Britain's legislature. (Elected officials make up the House of Commons, the government's lower chamber.) During more recent times, with the number of eligible peers (mostly life peers created by whichever government is in power) ranging from 650 to more than 800, there have been multiple movements to limit the size of this chamber, without much success. About 90 percent of those sitting in the House of Lords in 2020 are life peers.

Today, there are no new hereditary peerages being created, with one exception: those the monarch creates for members of the royal family.

Here are the basics about the five peerage ranks, in order of rank. Female titles are given in parenthesis and usually designate the wife of a peer. Women are not eligible to succeed to most hereditary peerages.
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Skull of Alligator munensis sp. nov. holotype (DMR-BSL-20112) and schematic drawing in right (a,b) and left (c,d) lateral views, respectively. bo basioccipital, eam external auditory meatus, ect ectopterygoid, en external nares, exo exoccipital, f frontal, itf infratemporal fenestra, j jugal, l lacrimal, ls laterosphenoid, mx maxilla, n nasal, pbs parabasisphenoid, pf prefrontal, pfp prefrontal pillar, pmx premaxilla, po postorbital, pop paroccipital process, pt pterygoid, q quadrate, qj quadratojugal; qjas quadratojugal articular surface, rr rostral ridge, sq squamosal; V foramen for the trigeminal nerve. Scale bar: 10 cm. Credit: Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36559-6

A new species of ancient alligator from Thailand that is closely related to the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) is described in a study published in Scientific Reports.

Gustavo Darlim, Marton Rabi, Kantapon Suraprasit, Pannipa Tian and colleagues identified the new species by examining a near complete fossilized skullwhich they date to younger than 230,000 years oldfrom Ban Si Liam, Thailand.

They have named the species Alligator munensis in reference to the nearby Mun River. The authors examined the remains and investigated the evolutionary relationships between A. munensis and other species by comparing its remains with those of 19 specimens from four extinct alligator species, as well as the living American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), Chinese alligator and spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) species.

They also reviewed previously published research on the skeletal characteristics of, and evolutionary relationships between, alligator species.

The authors identified several skull features that are unique to A. munensis, including a broad and short snout, a tall skull, reduced number of tooth sockets and nostrils that are positioned far from the tip of the snout. In addition, they note similarities between the skulls of A. munensis and the Chinese alligator, such as the presence of a small opening in the roof the mouth, a ridge on the top of the skull, and a raised ridge behind the nostrils.

They propose that the two species are closely related and may have shared a common ancestor in the lowlands of the Yangtze-Xi and Mekong-Chao Phraya river systems. They speculate that increases in the elevation of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau between 23 and five million years ago may have led to the separation of different populations and evolution of two separate species.

The authors observed that A. munensis has large tooth sockets towards the back of its mouth, which indicates that it may have possessed large teeth that could have been capable of crushing shells. As a result of this, they suggest that A. munensis may have eaten hard-shelled prey, such as snails, in addition to other animals.

The findings provide further insight into the evolution of Asian alligators.

More information: Gustavo Darlim, An extinct deep-snouted Alligator species from the Quaternary of Thailand and comments on the evolution of crushing dentition in alligatorids, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36559-6. www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-36559-6 Journal information: Scientific Reports
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High-Speed Atomic Force Microscope imaging of the Staphylococcus aureus membrane (above), showing thicker areas (light orange). After adding AMC-109, the thicker areas clump together and then dissolve (below). Credit: Adela Melcrova and Sourav Maity, University of Groningen

The World Health Organization lists bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics as one of the top 10 global health threats. Therefore, researchers are looking for new antibiotics to counter this resistance. Adela Melcrova, biophysicist at the University of Groningen (the Netherlands), and her colleagues have discovered that the relatively new antibiotic AMC-109 affects the cell membrane of bacteria by disordering its organization. This differs from most other antibiotics and could open up new directions for future treatment and drug development. The team's results were published in Nature Communications on 7 July.

AMC-109, developed at the UiT Arctic University of Norway, has shown promising results in the lab as well as in clinical trials against the notoriously difficult-to-treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It will be tested on humans soon (phase 3 of clinical trials). However, it was not known exactly how AMC-109 works on bacteria.

"I found it surprising that no one knew exactly how it worked," says Melcrova. "So, I decided to have a look at it."

Many antibiotics operate by punching holes in the membrane of the bacterium, which forms a boundary between the inside and the outside of the bacterium. This membrane is vital to regulating what comes in and what stays out, as well as to building the protective cell wall around the bacterium.

"The developers of the drug, who collaborated in this study, thought that AMC-109 makes holes in the membrane of the bacterium, just like other antibiotics," says Melcrova. But this is not what she found.

Disorganization leads to death

Melcrova took the membrane of Staphylococcus aureus, extracted for her by the University of Groningen Molecular Microbiology group. Melcrova herself is based in the Biophysics group of Professor Wouter Roos, where, as she explains, "we study biology with methods from physics." Together with her colleague Sourav Maity, Melcrova studied the bacterial membrane with a High-Speed Atomic Force Microscope (HS-AFM), which speedily taps the material with a tiny tip, measuring thickness and stiffness of the material.

What Melcrova and Maity saw with the HS-AFM were small areas of a higher membrane thickness, indicating some sort of structural organization. Upon adding AMC-109 to the membrane, these thicker areas clustered together and then dissolved. "A bit like an iceberg that melts: the material is still there, but the structure is gone," Melcrova says. "And apparently, the disruption of these areas is sufficient to lead to the death of the bacterium."

The Molecular Dynamics simulation of AMC-109 (blue and white) infiltrating the bacterial membrane (red and yellow). Credit: Josef Melcr, University of Groningen

Clumps: For once, a good thing

In collaboration with the Molecular Dynamics group, researcher Josef Melcr has built a simulation model of the interaction between the membrane and the antibiotic, using the Martini forcefield.

Melcrova notes, "While the experiments show us what happens, a simulation allows us to interpret what we see." And what the simulation showed was that the AMC-109 forms small clumps. Subsequently, these clumps infiltrate the bacterial membrane. "Any doctor would tell you that aggregation is a bad thing," says Melcrova. "Several diseases are caused by aggregating proteins: Alzheimer's disease, for instance. But in this case, it is a very good thing."

On its own, AMC-109 would also attack human cells. But by clumping together, some properties are "hidden" on the inside of the bunched-up AMC-109, making it safe for the human body.

Boosting other antibiotics

Now that the effect of AMC-109 on the membrane of bacteria is clearer, new possibilities for future drug development open up.

"For instance," says Melcrova, "drugs could be developed that explicitly aim to disorganize the membrane structure." There is also evidence suggesting that the disorganization breaks down the resistance of the bacteria to old-fashioned antibiotics. "This is still a hypothesis," Melcrova explains, "but it could mean that a treatment with AMC-109 could potentially also boost the effect of a 'classic' antibiotic."

"I am happy that this work is finally out," says Melcrova. "It took four long years of work. We went through a lot of stress, frustration, and arguments but we also enjoyed the great discoveries and putting the puzzle of this unique antibiotic action together. The fact that one of the collaborators, Josef Melcr, is also my husband, meant that this project was always with me, even at home," says Melcrova with a smile.

More information: Adela Melcrova et al, Lateral membrane organization as target of an antimicrobial peptidomimetic compound, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39726-5 Journal information: Nature Communications
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

As California braces for its most intense and prolonged heat wave of the year, state officials are investing in new methods to warn residents of the dangers of soaring temperatures.

Extreme heat is among the deadliest of all weather-related events, with the National Weather Service recording more heat-related fatalities than deaths from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other climate hazards in 2022.

In California, state officials have been criticized for their response to extreme heat, which disproportionately affects children and the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, disabled people and those who are pregnant. A 2021 Los Angeles Times investigation found that heat probably caused about 3,900 deaths in the state over the previous decadesix times the official tally.

The $20-million "Heat Ready CA" campaign, launched by Gov. Gavin Newsom's Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications on Tuesday, aims to help rectify that through improved outreach, advertising and communication efforts.

"The impacts of climate change have never been more clearthe hots continue to get hotter in our state and across the West, putting millions of Californians at risk," Newsom said in a statement. "California is launching Heat Ready CA as another tool in the state's arsenal to protect people from extreme heat. We're asking everyone to stay alert to changing weather and take the necessary steps to keep themselves and their families safer from deadly heat waves."

The campaign is part of the governor's larger $404-million investment in extreme heat, guided by the Extreme Heat Action plan unveiled last year. The Heat Ready campaign will partner with 121 community-based organizations to conduct outreach in every county in more than 30 languages through door-to-door canvassing, phone banking and other community activations, officials said.

Louis Bloomberg, a climate policy advisor with the nonprofit group Climate Resolve, said he's been waiting for a coordinated public awareness campaign from the state for nearly a decade.

"It's a proactive step and it will hopefully save some lives," Bloomberg said.

But improved public communications are only one of several strategies outlined in the Extreme Heat Action plan, which also recommends infrastructure improvements, better monitoring of heat deaths and greater investments in shade and green space, among other measures.

Bloomberg said the state is making some progress toward those goalsincluding $10 million toward an as-yet unveiled statewide heat surveillance systembut that more clarity and oversight are needed. A bill making its way through the Legislature, SB 306, would require regular updates of the Extreme Heat Action plan and better monitoring of progress toward its goals.

"The plan is more of a list or a catalog of what could happen, but there is no specificity or accountability, there's no hard priorities or implementation schedule," he said. "So, yes, this is a good startgreat start, really important and timelyand there's more we can do."

Indeed, the public information campaign comes as the planet continues to break all-time heat records, with global average temperatures in recent days skyrocketing higher than ever recorded, largely due to climate change and the onset of El Nino, a tropical Pacific pattern associated with hotter conditions.

El Nino's arrival is likely to make at least one of the next five yearsand the five-year period as a wholethe world's warmest on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Meanwhile, sea surface temperatures are reaching alarming new highs, while the amount of Arctic sea is reaching record lows. (The Canadian Arctic reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first time in history on Sunday.)

"The Earth is running a fever, and from our perspective in California, we have made progress on protecting people from accelerating climate impacts," said California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. "We can and will protect communities and help people protect themselves from extreme heat. At the same time, I think we have been very clearand the governor and the Legislature have been very clearthat this is a climate emergency."

A simmering heat wave has already engulfed portions of the United States, including large swaths of Florida, Texas and Arizona. Phoenix just saw 10 consecutive days with temperatures of 110 degrees or higher, and there's a strong likelihood it will remain that hot for at least another week. Las Vegas is expected to soar to 117 degrees by Sunday, while Corpus Christi, Texas, may see its heat index climb to 115.

The heat is also coming for California. The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat watches for much of the Central Valley, where dangerously hot temperatures of up to 115 degrees are possible later this week. In Los Angeles, the incoming heat wave could see temperatures as high as 112 degrees in the Antelope Valley, 105 degrees in the San Gabriel Valley and 90 degrees in downtown L.A. by week's end.

Officials said the public information campaign will play a critical role in mitigating some of the deadliest effects of heat. Similar initiatives around the census and the COVID-19 pandemic have already proved successful, said Maricela Rodriguez, senior advisor to Newsom for Civic Engagement and Strategic Partnerships.

"We found a lot of success with the model that we're applying now, which includes not only a culturally responsive approach when it comes to communications and public awareness, but also to have a trusted messenger network that can reach peopleespecially in underserved communitieswho can be hard to reach," she said.

During extreme heat events, human bodies have to work harder to stay cool. That can lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea, respiratory problems and heat strokes, among other health issues. It is particularly dangerous when temperatures stay warm overnight, providing people with no opportunity for relief.

And though extreme heat most often affects the most vulnerable, even healthy young people can be in danger, said Tomas Aragon, director of the California Department of Public Health.

"You can be completely physically healthy, and within 60 minutes get in trouble because your body produces heat rapidly, your body has not acclimated to the high temperatures, and then all of a sudden your internal core temperature starts going up, and that's when your organs start getting into trouble," he said. "People really underestimate it."

Aragon said it can be challenging for state officials to accurately account for heat-related illnesses and deaths, particularly because they can be exacerbated by underlying health issues. It often takes months to arrive at an accurate number based on death certificates and excess death data, he said.

But Bloomberg, of Climate Resolve, noted that other states including Washington and Oregon already have statewide heat surveillance systems that can turn data around within a weekend. He hoped to see California's system up and running soon, along with other efforts such as heat standards for indoor workers and a heat wave ranking system, both of which are winding their way through state agencies for approval.

"These are preventable deaths," he said. "If we intervene properly, quickly, we can prevent people from dying."

State officials are advising everyone in the path of the incoming heat wave to stay hydrated and stay indoors and in air conditioning as much as possible. Children and pets should never be left alone in hot cars.

Los Angeles County has opened nearly 170 cooling centers in advance of the heat wave. A list of cooling centers by county can be found here.

2023 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Illustration: Mare Imbrium taken from Apollo 17 in 1972. Left of centre is the Pytheas crater. Near the top is the Copernicus crater. Credit: NSSDC. nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/imgcat/html/object_page/a17_m_2444.html

Scientists have "reset the clock" for craters on the moon, meaning that parts of its surface are around 200 million years older than had been thought.

Researchers from Norway and France have found a way of coordinating and recalibrating two conflicting systems of dating the surface of the moon. This new evaluation shows that large parts of the crust of the moon are around 200 million years older than had been thought and allows the scientists to clarify the sequence of events in the evolution of the moon's surface.

The moon is now geologically pretty inactive, meaning that the craters from asteroids and comets which bombarded the moon throughout time have not been eroded away; Earth has received a similar barrage throughout time, but the movements on the surface of the Earth will have masked these impacts.

Presenting the work at the Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference in Lyon, Professor Stephanie Werner (of the Center for Planetary Habitability, University of Oslo) said, "Looking at the signs of these impacts on the moon shows what Earth would be like without the geological churning of plate tectonics which took place here on Earth. What we have done is to show that large portions of the lunar crust are around 200 million years older than had been thought."

The work on which this presentation is based is scheduled for publication as two articles in The Planetary Science Journal.

Researchers have known that the standard way of measuring the age of the surface of the moona process known as crater countinggave quite different results to that seen when examining rocks from the Apollo missions, especially for the light areas of the moon, the Highlands.

"We decided that we had to reconcile these differences, and that meant correlating individually dated Apollo samples to the number of craters in the sample site surrounding areain effect, resetting the crater clock. We also correlated them against spectroscopy data from various moon missions, especially the Indian Chandrayaan-1, to be sure which Apollo sample belongs to the surface in which we counted craters. This was a lot of work; we began this project in 2014. We found that by doing this we could resolve the discrepancy and push back the age of the surface of the moon by up to 200 million years."

As an example, the age of the Imbrium Basin, filled with the Mare Imbrium (visible in the top left of the moon), which was probably created by the collision of an asteroid impactor around the size of Sicily, goes back from 3.9 billion years ago, to 4.1 billion years ago. The researchers stress that this does not change the estimates of the moon's age itself, just the estimate of its surface. The new system of dating changes the age of all areas of the moon's surfacenot uniformly, but with the oldest surfaces showing greatest changes.

Professor Werner said, "This is an important difference. It allows is to push back in time an intense period of bombardment from space, which we now know took place before extensive volcanic activity that formed the 'man in the moon' patternsthe mare volcanic plains including Mare Imbrium. As this happened on the moon, the Earth was almost certain to have also suffered this earlier bombardment, too."

Prof. Audrey Bouvier (University of Bayreuth, Germany) said, "The moon provides unique records of the early bombardment history. We have had three successful lunar sample return programs (Apollo, Luna, and Chang'e) which have associated rocks with their sampling locations on the moon. By combining the latest spacecraft observations with impact events recorded by lunar rocks, Prof. Werner and her colleagues have greatly pushed back the records of heavy bombardment onto the terrestrial planets.

"Such a heavy bombardment period must have affected the origin and early evolution of life on Earth and potentially other planets such as Mars. Bringing back rock samples from Jezero Crater on Mars will be the next giant leap forward to search for signs of ancient life on another planet in the solar system, and when."

More information: Conference Abstract 15810 Lunar Time TravelsIntroduction to a Revised Cratering Chronology Model Stephanie C Werner, Benjamin Bultel, Tobias Rolf. Bultel, B., S.C. Werner (2023) Sample-Based Spectral Mapping Around Landing Sites on the MoonLunar Time Scale Part 1. The Planetary Science Journal, in press. Werner, S.C., B. Bultel, T. Rolf (2023) Review and Revision of the Lunar Cratering ChronologyLunar Time Scale Part 2. The Planetary Science Journal, in press. Journal information: The Planetary Science Journal

Provided by Goldschmidt Conference
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Entangled quantum objects can be used to network separated systems. The researchers demonstrate what is needed for nonlocal correlations, a requirement for a useful quantum network. Credit: The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign/Wesley Moore

A new theoretical study provides a framework for understanding nonlocality, a feature that quantum networks must possess to perform operations inaccessible to standard communications technology. By clarifying the concept, researchers determined the conditions necessary to create systems with strong, quantum correlations.

The study, published in Physical Review Letters, adapts techniques from quantum computing theory to create a new classification scheme for quantum nonlocality. This not only allowed the researchers to unify prior studies of the concept into a common framework, but it facilitated a proof that networked quantum systems can only display nonlocality if they possess a particular set of quantum features.

"On the surface, quantum computing and nonlocality in quantum networks are different things, but our study shows that, in certain ways, they are two sides of the same coin," said Eric Chitambar, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the project lead. "In particular, they require the same fundamental set of quantum operations to deliver effects that cannot be replicated with classical technology."

Nonlocality is a consequence of entanglement, in which quantum objects experience strong connections even when separated over vast physical distances. When entangled objects are used to perform quantum operations, the results display statistical correlations that cannot be explained by non-quantum means. Such correlations are said to be nonlocal. A quantum network must possess a degree of nonlocality to ensure that it can perform truly quantum functions, but the phenomenon is still poorly understood.

To facilitate study of nonlocality, Chitambar and physics graduate student Amanda Gatto Lamas applied the formalism of quantum resource theory. By treating nonlocality as a "resource" to manage, the researchers' framework allowed them to view past studies of nonlocality as separate instances of the same concept, just with different restrictions on the resource's availability. This facilitated the proof of their main result, that nonlocality can only be achieved with a limited set of quantum operations.

"Our result is the quantum network analogue to an important quantum computing result called the Gottesman-Knill theorem," Gatto Lamas explained. "While Gottesman-Knill clearly defines what a quantum computer must do to surpass a classical one, we show that a quantum network must be constructed with a particular set of operations to do things that a standard communications network cannot."

Chitambar believes that the framework will not only be useful for developing criteria to assess a quantum network's quality based on the degree of nonlocality it possesses, but that it can be used to expand the concept of nonlocality.

"Right now, there is a relatively good understanding of the type of nonlocality that can emerge between two parties," he said. "However, one can imagine for a quantum network consisting of many connected parties that there might be some kind of global property that you can't reduce to individual pairs on the network. Such a property might depend intimately on the network's overall structure."

More information: Amanda Gatto Lamas et al, Multipartite Nonlocality in Clifford Networks, Physical Review Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.240802 Journal information: Physical Review Letters
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A homeless man sleeps under the sun in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Southern California is bracing for a heat wave expected to hit this weekend, bringing "elevated" fire danger and increasing the chance of heat-related illness. Credit: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes

After a historically wet winter and a cloudy spring, California's summer was in full swing Thursday as a heat wave that's been scorching much of the U.S. Southwest brings triple digit temperatures and an increased risk of wildfires.

Blistering conditions will build Friday and throughout the weekend in the central and southern parts of California, where many residents should prepare for the hottest weather of the year, the National Weather Service warned.

Midday highs were mostly expected to be above 100 degrees (37.7 C), and desert areas could reach 120 (48.8 C), forecasters said. Little relief was expected overnight, when temperatures could remain in the 80s (above 26.6 C). An excessive heat watch was in effect through Sunday for interior Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

"Please plan accordingly, this is not the time to be hiking or be outside for long durations," the weather service's LA office said on Twitter. "If you need to work outside, shift hours to the early morning, take frequent breaks and hydrate!"

Employers were reminded to adhere to regulations that require outdoor workers are given water, shade and regular breaks to cool off. The state will be performing spot checks at work sites to make sure the rules are being followed, said Jeff Killip with the Division of Occupational Safety & Health.

A dog owner walks in a tree shade in the early morning on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP Photo/Richard Vogel

Across the U.S., more than 111 million people were under extreme heat advisories, watches and warnings, mostly in the Southwest, the National Weather Service reported Wednesday.

Forecasters said the long-duration heat wave is extremely dangerous, especially for elderly people, homeless residents and other vulnerable populations. The heat could persist into next week as a high pressure dome moves west from Texas. In Arizona, temperatures have hit 110 degrees (43.3 C) for more than a dozen consecutive days.

Horse racing events were canceled at the California State Fair near the state capital over concerns for animal safety.

Meanwhile, California's wildfire season was ramping up amid the hot, dry conditions with a series of blazes erupting across the state this week, said Secretary Wade Crowfoot of the Natural Resources Agency.

A woman walks her dog in the shade, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. Southern California is expecting high temperatures between 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit later this week according to the National Weather Service. Credit: AP Photo/Ryan Sun

"As we get deeper into the summer and vegetation that grew up during the wet spring dries out, we are seeing an uptick in wildfire activity," Crowfoot said Wednesday during a state media briefing.

Crowfoot said global climate change was "supercharging" heat waves. California has instituted a $400 million extreme heat action plan to protect workers, help vulnerable communities and assist local communities in opening cooling centers.

The plan, announced last year as an update to state recommendations made a decade earlier, has a broad range of near- and long-term goals. Elements include increasing public awareness through targeted communication, statewide public health monitoring to identify heat illness events early on, and developing codes and regulations to protect everything from schools to water supplies from extreme heat.

A man uses an umbrella to avoid the midday sun, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. Southern California is expecting high temperatures between 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit later this week according to the National Weather Service. Credit: AP Photo/Ryan Sun

An elderly gentleman takes a morning stroll along Balboa Lake in Balboa Park in Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Richard Vogel

A man exercises shirtless as temperatures rise at MacArthur Park, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is expecting high temperatures between 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit later this week according to the National Weather Service. Credit: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Bus riders wait in the shade to shield themselves from the midday sun, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. Southern California is expecting high temperatures between 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit later this week according to the National Weather Service .Credit: AP Photo/Ryan Sun

A woman walks with a bag of groceries under the midday sun, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. Southern California is expecting high temperatures between 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit later this week according to the National Weather Service. Credit: AP Photo/Ryan Sun

Kristin Peterson tries to cool off with a cold bandana at Sonrise Homeless Navigation Center in Austin, Texas, Tuesday July 11, 2023, during a heat advisory with temperatures expected to top 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP

A man lies on the beach, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is expecting high temperatures between 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit later this week according to the National Weather Service. Credit: AP Photo/Ryan Sun

A man takes a break in the shade, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. Southern California is expecting high temperatures between 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit later this week according to the National Weather Service. Credit: AP Photo/Ryan Sun

Young fishermen cast their lines along the banks of Balboa Lake in Balboa Park in Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Richard Vogel

Officials said the state's power system, which was strained to the point of widespread blackouts in recent years, has been fortified and should be able to withstand the latest heat wave. The California Independent System Operator, which runs the electricity grid, said battery storage capacity reached 5,600 megawatts on July 1enough to power more than 3.8 million homes for up to four hours before recharging.

"The batteries being added to the grid are charged during the day, when solar power is abundant, and dispatched primarily in the evening hours when demand is still high and the sun is setting and solar capacity diminishing," Cal ISO said in a statement.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Various tectonic settings for the formation of the major Pb deposits. There are three main Pb deposit types: volcanogenic massive sulfide ore deposits (VMS) commonly associated with black smokers and oceanic spreading environments, sedimentary exhalative ore deposits (SEDEX) and Mississippi Valley-type ore deposits (MVT) (Andrieu et al., 1998; Fouquet and Marcoux, 1995; Heinrich and Candela, 2014; LeHuray et al., 1988; Verati et al., 1999; Wilkinson, 2013). It is beyond the scope of this contribution to explore the similarities and differences of these deposit types. VMS is the only type of deposit being formed in a mid-ocean ridge environment and thus fingerprint the Earths upper mantle. Credit: Earth-Science Reviews (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2023.104483

Researchers at Curtin University have established a new framework for dating the Earth's evolution including the formations of continents and mineral deposits.

The research, published in Earth Science Reviews, studied Australia's abundant lead-zinc ore deposits along with a vast global database and determined that 3.2 billion years ago was a critical point in the Earth's history when the Earth changed from a layer-cake structure to a mode of remixing possibly driven by the start of global-scale plate tectonics, a process that still dominates the Earth system today.

Lead researcher Dr. Luc Doucet, from Curtin's Earth Dynamics Research Group, said that one of the main questions they aimed to answer was when the continents as we know them today were first formed.

"To answer this question, we had to determine when the composition of the continental crust began to significantly differ from that of the Earth's mantle where the continental material was extracted from," Dr. Doucet said.

"The challenge was that we first need to understand how the Earth's mantle evolved since the Giant Moon formation impact 4.5 billion years ago, when a giant asteroid collided with proto-Earth and modified Earth's core and mantle. We need to reconcile this well-established theory with the composition of the present-day mantle.

"We used lead isotope compositions from rock samples across space and time, including primitive meteorites that were formed at the same time as the solar system and various components of the Earth's layers, to re-construct the Earth's mantle evolution."

Co-author Dr. Denis Fougerouse, from Curtin's School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, said they could now compare the Earth's mantle evolution with that of the continent by using measurements from large lead-zinc deposits, known for tracking continental crust composition through time, and Australia is endowed with abundance of such deposits.

"Australia has an estimated 52 billion [metric] tons of lead-zinc ore, making it the second-largest reserve in the world, just behind China. They range from as old as 3.4 billion years in Western Australia's Pilbara region to relatively young deposits at 285 million years, making them perfect for our study," Dr. Fougerouse said.

Fellow co-author Dr. Hugo Olierook, from Curtin's John de Laeter Center, added that the team's analysis revealed that lead-zinc deposits started to exhibit significant differences from the Earth's mantle about 3.2 billion years ago.

"This period is considered to be the point at which plate tectonics began to be the dominant driver of continent formation on Earth. Earth is the only planet in our solar system that has plate tectonics and, perhaps not coincidentally, the only planet capable of hosting life," Dr. Olierook said.

A spin-off product of this ground-breaking research is that researchers will need to calibrate the radiometric ages they acquired for dating Earth evolution and mineralization events in the future using the newly established uranium-lead isotopic system curves by the Curtin group.

More information: Luc S. Doucet et al, The global lead isotope system: Toward a new framework reflecting Earth's dynamic evolution, Earth-Science Reviews (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2023.104483
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One of the 11 sites where eDNA sampling was conducted (top left; rocky shore in Mera in Chiba, Japan). The collected eDNA samples were analyzed using a DNA sequencer to obtain eDNA time-series data (bottom left). This data was then analyzed using cutting-edge time-series analysis methods to estimate fish-fish interactions (right figure; arrows indicate interspecific interactions). Credit: HKUST

A team led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has developed a technique to study how different fish species interact with one another in a coastal region, a breakthrough that helps explain the complex relationships among marine species and how global warming impacts fish populations.

By analyzing minute traces of fish DNA from samples of seawater, the team combined the use of environmental DNAknown as eDNAand advanced statistical analysis to not only detect the presence of fish species, but also reveal how the species interact with each other.

The use of eDNA to monitor biodiversity has surged in popularity in recent years, particularly for detecting aquatic organisms like fish. As animals move through their environment, they shed fragments of genetic material, such as skin cells, waste products, and other body fluids. By extracting these traces of DNA from samples of water, soil, or air, scientists can determine the presence and diversity of species with high accuracy.

But previous eDNA studies have mostly been limited to detecting the presence or absence of certain species. To get a better understanding and monitoring of ecosystems, it is necessary to estimate the quantity of fish species and detect the interspecific interactions, or interactions among species.

The team, led by Prof. Masayuki Ushio, Assistant Professor of the Department of Ocean Science at HKUST and Dr. Masaki Miya at Natural History Museum and Institute, Chiba, Japan, developed a new technique to achieve the abovementioned purpose by analyzing high-frequency time-series data from fish eDNA, making it possible to comprehensively monitor interactions among species.

Interspecific interactions, such as prey-predator, competitive, and mutualistic relations, have a significant impact on ecosystem dynamics. The research paves the way for scientists to contribute to more accurate assessment of the ecosystem status and future predictions of its dynamics.

The researchers set 11 study sites along the coast of the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, where they conducted biweekly water sampling for two years. They extracted eDNA from the collected samples and analyzed fish communities using a method which generated the eDNA-based high-frequency time series of fish communities in coastal ecosystems. Then, they detected and quantified the strength of fish-fish interspecific interactions in the communities by analyzing the high-frequency eDNA time-series data using cutting-edge time-series analysis methods.

Among their important findings was that water temperature can have both positive and negative effects on how different fish species interact with each other. They also found that different fish species can react differently to changes in temperature, shedding light on how global warming can impact the complex relationships between fish species in coastal areas. The findings were recently published in the journal eLife.

"By integrating state-of-the-art techniques from different scientific fields, we showed that eDNA analysis can estimate not only 'what' and 'how many' species are present, but also 'who interacts with whom'", Prof. Ushio says.

The framework can be used to study interactions between different types of organisms, not just fish. This includes microbes, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. For example, scientists could use the technique to study how different organisms interact in aquaculture systems. It could also help identify potential harmful pathogens that could impact commercially important fish species.

In the long run, he said the research could help scientists and policymakers better understand how climate change is impacting fish populations, including commercially important and rare species.

"This information can be used to develop better conservation strategies to protect these species and ensure the long-term sustainability of oceans. For example, to conserve a rare species, it may be important to also protect a fish species that has a significant impact on the rare species," he says.

The team will soon explore new technologies, such as automated water sampling systems and seawater sampling with underwater drones, to make eDNA analyses more efficient and effective, to further our understanding of how organisms interact with each other in nature, such as how pathogens impact fish populations.

They also plan to use advanced DNA sequencing technology to investigate eDNA sequences in more detail, such as with long-read sequencing.

"By utilizing these new technologies and collaborating with experts from different fields, we can continue to advance our understanding of how climate change impacts marine ecosystems, and develop better ways to protect them," he says.

More information: Masayuki Ushio et al, Temperature sensitivity of the interspecific interaction strength of coastal marine fish communities, eLife (2023). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.85795.2 Journal information: eLife
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In situ observations of Cirroteuthis muelleri. (a,e) Initial pose/pause in the feeding behavioral sequence, HACON21-ROV019 (a) and PS121-ROV001 (e). (b,f) Spreading phase in the feeding behavioral sequence, HACON21-ROV019 (b) and PS121-ROV001 (f). (c,g) Enveloping phase in the feeding behavioral sequence, HACON21-ROV019 (c) and PS121-ROV001 (g). (d,h) Retreating phase in the feeding behavioral sequence, HACON21-ROV019 (d) and PS121-ROV001 (h). (i,j) Prey capture, HACON21-ROV019 (i) and PS121-ROV001 (j). (k) Take-off from the seafloor, HACON21-ROV019. (l,m) fin-swimming, 037ROV02-tROVobs-LowerHD (l), note sand and slime falling from the octopod, and HACON21-ROV003 (m). (n) Possible aborted protective reaction or pelagic take-off attempt, PS121-ROV001. (os) Drifting, PS121-HG4-video2 (o), 004ROV01-video1 (p,q), PS126-EG4-video2 (r), 054ROV03-video1 (s). Arrow shows movement direction, where applicable. Ve, ventral; Do, dorsal. Scale bars = 100 mm. Credit: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0640

In the marine realm, diel vertical migration is a common feeding pattern: During daytime, zooplankton, fish and other marine life that feeds on these organisms hide in the darker depths of the ocean.

At night, when there is less light, they rise to the surface to hunt for prey. Researchers from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Senckenberg am MeerGerman Centre for Marine Biodiversity Research, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) (all Germany) and REV Ocean (Norway) observed octopuses in the Arctic taking the opposite route: Videos recorded with remotely operated vehicles and towed in-situ observation systems in the Arctic suggests that the "dumbo" octopus Cirrotheutis muelleri migrates from the water column to the sea floor, where it catches crustaceans and polychaetes.

"It is the first time, images of Cirrotheutis muelleri octopuses have been analyzed in such detail," emphasizes Dr. Alexey Golikov. The deep-sea biologist at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is lead author of the recent publication in Proceedings of the Royal Society B that describes the newly-observed octopus behavior.

"On the one hand, we saw these animals drifting freely in various depths of the water column with their arms and web spread out widely, in an umbrella-like posturea very energy-efficient and stealthy way to roam their environment. But then there was this very distinct feeding pattern: Using their wing-like fins, they swim slowly above the sea floor, suddenly land to envelop their food with their arms and web and take off with their meal, flapping heavily."

Schema of the feeding behavioral sequence in Cirroteuthis muelleri. (a) Initial pose/pause, (b) spreading phase, (c) enveloping phase, (d) retreating phase. Arrow shows movement direction. Ve, ventral; Do, dorsal. Credit: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0640

In addition, the researchers found many marks in the sediment that were interpreted as traces from such landing and prey envelopment.

The process was recorded during several expeditions with the research vessels Polarstern, Maria S. Merian, Sonne and Kronprins Haakon in the Arctic Ocean between 2019 and 2022, using the remotely operated vehicles ROV Phoca, ROV Kiel 6000 and Aurora Borealis as well as the Pelagic In-Situ Observation System (PELAGIOS) and the Ocean Floor Observation System (OFOBS).

To confirm the observed behavior shows a feeding habit, the researchers checked it against data on stomach contents of individuals caught with bottom nets.

"By analyzing the unique imagery from various expeditions that was available to us, we were able to reveal another secret of the deep sea, providing further proof that there is still so much to discover," says Dr. Henk-Jan Hoving, head of the deep-sea biology working group at GEOMAR. "Cirrotheutis muelleri is a very common octopus species in the Arctic. To our knowledge, its downward migration that runs in the opposite direction to the common vertical migration is unique among cephalopods. So far, it is only known for certain fish and holothurians."

The authors also suggest that the counter-directional migration may function as another link between the upper layers and the sea floor. It introduces carbon from the benthic food web to the pelagic food web and may contribute to the energy transfer to larger predators such as sharks and deep-diving toothed whales that feed on cirrate octopuses. In addition, the passive movements covering several kilometers should be considered in conservation strategies.

More information: Alexey V. Golikov et al, Miles down for lunch: deep-sea in situ observations of Arctic finned octopods Cirroteuthis muelleri suggest pelagicbenthic feeding migration, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0640 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B

Provided by GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
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This image uses data from the Copernicus Sentinel-3 missions radiometer instrument and shows the land surface temperature across Europe and parts of northern Africa in the morning of 10 July 2023. Land surface temperatures hit 46C in Rome, Italy, while Madrid and Seville reached 46 and 47C, respectively. Owing to the time difference between the acquisitions of the three swaths that capture the entire area, temperatures between countries are not directly comparable. While weather forecasts use predicted air temperatures, this satellite instrument measures the real amount of energy radiating from Earth  and depicts the real temperature of the land surface. Therefore, the map shows the actual temperature of the lands surface which is significantly hotter than air temperatures. Credit: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2023), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

Temperatures are sizzling across Europe this July amid an intense and prolonged period of heat. And it's only just begun. Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland are all facing a major heatwave with temperatures expected to climb to 48C on the islands of Sicily and Sardiniapotentially the hottest temperatures ever recorded in Europe.

An anticyclonea high-pressure areanamed Cerberus (named after the monster from Dante's Inferno) coming from the south will cause temperatures to rise above 40C across much of Italy. This comes after a spring and early summer full of storms and floods.

The highest temperature in European history was broken on 11 August 2021, when a temperature of 48.8C was recorded in Floridia, an Italian town in the Sicilian province of Syracuse. That record may be broken again in the coming days.

The animation below uses data from the Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission's radiometer instrument and shows the land surface temperature across Italy between 9 and 10 July. As the image clearly shows, in some cities the surface of the land exceeded 45C, including Rome, Naples, Taranto and Foggia. Along the east slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, many temperatures were recorded as over 50C.

Considering Copernicus Sentinel-3 acquired these data in the late-morning (11:30 CEST), the temperature would have continued to increase through the afternoon.

While weather forecasts use predicted air temperatures, this satellite instrument measures the real amount of energy radiating from Earthand depicts the temperature of the land surface. Therefore, the map shows the actual temperature of the land's surface which is significantly hotter than air temperatures. This animation was created using data from the Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission's radiometer instrument and shows the land-surface temperature across Italy on 9-10 July 2023. On the slopes of Mount Etna, in Sicily, as well as in the region of Puglia, surface temperatures surpassed 47C. It is worth noting the difference between air temperature and land-surface temperature. Air temperature, given in our daily weather forecasts, is a measure of how hot the air is above the ground. Land-surface temperature instead is a measure of how hot the actual surface would feel to the touch. Credit: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2023), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

Scientists monitor land surface temperature to better understand and forecast weather and climate patterns as well as monitor fires. These measurements are also particularly important for farmers optimizing the irrigation of their crops and for urban planners looking to improve heat mitigating strategies.

The heatwave is also hitting other cities across Europe with air temperatures expected to reach 44C in parts of Spain later this week. A wider view of Europe can be seen in the image below. Land surface temperatures hit 46C in Rome, Italy, while Madrid and Seville in Spain reached 46 and 47C, respectively.

"Climate warming amplified this year by El Nino severely affects food production, water availability as well as our health. To properly adapt to these changes we need timely information at actionable resolution which the Copernicus program is providing with Sentinel-3 and soon with the Copernicus Land Surface Temperature Monitoring mission at 50 m resolution," commented Benjamin Koetz, Mission Scientist of the Land Surface Temperature Monitoring mission.

The extreme temperatures in Europe follow record-shattering global temperatures. On 10 July, the World Meteorological Organization stated that the planet saw the hottest few days on record in first few days of July.

This follows the hottest June on record, with unprecedented sea surface temperatures and record low Antarctic sea ice extent. According to a report from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, June 2023 was just over the 0.5C above the 19912020 average.

This heat coincides with the onset of El Nino, the natural phenomenon warming the Pacific Ocean. It is expected that the global temperature will rise further and more weather records will be broken.

According to a study recently published in Nature Medicine, more than 60,000 people died because of last year's summer heatwaves across Europe. The mortality rate was highest in Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal. This summer is likely to be worse. The Red Cross has urged locals and tourists to exercise extreme caution and pay attention to those most vulnerable to the high temperatures.
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The vibrating quantum drum is at the center of a holed membrane. Credit: Julian Robinson-Tait

University of Copenhagen researchers have invented a "quantum drum" that can measure pressure, a gas leak, heat, magnetism and a host of other things with extreme precision. It can even scan the shape of a single virus. The invention has now been adapted to work at room temperature and may be finding its way into our phones.

Humans have tried to measure the world around them since ancient times. Now, researchers are using the laws of quantum physics to develop one of the most sensitive measuring devices the world has ever seen. One day, it may even be yours. With two innovative solutions, researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute have found a way to get quantum technology into our pockets.

The heart of the apparatus could be called a "quantum drum": It is a thin membrane that vibrates like a drum skin, but with so small an amplitude that the laws of quantum physics are needed to describe what's happening. In other words, it's vibrating really fast. This means the drum can be used as an ultra-precise measuring devicea quantum supersensor.

"The sensor is so sensitive that, in principle, we could measure whether a single person is hopping from one leg to the other in Paris. We would be able to capture it here, in our Copenhagen basement, from thousands of kilometers away. But, because it would require them to jump at 1.4 million vibrations per second, the example is best regarded as a thought experiment," laughs Professor Albert Schliesser from the Niels Bohr Institute, who heads the team behind the quantum sensor.

Thought experiments aside, the sensor is very real and has many possible uses. By reading changes in the vibrations with which the quantum drum moves, researchers can measure a wide variety of influences with extreme precision.

"For example, a change in temperature or the presence of a gas will directly affect the way the drum vibrates, and it's the same when we place a virus on the drum. A laser allows us to read the result accurately. But this is just the beginning," explains Professor Albert Schliesser. "By putting small piece of metal, or a tiny magnet on the membrane, we can also detect electric and magnetic fields with extreme precision," he says.

Innovation could make quantum sensors available to all

How much would you pay to have a quantum supersensor in your pocket?

This question was asked by the CEO of one of the world's largest technology companies, curious to find out more about the "quantum drum" as he visited the basement of the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, where Schliesser and his research group work.

However, operating the membranes outside a laboratory had been all but impossible, since reaching the quantum regimeand the extreme accuracyrequired cooling with liquid helium to near absolute zero (about -250 C).

"Otherwise random shaking by the hot environment would drown out the measurements with noise, as room temperature always implies some jittery motion," explains Scliesser.

Helium cooling, though, is cumbersome, bulky and very costlya show-stopper for many applications, especially widespread adoption in consumer devices.

But in their latest study published in Optica, the researchers have now proven that they can combine a kind of shock absorber of their own invention and a special laser-cooling technique to achieve the extreme precision even at room temperature, that is, without helium cooling.

This means that the sensor can now be made small enough to be put in a chip. "It can be a very small setup. For example, the sensor could sit inside a vacuum system in a semiconductor processing plant and keep an eye on temperature and gas leaks," says the researcher. In the future, it may even be possible to integrate the sensor in a consumer device like a smart phone.

As an MRI microscope, it could become a weapon against viruses

The researchers' plans also seek new scientific horizons. Using two synchronized "drums" from Schliesser's laboratory, research colleagues from Switzerland have already managed to image the surface of a single virus for the first time. This was achieved by scanning an ultrasharp needle over the virus and measuring the force between the virus and the needle using the drum.

Now, Schliesser and his colleagues are exploring the possibility to measure magnetic forces exerted by spins inside a virus.

The basic idea is similar to that of hospital scanners producing detailed magnetic resonance images of our bodiesjust at a dramatically smaller scale. This could lead to a new powerful tool in understanding and combatting viruses.

"We are now working to make it possible to image microscopic things like viruses, in the same way that an MRI scanner would. This would offer a new tool in the health sciences, which among other things, look into new viruses and see what proteins they contain," says Schliesser.

More information: Sampo A. Saarinen et al, Laser cooling a membrane-in-the-middle system close to the quantum ground state from room temperature, Optica (2023). DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.468590 Journal information: Optica
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CRISPR-modified poplar trees (l) and wild poplar trees grow in an NC State greenhouse. Credit: Chenmin Yang, NC State University

Researchers at North Carolina State University used a CRISPR gene-editing system to breed poplar trees with reduced levels of lignin, the major barrier to sustainable production of wood fibers, while improving their wood properties. The findingspublished in the journal Sciencehold promise to make fiber production for everything from paper to diapers greener, cheaper and more efficient.

Led by NC State CRISPR pioneer Rodolphe Barrangou and tree geneticist Jack Wang, a team of researchers used predictive modeling to set goals of lowering lignin levels, increasing the carbohydrate to lignin (C/L) ratio, and increasing the ratio of two important lignin building blockssyringyl to guaiacyl (S/G)in poplar trees. These combined chemical characteristics represent a fiber production sweet spot, Barrangou and Wang say.

"We're using CRISPR to build a more sustainable forest," said Barrangou, the Todd R. Klaenhammer Distinguished Professor of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences at NC State and co-corresponding author of the paper. "CRISPR systems provide the flexibility to edit more than just single genes or gene families, allowing for greater improvement to wood properties."

The machine-learning model predicted and then sorted through almost 70,000 different gene-editing strategies targeting 21 important genes associated with lignin productionsome changing multiple genes at a timeto arrive at 347 strategies; more than 99% of those strategies targeted at least three genes.

From there, the researchers selected the seven best strategies that modeling suggested would lead to trees that would attain the chemical sweet spot35% less lignin than wild, or unmodified, trees; C/L ratios that were more than 200% higher than wild trees; S/G ratios that were also more than 200% higher than wild trees; and tree growth rates that were similar to wild trees.

From these seven strategies, the researchers used CRISPR gene editing to produce 174 lines of poplar trees. After six months in an NC State greenhouse, an examination of those trees showed reduced lignin content of up to 50% in some varieties, as well as a 228% increase in the C-L ratio in others.

Interestingly, the researchers say, more significant lignin reductions were shown in trees with four to six gene edits, although trees with three gene edits showed lignin reduction of up to 32%. Single-gene edits failed to reduce lignin content much at all, showing that using CRISPR to make multigene changes could confer advantages in fiber production.

CRISPR-modified wood shows red coloration (l) with wild-type poplar wood (r). Credit: Chenmin Yang, NC State University.

The study also included sophisticated pulp production mill models that suggest reduced lignin content in trees could increase pulp yield and reduce so-called black liquor, the major byproduct of pulping, which could help mills produce up to 40% more sustainable fibers.

Finally, the efficiencies found in fiber production could reduce greenhouse gases associated with pulp production by up to 20% if reduced lignin and increased C/L and S/G ratios are achieved in trees at industrial scale.

Forest trees represent the largest biogenic carbon sink on earth and are paramount in efforts to curb climate change. They are pillars of our ecosystems and the bioeconomy. In North Carolina, forestry contributes over $35 billion to the local economy and supports approximately 140,000 jobs.

"Multiplex genome editing provides a remarkable opportunity to improve forest resilience, productivity, and utilization at a time when our natural resources are increasingly challenged by climate change and the need to produce more sustainable biomaterials using less land," said Wang, assistant professor and director of the Forest Biotechnology Group at NC State and co-corresponding author of the paper.

Next steps include continued greenhouse tests to see how the gene-edited trees perform compared to wild trees. Later, the team hopes to use field trials to gauge whether the gene-edited trees can handle the stresses provided by life outdoors, outside the controlled greenhouse environment.

The researchers stressed the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration that enabled this study, encompassing three NC State colleges, multiple departments, the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative, NC State's Molecular Education, Technology and Research Innovation Center (METRIC), and partner universities.

"An interdisciplinary approach to tree breeding that combines genetics, computational biology, CRISPR tools, and bio-economics has profoundly expanded our knowledge of tree growth, development, and forest applications," said Daniel Sulis, a postdoctoral scholar at NC State and the first author of the paper. "This powerful approach has transformed our ability to unravel the complexity of tree genetics and deduce integrated solutions that could improve ecologically and economically important wood traits while reducing the carbon footprint of fiber production."

Building on the long-standing legacy of innovations in the fields of plant sciences and forestry at NC State, Barrangou and Wang created a startup company called TreeCo to advance the use of CRISPR technologies in forest trees. This collaborative effort led by NC State faculty members aims to combine tree genetic insights with the power of genome editing to breed a healthier and more sustainable future.

More information: Daniel B. Sulis et al, Multiplex CRISPR editing of wood for sustainable fiber production, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.add4514. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.add4514 Vania G. Zuin Zeidler, Genetic editing of wood for sustainability, Science (2023). www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adi8186 Journal information: Science
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As is the case for many orchids, the Dragon Orchid (Caladenia barbarossa) is pollinated by just a single species of insect. Here, pollination occurs via a male thynnine wasp, which is sexually attracted to the flower through mimicry of the wasp's sex pheromones. In this photo the male wasp removes and deposits pollen in the process of attempting to copulate with the flower. Credit: Dr Ryan Phillips, La Trobe University

Recent research, published in the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, used the database to reveal that orchids show remarkable diversity of highly specialized pollination strategies that differ across global regions.

The recently published database contains over 2,900 orchid species, detailing information on the identity of their pollinators and how they attract them. Importantly, the database reveals patterns of reproductive biology by habitat, geography and taxonomy.

"From these data, we identify general patterns and knowledge gaps limiting our understanding of orchid biology at the global level," Dr. Phillips said.

Charles Darwin used orchids to study evolution, believing their elaborate flower was an adaptation to enhance the probability of transferring pollen between plantsthereby increasing their offspring's fitness.

"Because of the unusual floral traits and often unconventional pollination attraction strategies, orchids have been at the forefront of understanding floral adaptations to pollinators," Dr. Phillips said.

Indeed, Darwin famously predicted that the Madagascan orchid Angraecum sesquipedalewith its 40 cm long nectar spurwould be pollinated by a moth with an equally long and outlandish proboscis.

Using the new database, the research paper, led by Dr. James Ackerman from the University of Puerto Rico, found that over 75% of orchid species are dependent on pollinators for reproduction. Interestingly, almost half of the orchids studied did not provide any kind of reward for visiting animalsinstead they used deceit to attract pollinators.

Orchids tended to be specialized on just one main pollinator speciesbe they living in the rainforests of Costa Rica or the montane grasslands of South Africabut this trend was even stronger for those using deception.

Study co-author, Dr. Noushka Reiter, said that "specializing on one pollinator species leaves many orchids particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic threats including climate change. With the loss of pollinators we would also loose these pollinator dependent orchid species."

The pollination strategies developed by orchids reads like a crime thrillerindeed, Australia is the world epicenter of pollination by sexual mimicry, where a host of different insect groupsfrom wasps to bees to gnatsare duped by this elaborate rouse.

In South Africa, orchids mimic carrion, on Reunion Island they mimic rainforest fruits and in Brazil they mimic the smell of aphidsall in the aim of deceiving pollinators.

More romantically, in the American tropics, 100s of orchid species provide fragrance to certain bees, which collect them and incorporate them into their courtship bouquet.

Science fiction?

In Australia, there is even a sexually deceptive orchid known as Caladenia barbarellawhich means little beard in Latin (in reference to the flower) but also refers to the comic book character of the same name who was infamous for her sexual exploits.

Dr. Phillips said that a surprising finding of the database was that "a hallmark of the orchid family is the high proportion of species that employ deceit to attract pollinators by exploiting the sensory abilities of pollinators via chemical, visual or tactile stimuli, generally in combination," he said.

Orchids exhibit two major forms of deceit. The first involves food deception, whereby the orchid may look or smell like a type of food to attract a pollinator. The second form of deceitful pollination is sexual deception, where male pollinators are enticed to visit flowers that provide visual, tactile and/or olfactory signals that are indicative of a female insect.

"The floral signals can be so persuasive that insects attempt copulation and may even ejaculate," Dr. Phillips said.

"I've even had the wasps fly in through the car window at the traffic lights and start making love to the orchids specimens on the front seat."

Far from being a freak occurrence, this strategy is now known from 20 genera around the world, including 100s of orchid species.

To date a third means of deception, known as brood-site deception, which typically involves mimicry of larval food such as mushrooms, dung, carrion to attract female flies looking for a food source on which to lay eggswas considered more common in some other families of flowering plants and rarely seen in orchids.

According to the database:

In terms of scientific study, Australasia and Africa have 15 and 20% coverage of their orchid diversity, respectively, whereas orchid floras of Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia and South America are much under-represented.



Approximately 76% of orchid species are entirely dependent on pollinators for reproduction.



Highly specialized pollination systems are frequent, with approximately 55% of orchids studied having just a single known pollinator species.



54% of orchid species offer pollinator rewards, and about half of those (51%) produce nectar. Orchids that are pollinated by insect collecting floral fragrances, account for 24% of the rewarding species, whereas those that produce floral oils account for c. 15%. The remaining 10% comprises species that offer trichomes (food hairs, pseudopollen), resins, pollen or sleep sites.



Deception, including food, brood-site and sexual deception, was recorded in 46% of the species in the database. Food deception was the most frequently recorded means of deception accounting for 60% of deceptive species. Sexual deception accounted for 38% of the records for pollination by deceit and is present in 20 orchid genera.



Wasps and bees are the group that make up the most common type of pollinator with flies and mosquitoes coming in a close second

The authors caution that there is much data collecting yet to be done.

"Despite containing over 2,900 species, our database covers less than 10% of the family. While they are centers of orchid diversity, the tropical regions of Africa, Southern America and Asia, are significantly under-represented in orchid pollination studies, especially among epiphytic orchids," Dr. Phillips said.

"The study of orchid pollination provides tremendous opportunity to discover new and bizarre pollination strategies, and to understand the adaptations that flowering plants to attract pollinators. While the tropics is the big unknown in orchid biology, many of best-known Australian orchids have not been studied in detail.

"Aside from scientific interest, this has important practical implications for conservation, given that many orchid species are reliant on one primary pollinator species for their persistence," Dr. Phillips said.

More information: James D Ackerman et al, Beyond the various contrivances by which orchids are pollinated: global patterns in orchid pollination biology, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society (2023). DOI: 10.1093/botlinnean/boac082 Journal information: Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society
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Rebecca Kessler samples water for microplastics in Clinton Lake, Lawrence. Credit: Ted Harris.

Around 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year. But that is not the only water source where plastic represents a significant intrusion.

"We found microplastics in every lake we sampled," said Ted Harris, associate research professor for the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research at the University of Kansas.

"Some of these lakes you think of as clear, beautiful vacation spots. But we discovered such places to be perfect examples of the link between plastics and humans."

Harris is one of 79 researchers belonging to the international Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON), which examines processes and phenomena occurring in freshwater environments. Their new paper, titled "Plastic debris in lakes and reservoirs," reveals that concentrations of plastic found in freshwater environments are actually higher than those found in so-called "garbage patches" in the ocean. The article is published in Nature.

For his role, Harris teamed with Rebecca Kessler, his former student and recent KU graduate, to test two Kansas lakes (Clinton and Perry) and the Cross Reservoir at the KU Field Station.

"That entailed us going out, tolling a net with tiny little holes in it, dragging it for about two minutes, then collecting those samples of microplastics and sending them off to (the lead researchers)," Kessler said.

The research project was designed and coordinated by the Inland Water Ecology and Management research group of the University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy (headed by Barbara Leoni and Veronica Nava). The team sampled surface waters of 38 lakes and reservoirs, distributed across gradients of geographical position and limnological attributes. It detected plastic debris in all studied lakes and reservoirs.

"This paper essentially shows the more humans, the more plastics," Harris said. "Places like Clinton Lake are relatively low in microplastics becausewhile there are many animals and treesthere aren't a lot of humans, relative to somewhere like Lake Tahoe where people are living all around it. Some of these lakes are seemingly pristine and beautiful, yet that's where the microplastics come from."

Harris said that many of the plastics are from something as outwardly innocuous as T-shirts.

"The simple act of people getting in swimming and having clothing that has microplastic fibers in it leads to microplastics getting everywhere," he said.

The GLEON study cites two types of water bodies studied that are particularly vulnerable to plastic contamination: lakes and reservoirs in densely populated and urbanized areas; and those with elevated deposition areas, long water retention times and high levels of anthropogenic influence.

"When we started the study, I didn't know a lot about microplastics versus large plastics," Harris said.

"When this paper says 'concentrations as much or worse than the garbage patch,' you always think of the big bottles and stuff, but you're not thinking of all that smaller stuff. You don't see a huge garbage patch in Lake Tahoe, yet it's one of the most impacted lakes when it comes to microplastics. Those are plastics you can't really see with the naked eye, and then you get underneath a scope at 40,000x, and you see these little jagged pieces and other particles that are the same size as algae or even smaller."

Part of Harris and Kessler's enthusiasm for taking part in this project was to highlight a region of the U.S. that is often overlooked.

"In this study, there's one dot in the middle of the country, and that's our sample," he said. "In Iowa, Missouri and Colorado, there's this huge swath of area that has water bodies, but we often don't get them into those massive global studies. So it was really important for me to put Kansas on the map to see and contextualize what these differences are in our lakes."

Harris has worked at KU since 2013, where his research focuses on aquatic ecology. Kessler graduated KU in 2022 with a degree in ecology, evolutionary & organismal biology.

"The biggest takeaway from our study is that microplastics can be found in all lakes," Kessler said. "Obviously, there are different concentrations. But they are literally everywhere. And the biggest contributing factor to these microplastics is human interaction with the lakes."

More information: Veronica Nava et al, Plastic debris in lakes and reservoirs, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06168-4 Journal information: Nature
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Providing access to housing, debt, and benefit advice within food banks could help lift people out of povertyaccording to a University of East Anglia study.

Researchers worked with Norwich Foodbank centers, part of the Trussell Trust, on a pilot project that saw representatives from Citizens Advice and Shelter posted within the service.

The 'Making a Difference' initiative meant that people forced to use a food bank were also able to access advice on a range of issuesfrom housing and debt to benefits.

It is now hoped that this scheme will be rolled out to foodbanks nationally.

Lead researcher Dr. Sarah Hanson, from UEA's School of Health Sciences, said, "As the cost-of-living crisis continues, more and more people are turning to food banks because they simply can't afford to eat.

"This might be because they have had an acute change in circumstances, are on a low income, in debt, or because their benefits have either changed or been delayed.

"We wanted to see whether making more support available to people at food banks would helpso that they would no longer need to rely on emergency food.

"We know that signposting, for example giving information about other local organizations, is not enough. This is because people's issues are complex and need a more holistic approach."

The Norwich Foodbank has supported 11,797 people in the last year. This has shot up from 8,905 people in 2015.

The 'Making a Difference' project is a pilot advisory scheme in the region with staff from Shelter and Citizen's Advice posted within some of its food banks.

The UEA team interviewed food bank volunteers and advice workers, to provide lived experience feedback on the scheme.

Dr. Hanson said, "One of the main things that emerged was that having a person-centered, holistic, and compassionate approach is essential for clients with complex needs that cut across many different services.

"It can be very difficult for people to navigate the benefit system, the housing system, social servicesyou need a joined-up approach with advisers that can help on a number of levels.

"A lot of people are missing out on benefits such as Healthy Start vouchers and pension creditbecause they don't realize that they are entitled to them.

"Many people visiting food banks have poor mental or physical health, as well as personal trauma. Having advisers available at the point of need means that people don't have to tell their stories multiple times to different organizations.

"We found that the service is reaching very vulnerable people who fall through the gaps, in the heart of really deprived communities. These people may have previously found advice services inaccessible, and they are too often socially excluded from opportunities and services that could support them.

"Importantly, the initiative is empowering clients by treating them with dignity and sensitivity in often distressing circumstances," she added.

But while the scheme is helping food bank clients, the researchers found that frontline staff may need some help themselves.

Dr. Hanson said, "We heard that being on the frontline can impact mental health. It is therefore important that anyone who is listening to and supporting people in crisis in a very challenging landscape, should have access to support themselves."

Rhiannon Barrow, Trussell Trust financial inclusion manager for the East of England, said, "The partnership between UEA and Norwich Foodbank was one of the first collaborations between a university and a Trussell Trust Foodbank.

"The evaluation of the 'Making a Difference' project demonstrates the effectiveness of working in partnership with organizations so individuals are supported holistically and don't have to be retraumatized by repeating their stories.

"The evaluation also enabled reflection and a space to discuss continuous improvement to enable Norwich Foodbank to better serve their community and support staff and volunteers, which they always strive to do."

Hannah Worsley, Norwich Foodbank project manager, said, "We were delighted to work with the UEA research team to independently evaluate and understand our project, in terms of what we expected the outcomes to be and what some actual outcomes were.

"The interviews with our volunteers, and Citizen's Advice and Shelter advisors' insights, along with the research provided by UEA, gave us a thorough and better understanding of what this work is currently achieving for those we serve and, most importantly, how we can improve the service for our clients."

Nidhi Mittal, pathfinder lead at the Trussell Trust, said, "The UEA study, funded via the Trussell Trust Pathfinder program, is an innovative piece of work that provides valuable insights into the impact that financial inclusion services embedded within a holistic model of support can have on reducing the need for emergency food parcels.

"The Pathfinder program at Trussell Trust aims to support innovation and learning on how we can address underlying causes of poverty in the UK, and this study led by UEA offers some excellent testimony for the work of Norwich foodbank and a base of valuable learning and knowledge for our wider foodbank network and partners."

"A qualitative exploration of a Financial Inclusion service in an English foodbank" is published in the journal Perspectives In Public Health.

More information: A qualitative exploration of a Financial Inclusion service in an English foodbank, Perspectives in Public Health (2023). research-portal.uea.ac.uk/en/p  usion-service-in-an-
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Dr. Constance Woodman (left) with Sean Michael Ragan at his fabrication lab, along with Loretta the Test Turkey, who enjoys car rides to the lab. Credit: Constance Woodman

A researcher from the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) is creating "smart eggs," unique data collection devices to promote reproduction in endangered bird populations.

The devices, designed to look like bird eggs, carry sensors that capture information necessary for artificial incubation. The information is an important part of restoring declining bird populations, according to Dr. Constance Woodman, the program manager for the USDA Conservation Innovation Grants program at Texas A&M University and a faculty member in the VMBS' Department of Veterinary Pathobiology.

In order to increase the number of eggs in a population, conservationists often remove eggs from nests and place them in artificial incubators, which keep the eggs at an optimal temperature range and in the correct humidity for the eggs to hatch successfully.

Removing the eggs serves several purposesit keeps them safe from accidental damage and it encourages hens (female birds) to lay additional eggs.

Once the chicks hatch, they are returned to their parents.

However, for artificial incubation to be successful, conservationists must mimic the incubation environments found in nature, including temperature, sound, and egg rotation patterns. To make things even more difficult, no two bird species create the same incubation environment.

Replicating nature

Woodman is working to make artificial incubation more successful by designing fake bird eggs that log data to help conservationists replicate natural incubation. Depending on what kind of information she needs for each species, she can put sensors to measure light, sound, and temperature inside these "egg loggers." They can even record how a mother bird turns the eggs on a three-dimensional axis.

The manufacturing process includes the use of 3D printing. Credit: Constance Woodman

The egg loggers are highly sophisticated research tools designed using technology developed by Dr. Scott Shaffer, a professor at San Jose State University. Other members of the team include inventor and author Sean Ragan and Dr. Donald J. Brightsmith, co-director of The Macaw Society and associate professor at VMBS.

Each batch of egg loggers is made with an individual bird species in mindmeaning the team must redesign the loggers for each species to prevent rejection by the hens.

"The mother bird will reject an egg based on color, weight, surface texture, or if she can feel any cracks or dents in it," Woodman said. "We don't want the mother bird to reject the egg because, if she does, we've lost the nesting season. So, the artificial eggs should be adequate to convince the mother bird to sit on it."

The nesting season includes the period when birds mate, build nests and raise chicks. Every species has a different nesting season, but it typically only happens once a year. Because of this, losing a nesting season can be devastating for conservation efforts, especially when a population has very low numbers.

"When you get down to a very small population of animals, you might have one shot to get data and apply it or you lose the species," Woodman said.

That's because when an animal population gets too low, there isn't enough genetic diversity to create healthy offspring.

Besides collecting information that could save endangered species, the most important aspect of the egg logger design is creating something that won't harm birds. Woodman uses only non-toxic materials in the egg loggers, including dyes used to color children's clothing.

"I was able to run a number of chemical tests on different types of 3D printing processes to make sure it was non-toxic and safe for the animals," Woodman said. "That was a very big relief for me."

Loretta on her nest on Woodman's guest bedroom dresser. She tests all 3D-printed shell versions, colors, shapes, and surface treatments for comfort and ease of turning. Credit: Constance Woodman

The extinction threat

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species, 13% of the world's bird species are threatened with extinction, including more than 400 species in the endangered category and another 200 marked as critically endangered.

Declining bird populations are part of a larger global problem with declining animal species variety. Many species struggle to survive now that human activities are altering the planet's climate and reducing the size of natural habitats. Without healthy ecosystems that include a wide range of plants and animals, the planet can't sustain conditions for human existence.

"Our team gets a lot of requests from people all over the world who are trying to save animals," Woodman said. "In the face of extreme weather and greatly increased rates of population decline and extinction, there's a lot of need for data right now."

One request that Woodman and her colleagues received was from the Oregon Zoo. Kelli Walker, the senior condor keeper at the zoo, enlisted Woodman's team to help collect data on California Condors in the zoo's breeding program.

Besides condors, the team has used egg loggers to help parrots, gulls, arctic ducks, macaws, old world vultures and many other species. By using intensive hands-on management techniques like artificial incubation, conservationists can counter some of the effects of changing global weather patterns and habitat loss.

Even so, this kind of work isn't easy. While there's talk of other strategies for helping endangered bird populations increase their numbers, there just isn't enough funding to make every project happen.

Researchers utilized the egg loggers in the wild with these nesting Laysan albatross. Credit: Constance Woodman

"There's some promise with cellular cloning," Woodman said, "but the cost of producing an animal from a tissue culture versus an egg will always favor natural reproduction."

For now, Woodman's egg loggers are one of the most versatile and cost-effective ways of addressing bird population decline.

Woodman has seen a few other organizations try to build their own egg loggers, but none of them are quite ready for use in conservation, especially if they only record one kind of data, like temperature.

Every detail matters for hatching healthy chicks.

"You have to have the data," Woodman explained. "Otherwise, you're just guessing."
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MCA results regarding the coverage of economic issues by the media between 2014 and 2022. Credit: Bias or Diversity? Unraveling Fine-Grained Thematic Discrepancy in U.S. News Headlines (2023).

News stories about domestic politics and social issues are becoming increasingly polarized along ideological lines according to a study of 1.8 million news headlines from major US news outlets from 2014 to 2022. A team from the University of Rochester led by Jiebo Luo, a professor of computer science and the Albert Arendt Hopeman Professor of Engineering, used machine learning to analyze headlines and presented their findings about growing media bias at the MEDIATE workshop of the International AAAI Conference on Web and Social Media.

The researchers said that while there is broad consensus that news media outlets adopt ideological perspectives in their articles, previous studies dissecting the differences among outlets were limited in scope and used small sample sizes. Machine-learning techniques allowed the researchers to study a vast sample of headlines over an eight-year period across nine representative media outlets including the New York Times, Bloomberg, CNN, NBC, the Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, the Federalist, Reason, and the Washington Times.

The study used a technique called multiple correspondence analysis to measure the fine-grained thematic discrepancies among headlines. The researchers grouped the stories into four categoriesdomestic politics, economic issues, social issues, and foreign affairsand analyzed how left, right, and central media outlets differed in the language they used in their headlines.

The team observed that US media outlets across the political spectrum were consistent and similar in covering economic issues. While they found discrepancies in reporting foreign affairs, they attributed that to diversity in individual journalistic styles.

For example, the authors say the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg primarily concentrate on the economic and financial implications of geopolitical tensions, resulting in differing perspectives compared to other media outlets. But headlines in the domestic politics and social issues categories showed important differences.

'Abortion law' or 'abortion rights'?

"We observed a lot of subtle differences in the words they choose when they cover the same high-level topics," says Hanjia Lyu, a computer science Ph.D. student who was the lead author of the study. "For example, when covering abortion issues, Reason tends to use the term 'abortion law,' while CNN underscores its ideological position by using the term 'abortion rights.' On a higher level they are both talking about abortion issues, but you can feel the subtle difference in the words that they choose."

The research team hopes to dig deeper to better understand how and why media outlets use different words to cover the same kind of topics. They say understanding these discrepancies, and when they may indicate media bias, is important for both media outlets and readers alike.

Says Luo: "For consumers, it's useful to know this information because the echo chamber effect is very strong and people are used to only listening to things they like to hear. Showing the divergence and the increased partisanship may make them aware that they need to be more conscious consumers of news."

More information: Bias or Diversity? Unraveling Fine-Grained Thematic Discrepancy in U.S. News Headlines, DOI: 10.36190/2023.25 workshop-proceedings.icwsm.org/pdf/2023_25.pdf Conference: digitalmediasig.github.io/Mediate2022/
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Researchers from the University of Notre Dame, in a study recently published in Nature, found that removing invasive vegetation at water access points in and around several Senegalese villages reduced rates of schistosomiasis by almost a third. Credit: University of Notre Dame

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that causes organ damage and death, affected more than 250 million people worldwide in 2021, according to the World Health Organization.

One of the world's most burdensome neglected tropical diseases, schistosomiasis occurs when worms are transmitted from freshwater snails to humans. The snails thrive in water with plants and algae that proliferate in areas of agricultural runoff containing fertilizer. People become infected during routine activities in infested water.

Researchers from the University of Notre Dame, in a study recently published in Nature, found that removing invasive vegetation at water access points in and around several Senegalese villages reduced rates of schistosomiasis by almost a third. As a bonus, the removed vegetation can also be used for compost and livestock feed.

"Disease, food, energy, water, sustainability and poverty challenges intersect in many ways, but are typically addressed independently," said lead author Jason Rohr, the Ludmilla F., Stephen J. and Robert T. Galla College Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame. "We sought to break down these silos and identify win-win solutions, while demonstrating their cost effectiveness so that residents would hopefully adopt them widely."

Rohr and his team spent seven years on the project, with research conducted in 23 villages and clinical trials in 16. They found that villages with substantial fertilizer use had more submerged vegetation. These villages had more snails and a higher prevalence of schistosomiasis infection in children, said Rohr, who is affiliated with the Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative and the Eck Institute for Global Health.

Researchers hypothesized that removing vegetation could reduce infections while providing greater access to the open water that is crucial for daily activities and recreation. So, they conducted a three-year randomized controlled trial in 16 communities, where children were treated for their infections and the researchers removed more than 400 metric tons of vegetation in water access points from half the villages. These removals resulted in a decline in snail abundance as well as schistosomiasis infection rates being nearly a third lower than those observed in control villages.

Rohr's team also tried to profitably improve food production by partly closing the nutrient loop, returning nutrients captured in the removed plants back to agriculture. So, they worked with local farmers to compost the vegetation for use on pepper and onion plants, increasing their yields, and demonstrated that the vegetation could be effectively used as cattle, sheep and donkey feed. Alexandra "Lexi" Sack, who worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Rohr's lab from 2021 to 2023, assisted Senegal's in-country team with the care and design of the sheep-feeding trials, and performed much of the analysis of the vegetation removal results.

"This is important work because it encompasses many different disciplines by combining schistosomiasis prevention and food security," Sack said. "Often these interventions are separate when the neglected tropical diseases, which includes schistosomiasis, are contributing both to and resulting from poverty."

With the expertise of co-authors Christopher B. Barrett, an economist at Cornell University, and Molly Doruska, a doctoral student also at Cornell, the research team demonstrated that the benefits of removing the vegetation and using it in agriculture were nearly nine times higher than the costs.

"We took this public nuisance, which is reducing health, and converted it into a private good that improves income," Rohr said.

The team was also able to illustrate how to scale the project using artificial intelligence and satellite imagery to identify snail habitat and thus hotspots for schistosomiasis, which will allow them to target their intervention training to areas that need it the most.

Villagers helped with removing vegetation once they understood the public health benefits of the intervention, but in the long run, relying on voluntary labor may not be as effective as the researchers removing the vegetation.

"In the next steps, sociologists and economists on the project will quantify how the innovation affects quality of life and whether it is biased based on wealth, gender and/or age," Rohr said.

The team will also investigate how biodigesters might be implemented to turn the aquatic vegetation into fertilizer and gas that can be used for cooking or to fuel generators for electricity production. Rohr said they hope to leverage investments by the Swiss government, which has committed to installing 60,000 biodigesters in Senegal for carbon credits.

The ongoing research could not be accomplished without all of the partners who contributed, especially the Senegalese citizens, Rohr said.

More information: Jason R. Rohr et al, A planetary health innovation for disease, food and water challenges in Africa, Nature (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06313-z Journal information: Nature
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Trees surround Crawford Lake in Milton, Ontario., on Monday, July 10, 2023. A team of scientists is recommending the start of a new geological epoch defined by how humans have impacted the Earth should be marked at the pristine Crawford Lake outside Toronto in Canada. Credit: Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP

From climate change to species loss and pollution, humans have etched their impact on Earth with such strength and permanence since the middle of the 20th century that a special team of scientists says a new geologic epoch began then.

Called the Anthropoceneand derived from the Greek terms for "human" and "new"this epoch started sometime between 1950 and 1954, according to the scientists. While there is evidence worldwide that captures the impact of burning fossil fuels, detonating nuclear weapons and dumping fertilizers and plastics on land and in waterways, the scientists are proposing a small but deep lake outside of Toronto, CanadaCrawford Laketo place a historic marker.

"It's quite clear that the scale of change has intensified unbelievably and that has to be human impact," said University of Leicester geologist Colin Waters, who chaired the Anthropocene Working Group.

This puts the power of humans in a somewhat similar class with the meteorite that crashed into Earth 66 million years ago, killing off dinosaurs and starting the Cenozoic Era, or what is conversationally known as the age of mammals. But not quite. While that meteorite started a whole new era, the working group is proposing that humans only started a new epoch, which is a much smaller geologic time period.

Grass is reflected in water at Crawford Lake in Milton, Ontario, on Friday, July 7, 2023. A team of scientists is recommending the start of a new geological epoch defined by how humans have impacted the Earth should be marked at the pristine Crawford Lake outside Toronto in Canada. Credit: Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP

The group aims to determine a specific start date of the Anthropocene by measuring plutonium levels at the bottom of Crawford Lake.

The idea of the Anthropocene was proposed at a science conference more than 20 years ago by the late Nobel Prize-winning chemist Paul Crutzen. Teams of scientists have debated the issue since then and finally set up the working group to study whether it was needed and, if so, when the epoch would start and where it would be commemorated.

Crawford Lake, which is 79 feet (29 meters) deep and 258,333 square feet (24,000 square meters) in area, was chosen over 11 other sites because the annual effects of human activity on the earth's soil, atmosphere and biology are so clearly preserved in its layers of sediment. That includes everything from nuclear fallout to species-threatening pollution to steadily rising temperatures.

Ripples are seen in the water of Crawford Lake in Milton, Ontario, on Friday, July 7, 2023. A team of scientists is recommending the start of a new geological epoch defined by how humans have impacted the Earth should be marked at the pristine Crawford Lake outside Toronto in Canada. Credit: Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP

There are distinct and multiple signals starting around 1950 in Crawford Lake showing that "the effects of humans overwhelm the Earth system," said Francine McCarthy, a committee member who specializes in that site as an Earth sciences professor at Brock University in Canada.

"The remarkably preserved annual record of deposition in Crawford Lake is truly amazing," said U.S. National Academies of Sciences President Marcia McNutt, who wasn't part of the committee.

The Anthropocene shows the powerand hubrisof humankind, several scientists said.

"The hubris is in imagining that we are in control," said former U.S. White House science adviser John Holdren, who was not part of the working group of scientists and disagrees with its proposed start date, wanting one much earlier. "The reality is that our power to transform the environment has far exceeded our understanding of the consequences and our capacity to change course."

People look out at the water at Crawford Lake in Milton, Ontario, on Friday, July 7, 2023. A team of scientists is recommending the start of a new geological epoch defined by how humans have impacted the Earth should be marked at the pristine Crawford Lake outside Toronto in Canada. Credit: Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP

Steam rises off the water of Crawford Lake in Milton, Ontario, on Friday, July 7, 2023. A team of scientists is recommending the start of a new geological epoch defined by how humans have impacted the Earth should be marked at the pristine Crawford Lake outside Toronto in Canada. Credit: Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP

Ripples are seen in the water of Crawford Lake in Milton, Ontario, on Friday, July 7, 2023. A team of scientists is recommending the start of a new geological epoch defined by how humans have impacted the Earth should be marked at the pristine Crawford Lake outside Toronto in Canada. Credit: Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP

The sun shines on the water of Crawford Lake in Milton, Ontario, on Friday, July 7, 2023. A team of scientists is recommending the start of a new geological epoch defined by how humans have impacted the Earth should be marked at the pristine Crawford Lake outside Toronto in Canada. Credit: Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP

Trees surround Crawford Lake in Milton, Ontario., on Monday, July 10, 2023. A team of scientists is recommending the start of a new geological epoch defined by how humans have impacted the Earth should be marked at the pristine Crawford Lake outside Toronto in Canada. Credit: Cole Burston/The Canadian Press via AP

Geologists measure time in eons, eras, periods, epochs and ages. The scientific working group is proposing that Anthropocene Epoch followed the Holocene Epoch, which started about 11,700 years ago at the end of an ice age.

They are also proposing that it starts a new age, called Crawfordian after the lake chosen as its starting point.

The proposal still needs to be approved by three different groups of geologists and could be signed off at a major conference next year.

The reason geologists didn't declare the Anthropocene the start of a bigger and more important time measurement, such as a period, is because the current Quaternary Period, which began nearly 2.6 million years ago, is based on permanent ice on Earth's poles, which still exist. But in a few hundred years, if climate change continues and those disappear, it may be time to change that, Waters said.

"If you know your Greek tragedies you know power, hubris, and tragedy go hand in hand," said Harvard science historian Naomi Oreskes, a working group member. "If we don't address the harmful aspects of human activities, most obviously disruptive climate change, we are headed for tragedy."

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Kushani Perera, a PhD candidate from the Australian Rivers Institute. Credit: Griffith University

Griffith University researchers have taken a forensic look at the amount of airborne microplastics in indoor environments in Australia, and the results are confronting.

Published in Science of The Total Environment, the researchers collected and filtered samples of air from seven indoor environments on the Gold Coast where people spend most of their time, including a childcare center, an office, a school, two homes, a restaurant and a car.

"While all these indoor environments contained airborne microplastic pollution, our results showed that the childcare center was the worst," said lead author Kushani Perera, a Ph.D. candidate from the Australian Rivers Institute.

"Most people spend more time indoors compared to outdoors, so it's important to quantify the amount of airborne microplastics in indoor air to understand human exposure."

In this study, microplastic fibers and fragments ranging from 0.020mm to 5mm in size were sampled across different indoor and outdoor sites of Southeast Queensland.

"Microplastics were detected in all samples, including outdoor air," Perera said. Plastic pollution in indoor samples was much higher than outdoors, and our sample from the childcare center had microplastic concentrations 11 times greater than the sample taken outdoors (2.2 particles per cubic meter compared to 0.2 particles per cubic meter)."

"The office and school both had approximately 5-times outdoor concentrations, while the two homes restaurant were between 2.5 and 4.5 times outdoor levels."

"With these amounts of airborne plastics in indoor environments, our calculations suggest the average Australian male between the ages of 18 and 64 can breathe in more than 3,000 plastic particles every year," Perera said.

Professor Frederic Leusch, a co-author study from the Australian Rivers Institute's Toxicology Research Group said the results can largely be explained by the presence of high plastic-content items indoors, combined with activity levels.

"The largest sources of microplastic pollution are soft textiles, like rugs, carpets, curtains and clothes, which can shed tiny plastic particles that can easily become airborne."

"With the childcare center there's more carpet, there's plastic toys, there's more movement in the room as well with kids running, so it's not surprising that airborne microplastics would be high in such an environment."

Fortunately, Leusch highlighted some simple things that we can do to reduce our exposure to microplastics. "The single biggest thing is to regularly open up your windows and get a good breeze coming in from outside.

"Vacuuming regularly will also help. This is because the microplastics in the air will eventually settle into dust on the floor, so if you only vacuum once a month you may have a large reservoir on the floor that you're re-suspending every time you walk through your house.

"Finally, people need to limit their use of clothes dryers and air conditioners; it's probably the primary source for microplastic particles around the house."

Considering acute, chronic, industrial, and individual susceptibility, more detailed human inhalation exposure levels to airborne microplastics need to be determined for a realistic appraisal of the human health risk, including how much of the inhaled particles are then exhaled?

Perera said more work also was needed to determine if there are any health consequences from the inhalation of thousands of microplastic particles each year.

"Now we understand the different exposure levels, the next step is to culture human lung cells and expose them to the concentrations and types of microplastics we observed in this study and see what adverse biological effect that can have."

More information: Kushani Perera et al, Microplastics in Australian indoor air: Abundance, characteristics, and implications for human exposure, Science of The Total Environment (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164292 Journal information: Science of the Total Environment
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(Top Row: Panels AC) Optimal fit regions in the z vs  (magnification) parameter space for SMDS fits to JADES-GS-z11-0, JADES-GS-z12-0, and JADES-GS-z13-0 photometric data. The heatmap is color coded according to the value of the  2 and is cutoff (grayed out) at the critical value corresponding to 95% CL. In addition to labeling the object, the title in each panel includes the mass and formation mechanism for the SMDSs model considered. (Bottom Row: Panels DF) For each case, we plot our best fit SEDs against the photometric data of (27) in each band. Titles include values of relevant parameters and  2. Each band is visually represented by its throughput curves, color coded and plotted at the bottom of the SED plots. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305762120

A trio of astrophysicists, two from Colgate University and the third from the University of Texas, has found evidence of dark stars courtesy of data from the James Webb Space Telescope. In their study, reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Cosmin Ilie, Jillian Paulin and Katherine Freese, analyzed three galaxies spotted by the JWST and how they might relate to dark stars.

Back in 2007, Freese, along with Douglas Spolyar and Paolo Gondolo, proposed the idea of a dark starrather than nuclear fusion, these theorized dark stars are powered by dark matter. Since that time, researchers have continued to study the idea of such a star, built models to show what they might look like and derived a list of characteristics that such a star might have. In the current study, Ilie, Paulin and Freese have found three candidates in Webb data that fit the bill.

Dark stars, the team suggests, likely could have been born during the early days of the universelike other stars, they would have been made mostly of helium and hydrogen. But they would also contain dark matterenough to provide a heat source. Such stars would not then be lit by nuclear fusion. If such stars did exist, they would be much larger than other types of stars that have been observedso large that they might look like galaxies from Earth-based telescopes.

The dark star candidates they examined, JADES-GS-z11, z12 and z13-0, conformed strongly to the characteristics they described for dark stars, adding credence to their theory. Also helping to bolster their theory is that the three dark star candidates do not fit with theory surrounding traditional galaxies.

Another part of the theory the team developed suggested that as dark stars age, they eventually collapse down to supermassive black holes, explaining why there are so many black holes in the universe. It would also explain why dark stars have not previously been observedastronomers lacked the tools necessary to see far enough back in time until the deployment of the JWST.

More information: Cosmin Ilie et al, Supermassive Dark Star candidates seen by JWST, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305762120 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

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The Klamath River runs from Oregons high desert interior through the Cascades and the Klamath Mountains, entering the Pacific Ocean in Northern California. Credit: Bob Wick, BLM/Flickr, CC BY

The Klamath River runs over 250 miles (400 kilometers) from southern Oregon to the Pacific Ocean in Northern California. It flows through the steep, rugged Klamath Mountains, past slopes of redwood, fir, tanoak and madrone, and along pebbled beaches where willows shade the river's edge. Closer to its mouth at Requa, the trees rising above the river are often blanketed in fog.

The Klamath is central to the worldviews, history and identity of several Native nations. From headwaters in Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin-Paiute lands, it flows through Shasta, Karuk, Hupa and Yurok homelands. The Yurok Tribe has legally recognized the personhood of the river.

Historically, the Klamath was the third-largest Pacific salmon-producing river on the West Coast. The river supported abundant and diverse runs of native fish, including Chinook and coho salmon, steelhead trout, Pacific lamprey, green sturgeon, eulachon smelt and coastal cutthroat trout. Most of the Klamath in California has been designated since 1981 as "wild and scenic"the strongest level of protection for free-flowing rivers.

People and fish of the Klamath River have been interconnected for millennia. But dams and irrigation systems built before the 1960salong with other pressures, such as logging, mining and overharvestinghave separated fish from their spawning habitats and Indigenous cultures from sacred fish.

Recognizing this harm, state, federal and tribal agencies now are removing four of the Klamath's six dams to let fish migrate farther upstream to historical habitats. The target completion date is 2024. This US$450 million project is the largest dam removal in the world.

Dam removals have catalyzed ecological rebound in other rivers, including the Elwha in Washington state and the Kennebec and Penobscot in Maine. As scholars working in Native American studies and freshwater ecology, we see the Klamath dam removal as an opportunity to right historical wrongs, improve depleted native fish populations and strengthen an understanding of the relationships between fish and Indigenous peoples.

People, fish and infrastructure

Resident fishes of the upper Klamath are highly endemic, meaning that they do not occur anywhere else in the world. They represent a unique collection of species from an ancient river that historically flowed into the Great Basina swath of arid lands across present-day Nevada and western Utahbefore connecting to the lower Klamath River about 1.8 million years ago. Many fishes, particularly Chinook salmon, steelhead and coho salmon, annually migrated to or near the headwaters of the Klamath River to spawn.

As early as 1895, hydroelectric operations began to change the Klamath's hydrology. In the early 1900s, multiple small regional hydroelectric companies consolidated to form California Oregon Power Co., or Copco, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation began developing water storage and diversion projects.

White settlers in California had already been violently attempting to eradicate Native Americans since the mid-1800s. Dam building ushered in a new phase of attempted removal for tribes whose lives and cultures were centered along the rivers. Farming communities and lumber companies invaded the ancestral homelands of the Yurok and Karuk peoples.

Four hydropower dams on the Klamath River are being removed to restore habitat for endangered salmon. Credit: USGS

Declining fisheries

Permitting processes in the heyday of Western dam construction did not consider impacts on Indigenous nations or fisheries. Construction of Copco 1 blocked all fish migration to the Klamath's upper reaches starting in 1912. Subsequently, Copco 2, J.C. Boyle and Iron Gate dams further shortened fish migrations, cutting off access to approximately 400 miles (650 kilometers) of productive spawning and rearing habitat. None of these dams included passage systems to help fish access upstream habitats.

Today, wild spring-run Chinook are largely absent from the basin, except for a small population associated with the Salmon River and another population released from a hatchery on the Trinity River. Wild spring-run Chinook have declined by 98% from historical baselines.

Fall-run Chinook still return to the basin in moderate to small numbers, partly because two hatcheries on the Klamath produce and release up to 12 million juveniles annually. According to a 2002 estimate, between 20,000 and 40,000 wild fall-run Chinook salmon now return from the ocean annually, down from approximately 500,000 historically.

Other native fishes in the Klamath Basin are also in severe decline. The Coho salmon, shortnose sucker, Lost River sucker, bull trout and euchalon all are federally listed as threatened or endangered. Conservationists have petitioned regulators to list other species, including spring-run Chinook, steelhead and lamprey.

Impacts on tribal nations

Development in the Klamath Basin has pitted agricultural interests against tribal nations and fish, particularly during dry years. Lack of fish passage systems and lower river flow have contributed to fish declines and disease.

Losing salmon along the Klamath is traumatic for Native nations, which see the fish as a cultural and spiritual keystone. For them, working to remove the dams and protect the salmon is a commitment and a responsibility.

As Yurok tribal member Brook Thompson, a restoration engineer, stated in a recent article:

"My people have lived on the Klamath for thousands of years, and I know that the salmon today are the descendants of those my ancestors managed. These salmon are a direct tie to my ancestorsthe physical representation of their love for me. The salmon are my relatives." Native American communities in the Pacific Northwest have fought for decades to remove hydroelectric dams that harm salmon migration.

Tribes have legal rights to protect their fisheries and, ultimately, their cultural survival. In Western water law, rights often follow a first-in-time logic, meaning that the first party to claim or appropriate water holds the right to it. According to the Winters doctrine, established in a 1908 Supreme Court ruling, tribal water rights extend back to the dates when reservations were created.

The Klamath River Reservation was established primarily for Yurok on the lower Klamath in 1855, long before water development upstream. Upriver, lands were recognized for the Klamath tribes in 1864.

In 1954 Congress terminated federal recognition for the Klamath Tribe. Three decades later, however, in the 1983 case U.S. v. Adair, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit recognized that the tribe retained enough water rights to protect its treaty-guaranteed hunting and fishing rights on former reservation land.

A state quantification process affirmed in 2012 and reaffirmed in 2021 that tribes had the most senior water rights in the upper Klamath Basin. The federal government is responsible for ensuring in-stream flows that will sustain the Klamath tribes' fishing rights, as well as agricultural deliveries to upstream farmerswhose rights generally date to the establishment of the federal Klamath Project in 1906.

Downstream, a series of court cases and a 1993 legal opinion from the Department of the Interior affirmed Yurok and Hoopa fishing rights. Tribes have legal priority, both upriver and downriver.

Welcoming salmon home

Removing the dams will begin to address the terms of the Yurok Tribe's 2019 Resolution 19-40, which recognizes the rights of the Klamath River itself "to exist, flourish, and naturally evolve; to have a clean and healthy environment free from pollutants; to have a stable climate free from human-caused climate change impacts " and the tribe's right to "protect the Klamath River, its ecosystem, and species for the continuation of the Yurok people and the Tribe for future generations."

Dam removal will encourage native and endemic fishes to return to the upper basin and access important spawning and rearing habitats. Fish population responses will probably vary, particularly during the first several years after removal.

However, salmon and trout have evolved to migrate upstream and access important headwater spawning and rearing habitats. Making this possible will support long-term recovery of these ecologically and culturally important species.

It also will promote the recovery of Indigenous peoples' homelands and lifeways. In Yurok restoration engineer Brook Thompson's words, "We're all focused on finding solutions to bringing our salmon back home and creating a healthy life for them. Creating a healthy life for salmon means creating a healthy life for us as people."

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Estimated energetic demands of thermoregulation during ancient canoe passages from Tahiti to Hawaii and New Zealand, a simulation analysis. Credit: PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287290

For the first time, researchers have developed a model to estimate how much energy the original colonizers of New Zealand expended to maintain their body temperatures on the cold, harrowing ocean journey from Southeast Asia.

Results showed that people making the first voyages from Tahiti to New Zealand in sailing canoes would expend 3.3 to 4.8 times more energy on thermoregulationthe technical term for maintaining body temperaturethan those making a trip of similar length to Hawaii.

The ocean route to New Zealand required much more energy for thermoregulation because it went through harsher and colder conditions than the one to Hawaii, said Alvaro Montenegro, lead author of the study and associate professor of geography at The Ohio State University.

The findings help provide additional evidence supporting the long-standing theory of why Polynesians of today have a distinctive body typerelatively larger, heavier, bulkierthat is more often found in populations that live in higher latitudes with colder climates.

"It has been long hypothesized that the first trips to New Zealand were much harder on the body of settlers than trips of similar lengths to places like Hawaii," Montenegro said.

"We were able to put together a model to actually measure how much more energy for thermoregulation it would take for people to get thereand show why larger, heavier people would have been more likely to survive the trip. That's one reason why their descendants today may have the body types they do."

The study was published today in the journal PLOS ONE.

Although much of East Polynesia is tropical, the southern third, including New Zealand, ranges from a warm- to cool-temperate climate. Researchers say that may be one of the reasons it was one of the last places on Earth to become inhabited. The first people arrived in New Zealand about the 14th century.

"The basic question is how difficult would it be on human physiology to sail out of the tropics on these long-distance colonizing voyages through much harsher environmental conditions than they were used to?" Montenegro said.

Researchers believe that these original settlers used double-hulled sailing canoes that probably each had at most a few dozen voyagers on board.

Montenegro and colleagues had previously developed a voyage simulation model that estimates how far these boats would travel each day based on winds and currents. In this study, the researchers used that model combined with likely environmental conditions that voyagers would encounter, including air temperatures and wind.

To evaluate how body size would affect energy use for thermoregulation on these voyages, the researchers used female and male bodies of three different types. One body type resembled Polynesians of today, a second one was of a higher weight, and the third type had higher body weight and additional subcutaneous fat layer thickness.

The researchers estimated how much energy it would take travelers to maintain their body temperature sailing from Tahiti to New Zealand and compared that to travelers going to Hawaii, which they estimated would take about 23 days, similar to the 25-day trip to New Zealand.

The model the researchers used did not account for energy used by physical activity, which of course would be an additional need for the voyagers.

Results showed that the trip to New Zealand would take significantly more energy than the trip to Hawaii, Montenegro said.

Based on a summer trip (which would require less energy than a winter trip), each traveler to New Zealand would require an average of an extra 965 calories a day compared to those going to Hawaii to maintain their body temperature.

If this deficit was completely made up by burning fat, those going to New Zealand would lose an average of an extra 5.9 pounds at the end of a 25-day trip. If the difference was compensated just by use of muscle mass, the whole trip extra weight loss would be about 13.3 pounds.

Model calculations showed that travelers with a larger body size experienced lower heat loss, and so had an energy advantage compared to those of smaller body sizes. The advantage was greater for females.

"The trip would be difficult under any circumstances, but our results showed that people of larger body size would have had an advantage under the harsh conditions they faced," Montenegro said.

These findings line up with the larger bodies of Polynesian populations today, including the fact that females are about 31% heavier, and males 24% heavier, than populations to their west.

"Our analysis can't definitively prove that the size differences we see in Polynesia today are the result of larger people being more likely to survive the original trips and colonizing the region, but it certainly is consistent with that fact," he said.

Other authors on the study were Alexandra Niclou of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and University of Notre Dame; Atholl Anderson of Australian National University and University of Canterbury; Scott Fitzpatrick of the University of Oregon; and Cara Ocobock of the University of Notre Dame.

More information: Alvaro Montenegro et al, Estimated energetic demands of thermoregulation during ancient canoe passages from Tahiti to Hawaii and New Zealand, a simulation analysis, PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287290 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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Organisms with hard, durable parts, like shells, are more likely to be preserved as fossils than organisms composed entirely of soft tissue. Credit: Carrie Tyler

Biologists attempting to conserve and restore denuded environments are limited by their scant knowledge of what those environments looked like before the arrival of humans. This is especially true of coastal ecosystems, many of which had already been drastically altered by pollution and overharvesting hundreds of years before scientists began monitoring them.

According to a new study published in the journal PeerJ, a faithful analogue of modern marine ecosystems lies just beneath the surface. Building on more than 20 years of conservation paleobiology, the results suggest that fossils of various marine groupsincluding worms, mollusks, crabs and sea urchinsare preserved in proportion to their diversity.

"This has been a topic in paleontology for decades," said study co-author Michal Kowalewski, the Florida Museum Thompson chair of invertebrate paleontology. "People have looked at modern ecosystems in a variety of habitats to see how well the fossil record reflects what's living there. But most previous studies looked at how species are recorded within a specific group. We wanted to know how groups are recorded within the entire system."

Fossils are a partial and imperfect record of Earth's past. Organisms made primarily of soft tissue are less likely to be preserved than those with hard, durable parts that are resistant to decay, such as bones and shells. Hard parts also come in varying degrees of thickness and strength, depending on the organism they came from and their stage of development. Those variations affect the likelihood that they'll be preserved.

To get around this problem, researchers have used mollusks as a proxy for the overall health of ecosystems. Mollusks are particularly well-represented in the fossil record, and previous research shows they are faithful indicators of past diversity. Using fossils and historical records, researchers in Europe recently demonstrated the native molluscan biodiversity of the eastern Mediterranean Sea has almost entirely collapsed due to global warming. This finding likely means that other marine groups in the region are nearing similar thresholds.

The team collected specimens along transects in 52 localities off the coast of North Carolina. Credit: Carrie Tyler

Like a doctor taking a patient's vital signs, scientists can use fossil mollusks to broadly infer the health and stability of an environment. But to distinguish patterns within population declines, shifting ranges and the introduction of invasive species, a full checkup is required.

"Most of what we know, in terms of biases in the fossil record, is based on mollusks," said lead author Carrie Tyler, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "We designed our study to determine whether those biases are consistent when you include many types of organisms, not just mollusks. What happens when you have worms and sea urchins and all other groups in a marine ecosystem?"

Before reaching that conclusion, Tyler and Kowalewski first had to find a suitable marine ecosystem in which to compare living and fossil organisms and study the discrepancies between past and present communities.

The authors settled on a comparatively unaltered environment off the coast of North Carolina that contained both living animals and dead skeletal remains. There, they collected samples from 52 localities along transects that extended from near-shore coastal waters out to sea.

"We chose this system because it included a spectrum of habitats along an onshore-offshore gradient, from estuary to open shelf ," Kowalewski said. Each of the habitats supports specialized communities, which allowed Tyler and Kowalewski to test the preservation potential for a host of disparate organisms and environmental conditions.

An analysis of more than 60,000 specimens indicates marine fossils are preserved in the fossil record in proportion to their diversity, enabling their use as a benchmark to assess the health of modern marine ecosystems. Credit: Florida Museum of Natural History

Over the course of two years, they counted more than 60,000 living and dead specimens representing hundreds of marine invertebrates. As expected, the thick shells of mollusks resulted in an overabundance of their remains in the fossil record compared with other groups. However, the fragments of dead corals, sand dollars, tube-forming worms and other non-mollusks were broadly represented at the same level of abundance and diversity as their living counterparts.

Groups with scant existing diversity in the region, such as sea stars and brachiopods, weren't recovered from the fossil record due, in part, to their low numbers. In many cases, past and present habitats were also dominated by different speciesa type of hermit crab common today didn't show up in the fossil record, for example. But the overall number of species in different groups remained consistent.

Most marine ecosystems lack anything near a complete inventory of the species that inhabit them, and the existing roster is dwindling as some species decline in abundance and others succumb to extinction. But if other marine ecosystems are archived with the same fidelity as those in North Carolina, researchers will have a new baseline with which to evaluate the longterm viability of the communities they support.

"We can use the whole fossil assemblage as a picture into the past for a particular place despite differences in preservation among animals. By comparing it to the living community, we can see how much an ecosystem has changed and decide on the best conservation strategies based on those changes," Tyler said.

More information: Carrie Tyler et al, The quality of the fossil record across higher taxa: compositional fidelity of phyla and classes in benthic marine associations, PeerJ (2023). DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15574 Journal information: PeerJ
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The fossils collected in the northern Panama Canal area belonged to small-sized cetacean specimens from the Late Miocene and were new for the region. Credit: Jaime Bran

Between 6.4 and 5.8 million years ago, most of the land bridge that connects North and South America had already emerged and the channels connecting both Pacific and Atlantic oceans were shallow. Recent fossil discoveries in the northern Panama Canal area suggest that marine species interchange persisted across these shallow waters during the final stages of formation of the isthmus.

In 2017 and 2019, Aldo Benites-Palomino was studying fossils collected in Caribbean Panama, when he came across some unexpected specimens. He was a biology student in Peru, where his training had been very classical. As an intern and later a fellow at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), his mindset shifted. His mentor, STRI staff scientist and paleobiologist Carlos Jaramillo, encouraged his students to change their focus when looking at fossils: instead of thinking about specimens or methods, to think about the questions that the fossils could help answer.

"I wanted to go to STRI because it is the most important tropical biology center in the world," said Benites-Palomino. "There I was able to learn a lot about the way biology and ecology is done in the modern world."

The fossil remains belonged to small-sized cetaceans, a group of aquatic mammals that includes whales and dolphins, and the specimens were new for the region. Most of them had been collected by Carlos de Gracia from STRI and Jorge Velez Juarbe from the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History, both co-authors in a new paper published in Biology Letters. In the article, Benites-Palomino and his colleagues go beyond describing the specimens, they also unearth the story they reveal about the isthmus' deep past.

Most of the specimens described in the new Biology Letters paper were collected by Carlos de Gracia from STRI and Jorge Velez Juarbe from the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History. Credit: Aldo B./Jorge V./Carlos de G.

The fossils belonged to the Late Miocene, around 6.4 to 5.8 million years ago, when the final stages of formation of the isthmus had already started. This event affected oceanic waters and marine currents across the globe and triggered speciation events, where species separated by the land bridge developed their own unique characteristics on either ocean.

However, these cetaceans found in Caribbean Panama shared similarities with other Late Miocene species from the North and South Pacific Ocean, particularly the Pisco Formation in Peru, suggesting that some organisms were still able to disperse via the shallowing seaway at a time when deep water interchange between both oceans was no longer occurring.

The cetacean specimens found in Caribbean Panama shared similarities with Late Miocene species from the Pacific Ocean, particularly the Pisco Formation in Peru. Credit: Jorge Aleman/STRI

The lack of fossil marine mammals from the western Caribbean has thus far hampered understanding of the region's deep past, so these new findings help strengthen current knowledge regarding the connectivity between the Pacific and Caribbean marine faunas during the final phases of formation of the isthmus.

"The marine vertebrate fossil record of Panama has been barely explored," said Carlos Jaramillo, STRI staff scientist and co-author of the study. "There are still many specimens that need to be studied and many more still in the rocks waiting to be found."

More information: Aldo Benites-Palomino et al, Bridging two oceans: small toothed cetaceans (Odontoceti) from the Late Miocene Chagres Formation, eastern Caribbean (Colon, Panama), Biology Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0124 Journal information: Biology Letters
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The Lower Virgin River near Bunkerville in southern Nevada. Forests that grow along rivers and streams are essential for sustaining life in the desert. Credit: Henry Sun/DRI.

From above, the Southwestern U.S. is a sea of caramel and brown desert. Yet, a closer look uncovers small ribbons of greendesert forests that flourish along valuable springs and rivers. Wildlife thrives at these oases, drawn to the shade of trees that offer some respite from extreme temperatures. But in recent years, vast swathes of these forests have turned brown as trees died in high numbers. Scientists are puzzled by the die-offs and looking for answers.

In 2019, the Nature Conservancy invited researchers to a workshop focused on this question: what is killing screwbean mesquite trees? With corkscrew seed pods and compact, rounded leaves, the trees have found ways to survive amidst harsh desert conditions for millennia. Now, their patchy disappearance was alarming the teams working hard to conserve these desert ecosystems. Even now, four years later, scientists still don't know what's causing the decline.

DRI scientists Henry Sun, Ph.D., and graduate student Charlotte van der Nagel have been working to crack the case.

Screwbean mesquite trees: A vital part of sustaining life in the desert

A member of the pea family, screwbean mesquite trees are native to southwestern deserts and found in southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Texas and Mexico. They are typically found along desert streams where their roots can tap into the water table, enabling the trees to grow up to 30 feet tall. The tree's spring blooms draw insects, which in turn provide food for migratory birds that time their migrations around the tree's flowering. Birds like the endangered least Bell's vireo use the trees for nesting, while many species (including humans) are attracted to the sweet bean pods.

Southwestern tribes like the Cocopah Indian Tribe utilize the tree for a wide range of purposes, turning the beans into cakes, syrup, and tea, and treating wounds with the root bark. Tribal elders were some of the first to notice the tree's decline.

"There's a lot of reasons we want to save this plant," Sun says.

A Tree's Struggle to Survive the Anthropocene

Scientists documented where the tree is found now and compared this data to the historic range of the plant, discovering that the screwbean mesquite is absent from more than half of its former range. In many places where it can still be found, fewer trees are growing.

The long-term decline of screwbean mesquite trees isn't unique, as many forests that grow along streams and rivers have been impacted over time by human development. Excessive livestock grazing, the damming of rivers, and clearing for agriculture are just a few of the many forces acting against their favor. The spread of invasive salt cedar trees, or Tamarix, which compete for the same space and resources, has also taken its toll.

However, set against this gradual dip in mesquite tree populations are recent and dramatic deaths of groups of trees which occur suddenly and without a clear cause. Organizations like the Nature Conservancy have been working to restore these southwestern forests by removing Tamarix and planting native trees like screwbean mesquite. As they monitored their restoration efforts, they noticed, repeatedly, that large clusters of trees were rapidly dying in forests across the region. Scientists have produced theories ranging from disease, to higher nighttime temperatures, to methods used to control the spread of Tamarix trees, but no clear consensus has emerged.

"What is responsible for the die-offs? It's a mystery," Sun says. "And that's where we started."

Probing the Data for Answers

Fortunately, Henry Sun is a scientist who likes to follow mysteries, leading him to explore a wide range of scientific fields and questions. With degrees in botany, phycology (the study of algae), and microbiology, followed by postdoctoral work in astrobiology, he is always looking for ways to answer questions that fall between the cracks of scientific fields, he says.

Sun's first step in cracking the case was to pinpoint when exactly the trees died, so he worked with his graduate student, Charlotte van der Nagel, to peek into the past.

Dead screwbean mesquite trees in Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: Henry Sun/DRI.

"We knew from talking to biologists at the 2019 Nature Conservancy workshop that the event must have occurred after 2005," Sun says. "But we really needed to narrow it down to a specific year."

Charlotte dug into the historical satellite imagery available through Google Earth to look at the locations where mesquite trees died in high numbers. Starting with the patches of dead, brown trees at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, she turned back the clock each year until the trees showed leafy and green. This showed the researchers that the trees died between 2010 and 2011.

"What happened around that timeframe? This was when a drought cycle ended," Sun says. "In other words, the plants went through drought and when the moisture came, they didn't like it."

Around the year 2000, the region started moving away from the conditions considered "average," to an even drier climate. The winter of 2010-2011 brought a brief reprieve from the drought.

"So, what happened? How does drought make these trees sensitive to inundation?" Sun asks. "Being a floodplain plant, they should be resistant to inundation. What happened during the drought to change this?"

He looked to the plant's physiology for clues. The roots of the screwbean mesquite tree grow deep enough to tap into the moist soil just above the water table, where they can access two things they need for the plant to flourish: moisture from below, and oxygen from above.

Sun and Charlotte dug up dead mesquite trees to examine their root systems, finding that trees that established during the drought had developed a thick, bark-like layer over their taproots. This layer helped the trees to survive sustained exposure to the hot and dry conditions, but Sun hypothesizes that it may also have doomed them when the rains came, showing a vulnerability to climate whiplash.

"If the drought conditions continued, these trees would have been fine," Sun says. "They wouldn't be happy, but they also wouldn't die."

When the drought ended and the water table rose, it submerged the deeper taproots in oxygen-deprived groundwater. The roots near the ground surface were closer to surface water from rainfall, which is oxygenated, but their thick, protective layer prevented them from producing the root hairs needed to access it.

"So, they need to grow, and they need water, but they can't have water because the entire root system is shut down," Sun says.

Supporting his theory, Sun points to mesquite trees in Arizona that survived this same period. This could be due to the summer rains, or monsoon season, that Arizona typically experiences. Perhaps the extra moisture in the summer eased the effects of drought, he says, so that mesquite trees there didn't need to grow the same thick root skin.

If this is what caused the tree mortalities, why haven't mesquite trees returned to these areas in the more than 10 years since? Sun suspects that the roots of all the dead trees have created a sort of "dead zone" around them as they decompose. This process consumes oxygen from the soil, making it impossible for new trees to establish.

"The entire area has become anaerobicthere's water, but no oxygen," Sun says. "You can try to restore these areas by planting trees, but they won't survive."

He found additional evidence of this theory by digging through the scientific literature, discovering that measurements from groundwater wells in the region showed a redox potential below the historical average (signifying lower oxygen levels in the soil).

Interestingly, new mesquite trees in Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge have been able to establish away from the dead trees, providing more support for his theory.

Although Sun says he feels confident in his research up to this point, he acknowledges that there are still gaps that need to be filled. "We need to do that quickly to save this critical tree," he says. "We are racing against the clock of climate change. The Nature Conservancy and federal land managers are waiting to begin work to restore these desert ecosystems."
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The study suggests that connectivity between cat subpopulations can have a big influence on population dynamics. Credit: Ciaran McCrickard/Cats Protection, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

A new mathematical model of UK cat populations suggests that neutering of cats that belong to people not only affects the population dynamics of owned cats, but also affects feral, stray, and shelter subpopulations. Jenni McDonald of Cats Protection and co-authors presented these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.

More than 10 million cats live as owned pets in UK homes, and hundreds of thousands of additional cats live in shelters or as free-roaming feral or stray cats. Cats may transition from any of these subpopulations to another. However, while many prior studies have investigated cat population dynamics, few have accounted for the connectivity between subpopulations, limiting understanding of how certain factorssuch as neuteringwithin a specific subpopulation might also affect other subpopulations.

To help address that gap, McDonald and co-authors developed a mathematical model of cat population dynamics in the UK that includes all four subpopulations. It draws on real-world data to set parameters relating to several different factors, such as survival rates, fertility rates, seasonal breeding patterns, and rates of transitions between subpopulations. The researchers then used the model to simulate how neutering of female cats, as well as changes in other factors, might affect cat population dynamics.

In the simulations, neutering of female owned cats significantly influenced all subpopulations. Lower rates of neutering of female owned cats led to population booms within the other subpopulations, especially for stray cats. The simulations also showed that, even if neutering rates remain the same, neutering female owned cats at a younger age could decrease population growth rates for all subpopulations.

In the simulations, the factors with the greatest influence on overall cat population growth rate were survival and fertility rates of owned cats. Among the subpopulations, stray cats had the second-highest influence, followed by feral cats, and shelter cats had the least influence.

These findings underscore the importance of considering the interlinked nature of cat subpopulations and could help inform population management efforts. The researchers note that the availability of additional real-world cat data would help improve the accuracy of their model.

The authors add, "We previously had little robust understanding of just how important the links between cat subpopulations are. Our study shows that connectivity between cat subpopulations can have a big influence on population dynamics."

More information: Jenni McDonald et al, Cat: Empirical modelling of Felis catus population dynamics in the UK, PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287841 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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Credit: Environmental Science & Technology Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00324

A freight train carrying industrial chemicals derailed near East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023, and to avoid explosions, authorities conducted a controlled release and burned the cars' contents. Residents were worried about their health and the environment, so researchers have been assessing the local air quality with stationary and mobile sampling methods. Now, in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology Letters, they report that some gases, including acrolein, reached levels that could be hazardous.

After the derailment, disaster response teams emptied and burned the cargo. Because the tanker cars carried many volatile compounds, such as vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate, localized air-quality-related evacuation orders were issued. However, after returning to their homes, some residents reported symptoms similar to those that typically result from exposure to hazardous levels of airborne compounds. So, Albert Presto and colleagues wanted to monitor air quality and identify the potential health risks in and around East Palestine.

The researchers downloaded air-quality monitoring data from two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stations at fixed locations. And to map patterns of airborne compounds, they drove a cargo van around the area for two days in late February. Inside the van was a mass spectrometer, which was used to identify a wide array of gases, upwind and downwind of the accident site. Then the team calculated the health risks for the gases that were above average or background levels.

From the EPA data, the team determined that the levels of nine of the 50 gases initially rose above their normal baselines, especially acrolein, a respiratory irritant. If these nine compounds remained at those levels, the ambient air could pose health risks, say the researchers. Yet, through February, the amounts of many pollutants decreased significantly. In fact, vinyl chloride declined to concentrations below long-term limits of health concern. Mobile monitoring detected changes over time and space that the stations could not. For instance, during the day, acrolein and butyl acrylate were up to six times higher near the accident site than background levels, but at night they dropped to the background amount. These results indicate the importance of complementary stationary and mobile air-quality assessment techniques, the researchers say, and both should continue as cleanup activities proceed.

More information: Oladayo Oladeji et al, Air Pollutant Patterns and Human Health Risk following the East Palestine, Ohio, Train Derailment, Environmental Science & Technology Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00324 Journal information: Environmental Science & Technology Letters
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The three binding pockets of NC-p38i identified in the crystals are represented on the p38 surface. Credit: Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)

The p38 protein regulates a wide variety of cellular functions and is related to diseases such as chronic inflammation, immunological disorders, or cancer. To date, it has been difficult to find p38 inhibitors for use in clinical practice because the candidates produce toxic effects that preclude their administration at adequate therapeutic doses.

A multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Angel R. Nebreda, Dr. Maria J. Macias and Dr. Modesto Orozco, all at IRB Barcelona, has developed a new type of p38 inhibitor, which preferentially impairs one of the activation pathways of this protein. In particular, these inhibitors block the self-activation (or autophosphorylation) of p38 but allow it to continue to be activated by other mechanisms.

This selective inhibition allows the p38 protein to perform many of its normal functions, thus potentially reducing the side effects associated with its total inhibition.

Specifically, the pathway blocked by the new compounds is involved in cardiac cell death caused by the lack of blood supply and subsequent restoration that occur after myocardial infarction.

The p38 self-activation pathway may also be involved in the heart damage caused by treatment with some anti-tumor chemotherapeutics.

"The selective inhibition of some of the functions of a protein as important and versatile as p38 is an innovative approach that paves the way for the development of new compounds with therapeutic potential," says Dr. Nebreda, ICREA researcher and head of Signaling and Cell Cycle lab at IRB Barcelona.

Credit: Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)

Computational modeling, biochemical and structural studies

Computational techniques were used to predict protein behaviora technology developed by Dr. Orozco's group and Nostrum Biodiscovery. Nostrum Biodiscovery is a joint spin-off of the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS), IRB Barcelona, the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA) and the University of Barcelona (UB); and collaborates with IRB Barcelona to perform a drug-discovery process. Particularly, Nostrum Biodiscovery performed hierarchical virtual screenings and in silico hit optimization studies that were key for the identification of compounds able to inhibit p38a autophosphorylation.

For the validation and characterization of these inhibitors, Dr. Nebreda's group carried out a wide range of biochemical assays, in which they analyzed more than 100 compounds.

In addition, structural biology techniques that were undertaken by the group led by Dr. Macias and in collaboration with Dr. Joan Pous (from the IRB Barcelona-CSIC X-ray platform) have revealed how the inhibitors can attach to the structure of the p38 protein thus shedding light on their mechanism of action.

"The type of compounds that we have discovered is very special. They compete with the ATP molecule to bind to the active center of p38, but they do not have very high affinity. So as soon as the protein is activated by an external factor, ATP displaces the inhibitor and p38 can exert its normal functions," explains Dr. Lorena Gonzalez, first author of the study, who carried out this project as part of her thesis at IRB Barcelona.

The team has started collaborating with Dr. Antonio Rodriguez-Sinovas, a specialist in cardiovascular diseases at the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), to validate the possible therapeutic potential of the inhibitors in models of cardiotoxicity.

More information: Lorena Gonzalez et al, Characterization of p38 autophosphorylation inhibitors that target the non-canonical activation pathway, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39051-x Journal information: Nature Communications
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Researchers working with Randall Martin at Washington University in St. Louis used satellite remote sensing and advanced modeling techniques to evaluate atmospheric composition and assess sources of fine particulate matter across South Asia. Credit: Martin lab, Washington University in St. Louis

Fine particulate matter comes from wood burning, power generation, motor vehicles and other combustion sources that emit tiny particles into the air. At only 2.5 micrometers or smaller, these particles are small enough to be inhaled and cause lasting damage to the heart and lungs. Known as PM2.5, exposure to these particles is a leading mortality risk factor in India and the surrounding region of South Asia.

A new study by researchers in Randall Martin's lab in the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis evaluated the contribution of various emission sectors and fuels to PM2.5 mass for 29 states in India and six surrounding countries: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

The results, published July 7 in Environmental Science & Technology, identify primary organicsorganic particles emitted directly into the atmosphere from various sourcesas the main drivers of high concentrations of PM2.5 over South Asia. The paper also illuminates potential pathways to reduce PM2.5 mass and improve population health across South Asia.

"Countries in South Asia have substantial emissions and associated air pollution and mortality burden," said first author Deepangsu Chatterjee, a doctoral student in energy, environmental & chemical engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering. "Our study shows that over 1 million deaths in South Asia attributable to ambient PM2.5 in 2019 were primarily from residential combustion, industry and power generation. Solid biofuel is the leading combustible fuel contributing to the PM2.5-attributable mortality, followed by coal and oil and gas."

"Air pollution, both indoors and outdoors, is the leading risk factor for death in South Asia," said co-author Michael Brauer, professor at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington and the University of British Columbia. "Understanding the major contributing sources is a critical first step towards management of this serious problem."

A major challenge in evaluating the impacts of PM2.5 is understanding how it is produced and distributed over time. Chatterjee and Martin, the Raymond R. Tucker Distinguished Professor in McKelvey Engineering, combined global emission inventories, satellite-derived fine surface particulate matter estimates and state-of-the-art global scale modeling capabilities to develop regional simulations. They also accounted for long-range transport to understand how different emission sectors and fuels contributed to PM2.5 and associated mortality rates.

"Advances in modeling atmospheric composition with constraints from satellite remote sensing enabled our assessment of the sources of PM2.5 across South Asia," Martin said. "That helped draw our attention to large contributions from burning biofuel and coal."

Chatterjee also noted that PM2.5 mass composition in South Asia is driven by primary organics across major contributing sectors. The team's PM2.5 composition analysis can be particularly useful to develop mitigation strategies associated with particular species.

A few other notable features include high contribution from coal in central and eastern India, higher household air pollution in north-east and central India, biofuel contributions in Bangladesh and open fires in Myanmar.

"This study shows that the air pollution problem in South Asia is not just an urban scale problem, so policies targeted at urban scale development will not be enough to mitigate the national level PM2.5 exposure," Chatterjee said.

Chatterjee, Martin and their co-authors suggest several strategies for future interventions throughout South Asia, including policies encouraging the replacement of traditional fuel sources with sustainable sources of energy.

"Policies in India in the past five to 10 years have worked toward identifying and improving air pollution concerns and associated health burden and mortality risks. Seeing these policies be effective is motivating for the South Asian population to keep moving the needle and develop strategic policies to curb the growth of air pollution," Chatterjee said. "Our paper provides detailed sector-, fuel- and composition-based information for different states in India along with surrounding countries, which could be useful for local policymakers to eliminate PM2.5 sources associated with their specific region."

More information: Deepangsu Chatterjee et al, Source Contributions to Fine Particulate Matter and Attributable Mortality in India and the Surrounding Region, Environmental Science & Technology (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07641 Journal information: Environmental Science & Technology
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This image provided by researchers shows artifacts made of bony material from a giant sloth discovered at a rock shelter in Brazil, recovered from archaeological layers dated to 25,000 to 27,000 years ago. Research published Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Britain's Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal, suggests humans lived in South America at the same time as now-extinct giant sloths, bolstering evidence that people arrived in the Americas earlier than once thought. Credit: Thais Rabito Pansani via AP

New research suggests humans lived in South America at the same time as now extinct giant sloths, bolstering evidence that people arrived in the Americas earlier than once thought.

Scientists analyzed triangular and teardrop-shaped pendants made of bony material from the sloths. They concluded that the carved and polished shapes and drilled holes were the work of deliberate craftsmanship.

Dating of the ornaments and sediment at the Brazil site where they were found point to an age of 25,000 to 27,000 years ago, the researchers reported. That's several thousand years before some earlier theories had suggested the first people arrived in the Americas, after migrating out from Africa and then Eurasia.

"We now have good evidencetogether with other sites from South and North Americathat we have to rethink our ideas about the migration of humans to the Americas," said Mirian Liza Alves Forancelli Pacheco, a study co-author and archaeologist at the Federal University of Sao Carlos in Brazil.

In the past decade, other research has challenged the conventional wisdom that people didn't reach the Americas until a few thousand years before rising sea levels covered the Bering land bridge between Russia and Alaska, perhaps around 15,000 years ago.

The ornaments were discovered about 30 years ago at a rock shelter called Santa Elina in central Brazil. The new study is the first to analyze them extensively and rule out the possibility that humans had found and carved them thousands of years after the animals perished.

This illustration provided by researchers depicts a person carving an osteoderm from a giant sloth in Brazil about 25,000 to 27,000 years ago. Research published Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Britain's Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal, suggests humans lived in South America at the same time as now-extinct giant sloths, bolstering evidence that people arrived in the Americas earlier than once thought. Credit: Julia d'Oliveira via AP

The team of researchers from Brazil, France and the United States said their analysis shows this handiwork was done within days to a few years after the animals had died, and before the materials had fossilized. The researchers also ruled out natural abrasion and other things that might explain the shapes and holes. They reported their findings Wednesday in Britain's Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal.

"We think they were personal objects, possibly for personal adornment," said Thais Rabito Pansani, a co-author and paleontologist at the Federal University of Sao Carlos in Brazil.

Once among the largest creatures in South America, giant ground sloths were 10 to 13 feet (3 to 4 meters) in length and usually walked on all four legs, using their sharp claws to dig burrows. They weighed more than a thousand pounds (450 kg) and their skin included bony structures under their fursomewhat similar to the bony plates of modern armadillos.

Two years ago, another team of researchers reported that fossilized human footprints found near White Sands, New Mexico, dated back to 21,000 to 23,000 years agothough some researchers dispute these dates. Other evidence from Mexico suggests human presence around 26,000 years ago, and findings from Uruguay may suggest human occupation as much as 30,000 years ago.

This image provided by researchers shows a closeup of a teardrop-shaped artifact, presumed to be a pendant, made of bony material from a giant sloth discovered at a rock shelter in Brazil, recovered from archaeological layers dated to 25,000 to 27,000 years ago. Research published Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Britain's Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal, suggests humans lived in South America at the same time as now-extinct giant sloths, bolstering evidence that people arrived in the Americas earlier than once thought. Credit: Thais Rabito Pansani via AP

Jennifer Raff, an anthropological geneticist at the University of Kansas, who was not involved in the study, said the new paper was "an important addition" to the conversation, but like any findings on the topic, it may also draw pushback.

Still, the evidence from multiple sites forces scientists to rethink old assumptions that people arrived only in one great wave of migration over the Bering land bridge, said Briana Pobiner, a co-author and paleoanthropologist at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in Washington.

Some may have died out, "but it's very likely that multiple waves of people came to Americas," she said.

More information: Thais R. Pansani et al, Evidence of artefacts made of giant sloth bones in central Brazil around the last glacial maximum, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0316 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B

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Credit: Codoping Cr3+ and Bi3+ in Cs 2 Ag 0.6 Na 0.4 InCl 6 double perovskite combines d > d and s > p electronic transitions to develop a single material showing broad near infrared (NIR) and white light emission. The broad NIR peak overlaps with water vibrational overtone absorption at 1000 nm, enabling non-invasive food inspection using phosphor converted light emitting diodes (pc-LEDs). Credit: Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2023). DOI: 10.1002/anie.202307689

A team of researchers has developed new LEDs which emit light simultaneously in two different wavelength ranges, for a simpler and more comprehensive way to monitor the freshness of fruit and vegetables. As the team write in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, modifying the LEDs with perovskite materials causes them to emit in both the near-infrared range and the visible range, a significant development in the contact-free monitoring of food.

Perovskite crystals are able to capture and convert light. Being simple to produce and highly efficient, perovskites are already used in solar cells but are also being intensively researched for suitability in other technologies. Angshuman Nag and his team at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Pune, India, are now proposing a perovskite application in LED technology that could simplify the quality control of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Without light converters, LEDs would emit light in rather narrow light bands. To cover the whole range of white light produced by the sun, the diodes in "phosphor-converted" (pc) LEDs are coated with luminescent substances. Nag and his team have used a double emission coating with the purpose to produce pc-LEDs that emit both white ("normal") light and also a strong band in the near-infrared range (NIR).

To make the dual-emission pc-LED, they applied a double perovskite doped with bismuth and chromium. Part of the bismuth component emits warm white light and another part transfers energy to the chromium component, de-exciting it and causing an additional emission in the NIR range, the researchers found out.

NIR is already used in the food industry to examine freshness in fruit and vegetables. Nag and Ph.D. student Sajid Saikia, first author of the paper, explain their idea. "Food contains water, which absorbs the broad near-infrared emission at around 1,000 nm. The more water that is present [due to rotting], the greater the absorption of near-infrared radiation, yielding darker contrast in an image taken under near-infrared radiation. This easy, non-invasive imaging process can estimate the water content in different parts of food, assessing its freshness."

Using these modified pc-LEDs to examine apples or strawberries, the team observed dark spots that were not visible in standard camera images. Illuminating the food with both white and NIR light revealed normal coloring that could be seen by the naked eye, as well as those parts which were starting to rot, but not yet visibly so.

Saikia and Nag envision a compact device for simultaneous visual and NIR food inspection, although the two detectors, one for visible light and one for NIR light, could make such an instrument costly for common applications. On the other hand, the researchers emphasize that the pc LEDs are easy to produce without any chemical waste or solvents and short-term costs could be more than recovered by the long service life and scalability of this novel dual-emitting pc-LED device.

More information: Sajid Saikia et al, Broad Dual Emission by Codoping Cr3+ (d -> d) and Bi3+ (s ->p) in Cs2Ag0.6Na0.4InCl6 Double Perovskite, Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2023). DOI: 10.1002/anie.202307689 Journal information: Angewandte Chemie International Edition

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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

When Argentinian geologist Federico Alvarez Hazer immigrated to Baltimore one year ago to live with his wife, he imagined that his days working on fossil dig sites close to homeas he had in South America's Patagonia regionwere over.

He was shocked to discover Dinosaur Park: a 3.63-acre tract of land nestled behind a business park in Laurel, Maryland that had been preserved following the discovery of several fossils more than 100 million years old.

He was even more surprised when he quickly found himself involved in a noteworthy discovery at the park, unveiled at a news conference Wednesday morning.

It was Alvarez Hazer's hammer that struck a dinosaur's 3-foot-long shin bone buried in the dirt, during an Earth Day dig event while he was helping to excavate a dinosaur vertebra just inches away.

Dinosaur Park staff members say both bones, and numerous others, are part of a prehistoric "bone bed"the first discovered in Maryland since 1887, according to a news release from the Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation.

But the shin bone might be the collection's crown jewel. Local experts believe it's the largest theropod fossil discovered in eastern North America.

"I was working with my hammer, and I broke a part of the tibia bone, and I said 'Oh s***, a bone,'" Alvarez Hazer told The Baltimore Sun. "We start to dig and it was long, long, long."

Theropods are a class of large, three-toed, carnivorous dinosaurs that include the T. rex, though the bones discovered at Dinosaur Park predate the famous dinosaur. The initial hypothesis is that the shin bone belonged to an Acrocanthosaurus. At approximately 38 feet long, that dinosaur would have been the largest theropod in the Early Cretaceous period, which was more than 100 million years ago.

Wednesday, Alvarez Hazer was among the team that used shovels to carefully lift the shin bone from the dirt (punctuated by a group hug) and then place it onto a waiting forklift.

The bone bed also included a 4-foot-long limb bone, belonging to an unidentified massive dinosaur, which was transported off the site on Wednesday, shrouded in protective burlap and plaster.

The list of bones discovered on the bed since 2018 is extensive: a tail barb from a stingray, which could be the second oldest found in the world; the tooth of a small tyrannosaur, the first evidence of a distant T. rex relative in Maryland; and an ankle bone, claw and vertebrae from an ostrich-like dinosaur called an ornithomimid.

The discoveries hold important clues to understanding the prehistoric past of eastern North America, which is often covered by development and heavily forested lands, said Thomas Holtz, a University of Maryland paleontologist who was the first to confirm the theropod discovery at the park.

"Where we don't have greenery on it, we've got light industrial parks, or shopping malls or houses or whatever. So we don't have those rocks exposed," Holtz said at the news event Wednesday. "And because of that, our knowledge of the dinosaurs from the eastern part of North America has been lacking compared to what we know about in the West. But this site is helping to change that."

Back in the 1800s, the Dinosaur Park site was an iron mine, and African American miners were the first to discover dinosaur bones in 1858, according to the park's website. About a year later, geologist Phillip Thomas Tyson brought the bones to a meeting of the Maryland Academy of Sciences, where his colleagues identified them as dinosaurs."

Then, in the winter of 1887, paleontologist Othneil Charles Marsh of Yale University sent fossil collector John Bell Hatcher to search the iron mines for more fossils, and Hatcher recovered hundreds.

But organized fossil collecting on the site essentially stopped when iron mining came to a halt in the early 20th century. By the 1980s, paleontologists revived interest in the site, and since October 2009, the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission has protected the site from development and unrestricted collecting.

Dinosaur Park is open to the public on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Digging isn't allowed, but park staff members guide visitors as they look for fossils on the surface. Over the years, several discoveries have come from young children, eagerly scanning the rocky area for traces of the extinct.

The story of the recently announced bone bed dates back to 2013, when Dinosaur Park staff member Max Bovin spotted an exposed section of bone in the dirt, which was later determined to be the 4-foot-long limb bone. But at that time, staff members elected not to disturb it.

The bone had the blue-green tint that park staff members tell visitors to look for when searching for fossils, Bovin said. So leaving it in place was a great instructional tool for the hosts of enthusiasts, young and old, that visit the park during guided fossil hunts.

But there was another reason the bone was left undisturbed. It was encased in ironstone, a class of sedimentary rock that is "a real pain to work with" because of its dense deposits of iron, said JP Hodnett, paleontologist and program coordinator at Dinosaur Park.

"The best course of action sometimes is just to let nature kind of take its course," Hodnett said at the news event Wednesday. "Maybe it'll soften the sediments, maybe it will help expose them more, so we know how much of it is about having to really put in a lot of effort and energy to crack open something and it could just be nothing."

Over time, the bone became even more compelling. In 2014, during a landscaping effort to clear some brush, a piece of heavy machinery struck the ironstone, breaking off a chunk and revealing more of the bone.

"I came out one day and the whole end of it was cracked offthe ironstone that the bone is inside of," Bovin said.

By 2018, shortly after Hodnett started his job at Dinosaur Park, staff members decided to excavate the bone in an effort to preserve it, he said. After delays, including some due to the coronavirus pandemic, the effort began in 2021, Hodnett said.

But as the team of excavators made their way around the bone, they found more fossils: a vertebra here, a tooth there.

"That made us go: 'Wait, there's something special going on here,'" Hodnett said.

Then came this year's Earth Day event, when volunteers stumbled upon the tibia.

Madison Mateo, a rising junior studying geology at George Mason University, was also volunteering on the site when the tibia was found, and returned over the following days as more of the bone was uncoveredin between classes, of course.

The Rockville native said she figured she would need to travel to the West Coast to be involved in fossil digs, but was surprised to learn about the site in her own backyard.

"It was very exciting to have something like this so close to me," she said.

2023 The Baltimore Sun. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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A magpie nest made of anti-nesting spikes in a tree in Antwerp. Credit: Auke-Florian Hiemstra

Biologists present the latest innovation in nest building: bird nests made from anti-nesting spikes. Researchers from Naturalis Biodiversity Center and the Natural History Museum Rotterdam collected these special nests for the first time and described this remarkable behavior in a scientific publication as "an ultimate adaptation to life in the city."

If you look around in cities, you can see anti-bird spikes on many buildings. The sharp metal spikes are placed to scare away birds, and to prevent them from building nests. But birds are not so easily scared away, it now appears. Researchers from two Dutch natural history museums collected nests of a carrion crow and a Eurasian magpie that were largely built with material that should have deterred birds: bird nests made of anti-bird spikes.

"It's like a joke, really," says biologist Auke-Florian Hiemstra of Naturalis: "Even for me as a nest researcher, these are the craziest bird nests I've ever seen."

The adaptability and creativity of urban birds seem to know no bounds. Researchers from Naturalis Biodiversity Center and the Natural History Museum Rotterdam describe these spiky structures in the scientific journal Deinsea.

"Just when you think you've seen it all after half a century of studying natural history, these inventive crows and magpies really surprise me again," said Kees Moeliker, director of the Natural History Museum Rotterdam and co-author of the scientific publication. Drone footage of the magpie nest made of anti-nesting pins. Credit: Mike Muizebelt

1500 metal spikes

It started with the discovery of a huge nest in Antwerp, in the courtyard of a hospital, which was spotted by one of the patients. High up in a tree, magpies made a huge nest of up to 1,500 metal spikes. For this particular nest, birds have pulled as many as 50 meters (150 feet) of anti-bird pins from the eaves. "An impregnable fortress," says Hiemstra, "because the magpies appear to be using the pins exactly the same way we do: to keep other birds away from their nest."

Magpies make a roof on their nest to prevent the robbery of eggs and young, and they specifically look for thorny plants in nature for this purpose. Spiky branches keep hungry egg robbers away. In the city there is another option: the anti-bird spikes. "They are literally made to keep birds at bay," says Hiemstra, "which is how they seem to be used by birds as well."

Rebel birds

And it is not just one pair of magpies that have ventured into the bird-repellent material. The article describes several magpie nests with anti-bird spikes as nesting material. This behavior has already been seen in the Netherlands, Belgium and Scotland. Other sharp materials, such as barbed wire and knitting needles, are also used by magpies for the roof of their nests. Crow's nests made of anti-bird spikes are currently only known from the Netherlands.

Auke-Florian Hiemstra and the magpie nest made of anti-bird pins. Credit: Alexander Schippers

It was already known that birds are not easily deterred by the pins. Australia's "Parkdale Pigeon" gained fame for not being scared away by anti-bird pegs, and several videos show the rebellious behavior of birds tearing the spikes off roofs. The collaboration between the Leiden and Rotterdam museums has now resulted in the first scientific publication showing that birds also use those anti-bird pins as nesting material.

Condoms and cocaine

Auke-Florian Hiemstra (1992) is doing a Ph.D. at Naturalis and Leiden University on the use of artificial materials in animal structures, and has previously published on the use of face masks and plastic plants in bird nests. He also regularly encounters condoms, fireworks, cocaine wraps, sunglasses and windshield wipers as nesting material for his coots.

"If even bird-repellent sharp spikes are used as nesting material, apparently anything can end up in a bird's nest these days. It doesn't get any crazier than this, does it?" asks Hiemstra.

The large magpie's nest of anti-bird pins from Antwerp can be seen from 11 July as a new highlight in the LiveScience room of Naturalis, which can be visited free of charge. The Natural History Museum Rotterdam exhibits the crow's nest of anti-bird pins in the recently opened exhibition "National Park Rotterdam," along with a number of other remarkable constructions of urban animals.

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Locations of SETI Institute/Unistellar observers who contributed data on SN 2023ixf. Credit: Unistellar/SETI Institute

In an unprecedented achievement, citizen scientists have set a new record for the SETI Institute and Unistellar, comprising the highest number of observers providing data on a single event. Amateur astronomers participating in the SETI Institute's and Unistellar's CosmicCataclysms program conducted a groundbreaking observation of supernova (SN) 2023ixf. The observations, which began just one hour after the supernova's first known appearance, have generated the longest continuous light curve of this supernova gathered by citizen scientists that has been published to date. The data collection effort involved 123 observers and utilized Unistellar's eVscope, with observations set to continue until the supernova is no longer visible, likely sometime in August. The accomplishment highlights the significant contributions made by citizen scientists in advancing astronomical research.

"It is really incredible what this citizen science network can do," said Lauren Sgro, who led the study along with Tom Esposito. The two are part of a team of SETI Institute researchers guided by Franck Marchis, a senior astronomer at the SETI Institute and Chief Science Officer and co-founder at Unistellar. "This was the closest supernova of the last decade, and observers took full advantage of the special occasion. They jumped on target as soon as possible and kept observing, which allowed us to witness the full potential of this program."

A before and after of the Pinwheel Galaxy. Credit: Scott Kardel

The research note, published in Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society, revealed that for 35 days, 252 observations from 115 telescopes captured the supernova's escalating brightness, followed by its gradual decline. This extensive dataset provides valuable insights into the behavior of this supernova, thanks to the collaborative efforts of dedicated amateur astronomers.

The supernova (SN) 2023ixf occurred in the Pinwheel Galaxy, a spiral galaxy located approximately 21 million light-years from Earth. This explosive event was first discovered on May 19, 2023 by Japanese amateur astronomer Koichi Itagaki, although others' observations show that it first appeared on May 18. Astronomers believe that the explosion likely led to the formation of a neutron star, marking the final evolutionary stage of the star that went supernova.

The light curve of supernova SN 2023ixf using data taken by SETI Institute / Unistellar citizen astronomers, which shows how the supernova's brightness changed with time. Detections of the supernova are shown as filled circles, while observations that did not detect the supernova but revealed a limit to its brightness are shown as open triangles. The inset shows the first 1.5 days of observations taken by the citizen science network. The model fit is shown as a white line. Credit: Unistellar/SETI Institute

The citizen science campaign is part of the Cosmic Cataclysms science program, jointly undertaken by the SETI Institute and Unistellar. This program allows citizen astronomers to participate in studying cataclysmic events such as supernovae and gamma-ray bursts. By leveraging a newly developed alerts system, the program enables observers to receive real-time notifications when objects of interest are detected, ensuring swift initiation of observation campaigns. Analyzing the increase in brightness and subsequent fading of cataclysmic events, citizen astronomers assist researchers in unraveling crucial details about the progenitor object and the surrounding interstellar material.

Looking ahead, the Unistellar network of citizen astronomers will continue their endeavors by collaborating with other teams to investigate similar transient events when the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile commences operations next year. By combining the efforts of professional and citizen scientists, the study of cosmic cataclysms reaches new heights, expanding our understanding of the universe's extraordinary phenomena.

More information: Lauren A. Sgro et al, Photometry of Type II Supernova SN 2023ixf with a Worldwide Citizen Science Network, Research Notes of the AAS (2023). DOI: 10.3847/2515-5172/ace41f
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Since the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) approved the use of ultrasound to promote the extraction of grape compounds back in 2019, its application for obtaining superior red wines has been studied extensively.

Now researchers are turning their attention to rosean expanding market which has seen strong growth over the past 15 years. A team from the University of Castilla-La Mancha and the University of Murcia in Spain used high-power ultrasound technology to treat Monastrell crushed grapesa process known as sonicationand compared the resulting rose to wine obtained after a four-hour maceration period.

In a recent paper published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture a research team describes the improvements to the color and sensory profile of the sonicated wine, compared to the macerated sample.

Prof. Encarna Gomez Plaza from the University of Murcia, Spain, and corresponding author of the study explained the importance of the research for the wine industry. Speaking to SCI, she said, "The application of ultrasound was primarily designed for reducing maceration time in red winemaking. However, experiences with white wines showed that the aroma fraction could be increased by sonicating crushed grapes. Therefore, we decided to study the effect of ultrasound in rose wines, something which has not been done before."

Traditionally, the maceration process has played a crucial role in the production of rose wines, allowing for the extraction of essential aromatic compounds and color-enhancing components. The process, in which the crushed grape skins are left in the juice, can last anywhere from a couple of hours to two days, prior to the grapes being pressed and fermented.

However, while it increases the rose color, extended maceration can cause oxidation of certain compounds in the wine, resulting in a bitter taste and other undesirable effects. This is where ultrasound comes in. Sonication by ultrasound causes the breakdown of grape skin cells, allowing desirable compounds to be extracted within a significantly shorter maceration time, thereby reducing the negative effects of oxidation.

Sensory analysis of the wines carried out by a trained panel with years of experience in wine sensory evaluations revealed the ultrasound-treated rose wine to have a superior aroma.

"Sonication gave rise to wines with intense red berry and flowery odors, with scores higher than those of wine from macerated grapes," noted the authors.

Analysis of the chemical composition supported thisultrasound treatment enhanced the extraction of several volatile compounds that improve aroma, such as terpenes, which can emit a floral or citrusy fragrance.

The team hopes that this study draws attention to the potential of ultrasound technology for producing high-quality rose wines. They are now looking to other applications of high-power ultrasound in the wine industry.

"We want to increase our knowledge on the effect of ultrasound in wineries. We are researching how to solve problems that sometimes appear during winemaking and the chemistry behind this behavior," noted Prof. Gomez Plaza.

More information: Lara Labrador Fernandez et al, The technology of highpower ultrasound and its effect on the color and aroma of rose wines, Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (2023). DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12757 Journal information: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture

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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Scientists have discovered the traces of the world's oldest known glaciers, dating from 2.9 billion years ago, in rocks sitting under the world's largest gold deposits in South Africa. This suggests the presence of continental ice caps at that time and that either the area was closer to the poles, or that parts of the Earth may have been frozen in a previously unknown "snowball Earth" period of extreme cold weather.

This work is based on the article, "Earth's first glaciation at 2.9 Ga revealed by triple oxygen isotopes," by A. Hofmann and I.M. Bindeman in Geochemical Perspectives Letters. This work will be presented at the Goldschmidt geochemistry conference in Lyon in the talk number 17171 entitled, "A model of unidirectional and accumulative fluxes from mantle to the lithosphere explaining crustal growth via triple oxygen isotope mass balance throughout Earth's history."

Scientists agree that there must have been large variations in the early Earth's climate, but convincing evidence of the exact conditions in the early Earth have been difficult to find.

Now researchers Professor Axel Hofmann (University of Johannesburg, South Africa) and Professor Ilya Bindeman (University of Oregon, U.S.) have found evidence from relative oxygen isotope concentrations in ancient rocks, as well as physical proof, showing firm evidence of glaciers, 2.9 billion years ago.

Ilya Bindeman said, "We found extremely well-preserved glacial deposits close to the gold fields of South Africa. This is one of the few areas which remain fairly intact and unchanged from the early Earth. These deposits are fossilized glacial moraines, which are basically the debris left by a glacier as it gradually melts and contracts. These are the oldest moraine deposits ever found. In addition, we were able to correlate this with analysis of oxygen isotopes from these rocks, which showed that the climate must have been cold when the rocks were deposited."

"We looked at relative amounts of three oxygen isotopes, 16O, 17O, and 18O. These are all types of oxygen but have very slightly different weights. We found that these rocks had very low amounts of 18O, and very high amounts of 17O, indicating that they were formed at icy temperatures. This means ice. Couple that geochemical evidence with the moraine evidence, and it means glaciers, the oldest glaciers yet found on Earth."

The researchers put forward a couple of possible explanations. "It may be that this area was close to the poles. Another possibility is that the whole Earth was in a 'snowball Earth' period, when low atmospheric concentrations of CO 2 and CH 4 led to a 'reverse greenhouse effect,' causing much of the planet to freeze. Scientists believe that this may have happened on a couple of occasions in the more recent past. If so, this would be the earliest such global cooling period recorded. Either possibility is scientifically interesting," said Axel Hofmann.

He added, "The largest sedimentary gold deposits in the world are found in slightly younger rocks sitting above the rocks we studied. It's possible that a change from icehouse to greenhouse conditions may have aided in the formation of those gold deposits, but this needs to be confirmed and requires further work."

Commenting, Dr. Andrey Bekker (Associate Professor at the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, University of California, Riverside) said, "Evidence for glaciation of this age has been hotly discussed and debated for decades based on sedimentological evidence with suggestions ranging from high altitude to high latitude glaciation. Triple oxygen isotope analysis add an entirely new line of evidence to this argument. The biogeochemical carbon cycle not only controls climate, but also atmospheric oxygen content and these data are likely to trigger follow-up studies on the transient oxygenation at that time."

More information: A. Hofmann et al, Earth's first glaciation at 2.9 Ga revealed by triple oxygen isotopes, Geochemical Perspectives Letters (2023). DOI: 10.7185/geochemlet.2319

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Description of the underlying mechanism of our directional photon source. (a) A photon emitter is placed inside a particle within a linear array of identical particles. (b) The array displays a guided mode that shows up to the right of the line cone (i.e., with parallel wave vector k  larger than the free-light wave vector k) and has zero group velocity at the boundary of the first Brillouin zone (k  = /d) in parallel wave-vector space (left). The LDOS receives contributions from spontaneous emission into the light cone and from coupling to the guided mode of the array (right). The latter exhibits a van Hove singularity associated with the vanishing group velocity, and thus, it dominates the overall emission. Credit: Nanophotonics (2023). DOI: 10.1515/nanoph-2023-0276

A team of researchers from the Institute of Optics of CSIC and the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) of Barcelona has proposed a new design to implement highly directional single-photon sources, which constitutes an improvement over currently existing quantum technologies. The work is published in the journal Nanophotonics.

The generation of single photons along well-defined directions requires highly sophisticated systems, but this new proposal offers a simpler and more efficient solution.

The work proposes the use of a quantum emitter (molecule or atom that emits a single photon when it transitions to a lower energy state) inserted into a one-dimensional waveguide formed by a periodic structure. This structure is designed to support a single guided mode of light in the spectral range of the quantum emitter.

As a result, the photons emitted by the quantum emitter are preferably coupled to this waveguide mode, resulting in high directionality and reducing the temporal uncertainty of the emission by more than two orders of magnitude.

Single photon sources are fundamental components in quantum optical devices used nowadays in computing, cryptography, and quantum metrology. These devices use quantum emitters that, after excitation, produce single photons with a probability close to 100% and emission times on the order of a few to tens of nanoseconds.

The quality of a single photon source depends on its ability (i) to extract single photons with high efficiency, (ii) to reduce emission time uncertainty, (iii) to increase the repetition rate, and (iv) to rule out two-photon events.

This study presents a novel approach that can improve extraction efficiency and reduce emission time uncertainty by exploiting the Purcell effect. This effect consists of the modification of the emission probability of a quantum emitter due to the interaction with its environment.

Unlike previous approaches that require two- or three-dimensional structures to obtain a guided mode, this new approach only needs a one-dimensional system. The proposed design can be implemented with a wide variety of materials and is very robust to manufacturing imperfections. Furthermore, as a one-dimensional system, it has a much smaller footprint than previously proposed two-dimensional photonic crystal structures, providing advantages for the integration of the device on a chip.

In principle, the quantum emitter located in the waveguide emits photons along both directions of the waveguide, but there are strategies to emit the photons in only one direction. For example, it is possible to use circularly polarized emitters (in which the electric field of the photon rotates as the light propagates) or modify one end of the waveguide to implement a Bragg reflector.

Although this study has focused on waveguides formed by spherical nanostructures, the results can be readily applied to other types of elements, such as periodic corrugations in a rectangular waveguide.

This is a research work by scientists Alejandro Manjavacas, from the "Daza de Valdes" Institute of Optics of CSIC and F. Javier Garcia de Abajo, from the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) of Barcelona.

More information: Alejandro Manjavacas et al, Highly directional single-photon source, Nanophotonics (2023). DOI: 10.1515/nanoph-2023-0276
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Esme Ashe-Jepson conducing fieldwork in Panama, with a butterfly from the Calephelis genus in the Riodinidae family. Credit: Esme Ashe-Jepson

The family, wing length and wing color of tropical butterflies all influence their ability to withstand rising temperatures, say a team led by ecologists at the University of Cambridge. The researchers believe this could help identify species whose survival is under threat from climate change.

Butterflies with smaller or lighter colored wings are likely to be 'losers' when it comes to climate change, with the Lycaenidae family, which contains over 6,000 species of butterflies, the majority of which live in the tropics, found to be particularly vulnerable.

Butterflies with larger or darker colored wings are likely to fare better under increasing temperatures, but only to a point. Researchers say these butterflies could still experience dramatic declines if there were sudden heatwaves or if cool microclimates were lost through deforestation.

The results are published today in the Journal of Animal Ecology.

Butterflies rely on the sun's warmth to give them the energy they need to function. They use 'thermoregulation' strategies to maintain a balanced body temperature against changing air temperatures.

Generally, strategies to keep cool involve adaptive behaviors like flying to a shady spot or angling wings away from the sun (thermal buffering). But when this is not possible or temperatures become too hot, species have to rely on physiological mechanisms such as the production of heat shock proteins to withstand high temperatures (thermal tolerance). Both of these strategies are needed to cope with climate change.

Researchers collaborated with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) to study the thermal buffering and thermal tolerance strategies of tropical butterflies. They collected data from multiple habitats in Panama.

Esme Ashe-Jepson conducing fieldwork in Panama, with a butterfly from the Calephelis genus in the Riodinidae family. Credit: Esme Ashe-Jepson

Equipped with hand-held nets, ecologists took the temperature of over 1,000 butterflies using a tiny thermometer-like probe. They compared each butterfly's temperature to that of the surrounding air or the vegetation it was perched on. This gave a measurement of thermal bufferingthe ability to maintain a steady body temperature against fluctuating air temperatures.

A second experiment was conducted at STRI Gamboa facilities and involved assessing butterflies' thermal tolerancetheir ability to withstand extreme temperatures, such as those they may experience during a heatwave. This was assessed by capturing a subset of butterflies and placing them in glass jars within a water baththe temperature of which was steadily increased. Thermal tolerance was assessed as the temperature at which butterflies could no longer function.

Butterflies that had large wings tended to have greater thermal buffering ability but less thermal tolerance than smaller butterflies. Indeed, in a further study conducted by the same research team, butterflies with larger, longer and narrower wings were found to be better at thermal buffering.

Thermal buffering abilities were found to be stronger in darker-winged butterflies who could also tolerate higher temperatures than paler-winged butterflies.

Butterflies from the Lycaenidae family which have small, bright, and often iridescent, wings had the poorest thermal buffering and low thermal tolerance. If temperatures continue to rise at the current rate, forests continue to be cut down, and cool microclimates are lost, there is a very real threat that we could lose many species in this family in the future, say the researchers.

A trade-off in terms of butterflies' cooling strategies was observed: those that were good at thermal buffering were less good at thermal tolerance and vice versa.

Scientists say this suggests that tropical butterflies have evolved to cope with temperature changes using one of these strategies at the expense of the other, and that this is likely to be due to selective pressures.

Esme Ashe-Jepson conducing fieldwork in Panama, with a Juditha caucana butterfly from the Riodinidae family. Credit: Esme Ashe-Jepson

Lead author Esme Ashe-Jepson, a Ph.D. student at Cambridge's Department of Zoology, said, "Butterflies with physical characteristics that may help them to avoid the sun's heat, like having large wings that enable them to fly quickly into shade, rarely experience high temperatures, and so have not evolved to cope with them. On the other hand, species which can cope with higher temperatures physiologically have experienced less selective pressure to evolve heat-avoiding behaviors.

"As temperatures continue to rise, and forest fragments get smaller and further apart because of deforestation, butterflies which rely on their surroundings to avoid high temperatures may not be able to travel between forest fragments, or cope with increasingly common heatwaves."

The researchers say this means that species with large dark wings that are good at thermal buffering may initially be unaffected by warming temperatures, as they can continue to thermoregulate effectively using behavior and microclimates, but their survival could be at risk if there are sudden heatwaves, or they can no longer escape to cool vegetation.

"Ultimately all insects, including butterflies, the world over are likely to be affected by climate change," said Ashe-Jepson. "Adaptation to climate change is complex and can be impacted by other factors such as habitat destruction. We need to address these two global challenges together."

Further research is needed to investigate the effect a warming climate may have on other life stages of butterflies, such as caterpillars and eggs, and other insect groups.

Senior author Greg Lamarre, at the Czech Academy of Science and Research Associate at STRI said, "Worldwide, most entomologists are observing drastic declines in insect biodiversity. Understanding the causes and consequences of insect decline has become an important goal in ecology, particularly in the tropics, where most of terrestrial diversity occurs."

More information: Esme AsheJepson et al, Tropical butterflies use thermal buffering and thermal tolerance as alternative strategies to cope with temperature increase, Journal of Animal Ecology (2023). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13970 Journal information: Journal of Animal Ecology
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The Southern Resident Orca. Credit: Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute

Monika Wieland Shields, Director of the Orca Behavior Institute, has observed orcas in the Salish Sea, a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean located in the Canadian province of British Columbia and the U.S. state of Washington, since 2000. She has recently published an article in the peer-reviewed open access journal PeerJ that provides crucial insights into the changing habitat usage of the critically endangered southern resident killer whales (Orcinus orca), shedding light on historic trends and the current status of the population in the Salish Sea. We caught up with Monika to find out more about her research and the orcas she is so passionate about.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Monika Wieland Shields and I'm the co-founder and director of the non-profit Orca Behavior Institute (OBI) based on San Juan Island, Washington, U.S.. We conduct non-invasive behavioral and acoustic research on two populations of killer whales that frequent the regional inland waters known as the Salish Sea: the endangered fish-eating southern resident killer whales and the thriving mammal-eating Bigg's killer whales. I have been studying, photographing, writing about, and advocating for these whales for over 20 years, and am the author of the 2019 book "Endangered Orcas: The Story of the southern residents".

Can you briefly explain the research you published in PeerJ?

One of my long-term projects at OBI is tracking the shifting habitat usage of southern resident killer whales. Their seasonal usage of the Salish Sea has changed dramatically since their endangered listing in 2005, correlating with shifts in their preferred prey. This study provides an update on daily whale occurrence from 2018-2022 showing that these shifts are continuing to occur.

The Southern Resident orca. Credit: Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute

What did you discover and where?

The focus of this study is the inland waters of Washington State and British Columbia, a region known as the Salish Sea. This study shows that historic southern resident habitat use of this area has essentially reversed: they used to be most abundant here from May through September, but now occur more in the fall and winter months while their spring and summer presence has declined dramatically.

Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute. Credit: Katya McMullen

What was significant about your findings?



Protecting habitats is a key component of endangered species recovery, but to be biologically meaningful, any geographic or temporal protection zones need to overlap in space and time with how the target species is currently using the habitat, rather than based on historic trends. Both Canada and the US have implemented regional and seasonal protection measures aimed at supporting population recovery, but it is important that they are regularly updated to reflect shifting habitat usage by the southern residents. This study fills that data gap by demonstrating how these endangered orcas are utilizing the Salish Sea over the last five years and how that has shifted from previous trends.

More information: Monika W. Shields, 20182022 Southern Resident killer whale presence in the Salish Sea: continued shifts in habitat usage, PeerJ (2023). DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15635 Journal information: PeerJ

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A snapshot from one of the team's videos, which shows a steady-moving horizontal sphere with attached air cavity formation. Credit: Farrukh Kamoliddinov, Ivan U. Vakarelski, Sigurdur T. Thoroddsen, and Tadd T. Truscott

Inspired by the need to safeguard marine animals and promote sustainable solutions within marine environments, an interdisciplinary team of researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia and Sofia University in Bulgaria are delving into the hydrodynamics of buoyant objects at the air-water interface.

By studying these dynamics, their goal is to expand the understanding of fluid hydrodynamics and complex surface interactionsand advance fields such as the design and performance of marine engineering systems, buoy systems, and underwater vehicles.

In Physics of Fluids, the team presents a study of the dynamics of buoyant spheres (think skipping stones) at the air-water interface. Their work revealed complex hydrodynamics involved in forming horizontal air cavities and the transition between floating and skipping. The article is titled "Skipping under water: Buoyant sphere hydrodynamics at the air-water interface."

The study of fluidics and physics within the context of buoyancy involves several key principles: buoyancy, hydrodynamics, fluid resistance, and a Reynolds number.

Buoyancy refers to the upward force exerted on an object immersed within a fluid, while hydrodynamics focuses on the motion of the fluid and its interactions with solid objects.

Fluid resistance, or drag, occurs when an object moving through a fluid experiences resistance due to the friction between its surface and the fluid. This resistance depends on factors such as an object's shape, size, speed, and fluid properties.

To further analyze fluid behavior, scientists use a dimensionless parameter, a Reynolds number, to determine the type of flow around an object.

One of the team's key findings is that as the pulling force and speed of the spheres increase, their behavior becomes more irregular. "The spheres exhibit oscillatory motions, diving into the water, rising toward and piercing the water surface, and attaching underwater air cavities in a horizontal direction," said co-author Farrukh Kamoliddinov of KAUST.

They also discovered larger pulling angles result in different air-cavity lengths, larger skipping distances, and earlier water exit behaviormeaning that the pulling angle plays a significant role in shaping the hydrodynamics of the buoyant spheres.

And the cavity maintains a steady horizontal motion at a constant velocity over a certain distance. The air cavity formation exhibits distinct features, including an inverted wing shape and a turbulent wake behind it. This steady and controlled horizontal motion of the cavity provides insight into complex fluid dynamics and opens the door to further exploration and applications.

"Understanding buoyant sphere dynamics and cavity formation can inspire new designs and innovations in fields beyond marine engineering," said Kamoliddinov. "It can potentially lead to new novel propulsion systems, drag reduction strategies, fluidic propulsion systems, and fluidic devices that harness the characteristics of buoyant spheres."

More information: Farrukh Kamoliddinov et al, Skipping under water: Buoyant sphere hydrodynamics at the airwater interface, Physics of Fluids (2023). DOI: 10.1063/5.0153610 Journal information: Physics of Fluids
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The majority of Reddit and Twitter posts on student loan debt are negative, usually expressing sadness and anger. Credit: Special Illustration, UGA

With the Supreme Court's rejection of student loan relief in June, millions of borrowers are dealing with intense emotions of disappointment and resignation.

According to new research from the University of Georgia, that loan debt could be making America's mental health problem worse.

The study published in Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work analyzed more than 85,000 student loan-related posts on popular social media sites Reddit and Twitter from 2009 through 2020, excluding those from policymakers and political figures. The researchers chose these forums because people proactively go online to share their opinions and feelings on the sites without prompting.

The study found high levels of mental health issues, including feeling depressed, stressful feelings and worrying thoughts, were associated with student loan debt, performance pressure and negative academic and personal outcomes.

"Student loan debt per se is not a bad thing, but people need to know what they're getting into," said Gaurav Sinha, lead author of the study and an assistant professor in UGA's School of Social Work. "People have a limited cognitive bandwidth. We spend a lot of time thinking about money and our debts. That not only affects your financial health but also your mental health."

That distraction can make it difficult for current students to concentrate on their studies. And for graduates in debt, the mental energy used on loan repayment plans and budgeting can negatively impact relationships.

Mental burden created by debt may exacerbate, lead to mental health problems

The study focused on discussions in finance and mental health subreddits, online communities dedicated to specific topics on Reddit.

For the Twitter posts, the researchers trained a machine learning model to flag tweets expressing patterns of speech and word choice that exhibited common mental illness symptoms.

The researchers found that the majority of user posts were negative, with users expressing symptoms of mental illness sharing higher levels of negativity than those in both the finance subreddits and on Twitter.

For the users with mental illness symptoms, the stress of paying back their student loans appeared to exacerbate their condition.

"People shared their doubts over whether they can pay back their loans, and others mentioned worrying thoughts including self-harm," Sinha said. "Many users had too much money to pay back, they didn't get those dream jobs they thought they would with their degree and now they don't know what to do. They feel trapped."

Users expressing mental illness symptoms stated high levels of sadness and fear about their loans.

Even the users who did not express symptoms or self-identify as living with mental illness were angry and sad about their debt. Almost one out of three of these social media users vented about their anger online.

The researchers noted that if those individuals continue to experience prolonged bouts of anger over time, it could lead them to mental health issues down the road.

Most social media users wish they had financial education

One common thread among the posts was the desire to know more about student loans and managing repayment schedules. Many of the social media users said they wished they had more education on the amount of debt they were taking on and what that could mean for their future earnings and savings.

"We need to provide information in a way that people actually understand how student loans work," Sinha said. "Users said they should've learned about budgeting or basic financial management early in their lives or that they shouldn't have taken on the level of debt they had. These are important considerations many users felt that they should have known.

"We also need to focus on making higher education accessible and affordable to address this problem holistically."

To counter this lack of financial knowledge, education is crucial, the researchers said. Currently, only few countries have introduced financial education courses into their public school systems. But doing so could help future students understand the potential ramifications of their education loans and promote responsible credit use.

More information: Gaurav R. Sinha et al, Comparing Naturalistic Mental Health Expressions on Student Loan Debts Using Reddit and Twitter, Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work (2023). DOI: 10.1080/26408066.2023.2202668
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Time trends of the global trade of the 46 highly hazardous chemicals analyzed in this study among all countries. a,b, Trade volumes by chemical (a) and net imports by geographic region (b) of highly hazardous chemicals. Net import = import  export. Note that only the top four (or three) chemicals or regions/countries are shown; others are all grouped into "others." The data between 2004 and 2006 are not shown here because large parts of the global trade of the listed chemicals during this period were not recorded (or were separately recorded) in the UN Comtrade database, but they are included in the estimated total global trade reported in the main text. Credit: Nature Sustainability (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-023-01158-w

Researchers from Switzerland and China have studied the global trade in highly hazardous chemicals subject to a global treatythe Rotterdam Convention. The results are sobering: Nearly half of the total trade volume of these chemicals crosses national borders illegally, calling for strong international and national action.

The Rotterdam Convention covers 54 chemicals and groups of chemicals due to their high potential to cause severe harm on human health and the environment. These include mercury compounds, various pesticides and five of the six types of asbestos. The Convention, also known as the PIC Convention (Prior Informed Consent), does not ban these hazardous substances. However, the parties may only trade them among themselves if the importing country has expressly consented to the import.

The PIC procedure is primarily intended to protect developing countries from the uncontrolled import of highly hazardous chemicals, since these countries often lack the necessary infrastructure to safely process and dispose of them. Now, a new study initiated by Empa scientists delivers sobering results: The PIC procedure is defaulted on in nearly half of the traded volume of these chemicals.

Worldwide violations

For the study, published on 10 July in the journal Nature Sustainability, researchers from China and Switzerland analyzed public trade data from the United Nations Comtrade database for 46 of the 54 listed chemicals. A total of 64.5 million tons were traded globally from 2004 to 2019. Of these, 27.5 million tons were traded illegally, i.e., exported to countries that had explicitly refused to import them.

Non-compliance with the Rotterdam Convention is a worldwide phenomenon, especially by many countries in Western, Central and Southern Europe, as well as South and Southeast Asia. At the same time, these regions were also the most affected by illegal imports, along with the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Latin America.

"This prevalent illegal trade is highly concerning because it undermines global efforts to protect us and our environment from hazardous chemicals," says Empa researcher Zhanyun Wang, who initiated the study.

According to Wang and his co-authors, the result of the study is a rather conservative estimate of the illicit trade in hazardous chemicals, as situations such as smuggling and black markets were not includes in the analysis. In addition, the US, for example, exported about four million tons of chemicals to countries that refuse to import them under the Convention. However, this is not necessarily illegalbecause the US has not ratified the Rotterdam Convention and is subject to different rules.

Ongoing large-scale trade

Wang also considers the very high overall volume of hazardous substances being traded as problematic. Of the total 64.5 million tons, the majority55.3 million tonsis ethylene dichloride, a carcinogenic and organ-damaging solvent used in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In second place, with 6.3 million tons, is the toxic reagent, disinfectant and pesticide ethylene dioxide.

The other chemicals, which are predominantly pesticides, make up a relatively small portion of the total. "But we see that these highly toxic compounds are still being traded in significant quantities," Wang says. "Since the Rotterdam Convention came into force, trade has decreased only slightly. Yet for many of these substances, we've known for decades how harmful they are."

Surprisingly, the authors also discovered a brisk trade in some substances that have been severely restricted or even banned for years to decades. These include, for instance, the legacy toxic pesticides aldrin, chlordane, heptachlor and dieldrin, which have been banned worldwide as the "Dirty Dozen" under the Stockholm Convention since 2004. Also still traded, albeit in much smaller quantities of several thousand tons, are the notoriously neurotoxic compounds tetraethyl lead and tetramethyl lead. Despite decades of global efforts to phase them out in gasoline for normal cars, they seem to be still used in certain specialty fuels.

Strengthening national and international action

All of the data used in the study are publicso why aren't the countries addressing the defaults? There are several reasons. "For many countries, the environmental ministry is responsible for implementing the Rotterdam Convention," Wang explains. "But trade is supervised by the customs authority." In addition, there are often insufficient resources available to monitor chemical trade, especially in developing countries.

The researchers recommend that international and national action needs to step up to address global trade of highly hazardous chemicals, particularly illegal trade. Among others, other problematic chemicals should be listed under the Convention, such as chrysotile asbestos. This type of asbestos is by far the most commonand the only one of the six types of asbestos not yet covered by the Convention. "Switzerland has recently taken the initiative here to bring about changes, along with several other countries, but so far without success," Wang says.

The Rotterdam Convention, meanwhile, has only had a Compliance Committee to monitor and address its implementation since 2020. "We are hopeful that this, together with national efforts on reducing the production and use of highly hazardous chemicals, will greatly reduce illegal trade in the future," Wang says.

The Rotterdam Convention

The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, also known as the PIC Convention, entered into force in 2004. This international treaty regulates the trade of 54 hazardous chemicals, as of February 2023.

According to the Convention, each of these substances may only be imported into a particular country if that country has been informed about the hazards in advance and has given its consent. If a country does not grant import consent, it also agrees to stop domestic production of the chemical in question and not to import it from non-Party states. The Convention has so far been ratified by 165 countries.

More information: Hongyan Zou et al, Continuing large-scale global trade and illegal trade of highly hazardous chemicals, Nature Sustainability (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-023-01158-w Journal information: Nature Sustainability
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Pipeline used for extracting material property records from a corpus of abstracts. Credit: npj Computational Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41524-023-01003-w

The amount of published materials science research is growing at an exponential rate, too fast for scientists to keep up. To help these scholars, a first-of-its-kind materials science data extraction pipeline is now available to make their research easier and faster.

The pipeline extracts material property records from published papers and populates the data into a new application called Polymer Scholar. The platform works like a browser to search polymers and materials properties by keyword, rather than reading through countless articles.

The application makes materials research more efficient, which could lead to the discovery of new polymers.

"Essentially, we have created an index on materials science literature that is much more granular than ones in a typical index that a search engine would create," said Georgia Tech Ph.D. student Pranav Shetty, the lead designer of the pipeline.

"Our hope is that materials science researchers can make use of this capability in their day-to-day lives and workflows, and therefore, allow their work to have much more usability toward studying polymers and developing new materials."

The group's paper says the number of materials science papers published annually grows at a rate of 6% compounded annually. This amount of content makes for long, difficult work for scientists and in need of a computing solution.

The group's answer is MaterialsBERT, a model they built and trained that powers the pipeline.

MaterialsBERT categorizes words in the text by association with a material property record. After the model associates text with records, the data is fed to Polymer Scholar. Scientists can use Polymer Scholar to study data, searching by either a polymer name or a property, like boiling point or tensile strength.

The group used 2.4 million materials science abstracts to train MaterialsBERT. In tests, the model outperformed five other models on three of five entity-recognition datasets.

According to the study, the pipeline needed only 60 hours to obtain 300,000 material property records from over 130,000 abstracts.

As a comparison, materials scientists currently use a database called PoLyInfo. This system has over 492,000 material property records, manually curated by hand over the span of many years. Georgia Tech's pipeline can accomplish in hours what took humans years to do in PoLyInfo.

"Polymer Scholar and MaterialsBERT are powered by a large corpus of 2.4 million materials science articles, which took some time and effort to develop the infrastructure to support such a large collection," said Chao Zhang, an assistant professor in the School of Computational Science and Engineering (CSE). "This body of papers made all the difference in training MaterialsBERT because it improved the language model's ability to identify and extract data."

Polymer research is vital because of the roles polymers play in manufacturing, healthcare, electronics, and other industries. Polymers have desirable properties that make them useful for future applications.

When polymer research slows, it inhibits the development of new technologies. These technologies are needed to overcome today's challenges like climate change, faltering infrastructure, and sustainable energy.

In their paper, the group analyzed data using polymer solar cells, fuel cells, and supercapacitors as keywords in Polymer Scholar. This showed that scholars can use the pipeline to infer trends and phenomena in materials science literature. It also used practical examples to demonstrate applicability.

The journal npj Computational Materials published the group's paper because of its findings.

The pipeline is the latest work for the group which is committed to applying computational methods to lead innovations in materials science.

"Our long-term vision is to use the extracted data to train models that can predict material properties," Ramprasad said. "Creating a pipeline to extract this data that can seamlessly feed into predictive models will ultimately lead to an extraordinary pace of materials discovery."

More information: Pranav Shetty et al, A general-purpose material property data extraction pipeline from large polymer corpora using natural language processing, npj Computational Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41524-023-01003-w
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A tributary of the Parana river, the Tiete river is covered in a visible foam.

Not far from Latin America's biggest city, Sao Paulo, a river is covered in a white layer that resembles fresh snow but is in fact a smelly, toxic foam.

The Tiete river, some 1,100 kilometers long, is crucial for potable water, irrigation and energy production in southeast Brazil, the country's most populated area.

But parts of the waterway, including one area just 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the metropolis, have been befouled by phosphate and phosphorus residues from household detergents used by Sao Paulo's 22 million inhabitants and washed down the sewers.

A tributary of the Parana river, the waterway has been covered in a visible foam layer since last week, at one point spread over more than 10 kilometers and also spotted blighting several waterfalls.

"When these residues enter the fast-running waters of the Tiete, it is as if a washing machine has been turned on," said Malu Ribeiro of the NGO SOS Mata Atlantica, describing the foamy mess.

The NGO warns that fumes from the foam can cause sore throats and breathing problems, and contact could irritate the skin.

The impact on animal and plant life was likely similar to that caused by "acid rain," said Ribeiro.

The Tiete river has been befouled by phosphate and phosporus residues from household detergents used by the 22 million inhabitants of the metropolis of Sao Paulo, and washed down the sewers.

The phenomenon is not a new one: The foam is a frequent feature of the river in the dry winter months when there is less water to dissolve the chemicals.

In the 1990s, the situation was sometimes so bad that the foam ran down the streets of some cities near the river's shore.

Improvements to water treatment have alleviated the problem, but some years are still worse than others.

Ribeiro said the foam is worse in periods with big temperature fluctuations. In winter the contrast can be quite extreme, with very cold mornings and very hot afternoons.

"Cold water is heavier, and it carries polluting residues to the bottom... But when it is heated by the sun, these residues rise to the surface and form a thicker foam," she explained.

SOS Mata Atlantica is advocating for a ban on phosphate and phosphorus in domestic cleaning products.

The Tiete river, some 1,100 kilometers long, is crucial for potable water, irrigation and energy production in southeast Brazil, the country's most populated area.

Sao Paulo's environment secretariat has promised to invest 5.6 billion reais (about $1.1 billion) in the water treatment network by 2026.

Water treatment must be improved too: In the Alto Tiete basin that serves Sao Paolo, just over half of wastewater is treated, according to official data from 2021.

Sao Paulo's environment secretariat has promised to invest 5.6 billion reais (about $1.1 billion) in the water treatment network by 2026.

 2023 AFP
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Distribution of eastern wild turkey nest initiation dates (date when incubation began) in the dataset of 717 nests monitored 2014-2021. The first nest occurred on ordinal day 71, the last nest occurred on ordinal day 186, and the mean date was ordinal day 110. Credit: Climate Change Ecology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.ecochg.2023.100075

A new study suggests eastern wild turkeys in five southern U.S. states are unlikely to make meaningful changes in the timing of when they begin nesting, even under significant future climate change.

The findings suggest eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) could be vulnerable to shifts in climate, which could threaten the availability of their food sources, the amount of vegetation cover available to protect them from predators, and other factors.

"There are implications here for turkey populations if individuals are inflexible in their ability to shift their reproductive activities, as resources are certainly going to change in the future," said Chris Moorman, professor in North Carolina State University's Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Program. "This could result in 'phenological mismatch,' where the timing of an animal's natural history doesn't match up with the food and cover resources that are critical for successful reproduction and survival."

After overhunting and habitat loss drove wild turkeys almost to extinction, the species is now common throughout North America. However, a recent survey reported wild turkey populations in the southeastern United States have been in decline since 2009. North Carolina has a stable population as estimated by hunting harvests, but some southern states have set hunting restrictions in an attempt to stop or reverse declines. Researchers acknowledge there are outstanding questions about the role of weather and climate change, emerging diseases, and other factors on turkeys.

"Turkeys are a highly adaptable species; this adaptability facilitated their ability to be restored," said the study's lead author Wesley Boone, a postdoctoral research scholar at NC State. "We want to know if they're going to be able to persist in a future with a changing climate, and changing landscapes, too."

To determine the impact of climate change on turkey nesting, researchers tracked when eastern wild turkeys began nesting in five states in the Southeast across eight years. Working under safety protocols, researchers used nets to capture female turkeys.

They attached GPS transmitters to monitor the turkeys' location remotely to identify patterns in their movements that indicated turkeys had started incubating their nests, which is when they sit on their eggs to keep them warm. They visited nests to confirm their location and to see if one or more eggs had hatched.

The researchers then used weather data gathered between 2014 and 2021 to see if temperature, rainfall, and the timing of "spring green-up" linked with the timing of when turkeys started nest incubation. They also projected whether turkey nest timing would shift by 2041-2060 under two climate-change scenarios.

When they analyzed the timing for 717 total nests and 186 "successful" nests that hatched at least one egg, researchers found that temperature and rainfall were associated with slight changes in when turkeys began nesting. However, the changes were so slight that they could be measured in hours, and not days.

When they looked at the relationship between climate change-related shifts in average precipitation and temperature changes, they found the timing of successful nests would change by less than three hours. The research team did not see any links between turkey nest timing and spring green-up.

"We did find relationships between nest timing, rainfall, and temperature, but when we projected that into the future, there is no biological relevance in the shift in timing," Boone said. "However, the lack of change in response to a changing climate could be a problem because the critical food and cover resources linked with spring green-up are likely to shift earlier in the future."

"For many animals, there is variability around the timing of breeding that would allow individuals to adapt to availability of resources," Moorman said. "We did not project drastic changes in the timing of when wild turkeys nest under climate change. Turkeys seem relatively inflexible as to when they reproducenesting is initiated around the same time each year with only slight shifts in the timing, regardless of weather conditions."

This is the first in a series of studies designed to understand the effects of climate change on reproduction of the eastern wild turkey. Future studies will explore other measures of turkey reproductive success, including whether temperature and precipitation affect the survival of turkey nests and the recently hatch young, which are called poults. The findings have implications for long-term turkey conservation, including the timing of hunting seasons.

"There could be a lot of factors interacting to cause declines, including timing of the hunting season, land-use change that impacts habitat, changes in predator populations, as well as weather, climate and diseases," Boone said. "We need to begin chipping away at the questions to build a comprehensive understanding of the current and future threats to wild turkey population sustainability."

The study, "Minimal shifts of eastern wild turkey nesting phenology associated with projected climate change," was published online in Climate Change Ecology.

More information: Wesley W. Boone et al, Minimal shift of eastern wild turkey nesting phenology associated with projected climate change, Climate Change Ecology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.ecochg.2023.100075
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PhD candidate Zachary Berzolla SM 21 (left), Professor Christoph Reinhart (right), and their colleagues have launched online simulation tools that enable urban policymakers to determine what building-retrofit incentives and other measures are needed to bring about a targeted reduction in their citys carbon emissions. Credit: Gretchen Ertl

To support the worldwide struggle to reduce carbon emissions, many cities have made public pledges to cut their carbon emissions in half by 2030, and some have promised to be carbon neutral by 2050. Buildings can be responsible for more than half a municipality's carbon emissions. Today, new buildings are typically designed in ways that minimize energy use and carbon emissions. So attention focuses on cleaning up existing buildings.

A decade ago, leaders in some cities took the first step in that process: They quantified their problem. Based on data from their utilities on natural gas and electricity consumption and standard pollutant-emission rates, they calculated how much carbon came from their buildings. They then adopted policies to encourage retrofits, such as adding insulation, switching to double-glazed windows, or installing rooftop solar panels. But will those steps be enough to meet their pledges?

"In nearly all cases, cities have no clear plan for how they're going to reach their goal," says Christoph Reinhart, a professor in the Department of Architecture and director of the Building Technology Program. "That's where our work comes in. We aim to help them perform analyses so they can say, 'If we, as a community, do A, B, and C to buildings of a certain type within our jurisdiction, then we are going to get there.'"

To support those analyses, Reinhart and a team in the MIT Sustainable Design Lab (SDL)Ph.D. candidate Zachary M. Berzolla SM '21; former doctoral student Yu Qian Ang Ph.D. '22, now a research collaborator at the SDL; and former postdoc Samuel Letellier-Duchesne, now a senior building performance analyst at the international building engineering and consulting firm Introbalaunched a publicly accessible website providing a series of simulation tools and a process for using them to determine the impacts of planned steps on a specific building stock. Says Reinhart: "The takeaway can be a clear technology pathwaya combination of building upgrades, renewable energy deployments, and other measures that will enable a community to reach its carbon-reduction goals for their built environment."

Analyses performed in collaboration with policymakers from selected cities around the world yielded insights demonstrating that reaching current goals will require more effort than city representatives andin a few caseseven the research team had anticipated.

Exploring carbon-reduction pathways

The researchers' approach builds on a physics-based "building energy model," or BEM, akin to those that architects use to design high-performance green buildings. In 2013, Reinhart and his team developed a method of extending that concept to analyze a cluster of buildings. Based on publicly available geographic information system (GIS) data, including each building's type, footprint, and year of construction, the method defines the neighborhoodincluding trees, parks, and so onand then, using meteorological data, how the buildings will interact, the airflows among them, and their energy use. The result is an "urban building energy model," or UBEM, for a neighborhood or a whole city.

The website developed by the MIT team enables neighborhoods and cities to develop their own UBEM and to use it to calculate their current building energy use and resulting carbon emissions, and then how those outcomes would change assuming different retrofit programs or other measures being implemented or considered. "The websiteUBEM.ioprovides step-by-step instructions and all the simulation tools that a team will need to perform an analysis," says Reinhart.

The website starts by describing three roles required to perform an analysis: a local sustainability champion who is familiar with the municipality's carbon-reduction efforts; a GIS manager who has access to the municipality's urban datasets and maintains a digital model of the built environment; and an energy modelertypically a hired consultantwho has a background in green building consulting and individual building energy modeling.

The team begins by defining "shallow" and "deep" building retrofit scenarios. To explain, Reinhart offers some examples: "'Shallow' refers to things that just happen, like when you replace your old, failing appliances with new, energy-efficient ones, or you install LED light bulbs and weatherstripping everywhere," he says. "'Deep' adds to that list things you might do only every 20 years, such as ripping out walls and putting in insulation or replacing your gas furnace with an electric heat pump."

Once those scenarios are defined, the GIS manager uploads to UBEM.io a dataset of information about the city's buildings, including their locations and attributes such as geometry, height, age, and use (e.g., commercial, retail, residential). The energy modeler then builds a UBEM to calculate the energy use and carbon emissions of the existing building stock. Once that baseline is established, the energy modeler can calculate how specific retrofit measures will change the outcomes.

Workshop to test-drive the method

Two years ago, the MIT team set up a three-day workshop to test the website with sample users. Participants included policymakers from eight cities and municipalities around the world: namely, Braga (Portugal), Cairo (Egypt), Dublin (Ireland), Florianopolis (Brazil), Kiel (Germany), Middlebury (Vermont, United States), Montreal (Canada), and Singapore. Taken together, the cities represent a wide range of climates, socioeconomic demographics, cultures, governing structures, and sizes.

Working with the MIT team, the participants presented their goals, defined shallow- and deep-retrofit scenarios for their city, and selected a limited but representative area for analysisan approach that would speed up analyses of different options while also generating results valid for the city as a whole.

They then performed analyses to quantify the impacts of their retrofit scenarios. Finally, they learned how best to present their findingsa critical part of the exercise. "When you do this analysis and bring it back to the people, you can say, 'This is our homework over the next 30 years. If we do this, we're going to get there,'" says Reinhart. "That makes you part of the community, so it's a joint goal."

Sample results

After the close of the workshop, Reinhart and his team confirmed their findings for each city and then added one more factor to the analyses: the state of the city's electric grid. Several cities in the study had pledged to make their grid carbon-neutral by 2050. Including the grid in the analysis was therefore critical: If a building becomes all-electric and purchases its electricity from a carbon-free grid, then that building will be carbon neutraleven with no on-site energy-saving retrofits.

The final analysis for each city therefore calculated the total kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted per square meter of floor space assuming the following scenarios: the baseline; shallow retrofit only; shallow retrofit plus a clean electricity grid; deep retrofit only; deep retrofit plus rooftop photovoltaic solar panels; and deep retrofit plus a clean electricity grid. (Note that "clean electricity grid" is based on the area's most ambitious decarbonization target for their power grid.)

The following paragraphs provide highlights of the analyses for three of the eight cities. Included are the city's setting, emission-reduction goals, current and proposed measures, and calculations of how implementation of those measures would affect their energy use and carbon emissions.

Singapore

Singapore is generally hot and humid, and its building energy use is largely in the form of electricity for cooling. The city is dominated by high-rise buildings, so there's not much space for rooftop solar installations to generate the needed electricity. Therefore, plans for decarbonizing the current building stock must involve retrofits. The shallow-retrofit scenario focuses on installing energy-efficient lighting and appliances. To those steps, the deep-retrofit scenario adds adopting a district cooling system. Singapore's stated goals are to cut the baseline carbon emissions by about a third by 2030 and to cut it in half by 2050.

The analysis shows that, with just the shallow retrofits, Singapore won't achieve its 2030 goal. But with the deep retrofits, it should come close. Notably, decarbonizing the electric grid would enable Singapore to meet and substantially exceed its 2050 target assuming either retrofit scenario.

Dublin

Dublin has a mild climate with relatively comfortable summers but cold, humid winters. As a result, the city's energy use is dominated by fossil fuels, in particular, natural gas for space heating and domestic hot water. The city presented just one targeta 40 percent reduction by 2030.

Dublin has many neighborhoods made up of Georgian row houses, and, at the time of the workshop, the city already had a program in place encouraging groups of owners to insulate their walls. The shallow-retrofit scenario therefore focuses on weatherization upgrades (adding weatherstripping to windows and doors, insulating crawlspaces, and so on). To that list, the deep-retrofit scenario adds insulating walls and installing upgraded windows. The participants didn't include electric heat pumps, as the city was then assessing the feasibility of expanding the existing district heating system.

Results of the analyses show that implementing the shallow-retrofit scenario won't enable Dublin to meet its 2030 target. But the deep-retrofit scenario will. However, like Singapore, Dublin could make major gains by decarbonizing its electric grid. The analysis shows that a decarbonized gridwith or without the addition of rooftop solar panels where possiblecould more than halve the carbon emissions that remain in the deep-retrofit scenario. Indeed, a decarbonized grid plus electrification of the heating system by incorporating heat pumps could enable Dublin to meet a future net-zero target.

Middlebury

Middlebury, Vermont, has warm, wet summers and frigid winters. Like Dublin, its energy demand is dominated by natural gas for heating. But unlike Dublin, it already has a largely decarbonized electric grid with a high penetration of renewables.

For the analysis, the Middlebury team chose to focus on an aging residential neighborhood similar to many that surround the city core. The shallow-retrofit scenario calls for installing heat pumps for space heating, and the deep-retrofit scenario adds improvements in building envelopes (the facade, roof, and windows). The town's targets are a 40 percent reduction from the baseline by 2030 and net-zero carbon by 2050.

Results of the analyses showed that implementing the shallow-retrofit scenario won't achieve the 2030 target. The deep-retrofit scenario would get the city to the 2030 target but not to the 2050 target. Indeed, even with the deep retrofits, fossil fuel use remains high. The explanation? While both retrofit scenarios call for installing heat pumps for space heating, the city would continue to use natural gas to heat its hot water.

Lessons learned

For several policymakers, seeing the results of their analyses was a wake-up call. They learned that the strategies they had planned might not be sufficient to meet their stated goalsan outcome that could prove publicly embarrassing for them in the future.

Like the policymakers, the researchers learned from the experience. Reinhart notes three main takeaways.

First, he and his team were surprised to find how much of a building's energy use and carbon emissions can be traced to domestic hot water. With Middlebury, for example, even switching from natural gas to heat pumps for space heating didn't yield the expected effect: On the bar graphs generated by their analyses, the gray bars indicating carbon from fossil fuel use remained. As Reinhart recalls, "I kept saying, 'What's all this gray?'" While the policymakers talked about using heat pumps, they were still going to use natural gas to heat their hot water. "It's just stunning that hot water is such a big-ticket item. It's huge," says Reinhart.

Second, the results demonstrate the importance of including the state of the local electric grid in this type of analysis. "Looking at the results, it's clear that if we want to have a successful energy transition, the building sector and the electric grid sector both have to do their homework," notes Reinhart. Moreover, in many cases, reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 would require not only a carbon-free grid but also all-electric buildings.

Third, Reinhart was struck by how different the bar graphs presenting results for the eight cities look. "This really celebrates the uniqueness of different parts of the world," he says. "The physics used in the analysis is the same everywhere, but differences in the climate, the building stock, construction practices, electric grids, and other factors make the consequences of making the same change vary widely."

In addition, says Reinhart, "there are sometimes deeply ingrained conflicts of interest and cultural norms, which is why you cannot just say everybody should do this and do this." For instance, in one case, the city owned both the utility and the natural gas it burned. As a result, the policymakers didn't consider putting in heat pumps because "the natural gas was a significant source of municipal income, and they didn't want to give that up," explains Reinhart.

Finally, the analyses quantified two other important measures: energy use and "peak load," which is the maximum electricity demanded from the grid over a specific time period. Reinhart says that energy use "is probably mostly a plausibility check. Does this make sense?" And peak load is important because the utilities need to keep a stable grid.

Middlebury's analysis provides an interesting look at how certain measures could influence peak electricity demand. There, the introduction of electric heat pumps for space heating more than doubles the peak demand from buildings, suggesting that substantial additional capacity would have to be added to the grid in that region. But when heat pumps are combined with other retrofitting measures, the peak demand drops to levels lower than the starting baseline.

The aftermath: An update

Reinhart stresses that the specific results from the workshop provide just a snapshot in time; that is, where the cities were at the time of the workshop. "This is not the fate of the city," he says. "If we were to do the same exercise today, we'd no doubt see a change in thinking, and the outcomes would be different."

For example, heat pumps are now familiar technology and have demonstrated their ability to handle even bitterly cold climates. And in some regions, they've become economically attractive, as the war in Ukraine has made natural gas both scarce and expensive. Also, there's now awareness of the need to deal with hot water production.

Reinhart notes that performing the analyses at the workshop did have the intended impact: It brought about change. Two years after the project had ended, most of the cities reported that they had implemented new policy measures or had expanded their analysis across their entire building stock. "That's exactly what we want," comments Reinhart. "This is not an academic exercise. It's meant to change what people focus on and what they do."

Designing policies with socioeconomics in mind

Reinhart notes a key limitation of the UBEM.io approach: It looks only at technical feasibility. But will the building owners be willing and able to make the energy-saving retrofits? Data show thateven with today's incentive programs and subsidiescurrent adoption rates are only about 1 percent. "That's way too low to enable a city to achieve its emission-reduction goals in 30 years," says Reinhart. "We need to take into account the socioeconomic realities of the residents to design policies that are both effective and equitable."

To that end, the MIT team extended their UBEM.io approach to create a socio-techno-economic analysis framework that can predict the rate of retrofit adoption throughout a city. Based on census data, the framework creates a UBEM that includes demographics for the specific types of buildings in a city. Accounting for the cost of making a specific retrofit plus financial benefits from policy incentives and future energy savings, the model determines the economic viability of the retrofit package for representative households.

Sample analyses for two Boston neighborhoods suggest that high-income households are largely ineligible for need-based incentives or the incentives are insufficient to prompt action. Lower-income households are eligible and could benefit financially over time, but they don't act, perhaps due to limited access to information, a lack of time or capital, or a variety of other reasons.

Reinhart notes that their work thus far "is mainly looking at technical feasibility. Next steps are to better understand occupants' willingness to pay, and then to determine what set of federal and local incentive programs will trigger households across the demographic spectrum to retrofit their apartments and houses, helping the worldwide effort to reduce carbon emissions."

More information: Yu Qian Ang et al, Carbon reduction technology pathways for existing buildings in eight cities, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37131-6 Yael Nidam et al, Census-based urban building energy modeling to evaluate the effectiveness of retrofit programs, Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science (2023). DOI: 10.1177/23998083231154576 Journal information: Nature Communications

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Rates of Chinook salmon bycatch in the Pacific hake fishery rise during years when ocean temperatures are warmer, a signal that climate change and increased frequency of marine heatwaves could lead to higher bycatch rates, new research indicates.

During years when sea surface temperatures were higher, including during a marine heatwave, Chinook salmon were more likely to overlap with the Pacific hake and raise the risk of bycatch as they sought refuge from higher temperatures.

The findings, based on 20 years of bycatch data and ocean temperature records, provide new insight into the ecological mechanisms that underlie bycatch, which is the incidental capture of a non-targeted species, said the study's lead author, Megan Sabal.

"The impact of ocean warming on bycatch has potential cultural, economic and ecological consequences, as the hake and salmon fisheries are each worth millions of dollars and salmon are critical to both Indigenous tribes' cultural heritage and healthy ecosystems," said Sabal, who worked on the project as a postdoctoral scholar at Oregon State University.

Pacific hake, also known as Pacific whiting, is the largest commercial fishery by tonnage on the U.S. West Coast. The rate is low but bycatch remains a concern for the Chinook salmon population, said Michael Banks, a marine fisheries genomics, conservation and behavior professor at Oregon State University and a co-author of the study.

"The hake fishing industry is very sensitive to the impacts of bycatch on salmon and has been diligent in reducing it, but changing climate conditions might become an increasing issue," he said.

The research was just published in the journal Fish and Fisheries.

Pacific hake school in midwater depths off the West Coast from southern Baja California to the Gulf of Alaska. Hake is commonly used in surimi, a type of minced fish used to make imitation crab.

Most hake fishing occurs at depths of 200 to 300 meters and Chinook salmon typically occupy more shallow depths. If changing water temperature affects salmon distribution, that could increase salmon bycatch, the researchers noted.

"Developing a mechanistic understanding of how environmental conditions might impact bycatch can help us prepare for the future and think about how to adapt current strategies to keep up with a changing world," said co-author Kate Richerson of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Northwest Fisheries Science Center Newport Research Station.

To better understand the impacts of changing ocean conditions, the researchers tapped into 20 years of data collected through NOAA's At-Sea Hake Observer Program. Observers are placed aboard hake catcher-processor vessels and motherships that receive catch to process and record information about fishing depth and location, species composition and more.

Sabal and her co-authors modeled observer data and genetic stock identification to show salmon moving lower into the water column during higher temperatures.

"These behavioral changes can provide important information for researchers and can also inform creative conservation solutions," Sabal said.

The researchers also found that limiting night fishing, a common mitigation strategy to reduce bycatch, will likely become less effective when sea surface temperatures are warmer near the surface.

The findings suggest that new strategies may be needed to continue mitigating bycatch in the hake fishery, Banks said. As technology improves, fishermen and fishery managers might be able to forecast bycatch impacts based on real-time ocean condition information and make adaptive management decisions about fishing strategy based on those conditions.

"As the oceans and the world are changing, the conflict between the two fisheries is showing up in new ways," he said, "and we may need to shift strategies based on this understanding."

Banks is affiliated with OSU's Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station at Hatfield Marine Science Center. Sabal was affiliated with the Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystems and Resources Studies and the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station while working on the project and now works for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as a quantitative fisheries scientist.

Additional co-authors are Taal Levi of OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences and Paul Moran and Vanessa Tuttle at NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle.

More information: Megan C. Sabal et al, Warm oceans exacerbate Chinook salmon bycatch in the Pacific hake fishery driven by thermal and diel depthuse behaviours, Fish and Fisheries (2023). DOI: 10.1111/faf.12775 Journal information: Fish and Fisheries
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Grassland growing following removal of prosopis juliflora in the experiment in Tanzania. Credit: Rene Eschen

A team of scientists led by CABI have conducted a new study which shows that three ways to fight the invasive prosopis juliflora tree in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania all proved very effective in almost all cases.

The three-year research, published in the journal CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, revealed that cut stump and basal bark herbicide application and manual uprooting were highly effective, killing the trees in between 85% and 100% of cases.

In addition, three incremental restoration interventions were tested as part of the study, which took place in Ethiopia's Afar National Regional State, Kenya's Baringo County and Tanzania's Moshi District, that included divots, divots and mulching, divots and mulching and grass seed sowing.

The scientists found that the two treatments that involved the complete removal of the aboveground biomass (manual removal and cut stump) yielded a more productive and more diverse vegetation that the treatment that killed the trees standing (basal bark).

Prosopis juliflora is considered one of the world's most threatening non-native tree species. Though it was introduced to Eastern Africa in the 1970s to provide wood and fodder and reduce erosion on degraded land, it has since spread rapidly with a range of severe impacts.

These include loss of grazing land, loss of access to water, declining biodiversity, reduced human health, increased human-wildlife and human-human conflicts.

In Ethiopia's Afar region, prosopis invaded 1.2 million hectares of land since its introduction in 1990. A previous study by Shiferaw et al, for instance, provided evidence that the alien treewhich has invaded both the floodplains of the Awash River and the surrounding dryland habitatsuses excessive amounts of water by consuming approximately 3.13.3 billion m3/yr of water throughout the year in the Afar Region.

Dr. Rene Eschen, lead author of the study and Senior Scientist, Ecosystems Management, based at CABI's center in Switzerland, said that compared to the effect of prosopis removal, the effect of restoration interventions on vegetation composition was small, suggesting that most species re-established from the soil seed bank.

"The results show that it is possible to restore land previously invaded by prosopis. Despite the different rates of vegetation establishment and variation in species composition, the restoration interventions resulted in vegetation that in some cases contained a substantial fraction of perennial grasses," he said. "The method chosen to control prosopis depends on the availability of resources, including herbicides, and the need to remove rootstocks if the intention is to plant crops."

The scientists argue that their research demonstrates how combined prosopis management and restoration interventions can result in grassland vegetation within a few years, therefore, reversing some of the impacts of prosopis and providing livelihood support.

They stress that the results further show that the costincluding time investmentand subsequent vegetation development differ among the method employed for killing prosopis trees.

The researchers also add that the choice for one method over another depends on a combination of available resources, sizes of the target trees, available manpower and the intended land use following prosopis management.

Dr. John Richard Mbwambo, of the Tanzanian Forestry Research Institute, added, "Most of the restoration practices did not have significant impact on the species re-establishment and further studies are needed to determine whether the initial investment in prosopis treatment is offset by economic benefits provided by grassland established following removal of prosopis.

"Yet, these results indicate that significant livelihood benefits may be obtained as a result of the increased availability of fodder."

CABI have been assessing water use of prosopis and its impacts on catchment water budget and rural livelihoods in the dry Afar Region of Ethiopia, since 2015 as part of a long-term collaboration in the framework of the CABI-led Woody Weeds project.

A subsequent Swiss-Kenyan Woody Weeds + project was launched in 2019 to support a National Prosopis Strategy (NPS) for Kenya which is aimed at the sustainable management of the invasive weed prosopis juliflora.

The Woody Weeds + project will support implementation of the NPS jointly with relevant stakeholders, in a target area stretching from West to East along the southern edge of Kenya's northern rangelands, targeting areas in Baringo, Isiolo and Tana River counties.

More information: Rene Eschen et al, Experimental prosopis management practices and grassland restoration in three Eastern African countries, CABI Agriculture and Bioscience (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s43170-023-00163-5

Provided by CABI
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Smoke rising from an active fire in the Northwest Territories. Credit: Sander Veraverbeke

"Zombie fires" are fires that ignite in one fire season, smolder through the winter months under the snow, and re-emerge early in the spring before lightning and human caused ignitions begin in earnest.

Northern fire managers prefer the term "overwintering fires," which is more technically precise. It also avoids stoking the pervasive negative perceptions regarding wildfire, which in the boreal is an essential agent of forest renewal and health.

But it is hard to resist using a term with such strong communication messaging. Are zombie fires something to worry about? As a team of scientists who have dedicated our careers to understanding changing boreal fire regimes, we decided to find out for ourselves.

Unusual fire behavior

Fire behavior refers to the way a fire burns. This seemingly unusual fire behavior was previously of limited concern as overwintering fires are hard to detect and, we think, were relatively infrequent. As such, we know very little about these fires or their potential impacts.

However, as rapid climate warming drives larger, longer and more severe wildfire seasons across the boreal biome, overwintering fires are becoming more common, and concerns by fire managers and scientists alike are increasing.

Reignitions from overwintering fires initiate the fire season earlier than usual, adding additional demands to already strained fire crews and firefighting resources.

For example, the exceptionally early and intense fire season this year in Alberta may have been fuelled in part by early ignitions from overwintering fires given the late season burning throughout western Canada last fall.

Clearly, more research is needed to understand exactly how overwintering fires currently or will contribute to these severe fire seasons.

Remote fire study

Last summer, our team visited sites in the southern Northwest Territories that had ignited in 2014, experienced overwintering fire, and reignited in 2015. These were paired with neighboring sites from the same 2014 fire that had experienced only a single season fire.

This work required an interdisciplinary team consisting of remote-sensing experts who identified and guided us to our sites, soil carbon experts who developed the sampling protocols necessary to quantify differences in soil carbon losses in single-season and overwintering fire locations, and forest ecologists who quantified the impact of overwintering fires on forest structure and composition.

With these locations in hand and tremendous support from our partners in the Government of the Northwest Territories, we collected the first field data on overwintering fires. All potential sites were incredibly remote and could only be accessed by helicopterour team was able to use one that was on standby for fire duty as it was a relatively quiet fire season.

Carbon emissions

There are concerns about the potential ecological and carbon impacts of these fires, but we currently have no data. The most socially relevant concern relates to carbon emissions and potential feedbacks to climate warming.

Much of the boreal biome is characterized by deep, peat soils created by cold, poorly drained conditions. These conditions slow decomposition and support the accumulation of plant material, often peat moss or Sphagnum, as thick layers of carbon rich soil sitting atop the underlying parent material. In some places, this can be many meters thick.

Boreal peatlands are thought to store as much as 30 percent of the Earth's terrestrial carbon stocks. As such, threats to these regions have the potential to compound already rapid increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations that underlie global warming.

When these thick, organic soils are dry, they can support the deep and sustained smoldering necessary for overwintering behavior. Scientists expect that these peatland environments will be home to most overwintering fires.

Wildfires are also threatening the resilience of boreal forests, with deeper burning and more frequent fires leading to forest compositional changes, and in some cases the conversion of forest to non-forested land covers.

Failure to renew

The second major concern relates to the forest recovery outcomes in forest stands that experience overwintering fires, which in some cases burn twice in as many years. We expect that zombie fires will lead more commonly to regeneration failureconversion of forest to non-forestfor three main reasons.

First, the continued or repeated heating of tree seeds on site could lead to reduced or absent seed sources to support tree regeneration.

Second, heating or combustion of belowground rooting structures (called rhizomes) that support rapid resprouting post-fire could slow the rate of ground vegetation recovery or completely alter the species that regenerate in these areas.

Finally, the continued smoldering of peat soil would lead to deeper burning which profoundly alters the seedbed conditions with implications for forest regeneration processes.

Changes in forest type or failure for forests to recover affects wildlife habitat availability among other impacts, an issue of increasing concern, particularly in the context of declining caribou populations across North America.

Remote sensing advances

These are all predictions, however. No direct measures existed from overwintering fires until the summer of 2022, as these fires are hard to detect and access and previously of limited concern to managers.

However, advances in space-borne remote sensing have allowed the detection of early spring reignitions, which when combined with information on fire perimeters from the previous year, support accurate detection and mapping of overwintering fires that reignite.

Our team took advantage of these tools to identify the locations of overwintering fire sites that reignited in 2015 following the record breaking 2014 fire season in the Northwest Territories.

Our work will shed light on where and how these fires are supported in the boreal landscape. It will also lead to important insights into carbon losses from this fascinatingalthough poorly understoodfire behavior. These include the potential for legacy carbon loss and altered forest regeneration outcomes, which have implications for future fire regimes and the health of the boreal forest.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
By Aminata Phidelia Allie

The administration of Fourah Bay College, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Sierra Leone (USL), has reacted to last week`s ultimatum issued by the Academic Staff Association (ASA). ASA is demanding the management of the college meets certain of its demands within 21 days or risk an industrial action.

The management said it would have ignored the ASA press release dated 14th April since it was not addressed to the University of Sierra Leone.

However, it added, since the issues concerned have been brought to the public domain by the President of ASA-FBC, apparently with the intention, though rather puerile, to tarnish the image of the University, the University management is constrained to throw light on them with a view to correcting the rather lopsided manner in which they have been presented.

The ASA`s statement bordered mainly on retirement of senior staff members of the college. It cited the University Court`s decision in 2011 and 2014 that the retirement age of senior academic staff was 70 years. The staff association expressed dismay over the colleges act of retiring some of its members-contrary to the Court`s decision.

ASA had also raised concerns about the fact that many positions within the university are either vacant or serviced by persons in acting capacity. Issues of the lack of water and electricity supplies in the lecturers quarters were also raised in the statement. The academic staff hence threatened an industrial action if the administration failed to address these issues within 21 days.

FBC is the oldest higher learning institution in Sierra Leone and West Africa as a whole. But its administration has over the years faced a lot of challenges, especially in the area of staff welfare. On many occasions, junior and senior staff members have had to withhold their services to the college due particularly to non-payment of salaries and other emoluments due them.

In its press release dated 17th April, the administration explained that the University Court had at a meeting on 12th September 2014 resolved that the matter of the age of retirement for senior academic staff be sent back to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) for a review of the age of retirement from 65 to 70 years.

While awaiting a response from TEC, the release says, the university administration had continued to comply with the provisions of the Universities Act 2005, Chapter XI section 30(8) which states that:

Each senior member of staff or holder of any post specified in this statute shall be required to retire from the thirtieth day of September following the date on which he attains the age of sixty-five, unless the court decides otherwise.

It went on that communication of the letters of retirement to members of staff due for retirement in September, 2015, as provided for by the universities Act 2005, was in line with the universitys conditions of service which provided for staff, due to retire, to be informed at least six months before the due date.

On the question of filling vacant positions as well as officers holding acting positions in the university, the FBC administration says it was important for the ASA-FBC to bear in mind that the university administration was not the employing authority of the university.

There are two categories of staff that need to be mentioned here: Executive positions like Vice-Chancellor and Principal (VC&P), Deputy Vice-Chancellors and Provost on the one hand, and Senior Academic and Administrative positions, on the other. In the case of the latter, the Appointments Committee interviews candidates and offers them positions subject to the approval of the Court, while in the case of the former, it is the prerogative of the Court which normally sets up a Search Committee for the purpose of identifying candidates for Courts approval.

Clearly, the VC&P and the heads of campuses, cannot appoint themselves. This is common sense! reads the release in part.

On the issue of provision of water at FBC, the administration said it had already made arrangements with the Guma Valley Water Company to supply water to the campus. In addition, it said steps were being taken to have a bore hole drilled out for a more regular supply of water to the campus.

The Faculty of Engineering and Architecture has provided professional service on this and action is being taken to award the contract to a driller, the release noted.

Politico made several efforts to talk to the president of ASA-FBC, Charles Silver, but he would not respond to our call.

 Politico 21/04/15
FORT EDWARD  A Fort Edward woman is accused of possessing drugs while being held in the Washington County Jail.

Tyanne M. Carpenter, 31, was charged with a felony count of first-degree promoting prison contraband.

The incident took place on June 9, according to a news release from the Washington County Sheriffs Office. Police did not say what type of drugs they were.

Carpenter was arraigned in Washington County Centralized Arraignment Court and held pending future court appearances.

Investigator Matthew Ashton handled the case.

Carpenter was arrested in May after police searched a residence on Seminary Street in the village of Fort Edward and recovered narcotics and evidence of narcotic sales.

Carpenter was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, first-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia and first-degree criminal nuisance, all felony counts.

Carpenter has a lengthy criminal record. She was sentenced in December 2016 to 4  years in prison on drug charges related to the sale of the drug Suboxone, which is used to treat opioid addicts, according to Post-Star archives. Carpenter was released in January 2022.

She was convicted in 2011 for cocaine sales and sentenced to 3 years in prison. She was released early after completing the states shock incarceration program.
FORT EDWARD  How severely a driver should be punished for causing a fatal crash is the central issue in a case involving a Kingsbury woman charged after police said she went through a stop sign and struck two motorcyclists, killing one and injuring the other.

The incident took place on April 21 at about 12:51 p.m. in the Village of Fort Edward on Route 4 between McDonalds and Broadway Lanes.

According to court documents, 43-year-old Kelly A. Herrick was leaving the McDonalds at 364 Broadway in Fort Edward in her 2020 Jeep.

I looked left first, and the sun was blinding me. I then looked right but I was still kind of blinded from looking into the sun. I saw a car coming from down past Dunkin Donuts so I stepped on the gas to make sure I could get across to Park Avenue in time, she told police in a written statement.

When I was going across Broadway, I felt a smash and I stopped my car and got out immediately and started to scream for help. I did not see the motorcycles and realized what happened after I got out of the car, she wrote.

Motorcyclist Terry Fitzgerald died from his injuries four days later at Albany Medical Center. Gary Dion was injured.

Herrick initially was charged with a violation of failure to yield on the date of the crash but on May 4, a misdemeanor reckless driving count was added.

Police did not issue any news releases about the incident. Both victims of the crash were members of the Hebron Motorcycle Club which brought the issue to the medias attention because the group believes the charge is too light.

Herricks attorney, Marc Pallozzi, is trying to get the reckless driving charge dismissed. He wrote that Herrick stopped when the crash occurred, yelled for help and cooperated with police. She did not reasonably interfere or endanger the safe flow of traffic.

Failure to yield is an accident under a century of New York state law and should not draw a misdemeanor charge, according to Pallozzi.

It is tragic, it is unfixable, and it is something defendant continues to struggle with each and every day. It should be further beyond dispute that defendant was not under the influence of any alcohol or drug, nor did she commit this act intentionally or even recklessly, he wrote in his motion.

A hearing was scheduled in Fort Edward Town Court on Tuesday July 11, but was adjourned. Assistant District Attorney Briana Canalini said she needed more time to review defense counsels motion.

Fitzgeralds daughter, Doni Muzzy, lives in Michigan. She said in a telephone interview that she had gotten little information about the accident and had not heard about the reckless driving charge, which she said is still way too light.

His son, Jesse Fitzgerald, speculated that the misdemeanor was added in response to public pressure. The club posted information about the case to its Facebook.

It got shared over 4,000 times. Im sure people are enraged, he said.

Muzzy alleged that witnesses saw Herrick leave the McDonalds in a hurry, upset about her food order.

She went peeling out of the parking lot and slammed into the side of my dad, she said.

When contacted for comment, Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan said that the incident was investigated by the Washington County Sheriffs Office. After its conclusion, investigators brought those two charges.

Muzzy said her dad, 6-feet, 6-inches tall with long hair and tattoos, was an old-school biker but a very nice guy.

I watched my dad have no money for bills; but yet a kid wants a popsicle, he would buy him a popsicle off the ice cream stand, she said.

Fitzgerald worked for Moran Enterprises as a handyman who could fix anything.

Muzzy said her father liked to read the paper at Stewarts with his morning coffee and chat with his buddy Gary Dion. He was likely coming from there when the crash occurred.

The family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
WASHINGTON  FBI Director Chris Wray defended the real FBI during a contentious congressional hearing Wednesday, rejecting a litany of grievances from angry Republicans who are harshly critical of the bureau, threatening to defund some operations and claiming the Justice Department is unfair to political conservatives, including Donald Trump.

Wray refused to engage in specific questions about ongoing federal investigations, including those involving former President Trump and Hunter Biden. The son of President Joe Biden recently reached an agreement to plead guilty to misdemeanor federal tax charges; Republicans have derided that as a sweetheart deal.

In testy exchanges with Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee, including U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, Wray rejected the GOP assertion that the bureau was favoring the Biden family and said the notion that the bureau was involved the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol was ludicrous. Referring to his own background, he said the idea that he harbors bias against conservatives is insane.

"The work the men and women of the FBI do to protect the American people goes way beyond one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines, said Wray, a registered Republican whom Trump nominated to lead the FBI after firing James Comey in 2017.

The director spelled out the bureau's crime-fighting work breaking up drug cartels, taking some 60 suspected criminals off the streets each day and protecting Americans from "a staggering array of threats.

He said, That is the real FBI.

Its the latest display of the new normal on Capitol Hill, where Republicans who have long billed themselves as the champions of police and law and order are deeply at odds with federal law enforcement and the FBI, accusing the bureau of bias dating to investigations of Trump when he was president.

This new dynamic has forced Democrats into a position of defending law enforcement agencies they have long criticized. Wray testified for nearly six hours.

The committee chairman, Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, said he is trying to stop what Republicans call the weaponization of the federal justice system, which they say is tilted against conservatives, including Trump and his allies.

Jordan opened the hearing reciting a federal judge's recent ruling against the government's efforts to halt misinformation on social media and listed other grievances over the FBI's treatment of conservatives.

But the top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, said the hearing was little more than performance art by Republicans who are undertaking what he called baseless investigations too far-fetched to be true.

Wray generally steered clear of answering questions about the Justice Department's prosecution of Trump. The former president has pleaded not guilty to 37 felony counts over his mishandling of classified information at his Mar-a-Lago club and residence.

Wray did say that classified documents are required to be stored in whats known as a sensitive compartmented information facility, or SCIF.

In my experience, he said, ballrooms, bathrooms and bedrooms are not SCIFs.

A separate Justice Department investigation is probing efforts by Trump and his allies to undo Bidens election in the run-up to Jan. 6, 2021.

During one tense exchange with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Wray noted that in Florida, the number of FBI applicants is up by more than 100%.

Were deeply proud of them, and they deserve better than you, Gaetz said.

Typically measured, Wray became animated by the suggestion from Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., that the FBI would have been involved in suppressing a theory that the coronavirus pandemic originated via a leak from a laboratory in China rather than a transfer from animals to humans.

The idea that the FBI would somehow be involved in suppressing references to a lab leak theory is somewhat absurd when you consider the fact that the FBI was the only  the only  agency in the entire intelligence community to reach the assessment that it was more likely than not that was the explanation of the pandemic, Wray said, pointing for emphasis. He later noted the Energy Department's intelligence arm reached a similar finding.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said she thought it was "actually sad that the majority is engaging conspiracy theories in an effort to discredit one of the premier law enforcement agencies in the United States.

Jordan has been laying the groundwork for Wrays appearance since House Republicans took the majority in January.

Republicans have held hearings with former FBI agents, Twitter executives and federal officials to make the case that the FBI has been corruptly using its powers against Trump and the right. The GOP has formed a special committee on weaponization of government, also led by Jordan, to investigate abusee. Three panels opened a joint investigation into the Hunter Biden case, and one announced Wednesday that the two IRS whistleblowers who claimed Justice improperly interfered in the case will appear before Congress next week.

Hanging over the proceedings are GOP threats to impeach Attorney General Merrick Garland and withhold money for federal law enforcement as Congress is in the midst of preparing annual spending bills. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has signaled he is open to impeachment and wants to rethink FBI spending on a new headquarters.

At one point, Rep. Thomas Massie showed a short surveillance video of the moments before officials found a pipe bomb outside the Democratic National Committee's Capitol Hill headquarters on the day of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. Massie, R-Ky., demanded answers about the investigation, which is ongoing.

We fund your department so you need to provide that, Massie said.

Republican criticisms of the FBI stretch back years, but became more prominent during the Trump-Russia investigation, when the Justice Department probed interference in the 2016 election.

One focus of Wednesday's hearing was the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, that grants the FBI and other agencies broad powers to surveil the communications of foreigners outside the United States. A provision known as Section 702 is set to expire unless Congress agrees to renew it. Members of both parties are frustrated with the program.

Underscoring the extent to which surveillance errors during the Trump-Russia investigation continue to shadow the FBI, Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wis., said he will be allowing FISA to "sunset" if there are no reforms.

Wray, meanwhile, acknowledged a difference over Garland's 2021 memo instructing the FBI to coordinate with local law enforcement over threats against school boards. Republicans have complained that went too far in trying to police parents.

I will say to you the same thing that I said to all 56 of our field offices as soon as I read the memo, which is that the FBI is not in the business of investigating or policing speech at school board meetings or anywhere else for that matter, said Wray.

Some of the GOP's most conservative members are pushing to cut off some funding for the FBI. McCarthy, R-Calif., has questioned spending money to build a new FBI headquarters out of downtown and in a Washington suburb. He has said Congress should focus on FBI offices in the states.
CAPE MAY  For the first time in two decades, the city plans to consolidate the design standards that guide what can and cannot be done on historic properties, and officials say the new standards are beautiful.

City Council expects a public hearing and final vote on the historic design standards at its next meeting, set for 3 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.

At a recent meeting, Warren Coupland, chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission, and member Philippa Campbell presented the proposal, joined by commission attorney Robert Fineberg.

Coupland described the update as a huge project that was more than a year in the making, collecting the standards into a single book.

The last time that was done was in 2002.

I think I want to mention up front what this is not, because I think that some people may have a concern. What this is not is an increase in the authority of the HPC, he said.

Everything included in the book has already been approved as land use law by council after review by the Planning Board, Coupland said. This brings that information together in a single place, making it easier for homeowners and potential investors to plan projects.

Its not a reach. What it really is, is a consolidation, Coupland said.

Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum to host WWII veteran LOWER TOWNSHIP  The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum will host a Q&A session 

Campbell and council members described the finished product as beautiful and praised the effort that went into it. Coupland said the existing standards were already good, but the new book will be easier to use and provide more detail, including illustrations and specific examples.

Cape May has one of the strictest historic districts in the area, and many in the city see the large number of Victorian-era homes and older structures as a vital part of the communitys charm, right up there with the beach and fine dining options.

Council introduced an ordinance creating the new document in a unanimous vote. If approved in a final vote, that will cement the books position as a zoning document homeowners can look to when planning projects.

Coupland said the effort was to improve the design standards for the historic district  not an easy task, he said, because Cape Mays design standards were already award-winning.

A state grant helped fund the project, Coupland said at the meeting. A resolution approved in 2022 indicates the state put $44,700 toward updating the design standards. Late last year, the city approved a contract with Steven Smolyn of Architectural Heritage Consultants LLC to work on the update.

The new book is only one step in the process, Coupland told council members. The commission also plans public outreach to inform residents and homeowners about the book, and to update the citys website with the new, consolidated information.

He also brought a copy of the standards published in the 1970s, saying the city has come a long way.

The book from 2002 remains available on the city website in a PDF format. In the future, the city will be able to update information about the design standards on the site as they are amended.

$37.7M Stone Harbor beach project nears completion As the summer of 2023 warms up, a beach replenishment project in Stone Harbor and Avalon is winding down, the latest in a decades-long effort to keep sand on the beaches of New Jersey.

At a separate meeting July 3, council also introduced an ordinance adopting a survey of historic sites in Cape May. That ordinance is set for a public hearing and final vote Aug. 1.

The survey includes 186 properties and indicates whether each is contributing to the historic district or non-contributing.

Council amended the list to remove a property on St. John Street that was demolished in 2021.

That building is no longer there. This just tells you how long it takes to navigate this process, said city attorney Christopher Gillin-Schwartz.
A former Margate firefighter who unsuccessfully fought charges of participating in a South Jersey health care fraud scheme will spend eight years in prison, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

Thomas Sher, 50, of Northfield, took charges of health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud to court last August, spending about two weeks in a trial in Camden federal court. He was convicted of the offenses in the multimillion-dollar scheme in September.

While he was found guilty on health care fraud charges, he was acquitted of wire fraud charges.

Sher was one of three brothers charged in the case. He was represented by attorney Joseph Grimes, who did not return a request for comment Wednesday.

Federal prosecutors illustrated for the jury how the former firefighter joined the conspiracy and was given payments for prescription compound medications unnecessarily prescribed to holders of state health care plans.

Those plans, in turn, would provide hefty reimbursements to conspiracy leader William Hickman, who would then hand down a slice of that money to his recruiters and sub-recruiters.

Hickman is scheduled for sentencing in October.

Ex-Margate firefighter sentenced for role in South Jersey health care fraud case CAMDEN  One of three brothers who joined a conspiracy that defrauded state health benefits 

Sher was on trial for having been a sub-recruiter in the scheme, which cost taxpayer-funded health insurance plans about $50 million. Prosecutors say the ring collected the reimbursements, using some of the profit to pay kickbacks to doctors and employees whod submitted the prescriptions, according to court documents.

Sher directly received about $115,000 from the scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The scheme took place from July 2014 to April 2016.

During the trial, several scheme participants testified on behalf of the government. People Sher solicited for prescriptions also testified, recounting how he approached them, promising a product beneficial for their health.

Also on Wednesday, Christopher Broccoli, 51, of West Deptford, Gloucester County, was sentenced to two years in prison in the scheme. Broccoli pleaded guilty July 28, 2022, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

To date, 50 people have been charged in the overarching conspiracy, and 46 defendants have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release.
ATLANTIC CITY  The nations first lady shared memories of growing up in South Jersey and defined Bidenomics as a way to create good-paying jobs for the middle class in a brief speech Thursday at the National Governors Associations meeting at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

All four of my grandparents lived in Hammonton, Jill Biden, 72, told the crowd of more than 20 governors and their spouses in a ballroom where security was tight and media kept to a corral in the back. I spent every single weekend until I was a teenager in Hammonton.

Biden lived in eastern Pennsylvania and Mahwah, Bergen County, according to her biography, but worked seasonal jobs in Ocean City to save money for college, she said.

I worked in Ocean City two summers, she said. Thats how I got money for the extras. I feel like this is home.

Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy hosted the meeting as chair of the association this year but on Friday will turn the chairmanship over to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican.

Biden, who was met at Atlantic City International Airport by Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. about noon, focused on the need to educate young people for good-paying jobs offered by technology companies and other emerging industries.

She encouraged governors to invest in postsecondary education other than a four-year college degree. And she said the U.S. Department of Transportation, under the 2021 infrastructure bill, recently made it possible to use highway funds to train people to build roads and bridges.

Because bridges and highways, they cant be built without workers, Biden said.

First lady Jill Biden to appear Thursday at National Governors Association Conference in Atlantic City First lady Jill Biden will be appearing at the National Governors Association Conference at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Thursday to discuss education and job-preparation matters.

Apprenticeships lead to great jobs in the trades with associates degrees, said the community college professor with a doctorate in education.

We are creating millions of these jobs in growth industries like clean energy and manufacturing, Biden said. They pay well and often dont require four years of college. ... This is Bidenomics. Thats what he said he was going to do.

The NGA has declined to release a list of the governors who attended, but visible in the audience were prominent Democrats like New Yorks Kathy Hochul, who got a shoutout from Biden over federal funding for the Gateway Tunnel between New York and New Jersey. Hochul is on the associations Executive Committee.

Hirai Shinji, the governor of Tottori Prefecture  Japans equivalent of a state  was there to learn more about the U.S. governors association, he said, and invited governors to a similar meeting later in the month in Japan.

Shinji is the president of Japans National Governors Association, he said, and traveled with another Japanese governor to Atlantic City for the first time for the meeting.

I told the governors in America we are sharing common problems, including maternal and infant health and disaster preparation, Shinji said.

His prefecture and Vermont have a sister-state relationship, he said, and he has sent a message of sympathy to Vermonts Gov. Phil Scott over devastating floods there this week.

Right after Bidens talk, Murphy told the governors about a field trip.

School integration group seeks sitdown with Murphy in Atlantic City On the opening day of the National Governors Association summer meeting at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a group of about 30 school integration advocates tried to see Gov. Phil Murphy but were turned away at the meeting entrance.

Were going to the Kennedy home in Brigantine, Murphy said of the home owned by Patrick and Amy Kennedy there.

The home is full of Democratic memorabilia that is worth seeing, Murphy said.

Patrick Kennedy is the son of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, and Amy was the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District in 2020. She lost to incumbent U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, who was also reelected in 2022.

Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE), a multistate coalition of casino workers, said the group sent a letter to Biden before her speech, alerting her to their working conditions in the only type of indoor public space in New Jersey where smoking is allowed.

Were sure youll notice the dangerous odor of cigarette smoke when you walk inside the casino, wrote CEASE co-leaders Pete Nacarelli, Lamont White and Nicole Vitola in the letter. While this is a temporary experience for you ... its the reality that we face every day when we go to work.

New Jersey passed the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act 17 years ago, which banned smoking in all indoor public areas and workplaces except casinos and casino simulcast facilities.

A bill to close the loophole is pending in the state Legislature, even though about 75% of lawmakers have signed on as co-sponsors and Murphy has said he will sign it if it passes.

GALLERY: First lady Jill Biden speaks at National Governors Association meeting
ATLANTIC CITY  On the opening day of the National Governors Association summer meeting at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a group of about 30 school integration advocates tried to see Gov. Phil Murphy but were turned away at the meeting entrance.

Weve been flexible for four years, the governor has been inflexible, Building One America Executive Director Paul Scully told Michelle DeAngelo, deputy chief of staff for operations for Murphy, who talked to the group.

Scully said the governor has refused to meet with the group on the issue of how to better integrate the states schools, and showing up at the national meeting was an effort to finally get his attention.

I understand your frustration, DeAngelo told the group, also associated with the New Jersey Coalition Against Racial Exclusion, and said she would work to try to get them a sit-down meeting with the governor.

No one from the governors press office could be immediately reached for comment.

Murphy, the chair of the governors association, is hosting the three-day meeting.

The Latino Action Network and NAACP-NJ are leading a lawsuit against the state, filed in 2018 and heard last year, to force the state to take action to integrate schools. A decision is awaited.

Building One America is not part of that lawsuit, said Scully, but the governor has indicated he cannot talk to the group because of the litigation.

Integration activists speak at Greater Egg school board meeting EGG HARBOR CITY  Activists demanding more integrated New Jersey schools are continuing thei

Thats like Trump saying he cant talk about his taxes (because of litigation), Scully said.

More than half of Black and Hispanic students attend schools that are predominantly non-white, according to the suit, and half of white students are in schools that are predominantly white.

The Building One New Jersey group  a mix of educators and retired educators, parents and members of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Pleasantville  talked to police and security staff and avoided turning their presence into a protest.

We need special programs in hometown schools, said Leonard Fitts, of Moorestown, Burlington County, a retired school administrator.

If magnet schools offered programs for preparing for medical, veterinary and other specialized studies, students from various towns would attend them and integrate the schools, he said.

I went to integrated and non-integrated schools, said Jason Howell, of Hamilton Township, a 2004 graduate of Oakcrest High School, which he called quite diverse.

In my experience the more diverse school was much more pleasant socially, Howell said.

Christine Ruth, of Northfield, is a seventh to eighth grade special education teacher in Atlantic City and earlier in her career taught or worked in administration in Linwood and Galloway Township.

Integration advocates consider filing federal complaint against New Jersey A coalition campaigning against school segregation in New Jersey is now threatening to file 

I know opportunities are different in Linwood than my kids get in Atlantic City, said Ruth, who is a member of AC Ed Equity and said her schools population is about 98% Black and brown.

AC Ed Equitys goal is to increase the number of K-12 teachers of color in Atlantic County, and to support and train educators of Atlantic County in developing culturally responsive practices, according to its website.

A representative of one governor, Connecticuts Ned Lamont, spoke to Scully and others in the group briefly.

Lamont, co-chair of the associations Public Health and Disaster Response Task Force, will lead a talk Thursday on preparing for and responding to concurrent crises. He will be joined by his co-chair, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott.

Other governors slated to lead sessions are North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who will lead a roundtable discussion on accelerating infrastructure projects.

A large contingent of city and state police were on hand to provide security to the governors and their staff, as well as members of the casinos security team.

More than 20 governors from all over the U.S. are expected to attend, but information on exactly which governors are attending is being kept close to the vest.

The association is not publicly distributing the list of governors attending, a spokesperson for the group said.

Atlantic County activists march against school segregation outside Democratic Convention SOMERS POINT  Activists spent the first day of spring trying to uproot school segregation i

First lady Jill Biden will speak Thursday afternoon on the importance of investing in workforce training programs that prepare students for good-paying jobs.

New Jersey is the sixth most segregated state in the nation for Black students, and the seventh most segregated for Hispanic students, according to a 2017 analysis by the Civil Rights Project at the University of California at Los Angeles.

Schools largely reflect the neighborhoods in which they are located, and the lack of affordable housing outside urban areas is blamed for much of New Jerseys segregation.
HAMMONTON  Thirty years ago, the menu at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival was a celebration of the towns deep Italian roots.

But over the past decade, the menu has changed alongside the towns demographics.

While the Mount Carmel Society continues to sell festival staples like meatballs, sausage and peppers, and roasted pork with broccoli rabe and provolone, a new group of Hispanic vendors is offering a variety of foods.

There are a lot of people settling into Hammonton. Its very diverse now, said Louis Baez, a food vendor whos been selling empanadillas (hand-pies with meat fillings), pinchos (kabobs), rice and beans, and other Puerto Rican foods for a few years now. Because of the food, I think that diversified the cultures here (at the festival).

Of the 14,833 people who live in Hammonton, nearly 77% are white and 24.5% are Hispanic or Latino, according to U.S. Census data.

So Baez, 46, was happy to be one of the handful of Hispanic/Latino vendors at the festival this year, giving people different food options.

People come here (to the festival) for the variety of food we offer ... fresh meatballs, fresh rice and now fresh tacos, Baez said as he set up his Puerto Rican food stand next to Marquez Amadors Mexican taco stand.

Locals say changing demographics can be attributed to migrant workers settling in the town, as well as the increase in Hispanic-owned businesses, like restaurants, retailers and bodegas.

Jersey Shore blueberry handouts promote local growers, healthy eating Three New Jersey Department of Agriculture tents stationed throughout the Jersey Shore on Monday gave away freshly picked blueberries to beachgoers.

The festival  which started Tuesday and runs through Sunday  started 148 years ago, when Italian immigrants gave thanks to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, also known as the Virgin Mary, on July 16, 1875, during the Catholic holiday known as Feast Day. They thanked the patroness of the Carmelite Order for safe passage to the town and a successful, bountiful harvest.

Its the biggest Hammonton tradition, said Charlie Desposito, a volunteer at the parishs Italian food stand, who said the stand will go through at least 150 cases of sweet Italian sausages during the week. You get good food, catch up with people you havent seen in a while ... and its a good way to benefit the church. All the proceeds to go to the church.

The festival has always been about worshipping the blessed mother, said Joe Devuono, a member of the society that has produced the festival since its inception.

Over time they added rides and games for the kids, said Devuono, 46, but its all about the tradition, and the food.

Marquez Amador, owner of Marquez Mexican Grill on Railroad Avenue, provided some of the new food options available at this years festival.

Im so happy to participate this year, said Amador, 50, who noted it took him a while to get into the festival since its mainly traditional Italian stands that have been participating for many years. Its been my dream to sell tacos at the fair. I love cooking for the public.

The festival runs until July 16, which is the feast day of the Blessed Mother.

On the Feast Day, parishioners, residents and others gather at the church for a giant procession featuring the churchs holy figurehead statues on pedestals.

Atlantic County Central Municipal Court at crossroad following recent departures Northfield became the second municipality to exit the Atlantic County Central Municipal Court last week for the Joint Municipal Court of Hammonton, joining Hamilton Township, which left in May. Leaders from those municipalities have cited net revenue for the court falling short of the expectations that had been set when they joined the central court in 2021.

A few hundred people push the heavy, life-size statues of different saints and holy figures four blocks from East Pleasant Street to North Egg Harbor Road, down Bellevue Avenue and back down North Third Street, where the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish is located.

Once the procession is over, people eat at the different vendors in the parking lot, enjoying a good meal after a century-and-a-half-old tradition.

In the churchs parking lot Tuesday, volunteer parishioners sold Italian foods, like sausage and pepper sandwiches, and Spanish food, like Puerto Rican roast pork, fried potato balls with meat stuffed in them and more.

On North Third Street, homeowners who got permits sold prime rib, cannoli and pina coladas.

Our Lady of Assumption sold Italian sandwiches like roast pork with broccoli rabe, steamed clams and other Italian foods as festivalgoers entered the dirt lot where the rides were.

The Spanish stand was Vineland resident Kendal Levaris first stop at the festival Tuesday.

It gives you something to do, said Levari, 26, but Im here for the food.

Levari said the town has embraced the Hispanic community.

They did a good job combining the cultures at the festival, Levari said. Its not part of their tradition, but the festival is about everyone celebrating together.

GALLERY: Mount Carmel Festival in Hammonton
With wind-generated electricity on its way to New Jersey, unless shore community critics manage to derail the state and federal plans soon, New Jersey is starting to look at another potential source of coastal energy: the tides.

On Wednesday, the Board of Public Utilities tapped Rutgers University to evaluate the potential to use the power of tides to generate electricity, using current literature to evaluate the feasibility and create a recommendation, and include potential locations for tidal power plants.

Any coastal engineer, or any lifeguard on the beach, can confirm the overwhelming power of tides and ocean currents.

The potential to generate power is enormous, Kevin Nedza, director of special projects for the BPU, told the board at the Wednesday meeting.

However, the industry itself and the technologies available for harnessing this energy are rather immature and are not currently capable of supplying energy at grid scale, he said at the meeting.

He did not immediately respond to a request for an interview on the topic.

So far, tidal power generates an insignificant amount of electricity around the world. There are no tidal energy power systems in the United States, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, but there are several demonstration projects in development, and tidal barges are in place in France, India and Canada, with smaller plants in Russia, China and South Korea.

A state bill last year put $500,000 toward studying wave and tidal energy as a potential power source, as part of a state goal to move its power generation away from fossil fuels.

At the same BPU meeting Wednesday, board President Joseph Fiordaliso described climate change in dire terms and said people have a responsibility to address it.

Its our obligation to mitigate the effects of climate change, he said at the meeting. Otherwise, its going to alter our way of life. Its going to alter what we eat. Its going to (alter) every phase of our life.

Fiordaliso has faced criticism from some shore community officials for his support for offshore wind power projects, and he wears a windmill-shaped lapel pin. While many in South Jersey seek to slow down offshore wind projects, he has said progress has not come fast enough, seeing them as key to reducing carbon emissions linked to the warming air and ocean.

I may not be around to see the dramatic effects, but our young folks will, Fiordaliso said Wednesday. We will be judged by how well we mitigate the effects of climate change.

According to the Energy Information Administration, tidal and wave energy can be used to generate electricity with systems that rise and fall with the tides, and with turbines that turn in the currents.

Nedza said tidal energy is predictable and dependable.

BPU Board member Zenon Christodoulou said tides have continued for billions of years and praised New Jersey innovation, saying it could find a way to capture and use that power.

Fiordaliso joked at the meeting that he and Christodoulou would use surfboards to test the potential power.

Is that right? he said.

Absolutely. You go first, replied Christodoulou.
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EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP  American Airlines customers traveling from Atlantic City International Airport to Philadelphia International Airport using the Landline bus service can now check in, go through security at ACY and board the bus on the secure side of the airport.

Under the plan, passengers who use this service will not have to go through security in Philadelphia.

Previously, travelers who checked in at ACY and took the Landline service would then have to go through security at Philadelphia.

The change is a result of the U.S. Transportation Security Administrations recent approval of airside-to-airside transportation.

This unlocks access to the world, Nick Johnson, an executive at Landline, said at an event at ACY on Wednesday.

Johnson said the service will be important for local business travelers and has the potential to attract worldwide tourism.

While the concept of bus systems between airports isnt new, Johnson said, the service being fully sterile and secure is the first of its kind.

When customers arrive at ACY, they check in with American Airlines as if they were checking in for a flight, then proceed through security. Then, they wait at the gate for the bus to transport them to Philadelphia, where they can go straight to their gate.

ACUA president Dovey retires after 33-year tenure Rick Dovey, having worked as president of the Atlantic County Utilities Authority for 33 years, officially retired July 1. His three decades in office saw him become an institution unto himself, shaping much of the modern landscape of South Jersey waste management.

There are three 35-person buses to Philadelphia each day, at 6:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 4:20 p.m.

The bus times coincide with the bulk of American Airlines flight times out of Philadelphia.

Johnson said traffic patterns are monitored and bus times can be adjusted accordingly.

This will open new doors for tourism, said Larry Sieg, president of Visit AC, at the event.

It was a nice bus ride, and it was very comfortable, said Amelia Chalhoub, who used the service Monday when she flew from Houston.

Chalhoub was waiting for the 4:20 p.m. bus with her two children, who were flying from Philadelphia back to Houston.

It was definitely convenient, Chalhoub said.

Nathan Wilson, of Rochester, New York, was also waiting for the bus. He said he didnt realize at first that he had booked the bus, rather than a flight, but that it was an enjoyable experience.

Changing climate gives mosquitoes more time to live each year Because of the heat-trapping effects of fossil fuel emissions, mosquitoes are here longer. By analyzing temperature and humidity trends from a station at Atlantic City International Airport, science and news group Climate Central found the mosquito season here is 23 days longer on average than it was in 1979.

It was super comfortable, and the whole bus kind of felt like business class on a plane, Wilson said.

To use the service, customers book their flight through American Airlines as normal, and look for a connection to or from PHL that says operated by The Landline Company, according to the American Airlines website.

This program streamlines the passenger experience and enables travelers to seamlessly travel out of a large international airport conveniently by going through our security screening process from a smaller international airport, Gerardo Spero, TSAs federal security director for Philadelphia International Airport, said in a statement.

We have put in numerous security requirements for the bus operators and all airline personnel to ensure robust security protocols are followed at all times, Spero said.

More than 30,000 people have used the service so far at ACY, Lehigh Valley International Airport and Philadelphia.
TRENTON  A New Jersey man convicted of killing his parents and two younger brothers in 1976 when he came home from college for Thanksgiving break has been paroled.

Harry De La Roche, 64, was granted parole on May 17, according to state corrections officials. He was then released from South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton to a residential community program on June 29.

De La Roche was an 18-year-old freshman at the Citadel Military Academy in South Carolina when he returned home to Montvale for Thanksgiving and fatally shot his mother and father, Harry Sr. and Mary Jane De La Roche, and his brothers Eric, 12, and Ronald, 15. The latter brother had been shot once in the head and was also beaten and stuffed in a trunk in the attic, according to court documents.

De La Roche initially confessed to the killings but later recanted in court and claimed he only killed Ronald, who he also said had killed the rest of the family. However, a Bergen County jury found him guilty of four counts of first-degree murder in 1978 and he was sentenced to four concurrent life terms.

No clear motive was ever given for the slayings, but people who knew the family have said De La Roche had been bullied at home and during his time in the military academy, which caused him to snap.

De La Roche spent more than 45 years in prison and had made several unsuccessful bids for parole, with the last denial coming in 2019.
Crime is increasing in Pune every day as well, as the incidents of vandalism are growing daily. A few days ago, there was an incident of a college girl who was stabbed to death in Sadashiv Peth in Pune. Once again, there has been an incident where a young woman's head was stabbed due to a one-sided lover. A 37-year-old woman has been seriously injured in this incident. The incident occurred on Wednesday (12th) at around 7 in the Burning Ghat area of Koregaon Park. The Koregaon Park Police has arrested the youth in this case.

The arrested youth has been identified as Sanket Shahaji Mhaske (26). According to the police, the accused Sanket and the 37-year-old woman were friends. Both are living in the same area. However, the girl was not talking to him for the past few days, and Sanket got very angry.

Angered that she was not meeting, Sanket reached her in the Bernig Ghat area on Wednesday. "Why don't you meet me? I love you; if you can't be mine, I won't let anyone else be yours," he said. However, the girl replied, 'I don't love you.' Accused Sanket got angry and started beating the girl with a stick. The young woman fell after being beaten. After falling down, Sanket tried to kill her by hitting her on the head with a stick. The girl has been seriously injured in this incident.

The injured girl filed a complaint at the Koregaon Park Police Station. A case has been registered under Sections 307, 323, 504, Maharashtra Police Act 37 (1), and 135 of the IPC. The accused, Tarun Sanket, was arrested. Koregaon Park Police is investigating the matter further.
The Quad-Cities International Airport is expanding its reach with a new flight to Charlotte.

The North Carolina-bound service via American Airlines was announced Thursday afternoon to a small crowd gathered at the airport. With the looming pilot shortage and smaller airports slowly losing flights, community leaders see the Charlotte addition as a way of helping the region grow.

"As a community, however, we decided we weren't going to just wait for opportunities to happen for us," said airport CEO Ben Leischner. "Communities that come together, rally behind their airport and show support for more air service capture everyone's attention."

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) comes in as the sixth-busiest airport in the nation with 43 million visitors annually, according to enjoytravel.com. Leicschner said the inaugural flight will take off Dec. 20. Flights then will be available seven days a week, twice a day, at 6:50 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Booking opens Saturday, July 15.

"This route is highly sought after because of the connectivity it offers through Oneworld Alliance and American's extensive route network," he said.

According to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, the largest employers in the area are in the fields of advanced manufacturing, financial services, logistics, life sciences and innovation economics. In the 2023 Q1 report, the alliance announced the region saw capitol investments of $2.2 billion and an increase of 1,500 jobs.

The economic growth of the Charlotte metro is one reason this flight has been in the works since before Leischner became CEO in 2018, he said. It originally was to take off in 2020 but was thrown off track by the pandemic. American Airlines showed interest, Leischner said, because of the success of business travel between Moline and Atlanta on Delta Airlines.

"Atlanta was so successful, it was oftentimes the highest load factor of any route out of Atlanta," he said. "It wasn't really until we activated the business community to have them become advocates to reach out and help frame that conversation with airlines that we got this momentum."

According to the Charlotte airport's website, it routinely sees about 114,000 arrivals and departures a day. Connecting to a larger airport impacts a variety of people and industries, including tourism. Visit Quad Cities CEO Dave Herrell said the new connection will help build the Quad-Cities brand and increase visibility on the region.

"As we try to build the future that we all want to see, we need to set a high standard. Today, hopefully, we're accomplishing that objective," he said.

Herrell said the flight will open a vault of opportunities for both leisure and business travelers. The way to continue this success, he said, is to continue supporting and patronizing the airport.

"For Quad-Citizens, it is imperative that we have the business community, the public sector and individual community members doing what we can to drive demand," he said. "This is simply a big win for the region and a catalyst for growth, but we need to make sure we deliver."

Leischner agreed, saying the new flight will help connect the Quad-Cities to the east coast and has multiple positive outcomes. Charlotte has direct flights to popular vacation destinations, such as Punta Cana and Madrid, but also to places like Boston, New York and Washington D.C., which are popular for business travelers.

A focus on business travel has been ignited at the airport recently, Leischner said earlier this year. Those traveling for leisure typically want to go someplace warm, and they want to go only once a year. Business travelers are more loyal, because they are constantly on the move and benefit from consistent flights.

When airlines see the airport is consistently filling a certain flight because of business trips, it helps the airport secure that route. Airlines call this the load factor. To ensure profitability, they want at least 80% of the flight to be full. Compared to airports of a similar size, Leischner said, the Quad-Cities is consistently filling the routes it has available.

Proving that point, the airport broke its own record for the number of take offs and landings in May. More than 4,200 tower movements were recorded, exceeding the recent high of 3,655 set in May 2019. The airport defines a tower movement as any time an airplane takes off or lands, regardless of the size of the aircraft.

Tower movements are important for multiple reasons, with one of the most essential being federal funding. The busier the airport, the better chance it has to receive grant funding for the purchase of equipment, supporting maintenance and completing improvement projects, according to a news release.

A big contributor to air travel in the Quad-Cities is John Deere. Mara Downing, Vice President of Global Brand and Communications, said Deere routinely brings in hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors each year. The new flight will not only make travel easier, but ideally, will increase it.

"It opens a world of opportunity for our residents and visitors alike. This flight will bridge the gap between our region and Charlotte, fostering business partnerships that will enrich the quality of life and make the Quad-Cities region more competitive," she said.

One major benefit Downing identified is the elimination of layovers. The new connection will make travel easier, a major win for not just Deere employees, but the business community as a whole.

"From an economic standpoint, the introduction of the Charlotte flight is a game changer," she said. "I firmly believe this opens up a myriad of opportunities for our region. It will attract business, retain business and attract investors and entrepreneurs to our region."

Quad Cities Airport announces a new flight connection
WHAT WE KNOW: In April of 2022, the Geneseo City Council approved a $157,000 study of a dry or wet water retention facility on the south side of the city to hold back Geneseo Creek.

WHAT'S NEW: IMEG engineer Loren Rains went through the results of the report for aldermen Tuesday, saying a summary of the results basically states the dam will hold water as long as certain design precautions are taken. He said there are sand seams in the soil that would have to be removed and clay put in.

"There are sand seams so we have to be careful," he said.

Mayor Sean Johnson said it's important for the public to know that this is only a first step. "By no means are we running out and building a dam," he said. "It's very preliminary."

He said it's also important to have the information about what the true best option is before making a decision.

Rains said it's a five- to eight-year process and the city has just been through the first year.

WHAT'S NEXT: The next step is a dam break analysis conducted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Rains said IDNR staff is out of office inspecting dams from March until Thanksgiving. He said the dam break analysis assesses the risk of damage and loss of life if the dam should fail and the agency's response could initiate a back-and-forth discourse wherein the engineers work with the agency.

Geneseo Creek comprises a 20-square-mile watershed with five or six "fingers" that extend from two to six miles south, Rains said. Water from "all these fingers" is apt to "hit Geneseo Creek all in town at the same time."

Johnson said the city would never force the situation and the study is a cursory look at the big picture to improve the watershed as a whole.

"The goal is to do things that are going to improve the situation," he said.

Boating bounces back on the Great Salt Lake after record snowfall
One of three men accused of killing a Davenport teen has been sentenced.

Javon Combs, 22, of Davenport, initially faced charges of first-degree murder and intimidation with a dangerous weapon in relation to Jamon Winfreys death.

Winfrey, 14, was shot on Feb. 24, 2021, when police said members of the Mad Max gang began firing at their Savage Life rivals in the 1300 block of Farnam Street. His body was found the next day between two nearby houses.

District Judge John Telleen on July 6 sentenced Combs to up to 10 years each on a count of willful injury  causing serious injury and three counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon  injure/provoke fear, according to Scott County court documents. Combs must serve the sentences back to back, which means he could serve up to 40 years in an Iowa prison.

Combs will get credit for time he has already served in the Scott County Jail while the case was underway, court records state.

Telleen said in the sentencing order that he has left the question of when Combs might be eligible for parole to the Iowa Department of Corrections or the parole board.

When he made his ruling, Telleen had access to a pre-sentence investigation report developed by the Seventh Judicial District Department of Correctional Services, court records state.

Such reports are meant to aid a judge at sentencing by providing background on the person being sentenced.

The sentencing order was posted in Combs court file on Monday.

Combs pleaded guilty to the charges during a June 6 hearing, according to court documents. His plea was part of an agreement with the Scott County Attorneys Office.

The other two men charged were Chrystian Z. Smith, 19, and John Eddie Hanes III, 19, both of Davenport. They also initially faced charges of first-degree murder and intimidation with a dangerous weapon.

In May, a jury convicted Hanes of first-degree murder and intimidation with a dangerous weapon, according to court documents.

Concessions in Combs plea agreement included Combs testifying in any court proceedings related to Winfreys killing, court records state. That participation included Combs testifying during Hanes trial.

Hanes must still be sentenced, according to court records. His sentencing hearing has been set for July 26.

Smith pleaded guilty in February to a single count of attempted murder in relation to the teens death, according to court documents. His plea was also part of an agreement with prosecutors.

District Court Judge Henry Latham in April sentenced Smith to up to 25 years in an Iowa prison on the attempted murder charge, according to court records. Smith must serve a minimum of six years before he could be eligible for parole or work release. He will get credit for time he has served in jail while awaiting trial.

When he made the agreement with prosecutors, Smith had already been tried in relation to Winfreys killing. The jury in that proceeding could not come to a decision on Smiths culpability.

Correction: This article has been corrected to reflect that Hanes has not yet been sentenced.
The family of Bobby Jo Klum argues a Davenport police officers decision to shoot Klum during a 2021 standoff was unnecessary and based on a faulty training premise.

Officer Mason Roth fatally shot Klum on Oct. 13, 2021, as Klum walked the streets in the area of the 800 block of Iowa Street with what would later be found to be a BB gun pointed at his own head, according to previous reporting.

In December 2021, then Scott County Attorney Mike Walton ruled the shooting was justified. Walton said Roth feared a hostage situation or mass shooting when Klum, with what Roth thought was a gun, began moving toward bystanders.

A lawsuit filed on behalf of Nicole Klum, Bobby Klums wife, and Wanda Albright, his mother, has a different take on the shooting. It names Roth and the city of Davenport as defendants.

Roth shot and killed Klum on Oct. 13, 2021, because he was improperly trained by the Davenport Police Department to essentially shoot first and ask questions later, according to the suit.

The allegation is in an amended version of the plaintiffs petition filed in June. The original petition was filed in August of 2022. As of Wednesday, attorneys for the city and Roth had not yet filed an answer to the training accusation or the amended petitions other allegations.

The lawsuit, initially filed in Scott County, was transferred on July 5 to the federal U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Iowa at the request of the defendants, who are being represented by Lane & Waterman.

The defendants argue the transfer was appropriate based on the constitutional concerns raised in the suit, according to court records.

The suit includes a statement attributed to Roth that was made during an interview with the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation after the shooting:

I know that we've done lots of training where a suspect can have a gun either in a pocket or even pointed at their head and the suspect can go from that position to pointing the gun at you and firing a round before you can react. Even if you have your weapon out and aimed at them, your reaction time is never going to be as fast as their action.

Roths belief, the suit alleges, stemmed from improper training.

The suit states that, in that passage, Roth was referring to the alleged, but roundly rejected, action versus reaction time deficit, as claimed by the Force Science Institute.

The plaintiffs argue in the suit that the city improperly trained Roth using concepts promoted by Force Science Institute that the suit says have been rejected by legitimate professional and academic institutions as pseudoscience.

The suit argues that:

The training concept used by the Davenport Police Department is nonsense and is based upon illegitimate studies done without following legitimate scientific protocols and pursuant to the false premise that the alleged action versus reaction deficit is similar to the perception/reaction time lapse widely accepted in motor vehicle collision investigations.

However, the perception/reaction time lapse is based upon a motorist encountering an unanticipated obstacle, not a highly trained marksman with their rifle sight trained on an individual perceived as a potential threat.

The Force Science Institute is not named as a defendant in the suit, nor does the suit describe the institute in detail.

The newspaper sent a query to the Davenport Police Department asking for more details about whether it uses or has used any training from the Force Science Institute or derived from its materials.

On Wednesday, the police department deferred the matter to Davenport's legal department, which declined to comment, saying the city does not discuss matters related to pending litigation.

Roths fellow officers were using rubber bullets to attempt to subdue Bobby Klum when Roth shot him, according to the suit.

The attempt to subdue Bobby using less than lethal means was confirmation by all other law enforcement officers present that Bobby was not engaging in any conduct that justified the use of deadly force, the plaintiffs argue in the suit.

The lawsuit also alleges that no police supervisor on site approved the use of lethal force.

The officers who responded that day, including Roth, were trained to position themselves at a sufficient distance and behind sufficient cover so they could keep out of danger while one officer tried to establish contact and negotiate with a distraught individual, the suit states.

Defendant Roth had adequate distance and adequate cover, but panicked and killed Bobby anyway because he was improperly trained to shoot first, the suit alleges.

The suit also states that Roth told DCI investigators that there were about a dozen people watching the standoff who had ignored warnings to go inside.

Roth, according to the suit, told DCI that Klum changed directions and was walking straight at them so Roth deactivated the safety on his weapon, focused on Klum and fired.

The plaintiffs argue in the suit that police and bystander footage shows that no one was in the area Roth indicated to DCI the endangered people were standing nor was anyone within 100 feet of it.

Any suggestion that Defendant Roth reasonably feared a hostage situation as Bobby walked through the perimeter is completely unfounded since all bystanders were safe and approximately a half a block away from Bobby at the time he was shot and killed by Defendant Roth, according to the suit.

The suit alleges the shooting was a violation of Bobby Klums rights under the Fourth Amendment and the Iowa Constitutions Article 1, Section 8, to be free from the use of excessive force while being arrested, according to the suit.

The suit also accuses the defendants of negligence and loss of consortium. The plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

A court date was set for Oct. 3, according to federal court records.

Historic photos: Davenport Bank & Trust Co. Building
Arizona Republican Kari Lake, who lost the state's 2022 gubernatorial election, will campaign for former President Donald Trump in Des Moines on Friday, where across town other candidates will be speaking at an event Trump declined to attend.

Lake will speak at the Mad Meatball restaurant in Des Moines at 4 p.m. on Friday. She will also host a breakfast with the Marion County GOP on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Cordova Park on Lake Red Rock in Otley, Iowa.

Six other Republican candidates will be speaking at the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines on Friday, a conference hosted by the Family Leader, a conservative Christian organization. The organization's CEO, Bob Vander Plaats, announced Trump would not attend the conference on Tuesday.

Lake, who grew up in Iowa and is a former Quad-Cities news anchor, has backed Trump's discredited claims of 2020 election fraud and sought to overturn her own 2022 election loss. Multiple court challenges to her loss were dismissed since that election.

The timing of Lake's event lines up with the session of the summit in which Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis  Trump's top primary rival  will be speaking.

Iowas Hinson, Nunn report solid fundraising numbers

Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, of Marion, raised $690,000 in the second quarter of 2023, and has more than $1 million cash on hand in her quest to seek a third term, her campaign announced.

Hinson, a former state lawmaker and former KCRG-TV news anchor, is serving her second term in the U.S. House, winning re-election by eight percentage points against Democratic former state lawmaker Liz Mathis of Hiawatha in the 2022 midterm election. Hinson unseated first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Abby Finkenauer in 2020.

Our grassroots team is all in to keep this seat red, grow our Republican House majority and take back the White House, Hinson said in a statement. We are going to fire Joe Biden and make D.C. run more like the great state of Iowa.

Hinson represents Iowas 2nd Congressional District in the states northeast corner, and includes Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque and Mason City.

The strong haul comes ahead of her annual BBQ Bash summer fundraiser on Aug. 6 at Hawkeye Downs Speedway & Expo Center in Cedar Rapids. Speakers include Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and five candidates running for the 2024 GOP nomination.

Iowa U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Bondurant, raised more than $729,000 in the second quarter and also has more than $1 million cash on hand, his campaign announced Thursday.

Nunn has $1,474,600 to date in this election cycle from more than 14,800 donors, according to his campaign.

No Democrat has yet announced they plan to challenge either Republican.

Iowa 3rd Congressional District, which Nunn represents, remains competitive. The district covers the southwestern quadrant of state, and roughly stretches from Des Moines to the Missouri border.

Nunn's statement noted he won the district by less than a percentage point  or about 2,000 votes. Nunn unseated two-term incumbent Democrat Cindy Axne, flipping a crucial seat to give the GOP an all-Republican Iowa congressional delegation.

The (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) can see these numbers and will allocate even more resources to IA-03, so we have to be ready, Nunn Campaign Manager Kendyl Parker said in a statement. Congressman Nunn is putting in the work to bolster our campaign war chest for the attacks to come.

Trump loses Iowa endorser; caters lawmaker lunch during special session

Iowa Sen. Jeff Reichman, a Republican from Montrose, has withdrawn his endorsement for former President Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primary, instead throwing his weight behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to Politico.

The endorsements switch came after Trump took aim at Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Truth Social, taking credit for her 2018 election win and attacking her for remaining neutral in the 2024 primary.

Reichman told Politico Republicans must remain united in order to defeat President Joe Biden in 2024. In a statement, the Trump campaign dismissed the endorsement loss and called Reichman "weak-kneed and lily-livered" and accused DeSantis of buying Reichman off by promising to raise money for him, according to Politico.

Trump also catered a barbecue lunch and dinner for Iowa Republican lawmakers during a special session on Tuesday as lawmakers voted to severely restrict abortions, a campaign official confirmed.

Photos: Trump returns to Iowa Monday at Adler Theatre in Davenport
DES MOINES  New restrictions on abortion in Iowa will not be signed into law until Friday, but challengers are not waiting.

The Republican-led Iowa Legislature during a special session passed a new version of a bill late Tuesday that bans abortions once cardiac activity can be detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy.

House File 732 passed in the House 56-34, with 10 representatives absent. Republican Reps. Mark Cisneros of Muscatine and Zach Dieken of Granville joined Democrats in voting no. Dieken and Cisneros previously sponsored a bill that would ban abortions from the moment of conception. Neither spoke during floor debate.

In the Senate, the bill passed mostly along party lines, 32-17. Republican Sen. Mike Klimesh of Spillville joined Democrats in voting no, and Republican Sen. Kevin Alons of Salix was absent.

Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she will sign the bill into law at a political event hosted Friday by the Christian conservative group The Family Leader. She is scheduled to deliver remarks and sign the bill at 2:15 p.m. Friday.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, the Emma Goldman Clinic and the ACLU of Iowa announced Wednesday they already challenged the pending new law in district court. A hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday in Polk County District Court on their petition to temporarily block the law from taking effect.

The legislation would go into effect upon Reynolds signature unless the court grants a temporary injunction that would prevent enforcement of the law.

Rita Bettis Austen, legal director of the ACLU of Iowa, said there is precedent. She noted the organization did the same in 2017 when it successfully challenged a law overturned by the Iowa Supreme Court that required women to wait 72 hours before getting an abortion, which also had an immediate effective date.

The three organizations that filed the challenge are the same ones that also challenged a similar law passed in 2018 and stopped by the courts, including a deadlocked Iowa Supreme Court last month. The new, similar bill was passed with the hopes by supporters it will be approved by the courts after 2022 rulings by the Iowa Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court effectively removed constitutional protections for abortion access at both the state and federal levels.

Currently, abortion is legal in Iowa until the 20th week of pregnancy. That would change if the new bill is signed into law and implemented.

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, a Republican from Grimes, said the legislation was passed with the expectation that it will again run through the Iowa courts, and this time the Iowa Supreme Court will be asked to judge the constitutionality of the law  not rule on a procedure like it did in June.

I would expect they will go back through the (Iowa) Supreme Court and well get a final answer for Iowans on where the Supreme Court stands, Whitver told reporters Tuesday after the bill passed the Senate. You dont know whats going to happen with the Supreme Court until they rule on that. So that will be a process that obviously well follow close and adjust from there.

Advocates for abortion rights say the pending new law would end 98% of abortions that are currently legal in Iowa.

If this abortion ban goes into effect, it will place an unacceptable burden on patients ability to access essential abortion care, especially those who already face systemic inequities, Ruth Richardson, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in a statement. Hundreds of Iowans will be impacted in mere weeks. We refuse to stand idly by and will fight every step of the way to block this abortion ban and restore Iowans rights.

Planned Parenthood representatives did not say if abortion providers are canceling appointments in the event the law takes effect. A total of 200 Iowa patients had abortions scheduled with Planned Parenthood and the Emma Goldman Clinic this week and next, said Peter Im, a staff attorney at Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

We are fully hoping for relief from the court, and were hoping that we wont have any interruption in providing care, Im said. But, certainly, we acknowledge that its a possibility.

What does the bill do?

HF 732 prohibits abortions once a fetal heartbeat  defined as cardiac activity, the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart within the gestational sac  is detected. Doctors would be required to perform an abdominal ultrasound to detect embryonic or fetal cardiac activity. Iowa OB-GYNs said a doctor's ability to detect embryonic cardiac activity varies between pregnancies, but can occur as early as six to eight weeks of pregnancy  before many women know they are pregnant.

The bill includes exceptions for pregnancies that are the result of rape in cases reported within 45 days, and incest in cases reported within 140 days. It also includes exceptions for miscarriages, a fetal abnormality that would result in the infants death, and for when the mothers life is threatened.

Supporters say the presence of a heartbeat indicates life that merits equal protection under the law.

The voices of Iowans and their democratically elected representatives cannot be ignored any longer, and justice for the unborn should not be delayed, Reynolds said in a statement. As a pro-life Gov., I am also committed to continuing policies to support women in planning for motherhood, promote the importance of fatherhood, and encourage strong families. Our state and country will be stronger because of it.

Physicians and opponents argue the use of the term fetal heartbeat is misleading. Some major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, note that what is detected at about six weeks is electrical impulses. An actual heartbeat does not occur until roughly 17 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, they say.

"The act bans abortions at a stage at which many people do not yet know they are pregnant, and even those who do know may not have had time to make a decisions about whether to have an abortion, research their options, and schedule appointments at a health center, not to mention overcoming the logistical and financial obstacles required to travel to a health center for an abortion, the lawsuit states. By banning the vast majority of abortions in Iowa, the act unlawfully violates the right of petitioners, their medical providers and other staff, and their patients under the Iowa Constitution and would severely jeopardize their health, safety, and welfare.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland provided more than 3,500 abortions in Iowa in 2021 and more than 3,300 abortions in the state in 2022. The provider performed about 1,200 abortions in the first half of this year, according to the lawsuit.

Emma Goldman Clinic, based in Iowa City, provided 686 abortions from October 2020 through September 2021, and 703 abortions from October 2021 to September 2022.

While the ban contains some exceptions, opponents argue they are too narrow and unworkable. Iowa physicians warned the restrictions do not account for complications that occur during pregnancy, and will hinder their ability to provide medically necessary care and respond to time-sensitive issues.

Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, who managed the bill in the House, pushed back on assertions the bill would restrict pregnancy care.

I want to assure Iowans this bill does not in any way stop health care for pregnant women, she said. The medical emergency definition has been in place since 2017, and Iowa health care providers will continue to provide medical care in their reasonable medical judgment.

House and Senate Democrats offered amendments voted down by Republicans that would have removed the time-limited reporting requirements for instances of rape and incest to be eligible for exceptions. Democrats said most rapes and instances of incest are not reported, and the short time frame will require many victims to give birth.

Republicans also voted down amendments to create exceptions for any pregnant children 12 years old or younger, and another that would create an exception for people under 16. Republicans said children would be protected under exceptions for rape, incest and medical emergency.

What options will Iowans have for getting an abortion?

Im, the Planned Parenthood staff attorney, said options for Iowans seeking an abortion depends on what the court does now.

The bill focuses on regulating physicians who provide abortions in Iowa. It does not provide penalties directly, but leaves enforcement up to the Iowa Board of Medicine, and directs the board to adopt rules to administer the bill.

Woman who receive an abortion would not face civil or criminal liability. They could still travel out of state for the procedure, and could self-manage their abortion via medication. Access to the medication, however, would be limited if the law takes effect.

A vast majority of abortions performed in Iowa are medically induced.

Individuals in Iowa who are more than six to eight weeks pregnant would need to consult with a physician in a state without abortion restrictions and schedule a telehealth appointment to have medications prescribed and shipped by mail.

Richardson said Planned Parenthood will continue providing abortion care in Iowa within the legal guidelines, and are prepared to advise people who are beyond six weeks of pregnancy to refer them to abortion providers in other states that allow the procedure.

She said the organization has expanded its abortion patient navigator program that helps make appointments for patients to receive care across the region and country, and cover the cost of transportation, hotel stays and child care for patients traveling more than 100 miles to a health center.

The Minnesota Department of Health reported a 211% increase last year in Iowans traveling to the state to receive an abortion. In 2022, 174 Iowans traveled to Minnesota for the medical procedure, compared to 56 in 2021.

Richardson said 160 Iowans traveled to Nebraska in 2021 to receive an abortion, and 146 traveled in 2022 to that state for the medical procedure.

16 political cartoons that judge the Supreme Court
CHICAGO  Vice President Kamala Harris plans three visits to Chicago over the next month for appearances with key constituencies, including audiences of Black, Latino, women and young voters, the White House said Thursday.

Harris, the first woman, Black and South Asian to be elected vice president, is scheduled to kick off her travel schedule on Sunday with a visit to the annual Rainbow-PUSH convention, which this year is paying homage to founder Rev. Jesse Jackson and the 35th anniversary of his 1988 presidential run.

The vice president is scheduled to return eight days later for the UnidosUS annual conference, one of the nations largest gatherings of Latino leaders. That event is being held at McCormick Place.

Harris is also set for a third visit to Chicago on Aug. 11, where she is scheduled to attend Everytown for Gun Safety Gun Sense University, an annual national gathering of the gun control and anti-gun violence group that includes Moms Demand Action.

The visits mark Harris first trips to Chicago since January, when she appeared at an outdoor event on the Southeast Side to promote Calumet River bridge upgrades as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law.

Chicago is scheduled to play host next year to Harris and President Joe Biden for their renomination at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

The White House said Harris is embarking on an increased travel schedule with visits to Indiana, Florida and Massachusetts as part of an effort at ensuring communities and constituencies not only have their voices heard, but that they have a seat at the table in the Biden-Harris administration.

Harris extensive travel this summer also is expected to include fundraising for the presidential reelection ticket.

Biden late last month was in Chicago boosting his reelection campaign as he promoted his economic initiatives as president to build up Americas middle-class and branded the efforts Bidenomics. He also raised funds in Chicago for his reelection campaign.

Photos: Pritzker sworn in for second term
Brice Johnson has been named Regional Chief Executive Officer for the Minnesota and Dakotas Region of the American Red Cross, the Twin Cities Red Cross Board announced.

Im excited to join such a dedicated team. The incredible contributions of Minnesota and Dakotas Regional volunteers, blood donors, employees and financial partners impacts not only our three states, but also the work of the Red Cross around the country, said Johnson. Im looking forward to working with each of them and our partners to continue this high-level service and build more resilient communities.

The Red Cross serves 7.3 million people in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Douglas County (Superior) in Wisconsin through nine chapters. There are over 2,000 volunteers and 600 paid staff members in the region.

In this key role, Brice will lead an organization which has five areas of focus  Disaster Cycle Services, Biomedical Services, International Services, Training Services and Service to the Armed Forces, said Lesher.

His first day on the job will be Thursday, July 13.

Johnson comes to the Region from the Central Indiana Chapter of the Red Cross, where he has served as the executive director since 2020. The Chapter covers 17 counties in Central Indiana. Prior to the Red Cross, Johnson spent the last two decades leading non-profit and higher education organizations in the United States and Europe. His time in Europe was spent living in Germany and leading a team helping international families and organizations navigate the challenges of global transition.

With family roots in South Dakota, Johnson grew up in the northwest United States and attended Pacific Lutheran University, graduating in 1999 with a BA degree in Communications. He and his wife Katherine have four children, two dogs, and enjoy spending time traveling, in the water, or with family.

"After a rigorous national search for our next Regional CEO, we were thrilled to find the strongest candidate right here in our North Central Division, with the right choice being inside our Red Cross family," said Lesher.

About the Minnesota and Dakotas Region

In 2022, the Red Cross in Minnesota and Dakotas Region:

Responded to hundreds of home and apartment fires, helping over 4,000 individuals and families.

Collected more than 269,000 blood and blood product donations  the most of any Region in the United States, through an average of 30 mobile blood drives every day in Minnesota, eastern South Dakota and eastern North Dakota, and at blood donor centers in St. Paul, Arden Hills, Bloomington, Minneapolis and St. Cloud.

Provided 106,000-plus training courses to individuals and groups.

Helped hundreds of people reconnect with family and loved ones internationally. Supported more than 6,000 members of the American armed forces and their families.
A Rapid City man appeared in Pennington County court Thursday after he was charged with aggravated child abuse.

A grand jury indicted Derek Johnson, 28, on July 5. The charges alleged he abused a 5-year-old child on April 30.

Aggravated child abuse is abuse of a child under the age of 7. It's a class 3 felony with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to a $30,000 fine.

Johnson made his initial appearance Thursday morning before Magistrate Judge Sarah Morrison, who considered bond in his case. When his arrest warrant was issued, Circuit Court Judge Matt Brown set Johnson's bond at $3,000 cash only.

A woman spoke before the court and asked the judge to consider lowering the bond, so Johnson is able to provide support to her and her children.

Elizabeth Regalado, magistrate supervisor at the Pennington County Public Defender's Office, told the judge Johnson has worked at the same job for six years and has "a lot of ties" to the community.

Regalado said Johnson has counseling and parenting classes scheduled in the coming weeks. She asked the judge to consider lowering the bond, so Johnson is able to support the children.

Morrison kept bond at $3,000 cash only. Johnson is held with no bond for an alleged bond violation in a separate case. Morrison said he will be able to address bond in both cases at his next court hearing Aug. 29 at 9 a.m.
The safest of Idahos 44 counties sits in the Magic Valley, according to an annual Idaho State Police report that brings together statewide data from multiple law enforcement agencies.

Camas County, for the second straight year, topped the annual report, with overall crime (per 1,000 population) down 22.87% from 2021  including zero reports of animal cruelty, embezzlement, pornography, sexual assault or stolen property.

With a 9.31% overall crime rate, Camas ranked ahead of Franklin (12.11%), Jefferson (15.1%), Madison (15.4), Butte (17.71%) and Clearwater (18.63). Despite achieving the steepest drop in year-over-year crime, Clark County had the highest rate per 1,000 at 82.8%, according to the Crime in Idaho 2022 report from the Idaho State Police Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

Camas, Cassia and Lincoln were the only Magic Valley counties with fewer reports of crime in 2022 than 2021. Cassias overall crime rate was down 20.74% to rank 14th overall, three spots behind Blaine County and one spot ahead of Gooding County.

Heres a county-by-county look across the Magic Valley:

Blaine County

Whats the data tell us?

Crime was up 26.64% in 2022, the fifth-highest increase in the state.

Whats up?

Steep increases in weapons charges (6 total), motor vehicle thefts (17, up from 4 in 2021) and burglary (27, up from 12 in 2021) chased the countys percentage to higher levels.

Whats down?

Arrests for drugs and narcotics dropped by 1.79%, plus the county reported no cases of arson or robbery after singular incidents in 2021.

Camas County

Whats the data tell us?

The overall crime rate has ranked as the lowest in the Gem State for two straight years.

Whats up?

Nothing.

Whats down?

The total cases of larceny, assault, destruction and burglary dropped by at least 20% from 2021.

Cassia County

Whats the data tell us?

Only seven counties in Idaho reported a sharper drop in overall crime in 2022.

Whats up?

Burglary is the glaring exception in an otherwise cleaner report, with cases increasing by 280%  from five incidents in 2021 to 19 last year.

Whats down?

There were no cases of robbery following a pair of 2021 incidents, and destruction, down 46.63%, and drugs and narcotics, down 35.53%, fell in 2022.

Gooding County

Whats the data tell us?

The overall crime rate ranked 15th in the state, despite a 5% increase from a year ago.

Whats up?

Cases of counterfeiting (3 in 2022, compared to 1 in 2021) and two incidents of kidnapping, arson and stolen property pushed the countys percentage upward.

Whats down?

A 70.97% drop in sexual assault cases (from 31 in 2021 to 9 last year) was most dramatic in the statistics, while burglary cases were also sharply down (from 21 to 12)

Jerome County

Whats the data tell us?

Crime increased by 13.29% from 2021, pushing the overall rate per 1,000 to the highest in the Magic Valley (47.48%).

Whats up?

A 300% spike in embezzlement cases (4 in 2022, compared to 1 in 2021) and considerable increases in destruction (142, from 102) and drugs and narcotics (431, from 370) were the primary culprits in the data.

Whats down?

Burglary was down 36.92%, from 65 cases in 2021 to 41 in 2022. The total number of cases for weapons, kidnapping, stolen property, arson and extortion were also down last year.

Lincoln County

Whats the data tell us?

A 15.16% drop in overall crime last year was second in the Magic Valley to Cassia County and the 13th-best improvement statewide from 2021.

Whats up?

There were increases in just five categories of crime: Sexual, fraud, weapons, assault and motor vehicle theft  with the highest totals in assaults (75, up from 50 in 2021) and sexual cases (13, up from 5).

Whats down?

Decreases in cases of drugs and narcotics, larceny, destruction and burglary, combined with no cases of other crimes such as animal cruelty, arson, robbery and stolen property, resulted in a year-over-year improvement.

Minidoka County

Whats the data tell us?

The overall crime rate increased in 2022  but only slightly at 2.49%.

Whats up?

Cases of motor vehicle theft (29 last year, up from 18 in 2021), fraud (34, from 22), assault (179, from 131) and larceny (149, from 113) were mostly responsible for the countys overall increase.

Whats down?

A 28.90% decrease in drugs and narcotics, from 263 cases in 2021 to 187 last year, represented the most significant decrease in overall incidents.

Twin Falls County

Whats the data tell us?

Crime was up 11.14% in 2022, the third largest spike in the Magic Valley behind Blaine and Jerome counties.

Whats up?

Steep increases in kidnapping (92.86%, 27 cases), burglary (60.75%, 172 cases), weapons (44.12%, 98 cases) and drugs and narcotics (29.03%, 1,160 cases), plus half of the Magic Valleys six reported homicides in 2021, stood out in the data.

Whats down?

The total number of cases for sexual offenses (from 188 in 2021 to 127 last year), animal cruelty (4, down from 10) and extortion (1, down from 9) were among the highlights.

To view the full report, go online to the Idaho UCR Program website at https://nibrs.isp.idaho.gov/CrimeInIdaho/Home/Index.{span class=print_trim}(tncms-inline)5a913abc-1bd2-42d8-b2a9-abe3fb415da4[0](/tncms-inline)
Kathmandu: The Government of Japan has decided to extend grant assistance of up to four hundred and twenty-four million Japanese Yen (424,000,000), equivalent to 385 million Nepali Rupees to the Government of Nepal for the implementation of the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS). H.E. Mr. KIKUTA Yutaka, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Mr. Arjun Prasad Pokharel, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance signed notes to this effect today.





The JDS grant offers Nepals young government officials two-year Master's Degree courses and three-year Doctoral level courses in reputed Japanese universities. The Government of Japan has received more than 140 Nepali government officials to Japan. After completion of studies, the JDS Fellows are expected to engage in formulating and implementing socio-economic development plans and evolve as leaders in Nepal, as well as contribute to the expansion and strengthening of friendly relations between Japan and Nepal.





On the occasion of signing the notes, Ambassador Kikuta announced that the Government of Japan has revised the Development Cooperation Charter, which articulates the basic policy of Japan's development cooperation, and Japan would implement development cooperation in a more effective and strategic manner in order to actively contribute to ensuring peace and prosperity of the international community.





Ambassador Kikuta also mentioned that basic policies of the Charter point out the importance of constructing strong and resilient countries through "investment in people" such as strengthening individual capabilities. Therefore, JDS will contribute to Nepal's development by investing in people exactly in line with the revised Charter. I hope that the grant assistance we are signing today will help even more Nepali officials to improve their capacity and contribute to encouraging the development of Nepal, the Ambassador said.




National French Fry Day is being celebrated this week.

For many years, National French Fry Day was observed on July 13. But last year, fast food chains Checkers & Rallys petitioned to move National French Fry Day to the second Friday in July, so it would always fall on a Fry-day.

I, in good conscience, cannot ignore the voice of the people, who simply want to fry-ght a wrong thats been in place for far too long. National Fry Day, you are and will forevermore be on a Friday, Marlo Anderson, founder of the National Day Calendar, said last year.

That means, this year, National French Fry Day is on July 14.

Check out these deals and giveaways in the Richmond area for National French Fry Day:

McDonalds

McDonalds is holding to the original date and will be giving away free fries Thursday.

How to get them: Users must use the McDonalds App, with no purchase necessary, to get free fries, any size, at participating locations.

Burger King

On Friday, Burger King will be offering members of Burger Kings Royal Perks loyalty program a free order of fries of any size  small, medium or large  with any purchase via the app or BK.com.

Royal Perks members always get a free order of fries with a purchase.

Wendys

Wendys is giving customers a free order of fries, of any size, with any purchase made through the Wendys app (one order per person) between Thursday and Sunday.

Hardees

At Hardees, My Rewards members who buy an order of fries through the Hardees app or online on July 13 will start receiving a daily in-app offer of free small French fries with minimum $1 purchase for the rest of the year.
A developer is planning an over-55 residential community in western Henrico County, the first of its kind there, a county supervisor said.

An LLC tied to Legacy Land Development intends to build up to 262 condominiums, called the Flats at Mayland, at Mayland Drive and Pemberton Road near Costco Wholesale.

The community will provide concierge service, said Tommy Branin, a member of the board of supervisors, and it comes at a time when the states population is aging.

It is a new introduction to the county, which I think is well needed, Branin said.

Henricos board approved rezoning the land and a provisional use permit Tuesday.

The developer plans to build 11 four-story buildings on nine acres. The units will be restricted to buyers 55 years and older, and no residents under the age of 19 will be allowed.

Concierge services sometimes provide unpacking, transportation for medical care, help with grocery shopping and meal preparation and other services. The proposed cost for purchasers was not immediately clear. The owner of Legacy Land Development did not respond to a message seeking comment.

The states population has gotten older as people live longer and fewer babies are born. Henrico is growing, raising the number of seniors in the county. But its percentage of residents over the age of 65  17%  was unchanged between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Census.

Among Virginias 8.6 million residents, almost 2 million are age 60 or older, according to a report last year from the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. And by the year 2030, it expected that one in four residents of the state will be 60 years or older.

Some members of the community expressed concern about congestion in the area, which includes apartments and townhomes nearby. The developer responded by scaling down the project slightly. One building was removed from the plan to lessen density, and plans for commercial space were scrapped.

The community will include an open lawn and some kind of shared space, possibly a dog park or gazebo. It will also contain charging stations for electric vehicles.

Currently, the parcels are in a mostly wooded area containing three single-family homes that will be removed.

***

Nearby in western Henrico, real estate developer and management company HHHunt purchased 12 parcels in Innsbrook for a total of $19 million.

HHHunt, which has offices in Glen Allen, Blacksburg and Raleigh, is building townhouses on Dominion Forest Circle, near the Dominion Energy Innsbrook Technology Center and not far from Cox Road.

HHHunt lists a three-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot townhouse available in December for $547,000.

When the development is complete, there will be 58 units built.

PHOTOS: Recognize anyone? 30 photos from the Times-Dispatch archives Bellwood Virginia State Library reading room, 1977 Sixth Street Market WWII ScrapMetal Fort Lee Spirit of '76 locomotive Cigarettes Racing Ginter Park Arena Charter Change Richmond Home for Boys, 1965 Sixth Street Market Ashe JFK High Grace Street Civil Rights Red Cross cantten class, 1942 Restaurants Powell Agnes Westhampton School Air Raid YMCA Westhampton Tredegar Railroads Armistice Day Restaurants
Chesterfield Countys Cloverleaf Mall opened in August 1972 with 42 stores and 760,000 square feet of retail space. It was the largest indoor shopping area in the Richmond region. The JCPennys store,which left Southside Plaza for Cloverleaf was also the largest in the state.

The mall was designed by local architects Carneal and Johnston and featured a dramatic central court with a 20-foot pool, crystal trees and falling water.

For some time Cloverleaf was a huge success. However, as the countys residential boom moved west and south, away from the mall, businesses began to feel the strain. After several years of struggle and the loss of big stores to other malls, Cloverleaf was sold to a Canadian bank in bankruptcy court in 2002.

The mall stayed open, barely, for six more years until officially closing in 2008.

In October 2011, the mall was demolished.
A Portland, Oregon, man has been sentenced to 101 years behind bars for preying on a child in Louisa County.

Daniel R. Thomas was convicted for indecent liberties with a minor less than 14 years of age, three counts of production of child pornography and two counts of soliciting a minor over a communication device.

Through its sentence today, the Court sent a message that it will not tolerate those who exploit children. No matter where you are, Louisa County will come for you if you attempt to exploit our children, Louisa Commonwealths Attorney Rusty McGuire said in a statement released Wednesday after the sentencing.

Early last year, a Louisa father examined his daughters phone and uncovered an explicit conversation between his daughter and an unknown individual, according to police reports. The phone was turned over to the police, who then traced the messages to Thomas.

At the time, Thomas was living in a halfway house in Portland, having recently been released from prison after serving a 16-year sentence for sexually abusing multiple children.

Local law enforcement in Virginia contacted a detective in Portland who subsequently executed a search warrant on the halfway house and recovered the phone belonging to Thomas. The Virginia State Police assisted in extraditing Thomas to the commonwealth to answer for his alleged crimes.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Megan Riordan, who prosecuted the case with McGuire, said residents should feel safe now that Thomas will be locked behind bars.
No business founder will tell you its easy. Its stressful, its challenging, but more than anything, its an enormous risk  one that, despite its hardships, plays a crucial role in driving economic progress.

Critical to that progress is the American regulatory system. Ethical and scientifically based regulation is the cornerstone for clean air and water, reliable transportation, a strong economy and, most relevantly, safe food products. This system, when operating within its boundaries and serving its intended purpose, serves representative government and the rule of law. Regrettably, my recent experience with the Virginia Department of Health was not an instance of scientifically based and legally well-founded regulation. Rather, it revealed something that should not happen in Virginia: bureaucratic overreach and predatory abuse of the permitting process.

As the founder of KavaClub, I did my homework, researching the safety and legality of kava and kratom teas. I am no stranger to heavily regulated businesses; my first venture was WealthForge, a company I founded from my dorm room in the highly regulated financial services space. I knew that opening the first kava bar in Virginia would require similar work, so I hired lawyers and did extensive research. First, I found that kava and kratom are legal in Virginia. Second, and most importantly, I found that, served in their natural form, they are perfectly safe and healthy.

The legality of kava and kratom is abundantly clear. The state legislature, the duly elected lawmakers on behalf of the people of Virginia, has repeatedly declined to make kava illegal or limit its sale, despite considering numerous bills that proposed just that. On kratom, the Virginia legislature has explicitly recognized that kratom was legal by passing Senate Bill 1108, allowing sale only to those 21 and older with a disclaimer about effects, which was signed into law by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. You dont need a law degree to determine this, although I hired many lawyers just to be safe: Kava and kratom are legal in Virginia.

Next, I researched the safety of natural kava and kratom. You dont need to be a food scientist to recognize their safety; you need commonsense. Kava is a root grown on the islands of Fiji, which for centuries has been ground and steeped in water for tea. Kratom leaves have also long been brewed into tea and consumed for their relaxing effects; both products have been carefully studied and long-enjoyed, without a finding of ill effects when prepared using traditional methods.

In a 2016 safety review of kava, the World Health Organization stated that its customary use poses little safety concern. In fact, traditionally prepared kava is already used in over 285 kava bars in the U.S., and evidence supporting its safety is readily available. Additionally, a 2020 Johns Hopkins survey of 2,700 users found that the natural herb kratom, in its traditionally brewed form, may have therapeutic effects and a relatively low potential for abuse or harm.

Simply put, any concern around the use of kava has no connection to the safety of these products as KavaClub brews them, with integrity, in their natural form. Yet VDH refused to permit KavaClub to open solely because it proposed to sell traditional kava and kratom teas.

Heres the kicker: Kava and kratom are legal and widely available. Visit any vape shop or gas station, and you can find kava and kratom readily available for legal purchase and consumption.

Why, then, has the VDH stopped my business from opening? Why, then, has it caused us to incur hundreds of thousands of dollars of losses and cost Virginia dozens of good-paying jobs? Seemingly, its because we followed the rules: We did the research, acted transparently and went through the proper permitting process; we performed our due diligence. KavaClub alone has been singled out as unable to sell kava or kratom.

You could, right now, open a vape shop and sell unregulated substances with questionable health impacts. But try to open a natural tea shop providing Richmond with an alcohol-free social alternative, and youll be unreasonably accused of using unsafe food additives. The VDH has now rejected our menu twice. It refuses to acknowledge the legality of these roots and leaves, and for legal reasoning, relies solely on the finding that a tea is not a beverage, but a food additive because the tea is added to water.

The VDH is wildly incorrect from a commonsense and legal standpoint, and its also imposing a bureaucratic tax on people like me who obey the law. Whether or not you want to drink kava, this is a loss for Virginia and democracy.

Were not the first kava bar in Virginia to be drained of resources while the VDH denies permitting without basis, but hopefully, well be the last. And if commonsense finally prevails, your first KavaColada is on me.

Close In December 1968, the first licenses since 1916 for the legal sale of mixed liquors by the drink in Richmond were issued. Here, waiter James Smith served the first cocktails in the city to Fred Runyan (left) and Paul D. Bailey at the Hotel John Marshalls Captains Grill restaurant. 8/10/2015: This January 1967 image shows the new Bull & Bear Club, located on the 23rd floor of the Fidelity Bankers Life Building at Ninth and Main streets in Richmond. Among other amenities, members enjoyed an intimate lounge area where they could monitor the New York Stock Exchange via a ticker behind the bar. The club, which later moved to the James Center, closed in May 2015. In April 1968, David Long manned the bar at an exhibit at a Virginia Restaurant Association convention, and Barbara Ann Brigel took a spot along the brass rail. That year, the General Assembly allowed whiskey-by-the-drink to become a local option in Virginia. In April 1969, C. Ronald Spindler, the instructor at the Virginia School of Professional Bartending in Richmond, mixed a martini. Liquor by the drink had become legal in Richmond in the previous December, and Spindler (who also was director of beverage services at a Holiday Inn) had quickly taught more than 100 budding bartenders. His courses, which lasted 2 weeks, focused on what he called the 48 basic cocktails  with the martini at the top of the list. In January 1969, Kimberly Farmer mixed a drink at Michaels, a restaurant on Fifth Street in Richmond. Liquor by the drink had become legal in Richmond the month before, and she was among about a half-dozen women who had recently taken local bartending jobs. Farmer previously worked as a bartender in Miami and New Orleans. A lot of people who have read too many paperback novels think of a bartender as a low-class person without morals, but 90 percent of the girls Ive ever worked with at a bar are happily married women with families, she said. 09-03-1981: Bartenders serve drinks at local bar. 06-03-1985: Two women enjoy a drink at the Tobacco Company Bar. 03-15-1985 (cutline): Happy hour drinks served at local bar. 10-16-1968 (cutline): Bartender mixes drink aboard Chesapeake & Ohio Railway 'Food Bar Car' during stop at Richmond's Main Street Station. Virginia's first legal drink of hard liquor in more than 50 years was sold aboard the train at 1:28 p.m. Thursday. 06-13-1978 (cutline): Bartender Bill Guilford waits for customer's approval of fancy cocktail at Richmond bar. 10-16-1958 (cutline): Chinese red bar gives room two faces. Open doors and den is ready for a party. Home bar in Richmond. 04-25-1954: Home bar in Richmond. 05-08-1983: Stonewall Cafe Cafe crew--Owners Kenny Bendheim (from left) and Billy Baker join bartender Jim Rea in welcoming customers to the Stonewall Cafe in the Fan District. From the Archives: A look back at Richmond bars Do you remember any of these local establishments? In December 1968, the first licenses since 1916 for the legal sale of mixed liquors by the drink in Richmond were issued. Here, waiter James Smith served the first cocktails in the city to Fred Runyan (left) and Paul D. Bailey at the Hotel John Marshalls Captains Grill restaurant. 8/10/2015: This January 1967 image shows the new Bull & Bear Club, located on the 23rd floor of the Fidelity Bankers Life Building at Ninth and Main streets in Richmond. Among other amenities, members enjoyed an intimate lounge area where they could monitor the New York Stock Exchange via a ticker behind the bar. The club, which later moved to the James Center, closed in May 2015. In April 1968, David Long manned the bar at an exhibit at a Virginia Restaurant Association convention, and Barbara Ann Brigel took a spot along the brass rail. That year, the General Assembly allowed whiskey-by-the-drink to become a local option in Virginia. In April 1969, C. Ronald Spindler, the instructor at the Virginia School of Professional Bartending in Richmond, mixed a martini. Liquor by the drink had become legal in Richmond in the previous December, and Spindler (who also was director of beverage services at a Holiday Inn) had quickly taught more than 100 budding bartenders. His courses, which lasted 2 weeks, focused on what he called the 48 basic cocktails  with the martini at the top of the list. In January 1969, Kimberly Farmer mixed a drink at Michaels, a restaurant on Fifth Street in Richmond. Liquor by the drink had become legal in Richmond the month before, and she was among about a half-dozen women who had recently taken local bartending jobs. Farmer previously worked as a bartender in Miami and New Orleans. A lot of people who have read too many paperback novels think of a bartender as a low-class person without morals, but 90 percent of the girls Ive ever worked with at a bar are happily married women with families, she said. 09-03-1981: Bartenders serve drinks at local bar. 06-03-1985: Two women enjoy a drink at the Tobacco Company Bar. 03-15-1985 (cutline): Happy hour drinks served at local bar. 10-16-1968 (cutline): Bartender mixes drink aboard Chesapeake & Ohio Railway 'Food Bar Car' during stop at Richmond's Main Street Station. Virginia's first legal drink of hard liquor in more than 50 years was sold aboard the train at 1:28 p.m. Thursday. 06-13-1978 (cutline): Bartender Bill Guilford waits for customer's approval of fancy cocktail at Richmond bar. 10-16-1958 (cutline): Chinese red bar gives room two faces. Open doors and den is ready for a party. Home bar in Richmond. 04-25-1954: Home bar in Richmond. 05-08-1983: Stonewall Cafe Cafe crew--Owners Kenny Bendheim (from left) and Billy Baker join bartender Jim Rea in welcoming customers to the Stonewall Cafe in the Fan District.
INAH announces official reopening of Coba Archaeological Zone

Tulum, Q.R.  Tulums archaeological zone of Coba has officially reopened to the public under the INAH. The site was under the care of local Ejidos until when, in late June, the owners of the land came to an agreement with the state government.

On July 12, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) announced the official reopening of the site.

The Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico and the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) inform that, as of July 12, the Archaeological Zone of Coba, in Quintana Roo, reopens its doors to the public.

The site will have the following hours: Monday to Sunday, from 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m., with last access at 04:30 p.m.

Coba was opened again after the INAH came to an agreement with Coba Ejidos who own the land. Both sides agreed on operating terms, one of which was the standard 90 peso entrance fee, down from the 100 the Ejidos were charging people to enter the site.

Part of the new agreement also included a 70-million-peso rehabilitation investment into the site through the Program for the Improvement of Archaeological Zones (Promeza). Ejidos and the government have been at odds over the archaeological zone since mid-2021.

Coba, which is also a nearby town, is located west of the seaside town of Tulum. There are several buildings located on the archaeological site with the tallest building, the Nohoch Mul Pyramid, being 42 meters (137 feet).

The site also consists of a ball games building, Xaibe (observatory), a 24-meter (78 feet) tall church and a Temple of the Frescoes. The area is also flanked by five lakes and numerous cenotes.
Can Yellen's visit reduce the risk of de-risking?

10:55, July 13, 2023 By Wu Songbo ( China Daily

US politicians have begun advocating "de-risking" instead of decoupling with the Chinese economy as the United States has realized it is not possible to decouple the Chinese and US economies even during the three-year pandemic.

Also, the US' decoupling strategy has caused a deep sense of unease among the US business community as well as its allies, and it has become increasingly difficult for the US to convince its companies and foreign partners that it can handle its differences with China.

As US Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen, who just concluded her visit to China, said, a full separation of the two economies would be disastrous for both countries and have a destabilizing effect on the rest of the global economy. In comparison, de-risking appears to be more moderate and reassuring to the US business community and US allies.

Will Yellen's visit to China and her talks with senior Chinese officials help reduce the risk and put bilateral ties back on track? By engaging in discussions with Chinese officials, Yellen tried to address economic and global issues of mutual concern, even though the US continues to impose high tariffs on Chinese goods and sanctions on Chinese entities, and restrict Chinese investment.

Not much is known about how US politicians intend to implement diplomatic and economic measures for de-risking, especially because de-risking is a term they have borrowed from the world of business. In essence, whether de-risking and decoupling are synonymous depends not only on what Washington says, but also on what it does. While Yellen's visit may help reduce the risk of misunderstandings and misjudgments on both sides, de-risking itself still carries risks.

The US has been complaining about the Chinese government distorting market rules to gain unfair competitive advantage. But in the semiconductor, clean energy and some other strategic manufacturing industries, the US no longer believes in the power and rules of the market and, instead, is trying to keep these industries within the country or attempting at "re-shoring" by offering them special subsidies and financial help.

Moreover, the US administration has adopted a strategy that could destabilize the global supply chains by trying to cut off China's supply chains in these industries through export control and investment restrictions. Such administrative interventions, which deviate from the rules of market economy, make the US' criticism of China sound hollow.

De-risking also involves strengthening the resilience of the US' supply chains. However, the US' goal is to break global supply chains rather than making its own supply chains more resilient, in order to gain a competitive economic advantage against China.

During her visit, while Yellen referred to so-called human rights issues in China, she conveniently ignored to mention human rights issues plaguing the US including racial discrimination and the widening gap between the rich and the poor.

The Joe Biden administration's diplomatic and economic policies toward China have not changed significantly despite US politicians claiming they do not want to decouple the Chinese and US economies and, instead, they are following a policy of de-risking. Although Yellen wants a positive breakthrough in bilateral relations and talked about managing differences, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stressed the importance of national security in Washington's relations with Beijing. Hence, Yellen's claim of the US eschewing decoupling is likely just rhetoric.

In fact, the inconsistency in the language and practice of the de-risking policy reflects the US' confusion vis-a-vis its relations with China, and Washington's positioning and understanding of both itself and Beijing. On the one hand, as the impacts of the pandemic subside, the US' economic performance has prompted some policymakers to become optimistic about the country's long-term economic strength. This may suggest the current US policymakers, unlike those during the Donald Trump administration, do not consider China's perceived economic and ideological challenge to the US as something to be dealt with urgently through decoupling.

On the other hand, some US policymakers continue to voice concerns over the economic prospects of the US, saying the country's industrial base has been hollowed out. To compete with China, they say, the US needs to implement stronger industrial policies and align with its allies. They also plan to apply a "small yard and high fence" strategy against China in the field of cutting-edge technologies.

Therefore, one should be cautiously optimistic about the talks between the two countries at different levels. As former US president Theodore Roosevelt said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick  you will go far." It will take time to assess whether Yellen's visit can help improve Sino-US relations or whether she was just talking softly.

The author is an associate researcher with the Institute of American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
(Photo : Matt Burkhartt/Getty Images)

A lawsuit has been filed against social media companies, body armor manufacturers and a gun shop over a mass shooting at a New York supermarket that left 10 people dead.

On Wednesday, survivors and family members of those killed in a mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, filed a lawsuit against several online platforms, companies that sold or manufactured the shooter's weapon and body armor, and the shooter's parents.

Ben Crump and attorneys Diandra Zimmerman and Terry Connors announced the 171-page "landmark litigation" more than a year after the attack at Tops Friendly Market, in which ten people were killed and three were injured.

Survivors, Relatives of Buffalo Supermarket Mass Shooting File Lawsuit

The shooter, now 20 years old and live streamed the attack, stated in online documents that he chose the grocery store because it was located in a predominantly Black neighborhood.

According to USA today, Payton Gendron was sentenced to life without parole earlier this year after pleading guilty to more than a dozen offenses, including homicide and hate-motivated domestic terrorism.

In December, Gendron's counsel stated that he was prepared to enter a guilty plea in exchange for a life sentence in federal court, where he faces hate crime charges.

The lawsuit asserts that the shooter was isolated by "defective social media products" and then "radicalized by overexposure to fringe, racist ideologies and was poised for the irresponsible and wanton behavior of the Weapons and Body Armor Defendants."

Crump stated on Wednesday that although Gendron was the one who discharged the gun, "many individuals assisted him in loading it."

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the gunshot victims' families: Heyward Patterson, Aaron Salter, Margus Morrison Sr., Pearl Young, Geraldine Talley, Ruth Withfield, and Robert Drury.

Plaintiffs include Zaire Goodman, his mother, Zeneta Everhart, Christopher Braden, Brooklyn Hough, Kisha Douglas, Jo-Ann Daniels, Robia Gary, and her unnamed infant.

Read Also: Bank of America Ordered To Pay $250 Million, Issue Customer Refunds; Here's Who Will Be Eligible!

Buffalo Shooting Victims

In a racially-motivated rampage, the 18-year-old white supremacist drove some 200 miles (320km) to a predominantly black community in Buffalo and gunned down shoppers inside the Tops Friendly Market.

His victims were Ruth Whitfield, 86; Roberta Drury, 32; Aaron Salter, 55; Heyward Patterson, 67; Pearl Young, 77; Geraldine Talley, 62; Celestine Chaney, 65; Katherine Massey, 72; Margus Morrison, 52; and, Andre Mackneil, 53.

Three people were shot dead in the car park, the other seven were killed inside the supermarket, and three others were wounded.

Among the companies named in the lawsuit are Vintage Firearms, the gun store where the weapons were legally purchased; Twitch, the live-streaming service the attacker used; Facebook; YouTube; Google; and Amazon.

Per BBC, Remington, the manufacturer of the AR-15-style rifle the gunman uses, is not named in the suit. The company recently filed for bankruptcy, and co-counsel Terry Connors said, "We felt that if we were to bring a claim against them, that would only slow us down in litigation."

Last year, Remington settled for $73 million with families who lost loved ones in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.

After that settlement, a wave of lawsuits has been filed against gunmakers, while states like California and New York have sought to hold manufacturers and distributors liable for shootings. In May, the families of three victims in Buffalo filed a wrongful death lawsuit against multiple social media companies.

Related Article: Missing German Businessman Found Dismembered in Thailand With Chainsaw, Hedge Clippers

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Two Roanoke men dedicated to saving youth from violence believe that a personal pledge called the Royalty Affirmation has the power to reverse the tide of gunfire incidents in the city.

If you start proclaiming, I am not weak, I am strong, Im not sick, I am healthy, the mindset changes, said Fletcher Nichols, who taught and directed fine arts programs at Patrick Henry High School for about 35 years. Take the words that come out of your mouth about yourself and others and change them to a positive effect and watch them grow.

Nichols penned the Royalty Affirmation several years ago, after a beloved African American culture teacher died in 2012. Nichols said the teacher often reminded her students, Youre an extraordinary person. Lift your head up. Youre royalty. When they began to struggle after her passing, Nichols helped them to remind themselves.

God gave me the revelation and the words to this affirmation. And once I put it together, and I went in the first day and did it, there were kids in tears, Nichols said in an interview Tuesday. Then it became what we said every morning.

Nichols said students wrote the affirmation down, and some had it tattooed on their chests.

They would come to me and say, It kept me out of trouble. If I hadnt, you know, I would have gone off, Mr. Nichols, he recalled.

Nichols retired as a teacher about five years ago. But when Chris Roberts was hired as Roanokes youth and gang violence prevention coordinator in 2021, he reached out to Nichols for guidance.

Nichols said he developed close relationships with his students and visited their homes if he noticed them struggling. Sometimes, he said, he quite literally got stuck in the crossfire.

Ive been in the midst of gunfire, Nichols said. Ive been in the midst of drug deals and didnt know it. Ive done that street stuff.

The veteran teacher said he has passed that torch on to Roberts: Young men for war, old men for counsel. But he still wants to help children realize that they have worth in their communities.

Nichols said he was born on a sharecroppers farm in Ivor, Virginia. As a shy student experiencing forced integration in Southampton County schools, he said he developed a desire to teach and give students who may have been misfits an opportunity to do what they wanted to do.

Those kids had the toughest time in school, Nichols said. I wanted to make sure that those kinds of kids got an opportunity and were seen not just as troublemakers or as the one in the corner.

Roberts and Nichols presented the Royalty Affirmation last fall to the Roanoke City Council, which gave the men approval to move forward with their project. Since then, Roberts said, about a dozen people have been filmed reciting the affirmation and sharing their affirmation stories.

The videos, produced through Roanoke Valley Television, are expected to be published on social media platforms, including YouTube. Roberts said he hopes teens who may be researching violent behaviors online might run into the uplifting videos before they decide to harm themselves or others.

What if you have some young person at home? Hes got access to a weapon. Hes not supposed to have access to it, but he dont know what to do with it, and he starts Googling or YouTubing, Roberts said. If we somehow put those algorithms in YouTube and certain type of qualifiers that will pull those affirmation stories from YouTube as a commercial, what could we prevent?

The city council accepted a resolution last week that adopted The Royalty Affirmation as the citys first official affirmation statement.

It was almost a year ago that we initially presented this, but Im glad that for whatever reason todays the day, Nichols told council during its July 3 meeting. As my mother used to say years ago, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And this affirmation is something that will be put forth as a preventive measure rather than a reactive measure.

On Tuesday, Roberts and Nichols presented the affirmation to the Roanoke City School Board. They hope that students will become familiar with it when they return to the classroom this fall.

Roberts, who worked in the juvenile justice system before he was hired by the city, said the affirmation is designed to serve all Roanoke residents, including those who have left school or completed their primary education.

We just want to cover the city, Roberts said. Were not limiting ourselves and we dont believe that this has a cap on it. We believe that those individuals who are 18 and older, who are finding themselves in challenging situations, or those individuals who experience death and their families are still here, youre just as important to us.

Nichols said has a vision for the Royalty Affirmation and its place in Roanoke: on billboards, in barber shops, on cards exchanged between people on the streets challenging one another to memorize it. He said it has the ability to catch fire.

During the 2016-17 school year, Nichols said he took some Black male students to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. They couldnt get tickets to go inside, so they stood in front of the building to take a photograph.

Someone said, Who are you? And they said, We are proud African American males who are committed to excellence. We believe that we have inside of us everything we need to achieve every dream weve had to dream, Nichols said, explaining that the young men recited their class affirmation before strangers.

And its powerful. These guys got on bow ties. Crowd goes crazy. Kids hanging out on buses, photographing them. Long story short, we got put ahead of the line and sent into the museum, Nichols said. It can really, really pull a community together if its done consistently and on a big level and everybody buys into.

Whatever state youre in, and whether youre Biblical or not, you understand that your words create action, and action creates vibration, and before you know it, the thing thats buried that you dont see immediately will come to fruition, Roberts said. So why wouldnt you affirm that you are strong when youre actually feeling weak?

Youve got to say it, Nichols said. The power of life and death is in the tongue.
You might recall the news in June about U.S. Sen. Tim Kaines efforts to get some answers about the desultory mail-delivery situation in Virginia.

His May 26 letter to the Postal Services government liaison cited complaints fielded from constituents from Southwest Virginia, the Richmond area, Arlington and other locations.

One question regarded a company in Henrico County that received no mail for two solid weeks. Another concerned the town of Chilhowie, where in December, nearly all the towns 2,500 monthly water bills got lost in the mail. (The same happened in February to a private water company that serves rural areas outside Marion.)

The good news is, Kaines office has received a two-page typewritten response from Scott R. Slusher, the Postal Services government liaison manager. (It was transmitted electronically, rather than by snail-mail.)

Theres some not-so-good news, as well. From the letter, its clear Slusher believes everything is hunky-dory with mail delivery in the Old Dominion. Many Roanoke Times readers could say that doesnt comport with reality. Lets consider a few highlights from Slushers reply to Kaine.

Currently there are no major problems at five Postal Service processing centers in the Old Dominion. Those are Sandston (near Richmond), Dulles, Merrifield, Norfolk and Roanoke. Although short-staffed processing centers were an issue during the pandemic, employee availability has since improved. Each of those facilities is operating effectively and without regional backlogs, Slusher wrote.

Mail-delivery service in the commonwealth is better this year than last, Slushers letter said. For example, 91.72 percent of inbound First-Class Mail was delivered within the service standard during the week of May 27 through June 2 in Virginia. It is an improvement from the 90.40 percent total for the same period last year. Our Fiscal Year 2023 target is 92.50 percent.

Overall, operations in the Commonwealth are adequately staffed, thanks to wide-ranging efforts to hire. Slusher noted that USPS employs 16,700 workers at 900 different locations in Virginia, and that it has hired 1,949 new Virginia employees in calendar year 2023 and converted 361 employees from pre-career to career status.

Finally, Slusher noted, our carriers in Virginia reach every street address every day (we added 43,773 new addresses last year), our clerks provide customer service in our Post Office lobbies, and many employees work outside of the publics view to facilitate quality mail service.

Heres Kaines reaction to Slushers response:

I appreciate that USPS responded to my letter outlining concerns Ive heard from Virginians regarding postal delays, and Im pleased to hear that USPS is making progress in addressing the staffing shortages that were negatively impacting service throughout and after the pandemic, the senator said in a statement his office released Wednesday.

However, its clear that USPS is far from delivering the reliable service every Virginian deserves. Im frustrated that mail delivery issues are persisting and will continue to be in touch with USPS to identify why that is so we can make sure those problems are addressed.

Kaine knows that mail delivery problems in Virginia are persisting because hes received even more complaints since my June 27 column about his letter to the Postal Service. Some of those constituents thoughtfully copied me on the complaints they sent Kaine.

Below is one, from Kurt Navratil of Roanoke.

My mail service provided by the United States Postal Service is irregular, undependable, and not trustworthy. Each week, my residence misses at least one day, sometimes two days of mail service. Whenever possible, I choose to have NO correspondence of any consequence take place via US Post.

(The Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, which Kaine co-sponsored, requires six-day mail deliveries throughout the United States.)

The mail is being held for days

Heres another complaint to Kaine.

Our mail service has been irregular since March. The mail is being held for days and delivery is sporadic, wrote Mark Walsh of southwest Roanoke County. I asked about our service at the local post office and their response was our carrier retired.

I have seen two or three carriers delivering mail in the same neighborhood in the same day. The carriers are telling me that they are having to work overtime to run other carriers routes after finishing up their route.

Some of the carriers are delivering mail after 6 and up until 8 pm. Please help us get our Postal Service back in order.

Heres yet another complaint to Kaine, from Andrew Porter in Norfolk:

Thank you for evaluating delivery problems within the US Postal Service. Please include [southeast] Virginia within the scope of those problems. I have recently missed utility bills, and FOUR insurance invoices (which resulted in an irreversible loss of life insurance coverage), and am STILL waiting for confirmation of delivery of two certified letters I mailed on June 1, 2023. (USPS could not help, nor refund my payment for non-service. The phone at the Norfolk P.O. is perpetually busy. The Postmaster in Richmond could not locate the second letter).

Reader questions mail help line

Slushers letter also noted that the Postal Service has a toll free customer help line, (800) ASK-USPS, and that complaints can also be filed online at usps.com. Their concerns are transmitted to local officials for research and response, Slusher wrote.

A. Vass of south Roanoke has not yet complained to the senators office  but instead sent me an email on Tuesday. It said the Postal Services complaint system is even worse than its delivery service.

It has now been almost a week since I received mail in Roanoke City. Informed Delivery shows I am due at least two bank statements (one I really need) and two utility bills (need those as well), Vass wrote.

This is ridiculous and has been going on for at least 6 months, maybe a year, Vass continued. Every time I miss 3 days of mail, I file a complaint on their website. I always get a useless response. They also leave a phone number which is NEVER answered.

On Wednesday, I called the number Vass cited in her email. Nobody answered.

Certified letter mailed May 27 was lost

Last but not least, I heard from Don Poff, who retired as a manager after 38 years with the Federal Aviation Administration. (Then he became an Anglican Catholic priest. Hes also retired from that career).

For months, mail destined for other addresses has been unexpectedly arriving at the Poffs home on Mount Vernon Road. Sometimes, it was destined for their next door neighbor. On other occasions, theyve received mail that was supposed to be delivered to the same number house as the Poffs, but on a different street a few blocks away.

Poff said he and his wife were forced to begin auto-drafts for their mortgage payments after their mailed checks got lost.

The latest episode involved a certified, return-receipt-requested letter to a local business. That contained a check and a message terminating an agreement with the company, Poff said.

He mailed it May 27 from the Grandin Road Post Office. Coincidentally, that was just one day after Kaine wrote the Postal Service.

Since we had not received the returned receipt by the middle of June, I went online and tracked the letter, Poff wrote.

On May 27 at 10:58 a.m, the USPS was in possession of the letter; on May 27 at 10:57 p.m. [it] arrived at USPS regional facility in Greensboro; on May 27th at 11:11 p.m. the item departed the Greensboro facility.

On May 28 at 9:49 a.m. it arrived at the USPSRoanoke VA Distribution center. On May 30 at 2:00 p.m. it departed that facility en route to its final destination. On June 3, the notice was Moving Through Network, in transit to next facility, arriving late.

That was the last anyone has seen of the item, Poff wrote.

Poff, said he spent several hours over two days in June with two really wonderful clerks at Roanokes Main Post Office trying to figure out what happened to the letter.

But to date, nobodys been able to figure out where the Certified Mail went, Poff said.

Over the phone Wednesday, I read him Slushers response to Kaine.

It just sounds like government-ese, Poff declared.

Those statistics [Slusher] cited havent helped me, Poff added. And he scoffed at the 91.72% on-time delivery in Virginia that Slusher cited in the letter.

If we had a 92% efficiency rating at the FAA, wed probably have [airliner] crashes every day, Poff said.
A year ago this week, flash floods devastated communities in Southwest Virginia. Emergency management personnel from across the state and the country visited Roanoke on Thursday to remind residents that the flood threat remains this hurricane season.

I dont care if its a storm that hits the Gulf Coast, the remnants have to go somewhere, National Weather Service Director Ken Graham said. You get big impacts, and a lot of those fatalities end up being, a lot of times, greater inland than coastal.

Shawn Talmadge, coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, or VDEM, said hurricanes are not just threats to coastal Virginians.

Hurricanes and the flooding caused by the remnants of hurricanes is a statewide problem, and everyone must take action to prepare for that, Talmadge said.

Graham announced that the weather service, or NWS, has already taken the initial steps to hire a National Weather Service person to be permanently located with the state emergency agency.

That helps the timeline. If I could give another hour, six hours, 12 hours, 24 hours on a timeline to an emergency manager, thats an eternity, Graham said.

Having a meteorologist, that direct liaison, Monday through Friday, Talmadge said, its going to inform our planning process,

Graham also announced plans to redesign the NWS website, weather.gov, to make it more nimble, flexible [and] mobile for users. He also said the weather service is translating its resources into the top 12 languages spoken in the United States, including Spanish.

The NWS is also working to map flood inundation across the country.

Well have 10% of the country done at the end of this year. Well have 30% of the country done next year, Graham said. Were going to look at two days out having a map that indicates whats going to flood. Thats huge.

Graham said both residents and emergency management professionals alike should not rely on their experiences with past floods when preparing for incoming weather events.

Its harder and harder to use your personal history to compare storms. Were seeing records, records, records. We have record ocean temperatures, weve got record rainfall rates, were breaking record heat records, he said. Be prepared for the next event, and dont compare storms. They are all completely different.

Erik Hooks, deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, said the peak Atlantic hurricane season typically runs from mid-August to mid-October.

But heres the stark reality, Hooks said. There is really no hurricane and tropical storm season anymore. Were seeing storms arrive earlier and having more severity and having greater impacts.

Talmadge said residents should run from water and hide from wind during weather catastrophes. He suggested households establish communication and relocation plans in the event of serious flooding and connect with local authorities through automatic alert systems.

Residents can also prepare for floods by reviewing their insurance coverage.

Sometimes, you may have a gap in coverage, and it takes 30 days for those those coverages go into effect, so take a moment and review your insurance, Talmadge said.

The VDEM coordinator also announced the publication of its very first inland flooding impacts guide for state residents. He said the pamphlet is designed just for folks that live in the valley, live in the western part of Virginia.

Hook added that Virginia updated its hazard mitigation plan earlier this year.

Having an updated plan is a necessary step in the commonwealth to be eligible to unleash the federal funding before and after disasters, Hooks said. The collaboration, the partnership and the leadership that you see at the local, state and federal level is critical for our success.

MaryAnn Tierney, FEMAs Region III administrator, said emergency management is a team sport, and the regions partners are doing lots of things to get ready.

We partnered with the National Weather Service recently to revamp the inland flooding course, Tierney said. And in Roanoke, just a few months ago, we educated 40 emergency managers about the risk of inland flooding.

Tierney added that preparedness tips available online at ready.gov are really simple and can be implemented immediately.

You must be ready, because when you are impacted by disaster, it is your worst day, she said. And its much better to be ready for your worst day now than to be in your worst day wishing you had been ready.
Virginia Tech is amassing professors to start up its new Alexandria campus under construction.

Virginia Tech Innovation Campus is scheduled to open its 11-story Academic Building One in fall 2024, after three years of construction, to replace the schools Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church.

Lance Collins, Innovation Campus vice president and executive director, reported progress to the university Board of Visitors during a recent meeting.

If youre building a campus, the heart and soul of it is to have an outstanding faculty, Collins said. Were a startup and at this early stage, we want to be building off of strength.

He said Virginia Tech is hiring professors whose research focuses on artificial intelligence and data analytics, next generation wireless networking, quantum algorithms and software, intelligent interfaces for virtual and augmented reality, and more.

And more, because this is a work in progress, Collins said, adding that as time goes along there likely will be other areas that emerge.

Search committees are seeking out tenured, senior faculty to hire in a few key research areas including artificial intelligence and quantum architecture, he said.

Weve identified a really strong group, Collins said. Ive started that process of approaching those individuals.

Companies such as Boeing and Northrop Grumman are collaborating with Virginia Tech not only on curriculum development, but also with the Innovation Campus search for teaching talent, he said.

Driven by very rapid growth in our enrollments, Collins said the campus hired four additional computer science faculty, bringing the total in that department up to 16 hires from the initial dozen announced in April.

Once fully developed with two other buildings, the Innovation Campus could host close to 1,000 students pursuing year-long masters and doctoral degrees, supported by 50 faculty in 2029, according to university information.

Altogether, the campus is a more than $1 billion project, according to a figure from the Associated Press.

Curriculum will largely be project-based, Collins said. Rather than a more typical 30-credit degree program requiring students to complete a series of three-hour courses, students at the Innovation Campus will devote half their time to a long-term project.

Theyd be working on the project across that entire year, Collins said. The other remaining 15 credits would come from coursework.

And evaluations of student progress will be based more on competency, rather than on traditional hours of study success measures, he said.

Do you have the particular skills? Collins said. What we want is to teach students technically in the same ways that other degree programs do, but were also wanting to build leaders.

Through projects, students will learn management and communication skills, working with an entrepreneurial mindset on a diverse team across differences, he said.

As we open in 2024, were closing Falls Church, theres a lot of movement thats going on, and there are new programs that will be coming into the Innovation Campus, Collins said. We want to think about ways in which those new programs might want to plug into this project-based education Ive been describing.

Virginia Tech Board of Visitors member Dave Calhoun said hes watched the Innovation Campus gain momentum ever since its inception.

Every step of this path is worth it, Calhoun said. Its not as close as Roanoke. Its maybe a little further away, but we have to work that, and work it as hard as we can.

The board of visitors initially feared that we wouldnt think big enough, on the Innovation Campus project, member Tish Long said.

And so far, youre thinking big enough, Long said. We just encourage you to continue to think big.
RADFORD  Kids and adults of all ages spaced out at Radford University on Wednesday, celebrating one year of observations made by a cutting-edge telescope orbiting the Sun.

Floating one million miles above Radford is the James Webb Space Telescope, a $10 billion scientific instrument capturing some of the most precise astronomic imagery and data so far seen by humans, according to NASA.

Scientists such as Rhett Herman, a physics professor and director of the Radford University Planetarium, waited decades to see what the telescope would reveal. Its first images beamed back down to Earth in July 2022, after the telescope launched out of our atmosphere on Christmas Day 2021.

Were seeing the universe that weve not really seen before, because were seeing it in infrared light. Were seeing it with a bigger telescope, Herman said. Were seeing further and were seeing through things that we couldnt see before.

On the planetarium ceiling, he projected a huge photo of hazy gas plumes billowing across space.

The Pillars of Creation  this is a stellar nursery, the birth of stars and solar systems. This is the beginning of their history, he said. Its absolutely incredible.

The telescopes 10-year mission is to find the first galaxies that formed in the early universe, and to see stars forming planets, according to NASA. Its a different purpose from the Hubble Space Telescope that launched into Earths orbit in 1990, said Sandy Liss, assistant physics professor at Radford.

Webb is really interesting because it sees in whats called infrared light, and thats hard to see from the earth because our atmosphere blocks a lot of that light, Liss said. We need an infrared telescope to see the light from galaxies that are really, really old.

Using those ancient beams of light, scientists can analyze data to find properties such as temperature and even material composition of the faraway astral bodies. Perhaps some day, if not already, those distant light signatures could show conditions ripe for faraway life.

The search for life is a big thing James Webb is doing, Liss said. Its already identified carbon dioxide and water in the atmospheres of extrasolar planets.

Well learn more about that with time, she said, as the telescope built by American, Canadian and European space agencies keeps floating around space.

In the meantime, earthlings benefit often from spacefaring technology, even though we might not realize it, said Herman, the planetarium director.

All of this stuff developed for astronomy is then ported to hospitals and scientific labs and engineering labs, Herman said. They make better cell phones, and MRI machines. Better solar cells and all that.

Radford collaborates regularly with NASA to showcase recent space-related advancements to the public, he said. It inspires new generations of scientists.

Herman said its not uncommon for his new students to tell him they became interested in their field of study during a science day like the one at Radford on Wednesday.

A former student of his is even working on the James Webb Space Telescope right now, he said.

One of the kids in here whos eight years old right now, what if they get inspired? What if theyre the first one to stand on Mars? Herman said. Thats who were talking to.
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The German astronomer Johannes Kepler is famous for his laws of planetary motion, which proved that the planets in our solar system orbited around the sun in elliptical paths, but he also wrote an entire book about the proper shape of wine barrels.

The story goes that Kepler ordered a barrel of wine for his second wedding in the town of Linz, Austria, but when it came time to pay for the wine an argument broke out. Kepler didn't like the method that the wine merchant used to price the barrel.

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" " This illustration is taken from "Nova Stereometria Dolorium Vinariorum" by German astronomer Johannes Kepler. Kepler's book formed the basis of modern integral calculus. SSPL/Getty Images

According to custom, the wine merchant laid the barrel on its side and poked a long rod through a hole in the center of the barrel until it struck the opposite corner. The rod was removed, and the cost of the wine was determined by how much of the rod was wet.

Kepler quickly saw where the method fell short: The price for the same amount of wine would change with the dimensions of the barrel. A long and thin barrel would cost less than a short and fat one. Kepler grumpily paid the bill, but he couldn't drop the question of how to construct a barrel that results in the most wine for your money.

Kepler's method was to calculate the volume of a curved wine barrel by imagining it as a stack of flat cylinders. To get the most accurate result, though, you need to use lots of cylinders. In fact, they need to become infinitesimally small to fill up every inch of space inside the barrel. "And when we slice time, distance or anything else into infinitesimals," Brooks writes in his book, "we are in the realm of calculus."

In 1615, Kepler published "Nova Stereometria Dolorium Vinariorum " or "New Solid Geometry of Wine Barrels," now considered the foundational text of integral calculus.

In showing how to maximize the dimensions of a wine barrel to minimize its price (the Austrian barrels were spot on, by the way), Kepler pointed the way to using calculus to maximize the efficiency of all manner of things. Brooks uses the modern examples of calculating the right dose of a cancer drug to deliver the most effective response, or how much fuel a 747 should carry to travel the farthest without being weighed down.
Despite being a well-known and well-paid astrophotographer, Gater admits that it is not his "day job"  or even his every night job. "Most of the time I work as an astronomy journalist, with other media and public engagement projects mixed in with that," he says. "My professional astrophoto work kind of fits in around it. There are literally thousands of great astrophotographers out there doing brilliant work. I have no idea how many are doing astrophotography as a full-time job though."

Blanchflower agrees. "There are many people taking this type of pictures, especially for free, so [there is] a lot of competition out there if you try to make money doing it."

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For most astrophotographers, their income is likely supplemented with other work. If photography is your passion, consider combining astrophotography with other work, as Blanchflower advises. "To make a living isn't easy. [It's] probably best to combine freelance astrophotography with other types, like weddings say," he notes.

"For me, astrophotography is one strand of my wider freelance work, so it's not the only thing I do," shares Gater. "And I'm lucky that I've been able to build up great working relationships with various editors, publishers and producers over the years, who I enjoy collaborating with immensely."

Now That's Interesting Speaking of pay, be sure to protect your intellectual property if you pursue astrophotography. "There's one aspect of being a professional astrophotographer that can be hugely demoralising and that's when a big commercial outlet or organization emails asking to use an image for free, or even simply uses it without permission," says Gater. "This happens on a regular basis and it always chips away at you a bit, as I invest an enormous amount of time and effort into making these images, even if they seem simple." Using software to encode your photos or watermarking can help ensure you get paid fairly for use of the photos you create.
(Photo : Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg addresses the concern about the crime rate in New York City's subways as many residents feel increasingly unsafe.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg admitted that he also gets scared over crime in New York City subways amid public concern.

The remarks were made during an interview on Tuesday when asked about the perception of many residents that the city was experiencing a massive rise in crime rate. He said he was aware that while transit crime was down, he was still fearful when one of his family members got on the train.

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg Talks About Crime

Bragg's statement appeared to reference the latest New York Police Department data showing that major crime in the city's subway system dropped by 4.6% in the first six months this year compared to last year.

However, just last month, transit crime was found to have spiked more than 18%, with authorities seeing 195 incidents compared to the 165 throughout June. Among these incidents was a series of subway slashings where an alleged maniac, 28-year-old Kemal Rideout, attacked three women over 20 minutes on June 18 in Manhattan, as per the New York Post.

Officials said that violence also broke out on a Brooklyn-bound J train on June 13, where a 20-year-old straphanger, identified as Jordan Williams, fatally stabbed an ex-con, Devictor Ouedraogo, during a confrontation.

Authorities eventually dropped the murder charges against Williams after a grand jury found that he simply acted in self-defense. This was because the fatality, Ouedraogo, choked him and slugged his girlfriend just a few moments before the incident.

However, Bragg noted that there were "encouraging signs" that crime data across the city were now "moving in the right direction." New York City saw an overall drop of 4% in citywide crime last month, based on statistics from the NYPD. This comes despite a 23% rise in car thefts and the same rate of felony assaults as last year.

In a statement, the Manhattan District Attorney said they were doing several long-term investigations involving wiretaps. He added that they were conducting targeted enforcement and seeing the effects of that investigative work, according to Fox5 NY.

Read Also: El Paso Shooting: Gunman Handed With 90 Consecutive Life Sentences for Killing 23 People

Crime Rate in NYC Subways

Many residents had daily experiences play a bigger role in how they perceived crime in the area than just statistics. One building super was seen painting graffiti near the front entrance. When asked, the resident said he believed that the region's crime was out of control.

However, one of the most high-profile incidents was the case of 30-year-old Jordan Neely, who died after being put in a chokehold by 24-year-old Daniel Penny, a former marine. The letter allegedly did the maneuver after the former threatened passengers, claiming that he acted in self-defense.

During interviews following the incident, Penny claimed that Neely had ripped off his jacket and threatened to kill subway passengers. He said that the Black man appeared to be on drugs then.

The ex-marine noted that before the incident, he listened to music but took his headphones off when he heard Neely screaming in what he determined was a "scary situation," said the Daily Mail.

Related Article: Cleveland Shooting Injures 9, Prompts Manhunt for Shooter at Large

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The great underwater waterfall of the Denmark Strait in the North Atlantic is one of the most intense cold water overflows worldwide and the one with the greatest drop. Credit: University of Barcelona

The largest waterfall in the world is underwater and is located in the Denmark Strait, between Iceland and Greenland. It is more than three kilometres high and it has a flow of cold, dense water that exceeds three million cubic meters per second. This gigantic current is generated in the Arctic, where surface water cools, gains density and sinks, and makes its way to lower latitudes, following the topography of the seabed. The submarine relief of the Denmark Straitwhich in a few kilometres goes from 500 meters to more than 3,000 meters deepcauses this bottom current to accelerate and overflow in the form of an underwater waterfall until it reaches the great troughs of the northern Atlantic Ocean.

This phenomenon plays a decisive role in the Atlantic thermohaline circulationand therefore in the global climateand is key to the functioning of the deep-sea ecosystems in the area. Although this dense water overflow is and has been intensively studied by the scientific community from the point of view of physical oceanography, there are key aspects that are still unknown and will be addressed in the FAR-DWO oceanographic campaign. The project, which will be carried out from July 19 to August 12 aboard the oceanographic ship Sarmiento de Gamboa (owned by the Spanish National Research Council), is led by Professors David Amblas and Anna Sanchez-Vidal, from the Consolidated Research Group on Marine Geosciences of the Faculty of Earth Sciences of the University of Barcelona (GRCGM-UB).

Exploring the lesser-known side of the Denmark Strait undersea waterfall

"To date, the hydrodynamic characteristics of this large underwater cataract had been studied, but in FAR-DWO we intend to explore aspects that are still unknown, such as its capacity to transport sediments and modify the relief and the influence of topography on its propagation," say David Amblas and Anna Sanchez-Vidal, members of the Department of Earth and Ocean Dynamics at the UB. "FAR-DWO will analyze for the first time the hydrographic and sedimentological variability from the sampling and observation of the water column and the sediment and relief of the seafloor during the campaign, with the deployment of two instrumented lines at great depth that will record current information for a whole year, until September 2024, when they will be recovered."

A phenomenon described extensively and pioneeringly in the north of the Catalan coast

Undersea waterfalls are one of the most fascinating phenomena in modern oceanography. Their impacts on the seafloor were unknown until they were first described in the northern coast of Catalonia, in the northwestern Mediterranean, in a scientific paper led by GRCGM-UB researchers (Nature, 2006). After that study, the GRCGM-UB has been a pioneer in monitoring researchwith lines instrumented with sediment traps, current meters and temperature sensorsof dense water cascades both in the Cap de Creus canyon and in different polar areas.

The phenomenon of dense water overflow is particularly intense in the Arctic and Antarctic. "The poles are the regions where most of the dense water massesgenerated by the formation of sea ice at the surfaceeventually reach the global ocean floor. The polar areas are like the heart of the oceanic circulatory system: they pump cold, dense water into the great oceanic troughs through the heartbeats made by overflows of dense water," says David Amblas.

The researchers want to take the knowledge about their behavior and the impacts they generate one step further. Credit: University of Barcelona

How does climate change affect undersea waterfalls?

There is increasing evidence of the effects of global change on the phenomenon of submarine waterfalls. "A good example is on the Catalan coast, where the decrease in the number of tramontane days in winter in the Gulf of Lion and north of the Catalan coast is causing a weakening of this oceanographic process, which is decisive in regulating the climate and has a great impact on deep ecosystems," says Anna Sanchez-Vidal.

In polar areas, a greater influx of freshwater and less sea ice formation will also mean a reduction in the volume of dense water moving towards lower latitudes. "This process has several effects on global ocean circulation that are of concern to the scientific community, as reflected in the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change", says Anna Sanchez-Vidal.

The researchers note that, during the FAR-DWO campaign, they want to "take the knowledge about their behavior and the impacts they generate one step further." "For this reason, we will intensify and expand the monitoring effort acquired so far in the Cap de Creus canyon, combining it with the monitoring of the waterfall in the Denmark Strait," they say. "These two study areasone temperate and the other polarprovide an ideal frame of reference to investigate the propagation of these currents, the associated biogeochemical fluxes and their imprint on the seafloor and sedimentary record, as both marine areas are major players in the global ocean thermohaline circulation system," they add.

"Observational data from both marine areas will be combined with a numerical hydrosedimentary model, which will provide for the first time a quantification of the ability of marine cascades to shape the seafloor. The FAR-DWO project will also analyze the cascade variability in response to current and past climate changes. Through historical observations, review of oceanic and atmospheric models, and sedimentological and geochemical indicators in marine sediment cores, it will be possible to reconstruct the evolution of these oceanographic processes under different past climate scenarios," the team explains.

The FAR-DWO oceanographic campaign can be followed here.

Provided by University of Barcelona
These three objects (JADES-GS-z13-0, JADES-GS-z12-0, and JADES-GS-z11-0) were originally identified as galaxies in December 2022 by the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES). Now, a team including Katherine Freese at The University of Texas at Austin speculate they might actually be dark stars, theoretical objects much bigger and brighter than our sun, powered by particles of dark matter annihilating. Credit: NASA/ESA

Stars beam brightly out of the darkness of space thanks to fusion, atoms melding together and releasing energy. But what if there's another way to power a star?

A team of three astrophysicistsKatherine Freese at The University of Texas at Austin, in collaboration with Cosmin Ilie and Jillian Paulin '23 at Colgate Universityanalyzed images from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and found three bright objects that might be "dark stars," theoretical objects much bigger and brighter than our sun, powered by particles of dark matter annihilating. If confirmed, dark stars could reveal the nature of dark matter, one of the deepest unsolved problems in all of physics.

"Discovering a new type of star is pretty interesting all by itself, but discovering it's dark matter that's powering thisthat would be huge," said Freese, director of the Weinberg Institute for Theoretical Physics and the Jeff and Gail Kodosky Endowed Chair in Physics at UT Austin.

Although dark matter makes up about 25% of the universe, its nature has eluded scientists. Scientists believe it consists of a new type of elementary particle, and the hunt to detect such particles is on. Among the leading candidates are Weakly Interacting Massive Particles. When they collide, these particles annihilate themselves, depositing heat into collapsing clouds of hydrogen and converting them into brightly shining dark stars. The identification of supermassive dark stars would open up the possibility of learning about the dark matter based on their observed properties.

The research is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Follow-up observations from JWST of the objects' spectroscopic propertiesincluding dips or excess of light intensity in certain frequency bandscould help confirm whether these candidate objects are indeed dark stars.

Confirming the existence of dark stars might also help solve a problem created by JWST: There seem to be too many large galaxies too early in the universe to fit the predictions of the standard model of cosmology.

"It's more likely that something within the standard model needs tuning, because proposing something entirely new, as we did, is always less probable," Freese said. "But if some of these objects that look like early galaxies are actually dark stars, the simulations of galaxy formation agree better with observations."

The three candidate dark stars (JADES-GS-z13-0, JADES-GS-z12-0, and JADES-GS-z11-0) were originally identified as galaxies in December 2022 by the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES). Using spectroscopic analysis, the JADES team confirmed the objects were observed at times ranging from about 320 million to 400 million years after the Big Bang, making them some of the earliest objects ever seen.

"When we look at the James Webb data, there are two competing possibilities for these objects," Freese said. "One is that they are galaxies containing millions of ordinary, population-III stars. The other is that they are dark stars. And believe it or not, one dark star has enough light to compete with an entire galaxy of stars."

Dark stars could theoretically grow to be several million times the mass of our sun and up to 10 billion times as bright as the sun.

"We predicted back in 2012 that supermassive dark stars could be observed with JWST," said Ilie, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Colgate University. "As shown in our recently published PNAS article, we already found three supermassive dark star candidates when analyzing the JWST data for the four high redshift JADES objects spectroscopically confirmed by Curtis-Lake et al, and I am confident we will soon identify many more."

The idea for dark stars originated in a series of conversations between Freese and Doug Spolyar, at the time a graduate student at the University of California, Santa Cruz. They wondered: What does dark matter do to the first stars to form in the universe? Then they reached out to Paolo Gondolo, an astrophysicist at the University of Utah, who joined the team. After several years of development, they published their first paper on this theory in the journal Physical Review Letters in 2008.

Together, Freese, Spolyar and Gondolo developed a model that goes something like this: At the centers of early protogalaxies, there would be very dense clumps of dark matter, along with clouds of hydrogen and helium gas. As the gas cooled, it would collapse and pull in dark matter along with it. As the density increased, the dark matter particles would increasingly annihilate, adding more and more heat, which would prevent the gas from collapsing all the way down to a dense enough core to support fusion as in an ordinary star. Instead, it would continue to gather more gas and dark matter, becoming big, puffy and much brighter than ordinary stars. Unlike ordinary stars, the power source would be evenly spread out, rather than concentrated in the core. With enough dark matter, dark stars could grow to be several million times the mass of our sun and up to 10 billion times as bright as the sun.

More information:

Cosmin Ilie et al, Supermassive Dark Star candidates seen by JWST, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305762120

Provided by University of Texas at Austin
They had manipulated the share price of Catalist-listed Koyo International Limited.

Four people in Singapore have been given jail terms for false trading in Koyo shares, said MAS. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo)

SINGAPORE  Four individuals in Singapore have been convicted and given jail terms for false trading and deception, which led to losses of over S$3 million.

In a statement on Thursday (13 July), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said that Ang Wei Jie, Simon; Koh Cheo Leng; Lin Eng Jue; and Chong Yew Mun, Alan were convicted for false trading in the shares of Catalist-listed Koyo International Limited (Koyo), and for deceiving several brokerage firms through the unauthorised use of trading accounts. Their jail terms range from between 11 weeks and 42 months.

"They are the last of eight persons (scheme members) convicted by the court for their involvement in a scheme to carry out trades for the purpose of creating a false appearance with respect to the price of Koyo shares," MAS said.

Between August 2014 and January 2016, Lin, together with seven other scheme members, obtained control of 53 trading accounts opened in the name of 15 individuals, to buy and sell Koyo shares at progressively higher prices.

They did so with the aim of attracting a buyer to acquire the company via a reverse takeover. During this period, the Koyo share price rose from a low of S$0.16 on 12 August 2014 to a high of S$0.40 on 14 January 2016, MAS said.

It plummeted to S$0.056 on 18 January 2016, after the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (SGX-ST) issued a "Trade with Caution" alert. This was due to the unusual trading activities. Trading curbs were also imposed by several brokerages.

Following the crash, account holders suffered losses of about S$3.28 million, of which S$1.05 million were borne by the brokerages and remisiers.

The convictions of the group "were a result of a joint investigation conducted by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Commercial Affairs Department of the Singapore Police Force, following a referral by SGX-ST".

Assistant Managing Director (Policy, Payments & Financial Crime), MAS, Loo Siew Yee, said that the convicted individuals executed a sophisticated market-rigging scheme that resulted in severe market distortion over a prolonged period and significant losses to market participants.

"MAS will act firmly against such egregious misconduct to preserve the integrity of our capital markets," she said.

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The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., rain or shine, in SDHD's parking lot, 1014 Nebraska St.

A variety of family-friendly activities will be available. Attendees will be able to learn about several programs and services provided through SDHD. Free snacks will be available and door prizes for swim passes, yard games, movie passes and LaunchPad admission will be drawn.
HARTINGTON, Neb.  Defense attorneys for a Laurel, Nebraska, husband and wife charged in a quadruple homicide have requested more time to conduct discovery in the cases.

Todd Lancaster, who represents Jason Jones, on Wednesday filed a motion to continue a July 24 pretrial conference. He also filed a waiver of Jones' right to a speedy trial.

Lancaster, of the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy in Lincoln, said in his motion that more time is needed for discovery in the case.

Carrie Jones' attorney, Douglas Stratton, of Norfolk, is seeking an extension of a Monday deadline to conduct discovery in her case, saying he needs more time to review the large volume of audio and video recordings, written reports and other information to asses the need to file any necessary motions.

No ruling has been made on Jason Jones' request, and Stratton's motion in Carrie Jones' case is scheduled to be heard in Cedar County District Court on July 24, when her pretrial conference is scheduled.

Trial dates have not been set.

Jason Jones, 43, has pleaded not guilty to four counts each of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony and two counts of first-degree arson. He is charged with the shooting deaths of Michele Ebeling, 53, in her home and Gene Twiford, 86, his wife, Janet Twiford, 85, and their daughter Dana Twiford, 55, in their home and setting both houses on fire.

Carrie Jones, 44, has pleaded not guilty of first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and being an accessory to a felony. She is accused of aiding and abetting the death of Gene Twiford, whom she told investigators had verbally harassed her for several years.

Authorities responded to a fire in the early morning hours of Aug. 4 at 209 Elm St., where they found Ebelings body with two gunshot wounds. A second fire at the Twiford home at 503 Elm St. was reported soon after, and responders found the family members' bodies, all with gunshot wounds.

Jones, who lived across the street from Ebeling, was arrested without incident at his home about 24 hours after the bodies were found and airlifted to a Lincoln hospital for treatment of serious burns. Hes being held without bond at the Nebraska Department of Corrections Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln.

Investigators found empty .44-caliber shell casings near Ebelings body and a Ruger handgun registered to Jones, plus credit card receipts for gas and gas cans, in the Twiford home.

Carrie Jones, who was arrested in December and remains in custody in the Antelope (Nebraska) County Jail, told investigators she had arrived home from work minutes before seeing her badly burned husband emerge from Ebelings home after the fire was spotted. She helped him into their home and put away his .44-caliber handgun, which he had been carrying.

Prosecutors have filed notice they would seek the death penalty if Jason Jones is found guilty of first-degree murder.
SIOUX CITY  A Sioux City man charged with attempted murder and a second shooting incident now faces a federal firearm charge after police found numerous guns in a vehicle he had been driving.

A complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City charges Ethan Hewitt with one count of felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. A court appearance has yet to be scheduled.

Hewitt, 24, was wanted for arrest after skipping a June 5 plea hearing in Woodbury County District Court. A Sioux City police officer located him Tuesday evening at the Walgreens store at 1900 Hamilton Blvd., and Hewitt was apprehended after attempting to flee the store. As he fled down an aisle, officers noticed a metal object fall from Hewitt or tossed by him. After Hewitt was in custody, officers retrieved the item, which was a .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol that was loaded and had a round in the chamber. Hewitt also had a plastic bag containing 34 grams of methamphetamine in his pants pocket, according to the complaint.

Officers reviewed Walgreens surveillance video and determined Hewitt had arrived at the store in a pickup truck, and officers saw what appeared to be a rifle through the window. After impounding the pickup, police searched it and found three semiautomatic rifles, one of which had a loaded 60-round drum-style magazine and a round in the chamber, and four handguns, three of which were loaded and had rounds in the chamber. Police also found 9 pounds of meth divided into several plastic bags and 45 fentanyl pills.

Hewitt was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on charges of interference with official acts and failure to obey a peace officer.

Hewitt was prohibited from possessing guns and ammunition because of 2020 felony conviction for third-offense operating while intoxicated in Woodbury County.

Hewitt faces attempted murder, attempted burglary and other gun charges in Woodbury County in connection with a March 21, 2022, incident in which he is accused of firing several shots into an apartment building in the 1600 block of Nebraska Street on March 21, 2022, during an ongoing feud with an apartment resident. The resident of the targeted apartment returned fire with a legally owned firearm, striking Hewitt, who was arrested nearly a month later after spending several days in the hospital recovering from his gunshot wound.

While Hewitt was out on bond in the shooting case, he was arrested May 1, 2022, after a call of shots fired in the 100 block of Cecilia Street. Officers responding to the call stopped a car described by witnesses and detained three occupants, including Hewitt, who was a passenger. Officers found a 9mm firearm under the seat in which Hewitt had been sitting and 11 empty shell casings inside the car and charged with with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Hewitt also faces drug possession charges in a third case stemming from an October arrest while he was once again out on bond.
LE MARS, Iowa  The Diocese of Sioux City, along with other groups and many volunteers, have sent 171,000 prepared, freeze-dried meals, along with eight pallets of clothing and supplies, to send to the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas, in response to the border crisis.

Groups working on the project included Then Feed Just One, the Christian Needs Center of Le Mars, Copper Coin Thrift of Le Mars, Helping Hands of Le Mars, Marys Choice of Sioux City, Schuster Trucking of Le Mars and St. Marys Church in Hawarden as well as the Diocese of Sioux City.

Sioux City Diocese humanitarian work Bishop R. Walker Nickless loads the final pallet of supplies bound for the McAllen, Texas Humanitarian Respite Center.

Many of the meals were packaged by diocesan Catholic school students, the Diocese said in a press release Wednesday. The volunteers gathered at Drico Products in Le Mars to see the donations loaded onto a truck to be sent south.

Then Feed Just One board member Richard Seivert organized the gathering and was responsible for obtaining much of the clothing and other donated items.

Bishop R. Walker Nickless loaded the final pallet onto the trailer, then blessed the contents which will be shipped directly to the respite center to aid the people at the U.S.-Mexico border. The diocese is assisting with the majority of the cost to ship the goods to McAllen.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This years Iowa legislative session was massively consequential, criticized by some Iowans and praised by others. The laws passed, from tax cuts to school regulations, will influence the everyday lives of people across the state for years to come. We wanted to know how these actions and others by the state government affect the everyday lives of people across the state. What they like, what they dont like, where they see our leaders falling short and what they think needs more attention.

This story is part of a larger series involving the Sioux City Journal and other Lee Enterprises newspapers in Iowa. The series, What do Iowans Want? attempts to find out what people across the state think about how the government is working for them.

ORANGE CITY, Iowa  When Aaron Eckmann was a senior in high school, he got the opportunity to work as a page in the South Dakota Legislature.

At the time, he remembered it was difficult to stay neutral and not make comments on the issues.

I was like maybe if Im really passionate about this, I should study it more, said Eckmann, who graduated from Northwestern College this spring having majored in political science and public relations.

Eckmann, a Republican who moved to Orange City from Cavour, S.D. for college, said education and tribal relations are the two biggest issues he wishes the government paid more attention to.

Eckmanns mom was a teacher so he is passionate about funding schools.

What Iowan Want - Aaron Eckmann Aaron Eckmann, a 2023 graduate of Northwestern College, is shown Monday, June 19, 2023, in the Orange City college's DeWitt Learning Commons.

In January, state lawmakers passed Educational Savings Accounts, which allows parents to enroll their children in accredited non-public schools and receive an amount equal to the per-pupil funding allocated to public school districts for each eligible child.

Eckmann, who attended private schools from fourth grade through college, said he is concerned about the separation of church and state, as well as how the program takes money away from public schools that could utilize it.

Tribal relations and helping tribes educationally and financially is also something that Eckmann wishes the government focused more on.

Native Americans make up 2.2% of Sioux Citys population. With two reservations nearby in Northeast Nebraska, that's the largest percentage of Native Americans among Iowa cities. Eckmann said looking at statistics regarding poverty rates, suicide rates, missing people, trafficking and poor education showcases why the government should provide more help to those individuals.

Eckmann wishes the government spent less time discussing the same issues each year that eventually do not move in the Legislature, such as abortion. He grew up Christian and considers himself pro-life, but he believes the government should focus less on pushing legislation regarding the topic.

He believes there should be more focus on encouraging fostering, adoption, and sexual education to prevent unplanned pregnancies.

I think some issues are made overly political  when its more of a cultural issue, he said.

Overall, Eckmann views government as fairly hands off and while he sees issues that impact him, It's not every morning I wake up [and say] oh man, whats the government imposing on me today, he said.

Eckmann said his political science degree was something more similar to a philosophy degree and less of a career path. He feels through studying politics, he learned more about what he believes in and what is important to him.

"As you grow in your faith you realize how your faith shapes your politics," he said.

Finding a job he enjoys is the biggest challenge Eckmann said he faces in his life. Currently, he is doing freelance photos and videos and hopes to move somewhere with a larger customer base, such as Des Moines or Sioux Falls, maybe even as far as Los Angeles.

I dont know how people expect us to be 20 or 21, graduate college and just know exactly what we want to do, he said.

Eckmann tried to pursue a career in politics but felt the pay was unsustainable. When he was allowed to intern with a South Dakota representative in Washington, D.C., he had to turn it down due to the stipend being just $1,500 a month.

He also got another opportunity to be a staffer in D.C. but the pay was only $40,000.

"It's $2,500 a month [for an apartment]," he said. "I can't be breaking even for my first year out of college in D.C."

Maybe one day he will do politics on a local level, but not at this point, he said.
The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services on Wednesday reported another death at the Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln.

The department said 50-year-old Kak Thoan was found unresponsive in his cell Tuesday. Staff members initiated CPR and contacted emergency medical services, and Thoan was transported to a Lincoln hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The department said the Nebraska State Patrol will conduct an investigation into his death. There also will be a grand jury investigation, as is the case whenever a person dies in custody.

Thoans sentence began in 2016. He was serving a 55- to 60-year sentence for manslaughter for fatally beating a homeless man to death in 2015 in Omaha.

His death is the sixth one at the Reception and Treatment Center, at 3218 W. Van Dorn St., in less than a month.

Photos: Nebraska's new Reception and Treatment Center
Omaha police are working to identify a deceased man found Tuesday inside a vehicle near Interstate 680 and 72nd Street.

Police were called to the area about 11 a.m. for a report of a black Toyota Avalon off the road in a wooded area near the westbound I-680 exit ramp, according to a press release from the Omaha Police Department.

The investigation found that the car had left the on-ramp, struck a tree and went down a ravine, according to the release. Omaha Fire Department medics confirmed the driver was deceased.

The deceased man "appeared to have been there a while," a police spokesman said.

The car was registered to 71-year-old Tranquilino Alexander Sanabria, who had been reported missing to the Carter Lake Police Department. Sanabria was last seen on June 29.

An autopsy has been ordered to confirm the identity of the driver, the release said.
(Photo : GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian Gen. Sergei Surovikin is thought to have been arrested and questioned as he has not been seen in public since Wagner's failed rebellion.

Russian Gen. Sergei Surovikin is allegedly "resting" as he has not been seen in public since Wagner's failed rebellion amid reports that he has been detained over his links to the mercenary's group's thwarted mutiny.

In a video posted on social media on Wednesday, the head of the State Duma Defense Committee, Andrei Kartapolov, was heard saying that Surovikin was resting and was not currently available.

Sergei Surovikin's Current Condition

The senior lawmaker's remarks about the Russian general's current status echo previous statements on various Telegram news channels. The remarks said that the general was resting "in one of the Caucasus resorts."

On the other hand, the independent Russian Telegram news channel, Verstka, on Wednesday cited anonymous sources when it noted that Surovikin was detained and questioned by the counterintelligence arm of Russia's security service, the FSB. It was done in response to alleged suspicion that he took part in the organization of Wagner's failed rebellion, as per the New York Post.

A source familiar with the matter and who spoke to Verstka said that Surovikin was placed in isolation and has not been allowed to communicate with his relatives for more than two weeks. The general, who has been nicknamed "General Armageddon," was last seen on video when he addressed Wagner forces, urging them to lay down their weapons during the rebellion.

Many likened Surovikin's video as comparable to a "hostage video" as he is believed to have had advance knowledge of the failed mutiny. The influential pro-war Rybar Telegram channel was the one that reported unconfirmed claims that the general was arrested and subjected to interrogation.

Amid the rumors, the Kremlin dismissed the allegations about Surovikin's supposed condition, calling them merely speculations and gossip. However, it declined to directly answer questions regarding the Russian general's whereabouts.

Wagner's rebellion ended after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko intervened by making a deal with the group's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin. The group's soldiers were apparently told that they could either join the Russian armed forces, go home, or go to serve in Belarus, according to BBC.

Read Also: Putin Reportedly Met With Prigozhin Days After Wagner Group's Failed Rebellion

Wagner Group's Failed Rebellion

The Russian defense ministry said on Wednesday that the Wagner group was completing the process of handing over weapons and military equipment. They were said to have surrendered more than 2,000 items, including tanks, rocket launch systems, anti-aircraft guns, and artillery.

The defense ministry also published a video of the surrendered hardware along with large quantities of small arms and ammunition. However, there has been no independent confirmation that confirmed the supplies shown were taken from Wagner.

The situation comes after Surovikin was given the responsibility of leading Russian forces in the war with Ukraine in October, but was removed from that post after three months. He oversaw devastating assaults on Kyiv's energy infrastructure that left millions of civilians without power or water over the winter season.

Rumors about Surovikin's situation come after reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Prigozhin and Wagner's top commanders a few days after the failed rebellion. The incident raised various questions regarding what sort of agreement had been struck with the former insurrectionists, said the New York Times.

Related Article: Russia Vetoes Syria's Cross-Border Aid Lifeline Extension

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
1 Thorough-bad? No, Thorogood!

Did you know that George Thorogoods version of Bad to the Bone can be heard on the soundtracks to such movies as Stephen Kings Christine, Bull Durham and Beverly Hills Chihuahua? No doubt, GT & The Destroyers will be also be covering this classic when they perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at The Orpheum, 528 Pierce St.

George Thorogood Rock singer-musician George Thorogood

2 Massacring music!

Bands calling themselves Bloodgeon, Fatal Fall or Hell Vendetta probably wont do 1990s boy band covers no matter how nicely they are asked. Yes, we did test out that theory. However, all three of these bands (plus six more bands) will be part of Midwest Metal Massacre Six, which starts at 2 p.m. Saturday at The Marquee, 1225 Fourth St.

3 Floats (*of the parade and ice cream social variety)

Downtown Sioux City traffic will be even more congested, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. That can only mean one thing. The River-Cade Parade will be back for its 60th year. Will floats be going two miles an hour, from Iowa to Pierce St. on Fourth? You betcha!

2022 River-Cade parade Members of the crowd compete to catch t-shirts thrown from vehicles during the annual Port of Sioux City River-Cade parade on Pierce Street in

4 Leapin Lizards!

Lizards can be as tiny as a gecko or as ginormous as a Komodo Dragon. Were guessing Sioux City-based rock band Crystal Lizard will measure up to be somewhere in the middle to those extremes. Prove us wrong by seeing Crystal Lizards in performance at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Jollys on the River, 1100 Larsen Park Road.

5 A novel Twist!

We always knew that former Sioux City Journal night editor Mike Lewis was a jack of all trades. But who knew he was such a talented, 19th-century singing and dancing pickpocket? See the talented Mr. Lewis as he makes his stage debut as Fagin in the Sioux City Community Theatre musical adaptation of Oliver, with multiple performances between now and July 23 at 1401 Riverside Blvd.

6 True Drew!

Some people are just magnets for mayhem. This can be said of fictional teen detective Nancy Drew, who has been tracking crime in 175 novels over the nearly 75-year period. Twenty-five of those novels were penned by Iowa-born author Mildred Augustine. Retired University of Northern Iowa English professor Barbara Lounsberry will examine Augustines quirky literary career during a special 2 p.m. Sunday presentation at the Betty Strong Encounter Center, 900 Larsen Park Road.
On June 25, Summerfield Church in Milwaukee held its last Sunday service. The rough-cut sandstone church, with its bright red doors and stained-glass windows, was built in 1904 to house the states oldest Methodist congregation, and occupies a prominent corner lot a few blocks north of downtown. By this spring, the congregation had dwindled to just 11 members, none younger than 65, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. And the repair bill to get the water-damaged structure shipshape was $1.3 million.

With that, Milwaukee loses not just a church, but also a cooling center during heat waves, a place where hot meals were served until 2 a.m. on snowy nights, a meeting point for Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous. As for the physical structure itself, which is a mental landmark for locals if not an official one protected by city law? Thats not yet clear.

It is a story replaying over and over in cities across the United States, where older churches have been hammered by neighborhood change and maintenance costs, coinciding with a national trend of plummeting religious attendance across faiths. Over the past decade, the share of Americans who attend weekly services at a church, synagogue, mosque, or temple has fallen to 30 percent, after hovering for half a century at 40 percent. Overall membership has fallen even more precipitously, and less than half of Americans now say they belong to a religious organization. A pair of studies has suggested that thousands of U.S. churches close each year (though a smaller, significant number are founded).

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And all of this was happening before COVID, which normalized virtual participation and decoupled people from their neighborhood institutions.

Churches have been on the edge of a cliff, and COVID was a blast of air blowing them off, said Rick Reinhard, a consultant who has worked with the United Methodist Church on the question of what to do with aging structures. He rattled off a list of towns with half a dozen, a dozen, or more churches heading for obsolescence, from Rome, Georgia, to Orange, New Jersey, whose 291-year-old First Presbyterian was among the oldest institutions to close. There is a great mismatch between small, aging congregations and large, aging properties, he told me. What empty department stores were 30 years ago, empty churches are today, but much more difficult to resolve.

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Last month, the issue made headlines in New York City, where the dozen-person congregation of West-Park Presbyterian Church is trying to sell its 19th-century building to a developer who will demolish it and build apartments. Some famous neighbors, including Mark Ruffalo and Wendell Pierce, say the churchs $50 million maintenance bill is exaggerated, and that it should be preserved in its current form whether the congregation wants it or not.

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This dilemma echoes older ones. Fifty years ago, white flight emptied out urban neighborhoods just as a new, global wave of immigrants began to repopulate those areas, and many churches changed hands. Others found a happy second life as theaters or homes. Tim Keller, the influential evangelical pastor who died this spring, recalled the jarring sight of converted churches in Manhattan, including a beautiful brownstone church in Chelsea that had served Episcopal worshippers since 1844. Now it was the Limelight, an epicenter of the downtown club scene, Keller wrote. Thousands of people a night showed up for drugs and sex and the possibility of close encounters with the famous of the cultural avant garde. It was a vivid symbol of a culture that had rejected Christianity.

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In California, theres even a movement known as YIGBY , or Yes in Gods Back Yard.

But empty churches are a bigger problem now, and far beyond the shores of godless Manhattan. Maddy Johnson helps run the Church Properties Initiative at the University of Notre Dame, which tracks scores of conversions into apartments, refugee shelters, coffee shops, rehab centers, and other community facilities. The hope is that the project, which is focused on Catholic parishes, can help church leaders think strategically about whether it makes sense to sell some of their assets to uphold the church, sometimes literally, before the repair bills become untenable.

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The most common scenario is that next to a prime parking lot theres an aging house of worship that needs millions in repairs, said Johnson, who was trained as an urban planner. We want to put a tourniquet on the deferred maintenance thats taking away the lifeblood of the remaining parishes. Meanwhile, diocese leaders are saying: You can help us unlock hundreds of millions in real-estate value? Lets do that.  In Austin, Texas, for example, St. Austin Catholic Parish leased some of its campus to a developer to build student housing; the money paid for a brand-new school and other facilities. In California, the state has passed a special law to help churches turn their parking lots into affordable housinga movement known as YIGBY, or Yes in Gods Backyard.

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But those are the easy projects. Many Catholic dioceses are reorganizing their parishes with maintenance costs (and real-estate opportunities) in mind. Its a similar logic to the one that has driven public-school consolidation in many Rust Belt cities. As the diocese in Madison, Wisconsin, put it recently, outlining a consolidation plan: We are investing increasingly more on buildings and less in people. Thats also underway in Baltimore and in Cincinnati, where the archdiocese notes its Sunday masses are only a third full. It simply doesnt need all of its buildings.

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Locals often disagree. In Chicago, former parishioners at Saint Adalberts in Pilsen have been fighting the archdioceses planned sale of the closed church to a developer. Last year, the local alderman threatened to downzone the church property, reducing its value to developers, and its Pieta had to be moved from the church with a police escort. Its a frequent conflict, even when the money goes to shore up the churchs mission elsewhere (the Pieta was moved to a nearby church), in part because many closing churches are in gentrifying neighborhoods where theres both an opportunity to cash in and a fierce attachment to symbols of the past.

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Related From Slate Michael C. Pollack The Dramatic, Necessary Change We Need to Make to Americas Sidewalks Read More

Still, better to have an empty church in Pilsen than in Ottumwa, Iowa, a city of 25,000 that has recently seen eight churches close. Or Gary, Indiana, which Reinhard says has 250 empty churches. There are now a handful of initiatives, like Partners for Sacred Places, that help churches, communities, and city leaders figure out how to make an abandoned or underutilized church work for everyone.*

Another of those undertakings is Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships, a grant-funded project at the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis. The culmination is finding natural partners in the community, religious or not, and inviting them into our spaces, said Brendan OSullivan-Hale, an administrator at the diocese. He cited a church in New Harmony, Indiana, that successfully raised $50,000 from its neighbors to pay off its mortgage. Its hard to say to newcomers, Come join us, and by the way, we owe all this money,  said Linda Warrum, a church member who led the fundraising, at a ceremony to burn the mortgage note. Now we can simply say, Oh, yes, come join us and lets work together. Lets do this. 

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OSullivan-Hale made the case against funding church business by selling property. We owe a debt to our ancestors, he said. The church did a good job of acquiring prime real estate, and theres value to communities in real estate being controlled by an organization without a profit motive.

Indeed, pastors are not real-estate developers (and a good thing too). But if they do decided to sell or redevelop, they also have to contend with the simple question of the architecture. Like aging office towers, aging churches are challenging conversion targets subject to inflexible city rules. Its hard to renovate them for other uses.

Whats more, they often have enormous significance even for neighbors who never set foot inside; they are fixtures of the town skyline and often, in their second life, house functions (like theaters) that can have trouble finding affordable, ample space elsewhere. Landmarking and zoning restrictions can prevent demolition and preserve the building, the memories associated with it, and its future potential. But thats a smart path forward only if a new operator can take over before the repair bills mount into the millions of dollarsand often, before the congregation shrinks to a few dozen people. At that point, an aging house of worship may simply becomefor both a churchs broader mission and the city itselftoo heavy a cross to bear.
This week, were helping you round out your summer reading lists by asking some of our favorite authors to step in as Prudie for the day and give you advice. This is part of our Guest Prudie series.

Todays columnist is New York-based writer Delia Cai. She is the senior vanities correspondent for Vanity Fair and pens the media newsletter, Deez Links. Her debut novel, Central Places, hit shelves this year.

We asked Cai to weigh in on disastrous Portugal trips, spinster sisters, and comfortable silence:

Dear Prudence,

Kelly and Lily and I have been a trio of friends for years and lived in the same town until Kelly moved about a year ago. Leading up to her move, I felt somewhat sad, but honestly mostly relieved she was out of my day-to-day life. I love her very much as a friend, but Im happier that shes a catch up once a month on the phone kind of a friend now and not a two-three times a week hang. Lily and I still see each other often and are closer than ever.

Kelly recently came into town, and it was so nice for the three of us to get together! We got a bit carried away and decided we all absolutely had to take a trip to Portugal together this winter. Weve all been separately but never together, and decided its a special place to all of us that well all definitely be returning to in the future. Now that the shine of our nice little visit has worn off, I absolutely do not want to take this trip (or any trip) with Kellybut I would love to go with Lily!

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My biggest reason is that Kelly has a disordered relationship with eating and exercise, which is both upsetting and tedious to be around up close and personal. There are also a ton of small reasons relating to her very particular preferences and general lack of planning skills. The three of us went on a short weekend trip a few years ago and it straight up wasnt fun. Additionally, my and Lilys partners know each other really well, but Kelly has only been with her partner for less than a year and Lily hasnt met him. Hes nice, but not someone I would want to vacation with, and my partner didnt click with him either. Im looking at my vacation days now and wondering, is there any way Lily and I and our partners can head off to Portugal or somewhere else together? Or should we skip it this year and try to revisit it after some time has passed since the initial idea? I havent asked Lily what she thinks yet, and Ive really avoided talking with her about Kelly in general because I dont want to be negative and gossipy toward our friend together. And again, I really love Kelly, I just dont want to try to navigate the world together even for a short time!

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Got Ahead of Myself

Dear Got Ahead of Myself,

Ah, yes, Ive seen the brightest minds of my generation overcommit to a group Portugal trip. It happens! Its well within your rights to back out of a trip, of course, but your instincts are correct: It would indeed be a terrible look to jet off with Lily separately in the immediate aftermath.

But I think there are ways in which you could configure the existing planned trip to make it bearable (namely, shorter or smaller in scale). Traveling abroad is an ambitious and stressful undertaking for most people, whatever their personal history and usual routine might be. Is there a world where you and Lily downgrade this into a weekend trip to visit Kelly? If you two stay at a hotel, you can have some Lily quality time without making Kelly play host (plus, then Kelly can stick to the routines that work for her). If I were to venture a guess, Id say that going to Portugal or whatever is less important to Kelly than simply feeling included in something fun with the two of you. (For example, I think if you do this weekend trip, then you and Lily can globetrot to your hearts content afterward.)

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At the end of the day, Im of the mind that above-average friendships are worth potentially imperfect trips because life is short as hell, and seeing cool places with people you like is pretty much the tippy top of the Maslow pyramid in terms of satisfying ways to spend your time. You do not need to make your travel plans revolve around (or in direct avoidance of) Kelly, but if she is important to you, there are a million ways to spend time together that dont involve a ticket to Lisbon. Its the company, not the destination, right?

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Dear Prudence,

My younger sister is engaged and I couldnt be more thrilled! She has been dating her fiance for seven years and their relationship has been heading in this direction for a while. Hes nice and she seems very happy. However, I am dreading the endless pitying questions from my family. Are you okay? How nice for you sisterwouldnt it be great if this happened to you? Are you jealous? Are you worried you missed your chance? Rationally I know that these are dated responses and that a womans worth is not dependent on whether or not she is a wife but its very hard not to feel a dip in ego when everyone is asking you these questions. To make matters worse, my mother left me off a text chain announcing the news to the family, which means the jokes and barbs will be nonstop. When people inevitably ask me these questions what should I say? How should I steel myself for the coming onslaught of pity?

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Spinster Sister

Dear Spinster Sister,

Im answering this on a plane coming back from the wedding of my oldest childhood friend, who not only had the temerity to be a rather matchless golden child throughout our entire lives, but who also met her future husband when they were both 16 and never looked back. THE GALL, RIGHT? She has never had to download Tinder, ever! Where is the justice????

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The wedding was gorgeous and amazing, of course, but I got a fair share of interrogation/judgment from every auntie in attendance who watched the two of us grow up in our hometowns Chinese community. I shit you not, one actually told me I needed to keep up. I ended up doing breathing exercises outside Adler Planetarium at midnight, so just know that whatever happens, you will be coping better than I did.

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What Ive since realized is that pity is unimaginative. People will always ask single women about being single in a weird, sad way because generally, our culture has no interest in promoting the entire cosmos of ways that a life sans partner can fulfill you. Someone asking, Are you jealous? is both a predictable question and one that says a whoooooole lot about both their own insecurities. Can they really not think of anything more interesting to ask? We need to be questioning each other more about aliens, in my humble opinion. So thats one way to react to the inevitable questions: How boring!

Youre right, though: You will need some armor going into this wedding season and beyond. But you do not owe these people serious answers. Instead, theres some fun to be had here deciding just how confrontational/trolly/hilarious you want to be. For example, you can play Single Socrates and answer each question with a question:

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Them: Are you okay?

You: Why wouldnt I be?

Them: Ummmm because youre single as fuck.

You: Why would that bum me out?

Them: Because youre lonely lol?

You: Why would being single mean that Im lonely?

Them: ***glitching sounds****

Plus, this is a great opportunity to practice deflecting, which is a hugely underrated skill that more celebrities and fewer CEOs need to master. If they ask, Are you worried you missed your chance? You can respond, Thats so nice of you to ask, hows the new job going? or deliberately mishear and go, Im so glad you asked about my love life, in terms of the national agenda, Infrastructure Week is totally going according to plan; next week we are going to figure out the debt ceiling thing. You get what I mean. If you turn the questions back on them, most people will be so happy to talk about themselves that theyll barely notice. Because thats what this pitying questioning is aboutthemselves and their limited vision of an existence not currently spent orbiting an almighty wedding.

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Kierkegaard said, Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom, and Ted Chiang wrote a novella under the same title about free will. Put that shit on a mood board, or perhaps on the back of some business cards to hand out during these inevitable nosy inquisitions.

Keep your armor on, and keep your fellow single friends on call for venting. Oh, and call me if you need a good girls night out.

How to Get Advice From Prudie

Submit your questions anonymously here. (Questions may be edited for publication.) Join the live chat every Monday at noon (and submit your comments) here.

Dear Prudence,

I hate to think that Im writing an in-law letterit feels so cliche! But here we are. Generally, I get along quite well with my husbands parents. We have our differences but they have been generous and welcoming to me since we started dating. The problem is that my father-in-law makes comments about women that ENRAGE me. In particular, he often criticizes his sisters weight (behind her back) and uses terribly derogatory and offensive slurs (both weight-related and more general aka bitch). He seemingly thinks because they have a contentious relationship (Im not judging thatI understand difficult sibling dynamics) that its OK to insult her for her weight. WTF?!

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Ive tried to make my discomfort known while not starting a fight, but he still says these terrible things around me. And now, Ive just given birth to a baby girl and I do not want her to EVER hear those words come out of her grandfathers mouth. Not to mention that when my husband and I started dating I was close to underweight, but now after the pandemic, years of hormone therapy, and a difficult pregnancy/postpartum period, I am now medically classified as obese. So theres an added layer of embarrassment for me (as if I AGAIN make known that Im offended by his languagePOOFIll be outing myself as a fat person and not just a temporarily weight-challenged new mom).

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My question for you is: Do I have to be the one to shut this down? Can I make my husband talk to his father about it? He seems annoyed by his fathers hurtful words but not nearly as outraged as I am. (If youre wondering about my mother-in-law, she also seems uncomfortable with her husbands words but brushes it off with an almost playful, Stop that, Bob!) I have a sneaking suspicion my outspoken feminism isnt always appreciated by my father-in-law, and I assume thats why he hasnt listened to my appeal to stop this behavior in the past. I also think its unfair that the fat woman so often has to be the one to shut down fat-shaming men. Cant my husband handle the emotional labor of this for once? If not for me, then for our daughter? Or is that just me taking the lazy way out?

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Elephantine in the Room

Dear Elephantine in the Room,

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Honestly, I am kind of perturbed that your husband simply seems annoyed rather than full-throttle disgusted by his fathers behavior. Im sure he thinks its Just How Dad Is, but if youve made it clear that youre finding the father-in-laws comments personally hurtful, Husband needs to step up here and, at the very very very least, limit the exposure.

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It sounds like youre afraid your father-in-law could say something like that about youor your daughterin the future, if not already. I think that is a valid fear. In my experience, men do not typically confine endearments like fat bitch, or whatever, to one specific woman they have issues with. I would LOVE to know, the next time this guy starts spewing, what would happen if Husband asked (in a totally neutral voice), So, are you going to talk about your granddaughter like that one day? If Husband cant firm up that spine and you feel spicy, you could ask that yourself.

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But no, it is absolutely not on you to play hall monitor when an in-law is being misogynistic. It does sound like you need a serious chat with your husband about how much this upsets you, and what steps you both will be taking to limit your time (and that of your daughters) around this man. If Husband doesnt take your distress seriously, then I have some major, major questions about how brosky plans to be a supportive partner and parent in a world that provides no shortage of things for women to be rightfully furious about.

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Dear Prudence,

Annette and I were close childhood friends and stayed friends through it all despite living in different states since we were 18. I value our history, and her honesty, intelligence, and kindness over the years. We stay in touch through video chats and she sends lots of cards. We see each other about twice a year because its very expensive.

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Annette has been having a tough time since 2018shes always been brilliant and was in the final year of medical school when she had a major health event and had to withdraw. After a year, she was healthy enough to work but her doctors and therapist say that operating in fast-paced environments is no longer an option for her, and so she has all the drive and all the debt with no degree. She really struggled emotionally and financially with the loss of her dream, so I gave our friendship a lot of grace. Then her long-term boyfriend moved them to a far-off state and dumped her, so again, a lot of grace.

But its been a couple of years since then, and Im trying to figure out how to handle the new, bitter, judgy woman that Annette has become. She really seems to see people and talk about them in black and white, very different than she did five years ago. Our conversations leave me feeling sad and stressed because nothing she does or tries ever pleases her, and she seems to be digging more into this as time passes. Shes definitely been through it, but I feel like the friend I adored for more than two decades is becoming someone I dont recognize. Is there anything I can say or do?

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Missing Her

Dear Missing Her,

You are a good friend for even bothering to ask. I think that is the takeaway here. Ive been in your shoes, and Ive been in Annettes, so I know how easy it is in these scenarios to justkind of.fade into the ether? I think thats the only wrong move here: to disappear.

We cant expect our friends to only change for the better, and Annette definitely sounds like shes in a dark place. Health stuff can rewire a person completely! It sounds like youre not planning to ditch her, but of course, it is not your job to rescue her, either. So, what then?

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I think you need to find out how much of this change shes actually aware of herself. Theres a difference between A) someone whos going through a tough time, but can acknowledge that its making her cynical and angry, versus B) someone whos going through a tough time and cant see how shes lashing out and holding the world at a distance. Your friend is trying to protect herself and process an unknown quantity of anger and grief (over the life she thought she would have). As someone whos known her for this long, you do have the grounds here to point out that, in the process of feeling her way into the next part of her life, shes closing herself off to the world.

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Have a conversation over whatever medium you both prefer (I would almost favor an email or a phone call because that gives her a buffer of time/privacy to react) where you ask if you can make an observation. Then say: You seem deeply unhappy. I know you have been put through the wringer over these last few years. Its completely unfair and awful. Im so sorry. Is there anything I can say or do?

She might choose to get vulnerable with you, she might not. Thats okay. At the end of the day, shes going to feel relieved that you see it, too.

Dear Prudie,

I have been dating a great guy for over six months. I love so many things about him, and Im so glad I met him, but I have one thing Im worried about. We text when were apart, but when were together I feel like we dont talk much. He says its a comfortable silence, and hes not worried, but I was in a bad marriage where my ex thought togetherness meant being in the same room while he watched TV. I really dont want to relive that. What should I do?

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Is This a Red Flag?

Dear Red Flag,

Dump him. Babe, I know that sounds harsh, but I feel this in my bones. Dump himnot because a preference for quietude is a red flag per se, but because its a red flag in that you have a clear relationship requirement that this guy cant and wont fulfill.

Listen to me. I have probably shorn years off my lifespan trying to wheedle conversation out of taciturn men who prefer to cocoon themselves within a thick weighted blanket of silence. There are a million reasons people (not just men obviously) do this, but that kind of doesnt matter, because you cant change this part of them. For a while, I thought I just had to say the right thinghit on the right password that would unlock an almighty gush of verbal expression my way. Then I thought, well maybe Im asking for too much. As if a partner who will TALK TO YOU ABOUT STUFF is not the whole appeal of a relationship. As if great conversation with someone you care about is not THE SWEET, VIVIFYING NECTAR OF LIFE?????

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Some people truly have no use for chatter in their relationships. Im sure they will find each other and go on to raise weird, noiseless children together, and happily so. But it sounds like you need chatter. So do I. Within a relationship, I know I need great conversation like I need water. This means I cant be walking around cosplaying Moses, trying to beat the shit out of some stoic (albeit handsome and well-dressed) desert rocks with my shrill little walking stick in hopes of unleashing something close to drinkable. Neither can you.

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And now you know. It took me a long time to realize that good conversation is pretty much my number one casting requirement for the role of romantic partner. But now that I do, Im constantly shocked when I notice how easily that exact talkative energy I crave will come from often the most random peoplenew dates, new friends, strangers, even. It felt like Id been performing emotional dentistry on my hands and knees, trying to get a tiny hit of what I wanted so much. Youre telling me that, all this time, all of these other people have been giving it away for free? And I get to pick which one I want?

I want that feeling for you.

When Isabel Allende Was Guest Prudie

My husband has always been very healthy, but he is now well into his 50s and is starting to develop issues. The problem is that he refuses to treat his health seriously. He doesnt even have a general doctor, has had none of the milestone checks he should have had at his age, and will see somebody only if I make it harder not to, which I am reluctant to do.
Last year, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis launched a prosecutorial war in Atlanta seeking to criminalize hip-hop artistsin part, at leastfor their art. Gunna, the Grammy-nominated rapper of the Young Stoner Life, or YSL, label, is one of the biggest casualties of that war. Last year, Willis office indicted 28 YSL affiliates, including prominent artist and YSL label owner Young Thug, for violating Georgias RICO Act. A gross misapplication of RICO, the indictment cited Gunnas appearances in the music videos Take it to Trial, Ski, and Fox 5 as overt acts in furtherance of an alleged criminal enterprise. While trial lawyers often manipulate procedural and evidentiary rules to convince a jury of a defendants innocence or guilt, prosecutors can avail themselves to carceral resourcesplea deals and media coverage of an ongoing criminal prosecutionto reach a verdict in the court of public opinion. In the specific case of Gunna, the prosecutors, along with the hip-hop community, have turned the YSL artist from a martyr to a pariah.

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For seven months in 2022, Gunna was held without bail in pretrial detention at Fulton County Jail, where he and Young Thug had posted bail for 30 incarcerated people only a year prior. Last December, Gunna reached what is known as an Alford plea agreement with the district attorney for a racketeering charge and was released after a year of time served. An Alford plea is a unique plea that allows the pleader to maintain his innocence while conceding that the state had sufficient evidence to prove his guilt. Unlike Tekashi69, a New York rapper who notoriously testified against his co-defendants in a RICO trial in exchange for a shorter prison sentence, Gunnas plea, by law, cannot be used in the prosecution of his YSL associates. Moreover, Gunna has no plans to participate in the states case. In a press statement, Gunna stated plainly, I have not agreed to testify or be a witness for or against any party in the [YSL] case and have absolutely no intention of being involved in the trial process in any way.

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Related From Slate Pamela Herd and Donald Moynihan Florida Is Trying to Kneecap Medicaid. Blue States Can Do Something. Read More

But this critical nuance does not seem to matter to Gunnas former friends. To the hip-hop community, Gunna only had two optionsrot in or rat out. And, according to this flawed framing, Gunna chose the latter and turned on YSL in exchange for his freedom. Former friends and collaborators Meek Mill and Lil Baby have unfollowed Gunna on social media, apparently to publicly distance themselves. Hip-hop artists such as Lil Durk, Boosie, and Freddie Gibbs have dubbed him a snitch. And with the cultural influence of hip-hop, it is no surprise that fans have followed their lead. Free Gunna was a powerful anti-carceral stance that trended on social media for months while Gunna was being held in jail, revealing the publics opposition to the state of Georgias wrongful persecution of the YSL artist. In short, support for Gunna was resoundinguntil he was free.

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Gunnas latest album, A Gift & A Curse, released on June 15, sheds light on how this saga has affected him in life and as an artist. A 15-track project, A Gift & A Curse has contemplative lyrics and a somber delivery that diverge sharply from the opulent lifestyle and conceited bars in Gunnas Drip Season series, an earlier collection of projects that gave him a global profile. With Gunna opening up about the emotional weight of the YSL prosecution, the album is for us to enjoy as much as it for him to process the trauma of incarceration, grieve the loss of friends and money, and defend his character. On Paybach, Gunna addresses the false narratives about his Alford plea by rhetorically asking, Switching on my brother, are you serious? Notably, A Gift & A Curse is his only album with zero featured artists and without verses from Lil Baby and Young Thug, his former collaborators. Despite their absence, Gunna declares his loyalty to YSL and its label owner, Jeffery Lamar Williams (Young Thug), in Rodeo Dr, stating Im still doin it for Jeff.

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Young Thug, who remains incarcerated at Cobb County Jail, released his third studio album, Business is Business, on June 22. Promoted by Lil Baby and Lil Durk, the highly anticipated project has a star-studded track list with features from Drake, Future, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, and Lil Uzi Vert. Despite the contrast in star power, however, hip-hop fans seem to be voting with their wallets. Presently, A Gift & A Curse is No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart, while Business is Business sits nine spots below that. In a culture oversubscribed to the lives of celebrities, the oscillation of fans is a sobering reminder that our support for hip-hop artists should be based on our enjoyment of their artnot their willingness and ability to endure harm and punishment by the carceral state.

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While the norms, ethics, and conventions that govern the world of hip-hop are understandably different, truthno matter how complexmatters more than comforting illusions. And as of now, the state of Georgias prosecution of YSL is distorting reality to sow irreversible discord in and beyond Atlantas hip-hop community. This targeted criminalization of YSL has enhanced the profile of Willis, who has stated her intention to incarcerate members of YSL for life. While Young Thug faces eight charges and awaits trial, Gunna has been released. Even if Willis fails to get a guilty verdict in the case against Young Thug and other YSL affiliates, the popularization of the narrative that Gunna assisted the state in exchange for his freedom is a significant win, especially for a prosecutor seeking to garner support for an upcoming reelection. Gunnas hip-hop peers should celebrate his return home and not fall into this prosecutorial trap. If they refuse to embrace him, true fans of his art will. Why? Because Gunnas freedom is a gift to hip-hopnot a curse.
This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slates coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. Were working to change the way the media covers the Supreme Court. Sign up for the pop-up newsletter to receive our latest updates, and support our work when you join Slate Plus.

The close of the 2023 term brought many useful but also several useless reflections on what to think about the permanent 63 conservative supermajority at the Supreme Court. Among the most dispiriting is the realization that the three preeminent dissenters for the foreseeable future will all be women. One of those women is the first African American woman to sit on the high court; the other is the first Latina. That they will devote the next mystery-number of years and decades to writing dissents is simply a truth universally acknowledged. That the dissents this year happened to be phenomenally well written and persuasive is worth pondering as well.

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Another revelation that arises from the final days of the term is that when it comes to women and judicial opinion writing, three is indeed a magic number. As Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg used to say, it was never fun writing dissents (or sitting in conference) (or speaking in law school) as the only woman and thus being tasked with speaking on behalf of all womankind. Research has shown that you need three women sitting on a board before they all begin to be comfortable speaking in their own voices, and this year, its become clear that the rule might apply to SCOTUS, too. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson each displayed a unique and coherent way of thinking about the court, the law, history, and judicial reasoning in their dissents. As the final opinions came down, it became plain that while they may sometimes work in different lanes, the messages are richer for coming in tandem.

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Justice Sotomayor has long been called the Peoples Justice (before that moniker became, weirdly, affixed to Clarence Thomas, last week)and not just because she sells her books at Walmart and throws out first pitches at Yankees games, but because she has become the voice for the kinds of people who are not visible to the justices who now write the majority opinions. Whether its her response to a warrantless traffic stop case from 2016 or her sharp dissent when Texas S.B. 8 abortion vigilante law was decided on the shadow docket, Sotomayor purposefully shines a light on the real people who will be harmed by a policy blithely signed into law by the majority justices. As Elie Mystal put it at the end of last term, the jurists driving the agenda for the six-justice supermajority are willing to ignore the practical impact of their decisions in furtherance of their ideological fever dreams. In contrast, Sotomayors opinions increasingly begin and end by focusing on the people involved in a dispute instead of on the ideological and political goals of the litigants.

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An illustrative example: In her dissenting opinion in 303 Creative, the case allowing a website designer who wants to deny services to same-sex couples to be exempted from Colorados public accommodations law, Sotomayor manages to see past the hypothetical worries of the web designer and registers instead that around the country, there has been a backlash to the movement for liberty and equality for gender and sexual minorities. New forms of inclusion have been met with reactionary exclusion. This is heartbreaking. Whereas Justice Gorsuch cant imagine anyones dignitary interests beyond those of the web designer, Lorie Smith, Sotomayor reminds us that the beating heart of public accommodations protections is to vindicate the deprivation of personal dignity that surely accompanies denials of equal access to public establishments. She is capable of opening the narrative lens wide enough to ask her readers to understand that we dont let businesses discriminate because this ostracism, this otherness, is among the most distressing feelings that can be felt by our social species. Its an extraordinarily perceptive line.

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Sotomayor can make these claims because she deliberately tries to imagine the breadth of human experience. As she lays out the history of public accommodations law, she notes that it swept in race, then gender, then later opened its eyes to another injustice. People with disabilities  [who] had been excluded from many areas of public life. Sotomayor is able to imagine the facts of this case applying broadly to denial of funeral services to same-sex couples, and refusals to photograph interracial kids. Justice Gorsuch pooh-poohs all that away with a smug But those cases are not this case. OKbut what about this case, the Michigan hair-salon owner taking 303 Creative to mean she can legally discriminate against transgender people (and even compare them to pets in so announcing)? It hasnt even been two weeks since the ruling that opened these floodgates. Sotomayor wrote for the dignitary interests of all those customers, for all of these cases. Gorsuch wrote for himself and Lorie Smith.

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Elena Kagan has also found a powerful lane for herself: as keeper of the courts legitimacy flame. It was she who cautioned last fall that the court was harming itself in the public eye, and it was she who quickly earned a slap-back from the chief justice for it. Kagan thinks about the court in institutional ways that transcend any single case, and her dissent in Biden v. Nebraska, the courts big student debt relief case, highlighted the structural role shes assigned to herself. The courts decision didnt just have measurable impacts on millions of student debtors. It also harmed the court itself. As she put it in her dissent, the majoritys arrogation of the power to decide what Congress has and has not delegated:

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is a major problem not just for governance, but for democracy too. Congress is of course a democratic institution; it responds, even if imperfectly, to the preferences of American voters. And agency officials, though not themselves elected, serve a President with the broadest of all political constituencies. But this Court? It is, by design, as detached as possible from the body politic. That is why the Court is supposed to stick to its businessto decide only cases and controversies and to stay away from making this Nations policy about subjects like student-loan relief.

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Her words are biting, by design: the majority overrides the combined judgment of the Legislative and Executive Branches, with the consequence of eliminating loan forgiveness for 43 million Americans. What sets the chief off is her (correct) assessment that In every respect, the Court today exceeds its proper, limited role in our Nations governance. Roberts again slapped back in his majority opinion: It has become a disturbing feature of some recent opinions to criticize the decisions with which they disagree as going beyond the proper role of the judiciary. As Rick Hasen explains here, when courts arrogate unto themselves the power to judge other judges judgment, its not unreasonable for Kagan, or the public in general, to wonder what still limits them. This decline in public confidence keeps Kagan up at night. She continues to say as much in coolly principled ways. Until now, the response from the justices in the supermajority has been more of the same shoot-the-messenger stuff they direct at the press. This does not appear to be helping with the legitimacy issue, and Kagan ensures that it is not brushed away.

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Related From Slate Dahlia Lithwick The Most Remarkable Part of This Supreme Court Term? The Arrogance. Read More

Finally, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has chosen to carve out her own path in terms of taking seriously the project of originalism, history, and textualism, and has set herself the task of becoming a meaningful voice for progressive originalism. Her dissent in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and SFFA v. University of North Carolina, the affirmative action cases, was a master class in both history and textualism. At the risk of stating the blindingly obvious, she wrote, the Fourteenth Amendment was intended to undo the effects of a world where laws systematically subordinated Black people and created a racial caste system.

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She continued, refuting the infinite silliness of codifying the ahistoric notion of colorblindness as the North Star of the Reconstruction Amendments:

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Our country has never been colorblind. Given the lengthy history of state-sponsored race-based preferences in America, to say that anyone is now victimized if a college considers whether that legacy of discrimination has unequally advantaged its applicants fails to acknowledge the well-documented intergenerational transmission of inequality that still plagues our citizenry.

Jackson has used her first term at the high court to take on the conservative project of textualism and history on its own terms. She argues that the historic evidence overwhelmingly supports her own methodology and not that of Clarence Thomas or the others who seek to bend history to fit their desired political outcomes. By pitting herself against Clarence Thomas bizzarro take on text and history (Justice Thomass prolonged attack  responds to a dissent I did not write in order to assail an admissions program that is not the one UNC has crafted), she rejects his claim that the only possible effect of affirmative action is victimhood, stigma, and shame.

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To be sure, all of these three dissenters join in other dissents, and each has pulled from strains of analysis around the suffering of real people, the importance of institutional humility and legitimacy, and the use of text and history, throughout the term and over many years. But to the extent they are each surfacing pointed concerns that are often glossed over by the majority, they are all giving voice to imperative public concerns.

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At the close of yet another depressing term, the results of which we will now all grapple with, and adjust and digest, its understandable to wonder at the very purpose of penning a dissent, and the staggering visual of three of the courts historic four women, forced to write from a position of relative powerlessness and loss. But what these women are doingwhat dissents have always served to doinvolves laying down historical markers for a to-be-determined future, in which their submerged ideas about justice, dignity, equality, history, and opportunity might begin to snap back. This is long and often thankless work, but centuries of labor suggest that it is undoubtedly worthwhile. They are postcards to our better angels, and signposts of where weve come from and where we might go.
At the end of Sound of Freedom, a new movie that was released for a limited theatrical run on July 4, the credits roll and the actor Jim Caviezel addresses the camera directly, his face grim.

I imagine youre feeling sad or overwhelmed or even fearful, he tells the audience. But living in fear isnt how we solve this problem.

The problem, broadly, is child sex traffickingand the solution, implied by the plot of the Sound of Freedom, is courageous sting operations targeting groomers and traffickers willing to provide children to rich Americans.

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Based loosely on the story of the activist Tim Ballard, who started an organization called Operation Underground Railroad, which conducts such stingsprimarily in developing countries, but also in the U.S.Sound of Freedom has earned $10 million in presale tickets and, on its first day of release, nearly equaled the box-office gross of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, despite the fact that the former played in 2,000 fewer theaters, with only a fraction of the budget, and without the backing of a major studio. Theaters have been packed with church and civic groups and conservative activists, and Caviezel and Ballard have also helped boost the movies sales with a press tour, appearing repeatedly on Fox News, as well as on the networks more fringe right-wing competitors. The box-office success has been heralded as a win for conservatives and Christians, and a victory against the secular left. In short, for a segment of the U.S. population, the movie is a sensation. Or as Caviezel puts it in his post-credits message: I think we can make Sound of Freedom the Uncle Toms Cabin of 21st-century slavery.

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But the broader politics behind this movie are messy, and the heroic storyline is anything but straightforward. To understand this movie and the many groups embracing it, its important to parse the particular religious tradition it taps intoas well as the controversies that surround the man at the films center, his organization, and the actor selected to play him.

Sound of Freedom starts with the abduction of two happy young Honduran children. A brother and sister are stolen from their father by a former beauty queen after being tricked into auditioning for a nonexistent youth talent agency. They are placed in a van with other children, and shipped off as freight to Colombia. The boy, Miguel, is then flown off to Tijuana, where a leering American man is paid to transport him across the border. That is where the siblings story intersects with Ballards. A very American-looking blond man with a blond wife and six blond children, Ballard (played by Caviezel) works at the Department of Homeland Security going after child traffickers. At the border, he rescues Miguel from being sold into sex slavery in the U.S. and commits himself to finding Miguels sister, Rocio.

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Soon, the movie shows Ballard quitting his job at DHS and, with the help of a handsome rich man who likes to play cop, staging a deal with traffickers, offering them access to a fake sex resort on an island off Cartagena to capture the smugglers with local police support. When Rocio still doesnt turn up, Ballard then transforms into an action star, venturing into cartel-held territory in the jungle, sneaking around a village guarded by cartel soldiers, killing Rocios captor, and escaping with Rocio in tow while fleeing machine gunfiring goons. Its a pretty compelling watch, made even more so by the knowledge that the story is rooted in reality.

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Rooted is the key word. Parts of the actual story have been questioned by reporting, including at Vice, which found a pattern of exaggerations and misleading claims by the real Ballard. Other outlets have pointed out that official documents tell a different story about the border arrest than the movie does. The plunge into the Colombian jungle to rescue Rocio is an invention. And some elements of Ballards life story are simply hard to fact-check. But the real-life Ballard really did stage a sting operation in Colombia that led to the arrests of several human traffickers.

Ballards organization, Operation Underground Railroad, was started in 2013 with funding help from Glenn Beck and Becks listeners. The group became known for striking deals with child traffickers in developing countries and staging secretly recorded raids at the appointed time of the handoff. Ballard and his team claim to have rescued 123 victims, 55 of whom were minors, during a series of coordinated stings in Colombia that unfolded during a single day, and that were coordinated with Homeland Security Investigations.

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These stings are controversial. No one questions the importance of keeping children out of sex slavery, or Ballards belief in his Christian mission, but plenty of experts have questioned his tacticsparticularly Ballards choice to turn these raids into, essentially, tourism opportunities for rich tech bros and celebrities longing to feel like heroes. As Foreign Policy reported, high-dollar donors have been able to either join Ballards missions or watch them from the comfort of their homes. Smaller donors can sign up for text-message alerts to learn when children are saved. Minor celebrities, too, have participated in raids, including Walking Dead star Laurie Holden and Dancing With the Stars Chelsie Hightower. (Ballard has justified these methods as necessary to funding his work.) Some have also questioned the expertise involved; according to Vice, Ballard once brought a psychic along to help.

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Whats more, experts in anti-trafficking work have been critical of Operation Underground Railroads operations, arguing that these dramatic raids and rescues are not actually effective or are sometimes even damaging to the long-term goal of ending human-trafficking practices. And the consideration of what happens to saved individuals after a raid has sometimes been an afterthought. Writing in Slate about her experience attending an OUR raid in the Dominican Republic in 2014, Meg Conley recalled feeling that everyone involved was passionate but inexperienced.

They believed in Ballard, too, and were doing their best to bootstrap his vision of salvation. The calls were fervent but flawed. Everybody wanted to save the kids, but no one really knew anything about these kids. We talked mostly about fundraising. The calls never addressed real things children need to be saved from.

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Conleys sting rescued 26 girls. Later, after reading a report in Foreign Policy, Conley learned that the local organization tapped for aftercare of the children found itself overwhelmed. The group released the girls in a matter of days. The local group lost track of a number of them.

OUR, for its part, told Slate in 2021 that it had matured as an organization since its early operations and that it now does more to support victims after the raids.

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The bigger problem with the moviewhen watched through an uncritical lensis that it is misleading about the nature and root causes of human trafficking. More often than not, children are not rounded up and shoved into vans by strangers.

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Although the real Ballard does not present the issue in measured tones, a blog post on the OUR website readily admits that while this type of human trafficking exists, it isnt the majority and that most trafficking happens through a manipulative grooming process by a person already in the victims life, rather than through some frightening and sudden abduction. The latter kind does happenbut very rarely. Statistics on human trafficking are notoriously difficult to pin down, but the often-circulated claim that 800,000 children go missing in the U.S. each year is an extreme exaggeration. Such claims conflate different kinds of disappearances, and confuse reports with crimes; the reality in America is likely around 115 kidnappings a year. Sound of Freedom doesnt give audiences that context, though. It starts with a montage of real footage of child abductions and ends with some pretty alarming stats, presented in somber text:

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Human trafficking is a $150 billion a year industry. The US is one of the top destinations for human trafficking and is one of the top consumers for child sex. There are more humans trapped today in slavery than at any point in human history, including when slavery was legal. Millions of these slaves are children.

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These numbers do reflect an ugly reality, but they are misleading in the context of the film. The $150 billion refers to profits for all human traffickingthe great majority of which is for labor, not sex, and which includes both adults and children. And while its true that, per UNICEF, the U.S. is considered one of the top destination points for victims of child trafficking and exploitation, the reality is that there are so many factors affecting the gathering of international trafficking data that its hard to rank nations like this with certainty. Similarly, the claims about more humans in slavery than at any point in history is hard to establish, and is made more complicated by variations in definition. Worldwide, there are likely millions of children who exist in slavery, but that slavery can take many horrific forms: forced marriage, armed forces, and forced labor. All kinds of slavery put children at risk of sexual abuse, but the movie portrays the goal of trafficking those millions as sexual, and it suggests that kids are constantly being shipped between abusers. Neither is the reality.

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Perhaps mass-distributed misinformation about child abductions wouldnt be so bad, except we know that overblown fears of this kind of practice lead to widespread paranoia and societal scapegoating. It has in many ways engulfed our political reality. The producers of Sound of Freedom may be well intentioned, but they must also know that their film is feeding into a dangerous and deluded mindset that millions of Americans have come to share. Since 2020, panic about childrens sexual corruption has become a political boogeyman wielded by politicians, especially on the right.

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Remember Pizzagate? It wasnt the first time the country had become gripped by a moral panic over the belief in nonexistent child-sex-trafficking rings. But it was the first time it had happened in the era of social media, and the conspiracy theory grew out of control, eventually helping spawn QAnon. Soon enough, other cultural anxieties could be filtered through this theory of mass child trafficking: Supporting gay children became grooming them. The resurgence in vilification of LGBTQ+ Americans is directly related to these conspiracy theories about child-sex-trafficking ringsand the ballooning effect has created a dangerous reality for LGBTQ+ adults and children.

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The way people process information when it comes to children is different, said Adam Enders, a professor of political science at the University of Louisville, who finds that people tend to wildly overestimate the amount of child sex trafficking going on. Fear and anxiety override that stop-and-think process.

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Even those outside the QAnon world came to believe absurd figures theyd heard cited without proof, like the widely shared figure that 300,000 or more U.S. children a year are abducted for trafficking. Suddenly, thousands of American citizens felt they were going mad with helplessness, outraged that untold numbers of children were being trafficked for the pleasure of evil elites and that no one was talking about it. And sinister political forces must be to blame.

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This has echoes in Sound of Freedom. At one point in the movie, Caviezels Ballard monologues about this underworld crime ring:

The fact is that it is the fastest-growing international crime network that the world has ever seen. It has already passed the illegal arms trade, and soon it will pass the drug trade. Cause you can sell a bag of cocaine one time. But a child, the most precious child? You can sell a 5-year-old kid five to 10 times a day, for 10 years straight. And everyday, ordinary people dont want to hear it. Its too ugly for polite conversation. Over 2 million children a year are being sucked into the deep recesses of hell.

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Ballard and OUR are the exact point where the world of legitimate anti-trafficking work and the world of dangerous conspiracy theory meet. When, in 2020, the Wayfair child-sex-trafficking conspiracy theory took off, Ballard himself seemed to encourage rampant and bogus speculation.

With or without Wayfair, child trafficking is real and happening!!! he wrote on Twitter. The children need us. He then added, Reports of child abuse cases are millions higher this year than they were last year. This is not a small thing or a conspiracy theory; this is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. This was false.

In an Instagram post, he told more than 2 million viewers: No question about it, children are sold on social media platforms, on websites, and so forth. Later he told the New York Times, Some of these theories have allowed people to open their eyes.

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Putting aside the harm that can come to innocent people who are unwittingly caught up in any conspiracy theories, sex-trafficking conspiracy theories are especially worrying because they drain resources that should be saved for legitimate trafficking cases. Because of this, in 2020, dozens of anti-trafficking organizations signed an open letter condemning anyone who lends legitimacy to QAnon. As the Atlantic pointed out, OUR was absent from the list of signatories.

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Sound of Freedom, to its credit, does not depict a QAnon-esque cabal of satanic elites. Its villains are a mix of creepy pedophiles, greedy locals, eerily charismatic groomers, and murderous cartel bosses. The only time the movie hits Q-adjacent territory is when Caviezels Ballard reads a fake newspaper headline about an American executive who ran a child sex club in Thailand and gets inspired to start a fake high-end sex hotel that could draw rich perverts, jet-setters, CEOs.

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But where Sound of Freedom plays it safe, its star does not. Caviezel is a longtime celebrity of the far right, and he frequently appears as the headliner at events for QAnon-friendly crowds. During the press tour for the film, Caviezel went on the shows of right-wing figures such as Steve Bannon and the conspiracy theorist Scott McKay. Caviezel got more frank about his beliefs in these appearances than on Fox News. The actor casually tossed out claims in these interviews that the major movie studios were controlled by the central banks (an old, common antisemitic trope); that the CIA, FBI, and other agencies were trying to hinder the films spread because they were involved in the cover-up of child sex trafficking; and that children are being sold for their organs. [Ballard is] the one that opened the book with me on organ harvesting, Caviezel said.

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When asked by Bannon why children were being traffickedapart from sex and organsCaviezel had a quick answer.

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Adrenochrome, the whole adrenochrome empire, he said, citing a conspiracy theory that posits that global elites are torturing and terrorizing children in order to harvest the adrenaline from their blood. Its an elite drug that theyve used for many years. Its 10 times more potent than heroin, and it has some mystical qualities as far as making you look younger.

In June, Angel Studios replied to a comment on Twitter describing Caviezel as QAnon Jim, neither embracing nor fully distancing itself from Caviezels conspiracy theorist beliefs.

Caveizels personal statements are his own, the account wrote (misspelling the actors name). His portrayal of Ballard in this true story is masterful and should bring awareness to illegal trafficking, and inspire people to take action, helping individuals and communities put an end to this modern day slavery.

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According to the story he tells, the real Ballard felt called by God to find and save the children. That religious origin is not a part of OURs stated mission, but he did tell Foreign Policy that if someone isnt comfortable praying, theyre not going to be comfortable working with us.

OUR isnt unique in this. The anti-trafficking world is full of Christian and specifically evangelical organizations. (Ballard is actually outside the norm somewhat, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) OUR comes from a tradition started by the Christian nonprofit International Justice Mission, which popularized the undercover raid-and-rescue strategy in the early 2000s.

Related From Slate Sam Adams I Saw the Grim Child-Trafficking Movie Thats Filling Theaters. People Acted Like They Were at Top Gun. Read More

And as Ruth Graham wrote for Slate in 2015, sex trafficking itself has become something of a hot issue among evangelicals, inspiring related Sunday school curricula, church ministries, and even a line of lipsticks meant to help kiss slavery goodbye. In the early 2000s, bolstered by funding from the Bush administration, Christian groups launched a number of organizations dedicated to anti-trafficking work.

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Theres something about sex trafficking, the moral panic of it, that seems to have captured the imagination of American evangelicals in a sustained way, said Elizabeth Dolfi, a professor of religion at Columbia University who has studied the evangelical anti-trafficking movement. Its the kind of issue thats difficult to say, I disagree with your stance that human trafficking is bad. They can point to this, over and over again, to say, This is who we are. We are abolitionists. We care about social justice.

OUR isnt exactly a giant in the world of anti-trafficking. But culturally, it is. Few organizations have been so zealous about producing media content and cultivating a fan base. And that strategy has paid off for OUR: It brought in $47.5 million in revenue in 2020, largely from donations.

We dont have big studio money to market this movie, Caviezel said in his post-credits special address. But we have you. And the baton has been passed to you.
On Wednesday, the Justice Department announced a reversal of a position taken two years ago at the start of Attorney General Merrick Garlands tenure. Back in June 2021, the government said it would defend Donald Trump in E. Jean Carrolls original lawsuit against him for defaming her when he was president.

No longer, the department declared this week; intervening events connected to Carrolls case had brought about a reevaluation of the governments legal stance.

Its not hard to surmise, however, that other intervening events not directly related to Carrolls suit were also at work. It seems clear that the investigations of Trump over the past two and a half years have shifted Garlands thinking about his primary mission and about how the department can best protect the rule of law.

Critically, the reversal of the departments previous position in Carrolls civil case might have significant ramifications not just for that case but for a potential further looming prosecution of the former president.

Lets go back to Carrolls initial suit, though. The issue there is whether the Westfall Act requires the DOJ to defend Trump for his statements about Carroll when Trump was president.

In May, a Manhattan jury found Trump liable for defaming her and issued a $5 million verdict. But that case covered conduct that took place after Trump left the White House, and so the Westfall Act was not an issue, as the Justice Department said it was in this latest case until Wednesday.

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Related From Slate Austin Sarat Judge Aileen Cannon Just Got Her First Big Trump Trial Test Read More

The Westfall Act generally provides that when federal employees are sued for wrongdoing, so long as they were acting within the scope of [their] employment at the time of the alleged misconduct, the attorney general must defend the action. The individual working for the government and acting in an official capacity, including a president, is immunized.

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Critically, in Carrolls case, if the government were to be substituted for Trump under the Westfall Actas Garland originally requestedher action would be over because the federal government cant be sued for torts like defamation.

Garlands initial decision to assert the act in Trumps defensefollowing in the footsteps of Trumps own DOJearned Garland widespread critique from both legal scholars and Democrats. Garland countered, The job of the Justice Department and making decisions of law is not to back any administration.

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It seems evident that underlying that statement were Garlands deeper beliefs. As Jennifer Rodgers, a former federal prosecutor and lecturer at Columbia Law School, put it, Hes an institutionalist. Garlands focus when he became attorney general was singularrestoring the independence and integrity of the Justice Department. Under the previous attorney general, William Barr, it had gained a reputation for partisanship and inseparability from Trump.

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For Garland at the time, changing the departments position in Carrolls case from a previous administrations would not have served what was then his primary missionthe restoration of a non-politicized DOJ. In addition, as Rodgers explained, Garlands decision as an institutionalist was less about Trump than it was about the departments role defending the office of the presidency.

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Further, credibility issues can result for federal lawyers if the department becomes known for reversing legal positions as soon as the presidency changes to the other party. As a former judge of 23 years, Garland is someone who, by temperament, believes in the importance of stability in the law.

Together, these factors show why his turnaround this week could not have been easy for him. It likely required a powerful, new motivation beyond the changed events in Carrolls case.

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First among those intervening events in her suit itself were Trumps statements about Carroll after leaving office, statements virtually identical to those he had made from the White House. Those later statements were the ones that the Manhattan jury determined were defamatory. Statements that Trump made as a private citizen indicated to the DOJ that his similar White House denigrations of Carroll were also made for personal, not presidential, reasons and therefore not part of his official duties while in office.

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Even so, theres surely more behind Garlands change of mind than what his lawyers explained in court on Wednesday.

Garlands broader shift in direction was evident as early as last November, when he appointed special counsel Jack Smith. As the New York Times reported at the time, Mr. Garland has shown a growing willingness to operate outside his comfort zone.

That month, Garland was faced with the extraordinary evidence marshaled by the House Jan. 6 committee of Trumps role in the insurrection, as well as the evidence of Trumps willful retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and alleged obstruction of justice. To that then-existing mountain of facts, Smith has continued to pile on evidence, further validating Garlands shift on that frontand giving him more reason to change position in the Carroll matter.

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The constant for Garland is his commitment to the rule of law. Whats new within that overarching commitment seems to be a changed approach, replacing his original determination to avoid at all costs the departments being accused of being politicized, even if by bad-faith actors. What seems to have overridden his hesitation is the overwhelming evidence that Trump has been and remains singularly focused on destroying the Constitution.

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That, the rule of law cannot abide.

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Lets take note of one potential collateral benefit of Garlands revised approach in Carrolls case. The new decision that Trump was not acting within the scope of his presidential duties has application to a just-sworn Fulton County, Georgia, grand jurys expected indictment of Trump there.

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Should that indictment occur, Trump will surely do what he has tried in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs case in New Yorkseek the tactical advantage, including of potential delay, from removing the case from Georgia state court to federal court by again making a colorable claim that the behavior in question was part of his official duties. If so, federal law entitles him to be tried in federal court.

Heres where Garlands new decision comes in. If Trump is indicted in Georgia and he removes the case to federal court, a judicial decision about whether to return the case to state court in Atlanta will turn on a legal issue similar to the one the attorney general just resolved against Trump: Was Trump acting as president or as an individual seeking reelection when, in December 2020 and January 2021, he pressured Georgia officials to reverse Joe Bidens 2020 victory in the state?

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Garlands new position in the Carroll case now lines up perfectly with the one taken in the preliminary stages of the Jan. 6 cases: that these were not protected presidential actions. Although Carrolls allegations and those that Trump acted unlawfully in Georgia are unrelated, Garlands decision in her case that a president can be acting outside the scope of his official duties while in office strengthens Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis hand.

But for now, the central point is this: We have every reason to believe that we have an attorney general who not only is committed to the rule of law but learns from facts and is willing to change his mind in light of them, even if it subjects his department to partisan attack from Donald Trumps defenders. That is the kind of chief law enforcement officer the country deserves.
Starting an art business and needing a name that adequately reflects your creativity, passion, and artistic flair? Choosing the right name for your art business cant be overstated. Its a critical first impression, an identifier, a marketing tool, and a representation of your entire brand.

Coming up with a memorable and effective business name requires creativity and strategy. Here, weve compiled a list of potential names across different styles and some naming tips and considerations.

General Art Business Name Ideas

When it comes to starting an art business, choosing the right name is essential. It should capture the essence of your artistic vision, resonate with your target audience, and leave a lasting impression. In this collection of general art business name ideas, youll find options encompassing various art forms, styles, and specialties.

Power Up Your Event's Success Conduct Market Research Sell Your Business

Whether youre looking for a captivating and unique name or seeking inspiration from art-related terms, these suggestions can serve as a starting point for crafting a memorable and impactful name for your art company.

ArtVerve Brush Magic Canvas Creations Artistic Blossom Spectrum Studio Palette Passion Splash Symmetry Vision Vistas Bold Brushworks Color Curve Ink Fusion Mosaic Masterpieces Artful Expressions Easel Enchantment Abstract Aura Imagination Gallery Artistry Abound Strokes of Genius Creative Confluence Visual Vibrance Crafted Curiosities Artisans Haven Inspired Impressions Artistic Alchemy Vivid Visions Canvas Connoisseur Craftsmanship Corner Elevated Artistry Artisan Avenue Pigment Paradise Ethereal Artworks Artistry Unleashed Colorful Canvases Masterful Strokes Artful Odyssey Infinite Inspiration Brush and Beyond Artistic Perspectives Imaginative Instincts Whimsical Works Creative Curation Unbounded Creativity Elevated Aesthetics Artful Endeavors Boundless Artistry Innovative Imagery

Classic Art Business Name Ideas

Embracing traditional arts timeless beauty and elegance, classic art business names exude a sense of heritage, sophistication, and craftsmanship. In this collection, youll find a selection of refined and distinguished names that pay homage to the rich history of art. From incorporating words associated with classic art forms to evoking a sense of nostalgia and grace, these name ideas are designed to capture the essence of traditional artistic expression.

Whether youre starting an art studio, gallery, or any other art-related venture, these classic art business name ideas can inspire you to create a brand that stands the test of time and resonates with art enthusiasts.

Fine Art Fidelity Heritage Art House Classic Creations Masterpiece Makers Tradition Tints Eternal Easel Legacy Art Lounge Timeless Tones Pristine Palette Artful Antiques Vintage Visions Artisans Legacy Old World Canvas Majestic Masterworks Classic Artistry Historical Hues Ancient Aesthetics Artisanal Elegance Classic Strokes Old-Fashioned Art Heritage Hues Time-Honored Creations Traditional Treasures Nostalgic Artistry Elegant Engravings Classic Charm Artful Renaissance Vintage Vignettes Masterful Craftsmanship Antique Artworks Classical Canvas Artisans Atelier Classic Easels Historical Art House Artistry of the Ages Timeless Brushwork Traditional Techniques Classic Expressions Artful Artifacts Vintage Virtuosos Legacy Landscapes Classical Portraits Traditional Transcendence Classic Creativity Masterful Mosaics Ancient Artistry

Creative Art Business Name Ideas

Unleash your artistic flair and ignite your creativity with these imaginative and inventive art business name ideas. This collection is crafted to inspire a sense of originality and innovation, setting your art venture apart from the rest. From catchy and memorable names that leave a lasting impression to names that capture the essence of your unique artistic production, youll discover a diverse range of options for art studios, galleries, stores, and more.

Whether you specialize in traditional or digital art, these creative art business names reflect the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the art world. Get ready to make a bold statement with a name that embodies your artistic vision and sets the stage for success in the vibrant art industry.

Artistic Illusions Palette Pioneers Chroma Chameleons Crafty Canvas Abstract Expressions Dreamy Doodles Fantastic Frescos Gritty Graphics Radiant Realism Surreal Sketches Vivid Visions Whimsical Works Imagination Station Creative Concoctions Art Fusion Innovative Ink Inspire and Create Imaginative Impulses Colorful Contrasts The Artistic Odyssey

Modern Art Business Name Ideas

Step into the contemporary realm of artistry and embrace the cutting-edge with these modern art business name ideas. From bold and innovative to sleek and sophisticated, these names capture the essence of the modern art scene. Whether youre running an art gallery, studio, or online platform, these names are designed to resonate with the discerning tastes of todays art enthusiasts.

With a focus on creativity, technology, and pushing boundaries, these modern art business names are crafted to make a lasting impact and position your brand at the forefront of the art world. Embrace the spirit of innovation and establish a unique identity that reflects the dynamic nature of modern art. Get ready to inspire and captivate your audience with a name that embodies the contemporary spirit of artistic expression.

Artistic Edge Brush & Byte Digital Daubers Futuristic Frescoes Cybernetic Strokes Technicolor Trends Virtual Vistas Pixel Painters Radical Realism Next-Gen Graphics Innovation Gallery Tech Artistry Digital Dreamscape Contemporary Canvas Neo Vision Art Technocrats Tech-Infused Imagination Modern Mastery Digital Art Hub The Art of Tomorrow Cutting-Edge Creations Digital Dynasty ArtTech Studio Creative Circuit Digital Perspectives Virtual Brushstroke The Future Palette Tech Art Haven New Age Artistry Digital Dimensions Modern Expression The Digital Atelier TechnoArt Studio Innovative Inspirations Art Reimagined Digital Evolution Art of the Future TechnoColor Artworks Digital Craftsmen Modern Magic ArtTech Innovators Virtual Reality Artists Digital Design Depot Next-Level Artistry TechnoArt Ventures Contemporary Creation Lab

Minimalist Art Business Name Ideas

Embrace the beauty of simplicity and refine your artistic brand with these minimalist art business name ideas. Inspired by clean lines, understated elegance, and a sense of serenity, these names capture the essence of minimalist art. Whether youre running a gallery, studio, or online platform, these names embody a sense of minimalism that resonates with the discerning tastes of art enthusiasts.

With a focus on clarity, precision, and the power of restraint, these minimalist art business names exude quiet confidence and allow your art to take center stage. Embrace the essence of less is more and let your name reflect the timeless appeal of minimalist art.

Pure Pigments Simple Strokes Bare Brush Essence Art Subtle Shades Clean Canvas Pristine Pixels Basic Brushes Artistic Absence Neutral Notes Elemental Art Minimalist Muse Understated Expressions Serenity Artworks Essential Artistry Sublime Simplicity Effortless Elegance Pure Form Gallery Simplistic Sensations Artistic Serenity Elevated Minimalism Quiet Creations Sophisticated Sparity Nuanced Nudes Delicate Lines Unadorned Art Sublime Spaces Pure Harmony Minimalist Masterpieces Ethereal Artistry Clean Aesthetics Stripped Down Art Whispered Art Muted Melodies Sublime Symmetry

Playful Art Business Name Ideas

Inject a dose of playfulness and whimsy into your art business with these delightful and lively name ideas. Designed to capture the joy and creativity of the artistic process, these playful art business names will instantly spark a sense of curiosity and wonder. Whether youre running a studio, gallery, or online platform, these names evoke a sense of fun and adventure, inviting art enthusiasts of all ages to explore and engage with your unique offerings.

From clever wordplay to imaginative combinations, these playful art business names are sure to make a lasting impression and infuse your brand with a vibrant and spirited energy. Let your artistic spirit soar and choose a name that reflects the playful nature of your art business.

Doodle Domain Funhouse Frescoes Quirky Quills Happy Hues Silly Strokes Artful Antics Playful Pixels Comic Creations Frolicsome Frames Jocular Jottings Whimsical Works Cheerful Canvases Playful Portraits Colorful Capers Imagination Station Joyful Artistry Curious Creatives Mirthful Masterpieces Lively Lines Whacky Watercolors Kaleidoscope Art Quirky Ink Scribble Fun Bubbly Brushes Fantasy Fusions Doodle Delights Witty Artifacts Laughing Landscapes Merry Markers Mischievous Murals Vibrant Ventures Crazy Colors Amusing Art Attack Jovial Juxtapositions Adventurous Artisans Creative Capers

Art Business Name Ideas Inspired by Location

Celebrate the rich tapestry of art and culture with these art business names inspired by location. Drawing inspiration from the unique landscapes, vibrant communities, and artistic heritage of various regions, these names reflect the spirit and essence of their respective locations. From the cosmopolitan art scenes of bustling cities to the serene beauty of coastal towns, each name captures the essence and charm of its geographic origin.

Llocation-inspired names add a touch of local flavor and authenticity to your art business. Invite art enthusiasts to embark on a creative journey as they explore the unique artistic offerings that your location-inspired art business has to offer.

Appalachian Artistry Desert Doodles Coastal Colors Mountain Muse Art Cityscape Creations Prairie Palette Urban Utopia Art Forest Frescoes Oceanic Oils Riverside Realism Highland Hues Sunset Serenades Metropolis Masterpieces Island Impressions Bayfront Brushes Countryside Canvases Waterfall Wonders Tropical Treasures City Lights Art Valley Visions Seaside Sketches Skyline Strokes Wilderness Artworks Harbor Horizons Rural Reveries Downtown Designs Lakeview Landscapes Aurora Artistry Village Vibrance Coastline Creators Hillside Hues Jungle Jottings Gulf Gallery Mountain Majesty Riverfront Art Country Charm Canvas

Art Business Name Ideas Inspired by Industry Terms

Ignite your artistic journey with these art business name ideas inspired by industry terms. Drawing inspiration from the terminology and concepts defining the art world, these names capture the essence of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation. Whether youre a painter, sculptor, photographer, or digital artist, these industry-inspired names resonate with art enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

From abstract aesthetics to cubist creations, each name reflects a unique artistic style or technique, inviting customers to explore the world of art through your business. With these industry-inspired names, youll establish a distinct identity and position yourself as a trusted and knowledgeable source of artistic inspiration. Let your business name be a reflection of your passion, expertise, and dedication to the art world.

Abstract Aesthetics Cubist Creations Expressionist Easels Futurist Frames Impressionist Inks Minimalist Murals Surrealist Strokes Pop Art Portraits Realist Renderings Dadaist Doodles Artistic Elements Palette Perspectives Brushstroke Brilliance Visual Vibrations Creative Contrasts Imaginative Intuition Form and Figure Mixed Media Mastery Colorful Composition Conceptual Canvases Texture Tales Contemporary Conceptions The Art Lab Visionary Ventures Innovative Inspirations Crafted Creations Artistic Alchemy The Canvas Collective Design Dynamics Artistic Fusion Expressive Experiments The Artisans Palette Bold Brushstrokes Harmonious Hues Creative Catharsis Artful Assemblage

Art Business Name Ideas with Acronyms or Abbreviations

Unleash the power of creativity with these art business name ideas crafted with acronyms and abbreviations. These names pack a punch by condensing the essence of your art business into catchy and memorable combinations of letters. By using acronyms or abbreviations, you create a sense of intrigue and curiosity, inviting art enthusiasts to explore the depth and meaning behind your brand.

These abbreviated names add a touch of modernity and trendiness to your business identity. Embrace brevity and impact as you navigate the art world with these clever and succinct art business names that leave a lasting impression on your audience.

A.R.T (Amazing Realistic Techniques) P.A.I.N.T (Precision Artwork In New Techniques) C.R.E.A.T.E (Crafting Realistic and Ethereal Artistic Tangible Expressions) D.R.A.W (Detailed Renderings and Artworks) M.U.S.E (Masterpieces Uniquely Styled and Executed) S.T.R.O.K.E (Stylistic Techniques Revealing Original Kinetically Expressive Art) A.C.E (Artistic Creations Evolving) V.I.V.I.D (Visionary Interpretations of Vivacious Design) P.I.C.A.S.S.O (Progressive Innovations in Creative Artistic Styles Shaping Originality) G.A.L.L.E.R.Y (Global Artistic Legacy of Lifelike Expressions Reflecting Years) S.K.E.T.C.H (Skillful Kinetically Executed Transformations Channeling Hues) B.R.U.S.H (Bold Rendering Unleashing Stunning Handiwork) E.C.H.O (Expressive Creations Harnessing Originality) A.R.T.I.S.A.N (Artistic Revelations Transcending Imaginative Styles and Nuances) F.I.N.E (Fascinating Interpretations of Nurtured Expressions) S.P.L.A.S.H (Stunning Paintings and Lavish Artistic Sensations Here) M.A.S.T.E.R (Meticulous Artistic Strokes Transcending Established Realms) B.R.E.A.T.H.E (Bringing Remarkable Expressions and Artistic Treasures, Here and Everywhere) G.E.N.I.U.S (Groundbreaking Expressions Nurturing Inspiring Unseen Styles) C.R.A.F.T (Captivating Renderings of Artistic Flourish and Technique) E.L.E.V.A.T.E (Exploring Limitless Expressions with Vision, Artistry, Technique, and Excellence) A.R.T.F.U.L (Authentic Renderings Transcending Formality Uniquely and Lavishly) M.O.D.E.R.N (Masterfully Orchestrated Designs Engaging Revolutionary Notions) S.T.Y.L.E (Showcasing Techniques Yielding Limitless Expressions) W.I.S.P (Whimsical Illustrations and Stunning Paintings) R.E.V.E.R.I.E (Revealing Exquisite Visions, Evoking Radiant Inspiration Everywhere) V.I.S.I.O.N (Vibrant Interpretations of Sublime Imagery, Orchestrating Newness)

Art Business Name Ideas with Puns or Wordplay

Inject a playful twist into your art business with these art business name ideas inspired by puns and wordplay. Infused with creativity and a dash of humor, these names are sure to make a memorable impression on your target audience. By leveraging clever wordplay and puns, you add an extra layer of charm and wit to your brand, showcasing your artistic spirit and inviting art enthusiasts to engage with your work.

From witty art studio names to pun-tastic art gallery titles, these playful business names are bound to spark curiosity and evoke a smile. Get ready to embark on a whimsical journey as you explore these art business names that reflect your brands fun and artistic essence.

Sketchy Business Art of the Matter Palette It Be Stroke of Genius Color Me Impressed Doodle Doers Hues Who Brush with Greatness A Brush of Fresh Air Hue Knows Best Artful Antics Punny Paintbrush Inkredible Impressions Whimsy & Watercolor Pictorial Puns Canvassing Creativity Artistic Quirks Palette Pleasers Wit & Whimsy Artworks Sketchy Shenanigans Wordplay Studios Masterful Mischief Artful Banter Colorful Capers Punny Portraits Imagination Inks Quirky Quillings Brushstrokes & Bants Canvas Chronicles Witty Watercolors Artful Chuckles Wordy Masterpieces Creative Comedy Puns & Paints Laughing Landscapes Colorful Conversations Humorous Hues Doodlers Delight Amusing Artistry Whimsical Works Wordplay Wonders Jocular Jottings Visual Verbs Mirthful Masterpieces Artistic Jokes Witty Creations

Tips for Creating Art Business Names

Creating a business name can feel daunting, but it doesnt have to be. Consider these factors:

Reflect your Artistic Style: Your business name should ideally reflect the type of art you create and the style you specialize in. Whether youre an abstract painter, a traditional portrait artist, or a sculptor, your business name should convey the essence of your artistry. Think about keywords or phrases that encapsulate the unique qualities of your artwork and incorporate them into your business name.

Capture Attention: A memorable and attention-grabbing name can significantly impact the competitive art industry. Consider using clever wordplay, artistic references, or evocative imagery that captures the imagination. A name that stands out and piques curiosity can leave a lasting impression on potential clients and art enthusiasts.

Consider Your Target Audience: Think about the audience you want to attract with your art business. Are you targeting collectors, art galleries, interior designers, or individuals looking to commission artwork? Tailor your business name to resonate with your target audience and communicate the value you offer. This can help attract the right clientele and position your art business effectively in the market.

By carefully considering these tips, you can create a compelling and memorable art business name that reflects your artistic style, captures attention, and resonates with your target audience. Explore the diverse range of art business name ideas below to find inspiration and discover the perfect name for your venture. Let your business name be the brushstroke that leaves a lasting impression in the art world and sets the foundation for your creative journey.

Abstract Art Business Names

Absurdly Abstract Ethereal Echoes Mindful Metaphors Blurred Boundaries Obscure Odyssey Distorted Dimensions Ambiguous Aesthetics Uncertain Unity Whimsical Whorls Cosmic Canvases

Digital Art Business Names

Pixel Painters Vector Visionaries Binary Brushstrokes Tech Tones Digitally Defined Futuristic Frescoes Cyberspace Sketches Rendered Realities Glitch Galleries Virtual Vistas

Art Studio Names

Satori Studio Serene Spaces Quantum Quill Vibrant Visions Timeless Techniques Dynamic Designs Iconic Imagery Artistic Alchemy Dreamweaver Design Creative Cosmos

Art Gallery Names

Gilded Gallery Canvas Corridor Prismatic Pavilion Framed Fantasies Vision Venue Aesthetic Arcade Exhibit Elegance Artistic Arena Mosaic Mecca Palette Palace

Modern Art Business Names

Futurist Fusion Minimalist Muses Cubist Creations Pop Art Prodigies New Age Narratives Trendsetter Tapestries Progressive Pigments Vorticist Vignettes Kinetic Kaleidoscope Avant-Garde Awe

Creative Art Business Names

Dreamy Doodles Crafty Collages Intricate Illusions Whimsical Watercolors Expressive Embellishments Surreal Strokes Fantastic Figurines Bold Brushwork Imaginative Impressions Artful Accents

Traditional Art Business Names

Classic Creations Timeless Techniques Renaissance Renderings Masterpiece Makers Fine Art Facades Historic Hues Legacy Lines Artisan Aesthetics Vintage Visions Elegant Etchings

Art Supply Store Names

Palette Provisions Sketch Supplies Canvas Corner Brush Boutique Colorful Crafts Artistic Arsenal Drawing Depot Paint Pantry Creative Curations Masterpiece Materials

Art Entrepreneur Names

Maverick Mosaics Visionary Vistas Pioneering Pigments Bold Brushstrokes Innovating Imagery Boundary Breakers Game-Changing Galleries Creative Catalysts Trendsetting Tones Futuristic Frescoes

Artistic Studio Names

Euphoric Easels Masterpiece Makers Visionary Vignettes Dreamy Drafts Aesthetic Alchemists Wondrous Watercolors Progressive Pigments Blissful Brushstrokes Expressive Elegance Daring Designs

Art Consultancy Names

Visionary Vistas Artistic Insights Creative Compass Palette Perspectives Aesthetic Advisors Artistic Advocates Mosaic Mentors Canvas Counsel Design Directives Masterpiece Mentors

Unique Art Business Names

Aesthetic Avatars Whimsical Wonder Vibrant Vortex Surreal Symphony Rhapsodic Renderings Cosmic Canvas Chromatic Chorus Artistic Atmosphere Dreamweaver Designs Ethereal Essence

Naming Your Art Business: A Guide

Selecting the perfect name for your art business can feel overwhelming. After all, its the first brushstroke in creating your brand identity. Here are some essential tips to help you navigate this creative process and find a name that truly represents your art and captivates your audience.

Relevance: Your business name should accurately represent what you do as an artist. Consider incorporating keywords or phrases that describe your artistic style, medium, or subject matter. For example, if you specialize in abstract art, including the term abstract in your business name can help potential clients understand your unique artistic approach.

Easy to pronounce: A name that rolls off the tongue is crucial for making a positive impression. Opt for a name that is easy to pronounce and remember, as this will make it more accessible and shareable among your target audience. Avoid complex spellings or excessive use of uncommon words that may confuse or alienate potential clients.

Availability: Before finalizing your art business name, conduct a thorough search to ensure its availability. Check if the domain name is available for your website, as a strong online presence is essential in todays digital age. Also, search for trademarks or existing businesses with similar names to avoid potential legal issues down the line.

Uniqueness: Stand out from the crowd by choosing a distinctive and memorable name. Aim for a name that is not easily confused with other art businesses in your area or niche. Conduct market research to ensure your chosen name is unique and doesnt infringe upon existing brands or trademarks.

Reflect Your Art: Your business name should be a reflection of your artistic style, values, and the emotions you aim to evoke through your artwork. Consider incorporating words or phrases that convey the essence of your art, such as expressive, vibrant, thought-provoking, or timeless. This will help create an immediate connection between your name and the artistic experience you offer.

Remember, the name of your art business sets the stage for all your future creative endeavors. Take your time, consider your options, and choose a name that resonates with you and your artistic vision. Your business name will become a symbol of your artistic identity and the foundation upon which you build your artistic legacy.

Art Business Name Generators: A Tool for Creative Inspiration

When it comes to naming your art business, the right name can make a significant impact on how your brand is perceived and remembered. Art business name generators can be valuable resources if youre seeking creative inspiration or unique name ideas. Heres everything you need to know about art business name generators and how they can assist you in finding the perfect name for your artistic venture.

What are art business name generators?

Art business name generators are online tools designed to generate unique and creative name suggestions for your art business. These generators use algorithms and databases to combine words, themes, and artistic concepts to provide you with a list of potential names. They can be a great starting point for brainstorming and finding unique ideas that capture the essence of your art and resonate with your target audience.

How do art business name generators work?

Art business name generators work by utilizing various techniques to generate name ideas. Some generators randomly combine words or art-related terms, while others use specific themes, keywords, or even your inputs to generate relevant suggestions. These generators often allow you to specify preferences such as the length of the name, the style of art, or the overall tone you want to convey. They then generate a list of name options that you can explore and consider for your art business.

How can art business name generators help?

Art business name generators can be valuable tools in the naming process for several reasons:

Creative inspiration: Art business name generators can spark creativity and provide fresh ideas that you may not have thought of on your own. They can help you break out of any naming rut and think outside the box. Time-saving: Instead of spending hours brainstorming and researching name possibilities, art business name generators can generate numerous options quickly. This saves you time and allows you to focus on other aspects of your art business. Diverse name options: Art business name generators offer a wide range of name suggestions, from whimsical and playful to sophisticated and elegant. This variety ensures that you have plenty of options to choose from and find a name that aligns with your artistic style and brand identity. Customization: Many art business name generators allow you to customize your search criteria, such as selecting specific keywords, art styles, or preferences. This customization helps tailor the generated name suggestions to your specific needs and preferences.

Tips for using art business name generators effectively:

Experiment with different keywords and themes related to your art style, medium, or inspiration.

Consider combining words or concepts to create unique and memorable names.

Dont limit yourself to the generated suggestions; use them as a starting point for further brainstorming and refining.

Seek feedback from others or conduct market research to gauge the potential impact and appeal of the generated names.

Always ensure the names availability by searching for existing businesses or trademarks.

In conclusion, art business name generators can be excellent tools to jumpstart your creativity and help you find the perfect name for your art business. They offer a wide range of name suggestions and provide a starting point for further exploration and refinement. Remember to combine the generators suggestions with your own insights and instincts to select a name that truly represents your artistic vision and resonates with your target audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a good name for my art business?

Choosing a good name for your art business involves striking a balance between creativity and clarity. The name should reflect your artistic style and the type of art you create. It should be easy to pronounce, memorable, and unique.

What should I consider when naming my art business?

Consider the relevance, pronounceability, availability, uniqueness, and how well the name reflects your art and artistic style. You might also want to consider how the name would look on marketing materials and whether its a name youll be happy with in the long term.

How do I check the availability of my art business name?

You can check if your business name is available by doing a web search to see if there are any other businesses with the same name. You should also check the United States Patent and Trademark Offices (USPTO) database if youre in the US. Its also essential to check domain availability if you plan to set up a website.

What if my desired art business name is taken?

If your desired name is already taken, try variations or synonyms that still capture your brands essence. You can also consider adding words that describe what you do or the location of your art business.

How do I make my art business name unique?

To make your name unique, try combining words in new ways, using a play on words, or creating a new word. Reflecting your art style or type of art in your name can also add uniqueness.

Conclusion

The process of naming your art business is a significant step in your journey. This process gives you the chance to express your creativity and set the tone for your brands identity. The ideal name for your art business is out there, waiting to be discovered. Hopefully, the various art business name ideas presented above serve as the creative spark you need to find the perfect name for your venture. Whether its abstract, modern, or digital art, the right name can paint a vibrant picture of what clients can expect when they engage with your business.
We all want our social media efforts to yield great results, but most of us realize it isnt as easy as tweet it and they will come. Like anything else in your business, youll need a plan. But dont worry!

Creating a social media plan for serious success is easy and doesnt take a ton of time, which, if you are anything like me, is one of your most precious commodities!

In this article, I will outline five steps for a social media productivity plan: Create Reasonable Goals, Formalize Your Plan, Measure Success, and Repeat!

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1. Create Reasonable Goals

Social media marketing benefits just about any other marketing strategy, including brand awareness, customer relationship building, influencer and blogger outreach, etc. And yet, all of these results are hard to quantify.

You need easy, tangible goals to reach on a regular basis.

Its one thing to say, I want more social engagement! or I need more likes. But try to quantify it. How many likes would be really helpful? Is it more important to focus on shares and retweets?

For example, you can focus a lot on shares because social is a huge part of an inbound marketing strategy. Consider your business and what is necessary to see some real value.

2. Formalize your Plan

You have your goals, but how you are going to reach them is another story! This is a step that, if not executed correctly, could be a large time sink. My team creates a monthly social media calendar, so we can focus on execution once the month starts. Some things to consider putting in your plan are:

Upcoming Events : Live events are fantastic for social sharing. Make sure to create or find out the event hashtag to get additional sharing power around it.

: Live events are fantastic for social sharing. Make sure to create or find out the event hashtag to get additional sharing power around it. Content Calendar for social sharing : This includes thinking about calls to action (like a banner at the bottom of each post) to maximize retweets and shares.

: This includes thinking about calls to action (like a banner at the bottom of each post) to maximize retweets and shares. Press Releases : Do you have any news to share? Formalize it in a release. The format is pretty straightforward, and you can have ChatGPT write it for you. It is perfect for tasks like this.

: Do you have any news to share? Formalize it in a release. The format is pretty straightforward, and you can have ChatGPT write it for you. It is perfect for tasks like this. Monthly themes of what are sharing: For example, August could be focused on Social Productivity, and everything in the sharing plan has that underlying theme

I found that Google spreadsheet is often the best way, so I can share it with my team and make the planning collaborative.

3. Use the Right Tools

Plenty of social media tools make you and your team more productive. But theres an important balance here: Too many tools can be distracting, so you need the right amount while still being able to add new tools that use new technology.

My social media tool suite is pretty minimal but I am always ready to add new ones if I come across something that offers new ways to accomplish old tasks. Here are the tools I use daily:

Agorapulse for social media scheduling and social media listening

Tweetdeck for Twitter chats. It is pretty much the only free Twitter tool that was left to us after Twitter made their API paid-only

Text Optimizer which uses AI to create long-form content for video descriptions and social media captions.

All of these tools have pretty solid collaborative features allowing your whole company to contribute their effort to the social media strategy. There are also quite a few business phone apps allowing you to integrate your social media insights into the customer support strategy.

4. Measure Success

Was your goal 60 followers in four weeks or a certain amount of clicks on shared posts? Check in regularly and make sure you are tracking toward your goal so you can make tweaks as you go.

If you arent seeing your following grow, perhaps you need to focus more on your engagement outreach strategy, perhaps you need to retweet more of other peoples content to get noticed. These regular check-ins help you avoid having to make a major shift in strategy and keep you productively working on the right stuff to reach your goals.

One example of a tweak that worked was when we started introducing more photos into our social sharing calendar. Posts with photos immediately got more clicks and shares than our text-only-based posts, so we shifted mid-month to put a higher percentage of visual posts.

5. Repeat!

See how the first month goes, adjust, and start the cycle over again. By being realistic about what you want to achieve, organizing and formalizing a plan, and staying focused on success, youll never risk burning cycles on social without the results.
A Bradford, Illinois, woman, Erica Lynn Hornof, 36, of the 300 block of Enterprise Drive, was sentenced on July 10, 2023, to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, to be followed by three years supervised release, after pleading guilty to three counts of mail fraud and three counts of wire fraud. Hornof must also pay $125,472.48 in restitution to Maui Jim.

READ ALSO: Convicted Felon Indicted for Gadsden Armed Bank Robbery

At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge James E. Shadid, the government presented evidence that Hornof was a long-term employee of Maui Jim. While employed as a lead Frame Repair Trainer, Hornof stole Maui Jim parts from the repair area to make sunglasses, packaged them with a cleaning cloth and warranty card, used her personal FedEx account to create shipping labels, and then shipped them through the Maui Jim mailroom. She sold the sunglasses to two buyers who then sold the sunglasses on websites. The evidence established that over the 16-month period that Hornof was selling the sunglasses, she received $104,860 from the two buyers. In a later statement to Federal Bureau of Investigation special agents, Hornof said that the individuals did not know that the sunglasses were stolen. Judge Shadid found that she was responsible for selling approximately 2,996 pairs of sunglasses, each valued at $250, for an intended loss of $749,000 to Maui Jim.

Hornof was indicted in August 2022 and released on a personal recognizance bond with conditions of pre-trial supervision. She entered a guilty plea to all six counts in March 2023. Judge Shadid ordered Hornof to report to the designated prison by 2:00 pm on September 19, 2023.

The statutory penalties for each of the mail and wire fraud counts are up to 20 years' imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine, to be followed by up to three years of supervised release.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office - Peoria Resident Agency, investigated the case. Criminal Chief Darilynn J. Knauss represented the government in the prosecution.

READ MORE: FBI El Paso Launches an Official Facebook Page (FBI-El Paso)

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Joyce was reunited with the love her life, David Schirmacher on 7/7/23. They met in the US Navy and married in Jacksonville, Florida in 1958. She was born 6/28/36 in Jeffersonville Indiana and was the 2nd child of 8 babies. She was the first child to survive birth from Willie Marie and Kalfus Ervin Yager. She retired from the St. Mary's school system as a teacher's assistant , substitute teacher and part-time until covid. Her car license plate frame read " Starve with dignity, be a teacher."



She was a proud American and would only see the good in people, always willing to help. She loved holidays as those would bring the family together for great food, fun and reminiscing. She will be deeply missed.



She is survived by her younger siblings , Karolyn, Kay and Kenneth , her sons Steve , Scott and John, and granddaughter Lily. She was preceded in death by her husband Dave 12/2010 and her daughter Susan 10/1963.



Funeral arrangements will be private.
Man in his seventies must live under several restrictions.

President Zuzana Caputova during a discussion at the 2023 Pohoda festival. (Source: TASR - Jaroslav Novak)

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The Bratislava Regional Court ruled on Tuesday, July 11, that a man accused of threatening President Zuzana Caputova and former defence minister Jaroslav Nad will not be taken into custody.

The court, which acted as the court of appeals in this case, thus confirmed an earlier decision by the Bratislava City Court I. The verdict is final.

Restrictions imposed on man

The pensioner in his seventies, who has been identified as Peter P. from Dunajska Luzna, sent letters with bullets and blackmailing letters to the politicians, the prosecutors office said.
KC Dunaj has become Kacecko.

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KC Dunaj, a popular venue in Bratislavas Old Town, has reopened at a new address after several months of closure.

The venue can be found a few streets from its original location, the Sme daily writes. And it bears a new name: Kacecko.

Until the end of last year, the venue was located on the top floor of a former department store, Dunaj, on SNP Square, just a stones throw from the Old Market Hall and the Polish Institute. The space was known for a scenic view of Bratislava Castle and St. Martin Cathedral from its terrace, but reconstruction of the former department store is underway and the venue had to move out.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1YGFyLwYQ8nV2xMrckb9JGyapNYIK8tg&ehbc=2E312F

Looking at Hotel Kyiv

The Prior department store on Kamenne Square, where Tesco is also situated, is the clubs new home.

Regulars started to flock in as soon as the first announcement of the reopening appeared on Instagram. Kacecko reopened on the first weekend of July. Although the premises are not completely finished, people can enjoy a stunning terrace that offers a view of the legendary Hotel Kyiv and the nearby square.

The floor we are based on was built as a dining room and clubhouse, so it fits our purpose, said Kacecko owner Ivan Patoprsty. We turned the dining room into a bar area, and the clubhouse will become a hall.

A functioning kitchen that will offer street food is in the pipeline as well.

Entrance to Kacecko. (Source: Marek Moravcik)

Interior of the Kacecko space. (Source: KC Dunaj)

More clubs at Prior

Other bars and clubs are said to move into Prior as well, including Bukowski and Bohema. Ost Block can already be found on the ground floor.

Bratislava has been losing its legendary clubs for a long time, including Subclub near the castle and the Nu Spirit Club on Sturova Street.
Who doesnt love a cool summer hang-out in New York City?

Partners Coffee, headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, is celebrating the summer with a new seasonal offering called Block Party. The team launches Block Party in tandem with a general package refresh for their single-origin offerings. Partners collaborated with illustrator Sophie (@soupiestudios) on the design; the illustrator had worked previously with Partners to develop illustrated brew methods and their holiday Miracle Blend. Block Party has fun full-color illustrations in custom wrap packaging unique to seasonal offerings.

The new single-origin packaging has gold foil printing on creamy bags to differentiate from Partners seasonal offerings and colorful mainstay blends.

Coffee Design is a feature series on Sprudge presented by TricorBraun Flex.

We spoke with the team at Partners Coffee to learn more.

Tell us more about the illustrator behind Block Party!

Partners has a long-standing relationship with illustrator Sophie (@soupiestudios), who designed the teams beloved holiday blend bag and designed the Block Party bag in collaboration with the Partners team.

Sophie wrote to Partners one day as a new grad with a passion for design and history working in coffee, and the Partners team was enamored with her illustration style and wonderful energy, tasking her with helping to develop an illustration style and new iconography for the Partners brew guides. She was able to easily translate Partners vision and got their style so quickly that it pushed Partners to collaborate with her on their Miracle wrap last year, and now Block Party.

Partners came to her with a vision for Block Party, and she helped the team bring the Block Party characters to life. While she developed the wrap illustration, Partners in-house team developed the two versions of the label that serve as the sun above the cityscape.

Whats the story behind the Block Party design?

It all started with conversations about what thoughts of summer in New York brought up for each of Partners team members. They thought of friends sitting on stoops, kids running through fire hydrant sprinklers, a bustling McCarren Park, and the electric energy of the citys residents out and about soaking up the sun. The team explored motifs from Coney Island to Rockaway to the ferry on the river but felt that the truest representation of New York summer was simply people finding R&R all around them.

Youll see characters sitting on the long bench in front of Partners, walking a pedestrian street, grilling in the park and commuting on bikes and skates. The Partners team hopes anyoneespecially residents of Partners HQs Williamsburg neighborhood, will find something they recognize from their summer in the wrap design!

What changes were made to the single-origin bag design?

The bags used to be all different colors, and now the rotating roster of Single Origin coffees are in creamy, white colored bags with gold foil printing, offering a fresh perspective that both contrasts and harmonizes with Partners mainstay offerings (which are still in the colorful, branded bags). The thoughtfully updated off-white bags represent the purity and uniqueness of the coffee they hold. The bag serves as a blank canvas, paying homage to the diligent efforts of Partners esteemed farmers and producers who transform the humble coffee plant into the rare and beautiful coffee that reaches your cup. The bag also includes a new, expanded label on each package with additional insights and information about the coffee written by Partners Green Coffee Buyer, Samuel Klein.

Today, all of Partners rotating roster of Single Origin coffees are now packaged in the new cream bags. Partners Single Origin program highlights the brands unparalleled farm relationships and sustainable sourcing efforts. Maintaining strong relationships at origin allows Partners to offer blends with a consistent flavor profile year over year, while celebrating the growing and processing efforts of the brands producing and importing partners. Rotating Single Origins  featuring farm relationships from Colombia, Burundi, Brazil and more  are some of the brands bestsellers, while El Ramo (Partners mainstay Single Origin from Colombia) is Partners fourth best-selling product overall.

Thank you!

Explore Coffee Design archives at our exclusive Coffee Design hub.

Coffee Design is a feature series on Sprudge presented by TricorBraun Flex.
Traditional coffee roasting accounts for 15% of the carbon footprint of the industry, and the U.S. alone produces over 8 billion pounds of coffee per year. Electric roasting is a ground-breaking alternative to gaspowered roasting that improves sustainability by significantly reducing the carbon footprint. The Bellwether system is simple to install and operate to ensure anyone can source and roast the highest quality, most sustainable coffee at the touch of a button. As an added benefit, no gas lines, vents, construction, or training are required to set it up and start roasting.

This support from the CEC reinforces the value and power of electric roasting for reducing the carbon footprint  and aligns with Bellwethers commitment to helping more retailers, especially those in our own backyard, gain access to electric roasting, said Grayson Caldwell, Head of Sustainability and Impact at Bellwether Coffee. With our technology at the hub, Bellwether is ushering in a new and critical movement in sustainability by enabling every retailer to become an on-site roaster to produce consistent and quality coffee that also reduces gas emissions.

The State of California is dedicated to investing in a clean future, and the Food Production Investment Program reflects that commitment by funding better, cleaner energy use in the food processing industry, said Jonah Steinbuck, director of the California Energy Commissions Research and Development Division. The coffee industry has traditionally relied on fossil gas in the roasting process, but electrification now provides a pathway to energy sustainability. Supporting companies like Red Bay Coffee, Heirloom Coffee Roasters, and their partner, Bellwether Coffee, who are helping to lead the electrification of their industry, is an important example of how innovation and collaboration can drive both environmental progress and economic growth.

One of the goals of the CECs FPIP is to benefit low-income and environmentally disadvantaged communities. These projects will reduce emissions and provide economic benefits in West Oakland.

This is a big moment for us, as well as for the industry  and with the investment from the state of California, we can see a future for us where we are solely electric roasting, said Keba Konte, Founder of Red Bay Coffee Roasters. With Bellwether, we can automate our on-site roasting, while differentiating ourselves in the market to drive sales and support our business, our customers and most importantly, our environment.

Heirloom Coffee has made it our mission to source and produce the most environmentally sustainable, regeneratively farmed coffee on the market  and Bellwethers technology is the key to expanding this mission beyond our brand, said Hovik Azadkhanian, CEO at Heirloom Coffee. As a high-volume roaster, Bellwethers electric roasters will allow us to exponentially reduce our carbon footprint  without compromising on the quality and taste of our culinary roast coffee.

For more about Bellwethers system and impact on the global footprint, visit bellwethercoffee.com.

About Bellwether Coffee

Bellwether Coffee is the provider of the worlds lowest carbon coffee roaster. As the only electric and ventless system, Bellwether is supporting the microroastery movement by transforming retailers into on-site roasters, while helping source sustainable coffee beans from farmers around the world. The first-of-its-kind technology was built from scratch to deliver a solution that is easy to install, use, and scale to produce consistency and quality in craft coffee. By making roasting more accessible, Bellwether is helping retailers differentiate, drive sales, and deliver the coffee of the future for sustainability in coffee today. To learn more, visit bellwethercoffee.com.

About The Food Production Investment Program

The Food Production Investment Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment particularly in Priority populations. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting priority populations across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: http://www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.

This press release was provided to Sprudge for Sprudge Press Releases. Interested in submitting a press release? Get in touch!
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/biden-reaffirms-us-commitment-to-nato-amid-congressional-efforts-on-withdrawal-1111856724.html

Biden Reaffirms US Commitment to NATO Amid Congressional Efforts on Withdrawal

Biden Reaffirms US Commitment to NATO Amid Congressional Efforts on Withdrawal

US President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the United States is committed to remaining a member of NATO in the long term, amid conflicting efforts in Congress to both withdraw from the alliance and bolster the countrys place in it.

2023-07-13T16:36+0000

2023-07-13T16:36+0000

2023-07-13T17:38+0000

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"There is overwhelming support from the American people. There is overwhelming support from the members of the Congress," Biden said during a press conference, when asked about the United States reliability as a NATO ally. "Im saying as sure as anything can possibly be said about American foreign policy: we will stay connected to NATO."The statement comes following the introduction of an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, which would direct Biden to withdraw the United States from NATO.Greene has frequently criticized the Biden administrations foreign policy as well as the disparity in financial commitments by NATO members.However, a group of US senators also introduced legislation this week to prevent the president from exiting NATO without approval from the Senate or an act of Congress.Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, who spoke alongside Biden at the press conference, said that Finland has no reason to doubt the United States NATO policy in the future.On Ukrainian Accession to NATOUS President Joe Biden said that Ukraine will join NATO and it remains only a matter of time, but no nation can join the alliance while being engaged in a military conflict. He added that it guarantees that ... we're in a third world war. So that it's not about whether or not they [Ukraine] should or shouldn't join [NATO]. It's about when they can join, and they will join NATO, Biden said during a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.He added that he does not believe that the hostilities can go on for years.On Prisoner Exchange with RussiaJoe Biden said he is serious about a potential prisoner swap with Russia, including with respect to Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich.I'm serious about a prisoner exchange. I'm serious about doing all we can to free Americans.., Biden said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/nato-summit-exposes-fractures-in-alliance-over-support-for-ukraine-1111839544.html

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"They used stun guns; they bound a person so that he/she cannot move. One of the ATOs common interrogation techniques was when they would put an empty bag on a person's head and wrap it with tape so tightly that the person actually suffocates. They would keep it that way for several hours, periodically beating the person. There is also a standard torture practice called 'the wet rag.' This is when a person is placed on the floor of the room, an SBU officer sits on his chest, and another officer puts a rag  an old T-shirt or something else  on the person's face. The officer presses the cloth tightly against the prisoner's face so that when he pours ordinary tap water from a bottle, it causes the rag to stick to the face, making you feel as if you are suffocating under water. That is, it is suffocation torture. It leaves no traces, no bruises, nothing."
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/china-russia-trade-up-406-to-11454bln-in-first-half-of-2023-1111846084.html

China-Russia Trade Up 40.6% to $114.54Bln in First Half of 2023

China-Russia Trade Up 40.6% to $114.54Bln in First Half of 2023

Trade between Russia and China in January-June 2023 has increased by 40.6% year-on-year to $114.547 billion, the data of the Chinese General Administration of Customs showed on Thursday.

2023-07-13T06:18+0000

2023-07-13T06:18+0000

2023-07-13T06:18+0000

economy

russian economy under sanctions

russia

china

asean

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China has exported $52.284 billion worth of goods to Russia over the period, while Russia's export to China has increased by 19.4% to $62.263 billion. In June, the bilateral trade amounted to $20.831 billion, with China having exported $11.28 billion in goods and imported $9.551 worth of goods from Russia. In 2022, Russia-China trade increased by 29.3% year-on-year to record $190.271 billion.Meanwhile, trade between China and the United States decreased by 14.5% reaching $327.264 billion in the first half of 2023.China's exports to the US in the first half of the year decreased by 17.9% year-on-year to $239.35 billion, while US imports to China reached $87.913 billion, showing a decrease of 3.7% compared to the same period in 2022.However, the US remained in the top three trading partners of China along with ASEAN and the European Union.At the end of 2022, the trade between China and the US increased by 0.6% and reached $759.427 billion.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230704/russian-economy-keeps-recovering-despite-sanctions---prime-minister-at-meeting-with-putin-1111666521.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/russia-enters-top-20-world-food-exporters-in-2022-1111499135.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/eu-to-bolster-ukraines-defenses-with-fighter-jets-missiles-1111850879.html

EU to Bolster Ukraine's Defenses With Fighter Jets, Missiles

EU to Bolster Ukraine's Defenses With Fighter Jets, Missiles

The European Union plans to make a "quantitative leap" forward in terms of arming Ukraine by providing it with sophisticated missiles and fighter jets, Spanish media reported Thursday.

2023-07-13T11:37+0000

2023-07-13T11:37+0000

2023-07-13T11:37+0000

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News outlet cited an internal document of the European External Action Service, the EU's diplomatic service, that said EU countries would reenergize their efforts to bolster Ukraines defenses and jointly fund new military supplies. Western allies began pouring weapons and ammunition into Ukraine shortly after Russia launched its military operation. Their support has since evolved from light artillery munitions and training to heavier weapons, including tanks. In recent months, Ukraine has been pushing its donors to supply fighter jets. Russia has consistently warned against further arms deliveries to Kiev.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230527/ukrainians-may-fly-f-16s-with-wing--prayer-but-wont-be-effective-in-combat-1110641779.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/fbi-director-chris-wray-shows-why-the-fbi-is-beyond-repair-1111842123.html

FBI Director Chris Wray Shows Why the FBI is Beyond Repair

FBI Director Chris Wray Shows Why the FBI is Beyond Repair

On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Steve Bannon being ordered to pay nearly $500K in unpaid legal... 13.07.2023, Sputnik International

2023-07-13T04:05+0000

2023-07-13T04:05+0000

2023-07-13T11:36+0000

the backstory

radio

ukraine

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european union (eu)

f16

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FBI Director Chris Wray Shows why the FBI is Beyond Repair On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Steve Bannon being ordered to pay nearly $500K in unpaid legal bills, and Louisiana Senate passing a bill banning gender-affirming care for transgender youths.

Larry Johnson  Writer and Former CIA Analyst | America's Political Class is Divorced from Reality, and the Eighty Year US Involvement with UkraineScottie Nell Hughes - Journalist, Former RT News Anchor, and Political Commentator | Chris Wray Testifies in Front of Congress, Conservatives Attack Each Other, and Tucker Carlson's ReachIn the first hour, Lee spoke with Larry Johnson about the Cold War policies in 2023, Allen Dulles funding Nazis, and Western Paranoia. Larry commented on Tucker Carlson's questioning of the US goals of Ukraine and President Zelensky's meeting with Joe Biden at the NATO summit. Larry praised the leadership of President Putin and Ukraine has become more isolated in the geopolitical sphere.In the second hour, Lee spoke with Scottie Nell Hughes about the Democratic nominee for 2024, FBI corruption, and the addiction issues of the Biden children. Scottie discussed the mainstream media and the coverage surrounding the cocaine found in the White House. Scottie talked about why Joe Biden declined to invite Ukraine into NATO and Chris Wray's refusal to answer questions on undercover FBI agents at the Jan 6th riots.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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(Photo : ROMAN ROMOKHOV/AFP via Getty Images)

The Defense Ministry confirmed the completion of the Wagner Group's private army's weapons surrender to the Russian military

The Wagner Group's hired guns have finished surrendering their weapons to the Russian military, according to the Defense Ministry on Wednesday.

This action followed the private army's brief uprising against the Kremlin's authority last month.

Russia Says Wagner Surrendered Huge Arsenal of Weapons

According to ABC New, Wagner's disarmament reflects government efforts to neutralize the threat it posed and looks to signal the end of the mercenary group's operations in Ukraine.

The acts take place in the midst of ongoing ambiguity regarding Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner, and the conditions of an agreement that gave him and his mercenaries amnesty and allowed them to leave for Belarus to put a stop to the armed uprising.

According to the Defense Ministry, more than 2,000 pieces of equipment, including tanks, rocket launchers, heavy artillery, air defense systems, and more than 2,500 metric tons of ammunition, were among the weaponry turned over.

The declaration comes as the Kremlin acknowledged on Monday that President Vladimir Putin met with Prigozhin and 34 of his top commanders on June 29, five days after the uprising.

Wagner's commanders, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, swore allegiance to Putin and stated that they were prepared "to continue to fight for the Motherland."

According to Putin, Wagner soldiers had to decide between signing contracts with the Defense Ministry, relocating to Belarus, or leaving the military.

The agreement that stopped the uprising came under new scrutiny when the Kremlin confirmed that Putin met with Prigozhin, who led troops on a march to Moscow to demand the removal of the nation's top military commanders.

Read Also: Buffalo Shooting Families Sue Socmed Platforms, Gun Store Owner, and Suspect's Parents

Wagner Chief Allegedly Has Cancer

Meanwhile, sources said Prigozhin's intention to stage a coup against Moscow might have been influenced by his cancer diagnosis.

According to Kremlin sources, the leader endured "years of intense therapy" for stomach cancer before going into remission and had "nothing to lose" when he disagreed with his erstwhile ally Putin.

The Times stated that the warlord described his failed coup as "going bananas" while speaking to his soldiers. Prigozhin pledged to "punish" Russia after blaming it for a missile attack that killed scores at a Wagner training camp in Bakhmut, Ukraine.

As they arrived within 120 kilometers of Moscow last month, he referred to Wagner's efforts as a "march of justice" before unexpectedly ordering their convoy to turn around.

Documents about Prigozhin's cancer treatment were discovered after a raid on his residence in St. Petersburg earlier this month. Several passports were discovered, one of which belonged to "Dmitry Geiler," a "Super VIP" patient at a facility connected to President Vladimir Putin.

Many people think it had anything to do with his previous cancer treatment because it was stated that medical equipment was also discovered during the raid. According to a former Wagner employee, who added: "This is a man with a cut-out stomach and intestines," he had little to lose.

Police searched Prigozhin's home last week and found gold bars, firearms, and framed pictures of severed skulls. They also exposed a closet filled with wigs and images of Prigozhin dressed in various absurd disguises.

Similar rumors that Putin has received treatment for a deadly cancer are being spread about Prigozhin lately. The despot, 70, is allegedly "critically ill," according to persistent rumors that have been fueled by his swollen cheeks and shaking legs.

The Sun received shocking intelligence docs that seemed to corroborate Putin's early-stage Parkinson's disease and pancreatic cancer. A few days after the warlord's aborted attempt, it was revealed that Putin handed Prigozhin instructions to kill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Yevgeny Prigozhin was supposed to go into exile as part of a pact to stop his march on Moscow, but in the final days of last month, he was quietly welcomed into the Kremlin. And now, it is alleged, he may attempt to carry out a "great atrocity" on Putin's behalf, which may entail a mission to "bring Volodymyr Zelensky's head back."

Putin spoke with Prigozhin on June 29, according to the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who confirmed this today. Five days before to the thrilling match, a column of Wagner mercenaries nearly overthrew the government and put Russia in danger.

Related Article: Wagner Group Tries To Enter Russia's Nuclear Base, Steal Putin's Nukes

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/frances-le-pen-slams-macron-for-pledging-long-range-missiles-to-ukraine-1111851650.html

France's Le Pen Slams Macron for Pledging Long-Range Missiles to Ukraine

France's Le Pen Slams Macron for Pledging Long-Range Missiles to Ukraine

Marine Le Pen, former president of the French right-wing National Rally party and the current chairwoman of its parliamentary faction, said it was "irresponsible" of the French president to pledge long-range missiles to Ukraine.

2023-07-13T12:42+0000

2023-07-13T12:42+0000

2023-07-13T12:42+0000

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france

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"I do not understand why Emmanuel Macron is not integrally focused on organizing a conference for peace to put an end to this [conflict]," Le Pen was quoted as saying by French media. The leader of the National Rally group in the lower house of parliament spoke to the press on Wednesday during a trip to the riot-hit city of Beauvais, north of Paris. She warned that a strike "on a third country can trigger a third world war  We do not know how a third country would react if it were hit by a weapon supplied by France." Macron's decision to supply Ukraine with SCALP missiles, the French equivalent of the United Kingdom's Storm Shadows, prompted a strong reaction from both sides of the political aisle in France. The right-wing Republicans slammed it as escalatory while the leftist France Unbowed warned of a possible direct conflict with Russia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/what-are-scalp-missiles-and-how-may-they-affect-ukraines-counteroffensive-1111834010.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/john-kerry-says-wont-make-any-concessions-to-china-during-visit-1111860552.html

John Kerry Says Wont Make Any Concessions to China During Visit

John Kerry Says Wont Make Any Concessions to China During Visit

US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said during a Congressional hearing on Thursday that he is not going to China with the intention of making any concessions to Beijing.

2023-07-13T18:47+0000

2023-07-13T18:47+0000

2023-07-13T19:24+0000

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US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said during a Congressional hearing on Thursday that he is not going to China with the intention of making any concessions to Beijing. "What we are trying to achieve now is really to establish some stability, if we can, in the relationship without conceding anything," Kerry said. "I am not going over with any concessions." The United States and China are trying to find ways to cooperate to address the crisis, Kerry added. Kerry said in mid-April that he had been invited to visit China for bilateral talks on climate change and expressed hope that the negotiations would help repair relations and allow for cooperation between the two countries on global issues. Tensions between the United States and China soared last August after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled to Taiwan despite Beijing's warnings against the visit. Beijing condemned Pelosi's trip, which it regarded as a gesture of support for separatism, and launched large-scale military drills in the vicinity of the island. Tensions between Washington and Beijing further escalated in February 2023, when US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called off his trip to Beijing after the Pentagon detected a Chinese balloon over US airspace. Washington insisted that the balloon had been sent over to spy on military sites, while Beijing argued it was a meteorological airship blown off course. The UN climate conference will take place from November 30 to December 12 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. During the congressional hearing, Kerry declined to characterize Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a dictator, instead opting to call him a decider. The statement drew criticism from Republicans, who are probing Kerry for his behind-the-scenes talks with China. Last month, US President Joe Biden called Xi a 'dictator,' which reportedly caught US officials off guard and sparked condemnation by Chinese officials.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230711/cop28-uae-takes-lead-in-climate-change-action-1111816510.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230619/us-refusal-to-compromise-is-biggest-obstacle-to-mending-china-ties-1111298504.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/lavrov-plans-to-deliver-f-16-fighters-to-kiev-sets-dangerous-development-of-events-1111845006.html

Lavrov: Plans to Deliver F-16 Fighters to Kiev Set Dangerous Development of Events

Lavrov: Plans to Deliver F-16 Fighters to Kiev Set Dangerous Development of Events

The US and its NATO allies are creating risks of direct confrontation with Russia, and this could lead to catastrophic consequences, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.

2023-07-13T03:45+0000

2023-07-13T03:45+0000

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The minister said that there would be no reason to talk about the use of nuclear weapons by Russia if the West does not make decisions that create strategic risks. Lavrov also recalled that the conditions for the use of nuclear weapons are clearly defined in Russias military doctrine. In addition, Lavrov called the US plans to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets "just one example of extremely dangerous development of events.""We have informed the nuclear powers - the United States, the United Kingdom and France - that Russia cannot ignore the ability of these aircraft to carry nuclear weapons," Lavrov said. The top diplomat added that Russian soldiers will not be sorting out if certain jets are nuclear capable or not during combat. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's top aide has said Kiev hoped to receive the first supply of F-16 fighter jets from Western countries by the end of 2023. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in June that the alliance would begin the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets this summer.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/lavrov-says-not-optimistic-about-jcpoa-renewal-as-outcome-of-us-2024-vote-uncertain-1111852932.html

Lavrov Says Not Optimistic About JCPOA Renewal as Outcome of US 2024 Vote Uncertain

Lavrov Says Not Optimistic About JCPOA Renewal as Outcome of US 2024 Vote Uncertain

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday that he was not very optimistic about possibilities of the resumption of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or the Iran nuclear deal, due to uncertainty regarding the policy of the US administration following the 2024 presidential election there.

2023-07-13T13:40+0000

2023-07-13T13:40+0000

2023-07-13T13:40+0000

world

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2024 us presidential election

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"Next year there are elections in the United States, a new administration will come. And who knows what kind of the administration it will be, Democratic or Republican. But no one can give any guarantees that this new administration will not repeat the trick of withdrawing from the agreement reached ... So I'm not very optimistic about the possibilities of JCPOA resumption," Lavrov said at a press conference on the sidelines of ministerial meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta. In 2015, Iran signed the JCPOA with China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States as well as Germany and the European Union. The deal envisaged lifting sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restricting the Iranian nuclear program. During the presidency of Donald Trump, the US withdrew from the deal in 2018, reimposing sanctions against Iran. Tehran reacted by reducing its obligations under the deal, including those concerning nuclear research, centrifuges and uranium enrichment levels. In December 2021, talks on the resumption of the JCPOA were resumed, but a year later the progress on the deal became largely frozen.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230615/mohammad-marandi-new-iran-nuclear-deal-must-be-foolproof-against-violations-1111187731.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/lunar-mapping-project-reveals-man-in-the-moon-200-million-years-older-than-thought-1111863539.html

Lunar Mapping Project Reveals Man in the Moon 200 Million Years Older Than Thought

Lunar Mapping Project Reveals Man in the Moon 200 Million Years Older Than Thought

A new model for lunar mapping has revealed that the craters making up the famous Man in the Moon illusion are considerably older than previously believed.

2023-07-13T21:35+0000

2023-07-13T21:35+0000

2023-07-13T21:33+0000

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The moons surface isnt nearly as geologically active as the Earths, despite their similarities in formation, so the craters left by asteroids that have bombarded it over the last 4.5 billion years have taken much longer to erode than they would down here on the planet.Previously, astronomers estimated the age of the surface by crater counting, or tallying up all of the impacts they could find and then estimating how long it would have taken to accumulate them. However, the returning of physical samples from the lunar surface has created problems for that method.Like here on Earth, lunar rocks can be dated by measuring the quantity of certain radioactive isotopes of potassium, argon, and uranium. In their research, the scientists painstakingly went through all of the lunar samples, corresponding the result of the radioactive dating of the rocks with the sites where they were collected, effectively correcting the errors in estimation from earlier studies.The project began in 2014 and involved using data from Indias Chandrayaan-1 orbiter, which mapped most of the lunar surface in 3D in 2008, to verify the rock samples were all of lunar origin and not pieces of asteroid deposited there by an impact.One of those areas was Mare Imbrium, a vast lava plain that forms the right eye of the man in the moon, an illusion of a human face formed by a grouping of craters and ridges on the side of the moon that faces the Earth. Samples of this crater were brought back by Apollo 15 in August 1971.The scientists found that while earlier estimates had pegged Mare Imbrium as being 3.9 billion years old, it is in fact 4.1 billion years old - 200 million years older than previously thought.Their research has been accepted for publication in the Planetary Science Journal.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230506/its-not-cheese-scientists-confirm-what-makes-up-lunar-core-1110131209.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/nato-leaders-reportedly-urged-zelensky-to-cool-down-after-criticism-of-alliance-1111844260.html

NATO Leaders Reportedly Urged Zelensky to 'Cool Down' After Criticism of Alliance

NATO Leaders Reportedly Urged Zelensky to 'Cool Down' After Criticism of Alliance

NATO leaders reportedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to "cool down" during their joint dinner in Vilnius after he voiced criticism of the bloc and accused it of being indecisive when it came to Kiev's membership.

2023-07-13T02:47+0000

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On Tuesday, Zelensky said it was "unprecedented and absurd" that a timeframe was set "neither for the invitation nor for Ukraine's membership." Later in the day, during the dinner on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Zelensky was told that he had gone too far and advised to look at the full package of NATO commitments to Kiev, a person present at the dinner was cited as saying by US media. It was further reported that the US delegation was "irritated" by Zelensky's comments as UK representatives were looking for ways to alleviate tensions. As for German officials, they were allegedly trying to find alternatives to resolve the situation. The Wednesday revelation come as earlier reports cited UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace as doubling down on the sentiment. "Whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude," the official said before pointing out that nations were "giving up their stock" of weapons to Ukraine.In early June, Zelensky said that Kiev hoped to receive a clear invitation to join the bloc at the Vilnius summit. He also said Kiev was disappointed it had not yet received a clear positive response about joining both the European Union and NATO.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/russian-foreign-ministry-vilnius-summit-shows-nato-back-to-cold-war-era-behavior-1111840578.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/rare-dino-discovery-made-in-dc-suburb-after-officials-find-115-million-year-old-fossils-1111843595.html

Rare Dino Discovery Made in DC Suburb After Officials Find 115-Million-Year-Old Fossils

Rare Dino Discovery Made in DC Suburb After Officials Find 115-Million-Year-Old Fossils

The bone bed discovery is extremely rare for the Eastern US.

2023-07-13T01:53+0000

2023-07-13T01:53+0000

2023-07-13T01:51+0000

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Officials on Wednesday revealed the shocking discovery of a bone bed at Dinosaur Park - both a public and active US dig site - in Laurel, Maryland, marking the first of its kind in the area in since 1887.The dig site contained the largest therapod fossil in eastern North America: a three-foot-long shin bone officials believe is from an Acrocanthosaurus, a dinosaur considered the largest North American predator for its time. The dinosaur is said to have grown to nearly 40 feet long and 13 feet tall, and weighed about 5,280 pounds (2.6 tons).While paleontologists first made the discovery in April, the fossil was initially found when a large piece of equipment accidentally broke off a rock face and exposed the fossil of a huge dinosaur bone in 2018. Plans to extract the bone were paused following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then in 2021 as the dig came underway, scientists determined there was more than one bone embedded in the rock.To date, more than 100 fossils estimated to be some 115 million years old were found in the area paleontologists refer to as the bone bed, the term used to describe a concentration of bones that belong to one or more species within a geologic layer."Dinosaur fossils are exceptionally rare in the eastern US, and among these only Maryland has produced dinosaurs from the Early Cretaceous Period," Matthew Carrano, a paleontologist with the Smithsonian, explained in a release, adding that such fossils are typically found just one or two at a time, and are not typically discovered in such an industrialized area as Maryland's Prince Georges County.Our knowledge of the dinosaurs in the eastern part of North America has been lacking compared to what we know about in the West, added Thomas Holtz, a dinosaur paleontologist at the University of Maryland.Officials have explained that the bone bed is created from an ancient river bed carrying dead dinosaurs and other organisms, such as plants, down a current. When the remains get stuck they eventually sink into the earth, and the bones and plants become rock (fossils).

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/scientists-find-new-organic-matter-pointing-to-possible-martian-life-1111840418.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/report-us-s-korea-allegedly-planning-to-discuss-use-of-nukes-against-n-korea-1111843743.html

Report: US, S. Korea Allegedly Planning to Discuss Use of Nukes Against N. Korea

Report: US, S. Korea Allegedly Planning to Discuss Use of Nukes Against N. Korea

The US and South Korea are allegedly planning to discuss the use of nukes against North Korea during the meeting of the new Nuclear Consultative Group in Seoul, Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday.

2023-07-13T01:12+0000

2023-07-13T01:12+0000

2023-07-13T01:10+0000

asia

joe biden

kim jong-un

pyongyang

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korean central news agency (kcna)

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The US prepared the Washington Declaration in April during the meeting between US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Washington, which the outlet called "a programme for nuclear confrontation" with North Korea. The Nuclear Consultative Group would allegedly be the parent body of a "tripartite nuclear alliance" among South Korea, the US and Japan, which would further drive the regional situation to the brink of an unprecedented nuclear war, the report said. KCNA also confirmed Pyongyang test-fired the new-type Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday, which reached the maximum altitude of 6,648.4 kilometers (4,131 miles) and flew a distance of 1,001.2 kilometers for 4,491 seconds. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was said to have personally guided the test launch of the missile, aimed at confirming the technical credibility and operational reliability of the weapon system. South Korean media has cited Yoon's office as saying that the first meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group would be held on July 18 in Seoul. The White House announced in April that Biden and Yoon agreed to establish the Nuclear Consultative Group to "strengthen extended deterrence, discuss nuclear and strategic planning, and manage the threat to the nonproliferation regime" posed by North Korea.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/china-nato-ignoring-crux-of-korean-nuclear-issue-by-blaming-north-korea-for-tensions-1111842686.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/riots-in-france-caused-by-lack-of-respect-for-authority-rather-than-migrants---police-chief-1111859264.html

Riots in France Caused by Lack of Respect for Authority Rather Than Migrants - Police Chief

Riots in France Caused by Lack of Respect for Authority Rather Than Migrants - Police Chief

Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said on Thursday that the cause of mass riots in France is lack of respect for the French government's authority among the citizens and not the influx of migrants to the country.

2023-07-13T17:32+0000

2023-07-13T17:32+0000

2023-07-13T17:32+0000

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Earlier in July, French President Emmanuel Macron and Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire admitted that there was a problem of authority in the French society. "We are faced with the crisis of authority in our country. We cannot deny that and we cannot explain away everything by [the issues of] security or migration ... I observe that more and more young people today have no respect for authority and defy it, whatever it is, not only the police or the gendarmerie," he told a French radio. Earlier in the month, a number of French politicians, in particular, Jordan Bardella, the president of France's far-right National Rally party, and the leader of France's euroskeptic Popular Republican Union party, Francois Asselineau, said that the mass riots and social tension were caused by migrants. However, the French Foreign Ministry said that the country had no security issues connected to migrants. A poll conducted by Odoxa and Backbone Consulting on July 7 showed that about 60% of the French citizens believed that the migration law should be toughened, because it was the influx of migrants that caused the mass riots. On June 27, Nahel Merzouk, a 17-year-old French of Moroccan and Algerian descent, was shot dead by a police officer for allegedly refusing to follow orders during a traffic stop. The incident sparked mass nationwide protests that lasted for over a week. The French Interior Ministry said the protesting youth set on fire more than 12,000 cars, as well as about 500 city halls, police stations and other government buildings. More than 4,000 people were detained, a significant part of whom were minors. The economy ministry said over a 1,000 retail outlets, about 370 banks, 200 grocery stores and 436 tobacco shops were looted during the riots.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230711/damage-wrought-by-riots-in-france-to-cost-insurers-715mln-1111808776.html

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The state medical license of an Ohio plastic surgeon was permanently suspended on Wednesday after a medical board found that she had injured patients while live streaming their operations on the TikTok app.

The Ohio Medical Board decided not to allow Katharine Grawe-also known as Dr. Roxy, to her devoted TikTok fans and in her plastic surgery practice, "Roxy Plastic Surgery"-to ever practice medicine in the state again, according to The Associated Press.

Early Warnings

(Photo : by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 31: Respiratory Therapist Joanna Bielski checks on a COVID-19 patient in the ICU at Rush University Medial Center on January 31, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. Respiratory therapists work with physicians and nurses to help patients restore and maintain normal lung capacity and blood/oxygen levels.

The board claimed that Grawe, whose license was initially suspended in November, ignored her patients by live streaming portions of their operations, speaking into a camera, and responding to viewers' queries while the procedures were being performed.

Inquiries for comment sent to Grawe and her attorneys on Wednesday went unanswered. At the moment, Grawe's TikTok account is private.

According to an earlier board suspension letter, the board forewarned Grawe about her conduct as early as 2018 due to worries about patient privacy and potential ethical infractions.

The letter also identified three of Grawe's patients who had undergone surgery and needed immediate medical attention due to significant complications. One woman had surgery, which Grawe partially live-streamed on TikTok, and a week later, it was discovered that her bowel had been ruptured.

According to the notice, the unidentified patient experienced significant abdominal injuries, bacterial infections, and cognitive function loss due to toxins in her blood.

Read Also: Virginia Doctor To Be Meted 465-Year Sentence for Insurance Fraud and Performing Unnecessary Surgeries

Medical Malpractice in US

In the United States, medical malpractice claims are typically filed in state court. Filing a medical malpractice claim can be complicated and take a lot of time. The case may go to trial in some cases, but most cases are settled out of court.

The amount of money a patient can receive in a medical malpractice settlement, or verdict depends on the case. However, patients generally recover damages for medical expenses, lost compensation, pain and suffering, and emotional stress.

Medical malpractice is a serious issue that can have a significant impact on patients and their families. It can be detrimental to everybody involved and affect the quality of life. According to the American Medical Association, about 1 in 3 clinicians will be sued at least once throughout their career. Some with specific specialties have higher chances of being sued.

The biggest issue in medical malpractice settlement in the US was Erica Byrom in 2019. Byrom was awarded $229 million after her daughter suffered a brain injury at the time of birth at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

Related Article: Beauty Queen Winner Dies After Being Forced To Undergo Liposuction Operation That She Was Awarded As A Prize

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/russia-china-strategic-alliance-grows-zelensky-slams-nato-us-low-on-weapons-1111842536.html

Russia-China Strategic Alliance Grows; Zelensky Slams NATO; US Low on Weapons

Russia-China Strategic Alliance Grows; Zelensky Slams NATO; US Low on Weapons

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is getting pushback for his unhinged attacks on NATO nations for failing to meet his expectations on weapons and... 13.07.2023, Sputnik International

2023-07-13T04:06+0000

2023-07-13T04:06+0000

2023-07-13T11:38+0000

the critical hour

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Russia-China Strategic Alliance Grows; Zelensky Slams NATO; US Low on Weapons Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is getting pushback for his unhinged attacks on NATO nations for failing to meet his expectations on weapons and admission to the military bloc.

Dr. David Oualaalou, international geopolitical consultant, veteran, and author of many books, including "The Dynamics of Russia's Geopolitics: Remaking the Global Order," international security analyst, and host of the "Geopolitics in Conflict" Show on YT, joins us to discuss the NATO meeting. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is getting pushback for his unhinged attacks on NATO nations for failing to meet his expectations on weapons and admission to the military bloc.Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine. France provides long-range weapons to Ukraine. Also, Turkiye is getting its F-16 sales.Brian Berletic, ex-US Marine Corps independent geopolitical researcher and writer based in Bangkok, joins us to discuss the China-Russia strategic partnership. Beijing has signed a deal with the Solomon Islands. Also, Ukraine is suffering heavy losses, and the US is running out of weapons.KJ Noh, peace activist, teacher, and writer, joins us to discuss China. China is warning NATO not to move into the Pacific. Also, North Korea fires a long-range missile.Laith Marouf, broadcaster, and journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon, joins us to discuss the Middle East. A US intelligence report says that Iran is not making nuclear weapons. Also, Phase Two of the Jenin operation has begun.Jon Jeter, journalist and author, joins us to discuss US imperialism. The US state has launched a war against Black Liberation groups. Also, Kamala Harris is an important part of US imperialism.Alex Suarez, Peruvian American writer, independent journalist, historian, and author of several books, including "The Diplomat" about the Alex Saab case, joins us to discuss the Global South. Donald Trump lashes out at Venezuela again. Also, tens of thousands gather to support the president of Mexico.Linwood Tauheed, associate professor of Economics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, joins us to discuss the economy. Americans are turning to installment options to buy groceries. Also, businesses are cutting workers, a warning sign for the US economy.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/russia-ready-to-agree-to-southeast-asia-nuclear-free-zone-if-all-respect-treaty-1111848345.html

Russia Ready to Agree to Southeast Asia Nuclear-Free Zone If All Respect Treaty

Russia Ready to Agree to Southeast Asia Nuclear-Free Zone If All Respect Treaty

Russia is ready to agree to the creation of a nuclear-free zone in Southeast Asia, provided that all participants comply with the requirements of the Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

2023-07-13T10:17+0000

2023-07-13T10:17+0000

2023-07-13T10:22+0000

world

sergey lavrov

fumio kishida

russia

japan

southeast asia

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Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Monday that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will ask Russia and other nuclear powers at the ministerial meetings to join the Treaty of Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone. "We are not talking about Russia's accession to the treaty, but about a protocol to it, which invites nuclear powers to sign this protocol, thereby providing assurances to the parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Southeast Asia ... We are ready to put a signature together with other countries, permanent members of the [UN] Security Council, with one reservation ... on the condition that all parties to the treaty comply with its requirements: not to possess, develop or host any nuclear weapons elements," Lavrov told reporters on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers meeting in Indonesia's Jakarta.Japan May Host US NukesJapan is sending signals that it does not mind deploying the US's nuclear weapons, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Wednesday that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region is "inseparable," adding that Japan and NATO, which "share core values and strategic interests," are deepening their ties."NATO is pursuing the thesis that security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific region, as they call it, is indivisible. It is planned to move parts of NATO's military infrastructure to this region ... Japan and [South] Korea, by the way, are already signaling that they would not mind hosting American nuclear weapons or having their own. This is a very serious and dangerous trend," Lavrov stressed.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230427/us-resumes-large-scale-production-of-plutonium-pits-for-nukes-1109886797.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/beijing-says-nato-should-reduce-role-of-nuclear-weapons-in-security-policy-1111829743.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/russia-thwarts-2-attempts-by-ukraine-to-land-on-dneprs-left-bank-1111846763.html

Russia Thwarts 2 Attempts by Ukraine to Land on Dnepr's Left Bank

Russia Thwarts 2 Attempts by Ukraine to Land on Dnepr's Left Bank

The Russian armed forces have thwarted two attempts by Ukrainian armed formations to force the Dnepr River near the Antonovka bridge in the Kherson region, the regional emergency services said on Thursday.

2023-07-13T07:14+0000

2023-07-13T07:14+0000

2023-07-13T07:14+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukrainian crisis

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"As a result of fire damage by the formations of the Dnepr grouping of [Russian] troops in the Kherson direction, two attempts by the enemy to force the Dnepr River, in the areas of the settlements of ... and Antonovka, were thwarted. As a result of fire damage, three high-speed boats and more than 60 Ukrainian military were destroyed," the emergency services told reporters. The Russian forces also destroyed two American M-777 howitzers near Kherson, the authority said, adding that 10 Ukrainian military were killed and three were injured.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/watch-russian-army-blow-up-a-vault-of-ukrainian-terrorists-in-lpr-1111836357.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/russian-foreign-ministry-reports-on-childrens-rights-violations-in-us-intercountry-adoption-1111853062.html

Russian Foreign Ministry Reports on Children's Rights Violations in US Intercountry Adoption

Russian Foreign Ministry Reports on Children's Rights Violations in US Intercountry Adoption

All US attempts to position itself as a "leading advocate of children's rights" lack legal backing while the process of international adoption in the US is "opaque, highly corrupt, resource-intensive" and "subject to political neo-colonial tendencies," the Russian Foreign Ministry report said.

2023-07-13T15:07+0000

2023-07-13T15:07+0000

2023-07-13T15:07+0000

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child abuse

child adoption

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Washington's pretended concern about the situation with children in the zone of the Russian special military operation is only a facade and can be explained by the fact that the US considers Ukraine as a source of international adoptions, primarily of children of Slavic origin, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.The Russian Federation placed a moratorium on US citizens adopting Russian children in response to developments surrounding the 2010 adoption of Artem Saveliev, who was returned to Russia by his adoptive mother from the United States.Where It All BeganThe story of Artem Saveliev, a boy from a remote village in the Russian Far East who traveled to the United States with his adoptive mother and returned alone in less than six months with a note from his estranged new mother, shook Russia.Artem arrived in Moscow from Washington on April 8, 2010. He carried a note saying that his adoptive mother, US citizen Torry-Ann Hansen, was giving up the child, claiming he was mentally unstable.His return received widespread media coverage and led to a one-year moratorium on American citizens adopting Russian children, and later to an outright ban. The former American adoptive mother was ordered by the court to pay child support for Artem's care and psychological correction.Free Adoption MoratoriumThe official reason for Russia's moratorium was the lack of a detailed international agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States that would regulate the situation of adopted children from Russia in that country (at the time of the moratorium, such a bilateral agreement had only been signed with Italy).Since the ban on US citizens adopting Russian nationals came into effect on January 1, 2013, the focus of such activities has shifted to Ukraine and other post-Soviet states, which are seen as new "markets" for adopting children of European (white Caucasian) descent.The United States has a system of intercountry adoption that does not guarantee the fundamental, inalienable rights of children and often results in widespread violations of the legal interests of minors. This is due to the inadequacies of federal legislation and state regulations.In the US legal system, adoption matters are almost exclusively under the jurisdiction of state and local authorities, in accordance with the federal structure and principles of regulation of intra-family relations. As a result, there are dozens of different laws governing adoption and the monitoring of adoptees' rights.The worst situation in monitoring the well-being of adopted children is observed in the states with the so-called "free adoption" system: California, Alaska, Arizona, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, and others. In the absence of effective state control, adoptive parents and intermediaries - legal and physical entities involved in adoption for payment by interested parties - play a crucial role in placing children in new families.US Intercountry Adoption: Practice of NeocolonialismAccording to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the process of international adoption in the United States is characterized by opacity, corruption, resource-intensive procedures, and influenced by neo-colonial political tendencies.Child on the CheapAdoption from Russia was considered cheap in the United States. This was the main reason why Americans adopted minors from the Russian Federation at the expense of tens of thousands of orphans in their own country.Of the officially registered 61,600 cases of Russian children adopted by American families, only one-third are considered successful by adoption monitoring authorities and organizations. Another one-third are considered relatively acceptable. The remaining one-third of adoptions are considered unsuccessful. They involve:American Courts: Russian? On Wrong Side of Law!Discrimination within the American judicial system is one of the factors contributing to the low level of legal protection of adopted Russian children in the United States. The analysis of the judicial practice shows that in certain cases the American courts (at the county and state level) have given unjustifiably lenient sentences to US citizens who were guilty of the death and cruel treatment of the children adopted from Russia.No legal mechanisms have been found to ensure the equality of all children before American law and the effective protection of their rights. The US Department of Justice, which is responsible for monitoring the uniform application of laws throughout the country and the realization of the constitutional rights of citizens regardless of their age or social background, has not taken any appropriate measures with regard to children adopted from Russia.On the basis of international obligations and in accordance with national legislation, the Russian side has taken a number of consistent measures to combat violations in the field of international adoption, including the initiative to conclude a relevant bilateral agreement with the United States.US authorities (both Democratic and Republican) persistently refused to enter into similar agreements with other countries of origin for adopted children, advocating for their accession to the relevant 1993 Hague Convention and making efforts to establish an international market for adoption services based on a neo-colonial scheme of "developing countries as suppliers of children - Western countries as receiving parties."The US government, under both Democrats and Republicans, has steadfastly refused to sign similar agreements with other countries of origin for adoptees, instead advocating accession to the relevant 1993 Hague Convention. They have sought to create an international market for adoption services based on a neo-colonial scheme of "developing countries as suppliers of children - Western countries as recipients."Failed Champion of Children's RightsDespite US attempts to position itself as a leader in international advocacy for children's rights, Washington has no record of success in this area. America's claims to be a champion of children's rights are not backed up by an adequate domestic legal framework or legal practice. The child rights protection system established in the United States is inadequate to meet the challenges of the times.There are systemic gaps that indicate inadequate protection of children's rights in the United States as a whole. Neither parents, the state legal system, nor the US civil society organizations are able to ensure the protection of children's rights and interests at a level that meets international standards.Russia held the highest position in terms of the total number of European descendants adopted by US citizens before the adoption ban took effect on January 1, 2013.According to official data (annual reports on international adoptions) of the US State Department, the total number of Russians adopted between 2008 and 2013 was 5,533.However, according to data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security, the total number of American visas issued to adopted minors of Russia, as well as for the purpose of completing the adoption process in the US, from 1992 to 2012 was 61,625.In the same period, Ukraine took second place in this category of adoptions with 2,706 people. On the whole, Ukraine has become one of the main suppliers of children to the USA: the total number for the period from 2008 to 2021 is 5,040. In essence, Ukraine has replaced Russia in the American adoption services industry.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230422/log-in-the-eye-western-crimes-against-children-in-war-zones-revealed-1109763716.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230406/attorney-general-releases-report-on-child-sexual-abuse-in-baltimore-catholic-archdiocese-1109182769.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230301/ghislaine-maxwell-to-claim-she-was-held-under-inhumane-conditions-in-upcoming-appeal---report-1107886983.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230118/case-of-us-couple-charged-with-child-trafficking-and-torture-of-10-year-old-boy-in-uganda-explained-1106454653.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230418/marjorie-taylor-greene-claims-biden-crime-family-engaged-in-human-trafficking-1109637007.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/russian-prosecutor-general-says-foreign-investments-in-russia-well-protected-1111849926.html

Russian Prosecutor General Says Foreign Investments in Russia Well Protected

Russian Prosecutor General Says Foreign Investments in Russia Well Protected

Russian Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov assured his Chinese colleagues during a working meeting in Beijing on Thursday that the security of foreign investments in Russia is guaranteed by the state.

2023-07-13T11:06+0000

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2023-07-13T11:06+0000

russia

russian economy under sanctions

alexei krasnov

china

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"I would like to assure you that foreign investments in the Russian Federation are protected by the state, including the General Prosecutor's Office," Krasnov said. He also noted that Russia considers it promising to continue cooperation between the two countries at international anti-corruption forums, including within the framework of the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation's regional network of law enforcement and anti-corruption bodies. Krasnov invited Chinese National Supervisory Commission Deputy Director Fu Kui to the Russian city of Vladivostok to attend the Eastern Economic Forum from September 10-13, which will discuss, among other topics, the protection of entrepreneurs and investors from corruption.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230704/russian-economy-keeps-recovering-despite-sanctions---prime-minister-at-meeting-with-putin-1111666521.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/russias-fm-lavrov-holds-press-conference-following-asean-meeting--1111845960.html

Russia's FM Lavrov Holds Press Conference Following ASEAN Meeting

Russia's FM Lavrov Holds Press Conference Following ASEAN Meeting

ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations and it is one world most influential organization from political and economic standpoint.

2023-07-13T07:03+0000

2023-07-13T07:03+0000

2023-07-13T07:06+0000

russia

sergey lavrov

asean

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Sputnik is live from Jakarta, Indonesia, where Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is holding a press conference following the meeting with his ASEAN counterparts. It is expected that Russia's top diplomat will focus on issues of cooperation in political and economic spheres, with special attention paid to food and energy security. Lavrov will likely touch the topic of disarmament at the ASEAN Regional Forum and the challenges of fighting international terrorism. Reportedly, Russia's foreign minister will also voice concerns about growing military threats in the region.Follow Sputnik's Live Feed to Find Out More!

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/scott-ritter-nato-summit-serves-up-cringe-nothing-burger--1111854432.html

Scott Ritter: NATO Summit Serves Up Cringe Nothing-Burger

Scott Ritter: NATO Summit Serves Up Cringe Nothing-Burger

Back in 1984, Wendys (an American fast-food chain) released an advertisement starring an elderly actress named Clara Peller. The premise of the ad had Peller ordering a hamburger from an unnamed competitor, only to receive a very large bun containing a very small beef patty on the inside.

2023-07-13T15:31+0000

2023-07-13T15:31+0000

2023-07-13T15:43+0000

nato

ukraine

russia

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nato summit in vilnius

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Upon examining the burger, Peller looks up in exasperation, and proclaims Wheres the beef?In the aftermath of the Vilnius-hosted NATO Summit, a two-day affair spanning July 11-12, one cannot help but feel that the spirit of Clara Peller was channeled into the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, as he pored over the results of the event, and contrasted them with the expectations that existed going into the summit. I dont know how to say Wheres the beef in Ukrainian, but something like that phrase had to be coursing through the mind of the Ukrainian President as he examined the big nothing burger that NATO had delivered up for him.The Vilnius Summit was intended to showcase the alliances unity and resolve in the face of the challenges presented by Russia and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. There had been a great deal of discussion prior to the summit about the prospects of Ukrainian membership in NATO. It was understood by all parties that, while the conflict between Ukraine and Russia remained in an active phase, Ukrainian membership was impossible, if for no other reason that, under Article 5 of the NATO charter, NATO would immediately find itself in a war with Russia which had a good chance of going nuclear.The working premise going into the Vilnius Summit was that NATO would empower Ukraine to carry out a massive counteroffensive designed to break through the Russian defenses and drive to the Sea of Azov, thereby severing the land bridge between Crimea and Russia, forcing Russia to negotiate an end to the conflict. At that juncture, having frozen the conflict on terms that would be unfavorable to Russia, NATO would extend an invitation to Ukraine for membership, thereby shrouding Ukraines gains with Article 5 protections while effectively checking any future Russian offensive operations.In the weeks leading up to the summit, Ukraine was desperately trying to do its part, throwing its newly constituted NATO-trained and equipped assault brigades at prepared Russian defenses in actions which made the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade seem like the epitome of military planning and execution by comparison. With much of its NATO-provided weaponry, including the much-touted Leopard tanks and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, destroyed or damaged without ever reaching the main Russian defensive positions, and some 20,000 Ukrainian casualties, the Ukrainian counteroffensive fizzled out. Instead of presenting his NATO partners with a decisive Ukrainian victory, Zelensky confronted his erstwhile allies with the harsh reality that not only would the conflict with Russia not be ending any time soon, but also the growing realization that, when it did end, it would be as a decisive Russian military victory.Confronted with this reality, NATO sought to soften expectations about Ukrainian membership. Rather than provide Ukraine with a concrete road map to membership, NATO declared that it would extend an invitation to Ukraine when conditions are met, one of which is that the conflict with Russia must be over. NATO offered up as a consolation prize the establishment of a NATO-Ukraine Council to advance political dialogue, engagement, cooperation, and Ukraines Euro-Atlantic aspirations for membership in NATO, and promised to continue our support for as long as it takes.For Zelensky, these words ring hollow in the face of a deteriorating situation on a battlefield largely defined by the previous support of NATO. And the harsh reality of the battlefield looms large as Zelensky departs Vilnius with little more than assurances that NATO will continue to support Ukraine along the lines of what it has done to date. But all that this support has done is condemn hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers to death, while stripping bare both the armories and coffers of Ukraines NATO partners.Zelensky must likewise reflect on the words of President Joe Biden who, in an interview with CNN, noted that Ukraine was not ready for membership in NATO, adding that any such dialogue was premature while Ukraine was in the middle of a conflict. Biden also stated that he did not think there is unanimity in NATO about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the NATO family now, and that the process could take place only after a peace agreement with Russia was in place.But to achieve a peace that created the conditions favorable to Ukraine joining NATO meant that Ukraine must first defeat the Russian army on the field of battle. To do that, Ukraine would need NATO to radically alter the formulation upon which current levels of military assistance were being calculated, if for no other reason that the current formulations were, simply put, not working. But NATO is neither inclined nor capable of changing this formulation. Its goal has never been to defend Ukraine, but rather defeat Russia, a cause it is willing to pursue to the last Ukrainian.Zelensky came to Vilnius like customers flock to fast food restaurants, full of expectations about the delicious burger they are going to order and consume, only to find himself cast in the role of Clara Peller, shouting out in exasperation, Wheres the beef?It's not the role Zelensky wanted or expected rolling into the Vilnius Summit. For more than 500 days he had been cast as the modern-day incarnation of Winston Churchill, a heroic figure standing firm against the forces of evil. But Zelensky operates in the theater of the absurd, where perception trumps reality until which time reality hits hard, and the script changes. The narrative has flipped, with Ukraine transformed from the leading character into part of the supporting cast. Zelensky the politician must be disappointed by this turn of events. But Zelensky the actor simply looks down at the words put before him, written by others, takes his cue, and reads aloud.Wheres The Beef?The answer doesnt matter. There is no beef. Its just a script. And Zelensky is just an actor, playing out his role in the tragic opera that has become the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, watching helplessly as his nation and people are being sacrificed on behalf of a dysfunctional NATO alliance that proclaims its mission as peace, but whose only product is war.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/nato-summit-exposes-fractures-in-alliance-over-support-for-ukraine-1111839544.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/russian-foreign-ministry-vilnius-summit-shows-nato-back-to-cold-war-era-behavior-1111840578.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230520/bloody-jester-volodymyr-zelenskys-rise-to-power-1110465049.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/sentencing-of-russian-businessman-klyushin-in-us-court-rescheduled-for-july-31---lawyer-1111859398.html

Sentencing of Russian Businessman Klyushin in US Court Rescheduled for July 31 - Lawyer

Sentencing of Russian Businessman Klyushin in US Court Rescheduled for July 31 - Lawyer

The sentencing in US court of Russian businessman Vladislav Klyushin has been rescheduled from July 19 to July 31, his lawyer Maksim Nemtsev told Sputnik on Thursday.

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"Sentencing is [re-scheduled for] July 31. I dont know what the sentence will be. We're formulating our request [sentencing recommendation] to the court in the next couple of weeks," Nemtsev said in a statement. Nemtsev also said that Klyushin, who is the owner of the Russian information technology firm M-13, is doing well. A jury in Boston, Massachusetts, found Klyushin guilty on charges of conspiring to obtain unauthorized access to computers, wire fraud and securities fraud in connection with a $90 million scheme. Klyushin was arrested in Switzerland in March of 2021 and extradited to the United States later that year.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220922/klyushins-lawyers-find-contradictions-in-testimony-of-fbi-agent---defense-team-1101108009.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/sweden-joins-g7-declaration-of-support-for-ukraine-1111850697.html

Sweden Joins G7 Declaration of Support for Ukraine

Sweden Joins G7 Declaration of Support for Ukraine

Sweden has signed up to the Group of Seven's Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine presented on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Thursday.

2023-07-13T11:25+0000

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russia's special operation in ukraine

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On Wednesday, G7 member states presented the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, which provides for the allocation of additional military equipment, expanded intelligence sharing and new training programs for the Ukrainian military, as well as the development of industrial capacities. Norway joined the declaration later that day.Russian officials repeatedly stressed that support for Kiev regime, while fuels and prolongs the conflict, will ultimately not affect the progress of special military operation, aimed at protection of people of Donbass.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230711/ukraine-lost-26000-troops-and-3000-arms-since-start-of-counteroffensive--shoigu--1111814809.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/swedens-entire-territory-of-interest-for-nato-due-to-strategic-location---stoltenberg-1111859527.html

Sweden's Entire Territory of Interest for NATO Due to Strategic Location - Stoltenberg

Sweden's Entire Territory of Interest for NATO Due to Strategic Location - Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that Sweden's entire territory is of interest for the alliance as it is strategically located at the Baltic Sea and has a well-trained professional army.

2023-07-13T17:42+0000

2023-07-13T17:42+0000

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"Sweden has a strong, professional, well-trained defense and is strategically located at the Baltic Sea ... The borders with Norway and Finland allow for better coordination of land troops. In addition, there is Sweden's Navy in the Baltic Sea ... The entire territory of Sweden is of interest," he told a Swedish broadcaster. On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkiye would make Sweden's membership in NATO possible only after the European Union opens its doors for Ankara. Later that day, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the Turkish leader had agreed to forward the NATO accession protocol for Sweden to the parliament for ratification as soon as possible, while the Swedish government had agreed to help Turkiye with the EU accession process and visa liberalization with the bloc.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230706/swedens-nato-membership-final-piece-us-arctic-gamble--1111701607.html

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Elon Musk announced the formation of a new artificial intelligence-focused company after months of hinting intentions to create a competitor to ChatGPT.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, announced he will launch and lead a new artificial intelligence company called xAI.

The AI company's team consists of 12 members, including Musk. During Musk's discussion about AI with Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) on Twitter Spaces on Wednesday at 7 p.m. EDT, people can meet the team behind the AI company and pose questions, according to the company's website.

Elon Musk Launches AI Startup xAI

Both Khanna and Gallagher have been vocal about artificial intelligence's potential benefits and perils. The discussion comes amid growing interest in emergent technologies among legislators.

Tuesday marked the first-ever classified briefing for senators on artificial intelligence. Khanna, whose district encompasses Silicon Valley, stated in an April interview with Semafor that AI must be subject to appropriate antitrust regulation without undermining its positive attributes.

"The goal of xAI is to understand the true nature of the universe," the company said through its website.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk tweeted, "Announcing formation of @xAI to understand reality."

Since taking over Twitter, Musk's propagation of right-wing voices and conspiracies has made him an increasingly divisive figure on the left. He also stated that he is willing to engage with Musk, who has become an increasingly divisive figure on the left.

While Musk has officially entered the AI sweepstakes, he has also been a prominent voice of caution regarding the potential impact of the technology on humanity.

Per CBS News, Musk was an early supporter of OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT, but he subsequently criticized the company for implementing safeguards to prevent the chatbot from disseminating biased or sexist responses.

In December, Musk responded to a Twitter user who asked OpenAI's CEO if it was possible to "turn off the woke settings" on ChatGPT by tweeting, "The peril of training AI to be woke - that is, to deceive - is lethal."

In an April interview with former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, Musk hinted at his new AI venture. TruthGPT is a "maximum truth-seeking AI" that "cares about understanding the universe," he said.

Read Also: Wagner Mercenaries Surrender Their Weapons to Russian Military; Prigozhin Reportedly Has Cancer

Musk's Doubt on Artificial Intelligence

Musk's announcement of the new company comes months after he warned in an interview that artificial intelligence could cause "civilization destruction" and joined other tech executives in calling for a halt to an "out of control" AI race.

Few additional details on the company's mission were immediately accessible, but its website indicates it is actively recruiting employees. Currently, it appears that all twelve staff members on the website are male.

Musk's announcement of his latest venture comes at a difficult time for him. Twitter, which he purchased for $44 billion in October, now confronts an uncertain future due to the introduction of Threads, a competing app by Meta.

In less than a week, registrations for Meta's app surpassed 100 million. Meanwhile, there were multiple reports of declining Twitter usage.

Musk has alienated some Twitter users and advertisers for months by reducing staff, forcing through controversial policy changes, and making a number of incendiary statements. In addition to Twitter, Musk is the founder and CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company.

Related Article: Instagram's Threads Nears 100 Million Users, 5 Days Since the Twitter Rival Debuts

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/un-seeks-to-extend-grain-deal-for-2-months-at-least-1111845674.html

UN Seeks to Extend Grain Deal for 2 Months at Least

UN Seeks to Extend Grain Deal for 2 Months at Least

The UN seeks to extend the grain deal  that expires next week  for two months at least, and Ankara will contribute to the negotiations with Moscow, a source familiar with the talks told Sputnik on Thursday.

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On Wednesday, British news agency reported, citing sources, that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had proposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to preserve the Black Sea Grain Initiative for few more months until the EU manages to connect a subsidiary of the Russian Agriculture Bank to SWIFT. "Yes, there is such a proposal. We are familiar with its essence. It is proposed to extend the term of the Black Sea grain initiative for at least two months. We will wait for a reaction, we hope for a positive response, we will contribute to the negotiations on our part," the source said.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/us-authorities-hunting-aggressive-sea-otter-attacking-stealing-surfboards--1111844753.html

US Authorities Hunting Aggressive Sea Otter Attacking, Stealing Surfboards

US Authorities Hunting Aggressive Sea Otter Attacking, Stealing Surfboards

The sea otter is the offspring of another aggressive female who was captured five years ago, five years later as an adult the female otter is now attacking surfboards off the coast of California.

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Authorities in California recently undertook a hunting campaign to track down an adult female sea otter that has been terrorizing surfers off the Santa Cruz coastline since mid-June, with attacks recently becoming more aggressive.Joon Lee, a 40-year-old Apple software engineer, told US media he was surfing for about 90 minutes before he was recently attacked by a sea otter."It was being peaceful and friendly, and all of us surfers were like, 'Oh, it's so cute,'" said Lee, who said he'd been swimming near an otter for a majority of his surfing session. But then, when another otter appeared, its entire energy shifted.He said he tried to jostle the otter off of the board, but the animal was persistent and even began to lunge at Lee, who survived the encounter even as his surfboard did not.Video of the recent encounter has since surfaced across social media. While the incident may seem humorous, as sea otters are often recognized as adorable critters, they are predatory animals and can grow to be quite large. Adults can grow to up to 5 feet in length, with males weighing between 80 and 100 pounds, while females weigh somewhere between 50 and 70 pounds.Federal and state wildlife officials have now decided to remove the otter from the wild before she manages to hurt anyone, or even herself.The story only gets more strange: the sea otter who is attacking surfboards, is the daughter of a sea otter who had to be trapped five years ago after she began displaying aggressive behavior towards kayakers. Fuji believes people had been illegally feeding that otter at the time, which may have triggered her aggressive behavior. Her pup, tagged as Otter 841, was born in captivity and weaned until she was released to the wild, having since taken to attacking surfboards.Fuji said the aquarium and their partner organizations work diligently to make sure their young have little interaction with people, and that this particular otter began to exhibit her aggressive behavior only recently.Otter 841 has also given birth twice, having lost her second pup in the spring. Fuji explained the otter could be pregnant again but that officials won't be certain of why the animal is acting aggressively until its caught. Officials are hoping to trap the animal by weeks' end."Due to the increasing public safety risk, a team from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Monterey Bay Aquarium trained in the capture and handling of sea otters has been deployed to attempt to capture and rehome her," Ashley McConnell, a spokeswoman for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, said in a statement.That may be trickier than the authorities hope, however, as Fuji says of Otter 841:Shes been quite talented at evading us.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/us-nordic-summit-pushes-nato-agenda-of-containing-russia-in-the-north-1111860121.html

US-Nordic Summit Pushes NATO Agenda of Containing Russia in the North

US-Nordic Summit Pushes NATO Agenda of Containing Russia in the North

US President Joe Biden and leaders from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland met on Thursday in Helsinki for the third US-Nordic Leaders' Summit following Turkiye's nod to Stockholm's membership in NATO.

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"The summit in Helsinki is intended to once again demonstrate the transatlantic unity of the US and the Nordic countries," Nikita Lipunov, an analyst at the Institute for International Studies, MGIMO-University, told Sputnik. The readout of the US-Nordic Leaders' summit, released on the White House's website on Thursday placed particular emphasis on the Ukraine conflict, pledging "to continue their [US and Nordic] support for Ukraine for as long as it takes, including through sustained security, economic, legal, and humanitarian assistance."They also "reconfirmed the importance of [NATO] for regional and transatlantic security and stability" referring to Sweden and Finland  previously neutral states  forthcoming accession to the alliance.The Nordic states signaled that they "stand ready to deepen their security and defense cooperation with the United States, including through the Nordic Defense Cooperation framework.""I dont think NATOs ever been stronger," Biden said during a meeting with Finland's President Sauli Niinisto. "I think  its a different era. The nature of our relationship, bringing along Sweden as well, makes a gigantic difference."In his previous interview with Sputnik, Lipunov drew attention to Washington's plans in the Arctic, stressing that Sweden and Finland's membership in NATO would become instrumental for the US' Arctic gambit.For instance, Sweden's accession to the bloc will have an impact on the adjacent Barents Euro-Arctic region, where military activity and tension will increase, Lipunov noted at the time. He added that a valuable asset for NATO will be Finnish and Swedish technology in the field of communications, armaments and the construction of icebreakers.Meanwhile, it's unclear whether Finland's NATO membership is worth the pain of cutting off ties with Russia with which it shares a 1,340 km border. What interests does Helsinki pursue in NATO?Lipunov explained that Finland receives legal security guarantees under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Even though Russia neither poses a threat nor challenges the Nordic country, Finnish politicians believe that this would strengthen their security.The preceding NATO Summit in Vilnius demonstrated the bloc's readiness for further expansion and perception of Nordic countries as an invaluable asset for the alliance's strategic plans."NATO expansion in Northern Europe is a strategic military-political task of the United States as part of its policy of constraining Russia," Lipunov said. "After the entry of Finland and the future accession of Sweden, the border of the alliance with Russia would double, and the Baltic Sea would actually become NATO's inland sea."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230706/swedens-nato-membership-final-piece-us-arctic-gamble--1111701607.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/what-is-north-koreas-new-solid-fuel-icbm-hwasong-18-missile-1111858631.html

What is North Korea's New Solid-Fuel ICBM Hwasong-18 Missile?

What is North Korea's New Solid-Fuel ICBM Hwasong-18 Missile?

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) announced on Wednesday that it had successfully launched a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-18, the previous day. What's the DPRK's new wonder weapon?

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The DPRK's General Missile Bureau conducted the test-fire of new-type ICBM Hwasong-18 on July 12, calling it part of the effort to bolster the nation's right to self-defense against a "disaster of a nuclear war" and to "thoroughly deter the dangerous military moves of the hostile forces," according to the North Korean state media. The nation's media dubbed the Hwasong-18 a "core weapon system of the strategic force" of the country.The report said that the military security situation on the Korean peninsula and in the region has dramatically worsened, blaming the US and "its vassal forces'" for unprecedented military provocations against the DPRK which have recently been intensified.What's the Range of the Hwasong-18 Missile?The Hwasong-18 missile reportedly reached an altitude of 6,648.4 kilometers and traveled 1,001.2 kilometers.How Long Does Hwasong-18 Take to Reach Its Target?The Hwasong-18 traveled for 4,491 seconds (about 74 minutes) before it "accurately" landed on the targeted area in the open waters off the East Sea of Korea. The missile's flight time has become the longest when compared to other rockets test-launched by the country. DPRK leader Kim Jong-un personally monitored the test fire, as per the nation's media.How Long Does It Take to Reach the US?The ballistic missile was launched at a high angle; if fired on a normal trajectory, it would be capable of traveling more than 12,875 km easily reaching the continental United States  as per South Korean military experts  presumably, in an hour and 14 minutes.When Was the Hwasong-18 Tested for the First Time?The Hwasong-18 is the first solid-fuelled ICBM developed by the DPRK. The weapon was unveiled on February 8 at the nation's military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army.The first launch of the Hwasong-18 occurred on April 13. The ballistic missile flew toward the Sea of Japan for about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. Photographs and video of the test showed the launch of a three-stage ICBM from a road-mobile transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) and indications of in-flight stage separation.What are Hwasong-18 Characteristics?According to some estimates, the Hwasong-18 weighs 55-60 tons. Judging from the missile's photographs, the rocket is 26.95 meters long; its first stage is 2.21 meters in diameter, while its second and third stages are 1.9 meters in diameter. Some observers suggested that the missile may be equipped with a single high-powered warhead or up to six multiple warheads.According to international experts, the Hwasong-18s first-stage dimensions are consistent with those of the large solid rocket motor the nation reportedly tested last December 15, 2022. At the time, the DPRK media reported that Pyongyang conducted the first static (ground) test of a large solid-propellant rocket motor. Solid rocket motors allow the military to fire the weapon quicker compared to liquid-fueled missiles. Solids are also safer to handle in the field than liquids. In addition, it is easier to conceal solid ICBMs during land-mobile deployments. Solid-fueled ICBMs are also considered more stable.What Does Hwasong Mean?Hwasong translates as "Mars," which is both the name of the farthest terrestrial planet from the Sun and the name of the Roman god of rage and war.When Did North Korea Start Ballistic Missile Testing?Pyongyang started to test its intercontinental ballistic missiles in 2017. In that year, the DPRK first successfully test-launched two liquid propellant road-mobile ICBMs: the Hwasong-14 and Hwasong-15. A larger Hwasong-17 ICBM was displayed by Pyongyang at an October 2020 military parade. The Hwasong-17 was first test-launched in 2022. According to the US Congressional Research Service (CRS), the DPRK's newest ballistic missiles  including the Hwasong-14, Hwasong-15, Hwasong-17 (and Hwasong-18)  "demonstrate mobility, potency, precision, and have characteristics that make the missiles difficult to defeat in flight." The US observers admit that Pyongyang's tests have demonstrated growing success and "suggest a pattern designed to strengthen the credibility of [the nation's] regional nuclear deterrent strategy."What Was the US Reaction of US?Pyongyang's test launch coincided with the second day of the NATO summit in Vilnius. Following the DPRK's Wednesday's test, the White House stated that the launch "risks destabilizing the security situation in the region." Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called the launch "unacceptable" while speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit. South Korea joined the chorus of Pyongyang's critics.For its part, the DPRK refers to the ongoing military buildup in the Asia-Pacific region spearheaded by the US, intensified military drills between US, South Korean and Japanese forces and militaristic rhetoric from Seoul.For its part, the US has bolstered its trilateral AUKUS military alliance with the UK and Australia and brought focus on further enhancement of the INDOPACOM missions. On April 18, 2023, Admiral John C. Aquilino, United States Navy Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command, testified before the US House Armed Services Committee emphasizing the necessity to step up deterrence in the Asia-Pacific region specifically against China, Russia, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/watch-north-koreas-newest-hwasong-18-icbm-in-action-1111847929.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/what-lies-behind-zelenskys-nervous-response-to-nato-summit-1111854058.html

What Lies Behind Zelensky's 'Nervous Response' to NATO Summit?

What Lies Behind Zelensky's 'Nervous Response' to NATO Summit?

The results of the NATO summit in Vilnius this week were apparently not to the Ukrainian leaderships satisfaction, as Kiev essentially received only vague... 13.07.2023, Sputnik International

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Volodymyr Zelensky has complained about the NATO summit on Twitter, lamenting that the lack of a timeframe for Ukraines admission to NATO was unprecedented and absurd.Commenting on this situation, Tiberio Graziani, chairman at Vision & Global Trends International Institute for Global Analyses, told Sputnik that one should look beyond the skirmishes between the statements of the representatives of the various countries, the NATO secretariat and Zelensky, as everyone involved essentially plays their role.At the same time, he added, Zelensky's nervous response is a due act: he must in fact give a signal of coherence to his own leadership group and to his Armed Forces.Graziani also argued that any concerns about how much unity there may be within NATO  seeing how no joint agreement on security guarantees has emerged by the summits end  are irrelevant since that military bloc is hegemonic in nature, with all of its members  except for the UK, Australia and Canada  having an ancillary role with respect to the hegemonic role of Washington.He also addressed the remarks made recently by UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace who complained about Ukraines apparent lack of gratitude for the weaponry it receives from abroad, reminding Kiev that London is not Amazon.On July 11 through 12, the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius hosted the NATO summit that was attended by leaders of the military blocs member states as well as by Kiev regime head Volodymyr Zelensky who acquired a habit as of late to ask for military and financial aid at various high-profile events around the globe.The participants of the summit discussed, among other things, the current situation in Ukraine and their efforts to aid the regime in Kiev.

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Longtime horseman James Robert 'Bob' Walker of Owen Sound, Ont. passed away peacefully after a battle with throat cancer on Tuesday, July 11 at Grey Bruce Health Services, Wiarton. He was in his 79th year.

A member of one of Canada's leading racing families and a renowned conditioner of trotters, Bob was a driver, had no trouble shoeing a horse and proved his training abilities by training champions Nadirs Pride, N V Worthy (pictured below) and Cajala, just to name a few.

Living and training his whole life at the home farm in Owen Sound, he loved the challenge of training two-year-olds and once said that's what kept him coming to the barn in the morning. Bob raced successfully in the Ontario Sires Stakes program, travelling throughout Ontario where he enjoyed the close network of friends and the social aspect of the business.

Beloved husband of Pat (nee Dudgeon). Loving Dad of Jennifer Siegrist and her husband Mike MacLean, and the late Rob and his wife Annette. Proud Grandpa of Ashley, Jessie, and Ryan. Dear brother of the late Jean and her husband Pete Thibaudeau, Larry and his wife Raymonde, and Paul and his wife Brenda. Bob will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Memorial donations to the Owen Sound Hospital Foundation (for the Oncology Department), the Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation or the Allenford Curling Club would be appreciated by the family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Huron Shores Cremation Services, with memorial online at huronshorescremation.com.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Bob Walker.
As people lined the streets of Broadway in front of the Midwest Theater Monday, they were greeted by a countdown clock. The clock ticked away the hours, then minutes and finally seconds until the big reveal: the lighting of the historic theaters refurbished marquee.

For the board of directors of the Friends of the Midwest Theater, theyve been counting the months, then the weeks and the days for the completion of the marquee.

The Midwest Theater is a landmark in Scottsbluff. Its brightly colored marquee and its spire topped with lighted stars are among the most photographed focal points of downtown Scottsbluff. Its even appeared in numerous films and the theater has its place on the National Register of Historic Places.

For the last year, Jeff Tracy, the president of the board of directors, said the front of the theater looked bare without its trademark marquee and its presence has been missed. After all, it has been a part of the theater and downtown since the theaters construction in the 1940s.

When a crew from Wagner Electric Sign Co. of Elyria, Ohio, installed the refurbished marquee again a few weeks ago, he said, the board and staff felt their anticipation coming to an end, a sense of relief that the treasured theater would once again shine.

It began to feel like, OK, this is really going to happen, he said. But, there was so much work in between, just trying to make sure that all the details are taken care of, and so many people involved.

Its a project that was decades in the making. Work has included replicating the original glass tube neon lighting with LED lighting, electrical upgrades and inclusion of structural and weather-resistant materials. Care was taken to maintain the script style of the original design and ensure that the aesthetics of the original marquee remained in play.

It was a huge undertaking, Tracy said. Weve known for quite a while that the marquee needed to have some restoration done. The problem was figuring out how to fund it.

When previous director Billy Estes learned capital improvement funding would be made available through the Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery and Investment Act passed by the Nebraska Legislature in 2021, Tracy said he approached the board about it and advocated for pursuing the funds.

We started looking at it, wondering, Could this really be doable? Yeah. The catch was that it was a matching grant.

With that, Tracy said, the Midwest Theater board and staff knew that they had to raise at least $400,000 to make such a project possible.

Tracy said he and other board members wondered if they would be able to raise the funds. However, the community stepped up.

Estes doggedly pursued funds, which officials noted came from a variety of sources, including foundations, local banks and businesses and even individuals. During ceremonies, Tracy mentioned that one donation even came in the name of the Midwest Theaters touted ghost, Miss Bish. Donations ranged from $10.50 to $100,000 to match the $387,8000 awarded to the Midwest Theater. The Midwest Theater was one of 76 nonprofit organizations awarded grants.

As funds were raised, the board started laying the plans for the project, bringing it from idea to fruition. It was an exciting week as crews installed the marquee in the first part of June. Midwest Theater board members and staff breathed a sigh of relief after a hail storm came through the area that same week and the newly-installed marquee only had some minor damage, quickly repaired by the crew.

Refurbishing of the marquee wasnt the only improvement tackled as part of the $775,000 project. Stucco repairs and painting were done on the exterior of the building and a new decorative sidewalk placed. Painted scrollwork has come alive due to work by an artist who hand-painted the designs last summer. Work to refurbish terrazzo and LED lighting inside the Midwest Theater lobbies have also been completed. Tracy said the board of directors looked at the work that needed to be accomplished, and outlined a sequence that would allow it to be completed by the time the refurbished marquee would be ready for unveiling.

Like the rest of the nation, the Midwest Theater saw impacts due to the pandemic. Initially, the project had been slated for completion first in October 2022, then December 2022. However, Tracy said, that everything from worker shortages to shipping delays impacted the marquee project.

We felt like we were kind of a microcosm of what the country has experienced, from the delays to the hurdles on a project like this, he said.

However, all of the delays and other impacts were but distant memories as the Midwest Theater board, its staff and the community celebrated the lighting of the marquee Monday.

After the crowd counted down from 10  Tracy told them he wanted their countdown to resemble cheers of the ball dropping on New Years Eve in New York Citys Time Square  board members and staff threw their hands up and cheered, joined by the community.

The marquee has been this kind of iconic piece of the downtown for decades, Tracy told the Star-Herald. We hope this restoration gives it another few decades lighting up Broadway.

Tina Worthman, executive director of the Midwest Theater, said she cried as the marquee lit up.

The community reaction was amazing, she said, noting a wide age range of people attending the community celebration, from senior citizens to children, and from all walks of life. How cool to have such an amazing night. They came out in force.

PHOTOS: Midwest Theater 'Light Up Broadway'
The Council Bluffs and Omaha police officers involved in a fatal shooting on Saturday have been identified.

The officers who fired shots at 41-year-old Matthew Briggs were Lt. Chad Geer, a 27-year veteran of the Council Bluffs Police Department, and Lt. Martin Stiles, a 23-year veteran of the Omaha Police Department, according to a news release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Briggs was wanted as a person of interest in the killing of 52-year-old Steven Greg Donsbach on Saturday morning and in a related domestic assault report from a separate location, the Omaha World-Herald previously reported.

Donsbach was found shot dead inside of a home at 9927 Essex Drive in the Regency neighborhood.

A car reportedly belonging to Briggs, a red 2005 Buick Century sedan, was seen on a security camera in the neighborhood and was discovered Saturday afternoon at Mandan Park in southeast Omaha.

About 3:30 p.m., a blue Toyota Camry was carjacked just south of Mandan Park and police said they believe Briggs used a firearm in taking the vehicle.

Law enforcement responded to the incident and chased the Camry across the Missouri River into Iowa. Briggs was known to be armed with multiple weapons and the Camry was traveling at over 100 mph at times during the chase, according to the release.

The pursuit ended when a Council Bluffs officer performed a PIT maneuver on the Camry near College Road and Valley View Drive, the release said. A PIT is a pursuit intervention technique where an officer bumps a car to try to send it into a spinout.

Briggs then pointed a weapon at the responding officers and Stiles and Geer both fired at him, according to the release.

Briggs was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. A forensic autopsy found that he died of a fatal gunshot wound, according to the release.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting and interviewed Stiles and Geer on Monday, the release said.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be reviewed by the Pottawattamie County Attorney and the Iowa Attorney Generals Office.
Chinese officials attempted to become the second country to send citizens to the moon on Wednesday by releasing additional information about their intentions for a human lunar trip.

Zhang Hailian, deputy chief engineer with the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), disclosed the preliminary plan on Wednesday during an aerospace summit in Wuhan.

A Scientific Exploration on the Moon

(Photo : by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

A Chinese flag is seen at the landing site of the return module of China's Chang'e-5 lunar probe in Siziwang Banner, in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on December 17, 2020.

The mission is a component of a plan to build a lunar research outpost and is anticipated to occur before 2030, as reported by CNN. According to Zhang, it will do moon exploration missions and other tests and look into the best way to construct the facility.

Two launch vehicles will place a crewed spacecraft and moon surface lander in lunar orbit before they dock with one another. The Chinese astronauts will board the lander, which descends to the moon's surface after the spacecraft has docked.

According to Global Times, they will conduct "scientific exploration" and gather samples while on the moon before boarding the lander and connecting with the spaceship that is waiting in orbit to return them to Earth.

According to Xinhua, Chinese scientists are hard at work creating all the essential tools for the expedition, including moon suits, manned lunar rovers, manned spacecraft, and moon landers.

Read Also: China Launches New Crew for Space Station, Aims for Moon Landing by 2030

Beijing Catches Up in Space

The lunar mission is the most recent step in China's effort to enhance its space program, which has recently had significant breakthroughs.

Beijing has been catching up quickly to the United States despite China's late entry into the space race. Beijing didn't launch its first satellite into orbit until 1970 when the United States had already placed an astronaut on the moon.

China became only the third nation to successfully land a rover on the moon in 2013 by doing so. At the time, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that "the space dream is part of the dream to make China stronger."

China's ambitious space program has seen billions of dollars invested under Xi's direction. Beijing's spending on space exploration is not publicly known, but it has been predicted to be roughly $5.8 billion in 2019.

That year, China made history by sending a rover to the moon's far side. Then, in 2020, it succeeded in retrieving lunar rock samples, making it the third nation to do it.

Additionally, throughout the past five years, China has been constructing its own Tiangong space station, which was finished in November. Along with the International Space Station (ISS), which Chinese astronauts have long been barred from accessing due to US political objections and legal limits, the station is the only other operating orbital outpost.

However, the ISS is anticipated to cease operations in 2030, leaving Tiangong as the lone remaining station. China has made an effort to make its station more accessible for collaboration with other partners, including by hosting experiments from other nations.

Related Article: China Plans 3 More Moon Missions After Discovery of New Mineral With Potential To Be New Energy Source

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Before Richmond baker Danya Smith appeared on the new season of Netflixs Is It Cake Too?, she was a sculpture student at Virginia Commonwealth University.

I was a visual artist, the 30-year-old Richmonder said.

But when she made a birthday cake for her grandmother six years ago, she was introduced to a new medium.

It was the first cake I ever baked from scratch. I watched 50 YouTube videos about it. I totally went down the rabbit hole, Smith said. Everybody liked it and said I should keep doing it.

Smith kept making more and more hyper-realistic cakes, often inspired by 1990s-theme pop culture, like the krabby patty from SpongeBob SquarePants or a remote control.

Now, Smith is a baker and content creator who makes her living baking crazy-real-looking cakes and shooting short videos for TikTok and Instagram.

She interviewed for Is It Cake Too?, a reality baking competition show on Netflix, and before she knew it, she was flying out to Los Angeles to tape the show, which debuted on June 30. This years season features eight episodes, all available for streaming now, with the winner taking home a grand prize of $75,000.

I had never done anything like that before. It was so exciting and very stressful. It was go-go-go nonstop. Ive never worked that hard in my life, Smith said. The adrenaline was so much. But as soon as it was over, I was like, I want to do it again.

At the beginning of the show, host Mikey Day of Saturday Night Live said, Youre here because youre the Michael Jordans of baking cakes that look like everyday objects.

[Day] was so nice. He made sure to greet everyone at the beginning of the show, Smith said. I would tease him because he was so clumsy. And they kept giving him these giant tools, like a saw or a sledgehammer, to cut the cakes with.

On the show, 10 bakers compete to create hyper-realistic cakes that look exactly like everyday objects. Celebrity judges have to guess: is it real, or is it cake? The host cuts into the objects to reveal whether or not they are cake.

Smith created a giant sneaker, a flashlight, the Mona Lisa and more objects out of cake as a part of challenges for the show.

Smiths storyline on the show is that she is living with her mother while getting her content creation business off the ground. While we do not want to reveal any spoilers, Smith has since been able to get her own place in Richmond.

It was such a great experience. I learned so many new techniques, and I instantly became a part of this community of people who are interested in the same things I am, Smith said.

"Danya was one of those students that...as a teacher I thought to myself, 'Gosh I hope I can keep up with this one, I hope I will have something I can offer her.' She was fearless in a way that you don't often see in a first year student," Valerie Molnar, one of her professors at VCU, said. "Nothing could stop her, it didn't matter what the assignment prompt was - she always had something that was distinctly and singularly hers that she was able to weave around the assignment."

"Danya would absorb process demos, ideas and pop culture with a fluidity and intelligence that would leave me awe struck," Matt Spahr, another professor, said.

Molnar and Spahr now run People via Plants where they create innovative, artistic planters in unusual shapes.

"It was an absolute joy to get to watch (Danya) in 'Is It Cake Too?' The biggest thing that comes to my mind is that this is just the start of seeing her out in the world, it's just the beginning," Molnar added.

These days, Smith is focused solely on content creation. Ill work for days on a seven-second video. But the cake lives on in the video, which is nice, Smith said.

She creates content for Nickelodeon and other brands on social media, with videos of cakes and items inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants or Rugrats. I joke with my niece and tell her I know SpongeBob, she said.

My background in sculpture helped me have that curiosity about materials. I like to make my own silicone molds, Smith said. I use a lot of chocolate and modeling chocolate; its almost like polymer clay. I make a lot of things out of white chocolate, because you can color it differently. I forget that these things are actually delicious.

Smith also creates how-to videos of her hyper-realistic creations for aspiring bakers to re-create.

Im going to keep doing what Ive been doing. I hope my audience will keep growing, Smith said. I love to teach people all these things Ive learned from an art and sculpture background. At VCU, you learn about how objects fit in space. That was really helpful on the show, where the premise is to trick the eyes of the judges.
Lauren, 35, and Matt Urey, 39, returned to New Zealand, to testify in the Auckland District Court on Wednesday in the trial of three tourism companies and three directors charged with safety breaches over the Dec. 9 White Island disaster.

The honeymooning couple was among 47 people on White Island, the tip of an undersea volcano also known by its Indigenous Maori name, Whakaari, when superheated gases erupted. Most of the 25 people who survived were severely burned, including the Ureys.

The court was shown video statements the couple provided police as they were convalescing.

In 2019, the couple traveled to New Zealand from Australia aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Ovation of the Seas. Matt Urey had booked the volcano tour through the Florida-based cruise company.

Lauren Urey said she was concerned by the prospect of visiting a live volcano.

I was paranoid, to be honest. I was really iffy about the volcano months before we even went on it, she said.

She said a guide had assured her that an early warning system on the island would alert them 10 minutes before any eruption. She said she was told wearing a hard hat on the volcano was compulsory but wearing a respirator was optional. She rarely wore the respirator because it was uncomfortable.

She was feeling safe by the time she got to the volcano crater and was enjoying herself until a tourist pointed to the rising plume of the eruption.

I remember my heart just sank and so many people were taking pictures. I just freaked out, she said.

Matt Urey described seeing a huge plume coming up and a "large black cloud. He heard a guide say: Not today. Run.

Lauren Urey said she and her husband ran for their lives, then hid behind rocks and held each others hands.

He was just screaming in agony. Ive never heard him scream like that before. I remember he said he was sorry, she said.

I remember me screaming in agony. My body was sizzling, she added. I said: I love you so much. Im going to die today.

She struggled to put her respirator on because of the force of the volcano and she was determined to keep holding her husbands hand.

I was positive we were going to die, and if were we going to die, I wanted to be next to him, she said tearfully.

Matt Urey wept as he recalled checking on his wife's condition as they crouched behind rocks. Both were covered in ash.

He said he helped her back to the boat, lifting her back to her feet after she stumbled and badly burnt her right hand. We couldnt run anymore because the ash was so thick. We were walking as fast as we could back towards the boat," he said.

The badly burned couple managed to make their way from the island. Both spent weeks in hospitals, including at VCU Medical Center.

Lauren Urey said she was given no warning of the dangers of an eruption or advice to wear protective clothing. My husband would never put my life or his life at risk, and I trusted my husband. I would have no reason not to trust him, she said.

Matt Urey said he was not told until they had almost reached the island that there was a stage two" volcanic alert level which meant that parts of the island were off limits. They didn't really explain what that meant, he said.

I thought there must be more steam venting than usual or something like that. I certainly didn't interpret it as  there's a risk of an eruption, he added.

Lauren Urey told The Times-Dispatch in a May interview she didn't think they would make it home safely.

I felt like I was going to get buried alive, she recalled. I thought there was no way we were going to survive this.

Under New Zealand's six-tier Volcanic Alert Level system, Level 2 denotes moderate to heightened volcanic unrest. Hazards include a potential eruption. Level 3 is a minor volcanic eruption with eruption hazards near the vent.

Matt Urey said he never would have risked the tour if he had understood the alert level.

"I never in my wildest dreams would have gone on that island had I known an eruption was Level 3. We were on our honeymoon, we were just looking to relax. We werent looking for thrills, he said.

Matt Urey said he suffered burns to 53% of his body. His wife said she has undergone around one surgery a month, including skin grafts, for three years.

The islands owners, brothers Andrew, James and Peter Buttle -- their company Whakaari Management Ltd. -- as well as tour operators ID Tours NZ Ltd. and Tauranga Tourism Services Ltd. have pleaded not guilty to all charges. Other tour operators have pleaded guilty and will be fined at a later date.

Each of the companies faces a maximum fine of 1.5 million New Zealand dollars ($927,000). Each of the brothers charged faces a maximum fine of $185,000.

The trial, scheduled to run for 16 weeks, is being heard by Judge Evangelos Thomas without a jury. It began Tuesday and was adjourned until Thursday after the couple testified.
Tehran seeks to assert its power in the Middle East by directly challenging the American forces, Abdel Naser al-Iyad writes in al-Modon.

The stage is set for a highly anticipated battle between Iran and America in eastern Syria, as Iranian preparations to launch an attack on American forces are no longer a secret. The local population has been fleeing their homes in numerous villages and towns, bearing witness to the mobilization of fighters and weaponry on both sides.

The conflict is likely to unfold along two main axes. The first axis revolves around the Al-Omar oil field and Koniko gas plant on the west bank of the Euphrates, where American forces are stationed. The second axis encompasses towns in the east of the river, currently under Iranian control.

Irans strategy involves launching a missile and artillery assault from across the river while simultaneously pushing their ground forces along the opposite bank. In response, the American forces have been consistently deploying additional equipment and fighters to the region. Their aviation presence has remained uninterrupted for at least two weeks.

Amidst the mutual mobilization and chaotic scene, it is challenging to discern which side will initiate the attack. Nevertheless, considering the geopolitical context and the nature of recent movements, it is evident that Iran holds the initiative while the Americans find themselves in a reactive position. The Revolutionary Guard has spent years preparing for this battle, aiming to secure control over both banks of the Euphrates River, thereby cutting off Irans fiercely hostile region from the land route to the Mediterranean.

Tehran also seeks to assert its power in the Middle East by directly challenging the American forces. Although Iran may suffer significant human losses, such an outcome would not be viewed as a defeat for their imperial project. On the contrary, it would strengthen Irans position and draw attention to its extensive reach, particularly if the confrontation expands to include other areas under Iranian control or influence, spanning from the Gulf of Aden to the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. The loss of a few hundred or even thousands of fighters, mostly composed of a multinational force comprising various nationalities, will not outweigh the political gains Iran anticipates.

The Iranian initiative has also affected the positions and roles of other powers in the region, although these positions are not based on a coherent project or deliberate direction. The forces of the Assad regime, for instance, are attempting to align themselves with the Revolutionary Guards and secure a role in this liberation battle. However, their faltering attempts have led to clashes and confrontations with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Meanwhile, Russia, feeling vulnerable to potential American targeting, is striving to maintain its existing positions, particularly after the dismantling of the Wagner forces in the region.

The Syrian Democratic Forces find themselves in a state of confusion, with their leadership divided into two factions. One faction rejects direct confrontation with Iran and potentially seeks a cooperative understanding if Iran emerges as the dominant power in the region. The other faction adheres to American instructions and aims to maintain the alliance with the United States.

The local Arab tribes in the region appear to have experienced significant infiltration by Iranian militias, both east and west of the Euphrates. These militias intend to utilize tribal forces at the forefront of the attack, attributing their actions to these tribes to disavow initial consequences. Additionally, an increasing number of sleeper cells will strike the Americans from behind and in-depth, potentially collaborating with remaining ISIS cells for such attacks. This negative sentiment among the tribes towards the Americans stems from their policy of marginalizing the local Arab population in favour of Kurdish elements.

From a military perspective, the upcoming Iranian operation bears similarities to the Battle of Khasham in February 2018 when Wagner mercenaries attempted to seize the Koniko field. The American response may mirror the annihilation of the attacking forces during that time. However, the strategic outcomes will differ significantly. Irans primary objective is to occupy territory and inflict casualties on American forces, creating international upheaval by mobilizing its militias throughout the Middle East. The operation aims to demonstrate strategic strength, intimidate weaker parties, and bolster Irans image as a regional victor. It marks the culmination of the ongoing conflict since the fall of Baghdad in 2003 to the present day.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
U.S. military leaders met with several notable figures from Arab tribes in the Syrian Jazira region, according to Athr Press.

Sheikh Nawaf Ragheb al-Bashir, the leader of the Bakara tribe, has unveiled the truth behind recent U.S. actions related to Washingtons intentions of establishing a military force in eastern Syria comprised of Arab factions. These actions manifested in meetings between U.S. military leaders and notable figures from Arab tribes in the Syrian Jazira region.

In a statement to Athr, Bashir confirmed that the past events were aimed at gauging the acceptance of foreign military forces, such as Asayish, PKK, and Sanadid of the Shammar tribe, in areas outside Deir-ez-Zor. Additionally, the so-called Raqqa Revolutionaries Faction, led by Abu Issa al-Sheikh, was part of these discussions. He noted that the planned number of members for these forces was around 6,000, yet the actual count did not exceed 1,200. The leaders of the Sanadid faction declined to enter Deir ez-Zor due to previous disputes between the Shammar tribe and the tribes of Deir-ez-Zor, such as Bakara and Akidat.

Sheikh al-Bashir indicated that the recent military mobilization by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in villages along the contact lines with the Syrian army in the countryside of Deir-ez-Zor on July 8th was aimed at attacking the Deir-ez-Zor Military Council, led by Ahmed al-Khabil. There is growing information about escalating disputes between the council and the SDF leadership.

Furthermore, Sheikh al-Bashir pointed out that Washingtons current objective is to gain control over Deir-ez-Zor and disrupt Iranian-Syrian communication across the Iraqi border. This would enable them to control the region between Deir-ez-Zor and Tanf in southern Syria.

In recent times, the eastern region has witnessed various U.S. actions, including reinforcements, military exercises, and the establishment of a new Arab-based military force. These measures are aimed at appeasing the Turkish side, which opposes the deployment of Kurdish units near its border with Syria. A U.S. delegation held a meeting with Sheikh Bandar Hamidi al-Jarba, the leader of the Arab Shammar tribe, to discuss the formation of an Arab force. Commenting on this American project, an informed Kurdish source confirmed in an interview with Athr that the American forces would create an Arab force, albeit symbolic, serving as cover for controlling the border between Syria and Turkey from al-Malikiyah in the far northeast of Hasakeh to al-Baghouz in the eastern countryside of Deir-ez-Zor.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham continues to carry out raids and arrests targeting activists and media workers, according to Damas Post.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham continues to carry out raids and arrests targeting activists and media workers in the areas under its control, using various pretexts. The most recent incident involved the arrest of a young man from the city of Harasta, who was among the displaced people from the Damascus countryside. He had demanded the release of detainees held in Tahrir al-Shams prisons, according to activists.

A video clip surfaced featuring a group of individuals from Harasta and the Damascus countryside. In the video, they read a statement condemning Tahrir al-Shams practices, likening them to those of the Assad regime. These practices include home invasions, physical assaults, and intimidation.

The statement highlights that Tahrir al-Sham aims to suppress anyone who speaks out in favor of opening fronts against the forces of the Assad regime or advocates for the release of detainees who oppose Tahrir al-Shams policies and its shabiha activities in liberated areas.

Furthermore, the statement urgently calls upon Tahrir al-Sham to release the detainees promptly and unconditionally. Failure to meet these demands may lead to a perilous escalation of tensions.

The statement also encourages the revolutionaries and those with integrity to swiftly confront the oppressors and raise their voices against them, promising the best rewards and recognition for doing so.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Damascus said the United Nations could use a border crossing from Turkey to continue delivering aid to Idleb, despite Russia vetoing the UNSC Resolution, according to al-Arabiya.

The Syrian government on Thursday said the United Nations could use a border crossing from Turkey to continue delivering aid to northwest Syria for another six months after the Security Council failed to renew its authorization for the operation.

The UN aid deliveries would have to be in full cooperation and coordination with the Syrian Government, Syrias UN Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh wrote in a letter on Thursday to the Security Council, seen by Reuters.

UN Security Council approval for the Turkish-based aid operation delivering help to several million people in opposition-held northwest Syria expired on Monday as members struggled to convince Russia to extend it for more than six months.

Russia vetoed a nine-month authorization renewal at the UN Security Council on Tuesday and then failed in its own bid for a six-month extension of the operation, which has been delivering aid including food, medicine and shelter since 2014.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had pushed for a 12-month renewal. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the Syrian letter had been received and the United Nations was studying it.

Security Council authorization was needed because the Syrian government did not agree to the UN operation. It initially authorized aid deliveries in 2014 into opposition-held areas of Syria from Iraq, Jordan and two points in Turkey. But Russia and China whittled that down to just one from Turkey: Bab al-Hawa.

Russias Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said there was now no need for the council to vote on any authorization for cross-border aid deliveries and that avenue was officially dead now that the Syrian government had given its own approval.

Every effort to put another draft to vote will constitute nothing but political games, he posted on Twitter.

Russia and Syria have argued that the operation violates Syrias sovereignty and territorial integrity. They say more aid should be delivered from inside the country, raising opposition fears food and other aid would fall under government control.

The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic has taken the sovereign decision to grant the United Nations and its specialized agencies permission to use Bab al-Hawa crossing, Sabbagh wrote.

They would be allowed to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in need in northwest Syria, in full cooperation and coordination with the Syrian Government, for a period of six months, starting from July 13, 2023, he said.

After an earthquake killed more than 50,000 people in Turkey and Syria in February, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad allowed the United Nations to use an additional two border crossings from Turkey to dispatch aid. That approval expires on August 13.

A violent crackdown by Assad on peaceful pro-democracy protesters in 2011 led to a civil war, with Moscow backing Assad and Washington supporting the opposition. Millions of people have fled Syria with millions more internally displaced. Fighting has abated with Assad back in control of most of Syria.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The Whakaari volcanic eruption in 2019 made huge headlines after killing 22 people, including 14 Australians.

Because of this, the owners of Whakaari (aka White Island) are facing legal action since they were accused of violating safety and health regulations.

Whakaari Eruption Trial: Australian Victim Claims No Warnings Were Given

According to The Guardian's latest report, an Australian victim shared her experience during the 2019 Whakaari disaster. On Thursday, July 13, the Auckland district court conducted its third day of hearings for a prosecution, which was filed by the labor inspectorate of New Zealand.

Annie Yongan Lu gave evidence at the court via a video link from Australia. The Australian victim said no warnings were given when visiting White Island.

"We weren't told how to respond, just follow their directions in case of an emergency, which you would do anyway," she explained.

Lu shared that they were not told about the possibility of a volcanic explosion in Whakaari. Despite the lack of proper instructions, Lu and her mother still went to White Island in 2019 because they believed that the island's operators would not put lives in danger.

After the incident, they realized that they put their trust in the wrong people.

Read Also: 95-Year-Old Australian Lady Tasered by Police Dies; Officer Facing Multiple Offenses

Other Victims Say the Same Thing

Aside from Lu, other victims also shared their experiencing-and they are, saying the same thing. American couple Lauren Urey and Matthey Urey shared their unfortunate experience on Wednesday, July 12.

They were on a Royal Caribbean cruise on their honeymoon and decided to visit the White Island in New Zealand. Although Matthew said they read a brochure saying that Whakaari is Australia's most active volcano, they thought it was safe to visit.

Matthew and his wife said they received no safety warning from the island's operators before stepping on Whakaari.

"They didn't really give us a lot of information that I remember," said the American via ABC News.

As of writing, the owners of the White Island are still being prosecuted for the lack of information that puts Whakaari's visitors at risk.

If you want to learn more about the Whakaari volcanic eruption, you can visit this link.

Related Article: Australian Mount Everest Climber Dies as He Reaches Mountain's 'Death Zone

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Recent days have seen a build-up of military forces in the rural areas of Deir-ez-Zor, according to Baladi News.

The official spokesman for the Free Syrian Army, Abdul Razzaq Khader, refuted claims on Wednesday about preparations for a military operation in Deir-ez-Zor.

In an interview with Syria TV, Khader stated, We categorically deny any reports suggesting that we are preparing for a military operation in Deir-ez-Zor. He emphasized that their primary objective is to safeguard the 55-kilometre area and the Rukban camp.

Recent days have seen a build-up of military forces in the rural areas of Deir-ez-Zor, involving factions affiliated with both the regime forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This development has raised concerns about an imminent conflict in the region.

According to the Ain al-Furat website, the SDF has deployed a portion of its forces, including the specialized 150 raiding forces stationed in Tabqa, west of Raqqa, to the eastern countryside of Deir-ez-Zor. This move by the SDF further suggests an impending armed confrontation between the regime forces, backed by Iranian and Russian militias, and the US-supported SDF along with the international coalition.

It has been reported that Iranian militias have transported medium- and short-range missiles from the al-Sukhna areas in rural Homs to their military headquarters in rural Deir-ez-Zor.

In a related development, the Fourth Division and allied militias have dispatched military reinforcements comprising over 200 fighters to strategic locations in the northwestern countryside of Deir-ez-Zor, specifically the towns of Hatla, Geneina, Marat, Mazloum, Husseiniya, Tabia, and Khasham, where they face SDF-controlled areas.

Local sources have also indicated that the Russian forces have deployed additional military groups from their Fifth Corps to confront the SDF and the international coalition in the countryside of Deir-ez-Zor.

On Tuesday, July 11, the SDF clarified the purpose behind their recent military build-up in Deir-ez-Zor. In a statement, the SDF addressed the misinformation circulating in the media, stating, Several media outlets have spread false information regarding the movements of our forces in the Deir-ez-Zor area, along with speculations about their operations and intended objectives. We confirm that all such information and speculations are incorrect and lack any factual basis.

The statement further explained that the recent activities of their forces were non-emergency operations conducted as part of routine military operations aimed at countering ISIS cells. The SDFs objectives include enhancing security and stability for the regions population, in collaboration with the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria, to effectively address the significant threats posed by terrorist cells.

Currently, the SDF controls the majority of the Deir-ez-Zor countryside in the Jazira region, north of the Euphrates River. However, there are a few villages on the same bank of the river that are under regime control. The regime forces have complete control over the city of Deir-ez-Zor and the southern bank of the Euphrates, known locally as Shamiya.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The long-awaited destruction of a long-vacated, dilapidated grain facility at the Port of Longview has begun.

Several excavators, cranes and other equipment were present on the site of Berth 4 as port leaders surveyed the site of the $5.48 million demolition project on Tuesday.

PHOTOS: Longview Port's Berth 4 Demolition Close Demolition begins at the Port of Longview's Berth 4 on Tuesday, July 11. The purpose of this demolition is to clear the way for the dock to be utilized by another industry. Director of Facilities and Engineering William Burton strikes a silo at the Port of Longview's Berth 4 on Tuesday, July 11. The demolition of Berth 4 is now underway and is the beginning of a plan to reimagine its purpose at the Port of Longview. Port of Longview Commissioners Jeff Wilson, left, and Allan Erickson, center, discuss the demolition of Berth 4 with Director of Facilities and Engineering William Burton, right, at the Port of Longview on Tuesday, July 11. Demolition begins at the Port of Longview's Berth 4 on Tuesday, July 11. The purpose of this demolition is to clear the way for the dock to be utilized by another industry. Port of Longview Director of Facilities and Engineering William Burton, left, and Commissioner Jeff Wilson, center, discuss the Berth 4 demolition at the Port of Longview on Tuesday, July 11. Port of Longview's commissioners and staff pose for a group portrait at the Port of Longview's Berth 4 on Tuesday, July 11. +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +6 +6

After 30-plus years of hoping to bring down the former grain silo complex, which at one point housed Continental Grain and served as one of the main economic drivers of the port, officials were finally able to take those key steps when they started tearing down the facility last month.

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The multimillion-dollar project remained on the back burner because of the high price tag, Commission President Allan Erickson said, adding that because the port has seen such financial success in the last few years, his colleagues on the board decided to include it in the $56-million budget approved in November.

The economics are here to allow us to do it, Erickson said, adding with a smile, and we get to take the credit for it.

Commissioner Doug Averett said he has worked for decades at the port and saw the grain facility shut down in the late 1980s. Soon, he said, a long-standing staple of the ports infrastructure will no longer loom over the other berths along the Columbia River.

This is exciting for two reasons, Averett said. One, were treating this site and project honorably, and two, were looking to the future.

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Ken Cachelin, a project engineer at the port, said the project includes meticulously taking down the 40 individual silos and surrounding office buildings across the roughly 6-acre site.

Contractors with Vancouver-based Three Kings Environmental Inc. are heading up the project after getting board approval in March.

Commissioners originally delayed the demolition because they wanted more time to find eco-friendly ways to remove the buildings. Taking a wrecking ball to the structures may seem more efficient, commissioners agreed at the time, but ran the risk of sending concrete and steel flying into the Columbia River.

Instead, Cachelin said, they will use a remote-controlled excavator to take down the taller structures unreachable by a regular excavator.

The demolition is scheduled to be completed by November at the latest, Cachelin said.

There are a lot of materials involved in this.  Were making good progress, Cachelin said.

History of Berth 4

Built in 1928, the grain complex was one of the first facilities to operate on the site, according to a Port of Longview information packet.

Continental Grain took over the lease from the Longview Elevator Co. in 1936, according to the port. The facility was expanded in 1945 and again in 1951, operating for the next three decades as one of the larger financial drivers of the port.

In 1989, Continental Grain shut its doors, leaving the expansive site to slowly decay.

For sitting here for 30 years, its not in too bad of shape, Cachelin said.

The space of the former grain elevator will serve as a perfect spot for new potential businesses, Commissioner Jeff Wilson said, which is why he voted in November to approve the $5.4 million demolition.

Its been a barrier to us for years, Wilson said. This is an investment to open up underutilized space, invest into the community and bring new jobs.

No one knows just yet what type of business will move into the spot, Wilson said, and that will require many more discussions down the road.
Three people were sent to the hospital after a multivehicle crash ended with a RiverCities Transit bus striking an electrical pole Wednesday afternoon.

Longview police spokesperson Capt. Branden McNew told The Daily News officers were dispatched at 1:08 p.m. after receiving a report that multiple vehicles, including a bus, were involved in a crash at the intersection of Washington Way and Ninth Avenue.

Sgt. Brian Striessguth, who was at the scene, said the vehicle that struck the bus was traveling westbound on Washington Way when it ran the red light, hitting the bus as it was traveling north on Ninth Avenue.

The bus then veered, hitting parked cars and finally coming to a halt after crashing into a Cowlitz Public Utility District electrical pole near the KFC at 920 Washington Way.

McNew said three people were transported to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center due to injuries related to the crash.

Striessguth said three people were on the bus at the time of the crash, two passengers and the bus driver.

The bus driver was medically evaluated, and a passenger was sent to the hospital.

According to Striessguth, two people were in the vehicle that allegedly struck the bus, the driver and a 3-year-old child.
In the last five years, Cowlitz County drug overdose deaths have doubled, with the number involving fentanyl jumping from 12% to 55% of the total, according to data from the Cowlitz County Coroners Office.

Of the 38 overdose deaths recorded last year, 21 of them, or 55%, included fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, according the coroners office. Thats up from about 52% of the 33 deaths in 2021. In 2018, fentanyl was involved in just two of 17 overdose deaths.

Flash forward to this year and 17 of the 19 overdoses involved fentanyl, Coroner Dana Tucker said in late June.

Fentanyl overdoses are on the rise as the drug replaces methamphetamines as many users drug of choice, Tucker said. The office has seen the synthetic opioid mixed in with other drugs, including marijuana, she said.

Statewide, overdose deaths have increased about 128% from 2018 to 2022, according to Washington State Department of Health data complied by the University of Washington Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute.

Washington recorded a little more than 1,300 overdose deaths in 2018, which jumped to about 2,695 in 2022, according to the preliminary numbers.

Deaths involving other synthetic opioids, mostly fentanyl, increased about sevenfold, from 230 in 2018 to more than 1,760 in 2022, according to the institute.

The increase in fentanyl use has resulted in a huge shift in Cowlitz Family Health Centers harm reduction program, which includes the syringe exchange, CEO Jim Coffee said. The program also provides referrals to substance use and behavioral health treatment, HIV testing, Hepatitis C testing, wound care and health insurance enrollment.

In the last four years, the average client numbers decreased from about 125 to 150 people to 25, Coffee said. Thats largely driven by the rise of fentanyl, which people typically smoke, he said.

The organization saw a simultaneous increase in clients listing fentanyl as their drug of choice, which is scary, Coffee said.

Because its so hard to regulate the dosage, the likelihood of dying from fentanyl overdose is way higher than from heroin or another synthetic opiate, he said.

Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Two milligrams of fentanyl, which fits on the tip of a pencil, is considered a potentially deadly dose.

The Longview Fire Department, which reported an overall increase in emergency calls in the last few years, has responded to an incredibly high rate of overdose calls so far this year, Battalion Chief Eric Koreis said. As of the end of June, the department responded to 330 overdose calls, including welfare checks on people slumped over in vehicles or public places, he said.

Resources Cowlitz County crisis line: 360-425-6064. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. Washington Recovery Help Line: Anonymous, confidential 24/7 help line for state residents experiencing substance-use disorders, problem gambling and mental health challenges. Call 1-866-789-1511 or text 1-866-789-1511 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., weekdays. 911: Under state law, those seeking medical assistance for an overdose and the person overdosing cannot be prosecuted for drug possession. Anyone witnessing an overdose should call 911.

Along with administering naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, on scene, responders will leave people with some if they refuse transportation to the hospital, Koreis said.

The department recently joined the states Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution program, which supports access to naloxone for people likely to experience or witness an opioid overdose.

Longview Fire doesnt hand out naloxone at its stations, but provides the medication to Kayce Settlemier, the citys community outreach coordinator, to distribute, Koreis said. Since starting last month, the department has distributed 82 doses, he said.

Koreis encouraged people to include naloxone in their first aid kits and suggested businesses could store it with defibrillators.

Naloxone is available as an injection or nasal spray and is important to have on hand not just for those using drugs illicitly, he said. Those with an opioid prescription could inadvertently overdose or someone else could take the pills.

You just never know when it would be an appropriate therapy, he said. Its very effective and can definitely save a life.

Family Health Center hands out injectable and nasal spray naloxone to patients and harm reduction program clients, Coffee said. The organization has also provided naloxone to other agencies, such as nonprofit Feed the Need and the Castle Rock Police Department, he said.

Narcan, a device that delivers naloxone, is expected to be available over the counter later this summer, after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it for nonprescription use in March. The decision is awesome, and hopefully wont overly inflate the drugs price, Coffee said.

Most over-the-counter customers will likely be family members of opioid users, Coffee said. Its not that the medication is unattainable for users but diverts money they would use to purchase drugs, he said.

Naloxone is currently available at many pharmacies, and Washington has a standing order that can be used as a prescription for anyone to use. More information on naloxone and a link to the standing order is available at www.stopoverdose.org.

How to get naloxone Naloxone reverses opioid overdoses. Anyone can use a state standing order, which is like a prescription, to get the medication by visiting www.stopoverdose.org. Naloxone is covered by Medicaid and some agencies, including Cowlitz Family Health Center, distribute the medicine for free. Washington residents can order free naloxone online and have it delivered to their home at http://phra.org/mail-order-naloxone.

Family Health Center is also trying to prevent overdoses by handing out fentanyl test strips people can use to test their drugs for the synthetic opioid, Coffee said.

People are understanding that a miscalculated injection from something laced with fentanyl can kill you and want to make sure their stuff is not tainted, he said.

Coffee said he is advocating to make the test strips available over the counter and to ease access to fentanyl urine testing for treatment providers.

Fentanyl urine testing is categorized as forensic testing, which means only law enforcement and courts can do it directly without sending it out to a laboratory, Coffee said.

The lab Family Health Center uses charges $150 per test and results take 24 to 48 hours, he said. Many people cant afford the extra charge if insurance wont cover it, while the test itself is relatively inexpensive, Coffee said.

That really needs to change so treatment centers and your doctor can all do this very simple urine test to see if fentanyl is in someones system, as opposed to sending out to lab, he said. It would help a great deal to take those tools and make them more widely available.
Our editorial board weighs in on recent issues in Cowlitz County

and abroad. Each week, we take notice of the noteworthy

and poke the pompous.

Thumbs up: Woodland park donations

Sometimes, all you have to do to get people to donate is let them know its an option.

TDN recently reported on the city of Woodland testing the waters on voluntary donations at Horseshoe Lake Park. Woodland leaders recently found that their parks are being frequented by people from out of town, and Horseshoe Lake in particular was more popular with visitors than with the locals.

Since only Woodland residents pay taxes to maintain city parks, the city decided to try something a little different to give the parks fund a little boost. They put up a sign asking for a voluntary $5 donation.

Its quick and easy: just scan a QR code, tap a couple of buttons, and youve dropped a digital Lincoln portrait into the parks fund. We applaud the city for choosing a straightforward model.

And to the visitors who chose to donate to Horseshoe Lake Park, wed like to say thank you. Youre excellent neighbors and conscientious guests.

Thumbs down: Another Gorge fire

The Tunnel 5 fire near Hood River is mostly contained as of Tuesday, but its a grim reminder of how easy it is for a fire to get out of control, even without the oppressive heat wave weve had in prior years.

As of Tuesday, the fire had burned 529 acres in southern Washington, across the Columbia River from Hood River. Thats pretty small in terms of wildfires, but thats because of the massive effort made to contain it.

Two hundred, fifty-six people, 11 fire engines, two helicopters and three bulldozers moved in to fight the fire, and officials are still estimating it will not be fully extinguished until the end of the month.

While Tunnel 5 is mostly under control, firefighting resources also are needed to contain two other fires that began this week. The Boulder Fire, near Mount Hood, has spread to 160 acres and has closed several roads through that National Forest. A much larger fire began in Central Oregon, where the Devils Butte fire has spread to 3,000 acres and closed Oregon Highway 206.

Our little corner of the world is a beautiful place. Lets all take care to keep it that way. We cant prevent fires started by thunderstorms, but we can be watchful for them. That can be the difference in keeping a smoldering patch of grass from turning into an uncontrolled blaze.

Thumbs up: Discounted utilities

Public-private partnerships can be a great way to address a need in the community. Local nonprofits have long led the community in trying to address the homelessness crisis in our region  a problem that has intensified across the West Coast in recent years.

So we were glad to see the Longview City Council continue the 25% sewer discount that homeless shelter operators like Community House and the Salvation Army receive.

Its in the citys best interest to do what they can to help these groups succeed. Discounted utility rates are one way to facilitate their mission, and wed like to encourage them to investigate additional options. Perhaps any future construction projects they undertake could have reduced permitting costs?

Raising the income threshold for low-income and disabled people to receive those discounts is also an admirable decision. Its tough for a single person to get by on less than $30,000 a year, and we are glad to see Longview choose to help low-income people stay in their homes rather than being pushed out by rising prices.

Having it happen because the Social Security Administration raised its benefits to mitigate cost of living increases, and that costing someone a utility discount on which they depended, would have been a dark joke.

Thumbs up: Primary voting

Registered voters in Cowlitz County should keep an eye on their mailbox. Ballots for the Aug. 1 primary election are on their way.

Primaries are not the flashiest of elections. Their main role is to narrow the field in advance of the General Election, mostly by letting parties figure out which candidate appeals to their voters the most.

By voting in the primary, you add your voice to that collective.

There are also two fire-related measures on the ballot: a levy lift for Cowlitz-Lewis No. 20 and a levy proposal for Cowlitz No. 5. Unlike the primary ballot, these fire measures are final, and we encourage everyone in those areas to make their voices heard so officials can have a clear mandate going forward.
New heat rules for outdoor workers go into effect in Washington on July 17. Rule revisions were requested in 2021 after a record-breaking heat wave hit the Northwest.

Officials estimate 126 people in the state died from the heat between June 26 and July 2, 2021. A new report from the University of Washington released this month said the heat wave was likely far more deadly, with more than 400 people in Washington dying from direct and indirect heat-related causes that week.

The new Department of Labor and Industries rules will replace rules in place since 2008, along with emergency rules that have been implemented during the summer.

One change is that starting this month, the rules will be in place year round.

The Yakima Herald-Republic spoke with L&I officials about the new rules. Here are a few things to know and watch out for.

Who will be affected?

Any employee who works outside for more than 15 minutes during any hour is covered by the new rules.

The major industries that will be affected are construction and agriculture, according to L&I technical specialist Bradley Farrar.

The one exception is workers responding to public emergencies. Firefighters and other workers protecting at-risk, critical infrastructure are not covered by the heat rules.

What are the new rules?

L&Is new rules have new temperature action levels and acclimatization for employees who are not used to the heat. Trainings and plans are required so people know rules and can act on them.

The temperature action levels, also called trigger temperatures, are the temperatures where employers have to take steps to protect workers, like providing shade, water and paid breaks.

They start at 52 degrees for workers in non-breathable clothing and 80 degrees for other outdoor workers. There are additional high heat rules when employees are working above 90 and 100 degrees.

What happens at those temperatures?

When thermometers hit 80 degrees, or 52 degrees in cases where workers wearing non-breathable clothing, employers are required to provide cool drinking water and shade.

Employers should allow and encourage employees to take cool-down breaks in such temperatures. Those breaks are paid and should come as workers need them.

If the temperature is above 90 degrees, workers will also get 10 minute paid breaks every two hours.

If temperatures are above 100 degrees, workers will also get 15 minute paid breaks every hour.

How do the breaks work?

There is no rule for how long breaks are, how employees should request breaks or when breaks should be taken when temperatures are above 80 degrees.

If you are a worker affected by the heat, you can take a paid break in the shade and drink some water when its hotter than 80 degrees.

When its hotter than 90 or 100 degrees, employees do not need to ask for the breaks; employers have to stop work.

According to L&I, employers should encourage those breaks by communicating with employees and making sure water and shade are close by and accessible. Responsibility for following the rules lies with employers, Farrar said.

The best way to do that, he said, is by having trainings and communicating plans to workers.

All breaks should be paid for employees who are on hourly or piece-rate wages. Breaks can, however, come during scheduled meal or rest periods. In that case, they would be unpaid.

Workers will be paid for their breaks. Its a requirement that theyre paid unless theyre on rest break, Farrar said.

What kind of shade is OK?

Shade has to block the sun. It can be artificial, from a tent or canopy, or natural, like sitting under a tree.

Shade has to cool down a worker. Shade sources cant be near engines or heat sources; that would defeat the purpose. Sitting in a car without the air conditioning, for example, does not count because it wont cool people down.

What is acclimatization?

L&Is new rules have a provision for something called acclimatization. This covers workers who arent used to working in the heat and need to adjust to high temperatures.

Employers will have to communicate with any employees working alone. That could be a phone call, a radio or a buddy system, as long as new workers arent alone.

This rule applies to new workers and workers returning to a job after an absence.

It applies to all workers during a heat wave. A heat wave is any time the temperature is 10 degrees higher than the average from the last five days.

How should employers track temperatures?

Farrar said employers should be looking at the temperature at the job site, wherever workers are outside and working. Workers can bring their own thermometers, but the responsibility lies with employers and supervisors.

Looking up local forecasts and weather is smart, Farrar said. Its good to have an idea of what the temperatures will be in the area, but the temperature action levels are for the temperature on site.

Farrar said employers should use thermometers on site. L&I has no requirement for the thermometers, only that employers use them to monitor temperatures.

Employers dont have to keep any recording of temperatures at a job site, Farrar said, but when it comes to the heat wave rule, employers should have an idea of what temperatures have been for the last five days.

How do you know the heat is affecting you?

L&I referred the Yakima Herald-Republic to the University of Washingtons materials on heat related illness and its signs and symptoms.

Some symptoms include rashes, cramps in the arms, legs and belly, dizziness, fainting and exhaustion. Heat stroke symptoms can include vomiting or seizures.

Suggested treatments usually include drinking water and resting in the shade. Its probably smart to communicate any conditions with a supervisor.

Workers do not need to display symptoms to take breaks, sit in the shade or drink water. Workers can do that when they feel they need to.

Trainings should include that information, so that when workers and supervisors are in the field, they can keep an eye out for problems.

How do the trainings work?

L&I has materials for employers who need to host trainings at its Be Smart Heat web page.

Those trainings should happen once a year and be in a language workers understand.

Farrar said trainings and plans are critical. They let workers know how to follow the rules and keep everyone safe. If everyone  employers, supervisors and employees  know what to do beforehand, it will make taking action at high temperatures easier and more convenient.

Employers can schedule free consultations with L&I if they have any concerns. L&I staff will come to a job site and help employers evaluate any risks and suggest improvements. Farrar said those consultations are confidential. Issues will be solved, not fined.
Samsung Semiconductor India Research (SSIR), one of the largest Global R&D Center for Samsung Semiconductors, inaugurated three Mobile Science Labs, two Science Centers and two Mini-Innovation Hubs in association with Agastya International Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Bengaluru. The initiative aligns with Samsungs commitment to empower STEM education, enable children in remote parts of the country to become catalysts of change and future innovation, while nurturing a passion for science and innovation amongst students from all backgrounds. Through this association, Samsung is dedicated to empower young minds, improving the quality of education, and fostering a nationwide culture of scientific curiosity and innovation.

The three newly inaugurated Mobile Science Labs (MSL) are mobile facilities equipped with science models and experiments that travel to under-privileged schools in remote areas. Each MSL reaches to the doorstep of remote schools with 100 plus hands-on science models covering a wide range of topics in Physics, Chemistry and Biology for students from Class V to Class IX. Students engage in hands-on learning by exploring, experimenting, and experiencing scientific concepts.

The two Science Centers, on the other hand, house over 150 science experiments and models related to chemistry, physics, biology, ecology, and astronomy. They will serve as a resource center welcoming government school teachers and children to interact with these exhibits and participate in various activities. Both MSL and the Science Center will serve as a venue for teacher training, Young Instructor (YI) programs, summer camps, community visits and science fairs.

The event was attended by 500 plus students, 30 teachers from Govt. schools and delegates from Samsung and Agastya International Foundation.

Commenting on the initiative, Balajee Sowrirajan, CVP and MD  Samsung Semiconductor India Research (SSIR), said, With the mobile labs and science centers, our endeavour is to spark curiosity and propagate a creative temper in children and teachers through hands-on science education and teacher trainings. Our intent is to usher in a transformative impact on local rural Govt. schools and shape a future where curiosity thrives, and helps to elevate the caliber and quality of education.

The Mobile Science Lab and Science Center program aims to provide STEM education using an interactive and sustainable learning approach that combines practical exposure with theoretical knowledge. This initiative will establish three Mobile Science Centres in Haveri, Mysore/Hunsur, and Mangalore, along with two Science Centers in Hebbal (Bengaluru) and Hunsur (Mysore). Additionally, two Mini-Innovation Hubs will also be set up in Hebbal (Bengaluru) and Hunsur (Mysore). These facilities will collectively benefit over 68 plus Govt. schools, serving a total of 8,000 unique students from tribal, rural, and urban areas every year. Through this initiative, more than 30,000 students will have the opportunity to engage in experiential learning annually.

Previously, as part of Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), SSIR also partnered with the Government of Karnataka to enhance technological skills in Internet of Things (IOT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for more than a thousand students and teachers in 37 polytechnic colleges across Karnataka with adequate facilities, required kits, equipments along with IoT and AI based training for students as per the SIC module.
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Companion robots enhanced with artificial intelligence may one day help alleviate the loneliness epidemic, suggests a new report from researchers at Auckland, Duke, and Cornell Universities.

Their report, appearing in the July 12 issue of Science Robotics, maps some of the ethical considerations for governments, policy makers, technologists, and clinicians, and urges stakeholders to come together to rapidly develop guidelines for trust, agency, engagement, and real-world efficacy.

It also proposes a new way to measure whether a companion robot is helping someone.

"Right now, all the evidence points to having a real friend as the best solution," said Murali Doraiswamy, MBBS, FRCP, professor of Psychiatry and Geriatrics at Duke University and member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences. "But until society prioritizes social connectedness and eldercare, robots are a solution for the millions of isolated people who have no other solutions."

The number of Americans with no close friends has quadrupled since 1990, according to the Survey Center on American Life. Increased loneliness and social isolation may affect a third of the world population, and come with serious health consequences, such as increased risk for mental illness, obesity, dementia, and early death. Loneliness may even be as pernicious a health factor as smoking cigarettes, according to the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, M.D.

While it is increasingly difficult to make new friends as an adult to help offset loneliness, making a companion robot to support socially isolated older adults may prove to be a promising solution.

"AI presents exciting opportunities to give companion robots greater skills to build social connection," said Elizabeth Broadbent, Ph.D., professor of Psychological Medicine at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. "But we need to be careful to build in rules to ensure they are moral and trustworthy."

Social robots like the ElliQ have had thousands of interactions with human users, nearly half related to simple companionship, including company over a cup of tea or coffee. A growing body of research on companion robots suggests they can reduce stress and loneliness and can help older people remain healthy and active in their homes.

Newer robots embedded with advanced AI programs may foster stronger social connections with humans than earlier generations of robots. Generative AI like ChatGPT, which is based on large language models, allows robots to engage in more spontaneous conversations, and even mimic the voices of old friends and loved ones who have passed away.

Doctors are mostly on board, too, the authors point out. A Sermo survey of 307 care providers across Europe and the United States showed that 69% of physicians agreed that social robots could provide companionship, relieve isolation, and potentially improve patients' mental health. Seventy percent of doctors also felt insurance companies should cover the cost of companion robots if they prove to be effective friendship supplement. How to measure a robot's impact, though, remains tricky.

This lack of measurability highlights the need to develop patient-rated outcome measures, such as the one being developed by the authors. The "Companion Robot Impact Scale" (Co-Bot-I-7) aims to establish the impact on physical health and loneliness, and is showing that companion machines might already be proving effective.

Early results from Broadbent's lab, for example, find that amiable androids help reduce stress and even promote skin healing after a minor wound.

"With the right ethical guidelines," the authors conclude in their report, "we may be able to build on current work to use robots to create a healthier society."

In addition to Dr. Doraiswamy and Professor Broadbent, study authors include Mark Billinghurst, Ph.D., and Samantha Boardman, M.D.

Professor Broadbent and Dr. Doraiswamy have served as advisors to Sermo and technology companies. Dr. Doraiswamy, Professor Broadbent, and Dr. Boardman are co-developers of the Co-Bot-I-7 scale.

More information: Elizabeth Broadbent et al, Enhancing social connectedness with companion robots using AI, Science Robotics (2023). DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.adi6347 Journal information: Science Robotics
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Science fiction's visions of the future include many versions of artificial intelligence (AI), but relatively few examples where software replaces human judges. For once, the real world seems to be changing in ways that are not predicted in stories.

In February, a Colombian judge asked ChatGPT for guidance on how to decide an insurance case. Around the same time, a Pakistani judge used ChatGPT to confirm his decisions in two separate cases. There are also reports of judges in India and Bolivia seeking advice from ChatGPT.

These are unofficial experiments, but some systematic efforts at reform do involve AI. In China, judges are advised and assisted by AI, and this development is likely to continue. In a recent speech, the master of the rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vosthe second most senior judge in England and Walessuggested that, as the legal system in that jurisdiction is digitized, AI might be used to decide some "less intensely personal disputes", such as commercial cases.

AI isn't really that smart

This might initially seem to be a good idea. The law is supposed to be applied impartially and objectively, "without fear or favor". Some say, what better way to achieve this than to use a computer program? AI doesn't need a lunch break, can't be bribed, and doesn't want a pay rise. AI justice can be applied more quickly and efficiently. Will we, therefore, see "robot judges" in courtrooms in the future?

There are four principal reasons why this might not be a good idea. The first is that, in practice, AI generally acts as an expert system or as a machine learning system. Expert systems involve encoding rules into a model of decisions and their consequencescalled a decision treein software. These had their heyday in law in the 1980s. However, they ultimately proved unable to deliver good results on a large scale.

Machine learning is a form of AI that improves at what it does over time. It is often quite powerful, but no more so than a very educated guess. One strength is that it can find correlations and patterns in data that we don't have the capacity to calculate. However, one of its weaknesses is that it fails in ways that are different to the way people do, reaching conclusions that are obviously incorrect.

In a notable example, an AI was tricked into recognizing a turtle as a gun. Facial recognition often has issues correctly identifying women, children and those with dark skin. So it's possible that AI could also erroneously place someone at a crime scene who wasn't there. It would be difficult to be confident in a legal system that produced outcomes that were clearly incorrect but also very difficult to review, as the reasoning behind machine learning is not transparent. It has outstripped our ability to understand its inner workingsa phenomenon known as the "black box problem".

When AI is used in legal processes, and it fails, the consequences can be severe. Large language models, the technology underlying AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, are known to write text that is completely untrue. This is known as an AI hallucination, even though it implies that the software is thinking rather than statistically determining what the next word in its output should be.

This year, it emerged that a New York lawyer had used ChatGPT to write submissions to a court, only to discover that it cited cases that do not exist. This indicates that these types of tools are not capable of replacing lawyers yet, and in fact, may never be.

Historical biases

Second, machine learning systems rely on historical data. In crime and law, these will often contain bias and prejudice. Marginalized communities will often feature more in records of arrests and convictions, so an AI system might draw the unwarranted conclusion that people from particular backgrounds are more likely to be guilty.

A prominent example of this is the Compas system, an AI algorithm used by US judges to make decisions on granting bail and sentencing. An investigation claimed that it generated "false positives" for people of color and "false negatives" for white people. In other words, it suggested that people of color would re-offend when they did not in fact do so, and suggested that white people would not re-offend when they did. However, the developer of the system challenges these claims.

Third, it is not clear that legal rules can be reliably converted into software rules. Individuals will interpret the same rule in different ways. When 52 programmers were assigned the task of automating the enforcement of speed limits, the programs that they wrote issued very different numbers of tickets for the same sample data.

Individual judges may have different interpretations of the law, but they do so in public and are subject to being overturned on appeal. This should reduce the amount of variation in judgments over timeat least in theory. But if a programmer is too strict or too lenient in their implementation of a rule, that may be very difficult to discover and correct.

Automated government systems fail at a scale and speed that's very difficult to recover from. The Dutch government used an automated system (SyRI) to detect benefits fraud, which wrongly accused many families, destroying lives in the process.

The Australian "Online Compliance Intervention" scheme is used to automatically assess debts from recipients of social welfare payments. It's commonly known as "Robodebt". The scheme overstepped its bounds, negatively affecting hundreds of thousands of people and was the subject of a Royal Commission in Australia. (Royal Commissions are investigations into matters of public importance in Australia.)

Finally, judging is not all that judges do. They have many other roles in the legal system, such as managing a courtroom, a caseload, and a team of staff, and those would be even more difficult to replace with software programs.

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A California bill that would force tech companies such as Facebook and Google to pay publishers for news content has been put on hold in the Legislature until 2024.

The California Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, sponsored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, would direct digital advertising giants to pay news outlets a "journalism usage fee" when they sell advertising alongside news content. The bill would require publishers to invest 70% of those funds in preserving journalism jobs in California.

The bill passed in the Assembly with bipartisan support June 1 and moved on to the state Senate. A hearing was initially scheduled for July 11, but Wicks' office announced Friday it would be rescheduled for 2024, picking back up at the same point in the legislative process.

"I've agreed to make AB 886 a two-year bill in order to ensure the strongest legislation possiblebecause getting this policy right is more important than getting it quick," Wicks said in a news release.

Senator Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, will hold an informational hearing this fall to further explore issues the bill attempts to address and look at examples of successful legislation in other countries to inform the California bill.

"This interim hearing underscores my commitment to protecting journalism, California journalists and the access to a free and vibrant press that is essential to our democracy," Umberg said in the news release. "My greatest concern is that we enact legislation that is fair, and that the benefits in this bill flow specifically to support local journalistsand in turn, all Californians."

The California Legislature convenes in two-year sessions, and bills introduced in the first year of a session can be carried over to the second year. A first-year bill must pass its house of origin by Jan. 31 of the second year to be extended, but there's no guarantee that the bill will be picked up again.

The bill has received strong support from news advocacy groups including the California News Publishers Assn. and the News/Media Alliance. (The Los Angeles Times is a member of both organizations and supports the proposed legislation.) However, it's been vehemently opposed by various tech industry trade groups and Facebook parent company Meta, which has gone as far as to threaten to remove all news content from Facebook and Instagram if the bill passes.

Meta has previously followed through on this threat when a similar bill was passed in Australia in February 2021 that required Google and Meta to pay journalism outlets for their content. Facebook briefly blocked publishers and users from sharing news links on its platform but restored news content days later after the Australian government agreed to make some changes to the News Media Bargaining Code.

Meta also announced June 22 that it would be pulling access to news on Facebook and Instagram in Canada after the country passed a law requiring digital platforms to pay publications for their content. Leading up to the bill's passing, the company, along with Google, had already begun testing blocking access to news links for a small percentage of Canadian users.

Meta confirmed in a statement it would move forward with removing news content for Canadians prior to the bill taking effect in six months. Google has said it will also do the same for Canadian news sites in search results.

2023 Los Angeles Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Greek coastguard's account of the events surrounding last month's fatal migrant boat sinking, in which up to 600 people perished, is now further called into question by new information.

According to two survivors, the coastguard pressured them to call out the nine Egyptians on board as traffickers, as reported by BBC News.

The Greek coastguard's version is further called into question by a fresh video showing the overcrowded boat capsized at sea. When it was taken, the boat was reportedly traveling on a "steady course."

New Records Show Significant Inconsistencies

The official Greek coastguard story had already been disputed, but now court records reveal significant inconsistencies between survivors' witness accounts taken by the coastguards and the direct evidence afterward given to a judge.

Following the rescue of another group of migrants by the coast guard, a translator has also stepped forward to share his testimony of a people-smuggling probe from the previous year. He talks about how the coast guard threatened witnesses to that occurrence. Before the matter could go to trial, it was dismissed.

(Photo: by Handout/Hellenic Coast Guard via Getty Images) AT SEA, GREECE: This undated handout image provided by Greece's coast guard, appears to show an overcrowded fishing boat that later capsized and sank off southern Greece on June 14, 2023.

The disclosures prompt new inquiries about how the Greek government responds to catastrophes. The Greek government and the coast guard both denied our requests for interviews and made no comments.

Nine Egyptian men were arrested and accused of manslaughter and human smuggling shortly after the 14 June disaster. However, two disaster survivors claim that after proposing that the coastguards might have been to blame for the tragedy, migrants were bullied and silenced by Greek officials.

Two Survivors Reveal What "Truly" Happened

For the past month, claims have been made that the fishing boat was towed by the coast guard using a rope, which is what ultimately led to its sinking. That is exactly what happened, according to the two survivors interviewed in Athens. Before being rescued by the coastguard, the men said they spent two hours in the sea.

When the survivors arrived on land at Kalamata, they allege that the coastguard ordered them to "shut up" when they began discussing how the Greek government was to blame for the catastrophe.

According to survivors, those who were saved were told to be thankful they hadn't perished. None of the five survivors who made initial comments mentioned the coastguard attempting to tow the migrant boat with a rope. However, they all revealed that there had been an unsuccessful attempt to tow it a few days later, in front of a court.

After originally denying employing one, the Greek coastguard later recanted and acknowledged its use. However, it claimed that the attempt was just made to board the ship and examine the situation. This was at least two hours before the fishing boat capsized, according to the report.

Read also: Greece: At Least 79 Migrants Dead After Overcrowded Fishing Boat Capsized

More Fatalities & Mistreatment

There are currently 82 verified deaths from the sinking, but the UN believes there may have been an additional 500 fatalities.

The charged Egyptian males, according to the Greek authorities, are a member of a smuggling ring and were recognized by other travelers. If they are found guilty, they might receive a life sentence.

Some survivors claim that some of the nine accused mistreated the passengers, although other testimonies indicate that some of them were actually trying to assist.

While a Greek Supreme Criminal Court deputy prosecutor is looking into the matter, pleas for a global, impartial investigation-including those from the UN-have so far gone unanswered. The European Commission has expressed confidence in the Greek inquiry.

Related article: BREAKING: 59 Dead, Dozens Feared Missing After Fishing Boat Capsizes Off Coast of Greece

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
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Delta Air Lines still sees very strong travel demand, raising its full-year forecast after a strong second quarter.

Delta reported record results in the second quarter on Thursday, raising its full-year forecast on continually robust travel demand as more international markets reopen.

The big carrier, the first US airline to report results, described an extension of the banner industry conditions that have followed the devastating COVID-19 downturn.

"We see strong demand both domestically and internationally as far as we can see," said Delta President Glen Hauenstein.

Executives have for more than a year pointed to pent-up demand for flying after the pandemic shutdowns.

Delta profits more than doubled to $1.8 billion, while revenues jumped 13 percent to $15.6 billion.

Both revenues and operating profits were at quarterly record, the company said in its earnings release.

Delta also raised its full year earnings outlook to a range of $6 to $7 per share, up a dollar.

The conditions have enabled Delta to reinstate its quarterly dividend and accelerate repayment of debt that mounted during the COVID-19 downturn.

The company said its international business continued to tick higher, benefitting from the reopening of Japan and an especially strong flow of traffic between the United States and southern Europe.

A Korean Air joint venture enjoyed a strong performance, while demand to destinations in South America and the Caribbean was also robust.

Executives also highlighted an improved outlook for business travel heading into the fall.

"As we see more and more offices trying to reopen or reopening... that's a great constructive backdrop as we head into the fall and post-Labor Day period," Hauenstein said.

Shares of Delta rose 1.2 percent to $48.51 in midday trading.

 2023 AFP
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Geological layers beneath the Chicago Loop. Credit: Alessandro Rotta Loria/Northwestern University

There is a "silent hazard" lurking underneath our major global cities, and our buildings were not designed to handle it.

A new Northwestern University study has, for the first time, linked underground climate change to the shifting ground beneath urban areas. As the ground heats up, it also deforms. This phenomenon causes building foundations and the surrounding ground to move excessively (due to expansions and contractions) and even crack, which ultimately affects structures' long-term operational performance and durability. Researchers also report that past building damage may have been caused by such rising temperatures and expect these issues to continue for years to come.

Although rising temperatures do pose a threat to our infrastructure, the researchers also view it as a potential opportunity. By capturing the waste heat emitted underground from subterranean transportation systems, parking garages and basement facilities, urban planners could mitigate the effects of underground climate change as well as reuse the heat into an untapped thermal energy resource.

The study was published on July 11 in Communications Engineering. It marks the first study to quantify ground deformations caused by subsurface heat islands and their effect on civil infrastructure. Professor Alessandro Rotta Loria and his Ph.D. student Anjali Naidu Thota placing temperature sensors throughout subterranean Chicago. Credit: Annie Speicher/Media & Technology Innovation/Northwestern University

"Underground climate change is a silent hazard," said Northwestern's Alessandro Rotta Loria, who led the study. "The ground is deforming as a result of temperature variations, and no existing civil structure or infrastructure is designed to withstand these variations. Although this phenomenon is not dangerous for people's safety necessarily, it will affect the normal day-to-day operations of foundation systems and civil infrastructure at large.

"Chicago clay can contract when heated, like many other fine-grained soils. As a result of temperature increases underground, many foundations downtown are undergoing unwanted settlement, slowly but continuously. In other words, you don't need to live in Venice to live in a city that is sinkingeven if the causes for such phenomena are completely different."

Rotta Loria is an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northwestern's McCormick School of Engineering.

Ground temperatures measured throughout the Chicago Loop. Credit: Alessandro Rotta Loria/Northwestern University

What is underground climate change?

In many urban areas around the globe, heat continuously diffuses from buildings and underground transportation, causing the ground to warm at an alarming rate. Previous researchers have found that the shallow subsurface beneath cities warms by 0.1C to 2.5C per decade.

Known as "underground climate change" or "subsurface heat islands," this phenomenon has been known to cause ecological issues (such as contaminated ground water) and health issues (including asthma and heatstroke). But, until now, the effect of underground climate change on civil infrastructure has remained unstudied and little understood.

"If you think about basements, parking garages, tunnels and trains, all of these facilities continuously emit heat," Rotta Loria said. "In general, cities are warmer than rural areas because construction materials periodically trap heat derived from human activity and solar radiation and then release it into the atmosphere. That process has been studied for decades. Now, we are looking at its subsurface counterpart, which is mostly driven by anthropogenic activity."

A close-up view of one of the temperature sensors in a basement beneath the Chicago Loop. Credit: Northwestern University

Chicago as a living laboratory

In recent years, Rotta Loria and his team installed a wireless network of more than 150 temperature sensors across the Chicago Loopboth above and below ground. This included placing sensors in the basements of buildings, subway tunnels, underground parking garages and subsurface streets like Lower Wacker Drive. For comparison, the team also buried sensors in Grant Park, a greenspace located along Lake Michiganaway from buildings and underground transportation systems.

Data from the wireless sensing network indicated that underground temperatures beneath the Loop are often 10 degrees warmer than temperatures beneath Grant Park. Air temperatures in underground structures can be up to 25 degrees higher compared to the undisturbed ground temperature. When the heat diffuses toward the ground, it puts significant stress on materials that expand and contract with changing temperatures.

"We used Chicago as a living laboratory, but underground climate change is common to nearly all dense urban areas worldwide," Rotta Loria said. "And all urban areas suffering from underground climate change are prone to have problems with infrastructure."

A smartphone receives data from the underground temperature sensors. Credit: Northwestern University

Slowly sinking

After collecting temperature data for three years, Rotta Loria built a 3D computer model to simulate how ground temperatures evolved from 1951 (the year Chicago completed its subway tunnels) to today. He found values consistent to those measured in the field and used the simulation to predict how temperatures will evolve until the year 2051.

Rotta Loria also modeled how ground deforms in response to increasing temperatures. Whereas some materials (soft and stiff clay) contract when heated, other materials (hard clay, sand and limestone) expand.

According to the simulations, warmer temperatures can cause the ground to swell and expand upward by as much as 12 millimeters. They also can cause the ground to contract and sink downwardbeneath the weight of a buildingby as much as 8 millimeters. Although this seems subtle and is imperceptible to humans, the variation is more than many building components and foundation systems can handle without compromising their operational requirements.

"Based on our computer simulations, we have shown that ground deformations can be so severe that they lead to problems for the performance of civil infrastructure," Rotta Loria said. "It's not like a building will suddenly collapse. Things are sinking very slowly. The consequences for serviceability of structures and infrastructures can be very bad, but it takes a long time to see them. It's very likely that underground climate change has already caused cracks and excessive foundation settlements that we didn't associate with this phenomenon because we weren't aware of it."

A 3D rendering of the Chicago Loop. Colored dots mark the locations of the temperature sensors. Credit: Alessandro Rotta Loria/Northwestern University

Harvesting heat

Because urban planners and architects designed most modern buildings before underground climate change emerged, they did not design structures to tolerate the temperature variations we experience today. Still, modern buildings will fare better than structures from earlier time periods, such as the Middle Ages.

"In the United States, the buildings are all relatively new," Rotta Loria said. "European cities with very old buildings will be more susceptible to subsurface climate change. Buildings made of stone and bricks that resort to past design and construction practices are generally in a very delicate equilibrium with the perturbations associated with the current operations of cities. The thermal perturbations linked to subsurface heat islands can have detrimental impacts for such constructions."

Northwestern Ph.D. student Anjali Naidu Thota affixes a temperature sensor to a pipe in a basement beneath the Chicago Loop. Credit: Northwestern University

Going forward, Rotta Loria said future planning strategies should integrate geothermal technologies to harvest waste heat and deliver it to buildings for space heating. Planners also can install thermal insulation on new and existing buildings to minimize the amount of heat that enters the ground.

"The most effective and rational approach is to isolate underground structures in a way that the amount of wasted heat is minimal," Rotta Loria said. "If this cannot be done, then geothermal technologies offer the opportunity to efficiently absorb and reuse heat in buildings. What we don't want is to use technologies to actively cool underground structures because that uses energy. Currently, there are a myriad of solutions that can be implemented."

More information: The silent impact of underground climate change on civil infrastructure, Communications Engineering (2023). dx.doi.org/10.1038/s44172-023-00092-1
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Looking for an at-home HIV test on CVS' website is not as private an experience as one might think. An investigation by The Markup and KFF Health News found trackers on CVS.com telling some of the biggest social media and advertising platforms the products customers viewed.

CVS is not the only pharmacy sharing this kind of sensitive data.

The Markup found trackers collecting browsing- and purchase-related data on websites of 12 of the U.S.'s biggest drugstores, including grocery store chains with pharmacies, and sharing the sensitive information with companies like Meta (formerly Facebook); Google, through its advertising and analytics products; and Microsoft, through its search engine, Bing.

The tracking tools, popularly called "pixels," collect information while a website runs. That information is often sent to social media firms and used to target ads, either to you personally or to groups of people that resemble you in demographics or habits. In previous investigations, The Markup found pixels transmitting information from the Department of Education, prominent hospitals, telehealth startups, and major tax preparation companies.

Pharmacy retailer websites' pixels send a shopper's IP addressa sort of mailing address for a person's computer or household internetto social media giants and other firms. They also send cookies, a way of storing information in a user's browser that in this case helps track a user from page to page as the user browses a retailer's site. Cookies can sometimes also associate individuals on a site with their account on a social media platform. In addition to the IP address and cookies, the pixels often send information about what you've clicked or bought, including sensitive items, such as HIV tests.

"HIV testing is the gateway to HIV prevention and treatment services," said Oni Blackstock, the founder of Health Justice and a former assistant commissioner for the New York City Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, in an interview.

"People living with HIV should have control over whether someone knows their status," she said.

Many retailers shared other detailed interaction data with advertising platforms as well. Ten of the retailers we examined alerted at least one tech platform when shoppers clicked "add to cart" as they shopped for retail goods, a capacious category that included sensitive products like prenatal vitamins, pregnancy tests, and Plan B emergency contraception.

Supermarket giant Kroger, for instance, informed Meta, Bing, Twitter, Snapchat, and Pinterest when a shopper added Plan B to the cart, and informed Google and Nextdoor, a social media platform on which people from the same neighborhood gather in forums, that a shopper had visited the page for the item. Walmart informed Google's advertising service when a shopper browsed the page of an HIV test, and Pinterest when that shopper added it to the cart.

A previous investigation from The Markup found that Kroger used loyalty cards to track, analyze, and sell an array of data about customers to advertisers.

Using Chrome DevTools, a tool built into Google's Chrome browser, The Markup and KFF Health News visited the websites of 12 of the U.S.'s biggest drugstores and examined their network traffic. This monitoring tool allowed us to see what information about shopping habits and, in some cases, prescriptions, were sent to third parties.

Over the course of the investigation, retailers frequently changed their trackerssometimes activating them, sometimes removing them. Some retailers appeared to be taking steps to limit tracking on sensitive items.

For example, the Walgreens website prevented some trackers from activating on the pages of some products, which included Plan B and HIV tests. This code didn't prevent all tracking, though; the Walgreens site continued sending Pinterest information about those sensitive items a user added to the cart.

Walgreens shared a new policy after learning of The Markup and KFF Health News' findings. Spokesperson Fraser Engerman said that while the chain already had a "robust privacy program," it would no longer share browsing data related to reproductive health and HIV testing. Engerman also told us that "Pinterest confirmed that the data will be deleted and that it has not been used for advertising purposes." Crystal Espinosa, a spokesperson for Pinterest, said the company "can confirm that we will be deleting the data Walgreens requested."

The pharmacy vs. the pharmacy aisle

In the U.S., drugstores and grocery stores with associated pharmacies are only partially covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA. The prescriptions picked up from the pharmacy counter do have this protection.

But in a separate section, sometimes confusingly called the pharmacy aisle, stores also often sell over-the-counter medications, tests, and other health-related products. Consumers might think such purchases have similar protections to their prescriptions, but HIPAA only covers the pharmacy counter's clinical operations, such as dispensing prescriptions and answering patients' questions about medication.

This distinction can be confusing enough inside the brick-and-mortar location of a retailer. But the line can become even harder to make out on a website, which lacks the clarifying delineations of physical space.

What's more, descriptions about what will happen with retail data are generally in retailers' privacy policies, which can usually be found in a link at the bottom of their webpages. The Markup and KFF Health News found them murky at best, and none of them were specific about the parts of the site that were covered by HIPAA and the parts that weren't.

In the "Privacy Notice for California Residents" part of its privacy policy, Kroger says it processes "personal information collected and analyzed concerning a consumer's health." But, the policy continues, the company does not "sell or share" that information. Other information is sold: According to the policy, in the last 12 months, the company sold or shared "protected classification characteristics" to outside entities like data brokers.

Kroger spokesperson Erin Rolfes said the company strives to be transparent and that, "in many cases, we have provided more information to our customers in our privacy notices than our peers."

Brokering of general retail data is widespread. The Markup's investigation found, though, that some websites shared sensitive clinical data with third parties even when that information would be protected at a HIPAA-covered pharmacy counter. Users attempting to schedule a vaccine appointment at Rite Aid, for example, must answer a survey first to gauge eligibility.

This investigation found that Rite Aid has sent Facebook responses to questions such as:

Do you have a neurological disorder such as seizures or other disorders that affect the brain or have had a disorder that resulted from a vaccine?

Do you have cancer, leukemia, AIDS, or any other immune system problem?

Are you pregnant or could you become pregnant in the next three months?

The Markup and KFF Health News documented Rite Aid sharing this data with Facebook in December 2022. In February of this year, a proposed class-action lawsuit based on similar findings was filed against the drugstore chain in California, alleging code on Rite Aid's website sent Facebook the time of an appointment and an identifier for the appointment location, demographic information, and answers to questions about vaccination history and health conditions. Rite Aid has moved to dismiss the suit.

After the lawsuit was filed, The Markup and KFF Health News tested Rite Aid's website again, and it was no longer sending answers to vaccination questions to Facebook.

Rite Aid isn't the only company that sent answers to eligibility questionnaires to social media firms. Supermarkets Albertsons, Acme, and Safeway, which are owned by the same parent company, also sent answers to questions in their vaccination intake formalbeit in a format that requires cross-referencing the questionnaire's source code to reveal the meaning of the data.

Using the Firefox web browser's Network Monitor tool, and with the help of a patient with an active prescription at Rite Aid, KFF Health News and The Markup also found Rite Aid sending the names of patients' specific prescriptions to Facebook. Rite Aid kept sharing prescription names even after the company stopped sharing answers to vaccination questions in response to the proposed class action (which did not mention the sharing of prescription information). Rite Aid did not respond to requests for comment, and as of June 23, the pixel was still present and sending the names of prescriptions to Facebook.

Other companies shared data about medications from other parts of their sites. Customers of Sam's Club and Costco, for example, can search names of prescriptions on each retailer's website to find the local pharmacy with the cheapest prices. But the two websites also sent the name of the medication the user searched for, along with the user's IP address, to social media companies.

Many of the retailers The Markup and KFF Health News looked at did not respond to questions or declined to comment, including Costco and Sam's Club. Albertsons said the company "continually" evaluates its privacy practices. CVS said it was compliant with "applicable laws."

Kroger's Rolfes wrote that the company's "trackers disclose product information, which is not sensitive health information unless one or more inferences are made. Kroger does not make any inferences linking the product information collected or disclosed by trackers to an individual's health condition."

A huge regulatory challenge

Pharmacies are just one facet of a huge health care sector. But the industry as a whole has been roiled by disclosures of tracking pixels picking up sensitive clinical data.

After an investigation by The Markup in June 2022 found widespread use of trackers on hospital websites, regulatory and legal attention has homed in on the practice.

In December, the Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights published guidance advising health providers and insurers how pixel trackers' use can be consistent with HIPAA. "Regulated entities are not permitted to use tracking technologies in a manner that would result in impermissible disclosures" of protected health information to tracking technology or other third-party vendors, according to the official bulletin. If implemented, the guidance would provide a path for the agency to regulate hospitals and other providers and fine those who don't follow it. In an interview with an industry publication in late April, the director of the Office for Civil Rights said it would be bringing its first enforcement action for pixel use "hopefully soon."

Lobbying groups are seeking to confine any regulatory fallout: The American Hospital Association, for example, sent a letter on May 22 to the Office for Civil Rights asking that the agency "suspend or amend" its guidance. The office, it claimed, was seeking to protect too much data.

This year the Federal Trade Commission has pursued action against companies like GoodRx, which offers prescription price comparisons, and BetterHelp, which offers online therapy, for alleged misuse of data from questionnaires and searches. The companies settled with the agency.

Health care providers have disclosed to the federal government the potential leakage of nearly 10 million patients' data to various advertising partners, according to a review by The Markup and KFF Health News of breach notification letters and the Office for Civil Rights' online database of breaches. That figure could be a low estimate: A new study in the journal Health Affairs has found that as of 2021, almost 99% of hospital websites contained tracking technologies.

One prominent law firm, BakerHostetler, is defending hospitals in 26 legal actions related to the use of tracking technologies, lawyer Paul Karlsgodt, a partner at the firm, said during a webinar this year. "We've seen an absolute eruption of cases," he said.

Abortion- and pregnancy-related data is particularly sensitive and driving regulatory scrutiny. In the same webinar, Lynn Sessions, also with BakerHostetler, said the California attorney general's office had made specific investigative requests to one of the firm's clients about whether the client was sharing reproductive health data.

It's unclear whether big tech companies have much interest in helping secure health data. Sessions said BakerHostetler had been trying to get Google and Meta to sign so-called business associate agreements. These agreements would bring the companies under the HIPAA regulatory umbrella, at least when handling data on behalf of hospital clients. "Both of them, at least at this juncture, have not been accommodating in doing that," Sessions said. Google Analytics' help page for HIPAA instructs customers to "refrain from using Google Analytics in any way that may create obligations under HIPAA for Google."

Meta says it has tools that attempt to prevent the transfer of sensitive information like health data. In a November 2022 letter to Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) obtained by KFF Health News and The Markup, Meta wrote that "the filtering mechanism is designed to prevent that data from being ingested into our ads." What's more, the letter noted, the social media giant reaches out to companies transferring potentially sensitive data and asks them to "evaluate their implementation."

"I remain concerned the company is too passive in allowing individual developers to determine what is considered sensitive health data that should remain private," Warner told The Markup and KFF Health News.

Meta's claims in its letter to Warner have been repeatedly questioned. In 2020, the company itself acknowledged to New York state regulators that the filtering system was "not yet operating with complete accuracy."

To test the filtering system, Sven Carlsson and Sascha Granberg, reporters for SR Ekot in Sweden, set up a dummy pharmacy website in Swedish, which sent fake, but plausible, health data to Facebook to see whether the company's filtering systems worked as stated. "We weren't warned" by Facebook, Carlsson said in an interview with KFF Health News and The Markup.

Carlsson and Granberg's work also found European pharmacies engaged in activities similar to what The Markup and KFF Health News have found. The reporters caught a Swedish state-owned pharmacy sending data to Facebook. And a recent investigation with The Guardian found the U.K.-based pharmacy chain LloydsPharmacy was sending sensitive dataincluding information about symptomsto TikTok and Facebook.

In response to questions from KFF Health News and The Markup, Meta spokesperson Emil Vazquez said, "Advertisers should not send sensitive information about people through our Business Tools. Doing so is against our policies and we educate advertisers on properly setting up Business Tools to prevent this from occurring. Our system is designed to filter out potentially sensitive data it is able to detect."

Meta did not respond to questions about whether it considered any of the information KFF Health News and The Markup found retailers sending to be "sensitive information," whether any was actually filtered by the system, or whether Meta could provide metrics demonstrating the current accuracy of the system.

In response to The Markup's inquiries, Twitter sent a poop emoji, while TikTok and Pinterest said they had policies instructing advertisers not to pass on sensitive information. LinkedIn and Nextdoor did not respond.

Google spokesperson Jackie Berte said the company's policies "prohibit businesses from using sensitive health information to target and serve ads" and that it worked to prevent such information from being used in advertising, using a "combination of algorithmic and human review" to remedy violations of its policy.

KFF Health News and The Markup presented Google with screenshots of its pixel sending the search company our browsing information when we landed on the retailers' pages where we could purchase an HIV test and prenatal vitamins, and data showing when we added an HIV test to the cart. In response, Berte said the company had "not uncovered any evidence that the businesses in the screenshots are violating our policies."

2023 KFF Health News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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a) Comparison of the (cubic/pseudocubic) lattice parameters of (bulk) SrVO 3 (SVO) and the various substrates used in this study to strain it: SrTiO 3 (STO), LaGaO 3 (LGO), (LaAlO 3 ) 0.3 (Sr2TaAlO 6 ) 0.7 (LSAT), and LaAlO 3 (LAO). b) Reciprocal space maps (RSMs) of the strained SVO films grown on different substrates indicate coherent growth. All measurements were taken in the cubic/pseudocubic [0 1 3] orientation. Credit: Advanced Functional Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202302330

Researchers in the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Technion in Israel have demonstrated control over an emerging material, which they consider as a possible future alternative to silicon in microelectronics. This is a timely development, because scientists and engineers face challenges in continuing the transistor shrinking trend, an important driver of computer chip performance.

The research team's work is published in Advanced Functional Materials.

Integrated circuits, more commonly known as computer chips, or simply chips, are at the core of modern life, responsible for processing, storing, and transferring massive amounts of data. Chips are responsible for countless tasks, including vaccine development, spacecraft designs, internet infrastructure, big data, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things.

The continuous performance improvement of these chips has been driven by shrinking the size of the most basic logic "Lego" piecethe transistor. Transistors are miniature switches that control the flow of electric currents, analogous to a faucet controlling the flow of water. In the early 1960s, Gordon Moore, the founder of Intel, proposed that the transistors' miniaturization rate should allow doubling of the number of transistors per area every 2 years. This prediction, coined Moore's Law, has dictated the miniaturization rate for decades. Presently modern chips contain billions of transistors on about a square centimeter.

In 2007, Moore declared that his law would come to an end within a few years. The CEO of Nvidia expressed an even more pessimistic view last year, saying that "Moore's Law is dead," a view shared by other technology experts.

Professor Lior Kornblum, of the Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, explains, "As a result of the continuous miniaturization, modern transistors are only a few dozen atoms across. Because they are already so small, continuing miniaturizing without compromising their performance is becoming increasingly challenging. On the nanometric scale, the transistors behave in new ways that are different than their larger predecessors."

One manifestation of this problem is leakage of electric current when the transistor (switch) is supposed to be off. Prof. Kornblum explains that "it can be compared to a leaking faucet, multiplied by a billion; this could result in a lot of wasted 'water.' In a modern phone with billions of transistors, the tiniest current leakage will accumulate into a considerable waste of energy. This could quickly drain the battery and cause excessive heating of the device. Zooming out, when thinking server farms and data centers, the energy waste can be substantial and produce considerable heat."

There are multiple approaches and strategies to tackle these challenges. One promising direction is the search for alternatives to silicon, the workhorse of today's chips. Prof. Kornblum's research group is studying various oxide materials, one of which has a useful property: It can switch from being an electrical conductor to an insulatorand back. The researchers want to harness this property for future transistors that could potentially switch more efficiently.

Developing such a technology requires precise control of the material properties. The Technion researchers demonstrated a route for manipulating the material's electric properties by precisely controlling the distance between its atoms. Labratory manager Dr. Maria Baskin, achieved this by using a unique oxide growth system; she deposited layers of atoms one on top of the other, thereby growing films of the material. Thanks to this delicate growth process, she was able to set the distances between atoms with a picometer precision. In comparison, the distance between two atoms in silicon is approximately one-quarter of a nanometer, or 250 picometers.

This unique oxide growth system was established at the Technion with significant investment, and it is the enabler for developing the next generations of semiconductors, magnetic materials, and renewable energy materials such as cutting-edge catalysts.

"Every morning, I come to the lab and fire up the system," explains Dr. Baskin. "We can choose from a variety of atoms, control their arrangement and the spacing between them. Using these capabilities, we can even create materials that did not exist before, with a broad range of properties per our requirements."

"The tools we've developed for the oxides growth are unique," adds Prof. Kornblum, who heads the laboratory. "Oxide growth is only the first step. From there, the graduate students start their research. Some focus on the materials' physical properties, striving to understand how they function, and some utilize these materials to fabricate electronic devices that we hope will revolutionize microelectronics, renewable energy, and other fields."

Ph.D. student Lishai Shoham's research addresses both of these aspects. She is studying the material's properties and fabricating transistors from it, aiming to evaluate how it can be harnessed for microelectronics. In her latest scientific publication, Shoham led a team of twelve other researchers from eight research institutions and companies, located in Switzerland, Japan, France and the United States.

The team showed that by stretching the material at the atomic level, the elongation of the chemical bonds between the atoms changes the electrical properties: stretching by less than 2% of the atomic bond length, the researchers reduced the electrons' tendency to hop from atom to atom. Furthermore, this stretching changed how the atoms were arranged in space. Through these tiny changes, which take place at a scale of one picometer, the researchers developed the groundwork for controlling the material's transition from a conducting state to an insulating state.

According to Shoham, "It is amazing to see that such minute changes in the material's atomic structure have such a big impact on the electrical properties. We took this material to a synchrotron in Switzerland and saw how these tiny alterations affect the electrons' arrangement in the material, as well as their behavior. These are the scientific foundations we need, in order to develop future transistors from these unconventional materials. Today, I am implementing the results of our research on related materials, from which I am developing a new type of transistor."

According to Prof. Kornblum, "it is a great privilege to develop these capabilities here in Israel, to work with brilliant students and collaborate with the world's leading scientists who contributed to this research. We are reaping the fruits of the excellent scientific infrastructure that the Technion is constantly developing and improving, and of our excellent students."

More information: Lishai Shoham et al, Bandwidth Control and Symmetry Breaking in a MottHubbard Correlated Metal, Advanced Functional Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202302330 Journal information: Advanced Functional Materials
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From left to right, Michelangelos sculpture, David, Neuralangelos normal map, and 3D mesh surface output. Credit: NVIDIA

Until recently, 3D surface reconstruction has been a relatively slow, painstaking process involving significant trial and error and manual input. But what if you could take a video of an object or scene with your smartphone and turn it into an accurate, detailed model, the way a master sculptor creates masterpieces from marble or clay? Its creators claim that the aptly named Neuralangelo does just that through the power of neural networksand with submillimeter accuracy.

A joint project by researchers in the Whiting School of Engineering's Department of Computer Science and tech giant NVIDIA, this high-fidelity neural surface reconstruction algorithm can precisely render the shapes of everyday objects, famous statues, familiar buildings, and entire environments from only a smartphone video or drone footage with no extra input necessary. Their findings have been presented on the pre-print server arXiv.

The algorithms that power virtual reality environments, autonomous robot navigation, and smart operating rooms all have one fundamental requirement: They need to be able to process and accurately interpret information from the real world to work correctly. This kind of knowledge is achieved through 3D surface reconstruction, in which an algorithm takes multiple 2D images from different viewpoints to render real-life environments in a way that other programs can recognize and manipulate.

The Neuralangelo project was initiated by Zhaoshuo "Max" Liwho earned a master's degree in computer science from the Whiting School in 2019, followed by a Ph.D. in computer science in 2023during his internship in the summer of 2022 at NVIDIA, where he is now a research scientist. His goal was not only to enhance existing 3D reconstruction techniques but also to make them accessible to anyone with a smartphone.

"How can we acquire the same understanding as humans of a 3D environment by using cheaply available videos, thereby making this technology accessible to everyone?" he asked.

Working with Johns Hopkins advisers Russell Taylor, John C. Malone Professor of Computer Science, and Mathias Unberath, an assistant professor of computer science, and NVIDIA researchers Thomas Muller and Alex Evans, project manager Ming-Yu Liu, and internship mentor Chen-Hsuan Lin, Li set out to democratize 3D surface reconstruction.

The team's first step in the creation of Neuralangelo was addressing the issues that earlier reconstruction algorithms faced when rendering large areas of homogenous colors, repetitive texture patterns, and strong color variations. Because traditional algorithms use analytical gradients that only look at and compare sections of local pixels at a time, they produce inaccurate reconstructions with surfaces that are "noisy"with blobs floating above a roof, for exampleor missing, with holes in what should be a solid brick wall, the team says.

"The easy solution is to add manual input," Li explains. "And you do get better results then, but not at Neuralangelo's level."

From left to right, Neuralangelo's RGB rendering, 3D mesh surface output, and normal map of Shriver Hall. Credit: Johns Hopkins University

Instead of increasing human effort, the Neuralangelo team addressed the root of the problem, opting to use numerical gradients in their multi-resolution hash grid representation, which significantly improved the algorithm's reconstruction quality. This means that Neuralangelo looks beyond local pixels and uses a more holistic approach to sharpen and enhance detailed surfaces and further smooth flat ones, while still capturing all the important details of a scene, the team states.

The researchers also implemented a coarse-to-fine optimization process. Akin to a sculptor carving finer and finer details out of a chunk of marble, the algorithm begins at a coarse hash resolutionpicture a crude, rough estimate of an object or sceneand then incrementally increases the resolution to "carve out" finer details and intricacies until it achieves a high-fidelity, realistic 3D reconstruction, the team says.

They then moved on to adapt the algorithm to extract images from manually captured 2D videos. Where traditional algorithms suffer when confronted with video artifacts like exposure variations, such as moving from direct sunlight to heavy shadow, Neuralangelo's architecture inherently allows it to accommodate such variations, which occur naturally in realistic video capture, Li explains.

The team points to Neuralangelo's reconstruction of the exterior of Shriver Hall from a two-minute drone video as an example of its capabilities.

No fancy measuring devicelike lidar, which often costs hundreds or thousands of dollarsis needed to capture an operating room, a street scene, or a room in your home; you can achieve the same quality of render with just your smartphone camera, Li says.

The quality of the input video still affects the final result, but smartphones, drones, and professional cameras all work, according to Li.

"I tell people, 'Garbage in, garbage out,'" he says. "But that's pretty much true for any algorithm input."

Neuralangelo still struggles with highly reflective surfaces. Due to its high representation power, it tends to fully reconstruct scenes reflected in mirror-like surfaces, rendering something more like a diorama than flat glass, but NVIDIA's research team says they are already working to resolve this issue. Li also hopes that through publicly available source code, he and the greater computer graphics community can optimize the algorithm to get results within minutes.

Qualitative comparison of COLMAP, a baseline approach with missing and noisy surfaces, and Neuralangelo. Credit: NVIDIA

In the meantime, Neuralangelo is being lauded as an exciting development for 3D-printing enthusiasts, video game and CGI asset designers, and for use in surgical applications. Li even employed Neuralangelo in his dissertation, using it to produce a high-fidelity reconstruction of a patient's skull for use during complicated skull base surgery.

He envisions future augmented reality applications that alert surgeons to their proximity to a patient's brain, like self-driving cars' pedestrian proximity alerts.

"For humans, it's very hard to quantify specific distanceswhether we're talking meters away or millimeter accuracybut algorithms can provide such complementary skill sets," he explains.

The Neuralangelo team presented their findings in late June at the 2023 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Conference in Vancouver, Canada, and Li says there is already much excitement for the algorithm's future.

He likens future virtual assistants using Neuralangelo to Iron Man's "J.A.R.V.I.S."able to interact with users, give real-time feedback, and, most importantly, understand exactly what's going on in the real world.

"We're imagining a Neuralangelo that is aware of more than what the geometry of an object looks like; it understands what it's looking at," he says.

More information: Zhaoshuo Li et al, Neuralangelo: High-Fidelity Neural Surface Reconstruction, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2306.03092 Journal information: arXiv
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Customers browse Japanese imported sea products in Hong Kong, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Hong Kong would immediately ban the import of aquatic products from Fukushima and other Japanese prefectures if Tokyo discharges treated radioactive wastewater into the sea, a top official in the city said Wednesday. Credit: AP Photo/Louise Delmotte

Hong Kong will immediately ban the import of aquatic products from Fukushima and other Japanese prefectures if Tokyo discharges treated radioactive wastewater into the sea, a top official in the city said Wednesday.

Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan said although the wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant would be treated before discharging into the Pacific Ocean, any errors in the process would significantly affect ecology and food safety. The concern stems from Japan's U.N.-endorsed, but controversial, plan to gradually release the treated water.

"Our assessment shows prefectures near Fukushima have higher risks, so we are now taking a responsible way for our residents," he told reporters at a briefing.

The 10 affected territories are Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama, he added.

A massive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant's cooling systems, causing three reactors to melt and releasing large amounts of radiation. The tanks storing the water used since the accident to cool the reactor cores will reach their capacity in early 2024.

In 2021, Japan's government announced plans to gradually release the treatedbut still slightly radioactivewater following its dilution to what it says are safe levels. Japanese officials say the water, currently stored in about a thousand tanks at the plant, needs to be removed to prevent accidental leaks in case of an earthquake and to make room for the plant's decommissioning.

Customers browse Japanese imported sea products in Hong Kong, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Hong Kong would immediately ban the import of aquatic products from Fukushima and other Japanese prefectures if Tokyo discharges treated radioactive wastewater into the sea, a top official in the city said Wednesday. Credit: AP Photo/Louise Delmotte

Last week, the U.N. nuclear agency endorsed the plan, saying it meets international standards and the environmental and health impact would be negligible.

But the plan has faced fierce protests from local fishing communities concerned about safety and reputational damage. Neighboring countries, including South Korea, China and Pacific Island nations, have also raised safety concerns.

In Hong Kong, the import of certain productssuch as fruits and vegetablesfrom Fukushima is currently banned. Other products such as meat and poultry from there are allowed in if they come with a radiation certificate.

The import of many food products from four other Japanese prefectures immediately south of FukushimaGunma, Ibaraki, Tochigi and Chibawill also have to be accompanied with radiation certificate.

A customer browses Japanese imported sea products in Hong Kong, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Hong Kong would immediately ban the import of aquatic products from Fukushima and other Japanese prefectures if Tokyo discharges treated radioactive wastewater into the sea, a top official in the city said Wednesday. Credit: AP Photo/Louise Delmotte

Customers browse Japanese imported sea products in Hong Kong, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Hong Kong would immediately ban the import of aquatic products from Fukushima and other Japanese prefectures if Tokyo discharges treated radioactive wastewater into the sea, a top official in the city said Wednesday. Credit: AP Photo/Louise Delmotte

Customers browse Japanese imported sea products in Hong Kong, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Hong Kong would immediately ban the import of aquatic products from Fukushima and other Japanese prefectures if Tokyo discharges treated radioactive wastewater into the sea, a top official in the city said Wednesday. Credit: AP Photo/Louise Delmotte

For the planned policies announced Wednesday, Tse said the government will be scientific and review data. If the situation is safe, the government will consider relaxing its restrictions, he said.

Earlier, Naoto Nakahara, deputy consul general at the Japanese Consulate in Hong Kong, told Nikkei that the Hong Kong government was "trying to win brownie points from Beijing."

In a response to the reported criticism but without identifying anyone, Tse said officials devised policies in accordance with Hong Kong's situation.

"Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy," he said.

Last year, the major food imports from Japan amounted to about 2% of the total food supply in Hong Kong, official data showed. Although Hong Kong is not highly dependent on Japanese food products in terms of quantity, many residents love Japanese food and there are many Japanese restaurants in the city.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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The inside of a small satellite. Credit: RUB, Marquard

Thousands of satellites are currently orbiting the Earth, and there will be many more in the future. Researchers from Ruhr University Bochum and the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security in Saarbrucken have assessed the security of these systems from an IT perspective.

They analyzed three current low-earth orbit satellites and found that, from a technical point of view, hardly any modern security concepts were implemented. Various security mechanisms that are standard in modern mobile phones and laptops were not to be found: for example, there was no separation of code and data. Interviews with satellite developers also revealed that the industry relies primarily on security through obscurity.

The results were presented by a team headed by Johannes Willbold, a Ph.D. student from Bochum, Dr. Ali Abbasi, a researcher from Saarbrucken, and Professor Thorsten Holz, formerly in Bochum, now in Saarbrucken, at the IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy, which took place in San Francisco from 22 to 25 May 2023. The paper was awarded a Distinguished Paper Award at the conference.

Research satellites and commercial satellite put to the test

The examined satellites were two small models and one medium-sized modelresearch satellites as well as a satellite of a commercial companywhich orbit the Earth at a short distance and are used to observe the Earth. Gaining access to satellites and their software was a challenge for the team, as commercial providers in particular rarely wish to reveal any details. The researchers eventually gained access through cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), various universities involved in the construction of satellites, and a commercial enterprise.

The team from Bochum and Saarbrucken conducted a thorough security analysis of the three models. They looked in detail at what the software running on the devices does and which communication protocols are used. They emulated the systems, i.e., rebuilt them virtually, so that they could test the software as if it were in a real satellite. "It was a very different world from the systems we usually study. For example, completely different communication protocols were used," as Thorsten Holz outlines the process.

Moritz Schloegel (left) and Johannes Willbold analyzed the safety of satellites. Credit: RUB, Marquard

Systems with specific requirements

Satellites orbiting the Earth can only be reached by their ground station on Earth within a time window of a few minutes. The systems must be robust against the radiation in space, and, since they can only consume a small amount of energy, they have a low power output. "The data rates are like those of modems in the 1990s," as Holz elaborates the challenges satellite developers face.

Based on the findings gained from the software analysis, the researchers worked out various attack scenarios. They showed that they could cut off the satellites from ground control and seize control of the systems, for example in order to take pictures with the satellite camera. "We were surprised that the technical security level is so low," points out Thorsten Holz, adding the following caveat with regard to potential ramifications: "It wouldn't be all that easy to steer the satellite to another location, for example, to crash it or have it collide with other objects."

Survey among developers

To find out how the people who develop and build satellites approach security, the research team compiled a questionnaire and submitted it to research institutions, the ESA, the German Aerospace Center and various enterprises. Nineteen developers participated anonymously in the survey. "The results show us that the understanding of security in the industry is different than in many other areas, specifically that it's security by obscurity," concludes Johannes Willbold.

Many of the respondents therefore assumed that satellites could not be attacked because there is no documentation of the systems, i.e., nothing is known about them. Only a few said that they encrypt data when communicating with satellites or use authentication in order to ensure that only the ground station is allowed to communicate with the satellite.

"However, a lack of documentation doesn't necessarily protect against attacks," points out Moritz Schloegel, co-author of the paper. "Today, systems can be figured out through reverse engineering and their vulnerabilities can be identified. One of the goals of our project was therefore to bring the satellite and security communities together to promote a mutual understanding of the challenges of space applications and of the security standards that are in use today."

More information: Johannes Willbold et al, Space odyssey: An experimental software security analysis of satellites, (2023). DOI: 10.1109/SP46215.2023.00131. publications.cispa.saarland/39  SatSec-Oakland22.pdf
Hutong residents benefit from parking ban

Xinhua) 11:07, July 13, 2023

This photo taken on July 11, 2023 shows a two-story parking lot for hutong residents in Neiwubujie in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)

BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- More hutong residents in downtown Beijing are enjoying backstreet life without the din of car horns.

Wang Shunying, 65, is one of them. The hutong he has lived in for decades has become a "zero parking" alley.

"There used to be so many cars parked in this cramped hutong, and finding a parking space was a daunting task for me," said Wang, whose parked car had been hit twice by the passing vehicles in the 7-meter-wide alley.

After a year-long upgrade by the local authority in this hutong named Neiwubujie, Wang now parks his cars in a designated parking lot, a 10-minute walk from his home.

"The community management office has renovated the old car-park ground into a multi-story parking garage, accommodating 80 motorized vehicles for the hutong residents.

In the 700-meter-long hutong in the Chaoyangmen subdistrict area in Dongcheng district, there are 1,700 residents, a public middle school, and several historical courtyards. The parking issue had been a headache for people living there.

"The large number of parked vehicles often caused congestion in the narrow path, and many were afraid that fire vehicles are not able to drive through if there is a fire," said Li Lei, a sub-district staff.

In 2022, the local authority launched a parking ban to change the situation. However, the hutong residents did not show a smiling face to the plan at first. They preferred to park near their homes instead of in paid parking lots outside the hutong areas.

It was not an easy task to negotiate, Li said. It took almost a year to persuade residents to drive their cars outside the hutong.

Wang said hutong residents like him need to pay 450 yuan (63 U.S. dollars) per month for the parking lot. But for the retired man, despite the new spending, travel becomes safer.

"We no longer worry about spending hours looking for a parking space or worry of being hit by a car," Wang added.

Cai Yongjun, a 76-year-old man who lives in the hutong, said after the parking problem was solved, the hutong became prettier. "We have more space to rest and enjoy the greenery nearby, which is pleasant."

So far, Dongcheng district has over 40 hutongs that have banned parking and have cooperated with nearby public facilities to provide space for residents to park.

Hutong communities began to take shape in Beijing in the 13th century. The centuries-old architectural legacies faced the threat of disappearance when the urban development of the ancient capital accelerated amid the roar of bulldozers in the 1990s. Thanks to calls for cultural heritage protection efforts, hundreds of hutongs were saved.

However, the problem facing hutongs today is how to become quieter, cleaner, and better in the bustling megacity.

The "zero parking" policy is Beijing's latest move to clean up the city center to be a cozy place for people to live. In a detailed plan for the core area of Beijing for the 2018-2035 period, the central government has stated that the city should protect its culture and history while maintaining convenience for the people.

"It (zero parking) is just a start. We believe we will have a better hutong life," said Wang.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
(Photo : Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Portuguese authorities have opted to ban a popular tourist attraction of whale watching after a series of attacks by killer whales on boats.

Portuguese authorities have banned tourists from whale-watching killer whales after the sea creatures were found responsible for a series of boat attacks off the coastline.

The decision comes as many tourists come to Portugal hoping to visit popular places such as the Algarve, a region in the southwestern part of the nation. Additionally, many holiday resorts offer boat rides, including whale watching in the waters near the area.

Portugal Bans Whale Watching

However, that popular tourist activity has now been suspended temporarily, which will stay in effect until the end of the year. In a statement, the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) said that it was a ban on the active approach to groups of orcas by maritime tourist vessels.

The situation comes from multiple occasions that involved orcas and mostly sailboats that have been reported since 2020. The incidents occurred off the Iberian Peninsula coast and the Strait of Gibraltar. Officials said that the sea creatures would bump the boats' hulls and rudders, damaging them, and in some cases, have led to the vessels' sinking or the coastguard having to tow the boats to shore, as per The Sun.

One of the latest incidents involved a British couple back in May who was off the coast of Morocco when a pod of killer whales attacked their boat, seemingly trying to sink it. Video footage of the orcas was released in June that showed them attacking racing yachts by smashing their heads into the vessels off the coast of Gibraltar.

In that same month, a man sailing towards Ibiza said that he was left horrified after a pod of sea creatures tried to sink his vessel. The ICND added that on top of sailboats, the killer whales also attacked smaller maritime tourist boats licensed for whale watching.

With how large the adults of the sea creatures are, which range from eight to nine meters in length and three to five tons in weight, more intense interaction with semi-rigid or other types of smaller vessels could result in more serious consequences.

Read Also: Australia Expands Medical Abortion Pill Access by Making Major Rule Change

Series of Killer Whale Attacks

The ICNF added that on top of the ban, they advised that boats should move away whenever orcas are seen and try to approach to avoid contact with the animals. According to Reuters, officials said that if the sea creatures were already somewhere nearby, the vessels should stop but leave the engine running and wait for them to leave.

The agency said that the reason for the killer whales attacking the vessels is still relatively unknown but noted that such instances have increased since the initial reports. Last year, officials recorded more than 200 interactions between orcas and boats off the Atlantic coast of Portugal and Spain, based on data from GTOA. This research group tracks populations of the Iberian orca subspecies.

Some theorize that a killer whale, known as White Gladis, instills the behavior among its brethren. The animal is believed to have been traumatized after a collision with a boat or being trapped in fishing nets, said Sky News.

Related Article: European Union Passes Major Nature, Climate Change Plan After Negotiations

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp officially weighed in on the College Station sewer trunk line and lift station debate, and made it clear the System will not be involved, following a meeting with Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez.

[Sharp] could care less about the pump station or the lift station over there, it is not part of his deal, Gutierrez said during Tuesday nights Bryan City Council meeting, after he met with Sharp earlier that morning. This is part of Northgate and only Northgate, and has nothing to do with Century Square and the park area around Hensel Park. He made me 100% clear on that.

Laylan Copelin, an A&M System spokesperson, told The Eagle on Wednesday that Gutierrezs comments are an accurate representation of Sharps stance on the matter.

The bottom line is the university doesnt need the sewer line for anything its doing, Copelin said. It is not our fight.

College Station city staff has stated the reason a sewer trunk line is necessary is in order to prepare for growth the Northgate District will bring to the city. Both Bryan and College Station councilors and residents have asked Texas A&M to either have a say in the matter or offset the cost of the lift station route.

During a June 13 Bryan City Council meeting, Mary Linne of Bryan told councilors: College Station needs to stay in College Station because it benefits College Station.

It doesnt benefit us at all, Linne said previously. It is for Northgate at A&M, and A&M can pony up the money because there is plenty of money that A&M gives to College Station for doing things.

College Station City Council members ultimately will decide between two routes being considered: a lift station along Chimney Hill and Cooner Street in College Station or a right-of-way route along North Rosemary Drive in Bryans Beverley Estates neighborhood.

A lift station is a hole in the ground with a concrete or fiberglass basin, where generally two or more pumps are installed which push the sewer flow through a force main to a downstream point, either to another lift station or a treatment plant, according to Virginia-based Dewberry Construction.

Bob Yancy has been the only College Station councilor to take a stance on how he plans to vote. During a June 12 council meeting he said: I am not going to be able to support this line going through Rosemary as one member of council.

At that same meeting, Yancy called upon Texas A&M and others to help offset some of the projected cost.

I feel like this issue has gone too far, I feel like it is going to infect other initiatives between our two cities, Yancy said. I want to appeal to Texas A&M University; I want to appeal to the city of Bryan; I want to appeal to the developers and our staff about [setting] fees on the developers at Century Square Phase ll, if it is at all possible.

Beverley Estates/Rosemary Homeowners Association president Scott Hickle, who lives on Park Lane, addressed the Bryan City Council during Tuesday nights meeting and was grateful for his citys continued efforts in hearing citizen concerns.

Thank you for putting up with this situation just as we have for the last several months, he said. I am telling you we have 100% unqualified support from our residents in Bryan. And we really hope that the situation can be worked out. Something that just occurred, apparently there is a bid out for a lift station in College Station that we just became aware of. Which is kind of funny on the timing standpoint and it is also kind of a little bit strange I guess you could say in regards to some of the folks over there that are totally against lift stations; and now here they are going to put in a lift station, which we all knew was going to happen. Other than that, those are just facts and you can make of them what you will.

Following the discussion, The Eagle reached out to the city of College Station asking if there are current bids on a lift station. College Stations department for water services confirmed they are replacing an old system.

Were bidding on a very small lift station that will take the Carter Lake Lagoon system  one of three wastewater treatment plants we operate  offline, the department stated Tuesday. The older lagoon system currently treats the supernatant [a clear liquid overlying material deposited by settling, precipitation or centrifugation] from about 30 homes in the Carter Lake subdivision. The new lift stations force main will outfall into the gravity line that was recently constructed through/near the proposed ballpark on Rock Prairie.

Bryan councilman James Edge said he appreciates Bryan residents patience with the council as it waits on which decision will be made.

I know this has not been easy for all of you that are affected by this proposed project and I also want you to know that we have not forgotten, Edge said Tuesday night. I know it seems like at times these months go by and it seems like we are neglecting you guys, but I promise it is on the forefront of most of us up here on the dais, [we] think about this every day. I just want you to know we are still as committed to assisting you guys to preserving your neighborhood as we ever have been. Moving forward we will respond as we need to and if we need to proactively take action, as far as I am concerned, as one councilmember I am prepared to do so.

Council members Marca Ewers-Shurtleff and Kevin Boriskie shared similar comments to Edge and said they were thankful for the citizen input and are invested in finding a solution.

Gutierrez concluded the discussion by saying residents are constantly in conversations about this topic.

We havent forgotten, Gutierrez said. And we do know that it takes two and it is going to take the people in College Station and the citizens of College Station to speak not only to their council people and their mayor but their city staff, and let them know that they also dont agree with what is going on over there. It is kind of ironic that they would be setting out for bid a lift station right now, when we have been told all of the stuff that we have been told.

College Station city staff stated from the beginning that a large cost factor and the reliability and sustainability of lift stations are weighed heavily in consideration for the Cooner Street route.

Guttierrez added that lift stations are an integral part of any planning development or any development going forward.

Unless, your city is built at the top of a hill and your treatment center is at the very bottom of the hill, there is going to be a pump and a lift somewhere, he said. Going forward we are trying to work with anything that we can that will help them make an easy decision as well. And believe me it is just as hard for them sitting on that deal as it is us sitting over here. They are having to make those decisions to pay for something that is going to be a little bit more expensive.

Regardless of the decision made by College Station councilors, Gutierrez said the council has Bryan citizens backs.

You do have our support whatever their decision is; we are still going to have our support. And I just hope it doesnt go to that, he said Tuesday night. I am not trying to talk down to anybody, not to you guys, not to them and not to our council. I do think it is a hard decision they have to come through, not only for the elected officials but for their city staff.

Update

The city of College Station provided this statement Thursday:

The City of College Stations Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) grants it the exclusive right and responsibility to provide sewer service to the Hensel Park area owned by Texas A&M University, including the Century Square development. The Texas Water Code requires CCN holders to provide continuous and adequate service within their CCN boundary. The Texas A&M University System provides sewer service to part of the Century Square development through an interlocal agreement with the City of College Station. The Northeast Sewer Line serves the rest of the Hensel Park and Century Square area. The line will also serve Northgate and adjacent areas in College Stations CCN. Future development in the area will require the planned sewer upgrades.
Shares of Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:NML  Get Free Report) crossed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $0.00 and traded as high as $6.90. Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund shares last traded at $6.78, with a volume of 249,352 shares trading hands.

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Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.0584 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $0.70 annualized dividend and a yield of 10.20%. Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Funds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -227.59%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund

In related news, Portfolio Manager Douglas A. Rachlin purchased 58,580 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The shares were bought at an average price of $6.55 per share, for a total transaction of $383,699.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the portfolio manager now directly owns 328,817 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,153,751.35. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, Portfolio Manager Douglas A. Rachlin acquired 58,580 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $6.55 per share, for a total transaction of $383,699.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the portfolio manager now owns 328,817 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,153,751.35. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Portfolio Manager Douglas A. Rachlin acquired 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was bought at an average price of $6.25 per share, for a total transaction of $312,500.00. Following the purchase, the portfolio manager now owns 378,817 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,367,606.25. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund

About Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NML. Raymond James & Associates boosted its stake in Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund by 161.5% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 167,981 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,082,000 after buying an additional 103,736 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund during the first quarter worth $374,000. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its stake in Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund by 164.6% during the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 47,021 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $303,000 after buying an additional 29,250 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund during the first quarter worth $80,000. Finally, UBS Group AG boosted its stake in Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund by 3.3% during the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 132,280 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $852,000 after buying an additional 4,227 shares in the last quarter.

(Get Free Report)

Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund Inc is a closed ended fund of fund launched and managed by Neuberger Berman Management LLC. It is co-managed by Neuberger Berman LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets. It primarily invests in master limited partnerships and limited liability companies.

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Bank of America lowered shares of Amcor (NYSE:AMCR  Free Report) from a buy rating to an underperform rating in a report published on Monday, Marketbeat Ratings reports.

A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on AMCR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Amcor from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and decreased their price target for the company from $11.60 to $10.80 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Amcor from an underperform rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $10.80.

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Amcor Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of AMCR opened at $9.89 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $14.55 billion, a PE ratio of 14.98 and a beta of 0.81. The companys fifty day moving average is $10.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $10.93. Amcor has a fifty-two week low of $9.40 and a fifty-two week high of $13.37. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58.

Amcor Announces Dividend

Amcor ( NYSE:AMCR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $0.18 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.18. The company had revenue of $3.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.69 billion. Amcor had a net margin of 6.54% and a return on equity of 27.94%. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.21 EPS. Analysts forecast that Amcor will post 0.73 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 20th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 24th were paid a $0.1225 dividend. This represents a $0.49 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 23rd. Amcors dividend payout ratio is presently 74.24%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Amcor

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AMCR. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its stake in Amcor by 117.7% during the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 2,397 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 1,296 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Amcor during the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Money Concepts Capital Corp purchased a new stake in Amcor during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Clear Street Markets LLC increased its stake in Amcor by 93.6% during the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 2,913 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 1,408 shares during the period. Finally, General Partner Inc. purchased a new stake in Amcor during the 4th quarter worth $48,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.37% of the companys stock.

About Amcor

(Get Free Report)

Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries.

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Stock analysts at StockNews.com started coverage on shares of American Shared Hospital Services (NYSE:AMS  Get Free Report) in a research report issued on Thursday. The brokerage set a hold rating on the stock.

American Shared Hospital Services Price Performance

About American Shared Hospital Services

(Get Free Report)

American Shared Hospital Services provides radiosurgery and radiation therapy equipment to health care providers. The company offers radiosurgery equipment for the Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, a non-invasive procedure to treat malignant and benign brain tumors, and arteriovenous malformations, as well as for trigeminal neuralgia.

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Argyle Capital Management Inc. reduced its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 0.5% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 73,708 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 366 shares during the quarter. Bristol-Myers Squibb accounts for about 1.8% of Argyle Capital Management Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 12th biggest position. Argyle Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $5,109,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Dakota Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the first quarter valued at about $332,000. Covestor Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 111.5% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,052 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $150,000 after buying an additional 1,082 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 53.2% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 165,336 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $12,075,000 after acquiring an additional 57,444 shares in the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC purchased a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the first quarter worth $1,997,000. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 25.1% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 338,563 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $24,725,000 after purchasing an additional 68,018 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.57% of the companys stock.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance

Shares of BMY stock traded up $0.07 during trading on Thursday, hitting $62.35. The company had a trading volume of 3,186,346 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,076,412. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 52 week low of $62.12 and a 52 week high of $81.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $130.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. The stocks 50-day moving average is $65.34 and its two-hundred day moving average is $68.64.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

Bristol-Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.98 by $0.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 15.95% and a return on equity of 51.75%. The firm had revenue of $11.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.50 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.96 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be issued a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 6th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is currently 66.47%.

Insider Activity at Bristol-Myers Squibb

In other news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total value of $3,378,818.10. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 47,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,202,182.06. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BMY has been the topic of several research reports. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. 51job reissued a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Friday, April 28th. SVB Securities initiated coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday. They set a market perform rating and a $66.00 price target for the company. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $65.00 to $64.00 in a report on Tuesday. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Bristol-Myers Squibb has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $76.73.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Japan's college students could drastically decrease; even dropping by 20% in 2050. This prediction was shared by the Japanese education ministry, MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology).

Japan's College Students Could Drop by 20%

According to Nikkei Asia's latest report, Japan's education ministry predicted that there will only be around 490,000 college students by 2050.

This is roughly 130,000 less compared to the number of students who entered universities in 2022. But, there's a chance that there will be more than 500,000 Japanese college students after 2040.

Although it is higher than the first prediction, it is still lower than the overall number of university students in 2022, which is around 630,000.

Japanese officials got this prediction after taking the number of 18-year-olds and multiplying it by the percentage expected to enter higher education.

The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research's computation also added the predicted number of foreign students.

If the Japanese education ministry's prediction about the number of college students comes true, it would make the country's youth population crisis worse.

Read Also: North Korea Allegedly Fired ICMBs After Threatening US; Japanese, SoKor Officials Share Details

Japan's Youth Population Crisis

One of the main solutions for Japan to solve the decreasing number of college students is to attract more foreign enrollees.

Japanese officials said that universities and other educational institutions should make an effort to attract more students from abroad, especially those in other Asian countries.

Erudera, a global education search platform, stated that Japan aims to host 400,000 international students by 2033.

The Japanese government wants to lure them to stay and work in the country after studying. To do this, Japan said it will support international students while and after studying by offering more internship programs.

This effort was confirmed by the Japanese government in Mar. after unveiling the new educational program during a meeting of the Council for the Creation of Future Education.

If Japan's plan works, it would really help the aging population of the country. Aside from increasing the number of students, a new childcare program was introduced as well by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

As of writing, the birthrate of Japan is still dwindling. If the country wants to solve this problem, then more efforts are still needed.

Related Article: Japan Takes Steps to Erase Stigma of Women in Science

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Aspiriant LLC decreased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV  Free Report) by 16.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 121,287 shares of the companys stock after selling 23,347 shares during the period. Aspiriant LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $8,822,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. FORVIS Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. FORVIS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 20,437 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,487,000 after buying an additional 432 shares in the last quarter. RCS Financial Planning LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 14.2% during the 1st quarter. RCS Financial Planning LLC now owns 6,666 shares of the companys stock valued at $485,000 after buying an additional 827 shares in the last quarter. RHS Financial LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. RHS Financial LLC now owns 60,442 shares of the companys stock worth $4,397,000 after purchasing an additional 2,561 shares in the last quarter. CVA Family Office LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 109.9% in the 1st quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 1,484 shares of the companys stock worth $108,000 after purchasing an additional 777 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Destiny Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 8.3% in the 1st quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC now owns 12,691 shares of the companys stock worth $923,000 after purchasing an additional 970 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Stock Up 0.2 %

USMV stock traded up $0.14 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $74.28. The company had a trading volume of 2,554,908 shares. The company has a market capitalization of $29.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.17 and a beta of 0.75. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF has a 12-month low of $47.44 and a 12-month high of $55.45. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $73.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $72.57.

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of US-listed firms selected and weighted to create a low-volatility portfolio subject to various constraints. USMV was launched on Oct 18, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) had its target price upped by Barclays from $203.00 to $210.00 in a research report released on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently commented on the company. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $240.00 to $236.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $250.00 to $227.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $183.00 to $181.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. StockNews.com cut Illinois Tool Works from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, June 22nd. Finally, 3M restated a maintains rating on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Illinois Tool Works presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $230.77.

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Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance

NYSE ITW opened at $251.38 on Monday. Illinois Tool Works has a 1-year low of $173.52 and a 1-year high of $254.24. The company has a market capitalization of $76.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.14, a PEG ratio of 3.74 and a beta of 1.13. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $236.30 and a 200 day moving average price of $234.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 0.84.

Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend

Illinois Tool Works ( NYSE:ITW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $2.33 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.23 by $0.10. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 92.13% and a net margin of 19.27%. The firm had revenue of $4.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.98 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.11 EPS. Illinois Tool Workss quarterly revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Illinois Tool Works will post 9.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be given a $1.31 dividend. This represents a $5.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.08%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 52.40%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Illinois Tool Works

In related news, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 5,425 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $239.23, for a total value of $1,297,822.75. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 8,870 shares in the company, valued at $2,121,970.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.78% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Illinois Tool Works

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ITW. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 145.2% during the 1st quarter. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC now owns 103 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Sturgeon Ventures LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the first quarter worth $26,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Red Tortoise LLC acquired a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, Quarry LP raised its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 52.7% during the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 142 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.37% of the companys stock.

About Illinois Tool Works

(Get Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment worldwide. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment offers plastic and metal components, fasteners, and assemblies for automobiles, light trucks, and other industrial uses.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of CIRCOR International (NYSE:CIR  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Sunday. The brokerage issued a buy rating on the industrial products companys stock.

CIR has been the topic of several other research reports. TheStreet upgraded shares of CIRCOR International from a d+ rating to a c rating in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus lowered shares of CIRCOR International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, June 5th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, CIRCOR International currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $32.33.

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CIRCOR International Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of CIRCOR International stock opened at $56.11 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10, a current ratio of 2.30 and a quick ratio of 1.48. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $41.40 and a 200 day moving average price of $32.31. CIRCOR International has a 1 year low of $13.26 and a 1 year high of $56.48. The stock has a market cap of $1.14 billion, a PE ratio of 28.34 and a beta of 2.39.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On CIRCOR International

CIRCOR International ( NYSE:CIR Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 11th. The industrial products company reported $0.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.12 by $0.41. The firm had revenue of $203.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $188.80 million. CIRCOR International had a net margin of 5.03% and a return on equity of 34.61%. Equities research analysts predict that CIRCOR International will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Dorsey Wright & Associates purchased a new position in CIRCOR International during the first quarter worth about $26,000. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in CIRCOR International during the first quarter worth about $147,000. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky purchased a new position in CIRCOR International during the third quarter worth about $99,000. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC raised its stake in CIRCOR International by 52.4% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 8,910 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $147,000 after purchasing an additional 3,062 shares during the period. Finally, Everence Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in CIRCOR International during the first quarter worth about $284,000. 94.64% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About CIRCOR International

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CIRCOR International, Inc designs, manufactures, and distributes flow and motion control products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and internationally. The company has a product portfolio of brands serving its customers' demanding applications. It operates through two segments, Aerospace & Defense and Industrial.

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Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF  Get Free Report) and Talanx (OTCMKTS:TNXXF  Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Profitability

This table compares Sun Life Financial and Talanxs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sun Life Financial 8.90% 14.29% 1.16% Talanx N/A N/A N/A

Institutional and Insider Ownership

41.7% of Sun Life Financial shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Sun Life Financial $25.82 billion 1.17 $2.50 billion $3.86 13.28 Talanx N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

This table compares Sun Life Financial and Talanxs revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Sun Life Financial has higher revenue and earnings than Talanx.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Sun Life Financial and Talanx, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sun Life Financial 0 1 2 0 2.67 Talanx 0 1 1 0 2.50

Sun Life Financial currently has a consensus price target of $72.78, indicating a potential upside of 41.89%. Talanx has a consensus price target of C$49.00, indicating a potential upside of 49.98%. Given Talanxs higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Talanx is more favorable than Sun Life Financial.

Summary

Sun Life Financial beats Talanx on 7 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Sun Life Financial

(Get Free Report)

Sun Life Financial Inc., a financial services company, provides savings, retirement, and pension products worldwide. It offers term and permanent life, as well as personal health, dental, critical illness, long-term care, and disability insurance products. The company provides financial advice, asset management, and investments related products. It is also involved in mutual fund and investment management businesses. Sun Life Financial Inc was founded in 1871 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

About Talanx

(Get Free Report)

Talanx AG provides insurance and reinsurance products and services worldwide. It offers life, casualty, liability, motor, aviation, legal protection, fire, burglary and theft, water damage, plate glass, windstorm, comprehensive householders, comprehensive home-owners, hail, livestock, engineering, omnium, marine, business interruption, travel assistance, aviation and space liability, financial lines, and other property insurance, as well as coverage for fire and fire loss of profits insurance. The company also provides bancassurance products; unit linked life insurance, annuity and risk insurance, and long term and occupational disability insurance products; and personal accident insurance. In addition, it offers property and casualty, marine and aviation, credit and surety, agriculture, structured, and life and health reinsurance, as well as engages in the facultative and nat cat, and asset management businesses. The company was founded in 1996 and is based in Hanover, Germany. Talanx AG is a subsidiary of HDI Haftpflichtverband der Deutschen Industrie V.a.G.

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Argyle Capital Management Inc. lowered its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 4.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 24,068 shares of the companys stock after selling 995 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company comprises about 2.9% of Argyle Capital Management Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 2nd largest holding. Argyle Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $8,265,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter valued at about $107,000. Roundview Capital LLC grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 2,056 shares of the companys stock worth $589,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter valued at about $210,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 9.9% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 53,052 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,193,000 after acquiring an additional 4,774 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter worth about $561,000. 87.25% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have commented on LLY shares. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $290.00 to $310.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. SVB Securities increased their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $410.00 to $458.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $505.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Berenberg Bank upped their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $375.00 to $500.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $421.00 to $430.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $437.90.

Insider Activity

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 178,302 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $426.40, for a total value of $76,027,972.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 101,688,810 shares in the company, valued at $43,360,108,584. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 178,302 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $426.40, for a total value of $76,027,972.80. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 101,688,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,360,108,584. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . Also, EVP Patrik Jonsson sold 6,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $429.46, for a total value of $2,576,760.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 36,941 shares in the company, valued at $15,864,681.86. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 970,965 shares of company stock valued at $423,725,107 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

NYSE LLY traded down $3.65 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $436.95. 952,661 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,066,433. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52 week low of $296.32 and a 52 week high of $469.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $414.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 69.26, a P/E/G ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $443.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $382.35.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by ($0.11). Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 20.54% and a return on equity of 61.42%. The business had revenue of $6.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.87 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.62 EPS. The companys revenue was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 EPS for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.03%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 71.86%.

About Eli Lilly and Company

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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Shares of Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. (NYSE:HVT.A  Get Free Report) gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $28.19, but opened at $31.65. Haverty Furniture Companies shares last traded at $31.66, with a volume of 444 shares traded.

Haverty Furniture Companies Stock Up 13.5 %

The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $27.66 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $31.29. The firm has a market cap of $516.80 million, a PE ratio of 6.58 and a beta of 1.17.

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Haverty Furniture Companies (NYSE:HVT.A  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $224.75 million for the quarter.

Haverty Furniture Companies Increases Dividend

Haverty Furniture Companies Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 21st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 6th were issued a dividend of $0.28 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 5th. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.50%. This is a boost from Haverty Furniture Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. Haverty Furniture Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.05%.

(Get Free Report)

Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc operates as a specialty retailer of residential furniture and accessories in the United States. The company offers furniture merchandise under the Havertys brand name. It also provides custom upholstery products and eclectic looks; and mattress product lines under the Sealy, Tempur-Pedic, and Serta names, as well as private label Skye name.

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United Malt Group (OTCMKTS:UMLGF  Get Free Report) and Boston Beer (NYSE:SAM  Get Free Report) are both consumer defensive companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, profitability, valuation and dividends.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares United Malt Group and Boston Beers top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio United Malt Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Boston Beer $2.09 billion 1.77 $67.26 million $4.86 62.13

Boston Beer has higher revenue and earnings than United Malt Group.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Profitability

65.5% of Boston Beer shares are held by institutional investors. 23.3% of Boston Beer shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

This table compares United Malt Group and Boston Beers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets United Malt Group N/A N/A N/A Boston Beer 2.82% 7.58% 5.50%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for United Malt Group and Boston Beer, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score United Malt Group 0 1 1 0 2.50 Boston Beer 5 5 3 0 1.85

Boston Beer has a consensus target price of $307.75, suggesting a potential upside of 1.92%. Given Boston Beers higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Boston Beer is more favorable than United Malt Group.

Summary

Boston Beer beats United Malt Group on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About United Malt Group

(Get Free Report)

United Malt Group Limited processes and supplies malt and craft ingredients to brewers, distillers, and food markets in North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company operates through Processing and Warehouse & Distribution segments. It is also involved in the distribution and sale of bagged malt, hops, yeast, adjuncts, and related products to craft brewers. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington.

About Boston Beer

(Get Free Report)

The Boston Beer Company, Inc. engages in the production and sale of alcohol beverages primarily in the United States. The company's flagship beer is Samuel Adams Boston Lager. It offers various beers, hard ciders, flavored malt beverages, and hard seltzers under the Samuel Adams, Twisted Tea, Truly Hard Seltzer, Angry Orchard, Dogfish Head, Angel City, Coney Island, and Havana Lager brand names. The company markets and sells its products to a network of approximately 400 wholesalers in the United States, as well as international wholesalers, importers, or other agencies that in turn sell to retailers, such as grocery stores, club stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, bars, restaurants, stadiums, and other retail outlets. The Boston Beer Company, Inc. also sells its products in Canada, Europe, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, the Pacific Rim, Mexico, and Central and South America. The Boston Beer Company, Inc. was founded in 1984 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.

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HSBC downgraded shares of Pernod Ricard (OTCMKTS:PDRDY  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report report published on Monday, Briefing.com reports.

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of Pernod Ricard from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, March 27th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pernod Ricard has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $219.33.

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Pernod Ricard Price Performance

OTCMKTS:PDRDY opened at $47.12 on Monday. Pernod Ricard has a 1-year low of $34.68 and a 1-year high of $47.39. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $47.12 and a 200 day simple moving average of $47.12.

Pernod Ricard Cuts Dividend

About Pernod Ricard

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.4499 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 30th.

(Get Free Report)

Pernod Ricard SA engages in the manufacture of wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages. The firm offers products under the brands Absolut Vodka, Chivas Regal, Ballantines, Beefeater, Jameson, Kahlua, Malibu, Ricard, Havana Club, Martell, Cognac, The Glenlivet, G.H. Mumm, Perrier-Jouet, Royal Salute, Brancott Estate, Graffigna, Campo Viejo, Jacobs Creek, Kenwood, Pastis 51, 100 Pipers, ArArAt, Becherovka, Blenders Pride, Clan Campbell, Imperial, Seagrams Imperial Blue, Olmeca, Passport Scotch, Amaro Ramazzotti, Ruavieja, Royal Stag, Seagrams Gin, Something Special, Suze, Wisers, and Wyborowa.

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Shares of New Gold Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:NGD  Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the three research firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $1.30.

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded New Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, July 7th.

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New Gold Price Performance

Shares of NYSEAMERICAN:NGD opened at $1.24 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $848.51 million, a P/E ratio of -8.86, a PEG ratio of 4.46 and a beta of 1.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 2.28 and a quick ratio of 1.48. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $1.24. New Gold has a 1 year low of $0.61 and a 1 year high of $1.48.

Institutional Trading of New Gold

New Gold ( NYSEAMERICAN:NGD Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The basic materials company reported $0.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.01 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $201.60 million during the quarter. New Gold had a negative return on equity of 1.87% and a negative net margin of 14.38%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that New Gold will post 0.05 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. AE Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in New Gold during the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Two Sigma Investments LP increased its stake in New Gold by 37.3% in the 1st quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 473,674 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $521,000 after acquiring an additional 128,644 shares during the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd bought a new position in New Gold in the 1st quarter worth about $150,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in New Gold by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 14,605,864 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $16,066,000 after acquiring an additional 353,200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, PEAK6 Investments LLC increased its stake in New Gold by 14.1% in the 1st quarter. PEAK6 Investments LLC now owns 1,883,136 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,071,000 after acquiring an additional 233,237 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 30.96% of the companys stock.

New Gold Company Profile

(Get Free Report

New Gold Inc, an intermediate gold mining company, engages in the exploration, development, and operation of mineral properties. It primarily explores for gold, silver, and copper deposits. The company's principal operating properties include 100% interests in the Rainy River mine located in Ontario, Canada; New Afton mine situated in British Columbia, Canada; and the Cerro San Pedro mine in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

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Rice Partnership LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF (NYSEARCA:EWW  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 84,208 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $5,013,000. iShares MSCI Mexico ETF makes up 1.5% of Rice Partnership LLCs holdings, making the stock its 21st largest position.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. DAVENPORT & Co LLC raised its position in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 16,726 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $996,000 after purchasing an additional 366 shares during the last quarter. Oxbow Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $277,000. James Investment Research Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. Strategic Wealth Partners Ltd. raised its position in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF by 19.0% in the 1st quarter. Strategic Wealth Partners Ltd. now owns 127,651 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $7,599,000 after purchasing an additional 20,355 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Eagle Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Mexico ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $951,000.

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iShares MSCI Mexico ETF Trading Up 1.0 %

EWW stock traded up $0.66 on Thursday, hitting $64.21. The companys stock had a trading volume of 697,575 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,023,666. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $62.04 and a two-hundred day moving average of $58.91. iShares MSCI Mexico ETF has a 1 year low of $43.65 and a 1 year high of $64.40. The stock has a market cap of $1.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.73 and a beta of 1.00.

About iShares MSCI Mexico ETF

iShares MSCI Mexico Capped ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Mexico Capped Investable Market Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the MSCI Mexico IMI 25/50 Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Mexican Stock Exchange.

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In an effort to regulate the spread of ChatGPT-like services, China on Thursday published the first and most comprehensive set of regulations on generative artificial intelligence (AI) models in the world, emphasizing "core socialist values" and positive content.

As of now, only two domestic companiesBaidu's Ernie Bot and Alibaba Group Holding's Tongyi Qianwenare permitted to offer ChatGPT-style services to the general public in China; the others are still in trial mode or are intended primarily for commercial usage.

Provisional regulations, jointly released by seven Chinese regulators coordinated by the Cyberspace Administration of China, will take effect on August 15 and apply to all generative AI content services, including text, images, audio, and video, offered to the Chinese public, according to South China Morning Post.

A More Positive Tone Toward AI

The revised regulations have a more positive tone toward the new technology than a previous draft that was released in April to gather public input, with officials promising "to take effective measures to encourage innovative development of generative AI."

Punitive language in the draft that included "fines ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 yuan" for technology-related offenses has been removed.

(Photo: by WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images) An AI chip of Kunlunxin is seen on display during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on July 6, 2023.

Links to OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Bard have been promptly banned, thus these models are still unavailable in China. While the new rules are intended to carefully supervise the development of generative AI, they will probably make it easier for domestic developers to offer their goods to the general public.

Read also: China Overtakes America as AI Superpower by Tapping US Firms To Leap Frog Development

A "Graded" Regulatory Strategy

Chinese officials declared they will use a "graded" regulatory strategy and adopt an "inclusive and prudent" stance toward generative AI services. The National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministries of Education, Science and Technology, Industry and Information Technology, Public Security, and China's Broadcasting Authority are among the various regulatory bodies that have input into the draft regulations.

The new rules require generative AI service providers to "adhere to core socialist values" and refrain from producing any content that "incites subversion of state power and the overthrow of the socialist system, endangers national security and interests, damages the country's reputation, incites secession from the country, undermines national unity and social stability, promotes terrorism, extremism, national hatred and ethnic discrimination, violence, obscenity, and pornography," according to the regulations.

Chatbots and AI models created in China already have built-in features to ensure that generated content is free of harmful information.

China's regulatory authorities demand that service providers respect intellectual property rights and refrain from any discrimination based on race, faith, place of origin, area, gender, age, occupation, or physical or mental health when designing algorithms and choosing training data.

Following Beijing's 2021 regulations on recommendation algorithms and 2022 regulations on deep synthetically-produced content, which Beijing requires to be labeled as "synthetically generated," the legislation links AI development with China's political and economic interests.

According to the paper posted by CAC on its official website, the new restrictions are compliant with the China Cybersecurity Law, China Data Security Law, and Personal Information Protection Law.

As part of the new regulations, generative AI service providers are required to halt operations and report any illegal activity they discover if users are using the AI to create illicit content on their platforms. Additionally, guardrails must be put in place by AI service providers to stop kids from developing addictions to these services.

Related article: China's AI Industry Continues to Thrive Despite US Chip Export Restrictions

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Hall County Sheriff's Department needs new body cameras, because the current cameras have no future.

The company that produced the department's current cameras, Data 911, says it will no longer support the product.

The body cameras still work, but they're on their last legs, says Hall County Sheriff Rick Conrad. Parts have been cannibalized to keep them going, he said.

The Sheriff's Department bought 24 of the Data 911 body-worn cameras in 2018, using a $31,000 grant from the Edgar and Frances Reynolds Foundation.

The department is now turning to WatchGuard cameras, produced by Motorola Solutions. Grand Island police officers are outfitted with WatchGuard cameras.

The Sheriff's Department plans to buy 32 of the WatchGuard cameras, along with a five-year subscription for the service.

Conrad and Doug Drudik, the county's director of information technology, talked to Hall County Commissioners about the plan on July 5.

The tentative cost of the cameras, along with the subscription fee, is $508,398. The first-year cost would be $144,246.

Much of that cost will probably be paid for with American Recovery Act Plan funds. But ARPA money can't be used to pay maintenance costs.

A few years ago, the Grand Island Police Department sold some of the Data 911 cameras to the Sheriff's Department at a reasonable cost.

Conrad believes the WatchGuard cameras, which have Cloud storage, will be a good technological fit for his department. Motorola Solutions also owns the Spillman records management system used by area law enforcement.

Conrad says WatchGuard will be effective at supplying video evidence to local attorneys.

Conrad has talked to Grand Island police officers, who speak highly of the WatchGuard product.

The Sheriff's Department probably won't order the new cameras until September.
When it comes to communicating with children, theres rarely such a thing as talking too much, according to the groups, including local nonprofit Grow with Words.

Grow with Words is a Grand Island-area collaboration of educators, daycare providers, librarians and others that is working to make an impact in the simplest, but often-overlooked, way: everyday speech.

The program provides community activities and awareness campaigns to help families communicate better with their children, no matter what language is spoken at home. Community activities like scavenger hunts have offered fun opportunities for language development in everyday life.

Research has shown how and how much adults talk and interact with a child can have an impact on that childs success.

According to Michigan State University Extension, By the third grade, children who hear more words tend to have bigger vocabularies, be stronger readers and perform better on tests.

The TMW Center, based at the University of Chicago, focuses on early learning and public health. An article by the TMW Center likens childrens brains to piggy banks: each word is a coin, going into the childs mental piggy bank.

The more you invest now, the richer your child will be later, sums up the article.

Sometimes, I think, parents forget, when I speak to my kids, they're learning  when I tell them go get the apples from the table  they're learning how to comprehend language, said Becky Gdowski, GWW coordinator.

Gdowski has led GWW since August. Before that, she was employed by Grand Island Public Schools, working with speech pathology and reading.

Meaningful early literacy experiences are less effort than they sound, she said.

What (those experiences) look like are expanding the number of words children hear and/or say throughout the day, Gdowski explained. She said that includes more speaking and verbal interactions, singing and reading.

Our goal is to disperse language activities throughout the community, she said.

Grow with Words has a good start. Since its recent beginnings, 1,600 books have been contributed to Toys for Tots, 1,200 books to 120 area daycare providers, plus 100 books to Spanish-speaking child care facilities.

It doesnt matter what language is spoken in the home, Gdowski said.

We want to encourage families who speak Spanish to encourage their children birth-to-5 to speak Spanish, Arabic families to speak Arabic, she said.

It pays off when they get into school, Gdowski explained. They have the understanding of the power of words. When they say apple in Spanish, they're looking at the picture of apple in the lunch room, and the lunch lady saying apple, and they're hearing and seeing the word and making that connection.

That's not to say they can't pick up a bilingual book, or they can't listen to some shows on TV  that speaks in English, Gdowski said. Thats definitely something that we want them to do. We want to encourage them to listen to English, but they have got to have that foundation.

In June, a free multilingual scavenger hunt at Super Saver included locating everyday items like grapes (canab, uvas) using both words and pictures.

Participants were enthusiastic, Gdowski said. One little boy redeemed his prize at Super Savers customer service desk, then summoned Gdowski in Spanish.

Come, come, come! he said.

He pointed to milk (on the scavenger hunt sheet) and said, heres milk  la leche! La leche! Gdowski said.

The child led his new friend to the dairy case to show her what he found.

We went clear through the store, Gdowski said, laughing.

Grow with Words is a way to work with child care providers and parents to enrich their childrens language experiences in a nonthreatening way, Gdowski said. We just say, Hey, have you thought about this way to interact with your child? This wont take much time.

I feel this is important to our community, she said. Language assessment scores have gone down throughout the nation. There's a need  and I enjoy it.

Literacy deficiencies can also contribute to negative behaviors, Gdowski said, calling on her experiences in education.

A lot of times children exhibit behaviors because they do not have that language base, she said. If we can incorporate and develop that language at an early age, maybe some of those behaviors that we don't necessarily like to see in children, they can verbally communicate instead.

Grow with Words started out as a one-day literacy summit, Gdowski said. Everyone got together and said we need to do more than just a one-day event. This needs to be a five-year plan.

The funding for my position ends in July, but we had some extra money available, she said. We are looking at other sources to help fund us.

Besides monetary support, GWW needs gently used books of any language, for ages birth to 11 years. Donations can be taken to GIPSs Islander Annex and left for GWW. They can also be donated at Toys for Tots.

We are trying to determine how to target areas in our community with the greatest need for resources to engage in meaningful interactions with children, Gdowski said. Were just getting started for our future.
A Lincoln man has been sentenced to 30 to 40 years in prison for sexually assaulting a middle school-aged girl over the course of two years in exchange for providing the girl marijuana.

Lancaster County District Judge Andrew Jacobsen sentenced Nicholas Degarmo, 36, on Wednesday. He pleaded no contest to first-degree sexual assault. He will have to register as a sex offender and be subject to a civil commitment evaluation upon release.

Lincoln police arrested Degarmo on Nov. 22, two days after the mother of a 15-year-old girl reported the assaults to police.

In a forensic interview, the girl said Degarmo began sexually propositioning her when she was 11 and sexually assaulted her more than 10 times, offering her marijuana or alcohol each time, according to court records.
AES, PV Gas receive investment policy approval for LNG terminal project in central Vietnam

By Tri Duc Thu, July 13, 2023 | 11:30 am GTM+7

A joint venture between American energy firm AES Corporation and Petrovietnam subsidiary PV Gas was granted investment policy approval for its $1.4 billion Son My LNG Terminal project by authorities in Binh Thuan province on Tuesday.

The terminal, to be built by the Son My LNG Terminal Project Company in the south-central province, will have an installed capacity of 450 TBtu and is expected to begin commercial operations in 2027, AES said in a release.

Plans for the Son My LNG Terminal in Binh Thuan province, south-central Vietnam. Photo courtesy of PV Gas.

The investment policy approval for Son My LNG Terminal is a significant milestone that enables us to move forward with the development of this critical infrastructure project," said Joseph Uddo, president of AES Vietnam.

"With more than 12 years of operations in Vietnam, AES is committed to accelerating the future of energy through important projects like this. We are pleased to receive approval from the Binh Thuan Peoples Committee and excited to partner with PV Gas on this strategic project that will contribute to Vietnams energy transition and economic growth, he added.

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper said: The Son My project will bring energy security to Vietnam in the transition to cleaner sources of energy. I am happy to see a world class U.S. company like AES as a partner of choice for PV Gas and the Government of Vietnam.

The Son My LNG terminal project, together with AESs 2.2 GW Son My 2 combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT), represents a multibillion-dollar investment. Son My 2 CCGT, which received investment policy approval earlier this year, will bring safe and reliable energy to power growth in Vietnam while supporting the transition to cleaner and greener technologies.

AES executive vice president and chief operating officer Bernerd Da Santos and AES Vietnam president Joseph Uddo discuss the Son My projects with Binh Thuan province's authorities in February 2023. Photo courtesy of the company.

AES, a Fortune 500 global energy company, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PV Gas to develop the Son My LNG Terminal Project in November 2017. In November 2019, AES signed an MoU with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to develop a 2.2 GW combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant under the BOT scheme, which will be located in Binh Thuan province. In October 2020, AES Vietnam and PV GAS signed a Term Sheet of the Joint Venture Agreement for the Son My LNG terminal. Together, the CCGT and terminal are expected to play a major role in shaping Vietnams energy future by diversifying the energy mix with imported LNG and meeting the countrys increasing demand for sustainable and affordable electricity.

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Complicated procedures put foreigners off Vietnam housing market

By Vu Pham, Huong Dung Thu, July 13, 2023 | 6:50 am GTM+7

Vietnamese law allows foreigners to buy apartments in the country, but there are actually not many foreign home buyers.

Even when the market was bustling in the 2016-2019 period, foreigners only bought high-end luxury apartments, said property expert Nguyen Hoang.

Huge demand

Since the 2014 Housing Law took effect on July 1, 2015, foreigners with legal entry could buy and own apartments in commercial housing projects for a maximum period of 50 years, which could be extended if needed, except in defense and security protection areas.

Foreign organizations and individuals cannot own more than 30% of the total number of apartments in an apartment building, and no more than 10% of a housing project of less than 2,500 units.

The Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association's (HoREA) survey of 17 large real estate enterprises showed that 12,335 foreigners bought apartments in Vietnam, with 10,020 or 81.2% in Ho Chi Minh City.

The majority of foreign home buyers came from South Korea, mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Those from Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan tend to rent houses.

A foreigner views a real estate project in Vietnam. Photo by The Investor/Vu Pham.

Data from the Overseas Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Association indicated that there are about 5.5 million Vietnamese living abroad and more than 1 million second- and third-generation Vietnamese of foreign nationalities with parents or grandparents originating from Vietnam. Of whom, about 600,000-700,000 people are businessmen and highly qualified intellectuals. Many want to return to their homeland to invest, do business, or live, so the demand for housing in Vietnam is huge.

Despite the great demand, legal issues are a big obstacle making it difficult for foreigners to buy real estate in Vietnam.

Besides difficulties in obtaining an ownership certificate, the law does not allow foreigners to buy houses attached to land, Hoang said.

There are no regulations permitting foreigners to buy condotels and officetels, he said, adding foreigners who have bought fixed-term apartments face difficulties transferring them due to complicated procedures.

Therefore, the expert proposed that foreigners should be allowed to buy condotels and officetels, besides apartments. At the same time, it is necessary to have more clear regulations on procedures for property ownership and transfer.

At the June session of the National Assembly, the highest legislative body of Vietnam, Construction Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi said Vietnams Law on Housing 2014 allows foreign organizations and individuals to buy and own houses in Vietnam, which the current draft amendments to the law are based on.

The minister added that statistics showed that since the 2014 Law on Housing took effect, the amount of houses bought and owned by foreigners in Vietnam had not risen significantly. In addition, both the current law and now the draft amendments have strict regulations on the types of properties foreigners are allowed to purchase, their locations as well as the number of properties.

Obstacles linger

According to the HoREA, the policy for foreigners to own homes confirms that Vietnam has opened its door and its legal system like other countries around the world. Besides attracting FDI, this is also a form of "on-the-spot export" to stimulate consumer demand and meet the diverse needs of foreigners.

In fact, there has been no "wave" of foreigners buying houses in Vietnam in the past five years, and there are also no signs of a negative impact on middle- and low-income people, it said.

However, some countries like South Korea and Australia have tightened conditions for foreigners to buy and own properties to prevent speculation or high prices as a result of foreigners buying too many houses, making it difficult for middle- and low-income indigenous people to own a home.

Vietnam also faces some problems regarding foreign home buyers. The 2014 Housing Law was issued after the 2013 Land Law, which included Article 5 that stipulates "land users" but does not mention land users who are "foreign individuals".

The Land Law allows individuals to use their land use rights and assets attached to land as collateral at credit institutions licensed to operate in Vietnam, but not at overseas banks. Meanwhile, overseas Vietnamese and foreign individuals owning real estate in Vietnam have a need to mortgage houses attached to land use rights at banks in Vietnam or abroad. According to international law, a real estate-related dispute will be settled under the law of the country where the property is based.

The HoREA held that the issuance of land use and house ownership right certificates (pink books) to foreigners remains slow, leaving home buyers frustrated as their legitimate rights and interests are not guaranteed.

Another problem is that there is no legal framework to address the needs of foreign home owners when transferring properties and in cases where commercial housing projects are completed and become normal residential areas. The Law on Housing stipulates that foreigners can only buy houses in commercial housing projects - meaning they are not allowed to buy a home in normal residential areas.

In addition, there is also no guidance on foreigners wishing to sell their houses to other foreigners.
Former deputy foreign minister admits receiving nearly $1 mln in bribes for repatriation flights

By Thai Ha Thu, July 13, 2023 | 9:35 am GTM+7

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung has admitted to receiving 37 bribes worth a total of VND21.5 billion ($908,000) in relation to 327 "rescue flights" that brought Vietnamese citizens home from overseas during the Covid-19 pandemic.

To Anh Dung was escorted to the court by police on July 12, 2023. Photo courtesy of Youth newspaper.

Dung, 59, was the first person to be questioned on Wednesday afternoon, the second day of the trial of the notorious "rescue flight" scam. He is one of eight former Foreign Ministry officials charged with taking bribes.

The former deputy minister confessed that during the stressful time of the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for Vietnamese citizens to return home was very high and many businesses needed to organize flights, but there were procedural hiccups along the way.

In the spirit of "listening and understanding difficulties of companies to guide and assess their capability" before licensing, Dung said he had agreed to meet them in his office.

The meetings were not aimed at setting conditions for them, he claimed. "There was no scheme or intention to demand [money] or cause any difficulties to the companies," Dung told the judges.

Head of the judicial panel Vu Quang Huy quoted testimonies that showed 13 companies had given bribes to Dung. He repeatedly nodded to admit receiving bribes each time the judge asked: "Is that right?".

The former deputy minister said that all the money was received after the flights were completed, when company representatives came to "thank him". He met them again to "listen, learn from experience, and receive gifts but did not demand them to do so".

"My apologies to the jury. At that time I did not realize that I was wrong, nor did I think I had done anything wrong in terms of executing the policy. I did not abuse my position to cause difficulties for anyone, but tried to create favorable conditions for them."

Dung committed to remedy the consequences. Prior to the trial date, his family had handed over more than VND16 billion ($676,000) to authorities.

Investigators said that taking advantage of the flights to "rescue" Vietnamese citizens from abroad during the pandemic, many ministerial officials colluded with businesses to reap hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars illicitly.

After the pandemic broke out, Vietnam organized about 2,000 repatriation flights to bring home citizens from overseas, according to a spokesman from the Ministry of Public Security.

When tickets for the flights were released, many people complained they were very expensive and that thye had go through cumbersome procedures.

Cases of giving, receiving and brokering bribes and fraudulently appropriating property when organizing rescue flights have been identified at the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Public Security, Health, and Transport, Government Office, Hanoi People's Committee, and related units.
Vietnam to enforce global minimum tax in early 2024

By Huong Dung Thu, July 13, 2023 | 2:29 pm GTM+7

The Vietnamese government will in October submit a proposal to enforce the global minimum tax (GMT) to the National Assembly for approval, according to the General Department of Taxation.

At the 15th meeting of the Inclusive Framework on the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) organized by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris on Tuesday, the General Department of Taxation's (GDT) deputy general director Dang Ngoc Minh said that the GMT is expected to be applied in Vietnam in early 2024.

The 15th meeting of the Inclusive Framework on the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) in Paris on July 10-12, 2023. Photo courtesy of People newspaper.

This tax, agreed by the G7 countries in June 2021 to prevent multinational corporations from tax avoidance, will become effective from January 1, 2024 in many OECD countries. The GMT under OECD Pillar Two is a once-in-a-lifetime global tax reform that will apply to multinational companies with revenue of 750 million ($800 million) or more. Such companies will be subject to a minimum global tax rate of 15%.

Minh said that the legislature will issue policies on the GMT, including the Income Inclusion Rule (IIR) and the Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (QDMTT), he added.

The QDMTT is a minimum tax that is incorporated into the domestic law of a jurisdiction. It must compute profits and calculate any top-up tax due in the same way as the Pillar Two rules themselves. This mechanism is to prevent FDI enterprises from paying an additional tax in other countries where their parent companies are headquartered. It is a measure that economies such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia are considering and likely to apply.

According to the GDT representative, these regulations will be internalized in Vietnam to ensure compliance with the model's rules and guidance under the BEPS. The draft regulations will be sent to the business community, ministries and agencies for feedback before submitting to the National Assembly.

The Ministry of Finance reported there are 1,015 FDI enterprises in Vietnam with parent companies subject to the GMT. Of which, over 70 businesses are likely to be affected by this tax when it is applied in 2024. If all the countries where their parent companies are headquartered enforce the tax, they are projected to collect tax differences worth VND12 trillion ($506.9 million) in 2024.

According to the GDT, 335 direct investment projects worth over $100 million each in Vietnam, mostly in the manufacturing and processing sector, currently pay corporate income tax (CIT) below 15%, equivalent to the GMT rate. The common CIT rate in Vietnam is 20%.

Enterprises such as Samsung, Intel, LG, Bosch, Sharp, Panasonic, Foxconn, Pegatron, whose registered investment capital accounts for nearly 30% of total FDI in Vietnam (about $131.3 billion), are likely to be affected by the GMT.
Vinhomes to develop $971 mln township in Hai Phong

By Phan Nguyen Thu, July 13, 2023 | 11:18 am GTM+7

Vietnams biggest listed property firm Vinhomes JSC has been given the go-ahead by Hai Phong authorities to build a new urban area covering more than 240 hectares in the northern city.

Vinhomes, part of the countrys largest private conglomerate Vingroup, will spend more than VND23 trillion ($971.3 million) on the project, with 107 hectares in Duong Kinh district and 133 hectares in Kien Thuy district.

An artists impression of the planned township in Hai Phong city, northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Vinhomes.

The Peoples Committee of Hai Phong approved the projects investment policy in November 2022. Of the estimated total investment, 15% will be sourced from the developers equity capital, while the remaining 85% will be mobilized from other sources.

Under Vinhomes plans, it will carry out the mammoth project over 50 years altogether. Capital mobilization will start this year and the process will go hand-in-hand with the project's progress.

The project will include more than 69 hectares of land for housing. Social housing will account for around 14 hectares; 36.6 hectares for detached houses (around 5,000 houses); and 18.8 hectares for villas (about 1,300 units).

Roads for the project will take up almost 88 hectares. More than 41 hectares will be used for parks, green spaces, and lakes, while nearly 29 hectares will be used for commercial and public works.

The project will also include a high school on a 2.5-hectare site, five preschools on a combined area of over 3.2 hectares, three primary schools (over 2.7 hectares altogether), two middle schools (more than 2.1 hectares combined), and a K-12 school on 1.5 hectares.

In February 2023, the Hai Phong Department of Planning and Investment publicized a bidding notice for the 240-hectare project. At the end of the bidding, Vinhomes JSC was the only firm qualified in both capacity and expertise.
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A retired US general said Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is either dead or imprisoned in one of Russia's gulags after his failed mutiny.

Former US Forces Korea commander Gen. Robert Adams (Ret.) told ABC News the renegade mercenary boss was likely erased either way. "I think he'll either be put in hiding or sent to prison or dealt with some other way, but I doubt we'll ever see him again," he said.

Prigozhin was one of Putin's trusted allies in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, late last June, the mercenary group controlled the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don for almost 24 hours and was about to march to Moscow in an apparent mutiny or rebellion until it was called off at the last minute.

As a result, Prigozhin exiled himself to Belarus at the invitation of its president, Alexander Lukashenko. A few days later, the Belarusian president said Prigozhin reportedly met with Russian president Vladimir Putin, which some speculated to be "highly staged". Nothing was heard about the Wagner boss ever since.

"I'd be surprised if we actually see proof of life that Putin met Prigozhin," Adams added.

Read Also: Wagner Mercenaries Surrender Their Weapons to Russian Military; Prigozhin Reportedly Has Cancer

Prigozhin's Fate, Whereabouts Unknown

From the onset, Wagner leaders and Russian military commanders have been at odds with each other in their invasion of Ukraine. This came to a head when Prigozhin released a Telegram video showing dead Wagner troops. In the video, he accused Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu and Russian chief of defense staff Valery Gerasimov, of not providing ammunition for Wagner mercenaries.

After the failed rebellion, Putin gave Wagner troops the choice to either be incorporated into the Russian military or accompany Prigozhin to Belarus. Those who chose to stay with the boss established their facility at an abandoned Belarusian base near Minsk. All charges against Prigozhin were also dropped to allow him to move to Belarus.

Sources claim Prigozhin remains in Russia for stomach cancer treatment, but the announcement was seen as suspicious enough for some to say he was being erased by the Kremlin and his contractors are being transitioned into regular Russian Army soldiers.

Earlier, Wagner troops were reported to have surrendered their weapons to the Russian military.

Anti-Putin Russian outlet Proekt originally cited claims from Prigozhin's former employees saying he had undergone cancer treatment and his failed march to Moscow was a gamble made by a man with little or nothing to lose.

Related Article: Vladimir Putin Reportedly Met With Yevgeny Prigozhin Days After the Wagner Mercenary Group's Failed Rebellion

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
I have a friend who has something like 50 view cameras. When I asked him why, he said he felt the need to "demystify" the subject: he wanted to understand the view cameraexperience what other photographers had experienced, survey the developments over timeand the only way to do it was to get familiar with the quirks and foibles of many of the available types and historical alternatives.

I have certainly demystified cameras in my lifetime. I have no idea how many different cameras I've used, but it must be in the hundreds. I'm familiar with the Canon Xapshot, the Instamatic 104, the Olympus C-3040Z, the Argus C3, the Mamiya C33; the Kodak Disk Camera, the Wisner 20x24", the Sony F707, the Nikon F2, the Deardorff 5x7, the Zeiss Contessa; the Konica T-3, the Bronica SQ-A, the Nikon D700, the Mamiya 6, the Hasselblad 500C; The Konica-Minolta 7-D, the Minox B "spy" camera, the Panasonic GF1, the gigantic Fuji GX680, the Ricoh GXR with its odd removable sensor modules. The list goes on and on. Rangefinders; cameras with wire frame viewfinders; TLRs; view cameras with fresnel lenses on the groundglass; SLRs; DSLRs; smartphone cameras; pinhole cameras; copiers used as cameras; scanners used as cameras; tailboard cameras; digital cameras with less than a single megapixel before the word "megapixel" even came into currency.

I used to have a sense that there were lots of cameras I still wanted to try, but I'm not sure that's true any more. It's possible I've about had enough. Now I just want to use my cameras. I'm very happy with my current cameras, warts and all, but they have made me lose interest in lots of other cameras, including many of the old ones I own. The most recent sea change in ("real") cameras was the switchover to FF mirrorless c. 2018, and this is maybe the first major development in 40 years I haven't kept up with personally. (I do know they're great cameras, because I keep my ear to the ground.)

But when I pose the question to myselfany cameras out there I still want to try?the answer comes up "yes." The one that come to mind is the Ricoh GR IIIx.

Who says the Ricoh GR IIIx doesn't have a viewfinder?

The GR line is one of the stoutest and most durable lineages in cameradom at the moment. There have been 13 of them, beginning with the (film!) GR1 in late 1996when Bill Clinton was President, Larry David had just left his decade-defining show "Seinfeld," the Spice Girls were a thing, and the rounded "jellybean" Ford Taurus was the best-selling car in America. In 1996, there was no iPhone, no YouTube, and Netflix hadn't even started mailing out physical DVDs in those little red envelopes. In other words, long time ago now. The GR made the changeover to digital in 2005, without losing its established identity. And the GR cameras seem to have something rare that used to be true of Leicathey seem to have a far higher percentage of devoted fans than their market share would predict. Their partisans love 'em. I've never tried one, in all those years, but I'd like to. Not now, though. Someday.

So how about you? Any cameras you've missed? What have you always wanted to try for yourself but never have?

Mike

Original contents copyright 2023 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below or on the title of this post.)

Featured Comments from:

Andrew L: "I had a jellybean Taurus in the mid-2000s, a cheap used car which ran for just over 200k miles for me before the transmission needed a major fix or replacement which I couldn't afford/didn't want to afford. The trunk space in that thing was amazing, all of the hockey gear for me and my friends was a breeze to pack around, and the 3.0l V6 Vulcan engine was absolutely bombproof. Ugly car, chintzy interior, but its utility was unassailable.

"I own the GRIIIx, and it's totally unique out there for a standard-lens compact that goes into any pocket. Snap focus is a bit harder to use than the wide angle 28mm version due to shallower DoF, and it's still hard for me to point and shoot without looking at the screen for sneaky street shots. Something about the small size of the camera makes muscle memory a difficult proposition, you never know precisely what your lens is aiming at. But the lens is one of the best I've ever seen, superbly optically corrected, and the GR imaging engine is second to none, even if the sensor isn't cutting edge anymore. It's a truly great camera, it could be your only camera, giving up absolutely nothing except edge use-cases."
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CARBONDALE  The Varsity is excited to announce the return of movies to the historic downtown venue. Four ground-breaking films will be shown during the Summer Cinema at The Varsity series, which begins Saturday, July 15. The series is presented by Pinch Penny Liquors in Carbondale. Each film also has a sponsor.

All films will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturdays; doors and the Varsity Bar opens at 6 p.m.. Tickets are $8 and are available in advance at www.bit.ly/3VH7E2T. Tickets are not available in advance at the venue, but can be purchased on the night of screenings when doors open at 6 p.m.

Heres the schedule:

July 15 - Hoop dreams, Steve James, 1994: Brought to us from filmmaker and SIU alumnus Steve James, Hoop Dreams is considered to be one of the best documentaries ever and filmed just outside of Chicago over the course of five years, the movie details the struggles and triumphs of two high school students who dream of making it big in the NBA. Sponsored by First Southern Bank.

July 22 - Seven Samurai, Akira Kurosawa, 1954: Hailed and revered by the entire cinematic world, Seven Samurai has been a staple of art house cinemas since its release. Japanese master Akira Kurosawa conjures the most iconic images and unforgettable performances in this epic tale of a group of rag-tag heroes defending a helpless village from a hoard of deadly bandits. Come witness the grandeur of this truly legendary film! Sponsored by Pagliais Pizza.

July 29 - Mulholland Drive, David Lynch, 2001: As one woman's dream of Hollywood stardom turns into a fever dream nightmare, another searches through the fog of amnesia for her lost identity. Twenty-two years later, David Lynch's 2001 masterpiece still leaves audiences bewildered and will have you asking "What was up with that cowboy?" Join us as we turn the Varsity into our very own Club Silencio! Sponsored by Legal Smile of Carbondale.

Aug. 5 - Paris Is Burning, Jennie Livingston, 1990: An incredible artifact of the late 1980s New York ball culture, Jennie Livingston's singular debut film chronicles the lives of this vibrant LGBTQ community with a thoughtful focus on race, class and gender. Paris Is Burning has been preserved by the Library of Congress for its cultural and aesthetic importance. Enter with empathy, and leave forever changed. Sponsored by Tres Hombres.

The Varsity is downtown Carbondale at 418 S. Illinois Ave. Go to www.thevarsitycenter.org for more information.
Like with many careers and lines of work, the media business is one that changes with the times.

Employees come and they go, job descriptions evolve and the bottom line always is profitability in order for a company to sustain itself and thrive.

With that said, your humble narrator regrets to inform faithful readers that a decision has been made by the management of The Southern's parent company, Lee Enterprises, to end the Music Historicity feature.

You're currently reading my final column.

There's hope, however, that the company's financial picture will change such that the feature might be reconsidered toward the end of 2023. Feel free to post your feelings in comment section below this article on our website.

Perhaps the news might compel some of you to start new subscriptions to The Southern  which also might help our bottom line.

Regardless, it has been my privilege to scribe my musings for this, the 149th consecutive week without missing a single deadline. There were a couple 'guest columns' along the way from Alee Quick and my beloved predecessor, the late Robbie Stokes.

Aside from the three-part 'Remembering Robbie' series, the first of which was published on May 25, there was a three-part series that examined CDs versus vinyl albums that was very popular.

The first of the articles, published in March 2021, was an overview of the question. The second installment argued in favor of CDs.

The final column in the series looked at vinyl albums and presented the results of an informal survey.

Of emails sent to over 100 of my friends and music professionals, 69 responded. There were 10 who had no preference or felt that both CDs and vinyl have their advantages. Twenty-six were strongly in favor of vinyl and 33 individuals preferred the apparent winner, CD audio (which also is my personal favorite).

Music Historicity presented a two-part series on the topic "Music in Movies," the first of which was published in January. As stated at the end of part two, if you're a performing rock musician you have no excuse for not seeing "This Is Spinal Tap."

Music Historicity also did one movie review  a comedy-horror short by talented local filmmaker Charlie Queen. "Mort" was released last October and has since been shown at numerous independent film festivals across the country including this year's Austin Comedy Film Festival, where it won the Best Picture award. It also won Best Short Film at the Strange Days Horror Fest, Audience Choice at the Chicago Horror Film Awards and Best Dark Comedy and Best Special Makeup at the IndieX Film Festival.

In related news, Queen this week released word that the nonprofit organization overseeing the Historic Liberty Theater in Murphysboro has named him the new Board President. He also is a founding member of Cinemaclique, another nonprofit devoted to helping those who are interested in the craft of movie-making.

Queen said he is "thrilled to join the board at the Liberty and take over management duties, but also to strike a partnership between the theater and Cinemaclique. It is in both organizations best interests to work together to bring together a new group of volunteers, artists and film enthusiasts. Its our hope that we can generate renewed local interest in the Liberty with fresh branding, a concerted push into local marketing and fun events in which the entire community and Southern Illinois at large can participate."

In additions to Music Historicity contributions along the way from Robbie Stokes and Alee Quick, there were four installments that featured excellent illustrations by Thad Heckman, a talented artist who also happens to be Southern Illinois' foremost commercial architect.

"A Vegetarian Thanksgiving," published on Thanksgiving Day in 2021, depicted the story of a lad who suggested his family try vegetarian food instead of turkey.

"A Visit From Dr. Nick" which ran on December 23, 2020, as well as "The return of Dr. Nick," published one year later, featured Thad's clever drawings that accompanied poetic rewrites of the classic "Twas the Night Before Christmas."

"A Ticketmaster Thanksgiving" rewrote the theme to "Gilligan's Island" with lyrics skewering the Taylor Swift ticket debacle and featured another well-drawn and appropriate Heckman illustration.

But the No. 1 favorite of all Music Historicity columns was the one where I expressed being sick of musical metaphors. Published in June 2021, it contained some David Spade-esque humor such as the band "Sweet" writing a song titled "Love is Like Oxygen."

"How do you figure?" I mused. "Love is a human emotion, and oxygen is a molecule. It's called basic science  look into it."

If you've somehow now grown addicted to my writer's voice and interesting take on the world of music, I suppose I should begin writing a book. Otherwise, feel free to email me for an index of all 149 Music Historicity columns and their web links.

I thank you all for your attention, occasional kind comments and readership of this wonderful Fourth Estate chronicle, The Southern Illinoisan. Thanks to Marc Chase of Lee Enterprises, as well as Alee Quick, Jackson Brandhorst and Kathy Smits. If anyone happens to need some writing or editing done  I'm available!

As Robbie Stokes quoted Jerry Garcia, "it's all about survival." And as Robbie also signed off: "roll on like the rain and thunder, people. Much love!" Farewell, for now.
CARBONDALE  The City of Carbondale has some new ordinances on its books. The council passed an amendment to Title One of city code which adds Chapter 18 and protects a persons medical health care decisions. They also added Title 22 to Carbondale Revised Code which protects basic human rights.

Chapter 18 of Title One says:

It is the policy of the City of Carbondale to assure that all persons within its jurisdiction shall have equal access to public services and shall be protected in the enjoyment of civil rights, and to promote mutual understanding and respect among all who live and work within this city.

It continues in saying that discrimination, prejudice, intolerance, bigotry and sexual harassment threaten the rights and privileges of city residents and threaten a free and democratic society.

The chapter spells out that denying equal treatment to any individual based on race, color, sex, gender identity, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military status, source of income, credit history, or criminal record or criminal history undermines civil order and deprives persons of the benefits of a free and open society.

Section 1-18-3 spells out the citys policy on bodily autonomy, saying the city respects the fundamental right of individuals to make autonomous decisions about medical care and the city will protect their medical care choices. It also states the city will not aid in enforcement of laws in other jurisdictions that impose civil or criminal liability on persons who seek and receive medical care or assist in that process.

Chapter 18 also says the city will not provide information to an investigation or proceeding in another jurisdiction that seeks to impose civil or criminal liability or professional sanctions upon a person for medical care that is legal in Illinois or assisting a person concerning medical care legal in Illinois.

Title 22 is the citys declaration that all people are born with inalienable freedoms and that Carbondale will actively protect those freedoms both for residents and people who visit the city. It also says it is the policy of the city to assure all persons within its jurisdiction have equal access to public services and be protected in the enjoyment of civil rights.

Chapter 22 goes on to specify certain human rights, such as bodily autonomy, protecting medical information, and religious freedom.

When changes to the city code were discussed at the city council meeting on Tuesday night, everyone spoke in favor of the changes. First council members, then the audience.

This defining element of culture is one we should stand on, Clare Killman said.

Adam Loos said the changes protect someone coming to Illinois from another state like Tennessee to get medical care and will bar staff from relinquishing any information about that care to another jurisdiction.

Carmen Suarez, president of Carbondale Park District board read a statement the park district board passed supporting the changes and encouraging the council to adopt them.

O.J. Duncan, a member of the Rainbow Cafe board, shared some personal examples of how some laws can affect a person and encouraged the council to adopt the changes.

Trans people are scared. Women are scared. LGBTQ people are scared, Duncan said.

Tara Bell, director of social action and education and CEO of Pride in Action Southern Illinois, thanked Killman for proposing the creation of Title 22 and adoption of Chapter 18 to Title One on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community of Carbondale and the greater region of Southern Illinois.

Title 22 and the proposed amendment to Title 1 are key to ensuring that the City of Carbondale remains a city that is welcoming and affirming for all residents and all visitors, including individuals who provide or seek reproductive health care and gender-affirming health care. The protections of this ordinance ensure that laws passed by other jurisdictions will not be enforced or aided by any city official, Bell said.

Victor Ludwig asked the council to consider adding workers rights to their code and adding tenants rights.

Killman made a motion to adopt the new legislation. Nancy Maxwell seconded her motion. The motion passed unanimously, which drew a standing ovation from members of the audience.

Killman said the legislation was really a collaborative effort of the council. She worked with city attorney Jamie Snyder to draft the changes. Other council members shared ideas and had input into what was created.

Human rights being a separate section alone gives the council the ability to enumerate and define human rights, according to Killman. The changes also allow the city to protect people from extradition or any agent of another jurisdiction.
Migratory waterfowl such as ducks know what they like. They have specific preferences when it comes to the depth of ponds and waterways as well as the type of plants and other vegetation in these locations. Trouble is, getting and maintaining the preferred level of water that appeals to the birds and is optimal for plants can be challenging.

Landowners and wildlife officials can control the levels of water, but doing so requires specialized structures  some of which are fabricated in Williamson County by Energy Culvert Co. In fact, the company is one of just two in the Midwest to custom build these dam-like installations to specifications created by Ducks Unlimited, a national nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of habitats for waterfowl.

These are water control systems that can be used on a monster scale, explained Cole Carter, general manager of Energy Culvert. These allow for landowners or refuges to make water-holding capacities more efficient and to provide more food for waterfowl. What we do is fabricate engineered water control structures which are fabricated for a specific location.

Carter said while the structures and water management techniques the systems use do not specifically enhance the duck population, they can be instrumental in creating better habitat  basically, a if you build it, they will come, approach.

Ducks Unlimited Regional Engineer Ryan Conley said the systems, technically referred to as stop-log structures, are placed in a levee or embankment and allow for control of the water levels in wetlands.

The main purpose is for waterfowl migration, but wetlands benefit all sorts of different species and waterfowl types. For the sake of waterfowl, it is important to dewater some of these areas during the growing season so they can get more soil plants to grow in these areas, then in the fall, they can flood these areas up.

Conley said the Williamson County Company and one other firm  based in Wisconsin  are the only companies creating the units for the central states.

These guys do a great job, he said of Energy Culvert.

The Energy Culvert-manufactured structures differ from those of other manufacturers in that the locally-made units are complete with a large concrete base also fabricated by the company.

That way, we put it on our truck and ship it out, ready to go, Carter explained. Contractors can hook to it with their equipment and set them right in the hole. All they have to do is backfill around it and it is a ready-to-go, ready-made system.

Some of the structures designed for large bodies of water can take as much as four to five weeks to build and can cost thousands of dollars, Carter said. Many use 36-inch outlets and 48-inch pipe. With them, owners or land managers can control the water level.

Carter said that structures like those built by his company can be part of increasing the waterfowl habitat in Southern Illinois and all up and down what is known as the Mississippi Flyway, and that they have an eye on increasing the number of ducks flying through the region.

Building duck habitat has been a passion of mine since I was in junior high school. I got to help out on the farm, building levee systems and actually installing water control structures, he recalled. Now basically having the opportunity to fabricate something here at Energy Culvert that someone could use on their property to build their habitat or dream hunting property is something that I take very seriously.

As an avid waterfowl hunter, Carter said the opportunity to work with Ducks Unlimited is an honor.

To actually work with DU and to go to a job site and deliver something that is going to help a refuge and actually help waterfowl out there, well, that hits home for me, he continued. Its not just about manufacturing or fabricating the structure and delivering it. I feel good that were are working to help every waterfowl in the nation  not just the ones here in Southern Illinois.

Photos: Dabblers and divers, ducks in southern Illinois
For the second time in a week, Kenya's people took to the streets in protest of the government's planned tax increases. Sources say many protesters were murdered in clashes with police forces on Wednesday, July 12.

Protests That Resulted in Casualties

Opiyo Wandayi, leader of the opposition in Kenya's parliament, told CNN that activists in Nairobi were violently dispersed by police after they chanted against the planned tax hikes. Damaging rallies spread across the country.

"I was involved in the Nairobi protests. We were dispersed with water cannons, tear gas canisters, and live bullets," Wandayi stated. He said people were slain in conflicts around the nation.

At the time of the interview, Wandayi added: "We are still verifying, but so far, we have confirmed nine deaths across the country. The numbers might increase because there were many people with fatal injuries."

At about the same time on Wednesday, the media began reporting injuries from the demonstrations.

Three people were slain in Mlolongo city in Machakos county, two were killed in Kitengela town near Nairobi, and one was killed in Emali town on the route to the port city of Mombasa, according to a police officer who talked to AP News. The officer said that over a dozen additional people were hospitalized.

The source claimed, without providing details, that the six victims were shot for causing disruptions to local businesses.

Meanwhile, the Eagle Nursing Home clinic in Nairobi's Kangemi neighborhood treated 53 children after tear gas was released into their classroom, a health records worker told the AP News.

See Also: Ethnic Violence in Sudan's West Darfur Region Leaves Almost 90 Dead, Mass Grave Found

Opposition to Price Increases

Kenya's opposition leader and ex-prime minister, Raila Odinga, has been at the forefront of demands for statewide demonstrations in the wake of the price hikes.

After losing the election in August of last year, Odinga, who is certain that the results were rigged, has been leading civil disobedience actions against his opponent.

Although President William Ruto has commended the Finance Act 2023, which is intended to strengthen state finances and raise domestic income, its execution has been temporarily delayed by a Kenyan court.

Despite a court injunction not to raise taxes on gasoline, the Ruto government did so, driving up the price of both transportation and basic necessities.

Wandayi told CNN that many Kenyans have suffered greatly as a result of the tax increase. "Kenyans are basically now on their knees. These new tax proposals have added serious pain to an already difficult situation. Kenyans who are on payroll are taking home negative salaries, and those who are in the informal sector are unable to make ends meet."

He added that many Kenyans cannot afford to feed their families enough within a day and that many are frustrated with the present state of affairs.

See Also: UN Rights Council Urges Tougher Action on Religious Hate After Quran-Burning Protest

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Palmetto Palace nonprofit group and state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter are teaming up to sponsor Orangeburg's third annual Day of Hope community health and wellness fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 15 at the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds, 350 Magnolia St., Orangeburg.

Cobb-Hunter said she is pleased at how the free event turned out last year.

The turnout has grown each year. We know that in the second year there was an increase, and hopefully we will experience that again this year. It doesnt matter how many people show up. Hopefully those who do show up will see it as a blessing and a benefit, the Orangeburg lawmaker said.

Its not just fun and games, but we have support from a number of agencies. People will be able to get support services. They will be able to get free mammograms. Women and men are encouraged to come out Saturday because theyll be able to get one at no cost, Cobb-Hunter said.

A Family Fun Zone will include a 27-fooot inflatable Lava water slide, combo jump castle and a spinner amusement ride. The 246th Army Band of the South Carolina National Guard will also perform at the event, which will include live gospel performances from Flossie Boyd Johnson and Favor, Mary Myers and the Team of Joy and Devonte and the Voices of Zion.

Free community health resources will be available through a variety of outlets, including the South Carolina Department of Mental Health RV, the MUSC Health-Orangeburg Mammography Unit, which will provide free onsite mammograms, and The Palmetto Palace Mobile Health Unit, which will be providing free health screenings.

OCAB will be out there, South Carolina State University 1890 Program, Orangeburg Area Mental Health Center, Orangeburg Department of Public Safety and the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Cobb-Hunter said.

Its just been great. Its been very heartwarming to see people come take advantage of whats available and express appreciation. That is a very gratifying feeling for me, she said.

The S.C. Highway Patrol will have its roll-over simulator and handouts for kids, while the LifeNet Helicopter will be on site from 12 to 2 p.m. The SCDMV CARES mobile office, tractors from Bair-ly Pulling Tractor Group, the Walterboro Corvette Group and a free community cookout will also be among the events special features.

Cobb-Hunter said the idea of the Day of Hope came from Dr. Youlanda Gibbs, CEO and founder of Palmetto Place.

She approached me three years ago with the idea of providing hope for the people in the community. As she shared her idea, I kind of got excited about it, too, and said, Hey, lets try that, she said.

The Palmetto Palace Mobile Health Unit was launched as a nonprofit in 2019 to provide health, dental and education outreach to help conquer social and cultural barriers that often hamper low-income and hard-to-reach residents access to health care services.

Gibbs said the free event is an opportunity to bring valuable health screenings and get to the root causes of some of the socioeconomic determinants of health.

Food bags filled with healthy food items will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Its an opportunity to really fellowship with folks who will be able to come out and have lunch. We have a whole Family Fun Zone that will be provided and free door prizes every hour, she said.

Gibbs continued, Its such a pleasure and an honor to partner with Rep. Cobb-Hunter. She has really been on the ground for so many years being a voice for so many of our community members who do not have a voice. We are bringing additional resources in support to what shes already done.

Cobb-Hunter said special thanks for support are due to Billy Staley, the countys director of emergency services; Matt Stokes, the former president of the Orangeburg County Fair Association, and incoming fair President Lin Hair.

"I would just encourage people to come out for a day of wholesome fun and activity.

Learn more about the event at www.thepalmettopalace.com/orangeburg-day-of-hope.
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The Casper City Council will explore whether the city could play a role in supervising local medical facilities after a group of anti-abortion advocates raised questions about how Caspers new abortion clinic is regulated.

Not only does this business not have a license from the Department of Health, but there has been no inspections of the facility by either the state or the county health department, local abortion opponent Ross Schriftman said at a July 5 city council meeting.

That got some councilors attention.

I have the same questions about who licenses and who oversees and inspects, and what regulations govern any medical clinic in our city, Councilor Michael Bond, who represents Ward 2, said during the meeting.

So the council voted to revisit the topic in greater depth in a future work session. Councilors indicated that the discussion would be a general conversation about healthcare regulations, and not about abortion clinics in particular.

Many of Wyomings healthcare facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes and surgery centers, are regulated by the Wyoming Department of Healths Office of Healthcare Licensing and Surveys.

But not Wellspring Health Access  or any private practice medical clinic, for that matter. State law exempts those kinds of businesses from the Department of Healths oversight.

The clinic in question is considered a private physician-owned entity and so is not regulated by our Office of Healthcare Licensing and Surveys according to statute, Kim Deti, the agencys public information officer, said in an email to the Star-Tribune.

The medical professionals working there would still be beholden to the Wyoming Medical Practice Act, as well as rules and regulations established by the Wyoming Board of Nursing and the Wyoming Board of Medicine.

Hypothetically, if the council decided it wasnt happy with scope or rigor of how the state supervises healthcare facilities, Casper probably wouldnt have free reign to adopt its own set of local regulations, said City Attorney Eric Nelson.

The Wyoming Medical Practice Act may have effectively preempted that entire field of regulation, he said, though he added he still has more research to do on the subject.

As for the future work session, Nelson said he plans to give the council a general overview of Caspers ability to regulate local businesses, and let councilors guide the conversation from there. As of Tuesday, that discussion was scheduled to take place in September.

Schriftman and other anti-abortion advocates have for weeks pushed the council to take a stand against the citys new abortion clinic, which included presenting officials with a draft resolution condemning the presence of abortion clinics in Casper, among other asks.

The council has repeatedly  and unanimously  rebuffed the groups proposals, and doesnt seem interested in reversing its position.

The city has absolutely no standing for or against this clinic, Casper Mayor Bruce Knell told the group of advocates in a June meeting.

Wellspring Health Access, which began seeing patients in April, is the only clinic in Wyoming to offer surgical and medical abortions.

Both kinds of abortion are still legal in Wyoming. Two new bans adopted by the state Legislature earlier this year  one targeting abortion pills, and another prohibiting abortion except in cases of rape, incest and select medical circumstances  are currently on hold while they are being considered by a judge in Teton County.
A Casper man suspected of using the U.S. Postal Service to obtain packages filled with methamphetamine, which is believed to have been meant for a family member to sell, has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Tyler Christian Sims is scheduled to appear before United States Magistrate Judge Scott Skavdahl in Casper on July 21 for his change of plea hearing, federal court filings show.

Last month, Sims pleaded not guilty to attempted possession with intent to distribute meth and conspiracy to distribute, the filing states. He was facing up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine.

The proposed plea deal has not been made public, and Sims attorney Peter Craig Silva declined to comment on the details of the agreement.

In November, a white Priority Mail Express flat rate envelope was sent from Tucson, Arizona and was scheduled to be delivered to a southeast Casper apartment complex, the complaint states. It was a 2-pound, 6-ounce package that cost about $30 to ship.

After a judge approved a search warrant for the package, investigators found almost a half-pound of meth inside, the complaint states.

Agents received the initial tip from a confidential informant, who was transporting meth from Denver to Casper for sale, the complaint states. The source believed Sims planned to provide the meth to a relative for her to sell.

An undercover postal inspector arrived to the address with the package in hand. He knocked on the front door of the apartment several times, but no one answered.

As he started to walk away, Sims allegedly approached the man, stating he was expecting that package, the complaint states.

Sims then showed me that he had the USPS tracking number ... on his cellular phone, the complaint states.

The postal inspector told him the package could only be delivered to a resident of that address or the individual named on the label, the complaint states.

Then, Sims allegedly asked a person in one of the other apartments to provide him with a key.

He unlocked the door, entered the apartment and received the package, the complaint states.

Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation agents arrested Sims when he left the apartment, as the package was in his possession. He was held in Natrona County Detention Center.

A second package arrived with an additional half-pound of meth a few days later, and it was sent from the same address in Arizona to the same place in Casper, the complaint states.

I know through my training and experience, that possession of this weight is typically not possessed by individual drug users but is possessed by those distributing methamphetamine, the postal inspector said in the complaint.

In the meantime, Sims checked out a tablet in the Natrona County Detention Center to communicate with people outside of the jail, the complaint states. Officials were monitoring those messages.

I should have known, the f***ing mailman was hand delivering it to the door ... do you know why my s*** got flagged, suspicious, because of the weight, Sims allegedly wrote in his messages.

Sims Cash App information, a financial platform used to send and receive payments, was obtained by officials, the complaint states. He is accused of sending money multiple times to a Tucson resident, who has former ties to Casper.

The payment dates aligned with the scheduled deliveries, which contained the shipment of drugs, the complaint states.

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The Declaration of Independence  its words, elements and ramifications  remains profoundly relevant in America. As the founding document of the worlds longest running democracy, and the ultimate expression of the ideas, values and principles that culminated in the American Revolution, it certainly deserves a special place in our national consciousness, debates, policies and laws.

The celebration of the Declaration, from coast to coast on July 4, unites the nation in civic idealism in a way that no other national holiday can. Students recite memorable lines from Americas political creed, unique to the world at its birth. Parades and fireworks celebrate liberty and independence and commemorate the vision and courage of the men in Philadelphia who signed the Declaration despite the risk to life and limb that their signatures invited. Government officials read proclamations and deliver speeches invoking its values and themes. The full day of celebration suggests possibilities for civic education.

The celebration  and cerebration  of the Declaration yields important discussions about its origins and intellectual influences, as well as critical questions about the means of its fulfillment. Let us consider today, two cornerstones, the principle that all men are created equal, and the premise that just governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed. Both assertions were radical for their time and drew upon the work of dissidents  the Levellers and Diggers  in 17th Century England.

Abraham Lincoln, our poet president, described the Declaration as the sheet anchor of the Republic, a charter that set forth a new American creed, announcing to the world the birth of a nation conceived in liberty, dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. For Lincoln, the institution of slavery meant that the Declaration was speaking not of rights for all in 1776, but rather of aspirational rights that could be achieved once the nation reached political and social maturity.

The fulfillment of this cardinal principle of republicanism awaited the drafting and ratification of the 14th Amendment which, in addition to protection for due process and the privileges and immunities of citizenship, guaranteed the equal protection of the law. This historic provision, however, was soon deprived of its majesty through Supreme Court decisions, Jim Crow and segregation laws that relegated Black Americans to second class citizenship.

Drained of its promise, the premise of equal protection found critical support in a series of decisions beginning with Brown v. Bd. of Education (1954), that struck down segregation in public schools and affirmative action programs that began to level the playing field. The Courts ruling last week striking down affirmative action in universities raises deep concerns about the future of opportunities in higher education for underrepresented communities.

Americas assertion of independence rested on the embryonic idea of popular sovereignty, the premise that the authority and legitimacy of government are derived from the consent of the governed. That assertion, the offspring of English dissidents who rebelled against the authority of the monarchy, justified the American Revolution. Indeed, the long list of grievances against England featured mostly prominently the colonists outrage at the specter of being subordinate to parliamentary authority  including taxing powers  without representation. Few sentiments in Americans political memory banks rival in familiarity the rallying cry of the revolution: no taxation without representation.

That philosophical cornerstone of the American rebellion has faced stern challenges in our history, particularly when it involves denial of voting rights. The 15th Amendment and the 19th Amendment remedied denial of the franchise to Blacks and women, respectively, but the embarrassing fact of denial of voting representation in Congress to those Americans who live in Washington, D.C. is an affront to those colonists who gave their lives in the revolution for the right to voting representation in Parliament.

Let us stamp that inequality and deprivation of a foundational right with an exclamation point. The population of Washington is approximate to that of Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota.

We can ask residents of these great states how they would feel if, say tomorrow, they awakened with news that they were denied representation in Congress. Who would speak for them on the great issues of the day, issues affecting their regions and home life? Would such a denial move them to urge voting representation in Congress for fellow Americans who also pay taxes and go to war to defend the nation and, in the end, bear the same obligations and duties of citizenship that they do?
Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat has failed in his bid to become the next prime minister of Thailand despite the party's sweeping lower house parliament majority.

The appointment of the country's prime minister needed the vote of both houses of the Thai parliament, which meant the involvement of the 249-seat senate, all of which were appointed by the previous military-backed government of outgoing prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

However, he was unfazed and vowed not to back down.

"I am not giving up," he said after accepting the result of the first round of voting.

Pita Warns of a "High Price to Pay" in Choosing a PM

Ahead of the parliamentary vote, Pita said he was confident he would convince the senators to vote for him. He added there were attempts to "block the majority government of the people from getting to run the country in various ways.

"This is quite normal for the path to power in our country..." he told local media ThaiRath TV. "I am encouraged and hopeful to fix things as they come until the dream of mine and the people can be reached."

Pita also warned there would be "a high price to pay in terms of principle and political standards" if his candidacy was blocked by parliament.

"This is about the voice of the people who cast their votes," he added.

With Pita's failed bid, Move Forward's coalition partner, Pheu Thai, could put forward a candidate for a second or third ballot. The Pheu Thai party was associated with exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family.

Read Also: Thailand's Election Results Spark Concerns Over Future of Military and Monarchy

More Legal Hurdles

The 42-year-old Harvard graduate and former tech executive also faces last-minute legal challenges which would disqualify him from being a member of parliament (MP) by allegedly breaking election rules.

Aside from parliamentary numbers stacked against him, Pita also needed to face another blow to his ambitions Wednesday (July 12) when Thailand's notoriously conservative Constitutional Court accepted a recommendation from the Election Commission that he be disqualified as an MP.

The court said it is assessing two complaints against Pita. The first is about him being a shareholder and a media company although it has not functioned for over 15 years now. The other complaint said Move Forward's proposal to amend the draconian royal defamation lese majeste laws, which punishes individuals for defaming the Thai royal family, was an attempt to overthrow the country's entire political order.

It remains unclear when the Constitutional Court would deliberate on the case, but technically, Pita could still become prime minister under Thai law even if he was not an MP.

The choice of the next prime minister was deliberated after Prayuth announced his retirement from politics once a government was formed.

Related Article: Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha Stands Down, Plans to Retire from Politics

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
THE prospect of opportunities and growth were the two recurring themes of participants of the Trade and Investment Convention at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, yesterday.

Over 200 participants from a wide range of industries took to their respective booths on what would have been the first day of the convention.

Some told the Express they hoped to form partnerships while others simply came intending to generate sales of their products and services.

Anil Ramsaran of SAP Electrical Services Limited said the company does domestic and commercial wiring.

The company also imports light-emitting diode (LED) lights, solar lights and solar fans, he said.

For those who may own a hybrid vehicle, he said, the company also sells and installs electric vehicle chargers.

Kemby Ross-Jones of Rent My Tutor at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Academy said it offers online classes at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. She stressed, What makes us different is that we offer personalised services to students. She said, We have had 100 per cent success at the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examinations level.

She said the academy was started at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 because students were falling behind in their academics due to the switch from the physical classroom to the virtual classroom.

Representing Nestles Natures Heart brand was Michelle Stanisclaus, who said the brand offered products such as almond milk and juices. She said even though the brand was an international one all the products offered locally were produced locally.

Stanisclaus said the newest product in the almond milk line of products was the almond-coffee flavour with was launched last month.

Promoting compressed natural gas (CNG) upgrades to vehicles was Dumore Enterprises Ltd.

One of the booths representatives Rajiv Ramessar said the company offered conversions on both gasoline and diesel vehicles. He added that his company hoped through their booth to promote CNG as the cheapest, cleanest fuel in the country. He said the company also hoped to make business-to-business connections and to encourage companies to convert their fleet of vehicles to CNG so that they could save on their transportation costs. He noted that he had attended the convention for the past five years and that this year generated the greatest number of people on the first day.

Attendee Nalini Akal a dancer, actress, artist and filmmaker said she attended in hopes of networking and soliciting sponsorship for her art form.

She said she believed it was important for those involved in the arts to go to events such as the convention because of the sponsorship potential and other service suppliers that could be interested in promoting their products at events.

People bypass the arts as something they put into events but really and truly the art really encompasses the culture of Trinidad and Tobago.

The thing is we are not even using an iota of our potential for the arts, she said.

Akal said she hoped by networking she could find opportunities for the exportation of the arts.
PRIME MINISTER Dr Keith Rowley said yesterday he has been abused by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine and in seeking legal advice, will leave no stone unturned to determine whether he is guilty of witness tampering.

Rowley announced at a news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Anns, that he is now receiving legal advice and has instructed Attorney General Reginald Armour to look into whether Augustine acted outside the Constitution on Wednesday.
We can divide the discussions into two. The internal, whats happening inside the body of West Indies cricket, its circuitry; and the external, the factors contributing to its current state.

Its really an analogy for the state of our region. Everything applies to whats happening in our societies. We have to stop referring to our athletes and delinquents, not just our cricketers, as a group existing in some kind of exclusive planetary bubble, impervious to the conditions of our time.
State officials have closed to the public a meeting set for for Thursday, July 13 to discuss proposals for changing rules and possibly the state law requiring assured, 100-year water supplies for new subdivisions built in urban areas such as Tucson and Phoenix.

The meeting, originally planned to be open to the public, will be of a subcommittee of the States Assured Water Supply Committee. Behind closed doors, it will take up dozens of proposals from the committees 15 members. The proposals represent the first major opportunity to revise the law and/or the rules since the mid-1990s. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs wants them to be approved by the end of 2023 by the Governors Water Policy Council before going to the Arizona Department of Water Resources and/or the Legislature for full consideration.

Because of the importance of the issue, two committee members, state Sen. Priya Sundareshan of the Tucson area and former Arizona water director Kathleen Ferris of Phoenix, are raising concerns about the closed meeting. It could be the first of several closed meetings. They say the public should be in on discussions of these issues from the start.

The decision to shift the conversation to private subcommittee meetings is inconsistent with the governors January pledge to tackle our water issues openly. We need an inclusive, public process if the council is to have any success building unified, bipartisan solutions that will be supported by the general public, said Ferris, an Arizona State University water researcher and a crusader for tougher groundwater supply rules.

But another committee member and former top ADWR official, Doug Dunham, said, I dont have much heartburn about the prospect of private meetings. Ultimately, the issues will be subject to a robust public debate before the full committee votes on whether to recommend specific proposals, he said.

An agenda for the private meeting shows these issues will be considered:

 The use of comingling of renewable surface water supplies or treated sewage effluent with non-renewable groundwater supplies as a way for a water user or water company to show they have an assured water supply. Its use is now restricted by state rules, but some committee members and ADWR have suggested expanding its use to allow water users having access to both kinds of supplies to more freely mix them.

 The use of future plans, promises or commitments to build additional water infrastructure that will deliver renewable supplies, to bolster a water providers claim of having an assured water supply. This tactic was successfully used in the 1980s and 1990s to accommodate new development in cities and towns that have access to Central Arizona Project water from the Colorado River.

 Ways to create incentives to develop farmland for subdivisions and other non-irrigation uses, because subdivisions typically use less water than farms.

In my 26 years of experience with this issue, a lot of times, you get people in a less public forum, you can pry what you really need out of them and arrive at a mutually agreeable position, after they yell, cuss and scream, said Dunham, now water resources manager for Epcor Water, a private company serving much of the Phoenix area as well as Tubac south of Tucson. The public is going to be able to see everything and debate whatever the final recommendations are.

Sundareshan, however, said, I was surprised to learn that it was a closed meeting, and I do think it is concerning that the public does not have access to the meeting. Its still very early in the governors water policy council process. We havent done much quite yet. It is concerning the public does not have access to these meetings.

The meeting and the proposals to be considered come about two weeks after a much smaller group of suggestions were aired at a public meeting of the full Assured Water Supply Committee.

Originally, Thursdays meeting was scheduled as a public meeting of the full committee, to be complete with an audio recording for future use by people who couldnt get there. The full committees first meeting, on June 27, also allowed the public and committee members who couldnt attend in person to watch it online.

But on July 5, an ADWR official emailed members to notify them that, In order to meet the Governors request for Council proposals by December of this year, we are changing the upcoming tentatively scheduled AWS Committee to an AWS Subcommittee meeting. AWS is short for Assured Water Supply.

We are asking that for the subcommittee meetings attendance be in person. We are planning for the subcommittee meetings to be working meetings and very interactive, Trent Blomberg, ADWRs council coordinator, told committee members in the email. We fully expect over the next few months there will be many subcommittee meetings as we work through the details on recommendations to the governor and, consequently, there is a good chance that some of you will not be able to attend every meeting. There will be an opportunity to catch up at the next meeting.

Christian Slater, Hobbs communications director, noted that for the full committee meetings and other open meetings, you can find full recordings of meetings, agendas and presentations posted on ADWRs website.

ADWR spokesman Doug MacEachern told the Star there will be no public meetings in July of either the Assured Water Supply Committee or the Rural Groundwater Committee, convened by the Governors Office to tackle groundwater issues in rural areas where no regulation of groundwater use currently exists.

Having private subcommittee meetings will allow members to immediately begin working through potential policy proposals to meet the Councils December deadline to bring recommendations forward, he said. These meetings are only open to subcommittee members and technical subject matter experts, as needed.

The entire process concerning the water policy council and its committees was put together by the Governors Office and ADWR, he said.

The next public meeting of the full committee is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 15.

The Star asked five other committee members how they felt about the use of closed meetings. Three, Phoenix water resources planner Cynthia Campbell, Tucson Water Director John Kmiec and Phoenix-area homebuilders lobbyist Spencer Kamps, declined comment.

Two others, Metro Water General Manager Joseph Olsen and Joe Singleton, executive director of the Pinal County Augmentation Authority, didnt respond to emails seeking comment.

Campbell said I see both sides of the open-closed meeting issue, and that shes more interested in the outcome of these discussions than the process. Shes a water resources adviser for the city of Phoenix.

In discussing the use of closed committee meetings, Dunham recalled the legend of the groundwater code, a reference to the creation of the Arizona Groundwater Management Act of 1980, the states pioneering groundwater law.

He recalled that before a final version of the law was adopted in public by the Legislature and signed by then-Gov. Bruce Babbitt, a Democrat, the key players got together at a hot springs with a bottle of whiskey and worked out their general parameters.

Then, they went back to their constituencies, came up with the code, presented it to the public and worked out the final details, Dunham said.

Ferris, who in the 1970s was executive director of the State Groundwater Management Study Commission, said its really, really hard to liken what happened then to whats going on now. First, the commission held two years of public meetings, with experts making public presentations and all kinds of input of policy ideas occurring in the open, she said.

It wasnt until after all the public meetings and after the U.S. Interior secretary threatened to cut off Central Arizona Project funding unless a groundwater law was passed that the major water interest groups  cities, mines and farms  went into closed sessions with Babbitt to hammer out the laws details, she said.
ST. LOUIS (AP)  Federal investigators on Thursday began the task of trying to determine what caused a Greyhound bus crash in southern Illinois that killed three passengers.

The accident just before 2 a.m. Wednesday happened when the bus carrying a driver and 22 passengers slammed into three tractor-trailers parked along an Interstate 70 exit ramp near St. Louis.

Those killed were identified as Juan Vasquez-Rodriguez, 34, of Passaic, New Jersey; Buford Paya, 71, of Supai, Arizona; and Bradley Donovan, 47, of Springfield, Illinois. Madison County Coroner Stephen Nonn said preliminary findings showed all three men died of blunt trauma.

The bus was traveling from Indianapolis to St. Louis. It isn't yet known why it was on the exit ramp that leads to a rest area near Highland, Illinois, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) short of the Greyhound's destination. No one in the trucks was hurt.

The vehicle was equipped with cameras facing both inward and outward, and their video will be analyzed, National Transportation Safety Board member Tom Chapman said. He added that the 2014-model bus had seatbelts.

A team of NTSB investigators is expected to be on-site for up to six days, and Chapman said the trucks' presence on the ramp will be a part of this investigation.

Parking spots are at a premium in public rest areas, and truckers often park along exit ramps at night. The practice is illegal in Illinois and many other states, but police often ignore it, understanding the shortage of places for overnight truck parking.

Certainly we'll be looking at the location, the proximity of the parked trucks, such details as the width, the length of the ramp, Chapman said.

Photos and video from the scene showed the side of the bus peeled open and its roof crumpled.

Passenger Edwin Brown, 22, of Friars Point, Mississippi, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he felt the bus shake as it passed over rumble strips before the side of the vehicle opened up like a can opener. The driver was in and out of consciousness after the crash as Brown turned the ignition off with the help of a trucker, he said.

The bus driver was hospitalized in serious condition, according to a Facebook post by the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents Greyhound drivers.

Paya, whom friends called Buffalo because he was so burly, was a member of the Havasupai Tribe that is nestled inside the Grand Canyon. Leaving his community meant going by helicopter to the rim or an 8-mile walk or horseback ride, said his niece, Marian Paya Marshall, of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Still he sometimes showed up without warning, calling her from along a nearby highway and asking her for a ride. How, she would ask, did you get here?

Then would ensue a wild tale, which sometimes involved hitchhiking, she said. Other times he would catch a bus or simply walk.

He was so silly, she said describing him as a jokester, with a love of horses. And wed say, How come you didnt call us? And hell say, I just felt like exploring.

A GoFundMe page was set up to raise money to help the family of Vasquez-Rodriguez transport his body to Peru. A family friend who set it up, Gabriela Benitez, wrote in Spanish that Vasquez-Rodriguez left Peru looking for a future and a better future for his entire family. There are no words to comfort at a time like this and that is why financial aid would help them alleviate the great sorrow a little.

Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas. Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed.
ANDOVER, Vt. (AP)  Volunteers pulled out their snow shovels Wednesday to clear inches of mud after torrential rain and flooding inundated communities across Vermont, trapping people in homes, closing roadways and littering streets and businesses with debris.

The water drained off most streets in the state capital of Montpelier, where the swollen Winooski River flooded basements and ground floors, destroying merchandise and furniture across the picturesque downtown. Other communities cleaned up as well from historic floods that were more destructive than Tropical Storm Irene in many places. Dozens of roads remained closed, and thousands of homes and businesses are damaged.

But with people still being rescued, high water still blocking some roads and new flash flood warnings issued with more rain on the way, the crisis is far from over, according to state Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison.

Vermonters, keep your guard up, and do not take chances, she said.

Morrison said urban search and swift water rescue teams came to the aid of least 32 people and numerous animals Tuesday night in northern Vermont's Lamoille County, bringing the total to more than 200 rescues since Sunday, and more than 100 evacuations.

Volunteers turned out in droves to help flooded businesses in Montpelier, a city of 8,000, shoveling mud, cleaning, and moving damaged items outside. Weve had so much enthusiasm for support for businesses downtown that most of the businesses have had to turn folks away, said volunteer organizer Peter Walke.

Similar scenes played out in neighboring Barre and in Bridgewater, where the Ottauquechee River spilled its banks, and in Ludlow, where the Black River sent floodwaters surging into several restaurants co-owned by chef Andrew Molen. He said Sam's Steakhouse is likely closed for good after the water inside reached nearly 7 feet (more than 2 meters) high.

The only thing thats probably gonna be salvageable is the silverware, and even then, after being in that muck for so long, you wash everything, do you really want to put that on the table? Its pretty intense what happened, Molen said.

Another of his restaurants, Mr. Darcy's, had a couple feet of water inside, damaging the foundation. But Molen said he hasnt focused on cleaning up yet, because the first order of business has been making sure local residents and first responders stay fed. His crew has been cooking at one of the restaurants that remains functional and using ATVs through standing water to bring the meals to a local community center.

Gov. Phil Scott toured the disaster areas with Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, whose teams began aerial and on-the-ground damage assessments a day after President Joe Biden declared an emergency and authorized federal disaster relief.

The total cost of the damage could be substantial. According to to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, even before these floods, this year has seen 12 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion in the United States.

I think we all understand we are now living through the worst natural disaster to impact the state of Vermont since (the flood of) 1927, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders said. What we are looking at now are thousands of homes and businesses which have been damaged, sometimes severely. We're looking at roads and bridges, some of which have been wiped out and will need basic and fundamental repairs. The 1927 floods killed dozens of people and caused widespread destruction.

Scott said floodwaters surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene, which killed six people in Vermont in August 2011, washing homes off their foundations and damaging or destroying more than 200 bridges and 500 miles (805 kilometers) of highway.

Atmospheric scientists say destructive flooding events happen more frequently now because clouds carry more water as the atmosphere warms, and the planets rising temperatures will only make it worse.

New York 's Hudson River Valley also was hit hard, along with towns in southwest New Hampshire and western Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey got a birds eye view in a helicopter ride to the small town of Williamsburg on Wednesday, where roads were washed out and some people had to be rescued from their homes. Even after two days of receding waters, the Connecticut River retained a muddy brown hue and farmland along the river remains saturated, she said.

Much of that water was carrying debris including entire trees, boulders and even vehicles south through Connecticut to Long Island Sound. Major waterways including the Connecticut River overflowed their banks, and were expected to crest Wednesday at up to 6 feet (2 meters) above flood stage, closing roads and riverside parks in multiple cities.

By mid-day Wednesday, all the rivers in Vermont had crested and water levels were receding, although at least one was 20 feet (6 meters) above normal, said Peter Banacos, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Thunderstorms, gusty winds and hail were forecast for Thursday and Friday in Vermont, but Banacos said they'll blow through quickly enough that more flooding isn't likely.

One death was blamed on the storm  a woman whose body was found after she was swept away in Fort Montgomery, New York.

About 12 Vermont communities, including the state capital, were under a boil water alert, but at least they were reachable again after being marooned by high water. The American Red Cross of Northern New England supported shelters in Rutland, White River Junction and Barre, where the city auditorium had 58 evacuees Wednesday morning, compared to more than 200 on Tuesday.

Many people were passing through to recharge their phones and get something to eat, said John Montes, regional disaster officer. Red Cross volunteers from across the Northeast were helping with disaster assessment and handing out clean-up kits to homeowners ahead of the next rains.

This flooding was catastrophic for Bear Pond Books, a 50-year-old store in Montpelier, said co-owner Claire Benedict. Water about 3 1/2 feet deep ruined many books and fixtures. Staffers and volunteers piled waterlogged books outside the back and front doors on Wednesday.

The floor was completely covered with soaked books this morning, she said as they cleared out the mud. Its a big old mess.

Ludlow Municipal Manager Brendan McNamara said his town also suffered catastrophic damage. The water treatment plant was out of commission, the main supermarket and roadway through town were closed, the Little League field and a new skate park were destroyed and he said he couldn't begin to estimate how many houses and businesses were damaged.

We just really took the brunt of the storm, McNamara said. But he said his town will recover. Ludlow will be fine. People are coming together and taking care of each other."

Associated Press contributors include Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; Pat Eaton-Robb in Hartford, Connecticut; Michael Hill in Albany, New York; and Mark Pratt, Michael Casey and Steve LeBlanc in Boston.
A Tulsa man arrested in connection with a Brookside doughnut business arson will remain in jail pending trial, a judge has ruled.

U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell, in an order issued Tuesday, rejected a request from Coby Dale Green to revoke his detention order.

Frizzells order upholds a lower courts ruling that determined there were no conditions of Greens release that would reasonably assure the safety of any other person and the community.

Frizzell said government evidence presented during Greens detention hearing supported pretrial detention.

He wrote in his order that the government evidence very strongly indicates that Mr. Green maliciously damaged or destroyed property by means of fire or explosive.

Green, 24, faces one count of malicious use of explosive materials in connection with the early morning Oct. 31 vandalism and arson of The Donut Hole, 3305 S. Peoria Ave.

Green was arrested June 15 on a warrant that suggested that he firebombed the business after leaving anti-LBGTQ fliers nearby.

The business had recently hosted an event with drag queens.

Firefighters discovered a shattered front window and a still burning Molotov cocktail inside when they arrived at the business later that morning.

Green was arrested June 15 on a federal complaint charging him with malicious use of explosives. He was later indicted on the same charge.

The charge carries a minimum of five years in prison and up to 20 years imprisonment, if convicted, according to Frizzells order.

One week after Greens arrest, U.S. Magistrate Mark Steele ordered him held pending trial following a detention hearing held over two days.

In addition to noting that no release conditions would keep the public safe, Steele also indicated that the weight of the evidence and Greens lack of a stable residence were factors in support of detention.

Defendant was apparently motivated by his opposition to a certain ideology and individuals who support that ideology, Steele wrote in his June 22 detention order.

The weight of the evidence suggests (Green) committed the alleged crime, Steele continued. A search of the defendants premises revealed articles of clothing that were similar to clothes seen in a surveillance video depicting the crime. The search also revealed newspaper articles detailing the crime and fliers opposing certain ideological groups.

A public defender representing Green argued that Steeles detention order was based upon unsupported and contradictory findings.

Green argued that clothing found at his apartment that investigators claim is similar to those worn by the arsonist was indistinct and similar to those commonly found in the wardrobes of young men such as Green.

Green argued in his request for release that he had been deemed dangerous because he has an unpopular political opinion.

But Frizzell said in his order that he didnt consider the content of the fliers found at Greens residence and taped to a door of a business just north of the Brookside business.

Rather, the presence of similar fliers in Mr. Greens residence tends to show identity  that is, that Mr. Green committed the charged offense, Frizzell wrote.

Green also disputed that he lacked a stable residence, a condition that counts against pretrial release.

While Frizzell noted that Green has community ties, including family and stable employment, he said he shares Steeles concerns regarding the stability of Greens residence given that he apparently does not appear on the lease and the U.S. Probation Office was unable to verify his ability to continue to live there if released.

Frizzells order also notes that Green lived with his mother at the time of the arson and therefore the court is not persuaded by any suggestion that his mothers presence would serve as a deterrent.

Greens attorney also challenged cellphone data evidence that placed him at the scene of the crime when it occurred, calling the data imprecise.

Frizzell sided with evidence from the government that indicated that cell site location data indicated that Green traveled from his home to the scene of the crime consistently with the security camera time stamps for when the arson occurred.

The ping data strongly indicates that Mr. Green was within 0.1 miles of (The Donut Hole business) at the time of the offense, Frizzell wrote.

A trial date has yet to be set for Green.

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A senior Russian general in charge of soldiers in occupied southern Ukraine claims he was unexpectedly fired after accusing Moscow's Defense Ministry leadership of abandoning his men by not giving enough assistance.

Unexpected Dismissal?

Heavy battles had been going on in the Zaporizhzhia area, and General Ivan Popov was in charge of the 58th Combined Arms Army. He is among the highest-ranking Russian military personnel to have served in the deadly invasion of Ukraine.

In a voice message posted on Telegram late Wednesday, July 12, Popov said he had questioned "the lack of counter-battery combat, the absence of artillery reconnaissance stations, and the mass deaths and injuries of our brothers from enemy artillery," as reported by CNN.

Russian lawmaker and ex-second in command of the military district's southern region Andrey Gurulev uploaded the clip on the messaging app.

"I had no right to lie, therefore, I outlined all the problematic issues that exist today in the army in terms of combat work and support," Popov added, as heard on the recording.

Sergei Shoigu, the defense minister, allegedly fired him and issued the order after accusing the senior Kremlin official of treason.

"As many commanders of divisional regiments said today, the servicemen of the armed forces of Ukraine could not break through our army from the front, [but] our senior commander hit us from the rear, treacherously and vilely decapitating the army at the most difficult and tense moment," Popov added.

Meanwhile, an official who supports the Kremlin has called the announcement of the voice note's publication a "political show."

According to First Deputy Speaker of the Russian Federation Council and head of the parliamentary working group on Russia's military operation in Ukraine, Andrey Turchak, Popov's appeal was never meant for the public. It was only discussed in closed chat groups among 58th Army commanders and troops.

See Also: Erased?: Retired US General Says Wagner Boss Prigozhin May Never Be Seen Again

Military Instability

Analysts say it is uncommon for such a high-ranking person to be fired in the middle of a conflict.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in Washington cited reports that Valery Gerasimov, a Russian army general, had been informed by Popov that the 58th Combined Army needed to be rotated out of combat due to long periods of fight and heavy casualties.

Aside from efforts to stop Ukrainian advances in western Zaporizhia, the 58th has been extensively engaged in protecting Russian strongholds against the Ukrainian army in the Orikhiv region.

Suppose the allegations of Popov's claims are accurate. In that case, these support ISW's earlier conclusions that Russian troops lack the operational reserves necessary to carry out personnel rotations in defense against Ukrainian counteroffensives and that Russian defensive lines may be vulnerable.

See Also: Wagner Mercenaries Surrender Their Weapons to Russian Military; Prigozhin Reportedly Has Cancer

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Martin Garcia-Morales was reading in French to a class of students Monday during the Ready. Set. Summer! program at Eisenhower Elementary School.

Every few pages, he asked the students, Quest qui sest passe ici? which translates to What happened here?

The Tulsa Public Schools summer program, now in its second year, opened last week. For elementary school-age children in immersion programs, it can help students maintain their language skills.

Soon to be an eighth-grader, Martin is volunteering in a unique capacity for the summer camp after graduating from Eisenhowers French immersion program.

Martin, who speaks Spanish, French and English, is the son of Cesar Garcia-Morales and Senora Bocalandro, director and librarian of the camp, respectively.

Garcia-Morales said he and Bocalandro decided to keep Martin busy helping students while they work. When he volunteers, he can read in all of the languages the immersion students are studying.

During the summer, students of the Spanish immersion program typically lose a lot of their language skills, Garcia-Morales said.

To learn a second language, you need to use it, he said. This is one way they can retain it. They can use it in the school day.

Eisenhower International School is one of the 23 sites where the TPS summer program is being hosted. At Eisenhower, the program takes enrolled students from Eisenhower and Zarrow International School to a variety of enrichment activities and classes. Students continue their learning in either French or Spanish.

Garcia-Morales said it is difficult to keep students speaking in those languages.

Its the only way they can continue over the summer, Garcia-Morales said. I think its a wonderful program to have them continue in the target language.

The program started July 5 and will continue until July 28 with different activities each day. Both Zarrow and Eisenhower have Spanish programs, but only Eisenhower has a French program. Not all of the students in the programs enroll in the camp, so the French grades are grouped together.

We cant have one French teacher for every single 10 students, Garcia-Morales said.

Both French and Spanish students will continue taking classes in their target language throughout the four weeklong programs.

The program started last summer as a new day camp-style approach to summer learning. The summer camp also allows for people in the Tulsa Teachers Corps, a preparation program for aspiring teachers, to learn more about working in education.

Anahi Rivera, one of the people in the corps, worked with a group of third-graders on Monday with other members of the corps. She said they had already been through some training in the program.

Because of that storm we had, we had a week off. We (were) a week behind, but we had two weeks of training.

Rivera said she will be placed at Skelly Elementary School, a dual-language school, where she will teach Spanish- and English-speaking students in English.

In the third-grade class at the camp, students read magazine articles while the corps teachers supervised them.

When students are not in language classes, they go on field trips and have enrichment activities. Students went to a splash pad Monday and could choose from activities such as friendship bracelets, karaoke and origami.

They are learning, but they are also having a lot of fun, Garcia-Morales said.



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State Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa, wont seek reelection next year and is instead setting his sights on becoming Tulsas next mayor.

Nichols made the announcement in a press release Thursday, at the same moment he rolled out his monroeformayor.com website.

I feel like we are at a point in Tulsa where we can really go two different ways, Nichols said in an interview with the Tulsa World. We can jump out ahead and be leading class in cities across the country that are growing and thriving and hopefully engaging everybody in that growth and that thriving, or we can kind of be stuck in neutral.

Nichols, 39, is the first candidate to announce his intention to run for Tulsas highest office.

County Commissioner Karen Keith, City Councilor Jayme Fowler and state Sen. Dave Rader also have expressed interest in the job.

Mayor G.T. Bynum reiterated this week that he will not seek a third term.

Candidates for mayor wont file for office until June 2024, followed by the general election in August. If a runoff election is required, it would be held in November.

Tulsas municipal elections are nonpartisan.

Its one of those things where I am excited about what is coming next, but it is also kind of bittersweet, Nichols said.

Nichols was first elected to the House from District 72 in 2016. He is the only Black person ever elected from the district, which stretches from 33rd West Avenue through downtown Tulsa, east to the University of Tulsa and north as far as 91st Street North.

I think the best thing of the legislative experience is how it has helped me navigate relationships with people I dont agree with all the time.  I have become a much more patient leader, Nichols said.

He hopes to use that patience and ability to bring people together to ensure that everyone who wants to participate in moving the city forward is part of the discussion.

I do think we have to find a way in which we are having a conversation with folks across the city about how we are going to live together and how we are going to express ourselves together and how we are going to do all of the stuff we have to do as a city with some level of unity knowing that we disagree about a lot of stuff, Nichols said. I do think there is a role a mayor plays in helping citizens navigate through that type of stuff, as well.

Nichols said that if elected mayor he would focus on three main issues  economic development, homelessness and public safety.

Those three issues, and the idea of building a community that folks choose because we have changed those things at a rate in which the rest of the country takes notice,  those are the reasons that I am running, he said.

Nichols first taste of public service was in 2006, when he worked as an aide in then-Mayor Kathy Taylors administration. He went on to become chief of staff for former OU-Tulsa President Gerry Clancy; served as economic development manager at the Oklahoma State Department of Career and Technology Education; and was director of business retention and expansion programs for the Tulsa Regional Chamber. He co-founded Impact Tulsa in 2014.

In addition to his work at the Capitol, Nichols is director of policy and partnerships for Strive Together.

That kind of well-rounded experience both in the Legislature and my career outside of the Legislature I think really has equipped me well to help lead the city to the future, Nichols said.

Its also provided him with a perspective that he says played a key role in his decision to run for mayor.

2006 to 2023, there are so many issues that were issues then that are issues today. We have not knocked things off the list, Nichols said. I am not saying that I get elected mayor, life becomes automatically better. But the fact is we are letting persistent problems just fester year over year over year over year without any indication that they are getting better.

Nichols took pains not to be critical of Bynum or any of the citys previous leaders but said he is concerned that Tulsa has not made real headway in addressing Tulsas education, crime, affordable housing and other challenges.

Everybody says the mayor has nothing to do with education, but if you look at the indicators on what it takes for kids to be successful from when they start school to when they matriculate through higher education of some sort, if you dont have stable housing, you are going to struggle along that pipeline, Nichols said.

If you dont have a city where you can have people who can kind of climb the economic mobility ladder as you build an economy that allows for that, that is going to show up in school.

Nichols, whose father and uncle were police officers, said he would support some form of police oversight while at the same time doing everything he could to ensure that officers are compensated properly for their work.

I think if we were more conditioned to know if something goes bad, our tolerance for bad things happening would be a little bit higher, Nichols said. And not that we think that its OK, but knowing that every time something happens somebody is being held accountable, I think that in and of itself would help the relationships between law enforcement and those in the community and probably make things safer for both in car stops and so on and so forth.

Along with the highest standards of accountability, Nichols said, should come proper compensation.

Its not lost on me that it is difficult right now to recruit folks to go into the profession, he said. The fact that we have not figured out how to get public safety districts passed in this community to make sure we can also pay to have the best folks on the force and to incentivize folks to stay who have experience is a problem.

Nichols said he would be open to exploring how the city could provide some form of reparations to those harmed by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The issue, he said, is one of values: Does Tulsa want to be known as a community that resisted tackling the issue or a community that addressed it head-on?

I really believe that the platform that I will lay out, the way that, if elected, I spend my time as mayor, if not in a most traditional sense of reparations, will be certainly about capitalizing on what made the Greenwood District special and figuring out ways in which we can bring that back, he said.

During his seven sessions in the House, Nichols legislation has included measures to encourage affordable housing, revitalize neighborhoods and improve education. Because Nichols is a Democrat in a Republican-controlled Legislature, few of his bills have made it into law under his own name. Of the 12 measures he filed this year, 11 failed to reach a final vote.

The 12th, which allows law officers to issue warnings to people with outstanding warrants instead of taking them to jail, was signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt earlier this year.

Nichols said he takes particular pride in that measure, which he co-authored with Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, as an example of his ability to work across party lines.

Its absolutely going to keep people out of jail, Nichols said.

As a debater, Nichols has tended to strike a direct but generally congenial tone while challenging colleagues, particularly on race and civil rights issues.

As he begins his campaign for mayor, Nichols said Tulsans can expect the same kind of bipartisan approach on the stump and, should voters choose him to lead the city, in the Mayors Office.

If you are mayor, people care about the trash getting picked up, traffic lights being synced up, all that kind of stuff, Nichols said. So I dont even think about solutions from a partisan standpoint.

Randy Krehbiel contributed to this story.



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The mercury had hit 100 degrees or more for 15 days running, but thirsty Tulsans needed no excuse to stampede drugstores and restaurants in July 1933.

Never before in the history of eastern Oklahoma had beer appeared openly, without interference of the law, on city streets, said a front-page story in the Tulsa World.

Not unlike the pioneers who made the historic land runs, this time Oklahomans were enjoying their first legal beer run.

The day before, Oklahomans had voted by a wide margin to legalize weak beer. Read the rest of the story in this Throwback Tulsa column.

State laws loosened a bit more in 2018, when voters State Question 792. The law allowed the sale of refrigerated full-strength beer as well as wine beyond solely liquor stores, some of which have struggled since the state question passed on the November 2016 ballot.
OKLAHOMA CITY  A task force created by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday aims to find solutions for criminal justice reform by identifying strategies to reduce crime and recidivism while enhancing public safety.

The Modernized Operations through Data and Evidenced-based Restoration Now  MODERN  Justice Task Force is a rare joint initiative that will have Stitts office, the Oklahoma Legislature and state court officials working together.

Today, were taking concrete steps towards a safer, smarter, and more efficient justice system in Oklahoma, Stitt said in a news release. With all three branches of government working together, were demonstrating to all four million Oklahomans the states commitment to strengthening public safety while ensuring our justice system works fairly and efficiently.

Over the next five months, the task force will review Oklahoma jail data and evaluate criminal justice reform strategies implemented in other states that have found more cost-effective solutions to protecting public safety, according to the news release. The 11-member task force will make recommendations to the Legislature before the 2024 legislative session begins in February.

The task force will also seek public input from across the state.

The launch of the task force comes after state officials requested support from the Crime and Justice Institute and the Public Safety Performance Project under the federal governments Justice Reinvestment Initiative. This allows state government officials seeking to review their criminal justice systems to get assistance from the federal government, Pew Charitable Trusts, and Arnold Ventures, a philanthropic institution that prioritizes criminal justice reform.

The task force will help generate policy ideas by and for Oklahomans while ensuring that safety and security remain the states top priority, said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka.

After years of focusing on statewide efforts, weve realized the extent of the strain our jails and sheriffs are facing, and understand that reforms are needed, McCall said in a statement. By investing time and energy through the Task Force process, we can be smart about local criminal justice in ways that will ensure we are being right on crime, while at the same time providing help to those who need it.

Members of the task force will include state lawmakers, Stitts secretary of public safety, the head of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the administrative director of the courts system, a district attorney, a retired judge, a public defender, a local sheriff, a victims advocate and someone with knowledge of successful diversion programs.

A spokesman for Attorney General Gentner Drummond said he is pleased that the task force will include law enforcement professionals such as county sheriffs and district attorneys.

They have a unique understanding of what reforms are in the best interest of public safety, said Drummond spokesman Phil Bacharach.

When Stitt was first running for governor, he vowed to improve Oklahomas incarceration rate, which was then the worst in the nation.

Early in his first term, Stitt created the Reentry, Supervision, Treatment and Opportunity Reform  RESTORE  Task Force, which made criminal justice reform recommendations on how the state could lower incarceration rates, reduce recidivism and establish more diversion programs. Stitt has similar goals for the MODERN Justice Task Force.

At times, large-scale criminal justice reforms have not been an easy sell in the Legislature. A multi-year attempt to rewrite the states criminal code has stalled in the Legislature the past two years.

But a bipartisan group of state lawmakers in 2019 passed legislation to make retroactive criminal justice reforms approved by voters under State Question 780, which reclassified some drug possession and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. That law resulted in a mass commutation in which hundreds of low-level offenders were released from prison.

The task force will submit a report detailing its findings and recommendations by Dec. 29.



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OKLAHOMA CITY  After Danielle Perrys grandfather helped liberate Munich as a member of the 45th Infantry Division in 1945, he returned home with two Nazi banners collected as mementos of the United States victory in World War II. After he died, Perry found the banners in a suitcase in the back of a closet, and she wanted to donate them to a museum.
Elizabeth McCormick, a former University of Tulsa law school associate dean and immigrant rights advocate, died Friday of complications from ALS.

She was 60.

Plans for a memorial service will be announced for later this summer.

McCormick, known to friends and colleagues as Betsy, retired in May after 18 years with the TU College of Law.

An associate dean and tenured professor, she was the founder and director of the law schools Immigrant Rights Project, a clinical education program in which students represent clients in immigration matters.

Building on that effort, she went on to establish the Tulsa Immigrant Resource Network, a George Kaiser Family Foundation-funded program now in its 15 year of providing services directly to Tulsas immigrant population.

Over the years, McCormick, her students, and the network served immigrants in a variety of ways, including providing families with legal representation, helping them navigate a complex system and working with asylum-seekers.

Since joining the law school in 2005, McCormick had held several positions, including associate dean of academic affairs. She served as interim dean in the fall 2021 semester.

She was TU Laws first associate dean of experiential learning, a position she held until 2019 while also serving as director of clinical education programs.

TU law professor Mimi Marton, who holds both of those titles now, said: Betsy was a mentor and a dear friend to me and to so many colleagues, students, community members and leaders. Her voice, her perspective, her expertise, her passion for justice, and her commitment to advocacy will be greatly missed.

She was truly a warrior for justice.

McCormick focused her scholarship and advocacy on immigration law and policy, especially the intersection of federal immigration law and policy with state and local enforcement efforts.

In her concerns about systems and processes, however, she never lost sight of the people they affected.

Few things gave McCormick more joy than seeing another group of immigrants complete the process of becoming U.S. citizens.

Speaking at a naturalization ceremony in 2017, she encouraged the new citizens, noting that they had completed a long journey and are at the beginning of a great new one.

Being an American has never meant giving up who you are to become something else, she told them. It means using your many and diverse gifts and talents to establish communities, build your livelihood, reimagine your identity and grow your dreams.

Born into an Air Force family, McCormick lived in Germany and several states while growing up.

She graduated from high school in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. She held a bachelors degree from Fordham University, a masters from New York University and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Upon graduating from law school, she worked for the Philadelphia Public Defenders office, followed by a stint as the assistant attorney general of the Federated States of Micronesia.

She came to Tulsa from Cornell Law School in Ithaca, New York.

TU started the Elizabeth McCormick Immigration Justice & Advocacy Fund last year in her honor.

McCormick wrote a number of guest columns for the Tulsa World on the subject of immigration. More recently, advocating for herself and other ALS patients, she wrote on that subject, challenging the FDA standards that limit access to experimental treatments.

Survivors include her husband, Stephen Bulmer; three children, Maya, Cormac and Lachlan; her mother, Barbara McCormick; and siblings Pat McCormick, Teri Hinton, Kitty Baca, Kevin McCormick, Mary Storch, Peggy Newsom and Ann Saybolt.

RiverCrest Cremation in Bixby handled arrangements.

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State Superintendent Ryan Walters recently made some controversial comments about the Tulsa Race Massacre, suggesting that it could be taught without reference to race. A lot has been said about his remarks. I would like to connect the dots between this reprehensible rhetoric and the method behind this madness.

Yes, he was wrong to try to decouple matters of race from the discussion of the Tulsa Race Massacre. Like him, Im a white man and a former teacher, but I can recognize the hard truths about American history without losing my love for America  and so can our students.

But the larger questions have to do with the timing of this event. Why is this happening now?

I observe that the current conflict has pushed stories of Walters financial malfeasance off the headlines. A recent audit questioned $29 million in the spending of federal money, including at least $8 million from his time as a nonprofit director and secretary of education. As state superintendent he controls a much larger budget.

The consequences of incompetence and malignant mismanagement are proportionally bigger. Hes already gutted his agency of dedicated experts, making it harder for the Oklahoma State Department of Education to operate properly and fulfill functions, like applying for federal grants and overseeing school lunch programs.

Moreover, this comes at a time of unrelenting pressure on our public school system. The pandemic exposed basic weaknesses in our education system. But rather than address and repair them, he has launched crusades against woke teachers, pornography in libraries and critical race theory  all without ever providing any proof of these things in our classrooms.

This year, the Legislature passed a $150 million tax credit for people attending private schools. I wonder if Walters will ever look in the private schools for the bogeymen he pursues in the public schools.

Of course he wont. Walters is not interested in policing private schools but in transferring money to them.

The purpose of his crusade is to discredit and demonize public schools while politicians and lobbyists advance vouchers and other attacks on public schools. This is all, in the end, about money. We are transferring money away from public schools and toward affluent parents of kids already enrolled in private schools.

Next year, the private schools will raise tuition to capture those dollars, without submitting to standards of public transparency. There are 700,000 kids in public schools and about 35,000 in private schools. Private schools are disproportionately affluent and white. Public school populations are poorer and more diverse.

Walters would rather we not talk about this, so he provides us with a steady stream of controversy to make us look away. Thats his function. When he departs office, leaving our public schools in disarray, we will see the real impact of Walters approach to government.

Disrespecting the memory of the Tulsa Race Massacre is one thing, but cheating Oklahoma students out of a proper learning of history is his most hateful crime.

Rep. John Waldron, a Democrat, represents Tulsas District 77 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Previously, he worked as a social studies and history teacher at Booker T. Washington High School, earning the honors of Teacher of the Year, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Secondary Educator of the Year and the University of Tulsa Teacher Inspiration Prize.

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Catch up on the news in Vietnam today:

Society

-- Authorities in Nghe An Province, located in north-central Vietnam, were mobilizing some 1,000 soldiers, firefighters, and locals to put out a fierce wildfire in Nam Dan District at 9:45 pm on Wednesday.

-- A string of 35 earthquakes measuring up to 4.2 on the Richter scale have hammered Kon Plong District in Kon Tum Province of Vietnams Central Highlands over the past six days, posing no risks of disaster.

-- The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho will earmark VND11 trillion (US$465.5 million) for its traffic infrastructure projects in the 2021-25 period, accounting for some 45 percent of the municipal coffers, said Tran Viet Truong, chairman of the Can Tho City Peoples Committee.

Business

-- National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has announced that it will fire a pilot for testing positive for an illicit drug, said Dang Anh Tuan, spokesperson of the airline.

-- The Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom had a working session with the Irish Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in Dublin on Monday to step up the two countries cooperation in education, science, and technology, reported the Vietnam News Agency.

-- Vietnam imported over 9,000 autos worth $250 million in June, up 18.4 percent in volume and 30.7 percent in value month on month, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Tourism

-- Vietnam is one of Japans key tourism source markets, Masaki Oita, executive director of the Japan National Tourism Organization, told a Vietnamese travel promotion program in Tokyo on Wednesday.

-- Ho Chi Minh City will hold the first river festival between August 4 and 6 to popularize the images of the city and people, cultural features, food, and tourism among local and international tourists.

Sports

-- Vietnam beat host Chinese Taipei 3-1 on Wednesday afternoon to secure the semifinal berth in the 2023 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for men, which is being held in Taiwan.

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An electric car burst into flames while charging in a three-story house on Wednesday night, claiming the lives of two people in Sam Son City under Thanh Hoa Province in north-central Vietnam.

Hoang Thang Giap, chairman of the Peoples Committee of the citys Trung Son Ward, confirmed the deadly fire on Thursday morning.

The deceased were identified as L.T.C., 63, and her grandchild named L.T.T.Tr., 5.

C. and Tr. were sleeping on the first floor of their house on Xuan Phu Street at 11:45 pm on Wednesday when a fire erupted, according to the preliminary investigation results.

Locals and firefighters quickly approached the scene to put out the blaze but failed to save the victims.

The massive fire was caused by a suspected explosion from the charging battery that powered an electric car, according to police in the city.

Police officers are continuing to investigate the blaze.

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The FBI arrested a bone collector in Kentucky on Tuesday, July 11. During the raid by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, they discovered that the man was selling skulls and other bones. Some of them even belonged to the criminal's friends.

FBI Arrests Bone Collector After Selling Skulls on Facebook!

According to Fox News' latest report, James Nott, a Kentucky resident, was selling human skulls and other bone parts on Facebook's marketplace.

He's using a Facebook account under the name "Willia Burke." Federal court filings stated that Nott was advertising human skulls as recently as June.

To make things creepier, James even told the FBI that he was with his "dead friends" when authorities asked him if anyone else was inside his apartment.

"FBI agents located human remains including approximately 40 human skulls, spinal cords, femurs, and hip bones," stated in the affidavit.

The letter added that some of the bones were used as furniture and decorations. Aside from skulls and bones, the FBI found numerous guns and other firearms, such as grenades.

There was also an AK-47 placed on the bedside of the apartment, as reported by Dayton 24/7.

Read Also: Suspect In Nassar Attack Admits Stabbing, Says Disgraced Doctor Made Lewd Comments While Watching Wimbledon

Bone Collector Part of Illicit Human Body Part Trading Group

Nott is not just a regular human body part seller. FBI officials said that the Kentucky man is a part of an illicit group of traders, who are linked to the Harvard Medical School.

This detail was confirmed after authorities discovered a Harvard medical bag in his apartment.

As of writing, Nott is being charged federally with possession of a firearm and illegal human body part trading.

Nott is not the only person arrested for selling human remains. BBC News recently reported that a former manager of Harvard Medical School's morgue, as well as three other individuals, were charged with selling and buying stolen human remains.

The Harvard Medical School apologized to the public regarding the incident, especially to the families and loved ones of their donors.

"We are so very sorry for the pain this news will cause for our anatomical donors' families and loved ones, and Harvard Medical School pledges to engage with them during this deeply distressing time," said Harvard University Faculty of Medicine Dean George Q. Daley.

Related Article: Cleveland Shooting Left 9 People Injured, Prompts a Search by Law Enforcement for Shooter Still at Large

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The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Council on Wednesday passed a resolution on renaming the section of Hanoi Highway between the Saigon Bridge and Thu Duc Intersection in Thu Duc City after late General Vo Nguyen Giap.

The newly-renamed section of the highway spans 7.79 kilometers.

The road was relabeled in recognition of the contributions of late General Giap toward Vietnams liberation and unification.

The renamed section will connect with Hanoi Highway and Dien Bien Phu, both of which are associated with General Giap and his historic 1954 victory in Dien Bien Phu.

The Thu Duc City administration earlier collected feedback on a proposal on the renaming from those people residing along the route and more than 90 percent endorsed the retitling.

The municipal Peoples Council also asked relevant agencies to make a list of businesses, organizations, and households affected by the renaming in order to support them in updating their documents.

They were also told to set up new street name signs on the relabeled route as well as make adjustments to traffic signs.

Vo Nguyen Giap was born on August 25, 1911 in Le Thuy District, Quang Binh Province, located in the central region of Vietnam.

He started his career as a history teacher before joining the army to become a legendary general who led the Vietnam Army to defeat French and U.S. invaders in 1954 and 1975, respectively.

He directly commanded major operations including the Dien Bien Phu in 1954 and Ho Chi Minh campaigns in 1975.

General Giap served as deputy prime minister and national defense minister since national reunification in 1975 till 1980.

In 1981-1991, he was deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers.

The general is credited as one of the great men in the world in encyclopedias of many countries, including the U.S..

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National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) has announced it will dismiss a captain who has tested positive for drugs.

Captain P.H.D., 36, has been suspended from work and will be sacked as his medical test results showed he was positive for drugs, Dang Anh Tuan, deputy general director and spokesperson of VNA, said on Wednesday.

The carrier has reported the case to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), stating that D.s blood and urine samples were found containing synthetic drugs, as shown in a testing report from Medlatec General Hospital in Hanoi, Tuan said.

He added that VNA has been carrying out procedures to handle P.s violation, for which he will receive the highest disciplinary action.

Any violators must be strictly punished, the spokesman stated.

On April 25, after P. refused a pre-flight drug test at the airlines medical station, the captain was taken to the aforementioned hospital for testing, which showed he was positive for ketamine, a type of synthetic drugs.

D. then reported that he had used two pain relievers  Ultracet and Efferalgan Codeine  without a doctor's prescription before the test.

On July 7, the CAAVs Aviation Medical Center issued a report affirming that the banned substance found in D.s samples had no connection with his use of the relievers.

The active ingredients in these two medications are not the same as those in ketamine and they cannot form ketamine through the metabolism process in the body, the center stated.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday, a leader from the CAAV asserted that any pilot found using drugs will have their pilot license revoked permanently.

D. used to be a famous child actor who appeared in many Vietnamese TV series.

After reaching adulthood, he gave up his acting profession and pursued a new career as a pilot.

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On Sunday Nine will screen a special Charlie Teo Investigation, however much of the vision is understood to have previously been broadcast.

A major investigation into Charlie Teo, Australias most celebrated brain surgeon, who has been found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct.

This will screen at 9pm Sunday following on episode of The Murder of Lyn Dawson at 8pm.

It will also air against rival 7News Spotlights interview with Teo at 8:50pm.

Revelations about the famed neurosurgeon and former SBS presenter were first exposed by SMH reporter Kate McClymont. He denied the allegations but this week was found guilty of misconduct by a Professional Standards Committee over two surgeries that had disastrous outcomes.

He is considering an appeal.
The fourth season of A Black Lady Sketch Show was its last.

S4 returned in April with Robin Thede, Gabrielle Dennis and Skye Townsend with new ensemble DaMya Gurley, Tamara Jade, Angel Laketa Moore.

For four exceptional seasons of A Black Lady Sketch Show weve been thrilled to partner with her on this groundbreaking, hilarious series, representatives for HBO told Variety. Robin, alongside Hoorae, Jax Media, and the incredible cast and crew, leave an indelible legacy not only in sketch, but in television comedy, and we look forward to continued creative collaboration under her deal with us.

Thank you to all the immensely talented cast members, guest stars, writers, directors, editors and crew members who have made A Black Lady Sketch Show an Emmy-winning success, Thede said in a statement.I especially want to recognize the Black women and other women of color who excelled in every department at ABLSS. I am also eternally grateful for the support of Issa Rae and Jax Media, Amy Gravitt, Casey Bloys and the entire team at HBO, Max and Warner Bros. Discovery.

A Black Lady Sketch Show screened in Australia on FOX8 / Binge.

Source: Variety
Actor Vince Colosimo has had $58,000 of fines discharged by the Melbourne Magistrates Court after the court heard he was financially destitute and mentally unwell.

The Underbelly, Wogboys and Celebrity Apprentice star had accrued 169 unpaid infringements composed mostly of toll fines, driving offences, speeding and more than $30,000 in additional charges, the court heard.

The Age reports Victoria Legal Aid chief counsel Julia Munster told the court that Colosimo had been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and depressive disorders, which he had been suffering for a decade, and was financially destitute with no assets other than a $5000 car and a bike.

The court accepted that Colosimo, who appeared via video link, has a mental impairment disorder sufficient to impede his ability to comply with their payment.

But Colosimo will still have to pay $3858.60 through 101 hours of community work over a period of 12 months.

He had been volunteering at bullying prevention charity Bully Zero Australia Foundation, where he had been helping out for six hours per week for the last six weeks. He has also been seeing a psychologist.

None of the evidence put forward by Colosimos defence was challenged by lawyers from the Sheriffs Office.

Colosimo was facing possible jail time over the unpaid fines, however the magistrate found this would be burdensome and deleterious to his efforts to improve himself.

Under Victorias Fines Reform Act, a magistrate may throw out unpaid fines for a number of reasons, including if they are satisfied the person has a mental or intellectual impairment or falls into special circumstances.

Additional source: news.com.au, ABC
ABC ME tween comedy-horror series Crazy Fun Park has been sold to the BBC, set to stream on iPlayer in the UK autumn.

Crazy Fun Park is the story of Chester, a teenage boy whose life is turned upside down following the death of his best friend Mapplethorpe at an abandoned theme park.

The Werner Production series by writer / director Nicholas Verso, scored a nomination for Most Outstanding Childrens Program at the upcoming Logie Awards.

The series is set to premiere in a number of different territories over the coming months after being acquired by broadcasters in Spain, Finland, Norway, Lithuania, Belgium, Slovenia, Taiwan and New Zealand, with other sales currently being finalised.

ACTF Head of Content Bernadette OMahony said: Crazy Fun Park is full of fun, humour and horror, interwoven with a relatable and moving story about friendship and grief. Full of quirky characters and set in an extraordinary world full of ghosts and ghouls, Crazy Fun Park is a life affirming, visually stunning, rollicking ride, and we cant wait for UK audiences to experience it.

The series has major production investment from Screen Australia and the Australian Childrens Television Foundation in association with the ABC and VicScreen.
Veteran UK news presenter Huw Edwards has been hospitalised following a week of headlines and allegations surrounding his personal life.

Detectives from the Met police ended their assessment into the original allegations and determined there was no evidence of a criminal offence. South Wales Police also said no further action would be taken.

Edwardss wife, Vicky Flind, issued a statement on his behalf on Wednesday, disclosing her husband was suffering from serious mental health issues and receiving inpatient hospital care, where he will stay for the foreseeable future as she asked for privacy for her family.

Here are elements as stated by BBC:

For twenty years, Huw Edwards anchored the BBCs flagship News at Ten programme  watched by millions each weeknight for the latest on the days news.

But now he has been identified as the presenter at the centre of allegations about his conduct, following five days of speculation and mounting claims published across Britains media, including by colleagues at BBC News.

As the BBCs most senior news anchor, Edwards has been a fixture of some of the UKs most historic national moments.

The 61-year-old was the person who informed millions of television viewers across the world that Queen Elizabeth II had died.

On Friday, the Sun newspaper published a story that said an unidentified presenter for the BBC was accused of paying thousands of pounds to a young person, now 20, over a number of years, for explicit photographs.

In an interview, the mother of the young person expressed her concern at the payments and her worry they were funding her childs crack cocaine habit.

Over subsequent days, a drip-feed of further allegations were published by the Sun, and then by BBC News, which reports independently on the BBC as if it were any other organisation.

On Sunday, the BBC admitted it received a complaint linked to the Suns initial allegations seven weeks before they were pursued by the newspaper and that it had suspended a male member of staff.

The next day, a lawyer for the young person involved said the Suns story was rubbish and denied anything criminal took place.

It was not long before further, and different, allegations involving the presenter were made in reports by the Sun and by BBC News.

These included claims of menacing messages to a person in their 20s, a visit to another person during a coronavirus lockdown, and inappropriate messages to a BBC staff member.

A series of developments came within a ten-minute period on Wednesday as the Metropolitan Police said it had found no evidence of criminality in its review of evidence, and the BBC said its internal corporate investigation would continue as a result.

Then Huw Edwards identity as the BBC presenter was confirmed in a statement issued on his behalf by his wife.

Huw Edwards will respond to stories published about him when he is able to do so, his wife has said.

The BBC has said its corporate investigation will continue now that the police have ruled out criminality.

But questions remain for the BBC in what it knew of the allegations, and when, and over its response to them.

The Sun newspaper has said it will co-operate with the BBC, and that it has no plans to publish further allegations about Edwards.

This remains a very complex set of circumstances, BBC boss Mr Davie has said.

Additional source: Guardian
Biden 'guarantees' US backs NATO in Finland, but Trump shadow lingers U.S. President Joe Biden meets Nordic leaders in Helsinki

By Steve Holland and Essi Lehto

HELSINKI (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Thursday gave his assurance that the United States would stay committed to NATO despite "extreme elements" of the Republican Party, in remarks during a visit to Finland to welcome it as the alliance's latest member.

"I absolutely guarantee it," Biden told a press conference when pressed by a Finnish reporter about the U.S. commitment to NATO given political instability in the United States. Biden's predecessor, Republican former President Donald Trump, threatened to take the United States out of the alliance.

"No one can guarantee the future, but this is the best bet anyone could make," Biden said. Biden, a Democrat, is running for re-election in 2024 and Trump is the front-runner for Republicans.

Concern lingers in Europe about the reliability of U.S. pledges and global alliances, years after Trump's norm-busting presidency ended. Trump clashed with NATO leaders over funding the alliance and threatened to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Germany.

Biden said there was overwhelming support for NATO from the American people, from Congress and from both Democrats and Republicans, "notwithstanding the fact there's some extreme elements of one party," referring to Republicans.

"I'm saying as sure as anything could possibly be said about American foreign policy, we will stay connected to NATO," Biden continued, showing a flash of irritation.

Biden's visit comes almost exactly five years after Trump struck a conciliatory tone with Russian President Vladimir Putin at talks in Helsinki.

Biden was in the city to participate in a summit with the leaders of Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Norway. He came directly from this week's NATO summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he said Russia's invasion of Ukraine had only made the alliance stronger.

Biden said NATO had officially elevated its relationship with Ukraine and created a pathway for its membership "as it continues to make progress on the necessary democratic and security reforms required of every NATO member."

Ukraine could not join the alliance in the middle of a war, he said.

"It's not about whether they should or shouldn't join, it's about when they can join. And they will join NATO," he said of Ukraine.

Biden said Putin had "already lost the war," as there was no possibility of Russia winning.

"NEW ERA"

Finland's decision to join NATO broke with seven decades of military non-alignment and roughly doubled the length of the border NATO shares with Russia.

The country repelled an attempted Soviet invasion during World War Two but lost territory. It maintained accommodating relations with Russia until President Vladimir Putin's Ukraine invasion in February 2022.

Ahead of his bilateral meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Biden hailed Finland as an "incredible asset" to the NATO military alliance.

Niinisto said Finland's NATO membership heralded "a new era in our security", and applauded Biden for creating unity at the Vilnius summit, which focused on supporting Ukraine.

"You will be one of those who wrote it to history," he said to Biden about Finland joining the alliance.

Niinisto also said Finland was open to hosting a NATO base on its territory.

"We are discussing the defence cooperation agreement and it has a lot of elements. They are still open. But we are open to negotiations and I know that our counterparties are also very open."

Biden and the Nordic leaders said in a statement following the talks that they would continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary.

Biden also welcomed Sweden's prospective entry to NATO. Sweden had applied to join NATO alongside Finland, but its bid was held up by Turkey, which says Sweden is doing too little against people Ankara sees as terrorists. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan dropped objections to its application this week.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson thanked Biden for his support in the country's push to join NATO.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Essi Lehto; Writing by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland; Editing by Heather Timmons, Rosalba O'Brien and Alistair Bell)
The UK is one of the countries that will have to adapt the most radically to cool down buildings as climate change drives up the global average temperature, according to a new study.

Like other countries in Northern Europe, such as Ireland, Switzerland and those in Scandinavia, homes were built to retain heat during cold winters.

But rising temperatures because of climate change means more unwanted heat during the summer, which can be fatal for older and more vulnerable people.

A new study, published in Nature Sustainability, has measured the increase in the number of cooling degree days (CDDs) for countries around the world if and when the Earths average temperature increases from 1.5C to 2C above pre-industrial levels.

CDDs refer to how frequently and how far above a baseline of 18C (averaged over day and night) the temperature rises in a particular area, though this does not account for heatwaves or the effect of urban heat islands, where cities are hotter than their surroundings.

They are essentially a measure of how many times a country will need to implement cooling measures  in whatever form that takes  in order to return the indoor environment to a comfortable level.

In the UK, the current mean average of CDDs is 36 and this is expected to rise to 69 if the global average temperature reaches 1.5C.

If the global temperature rises still further to 2C, the number of average CDDs will be 89  a rise of just under 30% from 1.5C, the study found.

Only Ireland and Switzerland showed a higher relative increase.

The researchers, from the University of Oxford, found that countries bordering the southern limit of the Sahara desert would see the greatest absolute number of CDDs, with the Central African Republic seeing an increase of more than 266 between a 1.5C and 2C global temperature rise.

These countries will be more exposed to heat than any other which could stunt their socioeconomic growth, placing an unfair burden on people living there because they have contributed the least to global warming via greenhouse gas emissions, Dr Radhika Khosla said.

Graph showing the absolute (top) and relative (bottom) changes in the number of CDDs around the world (Nature Sustainability/PA)

She also said that no country is shielded from these impacts and that northern countries will also have to radically adapt.

Dr Nicole Miranda, lead author of the study, said: In the northern hemisphere in Europe, the buildings are made to keep heat in.

And so we are at risk in the summertime, when heatwaves come or when higher temperatures in general come that we overheat our buildings.

Even a small increase in the temperatures are actually showing a high relative change which can be very impactful and make these countries more vulnerable to needing more cooling.

And of course, these increases in relative change are going to mean that we need deployment of cooling adaptation measures at a fast speed and at a large scale.

Personal fans are favoured in place of air conditioning because of their lower energy cost and wastage (Clive Gee/PA)

The scientists warned of a vicious cycle developing whereby people burn more fossil fuels to provide energy for cooling which then heats the climate still further, requiring more energy.

It is predicted that the amount of energy needed just for cooling by 2050 will be equivalent to the combined 2016 electricity use of Japan, the United States and the European Union.

Dr Miranda warned against not preparing for the rising heat and then later taking the easier option of installing air conditioning, which would be inefficient and only exacerbate the problem.

Some of the solutions proposed for retrofitting buildings were to introduce ventilation measures that could also be closed off to keep in heat during winter and extendable shading covers such as awnings or more trees next to buildings to reflect the suns rays.

The researchers also suggested having personal fans that cool only the space occupied by people and not entire rooms that are empty, or for buildings where air condition is necessary, installing a heat pump that can cool in summer and warm in winter.

Philip Dunne MP, chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, said: The alarming findings of this important research from the University of Oxford should give us all pause for thought.

It is deeply concerning that the UK is among the three countries that will see the largest increase in temperature, particularly as we know that the UK is not yet adequately prepared for the consequences.

Hotter summers are our new normal: we must learn to adapt to them and to mitigate the harms that extreme hot weather will bring.
After unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) proved pivotal in the Ukraine conflict following Russia's invasion 16 months ago, researchers are now looking to ground drones as the future of military technology.

Yevhen Hnatok, a 22-year-old engineer in the field, claims to have given the Ukrainian military dozens of remote-controlled ground vehicles.

A recent demonstration was a little green vehicle with massive wheels and a landmine affixed to its back, which managed to go practically unnoticed over tall grass.

Replacing Frontline Soldier With Robots

Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) that transport guns and explosives or perform reconnaissance have been deployed into the battlefield by small-scale engineers like Hnatok in an effort to affect the result of the conflict.

According to Reuters, Ukraine hopes to retaliate against Russia's investment in UGVs, which includes military robots, by fostering innovation among small businesses, as it has done with aerial drones.

Hnatok is working on a bigger vehicle that can carry a 20mm cannon, while his smaller vehicles can carry an anti-tank mine or a remotely controlled machine gun up to 10 km (6 miles) distance from their operator. Some other machines may provide ammunition to the gun crews.

The young engineer said the primary objective was to reduce casualties by replacing as many humans as possible on the front lines with robots.

Russian soldiers' use of extensive networks of anti-infantry and anti-tank mines has been one of the key obstacles to Ukraine's projected summer counteroffensive. Of course, it is better to lose an inexpensive UGV to a landmine than a soldier.

UGVs have a number of benefits, one of which is their inexpensive cost. Hnatok's smaller machines may be put together for less than 30,000 hryvnias ($812).

Samuel Bendett, a senior scholar at the Center for a New American Security, claims that the effects of combat UGVs on both sides have been negligible thus far.

However, he warned that the UGV industry was one to keep an eye on because of the presence of educated and technologically savvy volunteers who are racing to develop new vehicles to give their army an edge.

Also Read: Ukrainian Buratino: Captured TOS-1A Thermobaric Launcher Aimed Against Russia

The Engineer

A diverse group of young IT specialists and senior Soviet-educated aeronautical and tank experts make up Ukraine's grassroots defense innovation community. But, Hnatok is not part of any of these groups.

Although he only went to school for nine years, the engineer claims that his stepfather was mostly responsible for teaching him how to construct remote-controlled vehicles.

After fighting near Kyiv and in eastern Ukraine in the early months of the invasion, Hnatok spotted a post online showcasing a Russian vehicle and decided to start building UGVs in February.

Hnatok claims he makes no profit off of supplying vehicles to the military but instead asks them to just covers his expenses of manufacturing the devices.

Also Read: Ukraine's Zelensky Mocks Donald Trump's Claim to End Russia War in 1 Day

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The Hawaii native says wearing the traditional garment is a "natural thing" for him: "I look at it in a totally different way than the world looks at it"

Fiona Goodall/Getty Jason Momoa at a New Zealand screening

For Jason Momoa, nothing tops the feeling of wearing a malo, the traditional Hawaiian loincloth that leaves little to the imagination.

I feel very beautiful in them, and it's just something that just feels natural, he says in the new issue of PEOPLE.

Momoa  who is hosting Discovery Channels Shark Week in July  has spent the past several months in New Zealand wearing a malo while filming the upcoming Apple TV+ series Chief of War, set in 18th-century Hawaii.

The actor, himself a Hawaii native, says making the series  which he co-created and stars in  helped him reconnect with his culture.

Related: Shark Week Host Jason Momoa Was 'Begging' to Be Included in Annual Event: 'My Original Passion' (Exclusive)

It goes to many different things, not just wearing a malo, but it's such an honor to wear a malo, he says. So I look at it in a totally different way that maybe the world looks at it.

It gets a lot of attention, he continues, but it's something that is just for me, personal.

Momoa has posted to social media several photos and videos of himself wearing the malo, and he says its about to get even more mainstream, thanks to Chief of War.

You better get used to it, he warns playfully, because it's going to be on billboards, and it's going to be all over. If you think I posted something that was racy  the whole show, everyone's like that.

Its just a natural, everyday thing, he adds.

Its something he loves to wear even when hes not filming Chief of War, which, according to a press release from Apple TV+, follows the epic and unprecedented telling of the unification and colonization of Hawaii from an indigenous point of view.

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Last November, Momoa modeled one on Jimmy Kimmel Live after the host brought up the subject and showed an image of Momoa wearing the garment.

"That's a traditional malo, it's what the Hawaiians wear," Momoa told Kimmel, explaining that he had taken to wearing the clothing while preparing to film Chief of War.

When Kimmel inquired whether Momoa was wearing the malo under his clothes during their interview, the actor simply rose from his seat and began removing his apparel until he was clad only in the traditional thong-like clothing, baring his behind for the talk show host and his audience.

I actually don't even like wearing clothes anymore," Momoa told Kimmel. "I'm in it every day. I wear it all the time.

Related: Jason Momoa Gets Cheeky and Bares His Butt During Fishing Trip with Friends

A week later, Momoa shared photos and videos of him on Instagram wearing the malo during an outing in Hawaii, posing with martial artist Gordon King Ryan.

Momoa, a passionate advocate for ocean conservation who has crusaded against single-use plastic bottles use, has also also worn the malo while promoting his water brand, Mananalu, which comes in more environmentally-friendly aluminum containers.

Shark Week premieres July 23 on the Discovery Channel. Shark Week programming will also be available to stream on Max.

For more on Jason Momoa, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE.

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Nine months after announcing its seed round, mattilda, a Mexico Citybased company providing collections management and payment processing for private schools, is back with a $19 million Series A investment.

In the follow-on round, GSV Ventures is leading the new capital infusion this time and is joined by FinTech Collective, which led the seed, and Dila Capital. The company has now raised a total of $39 million.

Founders Jose Agote, Jesus Lanza, Juan Pablo Bravo, Adrian Garza and Ileana Gomez started mattilda in 2022 after previously working together at Lottus Education. They designed the company to be an end-to-end collections management platform for schools and to provide a variety of payment options, from WhatsApp links to bank transfers to cash, for parents who often pay monthly.

In addition, mattilda helps schools better predict their monthly cash flow and has a loan program where schools can apply for credits equivalent to three to 12 months of revenue so that schools can grow faster.

Last October, CEO Agote told me that mattilda was approaching 14,000 students that it was collecting payments for. Today, that has grown to 35,000 students. During that same period of time, the company added 10 new employees to bring headcount to 60.

Also, the company formed an exclusive commercial alliance with Santillana, which Agote described as the regions largest academic content platform servicing over 2 million students in Spanish-speaking Latin America.

It serves two purposes: It is a huge pipeline that we get access to, in an exclusive way, Agote said. It's also a huge rubber stamp for the industry. We have been able to grow and prove that we have a robust service and platform.

Agote declined to go into specifics about revenue growth, but said revenue was growing proportionately, more than doubling the number of students mattilda is collecting for.

Meanwhile, Agote says there are 5 million students, just in Mexico, so there's still a long way to go.

The new capital will help it do that, and his plans include expanding in that primary market as well as across Latin America. He has a list of countries where the company would fit best  teasing out Colombia as a possible first venue. Also, mattilda is working on some new services and products that will be announced later this year.

Were very bullish about the international expansion, Agote said. And, the capital allows us to slow down growth and be very selective with which schools we onboard.
The Son My LNG terminal project will be located in Binh Thuan Province, in the South-Central region of Vietnam. The terminal will have an installed capacity of 450 TBtu and is expected to begin commercial operations in 2027.

Joseph Uddo, President of AES Vietnam, said, the Investment Approval for Son My LNG Terminal is a significant milestone that enables us to move forward with the development of this critical infrastructure project. With more than 12 years of operation in Vietnam, AES is committed to accelerating the future of energy through important projects like this. We are pleased to receive approval from the Binh Thuan Peoples Committee and excited to partner with PV Gas on this strategic project that will contribute to Vietnams energy transition and economic growth.

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper said, the Son My project will bring energy security to Vietnam in the transition to cleaner sources of energy. I am happy to see a world-class US company like AES as a partner of choice for PV Gas and the Government of Vietnam.

The Son My LNG terminal project, together with AESs 2.2 GW Son My 2 combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT), represent a multibillion-dollar investment. Son My 2 CCGT, which received Investment Approval earlier this year, will bring safe and reliable energy to power the growth of Vietnam while supporting the transition to cleaner and greener technologies.

About AES in Vietnam

AES is a values driven company. We seek to make a positive impact in our communities by providing reliable and affordable power while working to achieve our aggressive decarbonization goals.

In November 2017, AES signed an MOU with PV Gas in the presence of the Presidents of both countries to develop the Son My LNG Terminal Project. In November 2019, AES also signed an MOU with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to develop a 2.2GW combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant under the BOT scheme, which will be located in Binh Thuan Province. In October 2020, AES Vietnam and PV GAS signed a Term Sheet of the Joint Venture Agreement for the Son My LNG terminal. Together, the CCGT and terminal are expected to play a major role in shaping Vietnams energy future by diversifying the energy mix with imported LNG and meeting the countrys increasing demand for sustainable and affordable electricity. For more information, visit: www.aes-vietnam.com

About AES

The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES) is a Fortune 500 global energy company accelerating the future of energy. Together with our many stakeholders, were improving lives by delivering the greener, smarter energy solutions the world needs. Our diverse workforce is committed to continuous innovation and operational excellence while partnering with our customers on their strategic energy transitions and continuing to meet their energy needs today. For more information, visit www.aes.com
HA NOI  The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) held a press conference to announce and launch the "Make in Viet Nam Digital Technology Product" Awards 2023 in Ha Noi on Wednesday.

This is a prestigious award in the field of information technology and communication (ICT), which is reviewed and awarded annually by MIC to Vietnamese organisations and enterprises with excellent digital technology products, which are researched, designed, created and manufactured in Viet Nam to solve Vietnamese problems and go international.

This is also one of the important activities to concretise the Prime Minister's Directive 01 dated January 14, 2020 on promoting the development of Vietnamese digital technology enterprises.

Speaking at the press conference, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications and Standing Vice Chairman of the Award Organising Committee Nguyen Huy Dung emphasised that this was a national product award with a large scale, in which organisations, businesses and individuals could all participate.

The award brought together excellent products and solutions that had won prizes from domestic ICT associations, said Dung.

The ministry has determined a number of major perspectives and orientations for this year, such as 2023 being the year of national digital data, the year of creating practical results that are widely and universally used, and the year that Viet Nam's digital technology industry and digital technology products go abroad and conquer the world.

Digital transformation is the revolution of the whole people. Only when the entire population uses digital platforms and digital applications to serve their daily work, then digital transformation can be considered successful," emphasised the Deputy Minister.

The Deputy Minister also said that over the years, Vietnamese digital technology enterprises had developed many digital platforms and digital service applications.

In order to bring products to users, this year's awards will honour excellent digital technology products, bring the pride of Vietnamese wisdom, which have a great impact and influence in bringing the activities of the government, people and businesses to the digital environment.

Especially, this year is the year that MIC accompanies digital technology enterprises to go abroad.

Therefore, this year's award adds a category to honour businesses with excellent digital products, services and solutions that have been successful in foreign markets, and at the same time, encouraging Vietnamese digital technology enterprises to aspire to go to the world.

The ministry will award Gold, Silver, Bronze and Top 10 awards for the best digital technology products.

It is committed to accompanying digital technology businesses, especially award-winning ones, to bring these digital products to a wider market and go further.

Make in Viet Nam products had really come to life, bringing practical meaning in the digital transformation and being applied to the digital economy and digital society in our country, said Hoang Quang Phong, VCCI vice chairman.

During the contact process, international friends highly appreciated Make in Viet Nam products. Over 30 per cent of Make in Viet Nam products recognised since 2020 had really come into life with a high spread, he said.

This is the fourth year the awards have been held. They aim to honour excellent digital technology products that have a great impact in bringing people and businesses' activities to the digital environment, contributing to promoting the digital government, digital economy and digital society in Viet Nam.

At the same time, it honours Vietnamese digital technology products, services and solutions that conquer the world, contribute to the development of mankind and prosper Viet Nam.

According to the plan, the time to receive registrations and applications for the award will last from July 12 to the end of October 12 this year.

During the period from July 12 to August 11, businesses can make preliminary registration and receive guidance from the Award Standing Body to prepare documents in accordance with regulations.

Enterprises will submit their documents online through the portal at giathuong.makeinvietnam.mic.gov.vn.  VNS
A brawl erupted in the Kosovo parliament in Pristina Thursday (July 13) after an opposition member of parliament (MP) threw water on Prime Minister Albin Kurti while he was speaking about government measures to defuse tensions with ethnic Serbs in the country's north.

Democratic Party of Kosovo MP Mergim Lushtaku approached Kurti while he was speaking and threw water at him, triggering the brawl. Earlier in the session, deputy prime minister Besnik Bislimi tore a drawing mocking Kurti that the opposition had given the prime minister.

According to local media, Kurti was escorted out of the assembly hall during the altercation, the Associated Press reported.

The disruption in the Kosovo parliament was not the first time, as tear gas was set off in the chamber twice in 2018.

Read Also: Readout of Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer's Call with Kosovan Prime Minister Albin Kurti

Why Was Kurti Attacked?

Kosovo opposition parties have criticized his policies in the north and have strained relations with key Western allies such as the United States and the European Union.

Tensions rose after the US and the EU pressured Kurti to help calm the situation in Kosovo's north after violence broke out in May when police-backed ethnic Albanian mayors took office following an election that the ethnic Serb majority and the area widely boycotted.

Dozens of people were injured in the clashes between local Serbs and Kosovo police, fuelling fears of a conflict similar to the one back in 1998 and 1999 which killed more than 10,000 people. NATO-led peacekeepers were also hurt during the riots.

Kurti said he was applying law and order in northern Kosovo with the deployment of police and new ethnic Albanian mayors.

This also prompted Serbia to put its troops on high alert in the event the conflict escalated.

On Wednesday (July 12), Kurti announced he would reduce police presence stationed outside four municipal buildings in ethnic Serb-majority areas in northern Kosovo in order for the towns to hold new mayoral elections. This decision angered the opposition, who argued that Kurti experimented for months and jeopardized Kosovo's international position only to back down later.

Kosovo: A Big Balkan Question

Kosovo is a former province of Serbia whose 2008 declaration of independence Belgrade does not recognize. Most ethnic Serbs in Kosovo have also refused to acknowledge the country's statehood, which is backed by the US and most EU nations but not Russia and China.

Serbia previously threatened military intervention in response to tensions in its south. The country pulled out of Kosovo in 1999 after NATO bombed the country to stop the onslaught against ethnic Albanian separatists.

The EU and other Western officials have intervened in settling the dispute between Kosovo and Serbia. NATO also continues to provide peacekeepers in the area to boost security.

Related Article: International Efforts to Defuse Crisis in Kosovo Intensify Amidst Ethnic Serb Protests

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
BANGKOK  Luc Ngan lychees from the northern province of Bac Giang were officially put up for sale at Tops Food Hall supermarket at CentralWorld Trade Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday.

Early this week, a batch of three tonnes of Luc Ngan lychees were exported by Central to Thailand. The lychee has a traceability stamp, GlobalGAP certification, geographical indication and other labels ensuring quality and authenticity.

They are now sold at 259 baht per box, or VN173,000 (US$7.50) per kg.

Olivier Langlet, Group CEO of Central Retail Vietnam, shared: Vietnamese lychees are recognised as the best on the market, and we are proud to introduce Vietnamese lychee products to the world. By doing so, we hope to increase the promotion of lychees in Thailand and gradually establish a reliable market for lychee consumption in this country.

On May 16, Central Retail Vietnam and the Bac Giang Provincial Peoples Committee signed a cooperation agreement on lychee consumption this year, towards consuming about 300 tonnes.

Luc Ngan lychees were exported to Thailand for the first time on June 30, 2017. The fruit has since become popular in the country.

Lychees are grown in many localities in Viet Nam, mostly in the North, with Bac Giang known as the country's lychee growing hub.

The province harvested 199,500 tonnes of lychee in 2022 and earned nearly VN6.8 trillion ($287 million) from sales and support services, according to the provincial Peoples Committee.

Bac Giang lychee has affirmed its brand and value in many countries and territories around the world with 75,900 tonnes shipped abroad, making up 38 per cent of the accumulative sales.  VNS
HA NOI  The markets benchmark VN-Index extended its rally on Thursday to the highest point since September of last year, buoyed by demand for riskier assets from both domestic and foreign investors.

On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the VN-Index increased 11.22 points, or 0.97 per cent, to 1,165.42 points. This marked its fifth winning streak.

Demand forces spread through all industries on the market, with 248 stocks on the southern bourse climbing while 67 finished lower.

Liquidity was almost unchanged from Wednesday's trading. Investors injected more than VN16.6 trillion (US$704.7 million) into HoSE, equivalent to a trading volume of more than 806.7 million shares.

The VN30-Index, which tracks the 30 biggest stocks on the southern bourse, also rose nearly 9.6 points, or 0.83 per cent, to 1,156.11 points.

Twenty-seven stocks in the VN30 basket soared, while two went down and one stayed flat.

PV Gas (GAS) was the markets leader today, with a gain of 2.9 per cent to VN99,300 a share.

The positive performance is likely thanks to news that the Son My LNG terminal warehouse project, a collaboration work between PV Gas and AES Corporation, was just approved in Binh Thuan Province.

With a total investment of $1.3 billion, the project is the largest LNG terminal warehouse project in Viet Nam at present.

Other big contributors to the markets rally were Vinhomes (VHM), Vietcombank (VCB), Masan Group (MSN), and VPBank (VPB). All the stocks rose in a range of 0.87-2.89 per cent.

Other popular stocks posting impressive gains were Development Investment Construction JSC (DIG) jumped nearly 5 per cent, GELEX Group (GEX) climbed by 4.66 per cent, Novaland (NVL) up 2.4 per cent, VNDirect Securities Corporation (VND) increased by nearly 2 per cent, and SSI Securities Corporation (SSI) up 1.61 per cent.

Analysts at Saigon-Hanoi Securities JSC (SHS) said that the market still has bullish momentum in the short-term, but is likely to face many fluctuations in the current volatile climate.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX), the HNX-Index rebounded from Wednesdays losses. It increased 1.09 points, or 0.48 per cent, to finish Thursday at 229.97 points.

During the session, more than 103.5 million shares were traded on HNX, worth over VN1.73 trillion.

Foreign investors also returned to the market as they net bought VN216.77 billion on HoSE, but net sold VN12.74 billion on HNX.  VNS
HCM CITY  Vietjet on Thursday launched the first direct flight connecting a Lat to Busan, serving passengers to fly easily between the Vietnamese city famous for romantic getaways and the largest coastal city in South Korea.

The newest route will be operated with seven return flights each week, Vietjet said.

It added that from now until December 31, 2023, passengers can hunt for discounted tickets to fly between a Lat and Busan together with other Vietjet international routes every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The tickets, going for zero ong (excluding taxes and fees), can be found at www.vietjetair.com and the Vietjet Air mobile app, with flexible flight schedules from August 10, 2023 to March 31, 2024.

Passengers also can accumulate bonus SkyPoints on each flight to redeem vouchers for Vietjet and services from 250 favourite brands of dining, resort, and shopping in Viet Nam via SkyJoy mobile app or https://skyjoy.vietjetair.com/.

With many routes from Viet Nam to South Korea, passengers can easily choose to fly with Vietjet from Ha Noi, HCM City, Nha Trang, a Nang, Phu Quoc, and a Lat to Seoul, Busan, and Deagu and vice versa. VNS
William Gray

Sometimes you fly thousands of miles to grow and rediscover who you were at the beginning of the journey. Jean Asienzo is a Ugandan content artist and vlogger living in Ha Noi with a growing educational- and comedy-focused channel.

Jean embarked on a global career teaching English in 2012. Its a journey thats taken her from Africa to Myanmar and on to Viet Nam.

Shes seen herself grow and develop, much like the countries shes lived in. In the process, shes gradually become a prominent influencer online, gathering more than 50,000 followers on her Facebook channel Jeans World.

I started my channel in 2016, she says. It began as a hobby. I would post something every now and then.

I wanted to help girls in my hometown of Moyo District in Uganda, she adds. Where Im from, girls have a problem with low self-esteem. They bleach their skin to make it lighter. I wanted to show them that they can be beautiful as they are.

I started by taking photos. I really like fashion, so I would wear different outfits and post photos of them on my page.

Photos would get lots of likes and comments, but people didnt share them much, so the page didnt really grow. I started doing some videos and that started getting more attention.

One video went viral, getting 9.2 million views, then another went really viral, and got about 40 million.

People like it when I do non-serious videos, they get the most shares, she says.

Indeed, Jeans videos can be quite a laugh. In one of she brings a bucket and sponge out to a road and begins cleaning it, playing on a joke about relationships. The occasional passerby gives a curious look.

You have to be willing to do silly things in public, she says.

Nowadays Jean is based in Vinhomes Ocean Park on the outskirts of Ha Noi. Shes still working full-time but manages to put out a video or two a week.

When asked about things she finds difficult as an African woman living in Viet Nam, she answers:

The traffic stresses me out a bit, thats one of the reasons I moved to Ocean Park. In Uganda its more dangerous to drive - there are lots of accidents - but its not as noisy.

Sometimes its challenging because Im different, she says. But I think Vietnamese people are very accepting. They always say things like your skin is beautiful.

Jean is one of many expats from the African continent who have moved to Viet Nam in recent years, as the country continues to open up to the rest of the world.

I found there were more Africans in Myanmar when I lived there, even with less in Viet Nam, the country is still very accepting, she says.

I think that a lot of Africans are moving to Viet Nam because of the opportunities here, especially for teaching. Before you could only get accepted if you were from a native-speaking country and South Africa was the only place in Africa they would accept teachers from. Its now opened up more and they accept people with certain IETLTS scores, so more people decide to come.

Jean recently started adding Vietnamese captions to her videos to relate more to the local audience.

People are always asking me on live streams if I can speak Vietnamese, which I cant, I think they assume because of the captions that I do.

It has certainly become more common for expats in Viet Nam to set up YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and other channels to document their lives here and connect with a global audience.

Theres something inherently interesting about two cultures coming together, and how each deals with the other.

Jean represents one of many expat-vloggers in Viet Nam today putting their creativity to work and showcasing life here to people back home.

Check her out via her Facebook page Jeans World, and on her YouTube and TikTok pages Life of Jeannie. VNS
To Nhu

HA NOI  Traditional craft villages and rural industries not only create jobs and bring economic value to rural workers, but also are a convergence and crystallisation of historical and cultural values of that land and local people.

For craft villages and rural industries to develop, raw materials play an extremely important role.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Department of Economic Co-operation and Rural Development, currently, rural industry has a turnover of VN202 trillion (US$8.5 billion), down VN11.6 trillion compared to 2020.

The total number of production and business establishments is 808,201, a decrease of 4,705 establishments compared to 2020, while per capita income is VN5 million per year and exports of products and raw materials reach about $3.3 billion.

The country has about 2008 recognised craft and traditional villages, an increase of 80 from 2020 with total turnover of VN75.7 trillion, an increase of VN17.3 trillion compared to 2020.

The number of production and business establishments in craft and traditional villages is 270,760, an increase of 59,705 establishments compared to 2020, creating jobs for about 1.58 million workers with per capita income of VN5-6 million per year.

Currently, the products of craft villages and rural industries are made from many different sources of raw materials from farming, planting and natural exploitation to industrial raw materials.

The use of many types of raw materials in one product has formed an increasingly close association between the raw material suppliers and the production facilities of craft villages.

However, the raw material areas have narrowed due to competition with other crops and are under pressure from the process of urbanisation and industrialisation.

Le uc Thinh, director of the Department of Economic Co-operation and Rural Development, said that for raw materials of bamboo serving the bamboo knitting villages, the average output is currently 500 to 600 million trees per year, while consumption demand is from 900 to 1,000 million trees per year.

Therefore, many businesses and craft villages have to import raw materials from China, Laos and Cambodia, Thinh said.

For rattan raw materials, annual demand is about 80,000 tonnes with an output of about 3.5 tonnes per hectare, so an area of 23,000ha is needed.

Rattan is mainly exploited from nature and has become very scarce due to over-exploitation and lack of management.

The lack of concentrated and large-scale planting areas leads to a lack of stability in the supply of raw material.

Countries with a lot of rattan material in the world, such as Indonesia and Laos, have banned the export of rattan raw material, so Vietnamese enterprises have a serious shortage of raw material, he said.

Currently, there are 173 recognised embroidery and weaving villages nationwide.

Materials for embroidery and weaving include silk, cotton, flax, lotus silk, and banana fiber.

It is difficult to expand raw material growing areas due to competition with other crops of higher economic value, which is a challenge for embroidery and weaving villages.

Processing technology has not yet reached high-grade silk, while many other materials have to be imported in large quantities, such as cotton (98 per cent) and embroidered fabrics.

The country has 37 ceramic villages. Raw materials for production are mainly kaolin and clay.

Total demand for ceramic materials is more than 1.9 million tonnes per year. Ha Noi alone has demand of about 600,000 tonnes per year.

Currently, producers have to import a large quantity of high-quality raw materials from mainland China and Taiwan at very high prices.

According to Thinh, although there is a good clay factory, there is no good kaolin factory, so it is impossible to create good materials because these two materials always have to be mixed together to create raw materials for ceramic production.

On the other hand, raw materials are becoming more and more scarce due to planning for housing construction in areas with raw materials.

At present, the reserve of raw material mines supplying ceramic production establishments in Binh Duong Province is also decreasing rapidly.

Thinh said: Currently, there are many shortcomings and problems in the development of raw material areas for craft villages.

Specifically, localities do not have long-term development plans or programmes to develop concentrated and large-scale raw material areas to serve enterprises, craft villages and rural industries, Thinh said.

Many plant varieties are being degraded, such as bamboo and rattan, while raw material growing areas have not been proactive in seedling and breeding sources such as bamboo, rattan and silkworm varieties. And there are not many new high-yield and high-quality varieties, he said.

There has not been much linkage in production in raw material growing areas with the orientation of forming co-operatives, co-operative groups and linking farmers with businesses to purchase products.

Semi-processing and processing factories, craft villages and businesses are often located far away from raw material areas, leading to difficulties in purchasing and selling raw materials.

The technology for semi-processing and processing of raw materials is still backward, resulting in inconsistent products in terms of quality that are less competitive, especially in export markets.

Linkage is the key

For craft villages to develop, the raw material area serving the production plays an extremely important role.

Because, if there are no good materials, it will not be possible to create quality products and be proactive in production.

More importantly, the raw material areas for rural industries are places to retain workers and create sustainable livelihoods for people in rural areas.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam said that it is necessary to synchronously implement solutions on planning material areas, formation of chain links, investment and science and technology application and innovation in production and breeding and seedling activities.

On the other hand, the weakness of businesses today is that they have not taken full advantage of their advantages when setting foot in a locality to form links and develop sustainably, said Nam.

In order to develop raw material areas, craft villages and rural industries have no choice but to form linkage chains, Nam said.

Local authorities need to soon develop specific planning and policies to support raw material areas, he added.

Le Ba Ngoc, general secretary of Viet Nam Handicraft Exporters Association (VIETCRAFT), said that it is necessary to develop raw material areas based on the advantages of each locality and region with traceable origins.

It is necessary to harmoniously combine many scales and give priority to the development of concentrated specialised farming areas in combination with household economic development models in order to maintain stable raw material areas and generate income for households, said Ngoc.

In addition, research on improving varieties and planting techniques to create good quality raw materials suitable for handicraft products are needed, he said.

The diversification of forms of ownership of raw material areas should be taken into consideration to create conditions for production and business establishments, especially export business enterprises in craft villages, to participate in the development of raw material areas in the form of public-private partnerships, he added. VNS
HA NOI  Kpuih Ni and his wife, Rah Lan H'Pom, have managed to return to their hometown in the central highlands after being lured to Thailand on the promise of a better life, reported Vietnam News Agency.

They were once migrant workers in an industrial zone in ong Nai Province. Their meagre wages were barely enough to make ends meet. The couple always dreamed of finding higher-paying jobs and a better life.

By chance, Kpuih Ni met someone named Y San on social media. He was lured into believing that if he took the risk of illegally immigrating to a foreign country to work for a while, he would earn a lot of money.

Desiring a change in their lives, the couple decided to quit their jobs and sell all their accumulated assets to pay the guide VN67 million (US$2,831).

Upon arriving in the foreign country, the couple tried to contact Y San for several days, but all their efforts failed. With no acquaintances, language proficiency, or legal documents, they realised they had been deceived and had landed in hot water.

The couple had to swallow their bitterness and accept low-paid work, living in a constant state of fear. After over a year of enduring and struggling to make a living, they managed to save enough money for the journey back.

In early June, the couple returned to their homeland with a mix of joyous reunion and regret.

Kpuih Ni shared that he deeply regretted following Y San's words in taking his wife to a foreign country. He recalled the days filled with anxiety, fearing being arrested, and not knowing how his family would survive. Even when faced with verbal abuse at work, he had to endure and save money to find a way back home.

Illegal immigration with hopes of finding higher-paying jobs is a dream of many ethnic minority people in the central highland provinces. However, the reality does not meet their expectations.

Ro Mah To, residing in Tai Per Village, Ia Hla Commune, Chu Puh District, was also a victim of a scam involving illegal immigration.

Rah Lan uong, an ethnic minority living abroad, deceived him into believing that he would be taken to Canada to settle down.

Ro Mah To managed to hide the sale of his farming vehicle and save up VN31 million ($1,310) before fleeing to a foreign country. However, upon arrival, there was no stable job for him, and he had to struggle to make ends meet and live in constant fear.

Realising that he had been deceived, he made a phone call to his older brother, pleading for financial help so he could return home and reunite with his family, escaping the hardships of life in a foreign land.

"There were no jobs, not enough food to eat, and I had to pay for water and high-priced accommodation. I always feared being caught by the local police when going to work. I think it's even harder staying at home. The bank loan was due, my mother was weak, my wife had no job, and we struggled to raise our young child, he recalled.

I decided to call my older brother for help, asked him to send money and find a way back. Our family was facing financial difficulties," he said regrettably.

Kpuih Ni and Ro Mah To said they knew approximately 50 ethnic minority people from the central highland region who had illegally immigrated to the countries they had lived in.

Most of them were living in difficult circumstances, routinely exploited and unable to report to local authorities. They hoped to return to Viet Nam soon.

Preventing illegal immigration

Lieutenant oan Van Trong, Chief of Police in Ia Hla Commune stated that most people fled to foreign countries for economic reasons. Some were lured and deceived by malicious individuals abroad, resulting in property loss.

Illegal immigration brought numerous consequences for their families and the local community where they lived. In order to prepare for the journey, they were forced to sell valuable assets. Consequently, they had nothing left upon their return, he said.

Trong said the local authorities only provided initial essential assistance to these cases. In the long term, they must make their own efforts to restart their lives. They'll have to toe the line so they could be able to access loans for economic development.

To prevent illegal border crossings and assist those who have made mistakes, the local police advised the commune People's Committees and the Chu Puh District police to establish task forces in four key villages.

These task forces will connect with local people and actively disseminate legal information to them.

Since the beginning of this year, the police have organised over 16 sessions on raising legal public awareness, attracting nearly 3,000 participants. These activities have helped raise awareness among local people, helping them avoid falling into the traps of criminals.  VNS
The overlapping and bordering water areas are abundant in aquatic resources, making them attractive for fishing vessels that engage in illegal activities. Ngo ang Hoai, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Fisheries Surveillance Unit No 2, talks to Ba Ria - Vung Tau Newspaper about prevention and combat of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in these waters.

Could you please elaborate on the recent deployment of IUU prevention and control measures in the overlapping waters between Viet Nam, Indonesia, and Malaysia?

Following Viet Nam's receipt of a "yellow card" warning from the EC, the Fisheries Surveillance Unit No 2 took decisive action by deploying numerous ships to conduct inspections and control operations in the fishing grounds across the southern sea area, which shares borders with Indonesia, Malaysia, and the entire DK1 sea region.

During patrols, our ships meticulously develop plans to monitor, control, and inspect fishing activities on a daily, weekly, or irregular basis, particularly in response to information regarding fishing boats and fishermen operating in the area.

Whenever we identify fishing vessels exploiting resources in our sovereign waters, beyond the demarcation line or within the prescribed distance of the lower edge of the overlapping area, our fishery surveillance vessels follow a systematic approach, starting from observation and tracking, followed by outreach and communication efforts. We aim to prevent and, if necessary, escalate our response by organising a siege, making arrests, issuing administrative sanctions, transferring the offenders to shore, and handing them over to local authorities for further action.

As a result of these efforts, between 2017 and now, we have recorded a total of 228 fishing vessels involved in various violations. We have proposed sanctions against 84 vessels and temporarily detained eight Vietnamese boats that violated the law while fishing at sea. The most common violations committed by fishing vessels include the absence of fishing logs, fishing in unauthorised waters not specified on their licences, lack of cruise monitoring devices, and fishing without proper licences.

Thanks to the synchronisation of our actions and measures, we have observed a notable decrease in the number of Vietnamese fishing boats being detained by foreign authorities.

Could you explain the situation of Vietnamese fishing vessels in the seas bordering and overlapping with Indonesia and Malaysia?

The majority of fishing boats in this region comply with the regulations and laws governing fisheries. However, there are still some vessels that do not strictly adhere to these rules. These non-compliant practices include fishing in unauthorised areas and routes, failing to possess the required documents, and neglecting maritime safety conditions. Moreover, some fishermen engage in unrestricted and spontaneous exploitation, resorting to destructive fishing methods such as using explosives or electric pulses.

Furthermore, a portion of fishermen employ tactics to violate foreign waters for illegal fishing activities. These fishing vessels frequently gather in groups of five to ten ships operating in border areas. They remove the AIS cruise monitoring system from one ship and install it on another vessel operating within our country's territorial sea, allowing the remaining ships to exploit foreign seas undetected under the cover of night.

In addition, some violating fishing vessels resort to tactics such as painting fake number plates, operating without being registered or managed in the appropriate locality, or disembarking in different locations, making it challenging to verify their information. These fishing boats are often old, and when caught, the ship owners are willing to abandon them to avoid penalties.

To remove the "yellow card" for Viet Nam's seafood industry, what key solutions will the Fisheries Surveillance Unit No 2 prioritise?

In October 2023, the EC's inspection team will conduct its fourth visit to Viet Nam to assess our progress in combating IUU fishing. Meanwhile, Indonesia and Malaysia are intensifying their efforts in patrols, control measures, and the apprehension of foreign fishing vessels that violate their waters. They treat illegal fishing as a serious offence akin to piracy and respond with strict penalties, including boat destruction, fines, imprisonment, and, if necessary, the use of firearms to suppress offenders.

Recognising the gravity of the situation, the Fisheries Surveillance Unit No 2 will adopt a comprehensive approach that integrates fisheries management and IUU prevention and control measures.

Specifically, our division will actively collaborate with the coast guard, and local authorities to conduct inspections and share information regarding the methods employed by Vietnamese fishermen who engage in illegal fishing activities in foreign waters.

We will concentrate our efforts in areas such as Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Kien Giang, and Ca Mau, in accordance with Directive No 17 issued on June 24, 2021 by the Prime Minister, as well as the prescribed procedures for penalising violating fishing vessels.

During maritime operations, our ships will closely cooperate with law enforcement agencies to obtain accurate data on the number of fishing boats being utilised by our fishermen in the seas, particularly in bordering areas. We will ensure the proper declaration and transmission of this information through fisheries communication channels and engage in direct outreach to raise awareness among the public. It is crucial for people to acquire a comprehensive understanding of maritime law and encourage fishermen to engage in legal and responsible fishing practices, promoting sustainability in the fishing industry. VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam is one of 25 countries that have reduced their MPI (Multidimensional Poverty Index) by 50 per cent, according to a recent report published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).

According to the report, Viet Nam still has 1.9 per cent of its population under multidimensional poverty.

Multidimensional poverty is defined as a way to reveal real poverty, rather than just by measuring income. Indicators such as a lack of access to necessities like medical facilities, education, and food are accounted for.

The MPI, a product of UNDP and OPHI, is measured on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being countries which have the highest multidimensional poverty.

Viet Nam's figures in the index are updated until the period of 2020/2021. About 1.8 million people are at the level of multidimensional poverty, while 3.3 million people are at the poverty level.

Cambodia, China, the Congo, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Morocco and Serbia are other countries highlighted for having successfully reduced multidimensional poverty.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs stated that, from 2016 through 2020, Viet Nam has been tackling poverty in a new way, dealing with the trend of multidimensional poverty as most countries do.

According to MOLISA, this method makes a bigger impact, but it also presents new challenges that Viet Nam must face.

The report also stated that 3.5 per cent of Viet Nam's population is currently vulnerable to multidimensional poverty, while deprivation of educational access is the number one contributing factor to multidimensional poverty, at 40.7 per cent.  VNS
HA NOI The High-level People's Court in Ha Noi upheld the sentence handed down at the first-instance trial to an anti-state propagandist during an appeal trial on July 13.

65-year-old Truong Van Dung, residing in ong a district, Ha Noi, was sentenced to six years in prison for conducting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam in pursuant to Article 88 of the Penal Code.

According to the indictment, between October 2015 and May 2022, through his participation in a programme named Tu canh ong may in the forms of audio and video posted on social networks, Dung slandered and defamed the peoples administration, and spread false information, stirring up public concern.

He also stored books with the purpose of disseminating distorted information, defaming the people's administration, and causing public concern, along with banners and other documents with contents opposing the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. VNS
In the era of digital transformation, the significance of a data-driven culture cannot be overstated for Vietnamese companies, as it empowers them to harness the potential of emerging technologies, make informed decisions, gain competitive advantage, and adapt to the evolving business landscape, according to the Vietnam CFO Association, who held an event on the topic in Ho Chi Minh City last week.

With technology, more decisions can be made swiftly based on real-time data, photo Le Toan

There, Takeshi Murakami, CFO for Microsoft Thailand and Vietnam, said the companys data-driven culture existed even before the digital transformation.

The companys former COO, Kevin Turner, was instrumental in building this culture. Turner created a scorecard system that allowed each country to compete on the same definition and target. This culture was further developed by current leaders, who have expanded it and ensured that all employees have a digital transformation mindset.

We have developed a process that allows us to adapt quickly to the rapid cycles of technology. We have a team dedicated to staying on top of the latest trends and implementing them in our operations. We also have a strong focus on training our employees to get comfortable with these new technologies and adopt a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation, Murakami said.

Lai Thi Thu Thao, CFO at Bachy Soletanche Vietnam, used to generate reports manually, a laborious and time-consuming process. However, the advent of automation now means reports are derived from automated outcomes, allowing the CFO to focus on analysing report trends.

With the help of technology, when dealing with large contracts worth hundreds of billions, decisions can be made swiftly based on real-time data. All profitability ratios are clearly displayed. This technology offers visualisation of data, which allows CFOs to quickly understand and tackle any issues, she said.

A centralised foundation

Leadership plays a crucial role in the transformation. A prime example of this is how Microsofts leaders responded to the pandemic. In Japan, for instance, when a boss is in the office, the norm is for the staff to go home.

However, many Microsoft leaders were the first to start working remotely, setting an example for their staff that it was okay to work from home. This approach is reflective of their strategy in digital transformation: leading by example and continuing to push until the transformation takes hold.

Tin Dang, who is the founder and CEO of TC Data, also shared his insights on the importance of a centralised data foundation for financial and accounting departments.

He suggested the importance of a data analyst to consolidate data, but also acknowledged that different departments have unique metrics and outcomes.

For instance, the results reported by the finance department would differ from those of the marketing department. Therefore, its crucial to have an accurate data source for the entire enterprise, from which different departments can draw for their respective analyses, Dang said.

Looking towards the future, he highlighted what he termed Level 4 businesses. These forward-thinking organisations are moving towards establishing a data platform or data warehouse.

This centralised system allows for efficient data collection and management, enabling businesses to make more informed decisions.

An outstanding aspect of these data platforms is their ability to efficiently handle planning and forecasting tasks. Businesses can utilise outcome data, feeding it into widely used tools such as Excel to facilitate efficient and reliable planning and forecasting processes.

The cost-effectiveness of this approach further enhances its appeal to firms.

Tough challenges

One of the key challenges in digital transformation, as discussed by Murakami of Microsoft, is the acceptance of a data-driven culture, especially when it comes to key performance indicator (KPI) metrics.

Each department within an organisation often has its own data and KPI metrics, leading to inconsistencies. The solution lies in creating a culture where everyone is on the same page and makes decisions based on the same data, he said.

Vietnamese enterprises are grappling with a critical issue pertaining to the abilities of their finance and accounting departments, according to a representative from CFO Vietnam.

The knowledge base they possess, which largely inherited from the nations higher education institutions, is increasingly becoming obsolete. Most are still aligned with the Vietnam Accounting System standard, while the international trend among businesses is to transition towards the International Financial Reporting Standards.

Furthermore, the training provided by Vietnamese universities lacks the practical components needed for graduates to familiarise themselves with the latest technologies and advanced practices currently used around the globe. As such, the most urgent and initial step is to enhance the quality of financial and accounting education at university level, the representative said.

Dang of TC Data believed that most Vietnamese businesses today have not yet reached Level 4, where data is assembled as a foundation.

Therefore, the most pressing requirement is to establish a solid foundation before effective implementation of machine learning can take place.

Thus, it is advisable for businesses to initiate the digitalisation journey by tackling a small project, one which directly addresses concerns of the management leadership.

This initial trial project should ideally span two to three months, demanding a modest budget.

By the end of this period, businesses will have taken their first steps in cultivating a data culture, acclimatising to its demands, and gaining momentum for future endeavours.

Leaders like Dang also agreed that demonstrating the positive impacts and efficiencies of data-centric operations to the companys decision-makers paves the way for more substantial investments in data-centric operations.

Dang placed the emphasis on starting small, highlighting the importance of a measured and thoughtful approach in this transformative journey.

Short, incremental steps can cumulatively build a strong data-driven culture. This advice extends to consulting entities, urging them to recommend their clients to begin their data transition journey with small, manageable steps, he said.

The creation of such a platform is not without its many challenges. Dang stressed the importance of data governance in this context.

As businesses become increasingly data-driven, the need to control data security and maintain the integrity of the data becomes paramount. This process of filtering would ensure that only accurate and relevant data can be used in business decision-making, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Murakami of Microsoft said the commitment to digital transformation is not just from the top down, but also from the bottom up.

It is about getting everyone on board to make sure that they understand the value of the transformation. The key is to have a strong leader who can drive the change, Murakami said. It is not just about having the technology - it is about having the right leadership in order to change the culture and instil a digital transformation mindset in each employee.

Data protection heads digital banking efforts Vietnamese authorities have been busy at work dismantling an illicit information network involving bank employees, as local lenders prioritise data protection and digital infrastructure for customer privacy and growth.
Chinese ambassador urges U.S. to bring relationship between two militaries back to right track

Xinhua) 11:10, July 13, 2023

WASHINGTON, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng on Wednesday urged Washington to work toward restoring the military relationship between China and the U.S.

Xie made the request to U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner, with whom the veteran diplomat met upon invitation.

According to Xie, it is in the mutual interest of China and the United States to maintain a sound and stable relationship. The three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation outlined by Chinese President Xi Jinping are fundamental for China and the United States to get along in the new era.

Laying out China's position on the relations between the two countries and the two militaries to his interlocutor, the ambassador urged the United States to manage differences through concrete action. Xie said the United States should prudently handle important and sensitive issues such as the Taiwan question in line with the principles enshrined in the three China-U.S. joint communiques and work with China to gradually bring state-to-state and military-to-military relations back on track.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
US President Joe Biden gave his assurance Thursday (July 14) that the United States would stay committed to NATO despite extreme elements of the Republican Party who wanted to pull out of the alliance. He made these statements during his visit to Finland to welcome the country as NATO's latest member.

"I absolutely guarantee it," he said at a news conference when asked about the US's commitment to NATO given the political instability of the country.

The remark came after Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, threatened to pull the US out of the alliance in 2018 if other member states did not boost their military spending.

"No one can guarantee the future, but this is the best bet anyone could make," Biden added.

Both Biden and Trump are running for president in 2024.

Congress to Assure US Will Stay in NATO

Back in Washington, Congress is weighing in on a bipartisan effort to block any US president from leaving NATO without lawmakers' approval after Trump's attempt on doing so.

The joint resolution included sponsors such as Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The bill has been introduced repeatedly in recent years, dating back to Trump's raising objections to the alliance relying too heavily on US funding. While the measure has yet to pass the full Senate, it would likely win Biden's support.

Biden To Meet With Nordic Leaders

Biden's trip to Helsinki was part of his European tour, which included the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. He earlier stated at the summit that Russia's invasion of Ukraine only made the alliance stronger. "A stronger NATO makes the entire world stronger," Biden added.

His trip to Finland was to meet with its leader, as well as the leaders of Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Norway, and participate in a summit between the countries in the coming days.

Ahead of a bilateral meeting with Finnish president Sauli Niinisto, Biden hailed Finland as an "incredible asset" to the NATO military alliance.

"I don't think NATO has ever been stronger," he added. "The vision for the world that we all share...is one that's more free, more secure."

Read Also: Turkey Finally Supports Sweden's NATO Membership, Ending Year-Long Stalemate

Finland and Sweden in NATO

Finland was historically neutral during the Cold War but fought against the Soviet Union during the Second World War. In its Nordic phase, also called the Winter War, Finland lost significant territory to the Soviets.

Meanwhile, Sweden remained neutral since the end of the Great Northern War in the 18th century. But like Finland, the Swedes also significantly developed their war machine to repel any invasion by any country.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 made the Finns and Swedes reconsider their neutrality and eventually applied for NATO membership a few months later.

Finland eventually became the 31st NATO member state in April this year. Sweden, on the other hand, is set to become the 32nd after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his intent to support the country's application after a year-long stalemate.

Niinisto said Finland's NATO membership heralded "a new era" in the country's security, and applauded Biden for creating unity at the Vilnius summit, which focused on supporting Ukraine.

"You will be one of those who wrote it to history," he told Biden.

In a separate statement, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson thanked Biden for his support in his country's push to join NATO, saying there was great potential for closer US-Nordic cooperation and a stronger link in facing challenges, including on issues involving China.

Related Article: NATO Leaders Express Support for Ukraine's Membership During Summit But Stop Short of Handing Out Invitation

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Ho Truong Vy - Lawyer, Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association

We refer to the definition of personal data (PD) processing and understand that it includes collecting, recording, analysing, confirming, storing, editing, publicising, combining, assessing, retrieving, revoking, encrypting, decoding, copying, sharing, transmitting, supplying, transferring, deleting, and destruction of PD or other related actions. Although Decree 13 provides no definition of recording, our understanding of audio and video recording would be put on this wording. The full name and photographs of an individual are classified under Decree 13 as basic PD.

From a legal perspective, the said recording may be considered an activity of PD processing in the form of recording, and valid consent is therefore required. Taking into consideration specific requirements for the data subjects consent as stated in Article 11, it is understood that the implied consent by attending this meeting, you consent to being recorded is unlikely valid consent.

Personnel responsible

Article 28 provides specific requirements for protection of sensitive PD. Of those requirements, the establishment of a department responsible for protection and the appointment of personnel to oversee this function are required. Further, it is necessary to communicate information on the department and the appointed individual(s) in charge of PD protection with the specialised agency responsible for overseeing such protection.

When it comes to the appointment of the personnel in charge of PD protection, there may have some questions regarding the interpretation of this requirement. In particular, whether the appointment in question should be understood in a broad sense, including the appointment of an external person on the basis of a service contract, or in a more restricted sense, referring only to the appointment of an internal employee.

The interpretation of this requirement may vary depending on the specific context and legal framework in place. Here are some thoughts for consideration.

Licensing: Issuing guiding regulations that require the service provider to be licensed or accredited specifically for providing PD protection services.

Expertise and experience: Providing guidance on the qualifications, expertise, and experience that the service provider should possess to effectively carry out PD protection responsibilities.

Legal entities versus individuals: Clarifying whether the service provider should be an individual or a legal entity such as a company in providing PD services.

Compliance with other regulations: Ensuring that the appointment of an external service provider aligns with other regulations like the law on commerce, law on enterprises, and any other relevant laws or industry-specific regulations.

Detailed guidance that addresses the above considerations would provide clear-cut answers, and help organisations and enterprises understand the requirements for external service providers.

Specific requirements

Decree 13 is silent on specific qualifications and expertise for the personnel in charge of PD protection. On the one side, it offers flexibility for the agencies, organisations and enterprises in appointing the personnel in charge based on their specific needs.

On the other side, the absence of specific requirements may result in potential challenges and unexpected circumstances. Some of those concerns include conflicts of interest and non-compliance with PD protection regulations due to a dearth of expertise and qualities of the personnel in charge.

When an employee takes on the dual role of PD protection and other responsibilities within the organisation, it could create a conflict of interest or even impair the execution of duties of the department and employee in charge of PD protection.

Also, without specific requirements for expertise and qualities, there may lead to a risk of non-compliance with related regulations. In general, the personnel responsible for PD protection may have in-depth understanding of data protection regulations and best practices, expertise in data protection, technical competence related to data security and IT systems, and communication as well as collaboration in working with different stakeholders like cross-functional departments, data subjects and data protection authorities. Lack of expertise and necessary skills may result in inadequate protection of PD, potential data breaches, or non-compliance with legal obligations.

Consequently, it is necessary to incorporate specific and minimum requirements for expertise and qualities of the personnel in charge into the upcoming guidance. The guidance can set a benchmark for organisations and enterprises to demonstrate the competency of the appointed personnel in charge of PD protection in line with local, regional and global standards.

What is more, it is worth considering a proper transitional period for training and educating the personnel qualified for such protection. This transitional period allows organisations and enterprises to provide necessary training, resources, and support to make sure that the appointed personnel are eligible and competent to fulfill their duties.

Regulators, associations, enterprises, and the public have gone the extra mile to issue this decree. While it provides a foundation, the issuance of additional guidance is of the essence to assist in preparation and compliance.

Nuts and bolts of new personal data decree Last month the government in Vietnam finally issued Decree No.13/2023/ND-CP on personal data protection (PDP). The decree will take effect from July; however, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises as well as startups (excluding data processing companies) are optionally exempted for two years.

Vietnam working hard to protect personal data The Governments Steering Committee for Human Rights has issued a plan on communications activities towards the 75th anniversary of World Human Rights Day (December 10), heard a press conference in Hanoi on May 18.

New requirements to shore up personal data protection The forthcoming legal framework on personal data protection means all domestic and foreign organisations processing personal information must handle sensitive individual personal information in a proper manner.
Hon Son offers pristine beauty and stunning beaches (Photo: laodong.vn)

Kien Giang  Hon Son, a small island located 65km from Rach Gia city of the Mekong Delta of Kien Giang, is emerging as a tourist attraction in the south thanks to its untouched beauty and huge tourism development potential.



It offers pristine beauty and stunning beaches that attract hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.



Hon Son island, often referred to as Hon Rai, lies between Hon Tre island and Nam Du archipelago. The total area of Hon Son is 11.5 square kilometers with seven undulating mountains and six beautiful beaches.



Hon Son is a home to more than 8,200 people living on aquaculture, shipbuilding, shrimp and fish processing, and fish sauce making. Lai Son, the islands main village, sits on a bay in the middle of the southern coast. The village has an attractive, laid-back air and a tangible sense of the past.



Since there are many coconuts growing from the beach up to the hill, Hon Son is also called Coconut Island. Biking along the coast under the tilting coconut shadow next to the sea is one of the must do on the island.



Additionally, tourists will be surprised by the natural stone blocks with different shapes, like dolphins and turtles lying under the clear water. The scenic seafront road in Lai Son village is perfect for promenading in the mornings and evenings.

Hon Son tourism has developed since 2018. Local authorities said that each year, the island commune welcomes more than 550,000 visitors. In the first six months of 2023, the destination serve 450,000 tourists.



Giang Van Tai,Chairman of the Peoples Committee of Lai Son commune in Kien Hai district, said the locality has defined tourism as its spearhead economic sector, and focused on boosting tourism growth in a sustainable manner.



It will strengthen the protection of social security, order and safety, while regularly inspecting local tourism service suppliers, he said.



Bui Quoc Thai, Director of the Tourism Department of Kien Giang, said that in order to boost sea-based tourism in the locality, the sector has implemented various measures such as enhancing the efficiency of tourism promotion activities while closely controlling the implementation of tourism regulations, ensuring the reasonable serve prices and quality.

Along with strengthening tourism infrastructure development, the locality will improve the quality of available accommodation facilities to meet visitors demands while strengthening its capacity in maritime transport to carry visitors to sea-based tourist destinations, he said.



Thai added that the provincial tourism sector will also encourage businesses to invest in the locality by giving them preferential policies and creating a favourable business environment for them.
Indonesian Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan at the opening of the Indonesia Trade Expo, Jakarta, July 10, 2023. (Photo: antaranews.com)

Jakarta - Indonesia is targeting non-traditional markets in South Asia such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh to boost exports, whose growth is currently slowing, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan has informed.

According to the minister, non-traditional markets are countries that have economic potential as market destinations for Indonesia. They include countries in Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, South and Central Asia, and the Pacific.

Speaking after the opening of the Indonesia Trade Expo in Jakarta on July 10, Zulkifli said that the countrys traditional markets are slowing down, therefore, they are trying new breakthroughs, for example, in South Asia, which has been non-traditional market to Indonesia.

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Middle East, Africa, and Egypt are potential markets for Indonesia's products and Indonesia will explore the types of products needed by these countries, he added.

Zulkifli emphasised that those countries have huge market potential. Africa has 1.4 billion people, South Asia has 2 billion, and the Middle East has 500 million people, the ministry will be working on this.

Meanwhile, Chairwoman of the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) Shinta W. Kamdani said that exploring new non-traditional markets is important for Indonesia since the country has already inked several trade agreements, both bilateral and regional.

Shinta acknowledged that the agreements include Indonesia-European Union (IEU-CEPA), Indonesia-Europe (EFTA), and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which could help open wider access.

She highlighted that the country already signed free trade agreements with Chile and Mozambique. There are also many opportunities with these trade agreements for the country to optimise.

Intl arrivals to Indonesia surge Indonesia received 4.12 million international arrivals in the first five months of 2023, four times higher compared to the same period last year, data from the countrys statistics bureau has revealed.
Many localities report downgrade in FDI attraction as shortage of land fund (Illustration)

In early July, Dong Nai Peoples Committee sought approval to develop three industrial parks (IPs) at Long Duc 3, Bau Can-Tan Hiep in Long Thanh district, and Xuan Que-Song Nhan in Cam My district to make itself more appealing to large-scaled enterprises.

Dong Nai has picked up small-scale projects worth only $623 million in the first half of 2023. The province licensed 33 newly registered projects worth $108 million and approved the investment expansion of 44 projects, with a total supplemented capital amount of over $514 million.

Every single project is small in scale and, despite doubled foreign investment in the first six months of this year compared to 2022, it is finding it hard to make available space for big names.

Last year Dong Nai attracted only $321 million, compared to $1.3 billion in 2021, $1.45 billion in 2020, and $2.3 billion in 2019.

The modesty in the scale of projects comes from the shortcoming of industrial land. Statistics published by Dong Nai Industrial Zones Management Authority show that the province currently has 31 IPs that have been put into operation, and the average occupancy rate is 86 per cent.

Pham Van Cuong, deputy head of the authority, said that the available land for lease in IPs is minimal, not meeting the demand. Many foreign investors from South Korea, Japan, the EU, and India came to the province to learn and invest in large projects, but because the province does not have enough land for rent, businesses have to leave.

According to the planning approved by the government in February this year, Dong Nai has been allowed to add eight new IPs, covering 8,200 hectares, such as Cam My, Gia Kiem, Long Duc (phase 2), and also Long Duc (phase 3). However, according to Dong Nai authorities, these zones face trouble in investment procedures, changing the land usage purpose, auction, and bidding. Many problems will fester until solutions are forthcoming from ministries.

Meanwhile, other localities such as Haiphong, Thai Binh, Bac Giang, and Vinh Phuc flock to methodical investment promotion strategies, including organisation of large-scale investment promotion conferences in both their provinces and overseas, to attract multinational groups and projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Dong Nai is also decantering small-and medium-sized investors.

In late May, Dong Nai worked with EY Vietnam and Senshu Ikeda Bank to discuss programmes to support small- and medium-sized enterprises from Japan to invest in the province. These parties have plans to sign an MoU for this collaboration in November this year.

The central province of Thanh Hoa faces a similar situation. Based on the accumulated statistics, Thanh Hoa is still the leader in attracting foreign-invested capital in the central region, with the total accumulative capital of approximately $14.8 billion. However, in 2022, the province attracted only $97.5 million for the whole year, and $131 million in the first half of this year.

In 2022, many large groups such as Foxconn and Compal from Taiwan, WHA from Thailand, Ramky from India, and Millennium from the United States arrived in Thanh Hoa to conduct field surveys and study investment opportunities. But Compal selected Thai Binh as a project destination, while Foxconn is still expanding its operation in Bac Giang.

Meanwhile, its neighbouring province Nghe An, which was named in the top 10 localities in attracting foreign-invested capital for the first time in 2022, reported capital of nearly $1 billion last year. Between January and June, foreign investors have poured $613.8 million into Nghe An.

Hung Yen boasts FDI investment appeal Foreign direct investment (FDI) has become Hung Yens highlight, making significant contributions to the provinces socioeconomic development by creating jobs and increasing revenue for the provincial budget.

Localities push each other to lure in foreign investment The year so far has witnessed many rising stars in attracting foreign capital across the country.

Positive signs in FDI inflows in H1 Despite a 4.3 per cent reduction in the volume of foreign investment inflows into Vietnam in the first half of the year, experts said there are positive signs when looking into the structure of the investment.
Thailand parliament votes for new prime minister/ illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

Bangkok  The Thai parliament convened a joint session on July 13 to vote for a new prime minister who will lead the countrys government in the coming four years.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said that the Senate, the eight-party alliance led by the Move Forward Party (MFP) and other political parties agreed to spend six hours for discussion before Thai legislators vote for the new prime minister on 5pm the same day.

He said that after the conclusion of the discussion, legislators will give their proposal on whether candidates should explain their visions as the Thai government leader or not.

Thailand's constitution stipulates that to become the prime minister, a candidate needs to receive the support of a majority of 750 members of the Senate and the House of Representatives or at least 376 votes. A candidate for the prime minister must not be a member of parliament.

Earlier, the top Thai legislator announced that the election of the new prime minister will take place on July 13, 19 and 20.

Thailand starts exporting pomelo to US in historic deal The US has for the first time allowed Thailand to export its pomelo to the country, as Thailand eyes more markets for its delicious fruit.
The news comes as a surprise since Son, who founded Tiki 13 years ago, has been a pivotal figure in shaping the company. In 2010, he established Tiki as an online platform for selling English-language books, starting with a modest inventory of around 100 titles managed from his family's garage and a makeshift office in his bedroom.

Operating from this location, Son worked with a meagre initial capital of $5,000. Despite financial constraints, his ambition to tap into Vietnam's burgeoning e-commerce market and a passion for reading drove the inception of Tiki.

Over a decade, Tiki ascended the e-commerce ladder in Vietnam, posing a significant challenge to regional behemoths like Shopee and Lazada. However, the past fiscal year has brought forth a turbulent period for the company.

According to audited reports, Tikis total revenue for 2022 declined by 7 per cent compared to 2021. Simultaneously, the company witnessed a 4 per cent hike in its total expenses, resulting in a 39 per cent spike in its operational losses.

However, 2021s financial data remains unaudited due to the creation of Tiki Global Pte. Ltd. in Singapore, which controls over 90 per cent of Tiki's shares.

Operating within a business-to-consumer and customer-to-customer framework, Tikis primary revenue stream (88 per cent) comes from product sales. Interestingly, logistics, a part of Tiki's service sector, has recorded a 7 per cent on-year growth, reflecting the company's focus on expeditious deliveries since its inception.

In contrast, platform commissions have seen a 37 per cent reduction. The fastest-growing component has been advertising, marking a 131 per cent surge from the fiscal year 2021. However, this contributes just 2 per cent to the overall revenue.

In fiscal year 2022, Tiki's overall revenue slipped by 7 per cent, while sales costs witnessed a marginal 1 per cent decline. Consequently, the company's gross profit margin dropped from -9 per cent to -16 per cent.

As of March 2022, Tiki reported cash and equivalents totalling approximately $187 million, inclusive of the massive $258 million fundraised in November 2021 but excluding a $90 million investment by the South Korea-based Shinhan Financial Group in May 2022.

Assuming the inclusion of the latter investment and a cash flow from operations at $100 million, Tiki may sustain its operations for another three years before requiring additional capital. This suggests that Tiki's prospective initial public offering may be deferred until 2024 or early 2025, as cited by DealstreetAsia.

Mindset change to boost status of Vietnams logistics Vietnam continues to be chosen as a destination to create growth space for logistics, but more sustainable development remains a target that may be further off.
Vietnam Airlines pilot to face dismissal for positive drug test, Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  The Vietnam Airlines pilot who was found to be positive for a banned substance in late April is facing a dismissal, according to the airline.

The carrier on July 12 reported to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam(CAAV) about the results of its coordination with the Aviation Medical Centre to clarify the case of its pilot whose sample tested positive for a banned substance in late April.

Official spokesman for this incident from Vietnam Airlines Dang Anh Tuan announced that, based on the results reported to the CAAV, the airline will implement procedures to review and deal with the pilot according to regulations. The pilot will face the maximum disciplinary action of being fired.

Tuan affirmed that the safety of operation, the health, and safety of passengers and employees of the airline is always its most important goal. Therefore, Vietnam Airlines always actively inspects and reviews to detect and promptly handle cases of violations of rules and regulations in this field.

Accordingly, the health checks for pilots are conducted periodically and irregularly. All violations are strictly handled.

The pilot on April 25 initially refused a pre-flight drug test with his flight crew. He was then taken to a testing services facility in Hanois Long Bien district and had samples taken for rapid urine drug testing. The results showed that he tested positive for ketamine, a synthetic drug.

Vietnam pushes for transfer of Skypec from Vietnam Airlines to PetroVietnam The Vietnamese government has instructed the State Capital Management Committee (CMSC) to facilitate the transfer of the Aviation Fuel Company (Skypec) from Vietnam Airlines to Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) . This directive was issued during a meeting held on June 23 between the government, CMSC, and 19 prominent business corporations.

Vietnam Airlines notifies passengers of departure gates via messages at three airports National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines begins sending automatic messages to notify passengers of departure gates at three airports of Noi Bai, Da Nang, and Tan Son Nhat.
At the working session (Photo: VNA)

London - The Vietnamese Embassy in the UK had a working session with the Irish Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) in Dublin on July 10 in a bid to step up the two countries' cooperation in education, science, and technology.

Deputy Ambassador To Minh Thu lauded the results of recent cooperation agreements sealed between the countries in the field of higher education, especially university and postgraduate scholarships provided by Ireland to Vietnamese students. Currently, there are about 150 Vietnamese students studying in Ireland.



Thu proposed both sides continue to collaborate in research and student exchange; further promote the implementation of Vietnam's Project 89 to Irish universities, and promote Ireland as a destination for Vietnamese researchers.



Additionally, she suggested seeking new scholarship programmes to replace the Irish Development Experience and Sharing (IDEAS) programme, which ended in 2021.



The diplomat proposed the DFHERIS engage in sci-tech exchanges between Ireland and Vietnam to step up the bilateral collaboration in specific areas of mutual priority.



Ian McKenna, head of the DFHERISs international cooperation pision, highly evaluated the two countries cooperation in recent times and stated that educational collaboration is one of the prominent areas in their bilateral relationship. Currently, Ireland is reviewing and evaluating the results of its education cooperation policy with Vietnam and is seeking potential partners for the issuance of its new cooperation policies expected to be released later this year, with Vietnam being a targeted partner.



Taking into account the proposals from the Vietnamese side, McKenna expressed his wish to gain more information about Vietnam's science, technology, and innovation development strategy until 2030, as well as the country's priority areas and strengths, which would serve as a basis for future cooperation.



Vietnam and Ireland signed memoranda of understanding on education cooperation in 2011 and 2016. Ireland has provided approximately 185 scholarships to Vietnam through the IDEAS1 and IDEAS2 programmes. The two sides also established an expert group on education cooperation in September 2017.
The forum on countering base erosion and profit shifting, organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on July 11, served as the backdrop for unveiling of Vietnam's trajectory towards the adoption of the global minimum tax (GMT) policy.

Dang Ngoc Minh, deputy director of the GDT, outlined the contours of this proposed fiscal reform. The tax, a corollary of the agreement minted by the G7 countries in June 2021, is an instrument engineered to impede multinational corporations' tax evasion stratagems, slated for enforcement from January 1, 2024.

The stipulated tax rate is pegged at 15 per cent, targeting multinational enterprises whose consolidated revenue streams exceed 750 million (approximately $800 million) in any two years of the preceding four-year interval.

Minh revealed that the Ministry of Finance (MoF) initiated dialogues with the government in June, regarding the practicalities of enforcing global base erosion provisions in Vietnam. Following this initial proposal, the government is primed to submit the tax proposal to the National Assembly in October for deliberation, eyeing a potential enactment in the early part of the subsequent year.

The National Assembly is expected to institute policies on the GMT, inclusive of the income inclusion rules and under taxed payments. The under taxed payment mechanism could be construed as a domestic apparatus in which surplus profit calculations and minimum taxes are administered in alignment with OECD prescriptions.

This mechanism aims to forestall foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) from remitting additional taxes to the jurisdictions where their parent companies are domiciled. Such measures are currently under active consideration in other financial hubs, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, which are inclined towards adoption.

Representatives of the GDT emphasised that these stipulations will be assimilated into Vietnamese jurisprudence, ensuring adherence to the standardised mandates and procedural guides underpinning the Global Anti-base Erosion initiative. Extensive consultations with the business community and the relevant departments will precede the submission of the draft to the National Assembly.

According to the data compiled by the MoF, there are currently 1,015 FIEs operating in Vietnam whose parent companies are tax-eligible. Of these, a cohort exceeding 70 entities will likely grapple with the implications of this tax, once it takes effect in 2024.

Should all countries, where the parent companies are domiciled, enforce the GMT, they could accrue an additional tax differential of approximately $500 million in 2024.

However, records from the tax department indicate a count of 335 industrial projects, each boasting a registered investment exceeding $100 million, located in designated economic and industrial zones, currently availing themselves of corporate income tax incentives below the 15 per cent threshold.

Multinational giants such as Samsung, Intel, LG, Bosch, Sharp, Panasonic, Foxconn, and Pegatron - whose registered investments constitute close to 30 per cent of Vietnam's total FDI pool, an estimated $131.3 billion, are among those likely to experience the fiscal repercussions of the tax.

Vietnam seeks Belgian advice on global minimum tax policy Vietnam is engaging with Belgian support to navigate the complexities of implementing the global minimum tax (GMT) amid strengthening economic ties.
At the working session (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

Bangkok  Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh held a working session with Thai Minister of Social Development and Human Security Chuti Krairiksh in Bangkok on July 12 to promote bilateral cooperation in combating human trafficking and share experience in social welfare development.



Hailing Vietnam as one of the important member states that has made active contributions to cooperation mechanisms at ASEAN, Chuti wished that Vietnam and Thailand would enhance bilateral coordination as well as at other multilateral mechanisms.



He proposed that the Vietnamese Embassy work closely with the Thai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to launch certain activities of the "Ambassador of Goodwill" project regarding social issues.



The minister suggested the establishment of a support group involving relevant units from the Thai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and the Vietnamese Embassy to address fraud, human trafficking, and illegal immigration issues in preparation for the forthcoming deputy ministerial-level meeting on cooperation in combating human trafficking scheduled to take place in Vietnam in this September.



Ambassador Thanh, for his part, thanked the Government, ministries and police of Thailand for their assistance to Vietnamese victims who were deceived into working at online scam centres in Thailand with the intention of being transported to a third country.



He also agreed with Chutis proposal regarding the "Ambassador of Goodwill" project to foster exchanges between young generations of both countries.



The Vietnamese Embassy is ready to work with the Thai ministrys departments and agencies to address cases of fraud and human trafficking to Thailand, he said.
The Philippine PAGCOR recently introduced its new logo which quickly went viral on social media.

On Tuesday, July 11, the Amusement and Gaming Corporation introduced the new icon as part of its 40th-year celebration.

However, it was criticized by many Filipinos. Now, the new PAGCOR logo is being accused of plagiarism.

New Philippine PAGCOR Logo Accused of Plagiarism

GMA News reported that many Filipinos claimed that the new PAGCOR logo copied the icon of the website called Tripper.

Based on the images online, Tripper's logo is very similar to PAGCOR's new icon; the only difference between them is the color.

PAGCOR's logo is in red and blue while Tripper's icon is sky blue. However, the gaming organization denied plagiarism allegations against it.

Via its official press release, PAGCOR said that the social media posts accusing it of plagiarism are entirely false and driven by malicious intent.

"The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) decries the recent circulation of screenshots on social media maliciously accusing PAGCOR of plagiarizing the logo of a website called 'Tripper,'" said PAGCOR.

Because of this, the corporation decided to launch a fake news probe to further investigate the issue.

"PAGCOR is actively investigating the source of this malicious and baseless campaign and urges the public to exercise caution," it confirmed.

Read Also: Philippines Approves 'Barbie' Film but Controversial Map May Be Blurred

New Tripper Website Used for Phishing?

While others are just going with the flow of plagiarism allegations against PAGCOR, some Filipinos decided to research the issue.

One of them, JJ Vestil, discovered that Tripper is actually a newly-created website.

"Based on my initial investigation, the website is newly created," she explained. The woman added that the Tripper webpage looks like a website created for phishing attacks.

She also provided some screenshots showing that the Tripper website requires users to create their accounts before getting access to it.

Another Filipino, Madam Ely, questioned why the Tripper website was just created after the PAGCOR logo issues arose. She added that Google's data confirmed that the sky blue icon used by Tripper is also newly created.

Meanwhile, others said that although the 3 million peso budget for PAGCOR's new logo is questionable, it is still not right to spread fake news regarding plagiarism.

Many Filipinos were disappointed after knowing that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation spent millions just to create its new logo.

They are criticizing the logo's appearance, especially the awkward color gradient in the middle part of the icon.

Some Filipino graphic artists even provided their own versions of the new PAGCOR logo, which are better and more pleasing to the eyes.

However, spreading fake news just to ignite the ongoing issue is still unethical.

Related Article: Philippine President Marcos Signs New Agrarian Emancipation Act

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The two-month deadlock to elect a Bellmead mayor is continuing after a city council meeting Tuesday had to be canceled because not enough members showed up.

Mayor Travis Gibson, who will remain in the position until the council picks a new mayor, said he requested Tuesdays vote on the matter be pulled from the meetings agenda because not all council members would be present for the vote, for a variety of reasons. He said the vote was set to go ahead anyway, so he chose not to attend. His absence, along with the absences of the other two council members, prevented the 6-member council from having a quorum needed to conduct business.

About 10 minutes after the meeting was scheduled to begin, Council Members Karen Coleman, Jasmine Neal and Gibson were absent, so Mayor Pro Tem James Cleveland canceled the meeting.

Its disheartening to know that we had all the citizens show up and its a disappointment for them for taking time out of their day to come up here just to be turned away, Cleveland said. Its kind of disheartening that it comes to that.

The meeting agenda included discussion and possible election of a mayor and mayor pro tem, which the council has deadlocked on at its past two meetings. If one of the three absent council members had been present, the council would have been able to take action on electing a mayor and a mayor pro tem, who takes on the responsibilities of the mayor if the mayor is unable.

Gibson said after the first deadlock in May, when the council typically picks new officers after regular municipal elections, he recommended the council wait until May 2024 to entertain possible action in selecting a new mayor and mayor pro tem. Gibson will stay as mayor and Cleveland as mayor pro tem until the next officers are elected by the council.

He said he asked for Tuesdays agenda to be changed to allow discussion of the election but not action on making the picks. He said not voting to elect a new mayor and mayor pro-tem is a courtesy he would give any member of the council if they were absent.

Items are added to meeting agendas if they are routine for the time of year, or if a staff member requires the councils action on something such as an ordinance. Alternatively, if two members of the council request an agenda item be added, it can be. Nothing can be removed from the agenda without a majority vote from the council.

Other agenda items scheduled for Tuesdays meeting included a budget workshop, a presentation on code enforcement and building inspections, ordinance readings and consideration of resolutions.

Bellmead City Manager Yost Zakhary said all of the agenda items will be pushed to the next meeting on Aug. 8 unless council members find a time when they can reschedule the July meeting.

He said the most urgent item on this months agenda was to approve the suggested tax rate, but the rest of the items will not be negatively affected by the delay.

Coleman had called Zakhary on Friday afternoon informing him she would be out of town at the time of Tuesdays meeting and that she would notify Gibson.

Zakhary said city council meetings are scheduled a year in advance and most of the city staff schedule vacations around the meeting dates.

Tuesday morning, Neal emailed Zakhary saying it would be impossible for her to attend the meeting due to personal reasons.

Within the hour, Gibson emailed Zakhary: After consulting with legal, I will not be in attendance at tonights meeting. Thank you.

In an interview Wednesday, Gibson said he was unaware Neal was not planning on attending the meeting, but that the city attorney advised him not to attend.

City attorney Charlie Buenger received an email from Gibson telling Buenger that he would not be in attendance about 30 minutes after Gibson notified Zakhary.

His email said Per your request, I will not be present at tonights meeting, Buenger said. He sent me that yesterday. I did not request he not go to the meeting. I dont know what hes talking about.
McLennan County will get more than $250,000 from a $13 billion national opioid settlement with Walgreens, Walmart and CVS Pharmacy, putting the money into into a fund to combat opioid-related problems in the county.

Waco attorney Herb Bristow, who is representing the county in legal action against opioid producers and distributors, said the county now has received nearly $1.2 million in direct payments due to ongoing settlements nationally and statewide. Another $18.3 million has gone into a regional fund that could benefit the county and others dealing with the opioid crisis.

As the settlements come in, we bring them to Commissioners Court for approval. We have received some funds to date, said County Administrator Dustin Chapman in an email response. In addition to the direct payments to the county, funds are allocated to a regional abatement fund for use in funding future prevention and treatment programs, including community mental health treatment arising from consequences of opioids.

Commissioners this week voted approval of the settlement with Walmart, Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy. Cities and counties statewide have joined class action lawsuits against the opioid industry in recent years, but McLennan County became a complainant early in the process, filing its own lawsuit in 2017, before joining governments around the state in pursuing remedies.

The general idea is that the payments are used to compensate the county for expenses related to the past and future consequences of opioids being in the community and for prevention and treatment programs, Chapman said.

Bristow said the pursuit of settlements will continue indefinitely.

There are more to come, Bristow said. We hope to get as many solved as we can, and we put pressure with litigation to get that done. It represents a lot of effort by a lot of people. Bristow said the process includes lawsuits, negotiations, settlements and the disbursement of funds to various entities.

The new payouts will be as follows:

Walmart: $80,000 to McLennan County, $1.13 million to regional fund,

Walgreens: $155,000 to county, $2.25 million to region,

CVS: $141,000 to county, $2.1 million to region.

This regional fund, called the Opioid Abatement Trust Fund, lumps McLennan County with six smaller counties: Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Hamilton, Hill and Limestone. Other regional trust funds have been established statewide.

Bristow said about 70% of money secured in settlements will flow into the trust fund, which must be spent in strict accordance with guidelines. Direct payments to cities and counties have no strings attached, said Bristow. Entities are not legally bound to spend the money on opioid issues, he said, but may do so.

Parties to the lawsuits often negotiate different payout schedules, said Bristow, mentioning that Walmart has agreed to pay what it owes over six years, while Walgreens will have 15 years; CVS Pharmacy, 10 years.

The three companies will pay the county $276,000 combined.

The settlement involving the three companies was reached in November last year, with Reuters placing the agreed upon total at $13.8 billion.

It quoted Paul Geller, an attorney representing governments involved in legal action, saying the settlements will bring billions of additional dollars to communities that are desperate for funds to combat the epidemic of opioid addiction.

He went on to say, We know that reckless, profit-driven dispensing practices fueled the crisis; but we know just as surely that with better systems in place and proper heeding of red flag warnings, pharmacies can play a direct role in reducing opioid abuse and in saving lives.

At the time, Walgreens released a statement, saying, As one of the largest pharmacy chains in the nation, we remain committed to being a part of the solution, and this settlement framework will allow us to keep out focus on the health and wellbeing of our customers and patients, while making positive contributions to address the opioid crisis.

CVS, Walgreens and Walmart were the three largest retail pharmacies in the country by market share at the time the settlement was announced.

McLennan County also has reaped financial benefits from settlements with three major pharmaceutical distributors  McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen  as well as drug manufacturer Johnson & Johnson.

The state also has reached deals with Teva Pharmaceutical, Endo Health Solutions, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Endo International and Par Pharmaceutical, with McLennan County getting a percentage of each.

Bristow said though the county has qualified for more than $1 million in direct payments, it may not have received that amount. He said payments may arrive sporadically, depending on agreed upon payout schedules.
WATERLOO  Rain was a welcome sight Wednesday morning for farmers in and around Waterloo.

The municipal airport reported 0.89 inches accumulated over a three to four hour span during typically whats the warmest month of the year, as well as the 157th week overall of moderate drought conditions seen across the state.

Todays rainfall event is one of those million dollar rainfalls that holds the crop on for a good amount of time, said Justin Glisan, Iowas state climatologist. As the corn starts transpiring more and uses more water, it will soak up this water that weve gotten. But these are the types of rains we really need.

Despite northeastern and parts of eastern Iowa having been wetter than other areas in the state over the last three years, Gilsan said precipitation deficits and more severe conditions have been popping the last few months, especially around Waterloo.

We expect about an inch of rainfall per week this time of year, so Waterloos picked up what they would expect on a weekly basis over three or four hours, Glisan said.

Crops are starting to see pollination and corn tassels emerge. The rain will replenish soil moisture during what Glisan called a pivotal time for corn and beans when soil profiles as generally dry. Corn will green up, not pineapple, as it does when forced to conserve moisture.

This is by no means is a drought buster, but this is the type of event that you want when you get an appreciable amount of rainfall, he said. When you look at the next seven day outlook, its showing a continuation of an active storm track with another half inch to an inch possible.

Western Iowa was the recipient of some much-needed precipitation last week, but Waterloos early figures havent reached the same level, according to Glisan.

Close Beckett Wirtz, 9, of Cedar Falls, rides a pedal cart with his sister Carter, 5, in the parking lot during Waverly Heritage Days on Saturday afternoon. Kristi Hunemuller paints a dragon on the face of Rowan Trebon, 6, of Waterloo, Saturday afternoon during Waverly Heritage Days. The Greater Waverly Municipal Band made an appearance last year during the Heritage Days parade along Fifth Avenue Northwest and Sixth Street Northwest and Southwest. Waverly's first motorized fire truck, a 1921 American La France, made an appearance during the Heritage Days parade Saturday morning. The Waverly-Shell Rock Area United Way featured a "Christmas in July" theme for its personal hygiene products drive during the 2022 Heritage Days parade. The Grimoskas brothers, Emerson, 4, and Nolan, 2, show off their balloon creations Saturday afternoon during Waverly Heritage Days. A Waverly police car and Boy Scout Troop 90 with the colors marked the beginning of the Waverly Heritage Days parade Saturday morning. A Waverly police car and Boy Scout Troop 90 with the colors marked the beginning of the Heritage Days parade Saturday morning. A Waverly police car and Boy Scout Troop 90 with the colors marked the beginning of the Heritage Days parade last year. Farmers State Bank was among the participants in the Saturday morning Waverly Heritage Days parade. There was no shortage of inflatables for kids to play on during Waverly Heritage Days last year. The Beaver Creek Band performs during Waverly Heritage Days last year. A child tosses candy from the KWAY Radio car during the Waverly Heritage Days parade Saturday morning. The Waverly-Shell Rock Class of 1972 participated in this year's Waverly Heritage Days parade Monday morning. St. Paul's Lutheran Church was among the participants in the Waverly Heritage Days parade Saturday morning. Waverly Heritage Days 2022 photos Beckett Wirtz, 9, of Cedar Falls, rides a pedal cart with his sister Carter, 5, in the parking lot during Waverly Heritage Days on Saturday afternoon. Kristi Hunemuller paints a dragon on the face of Rowan Trebon, 6, of Waterloo, Saturday afternoon during Waverly Heritage Days. The Greater Waverly Municipal Band made an appearance last year during the Heritage Days parade along Fifth Avenue Northwest and Sixth Street Northwest and Southwest. Waverly's first motorized fire truck, a 1921 American La France, made an appearance during the Heritage Days parade Saturday morning. The Waverly-Shell Rock Area United Way featured a "Christmas in July" theme for its personal hygiene products drive during the 2022 Heritage Days parade. The Grimoskas brothers, Emerson, 4, and Nolan, 2, show off their balloon creations Saturday afternoon during Waverly Heritage Days. A Waverly police car and Boy Scout Troop 90 with the colors marked the beginning of the Waverly Heritage Days parade Saturday morning. A Waverly police car and Boy Scout Troop 90 with the colors marked the beginning of the Heritage Days parade Saturday morning. A Waverly police car and Boy Scout Troop 90 with the colors marked the beginning of the Heritage Days parade last year. Farmers State Bank was among the participants in the Saturday morning Waverly Heritage Days parade. There was no shortage of inflatables for kids to play on during Waverly Heritage Days last year. The Beaver Creek Band performs during Waverly Heritage Days last year. A child tosses candy from the KWAY Radio car during the Waverly Heritage Days parade Saturday morning. The Waverly-Shell Rock Class of 1972 participated in this year's Waverly Heritage Days parade Monday morning. St. Paul's Lutheran Church was among the participants in the Waverly Heritage Days parade Saturday morning.
November 8, 1931-July 8, 2023

WATERLOO-Charles Chuck Edward Eckhart, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away at his home in Waterloo, Iowa, on Saturday, July 8th, 2023, at the age of 91.

Chuck was born on November 8, 1931, on a farm in LaPorte City, Iowa, to the late Morris and Delia (LaCrosse) Eckhart. In his teenage years, Chuck and his family relocated to Vinton, Iowa, where he attended Washington High School. Following his graduation, Chuck enlisted in the Navy. He served his country with honor, including two years based in Japan on the USS Norton Sound, before returning home to find that John Deere was hiring veterans. He began working in the offices downtown before eventually being promoted to a Supervisor position at the Waterloo Works.

It was in Vinton where Chuck met and married the love of his life, Barbara Jean Seavy in 1958. Chuck and Barbara had two sons in Vinton before the family moved to Waterloo so that their oldest child could attend River Hills School. They then welcomed a daughter.

After nearly a 30-year career at John Deere, Chuck took advantage of an early retirement offer in 1985. During his retirement years, Chuck found joy in collecting John Deere toy tractors and closely followed Iowa Hawkeye sports. In his later years, he helped his daughter with her ecommerce businesses and relaxed watching TV with the familys beloved pug dogs on his lap.

Chuck was preceded in death by his loving wife, Barbara, and their oldest son, Danny. He was also predeceased by his parents as well as nine siblings. He is survived by his son, Todd Eckhart of Reinbeck and daughter, Ann Eckhart of Waterloo along with one granddaughter, Ashlee (Dustin), three grandsons, Travis (Sarah), Brad (Amanda) and Benjamin, great-granddaughter, Sophie and two great-grandsons, Sawyer and Owen.

A private graveside service is planned for the immediate family. To honor Chuck and Barbaras special son, Danny, the family is asking that memorials be directed to the ARC of the Cedar Valley or to Camp Courageous.

Arrangements: Parrott & Wood Chapel of Memories, 965 Home Plaza, Waterloo, Iowa. 319-232-3235. Condolences may be left at: www.parrottandwoodsfh.com
WATERLOO  Police are investigating an apparent shoot-out in front of a Waterloo home Wednesday night.

A man was outside his home at 424 Florence St. around 8:30 p.m. when someone in a passing car allegedly shot at him, according to police reports. The man wasnt injured but he then returned fire at the vehicle.

It wasnt immediately clear if the vehicle was struck, but some of the bullets from the mans gun hit a home at 508 Independence Ave.

No arrests have been made in the incident. Officers seized the gun pending the investigation.

LGBTQ+ individuals are disproportionately impacted by gun violence. Here's what the data shows LGBTQ+ individuals are disproportionately impacted by gun violence. Here's what the data shows In 2017, guns were involved in nearly 3 in 5 bias-motivated homicides against LGBTQ+ people. Nearly 1 in 5 hate crimes are due to sexuality or gender-identity bias LGBTQ+ people are 2.5 times more likely to be victims of violence involving a weapon than straight, cisgender people 3 in 4 homicides of transgender people involved a gun from 2017 to 2019 With 57 tracked killings, 2021 was the deadliest year recorded for the transgender and nonbinary communities
Residents called police after hearing five or six shots in the 900 block of Kern Street around 12:40 a.m. Officers responding to the call found a vehicle in a nearby alley and three juveniles fled from the vehicle.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo woman has been sentenced to probation for allegedly firing a gun at another woman in October.

Shaparis Zhane Davis, 29, was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison suspended to two to five years of probation after pleading to a charge of intimidation with a weapon on Monday in Black Hawk County District Court.

The victim had pulled up at Davis home on Rosehill Terrace on Oct. 31 to pick up some items. Davis allegedly exited the home and fired a shot.

No injuries were reported and Davis was arrested in May.

Police seized a 9 mm Kimber pistol during the investigation.
CEDAR FALLS  Cedar Falls Community Schools will no longer offer its virtual campus after seeing a drastic decline in interest.

The Board of Education on Monday approved ending the program. Enrollment went from more than 900 students during the 2020-21 school year and the height of COVID-19 pandemic to close to 500 students in 2021-22, and then to only 60 students in 2022-23.

Despite the termination, the district will continue to offer multiple virtual secondary level courses to meet needs such as accelerated learning and additional subjects of interest.

The Department of Education approved Cedar Falls Schools full-fledged pre-K12 virtual campus program for the 2020-21 school year and was deemed an online education provider open to enrollment from any student in the state. But it never took off like officials expected.

Superintendent Andy Pattee told the board its offerings were high quality, but larger programs such as those from Sioux City, Dubuque, Des Moines and Iowa City were either more established or could survive because of a larger pool of students.

The Cedar Falls district initiated a task force to explore virtual options in 2018 after passage of a bill in the Legislature that eliminated a cap on students enrolled online. It offered its first online courses in 2019. The pandemic accelerated the development of its virtual options.

As a result of the change in direction this upcoming school year, Pattee said, any staffing unneeded for virtual options will be reassigned to traditional teaching in classrooms, and that there will no reduction in full-time equivalents.

In other business, the board approved:

The low bid of $1.81 million from Affinitech, of Chanhassen, Minnesota, for audio-visual equipment at the new high school being built on West 27th Street.

A 28E agreement with the city of Cedar Falls regarding the use of the new swimming facility being built on the campus of the new school.

The 500 Series board policies on first reading of which several revisions are being made to the subsections addressing attendance area boundaries, student record access, freedom of expression and prescription administration.
Fifth in a series on The Couriers Eight Over 80 winners.

CEDAR FALLS  Preparing future generations has been the hallmark of Jerry and JoAnn Kramer, who have been named among recipients for The Couriers annual Eight Over 80 awards.

The couple spent decades as educators in and out of the classroom, and they volunteered countless hours for various causes, including establishing rehabilitation and support services for people with brain injuries.

We just grew up, and a lot of people do, where you give back to your community. Its just a natural thing, and teaching really helps you do that. You are always working students who bring unique things from their families, parents who trust you and ask questions and ask for help, said JoAnn, 80, seated next to her husband on the back patio of their Western Home Community house.

Farm kids, the two grew up in Bennington Township in rural Black Hawk County where they attended the one-room country school and the same church. Their parents were friends, and they were a few years apart in age.

You were just an old, eighth-grade boy, JoAnn said.

We went different ways all the time, Jerry, 85, said.

JoAnn, who was among the first to attend Logan Junior High and graduated from East High School in Waterloo, went to the University of Iowa.

After graduating from East, Jerry studied briefly at Iowa State University and then took a detour, serving in the U.S. Army in the early 1960s. When Jerry returned from the service, they found each other back in Bennington.

JoAnn was back home that weekend and, my God, she was beautiful. Thats where it started, Jerry remembers.

Jerry continued his education and the University of Northern Iowa, earning degrees in history.

Both taught at West High School in Waterloo, Jerry specializing in history and eventually moving to Expo High School, and JoAnn in physical education.

They continued to farm, and their interest in the 4-H program turned to leadership roles in the organization.

He was always interested in the sheep industry, he encouraged my children and others to participate in exhibiting sheep, said family friend Mary Jean Murch.

Jerry also served as a Bennington Township trustee, as a commissioner on the Black Hawk Soil and Water Commission, and he helped establish the Bennington Neighborhood Association.

In 1975, their 9-year-old daughter, Jennifer, was seriously injured in a horseback riding accident and suffered a concussion. She was hospitalized for three months and left with a brain injury.

The tragedy spurred JoAnn to team up with the girls doctor and others to found the Iowa Brain Related Accident and Injury Network, which would later morph into the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa.

There werent organizations like that at that time, JoAnn said. The group focuses on rehabilitation services, advocacy, education and school assistance.

That wasnt really taken care of for a long time. So this was really a big breakthrough, Jerry said.

In the 1990s, JoAnn was heavily involved in a 4-H project to restore the Bennington No. 4 School, which had closed in 1955 and was falling into disrepair.

JoAnn saw the bigger picture of this restoration, Murch said. She researched grants to fund the efforts and put together the paperwork to get the school on the National Register of Historic Places.

Close Winners of The Courier's 2023 Eight Over 80 Awards honored at the Wednesday banquet were, from left, Mary Ann Burk, Rex Boatman, Catharine Wieck, David Buck, Barbara Zemke, the Rev. Chuck Lane, Herstine Ferguson, Jerry Kramer and JoAnn Kramer. Matt Tranquill Rex Boatman David Buck Mary Ann Burk Herstine Ferguson Jerry Kramer and JoAnn Kramer Chuck Lane Catharine Wieck Barbara Zemke Eight over 80 awards 2023 Winners of The Courier's 2023 Eight Over 80 Awards honored at the Wednesday banquet were, from left, Mary Ann Burk, Rex Boatman, Catharine Wieck, David Buck, Barbara Zemke, the Rev. Chuck Lane, Herstine Ferguson, Jerry Kramer and JoAnn Kramer. Matt Tranquill Rex Boatman David Buck Mary Ann Burk Herstine Ferguson Jerry Kramer and JoAnn Kramer Chuck Lane Catharine Wieck Barbara Zemke
A salon in Michigan faces backlash after a Facebook post made it clear that transgender clients were not welcome and instead recommended that they "seek services at a local pet groomer."

Offensive Message to Trans People

According to the New York Post, the now-deleted post was made by Studio 8 Hair Lab, a salon in Traverse City. It seemed to be prompted by a US Supreme Court ruling allowing a Christian graphic designer to refuse to work with homosexual couples.

"If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman please seek services at a local pet groomer. You are not welcome at this salon. Period," the post reads, which was shared by LGBTQnation.com.

Before it was taken down, the post received several comments and responses, including strong criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates.

"Should you request to have a particular pronoun used, please note we may simply refer to you as 'hey you.' Regardless of MI HB 4744," the post states, with a reference to the Michigan hate crime legislation.

Earlier this year, Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer expanded protections against discrimination based on a person's gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

Christine Geiger is identified as a co-owner of the hair business. Following the removal of her offensive message, Geiger said on another Facebook post that she had no issues with lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. But she added that she is not supporting transgender, queer, and individuals of other sexual orientations.

Also, Geiger reportedly made a false assertion that the "+" in the LGBTQ+ signified pedophiles.

The salon has been the subject of an inquiry by the city of Traverse City after the allegations.

Also Read: ESPN's Sam Ponder, Sage Steele Question Megan Rapinoe's Take on Trans Women in Sports

Fallout From Hateful Facebook Post

Following Geiger's statements, hair product manufacturer Jack Winn Pro openly dissociated itself from the salon. It wrote on Facebook that Geiger no longer has the authority to represent their brand and that the firm takes a strong stand against hate speech and any type of discrimination.

Due to an influx of recent negative feedback, the Yelp Support staff has been keeping an eye on the Studio 8 Hair Lab page as of Thursday, July 13.

Yelp warned that because of the salon's "recently increased public attention," visitors to the page could be more interested in sharing their opinions on the news than their own experiences with the business itself.

"We've temporarily disabled the posting of content to this page as we work to investigate the content you see here reflects actual consumer experiences rather than the recent events," a Yelp notice stated.

Also Read: Dylan Mulvaney in Peru: Transgender Influencer Announces Relocation to Latin American 'To Feel Safe'

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 1396-12-07-2023

13.07.2023 00:15

Question: In recent months, several peace initiatives on Ukraine have appeared at once: Chinese, Indonesian, Vatican and African. To what extent have you had the opportunity to examine the content of each of them? Which is closer to Russias vision? Dont you find such initiatives premature, given that they all involve a ceasefire?

Sergey Lavrov: Above all, I would like to express my gratitude to our partners for their efforts to search for ways to settle the Ukrainian crisis peacefully.

We do not find their initiatives premature: for the Russian side, peace always has priority over combat. So, let me remind you that we already participated in a negotiation process with Kiev, in the spring of 2022, and came close to a positive outcome. However, all efforts were undermined by the Anglo-Saxons, whose plans clearly did not include the cessation of hostilities. They have remained obsessed with the manic idea of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia.

Of course, we have meticulously studied all the peace initiatives we have received. We have held special consultations with several of our partners and discussed their ideas in detail. In mid-June, President Vladimir Putin received heads of several African states in St Petersburg. In late May, we had a very trust-based and warm meeting with Chinese Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs, Head of the Chinese delegation on Ukrainian crisis settlement Li Hui in Moscow. We had a substantive discussion with Chief Advisor of the Presidency of Brazil on International Affairs Celso Amorim, who visited Russia in late March.

We agree with many of our partners proposals, such as complying with the international law and the UN Charter, abandoning the Cold War mentality, resolving the humanitarian crisis, ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants, ending unilateral sanctions, and refusing to use the world economy for political purposes.

At the same time, we have to admit that Vladimir Zelenskys Western curators completely refuse any form of de-escalation. The Kiev regime has directly and immediately rejected the possibility of talks on peace initiatives proposed by China, Brazil and African countries. Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mikhail Podolyak said that talks would be meaningless, dangerous and deadly for Ukraine and Europe.

Kiev did not find anything better to do than to beg for evidence of reliability from those who would like to become a mediator in the negotiation process. In particular, Defence Minister Aleksandr Reznikov demanded that China persuade Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine. Otherwise, contacts with Chinese negotiators would be a waste of time in the view of the Kiev politician.

Question: It was reported following the failed mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhin that the G7 countries, Brazil, India, China, Turkiye and South Africa held a secret meeting in Copenhagen to discuss the possibility of launching peace talks on Ukraine in July 2023. Have you received any indication of this from Russias partners that attended that meeting, and do you share their forecast? If such talks are held, which provisions of the Istanbul document would Moscow support, and on which of them has its position changed?

Sergey Lavrov: We have not received any indication of this. There are reasons to assume that this is fake news, considering the persistent intention of Kiev and its Western handlers to escalate the hostilities. We have pointed out on numerous occasions that Russia has never rejected dialogue as a political method of attaining the goals of the special military operation.

As for our views on a potential settlement, we clearly outlined its goals even before we launched the special military operation. They include the defence of the people of Donbass, the demilitarisation and de-Nazification of Ukraine, and the removal of threats coming from its territory.

During our talks with Kiev held at its initiative in February-April 2022, an understanding was reached that Ukraine should resume its neutral non-aligned status, refuse to join NATO and reaffirm its nuclear-free status.

Another provision stipulated the recognition of the new territorial reality following the free expression of the will of residents of the Donbass peoples republics and the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions in favour of political integration with Russia. Also, the Kiev authorities must guarantee the rights of Russian speakers and ethnic minorities in Ukraine, including the official status of the Russian language.

As for the reported meeting in Copenhagen, its main goal was to try to convince representatives of the Global South to give a degree of support to Zelenskys peace formula, which is absolutely unacceptable and has no future, as we openly told our partners in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Because the conflict, which originates in the 2014 coup detat in Ukraine, has a geopolitical dimension, its settlement must include security guarantees on Russias western border. I would like to remind you that this is the essence of the initiative which President Vladimir Putin advanced in December 2021. The West represented by the United States and NATO contemptuously rejected it.

Our position has not changed radically. We are open to dialogue, but we will be guided by our legitimate interests, and our stand on a possible settlement will be adjusted in accordance with the situation on the ground.

Question: What do you think of Ukraines involving the International Criminal Court in the investigation of the Kakhovka hydropower plant dam breach? What other international organisations should have been involved and why? How do you assess the response of international humanitarian organisations to the incident?

Sergey Lavrov: We have no doubt that Kiev was responsible for blowing up the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station. It appears that the Kiev regime is asking the so-called International Criminal Court to investigate a crime that it itself committed. This has probably never happened before in the history of this pseudo-court.

We warned the UN Security Council about the plans of the Ukrainian neo-Nazis to destroy the dam back in October last year. At that time, we asked Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to do everything possible to prevent this criminal scenario. The lack of response on the part of the United Nations Secretariat has reinforced the confidence of the Ukrainian authorities that they will get away with it.

As for the response of international humanitarian organisations to what happened, just as in the case of the sabotage of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline and the terrorist act against the Nord Streams, no principled assessments were heard from them. UN agencies limit their role to ostensible attempts to deliver humanitarian aid to the needy across the line of combat contact. They know that this is unrealistic in the context of the military operation, but they are still trying to fulfil the political order of the West and the Kiev regime.

Question: There are different opinions regarding the use of nuclear weapons by Russia. What is your general view on the possibility of using or not using nuclear weapons in the Ukrainian conflict?

Sergey Lavrov: We have repeatedly spoken out on this topic. I would even say that it has exhausted itself unless the West takes actions that again and again force us to point out the strategic risks posed by aggressive anti-Russian policy.

The conditions for Russias use of nuclear weapons are clearly defined in our Military Doctrine. They are well known, and I will not repeat them once again.

At the same time, I would like to draw attention to the fact that the United States and its NATO satellites are creating risks of a direct armed clash with Russia, and this is fraught with catastrophic consequences.

Just one example of an extremely dangerous turn of events is the United States plans to transfer F-16 fighter jets to the Kiev regime. We have informed the nuclear powers, the United States, Britain and France, that Russia cannot ignore the ability of these aircraft to carry nuclear weapons. No amount of assurances will help here. In the course of combat operations, our servicemen are not going to sort out whether each particular aircraft of this type is equipped to deliver nuclear weapons or not. We will regard the very fact that the Ukrainian armed forces have such systems as a threat from the West in the nuclear sphere.

Question: What are the tasks of the 2nd Russia-Africa Summit, scheduled for late July 2023? How fair is it to say that Russia is turning towards Africa? What will this mean for the Russian diplomatic service? For example, will Russia expand the network of its embassies on the continent?

Sergey Lavrov: Strong bonds of friendship have always linked Russia and Africa. For decades, they have successfully withstood an endurance test. We attach great significance to expanded Russia-Africa collaboration. The Russian Foreign Policy Concept, approved by the President of Russia in late March, formalises this aspect.

We view expanding the diverse ties with our African friends as an integral part of our common efforts to expand cooperation with the Global South.

I am confident that the Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg will play an important role in building strategic partnership with the continents countries in the next few years.

Russia is ready to help strengthen the sovereignty of African states and all their security dimensions in every possible way. This is the key idea of the upcoming meeting. There are plans to pass a declaration of leaders and an action plan dealing with high-priority political, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation in 2023-2026. We are set to approve specific documents in the field of international information security, counter-terrorism operations and preventing the deployment of weapons in outer space.

Following the 1st Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi in 2019, the national leadership adopted decisions on expanding our diplomatic presence in Africa. The Foreign Ministry is working to open new embassies in a number of African countries. We will disclose their locations after coordinating everything with the authorities of receiving states and completing essential legal proceedings.

Question: How have Russian foreign policy priorities changed in the past 18 months? Is it possible to say that we have passed a point of no return in our relations with Western countries? If yes, when did this happen? How do you interpret the Foreign Policy Concepts definition of Russia as a civilisation-state in this context?

Sergey Lavrov: When the special military operation began, the United States and other NATO and EU countries stepped up their proxy war against Russia. In fact, they had launched that war in 2014. Doubtless, aggressive steps by unfriendly states create an existential threat for Russia. We will have to uphold our right to free and sovereign development using all available means.

It is also obvious that there will be no return to our former relations with unfriendly countries. If they decide to renounce their anti-Russia line all of a sudden, then we will see what exactly this means, and we will decide on our subsequent line, while relying on our interests. This concerns the collective West.

Regarding the Global East and South where about 85 percent of our planets population live, these countries did not join the anti-Russian sanctions, and they are interested in expanding practical collaboration. Constructive partners include EAEU, CSTO, CIS, SCO and BRICS states. We are launching purposeful work with all of them in the interests of joint development; this work stipulates various cooperation formats.

We realise that a stronger multipolar world is a reality, rather than someones whim. The updated Foreign Policy Concept proclaims Russias civilisational mission as a world power that plays a stabilising role in international affairs. In reality, this means that Russia will not merge with geopolitical and geo-economic structures where it is unable to defend its interests. We intend to team up with our friends and supporters and to facilitate the creation of a more equitable world order based on the goals and principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interdependence and the principle of the sovereign equality of states, first and foremost.

https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/1896659/

WtR
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (12 July 2023)

The AFU continued unsuccessful attempts at offensive actions in South Donetsk, Krasny Liman and Donetsk directions.

In Donetsk direction, as a result of the courageous and competent actions of the Yug Group of Forces units, aviation and artillery, 30 enemy attacks have been successfully repelled close to Zolotaryovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Spornoye, Kleshcheevka, Andreevka, Sol, Severnoye, Veseloye, Vodyanoye, Pervomaiskoye, Krasnogorovka and Petrovskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

In addition, enemy manpower and hardware concentration areas have been hit in two areas to the west of Andreevka and Kleshcheevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 335 Ukrainian servicemen, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one U.K.-manufactured FH-70 towed howitzer.

In South Donetsk direction, as a result of coordinated actions by the defending units of the Vostok Group of Forces, aviation and artillery, an enemy attack by the units of the AFU 35th Marine Brigade have been repelled forward Staromayorskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and also foiled an enemy combat reconnaissance actions near Ugledar (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU inflicted a comprehensive fire attack on an AFU manpower and hardware cluster close to Storozhevoye and Makarovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

The activities of one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been suppressed close to Sladkoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

In Zaporozhye direction, as a result of the selfless actions by Russian troops, two enemy attacks have been repelled near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

In addition, Army Aviation and artillery struck enemy military personnel close to Marfopol, Rabotino and Lugovskoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were over 240 Ukrainian servicemen, nine infantry fighting vehicles, two armoured personnel carriers, six armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, as well as Msta-B and D-30 howitzers .

In addition, one ammunition depot of the AFU 33th Mechanised Brigade has been destroyed near Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region).

In Krasny Liman direction, as a result of the active actions by the units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, aviation, artillery, and heavy flame thrower systems, two enemy attacks of the 63rd and 66th mechanised brigades of the AFU each with the strength of up to a motorised infantry platoon have been repelled close to Torskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Karmazinovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

The activities of one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been suppressed close to Terny (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

In addition, enemy personnel have been hit near Nevskoye, Chervonaya Dibrova and Kuzmino (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were over 60 Ukrainian servicemen, two infantry fighting vehicles and one Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer.

In Kupyansk direction, the units of the Zapad Group of Forces, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, and artillery have successfully repelled three enemy attacks near Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

AFU manpower and hardware have been hit close to Molchanovo, Novomlynsk, Ivanovka (Kharkov region) and Artyomovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

The enemy were up to 40 Ukrainian servicemen, two tanks, one infantry fighting vehicle, and two motor vehicles.

In Kherson direction, assault groups of Russian troops continued reconnaissance and search operations on the islands close to Antonovsky Bridge.

The enemy losses were up to 40 Ukrainian servicemen, two motor vehicles, and two U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery systems.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 74 AFU artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and hardware in 107 areas.

One ammunition depot of the 1st Special Forces Brigade of the AFU has been destroyed near Volchansk (Kharkov region).

Fuel depots for Ukrainian military equipment have been destroyed close to Malodolinskoye and Chernomorsk (Odessa region).

The 5th National Guard Brigades battalion command and observation post has been hit near Yampol (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Fighter Aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces has shot down one Mi-24 airplane of Ukrainian Air Force near Cherevkovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Air defence facilities have intercepted 4 Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

15 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle have been destroyed close to Grozovoye, Priyutnoye, Dorozhnyanka, Vladimirovka, Konstantinovka (Zaporozhye region), Blagoveshchenka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Chervonaya Dibrova, Verkhnekamenka, Chervonopopovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Tavolzhanka (Kharkov region) and Zburyevka (Kherson region).

In total, 455 airplanes, 242 helicopters, 4,981 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 10,668 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,137 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,421 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,626 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.

WtR
This makes me happy and smile. Thanks to Svetochka who sent me a link

https://ryazpressa.ru/rybhoz-para-saraevskogo-rajona-otprazdnoval-90-letie/

On July 10, workers of the fish farm Para celebrated a professional holiday in the village of Mirror Ponds.

Celebrations in honor of the 90th anniversary of the enterprise were timed to the same day.

Employees were congratulated by Vladimir Lavrukhin, Director of the fish farm, Alexander Kokhalsky, General Director of the joint-stock company Ryazanrybprom.

On behalf of the regional government, Alexander Shastitko, deputy chairman of the regional government, and Dmitry Filippov, Minister of Agriculture, thanked the farm workers for their work. From the district administration, Valery Dmitriev, head of the administration, and Alexey Novikov, chairman of the District Duma.

Alexey Novikov: The village of Mirror Ponds is the pearl of our district. There is a wonderful nature here, hardworking people who were able not only to create such a farm, but also to preserve it in difficult years. I wish all employees health, well-being and success.

Certificates of honor, commendations and valuable gifts were presented to the heads of the farm, fish farmers, tractor drivers, drivers, electricians and representatives of many other professions. Valentina Ryashentseva, the head of the Boretsky rural settlement, thanked the management and staff for their responsiveness and presented a sweet gift.

Rustam Inkarov, senior fish breeder: This year I have my anniversary, I have been working at the fish farm for exactly 25 years. Of course, our work, as many have already said from the stage, is difficult. And I am very pleased that today I was awarded a diploma of the Ministry of Agriculture and a valuable gift.

Between the awards, Sarajevo artists performed on stage. And after the solemn part, the positive music ensemble Parnas from Ryazan performed for the fish farm workers.

***

Many more articles on WTR. The fish guys are wonderful and they all work hard

Carp is a big deal in Russia

I always grill Svetochka a big fat carp when she is with me

WtR
The International Crane Foundation and local birders are mourning the loss of a wild hatched whooping crane chick that died recently at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge.

The female chick hatched in the wild on May 7. The specific cause of death is still pending.

According to a statement put out by the International Crane Foundation (ICF), the organization, based in Baraboo, had been monitoring the chick and her parents as part of its crane conservation program at Horicon Marsh, located in Dodge County.

The dead chick was recovered on July 7 and was transferred to the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison for a necropsy.

This crane family was often visible at Horicon and was a favorite for visitors to the refuge, said Hillary Thompson, ICFs North American Program Crane Analyst, in a statement. Our online audiences also followed the familys progress through our social media posts and updates.

Thompson continued, While there are still four remaining whooping crane chicks in Wisconsin, each one is precious and every loss reminds us of the fragility of the species.

Bill Peterson is the Project Leader for the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge/Leopold Wetland Management District Complex. He said, Were disappointed by the loss of this nearly fledged whooping crane chick, especially since weve now learned that it was a female.

Goose bumps: Horicon Marsh tour attracts birders, paddlers On June 24, from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm, the community is invited to join fellow outdoor enthusiasts to paddle the six and a half mile water trail through the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area.

In the Eastern Migratory Population, only 18% of all wild hatching whooping crane chicks survive to fledgling. Fledging is defined as when a crane can first fly, which happens approximately 80 days after hatching.

Mortality is quite common during those 80 days. Threats to chicks include predation, impact trauma, disease, and exposure.

The remaining four chicks are due to fledge in August.

Its comforting to remember that Horicon Marshs nesting whooping crane population is increasing, Peterson said. For the first time this past spring, the marsh supported two whooping crane nests  both of which hatched chicks.

Horicon Marsh is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States. Hundreds of species have been sighted at the marsh, and millions of waterfowl migrate through the marsh.

The chicks parents came from ICF headquarters in Baraboo as part of the Whooping Crane Reintroduction Program. One parent was costume-reared staff dress in crane costumes to help chick imprint on whooping cranes  and released in 2015. The second was parent-reared and released in 2017. The pair naturally hatched and raised the chick this year.

For 50 years, the ICF has worked to save the endangered whooping crane. In 1941, there were 15 whooping cranes left in the world. Currently, there are 836 whooping cranes in North America.

ICF currently has 44 whooping cranes at their Baraboo headquarters and produce chicks every year for reintroduction into the wild and for genetic management of the species.

Photos: Great Midwest Crane Fest Great Midwest Crane Fest Cranes Festival 11-11042022114630 Great Midwest Crane Fest Great Midwest Crane Fest Cranes Festival 12-11042022114630 Cranes Festival 13-11042022114630 Great Midwest Crane Fest Great Midwest Crane Fest Great Midwest Crane Fest Great Midwest Crane Fest Great Midwest Crane Fest Cranes Festival 07-11042022114630 Great Midwest Crane Fest
The beginning of the Great Sauk State Trail is set to receive an aesthetic upgrade from a local artist.

Chris Sweet, a Ho-Chunk painter who operates Blue Bear Studio in Baraboo with his wife Chrissy Shegonee, is set to create a 96-foot long mural that will start at Mile Marker 0 on the state trail near Sauk City. It will be painted on 12 individual 8-foot-by-4-foot aluminum composite material panels. A title for the mural has not been released.

It will be inspired by connection, said Sweet in a statement. In preparing for the call for art, I found myself thinking of all of the elements that connect us. I felt specifically connected to this project because of its location. The Driftless Region that I call home, the ancestral homelands of the mound builders and the connection to my Ho-Chunk ancestors.

Sweet added that current renderings reflect that connection and the water and beauty of the area. The mural will be located at the site of a former railroad bridge that crossed the Wisconsin River.

My hope is that the mural will connect and capture the feeling of why people choose to visit the Great Sauk State Trail, said Sweet in the statement. To connect with nature, with friends, family and to connect with their spiritual, physical and mental well-being.

Lindsey Giese, the executive director of River Arts Inc. in Prairie du Sac and board member of the Friends of the Great Sauk State Trail, said that the organization received a $65,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.

That entryway into Sauk County, we think will be one of the most visited areas when people are crossing from Dane County into our community, said Giese. It was a very industrial, not attractive area to welcome visitors. This mural will definitely help and have the kind of welcoming message that we wanted.

Giese added that the Friends are also adding benches and other seating areas, as well as lighting and landscaping upgrades, around the location of the mural, with the grant funds. The Great Sauk State Trail has a litany of artwork from various artists, according to Giese, who said that people who visit the trail often identify their location by which piece of art they are near.

We want to have these beautiful art pieces to enhance the trail, said Giese. They do encourage placemaking. It becomes part of the identity of the trail.

Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez visited the site on May 10 to discuss updates to the trail and the upcoming mural. Giese said that while the Friends welcome art on the trail, they also want to be mindful of visitors experience of the area as a natural place first.
WASHINGTON  The Justice Department is appealing the 18-year-prison sentence handed down for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, as well as other far-right extremists' punishments that were shorter than prosecutors sought.

While Rhodes received a lengthy sentence for seditious conspiracy and other convictions, the 18-year term was below the recommended range under federal guidelines and less than the 25 years the Justice Department asked for in one of the most serious cases to go to trial in the Capitol attack.

Defendants routinely appeal their convictions and sentences, but it is more unusual for prosecutors to challenge the length of a prison term imposed by judges who have wide discretion when handing down punishments. Rhodes' was the longest sentence handed down so far in more than 1,000 Capitol riot cases.

Rhodes' attorney, James Lee Bright, called the government's decision to appeal "surprising." At his sentencing hearing in May, a defiant Rhodes claimed to be a "political prisoner," criticized prosecutors and the Biden administration and tried to play down his actions on Jan. 6.

The Justice Department filed notices in court Wednesday that they also intend to appeal the sentences of other Oath Keepers, including Florida chapter leader Kelly Meggs, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy alongside Rhodes and sentenced to 12 years behind bars.

Three other Oath Keepers tried with Rhodes were acquitted of the sedition charge but convicted of other felonies. Four Oath Keepers were convicted of the seditious conspiracy charge at a second trial in January.

An attorney for Meggs declined to comment Wednesday.

During sentencings for the Oath Keepers in May, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta agreed with prosecutors that Rhodes and the other Oath Keepers' actions could be punished as "terrorism," increasing the recommended sentence under federal guidelines. However, the judge ultimately went below  in some cases far below  the sentence prosecutors were seeking for each defendant.

The Justice Department's announcement came after it suffered a rare setback in a related case involving Oath Keepers associates. A former "Jesus Christ Superstar" actor was acquitted Wednesday of conspiring with members of the far-right extremist group to obstruct Congress' certification of Joe Biden's presidential win over former President Donald Trump in the Capitol attack.

James Beeks  a Florida resident who was playing Judas in the traveling production of the musical when he was arrested  was cleared of conspiracy to obstruct Congress' certification of the 2020 election results and civil disorder after a trial in federal court. Mehta convicted Beeks' co-defendant, Ohio resident Donovan Crowl, of the same charges after hearing evidence without a jury.

It was a "stipulated bench trial," which means the judge decided the case based on a set of facts that both sides agreed to before the trial started. Such trials allow defendants to admit to certain facts while maintaining a right to appeal any conviction.

Beeks is only the second Jan. 6 defendant to be acquitted of all charges after a trial.

States where the most Jan. 6 rioters were arrested States where the most Jan. 6 rioters were arrested #49. Mississippi #47. Hawaii #43. South Dakota #42. Alaska #41. Louisiana #40. Nevada #36. Maine #35. Montana #33. Oregon #32. Idaho #30. Iowa #28. West Virginia #26. Minnesota #23. Massachusetts #22. Maryland #21. South Carolina #20. Alabama #19. Indiana #18. Colorado #16. North Carolina #15. Georgia #14. Michigan #13. Washington #12. Missouri #9. Washington, D.C. #8. Illinois #7. Virginia #5. California #4. New York #3. Pennsylvania #2. Texas
Weather Alert

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM PDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures up to 100-106 degrees expected. * WHERE...Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties, Greater Reno- Carson City-Minden Area, Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake and Northern Washoe County. * WHEN...From 11 AM to 9 PM PDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There will be some relief at night as low temperatures drop into the upper 50s and 60s overnight. However, high temperatures are still close to 10 degrees above average for this time of year and close to daily records. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. &&




The Irish Government (13th July 2023) officially launched the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), marking a significant milestone in the State's stewardship of the maritime area including plans for renewable offshore energy development.





The newly established authority will be responsible for regulating development and activity in Irelands maritime area and its role will include assessing applications for Maritime Area Consents (MACs), which are required before developers of offshore wind and other projects in the maritime area can make a planning application. It will also be responsible for granting licences for certain activities in the maritime area.





The establishment of MARA represents the beginning of phase two for Ireland's all-of-government approach to renewable offshore energy and will determine how we develop this valuable resource.



Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien TD, officially launched the new regulatory authority at an event in Rosslare Europort today, emphasising:





"With the launch of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority here in Rosslare today, we now begin the second phase of our all-of-Government approach to the development of offshore renewable energy. Delivery of offshore renewable energy will be crucial as we strive towards our climate goals over the next few years and MARA will provide the regulation and clarity that this emerging industry needs and govern our extensive maritime resource and contribute to our nations sustainable future."





Chief Executive Officer of MARA, Laura Brien, added:

Ireland has one of the highest sea-to-land ratios in Europe and today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in how Ireland will manage that resource. MARAs remit is wide-ranging reflecting the diverse marine resource that we will steward for this generation and the ones to come. MARA is confident in our ability to support the governance of our maritime resources. In achieving this, we look forward to working with the wide range of stakeholders in the seafood, tourism, transportation as well as offshore renewable energy sectors to deliver on our role.





Irelands first Designated Maritime Area Plan Proposal





Today also saw the launch of the first Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) Proposal for Offshore Renewable Energy by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD. This signals Irelands first step into the systemic, plan-led development of our huge off-shore wind potential.





DMAPS will determine the broad area where ORE projects can be developed and will act as a management plan for a specific area of our marine waters.



This first ORE DMAP for the South Coast puts forward an initial proposed geographical area within which future offshore renewable energy development may take place. This area will be refined through a process of public engagement and consultation, expert environmental impact assessments and other expert analysis of the maritime areas, to assess its suitability for offshore renewable energy development.





Following a period of public engagement, a Draft DMAP (which is anticipated to encompass a significantly smaller footprint than the initially outlined in proposal) will be published. Following this, a further statutory public consultation will take place, before the Draft DMAP is presented to the Minister for Housing and both houses of the Oireachtas for approval.





Minister Ryan explained:

"Today marks the start of our new plan-led approach to the development of our off-shore wind industry, which was supported by both Houses of the Oireachtas. It also aligns us with the strategic direction being taken by the worlds leading offshore wind countries like Denmark and Scotland. The rigorous legislative approach included within the South Coast DMAP Proposal will offer the best approach to protect local marine environments, fishing communities and boost local community development. It will offer comprehensive opportunities for public engagement, including the engagement of local communities.





Consultation process launched for next phase of offshore renewable auctions





In addition, Minister Ryan today also announced a consultation on the principles for the design of offshore wind auctions under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (ORESS), under the Governments plan-led Phase Two policy. The ORESS 2 consultation process will seek the views of stakeholders on key design principles to help ensure ORESS 2 auctions are attractive to the offshore wind industry, deliver a route to market for significant amounts of clean renewable energy, and ensure value for money for electricity consumers. ORESS 2 auctions will be geographically aligned with available onshore grid capacity. Its first auction, ORESS 2.1, will see the development of offshore wind within an offshore renewable energy designated Area - the South Coast DMAP. The consultation will run until Friday 25 August 2023, and it is expected that ORESS 2.1 will launch before the end of this year or early next year.





Minister Ryan pointed out:

"ORESS 2 is another hugely important step towards achieving our aim of delivering sustainable electricity for homes and businesses throughout Ireland. The success of our first offshore wind auction earlier this year (ORESS 1) highlighted Irelands enormous potential in the offshore renewables space. Both The South Coast DMAP Proposal and the ORESS 2 consultation process are important elements of our wider offshore renewables plan. As well as helping to meet our climate goals, these processes, along with subsequent offshore development, will have a transformational impact on regional communities and on sustainable jobs creation."





Establishment of MARA paves way for National Industrial Strategy for Offshore Wind





In May, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD, received Government support to develop a National Industrial Strategy for Offshore Wind which will set out how Ireland can maximise the economic opportunity arising from the production of Offshore Wind Energy (OWE). The Strategy will be developed in consultation with the relevant government departments, agencies, and industry, with the objective of ensuring that Ireland fully captures the value of both the supply chain to deliver an OWE sector at scale, and the routes to market for this renewable energy. It is expected that the National Industrial Strategy for Offshore Wind will be published in Q1 2024 and complement the suite of upcoming government policies led by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications through the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce.





At todays launch, Minister Coveney said:"Together with my colleagues across Government, I am committed to creating the environment that will allow a burgeoning Offshore Wind industry to develop and thrive. The provision of abundant, competitively priced renewable energy can be a key strategic competitive advantage for Irelands future reflecting the ambition as set out in my Departments White Paper on Enterprise. On the path to that goal are a series of important policy, legislative, regulatory and infrastructural steps. Today marks one of those critical steps with the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) with its new Chief Executive Officer Laura Brien. I wish her and all her colleagues well in playing its central role for this new industry."





Irelands swift and nature-positive transition to renewable energy has also been aided by the publication today of a detailed map and notice of intention to designate a new Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EU Birds Directive for the protection of birdlife in the North-west Irish Sea. The new North-west Irish Sea SPA covers more than 230,000 hectares of important marine waters for a range of bird species throughout the year.





In addition,

Seafood-ORE working group publishes summary engagement guide for seafood industry and Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) interactions.

For more information on offshore wind farms worldwide,

click here

.
Actor Jim Caviezel pushed back on media criticism of the Angel Studios film "Sound of Freedom" after it unexpectedly skyrocketed into the cinemas, even surpassing the blockbuster films like "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" across the US.

"They're scared. Quaking in their boots. And it's because the public is listening to their hearts, which is what this film tells you to do," the actor said.

Caviezel, who was widely known for his role as Jesus in the Mel Gibson film called "The Passion of the Christ," complained their production and film were "being shafted by mainstream media" and "not getting any coverage" due, in part, to speculations by The Guardian and Jezebel that the film was associated to QAnon, an online group often linked with promoting fringe conspiracy theories. Both the film and its producers explicitly denied engaging in such.

Nevertheless, Caviezel was content that the film was being viewed by two million people in its opening weekend, the same number as the two million children being trafficked across the globe, which is the film's main topic.

"Sound of Freedom" was initially pitched to 20th Century Fox, but was shelved after Disney acquired the studios in 2019. Angel Studios, the same distributors behind the biblical program "The Chosen," picked up the project.

Read Also: Disney Scaling Down on Marvel, Star Wars Production: Here's Why

Child Trafficking is Appalling, Caviezel Says

"Sound of Freedom," written and directed by Alejandro Monteverde, is centered around the story of Tim Ballard, a US Homeland Security agent who rescued two young children from human traffickers in South America.

In 2013, Ballard started the non-profit group Operation Underground Railroad, which according to its website, "directly responds to international government requests to develop intelligence and assist to carry out rescue efforts."

Because of Ballard's connections with then-US President Donald Trump in 2019, Vice News published scathing reports about the organization in 2020.

"Sound of Freedom" was rated by Rotten Tomatoes at 79% and gained mixed reviews from multiple publications.

Despite the common ground topic that human trafficking is the height of immorality, which Caviezel concurs as an "appalling" matter and a "moral depravity", fans and critics squabble about the choice of Caviezel as the main actor and his purported political stance.

"It's really funny when they don't like my politics because my politics are the Constitution of the United States," he said. "I want everybody to be under the Constitution of the United States with inalienable rights, including unborn and born children. They have a right."

AMC Squashes Rumors of Cinematic Sabotage

Meanwhile, AMC theaters this week refuted rumors that "Sound of Freedom" has been sabotaged in theaters.

Angel Studios head of theatrical distribution Brandon Purdie said while they understood the sentiment that AMC theaters "have made it difficult for fans to see Sound of Freedom in local AMC theaters," they have been "an outstanding partner for Angel Studios.

"[I]n fact, as a result of the movie's performance and consumer demand, AMC has agreed to add additional screens for Sound of Freedom this weekend," Purdie added.

Related Article: Philippines Approves 'Barbie' Film but Controversial Map May Be Blurred

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Every milestone birthday comes with its own feelings and phases. However you mark it, hitting the half-century mark is a noteworthy occasion in life  and a time to celebrate you, your family and friendships.

If travel happens to be your self-love language, planning a trip youve always wanted to take for your 50th birthday is a great way to celebrate five decades well lived.

From surf lessons in Florida to a far-flung culinary adventure in Cape Town, South Africa, here are fun activities and destinations and splurge-worthy recommendations to consider for your 50th birthday adventure.

The historic Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier at sunset (left); people enjoying the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. Alamy

For outdoor adventure: Floridas Space Coast

If staying active in the sunshine sounds like your idea of a great way to ring in the big 5-Oh, Floridas Space Coast, east of Orlando, is an often overlooked and wallet-friendly jewel along the states Atlantic coast.

Spend your days taking group or private surf lessons in the mellow waves with School of Surf and head out on a kayaking trip after dark during the warmer months to see the natural phenomenon of bioluminescence glowing in the waters of the Indian River Lagoon. For a fun night on the town, try historic downtown Cocoa Village for wine bars, pubs and restaurants. There might even be a rocket launch from nearby Cape Canaveral during your stay, so be sure to check the schedule and consider it a giant birthday firework lighting up the sky in your honor.

The affordable oceanfront suites at Beach Place Guesthouses have full kitchens and living rooms that are perfect for entertaining. The location is also pretty perfect: The Beach Place Guesthouses are set just behind some of Cocoa Beachs most gorgeous sand dunes and make a perfect base for a romantic celebration or for gathering a group of friends in one scenic spot.

Overseas splurge: Iceland

Tania Swasbrook, cofounder and travel specialist with Vgari Lifestyle, says Iceland checks all the boxes for outdoor adventure. From spa services at the Blue Lagoon to hikes and snowmobile tours, theres something for everyone, she says. Consider whether you want to plan your trip for the darker months (fall, winter and early spring) for the chance at seeing the northern lights, or opt for the warmer months when it stays light nearly round the clock and you can maximize your time outside and enjoy the countrys wild nature.

The capital city, Reykjavik, is a good home base for easy access to the Blue Lagoon and other outdoor adventures.


Response to Marmota Limited (ASX:MEU) Announcement

Adelaide, July 13, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Barton Gold Holdings Limited ( ASX:BGD ) notes the announcement published earlier today by Marmota Limited ( ASX:MEU ) (Marmota) making various claims in respect of the Western Gawler Craton Joint Venture (WGCJV) and noting its intention to issue proceedings against the Company and/or its wholly owned subsidiary, Challenger 2 Pty Ltd, in the Supreme Court of South Australia if its claims are not resolved by 3 August 2023.



As noted in the Company's 14 May 2021 initial public offering (IPO) prospectus (Prospectus), the WGCJV is subject to an ongoing dispute with a wholly owned subsidiary of Marmota.



In respect of this dispute, Marmota has previously made public claims which the Company considers to be false and misleading as evidenced by Company and Government records.



The Company has addressed these claims in its 31 March and 30 June 2022 Quarterly Activities Reports (QARs), and the ASX announcement dated 19 June 2023.



The issues raised by Marmota in today's announcement have been considered by the Company in the context of the WGCJV and addressed in extensive correspondence between Marmota and Barton.



Barton has obtained external legal advice and is of the view that Marmota's claims are without merit.



Barton considers that its minority WGCJV interest is immaterial to the Company's value and regional strategy, and that the status of this matter has not materially changed since Barton's last update.





About Barton Gold Holdings Limited





Barton Gold Holdings Limited (ASX:BGD) is an ASX listed Australian gold exploration company with a total attributable ~1.1Moz Au JORC (2012) Mineral Resources endowment (28.74Mt @ 1.2 g/t Au), a pipeline of advanced exploration projects and brownfield mines, and 100% ownership of the only regional gold mill in the central Gawler Craton of South Australia.
Instagram Celebrity

The former 'Beverly Hills, 90210' star has her particular reason why she brought her five children Liam, 16, Stella, 15, Hattie, 11, Finn, 10, and Beau, six, to stay at a $100 a night motel amid her marital issues with the actor.

Jul 13, 2023

AceShowbiz - Tori Spelling's decision to move into a $100-a-night motel with her five children reportedly has nothing to do with her rumored split from Dean McDermott. The "Beverly Hills, 90210" alum was spotted leaving the accommodation in the Los Angeles area over the weekend, but a source revealed that she booked the rooms due to the ongoing mould issue in their marital home.

"Tori and Dean are doing really good and her staying at a hotel with their kids has nothing to do with a separation," a source told Us Weekly. "They decided to stay there because of the ongoing mould problem at their house. Tori is taking this issue very seriously and isn't going to subject herself or her kids to that."

Page Six reported said Tori "looked distraught" as she left the motel with her kids. She was forced to move her family out of a rental home earlier this year after discovering an "extreme" mould infestation was causing them to suffer serious health issues.

Tori, who has children Liam, 16, Stella, 15, Hattie, 11, Finn, 10, and Beau, six, with Dean, said in May the toxic fungus had been "slowly killing" her family for three years as she asked her fans to recommend a lawyer.

The actress grew up living in a $165 million mansion owned by her late TV producer dad Aaron Spelling, who died aged 83 in 2006 from stroke complications. She had a bitter fallout with her family after she only got $800,000 of Aarons $500 million fortune.

Tori faced another setback in June when Dean posted then deleted a statement announcing that they had separated after 17 years of marriage. In a since-deleted post, the father of six declared, "It's with great sadness and a very very heavy heart that after 18 years together and 5 amazing children, that @torispelling and I have decided to go our separate ways, and start a new journey of our own."

The actor, who also has son Jack, 24, with his first wife Mary Jo Eustace, 61, added, "We will continue to work together as loving parents and guide and love our children through this difficult time."

Reacting to the news, Tori's mum Candy stated that she would "of course" financially support her daughter amid her marriage woes. She told TMZ earlier this month, "I love my daughter, and I support her in whatever she does. I support my daughter."

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When announcing the arrival of his and Lucia Oskerova's new bundle of joy to the world, the 'Breakfast Club' actor jokes that his 1-month-old 'big boy' has 'some appetite.'

Jul 13, 2023

AceShowbiz - Anthony Michael Hall has secretly been a dad for more than a month. "The Breakfast Club" actor, quietly welcomed his and his 32-year-old actress wife Lucia Oskerova's son, who they have called Michael Anthony Hall II, on 1 June but he has only now spoken about the joy of being a parent.

"That first month of parenting is pretty wild. It's the craziest time, but it's the best time," the 55-year-old told PEOPLE. "Everything that everybody tells you is pretty true: you lose sleep."

Anthony, who calls his 1-month-old baby a "big boy," jokingly said that the newborn has "some appetite." The "Sixteen Candles" star shared, "In between his breastfeeding, I get to give him his bottles."

Anthony said he knew when he was a "young man" he didn't want to start a family until "later" in life, but admitted about the new arrival. "I couldnt be happier (now.) Here I am at 55, and I'm fully committed. I'm excited. My wife and I are really into parenting and diving in," he gushed.

Anthony and Lucia revealed in February she was pregnant when she was six-and-a-half months into her due date. The actor said on his Instagram at the time, "My wife Lucia and I are so blessed, happy and proud to announce on this Valentine's Day, that we are expecting our first child this summer."

Anthony and Lucia started dating in 2016, with the actor proposing to her three years later while they were on holiday in Italy and they said "I do" in a 2020 wedding ceremony.

Despite being secretive over their sons birth, Anthony shared updates of Lucia's pregnancy on Instagram. He wrote in one post, "She is now 7 months along. I thank God for her and for our precious and soon to be born son Michael. Life is a true gift. Blessed and truly thankful."

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The actor is reportedly planning to get rid the Russian vodka oligarch to whom his ex-wife Angelina Jolie secretly sold her share of their $500 million French vineyard.

Jul 13, 2023

AceShowbiz - Brad Pitt is reportedly determined to force out the Russian vodka oligarch to whom Angelina Jolie secretly sold her share of their $500 million French vineyard. The Oscar-winning "Fight Club" actor and the actress bought Chateau Miraval in 2008 and married there in an intimate ceremony in 2014, but have been battling over it since their 2019 divorce.

It's now been reported by Page Six Brad is furious at Yuri Shefler for mocking him in court filings revealed on Monday, July 10, as "an actor" and "not a winemaker."

A source told the outlet, "Brad stands by the people who he's done business with and he doesn't give into bullies." Insiders also say Brad sees Angelina's sale to the Russian as "vindictive" as Jolie knew he had previously turned down an approach to buy the chateau from Yuri.

It comes after attorneys for Angelina's former investment company Nouvel claimed in newly-lodged court papers Brad "wasted" the firm's assets by "spending millions on vanity projects" including "rebuilding a staircase four times and spending millions to restore a recording studio."

Documents obtained by Page Six also showed lawyers branded Brad's alleged behaviour "misconduct" and say it escalated after Angelina sold Nouvel in October 2021 to a company controlled by oligarch Yuri.

The papers stated, "Incensed that Jolie sold Nouvel to Stoli rather than him, Pitt has acted like a petulant child, refusing to treat Nouvel as an equal partner in the business."

Angelina is said to have allegedly agreed to divide the company up 68 percent to 38 per cent in Brad's favour as he had invested more into their 35-room manse. During summer 2021, the actor found out via a press release that Jolie had sold her 50 percent stake to a "Russian oligarch", who Brad had previously turned down.

Brad filed his original lawsuit against his Atelier Jolie founder ex-wife in February 2022, claiming she deprived him "of his right to enjoy his private home and to oversee the business he developed from scratch." The star previously claimed his "vindictive" ex-wife "collaborated in secret" with Yuri, who also owns Stoli Group, to ensure he would be "kept in the dark."

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When threat actors cause trouble, companies or individuals usually rely on cybersecurity firms or experts to resolve matters. However, there are times when the "good guys" themselves turn out to become bad actors too.

Cybersecurity Professional Turned Fraudster

A cybersecurity professional needs to have the skill to be able to do their jobs right. This, however, is also the same set of skills that hackers have and use to steal data and compromise systems, which is why it's easy enough to turn on what they do.

The US government accused a cyber expert of hacking a cryptocurrency firm, resulting in $9 million worth being stolen. The US Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York's Filing indicates that the cybersecurity professional is Shakeeb Ahmed.

The 34-year-old is a senior engineer for an international technology company who, as mentioned in Tech Crunch, "reflected skills in, among other things, reverse engineering smart contracts and blockchain audits."

These same skills are what made Ahmed capable of conducting cyberattacks. The company he worked in was not explicitly mentioned. His LinkedIn profile mentioned that he used to work as a senior security engineer at Amazon, but has long since left the company.

Based on the timeline when Ahmed executed the attack, it's likely that the cryptocurrency exchange that was hit was Crema Finance, which is a Solana-based exchange that reported an attack in early July.

The cybersecurity professional conducted the attacks around July 2nd and 3rd. Although Ahmed successfully stole assets, was also accused of wire fraud and money laundering regarding the stolen amount.

Reports say that he did return $8 million worth of the crypto he stole. Still kept $1.5 million, but the majority of the funds returned was so the cryptocurrency exchange would not involve the authorities. This, however, was not the case.

Ahmed managed to breach the firm through a vulnerability, wherein he inserted fake pricing data to generate millions worth of inflated fees. He used his skills to hide the assets, but the IRS Criminal Investigation's Cyber Crimes Unit still caught the hacker.

It did not help that Ahmed reportedly searched for information online regarding the criminal liability of his actions, attorneys that had experience in the matter, the length that authorities would take in such an attack, and if he could avoid charges by leaving the US.

Read Also: Alleged 2021 FBI Hacker, Dark Web Forum Owner Arrested by US Authorities

White Hat Hacker

White hat hackers are the ones who attempt to breach systems, only for the purpose of finding vulnerabilities that need fixing. They are usually referred to as "ethical hackers" because of the nature of their work.

Most of the time, they are cybersecurity professionals like Ahmed, or paid employees within the company. There are also instances when people with no professional affiliation or ties to the company to the hacking, but still inform them of the potential exploits, which are usually called "gray hat hackers."

In Ahmed's case, he was a white hat hacker turned bad, therefore making him a black hat hacker, according to Kaspersky. He breached the crypto firm's for his own gain, therefore acting with malicious intentions.

Related: 5 Most Interesting Hacks from Anonymous Hacker Group
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Rumor has it that the Fenty Beauty founder has checked into Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles with her partner A$AP Rocky as their second child could be born any minute now.

Jul 13, 2023

AceShowbiz - Rihanna and A$AP Rocky may be gearing up to welcome their second child sooner than later. Word on the streets is that the Barbadian songstress is set to give birth to their baby No. 2 as she has gone into labor.

According to Media Take Out, the 35-year-old went into labor on early Wednesday morning, July 12 in Los Angeles. She has reportedly checked into Cedars-Sinai Hospital with her partner Rocky into a specially decorated $5,000 a night birthing suite.

To guard the couple's privacy, security is allegedly swarming the hospital as they reportedly have had an entire wing of the maternity ward sectioned off. She previously gave birth to her first child in the same hospital.

The news comes on the heels of Rihanna celebrating her five Emmy nominations for her Super Bowl halftime show. "pull up breed up 2 d bashment...," she posted on Instagram on Wednesday. "5 EMMY NOMZ is craaaaazzzyyy!!! Im so grateful for every single person involved in creating these memories!"

Rihanna was secretive when she gave birth to her first child, so it's no surprise that she's going to take the same route with her second child. On May 13, 2022, rumor surfaced that she and Rocky welcomed their first child at a Los Angeles hospital.

"Rihanna about to have her baby at the hospital I'm working at they cleared everybody off the floor," the hospital employee claimed in a Facebook post, which screenshot was then re-posted by Gossip of the City. A few moments later, the person updated their status to inform that Rih allegedly has given birth to a baby boy. "She HAD A BOY YALL," so it's announced.

She took some time to debut the baby boy and it's not until May of this year that the name of her son was revealed to the public. According to a copy of his certificate of live birth, the boy is named RZA Athelston Mayers. The certificate of birth also revealed that Rihanna gave birth to her son at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on May 13, 2022 at 10:58 A.M.

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The 26-year-old rapper will kick things off in Denver on September 6 before making stops in cities throughout the United States like Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Philadelphia and New York among others.

Jul 13, 2023

AceShowbiz - Playboi Carti is hitting the road this fall. Taking to social media, the "Magnolia" hitmaker announced that he will embark on the "Antagonist Tour" alongside rapper-producers Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely as well as Homixide Gang.

Based on the poster shared on Instagram Story, the 26-year-old will kick things off on September 6 in Denver, Colorado. He will then make stops in cities throughout the United States such as Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Cleveland and Atlanta.

Carti will later bring his disruptive energy to several European cities. He'll start in Dublin, Ireland before flying to Manchester, U.K. He's also expected to entertain fans in London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Milan, Cologne, Berlin, Paris and Copenhagen.

Fans can buy tickets starting on Wednesday, July 12 via Ticketmaster.

The trek will follow Carti's 2021's "Narcissist Tour", which was held to support his first No. 1 album, "Whole Lotta Red". The project itself was dropped on December 25, 2020, and features guest appearances from the likes of Kanye West, Kid Cudi and Future.

It remains to be seen when Carti will release new music. He, however, was expected to appear on Lil Uzi Vert's latest album, "Pink Tape", which hit streaming services on June 30.

However, upon its release, fans noticed that Carti was left out of the record. It came as a surprise considering that Uzi had teased a Carti feature earlier this year.

When performing at Rolling Loud California in March, the "Just Wanna Rock" spitter previewed an unreleased track where they highlighted the tensions in their long-standing friendship but said they cherish the latter. "Shout out to Carti, we don't talk hardly, but that's where my heart be," Uzi raps on the tune.

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The Philadelphia native declared his support for the incarcerated Canadian rapper after he performed their collaborative single, 'Litty', at Rolling Loud Portugal on July 7.

Jul 13, 2023

AceShowbiz - Meek Mill doesn't regret voicing his support for Tory Lanez despite receiving backlash. Responding to the criticism, the "Going Bad" rapper launched a public rant on the Instagram-associated Threads app.

"I say free Young Thug Free [YFN Lucci] Free [YNW Melly]," the 36-year-old wrote. I don't even know why y'all start dealing with us if y'all gon' try to smear us That's why I stick to the trenches."

In a follow-up post, Meek argued, "Narrative control starts every Monday. Nobody gives a f**k what these people talking [about], we making real life change out here every day! If I said free MUMIA, [I'm] gonna be shamed! He's allegedly guilty for killing a few male [cops]!" He added, "I grew up to the Black nation screaming that! Why do y'all think y'all can control us? We got millions and real man influence, not internet tricks!"

Meek even re-shared the first post on his Instagram Story. He added a message that read, "What is the draw line, I got n***as locked up for bodies the ain't do... I don't got a controlled voice."

Meek declared his support For Tory when taking the stage at Rolling Loud Portugal on July 7. After performing their collaborative single "Litty" from 2016's "DC4", the Philadelphia native told the crowd, "That was lit. Free Tory Lanez too, one time."

Tory has been behind bars ahead of his sentencing in Megan Thee Stallion's shooting case. The Canadian emcee, who's facing up to 22 years and eight months imprisonment, was supposed to be sentenced on June 13, but the date has been pushed back to August 7.

Tory previously sought to disqualify a judge in the case, but his attempt was rejected. The incarcerated emcee made the request after his motion for a new trial was dismissed by Judge David Herriford. He even claimed the judge tried "ruin his life" the day before his May 9 court appearance.

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The 'Oppenheimer' director talks about working with 'The Godfather' actor in his 2002 movie and compares the Hollywood icon to 'Peaky Blinders' star Cillian Murphy.

Jul 14, 2023

AceShowbiz - Al Pacino brushed off Christopher Nolan's director's note on the set of the 2002 thriller "Insomnia". The "Oppenheimer" helmer has remembered writing his instructions for the 83-year-old Hollywood legend on a piece of paper, and him saying he'd already done what he wanted "on the dailies" but "you can't see it to the eye."

"I had gone up to Pacino after a series of takes and given him a note on what I wanted. He told me, 'I've already done that. You can't see it to the eye, but I've done it on the dailies.' I looked for it and I was like, 'Oh, my God,' because there it was," Nolan told The Los Angeles Times without being specific about what he requested of "The Godfather" icon.

The filmmaker says he had a similar set experience with Cillian Murphy. He noted, "Great film actors can do that, and that's what I had with Cillian." Nolan added of the 47-year-old "Peaky Blinders" star, "He was so conscious of his iconography, very theatrical and self-aware. It's too simple to say he was a dandy, but he knew the power of creating an iconic physical image for himself."

Murphy stars as J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist behind the nuclear bomb, and explained how he required "the bite of real-world imagery" to portray the danger of the weapon.

Speaking to Collider, he said, "There are no CGI shots in this movie. I think computer graphics, they're very versatile, they can do all kinds of things, but they tend to feel a bit safe. That's why they're difficult to use in horror movies. Animation tends to feel a little safe for the audience."

The "Inception" filmmaker, 52, continued, "The Trinity test, ultimately, but also these early imaginings of Oppenheimer visualising the Quantum Realm, they had to be threatening in some way. They had to have the bite of real-world imagery. The Trinity test, for those who were there, was the most beautiful and terrifying thing simultaneously, and that's where we were headed for this film."

Nolan also detailed the painstaking editing process that goes into his blockbusters. He explained, "Structurally, the films tend to be fairly disciplined, and things transform over time. The approach Jen Lame, my editor, and myself take is to view the film as a whole. So we're watching it every week. We're putting it up, usually inviting one or two people in who don't know anything about the script to watch it with us and see it through their eyes."

He added, "Every film presents unique challenges. There's a feeling of confluence at the end. But every film is different. Some films are improved in the edit suite through tightening and speeding things up a lot, and that's very often our process."

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Although she loves the bright rosy color, the former 'Ugly Betty' actress has had enough of pink on set of Greta Gerwig's movie and wants to take a 'break' from it.

Jul 14, 2023

AceShowbiz - America Ferrera quipped that she would like to take a "break" from the colour pink after working on "Barbie". Ferrera said, "I've had a whole lot of pink in my life in the last year. I love pink - I sometimes, you know, wanna break from it - but I love our Barbie pink world."

She also confesses that it was a "no-brainer" to star in the movie. The 39-year-old actress portrays Mattel employee Gloria - who discovers Barbie in the real world - in Greta Gerwig's much-hyped new movie and experienced a whirlwind of emotions when she first read the script.

"Once I read the script, absolutely. I finished the script and I was laughing and crying and I just felt so moved that Greta saw me in the role of Gloria. It was a no-brainer," she said when asked if it was easy to accept the role at the movie's European premiere in London on Wednesday, July 12.

The "Ugly Betty" star features alongside Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and Will Ferrell in the film and was impressed by the "stacked" quality of the cast. America said, "When I came on, it was Margot and Ryan who I had been a big fan of for a long time. It was a great cast to join and it just kept getting more and more stacked."

America explained how she and Greta shaped her alter ego Gloria with inspiration from the women who pushed for the iconic doll to "evolve" and "be inclusive."

She said, "Gloria is her own character but Greta and I talked about my character and one of the things we both found was inspiration in the real-life women who pushed the Barbie brand to evolve and include so many more people and to be inclusive of all different body types and skin colours and abilities. She was such an interesting figure as a very self-possessed woman valuing Barbie and pushing something she really valued to evolve and change."

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Tiffany Chen claims she lost 'all facial function' and her face 'melted on itself' after she gave birth to her first child with her partner, 'Taxi Driver' actor Robert De Niro.

Jul 14, 2023

AceShowbiz - Tiffany Chen didn't have "facial function" after giving birth to her daughter. The 45-year-old martial arts instructor and her partner Robert De Niro had daughter Gia in April, and almost as soon as they got home from hospital, she recalled how her face "felt weird" and began "melting on itself," prompting her to eventually seek medical treatment, leading to a diagnosis of Bell's palsy.

"When I went home, I started to feel like ... my tongue felt strange. It felt a little tingly, just starting to get a little bit numb. And then I realised my face just felt weird. I didn't know what the feeling was that I was having. It felt weird," Tiffany said to Gayle King in a preview from her upcoming interview on "CBS Mornings".

Asked if her face looked different, she replied, "Yeah. When I got home, it was like everything was starting to just fall down on itself. Like, my face was melting on itself. And then a week after giving birth, that was when it all hit. And I called my doctor, and I ... was trying to eat."

"I went to put a fork of food in my mouth and everything came out. I couldn't eat. And then I was starting to slur. So I said, 'There's something really going on here.' [The hospital] admitted me. And I lost all facial function the minute I got into the hospital."

The "Taxi Driver" star introduced his daughter to the world on the show in May, where he revealed the tot's full name and confirmed she weighed 8lbs 6oz when she was born on April 6 as he showed off a photo of her.

When host Gayle King asked Robert if the baby was planned, he replied, "Yes, this baby was planned. We are over the moon. She was brought here by love."

The "Meet the Parents" star originally let slip the news about his seventh child during an interview with ET Canada. Reporter Brittnee Blair said, "I know you have six kids...," prompting Robert to reply, "Seven, actually. I just had a baby."

He later told Access Hollywood he thinks fatherhood is both exciting and "scary." Robert added, "Sometimes I don't think people really know what being a good father is, you know you have a responsibility, but it's a mystery, it's a lot of excitement but scary and you do your best."

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ABP News, one of Indias leading national Hindi news channels is proud to announce the launch of its ground-breaking prime time show, 'Public Interest'. This show, as the name suggests, aims to amplify peoples voices by addressing the day-to-day issues faced by them while also trying to find solutions to those issues and take the story/ investigation to its logical conclusion. Public Interest is set to premiere on July 17 at 9 PM on ABP News.

In an age where prime time television news programming is studio-based and discussion-heavy, 'Public Interest' aims to reach out to people and opinion makers by doing on-ground reporting, investigative stories, and exclusive interviews, bringing the focus back to the common man and setting the agenda to resolve peoples issues. The show seeks to bridge the gap between the newsroom and the common man by ensuring that their stories are heard, understood, and acted upon.

The prime time show will be people-centric bringing exclusive content to its viewers through well-researched stories and issues. To ensure accuracy and reliability, each story presented on the show will undergo thorough investigation, fact-checking, and analysis.

Jagwinder Patial, an acclaimed journalist with an illustrious career spanning over 25 years, will host the show. Jagwinder is the winner of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence Award for Journalism and has consistently broken impactful stories. His ground-breaking stories from Afghanistan's conflict zones (ISIS stronghold territories) and reporting from violence-affected/riot-hit areas have made him an acknowledged journalist. He is also known for his super exclusive interviews with controversial figures who have made headlines. His recent interview with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi from the jail premises in Bhatinda created headlines across the media landscape in the country.

Speaking on the launch of the show, Jagwinder Patial, Executive Editor, ABP News, said, "I am honoured to be a part of 'Public Interest,' a show that aligns with my belief in the power of journalism. This show is a testament to our commitment to the people of India, providing them with a platform to voice their concerns and struggles. I am thrilled to bring forth stories that deserve attention and contribute to fostering a more informed society."

ABP News invites its viewers and stakeholders to join them on this journey toward creating a more inclusive and informed society. Through 'Public Interest,' the channel aims to empower the common man by ensuring that their concerns are not just heard but acted upon.

Mark your calendars for the much-anticipated premiere of 'Public Interest,' set to grace your screens on July 17 at 9 PM on ABP News.
The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors announced today that Robert A. Iger has agreed to continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer through December 31, 2026. In voting unanimously to extend Igers contract by two years, the independent members of the Board of Directors noted that Igers extension provides continuity of leadership during the companys ongoing transformation, and allows more time to execute a transition plan for CEO succession, which remains a priority for the Board.

Time and again, Bob has shown an unparalleled ability to successfully transform Disney to drive future growth and financial returns, earning him a reputation as one of the worlds best CEOs, said Mark G. Parker, Chairman, The Walt Disney Company. Bob has once again set Disney on the right strategic path for ongoing value creation, and to ensure the successful completion of this transformation while also allowing ample time to position a new CEO for long-term success, the Board determined it is in the best interest of shareholders to extend his tenure, and he has agreed to our request to remain Chief Executive Officer through the end of 2026.

Since my return to Disney just seven months ago, Ive examined virtually every facet of our businesses to fully understand the tremendous opportunities before us, as well as the challenges weve been facing from the broader economic environment and the tectonic shifts in our industry. On my first day back, we began making important and sometimes difficult decisions to address some existing structural and efficiency issues, and despite the challenges, I believe Disneys long-term future is incredibly bright, said Iger. But there is more to accomplish before this transformative work is complete, and because I want to ensure Disney is strongly positioned when my successor takes the helm, I have agreed to the Boards request to remain CEO for an additional two years. The importance of the succession process cannot be overstated, and as the Board continues to evaluate a highly qualified slate of internal and external candidates, I remain intensely focused on a successful transition.

Iger returned to the company in November of 2022 after serving as CEO and Chairman from 2005 to 2020, and then as Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board through 2021. Since returning as CEO, he has led a significant, enterprise-wide transformation to restore creativity to the center of the company and position Disneys streaming business for sustained growth and profitability. Throughout his time as the companys chief executive, Igers strategic vision has focused on three fundamental pillars: generating the best creative content possible; fostering innovation and utilizing the latest technology; and expanding into new markets across the globe.

Widely recognized as one of the worlds most consequential business leaders, Iger has built on Disneys rich history of unforgettable storytelling with the acquisitions of Pixar (2006), Marvel (2009), Lucasfilm (2012), and 21st Century Fox (2019); the landmark opening of Disneys first theme park and resort in mainland China, Shanghai Disney Resort; and the release of a number of record-setting films, including Marvels Avengers: Endgame, Disneys Frozen and Frozen 2, and Marvels groundbreaking Black Panther. Always one to embrace new technology, Iger made Disney an industry leader through its creative content offerings across multiple new platforms, including the highly successful launch of the Disney+ streaming service in November 2019.

Iger first became Chief Executive Officer of Disney in October 2005 and was elected Chairman in 2012. From 2000-2005, he served as Disneys President and Chief Operating Officer. Iger officially joined the Disney senior management team in 1996 as Chairman of the Disney-owned ABC Group, and in 1999 was given the additional responsibility of President, Walt Disney International. He began his career at ABC in 1974.

Iger was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2020, and the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2022, he was recognized as an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his services to the UK/US relations. He is the author of the New York Times best-selling book The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of The Walt Disney Company, which has sold more than a million copies since its publication in 2019. He is a graduate of Ithaca College.
ixigo (Le Travenues Technology Limited), India's most popular travel booking platform for the next billion users has introduced PLAN by ixigo, an intelligent trip planner built on OpenAI (an AI research and deployment company). By leveraging OpenAI's ChatGPT API, the platform can efficiently process and understand user preferences, offering them personalized recommendations, suggestions, and itineraries.

ixigo has also become the first Indian travel company to have ixigos plugin for ChatGPT, a conversational travel assistant, strengthening its position as an industry frontrunner in terms of innovation.

PLAN by ixigo combines the collective power of ChatGPT and the best travel data on the planet to transform how travelers conceptualize, organize, and prioritize their trips. It lets users build beautiful travel plans and discover fact-checked, personalized attractions, restaurants, activities, hotels, tours, and more.

Travelers can get recommendations for travel destinations based on their current location, time, or weather conditions. Alternatively, if users have a destination in mind they can select from a range of trip themes, or provide their own preferences for a customized trip plan. PLAN will automatically tag, map and generate a detailed itinerary for the chosen destination and chosen theme, additionally integrating weather and AQI updates. PLANs conversational user interface enables users to customize itineraries in real-time and co-create their perfect trip plans.

Rajnish Kumar, Co-founder and Group CPTO of ixigo, commented, "The perfect trip planning app is one that can create the exact same itinerary for you in seconds as the one you would create on your own after many days of research & iterations. With this end goal in mind, we combined the power of ChatGPT with our own aggregated real-time information to create a seamless, user-friendly experience that makes trip planning a breeze. We are also proud to become the first Indian tech company to have an official plugin on ChatGPT. This combines the power of an LLM with our data and APIs to answer interesting queries like Can you recommend summer destinations with abundant greenery and minimal pollution, considering that I enjoyed my trip to Shimla last summer and I am currently residing in Kolkata?. In the next phase, we will introduce events, social trends, and real-time social sharing allowing users to collaborate with friends and family for a fun and interactive trip planning experience. 

PLAN by ixigo is available on the ixigo website and apps and is accessible to users for free at https://www.ixigo.com/plan.

The ixigo plugin for ChatGPT is available for use on https://chat.openai.com/, just search for ixigo there.
Omnicom Media Group, the media services division of Omnicom, has acquired Ptarmigan Media. Ptarmigan Media is a specialized agency that offers comprehensive media and marketing solutions to financial services brands.

After the acquisition, Ptarmigan Media will remain an independent brand under Omnicom Media Group's umbrella, with its existing management team in charge.

Ptarmigan Media offers a variety of services, such as comprehensive media planning and buying, market research, search and social media expertise, as well as content creation and creative solutions. They specialize in working with financial services clients in sectors like Asset Management, Life and Pensions, Banking, Trading and Platforms, Wealth Management, Fintech, and Insurance across APAC, EMEA, and North America. Florian Adamski also mentioned that the acquisition will bring together Ptarmigan's financial services expertise and Omnicom Media Group's media buying scale, creating a powerful combination. This collaboration is expected to deliver improved outcomes for clients, create more opportunities for employees, and drive accelerated growth for both Omnicom Media Group and Ptarmigan.

According to Matt Ball, CEO of Ptarmigan, joining Omnicom Media Group allows them to uphold their client-centric approach. By leveraging Omnicom Media Group's advanced tools and technology, Ptarmigan aims to enhance the value they provide to top financial brands. The collaboration will bring improved purpose, planning, and performance in connecting clients with global financial decision-makers
Microsoft has released the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25905 to the Canary Channel.

According to the company they will only offer limited documentations for builds inside the channel and will only release a preview when new features are available in a build.

Despite of the limitations, Microsoft generously shared some peeks from the new build 25905.

AI Hub in Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store will also be getting an update with the introduction of AI Hub.

Users will now be able to explore curated AI apps made by the developer community and Microsoft.

"This is a space where we will educate customers on how to start and expand their AI journey, inspiring them to use AI in everyday ways to boost productivity, spark creativity and so much more," Microsoft wrote on a blog.

Based on the preview provided by Microsoft, it is possible that AI-image editing apps like Luminar Neo will be included among other tools that will be released.

Read Also: Judge Sides with Microsoft, Allows Activision Blizzard Acquisition

3D Emoji Coming Soon

Microsoft has been teasing the 3D emoji for almost two years.

The new build previewed a similar gradient style to the latest emojis in Microsoft Teams, which was added last year.

According to Microsoft, the new emoji will bring more expression to the user's communication experience.

However, take note that downloads to the Window Insider Preview requires a membership and will not be available yet for mass consumer.

Related Article: Microsoft Preps for Window Updates, Hints Possible Windows 12 Release
Authored by Ruchika Vyas, EVP, Weber Shandwick

Healthcare is not just a basic human right, it's also a determinant of the quality of life and productivity of a society. While both genders grapple with access to healthcare, women face unique and multiple barriers that are deeply rooted in cultural norms and societal biases.

While it is encouraging to see whispers progressing to open conversations around topics like reproductive rights, maternal health, mental well-being & menopause, we still need a more aggressive and proactive approach to improve womens healthcare delivery. With a commitment to inclusivity, the healthcare communications sector is embracing this transformative moment, sparking engagement that drives impact.

However, despite so many conversations, there exists a gap in understanding and communicating about women's health, leading to inadequate support and information for women. Conversations surrounding this topic have often been shrouded in silence and stigma, making it difficult for women to seek the support and guidance they require. By embracing a comprehensive approach to well-being, we can revolutionize how women's healthcare communications is perceived and foster change. We need to crack the code on understanding and decoding demographic-specific data to be able to land the impact, we all desire.

One of the significant challenges in women's health communication is the lack of knowledge and awareness about specific health conditions that affect women.

The Weber Shandwick Collective research shows that women are not aware of the most prevalent and threatening diseases, nor are they communicated about specifically with women in mind. Social media data analysed over the period January 2021  January 2023 shows:

Despite evidence that women are at a higher risk of serious diabetes complications and

death than men, only 3% of the total diabetes conversation is female-focused.

Despite a four-fold increase in the development of autoimmune conditions in women, there is less than 12% of online content specific to RA in women.

Diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease costing womens lives, findings show that less than 6% of discussions around this.

Despite the rapid growth of healthcare data, persistent data gaps hinder progress in various aspects of women's health, including defining health issues, diagnosing conditions, and tracking trends at national and global levels. These disparities impact the outcomes by creating blind spots in research design for healthcare communications.

To transform women's health communication, leveraging the power of data is crucial. By utilizing data intelligence, the industry can gain valuable insights into women's unique health needs, concerns, and preferences. This data-driven approach allows for the identification of gaps in current communication strategies and the development of targeted initiatives tailored to address specific women's health needs.

For example, data analysis may uncover higher incidences of certain health conditions among specific demographics. Armed with this knowledge, tailored campaigns can be designed to promote early detection, prevention, and proactive healthcare measures. This not only revolutionizes brand communications within the healthcare sector but also translates into a larger impact on society and further brand advocacy. Furthermore, the power of data extends beyond understanding health trends. It can also help in evaluating the impact of communication interventions and identifying gaps in knowledge.

The cultural context plays a significant role in women's health communications. Cultural beliefs and practices shape women's behaviours and decisions related to their health. When designing health communication strategies, it is crucial to consider and respect diverse cultural perspectives. By incorporating cultural sensitivity, communication initiatives can effectively reach and engage women from various backgrounds, ensuring that health messages are relatable and meaningful to them.

In today's evolving healthcare industry, data-driven strategies are no longer optional but essential. Healthcare PR professionals must embrace data to gain insights, refine messaging, and engage stakeholders effectively. The Weber Shandwick Collective recognized this need for change in the field of women's health communication and took the lead. By bringing together agency experts covering various disciplines and leveraging data intelligence, we aimed to redefine women's health communication holistically. TWSC: Womens Health team convenes a passionate group of agency health experts and covers every angle of policy and advocacy, health communications, corporate communications, and design experience. By incorporating cultural insights into the initiatives, women from diverse backgrounds could relate to and engage with the health messages effectively.

TWSC: Women's Health has unveiled its first insight product- The Women's Health Indicator. This innovative tool, crafted by data analysts and behaviour experts, leverages extensive data from society, media, and policy to identify crucial gaps in women's health. By positioning women's health at the forefront, TWSC: Women's Health aims to drive transformative change by offering optimal solutions to clients.

In conclusion, women's health communication requires a revolutionary approach that considers the specific needs, preferences, and cultural nuances of women. The Weber Shandwick Collective's initiative demonstrates the power of data intelligence and cultural sensitivity in reshaping women's health communication. Cultural sensitization plays a crucial role in making uncomfortable topics more acceptable and approachable, rather than uncomfortable. By acknowledging and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions, healthcare communications can create a safe and inclusive space for discussions on sensitive issues related to women's health. It is through collaborative efforts and a commitment to change that we can unlock the full potential of data and culture in shaping a healthier future for women worldwide.
Established in 2019, Traya is Indias first-ever hair fall solutions brand to treat hair fall internally by identifying the root cause of hair fall. With the growing burden of hair fall issues in India, the brand has developed a unique doctor-backed solution where customers can take a free hair test that helps them understand the root cause of their hair fall. Through this unique model, and harnessing the power of the three sciences; Ayurveda, Nutrition, and Dermatology, Traya works with more than 2,50,000 customers, with an efficacy rate of 93%. Today, the brand has a workforce of about 250 employees and strong brand tie-ups with leading e-commerce brands Flipkart and Amazon.

Recently the brand unveiled a TVC, featuring two families. The matchmaker introduces the groom to the brides parents. The excited bride is observing the groom from a distance along with her brother, actor Raj Kumar Rao, when she suddenly witnesses the grooms receding hairline and looks down with disappointment. Offering a helping hand, Rao diverts the brides attention towards Trayas doctor-backed treatment for hair fall. Looking at the assurance offered by the brand with a 93% success rate, the bride begins to feel more hopeful. Subtly, Raj Kumar Rao indicates to the bride that she needs to focus on the inner qualities of the groom and leave the receding hairline for Traya. The blushing bride agrees to take this marriage forward with #HopeForHair.

In conversation with Adgully, Traya co-founder Saloni Anand shares about how Traya come up with this strategic campaign and the insights behind the same. Excerpts:

Can you share the story behind Traya's first-ever ad campaign and how it aligns with the brand's commitment to its consumers?

Our first-ever ad campaign, "Hope for Hair," is based on a powerful consumer insight we obtained. People have lost faith in their hair and believe that hair loss is an inevitable part of aging that cannot be reversed. The hair care industry is dominated by brands selling shampoos and conditioners that are ineffective. Regardless of the hair fall shampoo they use, people have stopped expecting any regrowth due to years of disappointment. We focused our campaign on this insight, specifically targeting male consumers who have an even stronger belief that balding is irreversible.

What is the specific aim of this campaign in terms of building association and recall for the Traya brand among young adults who are seeking hair fall solutions for marriage purposes?

The reason we chose marriage as the focal point of our campaign was not solely for creating brand recall or visibility. Our decision was based on the core target audience we wanted to engage with 25 to 30-year-old Indian individuals. The average age of our Traya customers remains around 27 years old. Hair loss is no longer seen as a problem only associated with old age; it has become a concern for young Indians. As marriage is often top of mind for individuals in this age range, we saw it as a relevant and relatable context to address.

As a brand, we approach this issue with great sensitivity and avoid instilling fear. We intended to use the topic of marriage because it resonates with our consumers while ensuring we handle it delicately. Hence, we crafted a storyline that revolves around a conversation between a brother and a sister. Our aim was not to portray a scenario where a girl rejects a bald man for marriage. Instead, we carefully maintained a light and heartwarming narrative, highlighting the beautiful bond between siblings, while initiating a conversation about hair concerns.

Could you provide insights into the different marketing strategies and channels employed by Traya to amplify the #HopeForHair campaign?

Traya is a digital marketing-focused brand operating exclusively online. We have leveraged various digital marketing channels, including YouTube, Google, Facebook, as well as organic and inorganic channels, to spread our message of creating hope and encouraging people not to give up on their hair. We wanted to convey that there is finally a solution available that can assist in addressing hair loss. The decision to pursue treatment, however, remains entirely optional. We assure you that our treatment is devoid of any side effects, and has been proven effective in combating hair loss. Our confidence in making this claim stems from the extensive data we have collected over the past three years from Indian men within a specific stage and age range. This data allows us to confidently assert the positive outcomes of our treatment.

What growth or expansion opportunities does Traya anticipate for the brand following the launch of this ad campaign?

First and foremost, we envision this campaign to have a lasting impact, as we plan to build upon its success over an extended period. This film serves as our initial launch, with a second phase set to be unveiled in the near future. Thus, it is designed as an annual brand campaign; so it's premature to assess its overall performance at this stage. However, we can share some insights.

Our primary message to people is simple: don't give up on your hair. If hair loss is affecting you, rest assured that achieving a healthy head of hair is within reach. We aim to explain why previous attempts at addressing hair loss have fallen short, presenting this as a secondary layer of communication. Our brand collaborates with doctors to create informative content, emphasizing that a mere shampoo or conditioner is insufficient for proper hair treatment. Hair care requires an internal approach and a dedicated regimen.

This leads us to the third layer of communication, where we introduce Traya. We believe it is essential to educate consumers about the reasons behind the ineffectiveness of other products before diving into sales pitches. By establishing transparency and fostering consumer trust, we gradually guide individuals toward understanding why Traya stands apart. Eventually, we provide them with the necessary information to tackle their hair concerns effectively.

Why did Traya choose to approach the ad campaign from an emotive standpoint? What benefits or impact does the brand expect from this approach?

We strive to convey a message of care throughout our campaign. We want to assure people that hair loss is a space where they can find support and solutions. Our intention is not to focus on the idea that a person won't find a partner due to their hair loss, but rather to emphasize that there are viable options available for addressing their concerns.

Given the emotional nature of the topic, we recognized the importance of connecting with people on an emotional level. This informed our decision to adopt a positive and optimistic tonality, which resonates with individuals who are navigating this journey. We aim to inspire hope and provide reassurance, creating a sense of emotional connection rather than relying on fear-based tactics.
Todd Chrisley went from bankruptcy to reality TV stardom, but his financial success has been anything but smooth sailing. Now, hes facing prison time for fraud. What is Todd Chrisley net worth today? Read on to find out more!

Who is Todd Chrisley?

Todd Chrisley is best known for his role as Chrisley Knows Best on the reality television show Chrisley Knows Best (2014-present). He has also appeared in the spinoff series Growing Up Chrisley (2019-present) and Chrisley Knows Best: After Show (2016-present).

Todd began his career in real estate and later founded Chrisley Asset Management. He and his wife, Julie, have five children: Savannah, Chase, Lindsie, Grayson, and Kyle.

In 2012, Chrisley filed for bankruptcy, claiming to be $49 million in debt. Todd Chrisley remains a popular figure among reality TV fans. One of the most watched programs on USA Network is Chrisley Knows Best, and he has a sizable social media following. What Todd Chrisleys future holds is unknown, but he will surely continue to enthrall a lot of people.

Todd Chrisleys Short Bio

Full Name Michael Todd Chrisley Date of Birth Westminster, South Carolina Birth Place 04/06/1969 Education Dropped out of High School Profession Host, Businessman, Producer Social Media Instagram

What is Todd Chrisley Net Worth?

As of July 2023, Todd Chrisleys net worth is predicted to be approximately $1.5 million. This is a significant decrease from his peak net worth of more than $50 million in 2012. Chrisleys net worth has declined due to a variety of factors, including his 2012 bankruptcy filing, legal troubles, and the cancellation of his reality show Chrisley Knows Best.

However, it is important to note that Todd Chrisley net worth is still relatively high. He still owns several properties, including two mansions in Georgia, and he continues to earn money from his business ventures and his reality show. Chrisleys net worth may rise in the future, depending on how his legal issues are settled and whether or not his reality show is renewed.

Here is a breakdown of Todd Chrisleys net worth over the years:

2012: $50 million

2017: $25 million

2020: $10 million

2023: $1.5 million

Todd Chrisley Net Worth: Sources of Income

Reality Show

Chrisley is the star of the reality show Chrisley Knows Best, which has been running since 2014. The program revolves around Chrisley and his family, which includes his wife Julie, their five children, and his mother Faye. Chrisley Knows Best has been a ratings success for the USA Network, and it has been renewed for several seasons. Chrisley is reportedly paid $1 million per season for the show.

Business ventures

Chrisley has several business ventures, including Chrisley Asset Management, a real estate investment firm. He also owns several restaurants and hotels.

Endorsements

Chrisley has endorsed several products, including hair care products, clothing, and weight loss supplements.

Book deals

Chrisley has written two books, Chrisley Knows Best: A Memoir and Live Your Life Without Regrets.

Social media

Chrisley has a large following on social media, and he earns money from sponsored posts.

It is estimated that Chrisley earns around $5 million per year from all of his sources of income.

Early Life

Todd Chrisleys father was a business man and his mother was a homemaker. Chrisley attended Westminster High School before dropping out in his final year to pursue a career in real estate.

In 1994, Chrisley married his first wife, Teresa Terry. The couple divorced in 1996. In 1996, Chrisley married his second wife, Julie Chrisley. They have three children together, Savannah, Chase, and Grayson.

Chrisley began his real estate profession in the early 1990s. He founded Chrisley Asset Management in 1996. The company has been successful, and Chrisley has become a wealthy businessman.

In 2014, Chrisley and his family began starring in the reality television series Chrisley Knows Best. In 2017, Chrisley accused of tax evasion and fraud. He was charged with these crimes in 2019, and he was convicted in 2022. He is appealing his conviction.

Personal Life

Todd Chrisley has been married twice. His first marriage was to Teresa Terry in 1994. The couple divorced in 1996. In 1996, Chrisley married Julie Chrisley. Chrisley is a devoted Christian who has publicly discussed his faith on his reality program.

Chrisley has five children. His two children with Teresa Terry are Lindsie and Kyle. His three children with Julie Chrisley are Savannah, Chase, and Grayson.

Chrisley has been accused of tax evasion and fraud. He was charged with these crimes in 2019, and he was convicted in 2022.

Chrisleys personal life has been the subject of much scrutiny in recent years, due to his legal troubles and his reality show. He can be also controlling and quick-tempered. He has also made some poor financial decisions. Overall, Todd Chrisley is a complex figure who has both strengths and weaknesses.

FAQs

What nationality is Todd Chrisley?

American

How long have Chrisleys been married?

Todd and Julie married in 1996 and had their son Chase the following year.

Who did Kyle Chrisley marry?

Ashleigh Nelson

Final Thoughts

Despite his legal troubles, Todd is a strong and determined individual who has built a successful business and a reality television show. Todd Chrisley net worth reflects all these successes. Only time will tell what his future contains, but he will surely continue to attract many people.
As soon as there was announcement that the no private buses on Eastern Freeway till October 21, the travel agencies of Mumbai got irked. They believe this is frequent harassment in the name of traffic control. Many travel agencies had to face business crises due to these announcements. To facilitate smooth movement of vehicles during the ongoing construction activities of the Mumbai TransHarbour Link Project 1, the traffic police have announced that there shall be no plying of private buses on the Eastern Freeway on both south and northbound arms till October 21.

Gautam Jethwa from Hans Travels told Afternoon Voice, Every now and then government is targeting private companies for the issue of traffic, road development, or any construction activities our buses come at a certain period of time not every hour so they should not only stop private buses but also other vehicles. Now changing routes will impact our business as many of the passengers wont travel to different pick-up areas.

If the government is so good at managing their government transport which is State Transport (ST) buses then why people are still switching to private this is due to a lack of service to the people. We private bus owners pay all the taxes on time but still, we are penalized for such things, Jethwa further added.

Dev Soni from Sitaram Travels said, If traffic police have shared these orders then we will follow it and now we will manage to travel on the alternative or other route.

Kishore from Neeta Tours and Travel said, They are not aware of it and did not get any notice of any of the private buses wont be allowed.

Akshay Kumat from Vaibhav Travels said, It will not impact us much as we dont use the freeway and our buses are running on different routes for the convenience of our passengers.

Vinayak Dandane from Shree Sunkai Travels said, Usually we do get notice if there is any changes or if any private buses are not allowed in a particular road but this time we have not received it yet and if private buses are not allowed on certain roads then we will follow but our customer will be in trouble as they have to another location for their pick-up or travel.

Yogesh Pawar from Gaurishankar Travels said, Why these people only targeting private buses are when we are paying all the taxes to the government and how come traffic can be managed by not allowing private vehicles.

If government has so much of issues then they should upgrade the service and maintenance of government transport rather than putting restrictions on private buses. Another point to this is whenever there is accidents caused by government transport that fault is not highlighted by the media and if there is any flaws from private buses it gets highlighted immediately Pawar further added.
There is no sign of relief to NCP leader Nawab Malik as he applied for bail on several occasions but failed to get released from jail. The Bombay High Court on Thursday once again rejected his plea seeking bail on health grounds in a money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). It will hear Maliks bail plea on the cases merits after two weeks. A single-judge bench of Justice Anuja Prabhudessai had concluded the hearing and reserved order on June 16. The NCP leader challenged the November 30, 2022, special court order that rejected his bail plea.

The ED arrested the former minister in February last year in a money laundering case registered over the Goawala compound property in Kurla, allegedly linked to fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. He has been in judicial custody since March 2022. He has been admitted to Criticare Hospital, Kurla, since May 2022. The special court had said he would remain in the hospital until further orders.

Senior advocate Amit Desai, representing Malik, argued that the applicants health had worsened over the last eight months, and his kidney problem aggravated after his arrest. Desai said Malik suffered from chronic kidney disease and has only one functional kidney, and the Supreme Court has considered it a ground for medical bail in several cases previously. Desai said Malik is on stage 2 to stage 3 of the chronic kidney disease, and the same is also affecting the other organs and sought a sympathetic approach from the court as it involved Maliks fundamental right of personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Desai said while the disease cannot be reversed, Maliks health condition can be stabilised by performing surgery. The ED argued that many people live normally with just one functional kidney. The central agency also said there were instances in which the courts had permitted bail on health grounds where the applicant could not afford treatment in private hospitals. The ED said Malik had been receiving treatment in a private hospital soon after his arrest, and he could bear the cost. Therefore, there was no need to grant him interim bail on medical grounds, the agency argued.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh, representing the ED, had opposed the plea saying it was not maintainable and argued that Maliks health was not as critical as it is being portrayed in the application. ASG Singh argued that while Maliks left kidney has an issue, the right kidney functions well. Many times people donate a kidney and with one kidney, they lead their lives. He will also lead a normal life, Singh had argued.

The agency had also relied on a report submitted by the medical board constituted under the state-run JJ Hospital and submitted that, as per the report, Malik need not be hospitalised and that proper medical treatment was being provided to Malik by the prison authorities.
Cheery, yes? And true.



By Anne Dachel



Im starting to see stories in the news that are a preview of how everything will eventually collapse. This is inevitable. We cant have this level of disability among our kids everywhere and not have the cost eventually bankrupt us.

Loss of Brain Trust is about whats happening in our schools. You cant have tens of thousands of kids on waitlists for ASD diagnoses, you cant be building whole schools for autistic students, you cant have counties in England going into huge deficit spending because of the cost of special education, and you cant have autism rates at 5 percent of students (like in CA, NI, and Ireland) and not have it permanently change society.

I have long said that it wont be until the COST OF AUTISM buries us that well finally honestly address the CAUSE OF AUTISM.

Imagine what will happen in the next few years as more and more and more disabled kids leave school with no place to go. Imagine what will happen as aging parents can no longer care for these adult children.

In 2014 the U.K. officially extended special education to age 25. Im guessing that was done because there is simply nothing for all these disabled young adults after leaving school. It was Britains attempt to kick can down the road.

While Im mostly focused on EDUCATION on Loss of Brain Trust, I cant help but notice the stories about ADULT SERVICES and that growing crisis. THIS IS WHAT WILL COLLAPSE THE HOUSE OF LIES ABOUT AUTISM.

Weve bought into the REALLY BIG LIE ABOUT AUTISMthat there has always been autism everywhere like we see in our children, we just didnt notice, or we just called it something else.

Its the perpetual official explanation every time the rate leaps upward.

Of course if that were true, we would have experience dealing with autism. Weve had IDEA for almost 50 years now, so we would have had these kids in school, even if we didnt call their disability AUTISM.

QUESTION: If autism has always been here, why do we have to train health care staff, EMTs, police, fire fighters, and teachers etc. to deal with autism?

That question is not allowed.

BUT what cant be avoided is the coming cost of ADULT CARE. Right now, parents have to shoulder the burden of cost and care for all these autistic children. Right now, autism coverage is mostly about school age children.

ADD on to that the cost of adult services and care. Im starting to look for these stories as well.

There was a sobering story on July 10th from Longmont, Colorado about a 13 year old with severe autism

CBS Colorado News: Dad abandons son with autism at Longmont hospital and human service workers refuse to take custody

A 13-year-old boy with Autism has been forced to live at UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital in Longmont for three weeks after his dad abandoned him and human service workers told hospital employees it would take months to secure placement for the boy due to a lack of resources.

Madlynn Ruble with the Colorado Department of Human Services said while the state is working to increase residential treatment, it lacks options for children with highly complex medical and behavioral health needs, due in part to a lack of providers.

When I saw the Colorado story, I immediately remembered something similar from Canada that I wrote about ten years ago.

May 3, 2013, Age of Autism Heartbreaking Story: Adult Son with Autism Left to State

It was a story about parents who turned their autistic son, who functioned on the level of a two year old, over to social services because they could no longer care for him.

IF autism has always been here, why arent there places for these disabled adults? Why do parents have to drop their children off?

WHY cant young autistic adults go where autistic adults have always gone?

WHAT does that tell us about autism?

Heres further proof that society is not prepared for the tsunami of autism thats coming.

In Sherbrooke, Quebec, theyve opening a home for autistic adults who have lighter needs and dont require 24/7 care.

On July 5, 2023, in the U.K., a report was published about changes that have to happen in order to care for autistic adults.

On 5 July, a new report called Supported housing for people with learning disabilities and autistic people in England  commissioned from Housing LIN by the Learning Disability and Autism Housing Network, a coalition of more than 20 housing associations  was published with the aim of providing data, information and insight about supported housing for people with learning disabilities and autistic people.

The research provides a comprehensive evidence base of the scale, scope, cost and future need of supported housing. The report sets out clear recommendations that the network firmly believes will help address many of these issues. 

More funding needed

Our call to government is to support new provision by increasing the level of capital funding and reforming the outdated rent standard that has stifled new public funded provision

Over 80% of the supported housing provision in this sector is provided by housing associations.

The majority of tenants living in supported housing have significant support needs, with over 43% of people receiving over 100 hours a week of care and support.

Over 83% of supported housing tenants require higher levels of specified housing benefit and over 58% live in specialised supported housing  which is exempt from the Rent Standard  where there are high levels of care and support and limited or no public capital subsidy.

Demand exceeding supply

Housing LIN estimate that more than 1,800 additional homes are needed each year over the next 15 years  thats 27,000 individuals  which will require over 340m [$438M] per year of private and public funding. It is clear that even with increased grant funding, the sector requires significant input from private finance and needs to develop a model that supports new provision with private finance that is sustainable, reasonable and provides good-quality, secure housing for people.

The reality is that demand from individuals, their families and commissioners is exceeding supply and if we are going to respond to this need with quality housing and viable funding, things need to significantly change. Our call to government is to support new provision by increasing the level of capital funding and reforming the outdated Rent Standard that has stifled new public funded provision.

Also on July 10, 2023, there was a similar story about the need for adult care.

The Guardian: We were inundated: creating pioneering homes for autistic young adults

With growing numbers of parents increasingly unable to find suitable, safe and secure residential accommodation for their young adult children  and cash-strapped councils having to pay exorbitant costs when already expensive placements break down  the two are coming together to forge a solution. 

Another parent who is also working on a proposal for their council, who asked not to be named, said: The current situation [in my area] is unbelievably bad for profoundly autistic adults. Weve got no choice but to create something ourselves.

"There is no money available and everyone we speak to tells of atrocities of autistic folk being placed in unsuitable settings which then break down and end up costing millions in psychiatric care  plus all the trauma associated with that. Were not prepared to let our child go down that route, they added.

Fraser Hardie, the chair of the Autism Centre of Excellence in Cambridge, said: There is a crisis playing out in this country if youre autistic. In my county, there are between 30 to 50 children who will need this care in the next five years  and literally nothing for them.

In 2021 the Health Foundation estimated that turning around the crisis in adult social care would cost at least 7.6bn [$9.8B] in 2022 to 2023, and 9bn [$12B] in 2024 to 2025. 

This is an area which is generating very significant financial pressure for both adults and childrens social care services. The growing volume of children and young people with complex needs is outstripping the ability to commission arrangements.

Theres more

July 10, 2023, (UK) THIS: LDA Network reveals need for over 300m [$386M] a year to be invested in supported housing in England https://thiis.co.uk/lda-network-reveals-need-for-over-300m-a-year-to-be-invested-in-supported-housing-in-england/

New research by the Learning Disability and Autism (LDA) Housing Network has called for 304m [$391M] of private and public funding each year, over the next 15 years, to deliver the increasing demand in supported housing for people with learning disabilities and autistic people.

July 11, 2023, Learning Disability Today: New research predicts massive shortage of supported housing

New research on the future needs of supported housing for people with a learning disability shows that there will be a shortfall of between 27,000 to 34,500 by 2037.

The report, Supported housing for people with learning disabilities and autistic people in England, was launched by Learning Disability and Autism Housing Network and Housing LIN.

Ian Copeman, Business Director at Housing LIN, said: We are delighted to have worked with the LDAHN to undertake this research into the scale, scope and cost of supported housing for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. We regularly work with local authorities, NHS organisations and housing providers to widen the housing options available to people with learning disabilities and autistic people. We look forward to the work of the LDAHN and their partners leading to more people having their own home....

April 21, 2023, Los Angeles, Spectrum News: Apartment complex for neurodiverse individuals breaks ground in LA

BEVERLYWOOD, Calif.  Its a question that haunts many parents of children with intellectual disabilities: Where will they live after Im gone?

A new housing development in the center of Los Angeles will soon provide an answer with the nations first residential complex for people with autism, ADHD and other neurodiversities.

Unfortunately for this growing population, after high school there are often limited options for learning, employment and housing, said Eric Schwartz, father of an adult son with an intellectual disability and board member of the charitable nonprofit Cornerstone Housing, which is developing The Village apartment complex in Beverlywood.

According to the California Department of Developmental Services, 75% of adults with developmental disabilities live with aging family members or caregivers. About 70,000 teens with autism turn 18 each year, according to the Autism Institute at Drexel University, but once they become adults, they are often unable to find well-paying jobs and support themselves.

The idea behind the Village is to create a nurturing neighborhood where kindred spirits can encourage, comfort and support one another, make lasting friendships, become independent, empowered and confident, Schwartz said. A place where support is readily available. A place where size and scale allow services to be delivered effectively and efficiently.

In the works for over 20 years, the Village will have 64 apartments when construction is complete, as well as 10,000 square feet of retail on the ground floor. Individuals who live in the building will receive skills training and job placement opportunities and be provided with meals, activity rooms, exercise classes and transit access in a building that is staffed 24 hours a day with security. 

March 2, 2023, CBS New York: Westchester County convent to be converted into housing for adults on the autism spectrum

TUCKAHOE, N.Y. -- A much-needed home for adults who are on the autism spectrum is in the works in Westchester County.

State numbers show the number of people diagnosed is increasing every year.

Government services usually end by the age of 21, and this is one model that could help ease the transition to adulthood.

Kristin Thatcher was smiling from ear-to-ear as she talked about her Staten Island apartment, part of a former convent building that was converted a few years ago for adults on the autism spectrum.

She says she told Cardinal Dolan she doesn't belong in a group home and that she needed her own independent living space when she comes home from work.

"Right now in New York state, there is a tsunami of adults with autism who need housing. They are on waiting lists, isolated and afraid as their parents age and their future is uncertain," said Donna Maxon with ArchCare.

ArchCare, the health care system of the Archdiocese of New York, this week announced it's transforming another convent -- the one at Immaculate Conception Church in Tuckahoe. There will be nine living units, each equipped with a kitchen and bathroom. Applications must be mailed by March 31.

The building is expected to open in 2024.

Members of the media blather on and on about autism awareness, acceptance, and now more and more about NEURODIVERSITY and INCLUSION, all the while pretending that vast numbers of autistic children are nothing new. But in the real world the clock is ticking.

In 2023 the CDC study released their first ever study on profound autism.

The report found that the percentage of 8-year-old children with profound autism among those with autism was 26.7 percent.

This is the future. The massive cost of special education is nothing when compared to the never-ending price tag for lifetime care for autistic adults. Coming up with housing for high functioning autistic adults who do well with minimal support may make everyone feel proactive and caring, but its not reality. There are many thousands of autistic Americans who will live long lives totally dependent on social services and ultimately the taxpayers.

The pretense that all this is nothing new is simply a myth. If we dont stop the lie, we have no future.

Anne Dachel Is Media Editor for Age of Autism.

###

Order today, from Skyhorse Publishing.



Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak (Childrens Health Defense) Hardcover  Illustrated, August 15, 2023 by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Author), Brian Hooker (Author)

Based on over one hundred studies in the peer-reviewed literature that consider vaccinated versus unvaccinated populations. Each of these studies is analyzed and put in context of the difference in health outcomes of vaccinated versus unvaccinated infants, children, and adults. Given the massive push to vaccinate the entire global population, this book is timely and necessary for individuals to make informed choices for themselves and their families.
A Florida nightclub bouncer accused of knocking down a patron with such force the man suffered severe and permanent brain trauma has been captured in Tuscaloosa, according to WPLG in Fort Lauderdale.

U.S. Marshals arrested Justin Brown, 24, in Tuscaloosa Wednesday, nine days after he reportedly was working as a bouncer at Capones Nightclub in downtown Fort Lauderdale, where Andrew Palacios was celebrating his 34th birthday.

Palacios family members told multiple Fort Lauderdale media outlets he was forcefully pushed by Brown, causing Palacios to fall backward, his head striking the pavement so hard it caused his brain to shift, his sister said.

When he fell the pressure was so hard on the back of his head that his brain shifted to the front, Daisy Palacios said.

Daisy Palacios said he has been in a medically-induced coma since the incident.

Andrew Palacios has a young daughter and another on the way, his sister also said.

Brown will be charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement, a 2nd-degree felony in Florida.

Brown could face up to 15 years in prison.
Savannah Tryens-Fernandes, a child health and wellness reporter for AL.com, is among nine recipients of the 2023-2024 Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism.

Tryens-Fernandes will spend the next year examining child and youth homelessness in Alabama, and the impact of Birminghams first shelter designed for young adults.

She is a member of The Alabama Education Lab team at AL.com. Since joining AL.com in 2021, she has reported stories about the impact of the pandemic on people with disabilities, the impact of school discipline policies on students, efforts to revitalize rural communities, and how rural households find food to feed their families.

Her work also recently was honored by the Education Writers Association, which named coverage of an LGBTQ-supportive charter school as a finalist for feature reporting.

Tryens-Fernandes is one of three Report for America corps members in AL.coms newsroom. Their staff positions are supported by the national nonprofit.

The Ed Lab team is grant- and donor-based. To support reporters and their work, make a tax-deductible contribution. Donations are partially matched by Report for America.

Consider joining AL.coms contributor program to add support for journalism that makes an impact.
NASA will conduct news conferences on July 25 at the Johnson Space Center in Houston to announce the upcoming crew rotations missions to the International Space Station (ISS).

The agency also announced that NASA Johnson will host a media day on July 24 to give preview on the arrival of the first U.S. asteroid sample collected from space.

The assigned project team will also be introduced afterwards in the OSIRIS-REx Sample Curation Laboratory.

NASA SpaceX Crew-7 Mission

According to NASA, the SpaceX Crew-7 Mission is targeted to launch by August 15, for a science mission aboard the microgravity laboratory.

The Crew-7 mission is comprised of NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Konstantin Borisov of Roscosmos.

For the seventh crew rotation, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft will launch from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Read Also: NASA James Webb Space Telescope Unveils 3D Visualization of 5,000 Galaxies

NASA Debuts New Flight Engineer

Aside from the Crew-7 mission, NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara will also launch to the space station on September 15, set on a mission with Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub.

O'Hara will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

This will be O'Hara's first spaceflight after her selection as part of the 2017 NASA astronaut class and will join be joining the Expedition 69/10 as flight engineer in the ISS.

Related Article: Asteroid 2023 DW Will Almost Certainly Miss Earth in 2046, NASA Claims
A 20-year-old man was fatally shot by Wetumpka police officers early Thursday after authorities say he brandished a gun at them.

Officers were responding to a call of a person with a firearm at 597 Elmore Road in Wetumpka, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

Once on the scene, ALEA said, a foot pursuit ensued before Jabarie Camron Bozeman, of Eclectic, brandished the gun.

Bozeman was shot by Wetumpka officer. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

No officers were injured.

The shooting happened about 3:30 a.m.

The State Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe. Once it is complete, the findings will be turned over to the Elmore County District Attorneys Office.
The chair of the Alabama Democratic Party wants to meet with national party leaders face to face to address complaints about the adoption of new bylaws that abolished or demoted some diversity caucuses in the party.

In a letter dated Tuesday and sent to Minion Moore and James Roosevelt, co-chairs of the Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC) of the Democratic National Committee, Alabama Democratic Party Chair Randy Kelley requested a meeting with the RBC in St. Louis in October.

It is our desire to build a strong and effective Democratic Party in Alabama, Kelley wrote. We believe we are on our way. However, we cannot build a strong Democratic Party when we are spending year in and year out responding to frivolous complaints made by some of our members who lost in the last election. We desire to set the record straight.

In a separate letter sent Monday, Kelley asked that plans for selecting delegates to the national convention be placed on hold until the approval of a new congressional map that the Alabama Legislature must submit to a federal court by July 21.

Please accept this letter as an official request that the Alabama Delegate Selection Plans for 2023 be held in abeyance until the federal court rules on the new congressional reapportion plan, Kelley wrote in the letter dated July 10, and obtained by the Alabama Reflector. The reason for the request is because the United States Supreme Court had directed the Alabama Legislature to draw two (2) majority black congressional districts, or the court will redraw them.

The requests come as Kelley faces challenges from Democrats who allege the May 6 meeting stripped key constituencies of voting power and were conducted against the rules of procedure.

The Alabama Democratic Party cant afford to wait that long, said Tabitha Isner, the vice chair of the Alabama Democratic Party in an interview Wednesday. We need this matter to be resolved as soon as possible, so that we can get down to the work of supporting candidates and organizing voters.

Isner said Kelley has until July 14 to send his response to the challenges based on the rules.

This request for the October meeting could give Kelley and his supporters additional time to respond to the challenges.

But Kelley said in a Wednesday interview that was not his purpose.

Basically, it has to do with the delegate selection plan, Kelley said of the October meeting. The Supreme Court decision is going to allow us a new congressional district, a potentially Black congressional seat, so the calculation of the numbers is going to be changed based on the congressional districts.

You see the bylaws are not monolithic, Kelley said. You have a state that has 8 pages of bylaws and some caucuses that dont have any at all. We are not really concerned about that at all. Some of that is from dissatisfied, or disgruntled, groups that lost the election and lost control of the party.

Kelley said he responded by sending a letter soon after he received word of the challenges.

The numbers are based on the Democratic electorate, he said. That is the number that we are going by.

New districts

The Alabama Legislature will meet next week to address the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Allen v. Milligan last month. In a 5-4 ruling, the court upheld a lower court decision that the congressional maps adopted by the Alabama Legislature in 2021 violated Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, prohibiting voting practices that discriminate based on race, color or membership in certain language groups.

A lower court mandated a remedy, ordering the Legislature to carve out a second district that has a significant number of Black voters.

The Legislature must approve new maps by July 21. If the state misses the deadline or submits maps the court deems unacceptable, the three-judge panel could hire a third party, known as a special master, to draw the maps.

Kelley wrote that the new districts would have different demographics and new boundary lines, which he said required a delay in ratifying the delegate adoption plan.

We believe by waiting for a final court ruling this will ensure fairness and equity for all Democratic votes in Alabama, he wrote.

Kelleys critics said the state party has already started voting to decide whether to adopt the rules for selecting delegates to the national convention. Members began receiving their ballots to vote on the rules at the end of June. The ballots were then to be sent back and counted by July 7.

Ralph Young, a member of the Alabama Democratic Party, sent a letter dated July 1 to the Democratic National Committee asking rules committee co-chairs to place a restraining order on the vote concerning the delegate plan.

This measure is intended to be a pause, allowing us time to validate the eligible voting members and the bylaws they may have endorsed, Young said in his letter.

Youngs letter to the RBC cited a second challenge filed by April Hodges, another party member, alleging the state party purged at-large members because of their race, ethnicity and other identifying factors.

After sending his correspondence to the RBC co-chairs, Young wrote two letters addressed to Kelley. The first was dated July 6, asking to be present during the canvassing that was supposed to take place at the July 7 gathering before Kelley requested the delay.

Having not received a response, Young then wrote a second letter the following day that was more harshly phrased.

You are on notice of my intent to challenge the Plan, due to the perceived attempts to disenfranchise diversity caucus members, Young wrote. I urge you to ensure that all members have the right to vote, and furthermore, that their votes are counted.

The vote to approve the delegate plan surprised some members of the state party because several individuals, including those who challenged the results of the bylaws at the May meeting, did not receive ballots to vote on the delegate selection plan.

After everything that has happened, I dont know how to explain that, said Virginia Applebaum, former chair of the Native American caucus, who didnt receive a ballot for the delegate plan. It is both shocking and disheartening, but it seems like this is normal business. This is how it is going to be.

At that May meeting the state party adopted new bylaws that effectively eliminated caucuses for youth, LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities that were established back in 2019. It also rolled back some of the power of other caucuses.

I really struggled in the weeks after the meeting just because of how demoralizing it was, Applebaum said. As a native American woman, to be treated in such a manner by the party.

Some members were upset they were not able to vote because they didnt pay a $50 fee, which they characterized as a poll tax. Kelley has disputed that.

The May 6 meeting led to a complaint from Isner and 43 other members to the Democratic National Committee responsible for setting the bylaws, claiming those bylaws should be voided.

The DNC last month announced an investigation of the complaint. The national party could remove the Alabama Democratic Partys delegates from the 2024 presidential convention if it finds that the party is not compliant with its bylaws.

I would like us to redo a meeting under the old bylaws, Isner said. Everything that happened at the May meeting should be void and null because it was not done according to Roberts rules. It was not done within the bylaws that were in effect at that time.
Albertville was considered as a finalist for the building of a long-range light jet by Honda Aircraft, according to the Associated Press.

The project, which will be located in Greensboro, N.C., will generate 280 jobs, WCTI is reporting. Honda Aircraft, which is headquartered at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, will invest another $56 million into the area.

A document summarizing the agreement identified Albertville as a finalist, the AP reported.

The project will produce the proposed HondaJet 2600 model, unveiled two years ago.

The company says the new model is designed to be the worlds first light jet capable of nonstop transcontinental flight across the U.S., with the ability to accommodate up to 11 occupants.

The average salaries for the new jobs will be more than $88,700, according to a news release from Gov. Roy Coopers office.

We are thrilled that North Carolina will be home to the new Honda light jet that represents the next chapter of our skyward mobility, company CEO Hideto Yamasaki said in a statement.
Alabamas first openly gay lawmaker says she is worried an anti-LGBTQ campaign billboard in west Mobile underscores a disturbing and dangerous national trend against the community in recent months.

Patricia Todd, who served in the Alabama House from 2006-2018, said Thursday she fears the national political trend critical of the LGBTQ community will increase violence against people who identify as LGBTQ, and urged the people backing anti-LGBTQ rhetoric to stop.

I have a range of emotions in all of this from shock to sadness to anger in how they are using the LGBTQ community in this instance of (a special election on) annexation, when it doesnt have anything to do with that, said Todd, who current chairs the Alabama Equality political action committee aimed at raising money to support pro-LGBTQ political candidates.

To me, it demonstrates how low some of these folks will go, I guess, to marginalize and drum up hate against us, Todd said, adding the billboard represents a first she has seen in Alabama in which the LGBTQ community or policies promoting the community was used in such a visual way in a political campaign.

She said the trend has evolving in Alabama over the past month, citing disruptions at Pride events around the state. The most notable occurred in Prattville, when the white supremacist group called Patriot Front showed up and protested the LGBTQ community.

Its alarming to me, Todd said. Its immigrants. Its been people of color. Now its the LGBTQ community. There is always a group (that some people) have to hate on. Its a very dangerous thing to see.

A billboard in west Mobile along Airport Boulevard, paid for by a group called Faith Family Freedom Coalition Metro Mobile, urges voters to vote against an annexation plan during a special election on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

The billboard in question is sponsored by the organization Faith Family Freedom Coalition Metro Mobile, whose main spokesman with Martin Scott Catino, whose resume includes a stint in the military and as a Fulbright Scholar specializing in security studies. He has not returned repeated calls for comment.

Catino, in interviews with conservative news outlets, said that people should be wary of annexing into a city he claims is supportive of the LGBTQ movement, and one that he believes promotes diversity and inclusion training. The city, last year, hired LGBTQ liaisons as a way to boost the citys Municipal Equality Index through the Human Rights Campaign.

A representative with the Common Sense Campaign tea party told AL.com on Wednesday that their organization was concerned with the city not responding to their concerns about a LGBTQ-themed Pride Month event during Art Walk.

Todd said she believes much of the backlash has to do with people fearing what they dont know.

What we do know is when people get to know us, it does change their opinion on who we are, Todd said. We are a diverse community, Black and white and Christian and Jew and non-believers. We are rich, poor, highly educated. Its more diverse than any other ethnicity or race or any other thing.

Todd, who lives in Birmingham, said she hopes Mobilians do not tolerate hate during next weeks election.

When I got elected, and walked into the statehouse, (lawmakers) thought I would hit them over the head with the gay flag, Todd said. We have to learn to talk to each other and share our life experiences. We pay our taxes, mow our grass and have jobs. Its all the same. We are human beings and we have to love people of the same gender or we dont believe we were born in the right physical body. What does that have to do with anyone (else)? What does my marriage to a woman have to do with anyone elses marriage?
A group opposing LGBTQ rights and Diversity Equity and Inclusion programs has put up billboards around the city urging residents to vote no in Tuesdays annexation vote.

Why has Faith Family Freedom Coalition Metro Mobile put up the signs? Whats the link between their opposition to LGBTQ and DE&I issues and the proposed annexation? And has the group violated any state campaign laws with its sign campaign?

The Coalition is named on at least two billboards advocating for a No vote on annexation, is not registered as a political action committee with the Alabama Secretary of State, the office confirmed late Wednesday.

A sign urging voters to "Vote No" on annexation during Mobile's special election on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

A cluster of smaller signs, posted in city right-of-way along busy stretches of roads and advocating for a No vote, does not reference who might be paying for them.

Faith Family Freedom Coalition Metro Mobile would not have to register with the Secretary of States Office if it spends less than $1,000 campaigning, according to state law. Its unclear how much the billboard advertisement costs.

Anti-annexation push

One billboard is on Airport Boulevard near Baker High School includes an image of the Civil War cannon on Government Street in midtown Mobile as it was painted last year in colorful rainbow hues during LGBGT Pride Month.

Our values are under attack, the billboard reads. Vote NO on annexation July 18th.

Martin Scott Catino, a Mobile resident whose resume includes a stint in the military and as a Fulbright Scholar specializing in security studies, is the organizations main spokesman. He did not return a call or email from AL.com on Wednesday for comment.

Earlier in the day, Catino told a local radio station that the annexation vote is a huge decision. He also claimed that the civil liberties, your investments, your children and families and their well-being was at stake.

Catino blasted Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, an annexation proponent, for supporting Diversity and Inclusion training within the City of Mobile and for having LGBTQ liaisons to boost the citys Municipal Equality Index through the Human Rights Campaign.

The social component is inseparable from the economic, Catino said while interviewed by Dalton Orwig and Dan Brennan during their morning show on FM Talk 106.5 in Mobile on Wednesday. This race-based priority system is the same policy that has ruined cities around the United States.

Catino has made appearances before local organizations and debated Mobile City Councilman Ben Reynolds during a forum hosted by the Common Sense Campaign tea party last month.

Reynolds said he advocated for annexation because of the financial benefits to the city, and to residents who rely on city police and fire protection services. He also said that if people are concerned about social issues, their only recourse would be with being able to vote during a municipal election, something which residents outside the city limits cannot do.

Scott Catino came in and did his presentation that was based on social issues and was all about DEI and LGBTQ and all the federal stuff going on nationally and that the city would be this overwhelming influence into everyones lives and forcing issues down everyones throat, Reynolds said. My answer was simple: If you dont like the policy of the City of Mobile, the way you influence that policy is by way of the vote.

Common Sense support

Catino has the support of the Common Sense Campaign, a group that has played an influential role in past elections in mostly GOP-heavy Baldwin County. Notably, they were the main opponents to a special property tax referendum in Baldwin County in 2015, which was overwhelmingly defeated by voters and prompted the school system to search for alternative ways to raise revenues to support the construction of new schools.

Former Alabama Auditor Jim Zeigler, who has had the support of the Common Sense Campaign in the past, was the forums moderator. He said the forum drew about 60 people, and that Catino was vocally critically of DEI and LGBTQ programs.

His pitch was we dont need to be joining a city that is promoting San Francisco-type progressiveness and Chicago-type progressiveness, said Zeigler, who will vote on Tuesday but declined to say where he stood on the issue.

Kay Day, a representative of the Common Sense Campaign in Mobile County who lives in Theodore and will not vote on Tuesday, said she believes about 95% of our folks would vote No.

Day said in her personal opinion, the city has so many things they are working on that are just not good for the community or our children.

She said part of her organizations frustrations was with Mobile hosting an LGBTQ Pride Month event during Art Walk.

Read more: Anti-LGBTQ comments in Mobile raise questions about prayer before public meetings

We reached out to the mayor many times with no reaction, said Day. A no reaction means you are just going to go ahead with your plan.

Stephen Worley, who is the spokesman of the One Mobile PAC -- pro-annexation political action committee  declined to comment. Worley was the campaign manager for Stimpsons re-election campaign in 2021.

Rankling supporters

Del Sawyer, president of the West Mobile Annexation Committee, speaks out in support of an annexation proposal during the Mobile City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at Government Plaza in Mobile, Ala. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

The opposition also comes at a time when Mobile city officials are attempting to tout the benefits of annexation.

Mobile City Councilman Joel Daves, at the conclusion of Tuesdays council meeting, said that the city will look at rolling back its three-mile police jurisdiction after the election. He said that means police and fire protection services could likely not be provided to around 71,000 residents living within the jurisdiction  a population the size of Dothan.

Daves said Wednesday that he did not make the comments as a response to the opposition campaign.

The oppositions emergency is rankling longtime annexation proponents who believe its nothing more than a last-minute effort aimed at torpedoing Mobiles annexation plans to add nearly 26,000 residents.

A pro-annexation sign ahead of Moblie's special election on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com

This is a public safety issue and has nothing to do with social issues, said Freddy Wheeler, secretary of the West Mobile Annexation Committee that was formed about five years ago to back the issue.

The special election includes four areas west of the city limits who will get a chance to vote Yes or No on whether they want to be included within the citys corporate boundaries. If all four areas include a majority of Yes votes, the citys overall population  currently at 184,952  would surge beyond 200,000 and elevate Mobile from the fourth to the second-largest city in Alabama trailing only fast-growing Huntsville.

Del Sawyer, chairman of the West Mobile Annexation Committee, said he believes Catino is jumping into the annexation debate to raise awareness to himself.

Where has this Catino guy been for the past six years? Sawyer said, referring to the approximate length of the annexation debate in Mobile leading up to Tuesdays special election.

Read more about annexation:
President Joe Biden on Thursday said it is irresponsible of U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville to block confirmation of military officers in protest of a Defense Department policy that pays for travel when a service member has to go out of state to get an abortion or reproductive care.

Hes jeopardizing U.S. security by what hes doing, Biden said of Tuberville. Its just totally irresponsible in my view.

More than 260 nominations are stalled by Tuberville, including Bidens pick for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Americas top military officer. The U.S. Marine Corps is currently without a confirmed leader for the first time in a century because of the block. It also affects scores of one-, two- and three-star officers who are assigned to new base commands.

Id be willing to talk to him if I thought there was any possibility of changing his ridiculous position, Biden said during a press conference with the president of Finland. Biden traveled to Finland as a show of support for the new NATO member, following the NATO summit in Lithuania this week.

The idea that were injecting into fundamental foreign policy decisions what, in fact, is a domestic social debate on social issues is bizarre, Biden said.

The block also affects the families of nominees, who usually relocate over the summer to their new military communities so school-age children can get settled in before fall.

And it stretches to hundreds more younger military personnel who dont need Senate confirmation but are still affected by the hold because they are assigned to serve as staff or aides to the relocating generals. Those aides move their families as well. So they are essentially stuck, too.

A proposal last month to hold a Senate debate over Pentagon abortion policies as part of the annual defense bill negotiations was seen by some senators as the best prospect for getting Tuberville to lift those holds, but he opposed it.

The Alabama senators action bucks decades of precedent in which swaths of military officers and promotions are approved by voice vote and with no objections. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., has said that if the Senate were to vote individually on the 260 nominations, it would take 27 days with the Senate working around the clock or 84 days if the Senate worked eight hours a day.

Tuberville has said he wants Democrats to solve the problem by introducing legislation on the abortion policy and then holding a vote on it. Tuberville does not have his own bill to change the policy.

Im leaving it up to them, Tuberville said Wednesday.

But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says that Republican leaders, most of whom have criticized Tubervilles holds, should prevail on the senator to change his mind.

Biden said Tubervilles fellow GOP senators should work to stop his block.

Im confident the mainstream Republican party does not support what hes doing, but they got to stand up and be counted. Thats how it ends, Biden said.

___
Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis vowed to investigate Farmers Insurance for dropping about 100,000 policies, suggesting that corporate leaders would be dragged before the Legislature next session to answer for their actions.

In a scathing news release Tuesday night, Patronis laid blame on executives that he said care more about woke policies and virtue signaling than acting in the best interest of its customers.

I sincerely believe that with todays actions, Farmers Insurance is well on its way to becoming the Bud Light of insurance, Patronis said, an unrelated reference to conservative backlash after a transgender influencer promoted the beer on social media.

Patronis also said he has directed the Division of Consumer Services to investigate any complaints against Farmers, which could lead to fines against the carrier.

In a notice delivered to the Office of Insurance Regulation on Monday, Farmers said it would no longer be writing new policies or renewing existing homeowner, auto and umbrella policies under its Farmers brand. Those policies make up about 30% of its business in Florida. The other 70% of its policies under the Bristol West, Foremost and other brands would remain active.

Patronis accused the company of failing to communicate its intentions, even though it filed a notice with the insurance office, which answers to Patronis, and discussed it with officials there.

After every thing the Florida Legislature has done to assist insurance companies from slowing the bleed, and then to have Farmers communicate their intentions in such a ham-handed manner, [the] company leadership needs to get ready because my guess is theyre about to get hauled before the Legislature to answer for their actions when the next legislative session begins, Patronis said.

Patronis, who also sided with Gov. Ron DeSantis in his war against environmental, social and governance policies, also scolded Farmers for becoming the First U.S.-based Insurer to Become Signatory of the United Nations Principles for Sustainable Insurance.

OIR Commissioner Mark Yaworski, an appointee of DeSantis, was far more cordial in seeking cooperation with Farmers in a letter he sent to Victoria McCarthy, the head of regulatory strategy and analytics for the carrier.

While the office recognizes companies need to make operational changes to books of business, OIR always appreciates the opportunity to discuss these complex issues prior to receiving notifications of this nature, Yaworski wrote.

He said he was concerned about the potential cascading impacts for policyholders and wanted to make sure Florida had a stable and competitive market.

Moving forward, we hope Farmers takes these concerns into consideration and understands the need to better serve Floridas policyholders, he said. We expect continuous communication going forward.

Farmers told the state on Monday it was committed to helping find new carriers for the policyholders it wont be renewing.

The company did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

Florida law requires an insurer to give the state 90 days notice in writing if it plans to stop writing insurance or cancel 10,000 or more homeowner policies within 12 months. The insurer must also provide a reason that is permitted under state law before sending out nonrenewal notices to customers within 120 days of their policies expiration dates.

Patronis didnt address why he chose for the first time to call out a specific insurance company for dropping customers. At least 10 companies have departed Florida in the midst of the states relentless insurance crisis that has led to skyrocketing premium increases.

Last year, FEDNAT merged with Monarch, dumping a combined 64,900 policyholders who had to scramble to find new insurance carriers. United Property and Casualty canceled some 73,000 policies that had to be picked up by another carrier. Southern Fidelity had nearly 24,000 policy cancelations.

Democrats blasted Patronis, DeSantis and the Legislature for failing to adopt any meaningful changes that would reduce premiums and help consumers despite three regular legislative sessions and two special sessions.

Its really important we start by asking ourselves why the reforms that have passed are not enough for Farmers to be willing to stay, said Rep. Hillary Cassel, D-Dania Beach. We have heard from Republicans that these reforms are necessary to maintain a vibrant market and encourage [carriers] to stay.

But after giving the insurance industry a wish list of items it had been lobbying for years, including restrictions on suing them and $3 billion in reinsurance subsidies, rates continue to go up, even though lawsuits have gone down.

Cassel said that litigation isnt the number one problem, as Republicans and most industry officials have said for years. Instead, she said its the reinsurance market, which represents 49% of what homeowners pay. Reinsurance is insurance that carriers buy to protect against catastrophic disasters that would otherwise break their banks.

The reality is they made reinsurance more expensive, Cassell said. Keeping policyholders from going to court and giving insurers everything on their wish list doesnt work.

She also scoffed at Patronis for threatening Farmers.

Now they want to blame everything on ESG and wokeness, and blame them for being a poorly run company, Cassel said. If that is true, they [government regulators] should have known that.

2023 Orlando Sentinel. Visit orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A man found dead and decomposed in the back of a cargo van in Birmingham has been identified as a 35-year-old reported missing more than a month ago.

The body of Corey Volter was discovered at 7:44 a.m. Friday, July 7, in the 2200 block of Third Avenue South.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office Thursday confirmed to be the remains to be those of Volter, who was identified through the serial number on orthopedic hardware from a previous surgery.

Volter lived in Greensboro, N.C. He was last known to be making a delivery in Pinson on June 8, driving a white 2017 Chevrolet 3500 cargo van.

Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said Volter was not heard from or seen after June 8, and his family in Louisiana filed a missing person report the following day.

On Friday morning, one month after he disappeared, Birmingham police were called to Third Avenue South after a nearby auto repair employee went to investigate the van, which had been parked there for some time. The person noticed something amiss and summoned authorities.

Volter was found in the cargo area of the van. The remains were taken to the coroners office.

Yates said the remains were in extremely poor condition, but an autopsy showed no signs of trauma. The cause of death is pending additional laboratory testing.
There was no way to warn the blind monkey. But once the sedative wore off, he could see.

On his first walk outside, he moved slowly and carefully. He inspected the grass and stared at the pond. He is a 24-year-old creature who spent years without sight but two months ago laid down for a surgery and now watches the world with eyes clearer than most people ever thought they could be.

He just wanted to be in my arms so bad after the surgery, said Cody Breland, who founded and owns Wild Acres Hands on Animal Experience in McHenry, Mississippi.

His name is Kiki, and he is a golden spider monkey who got cataract surgery in May and now can see his home at Wild Acres for the first time thanks to donations from adoring fans across the Coast.

He arrived at Wild Acres two years ago, already blind, and had mostly stayed in his house, felt his way around and walked bent over, to protect himself from an unknown world. He had startled when approached. He often sat at the bottom of his cage with a blanket over his head.

But since the surgery, Kikis habits have changed. He uses his four tiny fingers to explore peoples pockets. Sometimes, he sticks them in open mouths. He stares at his beloved owners face and swings from branches. And soon, a chiropractor may even realign his spine to help his posture.

For two years, Breland pleaded as vet after vet declined to treat Kiki. But one day, a woman from Louisiana toured Wild Acres and told Breland she knew someone and would call right away.

I was like, whatever we need to do, said Dr. Jana Korsch-Dismukes, who in her Alabama veterinary ophthalmology clinic has operated on mostly dogs, but also some raptors, a flamingo, a sea lion, a turtle, a rat, a bearded dragon, a chinchilla and a couple of bunnies.

Lets get this ball rolling, she said.

And so after funding from tour groups, Boomtown Casino and what Breland estimated was $2,000 from TikTok, where Kiki has amassed thousands of views, he can see.

All these things had to line up at the same time, said Bre Anderson, a Wild Acres manager. Thank goodness it did.

Korsch-Dismukes performed two surgeries, one for each eye, and restored immediate vision. She used the same cataract procedure performed on people. But monkey surgery can pose challenges. Primates may scratch at their healing eyes, Korsch-Dismukes said, and you never know how they might react to sudden vision.

Kiki just opened his eyes wide.

He just looked like, Who turned the lights on? Korsch-Dismukes said. That never gets old.

He didnt scratch, but he had to re-learn depth perception, which was so off he would think youre about to smack him, Breland said, if you made a sudden movement from far away.

But Kiki took it all in. He petted a goat. He took naps in the hammock. He held hands.

It was very cute, Breland said. He would just look around.

Breland said Kiki likely came from somewhere in South or Central America, and was bounced between two private owners in the U.S. before someone gave him to Wild Acres two years ago. His species can live up to 40.

He is one of 52 animals (not including the birds) who live at Wild Acres. Theres Dexter, the Patagonian cavie, and Gus and Sissy, the capuchin monkeys, and JJ, the black bear, who celebrated his birthday with a Luau last weekend. Theres Tyson, the capybara  everyones crazy about capybaras right now, Breland said  and Shuri the leopard. And theres porcupines named Danger, Lady GaGa, Mr. Pokes and baby Quillianna.

Breland founded Wild Acres in 2018 with a Zebra, a camera and not much else. But it grew because he wanted to take care of animals and create a place where people could escape their worlds and leave with more compassion for creatures than they started with.

Im passionate about my animals, Breland said. I live it every day.

___

(c)2023 The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.)

Visit The Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.) at www.sunherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
You probably thought today was just a regular Thursday.

Nope.

Its actually a holiday. A golden, fried, crispy and salty holiday.

Today, Thursday, July 13, is National French Fry Day. To celebrate, plenty of fast food spots are offering freebies or discounts on everyones favorite dippable snacks.

Here are some of the best deals weve found for National French Fry Day 2023 and beyond:

Burger King

Members of Burger Kings Royal Perks loyalty program can get a free order of fries of any size with any purchase via the app or BK.com. One important note  the deal is good for Friday, not Thursday. Royal Perks members can also get one free order of fries each week through the end of the year with purchase at participating locations.

Hardees

Join Hardees My Rewards program and purchase French fries as part of a combo or on their own on Thursday through the Hardees app or website and get an in-app offer for a free small French fries with a minimum $1 purchase for each day through the end of the year.

Heinz & Uber Eats

Heinz and Uber Eats are offering customers $5.70 off Thursday orders that include French fries at participating restaurants nationwide, including places like Arbys, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chilis, Freddys, IHOP and more.

Hooters

Hooters is offering free curly or waffle fries or tots with any entree purchase on Thursday.

McDonalds

Score free fries of any size on Thursday through the McDonalds app. No purchase necessary, offer good only at participating locations.

Wendys

Starting Thursday and lasting until Sunday, Wendys is giving customers a free order of any size fry with a purchase made in the Wendys app. One order per person; apply offer to your mobile order or scan in the restaurant or drive-through.
Installation view of the exhibition, "Bulgari Serpenti 75 Years of Infinite Tales," at Kukje Gallery in central Seoul / Courtesy of Bulgari Korea, Kukje Gallery



By Park Han-sol



It was 1948 when the image of a coiled snake first slithered into the design of a Bulgari watch. Since then, for over seven decades, the Italian luxury fashion house has put one distinctive spin on the reptile after another, embracing the motif in its endless product line of bracelets, rings, handbags and necklaces.



And in celebration of the 75th anniversary of its best-selling Serpenti, Bulgari has brought the mythical serpent into the realm of art through its series of collaborations with contemporary creatives around the world.





A selection of Bulgari's Serpenti bracelet watches featured in a 1970s advertisement / Courtesy of Bulgari Korea



The exhibition, "Bulgari Serpenti 75 Years of Infinite Tales," mounted at Kukje Gallery in central Seoul, presents the house's jewelry collection and archive alongside the works of six prominent women artists from Korea and France. Seoul is the fifth stop for the luxury brand's creative collaboration after Madrid, London, New York and Shanghai.



Five Korean creators  Chun Kyung-ja (1924-2015), Choi Wook-kyung (1940-85), Hong Seung-hye, Choi Jae-eun and Ham Kyung-ah  and French-American painter and sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002) each deliver their own visual rendition of the symbolic reptile at the gallery, inviting viewers to "explore the icon's infinite metamorphosis," according to Bulgari.





Chun Kyung-ja's "Tangled Snakes" (1969), left, and Niki de Saint Phalle's "Pouf Serpent Jaune" (1994) / Courtesy of Bulgari Korea, Kukje Gallery



The serpent remains one of the most revisited motifs in Chun's paintings, including her colorful "Tangled Snakes" (1969) on display at the exhibit. For the artist, the creature was an object of fear and resentment since childhood as she associated it with the scarring loss of her loved ones and failed relationship. The incorporation of snakes into the canvas in her darkest hour was Chun's subversive way of finding beauty in the most unlikely place.



Similarly, Saint Phalle's "Pouf Serpent Jaune" (1994) and ten other sculptures, paintings and drawings on view at the show indicate that pythons were an ever-recurring image for the creator  an icon that she used to sublimate her repressed feelings of aggression and trauma into vibrant art.





Hong Seung-hye's "Trop Long" (2023), left, and Choi Jae-eun's "Meeting the Morning Dew" (2023) / Courtesy of Bulgari Korea, Kukje Gallery
Flooding continues along I-59/20 in Sumter County near York pic.twitter.com/XvP1N7m8J0  James Spann (@spann) July 13, 2023

Early morning rainfall has caused flooding across the southbound lanes of Interstate 59 in Sumter County.

Cpl. Reginal King of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the flooding is occurring near the five mile marker.

Troopers with ALEAs Highway Patrol Division, along with the Alabama Department of Transportation, are currently on scene assisting with traffic control.

ALEA will also provide updates.

Counties in the central-west portion of Alabama are currently under a flood watch.

Flooding at York in Sumter County Photos from Brandon Franklin pic.twitter.com/aK6D69WakB  James Spann (@spann) July 13, 2023
The search for the suspect who shot and seriously injured two Birmingham firefighters continues, and more reward money is now offered for information leading to the gunman.

Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama on Thursday announced a reward of up to $15,000. The reward amount was previously $10,000.

The gunfire erupted about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Station 9 in Norwood.

Police and fire officials said firefighters Jordan Melton and Jamal Jones were in the bay when the unknown suspect entered and opened fire.

Both injured firefighters were taken to UAB Hospital.

Jones was last known to be in serious condition and Melton in critical condition.

Jordan Melton

No updates regarding the shooting or investigation have been issued since Wednesday morning.

The suspect is believed to have fled the scene in a silver Nissan Altima. A description of the suspect has not been released.

Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond at Wednesdays crime scene said the shooter entered the fire station through the open bay door, which typically remains open to be accessible to residents who need their blood pressure checked or other help or information.

The shooting happened shortly after they started their shift.

The early indication is that this was a targeted attack, Thurmond said.

Jamal Jones

We dont know why it would be a targeted attack, thats one of the things were trying to determine, Thurmond said. Its extremely unusual for someone to come target one of our fire stations and so were trying to see why would someone want to target one of these fire stations in Birmingham.

I find it extremely troubling that they would be targeted, the chief said. I hate to say it but unfortunately, I think police would be the bigger targets. Our firefighters are there to protect and aid and rescue our citizens and to seem them critically injured is troubling, disheartening.

The chief said at least one other firefighter was inside the station when the shooting happened. That firefighter was not injured.

Asked if it could be personal in nature versus a random attack on the profession itself, Thurmond said, Thats one of the issues were looking at when we say, Is there a connection? What is that connection if there is one? We just dont know at this point in time.

Is it professional? Is it personal? Is it none of the above? Thurmond said. We just dont know.

Thurmond said he doesnt think the general community is in danger.

Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
For dog owners who also love the beach, Alabama offers a variety of locations where both owners and their canines can romp in the sand.

The folks at Veterinarians.org say that among the many miles of beaches along Alabamas coast, its the public beach on Dauphin Island that is the states most dog-friendly and tops their list of the top 10 dog-friendly beaches in the state.

This map shows the location of what Veterinarians.org says are Alabama's most dog-friendly beaches.

Dauphin Island Public Beach is the main tourist beach on the island, Veterinarians.org says.

Trade in the crowded tourist-filled Gulf Shores beaches for a serene atmosphere that is safe and fun for your pet. With fewer people, your dog can dash through the sand, leaving their paw prints in every direction en route to the water. Go for a refreshing dip in the Gulf of Mexico before returning to the soft sand to sunbathe.

Dauphin Island also drew praise for the nearby Dauphin Island Campground, where dogs can spend the night with their owners.

Its worth noting Dauphin Island was also named one of the 12 best beaches for dogs in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler in 2022.

Although noting much of Orange Beach is off-limits to pets, second on the list is the Orange Beach Waterfront Park.

Free of crowds of beachcombers, Orange Beach Waterfront Park will be a beach oasis for your pet, the authors wrote. Its one of the only places on Orange Beach for your pet, and you can take advantage of the shores all year. Youre walking onto your pets sandbox as the grass transitions to sand.

Dogs must be leashed while at Waterfront Park.

In addition, there is a separate dog park about a half mile from Waterfront Park which has a divider separating large dogs from smaller ones and also provides shaded walkways to prevent dogs from burning their paws.

Heres the remainder of the list, with a brief synopsis of Veterinarians.org comments:

Fort Morgan Historic Site: Pets are not allowed on the actual fort site, but there is a designated area where they are welcome between the Old Fishermans Wharf and Old Fort Morgan Pier.

The Dog Pond at Lake Shelby: Located in Gulf State Park, dog owners must keep their pet on a leash until they reach the dog beach, where they can romp freely. The Dog Pond also offers a dog agility course and bench and picnic tables where dogs are welcome.

Dauphin Island East End Beach: The second Dauphin Island beach on the list, the East End Beach offers walks with your pet that will go past historic coastal landmarks such as Fort Gaines.

River Sandbar Park: Located in Daleville along the Little Choctawhatchee River, trees overhang the back of the beach when the hot sand is too much for your pet (or you). Veterinarians.org notes that although the beach is narrow, there is room for multiple dog owners to enjoy the area.

May Day Park: Located in Daphne along the shores of Mobile Bay, May Day Park offers walks along the beach boardwalk.

Pirates Cove: The popular restaurant/bar has its own beach and its dog-friendly. Its also got its own marina, so boat owners can arrive via the Gulf and bring their dogs along. The Pirate Cove Resort cabins are also dog-friendly.

Graham Creek Nature Preserve: The trails of this Foley location lead to a dog-friendly beach. Owners and their dogs can enjoy Graham Creek, where dog-friendly canoe rentals are available. There are also the sandy shores of Wolf Bay, which offers off-leash fun.

Gulf Shores Dog Park: Although the Gulf Shores beaches are off-limits to dogs and other pets, the Gulf Shores Dog Park offers much the same experience. Its an entire park for dogs to play, with grass fields.

This story was updated July 14 to correctly reflect that Gulf Shores Dog Park does not provide access to the beach.
Updated at 2:50 p.m.: Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville talked with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Thursday afternoon, CNN reported. The meeting comes after Tuberville initially rejected the overture by Austin.

Tuberville and Austin spoke by phone, presumably regarding the holds the senator has placed on military promotions. CNN reported Austin reached out to Tuberville for a meeting Thursday morning but was told the senator did not have time for a call today or this weekend.

UPDATE: A defense official now confirms that Tuberville and Austin spoke on the phone today around 1:30pm.



Earlier, when CNN asked when Tuberville would speak with Austin, he said: "I dont know. I havent heard from him in five months, but Ill get with him. https://t.co/r0JBfBveus  Haley Britzky (@halbritz) July 13, 2023

After the report, Tuberville spoke to reporters and said he would speak to Austin.

Tubervilles office has not responded to an AL.com request for comment.

Original story: Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville rejected a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as the stalemate over the senators hold on military promotions continues.

CNNs Kaitlan Collins reported in a tweet Thursday that Austin reached out to Tubervilles office after he had made comments earlier this week that he had heard nothing from the Pentagon nor the White House over the military holds he put in place as a protest over the new military policy providing paid leave and travel expenses for servicemembers seeking abortions.

News  Secretary Austin's office attempted to set up a call between Austin and Sen. Tommy Tuberville today, but the senator's office declined, saying he did not have time for a call today or this weekend, a senior defense official tells me.  Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) July 13, 2023

Tubervilles office responded that the senator declined the meeting in responding to Austins request, CNN reported.

According to CNN, Tubervilles office said he did not have time for a call today or this weekend. CNN attributed the information as coming from a senior defense official.

Related: Top U.S. military leader must step down as Sen. Tuberville continues blocking replacement

This comes as Tuberville has complained that Austin has not tried to reach him about his hold on military nominations in protest of the Pentagons abortion policy, CNNs Collins said in a tweet.

Tubervilles office did not immediately respond to a request by AL.com for comment on the CNN report.

Ive been on the run, Tuberville told CNN reporter Lauren Fox. Ive been on the run. I havent been in the office all day ... Ill talk to (Austin). Ive got his cell number.

Fox then said Tuberville was asked why not immediately discuss the matter with Austin.

I will, he said. This aint going nowhere. They have all kinds of problems.

Austin reached out to Tuberville following a tweet by the senator on Wednesday outlining the lack of contact between himself and the Pentagon and the White House over the holds, describing it as more political theatre from the Dems. In the tweet, Tuberville said he has only had a 10 minute call with Austin months ago.

The non-meeting would seem to add another layer on a months-long controversy that has hung over the Senate. Tubervilles protest does not have the support of Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell.

Tuberville has repeatedly said he will maintain his holds until the defense department either cancels the abortion policy or Congress votes its approval. Tuberville has also said that military nominations can go forward on a one-by-one basis for Senate confirmation  a time-consuming process that typically is bypassed by the Senate approving military promotions by voice vote.

President Joe Biden on Thursday continued his criticism of Tubervilles strategy.

Hes jeopardizing U.S. security by what hes doing, Biden said, according to an Associated Press report. Its just totally irresponsible in my view.

About 250 military promotions are on hold by Tuberville, a number that could grow to about 650 by the end of the year. The Marines this week are without a confirmed commandant for the first time in more than a century.

Tuberville has maintained that military leaders have assured him the holds are having no effect on military readiness. In a letter to Schumer and McConnell in May, seven former secretaries of state expressed their frustration over the holds and is is harming military readiness and risks damaging U.S. national security.

Updated today, July 13, 2023, at 1:43 p.m. with new information throughout.
An anti-LGBTQ billboard linked to Mobiles annexation vote recently surfaced on Airport Boulevard near Baker High School, sponsored by a group called Faith Family Freedom Coalition Metro Mobile.

Heres what we know:

Martin Scott Catino is the groups spokesman, but he has declined certain media interviews and has not responded to AL.com for requests for comments. On FM Talk 106.5 , Catino blasted Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpsons administration for backing the appointment of LGBTQ liaisons and for having Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies.

Faith Family Freedom Coalition Metro Mobile is not registered as a political action committee with the Alabama Secretary of States Office, the state agency confirmed on Wednesday. If the group is spending more than $1,000 to campaign on an issue, it has to register with the office. The Secretary of States office, however, says it does not have prosecutorial powers when it comes to potential violations of the states Fair Campaign Practices Act.

The West Mobile Annexation Committee, a pro-annexation group, argues that Catinos arrival to the campaign has only been recent and that he is utilizing social issues to bolster his own future political aspirations.

A sign urging voters to "Vote No" on annexation during Mobile's special election on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

Why is there opposition?

Catino, during an appearance on a talk radio show Wednesday, said he felt the social issues were inseparable from the economic issues of annexation. He criticized Stimpson for having LGBTQ liaisons to boost the citys Municipal Equality Index gauged by the Human Rights Campaign. The liaisons were appointed last year and have since held a few meetings about their plans. Catino also ripped the mayor for DEI policies, which he likened to supporting Marxism.

Behind the scenes:

Opposition to the LGBTQ community surfaced in Mobile last month, mostly by pastors in west Mobile including some who oversee churches in the areas that could be annexed. A letter signed by 43 pastors was submitted to the city in late June arguing that government leaders should not use public resources to promote ideologies that fundamentally oppose the beliefs of vast numbers of their constituents, especially sexually-focused activities and events in public places where children may be in jeopardy. Their concern mainly focused on an LGBTQ Pride-themed Art Walk last month.

Big picture:

The special election on Tuesday involves four areas west of Mobiles corporate limits. They include: Airport Corridor Area, Cottage Hill Corridor, Kings Branch Area, and Orchard Estates Area. The maps of each area have been posted to AL.com. If a majority in each of the four areas support annexation, 25,803 residents west of Mobiles city limits will almost automatically become city residents.

What it all means:

The annexation of such a large number of residents -- 25,803, or slightly more than the City of Fairhope in Baldwin County -- would propel Mobile to the No. 2 largest city in Alabama trailing only fast-growing Huntsville. Mobiles current population, according to the latest Census estimates, is 184,952. Birmingham (197,575) and Montgomery (198,665) are larger.

A campaign sign paid for by the One Mobile PAC advertises forthcoming community meetings on annexation on July 13 and 14, 2023, at Creekwood Church in west Mobile, Ala. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

Want to learn more?

Two meetings will be held to inform voters about the details of annexation. They will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Creekwood Church of Christ, 901 Schillinger Road S., Mobile. The election runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Only voters in the affected areas have a chance to decide if they want to be annexed into the city. Its a simple Yes or No vote.

Read more about annexation:
Residents moving into the Huntsville metro area might be a little surprised when looking for an affordable home.

Conventional wisdom would be to look outside of the city limits of Huntsville, Madison or Athens, which are among the fastest growing cities in Alabama.

Think again, according to Stacker.com, which compiled rankings of where the most expensive homes in the Huntsville metro area, which includes Madison and Limestone counties.

According to Stacker, some of the areas with the most expensive homes are actually outside of the metros three largest cities. Stacker compiled a list of cities with the most expensive homes in the Huntsville metro area using data from Zillow from March. And according to ValleyMLS, which compiles data from home sales in north Alabama, homes prices have stabilized over the last few months.

So where are the most expensive homes, according to Stacker?
A Mobile man who engaged in widespread fraud that scammed the government and others to the tune of $8 million was sentenced Thursday to more than 19 years in federal prison, prosecutors said.

Kartarius Dewan Johnson, also known as Tareeq Akhil Anad, 42, was convicted of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and making false statements to the Small Business Administration and the Social Security Administration.

In perpetrating the fraud, Johnson used language used by sovereign citizens, or people who believe they are exempt from U.S. law, said Sean Costello, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama.

Between March 2020 and January 2021, Johnson contracted with third parties, including car dealerships in Mobile, Beverly Hills, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona to purchase Rolls-Royces and Mercedes-Benzes, prosecutors said.

Johnson also entered an agreement to buy a $4 million home in Daphne along Mobile Bay.

He did not have the money to legitimately buy the cars or house, prosecutors said.

The Mobile man also tried to fraudulently obtain SBA money for COVID-19 relief and lied to the SSA about his U.S. citizenship while applying for a new Social Security card by citing his membership in a fake tribe that is not recognized by the government.

Between 2015 and 2018, Johnson improperly received more than $800,000 in federal tax credits for purported biodiesel fuel usage.

But instead of spending the money on the fuel, Johnson used the funds on personal expenses like a private jet membership, clothing, jewelry, cars, vacations and child support payments.

U.S. District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer sentenced Johnson to 231 months, or 19 years and three months, in federal prison.

Moorer also ordered Johnson to serve five years of supervised release after finishing the prison term. Johnson will have to undergo drug testing and treatment and receive a mental health evaluation and treatment. He will also have his credit restricted.

Johnson will also have to pay $310 in restitution and $1,600 in special assessments.
A Montgomery activist filed a defamation lawsuit Wednesday against Mayor Steven Reed, alleging the mayor falsely accused him of leaking unflattering recordings as part of an extortion attempt against Reed.

Charles Lee, the activist and business owner, claimed Reed made several defamatory statements about him during a Feb. 21 news conference about the recordings, including saying he was a liar, a shyster and a hustler who sought personal financial gain during a time of crisis in our city, state, and country.

Joe Espy, who is defending the city and Reed from the lawsuit along with his sons, Ben and Bill Espy and attorney Stanley Gray, denied Lees accusations.

The City and the Mayor absolutely dispute the charges and state that they are without basis in fact and law, he said in a statement to AL.com. The lawsuit will be vigorously defended.

The mayor claimed the audio, which was leaked on Feb. 20 on the anonymous YouTube account Montgomery Deserves Better, was recorded during a meeting he hosted with Lee and others about protests in Montgomery shortly after the death of George Floyd in the summer of 2020.

It included Reed saying that support from white voters is more important for his political survival -- and that white money is key to Montgomerys economy.

I can come smile. I dont f------ got to do no goddamn work. I dont have to do no work systemically and Im gonna be fine. And guess what? I will always get 38 to 45 percent of the white vote. If I get 30 to 45 percent of the white vote, I dont f------ have to damn get the Black vote I got this past election and Ill f------ win, the mayor says.

Lee claimed he did not make the recording or leak the audio, although he said he knew who was responsible for making and disseminating it.

The activist, who owns the business Thats My Dog and runs the nonprofit Thats My Child, claimed in the lawsuit filed Wednesday in Montgomery County Circuit Court that the mayors statements caused him to lose business and donations.

Lee claimed his lawyer sent a letter to Reed demanding the mayor retract the comments in a public apology or he would file a lawsuit. He alleged the mayor ignored the letter.

Reed said he would seek an investigation into what he said was an attempt by Lee to extort him of $30,000, ostensibly for his organization. Lee denied making the recording but did not say who was responsible.
A liberal veterans advocacy group released an ad on social media Wednesday targeting Sen. Tommy Tuberville over his months-long hold on military promotions, saying the Alabama senators tactic is playing political games with our national security.

The one-minute ad from VoteVets, titled Situation, begins with an empty conference table to symbolize military leaders who have not been confirmed because of the holds and footage of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

A blaring red alarm then appears on the screen as video of Tuberville plays.

For months, one lone senator, Tommy Tuberville, who never served in uniform himself, has held hostage hundreds of military assignments just to force his MAGA social agenda on women in the ranks, the narrator says. Freezing all promotions for top military posts to the chair of the joint chiefs of staff, leaving mission critical positions to go vacant.

The narrator then goes on to say that Americas enemies are watching, looking for any vulnerabilities to exploit. And MAGA Sen. Tommy Tuberville is playing right into their hands, playing political games with our national security. And not one Republican in Congress will stand up to him and let our troops keep us safe.

Since mid-February, Tuberville has blocked all civilian, flag and general officer nominations because of new Department of Defense policies that increase abortion access for service members.

The policies allow service members to request administrative absence for non-covered reproductive health services, which includes elective abortions and IVF, for themselves or to accompany their partners.

The policies also provide transportation allowances to travel to states where reproductive care is more expansive.

Additionally, the new policies would allow service members to wait up to 20 weeks before disclosing their pregnancies.

Tuberville maintains the policies are unlawful and can only be implemented through legislation.

This is an illegal expansion of DoD authority and gross misuse of taxpayer dollars  and I will hold him accountable. The American people want a military focused on national defense, not facilitating a progressive political agenda, the senator said when he announced the holds.
The headquarters of Samsung Electronics in southern Seoul / Yonhap



The market value of listed firms in Korea jumped nearly 19 percent in the first half of 2023 amid a bullish stock market, with Samsung Electronics retaining its top-cap status, a corporate tracker said Thursday.



The market capitalization of 2,599 companies listed on the country's main and secondary bourses totaled 2,385 trillion won ($1.87 trillion) as of end-June, up 18.7 percent, or 377 trillion won, from the start of the year, according to the data from the Korea CXO Institute.



Of the total, 68.1 percent, or 1,769 firms, saw their market value rise over the cited period, with 51 registering gains of 1 trillion won or more.



In contrast, 30.7 percent, or 798 companies, suffered declines, with the market capitalization of 32 businesses remaining unchanged.



The number of companies with a market cap of 1 trillion won or more came to 256, up 28 from the start of the year.



Samsung Electronics, the world's top memory chip and smartphone maker, had the largest market value of 431.02 trillion won as of end-June, up 99.7 trillion won from the end of January.



Leading car battery maker LG Energy Solution was the runner-up with a market cap of 129.40 trillion won, which was about 25 trillion won more than six months earlier.



Other big gainers include chip giant SK hynix (28.8 trillion won), top secondary battery materials maker EcoPro (17.3 trillion won) and No. 2 automaker Kia (10.65 trillion won).



In contrast, biotech titan Samsung Biologics saw its market value dip by 5.91 trillion won over the cited period, with LG Household Health Care and leading game publisher NCsoft shedding 4.08 trillion won and 2.99 trillion won, respectively.



EcoPro, which jumped to 17th place in the first half, chalked off the biggest increase rate of 624 percent, with its market cap soaring to 20.08 trillion won from 2.77 trillion won in the six-month period. (Yonhap)


A severe mental and emotional breakdown on a mass scale is taking place. Or, as my closest friend recently put it, America is going insane. The issues we face are not only those about which reasonable people might disagree, but delusional concerns lacking a basis in reality.

The world-renowned Cleveland Clinic defines delusional disorder as a type of psychotic disorder. People with this disorder:

often continue to socialize and function well, apart from the subject of their delusion. This is unlike people with other psychotic disorders who might also have delusions[nevertheless] people with delusional disorder might become so preoccupied with their delusions that their lives are disrupted.

This article will look at three symptoms of delusional disorder in light of certain social and political distresses that currently afflict the USA.

Feelings of being exploited. The feeling of being exploited has reached pandemic proportions in the USA. Vast numbers of people believe they are exploited by the police, by white people, by Christians, by the system, by men, by Wall Street, by the U.S.A., by corporations, etc. etc. There has been a significant cultural shift away from seeing America as the distinctive land of opportunity in a corrupt, poverty-stricken, and cruelly corrupt world to seeing the U.S.A. as itself the leader of this world corruption and as the instigator of the worlds major problems.

Clearly ignored by these deluded persons is that tens upon tens of millions of people or all races and nationalities have made the difficult transition to life in the USA after immigrating and been blessed by the hardships they endured culturally in making that transition. They have enjoyed prosperity, freedom, rights, acceptance, and yes, even love, as a result of that transition. Their educational and interpersonal horizons have become wider as they lived in a country of liberty and law, moreover a land founded upon Judeo-Christian morality despite law breakers, immoral people, and immoral decisions made in our midst.

History indicates the USA has been more welcoming to all peoples in the world than any other country ever has been.

Persistently holding grudges: The inability to let go of longstanding resentments is another symptom of the delusional disorder. The great narrative of Jacobs son, Joseph, found in the Bible in the book of Genesis should be the model for all longstanding familial and socio-political disputes. In that narrative, Jacobs eleven sons were jealous of their brother Joseph, who, it seemed to them, was favored by their father. The brothers sold Joseph into slavery instead of killing him, and those who took Joseph in turn sold him as a house slave to a man named Potiphar who had Joseph as a house slave in Egypt. Joseph was subsequently accused of making advances towards his masters wife, and even though he had not hit on her, Joseph was put in prison.

Because of his gift for interpreting dreams, he came to Pharoahs attention, and rose to a top administrative post. Later, there was starvation in the land of Canaan where his brothers and father lived, and they came to Egypt to get food. Joseph recognized them before they recognized him, but when his identity came out, they were afraid of him  that he would take vengeance upon him for their wicked treatment of him. But Joseph said, What you did you meant for evil, but God meant it for good. They had sold him into slavery to express their hostility, but Almighty God used it to eventually bless Joseph in the Egyptian context, and he in turn was able to bless his brothers and his father in a time of need.

This attitude of forgiveness and personal magnanimity is something the deluded cultural Marxists and ever-angry and benighted BLM and DEI complainants cannot grasp and do not want to grasp. They are mired in their resentments. The majority of the African American people had ancestors who were treated harshly. Yet, despite their blood, sweat, and tears  or even because of these  their descendants are living in a prosperous land of opportunity that they never could have known were they still living in Africa. Further, even on this soil, unlike any other event in history, 300,000 white soldiers fighting for the Union armies gave their lives to emancipate the black slaves in the Confederate States (and a small number of those slaves were held as slaves by blacks as well as whites). Slavery was not right, but the deaths and pain of the wounded whites attest to the uniqueness of the American ideals and the commitment to equality of opportunity, not equity where outcomes are pre-established by fallen humanity.

A readiness to respond and react to perceived slights. Overreaction to perceived threats comes from a deluded perception of the threat, slight, offense, and/or oneself in relation to other persons. This pathologies of boiling hatred based on irrational blaming and pathological demands for vengeance are now rampant themes in the USA and have been since the Columbine mass shooting in the 1990s. Perceived slights feed the deluded consciousness, which magnifies those slights and runs them through a program of blaming and fantasies of revenge, which become rehearsals for real, murderous reprisals.

Looting, attacking police, burning buildings, screaming and cursing in a wanton manner, bottle throwing and Molotov cocktails are all manifestations of delusions of persecution. Small inconveniences or slights may thus become the basis for violent reactions when magnified into delusions of persecutions or false ideas about the source of the fear or difficulties one experiences.

This writer was seated in a subway car in New York City and coughed twice. The man sitting next to me became quite outraged. I tried to reassure him by telling him that I did not have Covid or even a cold, but that I had just eaten three potato chips before I sat down, and the salt was the reason I coughed. Nevertheless, his rage intensified. He took off his hat and took a black cloth from his bag and pulled an Antifa-style hood over his head that covered every part of his face except his angry eyes. His wrath based on his fear of catching a disease from me combined with his blaming of me for not wearing a mask was making him angrier by the second. He could have solved his problem by simply moving away from me to another spot in the car, but instead he chose to manifest his rage.

If a man can put on an Antifa hood and fire arrows of hatred towards me from his eyes, how much worse will his reaction be if he fails a course in school or is not hired to work at a job for which he has applied? Will he lick his wounds and move on to bigger and better things? Will he seek to remediate his shortcomings? Or will he or she become discouraged, rage-filled, and increasingly hostile to society?

Delusion disorder is now epidemic and becoming increasingly dangerous.

Image credit: geralt Pixabay license
On 12 June 2023, I emailed the president of the American Medical Association, Dr Jack Resneck, regarding recent California legislation:

I notice that the AMA has been unusually quiet about 2 California bills that have important ramifications for patients, parents, and physicians: CA Bill AB957- gender affirming care CA Bill AB2098 - informed consent AB2098 is still being contested in the courts, I believe. With AMA's multiple public statements regarding government overreach in health care regarding reproductive rights, it appears unusual that the AMA hasn't weighed in one way or the other on either bill. They have substantial impact on US healthcare.

To his credit, Dr Resneck, whose one-year tenure as AMA president ended 14 June 2023, responded to my email on 10 July 2023:

The first bill you referenced, Assembly Bill 957, concerns family court consideration of a parents affirmation of the childs gender identity in child custody determinations. Though we understand that a parents support for a childs gender identity is an important determinant of child wellbeing, we have not taken a position on the legislation. However, we are in touch with the California Medical Association and are monitoring the bill. We agree with you that the second bill you referenced, Assembly Bill 2098, has important ramifications for physicians. The bill, which was enacted last year, expands the California medical boards authority to discipline physicians who disseminate misinformation or disinformation about the COVID-19 virus. As you noted, the law has been challenged in court and is currently enjoined pending the outcome of litigation. The AMAs Litigation Center is monitoring the litigation, as it has not yet reached the appellate level. The American Medical Association (AMA) is committed to confronting disinformation, and during my time as President, I emphasized the imperative of combatting disinformation because it sows distrust in experts, science, and medical institutions, and hampers our ability to respond effectively in a health crisis.[i]

As the leader and voice of the AMA, Dr Resneck has immense responsibility and influence. Both he and his predecessor, Dr Gerald Harmon, were incredibly active in supporting mandatory vaccination requirements, opposing anti-abortion legislation, supporting affirmative action, endorsing critical race theory, and protesting the June 2024 SCOTUS ruling that overturned Roe vs Wade. They published numerous press releases and online postings regarding these political issues that they clearly have taken a side on. Resneck, in particular, has been particularly active with the abortion issue. On 24 June 2022, he released a press release called Ruling an egregious allowance of government intrusion into medicine. He has been publicly active on the topic ever since. His 26 May 2023 tweet on abortion was but one of many on the topic:

Actually, I've spoken publicly about the danger of criminalizing reproductive healthcare and states and regulatory bodies coming after abortion providers all year, including Dr. Bernard. AMA has briefed in multiple federal court cases seeking to protect abortion access, from district courts to circuit courts to the Supreme Court. I've testified in Congress and written widely about the reckless efforts by states to interfere in abortion care. I've done countless interviews on national TV and print media. We've worked with the federal government to mitigate the terrible downstream consequences for women and public health where possible. We're bringing attention to less known downstream consequences, including physicians having to leave restrictive states, OB residents no longer wanting to train there, labor and delivery units closing, and patients losing access to other related medications. Our policies are unequivocal and I'm proud of our AMA work in this extremely challenging time.

The AMA clearly is an active and outspoken influencer of government and public opinion when doing so suits the political appetite of its leadership. Its silence regarding the following two California bills, however, is concerning as it indicates it is likely trying to have it both ways: get the outcome it wants without having to have its opinion captured on public record.

California Bill AB957  the law has passed the California House and is now being debated in the Senate. It includes language that would add a parents denial of their childs gender expression to the list of offenses deemed child abuse and therefore included in child custody considerations.

This bill, for purposes of this provision, would include a parents affirmation of the childs gender identity or gender expression as part of the health, safety, and welfare of the child.

This Bill is concerning to many for several reasons. First, it removes parental input into a childs decision to pursue genital mutilation and intense chemical makeovers. Second, it puts providers in the precarious position of being forced to report parents that suppress their six-year olds desire to change their gender based upon prodding from teachers, friends, or other unacceptable influencers. Remember, physicians that fail to report child abuse face professional and criminal sanctions. The AMA seems to care little for parents rights and for the untenable position California physicians may find themselves in if this law passes.

The science is far from settled on transgenderism and the long-term effects of its treatments. The incidence has skyrocketed from approximately .01% to upwards of 5% of minors, most likely due to societal and social media influencing. Sweden is halting most gender affirmation treatments for minors and instead advocating behavioral health interventions until the patient reaches the age of majority and can make a more informed and educated decision. More countries are following suit.

The AMA seems unconcerned that there is a high likelihood that a staggering number of children wanting to change their gender may not have gender dysphoria and actually are just anxious kids listening and mimicking others. The also seem to be consciously ignoring the lack of data on long term safety and the fact that countries with far more experience in gender affirming care are rethinking their previously aggressive stances.

California Bill AB2098  this was signed into law in September 2022 but is currently in a legal injunction pending legal challenges. This law forbids physicians from providing informed consent or anything negative or misinformation about the covid vaccine. As a law, it provides professional and legal consequences for offending physicians.

(2) Disinformation means misinformation that the licensee deliberately disseminated with malicious intent or an intent to mislead. (3) Disseminate means the conveyance of information from the licensee to a patient under the licensees care in the form of treatment or advice. (4) Misinformation means false information that is contradicted by contemporary scientific consensus contrary to the standard of care.

In the form of treatment or advice explicitly interjects Californias government into the exam room. Non-medical entities (aka the law) now get to decide what medical misinformation is. With censorship from social media, government organizations, and medical organizations during COVID-19, this law should be particularly concerning to all Americans as it now elevates the suppression of dissent from mere misconduct on a social media platform to criminal behavior. The AMA seems to agree due to its public silence and from statements made by its most recent president in the email and other venues.

It is interesting that the same organization that doesnt want the government to interfere with a womans choice to have an abortion is silent on the California governments chilling law to prevent patients from seeking informed consent decisions from their providers on a vaccination that has real potential for harm. As with any treatment, a full informed consent is important for patient safety and for calculus to undertake an intervention or not. Patient rights have advanced over the past century to ensure drug companies and governments dont endanger patients by denying them information and a choice to get a treatment or not. The infamous Tuskegee syphilis experiments come to mind. The AMA seems to have no issue supporting Californias attempt to return to such dangerous and reckless times of the past.

The AMAs silence regarding these 2 bills indicates they are willing to pick and choose which government intrusions into medicine are permissible. This is weaponization of medicine to achieve social and political goals, plain and simple. The AMA clearly has clearly sided with the radical social goals of one political party in America. History is rife with examples of totalitarian governments using medicine to enforce its nefarious edicts. Nazi Germany comes to mind with eugenics.
Its probably worth noting what the richest bloke on the planet (and creator of jobs and markets) thinks, especially when that entails disenfranchising millions of our most productive, wealth-creating citizens.

After expressing the childless have little stake in the future on a Twitter thread, Elon Musk seemed to endorse the idea that suffrage be limited to parents.

By those standards, not even our great Founding Father George Washington would be eligible to vote. Though he was a father figure to children of his wife, Martha, from her first marriage, he never had children of his own. Theres speculation that a blockage in his testicles prevented that. Yikes! Well, at least he wasnt impotent in becoming Father of his Country.

Nikola Tesla, a genius of the first order and the namesake of Musks main company, never got married, and never had children. Apparently, the eccentric Tesla fancied a pigeon, which was never going to increase birth rates. Nevertheless, his brilliance ensured that many others would have a stake in the future of alternating current, amongst his other illuminating patents.

Cornelius Vanderbilt, the famed industrialist, philanthropist, and creator of wealth that allowed others to have jobs and families, had no children. Presumably he was worthy of the vote.

I wonder if Musk has the time to realize that six of our presidents had no children. Since they received enough votes to be elected, presumably they deserved to vote. America would not have been quite as exceptional without their efforts. Polk, for example, was instrumental in ensuring the fresh, vibrant country that ascended into the Shining City on a Hill, would eventually illuminate America the Beautiful from sea to shining sea.

He may not have been able to vote, but its instructive that Sir Isaac Newton was childless. By most accounts, he is one of the top two scientists of all time (you dont have to be an Einstein to guess the other); indeed, one of the smartest people who ever lived. Newton expressed to Robert Hooke (an esteemed scientist who was also without child) that, [i]f I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants. His insights and foresights shaped the future of scientific progress, though he had little stake in it -- per Musks mad thinking, that is.

The list of childless luminaries who not only had a stake in our future but helped forge it is breathtakingly impressive. In fact, it needs to be broken down into list one, and list two. They may have forgone parenthood, but were still inspirational mentors to others children, who will see father by standing on their shoulders, metaphorically speaking.

Musk is concerned about what he described as a population collapse, but will prospective parents have children in order to retain the vote? Compared to biological imperatives -- and good ol fashioned love -- that seems an unlikely motivation (though the Child Tax Credit may ameliorate irresponsible parenting decisions from welfare parents).

What may increase female fecundity is a robust economy and optimism in the American dream. Factors which our entrepreneurial job creators disproportionately help realize. Interestingly, when contrasting single versus married entrepreneurs, this report gave the edge to the singles, particularly in the categories of flexibility and time and energy. No doubt, their dedication and innovation helps create jobs and markets that allow families to flourish.

Musk is on the right track about limiting the right to vote; rather than parenting status (would Hunter Biden qualify?), it should be based on taxpaying status (no, he wouldnt). After all, government doesnt create wealth, it appropriates it and redistributes it. Those who give them the funds from the fruits of their labor have a greater stake in the future and should be encouraged to vote, whereas freeloaders discouraged.

Limiting the vote to federal income taxpaying citizens would also undermine progressive extremists from buying votes by constraining their rapacious, ill-disciplined, anti-American constituents. Furthermore, lets ensure our cherished votes count equally by requiring a REAL ID complete with tamper proof digital photos, laser engraving, and watermarks. Being a generous people, Im sure we could subsidize ID cards for low-income voters. Tax credit for taxpaying voters?

Musk is right about the need to purge our bloated voting rolls. However, asserting that the childless have little stake in the future is irresponsible and intellectually lazy. Those who milk the doll, including deadbeat dads masquerading as parents, take more than they give. Should deadbeat grandparents like ill-tempered Joe Biden, who ostracizes his darling seventh grandchild, be voting, let alone get votes? In fact, Biden should be ineligible just based on fathering Hunter.

In conjunction with unravelling birthright citizenship, we should contemplate methods to limit suffrage to those with little stake in the future -- not the childless, but the workless and worthless socialists who take more than they give even while disrespecting their benefactors.

Musk must be off his rocker, or just too busy to think it through. His suffrage stance is simply insufferable.

Image: Jenseartofficial
As the revelations of potential bribery, bank fraud and tax evasion swirl around Joe Biden and Hunter Biden, both men, who are increasingly appearing together, seem extraordinary calm and unconcerned in public as Joe flashes his signature supercilious and mocking smirk whenever he is asked about the various investigations into his and his sons activities over the past 12 years. Thanks to pre-emptive presidential pardons, Joe knows that he, Hunter, and the family will never have to answer for any of their alleged egregious criminality.

The Supreme Court has ruled that a president can issue a pardon before charges have been filed. That pardon power:

...extends to every offense known before the law, and may be exercised at any time after its commission, either before legal proceedings are taken or during their pendency, or after conviction and judgement.

Apparently the strategy over the past two and a half years has been for Joe Biden to rely on his sycophants in the Justice Department to stonewall the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate him and to negotiate an absurdly lenient jail-free plea deal with Hunter while the legacy media continued to deliberately ignore or conceal any alleged criminality.

With a court-approved plea deal on the books, the Justice Department could then continue to obfuscate by blithely claiming that they criminally charged Hunter Biden. Thereafter, they could ignore the calls for a full-scale investigation of bribery and bank fraud allegations until after the 2024 election, when Joe would be safely ensconced once again in the Oval Office and pre-emptive pardons could then be issued with no political fallout for Joe or the Democrat party.

However, on July 26th a federal judge in Delaware has to approve of Hunters recently announced absurdly lenient plea deal on criminal gun and tax evasion charges, unless the Justice Department requests a delay for fear of an adverse ruling. After the ongoing revelations by the whistleblowers from the IRS, there is certainly ample reason for the judge to reject the plea deal.

If the deal is rejected, the well laid plans of Joe Biden and the Justice Department will require a major revision, as the federal prosecutors and Hunter Biden would have to discuss a possible jail sentence as part of a new plea deal knowing that Hunter would never opt for an open trial.

Even if the judge does accept the plea deal as filed, the Republican House of Representatives is continuing its investigations. Thanks to a phalanx of patriotic whistleblowers and dogged determination, it appears the House will be able to publicly reveal potentially irrefutable evidence of Joe and Hunters criminal activity. Thus, the Justice Department is finding it difficult to continue burying their heads in the sand and refusing to pursue a criminal investigation of Hunter and possibly other Biden family members without implicating Joe.

This scenario is further complicated by 2024 political considerations as Joe Biden is ostensibly seeking re-election. The endless disclosures coming out of the House are undermining Joes standing with the American citizenry and the Democrat partys ability to retain the presidency. So, what to do and when with Joe, Hunter, and the family, particularly if Hunters plea deal is rejected?

Hunter Biden, as the bag man for his father, has the goods on Joe and he, Hunter, likely is not going to spend years in jail for bribery and fraud without threatening to take Joe down with him. As their respective careers have underlined, both men are devoid of decency or scruples. Hunter also knows, thanks to Joe being President, that pre-emptive pardons would be uniquely available for him and the other members of the Biden Crime Family.

At some point soon, Joe will be faced with having to issue pardons for Hunter, James Biden and others. Does he do it now or wait, as planned, until after November 5, 2024 during the interregnum period between the election and inauguration to grant the pardons?

If Joe issues the pardons anytime soon, or if the Republicans and conservative media can transform the issue of pre-emptive pardons into a major political controversy, his campaign for re-election will be over. The Democrat party will have to move on to another presidential candidate waiting in the wings. Thus, exacerbating the timing of when the pardons will be issued.

After pardoning Hunter et al, the overarching dilemma for Joe Biden will then be how to pre-emptively pardon himself.

Much has been discussed and written about a presidents power to pardon himself. Some constitutional scholars claim a president can issue a self-pardon, as the matter wasnt directly addressed by the Constitutional Convention and as there are no constraints defined in the Constitution itself that says he cant do it, he therefore could self-pardon.

However, a sizable majority of Constitutional scholars claim a president does not have the power of self-pardon and that the Supreme Court would very likely rule against it if the matter ever came before them. Per prominent Constitutional law professor, Brian C. Kalt:

The Framers either assumed that self-pardons were invalid or at most failed to consider the issue. The text they wrote does not say anything specific about self-pardons, but their failure to explicitly ban self-pardons cannot be read as a decision to allow them. Looking at the structure of the Constitution and the government it creates, we find a general distaste for self-dealing and a specific notion of a presidency that is limited in ways that are inconsistent with allowing self-pardons. Finally, general principles about the rule of law and against self-judging militate strongly in favor of the notion that self-pardons are invalid.

Therefore, it would be risky for Joe Biden to go down the road of a self-pardon, particularly if the Democrats lose the White House in 2024. However, at his age as well as his mental and physical health, he may consider it worth the risk.

There is, on the other hand, another option that avoids the high probability of a self-pardon being declared invalid. Mary Lawton, an Assistant Attorney General, wrote the following in 1974 when Nixon was considering a self-pardon:

A different approach to the pardoning problem could be taken under Section 3 of the Twenty-fifth Amendment. If the President declared that he was temporarily unable to perform the duties of his office, the Vice-President would become acting President and as such he could pardon the President. Thereafter the President could either resign or resume the duties of his office.

As Biden currently already cannot perform the duties of his office, the above scenario is highly plausible, presuming that the Vice President, Kamala Harris or any possible successor, would be willing to make such a commitment.

In what will be one of the most egregious travesties of justice in American history, these pre-emptive pardons will inevitably be issued during the Biden presidency.

The Democrats and their allies, the legacy media, will dutifully avoid any discussion of pre-emptive pardons. Therefore, for the next 16 months, the Republican candidates for the presidency, Republican members of Congress, and conservative media must begin to openly, unabashedly, and consistently emphasize this issue of self-pardons and corrupt deals with a vice president. The vast majority of the American public must be made aware that Joe Biden and his family want to not only escape accountability but that a duplicitous Democrat party will be abetting this travesty.
The term gaslighting was just selected word of the year because of its overuse. But why would that usage increase have happened? Maybe because the practice itself has become more common as a political weapon.

In practical parlance, gaslighting means trying to persuade others not to believe their lying eyes, or not to believe what they already had known as established fact. Recent examples of such disinformation themes include:

 The summer 2020 riots were not really riots but mostly peaceful demonstrations.

 The Hunter Biden laptop emails are not real but instead a Russian disinformation tactic.

 The U.S. southern border is closed.

 It was Republicans, not Democrats, who favored defunding the police.

 Voter ID requirements are actually voter suppression.

 Critical Race Theory is not really racist -- and is not being taught in schools anyway.

 The Afghanistan surrender/retreat was really a great achievement and success.

Curiously, all these familiar ploys are authored by the same political camp. I wish I could balance with Republican cases, but sometimes reality is unbalanced.

One gaslight theme has become so prevalent -- without adequate response -- that its contribution to rhetorical disequilibrium needs to be addressed before it does any more damage to the national cognition. You have seen and heard much about the U.S. Capitol insurrection of January 6, 2021, especially on the two-year anniversary. The trouble is, that event was not an insurrection.

An insurrection is organized and armed uprising against authority or operations of government. The January 6 Capitol near-riot -- which is a fair descriptor -- did not involve organization or arms, and was hardly a large group relative to the scale of its opposition or historical comparison with real insurrections. (Even the hostile and politically weaponized FBI has admitted the absence of prior coordination.) This was one mostly peaceful protest that really was.

So, what else w as the January 6 event? It was trespassing. It involved some vandalism. It was an invasion of the Capitol that turned ugly. It resembled radical leftist occupation of government or university buildings in past decades. But January 6 was not a literal riot. Unlike the Democrats 536 genuine riots in 2020 which yielded at least 25 fatalities and an attack on the White House, there was no arson, mass looting, or bombing perpetrated by the demonstrators, contrary to the false image cultivated by the liberal media. Violence? Yes, some, but compared to an average weekend night in Democrat Chicago, negligible. The claim that one policeman was beaten with a fire extinguisher turned out to be a lie, and the only mortal violence was the homicide committed by a Capital cop against a female demonstrator. Objectively, therefore, violence against the protesters transcended any violence attributable to that group. (Can we agree that rioting by Republicans would be a man-bites-dog phenomenon? Rioting is what Democrats do.) January 6 was largely, although not entirely, a group of people walking around the Capitol building like tourists -- because they were invited in. Just look at the videos that finally are available.

Otherwise, some of the usual suspects in media and politics have accused the January 6 demonstrators of racism -- as they always so accuse everyone they oppose. Surely the national audience can see through that tiresome gambit by now. Even if every one of the few racist signs or shouts documented at the January 6 event were produced by a right-wing Republican instead of a Democrat plant, the demonstration still qualified as overwhelmingly non-racist, to paraphrase Michelle Obama. But practically every Republican/conservative public event you have heard of in the past few years has been infiltrated by Dem plants to contrive a false-flag smear of the rightful participants, i.e., to commit overt offenses such as racist signage they hope will be blamed on Repubs. Might that also have been done in this case? If not, it would be a rare exception. We already know that the January 6 melee was indeed infiltrated by deep state operatives from the FBI. Speaking of false flags, one FBI plant, we also know from video, was carrying a Confederate flag! Only one agent provocateur? This more insidious aspect of the January 6 occurrence must be noted and emphasized: It has been reported in official documents that federal agents, the so-called unindicted co-conspirators, penetrated and also led the protesters who entered the Capitol. (This conduct does meet the legal definition of entrapment.)

We have seen video of Capitol Police welcoming protesters into the building on January 6. We know that the congressional leaders who supervise the Capitol Police ordered them to stand down during the event, after leaving them unprepared and underequipped beforehand. All this while President Trump was offering National Guard support -- also rejected by Democrat leadership.

Why were government plants inciting the crowd into the Capitol? Why did Capitol Police invite protesters inside? Who ordered this? Those police did report to Nancy Pelosi. Empty suit Christopher Wray still runs the FBI. How did he keep his job after the transition?

Is the big picture coming into focus? The Dems wanted chaos and facilitated it. Democrat operatives incited and manipulated some January 6 protesters into the Capitol building so the action could be publicly construed as a partisan riot or insurrection. The whole thing was ginned up by the Dems as a political stunt, a dirty trick for the ages, as soon as they knew a Republican crowd would be nearby and likely marching on the Capitol. Far-fetched? No. We have seen the same playbook applied elsewhere with the Michigan governor kidnapping set-up, which was led by undercover FBI agents. These are also the people who gave us the Trump-Russia hoax, so they have no limit.

Proof? Perhaps the best circumstantial evidence of all: Thousands of hours of video footage of the Capitol breach exist but most of it was not made available by the Justice Department or Congress until Speaker Kevin McCarthys recent release. If the withheld video showed anything consistent with the Democrat narrative and contrary to what is outlined here, the government would have eagerly and promptly released it. (Now the Dems demand that the American people not be allowed to see the full video record. Of course.) This heretical argument is bolstered by how the Dems prevented Republican appointments to their Kangaroo Court congressional inquiry. Any doubt about how politicized January 6 has become is dispelled by the amount of investigation and media coverage it has received compared to the absence of public attention given the 2020 Democrat Summer of Riots.

Conspiracy theory? No -- call it an analytically grounded hypothesis.

Many times, America has known the truth about a public scandal far in advance of the ultimate hard evidence surfacing. We knew the truth of Hillary Clintons countless email felonies, Obamas spying on Trump, the dishonesty of the Russian dossier, the sedition of the Deep State, and the Biden familys international influence peddling racket well before fully vetted tangible evidence was in hand. Similarly, we knew Bill Clinton was guilty as sin long before the stained blue dress made its appearance. We knew the truth in these cases early on because logic and common sense had pieced together the big picture. Likewise now. Anyone want to bet against the January 6 Capitol incursion turning out to be another case of the same, but with a heavy dose, this time, of false-flag deception and shameless gaslighting? Ill take that bet.

The author is a long-time registered Democrat and long-time registered Republican -- sequentially and intermittently, not simultaneouslywhich should dispatch any suspicion of partisanship.

Image: Openclipart
Anticipating US entry into WWII in 1939, the Commanding General of the US Army ordered a large-scale military exercise to be conducted. It took place in a large part of Louisiana and through the Carolinas in late summer and early fall and involved 400,000 men. It became known as the Louisiana Maneuvers.

Jennifer McArdle writes:

(source)

A great deal was learned from the exercise and many who became great leaders in the coming war emerged from it including General George S. Patton who became the greatest US General of WWII.

Conducting a similar exercise today would expose our military leadership as the incompetent and inept frauds they are, including the Commanding General, Mark Milley. It would also expose the deplorable state of present personnel, and their inability to operate successfully in the field. Thought it would be virtually impossible to conduct an exercise of this magnitude today, our Republican Congress should order the military to conduct similar, though smaller exercises so the state of our military capabilities and efficiency could be assessed.

There is little doubt in the minds of former military leaders that it would be a monumental failure, a failure for which the present administration bears great responsibility. Unfortunately, exposing this failure would be the only way to convince the American People of the need for a competent government in Washington to address the deficiency and take steps to remedy the deplorable situation. Unfortunately, our enemies are already well aware of the situation and only the threat of Nuclear War has prevented the outbreak of hostilities well prior to today.
Psychopaths are notorious for not answering the question posed them or for answering in a way that seems unresponsive to the question. --Robert D. Hare, Without Conscience

Current corrupt FBI director Christopher Wray testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. The man is as unscrupulous as his predecessor James Comey, as disingenuous and as willing to dissemble. He answered no questions in a straightforward manner but, as he has done before, replied evasively with the arrogance only a psychopath might have under duress.

While he most assuredly thinks he laughed his way out of that hearing, he most certainly revealed himself to be afflicted with some kind of mental disorder, the kind that explains how a person can lie, cheat and maybe even steal without blinking as eye and feel proud of himself for fooling the people.

He refused to admit to Rep. Marsha Blackburn that the Russia collusion hoax that the Obama/Biden cabal visited upon Trump was a hoax. It was. Everyone knows that by now. The Durham report, ineffectual as it was with regard to accountability, proved the despicable agenda to destroy President Trump began during the 2016 campaign and, once, to their dismay, he was elected, ramped up; it was illegitimate by every constitutional standard. Those who participated should be in prison. But theyre not.

Meanwhile, the wholly venal DOJ is doing everything in its power to see that Donald Trump is convicted of something, anything. Anything to keep him from being re-elected President.

Our system of justice, once the most revered in the world, has been corrupted beyond all reason. It has become something resembling Stalins NKVD. And what is so truly frightening is that AG Garland, Wray, DHS chief Mayorkas and their minions are not remotely embarrassed by their obviously extra-constitutional abuse of the law to silence their opponents. So secure in their positions of power, they fear no retaliation from our wholly unethical DOJ and/or FBI.

The US is now a police state, one in which those in power use that power to destroy their critics and political opponents.

Wray refused to admit to Congressman Matt Gaetz that the FBI has protected the Biden crime family, concealed the facts of their shakedown schemes and outright bribery that amounts to selling out the US to China. The man is a special breed of cat. He is clearly a malignant narcissist, comfortable lying, at ease with evasiveness.

Hes proud of himself; he smirks with delight at his talent for dissembling. He thinks he is fooling not just the members of the committee but the American people as well. In fact, most of us watching his deceitful performance found him contemptible. He is a Comey clone; narcissistic, arrogant and pretentious. He assumes he is worthy of respect and he is not. He is the kind of man the Founders warned against.

Never forget John Adams famous quote: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." The Comeys, the Wrays, the Mayorkases, the Bidens and their ilk are neither moral nor religious people, despite their claims to the contrary.

America is at a dangerous crossroads. The Democrat left has been consumed by the tenets of the WEF  we will own nothing and be happy. The totalitarian agenda has been wholly embraced by the globalist left. No Democrat, as the party is currently constituted, will dare express a dissenting word. Their leadership most likely has some kind of leverage over each and every one of them, for they do not deviate from the orders from headquarters. It seems not one of them has a moral core.

We can all see for ourselves the dire cost of dissent. Whistleblower Gal Luft has tried to bring the truth of the Biden family corruption to light and the vicious DOJ suddenly charges him with a potential hundred years of imprisonment! The horrific crimes perpetrated against anyone who happened to be present at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 is catastrophically un-American; more proof that weve become a police state.

Christopher Wrays pathetic appearance before the Judiciary Committee was just more proof that our formerly revered system of justice has been corrupted beyond all reason, beyond all that is right and moral. Wray no doubt thinks he performed excellently; he bamboozled them all. But he did not. Anyone who watched his creepy act must now be more afraid for our nation than before.

A precious few Republicans properly grilled the man. The Democrats embarrassed themselves with their smarmy, obsequious praising of Wray, despite his responsibility for making the FBI the least trusted American law enforcement institution in history. Several of the Republicans brought up the polls that show the FBI is no longer respected and is, in fact, feared, but Wray let that fact roll off his shoulders like water off a duck. He could not have cared less. He has power and he means to use it to his own ends and to further the far lefts agenda. He is a sort of predator who walks among us.

Psychopaths have a narcissistic and grossly inflated view of their self-worth and importance, a truly astounding egocentricity and sense of entitlement, and see themselves as the center of the universe, as superior beings who are justified in living according to their own rules. - Robert D. Hare

Photo credit: YouTube screengrab
Six were killed in a kindergarten the other day. But the national socialist media didn't blast the details of the crime for hours at a time for the simple reason that doing so would eviscerate a few of their cherished anti-freedom tropes.

You see, it took place under their favorite form of collectivist governance: socialism with Chinese characteristics. That would have damaged their "U.S. is violent" and "communism is a worker's paradise" tropes. And it was a knife attack, so they couldn't blame guns, so they had nothing to exploit and nothing to cynically gain from someone else's pain.

This example is a microcosm of the problem we face. We have the collectivist control side of the political spectrum so obsessed with the actions of inanimate objects that they've gone off the rails. Going in directions that endanger people instead of protecting them  that is why they have lost the argument on guns.

If you truly want to solve a problem instead of just exploiting it for political purposes, you must look at its root causes and not simplistically claim that it's just a matter of "too many guns."

In this video, ex-prosecutor and criminal defense attorney Tom Grieve crunched the numbers from the FBI on the crime rate, the number of crimes per 100,000 inhabitants, and a study on the effectiveness of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban along with Pew Research polling on "Political Affiliation vs. Where Someone Lives."

Reaching the obvious conclusion that the gun-grabbing ghouls won't want anyone to hear:

There are practical steps to solving this problem, and it doesn't involve the ridiculous idea of taking away someone's ability to defend himself as a way of "protecting" him. Because that's what it all devolves down to in the end, despite all the leftist lies and prevarications.

They don't want to stop crime, drive-by shootings, or mass murder for the simple reason that they can exploit these tragedies to disarm the innocent. Never mind that none of their alleged "commonsense" measures will do anything to stop crime, drive-by shootings, or mass murder. That's not the point; it was never the point.

You can tell that they see tragedy as an opportunity by how they react to the breaking news of crime, drive-by shootings, or mass murder. Most normal people are saddened by such news and don't cynically think of their political power at the moment. Not so the gun-grabbing ghouls of the left; you can see from their reaction that they immediately begin scheming in how they can exploit a tragedy breaking in the news. Their "guidelines" tell them to act quickly to call for more control over people and incrementally disarm them once again.

If they wanted to solve this problem, they would look at what works instead of making excuses for what doesn't. But they never do that, do they? They never consider whether their policy of disarming the innocent protects anyone.

They must know that depriving people of their means of self-defense won't protect them, but they don't care. Their power is more important than people's lives.

As for everyone else on the fence, they should consider this little scenario:

It's 3:00 A.M., and someone's breaking in. Would you want to defend yourself or wait a lifetime for the possibility that armed law enforcement may save you?

D Parker is an engineer, inventor, wordsmith, and student of history, the director of communications for a civil rights organization, and a long-time contributor to conservative websites. Find him on Substack.

Image via Pexels.
It appears that Rex Huppke, a writer for USA Today, subscribes to an odd interpretation of what constitutes proof. Somehow, if FBI director Christopher Wray says something is proof then its true; Wray, despite all the years hes been marinating in the D.C. swamp, he was appointed by President Trump, so it is absolutely true that he, and the FBI, would never give a Democrat special treatment.

The purpose of the piece published yesterday and written by Huppke, seems to be a calculated misdirection, all in a not-so-hidden way to campaign for Joe Biden and the Democrat party. The media does not want the corrupt and incompetent Joe Biden investigated for anything, even though they support endless witch-hunts against Trump no matter how many intentional lies they had to peddle.

Republican conspiracies about Biden go POOF! after Wray testified before the Judiciary Committee yesterday because, in a textbook example of a logical fallacy, Huppke writes:

To believe the GOP line of attack against the FBI and President Joe Biden, you have to believe that a Republican is at the center of a vast law-enforcement conspiracy.

We keep hearing the same garbage about U.S. attorney David Weiss, the prosecutor that let Hunter Biden off the hook, because he was appointed by Trump.

The FBI and the media have a rapidly-expanding rapsheet of lies, and as far as I can tell, the only reason is because they want to intentionally mislead the public, just as they did when they misled the public everytimebefore.

The writer knows, or should know, that the FBI lied hundreds of thousands of times to the FISA court to illegally spy on Americans.

The writer knows, or should know, that the FBI verified the accuracy of the Hunter Biden laptop in 2019, yet colluded with the media to hide the truth from the public before the 2020 election.

The writer knows, or should know, that many people at the FBI lied to the FISA court before and after the 2016 election to target and spy on people surrounding Trump as they campaigned for Hillary. Then they participated in a two-year investigation into Trump for the Russian collusion conspiracy, based on a document they knew was falsified.

But somehow, we are to believe that Wray is being totally honest when he says the Bidens don't get special treatment.

Believing what Wray said as gospel truth

is like believing Joe Biden when he said he never talked to Hunter about his business deals.

is like believing Biden when he said that Biden family members never made money from foreign countries.

is like believing Adam Schiff when he said he had proof of Russian collusion (despite his inability to produce it).

...is like believing the media and Anthony Fauci when they labeled the Wuhan lab-leak theory a disproven conspiracy.

I used to believe that the media would someday be so embarrassed about their destroyed credibility and intentional lies, but I was sadly mistaken. They continually double down on their efforts to destroy Republicans and elect Democrats in their quest to raze the nation and then remake it into a radically left America.

Here is a tip: Repeating what people say is not proof of anything. How about doing some research and asking questions?

Correction: David Weiss was not appointed US Attorney for Delaware by Obama, but by Trump. However, he served as acting and interim US Attorney for Delaware under President Obama.

Image: DonkeyHotey, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr, unaltered.
KDB Life Insurance's headquarters in Seoul / Courtesy of KDB Life Insurance



By Yoon Ja-young



Hana Financial Group has been picked as the preferred bidder to acquire KDB Life.



Korea Development Bank (KDB), which is the largest shareholder of the life insurer, announced on Thursday that it picked Hana Financial Group as the preferred bidder after considering diverse factors, such as eligibility as a bidder, probability of the deal being completed, and the mid- to long-term development of the insurer.



"If the deal succeeds, KDB Life will have foundation for stable growth by starting fresh as a member of Hana Financial Group," KDB noted.



The financial group joined the bid, which closed last Friday and is scheduled to make a final decision on the deal following due diligence.



KDB acquired the life insurance company by jointly forming a private equity fund with Consus Asset in 2010, when Kumho Group, the previous parent company of the insurer, was suffering from a liquidity crunch.



KDB selected JC Partners as the preferred bidder back in 2020, which was followed by the signing of a stock sale agreement the following year. However, the deal fell through as the financial authority determined that JC Partners lacked the qualifications to acquire the life insurer.



Hana Financial Group has been regarded a strong candidate to acquire the life insurer as the deal is expected to bolster its competitiveness in the non-banking sector.


Not too long ago, Wells Fargo got its head handed to it by regulators, drawing a $3 billion fine for opening fake accounts in real customers' names, to beef up their bonuses as well as fool shareholders into thinking the business was growing, potentially driving up the stock price.

That's no partisan take -- that's just plain dishonesty.

The bank had to pay a $3 billion fine, at least one executive faced prison and a hefty personal fine of $17 million, and if anything, it was too little. A small fry bank that did this would rightly be shut down as some kind of criminal racket.

Still, the punishment should have gotten the other banks' attention. At a minimum, they could focus on not doing those things and saving their banks some humongous fines and jail times.

Not Bank of America, which based on news accounts, was pretty much doing the same thing even after Wells Fargo was raked over the coals.

According to Reuters:

July 11 (Reuters) - Bank of America (BAC.N) on Tuesday agreed to pay $250 million in fines and compensation to settle claims the bank systematically double-charged customers fees, withheld promised credit card perks, and opened accounts without customer authorization. Bank of America agreed to pay $100 million in restitution to harmed consumers and another $150 million in civil penalties after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) said the bank violated a number of laws beginning in 2012.

Why the fine was just a fraction of what Wells Fargo got is enough to give one pause.

They were, after all, doing the same thing -- as if they'd hired all the crooks who get canned at Wells Fargo to carry on doing the same thing.

But more likely, they were cloaked in woke, and viewed that as its own armor to ensure that they would never be punished the way other banks were.

Sure, they're a big bank. But it's more than passing strange that they got off so lightly, like this was a Hunter Biden-type deal.

Might that be because Bank of America has gotten significantly more "woke"?

It seems possible in light of the Hunter Biden deal -- but also because of other events in the news regarding the bank -- that they handed over customer data on gun purchases to the FBI without a subpoena, and without a legal process, as well as handed over bank data to the bureau to identify January 6 protestors. Maybe they got some brownie points for their devotion to the woke-ified government agencies.

What's more, they've been on the woke train for a long time, since at least the 2008 Obama election and financial meltdown of that era.

In 2021, Chris Rufo reported at City Journal that the bank had introduced a "woke at work" policy, brainwashing its employees into thinking America was a white supremacist society:

Bank of America Corporation has implemented a racial reeducation program that claims the United States is a system of white supremacy and encourages employees to become woke at work, instructing white employees in particular to decolonize [their] mind[s] and cede power to people of color. Earlier this year, Bank of Americas North Carolina and Charlotte market president Charles Bowman announced a new equity initiative called United in Action, in partnership with the United Way of Central Carolinas. According to documents I have obtained from a whistleblower, BOA executives launched the initiative by encouraging employees to participate in their Racial Equity 21-Day Challenge, a race-training program funded in part by the bank and built on the principles of critical race theory, including intersectionality, white privilege, white fragility, and systemic racism.

Can't get more wokesterly than that.

Oh, but they could, they could. The Washington Free Beacon reports that they were accused by an activist group of politicizing their actual banking, not just sucking up to the government's coercive organs:

A national ad campaign targeting Bank of America over its politicized business policies says the bank has gone "full woke," pointing to the bank's race-based home financing and decision to cut off loans to gun manufacturers and fossil fuel industries. Consumers' Research, a consumer advocacy group, launched the "Bank of UnAmerica" campaign this week with nationwide TV ads, a Times Square billboard, and mobile advertisements in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Miami, and other cities. The ads accuse Bank of America of "using a social score system straight out of China's playbook" by "building a system to track your carbon emissions and monitor your driving," "coming after your Second Amendment rights," and "favoring certain home buyers based on their race."

None of that sounds good for profits, which is their job to focus on.

They did have quite a big business in fines for bounced checks, which they got rid of a year ago, making it a more reasonable $10 per bad check or unexpected subscription debit. While bouncing checks is not good personal finance practice on the customer side, and in countries like France could get you thrown in jail, (last time I checked, which was awhile ago), excessive fees in the neighborhood of $35 x 2 = $70, for what are usually the poorest customers, is not good either and the bank's fines current included that practice. It actually became a money-making center for the bank, resembling battered cities like St. Louis which have made much of their city income off excessive traffic stops and fines in poor areas, prompting lots of bad will towards police.

Because who was most likely to be hit by the fees? That's right, the poor, the people with shaky, unpredictable incomes, the people most likely to get laid off. How many of those poor were actual minorities? Let's just say it was probably quite a few.

Which right there exposes the hypocrisy of the bank and its wokesterly virtue-signalling. The bulk of these bad business practices on the fee front most likely hit minority customers hardest. So, while they were virtue-signaling their racial grievance-mongering and indoctrinating their employees in the practice of wokedom, they were leaning hardest on minority customers who had the shakiest incomes to pad their profits. Presumably, the fake account-opening would have involved customers of higher incomes, but there may have been many minority customers in that group, too.

What an ugly picture that is.

Were they to have focused on sound business practices, making fees reasonably aligned to their costs, and focused instead on growing the business by making it more attractive to customers across the board, they might not ever have gotten into this situation. blunted

But the wokedom seems to have blunted the punishment they took now, which suggests to the rest of us that wokery is nothing more than a shield for avoiding punishment for elemental bad business practices.

In other words, the woke-industrial racket that the bank and much of the corporate world has embraced, is a racket in more ways than one, an incentivization for blunting the impact of punishment for bad practices going on.

Which really means the scrutiny should continue and be ongoing for how the feds take on banks with bad practices and whether wokery has exerted a corrupting influence on who gets punished.

As for Bank of America, out with it: How many minority customers did you stiff as you made all those pious virtue-signaling statements about America the hopelessly racially flawed place all full of white supremacists? The bank that smelt it, dealt it.

Image: Tony Webster, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 2.0
Neocon John Bolton of Iraq War fame  shilling for the war based on lies, to be clear, not fighting in it himself  recently appeared on corporate state media to do the two things he always does on television, usually at the same time: Shill for more war (any war will do) and bash Donald Trump.

Bolton's a bit of a two-trick pony in that way.

This time, the Trump-bashing was framed in the context of the former president's alleged role in orchestrating the January 6 election integrity protest.

"Does it surprise you that these people ["election deniers"] were allowed to get into the Oval Office?" CNN's Anderson Cooper prompted Bolton.

He replied:

"This was not the first time this happened Random people had access to Trump He'd hear from somebody he had met in a rope line at an event He gathered information from all kinds of people It was a fundamental flaw," Bolton said.

He went on to explain how state handlers  who direct the activities and contacts of every president  tried to intervene to keep Trump from talking to "random people" who might give him perspectives on issues they'd rather he not have, to no avail.

By "random people," of course, Bolton means populists of any stripe not fully controlled by the Deep State who don't want to send America's children to die in pointless military exercises for the sake of generating profit for the military-industrial complex.

History, as they say, rhymes.

CNN's consternation at Trump liaising with unapproved members of the uncivilized hordes smacks of a tale from America's storied history, when one Andrew Jackson, himself a notorious populist, invited the rabble into the White House  much to the chagrin of the ruling aristocracy that, even so early in the nation's history, had firmly established itself as the true ruling class.

Via WhiteHouseHistory.org:

"On March 4, 1829, many in the crowd filling the city thought that Providence was smiling on the country in general and on Washington, D.C., in particular, for they believed that the resolute will of the people had swept from office a corrupt administration. The 'common man' had come to the capital to revel in the installation of a popular champion as chief executive . Washingtonians, generally, were not so cheerful, deeming the admired champion a backwoods barbarian , his associates cronies, and his followers an uncivilized horde."

Ben Bartee, author of Broken English Teacher: Notes From Exile, is an independent Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs. Follow his stuff on Substack if you are inclined to support independent journalism free of corporate slant. Also, keep tabs via Twitter. For hip Armageddon Prose t-shirts, hats, etc., peruse the merch store. Insta-tip jar and Bitcoin public address: bc1qvq4hgnx3eu09e0m2kk5uanxnm8ljfmpefwhawv

Image: Screen shot from CNN video, via YouTube.
If your gonna play with rattlesnakes, you better know what rattlesnakes do. --Smokey Yunick.

What did Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, leader of a transparent, liberal democracy, hope to gain by shaking hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the head of one of the most corrupt autocracies in Europe?

On March 21, 2023, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shook hands with former actor and comedian Zelensky in Kyiv. At a joint news conference, Kishida pledged $500 million in non-lethal military and other aid to Ukraine.

This aid is on top of over $7 billion previously pledged to Ukraine by Japan since the start of Russias special military operation against eastern Ukraine. In April 2023, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi promised Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba an additional $7 billion in aid. To put Japans contribution in perspective, the United States has so far sent more than $77 billion to Ukraine, most of it as military aid.

In December 2022, Kishida promised to significantly increase defense spending over the next five years to counter an increasingly aggressive China and a nuclear-armed North Korea. Defense spending is competing among other high priority social programs. Whether Kishida will increase taxes, cut budgets or issue more debt is not clear. Fundamentally, the government is asking the Japanese taxpayer to buy a hamburger today to be paid for next Tuesday.

Indeed, there are other pressing domestic priorities that could use an immediate heavy cash infusion. On July 3, 2023, the Asahi Shimbun reported that the body of an elderly man on welfare who died alone was left in his apartment in Tokyos Edogawa Ward two months after he died. The ward official responsible for the elderly mans case stated, I put off disposing of the body because I had other work to do. The Asahi further reported that his supervisor also failed to confirm whether he [the case worker] had taken the necessary steps, such as burial procedures. The Asahi noted that statistics indicate that case workers are overloaded in urban areas and work standards are below those set by law.

Japan is facing a rise in the proportion of those over 65 and Japanese are living longer. Japan compared to the U.S. has almost double the number of people over 65. Japan is also facing a decline in the number people in the workforce, with consequences to tax revenues and funding for government priorities, including defense.

Japan can ill afford to spend money on frivolity, on things that do not maintain her welfare and security. Perhaps $7 billion, or even $500 million, could be used to hire more case workers, to upgrade the communication system or further improve assistance to the elderly. Perhaps some of the $7 billion, or even $500 million, could be used to develop robotic systems to aid the elderly, to supplement overworked case workers.

Instead, the current Japanese political elite has cast its lot with the globalists and poured billions into a vast black hole, a war in Europe which does not enhance Japans security or welfare.

That a high-trust, word-is-bond society such as Japan would even give a single yen to a kleptocracy such as Ukraine is unimaginable. Ukraine is no better than Russia with respect to corruption, in both private and public sectors. In the past, the western media scathingly condemned Ukraines corruption. Nothing has tangibly changed but Ukraine is somehow now the Wests best, long-standing Eastern European friend.

As a somewhat disinterested outsider, Japan had almost no involvement in Ukraine until Washington D.C.s anti-Russia temper tantrums in 2021. The last prime minister to visit Ukraine was Shinzo Abe in 2015. The value of Japanese exports to Ukraine in 2019 was over just $500 million. Japanese exports were just under $600 million to Mongoliaa country that has about one-tenth of Ukraines population.

In fact, former Prime Minister Abe worked with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve the Northern Territories dispute. The Northern Territories is a chain of Japanese islands off the northeast coast of Hokkaido that was occupied by the Soviet Union soon after Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration. Now, with Japan fully up to her elbows in Ukraines dirty laundryat Americas behestRussia will never voluntarily relinquish the Northern Territories. Japan may limply protest all she wants but the Islands are now forever Russian territory. As Oliver Hardy chided Stan Laurel at the end of yet another misadventure, Heres another fine kettle of fish youve pickled me in!

Towards the end of his second term, President George Washington warned of excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another. In 1821 future president John Quincy Adams advised the young American republic, America goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. Japan has adopted numerous Western technologies and ideas during her Meiji Revolution. Japan should also adopt the wisdom of Washington and Adams.

Japan will get a condescending pat on the head from the globalists for being nice with the Ukrainian rattlesnake. Japan will also eventually get the serpents venom.

Image: Screen shot from Prime Minister's Office of Japan video, via YouTube
With Samsungs Galaxy Unpacked event drawing close, more information about the upcoming Galaxy products is hitting the internet. Recent leaks have suggested that the new foldables and tablets will cost higher than their respective predecessors. Another source has hinted at a price hike for the Galaxy Tab S9 series.

According to noted tipster SnoopyTech, Samsung will price the base Galaxy Tab S9, which comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, at CAD 1,099 (roughly $835) in Canada. The Galaxy Tab S9+, with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, will come with a price tag of CAD 1,349 (roughly $1,025). Finally, the 12GB+256GB Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra will cost CAD 1,599 (roughly $1,215) in the country.

If this information is correct, Samsung is increasing the prices of its flagship tablets by as much as CAD 200 in Canada. The base Galaxy Tab S8, Galaxy Tab S8+, and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra debuted in the country with price tags of CAD 899, CAD 1,149, and CAD 1,399, respectively (via). A previous leak suggested a similar price hike in Europe. The new tablets are said to cost upwards of 930 in the region, notably more than the starting price of 750 for the Galaxy Tab S8 series.

That said, we cant confirm the authenticity of these alleged Galaxy Tab S9 prices. The same goes for the alleged European prices of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 as well. The figures probably leaked through third-party retailers, which often list unreleased devices with higher price tags. They adjust the prices once the products are on sale. We will let you know when we have more information.

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You can already reserve the new Samsung foldables and tablets

Samsung will officially unveil its next-gen foldables and flagship tablets on July 26. The company will host a big launch party, aka the Galaxy Unpacked event, in Seoul, South Korea, for the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Galaxy Tab S9 series. The Galaxy Watch 6 series smartwatches will also debut on the same day.

While the official launch is still a couple of weeks away, you can already reserve them. Samsung is allowing its fans to pre-reserve the new foldables, tablets, and smartwatches through its website. You dont need to pay a penny, but the company will give you a $50 Samsung Credit if you go on to pre-order the devices once they are here. Stay tuned and we will keep you posted with all the latest leaks and rumors about the new Samsung products.
U.S. promises Ukraine cluster bombs, once killers of civilians in Laos: NPR

Xinhua) 13:32, July 13, 2023

NEW YORK, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The United States has promised to provide Ukraine with cluster bombs, which once killed many civilians in Laos, said an article published by National Public Radio (NPR) on Tuesday.

Between 1964 and 1973, the Americans flew 580,000 bombing runs over Laos, and U.S. aircraft dumped 2,093,100 tons of ordnance on the landlocked nation, the article said, citing U.S. Defense Department figures.

During that period, the CIA-paid mercenaries and U.S. Air Force pilots dropped cluster bombs in Laos. About 200,000 civilians and soldiers, one-tenth of Laos's population, were killed, and 50,000 of the civilians were victims of cluster bombs, the article said.

"What makes the cluster bombs in Laos particularly insidious is that the vast number that didn't initially explode remain deadly all these decades later," it said.

"Because the bomblets are designed to blow up just before hitting the ground, very little pressure or movement can explode a dud instantly. An estimated 80 million -- over 30 percent of those dropped -- failed to detonate," the article said.

Laos to this day remains the most heavily bombed country in the history of the world, according to the article.

Less than 1 percent of the dormant bombs have been cleared since the war ended in Laos, and about 20,000 civilians have been killed during the same period. Even as the numbers gradually decline, thousands continue to be killed, crippled and disfigured, with half the victims being children, it added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Chung Soo-jeong is a consultant at the A&A ESG Group, Deloitte Korea. Courtesy of Deloitte Korea

By Chung Soo-jeong



More than 70 countries, including South Korea, have come together to make a pledge for carbon neutrality. Carbon neutrality refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions, by offsetting more carbon emissions compared to the amount produced by each economy.



Achieving carbon neutrality is not an easy job, and it definitely requires huge investments. However, it also means a huge upside for the economy. According to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Standing Committee on Finance (UNFCCC SCF) transformation of physical assets to achieve net-zero is estimated about $127 trillion by 2050, or $2.6~4.8 trillion of investments per year.



Nonetheless, companies will not simply take over these costs. They would need to do cost-benefit analysis before installing sustainable facilities. If the cost of installing carbon-reduction facilities exceeds the purchase price of carbon credits traded on the carbon market, then companies will not pursue the reduction aims. It is cheaper to buy carbon credits than to invest in facilities.



To overcome cost-related barriers, we need to create new and advanced cutting-edge technological solutions that help reduce costs when producing at large scales and guarantee comparability in terms of economic viability. Therefore, we must strengthen innovation policies that encourage low-carbon technology adoption, with the ultimate objective of allowing comprehensive climate policies to stimulate technological implementation.





gettyimagesbank
Huawei was one of the biggest threats to Samsung until it was banned from the US. Now, the company is in a tough spot, as it cant properly produce 5G phones without help from the US. However, Huawei might have a chance to return to the 5G market with the help of a loophole. However, its still an uphill battle.

Back in 2020, the former US president banned Huawei from selling its phones in the United States over fears of the company spying on US citizens. Not only that, but this restricted US-based company Qualcomm from supplying its chips to the company, which means that it cant use the companys 5G modems.

So, Huawei is basically blocked from providing any 5G phones, and thats a major bummer, as much of the smartphone market has adopted 5G as the standard. The company is stuck providing its users with 4G phones. As you can imagine, this had a massive negative effect on its sales.

The company, at its peak (2019) raked in about 483 Chinese Yuan (about $67 billion) and moved more than 240 million units. However, a year later, it brought in about half of the profit of the previous year.

Huawei could return to The States through a loophole

While Huawei was severely hindered by the US sanctions, the company is still looking to pull itself out of its hole. Three separate sources informed Reuters of the companys plans.

Huawei might be able to score 5G chips in its home country by partnering with a chipmaking company called Semiconductor Manufacturing International Co (SMIC). The report states that Huawei will use its own advances in semiconductor design tools, so it seems that SMIC could use Huaweis design and produce the chips.

This means that the company wont have to rely on 4G technology or get back in good with The States. It will be able to provide its own 5G chips for its phones.

The timetable for this venture seems pretty optimistic, as the company is planning its heroic return to the 5G market by the end of the year. If this goes off without a hitch, then it will be a long road to returning to its former prime.
While Amazons Prime Day did technically end on July 12th a 11:59PM PT, there are still quite a few discounts on products after Prime Day. So in this post, well be rounding up the best Prime Day deals that are still available. And the best part, most of these do not require you being a Prime member.

So what kinds of deals are still available? Tons of them. That includes some great deals on Samsung monitors, on Nest products, Samsung storage and so much more.

Best Prime Day deals available after Prime Day

A few of the deals that caught our attention was the iRobot Roomba robot vacuums that are on sale. These include the Roomba i3+ which is now $399, down from $549. Theres also the Braava Jet m6 on sale for $349. And if youre a pet owner, the iRobot Roomba j7+ is also on sale for $649, saving you a cool $150 here.

The Pixel lineup is also still on sale at incredibly low prices. This includes the Google Pixel 7a going for $449, and the Pixel 7 at $499. Unfortunately, the Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel Buds are no longer on sale. But these are still some really good deals on the Pixel 7a and Pixel 7.

Those that are looking for a new TV, Sony has you covered here. Its A80L OLED TVs are on sale starting at $1,,698. Which is not bad for a high-end OLED TV, to be quite honest. Sonys Mini LED TVs are also discounted to $1,998. If youre looking for something a bit cheaper, theres the X80K series which is now down to just $778. Thats a pretty good price for a high-end 55-inch TV.

These are just some of the very many Amazon Prime Day deals available still today, and you can check out more here. If you need an Amazon Prime free trial, you can grab that here (students get 6-months free, here).
(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 13 - Deputy Premier and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini said on Thursday he was "proud" not to have left millions of Italians stranded after ordering striking rail workers back to work at 3 pm on Thursday.

"I understand and support the rights of the thousands of railway workers, but millions of employees could not be left stranded," Salvini told the assembly of farmers' association Confagricoltura.

"I asked unions to halve" the strike action initially scheduled to run from 3 am on Thursday to 2 am on Friday and "they didn't do it, so I ordered the return to work", said the minister.

"I am absolutely proud to have allowed millions of Italians not to be left stranded," added Salvini.

On Thursday Salvini issued an injunction ordering workers to end the strike half way through after last-minute talks between unions and employers failed to find a breakthrough.

Air-transport workers are still planning to down their tools on Saturday. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 13 - The European Commission has welcomed the proposal from the Italian government to establish a special economic zone for southern Italy, a Commission spokeswoman said on Thursday.

"Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager and Minister Raffaele Fitto had a constructive meeting in Brussels today," the spokeswoman said.

"During the meeting the Italian authorities presented their plan to establish a Special Economic Zone for Southern Italy.

Vice-President Vestager welcomed the Italian proposal, which should be drawn up in line with state aid rules," she added.

On Thursday European Affairs Minister Raffaele Fitto met with the European Commissioner for Competition Vestager to illustrate the plans to unite Italy's eight existing SEZs to create a single SEZ for Southern Italy.

Fitto said he was "very satisfied" with the meeting.

"These measures are important tools for increasing the attractiveness and competitiveness of southern Italy by reducing the gaps with the rest of the country and the EU," he said.

(ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 13 - The European Commission will examine the request from the Italian government to modify 10 of the 27 targets set out under the fourth instalment of Italy's EU-funded post-Covid National Recovery and Resilience Plan "as quickly as possible", Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said on Thursday.

"We have received a request from the Italian government to modify 10 of the 27 targets'" of the fourth instalment and "we are examining it as quickly as possible and we will give feedback to the Italian government", Gentiloni said.

He recalled, however, that for Italy the targets linked to the fourth installment worth 16 billion euros involved a third of the NRRP objectives.

"Such a substantial modification of the programme" requires "the conditions and topics to be checked very carefully", and the Commission "will have to take its time", said Gentiloni.

However, "I assure you that we are really working very hard to reduce the time as much as possible," he said.

On Tuesday the government's NRRP taskforce approved the changes to the targets for the fourth installment in a bid to keep the programme worth 191.5 billion euros to make the country greener and more modern on track.

The European Commission is still making assessments for approval of the long-delayed payment of Italy's third tranche of NRRP funding worth 19 billion euros.

Payments are made by the EU on condition that agreed targets have been met. To date Italy has received nearly 67 billion euros in funding, but in recent months the plan has been at the centre of political tension linked to fears it will not be possible to complete all the projects and meet all the targets by the final deadline of 2026. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 13 - Economic development in southern regions must be achieved by creating opportunities for employment and growth said Premier Giorgia Meloni on Thursday, hailing the decision by the European Commission to create a single special economic zone (SEZ) for southern Italy.

"The development of the economy in southern Italy is a priority for our government," said Meloni.

"However, we are convinced that this goal must be achieved by abandoning the logic of welfarism, which does not work, and providing opportunities for work and growth and making these areas of the country competitive and attractive for investments and businesses," she added.

"The single SEZ goes exactly in this direction and constitutes a step change for the economy of the South," concluded Meloni.

Photo: Premier Giorgia Meloni and European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas during their meeting in Rome on Thursday. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 13 - Rome is playing an important role in the political renaissance underway in the Mediterranean area, European Commission (EC) Vice President Margaritis Schinas told ANSA on Thursday.

"Italy has been extremely helpful on the anthropocentric policies of my portfolio: migration, public health, education, culture," said Schinas during a two-day mission to Rome.

"I want to thank Rome and ask it to complete the work, especially on migrants," he added.

"For the first time, the southern Mediterranean is not following the rest of Europe but is a protagonist," said Schinas.

"There is a renaissance, a unique political opportunity, for the whole European Union, and Rome, Athens and Madrid are part of this renaissance," he added.

On the EU-funded post-Covid National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Schinas said "it is a success story and we are determined to keep it as such for Italy".

"Whatever is needed to preserve it as a success story will be done," he added.

On the controversial review of fiscal governance and ratification of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), the EC Vice President acknowledged Italy's concerns.

"Now we are in a broader discussion on the revision of the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact," he said.

"It is not for me to decide what is the best way or tactic for the government to get a response to its concerns," Schinas added.

Italy has been holding out over ratification of the new ESM treaty amid concerns about budget sovereignty and claims the fund should also be used for growth.

Last week the Lower House approved a petition presented by the ruling coalition supporting Premier Giorgia Meloni's government for examination of a bill ratifying the reform of the bailout mechanism to be suspended for four months.

The government has also expressed concerns about the new Pact, arguing he focus is too much on stability and not enough on supporting growth. (ANSA).


A number of incidents around the Twelfth celebrations in Northern Ireland have damaged and brought shame to unionist culture, Doug Beattie has said.

The Ulster Unionist leader also said that those who complain about pro-IRA singing but remain silent about incidents surrounding bonfires and attacks on medical staff are hypocrites.

Scores of parades took place across Northern Ireland as Protestant loyal orders celebrated the Twelfth of July this week.

While the parades passed off peacefully, police are investigating a number of incidents around loyalist bonfires, including the burning of an effigy of Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and a picture of Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

The Ambulance Service also said that 11 paramedics were assaulted over the Twelfth period. In one incident, five staff members were punched, kicked, bitten and spat at at a bonfire site in the Carrickfergus area.

A effigy of Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle ONeill on the Eastvale Avenue bonfire in Dungannon (Liam McBurney/PA)

In a separate incident, police are investigating the burning of a car at the home of an Aontu representative in Newry as a sectarian hate crime.

Mr Beattie said this week had represented the best of days and the worst of days.

He said: Communities have celebrated both the 11th and 12th in the spirit that it was intended.

They have attempted to make it inclusive, family-orientated, a genuine community celebration.

Sadly, there are those within communities and our society who have completely undermined those celebrations with their actions belittling the Twelfth activities.

The UUP leader added: The placing of flags and effigies on bonfires, the assault of ambulance staff and the burning of a car belonging to a paediatric nurse and former election candidate for Antou have shown the very worst in some people.

In these cases, it is clear, a criminal offence has been committed but it has also damaged the image of the Twelfth and unionist culture, history and identity.

Those who complain around individuals singing pro-IRA songs, itself hurtful to many victims, then remain silent when this activity takes place are hypocrites.

Those who stoke the fires of intolerance and hate must take responsibility for their actions and words.

As a unionist I want to promote our shared history, culture and traditions but the actions of some shame us all.

The Twelfth celebrations mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin, and saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.

Members of a flute band pass Belfast City Hall as they take part in a Twelfth of July parade (Liam McBurney/PA)

Thousands of Orange lodge members parade through the summer months to mark Williams victory and other key dates in Protestant, unionist or loyalist culture.

Those celebrations culminate on the Twelfth.

Wednesday saw another gathering, this time organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh.

Thousands attended the event which included a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing the rival monarchs William and James.

Delivering the address in Scarva, Rev William Anderson, Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution, said it was a special year due to the coronation of the King.

He said: For me it was a wonderful event, that only the British people could undertake in a world devoid of any sort of moral or spiritual guidance.

There is no doubt that our world is struggling. People are finding it very difficult to understand what is going on.

Trust has been broken and people are disheartened when they look at those around them who are tasked with providing guidance but fail miserably.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks has confirmed that one of its employees is under investigation after a video emerged on social media of him saying a pro-IRA phrase in front of an unlit bonfire.

A statement said: The video circulating on social media is deeply offensive, and NIE Networks condemns the content without reservation.

A full investigation into this matter is underway.
WhatsApp messages from Boris Johnsons old mobile phone have still not been handed over to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry because he has reportedly forgotten the passcode.

The former prime minister stopped using the device in May 2021 due to security concerns but it likely contains crucial correspondence about the Governments early pandemic response.

Mr Johnsons spokesman did not deny that he cannot remember the code to unlock the iPhone, as first reported by The Times.

Government officials continue to try to securely retrieve the messages on the phone, which is being held by the ex-premiers lawyers.

There are concerns the contents could be wiped if the wrong combination of numbers is entered, according to the newspaper.

He was advised not to access the phone again on security grounds while serving as Britains leader in May 2021, after it emerged his number had been freely available online for 15 years.

The device likely contains messages relating to the ordering of three lockdowns in 2020.

A spokesman for the former prime minister said: The phone is in the possession of Mr Johnsons lawyers.

The Governments own appointed technical experts continue to work to recover material safely from the device.

As previously stated, Mr Johnson will co-operate fully with the inquiry.

He wants to disclose any relevant material which is why he is fully co-operating with this process.

The device likely contains WhatsApp messages relating to the ordering of three lockdowns (PA)

The inquiry is aware of the efforts to securely extract any potentially relevant content from Mr Johnsons old phone, it is understood.

A mobile security expert cast doubt on claims the messages cannot be accessed because of a memory lapse on Mr Johnsons part.

Andrew Whaley, senior technical director at Norwegian cybersecurity company Promon, said: This is a pretty lame excuse. Provided Boriss WhatsApp is backed up, accessing the data would take minutes

As this is a diplomatic phone, the security measures may very well be different, but even still, its not an impossible task by any means.

The Government handed over the rest of Mr Johnsons unredacted notebooks, WhatsApp messages and diaries from his time in Downing Street to the inquiry after it lost its bid to prevent their release.

It had fought the request from inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett to release them, arguing it should not have to hand over material that is unambiguously irrelevant.

But the argument was dismissed by the High Court last week.

The Cabinet Office had until 4pm on Monday to comply with its ruling to pass on the documents.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson on Wednesday said all of the requested material had been released to the inquiry.

It has been contacted for comment on Mr Johnsons passcode.
This photo, carried by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency on July 13, shows the North firing of a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile the previous day. Yonhap



North Korea said Thursday it test-fired a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) the previous day, with its leader Kim Jong-un threatening to take "stronger" military offensive to deter the United States and South Korea.



Guided by the North's leader, the country launched a new Hwasong-18 ICBM in a test designed to confirm the technical credibility and operational reliability of the "core weapon system," according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).



It marked North Korea's second solid-propellant ICBM launch following its first test-firing on April 13.



"The test-fire is an essential process aimed at further developing the strategic nuclear force of the Republic and, at the same time, serves as a strong practical warning to clearly show the adversaries of the DPRK," the KCNA said, using the acronym of the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.



The latest test showed a marked improvement in North Korea's ICBM technology, as the missile's flight time of 74 minutes and 51 seconds was the longest ever for a North Korean long-range missile.



The KCNA said the Hwasong-18, fired at a lofted angle, flew 1,001.2 kilometers for 4,491 seconds at a maximum altitude of 6,648.4 km, before accurately landing in a pre-set area in the East Sea.



If launched on a standard trajectory, the missile could have flown more than 15,000 km, demonstrating a capability that would put the whole of the U.S. mainland within range, according to experts.



The North's leader Kim said the latest missile launch is part of the regime's efforts to bolster self-defense against "reckless" military moves by the U.S. and South Korea.



"A series of stronger military offensive will be launched until the U.S. imperialists and the South Korean puppet traitors admit their shameful defeat of their useless hostile policy toward the DPRK in despair and give up their policy," Kim was quoted as saying by the KCNA.



In a regular press briefing, Col. Lee Sung-jun, spokesperson of Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff, underscored that the South Korean military, in coordination with the U.S., is maintaining a "firm" readiness posture based on "overwhelming" response capabilities.









"(The allies) reaffirmed they will further solidify their combined defense posture against any North Korean threats and provocations," Lee said. "We will work to realize peace through strength based on the alliance's overwhelming military forces."





North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un conducts a field guidance for a test-firing of a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, July 12, in this photo carried by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap
The UK sent nearly 50 million to China in aid last year, as a watchdog complained of insufficient transparency in how money is spent.

The Government is in the process of re-evaluating its wider relationship with China, amid increasingly frosty relations with the rising Asian power.

Ministers have characterised the growing influence of China as an epoch-defining challenge, with many backbench MPs pushing for a more hawkish approach to Beijing.

A new report by the Independent Commission for Aid Impact found that aid to China was around 48 million in 2021/22, a fall from just over 80 million in 2019.

It is expected to continue to fall, with the commission estimating that it could fall to 10 million by the end of 2024.

But the watchdog expressed concern at the lack of transparency from the Government and British Council on aid spending.

Sir Hugh Bayley, who led the latest review, said: While UK aid to China has fallen rapidly in recent years, taxpayers are still not being told clearly how much aid will continue and what it will be spent on.

From the limited information shared with us, weve established that most aid funding to China from across government has ended. Remaining aid spend will focus on higher education, English language, arts and culture and, to a lesser extent, human rights.

Average incomes in China will soon be too high for the country to continue to receive foreign aid and there appears to be no clear Government strategy for how to manage this, which could put some of the benefits from past UK development assistance at risk.

The report noted that the watchdog was able to find only very limited information in the public domain on how aid to China was evolving and what it was being spent on.

The British Council does not publish documents reporting on the design, implementation and results of its substantial programmes in China.

Elsewhere, the report also found that Foreign Office funding for Chinese Chevening Scholarships, which support international students who want to study in British universities, has remained stable at between 1.65 million and 1.7 million since 2019.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: We stopped direct aid to the Chinese Government in 2011 and the FCDO committed to cut ODA funded programmes in China by 95% from the 2021-22 financial year with remaining funding focused on specific programmes that support British values around open societies and human rights. No funding goes to the Chinese authorities.

We remain committed to transparency and will continue to work closely with ICAI to ensure that all UK aid spending maintains our high standards of transparency and has the greatest impact.
Emily Blunt says the entire crew of Oppenheimer, including the scientific advisors, read American Prometheus before beginning filming.

The British actress said the 2005 biography of the US theoretical physicist had been super helpful and contained endless nuggets to help with character development.

Blunt stars alongside Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh in the film, directed by Christopher Nolan, which tells the story of the father of the atomic bomb.

It is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer, written by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin.

(left to right) Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh, arrive for the photo call for Oppenheimer (Ian West/PA)

Speaking at a photocall for the film in London on Wednesday, Blunt recalled preparing for the role while flying out to New Mexico to begin production.

We all read American Prometheus, she told the PA news agency.

I remember on the flight to New Mexico when it was starting  everyone on board was reading that book, the entire (crew) all the scientists were reading the book.

Were all trying to cram it before we started, but it was super helpful. There were endless little nuggets and wonderful little nuances to think about the characters.

Cillian Murphy plays the title role in Oppenheimer (Ian West/PA)

Blunt added that the script for Oppenheimer had been so visceral and so evocative that there had been nothing to invent.

It was all there, she said.

Murphy, who plays the title role in Oppenheimer, told PA that he had received the call for the role out of the blue from Nolans wife, Emma Thomas  the films producer.

He said: Thats Chris MO (modus operandi) he said, Im making a movie about Oppenheimer and Id like you to play Oppenheimer. So it was just a very pleasant shock.

Asked about the moral responsibility of scientists in the modern age, Murphy continued: I think whatever you think about that, were all living in Oppenheimers world now.

Were all living in the nuclear age that he created.

Oppenheimer is due for release in UK cinemas on July 21.
A former cathedral verger has been jailed for sexually assaulting two teenage boys between the 1960s and 1980s.

Clive McCleester, 77, was sentenced to 16 years in prison at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to 10 counts of sexual abuse, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

The first victim reported being assaulted between 1969 and 1970 when McCleester was a child welfare supervisor at a boarding school in Hampshire.

A second victim said he was sexually abused by McCleester when he was a chorister at Southwark Cathedral in the 1980s.

At the time McCleester, who abused the victim at his flat, had been the head verger at the cathedral, the CPS said.

The victims came forward in 2019 and 2020 respectively. McCleester pleaded guilty to 10 counts of sexual abuse of two young boys between 1968 and 1987 on June 26.

Momata Matin, senior crown prosecutor from the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit in London South said: McCleester flagrantly abused his position of authority and trust within the communities he served to commit vile offences against young boys, leaving lifelong trauma.

The abuse has clearly had a profound impact on the victims. I would like to highlight the bravery of the victims and thank them, the witnesses, and the prosecution team, for helping bring McCleester to justice.

The first victim sadly passed away after giving police his evidence, so was unable to hear the guilty verdict. I hope his family can have a sense of peace knowing that justice has been finally served.

Sexual offences are some of the most traumatic and complex cases to prosecute, and the CPS will bring offenders to justice where there is the evidence.
Unions have hailed a significant victory after challenging law changes they said let agencies supply employers with workers to fill in for striking staff.

More than 10 unions, including Aslef, Unite and Usdaw, took High Court action against the Conservative Government and claimed the changes undermined the right to strike.

A High Court judge ruled in their favour on Thursday.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: This defeat is a badge of shame for the Conservatives, who have been found guilty of breaching the law.

Bringing in less-qualified agency staff to deliver important services risks endangering public safety, worsening disputes and poisoning industrial relations.

The Government railroaded through this law change despite widespread opposition from agency employers and unions.

The courts even found ministers ignored evidence that the measure would be counterproductive.

This is the same reckless approach behind the anti-strike Bill, which has faced a barrage of criticism from employers, rights groups and international bodies and which has been amended by the House of Lords on three separate occasions during parliamentary ping-pong.

Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) general secretary Mark Serwotka (PA)

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: This latest verdict by the High Court is a further litigation victory for PCS against the Government and a further indication of how they are prepared to ignore the law to pursue their war against workers.

It was obvious from the outset that the Government had failed to fulfil its obligations on consultation.

Instead of accepting that and following a proper process, they chose to double down and waste taxpayers money on defending the indefensible.

This legislation has been condemned almost universally, including by employer organisations who warned that it would worsen industrial disputes.

The Government refused to listen.

Lawyer Richard Arthur, who is based at Thompsons Solicitors and represented the TUC and unions, said: This is a significant victory for the entire trade union movement and preserves a vital safeguard in ensuring the right to participate in industrial action is effective.

The judgment makes clear that the then-secretary of state had a staggering disregard to his legal obligations when introducing legislation that enabled employers to engage agency workers to cover the duties of striking workers.

He was driven solely by a political ideology to meet a self-imposed deadline to implement the regulations in the face of mounting industrial action across the country.

He took this decision notwithstanding advice he received that it was likely to be counter-productive to the problem he wanted to address and was being rushed through without regard for the duty to consult, which was a fundamental legal requirement.

This is bad law-making made on the hoof and the court has rightly held the Government to account.

Recruitment and Employment Confederation chief executive Neil Carberry said: This decision comes as no surprise. The law required a level of consideration and consultation that the rushed, politically driven process of last year simply did not allow for.

Government must now act swiftly  while the process has been ruled unlawful the regulations remain on the statute book, putting agency workers, agencies, and client businesses into a world of uncertainty about what the law now is.

We encourage the secretary of state to act swiftly to restore the situation that was in place before this ill-judged change was made.

Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers union Aslef, said: We are proud to have stood with the other trade unions and the TUC to challenge these changes legally, and we will continue to do so in all those other areas, including minimum service levels, to ensure a level playing field for workers here in the UK.

Jane Bowen, an employment solicitor at law firm Devonshires, said: This decision will not be welcomed by employers and the public alike, who have been blighted by industrial action over the past year and with further industrial action planned on train lines next week.

This judgment puts us back into the pre-September 2022 position, whereby the supply of agency workers to cover striking employees is prohibited, making strikes have a greater impact on the public.

With public services in particular being the subject of strike action in recent times, this ruling will inevitably impact service levels and only increase the frustration of the public who are affected.

Such frustration is something the trade unions are seeking to leverage in order to secure the employment terms and protections they are seeking for their members, but ultimately it is the working man and woman who suffers on a day-to-day basis.

FDA assistant general secretary Amy Leversidge said of the verdict: This is a victory for basic fairness and for the trade union movement.

The Government tried to railroad through a plainly unjust and unfair measure in an attempt to undermine the fundamental right to take industrial action.

The judgment found that ministers ignored advice that this served no real benefit for the public and was ultimately unworkable.

These proposals should never have seen the light of day.
The impact of NHS strikes could turn workers against each other, a health chief has warned.

It comes as NHS bosses are braced for major disruption in the coming weeks as junior doctors walk out from 7am on Thursday, followed by consultants and radiographers in coming weeks.

The chief executive of one trust said the challenges caused by strikes were causing tensions between staff as procedures were cancelled and backlogs mounted.

They added: I dont think you can underestimate the tensions and the potential risk of division that this creates, between leaders and staff, but also amongst staff themselves.

There are some junior doctors and some consultants who are very against action and there are others who are very for action. Our line is to respect the right of people to strike and to focus on us responding to the needs of the patients at the time, and thats what were doing, but the longer this goes on the greater those tensions and the greater those impacts have.

They also said they were fed up to the back teeth of the situation and called for negotiations between union leaders and the Government.

The comments come after a new report from NHS Providers exploring the operational and financial challenges facing NHS trusts in England.

Junior doctors were striking for five days from 7am on Thursday (Lucy North/PA)

The organisation conducted a survey and in-depth interviews with the chief executives and finance directors of 11 trusts across hospital, community, mental health and ambulance services.

It found progress was being made on targets and productivity, but that strikes were taking their toll. Some 89% of leaders said meeting efficiency targets was more challenging than last year, while 73% said they did not have access to the funding required to cover vital repairs to buildings and equipment.

Some 43% said they were expected to meet an interim recovery target of 76% of A&E attendances to be seen within four hours during 2023/24.

One trust chief executive said the persistent nature of issues facing staff was challenging and doesnt feel like the light at the end of the tunnel. They said financial challenges were also tough.

Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers, said pay awards needed to be fully funded as the NHS hasnt got the resources to fund them from existing budgets.

The report also highlighted staff burnout as a concern among trust chiefs.

Eight months of industrial action had led to 651,000 routine procedures and appointments being rescheduled, according to NHS Providers.

Sir Julian described strikes as a black cloud over the health service.

He added: Theres a high level of frustration and deep concern that there doesnt appear to be a resolution in sight.

The consequences of ongoing industrial action on patient waits and on staff morale, and indeed the mounting costs of strike action, is something that we just cant allow to become business as usual.

As long as weve got a black cloud of industrial action without a solution in sight, the scale of the challenges facing the NHS will continue to mount.

He also said this was the most challenging period of operational pressure the NHS has faced and thinks the impact of strike action has just made all of this so much more difficult.

The constant pressure around covering for strikes, the need for trusts to organise and plan, means the eye is always on the operational ball and planning around industrial action. It has not allowed time and space for trusts to focus on the things that they need to do in terms of the strategic agenda and taking broader plans forward, he said.

Eight months of industrial action had led to 651,000 routine procedures and appointments being rescheduled, NHS Providers said (Ben Birchall/PA)

I think it is fair to say this is probably the most challenging period of operational pressure the NHS has faced, and I think the impact of strike action has just made all of this so much more difficult

I think low morale and the impact of burnout for staff, in terms of some of the challenges to having a cohesive team, and the sense that this is never ending, means we do need to see an urgent resolution to this.

Junior doctors will return to work at 7am on July 18 and 48 hours later, consultants will strike for two days.

Radiographers from 43 NHS trusts will then strike between 8am on July 25 and 8am on July 27.

One health chief was braced ready for thousands of appointments and procedures to be cancelled at their trust over coming weeks. They estimated that the last three-day strike had impacted about 4,000 procedures.

They said: That is about 1,500 patients per strike for a three-day strike. For a five-day strike, its going to be 2,000, and for a two-day consultants strike, its going to be about 1,000.

Thats every single time that happens. The impact that that has in terms of then booking those patients back in gets harder each time because youve got more people whove been moved already.

The junior doctors strike comes after a General Medical Council (GMC) survey of more than 70,000 doctors either in training or providing training found 27% had experienced micro-aggressions or negative comments from colleagues.

Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, said from an NHS perspective the report made for sobering reading.

She added: I think the issue there is a rising level of dissatisfaction with roles overall.
The extradition hearing of a Holocaust denier wanted by authorities in France has been pushed back until later this year.

Vincent Reynouards lawyer told Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday he no longer wished to proceed with a legal debate he had been due to go through concerning the Frenchmans case and moved to set a date for a full hearing.

Reynouard was arrested in Fife then remanded in custody last year after crossing the Channel to evade French authorities who had been pursuing him for two years.

The 54-year-old went on the run after he was convicted under anti-Nazi laws and handed a four-month jail sentence in November 2020, then a further six-month spell in January the following year.

Holocaust denial has been a criminal offence in France since 1990 and Reynouard has been convicted on multiple occasions.

Appearing before Sheriff Frank Crowe, Reynouards lawyer Paul Dunne said the contents of a note passed to the court by another lawyer acting on Reynouards behalf did not need to be debated any more and moved to have the note withdrawn.

He went on to call for a full hearing date to be fixed and this was set for October 19 with a further preliminary hearing also scheduled for September 21.

Mr Dunne also requested the court to clarify how long Reynouard was supposed to spend in prison to complete his sentence before the hearing, pointing out he has been in custody since he was first held by police in November last year.
Hundreds of secondary school teachers across Swansea, who are said to be angry over the sacking of one of their colleagues for breaking up a fight between two pupils, are to go on strike.

The NASUWT Teachers Union said its members voted overwhelmingly to take part in the industrial action on Thursday over adverse employer practices, threats to their job security and the failure of Swansea Council to comply with existing collective agreements.

More than half of the citys secondary schools will close for the day due to the walkout, while a number of others will partially close.

Secondary school teachers across Swansea are taking strike action on Thursday 13th July, demanding that teachers in the county are treated fairly, and that employment policies are stuck to.Come and show support at the rally at 4PM at the Guildhall on Thursday.All welcome! pic.twitter.com/tMFb4vUVBu  NASUWT Cymru (@NASUWTCymru) July 7, 2023

The union said its members do not take strike action lightly, but said in the face of rising violence in schools experienced after the coronavirus pandemic, teachers should feel supported when they intervene to keep themselves and their pupils safe.

Swansea Council has previously said it is extremely disappointed in the unions decision to ballot for a strike and said it refutes all claims of employer abuse.

The row between the union and local education officials is claimed to be over an incident involving a male teacher who pulled apart two male students who were engaged in a physical fight.

According to the union, the teacher was disciplined but then exonerated on appeal before a second appeal led him to be dismissed.

Neil Butler, NASUWTs Wales representative, said the union does not recognise the outcome of the second appeal.

Our members are very angry about this, its outrageous on a number of levels, Mr Butler told the PA news agency.

The reason this is a wider problem is that we know that violence and aggression in schools has gotten worse, so teachers needing to intervene in physical situations is getting more common.

They are already very, very nervous to do that because lay a hand on a child and youve got child protection procedures. But in law, teachers do have the right to use reasonable force to protect children and stop them beating each other up.

Ultimately, actions like this put teachers more on guard, it makes safeguarding in schools worse and leads to teachers not wanting to stay in the jobs anymore.

This is about standing up for teachers being allowed to do their jobs properly, he added.

NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: Our members in Swansea do not take strike action lightly but today they are sending a strong message that their employer cannot bully or threaten them without any consequences.

Swansea Council cannot ignore, side line or ride roughshod over collective agreements with the NASUWT, which are an essential element of the working conditions of teachers.

The NASUWT will not hesitate to take further industrial action should Swansea Council fail to demonstrate they respect and will uphold agreements relating to teachers contracts.

Helen Johns, NASUWT national executive member for Swansea, called the councils involvement in the teachers dismissal a serious breach of policy and an unfounded intervention in a school process.

It is understood the dismissed teacher is expected to take his case to an employment tribunal.

The union is currently in a dispute with three other secondary schools elsewhere in Wales over issues of dealing with poor pupil behaviour.

A spokesperson for Swansea Council previously said: This action is regrettable and will only serve to deny children of educational opportunities.

This is based on an individual case and while this continues, for legal reasons and to protect the integrity of the processes, we cannot comment on specifics.

We value all of our teaching staff and have built good relationships with heads and other staff over a number of years.

We refute any allegation of employer abuse, victimisation and other claims made by the union which they will need to substantiate.

The council has been speaking regularly with the union and has met four of the five requirements that they put to us to end the dispute.

We hope that the union will continue to talk with us so that we can work together to find a solution that avoids unnecessary disruption to our schools and the education of children in Swansea.

A rally is to be held outside the Guildhall, one of the councils main offices, from 4pm.

It comes as NASUWT teachers members in England have voted in favour of industrial action in autumn over pay and workload.
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has told a jury the sexual assault allegations against him are either madness, make no logical sense, or are a stab in the back.

The Hollywood star became fought back tears as he said his world exploded when allegations first emerged against him on the internet in 2017.

He began giving evidence from the witness box at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, where he said he was not on a suicide mission after being accused of aggressive crotch grabs.

The 63-year-old told jurors he is a big flirt and described his encounters with two of the alleged victims as comfortable or relaxed, while insisting nothing happened with a third.

Spacey is accused of sexual offences between 2001 and 2013 (Aaron Chown/PA)

He denies charges including sexual assault and indecent assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.

Spacey said an aspiring actors claims that he drugged him and performed a sex act on him while he was asleep in his flat were false, saying the pair had shared an intimate moment.

Asked about his initial reaction the accusations, the American Beauty and House Of Cards star said: My initial reaction to that was this is somebody who is just shaking me down.

The defendant also described his relationship with a man who drove him to a lavish showbiz party in the early 2000s as somewhat intimate, but denied assaulting him in a violent, aggressive, painful way.

As well as describing allegations by a man he met in a West End theatre in the mid-2000s as madness, he told the jury that claims he directed a barrage of vile comments at him were words he had never said to anyone in my life.

Addressing sexual grab claims made by a fourth complainant he met in a pub near Oxford, he said he had primarily no issue with what the man had told the court, adding: I made a pass and Im only happy that he testified that the moment he told me he was not interested I stopped.

Spacey is accused of having had a panicked look on his face after a man rejected an alleged sexual grab at an expensive property he was staying at in the Cotswolds in the early 2010s  to which he said he did not remember a great deal about the evening.

The actor was seen dabbing his eyes with a tissue and could be heard sniffing as he gave evidence about his lost reputation from the witness box.

Telling the court about the first allegations that emerged against him online, Spacey said: There was a rush to judgment and before the first question was asked or answered I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days.

He also told jurors he felt pressurised to come out as gay after allegations of sexual misconduct were first levelled at him.

During his evidence, Spacey gave jurors an insight into his relationship with famous faces  including storing the most expensive Mini Cooper in Sir Elton Johns garage and gifting a ping pong table to Dame Judi Dench.

Denying the allegations against him made by the man who claimed Spacey had almost made him come off the road due to a painful crotch grab, the defendant told the jury: He was a lads lad. He was funny and charming and flirtatious.

Spacey said he touched the complainant in romantic and intimate ways.

He said he and the alleged victim did not take things further because the man made it clear that he did not want to go any further and that happens at times and you just respect how far someone wants to go.

Spacey said: I cant remember specific conversations we had but I remember the tone, I remember the atmosphere, I remember the laughter.

We had a very fun time together.

The actor accepted touching the man but said: It did not happen in a violent, aggressive, painful way.

It was gentle  and it was in my mind romantic.

Asked by his barrister if there was any reluctance from the alleged victim to his advances, Spacey said: No. The only thing he made clear is he did not want to go any further than we were going and I respected that.

Questioned whether the man had said anything after Spacey had touched him, the defendant said: I think he said things like this is new for me so I think that he may have been surprised by his reaction.

The actor denied he had almost made the complainant come off the road after the alleged aggressive grab, saying: That never happened. I was not on a suicide mission.

Asked how he felt after the alleged victim made allegations against him, the defendant said: I was crushed.

I never thought that the (man) I know would (so many) years later stab me in the back.

Mr Gibbs then asked Spacey about the man he allegedly met in a West End theatre.

Questioned on why he believed the allegations to be madness, the actor said: It never happened.

Asked to respond to the mans allegations of vile comments, the Hollywood actor said: I never said any of the things that he claims I said to him and wouldnt and never have to anyone in my life.

He told the jury that he did not recognise the complainant at all when showed a photograph of him.

Asked what he remembered of that day, Spacey said: Not a great deal.

Detailing his account of what happened with the aspiring actor in the late 2000s, the Hollywood star told the jury that he hurriedly left after the pair shared an intimate moment.

Spacey said: We had had a sexual encounter after which I had gone to the bathroom and I came back from the bathroom and it was like something had changed.

The person that I had this intimate moment with was suddenly awkward and fumbling and I dont want to say ran out but hurriedly left. And it felt very odd.

I felt like maybe he was making an excuse and it concerned me and my memory is that I called this person to make sure they were OK and they were OK.

Asked what he remembered of the alleged encounter, Spacey said: I remember the end of the evening and that was what struck me in my mind because we had a consensual and, I believe, a very nice and lovely evening.

If he regretted it immediately I dont know, I cant speak for him, but something was odd  it was strange.

Spacey told the jury the claims against him were madness (Aaron Chown/PA)

Questioned on whether he remembered any physical contact he had with the man, Spacey told jurors: I dont remember but I know the way I am with someone and I would never be behaving in the way he claimed  it makes no logical sense.

I think we were very comfortable with each other.

He said he did perform a sex act on the man but claimed it was consensual.

The defendant, standing trial under his full name Kevin Spacey Fowler, was labelled a sexual bully when proceedings began last month.

The 63-year-old denies charges including sexual assault and indecent assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.

Spacey pleaded not guilty in January to three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

The two-time Academy Award winner also previously denied four further charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

The trial continues.
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has told a jury he was somewhat intimate with one of his alleged sexual assault victims but denied assaulting him in a violent, aggressive, painful way.

The Hollywood actor began giving evidence from the witness box at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, when he said he was a big flirt and felt crushed that the man would stab me in the back so many years later.

Spacey is accused of aggressively grabbing his first alleged victims crotch while driving him to a showbiz party in the early 2000s.

Kevin Spacey gave evidence from the witness box on Thursday (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

The defendant said the incident never happened  adding: I was not on a suicide mission.

Spacey also told the jury that allegations made by a second man he allegedly met in a West End theatre in the mid-2000s were madness.

The actor is accused of grabbing the mans crotch like a cobra after making a barrage of vile comments.

Responding to the alleged hardcore comments, Spacey said: I never said any of the things that he claims I said to him and wouldnt and never have to anyone in my life.

Denying the allegations against him made by the first alleged victim, the defendant told the jury: He was a lads lad. He was funny and charming and flirtatious.

Spacey said he touched the complainant in romantic and intimate ways.

He said he and the alleged victim did not take things further because the man made it clear that he did not want to go any further and that happens at times and you just respect how far someone wants to go.

Spacey said: I cant remember specific conversations we had but I remember the tone, I remember the atmosphere, I remember the laughter.

We had a very fun time together.

The actor accepted touching the man but said: It did not happen in a violent, aggressive, painful way.

It was gentle  and it was in my mind romantic.

Asked by his barrister if there was any reluctance from the alleged victim to his advances, Spacey said: No. The only thing he made clear is he did not want to go any further than we were going and I respected that.

Questioned whether the man had said anything after Spacey had touched him, the defendant said: I think he said things like this is new for me so I think that he may have been surprised by his reaction.

The actor denied he had almost made the complainant come off the road after the alleged aggressive grab, saying: That never happened. I was not on a suicide mission.

Asked how he felt after the alleged victim made allegations against him, the House of Cards and American Beauty star said: I was crushed.

I never thought that the (man) I know would (so many) years later stab me in the back.

Mr Gibbs then asked Spacey about the man he allegedly met in a West End theatre.

Questioned on why he believed the allegations to be madness, the actor said: It never happened.

Asked to respond to the mans allegations of vile comments, the Hollywood actor said: I never said any of the things that he claims I said to him and wouldnt and never have to anyone in my life.

He told the jury that he did not recognise the complainant at all when showed a photograph of him.

Asked what he remembered of that day, Spacey said: Not a great deal.

The defendant, standing trial under his full name Kevin Spacey Fowler, was labelled a sexual bully when proceedings began last month.

The 63-year-old denies charges including sexual assault and indecent assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.

Spacey pleaded not guilty in January to three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

The two-time Academy Award winner also previously denied four further charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

The trial continues.
Hannah Maden-Adams was the only passenger on a flight back from Ibiza and got full VIP treatment. (Hannah Maden-Adams/SWNS)

A woman flying back from Ibiza got the full VIP treatment when she found herself to be the only passenger.

Hannah Maden-Adams, 38, from Jersey was treated like a celebrity on the 188 flight, after she turned out to be the only person checking in.

She had been in Ibiza celebrating her birthday with friends and expected to board a typically full flight home, but was surprised to discover the flight from Ibiza to Jersey was completely empty aside from herself and the crew.

Maden-Adams was chauffeured from the boarding gate to the plane in a car and got some insider holiday tips from the pilots while she was flying back.

The Blue Islands flight cost 188, but she says it felt more like travelling on a "private jet" for far more than that.

Read more: Is booking cheap flights for a day out abroad insanity or genius?, Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read

It sounds cheesy because I'm just a normal person, but it felt really exciting being taken in a car to the aircraft and then being the only person to board," Maden-Adams explains.

It was very surreal, but really fun  how often does something like that happen? Normally flights are absolutely packed, with kids, families, groups of people all talking and laughing.

Instead, the crew said choose where you want to sit and put your luggage where you like. I went for a window seat  I decided to sit up near the front as I like to see the view.

Hannah Maden-Adams (right) was on a trip to Ibiza celebrating her birthday, pictured with a friend. (Hannah Maden-Adams/SWNS)

Maden-Adams, who works as the founder of a communications agency, booked a flight home to Jersey on Thursday 6 July.

However, when she arrived at check-in, staff were insistent that there were no flights going from Ibiza to Jersey, with some staff saying they had never heard of it.

She finally managed to check-in but when she arrived at the gate, Maden-Adams says she began to wonder where the other passengers were.

It wasnt until the gate was opened that a member of staff informed her she was the only passenger.

A private car collected her from the gate and drove her to the plane where she was greeted by cabin crew, who were equally surprised by the unique private jet experience.

They informed her the first flight from Jersey to Ibiza had departed that morning, and they hadnt expected anyone would be flying back that afternoon.

Read more: Mums travel to Ibiza for a 12-hour holiday  and return in time for the school run - Yahoo Life UK, 2-min read

Hannah Maden-Adams' empty flight back from Ibiza. (Hannah Maden-Adams/SWNS)

I didnt know how busy it would be, but I didnt expect to be only one  I didnt think they would fly if there was only one passenger but they had to get the plane back to Jersey, so the flight was going anyway, she explains.

"I had no idea I was the only person until that very last moment at the gate before going to the plane. After the weird experience at check-in I wasnt convinced that I even had a direct flight.

The staff and pilot said they had never flown just one passenger on one of their planes before."

Read more: How to get a row of seats to yourself on a plane, according to experts - Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read

Maden-Adams says while they were in the air the pilots pointed out various locations and recommended destinations for future holidays.

I thought it was a really nice personal touch," she says. It was really fun, the air stewardesses chatted the whole way, it was great to get to know them to find out about their lives.

But they were still very professional and did all the flight safety instructions and all the announcements.

Rob Veron, chief executive of Blue Islands, said the outbound flight had been "hugely popular" and it was "great" that Maden-Adams had been able to fly directly back to Jersey.

Additional reporting SWNS.
This photo released Thursday shows North Korea's new Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile being test-launched the previous day. Yonhap



Pyongyang takes one more step toward acquiring harder-to-detect missiles: experts



By Jung Min-ho



North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to develop more efficient and reliable weapons as he supervised the second "successful" test of his regime's solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) designed to strike the U.S., according to state media on Thursday.



The Hwasong-18, fired on a lofted trajectory the previous day, flew 1,001.2 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 6,648 kilometers for 74 minutes before falling into a "targeted area" in waters off its east coast, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.



The flight time was the longest ever for any North Korean missile. If launched on a standard angle, it could fly more than 15,000 kilometers  enough to reach the U.S. homeland.



Analysts told The Korea Times that Pyongyang appears to be making progress in developing missiles with built-in solid fuels, which would offer greater mobility and shorter preparation time than liquid ones. Once widely adopted by the North Korean military, the missiles would clearly pose a greater threat to Seoul, they said; but they differed in their opinions over how dangerous they would be for Washington.



Given the large size of telemetry antennas attached near the tip of the missile for collecting data, North Korea appeared to test its full capacity after succeeding the first solid-propellant ICBM test in April, according to Shin Jong-woo, a senior researcher at the Korea Defense and Security Forum, a think tank.



"North Korea would need more things to prove that it can threaten the U.S. mainland with the missile, such as its atmospheric reentry technology. But what's more clear is that it took another meaningful step toward developing  and eventually deploying  solid-fuel missiles. Once the development is finished, North Korea would replace most of its liquid-fuel missiles with them to make a dangerous mix (to South Korea)," he said.











This photo released Thursday shows North Korea's new Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile being test-launched the previous day. Yonhap



Liquid propellants provide greater propulsive thrust and power. But militarily, solid ones are more effective as they do not need to be fueled before launch at the risk of detection; they can remain in storage for a longer period without degrading  a significant risk to the South Korea- U.S. missile defense system that relies on detection capabilities.



Cha Du-hyeogn, a senior researcher at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, a think tank, also believes North Korea will eventually acquire solid-fuel missiles. But he remains skeptical that it will be able to develop all the advanced technologies required for them to reach the U.S. mainland any time soon.



"The latest test is no game changer," he said. "I think the test was chiefly aimed at turning the attention from North Korea's humiliating failure in the recent satellite rocket launch."



In fact, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters the same day that intelligence officials were assessing the possibility that the missile was fired without carrying any warhead in order to ensure the mission would be a success the regime needed for political reasons.





This photo, released Thursday, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, smiling after the test launch of a Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile the previous day. Yonhap
The USs consumer protection watchdog is appealing against a decision to allow Microsoft to acquire video game maker Activision Blizzard.

The 69 billion US dollar (53 billion) deal has come under fire from regulators in the US and the UK over concerns it will give Microsoft an unfair advantage in the market and affect gamers.

The takeover of the maker of Call Of Duty, World Of Warcraft and Candy Crush would be one of the biggest ever in the technology industry.

Earlier this week, US district judge Jacqueline Scott Corley rejected a request from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to block the high-profile acquisition, giving it the green light to go ahead.

She said the FTC has not shown it is likely to prevail if it took the case to trial.

It also prompted the UKs Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to say it was open to proposals about how the deal could be amended, having previously moved to block it altogether.

But the FTC has filed an appeal against the ruling made by Judge Corley.

Its arguments for appealing against the decision are due to be outlined at a later date.

The president of Microsoft, Brad Smith, said the tech giant does not want any more delays to the takeover.

He said in a statement: The District Courts ruling makes crystal clear that this acquisition is good for both competition and consumers.

Were disappointed that the FTC is continuing to pursue what has become a demonstrably weak case, and we will oppose further efforts to delay the ability to move forward.

The chief communications officer of Activision Blizzard, Lulu Cheng Meservey, said in a tweet following the appeal: The facts havent changed. Were confident the US will remain among the 39 countries where the merger can close.

Activision Blizzards headquarters in Santa Monica, California (Alamy/PA)

We look forward to demonstrating the strength of our case in court  again.

The merger has been criticised by regulators on the grounds that it will stifle competition in the fast-growing cloud gaming market, where video games are played using remote servers and have no need for downloads.

The CMA claimed that Microsoft, which owns Xbox, already accounts for between 60% and 70% of cloud gaming services.

Merging the two companies could therefore give Microsoft an unfair advantage and undermine new and innovative competitors, it argued.

Nevertheless, the CMA said on Tuesday it was willing to engage with the business on the grounds that it thinks of ways to modify the deal.

These discussions remain at an early stage and the nature and timing of next steps will be determined in due course, a spokesperson for the regulator said.

While both parties have requested a pause in Microsofts appeal to allow these discussions to take place, the CMA decision set out in its final report still stands.

It meant that a legal battle in the UK, due to commence in court later this month, has been halted.
Rishi Sunak challenged union leaders to call off strike action after offering public sector workers pay rises of up to 7%.

The Prime Minister accepted the recommendations from pay review bodies, including 6.5% increases for teachers in England for 2023-24, which the education unions said would allow them to end their dispute with ministers.

Junior doctors, who began their longest walkout yet in England on Thursday, will receive 6% rises, along with an additional consolidated 1,250 increase.

Hospital consultants, set to strike in England next week, will receive a 6% rise.

At a Downing Street press conference Mr Sunak called on the British Medical Association (BMA) to help make the NHS strong again and avoid further disruption.

The Government has not only made todays decision on pay. Weve backed the NHS with record funding, delivered the first ever, fully funded long-term workforce plan and met the BMAs number one ask of Government, with a pensions tax cut worth 1 billion.

So, we should all ask ourselves, whether union leaders  or indeed political leaders  how can it be right to continue disruptive industrial action?

Not least because these strikes lead to tens of thousands of appointments being cancelled  every single day and waiting lists going up, not down.

(PA Graphics)

The Government has been anxious to avoid pay deals which could entrench high inflation, with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt stressing he would take difficult but responsible decisions.

The current level of CPI inflation is running at 8.7% and Mr Sunak  who has promised to cut it to around 5.3% by the end of the year  wants to avoid pay increases which could fuel a wage-price spiral.

In a direct message to the public sector unions, Mr Sunak said: Todays offer is final. There will be no more talks on pay.

We will not negotiate again on this years settlements and no amount of strikes will change our decision.

But with no new borrowing to fund deals, Mr Sunak said government departments will have to reprioritise spending  raising fears of cuts across public services.

The deals, based on the recommendations of the independent review bodies, include:

 A 7% rise for police officers.

 Prison officers in the operational bands will receive an increase of 7%, with larger rises for support grades and 5% for managers and governors.

 Most armed forces personnel will receive a 5% rise, plus an additional consolidated 1,000 increase, with 5.5% awards for the most senior officers.

 Senior civil servants will receive a 5.5% rise.

The pay deal could end teachers strikes in England (James Manning/PA)

The 6.5% pay award for teachers will be fully funded, the Government said, with 525 million of additional money for schools in 2023-24 and a further 900 million in 2024-25.

The Government set out some changes to raise around 1 billion of additional money to fund the rises, including increasing the immigrant health surcharge to 1,035.

Fees will be increased across a range of immigration and nationality routes, including a rise in the cost of work and visit visas by 15%, and increasing the cost of study visas, certificates of sponsorship, wider entry clearance, leave-to-remain and priority visas among others by at least 20%.

But the bulk of the money will have to come from existing budgets.

Mr Sunak said its not about cuts but about departments reprioritising.

We are asking departments to reprioritise to support public sector workers and that will mean in other areas  its not about cuts, its just about focusing on public sector workers pay rather than other things.

And Im really pleased that the teaching unions specifically have said that this pay offer is properly funded.

He insisted no cuts will need to be made in schools.

The Prime Minister and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan along with the leaders of the four education unions issued a joint statement setting out how the agreement could end strike action.

The statement said: The Government has committed that all schools will receive additional funding above what was proposed in March  building on the additional 2 billion given to schools in the Autumn Statement. The Government will also provide a hardship fund of up to 40 million to support those schools facing the greatest financial challenges.

ASCL, NAHT, NASUWT and NEU will now put this deal to members, with a recommendation to accept the STRB (School Teachers Review Body) recommendation. This deal will allow teachers and school leaders to call off strike action and resume normal relations with government.

But the Prospect unions general secretary Mike Clancy said the Government was taking a knife to public services to pay for these pay rises, showing they have learned nothing from the austerity years.

For a Prime Minister and Chancellor who came into office promising economic stability, the chaotic handling of this process will inspire little confidence in workers worried about their futures during the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, Mr Clancy said.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: Rishi Sunak is taking a wrecking ball to our public services with these savage cuts.

He must come clean about the devastating impact this will have on local hospitals and schools across the country.

For Labour, shadow Treasury chief secretary Pat McFadden questioned whether the Government will cut back on capital investment in schools and hospitals to fund the increases.

Police Federation national chairman Steve Hartshorn said the 7% rise was a step in the right direction but we must not lose sight of the fact that this uplift still fails to take account of the real term cut of 17% officers have suffered since 2000.
A cross-party group of 24 MPs and peers are calling on the Prime Minister to commit the UK to supporting a moratorium on deep sea mining.

The Environment APPG said in a letter to Rishi Sunak that we know too little about ocean ecosystems to allow deep sea mining to take place because it could have destructive consequences beyond our understanding.

Currently, no company is allowed to begin excavation, but many are exploring the ocean depths for minerals and precious metals that are used in renewable technology such as solar panels and wind turbines as well as for electronic devices like smart phones.

They are looking for deposits of manganese, nickel and cobalt that have built up over millions of years, which would then be scooped up in a potentially habitat-wrecking process.

Chile, France, Germany, Spain, New Zealand, Switzerland and Canada have already called for either a ban, moratorium or precautionary pause on deep sea mining, as have hundreds of scientists, and the Environment APPG wants the UK to join them.

Businesses such as Google, BMW, Samsung, Volkswagen and Volvo have committed to excluding deep sea minerals from their supply chains.

Conservative MP Chris Skidmore, who is chairman of the Environment APPG, said: Disturbing our ocean floor with intensive mining could destroy ecosystems and marine life that has yet to have even been discovered.

If we want the transition to net zero to be sustainable, we need to ensure that our sourcing of minerals and metals is done in a responsible and sustainable way.

We are only just learning about the importance of the ocean both as a carbon sink and maintaining life on earth.

A Natural History Museum study recently found 200 unique species living in an area of particular interest to ocean miners in the Pacific, known as the Clarion-Clipperton zone.

Some of the 200 unique specimens found in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone by Natural History Museum researchers (Natural History Museum/PA)

Researchers said around 90% of the species there are still unknown and they predict there could be as many as 6,000-8,000 yet to be described.

The letters signatories, which include Lord Randall of Uxbridge, Lord Teverson, Caroline Lucas and Rebecca Long-Bailey, said the mining industry is pushing hard to begin operations and that a legal loophole known as the two-year rule could see it get the go-ahead this year.

The two-year rule refers to a treaty provision triggered by the Pacific island nation of Nauru, which obliged the International Seabed Authority, the regulator, to finalise and adopt regulations on deep sea mining within 24 months, which expired earlier this week.

The UK, along with almost every other country on Earth, agreed to a new UN high seas treaty in March which aims to extend the amount of protected areas in the oceans to shield it from over-exploitation by activities such as mining, fishing and shipping.

MPs and peers said a moratorium would follow the UKs precautionary approach to environmental harm, part of the Environment Act, which should be considered when a particular policy such as deep sea mining could cause serious or irreversible damage to the environment.

Mr Skidmore said: We are at a moment  a fork in the road  where if we progress with deep sea mining, we will never be able to return.

Our reserves of minerals and metals do not depend on harvesting the ocean floor.

So soon after signing an international treaty on protecting the oceans, deep sea mining would be a step backwards and undermine the progress that has been made.
Nasa has released a spectacular image taken by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to mark one year since it began operations in space.

The space agency revealed the colour image on Wednesday, which shows the nearest star-forming region to our own, located 390 light-years away, in the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex.

Around 50 young stars have been captured in the image, with many of them similar in mass to the Sun.

You've been with us for a year as @NASAWebb has studied our solar system and peered into the far reaches of our universe. What questions do you have for our Webb experts? We're answering them now on NASA Science Liveshare your Qs with #AskNASA. https://t.co/QanQqHRWlD  NASA (@NASA) July 12, 2023

The JWST was launched from French Guiana on Christmas Day 2021 and its first images were released to the public by US president Joe Biden on July 12 last year.

This included Webbs First Deep Field, which showed galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 in sharp detail and was heralded as the deepest and most detailed picture of the cosmos to date.

Nasa administrator Bill Nelson said: In just one year, the James Webb Space Telescope has transformed humanitys view of the cosmos, peering into dust clouds and seeing light from faraway corners of the universe for the very first time.

Every new image is a new discovery, empowering scientists around the globe to ask and answer questions they once could never dream of.

Klaus Pontoppidan, Webb project scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute, said: Webbs image of Rho Ophiuchi allows us to witness a very brief period in the stellar lifecycle with new clarity.

Our own Sun experienced a phase like this, long ago, and now we have the technology to see the beginning of another stars story.
People who take part in genetic studies are genetically more likely to do so, researchers say.

The ground-breaking study equips scientists with the ability to identify and address participation bias, marking a significant challenge in genetic research.

The bias occurs when the genetic data collected is not representative of the intended study population.

Genetics is the study of how genes and traits are passed down from one generation to the next.

Stefania Benonisdottir, lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate from the Big Data Institute, said: Currently, most genetic studies are based on genetic databases which contain large numbers of participants and a wealth of information.

However, some people are more likely to be included in these databases than others, which can create a problem called ascertainment bias, where the genetic data collected is not representative of the intended study population.

To study the link between genetics data and participation bias, the researchers from the University of Oxfords Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and Big Data Institute turned to the UK Biobank which contains information from half a million people.

Using the UK Biobank data, the study found there is a genetic component to how likely someone is to participate.

The researchers suggest their findings highlight that participation could be an important human trait that has been previously underappreciated.

It may also introduce a new statistical framework that could lead to more accurate analyses of genetic data.

Professor Augustine Kong, senior author from the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science and the Big Data Institute, said: Ascertainment bias poses a statistical challenge in genetics research, particularly in the era of big data.

Adjustments for this bias often rely on known differences between participants and non-participants, introducing imperfections when answering questions involving variables only observed for participants, such as genotypes.

Our study identifies detectable footprints of participation bias in the genetic data of participants, which can be exploited statistically to enhance research accuracy for both participants and non-participants alike.

Researchers looked at the genetic data of more than 30,000 related people with white British descent from the UK Biobank.

They found that the genetic component underlying participation in the study is associated with, but distinct from, the genetic components of traits such as educational attainment and body mass index.

The genetic component of participation can be passed down through families and may affect peoples participation in many different studies over their lifetimes, the study found.

The findings are published in the Nature Genetics journal.
Grant Shapps has said the Government needs to weigh up difficult decisions in approaching its commitment to phase out petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

The Energy Secretary warned he would be aiming to avoid putting people under the cosh with the pace at which green policies are introduced.

Speaking at a press gallery lunch in Parliament, the minister also refused to rule out a leadership bid, saying who knows what will happen in the future.

Asked about a recent report from the Governments own climate advisers which found a lack of progress on reaching net zero targets, Mr Shapps said he does not have to accept their recommendations.

The Government has committed to a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 and a transition to fully zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.

Mr Shapps said on Thursday he was pretty confident we will get there but added: The Government have to weigh up these difficult decisions between going faster and slower.

He added: We understand that we need to get to this. I also understand that we need to do that in a way that does not cause families undue hardship. It can be very nice running an electric car, theyre quick, theyre clean, but weve got to see the second-hand market develop, weve got to see the prices converge, and theres every reason why they should There are many benefits to getting there but I want to make sure we get there in a way that is not putting people under the cosh.

He said he was hugely grateful for the work of the Climate Change Committee (CCC)  the independent body which advises Government on the environment  but that their recommendations were not binding.

The minister also suggested that hydrogen may not be the answer to removing carbon emissions from domestic heating networks.

He said it was unlikely such an energy system, which was being considered as an alternative to natural gas, would be used in all homes.

Downing Street said final conclusions have not been drawn but that it was right for Government to consider all the options for people to heat their homes.

It comes after the CCCs latest progress report described the Governments efforts to scale up action towards reaching net zero as worryingly slow, and planned trials of hydrogen heating were scuppered by local protests earlier this week.

Mr Shapps later appeared to hint that he may throw his hat into the ring for the Tory leadership in the future when pressed on whether he still has ambitions for the top job.

Who knows what happens in the future. All I know is we have wisdom and experience to guide the way for this country which is why I think that now, that person is Rishi Sunak, he said.

Elsewhere, Mr Shapps echoed Foreign Secretary James Cleverlys cautious tone on China, saying he did not believe in exclud(ing) them but in taking a hardline stance where appropriate.

But he also likened Beijing to the British Empire, suggesting it wants to operate under its own world order.

They do want to change the world, to operate under their world order. That is no surprise, we did that when we had an empire, the Americans have done that, the Dutch did it before us. Thats the way large economies and empires operate, he said.
Sir Keir Starmer insisted Labours commitment to Nato is unshakeable as he clashed with Rishi Sunak in the House of Commons.

The Labour leader described the alliance as a cornerstone of British security in a week that saw Conservative MPs posting social media attacks on his partys defence policy.

Prime Minister Mr Sunak was heckled by Opposition MPs as he claimed Sir Keirs statement showed a newfound affection for Nato, with Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle repeatedly having to intervene to calm tempers.

The exchanges came after Mr Sunak made a statement to the chamber on this weeks Nato summit in Lithuania.

Sir Keir said Nato nations are united in their collective support for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and the belief victory will come to the Ukrainian people against Russia.

He said: Labours commitment to Nato is unshakeable. Its an achievement of this party, a cornerstone of British security for 74 years.

Therefore I welcome the progress made in Vilnius this week, in particular the commitment to strengthen the collective defence of this continent  regional plans, greater intelligence co-operation, improved readiness.

This will put us all on a better footing to react quickly to modern threats.

Sir Keir stressed Labours support for Ukraines aim of joining Nato, adding: Its important we are clear to the people of Ukraine who fight so bravely for their future, the question is not if Ukraine joins Nato but when Ukraine joins Nato.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak making a statement to MPs in the House of Commons on the Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA)

Its important we are clear that even if theres a change of government in the UK there will never be a change in Britains resolve, no change in our support for Ukraine, no change in our commitment to the security of Britain and our allies.

Sir Keir advised MPs to choose their words wisely, saying: I would ask the Prime Minister when he rises whether hes prepared to correct the record in this House in relation to a social media statement he made last night that Labour didnt want him to attend the summit this week.

On the contrary, we were delighted that he was there because in an evermore dangerous world we must be united and Nato must be co-ordinated, ready to adapt and ready to strengthen.

Mr Sunak said it was a bit rich to attack me for missing Prime Ministers Questions given he was attending the Nato summit.

Sir Lindsay intervened to calm heckling from both sides, with Mr Sunak adding: I think the point has been made.

I welcome (Sir Keirs) I think newfound affection for the Nato alliance, having sat for long years next to someone who wanted to

Sir Lindsay again had to intervene before Mr Sunak said: I think you can tell from the volume of noise they dont like it, Mr Speaker, but its the truth.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addresses a press conference at the end of the Nato summit (PA)

He added: The reality is this: for long years (Sir Keir) did sit there next to someone (former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn) who didnt support Nato, who wanted to scrap Trident and abolish our armed forces, so thats what the record is.

Mr Sunak welcomed Labours support for Ukraine and reiterated Nato membership is a question of when, not if.

Other Labour MPs were unhappy with the Prime Ministers comments, with former minister Kevin Brennan telling the Commons: He knows the absolutely seminal role that was played by the post-war Labour Government and in particular foreign secretary Ernest Bevin in the creation of Nato.

After murmurs from the Conservative benches, the Cardiff West MP added: I suggest they read some history books. He also knows that Labours policy of support for Nato is as strong now as it was 75 years ago.

Will he instead welcome that fact and work in a statesmanlike way with the Leader of the Opposition and in the national interest?

The Prime Minister replied: I wasnt quibbling at all with the leadership shown by Labour politicians 75 years ago, I was quibbling with the one shown by them just a few years ago.

Asked what the purpose would be of delaying Ukraines acceptance into Nato beyond the end of hostilities with Russia, Mr Sunak referred to remarks from the alliances secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, and said accession was a matter of conditions and not timing.

He added: There are requirements on all Nato members when it comes to areas like modernisation, governance and interoperability, which now Ukraine is firmly on the path towards fulfilling.
Rishi Sunak has urged unions to call off strike action after accepting recommendations for pay rises for millions of public sector workers.

The Prime Minister accepted the recommendations from pay review bodies, including 6.5% increases for teachers in England for 2023-24, which education unions said could allow them to call off strike action.

Junior doctors, who began their longest walkout yet in England on Thursday, will receive 6% rises, along with an additional consolidated 1,250 increase.

Junior doctor members of the BMA on the picket line outside St Thomas Hospital, London, at the start of a five-day strike (Lucy North/PA)

Hospital consultants, set to strike in England next week, will also receive a 6% rise.

Mr Sunak called on the British Medical Association to help make the NHS strong again by returning doctors to the wards.

The Government has not only made todays decision on pay. Weve backed the NHS with record funding, delivered the first ever, fully funded long-term workforce plan and met the BMAs number one ask of government, with a pensions tax cut worth 1 billion.

So, we should all ask ourselves, whether union leaders  or indeed political leaders  how can it be right to continue disruptive industrial action?

Not least because these strikes lead to tens of thousands of appointments being cancelled  every single day and waiting lists going up, not down.

At a Downing Street press conference, Mr Sunak said: Todays offer is final. There will be no more talks on pay. We will not negotiate again on this years settlements and no amount of strikes will change our decision.

He said the accepted recommendations are a fair deal for the British taxpayer.

But with no new borrowing to fund deals, Mr Sunak said government departments will have to reprioritise spending  raising fears of cuts across public services.

Details of the deals, given by Treasury Chief Secretary John Glen in the Commons, include:

 Policing will receive a 7% headline rise.

 Prison officers in the operational bands will receive an increase of 7%, with larger rises for support grades.

 Armed forces will receive a 5% rise, with an additional consolidated 1,000 increase.

The pay deal could end teachers strikes in England (James Manning/PA)

The 6.5% pay award for teachers will be fully funded, the Government said, with 525 million of additional funding for schools in 2023-24 and a further 900 million in 2024-25.

The Government set out some changes to raise around 1 billion of additional money to fund the rises, including increasing the immigrant health surcharge to 1,035.

Fees will be increased across a range of immigration and nationality routes, including a rise in the cost of work and visit visas by 15%, and increasing the cost of study visas, certificates of sponsorship, wider entry clearance, leave-to-remain and priority visas among others by at least 20%.

But the bulk of the money will have to come from existing budgets.

Mr Sunak said its not about cuts but about departments reprioritising.

We are asking departments to reprioritise to support public sector workers and that will mean in other areas  its not about cuts, its just about focusing on public sector workers pay rather than other things.

And Im really pleased that the teaching unions specifically have said that this pay offer is properly funded.

He insisted no cuts will need to be made in schools.

The Prime Minister and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan along with the leaders of the four education unions issued a joint statement setting out how the agreement could end strike action.

The statement said: The Government has committed that all schools will receive additional funding above what was proposed in March  building on the additional 2 billion given to schools in the Autumn Statement. The Government will also provide a hardship fund of up to 40 million to support those schools facing the greatest financial challenges.

ASCL, NAHT, NASUWT and NEU will now put this deal to members, with a recommendation to accept the STRB recommendation. This deal will allow teachers and school leaders to call off strike action and resume normal relations with government.
Irelands deputy premier has said the issue of an Irish airport being used as a stop-off to transport cluster bombs from the US to Ukraine doesnt arise.

Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister Micheal Martin said that Ireland remains opposed to cluster munitions, pointing out that it was a lead nation in the establishment of a global 2008 convention banning the weapons.

His comments come after the controversial decision by the US to provide Kyiv with cluster munitions; US president Joe Biden has defended the difficult decision to send the weapons to Ukraine to help in battling against an invasion by Russia.

When asked about the issue on Thursday, Mr Martin said the cluster munitions convention was adopted in Dublin in 2008, and he remembers convincing nations to sign up to it.

US President Joe Biden during his visit to Dublin (Liam McBurney/PA)

It was an outstanding diplomatic achievement by Ireland to have so many countries, over 120, I think signed eventually, he said.

I remember working with Gordon Brown at the time to get the UKs agreement to sign up to the banning of cluster munitions and I recall very well meeting many civilians from countries all over, Asia in particular: amputees, people with severe injuries as a result of cluster munitions that are left in the aftermath of battle, the aftermath of war, in childrens playgrounds and so on.

So, were opposed to the use of cluster munitions on the battlefield, that is Irelands position, that hasnt changed, and that will remain our position.

He said the possibility that they might be transported through Shannon doesnt arise.

No, I dont think that that issue arises.

In respect of any travel through Ireland or any flight (carrying munitions) coming through Ireland has to seek permission in the first instance.

The Tanaiste was speaking at a Defence Forces Open Day in Farmleigh House in Dublin to encourage people to join the Irish army.

Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Micheal Martin and Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lt Gen Sean Clancy chat to Irish soldiers (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA)

Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy said that recruitment is a challenge and that they have an all year round open recruitment campaign.

So were actively pursuing recruitment at the moment, in particular, in a very challenging environment where the highest levels of employment exists now in the state, and were in a competitive market as well.

He added: Were doing everything as well and to retain the people we have people that are highly valued with high levels of skills and competence that we train people and develop and nurture people within our organisation.

He said that some of the specific roles they are targeting for recruitment are medical corps and medical officers, and engineers.

We have a targeted campaign around specialists required in the naval service right now, for instance, weve a targeted campaign in terms of equitation There are specialist areas as well within growing areas of interest, if you like, demanded by the security environment that exists today, such as cyber.
The number of scientific procedures carried out on live animals last year fell by 10%, new data shows.

Across Great Britain some 2.76 million tests were carried out on animals in 2022  down from 3.06 million  representing the lowest number since 2002.

Data from the Home Office shows that experimental procedures (1.51 million) fell by 12% and made up 55% of all procedures last year.

Procedures for creation and breeding of genetically altered (GA) animals (1.25 million) fell by 6% since 2021.

The data for England, Scotland and Wales shows that the majority (96%) of procedures used mice, fish, birds or rats.

For more than a decade these species have been the most used.

According to the data, testing on specially protected species (cats, dogs, horses and non-human primates) accounted for use in 0.97% of experimental procedures in 2022.

Nic Wells, professor in translational medicine at the Royal Veterinary College, and chair of the Animals Sciences Group, Royal Society of Biology, said: The decrease in the number of animal procedures likely reflects a number of interacting factors.

These factors may include a decrease in research funding, particularly from the charity sector, and an increasing focus on the use of non-animal alternatives.

Additionally, it should be noted that, especially in the case of the generation and breeding of GA animals, a high proportion of procedures did not actually reach the threshold for pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm equivalent to, or greater than, the insertion of a hypodermic needle in accordance with good veterinary practice.

Only a very small proportion of the procedures involved severe suffering.

Experimental procedures were conducted for the purposes of basic research and the development of treatments, safety testing of pharmaceuticals and other substances.

Around half (53%) were for basic research, and the top three research areas were the nervous system, the immune system and cancer.

Today, the annual statistics of scientific procedures on living animals in Great Britain in 2022 have been released. The total number of procedures on animals in 2022 was 2,761,204, which is a 10% decrease from 2021. #AnimalStats #AnimalResearchhttps://t.co/ZKq3bTfbob pic.twitter.com/svD5Xv4DkC  Understanding Animal Research (@animalresearch) July 13, 2023

Some animals may be used more than once in certain circumstances so the number of procedures carried out in a year does not equal the number of animals used.

The figures show that after 2001, procedures increased, reaching a peak of 4.14 million in 2015, and then started to decrease again to 2.88 million in 2020.

This may be partly explained by national lockdowns in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which may have affected the activity of the establishments.

Looking at the countries individually, the number of procedures in England and Scotland fell by 10% and 7% respectively in the last year, while the number of procedures undertaken in establishments in Wales increased by 1% compared with 2021.

Understanding Animal Research (UAR), an organisation which promotes open communications on the issue, said animal testing is a small but important part of the research into new medicines, vaccines and treatments for humans and animals.

It said that 82% of procedures caused pain equivalent to, or less than, an injection.

Ten organisations accounted for more than half (52%) of all animal research in Britain last year, according to UAR.

They were the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, the Francis Crick Institute, University of Edinburgh, UCL, the Medical Research Council, Kings College London, University of Glasgow, University of Manchester, and Imperial College London.

UAR has also produced a list of 64 organisations in the UK that have publicly shared their 2022 animal research statistics.

Wendy Jarrett, chief executive of UAR, which developed the Concordat on Openness, said: Animal research remains a small but vital part of the quest for new medicines, vaccines and treatments for humans and animals.

Alternative methods are gradually being phased in, but until we have sufficient reliable alternatives available, it is important that organisations that use animals in research maintain the publics trust in them.

By providing this level of information about the numbers of animals used, and the experience of those animals, as well as details of the medical breakthroughs that derive from this research, these Concordat signatories are helping the public to make up their own minds about how they feel about the use of animals in scientific research in Great Britain.

Dr Emma Grange, Cruelty Free Internationals director of science and regulatory affairs, said: We welcome these latest statistics which indicate that the trend continues, with 10% fewer tests recorded for 2022.

Yet there is definitely more to be done, and we can do much better than this very gradual reduction.

Our work can continue to help drive these numbers down, and we need the Government, regulators and researchers to be proactive in ensuring that this progress not only continues but accelerates.

The Government must honour the Home Secretarys commitment towards developing alternatives to animal testing.
A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, attendig the test-firing of a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), at an undisclosed location in North Korea, July 12. Yonhap



The announcement came after the North test-fired a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) toward the East Sea on Wednesday. It marked the North's second solid-propellant ICBM launch following its first test-firing on April 13.



The missile launch came amid rising tensions after Pyongyang accused U.S. spy planes of "intruding" into the airspace over its exclusive economic zone and had warned it would take counteractions.



Officials in Seoul said South Korea will attend as an interested party for the UNSC meeting, as it is closely coordinating with countries like the United States and Japan over the matter.



"We call for a firm and united response from the UNSC to North Korea's repeated violations of UNSC resolutions," the official said.



North Korea is banned from any launch using ballistic missile technology under UNSC sanctions.



The UNSC meeting is taking place at the request of the U.S., France, Japan, Albania, Malta and the United Kingdom, according to a Reuters report.



South Korea is currently not one of the UNSC non-permanent members. The five permanent members are the U.S., China, France, Russia and Britain. (Yonhap)


The UK has accused Russia of cynical brinkmanship over threats to collapse a deal that allows Ukraine grain to be exported to countries at risk of famine.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative is a deal negotiated with Kyiv and Moscow by Turkey and the United Nations in July 2022 to ease a global food crisis, allowing agricultural produce from the wartorn nations southern ports to be shipped out without fear of attack.

It came with a separate agreement with Russia to facilitate shipments of its food and fertiliser, which have been exempted from Western sanctions regimes applied since the invasion started more than 500 days ago.

The agreement has helped to lower global prices of food commodities such as wheat after they surged to record highs following Russian president Vladimir Putins attack last year, with grain prices spiking from 750 US dollars (570) per bushel pre-invasion to 1,350 (1,027) in March 2022.

The deal has been extended every three months but Moscow has signalled that it does not intend to continue the accord when it comes up for renewal for a fourth time next week.

Dame Barbara Woodward, the UKs permanent representative to the UN in New York, told reporters: This is a particularly tough moment because we have seen at every renewal point, including this one, that the Russian approach is simply cynical brinkmanship.

In Istanbul, they slow roll the inspections of the grain ships, bringing down the amount of grain that goes out. Then, by signalling that they are considering refusing to renew the deal, they are also affecting global grain prices.

Russia has claimed that they are withdrawing because their side of the deal on food and fertiliser export problems is not being upheld. That is patently untrue.

They are actually getting more grain and fertiliser out of Novorossiysk into export markets than they were before Putin launched his war against Ukraine.

The ambassador said that, should the deal collapse, cargo ships carrying grain out of Ukraine could be under threat of attack by the Russians.

Global food prices reached a record high in March 2022. The UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Deal brought them back down. Russia is holding the deal hostage. Grain exports under the deal have fallen to less than 1/3 as Russia slow-rolls inspections. People will suffer as a result. pic.twitter.com/hBo4zlp72I  UK at the UN  (@UKUN_NewYork) July 3, 2023

Speaking on Thursday, she said the initiative had led to 33 million tonnes of grain and food exports leaving Ukraine, with the majority going to areas of the globe struggling with nutrition supplies.

About 61% of that has gone to low and middle income countries, or 65% if you look at wheat alone, Dame Barbara said.

So almost two-thirds is going to key markets where famine is a threat or food insecurity is a threat.

Some of the grain released from Black Sea ports has been purchased by the World Food Programme and shipped into places such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan  countries that Dame Barbara described as being on UN famine watch.

Russia insists the agreement has not worked for its own exports, blaming Western sanctions for hindering financing and insurance.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: At the moment, unfortunately, we dont see any particular grounds for extending this deal.

Andrew Clark, head of the Foreign Offices Grain Cell unit, said negotiations with Moscow over previous renewals had often gone down to the wire.

Nonetheless, we are increasingly pessimistic about the progress of negotiations for this renewal, he said at a briefing.

Western sources told the PA news agency that the Kremlin was acting more recklessly ahead of Tuesdays renewal deadline.

Russian President Vladimir Putins administration appears reluctant to renew the Black Sea grain terms (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP/PA)

Every 120 days we go through this and the Russians are masters of this sort of brinkmanship and they absolutely dont care whether they are playing with human life or not, said a source.

I think the mood music around this is different and darker this time than it was on the previous three renewals. Russia is playing much more recklessly in terms of brinkmanship.

One of the conditions the Kremlin has placed on signing up again is for a pipeline carrying ammonia, a key ingredient in fertiliser, between Tolyatti and Odesa to be repaired.

But Dame Barbara said the pipeline damage means it would be impossible to bring it on-stream and that the final stretch runs through territory which is now part of the front line.

There are also understood to be concerns in the West that Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan might not have the same influence over Russias leader as he exerted last summer during the brokering of the grain deal.

Mr Putin reportedly was angered by Turkey after it freed commanders of the Ukrainian Azov Regiment that were being held under a prisoner swap deal.

Ankara had originally said the defenders of Mariupol would be kept in Turkey until the end of the war but a video released last week showed them being welcomed back to Ukraine by the countrys president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Alternatives to shipping grain out of Ukraine involve using rail routes and canals but both modes are more expensive and can handle less cargo volume than sea vessels.
A trade union umbrella body has warned of a carnival of industrial unrest in Northern Ireland this autumn if the pay of public sector workers in the region falls behind the rest of the UK.

The NIC/Ictu was responding after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak offered public sector workers in England pay rises of up to 7%.

Public sector pay decisions in Northern Ireland are devolved to ministers at Stormont, but the powersharing institutions are currently not operating due to a DUP protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements.

In addition, Stormont departments are facing substantial budget pressures and it has been previously stated that any new money for pay deals which passes to Northern Ireland through Barnett consequentials would have to be used to pay off a Stormont overspend from previous years.

Dr Tom Black of the BMA has called for an urgent meeting with NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris over pay (BMA NI/PA)

The chairman of the BMA in Northern Ireland, Dr Tom Black, has called for an urgent meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris and for Stormont to return to ensure a full pay restoration in the region.

Health workers, teachers and some civil servants in Northern Ireland have been involved in industrial action in recent months amid ongoing disputes about wages and conditions.

The Prime Minister said on Thursday he had accepted the recommendations from pay review bodies, including 6.5% increases for teachers in England for 2023-24.

Junior doctors will receive 6% rises, along with an additional consolidated 1,250 increase.

Hospital consultants will receive a 6% rise.

There is to be a 7% rise for police officers and prison officers in the operational bands will receive an increase of 7%, with larger rises for support grades and 5% for managers and governors.

Senior civil servants in England will receive a 5.5% rise.

@GMurphyAGS"Improved pay offers for PS workers in Eng/Wales. What about workers here?Will NI public servants continue to fall further behind? If that is allowed to happen then Autumn will be a carnival of industrial unrest. Can we afford that?" https://t.co/ndwVY2JaJg  NIC ICTU (@NIC_ICTU) July 13, 2023

As the pay awards were announced, a tweet from NIC/Ictu stated: Improved pay offers for PS workers in Eng/Wales.

What about workers here?

Will NI public servants continue to fall further behind?

If that is allowed to happen then autumn will be a carnival of industrial unrest.

Can we afford that?

Londonderry GP Dr Black said: The BMA in Northern Ireland is deeply concerned at the budget situation in Northern Ireland.

We have been told that there is no funding for a pay uplift to be awarded.

We have written to the Secretary of State and all of the local party leaders to clearly and categorically state that this situation is completely unacceptable.

He added: We will continue to seek an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State.

We urge our local politicians to get back to work and engage with the BMA as soon as the assembly is restored to ensure funding is ringfenced so the uplift can be paid as soon as possible, but to also make a commitment to full pay restoration in Northern Ireland.
Unions have won a significant victory after challenging law changes they said let agencies supply employers with workers to fill in for striking staff, a lawyer says.

More than 10 unions, including Aslef, Unite and Usdaw, took High Court action against the Conservative Government and claimed that the changes undermined the right to strike.

They argued that the 2022 Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations were unlawful.

Ministers disputed the unions claims.

A judge on Thursday ruled against the Government and quashed the 2022 regulations.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the judgment was a total vindication for unions and workers (Jacob King/PA)

Mr Justice Linden had considered arguments from lawyers representing the TUC, unions and the Government at a High Court hearing in May.

The decision to implement the regulations was taken when Kwasi Kwarteng was business secretary, lawyers said.

Lawyer Richard Arthur, who represented the TUC and unions, hailed a significant victory for the entire trade union movement.

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said the ruling was a badge of shame for the Conservatives.

This is a significant victory for the entire trade union movement and preserves a vital safeguard in ensuring the right to participate in industrial action is effective, said Mr Arthur, who is based at Thompsons Solicitors.

The judgment makes clear that the then Secretary of State had a staggering disregard to his legal obligations when introducing legislation that enabled employers to engage agency workers to cover the duties of striking workers. He was driven solely by a political ideology to meet a self-imposed deadline to implement the regulations in the face of mounting industrial action across the country.

He took this decision notwithstanding advice he received that it was likely to be counter-productive to the problem he wanted to address and was being rushed through without regard for the duty to consult, which was a fundamental legal requirement.

This is bad law-making made on the hoof and the court has rightly held the Government to account.

Mr Nowak said: This defeat is a badge of shame for the Conservatives, who have been found guilty of breaching the law.

Bringing in less-qualified agency staff to deliver important services risks endangering public safety, worsening disputes and poisoning industrial relations.

The Government railroaded through this law change despite widespread opposition from agency employers and unions.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: This is a total vindication for unions and workers. The Governments decision to allow employers to recruit agency workers to undermine legal strike action was a cynical move to back their friends in business and weaken workers legal rights to withdraw their labour.

It was entirely counterproductive as, rather than weaken industrial action, it has hardened attitudes and unnecessarily extended strikes. This ill-thought out, divisive legislation must be consigned to the dustbin of history.

Barrister Daniel Stilitz KC, who led the Governments legal , had told the judge that the law change was modest.

Mr Justice Linden said, in a written ruling published online, that Mr Kwarteng had precious little information when he made the decision on the regulations.

The judge said he was not sufficiently interested even to ask to see an analysis by a civil servant.

He said the decision was to proceed at exceptional speed despite the civil servants concerns about the effect on Parliamentary scrutiny and without any further consultation at all.

This was not an all or nothing decision: there could have been a shortened consultation, and/or one with a more limited group of consultees, said the judge.

There is no sign that this option was even considered.

This was despite the lack of an impact assessment at the time of the decision, and despite the evidence available to Mr Kwarteng being that the measure would have negligible beneficial impact in the short term and, quite possibly, an adverse impact on the Governments ability to settle ongoing industrial disputes.

A spokesman for Thompsons Solicitors, which represented the TUC and unions, said after the ruling: Mr Justice Linden found that the government had acted unlawfully in not consulting with the unions.

A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said later: We are disappointed with the High Courts decision as we believed the decision to repeal the ban on agency workers covering strikes complied with our legal obligations.

The ability to strike is important, but we maintain there needs to be a reasonable balance between this and the rights of businesses and the public.

We will consider the judgment and next steps carefully.
Two firefighters were shot inside a Birmingham, Alabama, fire station Wednesday in what police say may be a targeted attack.

Firefighter Jordan Melton was hospitalized in critical condition and firefighter Jamal Jones is listed in serious condition, Birmingham police said.

PHOTO: Birmingham firefighter Jordan Melton was injured in a shooting on July 12, 2023, in Birmingham, Ala. (Birmingham Fire and Rescue)

PHOTO: Birmingham firefighter Jamal Jones was injured in a shooting on July 12, 2023, in Birmingham, Ala. (Birmingham Fire and Rescue)

MORE: Law enforcement line-of-duty deaths decrease by 66% in 2023

About three firefighters were at the station at the time of the shooting, which took place at about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday near the station's bay doors, police said.

The suspect and motive are unknown, police said, adding that it's "extremely unusual for someone to come target one of our fire stations."

PHOTO: Police investigate the shooting of two firefighters at a fire station in Birmingham, Ala., July 12, 2023. (Birmingham Police Department)

PHOTO: Police respond to a firehouse where two firefighters were shot in Birmingham, Ala., July 12, 2023. (WBMA)

A $15,000 reward has been offered for information in the case.

PHOTO: Police respond to a firehouse where two firefighters were shot in Birmingham, Ala., July 12, 2023. (WBMA)

2 Birmingham firefighters shot in potentially targeted attack, suspect at large: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Nearly three weeks after the Wagner mutiny was quelled in a mere 24 hours, there's a "significant amount of friction and confusion" at the highest levels of the Russian military, U.S. Gen. Mark Milley said Thursday.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters traveling with him in Asia that it's not clear how that turmoil will impact fighting conditions, but he expects it to continue for a while.

"There's a lot of drama going on at the very senior levels,'' Milley said. "How that's all going to play out at the end of the day? I'm not so sure yet. I don't think we're done with it. I think there's many more chapters to be heard on that."

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Russia's shakeup following a revolt that faced little opposition is larger than previously known, and it includes the interrogation of at least 13 senior officers as well as the dismissal or suspension of about 15.

Among those detained and questioned has been Gen. Sergey Surovikin, the newspaper said, adding that he remains in custody but has not been charged with a crime. Formerly Russia's top commander in Ukraine and still the leader of the aerospace force, Surovikin is believed to have known about the insurrection ahead of time. He hasn't been seen publicly since the rebellion was suppressed June 24.

The removal of officers suspected of disloyalty is only part of the upheaval in the upper ranks. An Ukrainian strike Tuesday killed Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov, deputy commander of the Russian Southern Military District, in the occupied city of Berdyansk in the critical Zaporizhzhia province.

Now another top commander is accusing Russian leaders of turning their back on the soldiers. In a voice recording released late Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov said he was fired as head of Russias 58th Combined Arms Army in Zaporizhzhia for voicing his concerns about battlefield problems to the military brass.

"The Ukrainian army could not break through our ranks at the front but our senior chief hit us from the rear, viciously beheading the army at the most difficult and intense moment," Popov said.

A Ukrainian army Grad multiple rocket launcher fires rockets at Russian positions in the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Zelenskyy's anger Zelenskyy's anger over 'absurd' lack of timeline jars NATO summit: Live Ukraine updates

Developments:

President Joe Biden said he is "serious about doing all we can," including a prisoner exchange, to free Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, held in Russia for more than three months on espionage charges the media outlet and the U.S. government have rejected as bogus.

Russian President Vladimir Putin again threatened to pull out of the Black Sea grain deal, which expires Monday, if his country's demands are not met, the state-run TASS news agency reported. The agreement allows Ukraine to export agricultural goods, and Russia claims the sale of its own such products has been hampered by sanctions.

Russian attack drones and missiles swept over Kyiv hours after Wednesday's conclusion of NATO's summit in Lithuania. Most were shot down, but debris killed at least one person and injured several others, Ukraine authorities said.

Turkey's release of five decorated Ukraine commanders may doom talks aimed at extending a deal expiring Monday that allows grain to be shipped out of Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry warned.

Polish Army veteran Slawomir Wysocki, 50, places the country's flag at a memorial site in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, to honor a Polish paramedic killed in Ukraine's war against Russia.

Biden: 'No possibility' of Russia winning war in Ukraine

There is "no possibility" of Russia winning the war in Ukraine, and the war won't drag on for years because Moscow can't maintain it, Biden said Thursday. Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin ultimately will decide it's not in Russia's best interest politically or economically to keep fighting, which should allow for a negotiated peace.

But no country, including Ukraine, can join NATO while fighting a war because that "guarantees that we're in a war, and we're in a third world war," Biden said during his visit to Finland, the alliance's newest member. He said Ukraine continues to make progress on democratic and security reforms required of all NATO members.

Peace and security in Ukraine and all of Europe is crucial for the U.S., Biden said.

"The decisions we make now are going to determine the course of history for the next four, five, six decades," he said. "We showed the world our alliance is more united than ever."

Russia calls F-16s in Ukraine's hands a nuclear threat

Moscow considers the proposed transfer of U.S.-built F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine a nuclear threat fraught with catastrophic consequences that creates the risk of a direct armed clash with NATO, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Thursday.

F-16s are capable of firing tactical nuclear weapons, and Lavrov said that in the course of hostilities the Russian military would be unable to determine whether F-16s it encounters are so equipped.

The very fact of the appearance (of F-16s) in the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be considered by us as a threat from the West in the nuclear sphere, Lavrov told the Russian news website Lent.ru.

Almost a dozen NATO nations have agreed to provide F-16 training for Ukraine pilots, expected to begin next month in Denmark and Romania. No formal plan for providing the planes to Ukraine have been announced, but the White House has said it would support transfer of the planes to Ukraine by European allies that already have them.

"The United States and its NATO satellites create risks of a direct armed clash with Russia, and this is fraught with catastrophic consequences, Lavrov said.

Cluster bombs will only be used to liberate territory, Ukraine says

The controversial cluster munitions the U.S. is supplying have arrived in Ukraine, the Pentagon said Thursday.

The weapons, bombs that open in the air and release lots of smaller bomblets, are banned by more than 120 nations because up to 40% of the smaller ones fail to explode  according to the Red Cross  leading to civilian injuries and deaths long after the conflict is over. The U.S. says the type sent to Ukraine have a lower failure rate.

The cluster bombs will only be used to break through defenses in areas of heavy Russian concentration, not in densely populated areas or inside Russia, Ukraine military spokesman Valery Shershen told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. He also said they would be used exclusively "for the de-occupation of our territories.''

Speaking on Russian TV, Putin contended Western weapons won't alter the war's direction, saying they do inflict some damage but nothing critical is happening to the Russian forces.

Moscow downplays NATO summit, war struggles

Moscow's "muted response" to the NATO summit in Lithuania continues the recurring theme of downplaying setbacks on the battlefield and the diplomatic arena, the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War says in its most recent assessment of the conflict. The invasion ostensibly aims at "liberating" Ukraine's Donbas region and halting the spread of NATO. The Russian military, however, has struggled to hold territory it seized in the early days of the war. And NATO has added Finland, which shares a border of more than 800 miles with Russia, with neighbor Sweden also poised to join the alliance.

"The lack of general outcry within the Russian information space regarding developments at the NATO summit, as well as Finlands NATO accession and Turkeys agreement to forward Swedens (NATO) accession protocol, likely indicates that the Kremlin has internalized these defeats and desires to avoid dwelling on them," the assessment says.

Biden says support for Ukraine will not waver. Will Congress keep providing funds?

After promising more U.S. military support for Ukraine at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Biden now must convince Congress to help pay for it. NATO allies and G7 nations agreed on new long-term security guarantees to Ukraine and assured Kyiv of a path into the military alliance, though they fell short of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's request for a clear timeline for NATO ascension. Biden said in a speech from Vilnius that the United Sates' commitment to Ukraine "will not weaken."

But skepticism is also growing in Congress, where some Republicans are threatening to strip money for Ukraine from a defense spending bill expected to provide Kyiv with crucial billions in additional military assistance.

"There's been zero accountability, zero strategy and zero plan to end the conflict from the Biden Administration," said Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C. Read more here.

 Miles J. Herszenhorn

Biden: Support for Ukraine won't waver Congress and voters are having second thoughts.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine war updates: Friction and confusion roil Russian military
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is running for president in 2024, spoke out Wednesday against the Biden administrations decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, joining former President Trump in opposing the move.

Would you support sending cluster bombs to Ukraine, like some of the other Republican candidates, or are you opposed to it? host Howie Carr asked DeSantis in an interview on The Howie Carr Show.

I dont want to do anything thats gonna escalate this conflict. I think that right now you have an open-ended blank check. Theres no clear objective for victory. And this is kind of dragging on and on, DeSantis said, adding that the danger is this could escalate or end up just going on for years.

So, yes or no to cluster bombs if you were president? Carr pressed the Florida governor.

I would not do that, no. I think it runs, I think it probably runs a risk of escalation. Basically what I said from the beginning is no weapons that could lead to attacks inside Russia or escalating the conflict. We cannot become involved in this directly, DeSantis said.

The administration last week announced plans to provide Ukraine with the controversial weapons. The bombs contain several submunitions that can lay dormant after theyve been deployed, posing risks to civilians.

President Biden, who is running for reelection in 2024, defended the call, saying it was a very difficult decision and explaining that a factor is the Ukrainians are running out of ammunition.

Trump, who lost his reelection bid to Biden in 2020 and is running for another four years in the White House in 2024, said this week that Biden should not be dragging us further toward World War III by sending cluster munitions to Ukraine.

DeSantis, who has been polling as a top Republican contender after Trump, also raised concerns in the Wednesday interview that sending the weapons to Ukraine could diminish our own stockpiles and prevent us from being able to respond to exigencies around the world.

What if something happens in the Indo-Pacific? What, we just dont have an ability to respond? So theres a whole host of things around the world that weve got to be concerned with and I think Biden is ignoring a lot of other threats, DeSantis said.

Trumps former Vice President Mike Pence has backed the Biden administrations move. He told Fox Newss Americas Newsroom that he welcomes the decision to send cluster munitions, and that the U.S.s interest is to give the Ukrainian military the means to repel Russian aggression.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Fran Drescher, the Screen Actors Guild president, gave an impassioned speech as the union representing roughly 160,000 Hollywood performers voted to strike. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher was front and center at Thursdays press conference announcing that Hollywoods core acting union would go on strike, blasting the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) behavior during weeks of failed negotiations as disgusting, throwing in a Shame on you for good measure.

The Nanny and Hotel Transylvania actress also found herself on the defensive, however, days after drawing intense criticism for a making a weekend trip to Italy for a Dolce & Gabbana promotional event  and snapping a tone deaf selfie with Kim Kardashian, posted to the influencers Instagram account  as the deadline neared for a SAG-AFTRA work stoppage. Hollywood fumes at union head Fran Drescher for Italy photo with Kim Kardashian as strike looms, read a headline in the New York Post, quoting tweets from a handful of angry actors.

(Photo: Kim Kardashian/Instagram)

Drescher addressed the kerfuffle when asked about it during Thursdays press conference.

Im a brand ambassador for a fashion company and so is Kim, she explained. I had only met Kim seconds before that publicity picture was taken. It had nothing to do with being at a party or having fun, it was absolute work. I was in hair and makeup three hours a day, walking in heels on cobblestones, doing things like that, which is work, not fun. Im sure Kim would have rather been at her home in Malibu with her children too. But we work. Thats what we do.

And at 10:30 at night, I would leave the event, I would go to my hotel, and I would call into the Zoom. And when I couldnt get through to them because I was on a plane, I was texting with [SAG-AFTRA national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland] constantly throughout the plane ride. I worked around the clock in three different time zones.

(Center L-R) Frances Fisher, Ben Whitehair, Frances Fisher, Fran Drescher, Joely Fisher, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, Michael Gaston, Michelle Hurd and SAG-AFTRA members are seen as the SAG-AFTRA National Board holds a press conference on July 13, 2023 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Drescher then referenced a small army of SAG-AFTRA members standing behind her, adding, So you know, I think all of the people behind me stand behind me, drawing cheers from the supporters.

Crabtree-Ireland also fiercely defended Drescher when the criticism was brought up by a reporter, who noted attempts to discredit the presidents commitment to the union.

I want to say it is outrageous that they would do that, Crabtree-Ireland said.

What Fran was doing was Fran was working, which is what our members do. And for these employers to cynically try to turn our members against Fran because she was doing a job, which she was under contract to do, while, by the way, she was Zooming into our negotiations after work hours, working 18 hours or more a day, it is outrageous. It is wrong, its despicable, and they should be ashamed of it.

WATCH: SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher slams studios when announcing actors' strike
House consideration of the annual defense authorization bill is likely to be kicked into next week as House Republicans battle over which controversial amendments will get votes on the floor.

The extended timeline is just the latest reflection of the challenges facing Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and GOP leaders as they race to iron out internal differences and unite as a party to pass their top policy priorities with a pencil-thin majority in the lower chamber.

Up to now, the focus of the divisions has been on issues related to spending, as members of the hard-right Freedom Caucus have jousted with more moderate Republicans over the size and scope of the federal government.

The current fight involves the same players but different concerns, focused on culture war issues like abortion and wokeness, which have split the ideological wings of the conference and extended the debate on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which GOP leaders had hoped to pass this week.

Reps. Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), two hard-line conservatives who also sit on the House Rules Committee, each said Wednesday that they do not expect final passage of the defense bill this week.

Were not gonna get the NDAA wrapped up I dont think by like Friday, right, Roy said. So the point is we got to work through this and figure out whether we can get agreement and everything, you know, in the rule and everything here in the next couple days.

I would put the odds, if I had to bet on this Id say itd be next week, Norman  a self-proclaimed betting man  echoed regarding final passage of the defense bill.

Passage of the annual NDAA has historically been a routine, if tedious, process  one that invites plenty of debate and amendments, but also widespread bipartisan support in a Congress where the military is largely revered.

But the arrival of new Pentagon policies under the Biden administration  which have touched on social issues like climate, LGBT rights and abortion  combined with the ongoing battle between McCarthy and his conservative critics have altered the dynamics of this years debate.

Abortion, transgender, DEI, climate change  All that stuff, social engineering stuff, needs to be addressed, Roy said. There are amendments to address it. The question is, when will they be voted on, how will they be voted on. And then, you know, thirdly is Ukraine. Thats a whole other issue.

The fight has defense hawks worried.

A small group of people isnt just saying we want to vote on things that we care about. They want to say, If we dont get what we want, well tear the whole thing down, said Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee.

Pressed by a reporter on whether he was concerned about the bill passing, he responded, Absolutely, I think its more likely than not right now that it wont pass.

The committee-passed version of the NDAA, which moved through the Armed Services Committee by a 58-to-1 vote in June, already bans drag shows and any training that promotes critical race theory.

But it does not reverse a Pentagon policy to reimburse service members for travel expenses if they get abortions, a major concern for some conservatives. Others want to go further to gut diversity and inclusion programs, and Ukraine is another massive target for the hard-liners.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), for instance, is pushing an amendment to eliminate $300 million in new Ukraine funding, which is provided in the committee-passed bill. She called Ukraine funding a red line, and warned that if her proposal does not receive a separate vote she might vote against the procedural rule to allow consideration of the bill.

Conservatives used the tactical move of voting against rules to grind floor action to a halt last month. While they ultimately relented, they also hinted they could use the tactic again if McCarthy crossed them.

Greene has also introduced several other amendments that include blocking the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

Also complicating the timeline has been the sheer volume of proposed amendments. Lawmakers in both parties have submitted more than 1,500 amendments to the bill in the House Rules Committee  a massive number for the panels members to sort through to weed out redundancies, verify relevance to issues of defense and more generally seek ways to expedite the process.

The Rules Committee Tuesday made an unusual procedural move to allow floor consideration for nearly 300 noncontroversial amendments while Republicans hash out remaining issues on more touchy provisions. A bulk of those passed Wednesday by voice vote.

But the committee will have to meet again to craft another rule that decides which controversial amendments will get votes, and to allow the bill to move to final passage.

The trouble for House GOP leaders as they negotiate amendments is that they are likely to need Democratic support to pass the NDAA, given the partys slim majority and history of many members voting against the NDAA in the past.

If approved, the hot-button conservative amendments could be poison pills for the bill.

If some of those amendments pass, I think all Democrats will oppose it, Smith said.

But House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) downplayed the difficulties of passing an NDAA with any of those amendments approved.

If [an amendment] passes with Republican votes, if it becomes part of the NDAA, were gonna pass it with 218. That is our goal, Emmer said.

Smith is also not thrilled about the prospect of delays.

The longer you delay the tougher it is to pass it, Smith said.

But conservatives welcome the delay.

The NDAA doesnt have to pass this week. Why are we rushing through this? said Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), chairman of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus. Id like to see it be right and righteous.

McCarthy said Tuesday that he had not put a timeline on the NDAAs passage.

Its not how you start, its how you finish. We want to finish right, McCarthy said.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) similarly downplayed the prospect of extended NDAA consideration.

If we can finish it all this week, we will. And if it takes more time, well take it right, Scalise said Wednesday during a press conference. The most important thing is that we get the policy right.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Congress consideration of the defense budget now includes a debate on whether the United States should be a member of NATO, which it helped found after World War II to protect Europe from Russian aggression.

The Senate and House will consider amendments on their own versions of the National Defense Authorization Act that could force the countrys withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or lock it in indefinitely, barring an act of Congress.

During his administration, former president Donald Trump reportedly discussed withdrawing from the organization. On Tuesday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, an influential member of House leadership, introduced an amendment to the House bill that would direct the president to withdraw from the international military alliance. And on Wednesday, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) reintroduced legislation to prohibit any U.S. president from withdrawing from NATO without Senate approval or an Act of Congress.

Norfolk is home to the only NATO headquarters on U.S. soil, and the outcome could have a significant effect on Hampton Roads. While NATOs presence in Norfolk dates to 1952, the Allied Command Transformation was established June 19, 2003, following a restructuring in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. For the past two decades, the Norfolk-based alliance has led NATOs development of new warfighting capabilities through scientific research, experimentation and technological development.

Kaine said there has been some ambiguity surrounding the countrys partnership with NATO, referencing a statement made by a cabinet secretary to President Donald Trump.

Cabinet Secretary (Mark) Esper indicated that it was President Trumps desire to exit NATO if he were to have a second term as president. Its very important that we send a message to NATO allies and those who rely upon NATO support, that no matter how the 2024 presidential election comes out, no president of either party at any time can withdraw from NATO without congressional authorization, Kaine said Wednesday.

But in outlining her reasoning for an amendment to the Houses version of the defense spending bill, Greene said NATO is not a reliable partner whose defense spending should be paid for by American citizens.

The House will consider Greenes amendment, along with approximately 1,000 others, this week. Both of the Republican House members who represent parts of Hampton Roads, Rob Wittman and Jen Kiggans, indicated Wednesday that they support a continued partnership with NATO.

Rep. Wittman has always been a strong supporter of NATO, which plays a vital role in promoting democratic values around the globe. This alliance is more relevant than ever as Europe unites to counter Russias senseless war of aggression in Ukraine. Virginia is proud to be NATOs home in North America with its presence in Norfolk, and the United States is safer because of our role as a leader in NATO, said Julianne Heberlein, communications director for Wittman.

Congresswoman Kiggans is a staunch supporter of the NATO Alliance and its positive impact on global security. She will continue to be a loud voice for strong national security and a unified global defense in Congress, said Reilly Richardson, press secretary for Kiggans.

In a statement to The Virginian-Pilot on Wednesday, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) called Greenes amendment ludicrous and completely disconnect from reality.

NATO stands for democracy, peace, and strategic coordination with our closest allies around the globe  crucial work that actually happens in large part at the NATO Allied Command Transformation in Hampton Roads. Particularly now, amid heightened Russian aggression and an increasingly antagonistic China, we need to bring our allies closer, not push them away, Warner said in an emailed statement.

Meanwhile, Kaines version of the amendment would require the president to seek the advice and consent of the Senate before suspending or withdrawing U.S. membership from NATO.

The amendment circulating the senate has received bipartisan support and was co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. Kaines bill was first introduced last year, passing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with a 20 to 1 vote.

But I could never maneuver it for action on the Senate floor. But because the vote was so bipartisan, I wanted to do it again this year as a way of sending a strong message that Congress is very much supportive of U.S. NATO leadership and the incredible work NATO has been doing, particularly in the war in Ukraine, Kaine said.

The Senate will consider the amendment next week.

Caitlyn Burchett, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com
A man sits in front of a COVID-19 testing center at Incheon International Airport in this March 29 photo. Yonhap



By Jun Ji-hye



Korea will no longer require arrivals to the country to register their health information on pre-entry quarantine information system, known as Q-Code, concerning COVID-19 and mpox, beginning Saturday.



Still, temperature checks will continue to see if travelers show symptoms associated with the two diseases, according to a statement from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Thursday.



The KDCA announced that it decided to lift all quarantine management zones related to the two diseases, as cases of the diseases and death rates have stabilized.



In July 2020, Korea designated all countries around the world as quarantine management zones due to COVID-19.



Korea has also designated 47 countries including some nations in Europe and the Americas as quarantine management zones in relation to mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.



The KDCA said that the number of deaths from COVID-19 has remained low, though a daily average of new infections for the first week of July was tallied at 21,858, up 25 percent from the previous week.



It added the number of mpox patients has decreased around the world, and most of the patients have shown mild symptoms.



The Q-Code system has been used to report travelers' health conditions to local authorities before they board a flight to Korea.



The KDCA added that the Q-Code will continue to be required for other infectious diseases, such as the Ebola virus disease.



Currently, Uganda and Congo are designated as quarantine management zones for Ebola virus disease, while some areas in China and Cambodia are for avian influenza. Thirteen nations including Saudi Arabia and Israel are for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and 26 countries including India and the Philippines are for cholera.


Police identified a convicted felon as the man who shot and killed three men Wednesday morning in Daytona Beach.

Jerome Lloyd Anderson, 38, called 911 at around 6:30 a.m. to report that he had shot someone, claiming he was defending himself, said Daytona Beach Police Deputy Chief Jennifer Whittet at a press conference.

Daytona Beach police say a man was shot and killed in the kitchen of this home in the 600 block of Park Drive in Daytona Beach on Wednesday. Two other men were also killed.

Shootings occurred at 3 locations

The shootings took place at three separate locations in the area of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Park Drive.

The first victim, Antoine Desmond Melvin, 42, who lived with Anderson at 613 Park Drive, was located in the kitchen dead from multiple gunshot wounds. The second victim, John Burch, 65, was located dead in the street in front of 614 Park Drive. He was also shot multiple times, Whittet said.

Evidence markers were set up on Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard as Daytona Beach police investigators and a medical examiner work the scene of a fatal shooting of three people, Wednesday July 12, 2023.

Anderson was identified as the shooter by a witness in both incidents, according to a police report.

The third victim, Patrick Lassiter, 35, a transient, was found in the roadway at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Park Drive. He was also shot multiple times. He was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center where he died, investigators said.

Detectives obtained video surveillance from the convenience store located at the scene of the shooting that shows Lassiter walking backward in the roadway with his hands up and Anderson running toward him. Anderson fires a handgun, Lassiter falls, and Anderson shoots him again as he lay on the ground, according to an arrest affidavit.

Shootings rock Daytona Daytona Beach police chief addresses rash of shootings in the city, promotes collaboration

Anderson was charged with three counts of first-degree premeditated murder and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Whittet said Anderson faces additional charges as they have learned of a fourth person who was shot at on the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Park Drive, but was not hit.

An evidence marker sits beside a spent shell casing at the scene of a triple murder on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive on Wednesday July 12, 2023.

Shooter holding a cell phone and a gun

When officers arrived at the scene of the shooting, they found Anderson standing in front of 613 Park Drive holding a cell phone in one hand and a black semi-automatic handgun in the other.

When Anderson was detained, police learned he had an open warrant for his arrest on charges of aggravated battery and tampering with a witness.

Anderson's Florida criminal history includes five felony convictions. He was adjudicated guilty of possession of heroin with intent to sell in Volusia County, according to the arrest affidavit.

Florida Department of Corrections records show Anderson served 2 years and 5 months in prison for shooting into a vehicle or building, a crime he committed in 2017.

Men shot after argument, threats

A witness told police that Anderson had argued with Melvin, Burch, and Lassiter the night before at the convenience store located at 518 South Martin Luther King Blvd., according to the affidavit.

The witness also said that Anderson "made statements pertaining to murdering them during the course of the argument."

The triple homicide on Wednesday brings the total number of shooting deaths in Daytona to 10 since January. In the first seven months of 2022, the city had eight shooting deaths. A total of 15 gun-related murders were committed in all of 2022.

The high number of gun murders this year prompted leaders of the Daytona Beach Black Clergy Alliance and the local NAACP to call out to the community for help on Wednesday.

"We are here out of concern for the community and the continued gun violence in our community," said Cynthia Slater, president of the Volusia County/Daytona Beach NAACP. "We need to come together as a community to support law enforcement and the city of Daytona Beach to stop this violence because we can no longer continue to put our residents and citizens of Daytona at risk."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Men shot and killed in Daytona Beach
The Biden administrations recent decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine is dividing Democrats on Capitol Hill, splitting even some of the presidents closest allies over the strategic wisdom  and potential repercussions  of arming Kyiv with weapons banned by most of the world.

In the eyes of those supporting the policy, cluster munitions are a necessary, if imperfect, tool to help Kyivs military repel Russias invading forces amid the long-drawn conflict over Ukraines autonomy.

Let me just say, Im not a big fan of cluster bombs. However, I have been a relentless advocate for more firepower for Ukraine. And if thats what it takes to win, then we have to do it, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said. I support the presidents judgment.

Opposing the weapons transfer is another group of Democrats, featuring other liberal allies of President Biden who fear that the imprecise nature of cluster bomb strikes will heighten the threat to civilian populations, including children.

Im very vocal on this: I dont support the cluster munitions, said Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who is vying for a Senate seat in next years elections. The opportunity for civilian harm is just too great.

The issue could reach the floor in the coming days.

An amendment offered to this years defense authorization bill would prevent the administration from sending cluster munitions, or the technology to build them, to Kyiv, where leaders have long requested the weapons from Washington.

Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), the lead sponsor of the amendment, cited several reasons for pushing the ban. Not only do cluster bombs raise the physical risks for civilians, she said, but delivering them to Ukraine would erode Americas moral authority to criticize Russias frequently brutal battlefield tactics.

Obviously, no one wants to buck our president. And I know, for the administration, it was a very difficult decision, Jacobs said. But these are also very horrible weapons that leave civilians  and especially children  very vulnerable to killing and maiming for decades after a conflict ends. And I think its important that we in Congress have a long-overdue discussion about whether or not they should be a part of the United States arsenal.

Joining Jacobs on the proposal are other liberals, including Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). A pair of conservative Republicans  Reps. Matt Gaetz (Fla.) and Anna Paulina Luna (Fla.), who are wary of any U.S. involvement in Ukraine  have also signed on. And other conservatives say they would support the amendment if it comes to the floor.

I would vote to block that, Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), a member of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, said of the weapons transfer. It is another indication of a policy or action in search of a policy. And I think its reprehensible.

The debate over cluster munitions is hardly new. The weapons can take any number of forms  a bomb, a rocket, an artillery shell  but their primary feature is to spill open before hitting the ground, spraying dozens of smaller munitions over a much broader area. The bomblets are an effective way to confront an enemy on the battlefield, and supporters say they would be particularly suited to root-out the entrenched Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

But cluster munitions also have relatively high rates of failure. And like land mines, unexploded bomblets can rest undetected long after the conflict ends, creating a lethal threat to anything  or anyone  that disturbs them. In response to that threat, more than 100 nations have ratified a 2008 treaty to ban their use altogether.

Theyre kind of indiscriminate, and some of the shells have a lot of duds in them, said Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), who has signed a letter urging the administration not to transfer the weapons.

Yet other Democrats supporting Bidens policy noted that the weapons would be used by Ukrainian forces, who would have every incentive to minimize the threat to their own civilians and sweep up any duds later.

Weapons are terrible  all of them. But in this case, the cluster weapons will be used on Ukrainian soil, by Ukrainians. And the clean up would be done by Ukrainians, said Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. So Im with the president.

It remains to be seen if lawmakers will be asked to vote on Jacobss proposal.

Lawmakers from both parties have offered more than 1,500 amendments to the defense authorization bill, and GOP leaders are racing this week to winnow the list down to a manageable size, with hopes to pass the final package by the end of this week or early in the next. Amid the scramble, its unclear which proposals will reach the floor, which will be scrapped and which will be cobbled together with other amendments as a package.

As lawmakers await the answers, Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), another member of Foreign Affairs who has long urged the administration to send more powerful weapons to Ukraine, is approaching the question of cluster munitions with caution.

A former Army Ranger, Crow is concerned that the administrations dud-rate figures are rosier than those reported by other outside researchers. Last month, he sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asking the Pentagon to release those figures publicly in order to allow members of Congress and Ukrainian officials to get a better idea of the risks before launching U.S. cluster munitions into battle.

It is a very challenging issue that pits both our humanitarian concerns and international norms, which weve worked very hard to set, against existential need by Ukrainians, he said.

Crow is also requesting the details of any Ukrainian agreements to limit the use of the cluster munitions, as well as some assurance that the United States will help fund the process of cleaning up unexploded ordinance when the conflict ends. Until then, his support for the weapons transfer remains in limbo.

The administration should give all of Congress the information that we need to assess our vote, Crow said.

Mychael Schnell contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Kuddle-Up blanket has been a baby mainstay for decades. Here's why. (Image: Getty; illustration by Katie Martin for Yahoo)

When New York mom of two Vanessa Gordon headed to the hospital to have her second baby, she brought her first babys sentimental hospital blanket: a white cotton swaddle blanket with pink and blue stripes. At the time she didn't realize that it's the blanket that all babies are wrapped in when they are born at that hospital.

For me, I think it was simply that it was the memory of the first photo taken of her," Gordon says of her affinity for the keepsake. "I remember I blacked out during her delivery and then I woke up with her in my arms and [she was] already wrapped in a blanket. There is something so beautiful about the blanket, and of course her."

Those blankets are officially called "Kuddle-Ups." According to Jeremy Fogel, textiles division general manager at Medline, the company that manufactures the blankets, 1.5 million Kuddle-Ups are sold every year.

NPR reports that most hospitals launder and reuse these blankets on thousands of babies, though of course some make it out of the hospital. Ahead, a look at the Kuddle-Up's history, and enduring popularity.

The birth of the Kuddle-Up blanket

Medline introduced the blankets in the 1950s, though Fogel says that the early version was high quality but lacking in both color and character. It did not feel special enough for new mothers and their babies, he says.

And so the company conducted a focus group with women in the office on what improvements might be made.

The group suggested that it be gender-neutral in color, and together chose the candy stripe design. With that, the iconic Kuddle-Up design was born, and from first sight, the design has grown to symbolize the celebration of a new life for so many, Fogel tells Yahoo Life.

Though the pink and blue candy striped design is most popular, the blankets also come in a duck print (the second-most popular style), in addition to dinosaurs and baby footprints.

The growing popularity of the Kuddle-Up corresponded with the dramatic increase in hospital births, which nearly doubled between the years of 1946 and 1960. Its appeal, however, has spanned generations.

A multi-functional must-have

The blanket, which is 100% cotton and flannelized, has been used to wrap brand-new babies, but also doubles as a multi-use baby product for parents who end up taking one home from the hospital. Gordon, for example, says she used it in her diaper bag for many other purposes during her kids' younger years, such as providing an additional layer of padding for changing, absorbing spills and more.

For some, its a mainstay in the babys first picture that makes it onto social media or in birth announcement cards. The Kuddle-Up has also served as a babys first going home outfit in some cases, too.

Our daughter was 5 lbs., 10 oz. when she was born, and even though the outfit I brought to the hospital to bring her home in looked so tiny, she was swimming in it, says Jenny Powers, a mom of one in Brooklyn, N.Y. When we were released from the hospital, all she had on was a diaper so we wrapped her up in that pink and blue blanket and brought her home in it.

Jene Luciani Sena, a mom based in Schenectady, N.Y., used the blankets to help her pets get acquainted with babies smells. They are great for that!

A sentimental keepsake

While not every mom has a fondness for the classic Kuddle-Up  expectant mom Amanda Kass told Yahoo Life she planned to bring something "softer and more organic" for her daughter's birth, while Rachel Sokol preferred to use her own swaddles rather than the "hospital-looking" alternative  many have used the blanket long after their babies outgrew them.

New Jersey mom of two girls Kerry Kane says shes been thinking of using her Kuddle-Ups for a future crafting project, but isnt sure what. Honestly I did not want to cut them up, she says.

Gordon's blankets are now vacuum-sealed at home, though she also has plans to use them for a DIY project, like tie-dye or a hanging patchwork, with her daughter one day. Other families, meanwhile, keep theirs on display.

I had three kids each born four years apart and loved that they each were swaddled in the same blanket. I have shadow boxes with their first photos, hospital bracelets and tiny hats in my bedroom and they are among my favorite possessions, says Jody Mercier, a New York City mom. I feel like anytime I see a new baby swaddled in one, it gives me 'new mom warm and fuzzy vibes.'

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  Dockworkers and the governor in the state with the lowest percentage of unionized workers are digging in their heels over a labor dispute that has left the newest container terminal at the East Coast's deepest harbor largely inactive.

Pending before a federal appeals court is a National Labor Relations Board decision that upheld unionized dockworkers' right to exclusively staff the cranes at Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal in Charleston, South Carolina, under a 2012 master contract.

The alternative is a so-called hybrid model implemented by other South Carolina terminals backed by Republican Gov. Henry McMaster where loading operations would be fulfilled by employees from both the state and the International Longshoremens Association Local 1422.

But union organizers find much more at stake than the availability of higher-paying jobs and the resumed operations of the project's recently completed $1 billion first phase. They fear a reversal could set the stage for other right-to-work states to overturn national labor contracts they don't like.

The ILA Local 1422 brought the fight to the South Carolina State House on Wednesday with a rally attended by over 300 workers, allies and labor leaders from around the country.

Injury to one is an injury to all. Its Charleston today. It could be Savannah tomorrow, said Timothy Mackey, the president of the local union representing Georgia dockworkers at one of the only three ports alongside those in South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina, that have hybrid workforces.

Supporters said allowing union workers to power the cranes at Leatherman would align practices in South Carolina with much of the United States. ILA International Vice President Ken Riley said the governor and South Carolina State Ports Authority are disrespecting a contract that encompasses the entire nation.

To say that you guys  a predominantly African-American workforce  will never get in those cranes, will never get into those machines, like its done all up and down the country," Riley told The Associated Press. "Why doesnt South Carolina get the message?

The South Carolina State Ports Authority has argued that a solely unionized workforce would burden the terminal by increasing operational costs. Their wages are governed by the master contract, unlike those set for state employees.

McMaster told reporters on Wednesday that a union victory would send a bad message to businesses interested in setting up shop in South Carolina. If the NLRB ruling is affirmed, McMaster said he supports appealing the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

We do not need any more union participation in South Carolina," McMaster said. "The last thing that a booming economy needs is to throw a monkey wrench into a system that we have that is working marvelously well.

Standing outside the Wednesday rally, Democratic state Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter said a union loss would roll back wages won by the state's strongest Black union. She credited the labor force for creating an African American middle class in a state where port operations support 1 in 10 jobs.

Meanwhile, shipping container lines have refused to use the terminal amid the disagreement in a development that has left the site largely idle since it opened two years ago. Not present are the large cargo ships that South Carolina sought to court by deepening Charleston Harbor and doubling port capacity by the terminal's completion next decade.

Cobb-Hunter blamed the inactivity on the state for not following the contract agreement.

Its like were pouring money down a black hole," Cobb-Hunter told the AP as attendees held signs reading Leatherman is empty. The question is why?

___

James Pollard is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Musicians and athletes from Iran who have settled in Northern Ireland are among more than 8,000 people from the country who have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom over the past year.

There are no exact figures for how many Iranians are living in NI.

But as protests continue across Iran on the issue of women's rights, BBC News NI spoke to some of those who have fled.

Among them is Mehdi Zoodashna.

He was a champion Greco Roman wrestler in Iran and has been in Northern Ireland for four months with his wife Diana Amini, who is a champion rower and coach.

Wrestling in the colours of the Barbarians club in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Mehdi grappled his way to gold at the British Wrestling Championships last month - topping the podium in the Greco Roman category of the tournament in Manchester.

It was the first medal he's won since being in Northern Ireland, and he said his sights were now set on the Olympics.

"I really like Northern Ireland, the people are lovely and we get a lot of positive energy from them," he said.

"They are helping us to progress in our life and in our sport, and be more motivated.

"I've been a wrestler in my country and I work out a lot so I've just continued my job here and I achieved the medal here in Northern Ireland.

"The biggest dream for any professional like me is to participate in the Olympics.

"I've been fighting a lot, all my life, for this goal."

'We had to leave'

Of leaving Iran, the 30-year-old said: "Of course nobody wants to move out of their motherland but we've been struggling a lot with political, economic and social issues and we couldn't focus on our goal, every day we were focusing on the problems.

"Of course I'm eager to build up a new life here - I really want to develop in my sport and I want to help young people here develop in the sport."

Since arriving in Northern Ireland, Diana Amini has been coaching the Lagan Dragons, a dragon boat club for people affected either directly or indirectly by breast cancer.

"I really like Northern Ireland and I'm feeling safe here. I've found lots of good friends, they've supported me and make me feel like I'm making progress.

"There are lots of issues in Iran at the minute and specifically because we work in sport, we had to leave."

Of her Lagan Dragon crew mates, Diana said: "I really love them, they treat me really good and we are like a family here.

"They are always telling me they support me, they love me. And I hope I can find my confidence back as a coach.

"Back in Iran I felt like they didn't appreciate me or what I've done but as I've come here, they tell me I have a very important job to do and they really appreciate me, it's a big deal really.

"They understand me. I have a lot of experience, I've been in this sport around 15 years and I'm educated in my sport. I like to pass on my experience to others and help."

The couple are keen to work in Northern Ireland as soon as possible but are currently unable to because of their asylum status.

"People need to work so they can get whatever they need and to focus on our goals - but the problem is now we are waiting on the Home Office decision," Diana said.

"Before that we cannot do work, we cannot enter some competitions so it's really hard for us.

"As a sportswoman I fight a lot to achieve my goals, and I've already been fighting for my life, so I don't want to be pessimistic - I want to be optimistic and I see the future really bright."

'Lucky to have her'

According to Home Office figures, there were 7,719 applications from Iranians for asylum in the UK in the year ending March 2023.

Karen Case captains the Lagan Dragons and said she was very proud of how the team had welcomed Diana.

"They've welcomed her not just into the club but into their lives," she said.

"She's competed at international level, won gold medals, and she's come to our little club. We're so lucky to have her."

Nasim Heidari and Omid Shir Mohammadi are both musicians

Musicians Nasim Heidari and Omid Shir Mohammadi, both 31, have been living in Belfast for more than a year.

They've been invited to perform at the WOMAD world music festival in Wiltshire in England, founded by music star Peter Gabriel, at the end of July.

"I really like it here, I feel peace here. I like the people, I like the accent," Nasim said.

"When I got here, I could see my future is brighter."

Of leaving Iran and performing at WOMAD, Nasim said: "One of the reasons was, there is no rights for women in Iran and it's so restricted for singing. I wanted to follow my dreams.

"Singing was illegal in Iran for women.

"This is like one of my dreams came true, to go there and perform there."

'It was for freedom'

Omid said he had "no freedom" to work as a musician in Iran.

"For a long time I didn't see my parents and my family. My brother died while I was out of my country - as you can imagine it was really not easy," he said.

"But if it is about safety, if it is about life, then there is no choice.

"Artists, writers, musicians, suffered a lot in Iran - especially women.

"Of course it was not easy, but it was for freedom.

"I feel a responsibility to help women artists from Iran. We should take care of each other as a human.

"Women have always been under pressure, and under limit, I feel really responsible as a man and as a music producer - I think we should support them."

Of his hopes for the future, Omid said: "If you asked me that question when I was in Iran, I would say my future looked very dark but now I see myself here and I have made a lot of friends, so I can say the future could be real bright for me."

Darren Ferguson from Beyond Skin, an organisation supporting Nasim and Omid, said: "When they're at WOMAD they're representing Iran but also Belfast on a global stage.

"We see this all the time where businesses and the creative industries recognise the talent and skills coming to our shores - unfortunately some of our political leaders do not recognise that.

"So I think this sends out a signal that the talent coming to our shores has been recognised at such a high level."
President Bidens high-profile diplomatic trip to the NATO summit in Europe has exposed some cracks in the U.S.s relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said a lack of urgency to include his country in the alliance would only allow Russia to continue its terror.

Biden has hit the brakes on NATO accepting Ukraine into the alliance, after the war-torn country has been vying for a membership. Biden took to Vilnius, Lithuania, to assure other world leaders that a country engaged in a war with Russia wouldnt be accepted as a member  citing the mutual defense agreement that a war with a NATO ally is a war with all.

That point was reiterated later by national security spokesman John Kirby, who said the inclusion of Ukraine isnt likely while acknowledging: Yes, there are frustrations.

Bidens comments on Ukraine not being ready to join NATO were some of his clearest yet on the matter, and one in which other alliance leaders agree, much to Zelenskys ire.

There is a lot of question marks, not only in the Ukrainian government but also among Ukrainians, about why it is the United States, which has been so supportive of Ukraine in the past  [being] the ones who are dragging on any firmer commitment for Ukraines NATO perspective, said Liana Fix, a fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The tone Wednesday was markedly more conciliatory when Biden met with Zelensky on the sidelines of the summit. But Biden made sure to reiterate his stance that Ukraine isnt ready for a NATO membership.

I think until the war is over, Biden said on when Ukraine can join the alliance, adding, The one thing Zelensky understands now is that whether or not hes in NATO now is not relevant as long as he has the commitments that  guarantee his security.

But one day earlier, Zelensky lambasted the alliance for not setting a timeline for his country to join NATO, saying, It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the Alliance.

Zelensky shifted his rhetoric Wednesday, when NATO leaders said that a membership action plan, which gives advice for a country seeking to join, would not be required for Ukraines future membership into NATO. But, he has continued to take issue with the wording that Ukraine needs to meet conditions to be invited to NATO.

The absolute majority of our people expect specifics about these conditions. We perceive them as security conditions. We understand that Ukraine cannot become a member of NATO while the war is ongoing. But then it will be our common strength when Ukraine joins the Alliance, the Ukrainian president wrote on Twitter.

The Biden-Zelensky relationship hasnt always been perfect. Biden last year reportedly lost his temper with the Ukrainian president, asking him to show some gratitude for the assistance the U.S. has provided, while Zelensky was asking for more.

Though frustrations with Zelensky have bubbled up before, they have not been so apparent on the world stage as they were this week in Europe. Biden and Zelensky have demonstrated a strong bond since the start of Ukraines 18-month-old war, but the cracks exposed at the summit marked a change in tone compared late last year, when Zelensky traveled to Washington, his first time leaving his country for the first time since the Russian invasion.

Biden, in turn, made a surprise and historic visit to Kyiv in February to mark the anniversary of the war beginning. The two visits elevated Bidens role as the leader of NATO when it comes to the response to Russia and support for Ukraine.

But just days before he embarked on the Europe trip, Biden said in a televised interview that Ukraine wasnt ready to join NATO, setting off a series of alliance leaders falling behind the U.S. president.

The outburst by Zelensky was squashed relatively quickly this week. The Ukrainian president complimented Biden following their one-on-one meeting Wednesday and even acknowledged the damaging political implications of approving controversial cluster bombs to Kyiv.

It feels like the Ukrainians realize that they have overstepped a bit, that they dont have the power to do that  to damage the relationship that they have with the US. And theyre sort of slowly walking it back. I would say its not really a rift in the relationship  but its a testing of Ukraine, Fix said.

Luke Coffey, senior fellow at Hudson Institute and a former adviser at the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, said that while its not realistic that a country at war would be brought into NATO, Biden backlash is largely due to messaging.

I think theres a problem with how all this stuff is being communicated. Whenever President Biden says that Ukraine isnt ready to join NATO, what I suspect he means  and what many other NATO leaders mean  is that as long as Ukraine is involved in a war with Russia, it cant join the alliance, Coffey said.

I think if these things were worded a bit differently, and more delicately, you could get the same message across without all of the drama that were seeing right now, he added.

Since Zelenskys criticism about a lack of a timeline for joining the alliance, the White House has doubled down on the acknowledgment that Ukraine will eventually be a part of NATO.

We joined with allies yesterday in agreeing to a very strong, positive message. We reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of the NATO Alliance, Amanda Sloat, National Security Council senior director for Europe, said Wednesday.

Biden has had to keep support up for Ukraine at home and avoid seeing a drop in enthusiasm for assisting the country, while some Republican lawmakers have suggested the U.S. cant provide a blank check. But a Reuters/Ipsos poll last month found 65 percent of respondents want the U.S. to continue arming Ukraine, compared to 48 percent who said the same thing back in May.

Fix argued that the personal relationship between the two presidents has remained strong through those issues and predicted it will be able to withstand the latest bumps.

I think this is kind of a personal relationship that is between Biden and Zelensky that Zelensky has gone to Washington, Biden to Kyiv, she said. I mean, that really established such a strong relationship between the two of them, and Biden has been really the one whos having Zelenskys back.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The League of Women Voters has been protecting voters rights for over 100 years. We are stalwart defenders of democracy, and we want all voters to exercise their right to cast a ballot.

Since the 2020 presidential election, we have watched the integrity of our voting process be attacked and misrepresented. While no North Carolina county results, races or voter eligibility was disputed in the 2020 election, forces in the election denier movement have decided that our election laws need to be changed  and those changes will inevitably make voting more difficult in North Carolina.

Jennifer McMillan Rubin

Our analysis of the two North Carolina Senate bills (SB747 and SB749) and N.C. House Bill 772 shows that the outcome of these pieces of legislation will be to gum up a process that was working well. In other words, this anti-voter legislation is designed to address problems that do not exist. And these new laws have the potential to confuse, alienate and disenfranchise voters.

As the N.C. House takes up these bills in the next few weeks, we are likely to see even more changes, all of which will make voting more confusing and difficult for voters. Recent reporting on the Voter/Photo ID requirement has only added to this confusion.

Heres a round-up of election law changes and the hurdles we see:

 Voter ID is coming to North Carolina. The first election in which voters will have to show ID is the 2023 municipal elections, which begin in September. But most voters are unaware of many of the details of Voter ID. They may need help getting an acceptable ID and they do not know how to get their ballot accepted if they dont have an acceptable ID.

 Same-day registration and early voting are critical to the way voters access the polls. New legislation will put restrictions on same-day registration that may result in legitimate ballots being designated as provisional and risk being rejected before final votes are certified.

 Voting absentee will not only require a two-witness/notary requirement, but voters will need to attach a photocopy of their ID. Not only is this a cumbersome additional step, but it is not clear how these copies  which include dates of birth and other identifying information  will be kept private. This opens absentee voters up to potential identity theft.

 Eliminating three-day grace period for receiving absentee ballots, as SB 747 would, will invalidate many absentee ballots.

 Proposed legislation also gives a green light to individuals and groups to challenge any voters absentee ballot and question that persons right to vote. It also allows anyone who wants to observe absentee ballot counts to do so. This is all an affront to voter privacy.

 In Senate Bill 749, legislators plan to restructure how North Carolinas State Board of Elections members are appointed, setting up a partisan split with the tie-breaking vote given to the legislature. This is clearly a process designed to circumvent normal checks and balances.

 House Bill 772 loosens regulations for polling place observers, adding another element of management and training to local boards of elections, whose funding is being cut. Further, voters will have difficulty distinguishing between authorized election officials and partisan political workers.

The proposed voter legislation has so far evaded a process of extensive public input. And while most people dont think much about voting until elections are upon them, confusion, intimidation, long lines and more, will occur if these bills become law.

We must speak out against these proposals, which will make it much harder for people to vote and damage our democracy. Changing election laws based on groundless claims of fraud can discourage people from voting and will sow distrust between the governed and their government. The citizens of North Carolina deserve better.

Jennifer McMillan Rubin is president of the League of Women Voters of North Carolina. She lives in Durham.
By Crispian Balmer and Angelo Amante

ROME (Reuters) - Just as King Canute failed to hold back the seas, so Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has floundered in her efforts to stop the flow of migrants to Italy since she took office last October.

Despite pledges before last year's national election that she would cut immigration, the number of people crossing the Mediterranean in a flotilla of often decrepit old boats has doubled over the past nine months.

In addition, bowing to pressure from the business lobby, which is traditionally close to Meloni's right-wing bloc, the government last week increased the number of migrants who can legally come to Italy for work as the population rapidly ages.

"The government is clearly not delivering what it promised, but the ruling parties are still seen by their electorate as much more reassuring than the left on immigration, so they are not feeling pressure in the opinion polls," said Mattia Diletti, a politics professor at Rome's Sapienza University.

Immigration is one of the biggest political issues in Europe and has played a major role in the rise of nationalist parties across the continent over the past decade. The fact that Meloni, a figurehead of the new right, has not carried through on her pledges underscores how intractable the problem is.

It isn't for want of trying.

Since the start of 2023, Meloni has controversially limited the operations of charity rescue ships and upped penalties on people smugglers after a shipwreck off southern Italy claimed at least 94 lives in February. She subsequently declared a state of emergency over the non-stop arrival of mainly Africans.

All to no avail.

From Jan. 1 to July 12, 73,414 boat migrants reached Italy against 31,333 in the same period last year and more than for the whole of 2021, according to Interior Ministry data.

"There are no miraculous solutions to resolve the migration phenomenon," Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi acknowledged this month while visiting the tiny island of Lampedusa, which saw 25 separate boat landings on Tuesday alone.

NORTH AFRICA

In the run-up to the 2022 election, Meloni said she would impose a naval blockade to prevent boats leaving north Africa. But analysts say that was never going to happen for legal and ethical reasons.

Instead, Meloni has looked to revive a 2017 deal struck with Libya that led to a huge reduction in departures, until the COVID-19 pandemic, which then cut migrant flows to a trickle.

But the situation in North Africa has changed enormously over the past six years, says Matteo Villa, a senior research fellow with the ISPI think-tank, complicating efforts to hold back people looking for a better, safer life in Europe.

"The 2017 departures were super concentrated in a few places west of Tripoli. Today this is not the case. People are also leaving from eastern Libya. So who do you talk to? In 2017 Italian intelligence knew the militia, now it doesn't," he said.

An added complication is that Tunisia has also become a major springboard for migrants, with just over half of all new arrivals in Italy this year setting sail from there, against just 5% in 2017, despite hundreds dying in the process.

Meloni visited Tunisia twice last month, seeking progress in unblocking loans that she says are needed to avoid a financial crisis that might trigger a tsunami of departures.

She was accompanied on her second trip by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, highlighting pan-European concern at the situation in Tunisia, and the rising tide of migrant landings.

BUSINESS NEEDS

A fierce critic of Brussels before her rise to power, Meloni has been much more pragmatic since becoming prime minister, working actively with the European Commission to revise the way migrants are relocated across the continent.

The pact is expected to come into force this year, despite opposition from Rome's right-wing allies in Poland and Hungary. However, a review of migrant flows through Europe over the past decade suggests Italy might not benefit in the way Meloni hopes.

At present many of those reaching Italy head immediately to richer northern Europe, meaning Rome has to process fewer asylum seekers than many EU partners - a figure representing 0.16% of its total population over the past 12 months against an EU average of 0.22%, according to ISPI.

"Between 2012 to 2021 one million people disembarked in Italy. We estimate that 700,000 moved on," said ISPI's Villa.

Many businesses could have done with that labour, a message that is getting through to the government.

Last week, it said it would issue 452,000 new work visas for non-EU nationals from 2023 to 2025, increasing the number of permits available each year to hit a high of 165,000 in 2025. In 2019, before COVID struck, Italy issued just 30,850 visas.

Looking to appease anti-immigrant supporters, the government suggested it was acting with restraint, saying companies and unions had called for 833,000 permits in the 2023-2025 period.

Business leaders welcomed the initial increase, but say more will be needed to tackle a longstanding demographic decline.

"Everyone knows by now that we have a shortage of both skilled and general labour," said Michelangelo Agrusti, head of a Confindustria business federation in north east Italy.

(Reporting by Crispian Balmer and Angelo Amante; Editing by Alex Richardson)
PHOENIX (AP)  The Arizona Democratic Party is looking to force new political party No Labels to disclose its donors or lose its status as a political party, an escalation of Democrats' efforts to block a group they worry will boost Donald Trump's chances of returning to the White House.

Arizona Democrats filed a complaint Thursday with Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat who angered some in his party earlier this year when he formally recognized No Labels as a political party in the state. The complaint asks Fontes to suspend the nascent party until it discloses its donors.

No Labels says it is seeking ballot access in many states and will run a bipartisan unity ticket for president if the two parties select unreasonably divisive presidential nominees. The party has also secured ballot access in Alaska, Colorado and Oregon.

Democrats and anti-Trump Republicans worry a No Labels candidate couldnt win but would tip the scales in favor of Trump or a Trump-like Republican. Arizona is a crucial battleground state, where Democrat Joe Biden beat Trump in 2020 by less than half of a percentage point. Biden won two other states by less than one percentage point.

The group plans to release an agenda for a potential 2024 presidential ticket next week in New Hampshire with Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, a Republican. The duo, who've both carved out centrist positions within their parties, is a potential White House ticket for the party.

No Labels officials say their own research suggests they pull support equally from the two major parties, and they won't field a ticket unless they believe it has a viable path to victory.

No Labels has followed every law, but the Arizona Democratic party continues its hypocritical crusade to suppress competition and voter choice," No Labels National Co-Chair Benjamin Chavis Jr. said in a statement. As an American, and a lifelong Democrat, I am outraged.

A spokesperson for Fontes declined to comment.

Roy Herrera, a lawyer for the Arizona Democratic Party, argues in the complaint that No Labels should have registered with the secretary of state as a political action committee but did not during the nearly yearlong process of organizing a political party. He also argues the new party should be required to disclose the donors who paid for the signature gathering to secure ballot access, or at least the expenses incurred since being recognized as a party.

Nobody should be exempt from the law, especially not an out of state dark money group, Morgan Dick, executive director of the Arizona Democratic Party, said in a statement. Arizonans deserve better and voters deserve to know who is behind this shadowy organization and what potentially nefarious agenda they are pushing.

The Arizona Democratic Party has also filed a lawsuit seeking to block the recognition of No Labels, arguing there were deficiencies in the paperwork the group filed. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper sounded skeptical of the Democratic arguments during a hearing on Tuesday but did not say which way she would rule.

David Rosenbaum, a lawyer for No Labels, argued in court that the party is not required to disclose its donors to the state unless it nominates candidates for state offices, which it has no plans to do. In a letter to the secretary of state's office last month, he argued that No Labels is subject only to federal campaign finance regulations and has not done anything to trigger state reporting or registration requirements.

Herrera countered that No Labels can't avoid state-level campaign finance reporting by declaring it will only run candidates for president and vice president.

Even if it will have no state candidates, No Labels is not entitled to special treatment under the law, he wrote in his complaint.

About 7,000 voters in the state's two largest counties, which comprise 75% of all voters in the state, have registered with the No Labels Party since it was recognized in March. Statewide figures are compiled quarterly and were not yet available.

No Labels is one of four recognized political parties in Arizona, joining the Democratic, Republican and Libertarian parties. The state stopped recognizing the Green Party after the 2018 election, when it failed to get at least 5% of the vote in the election for governor and didnt collect enough signatures to maintain its status.
Some Sevit Floating Island is in French flag tricolors on the occasion of Bastille Day last year. Courtesy of FKCCI





On July 14, the French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) commemorates the French National Day which reminds us of the historic storming of the Bastille in 1789.







Inheriting from more than 137 years of friendship and economic ties between Paris and Seoul, the FKCCI along with the French Embassy in Korea celebrate the Bastille Day. Going beyond history and culture, this celebration serves as a statement to the friendship between our countries and a recognition of an ever-growing French Korean Business community in the post-pandemic era.







Indeed, on June 27 at the General Assembly of CCI France International, the international network of French chambers gathering 119 chambers and 35,000 members worldwide, recognized Korea as one of the most dynamic countries out of its 94 implantations.







The FKCCI achieved the sixth-highest rank in this network in terms of overall turnover worldwide and the fifth-highest rank in terms of business activity volume for 2022. These historically high scores in the 37 years since the foundation of the chamber recognize the significant strides achieved last year.







President Yoon Suk Yeol shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron during their summit talks at Elysee Palace in Paris, June 20. Courtesy of FKCCI





To support many companies in their discovery of the Korean market, the chamber organized several learning expeditions, including a visit by representatives of the GCC.EU European cosmetic cluster, a delegation from the French region Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes during a gala last November and prospecting missions in diverse industries such as green tech, health tech, cosmetics and consumer goods. Among the 2022 highlights, Tech4Good, the flagship mission with French Tech, enabled 40 French companies to discover the Korean startup ecosystem.







And the momentum is continuing: in February, the FKCCI took part in ICC Immersion, a one-week learning expedition in the cultural and creative content sectors. These examples show that the chamber is not only a network of 450 members, but a growth catalyst for companies looking for a one-step solution to expand on the Korean market. As a matter of example, the business center located on the FKCCI premises is almost fully booked with 38 hosted companies, with high expectations for expanding it.











Such achievements can also be attributed to multiple factors, including the market's recovery following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed French companies to regain a presence in the Korean market and exceed the performance level of 2019.







Bilateral trade in goods reached the historic level of 13.4 billion euros in 2022, exceeding the 10 billion euros mark for the second consecutive year, due to a 31 percent increase in exports from Korea to France to 7.4 billion, and a 22 percent increase in French imports to Korea to the highest level ever of 6 billion euros. Overall trade between the European Union and Korea also turned to a surplus for Korea for the first time in 2022, reaching $7 billion and offsetting partly the trade deficit with China that pushes the Korean economy to seek less dependency on its giant neighbor.







Clearly, there is a new momentum, and the increased frequency of diplomatic meetings is a good indicator of the mutual interest that nurtures strong economic ties. Among the highlights, President Yoon Suk Yeol visited France from June 20 to 21 for the first time in his mandate and was accompanied by his largest business delegation ever, composed of more than 205 representatives, including leaders of Samsung, SK and Hyundai Motors. Key issues gathering the two nations were discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron, such as Indo-Pacific strategies and cooperation in new industries like AI, aerospace and defense.







French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Lefort, right, poses with a trophy on the occasion of his departure, next to FKCCI Chairperson David-Pierre Jalicon. Courtesy of FKCCI





This presidential visit follows a series of French ministerial visits to Korea in the first semester of 2023: Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna who inaugurated the new French Embassy in Seoul, Minister of Digital Transition Jean-Noel Barrot with whom the FKCCI and French Tech Seoul signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen collaboration in the fields of startups and impact technologies, and finally Minister of Agriculture Marc Fesneau.







In this context, the FKCCI is fully engaged with all its partners, especially the French Embassy, and proud to be an important factor in this dynamic! In this regard, the FKCCI would like to thank departing French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Lefort for all his support for the chamber's activities during his term here. We wish him all the best for his future. We are looking forward to welcoming his successor and to continuing our excellent cooperation at the service of our constantly growing business community.







Visit

and join the network by contacting

.















This article was provided by the French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry.


WASHINGTON (AP)  A retired Army colonel has reached a court settlement of nearly $1 million in a sexual assault lawsuit against Air Force Gen. John Hyten, who served as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The settlement with the U.S. government ends more than four years of investigations, reviews and congressional digging into the matter, which delayed  but ultimately did not defeat  Hyten's nomination for vice chairman in 2019. He served two years and did not seek a second term.

Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser, who served as Hyten's aide in 2017, filed the lawsuit, and in the settlement reached in U.S. District Court in California on Wednesday, the federal government will pay her $975,000.

It is my sincere hope that the successful outcome in my case will embolden other survivors of military sexual violence to come forward  no matter how high ranking the perpetrator, she said in a statement Thursday.

In an interview with The Associated Press in 2019, Spletstoser said Hyten subjected her to a series of unwanted sexual advances by kissing, hugging and rubbing up against her in 2017 while she was one of his top aides. She said she repeatedly pushed him away and told him to stop, and that he tried to derail her military career after she rebuffed him.

Hyten vigorously denied her allegations during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in July 2019, with his wife seated behind him and Spletstoser looking on from a short distance away. An internal Air Force investigation determined there was insufficient evidence to charge him or recommend discipline. And a senior Air Force official said at the time that investigators also found no evidence Spletstoser was lying. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters.

It is not uncommon for the U.S. government to pay out large sums of money to settle lawsuits, but a sexual assault case against such a high ranking military officer is far more rare.

The number of reported sexual assaults in the military has increased nearly every year since 2006. And while the services have made inroads in making it easier and safer for service members to come forward, it still remains a highly unreported crime.

Hyten's nomination was delayed for months while senators pored over thousands of pages of documents and interviewed the general and Spletstoser. The eventual Senate vote of 75-22 to confirm him reflected a bit more opposition than most military nominations, which usually get near-unanimous support.

Ten of the no votes came from female senators, including Vice President Kamala Harris, who was then a senator from California, and Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, a survivor of sexual assault while in college and the only Republican to vote against him.

Spletstoser's attorney, Ariel Solomon, said in a statement Thursday that the legal payout stands out as the only known settlement paid by the government for a sexual assault case brought against a member of the United States military.

____ Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Pro-democracy campaigner Chau Van Kham on Thursday thanked his supporters who helped secure his release from a Vietnamese prison this week four years into a 12-year sentence for terrorism offenses.

The 73-year-old Australian citizen returned to his family in Sydney on Tuesday after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged that the retired baker be released from prison during a visit to Hanoi last month.

Kham thanked a broad array of supporters including the current and former Australian governments, rights groups including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, community groups, media and lawyers.

The first time in front of you, so I feel so nervous. So nervous, because Im so happy, and Im never nervous in front of the Vietnamese officials, Kham told reporters in Sydney.

He thanked his wife and two children for forever supporting me in my dreams and my beliefs.

The last thing, can you send a message to the Vietnamese government. I thank you to have ... cooperated with the Australian government to bring me home and resolve my case, Kham said.

He said some of the Vietnamese prison officers he encountered silently support me.

Kham had been in custody in his birth country since he visited in January 2019. He was convicted that year on terrorism charges related to his support for democracy group Viet Tan and sentenced to 12 years in prison. The Vietnamese government considers Viet Tan a terrorist organization.

Albanese on Tuesday described Khams release as an example of how engagement in a constructive way achieves results in Australias national interest.

Albanese visited Vietnam on June 4 to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They are preparing to upgrade their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and agreed to establish a ministerial-level dialogue on trade.

Australias previous conservative government had also urged the release of Kham, a South Vietnamese army veteran, on health grounds before Albaneses center-left Labor Party won power in elections in May last year.

Kham has lived in Australia since the 1980s.

Amnesty International Australia said Kham was a prisoner of conscience detained solely for his peaceful political beliefs.
MIAMI (AP)  The Biden administration has quietly ditched a key gauge used for decades to measure success in the war on drugs, suspending satellite monitoring of coca crops in Colombia as cocaine production surges in South America.

A State Department spokesperson said the move was temporary" but gave no timeframe for data collection to resume or explain why it was suspended in the first place. It was also unclear whether satellite surveys would continue in Peru and Bolivia, which together account for about half of coca production in the Andean region.

The move, first reported by Colombias El Tiempo newspaper, has drawn outrage from Republicans in Congress from Florida, who have been calling for the president to decertify Colombias government for failing to cooperate in U.S. anti-narcotics efforts. But it tracks with leftist Colombian President Gustavo Petro's efforts to refocus law enforcement efforts away from the rural backwaters where coca is grown to instead chase large-scale smugglers and money launderers who reap the bulk of the drug trade's profits.

We are constantly assessing the effectiveness of various counternarcotics efforts and make changes to our efforts as needed, the State Department spokesperson said in an emailed statement. The spokesperson gave the comment on condition of anonymity, citing agency policy. We continue to work with the Government of Colombia on the monitoring of illicit coca crops."

Since at least 1987, the U.S. government has published annual estimates of coca cultivation in Colombia. The numbers soared to an all-time high in 2020, when the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy estimated that 245,00 hectares of land  an area three times the size of New York City  was planted with the illicit crop used to make cocaine. Last year's report showed production was almost unchanged in 2021 from the same high level.

In the first five months of 2023, Petro's government has manually eradicated just 4,511 hectares of coca  down almost 90% from the 33,454 hectares yanked during the same period a year ago, when the law and order conservative Ivan Duque was still in power.

While the U.S. hasn't commented on what prompted the policy shift, Republicans have seized on it to attack Petro, a former leftist guerrilla, as he seeks better ties with Venezuela's socialist government and tries to cut a deal with the nation's last remaining rebel group.

This is a gift to the Petro Administration, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, the vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and a senior member of the Committee on Foreign Relations, said in a statement to The Associated Press. "Its another example of the Biden Administration giving concessions to far-left governments in the region.

Petro has pushed back, arguing that the U.S. would be wise to refocus its attention on the fentanyl crisis, which is blamed for tens of thousands of overdose deaths.

Things change, he wrote in a Tweet this week in response to attacks from Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Miami Republican who chairs a subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee dealing with Latin America. Without directly addressing questions about the future of the U.S. coca monitoring effort he said the structure of drug consumption is changing for the worse, reducing demand for cocaine, which is starting to flow to other parts of the planet."

Adam Isacson, the director for defense oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America, said that satellite monitoring of coca crops offers valuable insights into Colombia's ability to assert state control in remote, economically depressed areas that have long been dominated by illegal armed groups.

But as a tool for estimating cocaine flows it's less reliable than other measures that have remained mostly stable in recent years like data on cocaine purity, street prices and overdose deaths. Additionally, the United Nations in conjunction with Colombian authorities annually conducts its own survey of coca cultivation that combines satellite data with on-the-ground verification.

Still, he suspects politics also may have played a role in the U.S. decision to pull the plug.

If you put a lot of weight on hectares you're on a collision course with the Petro government, which doesn't want to make eradication the center of its narcotics strategy, he said. The U.S. may be calculating it doesn't need a major irritant with its closest military ally in the hemisphere.

The Biden administration has tried to delicately downplay policy differences with Colombia's first-ever leftist government on narcotics, trade, negotiations with armed rebel groups and sanctions on Venezuela's socialist government, emphasizing instead the more than two decades of close bilateral cooperation.

The diplomatic dance has yielded some positive results. Petro visited the White House in April and spoke alongside Biden about a common agenda to fight climate change and address migration. A few days later, the U.S. said it would launch a processing center in Colombia to handle growing numbers of migrants from Venezuela and elsewhere in South America seeking entry into the U.S.

We are going down the same river, a river that leads us to ever-greater democracy and ever-greater freedom, Petro said at the White House.

The State Department spokesperson said that disrupting cocaine trafficking remains a high priority because it foments violence, crime and death throughout the hemisphere.

The White House's drug policy coordination office, which every July releases the coca monitoring report, did not respond to a request for comment.

___

AP Writer Juan Francisco Valbuena in Bogota, Colombia, contributed to this report.

Follow Goodman on Twitter: @APJoshGoodman
By Steve Holland

HELSINKI (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden held talks with Nordic leaders at Finland's presidential palace on Thursday, visiting NATO's newest member directly after knocking Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit a day earlier.

Biden travelled to Finland, which shares a border with Russia, straight from this week's NATO talks in Vilnius, Lithuania to participate in a U.S.-Nordic summit with the leaders of Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Norway.

He will also hold a joint news conference with Finland's President Sauli Niinisto before heading back to Washington.

Finland's decision to join NATO broke with seven decades of military non-alignment and roughly doubled the length of the border NATO shares with Russia.

The country repelled an attempted Soviet invasion during World War Two but lost territory. It maintained accommodating relations with Russia until Putin's Ukraine invasion.

Ahead of a bilateral meeting with Niinisto, Biden hailed Finland's as an "incredible asset" to the NATO military alliance.

"I don't think NATO has ever been stronger," he told reporters at the palace. "Together we're standing for shared democratic values."

Niinisto said Finland's NATO membership heralded "a new era in our security", and applauded Biden for "creating unity" at the Vilnius summit which focused on uniting behind Ukraine.

A White House official said that during the meetings Biden would also welcome Sweden's prospective entry to NATO, after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan dropped objections to its application this week.

Sweden had applied to join NATO alongside Finland, but its bid was held up by Turkey, which says Sweden is doing too little against people Ankara sees as terrorists.

"We're seeing a total change to the European security structure as a result of Russia's move and the Nordic countries writ large have moved closer to the West in response to Russia's aggressive and destabilising actions," the White House official said.

At this week's NATO summit, Biden described Finland and Sweden's push to join NATO as evidence Putin's "craven lust for land and power" had backfired, only serving to strengthen the military alliance.

He also successfully soothed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who eased off on demands for a quick entry into the alliance.

"We accomplished every goal we set out to accomplish," Biden told reporters at Vilnius airport before departing for Helsinki.

His visit comes almost exactly five years after former president Donald Trump struck a conciliatory tone with Putin at talks in Helsinki.

Biden is also expected to discuss climate change and emerging technologies, among other topics.

(This story has been refiled to add a missing quotation mark in paragraph 14)

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Essi Lehto; Editing by Heather Timmons, Rosalba O'Brien and Emma Rumney)
JAKARTA (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on Thursday on the sidelines of ASEAN meetings in Indonesia's capital, the latest in a series of interactions between the rival superpowers.

Wang is representing China at the Jakarta meetings involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and partner countries after Beijing said Foreign Minister Qin Gang would not attend due to health reasons.

He and Blinken were seen seated across from each other in a meeting room in a hotel in central Jakarta and did not speak to the press.

Blinken met Qin and Wang in Beijing last month, marking the first visit to China by a U.S. secretary of state in five years. It was aimed at easing the intense rivalry between the superpowers, which are also the world's two largest economies

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited China earlier this month and climate envoy John Kerry is to visit next week.

Wang, who is the foreign policy chief for the Chinese Communist Party, ranks above Qin, who as the foreign minister is the government's foreign policy chief.

China's ambassador to the United States held a rare meeting at the Pentagon on Wednesday with the top U.S. defense official for Asia, the Pentagon said, in talks that followed U.S. criticism of Chinese reluctance to engage in military communications.

Analysts see the meetings as part of efforts to clear the way for a summit between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping later in the year, but tensions remain high.

Blinken's last meeting with Wang Yi in Beijing appeared to be the thorniest of his visit, with Wang telling him the "root cause" of their discord was "U.S. misperceptions of China" and its "misguided China polices", according to a Chinese readout.

While Washington is seeking to put a floor under relations, which Beijing has described as at their lowest point since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides remain at odds over a range of trade, security and geopolitical issues.

On Taiwan, the democratic island which Beijing claims as its own, Wang's tone at his last meeting with Blinken was particularly pointed.

"China has no room for compromise or concessions," said Wang, according to the readout.

The U.S. is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to protect itself but has long stuck to a policy of "strategic ambiguity" over whether it would respond militarily to an attack on Taiwan, which Beijing has refused to rule out.

Last week, the senior State Department official for East Asia, Daniel Kritenbrink, said Blinken would work with ASEAN members in Jakarta in response to "an upward trend of unhelpful and coercive and irresponsible Chinese actions."

(Reporting by Gayatri Suroyo in Jakarta, David Brunnstrom and Simon Lewis in Washington; Additional reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor, Michael Perry, Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Education Lab Newsletter

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Fresno City College will join the small  but growing  pool of California community colleges offering bachelors degrees, starting in fall 2024.

The program will be in dental hygiene, a subject in which the school has offered an associates degree for over 40 years, said the colleges dean of allied health, Lorraine Smith, in an interview Thursday.

Dental hygiene students were already doing a lot of the work that a bachelors degree demands but for the existing associates degree, Smith said. They were completing 107 credits, when a bachelors program asks for 120. They were also taking their board exams to become licensed.

This degree recognizes the work that students currently complete, she said in an email to The Bees Education Lab Friday. We believe that not awarding a bachelors degree disadvantages students from future opportunities.

In March, Fresno City received conditional approval to launch its first bachelors degree program  unlike the two-year associate degrees it and other community colleges have historically offered. Since then, the program received green lights from both the board of governors for California Community Colleges as well as the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

Now, the task is to update the curriculum, Smith said. The school plans to welcome applications from students to fill roughly 30 spots in the bachelors program as soon as spring of 2024.

The growing wave of bachelors degree offerings at community colleges could help close achievement gaps in higher education, studies have shown. An April report from the University of California, Los Angeles Civil Rights Project team found that offering four-year degrees at community colleges benefited low-income students and students of color in particular.

At Fresno City, students will pay significantly less than they would at a private college for a dental hygiene degree. The schools program will cost $10,000 over four years, Smith said.

In contrast, a case study in the UCLA report showed that dental hygiene programs at private schools in Southern California cost $65,000-$109,000 more than one offered at a community college.

Students who graduate from the Fresno City program and pass their board exam will be qualified for work as a licensed dental hygienist. The role comes with an average salary of $84,860, according to May 2022 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A national shortage of dental hygienists has also placed the job in higher demand as of late.

The shortage is more pronounced in less populated areas of California, where there are dental deserts, said Anthony Lum, executive officer of the states Dental Hygiene Board, in an email to The Bees Education Lab. More hygienists are needed to help fill those gaps.

The baseline requirement to become a dental hygienist is typically an associates degree.

But data collected by the California Community Colleges Chancellors Office shows a growing number of students in the system are pursuing a bachelors, as opposed to an associates, degree in dental hygiene each year between 2017 and 2022. That number increased from 51 to 137  or more than 150%  between the 2017-18 and 2021-22 school years.

The profession is moving towards awarding bachelors degrees, she said.

It opens up adjacent career paths as well, Smith said, like in public health.

Graduates of these programs with a bachelors degree also have the option to go on and teach in a dental hygiene program, Lum said.

Smith confirmed that graduates will now be able to return as instructors once the bachelors degree program starts at Fresno City.

This is going to prepare not only dental hygienists, she said, but also the future educators of the region.

The Education Lab is a local journalism initiative that highlights education issues critical to the advancement of the San Joaquin Valley. It is funded by donors. Learn about The Bees Education Lab at its website.
(Refiles to remove extraneous 'Thursday' in paragraph 1)

BEIJING (Reuters) - China on Thursday renewed its call for the United States to lift "unilateral" sanctions against Chinese enterprises ahead of a possible visit by the U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Chinese companies involved in using what the U.S. calls forced labour in the far-western region of Xinjiang. China has repeatedly denied the accusations.

"The U.S. has seriously damaged Chinese companies' interests," China's commerce ministry spokesperson Shu Jueting told a press conference.

"China is firmly opposed to it, and urges the U.S. side to immediately stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese firms and lift its unilateral sanctions against them," Shu said.

When asked about a possible visit by Raimondo, Shu said: "China is open to such a visit and is in communication with the U.S. over the matter."

"China will remain committed to addressing economic and trade concerns through communication and dialogue, while promoting constructive and practical cooperation," Shu said.

Raimondo said in March that the Biden administration was considering a pilot programme to address risks involved in investment in China.

On Monday, China's finance ministry said it was required the U.S. to "lift bans on Xinjiang-related products" and take "practical actions" in response to its major concerns about sanctions.

The ministry statement followed a recent visit to Beijing by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, which yielded no breakthrough but was described as "productive" by both sides.

The two countries agreed to keep channels open for economic talks.

(This story has been refiled to remove the extraneous word 'Thursday' in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Joe Cash and Ethan Wang; editing by Robert Birsel)
By Jane Lanhee Lee and Eduardo Baptista

(Reuters) - The sale of struggling Silicon Valley startup zGlues patents in 2021 was unremarkable except for one detail: The technology it owned, designed to cut the time and cost for making chips, showed up 13 months later in the patent portfolio of Chipuller, a startup in Chinas southern tech hub Shenzhen.

Chipuller purchased what is referred to as chiplet technology, a cost efficient way to package groups of small semiconductors to form one powerful brain capable of powering everything from data centers to gadgets at home.

The previously unreported technology transfer coincides with a push for chiplet technology in China that started about two years ago, according to a Reuters analysis of hundreds of patents in the U.S. and China and dozens of Chinese government procurement documents, research papers and grants, local and central government policy documents and interviews with Chinese chip executives.

Industry experts say chiplet technology has become even more important to China since the U.S. barred it from accessing advanced machines and materials needed to make todays most cutting edge chips, and now largely underpins the countrys plans for self-reliance in semiconductor manufacturing.

"U.S.-China competition is on the same starting line," Chipuller chairman Yang Meng said about chiplet technology in an interview with Reuters. "In other (chip technologies) there is a sizeable gap between China and the United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan."

Barely mentioned before 2021, Chinese authorities have highlighted chiplets more frequently in recent years, according to a Reuters review. At least 20 policy documents from local to central governments referred to it as part of a broader strategy to increase Chinas capabilities in key and cutting-edge technologies.

"Chiplets have a very special meaning for China given the restrictions on wafer fabrication equipment," said Charles Shi, a chip analyst for brokerage Needham. "They can still develop 3D stacking or other chiplet technology to work around those restrictions. Thats the grand strategy, and I think it might even work."

Beijing is rapidly exploiting chiplet technology in applications as diverse as artificial intelligence to self-driving cars, with entities from tech giant Huawei Technologies to military institutions exploring its use.

More major investments in the area are on the way, according to a review of corporate announcements.

CHINA'S CHIPLET ADVANTAGE

Chiplets, or small chips, can be the size of a grain of sand or bigger than a thumbnail and are brought together in a process called advanced packaging.

It is a technology the global chip industry has increasingly embraced in recent years as chip manufacturing costs soar in the race to make transistors so small they are now measured in the number of atoms.

Bonding chiplets tightly together can help make more powerful systems without shrinking the transistor size as the multiple chips can work like one brain.

Apples high-end computer lines use chiplet technology, as do Intel and AMDs more powerful chips.

About a quarter of the global chip packaging and testing market sits in China, according to Dongguan Securities.

While some say this gives China an advantage in leveraging chiplet technology, Chipuller chairman Yang cautioned the proportion of China's packaging industry that could be considered advanced was "not very big".

Under the right conditions, chiplets that are personalised according to the needs of the customer can be completed quickly, in "three to four months, this is the unique advantage China holds," according to Yang.

Needham's Shi said according to import data published by Chinas customs agency, Chinas purchase of chip packaging equipment soared to $3.3 billion in 2021 from its previous high of $1.7 billion in 2018, although last year it fell to $2.3 billion with the chip market downturn.

Since early 2021 research papers on chiplets started surfacing by researchers of the Chinese military Peoples Liberation Army and universities it runs, and state-run and PLA-affiliated laboratories are looking to use chips made using domestic chiplet technology according to six tenders published over the past three years.

Public documents by the government also show millions of dollars worth of grants to researchers specializing in chiplet technology, while dozens of smaller companies have sprouted throughout China in recent years to meet domestic demand for advanced packaging solutions like chiplets.

CHIPLETS ON THE TABLE

Against the backdrop of escalating U.S.-China tension, Chinese company Chipuller acquired 28 patents either owned by zGlue or invented by people whose names are on zGlue's patents, according to an analysis using IP management technology firm Anaqua's Acclaim IP database.

The acquisition was through a two-step transfer, first through British Virgin Islands-registered North Sea Investment Co Ltd, according to documents seen by Reuters and confirmed by Yang.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), a powerful Treasury-led committee that reviews transactions for potential threats to U.S. security, did not respond to a Reuters request for comment about whether such sales would require their approval.

CFIUS lawyers Laura Black at Akin's Trade Group, Melissa Mannino at BakerHostetler and Perry Bechky at Berliner Corcoran & Rowe say patent sales alone would not necessarily give CFIUS authority over the deal, as it depends whether the assets purchased constitute a U.S. business.

Representative Mike Gallagher, an influential lawmaker whose select committee on China has pressed the Biden administration to take tougher stances on China, told Reuters zGlue's case highlights the "urgent need to reform CFIUS".

"(People's Republic of China) entities should not be able to act with impunity to take advantage of distressed U.S. firms to transfer their IP to China, he said in an emailed statement.

Chipuller's Yang said zGlue's lawyer communicated with both CFIUS and the Department of Commerce to ensure the sale to North Sea would not fall foul of export controls.

These discussions did not include mention of Chipuller or the possibility of a Chinese entity ending up in possession of the patents, according to a Chipuller spokesperson.

"Everything was done very transparently and in accordance with (U.S.) law," Yang said.

Yang said he considered himself a founder of zGlue as he became an investor in the company in 2015, soon after its formation, and later became a director and chairman.

CFIUS visited zGlue offices in 2018 to conduct an investigation because the company's largest non-U.S. investor, Yang, was from China, the chairman said.

"So we have spent a lot of time communicating with CFIUS," Yang said, adding that Chipuller currently does not supply any Chinese military or U.S.-sanctioned entities.

Chipuller isnt the only firm with chiplet technology.

Huawei, Chinas tech and chip design giant that has been put on the U.S.'s most restricted list, has been actively filing chiplet patents.

Huawei published over 900 chiplet-related patent applications and grants last year in China, up from 30 in 2017, according to Anaquas director of analytics solutions Shayne Phillips.

Huawei declined to comment.

Reuters identified over a dozen announcements over the past two years for new factories or expansions of existing ones from companies using chiplet technology in manufacturing across Chinas tech sector, representing an investment totalling over 40 billion yuan.

They include domestic giants TongFu Microelectronics and JCET Group, as well as fast-growing startups such as Beijing ESWIN Technology Group, which spent 5.5 billion yuan on a factory for its chiplet-focused subsidiary that began operating in April.

One article published in May by an outlet run by Chinas Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) urged big Chinese tech firms the use of domestic packaging companies such as TongFu to help build China's self-sufficiency in computing power.

"Use Chiplet technology to break through the United States' siege of my country's advanced process chips, it said.

MIIT did not respond to a request for comment.

Chipuller chairman Yang puts it this way: "Chiplet technology is the core driving force for the development of the domestic semiconductor industry, he said on the company's official WeChat channel. It is our mission and duty to bring it back to China."

($1 = 7.2205 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Jane Lanhee Lee and Eduardo Baptista; Additional reporting by Echo Wang and Stephen Nellis; editing by Kenneth Li, Brenda Goh and Lincoln Feast.)
Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, and first lady Kim Keon Hee disembark the presidential plane upon arriving at Warsaw Chopin Airport in the Polish capital, July 12. Yonhap



Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in Poland on Wednesday for a three-day official visit aimed at deepening cooperation in strategic sectors such as arms and nuclear power and facilitating South Korean participation in reconstruction projects in Ukraine.



Yoon is scheduled to hold a summit with Polish President Andrzej Duda on Thursday and discuss ways to further develop the bilateral strategic partnership established in 2013.



Talks will focus on expanding ties not only in trade and investment, but also in strategic sectors such as arms, nuclear power and infrastructure, according to his office.



Yoon will hold separate meetings with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and speakers of the lower and upper houses of parliament, and also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.



This is Yoon's first bilateral visit to a European nation since taking office. He is also the first South Korean president to pay an official visit to Warsaw since Lee Myung-bak in 2009.



Yoon, who arrived here after attending a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Lithuania, plans to meet with South Korean business officials operating in Poland and seeking to participate in reconstruction projects in post-war Ukraine to discuss ways the government can support them.



An 89-person business delegation is accompanying him on the trip, representing companies in rechargeable batteries, arms and nuclear energy, as well as construction companies interested in taking part in reconstruction projects in Ukraine.



Also on Yoon's itinerary are a meeting with Korean residents in Poland, a discussion with South Korean and Polish youths at the University of Warsaw and a bilateral business forum he will jointly attend with Duda. (Yonhap)


Both New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) have reached over 40,000 donors for their respective campaigns  the minimum number of donors deemed necessary in order to qualify for the first GOP presidential debate next month.

Im glad to be able to tell people tonight, Anderson, that last night, we went past 40,000 unique donors in just 35 days, Christie told CNNs Anderson Cooper in an interview.

And [to] give you some perspective because I ran eight years ago, in 35 days eight years ago, we had 5,000 donors. Over 40,000 donors now, he continued. There is a donor in every state in America, and we have over 200 donors in 36 states. So theres really a broad support for the candidacy.

Meanwhile, Sen. Tim Scotts campaign also noted in their memo on the candidates second quarter fundraising figures on Wednesday that he, too, met the donor requirement with more than 53,000 donors contributing to him from every state in the country.

In order for Republican presidential candidates to qualify for the first debate, which is slated for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, one of the Republican National Committees (RNC) criteria that must be met is having at least 40,000 unique donors contribute to a candidates campaign, with a minimum of at least 200 unique donors in 20 or more states each.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Candidates also must meet a polling threshold  at least 1 percent in three national polls or 1 percent in two national polls and at least 1 percent in one early state poll from two separate carve out states (Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina), according to the RNC.

If those requirements are met, then candidates are required to sign a pledge stating theyll support the eventual GOP nominee. Scott and Christie will also need to meet the polling requirements and pledge in order to be on the stage next month.

The looming question is whether former President Trump will participate in the first debate; Trump has been noncommittal about whether hell attend.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) put pressure on Trump to attend the debate during an interview Wednesday on The Howie Carr Show.

Every candidate needs to be put to the test, and I think he needs to step up and do it, DeSantis told Carr.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
CAIRO (AP)  Leaders from Sudans seven neighboring countries agreed on Thursday in Cairo to a new Egyptian-led initiative seeking to resolve the deepening conflict in the African country.

The meeting  the most high-profile since fighting erupted across Sudan in mid-April  was hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and attended by the leaders of Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad, Eritrea, the Central African Republic and Libya.

Sudan has been rocked by violence since April 15, when tensions between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces burst into open fighting. The conflict has killed more than 3,000 people, according to data from June, though the actual death toll is likely much higher, doctors and activists say.

In his opening speech, el-Sissi outlined an initiative to establish a lasting cease-fire, create safe humanitarian corridors for aid delivery, and build a dialogue framework that would include all Sudanese political parties and figures.

Though similar to previous commitments signed by Sudan's rivals in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah in May, which ultimately floundered, Thursday's plan was backed by all seven neighbors  as well as Sudan's military and the paramilitary RSF, which both praised it on social media. Since April, the rivals had agreed to at least 10 cease-fires that failed.

The most significant pushback came from Ethiopias prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, who argued that any new initiative should work alongside negotiations led by the African Union or risk prolonging the crisis.

Earlier talks in Jeddah, which were brokered by the kingdom and the United States, broke down last month as both sides repeatedly failed to stop fighting and violated cease-fire agreements.

On Monday, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development  an eight-member East African bloc that's also part of the African Union  held talks between Sudan's rival forces. During the meeting, the panel proposed deploying troops to Sudan to better protect civilians.

However, Sudans military delegation refused to attend the meeting and accused Kenyan President William Ruto, who headed the talks, of siding with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces because of his purported business ties with the family of the RSF commander. Sudans government, which is controlled by the military, reiterated its calls to replace the Kenyan leader as the chair of the Quartet.

El-Sissi on Thursday urged Sudan's warring sides to commit to African Union-led cease-fire negotiations.

Suliman Baldo, director of the think tank Sudan Transparency and Policy Tracker, said the past failings indicate that the summit in Egypt is unlikely to come up with quick solutions to the conflict.

Egypt has longstanding ties with the Sudanese army and its top general, Abdel Fattah Burhan. In closing remarks at the end of the summit, el-Sissi said further talks among the seven nations would be held in Chad.

El-Sissi and Ethiopia's Ahmed also held a rare private meeting Wednesday to discuss the construction of a massive dam on Ethiopias stretch of the Blue Nile. Cairo and Addis Ababa have been at odds for years over the project. Ethiopia says it is needed to bring electricity to hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians, while Cairo and Khartoum fear it will limit their water supply upstream.

According to a Thursday evening statement, Ethiopia said the two countries committed to finalizing an agreement on the dam within the next four months.

The 12 weeks of fighting between the army and the RSF have turned Khartoum, Sudan's capital, into an urban battlefield. The conflict forced more than 2.4 million people to flee their homes for safer areas inside the country, according to the International Organization for Migration. Around 738,000 others have crossed into neighboring countries, the agency said.

Also Thursday, The United Nations said the bodies of dozens of people allegedly killed by Sudanese paramilitary and allied militia have been uncovered in a mass grave in West Darfur. Darfur has been one of the epicenters of the 12-week conflict, morphing into ethnic violence with RSF troops and allied Arab militias attacking African ethnic groups. Earlier this week Human Rights Watch called for the International Criminal Court to investigate atrocities in Darfur.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Ethiopias prime minister attended the summit, not the president; and that leaders from Sudans seven neighboring countries met in Cairo, not six countries.
TACOMA, Wash. (AP)  A federal lawsuit alleges police in Washington state had no plan other than to use deadly force against a fugitive who was on the run in 2020 after shooting a supporter of a far-right group during clashes between supporters of then-President Donald Trump and Black Lives Matter in the streets of Portland, Oregon.

The actions of the officers, before, during, and after the shooting, show that they either had no plan to arrest the man without injury, made no effort to follow such a plan, or planned to use deadly force from the start," said the lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma by the estate of Michael Forest Reinoehl, who identified as an anti-fascist.

Reinoehl fatally shot Aaron Jay Danielson during chaotic clashes between racial injustice protesters and far-right groups who held a pro-Trump car rally in downtown Portland. The shooting attracted Trump's attention and further inflamed tensions in Oregon's largest city, which saw weeks of violent protests against racial injustice and police brutality following George Floyd's murder.

Reinoehl was caught on surveillance video shooting Danielson, a supporter of the far-right group Patriot Prayer, on Aug. 29, 2020, after a demonstration backing Trump.

Trump cheered on the manhunt for Reinoehl, tweeting just before he was killed for police to Do your job, and do it fast.

A federal task force was trying to arrest Reinoehl, 48, at an apartment complex in Lacey, near Olympia, in September 2020 when four officers fired at him as he exited his car.

Law enforcement officers in militia-style fatigues raced through a quiet residential neighborhood in unmarked vehicles, the lawsuit said: Meanwhile, the officers sprayed more than 40 bullets through the neighborhood, killing (Reinoehl), grazing a child playing nearby, and striking cars, fences, backyard playground equipment, buildings, and residences."

At least five bullets struck him, the lawsuit said.

A Washington state prosecutor decided not to file criminal charges against police who shot and killed him.

Washington state and local police were operating as a U.S. Marshals Service task force.

Spokespersons for the Washington State Patrol and for Pierce County said Wednesday they don't comment on pending litigation.

Lakewood police Chief Patrick Smith said that while they don't comment on pending litigation, he referred a request for comment to the city's legal department, which didn't immediately respond.

The U.S. Department of Justice didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last year, a judge dismissed a federal lawsuit filed against the city of Portland, the mayor and the Multnomah County district attorney by Danielson's estate.

The lawsuit had alleged that negligence around increasingly violent clashes between competing groups in Portland created an environment that encouraged lawlessness and led to the killing.
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The European Commission is helping the United Nations and Turkey try to extend a deal allowing the Black Sea export of Ukraine grain - that could expire on Monday - and is open to "explore all solutions," a European Union spokesperson said on Thursday.

The EU is considering connecting a subsidiary of the Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) to the international payment network SWIFT to allow for grain and fertilizer transactions, sources familiar with discussions told Reuters on Wednesday.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed in a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday that Moscow allow the Black Sea grain deal to continue for several months to give the EU time to connect a Rosselkhozbank subsidiary to SWIFT, two of those sources familiar with discussions told Reuters.

During a visit to Brussels on Thursday, Guterres told reporters that he had not yet received a response from Russia. He said his letter to Putin contained "concrete proposals that I hope can allow us to find a positive way forward."

The European Commission's priority is to ensure that Ukrainian grain can reach the world market and it calls on all parties to extend the Black Sea deal, A European Union spokesperson in Brussels said on Thursday.

"We are assisting the talks led by the U.N. and Turkey as required," the EU spokesperson said. "We are of course open to explore all solutions that contribute to our objective, whilst continuing to ensure that Russia's ability to wage war in Ukraine is hampered as much as possible."

A key demand by Moscow is the reconnection of Rosselkhozbank to SWIFT. It was cut off by the European Union in June 2022 over Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

U.S., BRITISH HELP

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said last week that Moscow would not be satisfied with the alternative proposal because it would take "many months" to open a subsidiary and another three months to connect it to SWIFT.

Russia has threatened to ditch the Black Sea grain deal because several demands to dispatch its own grain and fertilizer abroad have not been met. The last ship traveling under the Black Sea agreement is currently loading its cargo at the Ukrainian port of Odesa ahead of the Monday deadline.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that he had not heard of any new proposals on the Black Sea grain deal, when asked about remarks by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan who said that Putin had made some suggestions.

The United Nations and Turkey brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative with Russia and Ukraine in July 2022 to help alleviate a global food crisis worsened by Moscow's invasion and blockade of Ukrainian ports.

To convince Russia to agree to the Black Sea deal, a three-year memorandum of understanding was struck at the same time under which U.N. officials agreed to help Russia get its food and fertilizer exports to foreign markets.

While Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not subject to Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow says restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have amounted to a barrier to shipments.

As a workaround to the lack of access to SWIFT, U.N. officials have got U.S. bank JPMorgan Chase & Co JPM.N to start processing some Russian grain export payments with reassurances from the U.S. government.

The United Nations is also working with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to create a platform to help process transactions for Russian exports of grain and fertilizer to Africa, the top U.N. trade official told Reuters last month.

Britain has also "worked very closely with the City of London to enable a very complex payment system" for Russian grain, Britain's U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward has said.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
CARACAS (Reuters) -The European Court of Human Rights has denied an effort by a former director of Venezuelan military intelligence, wanted on drug trafficking charges by the United States, to avoid extradition from Spain.

The United States in 2020 accused Hugo Carvajal - who was late President Hugo Chavez's eyes and ears within Venezuela's military for more than a decade - of drug trafficking, along with more than a dozen other high-ranking officials including current President Nicolas Maduro.

Carvajal was arrested in September 2021 at a Madrid apartment by Spanish police and is being held in Estremera, outside of the capital. He has denied supporting cocaine trafficking to the United States.

"Mr Carvajal Barrios had failed to demonstrate that he would be at real risk of being sentenced to life imprisonment without parole ... therefore (we) found the application to be manifestly ill-founded," the court said in a statement, adding its decision was final.

"As he had not yet been tried, it was difficult to ascertain the outcome, but the court was satisfied that he would be tried in a legal system respectful of the rule of law and principles of a fair trial, in which he would have full opportunity to mount a defense with the help of legal representation," it added.

"We are very disappointed by this decision," Carvajal's lawyer, Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma, said in an email. "I don't think the European Court really understood the consequences of charging a man in his 60s with crimes carrying a mandatory minimum term of five decades in prison under federal law, which amounts to an irreducible life sentence."

"In any event, General Carvajal is looking forward to clearing his name in an American court," Margulis-Ohnuma added.

Venezuela's ruling party managed to free Carvajal when he was first arrested in Aruba in 2014, but he fled to Spain in 2021 after distancing himself from the government and backing an opposition leader.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen and Vivian Sequera; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Conor Humphries and Sandra Maler)
By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) -A former Mozambique finance minister pleaded not guilty on Thursday to U.S. criminal charges over his alleged involvement in a fraud involving $2 billion in loans to three state-owned companies.

Manuel Chang entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis in Brooklyn.

Chang had been extradited on Wednesday from South Africa, where he was arrested in December 2018 on U.S. charges of conspiring to commit wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering.

Garaufis denied Chang's request for bail, agreeing with prosecutors that he was a flight risk and could escape the charges by entering Mozambique's U.N. mission in Manhattan.

"The evidence regarding his guilt on the face of it is strong," Garaufis said.

Chang had proposed setting a $1 million bond.

The so-called "tuna bonds" case stems from financing extended to the three state companies by Credit Suisse and Russian bank VTB for projects to develop Mozambique's fishing industry and improve maritime security between 2013 and 2016.

Prosecutors said at least $200 million was diverted to various defendants and Mozambican government officials.

Federal prosecutors said Chang secretly had Mozambique's government guarantee the loans in exchange for bribes, and that the three companies were really "fronts" for Chang and other defendants to enrich themselves. The scheme misled U.S. investors about Mozambique's creditworthiness, prosecutors said.

Chang's lawyer Adam Ford said in court that Chang guaranteed the loans in his official capacity and did not take bribes.

"He intends to stay here and fight these charges," Ford said.

The other defendants included Jean Boustani, a salesman for a Lebanese shipbuilding company accused of bribing officials and bankers to win contracts from the state-owned companies.

He was acquitted at trial in December 2019, after he testified that he had no role in packaging the loans for investors.

Three former bankers at Credit Suisse pleaded guilty in 2019.

Credit Suisse, which was acquired by former rival UBS in a rescue this year, agreed to pay $475 million to Britain and the United States in 2021 to resolve bribery and fraud charges.

While Boustani's company Privinvest did deliver ships and equipment to Mozambique, prosecutors said their value was grossly inflated.

Eventually the loans defaulted and investors lost their money. Credit Suisse has forgiven $200 million that Mozambique owed.

In 2016, Mozambique unveiled previously-undisclosed state-backed borrowing, leading to a currency collapse and sovereign debt default after the International Monetary Fund and foreign donors cut off support.

The country is suing Credit Suisse and Privinvest in London for compensation and restitution.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Rosalba O'Brien)
DUBAI (Reuters) - The U.N. human rights office said on Thursday at least 87 people including women and children had been buried in a mass grave in Sudan's West Darfur, saying it had credible information they were killed by the country's Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

RSF officials denied any involvement, saying the paramilitary group was not a party to the conflict in West Darfur.

Here are some facts about the RSF.

* The RSF is commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who before war broke out between the RSF and the army was deputy head of Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council. He is commonly known as Hemedti. Analysts estimate the RSF numbers about 100,000, with bases and deployments across the country.

* It has been locked since April 15 in a war with the army that has triggered a major humanitarian crisis in the region. Mobile RSF fighters have kept up the fight despite army airstrikes.

* It evolved from so-called Janjaweed militias that fought in a conflict in the 2000s in the Darfur region, where they were used by the government of long-ruling President Omar al-Bashir to help the army put down a rebellion.

* An estimated 2.5 million people were displaced and 300,000 killed in the conflict. International Criminal Court prosecutors accused government officials and Janjaweed commanders of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. No charges were brought against Hemedti.

* Over time RSF forces grew, and were used as border guards in particular to clamp down on irregular migration. In tandem, Hemedti's business interests expanded, and his family extended holdings in gold mining, livestock and infrastructure.

* In 2015, the RSF, along with Sudan's army, began sending troops to fight in the war in Yemen alongside Saudi and Emirati troops, allowing Hemedti to forge ties with the Gulf powers.

* In 2017, a law legitimising the RSF as an independent security force was passed. Military sources said the army's leadership had long expressed concern about the development of Hemedti's forces.

* In April 2019, the RSF participated in the ousting of Bashir during a popular uprising. Later that year Hemedti signed a power-sharing agreement that made him deputy of the ruling council headed by army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

* Before the signing in 2019, activists accused the RSF of participating in killing dozens of pro-democracy protesters. Rights groups have also accused RSF soldiers of tribal violence. Hemedti removed immunity from some, allowing for their prosecution. He later apologised for crimes by the state against the Sudanese people, without elaborating.

* The RSF took part in a coup in October 2021 that halted the transition to elections. Hemedti later said he regretted the coup and expressed approval for a new deal to restore full civilian government ahead of elections.

* The Sudanese army as well as pro-democracy groups demanded the RSF's integration into the regular armed forces. That, along with the chain of command under a new transition, were points of dispute that contributed to the outbreak of fighting.

(Compiled by Michael Georgy, Editing by William Maclean)
A state investigation faulted California Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles for faulty practices that led to the death of a patient. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)

Faulty practices at a Los Angeles hospital led to a patient hemorrhaging to death hours after giving birth by cesarean section, a state investigation found.

California Hospital Medical Center in downtown L.A. failed to recognize signs that the patient was bleeding internally, which resulted in the woman returning to the operating room four hours after those signs began to emerge, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The patient, who was at high risk for bleeding, died the same day in March as her C-section, according to the state report. An autopsy found the cause of her death was hemorrhagic shock  severe loss of blood causing inadequate delivery of oxygen to the cells  along with an impaired ability for the blood to clot and stop bleeding, the report indicated.

State investigators called an immediate jeopardy situation at the hospital, which means that its failure to meet requirements had caused or would likely cause serious harm or death. The label was removed after California Hospital Medical Center turned in a plan that included reeducating staff in its labor and delivery department on detecting and treating hemorrhages, according to the state report on its findings.

"I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family for their unimaginable loss," hospital president Alina Moran said in a statement. "When there is an unexpected patient care outcome, we conduct a review of the care that was provided and work to identify opportunities for improvement."

"As part of our process, we have met with the family and shared the changes we have made and are making in order to prevent similar incidents. ... The safety of our patients remains our highest priority," Moran said.

Read more:Cedars-Sinai faces federal civil rights investigation over treatment of Black mothers

The hospital did not incur any financial penalties as a result of the findings, a spokesperson said.

In its report, the Department of Public Health faulted the hospital for more than a dozen deficiencies, or failures to meet conditions for federal programs that reimburse hospitals. In some cases, the state agency specifically said that faulty practices had resulted in the death of the patient.

For instance, hospitals are supposed to maintain an ongoing program to improve their performance, but the state team found it had failed to properly keep up such efforts. Hospital staff told the state that California Hospital Medical Center had not followed its own processes for managing obstetric hemorrhages.

"This deficient practice resulted in [the patient's] death four hours after a Cesarean section delivery," the state team concluded.

State investigators also found there was a 1-hour delay in getting the patient a second transfusion of red blood cells. And the hospital failed to inform its governing body about the patient who had hemorrhaged to death, hampering its ability to push for improvements, the state found.

The state team also found other problems involving other patients at California Hospital Medical Center during its April review, including failing to take steps to prevent patients from developing potentially deadly blood clots.

Read more:State investigators found lapses that could threaten patients at Inglewood hospital

The L.A. hospital was founded more than a century ago and is now part of Dignity Health, one of the biggest healthcare systems in the country. The California Department of Public Health has issued other findings about the facility over the past year and a half: Last summer, a sponge was left in the vagina of a patient with endometrial cancer who was being prepared for surgery and was not removed until the following day, in violation of hospital policies, it found.

Earlier this year, state investigators faulted another Southern California hospital  Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood  for lapses that could jeopardize patients in its labor and delivery unit. The findings followed public protests and calls for investigation of the death of April Valentine, a 31-year-old woman who delivered a baby at Centinela Hospital. Black women like Valentine have been at higher risk of dying of pregnancy complications than other women in California.

And The Times reported this week that Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is facing a federal civil rights investigation over its treatment of Black women who give birth there. The investigation follows allegations of discrimination after the death of Kira Dixon Johnson, who died after going to Cedars-Sinai to deliver her second son.

The state report did not name the patient who died after the C-section at California Hospital Medical Center.

Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday repudiated Republican claims that the nations top law enforcement agency is being used in a political manner to discriminate against conservatives, and also criticized mistakes made at the FBI under his predecessor, James Comey.

The FBI has no interest in protecting anyone politically, Wray told the House Judiciary Committee during more than three hours of testimony.

FBI Director Christopher Wray listens to committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, at a House Judiciary Committee on oversight of the FBI on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Wray also said that the FBI is absolutely not engaged in weaponizing government resources against Americans. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has created a special subcommittee to examine what he has labeled as the weaponization of the federal government.

"You have personally worked to weaponize the FBI against conservatives, Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., told Wray.

Wray, a longtime member of the Federalist Society  a conservative legal group  scoffed. The idea that I'm biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background, he replied.

Republicans blame Wray for mistakes made under his predecessor

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill on April 25. (Julia Nikhinson/Reuters)

Nonetheless, Republicans on the committee lobbed a wide array of charges against Wray and the FBI, often focusing on problems at the FBI that took place under Wrays predecessor, James Comey, who was fired by former President Donald Trump in 2017.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, recounted the story of a former FBI lawyer who was sentenced to 12 months' probation in 2021, for altering an email as part of a search warrant application during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

As director of the FBI, those are the facts of the FBI under your watch, Roy said.

No, no, sir, it's important: Not under my watch, Wray told Roy.

Wray criticizes previous FBI Director Comey

Former FBI Director James Comey speaks to the media on Dec. 7, 2018, after giving a private deposition to the House Judiciary and House Government and Oversight committees on Capitol Hill. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters)

At different points throughout the hearing, Wray made some of the most forthright criticisms of the Comey era at the FBI he had made since he was appointed to the job by Trump in 2017.

I'm very mindful of the fact that the whole reason I'm in this job is because my predecessor was fired and, in a fairly scathing Inspector General Report, one of the things he was criticized for was sharing more information  both with the public and, frankly, with Congress  than was consistent with federal rules, Wray said.

Wray was unsparing in his condemnation of mistakes made by the FBI in the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, which was called to investigate links between the Russian government and contacts in the 2016 Trump campaign.

Former special counsel John Durham issued a report in May that found that the FBIs handling of important aspects of the Crossfire Hurricane matter were seriously deficient.

Wray did not mince words: I consider the conduct that was described in the Durham report as totally unacceptable and unrepresentative of what I see from the FBI every day, and must never be allowed to happen again.

Questions about 'radical traditionalist Catholic ideology'

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies at the hearing Wednesday. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Jordan and other Republicans spent little time asking about some of the bigger issues that he and others on the right have talked about on right-wing media outlets, such as allegations from an IRS whistleblower that an investigation into President Bidens son, Hunter Biden, was slow-walked.

Rather, Jordan asked about an internal memo written by a Richmond field office of the FBI that warned against radical traditionalist Catholic ideology.

Wray condemned the memo as appalling and said it as far as what we can tell, did not result in any investigative action, none.

As soon as I found out about it, I was aghast and ordered it removed, Wray said. He said the FBI is working on an internal review of the matter and plans to brief Congress this summer.

Jordan shows partial info on Bank of America requests

Jordan also harped on requests from the FBI to Bank of America for information about customer transactions on Jan. 15, 2021. But he selectively displayed information from an email from the FBI to a Bank of America official.

A doctored image of the e-mail showed only two of the search criteria that were submitted by the FBI to Bank of America. The two criteria were weapons or weapons related-vendor purchases" in the six months prior, and among that group, those who made purchases in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5 or Jan. 6, 2021.

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan listens to FBI Director Christopher Wray testify Wednesday. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Im just nervous about that, Jordan said, casting the FBI data requests as overly broad and intrusive.

Jan. 6, 2021, was the day Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a violent assault, to try to overturn Trumps loss in the 2020 election.

It wasnt until over an hour later in the hearing, after Democrats asked Jordan to show an undoctored image of the email, that Jordan displayed the full email. Other search criteria included hotel and AirBNB reservations in the Washington, D.C., area on or around Inauguration Day  Jan. 20, 2021  and the purchase of airline tickets to D.C. around Inauguration Day.

"The intention, the full email read, is to identify all potential networks of threats vs individual threats to Inauguration Day and beyond.

By focusing on only half the search terms, Jordans presentation initially made it appear that the search was much broader than it actually was.

Claims of censorship

Many Republicans in the hearing accused the FBI of censoring Americans social media content. But GOP claims often went beyond the facts.

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., claimed that FBI agents were removing online content they did not like. Your agents pulled it off the internet, Johnson said.

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., center, with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., on his left, addresses a House Judiciary Committee hearing on July 12, as FBI Director Wray testifies before the committee amid calls by some hardline conservatives for his ouster. (Al Drago/Bloomberg)

There is no evidence of this claim. Internal communications disclosed in the Twitter files and in a House Judiciary Committee report this week have shown the FBI and other government agencies  including officials from the Trump White House and the Biden White House  communicating with social media companies about potentially inaccurate content.

We don't ask social media companies to censor information or suppress information, Wray said. We're very clear that it's up to the social media companies.
A federal transportation board official said investigators will review whether tractor-trailers parked along a rest area exit ramp on Interstate 70 near Highland contributed to the cause of a collision between a Greyhound bus and three trucks that left three people dead Wednesday.

The fatal crash occurred in Madison County on westbound I-70 at about 2 a.m. Wednesday at the entrance ramp to the Silver Lake Rest Area, where the trucks were parked.

At least 14 people were injured in the crash, Illinois State Police said. Those who died were on the bus, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The names of the deceased victims have not been released.

Here are the issues addressed by the National Transportation Safety Board during a news briefing Wednesday afternoon:

What caused the bus to crash and was the bus trying to enter the rest area?

Tom Chapman, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, said it was too early in the investigation to say what caused the crash, but officials may have more information to release on Thursday.

We are very, very early in the investigation, Chapman said in a briefing on Wednesday afternoon.

We have very little in the way of information or details so its really too early for us to know precisely what occurred or why it occurred at the location, said Chapman, who expects to visit the site Thursday.

Chapman said federal investigators expect to be at the site for a week.

Our investigation is a safety investigation intended to determine the probable cause of the accident, any contributing factors and determine whether a recommendation should be made to help ensure that similar tragedies do not occur in the future, Chapman said.

Were the trucks parked along the rest area exit ramp a factor in the crash?

Rest area safety is one of the issues that will be a part of this investigation, Chapman said.

He noted that it was too early to say whether the trucks contributed to the crash.

Why were the trucks parked on the rest area exit ramp?

Chapman said it was too early to answer this question.
Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, shakes hands with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda during their talks in Vilnius, Lithuania, on the sidelines of a summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, July 12. Yonhap



Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Wednesday and formally informed him of Seoul's decision to open an embassy in Vilnius, his office said.



The two held a summit in Vilnius on the sidelines of a gathering of leaders from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which Korea was invited to as a partner nation.



Yoon called for expanding cooperation with Lithuania  a leading nation in laser technology  in bio and other cutting-edge industries, and Nauseda expressed his agreement, saying he hopes to increase cooperation with Korea's leading semiconductor and display businesses.



Nauseda especially expressed interest in Korean self-propelled artillery and other weapons systems.



Yoon formally informed Nauseda of Seoul's decision to open an embassy in Vilnius for the development of bilateral relations, and the Lithuanian president thanked him for the decision, saying he hopes the two countries will further increase mutually beneficial exchanges and cooperation through their permanent missions to the other country.



Lithuania opened its embassy in Seoul in 2021.



Yoon also met separately with the leaders of Estonia, Slovakia and Finland.





Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, holds talks with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas in Vilnius, Lithuania, on the sidelines of a summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, July 12. Yonhap
LOUISVILLE, Miss.  Torrential rains reaching over a foot in accumulation from slow-moving thunderstorms have triggered Flash Flood Emergencies in parts of Mississippi as rising waters prompt urgent rescues.

The worst rain Thursday morning was reported in Louisville and Ackerman, where more than 6-12 inches had already fallen with 3-5 more inches of rain still on the way, falling at rates of 2-3 inches per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

Louisville Police have reported multiple flooded structures and vehicles, with water rescues ongoing, according to the NWS.

"Weve had several vehicles go head first into deep water," Winston County Sheriff Jason Pugh told FOX Weather. "In two locations, we have two vehicles that are under water completely."

Luckily there have been no reports of anyone injured.

More than a foot of rain has fallen in Mississippi Thursday.

Meanwhile, floodwaters have washed out multiple roads in the Louisville area as a spotter reports 12.91 inches of rain so far in the storm just Thursday.

"Many of the surface streets in Louisville are under water; the highways are under water," Pugh said. "Several road and highways are closed."

7 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FLASH FLOODS

Unfortunately, the rain was still falling as the midday hours approached, and floodwaters have reached levels higher than officials had seen in quite some time, Pugh said.

"The water is getting steadily deeper at this point, and it is making it hard to respond to people in homes and residences," Pugh said, adding water has gone into several homes. "Were urging people that if they need us, we will get to them, and for them to try to stay safe until we can get there and get them saved."

In nearby Ackerman, the story is similar with multiple roads flooded and closed. The NWS reports a roof collapsed at a building in town due to the weight of the heavy rains and a church was flooded. Another spotter reported floodwaters surrounded businesses on Main Street and was starting to push inside.

An emergency shelter has opened in Louisville to provide shelter to flood victims.

"Weve got everybody in the field that we can get into the field at this point," Pugh said.

The Flash Flood Emergency for Louisville, which also covers the town of McMillan, remains in effect until 3:45 p.m. CDT, while a second Flash Flood Emergency alert covers Ackerman until 5:45 p.m. CDT.

Pugh is urging everyone who can to stay at home and stay off the roads. If urgent travel is needed, beware of flooded roads where water may be higher than it seems, or roads may be washed out below. Pugh said many of those needing rescue underestimated the dangers.

"Drivers didn't realize how deep the water was," Pugh said. "Then the vehicles flooded out and the waters continued to rise."

The relentless rain has also triggered Flash Flood Warnings in counties surrounding Louisville. Those alerts stretch into western Alabama, where a portion of Interstate 20/59 has been closed in Sumter County in both directions because of rushing water over the highway.

Its the second day with heavy rains triggering Flash Flood Emergencies in the South. On Wednesday, severe weather swept across the Mississippi Valley, dumping 8-10 inches of rain in just a few hours for parts of southwestern Arkansas, including the city of Stamps.

The National Weather Service said multiple roads in the area were reported as impassible, and flooding was occurring inside buildings in Stamps.

Another Flash Flood Emergency was later issued for portions of northwestern Louisiana, including the town of Haynesville. The NWS noted flash flooding was occurring after a quick 4 to 6 inches of rain fell over the area.
By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) -The founder and a former executive of college financial aid startup Frank pleaded not guilty on Thursday to U.S. criminal charges of defrauding JPMorgan Chase into buying the company for $175 million.

Charlie Javice, 31, who founded Frank, entered her not guilty plea to an amended indictment accusing her of wire fraud, bank fraud, securities fraud and conspiracy charges.

Olivier Amar, 49, who was Frank's chief growth officer, pleaded not guilty to the same charges.

Both entered their pleas before U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan.

Javice and Amar also face related civil charges by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. JPMorgan is suing both defendants in the federal court in Delaware.

Prosecutors have said Javice repeatedly lied about Frank to the largest U.S. bank, including by claiming that she had lined up 4.25 million student customers when in fact she had data for only about 300,000.

Amar, meanwhile, bought "sham lists" of college students' data from third-party providers that Frank falsely passed off to JPMorgan as customers, the SEC said on Wednesday.

JPMorgan has said it learned of the fraud after sending marketing materials to people whom Javice claimed were real, and finding that just 28% were delivered and 1.1% were opened, far fewer than in similar campaigns.

The bank shut down Frank in January, and Chief Executive Jamie Dimon branded the acquisition a "huge mistake."

Javice had studied at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

Before selling Frank, she had received much media praise for her work, showing up in 2019 in Forbes magazine's "30 Under 30" finance list and Crain's New York Business' "40 Under 40" list.

In the Delaware case, Javice filed counterclaims against JPMorgan in February, accusing the bank of harming her reputation and withholding about $28 million of payments.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Howard Goller)
NEW YORK (AP)  Mozambique's former finance minister pleaded not guilty in a U.S. federal court in New York on Thursday in connection with a $2 billion corruption and money laundering scandal that prosecutors said defrauded American investors and threatened to further destabilize the economy of one of the world's poorest countries.

Manuel Chang served as finance minister from 2005 to 2015 for Mozambique, a country of 31 million on Africas southern coast on the Indian Ocean. He was ordered detained until at least October, when his attorneys argue for a dismissal of his case.

Chang is accused of receiving bribes of up to $18 million during a scheme that secured loans for Mozambican state-owned companies from foreign banks and financiers for maritime projects. The money was looted through kickbacks and other corrupt dealings, according to U.S. prosecutors.

Until his extradition to the United States Wednesday, Chang had been held in South Africa after being arrested in Johannesburg in 2018 on a U.S. warrant.

He is relieved to be here, his lawyer, Adam Ford, said after the arraignment in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn.

He had fought his extradition to the U.S., and the Mozambican governments own attempts to have Chang face trial in Mozambique had been dismissed by several South African courts. Some groups opposed his return to his own country because of concerns that he would likely be treated leniently.

In a letter a month ago to U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis, one of Changs attorneys sought to have the case dismissed, asserting that Changs right to a speedy trial had been violated.

Ford has called the charges meritless and asserted that Chang would be acquitted  like another key figure in the alleged scheme who was acquitted by a U.S. jury in 2019.

The judge raised that point in court Thursday, but was persuaded by the prosecution's suggestion that another jury might see things differently.

In 2019, a federal jury acquitted co-defendant Jean Boustani, a Lebanese national who worked for a Middle Eastern shipbuilding company, who was accused by American authorities of fraud related to $200 million in bribes and kickbacks as part of the broader scheme.

Much of Thursdays hearing focused on whether Chang should be released on bail. The judge, citing the amount of money involved and the gravity of the charges, agreed with prosecutors that he could be a flight risk.

During the hearing an attorney for the U.S. government, Hiral Mehta, provided a preview of the evidence that could be introduced during a trial, including emails, spreadsheets, bank records and other financial documents.

The scandal centers on loans totaling $2 billion that were supposed to go toward purchasing fishing vessels and naval patrol boats to bolster Mozambiques fishing industry. But prosecutors say the investments never happened.

The scandal caused a financial crisis in Mozambique when the International Monetary Fund withdrew its support for the country after the so-called hidden debts were revealed in 2016.

In 2021, Swiss bank Credit Suisse agreed to pay at least $475 million to British and American authorities to settle bribery and kickback allegations stemming from their involvement with the corrupt loans.

At least 10 people have already been convicted and sentenced to prison by a Mozambican court over the scandal, including Ndambi Guebuza, the son of former Mozambican president Armando Guebuza. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for receiving up to $33 million from the corrupt deal.

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This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Jean Boustani's last name.

___

Associated Press Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
WASHINGTON (AP)  A former California police chief was convicted on Thursday of joining the riot at the U.S. Capitol with a hatchet in his backpack and plotting to stop Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's 2020 electoral victory.

A judge in Washington's federal court heard testimony without a jury before convicting Alan Hostetter, a right-wing activist and vocal critic of COVID-19 restrictions who defended himself at his bench trial with help from a standby attorney.

Hostetter used his closing arguments to spin conspiracy theories about the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. He falsely claimed the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump, portrayed himself as a victim of FBI corruption and referred to the mob's attack as a federal setup involving crisis actors wearing costumes. He downplayed violence at the Capitol, referring to the riot as basically the equivalent of a three-hour hissy fit.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth told Hostetter that no reasonable person  let alone a veteran police officer  would believe that it was legal to use mob violence to obstruct Congress.

Belief that your actions are for a greater good does not negate consciousness of wrongdoing, Lamberth said.

Hostetter  who previously served as police chief in La Habra, California, near Los Angeles  was convicted on all four counts, including conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and entering a restricted area with a deadly or dangerous weapon. The judge scheduled sentencing for Oct. 13, and denied a Justice Department request to have Hostetter jailed immediately.

Federal prosecutors said Hostetter has no evidence to support his conspiracy theories but stressed that he was charged with crimes for his actions on Jan. 6  not his political beliefs. One prosecutor, Jason Manning, said Hostetter advocated for violence and mobilized allies to join him in Washington on Jan. 6 because he didn't like the election results.

For many Americans, the horror of January 6th came out of nowhere. Not for the defendant, Manning said.

Hostetter was arrested in June 2021 along with five other men. Their indictment linked four of Hostetters co-defendants to the Three Percenters wing of the militia movement. Their name refers to the myth that only 3% of Americans fought against the British in the Revolutionary War.

Hostetter said he doesn't have any connection to the Three Percenters movement and accused prosecutors of falsely portraying him as a caricature of some radical terrorist.

One of Hostetter's co-defendants, Russell Taylor, pleaded guilty in April to a conspiracy charge. Taylor testified for the government at Hostetter's trial. A trial for the other four is scheduled for October.

The six men  Hostetter, Taylor, Eric Scott Warner, Felipe Antonio Martinez, Derek Kinnison, and Ronald Mele  were part of a chat group called The California Patriots-DC Brigade" on Telegram, an encrypted messaging platform, prosecutors said. Taylor posted that he created the group for fighters who were expected to bring weaponry and plates with them to Washington on Jan. 6, according to prosecutors.

All six co-defendants entered restricted areas of the Capitol grounds during the riot, prosecutors said. Hostetter wasn't accused of entering the Capitol building.

On Instagram, Hostetter posted a photo of himself and Taylor on the building's Upper West Terrace with rioters in the background. A message under the photo said, "This was the shot heard round the world!  the 2021 version of 1776. That war lasted 8 years. We are just getting warmed up.

Hostetter began teaching yoga after more than 20 years in law enforcement. In the spring of 2020, he founded a nonprofit called the American Phoenix Project. He used the tax-exempt organization to oppose COVID-19 restrictions and to advocate for violence against political opponents after the 2020 presidential election.

In November 2020, Hostetter drove from California to Washington to attend the Million MAGA March" supporting Trump. On the way, he posted a video on his nonprofit's YouTube channel in which he expressed his belief that the election had been stolen from Trump and called for killing tyrants and traitors.

In December 2020, Hostetter's nonprofit hosted a Stop the Steal rally in Huntington Beach, California.

The enemies and traitors of America both foreign and domestic must be held accountable. And they will, he said at the rally. There must be long prison terms, while execution is the just punishment for the ringleaders of this group.

A day before the riot, Taylor gave a speech at a Virginia Women for Trump rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court in which he called for violence to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, prosecutors said.

We are free Americans and in these streets, we will fight and we will bleed before we allow our freedom to be taken from us, Taylor said, according to the indictment.

More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. Approximately 100 of them have been convicted after trials decided by judges or juries. More than 600 others have pleaded guilty.
By Sarah Marsh and Andreas Rinke

BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany on Thursday published its first and long-awaited China strategy which was unflinching in its appraisal of Beijing's increasing assertiveness and "unfair practises" but vague on policy measures to reduce critical dependencies.

The 64-page document comes amid a broader push in the West to reduce strategic dependence on China - which policymakers have labelled "de-risking" - amid concerns about increasing Chinese hegemony in the Indo-Pacific and broader possible supply chain disruptions.

Germany though has at times been seen as a weak link in the Western approach to China given its strong business ties with Asia's rising superpower which became the country's single biggest trade partner in 2016.

German companies and industry associations - some of which had warned against moving away from China too abruptly - widely welcomed the strategy that did not lay out any binding targets or requirements.

"China has changed. As a result of this and China's political decisions, we need to change our approach to China," said the document, which was approved by the cabinet on Thursday after months of wrangling within Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-way coalition.

China remained an indispensable partner to tackle global challenges such as climate change and pandemics, it said. However rivalry and competition had increased in recent years as the role of the Communist Party had expanded under President Xi Jinping.

China was increasingly assertive in its attempts to change the rules-based international order with consequences for global security, it said, even as civil and political rights regressed at home.

As such Germany would continue to strengthen its military presence and cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific, it said, warning that the status quo of the Taiwan Strait may only be changed by peaceful means and mutual consent.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Taiwan says only the island's people can decide their future.

"We cannot be indifferent on the tension surrounding Taiwan," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said at an event to present the paper, which urges an expansion in relations with the island. "A military escalation would also be a danger to millions of people, worldwide, meaning also for us."

China's decision to expand its relationship with Russia also had immediate security implications for Germany, the strategy read, noting Beijing lacked credibility on its support for Ukrainian sovereignty given its embrace of Russian narratives.

Separately, the strategy said the government would review its export control lists against the backdrop of new technological developments to ensure German goods did not "encourage systematic human rights violations in China" or support further military rearmament.

It also backed the idea of potentially screening outbound investment controls on cutting-edge technology with military use - an idea the EU Commission is pursuing.

Analysts said the strategy, which markedly underscored throughout the need for close cooperation with the European Union on China, sent a clear message that Germany's approach to the country had changed, after years of prioritising bilateral economic interests.

"Its a much-needed first class funeral for (former Chancellor Angela) Merkels delusions of a comprehensive strategic partnership with Xis China," said Thorsten Benner of the Global Public Policy Institute.

"Its positive that it offers a largely unvarnished take on the challenges posed by the party state".

DE-RISKING CONCEPT 'TOO VAGUE'

At now nearly 300 billion euros ($325 billion) in imports and exports, China is a core market for top German companies including Volkswagen, BASF and BMW.

"China is seeking to create economic and technological dependencies with a view to using these to assert political objectives and interests," the strategy said.

The strategy urged companies to take geopolitical risks into account in their decision making "so that state funds do not have to be tapped into in the event of a geopolitical crisis". It said it would hold confidential talks with companies particularly exposed to China about their risk analyses.

Germany was reviewing whether state measures like export guarantees were reinforcing excessive dependencies and consulting whether it should develop more instruments to help reduce risks, it said.

It did not however mention possible measures like company stress tests, included in an earlier China strategy draft by the foreign ministry which is run by the Greens who are more hawkish on China than Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD).

"Berlin is speaking loudly but it is wielding a small stick. Chancellor Scholz has made clear that he sees a very narrow role for the government when it comes to de-risking," said Noah Barkin, Europe-China expert at Rhodium Group, a U.S.-based research firm.

Juergen Matthes, of the German Economic Institute, IW, said the concept of de-risking was also still too vague.

"We need a clear identification of really critical dependencies and the government should regularly monitor whether de-risking on this basis is actually advancing," he said.

China's embassy in Germany said on Thursday it hoped Germany would be rational and objective going forwards.

"Forcibly 'de-risking' based on ideological prejudice and competition anxiety will only be counterproductive and artificially intensify risks," it said.

(Reporting by Sarah Marsh, Andreas Rinke, Matthias Williams, Friederike Heine, Miranda Murray, Rachel More in Berlin and Ethan Wang in Beijing; Editing by Rachel More, Alex Richardson and Nick Macfie)
A hiker stumbled upon an abandoned campsite in a remote campground in Colorado, and then discovered what was likely the decomposed body of one of the long-dead campers, officials said.

The hiker called the Gunnison County Sheriffs Office to report the chilling discovery at the Gold Creek Campground just before 5 p.m. Sunday, July 9, according to a news release. There are only six campsites available on the campgrounds, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

When investigators went to the campsite the next morning, they discovered two more heavily decomposed bodies, officials said in the release.

Authorities believe the campers have been dead for a substantial period of time given the state of decomposition, the release said.

Officials are not releasing details of the campers identities or their manner of death until a coroner performs an autopsy, the release said.

Authorities did not give more information about the appearance of the campsite.

There are no known risks to residents or outdoor enthusiasts recreating in the area associated with this unfortunate event, officials said.

Gold Creek Campground is near Ohio City, Colorado, about 190 miles southwest of Denver.

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Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) stops to speak to members of the media gathered in National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times)

Hard-line conservatives have once again thrown the House of Representatives into chaos, and Speaker Kevin McCarthy is once again struggling to appease the same people who nearly denied him the job just six months ago.

The hard-line House Freedom Caucus latest revolt against McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) is over the National Defense Authorization Act, the law that authorizes the annual budget for the U.S. military.

That bill has historically passed with bipartisan support, and Republicans and Democrats had reached broad consensus on this years version, with plans to pass it by the end of the week. But Freedom Caucus members demanded a slew of controversial last-minute amendments, including measures that would ban the military from reimbursing service members who travel for abortions and prohibit the armed forces from paying for gender-affirming care. If Republicans approve these amendments, Democrats have promised to pull their support from the defense spending bill, forcing Republicans to pass it by themselves.

McCarthy has tried to project calm in the face of the hardliners latest demands. Hes managed to weather the Houses roiling crises so far without losing his job or triggering a U.S. debt default. And after enduring the public embarrassment of his 15-ballot fight to become speaker and a recent Freedom Caucus tantrum over his debt-ceiling deal with President Biden , he seems resigned to the mayhem.

"This just seems like another week in Congress, he told reporters Tuesday. Ill get through it, well figure it out as we go.

Read more:McCarthy proved he's a stronger House speaker than many expected. But GOP is split over cutting government

But even if McCarthy can successfully pass the defense spending bill, a bigger battle waits after Congress returns from its August break.

Congress must pass a government funding bill by the end of September to avoid a government shutdown, and Freedom Caucus members are gearing up to use that negotiation as leverage to further slash government spending.

On Monday, 21 of their members sent McCarthy a letter with a list of demands for the government funding bill  and a threat to vote against the defense bill if they dont get what they want. The letter, organized by Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry (R-Pa.) and Policy Chairman Chip Roy (R-Texas), demanded that McCarthy abandon the agreement he struck with Biden to avoid a debt default earlier this summer and authorize spending at lower levels.

Roy shrugged when asked about concerns that the Freedom Caucus might lead to a government shutdown.

Everybody gets just so spun up about oh, it's shutdown drama, Roy told The Times. You only have so many leverage points here. At some point, the power of the purse has to mean something.

The Freedom Caucus latest protest has forced House GOP leaders to negotiate a bevy of possible last-minute changes to the defense bill. House GOP leaders agreed Wednesday to allow votes on 80 different amendments to the legislation, a process that will likely drag late into the night Thursday.

Even if House conservatives succeed in making their favored changes to the spending bill, though, the current fight is unlikely to end in their victory. The Senate is still in Democrats hands, as is the White House, and Democratic negotiators will insist on stripping out the most controversial measures before allowing the bill to become law.

McCarthys most important allies recognize that reality. The final NDAA bill, it will be bipartisan, House Rules Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) told reporters Wednesday afternoon. No matter what we come out of here with, were going to sit down and negotiate with a Democratic Senate and a Democratic president. So the bill is going to move.

We're working hard, harder in my opinion than we should have to work, but everythings hard in this Congress, Cole added ruefully a minute earlier.

The Freedom Caucus' decision to turn the defense bill into just another partisan brawl indicates that the looming government shutdown fight will get ugly, moderate lawmakers worry.

Its really discouraging to see that even this might be partisan. This has always been a place where we have come together as a country, Rep. Scott Peters (D-San Diego) told The Times.

Freedom Caucus members arent particularly worried about political blowback from a government shutdown. In fact, many of them believe that triggering shutdowns has worked for them in the past. In 2013, Roy was Sen. Ted Cruzs (R-Texas) chief of staff and helped convince House Republicans to force a 17-day shutdown in an attempt to repeal Obamacare.

At the time, House GOP leaders hoped that rank-and-file Republicans would feel the pain and never want to shut down the government again. But the stunt had no obvious political ramifications  Republicans did extremely well in the next midterm elections  and hard-line Republicans internalized the opposite lesson.

When we went into that shutdown, we referred to it as a touch the stove moment, said Doug Heye, a Republican strategist who worked for GOP House leadership at the time. And the reality is they didnt get burned. Its not that they didnt learn their lesson  they learned the wrong lesson.

The Freedom Caucus helped drive then-Speaker John Boehner into retirement in 2015, then blocked McCarthy from becoming speaker not long afterward because they didnt trust his conservative bona fides. They even caused havoc for then-President Trump at times, demanding his Obamacare repeal plan move hard to the right to earn their support.

But their power to cause chaos has grown this year because of the House GOPs razor-thin majority. Republican leaders can afford to lose just four of their members on any House vote, allowing the dozen or so lawmakers on the far right of their caucus to disrupt the chamber at any time.

Hardliners forced McCarthy to make deep concessions before allowing him to become speaker after 15 rounds of voting over five days early this year. They were unhappy that McCarthys deal with Biden earlier this summer to avoid hitting the debt ceiling didnt go far enough  then grew furious when he used Democratic votes to overcome their objections. They responded by withholding their support for any GOP bills for more than a week, grinding the House to a halt in a warning to McCarthy.

Read more:Ambition keeps him loyal to Donald Trump. But what does Kevin McCarthy stand for?

Roy credited McCarthy for listening more closely to his group as of late after their post-debt ceiling show of force.

He's being much more inclusive and open about including us and sitting at the table and talking through everything  I mean, pretty open kimono on this, he said.

Given the current circumstances, McCarthy is handling it as well as he can and as well as anybody can, Heye said.

But Heye warned that the possibility for a government shutdown by the end of the year is very real because of the Freedom Caucus, which he called the nothing will ever be good enough caucus.

And the groups latest antics are frustrating mainstream Republicans.

When Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), a McCarthy ally who represents a swing district, was asked whether the Freedom Caucus pressure on the speaker was healthy or helpful, he offered a deadpan response.

I mean, they think it is. Some of us would disagree, he said. Im one of the ones whod disagree.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SAN DIEGO (AP)  A boat captain who rammed a U.S. Coast Guard vessel off Southern California after smuggling a dozen people into the country was sentenced Wednesday to five years in federal prison.

Jesus Jeovanny Alcaraz-Valdez was sentenced in San Diego for the December 2022 incident by a judge who called his actions extremely reckless and extremely troubling," the U.S. attorney's office said in a statement.

Alcaraz piloted a panga boat  a small, fishing-style vessel often used by human smugglers  to illegally bring an estimated 12 people into the United States from Mexico, prosecutors said.

The immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala paid up to $24,000 each for the trip, authorities said.

The boat brought them before dawn near the coast off the San Diego seaside suburb of Coronado, where Alcaraz told them to take off their life jackets and enter waist-deep surf even though some couldn't swim, the U.S. attorney's office said.

Eight people were taken into custody by the U.S. Border Patrol. Four others escaped.

The boat was then seen heading back out to sea towards Mexico. When a Coast Guard vessel tried to stop it, Alcaraz rammed the boat twice, shattering a window and causing minor back and neck injuries to all four people aboard, authorities said.

Alcaraz was arrested after Coast Guard gunshots disabled the panga's engine.

He pleaded guilty to assault and human smuggling in March.

Maritime smuggling is extremely dangerous and puts the lives of the passengers being smuggled, and the law enforcement officers safeguarding our borders, at serious risk, U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said in a statement.

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This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Alcaraz in several instances.
While New Mexico may get all the attention for its role in the Manhattan Project, Idaho arguably could be called the state with the most significant nuclear history.

In its brightest moments, it has led the way in harnessing nuclear as a renewable energy source.

In its darkest, it has been the site of what is considered the deadliest nuclear accident in American history.

Oddly Idaho explores curious quirks and nostalgia in The Gem State.

The Atomic Energy Commission announced on Feb. 18, 1949, that it had selected Idaho as the site for the National Reactor Testing Station  known today as the Idaho National Laboratory  35 miles west of Idaho Falls, where it planned to spend $500 million on reactors, research facilities and other projects, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.

The now defunct Experimental Breeder Reactor No. II is seen on the Idaho National Laboratory site between Idaho Falls and Arco. EBR-II was one of dozens of nuclear reactors that once operated on the 890-square-mile site. Only a few reactors are still working.

The research paid off in 1951 when Idahos Experimental Breeder Reactor I in Arco made history by powering on four light bulbs. The next day, it generated enough energy to light the entire building and parking lot.

An astounded Soviet Union refused to believe the incredible claim and declared the United States to be lying about it at a United Nations conference, according to the Idaho National Laboratory.

Although this mere 400 kilowatts of power seems small by todays standards, it was absolutely monumental in the context of 1951, the Idaho National Laboratorys website states. This was the first time a usable amount of electricity had been generated using nuclear technology, and it paved the way for an energy source of the future.

The achievement  proving that nuclear could be used as a practical power source  was so momentous that President Lyndon B. Johnson designated the reactor as a National Historic Landmark in 1966. You can still visit the decommissioned reactor today at the laboratorys museum.

Idaho scientists made history again in 1955 when they lit the entire town of Arco using nuclear energy. The short-lived event lasted for just an hour in the dead of night, but even today, a sign above city hall still brags that Arco was the first city in the world to be lit by atomic power.

President Lyndon B. Johnson holds one of the light bulbs that were the first in the world to be lit by nuclear energy.

Idaho gets countrys first-of-its-kind nuclear fallout shelter

Many saw nuclear as the gateway to an exciting future. But as America carried memories of the atomic bombings of Japan and fears of a Cold War attack, others worried nuclear advancement would lead to disaster.

The U.S. Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization chose Boise as the site of the countrys first community nuclear fallout shelter in 1960, which would serve as a prototype for future civil defense shelters across the United States, a Statesman article reported at the time. The Statesman attributed the choice to a handful of young fathers in Highlands (who) began pestering the federal government. They worried the Idaho Falls laboratory and the Mountain Home Air Force Base could make Idaho an enemy target.

The two-story Boise Bomb Shelter, which can still be found at 600 W. Curling Drive, was built partly through a $122,000 grant (nearly $1.3 million today) from the Federal Civil Defense Agency. Made with steel-reinforced concrete, it included a laundry room, speaker system, air filtration systems, a diesel generator, kitchen, dormitories and decontamination showers, according to the Idaho Architecture Project.

The Boise Bomb Shelters opening celebration drew large crowds and was featured in Life magazine.

Controversially, it was large enough to shelter only 1,000 people. Residents of the expensive Highlands area paid $100 each to hold on to the slim hope that they wouldnt die in a war.

Paying members didnt take this privilege lightly. In the event of a nuclear attack, they planned to protect their means of survival through force.

We mean business when we say this shelter is for members only, said member Glenn Buettner, according to the Idaho Architecture Project. Well deputize 35 to 40 security guards from our membership to keep intruders out.

The Statesman reported that Boises remaining 75,000 residents at the time were sore as a boil that federal dollars were being spent on this exclusive shelter when many of them had spent their own money to build backyard shelters.

A number of local leaders attended the shelters opening ceremony, including the mayor, governor and state civil defense leader.

Roxann Jensen, daughter of Boise Bomb Shelter architect Edgar B. Jensen, remembered how palpable fears of nuclear war were while growing up in Boise. Now 74, she recalled a giant siren resembling a megaphone that stood near where Rhodes Skate Park exists downtown today.

When that went off, boy, you hid under your desk, or you took shelter somewhere, Jensen told the Statesman by phone. I remember writing in my diary about how concerned everybody was and fearful because we just didnt know what was going to happen.

After the Cold War, the shelter changed hands several times. The Boise School District used it for offices and storage until Boise local John Farren bought the space to turn into music studios. He submitted plans in 2021 to build condos on top of it, but the project has not moved forward since then, according to city planning records.

Farren did not respond to the Statesmans request for an update.

The Boise Bomb Shelter still stands in the North End today.

Only fatal nuclear reactor accident in U.S. history

Fears of dying at the hands of nuclear power came true in Idaho. But the source was not the Soviet Union.

On Jan. 3, 1961, Navy electrician Richard Legg, 26, and Army Spcs. John Byrnes, 22, and Richard McKinley, 27, arrived at the laboratory to restart the SL-1 reactor after it had shut down for 11 days during the holiday season, according to the INL. They were three of the many military members stationed in Idaho Falls to train and to work there.

The men needed to lift control rods to reconnect the reactor to its operating equipment as part of their assignment.

One of the workers lifted the rod too far out of the reactors core, prompting SL-1 to rapidly surpass full power operation, resulting in a nearly instantaneous sequence: a fission chain reaction that generated enormous amounts of heat and a steam explosion, an Idaho National Laboratory document states.

While salacious rumors later circulated about why the accident occurred, the prevailing theory was that the rods known habit of sticking caused the worker to push it forward with too much force, according to the laboratory.

In 1954, scientists intentionally caused the Borax-I reactor, which was a precursor to the SL-I reactor, to explode. That experiment, pictured here, later helped scientists understand what caused the SL-1 disaster, according to the Argonne National Laboratory.

The explosion killed Legg and Byrnes instantly. Firefighters and other responders who rushed to the scene found McKinley alive. With little regard for their safety, they ran into the explosion room, put him on a stretcher and carried him to the laboratorys ambulance, where he died a short time later.

The authorities in Idaho had to decide what to do with a radioactive corpse, author and former Idaho Nuclear Navy officer Todd Tucker wrote in his book Atomic America. Taking him to a morgue or mortuary in Idaho Falls was out of the question. Besides being completely unequipped to deal with this kind of hazard, the drive would kill any ambulance driver.

Eventually, a responder drove the ambulance half a mile into the desert, jumped out and sprinted away, according to Atomic America. It was left there for hours, corpse and all, until a team could decontaminate the vehicle.

To recover Leggs body, which was pinned to the ceiling, rescue workers formed a chain and took turns running into the room for 65-second stints. It was all the radiation their bodies could take.

An Idaho nuclear physicist checks U.S. Highway 20 outside of Idaho Falls for contamination on Jan. 4, 1961, one day after the SL-1 accident.

The mens funerals were overseen by the Atomic Energy Commission and all lasted less than 10 minutes to prevent mourners from exposure to the radiation emitting from the bodies, according to Tuckers book. Their lead-lined caskets were lowered into deep metal vaults that were then covered in 3 feet of concrete.

The grave of Legg, whose body was the most radioactive, came with an eerie warning.

Victim of nuclear accident, it read. Body is contaminated with long-life radio-active isotopes. Under no circumstances will the body be moved from this location without prior approval of the Atomic Energy Commission in consultation with this headquarters.

Altogether, 790 people were exposed to radiation from the event, which took 18 months to clean up, according to INL. The laboratory maintains that only rescue workers were affected and radiation did not reach local communities.

Contaminated debris and material were buried 8 to 15 feet into the ground. The Environmental Protection Agency conducts periodic inspections of the area to ensure its safety.

Today, little more than a fence and sign remain to mark where the accident happened.

Sometimes when I will be driving in the desert, Im like, Oh, thats where SL-1 was, Sarah Neumann, INL spokesperson, told the Statesman by phone. The building is gone. They removed it, dug everything out, put a new cap over all that, and then it has soil and sagebrush on top of that. So it really looks like the rest of the desert. You wouldnt know it was even there.

Idahos nuclear future

Despite the accident, Idaho has continued to be a global leader of nuclear advancement in the intervening six decades.

The most significant advancements the Idaho National Laboratory is now leading are the efforts to build the worlds first nuclear microreactors. These are designed to be small enough to fit in the back of a truck and strong enough to power entire towns, some of which will run on nuclear waste, thus helping reduce that waste. They are working with a number of partners on these projects.

Nuclear experts hope these tiny reactors will be able to provide power to remote villages and disaster zones around the world.

Yasir Arafat sits near a prototype of his MARVEL nuclear microreactor.

The furthest along of these is the Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation project, also known as MARVEL.

We want to give them a nuclear reactor that is small, transportable, they can put it on the ground and it will run for five, 10, or 20 years, depending on the design, Yasir Arafat, project lead for the MARVEL reactor, told Power magazine. Were going to be making this microreactor so safe, so benign, but also economically feasible, that it can be widespread around not just the U.S., but around the world.

MARVEL will be the first new test reactor at Idaho National Laboratory in more than 40 years, according to the Department of Energy. It is expected to begin operating at an Idaho testing facility by the end of 2024.

If that succeeds, Idaho will once again make history, and experts around the world will look to the Gem State as the heart of a potential nuclear future, just as they have before.

Every commercial nuclear reactor across the globe owes something to the work that was done here in Idaho, Neumann said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A senior Interior Department official who has had a key role in negotiations over the shrinking Colorado River plans to step down from the job next week.

Tanya Trujillo told the department of her intention to resign as assistant secretary for water and science about six weeks ago and her last day is Monday, she told The Associated Press. Trujillo, who has served in the role since June 2021, said it made sense to leave now as the Biden administration gears up for a reelection campaign.

Its a normal transition time, either committing to staying to the end of the (presidential) term or leaving before the campaign really gets fired up, she said. I am really, really proud and happy about all the accomplishments that we put into place and made.

The Interior Department declined to offer further comment on her departure.

Trujillo oversaw agencies including the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. She played an important role in discussions between the federal government, seven U.S. states and Native American tribes that share the waters of the 1,450-mile (2,334-kilometer) Colorado River. The waterway, which supports 40 million people and a $5 billion farm industry, has been in crisis for years because of a multi-decade drought intensified by climate change, rising demand and overuse.

Her departure comes as the states, cities and farmers that rely on the river are still struggling to decide how to reduce their use. In August the department will offer its annual analysis on the health of the river and announce if there will be additional cuts in the coming year.

In recent years, the federal government has lowered some states' water allocations and offered billions of dollars to farmers, cities and others to cut back. But key water officials  including Trujillo  didnt see those efforts as enough to prevent the system from collapsing.

Last summer the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation called for the states to figure out how to use between 15% and 30% less in 2023. But states blew past the deadline set by federal officials, who also appeared to back off.

An agreement remained elusive for months longer, until Arizona, Nevada and California announced a breakthrough deal in May to cut their use in exchange for $1.2 billion in federal money. Interior is still reviewing the plan.

Anne Castle, who held Trujillo's position from 2009 to 2014, said the job has gotten substantially more difficult in recent years because of the rapid decline in available water supplies for Colorado River users.

Those are hard jobs in the best of circumstances, Castle said.

Before joining Interior, Trujillo worked on Colorado River issues in jobs including executive director of the Colorado River Board of California. She is a lawyer who has worked on natural resources issues for more than two decades.

Trujillo said Wednesday she plans to spend more time in her home state of New Mexico and will take some time off before returning to work on water-related issues.

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Fonseca reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin speaks with reporters at Shangri-La Jakarta in Jakarta after arriving in the Indonesian capital to attend a series of high-level meetings led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, July 12. Yonhap



The top diplomats of South Korea and Japan held bilateral talks Thursday over Tokyo's plan to discharge treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima plant and ways to deal with North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile provocations.



The meeting between South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and his Japanese counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi, in Jakarta came on the heels of a bilateral summit between the leaders of the two countries held a day earlier in Lithuania.



During the summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania, on the sidelines of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol asked Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to include South Korean experts in monitoring the planned water release.



In the closed-door ministers' meeting held on the sidelines of high-level meetings led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Park was expected to reiterate Yoon's request to Japan, which also calls for the discharge to be stopped immediately if the concentration of radioactive material in the water exceeds standard levels.



North Korea's latest ballistic missile provocation, carried out a day before the ASEAN-hosted meetings, was also a key topic to be discussed between the ministers, according to officials.



Earlier in the day, Pyongyang announced that it test-fired a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Wednesday, with its leader Kim Jong-un vowing to take a "stronger" military offensive until the United States abandons its hostile policy against his country.



The North's official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim himself guided the test launch.



In the afternoon, Park is scheduled to participate in the South Korea-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting and the ASEAN plus three meeting, which also includes China and Japan.



During the talks, Park is expected to emphasize Seoul's resolve to implement its Indo-Pacific strategy introduced in November of last year and make efforts to earn an official endorsement of the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative, a core component of the Indo-Pacific strategy, from ASEAN members.



Issues involving North Korea and Myanmar, in particular, are likely to be covered during the ASEAN plus three meeting.



In the evening, the minister is scheduled to attend a reception for the heads of delegations by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (Yonhap)


HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP)  Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi was welcomed in Zimbabwe on Thursday by people singing songs criticizing the West as he made his last stop on a three-nation Africa trip aimed at finding new trade alliances to soften the impact of U.S. sanctions on his nation.

Raisi was greeted at Harare's international airport by Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa and dozens of supporters waving Zimbabwe and Iran flags and holding placards with Raisi's image.

Both countries are under U.S. sanctions and Raisi's trip to Africa, which has already included stops in Kenya and Uganda, highlights Iran's efforts to counter those heavy economic punishments.

Iran and Zimbabwe already have a joint permanent commission on political and trade relations and officials on Thursday signed 12 new memorandums of understanding, including agreements on agriculture, pharmaceuticals, telecoms, gas, energy and education.

Iran also signed agreements with Kenya and Uganda on Wednesday.

"Our cooperation with Zimbabwe and our cooperation with the African continent, which is a continent full of potential, could help us for mutual advances, Raisi said in translated comments in Zimbabwe.

Raisi has recently reached out to other nations struggling under U.S. sanctions, including on his first visit to Latin America last month, when he went to Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba.

It is critically important that we, the victims of Western sanctions, are talking to each other," Mnangagwa said. "The authors of these sanctions would not want us to talk to each other. But because we are both victims it is equally important that we show them that we are united.

Iran has been subjected to a new bout of sanctions by the United States for allegedly supplying Russia with drones that have been used to devastating effect in the war in Ukraine.

The U.S. and European Union sanctions on Zimbabwe go back 20 years and are largely due to allegations of human rights abuses under former president Robert Mugabe. Some of those EU sanctions are being eased.

Iran and Zimbabwe also share historical ties and Mnangagwa thanked Raisi for Iran's help in a liberation war in the 1970s that eventually led to the southern African nation breaking free of white minority rule.

When we went to war, Iran was our friend. I am happy you have come to show solidarity, Mnangagwa said earlier in brief remarks on the tarmac at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport named after the late Zimbabwean leader Mnangagwa helped oust in a coup in 2017.

At the airport, supporters sang songs criticizing the West as white masters intent on interfering in Zimbabwe and Raisi inspected an honor guard by Zimbabwes military.

On his visit to Uganda on Wednesday, Raisi sharply criticized Western nations' support for homosexuality and LGBTQ+ rights, calling it one of the dirtiest things. He said Uganda's recently-passed anti-gay legislation and Western criticism of it was another area of cooperation for Iran and Uganda.

Zimbabwe also has anti-gay laws, and homosexuality and same-sex marriages are illegal.

However, Mnangagwa has not attacked homosexuality, unlike his predecessor, the late Mugabe, who described gays as worse than dogs and pigs.

The last visit by an Iranian leader to Zimbabwe was in 2010 by then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

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AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
The Republican-led House Oversight Committee announced Wednesday that IRS whistleblowers will testify next week at a hearing about alleged meddling in the Justice Department's investigation of Hunter Biden.

The public hearing, scheduled for July 19, is expected to focus on testimony from Gary Shapley, a former IRS criminal investigator, and a second, unnamed IRS criminal investigator, who possess "critical information" related to the committee's probe into the Biden family, the panel said in its announcement.

Hunter Biden agreed to plead guilty last month to a pair of federal misdemeanor counts in Delaware of failing to pay his taxes, an agreement that some Republicans lamented was insufficient punishment following a Justice Department investigation of the president's son that spanned five years.

In closed-door testimony in May, Shapley told the House Ways and Means Committee under oath that U.S. Attorney David Weiss had sought authority to charge Biden in Washington, D.C., and California with broader charges.

In a letter this week to Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, Weiss said he has never been denied the authority to bring charges in any jurisdiction.

Abbe Lowell, one of Biden's attorneys, has also denied the veracity of a message Biden allegedly sent to a Chinese businessman in 2017 demanding payment. Shapley told the Ways and Means Committee that he had obtained the message, but Lowell said purported screenshots of communications between Biden and the businessman are "not real and contain myriad of issues."

House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., has maintained that the president and members of his family engaged in bribery and corruption, even though he has repeatedly released documents that have not substantiated the accusations.

In a statement Wednesday, Comer said the coming hearing was a chance to hear directly from Shapley and the other whistleblower, whom he described as credible."

The hearing was announced the same week an unsealed indictment revealed federal charges against Gal Luft, who has alleged in so far unsubstantiated public statements promoted by House Republicans that the Biden family received payments from Chinese nationals with ties to Chinese intelligence and that Hunter Biden had a mole inside the FBI.

Luft was charged with acting as an unregistered agent for the Chinese government, trafficking weapons and lying to federal agents.

Comer last week called Luft very credible and stood by that description Tuesday while saying he has never spoken to Luft.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel and its foreign partners have foiled more than 50 Iranian-orchestrated attacks on Israelis and Jews abroad in recent years, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Thursday during a visit to Azerbaijan.

Israel and Iran have been locked in a Cold War-style shadow war for decades, with mutual allegations of sabotage and assassination plots.

On Wednesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen accused Iran of being behind a thwarted attempt to attack Israel's embassy in Baku. Azeri officials did not immediately confirm that.

"At its supreme leader's orders, Iran has in recent years waged a worldwide terror campaign of unprecedented scale, focused on Israelis and Jews ... We are talking about more than 50 attempted attacks," Israeli media quoted Gallant as saying.

He credited Israel's security services and "close cooperation with many countries" for the foiling of the alleged attacks.

Iranian officials had no immediate comment.

Azerbaijan is a major Israeli defence partner on Iran's border.

(Writing by Dan Williams and Parisa Hafezi, Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
By Kentaro Sugiyama and Sakura Murakami

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida plans to discuss energy markets on a trip to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar later this month, aiming to offer Japanese technologies for net zero transition, a senior official said.

Energy-poor Japan relies on Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, with Saudi Arabia and UAE among key OPEC members, for the most of its oil, while part of its liquefied natural gas needs - the world's largest - is covered by Qatar.

Kishida will visit the three countries on July 16-19 as "it is very important to build a personal relationship of trust with the leaders responsible for each country for years to come", a senior official at Japan's foreign ministry said.

"Crude oil prices are high due to the situation in Ukraine, so it is a very important purpose to exchange views on the current oil market and LNG market," the official, who declined to be named, told reporters. "It is very important to exchange views with these countries on stabilising the energy market."

Japan is actively developing greener and renewable energy technologies as it wants to be carbon neutral by 2050, and Kishida will also try to promote Japanese know-how as energy-producing countries also have ambitious green targets.

"One of the achievements we expect from this visit is cooperation in the new energy field on environmentally friendly energy sources such as hydrogen and ammonia, while making use of Japan technologies, thereby further broadening cooperative relations in the energy field," the official said.

In March, Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp agreed to study clean hydrogen production in Saudi Arabia together with the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, as Riyadh is looking to add other types of energy sources, including cleaner fuels and renewables, to diversify its oil-based economy.

(Reporting by Kentaro Sugiyama and Sakura Murakami; writing by Katya Golubkova; editing by Mark Heinrich)
DUBAI (Reuters) - Jordan's foreign minister on Thursday called on the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) to reverse a decision to cut food subsidies to Syrian refugees by Aug. 1.

The WFP office in Amman told Reuters that an "unprecedented funding crisis" had forced it to cut food help for 50,000 out of some 465,000 refugees it was helping in Jordan.

"This is not on Jordan," Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said in a Twitter post. "It is on those who are cutting support. We can't carry this burden alone."

"We urge WFP and others cutting subsidies to Syrian refugees to reverse decision," he added.

The United Nations' humanitarian agencies and other aid groups are struggling to keep up aid to Syrians as needs skyrocket and funding streams dry up.

More than 15 million people need aid across the country - a record number - and malnutrition rates are at an all-time high. But the U.N. said in June that its $5.4 billion appeal for humanitarian work in Syria this year had only been 11% funded.

At the time, the WFP announced it would cut food aid to 2.5 million of the 5.5 million people it supports. It was not immediately clear if those figures included refugees outside of Syria's borders.

The WFP's Amman office on Thursday said it had "exhausted all options" and that even after taking this step, it was still facing a critical funding shortage.

"Without the necessary funds, WFP will be compelled to reduce its response further," it said.

Millions of Syrians have fled their homeland since conflict broke out there in 2011 following protests against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, who was then isolated across the region for his crackdown on demonstrations.

The Arab League welcomed Syria back into the fold earlier this year, and Arab countries say it is time for Syrians seeking refuge on their territory to go home.

Safadi said on Thursday that the UN "must work to enable voluntary return. Until then, its agencies must keep sufficient support."

(Reporting by Clauda Tanios; Writing by Clauda Tanios and Maya Gebeily; Editing by Peter Graff and Conor Humphries)
Ray Epps, in a red Trump hat, center, at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

Fox News is facing a new defamation lawsuit from a protester at the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riots who said the network falsely identified him as an FBI informant.

Ray Epps, who now lives in Utah, was repeatedly described by then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson as a federal agent who helped instigate the insurrection on the Capitol that attempted to stop the certification of the election of President Biden.

Carlson made the comments on his program over a period of nearly two years and in a series called "Patriot Purge" that streamed on Fox Nation in 2022, according to Epps' lawsuit. The falsehoods about Epps were referenced by other commentators on the network, the complaint said.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday in a Delaware federal court said Fox aired the false and defamatory statements about Epps with "actual malice with knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for truth or falsity." Epps is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

A representative for Fox News had no comment on the lawsuit.

The suit is the latest legal headache for Rupert Murdoch's conservative network, which in April paid $787.5 million to settle a defamation claim made by Dominion Voting Systems.

The company said Fox News aired false statements about Dominion when covering former President Trump's charges of fraud in the 2020 election. Fox News faces a similar $2.7 billion suit from voting machine software maker Smartmatic.

Fox News recently paid $12 million to producer Abby Grossberg to settle her lawsuit claiming discrimination and a hostile workplace while working for Carlson. Grossberg was also the producer for anchor Maria Bartiromo, a major offender in the Dominion case.

Carlson left Fox News on April 24, a day after a report on Ray Epps aired on "60 Minutes." (Fox News)

Epps was at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He was a staunch supporter of former President Trump and an avid viewer of Fox News.

But Epps, who testified under oath to the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack by Trump protesters, denied any involvement with the FBI, which has also stated publicly that he had no association with the bureau.

Read more:Tucker Carlson departs Fox News, pushed out by Rupert Murdoch

Epps testified that he has never worked for the government or any other law enforcement agency at the time. Still, Carlson persisted in describing Epps as a principal in what he described as a false flag operation in which the government incited the riot that occurred that day, an unfounded conspiracy theory.

Epps said the false statements on "Tucker Carlson Tonight," once the most-watched prime-time program on cable news, had a devastating effect on him and his wife Robyn.

"Ray and Robyn received threatening voice mails, emails, and text messages because of Mr. Carlson's lies about Epps," the suit stated. "People began driving past their farm brandishing weapons and shooting onto their property."

On an April 23 edition of the CBS news magazine "60 Minutes," Epps went public with how the false claims by Carlson had caused emotional distress, ruined his Arizona-based business and led to death threats.

The following day, Fox News pulled Carlson's top-rated program from its prime-time schedule. Carlson remains on the Fox News payroll and cannot work for another media outlet while he is still under contract, although he has attempted to do an occasional program on Twitter that has generated far less attention.

"Fox knew it needed a scapegoat for January 6th that would help absolve itself and would appeal to its viewers," according to the suit. "It settled on Ray Epps and began promoting the lie that Epps was a federal agent who incited the attack."

Read more:Fox News revamps prime-time lineup after Tucker Carlson ouster and ratings drop

Epps said the information he took in from Fox News inspired him to attend the protests by Trump supporters who believed the election was rigged. He is seen on video encouraging demonstrators to march with



him and enter the Capitol. He is seen going past a police barricade into a restricted part of the Capitol grounds.

"When Fox, through its on-air personalities and guests, told its audience that the 2020 election had been stolen, Epps was listening," the suit said.

According to reports, Epps may still be indicted for his participation in the Jan. 6 riot.

Carlson insisted to viewers that Epps was the central figure in the Jan. 6 riot, but was removed from the FBI's most-wanted list and never charged. When the Jan. 6 committee stated that Epps did not work for the FBI, Carlson told viewers the committee was lying.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
UC Davis medical staff

Dr. Ashley Denmark is a board-certified family medicine doctor and the founder of Project Diversify Medicine, a digital community where she helps minority students make a path for pre-med or medical school.

"We're not just fighting for the badge of honor to be able to say, 'I'm a doctor' or 'I have a white coat,' but we're fighting to heal our community," said Denmark.

In California, UC Davis medical school could be a model for what post-affirmative action med school admissions might look like.

It's ranked the third-most diverse medical school in the country, and they haven't used characteristics like race or gender for decades.

"The qualities that will make a good physician are ultimately those things that allow patients to connect better and believe their doctors and have a trust in their doctors' abilities," said Denmark.

Some California history: In 1996, voters approved a law which banned affirmative action practices in public employment, education and contracting. Students at several state universities staged walkouts and protests.

The next year, nearly 200 Black aspiring doctors applied at the University of California, San Diego. Not one was accepted.

Research showed in the decade following the ban, med schools saw a drop in applications from underrepresented students of color.

SEE MORE: Latest Supreme Court decisions specifically affecting Black Americans

Cut to 2006. UC Davis admissions shifted to looking at how an applicant's background could help treat the communities they're from and combat health workforce shortages.

"If you're poor or if you live in a rural county where your nearest emergency room is more than maybe 50 to 100 miles away, it is possible for you to become a physician and have the training to go back and serve the community that you love," said Denmark.

Items like location resiliency, ethical values and ability to listen are weighed.

The school still requires certain courses and the medical college admission test, or MCAT. This year they've begun requiring a professional readiness test that grades cultural competency, social skills and reliability.

The model has worked. In 2020, half of UC Davis' med students were from a group underrepresented in medicine.

The school says more work needs to be done, and Dr. Denmark agrees. But they're both optimistic.

"I encourage anyone to really try to continue their journey and not give up and realize the bigger picture, the resilient generations of our history and our families," said Denmark.

The UC Davis medical school has done plenty more: $12 million in scholarships, programs and accelerated paths to encourage diverse applicants for family doctors and those who want to practice in rural or tribal communities and inner cities.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group of 95 U.S. lawmakers on Thursday urged the Biden administration to finalize stricter emissions limits than it proposed in April over the objections of most major automakers, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

A dozen Democratic senators including Ed Markey, Tom Carper, Alex Padilla, Ron Wyden, Elizabeth Warren, Jack Reed and independent Bernie Sanders joined more than 80 House members in asking the Environmental Protection Agency to finalize stricter tailpipe emissions limits that would result in 69% of new vehicles being electric in 2032, rather than 67% under the agency's proposal.

"We believe the United States should be on a path to eliminating harmful tailpipe pollution from new light-duty and medium-duty vehicles by 2035," the lawmakers wrote.

(Reporting by David Shepardson)
Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a meeting with Korean residents at a Warsaw hotel, Poland, July 12. Yonhap



Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has pledged continued support for war-torn Ukraine by fostering cooperation with Poland, which has played a leading role in garnering support for its neighboring country.



Yoon made the commitment in a contribution to Rzeczpospolita, a Polish daily, as he embarked on a three-day official visit, after attending a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Lithuania.



"Korea will continue to support Ukraine through close cooperation with Poland, one of the leading supporting nations in Europe," Yoon said.



Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine, has been at the forefront of lobbying efforts to impose sanctions against Russia and has provided strong political, economic and military aid to Ukraine.






By Brendan O'Brien

(Reuters) -A federal jury on Thursday decided that Robert Bowers was eligible for the death penalty for killing 11 worshippers at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue in 2018, the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, local media reported.

Last month, the jury found Bowers, 50, guilty of dozens of federal hate crimes in the trial at the U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania. Federal prosecutors had charged Bowers with 63 counts, including 11 counts of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs resulting in death.

In the first phase of the sentencing portion of the trial, the jury briefly deliberated on Wednesday afternoon and then again for about two hours on Thursday morning before reaching their decision that Bowers was eligible for the death penalty, KDKA TV, a local CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh, reported.

In the final phase of the sentencing portion of the trial, both prosecutors and defense attorneys will have the chance to make arguments on whether Bowers deserves the death penalty. Victims and families of those killed in the shooting will also have the opportunity to speak to the court. The jury will then deliberate Bowers' fate.

In federal capital cases, a unanimous vote by jurors is required in order to sentence a defendant to death, and the judge is obligated to abide by the jury's decision. If jurors are unable to reach a unanimous decision, the offender is instead sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of release.

On June 16, the jury found him guilty on all counts, after defense lawyers accepted that he planned and carried out the attack. Jurors heard testimony from some of the survivors of the attack and evidence of Bowers' antisemitism, including multiple posts attacking Jews made on a far-right website in the months leading up to the attack.

Defense lawyers argued that Bowers suffers from major mental illness, including schizophrenia, and so lacked the necessary level of intent.

In their arguments in support of making Bowers eligible for the death penalty, prosecutors said that he had the necessary intent and premeditation to qualify for the sentence. They presented witnesses and evidence to show he carefully planned the attack and deliberately targeted vulnerable elderly worshipers.

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; additional reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; editing by Tim Ahmann and Bill Berkrot)
BENGHAZI (Reuters) -Production at Libya's El Feel, Sharara and 108 oilfields was shut on Thursday in a protest against the abduction of a former finance minister, a tribal leader told Reuters on Thursday.

The shutdown was confirmed by oil engineers and a protester.

It is a protest by the Al-Zawi tribe against the kidnapping of Faraj Bumatari, a former finance minister, according to the tribal leader.

The protesters released a video statement from the 108 oilfield saying while they closed a valve: "We affirm the continuation of the oil closures, and we may escalate the situation to more than that if our son, Faraj Bumatari, is not released."

No protesters have entered the Sharara oilfield so far, two engineers working in the field told Reuters on Thursday.

The Sharara field , one of Libya's largest production areas with capacity of 300,000 barrels per day, has been a frequent target for several political reasons and demands by local protesters.

The field is located in Murzuq basin in the southeast of Libya. It's run by the state oil firm NOC via Acacus company with Spain's Repsol, France's Total , Austria's OMV , and Norway's Equinor

El Feel field, has a capacity of 70,000 barrels per day, is operated by Mellitah Oil and Gas which is a joint venture between the state oil firm NOC and Italy's Eni.

No immediate comments was available from Libya's Oil Corp (NOC).

The leader of Zawi tribe, Al-Senussi al-Ahlaiq, told Reuters that the closure of El Feel was aimed at pressuring the authorities in Tripoli to release Bumatari who was kidnapped after arriving at Mitiga airport on Tuesday.

Al-Ahlaiq said that preparations are going on to close the water supply to Tripoli,"

Bumatari is a candidate to position of central bank governor, the tribe said in a written statement, adding that "makes him vulnerable to danger and kidnapping."

The U.N. mission in Libya said in a statement that the "shutdown must be immediately ended," and that it was disturbed by the reports of the protest.

The mission said five members of Libya's High State Council were also reportedly banned from travelling at the same airport.

"These acts create a climate of fear, promote tension between communities and tribes," said the U.N. mission.

The council is a legislative chamber that emerged from the first elected parliament in 2012 in Tripoli, in negotiations with the House of Representatives in eastern Benghazi that was elected in 2014.

The HSC head Khalid Mishri held Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaibathe accountable for the safety of council members, saying in a recorded statement "any recklessness from the prime minister against any member of the HSC members will mean that we have descended strongly and urgently towards a conflict."

(Reporting by Ayman Werfalli in Benghazi, Writing by Alaa Swilam, Ahmed Elumami and Clauda Tanios; Editing by David Evans, Diane Craft and Alistair Bell)
By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW (Reuters) -A Russian general said he had been dismissed as a commander after telling the military leadership about the dire situation at the front in Ukraine where he said Russian soldiers had been stabbed in the back by the failings of the top military brass.

After the June 24 mutiny by Wagner mercenaries, the biggest domestic challenge to the Russian state in decades, President Vladimir Putin has thus far kept Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov in their jobs.

Major General Ivan Popov, who commanded the 58th Combined Arms Army, said in a voice message published by Russian lawmaker Andrei Gurulyov that he had been dismissed after telling the truth to the top brass about the situation at the front.

"The Ukrainian army could not break through our ranks at the front but our senior chief hit us from the rear, viciously beheading the army at the most difficult and intense moment," Popov said.

Popov, who commanded Russian units in southern Ukraine, explicitly raised the deaths of Russian soldiers from Ukrainian artillery and said the army lacked proper counter artillery systems and reconnaissance of enemy artillery.

There was no immediate comment from the defence ministry and Reuters was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the voice message. Lawmaker Gurulyov is a hardline former army commander who regularly appears on state television.

It was unclear when the message was recorded. The defence ministry has not said anything about his dismissal.

Such public criticism of Russia's military leadership from a battle-hardened general less than three weeks since the Wagner mutiny indicates the level of discontent within the Russian army as it fights the biggest land war in Europe since World War Two.

RUSSIAN ARMY

Putin, Russia's paramount leader since 1999, has said the mutiny could have tipped Russia into civil war and has compared it to the revolutionary turmoil of 1917 which forced Russia to essentially drop out of World War One.

The Kremlin has sought to project calm but Russian officials and diplomats have told Reuters that the full significance of the mutiny - which Prigozhin said was aimed only at settling scores with Shoigu and Gerasimov - has yet to play out.

Neither Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin nor General Sergei Surovikin, a deputy commander of Russia's military operations in Ukraine, have been seen in public since the day of the mutiny.

For months Prigozhin had been openly insulting Putin's most senior military men, using a variety of crude expletives and prison slang that shocked top Russian officials but that were left unanswered in public by Putin, Shoigu or Gerasimov.

Popov, 48, said he had kept his distance from the "gladiators" of the army but had faced a watershed moment when he told the military chiefs the truth.

"There was a tough situation with the senior bosses in which it was necessary either to keep quiet and be a coward or to say it the way it is," Popov said. He did not say when he raised the complaints.

"I had no right to lie in the name of you, in the name of my fallen comrades in arms, so I outlined all the problems which exist."

A Telegram channel linked to Wagner mercenaries said that Popov had raised the need to rotate exhausted troops from the front line with Gerasimov. Reuters was unable to verify that report.

"The senior chiefs apparently sensed some kind of danger from me and quickly concocted an order from the defence minister in just one day and got rid of me," Popov said. "I await my fate."

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Andrew Osborn)
As a series of welcoming cannon blasts rang out from a nearby colonial fort, the Russian navys training class ship Perekop sailed into Havana on Tuesday.

While in Cuba for a four-day visit, the Perekops sailors will carry out a wide range of activities, according to Cubas state-run Prensa Latina news service, and members of the Cuban public will be given the opportunity to tour the ship.

It is the first official visit by a Russian naval vessel to Cuba in years  and another sign of the reforging of the relationship between the two Cold War-era allies after the collapse of the Soviet Union nearly brought down the Cuban economy with it.

While Russias invasion of Ukraine has led to its widespread ostracization, the Cuban government increasingly has defended Moscow.

We are condemning, we are rejecting, the expansion of NATO towards Russias borders, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel told Russian-controlled network, RT, in a rare interview in May.

He also blasted US economic sanctions on Russia, while heralding Russian projects of cooperation and collaboration under development in Cuba.

The Russian navy's training class ship Perekop sailed into Havana on Tuesday. - Patrick Oppmann/CNN

The two countries have also announced a flurry of agreements and exchanged high level delegations. The deals include allowing Russia to lease land in Cuba for up to 30 years, develop beachside tourist facilities near Havana, open a supermarket with Russian products and supply the island with badly needed fuel.

According to Jorge R. Pinon, a senior research fellow at the University of Texas at Austin Energy Institute, from the beginning of the Ukraine war, Russia has sent Cuba more oil than at any time since the fall of the USSR. So far in 2023, Pinon estimated, Russian has delivered approximately $167 million worth of oil.

The oil has been a crucial lifeline for cash-strapped Cuba this year, as shortages led to days-long waits to fill up cars across the island.

Rekindling ties

For much of the Cold War, Cuba and the former Soviet Union cultivated deep ties.

The USSR stationed thousands of diplomats, spies and military advisers on the island and built a towering embassy in Havana meant to symbolize a scimitar in the heart of US imperialism.

A generation of Cubans braved unfamiliar cold weather to study in Soviet countries. A popular TV game show called 9550  for the number of kilometers separating Cuba from Russia  quizzed Cubans about Soviet life with the grand prize a paid trip to the USSR.

But following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba lost its main trading partner and entered a deep economic depression. Since then, Cubans either regard their once-upon-a-time closeness with Russians with deep nostalgia or with the disdain of a failed marriage.

The oil has been a crucial lifeline for cash strapped Cuba as shortages in 2023 led to days-long waits to fill up cars across the island. - Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Images

Now, the rekindled relationship has led some Cuba watchers to lament a missed opportunity for the US.

While former US President Barack Obama restored diplomatic relations with Cuba and eased economic sanctions, his successor, President Donald Trump reversed much of that opening. The current incumbent, President Joe Biden, has for the most part kept Trump-era sanctions in place while demanding that Cuba release prisoners jailed for taking place in widespread protests two years ago.

It seems that under Trump and followed by Biden, the US has all but ceded the field, said Ric Herrero, executive director of the Cuba Study Group, which promotes greater engagement between the US and Cuba.

There has been very modest easing of sanctions, mostly citing humanitarian concerns, and opening up travel, remittances and restaffing the embassy and consulate but we have seen a White House that otherwise has been unconcerned with Cuba, Herrero said.

But the USs top diplomat in Havana said the talk of a greater Russian presence in Cuba so far appears to be just lip-service.

Theres a great Spanish expression that between said and done theres a wide gap, Benjamin Ziff, Charge dAffaires at the US Embassy in Havana, told CNN. We havent seen, talking with our contacts here, any evidence of increased Russian anything and frankly I think the Cuban government would be making a huge mistake if that they sought to follow that model and not the model 90 miles away that has 300 years of history.

The Russians are not the only ones flexing military might in Cuba. On Tuesday, the Cuban government blasted the US for its nuclear submarines three-day visit to the US Naval base at Guantanamo Bay, calling it a provocative escalation.

More than sixty years after the US and the USSR faced-off over Soviet nuclear missiles secretly placed in Cuba, the East and West still appear to be jockeying over who will exert greater influence over the island.

Despite the high cost of the war in Ukraine and economic sanctions, Russian officials say they are committed to Cuba.

Cuba has been and remains Russias most important ally in the region, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said while meeting with his Cuban counterpart Alvaro Lopez Miera in late June in Moscow.

We are ready to render assistance to the island of freedom and to lend a shoulder to our Cuban friends, Shoigu said.

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Soon after Morgan Bellock turned 34, she decided to freeze her eggs. She wasnt sure if she would be having children soon, and she thought it would be important to save them. As she went through the process, doctors discovered something surprising  Bellock had ovarian cancer.

It was a big shock to me, Bellock, now 40, from the Chicago area, tells TODAY.com. I didnt know there was a giant ovarian cyst just sitting on one of my ovaries.

Egg freezing leads to a surprise

At the time Bellock pursued freezing her eggs in 2017, she was in a relationship with someone who took a job across the country, and she knew if they were to start a family, it wouldnt be any time soon.

Morgan Bellock knows her story with ovarian cancer varies greatly from the traditional experience because it was found in stage 1. Ovarian cancer rarely has symptoms, so most people are diagnosed in later stages. (Courtesy Morgan Bellock)

I thought to myself, if this is my person, our timeline is going to be significantly pushed back. And for me, it just felt better looking into freezing my eggs, she says. I was worried that two or three years would pass. Some of her friends and family felt wary about Bellock pursuing fertility preservation, though.

I remember being met with a lot of skepticism, she says. I had a feeling in my gut, and ultimately Im glad I did, and I feel like everyone questioning my position felt really bad about it.

As part of the egg-freezing process, Bellock needed to undergo an ultrasound. During the scan, the doctor noticed she had a mass on her ovary. At first, doctors thought she had a simple ovarian cyst, which are fairly common, often associated with the menstrual cycle and normally harmless. An article in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine estimates as many as 20% of women will get one.

Testing, however, revealed that Bellocks cyst was complex, meaning it was filled with blood or some solid material. Her doctors worried that if she began taking the medication to stimulate her ovaries in order to freeze her eggs, it could cause the cyst to grow or rupture, so he recommended surgery.

The story became crazy and weird, she says. When they did the surgery, they removed the cyst. But then they also tested something that was hiding behind it, which was the cancerous tumor that none of the scans had shown.

While the doctors had been worried about the cyst, they had no idea it covered a very aggressive form of cancer," Bellock recalls. Luckily, doctors found it early. It was a stage 1 teratoma, a type of tumor "often made up of several different types of tissue, such as hair, muscle and bone, according to the National Cancer Institute.

It was good news in some ways that we had caught it so soon, and we could treat it, Bellock says.

Doctors told her that if the cancer had not been found accidentally, she might not have experienced any symptoms for years. By that time, her cancer would have been advanced.

Theres a very real way that I could have not been here today, which is wild to think about, she says. I didnt have any symptoms.

Doctors agreed that her ovary needed to be removed to treat the cancer. After surgery, she needed to recover before returning to egg freezing. It wasnt until 2018, that doctors said she could begin again. By that point, she had broken up with her boyfriend, so she was pursing it alone.

I only had one ovary, so as you can imagine, my desire to do it increased even more, Bellock says. It also felt even more disheartening, in terms of what the results were going to be.

She underwent several cycles to harvest eggs, ending up with 10.

I stopped after a couple of cycles because I have had so many surgeries, so many drugs, and my body was done, she says. The mental state I was in was very different than when I thought I was going to be doing it.

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecological cancer, Dr. Zaid Al-Wahab, a gynecological oncologist at Corewell Hospital, in Royal Oak, Michigan, who did not treat Bellock, previously told TODAY.com. It is the most common cause of death from gynecological cancers.

Freezing her eggs when she was 34 helped Morgan Bellock be diagnosed with ovarian cancer at stage 1. Now married, she is grateful she has eggs frozen to try to start a family with her husband. (Courtesy Morgan Bellock)

Thats because, in about 80% of the cases, most ovarian cancers are not found until stage 3 or 4, he noted. Bellock, like most people with early-stage ovarian cancer, had no symptoms.

Even when its stage 3 or 4, symptoms are very vague, Al-Wahab said.

Ovarian cancer symptoms include:

Bloating

Change in bowel habits

Back pain

Many people think of ovarian cancer as occurring in older women, but thats not always the case.

It can happen in much younger women so more awareness of ovarian cancer (is needed), Al-Wahab said.

Life as a survivor

For the first year following her cancer diagnosis, Bellock needed to undergo an ultrasound every three months because that period has the highest chance of the cancer recurring. Gradually, the number of ultrasounds she needed reduced. Its been five years, so shes considered in remission and doesnt need additional surveillance.

You feel like youre never going to get (into remission), she says. I struggle a lot with survivorship.  There are many other women that I feel like are on the other side that have gone through way worse and way more.

Shes became involved in The Breasties, a group for young people who had breast and gynecological cancers. Thats helped her grapple with her diagnosis and surviving cancer.

Its a nationwide organization of young women that are just very open and honest with the struggles and triumphs involved in this whole, crazy world  she says. Thats been such a blessing in terms of finding community and people who can really understand all the feelings that go on with cancer.

She met someone new, and in 2021 they got married. They have pursued IVF to start a family, but its been challenging. Bellock says she has no regrets about freezing her eggs.

I knew I had to go in and pursue freezing my eggs, and ultimately it led me down this path, which Im super grateful for, she says. Its just a really wild way of getting that diagnosis.

Morgan Bellock hopes others advocate for themselves if they notice something off with their health. (Courtesy Morgan Bellock)

She encourages others to speak up if they notice anything wrong with their body.

Trust your gut and advocate for yourself, she says.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The Syrian government gave a green light Thursday for the United Nations to use a key crossing from Turkey to the countrys rebel-held northwest that was closed earlier this week, but it wants to take away U.N. control over aid deliveries to the region.

Syrias U.N. ambassador, Bassam Sabbagh, said the government is granting the U.N. and its agencies permission to use the Bab al-Hawa crossing for six months starting Thursday, but he said it must be done in full cooperation and coordination with the government.

He told reporters the U.N. also should not communicate with terrorist organizations and their affiliates illegally controlling the Idlib region and must allow the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to run aid operations in terrorist controlled areas,

Sabbagh made the announcement after delivering letters to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council president with the governments decision. It followed Tuesdays failure of the Security Council to renew authorization of aid deliveries through Bab al-Hawa, a U.N. operation that had been vital to helping a region of 4.1 million people.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said: Weve received the letter and are studying it for now.

But Britains U.N. ambassador, Barbara Woodward, was clearly not impressed, saying Bab al-Hawa has gold standard aid monitoring yet now Syrian President Bashar Assad has said he will open it without U.N. monitoring.

Control of this critical lifeline has been handed to the man responsible for the Syrian peoples suffering, Woodward said. The priority needs to be getting aid flowing again, fast, to the people who need it  and then getting certainty over its future. We will not hesitate to bring this back to the Security Council.

The main insurgent group in northwest Idlib is Hayat Tahrir al Sham, whose origins were in al-Qaida. The group and other militants are a mix of home-grown fighters and foreign jihadis who began coming to Syria in 2011 after an initially peaceful uprising against Assad turned into an armed insurgency.

Many people in Idlib have been forced from their homes during the 12-year civil war, which has killed nearly a half million people and displaced half the countrys pre-war population of 23 million. Hundreds of thousands live in tent settlements and have relied on aid that comes through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing.

The Security Council initially authorized aid deliveries in 2014 from Turkey, Iraq and Jordan through four crossing points into opposition-held areas in Syria. But over the years, Syrias closest ally Russia, backed by China, has reduced the authorized crossings to just Bab al-Hawa from Turkey  and the mandates from a year to six months.

After the devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that ravaged northwestern Syria and southern Turkey on Feb. 8,, Assad opened two additional crossing points from Turkey, at Bab al-Salameh and al-Rai, to increase the flow of assistance to victim, and he extended their opening until Aug. 13.

The United Nations has also been using those crossings to deliver aid. But U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric reiterated after Tuesdays vote that the secretary-general was trying to reopen Bab al-Hawa, which is closest to Idlib and where 85% of U.N. cross-border aid passed through.

Pressed on what full cooperation and coordination with the government will mean in practice, Sabbagh said that I leave these details to the U.N. to explain, saying the government wants Bab al-Hawa open. He said Syria also wants the U.N. to support the countrys development, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, power stations, mining activities.

On Tuesday, Syrias close ally Russia vetoed a compromise resolution drafted by Switzerland and Brazil that would have extended the U.N. operation through Bab al-Hawa for nine months. That was supported by 13 of the 15 council members, as well as by the secretary-general and humanitarian organizations.

A rival Russian resolution that would have extended the aid deliveries only for six months but added new requirements failed to get the minimum nine yes votes for approval and was only supported by Russia and China. Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council that if Moscows resolution wasnt accepted it would not approve any compromise.

The Russian draft resolution included language supporting Assads government, which has for years delayed U.N.-led negotiations on a new constitution as a key step to elections and ending the conflict that began in 2011. It also referred to U.S. and European Union sanctions on Syria and asked the secretary-general to provide a special report on the impact of these measures in December.
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The Syrian government on Thursday said the United Nations could use a border crossing from Turkey to continue delivering aid to northwest Syria for another six months after the Security Council failed to renew its authorization for the operation.

The U.N. aid deliveries would have to be "in full cooperation and coordination with the Syrian Government", Syria's U.N. Ambassador Bassam Sabbagh wrote in a letter on Thursday to the Security Council, seen by Reuters.

U.N. Security Council approval for the Turkish-based aid operation delivering help to several million people in rebel-held northwest Syria expired on Monday as members struggled to convince Russia to extend it for more than six months.

Russia vetoed a nine-month authorization renewal at the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday and then failed in its own bid for a six-month extension of the operation, which has been delivering aid including food, medicine and shelter since 2014.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had pushed for a 12-month renewal. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the Syrian letter had been received and the United Nations was studying it.

"Under the U.N. mandate, Bab al-Hawa had gold standard aid monitoring, to ensure aid was not misused," British U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward said in a statement.

"Without U.N. monitoring, control of this critical lifeline has been handed to the man responsible for the Syrian people's suffering," she said, in a reference to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

She said the priority was to quickly get aid flowing again to those who need it and then, certainty over the operation's future, adding: "We will not hesitate to bring this back to the Security Council."

Security Council authorization was needed because the Syrian government did not agree to the U.N. operation. It initially authorized aid deliveries in 2014 into opposition-held areas of Syria from Iraq, Jordan and two points in Turkey. But Russia and China whittled that down to just one from Turkey: Bab al-Hawa.

COUNCIL AVENUE 'DEAD'

Russia's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said there was now no need for the council to vote on any authorization for cross-border aid deliveries and that avenue was "officially dead" now that the Syrian government had given its own approval.

"Every effort to put another draft to vote will constitute nothing but political games," he posted on Twitter.

Russia and Syria have argued that the operation violates Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They say more aid should be delivered from inside the country, raising opposition fears food and other aid would fall under government control.

"The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic has taken the sovereign decision to grant the United Nations and its specialized agencies permission to use Bab al-Hawa crossing," Sabbagh wrote.

They would be allowed "to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in need in northwest Syria, in full cooperation and coordination with the Syrian Government, for a period of six months, starting from July 13, 2023," he said.

After an earthquake killed more than 50,000 people in Turkey and Syria in February, Assad allowed the United Nations to use an additional two border crossings from Turkey to dispatch aid. That approval expires on Aug. 13.

A violent crackdown by Assad on peaceful pro-democracy protesters in 2011 led to a civil war, with Moscow backing Assad and Washington supporting the opposition. Millions of people have fled Syria with millions more internally displaced. Fighting has since abated with Assad back in control of most of Syria.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Kanishka Singh and Deepa Babington)
By Sarah Wu

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's cabinet on Thursday proposed stricter laws against sexual harassment as a recent surge in allegations brought the #MeToo movement to the island nearly six years after it gained global prominence.

The proposed reforms of Taiwan's three gender equality laws introduce harsher penalties for perpetrators, lengthen the statute of limitations for filing complaints, and increase resources to support victims.

The #MeToo movement - ignited in 2017 by accusations of sexual misconduct against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein - saw women around the world take to social media to disclose their experiences with sexual harassment, spawning investigations and toppling high-profile men from positions of power.

Addressing workplace harassment that takes advantage of power imbalances is a priority for Taiwan's reforms, Lo Ping-cheng, minister without portfolio who led the cabinet's efforts, told a news conference after a meeting during which the cabinet proposed the legal amendments.

Under the revised laws, an employer found guilty of sexual harassment could be fined up to T$1 million ($32,306) and jailed for up to three years.

Referring to the current lack of penalties for employers, Lo said, "We will close this loophole this time".

Taiwan's #MeToo movement began at the end of May, when a former staffer at the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) publicly recounted her experience of sexual harassment and a party official dismissed her complaint.

Her Facebook post sparked a wave of sexual harassment and assault allegations that has spread beyond the political sphere to other sectors ranging from academia to the entertainment industry.

More than 70 meetings were held in less than one month to ensure that the cabinet could complete the legal work in "the fastest and most rigorous" fashion, cabinet spokesperson Lin Tze-luen said.

The proposed amendments have been submitted to parliament for approval by lawmakers. The measures accompanying the legal reforms include setting up a counselling hotline and training more case investigators.

Senior DPP officials including President Tsai Ing-wen have apologised to the sexual harassment victims and the public over the allegations.

($1 = 30.9540 Taiwan dollars)

(Reporting by Sarah Wu; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
Medical providers and families with transgender children are suing the largest state with a ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth, a measure that would impact thousands of trans children with a potential ripple effect that could more broadly devastate healthcare for young non-trans patients and their families.

Texas  the second-largest state in the nation, home to thousands of young trans people  is preparing to enforce a law that would prohibit minors from accessing transition healthcare and force trans youth who are already receiving such care to de-transition.

The plaintiffs, which include families with five trans children and a coalition of LGBT+ advocates and civil rights groups, have argued that health providers face an impossible choice to break the law and lose their medical licenses or violate their oath and leave their patients behind.

The lawsuit filed in state district court in Travis County, home to the states capitol in Austin, argues that Senate Bill 14 violates the state constitution by infringing on parents autonomy over their childrens healthcare, discriminating against trans patients, and interfering with physicians rights by forcing doctors to disregard best practice clinical guidelines that could compromise the health of their patients.

Senate Bill 14 is scheduled to take effect on 1 September, joining more than a dozen states that have enacted laws or policies banning gender-affirming care for young trans people.

Passing these laws sends a loud and clear message that you are not welcome here, Lynly Egyes, the legal director for the Transgender Law Center, told reporters on 13 July.

Medical decisions regarding trans healthcare should not be made by cruel government officials or politicians who are using trans youth as pawns, she said.

These families are courageously fighting for their freedom so they can be the best parents for their children, she added. Through this lawsuit we are making it clear  we will fight back and we will not be silenced. Let doctors be doctors and parents be parents.

All major medical organisations support the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy to treat gender dysphoria, treatments that are also regularly prescribed to cisgender people who are not targeted by gender-affirming care bans.

Texas families with trans children are considering whether to move out of state to continue their childrens care, decisions that are breaking some families apart or leaving families isolated in a state where care will soon be out of reach, according to Emmett Schelling, executive director of the Transgender Education Network of Texas.

The cruelty is the point here. The cruelty is whats driving this legislation, is whats targeting trans people specifically, to have a large part of our healthcare that we depend on  stripped away, he said.

These decisions are made thoughtfully, intentionally, and in due time with parents, a child and a provider who has studied and educated themselves for years in practicing medicine, he added. Instead, we are hearing voices that are literally trying to rip away my humanity and the humanity of so many beautiful people from my community.

Families are navigating how to maintain continuity of care for their children, or where they can go if they dont have the resources or ability to travel to other states, many of which have imposed similar bans on affirming care.

Advocates fear that a domino effect will follow, as providers weigh whether to move their practice out of state and cut off access not only to affirming care for a relatively small pool of young trans patients but also healthcare for their non-trans patients.

Its been devastating, Mr Schelling said. Ive spoken to so many families, so many community members who are literally just terrified, and for what reason?  Its a situation no parent should be faced with  do I have to flee my home to make sure I am not targeted by my state leadership, but also so that I can live a happy, full life?

Alex Sheldon, executive director of GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality, said the groups members are being maligned not because of the quality of care they provide but because of who they provide care to.

Our members are telling us theyll have to flee the state to keep their license, with fears of a mass exodus of health professionals that will be felt throughout the state, they said.

The Independent has requested comment from the office of Texas Attorney General, which is named in the lawsuit.

Federal judges in five other states  Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Florida and Kentucky  have ruled that similar bans are likely unconstitutional. A decision in the Arkansas case permanently struck down that states law, the first ban on affirming healthcare for trans youth in the US, marking the first such ruling in the country after a weeks-long federal trial.

Last week, Republican-appointed judges on a federal appeals court in Tennessee allowed the state to enforce its gender-affirming care ban, the first time that a challenged law against gender-affirming care has taken effect while a series of legal challenges against similar bans play out across the country.

The Texas lawsuit is filed in state court, where plaintiffs are relying on the state constitutions explicit protections for parents rights.

SB 14 is arbitrary, irrational and oppressive, said Paul Castillo, senior counsel with Lambda Legal. Like weve seen in similar lawsuits already, we aim to stop SB 14 in its entirety.
GENEVA (Reuters) - A group of United Nations investigators and experts called on Ethiopia on Thursday to halt the deportation of Eritreans, as well as the arbitrary detention of Eritrean refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.

The group, who make reports on rights issues on behalf of the U.N., also condemned what they called the "summary expulsion of hundreds of Eritreans" by Ethiopia at the end of June.

"Collective expulsions are prohibited under international law," they said in a statement.

"Deporting migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers without conducting an individual and objective risk assessment of their exposure to human rights violations, including torture and enforced disappearance, upon return is refoulement."

Under international human rights law, the principle of non-refoulement guarantees that no one should be returned to a country where they would face abuse or punishment.

Ethiopia's official Human Rights Commission said on June 24 it was monitoring the forcible return of about 200 Eritreans.

The Ethiopian Refugee and Returnee Service said last month that the people deported were not refugees or asylum seekers - a statement the U.N. experts said contradicted other reliable sources.

"According to several credible sources, the group included both registered and unregistered refugees and asylum seekers," the experts' statement said.

Ethiopian government spokesperson Legesse Tulu and Tesfahun Gobezay, head of the Ethiopian Refugee and Returnee Service, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Neighbouring Eritrea's government has for years subjected its population to repression, including forced labour and conscription, and has imposed harsh restrictions on freedom of expression and religion, causing many to flee.

Ethiopia and Eritrea are historical adversaries, though Eritrean troops fought alongside their Ethiopian counterparts and allied militias in a recent two-year conflict that pitted Addis Ababa against rebel forces in the Tigray region.

In November, the Ethiopian government and Tigrayan forces signed an agreement to end the hostilities.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Geneva and Dawit Endeshaw in Addis Ababa; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
Serbia's president visits construction site of Chinese-built motorway in E. Serbia

Xinhua) 13:37, July 13, 2023

BELGRADE, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The section of the Chinese-built motorway between Pozarevac and Golubac is vital for the development of the whole of eastern Serbia, the country's President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday.

"In two and a half years, we will have a high-speed road completed, and we will be able to get from Belgrade to Golubac in one hour and 20 minutes of easy driving," Vucic said.

Vucic visited the construction site accompanied by members of the government, the Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo, and representatives of Serbian subcontractors, according to a press release from the presidential office.

Vucic said that the construction was advancing without problems and that the motorway will bring added value to the whole of eastern Serbia by boosting employment and attracting people to live in that part of the country.

"We still have a lot of infrastructure to complete together. There is true historical heritage in this part of our country. It is also a matter of employment involving numerous people," he said.

Chinese Ambassador Chen noted that this high-speed road connects the most beautiful parts of southeast Europe and Serbia. Wishing success to the project, she said it brings about new opportunities for tourism and the economic growth of Serbia.

Chinese Shandong Hi-Speed, the main contractor of the project, started construction of the 68-km-long section in November 2021.

The project, worth 337 million euros (373.6 million U.S. dollars), includes two 3.5-meter lanes in each direction of the motorway, as well as 39 bridges. Once finished, the road will directly connect Serbia's A1 highway with eastern Serbia.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, holds talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, on the sidelines of a summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday. Yonhap



The government will start follow-up discussions with Japan after President Yoon Suk Yeol asked Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to include Korean experts in monitoring the planned release of radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, an official said Thursday.



Yoon made the request during a bilateral summit with Kishida in Vilnius, Lithuania, on the sidelines of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit Wednesday, saying the health and safety of the people should be the top considerations in releasing the water into the sea.



Park Ku-yeon, the first deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, said during a daily briefing on the Fukushima issue that the working-level talks would be carried out as soon as possible.



"President Yoon Suk Yeol has repeatedly stressed the basic position regarding the contaminated water issue, which is that the health and safety of the people are the top priority," Park said.



Park further mentioned that discussions would be conducted through various methods, including additional contact between high-level officials who participated in the summit.



The two leaders held a 30-minute discussion, the sixth of its kind. During the meeting, Yoon asked that the discharge be immediately stopped if the concentration of radioactive material in the water exceeds standard level, and that Japan promptly inform Korea.



Kishida replied that he will do everything possible to ensure the safety of the water release and not discharge any water that could harm the health of the Japanese and Korean people or the environment, according to a press release. (Yonhap)


WASHINGTON (AP)  U.S. climate envoy John Kerry defended his negotiations with China  and angrily rebuffed what he called a stupid lie that he routinely travels by private jet  during a grilling by House Republicans on Thursday before he sets out on his next climate mission to Beijing.

Kerry leaves Sunday for meetings with his counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, the first extensive face-to-face climate discussions between the worlds two worst climate polluters after a nearly yearlong hiatus.

The questioning in Thursday's hearing by the Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee's oversight subcommittee underscored the risks for Kerry that rising tensions between the two rival countries will stymie progress in what scientists stress are essential cuts in fossil fuel emissions over this decade.

Republicans' questioning of Kerry on his climate diplomacy at times broke down into challenging the existence of the scientifically established fact of climate change and openly insulting the former secretary of state, who is a longtime target of political hardliners.

In the most heated confrontation, Republican Rep. Scott Perry accused Kerry of drumming up a problem that doesn't exist in global warming. When Kerry asked why the world's scientists and the 195 global governments behind the Paris climate accord would make up global warming, Perry responded, Because they're grifting, like you are," drawing gasps from lawmakers.

But with Republicans as well as Democrats overall accepting the science underlying the warming climate, much of Thursday's criticism from GOP committee members zeroed in on the appropriateness of the U.S. engaging in climate negotiations with China. They cited China's record of human rights abuses and what lawmakers described as China's evasiveness in refusing to make bigger cuts in climate-damaging fossil fuel emissions.

Theyre not an honest broker when it comes to addressing emissions. They fire a coal plant up pretty much every day, if not week, said Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Republican lawmakers faulted China's insistence that it was still a developing economy and should not be held to the same climate standards as developed Western economies, and China's suspected use of forced labor of ethnic minorities in making solar panel components.

Kerry responded that the clear disparity between China's claims and the size of its economy as the world's second biggest could not be allowed to deadlock global progress on cutting emissions. And as far as persuading China to hold itself to the same emissions-cutting requirements facing other big economies, "let me just be frank with you, that's not going to happen in this visit."

But the Chinese government understands this is a growing issue of concern, he said.

Kerry will be the third senior Biden administration official in recent weeks to travel to China for meetings with their counterparts there, after Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

China broke off some mid- and high-level contacts with the Biden administration, including over climate issues, to show its anger with then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's August trip to self-ruled Taiwan. China claims Taiwan as its territory. Other problems have rocked relations since then, including the transit across the U.S. of what Americans say was a Chinese spy balloon.

A stroke suffered by Xie, China's top climate diplomat, also helped stall U.S.-China climate discussions.

The Biden administration's aim with Beijing now is to achieve "stability, if we can, without conceding anything," Kerry told lawmakers.

What we're trying to do is find ways we can cooperate to actually address the crisis of climate, Kerry said, adding that China is critical to our being able to solve this problem.

Fireworks broke out again after Rep. Cory Mills, a Florida Republican, made a reference to claims that Kerry conducts his climate work by private jet, saying he hoped "it wasnt too problematic for your operational team and your private jet to get here.

Kerry singled that out as one of the most outrageously persistent lies that I hear, which is this private jet.

I don't own a private jet. I personally have never owned a private jet, Kerry said, adding that it was pretty stupid to talk about coming to Capitol Hill by private jet from his office at the State Department.

He said in his 2 1/2 years as climate envoy he had flown entirely on commercial air, with the exception of five military flights, and recalled no flights on private jets in that time. A family jet belonging primarily to his wife had been sold, he said, but did not say when.
Russias top mercenary Yevgeny Prigozhin has probably been murdered after leading a failed rebellion against the Kremlin regime, a former senior US military leader has suggested.

Prigozhin, the Wagner Group chief, ordered his soldiers to march on Moscow last month amid an ongoing feud with Russias top military brass about its strategy in the Ukraine war.

I personally dont think he is, and if he is, hes in a prison somewhere, Robert Abrams, a retired general, told ABC News when asked if he thought the warlord was alive.

The Kremlin claimed that president Vladimir Putin met with Prigozhin five days after the latter stood down his troops.

But Prigozhin has not been seen in public since then and general Abrams cast doubt on whether the meeting ever actually took place.

Id be surprised if we actually see proof of life that Putin met with Prigozhin, and I think its highly staged, he said.

The move by Prigozhin, viewed by some in Russia as a potential successor to Putin, plunged the country into a temporary meltdown.

On 24 June Prigozhin claimed to have taken control of all of Russias military sites in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and demanded that the military leadership come to him after accusing them of killing his forces with a rocket attack on the front line.

He vowed to take revenge for the deaths and to stop the evil brought by the military leadership of this country in an extraordinary series of audio clips published the night before.

Some reports suggest Prigozhin is in Belarus (PRIGOZHIN PRESS SERVICE)

Images and video circulating on social media showed armed men on the streets of Rostov, skirting the regional police headquarters in the city on foot, as well as tanks positioned outside the headquarters of the Southern Military District - key to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

It sparked a huge security response in Moscow, where anti-terrorist measures were put in place and additional checks on roads, with unconfirmed footage showing military vehicles on the streets.

Russias FSB Security Service, meanwhile, opened a criminal case for armed mutiny against Prigozhin and said his statements and actions constituted calls for the start of an armed civil conflict on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Prigozhin later called off the rebellion, saying he wanted to avoid bloodshed and the charges against him were later dropped.

Putin conceded in a speech to military personnel in Moscow that a civil war had been narrowly avoided and some analysts suggested that his authority had been badly damaged by the public spat between Wagner and the Kremlin.

The Kremlin suggested Prigozhin would be exiled to Belarus as punishment but his whereabouts since the failed rebellion have remained a mystery. His fellow mercenaries involved in the rebellion were also reportedly being allowed to leave to Belarus.

But neither Russia nor Belarus has confirmed where Prigozhin is. Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring project, said a business jet that Prigozhin reportedly uses landed near Minsk on the morning of 27 June.

On Wednesday this week Russias defiance ministry said the Wagner Group was completing the handover of its weapons to the military.

The disarming of Wagner reflects efforts by authorities to defuse the threat it posed and also appears to herald an end to the mercenary groups operations on the battlefield in Ukraine.
At last years NATO summit in Madrid, the alliance formally invited Sweden and Finland to join its ranks. At this years summit in Vilnius, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was hoping the alliance would extend his country the same favor.

That was not to be. In its final communique, issued Monday evening, NATO claimed that Ukraines future is in NATO  but did not say when that future could start.

Throughout the Russian invasion, Western allies have agonized over whether to approve the next thing Kyiv has asked for: First artillery, then Leopard tanks, then F-16 fighter jets, then cluster munitions. Each time, what seemed to be beyond the pale at first eventually came to be seen by some members as sensible and just.

But NATO membership is far more significant than military hardware, and it may be some time before Kyivs final wish is granted. So, what exactly did Zelensky want from this summit? Were his demands realistic? And what did he end up getting?

What did Zelensky want?

Zelenskys ambitions were clear: He would demand nothing less than full NATO membership for Ukraine.

At the July 2022 summit, his requests were less vociferous. Zelensky only launched his bid for fast-track membership to join the alliance in September, after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he would recognize four Ukrainian regions  Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia  as Russian territory.

Swiftly after Putins claims, Zelensky said that Ukraine was applying for NATO membership under an accelerated procedure, meaning that the Vilnius summit is the first time the issue has been on the alliances agenda.

Under NATOs open-door policy, any European country is free to apply, which is why its numbers have swelled from 12 founding members to the 31 it has today  soon to be made 32 by Swedens accession.

Zelensky appeared before adoring crowds in Vilnius Lukiskes Square on Monday, on a stage emblazoned with the blue and yellow of Ukraines flag and a huge sign reading #UkraineNATO33.

Zelensky spoke before thousands gathered in Vilnius on Tuesday. - Pavel Golovkin/AP

Was full membership realistic?

But while #UkraineNATO33 might have won cheers in Lithuanias capital, the prospect has been more chilling for leaders of the alliance itself.

Lets be clear about what NATO membership means. Article 5 of the Treaty enshrines the principle of collective defense, meaning that an attack on one member is an attack on all.

Article 5 has only been invoked once in NATOs history, after the 9/11 attacks on the United States. If Ukraine were to join today, with Russias invasion raging on, the Article would be invoked immediately, effectively dragging 31 countries into war with Russia.

US President Joe Biden made it clear before the Vilnius summit began that full membership was not yet realistic. Speaking to CNNs Fareed Zakaria in an exclusive interview Sunday, Biden said there is not unanimity in NATO about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the NATO family now, at this moment, in the middle of a war.

Were determined to commit every inch of territory that is NATO territory. Its a commitment that weve all made no matter what. If the war is going on, then were all in war. Were at war with Russia, if that were the case, said Biden.

UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace echoed the US stance, saying that we cant have a new member in the middle of a conflict. That would just import war into the alliance.

However, speaking to CNN from Vilnius on Monday, Wallace said that whenever this conflict finishes, we should be prepared as quickly as possible to bring Ukraine into NATO.

Biden delivered a speech next to Zelensky at the Vilnius summit Wednesday. - Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

What would Zelensky settle for?

Zelensky and his Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba had in fact conceded months before the NATO summit that Ukraine cannot become a member of the alliance while it is still at war. Speaking at a news conference in Kyiv in February, Zelensky said that, while Ukraine was not looking for a NATO substitute, he understood that we will not be a NATO member, while the war is waging. Not because we dont want (that), but because its impossible.

Going into the summit, his sights were set on a clear path into the alliance without obstacles once the conflict ends  and a clear timeline of when Ukraine would be offered membership. On Tuesday, Zelensky issued a blistering public statement slamming NATOs absurd refusal to provide a timeline.

This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraines membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror, he said on Twitter.

But NATOs refusal, or inability, to provide a timeline is understandable. In effect, the answer to When will Ukraine join NATO? is the same as When will Ukraine win the war? NATO has made it clear that the former cannot happen before the latter.

The most urgent task now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails, because unless Ukraine prevails, theres no membership issue to be discussed at all, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a news conference Tuesday evening.

What did Zelensky get?

The final communique was not published until around 6:40 p.m. in Vilnius  unusually late for a summits crowning document.

The late publishing time reflected disagreements between NATO members hoping to cede to Zelenskys demands for a clear timeline, and those urging continued ambiguity, led by the US and Germany. Biden had said earlier that members were working to agree on the language surrounding Ukraines future membership; those negotiations took longer than expected.

Ukraines future is in NATO, the communique read. We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met.

The alliance, however, did make a major concession to Ukraine, by removing a key hurdle in the application process.

(We) agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan. This will change Ukraines membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters Tuesday.

The Membership Action Plan (MAP) is a program of economic, defense and security reforms that other recently admitted countries had to go through before joining NATO. The removal of this lengthy process will significantly streamline Ukraines membership bid once it is formally invited to apply.

However, the removal of the MAP  which has been criticized as outdated and overly onerous  did not mean the removal of the need for reform. In a separate communique issued by the G7 Wednesday, allies announced that Ukraines membership would still be conditional on its implementing a program of reforms that underscore its commitments to democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and media freedoms, and put its economy on a sustainable path.

Biden acknowledged that the alliance had not invited Ukraine to join NATO during the summit as it works on necessary reforms, but said that were not waiting on that process to be finished to boost the countrys security and that G7 members wanted to provide support in the meantime.

The leaders of the G7 nations also unveiled a new declaration of support for Ukraine at the summit on Wednesday aimed at bolstering the war-torn countrys military capabilities.

Leaders of the G7 announced new security measures to support Ukraine. - Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Pool/AP

That declaration, Biden said, starts a process by which each of our nations, and any other nation who wishes to participate, will negotiate long term bilateral security commitments with and to Ukraine.

Zelensky thanked the G7 leaders for the new commitment. The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home significant security, victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children. It opens for us absolutely new security opportunities, and I thank everyone who made it possible, he said.

Individual allies also announced new packages of military aid for Ukraine  including Storm Shadow missiles from France and a $770 million package from Germany. However, the ultimate goal of NATO membership looks likely to elude Zelensky for some time.

But the significance of the communique should not be underestimated. Wallace reminded reporters Wednesday that before the summit the question of Ukraines NATO membership was still an if. Now, its a when.

CNNs Betsy Klein contributed reporting.

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Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said there is no way in hell she will attend Israeli President Isaac Herzogs address to a joint session of Congress next week.

Omar announced she would boycott Herzogs speech in a statement on Twitter Wednesday. The Democratic lawmaker criticized the Israeli president over the countrys human rights violations and for representing "the most right wing government in Israels history." She also accused Israel's government of "essentially putting a nail in the coffin of peace and a two-state solution" with Palestine.

Herzog has served as Israels president since 2021. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., first invited Herzog last year to address a joint session of Congress in honor of Israels 75th birthday.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who succeeded Pelosi in the role after Republicans won control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections, announced late last month that Herzog would visit Washington on July 19 for the address.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. on the floor before President Joe Biden speaks during the State of the Union address from the House chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington.

This is not the first time Omar has not attended a joint address to Congress in protest. She also opposed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis address to Congress over human rights abuses in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Omar is one of the most outspoken critics of Israel and the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians. In 2019, she and a fellow progressive Democrat, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., were barred from entering Israel by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Omar and Tlaib are two of just three Muslim members of Congress.

Omar noted on Twitter that Herzog's visit "comes during the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank in history." The death toll of Palestinians killed in the West Bank this year has risen past 100, according to data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The United States can and should use its diplomatic tools to engage with the Israeli government, but giving the current government the honor of a joint televised address sends the absolute wrong signal at the wrong time, Omar added.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ilhan Omar to boycott speech by Israel President Isaac Herzog
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to further bolster his countrys nuclear fighting capabilities as he supervised the second test flight of a new, powerful intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the mainland United States, state media reported Thursday.

Kims statement suggested North Korea would ramp up weapons testing activities to expand its arsenal in response to recent U.S. steps to enhance its security commitment to ally South Korea. On Thursday, in an apparent show of force against North Korea, the U.S. flew a nuclear-capable B-52 bomber to the Korean Peninsula for joint aerial exercises with other U.S. and South Korean fighter jets.

(Kim) clarified again that there will be no change and vacillation in the strategic line and policy of (the North Korean) government to steadily accelerate the development of more developed, effective and reliable weapon system," the Korean Central News Agency said.

Kim said North Korea is compelled to bolster the country's nuclear war deterrent because the security environment on the Korean Peninsula is being seriously threatened by the hostile forces every moment.

The Korean Central News Agency reported Kim's comments a day after the launch of the Hwasong-18, which was first test-fired in April and which Kim has called the most powerful weapon of his nuclear forces.

The road-mobile ICBM has built-in solid propellant, which makes it more difficult to detect in advance than liquid-fueled missiles.

KCNA said the launch was meant to reconfirm the technical credibility and operational reliability of the missile. Kim called the launch another important stride in efforts to boost the Norths strategic forces, KCNA said.

According to KCNA, the missile was launched at a high angle to avoid neighboring countries. It flew 74 minutes and a distance of 1,001 kilometers (622 miles) at a maximum altitude of 6,648 kilometers (4,130 miles) before landing in a targeted area in the open waters off the Norths east coast.

The missiles flight time is the longest recorded by any weapon launched by North Korea. If launched on a standard trajectory, the missile could fly to the mainland U.S., though some experts say North Korea still has some technologies to master to acquire functioning nuclear-armed missiles.

South Korea, Japan and the United States criticized North Korea over the launch that they said posed a threat to regional and international peace. Adam Hodge, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, said in a statement that the U.S. will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and South Korean and Japanese allies.

The United Nations Security Council scheduled an open meeting late Friday afternoon to discuss the ICBM launch at the request of the United States, Albania, France, Japan, Malta and the United Kingdom.

Wednesday's launch violated U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban any North Korean launches using ballistic technologies. But it's unclear if the council can impose new sanctions on North Korea because China and Russia, both veto-wielding permanent members, had blocked the U.S. and others' previous attempts to do so over North Korea's other recent ballistic launches.

South Korea's military said Thursday it maintained a firm readiness to repel potential provocations by North Korea and was pushing to achieve peace through strength, based on the strong military alliance with the United States. Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson, Lee Sung Joon, said the South Korean and U.S. authorities agreed to maintain a solid joint defense posture after the North Korean launch.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said that Thursday's South Korea-U.S. training involving the U.S. bomber improved the allies' joint operational capabilities and demonstrated Washington's resolve to implement its extended deterrence" commitment, a promise to use full U.S. capabilities, including nuclear, to protect its allies.

North Korea has been focusing on reinforcing its nuclear capability after Kims high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with then-President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019 due to disputes over U.S.-led sanctions on North Korea.

Thursday's KCNA dispatch accused the U.S. and South Korea of recently taking frantic confrontation attempts and bringing a new chain of nuclear crises to the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea often issues such harsh, warlike rhetoric in times of tension with its rivals. KCNA cited a U.S.-South Korean agreement to strengthen the allies deterrence capabilities such as the periodic docking of a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea and the establishment of a new bilateral nuclear consultative group, whose inaugural meeting is slated for next week in Seoul.

The United States has expanded military drills with South Korea and taken steps to enhance "regular visibility of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula in response to the Norths advancing nuclear arsenal. North Korea conducted about 100 missile tests since the start of 2022. Experts say Kim eventually aims to use his enlarged arsenal to win greater concessions in future diplomacy with the United States.

Wednesdays ICBM launch came two days after Kims sister and senior adviser, Kim Yo Jong, threatened shocking consequences to protest what she called provocative United States reconnaissance activity near its territory. The U.S. and South Korean governments dismissed the Norths accusation as groundless and urged it to refrain from escalatory actions.
The Secret Service found marijuana twice in the White House in 2022, long before cocaine was located in the West Wing.

The Secret Service revealed the information to members of Congress during a classified briefing on the investigation into cocaine found in the West Wing over the Fourth of July weekend, and confirmed the pot discoveries to Fox News Digital.

Possessing less than two ounces of marijuana is not a crime in Washington, D.C., but the substance is still not allowed on federal property  including the White House.

A spokesperson for the Secret Service told Fox News Digital that agents had found "small amounts of marijuana" on two separate occasions, in July and September of last year.

SECRET SERVICE CLOSES WHITE HOUSE COCAINE INVESTIGATION, SAYS IT IS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY SUSPECT

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., caught up with Fox News Digital after attending the Secret Services classified briefing into the cocaine found at the White House over the Fourth of July weekend.

"No one was arrested in these incidents, because the weight of the marijuana confiscated did not meet the legal threshold for federal charges or D.C. misdemeanor criminal charges, as the District of Columbia had decriminalized possession," the Secret Service spokesperson said. "The marijuana was collected by officers and destroyed."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The spokesperson told Fox News Digital that agents had found "less than .2 ounces of marijuana in both instances" and noted D.C.'s marijuana decriminalization.

The Secret Service did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's follow-up questions, including on whether U.S. law prohibits illicit substances on federal property.

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., told Fox News Digital following the classified briefing that the area where cocaine had been found over the 4th of July weekend "should have had video surveillance," especially since marijuana had been found twice in 2022 "on the White House property" under President Bidens watch.

"This probably is an area that should have had video surveillance, especially since this is not the first time that drugs have been found on the White House property since Biden has taken office," she said.

"There should have been implementations made to ensure security at the White House already before this cocaine appeared," Boebert said. It was not immediately clear where the marijuana had been located on White House grounds.

Boebert also said, "We did not have scandals when President Trump was in office to this degree."

"And it just poses the question: What kind of people is Joe Biden bringing into the White House?" she added.

The Colorado Republican also told Fox News Digital that, during the briefing, she had inquired about specific security measures in place for the lockers where the cocaine had been found. Boebert said the Secret Service had admitted that the key to the locker in question "is missing."

"There are 182 lockers in that foyer and currently ... locker number 50 where the cocaine was found, that key is missing," she said. "There were more than 500 people who went through the West Wing during the weekend of when this substance was found, when the cocaine was found in the White House, and none of those people who have come through are classified as suspects."

"We do not know how many were tourists, individual citizens, or staffers, and they currently are not looking any further into those more than 500 people who entered that foyer of the West Wing during that weekend," she said. "Instead, they are quickly wanting to close this investigation and move on to the next Biden crime crisis."

Boebert also told Fox News that she had learned that "there are no logs of the lockers. There's no video surveillance of the lockers."

Boebert told Fox News Digital that the area the cocaine was found in "should have had video surveillance," especially since marijuana was found twice in 2022 "on the White House property" under President Bidens watch.

"The only thing that the Secret Service did was conduct background searches for past drug use or conviction of the over 500 individuals that came through that weekend," Boebert said. "They did not go further back in time, nor did their investigation produce any results to flag an individual person."

She added, "I believe that every staffer who went into the White House that weekend should be drug tested."

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., defended the Secret Service, saying that testing hundreds of potential suspects for drugs would be "a massively disproportionate and overblown response that would violate people's civil liberties."

"I mean, if there were small amounts of marijuana or cocaine found somewhere in the Capitol Complex, we would not want to drug test everybody who works here," he said.
Spencer Russell, award-winning educator and founder of Toddlers CAN Read, says that parents are the key to narrowing academic gaps within a broken system.

Spencer Russell

On the first day of first grade, wearing a light blue button-down, a navy tie, and an eager grin, I walked through the door to Mrs. Snows classroom. It would take only a few short weeks for that smile to fadeexactly as long as it took for me to be assigned to the slow group.

To be clear, I wassmart. What I wasnt, was a good reader.

It wasnt for lack of trying, though. Despite my frustration, overwhelm, and embarrassment over being clearly behind my classmates, I did exactly what Mrs. Snow advised: Keep trying!

It turns out, trying isnt an effective way to learn how to read. Neither is (surprise!) being surrounded by books, being read to, going to the library, or watching ones parents read. As researchers Nancy Frey and Douglas Fisher explain, Reading is a complex, rule-based system that must be imposed on biological structures that were designed or evolved for other reasons.

In other words, reading cant be caught. It can only be taught.

And most kids wont get caught up. In fact, kids who start behind in school tend to stay behind. Thats not my opinion; it's a documented fact: 60% of third graders dont meet grade-level expectations for reading, and 43 million American adults have low literacy skills. The problem is getting worse, not better, with the 2022 National Association for Educational Progress report revealing the lowest 8th-grade reading scores since 1998.

Thankfully, I was one of the lucky kids. My dad showed up to parent-teacher conferences in a suit and tie, expecting to be taken seriously and prepared to advocate for me. I got to attend good schools. Both my parents worked with me at home. My reading improved dramatically, I got my high school diploma, and I graduated from a prestigious college.

It wasnt until I walked into my own classroom as an educator with Teach for America that I understood just how different my story mightve been. Dont get me wrong: I knew the realities of systemic injustice and inequitable structures. But it wasnt until I was standing at the front of a room full of wide-eyed kids that I felt the full weight of what was at stake. The odds were stacked against all of usstudents and teachers alike.

After six years in the classroom, dozens of visits to my students homes, and countless sleepless nights, I accepted what I suspected: Teachers arent the solution to Americas literacy crisis. Parents are.

Heres what I mean: Many teachers have plenty of give-a-damn and do the best they can. But all teachers operate within a broken system: unreasonable student-teacher ratios, outdated curricula, poor or nonexistent professional development, behavioral challenges educators simply arent trained or equipped to navigate, chronic underfunding, and more.

And while white and higher-income kids often have access to better schools, higher-quality teachers, superior curricula, tutors, test prep programs, and other academic support to plug educational leaks, many Black, brown, and low-income kids simply dont.



What many of those kids do have is their parents. They have you.

So, today, I want to urge you to take control of your childs reading education. Heres how.

Believe the Evidence

There is an overwhelming body of research that shows academic gaps exist and persist for families like mine and like yours. And please dont kid yourself. While Im sure your child is terrific, theyre not special enough to be the exception to a systemic rule. No child is.

Start Now

Many kids can start learning to read as young as 18 months old. Despite what you may have heard from parenting influencer accounts on social media, theres absolutely no reasondevelopmental or otherwisefor kids to wait until kindergarten to learn to read. Developmental appropriateness has more to do with how you teach than what you teach. (Note: If you want to wait, thats your choice. But consider the research carefully.)



Teach Phonics

While many parents trust schools to teach their kids to read, many teachers in those schools teach their own children how to read at home. Why? Because many school districts are behind the ball, using outdated, ineffective curricula and strategies. Effective strategies are those that use phonics and teach children to first understand letter sounds.

To be clear, the literacy crisis in America isnt just about reading. It's about what reading unlocks. When kids read well from the get-go, they do better in school from the start. Strong academics mean more opportunities down the road. And more opportunities mean more options.

In other words, when kids read well, they get to choose their life. Too many Black, brown, and low-income kids dont get that chance. With your help, yours can.

For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Parents.
Three Transportation Security Administration officers at Miami International Airport were arrested last week for allegedly stealing from travelers.

Court records show 20-year-old Josue Gonzalez, 22-year-old Elizabeth Fuster and 33-year-old Labarrius Williams were arrested on July 6 on charges of organized schemes to defraud.

The officers were captured on surveillance video conspiring to distract passengers and steal money from them as they went through security, according to arrest affidavits. At one point, Gonzalez and Williams could allegedly be seen taking $600 out of a flyers wallet, and the trio was seen conspiring together to steal on multiple other occasions.

In a formal interview at TSA Command Center, Gonzalez and Fuster waived their rights and gave written statements confessing to being involved in various thefts, according to the affidavits. They admitted to stealing about $1,000 per day on average while they worked together.

Williams did not waive his rights and refused to speak, the affidavits said.

The Transportation Security Administration holds its Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to the highest professional and ethical standards and has no tolerance for misconduct in the workplace, the TSA told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. We actively and aggressively investigated these allegations of misconduct and presented our findings to (the Miami-Dade Police Department), and are working closely with them. Any employee who fails to meet our fundamental ethical standards is held accountable.

TSA firearm detections are on the rise: Here's what we saw at one of the airports with the most cases

TSA removed the officers from their screening duties pending the conclusion of the investigation and administrative actions.

Miami International Airport referred USA TODAY to the TSAs statement.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: TSA officers arrested, allegedly stole from passengers
The House Oversight Committee will hear from two IRS whistleblowers next Wednesday, including one whose identity has yet to be revealed, after the duo alleged an investigation into Hunter Biden was slow-walked by prosecutors.

Testimony from IRS investigator Gary Shapley and another individual identified only as Whistleblower X was shared by the House Ways and Means Committee the day after U.S. Attorney for Delaware David Weiss announced he had reached a plea deal with Biden that would require guilty pleas on two tax charges.

Shapley in particular said Biden received preferential treatment, with prosecutors hesitant to pursue search warrants. He also said Weiss was unable to bring charges in D.C., where he believes he would have had the strongest case.

These whistleblowers provided information about how the Justice Department refused to follow evidence that implicated Joe Biden, tipped off Hunter Bidens attorneys, allowed the clock to run out with respect to certain charges, and put Hunter Biden on the path to a sweetheart plea deal. Americans are rightfully angry about this two-tiered system of justice that seemingly allows the Biden family to operate above the law, House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) said in a statement.

We need to hear from whistleblowers and other witnesses about this weaponization of federal law enforcement power. This hearing is an opportunity for the American people to hear directly from these credible and brave whistleblowers.

Whistleblower Xs identity is set to be revealed at the afternoon hearing on July 19.

Weiss and the Justice Department have denied the claims from the whistleblowers, including specific claims that the Delaware prosecutor was denied special counsel status that would have allowed him to pursue charges in D.C.

While that facet of Shapleys testimony is just one detail in his larger claims of mismanagement of the investigation, its become a central focus to Republican leadership, as Attorney General Merrick Garland said in an appearance before lawmakers that Weiss had total control of the investigation.

McCarthy first raised the prospect of a Garland impeachment in June, saying on Twitter that Shapleys testimony could be a significant part of a larger impeachment inquiry into Merrick Garlands weaponization of DOJ.

Whats really concerning to me is who in this process is lying? House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said to reporters Tuesday.

The Attorney General has told Congress one thing, David Weiss has told others different inside these meetings. I think the best thing is bring everybody in the room and find out whos telling the truth and whos not.

McCarthy was referencing testimony from Shapley saying Weiss said he was unable to bring charges in D.C. or secure special counsel status.

I would later be told by United States Attorney Weiss that the D.C. U.S. Attorney would not allow U.S. Attorney Weiss to charge those years in his district. This resulted in United States Attorney Weiss requesting special counsel authority from Main DOJ to charge in the District of Columbia. I dont know if he asked before or after the Attorney Generals April 26th, 2022, statement, but Weiss said his request for that authority was denied and that he was told to follow DOJs process, Shapley told Ways and Means investigators.

Echoing earlier statements that he had total control over the investigation, Weiss in a Monday letter offered his clearest language yet in pushing back on Shapleys claims.

There are two statutes on the books governing such appointments and the powers associated with them, Weiss notes, including a status allowing him to file charges outside his district of Delaware.

To clarify an apparent misperception and to avoid future confusion, I wish to make one point clear: in this case, I have not requested Special Counsel designation pursuant to 28 CFR  600 et seq. Rather, I had discussions with Departmental officials regarding potential appointment under 28 U.S.C.  515, which would have allowed me to file charges in a district outside my own without the partnership of the local U.S. Attorney, Weiss wrote in a letter obtained by The Hill.

I was assured that I would be granted this authority if it proved necessary.

Biden has agreed to plead guilty to two counts of willful failure to pay taxes and amid the five-year investigation has since paid more than $200,000 in taxes.

He also agreed to enter a pretrial diversion program relating to a failure to admit to drug use when purchasing a weapon.

This was a five year, very diligent investigation pursued by incredibly professional prosecutors, some of whom have been career prosecutors, one of whom at least was appointed by President Trump, Biden attorney Chris Clark said during an appearance on MSNBC last month.

What I can tell you is, they were very diligent, very dogged. This was  it took five years and it was five years of work that they put in, and even throughout working out the ultimate resolution, I think that they were always driving for what they thought was fair.

This story was updated at 5:45 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a joint press conference after a summit with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda at the presidential palace in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday (local time). Yonhap



Yoon, Duda explore ways to deepen defense, nuclear energy ties



By Nam Hyun-woo



WARSAW  President Yoon Suk Yeol agreed to form a partnership with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Thursday (local time), for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, given Warsaw's geopolitical advantage of supporting the war-torn country.



The summit took place during Yoon's official visit to Poland. Yoon is the first South Korean president to visit Poland since 2009.



"The two countries are now indispensable partners in various fields, including the economy, security and others," Yoon said during a joint press conference after the summit.



"The two countries' trade stood at a record high $9 billion (11.4 trillion won) last year, and South Korea is one of Poland's most important investor countries. And I and President Duda agreed to continue necessary support to further expand bilateral trade and investments."



During the summit, the two governments signed three memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on a trade and investment promotion framework, transport infrastructure and the reconstruction of Ukraine.



Of them, the MOU on the reconstruction of Ukraine details how Seoul and Warsaw will cooperate in the fields of land, city and infrastructure to assist in reconstruction projects in Ukraine.





President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda inspect an honor guard during an official reception ceremony before their summit at the presidential palace in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday (local time). Yonhap



The importance of the relations between Seoul and Warsaw increased quickly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which shares its Western border with Poland.



This prompted Poland to dramatically increase its defense expenditure, earmarking 4 percent of its gross domestic product into military goals this year, and turned its eyes on South Korean howitzers and tanks during this process.



Also, Poland's logistical proximity and close relations with Ukraine led many countries, including South Korea, to see Warsaw as a "hub" for Ukraine's reconstruction projects, which are anticipated to incur a capital injection of more than $1 trillion. This is comparable to the 1948 U.S. Marshall Plan which provided economic assistance to restore the economic infrastructure of postwar Europe.



"We agreed that South Korea and Poland could be optimum partners for the reconstruction of Ukraine," Yoon said. "I am convinced that the MOU will be a good basis for expanding cooperation of the two countries' businesses."



Duda also noted that "the future for cooperation between Poland and South Korea is very bright," and added, "The three MOUs will become important opportunities for the two countries' cooperation."











President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda during their summit at the presidential palace in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday (local time). Yonhap


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Taufkirchen, Germany, July 13, 2023 - In a significant development for the German Armed Forces, sensor specialist HENSOLDT has been contracted to supply six cutting-edge TRML-4D radars as part of Diehl Defence's IRIS-T SLM air defense missile system. The multimillion-euro order will address a critical capability gap and pave the way for the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). The Bundeswehr is set to receive the first system next year.

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HENSOLDT's TRML-4D multifunction radar offers superior detection capabilities. (Picture source Hensoldt)

Thomas Muller, CEO of HENSOLDT, expressed his enthusiasm about the deal, stating, "This order not only fills a crucial void in the Bundeswehr's defense capabilities but also marks the initiation of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). Through collaboration with our partners Diehl and Airbus, we are reinforcing both national and alliance defense."

The TRML-4D radar, utilizing state-of-the-art digital technology, will play a vital role in detecting, tracking, and classifying various aerial targets. It places emphasis on rapidly identifying small, fast-moving, low-flying, and maneuvering cruise missiles, aircraft, and helicopters. The system boasts an impressive capability to detect and track up to 1,500 targets within a 250 km radius. Multiple TRML-4D systems are slated to equip the Ukrainian air defense under a separate agreement.

Diehl Defence, Airbus, and HENSOLDT have jointly developed solutions that align seamlessly with NATO's integrated air defense architecture, demonstrating their interoperability and compatibility.

With decades of expertise in air defense radar systems, HENSOLDT remains at the forefront of advancing key technologies in this field. Alongside the TRML-4D multifunction radar, the company's comprehensive portfolio includes the Twinvis passive radar, the Spexer product family, and radars for maritime and aviation traffic management. HENSOLDT's radar systems are used in various applications, including equipping the German Navy's new frigates and corvettes, monitoring German airspace, and providing approach control at Bundeswehr airfields.

The TRS-4D/TRML-4D Radar Family represents HENSOLDT's latest state-of-the-art naval and ground tactical radars operating in the C-Band (NATO G-Band).

These radar systems offer multifunctional surveillance capabilities and target acquisition, delivering reliable tactical information and effective weapon assignment.

Employing advanced Gallium Nitride Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) sensor technology with multiple digitally formed beams, the TRML-4D radar is purpose-built for near-to-long-range ground-to-air detection and weapon assignment. It excels at detecting, tracking, and classifying various air targets, with a specific focus on small, fast-moving, low-flying, and maneuvering cruise missiles, aircraft, and hovering helicopters.

Defense News July 2023
Could India have handled the contentious issue of terrorism differently?

The India-chaired online Shanghai Organisation Cooperation (SCO) summit in New Delhi did not go very well for India, and the experts are busy explaining it away. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a veiled attack on Pakistan in the context of cross-border terrorism, and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had responded by calling out state terrorism without naming India because Pakistan believes that India is using state terrorism in Kashmir. China did not seem too ruffled when India did not sign on the economic statement because India objects to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) passing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). So, there was an internal squabble among India, Pakistan, China which had sort of marred the summit outcome.

The question arises: Could India have handled the contentious issue of terrorism differently? Could Indias objection to BRI passing through PoK could have been raised outside the summit meeting, so that India as chair could have pulled off a successful event. There will be arguments that theres no need for India to soft-peddle problematic issues that concern this country, and that it is strong enough to talk frankly without rocking the SCO boat. But as the host country of the summit, India perhaps should have made its views known without making it appear as a quarrel. New Delhis SCO summit has left a bad taste in the mouth as it were, and coming as it does two months before the G-20 summit in September, which again is being chaired by India, it casts a shadow on Indias role as a global leader.

The new mood in the Narendra Modi government is that it is high time for India to speak its mind and that it now occupies an important niche in global affairs and that other countries are willing to listen to India. This has proved to be right when external affairs minister S. Jaishankar was unambiguous in expressing Indias views on the Russia-Ukraine war. The United States and the European Union have acquiesced in Indias stance without agreeing to it. So, there is a sense of bonding based on mutual respect, which again turns on mutual dependence. The US and the EU look to the large Indian market and they do not want to miss the woods for the trees.

But India stance on Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism issue does not seem to carry the same weight. Ideally, India would want economic sanctions against Pakistan for its patronage of anti-India Islamic terror groups. But the world is not really concerned as Pakistan-based terror organisations attack only India and they do not operate in other parts of the world. Pakistan has been subject to monitoring of terrorism finance by the international organisation, Financial Action Task Force (FATF), because money laundering and terror finance mar global financial flows. Pakistan had been on the grey list of FATF ever since 2018 and it was removed from the list only in October 2022. Pressure on Pakistan in the matter continues from the Asian affiliate of FATF, the Asia Pacific Group (APG). Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden had in their joint statement talked about enhancing compliance standards against money laundering counter-terrorism finance measures.

It is in this context that India, as the SCO chair, could have kept to the general agenda, which of course centres around security. Right now, the threat to security emerges from wars between countries as the one in Ukraine more that terrorism from non-state Islamic militants.

It is also useful for Indian policymakers to keep in mind the fact that India battled terrorism in Punjab in 1980s and in Jammu and Kashmir in the 1990s on its own, and there was Pakistani complicity in terrorism as it unfolded in these two Indian states. Terrorism became a global issue only after the terror attacks in New York and Washington on September 9, 2001. India, under the Atal Behari Vajpayee government, was keen to join the global war against terrorism in the hope that Pakistans support for anti-India Islamic terrorist groups would be reined in, and Islamabad would be censured. It did not happen because the Americans needed the Pakistani bases to fight the futile war against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The Narendra Modi government has to realise that the Americans have left the war against global terrorism far behind, and are now focused entirely on the war in Ukraine against Russia, and they are likely to move away from Ukraine too soon because they are now worried about Chinese economic dominance. So, for Prime Minister Modi and for Mr Jaishankar to harp on Pakistans involvement in anti-India terrorism is not getting the attention that it is expected to get. It can happen only when Indian economy becomes more vital for the world, especially for Europe and North America, and they will respond to Indias concerns by imposing economic sanctions against Pakistan, which is what India wants and quite rightly so. But this is unlikely to happen now. It is not good for India to send out a cry-baby signal to the world. Pakistans support for terrorism against India has boomeranged and the economic implosion is a striking after-effect.

Pakistans terror war against India has been repelled successfully, and without any international support. It is therefore not necessary to snub Pakistan whenever India gets an opportunity to do so. As a matter of fact, India should be quietly targeting the terror camps in Pakistan with or without fanfare, and show the rest of the world that India can handle security threats on its own. If India wants to be the influential global power it aspires to be, it should not raise bilateral issues at international forums.

And with regard to China, India has cold-shouldered the BRI right from the time it was mooted in 2013. The Chinese presence in a part of PoK has been a longtime fact and there was no need to use it as a reason for not signing on the economic statement with its BRI component. Despite the standoff across the Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh, and Indias ban on some of Chinese imports, India-China trade continues to flourish.

There is a real need for India to keep aside its bilateral grouses with Pakistan and China at international summits. It does not add to Indias global stature.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller is seen answering questions during a daily press briefing at the department in Washington, U.S., in this July 12 captured image. Yonhap



The United States on Wednesday condemned North Korea's latest long-range ballistic missile test as a brazen violation of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, while calling on Pyongyang to engage in serious dialogue.



A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council (NSC) said the U.S. also calls on other countries to condemn North Korea's latest provocation.



"The United States strongly condemns the DPRK for its test of a long-range ballistic missile," NSC spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a released statement, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.



"This launch is a brazen violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions and needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region," he added.



The South Korean military earlier said the North fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the East Sea at around 10 a.m. on Wednesday (Korea time), its first ICBM test in about three months.



"This action demonstrates that the DPRK continues to prioritize its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs over the well-being of its people,' said Hodge.









North Korea has fired nearly 100 ballistic missiles since last year, including an unprecedented 69 ballistic missiles in 2022, which marked a new record of ballistic missiles launched in a year.



The NSC spokesperson called on North Korea to cease its provocations while reaffirming U.S. commitment to the defense of its allies.



"We urge all countries to condemn these violations and call on the DPRK to come to the table for serious negotiations," said the released statement.



"The door has not closed on diplomacy, but Pyongyang must immediately cease its destabilizing actions and instead choose diplomatic engagement. The United States will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the American homeland and Republic of Korea and Japanese allies," it added.





People watch a TV report on North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile toward the East Sea at Seoul Station, July 12. Yonhap
Farmers Insurance Further Reducing Florida Business

Written by William Rabb, Insurance Journal

Published July 13, 2023

One month after it announced it would stop writing new homeowner policies in Florida, Farmers Insurance said it plans to cut back further on its presence in the hurricane-prone state.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation said July 11 it had received a market reduction notice from Farmers Insurance Group on July 10. But the information was marked as trade secret, per Florida insurance statutes, so details were not provided.

We have advised the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation of our decision to discontinue offering Farmers-branded auto, home and umbrella policies in the state, Farmers Director of Public Relations Trevor Chapman said in a statement July 11. This business decision was necessary to effectively manage risk exposure.

Two Florida insurance agents for Farmers told Insurance Journal on July 11 they could not comment and referred all calls to Farmers corporate public information office.

Its likely the move will mean non-renewals for thousands of affected policyholders, but the exact number is unclear. Chapman said Farmers has several brands in Florida and the withdrawal will not affect policies issued through its subsidiaries---auto insurer Bristol West, home insurer Foremost, Foremost Signature, Farmers GroupSelect and Foremost Choice, which include about 70% of the groups policies in the state.

News reports from around the state noted the pullout could affect as many 100,000 homeowner, auto and umbrella policies, but the OIRs quarterly report shows Farmers policy count may be less than that.

State law requires insurers to give OIR 90 days notice when it plans to stop writing coverage in the state. But that did not appear to be enough for Floridas chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, whose department houses the OIR.

On July 10, Patronis said on Twitter he had heard rumors. If thats true, my office is going to explore every avenue possible for holding them accountable, he tweeted. Dont get to leave after taking policyholder money. Cant write auto if youre not doing homeowners either. Zero communication!

In a letter to Farmers Victoria McCarthy, released late July 11, Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky said regulators are disappointed by the hastiness in this decision and are troubled by how the decision may have cascading impacts on policyholders.

We also want to directly express our disappointment regarding how this decision was communicated, the letter said. While the office recognizes companies need to make operational changes to books of business, OIR always appreciates the opportunity to discuss these complex issues prior to receiving notifications of this nature.

In a phone call with Farmers representatives July 11, the carriers officials committed to facilitating a seamless assumption of policies to other companies that may be interested, Yaworsky noted.

The action by Farmers marks the latest pullback from the Florida market, which has seen 10 property insurer insolvencies in the last 30 months. In some cases in the last two years, announcements that carriers would stop writing new policies have preceded insolvencies by just a few months.

Farmers, fronted on national television ads by actor J.K. Simmons, writes policies across the country and is unlikely to be deemed insolvent. But it, like other national carriers, has taken significant steps to reduce exposure. Farmers announced earlier in July it would stop writing new homeowner policies in California, another state where insurers and insureds have been hit hard by natural disasters.

Farmers pullback in Florida comes at a curious time---just before insurance reform bills passed by the state Legislature can have much of an impact on the flood of costly claims litigation. Industry insiders said July 11 that Farmers expanded its presence in Florida at exactly the wrong time, just before Hurricane Ian hit the state but before the tort-reform laws have an effect.

In its June announcement that it would halt new HO policies, Farmers said in a statement: With catastrophe costs at historically high levels and reconstruction costs continuing to climb, we implemented a pause on writing new homeowners policies to more effectively manage our risk exposure.

Yaworskys letter reminded Farmers that Floridas historic reforms should ensure competitiveness.

Farmers insureds must be given 120 days notice before policies are canceled or non-renewed, according to state law.

If a consumer receives a nonrenewal notice from Farmers Insurance Group, they are encouraged to contact their agent immediately to seek alternate coverage, OIR Communications Director Samantha Bequer said July 11.

In late June, Farmers filed for rate changes for its auto policies in Florida, suggesting the company plans to continue at least some presence in the state.

State Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-Miami, tweeted July 11, appearing to suggest Republican leadership in state government could have done more to prevent a continuing property insurance crisis in the state.

While campaigning on woke, Floridas leadership has been asleep, Pizzo wrote.

We thank Insurance Journal for reprint permission.
The much-talked-about AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) isn't just about new generations of zero-emission aircraft but also a fresh perspective on the related infrastructure. The upcoming Greenport International Airport (GIA) was already designed to break the norm with sustainable and digitalized features. Now, it's also getting a vertiport for electric air taxi operations.

Central Texas Airport Holdings is building both an innovative airport and a groundbreaking technology hub. GIA and the Greenport International Airport and Technology Center will be located 17 miles (27 km) from Central Austin, covering more than 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares).GIA was announced as the world's first green airport to be privately owned and operated. The main innovation is that it's supposed to be fully sustainable, with 100% off-grid operations. It will also integrate advanced cybersecurity systems and self-contained communications.Specifically designed for larger business jets , this futuristic airport will boast a 10,000-foot (3,048 meters) runway and a spacious hangar unfolding over 2.9 million square feet (270 square meters). Plus, it will integrate a US Customs Port of Entry/Exit, meant to make the Austin region more accessible globally.In addition to all of this, GIA will incorporate a vertiport specifically developed for electric air taxi operations. The vertiport is designed by Volatus Infrastructure and includes a landing pad, a modular terminal building, and one charging station.The Greenport vertiport is the result of a recent collaboration between Volatus and the Greenport Technology Center. They plan to move fast, breaking ground until the end of this year. If things go according to plan, they should be able to inaugurate the facility at the beginning of next year, making it one of the first fully operational, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)-compliant vertiports in the US.Earlier this year, Volatus signed a similar deal with the Bellefonte Airport in Pennsylvania. That one will also start with a single landing pad and charging station but gradually expand until reaching eight landing pads, each with a dedicated charging station.According to Volatus , its innovative vertiport structure takes only four weeks to build from scratch. The charging station has the added benefit of being vehicle-agnostic, which means that eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing) from various manufacturers can operate at these future vertiports. These fast chargers will even include solar options.This infrastructure startup that was founded just two years ago stands out among other industry players due to its unique app and maintenance programs. The free-of-charge app allows operators to check landing availability and charging information and schedule maintenance. The maintenance program includes the required staff, tools, and training.In the near future, more airports in the US are likely to follow the example of Bellefonte Airport and GIA and start adding eVTOL hubs.
Vettes don't swim. No car actually swims. They don't float, either. A C8 Corvette Stingray owner learned the hard way that his car is just like any other out there. Even though it's still new, expensive, and very potent. On land, that is!

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Last week, the Aransas Pass Police Department received one of the strangest calls that they have ever had to deal with. A driver had lost his 2022 Chevrolet Corvette in water. The Vette drifted off, and eventually, it totally submerged, until it ended up around 7 feet (2.1 meters) down under water. There was no way the driver could rescue it. So they called 911.A day later, Tow Boat US was able to pull the submerged Corvette back to land with the help of some inflatable bags, a tow boat, and a pickup truck. Investigators discovered no environmental hazard during recovery. That means that the gasoline and oil remained in their tanks during the unpredictable d(r)ive.But we can't say the same thing about the car. There is no information on it, but we can only assume that, after more than 24 hours spent under water, it wont run and drive any time soon. Once it dries out, it will probably end up on the used car market as a salvage vehicle, with a price well below what the owner paid for it last year when they took it home from the dealership.How did the C8 Corvette Stingray end up in the water, you may ask. The owner, visiting from another town, said they accidentally selected the wrong gear, Drive, instead of Reverse. And, instead of getting away from the water, they went straight into it. It was nothing they could do but stand and watch the car drifting away from the shore.A 6.2-liter V8-powered Stingray got pulled out of the water in small fishing townIt happened in Aransas Pass, Texas, a small community northeast of Corpus Christi, known for being attractive to fishermen. But fishing a Corvette out of the water is something they would never see coming.A Stingray is, indeed, a marine creature with a flat diamond-shaped body and poisonous serrated spine at the base of the tail. This one can swim, but the one with an engine cant. And what an engine that is. It is a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8, good for 495 horsepower (502 PS/369) and 470 pound-feet (637 Nm) of torque, when the customer checks the performance exhaust system option. All those go straight to the rear axle via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.It only takes 2.9 seconds to go from zero to hero (0-60 mph/0-67 kph) and hits a top speed of 194 mph (312 kph). But it definitely won't happen 7 feet under water.
Day boasts have seen a tremendous evolution from utilitarian small watercraft to yacht-like vessels with impressive exterior amenities and large aft decks that deepen the connection with the sea and are great for social entertaining. The market for luxury day boats has grown dramatically in recent years, led especially by Scandinavian, Dutch, and Italian brands.

One of the new players on the Italian shipbuilding scene is Centouno Navi, set up by designer and entrepreneur Manuela Lucchesi and naval architect Marco Arnaboldi. The Viareggio-based boat builder has just taken the wraps off a new fast dayboat called Vespro that will allow owners to make the most of the long summer days.This is not the first model presented by Centouno Navi, as the shipyard has previously shown two other concepts - the 92-foot (28-meter) Forza and 128-foot (39-meter) Eterea. Vespro is the smallest boat in the company's portfolio, with a length of 55 feet (16.7 meters) and a beam of 15 feet (4.6 meters), and the first to be officially launched.The newcomer, whose name translates into "dusk" or "twilight" in English, is a concentration of technology, with its design and engineering being the result of the combined experience of the company's founders. Though it is smaller than the previously presented dayboats , it features the same "custom-made" lightweight construction that uses carbon and fiberglass in a hybrid sandwich, with vinylster resin and PVC foam core.In terms of propulsion, Vespro is equipped with twin MAN 8V 1200hp engines coupled with MJP 350X waterjets. This setup will allow the VESPRO to reach a maximum speed of 56 knots (64 mph or 104 kph) with an impressive range of 350 nautical miles (648 km) and a cruising speed of 50 knots (58 mph or 93 kph).Moreover, Centauno Navi has also expressed its commitment to sustainability with an eco-friendly design. "Our pay-off 'Fast is green' is not just a statement but a real design choice supported by a series of eco-friendly solutions," says Manuela Lucchesi. "The PVC foams used are recycled, as are other materials that have been used in construction. Thanks to the maximum containment of weight and the particularly efficient hull shapes, consumption is considerably reduced, and the water jet propulsion respects the marine fauna often endangered by propellers."The boat's low weight, combined with optimized mechanical performance, allowed for a self-supporting construction without structural bulkheads and with a separate floating structure that can be set up in different ways, from an open space interior layout to three cabins, depending on the owner's needs.A classic open style has been chosen for the exterior design, with a windshield that can be retracted into the roof of the deckhouse. This will allow for complete "en plein air" navigation, a feature that is found on all Centouno Navi models. Moreover, the engine room air intakes are integrated into the sweeping aft pillars supporting the hardtop, creating a clean aesthetic.The interiors of the first Vespro dayboat are surprisingly generous and luxurious for a boat its size, including a large saloon with a galley, a comfortable owner's cabin with a private bathroom and separate shower in the bow, a guest cabin at the aft, plus a second service bathroom.Below the hardtop, besides the helm station, guests will find an L-shaped sofa with a dining table, a bar cabinet, and a second sofa for lounging. The aft deck is also a great place for relaxation, with a large walkaround sundeck and a swimming platform that can be extended with fold-down bulwarks and turned into a dining area. Meanwhile, the foredeck is occupied by a large sundeck and can be easily accessed from the side decks.Vespro is expected to be launched in mid-August and make its official world debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September.
The winner of no less than five prestigious awards last year, including "Best Airline in the World and "Best Airline in the Middle East," Emirates is constantly looking for new opportunities to shine. The most recent innovation is the launch of a regional charter service, fully in line with the operator's luxury DNA.

As if business executives didn't enjoy enough advantages, they'll also get a dedicated charter service operated by Emirates -not all of them, but only those traveling between GCC locations (Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf). Instead of taking their own private jets or flying on a standard commercial airliner, these wealthy customers can opt for a new regional charter service. Reduced travel time, privacy, and flexibility are among the main benefits.Here's how one of these trips would go down in Dubai, where extra perks are available for charter customers. Thanks to the Emirates Chauffeur Drive Service, the "discerning traveler" would be transported to the DWC (Dubai World Center) in total comfort and luxury. This high-class service has been one of the Emirates staples  First Class customers have access to a limousine, while those who fly Business Class get to ride in a BMW 5 Series Touring Car.After this comfortable ride to the DWC Airport, the lucky customer gets further pampered with VIP treatment, meaning that a dedicated representative will cater to their needs and cut the pre-flight waiting time as much as possible.At take-off, the customer will be one of the four passengers comfortably seated inside the Phenom 100 executive jet. Each one can bring a carry-on bag and a medium-sized bag of a maximum of 15 kg (33 lb). During the short flight, they're invited to take advantage of the fresh snacks and drinks. Once they arrive, they would be escorted again and enjoy VIP clearance, thanks to Emirates' partnership with private terminal service operators.This pampering on-demand service will be offered onboard Emirates' Phenom 100 aircraft. The Brazilian manufacturer Embraer launched this twin-engine, light business jet in 2007. It was an instant hit and made waves due to the BMW collaboration . BMW DesignworksUSA was the one who designed the Phenom 100's cabin interior and cockpit. Performance-wise, it was powered by two Pratt &Whitney PW617-F engines.The Phenom 100EV is the latest version of the iconic light jet, combining turboprop-grade efficiency with a contemporary cabin style. It claims to offer the largest headroom and legroom of any entry-level jet, combined with ample stowage space. Powered by Pratt &Whitney PW617F1-E engines, the 100EV cruises at a maximum speed of 406 knots (752 kph), boasting a range of 1,178 nautical miles (2,182 km). A pre-owned Phenom 100EV costs somewhere around $5 million.
Come 2025, NASA plans to have the first elements of the first-ever Moon space station in place. Called Gateway, the orbiting structure will be a staging point for missions down to the surface of the Moon and, with a bit of luck, ground zero for future missions to the Moon.

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Announced in 2018, the Gateway will be a collaborative effort between several government-backed space agencies (NASA, ESA, and JAXA), but also several private companies like Northrop Grumman and SpaceX.At the core of the space station will be the habitation and logistic outpost (HALO), the International Habitat (I-HAB), and the power and propulsion element (PPE). It's the latter component that's of interest to us today, because NASA just announced a major development concerning this critical piece of hardware.The PPE is the module responsible for giving the space station power, communications, and, of course, propulsion. That means it'll hold the engines of the structure  three of them, which will be used to move the station around in orbit to serve whatever momentary missions need to be served.The engines of the thing are being put together by Maxar Technologies, but they use tech supplied by Aerojet Rocketdyne and Busek. They are not chemical propulsion systems, but solar electric (SEP) ones, and the way they work is pretty simple: they take sunlight and xenon, convert them both into power, and that is used to generate "long-duration, highly efficient thrust."How much thrust? According to NASA, the engines , which are officially called Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS), will be twice as powerful as current electric means of propulsion. In all, 12of propulsive power will be generated by a single thruster, making the Gateway the "most powerful SEP spacecraft ever flown. "Earlier in April 2023 NASA announced it has completed the first stage of testing for the AEPS, and it's now knee-deep in qualification testing together with partner Aerojet Rocketdyne.Two units of the thrusters will be used for different purposes. The first one started work in NASA laboratories in July, and will continue to do so for about a year. During this time, engineers will first try and see if they were built correctly, and then move on to subject it to vibration, shock, and thermal testing. A hot fire test of this thruster is also planned for later down the line.The second AEPS will begin testing next year, and will be used to rate the hardware's resistance to wear. NASA will do so by testing the engine for about four years and a total of 23,000 hours.That would kind of make NASA miss the 2025 deadline for launching the Gateway, but it won't. The agency will launch the PPE complete with its thrusters before the wear testing procedures here on Earth are complete.We'll keep an eye out for further developments on what is perhaps humanity's most ambitious space engineering effort of our time.
A new regulation in Europe made me realize something that passed before my eyes in the past but did not receive the attention it deserved. In the US, Class 8 electric trucks can have a higher maximum gross weight than those powered by internal combustion engines (ICEs): instead of 80,000 pounds (36,287 kilograms), 82,000 lb (37,195 kg). The European Commission is studying the same measure, but is it fair?

ICE

Photo: Geely

Photo: Tesla

Photo: @hwfeinstein via Twitter

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BEV

Before anything else, it is crucial to analyze the reason for that weight difference: trucks powered by massive battery packs will have a lower load capacity compared to those with ICEs. After all, the components that allow them to move literally weigh tons. This is the most important contradiction involving battery electric trucks (BETs): it makes no sense for a transportation vehicle to waste its loading capacity dealing with its own mass. That means BETs have a major handicap right from the start compared totrucks due to a maximum gross weight that should be the same for all cases. This is the fundamental requirement that new laws are subverting.Trucks have a weight limit to preserve the roads. That is why governments have special scales on some highways: if these vehicles are heavier than they should be, their drivers will carry hefty fines back home. This also has significant safety implications: a truck that is heavier than it should be will not brake the way it should, which can lead to serious crashes. The safety concerns can be addressed by truck engineers, but roads that deteriorate more quickly than they were supposed to are another problem: a bigger one.For a route to handle all the vehicles that will cross it every day, it must have been conceived and built for that. A local road having to deal with heavy trucks will present potholes or even more severe problems very quickly. To make matters more complicated, these roads are maintained in most countries with funds from fuel duty and similar taxes paid by those filling up their fuel tanks. For now, let's stick to the weight concern they pose.In Europe, regulators have proposed the Greening Freight Package. Among its ideas is expanding the mass limit of heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) from 40 metric tons (88,184.9 lb) to 44 metric tons (97,003.4 lb). That's 10% more than these vehicles used to weigh. Should the new regulation be approved, trucks may also be longer if they use body extensions to be more aerodynamic. Length limitations also exist for safety reasons: long trucks can be more challenging to steer on winding roads.European legislators said allowing BETs to be heavier is a way to stimulate fleet owners to adopt "green" trucks. Apart from enabling them to carry the same amount of cargo as their ICE competitors, they may even enjoy an advantage in that regard should cell technology evolve. Should battery packs get lighter, these trucks may carry more cargo than their ICE competitors. On paper, that may look promising to anyone unaware of other aspects involving BETs. However, the main question here is: how do you justify the previous limit to ICE trucks? Why did they have to respect them and were even heavily fined for breaking them if a 10% increase is no big deal, as regulators claim? Take that a bit further: if this additional load capacity will not damage roads and highways, why can't ICE trucks also enjoy it right now?We'll probably hear from these legislators that the idea is to curb carbon emissions, save the planet from global warming , etc. They may even argue that establishing goals and waiting for the best carbon-neutral solution to emerge would take too long. Under such premises, any excuse is apparently justifiable. Supposing you also do not buy that, is bending the rules to benefit the "chosen ones" the right way to achieve these goals, especially with so many other possible repercussions?The most practical one is the damage that these heavier vehicles will cause to the road infrastructure. It may take years for that to happen, but there would be no limits if that were not a concern. When that happens, we will also face the question of who will pay to rebuild them. While ICE trucks are still allowed to drive, they will. When they are no longer running, legislators will probably come up with a new tax for electric trucks to pay  if they do not come up with it even earlier. However, this may be the least of their problems.BETs will either have lower ranges than ICE trucks or pretty heavy battery packs to do a similar job. The additional weight limit may not prevent them from having a load disadvantage compared to their competitors running on fossil fuels. When these accumulators run out of juice, they will need fast charging to get back to work, which may be harmful to costs per mile in more than one way.Although truck drivers in Europe are forced to stop for 45 minutes every four hours and a half, that may not be enough time to fast charge a humongous battery pack. Tesla claims its Supercharger V4 can deliver 1 MW of charging speed and that the Semi could recover 70% of charge in 30 minutes, but can it? Imagining that this is not a problem, fast charging is.Just ask Tesla owners how much they pay to supercharge their cars, and you will probably hear people complaining about how expensive that is. Now imagine how much it will cost at much higher speeds: 1,000(1 MW) instead of 250 kW. If themaker charges less than it costs to fill up a diesel tank to charge a Semi, it will lose money. Independent charging networks will not have that liberty: they have to pay the bills and make a profit to expand.If it gets more expensive to fast charge than to refuel an ICE truck, that will make the cost per mile in a BET higher than that in an ICE truck. However, BEV makers recommend that you only use fast charging every once in a while to preserve battery packs as much as possible. BETs will use that process all the time: a truck that does not run does not make money. That is why some fleet owners have several drivers for a single vehicle: to keep them running 24/7. On top of that, a massive battery pack would take days to charge slowly. BETs have no other option than fast charging, which will make their battery packs last less than they do in passenger vehicles. How much will it cost to replace them?In the end, BETs are more expensive and demand more time to be ready to drive again when their energy is low. As I mentioned before, replacing their battery packs when these components are toast will cost a fortune. The resulting cost per mile will be very high unless regulators offer massive incentives for their purchase and fast charging. The inevitable conclusion is that governments will have to indefinitely cheat on more than just the maximum gross weight to make them minimally more competitive. When taxpayers' money ends  and regulators "decide" they can no longer interfere  the higher transportation costs will make everything get more expensive. Anyone willing to stop this disastrous chain reaction should voice their concerns right now. It would not be the first time alleged good intentions led to nasty outcomes.
Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul, second from left, tours Korea's Akh unit in the United Arab Emirates, July 12, in this photo provided by Seoul's defense ministry. Yonhap



Vice Defense Minister Shin Beom-chul has visited a Korean military contingent in the United Arab Emirates to encourage troops for their service there, Seoul's defense ministry said Thursday.



Shin met with members of the Akh unit on Wednesday (local time) after he arrived in the country for talks with his Emirati counterpart, Mattar Salem Ali Al Dhaheri, the previous day.



Launched in 2011, the Akh unit has been carrying out various missions in the country, including training UAE troops and protecting Korean nationals in the region in case of emergencies. Akh means brother in Arabic.



Shin told troops that their service in the UAE serves as the "sustenance" for the development of bilateral ties and asked them to complete their mission safely.



Shin will wrap up his six-day Middle East trip later in the day that also took him to Saudi Arabia. (Yonhap)


The Terminator movie franchise will forever be remembered by humans for several crazy ideas it brought to the big screen, including time travel, a robot uprising, and inescapable fate. Of interest to us today however is the so-called mimetic polyalloy.

In essence an idea from the realm of nanorobotics, the material was what stood at the core of the T-1000 robot sent back in time to murder John Connor before he became the leader of the human resistance.The polyalloy allowed the machine to shapeshift not only to imitate humans, but also to grow its limbs into whatever tools and weapons it needed to employ. On screen, the stuff looked like molten chrome, but still shiny and impressive.Now that you've got back a mental image of the material, just look at some of the parts used on this modified Harley-Davidson Dyna and try to avoid seeing any resemblance.The bike is the work of one of the most famous modified motorcycle garages in Europe, German No Limit Custom (NLC). It's an older build of theirs called Streetfighter, but one that still looks fresh and modern to this day.The bike rocks the usual modifications performed on American two-wheelers to make sure they stand out in a crowd, and they start with the fitting of custom wheels of undisclosed dimensions, hidden under custom fenders front and rear.The lines of the ride are totally different than stock, thanks to the softening of the side view with the installation of a new fuel tank, the lowering of the saddle further into the frame, and the big mechanical changes made at the back.The most obvious such change is the fitting of a custom double-sided swingarm. Called Modena, the hardware has been specifically designed by NLC with 2008-2017 Dynas in mind.Made from a single piece of milled aluminum, it can accommodate wheels sized between 18 and 21 inches in diameter and as wide 260 mm.In this application the swingarm was drowned in shiny chrome, and because of its design it looks just like the blade the T-1000 morphed one of its hands into and drove in the bodies of several of Terminator 2's protagonists.The swingarm is accompanied by similarly styled covers for various parts of the motorcycle, with all the shiny metal looking simply impressive against the otherwise dark appearance of the bike.NLC does not list all the modifications made to the Dyna and that makes it impossible for us to know exactly how much the bike is worth in this configuration. We do know how expensive the swingarm is, though: 2,490 euros, which is about $2,800 at today's exchange rates and about as much as the engine spoiler, primary offset kit, rear fender, and turn signal holders are worth combined.
Sometimes I run across a little something-something that I just can't refrain from bringing to light. Such is the case with the adventurous, cat-friendly, and downright off-grid-capable Tucson gooseneck tiny home from a little American crew nestled deep in the Rocky Mountains.

Photo: Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses

Photo: Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses

Actually, Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses (RMTH) is the name of the crew we'll explore today, and the Tucson is their work, albeit expressing the vision of an owner or owners. You may have heard of this team before , as we've covered some of their work in the past. But, it seems that RMTH has been busy because I hadn't noticed this unit before. Ready your truck, hitch up the two-tone Tucson, and let's take a ride on the wild side.Now, the Tucson was brought to life based on the requests of an owner from the Vermont/Upstate New York area. Since he regularly travels as a snowbird - migrating to warmer regions during winter - he called upon the power of RMTH to craft a self-contained tiny home suitable for being pulled along behind a 1/2-ton truck, a Dodge Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. A tiny home behind a 1/2-ton truck? It can be done safely and with years of expertise in building materials. The solution was to craft a gooseneck to maximize space, lower wind resistance while driving down long roads, and grant a safer driving experience.However, I'm going to skip over the building process and, instead, focus on the sort of lifestyle that's possible with a Tucson. Remember, you can give RMTH a call right now and start discussing your very own Tucson unit. What, you thought I was parading someone else's home around? Nope, this lifestyle can be yours too.One of the first features that caught my attention, and possibly yours too, was that pink exterior. Little did I know that the other two walls of this beauty were that forest green. Even RMTH doesn't have a clue as to why the owner chose these two tones, but the result is neat, to say the least. Best of all, the pink side of things is even fitted with a massive solar array to soak up energy from the sun and dump it into batteries.However, my favorite part of the exterior is that little reading nook we see at the rear. Just imagine having a cup of coffee or tea on the edge of some ridge overlooking the sea or mountain valley below. Actually, let's head on inside and check out the rest of this rolling adventure pad.Once inside, my first impressions were that of a home that's owned by a person that doesn't like to sit still, as we should all be; the human body is meant to be moved. What gave me this impression? Nothing more than that storage space sitting in the gooseneck. Here, three bikes can be accommodated , and even a set of cabinets for tools and other knick-knacks.From here, we head towards the rear of the unit, but first, watch out for a pair of cat claws possibly extending from that tree you see in the middle of the floor plan. There's even a skylight overhead so the old furball can take in some vitamin D from the safety of the unit. After all, the desert is no place for a house cat.Cat and treestump aside, it's the rest of the little accents from inside this mobile home that really got me going. Did you notice the wood-burning stove? How about that amazing copper top that's waiting for you to prep your meal? How about the copper stove sitting in the backdrop of a large window? Across from the galley sit a dinette, again, allowing owners to have a look at the world around them while eating, working, or whatnot.The final elements of this home include a bathroom to one side and a toilet and storage space on the other, but it's that nook I mentioned that really gets me going. Here, you'll find yourself in the presence of a couch with two bookshelves, one on each side of the unit. Behind you, that floating window you saw earlier offers a 180-view of the world around outside. For sleeping, an elevated bedframe is found in this area and is only brought to light when it's time for bed.Now, the Tucson is a unit that can sustain life for extended periods of time, as if the solar panels didn't hint at that. Moreover, two tanks, one with 60 gals (227 l) and the other with 80 gals (303 l) of freshwater, are available. Go ahead, get dirty; you can clean up after. Considering the presence of those bikes, this much water is necessary. Once lithium batteries are thrown in, a BMS (battery management system), wiring, and those panels outside, you've got yourself a self-sufficient setup for really hitting the off-grid sauce. Need neat? Burn some firewood. Need electricity? Position your panels. Need water? Well, there are plenty of moisture-capturing systems available these days.Since you have some idea of what a life lived out of Tucson can be, take a moment and really picture yourself in the middle of it all. Touch that copper top. Listen to the squeak it produces as you pull your fingers along it. Smell all that wood. Play with the cat. Read a book. Grab the bikes and hit the local ridgelines. Once you're finished, come back, take a shower, eat, and go to sleep. Didn't know you wanted a tiny house, did you? I'm talking to you, especially if your name is Adina.As for pricing, it's hard to pinpoint precisely how much you can expect to dish out on a Tucson , especially once we consider the custom work you may have in mind. But RMTH mentions something about a similarly equipped house for around $93K (84,500 at current exchange rates). That's definitely something to consider.
Renault knows that MPVs are dying. This is why the Scenic looks like a hatch-crossover hybrid combo. The French carmaker is getting ready to reveal the all-new Scenic E-Tech on September 4 in Munich and is showing images of a camouflaged prototype. It is the Renaulutions second C-segment EV after the Megane E-Tech revealed last fall.

MPV

Photo: Renault

EV

kWh

Long gone is the time when customers were chasing after multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs). They were these roomy cars that would allow families to just throw everything in there and hit the road. In the 1990s, when Renault sent the Scenic into the world, it was an instant hit. And it was not Car of the Year for nothing back in 1997. But 26 years later, people want something else. They are after crossovers, SUVs, pickup trucks, with all that is related to them. Space, high ground clearance, and looks, too. Nowould ever win a beauty pageant.Renault has read between the lines of customer demand and has ditched the Scenic for the Scenic. The upcoming all-electric crossover, that Renault describes as family-friendly, was previewed by the Scenic Vision concept at the ChangeNOW Summit in Paris in March. It was the carmaker's manner of showing a clear intention: to switch to sustainable and inclusive mobility. And to better-looking bodywork, too.The Scenic E-Tech follows in the footsteps of the concept presented four months ago, and Renault claims it is the first production car to embody the brands new sustainable development strategy.The photos posted by Renault reveal a robust silhouette, which belongs to one of the prototypes set to travel all over the continent for the final testing sessions. The prototypes that we get to see are made at the Douai ElectricCity factory in France. All of them are wearing a camouflage with a customized pattern. The pattern is actually a play of lines inspired by the new Renault logo.The CMF-architecture will underpin the upcoming Scenic EV . It is the one that Renault Megane E-Tech and Nissan Ariya are both built on. So it is easy to guess what the lineup will bring. Three versions are currently available in the Megane E-Tech range. The entry level is the 129-horsepower (130 PS) version with a 40-battery, followed by two others featuring a 60-kWh battery pack with either 130 or 217 horsepower (220 PS).The all-new Renault Scenic E-Tech will be unveiled on September 4, at the IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich, Germany, the event that replaces the one that used to happen in Frankfurt, alternating with the one in Paris. Production of the Scenic E-Tech should start this fall, with the first deliveries scheduled for the first quarter of 2024. It is coming to battle Volkswagens ID.4, Fords Explorer, Hyundais Ioniq 5, and of course, its sibling Ariya from Nissan.
Adventurers are not just a thing of the past; the only difference is that contemporary adventurers travel the world in the most luxurious, comfortable vehicles and in complete privacy. This millionaire's luxury toy perfectly expresses modern adventures at sea, combining a rugged exterior with state-of-the-art amenities.

Photo: IYC

HP

Photo: IYC

Photo: IYC

Photo: IYC

Today's expedition vessels can be described as multi-faceted creatures that feel at home both in the Arctic and the Bahamas. Everything about their structure tells you these are fierce machines that can withstand long journeys to the most remote locations, yet stepping onboard feels like entering a five-star resort, ready to pamper you.Modern expedition yachts are a dream come true for those with an adventure-seeking soul. Few things are as exhilarating as exploring the world from the comfort of your private floating mansion with all the perks you'd find on the most luxurious cruise ship.Baron Trenck is one of the finest examples of luxury expedition yachts . The original name perfectly embodies its strong, thrill-seeking spirit. Friedrich von der Trenck was an 18th-century Prussian adventurer. A nobleman who gained notoriety through his military endeavors, the original von der Trenck recounted his adventures in a biography that stood the test of time. Just like him, this bold expedition vessel was built to explore the world for many decades.It made waves at its launch more than a decade ago and continues to impress with its explorer-style capabilities and opulent interiors. It started its adventurous career in 2011 after being delivered to its original owner , reportedly the Czech real estate mogul Radovan Vitek.Although not officially a superyacht in terms of size, this 143-footer (44 meters) feels much bigger due to its imposing silhouette and ingenious layout. Baron Trenck's defining feature is the ice-breaking hull allowing it to cruise comfortably even in the Arctic. This rugged exterior was specifically adapted for long-distance travel and harsh environments.At the same time, the three-meter (nine feet) draft enables it to make its way even to the shallowest bays and to reach secretive beaches, something that big superyachts can't do. To this reliable hull, Baron Trenck adds the capabilities of an explorer.The twin MTU engines (800each) and a remarkable fuel capacity (105,000 liters/27,700 gallons) enable Baron Trenck to cross oceans and travel anywhere, boasting a monster range of 11,600 nautical miles (21,450 km) at ten knots (11.5 mph/18.5 kph).While traveling the world, this heavy-duty yacht also ensures a pleasant onboard experience thanks to the advanced stabilization system and is equipped explicitly for low fuel consumption.Baron Trenck is more than a flagship; its name is almost synonymous with Eurocraft Cantieri Navali, a luxury yacht builder based in Savona, Italy. The shipyard's team didn't just build this steel and aluminum beast but also took care of the entire interior style. Contrasting with the rugged, masculine profile, Baron Trenck's interiors resemble those of easy-going vacation superyachts.The six-cabin layout can accommodate up to 12 guests. A lavish master suite occupies its traditional positioning on the main deck. Spacious enough to include the classic en-suite his-and-her bathrooms, a walk-in wardrobe, and a business office, this room is also filled with light thanks to the huge oval windows with great views.Two cabins can be found on the bridge deck, while the other three provide flexible accommodation on the lower deck. One of them is a multi-purpose room that can double as a spacious massage and spa facility (as a luxury charter yacht, Baron Trenck includes a professional masseuse among its crew).Apart from its distinctive silhouette, what you would immediately notice at Baron Trenck is the enormous sun deck. A view from above shows best just how impressive this deck truly is. We're talking 120 square meters (nearly 1,300 square feet) dedicated to pure fun and relaxation. A huge raised jacuzzi takes center stage, surrounded by comfortable sun pads. Elegant seating areas abound, some of which feature full sun protection. A large table invites guests to enjoy dining in the open air.The best part? This sprawling sun deck easily turns into a party deck with enough room for up to 50 guests. In other words, when it's not fighting with the elements in places like Antarctica, the Baron Trenck becomes a floating party house thats just as fun and entertaining as the most popular superyachts.The upper aft deck provides additional sunbathing space if needed. A crane is used at anchor to launch the large tender housed on this part of the vessel. The main salon is another spacious area onboard, divided into three sections. The entryway leads to a modern bar area, continued with a cozy lounge. The mandatory formal dining area sits further forward, with seating for 12.Style-wise, this expedition vessel exudes classic elegance. Precious cherry wood finishes, premium carpets, and upholstery in soft, neutral tones create a sophisticated yet warm atmosphere. Even after 12 years, Baron Trenck is in great shape, claiming extremely low engine hours (it covered around 60,000 miles/96,560 km in a decade). The most recent refit, completed earlier this year, included a full repaint and the addition of a new teak deck.After a recent price drop of more than $400,000, the Italian expedition yacht is currently asking for 13,5 million (nearly $15 million). For over a decade, Baron Trenck was the only one of its kind, raising its status considerably. A sister ship joined it only last year when Eurostar launched the second hull in its 44 Explorer series. Even so, Baron Trenck remains unique for its long history and powerful spirit.
A few days ago, Toyota issued a recall for a handful of Tundra and Sequoia vehicles produced for the 2023 model year. The root cause? Spare tire chain links that may break without warning, an issue the Japanese marque didn't detail as much as most would have liked.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Thankfully, automakers who issue recalls are required by theto explain said recalls in far more detail. Enter campaign number 23V-468, which lists 1,398 potentially affected vehicles and Japan's Aichi Prefecture-based spare tire carrier assembly supplier Mannoh Industrial Co. Ltd.Toyota also filed a chronology of events with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which begins with an incident from early June 2023. Back then, assembly plant workers identified a vehicle whose spare tire was detached from the underbody carrier. The chain was broken as well, which prompted an investigation.Lo and behold, three additional vehicles were found to feature broken chains. Toyota immediately reviewed the manufacturing information of the spare tire carrier assembly chains, and the supplier was found at fault. More specifically, a water leak had occurred in the area where Mannoh's workers weld the chain links for the spare tire carrier assembly of the Tundra and Sequoia.Worse still, the suspect production lot had chains exposed to water before the welding process had been completed. It's not clear why Mannoh didn't inform Toyota of this event, and it's not clear why Mannoh's quality control and assurance employees didn't voice concern over the water leak's potential implications.The Japanese automaker required the supplier to perform a tensile strength test, and unsurprisingly, the chain links fractured rather easily. The Japanese automaker and Mannoh Industrial confirmed that water causes an insufficient weld on the chain links, thus decreasing the tensile strength of the links in question.Based on the aforementioned, Toyota couldn't risk getting sued for detaching spare tires becoming road hazards. The automaker's US division isn't aware of any field reports or warranty claims related to this concern.Rather than replacing only the chains that secure the spare tire to the carrier, Toyota instructed its dealership network to replace the entire assembly. At no cost to the customers, of course! Owners will be notified by first-class mail no later than September 5. Something else Toyota forgot to mention in the initial announcement for this recall is vehicle production dates. The document attached below clarifies this matter.Tundra  including hybrid  pickup trucks produced from May 30, 2023 through June 6, 2023 at TMMTX in Texas are called back, together with Sequoia utility vehicles produced through June 7 for the 2023 model year at the same plant. The spare tire carrier assembly bears part number 51900-34070 in Toyota's parts catalog.
The 3-year-old Leo and his 6-year sister Gita were found dead in a car in the town of Markatert on July 8 one day after disappearing from their home in the nearby village of Aghabekalanj.

Their single mother, Vera Narimanian, left them home alone to go to Martakert to receive sunflower oil and sugar as humanitarian aid. They were gone after she returned to the village about two hours later.

I spent the whole night searching for them with the police, firefighters and army but didnt find them, Narimanian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service on Wednesday.

I will be devastated for the rest of my life, she said.

The infants were caught on security cameras going to Martakert on foot late on July 7. A town resident found them dead in his car the following morning. He said that one of the cars doors was not locked.

The Karabakh police suggested that Leo and Gita died in their sleep from vehicular heatstroke. But the spokesman for another law-enforcement body cautioned on Wednesday that this is just one of the theories considered by investigators.

Necessary forensic tests have been ordered  and intensive investigative work is underway, he said.

The 7-month blockade of the Lachine Corridor and total siege of Nagorno-Karabakh people is having an irreversible and devastating impact on the lives of people: [Nagorno-Karabakh] resident children 3 y/o Leo and 6 y/o Gita died as a consequence of the serious humanitarian situation, tweeted Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. In the 21st century. This should not be tolerated.

Azerbaijan tightened the blockade on June 15, completely blocking emergency supplies of food, medicine and other essential items to Karabakh which were carried out, in limited quantities, by Russian peacekeepers and the International Committee of the Red Cross. It thus significantly aggravated the shortages of basic foodstuffs in the Armenian-population rationed since January.

Officials in Stepanakert say they are especially concerned about growing child malnutrition resulting from the blockade.

When I tell our kids to draw anything they want, they draw fruits because they miss them, the director of a local kindergarten told RFE/RLs Armenian Service on Thursday.
13 July 2023 20:00 (UTC+04:00)

Rena Murshud Read more

Ever changing, biased and sometimes untrustworthy, Iran extended a hand of friendship to Azerbaijan again after the diplomatic tensions that arose about 6 months ago.

Naseer Kanaani, the spokesman of Iran's Foreign Ministry, last week expressed the desire of the Iranian government to restore the diplomatic relations, which were unilaterally cut off after the terrorist attack against the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran.

Also, Iran, which wants to restore diplomatic relations, gives very serious guarantees for the security of the Azerbaijan embassy.

In fact, recently Iran made a similar statement regarding the North-South corridor. However, neither then nor now, such promises of Iran could not come true. On the contrary, Iran tried to make secret plans with India and Armenia on completely different maps in the background, to exclude Azerbaijan from the list of new partners related to the North-South transport corridor. However, Azerbaijan's unshakable influence in the South Caucasus overturned these plans. Therefore, Iran realized that this case is related only to Azerbaijan and decided to take a step back.

It is very risky to believe Iran's sincerity in both political and social spheres. Because the political future and credibility of a state isolated in the international world always remains foggy.

As for Tehran's proposal to official Baku to restore diplomatic relations, as well as to reopen the embassy, South Azerbaijani political expert Elyar Kamrani said that this proposal may not last long.

According to expert, Iran has never been sincere and it has always had sinister plans in the background. "Minister's statement to the public and the Iranian media claim that Tehran wants to get closer to Azerbaijan, improve relations between countries and resolve all issues. However, it is unclear whether Iran is open and transparent on any issue, especially in Azerbaijan. For almost 30 years, Iran has been hostile, has created a number of sabotage groups inside Azerbaijan, and is abusing its profits. Therefore, it is very difficult to put a trust on Iran," Kamrani said in his comment for Azernews.

The expert told that Azerbaijan takes a more reasonable and clear position in relation with every country, and stressed that Iran is a game player.

If Iran restores relations with Azerbaijan, it knows very well that the issue of opening the Zangazur corridor, which it cannot accept, is next. However, Iran also needs certain opportunities to enter the South Caucasus, and it can meet these needs only by restoring relations with Azerbaijan. Let me emphasize once again that there are definitely Iran's murky plans behind this. Iran is just trying to implement its insidious plans by certain political means when it finds an opportunity in the South Caucasus, expert added.

---

Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
13 July 2023 15:30 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The fact that Azerbaijan is considered the eye of the South Caucasus from an economic point of view is not a questionable fact. However, the fact that the state of Azerbaijan always takes on big responsibilities has made it necessary to implement large-scale projects in the future. During the 30-year occupation, it was impossible to think about it, but today those realities have already been left behind.

The glorious Azerbaijan Army drives the enemy out of the occupied territories in the 44-day war under the leadership of the Supreme Commander in Chief. Immediately after the end of the Patriotic War, reconstruction and restoration works were started in the territories freed from occupation.

One of the regrettable points is that all the road infrastructure and buildings in the areas are completely destroyed during the flood. Despite all this, Azerbaijan undertook this difficult mission and carried out the restoration of the destroyed areas within 2.5 years.

In any case, inventory work is ongoing and recorded losses will serve as a documentary basis for future legal claims for compensation.

Despite all the unsuccessful attempts of Armenia to destabilize the border, the work started in the direction of the restoration of the liberated territories of Azerbaijan and the development of their economic potential continues rapidly. Large infrastructure is being created in two economic regions - Karabakh and East Zangazur.

"In creating the Karabakh and East Zangazur economic regions, they have a strategic purpose because they are liberated regions where there has been no Azerbaijani presence for 30 years, and this is a demonstration that there is a holistic approach to the restoration of these regions and their development," Azerbaijani political analyst Farhad Mammadov told Azernews.

According to the pundit, the administrative-territorial division of Azerbaijan implies districts that are not large in area, but economic, which are more interconnected with big development plans than a territorially small region.

"The political side of the matter is also very important here, because the Karabakh economic region also contains the territory where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed, where the Armenian population lives, and it takes the whole territory, which improves conditions for the implementation of integration processes," F.Mammadov said.

The economy in Karabakh will develop in six main areas: agribusiness, food processing, mining, green energy, logistics, and tourism.

One of the important moments in construction works carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the liberated territories was the restoration of historical, religious, and cultural monuments. Among the priority works carried out in this direction are restoration and reconstruction of Juma Mosque in Aghdam, Yukhari Govkhar Agha, Ashagi Govkhar Agha, Saatli Mosque in Shusha, as well as the madrasah located in the yard of Yukhari Govkhar Agha Mosque. The construction of a new mosque in Shusha City was launched. Construction of mosques in Zangilan, Hadrut, and Dashalti has also started. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation is doing all this at its own expense.

Farhad Mammadov also stressed the importance of economic districts in the liberated lands. "East Zangazur economic region is important from the political point of view because it implies in the future the development of relations with West Zangazur, which is now the territory of Armenia, because historically it was a single region, and in case of normalization of relations with Armenia, relations of East Zangazur region with West Zangazur, that is, with the region, which today is within the borders of the Republic of Armenia, will be considered as a whole development of the region," he stressed.

Speaking about Azerbaijan's main goal in investing in the Karabakh and Zangazur economic region the expert said: "The President of Azerbaijan said that from the beginning of the year the state budget revenues were higher than planned, and it was necessary to revise the budget in the middle of the year. Surplus revenues were directed to investment projects in the liberated territories, which demonstrates that Azerbaijan is accelerating the process of reconstruction, creation of infrastructure, roads, electricity, water, sewerage, etc., in order to accelerate the process of return of Azerbaijanis to the liberated territories".

Azerbaijan is implementing projects based on completely new, modern standards, declaring Karabakh and East Zangazur a green energy zone. There will be only renewable energy sources there, which will satisfy not only the needs of the population and industry but will also be very useful for the rest of the country.

"In principle, the liberated territories, and the production capacities that will be created there, will play an important role in increasing the economic activity of Azerbaijan, in increasing the gross domestic product, as well as play a role in the process of economic diversification, which is the most important element in the economic development of Azerbaijan," the pundit added.

Most of Lachin was rebuilt in eight months. By the end of June, many more Azerbaijanis will have returned to their hometown. At first, about 4,000 people will live in Lachin. In the first stage, 700 houses for 764 families were built in Lachin during 8 months of work, and works on the second stage are going on, workplaces will be created in the town, where 1100 people will be employed. An agro-park and an industrial park will also be established in Lachin.

Azerbaijan is carrying out large-scale reconstruction works in the liberated territories at the expense of its own financial resources where the Azerbaijani government has spent about $4 bn on reconstruction works in 2021-2022 in the liberated Karabakh and East Zangazur regions. Besides, according to the updates to the 2023 state budget, the state funds destined for the ongoing and new reconstruction projects in the both regions will be increased by AZN 3bn.

Thus, Azerbaijan is reviving the territories that have been longed for by humans for 30 years and thus starting a new era in the most strategic regions of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is capable of this, and despite some obstacles ahead, there is no turning back even a single step on this path.

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13 July 2023 12:41 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Nazim Mammadov's art legacy has been demonstrated at NUR Art House.

Some of the artist's most famous art works were showcased as part of the exhibition, Azernews reports.

The event was co-organized by Arts Council Azerbaijan NGO and NUR Art House within Heydar Aliyev's Heritage Festival.

In his speech, head of Arts Council Azerbaijan NGO Dadash Mammadov noted that every year Baku hosts an exhibition dedicated to the incredibly talented artist Nazim Mammadov, whose name is inextricably linked with the most beloved domestic cartoons.

Azerbaijan's prominent artist Nazim Mammadov (1934-2004) takes a special place in the history of Azerbaijani animation.

Being one of the creators of the first Azerbaijani cartoons, he made a great contribution to the formation and development of national animation.

Nazim Mammadov was born in Baku in 1934. He graduated from the Azim Azimzade Art School (1957) and animation courses at the Soyuzmultfilm Studio in Moscow (1961).

Mammadov started working as an animator at the AzerbaijanFilm Studio in 1961.

His art works immerse viewers into the beautiful world of magical fantasy.

The artist's paintings evoke a sense of beauty and allow the eye to enjoy the magical spectacle of a bright and interesting world, captured on juicy canvases with a unique color scheme.

Nazim Mammadov is the author of more than 20 Azerbaijani animated films. He has also been involved in the production of forty documentaries.

In 1970, he made his first animated film "The Bear and the Mouse". In 1988, Nazim Mammadov created the first animated opera in the republic in five parts "Beautiful Fatma".

Along with animation, Mammadov was also engaged in easel painting, graphics, and illustration of books for children. His paintings are widely known in Azerbaijan and abroad. Nazim Mammadov died in Baku on October 29, 2004.

NUR Art House is open from 11:00 to 18:00. Admission is free.

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13 July 2023 13:53 (UTC+04:00)

BBC Travel has prepared an article about traveling to Azerbaijan and its main historical sights, Azernews reports.

The story, "Azerbaijan - the fiery land of the Caucasus," notes the deep connection between Azerbaijan's culture and Zoroastrianism.

"Fire has deeply penetrated the culture and mythology of Azerbaijan since Zoroastrianism, one of the oldest monotheistic religions of the world, originated here more than 3,000 years ago," the article says.

In addition, the article talks about such historical monuments as the Maiden Tower, the Ateshgah fire temple in Surakhani, and the Zoroastrian temple in Khinalig village of Guba district.

It is noted that the ancient culture of Zoroastrianism has been reflected in the customs of the modern population of Azerbaijan.

"Today the majority of Azerbaijanis are Muslims, but Zoroastrian beliefs, customs, and traditions continue to be present in modern culture. Novruz (Persian New Year) is celebrated in Azerbaijan every year in honor of the onset of spring. This tradition was formed under the influence of Zoroastrian folklore, and Novruz is one of the biggest holidays in Azerbaijan".

With a rich cultural heritage, modern Azerbaijan honors its past and at the same time looks to the future, creating a wide range of truly unique and unforgettable experiences for visitors.

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Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) CEO Kang Goo-young, back row six from right, poses with Polish Air Force officers and KAI staff during his visit to a Polish air base in Minsk, Wednesday (local time). Last September, Poland signed a deal with KAI to purchase 48 FA-50 light attackers with the first two aircraft being delivered to the Central European country earlier this week. KAI plans to deliver a total of 12 FA-50GFs to Poland by the end of this year. Courtesy of Korea Aerospace Industries
13 July 2023 10:58 (UTC+04:00)

In accordance with the order of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the return of former IDPs to the reconstructed town of Lachin continues, Azernews reports.

Another migration caravan left the Gobu Park 3 residential complex in Baku's Garadagh district on 13 July. At this stage, 23 more families - 85 people - have been resettled to Lachin town.

The resettled families will settle in the houses they lived in Lachin, which were restored or rebuilt on behalf of the head of state after the end of the occupation.

As a result of the victory gained by the courageous Azerbaijani army under the leadership of President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the IDPs were able to return to their homeland voluntarily, safely, and with dignity after 30 years.

Residents of Lachin city, which has become more beautiful and improved, expressed gratitude to the President, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, courageous Azerbaijani Army, our heroic soldiers and officers who saved our lands from occupation, for being surrounded by comprehensive state care, and honored the memory of our martyrs who fell on the way.

Representatives of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs, the special representative office of the President of Azerbaijan in Lachin district, which is part of the East Zangazur economic district, and the executive power of Lachin district took part in the ceremony of sending the families to Lachin region.

The issue of the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of internally displaced persons to their native lands has been identified as a major challenge.

Work on the revival of territories liberated from occupation is increasingly accelerating, and the Great Return Programme is being implemented.

At the same time, 93 families, i.e. 351 persons, were permanently settled in the Lachin region.

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13 July 2023 12:09 (UTC+04:00)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken calls President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Azernews reports.

During the telephone conversation, Antony Blinken expresses strong US support for continued efforts to achieve a lasting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The US is committed to facilitating negotiations.

Recall that Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held bilateral talks on June 27-29 at the George Shultz National Training Center for Foreign Affairs in Arlington (Virginia). While in Washington, they met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Assistant to the President and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

The ministers and their teams continued to work on a draft bilateral agreement on peace and the establishment of interstate relations. They reached an agreement on additional articles and reached a mutual understanding on a draft agreement while recognizing that positions on some key issues require further elaboration.

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13 July 2023 13:03 (UTC+04:00)

Special Representation of the President of Azerbaijan in Jabrayil has released a video about Zangilan's Aghali village.

The video includes footage taken in the Gubadli and Zangilan districts, which are part of the East Zangazur economic region, Azernews reports.

One of Azerbaijan's most picturesque corners, Zangilan was hard to recognize after 30 years of occupation.

Despite the fact that several years have passed since the glorious victory, Zangilan is changing at an accelerated pace. Three years have passed since Zangilan was returned to its true owners and one year has passed since the first residents were relocated to Aghali village.

The first "smart village" project was implemented in Aghali village of Zangilan district by order of President Ilham Aliyev. The village was rebuilt and all necessary conditions were created for the comfortable living of people. On 19 July this year, residents of Aghali will celebrate 1 year since the return.

Before the occupation, Zangilan was a favorite holiday destination in the summer months due to its thermal springs, fresh air, and wide pastures. It is located in a strategically important place: in the southwest of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on the border with Armenia and Iran. The Bargushad ridge (Mount Susan, 1304 m), which enters the territory of the district from the northwest, descends, forming between Bazarchay and Ohchuchay a white flat plain (height 400-600 m). In the northeast, the slopes of the Karabakh ridge descending to the Araz and Khakari rivers pass into the hilly Geyan steppe.

The climate in this region is predominantly mild. The Araz, Okhchuchay, Khakari, and Basitchay rivers flow through the territory of the district. Zangilan is rich in such minerals as building stone, lime, gold, black marble, and others.

Zangilan is the second-largest gold deposit in the country after Kalbajar. The natural resources of the region by 2020 have been looted for almost 30 years: everything from gold to ornamental stones has been appropriated.

Gold stolen from Soyudlu in Kalbajar and Vejneli in Zangilan was sold on foreign exchanges and the proceeds were deposited in the country's banks.

Zangilan Chinar forest is a source of green charm and gives a special and incomparable beauty to the Zangilan district. Zangilan chinar trees are one of the 8 species of plane trees growing in the world. Zangilan chinar trees form the basis of plane tree species widespread in Azerbaijan. This species of chinar is called the eastern chinar. At the time of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the chinar forest in Zangilan with an area of about 120 hectares fully belonged to Azerbaijan.

Zangilan is a region with high tourist potential. Beshitchay State Reserve with an area of 107 hectares, Arazboy Reserve with an area of 2.2 thousand hectares, 4 natural monuments, 10 thousand hectares of specially protected Araz oak forest, 12 864 hectares of state forest fund, up to 1200 natural springs, mineral springs corresponding in composition to Essentuki-4, Turshsu mineral springs.

In the national park "Beshichay", founded in 1974, there are rare trees, some of which are 1200-1500 years old. All this is an indicator of the region's tourism potential. Occupied in 1993, Zangilan was liberated from the enemy as a result of a successful counter-offensive launched in Karabakh by the Azerbaijani army on 27 September 2020. However, as a result of the 30-year occupation, the wealth of Zangilan was destroyed by the enemy, and the infrastructure was destroyed.

The report presents a video film reflecting heartbreaking footage of the village taken during the liberation from the occupation in 2020 and the present-day appearance of the village.

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13 July 2023 15:53 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has had talk on the phone with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Azernews reports.

During the phone conversation, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev informed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the armed provocation and cases of smuggling through the Lachin border checkpoint, Azernews reports.

President Ilham Aliyev underlined that despite the regular organization of humanitarian cargo, individual crossings and medical evacuation through the Lachin border-customs checkpoint, the armed provocation was committed by Armenia on June 15 and cases of smuggling were detected in humanitarian shipments carried out under the accompaniment of the International Committee of the Red Cross, adding that investigations are being conducted in this regard.

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13 July 2023 16:21 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani Defence Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has met with an Israeli delegation headed by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing the Defence Ministry.

The Israeli delegation first visited the Martyrs' Alley, where they laid flowers at the graves of the sons-heroes of Azerbaijan, including National Hero Albert Agarunov, who gave their life for the independence and territorial integrity of the country. The Israeli minister laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame Monument.

The official welcoming ceremony then took place at the Ministry of Defence. The Israeli Defence Minister drove past the guard of honour, and the national anthems of both countries were played, accompanied by a military band. A "Book of Honour" was signed in accordance with the protocol.

Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov welcomed his Israeli colleague and expressed satisfaction to see him in Azerbaijan. General emphasised that the high level of partnership between the two countries plays an important role not only in the development of Azerbaijan and Israel but also in ensuring security in the entire region.

Expressing satisfaction with his first visit to Azerbaijan as Minister of Defence of the State of Israel and sincere meeting, Yoav Gallant underlined that Azerbaijani-Israeli relations are based on friendship and mutual trust. The Israeli minister noted the necessity of such meetings and mutual visits in terms of the development of military cooperation.

The ministers stressed the importance of further strengthening strategic relations and expanding security ties.

The meeting discussed prospects of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel in military and military-technical spheres, as well as a number of issues of mutual interest.

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13 July 2023 16:04 (UTC+04:00)

On July 13, at 11:15 and 14:10, illegal Armenian armed detachments in the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed, attempted to install long-term fortification facilities in front of the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the directions of the Aghdam and Kalbajar regions, Azernews reports, citing the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan

The conducted work was immediately stopped as a result of the urgent measures taken by the Azerbaijan Army Units, the ministry stated.

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13 July 2023 18:03 (UTC+04:00)

Armenia has not yet provided information about 4,000 Azerbaijani citizens who went missing during the First Karabakh War. This was stated by Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov during a speech at an event called "Revival of Aghdam" Azernews reports.

The minister noted that mass graves discovered only after the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from the occupation are proof of crimes.

"In parallel, in a dynamically developing world, our political priorities in a rather complex international environment include anticipating and preventing potential risks that could threaten our country, as well as protecting our country and people. This is the most important and promising issue before us," the minister said.

Notably, an event called "Revival of Aghdam" is being held at Aghdam Conference Centre. The event is attended by the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, heads of diplomatic missions of our country, employees of the special representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the liberated territories included in the Karabakh economic region (except for Shusha district).

The event started with a demonstration of a video clip on reconstruction works carried out in the territories liberated from occupation.

After the event, the participants will familiarise themselves with the reconstruction works being carried out in Aghdam.

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13 July 2023 12:22 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijan and Armenia have made significant progress on a number of issues, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a regular briefing, Azernews reports.

He notes that the US is looking forward to the next ministerial meeting between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"They have made significant progress on a range of issues. Even at their last meeting, they reduced the number of issues that remain unresolved," M. Miller says.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held talks June 27-29 at the George Shultz National Training Center for International Affairs in Arlington, Virginia. While in Washington, the ministers met with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Armenia and Azerbaijan have made "further progress" toward a peace agreement during three days of U.S.-led talks between the two former Soviet republics, which have repeatedly clashed over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Blinken said both sides have shown a willingness to negotiate seriously to reach an agreement. He said there is still "hard work" to be done, but that both sides have made progress on additional articles and have a better understanding of positions on outstanding issues.

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13 July 2023 14:44 (UTC+04:00)

By News Centre

President Erdogan revealed his determination before the NATO Summit: I am calling out to the countries that have kept Turkiye waiting at the EU gate for more than 50 years; First, let them pave the way for Turkiye in the European Union, and we will pave the way for Sweden, just as we paved the way for Finland.

Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan said in a statement at Ataturk Airport before leaving for Vilnius to attend the summit.

The progress of Sweden's membership process to NATO depends on the fulfillment of the issues recorded in the tripartite agreement. We are almost speechless for saying that terrorist organizations and their extensions should be dealt with indiscriminately, the President said.

President Erdogan went to Vilnius to attend the Summit of Heads of State and Government. Holding a press conference at Ataturk Airport before his departure to Lithuania, he emphasized that one of the agenda items at the summit was the enlargement of NATO and that Turkiye has always supported NATO's open-door policy.

Finland did what was needed

Noting that Turkiye expressed their support for this policy at every opportunity, while North Macedonia was kept waiting at the door for 16 years only because of the name issue, the Turkish President said: A road map was drawn up with the tripartite agreement signed in Madrid last year for Sweden and Finland's applications for NATO membership. Acting in accordance with its commitments, Finland officially became a member of the alliance in April.

We are tired to reiterate

As for Sweden, the process continues. The contacts of our relevant institutions with their Swedish counterparts go on with a transparent and well-intentioned approach. The progress of Sweden's membership process to NATO depends on the fulfillment of the issues recorded in the tripartite agreement. We are almost speechless when we say that as Turkiye, we need to fight terrorist organizations and their extensions indiscriminately.

We are taking a critical role

Stating that Turkiye has done its part as one of the top five allies that contributed most to NATO missions and operations, Erdogan emphasized that Turkiye provided serious strength and capabilities to the alliance by making use of advanced technologies on land, at sea and in the air. Expressing that NATO's fight against terrorism continues in the southern border regions and beyond, which also borders NATO, Erdogan said, "We play critical roles on a global scale in the prevention and management of mass irregular migration movements."

Turkiye has been waiting for 50 years

Pointing out that he wanted to underline a fact on the occasion of his visit to Lithuania, Erdogan said: Turkiye that has been waiting at the door of the European Union for more than 50 years, and almost all of the NATO member countries are now members of the European Union. I am calling out to these countries that have kept Turkiye waiting at the gates of the European Union for more than 50 years, but I will also call out in Vilnius; First, let's pave the way for Turkiye in the European Union, then let's pave the way for Sweden, just as we paved the way for Finland.

We are not a CATLADIKAPI (a country with undefined borders) door country

Noting that he used these expressions to US President Joe Biden the previous evening, Erdogan said, I have to make this statement in Vilnius as well. Because I also believe that my people have expectations from us. It is over 50 years. We are Turkiye. We are not a Catladikapi country. This needs to be known. I will express these while making these contacts with the heads of state and government in the meetings I will hold at the margin of the summit.

President Erdogan started his contacts in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, where he came to attend the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, with a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Erdogan had a trilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at the LIETXPO Exhibition and Convention Center. Sweden, which did not keep its previous promises during the meeting, made new promises to Turkiye.

First Explanation Comes From Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg made the first statement about the meeting.

Answering journalists' questions, Stoltenberg said, "I am pleased to announce that President Erdogan has agreed to forward Sweden's accession protocol to the Parliament as soon as possible and to work closely with the Parliament for approval."

Stoltenberg listed the Swedish promises at the summit as follows:

A dual mechanism will be established

* It was agreed to work towards eliminating sanctions and removing obstacles in defense trade and investments among the Allies.

* Sweden will actively support Turkiye's EU membership process, including updating the Customs Union and visa liberalization.

* It will not support Sweden's terrorist organization YPG/PYD and FETO.

* For the first time in NATO's history, a Special Counter-Terrorism Coordinator will be appointed.

* A bilateral security mechanism will be established between Turkiye and Sweden.

Biden: I Am Ready to Work With Turkiye

US President Joe Biden made a written statement after the agreement between Turkiye and Sweden.

"I welcome the statement that includes Turkiye's submission of Sweden's NATO accession protocols to Parliament. I am ready to work with President Erdogan and Turkiye to improve defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic region. I look forward to seeing Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as the 32nd member of NATO. I thank Stoltenberg for his determined leadership, Biden said.

The final decision belongs to the TGNA

How will you behave towards Sweden's NATO membership? Upon the question, Erdogan stated that the final decision in this matter belongs to the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye. Expressing that it is not possible to take any steps here after the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye does not make this decision, Erdogan said, Look, what are they all bringing about the F-16s? They say, 'It has to pass the Congress.' If they have a Congress, we have a Parliament. We can't say, 'I said it, it's done' after it has not been passed by the Turkish Grand National Assembly," he said.

Biden mobilizes all opportunities

When asked how US President Joe Biden evaluates the opposition of some senators to the sale of the F-16 in Congress, Erdogan said that Biden said, "I am mobilizing all the means I can."

President Erdogan added: He wants the same from us. Of course, we told him that our case is very different from yours. As two NATO allies, we will strengthen ourselves against all NATO enemies with the steps we will take here. We have made payments to you. There is the payment we made in the F-35. 1 billion 450 million dollars. We have not yet received the return of this payment. Of course, now we will have a narrow meeting in Vilnius. We will discuss these issues with him in these narrow meetings, and with this meeting, I hope that we will overcome this problem. It also saddens us that this is associated with Sweden.

Asked whether he will have any contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the near future for the extension of the Grain Corridor Agreement, which will expire on July 17, President Erdogan said that they expect a visit from Putin next month.

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13 July 2023 17:50 (UTC+04:00)

The UK continues to support demining efforts in Azerbaijan, the British Embassy in Baku wrote on Twitter, Azernews reports, citing the British Embassy.

"UK Ministry of Defence representatives were pleased to be guest speakers at the Intelligence-Sec organised workshop on mine action and explosive ordnance in Baku," the tweet reads.

Demining units of the Azerbaijani Army continue to fulfil their tasks in the liberated territories, Azernews reports with reference to MOD.

In general, Azerbaijan is among the most mine- and unexploded ordnance-contaminated countries in the world. More than 1.5 million mines were buried in these territories during the occupation.

After the 44-day war, 302 Azerbaijani citizens became victims of mines (57 killed and 245 wounded). In total, since the beginning of Armenia's military aggression, some 3,400 Azerbaijani citizens have suffered from mines, 587 of whom have been killed.

However, as noted earlier, Armenian provocations did not end with the end of the war. Even after the end of the conflict, Armenia continued to lay mines on the territory of Azerbaijan along the Lachin road, and after 44 days of the war, more than 2,700 anti-personnel mines manufactured by Armenia in 2021 were discovered on our territory.

As a result of the activity of engineer-sapper units in June this year, up to 200 hectares of territory were completely cleared of mines in the liberated territories.

As of today, more than 30,890 hectares of the liberated territories have been cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance.

The main efforts are aimed at demining settlements, crop fields, roads and infrastructure in the liberated territories.

In accordance with the plan, the necessary engineering support measures are being carried out in the liberated territories.

In addition, as a result of the work of the Azerbaijani Army's engineer-sapper units, together with other State bodies, up to 9 kilometres of new supply roads have been built and up to 38 kilometres of existing ones repaired this year to ensure the safe movement of convoys of vehicles and military equipment over difficult terrain, including rocky areas.

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Firefighting work is in progress at a hospital parking tower in the southeastern city of Daegu in this July 13 photo provided by a citizen. Yonhap



A fire broke out in the parking tower of a hospital in the southeastern city of Daegu early Thursday morning, forcing about 200 inpatients to evacuate, fire officials said.



One of the evacuated, a woman in her 70s, complained of difficulty in breathing and was taken to a nearby hospital, they said.



The fire of unknown origin began at 3 a.m. at the hospital parking tower in Daegu's Dalseo district, and the main blaze was extinguished about two hours later, after about 170 firefighters and 65 fire trucks and other equipment were mobilized, they added.



The city's fire authorities and police plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire. (Yonhap)


13 July 2023 16:43 (UTC+04:00)

By News Center

During the meeting of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania yesterday, a compromise was reached for Sweden's NATO membership. A new statement has come from the USA regarding the decision that the world is talking about. "Biden plans to forward the sale of F-16s to Turkiye in consultation with Congress," White House National Security Advisor Sullivan said.

The world is talking about Turkiye's NATO decision on Sweden. There was a compromise for Sweden's NATO membership.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement about the decision, "Turkiye's desire to join the EU is not linked to Sweden's membership in NATO."

Sullivan also said, "Biden plans to forward the sale of F-16s to Turkey in consultation with Congress."

Biden: I am ready to work with Turkiye

In his statement after the agreement between Turkey and Sweden, US President Joe Biden said, I welcome the statement that includes Turkey's submission of Sweden's NATO accession protocols to the Parliament. I am ready to work with President Erdogan and Turkey to improve defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic region. I look forward to seeing Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as the 32nd member of NATO. I thank Stoltenberg for his determined leadership.

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13 July 2023 19:40 (UTC+04:00)

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Wednesday that Iran is responsible for the foiled plot to attack the Israeli embassy in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing The Times of Israel.

Tehran is behind the attack, Cohen said in a statement during an official visit to Serbia.

Iranian terrorism is a global threat, as we have seen in the past few days in Azerbaijan in an attempt to attack the Israeli embassy in Baku, and in recent months in Cyprus and Greece in attempts to attack Israelis and Jews, Cohen said. , adding that Iran financed and gave instructions to the terrorist cell that attempted the attack.

Cohen called on the international community to unite to counter Iran's terrorist activities.

The State Security Service (SSS) of Azerbaijan earlier reported on the detention of a foreign citizen who was planning a terrorist attack in the country.

The investigation established that Fauzan Mosa Khan, a citizen of Afghanistan (1990 terrorist act, accompanied by an explosion, fire, or other similar events, resulting in the death of people, causing harm to their health and property, as well as the emergence of other dangerous situations, the State Security Service said in a statement.

It became known that the specified foreigner arrived in Azerbaijan from a foreign state to commit the specified criminal acts and during his stay in Baku, examined the building of the embassy of a third state in order to determine the coordinates of the territory for the preparation of a terrorist act, identify persons who may be involved in a terrorist act, acquired firearm weapons and explosives, contacted others and agreed to receive financial support for these purposes.

Fauzan Mosa Khan was detained and a criminal case was initiated against him by the Main Investigation Department of the State Security Service under Articles 28, 214.2.1 and 28, 214.2.3 (preparation to commit terrorist acts using firearms and objects used as weapons in the case of a group of persons, colluded) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

In a recent speech at a weekly press conference in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said that he gives very serious guarantees for the security of the Azerbaijani embassy.

Minister said that Foreign Minister Huseyin Amir Abdullahian held fruitful meetings with his Azerbaijani counterpart and President Ilham Aliyev in Baku.

"There is a positive dynamic in Iran-Azerbaijan relations. Iran understands its obligations regarding the security of the diplomatic corps and acts responsibly. The Azerbaijani embassy will be protected as much as possible and we hope that we will see the opening of the embassy in the near future" Nasser Kanaani said.

At present, the State Security Service is carrying out comprehensive investigative and operational, and international legal procedural measures to fully establish the circle of persons who planned the terrorist act.

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13 July 2023 18:43 (UTC+04:00)

By News Centre

Jointly organized by the International Information and Perception Association (BILAL) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the panel was attended by Bosnia and Herzegovina's Ankara Ambassador Adis Alagic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy General Directorate for the Balkans and Central Europe Department Head Fatih Ozturk, BILAL President Omer Lutfi Turkmenoglu and many other guests attended.

Making the opening speech of the panel, Turkmenoglu emphasized that the genocide in Srebrenica should be understood by everyone, and the atrocities committed not only in Srebrenica but all over the world should be remembered.

Ambassador Alagic reminded that the Srebrenica genocide was committed in an area declared a safe zone by the United Nations (UN), and noted that genocides should not take place anywhere in the world. Head of the Deputy Director General for the Balkans and Central Europe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ozturk also shared the message of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yasin Ekrem Serim.

A film about the Bosnian War was screened and a plaque was presented at the event.

What happened in Srebrenica?

Immediately after the occupation of Srebrenica by the Serbian troops under the command of Ratko Mladic on July 11, 1995, the civilian Bosniaks who took refuge with the Dutch soldiers within the UN were handed over to the Serbs. Allowing women and children to go to the area controlled by Bosniak soldiers, the Serbs killed at least 8,372 Bosniak men in the woods, factories and warehouses, and those who were killed were buried in mass graves.

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13 July 2023 20:30 (UTC+04:00)

Two suspected members of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) were arrested while trying to flee to Greece through Turkey's northwestern border, security sources said on Thursday, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The suspects, identified only by their initials A.Y. and M.H., were detained in a prohibited zone in the Ipsala district of Turkiyes Edirne province, said the sources, requesting anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

FETO orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, in Turkiye, in which 251 people were killed and 2,734 injured.

Ankara accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

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13 July 2023 21:35 (UTC+04:00)

Trade turnover between Russia and China rose by 40.6% in January-June 2023 year-on-year to $114.547 bln, the General Administration of Customs of China reported on Thursday, Azernews reports, citing TASS.

Chinas exports to Russia soared by 78.1% in the reporting period to $52.284 bln, while imports of Russian goods and services from Russia gained 19.4% to $62.263 bln, according to released figures.

In June, trade turnover between the two countries totaled $20.831 bln, with exports from China reaching $9.551 bln, while imports from Russia rising to $11.280 bln.

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13 July 2023 22:40 (UTC+04:00)

Some 334 kg 993.8 grams of gold were exported from Kyrgyzstan to the United Arab Emirates in May. Such data are given in the bulletin of the National Statistics Committee on mutual and foreign trade for five months of 2023, Azernews reports, citing Kabar.

This volume is estimated at $21 million 268.9 thousand or $1 thousand 974.77 per troy ounce. Such price was fixed at the London Bullion Exchange in May.

In total for five months of this year, Kyrgyzstan sold 1 ton 746 kilograms of 101.7 grams of precious metal for a total amount of USD 109 million 191.6 thousand. In addition to the UAE, exports were also made to:

- China (Hong Kong) - 167 kilograms 882.1 grams for USD 9 million 698 thousand 859, or 1 thousand 796.9 dollars per ounce;

- Switzerland - 1 ton 243 kg 285.8 grams for USD 78 million 223.9 thousand, or $1,956.9 per ounce.

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13 July 2023 23:15 (UTC+04:00)

Turkiye was offered to consider the possibility of exchanging state debt for the implementation of green projects in Kyrgyzstan, as well as to participate in the construction of Asman eco-city, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan said, Azernews reports, citing Kabar.

Kyrgyz Ambassador to Turkiye Ruslan Kazakbaev met with Turkish Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Mehmet Ozhaseki.

The diplomat said that at the initiative of Kyrgyzstan a number of environmental initiatives were adopted in the international arena, and emphasized that the Kyrgyz side expresses special interest in the joint implementation of green projects, particularly in the energy sector.

Kazakbaev also informed about the initiatives of President Sadyr Zhaparov:

- on the realization of the national campaign for the annual planting of 6 million saplings under the "Zhashyl Muras" project;

- on the project for the construction of the Asman eco-city on Issyk-Kul;

- the initiative to convert (exchange) public debt for green initiatives.

In addition, the ambassador called on the Turkish side to take an active part in the implementation of the above-mentioned projects. He also proposed to establish cooperation and exchange of experience in the field of urban development.

Minister Mehmet Ozhaseki confirmed the readiness for cooperation in all areas of mutual interest and proposed to organize a working group between the relevant ministries and departments of the two countries, as well as their mutual visits.

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13 July 2023 18:27 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Chairman of the State Tourism Agency Fuad Naghiyev has met with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Mohammed Al Blushi to discuss prospects of tourism cooperation.

The sides exchanged views on the impact of the visa-free regime between the two countries to the increase of mutual visits, Azernews reports.

Fuad Naghiyev and Mohammed Al Blushi touched upon UAE's investment opportunities and its investment opportunities to Azerbaijan's tourism sector.

In the first half of 2023, the number of citizens visiting Azerbaijan from the United Arab Emirates reached 18,884, which means a 23 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Direct flights from UAE to Azerbaijan are currently operating 50 times a week.

Notably, United Arab Emirates has recognized the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on December 26, 1991. Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the UAE were established on September 01, 1992. In June 1994 Ambassador of UAE in Ankara was accredited to Azerbaijan. On June 16, 2001, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan opened in Abu Dhabi. On October 2011 the Embassy of the UAE was opened in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Besides, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the UAE amounted to $102m in 2022.

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According to Bahrain's Ministry of Health, there have been ongoing & suspicious WhatsApp calls and messages using its logo to steal sensitive information.

These calls, which act on behalf of the Ministry of Health, collect personal information about COVID-19 vaccination doses.

Read More: Ice Cream Evolution

The Ministry's official Instagram page stated that suspicious communications are asking people to install a fake app that gathers all information related to the COVID-19 vaccination doses, allowing the application to access mobile, bank account, and device-linked accounts.

The Ministry denied initiating these communications and confirmed that they are fraudulent and is working with the Anti-Cybercrime Department to solve the matter.

The only approved app for Coronavirus vaccination doses in Bahrain is the Beware App, which is designed to automatically update and maintain the highest levels of security and privacy.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A medical staffer pushes a patient's bed, while signboards showing demands by the Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union stand at a university hospital in Seoul, Thursday, as the union launched a nationwide strike. Yonhap



Surgeries canceled, patients advised to be discharged



By Jun Ji-hye



Some 45,000 nurses, caregivers and other members of the Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union (KHMU) across the country launched a general strike, Thursday, criticizing the government for failing to fulfill a 2021 agreement to hire more medical personnel and improve their working conditions.



The union vowed to exclude essential workers at emergency and operating rooms, intensive care units, delivery rooms and newborn units from its sit-in protest, in order to minimize confusion. But disruptions to medical services, including cancelations of surgeries, have already occurred at several hospitals, including the National Cancer Center.



Striking medical workers justified their action by claiming that the number of healthcare personnel should be expanded to guarantee the safety of patients. The last time the health and medical workers' union staged a nationwide strike was in 2004 calling for a five-day workweek.



The government slammed the union, saying that a strike that could cause damage to people's lives and health cannot be justified.



For now, the union released specific strike plans for two days until Friday, but is warning of an indefinite strike if the government "does not change its irresponsible attitude."



Medical institutions participating in the strike include some 20 large hospitals in Seoul and surrounding Gyeonggi Province, including Hanyang University Hospital and Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital.



According to the union, some 45,000 members are participating in the ongoing walkout, which is more than four times larger than the number of workers who participated in the 2004 strike.





Members of the Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union call on the government to hire more medical personnel and expand public health services during its walkout in central Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
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You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter.
As the anti-immigration populist-nationalist Alternativ fur Deutschland (AfD) continues to climb in the polls, the new leadership of the traditional conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is moving rightward, jettisoning remaining Merkel loyalists from key positions. During her tenure, Angela Merkel had pulled the party leftward on a variety of issues.

The most important change has been the recent replacement of dogmatic Merkel loyalist and progressive Mario Czaja at the CDU's key post of Secretary General with an anti-immigration hardliner from the party's right wing, Carsten Linnermann. The change was directed by CDU chairman Friedrich Merz, who is himself considerably to the right of where Merkel was. Czaja has been a key stalwart of a policy of refusing to work with the AfD while LInnermann is thought to be more open to a cooperation between the parties.

The AfD now polls at 22%, the second most popular party in Germany behind the CDU/CSU, but if the CDU and CSU are polled separately, the AfD is Germany's most popular party. The polls now show the AfD at 22%, the CDU at 21%, and the Bavaria-based CSU at 5%. On the left, the governing SPD is at 18%. Polls also show that the AfD is increasingly attracting younger, better educated, and wealthier voters.

In the state of Thuringia, which votes in a state election next year, the AfD leads in the polls with 32%, ten points ahead of its nearest competitor. Also interesting in the Thuringian poll, a prospective new populist left party that former Left Party parliamentary leader Sahra Wagenkercht is said to be organizing, running on an anti-immigration, anti-woke, anti-green agenda, could achieve a governing populist majority with the AfD in Thuringia.

The populist right's rise in support is not limited to the AfD. In Germany's smallest and most left leaning state, the city-state of Bremen, elections two months ago saw a huge surge by a local populist right party, Citizens in Rage, which has consistently won one of the state's 84 parliament seats for three straight elections, but this time rocketed to ten seats. Citizens in Rage campaigned against illegal immigration and the green agenda and called for reducing the powers of the EU. Meanwhile, the biggest loser in that election was the far left Green Party.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/afd-ascent-prompts-conservative-reshuffling-in-cdu/

As the immigration issue heats up in Germany, the state of Bavaria, led by a coalition of the conservative CSU and the even more conservative Free Voters, has announced the state government is implementing border checks for illegal aliens on its external borders, going farther than Texas has in the US to supplement weak federal border security.

https://rmx.news/germany/german-state-of-bavaria-to-increase-checks-on-austrian-and-czech-borders-to-curb-illegal-immigration/
A federal jury in south Georgia has awarded a neighboring landowner $135.5 million from a set of solar farm companies for severe pollution of their land from runoff from the large solar farm next to them.

https://www.cfact.org/2023/06/06/solar-farm-runoff-pollutes-property-couple-awarded-135-million/

Calling solar "clean energy" is a bad joke. Solar panels, mostly made in China, contain numerous hazardous substances.

This raises the question of when Beaufort County will enact a solar energy ordinance with any teeth? Shouldn't our landowners be protected from this hazard?

And it is not just solar. Wind energy has also been a source of pollution. Four wind energy companies operating in the Chatham-Kent rural municipality of Ontario have been criminally indicted for multiple felonies of polluting the groundwater. Public officials warn farmers there not only not to drink or cook with their well water, but that it is so toxis not to even bathe in it. Ireland has had a 5 million euro environmental fine imposed when a wind farm developer's runoff led to a massive fish kill.

Beaufort County has no wind energy ordinance at all.

And we also have to remember that the RINO legislative leadership last year rammed through NC's Green New Deal, HB951 which will put a lot more of this crap across our state. Thanks, a lot, Senator Jim Perry, a big proponent of HB951.
Rep. Park Dae-chul, second from left, the chief policymaker of the ruling People Power Party, speaks after a meeting with government officials at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap



The government will initially assign certain emergency exit-row seats of aircraft to uniformed personnel, such as firefighters or police officers, as a follow-up measure to a recent incident where a passenger opened a door mid-flight, a ruling party lawmaker said Thursday.



In May, the passenger sitting in a seat close to an emergency door of a jetliner operated by Asiana Airlines heading to the southeastern city of Daegu from the southern island of Jeju opened a door just before landing, causing panic among the passengers.



Rep. Park Dae-chul, the chief policymaker of the People Power Party, told reporters after a meeting with government officials that firefighters, police officers, soldiers and airline employees will be given priority in seating arrangements close to emergency exits.



The measure will apply to a total of 94 seats across 38 aircrafts of three models operated by four local airliners  Asiana Airlines, Air Seoul, Air Busan and Aero K Airlines  starting on July 31, according to Park.



"We do not anticipate any major issues, as 236 of the 335 passenger planes operated by local carriers are equipped with locks, preventing the opening of emergency doors during flights," Park said.



The airlines will verify passengers' identities at the check-in counters, and these seats will be initially excluded from general reservation, Park said. The seats will only be made available to the general public a certain time before the scheduled departure time. (Yonhap)


Two Idaho Falls, Idaho-based hospitals and partnering clinics reported that a May 29 cyberattack on its computer systems led to 1,043 patients' protected health information to be compromised.

Mountain View Hospital, a physician-owned hospital, learned on May 29 that an unauthorized party had accessed some of its systems between April 17 and May 29, according to a breach notification from the hospital.

An investigation determined that patients' names, contact information, demographic information, dates of birth, medical record numbers, patient account numbers, diagnosis and treatment information, prescription information, provider names, dates of service, facilities of service, and/or health insurance information were compromised due the breach.

A limited number of patients also had their Social Security numbers and driver's licenses numbers compromised as well.

On July 3, Mountain View Hospital began notifying all affected individuals.

The breach impacted Mountain View, Idaho Falls Community Hospital and partnering clinics.
While some health systems have soured on rankings systems such as U.S. News & World Report, many patients still rely on them for finding healthcare, USA Today reported July 12.

Experts told the news outlet there aren't a lot of better alternatives for consumers to research care quality and safety.

"The industry doesn't put out anything more accurate and doesn't put out anything more useful or more timely," Michael Millenson, an adjunct associate professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, told the newspaper. Hospital rankings "are not perfect  sometimes they mislead and we have to ask questions  but it's the best we have."

He added that hospitals could provide better data on their websites if they aren't happy with the rankings.

Health systems such as Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine and Bethlehem, Pa.-based St. Luke's University Health Network have said recently they would stop participating with U.S. News for its annual hospital rankings over their methodology, and the publication has since made changes to the system. But experts contend that these rankings can also lead to improvements.

"Hospitals have said to me, 'I dont like the grade I get but when I get that survey, it points out areas of improvement for us that we haven't thought of or paid attention to and now we're investing in these things,'" Martin Hatlie, president and CEO of the Project Patient Care nonprofit and an expert panelist for Leapfrog, which publishes hospital safety rankings, told USA Today.
The three largest children's hospitals in Michigan are joining forces in a significant effort to address inequities in how pediatric patients are treated, according to a July 13 Detroit Free Press report.

Detroit-based Children's Hospital of Michigan, the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids-based Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital are teaming up in the so-called Michigan Child Health Equity Collaborative, a first-of-its-kind partnership in the field, according to the report.

"The people that are going to win are going to be the children in the community," Archie Drake, CEO of Children's Hospital of Michigan, told the Free Press.

The concept behind the collaborative is to not only identify inequities but also to act on such data to improve outcomes for all children.

"We will not simply find and name problems," Gary Freed, MD, a pediatrician at the C.S. Mott hospital who came up with the project told the Free Press. "We are going to work to do something about it."

Such healthcare inequities often exist because of unconscious biases, Dr. Freed said.

The program is to be funded by the University of Michigan with matching Medicaid grant money.

"There are many studies for adults, but limited research has been conducted in the pediatric population, with even fewer solutions identified to address equity issues for children," Lynn Sutfin, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said in the report. "This project has the potential to change that, which would profoundly and positively impact the state's Medicaid program."

More details on the collaborative can be found here.






From the delay of UCHealth and Parkview's proposed combination, to Aspirus Health and St. Luke's signing a letter of intent to affiliate, here are nine hospital and health system mergers and acquisitions updates Becker's reported since July 5:

1. UCSF Health is in talks with Dignity Health to acquire the system's clinical presence in San Francisco, including St. Mary's Medical Center, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital and associated outpatient and urgent care clinics.

2. Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington joined Lebanon, N.H.-based Dartmouth Health, now a six-hospital system.

3. Aurora, Colo.-based UCHealth and Pueblo, Colo.-based Parkview Health System were expecting to close their combination by the middle of 2023, but the proposed move has been delayed due to regulatory matters.

4. Los Angeles-based American Healthcare Systems, which has been busy buying up hospitals this year, took a big step forward with its proposed acquisition of Montebello, Calif.-based Beverly Community Hospital after the California attorney general conditionally approved the transaction.

5. Wausau, Wis.-based Aspirus Health and Duluth, Minn.-based St. Luke's have signed a letter of intent to affiliate and jointly serve patients in their home states and Michigan.

6. Glendale, Calif.-based American Healthcare Systems closed its acquisition of Waukegan, Ill.-based Vista Medical Center East and is looking to add services.

7. Finger Lakes Health, a two-hospital system headquartered in Geneva, N.Y., will join the University of Rochester Medical Center on Aug. 1.

8. Great Falls, Mont.-based Benefis Health System acquired Missouri River Medical Center in Fort Benton.

9. Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg, W.Va., became a full member of the West Virginia University Health System, effective July 1.
Cleveland Clinic opened a hospital outfitted with private 5G to allow for greater, more secure connectivity and a "digital hospital" experience.

Cleveland Clinic Mentor (Ohio) Hospital began operating July 11 with the technology provided by Verizon Business. The hospital has telehealth "robots" in the emergency department and high-resolution cameras in each patient room to assist with virtual consults. The health system hopes the 5G network will eventually allow for augmented and virtual reality to assist surgeries, imaging and patient education.

"This collaboration supports our long-term vision for a fully digital hospital infrastructure," said Cleveland Clinic CIO Matthew Kull in a spring news release. "If we can provide 5G high bandwidth to our facilities, we can become more efficient, ensure better continuity of care as patients transition home and enhance the overall experience for our caregivers and patients."
A man has been charged in connection with the shooting and death of an orthopedic surgeon at Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics in Collierville, Tenn.

Police allege that Larry Pickens, 29, of Memphis, Tenn., shot and killed Benjamin Mauck, MD, in an exam room on July 11. Officers responded to the scene after 2 p.m., and Mr. Pickens had spent several hours at the clinic on the day of the shooting, police said, according to USA Today. Mr. Pickens, who police said used a handgun, was taken into custody.

Mr. Pickens was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault, and a judge set his bond at $1.2 million, police said in a social media post.

Mr. Pickens is scheduled to be arraigned July 13.

According to the Campbell Clinic website, Dr. Mauck joined the staff in August 2012, and he specialized in elbow surgery and hand and wrist surgery. He also saw pediatric patients at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis.

In its statement shared with The Commercial Appeal on July 11, Campbell Clinic said:

"We are shocked and heartbroken to confirm the incident resulted in the tragic loss of one of our highly respected and beloved physicians, Dr. Ben Mauck.

"We have decided to close all Campbell Clinic locations ... July 12 and will communicate the reopening of all facilities at a later time."

Police said in the social media post: "The Collierville Police Department would like to send our condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Dr. Benjamin Mauck. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers."

A spokesperson for Le Bonheur Children's told Becker's: "As you can imagine, we are all pretty shocked and saddened by the news."

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville shared the following statement with Becker's: "We are saddened by the tragic incident that occurred at Campbell Clinic in Collierville, Tenn., yesterday. While it did not directly involve any of our employees, our hearts go out to Dr. Benjamin Mauck's family, the office staff and others who were nearby. Any violence against a healthcare professional affects all of us in the medical community.

"We are concerned about the increasing violence that we're experiencing as a nation and the effect that its having on us all. As an employer, first responders and caregivers, we are devastated and praying for an end to the violence. We will also be reaching out to other community leaders and organizations to identify helpful solutions to this ongoing issue. As we adjust to the changing reality happening in public spaces, hospitals and clinics, we are increasing our investment in security and working to enhance the safety and security of our facilities in a number of ways, including by conducting regular security patrols, ensuring our parking lots are lighted well, using advanced technology, such as Flock Safety License Plate Reader cameras, and collaborating with police departments."
This image, provided by the Seoul city government, shows Mayor Oh Se-hoon, left, inspecting the city's disaster monitoring office in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap



Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon instructed city officials Thursday to do their utmost to prevent any safety accidents as torrential rain of up to 400 millimeters was forecast nationwide, including the capital.



The Korea Meteorological Administration said heavy rain is expected to drench the country through Saturday. South Chungcheong and North Jeolla Province, in particular, are forecast to experience downpours of more than 400 mm through Saturday.



Southern parts of Gyeonggi Province, southern inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon Province, and North Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang Province may also see more than 300 mm of rain, it said.



The wider capital area and parts of Gangwon Province are predicted to experience torrential rain of up to 80 mm per hour between Thursday and Friday morning, the weather agency also said. Precipitation of up to 150 mm has been forecast for Seoul through Friday.



As of Thursday noon, a heavy rain advisory had been in place across the capital.



"I assume tonight is likely to be the peak of the latest monsoon," Oh told city officials, instructing them to stay vigilant in an effort to prevent any safety accidents from the downpour.



The major also visited the city government's disaster monitoring office to inspect the city's readiness against flooding and other rain-related accidents.



"Given the experience last year, basement spaces, such as semi-basement homes and underground roads, are most vulnerable," the mayor said, urging preemptive inspections of subway stations, downhill areas and other places particularly prone to flooding to stave off any human damage from heavy rain. (Yonhap)


Healthcare revenue cycle company Imagine360 is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit that alleges the company failed to protect private health information and personal data in the wake of a data breach.

According to Imagine360's website, the company identified unusual activity on or around Jan. 30 within third-party file sharing platform Citrix. Imagine360 uses Citrix to securely exchange files related to self-insurance plans. In response, Imagine360 terminated access to the platform, reset passwords and confirmed the security of its environment because the platform is hosted externally.

The company then launched an investigation to determine the full nature and scope of the breach, according to the website. Around Feb. 3, a third-party vendor that owns and manages another third-party file sharing platform used by Imagine360 notified the company of a data security incident. Forta said an unauthorized person copied data maintained in the platform belonging to multiple organizations, including Imagine360.

Imagine360 worked with Forta to gather more information about the incident and also conducted an internal investigation, according to the site. Imagine360 learned files were copied from both platforms between Jan. 28 and 30. The information identified in the affected files included names, medical information, health insurance information and Social Security numbers.

The lawsuit, filed in Pennsylvania federal court, alleges the company knew of the vulnerability before the hack and as such could have prevented the breach. The suit also alleges Imagine360 failed to comply with industry standards to protect highly sensitive personally identifiable information and protected health information.






Aurora, Colo.-based UCHealth and Pueblo, Colo.-based Parkview Health System were expecting to close their combination by the middle of 2023, but the proposed move has been delayed due to "regulatory matters," according to a July 12 filing.

Parkview Health said in the filing it was committed to working through any regulatory hurdles but couldn't give an updated timeline for possible closing or even confirmation that the deal will eventually be consummated.

UCHealth, a 12-hospital system, said it would invest almost $200 million into Parkview Health once the acquisition is complete. The two systems announced the transaction Jan. 24.
A whistleblower case filed in 2017 against Medtronic recently became unsealed, CNBC reported July 12. The lawsuit accuses the medical device company of bribing employees at a Kansas VA hospital to buy "grossly excessive inventory."

The suit centers on how Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Wichita, Kan., treated peripheral artery disease. To remove plaque buildup and restore blood flow in patients with the disease, usually one to two devices are deployed: peripheral drug-coated balloons and a peripheral stent.

The hospital allegedly used 17 devices for one procedure  all from Medtronic.

The whistleblower is Tom Schroeder, who was a Becton Dickinson sales manager when he filed the suit and is now an area vice president, according to CNBC. He said he heard rumors of Medtronic bribing healthcare workers to purchase and use unnecessary devices.

Medtronic told CNBC Mr. Schroeder's claims are false.

In 2018, the hospital launched an independent investigation without knowledge of Mr. Schroeder's lawsuit after the medical director noticed high spending in one department. The medical center uncovered more than $5 million in extra costs.

Read more here about the ongoing case.
For a decade, California's number of emergency departments dwindled as the state grew in population, leading to longer ED wait times in a state of 39 million people, according to a UCSF study published in JAMA.

From 2011 to 2021, 3.8 percent of California's EDs closed, and the number of ED visits rose by 7.4 percent, according to the study. The number of hospital beds fell by 2.5 percent as the population grew 4.2 percent.

As the state lost 13 of its 339 EDs, visits deemed severe with threat increased 67.8 percent.

"Capacity has largely failed to match the rise in patient demand," Renee Hsia, MD, the lead author and an emergency medicine professor at UCSF, said in a news release.
Deficiencies at California Medical Center in Los Angeles led to the death of a patient hours after she had a C-section in March, according to a newly released investigation from state regulators.

The findings are from a survey the California Department of Public Health completed in April and authorized by CMS. According to the investigation, the hospital, owned by Dignity Health, missed signs that the patient was bleeding internally. This led to the patient returning to the operating room four hours later for suspected internal bleeding. She died later that day and an autopsy indicated her cause of death as post cesarean section hemorrhage. More than a dozen deficiencies were listed in the report, including that the hospital did not adequately maintain a quality assessment and performance improvement program.

CMS issued the facility an immediate jeopardy citation, which was later removed after the hospital submitted a plan to correct deficient practices.

"I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family for their unimaginable loss," California Medical Center President Alina Moran said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. "When there is an unexpected patient care outcome, we conduct a review of the care that was provided and work to identify opportunities for improvement."

"As part of our process, we have met with the family and shared the changes we have made and are making in order to prevent similar incidents  the safety of our patients remains our highest priority."

A hospital spokesperson told the news outlet it did not receive any fines related to the deficiencies.
After cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children spiked during the pandemic for reasons experts are still working to understand, now data shows MIS-C cases are declining so much they have all but disappeared, ABC News reported July 13.

Throughout the pandemic's duration, the CDC documented 9,499 cases of MIS-C and 79 related deaths. However, this past winter weekly cases only hovered around 10, according to ABC. The increase of cases during the pandemic linked COVID-19 positivity to the onset of MIS-C in some children.

Some research on the condition, which is known to cause inflammation of organs like the heart, lung, kidneys and even brain, suggests that its cause could be genetic, making some children more prone to it than others. The condition is also notoriously underreported in children, a separate study found.

"We had a protocol and an algorithm that we followed at our hospital, like many other hospitals, and if there was concern that a patient had MIS-C, back in the early days from 2020 through 2021, we would get a phone call on our infectious disease service," Samuel Dominguez, MD, PhD, an associate professor of pediatrics at Children's Hospital Colorado told ABC News. "And we were receiving many phone calls a week evaluating children's MIS-C and treating children for MIS-C, and now, it's almost unheard of. I can't remember the last time we got a call with any concerns for of MIS-C. So, that's really good news."

While experts are unclear exactly what is now causing a steep decline in MIS-C cases, some suggest that COVID-19 immunity  from both infection and vaccinations  have increased protection and as a result, have stopped triggering the onset of the condition in pediatric patients.

Experts also believe newer variants causing less severe infections may also be a factor. Certain variants have also shown differences in leading to MIS-C cases. The condition surged during the widespread delta variant, but was not as prevalent with omicron, according to ABC.
Health systems across the country have outsourced administrative functions to UnitedHealth Group's Optum in an effort to cut costs and streamline operations.

One of those systems is Cooperstown, N.Y.-based Bassett Healthcare Network, a rural, integrated organization with five hospitals and a medical group that employs 630 clinicians.

In 2021, Bassett tapped Optum to provide IT and revenue cycle management services. As part of the deal, 500 Bassett employees performing in-house functions had the opportunity to transition to Optum as their employer.

Optum has previously inked similar partnerships with St. Louis-based SSM Health, Greenbrae, Calif.-based MarinHealth, Boulder (Colo.) Community Health, Walnut Creek, Calif.-based John Muir Health, Brewer, Maine-based Northern Light Health, Owensboro (Ky.) Health and Tacoma, Wash.-based Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.

Mike Valli, president of Optum's Northeast Region, previously told Becker's that Optum is poised to enter into similar partnerships this year.

"I would not be surprised if that's what you see in 2023," he said.

Becker's sat down with Tommy Ibrahim, MD, president and CEO of Bassett Healthcare, to learn more about what the health system's partnership with Optum has achieved more than two years later.

Question: In 2021, you were one of the first health systems in the country to outsource some operations to Optum. What were the main challenges facing Bassett that led you to this decision?

Dr. Tommy Ibrahim: For us, it was a reflection over what we are going to be as we evolve into the future and identifying what our core competencies are as an organization. More importantly, identifying the non-core competencies that we've tried to manage on our own, and quite candidly, opportunities that we've left on the table. When we went through that honest assessment, it became glaringly obvious with things like information technology, our ability to recruit talent, and being able to address critical gaps in cybersecurity.

In some of the other key areas like revenue cycle, we knew early on we had to inject automation and other technological advances to help streamline the friction in the system, and that requires expertise and capital  two things that are very scarce for a rural healthcare system.

Q: It's been more than two years since the partnership went into effect. What have been some of the main takeaways from your collaboration?

TI: By no means is the partnership perfect, and there are still friction points that we continue to work through to get to the ideal future we envisioned going into it. Having said that, there are very clear performance indicators and service level agreements that we've put around each of the key areas, and Optum continues to deliver on the initial goals and outcomes that we targeted going into the partnership.

There was also a significant ROI benefit going into the partnership because a lot of it is over a 10-year term, and we're now starting to see those benefits come online. We did have immediate savings because of the scale they were able to provide us, and we're starting to see improvements in the revenue cycle side of the equation as well. There's always more opportunities to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the relationship, but we've been very pleased with it because they've provided access to leading experts across a number of domains. We're a better organization to have them than to not.

Q: A Maine health system with a similar Optum partnership said it expects to save $1 billion over 10 years. How much do you expect to save over the coming years through your collaboration?

TI: For us, it's about $250 million saved over the course of 10 years, so about a $25 million savings rate for us every year  we are trending positively toward that number right now.

Q: How have your employees responded to this collaboration?

TI: There's been a lot of change, and I think change is always difficult. If you layer the timing of our partnership with COVID-19, along with paradigm shifts that we've all had to experience in healthcare, that creates a lot of tension and heartburn for folks, and we've certainly seen some of that.

But for the most part, our employees have been treated very well in this process. We were very deliberate about making sure that no jobs were terminated as a result of this transition. We wanted to ensure people's compensation stayed the same or got better across the board. Most of all, what resonated a lot with people is that they're now part of an organization that could offer them much broader career opportunities in the future than we could. We've already seen folks who have moved up the ranks in this transition. So overall, things could always be better, but there's good cultural alignment and staff engagement, so things are mostly going really well.

Q: What would you say to other hospitals considering similar partnerships?

TI: For us, it was about customization. These partnerships are not and cannot be one size fits all because we are a very unique organization and a very unique community. We are a legacy-driven and historic organization that has been around for more than 100 years, so we wanted to preserve our identity and make sure there was cultural and strategic alignment. We went through a very deliberate due diligence process to ensure that all of those boxes were checked off.

I think the main decision-maker for me was Optum's ability to take a very tailored approach to meet our unique and specific needs. They didn't invoke a take it or leave it mindset, and they really worked with us to shape the partnership to how we felt it needed to be. We also wanted a single-source solution for some of these various areas. One individual partner that can do it all has been a big success factor for us.






Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that telehealth did not reduce costs or the number of future visits for patients with circulatory, respiratory or infectious diseases.

The researchers based their findings on patient visits from hospital outpatient clinics in Maryland from 2012 to 2021. Telehealth tools were effective at treating behavioral health conditions, metabolic disorders, dermatology and musculoskeletal disorders, according to a July 12 University of Texas at Austin news release.

Overall, the study did find that telehealth reduced outpatient costs by $239 per patient. However, clinicians could not accurately observe heart and lung conditions or deal with infections over video.

"People believed that telehealth would be the next big thing, the future of healthcare," Indranil Bardhan, PhD, a professor of information, risk and operations management, said in the release. "But our research shows that its impact is not as straightforward as people might think. It's more nuanced."
Following the fatal shooting of a Tennessee hand surgeon, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons expressed support for stronger protections for physicians and other healthcare professionals.

In a July 12 statement, AAOS President Kevin Bozic, MD, extended condolences to Dr. Mauck's family, Campbell Clinic and the Collierville, Tenn., community.

"Dr. Mauck was a dedicated physician, colleague and valued member of our orthopedic organization, and his commitment to healing and devotion to the well-being of his patients touched countless lives," Dr. Bozic said in the statement. "His death leaves an irreplaceable void."

Dr. Bozic also made a call to action to protect healthcare workers and their patients.

"We cannot stand by idly as threats of violence against our members and their patients proliferate with little consequence," he wrote. "A physician's office should be a safe haven for physicians, healthcare teams and patients, and we need to do all that we can to further prevent these tragedies now and in the future."

Gun violence against healthcare workers has increased globally, with 2022 being the worst year on record for personnel, according to the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition. And between 2011 to 2018, the rate of injuries from attacks against healthcare workers rose 63 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In a 2022 survey of AAOS members, 4 in 10 respondents said they experienced some type of violence within the last 12 months. Last year, spine surgeon Preston Phillips, MD, was fatally shot by a patient.

"The rise in workplace violence, coupled with its effects on healthcare workers and the inevitable consequences for society writ large, is of major concern to the AAOS and all healthcare stakeholders," Dr. Bozic said.
Orthopedic surgeon Preetinder Bhullar, MD, who served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, has joined Warren, Mich.-based Mendelson Kornblum Orthopedics Spine and Pain Specialists.

Dr. Bhullar specializes in hip and knee replacements and will treat chronic joint pain at Mendelson Kornblum.

Prior to medical school, Dr. Bhullar was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force, where he served as an attending orthopedic surgeon in the military with the rank of major, according to a July 13 press release.

He received an Air Force Commendation Medal for performing so many successful life-saving surgeries. Dr. Bhullar is a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Society of Military of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
A man with an umbrella observes water being pumped into a stream in Seoul's Guro District, Thursday, as a heavy rain warning was issued for the capital. Yonhap



By Jun Ji-hye



Seoul and other inland regions of the country including South Chungcheong Province are expected to see continued heavy rain until this weekend, as the country comes under the influence of a new stationary front, the state-run weather agency said, Thursday.



The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) called for thorough preparation in advance in order to minimize rain damage, as "successive rainfall in recent weeks has already weakened building foundations and increased the levels of streams."



According to the KMA, 30 to 80 millimeters of rain per hour soaked Seoul and other parts of the country throughout the day on Thursday.



The weather agency issued a heavy rain advisory for the greater Seoul area and Chungcheong regions, and a heavy rain warning for Osan, Gyeonggi Province.



The agency forecasts Seoul and its surrounding areas, including Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, will continue to receive strong rain, a maximum of 250 millimeters, accompanied by lightning and thunder, until this weekend.






Memphis, Tenn.-based Campbell Clinic has reopened most of its offices two days after one of its surgeons was fatally shot at the practice's Collierville location.

All offices except the Collierville location resumed operations, a spokesperson said in a July 13 email to Becker's. Additional security measures and patrols have been implemented at all locations. Local law enforcement were also tapped to increase patrols near Campbell Clinic's locations.

Collierville police are investigating the fatal shooting of hand surgeon Benjamin Mauck, MD. He was killed in an exam room, and a suspect is in custody.
While spine surgery has evolved significantly in recent decades, there are still some old ideas that stick in the industry. Eight spine surgeons discuss the outdated practices that remain today.

Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. Becker's invites all spine surgeon and specialist responses.

Next week's question: What's the best investment you've made at your practice?

Please send responses to Carly Behm at cbehm@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. CDT Wednesday, July 19.

Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.

Question: What's an outdated idea or technique in spine surgery that still persists today?

Brian Fiani, DO. Mendelson Kornblum Orthopedic & Spine Specialists (West Bloomfield, Mich.): An outdated spine surgery technique is iliac crest autologous bone graft harvesting. There are a number of complications related with harvesting iliac crest bone graft, including "donor site pain." I have not seen any people performing this today, but if it is then reconsideration should be given.

Brian Gantwerker, MD. The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: Performing in-situ fusions is still done occasionally. I rarely see this in any second opinions I have done  I do occasionally see patients who are more recently post-op. I am fairly certain the practice is done in vanishingly small numbers and really hope folks who do still do it will switch over to using instrumentation, or refer the patients out.

Chester Donnally, MD. Texas Spine Consultants (Dallas): I will often send patients to pain management outside of my group, closer to their home, only to learn that they were offered surgery with an interspinous clamp. I think these have a very very limited role in 2023 spine surgery.

Mohammed Khan, MD. New Jersey Brain and Spine (Hackensack): Spine surgery still clings to an outdated idea that extensive spinal fusion is often necessary, despite evidence supporting the effectiveness of non-fusion alternatives with fewer risks. Some medical practices continue to hold onto the traditional mindset of defaulting to fusion as the primary treatment option.

Richard Kube II, MD. Prairie Spine & Pain Institute (Peoria, Ill.): I am still surprised to encounter patients who have been treated by other spine surgeons who do not believe in sacro-iliac joint pain. While that was more common ten years or more ago, there is such a wealth of literature today that it is hard to justify that thought. To those surgeons, the SIJ must be that one magical joint in the body that cannot cause pain. While treatment recommendations may differ, on face value, it makes no sense to deny the diagnosis exists.

Vladimir Sinkov, MD. Sinkov Spine (Las Vegas): There are a lot of spine surgeons that still perform traditional open posterior lumbar fusions through a large midline incision with significant soft tissue dissection. The minimally invasive lumbar fusion techniques, tools and equipment have been improved significantly over the past 20 years. Minimally invasive spine surgery is technically more demanding and requires additional training, but it offers significant benefits to the patients over the traditional techniques including much lower blood loss, lower risk of infections, shorter hospital stay, less postoperative pain, and quicker recovery.

Noam Stadlan, MD. NorthShore Neurological Institute and NorthShore Spine Center (Evanston and Skokie, Ill.): Prior to the development of instrumentation, spinal bony fusion was the only way to assure stability. The initial hardware was developed to assist in fusion. Surgical success was defined and dependent on fusion. Fusion can have unwanted side effects, specifically loss of motion and adjacent level disease. Motion preservation devices are a step towards addressing these issues. But putting those devices aside, our current fixation hardware may have the potential to provide adequate fixation even without solid fusion. In other words, perhaps a stable pseudoarthrosis can be an acceptable or even desired outcome in some (certainly not all) cases. Our fixation (pun intended) on fusion as the only desired outcome in all instrumentation cases may be an outdated idea, or at least one that we should revisit.

Christian Zimmerman, MD. St. Alphonsus Medical Group and SAHS Neuroscience Institute (Boise, Idaho): One of the constantly discussed issues in complex spinal disorders and its past evaded definition is the concept of adjacent segment failure/disease and its accelerated degenerative processes following fusion of the lumbar spine. It is author acknowledged at approximately 10 percent to 14 percent, whereby this locking of the spine's segmental forces compensatory changes to the adjacent proximate levels. The stressors and loads to these upper/lower vertebrae force the intervertebral disc to degenerate and lead to the ASD condition. Many biomedical implants have been designed and marketed to address this phenomena, with little success and in most experienced practitioners.
Its one of the most celebrated gay bars in Belfast and now The Maverick is reaching for greater heights with plans for a rooftop bar.

Owner John McElhatton has applied for planning permission from Belfast City Council for extensions to the first and second storey of the venue, as well as for a rooftop bar and other alterations. His move was first revealed by the Irish News.

According to the plans lodged on the Department for Infrastructures planning portal, GMR Architects has been appointed to work on the project.

The Maverick, on the corner of Donegall Street and Union Street, opened in 2013. Its now a popular night-time venue known for cabaret and craic nights featuring drag queens such as Onya Becks and Chrissy Toxicity.

Read more Bigger hotel planned for site of failed George Best project

Mr McElhatton previously operated traditional pub The Front Page on the site, pulling in drinkers from the nearby offices of the Irish News, Belfast Telegraph and News Letter.

Its location on Donegall Street had meant it became known as Belfasts Fleet Street, although all three have now left the area.

The Irish News was the last of the three newspapers to depart, upping sticks this year for a new home on Fountain Street.

The localitys closeness to the new Ulster University campus means its now the site of several blocks of student accommodation. The old Irish News offices were bought by Ulster University.

But, in a nod to the old days, The Maverick building includes a small pub called The Reporter and is decorated with pictures of distinguished journalists from over the years.

If planning permission is obtained for The Maverick, it will mark another milestone in the areas more recent status as a centre for gay nightlife.

Belfasts most famous gay venue is Kremlin on Donegall Street, which opened in 1999. The complex also includes Union Street Bar and The Shoe Factory Social Club.

Kremlin went on the market in 2014 for 3m and is now owned by Anthea Wilson of Anthology.
Local firms hope cheaper housing and a post-Brexit customs deal will give them an edge over their counterparts in the Republic as they make a push for new business.

A mission by Hospitality Ulster, Manufacturing NI and Retail NI under the banner of Trade NI is in Dublin today to meet Tanaiste Micheal Martin to deliver a positive message about Northern Irelands bright prospects.

Stephen Kelly of Manufacturing NI said: Weve a great ability in the north to talk ourselves down. Were embarrassed about the unique proposition that we actually have and that we can take to the world. But this place has actually transformed in the last 25 years.

A new report for Trade NI by consultants BDO says economic output has more than doubled in the years since the Good Friday Agreement. The number of tech jobs has also doubled.

Trade NI is eyeing even more opportunities since the Windsor Framework was agreed in February.

It creates a green lane for goods coming from Britain, including simpler rules for mixed loads of food products, based on a trusted trader scheme.

Meanwhile, exporters here will not face the same UK customs controls applying from January for firms in the Republic.

Mr Kelly added: Its going to become much more difficult for Irish traders to send stuff to Great Britain, particularly for food and medicines, but its not for us. So our proposition actually strengthens as the UK beds down its external borders.

The cost of housing is also playing into Trade NIs business plan.

He said: We have an availability of housing stock that is a fraction of the price it would be in other parts of Ireland. That is potentially a threat to the scale of Irelands economic ambitions.

One of Trade NIs big asks if a new Executive was formed would be to match the Republics 12.5% corporation tax, and to lower VAT on hospitality and tourism.

If that were done, Belfast would be stiff competition for Dublin, Mr Kelly argued.

Trade NIs vision is for Northern Ireland to become the very best place in these islands to locate, start and scale up a business.

We have a skilled workforce, a pipeline of talent from our higher and further education institutions, dual market access to the UK and EU, and emerging clusters in new industries

But there is so much more we can achieve if we get the fundamental building blocks in place.
Former DUP leader Arlene Foster has said her biggest regret when at the helm of the party was not pulling the plug on the confidence and supply arrangements which allowed the Conservative Party to hold on to power.

Mrs Foster appeared on the These Times podcast with UnHerd political editor Tom McTague and Cambridge professor Helen Thompson.

In the episode, named Come on Arlene: An interview with Arlene Foster, she disputes that the Republic is wealthier than Britain, arguing that UK money going into the EU was then funnelled back to the Republic to help build roads.

At one point the Brexit referendum of June 2016 is mentioned after which Theresa May became Prime Minister.

In December 2017 the Conservative Party had no majority and a confidence and supply agreement was made with the DUP to keep the Conservatives in power.

As negotiations evolved between the EU and UK Government it was agreed there would be no land border.

Ms Foster didnt find out about this from the PM but from European contacts and she accused the Republic of pushing the whole issue knowing the implications it would have for NI and couldnt believe their luck when the UK Government did sign it.

She rang the PM to express her dissatisfaction with this arrangement saying, we couldnt accept it.

Ms May was said to be quite shocked the DUP had a difficulty with it.

The whole point about the confidence and supply agreement from a Northern Ireland perspective, first of all from a nation perspective, we wanted to support her to try and get Brexit done, but of course in that respect it was to protect Northern Ireland as well, Baroness Foster explained.

By the way, this whole thing that it was a surprise that the DUP under me supported Brexit  the DUP have always been anti-European, right from their inception...as were Sinn Fein but they did a flip-flop, as they do with a number of issues from abortion to everything else.

Asked if she had concerns about a border issue at that time, Ms Foster said she had been an economy minister for seven years and saw the way in which the dead hand of Europe had been negative in relation to innovation and enterprise and we couldnt intervene to help companies because of state aid rules.

Those state aid rules remain with the Protocol, listeners were told. She wanted sovereignty and felt the EU was a drag on NI.

Ms Foster disputed that the Republic is wealthier than GB saying Mr McTague must visit different parts to her.

She added that the Republic was, until recently, a net beneficiary from the EU, claiming money from the UK was going to the EU, back into the Republic to have all of those nice roads that we now have.

Distancing NI from the Republic was not the DUPs primary motivation for supporting Brexit, she said.

Looking back, Ms Foster said the genesis of the Protocol, and cause of all the problems today, is in ex-PM Ms Mays negotiation stance.

Thats where we are, because of what she agreed at that time back in 2017, is the reason (why) were here today.

The lesson is that we shouldve pushed to be more involved in the negotiations which she didnt allow us to get in to.

The lesson is that we shouldve probably pulled the plug in terms of the confidence and supply agreement.

Read more Political unionism is isolated  it is time to win friends and influence people

Asked if it was her biggest regret, Ms Foster said: It is actually. We wanted Brexit to happen for the whole of the UK. We were looking at the wider national picture. We were trying to stay with it to make sure that it happened.

And all the while Theresa May had basically sold the pass in relation to Northern Ireland and that caused us to be where we are today.

The dye was cast then (for Boris Johnson) and he continued on the trajectory, made a lot of promises in relation to, oh well, dont worry about that, well deal with that, ignore it, and all this sort of thing.

And we knew. We dont feel duped because we knew what was going to happen. We warned him what was going to happen. We spoke to HMRC, we knew what was going to happen. He dismissed it all.

While Ms Foster still has a good relationship with Boris, she feels terribly let down by Mr Johnson and said it was part of the reason why I was taken out as leader and taken out as First Minister.

As part of an advisory panel to Jeffrey Donaldson, she acknowledged the Windsor Framework is an improvement on the Protocol but there are still many difficulties with it in terms of practical issues and of course that issue that goes to the heart of the Protocol around the place of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom.

She said if the DUP goes back into government it will be implementing EU laws and would be pulling the Stormont brake every day of the week.
The bonfire on the Portaferry Road in Newtownards

A former Sinn Fein MLA and current employee of a human rights group has been criticised for posting a meme on Twitter that appears to mock a man who was seriously injured after falling from a bonfire.

Paul Butler has since deleted the Tweet, which appeared to make fun of an incident at an Eleventh Night event.

Footage of the incident in Newtownards on Tuesday night showed the man falling from a bonfire in the Portaferry Road area of the town.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance. It is understood he suffered a punctured lung, broken ribs and injuries to his hip.

Read more Man taken to hospital after reported fall from bonfire in Newtownards

Mr Butler, a former Sinn Fein MLA for Lagan Valley and councillor, subsequently posted a meme on Twitter appearing to reference the incident. Mr Butler is employed by Relatives for Justice, a human rights group which works with relatives of people bereaved or injured through conflict-related violence during the Troubles.

The meme shows a young child sitting on her fathers knee asking him what he did for God and Ulster, to which the father replies he climbed up a bonfire to burn an Irish flag and jumped off and shattered his legs.

Another child in the image comments: F***ing legend.

Mr Butler had commented: A legend, accompanied by three laughing emojis.

After the Belfast Telegraph published a story on Thursday morning, the Tweet was deleted. Sinn Fein said everyone has a responsibility to be respectful on social media.

But there was criticism, with some responses branding his Tweet disgusting and hitting out at the former IRA prisoner for mocking a young lad with serious injuries.

DUP MLA Philip Brett said: Regardless of your views on bonfires, a young lad is in hospital receiving treatment and the best Sinn Fein can do is mock the lad.

"Paul Butlers attitude speaks volumes about Sinn Feins world view. They couldnt give two hoots about people with a British identity.

"For Paul Butler to be working in the victims sector and making these comments should give rise to concern amongst good Northern Ireland folks who just want to get on with their neighbours. His attempt at humour is quite sick.

"I wish the lad a speedy recovery.

Mr Butler was jailed aged 17 after he confessed to the murder of RUC reserve constable John Rodgers in Glengormley in 1974. He served almost 15 years of a life sentence. Mr Rodgers (50) was killed by a single bullet fired at him and a colleague near the Glen Inn.

He later served as Sinn Feins group leader on the former Lisburn City Council and one term as an MLA for Lagan Valley.

According to the Relatives for Justice website, Mr Butler is a former legislator who supports and assists families to identify, document and record the violations they have experienced.

"He assists families with accessing the public records that exist around the violations, including supporting the families to engage the available mechanisms for redress, the brief biography on the website states.

This is a very hands on role which focuses on the needs of those who have suffered harms. Every part of the work is carried out at the pace of the family themselves.

In relation to the post, a Sinn Fein spokesperson said: Everyone has a responsibility to be respectful on social media. Over the last three years we have seen a number of tragedies related to dangerous and unregulated bonfires.

One man has lost his life and two more have been seriously injured as a result of accidents at these bonfires. Peoples safety must be paramount.

All other construction is carried out in compliance with health and safety standards. It is well past time for bonfires to be legally regulated in line with health and safety standards to bring an end to death and serious injury or damage to property and the environment.

Police, the Fire Service and the Ambulance Service all attended Tuesday nights bonfire incident.

It is understood the man involved was conscious after the fall as he was transported to hospital.

The Ambulance Service said it received an emergency call just after 10pm and dispatched a rapid response paramedic and an emergency crew to the scene.

A PSNI spokesperson said at the time: Police responded to a report of an incident at a bonfire in the Portaferry Road area of Newtownards July 11. One person has been taken to hospital.

Last year a bonfire builder in Larne died after falling off a pyre in the Antiville area of the town days before it was due to be lit. The bonfire was later dismantled as a mark of respect to the victim.

Mr Butler and Relatives for Justice have been contacted for comment.
Indian PM leaves for official visits to France, UAE

Xinhua) 14:12, July 13, 2023

NEW DELHI, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday left for official visits to France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

During his visit to France, Modi will attend the celebrations of the French National Day, or Bastille Day, in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, the country's Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra told the media on Wednesday.

"This year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership," Modi said in his departure statement.

India and France will enhance cooperation across various domains including space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment and culture, he added.

From Paris, Modi will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, the UAE, for an official visit on July 15.

The UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Modi expressed his anticipation of exchanging views on enhancing global cooperation to facilitate energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)


By Sandip Kumar Mishra



Digitalization has overwhelmed almost every human sphere. Political, economic, administrative, cultural and other domains of human life have changed substantially through the revolution in information and communication technologies (ICT).



Digitalization has re-charted relations between individuals, communities, states and non-state actors. Digitalization has led to the emergence of various forces, which try to disrupt the liberal order and peace and prosperity of the world. There are vested interests from big corporations, illiberal regimes and disruptive forces that have become more active and threatening in the present digital order.



There are at least four important tools that many non-liberal forces in the world use and that threaten the existing digital order. These four important tools are information control, fake news, surveillance and technology governance. Through these mechanisms, stability, transparency, trust and productivity at the domestic and global levels might be disrupted and destroyed.



More recent developments in the digital revolution such as generative artificial intelligence have further complicated the issue of governance. For example, software like ChatGPT would complicate copyright and intellectual property rights and in a self-driving vehicle, it would be difficult to establish responsibility in the case of accidents.



Thus, the statement of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on June 21 during the Paris Digital Vision Forum at Sorbonne University is quite important. He said that there must be an international agency that should set the rules of the global digital order. Yoon further proposed that to have consensus and legitimacy of such an agency it could be associated with a relevant U.N. body. Although Yoon did not say it in his speech, it seems that not only setting rules but the agency should also work as a watchdog to ensure that these rules are being followed by state as well as non-state entities. Yoon's Paris Initiative stated that the global digital order would seek to expand freedom, guarantee free transactions, narrow the digital divide, and ensure fair access and compensation.



Actually, President Yoon first made such a proposal in September 2022 in New York and he repeated it in a special address at Davos in January 2023. During his visit to the U.S. in April 2023, Yoon mentioned the global digital order in his speech at Harvard University. At the domestic level, South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) announced on May 2, 2023, that it would work for the "new digital order" and "establish the digital bill of rights to define the vision, goals, universal values and rights of humanity, and obligations of citizens, companies and the government, as well as principles for the resolving digital issues," by September 2023.



Thus, the Paris Initiative is basically the most recent extension of his proposal regarding a rule-making body for the global digital order. It is indeed an important proposal that must be collectively acted upon. However, at the global level, the establishment of such an agency and its functioning is going to be quite challenging. Even if there cannot be a dispute about the need for such an agency, it would not be easy to bring China, Russia and other such countries on board. It is quite obvious that the main challengers of the U.S.-led but diversified liberal digital order are China and Russia.



Actually, China launched its Digital Silk Road (DSR) initiative within its Belt Road Initiative in 2015. China talked about connectivity but several other critical areas were not addressed in the Chinese initiative such as universal access, transparency and liberal ethics. Several other states have quite opposite directions and goals in the global digital order. They would not be willing to give up their non-transparent and unethical-illegal acts. Even OECD countries are going to have their reservations as there are cases that these countries or companies of these countries got benefits from due to the existing order.



The next big challenge for such a body would be the different levels of capacities in ICT among the countries. Establishing a universal rule book with wide representation is, however, not impossible but it is definitely not easy. Another problem would be the mechanism needed to ensure compliance with the rules. There must be bodies through which constant vigil of any violation of the rules of the digital order could be maintained. Furthermore, they need to decide on issues regarding the violation with the rules: who and how violations will be addressed. There could be mechanisms for sanctions and other means to ensure compliance of the rules.



Overall, it is undoubtedly a welcome proposal of South Korea to have a rule-making agency for the digital order but it would not be easy at the contested international level. For this other countries must also come forward and work diligently and sincerely.





The author is associate professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India and could be reached at sandipmishra10@gmail.com.


Pacemaker Press 13-07-2023: Tens of thousands of visitors converged on the charming Co Down village for the traditional celebrations, which seen a parade of 4,000 members of the Royal Black Institution and around 70 bands. Scarva is renowned for hosting the biggest one-day event, at a single location, anywhere in Northern Ireland. The mock battle between rival monarchs William and James and the large-scale procession through Scarva. Picture By: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

Pacemaker Press 13-07-2023: Tens of thousands of visitors converged on the charming Co Down village for the traditional celebrations, which seen a parade of 4,000 members of the Royal Black Institution and around 70 bands. Scarva is renowned for hosting the biggest one-day event, at a single location, anywhere in Northern Ireland. The mock battle between rival monarchs William and James and the large-scale procession through Scarva.

Thousands of spectators attend the annual Sham Fight and Royal Black Institution parade in Scarva, Co. Down. The event is a theatrical re-enactment of the victory of William III of Orange over the Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in1690.

Pacemaker Press 13-07-2023: Tens of thousands of visitors converged on the charming Co Down village for the traditional celebrations, which seen a parade of 4,000 members of the Royal Black Institution and around 70 bands. Scarva is renowned for hosting the biggest one-day event, at a single location, anywhere in Northern Ireland. The mock battle between rival monarchs William and James and the large-scale procession through Scarva. Will and sister Georgia Gardiner pictured with dog Carson.

Pacemaker Press 13-07-2023: Tens of thousands of visitors converged on the charming Co Down village for the traditional celebrations, which seen a parade of 4,000 members of the Royal Black Institution and around 70 bands. Scarva is renowned for hosting the biggest one-day event, at a single location, anywhere in Northern Ireland. The mock battle between rival monarchs William and James and the large-scale procession through Scarva.

The sun beamed down on Scarva today as the village welcomed tens of thousands of visitors to the famous Sham Fight between William of Orange and King James.

The annual parade and re-enactment in the Co Down village is the only one of its kind remaining on the island of Ireland.

But the outcome followed tradition  a decisive win for William  much to the delight of the huge crowd.

John Adair, who has been playing the role of William at Scarva for 30 years said the Sham Fight continues to thrill generations of people.

King William wins as sham fight attracts around 100,000 visitors to Scarva

Thats what makes our day, seeing all the families out, enjoying the sunshine and enjoying what we are doing here today, he said.

Despite being the overwhelming favourite every year, Mr Adair is always pleased to win.

Every victory is the same, its no different than the first one, its just great to manage to get the same result again! he laughed.

Mr Adair thoroughly enjoys the Sham Fight and hopes to celebrate at Scarva for years to come.

Its the fun of it and going down through the crowds and the atmosphere thats there just brings the whole thing to life for a great family day, he said.

His counterpart Colin Cairns has been playing King James for over 25 years - and lost the lot.

Paul Berry with his family

And he isnt expecting a change in fortune any time soon.

Every year is special for me, he said. As long as the weather is good and everyone enjoys themselves, I think it is a real family day and I think everyone does go home that wee bit happier.

Mr Cairns would love a King James win one day  but isnt holding his breath.

I would love to beat him some day, he added.

"I was thinking, if I really counted and after doing it for 25 years and I didnt win one battle - theres something going wrong.

"But I think if I actually beat King William there would be an almighty row!

The Sham Fight was preceded by a parade of 4,000 members of the Royal Black Institution, accompanied by flute, pipe, accordion and brass bands, and some bands visiting from Scotland.

Visitors travelled from near and far to attend, with some travelling 50 miles or more first thing this morning to grab a good spot on the Gilford Road on the way into the village to watch the bands perform prior to the fight.

Emily Morton

Among those in the village were Paul Berry, an independent councillor, and his family.

Obviously this is a family day out, like every year here in Scarva, just like the Twelfth of July, he said.

And we love coming here, this is a very important day in our calendar in the year.

Mr Berry said Scarva is a special day in the parading calendar.

He added: Scarva's a very important day in the calendar for all of us in the Black Preceptory, but also as a family because it's a brilliant Preceptory day out for people from all across Co Armagh, Co Down and other areas, he said.

Theres thousands here that have lined the street of Scarva once again. The sun is out, its absolutely fantastic and the spectators have been absolutely fantastic too.

Mr Berry said he has always loved attending Scarva with his family.

Stephanie Moorhead

Theres a great turnout of bands, preceptories and families, he added. I've been marching with the Royal Black Preceptory for 25 years now, so I think Ive well put my time in for it. So you just get used to it and its enjoyable.

Emily Morton (8) is from outside Poyntzpass, Co Armagh, and she enjoys coming to Scarva every year.

Her favourite part of the day is watching the parade.

I love to see the bands, she said.

Despite the popularity of the Sham Fight, Emily is not a fan, adding: I think its scary.

Stephanie Moorhead (37) is from Scarva and she never misses an opportunity to celebrate the Thirteenth there.

Ive been coming here since I was a child, since I was my two children's age, which means I've been coming here for thirty odd years, she said.

Stephanie is pleased that Scrava stayed dry for the celebrations today: Its good, when its sunny its good.

To her, the celebrations at Scrava are a lovely way to see loved ones she hasnt seen in a long time.

You get to see all your friends and family you havent seen since years and years ago, so it is good to get a chance to see everybody, she said.

Nathan Little (16) from Banbridge enjoys watching the parade in Scarva.

I come to Scarva every year, Ive been coming for as long as I can remember, he said.

Johnny Woods (10) is also from Banbridge and visits Scarva every year.

I like going to all the stalls and seeing whats there, he said.
NIE condemns social media video of pro-IRA chanting in front of bonfire

The PSNI has received no reports in relation to a video of a man saying pro-IRA chants beside a unionist bonfire site.

The video in question appeared as the Twelfth was celebrated in 18 locations across Northern Ireland.

There has been widespread criticism of the video with the DUP saying only a twisted mind would sing about the IRA.

It lasts for approximately five seconds and appears to show a man wearing a hard hat and coat with the Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) logo.

He records himself saying up the RA, shhh, up the RA while laughing.

Another man also comes into the camera shot, and also appears to be wearing NIE Networks branded clothing. He is featured for a brief moment.

The DUPs infrastructure spokesman Phillip Brett condemned the footage.

This is a consequence of the lack of leadership from Sinn Fein where there is a continual glorification of the Provisional IRA, he said.

The IRA was responsible for some of the most depraved acts of violence that any man could inflict on another. Many of their victims were tortured and mutilated before death.

Only a very twisted mind would sing and chant about the IRA unless they had no knowledge of the IRAs history.

Read more NIE condemns social media video of pro-IRA chanting in front of bonfire

Sinn Fein has been contacted for further comment.

The PSNI confirmed to the Belfast Telegraph that no reports relating to the video have been made to police at this time.

Peter McReynolds, an Alliance Party MLA for east Belfast added that it is extremely disappointing to see someone once again using this phrase.

It hurts victims and offends a wide range of people, he said.

Its not appropriate to use this sectarian glorification and the more we see it happen, the more it becomes normalised. That is not acceptable.

Addressing the video, NIE Networks confirmed the man in the video is a member of its staff.

The company said it was launching a full internal investigation into the incident.

A spokesperson posted on social media: The video circulating on social media is deeply offensive, and NIE Networks condemns the content without reservation.

A full investigation into this matter is under way.

NIE Networks owns and operates the electricity transmission and distribution network in Northern Ireland. It serves over 900,000 homes, farms and businesses connected to the grid and employs around 1,400 people.
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 12: A female Orange lodge member waves as she takes part in the parade on July 12, 2023 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The marches celebrate the victory of the protestant King William of Orange over the catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 12: A young band member poses for a photograph before setting off on the parade on July 12, 2023 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The marches celebrate the victory of the protestant King William of Orange over the catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 12: Three Orange men take a selfie picture in front of a sign that reads Belfast before setting off on the parade on July 12, 2023 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The marches celebrate the victory of the protestant King William of Orange over the catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Drummers from the Rathcoole Protestant Flute Band take part in a Twelfth of July parade on Royal Avenue, in Belfast, part of the traditional Twelfth commemorations. The loyalist parades mark the anniversary of the Protestant King William's victory over the Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Picture date: Wednesday July 12, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Twelfth. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Members of the Orange Order take part in a Twelfth of July parade in Belfast, part of the traditional Twelfth commemorations. The loyalist parades mark the anniversary of the Protestant King William's victory over the Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Picture date: Wednesday July 12, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Twelfth. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Drummers from the Rathcoole Protestant Flute Band with a smoke flare at the Twelfth of July parade on Royal Avenue, in Belfast, part of the traditional Twelfth commemorations. The loyalist parades mark the anniversary of the Protestant King William's victory over the Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Picture date: Wednesday July 12, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Twelfth. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The procession in Rossnowlagh, Donegal, took place at the weekend, ahead of 18 processions across Northern Ireland on the Twelfth.

The Pride of Ardoyne flute band parading passed Ardoyne shops in north Belfast ahead of the annual Protestant loyalist order Twelfth of July parade. The loyalist parades are part of the traditional Twelfth commemorations marking the anniversary of the Protestant King William's victory over the Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Picture date: Wednesday July 12, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Twelfth. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The Pride of Ardoyne flute band parading past Ardoyne shops in north Belfast ahead of the annual Protestant loyalist order Twelfth of July parade.

Members of the Rathcoole Protestant Flute Band try to shelter from the rain at the Twelfth of July parade on Royal Avenue, in Belfast, part of the traditional Twelfth commemorations. The loyalist parades mark the anniversary of the Protestant King William's victory over the Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Picture date: Wednesday July 12, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story ULSTER Twelfth. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Members of the Rathcoole Protestant Flute Band try to shelter from the rain at the Belfast parade.

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JULY 12: An Orange band leader is seen balancing his baton on his nose during the parade on July 12, 2023 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The marches celebrate the victory of the protestant King William of Orange over the catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

B An Orange band member films himself during the Belfast parade

Chris Heaton-Harris, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland along with Carla Lockhart MP and Margaret Tinsley, Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge Craigavon Borough Council watch the parade at Brownlow House

Officers of Co. Fermanagh Grand Orange Lodge, Norman Donaldson, (front left), Deputy County Grand Master and Mervyn Byers, County Grand Master, with other Breathern as the row their way down Lower Lough Erne past Devenish Island to The Twelfth Demonstration in Ballinamallard.

Thousands of people taking part in Twelfth parades have now finished their return journey across Northern Ireland.

The main demonstrations took place at 18 venues, including Belfast, where frequent showers failed to dampen the spirits of the thousands gathered along the city streets.

There were also significant parades in Lurgan, Bangor, Co Down; Ballymena, Co Antrim; Ballinamallard, Co Fermanagh and Magherafelt, Co Londonderry.

Watch: Thousands line the streets of Belfast to watch Twelfth of July parades

Thousands of Orange Order members accompanied by 600 marching bands took part in the festivities to mark the 333rd anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

At the main demonstration in field at Barnetts Demesne, Orange Order Grand Secretary Mervyn Gibson also urged Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris to recognise the unresolved issues around the Northern Ireland Protocol and work towards a resolution.

Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris attended the parade in Lurgan, along with DUP MP Carla Lockhart.

In a tweet, Mr Heaton-Harris thanked the Orange Order for their invitation to attend.

Northern Ireland has a rich cultural tapestry and if it is to continue to make progress, it is vital that people across society show respect and tolerance for those who may hold opposing values, views and traditions to their own, he said.

Watch: The Belfast weather is terrible, but it is nice to see the Twelfth for the first time  says Carmen from Spain

The institutions Grand Master Edward Stevenson enjoyed the day in the village of Loughbrickland, Co Down.

These past few months have seen me visit many corners of our jurisdiction to see newly renovated halls, new banners being unfurled, as well as new band uniforms, and Lambeg drums being dedicated, he said.

And, more importantly, a resurgence in the junior Orange movement, with several new lodges established in recent months.

These are not the actions of a people who have given up: they are the actions of people who have stood up and who are investing in the future of their lodges and their community.

As Orangemen and women we need to learn to be more confident in our identity and culture. We have a proud heritage and a great story to tell.

We rightly cherish our history but also should look to the future with much optimism and with a clear sense of direction, ensuring that our cultural traditions remain relevant and continue to prosper in a contemporary world.

Read more The Twelfth 2023  in pictures

During the morning GB News coverage in Belfast, Deputy leader of the DUP Gavin Robinson took a break from marching in the parade to chat with host Dame Arlene.

The East Belfast MP said: Today is a really special day in the calendar.

We celebrate the glorious revolution, we celebrate the Bill of Rights, we celebrate all that was good in our country, he added.

This is a Christian demonstration. Its a political demonstration, its a historic demonstration.

Its colour and its pageantry and its fun.

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During the GB News coverage, Ms Foster, who was regularly greeted by the crowd watching the parade, added: Its good fun sitting here, Im getting shouted at all of the time but its all in good nature. Thats what todays all about  having fun, celebrating and being with your family. Its turned out rather wet but it hasnt dampened the spirits of us all.

Former Coronation Street actor Charlie Lawson was also reporting for GB News, out amongst the crowd as he struggled to deal with the sound of the bands reverberating against the Belfast city centre buildings: Weve found a junction so its a little bit more bearable for you  its bloody noisy!

After the coverage Dame Arlene confirmed she was off to Fermanagh for the rest of the day.

Twelfth parade gets underway in Belfast City Centre

The Northern Ireland Assembly have also confirmed Parliament buildings would be lit up orange to honour the occasion.

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On Tuesday night, the majority of an estimated 250 bonfires were lit in loyalist communities across the region to usher in the main date in the parading calendar.

The Battle of the Boyne in 1690, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin, saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.

Thousands of Orange lodge members parade through the summer months to mark Williams victory and other key dates in Protestant/unionist/loyalist culture.

Those celebrations culminate on the Twelfth.

July 13 will see another gathering, this time organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh. The event includes a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing King William and King Charles.
The Twelfth was celebrated in the usual colourful fashion on Wednesday, with scenes of dancing in the sun and singing in the rain playing out across 18 locations.

The controversy over the burning of an effigy of Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill at a bonfire in Dungannon was set aside for a few hours as tens of thousands of people turned out to mark one of the biggest days in the calendar.

The largest parade was in Belfast city centre, where the weather threw a little of everything at the spectators.

There were also major marches in Lurgan, Bangor, Ballymena, Ballinamallard and Magherafelt.

Speaking to crowds in Bangor, Orange Order Grand Secretary Mervyn Gibson urged Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris to recognise the unresolved issues around the Northern Ireland Protocol and work towards a resolution that could be accepted by opponents of the deal.

Rev Gibson also urged unionists to help foster grater cooperation between their political parties.

He said: He [Mr Heaton-Harris] was recently presented with an 18-page document highlighting issues of concern and offering potential political solutions.

It is clear that unionism is seeking solutions. We are not unreasonable people.

Watch: Thousands line the streets of Belfast to watch Twelfth of July parades

We want to see a successful Northern Ireland where all people can see the political, social and economic benefits of being an integral part of the UK.

We need unambiguous actions that acknowledge these issues, actions which address our concerns, as well as a proactive campaign of corrective action to repair the damage already caused to trading relationships within the UK internal market.

Mr Gibson also claimed Sinn that Fein did not want Northern Ireland to work.

Unionists must mobilise their vote, encourage cooperation between unionist parties and plan for the next Westminster election and a possible snap Assembly election, he said.

We all need to become persuaders for the Union, using our influence with our young people, our family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues.

Watch: The Belfast weather is terrible, but it is nice to see the Twelfth for the first time  says Carmen from Spain

Enjoying the celebrations in Loughbrickland, Orange Order Grand Master Edward Stevenson rejected claims the institution was in decline.

These past few months have seen me visit many corners of our jurisdiction to see newly renovated halls, new banners being unfurled, as well as new band uniforms, and Lambeg drums being dedicated, he said.

More importantly, [I have seen] a resurgence in the junior Orange movement, with several new lodges established in recent months.

These are not the actions of a people who have given up. They are the actions of people who have stood up and who are investing in the future of their lodges and their community.

As Orangemen and women, we need to learn to be more confident in our identity and culture. We have a proud heritage and a great story to tell.

We rightly cherish our history, but we also should look to the future with much optimism and with a clear sense of direction, ensuring that our cultural traditions remain relevant and continue to prosper in a contemporary world.

Lorna Dreaning with the Letterbreen Silver Band in Ballinamallard

Secretary of State Mr Heaton-Harris attended the Twelfth parade in Lurgan, along with DUP MP Carla Lockhart.

He also thanked the Orange Order for inviting him to the celebrations.

Northern Ireland has a rich cultural tapestry, and if it is to continue to make progress, it is vital that people across society show respect and tolerance for those who may hold opposing values, views and traditions to their own, Mr Heaton-Harris posted on Twitter.

Speaking to GB News, with Dame Arlene Foster leading live coverage of the Belfast parade on the channel, DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson said he was delighted to see the crowds out for the Twelfth.

Chris Heaton-Harris with Carla Lockhart, Armagh mayor Magaret Tinsley and Orange Order officers

The East Belfast MP added: Today is a really special day in the calendar.

We celebrate the Glorious Revolution, we celebrate the Bill of Rights, we celebrate all that was good in our country.

This is a Christian demonstration. Its a political demonstration, its a historic demonstration.

Its colour and its pageantry and its fun.

Reacting to the burning of her likeness in Dungannon, and a similar incident involving an effigy of Sinn Fein councillor Taylor McGrann in Rathcoole, Sinn Feins Ms ONeill told the people behind the stunts to catch themselves on.

The first minister designate added: Those attempting to cause offence with effigies should catch themselves on and join the rest of us in building a better future.

I am determined to be a first minister for all. I will represent the whole community irrespective of who you are and where you come from.
An effigy above a poster with the name of Sinn Fein councillorTaylor McGrann appeared on a bonfire in Newtownabbey (PA)

UUP leader Doug Beattie has said the actions of some over the Twelfth have shamed the entire unionist community.

His comments follow a series of incidents in recent days, including an Aontu councillor being targeted in a sectarian attack. The former paediatric nurses car was set on fire in an incident police are treating as a hate crime.

An image of First Minister designate Michelle ONeill was also burned on a bonfire in Dungannon in another incident being treated as a hate crime, while a hanging figure depicted young Sinn Fein councillor Taylor McGrann on a pyre in Rathcoole.

UUP leader Doug Beattie (Pic: Pacemaker Press)

Mr Beattie said: Over the last number of days we have seen the best of days and the worst of days.

Communities have celebrated both the 11th and 12th in the spirit that it was intended. They have attempted to make it inclusive, family orientated, a genuine community celebration.

Sadly, there are those within communities and our society who have completely undermined those celebrations with their actions belittling the Twelfth activities.

The placing of flags and effigies on bonfires, the assault of ambulance staff and the burning of a car belonging to a paediatric nurse and former election candidate for Aontu have shown the very worst in some people.

Eleven on-duty ambulance staff were also assaulted over an "unprecedented" six-hour period on the eve before and in the early hours of the Twelfth.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said that the assaults took place at four different locations, when crews were responding to calls to provide medical treatment to patients requiring assistance.

Read more NIAS condemns unprecedented number of assaults over Eleventh night

Mr Beattie also highlighted the hypocrisy of those who complain about the singing of pro-IRA songs but refuse to criticise those responsible for incidents over the Twelfth.

Those who complain around individuals singing pro IRA songs, itself hurtful to many victims, then remain silent when this activity takes place are hypocrites, he said.

"Those who stoke the fires of intolerance and hate must take responsibility for their actions and words.

As a unionist I want to promote our shared history, culture and traditions, but the actions of some shame us all.
A special policing plan is to be put in place at Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo later this month amid fears a number of feuding families could be involved in violent clashes at the pilgrimage site.

Sources say that gardai are closely monitoring the situation over concerns that individuals involved in a number of serious and complicated disputes could pitch up at the famous mountain under the guise of climbing it for charity.

Armed gardai may patrol Croagh Patrick on Saturday, July 22, if the threat level is deemed to be severe enough on the day, sources said last night.

There is so much concern about potential violence that Westport gardai are actively trying to determine who exactly will attend on the day and have requested information from officers nationwide about this.

The situation kicked off when an English-based former bareknuckle boxer and TV personality revealed on social media that he was going to climb what is known as Irelands holiest mountain to raise money for an orphanage.

This man is not involved in feuds or crime but sources say that some people involved in violent feuds, particularly in the west of Ireland, may take advantage of the high-profile personalitys fundraising rallying cry.

There are no concerns around this individual at all but what has now happened is that there are people who have been effectively at war with each other saying that they are going to be at Croagh Patrick to raise funds for various charities on the day, a source explained.

They are calling out other rivals to be in Co Mayo on the day and making challenges to each other  the big fear is that some of these rivals could come together on July 22 which could well mean extreme violence.

Some of those who could attend the religious peak are involved in bitter family feuds in counties Clare, Galway and Mayo where there have been multiple violent incidents in the past year.

Last December, Ennis District Court heard that up to 10 families were involved in different disputes in that Co Clare town alone in which there has been a number of shooting incidents and other violence.

Detectives in Co Mayo and Co Galway are investigating multiple suspects under Operation Trinomial in an attempt to tackle feuding families in Connacht. With multiple family feuds ongoing, gardai have been investigating incidents of petrol bomb attacks in which property has been severely damaged as well as car-ramming incidents and multiple death threats often made online.

What is certain if individuals who are involved in these type of feuds turn up in numbers at Croagh Patrick on Sunday week it will not make for a very pleasant day for anyone, a source said last night.

Last month, seven men were arrested and six were charged before the courts as part of a massive investigation involving 85 gardai during searches in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, and the Ballybane and Bohermore areas of Galway city.
Successive governments have failed to grasp and respond to the scale of the threat posed by China, the Intelligence and Security Committee has said (Alamy/PA)

Successive governments have failed to grasp and respond to the scale of the threat posed by China, Parliaments spy agency watchdog said, as it warned that Chinese intelligence targets the UK prolifically and aggressively.

A new and wide-ranging report by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) is critical of the UK Governments response to the threat posed by China, questioning the trade-off between economic interest and security concerns.

It also raises concerns about Chinese influence in UK universities and the countrys intention to become a permanent and significant player in the civil nuclear energy industry.

MPs said the 200-page report should be a wake-up call for ministers, as the ISC warned that Chinese targeting of industry and technology could pose an existential threat to liberal democratic systems.

The report found that the UK remains of significant interest to China when it comes to espionage and interference, placing the country just below Chinas top priority targets.

It said: Chinas state intelligence apparatus  almost certainly the largest in the world with hundreds of thousands of civil intelligence officers targets the UK and its interests prolifically and aggressively, and presents a challenge for our agencies to cover.

The nine-member committee, chaired by Conservative MP Sir Julian Lewis, scrutinises the work of the UKs intelligence agencies including MI5, MI6 and GCHQ.

Its reports are seen by the Prime Minister before release, with the latest report coming amid ongoing tensions between the West and the rising Asian power.

The Government has characterised the growing influence of China as an epoch-defining challenge but MPs urged ministers and officials to consider more deeply the type of security threat it poses.

The ISC report said the UKs resources are completely inadequate when it came to tackling what committee members labelled Chinas whole-of-state approach to espionage and interference overseas.

It warned of a danger of short-term thinking and a lack of long-term planning to counter the threat posed by China.

The UK is now playing catch-up and the whole of Government has its work cut out to understand and counter the threat from China, the report said.

The UK is severely handicapped by the short-termist approach currently being taken.

Particular concerns were raised in the report about Chinese influence in UK universities.

It is not the first time that anxiety has been expressed about Chinese control in higher education.

Rishi Sunak promised in last years Tory leadership race to shut down the 30 Chinese state-sponsored Confucius Institutes across the UK, before back-tracking once in office.

The report said British academic institutions provide a rich feeding ground for China to achieve political influence in the UK and economic advantage over the UK.

It added: In order to control the narrative of debate, China exerts influence over institutions by leveraging fees and funding, over individual UK academics through inducements and intimidation, over Chinese students by monitoring and controlling, and over think tanks through coercion.

But MPs said the Government has shown very little interest in warnings from academics about the matter.

The report also flagged concerns about the role China is playing in the civil nuclear energy sector.

China General Nuclear last year dropped out of the Sizewell C nuclear power plant project in Suffolk but MPs said serious questions remain for ministers about future projects.

The Government would be naive to assume that allowing Chinese companies to exert influence over the UKs civil nuclear and energy sectors is not ceding control to the Chinese Communist Party, the report said.

It is therefore unacceptable for the Government still to be considering Chinese involvement in the UKs critical national infrastructure at a granular level.

We have serious concerns about the incentive and opportunity for espionage that Chinese involvement in the UKs civil nuclear sector provides. While we recognise that the threat of disruption is less likely, the threat of leverage is very real.

The Government is required to respond to the report, with a copy of the document laid before Parliament on Thursday.

In June, the ISC said it was seeking answers about a delay in gaining Downing Street approval of the report.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Government has already taken actions that are in line with many of the committees recommendations (Paul Ellis/PA)

Mr Sunak did offer an immediate response in a three-and-a-half-page statement, in which he listed measures taken to improve the UKs response to China.

The Prime Minister also said the ISC probe began in 2019 and took most evidence in 2020 pre-dating both the Integrated Review 2021 and the Integrated Review Refresh 2023.

These are both comprehensive national security and international policy reviews that considerably strengthen our position on China, he said.

The Government has already taken actions that are in line with many of the committees recommendations.

But committee members hit back at the statement, with Labours Kevan Jones labelling it weak and criticising the Prime Minister for failing to share it first with the ISC.

If that is the response from Government, that somehow the reports out of date, I would come up with better arguments than that.

Sir Julian Lewis chairs the nine-member Intelligence and Security Committee (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/PA)

Sir Julian also told reporters at a press conference: Ive been at pains to point out that we have to have a cut-off point when it comes to taking evidence.

That does not mean to say that we are not continually in dialogue and receiving quarterly reports, for example, from all the intelligence agencies that cover all these matters.

Elsewhere in the report, MPs urged ministers to go further with national security legislation and enact a counter-state threats Bill.

The ISC also called for the Cabinet Office to carry out a review into whether intelligence agencies are meeting targets on tackling the challenge faced from China.

I think the most shocking thing is was this known 10 years ago? Yes, Mr Jones said.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat, speaking to broadcasters, said: This Government has taken state threats and indeed the challenge of China more seriously than any of its predecessors. It is quite clear that the Prime Minister takes it seriously.

Asked about committee concerns about the nuclear energy sector, he said: Many of these different decisions have been taken over many years. What is quite noticeable is the change weve seen under this administration. Prime Minister Sunak has made a very clear decision, very early on, to put national security first.

It came as Energy Secretary Grant Shapps likened Beijing to the British Empire, saying it wanted to operate under their world order.

Speaking at a press gallery lunch in Parliament, he echoed Foreign Secretary James Cleverlys cautious tone on China, but said: I have a really clear-eyed view about China.

First of all, they are a reality, we cannot kind of wish things away.

They do want to change the world, to operate under their world order.

That is no surprise, we did that when we had an empire, the Americans have done that, the Dutch did it before us.

Thats the way large economies and empires operate.
The Government can challenge the Court of Appeals decision at the Supreme Court (Tom Pilgrim/PA)

The Government has been given the go-ahead to take a legal battle over its Rwanda deportation policy to the Supreme Court.

The move was welcomed by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who reiterated her belief that the plan is lawful.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had indicated he would seek an appeal as he fundamentally disagreed with the Court of Appeals ruling that the multimillion-pound deal  which would see asylum seekers deported to the east African nation  was unlawful.

In court orders seen by the PA news agency on Thursday, the Court of Appeal granted permission for the Government to challenge their decision at the Supreme Court.

One of the asylum seekers in the case was also given the green light to challenge part of the ruling.

In the ruling last month, Sir Geoffrey Vos and Lord Justice Underhill concluded deficiencies in the asylum system in Rwanda mean there is a real risk asylum seekers could be returned to their home country and face persecution or other inhumane treatment when they may have a good claim for asylum.

However, the Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett, who heard the appeal with the other two judges in April, disagreed, saying he would dismiss the challenge.

Campaigners welcomed the decision, with charity Asylum Aid which brought the challenge alongside several asylum seekers, describing the ruling at the time as a vindication of the importance of the rule of law and basic fairness when fundamental rights are at stake.

But Ms Braverman claimed the system was rigged against the British people and said she remained fully committed to the policy and, despite the ruling, insisted she still had every confidence in the plan while stressing that Rwanda was a safe country.

In a statement on Thursday, she said: I welcome this decision to grant permission to appeal. We need innovative solutions, like our Migration Partnership, to stop the boats, break the business model of the people-smuggling gangs and prevent further loss of life in the Channel.

I absolutely believe this policy is lawful and both the High Court and Court of Appeal have been unanimously clear that relocating asylum seekers to a safe third country can be done in line with the Refugee Convention.

The assurances we have had from Rwanda regarding asylum protections are also robust  and both the High Court and Lord Chief Justice found that the arrangements provided sufficient safeguards.
NHS waiting lists have reached the highest number since records began in August 2007 (Peter Byrne/PA)

NHS waiting lists in England have climbed to a record level, data has revealed.

Figures released on Thursday showed that 7.47 million people were waiting to start routine hospital treatment at the end of May, up from 7.42 million at the end of April.

It is the highest number since records began in August 2007.

(PA Graphics)

In May, some 385,022 people had been waiting more than 52 weeks to start routine hospital treatment, up from 371,111 at the end of April.

During the same period, 11,446 people were estimated to have been waiting 18 months to start treatment, down slightly from 11,477.

The Government and NHS England have set the ambition of eliminating all waits of more than a year by March 2025.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: Every new month brings more evidence of record demand across many areas of NHS care with staff experiencing the busiest June ever for A&E attendances, no doubt exacerbated by the record high temperatures experienced for that month.

This ongoing pressure on services is precisely why it is so important to highlight that staff continue to make progress in reducing the longest waits for care despite strikes, high demand, and bank holiday weekends.

(PA Graphics)

Sir Stephen said the latest wave of strikes represents an incredibly challenging period for the NHS.

Junior doctors walked out for five days from 7am on Thursday in what is the longest spell of industrial action in the history of the health service.

They return to work at 7am on July 18 and 48 hours later consultants are set to strike for two days. Radiographers across 43 NHS trusts will also walk out for two days from July 25.

Sir Stephen added: So while staff will continue to work hard to provide patients with the care they need there is no doubt this period of action is likely to have the biggest impact yet.

Tim Mitchell, vice-president and president-elect of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said the climb in waiting lists is disappointing but not unexpected.

Despite the huge effort that NHS staff are putting in to get patients seen quickly, the situation remains challenging, he added.

Junior doctor and members of the British Medical Association on the picket line on Thursday (Danny Lawson/PA)

The longer patients remain on waiting lists, the longer they arent able to get on with their lives. In the most serious cases, patients will be unable to work and will need support to carry out the day-to-day tasks that most of us take for granted.

Earlier this month, Rishi Sunak said industrial action across the NHS is making it more challenging to bring down waiting lists.

The Prime Minister pledged to cut the figure earlier this year, when it stood at 7.2 million.

It is estimated that eight months of strikes has led to the cancellation or postponement of about 651,000 appointments and routine procedures.

Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive at NHS Providers, said: Chronic workforce shortages and a lack of physical capacity cross the NHS and social care are hindering trusts ability to improve waiting times and cut the backlog.

On top of that, ongoing industrial action is adding to the weight of demand on hospital, ambulance, mental health and community services.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting blamed the Prime Ministers refusal to negotiate with striking workers for climbing waiting lists.

He said: Patients are waiting months and months for operations, only for them to be cancelled due to strikes.

Rishi Sunak blames NHS staff, but the public know its his refusal to negotiate that is making the crisis in the NHS worse.

Elsewhere, figures showed the number of people waiting more than 12 hours in A&E departments in England, from a decision to admit to actually being admitted, was 26,531 in June, down 16% from 31,494 in May.

Some 73.3% of patients were seen within four hours, down from 74.0% in May. The figure hit a record low of 65.0% in December.

The NHS recovery plan sets a target of March 2024 for 76% of patients attending A&E to be admitted, transferred or discharged within four hours.

(PA Graphics)

There were 245,595 urgent cancer referrals made by GPs in England in May, up 13% on 218,060 in April and up slightly (0.1%) year-on-year from 245,449 in May 2022.

The proportion of cancer patients who saw a specialist within two weeks of being referred urgently by their GP rose from 77.7% in April to 80.8% in May, but remained below the target of 93%.

The 93% target was last hit in May 2020, during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The number of patients waiting longer than 62 days since an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer was 23,499 in the week ending May 28, up from 22,533 in the week ending April 30.

(PA Graphics)

The figure was nearly 34,000 at the end of September 2022.

Most of those waiting do not have cancer and are waiting for a diagnostic test, while around one in seven do have cancer and are waiting for treatment.

A total of 58.7% of cancer patients who had their first treatment in May after an urgent GP referral had waited less than two months, down from 61.0% in April. The target is 85%.

Meanwhile, 71.3% of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer were diagnosed or had cancer ruled out within 28 days, unchanged from the previous month.
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill has urged people burning effigies of politicians on loyalist bonfires to catch themselves on.

Ms ONeill was among those whose images were burned on bonfires on July 11, the eve of Orange Order parades across Northern Ireland.

Her image appeared on the pyre in the Eastvale area of Dungannon on Tuesday as bonfires in loyalist areas across Northern Ireland prepared to be lit as part of the annual July 12 celebrations.

An effigy of Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill appeared on the Eastvale Avenue bonfire in Dungannon (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ms ONeill leads Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland, which won the most seats in the Assembly election, entitling her to be nominated as the first nationalist or republican first minister.

But the Stormont Assembly remains collapsed amid DUP protest action over post-Brexit arrangements.

A depiction of Sinn Fein councillor Taylor McGrann also appeared on a bonfire in Rathcoole, Newtownabbey, on the outskirts of north Belfast.

An effigy above a poster with the name of Sinn Fein councillorTaylor McGrann appeared on a bonfire in Newtownabbey (PA)

Police are investigating both incidents as hate crime.

Irish flags were also burned on a number of bonfires, while representatives of a number of other parties, including Alliance and the SDLP, also reported seeing their images on bonfires.

These actions have been condemned by politicians across the divide.

Ms ONeill said those involved in burning effigies should instead be helping to build a better future.

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Those attempting to cause offence with effigies etc should catch themselves on and join the rest of us in building a better future, she tweeted.

I am determined to be a first minister for all. I will represent the whole community irrespective of who you are and where you come from.

Ahead of the bonfires, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson urged against the burning of flags and election posters as self-inflicted wounds for unionists.

Around 250 bonfires were lit as part of the annual July 12 celebrations, marking the victory of Protestant King William of Orange over Catholic King James II in the Battle of the Boyne to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.


By Gwynne Dyer



The two-day Israeli military incursion into the Palestinian city of Jenin in the northern West Bank (12 Palestinians killed, one Israeli dead) seems at first glance like just another example of "mowing the lawn." That's what the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) call these periodic futile raids they make to kill some Palestinian fighters.



They know perfectly well that the raids achieve nothing except to bring in more young recruits for the Palestinian resistance movement of the month: Lion's Den, the Jenin Brigades or whatever's next. But they're IDF soldiers and they have to look like they're doing something about the "terrorist threat," so out come the lawn mowers.



The Jenin raid is not even a very big deal as these things go, although the air strikes were new. The first battle of Jenin, during the Second Intifada in 2002, was a much bigger affair (23 Israelis killed, 50 Palestinians dead). But there is a widespread suspicion that this particular battle is part of a much bigger plan.



Israeli politics can sometimes be full of surprises, but not this time. It is as predictable as a Noh play moving towards its tragic conclusion. In fact, it is so easy to predict that I actually did exactly that right here four months ago. With your indulgence, here are the predictions again.



1. Prime Minister Binyamin 'Bibi' Netanyahu will not go to jail.

2. The independence of the Israeli court system will be destroyed. Judges' decisions will be made subject to veto by politicians. (That's why Bibi will stay free.)

3. There will be a 'Third Intifada,' involving the deaths of thousands of Palestinians and dozens or perhaps even a few hundred Israelis.

4. The new Israeli government will not strive officiously to head off this disaster, because it will distract domestic and international opinion enough to permit a very large expansion of the Jewish settlement project in the occupied West Bank.

5. Neither the United States nor Israel's new Arab friends (the Abraham Accords and all that) will put major pressure on Netanyahu's government to stop that from happening. They both have bigger fish to fry elsewhere.

6. There will not be a civil war. As Anshel Pfeffer wrote last week in Ha'aretz: "For all Israel's problems, life here is still too good, for all of Israeli communities, to risk a civil war. Losing what is left of Israel's fragile and limited democracy will be a terrible blow for many, perhaps even most, Israelis  but it won't be worth going to actual war for."



So then, how did I do? Netanyahu is still free, and will be, so long as his coalition with the religious right and settler parties survives. With their support, he is renewing his attempt to 'overhaul' (i.e. neuter) Israel's Supreme Court after many weeks of mass protests forced him to suspend the project in April.



Netanyahu still faces a major risk of being convicted of corruption offenses in his ongoing criminal trial, so ensuring that his government gains the right to override any court decision against him is his highest priority. That's why he made his deal with the settler extremists in the first place, but it's going to take a war as well: the 'Third Intifada.'



Big military confrontations with "terrorists" will distract lots of people who otherwise might start protesting again about the strangulation of Israeli democracy, so they serve Netanyahu's purposes. They also serve the settlers' agenda of seizing ever more Palestinian land, which is more easily done when Palestinians and Israelis are busy killing one another.



National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the senior settler in Netanyahu's cabinet, is calling for "a military operation to take down buildings, exterminate terrorists  not one or two but tens and hundreds, if necessary thousands." Hilltop youth, as Jewish vigilantes in the West Bank are known, will provide the provocations, and the IDF will do the clearances.



That's the plan, and so far it's going well. President Biden strongly disapproves of the company Netanyahu keeps, but he is not going to waste his limited political capital on trying to protect the Palestinians. Israel's Arab 'frenemies' (Egypt and the Gulf countries) aren't up for a fight either, although the relationship is rapidly cooling.



Is there going to be a civil war among Israelis? Of course not. Anshel Pfeffer is still right: secular or religious, right-wing or the dwindling left, they all have it too good.



And will it all eventually end in tears? Of course, it will. Just not yet. Probably not for quite a long while yet.



Predicting all this took neither special knowledge nor a gift for prophecy. It was practically written on the walls, and anybody who was paying attention knew it four months ago. People just didn't want to hear it, and they still don't.





Gwynne Dyer's new book is "The Shortest History of War." He can be reached at Gwynne763121476@aol.com


Legislators push each other as a brawl breaks out in Kosovos parliament in Pristina (Ridvan Slivova/AP)

A brawl erupted in the Kosovo parliament after an opposition legislator threw water on Prime Minister Albin Kurti while he was speaking about government measures to defuse tensions with ethnic Serbs in the countrys north.

Kosovo opposition parties have criticised Mr Kurtis policies in the north that have strained relations with key Western allies.

The US and European Union have pressured Mr Kurti to help calm the situation after violence broke out in May after police-backed ethnic Albanian mayors took office following an election that the ethnic Serb majority in the area had widely boycotted.

Dozens of people were injured in clashes between local Serbs and Kosovo police and Nato-led peacekeepers, fuelling fears of a conflict similar to the one in 1998-99 that killed more than 10,000 people.

Bodyguards guard Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, centre, during a brawl in Kosovos parliament in Pristina (Ridvan Slivova/AP)

On Wednesday, Mr Kurti announced he would reduce the number of special police officers stationed outside four municipal buildings in ethnic Serb-majority areas in northern Kosovo, and hold new mayoral elections in each of the towns.

The move has angered the opposition, who argued that Mr Kurti experimented for months and jeopardised Kosovos international position only to back down later.

Legislator Mergim Lushtaku, from the Democratic Party of Kosovo, approached Mr Kurti while he was speaking and threw water at him, triggering the brawl.

Earlier, Mr Kurtis deputy Besnik Beslimi had torn up a drawing mocking Mr Kurti that the opposition had given the prime minister.

Local media said Mr Kurti was escorted out of the assembly hall during the chaos.

Mr Kurti has said he was applying law and order in northern Kosovo with the deployment of police and new ethnic Albanian mayors.

The US and the EU had urged him to keep the mayors in different locations away from the north until the situation is resolved.

Kosovo is a former province in Serbia whose 2008 declaration of independence Belgrade does not recognise.

Legislators push each other as a brawl breaks out in Kosovos parliament in Pristina (Ridvan Slivova/AP)

Most ethnic Serbs in Kosovo have also refused to acknowledge Kosovos statehood, which is backed by the United States and most EU nations but not Russia and China.

Serbia had heightened army combat readiness and threatened a military intervention in response to tensions in the north, which borders Serbia.

Belgrade pulled out of Kosovo in 1999 after Nato bombed the country to stop the onslaught against ethnic Albanian separatists.

The EU has told both countries they must reach a solution to their dispute through an EU-mediated dialogue in order to join the bloc.

Western officials have stepped up efforts to bring the two sides closer together, fearing further instability in Europe as the war continues in Ukraine.

Nato has sent additional troops to its peacekeeping mission in Kosovo to boost security.
Vietnam has banned the release of the Warner Bros feature film Barbie because its trailer includes a crude cartoon map that Vietnamese netizens believed depicted Chinas nine-dash line territorial claims in the emotive South China Sea maritime territorial dispute. The decision mystified the studio, which said the map that prompted Hanoi to pull the movie was a child-like crayon drawing that traced Barbies travels and carried no political message.

The Philippines, meanwhile, announced on July 12 that the movie can be shown. The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board said it conducted two review sessions and consulted with relevant government agencies and a legal expert on the South China Sea before giving Barbie a PG rating, meaning children younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult. The board said it is convinced that the contentious scene does not depict the nine-dash line.
A view of the Jamtoli camp in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, where several such camps host close to 1 million Rohingya refugees, Aug. 22, 2018.

Bangladesh is not doing enough to protect Rohingya from increasing violence by armed groups and criminal gangs operating in the refugee camps near the countrys border with Myanmar, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday.

Some of these stateless refugees who fled from persecution in Myanmars Rakhine state are all the more vulnerable because Bangladeshi authorities force them to act as informants against criminal elements, the New York-based watchdog alleged in a new report.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas past pledges to protect Rohingya refugees are now threatened by violent groups and an indifferent justice system, said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW).

In response, the Bangladesh government and security officials acknowledged the difficulty of policing the camps in Coxs Bazar, a southeastern district where close to a million refugees live, but said they were doing their utmost to ensure safety. They also denied they were forcing anyone to act as informants.

HRW said it had documented 26 cases of violence against Rohingya, including murder, kidnapping, torture, rape and sexual assault, and forced marriage between January and April 2023.

Authorities have been forcing Rohingya leaders to serve as informants, putting them at grave risk of being abducted or killed, without access to protection, Human Rights Watch said in its report, adding that it interviewed 45 Rohingya and gathered supporting evidence, including police and medical reports, for its report.

Of the refugee population of nearly 1 million, about 740,000 Rohingya fled their home state of Rakhine for neighboring Bangladesh amid a brutal military crackdown in 2017.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare speaks during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 10, 2023.

The United States, Australia and the Solomon Islands opposition leader have called for China and the Solomon Islands government to make public a police cooperation agreement they signed this week, underscoring concerns the pact could undermine regional stability.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is on his second official visit to China since his government switched its diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taiwan in 2019. A police cooperation pact was among nine agreements signed by the two countries in Beijing on Monday, where Chinese leaders feted Sogavare and promised further aid to the economically-lagging island nation.

In general, we have concerns over the expansion of [Chinas] internal security and surveillance apparatus beyond its own borders, a Papua New Guinea-based spokesman for the U.S. embassy in the Solomon Islands said Thursday.

We encourage the parties to release these texts immediately to increase transparency and inform discussions about the impacts of these agreements on regional security, the spokesman said in an email to BenarNews.

The Solomon Islands, home to about 700,000 people, has become a hotspot in the escalating China-U.S. competition for influence in the Pacific. It signed a secretive security pact with China last year, alarming the U.S. and its allies such as Australia, who see the agreement as a possible prelude to a Chinese military presence in the region.

Under Sogavare, the Solomon Islands has sought to benefit from the China-U.S. rivalry by securing more development assistance. The South Pacific country, an archipelago about 2,100 kilometers (1,300 miles) northeast of Brisbane, Australia, grapples with crumbling roads, limited telecommunications and lack of basic healthcare.

Solomon Islands opposition leader Matthew Wale said Sogavares government must release all nine agreements it signed with China.

Some ministers in Sogavares Cabinet had not been aware of the scope of the agreements that would be signed with Chinas government, Wale said.

Solomon Islands is on its own in the region in the speed and breath in which it is concluding these agreements, he said in a statement.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong attends a meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia on July 12, 2023. [Reuters]

Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Wednesday the policing agreement is consistent with international law and common practice.

Law enforcement cooperation with China has played a positive role in promoting security and stability of the Solomon Islands, he told a regular ministry press conference.

The competition for influence in the Solomons has increasingly spilled into domestic security, raising concerns it could cause new instability in a country that spiraled into chaos only two decades ago, culminating in an Australian-led military intervention from 2003 until 2017.

China and Australia have been training Solomon Islands police and donating equipment, including water cannons gifted by China and guns courtesy of Australia. In the past month, the Solomons has been given seven Nissan X-Trail SUVs from Australia as well as night-vision devices, drones, a wireless signal jammer and two vehicles from China.

Sogavares trip to China comes after Australia earlier this month offered to extend a military and police deployment in the Solomon Islands. The Pacific island country is preparing to host a regional sporting event later this year  bankrolled by China, Australia and Indonesia  and hold postponed elections in the first half of 2024.

Australia sent more than 200 troops and police to the Solomon Islands in late 2021 at the request of Sogavares government following anti-China and anti-government riots in the capital Honiara.

Australias Foreign Minister Penny Wong said there is an understanding among Pacific island nations and Australia and New Zealand that security in the region is best provided by the region itself, and managed through diplomatic organizations such as the Pacific Islands Forum.

That matters for stability. So, Australia, like many others, would want transparency about what this agreement means and we would want it discussed at the Pacific Islands Forum, she said at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The U.S. and Papua New Guinea signed a defense cooperation agreement in May that would give U.S. forces extensive use of six ports and airports in the Pacific island country. Critics of the pact said it could undermine Papua New Guineas sovereignty.

The agreement has been tabled in Papua New Guineas parliament and would be published on the State Departments website when it comes into force.
U.S. Marines 3rd Aircraft Wing members inspect a missile on an F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet during a joint training exercise at Subic Bay, Zambales province, Philippines, July 13, 2023.

The U.S. Marines showcased their aerial strength and capabilities during a joint exercise with their Philippine counterparts on Thursday by flying sophisticated warplanes over the South China Sea amid fresh tensions in the maritime region.

Two Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets flew over Zambales province as part of the Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA), annual two-week drills involving more than 2,700 allied personnel.

Apart from the training drills staged at Subic Bay in Zambales, exercises are planned for Cagayan, Tarlac, Palawan and Cebu provinces through July 21. Subic Bay is the site of a former U.S. Navy base that closed in the early 1990s, at the end of the Cold War.

At the Subic International Airport on Thursday, the U.S. Marines demonstrated loading 1,000-pound laser guided missiles on five F/A-18 Hornets. The Hornets were supposed to launch a mock attack to sink a ship about 12 nautical miles from San Antonio, a coastal town facing the South China Sea, but were hampered by storms.

Second Lt. Madison Walls, U.S. Marines Corps 3rd Aircraft Wing spokesperson, said four Hornets were deployed in the exercises to integrate with Philippine assets in coordinated attacks.

This years drills are not targeted to specific concerns in the region. This is to strengthen our partnership with our allies, Walls told reporters.

U.S. F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets are seen on the tarmac during a joint training involving U.S. and Philippines troops, July 13, 2023. [Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews]

The drills are taking place amid continuing Chinese harassment of the Philippine Coast Guard, according to the government in Manila.

They are also unfolding against the backdrop of tensions between China and the United States over Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade province.

As the Chinese military conducted military drills off Taiwan on Thursday, Chinese air force jets monitored a U.S. Navy plane as it flew through the Taiwan Strait, the Reuters news agency reported.

The joint U.S.-Filipino exercises came a day after the Philippines marked the seventh anniversary of an international arbitration courts ruling for the Philippines, in a landmark case that Manila brought against Beijing in their territorial dispute over the South China Sea.

Beijing has refused to abide by the ruling and claims nearly the entire South China Sea. This includes waters within the exclusive economic zones of Taiwan, as well as Southeast Asian neighbors Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Indonesia has a separate conflict with China over the Natuna Islands.

A U.S. Marines F-35 Lightning fighter jet comes in for a landing during joint exercises with the Philippines at Subic Bay, north of Manila, July 13, 2023. [Jeoffrey Maitem/BenarNews]

Earlier this week, Sen. Imee Marcos called on Philippine government agencies to monitor the presence of U.S. military aircraft and Chinese naval ships in the country equally as she questioned the presence of U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft in Manila and Palawan.

Sen. Marcos, who is the older sister of President Ferdinand Marcos, called on Philippine military, defense and foreign affairs officials to investigate whether undisclosed U.S. military flights have exacerbated volatile conditions in the region.

Too little is known about ongoing U.S. military activity in our territory while we constantly call out the presence of Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, Sen. Marcos said in a statement on Sunday.

The same zeal in tracking any violations in our maritime territory and EEZ (exclusive economic zone) must also apply where Philippine air traffic rules and joint military agreements with the U.S. are concerned, she said.

In February, the Marcos administration granted the American military greater access to bases in his country, alarming nationalist groups into suspecting that the Philippines may be drawn into a war if China invades Taiwan, a U.S. ally.

The allies have an existing Mutual Defense Treaty signed in 1951 binding them to aid each other if a foreign power attacks.

According to Philippine Air Force spokeswoman Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, all personnel involved in the joint exercises are covered diplomatically.

As long as they are covered by diplomatic clearances and communicated to us by the DFA, there is no threat because it went through the proper process, she said, referring to the Department of Foreign Affairs. All those involved in the training went through the proper process of getting the proper diplomatic clearance.
(From left) Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son; Wang Yi, director of Chinas Central Foreign Affairs Commission; Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir confer during the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with China at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers Meeting in Jakarta, July 13, 2023.

China and Southeast Asian nations agreed Thursday to speed up an agreement to prevent conflict in the South China Sea where overlapping claims by Beijing and its neighbors have raised tensions.

The guidelines to accelerate negotiations on a code of conduct for the South China Sea represent a milestone, the Indonesian foreign minister said after diplomats from both sides adopted them at a meeting in Jakarta.

No details were released, although the Associated Press news agency cited an unnamed Southeast Asian diplomat as saying that both sides agreed to conclude a pact before autumn 2026.

The Jakarta meeting was attended by all foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) barring Myanmar, and Wang Yi, who heads the ruling Chinese Communist Partys foreign affairs commission, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said.

Indonesias top diplomat, Retno Marsudi, who co-chaired the meeting with Wang, said the agreement showed their commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

These achievements should continue to build a positive momentum to strengthen a partnership that advances the paradigm of inclusivity and openness, respects international law including UNCLOS 1982, and promotes a culture of dialogue and collaboration, Retno said in a statement, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Retno also welcomed the completion of the second reading of the draft code of conduct this year, after the completion of the first reading in 2019.

China should be a trusted partner of ASEAN in nurturing an open and inclusive regional architecture, she said.

Only in this way can we achieve win-win cooperation for the sake of peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, Retno added.

Wang, meanwhile, said Beijing supported ASEANs central role in the region, according to Chinas Xinhua news agency.

China stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in its early conclusion, Xinhua quoted Wang as saying.

China and ASEAN have been negotiating a code of conduct for the South China Sea since 2002, but progress has been slow amid disputes over the scope and legal status of the document.

An aerial view shows the Nanshan Island, locally known as Lawak, one of the nine features the Philippines occupies in the disputed Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea, March 9, 2023. [Eloisa Lopez/Reuters]

China claims almost all of the strategic waterway, which is also contested by Taiwan and ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. And stability in Southeast Asia has been threatened lately with alleged incursions by Chinese vessels in the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines and Malaysia in the South China Sea.

Indonesia does not have any territorial disputes with China, but it has repeatedly lodged protests against Chinese fishing boats and coast guard vessels entering its EEZ near the Natuna Islands.

In 2016, the Philippines won a landmark international ruling at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which threw out Chinas expansive claims in the South China Sea. Beijing, however, has ignored the verdict and carried on with its military expansionism in the strategic waterway, including building artificial islands.

The South China Sea has also become a theater for big-power rivalry, as the United States, which has vital interests in the region, has accused China of militarizing the area and undermining freedom of navigation.

For its part, Beijing calls Washingtons moves in the region interference and insists it has historical rights to the seas resources.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet with his ASEAN counterparts at a conference in Jakarta on Friday.

Potential positive impact

The guidelines agreed to by ASEAN members and China could be in the nature of technical agreements on how the preventive principles in the code can be implemented, said Vinsensio Dugis, the head of the ASEAN Studies Center at Airlangga University in Surabaya.

If this is the case, this should be welcomed, because it reflects the intention of the parties that claim part or all of the South China Sea territory to reach an agreement on the implementation of the code of conduct, he told BenarNews.

Additionally, one of the sticking points in the negotiation revolved around the involvement of countries outside China and ASEAN in the implementation of the code of conduct, Vinsensio said.

China does not want any involvement of other countries, while some ASEAN countries see the need for countries such as the U.S. to also be involved in the process. I think this has been a major obstacle to implementing the principles in the code of conduct, he said.

Still, the agreement between ASEAN and China brings potential positive impact to Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.

This means that there is a possibility of stability in the region, which is very important for peace and development, he said.

On trade, China has been an important partner for ASEAN in promoting economic growth and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesias Retno said.

Their bilateral trade reached U.S. $975 billion last year, making China ASEANs largest trading partner, while China was also the fourth largest source of foreign investment in ASEAN with $13.8 billion, Retno said.

A day earlier, Chinas Wang urged ASEAN to speed up negotiations on an upgraded free trade agreement that would boost economic ties and post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

China and ASEAN should jointly safeguard the global free trading system, uphold the ASEAN centrality, and jointly maintain regional peace and development, Wang said after talks with Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Wednesday.

China and ASEAN have been operating a free trade area since 2010, which covers trade in goods, services and investment. It is the largest free trade area in terms of population and third largest in terms of nominal GDP.

The two sides launched negotiations on an upgraded version of the free trade agreement in 2016, aiming to further liberalize and facilitate trade and investment.

Wang said both sides should speed up the talks on the so-called FTA 3.0 to inject new impetus into regional development.
Pita Limjaroenrat failed to win the required parliamentary votes to become Thailands prime minister in his initial bid for the post Thursday, but promised that his progressive party would change strategy for the next round of voting.

Pita and his Move Forward Party fell well short of the 375 votes needed to clinch power  a blow for his pro-democracy coalition trying to unseat an administration with deep military ties that has ruled Thailand for almost a decade.

Despite being backed by an eight-party alliance, Pitas attempt to lead Thailand was thwarted by mass abstentions and few votes from the pro-royal Senate whose members. He also faces a pair of legal complaints that could lead to him being dismissed as an MP.

His party, whose campaign platform called for reforming laws shielding the monarchy, was the top vote getter in the May 14 general election where opposition parties trounced pro-military and pro-royalist ones.

We accept the result but wont yield, Pita, 42, told reporters after the first round of voting.

Pita, the only candidate nominated on the first day of the voting for PM, received 324 votes (including just 13 of the 249 members of the upper house Senate), while 182 lawmakers voted against him and 199 abstained. Dozens of lawmakers were no shows at Thursdays crucial vote.

There was great pressure on the senators that more than 40 were absent. We will find a strategy to collect more votes for the next round, Pita said.

In the days leading up to the parliamentary voting, some members of the Senate, who were appointed during the five years of junta rule following a 2014 coup, had signaled their distaste for Pitas campaign pledge to do away Lese-Majeste, a strict law against royal defamation.

Whatever, weve promised the people, we will follow suit, heading for the second round, said the Harvard-educated Pita. [We] understand, appreciate the 13 senators who voted as you previously promised to the people.

Late Thursday, House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha announced the vote tally and set July 19 for the next round of voting. Pita, who actually needs the support of 375 MPs because one senator left office, can be renominated for the post.

Pita did not have sufficient votes to meet the required half of the legislature, therefore Pita fails to become prime minister, the house speaker said.

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat addresses members of parliament in Bangkok before failing to get enough votes to serve as Thailands prime minister, July 13, 2023. [Nava Sangthong/BenarNews]

Thursdays outcome was not a surprise, according to one political analyst.

There was an observation before the voting that some senators publicly convinced others to change or confused them from supporting the nominee over fear of retribution, Thannapat Jarernpanit, a professor at Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, told BenarNews. For whatever reason, there was a creation of a climate of fear in the parliament.

Pita was the leading candidate for PM on Thursday because his party won 151 parliamentary seats in the election, outpacing the favored opposition Pheu Thai Party, which came in second with 141. The six other members of the coalition pushed Pitas support to 312.

Under the constitution, any party with at least 25 seats in the lower house can nominate a prime minister candidate, but none did.

While the MPs congregated inside the parliament for the vote, hundreds gathered outside in support of Pita.

I felt like someone was squeezing my throat watching the voting  it was stressful mentally, a woman, who asked to be identified only as Minnie for privacy reasons, told BenarNews. I hope our wish comes true in the future.

Legal complaints

The two legal complaints against Pita gathered steam on the eve of the vote.

On Wednesday, the Constitutional Court said it had accepted a case from the Election Commission that recommended he be disqualified as an MP over a complaint that he applied to run for office while owning shares of a now-defunct media company  a violation of election laws.

It also said it had received a separate complaint filed by lawyer Teerayuth Suwanakesorn against Pita and Move Forwards plan to reform Article 112  the Lese-Majeste law of the criminal code. Teerayuths petition alleges that the proposal could be deemed as an attempt to overthrow the constitutional monarchy or the democratic regime with the king as the head of the state.

In the weeks before Thursdays vote, senators and pro-royalist lower house members frequently cited Pitas push to amend the law as a red line that must not be crossed.

The issue was front and center during Thursdays parliamentary debate.

Bhumjaithai MP Chada Thaiseth said the country would erupt in violence if the legislation were changed.

If you allow people to criticize the monarchy without a law to protect the institution, there will be gunfights, he said. How about I propose a law to allow people to shoot those insulting the monarchy?

Satra Sripan, a lawmaker from the Thai United Nation Party  the party of caretaker Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha  said amending Article 112 would cause a rift in Thai society.

How can people live among the ruins? There is no benefit from this, Satra told parliament.

Earlier this week, Prayuth, who became prime minister after leading a 2014 military coup, announced that he was leaving politics.

Wilawan Watcharasakwej in Bangkok and Kunnawut Boonreak in Chiang Mai, Thailand, contributed to this report.


Koreas must stop escalating tensions, resume dialogue



North Korea is behaving erratically  yet again.



On Thursday, Pyongyang officially confirmed that it has fired a Hwasung-18 intercontinental ballistic missile as Kim Jong-un looked on.



After the launch, Kim threatened to "continue military offensive until the U.S. abandons its hostile policy," according to the Korean Central News Agency. But missile brinkmanship only increases hostility. It does not reduce it.



The missile flew for 74 minutes at an altitude of over 6,000 km, meaning it can hit the continental U.S. if fired normally. Some say the North has tested its road-mobile ICBM, a type of solid-fuel weapon. If so, it is harder to detect and intercept than liquid-fuel ICBMs.



Aside from the marginal advancement from Hwasung-17 launched three months ago, the latest provocation was noteworthy for two reasons.



First, it came after Kim Yo-jong, sister and spokeswoman for the North Korean leader, threatened to shoot down U.S. spy planes flying over its exclusive economic zone. The younger Kim initially claimed the U.S. intruded into its 12-nautical mile territorial waters, but rectified it to a 200-nautical mile EEZ. However, an EEZ guarantees the freedom of sailing and flying for foreign vessels and planes.



All this shows Pyongyang is set to build excuses for further  and graver  provocations. Some North Korea watchers predict the reclusive regime may conduct its seventh nuclear test on July 27, the armistice agreement day that the North calls "Victory Day" to build internal unity. Pyongyang must not cross the red line, however. That will only deepen its isolation.



Second, the rough-tongued propagandist called the South the "Republic of Korea" instead of South Korea or "Southern puppets." It was the first time a ranking North Korean official used the term ROK in daily statements, not in official documents. Apparently, Kim did not do so out of respect for the South. She treated the South not as part of the same nation divided for some time but as a different  and hostile  country.



There were similar signs. After the U.S.-North Korea summit in Hanoi ruptured in 2019, Pyongyang blew up the inter-Korean liaison office just north of the border in 2020. The following year, it eliminated the post of secretary for the south at the Workers' Party and all but shut down the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland. When the Hyundai Group's head expressed her intention to visit North Korea weeks ago, the North's foreign ministry rejected it instead of the official committee.



Since the Basic Agreement made in 1991, the two Koreas have stipulated their relationship not as an international one but as a special relationship formed temporarily while pursuing reunification. That seems to be ending.



Seoul is responding tit for tat. President Yoon Suk Yeol, after telling the Unification Ministry to change its mission "from supporting to watching" North Korea, named a far-right ideologue as its minister recently.



The escalation of hostilities between the Koreas is not just undesirable but dangerous. Inter-Korean ties have been frozen for years, but the North even cut a direct communication line last year. Despite their increasingly fiercer rivalry, the U.S. and China are installing a "guardrail" to keep accidental clashes from escalating into massive conflicts.



The two Koreas should also move in a similar direction in the near term.



In the longer run, they must resume contact and talks. For inter-Korean hawks, the impoverished and belligerent North might have no attractions. However, even aside from economic benefits, like the North's possible complementation of the South in demographic and natural resource terms, benefits will far outweigh costs if the Koreas are reunited.



The reunified Korea could be like a bishop or duke on the global chess board. Divided, they will always remain as two pawns. It will only make those who want the status quo on this divided peninsula happy.



Inter-Korean relations can change drastically, depending on international situations and leaders in both capitals.



As things stand now, the two Koreas will neither recognize nor be able to act on opportunities if they arise.


If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
Park No-hyuck, head of Icheon Environment Team at SK hynix, poses with the Prime Minister's Award for Environmental Protection Merit, Wednesday. Courtesy of SK hynix





By Baek Byung-yeul







Park No-hyuck, head of SK hynix's Icheon Environment Team, was honored with the Prime Minister's Award for Environmental Protection Merit on July 3, being recognized for his contribution to develop, launch and manage environmental protection measures in chip-production facilities, the company said Wednesday.







Park has been working in environmental management for 17 years and has contributed to the company achieving A-grade greenhouse gas reduction performance in the climate category of the Carbon Disclosure Project and A-grade water quality and water ecosystem management performance in the water resources category, SK hynix said.







In particular, he has helped the company establish standards for environmental management technologies  such as simultaneous reduction of greenhouse gases and nitrogen oxides  and obtain the integrated environmental permit in 2021 for the first time in the chip industry so that the company is able to comprehensively manage its emission facilities at the business site instead of receiving permission and managing pollutants individually.







Park has been in charge of checking compliance with environmental permits and laws at SK hynix's Icheon campus and responding to various environmental regulations. Describing his job, Park said many of the tasks he has undertaken were industry firsts amid increasingly stringent environmental regulations.







"The implementation of the integrated environmental management system for the semiconductor industry coincided with the completion of the M16 chip plant in Icheon, and permits had to be obtained before completion," he said during an interview at the company's newsroom.







"It was not easy to establish standards in line with the permit criteria, reflecting the characteristics of the semiconductor manufacturing process and the diversity of materials and equipment that change over time depending on customer demand and industry conditions," he added.







To raise the environmental standards of the company's manufacturing facilities, Park has collaborated with various departments in the manufacturing process. He has applied the most advanced environmental technologies to overhaul the facilities and solve the problems that come with it. Also, the team leader has actively communicated with government agencies and environmental experts to create a unified environmental permit standard for the chip industry.







Thanks to the effort, SK hynix's Icheon plant operates the largest water reuse facility in Korea with a capacity of 94,400 tons a day and a cooling tower reuse facility with a capacity of 10,000 tons a day. Its Cheongju plant has been supplying recycled wastewater starting this year, the first in the semiconductor industry. Through these efforts, the company saved 47 million tons of water last year, enough for the needs of 430,000 people for a year.







"Managing water resources that are used as drinking water for citizens in the Seoul Metropolitan area is very challenging. This is why we are thoroughly managing the water ecosystem and water quality through various efforts such as building a water temperature reduction system and reducing pollutant emissions," Park said.


Biden proclaims NATO alliance 'more united than ever' in contrast to predecessor Trump

President Joe Biden says he and other NATO leaders showed the world this week that the military alliance remains more united than ever."
Chazlee Myers, seen here getting ready for a video shoot, recently spent time in Italy, where she taught in the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program.
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LANESBOROUGH  The state Ethics Commission is in active negotiations with Barbara Davis-Hassan, whom it has targeted for her dealings with the Berkshire Mall as a Realtor while also serving in municipal capacities.

Davis-Hassan is a member of the Lanesborough Planning Board and the Lanesborough Economic Development Authority. She is also a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Ethics Commission, in a statement released in May, accused Davis-Hassan of multiple conflicts of interest, including one stemming from the $8 million sale of the mall, in which she received a $240,000 commission, as well as her efforts to rezone the mall as a Planning Board member.

In a six-page response submitted June 7, attorney Stephen Orlando states that Davis-Hassan relied upon the advice and guidance provided by the state Ethics Commission and Lanesborough Town Manager.

In a virtual conference June 14, Thomas Connors, a member of the state Ethics Commission, set a November date for an adjudicatory hearing in Boston at the commissions office. Davis-Hassan did not attend Tuesdays hearing; she was represented by Orlando.

The joint motion to stay adjudicatory proceedings until July 21 in order to engage in settlement negotiations, was filed June 30 by Orlando and Candies Pruitt, staff counsel for the State Ethics Commission.

Connors allowed the motion on July 5.

In the event that the parties are unable to reach a settlement by that date [July 21], dispositive motions, those seeking an immediate ruling of the case without further hearing, are due July 28.

Opposition to such motions is due by Aug. 4 and any replies are due Aug. 11.

Other dates in the case are remaining unchanged.

Davis-Hassan ran unsuccessfully for Select Board this spring.

She could not be reached immediately for comment.

Orlando was reached briefly by phone, but the connection failed.
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data.
Visitors watch humanoid robots dancing at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2023 in Shanghai, China, July 6. Xinhua-Yonhap



This is the second in a three-part series of interviews with global artificial intelligence (AI) technology experts regarding Korea's ambition to become a hub for AI innovation so that the country can reap AI's national security and economic benefits. _ ED.



'Seoul's strengths in chips to help US-China de-escalate tensions in AI'



By Kim Yoo-chul



Since the fanfare over generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology began this year, experts have voiced major concerns about the potential side effects of such technology.



Top experts explicitly warned about the risk of human extinction from the growth of AI, stressing that mitigating such a possibility must be a global priority.



In recent months, the U.S. and China have specified plans on how to better regulate AI technology. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman used his recent high-profile global trips to call for coordinated regulation by governments.



The EU was the first to enact legally-binding regulations that would apply to different areas of AI. However, the key concern is that many top business leaders in the EU were resisting rules on AI, warning that legislation could spur an exodus of investments and also jeopardize the region's technological sovereignty.



More than 160 big tech companies in Europe including Siemens, Renault, Airbus, Carrefour, Meta and ARM sent an open letter to EU lawmakers arguing that the EU AI Act goes too far, especially in terms of the regulation of generative AI and foundation models that are the technology behind today's mainstream AI platforms such as ChatGPT. EU member states plan to vote on the rules.





CAPTRS co-founder and CEO Phil Siegel / Courtesy of CAPTRS

Speaking to The Korea Times, Phil Siegel, co-founder and CEO of the Center for Advanced Preparedness and Threat Response Simulation (CAPTRS), said the EU AI Act maybe leaning too much on regulations, while not paying enough attention to benefits.



"Korea seems balanced but it will all be in how it is implemented. Too heavy handed and rules will stifle progress in reaping benefits. Too light touch and rules could allow progress to run too far ahead of regulatory priorities," Siegel, who is also a commentator on AI for MSNBC and Fox Business, said in a recent interview.



CAPTRS is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that uses AI to improve social disaster preparedness. Its key clients and partners include IBM Research, Boston Consulting Group, The New York Academy of Sciences, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and The Rockefeller Foundation.



When asked about the goals of regulations on AI technology, Siegel stressed it is more of a framework, which is good.



"I believe the four key areas for AI rules focus for any country or region should be protecting children, hardening and updating laws to recognize AI, ensuring fairness and accuracy in the algorithms and ensuring general safety and guidelines including registration and ethics."



The EU AI Act is mainly intended to propose organized responses to the risks AI is starting to pose as EU lawmakers want AI systems like ChatGPT to disclose the differentiations between original content and AI-generated content to ensure safeguards against illegal content. But big tech companies such as Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, brushed off potential side effects of AI by claiming that now is not the time to hit the pause button.





Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks via video link at the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on July 6. Electric car giant Tesla is set to realize fully autonomous vehicles "later this year," in the words of CEO Elon Musk, in the billionaire's latest forecast for the long-anticipated milestone. AFP-Yonhap



In Korea, the AI Act, which would take effect from this year at the earliest, is aimed at offering a statutory basis for establishing ethical guidelines for AI and providing support for new businesses in the industry.



"I think that is a practical prescription," Siegel said.



Korea's focus on education, guardrails make sense



Korea is in the early stage of detailing and specifying roadmaps for AI goals and regulatory guidelines from an economic perspective. However, Siegel said AI is well defined by Korea, which stipulates the technology as essentially "mimicking human intelligence derived using machines or digital formats."



"The goals and guidelines were both pragmatic though as with most new technologies will need to be fine-tuned. The focus on education is smart and it is really the only way for Korea to catch up on the software and algorithmic side of AI, though I must admit it feels like more of a long shot than the hardware and semiconductor side where it goes in competitively very well-positioned," according to the CEO.



As AI spreads across economies and societies, policymakers and stakeholders in the industry are seeking to move from principles to practice. Siegel said while it is very necessary for every country to have an overall technological strategy, perspective is what everyone will struggle with.



"I believe Europe is going maybe a bit far on regulation and not focused enough on benefits and skill training and reaping the benefits of AI. The U.S. is still figuring it out as are much of Asian countries. The U.S. advantage is that Silicon Valley won't wait. The disadvantage is they won't wait. I like Korea's focus on education and regulatory guardrails together as a balance. I think also enabling its chip companies to flourish will be strategically important," he added.



Competition between the U.S. and China is heating up and this is most evident in AI. From Washington's viewpoint, Beijing's wider use of AI for military purposes is another key source of concern. The core purpose of the U.S. decision to impose restrictions on its semiconductor exports to China is because of concerns that Beijing could possibly use sophisticated chips and AI to advance its military capabilities.





Nadine, third from left, one of the world's most realistic humanoid social robots (University of Geneva), Nadia Thalmann, fourth from left, from the University of Geneva, the head of an AI robot, of Hanson Robotics, female robot Mika, Ameca, right, one of the world's most lifelike humanoid robots, speak during the World's first press conference with a panel of AI-enabled humanoid social robots as part of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, July 7. EPA-Yonhap
Ten ASEAN countries including Cambodia, Vietnam will participate

The Ministry of Ayush with support from the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Mission to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Secretariat is gearing up to host the Conference on Traditional Medicines for ASEAN Countries on 20th July 2023.

The Conference on Traditional Medicines aims to strengthen the platform between India and ASEAN Countries to share their best practices and draw a roadmap for future cooperation in the field of Traditional Medicines.

Addressing the Media at the Curtain Raiser event on 13 July, Union Minister for Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal said, "The Ayush sector has grown multi-fold in the last 9 years since the year 2014. Today the Ministry is engaged with many top class international organisations from UK, USA, Japan, Brazil, Germany as well as National organisations like CSIR, DST, DBT, IITs etc. to undertake high quality research on Ayush systems in various non communicable disease conditions like Diabetes Mellitus, Cancer, Mental Health as well as infectious diseases like COVID. The ASEAN conference will provide a platform to share the research outcomes of various projects implemented by the Ministry of Ayush. Similarly, ASEAN countries will also share their experiences.

A total of 75 participants - International delegates from 8 ASEAN countries and 2 International delegates through virtual mode will brainstorm and share their ideas on Traditional Medicines during this one day conference which will be held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
Investment to bring 60 jobs to Kansas City area

MilliporeSigma, the US and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt Germany, has announced the expansion of its facility in Lenexa, Kansas, adding 98,000 square feet of lab space and production capability to manufacture cell culture media.

Cell culture media is an essential raw material used in the manufacture of life-saving therapies and in processes as varied as vaccine manufacturing, gene therapy, and monoclonal antibody manufacturing. Because of its central role in biomanufacturing, a consistent supply of high-quality media is required to deliver the necessary concentration and protein quality for therapeutics.

The company's strategic investments to expand capacity with the new dry powder media manufacturing lines in existing production facilities in the Lenexa, Kansas, and Nantong, China, sites will increase both local and global production capacity to meet current demand and ensure supply for future demand surges, ensuring for future supply robustness.
A key step forward in protecting African meningitis belt countries from deadly and debilitating meningitis epidemics

MenFive, the first conjugate vaccine to protect against the five predominant causes of meningococcal meningitis in Africa, has been prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Developed through a 13-year collaboration between Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd (SIIPL) and PATH, with crucial funding from the UK governments Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, MenFive protects against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, Y, and X and is designed to eliminate annual meningitis outbreaks and epidemics in the African meningitis belta string of 26 countries from Senegal and The Gambia in the west to Ethiopia in the east.

It is also the only vaccine that prevents meningitis caused by meningococcal group X, a pathogen increasingly implicated in meningitis outbreaks in Africa.

WHO prequalification was supported by extensive clinical studies in The Gambia, India, and Mali that demonstrated a high level of safety and immunogenicity. Importantly, prequalification allows MenFive to be procured by United Nations agencies and Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance.

Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India, said, MenFive is a game-changer vaccine developed through a powerful 13-year collaboration between SIIPL, PATH, and vital support from the UK government, in the fight against meningococcal meningitis in Africa. As the first conjugate vaccine to safeguard against the five predominant causes of this deadly disease, MenFive offers hope for a future free from annual outbreaks and epidemics in the African meningitis belt. It is a big moment as we, together, pave the way towards a healthier Africa, saving countless lives."

Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection that sets in rapidly and can kill within hours. It can cause severe brain damage and sepsis leading to limb amputation and is fatal in 50 percent of cases if untreated. MenFive is currently undergoing an additional Phase 3 study in healthy children between 9 and 15 months of age in Mali, to examine MenFives safety and immunogenicity when administered alongside measles/rubella and yellow fever vaccine.
Carbon1 is helping to advance sustainability in the digital supply chain with SeenThis' adaptive streaming technology.

SeenThis, the adaptive streaming technology specialist, is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with Carbon1 in South Africa. This collaboration aims to empower South African brands by delivering faster, high-quality digital advertising while significantly minimising carbon emissions.

Together, Carbon1 and SeenThis are paving the way for more sustainable media practices, prioritising both the user experience and overall advertising performance.

SeenThis proprietary streaming technology allows advertisers to stream high-resolution, bandwidth-friendly video content replacing the traditional, more cumbersome ad serving methods. This results in reduced data usage and energy consumption, leading to a smaller carbon footprint when compared to the use of conventional advertising technology.

As a result, a growing number of advertisers are seeing the benefits of more carbon-efficient campaigns at a time when there is increasing focus on the need to deliver digital experiences in more sustainable and efficient ways.

SeenThis is also fully compatible with all of the existing ad serving and programmatic platforms and supply sources in South Africa, so it can be instantly deployed by agencies and advertisers currently buying and serving digital media.

Joe Steyn-Begley, managing director of Carbon1 expresses his enthusiasm about the partnership: We are extremely excited to collaborate with SeenThis and leverage its ground-breaking creative technology. Not only does it provide brands and agencies with a remarkable solution to minimise their carbon footprint from digital advertising and become more sustainable, but it also increases campaign performance and audience attention."

Energy efficiency and the rapid loading of data are particularly relevant in South Africa, where an ongoing energy crisis, known as load shedding, regularly results in widespread national blackouts. Alongside this, the high cost of data for users is also a challenge which SeenThis technology helps to address through bandwidth-efficient streaming.

Nick Titmus, GM UK at SeenThis adds: Together with Carbon1, we aspire to create a brighter digital future in South Africa where creativity, performance and sustainability walk hand-in-hand. By combining SeenThis streaming technology with Carbon1s in-market expertise, we can inspire, change and revolutionise the way brands and media agencies deliver digital advertising, whilst championing performance and digital sustainability.

This partnership represents a significant step forward in the digital advertising landscape, emphasising the importance of sustainability and a more environmentally-conscious industry. By partnering with SeenThis, Carbon1 is at the forefront of driving positive change; demonstrating that brands can achieve outstanding results and minimise their environmental impact.
Frontline Managed Services, the leading global provider of outsourced solutions to over 800 firms in the legal and accounting markets, is proud to announce the opening of its new office in South Africa. This strategic expansion represents a significant milestone in Frontline Managed Services' commitment to global growth and its mission to deliver world class legal industry service desk, managed IT services, and financial managed services to law firm clients around the world.

Frontline's strategic expansion into Cape Town marks a significant milestone in the companys history. This new office will serve as a dynamic hub, servicing global clients in multiple time zones with a 24 hour, 'follow the sun' strategy bolstering Frontline's operational capabilities. By establishing a strong local presence, Frontline aims to provide enhanced support to its current customer base by tapping into the immense potential of South Africa's flourishing economy and rapidly expanding labour talent pool. With its strategic location as a gateway to other points in Europe and Africa, Frontline is poised to seize new strategic growth opportunities to service more clients.

"We are excited to announce the opening of our South Africa office, which marks an important step in our expansion strategy," said Seelin Naidoo, chief executive officer at Frontline. "The South Africa's office leverages our follow the sun strategy to service our clients and to reach top talent in the Cape Town market, a great opportunity for employees to grow their career, while receiving excellent training and substantial benefits.

The South Africa office will be staffed by a team of experienced professionals dedicated to providing analysts to support the service desk, managed IT services, financial managed service and HR for the company. As part of Frontline's commitment to the local community, the office plans to onboard 60 plus IT jobs by the end of the year contributing to the growth of the South African economy and a bridge to its growing operations in other countries.

About Frontline Managed Services

With more than 1,000 employees worldwide to support more than 800 law firms throughout the world, Frontline Managed Services is a global provider of administrative, financial and IT managed services for legal and professional services firms. Driven by specialised technology and expertise, we innovate the service delivery model and offer scalable solutions that improve revenue, profitability and firmwide efficiencies.

Founded in 1987, Frontline Managed Services has offices around the globe including the United States (Atlanta, Honolulu, New York City, St. Louis, Toledo, Nashville and Washington, D.C.) Toronto, Canada, London, England, Hyderabad and Goa, India. For more information visit www.frontlinems.com.




The Africa Fellows in Education Programme aims to improve education decision-making through supporting fellows to develop and advocate for quality research that is locally relevant and robust, putting evidence at the heart of education policy in Africa.

The Global Education Analytics Institute (GEAI), in collaboration with the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP), has launched a research and policy development fellowship designed to build local capacity and improve education decision-making across sub-Saharan Africa. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, PEP has a long history of building capacity for policy analysis in communities facing educational and economic inequalities. Supported by funding from the Yidan Prize, the fellowship is the first programme of the newly established GEAI and will be led by its executive director, Ramaele Moshoeshoe.

The programme will initially support a cohort of four fellows in 2023, with eight more to follow in 2024. All fellows will complete a two-year fellowship, gaining relevant experiences in education policy research and analysis, as well as opportunities to network with international researchers and policy advisers.

Africa faces a learning crisis and has limited local capacity to generate cutting-edge education policy research and analysis to guide policymakers. The Africa Fellows in Education Programme aims to address this crisis; It provides a unique opportunity for young Africa-based scholars and education policy analysts to hone their skills, be part of a network of highly competent researchers and policy advocates, and improve education decision-making in the continent, Ramaele Moshoeshoe.

The programme's inaugural fellows include four distinguished researchers in the field of development economics: Amadou Jallow of Gambia, Heleen Hofmeyr of South Africa, Jaah Mkupete of Tanzania, and Yselle Flora Malah Kuete of Cameroon.

L to R: Amadou Jallow (Gambia), Heleen Hofmeyr (South Africa), Jaah Mkupete (Tanzania) and Yselle Flora Malah Kuete (Cameroon). Images supplied

Amadou Jallow, an economics lecturer and unit head of the economic programme at University of The Gambia, specializes in research on development economics, with a focus on migration, education, agricultural policies, and impact evaluations in developing countries.

Heleen Hofmeyr, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Economics Department at Stellenbosch University, has led numerous large-scale research projects in South Africa. Her work focuses on the role of socio-emotional skills in education, with a particular interest in supporting vulnerable children.

Jaah Mkupete, a development economist and affiliated lecturer at University of Dar-es-Salaam, Mkwawa University College of Education, specializes in studying human capital accumulation, with a focus on health and education. His research also seeks to understand the interaction between climate change, food systems, gender, and nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa.

Yselle Flora Malah Kuete, a researcher and lecturer at University of Yaounde II in Cameroon, has collaborated with international organizations to improve primary education systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Her projects analyze factors affecting elementary school performance, and study regional and gender disparities in education quality.

Joining a global network of experts, the fellows will become strong advocates for improving schools and education systems in their respective countries.

Advocating for a localised, evidence-based approach to education decision-making

Professor Eric A. Hanushek, 2021 Yidan Prize for Education Research Laureate, used his Yidan Prize project funds to launch GEAI and support the programme from January 2023 to December 2025.

Education policy is closely linked to the future economic well-being of the country because a countrys growth depends on the skills of its population. The Africa Fellows in Education Programme is designed to foster a network of people who can lead the transformation of the schools by fostering robust, evidence-based decision-making in education, said Professor Eric Hanushek.

The Africa Fellows in Education Programme will build a group of Africa-based leaders capable of developing evidence and shaping educational policies that are relevant to their respective countries. Starting in sub-Saharan Africa, GEAI hopes to foster a wider network of local experts across the continent.

The fellows will be trained to identify and produce high-quality research that can be used to improve education decision-making in local contexts. They will also have the opportunity to conduct outreach to policymakers and civil society actors to advocate for sound, evidence-based local policies.

Edward Ma, Secretary-General of Yidan Prize Foundation, said: The Yidan Prize Foundation is delighted to support the Africa Fellows in Education Programme. Quality education underpins global development, and quality evidence leads to sound policy and systems. Eric, Ramaele, and the PEP team are collaborating to nurture a network of highly skilled researchers in Africa.

Building local capacity through mentorship, training, and networking opportunities

During the two-year research and policy development fellowship, fellows will develop their own research projects under supervision and mentorship from advisers at PEP and Stanford University.

The first phase of the programme will include international training and networking opportunities, including a visit to Munich for the annual CESifo Economics of Education conference, and meeting with officials at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) in Paris. Fellows will also travel to the US to meet with researchers at Stanford University and attend the annual meeting of the Association for Education Finance and Policy.
With an emphasis on promoting cutting-edge and modern design initiatives, design and architectural magazine Objekt South Africa includes articles, interviews, and breathtaking images of furniture, home decor, and other design-related subjects. The locally-produced magazine aims to highlight and appreciate the diverse design scene and creative talent from across the globe.

Since launching its exciting new interactive rich media magazine, ObjektSouth Africa has performed extremely well having achieved an average of 60,000 view an issue.

Charles & Ray Eames will be the main feature of our most recent issue.

Charles Eames (1907-1978) and Ray Eames (1912-1988) were a husband-and-wife design team known for their significant contributions to modern architecture and furniture design. They were among the most influential designers of the 20th century.

The husband-wife team were particularly renowned for their innovative use of materials, technology, and manufacturing processes in their designs. They explored and experimented with a wide range of mediums, including furniture, architecture, industrial design, graphic design, film, and photography.

One of their most iconic contributions is the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, which was designed in 1956 and remains an enduring symbol of mid-century modern design. This chair featured molded plywood shells, luxurious leather upholstery, and a distinctive aesthetic that combined comfort, style, and functionality.

The Eameses also made significant contributions to the field of architecture. They were involved in the design of numerous buildings and exhibitions, including the Eames House (also known as Case Study House No. 8), which they designed as their own home in Pacific Palisades, California. This house is now considered a landmark of modern architecture.

Overall, Charles and Ray Eames played a pivotal role in shaping the modern design landscape and left a lasting impact on numerous creative disciplines. Their work continues to be celebrated and influential to this day.

Here's what more you can expect in Issue 40

Iconic Beauty Riva Aquarama

The Riva Aquarama, an iconic wooden run-about designed by Carlo Riva, epitomises glamour and style on the seas. With its clean lines, mahogany construction, chrome details, and distinctive blue and cream upholstery, the Aquarama captured the optimism of early-1960s Italy. Adored by celebrities, heads of state, and royalty, this legendary boat continues to enchant with around 650 of the approximately 760 completed Aquaramas still in existence.

To commemorate its 60th Anniversary, Assouline published a special book edition, telling the Aquarama's story and showcasing its charm through captivating photos by Oliver Pilcher.

Riva, a true Italian beauty icon, originated from the skilled craftsmanship of Pietro Riva in 1842 and flourished under the talent and passion of Carlo Riva in the 1950s. The brand's crowning glory was the birth of the Aquarama in November 1962, solidifying Riva's status as a symbol of fine Italian yachting artistry.

Today, Riva remains at the forefront of world boating, thanks to the collaboration between Ferretti Group, led by Piero Ferrari, the Engineering department, and the design studio Ofcina Italiana Design.

Power of Dimensions

Design Miami/ is an influential event that bridges the realms of art and design, vintage and avant-garde. Originally born in Miami Beach, it has expanded to Basel, Switzerland, alongside Art Basel Miami Beach.

In its 16th edition in 2022, Design Miami/ Basel featured 30 international galleries and designers. The introduction of the Podium exhibition concept, curated by Maria Cristina Didero, showcased museum-quality works for sale. The fair also presented Special Satellite Projects, and collaborations that added diverse and exciting presentations. The aim was to inspire and surprise the global audience, fostering creative exchange and offering unconventional projects through the Curio program.

Rajasthan Into the Cool

Mirai is a contextual house designed by Sanjay Puri Architects for a multi-generational family in Rajasthan, India. It features 3 levels, 4 bedrooms, 2 living rooms, a gym, and a study. The house incorporates varied heights and volumes, with a curved outer structure providing semi-open spaces and reducing heat gain. Designed for the hot desert climate, it maintains coolness even during scorching temperatures exceeding 40C for 8 months a year, while embracing the surrounding environment

Torontos Bright Gem

Studio Pyramid in Toronto designed a bright and visually elaborate Toronto Pied a Terre for an international couple who are banking executives and have multiple residences /worldwide. The challenge was to downsize their lifestyle and create a compact yet vibrant space. The design process involved curating meaningful artefacts while mixing different styles of furniture, carpets, and lighting with art. The Viennese Secession Bar and a red ceramic chandelier were among the key design elements chosen to set the tone for the new home. Studio Pyramid Inc., led by Alexander Sasha Josipovicz, is a multi-disciplinary company known for its originality and design integrity, with a portfolio spanning residential and commercial projects worldwide.

What Colour Is Virtue

Aamir Khandwala, an interior designer, restored a 30-year-old Manhattan duplex by skillfully fusing traditional and modern components together while merging his compositions with the previous design. The project involved remodelling a number of spaces with a calming colour scheme, unique furniture and carefully chosen artwork from the client's collection.

Sounds Of the Loon

This attractive cottage is situated near Port Carling on the beaches of Muskoka Lake. It boasts amazing views of Lake Muskoka and was constructed to be enjoyed all year long. Natural elements like Muskoka granite and European white oak were incorporated into the interior design by Goran Tijanic of GOGO Design. With beautiful lake views, the open-concept living area, Muskoka room, and basement lounge offer plenty of space for fun and rest.

Signs of Wabi Sabi

Bought by a Catholic Church vicar in 1934, the historic villa adjacent to Hupao Spring in Hangzhou, China, underwent extensive repairs and refurbishment from 2016 to 2020. Renamed 'Sisan Hupao 1934' (Sisan), the villa was revived by SYY Decoration Design, led by chief designer Xie Ke. The design aimed to preserve the villa's history while infusing modern elements. Lead architect Wang Chi emphasized the blend of old brick masonry, wood-framed structure, and structural steels, along with glass elements, representing both the past and the present.

The Rule Of Two - The Universe Of Artist Theo Willense

Theo Willemse is a sculptor who works with traditional and modern components to create sculptures that represent the union of opposites. He lives and works in the historic Lemoine Point Estate in Kingston, Ontario. His works of art evoke reflection, connect with timeless themes, and work well in contemporary contexts.

Touaregs In Brussels

Design studio WeWantMore built the magical Touareg bar in Brussels. The bar's chain arches, smoke-patterned traditional Moroccan lights, and hypnotic spherical mirror are all inspired by Moroccan architecture. Le Fay, a cocktail bar named after the fabled enchantress and King Arthur's sister Morgan le Fay, is located on the first level.

Celebrating 10 years of ObjektSouth Africa

In celebration of ObjektSouth Africa's 10-year anniversary, orders for the annual printed edition, including delivery, will be available soon on the order and payment portal going live soon.

"The 10th Anniversary Issue will be centred around the best of 2023, including highlights from various local and international design events, architecture, interior decor trends and luxury lifestyle products, such as yachts, time-pieces, fragrances and many more," notes Bouwmeester.

The 10th Anniversary Issue is expected to be on shelves the first week of December 2023.

The luxury quarterly magazine is freely available to read online.

Visit the website for more information, or head to Objekt South Africas Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn pages.
Machine_ loves Mandela Day. Off the back our a successful 2021 and 2022 Mandela Day initiative raising a collective R25,000, we once again asked Machine_ staff to donate 67 minutes of their time to create art inspired by Madiba that we will raffle off to raise funds for Blackboard. Here's how you can contribute to this amazing cause and stand the chance of winning a piece of local art!

Machine_ is a South African creative-solutions agency, with over 100 talented minds, based in Cape Town and Johannesburg. A few years ago, we launched an initiative called Machine_67 for Mandela Day. For this initiative, we call on our talented creatives to donate their time and artwork, which is then raffled off to raise funds for creative causes.

At Machine_ we believe that we need to nurture, foster and mentor creative talent from a young age to build a future-fit company and diverse creative industry in South Africa. Machine_s internal initiative, 'The Forge' was established to assist previously disadvantaged individuals with the opportunity to access creative careers. A forge is where metal is heated and shaped into what it will eventually become. The Forge by Machine_ aims to do the same, by finding and shaping undiscovered talent. Mentoring and growing young creative talent and equipping them with the tools and skills needed in the industry, says Robyn Campbell, managing director at Machine_ Cape Town.

Our Machine_67 initiative naturally falls under The Forges umbrella. And a natural partner for us over the past two years has been the Blackboard Community  a non-profit organisation that is committed to transforming the creative industry from the ground up.

Blackboards aim is to break down barriers and make creative careers more accessible to any child who may dream of being a filmmaker, art director, animator or anything they havent heard of yet  essentially, democratising creativity. To read more about what Blackboard does, visit BlackboardCommunity.co.za.

This year, we have had numerous artworks donated by our talented Machiners from across the country. These will be printed (if a photograph or illustration), hand signed and delivered to randomly selected winners from this raffle. Here's how to donate and stand the lucky chance of winning incredibly cool local art:

Donate R50 or more to be entered into the lucky draw. Click here for the Quicket link.

If you enter R100, that counts as two entries or R200 counts as four entries, and so on.

You are welcome to donate any amount, but only increments of R50 will count as entries to win art.



Want to see what you can win?

Visit our social media pages to get a glimpse of the cool art up for grabs! @thisismachine on Instagram and twitter and This Is Machine ZA on Facebook.

Lets support the future of South African creativity!

If you have any questions about this initiative, feel free to contact us at az.oc.enihcamsisiht@olleh.

Terms and conditions apply.




Globally people spend about two and a half hours on social media a day, while in South Africa, it's just over three and a half.

Source:  123rf 123rf South Africans spend over three and a half hours a day on social media

Thats a considerable amount of time, yes, but what these statistics ignore is the additional six and a half hours people spend on the internet every day, engaging with other forms of digital media.

Digital access is improving

The same goes for the number of social media users, which is increasing in South Africa by approximately 2 million people a year.

This incremental growth, however, reflects a growing number of digital users generally.

More people arent just using social media, theyre also becoming online gamers, podcast listeners, and streaming subscribers. Digital access is improving across the board.

A pillar, but not the foundation

Social media is a powerful tool and theres no doubt that it should be a pillar of any marketing strategy. But it shouldnt be the foundation.

There are so many ways in which brands can connect with their consumers, and many of these channels offer better ways of targeting consumers, engaging with them productively, measuring these engagements, and managing the outcomes.

Diversify

Ultimately, its about diversification.

Every channel has a saturation point  the moment where critical mass is reached and its simply no longer worth putting yourself out there.

Just as you wouldnt focus your marketing attention exclusively on one TV channel, so you shouldnt focus it on one platform.

Social media on its own isnt enough. When it comes to advertising, diversifying your approach is key.

Capitalise on the attention economy

Spreading your content across multiple channels, of course, helps you to capitalise on the attention economy.

Consumers are confronted on a daily basis with a seemingly endless amount of information vying for their attention  email, the news, billboards, social media, TV  but their attention is limited.

Theres only so much information that any of us can process on any given day.

Social media is one of the noisiest places in terms of advertising, with the average user encountering more than 10,000 ads every day.

Even if your content is smart and targeted, it could simply be scrolled past, ignored amid the deluge.

Brands that are sensitive to the peoples attention, and who are strategic in their approach to marketing, are likely to cut through the clutter.

Access to the right data: right data  the new oil

If you know who youre speaking to, and you speak to them through the right channel and at the right time, you have a much greater chance of them pausing to say, Now wait, thats interesting.

When consumers engage with other platforms  their favourite fitness app for example, or the podcasts they follow  their attention is more focused, more deliberate.

Their state of mind is easier to predict, too (well chat about why this is important in a minute).

Part of this involves having access to the right data  the new oil, as its called.

Are your consumers students? Are they parents? Do they live in a particular area? Do they have certain interests or hobbies?

With accurate audience information and clear insight into their behaviour, its possible to tap into the platforms that theyre using beyond social media and demonstrate your relevance.

And its possible to follow them on their life journey and purchasing journey, too.

Content adjacency problems

When consumers open up their favourite gaming app, listen to music they like, and even to some extent when they watch TV, youre in a position to predict their frame of mind.

Theyre engaging with specific content for a specific purpose, and youre likely to know what your adverts are going to feature alongside.

User-generated content, like social media, however, can pose content adjacency problems.

Content adjacency refers to how your adverts appear in relation to other forms of content  and when it comes to social media, theres no way of predicting it.

This could mean that your advert appears after an article a friend has shared that makes your consumer feel depressed or disillusioned. Or it could come after a post that makes them angry.

You need to be conscious of your consumers mental and emotional state when you talk to them.

What theyre thinking about and how theyre feeling not only affects their buying behaviour, but their associations with and perceptions of your brand, too.

Once again, this doesnt mean that social media should be underestimated or ignored.

Its a hugely popular channel for a reason.

But if you want to be proactive in how your content is consumed, there needs to be a balance between the forms of digital media you use.

Diversify, be targeted, be efficient, and watch as your brand stands out from
Five African screenwriters have been selected to participate in the 7th Realness African Screenwriters' Residency.

Image supplied. Selected participants in the 7th Realness African Screenwriters Residency are left to right: Michael Omonua (Nigeria), Chantel Clark (South Africa), Babalwa Baartman (South Africa), Chadi Zeneddine (Gabon/Lebanon) and Amartei Armar (Ghana)

The six-week programme takes place from 14 July to 6 September in South Africa during a residency in Stanford in the Western Cape, where the participants will work with experienced mentors, story consultants Selina Ukwuoma and Thandeka Zwana as well as creative producer, Cait Pansegrouw.

The participants will be put to the test in September at Fame Week Africa - a major platform for the development and networking of the creative industries on the continent, which this year sees over 1,600 delegates attend.

The five scriptwriters

The five scriptwriters are:

Amartei Armar (Ghana) is a writer/director whose most recent work, TSUTSU premiered at Cannes as part of the official selection, competing for the Short Palm Dor; a first for Ghana. He will work on his second feature film a period drama titled Ever Young .

premiered at Cannes as part of the official selection, competing for the Short Palm Dor; a first for Ghana. He will work on his second feature film a period drama titled . Michael Omonua (Nigeria) is a writer/director whose short film Rehearsal (2021) had its world premiere in competition at the 71st Berlinale, and was in competition at many film festivals. He will work on his second feature film, Galatians , a dark comedy.

(2021) had its world premiere in competition at the 71st Berlinale, and was in competition at many film festivals. He will work on his second feature film, , a dark comedy. Chantel Clark (South Africa) is screenwriter and director who will be working on her debut feature film Pale Faces , a drama/horror which is currently in development. The project was selected for the Sundance Institutes Screenwriters Lab, and two other labs.

, a drama/horror which is currently in development. The project was selected for the Sundance Institutes Screenwriters Lab, and two other labs. Chadi Zeneddine (Gabon/Lebanon) is a writer/director who has worked for 20 years in the film industry with the major international film festivals, developed a project with Walt Dinesy Studios and is currently doing his PHD in film. He will work on his second feature film - a project titled This is What They Call Us a drama/mystical/coming-of-age feature.

a drama/mystical/coming-of-age feature. Babalwa Baartman (South Africa) is a social entrepreneur and filmmaker who uses storytelling as a tool for healing and activism. Her project Eziko is her second feature film and her first solo scriptwriting experience.

The residency is such a sacred and enriching space to create, explains Pansegrouw, co-founder and director of artistic operations at the Realness Institute.

Its rare to be surrounded and supported by fellow Africans as you continue to discover your voice as a filmmaker. It is a privilege for me to play a small role in the development of these artists and their stories.

Taking projects to the next level

The aim of the programme is to mentor scriptwriters in a creative and nurturing environment, to enable them to advance their feature film projects.

By engaging with story consultants and creative producers, the screenwriters will work on the essence of their story concepts to develop them into compelling screenplays.

Alongside this, the cohort is also given guidance to effectively pitch their projects to industry partners for financing and production opportunities.

It is always an honour to welcome exciting African voices to the residency and to provide the freedom and support the filmmakers need to take their projects to the next level. We look forward to continuing the residency's pursuit of excellence, says Zwana.

Im excited to be back on the continent sharing in the lucid dreams of the next group of visionary filmmakers, says Ukwuoma.

Theyre encouraged to be expansive  to stretch their creativity to its limits  before then honing the craft skills that enable them to present the fruits of that exploration to the industry in their pitch at Fame Week Africa at the end. The emphasis on craft meeting creativity is crucial, adds Ukwuoma.

An enabler for the economic growth of the creative sector

We are really thrilled to host the Screenwriters' Residency at Fame Week Africa this year, says Martin Hiller, portfolio director: Fame Week Africa.

The convergence of significant stakeholders within the film and creative sectors at the event, offers an important opportunity for these scriptwriters to network, pitch and do business.

Taking ones story from the page into the development process is an important part of the filmmaking value chain, and this is ultimately what we set out to do  act as an enabler for the economic growth of the creative sector, explains Hiller.

The development programme is presented by the Realness Institute, in partnership with the French Institute of South Africa and Institute Francais, Locarno Filmmakers Academy, Cocoon Productions, The CNC, and Fame Week Africa.
Yossi Matias, right, vice president of engineering & research at Google, demonstrates the company's translator app to ICT Minister Lee Jong-ho during the AI for Korea 2023 event held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas hotel, Thursday. Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT



US tech giant promises to help nurture AI experts here



By Baek Byung-yeul



Korea has stepped up cooperation with Google to strengthen R&D capabilities and nurture professionals in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry as it aims to become a global AI powerhouse, the science ministry said Thursday.



The Ministry of Science and ICT and Google jointly hosted the AI for Korea 2023 event in Seoul, from Thursday to Saturday to discuss the future of the AI industry and look into the current status of AI technologies from domestic and overseas AI firms. The event also offers tech sessions for students learning AI.



The ministry said that the event was organized to expand and globalize Korea's AI industry, which has been moving dynamically in recent years. The Ministry of Science and ICT and Google MSIT plan to use the event as an opportunity to expand collaboration in human resource development and R&D to advance the country's AI sector.



"We hope that this event will be an opportunity to expand our cooperation with Google, which has a world-leading AI capability, to help AI services developed by Korean startups to go abroad and further strengthen our AI capabilities through joint research," ICT Minister Lee Jong-ho said at the event.



To help foster AI professionals, the ministry said Google will expand the number of participants in its Machine Learning Bootcamp program here from 200 people in 2022 to 500 people this year. The Machine Learning Bootcamp is a program that supports university students majoring in AI as well as software developers with deep learning training and certification.



The company will also introduce a new digital education program here for non-majors without relevant degrees or work experience.



In addition, Google began operating the Startup School program this year, which provides students and entrepreneurs the education they need to build successful startups that can compete in the global marketplace.



The ICT ministry and Google will hold academic exchanges related to AI research and will make it a regular event as well. The ministry added the content and the methods of joint research will be announced later this year.



During the event, Lee Hwal-suk, co-founder and chief technology officer at local AI company, Upstage, also delivered a presentation elaborating on the potential and numerous business prospects within the generative AI market.



Lee introduced AskUp, the company's generative chat AI service with a user base of 1.3 million, saying that the service has helped Upstage solidify its leading position in the industry. The service is available through messenger platforms such as KakaoTalk and LINE.



He also introduced AskUp Seargest, an enterprise solution that combines hyper-personalized searches and suggests features with its AskUp chat interface.



"Upstage will continue to collaborate with Google and other tech companies to enhance the utilization of generative AI applications and foster responsible AI development," the CTO said.


Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman Chey Tae-won speaks during a press briefing at Haevichi Hotels & Resorts on Jeju Island, Wednesday. Courtesy of KCCI



By Lee Hyo-sik



JEJU  Korea will be able to further expand its "economic territory" if its second-largest city of Busan hosts the World Expo in 2030 as the nation forms closer ties with countries in South America, Africa and elsewhere, according to the head of the biggest business lobby here, Wednesday.



"World Expo is not just a mere international event. I think it enables the host nation to explore new markets through its bidding campaign and preparation process," Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chey Tae-won told reporters on Jeju Island. "If Busan wins the bid, we will work more closely with 179 member states (of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE)). This will create new business opportunities for Korean companies in less-known countries."



The BIE is the international body in charge of overseeing the World Expo. Busan is competing with the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh and Italy's Rome. The BIE member nations will pick the host city for World Expo 2030 in November.



Chey, who is also the chairman of SK Group, said that the Busan Expo will help reduce Korea's economic dependence on China, the United States, and other major trading partners, stressing that Asia's fourth-largest economy should make greater efforts to diversify its markets.



"If Busan wins the right to host the Expo, we will be able to more closely interact with 179 countries for the next seven years. This will help us better understand them and do more business with them, which will expand our economic territories and lessen our dependence on the U.S. and China," the KCCI chairman said.



Chey urged Korea to secure new markets amid the escalating U.S.-China conflict, China's slowing growth and other global uncertainties. "Korea will establish closer economic ties with more nations through the Busan Expo. This will certainly elevate our international standing."



The chairman then said that he is optimistic about Busan's chances of winning.



"It is hard to say who the frontrunner is. Saudi Arabia openly says it has secured votes from 120 BIE member states, but I think it is overly exaggerated. But such bluffing can be part of its bid strategy," he said. "We remain optimistic about our chance and continue campaign activities as planned for the remaining 140 days. At this moment, it is difficult to know how many votes we have won."



Korean firms must not abandon China



No matter how difficult it has become for Korean companies to do business in China, they must not abandon it because it is impossible to find replacements elsewhere, according to Chey.



"We cannot just exit from China because it is our largest export market. Things have become harder for Korean firms but they must continue doing business," he said. "They have lost competitive edge in petrochemical and other traditional manufacturing sectors. They should expand their presence in artificial intelligence, the environment and other emerging industries to succeed in China."



The chairman also suggested that companies should not approach the world's second-largest economy as a single market. "China is a huge country, consisting of many provinces. Companies need to implement different strategies for each province."


Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's foreign intelligence agency, attends a military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 76th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, May 9, 2021. Reuters-Yonhap



Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin said on Wednesday that he and CIA counterpart William Burns had discussed "what to do with Ukraine" in a phone call late last month, Russia's TASS news agency said.



The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported on June 30 that Burns had called Naryshkin to assure the Kremlin that the United States had no role in a brief mutiny a week earlier by Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner fighters.



Naryshkin confirmed that Burns had raised "the events of June 24", when the mercenaries took control of a southern Russian city and advanced towards Moscow before reaching a deal with the Kremlin to end the revolt.



But he said that for most of the call, lasting about an hour, "we considered and discussed what to do with Ukraine".



The CIA declined to comment on his remarks.



Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022, says other countries should not negotiate its future on its behalf, and the United States has repeatedly backed this principle, described as "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine".









Burns and Naryshkin have maintained a line of communication since the start of the Ukraine war at a time when other direct contacts between Moscow and Washington are at a minimum, with relations at their lowest point since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.





Sergei Naryshkin, head of the Russian Foreign Intelligent Service, attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin outside Moscow, Russia, Feb. 21, 2020. AP-Yonhap
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Carmen Aguilar selected to lead Rabb School of Continuing Studies

Carmen Aguilar, a leader in higher education and continuing education, has been selected as the next vice president of the Rabb School of Continuing Studies at Brandeis.

Aguilar joins Brandeis from Providence College, where she has served as dean of continuing studies since 2020.

"Throughout her career, Carmen Aguilar has shown an ability to lead transformative initiatives and drive innovation," said Provost Carol Fierke. "I am confident that she will build upon the strong foundation at the Rabb School, and lead it to new heights. I thank the search committee for their dedication and commitment in finding a new leader for online education and continuing studies at Brandeis."

From 2006 to 2020, Aguilar was the dean of workforce and community education at Bristol Community College in New Bedford, Massachusetts. During her tenure, she forged strategic partnerships for customized education and training, spearheaded innovative workforce development projects, and developed comprehensive lifelong learning programs.

In her most recent role at Providence College, Aguilar successfully cultivated strategic partnerships, delivered innovative programs to a diverse adult student population, expanded curricular strengths, led successful distance education initiatives, and advanced the institution's continuing education mission and strategic priorities.

"I am excited to join the Brandeis community as the university prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary, Aguilar said. I'm looking forward to being a member of Provost Fierke's team, and working with the talented faculty and administrators to build the Rabb School of Continuing Studies into a national model of excellence."

Aguilar's career began at ITEMS-EGADE Business School in Monterrey, Mexico, where she served as the director of information technology services. She later served as the director of innovation learning at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Aguilar succeeds Lynne Rosansky, who has served as the Rabb School's vice president since 2019. She will join Brandeis on August 1.
A female bar-staff worker who was sent "vile, humiliating, degrading and disgusting" sexually explicit texts from a pub customer has been awarded 15,000 for her unfair constructive dismissal.

It follows an order by the Labour Court for Bridgehall Taverns Ltd, trading as The Uluru Bar and Restaurant, to pay Deirdre Walsh 15,000 over the matter which took place in September 2019.

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The Uluru Bar and Restaurant in Waterford temporarily barred the customer from the premises arising from the lewd texts sent to Ms Walsh in March 2019.

However, in his findings, chair of the Labour Court, Kevin Foley stated the decision of the employer to restore to allow the customer in question to return without notice or engagement with Ms Walsh amounted to behaviour which was so unreasonable as to mean that she could not be expected to continue in her employment.

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The case was before the Labour Court following an appeal by Ms Walsh against a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruling which found against her complaint of constructive dismissal.

The content of the offensive text messages was not disclosed in the Labour Court ruling.

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Mr Walsh, who had been employed at the pub since Halloween 2017, told the Labour Court that the texts made her very uncomfortable and caused her to have a severe panic attack.

Obscene communication

In the Labour Court's findings, Mr Foley concluded that there is no doubt that the text communication was explicitly sexual in nature and was vile, humiliating, degrading and disgusting.

Mr Foley stated Ms Walshs evidence that such an explicit and obscene communication made her very uncomfortable was compelling and convincing.

After receiving the lewd messages, Ms Walsh contacted her manager, who in turn reported the matter to the business managing director and the firm notified Gardai, meeting with a garda member the following day.

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Represented by Sean Ormonde & Co Solicitors, Ms Walsh said her bosses told her the customer had been barred, and she was content with this course of action.

However, Mr Foley stated the customer was permitted to return to the premises before the lapse of six months, without an apology being given to Ms Walsh or an undertaking being given as regards to future behaviour.

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In evidence, Ms Walsh said that in a meeting with the managing director, who is also a co-owner of the business, on August 24th, 2019, the managing director stated many men thought like the male customer, adding he could not bar them all.

In evidence, the managing director said he could not recall having said such a thing and that he would be surprised if he had.

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Cogent evidence

However, Mr Foley said he accepted the evidence of Ms Walsh in this respect in circumstances where she gave clear and cogent evidence on the matter.

Mr Foley stated that the court accepts, on the balance of probability, that no time limit was originally set down in terms of the exclusion of the offending customer and neither were conditions set out which, if met, would secure the termination of the customers exclusion.

Mr Foley added Ms Walsh's evidence that the managing director had trivialised her reaction to the return of the customer and made assertions as regards the likely thought processes of other male customers compounded the unreasonableness of the behaviour of the employer.

The employer contended that Ms Walshs failure to utilise her employers grievance procedure to raise any issue as regards her employment is fatal to her complaint.

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However, in dismissing that defence to the complaint, Mr Foley stated that it is clear that the managing director engaged with Ms Walsh at all stages without encouraging her to utilise the grievance procedures in place.

Mr Foley said the court accepts the managing director made assertions to Ms Walsh as regards the likely thoughts of other men towards her, and that he stated to her that he did not accept that she was affected in the manner she contended by the return of the customer.

Mr Foley added that in these circumstances the court accepts the submission of Ms Walsh that she could not reasonably have been expected to engage the grievance procedures of her employer.
A Court of Appeal judge has said that there may well have been a third party involved in the murder of a homeless man who was found badly beaten in a Dublin city park, during an appeal launched by a man jailed for life for the murder.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said it was possible that someone else may have inflicted the blows that killed father-of-one Artene Bob (49), who was found lying in undergrowth at Sean Walsh Memorial Park in Tallaght on the morning of April 13th, 2018. Mr Bob was taken to Tallaght Hospital by ambulance but died later the same day.

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Feri Anghel (44), of no fixed abode, was convicted of Mr Bobs murder by a Central Criminal Court jury in April last year and received the mandatory life sentence, for what Mr Justice Paul Burns described as the "cynical, vicious and extremely violent" attack on Mr Bob, who the judge described as a "decent and hard-working man".

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Anghel had pleaded not guilty to the murder but was unanimously convicted.

The jury heard Mr Bob had won around 2,700 at a casino in Dublin city centre on April 9th, 2018, but that he had already sent the bulk of the money to his family in Romania by the time he was attacked, three days later.

Forensic evidence

Appealing Anghel's conviction at the Court of Appeal on Thursday, Padraig Dwyer SC said the case rested entirely on circumstantial evidence, and the most the evidence could do was place Anghel near the park where Mr Bob was found alive at 7.40am on the morning of his death.

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Counsel said there was no forensic evidence connecting Anghel to the scene of the offence, but there was forensic evidence connecting others to the scene.

Some locals would say they were afraid to go into that park at night. 20 people went through that park, and some were identified but not all, Mr Dwyer said.

He added that evidence connecting the appellant to the death was a bank card belonging to the deceased used by Anghel on several occasions. He said Anghel could have come into possession of the card innocently or stolen it.

Mr Dwyer said Garofita Selin, who worked with Anghel and saw him with blood on his person, was the lynchpin of the case. She gave evidence that Anghel had said to her that he was involved in a fight with a friend of his, and she saw blood on his fingernails.

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Mr Dwyer said that this witness had an animus to Anghel, because she was told by gardai prior to making her statement that the man she was working with was a killer.

Mr Dwyer said she made no mention of blood on Anghel's hands until she made her second statement, which was taken in Romania. He said her credibility was undermined as she knew the gardai had a suspicion of Anghel.

He went on to say that there was one massive variation in her evidence, as during the first trial, which resulted in a hung jury, she had said she saw a red spot of blood on Anghels right boot, but in the second trial she said that the blood was on the left.

Mr Dwyer said that Anghel's DNA was not found at the scene, but DNA from other people was on two pairs of glasses belonging to Mr Bob that were found near the scene, as was DNA from cigarette butts. He said that in total, there were four contributors to the DNA samples found.

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Mr Dwyer said there was no evidence that Anghel knew Mr Bob had won money in the casino. He said that another witness had given evidence of other people knowing it, and evidence was given of people being aggressive to Mr Bob and targeting him. Mr Dwyer went on to say that the court had to consider whether any jury could convict beyond a reasonable doubt in this matter.

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He said that the trial judge could have directed the jury that they had to be satisfied that those who left the DNA did not kill Mr Bob. He said that the DNA found on Mr Bobs glasses was suggestive that people were handling them, but Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said that all this showed was that four other persons had contact with the glasses.

Mr Dwyer said that a pathologist had given evidence during the trial that Mr Bobs injuries were consistent with more than one person being involved, but they were also consistent with one person stamping and punching. He said that when Mr Bob was found alive and bleeding at 7.40am, he was asked who had done it to him, and he held up four fingers, which gave the person who found him the impression it was four people.

ATM withdrawals

Paul Greene SC, acting on behalf of the State, said that at 2.58am on the morning, one man was seen coming out of the park and was observed at an ATM making seven attempts to withdraw cash. He said this man was identifiably Anghel.

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He confirmed to the court that it was proper to infer that the two people seen entering the park before this were Anghel and Mr Bob, and only one left.

Mr Greene said that when Anghel was arrested, he told gardai that he had not drunk with Mr Bob and that he did not know him. Mr Greene said there was no positive evidence that Anghel did not know about Mr Bobs win at the casino, nor was there any evidence that he did not know the money had been given to another person for safe keeping.

Mr Justice McCarthy noted that Mr Bobs glasses were found a relatively short distance away, and he said that the court could properly infer that when assaulted, the glasses must have fallen off or been removed.

A rational inference would tend to suggest a third party involved. There may well have been a third party involved in the event, which would go to a joint enterprise, so someone else may have inflicted the blows, Mr Justice McCarthy said.

Mr Justice John Edwards said the court would reserve judgement in the appeal. He also said that the court would view the CCTV footage in the case.
Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group cross a street as they get deployed near the headquarters of the Southern Military District in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24. Reuters-Yonhap



The Wagner mercenary group is completing its handover of weapons to Russia's regular armed forces, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday, more than two weeks after the group staged a brief armed mutiny.



In a statement accompanied by video showing tanks, rockets and other heavy weapons, the ministry said Wagner had transferred more than 2,000 pieces of equipment and over 2,500 tons of ammunition.



If genuine, the handover is the most concrete sign to date that Wagner - whose fighters have waged some of the fiercest and bloodiest battles of Russia's war in Ukraine - is pulling out of combat operations there.



It follows a deal with President Vladimir Putin under which Wagner and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had savagely criticized Russia's defense chiefs over their conduct of the war, called off their short-lived mutiny last month.



During the June 23-24 revolt, the mercenaries took control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and shot down an unspecified number of military helicopters, killing their pilots, as they advanced towards Moscow.





Artillery systems belonging to Russia's Wagner military contractor are parked at an undisclosed location ahead of their handover to the Russian military in this July 12 photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service. AP-Yonhap




A carer who was a victim of online relationship fraud has pleaded guilty to stealing cash totalling 122,000 from an elderly couple during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Angela Manning (59), of Kingston Walk, Ballinteer, Dublin 22, pleaded guilty to seven sample charges of stealing money from an elderly couple via ATM withdrawals in Dublin between April 2019 and September 2021.

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She has no previous convictions.

Detective Garda Gavin Higgins told Aideen Collard, BL, prosecuting, that Laetitia Lynam and Enda ORegan are a married couple, and Manning was initially hired as a carer via an agency but was later hired privately by the couple.

Det Gda Higgins said Mr ORegan, who is in his 80s, resides in a nursing home and suffers from dementia. His wife, Ms Lynam, self-isolated during the Covid pandemic due to an underlying health condition.

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Manning would call to her home daily and was given an ATM card and pin by Ms Lynam so she could go food shopping, the court was told.

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The court heard that in September 2021, Ms Lynam texted Manning asking for her ATM card back as she had tried to buy something online, but the payment would not go through.

The following day, Manning came to Ms Lynams home and said: I want to tell you something, I have done something on you. You are going to be very angry with me, I have taken all your money.

The court heard that Ms Lynam initially laughed and thought it was a joke, but Manning said: I have bled you dry; there is nothing left.

Ms Lynam asked, Have you taken all my money? to which Manning replied, Yes, there is only 7 left.

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Manning had withdrawn over 122,000 from the couple's joint account, the court heard.

Romance fraud

Manning told Ms Lynam that she had met a man on Facebook and was falling in love with him. This man said his name was 'Sam', and he was a soldier in the US Army.

Sam told Manning his daughter was dying, and he needed 10,000 to be released from the army. Manning asked Ms Lynam not to tell Gardai as she needed time to tell her husband what she had done.

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Ms Lynam contacted Gardai that afternoon and an investigation began. Gardai obtained CCTV footage of Manning withdrawing cash from an ATM.

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During questioning, Manning told gardai that she would withdraw cash and go to a shop on Talbot Street, where she would lodge cash using an ATM into an untraceable Bitcoin online wallet.

The court heard for a period of time that Manning stopped lodging money into the Bitcoin account after her brother found out and told her it was a scam.

While giving her account to gardai, Manning said she had been contacted by other personas who said they were a General and Commandant in the US Army, as well as someone from the United Nations. She was also informed that Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was minding the money for her, all of which was completely untrue.

Det Gda Higgins told the court that High Court proceedings had taken place in 2021, and the deeds of the Manning family home were now in the possession of Ms Lynam and Mr ORegan.

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'Hook, line and sinker'

Det Gda Higgins agreed with Michael Bowman SC, defending, that his client had fallen for a Facebook scam hook, line and sinker. He said it came after she had accepted an unsolicited friend request on Facebook.

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Mr Bowman said that over the course of the scam, his client had received communications from a number of people pretending to be in the US Army. His client said they had put the guilt trip on me.

Counsel said his client had received an email from Sam stating that money had been held in trust for him and that once he had left the army, that money would be released.

He said that Manning was of the belief that the money she had transferred was a loan and would be paid back to her.

He said his client believed that the money was being sent via an An Post parcel, but it had been stopped by customs in Ireland, and an additional payment was needed to have this parcel released.

Mr Bowman told the court that Manning had also used money which her husband received when he retired and that he has to come out of retirement and go back to work.

Counsel handed documents to the court in the form of a handwritten letter from the accused and two medical reports. One of the reports outlined that Manning was an easy target for manipulation.

He asked the court to take into account that the prospect of his client ever coming before the court in the future is near zero.

He said it is an extraordinary set of circumstances and that his client had compromised the security of the injured parties and had also done the exact same thing to her husband and family.

Ms Justice Pauline Codd adjourned this case for finalisation until July 27th.
Tom Cuddy, head of operations with Uisce Eireann has warned there are boil water notices today and tomorrow across 12 local authorities as a precaution because of industrial action.

Precautionary boil water notices for households and businesses are in place in Tipperary and Waterford over the next several days. Other areas where there could be disruption include Cork City and County, Kerry, Fingal, South Dublin County Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Louth, Carlow, Galway City and Wexford.

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There is the potential for significant disruption to householders, businesses and water users generally across the 12 local authorities, and those impacts could be across the network and across the quality of water, Mr Cuddy told RTE radios Morning Ireland.

This was a very serious matter and p had established an incident management team working closely with management in the 12 local authorities to manage any disruptions to the water and wastewater system. However, there may be water supply interruptions and other water or wastewater issues, he said.

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These will be advised through local media and on our website and social media channels. And we are in contact already with large customers and will follow up with customers in the areas which are already being identified. And that will include, for example, hospitals and care homes. And we are providing them with support and advice.

Mr Cuddy said he hoped a resolution could be reached with the trade union so that no further action would be necessary.

Tom Fitzgerald, regional coordinating officer with the Unite trade union, explained that strike action had been taken because the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which is the body charged with engaging with trade unions on behalf of local authorities, had refused to meet members of Unite.

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This was not an acceptable position for one state agency to say that they would not engage with a trade union, he said.

Unite is seeking a commitment that water staff transferring from local authorities to Uisce Eireann will retain their public service status.

Our members democratically rejected a framework for future delivery of water services. The trade union wants to sit down and discuss the difference in approach to standard operating procedures and industrial action.

Our members don't engage in this action lightly. No one wants to be on strike. Its a very difficult place to be. And remember, our people who are on strike today live in those areas where the notices are going out. So this impacts upon their family, their communities. So it's not something they want to do. 

Mr Fitzgerald said that in situations such as emergencies his members would leave the picket line to make sure any essential work was done.

The situation was not tenable. The union was available and was ready to sit down for talks.
The Tanaiste has said the issue of an Irish airport being used as a stop-off to transport cluster bombs from the US to Ukraine doesnt arise.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Micheal Martin said that Ireland remains opposed to cluster munitions, pointing out that it was a lead nation in the establishment of a global 2008 convention banning the weapons.

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His comments come after the controversial decision by the US to provide Kyiv with cluster munitions; US president Joe Biden has defended the difficult decision to send the weapons to Ukraine to help in battling against an invasion by Russia.

When asked about the issue on Thursday, Mr Martin said the cluster munitions convention was adopted in Dublin in 2008, and he remembers convincing nations to sign up to it.

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US President Joe Biden during his visit to Dublin. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA

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It was an outstanding diplomatic achievement by Ireland to have so many countries, over 120, I think signed eventually, he said.

I remember working with Gordon Brown at the time to get the UKs agreement to sign up to the banning of cluster munitions and I recall very well meeting many civilians from countries all over, Asia in particular: amputees, people with severe injuries as a result of cluster munitions that are left in the aftermath of battle, the aftermath of war, in childrens playgrounds and so on.

So, were opposed to the use of cluster munitions on the battlefield, that is Irelands position, that hasnt changed, and that will remain our position.

He said the possibility that they might be transported through Shannon doesnt arise.

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No, I dont think that that issue arises.

In respect of any travel through Ireland or any flight (carrying munitions) coming through Ireland has to seek permission in the first instance.

The Tanaiste was speaking at a Defence Forces Open Day in Farmleigh House in Dublin to encourage people to join the Irish army.

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Tanaiste and Minister for Defence Micheal Martin and Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lt Gen Sean Clancy chat to Irish soldiers. Photo: Grainne Ni Aodha/PA

Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy said that recruitment is a challenge and that they have an all year round open recruitment campaign.

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So were actively pursuing recruitment at the moment, in particular, in a very challenging environment where the highest levels of employment exists now in the state, and were in a competitive market as well.

He added: Were doing everything as well and to retain the people we have people that are highly valued with high levels of skills and competence that we train people and develop and nurture people within our organisation.

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He said that some of the specific roles they are targeting for recruitment are medical corps and medical officers, and engineers.

We have a targeted campaign around specialists required in the naval service right now, for instance, weve a targeted campaign in terms of equitation There are specialist areas as well within growing areas of interest, if you like, demanded by the security environment that exists today, such as cyber.
Russian forces targeted Kyiv with a barrage of self-exploding Iranian-made Shahed drones early on Thursday morning, according to the Kyiv City Administration.

Explosions were heard in different parts of the city, and debris from intercepted drones fell on four districts of the Ukrainian capital, according to Ukraines Ministry of Internal Affairs.

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Buildings were damaged and two people were admitted to hospital with shrapnel wounds.

Earlier, the municipal authority wrote on Telegram that debris fell on five districts.



A resident surveys her neighbours apartment damaged in Russias air attack in Kyiv, Ukraine (Jae C Hong/AP)

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The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia fired a total of 20 drones, mostly at the Kyiv region, and that all 20 were shot down.

The Ukrainian military also intercepted two cruise missiles.

The statement also reported that one ballistic missile was not intercepted, although it did not explain what damage the missile caused.

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The government of the region of Khmelnytskyi in western Ukraine reported that a cruise missile was intercepted over the region, and reported no casualties.

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We appreciate the meticulous work of Ukraines air defence forces, the regional administration wrote on Telegram.

Rescuers extinguished a fire in a 16-storey building, as well as in a non-residential building, according to the Interior Ministry.

Debris also damaged the facade of a 25-storey apartment building, the ministry wrote.

Volodymyr Motus, a 22-year-old resident of the 25-storey building, carefully picked his way across the floor of a destroyed apartment, his footsteps accompanied by the sound of shattered glass.

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Residents outside an apartment building damaged in Russias air attacks in Kyiv (Jae C Hong/AP)

The mangled furniture was coated in a thick layer of dust.

I was in my apartment and suddenly I heard a boom, thats all. Then the alarm went off and I went down to the shelter.

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He said that some people were injured, but they were all alive.

In the partially occupied Donetsk region, Russian forces targeted 13 cities and villages under Ukrainian control with aviation, missiles and heavy artillery.

In the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region, the number of wounded by drone debris on Wednesday rose to 21, and fires broke out in the city of Kherson after Russian shelling.

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Russian strikes have come to feel almost routine in Ukraine over the almost 17 months of the war.

In May, Russia launched dozens of drones and missiles at Kyiv almost every night, forcing its residents to spend their nights in shelters.

During the summer, attacks came less frequently, but they still strike unpredictably across the country.

Ukraines human rights chief Dmytro Lubinets wrote on Telegram on Thursday: It should be explained that each air alarm in Ukraine is like playing Russian roulette Its unknown the number of people who could be affected, and it is uncertain from which part of Ukraine bad news about the strike of an enemy drone or missile will come.

Recently, a Russian cruise missile struck an apartment building in the western city of Lviv, resulting in a death toll that reached 10, and leaving dozens injured.

And in the southern and eastern regions of the country, where heavy fighting is taking place on front lines, the intensity of missile attacks has remained high since the beginning of the war.

Meanwhile, a senior officer leading Russian forces against Kyivs recent counteroffensive in southern Ukraine, Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov, was reportedly killed by a Ukrainian missile strike.

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Lt Gen Tsokov died when the Ukrainian military struck the city of Berdyansk on Tuesday with UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, according to retired general Andrei Gurulev, who commanded the 58th Army in the past and currently serves as a legislator.

Russias Defence Ministry has not reported Lt Gen Tsokovs death.



Russian President Vladimir Putin said the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine would not alter the course of the conflict (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP/PA)

Speaking to reporters in televised remarks from Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed that supplies of Western weapons to Ukraine would not change the course of the conflict.

He said that Western missiles do inflict some damage but nothing critical is happening for the Russian forces.

Mr Putin added that Western tanks and other armoured vehicles delivered to Ukraine likewise have not had any significant impact and have become priority targets for the Russian army.

He mockingly alleged that foreign tanks burn even better than the Soviet-designed tanks in the Ukrainian armys inventory.

The Russian president said that while Ukraine has the right to seek security guarantees, doing so must not threaten Russias security.

He said security guarantees for Ukraine were discussed as part of negotiations on a tentative peace deal in Istanbul in March 2022 weeks after the start of the Russian invasion, but the talks failed.

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Mr Putin warned that Moscow would not extend the UN-brokered deal that has allowed the export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports when it comes up for renewal on Monday unless the West meets Russian demands.

He suggested Moscow could suspend its participation in the agreement and resume it only when the West agrees to facilitate shipments of Russian food and fertiliser.
US President Joe Biden said he and other Nato leaders showed the world that the military alliance remains more united than ever, as he ended a trip to Europe meant to demonstrate the force of the international coalition against Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The allies understand that this fight is not only a fight for the future of Ukraine, Mr Biden said, noting that it is also about sovereignty and security.

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At this critical moment in history, this inflection point, the world watching to see, will we do the hard work that matters to forge a better future? Will we stand together, will we stand with one another? Will we stay committed to our course? Mr Biden said. He said the answer was a resounding yes.

Earlier on Thursday in Helsinki, Mr Biden met the leaders of other Nordic nations including Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.

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US President Joe Biden with Swedens Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Finlands President Sauli Niinisto, Icelands Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir and Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland (Susan Walsh/AP/PA)

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Sweden is poised to be admitted as Natos 32nd member country after it pledged more co-operation with Turkey on counterterrorism efforts while backing Ankaras bid to join the European Union. Finland gained Nato membership earlier this year.

Both Finland and Sweden abandoned a history of military nonalignment and sought to join Nato after Russia invaded Ukraine last year.

Mr Bidens brief stop in the Finnish capital is the finale to a tour that was carefully designed to highlight the growth of a military alliance that the president says has fortified itself since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Finlands admittance to Nato effectively doubled the alliances border with Russia.

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Mr Biden arrived in Helsinki after what he deemed a successful Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where allies agreed to language that would further pave the way for Ukraine to also become a future member.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the summits outcome a significant security victory for his country but nonetheless expressed disappointment at not getting an outright invitation to join.

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Mr Biden and other administration officials also held what aides said were pivotal conversations with Turkey before that country dropped its objections to Sweden joining Nato.



Finlands President Sauli Niinisto, right, shakes hands with President Joe Biden (Sergei Grits/AP/PA)

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Mr Biden said he felt good about the trip.

We accomplished every goal we set out to accomplish, he told reporters on Wednesday before the flight to Finland.

And despite Mr Zelenskys expressed frustrations, Mr Biden  who met the Ukrainian leader on Wednesday in Vilnius  said on Thursday that Mr Zelensky ended up being very happy.

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The US presidents trip this week played out nearly five years to the day since then-president Donald Trump stood alongside Putin in Helsinki and cast doubt on his own intelligence apparatus. That was just days after Mr Trump tore through a Nato summit where he disparaged the alliance and from which he threatened to withdraw the US.

In contrast, Mr Biden has heartily embraced the tenets of multilateralism that Mr Trump shunned, speaking repeatedly of having to rebuild international coalitions after four tumultuous years led by his predecessor.

Opening the broader meeting, Finlands President Sauli Niinisto said his Nordic counterparts had one overriding objective: guarantee the future  security-wise, environmental-wise and technology-wise.

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Mr Biden added that the nations around the table not only share common history, but we share common challenges, and I would add presumptuously, common values.



US President Joe Biden listens during a meeting with Nordic leaders in Helsinki (Susan Walsh/AP/PA)

The talks at the seaside Presidential Palace in the heart of Helsinki were to focus on closer co-operation between the Nordic countries and the US on security, environment and technology issues, Mr Niinistos office said. Mr Biden also scheduled a news conference with Mr Niinisto before departing for Washington.

Mr Biden is the sixth US president to visit Finland. The first involved President Gerald Ford, who would sign the so-called Helsinki Accords with more than 30 other nations in 1975.

But Charly Salonius-Pasternak, senior researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, noted that Mr Bidens visit marked the first time a sitting US president came to Finland to honour the country itself, rather than as a neutral location for meeting Russian leaders or other similar reasons.

The fact that Biden has chosen to go specifically to Finland for Finland is symbolic and, in some ways, very concrete, he said. Its a kind of deterrence messaging that only the United States can do.
WhatsApp messages on Boris Johnsons old mobile phone have still not been handed over to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

Downing Street on Monday said all requisite material had been given to the inquiry after the British government lost its bid to prevent their release.

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The British Cabinet Office had until 4pm on Monday to comply with a High Court ruling to hand over Mr Johnsons unredacted notebooks, WhatsApp messages and diaries from his time in Downing Street.

Inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett had demanded the documents relating to Boris Johnsons time in No 10. Photo: James Manning/PA.

But the PA news agency understands that the former prime ministers old phone, which contains correspondence from pre-May 2021, is still in his possession.

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British government officials continue to help him to try to securely retrieve the messages on the device, it is understood.

He was advised to stop using the phone and not access it again on security grounds while serving as Britains leader in May 2021, after it emerged his number had been freely available online for 15 years.

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The device he used during crucial periods of the coronavirus pandemic likely contains messages relating to the ordering of three lockdowns in 2020.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: In-line with the process set out by the Court, the Cabinet Office has provided all of the requested material to the Inquiry.

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The British government handed over the rest of the documents after losing a legal challenge.

The former prime minister is said to still have his old device in his possession. Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA.

It had fought the request from inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett to release them, arguing it should not have to hand over material that is unambiguously irrelevant.

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But the Cabinet Offices argument was last week dismissed by Lord Justice Dingemans and Mr Justice Garnham, who said the fact an order for material would produce some irrelevant documents did not invalidate it or mean it cannot be lawfully exercised.

They said Lady Hallett should be able to examine the documents and if she agrees they are obviously irrelevant to her inquiry, she will return them.

Mr Johnson told Lady Hallett last month that he would like to pass messages that are on the old phone to the inquiry.

He was believed to have written to the Cabinet Office at the time to ask whether security and technical support could be given to help access its contents without compromising security.

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Mr Johnsons team has been contacted for comment.
A brawl erupted in the Kosovo parliament after an opposition legislator threw water on the country's prime minister Albin Kurti while he was speaking about government measures to defuse tensions with ethnic Serbs in the countrys north.

Kosovo opposition parties have criticised Mr Kurtis policies in the north that have strained relations with key Western allies.

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The US and European Union have pressured Mr Kurti to help calm the situation after violence broke out in May after police-backed ethnic Albanian mayors took office following an election that the ethnic Serb majority in the area had widely boycotted.

Dozens of people were injured in clashes between local Serbs and Kosovo police and Nato-led peacekeepers, fuelling fears of a conflict similar to the one in 1998-99 that killed more than 10,000 people.

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Bodyguards guard Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, centre, during a brawl in Kosovos parliament in Pristina (Ridvan Slivova/AP)

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On Wednesday, Mr Kurti announced he would reduce the number of special police officers stationed outside four municipal buildings in ethnic Serb-majority areas in northern Kosovo, and hold new mayoral elections in each of the towns.

The move has angered the opposition, who argued that Mr Kurti experimented for months and jeopardised Kosovos international position only to back down later.

Legislator Mergim Lushtaku, from the Democratic Party of Kosovo, approached Mr Kurti while he was speaking and threw water at him, triggering the brawl.

Earlier, Mr Kurtis deputy Besnik Beslimi had torn up a drawing mocking Mr Kurti that the opposition had given the prime minister.

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Local media said Mr Kurti was escorted out of the assembly hall during the chaos.

Mr Kurti has said he was applying law and order in northern Kosovo with the deployment of police and new ethnic Albanian mayors.

The US and the EU had urged him to keep the mayors in different locations away from the north until the situation is resolved.

Kosovo is a former province in Serbia whose 2008 declaration of independence Belgrade does not recognise.

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Legislators push each other as a brawl breaks out in Kosovos parliament in Pristina (Ridvan Slivova/AP)

Most ethnic Serbs in Kosovo have also refused to acknowledge Kosovos statehood, which is backed by the United States and most EU nations but not Russia and China.

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Serbia had heightened army combat readiness and threatened a military intervention in response to tensions in the north, which borders Serbia.

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Belgrade pulled out of Kosovo in 1999 after Nato bombed the country to stop the onslaught against ethnic Albanian separatists.

The EU has told both countries they must reach a solution to their dispute through an EU-mediated dialogue in order to join the bloc.

Western officials have stepped up efforts to bring the two sides closer together, fearing further instability in Europe as the war continues in Ukraine.

Nato has sent additional troops to its peacekeeping mission in Kosovo to boost security.
The Guatemalan Attorney Generals office raided the headquarters of the countrys electoral authority just hours after it certified the results of the countrys June 25 election, sending the country deeper into political turmoil.

The Thursday morning raid appeared to be connected to prosecutors attempt to keep progressive candidate Bernardo Arevalo from competing in a runoff election on August 20.

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On Wednesday, the Attorney Generals office announced that a judge had suspended the legal status of Mr Arevalos Seed Movement party, for alleged violations when it gathered the necessary signatures to form.



A member of Guatemalas Attorney Generals office at the headquarters of the countrys electoral authority hours after it certified the results of the countrys June 25 election in Guatemala City (Moises Castillo/AP/PA)

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Supreme Electoral Tribunal spokesman David de Leon confirmed the raid. The Attorney Generals office said its purpose was to search and seize evidence from voter rolls. A raid was also expected to take place at the Seed Movements party headquarters on Thursday.

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Mr Arevalo was a surprise winner in the June 25 election. In the days before the vote, the former diplomat and academic had polled below 3% and was not among the top six or seven candidates, all of whom were considered to be on the conservative end of the political spectrum.

No candidate came close to exceeding the 50% threshold necessary to win outright in the first round of voting, necessitating the August runoff.

Mr Arevalo has framed himself as the candidate who would bring change to the country, versus his opponent, former first lady Sandra Torres, who he said would maintain the status quo.

Ms Torres, who won the most votes in the first round, belongs to the UNE party that dominates the Guatemalan Congress, and was a key ally in helping President Alejandro Giammattei pass his legislative agenda.

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Mr Arevalo also promised to bring back prosecutors and judges who were critical to the nations fight against corruption but were forced out of the country under Mr Giammatteis administration.

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Bernardo Arevalo, presidential candidate with the Seed Movement party, after giving a press conference in Guatemala City on Thursday (Moises Castillo/AP/PA)

As the wait continued for certification of the election, anxiety grew that the government was looking for a way to change the results.

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Several losing parties waged a legal challenge, leading Guatemalas highest court to suspend the certification and order a review of hundreds of challenged polling place tallies. The review concluded with no change in the results.

Then late on Wednesday, Rafael Curruchiche, the special prosecutor against impunity, announced that a judge had granted his request to suspend the Seed Movement for allegedly violating the law while gathering signatures it needed to establish the party.

But Mr Currichiches action, in turn, violates Guatemalas election laws, which prohibit suspending parties during an election. The move prompted vehement objections from across the countrys political spectrum and from abroad.

The US State Department had already accused Mr Curruchiche and his boss, Attorney General Consuelo Porras, of being undemocratic actors for obstructing corruption investigations in Guatemala.

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We are deeply concerned by new threats to Guatemalas electoral democracy, Brian Nichols, the US assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, said via Twitter on Wednesday night.

Institutions must respect the will of voters.
BBC news anchor Huw Edwards was named by his wife on Wednesday night as the presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

Vicky Flind said her husband is receiving in-patient hospital care after suffering from serious mental health issues.

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Here we look at what we know and what is expected to happen now.

Presenter Huw Edwards has been named by his wife Vicky Flind as the BBC presenter at the centre of the furore. Photo: Ian West/PA

How did The Sun report the initial claims?

The Sun newspaper published the first claim last Friday that a then-unnamed BBC presenter paid a young person more than 35,000 (40,000) for sexually explicit images.

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The newspaper wrote in the initial article that it had received the complaints from the mother and stepfather of the young person and that the messages are alleged to have started in 2020, when the child was 17.

What has the young person at the centre of the allegations said?

Following the reports, the young person at the centre of the controversy later said via lawyers, in a letter to the BBC, that nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened with the presenter in question.

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The legal representative also said the young person told The Sun on Friday evening before the newspaper published the story that there was no truth to it, the BBC reported.

Their mother later told The Sun she stands by the claims and a spokesperson for the newspaper said it is now for the BBC to properly investigate.

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What are the additional allegations that have come out?

Separately, BBC News reported on Tuesday that a second person in their early 20s has alleged that they were sent threatening messages by the then-unnamed man.

On The Suns front page on Wednesday, the newspaper reported further allegations that a 23-year-old person has claimed the Welsh presenter broke lockdown rules to meet them during the pandemic in February 2021.

The paper also reported an additional claim from another person saying the presenter started a chat with a teen follower from his Instagram account  using love hearts and kisses in his messages.

According to The Sun, the individual was 17 when the presenter contacted them out of the blue.

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On Wednesday, BBC Newsnight reported further new claims from one current and one former BBC worker, who said they had received inappropriate messages from Edwards, some late at night and signed off with kisses.

Both said there was a reluctance among junior staff to complain to managers about the conduct of high-profile colleagues in case it adversely affected their careers, the programme said.

What did the police find?

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Following an assessment into the original claims raised by The Sun last week, London's Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police said on Wednesday that no criminal offence has been committed by the presenter and neither force would currently be taking any further action in relation to the allegations.

The Met Police added that no specific details or information about further allegations reported in the media have been provided to them.

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What will the BBC be investigating?

BBC director-general Tim Davie said the corportations immediate concern is duty of care for all involved. Photo: Jacob King/PA

Following the statement from Flind, BBC director-general Tim Davie said in a note to staff it is important that the work on the internal investigation continues, adding: I want to be clear that in doing so we will follow due process.

He added: This remains a very complex set of circumstances. As we have done throughout, our aim must be to navigate through this with care and consideration, in line with the BBC values.

Mr Davie also stressed that the corporations immediate concern is our duty of care to all involved.

The BBC will be investigating the various claims that have been raised with the broadcaster in relation to Edwards conduct.

The corporation had previously been asked to pause its investigation until the police force had conducted their assessments.

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The broadcaster announced on Sunday that it had suspended Edwards but sources have made it clear to PA that Edwards has not resigned from the BBC.

Why was Edwards not initially named as the BBC presenter facing allegations?

Cliff Richard won a privacy case against the BBC over its coverage of a 2014 South Yorkshire Police raid on his home. Photo: John Walton/PA

Media law experts have explained there was a big change to the way the media approached reporting after Cliff Richard won a privacy case against the BBC over its coverage of a 2014 South Yorkshire Police raid on his home in Sunningdale, Berkshire, after he was falsely accused of historical sex offences.

Over the years, several cases including that of Richard have meant it has become much more difficult for the media to name people before they are charged with a criminal offence for fear of defamation and breaching privacy laws.

Similarly, BBC culture and media editor Katie Razzall has previously said the story is a series of claims and counter claims which have yet to be verified, which deterred publishers from initially identifying the BBC presenter.

What is public interest and media regulation?

The BBCs director-general has said it is important that the work on the internal investigation now continues. Photo: James Manning/PA

The BBC is the UK's main public service broadcaster which receives funding from the public through the TV licence fee and so its actions must be held to account.

Edwards is also the BBCs highest-paid newsreader, with a pay bracket of 435,000439,999, putting him fourth on the top 10 list, the corporations annual report revealed on Tuesday.

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The Sun is regulated by the UK's Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) which covers most newspapers and magazines.

Within Ipsos code of practice, there is a privacy clause which says everyone is entitled to respect for their private and family life, home, physical and mental health, and correspondence including digital communications.

However, the press regulator says the public interest can be an exception to privacy.

Public interest for the press regulator includes detecting or exposing serious impropriety, raising or contributing to a matter of public debate and disclosing a person or organisations failure or likely failure to comply with any obligation to which they are subject.

The BBC is regulated by UK broadcast watchdog Ofcom, which states in its code that programmes should avoid unwarranted infringement of privacy and avoid unjust or unfair treatment of individuals or organisations.

The broadcasting code also has a public interest clause but it says if it is cited then the broadcaster should be able to demonstrate that the public interest outweighs the right to privacy.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to further bolster his countrys nuclear fighting capabilities as he supervised the second test flight of a new, powerful intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the mainland United States, state media reported.

Mr Kims statement suggested North Korea would ramp up weapons testing activities to expand its arsenal in response to recent US steps to enhance its security commitment to ally South Korea.

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(Mr Kim) clarified again that there will be no change and vacillation in the strategic line and policy of (the North Korean) government to steadily accelerate the development of more developed, effective and reliable weapon system, the Korean Central News Agency said.

Mr Kim said North Korea is compelled to bolster the countrys nuclear war deterrent because the security environment on the Korean Peninsula is being seriously threatened by the hostile forces every moment.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches what North Korea says is the test-firing of an ICBM, at an undisclosed location, in North Korea (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

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The Korean Central News Agency reported Mr Kims comments a day after the launch of the Hwasong-18, which was first test-fired in April and which Mr Kim has called the most powerful weapon of his nuclear forces.

The road-mobile ICBM has built-in solid propellant, which makes it more difficult to detect in advance than liquid-fuelled missiles.

KCNA said the launch was meant to reconfirm the technical credibility and operational reliability of the missile.

Mr Kim called the launch another important stride in efforts to boost the Norths strategic forces, KCNA said.

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According to KCNA, the missile was launched at a high angle to avoid neighbouring countries.

It flew 74 minutes and a distance of 1,001 kilometres (622 miles) at a maximum altitude of 6,648 kilometres (4,130 miles) before landing in a targeted area in the open waters off the Norths east coast.

The missiles flight time is the longest recorded by any weapon launched by North Korea.

If launched on a standard trajectory, the missile could fly to the mainland US, though some experts say North Korea still has some technologies to master to acquire functioning nuclear-armed missiles.

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A TV screen shows an image of North Koreas missile launch during a news programme at Seoul Railway Station in South Korea (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

South Korea, Japan and the United States criticised North Korea over the launch that they said posed a threat to regional and international peace.

Adam Hodge, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council, said in a statement that the US will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and South Korean and Japanese allies.

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The United Nations Security Council scheduled an open meeting late on Friday afternoon to discuss the ICBM launch at the request of the United States, Albania, France, Japan, Malta and the United Kingdom.

Wednesdays launch violated UN Security Council resolutions that ban any North Korean launches using ballistic technologies.

But it is unclear if the council can impose new sanctions on North Korea because China and Russia, both veto-wielding permanent members, had blocked the US and others previous attempts to do so over North Koreas other recent ballistic launches.

South Koreas military said on Thursday it maintained a firm readiness to repel potential provocations by North Korea and was pushing to achieve peace through strength, based on the strong military alliance with the United States.

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Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Lee Sung Joon said the South Korean and US authorities agreed to maintain a solid joint defence posture after the North Korean launch.

Mr Kim said North Korea will take a series of stronger military offensive until the US and South Korea admit their shameful defeat of their useless hostile policy toward (North Korea) in despair and give up their policy.



North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, claps while watching what North Korea says is the test-firing of a Hwasong-18 ICBM (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

That signals Mr Kim will intensify his push to modernise his missile arsenals with sophisticated weapons like the Hwasong-18.

Other weapons on Mr Kims publicly stated wish list are a multi-warhead missile, a hypersonic weapon, a spy satellite and a nuclear-powered submarine.

North Korea has been focusing on reinforcing its nuclear capability after Mr Kims high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with then-US president Donald Trump collapsed in 2019 due to disputes over US-led sanctions on North Korea.

KCNA accused the US and South Korea of recently taking frantic confrontation attempts and bringing a new chain of nuclear crises to the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea often issues such harsh, warlike rhetoric in times of tension with its rivals.

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The KCNA dispatch cited a US-South Korean agreement to strengthen the allies deterrence capabilities such as the periodic docking of a US nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea and the establishment of a new bilateral nuclear consultative group, whose inaugural meeting is slated for next week in Seoul.

The United States has expanded military drills with South Korea and taken steps to enhance regular visibility of US strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula in response to the Norths advancing nuclear arsenal.

North Korea has conducted about 100 missile tests since the start of 2022.

Experts say Mr Kim eventually aims to use his enlarged arsenal to win greater concessions in future diplomacy with the United States.

Wednesdays ICBM launch came two days after Mr Kims sister and senior adviser, Kim Yo Jong, threatened shocking consequences to protest over what she called provocative United States reconnaissance activity near its territory.

The US and South Korean governments dismissed the Norths accusation as groundless and urged it to refrain from escalatory actions.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, U.S. President Joe Biden, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and NATO Secretary-General Jens?Stoltenberg attend a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine council, during a NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12. Reuters-Yonhap



President Joe Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of having a "craven lust for land and power" at the end of a NATO summit on Wednesday where Ukraine won new security assurances from the U.S. and its allies for its defense against Moscow.



Members of the world's most powerful military bloc offered the prospect of long-term protection a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy decried as "absurd" a refusal to offer an invitation or timetable for Ukraine's entry into NATO.



Ukraine has been pushing for rapid membership while fighting a Russian invasion unleashed in February 2022 that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.



Instead, a declaration by the G7 group of the world's most industrialized countries launched a framework for bilateral negotiations to provide military and financial support, intelligence sharing and a promise of immediate steps if Russia should attack again.



"Our support will last long into the future. It's a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine," Biden said alongside Zelenskiyy and leaders of the G7, which is made up of the U.S., Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.



Speaking in Vilnius, Lithuania, at the end of the two-day meeting on Russia's doorstep, Biden said Putin had badly underestimated the resolve of the U.S.-led military alliance.



"NATO is stronger, more energized and yes, more united than ever in its history. Indeed, more vital to our shared future. It didn't happen by accident. It wasn't inevitable," Biden said.



"When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart ... But he thought wrong."



Swallowing his disappointment over the lack of a membership timetable, Zelenskiyy hailed NATO's "practical and unprecedented support for Ukraine" and said that at the summit Ukraine had obtained "unambiguous clarity that Ukraine will be in NATO".



He tweeted: "I believe we will be in NATO once the security situation stabilizes. Put simply, when the war is over, Ukraine will be invited into NATO and Ukraine will clearly become a member of the Alliance. I felt no thoughts of any other sort."



At a meeting with Zelenskiyy, Biden promised him the U.S. was doing everything it could to meet Ukraine's needs and acknowledged Zelenskiyy's frustration about the scale and speed of support.



"Your resilience and your resolve has been a model for the whole world to see," Biden said. "I look forward to the day when we're having the meeting celebrating your official, official membership in NATO."



"The bad news for you is, we're not going anywhere. You're stuck with us," Biden joked, prompting laughter from Zelenskiyy.



U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan had said Biden would discuss the issue of long-range missiles with Zelenskiyy when they met.



Speaking to reporters later, Biden said: "One thing Zelenskiyy understands now is that whether or not he's in NATO now is not relevant" as long as he has the commitments that have been made at the summit. "He's not concerned about that now."



Zelenskiyy told Biden he wanted to thank "all Americans" for the billions of dollars in aid his country had received.



British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said he had told Ukraine that its international allies were "not Amazon" and Kyiv needed to show gratitude for weapons donations to persuade Western politicians to give more.



Zelenskiyy said: "We were always grateful to the UK, prime ministers and the minister of defense because the people are always supporting us."



Britain, France, Germany and the U.S. have been negotiating with Kyiv for weeks over a broad international framework of support, encompassing modern advanced military equipment such as fighter jets, training, intelligence-sharing and cyberdefense.



In return Ukraine would pledge better governance, including through judicial and economic reforms and enhanced transparency.



The first sitting of a new NATO-Ukraine Council was also held on Wednesday, a format designed to tighten cooperation between Kyiv and the 31-nation alliance.





U.S. President Joe Biden delivers a speech on NATO and Ukraine at the Vilnius University in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, after the end of the NATO Summit. AFP-Yonhap
A Russian general in charge of forces fighting in southern Ukraine has been relieved of his duties after speaking out about the problems faced by his troops in a move that reflected new fissures in the Russian military command following a brief rebellion by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.

Major General Ivan Popov, the commander of the 58th Army fighting in Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region, which is a focal point in the Ukrainian counteroffensive, said in an audio statement to his troops released late on Wednesday that he was dismissed after a meeting with the top military brass.

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Maj Gen Popov said the military leadership was angered by his frank talk about the challenges faced by his forces, particularly the shortage of radars tracking enemy artillery, which resulted in massive Russian casualties.

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The top officers apparently saw me as a source of threat and rapidly issued an order to get rid of me, which was signed by the defence minister in just one day, he said.

The Ukrainian military couldnt penetrate our armys defences, but the top commander hit us in the back, treacherously and cowardly beheading the army at this most difficult moment.

Maj Gen Popov, who uses the call name Spartacus, addressed his troops as my gladiators in the audio message released by retired general Andrei Gurulev, who commanded the 58th Army in the past and currently serves as a legislator.

The 58th Army consists of several divisions and smaller units.

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Maj Gen Popov, 48, who has risen from a platoon commander to lead a large group of forces, has encouraged his soldiers to come directly to him with any problems  an easygoing approach that contrasted sharply with a stiff formal style of command common for the Russian military.

Russian military bloggers say he is widely known for doing his best to avoid unnecessary losses  unlike many other commanders who were eager to sacrifice their soldiers to report successes.



Major General Ivan Popov was the commander of the 58th Army (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP)

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I faced a difficult situation with the top leadership when I had to either keep silent and act like a coward, saying what they wanted to hear, or call things by their names, Maj Gen Popov said.

I didnt have the right to lie for the sake of you and our fallen comrades.

Many military bloggers argued that Maj Gen Popovs dismissal eroded troop morale at a time of relentless Ukrainian attacks.

One blogger, Vladislav Shurygin, said it has dealt a terrible blow to the entire army, while another, Roman Saponkov, described it as a monstrous terror attack against the armys morale.

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In a sign that many in Russian officialdom share Maj Gen Popovs criticism of the top military brass, Andrei Turchak, the first deputy speaker of the upper house of parliament who heads the main Kremlin party United Russia, strongly backed the general, saying that the Motherland can be proud of such commanders.

The news about Maj Gen Popovs dismissal came a day after another top officer leading Russian forces facing the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south, Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov, was killed by a Ukrainian missile strike.

Mr Gurulev said that Lt Gen Tsokov died when the Ukrainian military struck the city of Berdyansk on Tuesday with UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles.

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Russias Defence Ministry has not reported Lt Gen Tsokovs death.



Artillery systems belonging to Russias Wagner military contractor are parked at an undisclosed location ahead of their handover to the Russian military (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP)

Russian military bloggers said that Maj Gen Popovs remarks, in which he also spoke about the need to rotate his troops, who have been fighting to repel a Ukrainian counteroffensive since early June, angered general staff chief General Valery Gerasimov, who promptly ordered his dismissal.

Gen Gerasimov was shown meeting with military officers in a video released by the Defence Ministry on Monday, the first time he had been seen since last months abortive rebellion by Mr Prigozhin, who demanded his ousting.

Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political analyst, noted that Maj Gen Popovs statement echoed criticism of the top brass by Mr Prigozhin.

However, he added that the generals statement was not a rebellion, but instead a call for Russian President Vladimir Putins help.

Such public disputes at the top of the Russian army isnt a show of force, he said.

During the revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, mercenaries from Mr Prigozhins Wagner Group quickly swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot before driving to within about 200 kilometres (125 miles) of Moscow.

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Mr Prigozhin called his mercenaries back to their camps after striking a deal to end the rebellion in exchange for an amnesty for him and his mercenaries and permission to move to Belarus.



Tanks belonging to Russias Wagner military contractor ahead of being handed over to the Russian military (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP)

The rebellion represented the biggest threat to Mr Putin in his more than two decades in power and badly dented his authority, even though Mr Prigozhin said that the uprising was not aimed against the president but intended to force the ousting of Gen Gerasimov and defence minister Sergei Shoigu, whose handling of the action in Ukraine he has criticised.

On Monday, the Kremlin confirmed that Mr Prigozhin and 34 of his top officers met with Mr Putin on June 29, five days after the rebellion, a startling announcement that raised new questions about the terms of the deal with Wagner.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wagners commanders pledged loyalty to the president and said they were ready to continue to fight for the Motherland.

Mr Putin has said that Wagner troops had to choose whether to sign contracts with the Defence Ministry, move to Belarus or retire from service.

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While details of the deal with Mr Prigozhin have remained murky, uncertainty has also surrounded the fate of General Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of the Russian group of forces fighting in Ukraine, who had reportedly been detained for questioning about his ties to Mr Prigozhin.

The Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that mercenaries of the Wagner Group were completing the handover of their weapons to the Russian military, part of the Kremlins efforts to defuse the threat it posed.

Speaking in Helsinki on Thursday after a Nato summit, US President Joe Biden said he is not certain about what fate awaits Mr Prigozhin.

Im not even sure where he is, Mr Biden said. If I were he, Id be careful what I ate, Id be keeping an eye on my menu. But all kidding aside  I dont know. I dont think any of us know for certain what the future of Prigozhin is in Russia.
Tourists have been warned to take care in the extreme heat after a man died as temperatures topped 40 degrees across parts of southern Europe and north-west Africa.

The Cerberus heatwave, named by the Italian Meteorological Society after the three-headed monster that features in Dantes inferno, has taken hold across many popular Irish family holiday hotspots in the Mediterranean.

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A 44-year-old man, who was painting a zebra crossing on Tuesday in 40C heat in the northern town of Lodi, lost consciousness and later died in hospital, local media reported.

People cool off on the banks of the Ticino river in Bereguardo, near Milan, Italy (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

An Abta spokesman said: High temperatures around our favourite holiday hotspots are not uncommon at this time of year and it is always important that you take sensible precautions, particularly making sure that you and your family drink plenty of bottled water as it is extremely easy to become dehydrated, and always use plenty of high factor sun cream.

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Follow the example of local people and leave the beach at midday and early afternoon when the sun is at its most powerful, to have a long, leisurely alfresco lunch in the shade.

Holidaymakers have the option of cooling off in the pool or sea and dont forget to put on the air conditioning or turn on the fan at night to ensure you have a cool, restful sleep.

Rebekah Sherwin, an expert meteorologist from the UK Met Offices global forecasting team, said the heatwave conditions already occurring across much of southern Europe, northwest Africa and the Middle East are expected to continue through the coming week.

She added: Peak temperatures, which are around 10 to 15C higher than average, could reach the mid-40s in parts of southern Europe and up to 50 degrees in parts of North Africa.

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Higher than average temperatures are also likely at times further north across Europe, but these will be shorter lived and less impactful.

People cool off at a beach in Barcelona as temperatures top 40 degrees (Emilio Morenatti/AP)

The high temperatures are being driven by an established high pressure system that is sat across the region, allowing temperatures to build day by day.

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Ms Sherwin said that unusually high sea surface temperatures are also occurring across the region, with many parts of the Mediterranean seeing surface temperatures as high as 25 to 28 degrees.

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She added: This will exacerbate the effects of the heat over surrounding land areas, as even in coastal regions overnight temperatures are unlikely to drop much below the mid-20s.

The southern shift of the jet stream that has pushed the high pressure southwards across this region has also led to low pressure systems being directed into the UK, bringing more unsettled and cooler weather here than we experienced in June when the jet stream was at a more northerly latitude.

Spain has been sweltering in the unrelenting heatwave and 45 degrees was reached on Monday in the village of Loja, near Granada, at the start of the high temperatures.

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Temperatures are also starting to rise in Greece, where up to 44 degrees has been forecast in some parts of the country in the coming days.

Officials banned access to nature reserves and forests to reduce the risk of wildfires, while authorities were opening air-conditioned areas in public buildings for people to shelter from the heat.

Greeces agriculture ministry issued restrictions on the transportation, and working hours, of animals such as horses and donkeys offering rides in tourist areas during the heatwave.

Working animals will not be allowed to work between noon and 5pm on days when temperatures are between 35 degrees and 39 degrees in the shade, while they will not be allowed to work at any time of the day when temperatures exceed that range.
JOURNALISM

Crossing the Line

Nick McKenzie

Hachette, $34.99

Nick McKenzie is an investigative journalist. Yes, this is an over-used job description  all journalism is investigative up to a point  but in McKenzies case, its the only way to describe his relentless pursuit of a story, the forensic dismantling of a legend and the laying bare of a lie that has gone into Crossing the Line.

To investigate is to ask uncomfortable questions, to unpick truth from falsehood. McKenzies book is the riveting story of how he and veteran muck-raker Chris Masters spent six years demolishing the heroic myth created by Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC, and his backers, financiers and gullible hero-worshippers.

Ben Roberts-Smith and reporter Nick McKenzie. Credit: Janie Barrett; Supplied

Over time McKenzie had become convinced, to the point of certainty, that it was all bullshit, and worse; that far from being a hero, Roberts-Smith was a homicidal war criminal. But being convinced wasnt enough. He had to prove it.
Who the Bloody Hell Are We?



Premieres on SBS, Wednesday, 7.30pm

The bloody hell in the title is a clue that SBS latest history program leans towards the irreverent and zany, but dont be misled  this documentary series has a habit of weaving back and forth across the line between light entertainment and proper history with all its grim detail.

John Safran, Cal Wilson and Adam Liaw in Who the Bloody Hell Are We? Credit: SBS

The hosts of Who the Bloody Hell Are We?, MasterChef alumnus Adam Liaw, comedian Cal Wilson and career provocateur John Safran, are tasked with looking at Australian history through the lens of three of its multicultural communities, Chinese, Kiwi and Jewish respectively.

The series starts with Safran, never one to shy away from a thorny topic. Anti-Semitism runs deep in our colonial history, he explains, noting that there were a dozen Jewish convicts on the First Fleet in 1788 and in the early days all convicts had to attend Anglican services.
On July 12, Edwards wife, Vicky Flind, identified her husband as the man at the centre of the accusations, adding that he was in hospital, suffering from an acute mental health episode. As is well documented, she said, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years. Rupert Murdochs tabloid The Sun has run a series of accusations against the BBCs highest profile news presenter. Credit: Reuters On the same day, The Sun reported a third person, aged 23, had claimed Edwards broke lockdown laws to travel across London to meet them at their flat in 2021. The unidentified person claimed Edwards spent an hour with them in their flat. We just chatted, they said. He was obsessed with me making him a cup of tea. It is important to note that the young person at the centre of the initial controversy has disputed their mothers claims, labelling The Suns stories rubbish, while South Wales Police and the Metropolitan Police have determined there is no evidence of criminality in any behaviour thus far brought to light. How has the BBC responded?

According to a timeline published by BBC News (which has reported the story extensively), the matter was referred to the corporations investigations team on Friday, May 19. Though the team decided it did not amount to a criminal allegation, the matter did warrant further investigation. An email was sent to the complainant (the mother) asking for more information, so they could verify the identity of the complainant and assess the validity of the claims. On June 6, having received no response to the email, the corporate investigations team attempted to call the complainants mobile phone number. The call did not connect. This appears to have been the last attempt to pursue the matter until The Sun contacted the BBC on July 6, the day before it published its first story. Edwards was stood down from his on-air duties on the same day, pending further investigations. On July 11, BBC director general Tim Davie said there were lessons to be learned from the situation, and it was valid to ask if the BBC raises red flags quick enough in response to such allegations. If theres no criminal behaviour, why does any of this matter? First and foremost, it has to be said that the British love a sex scandal, and the more high-profile the person involved, the better. So, on the barometer of interest to the public, as opposed to in the public interest, this story is a no-brainer. Beyond that, though, there is reason to question the motivation and behaviour of The Sun, as well as the somewhat lacklustre initial response of the BBC.

It is far from clear that the tabloid ever sought to validate the accusations made by the mother with the person at the centre of them. It is also as yet unclear if the alleged transactions ever took place, or what age the person was when (and if) they began. In not naming Edwards, The Sun was no doubt being prudent  UK defamation laws arent quite as restrictive as those in Australia, but they are still far more so than in the US. But the anonymity had the effect of casting suspicion upon a range of other BBC presenters, some of whom felt compelled to take to social media to publicly declare their innocence. And that had the effect of casting a shadow over the organisation as a whole. Serial paedophile Jimmy Savile operated with impunity for decades. Credit: AP Deliberate or not, that will suit the News Corp media machine perfectly. In the UK as in Australia, it has long waged war on the very idea of a publicly funded competitor. Anything it can do to diminish its standing and foment distrust is good for business  and fanning the flames of conspiracy about a nest of paedophile vipers at the broadcaster is a surefire way to do so. That said, the BBC does have issues to address. The shadow cast by Jimmy Savile  a sexual predator and paedophile who operated with immunity for decades  rightly casts a long and dark shadow over the corporations willingness to hold its own to the highest standards.
You can blame the algorithm or simply acknowledge the sheer deluge of streaming series, but either way, no one keeps up with every new show. Even as a television critic, I often come across a worthy title Id never even heard of until my curiosity led me to click on a random menu tile. A few of those off-the-grid series are on this list, which consists of 10 shows you probably havent heard of  or at least considered watching  but that Id happily recommend. Consider it a top-up for your winter binge list.

American Vandal (Netflix, 2017)

Tyler Alvarez, Taylor Dearden and Griffin Gluck star in the true crime mockumentary American Vandal.

First impressions might explain why viewers were wary of this subversive comedy: the storys pivot is a teenage meathead who drew penises on a teachers car. However, what you get is a bracing high school mockumentary that provides a prescient critique of the true-crime genre. Two nerdy classmates of the culprit set out to investigate his case, resulting in a note-perfect mix of theories, guarded interviews and episodic cliffhangers. Imagine Beavis & Butt-Head remade by the Serial crew and youre halfway there. Note: the second season isnt quite as impressive.

Collateral (Netflix, 2018)

This gripping police procedural, which unfolds at very different levels of London life after a delivery man is murdered, is a heavyweight collaboration between leading playwright and screenwriter David Hare (The Hours) and actor Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman), who plays the lead investigator. Hare inverts the usual mystery structure, while his philosophical gaze is expansive  the moral implications run deep. The supporting cast include Nicola Walker and John Simm, adding to a drama where every interrogation is a debate about faith, and every debate about faith is an interrogation.
The US actors strike has hit Australia, with Apples Never Fall starring Annette Bening and Sam Neill shutting down production.

The Matchbox Pictures film has been shooting in Queensland since March, but it was today put on hold for the duration of the strike.

Matchbox Pictures, which is part of Universal International Studios, declined to comment on developments.

Apples Never Fall is based on the best-selling novel by Australian author Liane Moriarty and was slated to stream on the NBCUniversal service Peacock in the US.

It had been expected to inject more than $79 million into the Australian economy and create 260 jobs for local cast and crew.

The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance said issues affecting US actors and writers were the same internationally.

Streaming services are raking in billions of dollars in revenue and earnings as their audiences continue to grow but these profits are not being shared fairly with actors, the unions Erin Madeley said in a statement.

The use of artificial intelligence should also be subject to agreed rules, she added.

Performers see their jobs as especially vulnerable to new technology, with generative AI able to replicate facial expressions, body movement and voice with alarming accuracy.

AAP
The ex-girlfriend of Harry Garside has been charged after she allegedly assaulted the Australian boxer in Sydneys east.

Ashley Ruscoe, 35, was arrested and taken to Waverley police station on Wednesday night. She was charged with domestic violence-related offences relating to Garside.

In a statement, NSW Police confirmed the arrest.

Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command conducted an investigation in an alleged domestic violence incident at a Bellevue Hill home on Wednesday 1 March 2023, the statement said.
Two men have been arrested after a dramatic hours-long pursuit in Sydneys western suburbs, which involved police firing shots at the car, and ended with the Tasering of the alleged 21-year-old driver in the Blue Mountains.

Following reports of a man swapping number plates on a black Holden Commodore, officers saw the vehicle in Lalor Park about 9.30am. When the driver failed to stop, police began a pursuit.

The man has been transported to hospital under police guard. Credit: Nine News

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and PolAir joined the chase through nearby suburbs, before officers again tried to stop the car about 10.40am in Winston Hills.

A senior constable grabbed the slowing car, but the driver accelerated and the officer was flung across the bonnet of a nearby police car.
November 25, 1936 to June 4, 2023

Jo Connolly had three great passions  for travel, politics and her husband Keith. All were lit early in her life and they burned until her death at the age of 86.

Born into a working-class Perth family, young Joan (Jo) Broomhall didnt expect to venture far from Western Australia, despite the excitement she felt when glimpsing life in other lands. She later wrote that as a child she spent hours looking at an old travel book that had belonged to my grandfather. The worn pages with pictures of India, China, the Khyber Pass and other exotic places fascinated me.

Jo Connolly with locals and tourists in Lima, Peru, in the 1970s. Credit: Suppplied

In her late 30s, inspired by the writing of Percy Fawcett, a British explorer who vanished in the Amazon rainforest in 1925, Jo left Australia for the first time. She travelled first in Europe and, more adventurously, in Latin America for six months in 1974. Upon her return, enabled by the Whitlam governments policy of free tertiary education, she enrolled to study Spanish and Latin American history at LaTrobe University. There she would be further inspired by scholars Inga Clendinnen and Barry Carr.
Ancient chestnut business flourishing as growers pull together

14:17, July 13, 2023 By Yu Xiaohua ( Xinhua

BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Eighty kilometers north of downtown Beijing, at the foot of the Great Wall, the land is awash with sweet chestnut trees, some of them hundreds of years old.

Five weeks from now, the farmers will gather the spiky fruits, which contain the delicious nuts, and sell them to cooperatives. In this way, they are ensured better prices than on the open market.

Finding a good price is important for the chestnut growers, who have suffered from serious price fluctuations in the past.

"Sometimes, we sold the fresh fruits at a price of 16 yuan (around 2.23 U.S. dollars) per kilo, but at other times, we might have to sell them at 6 yuan per kilo," recalled Zhang Fugui, a local chestnut grower.

In 2022, chestnuts accounted for 93 percent of the total output of dried and fresh fruits in Bohai Township, Huairou District, Beijing, according to a statistical yearbook.

The unique altitude, sunlight and soil conditions make the area suitable for growing quality chestnuts. There have been a large scale of cultivation in the area since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), according to local agricultural technicians.

Zhang, 61, tends his own trees, but he also works at a cooperative, earning a monthly income of roughly 5,000 yuan.

PROTECTION FROM A VOLATILE MARKET

Li Yongjun, the 64-year-old founder of the cooperative, comes from a family that has grown chestnuts for generations. Before starting the cooperative in 2008, he had grown wheat, rice and other crops, worked as a chestnut trader and even ran a printing factory.

On his motivations for starting the cooperative, he said, "I believed there was something I could do for my hometown."

He started by conducting research on the chestnut market and related technology, both at home and abroad. He decided that establishing a processing cooperative would help growers gain better control over the prices of the nuts.

So far, the cooperative has signed contracts with over 800 chestnut-growing households. Each year it purchases 2,000 tonnes to 3,000 tonnes of chestnuts from them, said Li, adding that, before the COVID-19 pandemic, they were selling to customers in countries including Japan, Singapore and Israel.

According to Li, household-based growing can lead to wide variations in the output, ranging from hundreds to thousands of kilograms per household, said Li. One solution is for the cooperative to rent the land and take over the production process, thus boosting both the quality and quantity of chestnuts, he said.

In recent years, the cooperative has begun to lease land from local growers at an annual rate of 1,000 yuan per mu (around 666.7 square meters), according to Zhang.

He is ready to transfer their land rights to the cooperative. "It is time to for me retire as a chestnut grower. And my daughters have no intention to tend the trees, so it is the best choice for my family to accept the proposal," he said.

YOUNG PEOPLE RETURNING

Zhang's daughters are not the only young people to leave the area in search of new careers and lives. However, in recent years, an increasing number have returned to take part in the traditional chestnut industry. Many of them have brought new ideas with them.

Li Sipeng, son of Li, is one of the youngsters. Despite being educated in music, in 2017, the younger Li joined his father and started his own adventure in the chestnut industry.

The 28-year-old man works with specialists from the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, promoting standardized management and technology related to seed selection and nutrition.

He is more digital savvy than his father. Riding the rising wave of live-streaming, he has brought local chestnut products to some of the most popular webcast studios in China.

His best sales experience was in a webcast session hosted by Li Jiaqi, one of the top live streamers in China. During a single night, Li Sipeng sold 3 million yuan of processed products.

Yet the young man said he sees live-streaming more as an opportunity to pitch local nuts to a wider audience, rather than just a sales platform.

"We told audiences how we tend our trees and how the nuts are processed," said Li.

For the young man, there is great untapped potential in this ancient form of cultivation, with its long history and culture.

The father and son plan to open an afternoon tea shop at the foot of the Great Wall, and a visitor center where tourists can wander among the trees and observe this age-old tradition in action. Enditem

(Li Baijia, Gong Fuzhi, Li Rui and Fan Baobao also contributed to the story.)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
South Korea's Foreign Minister Park Jin, third from left, followed by Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee Wang Yi walk after a group photo session during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Plus Three Foreign Ministers? Meeting in Jakarta on July 13,



South Korea seeks to strengthen its partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) under the goal of elevating their ties into a comprehensive strategic partnership next year, Seoul's top diplomat said Thursday.



In a meeting with the foreign ministers of ASEAN in Jakarta, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin said Seoul plans to "deepen and expand our partnership with ASEAN" through KASI, or the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative.



KASI is a diplomatic initiative by the South Korean government tailored toward the ASEAN region, which calls for the enhancement of strategic communication and cooperation for regional peace and stability.



The initiative, of which the full text was finalized three months ago, is a key component of South Korea's Indo-Pacific strategy announced in November of last year.



"Part of these efforts will culminate in establishing the ASEAN-ROK comprehensive strategic partnership next year at the 35th anniversary of dialogue relations," Park said during his opening remarks at the talks. ROK refers to South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. (Yonhap)


Caged eggs will be phased out by 2036 after agriculture ministers around the country endorsed new animal welfare standards for poultry at a meeting in Perth on Thursday.

It was the first time Australias agriculture ministers have met face-to-face in three years.

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said the market was already shifting to cage-free eggs.

Most of the retailers and big manufacturing companies that use eggs are already moving towards more humane methods of raising hens, he said.
A Perth father has been left grieving and desperate for answers after his wife died days after giving birth to twins at Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Sandeep Mann is now caring for the newborns and his six-year-old son after his wife Monika Mann died on May 15, the day after she was discharged from hospital. She had complained of abdominal pain in the days following the births.

Monika Mann died after giving birth to twins  girl Bhavika and boy Bavishya. She also had a six-year-old son Rivan.

Monika had an exceptionally high-risk pregnancy given she had rheumatic heart disease and a mechanical mitral valve in her heart. She was one of around five people with the heart valve to give birth each year in WA.

Mann has been told the hospital does not know why his wife died as they are waiting on the post-mortem. A Critical Incident Investigation Report written by a panel of senior doctors concluded there were no care-delivery issues that contributed to his wifes death.
Australians, it seems, are big fans of Emmanuel Macron. This years Lowy Institute poll found 64 per cent of Australians say they trust the French president to do the right thing for world affairs, ahead of US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Only Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins scored higher.

There are plenty of reasons to like Macron, a charismatic centrist who has won two presidential elections even as far-right populism was sweeping across Europe. Hes an energetic diplomat who wants France to help solve the geopolitical challenges of our time. Macron and Anthony Albanese appear to have a good rapport, which has helped stabilise France-Australia relations after the hostility of the Morrison era.

Emmanuel Macron and Anthony Albanese have struck up a good rapport but there are questions about how aligned the two nations are. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

But there are good reasons for Australians to question how aligned France and Australias interests are and whether Macrons foreign policy instincts are as astute as he believes.

Albanese had a successful trip to Europe this week, beginning with a visit to Berlin where he joined an international climate club and sealed a deal to sell Australian-made armoured vehicles to Germany. It ended in a meeting with Zelensky, who gratefully accepted an offer of 30 more Bushmaster vehicles to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
Young people having their first sexual experiences are at higher risk of becoming criminalised under stricter sexual consent laws, the countrys peak legal body has warned a Senate inquiry probing whether the laws should be more consistent across Australia.

Several womens and advocacy groups are calling for nationally uniform laws around consent  including a standardised age and legal expectation for actively communicating consent  to create a clearer message about acceptable behaviour, and allow for consistent sex education that can spark cultural change nationally.

Senator Nita Green called the inquiry into sexual consent laws and education. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

But there are many concerns the Law Council of Australia says should be considered carefully, including differing state criminal systems, the risk that laws are watered down to achieve consensus, and tensions in upholding the rights of both accused perpetrators and victim-survivors.

Hearings will begin this month in a Senate inquiry into sexual consent laws and education, which has been called by Labor senator Nita Green following a years-long conversation about sex and consent in Australia driven by advocates including Saxon Mullins, Brittany Higgins, Grace Tame and Chanel Contos.
The venomous red fire ant, which packs a painful and potentially deadly bite, has infested south-east Queensland in its march across the country, but state and federal ministers failed on Thursday to agree on funding and an eradication program two years on from a government report.

Fire ants are native to South America and were accidentally imported into Australia through the Port of Brisbane in 2001. The invasive insect is known for its ability to rapidly colonise vast areas and has infested south-east Queensland, with a particularly problematic outbreak on the Gold Coast forcing closures of sporting fields and beaches, which prompted the local government to warn its tourism industry is under threat.

Fire ant bites are projected to cause 3000 anaphylactic reactions a year by 2030. Credit: Queensland government

Red fire ant bites typically cause a burning sensation that lasts up to an hour and, in some cases, causes a fatal anaphylactic shock.

The expert report for the intergovernmental National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program forecast in 2021 that, with the current rate of spread of the insect, it would cause 140,000 medical consultations a year and 3000 anaphylactic reactions by 2030. Red fire ants also eat ground mammals as well as crops, and their overall impact was forecast to cost $2 billion annually by the end of the decade.
Billionaire sex toy magnate Peter Tseng has been busy reshuffling his property portfolio as he quietly offloads three investments over the bridge.

But the sales, totalling more than $4.9 million so far, are small change for a man with a high-end taste for vino with a $60 million wine cellar and previous property sales that have netted millions.

Billionair sex toy magnate and wine collector Peter Tseng has been busy selling off some of his investment properties this year. Credit:

He listed three properties, two units in McMahons Point and a Chatswood house, but only two have sold so far.

A two-bedder on Blues Point Road, McMahons Point sold last Saturday post-auction above its $1 million to $1.1 million guide to a local owner-occupier. The home was sold through Craig Litchfield of McMahons Point Real Estate who declined to comment. Tseng picked it up for $830,000 in 2014 through the K Sun investment vehicle, of which he is a director, records show.
As Putin is the armys commander-in-chief, he seemed to be implying that they would remain within the Russian military, although he did not say that explicitly. Loading Many of them nodded when I said this, Kommersant quoted Putin as saying. However, Prigozhin disagreed, it reported. Prigozhin  said after listening: No, the boys wont agree with such a decision, Kommersant quoted Putin as saying.

Wagner fighters played a key role in the Russian armys advance into eastern Ukraine and were the driving force in the capture of the city of Bakhmut in May after months of battles. Loading But Prigozhin constantly accused the military of failing to back his men, and Wagner fighters unhappy with the defence ministrys conduct of the war took control of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don on June 23 and began moving towards Moscow. They halted their advance the next day after being offered a deal under which they could resettle in Belarus, along with Prigozhin. Any notion of pressing charges against Prigozhin was dropped. Putin told the newspaper there was no possibility of Wagner remaining in its current form.

Wagner does not exist, Putin told Kommersant. There is no law on private military organisations. It just doesnt exist. In a sign of fissures in the military command following the brief rebellion, a Russian general in charge of forces in southern Ukraine has been relieved of his duties after speaking out about problems faced by his troops. Major General Ivan Popov. Credit: AP Major General Ivan Popov, the commander of the 58th army in the Zaporizhzhia region, which is a focal point in Ukraines counteroffensive, said in an audio statement to his troops released Wednesday night that he was dismissed after a meeting with the military brass in what he described as a treacherous stab in the back to Russian forces in Ukraine. Popov said the military leadership was angered by his frank talk about challenges faced by his forces, particularly the shortage of radars tracking enemy artillery, which resulted in massive Russian casualties.

The top officers apparently saw me as a source of threat and rapidly issued an order to get rid of me, which was signed by the defence minister in just one day, he said. The Ukrainian military has failed to break through our armys defences, but the top commander hit us in the rear, treacherously and cowardly beheading the army at this most difficult moment. Popov, who uses the call name Spartacus, addressed his troops as my gladiators in the audio message released by retired General Andrei Gurulev, who commanded the 58th army in the past and currently serves as a lawmaker. The 58th army consists of several divisions and smaller units. The 48-year-old Popov, who has risen from platoon commander to lead a large group of forces, has encouraged his soldiers to come directly to him with any problems  an easygoing approach that contrasted sharply with the stiff formal style of command common in the Russian military.

Russian military bloggers say hes widely known for avoiding unnecessary losses  unlike many other commanders who were eager to sacrifice their soldiers to report successes. Loading I faced a difficult situation with the top leadership when I had to either keep silent and act like a coward, saying what they wanted to hear, or call things by their names, Popov said. I didnt have the right to lie for the sake of you and our fallen comrades. Many military bloggers argued that Popovs dismissal eroded troop morale at a time of relentless Ukrainian attacks.

News of Popovs dismissal added to the blow that Russian troops received when another senior officer, Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov, was killed Tuesday by a Ukrainian missile strike. Loading Popovs remarks about the need to rotate his exhausted troops who have been fighting the Ukrainian counteroffensive since early June reportedly angered General Staff chief General Valery Gerasimov, who shrugged them off as panicky and promptly ordered his dismissal. Gerasimov was shown meeting with military officers on Monday in a video released by the Defence Ministry, the first time he was seen since last months abortive rebellion by Prigozhin, who had demanded his ouster. The uproar fuelled by Popovs dismissal could further erode the position of Gerasimov, who has faced broad criticism for his conduct of the fighting in Ukraine.

Pro-Kremlin political analyst Sergei Markov noted that Popovs statement echoed criticism of the top brass by Prigozhin. However, he added that the generals statement wasnt a rebellion, but instead a call for intervention by Putin. Loading Such public disputes at the top of the Russian army isnt a show of force, he said. Speaking in Helsinki on Thursday after a NATO summit, US President Joe Biden said he is not certain about what fate awaits Prigozhin. Im not even sure where he is, Biden said. If I were he, Id be careful what I ate, Id be keeping an eye on my menu. But all kidding aside  I dont know. I dont think any of us know for certain what the future of Prigozhin is in Russia.
Vilnius: British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Wednesday he had warned Ukraine that its international allies were not Amazon and Kyiv needed to show gratitude for weapons donations to persuade Western politicians to give more.

London has been one of Kyivs staunchest supporters since Russias invasion last year, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said Britain and its allies will double down on its support for Ukraine.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly and Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace arrive on the first day of the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Credit: Getty

But Wallace warned that Ukraine had to persuade the US and doubting politicians in other countries that its worth it, and that whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude.

Wallace was speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Lithuania in response to a question from a reporter about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys complaints that Kyiv had not been given a timeline for joining the alliance.
People living along the banks of the river Yamuna swim in the floodwaters at an underpass in New Delhi, India, Thursday, July 13. AP-Yonhap



Schools and colleges were closed after record monsoon rains led to massive waterlogging, road caves-in, collapsed homes and gridlocked traffic in large parts of northern India this week, killing more than 100 people, officials said Thursday.



At least 88 people died and more than 100 were injured in the worst hit-mountainous Himachal Pradesh state where cars, buses, bridges and houses were swept away by swirling flood waters, a state government statement said. The region is nearly 500 kilometers (310 miles) north of New Delhi.



Twelve people have died of rain-related incidents since Wednesday in Uttar Pradesh state, said Shishir Singh, a state government spokesman.



Nine of them drowned, two died after being struck by lightning and one was killed by a snake bite, Singh said.



One person died in New Delhi and four were killed in the Indian-controlled section of Kashmir, officials said.



Authorities used helicopters to rescue nearly 300 people, mostly tourists, who were stranded in the Chandertal area in Himachal Pradesh state since Saturday. They included seven sick people who were airlifted on Tuesday, the government said.



Nearly 170 houses have collapsed and another 600 were partially damaged by heavy rains and landslides in the state, the state emergency operation center said.



In New Delhi, residential areas close to the Jamuna River were flooded, submerging roads, cars and homes, leading to the evacuation of thousands of people from low-lying areas. (AP)


Regnology, a leading software provider with an exclusive focus on regulatory reporting solutions, is proud to announce its win for "Banking Regulatory Reporting System of the Year" at the Risk Technology Awards 2023.

This recognition underscores Regnology's expertise in developing cutting-edge solutions for both regulated entities and regulators, helping to ensure the stability and sustainability of the financial markets. This marks the second win in three years for Regnology in this category of the Risk Technology Awards and adds to the most recent industry accolades won by the firm including the Chartis RiskTech100 2023 Awards recognition as a leader in both RegTech and SupTech categories and Best Regulatory Reporting Solution for ESG at the ESG Insight Awards 2023.

The Risk Technology Awards celebrate the exceptional work of technology vendors who play a vital role in the finance industry. This year, Regnology's technology stood out among its peers, solidifying its position as an industry leader offering regulatory reporting solutions.

In today's ever-changing regulatory landscape, Regnology has successfully adapted to its evolving demands for more granular data, complex regulations, and the need for modern evolutive technology. Regnologys innovative software delivers regulatory, supervisory, AEOI, and tax reporting solutions to help navigate and process regulatory data reporting for over 35,000 financial institutions, 70 regulators, international organizations, and tax authorities around the world.

Over the past 12 months, Regnology has strategically executed five acquisitions, bolstering its technological capabilities and expanding its market reach. These acquisitions have positioned Regnology as a provider of comprehensive regulatory solutions, ensuring that its clients have access to the most advanced regulatory reporting components in the industry.

Moreover, Regnology introduced Rcloud, a new platform offering built on Googles Cloud Infrastructure, to deliver at scale, its best-of-breed reporting solutions and deep regulatory expertise with higher data quality standards, increased reporting volume capabilities, and enhanced operational efficiency for its clients.

"We are honored to receive the Risk Technology 2023 Award for 'Banking Regulatory Reporting System of the Year," said Rob Mackay, CEO of Regnology. "This award reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation and our unwavering focus on delivering best-in-class regulatory reporting solutions that enable our clients to thrive in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape and anticipate the future of regulation."

About Regnology

Regnology is a leading technology firm on a mission to bring safety and stability to the financial markets. With an exclusive focus on regulatory reporting and more than 35,000 financial institutions, 70 regulators, international organizations, and tax authorities relying on our solutions to process their regulatory reporting data, were uniquely positioned to bring greater data quality, efficiency, and cost savings to all market participants. Relying on the unified data ingestion model powering our work, our clients can quickly implement and derive value from our solutions supported by our dedicated team of 950 employees, and easily keep pace with ongoing regulatory changes. Regnology was formed in 2021 when BearingPoint RegTech, a former business unit of BearingPoint Group, joined forces with Vizor Software, a global leader in regulatory and supervisory technology. Since then, the company is on a continued organic and external growth path, building up as one of the most recognized regulatory reporting powerhouses in the world.

For more information about Regnology, connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Visit our website: www.regnology.net

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713124380/en/
This photograph shows a high-rise residential building damaged by remains of a shot down Russian drone in Kyiv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, July 13. AFP-Yonhap



Ukrainian officials said air defenses shot down 20 Iranian-made drones fired by Russia mostly at the Kyiv region early Thursday, but wreckage fell on four districts of the capital, wounding two people and destroying several homes.



The latest barrage by the Kremlin's forces began shortly after midnight, and explosions shook different parts of the city. Two people were hospitalized with shrapnel wounds, authorities said.



In the capital, rescuers extinguished a fire in a 16-story building, as well as in a non-residential building, the Interior Ministry said. Debris also smashed into the frontage of a 25-story apartment building, it said.



Russian strikes have become a grim part of everyday life in Ukraine over the almost 17 months of the war. (AP)










English certificate courses are concentrated, short-term training courses created to provide students a thorough knowledge of the English language. The subjects covered in English course certificates span from grammar and vocabulary to speaking and writing to reading, exam preparation, cultural and social facets, etc.

Students who want to begin or advance their professions in English or people who want to learn more about the fundamentals of the English language are the target audience for English courses.

Why are Certificate Courses Important?

In many universities, the curriculum tends to focus more on theoretical aspects rather than practical applications. Even if you engage in projects or practicals, the emphasis is often on securing good grades rather than gaining hands-on experience.

Certificate courses, available in the market, bridge this gap by enhancing your skills across various dimensions. They expand your knowledge in areas aligned with market needs, equip you with the ability to handle real-life situations, and develop your personality to thrive in the industry.

For BA English programs students, there exists a plethora of certificate courses that perfectly complement their studies. These courses enhance knowledge and skills in specific domains, allowing students to gain a competitive edge in their chosen field.

Here are some certificate courses that are relevant to BA English students

1. English for Written Communication

The course emphasises the value of written communication in language learning and offers fundamental abilities in English reading and writing. It goes over fundamental grammar rules and exposes pupils to a range of texts and literary works to extend their horizons. The application of writing abilities will be taught to students through assignments and other activities. To increase exposure to written English, the course also offers a range of written samples in each session.

Platform: IIT Bombay

Duration: 4 weeks

Fees: Rs. 375

Enrol Now: Click Here

2. Advanced Certificate of Proficiency (English)

The programme seeks to improve non-native English speakers' language and communication abilities. To assist students use the language in social, professional, and academic situations, the course emphasises spoken English, advanced grammatical comprehension, and phonetics. The curriculum also seeks to develop students' personalities and capacities for lifelong learning. It is a great choice for people who want to overcome language hurdles and develop in their careers by becoming fluent in multiple languages.

Platform: Sharda University

Duration: 1 Year

Fees: Rs. 60000

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3. English Language for Competitive Exams

The training seeks to improve participants' English language skills, particularly those who intend to take competitive tests that assess their language ability. The teachers will provide students with lessons that will help them comprehend grammar, writing, and vocabulary better.

Platform: Swayam - IIT Madras

Duration: 12 Weeks

Fees: Free

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4. English for Beginners: Intensive Spoken English Course

The programme is intended for total beginners who want to quickly advance to an intermediate level of spoken English. Each lesson lasts roughly 1.5 hours and includes over 77 hours of intensive spoken English language practice. The course is entirely animated and interactive. The emphasis of the course is fluency, and English terminology and grammar are explained in an easy-to-understand manner.

Platform: Udemy

Duration: 77 hours

Fees: Rs. 2,899

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5. Workplace English Certificate Course

The goal of the Workplace English course is to help students become more effective communicators in the workplace. The course emphasises developing fluency and accuracy while covering grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Students will get practice using English in informal workplace settings by completing simulated activities on business-related subjects. The goal of the course is to provide students the skills they need to stand out and be noticed in the workplace.

Platform: British Council India

Fees: Rs. 437 per class

Enrol Now: Click Here

Scope for the above Certificate Courses

The learners of the Certificate Course in Spoken English have a wide range of future opportunities available to them, some of which include the following:

The course will be beneficial to the students academically since it will provide them the option of choosing graduate school or applying for research jobs in the future.

The course will assist students in obtaining employment as English language trainers or spoken English instructors in a variety of Institutes.

In newspapers or other agencies, one can work as an editor, a sub-editor, or in other positions.

The students may work as BPO executives, tour guides, translators, and other similar positions.

Candidates can get employed in various industries from Government to Private sectors.

The job role includes Content Writer, PR Manager, Editor, Professor, Personnel Manager, etc.

Expected Salary

The average salary of these jobs can range anywhere between 2-5 LPA. With experience and expertise it can go up to 7-8 lakh per year.
Nearly 20 years ago, when plans for sending a mission to the Moon were in their early stages within the Indian scientific community, APJ Abdul Kalam stated that if the country was able to achieve it, it would be nothing short of electrification.

After learning that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is considering a Moon mission, Kalam had stated in 2003 that Chandrayaan's investigation of the Moon "will electrify the entire country, particularly young scientists and children." He asserted that India's Moon mission is "just a start towards future planetary explorations" and expressed confidence in this assertion.

Dr. Kalam's Suggestions of Chandrayaan-1

After viewing the last-minute preparations for PSLV-C5, which was getting ready to launch RESOURCESAT-1, India's most sophisticated remote sensing satellite at the time, Kalam, the country's president at the time, spoke to experts from ISRO. Call it coincidence or fate, but a year later, when an ISRO team member met with Kalam to brief him on their lunar mission, which sought to orbit the Moon from a distance of 100 kilometres, Kalam proposed why not land there! Chandrayaan-1, India's first Moon mission, was the topic of this discussion.

"President Kalam asked us why not land on it [Moon] when your spacecraft is going that far all the way," M Annadurai, the project director of Chandrayaan-1 and later ISRO's satellite director, stated in 2015 during a conference held in Kalam's memory. After visiting Kalam, Annadurai's team went back to its base and came up with a way to implement his plan for a Moon impact probe (MIP). In his 2015 speech, Annadurai recalled that President Kalam was "delighted" to learn that Indian scientists would be landing an object on the Moon's surface.

Successful Accomplishment of Chandrayaan-1

Later, when the MIP on Chandrayaan-1 landed on the Moon, instruments attached to it identified and confirmed the existence of water on the Moon's surface. Nasa, which had also used Chandrayaan-1 to send an instrument to the Moon, confirmed the discovery. In August 2018, Nasa stated that the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft's Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) instrument was "uniquely equipped to confirm the presence of solid ice on the Moon."

Dr. Kalam's Suggestion on Chandrayaan-2

After Chandrayaan-1, ISRO had its sights set on launching a second Moon mission. However, this time it would be more impressive, so the objective was to advance and soft land a rover on the moon-a feat only three countries have so far accomplished. The mission was authorised by the government on September 18, 2008, and was given the designation Chandrayaan-2. It seeked to continue the exploration of the Moon's surface begun by Chandrayaan-1.

Inspiring Story of APJ Abdul Kalam as an Indian Air Force Fighter Pilot Aspirant

In 2009, Kalam suggested that NASA and ISRO deploy a surface robotic penetrator in Chandrayaan-2 while speaking to a group of scientists at the California Institute of Technology in the US. This, according to Kalam, would aid in the investigation of whether there is water on the Moon.

During a meeting with students in Mumbai in 2009, Kalam said, "I suggested to both ISRO and NASA to work on future mission of Chandrayaan-2 using Moon surface robotic penetrator during my recent visit to California Institute of Technology in the US where Nasa scientists presented the findings of Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) to Indian scientists."

Launch of Chandrayaan-2

Although Kalam wasn't there to witness this grateful event on July 22 2019, ISRO launched Chandrayaan-2 which was perhaps its most sophisticated mission so far. Chandrayaan-2 was to make India the first country to soft land a rover on Moon's south polar region, also known as the dark side but the mission failed when the organisation lost contact with the lander 400 metres before the landing. Even though as an official statement the mission was 98% successful.

Dr. Kalam's Vision of Space Centre on Moon

Kalam always emphasised the importance of India's Moon mission and suggested that Indian scientists investigate studying frozen helium (a superb source of renewable energy) on the Moon. He believed that the Moon could someday be envisioned as a hub for the space industry.

"The Moon is crucial because it could end up serving as a space station halfway between Earth and Mars. The Moon can be imagined as a space industrial centre, especially with all of its frozen helium," Kalam remarked in a 2006 lecture titled "Vision for Space Application."

9 Turning Points of APJ Abdul Kalam's Life that Changed the Scene for Him

In the future, when the world turns to producing energy through fusion, Kalam stressed the importance of exploring the presence of helium on the moon as one of the most valuable resources. "This energy produced using helium in the Moon can also energise the vehicles for transporting materials from the Moon to man's future habitats in Mars and to his natural abode, the Earth," Kalam had stated.

"I envision a scene in the year 2021, when I will be 90 years old, visiting the Sriharikota spaceport to board the space plane so that I can reach another planet and safely return as one of the passengers," he stated perhaps on a lighter but visionary note to close his address.

Upcoming Chandrayaan-3 Mission

If Kalam were still alive, he would have undoubtedly clenched his fist in the air in celebration on Friday July 14, 2023, when Chandrayaan-3 is scheduled to be rocketed into orbit, just as he did in 2008 when India's first Moon mission, Chandrayaan-1, was launched successfully.

Is it possible to travel to another planet in space? This will take some time-possibly decades. But you have to dream before your dreams can come true, Kalam reminded students in India and overseas, with his trademark radiant smile and twinkle in his eyes. He would assert that one must constantly have dreams.
Toyota Motor Philippines has introduced one of its most important new models of the year: the all-new Wigo. As Filipinos seek to become more...
Egypt's cement exports rise 33% in 5M23

13 July 2023

Egypts cement exports climbed by 33 per cent during the first five months of 2023, according to a recent report by the Export Council for Building Materials, Refractory, and Metallurgy Industries (ECBM).

According to the report, exports from Egypt reached US$380m, up from the US$286m recorded during the same period in 2022. Cote d'Ivoire's imports of Egyptian cement had a value of US$84.347m, rising by 203 per cent YoY, reported Amwal Al Ghad. Ghana imported US$65.155m worth of Egyptian cement. Libyas imports of cement from Egypt witnessed a YoY increase of 22 per cent to US$23.87m.

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Steppe Cement reports lower volumes in 1H23

13 July 2023

Kazakhstan-based Steppe Cement Ltd has reported sales volumes of 749,034t of cement in the first half of 2023, down from 837,063t in the same period a year earlier. Revenue over the same period fell from KZT19,579m (US$44.09m) to KZT16,977m. The average price for delivered cement over the 1H23 stood at KZT22,665/t (ex-VAT), compared to KZT23,391/t in the first half of 2022. The ex-factory price over the same period declined from KZT20,485/t to KZT19,205/t.

The cement market in Kazakhstan contracted by 5.6 per cent YoY in the 1H23, reports Regulatory News Service. Exports from Kazakhstan were in line with the previous year at 0.55Mt. According to Steppe Cement, in the opening quarter of 2023 the company maintained prices at the expense of volumes. In the second quarter it opted to recover market share at the expense of pricing and ended the 1H23 with a market share of 14.1 per cent.

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A disorder was reported at the Pizza Hut, 1204 Hixson Pike. Police found a male employee arguing with a male customer. The customer was picking up an order, when he asked for the sauces that come with it. He was told it would cost extra. There was some confusion, since he was asking for the sauce that comes with the meal. A heated discussion began. The manager was asked to come up front. He was upset this was happening and the two began arguing. The customer called police to find a resolution. The officer got the order for the customer. The manager said he would like the man trespassed from this Pizza Hut location. The officer explained the trespass to the man.



* * *

An employee of Republic Services, 1018 E. 38th St., reported that a homeless person had arrived on the property and was banging on the door, despite being asked to leave. Police asked the man why he was on the property. He claimed that the property owner had permitted him to hang out in the front. However, the property owner had called in to report that the man was not allowed on the premises and requested that he leave. Police checked the man's information in the Chattanooga database and verbally warned him that he could not return to the property. If he did return, he would be subject to arrest. The man complied with the warning and left the scene without incident.

* * *

A man on Tennessee Avenue told police he witnessed three people looking into his vehicle behind his apartment complex. He said he saw the three as they were looking into his car and said, "Hey, what are you doing?" The three then walked away and got into their vehicle. The man said he had never seen them at his apartment complex or the vehicle they were driving. He said that when he walked up to inspect his vehicle, he noticed the gas door was open, but reported no damage to his vehicle. He described the three as all black males and approximate ages between 15-20. He said the three left in a black sedan with dark tinted windows and chrome colored trim. He believes the vehicle to be a Chevrolet Malibu or Impala. There is no tag or other identification of the vehicle.

On an officer's way to the call, police located a vehicle in the immediate vicinity matching that description (a black Chrysler 200 with tinted windows and chrome trim), but the vehicle was occupied by a female.

* * *



A caller told police that a homeless woman wearing all black was pulling trash out of the trash can and lying in it at 705 Lindsay St. Police found a woman who fit the description who was in front of the trash can, surrounded by trash all over the sidewalk. Police asked the woman to pick up the trash that she threw all over the ground, and once she was done, asked her to move along. The woman moved along without further issue.

* * *

A woman told police she was driving east on Shallowford Road when the car in front of her switched lanes and there was a large object in the roadway. She said she was unable to avoid the object in time, and the object smashed into the front of her vehicle. She was able to drive the vehicle off the scene and reported no injuries.

* * *

A disorder was reported on Vance Avenue. Police found a man who was sitting in a vehicle smoking a black and mild cigar. Police asked him what was going on and he said "me and my girl were arguing over stupid stuff like dishes and stuff." He said the argument did get loud, but it never got physical and that his girl walked away to cool off. Police then spoke with his girlfriend. She said they got into an argument over stupid stuff and also said it also got very loud, but never got physical. She said she still wished to walk to cool down. Police told both of them not to talk to each other for a couple of hours and both of them agreed to do so.

* * *

Police were called to Mayer Electric, 799 E. 11th St., to run off several homeless people who had established a homeless camp on private property. The manager told police he had already asked the people to leave twice. Police observed several homeless people still sleeping in their tents. Police explained that they needed to get their belongings and leave immediately or they would all be taken to jail. They began cleaning up the camp and said they would not be back. The manager was asked to call back at any time about the matter.

* * *

A woman on E. 27th Street Court reported harassment from her boyfriend's ex. She said the ex is sending text messages and driving by her house (honking her horn) at all hours of the day and night. The woman requested documentation for a restraining order. She said she'll hold off on prosecution at this time.
Do you remember the TV commercial of years ago in which a businessman was sitting behind a desk, phone to his ear, telling his boss, I can do that! I can do that!... But as he hung up the phone, he asked himself, How am I going to do that?!

I think weve all been there at one time or another, either piled up with too much work and too little time in which to do it, or confronted with a challenge that seems beyond our capabilities. It makes us want to ask the same question: How am I going to do that? In a society in which pull yourself up by your own bootstraps has been a dominant mantra, we like to feel competent at whats in front of us, at least adequate for the task. Its unsettling feeling to realize that what is confronting us might be more than we can handle.

This has been the case throughout the history of mankind. Technology and other advances may have made it easier to be productive, but we still find times when the work seems bigger than the worker. Back in the early 1900s, for example, the Wright brothers were armed with mechanical skills and a vision for creating a flying machine. They dreamed of building a contraption capable of overcoming the pull of gravity, but I suspect there were times when they wondered, What in the world are we doing? Thankfully, the cant do impulse was negated by can do determination.

Can you imagine how Jesus disciples felt when first He called them to follow Him, and then gradually entrusted them with more responsibility? These werent individuals holding the equivalent of PH.D.s and MBAs in their day. They werent even learned religious leaders. They were lowly fishermen, a despised tax collector and other men situated on the lower end of the social totem pole.

How do you think they felt when Jesus looked directly in their eyes and declared, Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19)? Or when, as Mark 6:7 tells us, He began to send them out two by two and gave them power over unclean spirits?

I enjoyed the scene in the third season of The Chosen when Jesus, portrayed by Jonathan Roumie, announced His plan to send His disciples out for their first missionary foray. As the scene accurately depicts, I believe, they stared at Jesus with unbelief, even questioning what they had heard. In todays vernacular they were asking a collective, Say what?!

Recently I enjoyed meeting with a longtime friend over coffee, reminiscing over the time we worked together on staff with the marketplace ministry Christian Business Mens Connection (CBMC). We agreed that when we were called to our respective roles, we had no idea what we were signing up for. The only thing that really qualified us for the work was our realization of how unqualified we actually were.

Whether were at work, in college, doing volunteer work or engaged in the never-ending role of parenting, we like to feel as if were in control, that weve got things handled. But sooner or later we encounter challenges or obstacles that seem beyond our capacity. As unsettling and unnerving as that may be, thats actually a good thing.

When my late friend Dave was being mentored early in his Christian life by another man named Dave, he would pour own his frustrations and grumble about the problems he was facing. His mentor would simply smile and say, Dave, youre in a great position! Hearing this would aggravate my friend, but eventually he realized Dave was right. His sense of inadequacy inevitably forced him to turn to the ultimate source of strength, Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul, who as Saul the Pharisee seemed to believe he had the world by the tail, eventually came to the same realization. To wipe away Pauls sense of self-sufficiency, God had given him a thorn in the flesh, an affliction of some sort that he never specified. Whatever it was, it kept him sufficiently humble and dependent on His Savior and Lord.

Paul wrote, Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christs power may rest on me. That is why, for Christs sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

When I am weak, then I am strong? Are you kidding me, were tempted to ask. Strength, not weakness, were told is what its all about, whether in sports, politics, the business world, or another field of endeavor.

And yet Paul, who had strength, status and worldly stuff that few others had prior to his Damascus Road encounter with Christ, came to understand his inadequacy was the path to true strength: I consider everything a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:10).

Are you feeling weak today? Inadequate? Youre in a great position!

* * *
Livestream shows in factories boost sales, facilitate recruitment in China

People's Daily Online) 16:28, July 13, 2023

Instead of simply introducing products in front of a background plate, more and more livestream hosts in China are providing viewers with comprehensive and detailed information about products by showing them the production lines and processes in factories, and even recruiting employees this way.

The new way of live streaming has not only promoted sales, but increased customer loyalty.

Shanxi Tianqingcheng e-commerce Co., Ltd., a company based in Taiyuan city, north China's Shanxi Province, has achieved great results in promoting sales through livestream shows in factories.

A livestream host introduces Morchella esculenta products to consumers during a livestream in an agricultural products deep processing workshop in Ningde city, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

During a livestream show for vinegar products of Yiyuanqing, a time-honored brand of vinegar in Taiyuan, the company's livestream host showed viewers big vats where vinegar is made, and featured the packing workshop and other facilities of the factory where vinegar products are made.

"It's certainly more effective to show the production techniques on site than simply telling viewers how the products are made. Livestream shows in factories can help consumers better understand the products and increase customer stickiness. They also attract new customers for us," said Guo Li, an executive in charge of livestream shows at the company.

The company also livestreams the real-life scenarios of workers packing and loading vinegar products onto express delivery vehicles, Guo said.

"The scene of rows of express delivery vehicles parked outside our warehouse amazes viewers. Many of them make comments when they see such a scene, which can also improve the popularity of our livestream shows," Guo said.

According to Guo, the company holds livestream shows in factories during each of the major online shopping sprees in China, such as the Singles' Day shopping festival on Nov. 11, and the "618" shopping festival on June 18.

Livestream shows in factories during such events can lead to an increase of about 40 percent in the average number of viewers and yield great fruits, Guo noted.

Besides vinegar products in Taiyuan, Shanxi, beef balls from the Chaoshan region in south China's Guangdong Province have also captured the taste buds of more consumers because of livestream shows that vividly display the production process of the signature food of the Chaoshan region.

After joining e-commerce platforms and promoting sales through livestreams, Shantou Chaoting Foods Co., Ltd., a company specializing in beef balls, has seen its beef balls become a very popular type of precooked food.

The company, which is based in Shantou city, Guangdong Province, started to sell beef balls on China's e-commerce platform Pingduoduo at the end of July 2022. After joining a 10 billion yuan ($1.39 billion) subsidy campaign launched by the platform, it's monthly sales exceeded 1.5 million yuan, and its target of 100,000 yuan daily sales was also attained during a major online promotion event.

The company began to hold livestream shows in the factory since it set up an e-commerce department, according to Chen Jiayu, general manager of the company, who disclosed that the number of members of the company's e-commerce team has increased from four to more than 70 in recent years.

Through the livestream shows held by the company, netizens can see how beef balls are produced step by step.

Livestream shows from the factory have many benefits, Chen pointed out. On the one hand, such shows can introduce products and services to consumers in an all-round manner, which helps bring consumers and enterprises closer to each other and enhance consumers' trust in enterprises; on the other hand, they facilitate the interaction between consumers and enterprises, thus increasing customer loyalty to relevant businesses, he explained.

Thanks to its endeavors to employ e-commerce and livestreams, the company has increased its annual sales from around 7 million yuan to more than 55 million yuan in three years.

Many other products are embracing broader opportunities brought about by livestream shows in factories.

A machinery company in Jinan city, east China's Shandong Province, recently sold an industrial laser machine worth 200,000 yuan to a foreign buyer during a livestream show.

"We didnt expect to sell a machine so easily during a livestream show. This is like taking part in an offline exhibition overseas, when we can directly communicate with the buyers and show them the functions and performance of the products. But the livestream show is much cheaper, as we don't have to bear the costs of taking part in exhibitions overseas," said Zhang Jie, general manager of the company.

In addition to promoting products, livestream shows in factories have also proven effective in helping with recruitment.

While watching livestream shows for recruitment, many viewers ask such questions as "Can you show us the factory premises?" "What is the monthly salary for operators?" and "Are there any educational prerequisites for mechanics?"

Livestream hosts can quickly answer these questions and directly respond to their requests while hosting livestream shows in factories. After a virtual tour of such facilities as workshops, canteens, and dormitories, job seekers can have a better understanding of the companies and duties of the jobs they intend to apply for.

"We have taken part in livestream shows in studios for recruitment before. But I think the ones that introduce companies directly from inside the companies are more effective, since they can help job seekers get a more comprehensive understanding of the companies," said Lu Fang, head of the human resources department of a company headquartered in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central China's Hubei Province.

Recruitment-themed livestream shows in factories can brief job seekers better before they submit their resumes, and enable employers to recruit more talent, Lu noted.

Such shows are well-received by job seekers, as they effectively reduce the cost of job hunts by offering immersive virtual tours of the workplaces.

"I used to spend a lot of money during job hunts in the past, only to find it all in vain. In addition to the expenses for transportation, food, and accommodations, the trips themselves were often time-consuming. The results were not always favorable and it was difficult to know the actual conditions of the employers," a job seeker told People's Daily Overseas Edition.

"Livestream shows in factories for recruitment help us get a preliminary understanding of the factories by showing the workplaces and the duties of the jobs, which enables us to make informed decisions," the job seeker added.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report:

ANDREWS, JEFFREY NATHAN

209 ISBILL RD CHATTANOOGA, 374191632

Age at Arrest: 48 years old

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD

THEFT OF PROPERTY

BURGLARY

VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF

POSSESSION OF BURGLARY TOOLS



BLANKS, SHON QUINTEL

1211 SANFORD AVE CHATTANOOGA, 37411

Age at Arrest: 46 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE



CARTWRIGHT, NADIA SIMONE

6719 TRIPLE CROWN CT CHATTANOOGA, 37421

Age at Arrest: 21 years old

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff

LIGHT LAW VIOLATION

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA



CHAMBERS, SHARON L

HOMELESS LIVES IN TENT BEHIND THEATER IN EAST RIDG CHATTANOOGA, 374113712

Age at Arrest: 51 years old

Arresting Agency: East Ridge

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN SCHEDULE II (OXYCODONE)

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SCHEDULE VI (MARIJUANA)

POSSESSION OF FOR RESALE



COMBS, MISTY MICHELLE

3704 WAUCHULA ST.

Here are the mug shots:



ANDREWS, JEFFREY NATHAN

Age at Arrest: 48

Date of Birth: 11/07/1974

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

THEFT OF PROPERTY

BURGLARY

VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF

POSSESSION OF BURGLARY TOOLS BLANKS, SHON QUINTEL

Age at Arrest: 46

Date of Birth: 11/10/1976

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE CARTWRIGHT, NADIA SIMONE

Age at Arrest: 21

Date of Birth: 05/20/2002

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

LIGHT LAW VIOLATION

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA CHAMBERS, SHARON L

Age at Arrest: 51

Date of Birth: 02/28/1972

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE IN SCHEDULE II (OXYCODONE)

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SCHEDULE VI (MARIJUANA)

POSSESSION OF FOR RESALE COMBS, MISTY MICHELLE

Age at Arrest: 48

Date of Birth: 07/30/1974

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

BURGLARY OF AUTO

THEFT OF PROPERTY COTHRAN, EDDIE ALLEN

Age at Arrest: 54

Date of Birth: 09/12/1968

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENC

VIOLATION OF PROBATION DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE CRAIG, ALYSIHA D

Age at Arrest: 27

Date of Birth: 12/15/1995

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON SUSPENDED LICENSE

LIGHT LAW VIOLATION CULBERSON, BERNARD

Age at Arrest: 36

Date of Birth: 07/31/1986

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

REGISTRATION, IMPROPER DISPLAY OF PLATES

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY DELONEY, DEPRIEST ROYLOND

Age at Arrest: 25

Date of Birth: 08/11/1997

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSE

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

LIGHT LAW VIOLATION EMERSON, ROBERT ALEXANDER

Age at Arrest: 37

Date of Birth: 07/23/1985

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)

POSSESSION OF HYDROCODINE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA FORD, EDWINA JANE

Age at Arrest: 58

Date of Birth: 07/13/1964

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA HALL, ANTHONY DUSTIN

Age at Arrest: 39

Date of Birth: 04/03/1984

Arresting Agency: Red Bank



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (DOMESTOC) HANLEY, HOUSTON K

Age at Arrest: 26

Date of Birth: 04/15/1997

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

IN TRANSIT TO RHEA CO. HAYES, EDWARD LAVAR

Age at Arrest: 27

Date of Birth: 06/10/1996

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

HERNANDEZ, AMANDA MICHELLE

Age at Arrest: 29

Date of Birth: 07/30/1993

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

FAILURE TO APPEAR HERNANDEZ, EMILY J

Age at Arrest: 26

Date of Birth: 04/16/1997

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (ASSAULT) HICKMAN, NICHOLAS DEWAYNE

Age at Arrest: 19

Date of Birth: 12/03/2003

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

ASSAULT

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

PUBLIC INTOXICATION

EVADING ARREST

DRINKING UNDER AGE/SELL ALCOHOL TO MINOR

VANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEF

THEFT OF PROPERTY

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

POSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMED

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

EVADING ARREST HINES, ANTONIO MAURICE

Age at Arrest: 50

Date of Birth: 12/04/1972

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

ASSAULT HOLLOWAY, DENNIS BRYANT

Age at Arrest: 57

Date of Birth: 10/24/1965

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA JONES SR, JAMES DEWAYNE

Age at Arrest: 55

Date of Birth: 12/11/1967

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION

VIOLATION OF PROBATION KNOX, TRACY LAMAR

Age at Arrest: 35

Date of Birth: 09/03/1987

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF PROBATION (VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROT LAYNE, LAURA CAROLYN

Age at Arrest: 51

Date of Birth: 10/06/1971

Arresting Agency: East Ridge



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (2ND)

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (SIMPLE POSSESS MALONE, LARRY DEWAIN

Age at Arrest: 63

Date of Birth: 12/08/1959

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

MATTHEWS, LAYLA GRACE

Age at Arrest: 39

Date of Birth: 02/09/1984

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

CHILD SUPPORT NON PAYMENT MULLINS, JOSHUA DAVID

Age at Arrest: 23

Date of Birth: 01/01/2000

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

PINKERTON, JEFFREY WAYNE

Age at Arrest: 45

Date of Birth: 03/30/1978

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A WEAPON ROBERTS, ZOE CELESTE

Age at Arrest: 27

Date of Birth: 07/27/1995

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

SMITH, MCKALA M

Age at Arrest: 21

Date of Birth: 01/26/2002

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA STAIR NAWY, LINDSEY B

Age at Arrest: 32

Date of Birth: 04/16/1991

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

STALLION, ORLANDO DJUAN

Age at Arrest: 36

Date of Birth: 11/07/1986

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

FAILURE TO APPEAR TRAVERZO, MICHELLE

Age at Arrest: 27

Date of Birth: 12/26/1995

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

ASSAULT TURNER, HANNAH ELIZABETH

Age at Arrest: 33

Date of Birth: 01/27/1990

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

FORFEITURE CAPIAS (POSS. OF DRUG PARA)

FORFEITURE CAPIAS (PUBLIC INTOXICATION)

FORFEITURE CAPIAS (EVADING ARREST)

FORFEITURE CAPIAS (POSS OF METH) WHATLEY, BERNARD EARL

Age at Arrest: 62

Date of Birth: 01/08/1961

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

VIOLATION OF SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY WHITE, KAILEY ALEXANDRIA

Age at Arrest: 22

Date of Birth: 11/09/2000

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

FUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE) WILLIAMS, RICHARD N

Age at Arrest: 33

Date of Birth: 07/11/1990

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

PUBLIC INTOXICATION WILLIAMS, WENDY MICHELLE

Age at Arrest: 54

Date of Birth: 02/09/1969

Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Booked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)

YATES, THATCHER ANDERSON

Age at Arrest: 31

Date of Birth: 06/26/1992

Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD



Last Date of Arrest: 07/12/2023

Charge(s):

DOMESTIC ASSAULT

CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 48 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBURGLARY OF AUTOTHEFT OF PROPERTYCOTHRAN, EDDIE ALLEN10120 CLAIRE CIRCLE SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 54 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffVIOLATION OF PROBATION (DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCVIOLATION OF PROBATION DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCECRAIG, ALYSIHA D1094 N HAWTHRONE STREET APT A CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 27 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRIVING ON SUSPENDED LICENSELIGHT LAW VIOLATIONCULBERSON, BERNARD8904 DRAKE PARKWAY RD CHATTANOOGA, 37416Age at Arrest: 36 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEREGISTRATION, IMPROPER DISPLAY OF PLATESFINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITYFOLLOWING TOO CLOSELYDELONEY, DEPRIEST ROYLOND3007 TUGLAOO ST CHATTANOOGA, 37406Age at Arrest: 25 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRIVING ON REVOKED, SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED LICENSEFINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITYLIGHT LAW VIOLATIONEMERSON, ROBERT ALEXANDER1149 E MAIN ST CHATTANOOGA, 37408Age at Arrest: 37 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDPOSSESSION OF METH (SELL, DEL. OR MANUFACTURING)POSSESSION OF HYDROCODINEPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIAFORD, EDWINA JANE565 UNION FORK RD APT C2 SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 58 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIAGORE, DANIEL WALTON11046 HARBOR ROAD SODDY DAISY, 373795814Age at Arrest: 46 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)HALL, ANTHONY DUSTIN201 MORRISSON SPRINGS RD. RED BAMK, 37415Age at Arrest: 39 years oldArresting Agency: Red BankAGGRAVATED ASSAULT (DOMESTOC)HANLEY, HOUSTON K166 TAYLOR HILL RD DAYTON, 37321Age at Arrest: 26 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffIN TRANSIT TO RHEA CO.HAYES, EDWARD LAVAR22 STARVIEW LN CHATTANOOGA, 37419Age at Arrest: 27 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)HERNANDEZ, AMANDA MICHELLE9809 PVELL RD SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 29 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffFAILURE TO APPEARHERNANDEZ, EMILY J782 BLYTHEWOOD RD. CLEVELAND, 37311Age at Arrest: 26 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffVIOLATION OF PROBATION (ASSAULT)HERNANDEZ ACOSTA, EINER111 SW 18TH AVE MIAMI, 33135Age at Arrest: 26 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgeFORGERYCRIMINAL SIMULATIONHICKMAN, NICHOLAS DEWAYNE946 E VALLEY DR ROSSVILLE, 30745Age at Arrest: 19 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffAGGRAVATED ASSAULTAGGRAVATED ASSAULTASSAULTDOMESTIC ASSAULTDISORDERLY CONDUCTPUBLIC INTOXICATIONEVADING ARRESTDRINKING UNDER AGE/SELL ALCOHOL TO MINORVANDALISM/MALICIOUS MISCHIEFTHEFT OF PROPERTYAGGRAVATED ASSAULTPOSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMEDRECKLESS ENDANGERMENTEVADING ARRESTHINES, ANTONIO MAURICE5908 PINE GROVE TRAIL CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 50 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDASSAULTHOLLOWAY, DENNIS BRYANT14304 BACK VALLEY RD SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 57 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffPOSSESSION OF MARIJUANAHUGHES, JIMMY DEWAYNE4686 ARDMORE DRIVE APT 304 OOLTEWAH, 37363Age at Arrest: 52 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffPUBLIC INTOXICATIONINDECENT EXPOSUREHUGHLEY, RALPH LEWIS1930 JENKINS RD CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 18 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDFIRST DEGREE MURDERPOSS OF FIREARM DURING A FELONYPOSSESSING A FIREARM WITH INTENT TO GO ARMEDJONES SR, JAMES DEWAYNE2803 MORGAN AVE CHATTANOOGA, 374045632Age at Arrest: 55 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffVIOLATION OF PROBATIONVIOLATION OF PROBATIONKNOX, TRACY LAMAR817 WOODMORE TER CHATTANOOGA, 37411Age at Arrest: 35 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffVIOLATION OF PROBATION (VIOLATION OF ORDER OF PROTLAYNE, LAURA CAROLYN1309 PARK FORREST DR. FORT OGLETHORPE, 30742Age at Arrest: 51 years oldArresting Agency: East RidgeDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE (2ND)POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (SIMPLE POSSESSMALONE, LARRY DEWAIN2150 FISHER HOLLOW RD GEORGETOWN, 37336Age at Arrest: 63 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)MATTHEWS, LAYLA GRACE12330 CLIFT MILL ROAD SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 39 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffCHILD SUPPORT NON PAYMENTMULLINS, JOSHUA DAVID531 ELLISON GOOLSBY LANE BLOOMINGTON, 38545Age at Arrest: 23 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)NIX, KATHERINE W1299 GREENBROOK LANE HIXSON, 37343Age at Arrest: 49 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEPINKERTON, JEFFREY WAYNE6312 ROSEMARY DR CHATTANOOGA, 37416Age at Arrest: 45 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffPOSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCEUNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A WEAPONPOWERS, JOHN T2457 SHIRLEY LORETTA LN SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 29 years oldArresting Agency: Soddy DaisyAGGRAVATED ASSAULT (DOMESTIC)QUAKA, JOSEPH JOHN1701 BROAD ST APT 304 CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 35 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDPUBLIC INTOXICATIONRAMIREZ MORENO, EDWARD ALEXANDER4120 DORRIS ST CHATTNOOGA, 37410Age at Arrest: 20 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDFAILURE TO YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAYFINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITYDRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSEROBERTS, ZOE CELESTE191 LAWMAN LN TUNNEL HILL, 307557871Age at Arrest: 27 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)SMITH, MCKALA M9122 DALLAS HOLLOW RD SODDY DAISY, 37379Age at Arrest: 21 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffPOSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIASTAIR NAWY, LINDSEY BHOMELESS RESCUE MISSION CHATTANOOGA,Age at Arrest: 32 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)TRAVERZO, MICHELLE8772 DON RAY WA OOLTEWAH, 37363Age at Arrest: 27 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDASSAULTTURNER, HANNAH ELIZABETH300 BOWMAN LN WHITWELL, 37397Age at Arrest: 33 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffFORFEITURE CAPIAS (POSS. OF DRUG PARA)FORFEITURE CAPIAS (PUBLIC INTOXICATION)FORFEITURE CAPIAS (EVADING ARREST)FORFEITURE CAPIAS (POSS OF METH)VILLANUEAVA, BLAS328 W RIO DRIVE APT. A SIGNAL MOUNTAIN, 37130Age at Arrest: 42 years oldArresting Agency: Red BankDRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCEDRIVING WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSE / EXPIRED LICENSEWHATLEY, BERNARD EARL727 E 11 ST CHATTANOOGA, 37411Age at Arrest: 62 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDVIOLATION OF SEX OFFENDER REGISTRYWHITE, KAILEY ALEXANDRIAHOMELESS 727 E 11TH ST CHATTANOOGA, 374033104Age at Arrest: 22 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffFUGITIVE (ARREST FOR CRIME IN ANOTHER STATE)WILLIAMS, RICHARD N4500 GANN STORE HIXSON, 37434Age at Arrest: 33 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDISORDERLY CONDUCTPUBLIC INTOXICATIONWILLIAMS, WENDY MICHELLE4616 SUNFLOWER LANE CHATTANOOGA, 37416Age at Arrest: 54 years oldArresting Agency: HC SheriffBooked for Previous Charges or Other Reason(s)YATES, THATCHER ANDERSON12 CHARLES DR CHATTANOOGA, 37421Age at Arrest: 31 years oldArresting Agency: Chattanooga PDDOMESTIC ASSAULT
Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union is hosting a career fair with a wide variety of positions available. Entry-level openings include personal teller positions with the tvfcuLIVE Studio and tvfcuLIVE Line, rovers and other customer service jobs in branches across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. Positions requiring additional industry experience include branch manager, internal audit coordinator, internal auditor, mortgage closing coordinator and talent acquisition manager.

Entry-level positions start at $16/hour. TVFCU offers a competitive benefits package including affordable medical, dental and vision coverage along with life and short and long-term disability insurance. The credit union also offers a 401k with employer match, tuition assistance and a student loan repayment program.

All job fair attendees will participate in a one-on-one introductory interview with a TVFCU recruiter. This will provide job-seekers the opportunity to learn more about open positions and connect with the TVFCU recruiting team to take the first step toward a new career at the largest credit union in southeast Tennessee.

Job seekers are encouraged to browse current openings and apply before the event by visiting TVFCUs online Career Center. They may also complete an application at the event using their smartphone.

Visit tvfcu.com/jobs for more information.

The career fair will be at The BX  Brainerd Baptist Churchs multi-use meeting facility, 4011 Austin St., on Thursday, July 20, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. No appointment necessary  attendees may arrive any time between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.




7/6/2023

When visiting New Jersey, Tamicia and Shondrick Stevens ate at a Mystic Lobster Roll restaurant and knew that they wanted to bring the restaurant to their hometown of Chattanooga. The Chattanooga ... more
The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) will provide extra support to more than 13,000 families who receive monthly cash assistance through the states Families First program. The payment will provide extra support to Families First participants as they begin to prepare for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. Households with an active case in the Families First Program as of July 1, will receive a one-time payment on their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. This one-time payment will be available around July 15.

We understand the importance of investing in the education of our children, and we recognize the financial challenges families face when preparing for the upcoming school year, said TDHS Commissioner Clarence H. Carter. By providing this additional one-time payment intended to help with back-to-school expenses, we aim to alleviate some of the burdens families endure and ensure that every child has the resources they need to thrive academically.

Families First is Tennessees Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. TANF is a federally funded program that emphasizes work, family strengthening, and personal responsibility to empower families for long-term success. The program helps participants reach this goal by providing temporary cash assistance, transportation, child care assistance, educational support, job training, and other support services.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Tennessee airports discovered a total of 157 firearms in travelers carry-on luggage in the first half of 2023, a decrease of three statewide over the same time period last year. Each of the firearms was discovered by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints.

In the first six months of 2023, Nashville International and Tri-Cities Airport saw an increase over the same time period last year, while Memphis International, Chattanooga Metropolitan and McGhee Tyson airports had notable decreases.

Below is a list of TSA firearm discoveries at Tennessee airports for Jan. 1 through June 30, the same time period last year and full calendar year 2022:

Airport 1st half 2023 1st half 2022 2022 Nashville International Airport (BNA) 101 92 213 Memphis International Airport (MEM) 34 36 83 McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) 9 15 32 Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) 6 12 30 Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) 7 5 8 McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport (MKL) 0 0 0 Tennessee total: 157 160 366 National total: 3,251 3,053 6,542



When a TSA officers sees the image of a firearm on the X-ray screen, TSA immediately notifies the local airport law enforcement agency, which responds to the security checkpoint. A law enforcement officer removes the firearm from the X-ray tunnel and makes contact with the traveler.

In addition to potential criminal citations, travelers face civil penalties for bringing firearms to the security checkpoint and TSA evaluates each firearm incident on a case-by-case basis. Among the factors TSA considers when determining the civil penalty amount includes whether the firearm was loaded and whether there was accessible ammunition. The civil penalty can go up to a maximum of near $15,000 per violation. Even if a traveler has a concealed weapons permit, firearms are not permitted in carry-on luggage.

Individuals who violate rules regarding traveling with firearms will also have Trusted Traveler status and TSA PreCheck expedited screening benefits revoked for a period of time. The duration of the disqualification will depend upon the seriousness of the offense and if there is a repeated history of violations.

Passengers who wish to travel with a firearm must ensure it is properly packed in checked baggage and declared at the airline ticket counter. Airlines may have additional requirements for traveling with firearms and ammunition, so travelers must also contact their airline for carriage policies prior to arriving at the airport.

Travelers can use the Can I Bring? feature on the TSA website or on the TSA mobile app, myTSA. Travelers can also Tweet or Message @AskTSA if they have a travel question or are unsure if an item is allowed through security in a carry-on bag. Just snap a picture or send a question and get real-time assistance weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host special programs on Saturday, July 22, commemorating the 125th anniversary of Camp George H. Thomas establishment on Chickamauga Battlefield.

Living historians, portraying Spanish-American War soldiers, will conduct informal programs throughout the day from 10 am  4 pm. Formal ranger-led programs, lasting 30 minutes and focusing on the memory of Camp Thomas, will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. These programs will take place at Tour Stop 4, Brotherton Cabin, and on-site parking will be available. Please follow the special program/parking signs to the program/parking location.

During 1898, over 72,000 troops traversed and trained on the very ground that some of their fathers, and even some of them, may have fought and bled on 35 years earlier. While at Camp Thomas, these soldiers made memories associated with another war and possibly even left behind some of those physical memories for us to find years later. We hope you can join us as we commemorate the sacrifices made here as soldiers trained at Camp Thomas to ready themselves to fight in the nations splendid little war in Cuba.



For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706 866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423 821-7786, or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/chch.


Dr. Ahad Nasab has been appointed interim dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga announced on Thursday. Dr. Nasab has been head of the Department of Engineering Management and Technology and Burkett Miller Chair of Excellence since coming to UTC in 2018.Dr. Jerold L. Hale, UTC provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, announced the interim appointment.With over 30 years of experience developing and directing engineering and engineering technology programs, Dr.Nasab has the knowledge and expertise to succeed in this role, Dr. Hale said.Ahad brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this position. Given his demonstrated leadership abilities and dedication to academic excellence, I have no doubt that he will offer the faculty, staff and students of the CECS invaluable direction and assistance during this interim period.As head of the Department of Engineering Management and Technology, Dr. Nasab has overseen the significant growth of the engineering management, mechatronics and construction management programs. He has been at the forefront of creating two cutting-edge labs and growing the newly-established mechatronics program from five students to nearly 100 in just five years.The engineering management program has earned national recognition during his stewardship, and he has been a driving force in establishing partnerships with numerous community colleges throughout the region.The College of Engineering and Computer Science is currently experiencing an exciting and challenging phase, Dr. Nasab said. Theres a strong momentum in the colleges research areas of machine learning, quantum computing, hypersonic flights, smart power grids, transportation logistics and intelligent robotics. As we move on this trajectory, our primary objective is to engage a larger community of companies and organizations in our activities.We also remain steadfast in our commitment to preparing the next generation of skilled professionals to meet the evolving demands of the industry in the southeast region of the country.During his lengthy higher education career, Dr. Nasab also has taught at Middle Tennessee State University, Vanderbilt University and the UT Space Institute. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and A/C Engineers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the American Society for Engineering Education.He earned a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from California State University, Northridge, and a masters degree and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.Dr. Nasab succeeds Dr. Daniel Pack, who became dean of the Baylor University School of Engineering and Computer Science on June 1.
If Knoxvilles UT Medical Center is any example, Erlanger Hospital should see plenty of positives in going from a public not-for-profit entity to a private not-for-profit operation, members of the Downtown Chattanooga Rotary Club were told.

Current Erlanger CEO and former board member Jim Coleman said in a speech to the club Thursday that when Erlanger was looking at changing its structure, he and fellow board member Vicky Gregg visited with UT Medical Center officials.

That hospital had changed its structure way back in 1999 after being the only other public hospital authority in the state and found many positives, he said.

They were very adamant about the fact that was the single thing that helped them be so successful in Knoxville in the last decade in going from a medium level hospital to the leader in the market there, he said. That really helped me make the decision.

Mr. Colemans comments came as he was explaining at the Convention Center meeting the various factors that made the hospital decide to change its governing structure beginning July 1.

He said another reason was that being a governmental-affiliated structure  as Erlanger had been since the authority was formed in 1977  caused the hospital to move more slowly in many decisions compared to other health facilities.

It was very cumbersome because it was a government structure and you had rules on having a quorum and had to be in person to make decisions, he said. There were lots of things that slowed us down.

He said much of that can go away under the new structure. For example, video meetings on short notice can be held and electronic signatures made quickly, helping supply chain and purchasing issues be resolved more easily.

Also, the changing nature of outpatient or one-night services being done at satellite facilities instead of longer stays at the downtown facility requires the need for more capital expenditures, and the older public model did not work as well for that, either. He feels that being a private, not-for-profit authority can help bring in additional philanthropic gifts to aid some projects.

He also believes the changes should help with better patient experience and being able to bring in and retain even more outstanding doctors and nurses and other team members, including in the teaching realm.

Mr. Coleman added that another issue that hurt Erlanger in being a public authority was that it had to publish data about its finances and other information, and he knew that was giving the competition, which did not have to do that, an edge. He even remembers checking out the Erlanger published data while he was the COO at Parkridge Medical Center.

That goes away and levels the playing field, he said of the new setup.

In a brief question-and-answer session after his talk, Mr. Coleman said in response to two different questions that Erlanger has looked at offering both concierge medicine (membership-based services) and joining with other smaller hospitals in a loose alignment to compete more evenly against the large hospital corporations or networks. But nothing has materialized or come to fruition with either idea, he said.

Someone asked him about an acquaintance who had to stay in emergency care for a normal-than-longer time while waiting on a private room, and Mr. Coleman said that was because of a shortage of available rooms due to a lack of staff. Since the pandemic, health care workers, particularly nurses, have left the profession across the country in larger numbers, he said, although adding that Erlanger is working hard to slowly catch back up with pre-pandemic levels.

This is the most stressful labor market Ive ever seen in health care, he said. Thats not the way you want to treat patients.

* * *

jcshearer2@comcast.net
The Tennessee Board of Regents today approved criteria for the next president of Cleveland State Community College, the first step in the search for the colleges next president.

Board of Regents Member Danni B. Varlan will chair the search advisory committee that will review candidates and recommend finalists for the position. Regents Miles A. Burdine and Thomas A. H. White will also serve on the committee. Representatives of Cleveland States faculty, staff, students and alumni, and of the civic and business communities in the colleges service area will also be asked to serve on the committee.

Chancellor Flora W. Tydings said a search timeline will be announced when the committees full membership is appointed but the goal is to have a new president in office by July 1, 2024.

The criteria are similar to the other community college presidents in the College System of Tennessee, the public community and technical colleges governed by the Board of Regents. Preferred criteria include an earned doctorate degree from an accredited institution, a distinguished record of teaching and experience in public higher education, a minimum of five years successful campus administrative experience or a distinguished record of senior level administrative experience in a complex business, industry or government enterprise.

The full criteria and other details are available for review in todays board meeting materials on the TBR website at https://www.tbr.edu/board/ july-13-2023-special-called- board-meeting . A recording of todays livestreamed meeting is archived at the same site. The criteria and other information about the search and the college will be posted later on the TBR executive search webpage at https://www.tbr.edu/hr/ executivesearches .

The next president will succeed Dr. Ty Stone. Dr. Ray Brooks, retired president of Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, SC, is serving as interim president. He has 35 years of experience as a college president, including 13 years as Piedmonts chief executive officer and 22 years as president of Northwestern Technical College in Rock Spring, GA.

Dr. Brooks has agreed to stay until weve completed the search process. He has jumped right in and were very grateful to have him on board, Chancellor Tydings said.

The search committees selection of finalists for the presidency will be announced and those candidates will meet with the campus community in public forums. Afterward, the chancellor will review campus and public input and conduct final interviews to recommend a single candidate to the Board of Regents for its consideration for the appointment.

During todays special called meeting, Vice Chair Emily J. Reynolds introduced and welcomed two new members of the Board of Regents: Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds and Faculty Regent Ross Roberts, professor of education at Northeast State Community College.
Shepherds Men, a 10-member team of active duty, medically retired and honorably discharged servicemen and civilian patriots, will honor the Fallen Five at a Remember The Brave Ceremony and 6-mile swim on the eight-year anniversary of the unprovoked attack that killed four Marines and a Navy Sailor on July 16, 2015 in Chattanooga. The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center will partner with Shepherds Men and is honored to host the days events.

Shepherds Men will pay tribute to the fallen, while drawing inspiration from the livingwho have had their lives forever altered by the care they received at SHARE Military Initiative, an Atlanta-based comprehensive program that provides free clinical care to post-911 veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress.

A ceremony will be held Sunday from 8-8:30 a.m. at the Fallen Five Memorial on the Tennessee Waterfront across from Mike Battery, and will include a proclamation from the mayors of the city and county. Immediately following the ceremony, Shepherds Men will enter Tennessee River (boat ramp) for symbolic swim to the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center at the Aquarium Plaza. The 6-mile swim will last approximately seven hoursas the movement will be a buddy tow format to symbolically represent the mantra of no man left behind.

The Fallen Five Memorial is at 4301 Amnicola Highway.




NATOs latest summit in Vilnius is being heralded by its members as a great success and a new step in the process of strengthening the military alliance. But then, they would say that. We need to separate the facts from the press conference statements. If you peek into the goings on behind the scenes, you might get a glimpse of the actual divisions, rifts and challenges facing the imperialist organisation.

One of the key questions of the Vilnius Summit was Ukraines NATO membership. For weeks, Ukrainian president Zelensky had been lobbying NATOs members to get a firm commitment and a clear timetable for his countrys joining the alliance. This position also had the support of the Baltic countries and the UK, but faced head-on opposition from the US and Germany.

The final text of the summit declaration was very disappointing for the Ukrainian president. It says, in extremely vague terms: We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met. So, while the need for a Membership Action Plan has been formally removed, in practice, additional conditions that had not been mentioned before have been added. Furthermore, these conditions are not specified, other than general talk of additional democratic and security sector reforms that are required.

What does this mean? In theory, everyone agrees that Ukraine will become a member of NATO, the truth is that this is the commitment that was made at the Bucharest NATO Summit 15 years ago in 2008! In practice, as US president Biden stressed on the eve of the meeting, Ukraine cannot join NATO while there is a war going on and while some of its territory is contested, as this would lead  as per Article 5 of the alliances treaty  to a direct conflict between NATO and nuclear-armed Russia.

Vague commitments

According to media reports of the discussions behind the scenes, it was the US and Germany that insisted on watering down the language regarding Ukraines membership, to make it more vague. According to Bloomberg: Earlier drafts of the communique offered a clearer pathway to Ukraine eventually joining, but Biden and Chancellor Olaf Scholz were wary of going too far. Their teams demanded changes in the final days before the summit, upsetting lots of the other European nations, as well as the Ukrainians.

On hearing about this, Zelensky took to twitter to criticise the wording of the proposed statement. Ukraine also deserves respect, he said, we received signals that certain wording is being discussed without Ukraine about the invitation to become NATO member, not about Ukraine's membership. This, he added, is unprecedented and absurd when the time frame is not set neither for the invitation nor for Ukraines membership. In a very angry tone, he pointed out: at the same time vague wording about conditions is added even for inviting Ukraine. His conclusion was: It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the Alliance.

Of course, Zelensky is a master of using the media, and to a large extent this outburst was designed to put pressure on NATO members to change the statement. They did not. On the other hand, the Ukrainian president is also probably trying to establish a precedent for the future. If he is forced by the reality of the war to a situation in which he has to exchange territories for some sort of peace or frozen conflict, he can then turn around and say: it was the allies who did not give us the means to defeat the Russians.

Another bone thrown to Ukraine for the purpose of propaganda was the creation and first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council / Image: UK Prime Minister, Wikimedia Commons

The UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, not known for his diplomatic finesse, rebutted Zelensky by saying Ukraine should show more gratitude and that the UK was not their Amazon delivery service for weapons. This statement shows, in addition to Mr Wallaces lack of wits, the real arrogant attitude of imperialism towards Ukraine. You are fighting for all of us and in defence of our values, they are told, but you should say thank you for the privilege of being able to send your children to die in the front line for us. Or rather, shut up, you servant, and know your place.

What Wallace said publicly, other Western leaders told Zelensky in private. According to Bloomberg: Over dinner in Vilnius the other leaders delivered a clear message to Zelenskiy, according to one person who was present. You have to cool down and look at the full package, Zelenskiy was told. [our emphasis]

Having kicked into the distant future the question of Ukraines NATO membership, Western imperialism then proceeded to make a few offers on other fronts in order to soften the blow. The G7 group issued a statement promising Ukraine security guarantees after the war. This, in fact, reinforces the message that Ukraine will not become a NATO member, because if it were a NATO member it would automatically be covered by the mutual self-defence commitment in Article 5 of the alliance treaty. These alternative security guarantees have been likened to those between the US and Israel, where the latter is offered military and financial assistance, but there is no commitment to get directly involved with boots on the ground in an actual war.

Another bone thrown to Ukraine for the purpose of propaganda was the creation and first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. This is, in fact, nothing new, but just a rebranding of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, which was established in 1997. A case of old wine in a new bottle.

So far, so muddled.

In relation to actual immediate assistance, there are also problems. Europe and the US cannot produce ammunition fast enough to cover the needs of the Ukrainian army, now embarked in a war of attrition which has been going on for over 500 days. Since the Ukrainian counter-offensive began, it has been consuming ammunition at an even faster rate, without making a breakthrough. Military contractors are wary of expanding capacity, unless the states offer them firm medium-and-long-term contracts. Short of that, the current production capacity is at its limits.

This is what pushed Biden to take the decision to deliver cluster bombs to Ukraine, the only large stockpiles of munitions that theyve yet to tap into, for obvious political reasons. This has split opinion amongst the capitalist parties in the US and with its allies in Europe, with Germany expressing its unease. Of course, this is all highly hypocritical. Cluster munitions have been used in the Ukraine war from day one, both on the part of Russia and on the part of Ukraine. Indeed, according to Human Rights Watch, Kyiv used them before the current war, including in highly-populated areas in Donetsk in 2014. Neither the US, nor Russia, nor Ukraine are signatories to treaties banning their use.

The US has never hesitated in using weapons that are technically illegal in previous imperialist adventures. The real point revealed by the row over cluster munitions is the enormous pressure exerted on the western imperialists stocks of weapons and ammo by the prolongation of the war in Ukraine. For months, we were subjected to a daily dose of the story that Russian reserves have been depleted and that its war effort was about to collapse. Now we find out that, in fact, it is western reserves that are at capacity.

Furthermore, sending cluster munitions is a bit of a desperate act on the part of the US. This is a very unreliable type of bomb. According to a study by the NY Times, its failure rate is as high as 14 percent. Even leaving aside the higher rate of civilian casualties inflicted by cluster bombs, and the fact that unexploded bomblets, are left on the ground causing civilian deaths for decades to come, it is not difficult to understand that, if Ukraine ever used them to weaken heavily entrenched Russian defences, when finally Ukrainian soldiers manage to make a breakthrough they will have to advance through terrain peppered with unexploded pieces of ordinance.

The truth is that the much-hyped Ukrainian counter-offensive, now in its sixth week, has achieved very little. The counter-offensive is important, not only from the purely military, but above all from a political point of view. It is clear that US imperialism and its European allies are increasingly under pressure about the cost of the war. If Ukraine cannot show any clear progress, or at least the prospect of progress on the battlefield, appetite for continuing the supply of billions of dollars, pounds and euros in equipment, ammunition, etc. will dry up.

Biden is also already entering the next election cycle in the US, where the question of the money spent on fighting Russia in Ukraine will be an important factor. If there are no significant changes on the frontline before the winter, then pressure for negotiations will intensify again.

The lack of commitments on NATO membership but with continued military and financial aid, amidst constant wrangling about new types of weapons being delivered, underline a fundamental feature of this conflict. The military aims of the US (to decisively weaken Russia, but not to escalate into an open NATO-Russia conflict) are not the same as the stated aims of Ukraine (total military victory with the expulsion of Russia from all occupied territories, including Crimea). At some point, this division can become an open conflict.

Betrayal of the Kurds

The other important step taken at the NATO summit was in relation to Swedens membership. Since this was first announced at the Madrid Summit (see NATO Summit: China in the crosshairs), Turkey had used the fact that the decision required a unanimous vote as leverage to extract concessions from its partners.

The other important step taken at the NATO summit was in relation to Swedens membership / Image: Jens Stoltenberg, Twitter

First of all, it forced Sweden into collaborating in Turkeys prosecution of Kurdish organisations (both those linked to the PKK and the Syrian YPG); secondly, it demanded an end to Swedens arms embargo on Turkey; and finally it wanted the US to renew sales of F16 fighters and F16 fighter modernisation kits, which were suspended when Turkey purchased Russian air defence systems.

Erdogan is a skilled manoeuvrer and he made sure he delayed the process as much as possible so that he would get satisfaction on all his demands and then he added another one: Turkeys membership of the EU. Thus, on the eve of the summit, there was a tripartite meeting between NATO, Sweden and Turkey, which issued a statement giving in to Erdogans blackmail. The statement is both scandalous and worth quoting at length.

Since the last NATO Summit, Sweden and Turkiye have worked closely together to address Turkiyes legitimate security concerns. As part of that process, Sweden has amended its constitution, changed its laws, significantly expanded its counter- terrorism cooperation against the PKK, and resumed arms exports to Turkiye, all steps set out in the Trilateral Memorandum agreed in 2022 [our emphasis].

Read that again. Not only has nice, democratic, Scandinavian Sweden sold the Kurds down the river in exchange for membership of an aggressive military imperialist alliance, but it has gone as far as amending its constitution (overruling legal objections and fast tracking the process) and changing its laws. This is a case of the Groucho Marx approach to principles: these are mine, but if you dont like them, I have others.

As for EU-Turkey relations, the statement also forces Swedens hand:

Sweden will actively support efforts to reinvigorate Turkiyes EU accession process, including modernisation of the EU-Turkiye Customs Union and visa liberalisation.

This whole sordid affair is very instructive, in as much as it reveals the real content of bourgeois imperialist diplomacy. On the surface, there is always a democratic, humanitarian and international legality cover for decisions made. In reality, naked self interest, profits and the defence of capitalism at home and abroad prevail.

The European Union had no qualms in reaching a deal with Erdogan for him to police the blocs borders and keep migrants out. The national oppression of the Kurds in Turkey did not enter into their calculations. When US imperialism decided to use the Syrian Kurds for their own purposes, all the talk was about national oppression. Sweden followed suit. When they were no longer useful, they were abandoned to their fate in exchange for a deal with the more-powerful Turkey.

This should serve as a warning to anyone harbouring any illusions that US imperialism is defending national sovereignty in the Ukraine war.

Additionally, two days before the summit opened, the US promised to sell the F16 fighters and upgrade kits that Turkey wanted, sealing the deal. The other side of this disgusting bargain is the way in which Turkey uses the rivalry between different imperialist powers (in this case the US and Russia) to try to balance one off against the other, and obtain the best possible bargain (air defence systems from one side versus fighter jets from the other, in this case).

Dealing with Russia and China

Finally, it is worth mentioning some of the language in the NATO summits final communique, which follows on from the new NATO Strategic Concept document approved at the Madrid Summit. Using cynical terminology about democratic values, human rights, our shared values and a rules-based world order, NATO is saying very clearly: Russia and China are our enemies and we need to step up in order to face them. So much for a purely defensive alliance that is not a threat to anyone.

NATO recognises Russian imperialism and its more assertive posture as a threat to its own imperialist interests / Image: Number 10, Flickr

While the organisations name makes mention of the North Atlantic, the summits statements list the areas of the world that are important to NATO or of strategic interest, including, but not limited to the Middle East, Africa, North Africa and the Sahel regions, the Indo-Pacific and even outer-space! All of these areas need to be covered by what NATO describes as a 360-degree approach. In other words, by its own admission, NATO wants to control the whole world (and beyond).

In doing so, it is in conflict with Russia and China. The former is described as having increased its multi-domain military build-up and presence in the Baltic, Black, and Mediterranean Sea regions, and maintains significant military capabilities in the Arctic. NATO complains of Russias more assertive posture, novel military capabilities, and provocative activities, including near NATO borders, as well as its large-scale no-notice and snap exercises which, they say, continue to threaten the security of the Euro-Atlantic area.

In other words, NATO recognises Russian imperialism and its more assertive posture as a threat to its own imperialist interests, in several regions of the world.

In reference to China, the document says that its stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values. The statement adds that: the PRC employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power. Later on it accuses China of seeking to control key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, and strategic materials and supply chains, and of using its economic leverage to create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence.

What NATO is saying is: China is an imperialist power. It is acting in the same way we do, and we are not prepared to allow it. They are particularly worried about the growing Russia-China collaboration (which has been greatly enhanced by Western sanctions on Russia): The deepening strategic partnership between the PRC and Russia and their mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut the rules-based international order run counter to our values and interests.

Just in case anyone was worried about the aggressive war-mongering language of the NATO summit statement, the allies hasten to add that they will: advance gender equality and integrate gender perspectives in all that we do, as well as being, committed to significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions by the NATO political and military structures and facilities; and contribute to combating climate change by improving energy efficiency, transitioning to clean energy sources. There you are! Western imperialism will now integrate gender perspectives when invading a foreign land and use clean energy when engaging in regime change! What more can you ask for?

The conclusion of all of this is that member states need to increase military spending even beyond the agreed target of 2 percent of GDP: in many cases, expenditure beyond 2 percent of GDP will be needed in order to remedy existing shortfalls and meet the requirements across all domains arising from a more contested security order [our emphasis].

This is the voice of the US demanding that its partners contribute more to this imperialist rearmament policy, to keep up with China and Russia. America already spends nearly 3.5 percent of GDP in defence, while most of the other NATO members are only spending around 1.5 percent.

Here we can see clearly where the priorities of the capitalist class lie. The recent German budget is a glaring example, with massive cuts worth 31 billion, hitting education, healthcare, childcare and other social spending particularly hard, but sparing defence alone.

US imperialism, through NATO, is preparing to defend the interests of its multinational capitalist companies, in competition with the imperialist interests of China and Russia. The working class all over the world will be asked to pay, as usual.

The only way to escape from the nightmarish prospect of inter-imperialist conflict, war, and assaults on living standards and hard-win rights of working people is to put an end to this rotten capitalist system. To those who say, we want peace, we respond, fight for socialism!
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission approved Chattanooga State Community Colleges request to launch a new Electric Vehicle Engineering Technology Associate of Applied Science degree. The new EVET degree will prepare students with the education and skills needed to meet industry workforce demands to manufacture, diagnose, service and repair electric vehicles.

The AAS Electric Vehicle Engineering Technology degree will be initially offered through the Volkswagen Electric Vehicle apprenticeship and is expected to expand to the main campus by 2025.

We are excited to see this new program become a reality and to welcome its first students to our Volkswagen Academy campus this Fall, said Steffi Wegener, assistant manager of Training & Development, Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations. This is yet another milestone in our longstanding partnership with Chattanooga State Community College.

Rebecca Ashford, president of ChattState, said about the program, This new Electrical Vehicle Engineering AAS degree is the first of its kind in the state. Through it, students will learn valuable skills related to manufacturing and maintaining electric vehicles, and those skills will lead to prosperous careers in the fast-growing world of EVs. I am so proud of Chattanooga States partnership with VW that led to the creation of this new program.

Volkswagen is currently accepting applications for the new Electric Vehicle Apprenticeship that starts Aug. 9. The Electric Vehicle Expert will complete a two-year apprenticeship program that combines electrical training, programming, electronics, computer and controls systems into a design useful for diagnostic and repair of the electric vehicle. This development program is a partnership between Volkswagen Group of America and Chattanooga State Community College.

The apprenticeship program runs three semesters throughout the year. Students will go through a total of six semesters, including academic and on-the-job training semesters.

Students are enrolled in Chattanooga State Community College during the apprenticeship program and will receive an Electric Vehicle Engineering Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree upon completion.

Academic semesters consist of classes in the Volkswagen Academy, which are taught by Volkswagen and Chattanooga State instructors. On-the-job training semesters take the apprentices into the plant where they work in various areas, focused on electric vehicle technology to apply theories and skills in a diagnostic setting and gather work experiences.



The apprenticeship is paid after an 8-month probation period.



The schedule for academic semesters is from Monday to Friday, 8 hours a day. The schedule for on-the-job training may vary by department.

Learn more about the Electric Vehicle Apprenticeship and all of VW Academy Opportunities at www.volkswagengroupofamerica.com/en-us/volkswagen-academy.

For more information about Chattanooga States Electric Vehicle Engineering Technology AAS degree, contact Engineering and Information Technologies at 697-4434 or engineering@chattanoogastate.edu.
ReCatalyst, a spin-out from the renowned National Institute of Chemistry in Ljubljana, developing next-generation PEM fuel cell catalysts, has closed an oversubscribed 1.7 million seed financing round. The funding round was co-led by the Germany-based High-Tech Grunderfonds (HTGF), xista science ventures from Austria and OCCIDENT from Germany. The syndicate completes RUJ Ventures from Slovenia and the strategic business angel Dr. Tine Tomazic. The funding will be used to enhance market readiness and accelerate process development for ReCatalysts next-generation proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell catalysts, which are expected to grow to a $45 billion market by 2030.

With the humanitys race to net-zero, hydrogen and proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells will play a critical role in decarbonisation of both the energy and transport sectors. Fuel cells technology is expected to decarbonize especially heavier applications such as heavy-duty trucks, buses, trains, airplanes, ships, etc. However, at the core of each PEM fuel cell are currently still far too high quantities of precious and scarce platinum that is found in the electrocatalyst. This makes the technology expensive and difficult to mass produce. To solve this problem, ReCatalyst is developing a nano-tech platform for the production of next-generation of intermetallic platinum-alloy PEM fuel cell catalysts with the core mission to enable an optimized usage of platinum group metals.

"The investment from a strong syndicate of renowned international investors not only provides the company with crucial financial and operational support but also positions it on a global scale. In addition, this opportunity synergizes effectively with Slovenias strong connections to the German and Austrian industries. I take immense pride in the fact that we have transformed what was once a PhD research project into one of the most promising products in the market with substantial potential for future developments. While we have been successfully building our company with prestigious non-dilutive funding sources, we have now reached a stage where a more aggressive approach for growth has been absolutely critical in order to capitalize on the emerging hydrogen and catalysts market", Tomaz Bizjak, CEO and co-founder of ReCatalyst.

"We are really at a unique point in history to be able to make a direct impact towards an incredibly important humanitys challenge and accelerate commercialization of hydrogen-based technologies at the very heart  the (electro)catalyst. We plan to use this incredible opportunity to take our patented nano-tech platform to the next level, expanding both our production capabilities as well as product portfolio, revolutionizing not only the way we make fuel cell catalysts, but (electro)catalysts in general", Dr. Matija Gatalo, CTO and co-founder of ReCatalyst.

"ReCatalyst has developed a catalyst manufacturing platform technology that not only reduces the amount of platinum required in PEM fuel cells, but also enhances their efficiency. We believe this is a critical improvement to make PEM fuel cells cheaper and more applicable to the heavy-duty vehicle sector, resulting in a great potential to reduce CO 2 emissions in the long term", Dr Jan Engels, Investment Manager at HTGF.

"ReCatalyst strongly fits our investment thesis of breakthrough science developed in a lab, spinning out as a company with major commercial potential. The teams high ambition, focus on major reduction in platinum use without compromising on performance, and robust execution approach across the hydrogen and fuel cell value chain can unlock new possibilities for PEMFCs and even beyond", Florian Resch, Partner at xista science ventures.
Cherokee Nation artist Crystal Hannahs work Mississippian Bat Bowl received the Best of Division award in pottery at the 31st annual Eiteljorg Indian Market and Festival in Indianapolis.
Former Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller speaks at a Cherokee language gathering in April 2008 in Catoosa. On July 10, the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council voted to increase funding and size of a park project that will be named in Mankillers honor.
Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Businesses have contributed $2.2 million to the City of Tahlequah to purchase and fully equip a new ladder truck for the Tahlequah Fire Department, which will be similar to this truck.
Most of us know about the life of Thomas Alva Edison, the infamous American inventor who invented many life-changing things like the incandescent light bulb. But do you know about his wife?

Her name was Mina Miller Edison, and not only was she a supportive wife and mother, but she was also an activist.

Mina was born to a large family in Ohio in 1865. Her father, Lewis Miller, was also an inventor. As a child, Mina spent time at the Chautauqua Institution, which her father co-founded. There, she learned more progressive ideals relating to education reform and womens suffrage.

After graduating from high school, Mina attended a finishing school in Boston. There, she met Thomas in 1885. Thomas was previously married, but his first wife, Mary, passed away the year before. He had three children with Mary.

After meeting Mina and bonding with her after teaching her how to use Morse code, they married in 1886, and she became a stepmother to his three children. Mina and Thomas also had three children of their own.

After their honeymoon, Mina, Thomas, and their family lived in Glenmont, his home in West Orange, New Jersey. Mina took on raising their children and overseeing the care of their home while Thomas spent endless hours in his laboratory.

Because he was often so busy, it was like she had to handle it all on her own. Mina had a particularly hard time connecting with her eldest stepdaughter, Marion, who was only a few years younger than her.

Things only became more difficult the more notable Thomas became as an inventor.

However, Mina eventually got the hang of it and brought in staff to help her run their home. By 1891, she was declared the homes owner over Thomas, which protected the house from being seized if Thomas ever went bankrupt.

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On a warm summers day in 1991, I sat in Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, a temple north of London, my heart full of confusion and inner turmoil. I had begun seriously to doubt my faith.

It didnt make sense. I thought I had found the truth in Buddhism and had given up everything necessary to become a Buddhist nun seven years earlier. In the temple led by American monk Ajahn Sumedho, life was strict and disciplined, involving many ascetic practices designed to simplify daily existence and help us detach from earthly things. Our lives were based around meditation practice; we were celibate, slept little, and ate only one meal a day. I was known for my strong faith in Buddhism, and had not ever really doubted the purpose of living by its teachings.

Until now.

Suddenly I found myself, with my shaven head and robe, spontaneously rushing down to the traditional Anglican church in the nearby village. Ive got to talk to somebody, Ive got to understand whats happening to me, I thought.

Upon entering, I looked around anxiously for the priest. Could you pray for me, please? I asked when I spotted him. Im very confused. Unfazed, he graciously guided me to the Holy Communion rail and asked me to kneel. He laid his hands on my shoulders and prayed. As he did so, I broke down sobbing uncontrollably.

As the tears abated, the priests compassionate eyes met mine, and he said, We need to talk. We agreed to meet the following week.

After being prayed for, I felt a great release of the emotions and conflict deep inside of me. I was expectant that this man of God might be able to help me. How things had changed from my certainty about Buddhism to barely being able to contain my excitement about my appointment with an Anglican priest!

Finding solace in Buddhism

I was born in 1956 near Liverpool, England. Both my parents were unusually bitter and angry towards the church, my mom preferring to visit palm readers and fortune tellers instead.

My father, having grown up in an orphanage, said that the only thing he ever got from the church was the money he stole from the offering bag to alleviate his hunger. My brother and I naturally took on the opinions of our parents.

I left home at 18 to study in London. I led quite a self-indulgent lifestyle, including partying and promiscuity. However, upon finishing my studies, I was beset by questions: Who am I? What's life about? My spiritual side, which had been suppressed for years, now demanded answers.

At age 21, the search for truth became my lifes quest. Living in London provided me with a plethora of spiritual options. I met a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk and began to frequent his temple. He was a patient, scholarly man who appeared to have answers to my questions.

I especially liked that God was nowhere to be found in Buddhism. Buddha taught that he was only a man and that his insights were due to his own endeavors and intelligence. His spiritual goal was to be completely free of suffering. After a period of various spiritual practices and intensive meditation, Buddha concluded that to exist in any form whatsoeverfor instance, as a human, animal, or ghostwould give rise to suffering. He claimed to have found the way that led to the end of suffering.

Buddhas goal of nirvana is described as extinction, or not to be born in any form at all, where all becoming ceases. This felt to me like a breath of fresh air after experiencing the other extreme of self-indulgence and world-weariness.

Over the next six years, my commitment to Buddhism increased. This included going on a Buddhist pilgrimage in India and attending meditation retreats in Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Several years into this spiritual journey, while staying in a temple in northeastern Thailand, I decided I wanted to become a Buddhist nun with Ajahn Sumedhos community. So in 1984, I boarded a plane back to England and prepared to join Chithurst Forest Monastery.

A Christian awakening

As an ordained nun, I rarely if ever doubted the teachings of Buddha. However, with time, it became clear that God was reaching out to this rebellious one. One evening in the temple, we watched The Law of Love, a documentary about Jackie Pullinger, a British Christian missionary serving the poor in Hong Kong. (The mother of the films producer was a Buddhist and shared it with us.) I saw Jackie and her helpers praying in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. God moved through them to touch and heal people, including drug addicts who were miraculously freed from their addictions.

Beyond their physical healing, I could see they had a certainty in their spiritual life, a deep inner freedom and truth that I was searching for but now knew I had not found in Buddhism. It made me feel spiritually destitute and barren, as though I had nothing by comparison.

Something deep and foundational within me had been disturbed and awakened. A huge spiritual struggle ensued which lasted for months. I found myself seeking to learn more about Christianity, including reading Jackies books, then rejecting it again for Buddhism by trying to let go of that desire. It was an unbearable tension: two forces pulling hard in opposite directions, vying for my commitment.

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However, as the weeks passed, I experienced an overriding desire to attend church, to be baptized, and to prayeven though I didnt really know what those things meant.

In the height of my confusion, I rushed to the local church that Sunday morning. When I met with the priest a couple of days later, he read to me Jesus words in John 14, telling me to not let my heart be troubled. He was preparing a place for me in his Fathers house: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

The priest told me he believed the Lord had touched me and that I had come to know God. I knew deep inside that what he said was right. One week later, I disrobed and before long left the Buddhist temple. One of the nuns wept, asking what had happened to my strong faith. Another was concerned, warning me that if you change your mind and decide to come back, youll have to start from the beginning again.

I did not argue with them, instead remaining silent. What had happened to me perplexed the nuns and monks that I had lived with for so long, but they treated me with respect.

Nothing wasted in Gods economy

I returned home to Colchester, a town in Essex, where I joined an amazing church. There the pastor and his wife taught me the basics of the Christian faith and nurtured me as a believer. After three years, I joined Jackie Pullinger's ministry in Hong Kong, a truly fruitful period of learning and growth.

However, after a few years, I started to feel something else stir in mea clear call to Thailand, where about 95 percent of the population are Theravada Buddhists. What a profound apprenticeship God had given me by allowing me to delve so deeply into Thai Buddhism!

I arrived in Bangkok in late 1999 with a suitcase and a vision to help disciple and strengthen Thai Christians in their faith, and have been based in Thailand ever since. I spent the first 10 years in Bangkok and I now live in Ubon Ratchathani, not far from the Buddhist temple that I used to visit. My main ministry focus involves leading a discipleship and inner healing ministry to help Thai Christians, whether church leaders or new believers, grow and mature in their faith.

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Most of the people that we help come from a Buddhist background. My own experience with Thai Buddhism has been invaluable: Whether Im with Thai Christians or Buddhists, they recognize that I have some understanding of where they are coming from and can often speak into their experience.

Once redeemed by Jesus, it seems that nothing is wasted in Gods economy.

This article has been adapted from Esther Bakers two books: I Once was a Buddhist Nun (IVP UK, 2009) and Buddhism in the Light of Christ (Wipf and Stock USA, 2014). Esthers name is a pseudonym due to sensitivities in Thailand where she is based.
Sometimes, late at night, when her kids have gone to bed and Eleanor Getson is doing the dishes, she is hit with an almost crippling fear.

Glaciers melting. Islands of plastic in the Pacific Ocean. Forest fires wiping out millennia of history, said Getson, a 40-year-old evangelical living in Bradford, England, with her husband and two boys. I cant stop scrolling through stories about climate change.  Its too much to think about, and I get this anxiety about what my children will suffer because of us.

Thats why Getson was delighted to hear the news that the Church of England, which she grew up in, has made the momentous decision to divest from fossil fuels. Last month, the Anglican Church Commissioners and Pensions Board announced its decision to pull all financial investments from gas and oil companies because of the way burning fossil fuels is driving climate change.

Pressure on the Church of England to divest from fossil fuel companies has been building for several years, as an increasing number of clergy, bishops, and dioceses have made divestment commitments and called for fossil-free pension schemes.

Among them have been evangelicals bringing their own distinctive arguments and motivations to the campaign. For years, evangelically inclined organizations like Operation Noah, Tearfund, United Society Partners in the Gospel (USPG) and Christian Aid have been calling for the Church of England to fully divest from fossil fuel companies

Ruth Valerio, director of advocacy and influencing at Tearfund, a Christian relief and development organization based in the UK, told CT that the church has a huge role in calling on policies and practices that do not harm the natural world, such as cutting down on carbon emissions, switching to green-energy providers, and divesting from fossil fuels.

I often think of the church as being like a sleeping giant: Were starting to stir from our slumber, but if the church could really wake up, we would be a massive force for good around the world, she said.

Cameron Conant, a trustee with Operation Noah, said the Church of Englands divestment is a very big deal because of Anglicans global influence. But its also important, he said, because the campaign, which Operation Noah helped mobilize, has won the support of a wide range of Protestants. Prominent evangelicals in the Church of England backed divestment, including Archbishop Justin Welby, an open evangelical who previously worked as an oil company executive.

In a public statement, Welby said he has been moved by the science of climate change and the call of his faith.

The climate crisis threatens the planet we live on, and people around the world who Jesus Christ calls us to love as our neighbors, he said. It is our duty to protect Gods creation, and energy companies have a special responsibility to help us achieve the just transition to the low carbon economy we need.

According to Operation Noah, the change in the Church of England has been led by people in local parishesgrassroots organizers in the High Church, Low Church, and Broad Church wings of Anglicanism.

Divestment campaigners have cycled hundreds of miles, prayed outside places of worship, circulated letters, submitted motions and pleaded with church leaders to stop funding fossil fuels, said Darrell Hannah, chair of Operation Noah. The world changed thanks to their efforts.

One of those campaigners is evangelical mission priest Jon Swales. A church planter in West Yorkshire, not far from Bradford, the 46-year-old pastor regularly preaches on the perils of climate breakdown and Christians calling to do something about it as a matter of justice and discipleship.

Evangelical convictions arent at odds with caring about the climate, he said.

If we take the Bible seriously and believe God speaks to us through it, he said, he is calling us to abandon the idols of our age.

When Swales reads the prophets or Revelation, he sees direct lessons for Christians today. He compares the warnings about bowing down to Baal and Babylon to more modern principalities and powers, such as unrestrained capitalism, consumerism, and individualism.

The Bible may not be directly about the Anglican church and divestment, he said, but there are parallels.

Swales wasnt always persuaded that climate change should be a major concern. He didnt reject the science of global warming before. He tried to recycle and reduce the amount he drove his car around West Yorkshire, but in the end, he wasnt all that concerned.

But he went through a change of heart about five years ago when his daughter was on a climate march and he went with her to hear some speeches. He heard one speaker who reminded him of prophets like Amos and Hosea, John and Jonah, warning that we need to act now to avert catastrophe.

I realized climate breakdown was eschatological, he said. Unless Jesus returns, we face a catastrophic future.

Swaless conversion corresponds with a general sea of change in British public opinions on climate change and appropriate responses to it. Multiple polls since 2019 have shown an increase in the number of Britons reporting they are concerned. According to a November 2022 poll conducted by the UK-based research and analytics firm YouGov, more than two-thirds of the British public (67%) are worried, and a majority (62%) believe it will take drastic change to avert the worst impacts.

Another poll showed that many want to see a significant shift in the financial sector. Sixty percent of people in Great Britain would like banks and financial institutions to ditch investments in coal, oil, and gas.

Amid this momentum, Swales said evangelicals need to be asking about what discipleship will look like in a society heading rapidly toward collapse. Divestment is one way to avert the worst-case scenarios, he said.

Another parish priest who has campaigned for divestment is Vanessa Conant, rector of St. Marys Walthamstow in northeast London, where she has served for the last eight years.

Conant, who is married to Cameron at Operation Noah, grew up in what she called the more evangelical wing of the Church of England. She sees the divestment campaign, which Operation Noah has been leading since 2013, as a faithful continuation of the evangelical heritage of justice movements, such as efforts to expand education and abolish slavery.

These were huge movements to integrate our faith in Jesus Christ, she said, and use our life to further the kingdom of God.

As with those movements, much of British Christians climate change activism is rooted in the life of the parish, Conant said. In her church, she opens the Word and asks questions like these: What does it mean to lay down ones life for a friend? What does it look like to pick up your cross in a warming world?

In response, shes seen the congregation look for new ways to cherish what God has made and take steps to better care for their neighbors. Some of that looks like campaigning for divestment, but there are also quieter efforts to apply the gospel in context. Their churchyard has been set aside as a haven for biodiversity. The congregation has thrown itself into A Rocha Internationals Eco Church program, marching to silver status. The laity lead a Climate Sunday service each year.

Divestment is just one piece of climate change activism in the church, she said. And she is encouraged to see how much hope Christians have, pursuing positive change as an act of faithful witness.

So much of climate talk necessarily has a huge element of fear in it, and we have to recognize there is an urgency. But there is a huge amount of joy in responding to this call, Conant said. Although there is fear and anxiety, at the heart this is about returning us to the beauty of living in right relationship with God, creation, and others. We were made for this.
Christian arrested for blasphemy in Pakistan over Facebook post he denies sharing

LAHORE, Pakistan  Police in Pakistan on Saturday arrested a Christian for allegedly sharing a post on Facebook even though his villages Islamic cleric and other Muslims denied that it amounted to blasphemy, his brother said.

Wasim Masih told Morning Star News that Sargodha police registered a blasphemy case against his 35-year-old brother, Zaki Masih of Chak 98 Shumaali village, after a local Muslim, Muhammad Awais, accused him of insulting Islam by sharing a post on Facebook.

Police arrested Zaki Masih under Section 295-A of Pakistans blasphemy statutes relating to deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine or both. He was also charged under Section 298 against hurting religious sentiments, punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine or both.

Zaki Masih denies sharing the material, originally posted by a Muslim critical of those who adulterated basic food items such as milk, his brother said. The complainant, Awais, has Muslim friends with whom the two brothers have a property dispute that led to a clash five years ago, Wasim Masih said.

We reconciled with the other party due to the intervention of the village elders, but it seems they nurtured a grudge and trapped my brother in the fake case, he told Morning Star News.

The complainant and his friends reached out to several Muslims on Friday to solicit support against Zaki Masih, but those people discouraged Awais and the others from inciting hatred against the Christians, Wasim Masih said. He and his brother are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Even the imam of the village mosque told them that the post contained nothing derogatory against Islam, and that they should desist from stoking religious tension, Wasim Masih said. However, the complainant filed a case against my brother, and the police raided his shop and took him into custody.

Tensions arose in their community for a few days, as a similar case in a nearby village on June 30 caused several Christian families to flee their homes, he said.

But fortunately our fellow villagers remained calm and told us not to worry, as they knew the case was frivolous, Wasim Masih said.

Tensions had flared in Chak 49 Shumaali village of Sargodha after 45-year-old Haroon Shahzad on June 29 posted on his Facebook page 1 Corinthians 10:18-21, regarding food sacrificed to idols. At the time, Muslims were beginning the four-day festival of Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice), which involves slaughtering an animal and sharing the meat.

A Muslim villager took a screenshot of the post, sent it to local social media groups and accused Shahzad of disrespecting the Abrahamic tradition of animal sacrifice and likening Muslims to pagans. Eid al-Adha commemorates God providing a lamb for Abraham to sacrifice instead of his son. In the passage posted from 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul states that pagan sacrifices are offered to demons.

The blasphemy charge against Shahzad stemmed from personal grudges against him by the complainant, Imran Ullah, sources said. They said Ullah had engaged in legal battles with Shahzad over a plot of land allotted by the government for constructing a church building.

Zaki Masihs attorney, Aneeqa Maria of The Voice Society, told Morning Star News that the charges against him caused panic among Christians in Chak 98 Shumaali village, but timely intervention by Muslim leaders prevented panic and exodus.

Zaki is now in judicial custody, and we will be filing for his bail this week, Maria told Morning Star News. The case is based on mala fide as the accused denies sharing the contentious post, and even the mosques imam and other Muslims have denied that it was blasphemous.

Section 298 is a bailable offense, and police violated the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) by charging Zaki Masih under Section 295-A on the complaint of a private person, Maria said. According to Section 196 of the CrPC, only the provincial government and federal agencies can register a case under Section 295-A.

The lawyer criticized police for repeatedly violating the rules in cases of volatile allegations of blasphemy.

It has become a norm that whenever a blasphemy allegation is brought against any person, the police outright register a case without proper investigation and following legal procedures, she said.

False accusations

Blasphemy laws are often used as a weapon of revenge against both Muslims and non-Muslims to settle personal scores or to resolve disputes over money, property or business. A mere allegation is enough to provoke a mob to riot and lynch falsely accused suspects in Pakistan.

At least 1,949 persons were accused under the blasphemy laws between 1987 and 2021, according to the Center for Social Justice. A large number of these blasphemy cases are still awaiting justice.

As of May 15, 57 cases of alleged blasphemy have been reported this year. Punjab Province tops the list with 28 cases, followed by Sindh Province with 16, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province with 8 and Kashmir Province with 5.

In January, the National Assembly passed the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, increasing punishment for insulting the companions, wives and family members of Islams prophet, Muhammad, from three years to 10 years and a fine of 1 million rupees (US$3,640).

Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2023 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, up from eighth the previous year.
Socialist student faces federal charges for vandalizing pro-life pregnancy center in Ohio

A college student is facing federal charges for the vandalism of a pro-life pregnancy center in Ohio, as many similar organizations have been vandalized or firebombed following the U.S. Supreme Court's determination that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio announced in a statement published last week that 20-year-old Bowling Green State University student Whitney M. Durant, also known as Soren Monroe, is facing federal misdemeanor charges under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act in connection with the vandalism of a pro-life pregnancy center in Bowling Green, Ohio.

The FACE Act makes it a federal crime to intentionally damage or destroy the property of a facility because it provides "reproductive healthcare services."

If convicted, Durant's sentence will be determined based on "the defendant's prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations."

The U.S. Attorney's Office stressed that "the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum of one-year incarceration."

A Tuesday Instagram post from the Bowling Green Student Rights Union, which describes itself as "A student led organization with the mission to advocate for the rights and wellbeing of students and our communities through direct action," issued a statement identifying "Soren Monroe" as a member of their organization as well as a member of BGSocialists. Additionally, the post referred to the student with the plural pronouns "their" and "they,", indicating that she identifies as nonbinary.

A Facebook page for "Soren Monroe," which has the name "Whitney Durant" in the URL, features a biography characterizing the student activist as "a communist trying to spread the gay agenda" who uses "all pronouns." One public post on the page is a fundraiser for the pro-abortion group NARAL Pro-Choice America.

On April 15, Ohio Right to Life announced that HerChoice care center, also known as the Bowling Green Pregnancy Center, had been vandalized with the phrases "Fake Clinic," "Jane's Revenge," "Fund Abortion" and "Abort God" on the exterior wall of the clinic while the word "Liars" was spray-painted on the window.

The phrase "Jane's Revenge" refers to a collective of pro-abortion terrorists who have claimed credit for the fire-bombing of a pro-life pregnancy center in Madison, Wisconsin, and declared "open season" on pro-life organizations after they failed to heed the group's demand to disband within 30 days.

The Right to Life chapter identified HerChoice as one of 180 pregnancy centers across the state that "provides free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, [sexually transmitted infection] testing, parenting classes, and all the infant and toddler supplies moms need to take care of their babies."

Durant is one of a handful of pro-abortion activists charged under the FACE Act for vandalizing pro-life pregnancy centers in the past year, following the leak of the U.S. Supreme Court's draft ruling in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization asserting that the U.S. Constitution did not have a right to abortion.

Earlier this year, several activists were arrested in connection with the vandalism of two separate pro-life pregnancy centers in Florida last summer.

In March, nearly a year after the May 2022 firebombing of Wisconsin Family Action's headquarters, Hridindu Sankar Roychowdhury was arrested on one count of attempting to cause damage by means of fire or an explosive in connection with the incident. Also in March, Hannah Kamke was arrested for spray-painting the word "Liars" onto a sign advertising CompassCare's pregnancy center in Amherst, New York.

Pro-life pregnancy centers and several churches have experienced varying degrees of vandalism following the publication of the leaked Dobbs draft by Politico and continuing after the official Dobbsdecision was released in June 2022, which led to violent outrage among some pro-abortion activists.

Following the Dobbs ruling, two dozen states have laws on the books banning abortion throughout most or all of pregnancy, while voters in California, Michigan and Vermont have voted in favor of ballot measures establishing a right to abortion in their respective state constitutions.
Inspiration behind 'Sound of Freedom' blames 'spiritual warfare' for mainstream media backlash

The founder of the organization that inspired the box-office hit "Sound of Freedom" says the media backlash to the film may be a sign of "spiritual warfare."

Tim Ballard, founder of Operation Underground Railroad, which rescues children from sex trafficking rings around the world and inspired the hit film, said he "can't explain" why so many media outlets and personalities have ridiculed the movie as a "QAnon-adjacent conspiracy theory."

In an appearance on Fox News' "Fox and Friends" Monday evening, Ballard said the media's monolithic effort to link the true story of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent rescuing two young children from human traffickers in South America is inexplicable.

"I can't explain, and neither can they. Every show I've seen, they just like to throw the word out, 'QAnon,'" he said. "They make zero connection to the actual story. It's very difficult to make that connection when it's actually based on a true story."

Ballard, who formerly worked as an investigator for DHS, reacted to reviews of "Sound of Freedom" from Rolling Stone, The Guardian and other outlets, which linked the film's plot to "QAnon."

In one clip, CNN's Mike Rothschild said the film was made in response to a "moral panic," which he claimed was based on "bogus statistics  and fear."

Ballard called such claims not only baseless but ignorant of the facts.

"I think of the children that are really depicted in that film. I know what happened to them. Those children were the subjects of child rape videos. Those children were being sold for sex. In total, you see over 120 kids actually are rescued.

"It's embarrassing and frankly, grotesque for this guy who knows nothing to start throwing out terms like QAnon and connecting it to a real story," he said, adding such responses make him question whether "there's some other agenda, because why do this?"

In an appearance on "Relatable" with Allie Beth Stuckey, Ballard said journalists are largely unable to say what QAnon actually is.

"I don't even know if any of us can accurately define what QAnon is," he said.

Meanwhile, Ballard argued, the media seems less than eager to report on the estimated $150 billion global human trafficking trade.

When asked why a Washington Post fact-checker was unable to corroborate Ballard's claim that 10,000 children are smuggled into the United States annually, Ballard responded, "Are you kidding me?"

"Look, the United States, we are the No. 1 consumer of child rape videos in the world, OK, so that's the I call that the 'economy of pedophilia,'" he replied. "And now we have over the last two years alone 85,000 unaccompanied minors that show up at our Southern border."

He explained that, according to statistics from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, when these young children  often no older than 3 or 4 years of age  show up at the border unaccompanied by an adult, the Department of Health and Human Service is required to contact their sponsor. That person would then be required to come to the border and physically pick up the child.

Not anymore, says Ballard.

"Now our taxpayer dollars are putting those kids on buses and planes and sending them to what I think is likely completing the final leg of a child trafficking experience," he said.

Shown in only 2,600 theaters, "Sound of Freedom" beat out Disney's "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" for the top spot over the Fourth of July holiday with a bold message: "God's children are not for sale."

So when media outlets like The Guardian or Rolling Stone attempt to demean the film's real-life content or its message of hope for those victims of human trafficking, Ballard says such a backlash takes on a more spiritual dimension.

"When you connect it all together, you see why someone doesn't want the truth coming out because there's a movement right now," he said. "I think a lot of it, Ali, is spiritual warfare."

"I think when people act so insane, sometimes I can only chalk it up to that we're we're playing with powers beyond our mortality."
JD Greear backs black churches challenge to SBCs vote to ban women pastors

Former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, J.D. Greear, has backed the National African American Fellowships challenge to a recent vote by SBC messengers to ban women from serving as a "pastor of any kind" as an "unnecessary infringement upon the autonomy of the local church."

This amendment forces conformity down to tertiary levels in ways that will both violate local church autonomy and are inconsistent with our past practice, wrote Greear, who leads The Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina, in a piece published on his website Wednesday.

If we continue down this road, we might become a Convention that spends its time focused on who is in and who is out, instead of on the best ways to reach our communities and glorify Jesus. If you want a harbinger of that, just take a look at Southern Baptist social media feeds right now. Is this what we want our Convention to be about? he asked. Im tired of micromanaging churches; I want to be about the Great Commission. There are too many people on their way to Hell for us to get quagmired in policing each other.

The NAAF is a network of more than 4,000 predominantly African American churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Gregory Perkins, the networks president and lead pastor of The View Church in Menifee, California, argued in a July 3 letter to SBC President Bart Barber that despite being in theological alignment with the denomination, many black Southern Baptist churches allow women to use the title pastor under the leadership of a male senior pastor.

"Many of our churches assign the title 'pastor' to women who oversee ministries of the church under the authority of a male Senior Pastor, i.e., Children's Pastor, Worship Pastor, Discipleship Pastor, etc.," Perkins wrote. "To disfellowship like-minded churches who share our faith in Jesus Christ, our belief in the authority of Scripture, our mandate to carry out the Great Commission, and our agreement to give cooperatively based upon a local-church governance decision, dishonors the spirit of cooperation and the guiding tenets of our denomination."

Perkins said prohibiting churches from allowing women to hold the title "pastor" would be challenging for many black Southern Baptist congregations even though the SBCs Baptist Faith & Message 2000 states that "the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture."

He further suggested that the ramifications of banning women from serving as a "pastor of any kind" were not properly considered, and the denomination needs to hear from a diversity of voices on the issue.

A proposed amendment to the SBC constitution clarifying that women cannot serve as pastors passed with approximately 80% of the vote from more than 12,000 messengers on June 14 at the SBC's Annual Meeting. Proposed by Pastor Mike Law of Arlington Baptist Church in Virginia, the amendment will become permanent if it gains majority support at the SBC annual meeting in 2024.

The vote on the amendment came just hours after 88% of messengers voted to uphold the removal of Rick Warrens Saddleback Church for allowing a woman to serve in the office of a teaching pastor. The removal of Fern Creek Baptist Church for having a woman pastor was also affirmed by a vote of 92%.

During the meeting, roughly nine out of every 10 messengers voted to disfellowship churches that have women pastors.

Greear said he did not believe that amending the SBC constitution is necessary to keep women in the denomination from serving as pastors.

I want to be clear: I dont oppose this amendment for theological reasons, but constitutional ones. Advocates of the amendment have expressed a desire to see support of complementarianism clarified and strengthened in our Convention, and I support that. This is the wrong mechanism for that, he said.

He pointed to the recent disfellowshipping of Saddleback and Fern Creek as examples showing that the SBC already has a mechanism in place to deal with churches that embrace egalitarianism.

The reality is that we already have all that we need to settle secondary disagreements by removing churches that embrace egalitarianism  the Saddleback and Fern Creek cases demonstrate that. And thus, I believe a different approach is in order, he wrote.

Barber accepted Perkins' offer to pray and have further dialogue on the issue in a statement on Twitter Monday and Ed Litton, another former SBC president, also noted in a statement on Twitter Wednesday that: I appreciate this clarity from @jdgreear and the leadership from @PastorGregoryP1. Concerns about the Law amendment are real. This is a pivotal moment for the SBC and our future. We would do well to consider both of these concerns.

Many critics of Greears argument openly disagreed with his position or raised questions about his support for the NAAF.

Outspoken Southern Baptist Pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, Dwight McKissic, said he was surprised by the radically different reactions of Barber and Greear to the NAAF letter and the disfellowshipping of Saddleback Church even though the contention between the SBC and the two parties is over the same issue.

Would be interesting for a sociologist to explain why the response to NAAF by @bartbarber & @jdgreear, & their response to Saddleback are so radically different. Saddleback has a male lead pastor & an all-male body of elders, and women staff pastors, which is identical to whats spelled out in the NAAF letter concerning women pastors. Sincerely, this is a mystery to me, McKissic wrote on Twitter Wednesday night.

I totally support NAAF & Saddleback. But the difference in treatment suggests to me that the Saddleback decision was driven by testosterone, rather than doctrine. If common ground & the goal of not disfellowshipping NAAF churches is the intentional outcome of mutual dialogue, why was that not the case with Saddleback? he asked. Id like to see the Saddleback decision rescinded, and a decision to not disfellowship one NAAF church be the response to the NAAF letter. If reconciling with NAAF occurs, consistency & integrity also demands reconciliation with Saddleback. What am I missing?

Christopher Calvin Reid, host of The Daily Controversy on 103.9 FM Huntsville, Alabama, who is also a retired general practice attorney, accused, Greear of bowing to cultural pressures over Scriptures.

I read the argument you made, and at no time did you come close to making a rational point. You pretend that the wording of the language is so bad that this will have unintended effects that's ridiculous, and you know it, he said in a reply to Greears post on Twitter. This is your bowing to cultural pressures over Scriptures.

Brian Jump, lead pastor of Forest Park Church in Joplin, Missouri, where several women are listed on the churchs staff page on their website as minister or director, argued that the debate sparked by the NAAF is more than just a nomenclature issue.

Respectfully, while for certain churches, it may appear to be primarily a nomenclature issue at first, that perception changes once the church is made aware of their error, he wrote in a series of tweets.

Once they are informed and still choose to defy the teachings of Scripture, it transforms into a matter of challenging scriptural authority, resulting in rebellion and raising significant theological concerns, he argued. In such instances, these churches consciously disobey Scripture, going beyond a mere agree to disagree scenario.

Jonathan LaFleur, lead pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Terre Haute, Indiana, said: Nomenclature can easily be corrected. This is not a reasonable argument against an evidently solid amendment.

On July 29, 2022, after the SBC's Annual Meeting last year, Southern Baptist theologians published a statement clarifying the meaning of the word "pastor."

The document, titled, "A Statement Concerning the Baptist Faith & Message and the Word' Pastor,'" was released by a Southern Baptist seminary president, a former seminary president, and the former head of the denomination's public policy arm.

The signatories are Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Chuck Kelley, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; and Dr. Richard Land, who served as the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission from 1988-2013 and is the president emeritus of Southern Evangelical Seminary in North Carolina. The Confession Revision Committee assigned the three men to write a study guide for the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message Confession.

Aiming to bring clarity to a fractious debate within SBC life, the theologians said that when it comes to the word "pastor," Southern Baptists have always understood the term.

In keeping with the spirit of Baptist Faith and Message 2000, "pastor" means "one who fulfills the pastoral office and carries out the pastor's functions."

Article VI of The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 states that the scriptural offices are pastors and deacons and that "[w]hile both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture."

The function of the office and the office itself are inseparable, the three Baptist leaders maintained. They highlighted that the commentary they wrote on the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message notes that central to that pastoral role is "the responsibility to preach and teach."

"[I]t is important to understand that the word pastor was chosen precisely because of its clarity among Southern Baptists. The statement carefully affirms that both men and women are gifted for service in the church, but the role of pastor is biblically defined and is to be held only by men as qualified by Scripture," they reiterated in the new statement.

When the Baptist Faith & Message was adopted and revised in 2000, the committee established that "pastor" was not to be used to describe every ministerial position within a church, they added.

Unlike other denominations with a hierarchical ecclesiastical structure, in Baptist ecclesiology, the local church calls and ordains its pastors, not the denomination as a whole or its affiliated entities.
Mayflower Church pastor who fled CCP with dozens of congregants urges US to put pressure on China

WASHINGTON  A pastor who led a congregation of 64 Chinese Christians from religious persecution in China thanked God for bringing them to freedom in the United States but warned that many faithful heroes still face oppression from the Chinese Communist Party.

Pastor Pan Yongguang of the Mayflower Church, whose members fled to South Korea in 2019 after encountering threats and interrogations from Chinese police, spoke outside the U.S. Capitol Wednesday alongside ChinaAid Founder Bob Fu before attending an interfaith event chaired by the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mike Gallagher, R-Wis.

The Mayflower Church gained its name after its members arrived at South Korea's Jeju Island seeking religious freedom, similar to the 17th-century Protestant separatists who traveled to the British colonies. They later traveled to Bangkok, Thailand, hoping to get refugee status from the United Nations but were detained in an immigration detention center.

Four years after fleeing the CCP, Pan and 63 members of the church received humanitarian parole in the U.S.. In April, they arrived in Dallas, Texas, after concentrated efforts from Fu and multiple government officials and agencies to negotiate their release.

According to ChinaAid's website, the persecuted Christians now reside in Tyler, Texas.

With Fu translating for him during the press conference, Pan expressed gratitude to God for his "power," which brought everyone to the U.S. But he noted that many religious people in China, including his imprisoned friend, Pastor Wang Ti of Early Rain Covenant Church, are still oppressed by the CCP.

The pastor also thanked Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., and Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas, lawmakers who advocated for the Mayflower Church and were present at the press conference. Pan thanked Deana Brown, founder and CEO of Freedom Seekers International.

Around three months ago, Brown was detained alongside the Mayflower Church in Thailand.

The members were eventually released after paying fines, much to the relief of those who feared deportation. Pan thanked Brown during the press conference for choosing to stay with them throughout the experience.

"God could use a stone," Brown told The Christian Post in an interview. "I was really glad that I was there to be used by Him. It was my privilege to be able to do that, and I think for Americans, it's important to know that so many of us can do something."

Pan spoke to CP, with Fu once again serving as a translator. He believes the U.S. government should put "pressure" on the persecutors in China. Pan said that various denominations in the U.S. can and have helped persecuted Christians in China in multiple ways, citing the provision of Bibles and media advocacy as some examples.

Fu warned that the CCP has "launched a war against faith," highlighting several examples of persecution, from pastors facing fines for having offering boxes in their churches to the imprisonment of Ugyghur Muslims in concentration camps.

Fu emphasized how the CCP is forcing people to "submit" their faith "totally" and "completely" to the government. Later, in an interview with The Christian Post, Fu stressed that "religious freedom is the foundation for freedom."

Echoing her remarks during the press conference, Brown provided further details about how Americans can help refugees start their new lives, listing activities such as letter writing and helping them learn English.

Following the press conference, Pan and Fu attended an interfaith roundtable discussion on China's suppression of religious freedom in the Capitol.

During the discussion attended by those of Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths, Rep. Gallagher kickstarted the talk by warning that China is "rewriting the Bible."

The chairman echoed reports the CCP altered the part of the Gospel of John where Jesus defended an adulterous woman by telling her accusers: "Let he among you without sin cast the first stone." Jesus then tells the woman to "Go forth and sin no more."

The original version was a "beautiful story of forgiveness and mercy," as Gallagher noted, but not in the rewritten version featured in a 2020 Chinese university textbook. Instead of Jesus forgiving the woman, he stones her to death.

Gallagher relayed other reports that in churches across the Henan province, CCP replaced the Ten Commandments with quotes from China's President Xi Jinping. For example, the CCP replaced the commandment "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me" with "Resolutely guard against the infiltration of Western ideology."

"Xi Jinping has no problem with the first commandment, just so long as he and the CCP are playing the role of God," Gallagher said.

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council and former chair of the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom, said that China does not "discriminate" regarding "repressive actions," stressing that "all religious groups are seen as a threat to the Chinese regime."

The former USCIRF chair insisted that Congress must make "human rights a priority."

Several religious officials and experts in attendance suggested ways to confront China on the issue, such as sanctions and preserving communications between religious groups in China.

USCIRF Chair Rabbi Abraham Cooper, who also attended the roundtable discussion, told CP that the "real battle" is the issue of the supply chain. Cooper argued that if there is to be any real progress, pressure must be placed on companies that aid in persecution.

"And that is everyone's obligation, especially those of us who see much of human rights through the prism of religious freedom," he said.

Cooper, the associate dean and director of global social action at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, also stressed that Congress holds the "key" to the issue. He highlighted various ways that it can improve its approach.

"They need to be educated about supply chain issues," he said. "They need to know to take one person or one church and put a human face on it. That's the sleeping giant in America."

While he noted that the city tends to lack bipartisanship, Cooper added that if churches, synagogues and mosques embraced their obligation to assume leadership on the topic, then it would cease to be a Republican or Democratic issue.

Cooper also highlighted the importance of prayer and education, especially for young people who need to have the issue brought down to a level they can identify with to help them understand the problem by bringing them into the "ethical choices."

One of the ways Fu believes that the U.S. can further religious freedom in China is to have a "systemic" way of addressing the issue. Fu suggested making the conversation about religious freedom "transparent" and public. He argues that having discussions with China about the issue behind "closed doors" is "counterproductive."

Another way Fu believes that the U.S. can combat religious persecution in China is to sanction the perpetrators, including police officers, public security officers, judges and prosecutors.

By putting the names of these people on a sanction list, Fu proposed that this could act as a "deterrent" by making it clear there is accountability for persecution. Fu said Biden already signed such a law in 2022, the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which affirmed that the U.S. must support accountability for human rights abuses.
Montana commission withdraws from American Library Association over 'Marxist lesbian' president

The Montana State Library Commission voted to withdraw from the American Library Association following comments made by the ALA's new president, a self-described socialist who identifies as a "Marxist lesbian."

The MSLC separated from the national library group in a 5-1 vote Tuesday on a resolution issued by Commissioner Tom Burnett. Commissioner Brian Rossmann was the sole "no" vote, and Commissioner Peggy Taylor abstained.

The vote was held after an hour of public comments, with some voicing objections to the presence of sexually explicit and other controversial materials in children's libraries. Rossman believes separation is a "drastic" response to "one individual's" politics. He suggests a "better approach" would be to send a letter to ALA expressing the commission's disapproval of the new president's politics.

"Our oath of office and resulting duty to the Constitution forbids association with an organization led by a Marxist," reads a letter the commission voted to send to the ALA.

ALA President Emily Drabinski appeared to comment on the Montana commission's vote in a Tuesday tweet, writing, "That is not the Montana  or Montanans  I know."

Following her election in April 2022, Drabinski wrote in a now-deleted tweet that she "just cannot believe that a Marxist lesbian who believes that collective power is possible to build and can be wielded for a better world is president elect of ALA. I am so excited for what we will do together. Solidarity. And my mom is so proud. I love you mom."

The American Library Association and the Montana State Library Commission did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment.

Elsie Arntzen, commission superintendent of public instruction in Montana, defended the decision, asserting that "Marxist ideologies directly oppose our Montana values."

"Ms. Drabinski is a supporter of Critical Race Theory, which Montana rejected as discriminatory, and other far-left-leaning ideologies that have no place in our schools and libraries," Arntzen said in a statement to Fox News.

"Montanans embrace honest and accurate views of history while understanding that our country, at times, has fallen short of its goals. However, common citizens have rallied together to overcome those shortfalls," she added. "Our parents are our first teachers, they have an absolute right to determine what is best for their children. By electing a declared Marxist as their President, the ALA has not only turned its back on families, parental rights, and American values  it has turned its back on America itself."

In an April 2022 interview with Jacobin ahead of Drabinski's appointment that same month, the ALA leader discussed her potential role as the organization's first socialist president. Drabinski believes that libraries are an "overlooked site of political struggle," with the article referencing debates about allowing children access to certain reading materials.

Drabinski, who worked as a faculty librarian at Long Island University in 2011, emphasized the importance of "forming collective power" amid high-profile cultural battles concerning children's exposure to certain content. She also asserted that more people need to understand the purpose of libraries, and she called for marshaling the labor power of library workers to help defend the institution as a "public good."

"But I believe the way to get people to understand why libraries are important is by engaging people in a struggle for the fair share of the social wage," she said. "It isn't a matter of better advertising. It's a matter of sort of stronger connections between libraries and our communities and the communities we serve, and the shared struggles that we all have  because we are all suffering from the maldistribution of wealth."

Last September, the ALA released data ahead of Banned Books Week that showed an increase in efforts to ban or restrict books in school libraries. According to the ALA, the ban attempts are "on track to exceed record counts from 2021," when 729 attempts were made that targeted 1,597 book titles.

Throughout the country, parents have spoken out about the issue, arguing that they have a right to determine the books and lessons their child absorbs. Last month, a group of interfaith parents demonstrated against the Montgomery County Public Schools system in Maryland, demanding that the district allow parents to exempt their kids from being exposed to LGBT lessons and books.

The school district began requiring all students to participate in LGBT-inclusive lessons in March, with no option for parents to opt their children out. Parents from various faith backgrounds, including Christians and Muslims, objected to the move.

In an interview with CP last month, Zainab Chaudry, director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Maryland, clarified that these parents are not arguing for the banning of LGBT books but to have a say in what their children learn.

"They personally just want to have a right to say when and how their children are exposed to content that conflicts with their beliefs," Chaudry told CP. "The school system has unilaterally made this decision."

"They're forcing children as young as pre-K to be part of these discussions, not just book readings, but classroom discussions that teach values, that teach ideas about lifestyles and aspects of different communities that conflict with the basic fundamental principles in many different faith traditions," she continued.
Liberal UMC bishop faces trial after being placed on leave over complaints

An outspoken liberal bishop of The United Methodist Church will face a church trial next month centered on two unspecified complaints against her that led to a suspension.

UMC Bishop Minerva Carcano of the San Francisco Episcopal Area was placed on leave last year when two complaints were received by the Western Jurisdiction of Bishops.

Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, president of the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops, released a statement Wednesday providing additional details about the upcoming trial.

The trial for Carcano will occur Aug. 21-25, with First United Methodist Church of Pasadena, California, serving as the venue and retired Bishop Alfred W. Gwinn presiding.

"In sharing this information, The Book of Discipline (2016) continues to direct our steps as we seek a fair process for all," stated Escobedo-Frank.

"Paragraph 2707 declares that church trials 'are to be regarded as an expedient of last resort.' A just resolution is encouraged and can occur at any point, 'including through the judicial proceedings' We continue to covet your prayers as we seek God's wisdom, restoration, and healing for all those involved."

The bishops had previously announced the dates for the trial last week, but details such as the venue had not yet been disclosed.

Bishop Sally Dyck, interim bishop of the UMC California-Nevada Conference, wrote a pastoral letter last week.

"No matter how or where you stand on Bishop Carcano's suspension and charges, it's a sad time for all of us," wrote Dyck. "In addition to those individuals directly involved with the case, it also puts the annual conference and The United Methodist Church itself under a spotlight of scrutiny and public opinion."

Dyck implored people to "be very gentle and gracious with each other in our speech and action" and added that she continued to pray for "Bishop Carcano, the complainants and others involved in this process."

Carcano was elected the first Hispanic female bishop in the UMC in 2004 and has been known for her progressive stance on polarizing topics like immigration and LGBT issues.

She has long advocated for the UMC to remove the Book of Discipline's official stance banning both the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals.

In March 2022, it was announced that Carcano was placed on leave from her episcopal duties due to two complaints, with some taking issue with the process.

Earlier this year, the group Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic/Latino Americans, which is the UMC's Hispanic caucus, denounced the length of Carcano's suspension and argued that she should be reinstated.

"By prohibiting Bishop Minerva Carcano from attending meetings and being in contact with persons affiliated with the organization at any level, is in our view, punitive and judgmental. This action has hurt and continues to hurt our ethnic ministries and missions," said MARCHA in a statement.

"The issue is that the prolonged suspension has damaged the reputation of Bishop Minerva Carcano and has discredited her faithful years of services and contributions to the California-Nevada Annual Conference."

In May, the Western Jurisdiction announced that its investigation committee found reasonable grounds to bring the charges that the bishop violated church law to trial. Specifically, the committee identified five charges per Paragraph 2702.1 of the Book of Discipline.

"The Western Jurisdiction Committee on the Episcopacy and the Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops each acknowledge that the process has taken time, as Bishop Carcano's suspension, under Paragraph 413.3a, was originally announced on March 9, 2022," the Western Jurisdiction acknowledged in a statement.

"Upon completion of the initial 60 days, the Committee on Episcopacy voted to continue the suspension based on the recommendation of the Committee on Investigation under Paragraph 2704.1c. Later, the respondent requested an appeal for a Judicial Council ruling, which was granted to ensure fairness in the process. The work of the Committee on Investigation was paused until the appeal was acted on, which further delayed progress toward the completion of the process."
Youth pastor who filmed minors in church bathroom also filmed brides changing at wedding parties

A former youth pastor who was arrested last month for allegedly filming girls as young as 14 in the bathroom of a South Carolina church was slapped with 24 new charges of criminal sexual conduct, bringing his total so far to 70 as investigators say he also recorded women in bridal parties changing their clothes.

Daniel Kellan Mayfield, the former youth pastor at First Baptist Gowensville in Landrum, was already facing 46 criminal sexual conduct charges when a Greenville County magistrate judge signed the 24 additional charges on Friday, Greenville News reported.

Of the 24 new charges, six are for sexual exploitation of a minor in the first degree, while the remainder are voyeurism charges connected to three weddings that occurred in 2019 and 2021. At two of the weddings where Mayfield, 35, was hired to provide videography service, he allegedly recorded women in areas where they had a "reasonable expectation of privacy." Mayfield, according to the warrants cited by Greenville News, set up cameras in areas where the bridal party changed their clothes.

At the third wedding held at First Baptist Church Gowensville, Mayfield, while acting as a "representative and keyholder" at the church, allegedly filmed the bridal party in secret and stored the video on his MacBook Pro.

"This was a complete and total shock to everyone who knew him, from parents to volunteers to students to family and close friends," First Baptist Church Gowensville Senior Pastor Josh Phillips told Greenville News. "Unfortunately these things usually are surprises. It is the people you do not expect."

Early last month, investigators from the Greenville County Sheriff's Office discovered that Mayfield had unlawfully filmed multiple girls, some as young as 14 years old, inside the bathroom of the Landrum church.

That discovery followed an earlier announcement by investigators that Mayfield was caught recording a woman outside the bathroom window of her mother's house in Greenwood on May 27. The woman reported that she and her sister found Mayfield standing alone in their backyard after she noticed a light outside the window.

When they initially confronted him about what he was doing, he denied making any recording. Eventually, he confessed to recording the woman while she was showering and gave her his phone so she could view the video. A redacted affidavit details how, after he was caught, Mayfield declared, "Oh sh" before he managed to end the recording.

First Baptist Gowensville has not provided any additional updates on its website about the investigation beyond a May 27th statement about Mayfield's dismissal.

"On May 27th, 2023, First Baptist Gowensville leadership was made aware of an incident of moral misconduct perpetrated by one of our staff members. Proper authorities were notified immediately, and the employee was terminated from his role," the statement says. "Due to the nature of the investigation, FBC Gowensville refers all questions to the law enforcement authorities involved. We remain dedicated to providing a safe worship environment and will be ever vigilant in protecting all persons involved in any of our events."

In addition to his work at the church, Mayfield's archived profile on First Baptist Gowensville's website also states that he worked at Compassion International as an event director.

Tim Glenn, global public relations director for Compassion International, previously told The Christian Post that Mayfield was not directly employed by the Christian humanitarian organization.

"He was employed by a company that Compassion contracted for marketing events, from 2013-2014," Glenn said. "He has also served as a volunteer at some Compassion marketing events until 2016. Though he applied for a position with Compassion, he was never hired."
Communists harass Christian-owned cafe; protesters hold signs reading 'God is a f'

A recently opened Christian ministry coffee shop in Colorado has been the subject of protests and vandalism due to the parent organization's biblical stance on sexual sin.

Since its opening last month, The Drip Cafe, a Christian-owned coffee shop ministry in Denver, has been targeted by protesters over its belief that homosexuality is sinful.

Owner Jamie Sanchez believes the Denver Communists and other LGBT protesters were triggered by Scripture on the website of his coffee shop's parent nonprofit Recycle God's Love, which ministers to the local homeless population.

According to the group's "What We Hold To Be True" page, the "homosexual lifestyle is contrary to God's Word and purpose for humanity and is sin." It cites 1 Timothy 1:10 and 1 Corinthians 6:9 as justification.

"Moreover, this organization is instructed to Love those living such lifestyles," the page reads. "We believe that showing hate towards people in these communities is not the way Jesus would respond. [Therefore], although disagreeing with the lifestyle, we must show love."

Sanchez told CP he suspects that someone from Denver Communists saw the Recycle God's Love "beliefs" page.

"It was never stated by me or anyone else, for any reason over the last 11 years of ministry in Denver," he said via email Tuesday. "In fact, plenty of [LGBT-identified] members that struggle with homelessness are served at our outreach events."

"We believe Jesus calls us to serve all, just as He did."

According to Sanchez, the protests started on June 2, the cafe's opening day, just outside the front of the store. The following Monday, he said, "we found graffiti on our building and damaged windows from rocks."

Last Friday, the protesters returned to the Drip in what Sanchez called a "hateful" showing.

"They harassed customers, and even were harassing our visually impaired Christian friend who was hosting his radio show in front of our building," he said.

A July 9 post on the group's Facebook page called the Drip a "hate cafe" and predicted the protests would ultimately force the Drip out of business before conceding that the coffee shop "runs on volunteer labor, donations, and purchases from ideologically-motivated church members, so we've got a fight ahead of us."

In that post, the group also shared of protesters holding anti-Christian signs, including one man wearing makeup holding a sign that read "God is a f" and quoting Matthew 5:32. Another protester had a sign reading, "Enough Christian dictatorship."

Calling the Drip Cafe "bigots," the Denver Communists' event page for the protest described Christian churches as "key incubators of the homophobia, transphobia, and misogyny that underpin the current assault on [LGBT] rights."

The Communist group previously claimed that by calling homosexuality a "sin that leads to death," a statement found in 1 John 5, the Drip Cafe is "advocating for violence."

Following the acts of vandalism, Sanchez said he reached out to the police but was told: "they can't do anything because of [the protest group's] free speech."

A Denver police spokesperson told CP that officers responded to the cafe twice since the start of June: once for a graffiti call on June 3 and once for a reported broken window on June 12.

No arrests have been made, but both cases are under investigation, according to police.

As for the protests, the spokesman said, "people are allowed to protest and exercise free speech as long as they are on public property, such as a public sidewalk."

Following the response from the Communists, Sanchez said the Recycle God's Love website was updated because "it was being taken out of context by the opposing group."

He said because of the use of Scripture by "extremists who actually hate gay people and call themselves 'Christian,'" he could see how the Bible verse could be misunderstood without context.

"We continue to stand by our belief on the scripture, though," he added.

Above all, said Sanchez, he wants the Drip Cafe to be known for loving the community and serving others as Christ did.

"I want the world to know the love of Jesus Christ through our love. The Drip Cafe has a purpose to help people who live on the fringes of society and who have been outcast," he said. "We have not shown any hate towards anyone, although this group has been showing hate to us."
Wisconsin school district must let biological male student use girls' bathroom, judge rules

A federal judge has blocked a Wisconsin school district policy prohibiting students from using bathrooms intended for members of the opposite sex in response to a lawsuit filed by the mother of an 11-year-old trans-identified boy.

Judge Lynn Adelman of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin issued the temporary restraining order last Thursday prohibiting the Mukwonago Area School District from enforcing Policy 5514 - Student Privacy in Restrooms and Locker Rooms. The school board unanimously passed the policy on June 26.

"The District will continue to defend Policy 5514 in the interest of protecting the safety, privacy, and wellness of all students," Superintendent Joe Koch said in a statement. "We will also continue to keep the community informed as this case proceeds through the litigation process."

A school district spokesperson directed The Christian Post to Koch's statement from earlier this month.

"Our School Board is committed to the safety, privacy and wellness of all students and will vigorously defend its position on these matters," the superintendent asserted.

As outlined in the order, the mother of an 11-year-old boy who identifies as a girl filed a lawsuit on behalf of her son. Adelman, appointed to the bench by former President Bill Clinton, noted that the student has identified as female since age 3 and has "used the girls' bathroom at school since moving to the district and beginning third grade."

In addition, the student has "participated with girls in gender-separate school activities." The order maintains that Koch told the student's mother on June 16 that the student would be "required to use either the boys' bathroom or a gender-neutral bathroom at the school," adding, "defendants have begun enforcing this policy against plaintiff."

Under the district's bathroom policy, students must use the bathroom or locker room that aligns with their biological sex, with some exceptions permitted on a "case-by-case basis." School staff and officials, as well as the student's parents, must consult each other about the potential accommodations. According to the restraining order, the district's bathroom policy has negatively impacted the 11-year-old student's mental health.

The court cited a previous ruling from the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, concluding that a "policy that requires an individual to use a bathroom that does not conform with his or her gender identity punishes that individual for his or her gender non-conformance." Adelman believes that the plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits of the case.

The 7th Circuit ruled that a gender-neutral option is not "sufficient," adding that the policy itself violates Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.

In recent years, parents have expressed concern about the prevalence of LGBT ideology in public school districts, ranging from policies allowing trans-identified students to use bathrooms and restrooms that correspond with their gender identity as opposed to their biological sex as well as the embrace of LGBT ideology in the curriculum. In response to such concern, policies requiring students to use bathrooms that align with their biological sex have become more common in conservative districts and states.

A study published by the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies in February found at least 3 million K-12 students are enrolled in public school districts where they can change their name and preferred pronouns to reflect their chosen gender identity without parental consent.

The report, authored by former U.S. Department of Education Press Secretary Angela Morabito, analyzed policies from 20 of the nation's largest school districts as determined by a 2018 list in the Digest of Education Statistics.
Uyghurs detail Chinese prison camp horror stories: From broken legs to 24/7 propaganda

WASHINGTON  Two Uyghurs who fled from China detailed their family members experiences in concentration camps and called on the United States government to take stronger action against the Chinese Communist Party at the third annual International Religious Freedom Summit.

The third annual International Religious Freedom Summit was held on Tuesday and Wednesday. Religious freedom activists, elected officials and survivors of religious persecution from across the globe took to the stage to tell their stories and outline what actions are needed to advance religious freedom in their countries.

Many discussions focused on the plight of Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group primarily residing in the far-western Chinese province of Xinjiang.

Uyghurs are targets of harsh treatment by the Chinese Communist Party, which views the ethnic group as inferior to the dominant Han Chinese. Hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs have found themselves subject to forced labor and torture in the concentration camps to get them to pledge loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party.

Two Uyghurs, who now live in the U.S., attended this year's conference and shared their experiences with persecution in interviews with The Christian Post.

Jewher Ilham, who lives in the District and works at the Worker Rights Consortium, an "independent labor rights monitoring investigative nonprofit organization," hasn't heard from her imprisoned father in six years.

"The last time we heard from him, he was held in Urumchi First Prison, and that was six years ago, in 2017," she said.

In a 2019 interview with CP, Ilham revealed that her father was set to teach at Indiana University in the U.S. in 2013 when Chinese authorities detained him before he could board a flight to the U.S. While Ilham was attempting to board the same flight, Chinese officials let her go, thinking that she would be kicked out of the U.S. because of her visa status. Instead, the U.S. government accepted her as a refugee.

While Ilham hasn't heard from her father in six years and doesn't know if he is alive or dead, she provided an account of what she learned at the beginning of his captivity.

"The first few months actually when he was arrested, we learned that he was denied food twice, each time for 10 days. And so he lost over 40 pounds just within a few months, and all his hair turned gray. When he was first arrested and detained, he was locked up with lots of criminals."

After noting that her father was "beaten inside the prison cell," Ilham shared information she received from a former inmate who was locked up in the same prison as her father but was later released.

According to the former prisoner, Ilham's father "was teaching inside the prison" and was tasked with judging the quality of skits or plays put on by groups of prisoners to determine which one most effectively praises the Chinese government.

The former inmate also informed Ilham that her father "had a small TV in his room that plays Chinese propaganda 24/7 with very loud volume and strong light, the light won't shut off. So he basically lives in an environment where it's 24/7 bright and loud and full of noise of only about praising the Chinese Government, all this propaganda [about] how China's great, how [the] Communist Party is great."

Ilham suggested that the Chinese Communist Party wants to humiliate her father in retaliation for "his criticism over [the] Chinese government's practices in the Uyghur region," which many rights groups contend amounts to genocide."

She stressed that while she wouldn't describe her father as "anti-China," he "definitely criticized the Chinese government's practices before."

Ilham told CP that current and former government officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Vice President Mike Pence, had "all publicly raised [her] father's case several times."

"I also heard that they had raised my father's case in different meetings as well with Chinese delegations, but unfortunately, we haven't seen any positive results just yet," she said.

Like Ilham, Kazzat Altay's father is in prison for criticizing the Chinese government. Altay has resided in the U.S. for nearly two decades after fleeing the country following "harassment by Chinese intelligence."

Altay initially settled in Turkey after leaving China in 2005, moving to the U.S. in 2008. He has resided in McLean, Virginia, located outside Washington, D.C., since 2008. He attended this year's IRF Summit to "speak about Uyghurs and what they're suffering," outlining his experience with persecution in an interview with The Christian Post.

Altay received a message from his father on WeChat in 2018 reading: "son, they're taking me." Altay told CP that "after a few months, I found out he was in a concentration camp," adding, "since China did not give me any information about my dad, I thought he was dead."

Two years later, after Altay became president of the Uyghur American Association, he saw his father appear on Chinese national television. Altay's father identified himself as "the father of [the] President of [the] Uyghur American Association" before assuring his son that "our government is treating me well" and urging him to "stop what you are doing."

His father essentially denounced him on TV, warning him that if he did not abandon his advocacy with the Uyghur American Association, "I don't have a son like you." Altay's father is currently under house arrest, and Chinese officials visit him daily to ensure he has not left home without permission. "He is tracked everywhere he goes."

While Altay has not spoken to his father recently, his brother keeps him updated on his condition.

"He's OK, but unfortunately, while in the camp, they broke his leg, and he is suffering because of that. He can't walk properly. Other than that, I think I'm also happy that he's not killed like many others. Many Uyghurs, many of my colleagues, my friends, their parents are still missing, so at least I know that he's at home right now."

Based on conversations Altay's father had with his brother about his experience in detention, he learned that "at night, he didn't want to get up for the restroom because if he gets up, there's no space for him to sleep." Altay cited this as an example of "how tight that place is" and "how miserable that place is" where "people were taking turns to sleep at night because [there was] not enough space." He also noted that "the restroom was just in the corner, there was no wall, there's no doors."

Altay's father spoke of how prisoners found themselves "sitting on the concrete for 10 hours one day and standing under the sun for five, six hours" another day. Ilham and Altay have other family members who have also ended up in concentration camps at one time or another.

"Two of my uncles were in a reeducation camp for two years. Now, they have been released. Their health condition wasn't that great after they were released. I found out all this information from our Han Chinese friends when they visited my family because I cannot communicate with them very frequently," Ilham explained.

"My cousin has been sentenced to 10 years back in 2017," she added. Ilham's cousin, a nurse named Nuraliya Yalqun, was detained at one of the common checkpoints located throughout the Uyghur region of China after authorities discovered a photo and article about Ilham's father on Yalqun's phone.

She noted that under Chinese law, receiving a phone call from overseas can constitute a crime in addition to "having a photo of your uncle."

Other members of Altay's family also ended up in concentration camps at one time or another, echoing Ilham's assertion that "talking to us itself is a crime." He suggested that they have not talked to him because "they are scared to talk to us."

Ilham says she has faced threats from the Chinese government even though she has lived in the U.S. for nearly a decade. While attending Indiana University, the Uyghur activist "received [an] envelope that had [a] blade in it."

That freaked me out, obviously," she recalled. "Nothing was written in that envelope besides that little blade, just one piece of blade. That was it. It was just put in my mailbox, so it wasn't mailed to my place, so that person definitely knew where I lived and was physically there."

Four years after graduating from Indiana University, Ilham still has "knives hidden in every single room" of her apartment. Residing in Washington, D.C., her advocacy on behalf of Uyghurs serves as a vital part of her full-time job.

"My role is to mainly combat Uyghur forced labor," she explained. Ilham participated in a panel discussion on "corporate accountability" and discussed efforts to discourage American corporations from relying on slave labor by Uyghurs detained in concentration camps to make their products.

Ilham touted the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act as a major success in combating reliance on Uyghur slave labor.

"Since June of 2022, the [United States Customs and Border Protection] has started implementing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which bans all products from the [Uyghur] region from coming into the U.S. since it has [a] high possibility of them being tainted by Uyghur forced labor."

Ilham indicated that she planned to "talk more about why [it is] so important to hold corporations accountable and why [it is] so important for the U.S. to implement this law in a more robust way and how it can help eliminate or at least decrease [the] amount of forced labor-tainted goods in the consumer market."

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Dec. 23, 2021. Ilham identified the bill as one of "multiple attempts by the U.S. government in helping the Uyghur people and in stopping the Chinese government from further persecuting these ethnic groups."

"There [is] also the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act that was passed as well, that was passed before the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act," she added.

While Ilham expressed gratitude for the efforts of Congress and the White House to address the plight of the Uyghurs and her situation specifically, Altay is convinced that the Biden administration can do more.

Contending that the Biden administration has done the "bare minimum" to hold China accountable, he shared his perspective as "a Uyghur looking at the situation."

"I don't think President Biden is doing enough. He's not tough on China. I think he is being soft," Altay asserted. "It's just  I believe that he is hesitant to make China angry."

Altay expressed concern that the U.S. "is not doing well on controlling [the] Chinese agenda in the U.S." He maintained that "in colleges and universities, in think tanks, [and] in tech companies, there [are] lots of people that [are] working for Chinese intelligence." He called on the U.S. government to "pay more attention to this issue."

Altay concluded the interview by insisting that "we need to pass more bills to make sure that doing business with China is not easy."

"We need to [diversify] our supply chain out of China because our dependency is also becoming [a] national security issue for the United States," he proclaimed. Altay felt little optimism that major companies in the U.S. would act morally, stating their purpose as to "maximize shareholder return."

"It's not about humanity; it's not about freedom," he said. "We need to tell them what to do, which I believe is possible through legislation."
Judge Limits Biden / Big Tech Collaboration, CDC Advises Men On "Chestfeeding," Sound Of Freedom Reacts To Media

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:48 06:48

Top headlines for Thursday, July 13, 2023



In today's episode, Biden administration was denied stay of order limiting contact with big tech companies, we evaluate the CDC's newly published guidance on chestfeeding for trans-identified and non-binary individuals. We examine the controversy within a large network of predominantly African American churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention regarding women serving as pastors. Finally, we consider the claims by the founder of the organization behind the box-office hit Sound of Freedom that media backlash might be a manifestation of spiritual warfare.

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Top headlines for Thursday, July 13, 2023



In today's episode, Biden administration was denied stay of order limiting contact with big tech companies, we evaluate the CDC's newly published guidance on chestfeeding for trans-identified and non-binary individuals. We examine the controversy within a large network of predominantly African American churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention regarding women serving as pastors. Finally, we consider the claims by the founder of the organization behind the box-office hit Sound of Freedom that media backlash might be a manifestation of spiritual warfare.
Parents, dont let Washington state take your children

Awkwardness and puberty go hand in hand. Adolescence is filled with varying degrees of discomfort for most young people and its common for kids to have disagreements with their parents. Yet no matter how many arguments a family has, a childs parents are his or her strongest advocates.

But a new bill in Washington state, signed by the governor on May 9, seeks to come between minors experiencing gender dysphoria and their parents. SB 5599 is the most shocking and extreme bill I have ever seen, and thats why I have spearheaded Referendum 101, in keeping with the Washington state Constitutions allowances, to revoke this horrible legislation. If we acquire 200,000 signatures to the Secretary of State by July 22, this referendum will appear on the ballot this fall, and SB 5599 will not take effect on July 23 as currently written.

Current state law already enables minors 13 and older to obtain puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and body-mutilating surgeries without parental knowledge or consent. But with SB 5599, minors of any age who are seeking gender affirming care will be hidden from their parents and placed in host homes so they can obtain all of these medical, given permission by their state-appointed guardian instead of their parents, regardless of their age.

This new legislation capitalizes on policies and laws already in place that have progressively added the hooks of transgender ideology into every facet of our society. At present, most school districts in Washington state currently have a policy which requires teachers to keep secret from parents if their child expresses a gender identity at school that is different from their biological sex. These are policies which work to replace a childs parents with state-approved guardians.

The mother of 14-year-old Sage found this out firsthand in 2021. Unbeknownst to her mother, Sage had questioned her sex at school. This was kept from Sages mother by school officials and when her mother found out, Sage panicked and ran away. School officials keeping secrets from her mother ultimately resulted in Sage being sex-trafficked not once, but twice.

But despite cases like Sages, which exemplify the dangers of policies that exclude parents from the lives of their children, some school officials in Washington state are in favor of this predatory bill. In the SB 5599 committee hearing in the House, the vice chair of the Tacoma School board, Lisa Keating, was one of the few people to testify in favor of the bill.

Not long ago, a friend overheard a 6-year-old neighbor girl arguing with her little brother. The young girl disagreed with her brother when he referred to her as a girl. When the brother asked if she is a boy, she told him, No! Im nothing!

If a 6-year-old girl is influenced to think she is non-binary but isnt even mature enough to properly express this concept, she should not have her fantasies affirmed while her parents are shut out of her life.

But in todays society, schools, libraries and social media indoctrinate kids with the lie that gender is a fluid spectrum. If any minor expresses confusion about their gender identity, policies are in place to make sure no one will tell their parents. At school this 6-year-old girl who declared herself nothing will be told, Your parents will never accept you! And if SB 5599 is enacted as law, arrangements can be made to send her to a host home directly from school one day, without ever notifying her parents.

With SB 5599, parents not sufficiently supportive of their childs gender identity, including not using the childs preferred pronouns, would be considered the same as abuse or neglect. Non-affirming parents would be labeled just as unfit to parent and seen, in the eyes of the law, as child abusers.

As another anecdotal example, I also personally know a mom from a parent support group Im a part of who told us about her daughter, Sarah (not her real name) inviting two friends over for a sleepover. One of Sarahs friends was a trans boy named Jake (not her real name). Sarahs mom wasnt sure if she should have a boy over, but in the end decided it was fine. We all know it was fine because Jake is really female.

When Sarahs mother got a text from a mom asking if it was okay if her daughter stayed the night, she asked Sarah if shed invited another friend over. Sarah told her mom that Jakes mother does not accept Jake as a boy. Jakes mom insists on using his deadname and wont respect his pronouns. So, Sarahs mom texted back the mother of the girl, who is pretending to be a boy named Jake, that it was okay if Jake stayed the night.

At the sleepover, Sarahs mom mistakenly referred to the gender-confused girl with she/her pronouns, but she quickly corrected herself and apologized. This trans-identifying girl said it was more than her mother would do. She later asked Sarahs mother if she could live with them. Sarahs mom thought she was joking. She wasnt. Sarah and her friend, the trans-identifying girl called Jake, are 12 years old. Under SB 5599, Sarahs mom could easily involve the state so that Jakes mom would never see her daughter again.



Her mom would officially be labeled as unable to care for her trans-identifying daughter and any future visits she had with her daughter would probably be supervised. During these supervised visits, she would most likely be forced to refer to her daughter as a boy named Jake.

After minors are stripped of the protections of their parents and placed with strangers, they can even have gender-affirming surgeries. SB 5599 makes all gender affirming care available to minors of any age, as defined by RCW 74.09.675. This includes facial feminization surgeries, and facial gender affirming treatment, such as tracheal shaves, hair electrolysis, and other care such as mastectomies, breast reductions, breast implants, and any combination of gender affirming procedure ...



This is how Washington state taxpayers will ultimately be footing the bill for the medical gender transition of minors. This completely outrageous bill was made a law by the Washington State Legislature, passed along partisan lines late in the night, despite overwhelming opposition by the people of Washington state. It preys on the most vulnerable among us  our children.



If R-101 gathers enough signatures, the eyes of the world will be on Washington State as voters will get to decide if the state can hide children from their parents because they wont play along with preferred pronouns, and if the state can place children with strangers so they can sterilize and chemically castrate them.

Do voters really want taxpayers to pay for kids to have gender affirming surgeries while depriving the children of their most devoted advocates  their parents?

I, and countless moms and dads across the Pacific Northwest, think not.
The death of God is driving cancel culture

Political polarization has reached an all-time high, depression and anxiety have crippled the youngest generations, and more Americans than ever object to once-normative social values like having children or engaging with ones community. The generational divide on these data points is particularly stark.



If we want to reverse some of these trends, or at least decrease the likelihood of screaming matches over Thanksgiving dinner, we need to look at the problem beneath the problem. In an increasingly secular world, weve lost the rituals that remind us of our fallibility and teach us how to forgive, be forgiven and try again.

Not only do Americans 30 and under, on average, have increasingly little in common with their predecessors; they are more militant than ever in mandating conformance with their social morals.

Jonathan Haidt, in a recent study published by the Manhattan Institute, painted a grim future. Americans aged 18-25 are substantially more likely to support retaliatory firings for legal speech. Two-thirds of those in this group supported Googles decision to fire James Damore for questioning whether discrimination explains the underrepresentation of women in computer programming. By contrast, nearly two-thirds of those over 50 opposed the decision.

At the same time, 36% of 18-29-year-olds identify as religious nones  atheists, agnostics, or nothing in particular, making them the least religious generation on record.

Most religious teachings have at their core an idea of sin and repentance  in simple terms, the notion that we regularly fall short of some objective standard and have to continually pick ourselves up, admit where we went wrong, reorient ourselves to the good, and try again. For most of its history, Western Culture has rested on a social fabric woven with this principle. Even amid deep religious divides, Muslims, Jews, Protestants and Catholics maintain a version of this doctrine.

The rise of the nones is concerning not just for the proselytizers but because it can undermine the first principle of wisdom  the acknowledgment of ones own finitude and ignorance and the simple fact that, in all likelihood, the person you are talking to knows something you dont.

But more than that, because until recently most people were religious, most people were habituated to the practice of repentance. When embedded in a broader system of failing and reconciliation, ones own mistakes and the shortcomings of ones neighbors need not come as catastrophic shocks. In a religious society, the basic assumption is that people are messing up all the time. Because of that, communities have a road map for moving forward, patching wounds, and reintegrating with the community after a rift.

Without these rituals, we are left only with excommunication. When we arent conditioned to look for the plank in our own eye, intellectually or morally, before removing the speck from our friends, we are left with self-righteous militancy.

You transgress one of my social values? You should be fired.

You wont assent to my position on a given topic? You should be de-platformed.

You debate my sincerely held beliefs? Youve committed violence against me.

It is difficult to overemphasize the magnitude of this shift. Looking for ones own failures and willingly acknowledging them in humility does not come naturally. It takes years of practice and social reinforcement. Add to this a culture militant in its search for social transgressions and ruthless in its persecution of them, and you can begin to understand our historical moment.

Most of us are blissfully unaware of our own intellectual blind spots, ethical lapses and character flaws while being outraged when the failures we dont see in ourselves manifest in those around us.

When we dont consider ourselves as needing gentle correction and forgiveness, we arent as willing to provide it for others, and we enter a vicious cycle.

In the words of Lebanese philosopher and diplomat Charles Malik, Repentance presupposes the possibility of forgiveness; for if one, although he recognizes his error and is genuinely sorry for it, should never be able to disentangle himself from its smear, how could he ever turn a new leaf?

In an increasingly complex and polarized world, where we disagree more and more vehemently about once unanimously held dicta, the virtues of intellectual humility, repentance and reconciliation are more important than ever. Perhaps all of us, religious or not, should spend some time learning from the rituals that once held us together.
The story of Esther was never really about Esther

Often, when pondering the story of Queen Esther, it is common for immature Christians to idolize her as a symbol of feminism. Some in the egalitarian sect point to her as proof that women should preach. After all, God saw so much value in Esther that surely He would bless a woman behind a pulpit.

This is a frequent twisting of Scripture to justify women who rebel against Gods Word, and so much is missed from the story of Esther when viewed through the lens of womens empowerment.

Consider this quote from a well-known female Bible teacher who often preaches from the pulpit:

There is a destiny hidden in you, and it is not your external value. It is the hidden person of your heart. That is where the Esther is in you, and that is where the Esther is in me.

Only a person who believes that the story of Esther was about Esther herself would believe that the reader should find the Esther within themselves. To the contrary, the story of Esther isnt about us  and it wasnt about Esther either. Even Esther, in all of her influence, knew that her reign was not about her. Rather, it was about God and His sovereign plan to protect and preserve His people.

Esthers story is an illustration of Gods providence

All of the events in the book of Esther lead to the end goal of rescuing the Jewish people from evil rulers, and the orchestration of these events by the hand of God is evident.

Of all the women in the kingdom the king could have chosen to replace Queen Vashti, God led him to find favor with Esther, an orphaned Jew who was living in the capital of Persia under the care of her uncle, Mordecai. Of all the high officials in the court of the king, God gave Queen Esther the courage to intervene on behalf of the Jews.

Instead of a peaceful rest, God caused the king to suffer from insomnia. Instead of attempting to sleep, the king was led by God to review royal records which exposed Mordecais role in thwarting an assassination plot against the king and resulted in the king finding favor with Mordecai. Instead of allowing Haman to continue with his plot to kill and plunder Mordecai and the Jewish people, God extended His wrath on him by the kings hand.

God softened the kings heart to Esther and Mordecais request to revoke Hamans plan to kill the Jewish people. God extended abundant grace on the Jewish people by moving in the kings heart to allow them to defend themselves against any adversaries.

All of these events were not because of Esther but because of God and His faithfulness to the covenant He made with Abraham in Genesis 17. Each event sovereignly occurred by His hand. Esther was merely the catalyst through which some of these events occurred.

Esther loved God and His people more than she loved herself

Esther knew that if she came into the kings presence to intervene on behalf of the Jewish people, she could face the death penalty. Yet her words in Esther 4:16 became her public declaration for surrendering herself to the will of God:

"Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.

Esthers heart posture is reflective of one who loves the Lord and would risk everything, including her life, for obedience to Him. Paul expressed a similar sentiment in his letter to the Philippians when he said, For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Love for God and His people more than oneself is indicative of a genuine believer. Esther was never motivated by selfish gain. She never saw herself as empowered because of her position as Queen. She simply was a humble servant of Christ who loved Him more than herself and desired to see His will be done.

Esther did not lean on her own understanding

As queen, Esther could have trusted in her own knowledge and wisdom to convince the king to free the Jewish people. Instead, she showed great patience and trust in God as He opened the doors for her at the right time to plead with the king for their freedom. She heeded the advice of Mordecai, her elder, who she trusted long before marrying the king.

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

This became true for Esther as the Lord directed her paths. She waited upon Him, and He delivered. She trusted in Him, leaned on His wise and perfect plan, and found strength, courage and peace in Him.

Conclusion

Esthers selflessness, her humility and love for God is a stark contrast to the Esther egalitarians and feminists portray. The story was never really about Esther  she was just the vessel for divine purpose through which the Lord brought His plans to completion.

Its easy to look upon Esther in awe, seeing her as someone God chose for a greater purpose, but she is no different than you and I. We shouldnt be in awe of Esther, but in awe of God, who chose us, also, before the foundation of the world. Whether the tasks given to us by God are great or small, we should be in awe that God arranged for us to exist during this time and in this place for His divine purpose. Whether we are queens or housewives, we have been sovereignly chosen to work on His behalf, to be obedient to His will, and to glorify Him in all things  just like Esther was.

Originally published at the Standing for Freedom Center.
4,500 people baptised at California beach

(CP) Over 4,500 people were baptised on a Southern California beach during an outreach event overseen by Pastor Greg Laurie and Harvest Christian Fellowship in what the evangelist believes could be one of the largest mass baptisms ever.

Known as the Jesus Revolution Pirate's Cove Beach Baptism, the event took place at Pirate's Cove Beach Saturday and drew an estimated 20,000 attendees. Of the thousands baptized, one of them was Laurie's granddaughter, Stella.

In comments emailed to The Christian Post, Laurie attributed the large number of baptisms to "a number of things," among them the success of the recently released film "Jesus Revolution."

"I would say the Jesus Revolution movie really impacted people and so many have come to Christ after seeing it," Laurie said. "They were so moved by the baptism scenes in the film and wanted to take the same step in life. It was life imitating art, and that art was based on my real life story and the story of many others as well."

Laurie also attributed the turnout to the SoCal Harvest at the Honda Center the weekend before, where over 3,000 people made a profession of faith to follow Christ.

"We invited them all to this baptism," Laurie said.

Laurie considers the mass baptism event "a powerful work of the Holy Spirit," referencing the large baptism events at Pirate's Cove in the 1970s.

"I was there and I was baptized myself at one of them," he said. "But this is different. First, it is much larger than anything we ever did. The line of people to be baptized was half a mile long and people waited patiently for 2 hours or more and they did not seem to mind one bit."

"We have held baptisms at Pirate's Cove but nothing we have done comes close to this event we just did. It may be the largest baptism in history."

Laurie said the atmosphere at Pirate's Cove was "overwhelming and a beautiful thing to see and be a part of," adding that there were "so many amazing stories."

"An 85-year-old man saw the 'Jesus Revolution' film and received Christ into his life and he wanted to be baptized at the same place where the movie was filmed," Laurie continued.

"His family could not believe it. One of them said, he is literally the last person they ever expected would come to Christ."

According to Laurie, Harvest will follow up with those baptized on Saturday to "make sure they are plugged into a local church" and discipled.

This is not the first major baptism event held at Pirate's Cove this year, as a few hundred churches came together to baptize around 4,100 people in May on Pentecost Sunday.

"We have never seen a crowd like that for baptisms," said Pastor Mark Francey, one of the people behind the Pentecost gathering, in an earlier interview with CP.

"As believers, we always want to be obedient to what Jesus asks us to do. My mentors taught me it's as simple as praying, obeying, then acting."

 The Christian Post
Chair of CofE's National Safeguarding Panel quits amid row

The acting Chair of the Church of England's National Safeguarding Panel has announced she is stepping down from all of her safeguarding responsibilities within the Church.

Meg Munn's departure follows a row over how safeguarding is being handled in the Church of England and the controversial decision of the Archbishops' Council to disband the Independent Safeguarding Board (ISB), of which she was also acting Chair.

In a statement on her decision to quit, seen by the Church Times, she made scathing comments about the Church of England leadership, accusing the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, of "undermining" her work and describing the Archbishops' Council as "slow to learn".

She also called the ISB "a huge waste of money".

Responding to Munn's resignation, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York said in a joint statement: "We want to thank Meg for her work as Chair of the National Safeguarding Panel and interim Chair of the Independent Safeguarding Board  roles to which she brought huge expertise, rigour and dedication.

"We are of course saddened that she has chosen to stand down, but we understand and respect her decision.

"The remit of the interim Chair of the ISB and the other members was always to develop proposals to appoint a permanent independent Chair and additional board members. That work was always intended to move forward at pace towards the independent scrutiny that the Church urgently needs.

"This has been a very difficult period for all concerned and we regret recent events. We remain committed to moving swiftly towards a new safeguarding scrutiny body that is fully independent of the Church."

A spokesperson for the Church of England said: "We want to thank Meg Munn for the professional scrutiny she has brought to the Church's safeguarding work over the past five years both as independent chair of the National Safeguarding Panel (NSP) and her more recent work on wider independent scrutiny.

"Her contribution has been invaluable, and she has worked professionally at all times. We are very sorry that she has decided to leave her work with the Church but understand and absolutely respect her decision.

"We are aware there are lessons to be learnt as we move forward to the next steps in independent scrutiny and are sorry about events in the past few weeks that led her to feel unsupported. We wish Meg well and will build on the excellent work she has established through the NSP."

The Archbishops' Council said last month that it would be terminating the contracts of Munn and the two other members of the ISB. Munn was to stay on for the short term "to provide business continuity" until new arrangements were made.

The two sacked members of the ISB, Jasvinder Sanghera and Steve Reeves, were both critical of the Church of England leadership when they made surprise addresses to its General Synod over the weekend.

Mr Reeves said that when the Archbishops' Council talked of independence, they did not mean it in the way that "you and I and the average person in the street means independence".

"They mean semi-detached, not independent," he said.

Ms Sanghera said: "I now think that we were too independent. We did our job too well and when I'm being told, and Steve is being told, that we are too survivor-led and too survivor-focussed, I feel the Church has a problem."

On Monday, safeguarding campaigner Gavin Drake announced he was resigning as a member of Synod because it was not worth wasting his time "if Synod members cannot get their voice heard on safeguarding".

Explaining his decision, he accused the Archbishops' Council and the Synod's Business Committee of "manipulating the agenda and standing orders" to block debate on his motion calling for an independent inquiry into safeguarding in the Church of England.

"It is clear that independent oversight and scrutiny scares the powers that be  despite their words that they welcome it. The Archbishops' Council think that they can just power on and do the next safeguarding thing, whatever that 'thing' is," he said.

He continued, "If the General Synod of the Church of England is unable to hold the Archbishops' Council and its National Safeguarding Team to account, if we are unable to bring about proper change, if we are going to be blocked from hearing from who we want to hear from, and stopped from debating what we want to debate, then what is it for?

"As I said, I joined the Synod to make the Church of England of safer place. I have failed, because the central machinery of the Church of England will use all its power to block the Synod from doing what it exists to do.

"I will not waste any more of my time in it. I was here to make a difference. If I can't make a difference, there is no point me being here."
Christian arrested in Pakistan over Facebook post

Police in Pakistan on Saturday arrested a Christian for allegedly sharing a post on Facebook even though his village's Islamic cleric and other Muslims denied that it amounted to blasphemy, his brother said.

Wasim Masih told Morning Star News that Sargodha police registered a blasphemy case against his 35-year-old brother, Zaki Masih of Chak 98 Shumaali village, after a local Muslim, Muhammad Awais, accused him of insulting Islam by sharing a post on Facebook.

Police arrested Zaki Masih under Section 295-A of Pakistan's blasphemy statutes relating to "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs," punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine or both. He was also charged under Section 298 against hurting religious sentiments, punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine or both.

Zaki Masih denies sharing the material, originally posted by a Muslim critical of those who adulterated basic food items such as milk, his brother said. The complainant, Awais, has Muslim friends with whom the two brothers have a property dispute that led to a clash five years ago, Wasim Masih said.

"We reconciled with the other party due to the intervention of the village elders, but it seems they nurtured a grudge and trapped my brother in the fake case," he told Morning Star News.

The complainant and his friends reached out to several Muslims on Friday to solicit support against Zaki Masih, but those people discouraged Awais and the others from inciting hatred against the Christians, Wasim Masih said. He and his brother are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

"Even the imam of the village mosque told them that the post contained nothing derogatory against Islam, and that they should desist from stoking religious tension," Wasim Masih said. "However, the complainant filed a case against my brother, and the police raided his shop and took him into custody."

Tensions arose in their community for a few days, as a similar case in a nearby village on June 30 caused several Christian families to flee their homes, he said.

"But fortunately our fellow villagers remained calm and told us not to worry, as they knew the case was frivolous," Wasim Masih said.

Tensions had flared in Chak 49 Shumaali village of Sargodha after 45-year-old Haroon Shahzad on June 29 posted on his Facebook page 1 Corinthians 10:18-21, regarding food sacrificed to idols. At the time, Muslims were beginning the four-day festival of Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice), which involves slaughtering an animal and sharing the meat.

A Muslim villager took a screenshot of the post, sent it to local social media groups and accused Shahzad of disrespecting the Abrahamic tradition of animal sacrifice and likening Muslims to pagans. Eid al-Adha commemorates God providing a lamb for Abraham to sacrifice instead of his son. In the passage posted from 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul states that pagan sacrifices are offered to demons.

The blasphemy charge against Shahzad stemmed from personal grudges against him by the complainant, Imran Ullah, sources said. They said Ullah had engaged in legal battles with Shahzad over a plot of land allotted by the government for constructing a church building.

Zaki Masih's attorney, Aneeqa Maria of The Voice Society, told Morning Star News that the charges against him caused panic among Christians in Chak 98 Shumaali village, but timely intervention by Muslim leaders prevented panic and exodus.

"Zaki is now in judicial custody, and we will be filing for his bail this week," Maria told Morning Star News. "The case is based on mala fide as the accused denies sharing the contentious post, and even the mosque's imam and other Muslims have denied that it was blasphemous."

Section 298 is a bailable offense, and police violated the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) by charging Zaki Masih under Section 295-A on the complaint of a private person, Maria said. According to Section 196 of the CrPC, only the provincial government and federal agencies can register a case under Section 295-A.

The lawyer criticized police for repeatedly violating the rules in cases of volatile allegations of blasphemy.

"It has become a norm that whenever a blasphemy allegation is brought against any person, the police outright register a case without proper investigation and following legal procedures," she said.

False Accusations

Blasphemy laws are often used as a weapon of revenge against both Muslims and non-Muslims to settle personal scores or to resolve disputes over money, property or business. A mere allegation is enough to provoke a mob to riot and lynch falsely accused suspects in Pakistan.

At least 1,949 persons were accused under the blasphemy laws between 1987 and 2021, according to the Center for Social Justice. A large number of these blasphemy cases are still awaiting justice.

As of May 15, 57 cases of alleged blasphemy have been reported this year. Punjab Province tops the list with 28 cases, followed by Sindh Province with 16, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province with 8 and Kashmir Province with 5.

In January, the National Assembly passed the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, increasing punishment for insulting the companions, wives and family members of Islam's prophet, Muhammad, from three years to 10 years and a fine of 1 million rupees (US$3,640).

Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors' 2023 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, up from eighth the previous year.

 Morning Star News
A veteran worker at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston connected the dots after receiving a suspicious call. Motortion/Getty Images/iStockphoto

A woman believed to be a victim of human trafficking evaded her captors and hid for 10 days inside George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, according to a new report from KHOU 11's Jaime E. Galvan.

It all began when airport employee Monica Phillips received a customer call on June 2 that raised red flags. "I took a call from a man who claimed he was looking for his 52-year-old mother, Phillips told Galvan. He said that his mother had boarded a flight in Lubbock, Texas bound for Houston on Sunday, May 28. And that he hadnt heard from her."

Phillips found it suspicious that the man had apparently waited five days before calling the airport about his missing mother, whom he identified by name. Phillips decided to alert Houston police officers, who soon informed her that the caller refused to file a missing persons report.

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I knew something wasnt right about his story... I had this gut feeling that this was a case of human trafficking," Phillips told KHOU 11.

When she arrived for work on June 7, Phillips noticed a woman trying to communicate with Houston police in a foreign language. A gut feeling told her she'd found the victim connected to the suspicious call from days earlier. Using translation technology to talk with the woman, Phillips learned that her hunch was correct: the woman's name matched the name provided by the suspicious caller.

Through a Hungarian translator, the woman explained what happened to her: "What we gathered from her story was, she traveled from Lubbock to Houston with two men on May 28. The trio was ultimately bound for Europe. When they landed at Bush Airport, she got away and was hiding in the terminals" for 10 days, Phillips told Galvan.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents eventually took the woman to a "Houston-area hospital," according to Phillips. "Ten days of hiding in an airport - with no real food - she needed medical attention," Phillips said.

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Modernization and transformation are the IT imperatives of the day. Rationalizing applications, reinventing business processes, capitalizing on the cloud  all point to legacy systems as the dead weight and sunk costs modern day IT organizations must move beyond to reach their digital potential.

As an IT professional, I too have at times thought about legacy systems like the high school cafeteria food we all remember  something to complain about even if we know we cant get through our day without it. The IT perspective is that legacy systems arent flexible. Theyre resource hogs, and they are or rely on outdated technology. Theyre costly and hard to integrate with, and the vendor has you locked in because youve custom-built so much code around these systems that you cant afford to get rid of them.

But there is another side to legacy systems, and it has something vital to teach IT leaders about delivering IT projects that last.

The legacy of legacy tech

A legacy system is commonly classified as a system that is ten or more years old. Mainframes for sure fall under this definition, but so too do servers, smartphones, Oracle databases, and the Microsoft Office Suite, to name a few.

All these systems remain productively employed by companies around the world today. They continue to deliver value, and this value contributes to their staying power.

A CIO acquaintance of mine at a large hospitality chain gives a practical example. Ive had a number of servers fail in my data centers, and then theres our mainframe, running code that was written over 30 years ago, he said. It has never failed. In his operation, the mainframe is the heart of the company. It processes hundreds of thousands of revenue-producing hotel reservations that come in each day.
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Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Project Description

With Accelerating Digital Transformation in Public Sector Project (Digital Transformation Project or Project), UNDP Moldova aims to improve access to and quality of public services and business conditions through accelerated digital transformation of government processes and business model(s) and promote innovation, as well as collaborative experimentation within the Government, in the private sector, internally in UNDP Moldova, and in collaboration with external partners.

UNDP Moldova, through this Project is strategically positioned as an integrator of programmatic solutions with innovative mindset, including bringing forward digital components in supporting accelerated delivery of the SDGs.



The Project has the following objectives:

 Support transformative changes in the organizational and innovation culture in the public and private sectors and align all participants for the accelerated achievement of the Sustainable Development Agenda and national targets;

 Contribute towards streamlining innovation through engaging with the ongoing and prospective projects and seeking ways to maximize and to measure their social impact;

 Support the Digitalization of Moldova that will contribute to improved governance by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of government processes, increasing transparency and public access to governmental information  and therefore promoting accountability and public participation, and improving an innovative delivery of public services, as well as impact evaluation and strategic support to scaling-up of the successful solutions.



Scope of Work

The Project Associate is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Administrative management

Pro-actively contribute to day-to-day project implementation and ensure conformity to expected results and project work-plans;

Provide support to international consultants in the implementation of their tasks for the achievement of project results (communication, contracts, agenda, visas, accommodation, etc);

Maintain records on all project personnel/national consultants and their respective status (contracts, ToRs, and attendance  if appropriate, etc.) in accordance with accepted policies and procedures;

Coordinate other support staff, the project driver, translators, and short-term consultants.

Prepare and issue contracts;

Make pertinent logistical arrangements for the prompt and effective implementation of the programme activities;

Draft minutes of Project Board and other project related meetings;

Assume overall responsibility for administrative matters of a more general nature, such as registry and maintenance of project files and records;

Arrange external and internal meetings (including the meetings of the Project Board, Technical level, as well as other relevant meetings etc.).

Financial management

Prepare requests for advance of funds and/or direct payments;

Monitor budget expenditures and maintain a proper record of approved project budgets and their revisions;

Prepare proposals for budget revisions;

Prepare and submit expenditure and programme budget status reports;

Respond to queries from the Government and UNDP with respect to financial aspects of the programme, liaise with UNDP-appointed and external auditors wherever required;

Prepare recurring reports as scheduled and special reports as required for budget preparations and audit;

Advise and assist international advisors and national consultants on all aspects of allowances, travel claims and other financial matters and calculate payments due for claims and services;

Assist the auditing performed by the project managers over the funds allocated to project. Ensure the compliance of allocated funds with the UNDP norms and regulations.

If necessary, travel for control and auditing purposes to the project.

Undertake other financial and administrative tasks on an ad hoc basis.

Procurement

In accordance with the Work Plan arrange for procurement of equipment, supplies and services;

Create and mange e-requisitions in Quantum;

Prepare the procurement plans for the projects and monitoring of their implementation;

Prepare the submissions to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP);

Arrange for equipment maintenance and insurance as required;

Ensure that contractual processes follow the stipulated UNDP procedures;

Physically clear and ensure delivery of equipment and supplies procured for the various programme sites;

Maintain the equipment and spare inventory including verification and transfer when required.

Other duties as assigned.

a) Assume full responsibility for and manage effectively and efficiently financial, physical / material assets, etc. in order to meet expected results.

b) Apply UNDP programming tools utilization, and namely, introduce and control over the financial data in Quantum.



Institutional Arrangement

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent assists in the effective management of the project through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of project activities. The Project Associate applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

Project Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and resolving complex project-related issues and information delivery.



Core Competencies:



Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Business Management/Digital Awareness and Literacy

Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skilfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed.

Business Management/Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solution, and deliver timely and quality results ans/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients immediate requests. Ability to anticipate clients upcoming needs and concerns.

Administration and Operations/Entitlement travel

Knowledge of policy and procedures related to entitlement travel, including the identification of entitlement for lump sum for UNDP as well as other UN agencies.

Procurement/Procure-to-Pay

Knowledge of purchase-to-pay cycles, concepts, principles and policies, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Administration & Operations/Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings)

Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc

Administration & Operations/Travel contract management

Knowledge of policy and procedures related to contract management, incl. oversight of the Long Term Agreement (LTA) with the Travel Management Services (TMS) provider; UN airline agreement management covering all major and rail providers; ability to negotiate airline discounts

Finance/Budget management

Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.



Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Education:

Secondary Education.

Bachelor Degree in economics, finance, accounting, law, public administration or other related field would be desired.

Experience:

Minimum 6 years (with Secondary Education) or minimum 3 years (with Bachelor Degree) of experience in administrative work, accounting/finance, economics, in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, consulting company, or NGO experience is required.

Required skills:

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Experience in providing effective administrative and logistical support.

Experience in office maintenance and assets management.

Desired skills:

Experience in compilation and preparation of briefing and presentation materials, reports.

Previous experience in organization of procurement processes.

Experience to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents.

Experience in maintenance of the filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials.

Languages:

Fluency in oral and written English, Romanian and Russian.

Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language is an asset.

Required Documents

Personal CV or P11 , indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.



Disclaimer



Applicant information about UNDP rosters



Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.



Scam warning



The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Data de incheiere a postului vacant : 27 July 2023

Pentru a aplica, va rugam sa adresati link-ul: Apply Now
The Islamic Centre of England is temporarily closed because of insurance issues, according to the Charity Commission.

In May, the Telegraph reported that the centre had temporarily closed its doors while the charity announced that it was suspending all its programmes  after receiving the concerns of the community and for their safety .

In an update on its inquiry into the Muslim charity, the Commission confirmed that the centre has faced problems in securing the necessary insurance to reopen for public use.

The Commission has been investigating the charity since November 2022 and appointed Emma Moody from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) as its interim manager at the start of May.

Problems with insurance

The regulator said that the insurance issues predate the appointment of Moody, who has been working with the trustees to source the necessary insurance for the charity to reopen to worshippers.

This process is ongoing, the Commission said.

It added that the trustees have known that the charitys then insurers had decided not to renew some of its insurance policies since April 2023, and therefore decided to temporarily cease some of the charitys activities.

The IM was appointed on 4 May 2023. On 23 May 2023, in consultation with the IM, the trustees took the difficult decision to temporarily close the mosque, the regulator said.

False and misleading claims

The Commission said that it is aware of various reports and allegations relating to the causes of the temporary closure of the charitys premises.

Until insurance policies are secured, it is not legal for the charity to reopen for public use. Suggestions that the temporary closure resulted from factors other than the insurance matter are entirely false and misleading, it added.

Last month, 35 civil society groups and individuals sent a letter to the Commissions chair criticising the regulators decision to appoint a non-Muslim interim manager to run the centre while it is being investigated.

In response, Moody said that she was appointed by the Commission on the back of her governance expertise and years of experience advising charities of all faiths across the UK, including a number of Muslim-faith led organisations.

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Over the past few years, officials from a number of federal agencies have met regularly with senior executives from the major social platforms to talk about foreign troll armies, the fight against disinformation, and other areas of mutual interest. Last week, such discussions suddenly became illegal as a result of an injunction imposed by Terry Doughty, a federal judge in Louisiana, who ruled that they likely constitute an attempt by the government to coerce the social platforms and as such a violation of the First Amendment. Doughty ordered officials across large parts of the US government to (at least temporarily) stop talking to tech companies about content moderation and removal. He also prohibited officials from collaborating, coordinating, partnering, switchboarding, and/or jointly working with certain academics who focus on social media.

In his 155-page, 45,000-word decision, Doughty, who was appointed by Donald Trump in 2017, wrote that the lawsuit that led to his decisionwhich was filed last year by the attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouriaddressed no lesser stakes than the most massive attack against free speech in United States history [sic]. The attorneys general, Doughty said, had presented evidence of a massive effort by the White House to suppress speech based on its content. He went on to list the types of speech that the government had allegedly coerced the platforms into blocking, including the story about Hunter Bidens laptop, the lab-leak theory of the origins of COVID-19, the efficacy of masks and lockdowns, the efficacy of COVID vaccines, the 2020 election, the security of voting by mail, parody content, and negative posts about the economy and President Biden.

A Biden administration official said after the ruling that in talking to the platforms, the government has merely been involved in efforts to promote responsible actions to protect public health, safety, and security, and that it never coerced anyone. Either way, the ruling quickly had an effect on such talks: last Wednesday, the Washington Post reported that the State Department had canceled a meeting with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, in which they had planned to discuss foreign influence campaigns. The next day, the Justice Department asked for Doughtys injunction to be stayed, arguing that it was both sweeping in scope and vague in its terms. The government also characterized the injunction as internally contradictory: it prohibits officials from speaking publicly about social media posts, but at the same time assures the government that its officials are free to exercise their own right to free speech.

This week, however, Doughty refused to stay the injunction, which, in his words, only prohibits something the Defendants have no legal right to docontacting social media companies for the purpose of urging, encouraging, pressuring, or inducing in any manner, the removal, deletion, suppression, or reduction of content containing protected free speech. Within hours, the White House took its case instead to a federal appeals court, arguing that there was no evidence that it had made threats against social media companies and that the injunction would unduly restrict public statements. May federal officials respond to a false story on influential social-media accounts with a public statement refuting the story? the governments appeal asked. No plausible interpretation of the First Amendment would prevent the government from taking such actions, but the injunction could be read to do so.

The allegation at the heart of the lawsuitthat the government has colluded with social media companies to censor speechis not new; indeed, it predates the Biden administration. Conservatives first raised concerns even before Trump was elected president; in 2020, Trump signed an executive order that directed the Federal Communications Commission to rethink Section 230, the law that protects internet services from legal liability for the content that users post on their networks. (As the Post noted, that order came in the same week Twitter applied fact-checking labels to two of Trumps tweets.) The attorneys general for Louisiana and Missouri argued in the case before Doughty that in 2017, officials began a systemic and systematic campaign to control speech on social media by putting pressure on the social platforms. Several individuals joined the lawsuit, including Jim Hoft, the owner and operator of the conservative site Gateway Pundit, who said that he had been censored online because of his comments about vaccines and mail-in ballots.

In legal parlance, what the government is accused of doing is known as jawboning, or trying to exert undue influence through the use of rhetoric. In a post for Lawfare in 2021, Genevieve Lakier, a free speech expert at the University of Chicago, wrote that scholars have long expressed alarm at the tendency of government officials to use informal means, rather than democratically enacted laws, to pressure the social media companies to remove speech. Doughtys ruling nonetheless met with a scathing reaction among many commentators and internet experts. Daphne Keller, the director of platform regulation at Stanfords Cyber Policy Center, argued on Twitter that the ruling contained a classic logical error: the judge wants to have his cake and eat it too, Keller wrote, by blocking the government from contacting social media companies to discuss certain kinds of lawful speech while condoning their doing so in other situations (including those involving national security threats). Nieman Labs Joshua Benton wrote on Twitter that Federal Judge Terry A. Doughty of the Western District of Louisiana is a hack.

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As critical as many legal analysts were of the decision, others argued that Doughty and the attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri have a point. Jeff Kosseff, an associate professor of cyber law at the US Naval Academy and author of a book about Section 230, wrote on Twitter that while he doesnt agree with the scope of the injunction in the case, its impossible to read the opinion and not be angry about a lot of the governments actions, including threats to change or repeal Section 230 unless the platforms behaved in a certain way. Threatening to repeal or limit a vital technology protectioneither because the platforms moderate too much or too littleis a huge problem, Kosseff wrote.

Mike Masnick, a writer at Techdirt, agreed with Kosseff that some of the governments behavior crossed a line. For example, Masnick wrote, officials in the White House sending emails with statements like wondering if we can get moving on the process of having [a tweet] removed ASAP was definitely inappropriate. However, Masnick also argued that Doughty sees censorship where there is none. The lawsuit before him claims that the government violated the First Amendment by having Twitter block a New York Post story about Hunter Bidens laptop, an incident that remains a key Trumpist talking point, as Masnick put it. Twitter did stop the story from spreading, Masnick said, but there is absolutely no evidence that the government forced or pressured it to do so.

In the past, some conservatives have threatened legislation that would alter or suspend Section 230 as grist in their battle with the platforms, which they have claimeddespite a conspicuous lack of evidencecensor right-wing content. The lawsuit from Louisiana and Missouri is a new front in the same battle. Whether it is ultimately successful remains to be seen, but Masnick noted that the appeals court that is set to hear the Biden administrations appeal is the same one that, last year, found in favor of a Texas law restricting the platforms right to moderate contenta ruling that one legal expert characterized as the most angrily incoherent First Amendment decision I think Ive ever read. This particular battle is still far from over.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: Mathew Ingram on a week of Threads

Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg.
The owner of a Pennsylvania collision repair shop who participated in the direct repair program for several insurers was ordered Monday to pay $435,246.69 in restitution and sentenced to probation for filing more than 300 false insurance claims.

John Paul Reis, 56, pleaded guilty in March to insurance fraud, deceptive business practices, forgery and theft by deception, all third-degree felonies, the Bucks County District Attorneys Office said. Reis, a resident of Newtown Township, owned the Chalfont Collision Center in the Philadelphia suburb of Chalfont.

Common Pleas Judge Charissa J. Liller sentenced Reis to 84 months of probation and home confinement with electronic monitoring. She ordered him to pay restitution to Erie Insurance, Nationwide Insurance, CSAA Insurance Group and Liberty Mutual Insurance and NJM Insurance, the DAs office said.

The defendants actions had a cost that greatly exceeded the high dollar figure with which he was charged, Deputy District Attorney Marc J. Furber said in a press release. This cost trickled down to all consumers. The defendants actions over the course of eight years were part of a crime spree that had the effect of increasing insurance premiums and costs across the board.

Bucks County detectives and the Central Bucks Regional Police Department launched an investigation in 2018 after receiving a referral from Erie Insurances special investigations unit that Reis shop was enhancing and or creating damage to customers vehicles to inflate insurance estimates. The investigation revealed that he wiped a compound mixture onto the body of several vehicles and sometime struck the with a hammer to make it appear they had been involved in an accident.

Reis shop was enrolled in the direct repair programs for several insurers, which authorized his shop to write estimates, complete the repairs and submit the estimate and billing documents to those insurers for payment.

The insurers identified 289 estimates that contained artificial or inflated damages incorporated into the true facts of the estimates, submitted by Chalfont Collision between 2014 and 2022, the DAs office said.

The shops direct repair credentials have been suspended.
ANDOVER, Vt. (AP)  Floodwaters receded in Vermont cities and towns pummeled by a storm that delivered two months of rain in two days, enabling people to focus on recovering from a disaster that trapped residents in homes, closed roadways and choked streets and businesses with mud and debris.

The water drained off in the capital city of Montpelier, where streets were flooded Tuesday by the swollen Winooski River, and lingering concerns about a dam just upstream eased as water levels there appeared to stabilize.

It looks like it wont breach. That is good. That is one less thing we have to have on our front burner, Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser said.

Fraser said the city of 8,000 has shifted into recovery mode, with public works employees removing mud and debris downtown and building inspections to come as businesses begin cleaning up their properties. Brown water from the Winooski reached the tops of parking meters downtown, inundating basements and ruining the contents of lower floors. Similar scenes played out in neighboring Barre and in Bridgewater, where the Ottauquechee River spilled its banks.

Gov. Phil Scott planned to tour areas impacted by the flooding with Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, on Wednesday, a day after President Joe Biden declared an emergency for Vermont and authorized federal disaster relief assistance.

It was too early to estimate the total cost of the flooding damage, but it`s likely to be substantial. According to to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, even before these floods, this year has seen 12 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion in the United States.

This slow-moving storm dumped between 7 and 9 inches (18 centimeters and 23 centimeters) of rain on parts of New England, New York and Connecticut. New York`s Hudson River Valley was hit hard, and towns in southwest New Hampshire and western Massachusetts also had heavy flooding and road washouts.

Much of that water was flowing through Connecticut, carrying debris including entire trees on its way south to Long Island Sound. Major waterways including Connecticut River overflowed their banks, and were expected to crest Wednesday at up to 6 feet (2 meters) above flood stage, closing roads and riverside parks in multiple cities.

By mid-day Wednesday, all the rivers in Vermont crested and water levels were receding, although at least one river was 20 feet above normal, said Peter Banacos, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. More rain was forecast Thursday and Friday in Vermont, but Banacos said it would not likely cause further flooding because the thunderstorms, gusty winds and hail wont linger.

There could be some locally heavy rain so it depends where that falls, Banacos said. The storms will be moving quickly for the most part so we are hoping to avoid any additional flooding for that region.

There have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to the flooding in Vermont, where swift-water rescue teams aided by National Guard helicopter crews performed more than 175 rescues, Vermont Emergency Management said Tuesday. One woman died in Fort Montgomery, New York, as she tried to escape her flooded home with her dog.

About 12 Vermont communities, including the state capital, were under a boil water alert due to the floods. The American Red Cross of Northern New England succeeded in getting food and water to its shelters in Barre, Rutland, and White River Junction. Attendance was down at the Barre Municipal Auditorium shelter, 58 as of Wednesday morning, compared to more than 200 on Tuesday.

Many people were passing through to recharge their phones and get something to eat, said John Montes, regional disaster officer. Red Cross volunteers from across the Northeast were arriving to help with everything from disaster assessment to handing out clean-up kits to homeowners, he said.

There`s more rain coming tomorrow, so it`s best for us to be leaning forward and be ready, Montes said. We can handle any additional impacts we get from the weather this week.

Gov. Scott said floodwaters surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene. Irene killed six people in Vermont in August 2011, washing homes off their foundations and damaging or destroying more than 200 bridges and 500 miles (805 kilometers) of highway.

Atmospheric scientists say destructive flooding events happen more frequently as storms form in a warmer atmosphere, and the planets rising temperatures will only make it worse.

This flooding was catastrophic for Bear Pond Books, a 50-year-old store in Montpelier, said co-owner Claire Benedict. The water was about 3 1/2 feet deep inside the store, ruining many books and fixtures. Staffers and volunteers piled waterlogged books outside the back and front doors on Wednesday.

The floor was completely covered with soaked books this morning, she said as they tried to clear the mud. Its a big old mess.

In Ludlow, a central Vermont town of 1,500, residents focused Wednesday on reopening roadways, checking on isolated homeowners and cleaning out mud and debris from water-logged businesses.

We sustained catastrophic damage. We just really took the brunt of the storm, Ludlow Municipal Manager Brendan McNamara said.

The town`s water treatment plant was out of commission, the main supermarket and roadway through town remained closed, and McNamara couldnt begin to estimate how many houses had been damaged. Scores of businesses were damaged, and the towns Little League field and a new skate park were destroyed.

Thankfully we got through it with no loss of life, McNamara said. Ludlow will be fine. People are coming together and taking care of each other.

Colleen Dooley, a retired teacher, returned to her condominium complex in Ludlow to find the grounds covered in silt and mud and the pool filled with muddy river water.

I dont know when well move back, but it will certainly be awhile, she said.

In Massachusetts, Gov. Maura Healey got a birds eye view of the damage in a helicopter ride to the small town of Williamsburg on Wednesday, where roads were washed out and some people had to be rescued from their homes. Even after two days of receding waters, the Connecticut River retained a muddy brown hue and farmland along the river remains saturated, the Democrat said.

Associated Press contributors include Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; Pat Eaton-Robb in Hartford, Connecticut; Michael Hill in Albany, New York; and Mark Pratt, Michael Casey and Steve LeBlanc in Boston.

Top photo: Simon Jennings, of Montpelier, Vt., removes mid-20th century mannequins from the flood-damaged antique, art, and furnishing store J. Langdon he shares with his wife, in downtown Montpelier, Vt. Tuesday, July 11, 2023. A storm that dumped two months of rain in two days brought more flooding across Vermont Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
HIGHLAND, Ill. (AP)  Three people were killed and 14 others injured, some seriously, early Wednesday when a Greyhound bus crashed into three tractor-trailers parked along a highway exit to a rest area in southern Illinois, state police said.

Illinois State Police said an initial investigation indicates a Greyhound passenger bus was westbound along Interstate 70 in Madison County around 1:55 a. m. when it crashed into the three tractor-trailers, which were parked on the exit ramp to the Silver Lake Rest Area.

Three fatalities are confirmed and multiple others were taken to a hospital with serious injuries, four by helicopter and at least 10 by ambulance, state police said in a news release.

State police said no one in the three trucks was injured in the crash near the city of Highland about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of St. Louis.

State Police spokesperson Melaney Arnold said those killed and injured were all on the Greyhound bus. She was not sure if the bus driver was among those killed or injured or if all of those involved were passengers.

Television footage of the scene shows the badly damaged right front portion of the bus wedged onto the rear of a tractor-tractor. The roof of the bus is crumpled. A second tractor-trailer appears to have made contact with the right rear of the bus while a third tractor-trailer appears to have crashed into the rear of that second semi.

Greyhound spokesperson Mike Ogulnick told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in an email the bus was traveling from Indianapolis to St. Louis, where it was scheduled to arrive at about 2:20 a.m. It was carrying about 30 people, including the driver, he said.

Police closed westbound traffic on I-70 to investigate the crash. All lanes of I-70 and the exit ramp had reopened on Wednesday afternoon, after the ramp and all but one lane of the interstate were closed earlier in the day.

Top photo: A worker helps clear the wreckage of a Greyhound bus that collided with tractor-trailers on the exit ramp to a rest area on westbound Interstate 70 in Highland, Ill., on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A federal appellate court, grappling with conflicting decisions from federal courts, is asking the Texas Supreme Court to decide whether attorney fees can be awarded to claimants when insurers pay appraisal awards plus interest owed because of the late payment.

A panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal decided Wednesday to send this certified question to resolve a lawsuit filed by homeowner Mario Rodriguez against Safeco Insurance Co. of Indiana:

In an action under Chapter 542A of the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act, does an insurers payment of the full appraisal award plus any possible statutory interest preclude recovery of attorneys fees?

Rodriguez sued Safeco after the carrier paid only $1,295.55 for damage caused by a tornado that struck his home in Plainview in May 2019. He demanded an additional $29,500, but Safeco did not respond.

Safeco invoked the policys appraisal provision after Rodriguez sued. In April 2022, the appraisal panel determined the replacement cost value of the damage was $36,514.52. Safeco paid $32,447.43, which was the amount of the award after taking into account the policy limits and subtracting the deductible and the prior payment. Safeco also paid an additional $9,458.40, claiming that amount would cover any conceivable interest owed under the TPPCA.

Safeco filed a motion for summary judgment with the US District Court in Dallas. The carrier argued that under the TPPCA, as amended by the state legislature in 2017, it had paid all that is owed for Rodriguezs claim. The District Court granted the motion, stating in its order that the legislature clearly intended to limit attorney fees when insurers pay appraisal awards.

Rodriguez appealed.

The 5th Circuit panel noted in its opinion that federal courts have ruled differently on the question of whether attorney fees are owed if a carrier pays an appraisal award plus any interest required by the TPPCA.

A judge with the Eastern District of Texas ruled in March that payment of an appraisal award extinguishes a plaintiffs right to attorney fees under the TPPCA.

But on a December 2019 decision, a judge with the Western District of Texas ruled that if insurers are allowed to avoid attorney fees after delaying payment for legitimate claims, they could systematically avoid liability for TPPCA attorneys fees by  paying only a small fraction of the alleged claim amount to a claimant and then invoking appraisal if the claimant disputed the lowball offer.

The appellate panel said the Texas Supreme Court, which has the final say over the meaning of state law, is best suited to resolve the split of opinions on the question.

Insurance defense attorney Steve Badger, a partner with the Zelle law firm in Dallas, said hes happy to see that the Texas Supreme Court has been given a chance to provide final clarity on the issue.

There is no reason to expect that the Texas Supreme Court will disagree with the careful analysis of Dallas Court of Appeals, Fort Worth Court of Appeals, and numerous federal district courts which all found that based on the plain statutory language in Chapter 542A, the only possible answer is that attorneys fees are not recoverable, Badger saidin an email.

What is unfortunate is the reality that this issue is being driven by policyholder attorneys who want a way to recover attorneys fees without having to do much work. They know that they can sign up clients on a full contingency fee, dump their matters in appraisal, sit around for a few months, and then wait for the award to come in. They can then collect their contingency fee without having to do any work. The more important question that should be considered is whether an attorney charging a Texas building owner a full contingency fee on a matter dumped into appraisal violates Texas ethical Rule 1.04 prohibiting attorneys from charging an unconscionable fee.

Rodriguezs attorney on appeal, Daly & Black shareholder Melissa Wray in Houston, said her clients case was in litigation for more than a year before Safeco invoked appraisal. She said Rodriguez had to pay for expert witnesses to make his case.

Wray said most homeowners are not aware that their insurance policy has a provision that allows them to demand an appraisal. Instead, they turn to attorneys to help them obtain a fair settlement.

In a joint statement with co-counsel James Willis, Day & Black said its attorneys are glad to see that the issue is not as clear cut as insurers make it out to be.

For decades, the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act has subjected insurers who do not pay claims in a timely manner to strict liability for penalty interest and the insureds reasonable and necessary attorneys fees, they said in an email. Some courts have construed recent amendments to the Texas Insurance Code in a manner that allows insurers to completely escape liability under the Act despite its clear mandate, while others have declined to adopt such a strained reading of the Code.

If these courts rulings are allowed to stand, the effect on Texas residential and commercial policyholders will be devastating. Allow insurance companies to systematically avoid paying attorneys fees when they wrongfully deny and underpay policyholder claims will force Texas insureds to pay their lawyers out of claim proceeds that should be going to rebuilding efforts.
BEREA, Ohio -- A concept will be piloted for the 2023-24 school year that allows a select number of seniors the option of leaving the Berea-Midpark High School campus for the hour during the school day allotted for Lunch and Learn activities.

Parental consent will be required, even if the senior is 18 years old.

Berea City School District Superintendent Tracy Wheeler spoke to the Board of Education about the proposal at its July 10 regular meeting.

She explained that the Lunch and Learn hour until now has served approximately 1,500 to 1,700 students. The high school has no cafeteria.

The rationale is to get some students out of the building so we can really work with and address the kids having academic or behavioral difficulties, Wheeler said.

(Principal) Mark Smithberger  has narrowed down (the pilot group) to seniors with a 3.0 GPA and no disciplinary or attendance issues.

She indicated that 217 seniors would be eligible based on those factors.

That does not mean all seniors would take advantage of it, Wheeler said.

Nearby districts with an open campus concept already in place include Avon, Avon Lake, North Royalton and Olmsted Falls.

A longer Lunch and Learn period may be possible if the senior has a study hall just prior to, or immediately after, the normal hour. It would extend that students open campus period if that is something they already have worked into their schedules, Wheeler said.

Wheeler expressed her support for the pilot.

I think its a great way to test it out, she said. They are working on the system that will integrate with Infinite Campus (parent portal).

Attendance taken in the seniors fifth-period class will confirm that he or she has returned after leaving campus.

Smithberger plans to communicate all program details to parents no later than Aug. 1.

The pilot program will be reevaluated at the end of the first quarter, Wheeler said.

Read more stories from the News Sun.
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A second Aldi will be coming to Middleburg Heights, with the citys Planning Commission granting approval for the building design during its Wednesday (July 12) meeting.

The grocery store will be located at 6820 Pearl Road in Pearl Plaza, which currently is under construction across from Southland Shopping Center.

The citys other Aldi will continue operating in Middleburg Towne Square on Bagley Road.

Commission discussions about a lot split took place before the vote.

Civil engineer John Urbanick of Rockaway Civil summarized to the commission his visit to the Middleburg Heights Board of Zoning and Appeals, where he requested on behalf of the Pearl Plaza project a frontage variance for future development of the undeveloped rear lot.

The board granted that variance, he said.

It was to create a separate parcel for the proposed Aldi project, which is sublot 3, and the rear lot would be sublot 4, Urbanick explained, noting that sublots 1 and 2 have newly constructed buildings on them with businesses already open.

(The variance) allowed us to proceed with the Aldi site plan.

Commission Chairman Tony Crea indicated that he would like to see some type of screening behind sublot 4 sooner rather than later.

I would like a time frame so that if you dont get something going there (i.e. a business on sublot 4), the people (who live) back there arent looking at wasteland, Crea said. We have to give them some type of comfort level that there is something on the calendar  when things will happen.

Until that shallow rear lot is developed, which could be a few years, Urbanick said it will be a seeded lawn area.

Middleburg Heights City Planner Jay Stewart of Stewart Land Use mentioned future mounding or solid fencing as possible options. He noted that it is kind of irrelevant what (business) goes there, because there is going to have to be screening anyway.

To be fair to the residents back there, I would put some sort of date on it, Stewart advised, in agreement with Crea.

The commission later approved the lot split under the condition that some type of screening is installed along the northern boundary of sublot 4 by November 2025 to shield residents views of the property.

As for the Aldi buildings final design, commission members approved it 5-0. They also approved two waiver requests -- one to address building foundation landscaping and the other for parking on the site.

Urbanick said the developer hopes to begin constructing the Aldi as soon as possible.

Read more stories from the News Sun.
CLEVELAND, Ohio A federal judge on Thursday sent a Cleveland Heights man to prison for smuggling more than 50 rifle barrels to Saudi Arabia.

U.S. District Judge John Adams sentenced Abdulrahman Zalah, 20, to two years and nine months in prison. He also ordered Zalah to surrender for deportation after the sentence is served.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Shaker Heights attorney accused of illegally voting in the last two general elections should be acquitted, in part, because he cast ballots in two states by accident, his attorney argued to a judge.

James Saunders, a 56-year-old former lawyer for the Internal Revenue Service, did not mean to commit a crime when he cast ballots in both Cuyahoga County and Broward County, Florida, counties where he owns property and has been registered to vote since before 2009, his lawyer said during closing arguments Wednesday.

Scott Roger Hurley, an assistant public defender, asked Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Andrew Santoli to come to a just result here that acknowledges that, yes, mistakes do happen, accidents do happen and find Saunders not guilty of two felony counts of voter fraud.

Andrew Rogalski, an assistant county prosecutor, said the argument would have been more credible if Saunders had done it just once.

The fact that you do that in consecutive general elections I think takes accident to the land of imaginary doubt, and not reasonable doubt, Rogalski said.

Santoli, whom Saunders chose to render a verdict in place of a jury, said he will announce his decision at an Aug. 8 hearing.

The comments came at the close of the trial that began Wednesday morning and featured testimony from just three witnesses -- elections officials from Cuyahoga County and Broward County, Florida, and an Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations agent who examined the case.

Saunders did not take the stand or present any witnesses.

The witnesses testified collectively that Saunders voted in person at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections on Oct. 21, 2020, and requested an absentee ballot be delivered to an address he used in rural Virginia. The Broward County elections official said that an absentee ballot was not delivered.

Cellphone tower date placed Saunders cellphone at his Virginia address on Nov. 1, 2020, then showed that he drove down to Broward County on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020, and cast his ballot in-person there.

Before the 2022 general election, Saunders voted by mail in Florida on Nov. 2, 2022, and then voted in person at his precinct in Shaker Heights on Nov. 8, 2022, the witnesses said.

Saunders name was among several in Northeast Ohio that Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRoses office submitted to Attorney General Dave Yosts office for prosecution. He is the only person to have been charged in Cuyahoga County.

Federal Elections Commission filings showed that Saunders had made monthly donations to then-President Donald Trumps re-election campaigns and various other conservative political groups in the run-up to that election. Prior to the November 2022 election, Saunders donated to groups that supported GOP congressional candidates in an effort to capture a majority in the U.S. House and Senate.

Hurley argued during the trial that prosecutors charged Saunders in the wrong place for his votes in the November 2020 election. He pointed out that, when Saunders voted early in Cuyahoga County in October, he did not break the law. The illegal act didnt come until he cast his ballot in-person in Florida on Election Day, so prosecutors in Ohio had no jurisdiction over that vote, Hurley argued.

Hurley also argued that, because privacy laws shield voters ballots from disclosure even in the face of a court order, its impossible for the state to determine whether Saunders actually voted twice for the candidate, or if he only cast votes for specific, local issues in one or both of the elections.

That would not be voting at the same election, Hurley said. That leaves us with a blind spot.

Rogalski said that prosecutors arent required to prove that Saunders voted for the same candidate or issue twice -- just that he cast two ballots.

We dont know who he voted for, and we shouldnt know who he voted for, Rogalski said. The act of casting a ballot, even if you leave it blank, is whats counted as a vote in Broward County and Cuyahoga County.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Just under a quarter of Ohio is now considered to be in a drought, according to Thursdays update from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

About 24.9% of Ohio is now considered in a moderate drought, slightly lower from last weeks 28.4%.

Most of Cuyahoga County, along with Lake and Lorain counties, have returned to normal conditions. Medina County continues to see abnormally dry conditions, and a section of the state that encompasses Geauga, Portage and Summit continues to be in a moderate drought.

Cleveland is in one of two swaths of the state that have returned to normal conditions, although the region by the lake has seen little change from the previous week.

However, the wide band from across the middle of the state, which includes Columbus, continues to widen with counties returning to normal conditions.

Combined, these two areas that are no longer abnormally dry or in a drought account for 40.4% of the state, up from 38.3% the week before.

However, the northern corners of Ohio and a large section of the southern counties are still experiencing a moderate drought, accounting for a third of the total state. The remaining 34.7% of the state is still experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

An estimated 3,466,286 people live in Ohio areas affected by drought.

When a region is in a moderate drought, small brush fires can occur, water restrictions may be requested, hay and fruit yield can be low and fewer mosquitos are observed than usual.

If an area is abnormally dry, there may be stunted crop growth or reduced water levels in ponds.

Last week, conditions were only slightly worse, with 3,635,654 affected by the drought.

Ohio first entered the current drought on June 8.

July 27, 2023 Ohio Drought MonitorU.S. Dought Monitor

While Ohio has seen some modest improvements, like those in Greater Cleveland, the Midwest is slowly worsening. More than a quarter of the region is now experiencing severe drought, while Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin areas are in extreme drought, or about 5.31% of the Midwest.

A new area of exceptional drought, the most intense drought category, has emerged in parts of central Missouri, accounting for 0.45% of the region.

Most of Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, and the lower Great Lakes Region recorded lower-than-normal precipitation levels, which is stagnating progress on dryness in these regions. Deficits are up to 12 inches from the last 90 days in parts of the Midwest.

Ohios improvement, along with parts of Kentucky, southern Indiana and a patch of Illinois, only accounts for 12.1% of the Midwest under normal conditions.

Zachary Smith is the data reporter for cleveland.com. You can reach him at zsmith@cleveland.com. See previous data stories at this link.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Good Morning America will be back in Cleveland on Thursday, July 13, broadcasting from the West Side Market. During early morning show, native Clevelander and social media influencer Brandon Zingale and his toddler Brody will give viewers a tour of their favorite local hotspots. Among these faves are the Great Lakes Science Center, small businesses and eateries, as well as pop culture landmarks fit for family fun. Tune in to see their suggestions

Catch the Zingales and ABC News correspondent Ashan Singh on the show between 7 and 9 a.m., July 13. They will be hanging out at Steves Gyros in the West Side Market. The market is closed, as usual, on Thursday.

Good Morning America has shown Cleveland some love in recent weeks. They broadcast from the Flats on June 27 for the best breakfast in Cleveland segment. They broadcast again on July 5 from Chagrin Falls.

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Good Morning America names best breakfast restaurant in Cleveland

Good Morning America broadcasts from Chagrin Falls
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Lets shut down some streets. Hollywood is coming back to Northeast Ohio.

Shiftstick, described as a heist/car-chase action movie, is scheduled to shoot scenes in Northeast Ohio beginning in the fall, the Greater Cleveland Film Commission said.

The plot of the film, according to local casting director Lillian Pyles, centers on a reformed getaway driver named Edie who gets pulled back in for one last job in order to save her ex. No stars yet have been publicly attached to the project, which is reportedly being produced for release on Hulu.

Pyles is looking to cast about 30 roles as well as extras for the film. There are open parts for actors of all races and ethnicities ages 8 to 65. Some of the roles include Dad Meany, a 32-year-old male who is rough around the edges; Ma Meany, a 32-year-old female also rough around the edges; Deena, a female firecracker in her late 20s/early 30s; and Cole, a 36ish-year-old male with large biceps. The casting call is also seeking three bank robbers, a nervous teller, an irritated customer, a casino bartender, a hustler, a burley guy and more.

People interested in auditioning for a speaking part can find more information at instagram.com/lillianpylescasting.

Cleveland, of course, has been used by Hollywood filmmakers several times in the past to shoot car chases and action sequences. The city stood in for Washington D.C. in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and played New York City in The Avengers, The Fate of the Furious and Spider-Man 3.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A Michigan woman and her family sued the parent company of Cedar Point on Wednesday, accusing the park of negligence for an accident involving the Top Thrill Dragster that the lawsuit says left the woman with traumatic brain injuries.

The lawsuit, filed in Erie County Common Pleas Court, says Rachel Hawes medical expenses have exceeded $2 million and are expected to reach more than $10 million because of additional treatments and surgery.

Gary Rhodes, director of communications for Cedar Fair, declined to comment on the lawsuit, saying, as a matter of company policy, we do not comment on pending litigation.

The lawsuit says Hawes, of Swartz Creek, Michigan, went to the park with family members, including her husband, Slater, and father, Robert Edmonds, on Aug. 15, 2021. Rachel Hawes was in line to go on the Top Thrill Dragster with her father when she was struck in the head by a piece of the coaster.

The filing alleges that a flag plate struck Hawes. The plate bolts to the body of the coasters cars, according to the lawsuit, and one became loose and broke away. The lawsuit blames Cedar Fair for allowing the accident to happen and accuses it of failing to exercise reasonable care through inspecting and maintaining the ride.

The lawsuit also alleges that the companies involved in working on the coaster after the accident received a written request to maintain the track and trains. Instead, the evidence was dismantled. The suit lists unidentified individuals and businesses.

It says the parent company and others involved in the ride were negligent in failing to protect individuals, such as Rachel Hawes, from being injured from parts, debris and/or objects falling from the (parks) rides, such as the Top Thrill Dragster.

The document says Hawes suffered major brain trauma.

She will need assistance with activities of daily living for the remainder of her life, says the lawsuit, filed by Sandusky attorneys James Murray and William Bartle.

The coaster has been shut down since the accident.

In February 2022, the Ohio Department of Agriculture found the park did not violate state laws or department rules in its operation of the ride. The report outlined a series of steps Cedar Point needed to take before reopening the coaster, which was the tallest and fastest in the world when it debuted in 2003. Instead, the park decided in September 2022 to retire it permanently.

But retirement didnt last long. A short time after the announcement, the park started removing track and other infrastructure to prep the ride for its post-retirement gig.

Last month, cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reported that Cedar Point has started to release hints about its reimagined version of Top Thrill Dragster, with possible clues about the coasters new name and theme.

In January, the park announced that the new ride would debut in 2024, tamping down speculation that it would be ready this year. In that announcement, the park included this tease: A new formula for thrills, leading to speculation that the coasters racing theme might be retained.

Susan Glaser, the travel editor of Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, contributed to this story.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Growing tensions between Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and City Council seemed to go nuclear on Wednesday night when the mayor and his entire staff skipped councils meeting in protest.

In a rare and perhaps unprecedented move, Bibb, along with his directors and chiefs, never showed up to councils July meeting. Some council members reacted with sharp criticism for the mayor, and with threats to hold up legislation. In the aftermath, Bibb and Council President Blaine Griffin met on Thursday morning to talk.

Its unclear what the incident will ultimately mean for operations at City Hall, but Wednesdays events seemed to signal that the council and mayor have reached a contentious point in their relationship thats now spilling out into public discourse.

Bibb made the decision to skip the meeting after a press release went out earlier in the day, announcing that Safety Committee Chair Mike Polensek was going to use his personal comment period to talk about what he called out of control violence. Polensek, long known to rail against crime and the citys response to it, had sent Bibb a scathing letter after last weekends mass shooting downtown, and more gun violence in Polenseks Collinwood neighborhood.

In a statement Thursday, Bibbs communications chief, Sarah Johnson, confirmed that the mayor and administrations absence from the meeting was an act of protest.

We were informed of the political grandstanding that was going to occur last night. The Mayor will not subject his cabinet to sit politely for yet another monologue attacking their integrity, ethics, and basic functionality. Real progress takes place with hard work and action, not expressing frustration in front of an audience, Johnson said.

Taking the floor to address the Bibb administrations conspicuous absence on Wednesday night, Council President Blaine Griffin told his council colleagues he could not defend the indefensible.

Said Griffin: I always try to use professionalism, decorum and always try to find ways to work across the aisle, and always try to find ways to work with people. But I also wont allow council to be a punching bag, to be disrespected -- because this body of men and women work harder than anybody else in this city, deserve to be respected, and we fight on behalf of these citizens.

On Thursday, Griffin told cleveland.com that he and Bibb met early in the day, in the wake of Wednesdays meeting. Griffin declined to share what they discussed in private.

All Im saying is were moving forward. Youve got to have a short memory and a thick skin in this business, Griffin said.

One thing I wont do, is I will never try to be so petty to hold up things at City Hall or let feuds we have in City Hall get in the way of my commitment, our commitment, to serve the people of Cleveland, Griffin said.

Asked Thursday whether the mayor is concerned about the apparent deterioration of his relationship with council, his spokeswoman, Johnson, offered the following comment:

We want to work together, because theres enough issues in the city that we dont need to create new ones. And I think their relationshipthere is damage, but I dont think its beyond repair. I do think that both the council president and the mayor are committed to doing whats best for residents. And I think they will find a path forward and come to an agreement on rules of engagement, for lack of a better term, for our two bodies to work together.

Its unclear if Bibb and his team violated the charter or local laws by skipping the meeting altogether. Councils rules dictate that The Mayor and the directors of all departments shall be required to attend the regular and special meetings of Council, in part so theyre available if council has any questions for them. Cleveland.com has asked council for clarity on whether the mayor would be bound by councils rules.

Former Council President Martin J. Sweeney told cleveland.com that he recalled one or two times during his council tenure when members of the mayors administration withheld their presence at meetings as a form of protest. But the move is a rare one. One similar instance was in 2014, when former Mayor Frank Jacksons entire administration walked out to protest one council members demands for the resignation of the safety director.

In his own floor speech on Wednesday that prompted Bibb to skip the meeting, Polensek -- councils most senior member, who has served 13 terms -- said hed never seen anything like it.

Polensek went on to recount his horror at recent gun violence in his ward and police understaffing.

He said he, as safety chair, hasnt been given an understanding of Bibbs strategy to address crime. Polensek said members of the Bibb administration skipped a meeting scheduled for earlier in the day in which council members were to be briefed on the mayors plan to address summer violence.

Polensek also criticized recent comments made by Bibb and police Chief Wayne Drummond that violence levels arent, for the most part, related to the understaffing in the police department.

Then I hear this thing: Well you know what, councilman, theres no correlation between violence and the number of police officers working your streets, Polensek said. Is somebody smoking crack?

The statement from Bibbs spokeswoman about Wednesdays happenings, provided to cleveland.com on Thursday morning, didnt address any of the particulars of Polenseks floor speech, but it addressed the comments more generally.

Continued attacks like these rip at the fabrics of collaboration, are unproductive, and hinder progress, hurting those who need help the most  our residents. We look forward to genuine collaboration with council in the near future, so we can work together to find solutions for our residents. They deserve nothing less.

The statement from Bibbs spokeswoman also took a direct shot at councils long-held practice of taking a summer recess, in which they only meet once per month.

The citys problems and violence do not get a summer recess like Council. The Administration works around the clock, showing up every day and doing everything we can to keep our residents safe and ensure they receive the services they need, the statement said.

Both Polensek and Griffin on Wednesday night talked about how councils outrage, when it comes to violence in Cleveland, ultimately flows from the complaints they hear daily from residents concerned about safety. Polensek said it was insulting that Bibb and his administrators skipped the meeting in which council was conveying those concerns.

Other council members jumped in.

Councilman Richard Starr gestured to the empty seats normally occupied by Bibb and his team, and talked about council being disrespected.

We shouldnt pass another piece of legislation until we get an actual plan about what were going to do about safety in this city. I mean that. If we really want to take a stance, we have to do it through our legislative authority, Starr said.

And councils ire wasnt limited to public safety issues.

Councilwoman Stephanie Howse described Bibbs administration as one who consistently, whose motivation is to get a headline. She called foul on how Bibb went about selecting nominees for the Black Women and Girls Commission, after 130-plus people applied ahead of last years deadline. One of Bibbs nominees was allowed to apply months after the deadline passed, she said.

The director of law tells me, according to the legislation, we can basically pick who we want. Its insulting, Howse said.

She urged council members to take a fine-toothed comb to any legislation they put forth.

Council members, when you have things going through this administrationplease be very real and make sure you have everything in writing, because you are dealing with a team, a group of people, who are not fair dealers.

Councilman Kevin Bishop weighed in on Bibbs absence, too. It shows that our partnership is on shaky ground, he said.

But after Griffin and Bibbs meeting on Thursday, Griffin said Clevelanders should rest assured that the mayor and council will still put them first. A statement from Bibbs office said it was a productive meeting and that both sides [are] committed to work towards improving their relationship

Griffin pledged that council would not hold up legislation out of spite, but he said it would thoroughly vet proposed laws that come before it.

I dont want people to see this as There goes City Hall, City Hall is not working anymore. I think its a time when we, as elected officials, have differences of opinion. And its a time where youre going to see that kind of friction, Griffin said. But I dont think anybody should ever consider that were not all committed to trying to do the best we can to have better services, better safety and better quality of life in Cleveland.
MARBLEHEAD, Ohio  The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended a search for a man who has been missing since Tuesday night after he fell from a boat on Lake Erie near South Bass Island.

Information released by the Coast Guard says the 21-year-old man fell from a 27-foot boat at about 10:30 p.m. The man was unable to get back to the boat because of the wind and strong currents, the Coast Guard says.

The Coast Guard did not release the identity of the missing man, but a friend confirmed Wednesday night that it is Samuel Ickes Jr. of Fremont, Ohio. Ickes is the father of two children.

Sam has two sweet babies and his girlfriend Mckenzie, who want nothing more than for him to make it home! the friend, Morgan Vanover, writes on Facebook. The power of prayer can work miracles, please share and continue to pray! Lets bring Sam home!

A C-130 aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force, an HC-144 aircraft from the Coast Guard in Cape Cod, Mass., along with helicopters and boats from the Coast Guard and other agencies were involved in the search, which was suspended after nearly 24 hours pending further developments.
COLUMBUS, OhioA Cuyahoga County man sentenced to death for helping to kill several inmates during the 1993 Lucasville prison riot has had his execution date pushed back by Gov. Mike DeWine.

DeWine announced Friday in a release that he was rescheduling Keith Lamars execution from Nov. 16, 2023, until Jan. 13, 2027, citing the states ongoing problems with acquiring lethal-injection drugs.
WASHINGTON, D. C.  House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan on Thursday accused the head of the Federal Trade Commission of harassing Twitter to the point of obsession at an oversight hearing on the agency.

The Champaign County Republican also insisted FTC Chair Lina Khan is trying to usher in a radical departure from the norms that made the American economy great to a system where her and her cronies have unchecked power over business.

He claimed she began targeted harassment of Twitter after it was purchased by entrepreneur Elon Musk. He said the FTC issued more than 350 information requests to Twitter that sought every communication about Mr. Musk inside the company, as well as its work with journalists working to shed light on the government-driven censorship practices at Twitter.

Citing a recent legal filing in a case in Louisiana, Jordan said FTC officials instructed independent assessors from Ernst & Young, whom it hired to examine the company, to produce a report at the end of the day that would be negative about Twitter, and led company officials to fear that withdrawal from the job would lead FTC to create other challenges for them.

This is outrageous, Jordan declared This is unacceptable. Its the kind of behavior that occurs in banana republics, not in the United States of America.

Khan told Jordan the FTC has focused on Twitter because of its longtime lack of effective security and privacy policies. Problems were so serious that they enabled unauthorized users to co-opt Twitter accounts, including some from Fox News, said Khan.

When Musk released a cache of internal documents known as the Twitter files to several journalists, Khan said her agency was concerned that doing so violated a consent decree that prohibits Twitter from sharing clients personal information with third parties.

Our focus is on protecting peoples privacy and security, said Khan. Twitter has sensitive data on 150 million Americans, including private messages.

Khan told him she wasnt familiar with the recent legal filing about FTCs dealings with Ernst & Young,but would be happy to take a closer look at it and be back in touch.

I will say, as a general matter, we want to make sure that the assessors and auditors that are responsible for overseeing compliance are doing their job, Khan told him.

Jordan also questioned Khan about a law review article she wrote several years ago that said digital businesses like Twitter disserve their users by facilitating the spread of disinformation. He asked who determines what constitutes disinformation.

Khan told Jordan she understands why thered be concerns about censorship, given the extreme concentration of power over some speech platforms.

At the FTC, our job is to promote competition, she continued. More competition means more people making these decisions. And I think that can alleviate some of the concerns about censorship that youre sharing.

Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  A lobbyist and former GOP chairman who was convicted at trial alongside Ohios former House Speaker filed notice of an appeal Wednesday.

Matt Borges, who was sentenced to five years in prison, wants the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to intervene. A copy of his appeal, which would lay out his arguments, is not immediately available.

Prosecutors say FirstEnergy paid $60 million into a nonprofit secretly controlled by Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder. He used that money to engineer a political ascendance and pass legislation worth more than $1 billion to the company.

READ MORE: Coverage of Householders trial and its aftermath.

Borges played a role, according to prosecutors, thwarting a citizen-led effort to repeal the legislation in question. Trial evidence shows he helped pursue aggressive legal strategies to thwart the referendum; hired private investigators to tail those gathering signatures to advance the effort; and paid a $15,000 bribe to a political operative seeking inside information on the repeal campaign.

Alongside Borges, four other men were accused of participating in the conspiracy. Householder was convicted at trial and sentenced to 20 years in prison; two pleaded guilty and testified against the defendants; and one died by suicide before trial.

Jake Zuckerman covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
SPEEDWAY, Indiana  Every Memorial Day Weekend, hundreds of thousands of fans descend on tiny Speedway, Indiana, for a glimpse of the greatest spectacle in racing.

But you dont need to travel to Indiana on race day to experience the adrenaline of the Indianapolis 500.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is open almost every day for tours, where you can kiss the bricks and learn why winners chug milk after their victories. The racetrack also is home to a well-stocked museum, filled with the cars, helmets and traditions of races gone by.

Officials this week announced a major upcoming renovation, which will close the museum to visitors later this year through early 2025  so get there soon if youve always wanted to see Al Unsers Johnny Lightning Special from 1970 or the Dallara DW12 rookie Alexander Rossi raced to victory in 2016.

Related: Whats new (and old) in Indianapolis: Bottleworks Hotel, Newfields, Kurt Vonnegut and more

There are historic helmets on display, original bricks and the 5-foot, 4-inch tall silver Borg-Warner Trophy, presented to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 every year since 1936. Its engraved with the name of every victor, the year they won and average speed, alongside a 1-inch likeness of their face, sculpted in silver.

The museum offers a timeline of the race and the track, which was built in 1909 primarily to test nascent passenger automobiles. The first race was held in 1911  won by Ray Harroun, who drove an average speed of 74.6 mph. His car, a 6-cylinder Marmon, is typically on display, as well, although it was off-exhibit during my visit.

The race was halted just twice  for two years during World War I and again during World War II. In 2020, the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, the race ran three months late  in August  and with no fans in the massive stadium.

The museum also offers an explanation for the traditional Victory Lane milk, started by three-time 500 winner Louis Meyer in 1936. As a child, Meyers mother suggested buttermilk as the drink of choice for hot summer afternoons, according to a museum exhibit. So he brought the beverage with him to the track that first year.

The tradition of kissing the bricks came later, in 1996, when NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett and crew chief Todd Parrott celebrated winning the Brickyard 400 by kissing the small section of brick track still exposed. Initially paved with brick, the track was gradually covered with asphalt until, in 1962, just a 3-foot section of pavers remained.

After (or before) exploring the museum, visitors can take a tour offering up-close views of the speedway, which has been owned by Shaker Heights native Roger Penske since early 2020. Most days, the popular Kiss the Bricks tour is offered, which includes a lap around the 2.5-mile oval in a bus with a stop at the finish line, where visitors can make like a winner and press their lips to bricks.

On the day of my visit, however, the track was in use, so the museum offered the alternative View from the Top tour.

There is a benefit to not doing the Kiss the Bricks tour, said guide Eric Gray: That means something cool is happening on the track.

Indeed, on the afternoon of my visit, we got to see several cars zoom around the oval at speeds approaching 190 mph during a testing run for hybrid-engine vehicles, which are expected to debut at the Indianapolis 500 next year.

Our tour included stops at the Victory Podium, the media center and the 10-story Pagoda, which provided terrific views of both the oval and the speedways 2.4-mile road course, which was added in 2000.

Gray noted that the stadium is the largest on the planet  with room for nearly 400,000 spectators. The population of Iceland could fit in here, with room to spare, he said.

Posing atop the Victory Podium at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Watching test runs around the oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Note the 3-foot strip of brick the car is about to cross.

View of the road course, and downtown Indianapolis, from atop the Pagoda at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

If you go: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

Where: 4750 W. 16th St., Speedway, Indiana, about 5 miles west of downtown Indianapolis

When: The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours are offered at regular intervals most days, depending on activity at the track. Officials announced this week that the museum will close from November 2023 through April 2025 for a major renovation. Tours of the speedway will continue during the renovation.

How much: Museum admission is $15 for adults, $8 for ages 6-16. Guided track tours are $25 adults, $15 youth, and include admission to the museum.

Information: imsmuseum.org

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum features dozens of historic winning vehicles on display. The museum will close in November for a major renovation.
A trio of the Club's health-care stocks made news Thursday: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) nabbed some positive research ahead of its earnings report next week, another Wall Street analyst expressed concerns about Humana (HUM), and the "rocky rollout" of an Alzheimer's drug looks like a positive for Eli Lilly (LLY). Here's a deeper look at the headlines and their implications for our investment theses in these holdings. JNJ YTD mountain Johnson & Johnson's year-to-date stock performance. In the news: JPMorgan analysts expect Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) to report solid second-quarter results July 20, saying both its pharmaceutical and medical technologies are performing in line or slightly ahead of expectations. The firm also would not be surprised by another "modest guidance raise" for JNJ, analysts told clients in a note Thursday. In April, alongside its first-quarter results, J & J raised its full-year sales guidance by about $1 billion and its earnings-per-share outlook by 15 cents. In pharma, JPMorgan believes there will continue to be healthy results for Darzalex, Stelara and Tremfya  which Wall Street sees accounting for nearly 40% of the J & J's drug sales in 2023, according to FactSet. J & J's medical technologies division, meanwhile, is poised to "show continued momentum through the rest of the year," due to a rise in surgical procedures in the U.S. and internationally, JPMorgan said. Still, analysts noted that J & J's talc litigation  a major headwind for the stock  is progressing at a slower-than-expected pace. Clearing this overhang would help reduce the discount at which J & J shares to pharmaceutical peers, the firm said. The Club's take: JPMorgan's thinking on J & J aligns quite closely with our own. The company's fundamental business is in very good shape, on both the pharma and MedTech sides. The dark cloud of talc lawsuits continues to keep a lid on J & J's stock price. Plus, J & J's large international exposure  at nearly 50% of sales in 2022  means the year-over-year decline in the U.S. dollar is another positive in its favor. So while we also believe a solid second-quarter print could be in order, we're in wait-and-see mode for the stock overall. In the very near term, the California trial involving a 24-year-old with terminal cancer will influence the direction of talc litigation . A decision in that case could be handed down any day. HUM YTD mountain Humana's year-to-date stock performance. In the news: Wells Fargo cut its price target on Humana shares by 9%, to $561 each, as emergency room visits, outpatient surgeries and dental procedures among its Medicare Advantage customers rose in the second quarter. This elevated uncertainty around medical cost trends is depressing what investors are willing to pay for the health insurer's shares, Wells Fargo said, meaning the stock is likely to trade at a lower multiple than before these concerns arose in mid-June. HUM is down more than 16% over the past month, by far the worst-performing Club holding during this period. For Humana's stock to overcome its malaise, Wells Fargo said investors would need to see evidence that second-quarter medical cost increases were the result of pent-up demand and not the start of a multi-quarter trend. In any case, the firm said it maintained its buy rating on Humana shares because near-term earnings can be sustained, and its long-term position is still favorable. JPMorgan downgraded Humana last week to a hold , from buy, citing similar concerns as Wells Fargo. The Club's take: It's hard to disagree with Wells Fargo lowering its outlook for Humana's stock price. The company has been in the doghouse ever since rival UnitedHealth Group (UNH) warned about a rise in outpatient surgeries in June. At this point, investors need more information from the industry on how medical cost trends are progressing and the extent to which second-quarter utilization levels were factored into 2024 Medicare Advantage plans, which companies needed to finalized in early June. Fortunately, we may get fresh insights when UNH reports earnings Friday and then a few weeks later when Humana's second-quarter numbers are due out. This stock now requires patience, but hopefully at least some of the uncertainty can be alleviated soon. LLY YTD mountain Eli Lilly's year-to-date stock performance. In the news: The first Alzheimer's drug to receive full approval from U.S. regulators is facing a "rocky rollout," Bloomberg News reported Thursday , based on conversations with doctors at leading memory clinics in the country. The drug  Leqembi, which Japanese pharmaceutical firm Eisai developed with U.S. partner Biogen (BIIB)  requires multiple scans and tests in order for patients to start the treatment course. Then, the drug is given intravenously every two weeks, and patients will need three MRIs prior to the fifth, seventh and 14 th infusions to monitor side effects, which can include brain swelling and bleeding. Bloomberg said some doctors are already writing prescriptions for Leqembi, while other hospitals including the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, are still working out the logistics and preparing for wide use in the fall. The Club's take: Bloomberg's reporting on Leqembi's launch shows why we've routinely expressed measured optimism around Club holding Eli Lilly's Alzheimer's pursuits. Lilly's drug a ppears to be effective at slowing progression of the memory-robbing disease , but it has not been the primary reason for our bullishness on the company because we've understood the complexities around launching a brand-new class of drugs for such a complex condition. Bloomberg's story also points to why Eli Lilly's drug  known by the scientific name donanemab  being second to market is not necessarily a competitive disadvantage. Analysts have said there is room for multiple drugs, and that having three companies (Eisai, Biogen and Eli Lilly) in the market should help in building out the infrastructure in the U.S. medical system that's necessary for a meaningful amount of patients to receive the treatment. It's worth noting that fellow Club holding GE Healthcare 's (GEHC), which makes products that can confirm an Alzheimer's diagnosis and monitor side effects, could eventually see a benefit from broad usage of these drugs. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long JNJ, HUM and LLY . See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

Joaquin Duato, chief executive officer of Johnson & Johnson, at the company's headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S., on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Amir Hamia | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Julie Su testifies at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on her nomination to be Labor Secretary, on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 20, 2023.

The Senate is stalled on President Joe Biden's pick for secretary of labor, Julie Su, and Democrats face a conundrum on how to proceed.

Nearly five months after Su was nominated, it remains unclear when  or whether  the chamber will hold a vote to confirm her. If confirmed, Su would be the first Asian American to serve as a Cabinet secretary under Biden. She has the backing of many Democrats and union leaders.

But Su, who currently serves as the acting labor secretary, could just keep running the department anyway. Federal law places no limits on how long Su can serve as acting labor secretary without being confirmed. A 1946 law, amended in 1986, permits the deputy labor secretary, which Su served as under the previous head, to "perform the duties of the Secretary until a successor is appointed." The rule is unique to the Labor Department  many other federal job openings are governed by the Vacancies Act, which requires replacements for certain federal agencies within a time constraint of 210 days.

"I hope she has the votes to become the secretary. If not, of course, she should stay where she is," Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., the chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, said in a brief interview. "She's doing a great job. Why would you not?"



Su's nomination has been stuck in a holding pattern with key centrists  including Sens. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz. and Jon Tester, D-Mont.  declining to say publicly where they stand on her.

After months of silence, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., came out against Su's nomination on Thursday, calling her "more progressive background" a hindrance when it comes to forging "compromises acceptable to both parties." He said he wants a voice for "both labor and industry" in the labor secretary role.

All three voted to confirm her as deputy labor secretary in July 2021, but she won zero Republican votes, leaving little hope of getting any GOP support for a promotion. Without Manchin, in the 51-vote majority, she'd need all the other 50 caucusing Democrats.

The stalled nomination presents a dilemma for Biden.

Keeping Su on without a confirmation vote would face pushback from Republicans and potentially some Democratic skeptics. But withdrawing her could present other headaches for Biden as he eyes re-election in 2024. Pulling the labor-backed Su and finding a more corporate-friendly nominee risks blowback from unions, a cornerstone of Democratic electoral power. Biden has promised to be "the most pro-union president" in U.S. history. It could also upset prominent Asian Americans, who have already criticized Biden for inadequate representation of the fast-growing demographic in the highest-ranking positions of the administration.

The HELP Committee voted along party lines, 11-10, to advance Su's nomination on April 26. But there's been no movement since then, an unusual pause for a high-profile nominee.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said that Senate Democrats are one vote short, but declined to say who she was referring to. She took issue with senators who still haven't decided where they stand on Su, calling it "unfair" for the nominee.

"It would be a terrible thing for someone as qualified and as competent as her to withdraw her nomination," she said. "She deserves all of our support... Every single Democrat supported her for deputy. She's already shown her ability to lead this department as secretary."

Some of Su's Democratic supporters back her staying in the job as the acting head if she can't get confirmed, while others refuse to entertain the idea, hopeful she'll ultimately get Senate approval.

"It's important that we have a secretary of labor and she's already doing the job. So yeah, that would make sense," said Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.

Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., echoed his colleague, stressing admiration for Su's qualifications.

"I'm not sure I really understand the reasons beyond politics of why she has faced, you know, a steep hill to get confirmed," he said. "But in terms of my perspective on what this country needs  she's it."

But Democrats who remain silent on Su aren't so sure she should stick around without a formal confirmation.

"I don't support that myself. I didn't support it in the last administration. I don't support it in this one," Tester said. "I just don't think they can do the job they need to do in an acting position," he added. "That's my own opinion, could be wrong. But I just think there's much more certainty if you've been confirmed."

Tester said he's "still taking input" on Su and that the White House has not contacted him about the nominee.

Manchin said he hadn't given the prospect of Su remaining on as acting secretary any thought.

And Republicans, who broadly oppose the former civil rights litigator's nomination and have asked Biden to withdraw it, warn not to keep her on without full confirmation.

"I would strongly object," said Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, the HELP panel's top Republican. "It seems to defy advise and consent."

A White House official said Biden "continues to stand by" Su for the job and vowed to "continue fighting for" her to win the votes in the Senate, praising her qualifications. "The President's support for Acting Secretary Su is unwavering, and we hope Senator Manchin and Senator Sinema reconsider their position," the official said.

Other Democrats are also rallying around Su.

"AANHPI representation is important, but Julie Su is also the most qualified candidate to be our next Labor Secretary," Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., said in a statement. "There is no one more ready and prepared to lead the Department on day one than she is. Any Senator who voted to confirm Secretary [Marty] Walsh should vote to confirm Acting Secretary Su, too. I know I will."

Several Democratic senators refused to consider the prospect that Su could fall short of getting the Senate's stamp of approval.

"She's gonna have enough votes. We're gonna confirm her," said Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio.

"I'm not going to entertain that possibility," Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, said. "I'm a huge Julie Su fan."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Tuesday dodged reporters' questions about whether Su should continue serving as acting labor secretary if she fails to get confirmed.

"I think she'll be a very good labor secretary," he said. "And we're working hard to get her approved."
An aerial view of wildfire of Tatkin Lake in British Columbia, Canada on July 10, 2023. BC Wildfire Service | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Record high temperatures and a record fire season are hitting Canada at the same time this summer, leading to an unprecedented combination of heat, fire and dangerous smoke plumes. "I can't emphasize enough just how terrifying this moment is on our planet. With global temperature records breaking and fires and floods raging around the world, our house is truly on fire," Kristina Dahl, principal climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, told CNBC. Climate change, caused by greenhouse gas emissions, is making the planet hotter and also increasing the potency of the ingredients that are necessary for wildfires to burn. Even if humans stopped burning all fossil fuels today, the carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere is going to continue heating the planet for decades to come. "If I had a magic wand and said, 'no more greenhouse gases being produced from human activities as of now,' we will continue to warm for 30 to 50 years," explained Michael Flannigan, the research chair for predictive services, emergency management and fire science at Thompson Rivers University British Columbia. That means what's happening now is unprecedented, but it's also a harbinger of what's coming. "This is the new reality, not the new normal, because we're on a downward spiral," Flannigan told CNBC.

Record-breaking wildfires with no end in sight

On June 27, Canada surpassed the record set in 1989 for total area burned in one season when it reached 7.6 million hectares, or 18.8 million acres, a communications officer for Natural Resources Canada, told CNBC. The total has since increased to 9.3 million hectares, or 23 million acres, which is about the size of South Carolina. The average is around 2.2 million hectares, or 5.4 million acres, or about the size of Massachusetts. "The current wildfire season in Canada has been astounding and record breaking," Dahl told CNBC. Soon, the total amount of land burned this year will hit the equivalent of Maine, Flannigan said. "We're used to getting fires in the West, or the East, or in the north, or the central  but not the whole country at the same time," Flannigan told CNBC.

An aerial view of wildfire of Tatkin Lake in British Columbia, Canada on July 10, 2023. BC Wildfire Service | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

And the fire season is not even close to over. There are currently 908 active fires burning in Canada, and 576 of those are classified as "out of control," according to data in a real time dashboard operate by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre as of 2:15pm EST on Thursday. "I'm not sure where we're going to end up with this because it keeps keeps on burning," Flannigan told CNBC. "Some of these fires are huge. And they will burn all summer, all fall, and some of them will burn through winter. Underground they smolder and even though you can have snow on top, they keep burning underground. And then spring, the snow melts, stuff gets hot, dry and windy. They pop to the surface and start spreading again."

Record heat turns vegetation into kindling

Earlier in July, the Earth recorded its hottest average day since records began -- then repeated the feat three times in four days. Temperatures in Canada are no exception. Earlier this year, Fort Good Hope, at about 66 degrees north latitude in the Northwest Territories, reached 37.4 degrees Celsius  more than 99 degrees Fahrenheit  setting a record for the warmest Canadian temperature at that latitude, according to the Canadian government. Subsequent readings in nearby communities were even hotter, according to news reports. "We're in uncharted waters here," Dahl told CNBC. "Since May we've seen a pattern of heat domes developing in parts of North America," Dahl told CNBC. A heat dome is a weather event that occurs when the atmosphere traps hot air like a lid or a cap, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration describes it. "These zones of extreme heat tend to persist for long stretches of time  weeks in some cases. The heat dome that developed in May was linked to the development and spread of the fires in Alberta that kicked off the start of Canada's record-breaking fire season." "I've never seen it start so early that far north," Flannigan told CNBC. Before he started working in academia, Flannigan worked for the Canadian Forest Service for 30-plus years. Hotter weather dries out vegetation, which serves as fuel for the wildfires. "The warmer it gets, the atmosphere gets more efficient at sucking the moisture out of the fuels," Flannigan told CNBC. "It's not a linear increase, it's almost exponential." Also, warmer temperatures lead to more lightning, Flannigan said. In Canada, about half of wildfires are started by lightning, but they are responsible for 80% to 90% of the land burned, since these areas tend to be remote and harder for firefighters to reach.

A future of more fire and smoke

Three key ingredients for a wildfire spread are fuel, ignition and weather, Sarah Burch, a climate change professor at the University of Waterloo and the executive director of the Waterloo Climate Institute, told CNBC. "While wildfire is a natural feature of healthy ecosystems, climate change affects all three of the factors" that cause wildfires, Burch told CNBC. So, too, does land management. For example, the mountain pine beetle is killing trees and turning them into fuel for wildfires, Burch told CNBC. And long-duration droughts also make forests more flammable. "This means that we expect fires to increase in frequency and intensity in the future," Burch told CNBC. People will have to learn to live alongside those wildfires.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada shrouds the Empire State Building on June 30, 2023 in New York City. David Dee Delgado | Getty Images

"This is a common misconception of people that fire management can stop all fires all the time. Obviously, that's not true," Flannigan said. If firefighters arrive when a fire is still small, they can put it out. But sometimes a fire can balloon into a high-intensity blaze in as little as 15 minutes. When a wildfire becomes a "crown fire," meaning it jumps from tree top to tree top, "the horse has left the barn," Flannigan told CNBC. "It's too late. You've missed your window." Some fire mitigation techniques can work to slow the back end of a fire that's already burning at full intensity, but when "that head is just racing across the landscape, you just have to get out of the way." This means more smoke from these wildfires traveling to other parts of the globe, too. Earlier in July, wildfire smoke from Canada blanketed much of the United States mid-west and Eastern seaboard. There is no silver bullet to solving this problem, Flannigan says. Drones and artificial intelligence can help scientists track and monitor fire movement, but they are tools, not solutions. The only long-term solution is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale to mitigate the effects of climate change. "I think there's still time if we get our act together as a global society to deal with this. And sometimes people need a bloody nose or two before we change our behavior. We can change. And I'm hoping that we're getting the bloody noses and now we'll actually do something about fossil fuels," Flannigan said.
China artificial intelligence Ying Tang | Nurphoto | Getty Images

Chinese regulators on Thursday finalized first-of-its-kind rules governing generative artificial intelligence as the country looks to ramp up oversight of the rapidly growing technology. The powerful Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said it worked with several other regulators to come up with the new regulation that will come into effect on Aug. 15. Generative AI is a fast-growing area of technology in which artificial intelligence services are able to generate content such as text or images. ChatGPT, developed by U.S. firm OpenAI, is the most well-known example and allows users to prompt the chatbot and receive replies to queries.

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These services are trained on vast amounts of data. However, ChatGPT's success has sparked a wave of rival services to pop up, raising concern among global regulators about the potential risks around the technology. Chinese technology giants have jumped on the bandwagon, announcing plans and launching their own generative AI services. But China, which tightly controls the domestic internet via censorship and regulation, is watching AI development closely. Chinese regulators are concerned about the potential for these services to generate content which may go against Beijing's views or ideology.

That's partly why Chinese tech firms have been circumspect about launching their ChatGPT-like services. Rather than full services that are widely available to the public, Chinese companies have focused their technology on enterprise and narrow uses. For example, Alibaba this month launched an artificial intelligence tool that can generate images from prompts called Tongyi Wanxiang, but it is only available for enterprise customers for beta testing. However, the rules from the CAC provide technology giants a framework to work with when it comes to the technology.

What are China's generative A.I. rules?

The rules will only apply to generative AI services that are available to the general public rather than those being developed in research institutions, for example. Generative AI services will need to obtain a license to operate, the CAC said. If a generative AI service provider finds "illegal" content, it should take measures to stop generating that content, improve the algorithm and then report that material to the relevant authority.
Luisa Moreno, President of mining company Defense Metals Corp, expects China to further restrict metal exports which could include rare earths. Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images

China's metal export curbs on gallium and germanium could spur some countries to diversify their supply chains away from China. "This could be a wake-up call for some [countries] to gradually build up production elsewhere," Stewart Randall of Shanghai-based consultancy Intralink told CNBC. "Whereas if China never did anything, most of the world would be perfectly happy to continue relying on China," said Randall. China's commerce ministry announced last week that it is restricting the exports of two metals  gallium and germanium  key to the manufacturing of semiconductors starting Aug. 1, in what is seen as a warning to Europe and the U.S. in a tech war over advanced chips. China produces 60% of the world's germanium and 80% of gallium, based on data from the Critical Raw Materials Alliance, an industry body.

We are likely to continue to see [export restrictions] and it will likely affect other materials like rare earths, which again, China controls more than 85% of production... Luisa Moreno President, Defense Metals Corp

Both the Europe Commission and U.S. expressed concern about China's planned curbs. "China stopping the exports of the metals is actually a warning. It reminds the European countries that they need to have their own supply chains," Brady Wang, associate director of Counterpoint Research, told CNBC.

China may impose more curbs

Luisa Moreno, president of mining company Defense Metals Corp, expects China to further restrict metal exports which could include rare earths. Rare earths are essential for high-tech consumer products like smartphones and military equipment like radar systems. Rare earths make up a group of 17 elements composed of scandium, yttrium, and the lanthanides. "We are likely to continue to see [export restrictions] and it will likely affect other materials like rare earths, which again, China controls more than 85% of production," Moreno said on CNBC's "Street Signs Asia" on Tuesday.

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In 2010, China halted exports of rare earths to Japan following a territorial dispute. China also threatened to stop rare earths exports to the U.S. in 2019. "[The impact from the metals curbs] is not big in the short term, but if the Chinese imposes [curbs on other critical materials], that will be a longer-term problem," said Counterpoint's Wang. "China also has to be careful because blocking exports could hurt Chinese companies as well as they would lose their foreign customers," said Intralink's Randall.

Diversifying away from China

One supplier of the key materials said that factories are gearing up to start production for gallium. The two metals targeted in China's upcoming curbs are not found naturally, and are instead typically created through the process of refining of other metals. "We are getting lots of calls from our customers, there's a lot of activity out there. And we're engaging with the market to make sure we can secure supply," Ross Berntson, president and chief operating officer of Indium Corporation, said on CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" Wednesday. Indium supplies key materials such as gallium and germanium to global electronics and chip firms. "There's approximately 10 factories that could turn on production for gallium right now ... and if we can get those production units turned on, we will have ample gallium in other geographies besides China," said Berntson.

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The recent rally by Coinbase will not be supported by second-quarter earnings or the approval of bitcoin exchange-traded funds, according to Bank of America. Coinbase's core business has been under pressure over the past year, with trading volumes remaining low as bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are stuck in a bear market. The company was also sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in a broad crackdown on the crypto industry. But the stock has rallied sharply over the past month, apparently spurred by applications for bitcoin ETFs from BlackRock and other asset managers. Some of the proposals call for Coinbase to serve as a custodian and a surveillance partner. Bank of America analyst Jason Kupferberg threw cold water on that rally in a note to clients Thursday, reiterating his underperform rating and warning that the projected earnings don't justify the stock price, even if the SEC reverses course and approves the ETFs. "Despite 2Q data suggesting COIN will materially miss top-line estimates, COIN shares have rallied ~60% since 6/15 on the news of spot Bitcoin ETF applications filed by Blackrock and others. Assuming these applications are approved, the magnitude of P & L benefit for COIN may not be as significant as what shares seem to be implying, and the SEC lawsuit vs. COIN is ongoing," Kupferberg said. COIN 3M mountain Shares of Coinbase have rallied sharply since mid-June. In fact, the approval of bitcoin ETFs could hurt Coinbase if its customers shift to using ETFs instead of trading the cryptocurrency directly on the exchange, Kupferberg said. Kupferberg did raise his price target on Coinbase, but by only $2 per share to $49. That is about 43% below where the stock closed Wednesday. Also on Thursday, Barclays downgraded the stock to underweight from equal weight. The company has not yet announced its second-quarter earnings date.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed reporting.
Eddie Nunez emigrated from Peru to the U.S. at age 14 in 2002. Through his nearly 4,000-mile journey, he imagined starting a family and giving them the life he never had. The trip was difficult  he was held up at gunpoint, strip-searched, and robbed along the way  but it didn't get much easier living as an undocumented immigrant in the post-9/11 U.S., Nunez says. Once he and his mother settled in Ashburn, Virginia, he had to push harder to gain what many of his peers were handed: a high school diploma, college education and U.S. citizenship. His mission of starting and supporting his own family drove him to achieve his goals, and then some. Two decades later, Nunez and his wife Stefani Nicole Penaranda now have two children and six streams of income in Lucketts, Virginia. They own a snowplow business and seven real estate properties. Penaranda runs a day care and is a real estate agent, while Nunez works in IT consulting and as a cybersecurity contractor. Last year, their jobs and businesses brought in a total of $420,000, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It.

Eddie Nunez wants to add at least two more businesses to his growing portfolio. Doing so, he says, will create more financial stability for his family. CNBC Make It

Nunez has so many streams of income in order to give his own kids more financial security than he had when he was young. "Coming from Peru, I always knew that money was important, and you only get as far as your efforts," says Nunez, now 34. "I wanted to provide [my family] with everything that I didn't get to enjoy as a child." Running six jobs at once is, he admits, challenging. Still, he's not done adding to the family's portfolio. He and Penaranda are in the process of buying a nearby Peruvian coffee shop.

'Working and working, because you want to achieve'

Before Nunez was a successful business owner, he felt like he had to outwork everyone, he says. It was tough watching other kids at his school receive countless opportunities, while his mom held down three jobs. "Living [in the U.S.] as an undocumented person just means working and working and working, because you want to achieve something," Nunez says. After high school, Nunez began taking nursing classes at Northern Virginia Community College. Classes cost up to $1,700, he estimates, so he could only afford to take one course at a time. In school, he met Penaranda, whose father was then a Bolivian diplomat. The pair fell in love and eloped. Because they were from "two different social classes," Nunez says his in-laws disapproved of the pairing, and threatened to report him to U.S. Border Patrol. While attempting to seek asylum in Canada in December 2010, Nunez was caught at the border, deported back to the U.S. and arrested. Nunez, who says he didn't have previous infractions with the law, couldn't stand being behind bars. While detained in Tacoma, Washington, he went to the prison library and studied his case every day for two months to ensure he knew every detail. When the time came to plead his case in court, he impressed the judge with his diligence and drive to build a successful life in the U.S., Nunez says. In February 2011, he was granted asylum in the U.S. He returned to Virginia, reconnected with Penaranda and reconciled with his in-laws.

'My idea to get to my goals faster was to have different streams of income'

Nunez was more motivated than ever to achieve his goals. He went back to school but switched to studying cybersecurity, hoping to see a quicker return on his investment. In the meantime, Nunez tried everything he could to bring in additional income by attempting to launch a string of businesses. He and Penaranda tried to sell inflatable moon bounces, rent out giant hamster balls, flip cars, and even tried to develop and sell a game they called Torito. All of these endeavors flopped. By the end of 2011, Nunez and Penaranda hit their stride. The couple rented out their basement and guest room to buy a $17,000 snowplow truck. The business saw enough initial success to scale quickly, and the couple worked their way up to a fleet of 10 trucks.

The couple's snowplow business hit its peak after a winter storm in 2016. That week, the business brought in almost $154,000, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. Samantha Schutz

Fickle weather can make their snowplow income unpredictable, which is why the additional five revenue streams come in handy, he says, especially since they've since downsized to two trucks. Penaranda opened her own day care in 2017. She now oversees 12 children, and the company brought in $168,300 last year. As a real estate agent, she made $9,600 in 2022. Nunez graduated with his bachelor's degree in cybersecurity from the University of Maryland in 2018, two years after he officially became a U.S. citizen. Now, he makes about $113,800 from his full-time job as a cybersecurity contractor and freelance consultant. He and Penaranda recently began investing in real estate. Their seven properties collect about $10,800 per month in rent. "My idea to get to my goals faster was to have different streams of income and revenue," Nunez says.

Sustaining the American Dream

Eventually Nunez wants to buy at least two more businesses, as well as twenty more properties to rent out. Real estate ownership provides mostly passive income, and he hopes that his growing business portfolio will eventually be lucrative enough to allow him to hire people to run those companies. That way, he can work less on the day-to-day operations and spend more time with his family, including his in-laws.

Nunez and Penaranda use their income to explore, dine out and travel, he says. Samantha Schutz
A young man cools his face in a public fountain on these scorching hot days on July 11, 2023 in Tempio Pausania, Sardinia, Italy. The record for the highest temperature in European history was broken in August 2021, when 48.8C was registered in Floridia, a town in Italy's Sicilian province of Syracuse.

An intense and prolonged period of heat is sweeping across Europe, with meteorologists warning temperatures in Italy could soon surpass 48.8 degrees Celsius (119.84 Fahrenheit)  the highest temperature recorded in European history.

An anticyclone known as Cerberus, named after the three-headed monster that features in Dante's Inferno, is expected to send temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Turkey in the coming days.

In Italy, meanwhile, temperatures could soon reach as high as 48 degrees Celsius on the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. A red alert warning has been issued for 10 cities nationwide, including Rome, Florence and Bologna.

The hottest temperature thought to have ever been recorded in Europe was 48.8 degrees near the ancient city of Syracuse on the coast of Sicily in August 2021. Scientists at the European Space Agency said that record could be broken again in the coming days.

The Italian Meteorological Society (SMI), meanwhile, told CNBC that it was not yet possible to forecast whether Europe's temperature record would soon be equaled or surpassed.

The SMI did warn, however, that "the wide-scale meteorological configuration is quite similar to the one that brought the exceptional value of 48.8 C in Sicily on 11 August 2021" and the Cerberus heatwave is expected to intensify in southern Italy in the coming days.

Researchers say global heating is strongly increasing the odds of heatwaves such as the one currently sizzling in countries across Europe.
Alex Mashinsky, former chief executive officer of Celsius Network Ltd., leaves court in New York, US, on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Former Celsius CEO Alex Mashinsky was arrested Thursday on federal securities fraud charges, as the bankrupt crypto exchange agreed to $4.7 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission.

Celsius and Mashinsky were also sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in complaints accusing them of scheming to defraud investors out of billions.

Mashinsky pleaded not guilty in Manhattan federal court, where he is charged with securities, commodities, and wire fraud, as well as various securities manipulation and fraud charges. If convicted, Mashinsky and a co-defendant, Roni Cohen-Pavon, face decades in prison.

Celsius' settlement is one of the largest in the FTC's history, close to the record $5 billion fine levied against Meta in 2019, and highlights what the FTC described as repeated deceptions by Celsius and Mashinsky.

The settlement, announced by the FTC, will not be paid until the company is able to return what remains of customer assets in bankruptcy proceedings.

The office of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a charging document that "Mashinsky misrepresented, among other things, the safety of Celsius's yield-generating activities, Celsius's profitability, the long-term sustainability of Celsius' high rewards rates, and the risks associated with depositing crypto assets with Celsius."
A hand holding a smartphone with the Google Bard logo is seen, in front of a computer screen showing Google's logo.

Google is adding new features to its chatbot Bard as it tries to stay ahead of rapidly improving competition from Microsoft -backed OpenAI, Anthropic, and others in the white-hot generative AI space.

The search giant debuted its ChatGPT competitor to the public in March, starting with tests in the U.S. and the U.K. Since then, the company announced new updates at its annual developer conference Google I/O in May. OpenAI's ChatGPT also announced new features in May, including launching the ChatGPT app for iOS and integrating voice prompts.

Here are a few of the updates Google launched Thursday:
Virojt Changyencham | Moment | Getty Images

Office demand declines

That flexibility is helping drive down demand for office space. By 2030, McKinsey predicts, demand for office space will be as much as 20% lower than it was in 2019, depending on the city. While remote and hybrid work is the big reason, the trend toward more desks in less space and shifts to automation were also factored into its analysis. Lower office space demand has companies rethinking how to make their real estate jibe with new work habits. Working in teams and increasing productivity are the top reasons office workers with flexibility give for being on-site.

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Many office environments are not meeting employees' needs. Having spaces for employees that are free from noise and distraction so they can work independently is "critical to job performance," says Jordan Goldstein, a managing principal at architecture firm Gensler. Creating what's called "meeting equity" is also important, so people who are physically in the office and people who are working remotely can conduct business. "The days of a four- to six-person room with a 42-inch flat screen on the wall are over," said Goldstein. Instead, he suggests employers should create an environment where the virtual and physical offices are brought together.

The ripple effect: People moving out

The evolution in office culture has also changed where people are choosing to live. Of the people surveyed who moved after March 2020, 20% said that their move was possible only because they could now work from home more frequently, according to McKinsey. Researchers looked at neighborhoods in San Francisco, Houston and the borough of Manhattan in New York, and found people moved out of expensive, office-dense ZIP codes and into cheaper ones with more mixed use of real estate.

McKinsey's comparison of the pandemic's effect on New York's Financial District and Lower East Side neighborhood showed that mixed-use neighborhoods, with a diverse offering of office, residential and retail space fared the best. The Financial District, which consists of 80% office real estate, a large concentration of workers and an average home price of about $1.5 million saw people leave at more than two times the rate than the Lower East Side, where the average home price is about $500,000 lower and just 7% of real estate is dedicated to office space.

Retail demand is changing
Goodbye, Calibri.

Microsoft has named the next default font for its productivity applications, such as Word and Outlook, after testing five candidates it introduced in 2021. Since then, it's been called Bierstadt. Now it's getting a new name: Aptos.

The move amounts to a subtle refinement for some of the most popular software in the world. Microsoft doesn't take such steps lightly, because its Office products fetch almost 24% of its revenue. They're growing faster than other parts of the business, such as video game content and search advertising, as Microsoft seeks to line up more end users and get existing clients to spend more.

If the core applications look fresh, Microsoft can make a better argument when the time comes to renew subscriptions to Microsoft 365, formerly known as Office 365. The company is now ready to do that, after accepting input from end users about the five new fonts.

"Today we begin the final phase of this major change where Aptos will start appearing as the new default font across Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel for hundreds of millions of users," Si Daniels, principal program manager for Office design at Microsoft, wrote in a blog post published Thursday. "And, over the next few months it will roll out to be the default for all our customers."

Aptos will remain available in the font list under the old Bierstadt name for people who are accustomed to it. Users can also choose to set any other font as the default. That includes older standards, such as Times New Roman, Arial or even Calibri, which has been the default since 2007, before the launch of Office 365 in 2011. Many people perceive Microsoft as a friendlier place since Satya Nadella replaced Steve Ballmer as its CEO in 2014, but that updated identity isn't necessarily reflected when someone starts writing an email in Outlook with a font that predates Nadella.

In 2019, Microsoft asked font designer Steve Matteson to develop a font in the grotesque sans-serif style that includes the classic Helvetica. The company didn't let on that it was considering it as a possible successor for Calibri, Matteson said in an interview with CNBC this week.

At the time, Matteson was still working for the font company Monotype, and he and his colleagues gave Microsoft four or five proposals to look at, without including the names of the contributors. That's important because the designers didn't want his connection to Microsoft to influence the software maker's decision, he said.

Matteson's work with Microsoft goes back to the 1990s. He helped with Microsoft's TrueType fonts for Windows 3.1 and created the Segoe font Microsoft uses for its current logo and marketing materials. He also contributed to the aptly named font Curlz. That was not his proudest moment, he said.

Of the bunch that Matteson and his colleagues sent to Microsoft, they picked his, which at that point was dubbed simply Grotesque No. 2. Then Microsoft gave it a codename, Koyuk. Then he came up with the name Bierstadt, taking the name of a mountain in Colorado, where he lives. In German, Bierstadt means "beer city."

Some people didn't take the name seriously and Microsoft decided to come up with a new one for the font, Matteson said. Aptos, an unincorporated town in Santa Cruz County, California, came to his mind.

"Aptos has this unique coastal climate, where it's a beach, and all the way up to the redwoods," he said. "It's what I loved about California is the diversity, and it kind of told me that there's all these different moods and experiences you can have. Similarly, with Aptos, you have all these different voices you can speak in without distorting the message."

Matteson came up with a serif version of the font, along with a monospace version that can work for typing out code. He's worked on monetary symbols and support for Greek and Cyrillic languages. He collaborated with Microsoft to ensure it will work well in different scenarios. If one were to convert cells in an Excel spreadsheet from Calibri to Aptos, it's unlikely that numbers in a cell will overflow into the one next to it, he said.

He hasn't seen every response to the font. But he has observed people saying that in Bierstadt, a lowercase L and a capital I can't be mistaken for each other.

Still, Matteson has nothing but respect for Calibri and its creator, Lucas de Groot.

"I can understand Microsoft wanting to, you know, make a change, but I don't think there's ever been anything wrong with Calibri," he said.

WATCH: Satya Nadella reflects on his nine years of leading Microsoft
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the results of the NATO summit in Vilnius this week, thanking the governments supporting his country after the summit got off to a more tense start when Zelenskyy initially called NATO's lack of a timeline for Ukraine's membership "absurd."

Kyiv endured a third consecutive night of airstrikes from Russia, with the city's military administration reporting "massive" overnight strikes by Iranian-made Shahed drones in which at least one person was killed.

The Kremlin reacted with hostility to the outcome of the NATO summit, calling the Group of Seven countries' pledge of security guarantees for Ukraine a "very dangerous mistake" and saying it will respond with "all means and methods at our disposal."
Striking Writers Guild of America (WGA) members walk the picket line in front of Netflix offices as SAG-AFTRA union announced it had agreed to a 'last-minute request' by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for federal mediation, but it refused to again extend its existing labor contract past the 11:59 p.m. Wednesday negotiating deadline, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 12, 2023.

Hollywood actors are officially headed to the picket line.

Unable to reach a deal with producers, members of The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists joined more than 11,000 already striking film and television writers Friday morning.

The failed negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers means film and television productions featuring actors will immediately halt, essentially shutting down Hollywood. It'll be the first tandem strike in the industry since 1960.

"We are the victims here," said Fran Drescher, president of the actors union, during a news conference Thursday. "We are being victimized by a very greedy entity. I am shocked by the way the people that we have been in business with are treating us."

"It is disgusting," she said in fiery remarks. "Shame on them."

SAG-AFTRA members are already taking the strike seriously. "Oppenheimer" actors left the film's London premiere Thursday. Director Christopher Nolan told the crowd that the cast left and are "off to write their picket signs." The film opens next week.

During the strike, actors will not be permitted to promote past projects through conventions, interviews or panels. This includes any Emmy Award campaigning. Nominations for the annual award show were announced Wednesday and the ceremony is set to take place Sept. 18 on Fox.

Heading into negotiations last month, Hollywood performers were looking to improve wages, working conditions, and health and pension benefits, as well as create guardrails for the use of artificial intelligence in future television and film productions. Additionally, the union is seeking more transparency from streaming services about viewership so that residual payments can be made equitable to that seen on linear TV.

"You cannot change the business model as much as it has changed and not expect the contract to change, too," Drescher said.

The Writers Guild of America, which has been on strike since May, is seeking higher compensation and residuals, particularly when it comes to streaming shows, as well as new rules that will require studios to staff television shows with a certain number of writers for a specific period.

The guild also is seeking compensation throughout the process of pre-production, production and post-production. Currently, writers are often expected to provide revisions or craft new material without being paid.

The WGA also shares similar concerns over the use of artificial intelligence when it comes to script writing.
Jakarta governor-elect Anis Baswedan (R) and his deputy governor-elect Sandiaga Uno (L) hold hands during a press conference in Jakarta on April 19, 2017. Adek Berry | AFP | Getty Images

When Sandiaga Uno was appointed Indonesia's minister of tourism and creative economy, it could not have come at a worse time. It was December 2020, and the Covid-19 pandemic had prevented people from visiting the country for months. "I was the minister of tourism and with zero tourists," Uno told CNBC's Christine Tan, speaking at an event in Singapore last month. Indonesia had around 16 million overseas arrivals in 2019, according to government data, and by 2021, the figure dropped to 1.6 million. In 2022, numbers increased to 5.5 million arrivals. "I said [we] might as well, let's not have a ministry. We have zero tourists, but then I realized, millions of people have lost their jobs  we were really in a very, very difficult time," Uno said. Indonesian President Joko Widodo told Uno: "'You know what to do,'" Uno recalled. "I had zero clue, what I was going to do, but I was thinking [about] what could really matter to the people." It wasn't the first time Uno  a multi-millionaire entrepreneur and businessman before he became a politician  had a tough career brief. Finding himself unemployed after the financial crisis in Asia in 1997, he set up investment company Saratoga Capital, initially to help failing firms. Being offered the tourism role during the Covid crisis could have been destiny, Uno said, given this experience.

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"Maybe this is just my fate, because when I started my business, I focus on company that needs restructuring, company that needs fundraising, basically the company that needs to be revived," he said. "[The tourism] sector was home of 45 million Indonesians, and close to 5 million Indonesians lost their job," he said.

Entrepreneurial mindset

Uno told the ministry: "You need to have a startup mentality, because you're starting from zero." The team learned some hard lessons when it came to building the industry back up, he added. "When the [visitor]  numbers dropped to zero  we forgot about [the] domestic economy. We were targeting foreign tourist arrivals. But we have 280 million people  and this year, we're targeting 1.4 billion movement[s] of domestic tourists," Uno told CNBC. Alongside this tourism push, Uno's remit is to help the country's creative industries such as food, fashion and craft industries grow via digital means. Twenty-three million Indonesians work in the sector, and the digital economy will be worth $140 billion this year, up from $70 billion in 2019, Uno said. Digital connectivity is not distributed evenly, given there are more than 17,000 islands in the region. "We need to bring up to $50 billion in the next years to  focus on our digital infrastructures," Uno said. "You have beautiful destinations, you have amazing opportunities for small medium enterprises, but [if] you cannot have the connectivity, then it's going to be put to waste," he added. Uno started his career in banking in 1990, taking an MBA at George Washington University in 1992 before joining oil and gas company NTI Resources in 1995. In 2013, he and business partner Edwin Soeryadjaya took the investment arm of Saratoga Capital public after operating it for around 15 years, raising $150 million. Later that year, Forbes named Uno one of Indonesia's richest people, with a net worth of $460 million. "The listing was successful, and I'm very grateful. And I was asked by some of the government leaders to think about joining political parties [but I] continued to refuse," Uno said.

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But in 2015, he was approached by Prabowo Subianto, who is currently Indonesia's defense minister. "He said that: 'You have been successful, and you have been wealthy and prosperous because of Indonesia. It's time for you to contribute back to your country.' And that's what I did," Uno said.

A multi-million dollar campaign
Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading.

Alphabet  The Google parent company added 4.4% after launching its large language model, Bard AI, in Brazil and the European Union.

Cirrus Logic  The chipmaker fell more than 3% in midday trading after it announced in an 8K filing plans to slash 5% of its workforce.

Nvidia  Stock in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence powerhouse added 2.2%. Nvidia invested $50 million into Recursion to help drive AI-based drug discovery, the company said Wednesday.

Disney  Shares of the media giant rose less than 1% after the company said it will extend CEO Bob Iger's deal two years, through 2026. Bank of America reiterated its buy rating on Disney following the news.

Carvana  Shares tumbled 7% after being downgraded to underweight from neutral by JPMorgan, which said the used-car dealer's valuation has "disconnected materially from fundamentals." Carvana has soared about 700% this year. The Wall Street firm's price target of $10 suggests 74% downside from Wednesday's close.

SoFi  The financial technology stock slipped 1.4% after Morgan Stanley downgraded it to underweight. Morgan Stanley said SoFi should be valued more like a bank and a fintech company.

ViaSat  ViaSat shares tanked 29% for their worst day on record after the company revealed a malfunction with its recently launched communications satellite. The company disclosed late Wednesday that an "unexpected event" occurred during reflector deployment that could affect the performance of its Viasat-3 Americas satellite.

Shopify  The online purchase processor added 5.5% in midday trading, building on its strong gain from the previous session, after chief executive Tobi Lutke announced in a video on Twitter plans for an AI assistant tool into its platform for entrepreneurs.

Amazon  Shares of the e-commerce giant climbed 2% after the company said its Prime Day was the "biggest ever" with online sales climbing to $12.7 billion.

Progressive  Shares of the insurance company fell about 11% after Progressive reported results for June and the full second quarter. While the company swung from a loss to a profit compared with last year, its combined ratio was above 100 for both the quarter and the month, meaning its profits came largely from investment gains and not underwriting activity. Additionally, the company's $14.72 billion in net premiums written for the quarter was below the $15.04 billion expected, according to StreetAccount.

 CNBC's Samantha Subin, Yun Li, Jesse Pound, Michelle Fox and Alex Harring contributed reporting.
HSBC identified key stocks in the supply chain that may benefit from Tesla's push into humanoid robots. Tesla launched its human-shaped robot, called "Tesla Bot," last September. The company claims it will eventually be capable of "performing unsafe, repetitive or boring tasks." In May, the company showed off a significantly improved version . It highlighted progress in walking posture, control of joint actuators, environmental sensing capabilities, and artificial intelligence training. But compared with its more seasoned counterpart, Boston Dynamics' Atlas, the Tesla Bot lacks advanced motion control capabilities, HSBC said. The Atlas, launched in 2013, can perform complex tasks like jumping onto platforms and doing backflips, while the Tesla Bot can only walk, the investment bank said. However, HSBC's report noted two key areas in which Tesla may beat Boston Dynamics in the race toward commercialization: cost and AI capabilities. Chief executive Elon Musk previously said that the Tesla Bot is expected to retail at around $20,000 per unit, much cheaper than the Atlas' reported price tag of $150,000. The report also highlighted Tesla's advanced AI capabilities, developed through its work on autonomous driving technology. The analysts said Tesla's progress in training AI for its robot  using knowledge derived from its self-driving cars  will be a crucial factor in commercializing the product. "Given that many components of the [Tesla Bot] overlap with Tesla's existing EV production line, we see a cost advantage," said analysts led by Helen Fang, head of industrials research at HSBC, in a note to clients on July 10. The table below shows the five buy-rated stocks expected to be in the supply chain for such robots, according to HSBC. The analysts expect several opportunities for investors as the global service robotics market is forecast to grow from $34 billion in 2020 to about $110 billion in 2026. These companies  Japan's Keyence, South Korea's LG Energy Solution, Chinese firms Inovance, Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), and Zhejiang Sanhua  are involved in different aspects of the supply chain for humanoid robots, HSBC said. They manufacture vital components such as machine vision systems, control systems, servo motors, and human-computer interaction display systems. At the moment, humanoid robots are primarily being used for simple tasks like logistics-handling in warehouses, and consumer services, such as acting as tour guides, according to the bank's research. However, more advanced and capable robots like the Tesla Bot may soon be able to perform complex tasks in industries ranging from health care to manufacturing, HSBC forecast. HSBC also cautioned investors that this sector has significant hurdles and risks. "We believe that for humanoid robots to thrive, they will need to perform tasks on par with their substitutes or offer stronger general intelligence to operate in an undefined environment," the analysts said. "We suspect that this will take time to perfect, just like it is taking longer than the industry expected to achieve advanced Level 5 autonomous driving given the need to acquire so-called long-tail corner cases (driving situations that occur outside of normal operating parameters)." It also highlighted the prospect of increased competition as more companies, such as Xiaomi and Dyson, express interest in the humanoid robot sector.
UBS upgraded AstraZeneca 's stock to a "buy" rating despite the drugmaker's trial of a lung cancer medication recently delivering poor results. The investment bank said the subsequent drop in the pharma giant's stock price now meant that "investors can come back to the stock for the performance of in-market products." London-listed shares of AstraZeneca dropped by 8% in a single day, the most in years, after releasing the results of the "TropionLung01" trial for drug candidate "Dato-DXd." The big pharma stock also trades on U.S. exchanges under the ticker AZN . "We find the market reaction understandable given consensus had expectations for the drug in settings that the Lung01 trial in any case would have struggled to substantiate," the UBS analysts led by Michael Leuchten said in a rsearch note to clients on July 12. AZN remains a highly innovative company with an ambition to start 30 phase 3 trials this year. Its historical hit rate is high. Analyst, UBS Michael Leuchten AZN-GB 1Y line The analysts said that despite this setback, it would be a mistake to view Dato-DXd as a marginal asset or to underestimate AstraZeneca's antibody-drug-conjugate platform  medicines that the company claims "deliver highly potent chemotherapy agents to kill cancer cells." However, the investment bank cautioned that this area is more complex than previously assumed. The bank also highlighted AstraZeneca's history of innovation and its high success rate in clinical trials in the research note to investors. "AZN remains a highly innovative company with an ambition to start 30 phase 3 trials this year. Its historical hit rate is high. Antibody-drug conjugates are still an interesting platform in oncology, and AstraZeneca is a leading player in this field," the analysts said. UBS expects shares of AstraZeneca to rise by 27% to 13 ($16.8) a share over the next 12 months. In addition, UBS analysts said that AstraZeneca still possesses FDA-approved blockbuster drugs with solid market positions, making up about 25% of estimated product sales in 2023 and over half the five-year sales growth. These include Imfinzi, a drug for bile duct or gallbladder cancer, and Tagrisso, a treatment for non-small cell lung cancer in adults. The Swiss bank said it views Tagrisso "as one of the most important near- and medium-term growth drivers for AstraZeneca, with a reasonably long lifespan and a high level of profitability" despite facing potential competition from Johnson & Johnson's MARIPOSA trial this year. The analysts also added that AstraZeneca does not face a potential "patent cliff" problem. They said the company's top line will slow into 2025, but the growth from Tagrisso, Imifinzi, and Calquence, a non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment, will more than offset any possible reductions.
A nurse prepares doses of the Pfizer vaccine during a COVID-19 vaccination event at Josephine's Southern Cooking in Chatham, Illinois, Dec. 30, 2021.

The Biden administration on Thursday urged Pfizer , Moderna and Novavax to price their updated Covid vaccines at a "reasonable" rate when they roll them out in the U.S. this fall.

In a letter addressed to the shot manufacturers, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said price gouging the new jabs would take advantage "of the trust the American people have placed in you through the COVID-19 response."

None of the three manufacturers have disclosed the exact pricing of their upcoming single-strain vaccines, which they are designing to target the circulating omicron subvariant XBB.1.5.

Pfizer and Moderna earlier this year said they expect to price their shots between $110 and $130 per dose, a nearly fivefold increase over current prices for existing vaccines.

That estimate has drawn criticism from lawmakers, who note the two companies and their executives have made significant profits from the shots during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The price points for the shots will be crucial in the fall, as the federal government is expected to shift Covid vaccine distribution to the commercial market. That means the manufacturers will sell their updated jabs directly to health-care providers rather than to the government.

A Moderna spokesperson reiterated the company's previous remarks about being ready in time for the fall with ample vaccine supply.

A spokesperson for Pfizer, meanwhile, referred CNBC to a release from last month, which says the company expects to be ready to ship its new shots immediately in the fall, pending regulatory review and approval.

A Novavax spokesperson said the company appreciates its "continued collaboration and partnership" with the U.S. government and intends to make its new vaccine available by late September.

"As we approach this transition, we expect that companies will look to the example that the U.S. government has set in eliminating access hurdles for the American public," the HHS said in a statement.

The HHS said it expects the manufacturers to work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other payors to ensure they have the required information to cover the updated shots in the fall. The department also advised the manufacturers to plan their regulatory applications to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for their respective shots.

The HHS said preparing those submissions early would allow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make recommendations for the shots by September.

Federal and corporate programs are planning to help shoulder the out-of-pocket costs of updated shots this fall for uninsured Americans.

That includes the Biden administration's HHS Bridge Access Program, a temporary effort that will provide free Covid shots and treatments to uninsured Americans once those products move to the commercial market.

Pfizer and Moderna also intend to launch patient assistance programs for their Covid shots. But there are still outstanding questions about what those efforts will look like.
The U.S. is leading the way in artificial intelligence jobs, and many of them easily pay six figures, according to new data from the global job search platform Adzuna.

There were 7.6 million open jobs in the U.S. in June, according to the Adzuna database, with a growing share calling for AI skills: 169,045 jobs in the U.S. cited AI needs, and 3,575 called for generative AI work in particular.

Some of the most common jobs include tech roles you'd expect, like software engineer, product designer, deep learning architect and data scientist. But one fast-growing role where there's "absolutely a shortage" of qualified applicants is tax manager, says James Neave, Adzuna's head of data science.

Accounting and consulting firms are increasingly looking to hire accountants and tax managers with the right AI skills to make the business more efficient using large language models, he says.

The average tax manager job that'll use AI pays $100,445 a year, according to Adzuna data. Overall, the average job using the skill pays $146,244.

AI jobs have been around for decades but exploded in recent months as ChatGPT entered the scene in late 2022. Ever since, companies hoping to stay on the cusp of emerging technology have been desperate to hire people with skills to build the technology and implement it into their workflows, such as by building chatbots to improve customer service or processing large amounts of data to make business decisions.

One recent survey of LinkedIn's Top Companies found nearly 70% say AI is already helping them be faster and smarter, and another 32% say they expect to see larger gains from using it in the coming years. Companies like EY explicitly listed AI as one of their top three hiring priorities, while Wells Fargo and Kaiser Permanente are implementing it across their workflows.

"It's a super important skillset employers are looking for, across all industries," Jay Shankar, vice president of global talent acquisition at Amazon Web Services, told CNBC Make It in April. "AI is practically everywhere now  and to me, if there's one technical skill you want to learn, that's the area to focus on."

Those interested in building their generative AI skills can look into certification and training courses online, from the University of Michigan, Coursera and other e-learning platforms.

It could be a reliable skill in an unpredictable market that's seen some big-name tech layoffs in recent months, Neave says. People looking for high-paying roles should keep an eye on AI in the second half of the year in particular, he says.

And the U.S. seems to be leading the way in building its AI talent pool: While the U.S. advertised nearly 173,000 open AI roles in June, India posted 25,900 jobs and the UK listed 16,825 jobs during the same period.

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Check out: Stanford and MIT study: A.I. boosted worker productivity by 14%those who use it will replace those who dont
Debate has swirled this year over whether improving artificial intelligence will help humanity or threaten the species. But since it's clear that large language learning models aren't going away, one idea gaining currency today is that crypto's blockchain technology could help keep in check at least a piece of the societal risk. It's an opportunity worth watching for investors, and crypto speculators have recently been doing just that. AI-related cryptocurrencies jumped Wednesday after memecoin influencer Elon Musk announced the launch of his new artificial intelligence company , xAI. They saw a similar spike in May after Nvidia reported booming demand for chips that power AI applications. It may be too early to find serious investing opportunities. For many, the current climate looks like a chaotic combination of two young technologies that few understand, coming together to recreate dot-com era levels of hype. Others see the crossover between the worlds of AI and cryptocurrency as inevitable. "There are going to be some silver and bronze wins, but the big gold medal out there that people are chasing is marrying these crossover strengths around automation and efficiency"  two of the main values of both AI and crypto, said Jack O'Holleran, co-founder and CEO of blockchain company Skale. Grayscale Investments recently highlighted three potential risks posed by AI that crypto could potentially limit: identity verification, centralization and data ownership and privacy. "Consumers' ability to maintain privacy over this data remains paramount," regardless of whether or not companies choose to monetize user data, Grayscale said in a report. "In the most extreme risk, access to and exploitation of confidential information could lead to harmful consequences, such as identity fraud, unauthorized access to banking info, potential discrimination, or even blackmail." "We believe blockchain can enable individuals to combat the trend of data monetization and centralized privacy risks by enabling individuals to maintain sovereign ownership over their personal data in a privacy-preserving manner," the report added. O'Holleran said he believes the biggest companies in AI either don't exist or are early-stage startups. At this point, investors wanting to play the crypto-AI crossover can buy stocks that provide broad exposure to both industries  such as chip manufacturers and some other tech companies  or invest in early AI-related crypto protocols, William Ogden Moore, a Grayscale research analyst told CNBC. Accredited U.S. investors can gain direct exposure to AI-related crypto protocols by investing in private venture fundraising rounds, he added. For unaccredited investors, there are several tokens tradeable on crypto exchanges, but these are extremely early projects with small market capitalizations. Investors should do appropriate research and due-diligence checks. Building opportunities New projects have been popping up this year. The venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz, also known as a16z, led a funding round this summer in Gensyn, which aims to use its blockchain-based computation network to help developers train AI models. Another startup called Giza raised money this week for its platform, which aims to help integrate machine learning into smart contracts. Sam Altman, the man behind ChatGPT parent OpenAI, reintroduced his own crypto-AI hybrid, Worldcoin, this summer. Built on the Polygon blockchain, it aims to offer people a digital wallet and digital ID to help distinguish bots from humans. "So far in 2023, venture capitalists have invested $422 million in crypto applications related to AI, privacy, and identity," according to Grayscale. "In total, the crypto-AI intersection represents more than 10% of total crypto venture capital (VC) funding to date, including two out of the four largest funding rounds." The right time? Smart contracts at the heart of the blockchain movement aren't particularly intelligent the way AI technology is, but they're "phenomenally valuable" for automating payments, O'Holleran said. AI, on the other hand, doesn't have a secure programmable money functionality. "When you combine those two things, the amount of use cases where you can use smart contracts, I believe, will grow exponentially across many high-volume, low-cost, transactional processes and workflows," he said, including transportation, shipping, social, and consumer internet, advertising, technology and gaming. O'Holleran, who began working in AI in 2008, recalled how "reticent" people were at the time to even use the term AI, which was far less advanced than it has since become. "A lot of AI has frankly been doing very basic things or pulling insights for things that are obvious," he said. "We've now hit this knee of the curve  all of a sudden, AI is really smart. I can't tell you how many use cases are sitting out there waiting to be pushed forward because of AI. It's this mass movement." Although blockchain technology is much younger, its community has similarly talked for years about the giant user base it would grow by focusing on the right use cases and building the right products. It hasn't found that explosive growth yet, but market participants say it will if it can move crypto past its online casino era and prove it has more everyday utility.
Meta Platforms made headlines last week with the launch of Threads , a text-based social media app challenging Twitter and pitting two heavyweight technology leaders against each other. Threads kicked off with a bang , amassing 100 million users in its first five days, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a post Monday, and that platform hasn't even launched in the European Union . That success translated into Threads outpacing even ChatGPT, the OpenAI chatbot that set off the latest artificial intelligence boom, in the speed at which it attracted new users. Meta now appears to be making strides in building engagement, but how it actually makes money from Threads will play a key role in the platform's long-term success, investors and analysts said. Meta hasn't shared any advertising strategy yet, and Instagram head Adam Mosseri has said in various interviews that it's focused first on building up the offering. Its entry comes after many advertisers in recent months departed or temporarily halted campaigns on Twitter amid reports of increased hate speech. To be clear, Threads is only in the early innings of a multiyear ball game, and without a clear-cut monetization plan, investors say it's too early to decipher the long-term threat Threads poses. But there's no doubt Twitter faces the most significant headwinds. "It's a land grab right now. Right now, it's PR," said Paul Meeks, portfolio manager at Independent Solutions Wealth Management. "Definitely a huge win for Meta, a huge loss for Twitter. Let's see what happens to Meta financially." Too early to weigh financial success Despite a jaw-dropping start, Wall Street says it's too early to truly determine how profitable Threads can become. So far, Meta hasn't shared a monetization strategy, including how it will create a stream of advertising revenue for Threads that can mirror what Facebook and Instagram generate. "It's all about credibility, and I don't think anybody, even an aggressive Meta analyst, would be able to say that it's going to be a financial boost anytime soon," Meeks said. Evercore ISI's Mark Mahaney wrote in a recent note that Threads "poses very little downside" risk to Meta's business, offering "upside optionality" for revenues and profits. He views the app as a smart way to take advantage of Twitter's "turbulent execution" and tap into a strong, active user base. Near-term financial upswings appear uncertain, but Mahaney forecasts Threads can attract 200 million daily active users and generate $8 billion in annual revenue  adding 5% upside  to Meta's 2025 estimates. That would add an additional $1.50 in earnings per share, he wrote. With a clear-cut monetization strategy likely years in the future, many investors simply remain focused on engagement, a key metric that can eventually lure advertisers. Strong numbers may foreshadow long-term success. Deepwater Asset Management's Gene Munster, for example, views Threads as a way for Meta to gather more data to harness for its own ad attribution model and offer more insights to lure advertisers from competitors over time. "You may never see ads on Threads, but the data they're collecting is insanely valuable, and I think substantially more valuable than what Meta doesn't need, which is more ad space to sell," Mark Douglas, founder and CEO of MNTN recently told CNBC's " The Exchange ." "They're not supply constrained, they're demand constrained." Even so, Meeks warns an advertising boon for Threads could "cannibalize" Meta's popular Instagram and Facebook platforms, diverting resources from what are already money-making machines. Headwinds to Twitter More broadly, Threads may rattle the social media industry and, over the long haul, snatch some competitors' cherished advertisers. But its entry poses the biggest risk to Elon Musk's Twitter, according to Wall Street. The social networking services company, taken private by the Tesla CEO for $44 billion last year , is already seen to be fumbling. Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince shared in a screenshot posted to the platform Sunday that traffic on Twitter appears to be "tanking" as Threads gains steam. Data from web analytics company Similarweb suggests Twitter traffic fell 5% during the first two days of Threads' availability, and is down 11% compared with the same period in 2022. Last week, Musk's longtime lawyer Alex Spiro wrote a letter to Meta accusing it of "unlawful misappropriation" of trade secrets. In a constantly innovating industry with few protected patents, Meeks sees few paths for Musk and others to slow the rise of Threads, especially as it taps into Meta's existing database of two billion customers. The platform is easy to use, enabling users to seamlessly convert Instagram followers, and offers user interface skills companies such as Snap and Pinterest would struggle to replicate, he added. Elevation Partners co-founder Roger McNamee said Meta and Threads face a long, uphill climb. The early Facebook and Google investor told CNBC's " Squawk on the Street " this week that he views the past success of Twitter as a "fluke," born of "being in the right place at the right time." He referred to the platform as "never a great product," one which struggled with an array of content moderation, not to mention profitability issues. "For Meta to do better than that, I think is entirely realistic because I think the people are smarter than the people who've been running Twitter over the years," he said. "But I don't know how big that market is and whether it's enough to make a really big difference on Meta's income statement, which is so much bigger than Twitter's."
Imran Khan was booked for several cases after clashes erupted between police and his supporters when he appeared before a court in the Judicial Complex on March 18. Islamabad-based Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) refused to grant the plea with remarks that Khan must appear in court and issued a bailable arrest warrant for him, according to PTI.

A Pakistans anti-terrorism court on Thursday issued a bailable arrest warrant against former premier Imran Khan for failing to appear before it in connection with a case related to violence that erupted at the Judicial Complex here in March.

Several cases were registered in different police stations of Islamabad against 70-year-old Khan after clashes erupted between police and his supporters when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party chief appeared before a court in the Judicial Complex on March 18.

Khan was booked in early March along with several leaders of his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf for clashes with police and destroying properties outside the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) and the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Islamabad-based Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain presided over the hearing and demanded the presence of Khan whose legal team requested his exemption from the in-person hearing.

The judge refused to grant the plea with remarks that he must appear in court and issued a bailable arrest warrant for him and other PTI Leaders including Farrukh Habib, Shibli Faraz and Hassaan Niazi.

The court then adjourned the hearing till July 19 and issued orders for Khan and others to appear.

According to his party, Khan has been facing about 200 cases which have been registered since his ouster from power in April last year.
In a televised address to the nation, Shehbaz Sharif also said his government has cleared the "landmines" spread in the way of Pakistan's interests by former prime minister Imran Khan.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday assured the nation that his government will hand over the reins of the government to an interim setup in August to steer it through the general elections.

In a televised address to the nation, Shehbaz Sharif also said his government has cleared the "landmines" spread in the way of Pakistan's interests by former prime minister Imran Khan

This comes a day after Sharif, the president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, said at a ceremony in Islamabad that Parliament would complete its term on August 14 to pave the way for interim government and elections.

Sharif, who was sworn in in April last year, stated that he was given the sacred responsibility to run the country as the prime minister

We will hand over this responsibility in August 2023 to the caretaker government, he said.

Under the Constitution of Pakistan, general elections must be held under the supervision of a neutral caretaker government so that a level playing field is available to all political parties.

The caretaker prime minister is appointed by agreement between the outgoing prime minister and the leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.

If they fail to agree on a name, the prime minister and the leader of the Opposition send their names to a bipartisan committee to agree on a name within a given time period.

If the committee also fails, the same names are sent to the Election Commission of Pakistan, which appoints one of them as the prime minister.

The caretaker prime minister appoints a Cabinet to run the affairs of the country and his tenure ends as soon as the new prime minister takes oath after elections.

It is so far not clear who would be the caretaker prime minister but political parties are having consultations to appoint one with consensus.

Sharif in his address said that his government in a short period of 15 months tried to clear what he termed as the rubble of destruction left by his predecessor Khan.

Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party , was ousted from power in April last year after the National Assembly passed a no-confidence motion against him.

We cleaned the landmines spread in the way of Pakistans interests, he said.

He said that the government had been successful in dousing the fire caused by the mismanagement, inefficiency and conspiracy by the former government.

This brief 1.5-year period was a journey from the darkness of hopelessness to the light of hope  it was the beginning of gaining something after losing everything  it was a journey of returning towards development from anarchy and chaos, he said.

He took credit for facing some of the toughest challenges and tackling the problems and setting a direction of the economy and the country.

The address was made on the day the International Monetary Fund provided USD 1.2 billion out of USD 3 billion which the global lender approved for the cash-strapped country.

It averted the threat of default and would help the caretaker set up to focus on the election without worrying about the economic situation of the country.

.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s promise to build and turn over one million low-cost housing units annually could be realized by 2025 and the initial salvo of the turnover could happen next year, Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Acuzar told CNN Philippines on Thursday.

Acuzar said the governments program will build vertical housing projects that will be mainly in-city development to provide beneficiaries easier access to work, school, and other services. But no project has been completed yet during the first year of the administration, he said.

The Marcos administration earlier vowed, through its flagship housing project Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program, to provide 6 million low-cost homes for Filipinos who are homeless or minimum wage earners. The project aims to build one million units yearly to solve the countrys 6.5 million housing backlog.

READ: 1.2 million housing units began construction since assuming office  Marcos

Acuzar said he hopes to turn over by next year a total of 100,000 housing units in Bulacan, Metro Manila, Pampanga, Bicol, Cebu, and Zamboanga.

Walang made-deliver pero may naumpisahan na [Nothing will be delivered yet but we have already started projects], he said in an interview on The Source, recalling that the chief executive inspected earlier this month a government housing project in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Kasi building yan eh, he added. Ang paggawa ng building it takes about a year and a half to two years. Hindi ko naman puwedeng madaliin kasi mawawala yong integrity ng building, siyempre kailangan matibay.

[Translation: The projects will be buildings. The construction of buildings takes about a year and a half to two years. I cannot rush it because the building may lose its integrity, it needs to be strong.]

Acuzar, who is a contractor and developer, said there are also other considerations such as the weather as storms and heavy rains may delay the completion of the construction projects.

Don sa pacing na hinahanap namin  at wala sanang other problems na dumating sa pagpapatayo ng building  kakayanin. Kunwari, wag lang bumagyo nang dire-diretso, eh di dire-diretso yong pagtayo ng building, he also said.

[Translation: In the pacing that we want  hoping that we will face no other problems  its feasible. For example, if there are no storms that come one after the other, then we can finish multiple projects.]

Acuzar said the departments efforts should be synchronized to achieve the six million units built by 2028, adding the target is doable as the governments housing program utilizes funds from private developers. Congress only allocated around 3 billion to his department for its 2023 budget.

Pag yan ang ginamit ko wala akong magagawa. Maghihintay ako ng government funds, last year magkano binigay ng Congress sa amin 3 billion tapos gagawa ka ng backlog mo na 6.5 [million units]. Saan ka makakarating? he said.

[Translation: If I only use government funds, I will accomplish nothing. Last year, Congress allocated us P3 billion and our mandate is to solve the backlog of 6.5 million units. Where will it lead me?]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13)  The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to speed up negotiations on the long-delayed code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.

In a joint statement after a meeting among their top diplomats, the 10-member bloc and Beijing vowed to "work toward the early conclusion of an effective and substantive" set of rules seen to minimize the potential for conflict in the disputed waterway.

The Associated Press (AP) reported that ASEAN and China have resolved to try to conclude the COC within three years, citing a Southeast Asian diplomat who asked not to be named.

Beijing's expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea clash with those of four ASEAN member-states: the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. For decades, the Southeast Asian nations have been pushing for a legally-binding COC in the area, but critics have noted that progress has been slow due to resistance from the East Asian giant.

RELATED: More nations reaffirm support for PH on 7th anniversary of WPS ruling

During the Thursday meeting, AP also said both sides agreed on a set of guidelines which called for more discussions and "the start of negotiations for the most contentious issues, including whether the regional code should be legally enforceable and its geographical scope."

ASEAN and China also reiterated their pledge to fully implement the non-binding Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) which they signed in 2002, and to respect the territorial integrity of all nations, settle disputes through peaceful means, and renounce the threat or use of force.

Such renewal of commitment came as tensions persist not only in the contested waters, but also in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region due to what observers described as Beijing's aggressive territorial posturing.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, ASEAN foreign ministers expressed "grave concern" over North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile on July 12.

READ: North Korea says it tested an advanced solid-fueled ballistic missile. Here's why adversaries are alarmed

They said they are "deeply dismayed" by the action, as they urged Pyongyang to work towards de-escalating tensions in the Korean Peninsula.

"We reiterated our readiness to play a constructive role, including through the utilization of ASEAN-led platforms such as the ARF (ASEAN Regional Forum)," the ministers also wrote.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13)  Monsoon rains currently drenching parts of the country are not enough to replenish the water in Angat Dam in Bulacan, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The dam's water level on Thursday morning dipped to 178.03 meters  lower than its minimum operating level of 180 meters.

A tropical cyclone is needed to raise Angat's water level, PAGASA said.

"Dapat 'yung bagyo na maraming dalang paulan ang tumawid, dumaan over the Central, Southern Luzon area para sabihin na nating mag-cause ng significant amount of increase in the water level," PAGASA Assistant Weather Services Chief Chris Perez told CNN Philippines.

[Translation: It should be a typhoon with huge amount of rainfall that should pass over the Central and Southern Luzon area to bring a significant increase in the water level.]

"But kung ganitong ulan lang po in the next two to three days, hindi po ito sapat para magkaroon ng significant increase sa water level of Angat Dam," he added.

[Translation: But with this kind of rain in the next two to three days, this is not enough to bring a significant increase in the water level of Angat Dam.]

Hence, PAGASA urged the public to continue conserving water.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources on Tuesday said the government plans to lessen its dependence on Angat Dam due to its declining water level.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government is set to release its El Nino mitigation plan this week.
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As the number of platforms used in business has proliferated beyond the PC, mobile device management (or enterprise mobility management or unified endpoint management, if you prefer) has become a core competency for IT departments. Apple actually kick-started the MDM market back 2010 when it announced that iOS 4 would offer enterprise management via the Apple MDM framework, and focused that framework on third-party vendors.

Today, business gets done on everything from iPhones to Chromebooks, and each device or platform  not to mention the OS or app versions they run  has its own quirks and requirements. So do the MDM tools to secure and manage those devices and platforms.

Apple represents a majority of mobile devices in business, and macOS is the second biggest platform in business computing. Virtually every company today has Apple products used within it, meaning Apple MDM is a crucial component of todays IT stack. iOS devices, Macs, and even Apple TVs are all managed by same Apple MDM framework. Some MDM vendors build their products specifically around this framework and Apple. Others incorporate support for Android, chromeOS, and Windows. With a truly broad set of options, picking the best one isnt always easy.

Like many parts of IT infrastructure, MDM needs to integrate with a variety of core disciplines, particularly identity management, user support and self-service portals, network management, and security. Investing in the right platform should make the lives of IT administrators, end users, and anyone in between more friction-free, while choosing the wrong MDM can create headaches, bottlenecks, and support tickets.

So how do you make this selection? More importantly, if youre already using an MDM platform (Apple-focused or not) and it isnt the best fit, how do you invest in, and transition, to one of the other options out there? What questions do you need to ask yourself and potential vendors?

1. What devices are in my inventory, and do I need to manage them all using MDM?

If youre reading this, its probably a safe assumption that you have at least some iPhones, iPads, or Macs to manage. But what exactly does that mean? One advantage to Apple products tends to be that theyre long lived, which means they deliver a lot of value. It also means you may have a number of older Macs and iOS devices. Some may be running old OS versions, and some might not be able to run the current versions or be on the chopping block for support in the next year.

Most companies also support a fair number of non-Apple devices, ranging from Android phones and tablets to Chromebooks and Windows PCs.

So you need an accurate count of which devices youre actively managing or going to manage. At the least, youll need basic information like the number of devices, their platform and OS version, whether theyre company-owned or BYOD, and user(s) assigned to them. Ideally youll have much more information than just the basics, particularly if youre already using an MDM, network monitoring tool, or even just a well-maintained device inventory.

The second part of this question is more policy than fact-based. Do all the devices in your organization need to be managed by MDM? Because Apple MDM can be applied to any device including Windows PCs, you could manage everything through MDM, using it as a single solution for all management functions.

There are some reasons not to do this. Windows devices in particular may be better managed through group policies or Azure Active Directory enrollment. This lessens the count of devices (and therefore the cost of MDM) and allows you to maintain legacy management groups and configurations.

You may also be in a situation where you want to use different tools for different segments of your inventory or user groups. You may split devices across multiple management solutions while ramping up a deployment or for a longer period.

2. Will all-purpose or best-of-breed software better suit my needs?

You may find that one MDM option doesnt fully meet your needs. This will most often be an issue when it comes to Apple-focused MDMs that have limited capabilities on Android or other non-Apple systems. It may be worth the overhead to use an Apple-specific product for Macs, iPhones, and iPads if such a product provides more support and capabilities or better workflows for Apple products than a more general solution designed for multiple platforms.

In this case, you should ask the question: do I want I want a single tool thats like a Swiss army knife, or do I want a best-of-breed solution that does one thing  manage Apple products and integrate well with Apple services  really well, even if means Ill need to invest in more tools and management planning?

3. What is the migration path, and how much vendor support will I get?

MDM has become an infrastructure-level component of the modern IT stack. Transitioning from one vendor to another isnt something to take lightly, particularly for devices that can only be managed by a single MDM. Youll need to consider not just the capabilities of potential replacements, but also what the transition from one product to another is going to look like.

This is something thats going vary widely depending on the two products in question, your specific mix of devices, and other details about how your IT stack is configured. Any potential vendor should be willing to invest the time and effort to plot out what a migration path will look like, acknowledge potential speed bumps, and explain how they will help you handle them. They should also be ready to give you contacts from similar migrations theyve done in the past so that you can vet that theyre up to your particular needs.

Not getting your questions answered is a major red flag. Having your questions  and those you may not have thought to ask  anticipated demonstrates that youre working with someone who knows their stuff and how to work with you during and after the transition.

Getting into the details of implementation also includes any back-end transitions that involve you, the potential vendor, and third parties. Apple Business (or School) Manager is one major example. How will the handoff from your old provider to the new one be accomplished?

On the other end, whats involved in shifting the devices themselves from one MDM tool to the other? Theres the obvious fact of unenrolling and then re-enrolling devices, but how does that happen at the device level? Will you need to wipe the devices in the process? To what extent can the process be automated so you dont need to worry about every device? Will users need to play an active part in the transition, and can you prepare and support them adequately?

On these last points, its crucial to remember that BYOD users are using their personal devices. That gives them more of a stake in what happens and requires them to invest more trust in your decisions and processes. From health to banking to personal communications, the level of personal data that we carry around on our phones and other devices cant be overemphasized. This is where you absolutely need to stick the landing. If a vendor cant ensure that you do, thats another major red flag.

4. How will this impact the rest of my stack and operations?

MDM needs to be central to your IT stack, but it is only one piece of it. How it fits with all the other pieces can be even more important than what the MDM software itself can do. This is another question where experience can vary significantly depending on a number of factors.

One of the most important considerations is that a new MDM platform integrate seamlessly with your identity access management tool. This is almost guaranteed if youre using one of the major vendors in this space like Microsoft or Okta, but you will want to triple-check (or more), particularly if you have complex federation between different solutions. Likewise youll need to ensure that other systems like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack, CRM tools, and any in-house services can be supported in a way to doesnt generate too much overhead for your team or create additional administrative tasks for your users.

5. What does self-service and support for users look like?

Implementing a new MDM affects your user base as well as your IT staff. While you may be able to make the deployment go smoothly and have very little direct impact on user experience, that experience doesnt stop when you switch. We live in a time when user self-service is more common and more expected than ever before. What will that look like?

Will there be a significant difference in what users will be able to do to enroll and provision devices and resolve issues on their own? How does the experience as well as the functionality shift, and will there be a learning curve? In an ideal world, self-service (and support more broadly) will improve, with users being able to handle their needs more easily  or at least stay comparable.

The last thing you want is to make any user-facing process more onerous  and today needing to call or message tech support is considered onerous, because everyone, especially young people, are digital natives. We all expect to be able to solve our own issues without making a phone call. Adding/improving self-service capabilities alone is a point in favor of investing in a new provider.

Even if the level of experience improves or remains roughly the same, there will be differences in terms of how users access self-service portals or connect with support. The experience and any user-oriented guides, training, and onboarding processes will change to some extent, but you can work to minimize the changes and acquaint everyone with the new tools.

Engaging users directly as part of the vetting and trial period as well as the lead-up to transition also provides a powerful way to be sure that youre getting everything right and ironing out problems before day one. It also means building momentum and even excitement around the project.

6. What opportunities does this transition offer for IT employees?

Any IT project is an opportunity for staff to expand their horizons and their skill sets. Moving to a new MDM vendor can be a great way to engage people from different IT disciplines in the procurement and deployment process and orchestrate some dialog and cross-training (official or unofficial). IT has become so broad over the years that it can seem like different workers work at different companies altogether. Any major decision and rollout offers an opportunity to get the band together.

Beyond the team building, what can your staff take away from the experience? Are there training and certification programs from potential vendors? Can the integration with new systems be a chance for people to push their boundaries a little? There should be several ways for your team to stretch, grow, and stake out new professional territory that will help them in their current roles as well as in the future.

7. What does post-implementation support look like?

Its worth noting, of course, that training, certification, and such are just a part of the support package that you get from a vendor. What support options are available is a crucial question, so much so that it might seem like Im stating the obvious.

But support comes in many forms and with many different SLAs and commitments (from both parties). In addition to the standard responses when you call for help, support should include active engagement and advice from your MDM vendor, product updates, and day one support for Apples new releases of major OS versions, as well as updates and urgent patches.

You should be introduced to and familiar to with the various team members with whom youll be working during and after deployment. These are people youre going to need to lean on in both good and no-so-good circumstances.

How well you work together is important on day one as well as in six months, a year, or even further down the road. This goes down somewhat to the vendors corporate culture (individuals can and will come and go), but it should also reflect your own department and company culture. The two need to be able to interface successfully. Understanding their vendors culture, working methods, and personalities is as important as understanding your own.

Using the Apple admin community

One of the great things about managing Apple products is the amazing Apple admin community that includes resources, conferences, discussions, and even a Slack presence open to all Apple admins. Dont be afraid to make use of the people within that community for purchase advice; help moving through the selection, setup, and deployment processes; and ongoing information and advice after implementation.

Its also worth noting that every major MDM vendor has its own admin community you can tap into  for instance, Microsoft just officially opened one for Apple Intune and Microsoft 365 admins. If youre considering a product that doesnt have such an active community around it, this might be a sign to be cautious.

Making the call

The process of looking at MDM vendors is going to be a stressful prospect, particularly if youre doing so for the first time or if youre upgrading from a small-business tool like Apple Business Essentials to a full MDM product. The more homework you do in advance and the more you understand your own needs as well as the features of various products, the easier the scouting, decision-making, and eventual adoption will go.

Take the time to really consider each of these questions, your own answers, and the answers of potential providers. If implementing a new MDM is worth doing, its worth doing right.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has launched a new generative AI venture, dubbed xAI, to take on the likes of OpenAI  the maker of ChatGPT.

The goal of xAI is to understand the true nature of the universe, the company said on its official website.

Musk, who was a board member of OpenAI at the time of its inception in 2015, has also roped in Center for AI Safetys director Dan Hendrycks to be a part of xAIs advisory team.

In May, the members of the Center for AI Safety signed an open letter warning that AI evolution could lead to an extinction event and suggested that controlling the technology should be a top global priority.

However, Musk, who has been a vocal critic of ChatGPT and the general direction that other companies are taking on generative AI, said xAI will not look to explicitly program morality into its AI engine but rather try to make it understand the true nature of the universe in order to make it safer, Reuters reported.

xAI, which is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay area, has so far hired 11 AI engineers who have contributed to notable innovations while working at companies such as DeepMind, OpenAI, Google Research, Microsoft Research, Tesla, and the University of Toronto.

These engineers include the likes of ex-DeepMind staffer Igor Babuschkin, former Microsoft staffer Greg Yang, and former Google staffers Tony Wu and Christian Szegedy.

These individuals, according to the newly formed company, have led breakthroughs and development of technology such as the AlphaStar gaming program, Googles Minerva AI, OpenAIs GPT-3.5, and GPT-4 large language models.

The company is also looking to hire experienced engineers and researchers to expand its technical team.

Incorporated in March, xAI is a new legal entity, different from Twitter, which has been renamed X Corp, Musk clarified.

However, Tesla and Twitter will work closely with xAI to design the new generative AI engine, the company said.
Hong Kong: Algernon Yau lauds HK in Bangkok

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau today commended Hong Kongs advantages and vast potential before a business audience in Bangkok, Thailand, with a view to deepening business collaboration between the two places.



Speaking at a reception as part of Think Business, Think Hong Kong, a two-day promotional event organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to showcase the city as a premium business destination, Mr Yau said ties between Hong Kong and Thailand have flourished over the years, propelling mutual growth.



He pointed out that in 2022, the total value of trade between Thailand and Hong Kong amounted to almost US$20 billion, while in the same year foreign direct investment from Hong Kong to Thailand amounted to about US$550 million, making Hong Kong the fourth largest investor in Thailand.



Mr Yau highlighted Hong Kongs business strengths under the one country, two systems arrangement, which he said made it a sound destination for companies seeking access to the Mainland China market and to the rest of the world.



He added that its unique advantages allow Hong Kong to connect global investors with projects along the Belt & Road, while at the same time fostering collaboration and innovation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.



During his stay in Bangkok, Mr Yau also met Thai business leaders to update them on Hong Kongs latest developments and initiatives to attract enterprises and investment.



In the morning, he had a breakfast meeting with the Chief Executive Officer and President of BigC Supercenter Public Company, Aswin Techajareonvikul. Mr Yau then met Rojanin Arthayukti, Director of iberry Group.



Mr Yau also called on the Thai business communitys continued support for Hong Kong's early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) during a lunch with Thailands delegates to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Business Advisory Council.



He reiterated that Hong Kong is committed to broadening and deepening economic integration and co-operation in the region through accession to RCEP.



Additionally, Mr Yau hosted a dinner for some 60 representatives from the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide to exchange views on enhancing trade and business co-operation.



He also paid a courtesy call on Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Han Zhiqiang.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
He stated, Nearly 40 to 45 Muslim families left the village after their shops were attacked and there are merely 300-400 Muslim families living in the area. Local newspapers and media persons also played an important role to agitate the Hindu population by publishing news reports about Love Jihad.

A civil society discussion in New Delhi organised in the wake of the screening of a documentary Maharashtra in the Wake of Hate has saw highlighted how the Holocaust in Fascist Germany did not begin in gas chambers but with hate speech, even as comparing the silence of Indian state authorities with the emerging view in Europe that the Manipur situation is similar to what is happening in Syria and other conflict areas across the world.Sponsored by Karwan-e-Mohabbat, Babloo Lointongbam Singh, an anthropologist and a senior peace activist from Manipur, said, The European Parliament is ready to pass a resolution to help Manipur but the Prime Minister of India has nothing to say even as expressing concern over the elimination of civil societies in the state. The vacuum created by the absence of civil societies is being filled by the right-wing religious groups, he said.The discussion on the theme Mazhab Nahi SikhataWeaponising Religion: Maharashtra, Manipur, Uttarakhand, and Ram Navami Procession, at the Jawahar Bhawan Auditorium, moderated by bureaucrat-turned-civil rights leader Dr Harsh Mander, who said the documentary screened on the occasion reflected the phenomenon of hate speeches and connected hate speech instances to the rise of right-wing ideology in the past few years across states.Directed by Karwan Media fellow Imaad-ul-Hasan on the series of hate speeches delivered at more than 60 rallies organised by a coalition of Hindutva groups, Sakal Hindu Samaj, in the last few months, and the ensuing communal violence, showcased the brutality of the violence that occurred as a consequence of these speeches, administrative complicity and police inaction.Loitongbam, sharing his experiences from the on-ground violence in Manipur, explained the history of the conflicts among the Nagas, the Kukis, and the Meiteis; and how each of these groups has been used by the Indian state to curb the uprisings and insurgency led by the other groups. He claimed, Manipuris amount to 0.4% of Indias population but 64% Manipuris have been booked under the anti-terror law UAPA even before the BJP government came to power.Journalist Anmol Pritam, a journalist with Newslaundry who has documented politics behind the instances of Love Jihad in Uttarakhand, narrated how a local incident of kidnapping was manipulated and turned into a campaign against Love Jihad by local Hindu groups because one of the accused was a Muslim. It led to economic boycott and targeting of Muslim traders and their shops by the local trade association, who enjoy support from local BJP leaders.Anmol also spoke of the role of Swami Darshan Bharti, founder of the right wing Hindutva organisation Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan in fomenting hate and violence against the Muslim community in Purola town of Uttarakhand.Amitabha Pande, retired IAS officer, highlighting the larger implications of hate speech and how it locates itself in the larger right-wing Hindutva ideological framework, spoke of the shared cultural history of Hindu-Muslim relations in the Indian subcontinent and how we have come to the times today where the Hindu identity is being defined in terms of its hatred of the Muslims.He claimed, violence today is deliberate and planned, arguing that the Hindu of today is a creature of Hindutva and Hindutva is the religion of the nation state. Muslims as well as all other groups that stand against the injustices of the ruling government are the convenient other.Apoorvanand, professor of Hindi literature at the University of Delhi, emphasised that the hate violence being orchestrated in Indian society today is structural and organised, regretting, this is being wilfully ignored by the judiciary. He illustrated the ongoing psycho-social pogrom against the Indian Muslims by various state and non-state actors, noting, only an equal rule of law in the country alone can ensure that the prejudices of the majority do not materialise into hate violence against minorities.Neera Chandhoke, former professor of political science at University of Delhi, underlined democracy is possible only if there are responsible citizens. She said that in todays politics of spectacles we are becoming well versed into a shared language of hatred which has turned us from citizens to mere subjects that are a mute audience to the performance of violent communal spectacles.
The Harry Potter series has sold billions of dollars worth of books, movie tickets and DVDs because it's one of those rare series that children can enjoy but won't make adults want to gouge out their eyes.

Author J.K. Rowling had a way of throwing a bone to the grown-ups here and there by slipping in sly little adult references along the way. It's usually done in subtext (like the elderly wizard Dumbledore's homosexual relationship with the male wizard Grindelwald), but sometimes it's right there in the open for anyone perceptive enough to get it.

And sometimes, that shit gets nasty.

5 Dolores Umbridge Gets Gang Raped by Centaurs Via Wikimedia Commons Dolores Umbridge is perhaps the one person in the whole Harry Potter universe who is virtually impossible to like, no matter what angle you choose to piss on her from. Via Hp-lexicon.org

She's like Mussolini and your nosy old neighbor, all rolled into one. The short-lived headmistress of Hogwarts gets off on torturing children, has an unflinching holier-than-thou attitude and, unless David Yates has something stashed for an extended edition of the films, *SPOILER* she gets away with it. *END SPOILER* Advertisement Well, unless you count the part where she is abducted and gang raped by centaurs in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. And if you think we're just filling in the rape stuff with our filthy imaginations, hang on. Near the climax of the book/film, Umbridge is hauled screaming into the Forbidden Forest by a group of centaurs. No one sees what happens next. What you have to realize is that there's a reason Rowling made sure it was centaurs who snatched Umbridge, rather than any of the countless other dangerous creatures in the forest (like the giant spiders). If you're familiar with the mythology of centaurs, seeing a screaming woman get hauled away by a bunch of them gives you the same feeling you get in Deliverance when Ned Beatty falls into the hands of the hillbillies, or when Bruce Willis and Ving Rhames wind up imprisoned by the same in Pulp Fiction. Centaurs rape human women -- that's what they do, that's a central part of their mythology. Advertisement In one legend, centaurs were invited to a wedding feast and attempted to rape the bride. In another, the famous centaur Nessus was killed while trying to rape a woman. That's the point of centaurs as characters -- they have the heads of men and the animal urges of horses. Via Wikimedia Commons Advertisement

And unfortunately, the ... um ... "equipment" to go with it. People on the Internet familiar with the mythology were quick to notice this, as were feminist blogs. After all, showing Umbridge getting dragged away by centaurs would be like having Draco Malfoy getting his comeuppance by having him get hauled into the back of a windowless van by a creepy guy with a wispy mustache. We don't need to see what happens next if we know the context. Getty Advertisement

The thousand-yard stare of a woman who knows her centaurs. Now, if that had been the last time we saw Umbridge in the series, then you could say, OK, maybe these centaurs are different, maybe they just trampled her to death or stabbed her or tied her to a tree and strapped a bag full of oats to her face. But Umbridge comes back, and comes back suffering from some kind of major trauma that didn't involve any damage to the visible parts of her body. Here's Rowling's depiction of her in the aftermath: Professor Umbridge was lying in a bed opposite them, gazing up at the ceiling .... Since she had returned to the castle she had not, as far as any of them knew, uttered a single word. Nobody really knew what was wrong with her, either. Her usually neat mousy hair was very untidy and there were still bits of twigs and leaves in it, but otherwise she seemed to be quite unscathed. Advertisement Advertisement 'Madam Pomfrey says she's just in shock,' whispered Hermione. 'Sulking, more like,' said Ginny. 'Yeah, she shows signs of life if you do this,' said Ron, and with his tongue he made soft clip-clopping noises. Umbridge sat bolt upright, looking around wildly. 'Anything wrong, Professor?' called Madam Pomfrey, poking her head around her office door. 'No ... no ...' said Umbridge, sinking back into her pillows. 'No, I must have been dreaming ...' Hermione and Ginny muffled their laughter in the bedclothes. To Make It Even Weirder ... Two characters watch Umbridge getting dragged away -- Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. At least one of those two knows that centaurs are rape machines. (Hint: It's Hermione, the character whose main purpose in the plot is to know absolutely everything.) Via Scamp.ie Advertisement

"So this is why you spend so much time in that library." Neither of them make an effort to save Umbridge. Potter gets in a witty, James Bond-esque quip as she's being dragged away, and Hermione seems satisfied that mass horse rape is a fitting punishment. We like to think that on the way back to school, Harry asked "So what do you suppose those centaurs are going to do to the professor?" and that Hermione casually described to him how Umbridge would almost certainly be brutally violated by equinely endowed inter-species rapists. And that was the day Harry learned that you do not mess with Hermione Granger. Advertisement Advertisement

"No, you go ahead back. I'm going to just enjoy this for a bit."

4 Magical Date-Rape Drugs Are Legal and Sold in the Open When you have repeated murders, werewolf sightings and evidence of students getting tortured being wholly ignored by the grown-ups in the wizarding community, it only makes sense that something as profound as a date-rape crisis plaguing students at Hogwarts would be placed in the same "do not care" file. Advertisement And we mean that the magical drugs that make it possible aren't even illegal -- they're sold in the open, at the magical joke shop run by Ron's brothers Fred and George Weasley. Advertisement

There's nothing magic about roofies, kids. The love potions in the Weasleys' WonderWitch line alone include such adorable names as Beguiling Bubbles, Heartbreak Teardrops, Kissing Concoction, Twilight Moonbeams and, no joke, Cupid Crystals. Seriously, crystals, and each one of the products can be disguised "as perfumes and cough potions" to hoodwink Hogwarts' already AWOL authorities. Oh, and do they work? According to the Weasley twins themselves, "for up to twenty-four hours at a time depending on the weight of the boy in question--" Advertisement "-- and the attractiveness of the girl."

Even drug dealers are adorable when they finish each other's sentences. In case you think this is just a scam by the jokers to hoodwink horny teenage wizards out of their money, we actually see a love potion in action later. At one point a female wizard named Romilda Vane (who according to Hermione "looked like she meant business") gives Harry a box of chocolates spiked with love potion. Harry doesn't eat them, but his friend Ron does, at which point he becomes a slack-jawed lust-obsessed zombie who has to be cured by a teacher just so he can function again. Advertisement Advertisement

He's just a love machine, and he won't work for nobody but literally anyone. To Make It Even Weirder ... In case you think this is just another movie treating female-on-male sexual assault as lighthearted fun, Rowling goes out of her way to portray the negative consequences. How far out of her way? The villain of the wizard world, Lord Voldemort, was the result of a female wizard using magic to turn a rich guy into a mindless sex slave. It went on long enough for them to birth a child. Advertisement

"Don't you give me that look. You go brush your teeth and get in bed." According to Albus Dumbledore, Voldemort's mother Merope Gaunt grew up in a dump that was the wizard equivalent of impoverished West Virginia. She finally found a man by using either an Imperius Curse (a mind control spell) or a love potion to make a wealthy man named Tom Riddle Sr. her lover, husband and private slave-stud for at least a year. The result of this yearlong sex slavery at the hands of this circus-like freak was Tom Marvolo Riddle, Lord Voldemort, who understandably was a bit of a dick from the get-go. Advertisement Advertisement

"Would you like to talk about your deadbeat family, your pikey grandfather or your rapist mother?"

3 Polyjuice Potion and Temporary Gender Reassignment Polyjuice Potion, a nefarious cocktail that is requested more frequently throughout the Harry Potter series than water, is one of many brews from the wizarding world that is probably illegal everywhere outside of Amsterdam -- more on that later. Advertisement The 'juice enables anyone to take the physical form of any person. It's the perfect disguise, and it's not just their face -- you assume their entire physical body. Genitalia included. Advertisement

"Let's not discuss how I know, but you should probably see a doctor." With that firmly in mind, let's examine some famous uses of the potion in the books. First, dark wizard Barty Crouch Jr. avoided jail by using the potion to take on the body of his own mother. Yeah, that's Norman Bates shit right there. Advertisement And then you have the scene in The Deathly Hallows when Harry's best friend Ron, Hermione, Ron's brothers, Fleur Delacour and others all found out the hard way what it's like to have Harry Potter's junk in their trousers when they took the potion during a ploy to create a bunch of Potter decoys to foil an assassination attempt.

"I have the sudden urge to drive an unreasonably large truck." Advertisement To Make It Even Weirder ... Imagine a universe where this stuff actually existed. To assume the physical form of someone else, all you need is one of their hairs. So imagine the black market in the wizarding world that exists for the hairs of, say, famous starlets, with dudes giving themselves several hours' access to famous genitals. Advertisement Now imagine what pedophiles would do with it. Oh, and did we mention that getting a mix of human and animal hair in the potion turns you into a living, breathing furry? Advertisement

Don't blame us. We're just reporting on the fan fiction that already exists. Hey, speaking of human/animal sex ...
Perhaps no genre is as disreputable as the sex comedy. Naughty by nature, these movies tackle a subject many people consider not meant for polite company. Their plots are often stunningly basic: Its about people trying to get laid. Theyre frequently about younger people, and so they usually cater to younger viewers, who may not have that much experience with sex themselves. The laughs are mixed with titillation, and especially in an era before the internet  back when the opportunity to see naked people randomly was far more difficult  the sex comedy gave impressionable horndogs a chance to check out a little nudity.

Sex comedies arent going for Oscars. They dont even care about good reviews. (If anything, critics derision is merely more enticement for the target audience.) Rude and raunchy, these movies thumb their noses at prudes and squares, who are sometimes the villains in these films. Sex comedies are pure id and pure immature pleasure.

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But, as a result, perhaps no genre runs the risk of aging as badly as the sex comedy. Whats shocking in one era can seem, when seen through modern eyes, just cruel, ugly and exploitative in another. By championing anarchic young (white) male behavior, these movies can perpetuate misogyny and racism. Dont complain to me about woke whining or snowflake sensitivity: Some of these films, including some of the most influential, are just flat-out bad, and no amount of nostalgic rationalizing can take away from that fact. We neednt hang our heads in shame: Adolescence is a confusing time, and were often looking to movies to explain things like sex and love to us since were too young to understand them ourselves. But with hindsight, we can also recognize that some of those naughty sex comedies from our youth are just plain gross. Were old enough to know better now.

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With that in mind, let me just say now that if youre looking for Porkys or Revenge of the Nerds, sorry, they didnt make the cut. Without question, both were huge hits that were instrumental in launching the wave of sex comedies that were so popular in the 1980s. Both catered to younger viewers who wanted a taste of something forbidden at the movie theater. But as culturally significant as they are, theyre just not that good, and their treatment of women (and others) is pretty despicable. Those films are important in the history of the sex comedy, but theyre far from the best.

What Ive tried to do is pick 20 sex comedies that, despite a few objectionable moments here and there, not only hold up but are still really funny. And that meant expanding the idea of what a sex comedy is. Traditionally, the genre is defined by the films that were released from the late 1970s to the present, almost always R-rated, that feature a lot of nudity and swearing. But there are a few key movies before that golden age that helped pave the way for what was to come  those pre-1970s films arent as raucous or graphic, but theyre comedies in which sex is very central to the story. If I can give someone another reason to check out a Marilyn Monroe classic, thats cool with me.

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Lots of funny movies have sexual innuendo as part of them, but I decided that great comedies like Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and Booksmart didnt quite count. Knocked Up is an interesting borderline case  after all, sex is pretty important to the plot  but I had enough Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow elsewhere on my list that I didnt feel I needed that film, too.

Some are going to be mad that The Girl Next Door isnt here: I wish its attitude about Elisha Cuthberts characters former profession as a porn actress was handled a little better. (Also, I think the movie runs out of gas long before the end.) Readers may argue that a few of my picks arent, technically, sex comedies. My counterargument is: Well, they actually are if we broke free of the narrow confines of what we think the genre is. But I dont think Ive gone too far afield on my list, always having in my sights movies that explore whats most hilarious about our insatiable need to screw  as well as our predictable tendency to screw sex up.

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20 Bachelor Party (1984) Made during the height of Tom Hanks zany-comedy era of the mid-1980s, Bachelor Party is exactly what you think its about: Hanks plays a nice guy who proposes to his girlfriend (Tawny Kitaen), prompting his buddies to throw him the titular blowout. Crazy antics ensue, but no matter how raucous things get, its Hanks  years before hed be winning Oscars  who provides the film with a calm, decent moral center. I consider myself an actor before I consider myself a comedian, but Im certainly aware that Im funny and that my movies are comedies, he said in 2009, later adding, People who intellectualize about (comedy) arent funny. Thats true about acting in general. But comedys more instinctual. He proved it in Bachelor Party. Play Advertisement Advertisement

19 The To Do List (2013) Aubrey Plaza has emerged as one of the most interesting actors of recent years thanks to Emily the Criminal and The White Lotus. But shes blazed a trail across indie movies for a while now, including this low-key charmer about an awkward teen brainiac who decides she needs to bone up on sex before going off to college. Plaza turns down the snark for the role, but her off-kilter comedic instincts are very much evident as her virginal character stumbles from one sexual misadventure to the next. The To Do List brought newfound vulnerability to the sex comedy, while suggesting the kind of compelling star that the Parks and Recreation cast member was about to become. Advertisement

18 Road Trip (2000) Long before Todd Phillips made Joker, he directed a low-budget comedy about a group of friends who hit the road so that college student Josh (Breckin Meyer) can get to his long-distance girlfriend Tiffany (Rachel Blanchard), whos been accidentally mailed a sex tape he filmed during a one-night stand with Beth (Amy Smart). Road Trip was a sex comedy that mixed gross-out gags with shameless nudity, delivering the sort of nihilist pre-millennium humor perfectly embodied by supporting player Tom Green. Proudly crude, the film would sow the seeds for Phillips upcoming hits, Old School and The Hangover. Advertisement Advertisement

17 The Last American Virgin (1982) In the late 1970s, writer-director Boaz Davidson made Lemon Popsicle, about a group of Tel Aviv teenagers dealing with unrequited love and raging hormones. A few years later, Davidson came to America and redid the story, setting it in L.A. The Last American Virgin has many of the familiar trappings of the genre  the sexual shenanigans, the conflict between the cool guy and the sweet guy  but while not every element has aged well, theres a bluntness to the proceedings that mark this as a more realistic movie about high-school courtship and hooking up than what you normally see. As funny as the film is, The Last American Virgin is also a little heartbreaking, reminding viewers that those adolescent exploits dont always lead to the hero getting the girl. Advertisement

16 Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) Initially rated NC-17 before last-minute trims and an appeal from writer-director Kevin Smith, Zack and Miri Make a Porno is a romantic comedy with a dirty mind and a clever premise. Buddies Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are low on money and behind on their bills, so they decide to do something radical: star in a porn film that theyll make with their friends. In a sense, Zack and Miri is like When Harry Met Sally: Both films are about the difficulties of straight men and women being just friends, except Smiths movie has far more swearing and fewer faked orgasms. Play Advertisement Advertisement

15 Good Boys (2019) Director Gene Stupnitskys second film was the so-so sex comedy No Hard Feelings. His debut was better, and also a wittier variation on the genre. In Good Boys, three sixth-graders (Jacob Tremblay, Keith L. Williams and Brady Noon) plan to go to a classmates party, where maybe they might be able to kiss a girl! Raunchy and filled with sexual innuendo, Good Boys uses its young protagonists to illustrate how scary and confusing all that grownup stuff around love can be  and also how kids will lie to pretend they know more than they do. This is easily the most adorable, wholesome film on this filthy list. Advertisement

14 Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) Cameron Crowe wanted to write about the reality of high school, so he went undercover, a 22-year-old Rolling Stone journalist pretending to be a teenager. Out of the experience came the book Fast Times at Ridgemont High, which a year later was adapted into this hit comedy about smart-asses, virgins, stoners, raging hormones and random nudity. The film resonated with its young audience, a discovery director Amy Heckerling made first hand: (S)omebody called and said, Hey, you know whats going on with your film? And I was like, No, what? And they were like, Go to the theater. It was in Westwood. So I go there and everybody is saying the dialogue along with the film. This was like two weeks after it came out. And that blew my mind. For Gen-Xers, Fast Times at Ridgemont High became a cultural touchstone, and for younger viewers it was a promise of the excitement and hilarity that awaited them as puberty beckoned. Advertisement Advertisement

13 National Lampoons Animal House (1978) The movie that was the Star Wars of lowbrow comedy, Animal House pitted the lovable losers of Delta Tau Chi against those snobby twits from Omega Theta Pi, offending the campus college administrators and uptight viewers equally. Theres a case to be made that this blockbuster is fairly sexist  the women are basically there to be leered at or tricked  but for its time, Animal House was revolutionary, the Deltas attempts to get laid, get drunk and generally goof off serving as a pointed metaphor for younger Americans anger at Nixon and the Vietnam War. But a lot of audiences didnt read that deeply into the films message: They just enjoyed watching John Belushi check out some boobs. Play Advertisement Advertisement

12 Wet Hot American Summer (2001) One of the best sex comedies is actually a parody of the genre. Written by buddies (and partners in the comedy troupe the State) David Wain and Michael Showalter  and directed by Wain  Wet Hot American Summer took the tropes of bygone films like Meatballs, setting the action at an early-1980s summer camp where the counselors are horny and dumb. Its easy to forget that, at the time of its release, this sly sendup was mostly critically reviled, but history has judged it far more fondly  in part because so many stars got their start here. (Theres Amy Poehler. Hey, look, thats Bradley Cooper.) Many real-life 80s sex comedies were stupid: By comparison, Wet Hot American Summer was stupid-brilliant. Advertisement

11 Pillow Talk (1959) In 2003, Peyton Reed, who went on to make Ant-Man movies, directed Down With Love, a romantic comedy that satirized old-fashioned rom-coms  specifically, the kind that Rock Hudson and Doris Day made in the 1950s and 1960s. The height of their collaboration was Pillow Talk, which might seem too squeaky-clean to be considered a proper sex comedy. But thats overlooking just how sly director Michael Gordon was in telling this love story between two very different neighbors who end up falling for one another. Advertisement Having to be wary of uptight censors, Gordon could only hint at the growing desire between Hudson and Day, using split-screens to make it appear like they were sharing the same bathtub as they flirted on the phone. Modern sex comedies flaunt their raunchy, inappropriate humor in delicious ways, but theres something undeniably witty about the way Pillow Talk makes the characters carnal attraction a wink-wink secret between them and the audience. We dont see the sex, but we can definitely sense whats going on under the surface. Advertisement

10 Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) I can honestly say that at the age I was when I wrote that movie, 24 or 25 years old, getting over a bad breakup was the most vital, visceral and real pain I had experienced, Jason Segel said in early 2023. It was the biggest thing Id gone through at that age and I think watching somebody scramble through new emotions in their life is what makes it funny. Most know that the Freaks and Geeks star based his Forgetting Sarah Marshall screenplay on a real-life dumping  the nude humiliation actually happened, too  which helped propel him to movie stardom. Segel plays the stereotypical nice guy who tries to take his mind off his ex-girlfriend (Kristen Bell) by going on a Hawaiian vacation  only to realize shes there as well, with her new boyfriend (Russell Brand). Advertisement Produced by Judd Apatow, the sleeper hit found plenty of laughs in the feelings of jealousy and self-loathing that are common when your beautiful ex kicks you to the curb and then hooks up with someone who seems far hipper than you are. But Segels character ultimately ends up in a better place  and so have similarly heartsick viewers who related to Segels plight. I hear a lot that people have watched it and its helped them make it through a breakup, which is a really cool thing, he said. Advertisement

9 Girls Trip (2017) Before Girls Trip, Tiffany Haddish dated losers who, according to her, would say things to her like, I dont know why youre wasting your time with this comedy stuff. Its never going to pan out. You just need (to) have a baby. But after this 2017 smash? Now theyre all like, Hey girl. Im so proud of you. I knew you would make it, she said. I just laugh at them. Advertisement Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah were established names, but Haddish was the films scene stealer, her DGAF character teaching her old college chums about the finer points of giving dynamite oral sex while encouraging them to have the time of their lives during a meet-up in the Big Easy. Sexy and confident, Girls Trip was a sex comedy that centered on women for once, and was all the more hilarious because of it. Play Advertisement Advertisement

8 Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001) When Alfonso Cuaron and his son would go to movies, the director would let his kid pick the film sometimes. (B)asically I had to see a lot of crap, Cuaron recalled, and a lot of teen comedies. The problem with the teen comedies is that theres something really interesting at their core: Theyre so moralistic and they have a phony and overly respectful sense of character. You dont have to make fun of the characters or invent clever plots to humiliate one or the other, or have them sticking their dicks into a pie. Cuaron decided he wanted to make a sex comedy for his son that was better than the shit he was watching. Advertisement Y Tu Mama Tambien isnt typically thought of as a sex comedy, but its premise sure makes it sound like one: Two horny buds (Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna) invite a beautiful older woman (Maribel Verdu) to accompany them on a road trip, both guys scheming about how to go to bed with her. Hilarity does, in fact, ensue, as the guys prove how sexually out of their depth they are with this experienced woman, leading to all kinds of humiliation on their part. But Cuaron, who would go on to win Best Director Oscars for Gravity and Roma, wasnt after puerile jokes, instead exploring male friendship, mortality and the passage of time with beautiful sensitivity. That he managed to do all that while creating a story this funny and sexy makes the achievement even more impressive. Advertisement

7 The Graduate (1967) A generational call to arms, and a star-is-born moment for Dustin Hoffman, The Graduate didnt feature the sort of raunchy humor that would soon become the stock-in-trade of the sex comedy. But in its exploration of a lost twentysomething who has an affair with an older, married woman (Anne Bancroft, who was only about six years older than her costar), the film inadvertently invented many of the tenets of the genre, delivering a farce about being young, dumb and directionless  and discovering that suddenly getting laid doesnt necessarily make you feel better. Hoffmans deadpan ennui was a balm for a counterculture resisting their parents outdated values, and The Graduates romantic triangle remains a bittersweet examination of the fallacy of thinking youre ever going to live happily ever after. Advertisement

6 American Pie (1999) Adam Herz wanted to write a movie about his teenage years in Michigan. There was a lull in teen sex comedies and sort of teen comedies in general because the genre killed itself, he said later. They started to really suck.  (T)here was like an eight-year span where Hollywood forgot that teenagers love movies. And so he brought the world American Pie. Advertisement A massive hit that spawned a franchise, American Pie became the template for a whole new wave of teen sex comedies. The formula was simple: Combine the outrageous and heartfelt, the shocking and the sweet. Everybody remembers that one scene, but just as important was the emphasis on the real-world insecurities of high school guys and girls trying to navigate their complicated hormones. Advertisement The movie now resides in this weird bygone age before social media changed adolescence forever, and as a result there are added layers of innocence and nostalgia to watching Jim (Jason Biggs) and his buddies try to get laid. God, it all seemed so simple back then when you didnt have to worry about Instagram and DMs.

5 The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) The movie started with a simple idea that Steve Carell pitched to Judd Apatow: A guy is desperately trying to keep up with these other guys who are telling great sex stories, and it quickly becomes apparent that hes out of his element. From there, the two men wrote The 40-Year-Old Virgin, which was Apatows directorial debut and Carells coming-out party as a romantic leading man, playing the lovable but awkward Andy. Advertisement Sex in this sex comedy is something fairly hard to come by: Andys buddies at the electronics store may give him shit for being a virgin, but its not like theyre a bunch of studs themselves. But once he meets Trish (Catherine Keener), his love life finally starts looking up. When Andy finally cashes in his V-card, its Virgins literal (and metaphorical) happy ending, leading to one of the films best jokes. Play Advertisement Advertisement

4 Risky Business (1983) In 2011, Tom Cruise explained what he thought Risky Business was about. Its about todays capitalistic society, he replied. Do the means justify the ends? Do you want to help people, or do you just want to make money? Joel is questioning all that. So am I.  The movie is Joels exploration of society, how he gets sucked into this wild capitalistic ride. Thats certainly a deeper theme at play, but for many who just know the movie from its most iconic moments, this is the sex comedy  the ultimate parents are away fantasy in which a horny young man (Cruise) ends up with a beautiful sex worker (Rebecca De Mornay), experiencing adult pleasures like hed never imagined. Of course, what makes Risky Business great is that it isnt just that, also proving to be a sophisticated character study and coming-of-age drama. Where most sex comedies tend toward the gleefully juvenile, Cruises first big smash was adult in other ways without denying what was so titillating about its premise. Advertisement

3 Wedding Crashers (2005) Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn as divorce meditators cynical about love who spend their weekends crashing weddings, sleeping with unsuspecting, amorous women? It was a cant-miss conceit, and this R-rated comedy was the high point of the bromances that dominated the aughts. Few movies of its era so expertly executed its shocking laughs, outrageous scenarios, machine-gun vulgarity and unexpected sweetness, and Wedding Crashers ensemble was stacked with heavy hitters like Rachel McAdams, Bradley Cooper, Isla Fisher and a wonderfully randy Jane Seymour. Theres been talk for years of a sequel  but, honestly, its hard to imagine the originals inspired hilarity being successfully repeated. Advertisement Advertisement

2 The Seven Year Itch (1955) Because it came out before the age of the sex comedy, Billy Wilders adaptation of the hit play doesnt often show up on lists like this. But in the modern era, a story about a married father (Tom Ewell) who says goodbye to his wife and son as they take off for summer holiday, soon lusting after his beautiful single neighbor (Marilyn Monroe), would definitely sound like it had all the genre ingredients. Wilder, who a few years later would release Some Like It Hot, which could also be considered a sex comedy, had to tone down some of the plays more provocative elements, but Wilder keeps the sexual tension between the two characters simmering throughout. All these years later, Monroes famous subway grate scene remains one of the pinnacles of on-screen sexiness. Play Advertisement Advertisement
Deutsche Bank AG has confirmed that a data breach on one of its service providers has exposed customer data. The bank identified the incident as a MOVEit Transfer data breach attack, according to a statement to Bleeping Computer.

"We have been notified of a security incident at one of our external service providers, which operates our account switching service in Germany," a Deutsche Bank spokesperson told Bleeping Computer.

MOVEit is a file transfer software by Progress Software.

The threat actors gained access to the data of thousands of bank customers whose requests to change accounts had been transferred to an external data provider called Majorel Germany, according to Bloomberg.

The account switching service provider, Majorel Germany, told local German media outlets that it had been the target of a cyberattack. "As part of a security gap in the MOVEit software, which affects many companies around the world, Majorel Germany has become the target of a hacker attack," Majorel told the media outlets.

The exposed data included customer names and account numbers. Deutsche Bank also warned that more than 100 companies in over 40 countries were potentially affected.
One of the great myths of our age is the Portuguese Drug Paradise  the claim that by giving up laws against drug abuse, that ancient nation has achieved a modern miracle of relaxed civilisation. Now that myth lies crumpled in the dustbin, destroyed by  of all people  the liberal Washington Post newspaper.

Never again will I be asked by a drug legaliser or a BBC presenter: 'What about Portugal?'

Or at least, not if they have any sense. For on July 7, under the headline 'Once hailed for decriminalising drugs, Portugal is now having doubts', the Post explored modern-day Porto, the country's second city. It described a dismal scene, just such as drug opponents would have predicted: 'Addiction haunts the recesses of this ancient port city, as people with gaunt, clumsy hands lift crack pipes to lips, syringes to veins', wrote Anthony Faiola and Catarina Fernandes Martins.

In a long article illustrated with dispiriting pictures of drug-related squalor on the streets, they described how 'authorities are sealing off warren-like alleyways with iron bars and fencing in parks to halt the spread of encampments.

A siege mentality is taking root in nearby enclaves of pricey condos and multimillion-euro homes'. They added 'police are blaming a spike in the number of people who use drugs for a rise in crime'.

Tourist waiting for tour buses near a drugs consumption area in the city center of Porto, Portugal

Police gather drugs ahead of burning six tonnes of cocaine, hashish and other substances to mark the United Nations' International Day Against Drug Abuse

Well, this is not a surprise at all to most people with common sense. Drug abuse feeds crime, crime feeds drug abuse, and the only free countries in the world where this grim spiral is not destroying lives and happiness are Japan and South Korea. There, laws against possession of drugs are still enforced, and social disapproval of drug abuse remains strong  as was the case here in Britain before the 1960s revolution.

But somehow their comparative success does not attract much international attention. I am all agog to see what the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee will say about this when they report on drugs shortly, for the third time this century. I wonder how they will cope with the Washington Post's description of how 'the return in force of visible urban drug use is leading the mayor [of Porto] and others here to ask an explosive question: Is it time to reconsider this country's globally hailed drug model?'

Even the supporters of the scheme admit it has run into trouble. One recently conceded that 'what we have today no longer serves as an example to anyone'. But then they of course (as the Left always do when their plans go wrong) blame the failures on lack of public money.

What a contrast with 2009, when the ultra-free-market think tank, the Cato Institute, claimed: 'None of the parade of horrors that decriminalisation opponents in Portugal predicted, and that decriminalisation opponents around the world typically invoke, has come to pass.'

Maybe they hadn't then. Don't be too sure. I'll explain why this claim is dubious in a moment. But they have certainly happened now, and Porto's Mayor since 2013, Rui Moreira, has been kicking up a fuss about it since he abandoned his support for decriminalisation in a sweeping U-turn in 2019.

Having until then been keen on the national policy, he said instead that decriminalisation 'simply does not protect the overwhelming majority of the population'.

It's a pity it took him so long. Portugal's supposed miracle was exaggerated from the start. The official 'depenalisation' of drugs in fact confirmed a long-standing policy of not enforcing the law anyway.

This has been the policy of most Western countries for far too long. They (including the UK) pretend to have tough laws against drugs but just do not bother to apply them.

Law And Social Enquiry: The Journal Of The American Bar Foundation examined pre-'miracle' and post-'miracle' Portugal back in 2014 and found reason for doubt. 'The significance of this legislation has been misunderstood.

Decriminalisation did not trigger dramatic changes in drug-related behaviour because the reforms were more modest than suggested by the media attention they received'

An officer handles cocaine bricks (4,2 tonnes), seized by Portuguese authorities hidden in banana commercial boxes from Latin America

As is often the case, the new law simply codified what had already been going on informally. Fewer than 1 percent of those locked up for a drug offence were in prison for drug possession in the year before the trumpeted change in the law.

So much for the idea, clung to by drug 'libertarians', that 2001 marked the gap between a period of severe prohibition and a wonderful new regime of enlightened tolerance. Last year another worrying fact emerged.

Decriminalisation of marijuana in Portugal in 2001 was followed by a large increase in reports of cannabis-induced psychosis, according to research published in the International Journal Of Methods In Psychiatric Research.

The number of hospitalisations with a primary diagnosis of psychotic disorders and schizophrenia associated with marijuana-use rose nearly 30-fold from 20 a year in 2010 to nearly 590 in 2015.

Which is hardly encouraging. As the Post also pointed out, all this makes for a nasty decay and decline in the general quality of life: 'Urban visibility of the drug problem, police say, is at its worst point in decades and the state-funded non-governmental organizations that have largely taken over responding to the people with addiction seem less concerned with treatment than affirming that lifetime drug use should be seen as a human right.'

Devastatingly, the Post recorded Leitao da Silva, head of Porto's municipal police, as saying the position now is comparable to the way things were before the supposed wonder year of 2001.

Portugal is not the only country admired by drug legalisers which has stepped back from the limits of letting things rip. Amsterdam, supposedly the marijuana capital of Europe, has banned the smoking of dope on the streets of its red-light district.

As the 'No Smoking Cannabis' signs went up in May, and 100-Euro fines began to be imposed, many locals rejoiced. They have had enough of the zombie world which decriminalisation brings: 'Finally, smoking cannabis is banned in public spaces', said Diederik Boomsma, an Amsterdam city councillor who has long campaigned for tourists to be banned from buying cannabis at all.

'This will send an important message to the gormless and feckless who think they can come here on a holiday from morality. Newsflash to all potheads: go giggle elsewhere! Let's hope that the citizens of Amsterdam reclaim their ancient, beautiful city centre from the glassy-eyed zombies.'

Quite probably, the zombies will come to Britain. For the sad truth is that the most ambitious experiment in letting drugs rip, in the whole of Europe, is under way here, on both sides of the Scottish border. Starting back in the 1970s, and accelerating rapidly in the last 20 years, the police and courts in this country have, in reality, more or less abandoned the prosecution of drug possession.

For their own different reasons, governments and drug legalisers pretend this is not happening. Governments do not want to admit to the surrender. Drug campaigners want full legalisation with advertising and drugs openly on sale in high streets, so have to claim the current mess of criminality, disease, mental illness misery and early death is caused by a non-existent 'prohibition'. Well, at least they won't have the failed Portuguese Miracle to support their rotten case, any more.
Every now and again the Commons throws up an MP whose spoken contributions grow so consistently tedious that the rest of the House takes to groaning loudly whenever they are given the floor.

It used to happen to a springy chap named Julian Huppert, a Lib Dem know-it-all with a dreadful little goatee beard. 'Oh no!' went the call whenever the dweebish Dr Huppert managed to catch the Speaker's eye.

The same thing happened more recently to former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford. Granted, Mr Blackford can be rather good value: Playful, jolly  possibly convivial if the occasion allowed.

But whenever, heaving himself to his feet, he launched into one of his lengthy oratories on Scottish independence, the rest of the chamber would resound to yowls of anguish and a hailstorm of palms slapped against foreheads.

Now the same cruel fate appears to have befallen Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, whose presence inside a public house could empty the whole place of hardened tipplers at happy hour.

Angela Rayner during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London, on Wednesday July 12

Today at PMQS, you felt the energy inside the chamber suddenly vamoosh when Sir Lindsay Hoyle summoned Sir Edward to his feet. 'Urrrrrgh!'

Sir Ed's question was about a girl called Emily who was struggling to find an NHS dentist in her area. Sir Ed has taken to Jeremy Corbyn's habit when he was Labour leader of reading out complaints from the public. Except Sir Ed treats us to added theatrics.

He affects that pleading voice you hear in adverts imploring viewers to give just 2 a month to help save a hippo from being turned into an umbrella stand ('No one should have to suffer like Emily' etc.)

Anyway, turned out poor Emily and her troublesome gums just so happened to hail from Somerset. Further groans. There just so happens to be a by-election in Somerset coming up that the Lib Dems are gunning for.

Meanwhile, Labour MPs rolled their eyes and pinched the bridge of their noses. It wasn't clear what appalled them more: Sir Ed's opportunism or the prospect of possibly having to go into government with this chump.

As for the headline event between Oliver Dowden and Angela Rayner, it was another dud I'm afraid. In television, a show which began well but has since clearly outlived its sell-by-date is known as having 'jumped the shark'.

The Dowden/Rayner turn hasn't just jumped the shark  it's Evel Knievel'd it all the way back to dry land. The pair were facing off for the second week running as Rishi Sunak was at the Nato summit in Lithuania.

Rayner had done some homework and discovered it was the first time a Prime Minister had missed two weekly grillings in a row since 1996, when John Prescott did battle with Michael Heseltine. Ange announced she was 'proud to be filling the boots of Lord John Prescott'.

As for the headline event between Oliver Dowden and Angela Rayner, it was another dud I'm afraid. In television, a show which began well but has since clearly outlived its sell-by-date is known as having 'jumped the shark'

Crikey, that's a first.

But poor Dowden isn't fit to lace Hezza's boots, let alone fill them.

No spine, no spleen. The way he entered the chamber, he reminded me of a teacher entering a classroom terrified there might be a sign saying 'kick me' pinned to his back.

The pair went back and forth on child poverty. Rayner angrily stomped her brothel creepers and railed about struggling families.

Oliver responded by throwing figures around in the manner of a village squire tossing the local urchins a few scraps.

Apropos of nothing, he shoe-horned in a prepared joke about a recent report claiming that Sir Keir Starmer 'hated' tree-huggers.

'[Labour] seem very keen on hugging that magic money tree,' he jested. A fist-chewingly awkward silence suddenly fell on proceedings. Oh dear.

Come back Rishi and Sir Keir, all is forgiven. Bet you never thought we'd say that.
Last week, I hosted a Parliamentary briefing with two brave democracy activists from Hong Kong. Both have a 100,000 bounty on their heads, thanks to the Hong Kong police and their Chinese Communist overlords.

These men are not criminals. Yet merely for standing up for what they believe in  the promises made to Hong Kong by Beijing and enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration  is enough to make them hunted men.

Their courage is astounding and thats why it is so important for us to support their cause.

As the Mail reported on its front page yesterday, it has emerged that we had an unwelcome visitor at our little event last week, who tried to gain access by telling security he was a tourist and had been directed to our invitation-only event as part of an official tour.

We were meeting in one of the remotest committee rooms on the top floor of Parliament. Are we really to believe that a mysterious tourist just happened to blunder his way in?

BOB SEELY: China is not only establishing a surveillance state within its borders, but is now expanding that surveillance state to free nations such as the UK. Bob Seely is pictured

I know that, in a democracy like ours, the authorities will always do their best to keep Parliament open and accessible to ordinary people.

READ MORE: Parliament investigates claims China sent a spy to infiltrate a House of Commons briefing by Hong Kong dissidents Advertisement

Yet what I also know is that China is not only establishing a surveillance state within its borders, but is now expanding that surveillance state to free nations such as the UK.

We must investigate how this happened  and remain on high alert to ensure it is not repeated.

Like all Communist dictatorships, Chinas rulers see freedom anywhere as threat everywhere. Liberty is to be challenged and crushed.

Uyghurs and Tibetans have long suffered from this. Now its apparent that even Hong Kongers living in the UK are experiencing it  and in the Mother of Parliaments, too.

Thats precisely why I and other MPs over recent years have organised events to make sure voices are heard. From activists Christopher Mung and Finn Lau last week, to Sebastian Lai, son of charismatic Hong Kong businessman and freedom champion Jimmy, who was sentenced to five years imprisonment in a repugnant show trial there last year.

Bosses of the Chinese Communist Party are using artificial intelligence and big data to create a police state that George Orwell couldnt have dreamt about. Even in this country, they wilfully flout our values. There have been alarming incidents in Manchester, Southampton, and Londons Chinatown at which Hong Kong and pro-democracy activists have faced violence and harassment.

Well, its time to step up and protect ourselves, our values and our interests. This will need a robust approach: no more naivety about Chinas aims.

We were meeting in one of the remotest committee rooms on the top floor of Parliament. Are we really to believe that a mysterious tourist just happened to blunder his way in?

It also means we must come clean about the security risks posed by nominally private commercial giants like Huawei and Hikvision which are, to all intents and purposes, part of the one-party state.

Meanwhile, we should be providing comprehensive support to victims of Beijings repression abroad, including legal assistance, safe-havens and robust security.

We should also be engaging with international partners who share our concerns. Joint statements, targeted sanctions and co-ordinated efforts to raise awareness can all exert significant pressure on Beijing.

The battle for the future of humanity this century is already underway: between open societies like ours, and authoritarian states such as China and its tyrannical allies such as Russia.

In this country, Parliament is at the heart of that liberty. Those that come here to speak should be allowed to do so freely  and without fear.
As a child aged just nine, I endured the longest and most terrifying night of my life, fleeing with my family from our home.

Nearly 70 years later, every detail of that escape is still burned into my memory. All my life I have had the deepest sympathy for fellow refugees: those who leave behind everything they own and everyone they know to reach safety.

Yet I have an equally fierce resentment of those who exploit Britain's willingness to help refugees and lie for personal gain  both the illegal people-traffickers and dishonest economic migrants.

And I have nothing but contempt for the buffoons in the House of Lords who are manifestly failing to make a proper distinction between genuine refugees and those who are playing the system.

By refusing to acknowledge this difference, the blowhards in the Upper House who are blocking the Illegal Migration Bill make it even harder for those whose lives are truly at stake.

It was at the beginning of winter in 1956 that the Furedi family fled Hungary. My father was one of the leaders of the workers' councils in Budapest organising resistance to Soviet Union control. That culminated in an uprising, which was mercilessly crushed by Red Army tanks and troops.

It was at the beginning of winter in 1956 that the Furedi family fled Hungary. Pictured - Frank Furedi with his mother Klara in front of the National Museum in Budapest, 1953, three years before fleeing the country

If caught, my father faced a long prison sentence at the very least, probably torture and even execution. My brave 18-year-old sister Judith, meanwhile, had been a student activist, taking food from the countryside to the rebels in the city.

I was too young to grasp it all but I understood, as we hurried to the railway station, that we were leaving everything behind for ever.

I had only a little bag over my shoulders, not even a suitcase, because we dared not carry anything that might tip off the Russian soldiers that we were fleeing.

We got off the train about 12 miles from the Austrian border and headed to a rendezvous: a farmhouse where other refugees were huddled and waiting.

Later that same night, a guide led us in the direction of the border. We walked in complete darkness, not daring to make a sound. Soviet patrols were scouring the roads, and every time they sent up a flare we had to hit the ground and lie still, hardly daring to breathe.

Judith, who loved to look glamorous no matter what, was wearing high heels. These broke within the first hour and she was left limping and hobbling along. I'm afraid that, aged nine, I thought this was very funny. But I knew enough to be scared witless when, after walking all night, we were lit up in the dazzling glare of truck headlights. For a few seconds, we were all certain that the Soviet soldiers had found us.

All these amendments were rightly thrown out by the Commons. But, absurdly, the unelected House of Lords is free to reinsert amendments at its leisure, and then return the Bill to the Commons  and it did just that

In fact, the truck was an Austrian ambulance. We were over the border, safe in the free West. Our next few weeks were spent in a refugee transit camp, thousands of people living in huge barracks, each with 80 metal camp beds and the most basic facilities.

We had nothing but a bag of clothes, and $15 in U.S. currency ($170 today) that my father had somehow obtained. Everything else was left behind for ever. We had our lives, and that was enough.

Perhaps it isn't hard, even for readers who have never had to experience anything remotely like that, to understand my emotions when I read this week of migrants who complain that their three-star hotels in London are insufficiently comfortable, and that the wifi is too slow.

I know how real refugees feel: thankful to be alive.

And we have a duty to help those in desperate danger today, which is why in March last year, a month after Russia invaded Ukraine, I travelled to Eastern Europe to learn what practical steps I could take to assist refugees.

Acting on the same motives, generous Daily Mail readers contributed to raising 12 million for the newspaper's appeal to help Ukrainians fleeing the war.

I know how real refugees feel: thankful to be alive, writes Professor Frank Furedi

Yet those genuine refugees are being betrayed by the House of Lords and its attempts to block the Government's new immigration laws. There is something truly nauseating about their tactics.

READ MORE: Race against time to get Channel migrants Bill past House of Lords before summer recess - after Commons overturned 'wrecking' amendments despite revolt by more than a dozen Tories including Theresa May Rishi Sunak is facing a race against time to get his Illegal Migration Bill through the House of Lords before Parliament goes on its six-week summer break Advertisement

This group of self-satisfied hypocrites, oozing sanctimony, have decided that they have the moral authority to undermine every serious attempt to control the flow of migrants into Britain.

They believe that the law on migration should be set and shaped by an unelected chamber rather than the elected House of Commons.

On Tuesday, the Commons tried to shovel its way through an avalanche of amendments from the Lords, all intended to halt the Bill by making it unworkable.

Some of the motions were blatantly designed to wreck the legislation entirely.

They sought to impose deliberately impossible time limits on the Home Office, oblige the Home Secretary to set out 'safe and legal routes' for migration into Britain within two months of the Bill becoming law, and restrict the list of countries to which gay people could be removed. One of the most distasteful was an attempt to make it easier for adult migrants to claim to be children  as a 41-year-old man did recently when he tried to pass himself off as a teenage refugee.

All these amendments were rightly thrown out by the Commons. But, absurdly, the unelected House of Lords is free to reinsert amendments at its leisure, and then return the Bill to the Commons  and it did just that.

The Lords rejected the Government's attempt to extend the amount of time children can be detained and also voted to reinstate protections for people claiming to be victims of trafficking, as well as a number of other amendments.

It is a farcical game of political ping-pong.

Meanwhile, the number of migrants to have illegally crossed the Channel this year in small boats has already reached more than 12,500. And there is little evidence that the full-year total will be any lower than the figure for 2022  and certainly not if the Lords has its way.

Many of these peers inhabit a fantasy world. The soaring numbers of illegal migrants entering Britain don't lose them any sleep at night. In their ermined world, any attempt to find a practical solution to the problem is dismissed as 'isolationist', 'morally unacceptable' and 'impractical'.

The BBC is equally detached from reality. Listening to the Radio 4 Today programme this week, I marvelled at the naivety of presenter Nick Robinson as he asked migrants why they paid large sums of money to people-traffickers to be brought illegally to Britain.

The number of migrants to have illegally crossed the Channel this year in small boats has already reached more than 12,500

The BBC might as well ask a burglar what motivates him to break into a house and steal the television. The reason is obvious. It's an investment.

No one can possibly claim that the thousands of people crossing the Channel in dinghies supplied by organised crime gangs are all fleeing for their lives. They are in no immediate danger of persecution or violent oppression in France.

Illegal migration constitutes a threat to the integrity of Britain. It must be stopped. That is why the haughty moralistic tone adopted by the Lords is so immoral.

They are neutralising the distinction between need and greed, between refugees and chancers, between the legal and the illegal.

As a university sociologist, listening to the whining in the Lords, I cannot help but draw the conclusion that the very existence of this narcissistic, unelected, unaccountable chamber is a political corruption of democracy.

Their self-regarding virtue-signalling imposes a heavy burden on the lives of ordinary taxpayers up and down the country.

It is vital that our elected representatives have the final word on a matter of such importance to Britain's future.

Frank Furedi is the author of Why Borders Matter: Why Humanity Must Relearn The Art Of Drawing Boundaries
The more we learn about the Huw Edwards affair, the murkier it becomes. Well, I say 'learn' but there are still more questions than answers.

If truth is the first casualty of war, the stretcher bearers have certainly been busy since the story broke a week ago.

One thing we can be sure of is that this has become the latest battleground in the determined assault on freedom of speech.

Reporting has been hampered by Britain's draconian libel laws and the prospect of an incoming Labour government co-opting the Edwards case to impose state control of the Press.

The questions are fairly straightforward. Did a powerful BBC presenter, trusted by millions, abuse his position to take advantage of much younger individuals  both within and without the Corporation?

RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: The more we learn about the Huw Edwards affair, the murkier it becomes

We don't know.

When Edwards's wife Vicky Flind issued a statement on Wednesday confirming that her husband was the presenter in question, she said he would respond to the stories 'in good time'. When that will be is anyone's guess.

He's currently in hospital being treated for 'mental health issues'. Edwards has a well-known history of depression. His latest episode has been brought on following the allegations published in The Sun on Saturday. No doubt he has been under intolerable pressure, especially as his first instinct to remain anonymous caused several of his high-profile BBC colleagues to be falsely accused of being the mystery man.

It's important to acknowledge that the turmoil suffered by his family must be overwhelming. Vicky Flind displayed enormous courage naming her husband. But our natural sympathy for the Edwards family must not lead to the truth being swept under the carpet tiles at Broadcasting House.

Huw Edwards is not the victim here. He is being accused of impropriety, including by some BBC colleagues. And while he must be given the benefit of the doubt, there are questions he must answer eventually.

OK, so the police have decided in relation to the initial allegation that he paid 35,000 to a young person in exchange for sexually explicit photographs, no crime has been committed. It may not be a matter for a court of law, but the court of public opinion will have to be convinced if and when the full facts are known.

The young person, through lawyers, said the claim was 'rubbish', but their parents insist it is true.

Among the unanswered questions here is: where's the proof? If bank statements and screen grabs exist, why haven't they been published? Another unanswered question: where did a 20-year-old crack addict from South Wales get the money to hire an expensive London law firm?

We can't even state categorically whether the young person in question is male or female, nor the gender of other complainants who have subsequently come forward.

Since the Sun story broke, other alleged 'victims' have emerged, claiming to have had 'inappropriate' advances from Edwards.

And although the red-top made the early running, the baton has been picked up enthusiastically by the BBC itself. While the institutional instinct of the Beeb's top brass is always to circle the wagons, obfuscate and suffocate any complaint in committee, journalists at Broadcasting House have shown no such compunction in not just covering the Edwards story, but in digging deeper.

Huw Edwards is not the victim here. He is being accused of impropriety, including by some BBC colleagues

In recent days, there have been further allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Edwards towards junior colleagues. Current and former employees have said he sent them abusive, flirtatious and creepy messages.

Yesterday it was reported that even before the Sun story was published last week, investigations into Edwards were being carried out by Newsnight presenter Victoria Derbyshire and other BBC staff.

Derbyshire is said to have contacted 'multiple individuals' within the organisation regarding rumours of inappropriate approaches towards members of staff. One told her they had received late night messages on social media containing kisses, which they considered an abuse of power. Another said a message from Edwards gave them a 'cold shudder'.

This may explain why, when reporting the latest developments on air earlier this week, Derbyshire said questions were being asked about 'Huw, who knew what when?' Deliberate, or Freudian slip? Again, your guess is as good as mine.

Edwards is said by old friends such as former BBC man Jon Sopel to be 'very angry' about the way the story has been covered by the Beeb. His supporters maintain his private life should remain private and since there is no evidence of criminality it should not have been reported either by the BBC or the Press in general.

And here's the rub. The Edwards case is being turned on its head by the Left and exploited by enemies of free speech  like Hugh Grant's Hacked Off rabble  to attack the Press and demand the revival of state regulation, first proposed by the Leveson Inquisition and subsequently dropped by the Conservative Government in 2018.

Restraints on free reporting have been growing since Tony Blair introduced the pernicious European yuman rights act into British law, his self-proclaimed 'proudest act in politics', which set us along the road to a privacy law.

But can anyone remember the self-appointed defenders of privacy rushing to condemn the scandalous treatment of other prominent public figures by Operation Midland?

Far from it, the BBC in particular was cheering on the persecution of leading Conservatives and ageing show business personalities falsely accused of child sex crimes and worse. Talk about hypocrisy. Those currently howling about lack of 'evidence' against Edwards were strangely silent when Nonce Finder General Tom Watson was promoting the claims of 'Nick'  aka Carl Beech  alleging he had been abused by everyone from former Home Secretary Leon Brittan to war hero Lord Bramall, without a scintilla of credible evidence.

The lives of innocent men and their families were destroyed, yet Watson is now sitting in the Lords. He was elevated to the Upper House by Labour leader Keir Starmer, who waged war on innocent journalists at The Sun during his time as Director of Public Prosecutions. Most Labour MPs are said to support state regulation of the Press.

When someone of whom the Left approves finds himself on the ducking stool, it's always a 'personal tragedy' and they should be entitled to their privacy.

But when it's a Tory minister, or a Conservative-supporting comedian such as Jim Davidson, it's an automatic hanging offence.

The lack of corroborative evidence didn't hold back the #MeToo campaign, either. Tory minister Damian Green had to resign after sending suggestive emails to a female journalist, who alleged he fleetingly brushed her knee over a quiet drink. It was his word against hers.

Most recently, the prospective Tory candidate for London mayor, Daniel Korski, was forced to stand down after TV producer Daisy Goodwin claimed he touched her breast a decade ago. Both women were given a platform by the BBC to air their grievances.

Nor should we forget Newsnight had to pay out 185,000 to the late Tory treasurer Lord McAlpine after a programme which led to him being falsely accused of being a paedophile. He was then named on social media by Labour-supporting Sally Bercow, wife of ex-speaker John Bercow, and holier-than-thou Guardian journalist George Monbiot.

The Guardian is now trying to turn the Edwards affair into an attack on The Sun.

But the tabloid had every right to publish a story about a prominent BBC presenter, which it believed to be firmly in the public interest. Clearly, there are many in the BBC newsroom who agree this is a legitimate story which warrants further investigation.

Yes, it has been headline news for a week, but I'd argue the Press has behaved responsibly  with restraint even. What we don't know, or haven't been able to confirm, we haven't published. The sewer of social media may have been awash with speculation and condemnation but newspapers have to behave with more caution.

No one wants to get hit unnecessarily with a costly libel action or claim for breach of privacy. We operate in a climate of growing hostility from the political class and a judiciary ever eager to impose restraints on free speech.

As for Huw Edwards, the truth will out, probably, though for now it remains murky.

But be in no doubt. The real battle here isn't about the future of a BBC newsreader, it's about the very survival of our Free Press.
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Andrea, from Florida, was shocked when she was directed to the plus size stores

A tourist was shocked when she went shopping in Thailand and was directed to their plus size stores despite wearing a US small.

Andrea, originally from Puerto Rico and Florida and Lewis, originally from Dublin, Ireland, were on holiday in Thailand when they went to a shopping mall to see if they could find some 'cute clothes.'

The couple live in the US and travel around in an old school bus which they now call home.

They asked a woman there which stores to go to, and she looked Andrea up and down and directed them to the fourth floor, they told their TikTok followers.

However, much to their surprise, the woman had directed them to where the plus size shops were.

Andrea, originally from Puerto Rico and Florida and Lewis, originally from Dublin, Ireland, were on holiday in Thailand and on the hunt for 'cute clothes' when they were directed to the plus size shops

Beebee Fat, Moo Moo Fat Girls, Fatty Fat Girl, Love Calories, Fat Cat, were just some of the names of the stores in that sector.

Andrea could not believe what she saw, as she stood there open mouthed.

She said: 'No! You can't be out there saying that!'

A rather shocked Lewis reacted to a store called Fat Fashion and said: 'At least it's not fast fashion.'

Another clothing store was called 'Candy Shop,' to which he also joked: 'Not them trying to lure you in.'

He added: 'Andrea just bought something from Moo Moo Fat Girl.'

Andrea then tried on her new purchase - a pink strapless frock - when they got back to their hotel room and it fitted her perfectly.

Lewis said: 'Step out! Oh my lorddd. Yes girl! Work it.'

In the US, Andrea is a small, which is between sizes 4 and 6, but in Thailand she is a size large.

Some of the stores had shocking names such as Fat Girl, Moo Moo, Candy Shop and Fatty Fat Girl

She claimed that the sizes in these stores started at medium, a whole size smaller than was.

Andrea smiled and said: 'This is the standard where they're like, "Yep, starting now you're moo moo fat girl".'

The video was viewed more than six million times, liked by more than a million people and racked up over three thousand comments.

People took to the comments and were shocked at what Andrea had experienced, but others said it also happened to them.

People took to the comments and were shocked at what Andrea had experienced, but others said it also happened to them

One user wrote: 'My bf and I went shopping in Bangkok on the last day of our trip and the label on a shirt he wanted to buy literally said "fat instead of large.'

Another penned: 'I was in Thailand, asked  can I try these? She answered: No oversize! I was size 6 US then.'

A third said: 'No because I was buying in Vietnamese sizes and had to get an XXL!!! Im a US medium.'

A fourth commented: 'I was a US large when I went to Thailand & I couldnt find anything to fit me there.'
Speculation is mounting over the whereabouts of Princess Charlene of Monaco, who has not been seen in public for almost three weeks.

The 45-year-old mother-of-two sparked curiosity earlier this month when she was absent from a film screening attended by her husband Prince Albert of Monaco, 65.

And one of Europe's most high-profile royals was missing again yesterday, as Albert was snapped at Wimbledon alongside Charlene's closest confidante Melanie-Antoinette Costello de Massy.

The assistant is considered a source of 'fundamental support' to the Royal Family of Monaco, according to Vanity Fair Spain.

Melanie-Antoinette Costello de Massy was by Princess Charlene's side for engagements amid traditional festivities of Sainte Devote in Monaco in January this year

Prince Albert (pictured, right) was photographed attending Wimbledon yesterday with confidant Melanie-Antoinette Costello de Massy (pictured, left)

The 38-year-old, who is the daughter of Prince Albert's cousin Elizabeth, is understood to have been by Charlene's side during her recent return to the spotlight after a period of illness and treatment for 'exhaustion'.

In January, Charlene appeared relaxed as she attended a Mass service with Melanie-Antoinette.

And the first cousin of Prince Albert II once removed was pictured at his side during engagements throughout 2021, at which time Charlene was abroad receiving medical treatment.

Tatler reports, she has accompanied him for events going as far back as the 2010s. It would seem that she has taken over the role played by her mother Elizabeth, who was herself a key confidante.

This is despite a complicated family history, including rumours that Melanie-Antoinette's late grandmother Antoinette de Monaco, Baroness de Massy hatched a plan to remove her brother Prince Rainier - Prince Albert's father - from the throne through vicious rumours that he couldn't provide an heir.

Melanie-Antoinette was once again at Prince Albert's side at Wimbledon - a fact which only served to highlight Princess Charlene's absence.

Charlene has now been missing from the public eye for around three weeks.

The last sighting was on June 20, when she attended the Golden Nymphs Awards in Monte Carlo.

Seeming to oozing confidence as she posed on the red carpet in a long navy gown with a plunging neckline, the royal was snapped with cast members of the TV Series Buddy Games including US actor Josh Duhamel, Michael Luisi, and Dan Bakkedahl.

But Charlene was notably silent on social media when the couple celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary on July 1.

There have been years of speculation about Charlene's well-being and her relationship with Prince Albert.

Princess Charlene's last public appearance was at the Nymphes D'Or - Golden Nymphs Award Ceremony in Monte Carlo on June 20 (pictured)

Princess Charlene beamed as she posed for a snap with cast members of the TV Series Buddy Games, US actor Josh Duhamel, Michael Luisi, and Dan Bakkedahl in Monte Carlo

They have been hit with split rumours on multiple occasions, including earlier this year, when French magazine ROYAUTE claimed the couple was in the process of separation.

However, the palace was quick to hit back and deny the claims.

A spokesperson said: 'I would like to formally deny the malicious rumours peddled by the French magazine Royaute. Please disregard this article which is totally unfounded.'

This latest absence follows the royal stepping out of the spotlight for almost the entirety of 2021 when she underwent medical treatment in South Africa (where although born in Zimbabwe, she spent time growing up).

Princess Charlene was also notably absent from the screening of the film Rainier III par lui meme in Monaco on July 4, which was attended by Prince Albert and other royals

Prince Albert was pictured alongside his sisters, Princess Stephanie of Monaco and Princess Caroline of Hanover at the event

On her return to Europe, she was admitted to a Swiss clinic, with 'exhaustion' being given as the reason she was seeking treatment.

While absent, Charlene missed a number of family milestones, including the seventh birthday of her twins Gabriella and Jacques and her tenth wedding anniversary with Albert.

The couple have been rocked by rumours of incompatibility from the outset.

Charlene attracted a barrage of attention over an apparent bad dose of pre-wedding jitters which, reportedly, saw her seeking refuge in her country's embassy and een trying to flee the country on three occasions with a one-way ticket to Johannesburg.

According to a Parisian news magazine, Charlene had been stopped at Nice airport after allegedly learning a 'distressing' revelation about her future husband's private life.

A senior Monaco detective claimed at the time: 'Charlene had her passport confiscated so that the Prince's entourage could persuade her to stay'.

A tumultuous two years for Princess Charlene that saw her spend 10 months in South Africa away from her children, admitted to a treatment facility in Switzerland and strike a rumoured 10 million a year deal with Albert 2021: HEALTH ISSUES, 10 MONTHS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND ADMISSION TO A SWISS TREATMENT FACILITY January 27 - Charlene is pictured with Albert for the Sainte Devote Ceremony in Monaco. March 18 - Charlene is pictured at the memorial for the late Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini at the KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace in Nongoma, South Africa April 2 - Charlene posts an Instagram picture of herself, Albert and their twins Jacques and Gabriella for Easter from an unknown location May 8 - Albert, Jacques and Gabriella attend a Grand Prix event in Monaco without Charlene May 18 - Charlene shares her first picture from her conservation trip in South Africa June 3 - New photos emerge of Charlene on her conservation trip June 5 - Charlene puts on a united front as she shares a photo with her family to mark her niece's fifth birthday with her brother's family, Albert and the twins in South Africa June 24 - Charlene's foundation releases a statement saying she is unable to travel and is undergoing procedures for an ear, nose and throat infection July 2 - Charlene and Albert mark their 10th anniversary separately. 'This year will be the first time that I'm not with my husband on our anniversary in July, which is difficult, and it saddens me,' she said in a statement August 13 - Charlene undergoes a four-hour operation. The reason is not announced August 25 - Charlene shares photos of Albert, Gabriella and Jacques visiting her in South Africa September 1 - Charlene is admitted under an alias to the Netcare Alberlito Hospital after suddenly 'collapsing' September 2 - Charlene is discharged, with a statement from the Palais Princier reading: 'Her Highness is closely monitored by Her medical team who said that Her condition was not worrying' September 30 - Charlene releases a stylish video promoting her anti-poaching campaign from her South African bolthole October 3 - Charlene shares a photograph of herself smiling in front of a Bible in her first snap since being discharged from hospital following her health scare October 6 - Albert tells RMC radio Charlene is 'ready to come home' October 8 - Princess undergoes more surgery in South Africa November 8 - Charlene arrives back in Monaco. Prince Albert said within hours it became clear she was 'unwell' November 13 - Albert attends Expo 2020 in Dubai without Charlene. Following his return from the trip, Albert holds an intervention with Charlene's brothers and a sister-in-law in which Charlene 'confirmed' she would seek 'real medically framed treatment' outside of Monaco November 16 - Royal household confirms Charlene will not attend National Day celebrations on November 19 November 17 - Albert reveals Charlene has left Monaco and is recovering in a secret location November 19 - Albert reveals Charlene is in a treatment facility 'elsewhere in Europe' after a family intervention November 25 - Sources tell Page Six Charlene 'almost died' after sinus surgery and 'lost nearly half her body weight' due to being 'unable to swallow'. They also said it was 'unfair' to portray her as struggling with mental health issues December 11 - Royal breaks her silence on Instagram to wish her twins Jacques and Gabriella a happy seventh birthday December 24 - Charlene is still 'months from recovery' but will reunite with Albert and their twins Jacques and Gabriella for Christmas at treatment centre 2022: ROAD TO RECOVERY January 25 - Charlene celebrates her 44th birthday alone. Royal shares slideshow of snaps from happier times featuring Albert, their children and her swimming career as she continues to receive treatment outside of Monaco March 14 - Palace announces that Charlene is back in Monaco but will take time to 'further strengthen her health before gradually resuming her official duties' April 17 - Charlene is pictured for the first time in a family portrait to celebrate Easter April 30 - Charlene makes her first public appearance since leaving a treatment facility as she attends Monaco E-Prix with Prince Albert May 7 - The royal makes her second public appearance at the Sainte Devote Rugby Tournament May 10 - French media claims Albert has agreed to pay his wife 10million a year to make sure she fulfils her consort role May 25 - Charlene continues her return to public life at Monte Carlo Fashion Awards with daughter Gabriella May 28 - Charlene continues her return to public life as she joins Prince Albert at the F1 in Monaco for the first time since 2019 June 6 - Albert says he was hurt by the 'vicious' rumours about his wife's absence from Monaco and his family 'missed the princess a lot' June 16 - Charlene appears sombre in all-black ensemble for Catholic festival June 18 - Charlene of Monaco looks glamorous in all-green ensemble as she steps out with Prince Albert for the Monte Carlo TV Festival opening ceremony June 23 - Albert and Charlene attend a science exhibition opening with their children in Oslo - her first overseas visit since returning to public duties July 4 - Albert and Charlene hold hands in new portrait to mark 11 years of marriage July 5 - Charlene visits the Princess Grace Hospital Centre in her first solo engagement since her return to Monaco July 9 - Albert attends Monaco's Rose Ball without his wife, despite it being the highlight of the social calendar July 18 - Charlene joins Albert at the 73rd Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo July 20 - Couple visit The Vatican for a private audience with Pope Francis September 4 - Charlene joins Albert and their children Gabriella and Jacques for a rare family appearance at traditional picnic in Monaco September 6 - Charlene and Albert take their twins Jacques and Gabriella, 7, to class for their first day back after the summer holiday September 12 - Couple attend a memorial service for the late Queen Elizabeth II September 19 - Charlene attends the Queen's funeral in London alongside Albert October 4-5 - Charlene wows on a solo surprise visit to Paris Fashion Week October 21 - Charlene makes emotional solo visit to an animal shelter as she sends 'all her love' to fans following her return to royal duties November 8 - Couple attend the annual Princess Grace Awards in New York November 16 - Charlene attends Monaco's Red Cross Christmas gift distribution with Albert November 19-20 - Charlene attends Monaco National Day celebrations with Albert and presents awards at 2022 World Rugby Awards ceremony December 2 - Charlene takes her seven-year-old twins to Monaco Christmas village along with her model niece Charlotte Casiraghi December 13 - Couple attends Monaco's Red Cross Christmas gift distribution with her husband Prince Albert December 14 - Family attend Christmas tree ceremony in Monaco December 15 - Charlene reveals she feels 'much better' and has 'much more energy' after lengthy health crisis in an interview with Monaco Matin - the first since returning to royal duties December 21 - Family releases a stylish family Christmas card December 23 - 'Proud' Albert praises Charlene for 'turning it around in an incredible way' after lengthy health crisis, saying she had a 'very tough year' Advertisement

Her supposed desire to flee gained her the moniker 'the Runaway Bride' ahead of their 2011 nuptials, which were thought to have cost 53 million.

The rumours persisted and at the end of 2020, a third paternity suit emerged.

It was claimed that Albert had fathered a third love-child with an unnamed Brazilian woman during the time when he and Charlene were already in a relationship.

By Spring, Charlene had left for South Africa, having a 10-month absence in her native country, where she was hospitalised for a serious sinus infection that delayed her return to Monaco.

She arrived back in Monaco in November 2021, but was quickly taken to a treatment centre outside the principality, before returning to public duty in May 2022.
Dining out at a favourite restaurant is one of the great joys in life and a lovely way to treat ourselves.

However on the odd occasion, we encounter something unexpected, weird or downright unhygienic in the food and drink products we're served.

Bored Panda has collated images posted by social media users who have had this very same experience - and it's put them off their meals completely.

From bizzarre to stomach-churning, people from all around the world have snapped the moment in time when their dream meal became a nightmare.

Iced-coffee with a crunch! Who needs ice cubes when a dead floating cockroach is just as chilling

One person shared an iced-coffee with a rather revolting twist - it was served up fresh with a floating cockroach.

Meanwhile one customer nearly tucked in to a mouldy sandwich and french fries.

Here, FEMAIL has collected some of the most toe-curling food fails that will make you think about cancelling that dinner reservation.

They ordered wings! A diner was left with a stark dose of reality when they were served up a chicken head with their meal

Mould for two please! How this McDonald's burger made it past the kitchen, to the server and on a customer's table in Sydney is still a shock

VERY well done! This badly burnt patty might have been left on the grill for a little bit too long at a pub in Stourbridge

No dip on our chip thank you! Somewhere in the US, a group of sugar ants have made a home in this fast food brand's icing dip

House special! In Hobbs, New Mexico, one woman asked a waitress for a glass of ice and some guacamole. This is what she received

Graffi-tea! This American cafe had its customer up in arms over a heavily stained coffee cup. It appears staff tried to send a message by carving 'Not clean' amongst the dirt

Zero stars! A maintenance man discovered this mess at a 'popular chain restaurant' while servicing the exhaust hoods

Baby food! In this absolutely wacky image, one social media user claims to have spotted a baby in a pizza kitchen
Multi-millionaire Barbara Corcoran owns a $15 million penthouse in New York City, but she has admitted that she prefers to live in a nearly $1 million mobile home located in a luxurious trailer park in Los Angeles.

The Shark Tank investor, 74, gave TikTok star Caleb Simpson, 31, a tour of her double-wide in Pacific Palisades for his viral video series exploring interesting living spaces in New York City and around the world.

Simpson caught up with Corcoran, who walked him through her Manhattan apartment nearly a year ago, while she was taking her trash out.

'Who would have thought Barbara Corcoran would have her own trailer?' he asked at the start of the video.

Barbara Corcoran, 74, gave TikTok star Caleb Simpson, 31, a tour of her mobile home located in a Los Angeles trailer park for his viral video series exploring interesting living spaces

The Shark Tank investor spent nearly $1 million on the double-wide in Pacific Palisades

'Who would have thought Barbara Corcoran would have her own trailer?' Simpson asked as she walked him up the stairs. 'It's called a double-wide,' she corrected him

'It's called a double-wide,' she corrected him.

From the outside, the property looks like any other mobile home with its cream siding, blue shutters, and wood steps leading to the front door.

But the inside is an impeccably decorated tranquil oasis featuring floor-to-ceiling glass doors and a terrace overlooking the ocean.

'Here's my Taj Mahal,' Corcoran said after opening the Dutch door to her home away from home. 'Everything's little.'

The businesswoman told Simpson that she spent $800,000 on the home itself and then put another $150,000 into it.

'So you're in a million-dollar home,' she noted.

The spacious mobile home's open floor plan features a large living room, a dining area, and a small kitchen with additional counter seating.

Keeping with the home's California vibe, she has a cream U-shaped sectional with a brown rattan coffee table and a round white dining room table with rattan chairs.

@calebwsimpson @Barbara Corcoran Location: Pacific Palisades, LA Occupation: Shark on Shark Tank, Queen of New York Real Estate  Who wants to see more or me and Barbara!?  original sound - CALEB SIMPSON

'Here's my Taj Mahal,' Corcoran said after opening the Dutch door to her home away from home. 'Everything's little'

The mobile home's open floor plan features a large living room with a U-shaped sectional and a rattan coffee table - perfect for the space's California vibe

There is also a small dining area and a kitchen with additional counter seating

Corcoran noted that her blue and white kitchen tile is the leftover tile from her $15 million penthouse in New York City

'Does this tile look familiar to you?' she asked Simpson, pointing to her kitchen. 'It's my leftover tile from New York.'

The navy and white tile is paired with white cabinets, natural wood counters, and a light blue Smeg refrigerator, which she adores.

'Look how little it is,' she gushed, opening the door. 'It only has wine in it.'

'I think I like this more than the New York City home,' Simpson admitted.

'So do I!' Corcoran agreed.

The next stop on the tour was the main bathroom, which features a sink, a toilet, and a large shower with glass doors.

'I put a full-force head on that shower,' she noted.

Corcoran let Simpson jump on her bed in the primary suite  just like she did when he toured her New York City penthouse.

The tile is paired with white cabinets, natural wood counters, and a light blue Smeg refrigerator, which she adores

'Look how little it is,' she gushed, opening the door. 'It only has wine in it'

The next stop on the tour was the main bathroom, which features a sink, a toilet, and a large shower with glass doors

Corcoran paired-down bedroom features white furniture, a tan rug, and pale pink bedding

The airy bedroom gets plenty of sunlight and has doors leading to the outdoor terrace. It also boasts its own bathroom with a large soaking tub.

'I paid more for this than I paid for all my furniture,' she admitted, but she is likely getting her money's worth.

'Two baths a day, right?' Simpson asked.

'How do you know I take two baths?' she replied.

Corcoran's second bedroom has a large bed and two nightstands, but she seemed to favor the half bedroom, which has a bed pushed up against the window.

'I adore this bedroom,' she said.

Corcoran and Simpson then stepped out to the deck, which has an outdoor table and lounge chairs.

'You're a terrace girl,' he noted.

The investor let Simpson jump on her bed in the primary suite - just like she did when he toured her New York City penthouse

'I paid more for this than I paid for all my furniture,' she said of the soaking tub in her bathroom

Corcoran's second bedroom has a large bed and two nightstands

Corcoran seemed to favor her half bedroom, which has a bed pushed up against the window

'I am,' she confirmed. 'I should live outside, really.'

Corcoran said it was the view of the ocean that made her determined to buy this particular double-wide.

'I saw this trailer park, and I liked this one the best because it had the best view, I thought,' she explained, saying she knocked on the door and offered to buy it.

The previous owner told her she would be willing to sell it in a year, but the investor gave her an offer she couldn't refuse.

'I said, "No, I really want it now." I said, "But what if you can use it whenever you want  for your life?"' she recalled. 'And she said, "Yeah, that'll be good," and she sold it to me.'

After the tour, the Shark Tank star put Simpson and his cameraman to work by having them hang a mirror for her in the spare bedroom.

Corcoran grew up in a working-class family in Edgewater, New Jersey, and went on to form her own real estate brokerage firm, The Corcoran Group, which she sold for $66 million in 2001.

Corcoran and Simpson then stepped out to the deck, which has an outdoor table and chairs

Corcoran said it was the view of the ocean that made her determined to buy this particular double-wide, and she made the owner an offer she couldn't refuse

Corcoran's latest home tour video has been viewed 5.2 million times, and many people were impressed that the self-made millionaire lives in a trailer park - albeit a ritzy one

After the tour, the Shark Tank star put Simpson and his cameraman to work by having them hang a mirror for her in the spare bedroom

She has two children  an adult son, Tom Higgins, and a teenage daughter, Kate Higgins  with her husband, Bill Higgins, a retired Navy captain and FBI agent.

As an investor on Shark Tank, ABCs four-time Emmy award-winning show, she has invested in over 80 businesses to date.

Corcoran's latest home tour video has been viewed 5.2 million times and has received more than 2,000 comments from fans.

A number of people shared how much they loved Simpson and Corcoran's playful banter and friendship.

Others were admittedly impressed that the self-made millionaire lives in a trailer park  albeit a ritzy one.

'I love that she could EASILY afford a seaside mansion, but opts for a trailer with a view,' one TikTok user shared.

'Love the home, but [a] million dollar beachfront trailer park is something that can only exist in LA,' someone else noted.

'Most down to earth lady,' another added.
A new beauty buy has been dubbed the 'ultimate morning skin hack' by hundreds - and it costs just $42.

The new Daily Radiance Primer by Coco & Eve is the brand's first dip into the skincare market and contains SPF 50 to help customers protect their complexion from UVA and UVB rays without any effort.

The Australian brand, which was founded by Sand & Sky and Bellabox founder Emily Hamilton, is famous for its haircare and tanning range - particularly its viral Like A Virgin Hair Masque.

The new multi-tasking primer has been hit with countless five-star reviews from customers who are raving about the 'radiant, gorgeous' glow it gave them after just one use.

Packed with skin-loving ingredients, like white tea extract, rose geranium stem cells and niacinamide, the primer protects the skin from photoaging, pollution and blue light damage, and is the ideal base under makeup.

Before and after: A new beauty buy has been dubbed the 'ultimate morning skin hack' by hundreds - and it costs just $42

'I expected the white opaque liquid to leave a white cast, but it effectively concealed the redness around my T-zone really well! I'm impressed by how it preps my skin before foundation, acting almost like a color corrector with SPF benefits,' this shopper wrote

It is formulated without fragrance or silicone and promises a 'gorgeous satin finish' while reducing redness, minimising pores, improving uneven skin tone and softening wrinkles and fine lines.

'Adding this as a new staple to my skincare prep routine. I'm very particular about sunscreen products as I've experienced some that broke me out or have a stinging sensation but this sits so well on my skin,' one reviewer said.

'It's my new secret weapon. It is the perfect product for that healthy, natural-looking glow from within,' another wrote.

The three hero ingredients behind Coco & Eve's new primer Vita TE: A white tea extract with anti-pollution, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits to protect against skin ageing. Vita Ray-Immune: Rose Geranium Stem Cells protects against environmental stressors and blue light, fights premature ageing, as well as reducing skin redness. Niacinamide: helps visibly minimise enlarged pores, improves uneven skin tone, softens fine lines and wrinkles and diminishes dullness. Advertisement

'My skin never looked this good! Hydrated, nourished... my pores have disappeared and my skin has never looked this silky smooth! If there's one thing I can't live without, it's this.'

Founder Emily has lived away from home in Singapore for 13 years in order to get her beauty business off the ground.

She also sold her childhood home for funds to kickstart the company - which still remains 100 per cent privately owned.

'It leaves my skin GLOWING and my makeup sits beautifully on top of it,' this reviewer wrote

Emily Hamilton has lived away from home in Singapore for 13 years in order to get Coco & Eve off the ground. She was also the founder of Sand & Sky and Bellabox

'When I started looking into what would eventually become Coco & Eve, the vegan and cruelty-free movement was just finding its legs,' Emily told FEMAIL. 'It meant a lot to me because I was so conscious about consumption.'

One of Emily's missions was to tell a story with every product, and all of the releases have been crafted around a narrative.

'We're really focused on packaging and ingredients,' she said. I really think what we're doing is completely unique to everyone else in the market.'

You can browse the range and new primer here.

Daily Mail Australia may earn commission from some of the links in this story.
She's been dubbed Britain's most beautiful royal and is known for her fashion prowess - and Lady Amelia Windsor didn't disappoint last night.

The 27-year-old socialite, who is the granddaughter of the Duke of Kent, looked typically chic as she stepped out at the Longchamp x Toiletpaper: Pop Revolution launch party in London.

She was joined at the star-studded event by her cousin artist Cassius Taylor, who is the son of Lady Helen Taylor and world-renowned art-dealer Timothy Taylor, and also the Duke of Kent's grandson.

The cousins posed up a storm on the blue carpet, with Lady Amelia turning heads in a two-tone skirt teamed with a casual orange crop top.

Ensuring her appearance wasn't completely low-key, the model sported a chunky gold chain necklace and an array of bracelets and rings.

Lady Amelia Windsor, who is the granddaughter of the Duke of Kent, looked typically chic as she stepped out at the Longchamp x Toiletpaper: Pop Revolution launch party in London, alongside her cousin Cassius Taylor

Keeping her make up minimal, she wore her blonde locks straight and hanging down her shoulders.

Adding another pop of colour to her look, the stylish royal carried her essentials in a dainty cream and red handbag with a white strap.

Her cousin, meanwhile, made a statement in colourful trousers and a grey T-shirt paired with a golden chain.

The socialite, who studied art management at Goldsmiths University, was once dubbed one of the UK's most eligible bachelors.

Like several fringe members of the royal family, Cassius, who was born in 1996, grew up within royal circles but away from the spotlight, making rare public appearances, including on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour.

Lady Amelia turned heads in a two-tone skirt teamed with a casual orange crop top

Lady Amelia was joined at the star-studded event by her cousin artist Cassius Taylor, who is the son of Lady Helen Taylor and world-renowned art-dealer Timothy Taylor, and also the Duke of Kent's grandson

Brett Staniland, Lady Amelia Windsor and Scott Staniland attend the Longchamp x Toiletpaper Pop Revolution launch party

His mother Lady Helen was a fashion ambassador and muse to Giorgio Armani for 17 years.

He went to school at Wellington College in Berkshire, which costs 35,775-a-year, before heading to creative hub Goldsmiths, where he got a degree in art management.

After graduating, he worked for his father's art gallery in London before joining the PR agency Purple, where he dabbled in the events business, organising glitzy receptions at Somerset House.

He eventually left Purple PR and set up his own events company, named 'Telltale.
A woman feels 'sexier than ever' after shedding the razor for good and proudly embracing her chest, leg and armpit hair.

After years of depression, Esther Calixte-Bea, 26, wants to normalize female body hair and raise awareness around 'hormone sensitivities' that can cause some women to be hairier than others.

The artist, from Montreal, feels more comfortable in her skin now than when she was constantly attempting to rid her body of hair.

Esther explained that her 'irregular' amount of hair actually derives from her family lineage and not from a medical condition.

Esther Calixte-Bea, 26, from Montreal, is 'proud' of her chest hair and has accepted her body for what it is

Esther spent years shaving, waxing and removing hair in order to 'fit in' in society

'There is no medical explanation behind my hair - I am just a hairy person.

'I have recently learnt that the women on my father's side are quite hairy and it is perfectly normal.

'I come from the We tribe in Ivory Coast, Africa, and the women in my great grandmother's time were very hairy. It was seen as beautiful.'

Growing up, Esther felt heavily insecure and shy when it came to revealing parts of her body, and would either hide those areas or attempt to remove the hair in various ways.

She said: 'I obsessively shaved in school to make sure nobody would see my hairy chest.

'I would freak out if just two hairs appeared. Shaving and waxing caused me tremendous amounts of pain - it was more hassle than it was worth.'

Esther then hit a point in which she felt removing the hair became more of a burden than being hairy itself.

'It was tiring carrying around a heavy burden and hiding my hair from people. I was so depressed and even suicidal during my teens.

'However, I eventually decided enough was enough. I stopped shaving and decided to be me.'

Esther began complimenting herself, which boosted her confidence and built her sense of self-love. Then she ditched the razor for good in May 2020.

'It is the best thing I have ever done as I feel sexier and comfortable in my own skin,' she said.

Now, Esther wants to challenge society's 'beauty standards' for women.

She added: 'If women weren't supposed to have hair, we wouldn't grow it. It is the society that tells us to shave. I have redefined beauty for myself and I no longer allow society to dictate it for me.'

A continuous, painful routine of removing her thick hair left her 'depressed' and 'suicidal'

Esther is now comfortable to flaunt all of the hairier areas of her body in public and is not phased by other people's opinions

Ditching the razor in 2020 has improved Esther's mental health and enabled her to finally love herself

Esther feels 'feminine' and encourages other women to embrace their true selves

It took some time before Esther became comfortable enough to flaunt her hair publicly, and found it 'challenging' going 'against the norm.'

She explained: 'I had to push myself at the start by walking out with short shorts with leg hair. After a few weeks, I began to feel comfortable.

'People stare but I don't have to worry anymore. Fear tried to paralyse me.'

According to Esther, the response from people in public and online has been mixed. Many people have turned their noses up and stared while others have 'saluted' her for standing out from the crowd.

'When I am out, people stare a lot. Someone even filmed me once which was weird. But online, the reaction from others has been 90 per cent positive,' she said.

'I have received thousands of messages from women all over the globe who thought they were alone.

'I have shown them that facial and body hair is nothing to be ashamed of.'

The artist regularly paints women with body hair in order to normalize the stigma.

She added: 'I paint pictures of beautiful women who have hairy bodies. I don't want hair to be an obstacle anymore. I refuse to victimize myself because of it.

'But I don't have to worry anymore, as I have accepted who I am. I have decided what is beautiful for me.'
Sarah Ferguson has given an encouraging breast cancer surgery update and revealed how the late Queen's corgis are playing a part in her recovery.

Last month, the Duchess of York, 63, announced she had been diagnosed with the disease and undergone a successful single mastectomy at King Edward VII's Hospital in London.

In the latest episode of her podcast Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah, the mother-of-two said she is 'slowly working her way back to a healthy body' following the procedure with the help of her beloved pets.

Following the Queen's passing last September, Sarah and Prince Andrew - who already had five Norfolk terriers - welcomed the late monarch's corgis Muick and Sandy into their home on the Windsor estate.

Speaking with her podcast co-host Sarah Thomson, the mother-of-two explained how she has recently been told that she can start going on more dog walks again.

Pictured: Sarah Ferguson opened up about her breast cancer surgery recovery on the latest episode of her podcast Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah

Describing the days after her surgery, Sarah said: 'Having seven dogs, they don't understand that perhaps I'm not as mobile as I was.'

'They're going, "Hello! Come on, it's all about me!" Dogs are very needy, aren't they?"

While Sarah was on bedrest, the Duchess said the corgis would look at her expectantly in the hopes of being taken out on a walk.

She continued: 'They're used to people coming in and taking them for walks.

'So they look at me and they're going, "and your point is what? You've got your feet up watching Wimbledon? Oh no mum, you're out! We have things to do."

What's more, the royal went on to explain how she has just been given the green light to start going on more walks with her dogs.

She said: 'I did hear today that I'm allowed to do more walking so they might be happy with me now.

'I took all the seven doggies yesterday to where the Queen would have walked them, and so I was chatting to them saying, "now where do we go?" And they were sort of showing me the way.

'And there was a little woodland walk that was made specially for the Queen and just so special.'

Pictured: Sarah Ferguson poses with the Queen's corgis on a dog walk taken around the time of her 63rd birthday

Her Majesty's love of corgis was well-known, and after she was gifted one of the dogs for her 18th birthday, she kept the breed for the rest of her life

Sharing the update with her 607,000 Instagram followers, Sarah wrote: 'I am slowly working my way back to a healthy body post-surgery. The corgis and I are so excited to be taking our walks together again!'

Urging her followers to keep an eye out for symptoms, she added: 'I cant thank my doctors, nurses, and medical professionals enough. I encourage anyone who can to get screened. Dont wait.'

Last September, the Duchess said that being asked to take care of Sandy and Muick has been a 'big honour', according to the Telegraph.

Speaking at the Henley Literary Festival, Sarah said that she's well aware that the two new additions to her household are 'national treasures' who have been 'trained well'.

As Sarah and Andrew already shared five Norfolk terriers, the two corgis have had to integrate with them.

In last week's episode of the podcast, Sarah said she didn't feel she had been 'brave' or 'courageous' following her diagnosis.

Sarah Ferguson, 63, announced she had undergone surgery for breast cancer last month. Pictured in October 2021

Meanwhile she spoke about how Beatrice and Eugenie had responded to her diagnosis, saying: 'I think it's scary for any family member out there, you really start to look at your own demise. It's a wake up call, and you think, how am I going to deal with this?'

Sharing a clip on Instagram, she wrote: 'I am recuperating at the moment but keen to share my story here on my podcast, in the hope it encourages everyone who can to get screened.

'Thank you doesnt quite cover it to all of my doctors, nurses and medical professionals. Im beyond lucky to have you.

'I encourage everyone to get checked.'

At the start of the podcast, Fergie explained her daughter Beatrice had chosen her outfit for her, adding: 'I have to say it's really just extraordinary to come to terms with a new you.

Sarah Ferguson pictured with her two daughters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice during King Charles' Coronation celebrations

'You cannot be complacent with yourself or life or how lucky you are.'

She continued: 'It's really important that my father was right: The show must go on.

'But be mindful of each word you say, be gentle with yourself and people, and be very grateful.'

She went on to discuss how she had faced her diagnosis, saying she had looked up mastectomies as soon as she had heard she had a shadow on her breast.

She said she felt 'we can do this' after she spoke with a reconstructive surgeon.

Fergie explained: 'We must make people realise, it's not okay but if you're going to get it, catch it quick.

'And go and say, "I can do this". It's not bravery, it's not courage, it's about understanding that you're not going to feel as you did for a bit, so don't try to be a superhero.

The Mail on Sunday revealed the full extent of her exhausting ordeal including four days in intensive care at the private hospital where the duchess was monitored around the clock

'Take mini steps, have the cup of tea, trust people. It's very important not to be complacent with every single thing now.'

Later, she said she felt 'extraordinarily lucky' but said it had given her a new appreciation for life.

She said: 'Today before I came and did the podcast, I was in the car coming, and I said, "No can we turn around?"

'I went back in and hugged Beatrice. I really wanted to. Just to be grateful.

'And she said, "Mum I thought you left". And I said: "Thankyou."'

She said she had received an 'outpouring of kindness' and 'love' with letters and flowers, adding: 'It's really amazing the love I'm getting from the entire nation, it's extraordinary.'

Meanwhile Fergie said it was 'very moving' to receive notes which said how brave she had been.

The duchess's cancer nightmare began less than two months ago when a routine test first detected something was seriously wrong before the Coronation.

In early May, Sarah attended an appointment in London for a mammogram. Rather than being given the all-clear, as expected, the technician explained that a 'shadow' could be seen in the breast.

A source close to the duchess told Mail on Sunday: 'Most people usually associate breast cancer with a lump but that's not always the case.

'A lump can be detected by the patient, but this was a 'shadow', which can go undetected because it's a wider spread of cancerous cells that can be picked up through screening.

'In Sarah's case, a biopsy was taken from the shadowy area of tissue and a few days later the results came back to confirm the diagnosis  breast cancer.'

Given the size of the area, a lumpectomy was ruled out and Sarah was strongly advised to go ahead with a single mastectomy, which would eradicate the shadow of cancerous cells across the breast. Sarah was said to be devastated but determined to press ahead with a mastectomy as soon as possible, telling friends she had 'no choice' but to go through with the operation.

Christina Choy was the surgeon who carried out the mastectomy.

Once it was complete, consultant plastic surgeon Stuart James, who was once hailed as one of the country's top breast doctors by Tatler magazine, then took over, performing a breast reconstruction with the 'DIEP flap' technique. By coincidence, Mr James is known to Prince William.

In 2013 the heir to the throne attended an operating theatre at The Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea where Mr James explained the procedure of a breast reconstruction.

The special procedure is so complex that only highly skilled surgeons are allowed to attempt it.

It involves making an incision in the abdomen and taking fat from the stomach to form a new breast.

Experts say this can take more than six hours because it involves microvascular surgery which involves cutting and then re-joining delicate 2mm blood vessels.

But The Duchess endured a punishing eight-hour operation as surgeons battled breast cancer.

The 63-year-old was diagnosed with the disease and has undergone a successful single mastectomy at King Edward VII's Hospital in London

This week, The Mail on Sunday revealed the full extent of her exhausting ordeal including four days in intensive care at the private hospital where the duchess was monitored around the clock.

A friend of the duchess, who is now back at home, said: 'The surgery was very long  getting on for eight hours  and it was more involved than people think. Today, the message she wants to get out is that she is very grateful to those who saved her and she feels very lucky to be alive.

'Specifically, the duchess wants to thank the two incredible surgeons Christina Choy and Stuart James who carried out the operation and all the medical team who worked tirelessly to help her.'

But the length of time under the general anaesthetic took its toll on Sarah Ferguson, whose vital signs were then monitored in intensive care for four days.

Last week she told friends that she is facing a 'long road' to recovery but is determined to 'beat it'.

Her younger daughter, Princess Eugenie, has 'all but moved in' to help look after her mother while sister Princess Beatrice is said to be a frequent visitor and 'constantly on the phone'.

Andrew has been on hand to help and friends and family have been rallying around to provide hot meals and run errands.

A Buckingham Palace source confirmed that the King had also written to his former sister-in-law, sending his sincere wishes for a speedy recovery.

A Palace insider said that plans for the Yorks to move out of Royal Lodge and into Frogmore Cottage, Harry and Meghan's former home, have been 'quietly shelved' for now.

The duchess wants to thank the two incredible surgeons Christina Choy and Stuart James who carried out the operation and all the medical team who worked tirelessly to help her

Andrew has been on hand to help and friends and family have been rallying around to provide hot meals and run errands

The Duchess of York, whose stepfather Hector Barrantes died from lymphatic cancer in 1990 at the age of 51, has long been a champion for the charities working to combat the disease.

In November that year she opened a specialist cancer unit at the Middlesex Hospital in London for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Since then, Sarah has become a patron of the charity, attending almost all of the charity's new unit openings. Over the years, her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie have both joined their mother in supporting the charity.

Sarah said that both princesses spent their 18th birthdays visiting teenage cancer units.

Revealing her own cancer battle before her operation, Sarah Ferguson said in her podcast: 'I volunteered to work for the Teenage Cancer Trust because my stepfather died of cancer.

'He was a wonderful man. I adored him.'

A source said that, after a period of recovery, the duchess intended to 'spread the word' and work to raising awareness of the importance of early cancer detection.

She told her podcast: 'I'm telling people out there to go get checked. Go get screened. Go do it. I'm not just talking about breast cancer but all cancers.'
Peter Phillips' girlfriend Lindsay Wallace appeared to draw inspiration from Kate Middleton's wardrobe yesterday - as she wore the Princess' favourite designer to Wimbledon.

Rumours of a romance between the King's nephew and Lindsay, who attended school with Peter's sister Zara, first emerged when he made a visit to see her in March 2021.

Eight months later, he showed he was serious about his new relationship when he brought Ms Wallace as his date to his nephew Lucas's christening.

Earlier this summer, she appeared to cement her place in the royal family as she joined other senior members for the King's Coronation concert.

And yesterday, she proved she has been looking to the Princess of Wales for inspiration as she donned a dress from Suzannah to attend Wimbledon alongside Peter and Queen Camilla.

Peter Phillips' girlfriend Lindsay Wallace appeared to draw inspiration from Kate Middleton's wardrobe yesterday - as she wore the Princess' favourite designer to Wimbledon

She proved she has been looking to the Princess of Wales for inspiration as she donned a dress from Suzannah to attend Wimbledon alongside Peter and Queen Camilla

Lindsay looked elegant in the blue floral dress from the British brand, which costs 1,990.

Online, it is described as a 'stunning shirt dress constructed from Italian intricately embroidered chiffon' with a fit and flare silhouette.

The brand also describes it as 'the perfect dress for summer events, that will take you from day to evening effortlessly.'

The brand is well known as a favourite of the Princess of Wales, who has worn the label on a number of occasions in the past.

She most recently wore the label as she visited the Anna Freud Centre in London back in May.

Meanwhile the royal mother-of-three has also worn the brand to Wimbledon.

Oil tycoon's daughter Ms Wallace, a mother of two, knows Mr Phillips and his sister, Zara Tindall, from their school days at 40,000-a-year Gordonstoun.

Ms Wallace, who has also split from her husband, was in the same year as Zara at Gordonstoun, the respected Scottish school also attended by Prince Charles.

Lindsay looked elegant in the blue floral midi dress from the British brand, which costs 1,990 (pictured)

She was among the guests at the royal's 2011 wedding to rugby star Mike Tindall.

Peter, the elder child of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips, took the highly significant step of introducing Ms Wallace, the daughter of an oil tycoon, to his grandmother the Queen, who was said to have been 'delighted'.

Ms Wallace was introduced to Her Majesty at a shooting party at Windsor and the encounter was described as 'warm' by a source.

Princess Anne's son, and Lindsay, were pictured smiling together at the Coronation concert last month while they watched on from the royal box in the grounds of the Windsor Estate.

They attended with Peter's daughters, Isla Phillips, 11, and Savannah Phillips, 12, who he shares with his ex-wife Autumn.

The brand is well known as a favourite of the Princess of Wales, who has worn the label on a number of occasions in the past (pictured left, in May, and right, wearing the label to attend Wimbledon in 2019)

Sources claimed Peter is 'happier than ever' and completely loved-up with his girlfriend Lindsay who is a 'breath of fresh air'.

A friend of the Kings nephew told Hello that Peter has always been 'extremely close' with King Charles and that 'it meant a lot' that he was able to bring Lindsay to the Coronation concert.

The source told the outlet: 'He is in a great place at the moment and could not be happier in either his private or personal life.'

The pal added the pair look 'so natural' in each other's company, adding they are 'incredibly happy' together.

'Lindsay really is a breath of fresh air and its clear to see both Lindsay and Peter are loving life,' the friend continued.
The best local restaurants in the UK have been named in the Good Food Guide 2023.

Among them are fine dining restaurants, cafes and cuisine from Italy, Germany, and France.

Taking the top spot for the whole country was Tallow, in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Speaking about picking up the top gong, owner Donna Taylor said: 'What an unexpected and humbling acknowledgement for the whole team at Tallow, and such a privilege to be considered alongside restaurants we love and respect.

'Were incredibly proud to receive confirmation from our guests that Tallow has become what we had hoped, an accessible, relaxed dining experience that they wish to enjoy over and over again.'

OVERALL WINNER: Tallow, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

The overall winner was Tallow, in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent - which also topped the Central & East of England category

The overall winner was Tallow, in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent - which also topped the Central & East of England category.

The modern European fine diner was praised for its lack of formality and 'down-to-earth, dress-how-you-want, genuinely friendly' atmosphere.

Tallow's menu is seasonal, but previous dishes have included spiced goat with pickled cabbage, pan fried stone bass with rosti potato and vanilla poached apple with tonka bean custard mousse.

The guide referred to the eatery as the 'perfect neighbourhood restaurant' with 'delicious monthly menus' and 'excellence of the service'.

WEST MIDLANDS: Tropea, Birmingham

Tropea is a 'true neighbourhood restaurant' in the UK's second city that offers delicious Italian food including lamb ragu, aubergine parmigiana and barbecued duck

Tropea is a 'true neighbourhood restaurant' in the UK's second city that offers delicious Italian food including lamb ragu, aubergine parmigiana and barbecued duck.

The Good Food Guide praised the 'genuinely welcoming vibe' and 'excellent Italian cooking from a talented, locally trained chef'.

LONDON, Les 2 Garcons, Crouch End

Crouch End in north London is home to the best local restaurant in the capital, according to the Good Food Guide

Crouch End in north London is home to the best local restaurant in the capital, according to the Good Food Guide.

The French bistro was praised for its 'endearing Gallic hospitality' and 'authentic cooking'.

Diners can expect roast cod, butter beans & chorizo ragu, classic French onion soup and escargots

NORTH EAST: HOMESTEAD KITCHEN, Goathland, North Yorkshire

In picturesque North Yorkshire is Goathland, a pretty village that's home to Homestead Kitchen

In picturesque North Yorkshire is Goathland, a pretty village that's home to Homestead Kitchen.

The restaurant focuses on British food with spiced confit duck, torched smoked eel and caramelised vanilla custard on the menu.

NORTH WEST: The Sparrows, Manchester

Big portions of ravioli, burrata and tortellini are on the menu at Sparrow

Nordic decor and a menu that contains a fresh German pasta - The Sparrows certainly stands out in Manchester.

Big portions of ravioli, burrata and tortellini are on the menu.

SCOTLAND: The Kinneuchar Inn, Kilconquhar

Described as a 'rare example of a genuine dining pub' the Good Food Guide say that Kinneuchar Inn is the best neighbourhood joint in Scotland

Described as a 'rare example of a genuine dining pub' the Good Food Guide say that Kinneuchar Inn is the best neighbourhood joint in Scotland.

The menu changes daily and is based on fresh ingredients.

One recent menu included polenta, braised chard, chanterelles & parmesan, mozzarella, braised beetroot tops & pangrattato and chocolate pot, boozy cherries & vanilla biscuit.

SOUTH EAST: SEASONALITY, Maidenhead, Berkshire

Seasonality in Maidenhead, Berkshire was praised for being a 'beacon of local loveliness'

Seasonality in Maidenhead, Berkshire was praised for being a 'beacon of local loveliness'.

It stood out among the other restaurants in Berkshire, which has become a huge foodie hub with dozens of Michelin stars.

The Good Food Guide said that the restaurant was a 'godsend with its community feel' and was 'great value'.

SOUTH WEST: WILD ARTICHOKES, Kingsbridge, Devon

Wild Artichokes in Devon offers the likes of focaccia, arancini and many forms of artichoke are of course of the menu

The Good Food Guide described this local restaurant as 'magical'.

Wild Artichokes in Devon offers the likes of focaccia, arancini and many forms of artichoke are of course of the menu.

The guide praised the 'fun-loving vibe and creative cooking make for a truly memorable experience'.

WALES: ROCKET & RYE Cowbridge, Glamorgan

Not quite a cafe, not quite a restaurant but pitched somewhere between is Rocket & Rye in Glamorgan, named the best local in Wales

Not quite a cafe, not quite a restaurant but pitched somewhere between is Rocket & Rye in Glamorgan, named the best local in Wales.

Halloumi, stracciatella, and chicken wings are among the options for hungry guests.
The new mom said food would fall out of her mouth and she struggled to speak

She said symptoms arose soon after she welcomed daughter Gia in April

Robert De Niro's partner Tiffany Chen has revealed that she was diagnosed with postpartum Bell's palsy after giving birth to their daughter - explaining that she 'lost all facial function' which resulted in her 'slurring her words' and being unable to 'eat.'

In her first interview since welcoming the Hollywood icon's seventh child, Tiffany, 45, spoke in detail about the horrific condition to CBS Mornings.

In a preview for the sit-down, which will air in full on Friday, the new mother explained that soon after returning home from the hospital following the birth of her and the 79-year-old actor's daughter, Gia Virginia Chen De Niro, in April, she noticed that her tongue had become numb.

She said her whole face soon began to feel 'weird,' but she was unable to pinpoint what was causing the sensation.

Robert De Niro's partner Tiffany Chen has revealed that she was diagnosed with postpartum Bell's palsy after giving birth to their daughter

The 45-year-old said that she 'lost all facial function' as a result of the diagnosis

The former martial arts expert sat down with CBS Mornings' Gayle King to discuss her health scare

'My tongue felt strange, it felt a little tingly, it was starting to get a little bit numb,' she recalled to host Gayle King.

'I realized, like, my face just felt weird. I didn't know what the feeling was that I was having. It felt weird.'

Tiffany gazed in the mirror and said it looked like 'everything' on her face was 'falling down' and 'melting on itself.'

She explained that her symptoms continued to worsen and within days, she began struggling to speak.

It was also difficult for her to eat because she said everything would 'come out' of her mouth.

She revealed: 'I was trying to eat. I went to put just a fork of food in my mouth, and everything came out. I couldn't eat.

'And then I was starting to slur. I [realized], there's something really going on here.'

A terrified Tiffany decided to call her doctor, who told her to go to the hospital immediately.

Tiffany (seen with Robert in June 2023) said she began 'slurring her words' and was unable to 'eat'

She revealed: 'I was trying to eat. I went to put just a fork of food in my mouth, and everything came out. I couldn't eat. And then I was starting to slur'

Robert and Tiffany welcomed their daughter, Gia Virginia Chen De Niro (seen), in April

Robert and Tiffany have been linked since summer 2021, after reportedly meeting on the film set of the actor's hit 2015 comedy, The Intern (seen)

'I lost all facial function the minute I got into the hospital,' she said.

Per Mayo Clinic, Bell's palsy is a 'condition that causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face.'

It's caused by swelling and inflammation of he nerve that controls the muscles in the face, and is very common post-pregnancy. If untreated, it can result in permanent paralysis.

Tiffany's candid interview comes as her boyfriend comes to grips with the tragic passing of his 18-year-old grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez (seen)

Robert and Tiffany have been linked since summer 2021, after reportedly meeting on the film set of the actor's hit 2015 comedy, The Intern.

The Goodfellas star first revealed that he had welcomed his latest child - which is his seventh - in May, after a reporter from ET Canada asked him what it was like to be a father of six children.

The actor responded by saying he actually had seven as he had, in fact, 'just had a baby.'

At the time, he did not share the name or gender of the youngster, nor did he reveal the identity of his baby's mother.

However, it has since been confirmed that the Good Fellas alum's girlfriend of over a year, martial arts instructor Tiffany, is the mother of his latest addition.

When asked if the pregnancy was 'planned' by Page Six days later, Robert responded by asking the outlet, 'How you could not plan that kind of thing?'

He also told People in June that his other kids - Drena, 51, Raphael, 46, twins Julian and Aaron, 27, Elliot, 24, and Helen, 11 - had not met his new daughter 'yet,' but added, 'They will.'

Leandro's shock death happened on July 5 when the teenager's body was found sitting in a chair inside his $950,000 apartment in the Cipriani Club Residences (seen) on Wall Street

Leandro was the son of Robert's adopted daughter Drena and artist Carlos Rodriguez. Leandro, Drena, and Robert are seen together

Days later, his mom revealed that he had passed away from 'fentanyl laced' drugs in an Instagram comment

Tiffany's candid interview comes as her boyfriend mourns the tragic passing of his 18-year-old grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez.

Leandro's shock death happened on July 5 when the teenager's lifeless body was found sitting in a chair inside his $950,000, one-bedroom apartment in the Cipriani Club Residences on Wall Street.

Leandro was the son of Robert's adopted daughter Drena and artist Carlos Rodriguez.

A police source told DailyMail.com at the time that a 'white powdery substance' was found near his body and that there were no signs of trauma.

Days later, his mom revealed that he had passed away from 'fentanyl laced' drugs.

She wrote in an Instagram comment: 'Someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him.

'So for all these people still f**king around selling and buying s**t, my son is gone forever.'
The Denver-based content creator lamented because she had to walk up stairs

An American tourist has been slammed for branding the Amalfi Coast in Italy 'literal manual labor' because she had to walk up many flights of stairs to get to her hotel.

Lexi Jordan is a content creator who frequently shares videos of her and her boyfriend traveling the world.

Most frequently, the Denver-based TikToker was blasted for being 'tone deaf' and 'entitled' after she shared a clip of herself lamenting about the tourist hotspot being too much work.

Lexi recorded herself yelling as she claimed that jetting off to the Amalfi Coast was not a 'vacation' and that everyone who recommended it to her deserved 'jail time' because she had to climb over a hundred stairs and take multiple forms of transportation to get to her hotel.

Lexi Jordan is an American tourist has been slammed for branding the Amalfi Coast in Italy 'literal manual labor' because she had to walk up stairs to get to her hotel

Most frequently, the Denver-based TikToker was blasted for being 'tone deaf' and 'entitled' after she shared a clip of herself lamenting about the tourist hotspot being too much work

Lexi recorded herself yelling as she claimed that jetting off to the Amalfi Coast was not a 'vacation' and everyone who recommended it to her deserves 'jail time'

In a viral clip, which amassed over 443,000 views, Lexi said: 'Every single influencer and TikToker who put the Amalfi Coast on my for you page over the last two months, deserves jail time.'

She explained that while influencers boasted the stunning views, they 'didn't tell you the disclaimers.'

'First of all, it's impossible to get here, you have to fly into Naples, then you have to take a train from Naples to Sorrento, then you have to stand in 90-degree weather waiting for a ferry to get on a ferry with all of your luggage, [and] lug it onto the ferry.

'[When you] get to Amalfi Coast finally, then, to get the high points, the beautiful hotels - there are no streets here, there are no cars - so you have to walk up 160 stairs with all your luggage to get to the top of this gorgeous area with these beautiful views.

'And then also, all the power went out because the Amalfi Coast doesn't have the infrastructure to support this tourism,' she said in the video.

She captioned the clip: 'Honestly, my main takeaway is if you're gonna come here don't make the same mistake I did - go for at least a week and definitely not two days.'

And although she threw a fit about lugging her suitcases up all the stairs, she revealed in the comments section that her boyfriend and a concierge member were actually the ones who did the heavy lifting while she followed behind.

Lexi begged for social media users' empathy because she 'still had to walk.'

Viewers blasted the tourist for not doing her 'research' and branded her 'entitled'

In the comments section, she wrote: 'I didnt carry my luggage, my boyfriend and our concierge did it but I still had to walk.'

Viewers blasted the tourist for not doing her 'research' and branded her 'entitled.'

One person wrote: 'The entitlement- some people have real problems.'

Another user added: 'So spoiled and if you need disclaimers when you travel maybe you should not travel.'

'Imagine doing any basic research before you book a flight like literally any, five minutes on Google,' said one user.

@millenniallex honestly my main takeaway is if youre gonna come here dont make the same mistake i did - go for at least a week and definitely not TWO DAYS  #amalficoast #eurosummer #dying  original sound - Lexi Jordan

One person said: 'Stay home next time.'

'Its almost like traveling means you have to travel,' someone else wrote.

Another person said: 'I mean stay in your country and stop complaining, as easy as that lol.'

'I hope you read next time you book a trip, poor thing had to be a human being for a little bit,' said someone else.

One user said: 'This is the most tone deaf thing I have ever heard in my entire life. Youre in Italy girl. Cry about it?'
Christopher Nolan was reportedly 'upset' that Warner Bros chose to release Barbie at the same time as his thriller Oppenheimer.

The two highly-anticipated films will be released in the US on July 21 - with the world's largest cinema chain AMC Theatres reporting that more than 20,000 people have bought tickets to see both movies on the same day.

But despite the Barbenheimer (a playful hybrid of Barbie and Oppenheimer) phenomenon continuing to grow - the 52-year-old director was reportedly less than impressed.

Nolan is said to have been annoyed at the timing which comes after his very public departure from Warner Bros studios in recent years.

Christopher Nolan was said to be 'upset' that Warner Bros chose to release Barbie at the same time as his thriller Oppenheimer

Publicly, Nolan has been claiming that the competitive clash between Barbie and Oppenheimer is a good thing

Nolan had released projects under the Warner Bros umbrella for most of his career - spanning back to thriller Insomnia, starring Al Pacino, in 2002.

The list included some of his most notable works including Inception, Dunkirk and the Dark Knight Batman trilogy.

Tensions boiled over during the coronavirus pandemic shortly after the release of Nolan's Tenet which appeared exclusively in theaters in 2020.

That year, the studio's parent company Warner Media announced that it would be releasing its entire 2021 slate of films on its streaming platform - HBO Max.

But Nolan publicly slammed the decision, telling Hollywood Reporter: 'Some of our industry's biggest filmmakers and most important movie stars went to bed the night before thinking they were working for the greatest movie studio and woke up to find out they were working for the worst streaming service.'

Following the spat, it was announced that the director would be making his next movie - Oppenheimer - at Universal.

Its theatrical release was set for July 21 before Barbie later popped up on the same date.

Publicly, Nolan has been claiming that the competitive clash is a good thing.

Oppenheimer's theatrical release was set for July 21 before Barbie later popped up on the same date

'Summer, in a healthy marketplace, is always crowded, and we've been doing this a long time,' he recently told IGN.

'I think for those of us who care about movies, we've been really waiting to have a crowded marketplace again, and now it's here and that's terrific.'

But sources close to the director said 'Nolan wasn't nearly as diplomatic in his stance behind the scenes,' according to Insider.

The publication claimed 'Nolan was upset that Warner Bros scheduled Barbie for release on the same weekend as Oppenheimer, especially since mid-July has been known in the movie business as "Nolan's weekend" for years.'

There was reportedly an attempt by the movie-theater community to get the Warner Bros studio to move the Barbie release date - but it ultimately would not budge.

Despite the ongoing rumblings, earlier this year Variety said the new heads of Warner Bros, Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, wanted Nolan to return.

It claimed that the executives had sent Nolan a seven-figure royalty in relation to Tenet in an attempt to re-build a bridge and lure him back.

DailyMail.com has contacted Warner Bros for comment.
This will allow more people to access same day delivery

Chemist Warehouse has increased its delivery range from 10km from the nearest store to 50km, greatly increasing the number of potential customers.

The new 50km rule relates to the pharmacy and retailer's 'fast delivery' option and comes into affect immediately.

The change will be implemented across over 500 stores.

Chemist Warehouse director, Mario Tascone said the change was being made with the aid of a partnership with third-party delivery firm Rendr.

Chemist Warehouse has increased its delivery range from 10km to 50km in a move which is expected to help thousands of Australians

'The partnership with Rendr enables us to more readily service the needs of our customers Australia-wide and we are proud to be able to provide further convenience for our shoppers,' he said.

Rendr co-founder Greg Leibowitz said he is 'thrilled' to be working with the retailer.

To access the delivery service, when online shoppers place an order via the Chemist Warehouse website, they simply select the Fast delivery option at checkout.
Travellers have discovered a magical little-known beach with unbelievably vibrant blue waters, a historic century-old jetty and magical rock pool.

Vivonne Bay is on South Australia's Kangaroo Island and has been dubbed one of the most beautiful destinations in the country by those who have visited.

While Kangaroo Island is a tourist hotspot many overlook the incredible beach and jetty which is often deserted as its hidden away down a dirt road an hour's drive from the main town Kingscote.

The Vivonne Bay Jetty stretches out over two-toned turquoise waters and provides the perfect vantage point to take in the scenery and capture enviable holiday snaps of what many have called the most spectacular beach in South Australia.

Built in 1911, the jetty is 128 metres long and was constructed as a railway for commercial fisherman.

Travellers are flocking to a stunning beach with 'insanely' blue waters and a century-old jetty that has been dubbed 'one of the most spectacular hidden gems in Australia'

The Vivonne Bay Jetty on South Australia's Kangaroo Island stretches out over turquoise waters and provides the perfect point to take in the scenery and capture enviable snaps

Vivonne Bay is the perfect place to relax on the white sands or take a refreshing dip in the calm waters which are the safest to swim in on the island's south coast

It has a fascinating history as it was the longest jetty on the island when it was built and an 18-metre portion of the jetty was demolished in World War II to prevent enemy use.

Nowadays it is used by cray fisherman to bring fresh seafood to the island, boaters to dock and visitors to cast a line or jump into the stunning ocean.

Vivonne Bay is the perfect place to relax on the white sands or take a refreshing dip in the calm waters which are the safest to swim in on the island's south coast.

Near the jetty, there is a hidden rock pool with stunning shades of blue to explore.

Built in 1911, the jetty is 128 metres long and was constructed as a railway for commercial fisherman

The easy to miss Vivonne Bay beach can be found off the sealed South Coast Highway an hour from Kingscote or 90 minutes from the Penneshaw ferry terminal

A brief history of Kangaroo Island's Vivonne Bay Jetty 1911 - Jetty constructed, 302 metres depth 4.1 metres, longest jetty on Island at the time. World War II - 18 metre gap removed to prevent enemy use. 1958 - Outer end demolished. 1964 - Shore end restoration. 2010 - 128 metres long, three metres wide for 78 metres and then 1.7 metres. Rail track used by commercial fishermen. Source: Kangaroo Island Pioneers Association Advertisement

Some lucky visitors may be able to spy the local wildlife including kangaroos, enchiladas, wallabies and sea lions.

Travel bloggers Mike and Laura said Vivonne Bay jetty was 'one of the most spectacular hidden gems in Australia they've laid eyes on'.

'The secluded bay is incredibly picturesque. Just take a look at the insanely blue waters!' they wrote in a blog post.

Near the jetty, there is a hidden rock pool with stunning shades of blue to explore and lucky visitors may be able to spy the local wildlife including kangaroos, enchiladas and sea lions

One visitor said the striking bay has the 'clearest, bluest' water they had ever seen and posted an 'unedited photo of the sea from the jetty on Instagram

'Plus Vivonne Bay rarely sees huge crowds, so it is perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in nature.'

Another visitor said the striking bay has the 'clearest, bluest' water they had ever seen and posted an 'unedited' photo of the sea from the jetty on Instagram.

'Soft white powdery sand. Beautiful green blue water. Gorgeous scenery,' someone else wrote online.

The easy to miss Vivonne Bay beach can be found off the sealed South Coast Highway an hour from Kingscote or 90 minutes from the Penneshaw ferry terminal.
A renowned scientist who led the condemnation of the Covid lab leak theory privately believed it was 'highly likely', leaked messages show.

Dr Kristian Andersen, a Danish evolutionary biologist, co-authored a now-notorious research paper published in March 2020 that denounced the origin scenario as a conspiracy theory and xenophobic.

Yet Slack messages obtained by DailyMail.com show how just weeks before the publication of that paper, Dr Andersen told colleagues the idea of a lab leak was 'not some fringe theory' and was, in fact, 'highly likely' the genesis of the pandemic.

Separate, publicly-available communications between the virologist and his co-authors show how the group backed the natural origin theory - the idea the virus jumped from an animal to a person in the wild - for 'political' reasons and feared pinning the blame on the Chinese lab would cause a s***show and threaten future funding of virus manipulation research.

Critics say the messages show how the scientific community conspired to censor debate about the origins of the pandemic, but the scientists involved claim they changed their minds between sending the messages and writing the paper.

Dr Kristian Andersen, a Danish evolutionary biologist from Scripps Research, was a co-author of the March 2020 Nature Medicine research article titled 'The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2'

Dr Andersen giving evidence during a hearing with the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic on Capitol Hill on July 11, 2023 in Washington, DC

Shi Zhengli - dubbed the 'Bat Lady' or 'Bat Woman' for her work on bat coronaviruses - investigated the possibility Covid could have emerged from her lab back in 2020 according to colleagues

Dr Andersen and the other scientists involved in publishing 'The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2' paper on March 17, 2020, were asked to testify before the House Oversight Select Subcommittee on Tuesday.

But only Dr Andersen and co-author Dr Robert Garry, a respected microbiologist who works at Tulane University in New Orleans, actually did.

House Republicans grilled the two doctors, citing the newly disclosed communications between researchers in early 2020 as evidence of a cover-up - something the scientists strongly refuted.

Some of the messages were published as part of a Government report released early Tuesday before the hearing. DailyMail.com was able to obtain extra messages not revealed in the report.

House Republicans pointed to the scientists' efforts to probe Covids origins in the document, which they say amounted to blatantly squashing voices that advocated for more serious inquiry into the theory that the virus leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).

In a message sent on February 2, 2020, Dr Andersen said: 'The main issue is that accidental escape is in fact highly likely - it's not some fringe theory.

Also on February 2, 2020, Dr Andersen admitted he found it 'strange' that Covid emerged in Wuhan, a city hundreds of miles from rural China where related coronaviruses circulate, despite labeling the lab leak theory a conspiracy

The question of whether the global outbreak began with a spillover from wildlife sold at the Huanan market or leaked out of the Wuhan lab just eight miles across the Yangtze River has given rise to fierce debate

The watchdog group White Coat Waste sued the sprawling National Institutes of Health to gather information about the three early infections with a virus whose symptoms looked like Covid

'I absolutely agree that we can't prove one way or the other, but we never will be able to - however, that doesn't mean that by default the data is currently much more suggestive of a natural origin as opposed to e.g. passage. It's not...'

In other messages, Dr Andersen admitted he found it 'strange' that Covid emerged in Wuhan, a city hundreds of miles from rural China where related coronaviruses circulate, despite labeling the lab leak theory a conspiracy.

He said: 'Do we have any location information on the bat SARS-like viruses? ...I believe RaTG13 is from Yunnan, which is about as far away from Wuhan as you can be and still be in China.

'What are the chances of finding viruses that are 96 percent identical given that distance? Seems strange given how many SARS-like viruses we have in bats.'

RaTG13 is a bat virus and one of the closest known relatives to the SARS-CoV-2 Covid virus. There were fears that it may have been the ancestor of Covid that was tinkered with in the lab.

The WIV is just a 40-minute drive from the Huanan wet market in China, where the first infections started. Meanwhile, as Dr Andersen pointed out, Wuhan is more than 800 miles from Yunnan, the region where Covid's relative is indigenous, making natural transmission seem less likely.

Dr Andersen did not reply to a DailyMail.com request for comment.

Other messages which were displayed in the cropped screenshots in the report show that Dr Andrew Rambaut, a biologist at the University of Edinburgh, another co-author of the anti-lab leak paper, feared pinning the blame on China for even accidental release of the virus would cause a geopolitical s*** show, and so he was content with ascribing it to natural process.

The notorious proximal origin paper was partly commissioned by Dr Anthony Fauci, the then-head of the US's national research agency that had been funding risky virus research on Covid's relatives at the lab in Wuhan, partly funded by the US taxpayer.

Co-author Dr Garry admitted to the BBC last month the researchers went 'too far' in the paper.

The paper concluded: 'We do not believe that any type of laboratory-based scenario is plausible.'

But Dr Garry said this statement was never meant to dismiss all types of potential lab leak.

Speaking to Fever: The Hunt for Covid's Origin, an eight-part BBC Radio 4 series, he said they were aiming to dismiss the idea the virus had been intentionally crafted as a bioweapon.

'At that point we were still largely under the influence, when that particular sentence was written, with the notion that this may have been a bioengineered virus or maybe a weapon that just sort of accidentally released,' he said.

But pressed by John Sudworth, the BBCs former Beijing Correspondent, on how the paper's principal conclusion covered all types of lab leaks, such as a from a disease research facility, Professor Garry admitted the wording was wrong.

Maybe we went a little too far there, he said.

The Proximal Origin report, which was published just days after a conference call in which top scientists, including Dr Fauci and Dr Francis Collins, fielded frantic messages from virologists about the possibility that aspects of the virus appeared man-made.

Internal messages show that even Dr Andersen considered the argument that the genomic makeup of the virus suggested human tampering, though he changed his tune just four days later on February 4, as evidenced by an e-mail he sent to a different crop of scientists - which was later recovered by investigative group Right to Know.

In the message, Dr Andersen wrote: The main crackpot theories going around at the moment relate to this virus being somehow engineered with intent and that is demonstrably not the case.

The Republicans efforts to nail down where exactly the virus came from, whether that be from a Wuhan wet market selling animals contaminated with the virus or from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, have homed in on exposing the inner workings of scientific authorities like Dr Fauci and Dr Collins  colloquially dubbed by Republicans as the Bethesda Boys.

The issue has become a largely political one after years of labeling certain scientists, including Dr Fauci and Dr Collins at the center of the debate as overtly biased in favor of theories espoused by many Democrats and government-entrenched scientists.

This includes the theory that Covid-19 likely jumped from an animal intermediary host before infecting humans.
Clean water activist Emily Donovan tells DailyMail.com people in her area are 'desperately sick' all the time

The level of one PFAS toxin is 155 times higher than the average and blood levels of PFAS are 66 times higher

The water in Brunswick County and Wilmington, NC, contains the highest levels of forever chemicals in US

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Residents of two North Carolina counties fear a wave of serious disease, cancers and miscarriages is the result of decades of drinking tap water contaminated with toxic 'forever chemicals'.

The tap water in Brunswick County and Wilmington, located in the southeast of North Carolina, is among the most toxic in the country when it comes to concentrations of PFAS - tiny compounds that are not broken down by nature or the human body, with levels up to 155 times above what health officials deem acceptable.

Experts are pointing the finger at a chemical plant in Fayetteville, which they say has been dumping poisonous chemicals into the Cape Fear River Basin - which serves as the primary drinking water supply for over 1.5 million North Carolinians - since the 1980s.

The issue only came to light in 2017, when residents and local doctors started to join the dots and come to terms with the many cases of severe and sometimes fatal illnesses that they were seeing. Brunswick County native and public health activist Emily Donovan told DailyMail.com: People were sick all the time here, desperately sick.

A 2020 analysis of hundreds of blood samples taken from people in the Cape Fear River Basin appeared to confirm their fears. It showed that those in the area had levels of forever chemicals, or PFAS, in their blood at levels up to 66 times higher than the government says is safe.

The Chemours plant that activists say is responsible for the PFAS crisis is still in operation in Fayetteville, about 80 miles from Brunswick County

The cities depicted on the map are just a handful of many that have been identified as having higher concentrations of PFAS in the public water supply and private wells

Brunswick County, North Carolina, is at the top of an unfortunate list of US cities with the highest concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their drinking water supply.

According to the Environmental Working Group, which sets more stringent healthy limit for PFAS concentration than the federal government, Brunswick County's water contains 155 times the amount of PFOA deemed safe (1.09 parts per trillion). The state average, for reference, is 0.945ppt.

The toxic chemicals lurking in the Cape Fear River basin have been tied to various reports of cancers, kidney and liver damage, and birth defects in Wilmington and Brunswick County.

PFAS, otherwise known as 'forever chemicals' earned that name for their ability to linger in the environment and the body for hundreds of years.

Their effects on humans is still not fully understood, but a growing body of research suggests that they wreak havoc to our DNA, raising the risk of cancer, and interfere with vital organs.

But because the effects of long-term exposure can take time to manifest, officials are hesitant to say with certainty that elevated rates of illness are due to PFAS.

Dr Jamie DeWitt, a toxicologist and PFAS expert at East Carolina University, told DailyMail.com that it would be too much of a stretch to attribute the above-average rates of cancer and low birth weight in the area to PFAS without a comprehensive study.

But residents of the area, many of whom have contended with breast cancer, brain tumors, kidney disease, and miscarriages are blaming the Fayettville-based Chemours chemical plant, a DuPont spinoff.

The company has reached many court settlements with entities alleging that the company poisoned the water and the air around them, though the company has not explicitly admitted wrongdoing.

There have been anecdotal reports from doctors as well as patients, including a close friend of Mrs Donovan's who passed away from cancer last fall, of mysterious cancer diagnoses.

Emily Donovan, the driving force behind the advocacy group Clean Cape Fear, told DailyMail.com: What's unnerving and alarming is its in everyone in my family.

I have twins and I was seven months pregnant when we moved to this area. And so of course, I was drinking a lot of water leading up to the end of the pregnancy and then all through breastfeeding, and their whole entire life until 2017.

By that point, news had broken of the tap water contamination and the Donovans stopped drinking tap water as much as possible.

Though her childrens school was not quick to substitute the tap with bottled water, a frustrating omission to Mrs Donovan who had to send her kids to class knowing that they didn't have access to clean drinking water.

The Environmental Working Group, an activist organization centered on eradicating environmental pollutants, mapped out the communities and military sites around the US confirmed to have PFAS contamination. The organization reports that as of June of last year, 2,858 locations in 50 states and two territories are known to be poisoned with forever chemicals

Mrs Donovan has been confronted head-on with the devasting effects that environmental pollution can have, first with her husband who developed a brain tumor three years after moving to the county in 2009 and survived, and then with her dear friend Tom who was diagnosed with rare male breast cancer that spread to his spine.

Neighborhoods with the highest PFAS levels in drinking water Concentrations are measured in parts per trillion (PPT) Brunswick County, N.C. at 185.9ppt Quad Cities, Iowa at 109.8ppt Miami, Fla. at 56.7ppt Bergen County, N.J. at 51.4ppt Wilmington, N.C. at 50.5ppt Philadelphia, Pa. at 46.3ppt Louisville, Ky. at 45.2ppt New Orleans, La. at 41.8ppt Charleston, S.C. at 33.3ppt Decatur, Ala. at 24.1ppt Information courtesy of a separate report by the Environmental Working Group Advertisement

Tom died last November without knowing for sure what spurred on his aggressive form of cancer.

Mrs Donovan said: The one thing that Tom has always wondered is, did the tap water cause his illness?

And even though we'll never know if the tap water caused his illness, he always was very adamant that it wasn't helping, you know, clearly, he should not be drinking this water.

Her friends passing shook Mrs Donovans faith, she said, adding: You just wonder, what is humanity doing? Because this was completely avoidable, and when I say this was completely avoidable, it's not his cancer but the exposures we were given.

Since 1980, DuPont had been producing a specific type of PFAS resin called Nafion that was supplied to General Electric in the 60s for use in NASAs Gemini Space Program. The company also began manufacturing PFOA in 2000, another type of PFAS that lingers in the body for years.

The company phased out the use of PFOA and replaced it with another type of PFAS called GenX in 2009, four years after DuPont settled for about $107 million in a class-action suit arguing that it contaminated drinking supplies in Ohio and West Virginia by manufacturing Teflon.

The settlement with DuPont in West Virginia really kind of is how the whole entire world was made aware of PFAS, specifically PFOA, Mrs Donovan said.

When those settlements happened, quite honestly, we weren't fully aware. Those were eye-opening and they caught the nation's attention. They caught my attention.

And I was quietly thinking to myself, Wow, I feel so really sorry for those people in West Virginia, it's good to see that they're getting some level of justice, not knowing at the time that I myself was being poisoned and poisoning my own children who were raised on this tap water because their pediatrician recommended drinking water.

This sum was the first in several that DuPont and later its offshoot Chemours paid either in fines to the Environmental Protection Agency amounting to more than $10 million or in settlements for alleged wrongdoing amounting in 2017 to about $671 million.

Tom Kennedy, a Wilmington native and friend of Emily Donovan's passed away last fall after years of battling a rare form of male breast cancer that spread to his spine. He was 50

In total, Chemours is believed to have produced at least 54 different types of PFAS. And scientists have been able to detect a handful of them in peoples blood.

DailyMail.com reached out to DuPont and Chemours for comment but has not received a response.

A groundbreaking report published in 2020 sampled blood from 344 residents of Wilmington, NC, coincidentally the fifth-most PFAS-polluted water system, from 2017 to 2018. While the federal government considers two nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) the maximum concentration before potentially posing harm, Wilmington residents saw some of their levels far exceed that rate.

Concentrations of PFAS in the blood writ large reached as high as 133 ng/mL, marking a 66-fold increase from the national recommended cap.

The median concentration of PFOS in blood was 8.6 ng/mL, though in some it was as high as 26.8. PFOS, or perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, is extremely persistent, meaning it can take years to degrade in the environment and water treatment plants have a hard time breaking it down.

Cancer diagnoses in most of the towns designated by the Environmental Working Group for having high levels of PFAS in water are above the national average rate of about 439 cases per 100,000 people

Deaths due to all types of cancer were higher than average in most of the top ten cities. Specific types of cancers have been linked more strongly to PFAS exposure, including kidney and testicular cancers

The median concentration of PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, in peoples blood measured 4.3 ng/mL in a range of 1.7 to 11 ng/mL. Meanwhile, levels of a chemical called PFHxS ranged from 1.2 to 8.5 ng/mL, though the median was 3.2.

Mrs Donovan shared her blood concentrations as well as those of her husband and twin son and daughter with DailyMail.com. She gave her measurements in parts per billion (ppb), which can be used interchangeably with ng/mL to measure the concentration of PFAS compounds in a given substance, such as water or blood.

Her total PFAS levels were 17.1 ppb and her PFOA level came to 3.3 ppb. Her husbands total PFAS levels were higher, though they dont know why. His came to 26.8 parts per billion. The Donovans' son, 14, came to 7.1 ppb and his twin sister came to 9.6 ppb.

Mrs Donovan said: Thankfully, we're healthy now. But I think what I live with is just the fear and anxiety of will that change?

We're seeing our friends go through and it just seems there's no rhyme or reason.
A quarter of men and four in 10 women with a 'healthy' BMI were actually obese

Up to one third of people who think they have a healthy weight may actually be obese, a study suggests.

Israeli researchers, who examined data on 3,001 people, found around a quarter of men and nearly four in ten women who had a 'healthy' body mass index (BMI) had so much body fat that they should be classed as obese.

As a result, millions who believe their size is not cause for concern may be at risk of weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, the experts warned.

They urged medics to scrap the widely used BMI score when determining whether a patient is a healthy weight in response to the 'alarming' findings.

Instead, people should use devices for measuring body fat percentage  priced from 20 or found in gyms. These gadgets should become the 'gold standard' for working out if someone is obese, the team argued.

Researchers in Israel, who examined data on 3,001 people, found around a quarter of men and nearly four in 10 women who had a 'healthy' Body Mass Index (BMI) had so much body fat that they should be classed as obese

BMI is calculated by dividing an adult's weight in kilograms by their height in metres squared.

It is considered the standard indicator of a person's health, with the metric signalling whether someone is underweight, a healthy weight, overweight or obese.

But the Tel Aviv University scientists, led by Professor Yftach Gepner, said the body's fat content is the more important measurement for obesity.

It is usually measured using bio-electrical impedance analysis, which uses a device to send pain-free electrical impulses through the body and measure resistance to it.

Results then signal how much of the body is made up for water, such as muscle and blood, and therefore fat-free.

Women's body fat should be no more than 35 per cent of their weight, researchers say. The figure is 25 per cent for men.

Obesity can cause a range of life-threatening illnesses, such as heart disease, fatty liver and kidney problems.

How do you calculate your body fat percentage? Body fat is made up of subcutaneous fat - that which gathers under the skin, often around your waist and hips - and visceral fat, which collects around the organs. Body fat percentage is usually measured using bio-electrical impedance analysis. This requires a device to send pain-free electrical impulses through the body and measure resistance to it. Results signal how much of the body is made up for water  such as muscle and blood  and therefore fat-free. Such devices can be bought from 20 or found in gyms. Women's body fat should be no more than 35 per cent of their weight, while the figure is 25 per cent for men. Skinfold measurements are another way to measure body fat. It works by measuring the thickness of the fat layer under the skin using callipers to pinch the skin and measure the fold. Advertisement

Relying solely on BMI to determine whether a person is a healthy weight has led to people being told their weight is normal when they are actually obese, the researchers warned.

To determine how many people the BMI metric has miscategorised, the researchers examined data on 3,001 Israeli women and men, aged 20 to 95.

They looked at BMI scores, DXA scans  an X-ray that measures body composition and fat content  and blood tests.

Results, published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, show that 967 individuals had a healthy weight, according to BMI results.

However, of this group, 38.5 per cent of women and 26.5 per cent of men identified as 'obese with normal weight' because they had excess fat content.

Analysis of blood samples showed that these participants had high levels of sugar, fat and cholesterol  major risk factors for type 2 diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.

Additionally, of the 1,056 volunteers who were overweight, according to BMI results, 30 per cent of men and 10 per cent of women had a normal body fat percentage.

Professor Gepner said: 'Our findings were somewhat alarming, indicating that obesity with normal weight is much more common in Israel than we had assumed.

'Moreover, these individuals, being within the norm according to the prevailing BMI index, usually pass "under the radar".

'Unlike people who are identified as overweight, they receive no treatment or instructions for changing their nutrition or lifestyle - which places them at an even greater risk for cardiometabolic diseases.'

The researchers concluded that body fat percentage is a more reliable indicator of an individual's health than BMI, so called for the metric to become the 'prevailing standard of health'.

They noted that as well as devices that measure body fat percentage, more accessible tools  such as skinfold measurements  could be used. It works by measuring the thickness of the fat layer under the skin using callipers to pinch the skin and measure the fold.

'We recommend equipping all clinics with suitable devices for measuring body fat content, and gradually turning it into the gold standard both in Israel and worldwide, to prevent disease and early mortality,' they added.

The researchers noted that they did not track participants' health over time and only some markers of health were analysed.

Medics have long been aware of the shortfalls of BMI, which has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years.

For example, people who are muscular can be classed as obese by this metric when their weight is actually healthy, because muscle is denser than fat.

A person's ethnic group can also affect their risk of developing a health condition. This means someone from a South Asian country can heave a healthy BMI but may have a higher risk of developing diabetes.

The metric also doesn't work on pregnant women.

However, measuring body fat percentage also has limitations.

Results can be swayed by food and drink consumption and at-home devices may be less accurate than those used in gyms and health centres.
China chose to 'suppress information' instead of alerting the world to Covid, the editor of one of the world's most prestigious medical journals claimed today.

Dr Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of The Lancet since 1995, told the Covid Inquiry Beijing failed to inform international health bodies of the rapidly rising virus threat.

He also called for laboratories working with highly dangerous microbes to undergo 'stronger international regulation'.

His comments come despite criticism that his journal has had its own role in stifling scientific debate about Covid's origins and promoting the communist regime's own theories on the cause of the pandemic.

Dr Horton told the probe: 'The initial response by local government officials in Wuhan was to suppress information, not to report information.

Dr Richard Horton, who has held the role of editor in chief of The Lancet since 1995, told the Covid Inquiry the Chinese Government failed to inform health bodies of the rapidly rising threat of the virus

Read more: China finds two new coronaviruses lurking in bats... and claim they both have freak mutation to prove Covid was NOT engineered in a lab Advertisement

'The initial signal came through pro-MED. It did not come through official channels of the Chinese Government to the World Health Organization (WHO).'

Launched in 1994 as an email service, pro-MED alerts public health leaders, government officials and health experts to unusual health events related to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

'I have spoken to the person who was leading the WHO office in China,' he told the Inquiry.

'He had no direct contact from Chinese authorities in those early days about the outbreak in Wuhan. So, the channels didnt work.'

Hugo Keith KC, counsel to the Inquiry, commented in reply: 'They worked belatedly.'

But Dr Horton countered: 'They worked by accident, not even belatedly.'

'The WHO officials saw the pro-MED posting and then they were the ones who went to the Chinese authorities and said, "hey whats going on?"

'The information flow was in the opposite direction.

'We desperately need an awareness and a global system, to detect pneumonias of unexplained origin.'

Under the leadership of Dr Horton, The Lancet itself has been accused of supporting the Chinese Government's narrative over its handling of the virus.

Just as Covid started to spread, the journal published a letter from 27 experts which praised Beijing's 'rapid, open and transparent sharing of data on this outbreak'.

These authors also attacked the 'conspiracy theories suggesting that Covid does not have a natural origin', in a move that helped silence the lab-leak debate.

Once dismissed as a fringe conspiracy theory, the idea that Covid leaked from a Chinese laboratory has gained increasing traction in the years since the virus first caused a global pandemic.

These theories have centred on the biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory Wuhan Institute of Virology, which was known to be working with coronaviruses found in bats.

It's not the only time the respected scientific journal has aligned itself with the viewpoint of President Xi Jinping Chinese Government.

While China has insisted the virus originated elsewhere, academics, politicians and the media have contemplated the possibility it leaked from a high-level biochemical lab in Wuhan - raising suspicions that Chinese officials simply hid evidence of the early spread

Some experts now say Covid may have emerged from within the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Here security personnel are pictured keeping watch during a visit by the WHO in 2021

Other Covid origin theories point to Huanan seafood market in Wuhan as being the epicentre of the outbreak. Many of the earliest cases in December 2019 and January 2020 had visited the site, where live animals were sold

Last year The Lancet sensationally claimed it was 'plausible' Covid may have leaked out of a US lab, following a two-year investigation into the origins of the pandemic.

This claim mirrored the rhetoric of Beijing's disinformation crusade, with Chinese officials previously attempting to divert focus on Wuhan as the site of Covid's origins to a US military base in Maryland.

Dr Horton opened his evidence this morning by addressing the families bereaved by the pandemic, paying condolences to them on behalf of the journal.

Later, he added: 'The UKs national health security depends on global health security. Were not safe unless the rest of the world is safe.

'Of the BSL-4 labs in the world that might be dealing with potentially dangerous pathogens, there is no international oversight of those laboratories.

'It is in our interest to make sure that we are an energetic and muscular proponent of stronger international regulation of BSL-4 laboratories for national health security in the UK.'

There are now an estimated 69 BSL-4 labs around the world, up from 59 just two years ago with the vast majority in urban areas.

The first module of the Inquiry will conclude on July 19 after six weeks of witness evidence, but the probe as whole is not expected to end until 2026.

Professor Philip Banfield, chair of the British Medical Associations UK council and Matt Fowler from Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, are both expected to appear next week on Monday and Tuesday respectively.
A new CDC report showed an increase in developmental disabilities in kids

The share of American children diagnosed with a developmental or learning disability has increased sharply since the Covid lockdown, an official report warns.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that conditions such as dyslexia, autism, cerebral palsy, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are on the rise.

From 2019 to 2021, the amount of kids ages three to 17 diagnosed with any developmental disability increased from 7.4 percent to 8.5 percent. That's a 17 percent increase.

And boys were twice as likely to have one than girls, with one in 10 being diagnosed. Boys also had higher rates of intellectual disability than girls, with 2.3 percent diagnosed compared to 1.4 percent.

The findings build on previous research linking school closures, mask mandates and online learning to major dips in academic performance and development.

Covid restrictions have impaired development in kids, several studies have shown. This includes hitting vital milestones, recognizing faces, and standing up straight

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that developmental and intellectual disabilities increased in children during the pandemic

'We're interested in understanding the prevalence of these conditions in the population so that we can make sure we have adequate services available for families and children who need them,' said Benamin Zablotsky, statistician for the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics and lead author of the report.

The results were part of the agency's ongoing National Health Interview Survey, which collects national data though face-to-face interviews with 30,000 adults and 9,000 children.

The results also show that about three percent of kids have autism, a figure that dropped slightly during the pandemic.

While 2.6 percent received a diagnosis between three and seven years old, about 3.4 percent were diagnosed between eight and 17 years old.

Boys were three times more likely to be diagnosed with autism compared to girls. Just 1.5 percent of girls had it, while 4.7 percent of boys had been diagnosed.

Research suggests that develop these conditions more often than girls because girls have a 'female protective model.'

A study in the journal AJHG suggests that females require more extreme genetic mutations than males to push them over the threshold for neurodevelopmental disorders.

The new CDC figures show that boys were more likely than girls to have a developmental disability, and younger children were more likely to be diagnosed with them

Boys were also more likely to develop intellectual disabilities. However, unlike developmental conditions, intellectual disabilities were diagnosed more often in older children

The CDC's finding that developmental issues are on the rise comes amid a swathe of evidence that Covid restrictions hampered children's growth.

One study from researchers at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland looked at 309 babies born between March and May 2020.

Parents were surveyed about 10 developmental milestones after their child turned one year old.

These included: saying one definite word, finger pointing, waving bye, being able to stand, stepping sideways, crawling and stacking bricks.

The results were compared to 2,000 babies born between 2008 and 2011.

Lockdown babies were 14 percent less likely to have said one definite word, results showed.

They were also nine percent less likely to have started pointing, and six percent less likely to wave goodbye.

On the other hand, however, they were also significantly more likely to be crawling  at seven percent.

The researchers said: 'Lockdown measures may have reduced the repertoire of language heard and the sight of unmasked faces speaking to [infants].

'It may also have curtailed opportunities to encounter new items of interest, which might prompt pointing, and the frequency of social contacts to enable them to learn to wave bye-bye.'

The above graph shows the likelihood of a particular behavior in pandemic babies compared to non-pandemic babies by their first birthday. Pincer refers to using the thumb and index finger together. Pandemic babies were more likely to crawl, but less likely to be talking, pointing or waving goodbye

Additionally, a paper published last January in the journal JAMA that looked at 225 children born in 2020 revealed babies were less likely to be crawling and smiling at themselves in a mirror within six months. It also showed they had reduced social and problem solving skills.

Similarly, Brown University scientists, who assessed 1,000 children, found there was a 23 percent dive in 'pandemic' babies scores in three cognitive tests- early learning, verbal development, and non-verbal development.

Even motor skills like balance have suffered. A study published last year found that school closures damaged kid's ability to walk and stand up straight because they had fewer opportunities to be physically active, weakening leg muscles.

The findings come as more and more adults are being diagnosed with these conditions well after childhood.

Actor Rob McElhenney, for example, made headlines this week when he announced he was diagnosed with 'neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities' at age 46.

'It's not something I would normally talk about publicly but I figured there are others who struggle with similar things and I wanted to remind you that you're not alone,' he tweeted.

'You're not stupid. You're not "bad". It might feel that way sometimes. But it's not true.'
Doctors in Israel have re-attached a boy's head after he was hit by a car while riding his bike.

Twelve-year-old Palestinian Suleiman Hassan, from the West Bank, suffered an internal decapitation  where the base of the skull and the top of the spine become detached, but the skin is still intact.

Decapitation is the total separation of the head from the body. Internal decapitation occurs when sudden impact to the head causes the ligaments and muscles holding the skull in position on the top vertebrae of the spine to tear.

The injury is very rare  accounting for less than 1 per cent of spinal injuries.

Doctors said Suleiman's head was 'almost completely detached from the base of his neck.' He underwent painstaking surgery carried out by an intensive care team that took several hours.

Decapitation is the total separation of the head from the body. Internal decapitation occurs when sudden impact to the head causes the ligaments and muscles holding the skull in position on the top vertebrae of the spine to tear

Dr Ohad Einav and Ziv Asa with 12-year-old Suleiman Hassan at Hadassah Medical Center after they reattached his head

Suleiman was riding his bike when a car hit him. He was airlifted to Hadassah Ein Kerems Trauma Unit in Jerusalem and immediately put into surgery.

His injury was fixed in early June, but the Jerusalem hospital waited a month to announce the results.

The true incidence of internal decapitation is unknown as 70 per cent of victims die instantly or en route to hospital.

'We fought for the boys life,' Dr Ohad Einav, one of the surgeons who operated on the patient, told The Times of Israel.

The surgery is only possible if major blood vessels are still intact, as blood flow to the brain must be preserved.

A study of internal decapitations in children at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia recorded 16 of the injuries in 17 years.

The injury is treated by fusing the skull and spinal column together using rods, screws, plates and possibly bone grafts.

Dr Marc Siegel, Clinical Professor of Medicine and a practicing internist at NYU Langone Medical Center, told Fox News Digital the surgery is 'amazing'.

Fortunately, Dr Einav had recently returned from a fellowship in Toronto, where he had performed the surgery on adults.

Dr Einav said: 'The procedure itself is very complicated and took several hours. While in the operating room, we used new plates and fixations in the damaged area

'Our ability to save the child was thanks to our knowledge and the most innovative technology in the operating room.'

After surgery, patients will go through rehabilitation to help them regain movement in the neck.

Suleiman has been discharged with a cervical splint, and doctors will continue to monitor his recovery.

He has no neurological deficits or sensory or motor dysfunction and can walk without help.

Suleiman's father, who did not leave his son's bedside during his recovery, said: 'I will thank you all my life for saving my dear only son. Bless you all.

'Thanks to you, he regained his life even when the odds were low and the danger was obvious. What saved him were professionalism, technology and quick decision-making by the trauma and orthopaedics team. All I can say is a big thank you.'

According to a 2015 review study, internal decapitation is three times more common in children than adults.
SOCIETY

RENTAL PERSON WHO DOES NOTHING

by Shoji Morimoto (Picador 14.99, 160pp)

'I'm an amateur writer and at the moment I'm writing a novel. When I'm writing on my own, I often get a bit lazy, so I'd like someone to watch me. I wonder if you would sit in front of me while I work. I may say something to you occasionally, but basically I'd just like you to sit there and pass the time.'

This simple and somewhat odd request is commonplace for Shoji Morimoto, a 39-year-old freelance writer from Japan.

Many people dream of a life where they get paid to do nothing at all, or at least very little. This is a reality for Morimoto, aka Rental Person Who Does Nothing.

Dispirited by the monotony and repetition of his freelance writing work, and having quit every job he's ever had and always been told he was a 'do-nothing' by former bosses and co-workers, Morimoto decided that, since he was so good at doing nothing, he may as well do it full-time.

He tweeted his idea, offering himself up as a service to be rented out, as long as it essentially involved doing... well, nothing.

Many people dream of a life where they get paid to do nothing at all, or at least very little. This is a reality for Morimoto

'Maybe there's a restaurant you want to go to, but you feel awkward going on your own. Maybe a game you want to play, but you're one person short... I can't do anything except give very simple responses.'

Within ten months, his 3,000 followers had jumped to 100,000 (he currently has more than 400,000) and he has since been hired by more than 4,000 people.

He initially charged just expenses for travel and food, but now, to avoid time wasters and to reduce the volume of requests, the price of Rental Person's company is 10,000 yen  roughly 60.

Jobs can be straightforward, such as joining a client for an ice-cream soda  'I know how awkward it can be for a Japanese man to go into a cafe on his own and order an ice-cream soda, so I said "Yes" straight away'  or accompanying someone when they go to file their divorce papers ('It was an interesting day for me. I felt I'd accompanied her from one stage of life to the next').

Others are less so, from being asked to visit someone in a suicide unit of a hospital after a drug overdose, to the man who hired him so he could share something he felt he couldn't tell anyone else: that he'd killed someone.

'Since then, I think I've looked at people in a different way, realising that even the most ordinary, upright-looking people are not what they seem.'

Some people find it easier to work or study if another person is there.

Others use Rental Person's impending visit as an excuse to finally clean their homes after months of avoiding it.

And some are simply bored, lonely or want to be listened to.

Within ten months, his 3,000 followers had jumped to 100,000 (he currently has more than 400,000) and he has since been hired by more than 4,000 people

Although he didn't actually write the book, as this would be 'doing something'  he was interviewed by a writer and editor and gave very simple responses

There's a lovely irony that the man who was made to feel like a waste of space has ended up with such a fulfilling and unique job, and earned some 215,000, all from 'doing nothing'. Stock image used

Although Rental Person has undeniably helped many people, acting as a sort of companion, therapist and lunch date all rolled into one, he denies he is altruistic  and says this was the case even when he didn't charge for his services.

'I really want to avoid being thought of as a good person,' Morimoto writes. 'I'm absolutely not a good person and I don't want people to expect me to be. Rental Person has been described as "a new-age gigolo" and "a new-age beggar". I think being a gigolo or beggar are potential ways of relating to people, and the word "new" sounds good, so I feel quite positive about these comments.'

Although he didn't actually write the book, as this would be 'doing something'  he was interviewed by a writer and editor and gave very simple responses  Morimoto has a detached charm and honest self-deprecation that means you can't help but like him. 'I have, as usual, done nothing. I have simply watched, with interest and surprise, as this book has developed.'

There's a lovely irony that the man who was made to feel like a waste of space has ended up with such a fulfilling and unique job, and earned some 215,000, all from 'doing nothing'.
THE CAPITALIST MANIFESTO

by Johan Norberg (Atlantic 20, 352pp)

Now there's a catchy title: The Capitalist Manifesto. The reference by the author, Johan Norberg, is clear.

Karl Marx wrote The Communist Manifesto, and through his multi-volume Das Kapital, effectively invented the term capitalism  a word which ever since has had a pejorative tone.

I would refrain from using it at all, since it conjures up an outdated image of a bloated plutocrat in a top hat and smoking a fat cigar. 'The free market' would be better, especially for proselytisers of this model: not only do people like markets, the term describes the process in which we are free to choose, ourselves, and thereby, collectively, wield more power than any business.

Now there's a catchy title: The Capitalist Manifesto. The reference by the author, Johan Norberg (pictured) is clear

But in respect of the facts, rather than terminology, Norberg's paean of praise for the market economy (as opposed to those dominated by governments) is compelling.

With masterful command of statistics, he demonstrates just how much the global switch away from state domination, chiefly through the collapse of Communism  but also an abandonment of measures such as foreign exchange controls in Western economies  has led to as rapid a decline in levels of absolute poverty as has been witnessed in human history.

At the turn of the century, almost 40 per cent of the world's population was in extreme poverty, as measured by the World Bank. That figure is now 8.5 per cent.

And  in a shattering refutation of the misanthropic Malthusians, who believe population growth will inevitably outstrip agricultural capacity  this has happened while the population of the planet has increased by 1.5 billion. It is a tribute to the astonishing market-led improvements in agricultural technology.

And, as Norberg points out: 'Higher agricultural productivity has probably saved around three billion hectares of forest and grassland since 1961. Without it, an area equivalent to the size of two South Americas would have had to be put under the plough.'

The point is that in the market economy, businesses have a vested interest in using as few resources as possible in the production process, as this reduces their own costs.

You can see this, trivially, in the way the aluminium can in which you might buy your drinks seems to get thinner and lighter every year.

It is true that some of the individuals who have led the greatest technological developments  notably in the U.S.  have become multi- multi-billionaires: so the top 0.1 per cent of the population has a much higher share of wealth than was the case through much of the previous century.

But in respect of the facts, rather than terminology, Norberg's paean of praise for the market economy (as opposed to those dominated by governments) is compelling. "Leonardo DiCaprio pictured in Wolf of Wall Street)

But the wages of the lowest paid tenth in the U.S. have actually increased, in real terms, by 36 per cent, since 1990 and, as Norberg notes, 'if you look at income after taxes and transfers... income for the poorest fifth of households increased by 66 per cent.

'There are many ways to describe a 66 per cent increase in a quarter of a century, but stagnation is not one of them.'

What has changed since Norberg wrote his first defence of free markets a quarter of a century ago is that attacks on what is sometimes called 'the global market economy' now come as much from the Right in the U.S.  hello, Donald Trump  as the much less popular Left.

This, I'm afraid, is much to do with race. It is the ethnic minority population which has made the most progress, in material terms, in the U.S. over this period, while among the least educated of the white population, there has been a form of relative decline.

Or as Norberg puts it, 'when you are accustomed to privilege, equality can feel like oppression'.

But, in general, are the more redistributionist nations  such as Norberg's own Sweden, over many decades of social democrat rule  happier than those where the welfare state is less dominant? Or to put in another way, does relatively greater 'equality' create more wellbeing?

What has changed since Norberg wrote his first defence of free markets a quarter of a century ago is that attacks on what is sometimes called 'the global market economy' now come as much from the Right in the U.S.  hello, Donald Trump  as the much less popular Left

Norberg cites the interesting case of Ruut Veenhoven, the leading researcher into what is termed 'wellbeing', via the World Values Survey. Veenhoven, who was active in the Dutch social democrats when he first started work on his scientific study of happiness, had believed high levels of income redistribution contributed to 'wellbeing'.

But as he developed his project, he discovered that European nations with much smaller welfare states, such as Ireland, Switzerland and the Netherlands, with around half the share of social spending relative to GDP as, for example, Belgium, Italy and France, were  in responses to his survey questions  much happier.

Correlation is not the same as causation: there are many other factors at work. But Veenhoven has changed his mind: 'Happiness is not greater in welfare states. I was simply wrong.'

My own guess for the reason is that for most people a high degree of control over their life choices is vital to their wellbeing. And the market economy, for all its insecurities, remains its purest expression.
Billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Automotive has unveiled its second model  the double-cab pick-up Grenadier Quartermaster  and given a glimpse into its greener hydrogen fuel-cell future.

Alongside the new Quartermaster, the company also revealed a prototype zero-emissions 4x4 Grenadier that uses hydrogen gas to generate electric power.

It also confirmed that a smaller battery-electric SUV  about the size of a Toyota RAV4 - will be launched in 2026.

Billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Automotive has unveiled its second model  the double-cab pick-up Grenadier Quartermaster

The new Quartermaster will make its debut appearance on the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed hill-climb

Order books for the new five-seater Grenadier Quartermaster, priced from 66,215, opened today as the new pick-up made its global debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, where the fuel-cell 4x4 was also shown for the first time.

The new Quartermaster will also make an appearance on the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed hill-climb.

The Quartermaster is 545mm longer than its original Station Wagon stablemate, with the wheelbase 305mm longer, giving it greater load-lugging versatility. It also has 264mm of ground clearance and 800mm wading depth.

The standard Quartermaster costs from 66,215, with higher spec Trialmaster and Fieldmaster versions from 73,715.

Buyers have a choice of two BMW 3.0 litre turbo-charged 'straight-six' cylinder engines  petrol or diesel  for the same price. These are linked to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

There is also a long list of bespoke extras to bump up the price further, including: a load bay canvas cover (1,829); a roller tonneau cover (2,268); removable rear winch (2,520); and a roof rack (1,417).

The standard Quartermaster costs from 66,215, with higher spec Trialmaster and Fieldmaster versions from 73,715

Buyers have a choice of two BMW 3.0 litre turbo-charged 'straight-six' cylinder engines  petrol or diesel  for the same price. These are linked to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission

The new model's price compares to 55,030 for the two-seater Grenadier Utility Wagon; 58,030 for the standard five-seater Station Wagon; and 69,240 for the range-topping five-seater Trialmaster and Fieldmaster editions.

The new Quartermaster double cab pick-up was developed and built alongside the Grenadier Station Wagon and, Ineos says, combines its qualities with greater load-lugging versatility, uncompromising off-road capability, and dependability,

The Land Rover Defender rival also offers world class off-road ability, and wading depth approach, breakover and departure angles unrivalled by any other series production pick-up.

Of particular interest to commercial buyers in business and agriculture, its longer wheelbase gives it a load bay that easily carries a standard Euro pallet.

There is also a long list of bespoke extras to bump up the price further, including: a load bay canvas cover (1,829); a roller tonneau cover (2,268); removable rear winch (2,520); and a roof rack (1,417)

Ineos Automotive said: 'While the Grenadier Quartermaster shares most of its architecture and components with the Station Wagon, its strong and rigid box-section ladder frame chassis is 305mm longer.

'This results in a large and versatile load bay, 1,564mm long and 1,619mm wide, that is large enough to carry a standard 1,200mm x 800mm Euro pallet with ease.'

Ineos Automotive chief executive Lynn Calder said: 'I think it is a great looking car, it is truly rugged and unbeatable off-road.'

Grenadier's electric hydrogen fuel-cell 4x4

The Grenadier Hydrogen Fuel Cell (FCEV) Technology Demonstrator shows how well-suited the zero emissions technology is for a future long-range 4X4 off-roader, says Ineos.

The zero-emission hydrogen Grenadier Demonstrator 4X4 uses the BMW Group's latest hydrogen fuel cell powertrain, considered to be the most advanced and powerful in the automotive sector.

It uses hydrogen gas to react with oxygen from the air in a chemical reaction that takes place at the surface of the fuel cell's inner membrane, generating electric power to drive the vehicle's electric motors.

The Grenadier Hydrogen Fuel Cell (FCEV) Technology Demonstrator shows how well-suited the zero emissions technology is for a future long-range 4X4 off-roader, says Ineos

The company also revealed a prototype zero-emissions 4x4 Grenadier that uses hydrogen gas to generate electric power

The only other bi-product from the exhaust is water vapour as two hydrogen (H) atoms combine with and one oxygen (O) atom to form H2O  the chemical name for water. For those who remember school chemistry lessons, the reaction is a form of reverse electrolysis.

The hydrogen Grenadier Demonstrator is identical to the existing standard Grenadier apart from a bonnet power bulge to accommodate the additional height of the fuel cell, although Ineos says this would not be present in a production model.

Developed in partnership with Austrian engineering consultancy AVL, the hydrogen Grenadier Demonstrator has undergone rigorous testing to ensure there has been no compromise to its on- and off-road capabilities or towing capacities.

It has already conquered trails in the Austrian mountains and on a variety of offroad challenges around the city of Graz.

Lynn Calder, CEO of Ineos Automotive said the company was also preparing to launch a new all-electric smaller SUV due in 2026.

But while such battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are perfect for certain uses, shorter trips- including most private car journeys and urban deliveries - hydrogen fuel cell cars are more suited for larger vehicles for longer trips, heavy duty use where battery weight impacts too much on payload and where long range between stops is necessary.

The hydrogen Grenadier Demonstrator is identical to the existing standard Grenadier apart from a bonnet power bulge to accommodate the additional height of the fuel cell, although Ineos says this would not be present in a production model

It has already conquered trails in the Austrian mountains and on a variety of offroad challenges around the city of Graz

Her company had a ready source of the hydrogen fuel, she added: 'Ineos produces 400,000 tonnes of hydrogen per annum and is committed to hydrogen as a key fuel of the future.

'The hydrogen powered Grenadier Demonstrator is an extraordinary vehicle, capable of doing everything a conventionally powered Grenadier can do but with zero emissions.

'Now we need the UK Government to provide the infrastructure to support the growth of the hydrogen economy as part of its move to a zero emissions future.'

Both the Grenadier Quartermaster and Grenadier fuel cell Demonstrator will be showcased in Goodwood's First Glance Paddock and will be driven up the hill-climb route on each of the four days of the Festival of Speed.

Adventurous visitors to Goodwood will also be able to get behind the wheel of the Grenadier Station Wagon on a challenging off-road course at the Goodwood Halnaker Chalkpit, neighbouring the main event site.

Hundreds of slots are available throughout the four days of the Festival for those wanting to put the 4X4 through its paces.
IPO: Chip designer Arm is set to float in New York later this year

Arm is in talks to bring in Nvidia as an anchor investor just months before the chip designers New York listing.

Nvidia, the worlds most valuable semiconductor company, last year abandoned its planned 50billion acquisition of Arm after the deal was challenged by regulators.

The Silicon Valley chipmaker is one of several Arm partners, including Intel, that the UK-based firm hopes will take a long-term stake.

Prospective investors are still negotiating with Arm over its valuation. Nvidia wants to come in at a price that would put Arms value at 27billion to 31billion, while Arm wants it to be closer to 62billion.

The aim of bringing in large anchor investors would be to support the stock as SoftBank, which bought Arm for 24billion in 2016, sells down its stake.

Private tech firms and their advisers are watching to see if the float can succeed after a year-long slump in new listings.
Barclays has won its appeal against a ruling that it is liable to refund its customers who are victims of bank transfer fraud.

The Supreme Court said it was not the banks responsibility to concern itself with the wisdom or risks of its customers payment decisions, following legal action from a disgruntled fraud victim.

Music teacher Fiona Philipp sued Barclays in 2020 saying it should have stopped her from sending vast amounts to bogus accounts in the UAE  in what is known as an authorised push payment fraud.

Fraud ruling: The Supreme Court said it was not the banks responsibility to concern itself with the wisdom or risks of its customers payment decisions

She lost 700,000 and accused Barclays of failing in its duty of care.

Yesterday, Supreme Court judge George Leggatt said the bank was authorised to make the payment and to not do so would be inconsistent with banking law. As a result he overturned a 2021 Court of Appeal ruling.

He permitted Philipp to pursue a case that the bank breached its duty by failing to take sufficient steps to recover her cash.

Scams such as this one cost consumers more than 500million in 2021, according to the payments watchdog, amid concern that they are on the rise.

The Payment Systems Regulator has set out plans to introduce compulsory refunds for victims of push payment fraud. Details are being consulted on.
Defence giant Babcock International has won a 50m contract with the UK to provide operational support for tanks given to Ukraine.

Babcock will kit out armoured vehicles provided by the Government to the military, including Challenger 2 tanks, train Ukrainian personnel and manage equipment and supply chains.

Chief executive David Lockwoodsaid: What we do at Babcock matters now more than ever and it is a privilege to be by our customers side when they need us most.

British defence secretary Ben Wallace said: This delivers essential support for Ukraine on the battlefield, sustaining their equipment by providing the expertise and skills to keep Ukraines armoured vehicles moving, along with the provision of vital spares.

Babcock said there was scope for the deal to be extended. Defence firms have said that governments need to provide solid contracts in order to ramp up production levels.

Action stations: Babcock will kit out vehicles including Challenger 2 tanks (pictured), train Ukrainian personnel and manage equipment and supply chains

Defence manufacturing has been hampered by global supply chain issues. This week, BAE Systems secured orders from the UK to boost production of weapons.

The 280million deal, which could rise in value to top 400million, enables it to raise production capacity of 155mm artillery shells eightfold.

The announcements come as Britain, the US and global allies met at the Nato summit in Lithuania. Rishi Sunak last night said Nato is more confident and more united than ever.
The break-up of the British defence group Cobham has continued as its aerospace business was yesterday sold by its US private equity owners.

French manufacturing firm Thales bought Cobham Aerospace Communications in a 850million deal.

The Paris-based division, part of the Cobham group since 1989, makes antennas and communication systems for aircraft and is expected to generate about 154million in revenues this year.

The acquisition, set to close next year, adds to the number of Cobham units sold by US private equity giant Advent International since it bought the group for 4billion in 2019.

Although the Government scrutinised whether the takeover was a risk to national security, it gave it the go-ahead.

Sell-off: French manufacturing firm Thales bought Cobham Aerospace Communications in a 850m deal

It means seven business arms of Cobham have now been sold off since 2019, with one unnamed analyst labelling Advents actions as despicable and asset-stripping at its worst.

Founded in 1934 by Sir Alan Cobham, who pioneered the technology that allows planes to refuel in the air, the firm originally specialised in aerospace manufacturing, holding contracts with the British military.

Lady Cobham, the daughter-in-law of its founder, previously expressed her concerns about the auctioning off UKs high-tech defence firms  especially in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.

Last night she said she was unsurprised. I always thought that Cobham would be sold off bit by bit.

In spite of assurances by Advent to the contrary, this is exactly what is happening.

The company had 10,000 employees, with 1,700 in the UK. But since going private, most of the empire has been sold, leaving it with no manufacturing in the UK.

Advent has raised 5.4billion through the steady dismantling of the group, leading to some critics suggesting that Cobham is a cautionary tale for British firms looking to sell up to US private equity sharks.

Cobham was the first in a succession of deals targeting some of Britains most cutting-edge firms, including satellite maker Inmarsat and aerospace firm Meggitt  both sold to private equity firms.

Danni Hewson, analyst at AJ Bell, said: Its sad but not surprising to see the once-great Cobham empire being sliced and diced.

With many UK companies drawing admiring glances from would-be suitors this might prove a cautionary tale.

Boston-based Advent also scooped up British defence firm Ultra Electronics.

The 2.6billion acquisition in 2022 came after months of discussions over whether the producer of sensitive nuclear submarine systems should be sold to a foreign buyer.

Advent agreed to conditions that were required by the Government before it gave the deal a green light.

They included protecting existing jobs, maintaining a UK headquarters and boosting investment.
Trustpilot shares have jumped sharply after the group published an upbeat set of results for its first half.

The online business review website upped its earnings guidance, driven by a strong first half performance that saw it return to profit.

Trustpilot shares were up 14.76 per cent or 10.05p to 78.15p today, having fallen 16 per cent in the last year. The shares were up by around 20 per cent at their Thursday peak.

On the up: Trustpilot shares rose sharply today as the group upped its guidance for the year

The company said it now expected to report adjusted first-half core earnings of $3million (2.3million), compared with a loss of $5.4million a year earlier and annual earnings would be at the top of a company-compiled range of between $2.4million and $4million.

Group revenue for the six months to 30 June was expected to be $85million, compared with $73million last year.

Total annual recurring revenue was $180million, up from $149million. Total bookings increased by 16 per cent to $98million.

Regionally, bookings growth was 15 per cent in the UK and 21 per cent in Europe & rest of world, which Trustpilot called 'a resilient performance against a challenging macroeconomic backdrop'.

In North America, bookings rose by 11 per cent over the period, with an acceleration in the second quarter boosted by an improvement in the US net dollar retention rate, and continuing benefits from its go-to-market strategy in the region.

'Resilient trading' and 'improved operational efficiency' should prompt the better-than-expected full-year results, the group said.

On searching for a new chief executive, the group, said: 'We are pleased with the progress being made in the search for a new Chief Executive Officer and look forward to updating the market in due course.'

Trustpilot's founder announced his plan to step back from his chief executive role in March.

Peter Holten Muhlmann will transition from being CEO of the online review website to a non-executive director, where he will be 'an evangelist and brand ambassador,' the group said.

The Danish entrepreneur started the e-commerce service 16 years ago from his parents' garage and with funding from his father's cousin, growing it into a major European technology success story.
An elderly squatter who spent 50 years building an underground labyrinthine cave home on Israel's coast is facing eviction, according to authorities.

The country's Environmental Protection Ministry served an eviction notice to remove Nissim Kahlon, 77, from his elaborate home built into the sandstone cliffs of Herzliya beach, north of Tel Aviv, Israel.

Filled with chiselled tunnels, detailed mosaic floors and a network of staircases and chambers, the structure is 'illegal' and threatens Israel's coastline, according to the ministry.

But Mr Kahlon has vowed never to leave and said authorities would have to 'bury' him in the cave to get rid of him.

'I am not leaving here. I am ready for them to bury me here,' said Kahlon, a gruff but amiable chatterbox with a grey beard and beret. 'I have nowhere to go, I have no other home.'

The country's Environmental Protection Ministry served an eviction notice to remove Nissim Kahlon (pictured), 77, from his elaborate home built into the sandstone cliffs of Herzliya beach

Filled with chiselled tunnels, detailed mosaic floors and a network of staircases and chambers, the structure is 'illegal' and threatens Israel's coastline, according to the ministry

Mr Kahlon was living in a tent along the Herzliya beach north of Tel Aviv in 1973 when he says he began scratching into the sandstone cliffs and moved into a cave he carved.

Over time, his simple hole in the wall turned into a real-life sandcastle on steroids, filled with recycled wood, metal, ceramic and stone.

Nearly every surface of his main quarters is covered in elaborate mosaics, made from discarded tiles of every colour that he collected from dumpsters in Tel Aviv over the years. Recycled glass bottles serve as decoration and insulation on exterior walls.

Every wall in the labyrinthine complex is curved, and stairways bend and branch through the bedrock to chambers of different design and purpose.

The complex has plumbing, a phone line and electric lighting in its many rooms, and Mr Kahlon insists his construction is sturdy.

'From the stones I quarry I make a cast and build a wall. Theres no waste here, only material, thats the logic,' he said. 'Everything is useful, theres no trash.'

Mr Kahlon (pictured) was living in a tent along the Herzliya beach north of Tel Aviv in 1973 when he says he began scratching into the sandstone cliffs and moved into a cave he carved

Over time, his simple hole in the wall turned into a real-life sandcastle on steroids, filled with recycled wood, metal, ceramic and stone

Every wall in the labyrinthine complex is curved, and stairways bend and branch through the bedrock to chambers of different design and purpose

'Instead of encouraging me, theyre denigrating me,' Kahlon said, sitting in his mosaic-tiled living room, rolling a cigarette.

Mr Kahlon said he received a demolition order back in 1974 that was never carried out.

Since then, he says has never heard any opposition from the authorities until last year. The eviction is on hold until later this month to give him time to appeal.

He acknowledges he never received a building permit, and city hall shut down a beachfront restaurant he opened years ago.

But his main argument is that local authorities connected his cave to the electric grid decades ago.

His cave home is on the outskirts of Herzliya, a seafront city 8 miles north of Tel Aviv. It stands in contrast to the luxury homes that dot much of the beachside town - one of the most exclusive addresses in a country with a dire housing crunch.

But his main argument is that local authorities connected his cave to the electric grid decades ago

The complex has plumbing, a phone line and electric lighting in its many rooms, and Mr Kahlon insists his construction is sturdy

A few hundred meters north of Mr Kahlons cave is a Crusader castle, the site of a battle between Richard the Lionheart and Saladin over 800 years ago.

It is also near an abandoned facility that once belonged to Israel Military Industries, a defunct government-owned arms maker.

The facility, where explosives were developed and tested, was abandoned nearly 30 years ago after a massive explosion in 1992 killed two workers, damaged hundreds of buildings and shattered windows as far away as Tel Aviv.

Last month, another explosion blew a massive crater in the sandy soil not far from Kahlons cave.

Various Israeli government authorities have accused each other of being responsible for cleaning up the patch of derelict, polluted ground over the decades.

The Environmental Protection Ministry said that it has conducted repeated surveys to assess the extent of the pollution.

The facility, where explosives were developed and tested, was abandoned nearly 30 years ago after a massive explosion in 1992 killed two workers

A 'welcome home' blessing made of stone sits at Nissim Kahlon's cave home in Israel

A full-scale cleanup, however, has not been done since the site was abandoned in the 1990s.

The ministry said the Defence Ministry and IMI, which was taken over by defence contractor Elbit Systems five years ago, are responsible for security at the site - whose main gate remains wide open and is frequently the scene of rogue raves - and that 'there werent supposed to be any remnants of live ammunition' inside.

The Environmental Protection Ministry also said Kahlon had caused 'significant damage to the cliff, endangered the public and reduced the beach for public passage' over the past 50 years. It says the recent explosion only increases the potential risk to the cliff.

The ministry accused the Herzliya municipality and other authorities of failing to address the situation over the years and claimed it has tried since 2016 to resolve the issue.

In the end, it said it issued the eviction order 'to remove the harm to the coastal environment' and said the Herzliya municipality has found alternative housing for Kahlon.

In the meantime, Kahlons friends and family have launched a crowdfunding campaign to help raise money for his legal defence while Kahlon continues to pursue his lifes work.
'Batman' was eventually moved to another cell only to be replaced by a new bunkmate who kicked off about Maxwell stinking up their cramped living space

'Prison Karen' Ghislaine Maxwell tattled on a transgender cellmate for having raucous sex sessions in the bunk above her, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.

Tensions flared when Maxwell, 61, was placed in the same four-bed 'cube' as a heavily-tattooed inmate nicknamed Batman  who began transitioning from female to male while locked up for a firearm offense.

The disgraced socialite first took exception to her new 'bunkie' hanging boxers and socks over the metal rungs of the bed to dry, according to sources inside FCI Tallahassee, where Maxwell is serving 20 years for grooming Jeffrey Epstein's victims.

Their bickering turned even more bitter when Batman started sneaking a prison girlfriend back to the poky 5ft by 8ft living space after the low-security Florida lockup's nightly 9pm headcount.

Ghislaine Maxwell (pictured in her first televised jailhouse interview in January) continues to ruffle feathers behind bars, with her latest battle against a bunkmate who began sneaking a prison lover into their cell, DailyMail.com has learned

Insiders told DailyMail.com that Maxwell tattled on a transgender cellmate known as 'Batman' - a career criminal convicted of firearm offenses  for having loud sex sessions late at night

According to sources at the low-security facility, the British socialite, 61, has managed to rub fellow inmates and even prison staff the wrong way since her arrival, due to her 'entitled attitude'

'The cubes don't have doors like regular cells so Batman's girl would just creep in and climb up to the top bunk,' an insider told DailyMail.com.

'Max would hear every grunt and moan as she was trying to sleep just a few feet below. The beds aren't bolted down and they can rock from side to side and make a lot of noise.

'Max and Batman weren't getting along because of the underwear thing so this was the final straw. Inmates aren't allowed to have sex so she went and reported Batman to the unit's case manager.'

Within days of Maxwell's complaint, Batman  a career criminal convicted of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm  was moved to a different cube.

Epstein's madam didn't fare much better with her replacement, however, as the newcomer quickly kicked off about avid jogger Maxwell failing to take showers and stinking out their cramped living quarters with her sweaty sneakers.

'Maxwell would come straight off the running track and not wash. It's something you often see with sex offenders, they are worried about being attacked in the shower,' added our source.

'Eventually they had a huge argument  this time over a clothes hanger  and it got so heated that the new bunkie threatened to beat Max with a padlock.

'Of course, Max complained, and this girl was also removed. Max seems to think she will eventually get a cube all to herself if she keeps stirring up trouble.'

DailyMail.com revealed last month that Maxwell earned her 'prison Karen' moniker because of the 400-plus petty complaints she has lodged while behind bars.

Maxwell has filed more than 400 complaints over the unfavorable conditions in prison since starting her 20-year sentence at FCI Tallahassee last July

Maxwell is locked up at FCI Tallahassee, which could be her home until July 2037

Early reports revealed how the disgraced British socialite struggled to cope with her new life behind bars, refusing to eat and complaining bitterly to prison authorities that her clothes didn't fit

The sex trafficker has slated the lackluster vegan menu options, whined about 'unfair treatment', and demanded that jail authorities give her immediate access to black hair dye.

She even bagged plush hypoallergenic bedding after grumbling to staff that the standard-issue prison pillows were triggering her allergies.

Maxwell's moaning dates back to July 2020 when she was locked up at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York while awaiting federal trial for grooming minors.

Her lawyers accused prison authorities of breaching her rights by shining a flashlight in her cell every 15 minutes, subjecting her to invasive searches and filming her at all hours.

The daughter of disgraced UK newspaper magnate Robert Maxwell was sentenced to two decades behind bars in June last year and the judge in her case recommended she serve her time at FCI Danbury, the Connecticut prison that inspired Orange is the New Black.

But the Bureau of Prisons, which has the final say, instead sent her 1,000 miles south to sun-drenched FCI Tallahassee.

But the prickly prisoner continued to rack up the complaints, taking advantage of her job in the jail law library to file BP-9 'administrative remedy' forms at a rate of more than two a week.

Oxford-educated Maxwell has been at the center of countless controversies and bust-ups while locked up and even managed to use the prison's video visit system to give a headline-grabbing TV interview.

In January she told UK broadcaster Jeremy Kyle, without presenting any evidence, that the now-notorious photograph of Prince Andrew with Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre was a fake.

The disgraced British socialite is still having trouble adapting to her grim life behind bars after being surrounded by luxury and wealth for most of her life

Maxwell was convicted on December 29, 2021 on five of the six counts she faced for helping the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse underage girls

DailyMail.com revealed how the chat earned Maxwell 48 hours in the Special Housing Unit  a 'prison within a prison' comprising tiny, grim cells where inmates are caged for 23 hours at a time and fed through slits in the door.

In March it was the turn of two Cuban inmates who were both thrown into solitary confinement for 47 days after Maxwell reported them to authorities for trying to extort her.

The two bullies found out their strict vegan neighbor had an 'arrangement' with a kitchen worker who would slip her extra fruit, vegetables, and tofu and thought they could use the info against her.

They penned Maxwell a threatening letter demanding $360 worth of items from her commissary allowance but the Briton turned it straight over to prison authorities  breaching the strict mantra against snitching.

Maxwell was living in fear of a beatdown when the pair got out but one of the Cubans has since been transferred to a half-way house in Laredo, Texas and the other was moved to a different housing unit.

Maxwell  federal prisoner 02879-509  has a release date inset forJuly 2037 when she will be 75. She could gt out earlier if she can successfully appeal her convictions for helping ex-lover Epstein, who hanged himself behind bars in 2019 instead of facing trial.

Federal prosecutors argued this week in a fresh court filing that Maxwell's conviction for grooming girls as young as 14 should stand and denied claims she was being used as a proxy to satisfy public outrage over Epstein's crimes.
All is strife once more in the noble house of Kardashian.

Sister has called out sister, throwing down the gauntlet  in this case, most likely a sheer black opera glove  in a titanic feud over which of them has the right to wear their favorite Italian fashion designer.

For those who havent been keeping up with development in the familys reality show, The Kardashians, a ferocious new front has opened in Kim and Kourtney Kardashians typically fiery relationship.

In short, after Kim, 42, was signed up as creative director for Dolce & Gabbanas show in Milan last year and made the face of its latest advertising campaign, Kourtney, 44, was livid.

Why? Just six months earlier, the brands founders and co-owners, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, personally styled Kourtney for her wedding to rock-drummer Travis Barker. (The designers had classily created a wedding veil embroidered with an over-sized image of the Virgin Mary that was a replica of one of Barkers myriad tattoos).

It feels awful that my sister used my wedding as a business opportunity, whined Kourtney on the Hulu series. She chose the money over me.

A Kardashian hatching a lucrative but tacky commercial endorsement deal? Perish the thought!

Worse still, Kim appeared to escalate matters further at the weekend when she apparently copied one of her sisters other wedding outfits  a dramatic black corset dress with veil  when attending a Dolce & Gabbana (D&G) event in Puglia, Italy.

After Kim Kardashian (pictured in Puglia, Italy, this weekend) was signed up as creative director for Dolce & Gabbanas spring show in Milan this year and made the face of its latest advertising campaign, her sister Kourtney was livid.

Worse still, Kim appeared to escalate matters further at the weekend when she apparently copied one of her sisters Dolce & Gabbana wedding outfits  a dramatic black corset dress with veil (pictured).

If this all sounds to you like a shamelessly confected reality TV spat orchestrated to plug a brand with which the Kardashians have a valuable business relationship, youre not alone.

This is how things tends to work in the relentlessly transactional world of the Kardashians - and, for that matter, of D&G.

Kourtney previously revealed that the Italian designers allowed her and husbands families to use their Portofino estate and even their superyacht during their spectacularly gaudy nuptials. The two families reciprocated by parading around the fashionable Italian town during the four-day event wearing an ever-changing array of ostentatious D&G outfits.

The designers insistence that this was no sponsorship deal but that they were simply hosting this happy event was contradicted by rumors a multi-million dollar deal had been agreed to pay the Kardashians and friends for their patronage.

Now, it seems puzzling that a company of D&Gs standing should be willing to hitch its fortunes so firmly to the trashy Kardashian wagon.

After all, it was only in 2018 that Stefano Gabbana reportedly responded to an online photo of the Kardashians by commenting, The most cheap people in the world.

What could explain such a dramatic turnaround?

Dripping in double-standards, the fashion world is notoriously forgetful when it comes to the foibles of its stars. But signors Dolce and Gabbana, aged 64 and 60, have now notched up so many scandals that even the most fickle fashion-world insiders have had to pay attention.

Accused of racism, homophobia (despite both men being gay and having been a couple for 18 years until 2004), misogyny, fraud and general jaw-dropping insensitivity, it seems the pair cannot afford to be so picky when it comes to their celebrity endorsements nowadays.

The design partnership was founded in the early 1980s after its two founders met in a Milan nightclub and put on their first show using one of Dolces bedsheets as a curtain.

Soon, however, the brand would be synonymous with sexy and opulent designs  rising to become one of the most feted luxury fashion houses in the world.

It might seem puzzling that a company of D&Gs standing should be willing to hitch its fortunes to the trashy Kardashian wagon. (Pictured: designers Stefano Gabbana, left, and Domenico Dolce with Kim in Milan last year).

After all, it was only in 2018 that Stefano Gabbana reportedly responded to an online photo of the Kardashians by commenting, The most cheap people in the world.

But signors Dolce and Gabbana have now notched up so many scandals, it seems they cannot afford to be so picky when it comes to their celebrity endorsements. (Pictured: Kourtney Kardashian and husband Travis Barker in Portofino, Italy, for their wedding last year).

Theyve dressed everyone from Cardi B and Madonna, to Blake Lively and the Princess of Wales, charging as much as $60,000 for one of their extravagant frocks.

But The Boys, as the pair were once known in tribute to their youth and energy, have grown up  and not in a good way.

Certainly, their compulsion to shock hasnt aged nearly so well as the bottles of Barolo Riserva sitting in their various Italian cellars.

The Boys first got into serious trouble back in 2007 when they produced a print advert of a shirtless man pinning down a skimpily-dressed woman by the wrists as a trio of other men impassively look on.

Italian advertising regulators banned it for promoting gang rape and it was condemned by everyone from Amnesty International to the Italian textile workers union. The designers, with their customary insouciance over criticism, shrugged that they were simply trying to recreate a game of seduction.

Then in 2012, the pair managed to offend a good chunk of the Hong Kong population after locals  but not foreigners or mainland Chinese people  were curiously barred from photographing the window displays of the citys two D&G stores, sparking large street protests.

Amid speculation that the mysterious ban was to spare Chinese Communist officials the embarrassment of being snapped shopping in such an expensive store, the company eventually apologized.

The following year, the designers caused another stir, this time in Milan when they sent their all-white models down the runway for their 2013 Spring/Summer collection wearing headscarves and large earrings featuring cartoonish, colonial-style Blackamoor images of black women.

The brand denied racism and said the designs had a valid cultural history in Sicily. That may be true, critics acknowledged, but it still showed a remarkable tone-deafness to changing sensitivities surrounding race.

And the problem was, it didnt stop there. In 2016, the designers once more blundered into the race minefield when they named a $2,395 shoe from their latest collection the slave sandal.

The Boys first got into serious trouble back in 2007 when they produced a print advert of a shirtless man pinning down a skimpily-dressed woman by the wrists as a trio of other men impassively look on. Italian advertising regulators banned it for promoting gang rape.

The designers caused another stir in Milan when they sent their all-white models down the runway for their 2013 Spring/Summer collection wearing headscarves and large earrings featuring cartoonish, colonial-style Blackamoor images of black women.

Worse, however, came in 2018 when, to promote a major show in Shanghai, they released a series of videos featuring a Chinese model clumsily trying to eat Italian dishes such as spaghetti and pizza with chopsticks.

If it was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, it failed spectacularly as, within hours, #BoycottDolce was trending on Chinese social media site Weibo, with D&G stood accused of trivializing the nations culture.

Controversy then turned into catastrophe when leaked Instagram messages from Stefano Gabbana revealed him calling China the country of [poop emojis] and Ignorant Dirty Smelling Mafia.

Gabbana claimed he had been hacked - but, given his generally wild use of social media over the years, many found the excuse hard to believe, especially since the offending posts sounded just like him.

In the end, the pair issued a craven apology for the adverts. We have always been in love with China, they said. We love your culture and we certainly have much to learn. That is why we are sorry if we made mistakes in the way we expressed ourselves.

But the mea culpa came too late.

Celebrity Chinese endorsers deserted the Shanghai D&G event along with assorted models and influencers. The show was eventually cancelled, leaving the designers with a multi-million dollar financial loss which experts predicted could run into billions given the huge importance of China to luxury product sales.

And, money, say critics, is the only reason The Boys  both billionaires in their own right  ever apologize for anything.

In 2009, the pairs purported greed was splashed across the media when they were charged with tax evasion in Italy after moving nearly 250 million euros to tax-friendly Luxembourg. They were found guilty in 2013 and handed prison sentences  but the convictions were overturned the following year.

Worse, however, came in 2018 when, to promote a major show in Shanghai, they released a series of videos featuring a Chinese model clumsily trying to eat Italian dishes such as spaghetti and pizza with chopsticks.

If race was the only area in which theyd provoked an outcry, one might excuse them simply as products of a country which some say has a particularly bad problem with racism.

But no, they're nothing if not equal opportunity offenders.

In 2015, the pair gave an interview to Italian magazine Panorama in which Dolce struck out against IVF treatment, and  bizarrely  gay parenting and adoption.

He described children born through IVF as synthetic and IVF pregnancies as rented uterus, semen chosen from a catalog.

You are born to a mother and a father, or at least thats how it should be, he added.

After celebrities such as Elton John and Courtney Love expressed outrage  the former calling for a boycott of D&G  Gabbana branded Elton a fascist on Instagram.

Dolce eventually apologized and blamed his strict Catholic upbringing for the 'inappropriate' words, prompting Elton to accept the apology and announce he looked 'forward to wearing their designs once again'.

Others were less easily appeased. In 2017, D&G added misogyny to their rap sheet when Gabbana admitted hed been one of those who body shamed pop star Lady Gaga after she exposed her bare midriff while performing at the Superbowl.

He later apologized only, the following year, to cause offense again.

Responding to a social media post inviting people to rate various outfits worn by actress Selena Gomez, Gabbana wrote E proprio brutta!!!' ('she's so ugly).

In 2015, the pair (pictured with Kim this year) gave an interview to Italian magazine Panorama in which Dolce struck out against IVF treatment, and  bizarrely  gay parenting and adoption.

In 2017, D&G added misogyny to their rap sheet when Gabbana admitted hed been one of those who body shamed pop star Lady Gaga after she exposed her bare midriff while performing at the Superbowl. (Pictured: Kim in D&G bra).

Gabbana has, incidentally, also outrageously claimed that sexual harassment is a non-issue in Italy.

Certainly, the pair have made clear they enjoy controversy.

This was perhaps most apparent in 2017 when, pilloried for dressing then-First Lady Melania Trump, they responded simply by putting out their own $245 #Boycott Dolce & Gabbana T-shirts.

Meanwhile, commercial demise has been confidently predicted with each new scandal, only for the brand to bounce back into the ring.

Some put it down to their sheer creative brilliance. Others say they merely benefit from the hypocrisy and vanity of their ultra-rich clients.

Clients who, however much they pontificate over the latest woke fad in public, are ultimately far more worried about looking stunning at an awards ceremony than showing solidarity with gay parents, Chinese culture or Selena Gomez.

Even so, Dolce & Gabbana is not making the profits it once did and its clear that many people will not forgive its owners past sins.

But theres one fractious family that doesnt seem to care  and not even if the couple dressing them still think the Kardashians are the most cheap people in the world.
Top Scientologists tried to restrict airspace around a Mission: Impossible premiere to stop a college prankster embarrassing Tom Cruise with an airplane banner, leaked documents obtained by DailyMail.com reveal.

The documents, passed on by a former top Scientology executive, show the drastic lengths the 'religion' went to in order to stop a prank at the 2006 MI III Los Angeles premiere  including using contacts in the LAPD.

The man behind the prank, Stephen 'Josh' Schofield, was a 21-year-old student at the University of Central Florida at the time.

Using around $3,300 donated from friends on an online forum, he arranged for two planes to fly banners over the fan screening of the Paramount movie at Grauman's Chinese Theater on May 4, 2006, poking fun at the 'galactic overlord' Xenu in Scientology's mythology.

Leaked documents obtained by DailyMail.com reveal a college prankster's plans to embarrass Tom Cruise and ridicule the Church of Scientology with an airplane banner joke at the 2006 premiere of Mission: Impossible III in Los Angeles

Stephen 'Josh' Schofield was the 21-year-old behind the thwarted airplane banner prank which he concocted after receiving $3,300 donated from friends on an online forum

Like many Hollywood movie premieres, the red carpet event for the hit action movie took place at Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard

'We got the idea probably after the South Park episode [mocking Scientology] came out, to try to prank Tom Cruise for being a Scientologist,' Schofield told DailyMail.com.

'One plane was going to carry a banner that said 'Hail Xenu'. It was right after Cruise had a baby, and the other one said: 'The baby belongs to Xenu.' Suri, Cruise's daughter with Katie Holmes, had been born on April 18, less than three weeks before the premiere.

But weeks before the planned prank, top Scientologists were tipped off to it from someone watching posts on the forum Schofield was a member of, offtopic.com.

On April 11, the Church's 'Watchdog Committee' from their 'Office of Special Affairs' wrote to their team warning of Schofield's plan to 'put up insulting banners', describing them as 'both anti-Scientology and anti-Tom Cruise'. The committee had been alerted by the church's attorney Bert Fields.

The third film in the Mission: Impossible franchise was released in May 2006

The letter ordered 'Linda' and the Church's 'Director/Commanding Officer in the Office of Special Affairs, International Division' to 'find out everything you can about them and let me know at once'.

It included Schofield's full name, address, cell number, and email, as well as the name and address of a moderator of offtopic.com.

A second document obtained by DailyMail.com, dated April 27, 2006, is a report from senior Scientologist Kiersten Caetano laying out their extraordinary efforts to thwart the pranksters and 'ensure that this flyover is killed'.

Scientology's chief spokesperson Karin Pouw told DailyMail.com she had no knowledge of the incident and could not locate any documents

First they tracked down the banner company, Star Ads, and pilot Mario Lopez at Torrance Airport, Caetano wrote.

Then head of security for the movie premiere Robert Boyland met with the vice president of Paramount Security Services, former LAPD officer Scott Lachase, and both 'contacted the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] regarding getting the airspace restricted', her report said.

The FAA declined to shut down the airspace without a 'credible threat', so the Scientologists instead prepared a 'pack' of information to try to persuade the FAA that the pranksters were a safety concern and Lopez's plane should be grounded.

Documents obtained by DailyMail.com include a copy of the contract between Schofield and Arnold Aerial Advertising for two planes to fly an aerial banner reading: 'THE BABY BELONGS TO XENU'  in reference to Cruise's newborn daughter at the time  and 'HAIL XENU'

A letter dated April 11, 2006 shows the Church's 'Watchdog Committee' wrote a letter to the team saying the church's lawyer Bert Fields had alerted them to the prank

Intent on blocking the stunt, church executives even tracked down the banner company, Star Ads, and pilot Mario Lopez at Torrance Airport

'The FAA terminal and the police will be briefed on the internet postings from the organizers where they are talking about arranging people to be in the fan crowds who will create some kind of scene as to attempt to get Tom Cruise to look up at the banners,' Caetano wrote.

'We have found some of the user IDs on the offtopic message board that have donated funds to the renting of the planes are concerning such as cerealkiller, assassinmonkey, organdonor, bomberboy, billthebutcher, gunsnwankers, divine vengeance and killerrobotjews.

'There are also photos on this message board e.g. photos of guns, bullets and a photo of a baby holding a gun to its mouth which show that this should be taken seriously.'

There was no evidence that the pranksters planned to physically harm anyone.

The Church's security wing even consulted retired FBI agent Scott Nelson to find out what would be required to get a plane grounded.

The report said the Church's then-chief spokesman, Tommy Davis, was planning to 'brief' LAPD officer Ron Sanchez, who was head of the Hollywood Police Activities League and friendly with several high-ranking Scientologists, to 'determine exactly what the police can do to stop this'.

'The already skittish owner of Star Ads, Mario Lopez, will be contacted by a Security professional and briefed on the situation and handled to have no part of it,' Caetano added.

'If needed, this will be done on Tuesday so Schofield and Fazle don't have sufficient time to reorganize.'

Caetano signed off the report the initialism 'MLV' meaning 'much love', a common salutation for Scientologists.

In the end, the weather stopped the prank.

Lopez and Schofield told DailyMail.com that the flight was canceled due to fog that evening, and the college student was refunded the money.

In a report dated April 27, 2006, senior Scientologist Kiersten Caetano lays out the extraordinary efforts to 'ensure that this flyover is killed'

An April 19, 2006 contract with Lopez's affiliate, Arnold Aerial Advertising Inc, shared with DailyMail.com by Schofield, says the two planes' flights were scheduled from 5pm to 8pm.

A weather report for Torrance on May 4, 2006 shows a cloudy day in the mid 60s Fahrenheit, until 5:50pm when conditions improved to 'fair' through 6:57pm.

'Just before sunset the marine layer came in and we weren't able to fly. It was stopped by low clouds and fog,' Lopez said.

The pilot, now retired, said that he received an odd number of calls that week from people asking if he was available on May 4  which he now suspects were Scientology operatives trying to uncover the pranksters' plans.

'It was really funny because generally we don't fly during the week. This happened on a Thursday night.

'I kept getting calls asking if I was busy on a Thursday night. I found that odd, like somebody was searching for something,' he said.

Schofield said he was shocked to discover his name and details were written up in a Scientology report.

'It's definitely out there. They really tried to control their people, the religion and the narrative,' he said.

'You see people talking about their experiences and it's always that they 'escaped' it. I view it as a cult.'

Schofield added that he was not surprised the organization appeared to have a direct line to the LAPD about the incident.

'With the amount of money that organization has, they can pay to have whoever they want, whether it's private investigators or wealthy people with connections that can get them access. It doesn't really surprise me,' he said.

The screening event ultimately went down without a hitch thanks to bad weather which prevented the plane from flying

Tom Cruise and then-wife Katie Holmes  who had arrived in Bugatti at the screening

Cruise is Hollywood's most notable Scientologist, even though the church has been publicly criticized by former members

Scientology's links with the LAPD are currently under scrutiny after allegations emerged that its officers leaked confidential information to the Church and were embroiled in a cover up of the disappearance of Scientology leader David Miscavige's wife, Shelly.

Last year former Scientologist turned critic Leah Remini accused former LAPD officer Cory Palka of leaking information about sexual misconduct accusations against ex-CBS CEO Les Moonves to the network.

Palka even allowed Scientologists to set up an 'informational kiosk' with a TV and flyers for the Church at the LAPD Hollywood division for a brief period.

Remini also filed a missing person report for Shelly Miscavige, the wife of Scientology leader David Miscavige in 2013, six years after she was last seen.

In June journalist Yashar Ali reported that LAPD closed the Miscavige case after taking fingerprints from a woman claiming to be Shelly at a cafe on August 8, 2013  despite the fingerprints being too faint for a positive match, and the surveillance footage from the coffee shop being scrambled.

'Scientology hires off-duty LAPD cops as security and donates to LAPD charities,' Remini wrote on Twitter in November.

'All while instructing their members never to help any criminal investigations involving Scientologists and making it a high crime within Scientology to report Scientologists to law enforcement.'

Remini accused the detective in charge of the missing person case, Lt. Andre Dawson, of having a 'cozy relationship with Scientology', showing a picture of him speaking at the organizations Celebrity Center in Los Angeles on December 10, 2014 for an event about human trafficking.

Scientology spokeswoman Pouw the church has no policy reporting criminal activity to law enforcement. 'Quite the opposite, church policy explicitly demands Scientologists abide by all laws of the land,' she said.
OneTaste is suing a former worker after she allegedly broke a non-disclosure agreement by launching a 'malicious crusade' against the company.

The 'orgasmic meditation cult' claims Ayries Blanck is in breach of their $325,000 settlement for voicing her hatred of the firm since she left in 2014.

It argues in a lawsuit that she had previously 'loved OneTaste and its staff 'and 'consistently had sex with other members' while living in New York City.

But it claims she changed after she split up with her boyfriend in 2014 and he found love elsewhere.

The documents say she flew to Los Angeles and confronted the other woman before punching her in the face and dramatically quitting the company.

The 'orgasmic meditation cult' claims Ayries Blanck (pictured) is in breach of their $325,000 settlement for voicing her hatred of the firm since she left in 2014

OneTaste founder Daedone, 56, (second left) and Rachel Cherwitz, 43, were hit with a federal indictment, which accused them of forcing volunteers, contractors, and employees into sex acts using cult-like tactics.

It comes as OneTaste's founder Nicole Daedone was indicted for allegedly keeping women in residential warehouses where they were forced into sex acts.

Blanck became involved with OneTaste in 2012 and was 'positive' about her involvement until 2014 when she split with her partner, the lawsuit claims.

The legal documents, seen by DailyMail.com, claim Blanck said she wanted to 'f***ing kill' her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend  who he met through a OneTaste event in LA.

The lawsuit comes after founder Daedone, 56, and Rachel Cherwitz, 43, were hit with a federal indictment, which accused them of forcing volunteers, contractors, and employees into sex acts using cult-like tactics.

Prosecutors say the alleged victims were kept under surveillance and made dependent on Daedone and Cherwitz for shelter and basic necessities.

They have been charged with conspiracy to violate federal laws prohibiting the use of forced labor.

Prosecutors for the Eastern District of New York have now filed to pause the civil litigation of OneTaste against Blanck, claiming that she is a 'possible witness' in the federal case.

But lawyers for the San Francisco-based company told DailyMail.com that the filing is 'unconstitutional', adding that pausing the case would be 'ludicrous'.

Prosecutors say the alleged victims were kept under surveillance and made dependent on Daedone and Cherwitz (right) for shelter and basic necessities

Blanck became involved with OneTaste in 2012 and was 'positive' about her involvement until 2014 when she split with her partner, the lawsuit claims

Ed McPherson said: 'Blanck signed a settlement agreement years ago that obligated her not to reveal certain confidential information and not to disparage One Taste. We understand now that she has done both.

'The crux of the case is that she fraudulently induced OneTaste into signing the agreement, knowing that she was never going to comply.

What is orgasmic meditation or 'OM'? Orgasmic meditation is a 15 minute partner practice that involves a woman removing her underwear and lying down on a 'nest' of pillows or another comfortable position. The stroker, often a man, sits next to her on his own pillows and lightly and deliberately strokes her clitoris. The stroker focuses solely on the upper-left-hand quadrant of the clitoris, the so-called 'one o'clock' position. This continues for 15 minutes, until a timer goes off. The aim is not necessarily to orgasm but simply to 'feel' the sensation as intensely as possible. It affects the same parts of the human brain as conventional meditation. Advertisement

'Five years is a pretty excessive period in which to be investigating someone, especially when ultimately they came up with two indictments of individuals, but didn't indict the company.

'And yet, they're kind of coming after the company by trying to remove its constitutional right to, to pursue a civil suit against this woman.

'They use buzzwords, like in the interest of justice and all these other things that really kind of mean nothing.

'You shouldn't get to come into my case where I'm trying to prosecute a case on behalf of a company against a woman who clearly breached her contract and is out there saying all kinds of lies.

'It's hurt the company really has. Just because she says those same lies to the Eastern District of New York doesn't mean that she gets a pass.

'I just don't understand how they think they can keep this off grid and have some kind of secret trial where we don't get to confront their witness - that's unconstitutional in the US.

'The articles came out, the podcast came out and other things have come out. And we didn't know that she was behind it until fairly recently.'

Blanck filed a lawsuit against the company in August of 2015, claiming they subjected her to a 'hostile work environment, sexual harassment, failure to pay minimum wage and intentional infliction of emotional distress'.

The lawsuit also claimed OneTaste 'forced and manipulated her into having sex and taking part in orgasmic meditation with OneTaste staff, supervisors, and customers'. These claims are denied by the company.

But the new suit argues that following her ex-partners new relationship, Blanck begged Cherwitz to end his new relationship, which she said she could not do.

Blanck filed a lawsuit against the company in August of 2015, claiming they subjected her to a 'hostile work environment, sexual harassment, failure to pay minimum wage and intentional infliction of emotional distress'.

Blanck is also accused of attempting to connect former OneTaste customers and staff members with journalists and admitted being offered money to appear in a Netflix documentary according to the suit

Lawyers for OneTaste are seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory, exemplary and punitive damages  asking for the amount to be 'sufficient to punish or set an example'

Daedone has previously denied that she ran a sex cult, telling the Mail on Sunday last year: 'I want to continue the work of getting OM into the world'

Who is OneTaste founder Nicole Daedone? Nicole Daedone hails from California and described Silicone Valley as her 'home' in a 2013 lecture. Before focusing her attentions on orgasmic meditation, the author and entrepreneur, The San Francisco State University graduate founded the 111 Minna Gallery in the SoMa district. She went on to study with teachers of yoga, Kabbalah, and Buddhist meditation. It is thought Daedone was introduced to orgasmic meditation in the early 2000s by a Buddhist monk, who demonstrated the practice in a private session. She founded OneTaste in 2004, packaging orgasmic meditation in a palatable format and by 2009 was on the cover of The New York Times' Style section. Daedone wrote a guide to orgasmic meditation, Slow Sex: the art and craft of the female orgasm, in 2012. In 2017, the company made $12 million in revenue. Vanity Fair named Daedone in its list of 'Twelve Women Who Changed the Way We Look at Sex' and around 900,000 people have viewed her Ted talk, entitled Orgasm, the Cure for Hunger in Western Woman. Advertisement

Both parties then attended a mediation, with OneTaste saying in the suit the 'cost of defending the case would exceed the amount' for which they could settle  despite denying the allegations.

Blanck then signed a settlement agreement confirming that she would not 'disparage OneTeste or its officers, or incite others to do so'.

Their suit claims Blanck continued with a 'vendetta' against the company despite the settlement and 'chose to repeat the false claims'.

OneTaste claims that Blanck laughed when asked if she signed an NDA, saying 'Whatever I'm going to do what I want'.

She is also accused of attempting to connect former OneTaste customers and staff members with journalists and admitted being offered money to appear in a Netflix documentary according to the suit.

Blanck does not directly appear in the series, but her sister instead speaks on her behalf  calling the company a 'cult'.

The lawsuit states that the documentary is a 'fictional tale', and insist that they have never 'silenced' Blanck or anyone else.

It goes on to say: 'Significantly, although Blanck discussed with her closest friends every detail of every one of the many sexual encounters that she had while she was with OneTaste, whether she felt that they were enjoyable or disappointing, she never mentioned to a single one of her closest friends that she had experienced any of the events that were printed in the Bloomberg article, the subsequent media reports, or the Netflix Film.

'Moreover, during her time at OneTaste, she certainly never reported anything even close to rape or being forced to have sex with anyone, to any of her friends, to any of her roommates, to any OneTaste staff, or to any law enforcement agency.

'To the contrary, every text that she sent to her closest friends indicated how much fun she was having, seeking men out and having sex with them.

'Specifically, with respect to her claim that she was violently assaulted by her former boyfriend, such a claim was never made  even to her closest friends  before her former boyfriend started dating his subsequent girlfriend.'

Lawyers for OneTaste are seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory, exemplary and punitive damages  asking for the amount to be 'sufficient to punish or set an example.'

Speaking to DailyMail.com Anjuli Ayer CEO (second right) of OneTaste - who is not accused of any wrongdoing said she wants a 'fair day in court'

Nicole Daedone, 56, founder and former CEO of OneTaste, surrendered at the Brooklyn federal courthouse earlier this year

In December, Daedone illustrated the intimate hands-on techniques on her associate Cherwitz, who lay naked on a raised table in front of an audience of 200

Speaking to DailyMail.com Anjuli Ayer CEO of OneTaste - who is not accused of any wrongdoing - said: 'OneTaste is and has always been about women's empowerment. Orgasmic Meditation and OneTaste changed my life.

'I want every person to have access to what I've experienced. Unfortunately, as CEO and leader, the past five years have been consumed with countering baseless attacks on this mission. I am determined that we have our fair day in court.'

In the latest court hearing over the federal charges, lawyers for Cherwitz and Daedone claim that the government failed to show 'how they violated the forced labor statute.

According to the pair the indictment does not specify what 'forced labor' they supposedly obtained, nor does it provide key details such as when, where and how the alleged violations took place. Their filing states: 'Instead, the indictment is peppered with sensationalized allegations that have no nexus to its one criminal charge.

'Remarkably, this bare-bones, legally incognizant indictment is the culmination of a five-year government investigation into Ms. Cherwitz, Ms. Daedone and OneTaste, suggesting that the reason for the indictment's insufficiencies is not simply poor indictment drafting but a lack of evidence to support the single charge within it.'

Daedone and Cherwitz have both pleaded not guilty to the charges and are free on $1 million and $300,000 bonds, respectively. OneTaste's current leadership team says they stand behind the defendants. The two are next scheduled to appear in court on July 26.

OM exploded in popularity following a 2009 New York Times profile of OneTaste, and at one point, the company was reportedly raking in $12 million a year from eager clients.

In the latest court hearing over the federal charges, lawyers for Cherwitz and Daedone claim that the government failed to show 'how they violated the forced labor statute

The company used to have several buildings in San Francisco, including a cafe, an events space and communal housing known as 'OM houses' where between 30-40 staff would live together. Pictured, one of the properties once used as OneTaste dormitories

An OM class is seen above, in which a woman, naked from the waist down, has her clitoris methodically 'stroked' for exactly 15 minutes by a man

But in 2018, the FBI launched an investigation when ex-customers came forward saying they were left in debt after paying for expensive classes, and former employees said they were told to engage in sexual relations with potential clients to close sales.

Now, prosecutors say that between 2004 and 2018, Daedone and Cherwitz deployed a series of abusive and manipulative tactics in order to obtain the labor and services of a group of OneTaste members, including volunteers, contractors, and employees.

The indictment alleges that the duo used tactics designed to render the OneTaste members dependent on the group for their shelter and basic necessities and to limit members' independence and control.

Members of OM were allegedly kept in 'residential warehouses' where they were forced into sex acts.

OM involves a woman, naked from the waist down, having her clitoris 'stroked' for exactly 15 minutes by a man, either her own partner or another paying customer.

Prosecutors say the alleged victims were subjected to 'constant surveillance' and isolated from friends and family.

When members could no longer afford OneTaste classes, they were pressured to take on debt, and that at times Daedone and Cherwitz even assisted them in opening new credit cards, according to the indictment.

At one point, OneTaste operated centers in cities including New York, San Francisco, Denver, Las Vegas, Boulder, Los Angeles, Austin and London.

In New York City, OneTaste leased residences and hosted events in several different locations, including in Brooklyn and the Manhattan neighborhoods of Harlem, Hell's Kitchen, Soho and West Village.

Daedone has previously denied that she ran a sex cult, telling the Mail on Sunday last year: 'I want to continue the work of getting OM into the world. It is such a powerful practice and we have a world that is so starved of something that will bring a fundamental connection.'
Two thirds of voters say Joe Biden is too old to run for a second term as America's president, and he should step aside so younger Democrats can duke it out for the party's nomination, a DailyMail.com/Tipp Poll shows.

Fully 67 percent of respondents said the 80-year-old president should not run again in 2024, amid concern over the gaffes, trips and falls linked to his age, such as last month's tumble at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado.

The poll bolsters Republican claims that Biden is no longer fit for perhaps the world's most demanding and important job, and comes as viable Democrats, such as California Gov Gavin Newsom, position themselves to run.

Barely a fifth of voters said Biden should run again in 2024

Though in relatively good health for his age, Biden's frequent tumbles are a cause for concern

Our survey of 1,214 US adults showed that Republicans were largely convinced that Biden should hand over the keys to the White House  four fifths said it was time for him to step down.

But what's really troublesome for Biden is the fact that 56 percent of supporters for his own Democratic Party agree.

Only a third of Democratic voters said the president should run again in 2024. Another 10 percent were not sure.

Biden already has two Democratic rivals seeking his party's nomination  the lifestyle guru Marianne Williamson and anti-vaxxer Robert F Kennedy Jr.  but both are seen as long shots at this stage.

In the wings are well-respected younger Democrats who may fare better than Biden against former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, or whichever Republican clinches that party's nomination.

Among them are Newsom, Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer, Biden's Vice President Kamala Harris, and his Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Biden has said that questions about his age are entirely 'legitimate.'

But he's also tried to laugh off concerns that he no longer has the energy or sharpness for the job.

At 80, Biden is already the nation's oldest president. Every day he extends the record.

He is in generally good health and experts say he might even be a 'superager,' one of a small number of people whose cognitive functioning is decades younger than his body.

Even most Democrats say it's time for new blood

California Gov Gavin Newsom (left) and his Michigan counterpart Gretchen Whitmer are seen as viable Democratic presidential candidates if Biden steps aside

Republican presidential candidates have been less generous.

Trump, 77, has repeatedly said Biden suffers from dementia. Former South Carolina Gov Nikki Haley, 51, has called for competency tests for candidates over the age of 75.

Our survey had more bad news for Biden's reelection bid.

More than three quarters of respondents said he should take part in a TV debate with the two Democrats who have declared their candidacies  Williamson and Kennedy.

Fully 77 percent of voters want to see Biden square off against those two on stage, polling shows  an unlikely scenario given that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has said it's not planning a primary debate.

That includes roughly similar numbers of Republican and Democratic voters.

One commentator said a Biden-Williamson-Kennedy debate would be 'comedy gold'

Even most Democrats want Biden to debate his long shot rivals

Among Democratic voters, Biden is the clear front-runner, with the support of about 60 percent of liberal voters, according to a CNN/SSRS poll in May.

Biden's White House has largely avoided commenting on the opponents.

That keeps with tradition: no sitting president has taken part in a primary debate in decades, even when facing a well-known challenger.

Still, Kennedy has 20 percent support, Williamson polls at 8 percent and a similar share wants 'someone else.'

Kennedy, a pro-choice former environmental lawyer, has tried to court centrist voters with promises of border security.

He portrays himself as the only viable left-of-center alternative to the aging and gaffe-prone commander-in-chief.

The son of Robert F. Kennedy, an attorney general and senator, has in the past promoted conspiracy theories about the safety of FDA-approved vaccines.

Williamson became a household name through her appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show and ran in the 2020 presidential nomination contest.

She has railed against Biden and the DNC for rigging the process.
Families of Parkland school shooting victims are suing the Broward County Sheriff's Office and Deputy Scot Peterson in a civil case

A Florida judge will allow a reenactment of the Parkland school shooting in which Nikolas Cruz murdered 17 kids as a civil case against the sheriff's office continues.

Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips on Wednesday granted the request of the four families who lost children in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018.

The families are currently suing the Broward County Sheriff's Office and Deputy Scot Peterson, alleging more could have been done to save and assist children in need.

The plaintiffs had stated that a re-enactment of the events of the day would show that 'Peterson could hear the gunshots and derive where they were coming from.'

In late June, the deputy, 60, was found not guilty on 11 charges including child neglect in a criminal trial against him. Peterson fled to safety during the shooting.

The families are currently suing the Broward County Sheriff's Office and Deputy Scot Peterson (pictured) alleging more could have been done to save and assist children in need

The judge's decision to allow a reenactment comes five years after Nikolas Cruz (pictured) murdered 17 students inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

17 children were killed inside the Parkland, Florida school on February 14, 2018

The families of victims Luke Hoyer, Alaina Petty, Meadow Pollack, Alex Schachter, and survivor Madeline Wilford - will get to conduct a reenactment soon, the judge said.

'This reenactment, if it is to take place, would take place within the next month,' Phillips said in court.

'I want to make sure this gets done before school starts,' the judge continued.

The reenactment will take place in the school's 1200 building where the students were gunned down on February 14, 2018.

Lawyers for the families argued that a 'reenactment that would parallel the killer's movements, and the gunfire, inside of Building 12, in relation to Defendant Scot Peterson's movements and actions outside of the building.'

The deputy has long asserted that he could not hear where the gunshots were coming from inside the school, a claim that is disputed by the plaintiffs.

'The purpose as we outlined in our motion is to demonstrate that, contrary to Peterson's assertions, he could and did hear the gunshots, and he could indeed derive where they were coming from,' plaintiffs' attorney David Brill said.

Peterson's lawyer, Michael Piper, said his client and counsel may also consider performing a reenactment of their own.

He said if they make the decision to conduct a reenactment of their own, they will work with the plaintiffs to make sure it's done on the same day or back to back.

The lawyer also seemingly called out the families' motivations in requesting the reenactment so quickly after his client was acquitted.

'This is not accidental,' Piper said. 'Peterson just finished a criminal trial.'

Shooting survivor Madeline Woodford (pictured) is one of the plaintiffs in the civil case

The families of Alaina Petty (left) and Luke Hoyer (right) are involved in the lawsuit

The parents of Meadow Pollack (left) and Alex Schachter (right) are also suing

'This reenactment, if it is to take place, would take place within the next month,' Broward Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips (pictured) said in court on Wednesday

Just last month, the deputy was found not guilty of child neglect.

According to local reports, Phillips warned both parties not to reference the criminal case in proceedings against the Broward County Sheriff's Office and Peterson.

Criminal trials require a different burden of proof than civil trials.

Linda Beigel Schulman, the mother of victim Scott Beigel, said she is eager to see the results of the criminal trial and awaits answers.

'The civil trial is coming up and I want justice. And if it has to be the reenactment, of the murder, than it has to be the reenactment,' Beigel Schulman told 10 News.

'We need to have justice. And I apologize for, you know, what it may do to some people in the community,' she continued.

Piper had voiced his own concerns that a reenactment could stir up emotional reactions from community members who were traumatized.

'But the bottom line is, I think that we all deserve justice. And the only way that we're going to get it is to have the reenactment, to have the reenactment, just the way we were. We were given that right today,' the mother said.

The costs of the reenactments will be shared by both parties.

Next steps will be outlined at a July 20 hearing.

In late June, Peterson, 60, was found not guilty on 11 charges including child neglect in a criminal trial against him. Peterson fled to safety during the shooting

After Peterson was acquitted over his lack of action in the Parkland mass shooting, the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas 1200 building in which it took place is set to be demolished

PARKLAND SCHOOL SHOOTING VICTIMS: Top Row L-R: Jaime Guttenberg, Nicholas Dworet, Martin Duque, Meadow Pollack, Cara Loughran -- Second Row L-R: Alyssa Alhadeff, Luke Hoyer, Joaquin Oliver, Gina Montalto -- Third Row L-R: Alaina Petty, Carmen Schentrup, Peter Wang, Alex Schachter -- Fourth Row L-R: Helena Ramsey, Scott Beigel, Aaron Feis, Chris Hixon

Following Peterson being acquitted in late June, the deputy said that being found not guilty was equivalent to getting his 'life back.'

'We got our life back after four and a half, five and a half, years because of Mark [Eiglarsh] and being able to get the truth out of what happened,' he said.

Peterson added that 'the only person to blame was that monster,' referring to Cruz, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2022.

One of the victim's father's said Peterson should be 'haunted' by his 'failure to act.'

Around the same time that Peterson was acquitted, it was announced that the building where the horrific shooting took place would be demolished.

The 1200 building - which has stood for five years with fencing surrounding it since that fateful day - is slated to be torn down at some point this summer.

It was originally reported that the demolishment would happen in July.

It's unclear how the reenactment may affect that timeline.

'There's definitely people in the city looking forward to having it removed,' said Parkland Mayor Rich Walker.
Experts have warned current labour shortages in the construction industry are due to the 'bad attitudes' of Gen Z tradesman.

Australia is experiencing a massive shortage of skilled tradespeople, with the Housing Industry Association reporting the situation is the worst it has been in two decades.

The shortage has been attributed to a range of factors, including an ageing workforce, decreased government investment in vocational training, and the Covid pandemic.

But some industry experts believe a generational shift in attitudes is to blame for the crisis, claiming those in the Gen Z cohort - born between 1997 and 2012 - have 'soft' and 'entitled' attitudes.

Some experts claim the 'soft' and 'entitled' attitudes of Gen Z are to blame for the labour shortages plaguing the construction industry (stock image)

Employment expert and recruitment director Graham Wynn said it is one of the most difficult hurdles he has faced in his 15 years of working in the industry.

'I think there are a lot of things that come into it. You can use the words "soft" or "lazy", but there are a lot of things that make up those terms realistically,' he told news.com.au.

'I think part of the problem is that initially, with tradies, there is a Gen Z issue of needing instant gratification.

'They come in and want to start building things on the first day, but don't realise it takes years of hard work and dedication'.

Mr Wynn said this sentiment was not limited to tradies, but was representative of the general attitude of Gen Z workers across the board.

'Many feel they don't need to work, because they are living at home longer and see others on TikTok and the like being successful as "influencers" for not doing much at all,' he said.

He also said he believed parents were partly to blame in 'making them too soft'.

Employment expert and recruitment director Graham Wynn believes Gen Z look for 'instant gratification' and aren't willing to put in the years of work required to get ahead

Evan Turner, the managing director of Perth's Watershed Building Company, said Gen Z are the '"now now now" generation who can get everything on demand'.

'Nobody wants to wait. They think they're going to land an apprenticeship, and on their first day will be working at the same level of a highly experienced tradesperson,' he said.

But Adam Wright, Founder and CEO of Building Principals, believes the shift in attitudes to work as demonstrated by Gen Z is due to them seeking a higher standard of living.

'I feel as though it's not so much about the generation being "soft", but a change in society's expectations,' Mr Wright said.

A shortage of skilled tradespeople is the number one reason for the delaying of the building of new homes (stock image)

Earlier this year, the Housing Industry Association reported the shortage of skilled tradies was the number one issue holding up the construction of new homes.

'For over two years, Australia's home builders had been commencing more new projects than they had been completing,' HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt said.

The impact of a skilled labour shortage in construction can be significant, resulting in delays, increased labour costs, and lower quality workmanship.

Many contractors are forced to pay higher wages to attract workers, resulting in increased labour costs for the homeowner.

Delays in completing construction projects due to skilled labour shortages can also result in additional costs, such as extended rental or accommodation fees.
Tucker Carlson has used his influential Twitter show to allow accused rapist and sex trafficker Andrew Tate to share his views on emasculated men, and women needing to be protected by a strong male.

Carlson traveled to Romania to interview Tate, a British-American former MMA fighter turned reality TV star, who has now carved out a career spouting misogynistic commandments and teaching men to be 'real men'.

The former Fox News host - who on June 6 launched his show on Twitter - allowed Tate, 36, to rant unchallenged about a woman's place in society.

Tate, who is currently under arrest in Romania, awaiting trial, said that he had heard the story of a man who allowed his porn star wife to have sex with another man, a male porn star.

Tate said: 'This is what the matrix wants from you as a man.

'They want the woman in charge, and the man below with no backbone.

'Because if the woman is in charge, they can emotionally affect her.

'They can scare her.

'You can scare a woman easier than you can scare a man.

'A real man is hard to scare.'

Andrew Tate told Tucker Carlson that a 'real man is hard to scare', unlike women - which is why 'the matrix' wants women in control, so they can be frightened into submission

Tucker Carlson flew to Romania to sit down for a two-and-a-half-hour-long interview with Tate as part of his new Tucker On Twitter series

Tate, who is stridently against vaccinations, then claimed that a 'real man' would not allow his family to be vaccinated.

'I would argue in nearly every household where the female is dominant, everyone is vaccinated,' he said, as Carlson nodded.

Tate claimed the sex trafficking charges against him were dreamt up by 'Epstein's dinner partners'.

The interview comes after Tate, 36, and his brother Tristan were last month indicted on human trafficking and rape charges in Romania after their initial arrest at the end of last year.

Carlson previously called Tate's arrest a 'conspiracy' and 'human rights violation'.

Now, he has sparked outrage after the release of his interview with Tate, which has racked up more than 57 million views.

Many critics have slammed Carlson for the interview, accusing him of not 'fact checking anything he said' and of 'singing the praises of an accused rapist'.

However, while many hit out, Elon Musk dubbed the interview 'interesting', after Carlson said he uploaded it to Twitter because it wouldn't be taken down.

Carlson has now sparked outrage after the release of his interview with Tate for his latest Tucker On Twitter release

Carlson - who previously hailed Tate as 'really smart' and 'really real' - glared down the camera, telling viewers: 'Jeffrey Epstein's dinner partners insist that Andrew Tate is a pervert and a criminal. Maybe they're telling the truth. Either way, we think Tates' views about men very much deserve a hearing.'

Andrew Tate's claims about 'the matrix' In the interview with Carlson, Tate also made bizarre claimed about a supposed 'matrix' that was forcing men to be subservient to woman. It comes after podcaster Adam22 said he allowed his wife to film an adult scene with another man. Tate shared his perplexing thoughts on the matter: 'This is what the matrix wants for you as a man,' Tate said. 'They want the woman in charge and the man below with no backbone because if the woman is in charge they can emotional affect her and scare her.' 'I would argue, in nearly any household where the female is dominant everyone is vaccinated,' he claimed. Advertisement

The former Fox News host continued: 'It's also true that in some ways, the charges against the Tates seem inevitable, like they were always going to happen. Accusing a man of a sex crime is the fastest possible way to discredit what he's saying.'

Carlson - who was fired from Fox News earlier this year for unknown reasons and joined up with Musk and Twitter - asked viewers to 'make up your own mind'.

But users hit back at the latest release of the show, with some calling Carlson a 'clown' for interviewing the indicted Tate.

'Somehow Tucker felt no obligation to fact check anything Andrew Tate said?', another Twitter user noted.

'Glorifying an accused rapist/human trafficker. For two and a half hours. This man until not long ago had the most popular cable show in America,' another said.

The show also drew criticism from the likes of DailyBeast reporter Justin Baragona, who said: ''After lamenting about how young men are now withdrawing into porn, Tucker Carlson then proceeds to sympathetically interview an unapologetic pornographer  for two and a half hours!'

Former Republican presidential candidate Joe Walsh said: 'Two and a half hours defending & singing the praises of an accused rapist and human trafficker. So brave.'

Andrew Tate is pictured in an episode of Tucker On Twitter now viewed over 40 million times on the social media platform

Andrew Tate is pictured in the interview which Elon Musk dubbed as 'interesting'

While Carlson appeared to defend Tate, saying 'earlier generations of Western leaders might have found parts of Tate's message inspiring' but 'now it's seen as a threat,' the criticism of the talk show host continued.

Conservative radio talk show host Erick Erickson said: 'Tate is charged in Romania with rape, human trafficking, and forming an organised crime group to sexually exploit women.

'Are you an Andrew Tate right winger or a Sound of Freedom right winger. You can't really be both.'

The criticism continued: 'This is such an L man what are you doing.'

Carlson has previously voiced his support for Tate. After the self-proclaimed misogynist's arrested on December 29, he told the Full Send Podcast: 'First of all he's really smart. That's completely real. 100 percent.'

In the same interview, Carlson claimed that the same people who live on 'Pedo Island with Epstein' and 'the same people that were friends with Harvey Weinstein' were claiming to protect women by rebuking Tate.

Both Tate and his brother have continually denied the charges against them.
The mother of a Seattle liquor store robber who was shot and killed by cops has demanded an apology after a mock tomb stone for her son was spotted in a precinct break room.

Damarius Butts, 19, was killed while fleeing a robbery at a downtown convenience store on April 20, 2017. He tried to steal beer, before officers chased him and exchanged gunfire.

But now, a video has captured a glimpse of a small gray mock tombstone on the shelf in the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct break room, with his name inscribed on it and the date he was killed.

The tombstone for Butts bore a clenched black fist. On the night of his death, he suffered 11 gunshot wounds and bled to death as officers waited outside.

Damarius Butts, 19, was killed while fleeing a robbery at a downtown convenience store on April 20, 2017. A video has captured a glimpse of a small gray mock tombstone on the shelf in the police officers' break room, with his name inscribed on it and the date he was killed

The mock tombstone is seen on the top shelf on the left of the frame

Butts' name and the date he was killed was written on the tomb stone

Following an inquest in the aftermath, the police department cleared the officers and found the shooting justified.

Ann Butts is now demanding the police force apologize for their mock effigy.

The police department, however, have said they have 'no reason to believe it was placed as a 'trophy' or with any pejorative intent.'

Butts said, through her attorney La Rond Baker: 'I can't express how hurtful it was to learn that SPD endorsed joking about the killing of my son by displaying a fake tombstone with his name on it.

'I didn't think SPD could take more from me. I was wrong.'

Baker added: 'We are even more disturbed that SPD allowed such a culture to flourish so openly in its ranks and in its precinct facilities. Seattle deserves so much better from an agency sworn to protect Seattle residents.'

The bodycam footage which caught the tomb stone on the shelf was filmed in January 2021, and was released as part of a completely separate lawsuit being filed against the police force.

On the night of his death, Butts suffered 11 gunshot wounds and bled to death as officers waited outside

As well as the remnants from various Black Lives Matter events in Seattle, the break room also had a Trump 2020 flag adorning the wall - which may be a violation of state law and on-duty cops' need for partisan politics

Seattle Police Chief, Adrian Diaz

Demonstrators hold a rally and teach-in outside of the Seattle Police Departments East Precinct, which has been boarded up and protected by fencing, on June 8, 2020

Baker said the tombstone was allegedly taken from a Black Lives Matter memorial for people killed by police.

There was also a protester's sign pleading for police to 'Stop Killing Us' on the wall of the room.

As well as the remnants from various Black Lives Matter events in Seattle, the break room also had a Trump 2020 flag adorning the wall - which may be a violation of state law and on-duty cops' need for partisan politics.

The department have confirmed that the statue has now been removed.

Braden Pence, an attorney who obtained the video because he was suing the SPD over the graffiti arrests, said he released it 'because the people of Seattle have the right to know their police department.'

'The video shows a break room adorned with disturbing trophies and iconography.

'Casually displaying the tombstone of a person you killed in your break room is disgusting.

'The Butts family is owed a deeply felt apology for the horrific disrespect shown by SPD. Precinct leadership either tacitly approved or willfully ignored what was happening in the break room.'
Two young girls left traumatised after a terrifying attack at a McDonald's have been reunited with their beloved e-scooter.

Jasmin Holub, 10 and her cousin Bailey Jones, 12, were at McDonald's Ellenbrook in Perth when they were allegedly confronted by a young female.

The female allegedly attacked Jasmin by grabbing her by the hair and punched her in the face repeatedly.

The alleged attacker and her male accomplice then allegedly fled with the girls' scooter.

Bailey Jones and Jasmin Holub were left traumatised by the alleged attack and theft

Police later released images of the pair as part of a public appeal, which led to an arrest.

A girl, 16, has since been charged with assault and stealing.

The young cousins also have their scooter back with the heartwarming reunion at a police station captured on camera.

'My scooter!' Bailey exclaimed.

She told Nine News: 'The police were very nice and helpful in finding my scooter, so that was good.'

The alleged attack on her younger cousin left Jasmin battered and bruised, including a black eye.

A teenage girl has been charged after Jasmin Holub (pictured)was allegedly bashed

Jasmin (right) and cousin Bailey (left) were reunited with their e-scooter by police this week

Jasmin still bears physical and mental scars one week on.

'I'm still a little confused and feel nauseous about going out now,' she said.

Her mum Jessica Lee Watson was outraged to hear nobody stepped in to help the girls during the terrifying ordeal.

'It is very scary. It's upsetting. It makes you sick to the stomach,' she told Nine News last week.

'Children shouldn't have to go through that when they go to McDonald's. It should be a safe place, especially for school holidays.

'The emotional and the mental state of them is going to impact them for a long time.'
A family pictured taking a dip at a popular waterhole was later shocked to discover they had been swimming at the same spot where a man had just been attacked by a crocodile.

Cam and Tiffany Wild and their two children went for a swim at Wangi Falls; idyllic pools an hour south of Darwin where a man was attacked by a 2.4-metre saltwater crocodile on Monday.

The Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Commission has since restricted public access to the park.

Those swimming at Wangi Falls at the time of the attack scrambled out of the water after the croc bit the 67-year-old victim's arm.

The reptile was shot and killed by local rangers hours later, and they even offered the skull to the victim as a 'bit of a memento'.

Mr Wild took to social media to share the strange experience, writing: 'When you think you have this beautiful waterhole all to yourself ... And then realise you were sharing it with a croc!'

He described the experience as 'the reality of the swimming in the NT'.

'This is the second time in the last two weeks that we've been swimming in waterholes that have then shut soon after due to croc sightings.'

The family had also swum at the popular Bitter Springs, in the Northern Territory's Elsey National Park, after a 2.5m crocodile was spotted in the warm waters.

'Might just stick to swimming pools now,' Mr Wild wrote.

Social media users were relieved to see the family were safe after the swim while also reminding them and others to be croc-safe.

'Same thing happened to me. My eldest son and I were the only ones in the water. We swam halfway out to the falls and I said 'this doesn't feel right',' one user wrote.

'We went back and later that week a lady was bit by a fresh water handbag.'

'Thank goodness your swim ended well. Being croc safe is compulsory up north,' a second user wrote.

'Unfortunately it will take an incident for some people to understand.'

The Territory government has urged people to only swim in designated safe areas and to 'never swim in water where crocodiles may live even if there is no warning sign'.

'Obey all crocodile warning signs  they are there for your safety and protection.'

A young family unknowingly swam in croc-infested waters at Wangi Falls, an hour south of Darwin, after a 2.4metre croc attacked a 67-year-old man earlier that same day

Among those at Wangi Falls at the time of the attack was a holidaying Tasmanian detective, Senior Constable Taneka Starr, whose family were also swimming at the waterhole.

'My family and children were swimming in the water when people started yelling for everyone to get out,' Snr Const Starr said.

'We formed a circle together to make sure we all made it out of the water safely as a group, especially the children.

'We then saw that a man had suffered injuries to his arm and together my sisters and I provided first aid.

'I'm so glad that everyone was ok. It was a pretty terrifying experience.'

Roger Matthews, a local croc hunter, processed the dead reptile, turning the flesh into pet food, skin into leather goods and fat into soap, while offering the croc's skull to the victim.

'If the poor fella is interested, we'll do the skull up and gift it to him, bit of a memento of the Northern Territory experience,' he told the ABC.

The croc was killed by rangers late on Monday, its skull offered to the 'poor fella' who was attacked earlier that day as a 'memento of the Northern Territory experience'

Following the attack, Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said a conversation 'needs to be had' about potentially reintroducing crocodile culling in the territory.

'It's time for us to consider: Do we need to go back to culling considering the significant increase in the crocodile population, and the impact it's having, not just on our tourists and visitors, but also locals,' she said.

The NT's crocodile population had grown from around 3,000 to 100,000 since culling ceased in the 1970s.

Dean McAdam, Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security Director for Northern Australian Parks, said: 'Public safety is our key priority, so please obey all closures and do not enter the water while we are completing the crocodile surveys.

'We work hard to reduce the risk of crocodiles in the management zones, however there is always the chance they can move into an area undetected.'
A man has died in a mysterious workplace accident on a solar farm in regional NSW.

Emergency services were called to Wellington North Solar farm in Wuuluman, in the state's mid west, just before 10am on Wednesday to reports a worker had collapsed.

A 41-year-old man was treated by paramedics at the scene, but despite their best efforts he could not be revived.

The solar farm, which is still under construction, is owned and operated by Lightsource BP, one of the world's largest solar energy developer companies and the biggest in Australia.

Daily Mail Australia understands the employee was a subcontractor for GRS, a photovoltaic plant construction company working to help build the site.

A man has died in a workplace accident at the Wellington North Solar farm (pictured) in mid west NSW

Officers from Orana Mid Western Police District attended and set up a crime scene which will be examined by specialist police. Safe Work NSW has been notified.

A Lightsource BP spokesperson said the company was deeply saddened by the worker's death.

'Our team is working closely with emergency services and is supporting all external investigations conducted by authorities and the principal contractor on site,' the spokesperson said.

'We cannot confirm any further details at this stage.

'We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of the worker during this very difficult time.'

A spokesperson for Gransolar Construction Australia said their thoughts and condolences were with the man's family and friends.

'We are undertaking an investigation and cooperating fully with all authorities,' the spokesperson said.

'Everyone who works on our projects is part of the Gransolar team and this tragic loss is felt by the whole company.'

Lightsource BP, which is part-owned by British energy major BP plc, entered the Australian market in 2018 and has since become the nation's biggest solar company.

The site is owned by Australia's largest solar developer and owner. Pictured: stock image of workers on a solar farm

The company has several operating solar farms across the country, including at Wellington and West Wyalong, in NSW, and Woolooga, in Queensland Gympie region.

There are also several projects under construction, including sites at Wellington North and Wunghnu, in north Victoria.

Construction on the Wellington North Solar farm began in 2019. According to the company's website, the solar farm 'will have an installed capacity of 174MW AC, producing 420,000MWh of clean, renewable electricity a year.'

Police will prepare a report about the man's death for the coroner.

As inquiries continue, anyone with information is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
After the State Department repeatedly failed to comply with documents requests, House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul is subpoenaing the materials related to the Chinese spy balloon incident.

McCaul is alleging that Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not use sanctions and export controls to properly counter 'growing aggression' by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The Foreign Affairs chairman is demanding the Department hand over documents related to 'reported obstruction' for using these national security tools.

Documents could indicate if the U.S. did deviate from plans to sanction China after its surveillance balloon traveled over sensitive military sites in North America earlier this year.

U.S. military shot down the suspected Chinese spy balloon off the Carolina coast in February after it crossed over sensitive military sites.

House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul signed a subpoena Wednesday for documents related to possible State Department 'obstruction' of sanctions for China after the spy balloon incident

The U.S. Military shot down a Chinese spy balloon earlier this year (pictured) after it traveled over sensitive military sites in North America

The Biden administration revealed that the balloon was equipped to detect and collect intelligence signals as part of a military-linked aerial surveillance program targeting more than 40 countries.

China maintains that the flyover was an accident involving a civilian aircraft  and the CCP has threatened repercussions if they are punished for the incident.

Among the documents Rep. McCaul of Texas is demanding are the State Department's 'competitive actions' calendars, which is a classified list of actions Biden's team came up with to counter Chinese aggression following the balloon flyover.

The plan included sanctioning Chinese companies and implementing export controls  including on Chinese tech giant Huawei.

Initially, McCaul asked Blinken in May to voluntarily hand over the documents.

McCaul's office released on Wednesday an image of the lawmaker signing the subpoena.

'Given the State Department's continued refusal to comply with my committee's urgent request for crucial information related to China, I am left with no choice but to issue a subpoena,' Chairman McCaul wrote in a statement on the subpoena.

'It is vital the committee obtain these documents to shed light on the department's reported failure to enforce U.S. national security laws against CCP companies and human rights abusers,' he added. 'The department must comply as legally obligated, further obstruction and delay will not be tolerated.'

Chair McCaul alleges that Secretary of State Antony Blinken failed to implement planned sanctions and export controls because he wanted to continue engaging with the CCP. He claimed Blinken failed to comply with requests to voluntarily hand over the documents

McCaul alleges that State failed to issue sanctions over the balloon incident because Blinken wanted to continue engaging with Beijing despite increased tensions.

Since Republicans took a majority in the House after the 2022 midterms, McCaul launched a series of probes into the State Department.

One investigation is looking into the classified diplomatic cables on the bungled U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and another into allegations that Biden's special envoy for Iran, Rob Malley, mishandled classified information.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller says the House Foreign Affairs Committee has logged 49 engagements with the State Department since January.
Harvard University has sought the retraction of at least three papers co-authored by a behavioral scientist who studies dishonesty, after the scholar was accused of fabricating data to bolster her findings.

Professor Francesca Gino remains on administrative leave from Harvard Business School, where she had been a rising star until the explosive allegations first emerged last month.

In public notices published last week, the journal Psychological Science retracted two articles by Gino, saying it had acted on the recommendation of the Research Integrity Office at Harvard Business School (HBS).

In both cases, the journal said an independent forensic firm engaged by HBS had discovered 'discrepancies' between the published data sets and earlier data sets from Gino's behavioral experiments.

Separately, Harvard has requested that the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology withdraw a third study by Gino, and the journal's publishers plan to retract the article in the September issue, the Financial Times reported.

Harvard Business School professor Francesca Gino is currently on administrative leave, after explosive allegations emerged challenging the credibility of her research

The journal Psychological Science retracted two articles by Gino, including the one above, saying it had acted on the recommendation of the HBS Research Integrity Office

All three papers, as well as a fourth co-authored by Gino that was previously retracted in 2021, were accused of using falsified data in a series of blog posts authored by three scientists on Data Colada.

The trio published their concerns a day after the Chronicle of Higher Education reported on June 16 that Gino had been placed on administrative leave, amid an internal investigation at Harvard into the validity of her research.

Gino did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday evening, and a spokesperson for Harvard Business School declined to comment.

The two studies newly retracted by Psychological Science were a 2015 paper titled 'The Moral Virtue of Authenticity: How Inauthenticity Produces Feelings of Immorality and Impurity' and a 2014 paper titled 'Evil Genius? How Dishonesty Can Lead to Greater Creativity.'

The 2020 article in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology which is slated for retraction was titled 'Why Connect? Moral Consequences of Networking with a Promotion or Prevention Focus.'

The paper titled 'Evil Genius' involved five separate lab experiments with human volunteers, who were given the opportunity to behave dishonestly by overreporting their performance on various tasks, and then measured on creative tasks.

The article purported to demonstrate that 'acting dishonestly leads to greater creativity in subsequent tasks,' according to the original abstract.

'An investigation by an independent forensic firm engaged by the HBS revealed discrepancies between the published data sets and what HBS referred to as the earliest known versions of the data, which were retrieved from the first authors research records,' the paper's retraction notice said.

Among other issues, the number of subjects classified as 'cheaters' changed from 31 in an early data set, to 43 in the published data, meaning 12 subjects appeared to be re-classified as 'cheaters' after the experiment concluded.

When the data anomalies were removed, the experiment actually showed the opposite of what the paper claimed, with 'noncheaters' scoring higher on average for the creative task than 'cheaters' did.

A spokesperson for Harvard Business School declined to comment (file photo)

The notice added that Gino's attorney informed the journal that while she agreed the retraction was 'necessary,' she 'disagreed with references to original data, stating that there is no original data available pertaining to the research reported in the article.'

Gino joined the Harvard Business School faculty in 2010, after holding positions at the University of North Carolina and Carnegie Mellon University.

She won awards and fawning media coverage for her trendy behavioral science research, which purported to reveal insights about how to subtly influence people's choices and behavior without them realizing.

But questions about her work first emerged regarding a 2012 study she co-authored, which purported to show that making people sign an honesty pledge at the beginning of a form, rather than the end, increases honest responses.

That study was retracted in 2021 over apparent data fabrication by a different researcher who worked on the project, which cited three separate lab experiments to draw its conclusion.

However, data scientists Uri Simonsohn, Joseph Simmons, and Leif Nelson allege that the data fabrication in the study was deeper than originally suspected, and also implicated Gino.

'That's right: Two different people independently faked data for two different studies in a paper about dishonesty,' the trio wrote on their blog DataColada, where they published the new evidence supporting their allegations.

The academic fraud scandal had prompted a flurry of concern from Gino's former co-authors and collaborators, who are now scouring their articles with her for any signs of data manipulation.

One of Gino's co-authors on the 2012 research paper told The Chronicle that Harvard had informed him that the study Gino oversaw for the article appeared to include fabricated results.

Gino's frequent research partner Maurice Schweitzer voiced fears that he himself was manipulated and conned in their work together.

Schweitzer, a behavioral scientist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, told the New York Times he is now carefully reviewing the eight papers he co-authored with Gino for any indications of fraud.

Gino's frequent research partner Maurice Schweitzer says he is now carefully reviewing the eight papers he co-authored with Gino for any indications of fraud

He said that the allegations against Gino were causing 'reverberations in the academic community' because she is someone with 'so many collaborators, so many articles, who is really a leading scholar in the field.'

The 2012 paper was based on three separate behavioral experiments, including one overseen by Gino that asked subjects to complete a worksheet with 20 puzzles, promising them $1 for each correctly solved puzzle.

The participants were then asked to fill out a form asking them how much money they earned from solving the puzzles, and were led to believe that lying on the form would be undetectable, when in fact the researchers could verify the number of puzzles solved.

The study found participants were more likely to report their puzzle income accurately when they were presented with an honesty pledge at the top of the form, rather than the bottom, where such attestations usually appear on tax returns.

In their DataColada blog post, the trio of scientists analyzed data from the experiment that was posted online, finding that metadata in an Excel file indicated the results had been tampered with in a way that bolstered the study's conclusion.

The same scientists in 2021 exposed apparent data fabrication in a separate study conducted for the article, which relied on data provided by an insurance company.

The article was retracted by editors of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, where it had first appeared, following the 2021 blog post.
Sir Salman Rushdie has revealed he is seeing a therapist who he says 'has a lot of work to do' as he tries to overcome 'crazy dreams' sparked by his stabbing by an alleged Islamist extremist.

The award-winning author, 76, was stabbed as many as ten times on stage as he prepared to give a lecture in New York last August, and lost an eye and the use of one hand.

The British-American novelist had to be put on a ventilator in hospital for six weeks following the frenzied attack.

The suspect, Hadi Matar, has been charged with attempted murder. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.

Sir Salman told the BBC that he is unsure if he will ever appear at a public event again and is undecided about whether to face his alleged attacker in court.

Sir Salman revealed in May that he has started writing again after sustaining a range of injuries in the horrific attack last year

The author was stabbed as many as ten times on stage as he prepared to give a lecture in New York last August, and was left blind in one eye

'I'm in two minds about it,' he said. 'There's one bit of me that actually wants to go and stand on the court and look at him and there's another bit of me that just can't be bothered.

'I don't have a very high opinion of him. And I think what is important to me now is that you're able to find life continuing. I'm more engaged with the business of, you know, getting on with it.'

Sir Salman revealed in May that he has started writing again after sustaining a range of injuries in the horrific attack last year.

The near-fatal stabbing left him with damage to his liver, lost vision in one eye and paralysis in his hand caused by nerve damage in his arm.

The prize-winning writer is currently penning a book about the attack, which he said is helping him to process the trauma he has experienced in the aftermath.

Speaking about the work in a pre-recorded address to the audience at the Hay literary festival in Wales last month, the author said: 'it's not the easiest book in the world to write but it's something I need to get past in order to do anything else.'

The suspect in the stabbing of Rushdie, Hadi Matar, has been charged with attempted murder. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail

'That's the thing writers can do. They can outlast the thing that opposes them.'

Attacks against Sir Salman have been feared since the late 1980s and the publication of his novel 'The Satanic Verses,' which Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini condemned as blasphemous for passages referring to the Prophet Mohammad.

The book, inspired by the life of Islamic prophet Mohammed, prompted the then-supreme leader of Iran, Ruhollah Khomeini, to issue a fatwa calling for Sir Salman's death.

The Ayatollah issued a decree calling for Rushdie's death, forcing the author into hiding for many years - although he had been living and traveling freely for decades before the stabbing.

Since his attack, the author has granted few interviews, communicating chiefly through his Twitter account and prepared remarks.
A man has been charged with the murder of a bikie associate who he allegedly gunned down in his car in broad daylight.

Marvin Oraiha, 24, was shot multiple times as he sat in the driveway of his parent's home on Hertfordshire St in Elizabeth Hills, in Sydney's southwest about 4pm on May 22.

On Wednesday, strike force detectives and officers from the Raptor Squad arrested a 22-year-old man at a home in Roselands and charged him with Mr Oraiha's murder.

He was also charged with two counts of take and drive conveyance w/o consent of the owner, possess unauthorised pistol, and participate criminal group, contribute criminal activity.

A man has been arrested (pictured) and charged with the murder of bikie associate Marvin Oraiha, 24, in May

Marvin Oraiha (pictured), 24, was shot multiple times as he sat in the driveway of his parent's home on Hertfordshire St in Elizabeth Hills, in Sydney's southwest

The 22-year-old was refused bail and will appear in Bankstown Local Court on Thursday.

Before his death, Mr Oraiha is understood to have told his girlfriend to flee the car once he spotted the gunmen with witnesses reportedly hearing chilling screams and seeing a woman running from the car before Mr Oraiha was fatally shot.

First responders tried desperately to revive Mr Oraiha, who had a bullet wound to his head but he died at the scene.

Two cars were found burnt out nearby, including a white Audi A1, the vehicle believed to be used to confront Mr Oraiha.

Oraiha was a barber studying to become a project designer and had just said his goodbyes to his mother and sister as they returned from school pick-up when he was fatally shot.

On Wednesday, strike force detectives and officers from the Raptor Squad arrested a 22-year-old man at a home in Roselands and charged him with the bikie associates murder

Police have searched seven properties in Roselands, Edensor Park, Green Valley, Yagoona, Liverpool, Merrylands and Guildford as part of their investigation.

Police say they have located ammunition, an extendable baton, gel-blasters, a taser, cloned registration plates, substances believed to be prohibited drugs, clothing, over $3000 in cash, and mobile phones relevant to their investigation.

All items will undergo forensic examination.

Police at the time of the shooting described the incident as 'brazen'.

'I think it is as bad as it gets, it is an awful crime,' Detective Acting Superintendent Virginia Gorman said.
Brits hoping to enjoy their summer holidays have instead flown into holiday hell in the face of a major heatwave that has seen temperatures in Europe hit 45C (113F).

The heatwave tormenting the European continent that as been dubbed Cerberus - a mythical multi-headed dog often referred to as the hound of Hades - saw thermometers in the Spanish village of Loja near Granada record hit the 45C mark on Monday.

Now, Greece has restricted the working hours of horses and donkeys and forecasters are warning next week could be even worse.

Greek officials have also blocked people from accessing nature reserves, in a bid to prevent wildfires, and have opened up air conditioned spaces to give people shelter.

Italy, meanwhile, has issued extreme heat alerts due to the risks the heatwave poses to vulnerable people.

Temperatures hit highs of 45C (113F) in the Spanish village of Loja near Granada as the heatwave tormented Europe

Greek officials limited access to nature reserves and restricted donkeys' and horses working hours

Italy issues severe weather warnings as temperatures soared across the country

Spain's weather service said thermometers could potentially hit 45C (113F) in south-eastern areas of the Iberian Peninsula, which are under alert for extreme heat.

That mark of 45C was already reached on Monday in the village of Loja, near Granada, at the start of the heatwave that has tormented the country this week.

More than 100 weather stations registered temperatures of at least 35C (95F) as early as 6am on Wednesday, according to meteorologist Ruben del Campo, of Spain's national weather agency.

'On Wednesday we expect temperatures to fall overall with the arrival of cool winds from the north and east, with the exception of the south-east and southern Andalusia, where hot winds blowing from the interior will cause temperatures to soar,' he said.

British visitors sought refuge in the shaded areas in the Italian capital yesterday

A man cools himself off during a heatwave across Italy, in Naples, on July 10. The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily are expected to bear the brunt of the heat, with temperatures predicted to reach 45C

Although some relief is in store in the coming days for the Iberian Peninsula, other European countries will sweat through the weekend.

In Italy, 10 cities were put on high heat alert for older people and other vulnerable populations from Bolzano in the north extending southwards to Bologna, Florence and Rome.

Temperatures are expected to reach 40C (104F) on the Italian island of Sardinia on Wednesday.

Severe storms in Italy's populous northern Lombardy region, have however, caused flooding, felled trees and ripped roofs off buildings.

More than 200 firefighters responded to emergencies in the regional capital of Milan, Varese, near the Malpensa airport, Lecco, near Lake Como, Sondrio, located in the Alps, and Bergamo.

Shoppers shelter underneath umbrellas from the sun outside a Chanel store in Rome on Wednesday

People cool off in the Barcaccia fountain today as Rome experiences high temperatures

Temperatures are also starting to rise in Greece, where a heatwave is forecast to reach up to 44C (111F) in some parts of the country in the coming days.

Officials banned access to nature reserves and forests to reduce the risk of wildfires, while authorities were opening air-conditioned areas in public buildings for people to shelter from the heat.

Greece's agriculture ministry issued restrictions on the transportation and working hours of animals such as horses and donkeys offering rides in tourist areas during the heatwave.

Working animals will not be allowed to work between noon and 5pm on days where temperatures are between 35C and 39C (95-102F) in the shade, while they will not be allowed to work at any time of the day when temperatures exceed that range.

Scientists report that heat-related deaths soared in 2022 in Europe, when Spain had a record-hot year.

The Mediterranean region is expected to see temperatures rise faster than many other areas of the globe due to climate change.
A drone feared to have aided in the jail break of a murder suspect was actually being used by a local retired nurse to inspect his gutters, DailyMail.com has learned.

In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, police said theyd received tips that a drone was flying in the immediate vicinity of the Warren County Jail in Northwest Pennsylvania shortly before Michael Burham escaped night of July 6.

Lt. Col. George Bivens, deputy commissioner of operations for the Pennsylvania State Police, suggested the drone may have been providing useful intel to aide Burhams jail break. He urged anyone with information on the unmanned aerial vehicle to contact his department.

But the truth was far more prosaic.

Bob Anderson, 77, a retired nurse who lives right next door, was relaxing on his front porch shortly after the press conference, wearing a Hilton Head Pickleball t-shirt and sitting on a chair with his feet crossed.

Bob Anderson, pictured, says a drone feared to have aided a prison break near his home in Warren, Pennsylvania, was actually just inspecting gutters at his home

The retired nurse's home is pictured. He laughed when told by DailyMail.com how cops worried the drone had been used to help Michael Burham escape

Asked whether hed seen any drone flying around the jail shortly before the escape, he laughed, incredulously. That was his doing, he revealed. And he had a simple explanation.

Burham - a murder suspect - escaped July 6 and remains on the loose

We were looking at my roof with a drone, at around 8 that night, and Ive got pictures of what we were looking at, Anderson noted.

Asked whether he told the cops this, he replied, No. Nobody asked.

Anderson said his son-in-law, visiting with family from Pittsburgh for the holidays, brought the drone to take aerial footage of his property.

My son-in-law has a drone and I asked him to fly it around the perimeter of my house and look at my gutters, said Anderson. I recently had some gutter work done. I could see some things curled up on the roof from the work they did with the gutter guards, little pieces of it sticking up. And Im thinking, I paid a lot of money for these guys. Nothing should be sticking up. So I told my son-in-law, while youre flying over the house, lets see what we can see.

I have pictures of it on my phone, he said, showing DailyMail.com the images. You could see it sticking up.

Warren County Jail - where Burham escaped from - is pictured on Wednesday

He chuckled again.

Thats so interesting that, coincidentally that same night, there was a jail break, he said. Who would think this is going to come back to bite me, that there was going to be a jail break the same night. Thats just crazy.

Burham escaped three hours later, around 11:20 p.m., and has evaded capture since.

Anderson noticed the commotion outside the morning after the jail break.

So I thought about it, and I talked to him (my son-in-law) later and I said, Jesus, we were flying the drone around, he said. Somebodys going to try to make the connection there. And there isnt, absolutely nothing. Its just completely coincidental.

He was shocked to learn from DailyMail.com Wednesday that police were discussing it during a press conference, and that the story about the mysterious drone was picked up by news outlets across the country.

The thing is, my son-in-law has had his drone here before, Anderson further explained. Wed just fly it, look around the neighborhood, and the kids enjoy looking at it. And its fun to see your house from above and all that stuff.

And when he flew it around the neighborhood in the past, when he got too close to the jail and courthouse, theres an electronic field or something up there that says you cant fly drones over here, he continued. The warning comes right up on his phone. He knew that before he came here, so we steered clear.
A Michigan mother whose toddler son died after he overdosed on antidepressant pills sobbed and shared her regrets as she was sentenced to jail on Wednesday.

Hope Marshall, 27, will serve at least 18 months in prison for the June 2022 death of 17-month-old Kaiden Wood, who died inside their Kentwood home.

'I'm a mother full of guilt, shame, regrets and pain. A mother's worst nightmare is losing a child but what do you do when your own actions are responsible?' she said.

When police first arrived at the home for the call of an unresponsive toddler, they found items including a soup pot filled with vomit, a marijuana pipe, and Xanax.

Kaiden's father, Kyle Wood, pleaded guilty to second-degree child abuse in March and was sentenced to at least 30 months for the boy's death.

Hope Marshall (pictured) sobbed as she was sentenced to prison for the death of her toddler son, Kaiden Wood, who died after overdosing on antidepressants

Kaiden (pictured) had overdosed on antidepressants left lying around the home

In court Wednesday, Marshall said she 'failed' her son and his brothers.

'Kaiden is my world and I failed him so badly. I let my drug addiction destroy my precious son's life and my two other sons' life as well,' the woman said.

According to early reports, when investigators searched the home in the 400 block of Prince Albert St. SE, they found the residence to be in general disarray.

The detectives also found numerous items that caused concerns including three loose Wellbutrin pills in the living room and Xanax on the kitchen counter.

Both medications are commonly used as antidepressants.

At the time, Marshall told police the the Wellbutrin was hers and allegedly told police 'she takes three (Wellbutrin) with her coffee each morning.'

A broken Acetaminophen pill was on the floor in the hallway, 13 ABC reported, as well as a vape pen inside Kaiden's crib.

Marshall told police that she had last seen Kaiden alive around 8am on June 23 after feeding him some Cheerios and then putting him back in his crib.

Two hours later, she found him in his bed 'cold and blue.' She moved him out to the living room floor where first responders ultimately found him on arrival.

A report from the Kent County Medical Examiner's Office indicated that paramedics attempted resuscitation but could not because his jaw was already too rigid.

'He was in full rigor mortis at the time of arrival of EMS. He was pronounced deceased at 10:25 a.m. on 6/23/22,' an investigator with the ME's office wrote.

Marshall (pictured in a mug shot) told police the Wellbutrin her son took was her's

When police later returned to the scene in August 2022, they discovered uncapped needles stuck into a mattress and another vape pen in a coffee table drawer.

In court Wednesday, the mother told the judge that she hopes to use her time in prison and after to turn her life around after this tragic mistake.

'I hope you can see how badly I want to change my life and how sorry I am for my actions and how much I've reflected on them,' Marshall said.

'I just want help and the fact that I had to lose my son to realize that is sad,' Marshall told Judge Paul Denenfeld.

As part of a plea-agreement, Marshall pleaded guilty to second-degree child abuse and a charge of involuntary manslaughter was dropped.

While sentencing the mother, Denenfield said that he has seen three cases of children overdosing on pills and drugs that parents left around.

'Parents want to sit around and use drugs, whether it's legal or illegal, I guess that's a choice on their own,' the judge exclaimed.

'Children don't make a choice of being tempted by things that children would normally reach out and try to ingest,' Denenfeld said, prior to sentencing Marshall.

'I hope you can see how badly I want to change my life and how sorry I am for my actions and how much I've reflected on them,' Marshall (pictured) said

Kaiden's father, Kyle Wood (pictured) pleaded guilty to second-degree child abuse in March and was sentenced to at least 30 months for the boy's death

'Parents want to sit around and use drugs, whether it's legal or illegal, I guess that's a choice on their own,' Judge Paul Denenfeld (pictured) said in court Wednesday

Like Marshall, Kaiden's father made similar comments while addressing a court earlier this year as he was charged for his one-year-old son's death.

'I understand that I made a mistake that day,' said Wood in March.

'And I acknowledge that I must stop. And unfortunately, I lost one of my sons while doing it,' the father said.

'I just want to say, not even to the court, but to my son, that I'm sorry,' said Kyle.

He was given a minimum sentence of 30 months and a maximum of 10 years.
A gang of three men and two women were convicted of a 'honeytrap' killing on Wednesday.

Vishal Gohel, 44, had been expecting to have sex with three women, but was gagged and beaten when their male accomplices arrived to rob him.

Prosecutor Charlotte Newell KC told St Albans crown court that in the morning of Sunday January 23 last year a neighbour saw Mr Gohel's front door was ajar and the kitchen light was on.

When he returned to the second floor of the flats on Bushey High Street, Herts at 10pm he noticed the door was still open and decided to check.

She said he knocked on the door and went in to make a 'horrifying discovery.'

'Mr Gohel was lifeless on the floor of the bedroom. Gaffer tape was round the lower part of his face. A post-mortem examination found he had suffered a significant blow or blows to the head.

Vishal Gohel, 44, was killed in his flat in Herts, near Watford, when the three men ambushed him and beat him - leaving him with fatal injuries, the court was told

The court heard Mr Gohel was found dead in the bedroom of his flat when they noticed his door had been left open

'Both sides of his face were injured. There was internal bruising to his scalp, eyes and jaw.

'There was brain damage and his voice box had been fractured, consistent with squeezing of the neck.'

The prosecutor said the second floor flat had been tidied in an effort to clean the scene. Mr Gohel's iPhone and iWatch had been taken.

She said he was the victim of a 'honeytrap' where three women had gained access on the promise of sexual liaisons that never happened. They allegedly gained entry to allow the males in to steal property.

Tevin Leslie, 23, of Hurst Street, Brixton, London was convicted of murder. He had admitted conspiracy to rob.

Sakeen Gordon, 22, of Uxbridge Road, Ealing was convicted of murder by an 10 to one majority and conspiracy to rob.

Brandon Browne, 22, of Laburnham Road, Rochester, Kent was found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob.

Yarley Georgia Bruce-Annan, 22, of Harts Lane in Barking was convicted of murder and had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob.

Faith Hoppie, 22, of Blake Avenue, Barking was found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob.

Tiana Edwards Hancock, 20, of Fresh Wharf Road, Barking was cleared of murder, manslaughter and conspiracy to rob.

The jury heard the victim had been in contact with Bruce-Annan on Saturday 22nd January on Craig's List - an online market website where goods and services are offered.

Sakeen Gordon, 22, of Uxbridge Road, Ealing was convicted of murder by an 10 to one majority and conspiracy to rob

Tevin Leslie, 23, of Hurst Street, Brixton, London was convicted of murder. He had admitted conspiracy to rob

Yarley Georgia Bruce-Annan, 22, of Harts Lane in Barking was convicted of murder and had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to rob

Brandon Browne, 22, of Laburnham Road, Rochester, Kent was found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob

Faith Hoppie, 22, of Blake Avenue, Barking was found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob

The female defendants had left Barking in a cab, that cost 42.75p, and arrived in Bushey at 1am in the morning.

The men arrived at the scene in Tevin Leslie's Audi at 25 past 2 in the morning. Browne had been picked up in Bromley. Leslie then drove onto Ealing to pick up Gordon, who is his cousin.

'It was the culmination of a plan that had been brewing throughout the day,' said Ms Newell.

Earlier Mr Gohel had been recorded on CCTV at a convenience store near his home at twenty five past ten at night where he bought alcohol, soft drinks, cigarettes, and condoms.

He had borrowed 100 in cash from his mother, who lived nearby, and also withdrew 100 from a cash machine.

The prosecutor said he had been seen on CCTV wearing the iWatch. This was missing when his body was found. She said the watch, the 200 cash and his iPhone were stolen.

'No attempts had been made to contact the emergency services, but there had been efforts had been made to clean the flat. He was dead or dying when they left the flat. There was no attempt to provide assistance to him,' said the prosecutor.

Judge Richard Foster remanded the three men and two women in custody for sentence on 26 September. He excused the 11 jurors, who had sat on the trial for 9 weeks, for jury service for the next 10 years. They had been deliberating their verdicts for 21 hours 36 minutes.
The identity of the BBC presenter at the centre of the allegations was ridiculed as an open secret.

A snap poll conducted by the Mail in towns and cities around the country suggested that more than a third of people knew Huw Edwards was the subject of the claims.

The figure had soared from just two days earlier when an identical poll by this newspaper found one in six knew the 61-year-old was battling to save his career.

Our poll indicates the national guessing game playing out on social media and in homes, offices and schools, was reaching a point where most of the population would be able to name the presenter, seriously undermining privacy laws which the mainstream media had abided by.

A total of 120 out of 335 people, or 35.8 per cent, approached yesterday knew Edwards was the subject of the allegations.

The figure had soared from just two days earlier when an identical poll was carried out

Some 6.5 per cent of those approached for the straw poll yesterday gave the wrong identity

Our survey  indicative rather than scientific  found an astonishing 27 out of 37 respondents (72.9 per cent) in Ipswich, Suffolk, were aware the Welsh presenter had been accused.

In St Albans, Hertfordshire, 55 per cent knew, with 45 per cent in Bristol, 40 per cent in Newmarket, Suffolk, 35.7 per cent in London and 35 per cent in Luton, Bedfordshire. Sources cited included my hairdresser and a passenger in my taxi.

One respondent, a company executive in his early 50s from London who was already aware of the presenters identity, said when asked about their source: Everyone. Friends, family and colleagues. A man in his 20s from Cambridge added: Ive known for days. There was a kind of race between me and my friends to find out. Its an open secret, isnt it?

Others said the presenters decision to hide behind his automatic anonymity had revealed the vagaries of privacy laws and was causing enormous damage to the reputations of colleagues, some of whom have gone on record to deny it was them.

Some 6.5 per cent of those approached for the straw poll yesterday gave the wrong identity, laying bare the extent of the speculation about the allegations. Ali Aallah, 34, from Manchester, who knew who the BBC personality was, said: It wouldnt bother me not knowing but I think its not fair on his colleagues.

MPs were known to be discussing whether to end the gossip and speculation after a former Cabinet minister revealed some were considering using parliamentary privilege to lift the veil of secrecy.

Solicitor David Engel of Addleshaw Goddard, who specialises in reputation and privacy law, argued current privacy laws were working as the mainstream media had not reported Edwards name.
A young woman operated on by Dr Charlie Teo in her teens has leapt to the defence of the controversial neurosurgeon, claiming she would have died if it wasn't for him.

The high profile surgeon has been found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct following an inquiry by the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission.

Dr Teo, who's renowned for taking on risky cases after other surgeons have declined to operate, will need written support from another specialist before performing certain procedures.

The commission also ordered Dr Teo be reprimanded and have conditions imposed on his registration.

The ruling has sparked an outpouring of outrage from some of Dr Teo's former patients and families who lashed out at the decision as they shared personal stories of how he changed their lives.

Dr Teo says he's shattered, realising he may never operate in Australia again, forcing him to now operate overseas.

Pauline Tan was just 13 when she was diagnosed with a rare tumour in her brain cells in 2010.

Pauline Tan (pictured) says she wouldn't be alive today if Dr Charlie Teo didn't agree to operate on the then-16-year-old in 2013

Almost half of the tumour was removed by her first neurosurgeon a week later.

She had regular scans on the remaining slow growing tumour over the next two years before she underwent six weeks of radiotherapy, 'which didn't help', followed by oral chemotherapy.

Her family turned to Dr Teo as a last resort.

'I thought a lot about what I was going to say, but in the end, if I just share my truth, nobody can dispute that,' Ms Tan began.

'In mid- 2013 my oncologists told my parents that there is nothing more that they can do, and I was speaking to palliative care nurses (I even went on a Make-A-Wish trip to Canberra).

'After much begging from my parents to my oncologist to stop trying to telling me not to (I was a 16-year-old girl, who had no idea about neuroscience, Charlie nor that I was dying), I was able to be operated on by Charlie who was able to remove about 95% of the tumour'

'I still could've and would've died if Charlie didn't save me.'

The remaining five per cent of the tumour has since disappeared.

Today, Ms Tan, 26, is living a full life and works for one of Australia's biggest firms.

Dr Charlie Teo (pictured with his fiancee Traci Griffiths) was found guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct

Ms Tan raised donations for the Charlie Teo Foundation for her last birthday to help fund game-changing brain cancer research.

'After taking a year off studying in 2013, I have studied and worked full time non-stop since then,' she said.

'I do have physical disabilities, a lasting reminder that despite doing everything that was 'right ', I still could've and would've died if Charlie didn't save me.'

A Facebook group with more than 5,000 members dedicated to supporting Dr Teo was inundated with similar stories, with many now fearing that sick Australians will never get access to Teo's miracle surgeries.

Another woman revealed how Dr Teo saved her daughter's life as she slammed the 'disgusting' verdict.

'I'm deeply saddened for the families that lost loved ones - but death does happen,' she wrote.

'Doctor's aren't God & they can only do so much & if that person they're operating on is supposed to live then this operation will at least give them a fighting chance.

'My wonderfully brave daughter met that catalyst head on when she met Dr Charlie Teo! He sat with us while he explained everything to us & YES even the bad bits but we needed the truth.

'People needing this specialist treatment deserve to have a doctor willing to take a risk on them - not everyone will live but that is life & totally out of our hands.

'Someone with the skills of Dr Charlie Teo don't need their hands tied - they need to be able to give us a chance to live.

'To Dr Charlie Teo I say thank you for all of your caring before & after Tammy's operation - you are an amazing man & a skilled doctor. To all of your patients, I say how blessed you all were.'

Another supporter of Dr Teo ruled the commission's decision as 'ridiculous, unfair and totally corrupt'.

'Catastrophic outcomes for two of his patients. All others he has saved because other surgeons won't help,' the woman wrote.

'They should hold their heads in shame, how do these people sleep at night?'

The verdict also prompted supporters to call for an online petition to be set up in support of Dr Teo allowing him to operate in Australia with no restrictions placed on him.

There were 47 letters of support from former patients and their families and more than 100 pages of social media messages backing Dr Teo.

Many also attended the eight-day hearing in March in a strong public display of support for the embattled surgeon.

Former patients and families have leapt to the defence of Dr Charlie Teo following the commission's findings on Wednesday. He's pictured embracing a supporter during an inquiry hearing in March

The health watchdog investigated complaints relating to two patients - referred to as Patient A and Patient B - diagnosed with terminal brain tumours who had catastrophic outcomes.

Neither patient regained consciousness after surgery in 2018 and 2019 at Sydney's Prince of Wales Private Hospital.

During eight days of hearings in March, Dr Teo faced accusations of misleading patients, conducting dangerous surgeries and failing to properly inform them or their families of the risks involved.

The commission's Medical Professional Standards Committee found the surgeon decided to operate on two patients 'where the risk of surgery outweighed any potential benefits'.

The committee found he did not obtain informed consent from either woman prior to surgery, charged an unsuitable fee of $35,000 and spoke inappropriately to the patients and their family.

In its 112-page report, the committee concluded Dr Teo 'did not exercise appropriate judgement' in proceeding with what it deemed to be a 'high risk and inappropriate' surgery on a 41-year-old Perth woman.

'Surgery in this situation is not recommended or carried out by a majority of the practitioner's peers, nor a responsible minority of surgeons,' it read.

'The procedure was not supported by the literature (and) the practitioner in his professional capacity had an overriding ethical duty to refuse surgery.'

The committee found Dr Teo's attitude to and rationale for conducting the surgery was 'substantially experimental' and it was the type of operation which should be conducted in a clinical trial setting or subject to other ethical scrutiny.

When operating on a 66-year-old patient, he was found to have 'carried out surgery which was different to that proposed' by performing a right frontal lobectomy instead of a resection of the tumour.

The surgery ultimately 'led to unwarranted and excessive removal of normal functional brain'.

During consultation with the woman, Dr Teo used inappropriate language, telling the patient: 'If you don't have this operation by Tuesday, you'll be f***ing dead by Friday'.

The woman was also told: 'What the f*** are you crying about? I'm here to fix you, you should be happy' and 'Brain tumours are the best f***ing way to die'.

While the woman was unconscious and in the presence of her family, Dr Teo is also alleged to have slapped her across the face.

During the hearing Dr Teo admitted his actions were responsible for the women's poor outcomes, but rejected any suggestion he was negligent.

'I haven't been able to save lives that I know I can save,' he said.

Dr Teo will have to obtain a written statement from a Medical Council-approved neurosurgeon to support him performing recurrent malignant intracranial tumour and brain stem tumour surgical procedures.

Even if he did find a neurosurgeon who gives him the necessary approvals, it's unlikely he would find a hospital that will allow him to operate. That means Teo is unlikely to ever operate in Australia again.

'If the written statement does not support Professor Teo performing the procedure(s) he cannot perform the surgery,' the commission said on Wednesday.

Dr Teo said he was happy the commission had not imposed more conditions on him.

'They've made it easier for me to get a supervisor,' he told Channel Seven.

Dr Teo is currently in Spain weighing up whether to appeal, which he must lodge the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal within 28 days.
At least nine U.S. government and organizations were accessed by the attack

An FBI investigation is underway after Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's email was hacked into by Chinese cyberspies.

U.S. officials say that Raimondo is the only Cabinet-level official whose account was compromised in the attack, according to The Washington Post  but a congressional staffer, human rights advocate and think tank were also targeted.

The State Department discovered a vulnerability in Microsoft's cloud last month. The only two executive branch agencies known to have emails breached are the Commerce and State Departments.

The targeted cyber espionage campaign has been mitigated. But not before the hackers had access to the email accounts for about a month before being cut-off.

Nine U.S. organizations were victimized by the cyber attack with some email accounts compromised at each entity, a senior Homeland Security official said.

Chinese cyberspies hacked into Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's email  and had access for about a month before being discovered and cut-off

Microsoft says that a total of 25 organizations worldwide were hacked.

'U.S. government safeguards identified an intrusion in Microsoft's cloud security, which affected unclassified systems,' National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodges told the Post.

'Officials immediately contacted Microsoft to find the source and vulnerability in their cloud service,' he added. 'We continue to hold the procurement providers of the U.S. government to a high security threshold.'

Discovery of the hack coincided with Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to Beijing last month.

Beijing has been open in denouncing Raimondo's Commerce Department imposing harsh export controls on Chinese companies, which the CCP says is a malicious suppression tactic.

An FBI investigation is ongoing into the matter.

A person familiar with the matter said it does not appear that any email accounts of Pentagon, intelligence or military officials were affected.

Microsoft said late Tuesday it mitigated an espionage and data theft attack by a 'China-based threat actor' actor targeting government agencies in Western Europe.
An Aboriginal man has lost his bid to claim the aged pension three years earlier because of his shorter life expectancy.

Queensland-born Wakka Wakka man Dennis James Fisher lodged a claim in the Federal Court before it was dismissed by five judges on Wednesday.

The 66-year-old launched legal action in 2021 and argued the pension age for Indigenous people should be 64.

Currently, Australians are only eligible for the age pension when they turn 67.

Uncle Dennis said he was frustrated by the courts decision. His lawyers argued Indigenous people were more likely to die earlier when they turned 65

Mr Dennis argued Aboriginal people should be able to access the pension sooner because their life expectancy is three years shorter.

His lawyers relied on Australian Bureau of Statistics data that showed a discrepancy in the life expectancies between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

According to the ABS, Indigenous men lived an average of 15.8 years after turning 65.

Non-indigenous Australians, however, live up to 19 years after they reach the age of 65, according to the ABS.

Figures showed Aboriginal women lived an average 17.1 years after turning 65 while non-Indigenous females lived 20.8.

Uncle Dennis also argued that the rate of life expectancy was not accounted for in the pension and therefore breached section 10 of the Racial Discrimination Act.

The Federal Court ruled the current age restriction for the pension did not breach the Racial Discrimination Act.

The judges said it was 'impossible' to predict whether someone was more likely to pass away based on their race.

They argued the pension was designed to keep old people out of poverty and not necessarily provide support for any specific number of years.

'The social security system as a whole would not treat members of all races with equal dignity and respect if it provided members of a particular race with more limited access to the age pension than others,' they said.

A judgement by the federal court ruled it was 'impossible' to predict whether someone was more likely to pass away based on their race

'Based on the statistics, a randomly selected Aboriginal man will probably qualify for the pension for a shorter period than a randomly selected non-Aboriginal man of the same age.

'Each enjoys the right to the pension (subject to meeting payability criteria) for as long as he lives and thus as long as he needs it.'

In a statement, Uncle Dennis said he was 'frustrated with this white system'.

'It's not a system of the land. It doesn't give us a say. White people are living longer because they haven't lost what we have lost'.

'As an Aboriginal man, I've seen too many of my people dying at a very early age. We are lucky to get to 50 years old.'

The judges said they recognised Indigenous people faced 'unacceptable differences in health and socio-economic status'.
The three children of Andrew and Nicola Forrest will miss out on the majority of their parents' eye-watering $32billion fortune - which will instead mostly go to charity.

The pair, who are Australia's richest couple and have been married for more than 30 years, released a statement on Wednesday night revealing they had split and will now live apart.

'Our friendship and commitment to our family remains strong,' the couple said in a joint statement to The Australian Financial Review.

Mr Forrest, known by his nickname 'Twiggy', was ranked the second richest person in Australia this year - behind rival mining magnate Gina Rinehart.

The couple's wealth has largely been amassed through their 36 per cent stake in iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group, which they founded in 2003 and is now the eighth-biggest company on the ASX by market capitalisation.

But the couple have been very vocal about not leaving their billions for their children, Grace, Sophia and Sydney, to inherit.

Andrew and Nicola Forrest have been vocal about not leaving their billion-dollar fortune to their three children Grace, Sophia and Sydney

Grace Forrest, the eldest child, is the founder of international human rights group, Walk Free, which is dedicated to eradicating modern slavery

The majority of their wealth will go towards supporting Indigenous Australians, education reform and scientific research.

The Forrests have also donated the equivalent of nearly $9billion to the Minderoo Foundation, which they set up in 2001.

In April last year, Mrs Forrest said she and her husband would give away their fortune because they don't want their kids to be 'burdened' by a handout.

'We live in a home and I have a great life  but the things that are most important in life, money doesn't buy that,' she said on the ABC's Australian Story.

'Children don't benefit from thinking they're going to inherit a huge amount of money.'

Her husband agreed, saying a decision to 'give away everything' but personal things and goods was 'easy'.

'You know, let's not die wealthy. What's the point of that?' he said.

Their children, all aged in their 20s, seemingly are on the same page and have forged their own successful careers.

Grace Forrest, the eldest child, is the founder of international human rights group Walk Free, which is dedicated to eradicating modern slavery.

The idea was sparked a decade ago following Grace's time at a rescue home in Nepal for children who had been subjected to various forms of exploitation.

She is also the UN Goodwill Ambassador for Australia.

Her Instagram, where she has 21,000 followers, is filled with footage of Grace featuring on news channels discussing modern slavery and her foundation's annual Modern Slavery Index report.

She also shared a snap of her alongside former US President Barack Obama, and Anthony Albanese in another photo.

Sophia Forrest is an actress having starred alongside Russell Crowe in The Water Diviner, Teresa Palmer in Ride Like A Girl and Jason Momoa in Aquaman

She also sat down with Hollywood actress Kate Walsh to discuss the impact of the fashion industry on slavery, and former Australian of the Year Grace Tame where they discussed issues around sexual consent.

Grace is also a director for the Minderoo Foundation and was crowned the 2021 West Australian Young Australian of the Year.

Her sister Sophia is an actress having starred alongside Russell Crowe in The Water Diviner, Teresa Palmer in Ride Like A Girl and Jason Momoa in Aquaman.

She's also had roles in Home and Away, Love Child, Bali 2002 and Barons.

Sophia and Crowe were romantically linked after they were spotted watching an NRL match together, but Crowe quickly shut down the rumours and Sophia is now engaged to her longtime girlfriend Zara Zoe.

Back in 2017, Sophia revealed she had planned on making money herself.

'Inheritance has never really made sense to me,' she told Sunday Life magazine at the time.

'You watch it tear families apart and it baffles me. You're not entitled to that money, you haven't earned it, you haven't worked for it - I don't see why you think it should be yours.

'So we all agreed to give it all away. It's a relief to know it's not my problem. It's going to better things. I don't need it. I'm going to work and make it on my own.'

Back in 2017, Sophia revealed she had planned on making money herself, saying inheritance 'never really made sense to me'

Sophia reportedly bought a two-storey penthouse in Waterloo, in Sydney's inner-city for $1.8million in 2021.

Pictured is Sydney Forrest

The Forrests' son Sydney prefers to stay more under the radar compared to his parents and sisters, with little known about what career path he has taken.

Mrs Forrest has also spoken about the loss of her still-born daughter Matilda in 1988.

A post-mortem commissioned by the family found there was nothing wrong and their daughter, albeit stillborn, was a 'perfect, beautiful little girl'.

She said the loss of Matilda 'tore our family apart'.

Meanwhile, the Forrests have insisted their separation will have no impact on the strategic direction of their mining empire or their philanthropic ventures.

They jointly oversee their private investment arm, Tattarang, and they also co-founded, and continue to co-chair, their philanthropic venture Minderoo Foundation, which works to tackle a range of issues from modern slavery to plastic pollution.

'There is no impact on the operations, control or direction of Fortescue, Minderoo or Tattarang,' their statement added.

It had become clear to many that something was afoot after the couple spent long periods apart in recent years.

Pictured: Andrew and Nicola Forrest with their daughters Grace and Sophia

Suspicions were heightened further by a recent flurry of large share transfers between different companies within their empire.

The revelation of their separation came after the AFR approached the pair about a transaction last month that moved more than $1.1billion worth of Fortescue shares into a new company called Coaxial Ventures, which is wholly owned by Mrs Forrest.

That transaction came shortly after Mr Forrest effectively gave half of his Tattarang shareholding to his wife.

Mr and Mrs Forrest have equal shareholdings in Tattarang and he remains executive chairman of Fortescue.

Since the pandemic, the couple have spent long periods apart. Mr Forrest was in London this week meeting US President Joe Biden, while Mrs Forrest is also reportedly overseas.

It is understood they have no plans to divorce.
A rundown house could be in the running as one of the worst rentals in Australia with flooded carpet floors and exposed asbestos walls among its long list of faults.

The dilapidated rental property is riddled with a number of eyebrow raising defects with the house located on Gordon Street in Maribyrnong, in northwest Melbourne.

Tenants have laid down wooden boards on the floor to avoid getting their feet wet from the soaked carpet and they must sleep in bedrooms covered in black mould.

Their situation was made worse when they received a notice the landlord would be increasing their rent prompting them to file a breach of lease.

They have now been informed they will be evicted from the house by July 22 as the landlord fixes the house with renovations to last longer than three months.

TikTok creator, Jordan Van Den Berg (pictured), has highlighted potentially one of Australia's worst rental houses in Maribyrnong, in north west Melbourne

Tenants have laid down wooden boards on the floor to avoid getting their feet wet from the soaked carpet and they must sleep in bedrooms covered in black mould

Jordan Van Den Berg, who has drawn fame for his videos about 'dodgy' rental properties across Australia, took a tour of the house where he revealed the horrific extent of the faults at the property.

He told his followers on TikTok that issues weren't fixed during the tenancy despite the renters asking the property managers a number of times for repairs.

Throughout the video, Mr Van Den Berg shows the numerous issues with the home.

A damaged front step is just the start of the long list of problems before he shows the front door with the fly-screen in tatters.

Mr Van Den Berg then takes a step inside to reveal wooden boards have been placed on the floor with the carpets completely soaked in water.

Squelching noises are made as he steps onto the carpet to highlight their dire state with vegetation beginning to sprout amid the prime wet conditions.

He then inspects several rooms revealing mould is growing on the ceiling in some parts despite the best efforts of the tenants to clean it.

'It is quite literally falling apart,' he says while pointing the camera towards what appeared to be paint peeling off the walls and water damage in the ceiling.

He also shows numerous instances of exposed asbestos underneath the home, behind the stove and in the shed outside.

'(The tenants) were living in a property that could may well kill them,' he said.

Another feature of the shed was a junction box, used to insulate live wiring, wedged directly between asbestos and an exposed opening in the wall.

The bathroom was the next shocking thing on the list with Mr Van Den Berg pointing out there was a constant leak meaning the shower was always on.

The shower drain has been completely disconnected from the pipes meaning the waste water simply runs underneath the house forming a small puddle.

The home has numerous issues, including recurring blooms of black mould (pictured), exposed asbestos and carpets in hallways being left soaked from leaks

Despite asking numerous times for repairs, the tenants claim they are being evicted to allow for renovations shortly after filing a breach of lease with the property managers

The tenants claim that they have been given a notice of eviction to make way for renovations, shortly after they filed a breach of lease.

The tenants decided to file a breach of lease after they received a notice that their rent would be increasing, to which the property manager returned with an eviction notice.

The notice refers to section 91ZX of the Residential Tenancies Act that allows the residential rental provider to vacate the premises in order to repair, renovate or reconstruct.

The property manager, Prime Residential Property Management, estimated the list of renovations and fixes will take over three months.

Mr Van Den Berg said the tenants 'are genuinely awesome people and have gone out of their way for others in their community'.

Social media users were shocked at the state the tenants were living in.

'How are these poor tenants getting through winter?' One user wrote.

'Their house must be absolutely freezing and their water/power bills exorbitant.'

'Those poor, poor tenants ... I hope they find somewhere dry, safe and warm very soon,' a second wrote.

'And they INCREASED the rent?' A third wrote.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Prime Residential Property Management for comment.
Hotel chains across the United States have been accused of maintaining pandemic-era levels of staffing and amenities, while surging their prices to post-COVID highs.

Frustrated travelers are venting online about poor service, limited facilities and bad communication.

Meanwhile, prices have soared: room rates in the top 25 U.S. markets were up 9.3 percent from May 2022 to May 2023, according to hospitality analytics firm STR.

Price increases have been even more sharp in cities including New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Las Vegas and San Francisco, where there have been double-digit hikes.

Readers of The Wall Street Journal have complained intensely, said travel columnist Dawn Gilbertson.

She summarized some of their key complaints..

Hotel chains are being accused of offering shoddy services and charging excessive rates

SHABBY ROOMS

Repairs and upgrades that were shelved amid the pandemic have sometimes been abandoned entirely, WSJ readers complained.

One reader said he and his business travel colleagues have a competition to see who has a working ice machine on the hotel floor. The winner buys drinks for the group.

Complaints about maintenance have risen 3 percent, according to the latest J.D. Power North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index.

Issues included problems with air conditioning, room maintenance and shower drainage.

This year's survey polled over 34,000 hotel guests for stays between May 2021 and May 2022.

One guest of a Hilton Hotel on Wednesday tweeted: '@hilton @HiltonHHonors staying at your Hilton Tapestry in Knoxville, Tn. When did u guys remove the ice buckets for the rooms? Call to ask for a bucket was told I would have to come down to get ice? As a Diamond member this is unacceptable. Please help me understand?'

A Wyndham hotel customer in Virginia said they spent three days complaining about a faulty television, and there was no hot water in his previous hotel.

'@WyndhamHotels my room in South Boston VA does not have a working TV. Told the front desk this morning and nothing was done. Spent a 3 days with no tv. Checkout tomorrow. Last hotel was no hot water, now no tv. Come on'

STAFF SHORTAGES

Bharat Patel, a hotel owner and chairman of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association trade group, told the paper that the biggest challenge at the moment was finding enough staff.

He said he could deal with other problems easily, but staffing was a significant hurdle.

'I can deal with almost any supply issue,' he says. 'If we're out of eggs, double up on bacon. Everyone wants protein.'

An STR report this month found that hotel profit margins are growing, because of higher room rates and cheaper operating costs 'through reduced services, lower employment levels and changes in operation.'

Chekitan Dev, professor at Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration, told the paper that the hotels have 'service delusion' - believing they can get away with fewer front-desk workers today because it worked during the pandemic, when travelers wanted fewer interactions.

Hotel workers are pictured on strike outside a Sheraton hotel at LAX airport on Tuesday

'@Hyatt I picked up some trash in the hallway because apparently maid service is no longer a 3 star amenity and I was tired of stepping over it,' tweeted one angry guest.

Another complained: @HolidayInn @Expedia so trying to check into HI Express in Rochester and no rooms available yet, because only one cleaning person for entire hotel.

'Can't say when I'll get a room or let me cancel.'

POOR COMMUNICATION

The staffing shortages was frequently felt on customer service helplines.

'I've reached out to @WyndhamHotels customer service 3 times with no response. Is this company a joke now?' tweeted one guest on Wednesday.

Another angry guest complained on Wednesday about Holiday Inn: 'Still not resolved. They won't even call back or acknowledge their mistake! Customer service is the worst. @HolidayInn.'

A third said: '@Hilton what happened with your customer service lately? Been in two hotel in the last two nights and have never been more disappointed. It's pretty embarrassing to be a Diamond status with you right now.'

Guests frequently complained that they could not get anyone to answer their calls

NAGGING SIGNS - INCLUDING PLEA TO GO EASY ON THE BUFFET

Gilbertson, the columnist, described how she stayed at a Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel in Orlando, Florida, and found the pool was out of order for a day, the shampoo dispenser in the shower was empty, and a sign on the breakfast buffet discouraged taking too much food because of supply issues.

One disgruntled Hilton customer in Colorado agreed, tweeting on Tuesday: 'Just left Hilton Fort Collins and i was very disappointed in my stay here. exorbitant price for less than pleasant amenities.

'The room was dirty. hair and dust everywhere. ice machine broken on our floor. no free breakfast. no free parking. even the hot tub was broken.'

Some hotel guests were told that they had to use restraint at the hotel buffet, due to a shortage of supplies

Another complained about Embassy Suites' soaring prices.

'Embassy Suites was used to be great value,' he tweeted on Wednesday.

'Room+LR with sofa bed. Cocktail hour with free snacks & cheap booze. Buffet breakfast, & a cold pool but decent hot tub. Usually was $150.

'Now, it's $275. 2 basic cocktails. Rooms run down, no soap...'

He concluded: 'High end hotel is better value.'
Celebrity neurosurgeon Charlie Teo has compared his shattered reputation to that of a falsely-accused paedophile in a podcast he recorded just days before a medical tribunal effectively ended his career in Australia.

On Thursday, a day after the Tribunal decision was handed down, Dr Teo was seen at Sydney airport with his fiance Traci Griffith dressed in black and sporting a cap that reads: 'Psycho (eyes) wide open.'

Dr Teo has a reputation for his willingness to perform risky surgeries on brain tumours deemed inoperable by other doctors, but has continually come under fire from the medical establishment for his controversial practices.

He is now expected to continue working in Spain where he is still permitted to operate.

Celebrity neurosurgeon Charlie Teo is spotted at Sydney airport with fiance Traci Griffith

Dr Teo was seen at Sydney airport with his fiance Traci Griffith dressed in black and sporting a cat that reads: Psycho (eyes) wide open

Two major complaints saw the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) conduct a hearing in March over two surgeries performed in 2018 and 2019, which left the female patients, aged 41 and 61, with catastrophic brain injuries.

Dr Teo spent an emotional two months fighting the complaints on the stand - telling a medical panel why he cut too far into one patient's brain, and why he removed more than nine centimetres from the other.

On Wednesday, the HCCC found him guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct. The verdict means he is barred from operating unless a credentialing committee gives him approval.

His many supporters across Australia were furious at the the decision - taking to social media to slam the HCCC, and to express their outrage that patients will have to pay thousands more to travel to Spain, where he's still permitted to operate.

During the podcast he compared the professionals who lodged complaints against him to false paedophile accusers, whose allegations destroy reputations.

'The only reason that they're accusing that person of paedophilia is because they want to destroy their reputation and their life, and they know full well that it's untrue,' he told host Bradley Dryburgh.

'Once you label that person as a paedophile and it spreads across media channels and the internet, you can't wipe that off your book - it'll always be there.'

Dr Teo (pictured fiance Traci Griffith) with has a reputation for his willingness to perform risky surgeries on brain tumours deemed inoperable by other doctors, but has continually come under fire from the medical establishment for his controversial practices.

Dr Teo (pictured fiance Traci Griffith) spent an emotional two months fighting the complaints on the stand - telling a medical panel why he cut too far into one patient's brain, and why he removed more than nine centimetres from the other

He then took aim at Sydney Morning Herald reporter Kate McClymont for publishing an article in 2021 that claimed he operated on the 'wrong side' of a patient's brain.

'It was completely slanderous and completely defamatory and it would have taken that journalists one phone call to realise that it was defamatory,' he said.

Dr Teo explained he was taken off the lawsuit because 'it was the fault of the radiology department for miss-labelling the x-ray'.

'One phone call would have done that and but that journalist did not make that phone call.'

He also spoke openly about his medical peers and explained that, in his view, they had been trying to destroy him since he moved back to Australia from the USA in 1999.

During the podcast he compared the professionals who lodged complaints against him to false paedophile accusers, whose allegations destroy reputations

'I knew my colleagues were after me, I was creating more enemies than friends. and one day they would strategise to bring me down,' he said, adding that he was 'proud' to have survived 25 years without persecution.

'The fact that I've survived when they got me when I'm 65, it's not so bad to be ashamed that they eventually won.'

After the decision was handed down on Wednesday, his fans and former patients were outraged and pointed out that future patients with life-threatening tumours will have to save tens of thousands of dollars to travel to Spain.

Even though Dr Teo is effectively barred from operating in Australia, medical professionals have allowed him to continue performing risky surgeries in two hospitals in Spain.

So far, it is understood he has performed surgeries in Hospital Quiron de Torrevieja in Alicante, in south-east Spain, and Hospital Universitario Fundacion Jimenez Diaz in Madrid.
A former ABC radio presenter allegedly attempted to sell drugs to an undercover police officer when he was caught with a $600,000 cache of narcotics, a court has heard.

Ashley Norman Hall, the former executive producer of the national broadcaster's flagship radio program AM, is alleged to have used Sydney CBD hotel rooms to run a drug supply operation.

Hall was arrested in December as part of a NSW Police strike force aimed at dismantling drug supply rings operating across the city.

Police arrested Hall and later raided two hotel rooms, at Wentworth Street and Bond Street, in the heart of the city.

Police allege officers uncovered a stockpile of drugs with an estimated street value of $600,000 during the raids, including MDMA tablets, cocaine, 700g of methamphetamine and more than 1kg of cannabis.

Former radio presenter Ashley Hall (pictured) has been charged with a raft of drug offences

Ashley Hall was arrested over an alleged drug supply operation

The 52-year-old was hit with 23 charges, including eight counts of supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

He was also charged with knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime after police discovered more than $70,000 in cash.

He was on Thursday due to face committal in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court; however, Magistrate Greg Grogin agreed to adjourn the matter for several weeks because Mr Hall had recently changed lawyers.

He was previously represented in court by solicitor Sharon Ramsden, but is no longer represented by her firm.

The court heard prosecutors were 'optimistic' the matter would be resolved shortly.

The former ABC radio presenter was arrested by NSW Police last December

Mr Hall allegedly sold drugs to an undercover officer, and the prosecution case against him was described as 'very strong', the court heard.

He earlier this year failed in a bid to be released on bail on medical grounds, with the court hearing at the time he needed a hernia operation.

The court also previously heard he had been attacked in jail with a thong because of his snoring.

During a bail hearing in March, a magistrate noted the Burwood man had previously been convicted 'for the exact same offence'.

In January 2021, he was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order after pleading guilty to two counts of supplying a prohibited drug and four counts of drug possession.

Before he left the public broadcaster, Hall was the executive producer for AM, as well as working as a reporter and presenter for ABC Local Radio, the PM and The World Today programs.

The matter will return to court later this month.
An ABC journalist who is being sued for alleged defamation by an Australian special forces soldier has now been accused of verbally abusing a producer for 2GB radio.

Heston Russell, who made headlines when he raised $15,000 for veterans' charity Swiss 8 by selling nude photos of himself on OnlyFans, is suing the ABC and two of its investigative journalists over stories published in 2020 and 2021.

On Wednesday, the national broadcaster sensationally pulled its final defence in the defamation fight against him, just two weeks before the matter was set to go to trial.

Mr Russell claimed stories by Mark Willacy and Josh Robertson in November 2021 made it look like he was being investigated for shooting an unarmed prisoner.

On Thursday, 2GB's Ben Fordham slammed the ABC over its stories about Mr Russell and claimed Willacy 'phoned us off air one morning, screaming his head off about our coverage of this case'.

An ABC journalist who is being sued for alleged defamation by former Australian special forces soldier Heston Russell (pictured) has now been accused of verbally abusing a radio producer

'His bosses later told us that he was under pressure. You can say that again,' Fordham added.

ABC's director of news Justin Stevens was reduced to bland management speak when he was asked about Willacy's alleged phone call during a recent Senate committee appearance.

Liberal senator Hollie Hughes said she understood 'it was quite a tense phone call, quite an angry phone call with a bit of yelling towards this producer.'

'Are you aware of that incident?' she questioned Mr Stevens.

'So, in terms of firstly, the chain of events as to the specificity of the email inquiry that came in. I'm happy to follow up, and take that on notice,' he replied.

'I can say with confidence that 2GB have been extremely interested in Mark Willacy's journalism, relentlessly interested, and often attack his journalism and the credibility of it.'

ABC journalist Mark Willacy (pictured) allegedly phoned a 2GB producer and was 'screaming his head off'

Heston Russell (pictured) claimed stories by ABC journalists Mark Willacy and Josh Robertson in November 2021 made it look like he was being investigated for shooting an unarmed prisoner

Fordham used much plainer language in defending 2GB's coverage of the case.

'The ABC is now looking foolish,' he said. 'They are being thrashed in the legal case against the former special forces commando.

'It was alleged that Heston and his unit November Platoon had been involved in the execution of an Afghan prisoner.

'The Federal Court has already ruled the ABC defamed Heston Russell and it's been up to journalists Mark Willacy and Josh Robertson to support their claims - and that is proving to be a disaster.

'So let's be crystal clear: there have been a total of four attempts by Mark Willacy and Josh Robertson and the ABC to defend their story. All four have now been abandoned.'

Fordham said the ABC 'has raised the white flag' in the case.

'The stories about Heston and November Platoon relied on the witness account of a U.S. marine who appeared on the ABC using a fake name,' the radio host explained.

He detailed how the marine using the name 'Josh' said he was on a helicopter in Afghanistan in 2012 when he was called to pick up a team of Australian soldiers.

'They had seven prisoners and Josh says there was not enough room for all of them. He then heard - not saw, but heard - a pop over the radio,' Fordham said.

'He assumed that was Australian soldiers shooting a prisoner dead, and that was the basis of Mark Willacy's story.'

Mr Heston's lawyers wanted to know 'Josh's' true identity, but the ABC refused.

In a statement, the ABC said the Federal Court ruling 'resulted in the ABC having to choose between protecting the identity of its source versus continuing its defence'.

'Well that's complete and utter garbage,' Fordham said. 'Because here are the facts: this marine, Josh, agreed to be interviewed on camera for the ABC.

'His face wasn't blurred, his voice wasn't altered. The ABC said when and where he was deployed in Afghanistan, and the unit he served with.'

Mr Russell is asking for the ABC (pictured) to remove the article and pay aggravated damages on top of court costs

Justice Michael Lee also lambasted the broadcaster over this, saying: 'If those responsible for publishing Josh's photograph within the ABC thought there was substance in Josh's fear of retribution, they must have assumed his potential assailants were a somewhat incurious and lazy lot.'

Fordham said the case was becoming 'extremely damaging' and 'unbelievably expensive' for the ABC.

'Legal costs would already be close to $1million and taxpayers will be picking up the bill,' he said.

The 2GB breakfast host claimed that Willacy tried to get the station to stop covering the Russell case.

'We didn't, we wouldn't and we won't. And in trying to justify their reporting, they made sloppy errors that caused even more damage,' he said.

'It's been a shocker for the ABC. They've now raised the white flag, they've conceded defeat.

'And now the only question is, how big the damages payout is going to be to Heston Russell.'

Mr Russell (pictured) has called on the ABC to apologise and take down the articles

In March 2022, the ABC quietly updated and published corrections on two of the stories on the matter.

Mr Russell is asking for the broadcaster to remove the articles and pay aggravated damages on top of court costs.

The matter will return to court on Friday.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Willacy and the ABC seeking comment.
An eagle-eyed photographer captured the moment a group of Romanian tourists were seconds away from being slashed by a knife-wielding madman in Times Square.

The close shave saw would-be attacker Dequon Messiah, 22, able to get one hand on the shoulder of his target, while clutching a terrifying blade in the other.

Photographer Richard Moore said he was ready with his camera after he saw Messiah harassing others and taunting them with the knife.

After the attacker began trailing the unwitting tourists, Moore followed, and was able to picture the heart stopping moment before police intervened.

Messiah was arrested and charged with menacing, harassment, and criminal possession of a weapon.

Dequon Messiah, 22, was arrested after he trailed a group of Romanian tourists with a knife

Police arrested Messiah on the spot and he is now facing charges of menacing, harassment, and criminal possession of a weapon

The chilling moment came at around 10am Wednesday as Manhattan's iconic Times Square was filling up with tourists.

Moore said he was sat in the hotspot when he noticed Messiah looming on a granite bench, and he got an ominous feeling when he saw him flash the knife at passersby.

The shutterbug told the New York Post that he thought 'this isn't good', but it didn't stop him following the knifeman as Messiah hopped off the bench and zeroed in on the targets, who appeared to be Romanian tourists and musicians.

'I noticed he had this knife in one hand, and he got close enough to one of the musicians to put his other hand on the musicians shoulder,' Moore said.

However, he said Messiah surprisingly backed off and returned to his stoop shortly after grabbing the man, where he continued scanning around Times Square.

Moore said he called 911 after witnessing the near miss, worrying that Messiah would follow through with his next mugging attempt.

He said the cops arrived after just over 10 minutes and arrested the 22-year-old.

'Police got him from behind,' he added. 'They took him down safely for him and others.'

Photographer Richard Moore said he photographed the knifeman after initially seeing him perched on a granite bench in Times Square

Police were called to the scene after the knifeman appeared to try and trail a group of tourists

Although Messiah reportedly stopped his mugging attempt short, the photographer said he called the cops out of fear he would follow through with his next effort

The arrest was praised for its 'safety', but it came at a time of surging crime figures in New York

Messiah's arrest comes as New York City officials attempt to tackle the Big Apple's habitual crime problems, with Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg admitting he is concerned for his family's safety in their everyday lives.

According to official NYPD crime statistics, the city has seen significantly improved crime figures in 2023 so far with a 9.7 percent dip in all major crimes.

While grand larceny auto surged by 6.3 percent, levels of burglary, rape and robberies were all down.

Nevertheless, Bragg, who shot to fame by indicting former President Donald Trump earlier this year, said he doesn't find the statistics comforting.

'I know the statistics that transit crime is down, but when one of my family members gets on the train, I, too, get a knot in my stomach,' he told FOX 5 News.

'I live here, I'm raising my family here, so we have a lot more work to do,' he added.
Vice President Kamala Harris is facing ridicule over her latest awkward turn of phrase, after she delivered a jumbled explanation of artificial intelligence.

'AI is kind of a fancy thing. First of all, it's two letters. It means 'Artificial Intelligence," Harris told a roundtable gathering of labor and civil rights leaders in Washington DC on Wednesday.

She continued: 'It's about machine learning, and so, the machine is taught  and part of the issue here is what information is going into the machine that will then determine  and we can predict then, if we think about what information is going in, what then will be produced in terms of decisions and opinions that may be made through that process.'

The remarks drew criticism from conservatives on Twitter, especially after a clip of the event was posted by the Republican National Committee's @RNCResearch account, which has been quick to pounce on Harris' gaffes.

'Why does she address us as if we are 5 years old?' one user asked.

'AI is kind of a fancy thing. First of all, it's two letters. It means 'Artificial Intelligence," Harris told a roundtable gathering of labor and civil rights leaders in Washington DC on Wednesday

It came one day after the VP faced similar criticism over her simplified explanation of transportation at an event alongside Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Tuesday.

'This issue of transportation is fundamentally about just making sure that people have the ability to get where they need to go,' she told a gathering of disability rights advocates. 'It's that basic.'

Harris has had a string of similar recent gaffes, and last Friday she awkwardly spewed out a 'word salad' when trying to define 'culture' at New Orleans' Essence Festival.

'Culture is - it is a reflection of our moment and our time. Right?' the vice president mused.

'And present culture is the way we express how we're feeling about the moment, and we should always find times to express how we feel about the moment,' Harris continued.

'That is a reflection of joy. Because, you know,' she said, pausing and then breaking into laughter, 'it comes in the morning.'

She then added, 'We have to find ways to also express the way we feel about the moment in terms of just having language and a connection to how people are experiencing life. And I think about it in that way, too.'

Harris also got attention for a rambling speech she gave in February about abortion.

'So I think it's very important, as you have heard from so many incredible leaders for us at every moment in time and certainly this one, to see the moment in time in which we exist and are present, and to be able to contextualize it, to understand where we exist in the history and in the moment as it relates not only to the past but the future,' she said at the time.

While President Joe Biden, 80, gets in trouble for verbal stumbles and gaffes, Harris has been accused of talking almost nonsensically at times, using cascading dependent clauses that make her sentences difficult to decipher.

The Daily Show compared her unfavorably to the HBO show Veep's fictional character Selina Meyer, who had a penchant for using truisms and circular explanations.

In real life, other vice presidents have also faced intense ridicule for their verbal gaffes, as Republican Dan Quayle memorably discovered during George H.W. Bush's administration.

Biden has already committed to keeping Harris on the 2024 ticket, though she faces approval ratings that are generally lower than his.

In late June, according to FiveThirtyEight.com, Harris held a 51.3 disapproval rating, with just 39.2 percent of Americans saying they approved of her.
A second safe injecting room to be set up in Melbourne

A proposed location for a second safe injecting room in Melbourne has sparked outrage from local business owners.

The Victorian state government is considering a number of places to set up the city's second Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR), where health professionals monitor narcotics use to prevent overdoses.

One of the locations flagged for the new MSIR is the Salvation Army building on Bourke Street in the city's CBD.

It would mean the injecting room would sit directly across from one of Melbourne's oldest restaurants, Florentino, which has infuriated its owner Guy Grossi.

The celebrity chef said while he had sympathy for those who needed access to such a facility, he believed it was not ideal having an injecting room in a crowded area.

The Victorian state government is considering setting up a second safe injecting room at the Salvation Army building (pictured) on Bourke Street in Melbourne's CBD.

Restaurant owner Guy Grossi (pictured), whose business is across the road from the proposed site, said the injecting room would 'detract' people from visiting the area

A syringe found near the injecting room in Richmond earlier in the year

'This is a theatre precinct, a restaurant precinct. We have families coming along here. We have young children coming along here,' he told the Today show.

Grossi explained that it would be 'completely counterproductive to all that effort that's gone into the rebuild of this city' following the Covid pandemic lockdown.

'The violence and the crime rate in the city is already a problem,' he added.

'Visitation is already low. So the last thing we need to do is detract from people coming and using the City of Melbourne.'

Vice-president of the Australian Hotels Association and owner of the Elephant & Wheelbarrow hotel Mark O'Reilly also 'strongly objected' to the proposal.

'I don't think it should be in the city. It should be near a medical facility where they are medically trained to deal with this, not in the CBD,' he told 9News.

'Tourists come to Melbourne, we have hotels nearby, main train station nearby and I don't think it is viable.

Sebastian Giacobello, who owns American Tailors which is also located across from the Salvation Army building, raised his own concerns.

While he agreed with the 'concept' of an injecting room, Mr Giacobello explained that he didn't want it in his 'backyard'.

'There are cafes and shops. It doesn't work and it will only get worse here,' he said.

'Something like that will deter people.'

A Richmond resident says school children are regularly exposed to users shooting up around the controversial Medically Supervised Injecting Room

Melbourne's first injecting room was established in North Richmond in 2018 - and has been the subject of controversy since

It comes after Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp revealed that she was not informed by the Andrews government about potentially setting up the second site at the Salvation Army building.

She told 3AW radio host Neil Mitchell that it was the wrong location for an injecting room and the proposed location was 'highly damaging' to local business owners.

'This is just another sense of uncertainty and anxiety that traders don't need when they're still trying to recover from the enormous destruction and devastation of Covid,' she said on Wednesday.

However, many advocates for the second injecting room believe it was an ideal place as it was near medical facilities and social services.

'The supervising injecting facility needs to be where people are using drugs and people are dying,' Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association program manager Scott Drummond told the ABC.

'That's clear to us and that's why it's important it's located in the CBD.'

Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle said he has seen the impacts of drug overdoses and drug-related deaths first-hand across more than two decades working in the CBD.

'I have said for many years we need a second supervised injecting room in the CBD because it will save lives,' he said in a statement on Wednesday.

'Any proposed location is a matter for the Victorian government and I will leave it to them to get on with their work.'

Melbourne's first injecting room was established in North Richmond in 2018 - and has been the subject of controversy since.

The facility was running on a five-year trial period but has since been made permanent.

Melbourne City Council Lord Mayor Sally Capp (pictured) revealed on Wednesday that she was not informed about the Salvation Army building being a proposed site for the second injecting room

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) has been supportive of safe injecting rooms, remarking on how they 'save lives'

Residents have expressed their concern over their families being exposed to rampant drug use and needles.

Richmond resident Sharon Neven, 58, told Daily Mail Australia back in May that children attending the Richmond West Primary School, across the street from the MSIR, are exposed daily to drug use and its consequences.

She shared photos with Daily Mail Australia of the area surrounding the drug injecting room that she had taken over the last five years.

'There are people who are publicly injecting in our kids' parks. There are people injecting in front of our faces,' she said.

'Kids still have to walk to and from school, so they still have to walk past this behaviour, people naked, people running around with their tops off and the kids go 'he's on ice' and (for) one nodding off 'he's on heroin'.
Quaden Bayles, the Indigenous boy with dwarfism whose battle with bullying touched the world, says he is loving high school but still gets hate.

In 2020 his mother, Yarraka Bayles, posted a distressing video of her son to Facebook, where Quaden - who was born with a type of dwarfism known as achondroplasia - is seen sobbing uncontrollably and asking for a knife to kill himself after being picked on at school.

At the start of the five-minute clip, Ms Bayles is heard saying: 'I just picked my son up from school, witnessed a bullying episode, rang the principal, and I want people to know this is the effect bullying has. This is what bullying does.'

'So can you please educate your children, your families, your friends because all it takes is one more instance... and you wonder why kids are killing themselves.

'We try to be as strong as positive as possible and only share the highlights... but this is how bullying affects a nine-year-old kid.'

Three years on, Quaden told Australian Story he still experiences bullying, but it is nowhere near as bad, and he is loving life as a high schooler.

'I'm just so happy now that I'm in high school like I'm not in primary school. It's finally over,' he said.

'I am not sitting on the carpets and grounds; I love high school now.

'But I still get hate here and there, but it's not as bad as it was back then.'

Indigenous boy with dwarfism Quaden Bayles (right) says he is still bullied but is loving high school, three years on from a video of him asking for a knife to take his life went viral.

The 2020 viral video caught the attention of celebrities from around the world, who threw their support behind Quaden and his family's fight against bullying.

Hollywood superstar Jackman posted a video on Twitter in which he said: 'Quaden, you are stronger than you know, mate. And no matter what, you've got a friend in me.'

The Wolverine actor went on to urge his fans to 'please be kind to each other'.

Ms Bayles shared the original video of Quaden in a bid to raise awareness about the impact of bullying but the worldwide attention led to the young man getting movie roles

Ms Bayles shared the original video of Quaden in a bid to raise awareness about the impact of bullying but the worldwide attention led to the young man getting movie roles.

The 11-year-old has completed filming for his role in the latest instalment of the Mad Max film franchise.

He is also cast alongside Chris Hemsworth in his upcoming movie Furiosa, a prequel to his 2015 post-apocalyptic action hit Fury Road.

In March Quaden told NITV that he has another major film project lined up, and is also working on his own original music.

'I am filming a little something, something going on. I can't say,' the 11-year-old said.

'Mad Max was my first ever big movie role. For me, I was like "wow". I didn't know I was going to be who I am today.

'I've been working on some music, making some beats at school. I'm going in the studio and doing some mad raps with my friends.

'I want to start learn how to rap, start freestyling.'
Protesters are claiming victory after a siege ended at a top hotel due to take in more than 200 asylum seekers.

The four-star Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli, South Wales, which allegedly sacked its staff after gaining the Home Office contract, has been surrounded by demonstrators who blocked off the two main entrances, trapping six security workers inside.

Police met with the protesters to ask them to give the guards - all ex-military - safe passage away from the hotel. They agreed and the security workers left peacefully as the mob chanted 'Cheerio, cheerio cheerio.'

Protest spokesman Stan Robinson told Mail Online: 'It's 1-0 to us - we won the battle but the war goes on. The protest will continue until this stupid idea is halted, although it may be scaled down now there is no one left inside the hotel.'

Meanwhile, demonstrators have won a second victory after the local council ordered builders to halt the construction of a new entrance to the hotel as it investigates a potential breach of planning rules.

Protesters cheering as security leave the Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli, South Wales, following a stand-off

The site has been surrounded by demonstrators who blocked off the two main entrances, trapping six security workers inside

Local landowners withdrew a previous access agreement to the front of the hotel and left large boulders and metal railings blocking its two main entrances.

Labourers began constructing a makeshift route through a hedge, but Carmarthenshire Council yesterday issued a temporary stop notice for this work.

It will last for 28 days as officials investigate an alleged breach of planning rules.

Cllr. Ann Davies, Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Rural Affairs for Carmarthenshire County Council said: 'Carmarthenshire County Council has issued a temporary stop notice to the owners of the Stradey Park Hotel under section 171E of the Town and Country Planning Act 1980.

'The notice relates to the removal of part of a hedge bank bounding the Stradey Park Hotel, along its boundary with Pentre-poeth Road, Furnace. The gap created is being used as an access point and leads directly onto the carriageway of a classified road at a point where there are no pedestrian facilities.

'The access is therefore considered to be a detrimental to pedestrian and highway safety. The notice takes effect immediately and requires the cessation of access by pedestrians.'

The protesters have vowed to continue the demonstration for as long as it takes

Police met with the protesters (seen earlier this week) to ask them to give the men - all ex-military - safe passage away from the hotel

Four lorry loads of Home Office-approved beds are waiting to be delivered to the landmark hotel which was due to start receiving 241 asylum seekers on July 3. But protesters are refusing to allow them through the barricades.

The security workers guarding the site were from a London-based firm called Lead Element, whose staff are all former soldiers and some are ex-special services.

Police were called to keep watch on an uneasy stand-off between protesters and the security workers brought in by Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd, one of Britain's largest providers of housing to the Home Office.

Over the weekend there were clashes between police and protesters and some angry demonstrators smeared security vans with animal excrement.

Four people from Llanelli have been charged following the disturbances.

Since then, more protesters have arrived, marquees have gone up at the hotel's main entrance and organisers said they were 'in for the long haul.'

Protesters have started blockading the Stradey park Hotel in Llanelli after it fired 95 staff in plans to house up to 241 asylum seekers

Meanwhile a counter demonstration by pro-refugee activists was seen close by on Monday as the tense situation shows no signs of resolving.

But at 6pm on Wednesday, Dyfed-Powys Police entered talks with protest leaders and asked if the security workers could leave peacefully.

Mr Robinson said: 'We agreed and we waved them off and chanted Cheerio as they went.'

The Home Office plans to convert the hotel into a housing facility for asylum seekers have seen the hotel fire 50 full time staff and another 45 part-time workers.

The plans are set to see the hotel house up to 241 asylum seekers as they wait for their claims to be processed.

However, the Home Office's decisions garnered major opposition from local campaigners who are calling for asylum seekers to be more evenly distributed throughout the area.

Protesters sit and stand outside the Stradey Park Hotel on Monday

A police officer speaks to demonstrators outside the hotel on Monday

Carmarthenshire County Council on Friday lost its High Court bid to block the plans after claiming the conversion would 'cause harm' to Llannelli's economy.

All events, including weddings, at the venue have been cancelled, in line with the aim to convert the spa hotel into a housing facility.

The Stradey Park Hotel and Spa, which sits inside a converted Edwardian mansion, is currently the largest hotel in Llanelli.

In an online petition, campaign group Furnace Action Committee noted that they 'wish to see' the hotel continue to 'play its vital role in Carmarthenshire's tourism policy'.

One protester said: 'The hotel is part of the history and fabric of the town - people are angry that this has been foisted upon us.

'I'm not a racist, I feel some sympathy with asylum seekers but the best hotel for miles around is not the place for them.'

Supporters of the protesters hand out food and drinks to keep them going on Monday night

Labour MP Dame Nia Griffith called for 'calm' as she said those with 'genuine concerns' about the Home Office plans should come to local representatives.

The MP for Llanelli asked local people to ignore 'unpleasant stuff' posted on social media following concerns about the involvement of far-Right elements.

'What is important now is to differentiate between where a resident has a genuine concern about something, and some of the horrible stuff that we have seen on social media,' the Labour MP told BBC One Wales.

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We are aware of demonstrations in Llanelli and are working closely with local police forces to stay updated.

'The Home Office has been clear that the use of hotels to house asylum seekers is unacceptable and we are committed to reducing hotel use to limit the burden on the taxpayer.

'We engage with local authorities and stakeholders as early as possible whenever sites are used and work to ensure arrangements are safe for hotel residents and local people.

'We are aware of demonstrations in Llanelli and are working closely with the local police force to stay updated.'
Four suspected food fraudsters sold cheap waste meat which should have been used in pet food to the public despite being 'unfit for human consumption' in pursuit of 'massive profits', a court has heard.

Animal parts including lamb testes, cows feet and tongues were diverted from being used in pet food and sold to people during the Covid lockdown, Inner London Crown Court was told.

A visit by Southwark Council's Food Safety Team to an unhygienic, secret, illegal 'cutting room', where 1.9tons of meat and poultry were seized, uncovered the scam, the jury heard.

Anthony Fear, 61 and his company Fear Animal Products Ltd, alongside the business' manager Mark Hooper, 62, Ali Afzal, 44, and Azar Irshad, 37, are charged with conspiracy to defraud by diverting animal by-product and failing to comply with food regulations between June 1 and September 22, 2020.

Prosecuting, Ryan Thompson said: 'This is a case of food fraud. These defendants conspired together to defraud by taking meat and poultry animal by-product that was unfit for human consumption and diverting it into the food chain and were motivated by massive profits.'

A visit by Southwark Council's Food Safety Team to an unhygienic, secret, illegal 'cutting room', where 1.9tons of meat and poultry were seized, uncovered the scam, the jury heard. Pictured: Anthony Fear, 61, who owns Fear Animal Products Ltd

Among the meat seized were 160 kilos of lamb testes and the labels on the by-product led investigators to Fear and Hooper. Pictured: Mark Hooper, 62, the manager of Fear Animal Products Ltd

The case involves animal parts deemed 'low risk' yet still unfit for people to consume, the jury heard.

'This is frequently used for pet food and has a low value,' the prosecutor said.

Council officers visited the Walworth premises, which were only accessible via a secure gated narrow walkway to the rear and another business to the front, on September 22, 2020. Among the meat seized were 160kilos of lamb testes and the labels on the by-product led investigators to Fear and Hooper. Both are involved in running Fear Animal Products Ltd. said Mr. Thompson.

The prosecution say Afzal and Irshal were responsible for the Walworth premises, which were unclean, lacked facilities such as hot water and had illegal food stock that should not be sold to the public.

The court heard Southwark Council were tipped-off by the National Food Crime Unit in March, 2020 about the selling of illegal meat, but an inspector could not access the cutting room premises.

'Via a flat roof he saw this premises and took a photo of it and noticed a foul odour of rotting meat coming from the ventilation fan,' explained Mr Thompson.

Ali Afzal, 44, was charged alongside Azar Irshad, 37, with seven counts of failing to comply with food regulations and individually each face one count of failing to comply with the regulations

The prosecution say Irshad (right) and Afzal were responsible for the Walworth premises, which were unclean, lacked facilities such as hot water and had illegal food stock that should not be sold to the public

Southwark Council returned on September 22, gaining access via a blocked door from another business and found two workers inside.

'There was a large quantity of raw poultry being cut up, skinned and washed and lemon juice was used to try and clean the chicken and there was a water hosepipe,' he said. 'The condition of the premises was extremely poor. There was no hot water for hand-washing, just a hose and there was chipped and missing paint on the walls.'

In a large chiller was found 160 kilos of lamb testes, two kilos of beef burgers and in a black bin liner illegal sheep's heads along with cows feet and tongues.

The jury were told labels on the by-products led them to companies in Wales and Cornwall, from which Fear Animal Products Ltd. collected the 'low risk' meat.

Fear Animal Products Ltd. was responsible for transporting tons of the meat to Doncaster, where it became pet food, but instead it ended up in a secret Walworth cutting room, destined for human consumption, the jury heard.

The trial continues.
A former Blue Heelers star has shared her Aboriginal Nanna's fantastical theory that 'mermaids' killed Harold Holt.

Tasma Walton, 49, told the bizarre story about the infamous disappearance of the former Australian Prime Minister during an Aboriginal land claim hearing in the Federal Court.

Holt is believed to have drowned while swimming in rough conditions at Cheviot Beach off Portsea on December 17, 1967.

But Ms Walton, who found out about her Indigenous heritage after moving to Melbourne in 1996 while filming Blue Heelers, heard 'unusual stories' about the Mornington Peninsula at that time, including one tale explaining Holt's disappearance.

While it was a tragedy for the Holt family and the nation, over the past 56 years it has become a part of Australia folklore and a magnet for wild conspiracy theories.

Tasma Walton told a bizarre story about the infamous disappearance of the Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt in the Federal Court. Pictured, Ms Walton with husband Rover McManus

Mr Holt, who is believed to have drowned in a rip off Cheviot beach in 1967, but Ms Walton said local Aboriginals believe he made the mistake of swimming in waters belonging to mermaids

Ms Walton is best known for her portrayal of Dash McKinley in the iconic Aussie police drama Blue Heelers. Pictured, Ms Walton as Constable McKinley

One theory even has it that Holt was whisked away by a Japanese submarine, others suggests he was abducted by aliens and some say he may have simply been attacked by a shark.

The then-PM, who was experienced spear fisherman and claimed to know the beach 'like the back of my hand', is believed to have been dragged out to sea in a rip.

A witness, Majorie Gillespie, described Holt disappearing from view 'like a leaf being taken out [...] so quick and final'.

But local Aboriginal people had a different explanation, Ms Walton said, including her own Nanna, the Herald Sun reported.

'She said he shouldn't have been swimming there, that it was mermaid country,' she told the court.

Mr Holt's body was never found.

Ms Walton has been in the Federal Court speaking in support of the Bunurong Land Council, which is responding to a major land claim by the Boon Wurrung Land and Sea Council.

But after her appearances sparked a negative response, including threats made against her and her family, she has sought to end her involvement in the court case.

Her barrister Chris Athanasiou told the court that after she gave evidence Ms Walton became 'very distressed'.

At the same time Ms Walton has also been heavily linked to the No campaign for the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum.

'She fears for herself and her family, she fears that this will impact considerably on her work as an actor and her livelihood,' Mr Athanasiou said.

It is understood that Ms Walton may have been targeted over her evidence in the land claim case because she is 'a poster girl' for the No campaign.

Justice Bernard Murphy said he was not inclined to agree to Ms Walton's withdrawal application as 'we are mid trial'.

Holt was an experienced spear fisherman who claimed to know Cheviot Beach 'like the back of my hand', when he is believed to have been dragged out to sea in a rip

Ms Walton (pictured, centre right) claims Aboriginal heritage and has been heavily linked to the No campaign ahead of the Voice to Parliament referendum

In 2018 Ms Walton said a blood test showed she was 93 per cent British, but her family dug deeper and found she has Aboriginal heritage on her mother's side.

Ms Walton, who is married to triple Gold Logie winner Rove McManus, appeared in Blue Heelers for four seasons.

She played one of the main characters, Constable Dash McKinley.

She also starred in Home and Away, Water Rats and Rake and was Ian Moss's love interest in his hit song Tucker's Daughter.
A man has been accused of threatening to kill an Australian MP over false claims she was part of a paedophile ring, and it has also emerged he allegedly sent death threats to several other people.

Simon Raymond, 39, allegedly terrorised Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster and her husband Philip via emails in April.

It comes after the couple and their charity were awarded $875,000 in damages in 2020 after they were wrongly accused of sexually abusing children by conspiracy theorist Karen Brewer.

Raymond fronted Brisbane Magistrates' Court on Wednesday after he was arrested by Australian Federal Police at the city's international airport the day before.

The Victorian man who has no fixed address was remanded in custody and could go to jail for a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster (pictured) allegedly received death threats

Simon Raymond, 39, fronted a Brisbane Magistrates' Court after he was arrested by Australian Federal Police at the city's international airport the day before

Raymond is accused of threatening to kill Ms Webster and her husband on April 14, court documents revealed to the Age said.

He allegedly sent repeated emails to Ms Webster while also targeting a group of medical professionals in Australia and overseas.

He was slapped with seven charges which included using a carriage service to make a threat to kill a person, the AFP said.

The offences also included five counts of using a carriage service to harass, threaten, or menace.

It is understood Raymond allegedly made phone calls to threaten violence and serious harm.

Ms Webster's office said the MP for the Mildura region in Victoria had received threats but could not make further comment.

It comes after a woman falsely claimed Ms Webster (pictured) and her husband were a part of secret child abuse network in 2020

Karen Brewer in 2020 made seven 'disgraceful and inexplicable' Facebook posts and videos about Ms Webster, her husband Philip and the couple's Zoe Support charity for disadvantaged mums.

Federal Court Justice Jacqueline Gleeson said at the time Brewer had falsely branded the couple and their charity as 'participants in a secretive criminal network ... involved in the sexual abuse of children'.

The judge ordered Brewer to pay the MP $350,000 in damages, her husband $225,000 and $300,000 to Zoe Support.

'It should have been obvious to Ms Brewer, at all relevant times and if she were capable of rational consideration on the subject, that her defamatory statements were wholly indefensible,' Justice Gleeson said.

'Fortunately for the Websters, their long lives of decency and good deeds, coupled with the incoherence of much of Ms Brewer's messages, make it reasonably unlikely that any but the most suggestible individuals would think the less of them as a result of Ms Brewer's publications.'

The judge also said Brewer had not explained her defamatory comments to the court, retracted them or apologised for the harm caused.

Meanwhile, Raymond has been remanded in custody and will appear before the courts on Friday.
Huw Edwards has been named by his wife as the presenter linked to allegations

The BBC last night revealed new allegations against Huw Edwards, with staff coming forward to claim that he sent them 'inappropriate and flirtatious messages'.

The newsreader was named yesterday by his wife Vicky Flind as the presenter accused of paying 35,000 to a 'vulnerable' teenager in return for explicit photographs.

One current BBC staffer claimed to Newsnight that they were contacted on social media by Edwards, and that the messages - which referred to their appearance and appeared to be flirtatious - left them uncomfortable and feeling awkward.

They added: 'There is a power dynamic that makes this inappropriate.'

A second BBC employee alleged that Edwards had also sent them a private message on social media that made remarks about their appearance which gave them a 'cold shudder'.

Meanwhile, a former BBC staffer - who had never met the newsreader - claimed they had received late-night messages from the presenter that were signed off with kisses. They suggested these amounted to an 'abuse of power'.

Huw Edwards faces fresh allegations of inappropriate behaviour from his own BBC colleagues, with one claiming ' they felt it was an abuse of power'

It comes hours after the BBC Anchor was named by his wife Vicky Flind as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images

Two of the three complainants claimed they did not feel able to report their allegations of inappropriate behaviour to BBC managers.

A BBC spokesman said: 'We are communicating with staff and will continue to do so. We always treat the concerns of staff with care, and would always urge any staff members to speak to us if they have any concerns.

'We have clear processes for making complaints within the organisation, including whistleblowing procedures should someone wish to do so anonymously.'

It comes as the Met Police confirmed it was not investigating Edwards of any criminal offence.

READ MORE - BBC in crisis over handling of Huw Edwards sex pics scandal Advertisement

His wife, who is also a newsreader, said he is 'now receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future'.

Last night, BBC Newsnight host Victoria Derbyshire said she spoke to one person who previously worked at the organisation.

'This person told me they had never met the newsreader, this person said that they had received late night messages on social media including kisses from Huw Edwards, which they said they believed was an abuse of power.'

The presenter said her colleague had spoken to a current staffer, 'who told us that the presenter had sent them a message on social media commenting on their physical appearance, which gave them a 'cold shudder'.

BBC News Special Correspondent Lucy Manning said: 'There are questions for BBC bosses about the culture in the newsroom and the way that complaints can be raised and the way people feel comfortable or not to raise them.'

Two out of the three people said they felt they couldn't report what they felt was inappropriate behaviour to BBC managers, the journalist said.

Ms Manning added: 'It's been a very difficult day here in the BBC newsroom, some of the things we have had to report have been hard to hear.

'The police have found no evidence of criminality but there is still a lot for the BBC to grapple with.'

Just minutes after his wife revealed his identity, the BBC reported that colleagues within the organisation had come forward with allegations claiming that the presenter had sent 'inappropriate messages to them'

It comes as Ms Flind released a lengthy statement about the presenters well-being said the father-of-five is 'now receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future' as she asked for privacy for her family, declaring: 'I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children'.

She added: 'I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end. Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published'.

Edwards was named after a number of BBC stars including Gary Lineker, Rylan, Nicky Campbell and Jeremy Vine were forced to publicly deny they were the star at the centre of the scandal.

Mr Vine had urged his colleague to name themselves to protect colleagues and the BBC. Mr Campbell went to the police to report people who named him online and threatened to sue them.

Ms Flind's statement was released at 6pm, however, there was confusion as the BBC first said Mr Edwards, who recently led coverage of the Queen's death and King Charles' Coronation, had resigned from his role as their top newsreader.

But minutes later the corporation clarified that he had not quit. Sources close to the star have since stressed that he has not left his job.

The Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police both said that no criminal offence had been committed by the presenter. The BBC had paused its internal probe into the claims Mr Edwards paid the teenager for explicit pictures - and that investigation will now continue.

The BBC's top presenter is currently facing four separate allegations. These including paying a young person around 35,000 for sexually explicit photos over a three year period, breaking stay-at-home lockdown rules to meet another young person, sending messages to a 17-year-old with love hearts and kisses and sending threatening messages to a person in their early twenties who he met on a dating app.

The BBC's top presenter is currently facing four separate allegations

Edwards (pictured working outside Downing Street) was named after a number of BBC stars including Gary Lineker, Rylan, Nicky Campbell and Jeremy Vine were forced to publicly deny they were the star at the centre of the scandal

Junior staff members revealed to the Six O'Clock News that the presenter, 61, had sent 'inappropriate messages' to them

Ms Flind said: 'In light of the recent reporting regarding the 'BBC Presenter' I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.

'I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.

'Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.

'The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he'll stay for the foreseeable future.

'Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.'

She said that Mr Edwards was first told of the allegations being made against him last Thursday.

'In the circumstances and given Huw's condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected', the presenter's wife added.

'I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.'

It comes as a fourth young person came forward to air allegations about the presenter.

Mr Edwards, 61, is one of the corporation's most high-profile newsreaders, being paid over 430,000 on his current salary. He was presented the flagship BBC News at Ten programme for more than 10 years, and continued to report more than a dozen times since the claims were allegedly first reported to the corporation on May 19.

Mr Edwards' was facing increasing pressure from his colleagues to step forward, after BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine called on the presenter to identify himself to stop other BBC stars from being defamed.

Mr Vine said: 'He should now come forward publicly. These new allegations will result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues of his. And the BBC, which I'm sure he loves, is on its knees with this.'

Meanwhile former BBC presenter Jon Sopel weighed in on the row - before the fourth person made their allegations - to reveal the unnamed star is 'extremely angry' over how the claims had been covered.

The broadcaster, 61, announced the news for the BBC that the Queen had died in September 2022

Edwards, a married father-of-five, has worked at the BBC for four decades. He has spoken openly about his mental health and getting fitter in recent years

The presenter shared with BBC Radio Cymru that he had lost weight in 2019

The Met Police said in a statement: 'Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed.

'In reaching this decision, they have spoken to a number of parties including the BBC and the alleged complainant and the alleged complainant's family, both via another police force. There is no further police action. As such, the Met has advised the BBC it can continue with its internal investigation.

'We are aware of media reporting of further allegations against the same individual.

'No specific details or information about these allegations have been passed to us and therefore there is no police action at this time.

'Should evidence of criminality or safeguarding issues be identified at any point we would expect matters to be referred to the relevant police force.'

A spokesperson for the BBC said: 'We have seen the statement from the police confirming they have completed their assessment and are not taking further action. We're grateful to them for completing this work at speed.

'The police had previously asked us to pause our fact finding investigations and we will now move forward with that work, ensuring due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.'

South Wales Police confirmed it had also been looking at the case.

The force said in a statement: 'South Wales Police has remained in contact with representatives of the Metropolitan Police and the BBC following a meeting on Monday.

'Information was initially received by the force in April 2023 regarding the welfare of an adult. No criminality was identified.

'Following recent events, further enquiries have been carried out and officers have spoken to a number of parties to establish whether any criminal allegations are being made.

'At this time, there is no evidence that any criminal offences have been committed. There are no ongoing enquiries being carried out by South Wales Police.

'However, should evidence of criminality or safeguarding issues be identified at any point in future then they will be investigated.'

Edwards, who was born in Bridgend and brought up in Llangennech, Carmarthenshire, joined the BBC as a trainee in 1984. Pictured on the six o'clock news in 1999

The BBC star at the centre of the sex pictures scandal is now facing claims from four separate young people
A little-known executive who once worked as a guitar technician for AC/DC has ousted mining magnate Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest as Australia's richest boss.

WiseTech founder Richard White has taken the top spot on the AFR's Rich Bosses List after Dr Forrest announced on Wednesday night he was separating from his wife of 31 years Nicola Forrest, wiping $20billion from his personal fortune.

The Rich Bosses List ranks the wealthiest executives of the 300 largest companies on the Australian stock exchange based on the value of their shareholdings in the business.

WiseTech Global founder Richard White is now Australia's richest boss ousting mining tycoon Andrew Forrest (pictured with CSIRO scientist and Genics founder Melony Sellers)

Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest and Nicola Forrest (pictured), who have been married for 31 years and have a net worth of over $30 billion, said they will now be living apart

WiseTech is a software company focused entirely on the logistics industry that Mr White founded in 1994 after a few other successful businesses and a brief career in a rock'n'roll band in his 20s.

The company listed on the ASX in 2016 when Mr White was 60 and made him a billionaire by the following year.

White has described himself as a 'refugee' from the music industry who is good friends with iconic Aussie band The Angels and once worked repairing guitars for Angus and Malcolm Young of AC/DC.

While his first love was music he decided the business world suited him more - first making money from guitar repairing to then moving into stage lighting.

He felt the lighting equipment he was repairing was sub-standard so he began manufacturing his own, eventually establishing a factory and developing one of the world's earliest digital lighting consoles.

By the 1990s he was running a consulting business in which he did work for a few logistics companies and noticed a gap in the market.

Freight companies, importers and exporters were having to physically have people on the ground in every country where they did business to navigate regulation, compliance and customs hurdles, an incredibly fragmented way to work.

WiseTech established itself as software to centralise and streamline cross-border operations, gradually building a cloud-based platform where information entered at one point in the system was instantly available everywhere else in the business.

'My first business was called Rock Repairs because I repaired rock guitars,' Mr White recently told Sky News.

'It was very profitable but was limited by the hours in the day.'

Richard White (centre) speaking to Shearwater Capital founders at a recent dinner sharing some of his tips for success

'So then my friend asked me to build some lighting equipment for him and using my father's workshop I took that on.

'When I started working I realised the parts weren't built properly and they weren't designed properly so I figured out many things. How to cast aluminium, how to weld them differently, how to use different types of tubing, how to make them stronger.'

'We got lots and lots of orders and that took over as my main business which was very scalable and we moved through four different factories as we expanded.'

White said what he learnt about scaling a business was one of the main reasons WiseTech, which now employs about 2,000 software engineers, has become such a success.

'With the software there is no physical assets so it can be replicated easily and the inputs are all human endeavour and finding ways to solve complex problems in new and better ways.'

'When I founded WiseTech I had read In Search of Excellence by Tom Peters and the one thing that stood out from that book was to stick to doing something.'

'I'd been a musician, guitar repairer, lighting manufacturer and wholesaler so I said this (WiseTech) is my last business and I'm going to keep working on it and make it into a gangbusters company.'

White speak to WiseTech staff, the company launched on the ASX in 2016 worth $1.1billion and has risen to be worth more than $10billion

White's $10.5billion stake in is company puts him ahead of Forrest who, after a rearrangement due to the separation with his wife, holds a $9.2billion shareholding in Fortescue Metals Group.

AFR'S RICH BOSSES LIST 2023 Note this tracks shareholdings in publicly listed companies, it is separate to the Rich List which tracks personal wealth. 1. Richard White - WiseTech Global $10.5billion 2. Andrew Forrest - Fortescue Metals Group $9.2billion 3. Alan Wilson - Reece Group $6.7million 4. Sum Hupert - Pro Medicus $1.8billion 5. Anthony Hall - Pro Medicus $1.7billion Advertisement

Fortescue said there will be no change to the running of the mining giant, despite the marriage split between two of its major shareholders.

The Forrests have confirmed their separation, which they say will not impact their joint philanthropic and corporate ventures.

'After 31 years of marriage, we have made the decision to live apart,' the pair said in a statement.

'Our friendship and commitment to our family remains strong.

They said there was 'no impact on the operations, control or direction' of Fortescue, their charitable arm the Minderoo Foundation or their private business Tattarang.

'We will continue our shared mission to create and gift our wealth to tackle community and global challenges.'

Dr Forrest was estimated to be the second richest person in the country in terms of his own personal wealth, behind fellow mining billionaire Gina Rinehart.

In May, the Australian Financial Review Rich List put Dr Forrest's net worth at $33.29 billion.

Most of his wealth comes from his stake in Fortescue, in which he and Ms Forrest hold a more than one-third interest.

The split will see him lose close to $20billion and see him drop to the eighth richest Australian.

Australia's richest couple insist their separation will have no impact on the the strategic direction of their mining empire or their philanthropic ventures

In a statement to the Australian stock exchange, Fortescue said there would be no change to the control, direction or major shareholding of the mining company via Tattarang or Dr Forrest's other associated entities.

'Dr Andrew Forrest and Nicola Forrest will be transferring their wealth to charity over their lifetimes,' the company said.

In 2013 the Forrests were the first Australians to sign the Giving Pledge - a vow also taken by Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and Elon Musk - to give away most of their fortunes.
The Huw Edwards sex pictures saga has dominated the news agenda for the last five days.

When allegations first emerged around an unnamed BBC presenter - 'known by millions' - speculation was rife around who the star in question could be.

High-profile colleagues including Jeremy Vine, Gary Lineker and Rylan Clark felt compelled to come forward and declare their innocence to distance themselves from the claims.

The saga rumbled through the weekend and into this week, where further allegations from more individuals came to light, and pressure was ramped up on the BBC, who it emerged were aware of the initial claims seven weeks before they were published in the Sun.

Finally, on Wednesday evening, a statement on behalf of Mr Edwards by his wife, Vicky Flind, named him as the presenter at the heart of the crisis, also revealing that he was in hospital, suffering from 'serious mental health issues'.

Here, MailOnline looks back at how the scandal unfolded over a tumultuous few days.

BBC Anchor Huw Edwards has been named by his wife Vicky Flind as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images

April

The mother and step-father of a young person contact an unnamed police force to make allegations about the behaviour of a top BBC star towards their child.

The parents claimed the presenter had paid the teenager 35,000 for sexually explicit photographs, the money from which was used to fund a crack cocaine addiction.

The force has since confirmed it looked into the claims, but 'no criminality was identified', it said in a statement to the BBC.

May 18

A family member goes to a BBC building to make an in-person complaint about the behaviour of the presenter and asking him to stop sending money to their child, a month after going to the police.

May 19

The family contact BBC Audience Services to make a formal complaint over the phone. The corporation says its records show this call lasted 29 minutes.

The details of this call were then sent to the Corporate Investigations Team, which assessed the information provided.

BBC director general Tim Davie said the team determined there were no allegations of criminal behaviour but the claims were 'very serious' and merited further investigation.

The corporation claims the team emailed the family to say they were looking into it and asking for additional information, but received no response.

It added that it began conducting checks to verify the identify of the complainant, to confirm they were who they said they were.

On May 18, a family member goes to a BBC building to make an in-person complaint about the behaviour of the presenter and asking him to stop sending money to their child, a month after going to the police

June 6

The Corporate Investigations Team phones a mobile number given by the complainant, but it does not connect.

The BBC says the team decided to return to the complaint in a number of weeks and kept the case open, although they did not attempt to contact the family again after June 6.

Explaining why no contact was made with the complainant for more than a month, Mr Davie told Sarah Montague on BBC Radio 4's World At One, 'thousands' of complaints are made and it is 'appropriate' there is a verification process.

'Some verification of that claim is appropriate once the Corporate Investigations team has taken something on, they do some due diligence on what is being alleged,' he said.

July 5

Huw Edwards is seen on screen for what would be the last time before the scandal became public, when he covered King Charles' visit to Scotland.

Meanwhile, The One Show host Alex Jones told viewers that they could expect to see Mr Edwards alongside fellow journalist Katya Adler and comedian Sir Lenny Henry on the sofa the following night.

Huw Edwards is seen on screen for what would be the last time before the scandal became public, when he covered King Charles' visit to Scotland

July 6

The Sun contacts the BBC about allegations regarding the presenter in question. The source of these claims is the same family who approached the BBC on May 18 and 19.

Despite the seniority of the presenter, this is the first time Mr Davie or any executives at the corporation become aware of the case and the complaints.

Speaking this week, Mr Davie said the nature of these complaints made to The Sun are different to those originally given to the BBC in May.

He said: 'When The Sun made new allegations on July 6 they were different to the matters considered by BBC Corporate Investigations and those new allegations clearly related to potential criminal activity, criminality, that in a nutshell is the difference.'

The BBC creates a task force to lead the response to the case, which includes senior executives as well as Mr Davie. The Acting Chair of the corporation, Professor Dame Elan Closs Stephens, and the Board, are updated as to its progress.

The enquiry by The Sun leads to a senior manager holding the first conversation on this matter with the presenter concerned, as they inform him about the claims being made.

The decision is made not to have the presenter go on air while the claims are being looked into.

Mr Edwards did not appear on The One Show as was trailed the previous night. He was replaced by Petroc Trelawny, who talked about this year's BBC Proms.

The One Show host Alex Jones told viewers that they could expect to see Mr Edwards on the sofa on July 6, but he did not appear as scheduled

July 7

Claims that one of the BBC's top stars paid a vulnerable teenager 35,000 for sexual pictures that the youngster used to buy crack cocaine emerge publicly late on Friday night, ahead of the publication of The Sun's front page story the following day.

The report said the well-known presenter sent them the money which they used to fund a drug addiction.

The child's mother told The Sun she feels 'sick' whenever she sees the man on TV, as questions began to grow over why it took so long for the corporation to act.

The star was said to have requested 'performances' from the individual, who told their mother they would then 'get their bits out'.

The mother told of how their child went from a 'happy-go-lucky youngster to a ghost-like crack addict' in just three years.

She added: 'I blame this BBC man for destroying my child's life  taking my child's innocence and handing over the money for crack cocaine that could kill my child.'

Meanwhile, the BBC contacts the police regarding the claims and initiate its Serious Case Management Framework (SCMF).

The investigation by the Corporate Investigations Team was brought into the SCMF, which is chaired by a Human Resources Director at the BBC.

July 8

The family send the BBC 'materials related to the complaint', while further allegations from the mother are published, as she claimed to have seen a photograph of the star in his underwear on the sofa of his house, 'leaning forward, getting ready for my child to perform for him'.

As rumours and speculation swirl on social media as to the star's identity, other major names at the BBC are forced to issue statements denying they are the man behind the scandal.

The likes of Gary Lineker, Rylan Clark and Jeremy Vine all issued firm denials, while Nicky Campbell contacted the police after being wrongly accused of being the presenter in question by Twitter trolls.

Meanwhile, the BBC's media and culture editor Katie Razzall said the presenter's continued presence on its content in recent weeks 'leads to questions about what steps the Corporation took after the complaint.'

Major names at the BBC including Jeremy Vine (pictured) are forced to issue statements denying they are the man behind the scandal

July 9

The BBC confirms it has suspended the presenter and issues a statement saying it takes 'any allegations seriously'.

It came after the culture secretary Lucy Frazer held 'urgent talks' with BBC boss Tim Davie, with the minister describing the allegations as 'deeply concerning'.

Following a phone call with Mr Davie, she tweeted: 'I have spoken to BBC director-general Tim Davie about the deeply concerning allegations involving one of its presenters.

'He has assured me the BBC are investigating swiftly and sensitively.'

She added: 'Given the nature of the allegations it is important that the BBC is now given the space to conduct its investigation, establish the facts and take appropriate action. I will be kept updated.'

Director-general Tim Davie sends an internal email to staff reiterating that the BBC is taking the allegations 'incredibly seriously'.

He added: 'By law, individuals are entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy, which is making this situation more complex. I also want to be very clear that I am wholly condemning the unsubstantiated rumours being made on the internet about some of our presenting talent.

'We are in contact with the family referenced in the media reports. I want to assure you that we are working rapidly to establish the facts and to ensure that these matters are handled fairly and with care, including by external authorities where appropriate.'

Meanwhile, Jeremy Vine threatens legal action against trolls who continue to make baseless accusations against him, as former police officer, Mark Williams-Thomas, who exposed the crimes of Jimmy Savile, called on the BBC to name the presenter and criticised the corporation for not suspending him weeks ago.

Director-general Tim Davie sends an internal email to staff reiterating that the BBC is taking the allegations 'incredibly seriously'

July 10

The BBC hold an online meeting with the Metropolitan Police to report the matter and discuss how to progress the investigation.

The police request that the BBC pause its probes into the allegations while the force looks into whether it needs to investigate the claims.

Speaking at the launch of the BBC's annual report Mr Davie says: 'As you know yesterday, the BBC corporate investigations team had a meeting with the police in relation to the information provided to the BBC by The Sun newspaper on Thursday.

'As a result of this. The BBC has been asked to pause its own investigations into the allegations while they scope future work. We will pass any material that we have to them.'

However, just hours later, Scotland Yard announces it is not investigating the presenter and still 'assessing information'.

It also confirmed it would probe 'malicious communications' on social media falsely accusing other BBC stars of being the presenter at the heart of the scandal.

That came after radio host Nicky Campbell spoke out about his 'distressing weekend' being the target of trolls who have incorrectly pointed the finger at him.

Then later that evening, the young person at the centre of the claims dramatically denies the allegations made by their parents, calling them 'rubbish' and saying nothing inappropriate or unlawful had taken place.

However, their mother and step-father hit back hours later saying they stood by their story and accused the presenter of 'getting into their head', suggesting the star had paid for their child's lawyer.

Meanwhile, the privacy laws that were being touted as the reason for keeping the presenter's identity a secret were ridiculed in some quarters as a poll reveals one in six people across the country knew who the scandal-hit star is.

July 11

On an explosive day of revelations, director-general Tim Davie fronts up about the scandal while launching the BBC's annual report, as he defends the delay in speaking to the star.

Asked if it was 'odd' that that he himself has not chatted to the presenter, Mr Davie replied: 'No', adding: 'I think it is critical they are spoken to by a very senior manager'.

He was also asked if he knew 'categorically' whether or not the star paid for the alleged victim's lawyer.

He said: 'That's not information I am party to. I don't even think that's something for the BBC.'

But he did admit that the scandal had been 'clearly damaging' to the corporation's reputation.

'The BBC is often in the midst of quite painful and difficult affairs and storms,' he said before adding: 'These are clearly damaging to the BBC it, is not a good situation.'

As the annual report is published, Mr Edwards is revealed to be the corporation's fourth highest paid star, earning 435,000 a year - only behind Gary Lineker, Zoe Ball and Alan Shearer.

Then a bombshell second claim emerges when the same presenter is accused of sending abusive and menacing messages to a person in their 20s.

The new individual claims to have been contacted anonymously by the presenter on a dating app.

They claim they were put under pressure to meet with the star but never did, the BBC reported.

When they hinted online that they might name them, they allege they were sent abusive messages that were filled with expletives.

Just hours later, the star is branded a 'complete hypocrite' for allegedly breaking Covid rules to meet a 23-year-old stranger from a dating site.

The presenter was accused of defying the third national lockdown for an encounter with a young person in 2021 while the BBC was at the same time telling millions of people to follow the rules as part of its coverage of the pandemic.

The third person said they met up after months of interactions, and that the presenter sent them 650 in cash and asked them for a picture, The Sun reports.

They claimed the presenter travelled into a different county to meet them at their flat in February 2021 when rules included a stay at home order and mixing only between household bubbles.

The person claimed at the meeting, which came months after they started talking on the dating site in November 2020, 'he came round for an hour.... We just chatted. He was obsessed with me making him a cup of tea.'

Then, further claims emerge from a fourth young person who says the star sent them 'creepy' Instagram messages when they were 17.

The youngster said they were contacted by the presenter 'out of the blue' and sent messages including love hearts and kisses. It is not clear if the BBC star knew the follower's age.

The individual, who is now 22, told The Sun that the man sent them a love heart emoji in October 2018 without any prior contact.

'Ahahaha sweet. How it's going at the BBC?' the follower is said to have replied.

'All good thanks x. You ok?' the star allegedly wrote, followed by a love heart.

'Aha yeah why?' the follower said, to which the star replied, 'Just being polite'.

A mocked up version of a reported Instagram message exchange between the unnamed BBC star and a teenager

July 12

Newsreader Huw Edwards is named by his own wife as the BBC star accused of paying 35,000 to a vulnerable teenager in return for explicit photographs.

Vicky Flind's shock statement came minutes after Scotland Yard dropped their probe into the allegations.

She revealed her husband, 61, is 'suffering from serious mental health issues'.

Ms Flind, who also works in TV, said the father-of-five is 'now receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future' as she asked for privacy for her family, declaring: 'I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children'.

She added: 'I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation.

'We hope this statement will bring that to an end. Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published'.

Ms Flind's statement is released at 6pm, however, there is confusion as the BBC first says Mr Edwards, who recently led coverage of the Queen's death and King Charles' Coronation, has resigned from his role as their top newsreader.

But minutes later the corporation clarify that he has not quit, with sources close to the star also stressing that he has not left his job.

In a statement released by Mr Edward's wife Vicky Flind, she said that he was receiving in-patient hospital care

Meanwhile, a statement from Scotland Yard said: 'Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed.'

The Met's statement regarding the allegations said a number of parties had been spoken to, including the BBC, the alleged complainant and their family 'via another police force' and concluded there would be no further police action.

And later that evening, shortly after Mr Edwards was named, it is revealed the presenter faces fresh allegations of inappropriate behaviour tonight from his own BBC colleagues.

Junior staff members allege to the Six O'Clock News and Newsnight that the presenter, 61, had sent 'inappropriate messages' to them - but also confirmed that they had not previously officially complained to the Corporation.

In the hours that followed Ms Flind's statement, three BBC employees, two current and one former, then came forward with claims.

A current employee said they received inappropriate and suggestive messages from the presenter, while two more, one who has since left, said they have received messages which made them feel uncomfortable.

One said they felt it was an abuse of power by someone very senior in the organisation.
Russia will view the deployment of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as a direct nuclear threat to the Kremlin, Putin's foreign minister has warned.

Sergei Lavrov says Russia has privately warned the US, Britain and France of the dire risks of the planned move to give Kyiv the advanced warplanes.

He implied that the use of F-16 - for which Ukrainian pilots are now being trained - could lead to Putin unleashing tactical nuclear weapons.

He said the move was 'just one example of an extremely dangerous turn of events is the United States plans to transfer F-16 fighter jets to the Kiev regime.

'We have informed the nuclear powers, the United States, Britain and France, that Russia cannot ignore the ability of these aircraft to carry nuclear weapons.

'No amount of assurances will help here.'

An F-16 fighter aircraft flies over the U.S. forces Spangdahlem Air Base in Spangdahlem, Germany, Wednesday, June 14, 2023 during the Air Defender 2023 exercise

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (C) attends the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with Russia at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, 13 July 2023

The Lavrov warning comes despite the West denying it will supply nuclear weapons to Ukraine.

Lavrov said: 'In the course of combat operations, our servicemen are not going to sort out whether each particular aircraft of this type is equipped to deliver nuclear weapons or not.

'We will regard the very fact that the Ukrainian armed forces have such systems as a threat from the West in the nuclear sphere.'

He warned: 'The United States and its NATO satellites are creating risks of a direct armed clash with Russia, and this is fraught with catastrophic consequences.'

The ultra-loyalist chief diplomat said: 'The conditions for Russia's use of nuclear weapons are clearly defined in our Military Doctrine.

'They are well known, and I will not repeat them once again.'

The US and its allies could deliver the F-16 jets to Ukraine in the coming months.

The Foreign Minister alleged that NATO - which completed its summit in Vilnius on Wednesday - is 'consistently lowering the threshold for the use of force and building up the nuclear capability in military planning'.

He alleged in an interview with Lenta that 'the organisation has completely returned to Cold War schemes on the basis of the ideology dividing the world into democracies and autocracies'.

Yesterday, he was quoted as saying that Russia would protect its own 'legitimate security interests' as world leaders met in Vilnius for the first day of the NATO summit.

He added that Russia was taking 'appropriate' measures in response to the possible accession of Sweden and Ukraine to NATO.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at an event of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023

Throughout the war, Russian allies have upped rhetoric on the nuclear deterrent, threatening the West with an apocalyptic response for what they perceive to be escalation.

In May, another of Putin's top allies has warned 'nuclear apocalypse' will become more likely if the West continues to supply Ukraine with increasingly powerful weapons.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made the chilling remark after US President Joe Biden said he would back a joint effort to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets.

'The more weapons are supplied, the more dangerous the world will be.

'And the more destructive these weapons are, the more likely the scenario becomes of what is commonly called a nuclear apocalypse,' Medvedev was quoted as saying.
The child whose decomposed headless body was found on a Costa beach earlier this week was a baby girl aged less than six months when she died, it emerged today.

Initial reports put the youngster's age at between two to three years following the grim discovery at the beach in the Costa Dorada resort of Roda de Bera on Tuesday.

But the first autopsy results are said to point to her being far younger than previously thought.

As well as confirming her gender, forensic experts have also concluded her body was in the water between a fortnight and two months, according to local reports.

Police are pictured investigating the discovery of a 'headless' child's body on a Costa beach

The fact the baby's upper torso was missing along with her head will make it more difficult to ascertain whether she died accidentally or as the result of a crime.

But further tests are now taking place to try to establish a probable cause of death and determine her ethnic origin.

Roda de Bera mayor Pere Virgili said after Tuesday morning's grim discovery the child could have been on a migrant boat that sank in the Mediterranean.

In a dramatic reference to the massive number of migrants who have died or disappeared and are feared dead while trying to make the dangerous crossing to Europe on vessels including rickety and overcrowded wooden boats, he said.

'The hypothesis that this baby's body is another one from this Mare Mortum off our beaches is on the table.'

He said the clothes the baby had on, which included a jacket, didn't point to her drowning in a typical beach accident.

A council cleaner made the grim find on Tuesday morning and alerted his bosses who called police.

Civil Guard officers cordoned off the area and moved locals and holidaymakers on to other areas of the sand before an investigating judge authorised the removal of the body.

It subsequently emerged the decomposed body had washed up on the beach the previous day, but had been ignored by passers-by who mistook it for a doll.

A spokesman for the Civil Guard said on Tuesday: 'All we can confirm at the moment is that the body of a baby has been found at Roda de Bera beach in the province of Tarragona.

'The alarm was raised at 8.50am this morning.

'The matter is still under investigation.'

A court spokesman said the same day, confirming the court probe was being led by a judge in the nearby town of El Vendrell: 'A court of instruction, Court of Instruction number 7 in El Vendrell which is acting as a duty court, has today authorised the removal of a body found on a beach in Roda de Bera.

'The judge has opened the corresponding inquiry and is awaiting receipt of the corresponding forensic and police reports.

The remains of the youngster were found on the Costa Dorada resort of Roda de Bera in the east coast province of Tarragona

'We do not have any extra information we can make public at this moment in time.'

Today, the Civil Guard confirmed it had nothing new to say and was not making any more official statements on the matter for the time being.

Roda de Bera is a 25-minute drive north of the Spanish east coast city of Tarragona. Barcelona is just over an hour's drive north.

The town, well-known thanks to its Roman arch, was mainly dedicated exclusively to agriculture until the second half of the 20th century when it became an important tourist spot on the Costa Dorada.
The mother of a baby girl who was left fighting for life in Bali before generous Australians shelled out almost $200,000 to fly her home for specialist treatment has returned to Indonesia where she is renovating a house.

Baby Lucky captured the nation's hearts in February when her mum, Honey Ahimsa, launched a desperate bid to charter a medical evacuation for her then-seven-week-old daughter to Australia for life-saving care not available in Indonesia.

Ms Ahimsa, a wellness influencer and mother-of-two who is originally from Melbourne, said doctors in Bali gave Lucky a 50 per cent chance of survival.

Honey Ahimsa, whose baby daughter Lucky (pictured together) was flown back to Australia from Bali for specialist medical treatment after generous Australians raised almost $200,000 has returned to the Indonesian island where her and her partner are renovating a house

Ms Ahimsa told her 37,000 Instagram followers: 'Our family are warriors and (after) everything we have gone through, THIS is such a triumphant feeling.'

Almost $200,000 was raised in a matter of days by kind-hearted souls who rallied behind the stranded family as Lucky battled sepsis, severe pneumonia, lung failure and RSV-bronchiolitis.

She was flown to Brisbane on a medevac flight and doctors treated her successfully.

Now, the family - Ms Ahmisa, her partner Pan, baby Lucky and their young son - have returned to Bali where they are renovating a house.

The announcement was made in an Instagram reel showing Ms Ahimsa looking wide-eyed at a building site with Lucky strapped to her in a baby harness.

The video shows Ms Ahimsa walking inside and hugging a builder.

'We found an old/run down Balinese house and very slowly, with lots of breaks and tears we are now back and starting the renovating process again!!!', Ms Ahimsa wrote.

Friends were on a desperate hunt to find a specialist that can help save Lucky's life after she was rushed to hospital in Bali

Baby Lucky was airlifted in Brisbane for life-saving care she wouldn't have received in Bali

The medical retrieval flight to rush baby Lucky to Brisbane from Bali cost $106,000

Honey Ahimsa fought back tears in February as she detailed her baby's desperate fight for life

'Our family are warriors and (after) everything we have gone through, THIS is such a triumphant feeling.'

In another post, Ms Ahimsa hinted that she is setting up a new 'Quantum healing self love retreat for women in Bali'.

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting either projects have been funded from the donations to the GoFundMe page.

The fundraiser, which was set up by a friend on behalf of Ms Ahimsa, has now been closed and there is a message thanking supporters.

'In the future Lucky and family will be helping children in Bali who are struggling with health conditions,' the message .

Daily Mail Australia asked the organiser if this meant money was left over and, if so, for more details about what it would be spent on but is yet to receive a response.

Ms Ahimsa told this publication her and her partner have not bought their new home and are instead just renting.

'Additionally our weekly rental cost is only $83 a week and renovating a house in Bali also costs very little money,' said Ms Ahimsa.

'No money from the Lucky Love GoFundMe was used for anything other than what was mentioned on the GoFundMe page.

'I have all receipts and bank statements which affirm all costs for example $107,500 for the medical evacuation plane alone, not including any overseas medical costs which were unimaginable.'

Baby Lucky (with mum Honey) made her television debut after she was discharged from hospital in early March

The family (pictured with their son) have returned to Bali where they have seemingly bought a house they are having renovated

Honey Ahimsa choked back tears as she recalled how close she came to losing Lucky

The fundraiser previously claimed the cost of Lucky's medical bills in Bali were $8,000 a day for 11 days.

Lucky's story made international headlines as people from around the globe donated money and sent the family well wishes as they fought to get her home.

'She's now in ICU and the specialist team that she needs is actually in another hospital but that one is full,' friend Bailey Scarlett told Daily Mail Australia at the time.

'We're all just kind of scrambling around trying to get her out, basically, because we can't get her to another hospital because they're full.

'We've been trying to find outside consultants ourselves and send all her scans and X-rays, medical notes and try to get medical opinion outside because we can't actually have the one that we need in Bali at the moment.'

Baby Lucky was flown to Brisbane on a medevac flight where doctors managed to treat her successfully

Lucky was finally discharged from hospital in early March, making her live television debut in the arms of her relieved mum on Sunrise.

'There's really just no words, just complete gratitude and disbelief,' Ms Ahisma told the show from the Gold Coast.

Ms Ahimsa describes herself as an advocate of 'conscious parenting/unschooling', which does not follow a set curriculum or rely on formal lessons.

'Instead, it encourages children to explore and learn from the world around them, engaging in activities that interest them and align with their individual learning styles,' she wrote on Instagram.

Ms Ahimsa also shares 'immunity bio hacks', were she encourages her 37,000 followers to tap their Thymus gland for a period of 20-30 seconds to 'increase their energy levels'.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is continuing to lead the resistance to a new law designed to stop small migrant boats from crossing the channel.

A stand-off over the Government's controversial Illegal Migration Bill is continuing at Westminster after Lords inflicted a string of fresh defeats to the legislation overnight.

The Most Rev Justin Welby warned against immigration and asylum being used as a 'wedge issue to divide things' as peers pressed their demand for further watering down of the plan.

These included limits to the detention of children, modern slavery protections and the provision of safe and legal routes for refugees to the UK.

It comes after the Commons overturned a raft of earlier revisions by the unelected chamber, despite rebellions by Tory MPs including Theresa May who are concerned about the flagship reforms.

The Most Rev Justin Welby warned against immigration and asylum being used as a 'wedge issue to divide things' as peers pressed their demand for further watering down of the plan.

A stand-off over the Government's controversial Illegal Immigration Bill is continuing at Westminster after Lords inflicted a string of fresh defeats to the legislation overnight.

The Home Office had offered several concessions on Monday, including ditching a move to backdate removals to March when the draft legislation was first introduced to Parliament.

But the Lords are insisting that the Government gives much more ground.

The latest nine defeats means the continuation of the parliamentary tussle over the Bill, known as ping-pong, where the legislation is batted between the Lords and Commons, until agreement is reached.

Mr Welby, who has been an arch-critic of the reforms, condemning them as 'morally unacceptable', defied the Government to back all the latest amendments.

These included his own renewed demand for ministers to draw up a 10-year strategy for collaborating internationally on refugees and human trafficking to the UK.

Mr Welby said: 'The issue of immigration and asylum... is an extraordinarily divisive one.'

The church leader added: 'This is a massive international issue on a generational basis and it needs profound thinking on a long-term basis in order to tackle it.

'Legislation and strategy must be fitted to the problem, not the problem to the legislation. It's not how it works.

'It is essential that the solutions we go forward to are those which bring together the whole of politics on all sides of both Houses and the unity of our country instead of using this as a wedge issue to divide things.

'So this is a moment of reconciliation and opportunity for deep and profound long-term thought, as happens for instance with climate change.

'This is not a party political issue, it is one in which we must work together, for if we work separately we will fall separately.'

The Commons overturned a raft of earlier revisions by the unelected chamber, despite rebellions by Tory MPs including Theresa May who are concerned about the flagship reforms.

The top Anglican cleric was supported by Labour former home secretary Lord Blunkett who said: 'If ever we needed a long-term strategy of 10 years rather than 10 months and not a strategy that's geared to a General Election, but to solving a problem and to dealing with it internationally and on a long-term basis, we need it now.'

But responding, justice minister Lord Bellamy said: 'The amendment is not necessary because the Government is well aware of the need to develop a strategy and to cooperate with international partners.'

The Bill is a key part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's bid to deter migrants from making the dangerous Channel crossing in small boats.

It aims to prevent people from claiming asylum in the UK if they arrive through unauthorised means and ensure their prompt removal, either to their home country or a third country.

Other changes made by peers to the Bill during voting spread over more than four hours, included protections for LGBT people facing deportation and a move to require the consideration of asylum claims from migrants arriving by unauthorised routes, if they have not been removed from the UK within six months.

Home Office minister Lord Murray of Blidworth had warned the latter measure could lead to an increase in people trying to 'game the system' by launching spurious claims in order to run down the clock.

But Liberal Democrat Lord German said his amendment 'simply provides a backstop that protects the taxpayers of this country from indefinitely supporting people existing in the UK in limbo'.

The Bill now heads back to the Commons for the MPs to consider the latest changes made by peers.
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey today told a jury the sexual assault allegations against him are either 'madness', 'make no logical sense', or are a 'stab in the back'.

The Hollywood star began giving evidence from the witness box at Southwark Crown Court, where he said he was 'not on a suicide mission' after being accused of 'aggressive' crotch grabs.

The 63-year-old told jurors he is a 'big flirt' and described his encounters with two of the alleged victims as 'comfortable' or 'relaxed', while insisting 'nothing happened' with a third.

He denies charges including sexual assault and indecent assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.

Spacey said an aspiring actor's claims that he drugged him and performed a sex act on him while he was asleep in his flat were false, saying the pair had shared an 'intimate moment'.

A court sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Kevin Spacey giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court today

Spacey - seen arriving at Southwark Crown Court in London this morning - is accused of 'aggressively' grabbing the man's crotch while he drove him to a party in the early 2000s

Asked about his initial reaction the accusations, the American Beauty and House Of Cards star said: 'My initial reaction to that was this is somebody who is just shaking me down.'

Dabbing his eyes and appearing emotional, the actor continued: 'There was a rush to judgment and before the first question was asked or answered I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days.'

Spacey tells of 'upset' among LGTB people when he came out Kevin Spacey has said he had been looking to come out as gay for 'two years' before the statement which 'upset' members of the LGTBQ+ community. Addressing the reasons for making the statement while facing allegations of an unwanted sexual advance in the US, he told jurors at Southwark Crown Court: 'I was under a lot of pressure that I had to say something... if I didn't it was going to be a nightmare, a PR nightmare. 'Members of the LGTBQ+ community were upset because I came out while I was responding to an accusation... now I understand why it was read that way but I hadn't put those two things together.' The allegations made by actor Anthony Rapp against Spacey were found not proven in October last year. He told jurors he had wanted to come out for two years and at one stage had picked out a 'particular event' to do it. Spacey continued: 'I thought in the face of this terrible accusation maybe I can do something at least positive. The gay community had been pressuring me for a very long time about coming out. 'Maybe now that the allegation against Mr Anthony Rapp has been proven to be false, maybe people will read that with a little bit more understanding now.' Advertisement

The defendant also described his relationship with a man who drove him to a lavish showbiz party in the early 2000s as 'somewhat intimate', but denied assaulting him in a 'violent, aggressive, painful way'.

As well as describing allegations by a man he met in a West End theatre in the mid-2000s as 'madness', he told the jury that claims he directed a 'barrage of vile comments' at him were words he had 'never said... to anyone in my life'.

Denying the allegations against him made by the man who claimed Spacey had almost made him 'come off the road' due to a 'painful' crotch grab, the defendant told the jury: 'He was a lads' lad. He was funny and charming and flirtatious.'

Spacey said he touched the complainant in 'romantic' and 'intimate' ways.

He said he and the alleged victim did not take things further because the man 'made it clear that he did not want to go any further and that happens at times and you just respect how far someone wants to go'.

Spacey said: 'I can't remember specific conversations we had but I remember the tone, I remember the atmosphere, I remember the laughter.

'We had a very fun time together.'

The actor accepted touching the man but said: 'It did not happen in a violent, aggressive, painful way.

'It was gentle ... and it was in my mind romantic.'

Asked by his barrister if there was any reluctance from the alleged victim to his advances, Spacey said: 'No. The only thing he made clear is he did not want to go any further than we were going and I respected that.'

Questioned whether the man had said anything after Spacey had touched him, the defendant said: 'I think he said things like 'this is new for me' so I think that he may have been surprised by his reaction.'

The actor denied he had almost made the complainant 'come off the road' after the alleged 'aggressive' grab, saying: 'That never happened. I was not on a suicide mission.'

Asked how he felt after the alleged victim made allegations against him, the defendant said: 'I was crushed.

'I never thought that the (man) I know would (so many) years later stab me in the back.'

Spacey told jurors he had made efforts to find out where he was at the time alleged offences took place

Mr Gibbs then asked Spacey about the man he allegedly met in a West End theatre.

Questioned on why he believed the allegations to be 'madness', the actor said: 'It never happened.'

Asked to respond to the man's allegations of 'vile comments', the Hollywood actor said: 'I never said any of the things that he claims I said to him and wouldn't and never have to anyone in my life.'

Trial hears of Spacey's links to celebrities including Elton John, Judi Dench and Joan Collins Hollywood star Kevin Spacey has given a Crown Court jury an insight into his relationships with famous faces - including storing 'the most expensive Mini Cooper' in Sir Elton John's garage and gifting a ping pong table to Dame Judi Dench. The Oscar-winning actor told jurors he gave Dame Judi the gift after they worked on a film together - The Shipping News - in Nova Scotia. Other famous names heard at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday included Val Kilmer, Joan Collins and Richard Harris. On filming with Dame Judi, Spacey told jurors: 'It was a particularly difficult time for Judi. 'Her husband had just passed away. 'I made it my mission in that experience to try to make Judi laugh as much as I could. 'We developed a lovely friendship.' The court heard that the property they stayed in while filming had a ping pong table. Spacey said he took it upon himself to teach Dame Judi how to play and later gifted her a table of her own. Jurors also heard how Spacey stored 'the most expensive' Mini Cooper 'ever' in Sir Elton's garage. The actor explained he bid on the vehicle at an auction in the early 2000s and the Rocket Man singer 'kindly' stored it for him. When Spacey began giving evidence, he detailed his childhood and the various schools he attended in the US. He named one fellow pupil as Top Gun actor Val Kilmer and called him 'highly skilled' at drama. Spacey also spoke of starring in a 1986 production of Long Day's Journey at the Haymarket Theatre in London with Some Like It Hot actor Jack Lemmon. He told jurors it was his first visit to the city as an actor, and was even put up in an apartment by Harry Potter star Richard Harris. 'It was his son's apartment,' Spacey said. The jury panel was also told of an occasion where he had been asked to move his rehearsal time for Dame Joan Collins because 'there was an issue with her hair'. Spacey said she 'insisted on being able to rehearse first'. The 63-year-old denies charges including sexual assault and indecent assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013. Spacey pleaded not guilty in January to three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. The two-time Academy Award winner also previously denied four further charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. The trial continues. Advertisement

He told the jury that he did not recognise the complainant 'at all' when showed a photograph of him.

Asked what he remembered of that day, Spacey said: 'Not a great deal.'

Detailing his account of what happened with the aspiring actor in the late 2000s, the Hollywood star told the jury that he 'hurriedly left' after the pair shared an 'intimate moment'.

Spacey said: 'We had had a sexual encounter after which I had gone to the bathroom and I came back from the bathroom and it was like... something had changed.

'The person that I had this intimate moment with was suddenly awkward and fumbling... and I don't want to say ran out... but hurriedly left. And it felt very odd.

'I felt like maybe he was making an excuse and it concerned me and my memory is... that I called this person to make sure they were OK... and they were OK.'

Asked what he remembered of the alleged encounter, Spacey said: 'I remember the end of the evening and that was what struck me in my mind because we had a consensual and, I believe, a very nice and lovely evening.

'If he regretted it immediately I don't know, I can't speak for him, but something was odd - it was strange.'

Questioned on whether he remembered any physical contact he had with the man, Spacey told jurors: 'I don't remember but I know the way I am with someone and I would never be behaving in the way he claimed - it makes no logical sense.

'I think we were very comfortable with each other.'

He said he did perform a sex act on the man but claimed it was consensual.

Spacey told jurors he had made efforts to find out where he was at the time alleged offences took place.

He said: 'I happen to keep everything, so I have a storage facility in Baltimore and a storage unit in London, and I started to go back and look through boxes and boxes and boxes of where I was, contracts between myself, my publicists and photographers, to look at dates to try to be able to say where I was and what time.'

The actor also said he had googled himself to check where he was at certain times.

The two-time Oscar winner told the court he was 'clearly the dumbest man in England' because he was 'still renting a phone' while staying in the UK.

He said he was able to retrieve phone records from back to the early 2000s after his business partner was told the records went 'all the way back'.

Earlier, the actor told the jury about his childhood and how he became an actor.

The court heard he was born in South Orange, New Jersey, in the US to a mother who was a private secretary and a father who worked in the aircraft industry.

He named a number of schools he went to, including one which fellow actor Val Kilmer attended.

He described how he 'loved' his first experience of acting in drama class in his 'eighth grade' and how he went on to attend The Juilliard School of Drama in New York after school.

The court heard he got his first job in New York in 'a very small series of parts in Shakespeare in the Park'.

Spacey told jurors that he considered his appearance in 1992 movie Glengarry Glen Ross to be his first significant film role.

He told the court that his mother 'considered herself an Anglophile' and he first visited the UK as a child.

Speaking about the first time he came to London as an actor, he told the jury he had stayed for several months in 1986 for a production of Long Day's Journey at the Haymarket Theatre.

He said fellow actor Richard Harris put him up in his son's apartment while he stayed in the UK.

Spacey said he became involved in the Old Vic theatre in London after finding there 'was something quite unique' about it.

The court heard that the theatre had 'fallen into disrepair' around the early 2000s but there was a movement to 'revitalise' it.

Spacey said: 'I was crazy enough at some point to throw my hat in the ring as a possible candidate.'

This morning, Spacey told the jury about his childhood and how he became an actor

He was artistic director of the Old Vic until 2015.

He added that the same year he was 'given an opportunity to do a television series that was going to shoot in the US that was called House Of Cards'.

The defendant, standing trial under his full name Kevin Spacey Fowler, was labelled a 'sexual bully' when proceedings began last month.

He denies charges including sexual assault and indecent assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.

Over the course of the trial at Southwark Crown Court, each of Spacey's accusers have given evidence - variously describing him as a 'vile sexual predator', 'slippery' and 'atrocious, despicable, disgusting'.

Jurors were told of alleged 'aggressive' crotch grabs against three men, while a fourth complainant accused Spacey of having drugged him and performing a sex act on him while he was asleep.

Under questioning from Spacey's lawyer, Patrick Gibbs KC, the men all denied either seeking financial gain, attempting to further their career or giving false accounts to the jury.

On Wednesday, prosecutor Shauna Ritchie said the defendant had told police he was 'baffled' and 'deeply hurt' by the claims made by one man and did not recognise two others.

The actor said he may have made a 'clumsy pass' at his final alleged victim but denied deliberately attacking him.

Spacey pleaded not guilty in January to three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

The two-time Academy Award winner also previously denied four further charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

The trial continues.
An Evesham factory worker has admitted to spitting into plastic pots on the assembly line and stuffing tubs of Nando's hummus with paper towels and rubber gloves.

Garry Jones, 38, could face up to six months in prison for spiking containers with fish sauce, metal ring pulls and plastic bags.

The tampering took place at Harvey & Brockless Fine Food Company, which supplies to Nando's and other restaurants across the UK.

Jones admitted contaminating or interfering with goods with intent at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday July 12.

The court heard he deliberately added fish sauce to non-fish dressings and contaminated others with sesame and chilli sauce.

Garry Jones, 38, who was caught on CCTV spitting into pots, pictured outside Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday July 12

Jones could face up to six months in prison for spiking containers with fish sauce, metal ring pulls and plastic bags

Mark Hambling, prosecuting, said this could be dangerous for people with food allergies as some products state 'does not contain fish'.

Nando's discovered the foreign objects in the tubs and destroyed them before they reached any customers.

'Tubs began being returned to the company as contaminated leading the firm to investigate,' said Mr Hambling.

He added on one occasion Jones was caught on CCTV poking a hole in a plastic container and spitting into the tub.

The charge reads: 'Between October 1, 2022, and November 1, 2022, with intent to cause public alarm or injury to members of the public - contaminated or interfered with goods.

'Namely 24 hummus tubs with rubber gloves, plastics bags and metal ring pulls; metal ring pulls in tubs of sesame and ginger dressing, sesame miso dressing and Vietnamese chilli and ginger dressing; and poured fish sauce into dressings which should not contain fish.'

Jones also admitted burgling a co-worker's home in Evesham on October 26 last year.

Andrew Davidson, defending, said Jones was a man of good character and described it as a 'remarkable set of events'.

Jones has been bailed and is expected to return to court for sentencing on September 12

Mr Davidson said the defendant was 'clearly a male with mental health issues'.

Judge Jonathan Salmon bailed Jones and ordered him to return to court for sentencing on September 12 where he faces up to six months in prison.

Jones is banned from entering Harvey & Brockless Fine Food Company or any location where food is mass-produced.

Nick Martin, managing director of Harvey & Brockless, said: 'Everyone at the company is shocked and appalled at the criminal actions of Garry Jones.

'However, the robust quality assurance and product recall procedures in place at Harvey & Brockless meant that no contaminated products ever reached any end consumers.

'As soon as we became aware of the contaminations taking place, we recalled the entire batch of products involved and communicated openly with all our customers and with the Environmental Health Officer.

'This swift action meant all end consumers were fully protected from any contaminated products.

Jones tampered with Nando's hummus pots at the factory of Harvey & Brockless Fine Food Company in Evesham

'The vast majority of the products involved never even reached their destination, and any items that did were quickly returned before reaching the end consumer.

'This incident was obviously disturbing, but Harvey & Brockless is pleased that the Worcester Environmental Health Officer noted the 'totally professional way' the company dealt with resolving the matter.

'Following this incident, we have fully reviewed all of our quality assurance and product recall procedures, and found that these all worked well.

'We already had multiple CCTV cameras in operation at our site, but have now invested in extra security cameras to ensure that all areas are fully covered.'
Wagner rebel Yevgeny Prigozhin is either dead or in one of Putin's gulags after his botched coup, an ex US general has claimed.

Retired General Robert Abrams, who served as the commander of US Forces-Korea, said that Prigozhin is most likely dead and will likely never be seen again publicly.

He told ABC News: 'I think he'll either be put in hiding or sent to prison or dealt with some other way, but I doubt we'll ever see him again.'

After being asked if he thinks Prigozhin is still alive, Abrams replied: 'I personally don't think he is, and if he is, he's in a prison somewhere.'

Prigozhin used to be one of Putin's trusted confidants but had evolved into a potent threat, reaching its peak with the attempted mutiny.

The alleged meeting between Putin and Prigozhin afterwards was 'highly staged', Abrams suggested and added: 'I'd be surprised if we actually see proof of life that Putin met Prigozhin.'

Wagner rebel Yevgeny Prigozhin is either dead or in one of Putin's gulags, according to a ex US General

Retired General Robert Abrams (pictured), who served as the commander of US Forces-Korea, said that Prigozhin is most likely dead and will doubtfully ever be seen again publicly

The alleged meeting between Putin (pictured) and Prigozhin afterwards was 'highly staged', Abrams suggested and added: 'I'd be surprised if we actually see proof of life that Putin met Prigozhin'

Prigozhin reportedly left Russia to live in exile in Belarus after the failed coup last month but hasn't been seen since.

The leader's mutiny, started on June 23, was declared a 'march for justice' aimed at removing Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the General Staff, from their posts.

Prigozhin has clashed throughout the war with Russia's national armed forces, while sending his private mercenaries to the frontlines to die.

The push made quick progress, seizing Rostov and crossing into Russian regions.

Six Russian army helicopters and a plane were reportedly shot down in the clashes.

But the mutiny did not succeed in its objectives, as Prigozhin negotiated peace via Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko before reaching Moscow.

All charges against the Wagner Group leader were ultimately dropped to allow him to move to Belarus.

The attempted coup started on June 23 and was called off a day later as the Wagner soldiers were en route to Moscow (pictured: Wagner men in Rostov-on-Don on June 24

Members of the Wagner Group military company guard an area standing in front of a tank in a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday, June 24

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military company, was looking out from a military vehicle on a street in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on June 24, 2023, as he reportedly was on his way to Belarus

Two weeks ago, Putin reportedly held a secret meeting with Prigozhin.

The unannounced meeting took place on June 29 - less than a week after the Wagner revolt - and was attended by some 35 people, including top Kremlin brass and several of Prigozhin's commanders, the Kremlin admitted.

French publication Liberation had earlier cited secret service sources claiming the meeting had taken place, but gave the date as July 1.

Since the meeting, Prigozhin appears to be remaining in Russia rather than forced into exile in neighbouring Belarus as seemed his fate earlier.

This comes after it emerged yesterday that Prigozhin had been treated for stomach cancer and his illness may have played a role in his decision to launch the mutiny attempt, a report has claimed.

Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group, including Roman Yamalutdinov (L), pull out of the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to base, in the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023

Proekt, a Russian outlet now banned by Russia, originally cited claims from Prigozhin's former employees saying he had undergone treatment for cancer.

They said his stomach cancer was now in remission after a 'long time' undergoing 'serious therapy'.

One former worker said that the march towards Moscow at the end of last month could show the mindset of a man with little to lose.

Asked what might have prompted the armed rebellion, one anonymous source said: 'This is a man with a cut-out stomach and intestines!'

One former employee said: '[Prigozhin] had cancer. Now the process of tumor formation seems to have been stopped.'
A Russian general said he was dismissed as a commander after telling the military leadership about the dire situation at the front in Ukraine.

Major General Ivan Popov, 48, who commanded the 58th Combined Arms Army, said in a voice message published by Russian lawmaker Andrei Gurulyov that he had been fired after opening up to the top brass about the situation at the front.

He said that Russian soldiers had been stabbed in the back by the failings of the top military brass.

'The Ukrainian army could not break through our ranks at the front but our senior chief hit us from the rear, viciously beheading the army at the most difficult and intense moment,' Popov said of the June 24 mutiny by Wagner mercenaries.

After the June 24 mutiny by Wagner mercenaries, Putin has so far kept Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov in their jobs.

Major General Ivan Popov, who commanded Russia's 58th Combined Arms Army, is seen in this image released on June 9, 2023

Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group, including Roman Yamalutdinov (L), pull out of the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to base, in Rostov-on-Don, June 24

Popov, who commanded Russian units in southern Ukraine, explicitly raised the deaths of Russian soldiers from Ukrainian artillery and said the army lacked proper counter artillery systems and reconnaissance of enemy artillery.

He said he had kept his distance from the 'gladiators' of the army but had faced a watershed moment when he told the military chiefs the truth.

'There was a tough situation with the senior bosses in which it was necessary either to keep quiet and be a coward or to say it the way it is.'

He did not say when he raised the complaints.

'I had no right to lie in the name of you, in the name of my fallen comrades in arms, so I outlined all the problems which exist.'

A Telegram channel linked to Wagner mercenaries said that Popov had raised the need to rotate exhausted troops from the front line with Gerasimov. Reuters was unable to verify that report.

'The senior chiefs apparently sensed some kind of danger from me and quickly concocted an order from the defence minister in just one day and got rid of me,' Popov said. 'I await my fate.'

There was no immediate comment from the defence ministry and Reuters was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the voice message.

It was unclear when the message was recorded. The defence ministry has not said anything about his dismissal.

Putin speaks as he addresses units of the armed forces who ensured order and legality during the mutiny, at the Kremlin, in Moscow, Russia, 27 June 2023

A Ukrainian army Grad multiple rocket launcher fires rockets at Russian positions in the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Putin has said the June mutiny by Wagner Group could have tipped Russia into civil war and has compared it to the revolutionary turmoil of 1917 which forced Russia to essentially drop out of World War One.

Prigozhin, who instigated the march towards Moscow, said it was aimed only at settling scores with Shoigu and Gerasimov.

The Wagner Group boss was vocal about his concerns with the running of Russia's armed forces in the leadup to the rebellion.

Neither he nor General Sergei Surovikin, a deputy commander of Russia's military operations in Ukraine, have been seen in public since the day of the mutiny.
This is the moment a transgender activist and convicted attempted murderer tells a police officer 'trans rights are human rights' as she is handcuffed and arrested after telling a cheering crowd at a Trans Pride rally to 'punch TERFs in the face'.

Sarah Jane Baker, whose spent 30 years in jail for kidnap and then the attempted murder of a fellow prisoner, provoked outrage over her inflammatory comments on Saturday against feminists who are critical of trans ideology.

She told fellow activists: 'I was gonna come here and be really fluffy and be really nice and say yeah be really lovely and queer and gay... Nah, if you see a TERF, punch them in the f****** face.'

She was reported to the police for inciting violence at the weekend, but a Met officer initially told a complainant it was not in the public interest to pursue the case, saying the call for violence was 'hypothetical' and allowed under free speech laws.

However, Scotland Yard subsequently confirmed that the crime report had been reopened. On Wednesday, Baker was filmed being handcuffed by an officer inside a house, in a video uploaded by a supporter and viewed more than 300,000 times on social media.

Baker was one of the speakers at the Trans+ Pride event in London on Saturday and used her speech to call for violence against those critical of trans ideology

Baker was filmed being handcuffed by an officer inside a house, in a video uploaded by a supporter and viewed more than 300,000 times on social media

When asked if there is anything she would like to say, Baker responds: 'Trans rights are human rights. One struggle, one fight'

When asked if there is anything she would like to say, Baker responds: 'Trans rights are human rights. One struggle, one fight.'

As the officer slowly ushers her down the stairs, she turns to the person filming the arrest and says again: 'Trans rights are human rights.

'They won't get rid of us, our existence is our resistance, you remember that.'

A Met Police spokesman told MailOnline today: 'A 53-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of incitement to violence. She has been taken into custody.

'The arrest on 12 July is in connection with an incident during the Trans Pride event in Westminster on 8 July. A video was widely shared on social media.'

Baker, a violinist and artist who is originally from Brixton in south London, was jailed for kidnapping and torturing her stepmother's brother.

Then, aged 21, she was convicted of attempted murder for breaking into a prisoner's cell and trying to strangle him to death. She later claimed the victim - an alleged child rapist - had bullied her.

Speaking to the Anything Goes with James English podcast in 2020, Baker described how she had always felt uncomfortable in a male body and, in December 2017, resorted to drastic measures by cutting of her own testicles.

'I hated my body and I reached out to the staff and said to them, ''if you don't help me, I will help myself'', and they just laughed,' she remembered.

'I said, ''I will remove my own testicles, that's what I'll do''... I am genuinely a person of my word, if I tell you I'm going to do something then I'm going to do it.

'I've also been diagnosed with a personality disorder and one of my risk factors is being impulsive. It was an impulsive decision that I made to take a prison razor blade at 2 o'clock in the morning and to remove my own testicles.'

Sarah Jane Baker provoked outrage for her inflammatory comments at the rally in London on Saturday

Baker - pictured prior to transitioning - was originally jailed for kidnapping and torturing her stepmother's brother

Baker in February this year at a vigil for Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old trans girl who was stabbed to death

She admitted that this had been an incredibly 'dangerous' decision, but said it had felt 'important'.

Baker admitted to getting involved in drug dealing, phone smuggling and sex work while behind bars.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror from inside prison, she complained about being a target for violence after announcing her decision to become a woman. 'Prison is brutal and it's all about being the hardest and the most macho,' she said.

'If you tell a member of staff you feel threatened, nothing will happen until you are beaten up.

'People are not well educated or liberal in the way they think in jail and the rules are outdated.'

Baker was released in 2019 after being being given oestrogen hormones by the authorities and undergoing a controversial 10,000 taxpayer-funded sex change operation.

Baker learned to read and write in prison and eventually wrote a book: Transgender Behind Prison Walls.

She now campaigns on trans issues - sometimes appearing topless at marches - and is also a supporter of eco groups Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain.

The self-declared 'transanarchist' has also announced her intention to run to become MP for Richmond at the next election.

Her activism has included setting up the Transprisoner Alliance which organises visits to trans people behind bars and provides them with clothes, make-up and legal assistance.

She has also been active in calling for trans people to be moved into a prison that accords with their chosen gender.

Labour MP Lloyd Russell Moyle prepares to speak at a protest at Downing Street on January 18 where Baker (left) was in attendance. Later the MP said he had not known who the activist was

The Trans+ Pride event on Saturday saw thousands march through London in what they referred to as the 'biggest-ever' call for Trans rights

During a 2019 interview with the i, Baker - was previously called Alan Baker - described how she had been born in Brixton before growing up as one of 14 kids in a 'really good' Georgian house in Norwood.

She said her father became abusive after losing his business.

Baker recalled how she went into care before occasionally fleeing and working as an underage male prostitute.

The Trans+ Pride event on Saturday saw thousands march through London in what they referred to as the 'biggest ever' call for Trans rights.

Baker took to the stage wearing a red beret - which she is often seen with in public - and holding an Antifa flag.

A London Trans Pride spokesman said: 'Sarah and many others in our community hold a lot of rage and anger and they have the right to express that anger through their words.

'We do not condone violence, we do not back a call to arms for violence of any kind. We do condone righteous anger and the right to the free speech that was expressed yesterday. We have and will continue to march in peace.'

TERF is the acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist, a term often used to refer to critics of trans ideology.

Before Baker's speech, trans activists and supporters had walked past Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square with signs for the worldwide Pride celebration.
Another Australian construction company has gone bust leaving furious families who paid huge up-front costs 'stuck in limbo'.

Boutique Perth home builder City Residence appointed liquidators on Wednesday, with 13 homes unfinished, some of of which were started four years ago.

More than 2,000 Australian construction companies have gone under in the last two years, at a rate of more than two every day.

Following the company's collapse, the West Australian government advised affected property owners to contact QBE to discuss a home indemnity insurance claim.

Tina Hoyland, who signed a contract in 2019 with City Residence to build a home at Mt Hawthorn, told Daily Mail Australia that consumer protections in WA are 'pathetic'.

Tina Hoyland, who signed a contract for City Residence to build her and her partner a home at Mt Hawthorn say they are 'stuck in limbo'. The builder went into liquidation on Wednesday. Pictured, Ms Hoyland's unfinished home as it was in April 2023

According to the West Australian government, City Residence had 13 homes unfinished at the time it went bust. Pictured, one of the company's unfinished homes, as it was in April

'The Department of Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety needs to have better regulation, and it should not take 10 months for this [to get help].'

In April she told The Sunday Times, 'I get more consumer protection buying a can of dog food than I do building a house.'

Ms Hoyland said she and her partner, Steven Radley, are 'stuck in limbo'.

She posted photos of the builder's progress at the time, captioning one 'Slowest builder ever'.

Her and Mr Radley are among customers who don't qualify for the full $200,000 claim under housing indemnity insurance.

Ms Hoyland feared the $100,000 she expects to receive will not be enough money to pay another builder to complete her home.

On the website Product Review other customers who claimed to have contracts with City Residence were scathing about the builder.

'Building commenced in April 2020 and up until now (3 years), home still not at the 'LockUp' stage,' wrote Brendon.

'Suspension of works has and continues to occur. Its cost us our health, funds (legal fees) and time.'

Several customers whose City Residence homes remain unfinished initially signed up with another company, Aspiration Homes, only for that company to go under in 2021.

They later found out their contacts were with City Residence, which shared the same address at Osborne Park.

Customers waiting for City Residence to complete their half-built homes have complained that their initial contracts with Aspiration Homes gave little incentive for either company to finish the work.

That is because the contracts required such large payments up front that they would lose money by completing the homes.

City Residence director Joe Allia, who claimed to 'personally oversees every aspect of the design and construction process', previously said he intended to complete projects he had begun.

Several factors have combined to see more than 2000 Australian builders go bust in the past 2 years including supply chain issues and the skyrocketing cost of materials. Pictured, the yard in one of City Residence's unfinished projects, as it was in April

Several people who claimed to have contracts with City Residence gave the company scathing reviews online. Pictured, one of City Residence's unfinished building job as it was in April

'I always endeavour to complete projects in a timely manner,' he said in April. 'However, as a whole, the construction industry is going through unprecedented times and changes.'

In City Residence marketing material, Mr Allia also claimed he would be 'there to hand over the keys upon completion'.

Construction firms are still reeling from the impacts of the Covid pandemic with Russia's bloody invasion of Ukraine also driving up the cost of materials.

Building costs have risen by more than 20 per cent since the start of 2022, with some items surging by even more.

Pine wood more than doubled in price, while reinforcing steel, glass, plasterboard, fibre cement and other materials also rose.

Such price rises meant many fixed contract building projects were no longer viable.
Former British rapper and notorious Islamic State suspect Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary denied all terrorism charges against him as he went on trial in Madrid on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old, dubbed one of ISIS' 'most wanted foreign terrorist fighters', is alleged to have posted an image of himself holding a severed head on Twitter.

He was arrested in Almeria, Spain in April 2020 and currently faces trial for allegedly joining the Islamic State group while visiting Syria between 2013 and 2015.

Bary is accused of posing for a photo with a severed head in Raqqa, Syria with the caption 'Chillin' with my homie or what's left of him' in August 2014.

Prosecutors also say he ran 'online scams' with two friends to fund 'terrorist activities', and are calling for a nine-year jail sentence.

But the West London former rapper said he hates extremists and went to Syria for 'humanitarian reasons'.

Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary, a 32-year-old west London former rapper accused of terrorism

Bary is pictured posing with a Kalashnikov-style assault rifle

Standing in court, Bary - who has put on considerable weight since his arrest three years ago - denied all the charges against him.

'I find it absurd that (the prosecution is saying) I'm one of the foreign terrorist fighters,' he told the court.

Bary was seen wearing a patterned short-sleeved shirt, black jeans and dark-framed glasses, his mostly-shaved head topped by a ponytail.

'Al Qaeda and all the radical extremists... I hate them. I don't agree with their ideology or their actions,' he said, in a mix of Spanish and English.

He also denied owning any Twitter accounts that promoted IS, saying he went to Syria 'for humanitarian reasons'.

Bary also denied ever visiting Raqqa, saying it was not him in the photo with the severed head.

The former rapper snuck into Spain by boat in 2020 by posing as an undocumented migrant, it was claimed at the time.

Spanish state broadcaster TVE said he reached Almeria in a patera, the wooden boats Africans traditionally use to reach Europe from as far afield as Senegal.

Another unconfirmed report in national Spanish newspaper La Razon claimed he was intending to return to the UK as soon as possible before his arrest.

Bary claimed in court this week that the person in the photo holding the head was not him

Abdel Bary was arrested after a raid in an area of Almeria called Cerro de San Cristobal

Bary is the son of Adel Abdel Bary, an Egyptian who in 2015 was jailed for 25 years by a US court for his involvement in the 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

The attacks killed 224 and wounded 5,000 others.
A British boy has died after he was pulled from a swimming pool while on a family holiday to Vietnam.

Otis Walder-Robb, 12, was staying in Vietnam with his dad Stephen Walder, stepmother Liz Robb and sister Betty, six, when he suffered a 'tragic accident' on July 7, a family friend said.

He was found in a swimming pool and pulled from the water by four other children and rushed to hospital where he later died, according to family friend Rebecca Wegmann.

The family are understood to live in Pai, Thailand, and a GoFundMe page has been launched to help cover funeral and travel costs.

Family friend Gemma Anjamanee Piya Tora Lewis who set up the fundraiser said they are waiting to fly back to Bangkok, Thailand.

Otis Walder-Robb (pictured), 12, was staying in Vietnam with his dad Stephen Walder, stepmother Liz Robb and sister Betty, six, when he suffered a 'tragic accident' on July 7

He was found in a swimming pool and pulled from the water by four other children and rushed to hospital where he later died. Pictured (L-R): Sister Betty, six, stepmother Liz Robb, Otis, and father Stephen Walder

In a post on the fundraising page, Mrs Lewis said: 'Otis Walder-Robb was 12 years old when he took his last breath at 7.57pm on 7-7-2023. We regret to share that his passing was of sudden consequence from a tragic accident.

'There is grief and deep sorrow amidst the family's hearts, and a growing community is in mourning.

'We wish to use all funding towards the funeral expenses and memorial of Otis, and to cover all travel and health care costs in returning him, his sister Betty, and his parents Steven and Liz, to home soil, so the family and their community can celebrate and hold ceremony for his life.'

She added: 'The family were temporarily visiting Vietnam due to working away at a children's summer camp.

'We're all desperate to get their 6-year-old daughter back to our community so she can be in a familiar environment with friends who dearly miss her.'

Tributes poured in for the 12-year-old, with one man calling him an 'incredible lad' and another describing him as 'such a vibrant young man'.

Stephen Walder, Otis's father, is now enduring the third loss in his life following the death of his wife in 2017, and their son Reuben who died from a brain tumour in 2020.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We are supporting the family of a British child who died in Vietnam and are in contact with the local authorities.'
The transgender winner of Miss Netherlands has revealed that she has been bombarded with hate online since her victory at the competition.

Rikkie Valerie Kolle, 22, who is the first transgender woman to be crowed Miss Netherlands, once saw her success in the pageant as a symbol of her nation's openness, but the hateful backlash was 'really sad', she has now revealed.

She said she is trying to concentrate on the good, rather than hurtful comments on social media and added: 'I thought we were really accepting.... in the Netherlands, but the hate comments show the other side of our society.

'I hope that's a wake up call. For now, I fully ignore it. I focus on the good things coming my way.'

The negative comments were unprovoked, she continued, adding people were insulting her for being herself.

Rikkie Valerie Kolle, 22, once saw her success in the pageant as a symbol of her nation's openness, but the hateful backlash was 'really sad', she has now revealed

Ms Kolle has become the first transgender woman to win the title of Miss Netherlands

She said she is trying to concentrate on the good, rather than hurtful comments on social media and added: 'I thought we were really accepting.... in the Netherlands, but the hate comments show the other side of our society'

'I just want to show the world Rikkie and of course my trans story, and being backlashed for that is really sad,' Ms Kolle said.

The model from Breda in the south of the Netherlands said she became a target of hate speech after winning the 94-year-old competition in the AFAS Theater in Leusden last Sunday.

Now, she will go on to participate in the Miss Universe pageant. If she wins she will be the first transgender woman to claim that title.

Ms Kolle says becoming a woman was 'not easy for everyone' and she admits that she suffered greatly from it.

She was so determined to become a girl she changed her name from Rik to Rikkie at the age of just 11, convinced she was 'born in the wrong body'. But in her youth, she faced years of bullying which saw her come home from school and cry, day after day.

Ms Kolle (pictured) was eight when she says her journey started but she was 16 when she started the process of transitioning into a woman, which included taking female hormones

Ms Kolle (pictured after gender affirmation surgery), who changed her name from Rik to Rikke at 11 and was teased for years, believes she was 'born in the wrong body'

The negative comments were unprovoked, she continued, adding people were insulting her for being herself

The model from Breda in the south of the Netherlands said she became a target of hate speech after winning the 94-year-old competition in the AFAS Theater in Leusden last Sunday

'I was born little Rik, but I wanted to be a big Rikkie. Transitioning from male to female became something that made me feel at home,' she said on her Instagram.

'I endured teasing and would go home crying. I would think, "Why me, why is this happening to me?" But I always had the support of my loving family and friends.'

READ MORE: Who is the trans trailblazer who owns Miss Universe? Advertisement

Ms Kolle was eight when she says her journey started but she was 16 when she started the process of transitioning into a woman, which included taking female hormones.

She then had gender affirmation surgery in January this year - something she described as 'the day I became who I want to be'.

Ms Kolle says 'transitioning made me feel at home' and in her entry profile for the pageant, she revealed that she aspired to be a 'voice and role model'.

She added: 'I know better than anyone what it's like to feel alone and not be surrounded by only positive thoughts.

'When I was little Rik and came out as transgender, it wasn't easy for everyone and I also suffered from it.'

'Now years later I am stronger today than ever before, that is something I want to pass on to whoever needs it.

'Because as long as you always remain who you are, there is no one who can stand above you.

'I am only too happy to commit myself to all little Rikkies who face rejection from their family, their transition to the person they desire to be.

'Help make their self-image and acceptance stronger, untouchable.

'Through my commitment and strength, I hope to bring about change in society.'

When asked to describe herself in one word ahead of the final, Ms Kolle said in a video: 'Victory', adding: 'Because as a little boy I conquered all things that came through my path and look at me now.

Having been crowned Miss Netherlands, Ms Kolle will go on to become only the second trans woman to compete at Miss Universe

In the final the new Miss Netherlands wore a red gown as she was overcome by emotion while receiving her crown from her predecessor Ona Moody and reigning Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel (left) from the USA

Ms Kolle says 'transitioning made me feel at home'. Her journey started from the age of eight

The Dutch-Moluccan contestant (pictured) impressed the jury with her 'iron strong story' and 'clear mission'

'Standing here, as a strong, empowering and confident trans woman. Love is love. Be who you want to be and never forget always celebrate your pride.

The Dutch-Moluccan contestant impressed the jury with her 'iron strong story' and 'clear mission'.

In the final the new Miss Netherlands wore a red gown as she was overcome by emotion while receiving her crown from her predecessor Ona Moody and reigning Miss Universe R'Bonney Gabriel from the USA.

The model stood victorious with a bouquet of flowers while her competitors applauded. She later took to Twitter to exclaim 'I DID IT!'

Miss Universe 2023 will be held in El Salvador in December, although an exact date has not yet been confirmed, and will see contestants from 24 countries battle it out to claim the title.

The star will be the second transgender woman ever to compete in Miss Universe.

This is the moment that Rikkie Kolle was crowned Miss Netherlands 2023 at the finals in Leusden on Saturday

Sharing the moment of winning to her now 30,000 followers on Instagram, Ms Kolle (pictured) wrote: 'I DID IT!!!!!

Ms Kolle beamed as she was crowned Miss Netherlands in Leusden. She was the first trans woman to win in the contest's 94-year history

Rikkie Kolle has been crowned Miss Netherlands 2023

In 2018 Angela Ponce from Spain became the first trans woman to compete for the acclaimed Miss Universe title.

She told NBC at the time that she 'never could have imagined' that she would make it to the final stage.

Transgender contestants have been able to compete for the crown since 2012.

Thai businesswoman and advocate Anne Jakrajutatip, who bought the Miss Universe organisation in October 2022, also identifies as transgender.

The pageant system was previously owned by former US president Donald Trump.

Ms Jakrajutatip has promised to continue the pageant's legacy of women empowerment and 'evolve the brand for the next generation.'

And earlier this year Daniela Arroyo Gonzalez, who is openly transgender, was selected to compete in the Puerto Rico competition.
A mother-of-four died after jumping from the third floor of her home following a fire sparked by an e-scooter battery, an inquest has heard.

Rebecca Downes, 44, died in hospital from her injuries after jumping out of the window to escape the fire which broke out at her home in Blackpool last year.

Her family paid tribute to their mother's generosity and help for the homeless, saying 'love, care and kindness' were the most important gift in life for her.

The fire - caused by an e-scooter battery exploding as it charged by the door - ravaged the home at around 12.40 on July 6, 2022.

Her partner Mr Ramsey told Blackpool Coroner's Court that the battery ignited and sent bright sparks like a 'roman candle'.

Rebecca Downes died after jumping from her home to escape a fire sparked by an e-scooter battery

Flames engulfed the third floor of the house on Hill Street in Blackpool

'The battery was by the door and we couldnt get out. The battery kept exploding and I could see bright flashing and bits of battery were hitting me. It was like a Roman candle', he said in a witness statement.

One of her daughters and partner, Patrick Ramsey, in his 50s, also sustained injuries in the blaze.

Emergency workers moved Ms Downes to other side of the road to treat her, while debris fell and thick smoke belched from home on Hill Street.

Despite the best efforts of the North West Ambulance Service and an off duty paramedic living on the same street who started CPR, Ms Downes was pronounced dead at 1.42am.

Mr Ramsey, who ran a bike repair shop and recently started trading electric bikes, said there appeared to be a problem with the battery after collecting it from a friend the weekend before the tragedy, Lancs Live reported.

Callum, Ms Downes' son carried his sister to safety and then tried to rescue his parents only to not reach the third floor bedroom due to heat and smoke.

His actions were commended by Coroner Andrew Cousins, who said they spoke 'great volumes' about his character.

He said that he plugged in the bike in his bedroom after his wife didn't want to leave it charging overnight in the kitchen.

The blaze was confirmed by the fire service to be result of lithium battery failure

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the lithium battery failure was the cause of the blaze.

Michael Anglan, an incident intelligence officer, explained that battery fires spread much faster than conventional kitchen fires, with their rapid flammability making escape much harder.

A man was arrested by Lancashire Police on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter relating to the battery and its source, but no further action was taken.

Following a second blaze in Blackpool caused by a battery from the same source, a public safety meeting took place.

Ms Downes's death was listed as accidental and the cause of multiple injuries.
Chinese spies are targeting the UK 'prolifically and aggressively' with Beijing managing to penetrate 'every sector of the economy', a watchdog warned today.

The alarming picture was revealed in a long-awaited report by Parliament's intelligence watchdog.

It raises concerns about Chinese influence in UK universities and the country's intention to become a 'permanent and significant player' in the civil nuclear energy industry.

The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) is also critical of the UK Government's response, questioning the trade-off between economic interest and security concerns.

The 207-page report, published this morning, said the UK is of 'significant interest to China when it comes to espionage and interference', placing the country 'just below China's top priority targets'.

Chinese spies are targeting the UK 'prolifically and aggressively' with Beijing managing to penetrate 'every sector of the economy', a watchdog warned today. Pictured, Xi Jinping

The alarming picture was revealed in a long-awaited report by Parliament's intelligence watchdog

It said: 'China's state intelligence apparatus  almost certainly the largest in the world with hundreds of thousands of civil intelligence officers. targets the UK and its interests prolifically and aggressively, and presents a challenge for our Agencies to cover.'

Chaired by Conservative MP Sir Julian Lewis, the nine-member committee scrutinises the work of the UK's intelligence agencies including MI5, MI6 and GCHQ.

Sir Julian said: 'China's state intelligence apparatus  almost certainly the largest in the world, with hundreds of thousands of civil intelligence officers (leaving aside their military capability)  targets the UK and its interests prolifically and aggressively, and presents a challenge for our Agencies to cover.

'China's human intelligence collection is prolific, and it has a highly capable and increasingly sophisticated cyber-espionage operation.'

The report said: 'Much of the impact which China has on the UK's national security is overt  through its economic might, its takeovers and mergers, and its interaction with Academia and Industry.

'China's size, ambition and capability have enabled it to successfully penetrate every sector of the UK's economy.'

It warned about China's 'whole-of-state' approach that sees Chinese companies and ordinary Chinese citizens 'co-opted' into its spying and interference operations abroad.

The report found Beijing had 'worked hard on disinformation' over the Covid pandemic and 'greatly exaggerated its work to counter the virus and develop vaccines, and has sown seeds of doubt about the origins of the virus, to make the world believe that China was not at fault'.

The ISC noted how it had previously warned about Russian oligarchs becoming 'so embedded in society that too many politicians cannot even take a decision on an investment case because they have taken money from those concerned'.

They questioned whether a 'similar situation might be arising in relation to China'.

The report pointed to ex-prime minister David Cameron's involvement in the UK-China Fund, ex-Cabinet minister Sir Danny Alexander's role with the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and ex-deputy PM Lord Heseltine's role with The 48 Group Club.

The committee demanded the Government ensure new laws designed to counter threats posed by hostile foreign regimes are passed 'as a matter of urgency'.

In a written statement responding to the report, Rishi Sunak argued that the Government had already taken action on many of the concerns highlighted.

And he tried to play down the findings because the 'bulk' of evidence had been taken in in 2020.

But Sir Julian told a press conference: 'I've been at pains to point out that we have to have a cut-off point when it comes to taking evidence.

'That does not mean to say that we are not continually in dialogue and receiving quarterly reports, for example, from all the intelligence agencies that cover all these matters.'

Fellow committee member Kevan Jones called it a 'weak' response from the Prime Minister.

'If that is the response from Government, that somehow the report's out of date, I would come up with better arguments than that,' the Labour MP said.

The latest findings emerged amid ongoing tensions between the West and the rising Asian power.

The Government has characterised the growing influence of China as an 'epoch-defining challenge' but some backbench MPs have pushed for a more hawkish approach to Beijing.

A Daily Mail investigation this week revealed a man claiming to be a tourist tried to infiltrate a private meeting in the Palace of Westminster in which MPs and journalists heard talks from Hong Kong democracy activists Christopher Mung (left) and Finn Lau (right)

Earlier this week, the Daily Mail reported on accusations that China had sent a 'spy' to infiltrate a House of Commons briefing by Hong Kong dissidents.

A man claiming to be a tourist tried to enter the invitation-only talk in a committee room deep within the high-security Houses of Parliament.

The meeting was addressed by Finn Lau and Christopher Mung, who last week had 100,000 arrest bounties put on their heads by Beijing-controlled Hong Kong police.

When confronted, the alleged spy gave a name not on the approved list and refused to say who he was representing.

He claimed he had been directed to the secluded committee room as part of an official tour. He left after a brief stand-off.

Tory MP Bob Seely, who is a member of the Commons foreign affairs committee, said: 'If this was a Chinese Communist Party spy then it is yet another example of this regime's cack-handed malign incompetence.

'It would be completely inappropriate for Beijing to send an operative to intimidate or record people inside a private parliamentary event.'
She poisoned him with anti-depressants and he died on NYE 2021 in Oldham

A mother has been found guilty of murdering her five-year-old son by poisoning him with anti-depressants.

Claire Scanlon, 38, was convicted of killing little Dylan Scanlon yesterday after his lifeless and heavily bruised body was found on a double bed in her home.

Prosecutors told the court the mother had first informed her uncle in a nearby property that her son was 'not breathing' or 'moving' at 6.15pm on December 31, 2021.

Dylan was sadly pronounced dead three minutes after paramedics arrived at the house, in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

Pathologists found the lad had 64 separate injuries and a large amount of an antidepressant drug in his system, which experts claimed could have been fatal.

Claire Scanlon, 38, was convicted of killing her son Dylan (pictured), five, yesterday after his lifeless and heavily bruised body was found on a double bed in her home in Oldham, Greater Manchester

Prosecutors told the court the mother had first informed her uncle in a nearby property that her son Dylan (pictured) was 'not breathing' or 'moving' at 6.15pm on December 31, 2021

Scanlon had told paramedics that Dylan fell from the ladder to her attic the day before they arrived, and she had checked on him every 15 minutes before his death.

But after police arrested her, they found a note saying: 'Don't let them see us, just cremate us,' which prosecutors said showed she'd planned to die alongside him.

Jurors reached their guilty verdict at 3.30pm yesterday - two days after they were first sent out by Judge Mrs Justice Yip at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester.

Prosecutor Lisa Wilding had told the court Scanlon became 'angry and depressed' at the breakdown of her relationship with Dylan's father, Gary Keenan, before the murder.

The couple first met in 2005 and had moved in together, but Mr Keenan had left their home for good following a 'bitter' split in 2020, four years after Dylan was born.

She said the mother was 'obsessed' with Mr Keenan, and in the two months prior to her son's death, she'd sent voicemails and messages to him multiple times a day.

On December 15, 2021, she left him a voicemail message that said: 'I promise you, you won't see him again. You'll see. Bye. Go and enjoy your life.'

Then on December 27, she left a message saying: 'I promise you now, carry on treating me like a k**b h**d, I promise you're never gonna see my son again.'

She added: 'Treat me like a d**k, I'll stop you from going near him.'

A few days later on December 30, she sent a final message that said: 'You're just showing all you want to do is act like me and Dyl weren't in your life and crack on, make a new life with your new bird.

'So you go and do that. I'll solve it for you. Go and enjoy your new life with her.'

Ms Wilding told the court that Scanlon had picked up a repeat prescription for Mirtazapine, an antidepressant, 11 days before Dylan died.

And a blood sample found Dylan had 9,951 micrograms of the drug, per litre of blood in his system.

Christopher Madden, a forensic toxicologist, who analysed samples of blood said this amount would be consistent with other fatalities from mirtazapine.

Mr Madden told the jury that the deaths of eight adults who overdosed on mirtazapine found they had 1,000 to 4,400 micrograms per litre of blood.

But he couldn't tell how Dylan had ingested the mirtazapine and if it was taken in one single go or administered across multiple occasions.

Floral tributes left outside a house on Elm Road, Limeside, Oldham, Greater Manchester, where Dylan Scanlon, five, was found dead on December 31, 2021

Scanlon's sister Susan Scanlon told the court that she had become more reclusive following her break up with her ex-partner.

And during her emotional testimony she was unable to explain what had led to the death of Dylan - who she said was at the centre of Scanlon's world.

'She was his life, and he was hers. I don't know what went wrong,' she said.

'She wouldn't answer her phone. She wouldn't answer the door.'

Describing her sister's behaviour in the month before Dylan's death, Susan added: 'She shut herself off to everybody. Absolutely everybody.'

Scanlon was detained under the mental health act and taken to Edenfield Hospital in Prestwich following her arrest.

And it's there that support worker Joshua Davidson claims Scanlon had confessed to inflicting fatal injuries on Dylan by dropping him from her attic.

He previously told the court Scanlon said to him: 'I killed my son.'

Scanlon will be sentenced tomorrow, July 14.
She appears to mock the South Korean language by singing gibberish lyrics

Miranda Sings star Colleen Ballinger has been accused of anti-Asian racism after her spoof performance of 2012 K-Pop hit Gangnam Style resurfaced.

The comedian and YouTuber appears to mock the South Korean language by singing unintelligible lyrics in a supposed Asian accent to the PSY's international hit.

In the resurfaced video, Ballinger is heard inserting Japanese words into the gibberish parody like 'sudoku' and 'Tamagotchi'.

After it was reuploaded by another YouTube account earlier this month, commenters have hit out at the controversial comedian, calling her 'rude and racist' while others said they 'can't believe she thought this was okay'.

Ballinger is already coming under a barrage of criticism after a former employee of the Haters Back Off! Netflix series accused the YouTuber of using the N-word and writing storylines riddled with 'incestuous innuendo.' Moreover, the comedian has been forced to deny that she wore blackface after another video of her resurfaced performing Beyonce's Single Ladies in which she wears face paint.

She has since canceled the remaining dates for her nationwide tour following the string of controversies which also involved allegations of 'grooming' and inappropriate behavior towards her fans and on the set of her show.

In the 2012 video Ballinger is heard inserting Japanese words into the gibberish parody like 'sudoku' and 'Tamagotchi'

The comedian and YouTuber, popular in the early 2010s, appears to mock the South Korean language by singing unintelligible lyrics

Colleen Ballinger is a comedian and YouTuber popular in the early 2010s for her character Miranda Sings. She is pictured at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, Los Angeles, March 4, 2023

The video - posted in 2012 but since taken down from the Miranda Sings YouTube account - shows Ballinger dancing for some two-and-a-half minutes as she sings in fake Korean. The video was reuploaded to YouTube on another account.

Dispersed around the apparent Asian accent and fake Korean words, Ballinger also says 'tacos', 'soy sauce', and 'Jell-O' before she starts counting in Spanish.

Throughout the video she continues to use the supposed Korean accent when singing part of PSY's hit single which is already in English.

Ballinger has previously been accused of using racist stereotypes throughout her comedy.

YouTube commenters showed their disgust at the clip which had amassed some 6.7 million views before it was taken down form the Miranda Sing account. The reupload of the clip has over 30,000 views.

One user said: 'I cant understand how she made a career off of this character.'

Another joked: 'What a wholesome person! Just booked her as my children's nanny for the summer. They are gonna learn so much from her.'

A third said: 'Kinda wild in hindsight that there's an entire generation of kids who grew up on this type of stuff.'

Other users simply called the video 'racist' as they struggled to 'believe that she would make this.

'How dare she disrespect one of our country's biggest star?,' the user continued, referring to K-Pop icon PSY.

The 2012 video shows Ballinger dancing for some two-and-a-half minutes as she sings in fake Korean

Dispersed around the apparent Asian accent and fake Korean words, Ballinger also says 'tacos', 'soy sauce', and 'Jell-O' before she starts counting in Spanish

'Its hilarious that she even bothered to pull down a video with 6.7 million views a decade later. Its not like such an action will do much to help her reputation at this point lol,' another said.

One commenter wrote: 'It's like aggressive how unfunny this is.'

Others, however, took stronger offence: 'The fact that she mixed so many languages (including Japanese where Im from!!!) Is just so f***ing rude and racist and all. AND she deleted it too?!?'

'Damn she was really trying to offend the entire continent of Asia with this one,' another continued.

Ballinger's representatives were approached for comment, but did not immediately respond.

Ballinger is already under fire after a former employee of her Netflix series Haters Back Off! accused her of using the N-word.

April Korto Quioh wrote a revealing article on apologizetome.com making claims about the 'cruelty' displayed by Ballinger during the two seasons she worked on the show.

Quioh claims she was the 'only black person in the office' but 'knew how to make nice in a white space' adding that she was consistently confronted by racist and worrying on-set behavior.

Users simply called Ballinger's video 'racist' as they struggled to 'believe that she would make this.

YouTube commenters showed their disgust at the clip which had amassed some 6.7 million views before it was taken down form the Miranda Sing account

It comes as another clip of Ballinger emerged of her dancing and singing along to Beyonce's song Single Ladies, allegedly in blackface.

Ballinger has since claimed through an attorney that the clip was from 2009 and in fact recorded immediately after she had performed a song from Wicked with Oliver Tompsett, one of the musical's stars.

She says she was wearing green makeup and dressed as the Elphaba from the musical Wicked.

'She painted her face green like the witch. After that number, she went right into Single Ladies (while still wearing the green makeup),' the attorney said in a statement.
However, others who heard about the move were unimpressed

He posted that the layoffs resulted in dramatic improvements in responses

Suumit Shah is the founder and CEO of Bangalore e-commerce company Dukaan

The chief executive of an Indian tech startup has laid off 90 per cent of the company's support staff in favour of a chatbot powered by artificial intelligence.

Suumit Shah, founder and CEO of Bangalore-based e-commerce company Dukaan, said that the bot, which was built by one of the firm's data scientists, could respond to initial queries instantly, compared to staff taking an average of one minute and 44 seconds.

Shah, who founded the company in 2020, said the layoffs were 'tough' but 'necessary,' during a time that many others in the tech industry and elsewhere are unsure about their job security as AI's presence grows.

The time taken to resolve a customer's issue also apparently dropped by almost 98 per cent on average when using the chatbot - from two hours and 13 minutes, to three minutes and 12 seconds.

His company's move is just a small part of the global trend towards AI, which has seen plenty of other job losses.

Suumit Shah is CEO and founder of Dukaan - an e-commerce company based in Bangalore, India

He shared a thread on Twitter detailing how he had replaced 90 per cent of his customer support staff with an AI chatbot

The company's move is just a small part of the global move towards AI, which has seen plenty of other job losses

He tweeted in a thread: 'Given the state of [the] economy, startups are prioritizing "profitability" over striving to become "unicorns," and so are we.'

Shah added that the job cuts have cut the cost of its customer support function by about 85 per cent, an area which had been a long-term problem for them.

Shah told CNN that the 23 layoffs were made in September, but his announcement was only on Monday.

He added that he believed 'in a future where AI and humans work together,' and that he was interested in also developing ways for AI to take over other parts of business.

The tech founder ended by saying that Dukaan were still hiring for multiple roles, which include roles in engineering, marketing and sales, according to their website.

However, the majority of viewers of the tweet were seemingly less impressed in his change to the company.

READ MORE: Is YOUR job at risk of being made obsolete by AI? Take this calculator to find out Advertisement

In particular, commenters seemed struck by the tone of the thread in the context of it relating directly to large-scale job losses.

Many saw it as showing a 'lack of empathy,' or as 'disrespectful' by the CEO.

One said: 'I don't think someone losing their jobs is something to boast about.'

This sentiment was echoed by many, with one adding that it was 'extremely disrespectful towards all the people who were laid off,' and 'leaves such a bad taste.'

Someone else responded with a clown emoji saying: 'This guy [is] feeling so bad about them that he posted an entire thread on it.'

Another described it as a 'new low' done for marketing, adding that 'you could've just said nothing.'

Shah responded to some of the criticism restating that 'it was a tough decision.'

He added: 'As expected, '"someone" will get offended on behalf of "someone else."'

He then suggested that people on Twitter were only interested in reading about profitability than sympathy.

Responses, once again, suggested otherwise, with one person saying 'I pity the people who work for you. Also happy for people who got fired because they no longer have to work with you.'

Commenters seemed struck by the tone of the thread in the context of it relating directly to large-scale job losses

However, Dukaan is certainly not the first company to drop staff in a switch towards AI, albeit not every CEO who does so tweets a thread about the decision.

Furthermore, in May, a report by the World Economic Forum predicts AI will lead to 83 million jobs being lost between now and 2027.

The jobs widely expected to be most at risk are those which involve low levels of emotional input, and follow a structured set of rules.

These may include analyst roles, software engineers, and accountants.

Other experts have given even starker warnings, such as the possibility of 80 per cent of human careers being taken by bots 'in the next few years,' as companies seek to gain a competitive advantage at the expense of their human workforce.

As a result, many industry leaders such as Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak have been calling for a pause in AI development, signing an open letter in March asking for a six-month hiatus.

Another dramatic move was that of AI 'Godfather' Geoffery Hinton, who quit Google this year while warning about AI - comparing it to the atomic bomb.
The Federal Trade Commission has opened an investigation into OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, claiming it may have violated consumer protection laws by publishing defamatory information and putting data at risk.

The FTC this week sent a 20-page demand for records about how OpenAI addresses risks related to its AI models as it investigates whether the company caused 'reputational harm' to consumers.

One of the questions has to do with steps OpenAI has taken to address the potential for its products to 'generate statements about real individuals that are false, misleading, or disparaging,' according to the document acquired by the Washington Post.

It is also seeking records related to a March security breach in which a glitch allowed some users to see others' payment-related information and search data, including their email addresses and the last four digits of their credit card numbers.

The FTC's letter marks the strongest regulatory threat to the Microsoft-backed startup that kicked off the frenzy in generative artificial intelligence, enthralling consumers and businesses while raising concerns about its potential risks.

The Federal Trade Commission sent OpenAI, the makers of ChatGPT, a 20-page demand for records as it investigates artificial intelligence. FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan is pictured at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Thursday

ChatGPT and other platforms mimic human speech by ingesting text from Wikipedia, Scribd and other websites

In the lengthy request, the FTC asked the company to disclose any research, testing or surveys that assess how well consumers understand 'the accuracy or reliability of outputs.'

It also asked OpenAI to provide records of the complaints people sent about its chatbot making false and slanderous statements, like that of Mark Walters, a radio talk show host in Georgia, who sued the company for defamation.

He claims in his lawsuit that ChatGPT falsely claimed he was accused of defrauding and embezzling funds from the Second Amendment Foundation.

The response was allegedly provided in response to a question about a lawsuit involving the foundation that Walters, the host of Armed American Radio, is not party to.

In another case, ChatGPT allegedly said a lawyer made sexually suggestive comments and attempted to touch a student on a class trip to Alaska, citing an article it said appeared in the Washington Post.

But no article ever existed.

OpenAI must now turn over all documents of the complaints people sent about its chatbot making false and slanderous statements. CEO Sam Altman is pictured last month

Much of the FTC's request deals with its investigation into whether the company engaged in unfair or deceptive practices that resulted in 'reputational harm' to consumers

Aside from the questions surrounding defamation, the Federal Trade Commission is also seeking extensive information about OpenAI's various products and how it advertises them.

It is demanding details about the policies and procedures that OpenAI takes before it releases any new product to the public, and is asking for a detailed description of the data that the company uses to train its artificial intelligence.

ChatGPT and other platforms mimic human speech by ingesting text from Wikipedia, Scribd and other websites.

Additionally, the FTC is asking OpenAI to describe how it refines its language models to address their tendency to 'hallucinate,' or make up answers when the chatbot does not know the answer to a question.

Finally, the Civil Investigative Demand requests that OpenAI turns over every document about how many people were affected by the March security breach, and information about all of the steps it took to respond.

In a press release at the time, OpenAI said the glitch allowed people to see other active users' last names, email addresses, payment address, credit card type and the last four digits of their credit card.

But the company said, 'We believe the number of users whose data was actually revealed to someone else is extremely low.

'Everyone at OpenAI is committed to protecting our users' privacy and keeping their data safe. It's a responsibility we take incredibly seriously,' the company said in a statement on March 20.

'Unfortunately, this week we fell short of that commitment and of our users' expectations.

'We apologize again to our users and to the entire ChatGPT community and will work diligently to rebuild trust.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to OpenAI for comment.

The FTC is also asking OpenAI to describe how it refines its language models to address their tendency to 'hallucinate,' or make up answers when the chatbot does not know the answer to a question

The move to send the information request comes after months of the agency warning that it would take action on artificial intelligence.

In a speech at Harvard Law School in April, Samuel Levine, the director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said it 'welcomes innovation, but being innovative is not a license to be reckless.

'We are prepared to sue all our tools, including enforcement, to challenge harmful practices in the area,' he warned.

That same month, FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan appeared at a news conference with Biden administration officials about the risk of AI discrimination.

'There is no AI exemption to the laws on the books,' she said at the time.

But the US remains behind several other countries in regulating the technology that could upend the way societies and businesses operate.

In Italy, ChatGPT was taken offline in March for violating the European Union's GDPR - a wide-ranging privacy regime enacted in 2018.

ChatGPT was reinstated later after the U.S. company agreed to install age verification features and let European users block their information from being used to train the AI model.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is now calling for 'comprehensive legislation' to advance safeguards on AI in the US and will hold a series of forums later this year.
A Royal Navy Warrant Officer has been cleared of twisting an unconscious junior sailor's exposed nipple and 'dry-humping' her on board a warship.

WO1 James Mason was accused of fondling the female sailor after her pyjama top rode up and then cocking his leg to thrust 'sexually' over her body when she passed out through alcohol.

However, WO1 Mason denied ever touching the woman and said he only went into the junior sailor's mess where she and others were drinking to tell them to 'knock it on the head'.

He also claimed the sailor and other male witnesses fabricated their version of events to avoid getting in trouble for exceeding the alcohol consumption rule while at sea.

Senior sailor WO1 Mason, 40, has now been cleared of sexual assault and disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind following a three day court martial at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire.

WO1 James Mason was accused of fondling the female sailor after her pyjama top rode up and then cocking his leg to thrust 'sexually' over her body when she passed out through alcohol, a charge which he denied

The incident was alleged to have happened on board Type 23 frigate HMS Kent while it was at sea

The incident was alleged to have happened on board Type 23 frigate HMS Kent while it was at sea.

WO1 Mason, based within the engineering department on HMS Kent, said he shared a bottle of wine with the executive Warrant Officer earlier in the evening, but only had two glasses, describing himself as 'two out of 10 drunk'.

Having returned to his cabin and fallen asleep, WO1 Mason got up at 1.30am and was 'desperate' to use the toilet, but with senior rates toilets occupied, went to the junior ones.

Recounting his journey back from the toilet, he said: 'You could hear music and I looked down into the mess as I was walking down.

'It was extremely loud.

'I decided to go down the ladder and have a look.

'It was basically to tell them to knock it on the head.'

The court heard it is forbidden for female rates to be in an all-male mess deck at that time, while soldiers were expected to adhere to the rule of four units of alcohol, per person, per day

Mason, pictured, told the court: 'She bumped into me twice and I said "you've had a bit too much to drink". She was sat upright and after a few minutes she fell asleep'

The court heard it is forbidden for female rates to be in an all-male mess deck at that time, while soldiers were expected to adhere to the rule of four units of alcohol, per person, per day.

He told the court he saw the alleged victim, who he described as being 'seven out of 10 drunk', stood with a drink in her hand as she said 'hello' and approached him.

'She bumped into me twice and I said "you've had a bit too much to drink",' he said.

'She was sat upright and after a few minutes she fell asleep.'

Asked why his version of events were so different to other witnesses, he said: 'I don't know why they differ.

'I can't say why they would make it up but [to not get in trouble for drinking too much], would be a reasonable assumption to make.'
Gannon Stauch's grieving father has slammed the 'evil' YouTuber selling his autopsy photos online for $3 a piece, three years after the 11-year-old was murdered by his stepmother.

In an interview with NewsNation's Brian Entin last night, Stauch's father Al said the YouTuber - who goes by Zav Girl - was 'dishonoring' his late son.

Zav Girl had filed an FOIA request for the autopsy photos, which were so graphic they were not shown to the public during the trial of Gannon's stepmother, Letecia.

In January 2020, Letecia stabbed Gannon 18 times, hit him over the head and shot him at their home in Colorado Springs.

In an interview with NewsNation's Brian Entin last night, Stauch's father Al said the YouTuber - who goes by Zav Girl - was 'dishonoring' his late son

Gannon Stauch, 11, was stabbed 18 times, hit in the head and shot by his stepmother in January 2020. Prosecutors say she wanted to hurt his father, who she planned to leave, and who was out of town for work at the time of his son's killing

At trial, she said she suffered a 'psychotic break' that led her to kill the child so brutally. She was convicted in May and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In his interview, Al Stauch said Zav Girl's videos forced him to live through the trauma of his son's death all over again.

'This is about Gannon, this is not about anyone's opinions, or if you view it as a scientific discussion. This is about respect for a little boy who tragically lost his life and did not deserve this.

'For the family that survives Gannon, it is retraumatizing. We just finished the trial two months ago and now we're having to relive this stuff, we're not able to put it behind us.

'The word I use to describe it is evil. The world got enough information from the trial to have every discussion they want to have. Why do we need to go and have freedom of information requests and pay for this kind of information and dishonor my son by putting these photos out there?'

Al, who is a member of the Colorado National Guard, added that the 'only day' he did not attend Letecia's trial was the day he knew the autopsy photos were going to be shown.

True crime YouTuber 'Zav Girl' - who conceals her real identity online - submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to police in Colorado for the autopsy photos. She then sold them via her Patreon account for $3 each

He was determined to avoid it, he said, but now feels he can't escape the images.

'I feel like I can't even go on YouTube without the possibility of accidentally coming across these photos.'

It's unclear if the YouTuber will face any kind of legal action. She appears to have deactivated the Patreon page where she was selling the images, but is yet to make a public comment or respond to the family.

She did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's inquiries on Thursday.

Al said that while he has considered taking legal action against her, he is 'financially maxed out' from the trial.

'I am just emotionally, psychologically and financially maxed out from the three-plus years of this. To take legal action, I don't know if I have it in me.

'What I'm trying to do is shape the narrative. I don't think I have to do much. I don't think it's going to take much for us to have these people repointed in the right direction.

Killer: Letecia Stauch tried to submit an insanity defense but the jury rejected it. She was convicted in May this year and sentenced to life in prison without parole

The home in Colorado Springs, where Gannon was brutally murdered in January 2020

'That's a question for a legal representative. I believe in the freedom of information to a certain extent, but you can't always control what someone with evil intentions will do. I'm not a legal guy. Someone has taken that and turned it into evil.'

He added that Gannon was at the 'spot in life' where he was transitioning from being a boy into a young teenager.

'He was a fun kid, a jokester. Loved to have a good time. Playing video games was one of his passions, like many kids. What can I say, he was my boy.

'I mentioned in my closing statement, the spot he was at in life, transitioning from calling me "daddy" to right before he passed away, it was one of the first times he called me "dad", going into those early teenage years.

'It was a special bond we had. I miss him dearly.'

'He was my boy': Al said he misses his son 'dearly'

Letecia's attorneys attempted to offer an insanity defense.

The jury rejected her claim, finding she was sane when she murdered the boy in January 2020 while his father was out of town for work.

Prosecutors argued that she was motivated to kill Gannon to hurt Al, from whom she wanted to separate.

After murdering Gannon, she put his body in a suitcase and drove it, in the back of a van, across the country.

Initially, she told police he was missing, sparking a widespread volunteer search in Colorado Springs. She claimed Gannon had not returned home from playing from his friends.

Letecia then claimed he had been abducted by a handyman she claimed she'd hired to repair a carpet. She also claimed the fictitious handyman raped her.

The child's remains were found under a bridge in the Florida panhandle in March 2020, three months after he died.
Rishi Sunak refused to support Ben Wallace today over the Defence Secretary's criticism of Ukraine's attitude to war support from the West.

The Prime Minister faced questioning in the Commons over remarks by Mr Wallace, in which he said he told Kyiv he was 'not Amazon' when it came to weapons supplies.

Speaking at a Nato conference in Lithuania the Defence Secretary also suggested president Zelensky show more 'gratitude' for materiel support in order to counter opposition mainly in the United States to funding weapon supplies.

Mr Sunak spoke in the Commons today about the conference he also attended in Vilnius, which discussed Ukraine's desire to join the alliance.

Labour shadow minister Alex Sobel, who also chairs the Ukraine APPG (all-party parliamentary group), said: 'Ukraine is not just defending itself, it is defending the UK and people right across Europe.

'So I was disappointed to hear the Defence Secretary say that he is 'not Amazon'. Does the prime minister disassociate himself from those comments?'

But in a sight of his displeasure at the comments, Mr Sunak did not speak in support of his minister, replying instead: 'President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine are incredibly grateful for all the leadership and support shown by the UK Government, and indeed the British people.'

The Prime Minister faced questioning in the Commons over remarks by Mr Wallace, in which he said he told Kyiv he was 'not Amazon' when it came to weapons supplies.

Speaking at a Nato conference in Lithuania the Defence Secretary also suggested president Zelensky show more 'gratitude' for materiel support in order to counter opposition mainly in the United States to funding weapon supplies.

Mr Sunak did not speak in support of his minister, replying instead: 'President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine are incredibly grateful for all the leadership and support shown by the UK Government, and indeed the British people.'

It came after the Ukrainian war leader had expressed his frustration at the reluctance of the 31 member states to agree a firm timetable for membership at the gathering in the Baltic.

Speaking in Vilnius Mr Wallace said he had bluntly told told Kyiv officials 'I'm not Amazon' when he was presented with a 'shopping list' of weaponry and supplies after an 11-hour drive to visit the war-torn capital.

He told reporters: 'There is a slight word of caution here which is that, whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude.'

'My counsel to the Ukrainians... you're persuading countries to give up their own stocks. And yes the war is a noble war and yes we see it as you doing a war for not just yourself but our freedoms.

'But sometimes you've got to persuade lawmakers on the Hill in America. You've got to persuade doubting politicians in other countries that it's worth it and it's worthwhile and they're getting something for it.'

His critique followed one issued by a senior adviser to Joe Biden. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said:

'I think the American people do deserve a degree of gratitude from the United States government for their willingness to step up and from the rest of the world as well.'

In a thinly-veiled swipe at Zelensky's criticism of his Western allies, Sullivan said some of the charges leveled against the U.S. were 'entirely unfounded and unjustified.'

The United States is by far the largest donor of military support to Ukraine, offering more than $46 billion worth of hardware to Kyiv, according to data from a respected German think-tank.

Lawmakers in Congress have earmarked as much as $100 billion, but not all of that aid has yet been drawn down to help the Ukrainian government.

Most of the weapons shipped to Ukraine are also made in the U.S., boosting jobs in the country's key defense sector.

The second largest donor, by contrast, is Britain, which has offered up just over $6 billion, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy's Ukraine Support Tracker.

A bemused Mr Zelensky later said he was 'always grateful' for foreign aid, adding: 'I don't clearly understand the questions. We were always grateful to the UK, to the prime ministers and to the minister of defence.'

Labour's shadow defence secretary John Healey said: 'The Ukrainians are fighting for the future and the freedom of their country.

'President Zelensky wants more military help yesterday, of course he does. What he doesn't need is lectures on gratitude, especially when they overshadow a successful summit in which NATO is stronger and the support for Ukraine is greater.'
The British teenager who was beaten up by four bouncers at a nightclub on the Greek party island of Zante has revealed the extent of his injuries and the truth about how the brutal attack broke out.

Footage shows James Taylor, 18, being held in a headlock by four bouncers at the CherryBay nightclub in Laganas on July 4 before they took it in turns to punch, kick and elbow him in the face and body.

James, from Middlesbrough, told MailOnline he suffered two black eyes, a swollen jaw, bumps on his head, a bust lip and a cut on his knee following the attack and shared photographs of his injuries.

The teenager revealed that the attack happened simply because he had stood on a chair to take a selfie with his friends before dancing there for ten seconds. A bouncer had tried to grab James's arm to pull him down from the chair, but when James pulled back, the club employee disappeared.

'The bouncer came back ten seconds later with the rest of the bouncers who were in the video and they took me outside and started beating me up,' James said. 'That's all it took, something as little as standing on a chair.'

The revelation comes as his 'devastated' mother Michelle Taylor, 55, warned other parents whose children are going to Zante - a popular destination with young Brits - that what happened to James could happen to them.

'I want to get this message out there that this is unacceptable and this is happening to our children,' Michelle told MailOnline. 'I'm a mother and every mother will feel this if this happens to their son when they go on holiday to Zante.

'You shouldn't have to worry about whether they could get beaten up by bouncers.'

Distressing footage shows three bouncers holding James Taylor, 18, in a headlock while a fourth pummels him with a series of devastating punches

James, from Middlesbrough, told MailOnline he suffered two black eyes, a swollen jaw, bumps on his head, a bust lip and a cut on his knee following the savage attack and shared photographs of his horrific injuries

The mother-of-three said James had called her in the early hours of Wednesday morning to ask whether he had medical insurance because he had been attacked by the four bouncers.

'I wanted to get on a plane and go over there. I wanted to bring him home but he wanted to stay out there, that he wasn't going to let them spoil his holiday,' Michelle said.

Michelle says she hasn't watched the video of her son being attacked because it would be 'too traumatising'.

The distressing footage shows three bouncers holding James in a headlock while a fourth pummels him with a series of punches. As the Briton desperately tries to break free from their grasp, the bouncers begin to take it to take it in turns to kick, punch and elbow him in the body and head.

One bouncer can be seen repeatedly punching James with a right hook to his head as he tries to protect his body from the heavy blows. At one point, as the 18-year-old nearly breaks free, a large man knees him in the face and pushes him into the corner before punching him in the face.

In the video, a second bouncer can be seen quickly stepping forwards and sucker-punching James in the face, the force of which causes his head to hit the wall behind him in a sickening blow. A bloodied and bruised James is eventually able to escape from their grasp.

Speaking about the attack, James said: 'It happened so quickly. I only remember the really big punch - the adrenaline took over.'

When asked about him being kicked and kneed in the body by the bouncers, he said: 'I can't remember that, it was all just a blur. I only knew about being kicked when I was sent the video when I landed in the UK.'

James Taylor (second from the left) is pictured with his friends at the CherryBay nightclub in Zante on the night he was attacked

Michelle (pictured with James) says she hasn't watched the video of her son being attacked because it would be 'too traumatising'

James is pictured at a wedding with his little cousin

Harrowing photographs taken a day after the attack shows James with two black eyes and a busted lip.

Michelle said she 'felt sick to her stomach' when she James told her about the attack.

She said: 'As a mother, it doesn't matter how old your child is, you want to protect them. I wasn't there. I wasn't there to keep him safe. He's a happy lad, he's gone on holiday with his friends to have a good time - and then this happened.'

Michelle, her voice cracking with emotion, added: 'It's made me sick to my stomach that someone could do this to a young 18-year-old and get away with it. I was absolutely devastated - I still am.'

Michelle, who cares for her elderly mother and grandchildren full time, added: 'James is a lovely lad. Everyone who knows him loves him. He's not an aggressive person, he doesn't go out looking for trouble. I'm furious that this can happen and they can get away with it.

'If this had happened in the UK, this would be taken all the way to the court. Why is this being allowed?'

Video shows the bouncers putting James in a corner before they begin punching him

One bouncer can be seen repeatedly punching the Briton with a right hook to his head as he tries to protect his body from the heavy blows

The Briton is then thrown across the room again towards his concerned friends who reach out to check on his condition. The youngster, whose face is bloodied and bruised from the frenzied attack, is led out of the door by his friends as the brutal bouncers follow them out

The 'devastated' mother said she 'shudders' to think about what would have happened if the bouncers had attacked his two friends with him as they are smaller in size and James goes to the gym.

'If they had punched either of his friends who were with him and they fell to the floor, I shudder to think what might have happened to them if they had kicked them,' Michelle said.

Greek media reports quoting unnamed sources had included unsubstantiated claims that the bouncers attacked James because he had hit a girl with a bottle on July 7. But James was beaten up by the bouncers three days earlier on July 4 and he said he had not hit a girl.

Speaking about why the bouncers had attacked him, James said: 'I was sitting with my friends in the back of the club and we had some seating around us. We got a selfie of the big group of us there and I had jumped onto a seat to get into the picture and danced on the chair for about 10 seconds.

'The bouncer tried to grab my arm to pull me down and I pulled my arm back before he said "get down".

'I got down straight away, but I don't think he liked the fact that I was strong enough to pull my arm back off him. The bouncer went off but came back ten seconds later with the rest of the bouncers who were in the video and they took me outside and started beating me up.'

James added: 'I was shocked at how little you have to do for these foreign bouncers to start beating someone up like that.

'I thought that if you go away and you're being daft and causing trouble, then yeah maybe, but I didn't realise it would happen for something as little as standing on a chair to take a selfie.'

James said after the attack, he will 'never go back' to Zante.

'The bouncers just want to fight and beat people up. It's a regular thing for them to beat up tourists. When I was over there, people asked where I'd gotten by black eye and when I said "take a guess", they all guessed Cherry Bay straight away.'

When asked what he would tell other teenagers planning to travel to Zante, he said: 'If people are going to go to Zante, just know that all you have to do is as little as stand on a chair and that could happen to you. They really don't care.'

Following the attack, James was rushed to the medical centre and given an X-Ray. He told medics that he had suffered the injuries after he was beaten up by the bouncers.

But Michelle said that the medical report just says James had suffered his injuries 'by falling over on his face' - despite the teenager telling them about the attack in detail.

'That is scary. I feel like these people are all in on it. They are all corrupt, they are all sticking together no matter what. That in itself is scary.'

Pictured: Map showing Laganas on the Greek island of Zakynthos

General view of the CherryBay nightclub where the attack happened

Local media reports in Greece had reported that James had spoken to the police and identified a Serbian bouncer. But James and his mother said he never spoke to officers.

MailOnline has contacted CherryBay nightclub for comment.

In 2017, an American tourist was beaten to death by seven Serbian men, including one bouncer, and a Greek bartender at Bar Code in the same resort of Laganas.

Bakari Henderson, 22, was in Zakynthos for a photoshoot to launch his own fashion line when he and his friends visited the bar and reportedly asked a Serbian waitress for a selfie.

The mob of Serbian men chased Henderson out onto the street and was fatally attacked.
Miss Universe has confirmed that those who have undergone gender-affirming surgery are allowed to compete

Organizers of Miss Universe have backed transgender women competing in their glitzy competition  as long as they have had gender-affirming surgery.

The world-renowned pageant bosses say 'trans women are women, full stop', as Miss America also tightened its rules to match.

It comes after Rikkie Valerie Kolle, 22, won the Miss Netherlands title, and will be the second transgender woman to perform in Miss Universe.

Kolle is the first trans woman to win the Netherlands title and thanked her 'haters' for giving her a 'bigger platform' for her win.

Transgender billionaire Anne Jakrajutatip, 43, took over the Miss Universe organization from Donald Trump in October last year.

The world-renowned pageant bosses say that 'trans women are women, full stop', before adding that you have to have had 'gender-affirming surgery' to compete. Transgender Rikkie Valerie Kolle, 22, recently won the Miss Netherlands title

Transgender billionaire Anne Jakrajutatip, 43, took over the Miss Universe organization in October last year

She has made many sweeping changes to the competition, eliminating the most photogenic and best swimwear prizes and pushing for women's empowerment.

Both Miss Universe and Miss America allow transgender competitors but stipulate that they must have had gender-affirming surgery.

The Miss America contest changed the rules for their competitors for the 2024 season, saying people must identify as a 'born female' or have 'fully completed sexual reassignment surgery'.

Previously the pageant had allowed anyone who simply identified as 'a woman' to participate. Monroe Lace, who is openly transgender, won the Miss San Francisco title earlier this year, and will now complete in the semi-finals of the Miss California contest.

Miss Universe has allowed trans women to compete for more than a decade and recently opened up the competition to married and divorced women.

A spokeswoman for Miss Universe told DailyMail.com: 'Miss Universe is open to all women contestants, and that includes trans women.

'Trans women are women, full stop. We are here to celebrate women, full stop. Our policy for more than a decade requires that trans women contestants have had gender-affirming surgery and, in fact, five years ago a trans woman delegate competed on the Miss Universe Stage.

'The Miss Universe Organization is always evolving, and we are always updating our entry rules  in the last two years we have allowed married women, divorced women, pregnant women, and women with children to join.'

Anne Jakrajutatip transitioned from male to female in her mid-30s, marking the end of 70 years of men running the pageant.

The billionaire Thai media mogul bought the rights to Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA for $20million. The pageant system was previously owned by former US president Donald Trump

Kolle is the first trans woman to win the Netherlands title and thanked her 'haters' for giving her a 'bigger platform' for her win

Namibia, Cameroon and Mauritius have all crowned their winners to compete, with Miss Universe saying they 'welcome diversity in all forms' despite the opposition to gender-affirming care in the countries

Transgender Monroe Lace holds the title of Miss San Francisco, and reached the semi-finals of the Miss California contest last week

The billionaire Thai media mogul bought the rights to Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA for $20million. The pageant system was previously owned by former US president Donald Trump.

The model-like CEO went from being bullied at her all-male school to becoming an activist icon in Thailand and establishing the Life Inspired for Transsexual Foundation (LIFT) charity, which advocates for transgender rights.

She has received several accolades, including winning the Asian Media Woman of the Year award in 2019, and was named on Forbes's list of richest transgenders in the world in 2020.

Jakrajutatip described the pageant as the 'No. 1 beauty Olympics in the world' but added that the system is 'not just about beauty, it's about the iconic woman  beauty, brains and leadership.'

DailyMail.com also reached out to the Miss World competition, which has previously been slammed for only allowing unmarried women without children to compete, regarding their policies but did not receive a response.

Miss World was launched in 1951 by Eric Morley, who became known as 'Mr World after he founded the famed beauty pageant. Since his death in 2000, Morley's widow, Julia Morley, has co-chaired the event.

Miss Universe Mauritius Nilmani Devi Hurlall will take the stage at the Miss Universe contest alongside transgender Miss Netherlands

Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, Fred Mouawad, Harnaaz Sandhu, Paula Shugart, and Amy Emmerich pose with Miss Universe delegates in January 2023

Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip (pictured in November 2022) acquired the Miss Universe system last year, becoming the first woman to own the beauty pageant organisation outright

According to their website they have competitors  different to those competing in the Miss Universe pageant  representing Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda.

Many have stringent transgender laws, and those within the LGBTQ+ are often persecuted, but it is not clear what the Miss World policies are regarding transgender competitors.

READ MORE: Who is the trans trailblazer who owns Miss Universe? Advertisement

They have been notoriously stringent with their rules on women having children and being married, with Miss Ukraine suing the organization after she was stripped of her title.

Veronika Didusenko, 27, was banned from entering the Miss World finals and replaced by another contestant.

The model launched legal action against London-based Miss World, claiming organizers were in breach of the Equalities Act 2010 and took her case to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

She asked them to force organizers to change their 'outdated' entry criteria to reflect the modern world and was seeking a judicial review.

But the Commission said it does not consider this matter will 'advance their strategic priority aims' and told her the case is 'atypical' and only affects a 'very small number of women.'

To enter Miss World, contestants must be unmarried and childless, between the ages of 17 and 27 and be a resident of the country they represent.

Anne Jakrajutatip speaks during The 71st Miss Universe Competition at New Orleans Morial Convention Center on January 14, 2023

Ms Kolle is pictured with R'Bonney Gabriel from the USA who won Miss Universe in 2022

While Miss Universe is supportive of transgender women, there are also a number of countries competing where transitioning or being in a same-sex relationship is still considered illegal.

Egypt, Bangladesh and Guyana are set to return to the stage  despite their notoriously strict legislation around the LGBTQ+ community.

Currently, Namibia, Cameroon and Mauritius have all crowned their winners to compete, with Miss Universe saying they 'welcome diversity in all forms' despite the opposition to gender-affirming care in the countries.

They said: 'The Miss Universe pageant welcomes diversity in all forms and this win by the contestant is a prime example of valuing societal diversity and inclusion at every level.

'We recognize that individual countries are at different stages of acceptance and we operate within the guidelines and laws of each country.

'However, we remain dedicated to using our platform and global reach to raise awareness, educate and push for acceptance and change wherever we can.

'Our own Anne Jakrarutatip is currently advocating for Thailand to change policies so that government IDs can match gender identity.

Veronika Didushenko launched legal action against London-based Miss World, claiming organizers were in breach of the Equalities Act 2010 and took her case to the Equality and Human Rights Commission

College student Brian Nguyen, 19, poses with other local Miss America contestants following her landmark win. The aspiring model is the first transgender woman to win a local title

Brian pictured on stage moments after being crowned Miss Greater Derry. The New Hampshire-based student said there were 'no words' to explain how much the win meant to her

'We welcome any delegate that meets our criteria for entry, but it is up to each individual delegate and their national director to decide whether or not to adhere to any conflicting national laws.'

Last year, Miss New Hampshire Brian Nguyen became the first transgender woman to win a local Miss America Competition.

The pageant, which is held annually, showcases one women representing each of the U.S. states as they demonstrate a range of skills such as leadership, poise, and artistic talent.

The winner, determined by a panel of judges, is awarded the title Miss America and at least $50,000 in scholarship money.

As the titleholder, she then embarks on a yearlong national tour to advocate for a social issue she has chosen.

Miss Great Britain 1998 winner Leilani Dowding had previously said she was disappointed to see Nguyen win the crown over other contestants.
Police are still investigating the June 12 crash which claimed the actor's life

Treat Williams' daughter Ellie has said she keeps 'forgetting that he's not coming home' in a heartbreaking tribute to her father one month after his death in a motorcycle accident.

The 25-year-old shared a grief-stricken message on Instagram alongside a series of adorable family photographs through the decades including many of her father laughing and playing with her as a young child.

In an emotional post shared with her following of more than 5,000 people, Ellie said she had 'never experienced this kind of grief before' and was struggling to find the words to pay tribute to her beloved father.

She is the only daughter of the 71-year-old Golden Globe nominated actor and his wife Pam Van Sant, and the couple also have a son, Gille, 31.

Treat Williams' daughter Ellie has said she keeps 'forgetting that he's not coming home' in a heartbreaking tribute to her father one month on from his death in a motorcycle accident

'I have been home with my family in Vermont for a month now, but it feels like just yesterday that I frantically got on a plane home after I got that phone call,' she wrote.

'It feels like hes just away filming. However, I keep forgetting that hes not coming home this time.

'This love is a once-in-a-lifetime love. A father's incomprehensible love for his daughter, and a daughter's boundless love and complete admiration for her father.

'Dad, I love you more than words could ever describe. You have given me the best life imaginable, and I could not have ever dreamed of having a better father.

'Thank you for loving me completely. I know you will walk with me by my side for eternity.'

Ellie shared the caption along with several photographs of her father throughout her childhood, starting with a touching image of herself as a youngster carefully shaving her grinning father's stubble with a razor and foam.

Another image shows Williams smiling while wearing stage makeup behind the scenes of the 2001 Broadway production of Follies where he starred as Buddy, with a young Ellie on his lap.

The 25-year-old shared a grief-stricken message on Instagram alongside a series of adorable family photographs. Pictured: Williams with his arm around his daughter as they sit side by side laughing on a bench surrounded by greenery

In an emotional post shared with her following of more than 5,000 people, the only daughter of the 71-year-old Golden Globe nominated actor said she had ' never experienced this kind of grief before' and was struggling to find the words to pay tribute to her beloved father

Many of the photographs show the father and daughter duo laughing together at various locations including holidays and birthday parties, while one also shows them with Pam and Gille, all four cuddled together on a couch.

Several more images were posted on Ellie's Instagram story, including one of her parents beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris, with a caption describing them as 'soulmates'.

This comes just two days after Ellie's devastated mother Van Sant, 68, said she was 'doing the best she can' as she broke her silence on the tragedy in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com.

Making her first comments since losing her husband in the fatal June 12 accident, Van Sant she wants to make her 'beloved Treat' proud by channeling what made him special  his compassion and desire to live each day to the fullest.

'We're doing as well as we can,' she said, speaking from the home they shared together in the idyllic town of Manchester, Vermont, last week.

A Hollywood star famous for his roles in drama series Everwood and 1979 film Hair, Williams was best known locally for his down-to-earth hospitality and generosity.

On June 12, Williams was riding on Route 30 in Dorset, Vermont, when he was cut off by an oncoming SUV as it made a left turn into an auto shop parking lot.

In an earlier interview with DailyMail.com, one eyewitness said the driver, Ryan Koss, collided with the motorcycle, sending Williams flying off his bike.

The actor, who had been wearing a helmet, landed on the pavement a few feet from his motorcycle.

Ellie posted several more images on her Instagram story, including one of her parents - Treat and Pam Van Sant - beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris, with a caption describing them as 'soulmates'

Another image shows Williams smiling while wearing stage makeup behind the scenes of the 2001 Broadway production of Follies where he starred as Buddy, with a young Ellie on his lap

Ellie's grief-stricken post came just two days after her devastated mother said she was 'doing the best she can' as she broke her silence on the tragedy in an interview with DailyMail.com

It was later revealed that the 35-year-old driver and Williams actually knew each other from the local Dorset Playhouse Theater, where Koss works and where Williams once performed the play American Buffalo in 2017.

As Williams's family mourned the tragic loss, Koss himself was left despondent, according to neighbors.

Seeking to avoid attention, Koss left town after the crash, but he has since returned to the home he shares with his husband.

Reports released by Vermont State Police revealed that Williams didn't stand a chance when Koss's Honda cut across the northbound lane of the V-30 into his 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle at around 4:53pm on June 12.

The police report states that 'Williams was unable to avoid a collision and was thrown from his motorcycle.' It also confirmed Koss was not intoxicated.

Williams, who was wearing a helmet, was conscious and alert while sprawled out on the pavement, answering questions from paramedics, the witness told DailyMail.com.

On June 12, Williams was riding on Route 30 in Dorset, Vermont, when he was cut off by an oncoming SUV as it made a left turn into an auto shop parking lot

Ellie's outpouring of love for Williams on Instagram marks one month since his death, and many of the photographs shared showed the father-daughter duo laughing and being mischievious

The actor was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries before being pronounced dead.

The crash remains under investigation.

Police, who spent days gathering evidence and taking measurements at the scene, had yet to decide whether to ticket Koss or possibly charge him with a criminal offense such as reckless driving or manslaughter.
Ron DeSantis is calling out Donald Trump for considering not attending the primary debates and said the ex-president should not assume he is 'entitled' to the 2024 nomination.

The Florida governor assured that he will be participating in the RNC debates despite previous reports suggesting he could skip out if top contender Trump doesn't show up. He also called out Trump for snubbing other important primary events  like attending the Iowa Family Leader Summit.

DeSantis thinks Americans deserve to hear platforms from all qualifying candidates on a debate stage and laid out the case that Trump isn't the best candidate to beat President Joe Biden after already losing to him in 2020.

The first debate of the 2024 primary will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 23.

'Nobody is entitled to this nomination. You have got to earn the nomination,' DeSantis said in an interview on the Howie Carr Show Wednesday evening.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling on Donald Trump to 'step up' and attend the 2024 debates, claiming that 'nobody is entitled' to the Republican nomination  not even the ex-president

"Nobody is entitled to this nomination."@GovRonDeSantis makes his opinion clear when it comes to President Trump and the 2024 debates.



LISTEN: pic.twitter.com/iWsNyRj2pm  Howie Carr (@HowieCarrShow) July 12, 2023

Trump has not committed to participating in the first debate in Milwaukee in August  or any of the other RNC debates after they unveiled a requirement to sign a pledge to support the eventual nominee

'Doing things like The Family Leader event in Iowa, doing things like these debates  they're important parts of the process,' DeSantis added. 'So I'm going to be in Iowa for that, I will be in Milwaukee for the first debate and I'll be at all the debates.'

'The American people deserve to hear from us directly about our vision for the country and about how we're going to be able to beat Joe Biden.'

Trump has still not committed to participating in the first Republican National Committee (RNC) debate in August. His brush-off of the topic first came after the RNC said it would require candidates to sign a pledge to support the eventual nominee if they want to get to the debate stage.

Some close to the ex-president say he thinks debates are beneath him because Trump feels he is essentially running as the incumbent for a second time.

Leaning into his ever-growing criticism of Trump, DeSantis told radio host Carr that he 'totally rejects' some perceptions claiming that somehow the ex-president is above debating candidates so far behind him in the polls.

The 2024 hopeful also tore into his competitor's presidential platform, saying his proposals are simply 'not good.'

'We had the Biden-Trump in 2020  and Biden's president,' DeSantis laid out. 'So the idea that he's just entitled after that  it just doesn't make any sense.'

'So, he should debate, he should go to all these things and see if he can earn it with his vision.'

So far, only six of the 15 candidates vying for the 2024 nomination have met the RNC qualifications to debate in August. This includes Trump, DeSantis, former VP Mike Pence, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley and biotech millionaire Vivek Ramaswamy.

DeSantis isn't so sure that Trump's platform will hold up against others on the debate stage  and he says Americans deserve to see that on full display.

'I'll tell you this just of what I've seen of him, his campaign is basically doing two things. One, promising things like draining the swamp and building the wall that he promised in 2016 and didn't deliver. And then, two, these new ideas like building 20 cities and having school principals be elected by the parents  have the federal government do that.'

'Those are not good ideas,' the Florida governor said. 'And so, I just think people  every candidate needs to be put to the test. And I think he needs to step up and do it.'

Trump is foregoing The Family Leader forum hosted by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in Iowa this weekend.

The Family Leader President and CEO Bob Vander Plaats tweeted: 'I learned last night that Donald Trump will NOT attend our Leadership Summit this Friday. Thus, our lineup is set.'

The Family Leader President and CEO Bob Vander Plaats said it's 'not smart' that Trump is also skipping out on his forum with 2024 candidates in Iowa this weekend

There are 15 candidates vying for the GOP nomination in 2024, with Trump and DeSantis far leading the pack

Six other candidates in the 2024 Republican primary so far will participate in interviews with Carlson. This includes DeSantis, Pence, Sen. Scott, ex-Ambassador Haley, Ramaswamy and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

It appears that Trump is sending pundit Kari Lake to Iowa this weekend to appear on his behalf in the key first primary caucus state.

The failed 2022 Arizona gubernatorial candidate is going to Des Moines on Friday and Marion County on Saturday to stump for the ex-president  first at a rally and then at a breakfast the following morning.

Vander Plaats said that skipping his forum and attacking Iowa's Gov. Kim Reynolds on Truth Social is not setting him up for success in the Hawkeye State.

'Stupid is as stupid does. That's just not smart,' he said in an interview this week.
Rishi Sunak has struck a deal with teaching unions to end disruptive strikes as the Government accepted a recommended 6.5 per cent pay rise for school staff.

The leaders of the four education unions will now urge their members to accept the pay offer and finally end classroom walkouts.

The Treasury has agreed to stump up extra cash to ensure the salary increases are 'properly funded' and avoid schools having to make cuts to fund them.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference this afternoon, the Prime Minister hailed the agreement as a 'major breakthrough'.

But Mr Sunak warned the pay offer - described as the 'largest-ever recommendation' by the independent body that advises on teachers' pay - was 'final' and insisted there would be no more negotiations on salary levels.

The leaders of the four education unions will urge their members to accept the pay offer and finally end classroom walkouts

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference this afternoon, the Prime Minister hailed the agreement as a 'major breakthrough'

Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU, urged teachers to 'bank' the pay offer as the 'biggest rise they've had in years'

'Do the right thing, and know when to say yes,' the PM added in a direct message to all public sector workers, as he unveiled a slew of pay increases across schools, the NHS and police.

Teachers have staged a series of strikes this year in their pay battle with the Government.

But these now appear to have been brought to an end as a result of the deal struck between ministers and unions over the recommendation of the School Teachers' Review Body.

Mr Sunak said: 'All teaching unions have just announced they're suspending all planned stikes immediately. Teachers will return to the classroom, disruption to our children's education will end.

'The unions have themselves confirmed this pay offer is properly funded. So they're recommending to their members an end to the entire dispute.'

Quizzed about the funding of the 6.5 per cent pay rise for teachers - as recommended by the independent STRB - Mr Sunak said: 'The teaching unions would not have supported this offer if they didn't believe there was money coming into the core schools budget to help pay for these significant pay awards.

'We've worked through the detail of that with them specifically to make sure they are comfortable in how we're doing this.

'I very much welcome the engagement we've had with them, the constructive way they've approached those conversations and, indeed, their announcement today which I think is enormously wonderful news for our children.

'It's important we get them back into the classrooms and catching up on what they lost out on during Covid, so I'm delighted with today's news.'

As part of the Government's wider acceptance of recommended pay offers for public sector workers, the PM announced he would be 'significantly' hiking the fees for migrants' visa applications and NHS access to raise more than 1billion.

No10 released a joint statement between the PM, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and the leaders of the ASCL, NAHT, NASUWT and NEU unions.

It said: 'This is the largest-ever recommendation from the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB).

'A 6.5 per cent increase for teachers and school leaders recognises the vital role that teachers play in our country and ensures that teaching will continue to be an attractive profession.

'The Government has accepted the STRB's recommendation and has agreed to bring forward wider reforms to reduce teacher and leader workload in partnership with all four unions.

'Importantly, the Government's offer is properly funded for schools.

'The Government has committed that all schools will receive additional funding above what was proposed in March - building on the additional 2 billion given to schools in the Autumn Statement.

'The Government will also provide a hardship fund of up to 40 million to support those schools facing the greatest financial challenges.

'ASCL, NAHT, NASUWT and NEU will now put this deal to members, with a recommendation to accept the STRB recommendation.

'This deal will allow teachers and school leaders to call off strike action and resume normal relations with Government.'

Mary Bousted, joint general secretary at the NEU, told Sky News: 'It's the biggest pay award the independent review body has ever made and, importantly, we've secured guarantees on how it will be funded, which means frontline services in schools will not be affected.'

She revealed the Government would fund the pay rises above what had already been budgeted by head teachers from 'underspends' by the Department for Education.

'It's not up to us where the Government finds the money from, that's a matter for Government,' she added.

'What we have obtained is guarantees it will not affect frontline services in schools or in colleges.'

Ms Bousted urged teachers to 'bank' the pay offer as the 'biggest rise they've had in years'.

She insisted this year's school strikes had 'moved the Government from an initial offer of 3.5 per cent to 6.5 per cent', which she described as a 'significant move'.

But the NEU boss warned they would 'continue to campaign for teachers to gradually restore their pay to the levels it was in 2010'.

'We always knew it was going to be a very tall order to get there in one year - what we're saying this is a good start,' she added.
A teenage e-scooter rider had a surprising reaction when police uncovered drugs and a machete in his back pocket, telling the officers to 'relax'.

Police bodycam footage shows officers pursue and stop the 17-year-old boy for not wearing a helmet last Thursday in Brisbane.

The three officers then conduct a search and discover a quantity of drugs and a 60cm blade.

He was promptly arrested and charged with a string offences linked to an armed robbery on public transport earlier that day.

These include two counts of stealing, one count each of extortion, possess utensils, possess dangerous drugs, possession of a knife in a public place and armed robbery.

He was refused police bail and is due to reappear in Brisbane Childrens Court.

A teenage e-scooter rider had a surprising reaction when police uncovered drugs and a machete (pictured) in his back pocket, telling the officers to 'relax'

Police bodycam footage (pictured) shows officers pursue and stop the 17-year-old boy for not wearing a helmet last Thursday in Brisbane

The clip shows a female officer react with an expression of shock when she sees the knife held up by her colleague.

'That's a knife alright,' one officer says.

The cop then places the blade in the carrier of his bicycle as the situation becomes more tense.

The teen's voice and identity is obscured for legal reasons but he tells the officers to 'relax'.

'No, I'm not going to relax, we just pulled a foot and a half blade out of your back pocket,' the officer says.

'I am not relaxed.'

The officers uncovered the blade after waving a metal detecting wand over the teenager's body as part of a new law in Queensland.

Last Thursday police 'wanded' 158 people in Brisbane and since their powers to search for knives were extended they have found 36 weapons from 3086 scans.

Jack Beasley (pictured left with his father Brett) died after being stabbed during a night out with friends in Surfer's Paradise in 2019. His death led to greater police powers to search for knives

The 60cm blade that police found on the teenager after pulling him over for not wearing a letmet

The new laws are known as 'Jack's law', and were passed following the death by stabbing of 17-year-old Jack Beasley in 2019 outside a Surfers Paradise convenience store.

The Police Powers and Responsibilities (Jack's Law) Amendment Act 2023 arose as a result of experimental usage of metal detectors to detect knives in the Safe Night Precincts on the Gold Coast during May 2021 and November 2022.

Queensland police recently ran a 12 month trial using scanning devices to detect knives, which was extended until April 30, 2025.

Last month Queensland police revealed there has been a 21 per cent increase in people aged between 10 and 21 years of age possessing knives in the last year.
Two mayors in Oregon announced their resignations back-to-back this week after facing intense backlash for sharing offensive posts to their respective social media accounts.

Dean Sawyer, the mayor of Newport, and Matt Diaz, the mayor of Baker City, stepped down as their online behavior came to light, according to local reports.

Sawyer resigned and, on Monday, issued an apology for posting inflammatory content to a Facebook page used by the local law enforcement community.

As far back as 2016, Sawyer was sharing offensive memes and posts about immigrants, women, and the LGBTQ community, according to reporting from Oregon Public Radio.

One such post featured a box of Bud Light beers captioned as 'tr***y fluid' - mocking the brand's affiliation with the transgender community after its disastrous partnership with influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

During Pride month, Diaz posted an image of pride flags arranged to look like a swastika, which he claimed illustrated the militancy of woke ideology on American culture.

Two Oregon mayors resigned this week after controversial posts from both of their social media channels came to light

In a post from Sawyer's Facebook page, a meme mocking the Bud Light/Dylan Mulvaney saga sparked outrage

Newport and Baker City are on opposite sides of the Pacific Northwestern state, and are each home to about 10,000 residents.

Another one of the memes shows a picture of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas being interviewed. In the picture, the swimmer says: 'I won that woman's [sic] race fair and square, if they don't like it they can suck my d***.'

Another one of the posts showed a case of Bud Light bottles and read: 'I called AutoZone to order a case of tr***y fluid and this is what I got,' making reference to the ongoing controversy the brand is facing over its partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

'I am sorry - in its simplest and sincerest form. I now realize that some of my actions and my words have hurt people I love and care about. This is something that I take full responsibility for,' Sawyer reportedly wrote in a resignation letter addressed to the city manager and city council president.

The disgraced public official, who is a former police officer, told Oregon Public Radio that the content of his posts was 'stupid,' 'juvenile,' and does not reflect his true feelings.

One day following Sawyer's resignation, Diaz was also out.

The Baker City mayor had faced calls to resign after he posted a meme to his personal Facebook page last month that displayed four pride flags arranged in the shape of a swastika.

It read: 'When you join four pride flags you transform into an ultra pride.'

Unlike Sawyer, however, Diaz claimed he was not leaving his post due to the backlash to his post, but rather, the economic incentive to be elsewhere.

'Just as most of Baker City, residents and administration alike, I dont make enough money to support my family. Finding a job in todays society is a long process. For me that process started weeks before the social media incident ever occurred,' he said.

The Diaz family say they will be moving to a different city so that the mayor can take a different, higher-paying job. His final day in office will be July 16.

Diaz previously defended his pride-month post in a statement that explained the image was 'meant to illustrate how the DEI or 'woke' ideology is being propagandized and militantly forced on American society.'

He added that he is 'not a Nazi sympathizer or supporter' and holds 'no hate for those who choose a different lifestyle, religion, or sexual preference than my own.'

'I am grateful for my time here and the friendships I have built,' he added.

A pride-month post from Mayor Diaz landed him in hot water

Sawyer mocked controversial transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in a meme he posted to his personal page

A dock in the town of Newport, Oregon, where Mayor Dean Sawyer resigned earlier this week

Baker City, Oregon, where Mayor Matt Diaz will serve his final day in office on July 16

Sawyer apologized for posting some of the incendiary memes to law enforcement pages

Last week, prior to the announcement of his resignation, Newport's pride organization released a statement titled 'We Deserve Better' condemning the rhetoric displayed on his social media.

'We at Newport Oregon Pride are appalled and disgusted by the hateful words and actions of our mayor not only against the queer community - in particular our trans community members - but against women, people of color, and immigrants,' wrote the group.

'The LGBTQIA2S+ community deserves and expects better from the Mayor of Newport Oregon. This disturbing behavior normalizes hatred and incites violence against the most marginalized and vulnerable members of our society and should not be tolerated.'
House Oversight staffers are receiving a briefing Thursday morning on cocaine found in the White House as the incident remains a mystery.

The Biden administration and U.S. Secret Service have not released much information regarding the discovery other than it was found in the West Wing of the White House. Questions are swirling over who brought the illicit drug onto the premises and how the white powder substance made it into one of the most secure places in the U.S.

Following a request for a briefing on the matter to USSS Director Kimberly Cheatle, the agency will meet with Oversight panel Chairman James Comer's staff Thursday at 10 a.m., a panel aide confirmed to DailyMail.com.

Sen. Tom Cotton also requested a briefing, but his spokesperson told DailyMail.com that they have not yet heard back from Cheatle or USSS regarding their letter.

Secret Service is meeting with Oversight panel staff on Thursday morning regarding the discovery of cocaine in the White House. Oversight Chairman James Comer (right) wrote to USSS Director Kim Cheatle (left) requesting the briefing

Critics immediately pegged the White House cocaine incident on President Joe Biden's recovering addict son Hunter Biden, 52 (pictured right with son Beau)

President Joe Biden and his communications staff continue to dodge questions on the investigation and tell reporters to direct their inquiries on the matter to the USSS.

The agency's communication office, however, will not comment on the ongoing investigation.

As investigation ensued, Biden was able to avoid confronting the issue during his trip to Europe, which included meetings in the UK before heading to Lithuania for the 2023 NATO Summit.

It has been 11 days since cocaine was discovered, leading to a hazmat evacuation of the White House and launching a probe into the matter.

Since then, the cocaine discovery location has changed three times  first in the library, then in a west wing work area and finally in a cell phone lockbox. There are no signs from officials of who the culprit is that brought the illicit drug onto the premises.

Biden critics, however, jumped to their own conclusion, claiming that the president's recovering addict son Hunter, 52, is to blame for bringing cocaine into the White House.

Secret Service and administration officials have remained hush-hush on details of the discovery  only fueling trolls who want to peg the incident on Hunter Biden. The agency spokesman told DailyMail.com on Monday that the investigation is 'open and active' but said no further information is available for the ongoing probe.

'Do you have any update on the investigation into the cocaine at the White House?' a reporter pressed White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Tuesday.

'I don't have any updates,' Jean-Pierre said. 'I just don't have anything updated. I would refer you to the Secret Service on that particular question.'

USSS, when reached by reporters, says they cannot comment on ongoing investigations.

But Congress is demanding more definitive answers.

Following a fingerprint and DNA analysis last week of the substance and the 'dime-sized zipper baggie' it was found in, no conclusive answers were shared.

A federal law enforcement official told CNN , however, that USSS will conclude its investigation of the cocaine discovery this week regardless of whether a suspect is identified.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has avoided the topic of the cocaine discovery as he jetted off to Europe for meetings in the UK, Lithuania and Finland this week as USSS continued its investigation into the matter

The White House continues to dodged questions related to the incident and investigation  and the location of the discovery has changed three times in the course of one week

The white powder substance is now known to have been discovered in a lockbox of the West Wing used to store cell phones before areas where they are not permitted. No other details of the incident have been revealed

Trump-era CBP Director and longtime FBI agent Mark Morgan told DailyMail.com that the case is 'straightforward' and facetiously said it could be solved in the matter of 30 minutes.

The substance was found Sunday, July 2, causing a hazmat evacuation of the White House while President Joe Biden and his family were in Camp David for the long holiday weekend. Now, 11 days later, Americans are no closer to knowing how the drug made it into one of the most secure places in the U.S.

House Oversight and Reform Committee Chair James Comer wrote to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle last week requesting a briefing by July 14.

Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas also called for a briefing and pressed Cheatle for information in a public letter.

The senator's office, when reached by DailyMail.com, said that they have not yet received a response from Cheatle.

Comer said illegal drug presence raises concerns regarding 'the level of security maintained at the White House' and Cotton said he hopes to gain more information in an effort to 'correct any security flaws.'

Jean-Pierre said during a briefing last week to reporters that the cocaine was found in a 'heavily traveled area' of the White House and made suggestions that the drug could belong to a visitor.

Morgan, however, says that the lockbox area where the cocaine was found is not as busy as the administration wants Americans to believe.

He speculated that the drug could belong to someone that came to the White House for a meeting who does not have a permanent office on the premises. Morgan says this could include a multitude of senior-level officials.
Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky were cleared of wrongdoing by a state investigation but permanently closed the ride

A woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury after a metal object fell from a rollercoaster has sued the Ohio amusement park where the accident took place.

Rachel Hawes, 46, from Michigan, was hit in the head by a large L-shaped metal bracket which fell off the Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point Park in Sandusky in August 2021.

Hawes was rushed to hospital in critical condition and, although she survived, suffered 'serious, permanent, disabling personal injuries' which include 'skull fractures and traumatic brain injury' her lawsuit states.

Hawes, who filed her suit in the Erie County, Ohio, Common Pleas Court on Wednesday, alleges that the park failed to 'exercise reasonable care in inspecting and maintaining' the rollercoaster.

At the time a spokesperson for the park said 'a small metal object became disengaged from a train on the Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster as it was ending its run.'

Rachel Hawes, 46, was hit in the head by a large L-shaped metal bracket which fell off the Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point Park in Sandusky

A picture of the bracket was included in the state's 620 page report following the accident

The Ohio Department of Agriculture conducted an investigation and issued a 620-page report but did not find evidence that the park had acted illegally or that the ride was unsafe.

Hawes states that her medical expenses as a result of the accident have exceeded $2 million, with future medical care and treatment expecting to cost over $10 million.

'She will need assistance with activities of daily living for the remainder of her life,' the lawsuit states.

She is asking the court to rule that Cedar Point must compensate her for damages, including value of medical services, loss of wages, lost earning potential and physical pain suffered.

Video of the aftermath of the accident captured Hawes' painful shrieks as she lay on the ground and emergency medical technicians provided her with first aid.

John McDermott, 27, said he was waiting in line with his girlfriend and son when he saw the object fall from the 420-foot-tall structure right in front of him.

'I saw the thing hit the crowd, the lady fell, I heard it bounce off the concrete. It was something metal. It wasn't a small object. It was pretty big  bigger than the palm of my hand. It looked like a metal disc flying through the air,' McDermott told Cleveland.com.

McDermott said several people called 911 and rushed to the woman's aid. Some took of their shirts to stop the bleeding until Sandusky EMS arrived.

The rollercoaster is 420ft. tall and was last inspected in May, with a following inspection due in September. Ohio law requires rollercoasters to be inspected twice a year

Hawes was rushed to hospital in critical condition and although she survived her lawsuit states she suffered 'skull fractures and traumatic brain injury.'

Cedar Point shut the ride, which first opened in 2003 and stood at 420ft, following Hawes' accident and announced it would be permanently retired in September 2022

A witness said several people called 911 and rushed to the woman's aid. Some took of their shirts to stop the bleeding until Sandusky EMS arrived

Cedar Point shut the ride, which first opened in 2003 and stood at 420ft, following Hawes' accident and announced it would be permanently retired in September 2022.

In a statement at the time the park said: 'After 19 seasons in operation with 18 million riders experiencing the world's first strata coaster, Top Thrill Dragster, as you know it, is being retired.

'However, Cedar Point's legacy of ride innovation continues. Our team is hard at work, creating a new and reimagined ride experience.'

A spokesperson for Cedar Point said 'as a matter of company policy, we do not comment on pending litigation.'

Rachel Hawes could not immediately be reached for comment.
This is the shocking moment a furious brawl erupted in Kosovo's parliament after an opposition legislator threw water on the country's Prime Minister.

In the video, Mergim Lushtaku, from the Democratic Party of Kosovo, approaches Prime Minister Albin Kurti and throws water on him as he speaks about measures to defuse tension with ethnic Serbs in the country's north.

Dozens of MPs then rush towards the lectern and a brawl ensues, with lawmakers scuffling, pushing and punching each other.

It comes as opposition parties have criticised Mr Kurti's policies in the north of Kosovo which they claim have strained relations with Western allies.

In May, the Kosovar Government put Albanian mayors in municipal buildings in Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic, causing violent protests from the ethnic Serb majority - who have a historically strained relationship with Albanians.

In the video, Mergim Lushtaku, from the Democratic Party of Kosovo, approaches Mr Kurti and throws water on him (pictured)

Dozens of people were injured in clashes between local Serbs and Kosovo police and Nato-led peacekeepers, fuelling fears of a conflict similar to the one in 1998-99 that killed more than 10,000 people.

On Wednesday, Mr Kurti announced he would reduce the number of special police officers stationed outside four municipal buildings in the ethnic Serb-majority areas in northern Kosovo, and hold new mayoral elections in each of the towns.

But the move has angered the opposition, who argued that Mr Kurti 'experimented' for months and jeopardised Kosovo's international position.

Earlier, Mr Kurti's deputy Besnik Beslimi had torn up a drawing mocking Mr Kurti that the opposition had given the prime minister. Mr Kurti was escorted out of the assembly hall during the chaos, according to local media.

The US and the EU had urged him to keep the mayors in different locations away from the north until the situation is resolved.

Kosovo is a former province in Serbia whose 2008 declaration of independence Belgrade does not recognise.

Dozens of MPs then rush towards the lectern and a brawl ensues, with lawmakers scuffling, pushing and punching each other

It comes as opposition parties have criticised Mr Kurti's policies in the north of Kosovo which they claim have strained relations with Western allies

The move has angered the opposition, who argued that Mr Kurti 'experimented' for months and jeopardised Kosovo's international position.

Mr Kurti was escorted out of the assembly hall during the chaos, according to local media

Most ethnic Serbs in Kosovo have also refused to acknowledge Kosovo's statehood, which is backed by the United States and most EU nations but not Russia and China.

Serbia had heightened army combat readiness and threatened a military intervention in response to tensions in the north, which borders Serbia.

Belgrade pulled out of Kosovo in 1999 after Nato bombed the country to stop the onslaught against ethnic Albanian separatists.

The EU has told both countries they must reach a solution to their dispute through an EU-mediated dialogue in order to join the bloc.

Western officials have stepped up efforts to bring the two sides closer together, fearing further instability in Europe as the war continues in Ukraine.

Nato has sent additional troops to its peacekeeping mission in Kosovo to boost security.
Bud Light's parent company has lost $22B in market cap after sponsorship deal with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney, 26, caused a negative impact

Savvy shoppers at Costco are convinced Bud Light will soon be off the shelves after they spotted the 'star of death' asterisk on the product and a price drop.

Photos and videos shared on social media show the beer's price tag stamped with a small asterisk at the top right-hand corner - a symbol that many Costco regulars claim is used to signal that a product will no longer be restocked once it is sold out.

One Twitter user posted a photo of the dwindling stack being sold for $14.97 for a 2 x 12 pack, which they exclaimed that Costco was 'practically giving away Bud Light.'

It's the latest blow for the brand after the company's sponsorship deal with trans activist and influencer Dylan Mulvaney, 26, caused a negative impact and has cost the parent-company Anheuser-Busch about $22billion in market cap to date.

Savvy shoppers at Costco are convinced Bud Light will soon be gone from the retailer's shelves after they spotted the 'star of death' asterisk on the product and a decrease in price

Photos and videos shared on social media show the beer's price tag stamped with a small asterisk at the top right-hand corner - a symbol that many Costco regulars claim is used to signal that a product will no longer be restocked once it is sold out

On Twitter user posted a photo of the dwindling stack being sold for $14.97 for a 2 x 12 pack, which they captioned that Costco was 'practically giving away Bud Light'

Some online users pointed out that Costco might only not restock 16oz cans but continue selling 36 packs of the 12oz cans

It's not clear which Costco locations across the county may not be restocking the product.

Some social media users pointed out that the retailer might only not restock 16oz cans but continue selling 36 packs of the 12oz cans.

However, the asterisk was also spotted on a price tag for $24.99 cases of 36 pack 12oz cans of Bud Light.

The 'death star' symbol is well known in the online community, with many TikTok and Instagram videos revealing the secret.

But one customer and Quora user Dimitri Vulis noted that it doesn't always mean the item is gone forever and that the products marked with the star could be seasonal offerings that are usually brought back. But then in many situations, Costco is just getting rid of it altogether.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the company for more information.

Bud Light has seen a significant percentage drop in revenue from sales for June, compared with the same time last year.

Over a four week period ending on July 1, Bud Light saw a 28 percent decrease in revenue sales, according to NielsenIQ sales data obtained by Newsweek.

This was down slightly from the 27.9 percent decline the brand saw for the week ending in June 24.

The number of units of Bud Light sold was down 31.2 percent compared with the same time last year, the data showed.

Over a 4week period ending on July 1, Bud Light saw a 28 percent decrease in revenue sales

A single case of Bud Light sits alone in a stack of Modelo beer

How's Bud Light holding up at Costco? pic.twitter.com/TMjSLVIygN  Z 28.310 (@Wernick4Dallas) June 1, 2023

The domestic beer's problems have, to some extent, bled into its Anheuser-Busch owned sister brands.

Sales of Michelob Ultra - the nation's third favorite beer last year - were down by 4.3 percent in the week ending in July 1. Busch Light sales were down 8.5 percent for the same period, according to Bump Williams Consulting and NielsonIQ data.

Budweiser was also down 12.1 percent, according to the consultants.

The popularity of the beer has been dropping since brewer Anheuser-Busch teamed up with Mulvaney, 26, and gave her a personalized can.

Last month, Mulvaney broke her silence on Bud Light to slam the embattled beer brand for for not standing by her amid the fallout from their disastrous campaign.

Mulvaney announced the partnership in a series of videos posted to social media in April

Bud Light continues to fight for its life in the aftermath of a disastrous April partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, that has so far cost the brand's parent-company about $22billion in market cap

Speaking to her 1.8million followers, she said: 'I was waiting for the brand to reach out to me, but they never did. I've been scared to leave my house.

'For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse than not hiring a trans person at all.

'Because it gives customers permission to be as transphobic and as hateful as they want. There's should be nothing controversial or divisive about working with us.

'I have been ridiculed in public I've been followed and I have felt a loneliness that I wouldn't wish on anyone.'

While the makers of Bud Light beer took a massive, costly hit from their tie-up with the TikToker appears to have emerged from the fiasco unscathed, a DailyMail.com/TIPP Poll shows.

The first nationwide poll on Mulvaney shows that many more Americans have a favorable view of the influencer than object to her, and broadly say she is more relevant today than she was before conservatives boycotted the beer.

Americans by a wide margin say Mulvaney has become more relevant due to the boycott

Anti-Bud Light beer graffiti scrawled on a gate on in Arco, Idaho

Our survey also shows  more predictably  that Mulvaney is a partisan wedge issue: Democrats appreciate her far more than do their Republican counterparts.

The poll of some 1,300 US adults comes as Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Bud Light, counts the cost of irking their right-leaning consumers by collaborating with Mulvaney in April.

Our polling shows that half of respondents view her favorably, compared to 42 percent who have an unfavorable view.

That puts her eight percentage points above water.

More importantly, respondents said Mulvaney has benefited from the uproar over working with Bud Light, which famously saw performer Kid Rock post a video of himself shooting at cases of the beer.

Some 49 percent of respondents said Mulvaney was more relevant today than before the controversy erupted.

Democrats appreciate Mulvaney far more than do their Republican counterparts

Another 24 percent said she had become less relevant, and similar numbers said they were not sure.

Mulvaney has also seen little change to her massive social media following over the course of the scandal.

She has 10.7 million followers on TikTok and another 1.8 million on Instagram.

Mulvaney also continues to promote products on her channel, the latest being ONE/SIZE make up.

Shes understood to earn at least $50,000 from each promotional post and net more than $1 million a year.

Mulvaney only recently broke her silence on the fiasco and excoriated Bud Light for not standing by her.

Mulvaney has also seen little change to her massive social media following over the course of the scandal. She has 10.7 million followers on TikTok and another 1.8 million on Instagram

In a post, she said she 'was waiting for the brand to reach out to me, but they never did. I've been scared to leave my house.

'For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse than not hiring a trans person at all.

Anheuser-Busch said earlier this month it would triple its marketing spending in the US this summer as it attempts to boost ailing sales.

For the DailyMail.com/TIPP survey, we initially asked respondents whether they were familiar with Mulvaney.

Some 57 percent said they had not heard of Mulvaney, or were not very familiar with her. Those people were not asked any further questions.
The House passed a controversial amendment that would undo the Pentagon policy helping pay for travel and offering paid leave for service members who need to leave the state for an abortion, paving the way for a party-line must-pass yearly defense bill.

It also passed an amendment that banned the Department of Defense from paying for gender transition surgeries and hormone treatments for transgender troops.

The amendment, led by Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, was approved 221-213. Rep. Matt Rosendale's gender amendment passed 222-211.

Conservative hardliners had been demanding amendment votes on matters like abortion, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), climate measures and Ukraine all week - and today they will get just that with a series of 70 amendment votes.

The House passed a controversial amendment that would undo the Pentagon policy helping pay for travel and offering paid leave for service members who need to leave the state for an abortion, paving the way for a party-line must-pass yearly defense bill

With that, Speaker Kevin McCarthy is relying on his conference to get on board and hand over nearly all of their votes for the final passage - as the conservative amendments are likely to turn away Democratic votes.

The $886 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) typically gets bipartisan support - it passed through the Armed Services Committee 58-1 in June.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's amendment to strip $300 million in funding for Ukraine will also come for a vote. An amendment co-sponsored by Reps. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., to ban the transfer of cluster munitions to any country will not be voted on but one from Greene narrowly banning their transfer to Ukraine will.

And even if controversial amendments make it into the House version of the bill, the Democrat-controlled Senate must pass its own version of the NDAA, then the House and Senate must come to agreement on a final version of the bill to send to the president's desk.

Gaetz predicted Democrats were 'bluffing' on their threat to vote against the bill. 'I don't believe they'll vote against a five percent pay raise for service members.'

Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., a House GOP vote counter, declined to say whether she was worried whether some of the most conservative amendments might tank the bill.

'I think we need to see where the vote counts land' on the amendments, she told DailyMail.com. 'That'll speak volumes about how we move forward.'
The Memphis man charged with murdering a top hand surgeon has appeared in court to tell a judge he had no lawyer and couldn't afford his $1.2million bond.

Larry Pickens, 29, is accused of shooting Benjamin Mauck in cold blood at the Campbell Clinic in Collierville, Tennessee, on Tuesday at around 2.30pm.

Colleagues of Mauck say Pickens had been threatening him and laid in wait for 'hours' before killing him.

His motive, however, remains unclear.

Today, Pickens went before a judge in an orange jumpsuit and blue medical mask.

Larry Pickens, 29, is accused of shooting Mauck in cold blood at the Campbell Clinic in Collierville, Tennessee, on Tuesday at around 2.30pm. He appeared in court today

Dr Benjamin Mauck was shot dead on Tuesday at the Campbell Clinic in Collierville, Tennessee

Dr. Mauck is survived by his wife Rhiannon and their two young children

He told the judge he needed an attorney, and had no way to pay the large bond set. He will return to court on July 20.

Asked if he could afford his bail today, Pickens shrugged and replied: 'Not sure.' Before Tuesday's incident, he had never been arrested in Collierville.

Police continue to investigate whether he has a criminal record anywhere else. Dr. Mauck was beloved by patients and colleagues. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.

After shooting the doctor on Tuesday, Pickens fled the clinic but was arrested soon afterwards outside. Witnesses say he was carrying a pistol.

Video shows the moment police officers rushed outside to apprehend him after searching the clinic.

Pickens shrugged and replied 'not sure' when asked by the judge if he could afford his $1.2million bond

Pickens, who had never before been arrested in Collierville, will return to court on July 20

Dr Mauck was remembered as a phenomenal doctor. Many of his patients, who lauded him as 'kind, funny, and smart,' said he saved their lives with his vital work.

Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said: 'It's bad. It's horrific. It's terrible. So, this appears to be a one-on-one interaction that occurred within an exam room. This was not a mass shooting situation.'

'Whether you're at school, a grocery store or on the job, you deserve to live and work free from gun violence.'

Dr Mauck leaves behind his wife, Rhiannon Mauck, and their two young children.

Just five days ago, Dr Mauck was heralded in the Memphis Magazine and by the national medical group Castle Connolly as one of the city's top doctors in a gushing feature. Dr Mauck told the magazine just last month: 'It's never boring.

Police inside the Campbell Clinic, hunting the gunman who was later found outside the building

'This work involves treating sports injuries, trauma, cancer, and soft-tissue defects. It's a field of orthopedics that crosses over into other specialties like plastic surgery and neurology.'

He warned before the Fourth of July: 'Keep your kids away from fireworks.'

He worked as a hand surgeon at Campbell Clinic Orthopedics and was also the head of the Congenital Hand Clinic at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. According to the clinic's website, Mauck specialized in elbow, hand, and wrist surgery.

Dr Mauck graduated from Lambuth University in 2002, before attending med school at the University of Tennessee-Memphis. He then completed his residency at UT-Campbell Clinic.

Irina Ollar, director of marketing and PR at Campbell Clinic, said in a statement: 'Earlier today, we experienced a single shooter event inside our Collierville clinic.

'We are shocked and heartbroken to confirm the incident resulted in the tragic loss of one of our highly respected and beloved physicians, Dr. Ben Mauck. We ask that you please lift his family in prayer.

'During this difficult time, we will be working through many details and will keep you updated as we are able.

'We have decided to close all Campbell Clinic locations tomorrow, July 12 and will communicate the reopening of all facilities at a later time.

Mauck leaves behind a wife and two young children

The hand surgeon with his wife, Rhiannon Mauck

Just five days ago, Dr Mauck was heralded in the Memphis Magazine and by the national medical group Castle Connolly as one of the city's top doctors in a gushing feature

'We appreciate our local law enforcement officers who responded within minutes. We will continue to work closely with authorities as this remains an active investigation.

'Our priorities remain Faith, Family and Patient Care. At this time, we ask for your prayers for the entire Campbell Clinic family, as well as for the privacy of Dr. Mauck's family.'

Dr. Trey Eubanks, interim president, surgeon-in-chief at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, said: 'We were shocked to learn that Campbell Clinic and Le Bonheur surgeon Ben Mauck tragically was killed today at his clinic in Collierville.

'Ben was a friend to so many of us  a respected member of our Le Bonheur family, a beloved colleague and a dedicated physician to so many patients.

'We already miss him.

'His death is an unthinkable tragedy, and I am at loss at what to say. I am so sorry to those who loved and knew him, for those who worked alongside him every day.

'I am also grateful to this team, all of you. And I encourage each of you to be gentle with each other during this time.

'Ask for support and offer it when needed. We will all be affected by this loss in some way.

'We will schedule debriefings and offering spiritual care and EAP sessions.

'Please keep the entire Campbell Clinic family and especially Ben's family in your thoughts and prayers.' All Campbell Clinic locations will remain closed.
Sprawling sideshows in Oakland have been sparking violent clashes between fans and angry residents - with shocking videos of the violence posted online.

The Fast and Furious-inspired events routinely bring hundreds of people flocking to see drag drivers doing extreme donuts on the streets of the California city while a circle of spectators watches on.

Amid the chaos of vehicles spinning out of control at 50mph as onlookers dive to dodge them, residents driven crazy by the events have clashed with the revelers in ugly scenes.

Dozens of fights have been caught on camera, along with vehicles being set on fire and rammed by other drivers who want the racing shut down.

Meanwhile, local police have been slammed for failing to cope with the criminality which is threatening to overrun the west coast city.

Shocking footage shows a car being torched while another vehicle rams into it and fireworks are projected across the streets of Oakland amid wider commotion

One video showed a local resident throw a red bucket at a car while it was mid-donut. The driver reacted by skidding to a stop before bolting from his car and violently attacking the man

A clip posted on Twitter shows a middle-aged man with graying hair trying to stop a sideshow, before being beaten by an angry mob.

Surrounded by two skidding vehicles at an intersection overlooked by large terraced homes, the man approaches one car with a red bucket, which he lobs at the window.

The driver reacts by screeching his car to a sudden stop before bolting out and charging at the resident.

As the resident backs away towards a sidewalk, the balaclava-clad driver - wearing a black hoodie, grey tracksuit bottoms and black crocs - throws punches at his head.

The man does not attempt to fight back, and even as he tumbles to the ground and goes limp, the attacker continues his violent onslaught with kicks to his head as onlookers surround them to watch.

A video filmed from the sidewalk shows how dozens of people wearing hoodies - mainly men - clamored to film the altercation and no-one intervened.

On another occasion, an Oakland sideshow escalated when a vehicle span out of control and knocked over a spectator, who rolled twice on the ground before getting up.

Videos also capture smoke from car tires filling the air as a driver does donuts and passengers hang precariously out of the back windows.

A broken fire hydrant can be seen ejecting water at least 10 feet into the air as a car skids in a circle nearby in one clip.

The attack video shows how the resident tried to back away while the driver repeatedly struck him on the head. Residents have warned people at sideshows - often masked - often pull guns when threatened by people taking pictures of their faces or licence plates

High-speed hoe-downs are a common sight in Oakland, where sideshows are overrunning the streets, often escalating into violent clashes and brawls between revelers and residents. One video shows a near-miss when a skidding car almost ran over a spectator

Spectators watched and jeered as a balaclava-clad driver wearing gray sweatpants with crocs violently attacked a resident who threw a bucket at his car as it spiraled across the intersection

More footage shows fireworks being set off in the street while parked cars are set on fire, with a commotion of car horns and people shouting in the background.

One driver repeatedly rams a blazing vehicle, while a hooded figure attempts to take a photograph of his face with a phone.

Sharing a video of the chaos on Twitter, one resident slammed the local mayor for presiding over the chaos.

'Oakland sideshow had a brutal attack on a man and a hydrant going off!' they said.

'This is Oakland, aka Thaoland as mayor Sheng Thao has lost all control!'

Another person described Oakland as a 'war zone' while others condemned the people who filmed the resident getting beaten in the street.

Many speculated that he could have died, and questioned why law enforcers were not present.

American author Michael Shellenberger posted some of the shocking videos, adding: 'Oakland voters felt law enforcement was too strict and so last fall elected a progressive D.A. who has stopped enforcing many laws.

'The result is lawlessness, sideshows, and assaults carried out with impunity.'

'Mayor Sheng Thao condemned the beating but nobody listens to her because she supported de-funding the police and so sideshows continue to terrorize residential neighborhoods, forcing working class families into their homes, fearing assault,' he added.

Shellenberger said police are 'helpless to stop the criminal sideshows' because the mayor and DA Pamela Price 'refuse to prosecute 'nonviolent crimes'.

Oakland is the home of the sideshow, which was born in the city in the 1980's as a peaceful way for car aficionados to show off their rides next to a carnival in the Foothill neighborhood.

However, the tradition has spiraled into something much more menacing, with the high-speed hoe downs often resulting in injuries and brawls.

Oakland resident Cheral Stewart said people 'will pull guns on you' at the sideshow events.

Footage shows fireworks being set off in the street while parked cars are set on fire, with a commotion of car horns and people shouting in the background

Outraged residents accused the driver who attacked the man who approached with a bucket as potentially having killed him, while deriding those who clamored to film rather than help

'You can have hundreds of people watching,' Stewart, who has worked in tech marketing and is a resident of the city, told The New York Post.

'Then they start skidding their cars, drifting and doing donuts, one driver after the other.

'Take photos of the license plates and people will pull guns on you.

'Drivers wear bandannas or ski masks or covid masks. Some of the windshields are illegally tinted.

'They shoot guns into the sky. Any activity goes. Its like Fast & Furious has come to our neighborhood.'

In the nearby city of Stockton, an 18-year-old boy was fatally shot at a sideshow event earlier this month.

Stockton Police said it is investigating the homicide, which took place just after 2am on July 2 in the area of Golden Gate Avenue and Main Street.

'At approximately 2:30 a.m. a shooting occurred near Main St/Rendon St,' the force said.

'The victim, an 18-year-old male from Sacramento, was in that area when he was struck by gunfire.

'At this point in the investigation, there is no known motive or suspect information.'

The force has appealed for the community's help with the case, including videos of the night and any information about the perpetrator.

'If you know something or saw something, please say something,' they said, offering a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information which leads to an arrest.

Sideshows have also sparked chaos in other major cities - including street racers in Los Angeles who did donuts within inches of the crowd while one person fired a blowtorch into the air - in shocking scenes caught on camera.

Even the coronavirus lockdown did not stop California car fans gathering for sideshows during the first months of the pandemic.

Around 300 people gathered in Sacramento to watch cars perform stunts during a massive sideshow on Easter 2020, and an 18-year-old man was taken into police custody after he fled the scene and crashed into a California Highway Patrol car.

Oakland Police Department warned those who take part in 'illegal sideshows' that their cars could be towed and seized with a 30-day hold - though residents say officials are powerless to stop the lawlessness which has overrun the city in recent times

Police have shared safety tips for residents who come across sideshows, urging them not to 'risk your life' by approaching the people involved

Residents replied to the police post on Facebook, urging them to crush cars and post the evidence online.

Oakland Police also posted safety tips for residents who come across sideshows, urging them not to 'risk your life' by approaching the people involved.

'Please don't engage with individuals participating in the sideshow,' the department warned. 'Do not risk your life'.

'If you encounter sideshow activities or if you are caught in the middle of a sideshow, look for a safe alternate route that will allow you to bypass the sideshow activities,' they added.

'If you are involved in a vehicle collision with a sideshow participant, do not confront the individual, instead call 911 to report the incident.'

The department asked people to report any illegal sideshows to sideshowtips@oaklandca.gov.
Americans are being warned of a new check-out scam after thieves were caught appearing to use a sneaky sleight of hand trick to steal a Walmart customer's bank card.

Arvada Police in Colorado shared a video of the particular theft in progress, alerting customers to the possible cash swap ploy.

The CCTV footage showed the alleged criminals standing by a vending machine before making casual conversation with a man. They appeared to ask if he had dropped some money that they had pretended to find on the floor.

Unbeknownst to the victim, the interaction was staged to allow them to hand the money to the man while simultaneously nabbing his debit card from his wallet.

Arvada Police Department also said the victim has fraudulent charges totaling nearly $2,000.

The alleged criminals appeared to ask the man if he had dropped some money they claimed to find on the floor

The CCTV footage showed the alleged criminals standing by a vending machine before making casual conversation with a man

The Police department asked that if members of the public had any more information on the three suspects seen in the video to please contact them

'Sorry to say that you must be aware of even casual conversations at the grocery store,' Arvada Police wrote on Twitter. Three criminals can be seen waiting to take advantage of someone checking out.'

They continued: 'The victim then checks his wallet while the female distracts him by asking questions.

'The male suspect then grabs the victim's orange credit card while this is all happening, and poof... the credit card is gone.

'The victim never notices or feels it happen.'

The Police department asked that if members of the public had any more information on the three suspects seen in the video to please contact them.

Many were quick to voice their anger and disgust over the incident.

'Organized crime in action. Wow,' one person said.

'It is terrible that people are this way. So sad you can't even feel safe shopping,' another commented.

A third said: 'I feel like grocery stores need to move the sodas and such out of those areas for this reason. Its to close to people checking out.

'I know it wont stop this behavior but maybe it would help. I hope that they find these people and prosecute them.

Unbeknownst to the victim, the interaction was staged to allow them to hand the money to the man while simultaneously nabbing his debit card from his wallet

Arvada Police in Colorado shared a video of the particular theft in progress, alerting customers to the possible cash swap ploy

Walmart executives and major retailers have long warned that they are experiencing increased organised crime and theft in their stores across the country.

Last year Walmart boss Doug McMillon told CNBC that the retail giant may have to hike prices and shutter some stores amid 'historically high' thefts.

He said theft has become a major issue for the chain known for its low prices, saying district attorneys' lenient policies need to be 'corrected.'

'If that's not corrected over time, prices will be higher and our stores will close,' he told co-host Rebecca Quick.

McMillon did not specify in the interview which locations have experienced this record-high level of shoplifting, but stores in Chicago have been the latest to close after not being profitable.

His announcement comes after Walmarts in Los Angeles resorted to locking up most of their inventory to prevent further thefts.

Last year, the chief financial officer at Walmart's biggest rival, Target, also revealed that shoplifting at its stores had jumped more than 50 percent year on year, leading to more than $400 million in losses in 2022 alone.
Michael Gove told the Covid Inquiry today that Britain's preparations for a no-deal Brexit helped make Whitehall 'more match-fit' to deal with the pandemic crisis.

The Cabinet minister, who held a senior role during work on leaving the EU without an exit deal, hailed how ministers and officials learned to work 'at pace'.

Mr Gove, now the Levelling Up Secretary, stressed it was 'helpful' for ministers and officials to have had experience of operating at such speed prior to the pandemic.

He also dismissed claims that work on a no-deal Brexit prior to coronavirus outbreak in 2020 had harmed the UK's pandemic preparedness.

Mr Gove, who has held a series of top roles in Government, suggested Brexit made Britain able to 'significantly better' deal with the Covid crisis.

Michael Gove told the Covid Inquiry that Britain's preparations for a no-deal Brexit helped make Whitehall 'more match-fit' to deal with the pandemic crisis

The Cabinet minister, pictured arriving at the Inquiry today, held a senior role during work on leaving the EU without an exit deal

Mr Gove outlined his role in chairing the powerful 'XO' Cabinet committee, as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, after Boris Johnson became prime minister in 2019.

He described how the select group of senior ministers and officials met daily to help prepare the UK for Brexit, including the possibility of leaving the EU without a deal.

'One of the challenges that Whitehall and ministers faced is, because there was a deadline - of course the deadline was extended - but because there was a deadline, we knew that with a ticking clock at our back we needed to proceed at pace,' Mr Gove told the Inquiry.

'That meant the normal tempo of papers being produced within Whitehall was accelerated.

'I think it's fair to say that outside crisis situations or big projects in which the prime minister has invested an enormous amount of interest, the rhythm that XO maintained - the daily battle rhythm - would be difficult to sustain.

'But I do believe it was helpful for all of government to be operating at that pace because we made government more match-fit overall for the terrible events this inquiry has been set up to look at.'

Mr Gove also argued that planning for Brexit 'was some of the best preparation' possible for the pandemic.

'The nature, the pace and the intensity of the work undoubtedly placed pressure on individuals and the system, but it also ensured a greater degree of match fitness for what none of us anticipated but what was to come the year after,' he added.

'I would argue that the skills acquired, honed and refined during EU exit preparation helped us not only to have an organisational system that was better in dealing with the crisis, but having a cadre of people who'd been through an intense process that enhanced their ability to respond.

'The preparation for EU exit in and of itself was some of the best preparation that could have been undergone for any future crisis.'

The Inquiry previously heard from ex-Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon that planning for a no-deal Brexit took resouces away from preparations for a possible pandemic prior to 2020

Last month, the Inquiry heard from former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon that planning for a no-deal Brexit took resouces away from preparations for a possible pandemic prior to 2020.

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has also blamed the fallout from Brexit for dominating ministers' time ahead of the Covid crisis.

But Mr Gove, who co-fronted the Vote Leave campaign with Mr Johnson at the EU referendum, dismissed such claims.

Asked if he accepted that preparing for Brexit had had a 'detrimental effect' on pandemic planning, he replied: 'No.

'Because I haven't seen any activity that has been identified that would have enable us to significantly better deal with the Covid pandemic that did not occur as a direct result of EU exit.'
A five-year-old girl who died in a horrifying house fire had been having a sleepover in her big sister's bedroom when she became trapped by the fierce fire that tore through her family's country home, an inquest heard.

Alysia Salisbury could not be found when the blaze broke out while her two elder sisters were rescued, her heartbroken mother has revealed.

An inquest earlier heard how Alysia was 'nowhere to be seen' when emergency services were called to tackle the blaze at her home in the small village of Pontyglasier, near Crymych, Pembrokeshire on May 27.

Her body was later discovered in her elder sister's bedroom and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Alysia's mother, Tara Salisbury, said she is in 'constant pain every single day' and that her elder daughters 'don't know what to do with themselves' after the five-year-old's death.

Alysia Salisbury was having a sleepover in her big sister's bedroom when she became trapped by the fierce fire that tore through her family's country home, an inquest has heard

Alysia was 'nowhere to be seen' when emergency services were called to tackle the blaze at her home in the small village of Pontyglasier, near Crymych, Pembrokeshire on May 27

The fire is believed to have started in the bedroom of Alysia's older sister, Abigail, who had tucked the little girl into her bed before going downstairs, the inquest heard.

'The alarm went off at around 9pm after Abi went downstairs to warm Lysi some brioche in the oven,' Ms Salisbury said.

'This was not unusual - it was an incredibly sensitive alarm and went off often when the oven was turned on.

'I ran downstairs to turn it off but by the time I realised that it wasn't turning off and the oven wasn't even on yet it was already too late.

'In the space of about two minutes the bedroom was already engulfed and no matter how desperately we tried we just couldn't get in through the flames to reach my poor Lysi trapped inside.'

The inquest which opened in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, was adjourned pending further reports from the police who are continuing to carry out their investigations into the fire.

Ms Salisbury previously described that hearing Alysia trapped in Abigail's room was the 'worst feeling'. She told Sky News that month that she screamed Alysia's name and could 'hear her call back "Mummy".'

'The whole room was just completely and totally on fire,' she told the broadcaster just weeks after the baze. 'She was in there somewhere I just couldn't see her and I couldn't get to her. I tried so hard to get in there to her but I couldn't.'

She recalled how the fire was 'hotter than I've ever imagined anything ever being'. The grieving mother said it took firefighters 'hours and hours just to find Lysi' because the 'flames were so hot that they just couldn't get anywhere near the building'.

Alysia's mother, Tara Salisbury, said she is in 'constant pain every single day' and that her elder daughters 'don't know what to do with themselves' after the five-year-old's death. Alysia is pictured wearing a Christmas jumper

Ms Salisbury said that after the tragedy she 'lost the light in my life in the most horrific way possible'.

She said: 'The fire has taken literally everything - our house, our possessions, the car and my beautiful little girl Lysi. It's incredible how you can lose everything in a split second.'

Ms Salisbury said Alysia was 'the most fun-loving, free, adventurous little girl', idolised her older sisters and 'didn't have a mean bone in her entire body'.

'Everything she met was lit up by her beautiful smile. In one night, everything was cruelly taken from us. Life is not fair,' she added.

Alysia loved nothing more than running around in the mud and rain, and would always charge in the sea fully clothed with 'the biggest smile on her face'.

As a child with autism, she had felt an 'affinity' with animals and would often show affection by kissing her mother on the leg.

'These little moments meant the world to us, as we knew this was her way of telling us how much she loved us, how much she cared. It was spontaneous, uninstigated and true,' the heartbroken recalled said.

'As far as her loss affecting us, it's nothing short of devastating. She was around us 24/7 and we all loved every single second of it - her sisters adored her and I feel as though my very core is now missing.

'She brought light into my world, it's now so much darker without that beautiful little smile to light it.'

Ms Salisbury hopes their loved ones can commemorate Alysia's life at a funeral on July 22.

Ms Salisbury said that hearing Alysia trapped in Abigail's room was the 'worst feeling'. She recalled how she screamed Alysia's name and could 'hear her call back "Mummy"'.'Drone images show the damage of the fire, which tore through the roof of the property

The inquest which opened in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, was adjourned pending further reports from the police who are continuing to carry out their investigations into the fire. Pictured are emergency services teams at the scene of the tragedy

Since the tragedy, locals have rallied to support Alysia's loved ones, collecting clothes and supplies for her parents and two sisters aged 10 and 12. More than 20,000 has been raised for the family.

Fundraiser Beccy Eynon said donations will go towards helping Alysia's mum Tara pay for her daughter's funeral as well as going towards helping the family find a new home to live in after they lost everything in the fire.

Ms Eynon said: 'Alysia was a sweet, happy little girl who loved animals and the great outdoors. She was happiest out in the rain wearing nothing but a T-shirt and shorts. She adored her two older sisters, Abigail and Jessica, and they took such good care of her.'

Ms Salisbury previously told the Independent: 'I would say though that the fantastic response from everyone who has rallied around us to help in our time of need has been an incredible sight.'
A furious man brands his neighbors 'cat perverts' and acuses them of 'harboring' his pet in their yard in bizarre exchange between them caught on video.

The incredible footage, filmed last month in San Diego, shows a dramatic argument between two couples over a cat named Mercury.

Mercury's furious owners claim the neighbors have effectively kidnapped their cat by feeding it to keep it coming back and staying in their home.

The argument escaltes so that at one point Mercury's male owner brands his neighbors 'cat perverts' in surreal scenes.

He also threatens to call the police - though it's believed cops quickly declined to intervene.

Mercury's furious owners claimed the neighbours had effectively kidnapped their cat by feeding it and having it stay in their yard

The entire confrontation was captured on video by the neighbor, who seemed stunned by the accusations levelled at him by Mercury's owners.

The clip starts with the male neighbor walking up to the cat owners as they scream accusations at him.

He responds: 'I just want to be clear. You're upset because I made friends with your cat?'

The furious man answers: 'You're unreasonable people and you're holding our cat. You should go in your yard and say 'Mercury, go home, don't come in our yard anymore'.'

He makes a shooing motion with his hands to show what the neighbors should do to Mercury.

Unfortunately, this does little to calm the situation, with the neighbors bursting into laughter and pointing out that the cat 'doesn't speak English'.

This infuriates the cat owner further and he marches away after saying that he is calling the police.

A short time later, the man returns, sarcastically asking his neighbors if they feed his cat.

When they say they don't, he gets even angrier, culminating in him flinging a wild accusation at the neighbors of being 'cat perverts' - to the exasperation of his own partner.

Mercury's male owner brands his neighbor a 'cat pervert' during the incredible confrontation

The owner also threatened to call the police - though it's believed cops quickly declined to intervene

The stunned neighbor bursts into laughter, telling Mercury's owner that 'he's lost it'.

His partner tells the cat owners to stop making a scene 'over a cat'.

The clip cuts away as Mercury's male owner walks off, only to return and tell his neighbors that he has called the police and that they are 'harboring' the cat.

There is no such 'harboring an animal' law in California or the rest of the country.

The footage ends with the man branding his neighbors 'cat perverts' once again.

Speaking afterwards, the neighbor said: 'My neighbors have a very friendly outdoor cat that likes to hang out in my yard.

'The cat is free to come and go as it pleases. For some reason, they don't like that, and decided it's my job to tell the cat where and where not to go.

'Before I started recording, they said I was 'manipulating' the cat by 'befriending' it. They did end up calling the police after I stopped recording, but the police almost immediately hung up on them.

'The cat was right back in my yard the next morning.'

The footage was widely shared on social media, with may stunned by the outburst from the cat owner.

One said: 'The guy invented a whole new crime of "harbouring an animal".'

While another added: 'The audacity to have an outdoor roaming cat and get upset it interacts with your neighbors... keep it inside if this is a problem for you, my man.'

A third joked: 'I can see why the cat would rather hang at the neighbors house.'

While a fourth simply said: 'Cats don't care about fences.'
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The wife of a driver who was run over and killed after a fender bender turned deadly has rejected claims he slashed the other driver's tires.

Roberto Alvarez, 54, died after allegedly being ran over by 26-year-old Andrew Mosby after an altercation on Wednesday.

Officials say the incident began as a minor traffic accident on East 60th Street in Manhattan between a Chevrolet Silverado and a Volkswagen Jetta just after 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The Volkswagen's driver, Mosby, was accompanied by a woman and three small children in his car, police said.

Authorities say Roberto Alvarez got out of his Chevrolet Silverado when the two cars hit each other, and slashed the tires of Mosby's car.

Alvarez's wife Alex Garcia has hit back at the claims he slashed the tires, telling the New York Post 'this does not make any sense'.

Alvarez, pictured here with his wife Alex, who has said she doesn't believe her husband had attacked the vehicle, saying it 'doesn't make sense'

Mosby is said to have hit the accelerator and mowed down Alvarez, pinning him against a cafe wall

Mosby, was accompanied by a woman and three small children in his car, police said

Speaking to the outlet, she continued: 'He's a great person, a great husband, a great father.Everybody loves him.'

She also told the outlet she couldn't believe her husband had been involved in such a violent confrontation, saying: 'He eats oranges or apples in the car when he gets hungry.

'He peels the orange and cuts the apple with the small pocket knife. That's the only knife I know.

'When they tell me, I say, 'That's not my husband!' That's not the man I've been married to for 28 years.

'Ask his friends, his family, his boss, his neighbors. Everyone will tell you the same.'

Garcia continued: 'I don't know about [the claim that he] cut the tire. But if he sees the kids, no. I never saw my husband like this, no.

'For me, justice is to have my husband back.Robert worked so hard to make sure his son could have it better, leaving [at] 3, 4 in the morning, coming home [at] 7, 8 at night. Sometimes working 24 hours.

'He wanted to see his son get [to] the graduation.'

His son, Steven Velez Garcia also told the Post: 'I'm still in shock. It doesn't feel real to me.'

Police said that Mosby accelerated rapidly and struck Alvarez pinning him against a building facade.

Officers arrived on the scene and say they observed Alvarez laying on the sidewalk with trauma to his body.

He was then taken to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornel Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.

Mosby was then taken into police custody and charged with manslaughter and assault on Wednesday night.

Alvarez, pictured here with his wife Alex, was rushed to hospital by emergency teams but was pronounced dead shortly after

Police said that Mosby accelerated rapidly and struck Alvarez pinning him against a building facade

Alvarez had been travelling in his Chevrolet Silverado at the time of the incident on Wednesday

His girlfriend, Quenteria Daniels, 27, told the New York Daily News : 'We were four blocks away from my workplace when this guy tried to block us and broke our car's side mirror.

'My husband asked him to get back to his car and call the cops because we wanted to handle it the right way.

'He raised his hand with the knife at us,' she recalled. 'We were terrified. My kids were screaming and shouting.'

One witness told the New York Post that he was likely trying to protect the children inside the car from Alvarez who is said to have been wielding a knife.

Witness Betina Sisi told abc7: 'I just saw the guy stopped the car, gets out of the car, argues, gets back to the car, grabs a knife, goes back, flattens the back tire, the front one, goes in front of the car.

The wall that Alvarez had been pinned against was boarded up today following the incident

Alvarez is pictured here with his son Steven, right, and wife Alex, who he had been married to for 28 years

Officers arrived on the scene and say they observed Alvarez laying on the sidewalk with trauma to his body

'The next thing that happens the driver literally goes through him. What would you expect, what would be your reaction if you had your family in the car.

'He was blocking and he couldn't get out of the space, what would you do?'

Jorge Hernandez witnessed the incident, telling New York Daily News: 'The gentleman was on the floor. I can't believe he ran him down.

'He was yelling at the guy under the car. He was under the bumper from the chest down. He was still conscious. He was trying to reach for his cell phone

According to Hernandez, a group of people lifted the car off Alvarez and pulled him out from underneath.

Another man told NBC New York: 'He should not [be charged], he was trying to protect his family.'
Ahmad Alfarhan, 16, drowned after falling into the water at Browns Beach in South Australia's Innes National Park in March 2021

A 16-year-old boy's heartbreaking final words to his mum before he died on a school trip have been revealed.

Ahmad Alfarhan, 16, drowned after falling into the water at Browns Beach in South Australia's Innes National Park in March 2021.

Ahmad was was one of three boys who plunged into the water while visiting the park with Pinnacle College.

One of the three boys slipped off a moss-covered rock and fell into the ocean, while the other two either slipped too or jumped in to help save their classmate.

SA Employment Tribunal deputy president Judge Miles Crawley said it was unclear whether Ahmad slipped or leaped into the water to rescue his friend.

However, police at the time of the tragedy said he was a hero and had been trying to save his mate.

While his two friends made it back to shore, Ahmad's body was swept away and was not recovered until the following day.

The tribunal head that Ahmad had kissed his mother goodbye before heading on the trip, saying: 'I will see you in two days, don't miss me.'

The accident happened while the students were on trip in the Innes National Park (pictured), in South Australia

His mum said in a victim impact statement: 'Just remembering that day makes my heart break into pieces.

'I never thought my sons day would be before mine, that I would be the one saying goodbye to him for ever.

'Talking about a piece of my heart, my son Ahmad, the light and smile of our house.

'It was the worst day of my life, the day Ive lost piece of my heart.'

Ahmad had just turned 16 and was 'excited' at the prospect of getting his drivers licence, finishing school and going on to university.

The Pinnacle School students selected their own activities, camping and fishing, according to the published judgment, written by Judge Miles Crawley.

Rock fishing, considered one of Australia's most dangerous sports, was listed as a possible activity.

But crucially no risk assessment was done on rock fishing ahead of the field trip. Neither was it included on the permission slip that parents signed.

When the students arrived in the national park, the first thing they did was grab their fishing rods and find a rock outcrop to begin.

'Whilst there, one of the students lost his balance, slipped and fell into the sea,' the judgement said.

'Ahmad and another student either slipped or jumped into the sea in an effort to rescue him.'

While two of the boys who fell in were able to clamber out of the water, Ahmad could not.

His body was recovered the following day. The cause of death was determined to be drowning.

In a damning finding, Judge Crawley wrote that three students could easily have died that day.

Pinnacle School was fined $420,000 in the South Australian Employment Court on July 10 over the tragic incident

Pinnacle College was pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws and was fined $420,000.

The school made a 'public and unreserved apology to Ahmad's family', Judge Crawley said.

A tribute to Ahmad has been built at the college and the school has hired a work, health and safety officer.

Ahmad's death was a 'tragic and unnecessary loss of life,' SafeWork SA executive director Glenn Farrell said.
Another beloved San Francisco business has announced it will close its doors due to the city's drug and homelessness crises, as staff slam officials for allowing criminals to roam free.

La Cocina Marketplace opened just two years ago in the city's downtrodden Tenderloin district, and quickly found success serving food made by immigrant women.

While the establishment has received praise from the public, elected officials and the media, it struggled with the scene on the sidewalks outside, where drug use, public defecation and crime are a common sight.

Despite spending $275,000 on security, those who ran the stands at La Cocina said the unsavory scene scared off potential diners.

'We worked very hard - every business here, not just me - to bring more people here, to let people know about this amazing place,' Wafa Bahloul, an Algerian immigrant who has a food stand in the hall, told the San Francisco Chronicle.

La Cocina Marketplace has announced it will close its doors due to the city's drug and homelessness crises

The food hall opened just two years ago in the city's downtrodden Tenderloin district, and quickly found success serving food made by immigrant women

Despite spending $275,000 on security, those who ran the stands at La Cocina said the unsavory scene scared off potential diners (The Tenderloin district pictured above)

'But what happened outside versus inside was totally opposite. The best solution was to just shut the doors.'

Bahloul added that her husband recently witnessed a shooting outside the business.

Security guards Damian Morffet and Ron Haysbert targeted City Hall officials for what they described as a lackluster police department that has given free reign to criminals.

'If the police were consistent with their patrols and efforts, people would come out here at night,' Morffet told the San Francisco Chronicle, claiming cop's 'drive by and look, and they dont do anything.'

The guards shared that on Tuesday a man defecated outside La Cocina before walking away; staff is reportedly still dealing with the smell, which has scared off customers.

The food hall said it will shut down on September 1 and turn into a commercial kitchen closed to the public. Only La Paloma bar and a pop-up lunch area will remain open for walk-ins.

La Cocina is just the latest business in the city to announce it can no longer keep open under the circumstances.

Earlier this week, Goorin Bros. haberdashery, a century-old hat boutique, became the latest casualty of the so-called 'retail apocalypse' gripping downtown San Francisco.

The company has joined a host of stores shutting in San Francisco's Union Square, amid widespread crime and plummeting footfall.

Security guards slammed City Hall officials for what they described as a lackluster police department that has given free reign to criminals

Last month, the owner of the iconic HRD Coffee Shop decided to close shop for good, blaming the city for not supporting business owners amid a homelessness crisis and the aftermath of the pandemic.

Meanwhile Westfield shopping center announced it had stopped making mortgage payments last month due to crime and tanking sales - defaulting on its $558million loan and handing it back to the lender.

This was sparked by the decision from Nordstrom, the mall's anchor tenant, to close - which Westfield blamed in large part on 'unsafe conditions' and a 'lack of enforcement against rampant criminal activity'.

Other major firms such as Banana Republic, Office Depot, Old Navy, H&M and Whole Foods Market have either left the area or announced plans to leave in the coming months.

AT&T announced that it will close its flagship store on August 1 in yet another blow to the city's struggling retail sector.

Goorin Bros. haberdashery was founded in 1895, and also recently announced its closing

An analysis of official figures and other research reveals San Francisco may lose hundreds of millions of dollars through an exodus of businesses and its failure to recover from Covid

Last month Park Hotels & Resorts announced it was stopping mortgage payments on two hotels, the 1,921-room Hilton San Francisco and the 1,024-room Park 55, saying: 'Now more than ever, we believe San Francisco's path to recovery remains clouded and elongated by major challenges.'

The city has also suffered particularly badly from the rise in remote working after the pandemic, which has decimated footfall in the financial district and Union Square areas and left office blocks deserted.

Office vacancies reached a record high of 31 percent in May, enough space for 92,000 workers.

In April, Salesforce said it will leave its eponymous 30-story Salesforce East building in downtown, where around 1,000 staff had worked before the pandemic.

Leaders estimate the situation will contribute to a budget shortfall of $1.3 billion in five years. The decline in property tax revenue alone could cost nearly $200 million per year, according to a worst-case scenario drawn up by the city's chief accountant.

The city is also facing rampant drug use - with many dealers plying their trade openly on the streets.

As a result, city figures show there were more than 268 drug overdose deaths in the first six months of 2023 alone  a 41 percent increase on last year.
Ministers have been given the go-ahead to take the battle over its Rwanda deportation policy to the Supreme Court.

The government has been given permission to seek a ruling from the top authority after the Court of Appeal concluded the plans were unlawful.

Rishi Sunak had vowed to push for a rethink saying he 'fundamentally' disagreed with judges' concerns that people sent to the east African nation could face being returned to their home countries and persecuted.

The Rwanda policy is a key part of the PM's push to 'stop the boats'.

The Tories hope migrants will be deterred from making the perilous Channel crossing if they know they face immediate removal.

The government has been given permission to seek a ruling from the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeal ruled the plans were unlawful

The Rwanda policy is a key part of the PM's push to 'stop the boats' - something he has vowed to do before the next election (file picture)

Rishi Sunak had vowed to push for a rethink saying he 'fundamentally' disagreed with judges' concerns that people sent to the east African nation could face being returned to their home countries and persecuted

Court of Appeal papers show it has granted permission for the Government to challenge their decision at the Supreme Court, as had been expected.

One of the asylum seekers in the case was also given the green light to challenge part of the ruling.

In the ruling last month, Sir Geoffrey Vos and Lord Justice Underhill concluded 'deficiencies' in the asylum system in Rwanda mean there is a 'real risk' asylum seekers could be returned to their home country and face persecution or other inhumane treatment when they may have a good claim for asylum.

However, the Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett, who heard the appeal with the other two judges in April, disagreed, saying he would dismiss the challenge.

Campaigners welcomed the decision, with charity Asylum Aid which brought the challenge alongside several asylum seekers, describing the ruling at the time as a 'vindication of the importance of the rule of law and basic fairness when fundamental rights are at stake'.

But Home Secretary Suella Braverman claimed the system was 'rigged against the British people' and said she remained 'fully committed' to the policy and, despite the ruling, insisted she still had 'every confidence' in the plan while stressing that Rwanda was a safe country.
The gunman who killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018 is eligible for the death penalty, a federal jury announced Thursday.

Federal prosecutors are seeking capital punishment for Robert Bowers, who raged against Jewish people online before storming the Tree of Life synagogue with an AR-15 rifle and other weapons in the nation's deadliest anti-Semitic attack.

Bowers' lawyers had argued that his ability to form intent was impaired by mental illness and a delusional belief that he could stop a genocide of white people by killing Jews.

But after two hours of deliberation on Thursday, a jury agreed with prosecutors that Bowers  who spent six months planning the attack and has since expressed regret that he didn't kill more people  met the standards for the death penalty

Testimony is now expected to shift to the impact of Bowers' crimes on survivors and the victims' loved ones.

But two Pittsburgh-area synagogues have said they would oppose sentencing Bowers to death, claiming the penalty is not in keeping with the Jewish faith.

Robert Bowers, a truck driver, could face the death penalty for the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Bowers killed congregants at the Tree of Life Synagogue (pictured) in the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in America

Bowers, 50, a truck driver from suburban Baldwin, killed members of three congregations who had gathered at the Tree of Life synagogue on October 27, 2018. He also wounded two worshippers and five police officers.

He was convicted last month on 63 criminal counts, including hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death.

Twenty-two of those charges were criminal offenses  two for each of the 11 victims who were killed.

His attorneys had offered a guilty plea in return for a life sentence, but prosecutors refused, opting instead to take the case to trial and pursue the death penalty. Most of the victims' families supported that decision.

But the Dor Hadash and New Light Congregations, whose members were among those killed, opposed it.

In a letter to the judge, their representatives said the death penalty was not in keeping with the Jewish faith.

'In Jewish tradition, courts imposing capital sentences have been viewed as bloodthirsty since the days of the sages,' it said.

If jurors decide Bowers deserves to die, it would be the first federal death sentence imposed during Joe Biden's presidency. The president campaigned on a pledge to end capital punishment, but federal prosecutors continue to pursue the death penalty in some cases.

Bowers' victims: Top row, from left: Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil Rosenthal, and David Rosenthal; bottom row, from left, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Dan Stein, Melvin Wax, and Irving Younger

Law enforcement are seen running with a person on a stretcher at the scene of the shooting

The penalty phase of Bowers' trial began June 26. Jurors heard weeks of technical testimony about Bowers psychological and neurological states, with mental health experts for both sides disagreeing on whether he has schizophrenia, delusions or brain disorders that played a role in the rampage.

Bowers ranted incessantly on social media about his hatred of Jewish people before the 2018 attack and told police at the scene that 'all these Jews need to die.'

He told psychologists who examined him afterward, including as recently as May, that he was pleased with the attack.

The sentencing now shifts to a more emotional stage, with jurors expected to hear about the pain and trauma Bowers inflicted on worshippers in the heart of Pittsburgh's Jewish community.

The prosecution will also present evidence about other aggravating factors  including that the victims were elderly and Bowers' rampage was motivated by religious hatred  while the defense will present mitigating factors that might persuade jurors to spare his life including potential pleas from his relatives.

To put him on death row, jurors will have to agree unanimously that the aggravating factors outweigh the mitigating ones.

A SWAT team arrived at the Tree of Life synagogue after the shooting began

In final arguments Wednesday, prosecution and defense lawyers took turns attacking the findings of the others' expert witnesses  doctors who testified about Bowers' mental condition and whether he could form the intent to commit the attack.

Prosecutor Soo Song said Bowers meticulously plotted the attack over a period of months.

'On October 27, 2018, this defendant violated the safe, holy sanctuary that was the Tree of Life synagogue,' she said. 'He turned it into a killing ground.'

But Bowers' defense lawyer, Michael Burt, cited expert witnesses to bolster the claim that a 'delusional belief system took over his thinking,' which left him unable to do anything but 'following the dictates' of those delusional thoughts.

Burt argued that Bowers' ability to form intent was impaired by schizophrenia, epilepsy and a delusional belief that he could stop a genocide of white people by killing Jews who help immigrants.

Even years after the attack, facing capital murder charges, Bowers still 'can't restrain himself about these delusions he has about the country being invaded, that hes a soldier at war,' Burt said.

Song denounced the idea that Bowers lacked control of his actions.

She noted that Bowers told one of the defense's own expert medical witnesses that he meticulously planned the attack, considered other potential Jewish targets, and 'regrets that he didnt kill dozens more.'

Song said Bowers described himself as calm and focused as he shot to kill.

And U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan added that Bowers wasnt delusional, he 'just believes things that are repugnant.'
China's plan for a new world order under Beijing's leadership is similar to the way Britain acted when it had an empire, Cabinet minister Grant Shapps said today.

The Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary said he was 'clear-eyed' about the threat posed by the Communist regime and said it should be kept away from the UK's critical infrastructure.

But addressing a gathering of political journalists in Westminster he said the West could not 'just pretend they are not there' and should welcome investment where it was safe to do so.

His remarks came as a new report by MPs warned that Chinese spies are targeting the UK 'prolifically and aggressively'.

The long-awaited report by Parliament's intelligence watchdog raised concerns about Chinese influence in UK universities and the country's intention to become a 'permanent and significant player' in the civil nuclear energy industry.

Asked about the The Intelligence and Security Committee report Mr Shapps pointed out he had brought out the Chinese investment in the Sizewell C nuclear power station project last year at a cost to taxpayers of 700 million.

But he added: 'I have a really clear-eyed view about China. First of all, they are a reality, we cannot wish things away.

'And they do want to change the world, to operate under their world order. That is no surprise - we did that when we had an empire, the Americans have done that, the Dutch did it before us. That's the way large economies and empires operate.

The Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary said he was 'clear-eyed' about the threat posed by the Communist regime and said it should be kept away from the UK's critical infrastructure.

he had brought out the Chinese investment in the Sizewell C nuclear power station project last year at a cost to taxpayers of 700 million.

Chinese spies are targeting the UK 'prolifically and aggressively' with Beijing managing to penetrate 'every sector of the economy', a watchdog warned today.

'What we need to do is work out how we are going to  make it work for us.'

He added: 'I don't agree with a policy that says ''let's just pretend they are not there'' but I am also very, very clear-minded.

'There are many times when we should be, and do, welcome Chinese investment. So I think it is about making sure they are not part of our critical national infrastructure, but we do have to accept that this is the world as it is, not just the world as we would like to imagine it, which is not a sensible approach.'

The ISC was is also critical of the UK Government's response to China, questioning the trade-off between economic interest and security concerns.

The 207-page report, published this morning, said the UK is of 'significant interest to China when it comes to espionage and interference', placing the country 'just below China's top priority targets'.

It said: 'China's state intelligence apparatus  almost certainly the largest in the world with hundreds of thousands of civil intelligence officers. targets the UK and its interests prolifically and aggressively, and presents a challenge for our Agencies to cover.'

Chaired by Conservative MP Sir Julian Lewis, the nine-member committee scrutinises the work of the UK's intelligence agencies including MI5, MI6 and GCHQ.

Sir Julian said: 'China's state intelligence apparatus  almost certainly the largest in the world, with hundreds of thousands of civil intelligence officers (leaving aside their military capability)  targets the UK and its interests prolifically and aggressively, and presents a challenge for our Agencies to cover.

'China's human intelligence collection is prolific, and it has a highly capable and increasingly sophisticated cyber-espionage operation.'

The report said: 'Much of the impact which China has on the UK's national security is overt  through its economic might, its takeovers and mergers, and its interaction with Academia and Industry.

'China's size, ambition and capability have enabled it to successfully penetrate every sector of the UK's economy.'

It warned about China's 'whole-of-state' approach that sees Chinese companies and ordinary Chinese citizens 'co-opted' into its spying and interference operations abroad.

The report found Beijing had 'worked hard on disinformation' over the Covid pandemic and 'greatly exaggerated its work to counter the virus and develop vaccines, and has sown seeds of doubt about the origins of the virus, to make the world believe that China was not at fault'.
The suspect charged with shooting Memphis hand surgeon Benjamin Mauck has a history of schizophrenia and told police in April last year that he was 'off his meds'.

Larry Pickens, 29, has been charged with first degree murder for shooting Mauck in the exam room at the Campbell Clinic in Collierville, Tennessee, on Tuesday.

While his motive remains unclear, he appeared in court this morning.

Pickens has no criminal record in Collierville, but he has called police several times on other people.

In April 2022, he called cops claiming someone had broken into his home.

Larry Pickens, 29, has been charged with first degree murder for shooting Mauck in the exam room at the Campbell Clinic in Collierville, Tennessee, on Tuesday

Dr. Benjamin Mauck was murdered in his clinic on Tuesday afternoon

During that interaction, he told the officers he was schizophrenic and off his medication, according to local Memphis outlet WATE.

In another, more threatening incident, he panicked staff and customers at a barbershop by complaining about his haircut.

One of the barbershop owners said that he saw Pickens feeling around in his pocket as if he was reaching for a weapon.

He did not pull one out, and ended up calling the police himself claiming someone else had threatened him - which they had not.

That barbershop owner told WATE he was concerned for his staff.

'Someone felt threatened, and whenever we feel threatened, then we have to take care of our business.

'I thought he had some sort of mental disorder just off his actions and how he was carrying himself.

Last year, Pickens is said to have threatened the owners of Faded Barber Shop because he didn't like his haircut

'He just was reaching in his pocket like he had a gun but he wasnt pulling out nothing like he was going to shoot,' he said.

Pickens is shown in his Tuesday booking photo

He was not charged of either incident.

On Tuesday, he is accused of lying in wait for Dr. Mauck then waiting until he could be alone with him in the exam room to shoot him.

The suspect then fled and was arrested outside the clinic.

Some clinic staff say he had been threatening Dr. Mauck for a week. It's unclear whether the surgeon, or anyone else from the clinic, had reported it to the police.

Pickens appeared in court today to tell a judge that he did not have a lawyer.

When asked if he could afford his $1.2million bond, he shrugged and said 'not sure.'
Joe Biden told a Finnish reporter who questioned him at a press conference in Helsinki that she might not make it home that night.

The president was reflecting on uncertainty and his sense of fatalism while fielding a question about NATO's newest member, Finland, which sits just 70 miles from Russia.

'We will stand together,' he said at a press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, after the country had rushed to join the alliance following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

'No one can guarantee the future. But this is the best bet anyone can make,' he qualified.

After he had finished answering the question  about whether political divisions in the U.S. might in the future undermine whatever commitments Biden makes  he returned to his statement of mutual commitment and collective defense, which is enshrined in the NATO Charter.

'No one can guarantee the future,' President Joe Biden said in Helsinki while providing assurances that Finland would be protected now that it is part of NATO

He did so even as the Finnish president began answering a similar question.

'Let me be clear,' Biden told Lida Tikka, the D.C. correspondent of Finnish public broadcaster YLE. 'I didn't say... we couldn't guarantee the future. You can't tell me whether you're going to be able to go home tonight. No one can be sure what they're going to do.

'I'm saying as sure as anything could possibly be said about American foreign policy, we will stay connected to NATO, connected to NATO beginning middle and end. We're a a transatlantic partnership.'

When he was done, the Finnish president appended: 'It seems the President has solved your problems.

'I have no reason to doubt about USA policies in the future,' added Niinisto.

Biden had to ask his questioner to repeat her inquiry, after she referenced a bipartisan bill by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) to prevent a president from withdrawing from NATO without congressional approval.

Biden had earlier stated that 'the United States is committed to Finland, committed to NATO and those commitments are rock solid.'

He vowed to protect 'every inch of NATO territory, and that includes Finland, obviously,' he said.

President Biden told a Finnish reporter she might not make it home tonight, when asked about the nature of guarantees for Finland's security

Iceland's Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir (L) listens to Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store during the US-Nordic Leaders' Summit. Biden corrected himself after mentioning the head of Ireland instead of Iceland

Biden vowed to protect 'every inch' of NATO territory, including Finland, it's newest member

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, US President Joe Biden, Finland's President Sauli Niinisto and Iceland's Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir react during a family photo session of the US-Nordic Leaders' Summit Meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, 13 July 2023. The Nordic leaders are working on mutual security guarantees

Russian President Vladimir Putin came up during the presser, but neither later referred to him by name

Biden spoke to a child as he left Finland en route to the U.S.

The assurances came during a press conference that featured mutual compliments, but where Biden had to ask for questions to be repeated. He also had to correct himself after accidentally referring to the head of Ireland instead of the head of Iceland, having met with a group of Nordic nations.

'You can tell thats a Freudian slip. Im thinking of "home,"' he said.

He had just called Prime Minister of Iceland Katrin Jakobsdottir a 'daughter of Ireland' before catching himself. His last overseas trip was to Ireland, where he has ancestral roots.

It all took place in in the same room in the presidential palace where former President Donald Trump appeared to side with Vladimir Putin in 2018 and accepted assurances from the Russian leader that he hadn't interfered in the 2016 elections.

Biden also expressed 'unwavering support' to the 'brave people of Ukraine,' after coming from a NATO summit in Vilnius where Ukraine got new assurances about joining NATO but not the timeline for getting invited that President Volodymyr Zelensky sought.

He said he didn't think Russia's war could 'go on for years,' or that Russia could maintain it forever due to limited 'resources capacity.'

Russia has been riding out western sanctions, but has experienced apparent issues with arms ammunition, and troops who are getting sacrificed in the 'meat grinder' of the Ukraine invasion.

Later, in response to a U.S. question, Biden revealed during his answer to a question about Russian President Vladimir Putin that the U.S. does not know with certainty the location of mutineer Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner private military boss who led a column toward Moscow only to make a deal and back off.

The event came in the same hall where Donald Trump spoke with Vladimir Putin. Trump appeared to accept Russian President Vladimir Putin's denials of election interference during their appearance in 2018. The meeting came four years after Russia invaded Crimea and four years before it's massive invasion of Ukraine

He was asked about the reemergence of the Russian military chief of staff Valery Gerasimov, amid scrutiny of how Putin will respond to the threat against his leadership and his top commanders.

God only knows what hes likely to do, Biden said. Were not even sure where he is and what relationship he has, he said of Prigozhin, who cut a deal for sanctuary in Belarus, but who according to the Kremlin met with Putin there.

If I were him Id be careful what I ate and keep my eye on the menu, Biden said, in his second bit of dark humor of the press event.

In response to a question about Russian interference in U.S. elections, he said, Theyre already interfering. That would not be anything new.

It was as close as he got to referencing the 2018 Trump-Putin presser here, where Trump accepted Putins denials of interfering in the 2016 elections.

On fears a weakened Putin could lash out with nuclear weapons, Biden said, I dont think theres any real prospect. You never know of Putin using nuclear weapons.

Neither man referred to Putin by his name. The Finnish president called him our neighbor. Biden called him the gentleman who occupies a seat the other side of the border in Moscow.

Biden had a blunt assessment of whether Putin could prevail or how long it might take to end.

'Putins already lost the war,' he said, amid tough fights by Ukraine to reclaim territory.

'There is no possibility of him winning,' Biden said.

He said Russia's resources would run out. 'But I cant predict exactly how that happens.
A former verger to the late Queen who sexually abused two schoolboys was today jailed for 16 years.

Clive McCleester, 77, who served at Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel and supervised visitors to the Queen Mothers tomb, pleaded guilty to 10 sexual offences at Inner London Crown Court.

The Church of England official abused his first victim while working as a child welfare officer at Tylney Hall School in Hampshire between January 1968 and December 1970.

McCleester later sexually abused a choirboy at Southwark Cathedral in the 1980s while living in the church's vicarage.

The church officer, who lives in the Grade I listed Hospital of St Cross almshouse in Winchester, was dubbed a 'vile predator' by police after admitting his offences just days before his case was set to be heard in court.

Clive McCleester (pictured) was today jailed for 16 years after pleading guilty to 10 historic counts of sexual abuse

Prosecutor Catherine Donnelly told Inner London Crown Court McCleester abused one of his victims on the day of his grandmothers funeral while walking with him in the grounds of Tylney Hall.

McCleester then took the child back to his room and continued the attack.

The victim went on to describe that such incidents happened two to three times a week, said Ms Donnelly. It was an ongoing sustained abuse over many occasions.

McCleester oversaw the boys bath time and ensured the victim was in the bath as opposed to the shower as it had its own cubicle.

McCleester regularly assaulted the boy, the court heard.

This would take place regularly, taking every passing opportunity to touch him, said Ms Donnelly.

He complained to police about the abuse after speaking with a counsellor but passed away in 2020.

The second victim was abused between January 1984 and May 1987 while McCleester was working as head verger at Southwark Cathedral.

He was first assaulted by McCleester after being invited back to his home for a Chinese takeaway.

McCleester bear-hugged the boy and pushed his genital area to his backside. He sexually assaulted him on up to four occasions, the court heard.

It is clear this victim liked Mr McCleester and thought well of him.

He said he was never forced but consented to what happened, its only in retrospect he has come to accept he was abused and groomed, said Ms Donnelly.

He abused the chorister at his flat in the vicarage.

Police reviewed historical documentation, archive files and employment records to trace witnesses in the case.

McCleester attended court via video-link from south Londons Thameside Prison as Judge Jane Rowley told him: You were in a position of great responsibility within the hierarchy of the Church of England.

You took advantage of your position of responsibility to sexually abuse young victims at the school and at the church.

Clive McCleester (pictured) was labelled a 'vile predator' by Detective Sergeant Hannah Stewart, from the Met's Central Specialist Crime unit

She referred to the victim impact statement of the boy he abused when he was head verger at Southwark Cathedral.

He describes the anger and worthlessness that he suffered as a result of what you did to him, which impacted every aspect of his life.

Referring to the boy he abused at Tylney Hall the judge said: His life was blighted and it ended far too soon.

Judge Rowley told McCleester: You enjoyed many years of a successful career and productive life. Your victims were not so lucky. They both had vulnerabilities when you abused them which followed them into adulthood.

Both had the innocence of childhood taken from them. The victims had to live with the effects of the abuse.

Finally the judge addressed the families of both victims, who were in court and on a video link.

She said: You waited patiently for justice to be done for the horrendous acts carried out by the defendant on many occasions and over many years.

Nobody has been left untouched by the damage and hurt that the defendant had caused.

McCleester, who lives in the Grade I listed Hospital of St Cross almshouse in Winchester, Hampshire, admitted eight counts of indecent assault and two counts of gross indecency with a child.

Detective Sergeant Hannah Stewart, from the Mets Central Specialist Crime, said: This has been a long and arduous investigation with McCleester maintaining his innocence throughout.

We are pleased he has finally admitted his guilt just three days before we were due to take him to trial to present our case.

The initial victim survivor, having sadly passed away after giving police his evidence, was unable to hear the guilty verdict but his family represented him at court in his absence.

The second victim survivor was also sexually abused and exploited by McCleester - a verger in his Cathedral.

The impact to both at such a young age has been devastating. They have been extremely brave and shown tremendous strength and courage.

The officers involved in this case have worked relentlessly and shown incredible commitment to securing these convictions. Both the victims and their families feel they have been failed by institutions that were supposed to protect them.

We hope they can feel an element of peace knowing that justice has been finally served.

Clive McCleester worked as a verger at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, where he oversaw visitors to the Queen Mother's tomb and helped organise royal funerals

McCleester is a vile predator who has no place in society.

We urge anyone who has been a victim of McCleester to come forward to police. We will support you.

A spokesperson for Southwark Cathedral said: Clive McCleester, a former senior employee of Southwark Cathedral has pleaded guilty today on charges of safeguarding offences which took place in the 1980s.

Mr McCleesters crimes are a grievous breach of trust, which will have life-long effects.

We would like to offer a full and unreserved apology to all those affected by this matter and we commend the bravery of those who brought this to light, acknowledging how difficult and distressing this would have been.

We are profoundly sorry for the abuse perpetrated by Mr McCleester and are committed to doing everything possible to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults, who look to us for respect and care.

We have cooperated fully with the police in the course of their investigations. The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is our highest priority and we continually monitor our practice and processes to ensure that safeguarding remains at the heart of everything we do.
His attorney Joseph Cataldo accused the government of pinning unsolved cases on his client whose bail was set at $50,000

He was previously accused of sexually assaulting four other women in the Charlestown neighborhood - bring his total number of alleged victims to eight

Boston serial rape suspect Matthew Nilo has pleaded not guilty to fresh charges involving the sexual assault of four more women 15 years ago, as his lawyer accused the government of pinning unsolved cases on his client.

Nilo, now a New Jersey lawyer, was arraigned on Thursday on seven new charges relating to attacks on women in Boston's historic North End neighborhood between 2007 and 2008.

The 35-year-old's new charges include one count of both rape and aggravated rape, three counts of assault to rape, and two counts of indecent assault and battery, according to legal filings.

Nilo, who was supported in court by his fiancee Laura Griffin, was previously charged with a string of incidents involving four different women in the city's affluent Charlestown neighborhood, to which he has also pleaded not guilty.

A clerk magistrate on Thursday set his bail at $50,000 cash, which his lawyer said his client planned to post immediately.

Matthew Nilo, 35, leaves court with his fiancee Laura Griffin on Thursday after pleading not guilty to the rapes of four more women in Boston's North End neighborhood in 2007 and 2008

Nilo was previously charged with three other rapes and one attempted rape in the Charlestown neighborhood at the same time

Nilo's attorney Joseph Cataldo lashed out at the new charges after the arraignment on Thursday.

'They have not turned over any discovery from the new allegations, no police reports,' he said, according to Fox News.

'I think they're trying to solve some unresolved cases, and I think the government might be piling on, just trying to claim that Mr. Nilo committed these crimes.'

The assaults happened in January 2007, July 2007, January 2008, and July 2008, prosecutors said.

Nilo pleaded not guilty to the charges over the incidents involving the first four women, and was released from Boston jail after his fiancee posted $500,000 of his $5million bail and he was fitted with a GPS ankle monitor.

He was about 19 to 20 years old at the time of the attacks and was working as a cyber claims lawyer with the Cowbell insurance firm at the time of his arrest earlier this year.

Nilo's employment was suspended pending the ongoing investigation.

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin R. Hayden told reporters Thursday that the new allegations against Nilo follow a similar pattern to the Charlestown attacks, the Boston Globe reported.

'One of the victims was even attacked twice in just 11 days,' Hayden said.

'The attacks occurred during a time when Matthew Nilo lived in the North End and coincide with the period of time of the attacks on other women in Charlestown, for which Mr. Nilo was previously arraigned.'

The prosecutor said he hoped advancements in DNA technology would provide the evidence needed to convict Nilo.

'Nothing can eliminate the terror experienced by these survivors,' Hayden said.

'But at least now they have the knowledge that Mr. Nilo must answer the horrible [crimes] he's alleged to have committed. We hope this provides some solace to survivors of these attacks.'

When asked why action had not been taken to ensure Nilo was not released on bail, the prosecutor suggested because the incidents were 15 years ago, he is not still thought to be a threat to society.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for September 14.

Cataldo last month said in a statement: 'You can expect both a legal and factual challenge to the government's case.'

Nilo posted the $50,000 bail to secure his release on Thursday after his fiance previously posted $500,000 of his $5 million bail relating to his original charges

Nilo appeared defiant in court as he pleaded not guilty to the new charges including one count of both rape and aggravated rape, three counts of assault to rape, and two counts of indecent assault and battery

Prosecutors allege that Nilo, a Boston native, attacked four women in the North End in 2007 and 2008 - including two attacks on the same woman just 11 days apart.

One attack on January 14, 2008 occurred during the middle of a snowstorm, WCVB reports, while another took place on July 4, 2008.

The string of assaults left the neighborhood on edge at the time, as police warned women to be vigilant and even wear rape whistles.

Authorities believed the rapes were connected, and released a composite sketch of the suspect.

'The newly-indicted attacks occurred at the time Nilo was living in the North End and during the same period as the attacks against women in Charlestown, for which Nilo is already charged,' the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said in a statement announcing the new charges.

'The incidents followed a similar pattern. The victims were attacked while they were walking alone, in the dark, either at night or early in the morning.'

Nilo is seen partying with friends during his days at a Boston private school in 2007

Alleged victim Lori Pinkham spoke to DailyMail.com outside of a Boston courtroom, calling Nilo 'a very evil person and he used weapons and force to violently kidnap and rape multiple women'

Police arrested Nilo on May 30 in an FBI sting in which he was lured out of the luxury harbor side apartment he shared with his fiance, Laura Griffin, with the claim that a package had been delivered that was too big to fit in the swanky facility's lockers.

Law enforcement claims to have linked Nilo to the four assaults in Charlestown with DNA evidence identified through the genealogy database 23 and Me, to which family members had voluntarily submitted samples.

The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative - a federal program designed to help process a backlog of rape kits - was used in the investigation after Boston Police Department reached out last October.

Authorities believed the historic rape cases connected and released a composite sketch of the suspect which lead to Nilo's arrest

By April, Nilo had been identified as a suspect according to FBI Special Agent Joseph R Bonavolonta.

He then waived his extradition back to Massachusetts, and was charged in the Charlestown rapes, in which, prosecutors say, Nilo picked up women downtown and brought them to Terminal Street, where he would assault them.

Nilo's first alleged victim, Lori Pinkham, spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com, sharing her ordeal publicly.

Pinkham admitted that she had lost hope that her attacker would ever be caught and said she was, 'in disbelief and awe' when police came to her home and told her they had identified him.

'He's a very evil person and he used weapons and force to violently kidnap and rape multiple women,' she said.

Pinkham could not get into the details of her own assault, she said, but is prepared to testify against Nilo if called to by prosecutors.

Meanwhile, Nilo's attorney says he intends to challenge the constitutionality of the evidence collected by police and federal authorities used to arrest him.

Cataldo accused the government of pinning unsolved cases on his client

Nilo's employment was suspended pending the ongoing rape investigation

Nilo was released from a Boston jail on June 15 after Griffin paid $500,000 towards his bail.

He was fitted for a GPS tracker and was released on the condition he surrender his passport, have no contact with the victims or witnesses and stay at least 1,000 feet away from Terminal Street.

Exclusive DailyMail.com pictures and video show Nilo walking from the courthouse with Griffin, who clutched his hand tightly throughout.

Even more charges may be forthcoming, as police in Madison, Wisconsin - where Nilo attended college - are looking back at their old cases to see if there may be any connection with the suspect.

'Our detectives are aware of Matthew Nilo,' the police department said in a statement to WCVB. 'We are working with Boston police [and] reviewing old cases to see if there is any connection.'
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Oversight Republicans sounded off about the Secret Service closing its investigation into cocaine found at the White House without narrowing down a list of about 500 people it could be.

'I'm totally disgusted,' said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn. 'I mean, it's a clown show.'

Members leaving a briefing with Secret Service in the House SCIF said they had been informed Secret Service had found 0.007 grams of cocaine in a cubby with a lock at the West Executive Avenue entrance of the White House. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., said they were told the key is now missing.

Burchett said Secret Service informed him they could not get any clear footage to identify who had left the bag of drugs. Boebert said Secret Service claimed the cocaine could have been in the cubby for 'days, weeks or years.'

'You can't go in there without giving your social security number rating, and then they decided it's just some weekend visitor,' Burchett told reporters upon leaving the meeting. 'That's bogus. Nobody's buying that at all.'

'I'm totally disgusted,' said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn. 'I mean, it's a clown show'

Mace said she was 'deeply frustrated' by the lack of answers surrounding the investigation

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said she asked Secret Service why they could not drug test the 500-some people who had visited the White House.

'It's a simple drug test' she said. 'There's a list of 500 people who should go through a drug test.

GOP Rep. Nancy Mace said it wouldn't be feasible to test everyone who had been through that day, and Boebert said she had 'constitutional concerns.'

Top Oversight Democrat Jamie Raskin told reporters after leaving the briefing he found the incident 'troubling' but 'doesn't know what more could be done.'

'There are thousands of people who enter there every single day,' he said. 'Ten thousand a week or something. You know, we don't check people for drugs on the way into the Capitol or into Capitol office buildings. So we wouldn't know if somebody brought some in here. So you know, I don't know. I don't know what else could be done about that,' he said.

Raskin, D-Md., called the idea of drug testing all 500 people who could have brought in the drugs a 'massively disproportionate and overblown response that would violate people's civil liberties.'

He said of the Republicans who suggested the idea: 'These are the same people who are opposed to COVID-19 tests. So I don't see a lot of coherence.'

Mace said she was 'deeply frustrated' by the lack of answers surrounding the investigation.

'I would like answers because it just seems like anytime we have any questions about any unsavory activity around the Biden's no one no one can provide an answer conclusively or not.

'Someone always ends up lying the White House lied about who was in the West Wing that weekend or not,' she went on.

Republican members also took jabs at Hunter Biden but did not suggest it was his drugs since he would not be using a public cubby at the West Wing entrance.

Greene said Secret Service did not believe the cocaine that was found was used at the White House but added: 'I think we all know that cocaine has probably been used in the White House.'

'There are no security measures in place at the White House to detect a substance, whether it be scheduled to substance like cocaine that was recently found marijuana, or even something more potentially dangerous, dangerous, like anthrax,' said Boebert, noting that marijuana had been found there twice in 2022.
His own daughter Sarah Turney told the court she met with him in 2017 and begged for answers to which he told her 'I will tell you on my death bed'

In 2020, Turney was indicted on murder in connection with Alissa's death

Alissa Turney, 17, was last seen on May 17, 2001 when her stepfather Michael Turney picked her up early on the last day of school in Phoenix, Arizona

A man accused of murdering his 17-year-old stepdaughter Alissa Turney more than two decades ago allegedly told her sister that he would give her answers on his death bed, an Arizona court heard this week.

The eerie testimony was revealed by Sarah Turney who took the stand this week in the murder trial of her own father Michael Turney.

Sarah was only 12 years old when her sister Alissa vanished on the last day of school in May 2001. It was her social media campaign for justice years later that led to the arrest of Turney in 2020, despite a body never being found.

Now in her 30s, the Phoenix woman told the Maricopa County court how her father allegedly brainwashed her into thinking that Alissa was a rebellious teenager who ran away to California.

But over the years, Sarah said she grew suspicious of her own father and that as his renditions of what happened that day changed every time, it led her to search for her own answers.

When she met up with her father in 2017 and pushed him for an explanation, he wouldn't give it to her.

'He told me he would tell me on his death bed,' Sarah recalled, adding that he said he would confess to everything if the state agreed to give him a lethal injection within 10 days.'

Turney, now 75, is charged with second degree murder in connection to Alissa's death. The trial is expected to last another week.

Sarah was only 12 years old when her sister Alissa vanished on the last day of school in May 2001. It was her social media campaign for justice years later that led to the arrest of her own father Michael Turney in 2020, despite a body never being found

Michael Turney is on trial for second degree murder in the death of his stepdaughter Alissa Turney, 17, who has been missing since May 2001 when he picked her up early from school

Alissa, 17, was last seen May 17, 2001. She is presumed dead but her body has never been found

Sarah's long journey to get justice for her sister went viral on social media. She shared haunting home videos and started a podcast called 'Voices for Justice' - which began as a platform for Alissa then turned into an outlet to help other victims.

This week in court, Sarah became emotional on the stand as she described her relationship with her older sister, who she said practically raised her after their mother died from cancer.

'She got me dressed in the morning when she was there, and picked out my clothes, and taught me how to do makeup and do my nails,' Sarah said through tears.

Sarah then recounted the day in 2001 when Alissa was last seen.

It was May 17, 2001 - Alissa had just finished her junior year at Paradise Valley High School and she was excited for the summer and a graduation party they were supposed to go to later, her sister said. But she never showed up.

Just before Alissa left school that day, she poked her head into a woodworking classroom to tell her boyfriend Jonathan Laakman that her stepfather was picking her up early, Laakman testified on Wednesday.

Michael Turney previously told Phoenix Police that he picked Alissa up early from her last day of school and they got into an argument over her desire for more freedom.

Det. Stuart Somershoe read a letter written by Turney that detailed the day, with the stepfather explaining that the discussion was also about Alissa's alleged marijuana use and Turney's concerns over her boyfriend.

They went home and Alissa went to her room, still angry, while Turney went to pick up Sarah from her field trip. When they returned, Alissa was gone.

Turney is wheeled in during opening statements at Maricopa County Court in Phoenix July 6

There was a note in Alissa's loopy handwriting stating that she was running away to California

Alissa, pictured, showed no signs of wanting to run away and her family were suspicious

They tried to call her phone, which they heard buzz in her room. There was a note in her loopy handwriting stating that she was running away to California.

Sarah had previously told NBC Dateline that Alissa had dreamed of going to California. But to leave without her phone or without telling anyone was not like her.

In opening statements last week, the prosecution revealed how Turney had been filming Alissa in their home and how he had hundreds of surveillance videos of her.

When police reopened the investigation in 2008 and searched Turney's home, 'what they discovered was the defendant had literally hundreds of audio tapes of phone calls recorded over the years. Literally tubs of cassette tapes, tubs of VHS tapes,' Prosecutor Vince Imbordino said.

Yet, they found no footage of the day Alissa was last seen.

'There's no video recording of them in the house that day. No video recording of them having an argument. No video recording of her leaving with her backpack. There's nothing from that day.'

Turney also tapped Alissas phone and allegedly made her sign a contract in which she stated that he never sexually assaulted her, the prosecution claimed.

The jury later heard from John Turney, Alissas half-brother, and James Turney, Alissas stepbrother. But a judge ruled that the jury could not hear James testimony that Alissa confided in him about an alleged incident where Turney put his hand on her leg, allegedly tried something, which cause her to run away screaming.

The defense has argued that there isnt any DNA or blood evidence that proves Turney killed Alissa. They also pointed out that without a body, there is no definitive proof that Alissa isnt still alive.

Michael Turney was arrested in August 2020 and charged with the murder of his stepdaughter

Alissa is pictured with her stepfather, Michael Turney. Alissa's mother had died of cancer

This week, the jury heard from Sarah on how she seemingly accepted that her sister had run away but that bizarre conversations with her father over the years made her suspicious.

She was then grilled by the defense who reminded her of her statements at the time of how she told detectives that Alissa was a 'partier' and a rebellious teen who likely ran away and about how they allegedly did not actually have a good sisterly bond.

'You said that Alissa was unpredictable?' the defense attorney asked, to which Sarah responded: 'That's what I believed at the time, yes.'

'You told her she had a temper and made poor choices,' the defense attorney said.

'That's what I believed,' Sarah said.

'In any of those interviews, did you say, 'This is what my dad said? Yes or no?' the defense attorney pushed.

'I was brainwashed to believe a certain thing about my sister from my father,' Sarah responded.

In 2020, just a few months after Sarah shared her story on multiple videos on TikTok, her father was arrested and Sarah was thanked by prosecutors for her tireless efforts to bring her sister's alleged killer to justice.

'I'm shaking and I'm crying,' she tweeted when informed of Turney's arrest.

'We did it you guys. He's been arrested. Omg - thank you. #justiceforalissa

'Never give up hope that you can get justice. It took almost 20 years but we did it.'

Sarah shared haunting home videos on social media and started a podcast called 'Voices for Justice' - which began as a platform for Alissa then turned into an outlet to help other victims

In May 2020 she began making videos on TikTok that focused on the case

It was a Florida man's confession to killing Alissa back in 2006 that brought her case back into the spotlight - but police concluded that Thomas Hymer's description of Alissa was not viable and his story was false. He later admitted that he might have been mistaken.

And then in 2008, investigators from the Phoenix Police Department Missing Persons Unit opened Alissa's case.

They declared that foul play was a factor in her disappearance, according to Sergeant Maggie Cox.

'At the time, there were no signs of foul play or exigency based on the fact Alissa was 17 years old and had no mental/physical health issues,' Sgt. Cox told NBC's Dateline.

Sergeant Cox told Dateline that allegations of sexual abuse by Michael Turney prompted investigators to focus on him, after speaking to several people in 2008.

'The totality of circumstances known to police prompted the focus on Michael Turney as the suspect,' she said.

William Anderson, a detective with the Phoenix Police Department, said on Thursday: 'Through that, we began to see this was not a runaway child.'

Sarah Turney is pictured with her father, celebrating her 18th birthday at Disneyland

In December 2008, police executed search warrants at the house where Alissa had lived with her half-sister Sarah and stepfather.

They found videotapes dating back to the 1980s, including surveillance footage from the house, but did not find any videos from the day she disappeared.

They also found a huge arsenal of weaponry, including 19 high-caliber assault rifles, two handmade silencers, a van filled with gasoline cans and 26 handmade explosive devices 'pipe bombs' filled with gunpowder and roofing nails.

Sergeant Cox said that during the search at Turney's home they also found a 98-page manifesto, titled 'Diary of a Madman Martyr.'

Turney allegedly accused the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers of being involved in the alleged kidnapping and murder of Alissa.

Turney's plan allegedly involved blowing up the union hall in revenge, aiming to kill himself in the process.

He was charged over the weapons and explosives stash found in December 2008, and in March 2010 pleaded guilty to possessing 26 unregistered pipe bombs.

He was sentenced to the maximum term of 10 years in federal prison, but was released in 2017.

Yet, Sarah never gave up hope for justice.

The high school graduate was planning her future when she disappeared without trace

Alissa, Sarah and their mother Barbara. Sarah Turney fought for justice for her sister

In 2019, she started her own podcast, 'Voices For Justice,' which detailed their family history, events leading up to Alissa's disappearance and a timeline of what has happened in the years since.

In May 2020 she began making videos on TikTok that focused on the case.

'Believe it or not, it has become an important outlet for Alissa's story,' she told NBC.

'I've received more interest in this case from that app in the past month than the last 10 years.

'This is not going away and I'm going to make sure it never does. I still think of her as my tough older sister who taught me to be tough.

'Now, I need to continue to be tough and use that to fight for the justice she deserves.

'She deserves her day in court. And I'm determined to give her that.'
A 22-year-old Illinois man has been arrested for allegedly murdering half a dozen kittens by drowning some and microwaving others.

Chicago roofer Thomas Martel has been accused of killing at least six baby cats after his girlfriend told police about a foul-smelling bag in his pantry, which they cut open to reveal what appeared to be feline body parts.

Martel, from the neighborhood of Wicker Park, has been charged with four counts of animal torture and two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

The horrific details of the allegations were described during his bail hearing on Tuesday afternoon, which was attended by local outlet CWB Chicago.

Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Sarah Dale-Schmidt told the hearing Martel killed the kittens at his home on the 1500 block of North Wicker Park Avenue before replacing each with a lookalike.

Thomas Martel, 22, from Wicker Park in Chicago, Illinois, has been charged with four counts of animal torture and two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals

The roofer allegedly killed at least half a dozen kittens at his home on the 1500 block of North Wicker Park Avenue by microwaving some and drowning others before binning their bodies. Pictured: the street where Martel allegedly carried out his gruesome crimes

She said he sourced each cat on Craigslist so his mom would not get suspicious, in what Judge Kelly McCarthy described as part of a 'pattern' of gruesome behavior.

'We're seeing a pattern of going back again and again,' she said.

'Killing an animal, going out and get a replacement. Kill that one, get a replacement. Kill that one, get a replacement.

'And, unfortunately, this was allowed to continue for a sustained period of time and numerous animals lost their lives.'

Judge McCarthy ordered Martel to pay a $7,500 bail deposit to be released on electronic monitoring, CWB said.

Martel also recently told his girlfriend that he 'enjoyed killing cats and he had been like that since he was eight years old', according to prosecutors.

His girlfriend first reported the abuse to police on May 23, after a friend sent her a video of Martel launching a pillowcase into Lake Michigan which she was told contained a kitten named Shelly.

Martel allegedly bought a second kitten named Shelly and an adult male cat named Reggie, who was not harmed, Dale-Schmidt said.

His girlfriend said he invited her over on May 26 to meet the new felines, but on June 3, allegedly under the influence of narcotics, Martel drowned the new kitten in a tub of water.

He allegedly pulled the unresponsive kitten from the water and tried to revive it by performing CPR with his thumb, according to his girlfriend.

Two days later, having purchased a third kitten from Craigslist and naming it Shelly, Martel told his girlfriend he wanted to teach it how to swim.

A few hours later, he allegedly removed a bag from the pantry, and told his girlfriend the kitten's body was inside - before tossing it down the trash chute.

As he turned to Craigslist for the fourth time, his girlfriend begged him to stop, according to Dale-Schmidt - so he kicked her out, only to call her back for money to buy the new pet.

He again purchased a kitten on June 6 and named it Shelly. He was allegedly angered by the new animal after it urinated in its food bowl, and told his girlfriend the cat needed a bath.

Around 30 minutes later, he emerged from the bathroom with the kitten wrapped in a bath towel, before tossing it down the trash chute, she said.

The pattern repeated on June 7 with a fifth kitten again named Shelly, until on June 18 his girlfriend made a new horrific revelation.

She allegedly found graphic videos and photographs of Martel with the fourth kitten alive, including one captioned 'just before I murdered her.'

The woman sent the photos and videos to herself and contacted Chicago police, CWB said.

Martel also recently told his girlfriend that he 'enjoyed killing cats and he had been like that since he was eight years old', according to prosecutors. Pictured: the North intersection of his home neighborhood of Wicker Park in Chicago, locally known as the Six Way

Martel's girlfriend took a few days away, and returned to his apartment on June 23 to a 'foul odor' according to CWB, which she identified as coming from a black bag on a pantry shelf.

Martel told her that he had killed three cats in the microwave and put them in the pantry, Dale-Schmidt said.

His girlfriend called Chicago Police that night and told them about the bag, which they cut open to reveal what appeared to be the body parts of 'multiple kittens', Dale-Schmidt said.

She added that Martel underwent a mental health evaluation, before turning himself in to police on Monday.

His private defense attorney, Brandon Brown, told Judge McCarthy that Martel is due to begin a new mental health treatment program, adding that he has no previous criminal convictions.
Nott is accused of buying and selling human remains after the FBI raided his property in Louisville, Kentucky

Eight people have been linked to the illegal body parts trade which stemmed from Harvard's Medical School

James William Nott, 39, is the latest person to be arrested in connection with the macabre underground network

The FBI has arrested an eighth man after discovering 40 human skulls in his home  which he told investigators were 'his dead friends'.

Cops say James William Nott was part of the macabre underground network dealing in stolen brains, hearts, skin and fetal remains which were allegedly stolen from Harvard's prestigious Medical School.

Nott, 39, had dozens of human skulls which were being used as 'decoration' as well as hip bones and spinal cords which were being used as furniture at his home in Louisville, Kentucky, according to the complaint.

One of the skulls had a scarf tied around its neck and another on the bed where Nott slept  with authorities accusing him of purchasing the remains from Jeremy Pauley.

Pauley, 41, has previously been arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse, receiving stolen property and dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities.

James William Nott was part of the macabre underground network dealing in stolen human remains which were allegedly stolen from Harvard's prestigious Medical School

One of the skulls had a scarf tied around its neck and another on the bed where Nott slept  with authorities accusing him of purchasing the remains from Jeremy Pauley

A separate indictment in Pennsylvania claims that Pauley spent $40,049 buying body parts from Josh Taylor  who had purchased them from Cedric Lodge.

Lodge, the manager of Harvard's Medical School for over a decade, is accused of taking heads, skin, bones and brains from cadavers donated to the prestigious school.

A Harvard medical bag was found in Notts' home, and when he was asked if anyone else was in the apartment, he said 'only my dead friends'.

Investigators say that Nott used a different name online and would send pictures and videos of remains to Pauley.

Pauley asked in one transaction: 'How much total for the couple and the last video you sent plus the spines?'

Nott was immediately arrested after the raid on Tuesday, and was initially charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

He bought an AK-47 rifle a .38 special, Charter Arms, revolver, and ammunition on July 11, and was previously convicted in 2011 of a felony of possession of an unregistered destructive device and possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of marijuana.

The felon currently remains in federal custody, and will face a maximum of 10 years in prison if he is convicted of the crimes.

Nott, 39, had dozens of human skulls which were being used as 'decoration' as well as hip bones and spinal cords which were being used as furniture at his home in Louisville, Kentucky

Federal court documents filed in Arkansas say that Scott first reached out to Pauley (pictured with his girlfriend) in October 2021

Nott was immediately arrested after the raid on Tuesday, and was initially charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

An investigation into the grim underground network of human body parts started after Pennsboro Township Police Department received a tip about possible human remains inside of Pauley's Pennsylvania home.

Pauley agreed in May to admit guilt to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property and a second count of conspiracy.

Cedric Lodge had worked at Harvard Medical School's morue since 1995 until he was fired on May 6

The agreement doesn't specify what sentence federal prosecutors will recommend.

Pauley was also in contact with a funeral home worker in Little Rock, Arkansas, and bought $10,975 worth of body parts.

Candace Chapman Scott, 36, was contracted to transport cadavers for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) since 2014.

Her role required her to move the bodies to the UAMS campus and return the remains  which had been cremated  back to UAMS within 72 hours.

Federal court documents filed in Arkansas say that Scott first reached out to Pauley in October 2021 and Over a nine-month-period sold him a heart, brains, liver, kidney, trachea, ears, 'two fake boobies', lungs, skin, a penis, testicles, a whole head and two fetus'.

She is facing 12 criminal counts: one count each of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud; four counts each of mail fraud and wire fraud; and one count each of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and interstate transportation of stolen property.

Candace Chapman Scott, 36, (left) allegedly sold $10,975 of body parts to Jeremy Pauley, 41, (right) after meeting on a Facebook group dedicated to buying, selling and trading 'oddities'

Pauley is accused of reselling the remains he received to others, including tattoo artist Matthew Lampi. In a 2008 magazine interview with Big Tattoo Planet , Lampi revealed some of the details to his collection

Lodge's wife, Denise, 63, is accused of shipping the illicit goods to others in their network using the United States Postal Service

Court records show she has been held without bail since April and was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

A separate indictment in Pennsylvania claims that Pauley also spent $40,049 buying body parts from Josh Taylor  who had purchased them from Lodge.

From at least April 2021 to January 2022, it is alleged that Taylor, of Pennsylvania, sold human remains he bought from Lodge at a higher price to Pauley.

Taylor pleaded not guilty to the charges in Pennsylvania and was released on bail.

A federal incitement revealed that 'at times' Lodge would take them to his home in New Hampshire, and his wife Denise, 63, would ship the illicit goods to others in their network using the USPS.

The couple moved from their four-bedroom and three-bathroom $385,000 property in Manchester to a smaller three-bed and two-bath house in Goffstown in 2020, where they are accused of continuing their gristly scheme.

Lodge is said to have stolen remains from cadavers donated to Harvard Medical School for scientific research and education

Cedric Lodge (pictured), 55, is accused of taking heads, skin, bones and brains from cadavers donated to Harvard's Medical School  which he had access to as morgue manager

Court documents state that Denise sent 'stolen human remains' from Manchester to Montgomery, Pennsylvania, in 2018 and 2019.

From 3 September 2018, through to 12 July 2021, Taylor sent 39 transactions through PayPal to Denise Lodge for a total of $37,355.56, the indictment states.

Pauley had previously been arrested and charged for abuse of a corpse, receiving stolen property and dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities

One payment of $1,000 was referenced as being for 'head number 7', while another in November 2020 was sent for 'braiiiiins'  which cost $200.

Lodge and his wife were released on conditions after appearing in federal court in New Hampshire.

He is also accused of selling the remains to Katrina MacLean, a doll maker from Salem, Massachusetts.

On more than one occasion Lodge is accused of allowing MacLean and Taylor access to the morgue to choose what remains to purchase.

MacLean owned and operated a business called Kat's Creepy Creations in Peabody, Massachusetts, where she stored and sold the remains.

The 44-year-old appeared in federal court in Boston Wednesday afternoon, where she was charged with transporting stolen goods and granted bail.

MacLean, 44, (pictured) appeared in federal court in Boston Wednesday afternoon, where she was charged with transporting stolen goods and granted bail

Pauley (pictured) is accused of reselling the remains he received to others, including tattoo artist Matthew Lampi

She is also accused of selling the remains to buyers in multiple states - including to Pauley.

In October 2020 Maclean allegedly sold two dissected faces and skin to Pauley for $600, who was hired to tan the skin and make it into leather before shipping it back to MacLean.

MacLean is then said to have shipped human skin to Pauley in June or July 2021 so he could tan the leather.

In total he paid her $8,800 in October 2021 for the stolen human remains. Overall Pauley paid $59,824 for the body parts from various sources, the documents state.

Pauley is accused of reselling the remains he received to others, including tattoo artist Matthew Lampi.

Lampi, 52, of East Bethel, Minnesota, and Pauley allegedly bought and sold from each other over an extended period of time and exchanged over $100,000 in online payments.

If convicted of conspiracy and interstate transport of stolen goods, the seven defendants face as long as 15 years in prison, according to the US Attorney's office in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
California waste workers who serviced Nancy Pelosi and Gavin Newsom's vineyards are suing a Napa Valley landfill site, claiming they were exposed to toxic chemicals when they had to work during and directly after the 2020 Glass Fire.

The group says they were exposed to methane gas, which is highly explosive and can cause suffocation, and contaminated water leaking from the Clover Flat Landfill during the fire that broke out in late September and originated on Glass Mountain Road.

They also claim in their lawsuit that they were retaliated against and faced racial discrimination for blowing the whistle on landfill's potential to pollute air and water.

Former St. Helena Mayor Geoff Ellsworth even allegedly brought up his concerns about contamination to Pelosi and Newsom for years, but he said his warnings went unheeded.

In total, the group is seeking $300million in restitution from the landfill and the Upper Valley Disposal Services from their complaint to California's Division of Occupational Health and Safety.

A group of waste workers are suing a landfill after it allegedly made them work during the 2020 Glass Fire (pictured) and exposed them to toxic chemicals

The group also claims they faced racial discrimination when they blew the whistle on environmental concerns at the Clover Flat landfill (pictured)

Both former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California Gov. Gavin Newsom own wineries in the area, which the waste employees serviced

Jose Garibay Jr., who originally filed the suit, claims that a 15-man crew for the Upper Valley Disposal Services was forced to work 11 to 12-hour days in the aftermath of the devastating Glass Fire in 2020.

They had no training on the handling of hazardous material cleanup and no equipment other than an N95 mask, the former supervisor said.

'We didn't have experience at all with these situations,' he told FOX Business. 'We didn't have protocol for what happens in a fire, what happens in an emergency. we had no training whatsoever.

'But they did send us right after the fire to clean up the mess before officials showed up.'

During that time, he said, 'We were exposed to the gas methane escaping from the landfill and leachate water.'

By the time officials showed up one week later, evidence of the damage from the wildfire  which scorched more than 67,000 acres of California's famous wine region  had been cleared.

But a report in the complaint from the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Board found that 'the site was severely impacted by the Glass Fire.'

That was just one instance, the waste workers argues in which Clover Flat Landfill officials put employees at risk.

The 2020 Glass Fire had scorched more than 67,000 acres of California's famous wine region

Grapes are seen destroyed at a vineyard in St. Helena, California in the aftermath of the fire

Two complainants, Gary and Ricky Hernandez, said they were forced to come to work during an evacuation order while the fire was still raging.

They also said they were pressured to come into work during the height of the COVID pandemic.

'I'm working with COVID, over there servicing Nancy Pelosi's house, and she's out there getting her hair done,' Gary told FOX Business, referring to a video of the former House Speaker getting a blow-out at a salon that was closed during lockdown.

Former St. Helena Mayor Geoff Ellsworth says he has warned of environmental concerns at the landfill for years

Ricky, who is not related to Gary, meanwhile, said he was servicing the French Laundry restaurant  where Newsom violated his own COVID lockdown order for an expensive lunch party with friends.

And Garibay said he was tasked with clearing fire damage at the 'old winery' near the landfill and St. Helena's water supply.

The landfill has since been sold to Waste Connections Inc., but some former members of the management still remain on the job  including Christy Pestoni, whose family founded the collection business in the 1950s and owns a nearby winery.

The landfill employees are now calling for an investigation into the landfill's former management, as well as testing for potential toxic material downhill.

They believe some laws have been violated, with Garibay claiming he and other workers who lived at the site of the landfill were also exposed to contaminated wastewater pumped through employee housing, the Napa Valley Register reports.

Garibay, who started as a driver for the company, was ultimately fired in 2022  and, he says, he was wrongfully terminated for speaking out against the conditions at the landfill.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Waste Connections Inc. and Pestoni for comment.

One of the waste workers said he had to service Pelosi's property during the height of the COVID pandemic, when she was caught on film getting her hair done at a local salon

Another waste worker said he serviced the French Laundry restaurant, where Newsom violated his own lockdown orders

The suit comes after years of inaction by Pelosi and Newsom, former Mayor Ellsworth claims.

He said he has been warning for years that the landfill  which sits at the top of a hill  has the potential to pollute water and agricultural land in the valley below and could create health issues for people breathing in the air after a wildfire.

'There's a machine politic thing going on here  this is the backyard of San Francisco, and people have their second homes and their wine businesses,' he said.

'But it doesn't absolve them from taking responsibility for the laws in the area and the treatment of people working here.'

Ellsworth, who worked at the landfill 30 years ago, said he reached out to numerous California government agencies and officials over the past three years  reaching out to members of Congress, the governor's office, state and local regulators and even the former House Speaker.

'They blew me off,' he claimed. 'Nobody would talk about it.'

Meanwhile, he said, the Pestoni winery continued to host campaign events for some of the state and local lawmakers he reached out to.
ChatGPT parent OpenAI has struck up a deal with The Associated Press to license the publication's sprawling archive of news stories - all to better train the increasingly popular chatbot that has the eerie ability to mimic human writing.

The price of the deal - which was confirmed by both parties Thursday - was not disclosed, but it pertains to a trove of content dating back to 1985, and will remain in effect for two years.

In statements announcing the deal, the two companies added they are also examining 'potential use cases for generative AI in [their own] news products and services' - though did not specify how so.

Headed by CEO Sam Altman, OpenAI released ChatGPT just a few months ago - and the technology has since taken off. That said, the rollout has already proved polarizing, while sparking a boom in 'generative AI' products that can recreate text.

While many remain skeptical - or outright incensed - over the new technology, OpenAI and AP Thursday expressed confidence in its future place in the world, saying they both 'believe in the responsible creation and use of these AI systems.'

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ChatGPT parent OpenAI has struck up a deal with The Associated Press to license the publication's sprawling archive of news stories - all to better train the increasingly popular chatbot that has the eerie ability to mimic human writing

Headed by CEO Sam Altman, OpenAI released ChatGPT just a few months ago - and the technology has since taken off . That said, the rollout has already proved polarizing, while sparking a boom in 'generative AI ' products that can recreate text

'We are pleased that OpenAI recognizes that fact-based, nonpartisan news content is essential to this evolving technology, and that they respect the value of our intellectual property,' said Kristin Heitmann, TAP's senior vice president and chief revenue officer.

'AP firmly supports a framework that will ensure intellectual property is protected and content creators are fairly compensated for their work.'

The organizations further clarified in a joint statement. 'The arrangement sees OpenAI licensing part of AP's text archive, while AP will leverage OpenAI's technology and product expertise.'

The sudden announcement comes as it becomes more and more known that OpenAI - based in San Francisco - and other AI companies must ingest large troves of written works, such as books and news articles, to power its creations.

As a result, OpenAI has found itself the center of multiple federal investigations and lawsuits, with several claiming the firm violated copyright law by training its resident chatbot to 'ingest' their written works without permission.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also announced it had opened an investigation into OpenAI this week, on the basis that it may have violated consumer protection laws by publishing defamatory information and putting data at risk.

Those concerns involving ChatGPT's propensity and potential to spout falsehoods have become more pronounced, based on how hard it is for them to be noticed given the system's strong command of grammar and human language.

The price of the deal - which was confirmed by both parties Thursday - was not disclosed, but it pertains to a trove of content dating back to 1985, and will remain in effect for two years. Pictured is the AP's newsroom in Lower Manhattan

ChatGPT and other platforms mimic human speech by ingesting text from Wikipedia, Scribd and other websites. As a result, its Silicon Valley-based parent company has become the subject of several suits alleging copyright infringement

Kristin Heitmann, TAP's senior VP and chief revenue officer, said of the deal Thursday: 'We are pleased that OpenAI recognizes that fact-based, nonpartisan news content is essential to this evolving technology, and that they respect the value of our intellectual property'

On Wednesday, the FTC sent a 20-page demand for records about how OpenAI addresses risks related to its AI models - weeks after CEO Bankman, who invented ChatGPT, admitted his creation could cause 'significant harm to the world' in the wrong hands. FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan is pictured at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Thursday

The FTC is also asking OpenAI to describe how it refines its language models to address their tendency to 'hallucinate,' or make up answers when the chatbot does not know the answer to a question

And as new, updated versions of the tool continue to be released, the furor over ChatGPT's future place in the workplace, news, and literature has seemed to come to a head.

On Thursday, the FTC sent a 20-page demand for records about how OpenAI addresses risks related to its AI models - weeks after CEO Bankman, who invented ChatGPT, admitted his creation could cause 'significant harm to the world' if in the wrong hands.

More than 4,000 writers have aired a belief that that is, in fact, the case, after signing a letter late last month to the Bankman, as well as the CEOs of Google, Microsoft, Meta and other AI developers, accusing them of exploitative practices in building chatbots that 'mimic and regurgitate' their language.

Notable names to sign the de facto petition included Nora Roberts, Margaret Atwood, Louise Erdrich, and Jodi Picoult - while others have taken it upon themselves to sue OpenAI specifically.

Included in that class is a pair of bestselling novelists from Massachusetts, Mona Awad and Paul Tremblay, who filed a federal class action lawsuit against ChatGPT's parent, claiming it broke copyright law by training its chatbot to 'ingest' their books without permission.

Another figure to file suit against OpenAI - which was founded in 2015 - is comic Sarah Silverman, who has also accused the company copyright infringement.

The AP said it doesn't currently use any generative AI in its news stories, but has used other forms of AI for nearly a decade, including to automate corporate earnings reports and recap some sporting events.

It also runs a program that helps local news organizations incorporate AI into their operations, and recently launched an AI-powered image archive search.
The mother of a schoolgirl who died swimming off Bournemouth beach has warned MPs that more tragic deaths could occur this summer if water safety is not taught in schools.

Sunnah Khan, 12, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, died after being pulled under the water by a riptide close to the shore near the pier in Dorset on May 31.

Joe Abbess, 17, also drowned in the tragedy, which saw eight other people treated by paramedics.

With the summer holidays approaching, Sunnah's mother, Stephanie Williams, said she is concerned 'about the likelihood that more parents will receive the devastating news that their child has drowned', her MP told the House of Commons.

Conservative MP for Aylesbury, Rob Butler, raised her fears in the House of Commons during an adjournment debate on water safety and drowning prevention.

Sunnah Khan was pictured laughing on Bournemouth beach shortly before tragedy struck

Joe Abbess had been studying Hospitality at City College Southampton in the hopes of owning his own restaurant in the future

Sunnah Khan's mother, Stephanie Williams, , said she is concerned 'about the likelihood that more parents will receive the devastating news that their child has drowned'

Mr Butler described how Ms Williams told him that she did not know how to escape a rip tide until after her daughter died, and feared that many others still do not know.

He said: 'There is a strong case for water safety to be taught to children in particular. And the most obvious way to do so is at school.'

He said swimming lessons are 'not quite the same as teaching water safety in its broadest sense', and added: 'It is worth giving additional consideration to increasing water safety in our schools.'

He said Ms Williams also wanted to see improved signage near to water, and to encourage people to wear brightly coloured swimwear to make it easier to identify them in the water in case of emergency.

He told the Commons: 'The summer holidays are almost upon us, many of us will be heading to lakes, rivers and the coast to spend time relaxing.

'The water is a great place to enjoy but we need to do it safely. Because at the moment, too many people are dying when they don't need to.

'As Stephanie says, we can do better, there is no need for this to keep happening, it is preventable. If we teach it at school we are setting them up for a lifetime of safe water.'

Ms Williams paid tribute to her daughter, who she described as a sociable girl who loved spending time with friends and family

What is a riptide? Rip tides, more accurately known as rip currents and also known as simply 'rips', are fast-moving channels of water that move away from the shore and towards the open sea. They can reach speeds of up to five miles per hour - faster than an Olympic swimmer - making them a leading surf hazard for all beachgoers. The National Weather Service explains: 'Rip currents form when waves break near the shoreline, piling up water between the breaking waves and the beach. 'One of the ways this water returns to sea is to form a rip current, a narrow stream of water moving swiftly away from shore, often perpendicular to the shoreline.' The more accurate term for riptides is simply a 'rip currents'. Advertisement

Education minister Claire Coutinho said: 'We absolutely support the teaching of swimming and water safety to all children during their time at school.'

She referenced existing guidance in the nation curriculum, which says primary school children should learn to 'perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations'.

The minister said an update to the school sport and activity action plan will be published 'shortly', and said resources are available to schools to teach water safety.

She added: 'In partnership with sector organisations, we are supporting more schools to teach primary and secondary pupils important aspects of water safety, and that will include cold-water shock, rip currents and keeping safe near frozen water.'

Ms Williams, recalled her daughter's tragic final moments in an interview with Good Morning Britain late last month.

She said: 'They [Sunnah and her brother] were in between the flags on the beach. They then ended up where they couldn't touch the bottom.

'They said a wave came over. They started to shout for help.

'A lifeguard pulled my son from the water but they were unable to locate Sunnah. She was washed out.

'They had started to try and make their way back but they couldn't.'

Since the tragedy in May, Ms Williams has spoken out to warn people of the dangers of riptides to try and help other families avoid suffering similar heartbreak.

'It's really important for people to know the dangers of what can happen in the sea, even in shallow water.

Since the tragedy in May, Ms Williams has spoken out to warn people of the dangers of riptides to try and help other families avoid suffering similar heartbreak

'It's important to know what to do should you find yourself in trouble in the water and having some information that's viewable when you're on the beach.'

Last month, she paid tribute to her daughter, who she described as a sociable girl who loved spending time with friends and family.

'She was a lovely toddler and a lovely young child at all stages of her life, and she would have become a lovely woman.

'She cared about a lot of people, and it's such a shame that she's not going to become the young lady that I thought she would be.'

Her comments came as a maritime safety expert claimed that there was no evidence a passenger boat was to blame for the drownings of the two children.
The Army is investigating the suspicious death of an absconded soldier's wife, who was found 10 days after he vanished from their home.

Spc. Craig Chamberlain, 23, is a Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) soldier who, unbeknownst to his wife, stopped showing up for duty in March.

On May 15, after lying about reporting to the military base in Texas for two months, he left their home in Killeen and failed to return.

Craig's wife, transgender woman Cameron Chamberlain, reported him missing to police and to the base.

Craig Chamberlain was found on May 26, a day after his wife was found dead, and ten days after he vanished from home. Cam Chamberlain reported her husband missing on May 15. She was found dead on May 25 at the couple's home

The pair married in October 2020 after meeting through a dating app. They moved in together into a home not far from the base.

It remains unclear why Chamberlain left his wife and their home on May 15

On May 25, she was found dead inside their home. Craig then resurfaced in the area the following day. It remains unclear how Cameron died, or where specifically Craig was found.

Because she died in their home, the Army is leading the investigation and the Killeen Police Department is diverting all questions.

Cameron made desperate pleas to find her husband when he was first reported missing.

The pair married in October 2020 after meeting through a dating app. They moved in together into a home not far from the base.

On May 15, Cameron reported Craig missing to the local police department.

In her statement, she said he had not left her with any money, and had missed so many car payments that their vehicle was repossessed.

She begged him to return to her safely, as did his parents, and was horrified to learn that he hadn't been showing up for duty for months.

On May 15, Cam reported her husband missing. She said he'd left her with no food and that their car had been repossessed

Cam was found dead inside the couple's home in Killeen, Texas, on May 25

Chamberlain was serving at Fort Cavazos, formerly Fort Hood. He stopped showing up in March, but pretended to his wife he was still showing up for duty

In an interview at the time, she said she was only told by Fort Cavazos that he hadn't been going to work when she reported him missing to the police.

On May 25, Cam's death was confirmed by Fort Cavazos, but no one confirmed the cause of death, nor did they reveal what led to her being discovered.

Chamberlain's parents say he had 'bruises' when he was found on May

The following day, Craig Chamberlain was found in the area by a 'civilian team'.

It's unclear where he is now.

When he was found, his parents said he had 'bruises' on his body.

Cam's friends fear she became suicidal after being left alone by her husband with no money to pay for food.

'I have nothing to eat. I've been asking so called friends for some grocery money on cash app and nobody can be bothered.

'The army told me there's nothing they can do. I'm suicidal,' she said in one text to a friend.

Craig's parents have not addressed her death publicly, nor have they discussed their relationship.

The absconded soldier has not yet spoken publicly about where he was either.
Former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood has been questioned under police caution again over alleged sex offences, reports say.

Westwood, who left the BBC in 2013, had been interviewed under caution by the Metropolitan Police in March and April this year, as reported by MailOnline.

He was spoken to in relation to five sexual offences alleged to have taken place in London between 1982 and 2016. The time period covers his career at the BBC and Capital FM.

The 65-year-old, who stepped down from his show on Capital Xtra in April last year, strongly denies the allegations.

The DJ has been questioned a third time on July 11.

Hip-hop DJ and ex-BBC star Tim Westwood has been interviewed again under caution by the police

In a statement to MailOnline, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'Police are investigating five reports relating to allegations of non-recent sexual offences allegedly committed by a man.

'The offences are alleged to have occurred in London between 1982 and 2016.

'A 65-year-old man was interviewed under caution on 15 March 2023, 4 April 2023 and 11 July 2023. There has been no arrest.'

In May this year, a hotline set up for whistleblowers to reveal what the BBC knew about allegations of sexual misconduct against the DJ had received 'significant' new information.

The confidential 24-hour phone line was opened as part of an inquiry into what the corporation had been told at the time about one of their top radio stars.

Barrister Gemma White KC set it up to 'expand the ways in which people can come forward' to report information.

The line closed on May 19 after she received a 'significant amount of important new information'.

The Former Radio 1 star has previously vehemently denied any wrongdoing or illegality

The barrister was appointed by the BBC Board last August after an internal review found that the corporation should have further explored a string of sexual assault allegations against the hip hop DJ.

The inquiry, which has already seen more than 50,000 BBC documents, is expected to publish its findings this summer.

Last year, a statement from a representative of Westwood read: 'Tim Westwood strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

'In a career that has spanned 40 years, there have never been any complaints made against him officially or unofficially.

'Tim Westwood strongly rejects all allegations of wrongdoing.'

MailOnline has today approached his representatives for comment.
This is the moment have-a-go heroes fought off a gang of thugs armed with machetes after a robbery at a designer store in Leeds.

The terrifying incident, which took place in broad daylight and in front of stunned members of the public, saw the criminals target the Flannels shop in Vicar Lane, Leeds.

It is believed four or five men went into the store, at least one of which was carrying a machete, The Sun reports.

No one is thought to have been hurt in the incident, even though footage posted on social media shows two members of staff tussling with the masked thugs to stop them stealing items.

In extraordinary scenes two shop workers can be seen fending off the gang as they slash at them with machetes, before fighting with them to ensure they leave without a large bag of goods.

Do you know the have-a-go heroes? Email matthew.lodge@mailonline.co.uk

Video shows a thug carrying a machete confronting a shop worker and grabbing a large white bag from them

In the footage the thug runs back to a black BMW containing their accomplices to make a getaway

Footage shared on an Instagram page called thestreetblogs5 shows one of the shop workers running away from a black BMW carrying a large white bag.

He is then followed by two men wearing masks, one of whom appears to be carrying a machete and the other holding what looks to be a knife.

Bystanders can be heard shouting 'Oh my God' and gasping as the machete-wielding thug begins swiping at the man with the blade.

He then grabs the bag from the man and runs back to the car, but another man runs up and helps the employee grab it back.

The shop workers keep a firm grip on the bag, ensuring that as the car pulls away with the door still open, they can rip it from the assailant's grasp.

The car then stops for a second as the robbers realise they don't have the bag, before it is driven away at speed.

West Yorkshire Police has said it is appealing for witnesses to the shocking incident, which took place on Monday July 3, to come forward.

A spokesperson for the force told The Sun: 'Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed this robbery and are asking anyone who was in the area to check their dashcam footage to see if they have captured any part of this incident.

'Anyone with information is asked to contact Leeds District CID by using 101 Live Chat online or by calling 101, quoting 13230368639.'

MailOnline has contacted West Yorkshire Police for further comment.

But as the criminal gets into the car two shop workers run after them in a bid to stop the getaway
PublicSq leadership is set to ring the bell on the New York Stock Exchange to take the company public officially on July 20

The company has drawn in conservative heavyweights like Donald Trump Jr. and Blake Masters

PublicSq, which markets itself as a patriotic, America-first alternative to Amazon, is laying out how it will bring in shoppers who hate big 'woke' corporations as the company prepares to go public later this month.

The San Diego-based company launched nationwide in August 2022 and has drawn in conservative heavyweights like Donald Trump Jr., who is an investor and an adviser, and former Arizona Senate candidate Blake Masters.

According to excerpts from an investor call obtained by DailyMail.com, PublicSq's leadership and top financiers discussed its investment strategy for getting more donors in the door by focusing on the company's conservative 'parallel economy,' they say sets itself apart from other online marketplaces.

Trump called it 'awesome' to see how the company links the 'forgotten man, woman, and business of this country,' which he estimates to be at roughly 175 million people.

'So to be a part of this team, to see what's going on, to hear the success stories of the people that have been helped by the platform, even in its infancy...it's just a very, very exciting time,' continued Trump on the call Tuesday evening.

PublicSq leadership is set to ring the bell on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to take the company public officially on July 20.

Public Square, founded by Michael Seifert (right), launched nationwide last year. It counts Donald Trump Jr. (left) as an investor and adviser

The call featured CEO Michael Seifert; Donald Trump Jr.; Nick Ayers, former chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence; Blake Masters, former Senate candidate; and Omeed Malik, founder and CEO of Farvahar Parners and PublicSq's main financier.

The company is the 'foundation of this new economy,' said Malik - who moved from New York to Florida to try and escape the country's political and cultural divisions.

He added that PublicSq is 'not only going to allow us to shop our values and patronize those businesses, but also insulate us from being platformed or being censored.'

He pointed to multiple instances of the federal government working with Big Tech companies to suppress Americans' free speech - particularly conservative viewpoints.

'I've just seen how badly needed PublicSq is,' said Masters. 'It's not just Republicans, by the way, who are crying out. If you look at survey data, it's Republicans, it's Democrats, it's Independents. Pretty much nobody likes corporate America just deciding to install woke values on us when we're trying to shop for toilet paper or buy a new crib for our baby.'

He said the marketplace is an 'incredible opportunity' to provide people with an alternative to 'actually feel good' about spending their dollars on products by businesses that respect them.

According to its leadership, PublicSq has been in the top five on the Apple app store multiple times and achieved over one million members from its national launch last July.

The company launched pro-life baby product brand 'EveryLife' on Thursday.

'We started this company with a simple mission: to provide premium products for every baby. Because every baby is a miracle from God who deserves to be loved, protected, and supported,' the company said in a tweet.

Last month, DailyMail.com reported that the marketplace nearly doubled its number of users since consumers started to boycott Bud Light for its promotional tie-in with transgender social medial star Dylan Mulvaney.

It recorded slightly more than one million active consumers on May 31, according to data submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, compared with about 560,000 on March 31.

Founder Seifert said: 'The past few months have shown that tens of millions of Americans are eager for companies that share their values.

Strong families make a strong nation 



Were proud to be a pro-family company at https://t.co/4am6WdJBex  EveryLife (@everylife) July 13, 2023

Conservative online marketplace PublicSq saw its user base double in size since the start of April, when the Bud Light boycott began

'PublicSq connects freedom-loving Americans with businesses that respect them.'

Their aim is to build a 'parallel economy' where consumers do not have to buy anything from vendors whose political values don't align with their own.

'Connecting freedom-loving Americans with the businesses that share their values,' it says on its website.

The launch of PublicSq comes as leading conservative voices have stepped up their 'war on woke,' condemning investment firms who promise to include environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors when they make decisions.
Hotel rooms are being kept empty at taxpayers' expense for Channel migrants  while scandalously translators and other brave Afghans who risked their lives for Britain are banned from coming.

Yesterday campaigners branded the situation an insulting farce. And lawyers for the interpreters are taking the Home Office to the High Court and believe they can force an extraordinary U-turn.

Some 2,000 loyal interpreters and others who worked shoulder-to-shoulder with the British were offered sanctuary here after the ruthless Taliban swept to power in Afghanistan. But they are being denied actual entry into the UK - with officials blaming lack of access to housing.

Now campaigners say it is absurd not to help them when the Home Office admitted this week it is keeping 5,000 unused hotel rooms as an 'overspill' for small boat migrants. Taxpayer face a bill thought to be about 5million a week to keep the rooms empty for those arriving on small boats.

The 2,000 Afghans - who faced retribution from the Taliban for their loyalty to Britain  have all been granted the right to make new lives in the UK, in gratitude for their service, but are currently languishing in limbo in hotels abroad waiting for their visas.

Afghan interpreters including 'Abdul' (far left) have been left unable to enter Britain due to a 'lack of access to housing'

The Afghans were offered sanctuary by the UK government after risking their lives to help the British military (File photo: A Taliban militant stands guard in Kabul, Afghanistan)

Seven hundred children are among the group who are stuck, and many have been unable to go to school for over a year - bitterly ironic considering they ran away from the hardline Taliban mullahs accused of ruining children's education in Afghanistan.

Their plight has been repeatedly highlighted by the Daily Mail's eight-year award-winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign.

Yesterday translator Rafi Hottak, who was blown up on the frontline in a blast that killed a British officer and now campaigns for his ex-colleagues, said: 'How can the Home Office have 5,000 empty, paid-for hotel rooms when those who risked their lives for the UK are told hotels are not suitable for them?

'It really is hard to believe that people entitled to sanctuary in the UK are being made to wait for many months while hotels are prepared for others who have done nothing for Britain.'

Hopes now rest on a looming showdown at the High Court. The Home Office may be forced into a dramatic U-turn. It has until next Friday to make its case  which the campaigners say is a hopeless one.

The Afghans are in a catch-22 situation. Although they have been granted the right to UK sanctuary, they cannot obtain a visa to actually travel here without proving they have 'housing available'. Yet it is illegal for foreign nationals to rent a home in Britain without a visa.

The nearly 2,000 interpreters, former embassy guards and British Council workers including teachers, and their families, are currently stranded in limbo in hotels  paid for by Britain  in third countries such as Pakistan and Iran.

Erin Alcock, of solicitors Leigh Day, who represents an ex-translator in Iran and is also working for interpreters in Pakistan, said : 'A commitment was made to those who put their lives on the line for the British military in Afghanistan.

'My client and his family, like hundreds of others still waiting, are now told there is an additional barrier to their relocation to safety  one that is impossible for most to meet.'

The Afghan men, women and children have all been granted protection in this country under the Government's flagship programmes the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). Yet one ex-translator has been in an overseas hotel room for more than 18 months, while 75 have been in hotels for more than a year.

The Home Office has admitted it is keeping 5,000 hotel rooms empty for small boat migrants (File photo: Migrants cross the English Channel on an inflatable boat)

Karim, 36, a former supervisor of UK military translators, who has been in an Islamabad hotel with his wife and child for over a year, said: 'The Taliban stopped our children going to school but by keeping us in hotels, the British government is preventing their education too.'

The Afghans are 'prisoners' in Pakistan hotels because they fear arrest if they go out, as they travelled there on 30-day visas believing they would be moved to the UK in that time. Many are suffering from anxiety caused by uncertainty and years of conflict, some have spoken of suicide, and more than 700 children are unable to go to school.

Farcically, while the Home Office spends a small fortune on lawyers, the Mail can reveal that behind the scenes British officials are already anticipating the possibility of the ministry losing the court case, as they are planning how to airlift the 2,000 Afghans to Britain.

Dr Sara de Jong, founding member of the Sulha Alliance which campaigns for ex-military translators, said: 'The news that 5,000 hotel beds are available shows that there is an easy solution available for the accommodation of Afghan interpreters and other eligible Afghans.

UK hotels offer no permanent solutions, but they are endlessly better than hotels in Pakistan and other third countries where children are deprived of education and their parents prevented from working.'

Home Office second permanent secretary Simon Ridley told MPs on Monday that 5,000 hotel rooms in Britain are booked - and paid for  as a 'buffer' for the asylum processing centre at Manston in Kent.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'We remain committed to providing protection for vulnerable and at-risk people fleeing Afghanistan, with around 24,500 brought to safety in the UK so far, and we continue to work across government and with partners to find suitable accommodation for them.

'It is only right that we have strong plans in place which will allow us to fulfil our statutory obligation to provide accommodation for asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute.

'This includes having sufficient spaces ready.'

An earlier version of this article named and pictured The Vista Hotel in Llanelli as one of the hotels being used by the Home Office to temporarily house asylum seekers. We are happy to clarify that The Vista Hotel is in fact being used to temporarily house general homeless individuals, the vast majority of which are from the county itself with a small amount from out of the county. We have removed the reference and picture of The Vista Hotel from the article.

Faiz: 'I've been waiting in a Pakistani hotel room for the last five months'

By David Williams

It is nearly two years since 12-year-old Adeena has been able to go to school. The first year, it was the Taliban stopping girls' education. But for the past five months, she has been stuck in a Pakistan hotel room waiting for the British government to fulfil its promise.

Her father Faiz, was a security guard at the British Embassy in Kabul for nearly a decade. After the fall of Kabul, he was been offered sanctuary in the UK and is looking forward to a new life here with his wife and Adeena's two brothers, aged eight and nine, who are 'desperate' to re-start their schooling.

'Faiz', a British Embassy guard with his wife with two sons and one daughter

The 35 year-old said: 'We are very grateful to Britain but our lives are now on hold, stuck in hotel rooms, our children unable to study  to go to school should be their right.'

The family of five crossed the border into Pakistan in February after being granted the right to live in Britain  their case championed by this newspaper's Betrayal of the Brave campaign. Now they are hoping the High Court will order an end to the delays.

Faiz said: 'I made many sacrifices for the British and I hope that what is happening on our behalf in the courts will make our journey happen quickly. The uncertainty and delay is bad for everyonefor us Afghans and for the UK because problems are building with stress and mental issues.'

He said it was a 'dream' for his children to go to school in the UK and they excitedly asked often when it would happen.

Abdul: 'I've done everything Britain asked of me but could be deported back to Afghanistan'

Abdul sits each day in his Iranian hotel room with his wife and three children praying that the British courts will finally remove the government barriers blocking their new life in the UK.

The 34 year-old former frontline interpreter says: 'I have been running and hiding too long. I have done everything asked of me by Britain but they leave me to face the risk of being deported to Afghanistan where I will be killed because I worked loyally with UK soldiers. The Taliban will punish me for that loyalty.'

Abdul worked for UK forces for three years and was praised in writing by British officers for his bravery under fire. He received death threats from the Taliban who branded him a 'spy of the infidel' because of his work.

'Ahmad', a former Afghan interpreter working with British forces

Abdul's is a test case which lawyers and campaigners hope will open the door for all those eligible Afghans currently stuck waiting.

His case was taken-up by this newspaper's award-winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign and lawyers who were successful after two judicial reviews in winning visas for Abdul, his 28 year-old wife and three children. A High Court judge concluded that Abdul's application had been the subject of 'unconscionable delay' by the Home Office.

He was told to move to a third country with British Consular facilities and in February travelled to Iran where he completed his biometrics and security checks.

There he is waiting for his UK visa  but the Home Office won't issue one until he secures accommodation in Britain, which he cannot legally arrange without a visa.
Three decomposed bodies have been found in a remote Rocky Mountains camp in Colorado, with cops believing they may have been there since last fall.

The first of the three bodies was reported to authorities on Sunday afternoon when a hiker came across the campsite around 20 miles from the small town of Gunnison.

When Gunnison County sheriff's deputies arrived Monday morning to investigate they found another two bodies, Undersheriff Josh Ashe said.

The condition of three bodies indicated they had likely been at the campsite through the winter and potentially since last fall.

Authorities said the bodies did not match any open missing persons reports and that there were no signs any crime had been committed.

The first of the three bodies was reported to authorities on Sunday afternoon when a hiker came across the campsite around 20 miles from the small town of Gunnison.

Undersheriff Josh Ashe (pictured) said when Gunnison County sheriff's deputies arrived to investigate they found another two bodies at the site

The initial discovery was made by a hiker at about 5pm on July 9, not far from the Gold Creek Campground, an eastern section of Gunnison County in central Colorado, the sheriff's office said in a statement.

'At approximately 8:02 AM on Monday, July 10th, 2023, Investigators with the Gunnison County Sheriff's Office located the campsite and discovered two additional heavily decomposed deceased individuals within the campsite,' it read.

'It appeared the individuals have been deceased for a substantial period of time,' the Gunnison County Sheriff's Office wrote in the statement, released on Wednesday.

Two of the bodies were inside a small, zipped-up tent and the other was outside in the camp, which was in a remote wooded area where hikers typically wouldn't pass by, Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie told the Associated Press.

There were personal belongings and tarps at the scene, and a lean-to built from local logs over a firepit.

'This is not a typical occurrence anywhere, by any means,' said Murdie, noting that his department doesn't think the discovery implies any risk to hikers or campers in the area.

There were personal belongings and tarps, and a lean-to built from local logs over a firepit near there area

The sheriff's department is looking for missing persons reports that might shed light on the situation, but they haven't found any yet, he said.

The coroner won't release the identities of those deceased until the next of kin has been notified.

Because of the degradation, the autopsies will be difficult and will take at least three weeks, he said.

'Whether they froze to death in the winter or the combination of starved or froze, that's what it sure seems like,' said the sheriff, noting that the actual causes of death won't be known until the autopsies are completed.

Murdie said it's more common for campers or hunters to die of carbon monoxide poisoning by using heaters in enclosed spaces, but that this appears to be different because of how the bodies were found and the remoteness of the camp.

Investigators are trying to 'determine what they were actually doing there and why,' said Murdie.
A retired female Army colonel has been awarded nearly $1 million from the federal government in the form of a settlement after accusing a former general of sexual assault - shortly before he became the Pentagon's second-highest military officer.

The sum, which comes to $975,000, will be paid out to former Col. Kathryn Spletstoser, 55, in coming days, some four years after she filed suit against then-Gen. John Hyten, 63, for alleged sexual assault and battery.

Spletstoser served as Hyten's aide in 2017, two years before he was tapped to serve the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff. Hyten held the hallowed post until 2021, before calling it quits after 40 years of service.

At the time of the alleged altercations, Hyten worked as a career space operations and acquisitions officer, heading the Air Force's United States Strategic Command from 2016 to 2019.

Within that span, Spletstoser claimed she was victimized at least nine times by the storied officer, and later suggested the military tried to hide records that proved her testimony to protect the Joint Chiefs vice chairman's career.

The sum, which comes to $975,000, will be awarded to ex-Col. Kathryn Spletstoser in coming days, some four years after she filed suit against then-Gen. John Hyten for alleged sexual assault and battery

Spletstoser served as Hyten's aide in 2017, two years before he was tapped to serve the Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff. The pair are seen together at the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs in November of that year

The settlement with the U.S. government ends more than four years of investigations, reviews and congressional digging into the matter, which delayed - but ultimately did not defeat - Hyten's nomination for vice chairman in 2019.

He served two years and did not seek a second term. An Air Force investigation failed to find any proof of wrongdoing.

Speaking to CNN, Hyten - who is married - declined to comment on the legal maneuver, saying 'the settlement is between the government and Col. Spletstoser.' He said he was not involved in the lengthy legal talks.

Spletstoser, meanwhile, touted the development as a victory, after coming forward with the claims in 2019.

'It is my sincere hope that the successful outcome in my case will embolden other survivors of military sexual violence to come forward - no matter how high ranking the perpetrator,' she said in her own statement.

She for years maintained the then-general engaged in various unwanted sexual advances against her in 2017, and inappropriately touched her in a hotel room during the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California.

In an interview in 2019, Spletstoser detailed some of these claims, describing how Hyten subjected her to unwanted kissing, hugging and rubbing up against her while she was one of his top aides.

She further claimed she repeatedly pushed him away and told him to stop, and that he tried to derail her military career after she rejected him.

The settlement with the U.S. government ends more than four years of investigations, reviews and congressional digging into the matter, which delayed - but ultimately did not defeat - the then-Air Force general's nomination for vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2019

The former Pentagon no. 2 - who hung it up in 2021 after a judge ruled the case could go forward - long denied the allegations, and argued that Spletstoser could not sue him because the nature of her claims, on the basis they were 'incident to military service'. He has since take a job at Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, an aerospace and defense company

Hyten went on to vigorously deny her allegations - notably during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in July 2019 where his wife was seated behind him as Spletstoser looked on from a few feet away.

An internal Air Force investigation then determined there was insufficient evidence to charge him or recommend discipline - however, soon after, a senior Air Force conceded investigators also found no evidence Spletstoser was lying.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters.

Hyten, meanwhile, argued that Spletstoser could not sue him because the nature of the allegations - on the basis they were 'incident to military service.

That sentiment is a main facet of the Feres Doctrine, a document that bars service members from suing the government for injuries experienced during the line of duties.

That said, a federal judge ruled in October 2020 that the case could move forward, moving it to the US District Court for the Central District of California.

Hyten went on to retire in 2021, before taking a job at Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, an aerospace and defense company.

It is not uncommon for the US government to pay out large sums of money to settle lawsuits, but a sexual assault case against such a high ranking military officer is far more rare.

The number of reported sexual assaults in the military has increased nearly every year since 2006.

Spletstoser, meanwhile, touted the payoff as a victory, after coming forward with the claims in 2019

And while the services have made inroads in making it easier and safer for service members to come forward, it still remains a highly unreported crime.

Hyten's nomination was delayed for months while senators pored over thousands of pages of documents and interviewed the general and Spletstoser.

The eventual Senate vote of 75-22 to confirm him reflected a bit more opposition than most military nominations, which usually get near-unanimous support.

Ten of the 'no' votes came from female senators, including Vice President Kamala Harris, who was then a senator from California, and Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, a survivor of sexual assault while in college and the only Republican to vote against him.

Spletstoser's attorney, Ariel Solomon, said in a statement Thursday that the legal payout 'stands out as the only known settlement paid by the government for a sexual assault case brought against a member of the United States military.'
A Chinese 'spy' accused of targeting Parliament is suing MI5 in a claim that could cost taxpayers millions of pounds.

Christine Lee, 59, has launched an audacious legal bid after alleging the intelligence service ruined her life by labelling her an 'agent' of the communist state.

She was accused last year of engaging in 'political interference' and donating to 'political parties, parliamentarians, aspiring parliamentarians' on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.

Ironically, the Birmingham-based solicitor is arguing for compensation on the basis that she can 'no longer travel to China', 'involve herself in politics' nor donate to British political parties.

Miss Lee, responding to the allegations for the first time, insisted she is not 'an agent of the Chinese Communist state' and has been held prisoner in her 985,000 home following the incident in January 2022.

Christine Lee, 59, (pictured) is suing MI5 over claims the intelligence agency destroyed her reputation by accusing her of being a Chinese spy

In an unprecedented legal challenge, she wants MI5 to hand over intelligence they have gathered on her for years, which if successful could prove a major coup for the Chinese authorities.

The mother-of-two has accused the Security Service of exposing her to 'death threats, vile racist and sinophobic abuse, and threats of physical harm'.

She is suing for compensatory damages, which could run into millions, arguing that the decision to 'brand her as a spy acting for the Chinese State' and release her photograph breached her human rights.

Miss Lee complains in legal documents she has suffered a 'life of isolation equivalent to house arrest and the very real fear of being assaulted by members of the public'.

The claim states: 'She has been publicly maligned and shunned from the community. She has been subjected to press intrusion at home and national/international media reporting.

'The effect of the IA (MI5 interference alert) has been to destroy her personal and professional reputation and has led to irreversible harm to her business. Her personal and business banking facilities were withdrawn.

Christine Lee's (left) son Daniel Wilkes, who is also suing MI5, previously worked for Labour MP Barry Gardiner (right)

'The IA has adversely impacted on her ability to interact and engage with others and to live a peaceful life.

'She can no longer travel to China. If she so chose, she could no longer involve herself in politics, whether as a supporter or donor (from her personal resources).'

Miss Lee's continuing desire to get involved in British politics is likely to alarm MI5, which warned of her 'interference across British democracy', courting Cabinet ministers and former prime ministers.

Her son Daniel Wilkes, who worked for Labour MP Barry Gardiner, is also suing MI5 after his mother's donations of more than 500,000 to the former Labour leadership contender were questioned.

In total, she donated more than 640,000 to the Labour Party and Liberal Democrats, as well as lobbying more than 480 MPs.

Miss Lee formed close links with David Cameron, when he was in office, as the only Chinese member of his 2010 business delegation to China.

In 2019, she was welcomed into Downing Street to receive an award from then prime minister Theresa May in recognition of her contribution to good relations with China.

She has been chief legal adviser to the Chinese embassy in London and a legal adviser to the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, an agency of the Communist Party's network of influence overseen by its United Front Work Department.

Christine Lee forged close ties with David Cameron when he was in office as the only Chinese member of his business delegation to China in 2010

But her lawyer Tony Muman said: 'She refutes that she is an agent of the Chinese Communist State.

'This has had a major adverse impact on her and her family life. She has felt a prisoner in her own home.'

The immigration barrister, who recently challenged the Government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, has asked the Investigatory Powers Tribunal to compel MI5 to disclose what they know about her.

MI5 lawyers argue that no disclosure is required as the purpose of the alert was to protect democracy, claiming: 'It was an exercise of power by the Security Service to protect parliamentary democracy from the threat posed by foreign political interference.'

The tribunal is expected to rule in around four weeks on whether sensitive intelligence should be handed over.

A full hearing to determine Miss Lee's damages claim will be scheduled later this year.
The Secret Service confirmed Thursday that marijuana was found twice at the White House in 2022, sparking more questions about security after cocaine was discovered there earlier this month.

Secret Service officials talked pot to members of Congress during a Thursday briefing on the investigation into the cocaine found in the West Wing on Sunday, July 2, with Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert then telling reporters about it.

The Secret Service Uniformed Division later confirmed details to DailyMail.com, noting that 'small amounts of marijuana' were found in June and September of 2022.

'No one was arrested in these incidents because the weight of the marijuana confiscated did not meet the legal threshold for federal charges or D.C. misdemeanor criminal charges as the District of Columbia had decriminalized possession,' Secret Service said in a statement.

'The marijuana was collected by officers and destroyed,' it continued.

The Secret Service confirmed Thursday that marijuana was found twice at the White House in 2022, sparking more questions about security after cocaine was discovered there earlier this month

Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert told reporters after the Secret Service's Congressional briefing on cocaine that marijuana had also been discovered at the White House - twice in 2022

Possession of under two ounces is not a crime in Washington, D.C., however because marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, it's not allowed to be brought onto federal grounds - which includes the White House.

The admission comes the same day the Secret Service announced it was closing the investigation into the White House cocaine discovery citing 'lack of evidence' just 11 days after the drugs were abandoned in a West Wing locker.

Furious Republicans have called the shuttering of the probe 'ridiculous' and accused the Biden administration of a 'cover-up,' with agents unable to find a suspect despite poring over surveillance footage for more than a week.

'What's also concerning is in 2022, twice while going through screening, people were caught with marijuana in their possession,' Boebert complained after the briefing.

'For this being the third time that drugs were found on the White House property during the Biden administration, certainly poses a question, what kind of people are we allowing to go onto that premise?'

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre didn't do the administration any favors by refusing to definitively say no when asked repeatedly if the cocaine was from a member of the president's family.

Biden's son Hunter has struggled with crack cocaine addiction.

READ THE FULL SECRET SERVICE STATEMENT ON CLOSING WHITE HOUSE COCAINE INVESTIGATION WITH NO SUSPECT On the evening of July 2, officers from the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division found an unknown substance inside a vestibule leading to the lobby area of the West Executive Avenue entrance to the White House. The substance was located inside a receptacle used to temporarily store electronic and personal devices prior to entering the West Wing. Following the discovery, safety closures were implemented around the White House. This response was designed to ensure that the found substance was not a chemical or radiological material that threatened the security of the White House. As such, the substance was field tested and preliminarily determined to not be a hazardous compound. Testing conducted by the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department indicated that the found powder tested preliminarily positive for the presence of cocaine. The substance and packaging were treated as evidence and sent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, which analyzed the item for any biothreats. Tests conducted at this facility came back negative and gave formal confirmation that the substance was not biological in nature. The substance and packaging underwent further forensic testing. The substance was analyzed for its chemical composition. The packaging was subjected to advanced fingerprint and DNA analysis. Both of these analyses were conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's crime laboratory given their expertise in this area and independence from the investigation. While awaiting the FBl's results, the Secret Service investigation into how this item entered the White House continued. The investigation included a methodical review of security systems and protocols. This review included a backwards examination that spanned several days prior to the discovery of the substance and developed an index of several hundred individuals who may have accessed the area where the substance was found. The focal point of these actions developed a pool of known persons for comparison of forensic evidence gleaned from the FBI's analysis of the substance's packaging. On July 12, the Secret Service received the FBI's laboratory results, which did not develop latent fingerprints and insufficient DNA was present for investigative comparisons. Therefore, the Secret Service is not able to compare evidence against the known pool of individuals. The FBl's evaluation of the substance also confirmed that it was cocaine. There was no surveillance video footage found that provided investigative leads or any other means for investigators to identify who may have deposited the found substance in this area. Without physical evidence, the investigation will not be able to single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered. At this time, the Secret Service's investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence. The U.S. Secret Service takes its mission to protect U.S. leaders, facilities, and events seriously and we are constantly adapting to meet the needs of the current and future security environment. Advertisement

Jean-Pierre snapped at a reporter last week and argued she had made clear that the cocaine couldn't have been left by a family member because the Bidens were at Camp David.

GOP Rep. Tim Burchett said agents 'just decided it's just some weekend visitor' and chalked up the entire investigation as 'another coverup' by the Biden White House.

'It's bogus' the Tennessee congressman added. 'That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen in my life.'

His comments came after the Secret Service briefed members of Congress, 11 days after the cocaine discovery forced evacuation and a hazmat situation at the White House.

The list of suspects was narrowed down to 500.

Democrats said drug testing all of the potential culprits would violate their 'civil liberties' and insisted the cocaine was found in an area used by guests, not members of the Biden family or those with security clearances.

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin said while he found the discovery of the drug 'troubling' he couldn't imagine what more could be done, and he thought Republican calls for drug testing everyone were overblown.

President Joe Biden has been able to avoid facing the latest White House scandal as he escaped Washington, D.C. for meetings across Europe this week

'You know, these are the same people who are opposed to COVID-19 tests,' Raskin told reporters on Capitol Hill. 'So I don't see a lot of coherence.'

Since July 2 the Secret Service had been poring over surveillance footage from cameras stationed all over the White House, but still hasn't managed to find a culprit.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has avoided the latest White House scandal by escaping to Europe for meetings with foreign leaders.

There were no fingerprints or other DNA found on the container holding the cocaine, according to the Secret Service. And there was less than a gram of the illicit drug in the 'dime-sized' zipper-lock baggie.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said that the Secret Service officials informed lawmakers during Thursday's briefing that they narrowed down the list of suspected culprits to about 500 people.

'Have they drug tested this list of 500 potential suspects that brought an illegal substance  the drug cocaine  into the White House,' Greene told reporters after the briefing. 'Their answer was no, and that they're unwilling to do so.'

Without any direct answers from the USSS or the Biden administration on the cocaine discovery with nearly two weeks to investigate the matter, members of Congress demanded briefings.

Trump-era CBP Director and longtime FBI agent Mark Morgan told DailyMail.com last week that the case is 'straightforward' and could be solved in the matter of 30 minutes.

Morgan and Rep. Burchett separately noted that there are cameras everywhere with facial recognition technology that could provide answers to who brought the cocaine into the White House.

It's unlikely Republican members of Congress will be happy with USSS closing the investigation without finding out who is responsible for bringing the illicit drug into the West Wing.

'Just left the most ridiculous meeting of all time with the Secret Service on the cocaine that was found in the White House,' Rep. Burchett said in a video he recorded walking through Congress after Thursday's briefing.

'It turns out  they don't know who did it,' he said. 'The investigation is going to be over at the end of the week, and they're not going to find out who did it. And that's basically it.'

'Another coverup,' the lawmaker added. 'You know, it's the most secure building in the entire world Nobody, not even the press, goes in there without them knowing.'

He called the outcome a 'bad look on the Secret Service and a horrible look on this White House.'

The substance was found Sunday, July 2, leading to a hazmat evacuation of the White House while President Joe Biden and his family were in Camp David for the long holiday weekend.

Now, 11 days after the discovery, Congress is no closer to knowing how the drug made it into one of the most secure places in the U.S.  and USSS doesn't plan to provide any definitive answers.

House Oversight and Reform Committee Chair James Comer wrote to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle last week requesting a briefing by July 14, which occurred Thursday morning.

Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas also called for a briefing and pressed Cheatle for information in a public letter. The senator's office, when reached by DailyMail.com, said that they have not yet received a response from Cheatle.

The cocaine discovery location changed three times since its discovery  first in the library, then in a west wing work area and finally in a cell phone lockbox.

For the 11 days from discovery to briefing, there were no signs from officials of who the culprit is that brought the illicit drug onto the premises and the Biden administration continued to brush-off questions on the matter.

Biden critics, however, jumped to their own conclusion, claiming that the president's recovering addict son Hunter, 52, is to blame for bringing cocaine into the White House.

Secret Service and administration officials remained hush-hush on details of the discovery  only fueling trolls who want to peg the incident on Hunter Biden.

A full statement from the USSS was released Thursday following the briefing that gave a detailed rundown of what the agency did to investigate the matter.

But it concluded by saying it would close the investigation without finding who brought the cocaine into the White House.

'There was no surveillance video footage found that provided investigative leads or any other means for investigators to identify who may have deposited the found substance in this area,' the statement claims.

'Without physical evidence, the investigation will not be able to single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered.'

The statement concluded with: 'At this time, the Secret Service's investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence.'
London's famous Oxford Street has been branded a 'national embarrassment' by the boss of a leading British retailer.

Brian Duffy, the chief executive of Watches of Switzerland, said there was 'no question that more needs to be done' to revive the West End shopping destination.

His comments come after tacky American candy shops have replaced household names like Topshop on the world-renowned street.

Mr Duffy said: 'Oxford Street is a problem. I would almost describe it as a bit of a national embarrassment.

'In terms of importance, it's probably the biggest victim of lockdown and what happened in retail, the demise of Arcadia group and department stores like Debenhams.'

Concerns have been raised about the proliferation of garish candy shops on Oxford Street and trading standards officers have seized more than 1million worth of fake goods including counterfeit Rolex watches.

London's famous Oxford Street has been branded a 'national embarrassment' by the boss of a leading British retailer

It comes after tacky shops have replaced long standing store on the world-renowned street

The street used to be known worldwide as a shopping destination. (Pictured: Christmas shoppers outside the John Lewis department store in 1926)

The street has now become home to several American sweet shops

READ MORE: How London's iconic shopping destination has transformed with dozens of stores now lying empty Advertisement

Watches of Switzerland owns a showroom on Oxford Street across the road from department store Selfridges.

Mr Duffy said action should be taken to bring a 'higher standard' of businesses to the area. On nearby Regent Street - which is owned by the Crown Estate - there has been 'more aggressive and successful landlord behaviour', he said.

Although Oxford Street is still 'hugely popular', its range of stores is 'not optimising the status of the street and traffic', Mr Duffy added.

Topshop's flagship store near Oxford Circus station closed in early 2021 after the demise of Sir Philip Green's Arcadia retail empire. The House of Fraser's department store also shut shop in January 2022 after more than a century at the location.

Some big names are set to move into the area soon - Ikea will open up at the former Topshop site while HMV will reopen its old flagship store on Oxford Street after a four-year absence later this year.

Mr Duffy is not the first leading retail chief to lambast the state of Oxford Street. In April, Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Machin said London was losing its competitive edge to rival cities.

Watches of Switzerland owns a showroom on Oxford Street across the road from department store Selfridges

Department store Selfridges (pictured in 1935) has been an iconic and well-known part of the street for decades

A Primark store opened up on Oxford Street some years ago

Well-known brands such as Topshop have been replaced on the street

Mr Machin blamed a government move to axe VAT-free shopping and a 'proliferation of tacky candy stores'

'The high street which is meant to be the jewel in London's crown today is a national embarrassment, with a proliferation of tacky candy stores, antisocial behaviour and footfall remaining in the doldrums' Mr Machin said

Mr Machin blamed a government move to axe VAT-free shopping and a 'proliferation of tacky candy stores'.

He said: 'The high street which is meant to be the jewel in London's crown today is a national embarrassment, with a proliferation of tacky candy stores, antisocial behaviour and footfall remaining in the doldrums, 11 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels.'

He added: 'It pains me to see our great city like this. For too long now it has been on life support.'

Oxford Street will be given a facelift from next autumn with plans to inject 100million into pedestrian access, greenery and better lighting.

Work on the project, which is a joint effort between Westminster City Council and business group New West End Company, is expected to finish in spring 2026.
He is accused of knifing serial shoplifter Charles Brito in a CVS on July 6

The alleged killer was being held at Rikers Island on murder charges

Scotty Enoe was seen walking the streets of Manhattan after posting bail

A CVS worker charged with stabbing a serial shoplifter to death in a Midtown Manhattan store has been freed after posting a $100,000 bail.

Scotty Enoe, 46, had been held in custody at Rikers Island following the brutal knifing of Charles Brito, 50, in Times Square in the early hours of July 6.

The alleged killer is now back on the streets after a judge slapped a slew of restrictions on his movement, including limited outdoor time and an 8pm curfew.

His attorney, Adam Freedman, said: 'Obviously he's happy to be getting out of jail. He's looking forward to being home and he's looking forward to going back to work'.

Enoe is facing several criminal charges including murder and criminal possession of a weapon, and is expected back in court September 7.

Scotty Enoe was seen collecting his belongings after posting a $100,000 bail

Enoe is facing several criminal charges including murder and criminal possession of a weapon

Enoe stared hauntingly ahead as he sat down in a park shortly after being freed from Rikers Island

After picking up his belongings in a clear plastic bag, the 46-year-old was seen walking the streets of the Big Apple immediately after posting bail.

Dressed in a white t shirt and chinos, Enoe strolled from the authorities to a park in New York, where he clutched his clothes and stared hauntingly ahead.

He suffers from sickle cell anemia and works a number of jobs alongside pulling shifts at CVS, but was told he could continue to work so long as he stuck to the conditions placed on him by Judge Laurie Peterson.

Enoe was forced to surrender his passport and agreed to stay in the five boroughs of New York, but will be allowed to work between 7am and 6pm.

He must be back home by 8pm, and has been granted just two hours of outdoor recreation time a day.

'I really appreciate the fact that they recognize this as not your run-of-the-mill kind of case, and that this guy should not be in jail pending some sort of resolution of it,' Enoe's attorney Freedman told the New York Post.

'So were pleased that hes going to be getting out today.

'Hes got a chronic illness, and he was getting medical attention for it, so at least from that perspective hes happy and were pleased, and his health seems to be OK,' Freedman added.

'But obviously hes going to get much better attention and care in the community than he ever would with the Department of Correction.'

Court records reportedly showed Enoe's $100,000 bail was paid by Big Geyser, a Queens beverage distributor, and it was posted by celebrity bail bondsman Ira Judelson.

The 46-year-old clutched his possessions in a plastic bag after posting bail in the Big Apple

Enoe wore a white t shirt and chinos as he stepped out in New York

The alleged killer is due back in court on September 7 after being freed from Rikers Island

Enoe allegedly murdered Charles Brito during a fight shortly after midnight on July 6

Enoe is charged with fatally stabbing serial shoplifter Charles Brito after they became embroiled in a fight in a Times Square CVS.

The early hours brawl erupted between 49th Street and Broadway, with Enoe's mother claiming Brito instigated the violence.

'The guy came in and started arguing with Scotty. Next thing you know, Scotty was on the ground. He acted in self-defense,' the suspect's mother, Lucille Enoe, told the Daily News.

'When the guy threw him down and started beating him up, Scotty stabbed him' the 72-year-old explained.

Police said the fight broke out after Enoe attempted to stop the vagrant from stealing Gatorade and a container of creamer at around 12:30am.

After being punched, Enoe allegedly whipped out a knife and fatally stabbed the man in the torso.

Police were called to the scene for a reported robbery-in-progress, but the stabbing had already taken place when they arrived.

Cops later said they found a blood-soaked knife and brass knuckles on Enoe after he was arrested and taken into custody.

Brito was rushed by Emergency Medical Service to NYC Health and Hospitals Bellevue where he was pronounced dead, leading Enoe to be charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

Enoe is accused of stabbing serial shoplifter Charles Brito to death in a Times Square CVS on July 6

Enoe was previously held at Rikers Island while in custody. He is pictured after his arraignment on July 7, 2023

Brito, who was homeless, had more than a dozen previous shoplifting arrests to his name and was known to target drug stores in Upper Manhattan.

A police source told the Post that targeting drugstores like CVS and Walgreens was Brito's 'MO', and the shoplifter was even due to be sentenced a week after his death for a number of other offences.

Brito had a lengthy rap sheet with 16 unsealed arrests, including just a week before his death, when he was apprehended on a petit larceny charge after stealing four Monster energy drinks and seven Starbucks Frappuccinos from a CVS store in Upper Manhattan on July 2.

He then returned to the store two hours later, this time with a suitcase to make off with an even larger haul.

That time he got away with a stash of Oreos, Pepsi, M&Ms, Hershey's Kisses and another pack of Starbucks drinks - all totaling $125.

On another occasion he ventured into a CVS in Upper Manhattan last month to steal a load of energy drinks from the fridge only to return hours later to steal more of the same.

He was charged with petit larceny charge with bail set at $5,000. He was set to be sentenced to three years' probation after taking a plea deal that combined the two earlier incidents together.
A Tennessee nurse has told how she watched in horror as Larry Pickens drew a gun from the waistband of his pants and shot surgeon Benjamin Mauck three times, before running away.

Mauck, 43, was pronounced dead on Tuesday in the Campbell Clinic in Collierville, 30 miles from downtown Memphis.

On Thursday, the clinic paid tribute to the celebrated hand surgeon, who is one of only about 10 surgeons in the U.S. able to operate on children with 'complex hand abnormalities'.

Pickens, 29, appeared in Collierville municipal court on Thursday to face charges of first degree murder. He did not enter a plea during the brief appearance as he had not yet obtained legal counsel, and was held in custody after he said he was unable to pay a $1.2 million bail.

Mauck's devastated colleagues were struggling to come to terms with the loss of someone who had done so much for others.

'Ben was so much to so many people,' said Dr Frederick Azar, chief of staff of the Campbell Clinic.

Larry Pickens, 29 (left), has been charged with first degree murder for shooting Dr Benjamin Mauck, 43, (right) in the exam room at the Campbell Clinic in Collierville, Tennessee, on Tuesday

Mauck is seen with his wife Rhiannon and two children

He said Mauck 'loved his family' - his wife, Rhiannon Mauck, and two young children.

'He was a talented physician who deeply cared for his patients - and they loved him back, with literally thousands of positive testimonials.'

Azar added: 'He was a superb teacher for our residents and fellows - and he was a respected leader in our practice.

'He was a brother to us all, who had the blessing and the privilege to care for our patients along side him.'

Azar said Mauck's 'legacy here will be forever held in high regard.'

He concluded: 'His life truly embodied our priorities for faith, family and patient care.'

Dr. Benjamin Mauck was murdered in his clinic on Tuesday afternoon

Lydia McGuinn, a nurse practitioner, was in the room when Pickens allegedly pulled a gun and shot dead Mauck

Azar's tribute came as new details of Tuesday's shooting emerged.

Lydia McGuinn, a nurse practitioner who has worked at the clinic for almost 37 years, was in the room with Mauck when he was treating Pickens.

She told police that she knew Pickens because he had attended the clinic before.

Pickens is shown in his Tuesday booking photo

Some clinic staff say he had been threatening Mauck for a week. It's unclear whether the surgeon, or anyone else from the clinic, had reported it to the police.

McGuinn said that Pickens took a gun from his waistband and fired three shots before fleeing.

Pickens was found walking outside the clinic, with a black Smith & Wesson SD40 pistol.

Pickens has a history of schizophrenia and told police in April last year that he was 'off his meds'.

Pickens has no criminal record in Collierville, but he has called police several times on other people.

In April 2022, he called police claiming someone had broken into his home.

During that interaction, he told the officers he was schizophrenic and off his medication, according to local Memphis outlet WATE.

In another, more threatening incident, he panicked staff and customers at a barbershop by complaining about his haircut.

Last year, Pickens is said to have threatened the owners of Faded Barber Shop because he didn't like his haircut

One of the barbershop owners said that he saw Pickens feeling around in his pocket as if he was reaching for a weapon.

He did not pull one out, and ended up calling the police himself claiming someone else had threatened him - which they had not.

That barbershop owner told WATE he was concerned for his staff.

'Someone felt threatened, and whenever we feel threatened, then we have to take care of our business.

'I thought he had some sort of mental disorder just off his actions and how he was carrying himself.

'He just was reaching in his pocket like he had a gun but he wasn't pulling out nothing like he was going to shoot,' he said.

He was not charged in either incident.
Russia has detained multiple high ranking military officers as the Kremlin looks to purge the military of those it suspects of disloyalty following the Wagner uprising.

Well placed sources claim that at least 13 senior officers have since been detained, with some later released , with others suspended or fired from their roles as Vladimir Putin's inquisition looks for betrayal in the ranks.

Among those believed to have been taken into questioning are General Sergei Surovikin, the head of Russia's aerospace forces who is known as 'General Armageddon' for his bloody bombing campaigns in Syria, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The top officer has not been seen in public since the day of the mutiny, although one Russian official claimed earlier this week he was 'not available right now' as he was resting.

Other senior officers believed to have been targeted include Surovikin's second in command, Colonel General Andrey Yudin, the deputy head of military intelligence, Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev and former deputy defence minister Mikhail Mizintsev.

General Sergei Surovikin, pictured here in a video urging Wagner troops to stop their uprising last month, is reported to have been detained by the Kremlin

Former Colonel General and deputy defence minister Mikhail Mizintsev, is understood to be among those taken in for questioning

Weeks after the dramatic mutiny saw soldiers from the mercenary army march on Moscow before stopping after last minute talks between President Vladimir Putin and Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, reprisals within the armed forces appear to have started.

Prigozhin, who also has not been seen in public since the end of the uprising, had marched on the Russian capital demanding the resignation of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.

However, the pair have since remained in their jobs and Prigozhin - who said mutiny was not a move against Putin - has started to transfer his private army to Belarus.

READ MORE HERE: Joe Biden warns Wagner leader Prigozhin he might be POISONED and says Putin has 'already lost the war' Advertisement

Other senior officers have been targeted though, with Surovikin - who insiders claim knew about the insurrection on June 23 before it happened, but was not involved in planning it - among those detained and taken in for questioning, sources told the WSJ.

'The detentions are about cleaning the ranks of those who it is believed can't be trusted anymore,' one told the paper.

The 56-year-old is believed to be close to Wagner chief Prigozhin, who has praised him in public as Russia's most competent military commander.

'Surovikin is a legendary person, he was born to faithfully serve the Motherland,' Prigozhin said of Surovikin in October, 2022.

Surovikin has disappeared from public view since Wagner's short-lived mutiny sent shock waves across Russia last month.

He was last seen when he urged the Wagner chief to call off his men in a highly unusual video appeal. Unshaven and scowling, he urged Prigozhin to stop.

The Kremlin has dismissed reports of his detention but uncertainty surrounding the general's fate persists.

This week Andrei Kartapolov, the head of the defence affairs committee in the Russian parliament's lower house, said that Surovikin is 'resting now, he is not available at the moment.'

Major General Ivan Popov, pictured, claimed he had been relieved of his duties for telling the truth to higher-ups

An explosion erupts from an apartment building in Mairupol, Ukraine, after a Russian army tank fired on it in March 2022

It is believed the Kremlin is looking for signs of disloyalty to President Vladimir Putin, pictured, after the Wagner uprising on June 23

The list of those believed to have been detained also includes Mikhail Mizintsev, the former deputy defence minister who joined Wagner Group in April.

One other senior officer, Major General Ivan Popov - who is in charge of the 58th Army fighting in southern Ukraine - claimed he had been relieved of duty after telling the truth to officials.

Popov, whose troops lie a focal point in the Ukrainian counteroffensive, said in an audio statement to his troops released late on Wednesday that he was dismissed after a meeting with the top military brass.

He said the military leadership was angered by his frank talk about the challenges faced by his forces, particularly the shortage of radars tracking enemy artillery, which resulted in massive Russian casualties.

'The top officers apparently saw me as a source of threat and rapidly issued an order to get rid of me, which was signed by the defence minister in just one day,' he said.

'The Ukrainian military couldn't penetrate our army's defences, but the top commander hit us in the back, treacherously and cowardly beheading the army at this most difficult moment.'

READ MORE HERE: The secret Ukrainian tank unit hidden deep within a forest near the Russian border who Zelensky dubs the Iron Brigade Advertisement

Popov, who uses the call name Spartacus, addressed his troops as 'my gladiators' in the audio message released by retired general Andrei Gurulev, who commanded the 58th Army in the past and currently serves as a legislator.

The 58th Army consists of several divisions and smaller units.

The 48-year-old, who has risen from a platoon commander to lead a large group of forces, has encouraged his soldiers to come directly to him with any problems - an easygoing approach that contrasted sharply with a stiff formal style of command common for the Russian military.

Russian military bloggers say he is widely known for doing his best to avoid unnecessary losses - unlike many other commanders who were eager to sacrifice their soldiers to report successes.

'I faced a difficult situation with the top leadership when I had to either keep silent and act like a coward, saying what they wanted to hear, or call things by their names,' Popov said.

'I didn't have the right to lie for the sake of you and our fallen comrades.'

Russian military bloggers said that Popov's remarks, in which he also spoke about the need to rotate his troops, who have been fighting to repel a Ukrainian counteroffensive since early June, angered general staff chief General Valery Gerasimov, who promptly ordered his dismissal.

Gerasimov was shown meeting with military officers in a video released by the Defence Ministry on Monday, the first time he had been seen since last month's abortive rebellion by Prigozhin, who demanded his ousting.

Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin political analyst, noted that Popov's statement echoed criticism of the top brass by Prigozhin.

However, he added that the general's statement was not a rebellion, but instead a call for Russian President Vladimir Putin's help.

'Such public disputes at the top of the Russian army isn't a show of force,' he said.

During the revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, mercenaries from Prigozhin's Wagner Group quickly swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot before driving to within about 200 kilometres (125 miles) of Moscow.

Prigozhin called his mercenaries back to their camps after striking a deal to end the rebellion in exchange for an amnesty for him and his mercenaries and permission to move to Belarus.

The rebellion represented the biggest threat to Putin in his more than two decades in power and badly dented his authority, even though Prigozhin said that the uprising was not aimed against the president but intended to force the ousting of Gen Gerasimov and defence minister Sergei Shoigu, whose handling of the action in Ukraine he has criticised.
The estranged husband of a grandmother has been charged with murder after her body was found lifeless inside his home.

Christine Rakic, 53, was found in the family's former investment property in Rooty Hill, in western Sydney, on Tuesday night, after a concerned relative raised the alarm with police.

She was unable to be saved, while her ex-husband Dusan Rakic, 50, was also found at the scene with injuries to his throat and arms.

Rakic, 50, was taken to hospital under police guard and was in an induced coma, in a critical condition.

On Friday morning he was charged with murder, contravene a prohibition or restriction in a domestic-violence related AVO and breach of bail.

Dusan Rakic has been charged with the alleged murder of his ex-wife Christine (pictured together)

Christine Rakic, 53, was found dead at the Rooty Hill home on Tuesday night

He was refused bail and is due to face Mount Druitt Local Court later on Friday.

Rakic had moved into the Rooty Hill bungalow about a year ago. It was rented out until his marriage with his wife collapsed after two decades together.

Neighbours revealed the couple had been discussing selling the Rooty Hill home with a real estate agent who lives around the corner from the property.

Ms Rakic lived with her adult son Dion in the family home five minutes away in Hassall Grove.

Her Facebook profile is filled with pictures of her with her grandchild through her adult daughter, Amellia.

Around 8.15pm on Tuesday night, neighbours said they heard two 'big loud screams' then silence until police arrived some 15 minutes later.

1800 RESPECT
Charge has been upgraded to murder

Assault charges against a north Queensland teenager have been upgraded to murder after the alleged victim died following a two-month stay in hospital.

Police said the 17-year-old Townsville boy assaulted a 63-year-old man in Innisfail in April.

The man suffered serious head and facial injuries and was taken to hospital in critical condition.

Assault charges against a 17-year-old Townsville boy have been upgraded to murder after the alleged victim, a 63-year-old man, died following a two-month stay in hospital (stock image)

He died on June 25, two months after the alleged assault.

The teen's initial charge of causing grievous bodily harm was upgraded to murder.

The 17-year-old is due to appear at Innisfail Children's Court at a later date.

Investigations into the incident continue.
The UK is still paying China 48million a year in foreign aid despite transparency concerns about how the money is being spent and a pledge to cut the sum by 95 per cent, the aid watchdog has revealed.

Payments to Beijing have fallen rapidly - from 82million in 2019 to 48million in 2021/22 - with the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) expecting the sum to fall to 10million by the end of next year.

In 2021 former Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced aid programming in China would be slashed by 95 per cent.

But the watchdog said that there was still 'very little information on how aid to China was evolving and what it was being spent on'.

ICAI Commissioner Sir Hugh Bayley, who led the review, warned: 'While UK aid to China has fallen rapidly in recent years, taxpayers are still not being told clearly how much aid will continue and what it will be spent on.

The UK is still paying China 48million a year in foreign aid despite transparency concerns. Pictured: Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 6

'From the limited information shared with us, we've established that most aid funding to China from across government has ended. Remaining aid spend will focus on higher education, English language, arts and culture and, to a lesser extent, human rights.

'Average incomes in China will soon be too high for the country to continue to receive foreign aid and there appears to be no clear government strategy for how to manage this, which could put some of the benefits from past UK development assistance at risk.'

ICAI criticised the British Council for not publishing documents on the implementation and results of its 'substantial programmes' in China.

'Although the UK is insufficiently transparent about its aid to China, it is clear that this has fallen rapidly in recent years, and these reductions are expected to continue in the near future with most departments ending their aid to China,' the report says.

The government has been under pressure from Tory backbenchers to take a firmer stance on Beijing amid increasingly frosty relations with the rising Asian power.

Shadow International Development Secretary Preet Kaur Gill told the Mail: 'This report rightly raises concerns about the decline in transparency and accountability of UK aid spending under this government. The Foreign Office spent almost a hundred millions pound of UK aid in China between 2014 and 2018.

'Labour has consistently urged the government to restore accountability and transparency to British development spending, including a review of BII which was found to have invested in projects linked to the Belt and Road Initiative.

'Labour will treat taxpayers' money with the respect it deserves.'

In 2021 former Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced aid programming in China would be slashed by 95 per cent

Sarah Champion, chairman of the Commons international development committee, said: 'I question whether this is the best use of UK ODA given the pressing humanitarian need around the world, and the significant concerns over the treatment of Uyghurs in the region.'

An FCDO Spokesperson said: 'We stopped direct aid to the Chinese Government in 2011 and the FCDO committed to cut ODA funded programmes in China by 95 per cent from the 2021-22 financial year with remaining funding focused on specific programmes that support British values around open societies and human rights. No funding goes to the Chinese authorities.'

'We remain committed to transparency and will continue to work closely with ICAI to ensure that all UK aid spending maintains our high standards of transparency and has the greatest impact.'
They then text or email employees acting like the boss and ask for gift cards

You might want to think twice before answering a text from your supervisor - a new threat called 'boss scam' is on the rise across the US.

A New York City-based TikToker was recently a target of the attack, in which he received a text message that appeared to be from the president of his company.

Timm Chuisano revealed he received a message from 'his boss' who was in a webinar and needed $1,000 in Apple gift cards for clients that could be charged to the company card.

Chuisano did not fall for the scam, but thousands of people have, which has cost companies millions of dollars.

A New York City-based TikToker was recently a target of the attack, in which he received a text message that appeared to be from the president of his company

While the scam sounds nearly impossible, the Better Business Bureau explains that crooks scour the internet researching companies.

They find a firm, look up executives and narrow in on unsuspecting employees.

Chuisano received the message while leaving work, which read: 'Hi Timm, How are you doing today? I'm on a webinar session at the moment and I can't talk on the phone, please let me know once you get this.'

The text ended with his boss's name - but Chuisano blocked it in the video for privacy.

Chuisano replied that he was still in the office and happy to help with anything.

The sender wrote: Okay, I'm currently on a webinar, and I need to provide some clients with gift cards real quick... please confirm you can get Apple gift cards at any local store, you will be reimbursed before the ends day.'

Chuisano realized something was wrong and inquired if his boss was in a webinar, which he was not.

Timm Chuisano revealed he received a message from 'his boss' who was in a webinar and needed $1,000 in Apple gift cards for clients that could be charged to the company card

His experience aligns with reports from thousands who fell for the scam.

AT&T has also warned its customers, urging them to be skeptical when receiving text messages from unknown numbers, which they should never reply to.

Gift card scams have become popular among thieves who masquerade as a person's friend or family member to drain their bank account.

The online thieves also gain access to a person's email address and then write to all of their contacts asking for help  using information from the account and replicating how they speak.

The next step in the scam is to create a sense of urgency and a reason to purchase high-value gift cards.

Along with the boss scam, Americans are attacked by more than 376 million scamming text messages per day, which pose as Netflix, Amazon and banks to steal their money or voices.

These fake messages claim users' accounts are frozen or credit cards are expired, prompting them to click a link that asks for personal information.

There are also dangerous communications with the user's name, which offers a job opportunity, but they must call a number at a specific time.

Chuisano did not fall for the scam, but thousands of people have, which has cost companies millions of dollars

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reported that between 2015 and 2022, the number of robotext complaints skyrocketed from 3,300 to 18,900 per year.

And Americans lost $10 billion to these scams in 2021 alone.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement: 'Scam artists have found that sending us messages about a package you never ordered or a payment that never went through along with a link to a shady website is a quick and easy way to get us to engage on our devices and fall prey to fraud.'

While many robotexts prompt users to click a link, some provide a callback number.

This is a new type of scam in which con artists use AI-powered tools to capture your voice and clone it in less than five seconds.

Netflix released a statement about such schemes that urgently claim 'your account is on hold,' stating that there is an issue with the current billing information.

A link is attached to the message with a note telling recipients they have 48 hours to take action before their account is permanently suspended.

The link takes users to a site that looks like Netflix and asks them to reenter their credit card details, which the scammer steals.

'We will never ask you to enter your personal information in a text or email,' Netflix said about the fishy texts.

'We will never request payment through a 3rd party vendor or website. If the text or email links to a URL you don't recognize, don't tap or click it.

'If you did already, do not enter any information on the website that opened.'
A deadly heatwave dubbed Cerberus is sweeping across Europe, forcing cities including Rome, Bologna and Florence to issue red alert warnings due to 'unbearable' temperatures that are set to intensify even further.

Temperatures are expected to surpass 40C in parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Turkey, while Italy could see temperatures reach a staggering 48.8C.

But what is causing this heatwave across the continent, and why isn't the UK experiencing the same high temperatures?

MailOnline spoke to experts, who explained that the scorching temperatures are being driven by three key factors - El Nino, a stationary high-pressure system also known as an anticyclone, and climate change.

'Europe is not particularly affected by El Nino events directly, therefore it is likely the high-pressure system and climate change that are the main contributors to this heatwave event,' said Dr Melissa Lazenby, a lecturer in Climate Change at the University of Sussex.

A deadly heatwave dubbed Cerberus is sweeping across Europe, forcing cities including Rome, Bologna and Florence to issue red alert warnings due to 'unbearable' temperatures that are set to intensify even further

Temperatures are expected to surpass 40C in parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Turkey, while Italy could see temperatures reach a staggering 48.8C. Pictured: Firefighters work to contain a wildfire in Nafplio, Greece on Wednesday

Why hasn't the heatwave hit the UK? While much of the continent is sweltering, the UK is not experiencing the same high temperatures. 'That is mainly due to the placement of the current high-pressure system, which does not cover the UK and is situated further south, which provides stable atmospheric conditions for enhanced warming and resulting heatwaves,' Dr Lazenby explained. 'If you are in the UK today, you will notice the higher winds which are not associated with a high-pressure feature and therefore not allowing conducive heatwave conditions explaining why UK temperatures are not warm like the rest of Europe.' Advertisement

The heatwave is currently sweeping across parts of southern Europe and north-west Africa.

Today, Athens and Madrid are among numerous cities baking in temperatures above 30C - peaking at 37C in the Greek capital and 35C in the Spanish city.

Health officials have also issued red alerts for ten major cities in Italy, including Florence and Rome.

While temperatures will sit around 32C for these cities today, the Met Office expects temperatures to rocket to more than 40C next Tuesday.

But the Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily will bear the brunt of this heat, as the BBC claims temperatures peak at 48.8C.

Italy's warnings suggest the heat is so intense that entire cities should take caution and not just vulnerable groups.

The heatwave has already proved fatal, with a 44-year-old man tragically dying while working outside in Lodi, near Milan.

It has been named Cerberus after the three-headed monster that features in Dante's inferno.

Dr Lazenby explained that it is largely being driven by a high-pressure system known as an anticyclone.

The heatwave is currently sweeping across parts of southern Europe and north-west Africa. Picured: How next week's peaks compare to average summer temperatures in European cities

'The current European Heatwave is being driven by stable atmospheric conditions from a stationary high pressures feature,' she explained.

'It is not possible to determine all the drivers and their exact contributions to the current heatwave in Europe, only a full attribution study after the event will illustrate the exact drivers and their proportion of impact on the event.'

Experts say that climate change is undoubtedly a 'critical driver' behind Europe's heatwave.

Dr Leslie Mabon, Lecturer in Environmental Systems at The Open University, said: 'We can be in absolutely no doubt that a critical driver behind this warming trend is carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.

Europe is currently experiencing a stationary high-pressure system also known as an anticyclone (pictured) which is a huge driving factor behind its scorching temperatures

On 11 July 2023, the Land Surface Temperature in some areas of Extremadura in Spain exceeded 60C

Cities including Rome (pictured), Bologna and Florence have been forced to issue red alert warnings due to 'unbearable' temperatures that are set to intensify even further

Health officials have also issued red alerts for ten major cities in Italy - including Florence and Rome (pictured)

Naples: Italy's warnings suggest the heat is so intense that entire cities should take caution and not just vulnerable groups

Athens: Europe's climate monitoring service, Copernicus, has also flagged that a large Saharan dust cloud is heading towards southern Europe

'Until we rapidly reduce emissions from fossil fuels, extremes like the heatwave we are seeing in Europe at the moment are going to become more and more likely.'

Europe's climate monitoring service, Copernicus, has also flagged that a large Saharan dust cloud is heading towards southern Europe.

However, this is unlikely to contribute to the heatwave, according to Dr Chloe Brimicombe, a Climate Scientist and Extreme Heat Researcher at the University of Graz.

'The Saharan dust presents more of a potential health challenge for southern Europe - increasing dust content and pollution,' she explained.

While much of the continent is sweltering, the UK is not experiencing the same high temperatures.

'That is mainly due to the placement of the current high-pressure system, which does not cover the UK and is situated further south, which provides stable atmospheric conditions for enhanced warming and resulting heatwaves,' Dr Lazenby explained.

'If you are in the UK today, you will notice the higher winds which are not associated with a high-pressure feature and therefore not allowing conducive heatwave conditions explaining why UK temperatures are not anomalously warm like the rest of Europe.'

El Nino is a warming of the ocean surface, or above-average sea surface temperatures (SST), in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. An expert told MailOnline that Europe is not directly affected this. Instead, it is likely the high-pressure system and climate change that are the main contributors to the scorching heat event

Rome: The heatwave has been named Cerberus after the three-headed monster that features in Dante's inferno

Rebekah Sherwin, an Expert Meteorologist from the Met Office's global forecasting team, added: 'The southern shift of the Jet Stream that has pushed the high pressure southwards across this region has also led to low pressure systems being directed into the UK, bringing more unsettled and cooler weather here than we experienced in June when the Jet stream was at a more northerly latitude.'

Last year, Europe suffered the hottest summer on record, killing more than 61,000 across the continent and nearly 3,500 in the UK.

Blistering temperatures largely peaked between July 18 to 24, but hot weather persisted throughout August.

While Cerberus is forecast to last for around two weeks, this might not spell the end for Europe's weather troubles.

The World Meteorological Organisation warns there is a 90 per cent probability that El Nino will last until the end of the year.

This may indicate that warmer temperatures will once again persist for longer, with El Nino considered to be a driving factor behind Cerberus.

News of this also comes just after Copernicus revealed that last month was the hottest June ever in global records.

Carlo Cacciamani, head of Italy's national meteorological and climatology agency, stressed to The Times: 'This is happening more frequently and means we see temperatures around 40C instead of the normal 30-31C.'
Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic announced Thursday that its first space tourists will launch as soon as August 10.

The mission, dubbed Galactic 02, will see three customers who paid the original $250,000 or $450,000, an increase implemented this year.

The crew, which has not yet been named, will pack into the company's spaceplane attached to the underbelly of a larger carrier plane and jet off toward space.

Once the pair reach at least 45,000 feet, the rocket plane will separate and travel more than 50 miles above Earth's surface.

Virgin Galactic has already booked a backlog of 800 customers vying for their chance to go to space, which was made possible by the company's inaugural mission in June.

Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic announced Thursday that its first space tourists will launch as soon as August 10 (stock)

Branson's company said it will release the flight manifest, including crew and pilots, at a later date and is set to live stream the launch.

A three-member crew of its first-mission 'Galactic-01' made the brief suborbital ride, marking a long-delayed breakthrough for the company, finally commercial service after being fraught with development setbacks for nearly 20 years.

The 90-minute mission took off from Spaceport America in New Mexico at around 8.30am local time.

And August's mission is set to carry out the same way.

The rocket plane, known as Unity, will be strapped to the 'mothership,' a carrier aircraft called VMS Eve.

Eve is a type of carrier plane and will take Unity far above Earth's surface to release it.

Unity will then ignite its thruster and shut off once it reaches space.

At the apex of the flight, the spaceplane is expected to 'feather' its wings open and hover above our planet's atmosphere, allowing the crew to experience weightlessness and epic views of the final frontier for a few minutes.

The focus of the Galactic 01 mission was to test 13 experiments in zero gravity, which collected biometric data, measured cognitive performance and recorded how certain liquids and solids mix in microgravity conditions.

The rocket plane, known as Unity, will be strapped to the 'mothership,' a carrier aircraft called VMS Eve. Eve is a type of carrier plane and will take Unity far above Earth's surface to release it. Unity will then ignite its thruster and shut off once it reaches space.

The inaugural flight on June 29 included three Italian researchers

Musk's SpaceX and Bezos' Blue Origin use rockets to launch capsules into space, while Branson chose to take a different approach with mid-air launches.

Branson's technique has been explored over several decades of flight research, including the X-1, the first plane to break the sound barrier, and the X-15, the fastest-piloted aircraft ever flown, topping out at 4,520 miles an hour during a 1967 flight.

And it reduces the need for massive amounts of fuel since the craft is not using force from the rocket to crawl through the dense lower atmosphere.

Branson became the first billionaire in space when he took the maiden voyage of the VSS Unity on July 11, 2021.

The Virgin Galactic founder was one of six Virgin Galactic employees aboard VSS Unity.

Inside the space plane is a minimalistic design that features seats and windows to take in the stunning views of space

Branson became the first billionaire in space when he took the maiden voyage of the VSS Unity on July 11, 2021

However, the spaceplane was grounded shortly after the flight due to an investigation when it veered off course during its descent back to the runway in the New Mexico desert.

Branson became the first billionaire in space when he took the maiden voyage of the VSS Unity on July 11, 2021.

The Virgin Galactic founder was one of six Virgin Galactic employees aboard VSS Unity.

However, the spaceplane was grounded shortly after the flight due to an investigation when it veered off course during its descent back to the runway in the New Mexico desert.

In September 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it was investigating a deviation in the descent of the flight.

The FAA, which oversees commercial air and spaceflight in the US, found the spaceplane 'deviated from its Air Traffic Control clearance' and did so for about a minute and 41 seconds.
An archaeologist claims the ruins of five fortified cities outside of Jerusalem belonged to the same kingdom ruled by the Biblical figure King David.

Yosef Garfinkle with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem believes the cities date to the early 10th century BC, some 200 years than previously thought, placing their construction in the time of David.

Garfinkel's study, published in June, describes the cities all featuring two parallel walls in the center and organized roads, suggesting the network was connected to one kingdom.

While the cities were discovered separately, the archaeologist claims he is the first to connect the dots - determining they are an organized urban network built around 1000 BC.

And King David ruled from 1104 to 960 BC during the Iron Age.

David is said to have been a shepherd boy who became Israel's third and most crucial king around 1000 BC when he united all the tribes of Israel under a single monarch - but the story has been disputed due to a lack of evidence.

An archaeologist claims the ruins of five fortified cities in Jerusalem are the ruins of a kingdom ruled by the Biblical figure King David. Pictured is one of the ancient cities in Khirbet Qeiyafa

Yosef Garfinkle with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem believes the cities date to the early 10th century BC, some 200 years than previously thought, placing their construction in the time of David

'I hate to use the term 'trying to prove the Bible,' because I'm not trying to prove anything,' Garfinkel told Times of Israel.

'There are biblical traditions, and we can see if these have historical memories or not It doesn't mean that everything, 100 percent, is historical memories.

'Sometimes there are mistakes, sometimes there is wishful thinking, sometimes there is ideology.'

The ruins sites are in Khirbet Qeiyafa, Tell en-Nasbeh, Khirbet ed-Dawwara, Lachish and Beth Shemesh, north and west of Jerusalem.

The fortified city in Khirbet Qeiyafa, excavated from 2007 through 2013, was found to include two gates, two piazzas, a casemate city wall, a peripheral belt of buildings abutting the city wall, a large pillared building and a major public building occupying the highest point of the site.

The ruins sites are in Khirbet Qeiyafa, Tell en-Nasbeh, Khirbet ed-Dawwara, Lachish and Beth Shemesh, north and west of Jerusalem

The fortified city in Khirbet Qeiyafa was found to include two gates, two piazzas, a casemate city wall, a peripheral belt of buildings abutting the city wall, a large pillared building and a major public building occupying the highest point of the site

A casemate consisted of two thinner, parallel, with empty space between them.

Beth Shemesh is located in northern Shephelah, roughly a days walk from Jerusalem and was discovered in 1911.

'A photograph of this city wall depicts two casemates built of massive stones, as would be expected for a citys fortification,' reads the study.

Tell en-Nasbeh, also a half-day's walk to Jerusalem, was excavated from 1926 to 1935.

'A photograph of [Beth Shemesh] depicts two casemates built of massive stones, as would be expected for a citys fortification,' reads the study

Beth Shemesh is located in northern Shephelah, roughly a days walk from Jerusalem and was discovered in 1911

The city was encircled by a casemate wall, lined by a belt of houses incorporating the casemates as rear rooms; on the other end, these houses opened onto a peripheral road.

Khirbet ed-Dawwara, excavated between 1985 and 1986, was found to have 'a poorly preserved, short-lived site built on bedrock.'

It comprised a single settlement phase with remnants of four-room houses and a casemate fortification.

Tel Lachish is located in southern Shephelah, approximately two days from Jerusalem.

Tell en-Nasbeh, also a half-day's walk to Jerusalem, was excavated from 1926 to 1935

The city was encircled by a casemate wall, lined by a belt of houses incorporating the casemates as rear rooms; on the other end, these houses opened onto a peripheral road.

Seven different expeditions have extensively excavated the site from 1932 until today.

The ancient city was also found to be surrounded by a wall.

Garfinkel determined the age of all five using olive pits found scattered in the ruins, which he did through carbon dating.

Carbon dating 'is based on the fact that living organismslike trees, plants, people, and animalsabsorb carbon-14 into their tissue,' according to the University of Chicago.

'When they die, the carbon-14 starts to change into other atoms over time. Scientists can estimate how long the organism has been dead by counting the remaining carbon-14 atoms.'

While the cities were discovered separately, the archaeologist claimed he was the first to connect the dots - determining they are an organized urban network built around 1000 BC. Pictured is the ruins of Lachish

Tel Lachish is located in southern Shephelah, approximately two days from Jerusalem

Garfinkel also uncovered several proto-Canaanite and Canaanite inscriptions in some of the sites, indicating an increased demand for communication that marks a centralized authority and strong kingdom, he claimed.

Fellow archaeologists are not sold on Garfinkel's claim.

Professor Aren Maeir, an archaeologist from Bar Ilan University, told The Times of Israel: 'I think its an oversimplification and he is flattening the details.

'There are a lot of small details I dont agree with, and there are generalizations over a wide period that are problematic.

'Its like when a fisherman tells you about the type of fish he caught and with each story, his arms get wider and wider.

'Is it a sardine, a mackerel, or a blue whale? If you read the biblical text and take it literally, then its a blue whale.

'I think that probably there was a small kingdom in Jerusalem, but we dont know the influence that this kingdom had.'
Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Scott Disick met up to have dinner and address various rumors about the family on this week's episode of The Kardashians.

Kim, 43, Khloe, 39, who made headlines for reaching out to EastEnders star Maisie Smith on Instagram, and Scott, 40, all headed out to Casa Vega in Los Angeles during the new episode.

The trio were just sipping on their margaritas and munching on chips and salsa when Disick stared pulling up various rumors on the family.

One of the rumors involved The Kardashians production using CGI to 'fake' tears Kim was shedding during an episode.

Another bizarre rumor involved the supposedly fake nails that Khloe Kardashian uses, which she denied.

Rumor talk: Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Scott Disick met up to have dinner and address various rumors about the family on this week's episode of The Kardashians

Fake tears: One of the rumors involved The Kardashians production using CGI to 'fake' tears Kim was shedding during an episode

Casa Vega: Kim, 43, Khloe, 39, who made headlines for reaching out to EastEnders star Maisie Smith on Instagram, and Scott, 40, all headed out to Casa Vega in Los Angeles during the new episode

I'm so looking forward to having a couple of margaritas with Kim and Scott. Casa Vega is the best place to do this because they make quite a great margarita. All you need is one or two and youre good to go, Khloe says in confession.

They all joke about Kris fake Mexican accents she would use when she would order, as Scott jokes, Im like, the guys from America!

The waiter returns with their food and drinks as Scott asks if they have heard some of these ridiculous rumors that were going around about them.

Just like the dumbest rumors. Theyre saying that there are CGI putting tears in Kims face, Scott says, which Kim and Khloe both have a laugh about.

Khloe says, I thought it was funny because when I saw that viral video, youre touching here and here but your tear was like right perfectly centered or something like you just missed it.

Kim asks, Who would CGI a tear? as both Khloe and Scott add, Obviously, nobody, as Khloe suggests, Its some f***ing loser that has all this time on their hands.

Khloe adds in confession, The fact that anyone thinks were adding CGI tears somewhere like, no one is CGIing nothing.

Kim adds in confession, Definitely not a CGI tear. Isnt that expensive?

Confession: I'm so looking forward to having a couple of margaritas with Kim and Scott. Casa Vega is the best place to do this because they make quite a great margarita. All you need is one or two and youre good to go, Khloe says in confession

Accents: They all joke about Kris fake Mexican accents she would use when she would order, as Scott jokes, Im like, the guys from America!'

Dumbest rumors: Just like the dumbest rumors. Theyre saying that there are CGI putting tears in Kims face, Scott says, which Kim and Khloe both have a laugh about

Who: Kim asks, Who would CGI a tear? as both Khloe and Scott add, Obviously, nobody, as Khloe suggests, Its some f***ing loser that has all this time on their hands'

Back at Casa Vega, Scott looks at his phone and brings up another rumor that, Khloe has fake fingertips.

You guys, the fake fingertips thing, I was holding a glass on camera, I dont know, I can show you the thing, she says as they show a flashback shot that shows her pinky that looks rather unnatural.

Khloe adds, You guys, before I type it in, it comes up fake fingers, fake tan, fake fertility issues. You guys, I do not have fake fingers. This looks crazy. Those are just my hands.

Khloe adds in confession, Leave me alone. You guys have been f***ing nitpicking me since Ive been on TV. Now were on to my hands. OK, well, let me clear this up for everyone. No, I dont wear fake fingertips. This is the length of my fingers, before flipping both pixelated middle fingers to the camera.

Scott brings up another rumor that, The Kardashians are actually witches and every man that comes in contact with them is cursed. But isnt that just the Kardashian curse?

Khloe adds that the rumor continues, It says that, many moons ago, a woman in our family made a deal with four witches. It was wild.

She plays a video on her phone that alleges the woman in their family sold her soul to four witches in Armenia, In order for all the women in her bloodline to always have fame.

This is wild, Scott says, as Kim jokes, Oh guys, should I never date? Khloe then explains why the theory is, super sexist.

Another rumor: Back at Casa Vega, Scott looks at his phone and brings up another rumor that, Khloe has fake fingertips'

You guys: You guys, the fake fingertips thing, I was holding a glass on camera, I dont know, I can show you the thing, she says as they show a flashback shot that shows her pinky that looks rather unnatural

Witches: Scott brings up another rumor that, The Kardashians are actually witches and every man that comes in contact with them is cursed. But isnt that just the Kardashian curse?'

Soul: She plays a video on her phone that alleges the woman in their family sold her soul to four witches in Armenia, In order for all the women in her bloodline to always have fame'

Why can society blame us girls but they would never blame men? So youre telling me that I made someone a drug addict? I made someone cheat?

Kim adds, I just wish some of the guys would come to our defense, as Scott insists, I would, Im the one that made mistakes, while Kim says to say it into the camera.

Hey everybody, Im pretty sure youve watched every other season when we started the show, and I f***ed up a lot, Scott says to the camera.

Kim mentions Khloes ex Lamar Odom, as Khloe says, Lamar has always come to our defense, while Kim looks to the camera.

The Kardashians S3 available to stream on Disney+ in the UK.
Khloe Kardashian's son Tatum makes another adorable appearance in the teaser for next week's episode of The Kardashians.

Khloe, 39, - who made headlines for showing off her washboard abs last week - welcomed Tatum via a surrogate in July 2022, her second child with ex Tristan Thompson, with Tatum making brief appearances this season.

It seems fans will get the best look at Tatum yet in next week's ninth and penultimate episode of The Kardashians Season 3, when Tristan, 32, brings Tatum over to Khloe's home.

He's seen bringing the cherubic child into the home in a stroller, before expressing his appreciation for the Kardashian family.

'Thank you so much for me and my family. You know, I dont know what Id do without you guys right now,' Tristan says, as Kris wipes tears from her eyes as the preview comes to an end.

Tatum arrives: Khloe Kardashian's son Tatum makes another adorable appearance in the teaser for next week's episode of The Kardashians

Tristan, Tatum and Khloe: It seems fans will get the best look at Tatum yet in next week's ninth and penultimate episode of The Kardashians Season 3, when Tristan, 32, brings Tatum over to Khloe's home

Struggle: Khloe has been candid about how she's found it difficult to feel a close connection with her son following the surrogacy journey

Appreciation: He's seen bringing the cherubic child into the home in a stroller, before expressing his appreciation for the Kardashian family

Tears: 'Thank you so much for me and my family. You know, I dont know what Id do without you guys right now,' Tristan says, as Kris wipes tears from her eyes as the preview comes to an end

Earlier in the episode, Khloe was having dinner with Kim Kardashian and Scott Disick, when Kim revealed Tristan reached out to her recently.

Oh my God, Tristan called me today. He told me that he is buying a house in Hidden Hills, Kim says, as Scott asks Khloe if she knew he was looking to live in their Hidden Hills area.

I knew he was looking in Hidden Hills before. Like I knew like six or eight months ago, Khloe said, as Scott asks if there are, talks of chances, because if you felt like you wanted to open up your heart and forgive, I would support.

No, no chances. No, Im totally fine with him, like I dont have any issues with him, I really dont. I just dont have the energy for issues, Khloe says.

A producer asks Khloe if she has forgiven Tristan, and she says, Yeah I forgive Tristan. It doesnt mean Ive forget what hes done, but I forgive Tristan to me, cause Ive gotta let that s**t go. I need to for myself, because I cant move on with my life if Im holding onto this bulls**t.

Last month, during the third episode of The Kardashians Season 3, Khloe opened up to mother Kris Jenner about her failure to 'connect' with the child born via surrogacy.

'I feel guilty,' since she hasn't been able to 'connect' with her son yet, three months after his birth, Khloe told Kris.

Kris asks how Khloe feels - three months later - about the whole surrogacy process and Khloe says, 'When you compare it between True and him, it's a very different experience, the connection.'

Tristan reaches out: Earlier in the episode, Khloe was having dinner with Kim Kardashian and Scott Disick, when Kim revealed Tristan reached out to her recently

Tristan called: Oh my God, Tristan called me today. He told me that he is buying a house in Hidden Hills, Kim says, as Scott asks Khloe if she knew he was looking to live in their Hidden Hills area

Khloe knew: I knew he was looking in Hidden Hills before. Like I knew like six or eight months ago, Khloe said, as Scott asks if there are, talks of chances, because if you felt like you wanted to open up your heart and forgive, I would support'

Guilty: 'I feel guilty,' since she hasn't been able to 'connect' with her son yet, three months after his birth, Khloe told Kris

'With True, it took me a couple of days, to be like, 'OK, this is my daughter and I was super into it,' but just days. With him, it's taking me months. I love him and I love kids, but I definitely still don't have that complete bond, but so many people say it takes time,' Khloe says.

Kris adds, 'I think that for you, you've been through a lot. Your emotions are spent on trying to deal with trauma and all the stuff that you've been through and I think you have to remember that. I mean, you have to give yourself a little bit of credit.

Khloe agrees but says she feels, 'guilty' because it's not the same, adding she doesn't treat him differently but she just questions herself sometimes.

Kris adds that she should give herself a break because every time she comes over Khloe is, 'mother of the year, always feeding someone or entertaining someone or doting on your kids. You're the most attentive person to all of us.'

Khloe adds in confession that she wishes she wasn't, 'so critical of myself because I'm very kind to everyone else, I'm just not kind to myself.'

'Being a mom is truly one of the most magical experiences ever,' Khloe adds in confession, as Kris asks to hold the baby, but Khloe warns he might throw up on her.

Kris is holding the child and she starts crying as Kris adds, 'See your mom jumps up. Who is connected? Who's connected?'

The Kardashians S3 available to stream on Disney+ in the UK.
Kim Kardashian made a rather bizarre admission while having dinner with Khloe Kardashian and Scott Disick on Hulu's The Kardashians.

Kim, 43, Khloe, 39, and Disick, 40, all met at the Mexican restaurant Casa Vega on the new episode, where Kim made a strange statement in the aftermath of her romances with Pete Davidson and Kanye West.

They were discussing several of the bizarre rumors that have surfaced recently about the family.

Kim - who is reportedly trying to buy back her $200 million stake in SKKN she sold three years earlier - was enjoying some chips and salsa and margaritas when she made the bizarre admission.

'You know what I was thinking? Going on a first date at a Mexican restaurant, you would be farting up a storm, as Kim laughs while Scott and Khloe look at her awkwardly.

Kim's admission: Kim Kardashian made a rather bizarre admission while having dinner with Khloe Kardashian and Scott Disick on Hulu's The Kardashians

Restaurant: Kim, 43, Khloe, 39, and Disick, 40, all met at the Mexican restaurant Casa Vega on the new episode, where Kim made a strange statement in the aftermath of her romances with Pete Davidson (above) and Kanye West

Kim's ex: Kim Kardashian's ex Kanye West spotted out in L.A. in June

Farting: 'You know what I was thinking? Going on a first date at a Mexican restaurant, you would be farting up a storm, as Kim laughs while Scott and Khloe look at her awkwardly

Just sharting yourself? Scott says, as Khloe adds, Youre disgusting. Thats gross.

While Kim hasn't been officially seeing anyone after breaking it off with comedian Pete Davidson and her divorce from Kanye West, she did hint earlier this season she was possibly considering dating a mystery man in New York City.

Back in the third episode of The Kardashians Season 3, Kim was having dinner with Scott, when she opened up about the man they called, 'Fred.'

Kim reveals that her friends wanted her to meet someone recently, and they went to New York though they censored the name of Kim's, 'spot' that she goes to that has, 'a private room downstairs.'

They show headlines speculating Kim was spotted sneaking out of a New York City hotel after visiting with her ex Pete Davidson, but she insists Pete wasn't there.

'But it was the place I would go and have my secret dinners with Pete and he's probably like, I know what she's up to,' Kim jokes.

Scott says he won't even ask who the man is, instead calling him, 'Fred,' asking if he, 'meets the standards?'

'Oh, so meets the standards, yeah,' Kim says, as they show Kim in confession, smiling while texting someone that she ultimately confirms is, 'Fred.'

Scott and Khloe: Just sharting yourself? Scott says, as Khloe adds, Youre disgusting. Thats gross'

Possibly: While Kim hasn't been officially seeing anyone after breaking it off with comedian Pete Davidson and her divorce from Kanye West, she did hint earlier this season she was possibly considering dating a mystery man in New York City

Private room: Kim reveals that her friends wanted her to meet someone recently, and they went to New York though they censored the name of Kim's, 'spot' that she goes to that has, 'a private room downstairs'

'That's a lot of smiling, young lady,' a producer is heard saying, and after Kim confirms it's Fred, the producer says, 'Two years, my a**!'

The producer was referring to Kim's comments on Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop Podcast in late December where she said, 'I'm taking my time. I really do want to be single for a few years.'

Kim insisted, 'No, I'm going to be (single),' though one of the other crew members insists, 'I know that smile.'

Back at dinner with Scott, he tells Kim she needs to find her, 'Mister Big, and hope he doesn't die on a bike some day.'

The Kardashians S3 available to stream on Disney+ in the UK.
by M.K. Bhadrakumar

The hypothesis that the Anglo-Saxon axis is pivotal to the proxy war in Ukraine against Russia is only partly true. Germany is actually Ukraines second largest arms supplier, after the United States. Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged a new arms package worth 700 million euros, including additional tanks, munitions and Patriot air defence systems at the Nato summit in Vilnius, putting Berlin, as he said, at the very forefront of military support for Ukraine.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stressed, By doing this, were making a significant contribution to strengthening Ukraines staying power. However, the pantomime playing out may have multiple motives.





German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of NATO summit, Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa (Photo by Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images)





Fundamentally, Germanys motivation is traceable to the crushing defeat by the Red Army and has little to do with Ukraine as such. The Ukraine crisis has provided the context for accelerating Germanys militarisation. Meanwhile, revanchist feelings are rearing their head and there is a bipartisan consensus between Germanys leading centrist parties  CDU, SPD and Green Party  in this regard.





In an interview in the weekend, the CDUs leading foreign and defence expert Roderich Kiesewetter (an ex-colonel who headed the Association of Reservists of the Bundeswehr from 2011 to 2016) suggested that if conditions warrant in the Ukraine situation, the Nato should consider to cut off Kaliningrad from the Russian supply lines. We see how Putin reacts when he is under pressure. Berlin is still smarting under the surrender of the ancient Prussian city of Konigsberg in April 1945.





Stalin ordered 1.5 million Soviet troops supported by several thousand tanks and aircraft to attack the crack Nazi Panzer divisions deeply entrenched in Konigsberg. The capture of the heavily fortified stronghold of Konigsberg by the Soviet army was celebrated in Moscow with an artillery salvo by 324 cannons firing 24 shells each.





Evidently, Kiesewetters remarks show that nothing is forgotten or forgiven in Berlin even after 8 decades. Thus, Germany is the Biden Administrations closest ally in the war against Russia. The German government has stated its understanding for the Biden administrations controversial decision to supply Ukraine with cluster ammunition. The government spokesman commented in Berlin, We are certain that our US friends did not make their decision lightly, to deliver this sort of munition.





President Frank-Walter Steinmeier remarked, In the current situation, one should not obstruct the USA. Indeed, the top CDU figure Kiesewetter suggested in an interview with the Green Party-affiliated daily taz that not only should Ukraine be given guarantees, and if necessary, even provided with nuclear assistance, as an intermediary step to NATO membership.





Coinciding with the NATO summit in Vilnius (July 11-12), Rheinmetal, the great 135-year old German arms manufacturing company, has disclosed that it is opening an armoured vehicle plant in western Ukraine at an undisclosed location in the next twelve weeks. To begin with, German Fuchs armoured personnel carriers will be built and repaired while there are plans afoot to manufacture ammunition and possibly even air defence systems and tanks.





Rheinmetalls CEO told CNN on Monday that like other Ukrainian arms factories, the new plant could be protected from Russian air attack. Germany has more than doubled the 2022 allocation of 2 billion for upgrading Ukraines armed forces. It now touches around 5.4 billion with further plans to increase to 10.5 billion.





Now, is this all about Russia? Germany cannot be unaware that Ukraine has simply no hope on earth to defeat Russia militarily. Germany is playing the long game. It is creating equity in western Ukraine where it is not Russia but Poland that is its contender. Ever since the Tsarist army advanced into Galicia in 1914, Russia has had a difficult history with Ukrainian nationalists. If the current war in Ukraine spreads to western Ukraine, that cannot be Russias choice but out of some necessity forced upon it.





The Soviet victory in Ukraine in October 1944, the Red Armys occupation of eastern Europe, and Allied diplomacy resulted in a redrawing of Polands western frontiers with Germany and Ukraines with Poland. Simply put, with compensation of German territories in the west, Poland agreed to the cession of Volhynia and Galicia in western Ukraine; a mutual population exchange created for the first time in centuries a clear ethnic, as well as political, Polish-Ukrainian border.





It is entirely conceivable that the ongoing Ukraine war will radically change the territorial boundaries of Ukraine in the east and south. Possibly, it can re-open the post-World War 2 settlement with regard to western Ukraine as well. Russia has repeatedly warned that Poland aims to reverse the cession of Volhynia and Galicia in western Ukraine. Such a turn of events will most certainly bring to the fore the issue of the German territories that are part of Poland today.





Perhaps, it was in anticipation of turbulence ahead that last October, eight months after the Russian intervention began in in February, Warsaw demanded WWII reparations from Berlin  an issue which Germany says was settled in 1990  to the tune of 1.3 trillion.





Under the Potsdam Conference (1945), the former eastern territories of Germany comprising nearly one quarter (23.8 percent) of the Weimar Republic with the majority ceded to Poland. The remainder, consisting of northern East Prussia including the German city of Konigsberg (renamed Kaliningrad), was allocated to the Soviet Union.





Make no mistake about the importance of the Eastern border for German culture and politics. Indeed, there is always something volatile about a handicapped Great Power when a whole new intensity appears in political, economic and historical circumstances, which prompts those in power to turn ideas into reality, and revanchist and imperialistic discourses that were quietly but steadily streaming below the surface of the carefully considered diplomatic efforts begin to probe pan-nationalist expansion.





In retrospect, Germanys  in particular, then foreign minister and current president Steinmeiers  diabolical role to align Germany with the neo-Nazi elements during the regime change in Kiev in 2014 and the subsequent German perfidy in the implementation of the Minsk Agreement (Steinmeier formula), as admitted recently in February by former Chancellor Angela Merkel should not be forgotten.





Suffice to say, even as Russia is winning the Ukraine war, the concern of the German foreign policy makers once again faces the need to redefine what was German. Thus, the war in Ukraine is only the means to an end. Recent reports suggest that Berlin may be moving, finally, toward meeting Ukraines pending demand for Taurus cruise missiles with a range exceeding 500 kms and unique multi-effect war head that can be a game changer in the the combat dynamics on the battlefield and create the prerequisites for victory.





Equally, German soldiers already comprise about half of the Nato battlegroup already present in Lithuania. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said two weeks ago while on a visit to Vilnius that Germany is preparing the infrastructure to permanently base 4,000 soldiers (a robust brigade) to Lithuania so as to have the capability to maintain military flexibility at the Eastern flank. The decision has support from both Germanys governing coalition and its main opposition.





The CDU foreign policy expert and member of the Bundestag, Kiesewetter called the idea of establishing German base in the Baltics a decision of reason and reliability. Indeed, there have been past attempts, historically speaking, to create German rule in the Baltics based on revisionist claims towards the new states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania where German colonists had settled as far back as in the 12th and 13th centuries.
Former Zoey 101 actress Alexa Nikolas is making headlines for her accusations against Jonah Hill, but this isn't the first time that the 31-year-old has made some bombshell claims.

Over the past two years, The Walking Dead star has spoken out against the injustices she endured as a child actress at Nickelodeon.

She has spoken out about issues she claims she experienced with former Zoey 101 costar Jamie Lynn Spears, as well as Jamie Lynn's sister Britney Spears, her ex-husband Michael Milosh, the show's creator Dan Schneider and Nickelodeon.

Nikolas has accused Jamie Lynn of bullying her and Britney of berating her while visiting the Zoey 101 set.

Zoey 101 star Alexa Nikolas (left) has alleged Jonah Hill (seen right in 2008) 'slammed her against a door and shoved his tongue in her mouth' when she was 16 and he was 24

Additionally, she claimed that Schneider solicited pictures of minors' feet and called out Nickelodeon for not holding him accountable.

Most recently, though, she has joined in on the outcries against Hill after his ex-girlfriend, Sarah Brady, released a series of alleged texts shared between them and branded him a 'misogynist' and 'narcissist.'

In her own tirade against the 21 Jump Street star, she accused him of 'slamming her against a door and shoving his tongue in her mouth' when she was 16 and he was 24.

She tweeted: 'After reading Sarah Brady's admirable post about #JonahHill I just gotta say when I was 16 I got invited to a house party at #justinlongs house.'

'#JonahHill came over at some point and we were all pretty wasted because of course the predators were feeding us minors a bunch of alcohol,' she added.

'#jonahhill seemed to have his eyes on me because at one point I wanted a cig and he said he had one in his car "right outside."

'Didn't seem like too much of an effort so I trusted him. I went outside and he grabbed the cigs from his front seat.

'Just to note #JonahHill said if I wanted the cig I had to come with him outside to get it. He didn't wanna go "all alone". They were all aware I was 16.

Nikolas claimed Hill grabbed her and forced a kiss on her in shock tweets

'#JonahHill didn't hand me the cig which I thought was weird and then as we walked back to the door I asked him for it and he said nothing but slammed me to the door and shoved his tongue down my throat.

'I was so appalled I pushed him off of me and ran inside,' she concluded.

In recent years, Nikolas has become one of the most outspoken former child stars in Hollywood, making multiple damaging accusations against big names that she has worked alongside over the years.

From protesting against popular children's network Nickelodeon to railing against the Spears siblings, DailyMail.com is now laying bare Nikolas' most harrowing claims about her experiences as a young actress - a career that kicked off when she was just seven years old.

From the Windy City to Tinsel Town: Nikolas made her first mark on Hollywood at the age of seven

Nikolas was born in Chicago, Illinois - thousands of miles away from the bright lights of Los Angeles, although it didn't take her long to make her first move to Tinsel Town.

The actress got started in Hollywood when she was just seven years old, landing her first role as Jenna Bygayly in the 1999 series P.U.N.K.S.

She then made cameos in major pictures like Zoolander (2001) and Ted Bundy (2002). However, she ultimately got her big break in the 2003 film Tiptoes followed by Motocross Kids (2004).

Nikolas (pictured in 2005) got started in Hollywood when she was just seven years old

Throwback: Zoey 101 was a comedy drama series created by Dan Schneider for Nickelodeon, which aired from 2005 to 2008. Pictured are Alexa, Jamie Lynn, and Sean Flynn in a 2005 still

A year later, she would book her most notable role as Nicole in Zoey 101 when she was 13 years old in 2005.

She played Nicole, one of Zoey's best friends, for two seasons. However she left after citing tension between her and her costar, Jamie Lynn.

Years later, she would speak out against claims that she bullied Jamie Lynn and share her side of the story.

Nikolas accused her Zoey 101 costar Jamie Lynn Spears of lying and being a bully

Nikolas came out swinging against former costar Jamie Lynn in a 2022 Instagram post, branding her a 'bully' who was 'lying up a storm' in her new memoir

Even though Zoey 101 was released over 15 years ago, the drama between Jamie Lynn and Nikolas resurfaced when the younger Spears sister accused her costar of bullying her in her 2022 memoir Things I Should Have Said.

In the memoir, Jamie Lynn accused her of spreading lies about her on set.

However, Nikolas took to Instagram and insisted it happened the other way around.

In the post's caption, she wrote: '@jamielynnspears forget all your crocodile tears and unfollow me. Ooh-ooh-ooh.'

'I was pretty surprised to see her lying up a storm in there,' Nikolas wrote of the book.

She then shared how Jamie Lynn had reached out to her long after the drama so she thought they were on good terms, but she soon realized that wasn't the case.

'I unfollowed her shortly after because I felt that the whole Britney Spears family situation was deeply saddening and once again I felt like Jamie was being fake,' she wrote. 'Her reaching out all of a sudden felt insincere.'

Nikolas shared a scathing rebuke of Jamie Lynn on social media, accusing the actress of lying in her 2022 memoir

'Nothing that she said in her book about me actually happened,' Alexa continued. 'I wish I could go back in time and tell my 12 year old self that you are actually extremely lucky to not have a friend like her.' Pictured is Nikolas with her costars

After the memoir, Jamie Lynn offered to send her a gift but she refused to accept it.

'I have no idea what is going on over there with her but I want absolutely nothing to do with it,' she continued. 'Typical move for a bully to play the victim card/gaslight others while straight up lying.'

'She knows everything she is saying is a total lie and I would have called her out on that,' she wrote in part. 'It's sad to see someone not change after all these years.'

She then took the opportunity to reflect on how Jamie Lynn's behavior affected her as a child.

'Nothing that she said in her book about me actually happened,' Alexa continued.

'I wish I could go back in time and tell my 12 year old self that you are actually extremely lucky to not have a friend like her. You are way better without her.

'You don't need toxic people in your life like that and you deserve better.'

Britney Spears got involved with her sister's drama and yelled at Nikolas on set - but apologized years later

Due to her drama with Jamie Lynn, Nikolas ended up feuding with Britney one day on set.

The Red State actress recounted her experience with Britney on Christy Carlson Romano's podcast Vulnerable.

She claimed a talent coordinator told her and her mom that he was taking her to hair and makeup, but instead he brought the teenager to a room where Britney and Jamie Lynn were waiting.

Nikolas said Jamie Lynn ran to hide in the back of the room as Britney began yelling at the Zoey 101 actress.

Nikolas shared her 'traumatizing' encounter with the pop star. Pictured is Jamie Lynn with Britney in 2003

'It wasn't OK because I was a 12-, 13-year-old,' Nikolas said.

'But in retrospect, knowing the dynamic that was in place for her, I think, of course, that's what ended up happening. And I think, like, "Oh my God, poor Britney. She is in a horrible situation there."

'And she was like eight months pregnant, so she was hormonal, too. And I remember she was rubbing her belly while she was yelling, and it was like she was trying to calm herself.

'And you could just tell, it was very unhinged in a way that felt like someone was manipulating her.'

Nikolas said she remembered going back to her dressing room and being 'in the fetal position' when the show's creator, Schneider, came in and asked her to finish filming.

'I remember looking around and going, "Wow, nobody cares about what's happening to me. I don't feel protected, and I don't feel safe. I'm scared, and now I have to go back on set and pretend that nothing happened and have to be around those who did it to me."'

She also said that Britney had since apologized to her, but she had never received an apology from Schneider nor Nickelodeon.

'She has apologized to me personally. Actually, Britney Spears apologized, but Nickelodeon hasn't. Isn't that funny? Yeah, Britney Spears apologized, and not Nickelodeon,' Nikolas said.

Britney - who was nine months' pregnant at the time - shared a lengthy Twitter post, writing that it was her mother who should have stepped in

The star appeared to take issue with her mom and sister: 'Although I have apologized to you personally just by "instinct" my heart at the time didn't know how incredibly good my family was with the ACTING LANGUAGE !!!'

Upon seeing Nikolas's interview, Britney took to Twitter to apologize to the actress once again - this time publicly.

The Toxic hitmaker wrote: 'It broke my heart to see your interview about your experience in the business... Hollywood is a place of dreams but let's be honest... on rare occasions do people come out years later and share the dark side!!!'

She went on: 'The one thing you said you wish you could have told your younger self is that you wish you could have known you could have just walked away!!!

'Countless times I did the same thing and I took the abuse it's nice to know I'm not the only one who has felt that way.'

Britney then acknowledged that though many years have passed, Nikolas' experience still matters: 'I know it's 15 years later what you are sharing but trust me... I know it still matters!!!'

The songstress also took the time to explain her perspective at the time and insists that she, too, was manipulated by Jamie Lynn at the time.

'Just imagine... me visiting my little sister on her set, last day of shooting, bringing Sprinkles cupcakes... 9 months pregnant, hormones raging like hell and the assistant director lan witnessing Jamie Lynn running to me, placing her hands on my knees while I'm sitting down, her sobbing telling me that she's being bullied on set!!!

'The assistant director and my mom included in the room were just silent!!! My sister was literally like my daughter growing up... So I apologize for my ignorance for yelling at you when I obviously had no idea what was really going on!!!'

The former Zoey 101 star accused the show's creator of paying parents to take photos of their kids' feet

'He had a digital camera and he would go around with money and ask to take photos of the kids' feet - their toes,' Nikolas alleged

Along with her traumatic experiences with Jamie Lynn and Britney on the set of Zoey 101, she also unloaded on the show's creator, Schneider, while speaking on the Vulnerable podcast.

The creator has previously been accused of inappropriate behavior by some of the child stars on his shows, including Jennette McCurdy and Danielle Monet, and Nikolas doubled down on those claims.

The actress started off by explaining that her experiences with Schenider were 'not at all' positive.

She accused the kids' show producer of going around set and offering parents money to take pictures of their children's feet.

'He had a digital camera and he would go around with money and ask to take photos of the kids' feet - their toes,' Nikolas stated.

The actress started off by explaining that her experiences with Schenider while filming Zoey 101 were 'not at all' positive

The actress then added that her mother wouldn't let her partake.

'I remember my mom going, "Don't go over there." My mom actually said "no" to it, but I saw other parents allowing their kids to do it,' Nikolas claimed.

She also said that the children's show creator would be present at wardrobe fitting, which she found to be a 'red flag.'

'There was always like a curtain - it was in the trailer - and I remember he was so close to the other side that I could hear the chair creaking whenever I was changing,' she explained.

'When I got older I looked back at that and I thought "Oh, that's so weird. I don't remember any other creators in every single wardrobe fitting.'

'There's a reason there's Polaroids taken,' host Christy chimed in, referring to wardrobe fitting procedure. 'And he would ask for those Polaroids,' Nikolas added.

She also detailed having to wear 'very, very short skirts' with biker shorts underneath that had to be cut, because they would stick out.

'That's how short the skirts were on Dan Schneider's shows, where we were having to wear biker shorts underneath that had to be cut,' she shared.

Nikolas sued her ex-husband and claimed he 'groomed' her before he 'terrorized, sodomized, and abused' her

Nikolas sued her ex-husband, Michael Milosh, for his alleged predatory behavior when she was a minor

The inappropriate experiences she had as a minor didn't stop at Nickelodeon.

She said she met her Canadian ex-husband, Michael Milosh, when she was just 16 years old and he was 33.

The actress messaged the Rhye band member on MySpace while she was shooting 2009 TV movie Children Of The Corn.

While she didn't expect a reply, he responded 'almost immediately' and their conversations became sexually explicit soon after, Nikolas claimed.

They first met in-person when she was 18 years old and when she turned 19, the two tied the knot in 2012.

However, they ended up separating in 2016 and finalizing their divorce in 2019.

In 2021, Nikolas sued Milosh, claiming he 'terrorized, sodomized, and abused' her, according to People.

Nikolas claimed in the suit that Milosh convinced her to marry him to help him obtain a green card

She alleged Milosh, who fronts the band Rhye, 'utilized his power' and engaged in 'years of sexual grooming' towards her as a minor.

In court documents obtained by TMZ, Nikolas claimed that the pair met in person for the first time when she was 18 during which time he sexually assaulted her after he 'digitally began penetrating [her] in her anus.'

She further claimed she told him to stop, which he refused.

Nikolas' suit claims that he violated her once again in 2010 or 2011 when he coerced her into letting him record them having sex.

According to the former child star, he later used the audio of the tryst in his album, Jetlag.

The 'manipulation' culminated in the couple's 2012 marriage.

Nikolas alleged that he convinced her to marry him so he could obtain a green card.

However, she ultimately ended up voluntarily dropping the lawsuit in 2022 and he countersued her for filing a 'frivolous lawsuit without legal basis or factual support.'

Milosh denied Nikolas' accusations against him, telling Rolling Stone: 'For as long as I can remember, I've always strongly supported women and their right to speak out and be heard, that is why the false claims made by my former wife had been so hurtful and shocking to me.'

In February this year, Pitchfork reported his case was thrown out.

The ex-Nickelodeon star protested the network over the alleged abuse she endured while working there

Accountability: Nikolas protested against the alleged abusive practices of Nickelodeon executives outside of network's Burbank headquarters in 2022

She has also taken action against the network she worked for not protecting her from the alleged abuse from Schneider, Jamie Lynn and the production team on set at Zoey 101.

The former child star led a protest outside of the network's Burbank headquarters in 2022 to state her cause.

She spoke to a large crowd or protestors, voicing her grievances against the network.

'I did not feel protected at Nickelodeon as a child personally,' she noted in an Instagram video from the protest.

'And so, I'm demanding that Nickelodeon starts protecting children and not predators.'

She specifically singled out Schneider for creating a harmful environment.

'To me, he is the creator of childhood trauma. He played a huge role in my personal childhood trauma,' she shared.

'I did not feel safe around Dan Schneider while working at Nickelodeon, actually every time he came on set my body got extremely tense. Later on, in Season 2, he yelled at me and made me cry.'

'I want them to apologize to all the Nick stars who suffered in any type of way... I would like them to take accountability and say they're sorry,' she said

She then turned her focus to the rest of the crew, stating: 'Nobody did anything about the abuse that was happening on the set of Zoey 101.'

The protest occurred around the same time McCurdy's memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died came out, which featured anecdotes of Schneider's alleged misconduct.

Nikolas spoke on her and other stars' behalf about not receiving any apology for their mistreatment.

'What's deeply concerning to me is that Nickelodeon has not given a comment to, for example, Jennette McCurdy, even to me, I've come forward multiple times, they've never given me an apology,' she stated.

'Aren't you guys supposed to be the adults? And we were the children? If we were traumatized on your sets, we deserve an apology.

'I want them to apologize to all the Nick stars who suffered in any type of way... I would like them to take accountability and say they're sorry.

'It felt like if I didn't come here that I was really overstepping a huge part of my own trauma.'

Nikolas took to the streets again in 2023 after the Zoey 101 reboot Zoey 102 was announced.

While speaking to TMZ during her protest, Nikolas said she wished her costars on the Nickelodeon show would have joined her rather than accepting another paycheck.

Despite her protests, Zoey 102 went on with filming and is set to stream on Paramount+ on July 27

Nikolas protested against the alleged abusive practices of Nickelodeon executives outside of network's headquarters in Burbank again earlier this year after Zoey 102 was announced

'I did not feel safe as a child on set, and I really hope that my generation fights for that future generation,' she said.

Alexa was not invited to be part of the new show but claimed 'I wouldn't have been a part of it regardless, but I just wish they reached out to me to see if I was okay or to say that they supported, you know, me.'

'I'm moving on from it now, though; I understand that, like, I'm 30 years old, and I'm actually expecting my second child, and so you know ... going after accountability is what I'm here for,' she said.

'I just kind of wish that the Zoey 101 cast was here today and not doing Zoey 102, you know.'

Despite her protests, Zoey 102 went on with filming and is set to stream on Paramount+ on July 27.
Australian actor Rob Collins has announced he is ready to join the Marvel Universe.

And the character the 43-year-old Indigenous man most wants to play is Eden Fesi aka Manifold from The Avengers comic series.

Eden Fesi is Marvel's first Aboriginal Australian super hero, and the character is so far little known since he's yet to make a screen debut.

In a new interview with industry blog TV Tonight, The Wrong Girl actor says he would like to play a bad guy as well.

'I'd love to be a villain in the Marvel Universe. That'd be cool. Villains are always fun.

Popular Australian actor Rob Collins - pictured - has a dream to join the Marvel Universe

And the character Rob, 43, most wants to play is Eden Fesi aka Manifold from The Avengers comic series (pictured). Eden Fesi is Marvel's first Aboriginal Australian super hero, and the character is so far little known since he's yet to make a screen debut

Rob rose to prominence in Channel 10's 2016 hit The Wrong Girl (pictured, at top left)

'But if I were to do something longform, there is actually an Australian Aboriginal Marvel character that not a lot of people know about. He's named Eden Fesi and his character name is Manifold.

'I'm pushing the age limit to play him,' Rob admitted.

'But if I were to get tapped on the shoulder, I'm sure they could make me look younger in post.

'I would put my hand up to play that character because it's such a cool character and not a lot of people know that there's an Aboriginal Australian character in the Marvel universe.'

Rob added that Manifold has a side-kick as well as an Aboriginal mentor who resembles the famed Indigenous actor Jack Charles.

Making his debut in the Secret Warriors comic in 2009, Manifold is a mutant who can bend time and space, and teleport. He later appeared in he Dark Avengers and New Avengers comics.

Rob has also starred in the ABC drama Cleverman and Seven's RFDS. The popular and critically acclaimed actor also appeared in the AMC streaming hit Firebite - pictured - and Stan's big budget 1950's drama Ten Pound Poms

Best known for his role in Channel 10's 2017 hit The Wrong Girl, Rob has also starred in the ABC drama Cleverman and Seven's RFDS.

The popular and critically acclaimed actor also appeared in the AMC streaming hit Firebite and Stan's big budget drama Ten Pound Poms.

He is currently appearing on the ABC in the comedy series Queen of Oz and the crime drama Limbo.

Rob is currently filing the new season of the ABC's political drama Total control.

The Stan Original series, Ten Pound Poms is available now only on Stan.
Her parents are both legends in the Australian showbiz industry with decades long careers.

And on Thursday, Lotus Daddo, 27, the daughter of actor Cameron Daddo and his model wife Alison Brahe, revealed she is planning to follow in their footsteps.

'I've been interested in photos for a while now but hadn't thought of myself in front of the camera,' she told The Daily Telegraph.

The brunette bombshell revealed she recently scored a modelling contract and was excited to see where it took her.

'The Daddo name helped me get a foot in the door. My mum is really good friends with the company's owner and put me in contact with her.'

Lotus Daddo (pictured), the daughter of actor Cameron Daddo and his model wife Alison Brahe, revealed she is planning to follow in their footsteps

'It's rare that someone starts modelling at 27. My parents tried to steer me away from fame because it can be so intense. Starting out older has been a weird gift,' she added.

Lotus is the spitting image of her bombshell mother Alison, 53, with her flawless skin, luscious brunette locks and striking visage.

It comes after Alison revealed her battle with perimenopause really 'took its toll' on her marriage.

Lotus' parents Cameron Daddo and Alison Brahe (pictured together) are both legends in the Australian showbiz industry, with decades long careers

Speaking to ABC podcaster Sana Qadar, the 53-year-old admitted she struggled to 'find joy' in anything.

'I didn't want to sleep in the same bed, I didn't want to hold (Cameron's) hand,' she said.

'I didn't want to be with him, but I needed him, because I needed support.'

'I've been interested in photos for a while now but hadn't thought of myself in front of the camera,' Lotus told The Daily Telegraph

The star revealed she suffered from perimenopause in her late 40s, where her period stopped altogether.

Brahe explained she suffered from normal symptoms including anxiety, depression, brain fog, sudden weight gain and sleeplessness.

She added it was a confusing time for Cameron, who struggled to be there for his wife-of-32-years.

Alison and Cameron, who wed in 1991, are open about their marriage with the pair saying they were back in therapy in May.

The brunette bombshell revealed she recently scored a modelling contract and was excited to see where it took her
On Wednesday, Emmy nominee Mandy Moore blasted a porch pirate for 'waiting an hour' and then 'climbing a hill' to steal packages outside the gate of her $2.56M mid-century hilltop house in Pasadena.

The 39-year-old mother-of-two shared a snap of the blue-clad thief the moment they took the boxes, which was captured on her security camera.

'People are the worst,' Mandy - who boasts 10.8M social media followers - wrote via Instastory.

'I was wondering where the @cybex_usa stroller I ordered for [my son] Ozzie went. I was going back and forth with customer service and @fedex and I swore to them it wasn't delivered and then I found this video (which won't load here for some reason). This dude watched for an hour while the box sat outside and then climbed a side of a hill to snag them.'

Moore was understandably upset considering CYBEX strollers can cost up to $2,199.95 for the 'Platinum e-Priam Jeremy Scott - Wings' model, so here's hoping someone from the company reached out to her.

Outraged: On Wednesday, Emmy nominee Mandy Moore blasted a porch pirate for 'waiting an hour' and then 'climbing a hill' to steal packages outside the gate of her $2.56M mid-century hilltop house in Pasadena (pictured May 2)

'People are the worst': The 39-year-old mother-of-two shared a snap of the blue-clad thief the moment they took the boxes, which was captured on her security camera

The New Hampshire-born brunette's post came the day after she shared an update on the extensive renovation and redesign of her 1950 three-bedroom, three-bathroom abode - which has been in the works since she bought the house in 2017.

Mandy and her second husband Taylor Goldsmith teamed up with interior architect Emily Farnham and interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel to make their dream home a reality.

Moore and the 37-year-old Dawes frontman - who originally met through Instagram in 2015 - are proud parents of two-year-old son Gus and eight-month-old son Ozzie, but she admits she still 'really wants a girl.'

'Truth be told, I haven't shut the door on a larger family,' the Gymboree brand ambassador told E! News on March 23.

'I don't know what my husband is thinking. I know right now, he's sort of like, "What?! That's crazy! It's so hard.' And it is. It's so hard. It's non-stop, all hands on deck right now. So maybe, perhaps. but I don't know.'

Mandy 'can't wait to team up with Kumail Nanjiani' to star as a grieving married couple who use time-traveling magic to try to try to prevent the death of their daughter, in Jeremy Slater's upcoming horror spin-off Thread: An Insidious Tale.

But audiences can next catch Moore as Benita Alexander in the second season of Peacock crime drama anthology series Dr. Death, which wrapped production on April 8 in New York.

Showrunner Ashley Michel Hoban oversaw the show, in which the two-time SAG Award winner plays a woman uncovering the 'shocking' truth about a 'Miracle Man' surgeon called Paolo Macchiarini (Edgar Ramirez) with whom she falls in love.

It's based on the third season of the popular Wondery podcast of the same name.

Mandy wrote via Instastory: 'I was wondering where the @cybex_usa stroller I ordered for [my son] Ozzie went. I was going back and forth with customer service and @fedex and I swore to them it wasn't delivered and then I found this video (which won't load here for some reason). This dude watched for an hour while the box sat outside and then climbed a side of a hill to snag them'

Pricey! Moore was understandably upset considering CYBEX strollers can cost up to $2,199.95 for the 'Platinum e-Priam Jeremy Scott - Wings' model, so here's hoping someone from the company reached out to her

Slow and steady: The New Hampshire-born brunette's post came the day after she shared an update on the extensive renovation and redesign of her 1950 three-bedroom, three-bathroom abode - which has been in the works since she bought the house in 2017

'Really into this kitchen... and this dude': Mandy and her second husband Taylor Goldsmith (M and R) teamed up with interior architect Emily Farnham (L) and interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel to make their dream home a reality

April 9 family portrait: Moore and the 37-year-old Dawes frontman are proud parents of two-year-old son Gus and eight-month-old son Ozzie, but she admits she still 'really wants a girl'

'New summer gig!' The Gymboree brand ambassador 'can't wait to team up with Kumail Nanjiani' to star as a grieving married couple who use time-traveling magic to try to try to prevent the death of their daughter, in Jeremy Slater's Thread: An Insidious Tale
He made headlines three years ago when his plans of shooting the first film in space emerged.

And Tom Cruise has remained committed to making that happen.

Speaking with Variety, Cruise, 61, updated the publication on his outer space ambitions.

'We've been working on it diligently and we'll see where we go,' he told the outlet at the Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One premiere in New York on Monday.

The upcoming film has a budget of $200M and is being backed by Universal, however a production start date has yet to be determined, Cruise explained.

'We've been working on it diligently': Tom Cruise still has his eyes on shooting the first film in outer space

In 2020, NASA confirmed Cruise was working on a project to shoot a film in outer space on board the International Space Station. He reportedly will receive assistance from Elon Musk's Space X.

If it gets the go-ahead, the production would be the first action adventure feature film to be filmed in outer space.

'We're excited to work with Tom Cruise on a film aboard the International Space Station,' said NASA's Jim Bridenstine on Twitter.

'We need popular media to inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists to make NASA's ambitious plans a reality.'

Doug Liman, 57, who worked with Tom on The Edge of Tomorrow is set to direct.

If all goes as planned, the director would have to blast off as well.

In a January 2020 interview with Deadline, the Locked Down director said of his leading man, 'I think the reason that Tom is such a superstar is, as much as we're talking about making a movie not on Earth, I think Tom very much has both of his feet planted on the ground.

'No matter what the movie is, he's like, I'm getting to go make a movie. That enthusiasm! He has made god knows how many movies, and he hasn't lost that enthusiasm.'

In 2022, it was revealed the Top Gun star was planning on doing a spacewalk in the film.

Out of this world! In 2020, NASA confirmed Cruise was working on a project to shoot a film in outer space on board the International Space Station

If it gets the go-ahead, the production would be the first action adventure feature film to be filmed in outer space

Elon Musk responded on Twitter to the rumors. 'Should be a lot of fun!' he wrote

NASA say that part of the film will be shot on board the International Space Station, pictured

Universal chairwoman Donna Langley hinted at the future blockbuster, telling the BBC, 'We have a great project in development with Tom that does contemplate him taking a rocket to the Space Station.'

Langley said the film was pitched to her over Zoom during the COVID pandemic by Cruise and Liman.

She said the film 'actually takes place on earth, and then the character needs to go up to space to save the day.'

'Hopefully, he will become the first civilian to do a space walk outside of the International Space Station.'

The Top Gun star would not play a typical hero.

Langley explained, 'He will play a down-on-his-luck guy who finds himself in the position of being the only person who could save Earth.'
She never puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion.

And Clara Amfo put on a racy display as she attended the Barbie premiere in London on Wednesday night at Cineworld Leicester Square.

The radio star and presenter, 39, flashed some leg in a PVC brown dress with a busty corset design.

She boosted her height with nude heels and toted a tiny pink bag in a stylish nod to the film.

The Radio 1 star wore her long dark tresses in bunches and opted for a typically glamorous makeup look.

Stunning: Clara Amfo put on a racy display as she attended the Barbie premiere in London on Wednesday night at Cineworld Leicester Square

Outfit: The radio star and presenter, 39, flashed some leg in a PVC brown dress with a busty corset design

She accessorised with large silver hoop earrings and carried with her the Barbie who had inspire her outfit.

Margot Robbie, who tackled the leading role of Barbie, has recently been kept busy on a global press tour with other cast members including Ryan Gosling as Ken, and has made stops in countries such as Australia, South Korea, and Mexico so far.

Greta Gerwig, who is known for directing past films such as Little Women (2019) and Lady Bird (2017), not only took on the role as director of the upcoming fantasy comedy, but also co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach.

The Barbie movie not only stars Margot, Ryan, and Dua, but also America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Simu Liu. Various versions of both the Barbie and Ken dolls will be portrayed, with actress Helen Mirren narrating the film.

The premise of the movie, which has a budget of $100 million, follows Barbie and Ken as they travel to the real world in order to find the true meaning of happiness.

Filming began last year in 2022 at Warner Bros. Studios in England, while some exterior shots were notably filmed outdoors in Los Angeles, such as Venice.

During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Greta revealed that Margot had felt 'self-conscious' while filming the Venice Beach scene.

'But when we were actually shooting on Venice Beach, with Margot and Ryan in neon rollerblading outfits, it was fascinating because it was actually happening in front of us,' she explained.

Dressing up: She boosted her height with nude heels and toted a tiny pink bag in a stylish nod to the film (pictured with co-host on the pink carpet Amelia Dimoldenberg)

Presenter: The Radio 1 star wore her long dark tresses in bunches and opted for a typically glamorous makeup look (pictured interviewing leading actress Margot Robbie)

Fun: She accessorised with large silver hoop earrings and looked like she was having a great time with Margot

Interviewing: She chatted with Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie while on the pink carpet on Wednesday

Busy: Margot Robbie, who tackled the leading role of Barbie, has recently been kept busy on a global press tour with other cast members including Ryan Gosling as Ken

Yay! Barbie will officially hit theaters later this month on July 21, the same day Christopher Nolan's historical epic drama, Oppenheimer, also releases

'People would go by Ryan, high-five him, and say, "Awesome, Ryan, you look great!" And they wouldnt actually say anything to Margot. Theyd just look at her. It was just surreal. In that moment, she did feel self-conscious.'

Gerwig added, 'And as the director, I wanted to protect her. But I also knew that the scene we were shooting had to be the scene where she felt exposed. And she was exposed, both as a celebrity and as a lady.'

'To be fair, Ryan was like, "I wish I wasnt wearing this vest." But it was a different kind of discomfort.'

Barbie will officially hit theaters later this month on July 21, the same day Christopher Nolan's historical epic drama, Oppenheimer, also releases.

Film: The premise of the movie, which has a budget of $100 million, follows Barbie and Ken as they travel to the real world in order to find the true meaning of happiness

Cast: The Barbie movie not only stars Margot, Ryan, and Dua, but also America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Simu Liu

Excitement: Filming began last year in 2022 at Warner Bros. Studios in England, while some exterior shots were notably filmed outdoors in Los Angeles, such as Venice

Oh no: During a recent interview with Rolling Stone , Greta revealed that Margot had felt 'self-conscious' while filming the Venice Beach scene
Iconic children's group The Wiggles are well known for supporting a good cause.

And on Wednesday, members Lucia Field, 19, and Lachlan Gillespie, 37, along with Dorothy the Dinosaur visited a terminally ill girl in hospital on her final day.

The pair are all smiles as they sing and dance for the youngster and manage to make her smile during a very difficult time.

A family member shared footage of the heartwarming event to TikTok, which captures the children's entertainers making the sick girl laugh from her hospital bed.

They captioned the video with some precious words: 'On Zahra's last day, she got a special visit from her fav Wiggles.

Iconic children's group The Wiggles (pictured) are well known for supporting a good cause

'This day was so special to us, Zahra was obsessed with The Wiggles and for them to come and see her is a memory we will never forget,' they added.

It didn't take long for fans to gush over the sweet footage and praise The Wiggles for their altruistic act.

'You guys are awesome,' one fans wrote and another added: 'Thank you The Wiggles'.

And on Wednesday, members Lucia Field, 19, and Lachlan Gillespie, 37, along with Dorothy the Dinosaur visited a terminally ill girl in hospital on her final day

Last month, the children's group announced an American and Canadian tour in an Instagram post.

Heading overseas in September and October, the band promise 'a high energy show' and 'celebration of music, dancing and endless fun'.

The tour begins in Philadelphia on September 13th, before heading to Washington, DC, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

The pair are all smiles as they sing and dance for the young girl and manage to make her smile during a very difficult time

Further shows will take place in Canada, with The Wiggles visiting St. John's on September 23rd, before shows in Nova Scotia, Ottawa and Toronto, among others.

The group said that they have 'done their best' to 'fit in as many places as possible in the little time we are there'.

They also promised further shows in 2024 for cities they have missed and hoped to 'get to more places next year'.

It didn't take long for fans to gush over the sweet footage and praise The Wiggles for their altruistic act
Demi Rose put on a very busty display in an array of sizzling swimsuit snaps as she soaked up the sun at her home in Ibiza.

The model, 28, took to Instagram on Wednesday to post a whole host of eye-popping snaps as she lounged by the pool.

She showed off her enviable curves in a barely-there blue patterned swimsuit with a daringly low neckline which went down to her midriff.

Demi swept her brunette locks back into a high ponytail as she struck a series of sultry poses in the sun-kissed snaps.

She accentuated her striking features with a shimmering gold eyeshadow palette and a touch of glossy brown lipstick.

Racy: Demi Rose put on a very busty display in an array of sizzling swimsuit snaps as she soaked up the sun at her home in Ibiza

Wow! The model, 28, took to Instagram on Wednesday to post a whole host of eye-popping snaps as she lounged by the pool

Demi let her skimpy swimwear look do all the talking as she kept her accessories minimal in the racy snaps.

Alongside the post, Demi simply penned: 'Distractions.'

Demi is known for her sizzling social media posts and has been sharing a whole host of swimsuit snaps while travelling the globe this summer.

In recent months, Demi has been enjoying an array of lavish trips to sun-soaked destinations including the Canary Islands and Mexico.

And earlier this month, Demi put on a very busty display as she stunned in a bright yellow bikini in snaps shared to Instagram.

The influencer completed the glamorous look with a sheer pink and yellow cover up skirt with a leaf detail.

Demi opted for a flawless blush make-up look with a swipe of pink lipstick while her hair was styled in loose waves to one side.

She looked as glamorous as ever as she posed poolside before taking some shade to grab a bite of an apple.

Sizzling: She showed off her enviable curves in a barely-there blue patterned swimsuit with a daringly low neckline which went down to her midriff

Eye-popping: In recent months, Demi has been enjoying an array of lavish trips to sun-soaked destinations including the Canary Islands and Mexico

Cheeky: In one recent post, the star posed nude in the bath tub and went make-up free as she brushed her wet locks behind her, cheekily covering herself with bubbles

Impressive! It came after Demi shared pictures of herself climbing Mount Teide in the Canary Islands, the third tallest volcano in the world

In other raunchy snaps, the star posed nude in the bath tub and went make-up free as she brushed her wet locks behind her, cheekily covering herself with bubbles.

It came after Demi shared pictures of herself climbing Mount Teide in the Canary Islands, the third tallest volcano in the world.

Posing at 3,715m, she looked as thought she hadn't even broken a sweat as she documented the impressive trip.

She posed in a skintight pink unitard with a psychedelic print looking stylish despite the exhausting climb.

Demi is no stranger to a bikini snap and her Instagram boasts an incredible collection of gorgeous colourful swimsuits and risky snaps.
She instantly became a pop culture icon after bursting into the public eye as loudmouthed Page 3 girl, Jordan.

Having tried her hand at modelling, singing, presenting, campaigning and reality TV, the glamour model quickly became a household name in Britain.

Yet while Katie Price's moniker will ring a bell for both young and old, you would be forgiven for not recognising the star on sight alone, with Katie famously undergoing numerous cosmetic procedures over the years.

After two decades in the spotlight, Katie is almost unrecognisable from the naturally pretty teenager who burst on to the modelling scene at the age of 16, with her natural curls and fresh-faced beauty winning her an army of fans.

Katie, now 45, has undergone an array of procedures over the years, including rhinoplasty, a silhouette facelift, 3D, veneers, lip fillers and Botox, culminating in her first facelift in 2017.

Now, after two decades under the surgeon's scalpel, MailOnline takes a look at the many faces of Katie Price.

The many faces of Katie Price: MailOnline takes a look at the star's changing look after two decades of boob jobs, Botox and face lifts

1995 - Barefaced beauty

At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling.

At a friend's suggestion, the teenager had professional photographs taken and was quickly snapped up by a modelling agency who landed her a Page 3 slot in The Sun newspaper the following year, sparking the creation of her glamour model alter ego, Jordan.

Speaking last year, Katie revealed she was glad that she wasn't exposed to social media at the time as she had 'no idea what Botox was or fillers', otherwise she may have started her tweaks and enhancements at an even earlier age.

1995: At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling

1998 - First boob job

Having just turned 20, the rising glamour model experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C.

The procedure cost 4,500 and it's thought her mum Amy and stepdad Paul helped pay for her to have the procedure.

Katie has since spoken out about her decision to go under the knife, admitting she was 'too young' and that she feels sorry for young girls growing up these days in a world of social media and filters.

1998: Having just turned 20, Katie experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C

1999 - Second and third boob job

Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures the following year at the age of 21.

Katie boosted her bust from a C cup to a D cup and just a few months later went up again to a F cup.

Katie has previously claimed that she has only paid for two of her boob jobs over the course of her career - it is not known if these were the ones.

1999: Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures at the age of 21

2001 - Lip fillers

At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers.

While the glamour model did not confirm the rumours at the time, she was seen sporting a noticeably fuller pout while out enjoying the party scene.

Her overall look had also started drastically transforming, with the model sporting dramatic false lashes, bright lipstick and pale hair extensions.

2001: At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers

2004 - Botox

Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines and wrinkles.

She made no secret of her love of the procedure, announcing at the time: 'I get my forehead and around my eyes Botoxed every six months and I love it. You can't beat it. It just freezes all the wrinkles and that's what you want.'

At the time, Katie insisted she would never take things further and have a facelift, explaining: 'I'd never have a full facelift. I've seen what they can do to people and I don't want to go through that.'

2004: Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines

2006 - Fourth boob job

Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup.

The glamour model also played around with her overall look and embraced her dark side with a new brunette hairstyle.

She also continued to dabble with fillers and Botox.

2006: Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup

2007 - First nose job and veneers

At the age of 29, Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and treating herself to a 25,000 set of new veneers.

'Oh my God, it burned like hell!' she said at the time. 'The next day I had this hideous red rash on my chin but two days later there wasn't a single spot left.'

Speaking about her nose job at the time, she admitted to liking her original nose, explaining: 'I liked my nose before and now. If I had a cupboard with both noses, I would alternate between them!'

2007:Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and a 25,000 set of veneers

2008 - Fifth boob job

Despite gradually increasingly her bust size over the year, Katie fancied a change on her 30th and brought her bra size back down from an F cup to a C cup.

The procedure meant that Katie had returned to the size of her first boob job 10 years prior.

Katie's changing shape also coincided with the launch of her first clothing line - an equestrian range.

2008: Despite gradually increasingly her bust size, Katie fancied a change and brought her bra size back down to a C cup

2011 - Sixth boob job

Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup.

Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers.

The Loose Women panelist admitted that she loved having her cheeks filled to give her a 'plumper, more youthful look'.

2011: Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup

2015 - Seventh and eighth boob job

Just before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, the reality star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast and an implant protruding from her flesh.

Katie told her shocked housemates: 'Ive got no tits anymore. Theyve gone. Theres not even anything there. If you saw what Im like underneath. The scars gone septic. My whole implant was hanging out on New Years Day.'

Shortly after leaving the Big Brother house she underwent corrective surgery and had her implants swapped for a D-cup.

2015: Just before Celebrity Big Brother, the star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast

2016 - Ninth boob job and tattooed makeup

Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie was undeterred and flew to a Brussels clinic to go under the knife yet again, this time settling on a 32GG bust.

The reality star also had her eyebrows and lips tattooed, also known as 'permanent make-up', explaining that she prefers to go make-up free on a day-to-day basis.

Additionally the star has regular facial treatments, last year sharing a bloodied selfie after having a dermal roller micro-needling treatment, which sees a dermaroller with many tiny needles rolled across into the skin - designed to stimulate cells into regeneration.

2016: Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie flew to a Brussels clinic to get another boob job, this time a 32GG cup

2017 - First face lift, new veneers and 10th boob job

Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word undergoing a 'Silhouette' face lift.

The procedure is designed to lift a sagging cheeks and blurred jawline, using 'sutures' implanted under the skin to sculpt features.

However, Katie was soon spotted with puffy features, revealing that she suffered an allergic reaction to anesthetic penicillin after having further work on her veneers. She also had her breast implants reduced from 1000ml implants to 795ml.

2017: Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word

2018 - Second face lift

Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40 to correct it.

She said at the time 'I need to get my face re-corrected after surgeon has totally f**ked my face up', admitting it had

He agent added: 'She had the thread and it really quite distorted her look. She got a lot of backlash, a lot of negative press, a lot of trolling, everyone saying shed taken it too far, when actually it was a job that had not gone to plan.'

2018: Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40

2019 - Third face lift, boob job first Brazilian bum lift and 11th boob job

Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her entire look with a full body transformation.

The reality star opted for a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck.

Just three months later she returned to the clinic and opted for another boob job, going back down to a D cup.

2019: Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her look with a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck

2020 - 12th boob job and another set of veneers

Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers and revealed her real teeth had been reduced to stubs as she flashed a smile on her YouTube channel.

The mother-of-five then jetted to Belgium to correct botched surgery on her breasts, saying her surgeon was utterly shocked by the 'awful' previous procedure.

Katie said: 'They looked deformed, they were absolutely awful. That's the first time I've gone to a different surgeon. I had to go back to Frank with my head down, ashamed that I'd been to another clinic.'

2020: Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers then jetted to Belgium to correct a botched boob job

2021 - Liposuction, eye and lid lifts and 13th boob job

Amid the Covid pandemic, Katie jetted off to then red-list Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, and fat injected into her bum.

The reality star also visited Belgium to have her 13th boob job as well as full body liposuction with bum fat removal.

The plastic surgery - performed by Dr Frank Plovier - came just five days ahead of the glamour model's sentencing for her shocking drink-drive crash.

2021: Katie jetted to Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts

2022 - Another brow and eye lift

Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium at the beginning of 2022 for an eye and brow lift and had been concealing her new look with her head in a bandage.

Dr Judy Todd, an aesthetic doctor at Clinica Medica in Glasgow, said: 'It appears like she's had a face lift, temporal brow lift, and possibly an upper blepharoplasty.'

It was reported last month that Katie plans to travel to Turkey imminently for yet more plastic surgery, amid claims she wanted to get some tweaks in after being unhappy with her latest work.

Sian Dellar, Brow Specialist and Founder of Sian Dellar Permanent Makeup Clinic, added: 'Katie's eyebrows, like the rest of her, have changed lots over the years!

'Back in the 90s she had a very thin over plucked brow which was the fashion at the time, and today she has an extremely thick and unnatural looking brow.

'Currently it seems the face or eye lift that shes had have pulled her brows outward which looks unnatural and makes the brows appear almost stretched.

'Of course, as with any enhancement, its personal preference but we recommend not going too many shades darker, and keeping the shape as natural looking as possible and work to create or enhance brows to frame the face.

'Katies choice to have them so thick and dark and in that unusual positioning means they dominate her face and are the first thing the eye is drawn to. I would love to see Katie take her brows back to 2015/2016 when the fuller brow became a big trend. She got it right then and they framed her face well.'

2022: Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium for an eye and brow lift and is planning to to travel to Turkey for more surgery

2023 - 16th and 'biggest ever' boob job

It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th.

The star went under the knife in a bid to have the 'biggest in Britain' and was subsequently pictured being wheeled into surgery at the Be Clinic in Belgium.

She is said to have wanted even bigger breasts, opting for 2120 CC implants in a bid to boost her already large bust size.

Katie told OK! magazine of her boobs: 'I love them. They healed really quickly and they didn't hurt at all. That probably doesn't help. Because I heal quickly, it doesn't put me off and I have more.

'I would go bigger as well  and I will eventually. I just love having big boobs and a small body. I've always loved that look. In my eyes, if I'm having a boob job, I want them to look fake, I don't want them to look natural. I don't like the natural look.

'I just like that old-school American Playboy pin-up look. When I have surgery, that is what I'm striving for. If I could look like my airbrushed pictures, that would be amazing. But that's impossible to achieve.'
Jennifer Lopez treated her stepdaughter Violet Affleck to lunch at The Ivy, a celeb hotspot in the heart of Los Angeles, on Wednesday.

The multi-hyphenate, 53  who married Violet's famous father Ben Affleck last July  was seen being dropped off at the restaurant's valet with the 17-year-old.

Affleck, 50, shares Violet, as well daughter Seraphina, 14, and son Samuel, 10, with ex-wife and fellow Hollywood A-lister Jennifer Garner, 51.

Violet followed closely behind her stepmother, who embodied summer glam in a loose blouse ,white pants with sky-high heels.

Lopez's honey blonde hair looked voluminous and she blocked out the SoCal sunshine with aviator shades.

Bonding: Jennifer Lopez treated her stepdaughter Violet Affleck to lunch at The Ivy, a celeb hotspot in the heart of Los Angeles, on Wednesday

Stylish stepmom: The singer and actress looked glam for her outing with Violet

The multi-hyphenate, 53  who married Violet's famous father Ben Affleck last July  was seen being dropped off at the restaurant's valet with the 17-year-old

She carried her belonging in a large, white Birkin bag that retails for nearly $24,000.

Meanwhile, Violet kept the majority of her face hidden behind a white face mask and her red-framed seeing glasses.

She dressed modestly with a beige sweater over an ankle-length blue patterned sundress.

Violet  who is the spitting image of Garner  was later seen exiting the restaurant with Lopez.

Affleck's eldest daughter recently joined him and Lopez at Michael Rubin's star-studded July Fourth party in The Hamptons  where they snapped family photos.

Affleck and Violet's mom Garner split in 2016 after over a decade of marriage, though their divorce was not finalized until 2018.

He sparked controversy last year after saying her felt 'trapped' in the union.

Affleck rekindled his romance with Lopez in May 2021 after 17 years apart.

It came shortly after the On The Floor hitmaker ended her years-long engagement to MLB star Alex Rodriguez.

Affleck and Lopez tied the knot at a Las Vegas wedding chapel in July 2022, two months after he proposed to her for a second time with a stunning ring that had an 8.5-carat diamond that is rumored to be worth over $10million.

The following month, the couple held a formal ceremony at Affleck's sprawling Georgia estate that was attended by a number of A-list stars, including Affleck's BFF Matt Damon.

Lopez is also a parent to 15-year-old twins Max and Emme from her marriage to ex-husband Marc Anthony.

With her and Affleck's children now living under one roof at their recently purchased $60million estate, Lopez has spoken openly about the process of blending their families.

Glam: Lopez embodied summer glam in a loose blouse and white pants with sky-high heels

Close by: Violet followed closely behind her stepmother

Pricey: She carried her belonging in a large, white Birkin bag that retails for nearly $24,000

Earlier this year, Jennifer admitted on the TODAY show that the process was 'emotional' for all involved.

'We moved in together. The kids moved in together,' the Selena star explained. 'It's been, like, a really kind of emotional transition, but at the same time all your dreams coming true.'

As for her and Affleck's co-parenting relationship with Garner, Lopez told Vogue last year that the Alias actress is 'amazing' and that they 'work really well together.'

Affleck and Lopez have been busy picking out furniture to decorate the 12 bedrooms and 24 bathrooms in their new Beverly Hills mansion.

TMZ confirmed that the couple paid just over $60million for the property.

As their wedding anniversary approaches, an insider told DailyMail.com last month that Affleck and Lopez plan to renew their vows.

The insider also dished that the couple will host a party at their new home to celebrate their commitment to one another.
Meyer Burger Technology AG / Key word(s): Financing

Meyer Burger successfully applies for 200 million euros in funding from the EU Innovation Fund for 3.5 gigawatt project



13-Jul-2023 / 18:30 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

Thun, July 13, 2023

Meyer Burger successfully applies for 200 million euros in funding from the EU Innovation Fund for 3.5 gigawatt project

Meyer Burger Technology AG, through its group company Meyer Burger (Industries) GmbH, submitted a funding application for EUR 200 million in the EU-wide selection process of the European Innovation Fund in March 2023. The project "HOPE" (High-efficiency Onshore PV module production in Europe) submitted by Meyer Burger has prevailed as eligible for funding, the EU Commission announced today. HOPE involves the construction of an additional 3.5 gigawatts of production capacity for solar cells and solar modules by Meyer Burger in Germany and probably in Spain.

The project is among the eleven selected candidates for EU funding in the funding segment "Clean Tech Manufacturing". According to the EU Commission, a total of 239 projects applied in all funding segments, of which 41 were successful. In the area of photovoltaic production, the Norwegian company Norsun was also successful with a project to expand wafer production. Norsun and Meyer Burger are already in a supply relationship for solar wafers for Meyer Burger.

"We are very pleased that the EU Commission wants to support our project," says Gunter Erfurt, CEO of Meyer Burger. "The EU is not only contributing to the decarbonization of the energy system and the transformation of the industry. It is equally investing in the resilience of supply chains in the solar industry."

The current EU Innovation Fund tender has a volume of 3.6 billion. The funds come from EU-ETS CO 2 allowance trading and thus directly drive decarbonization. The EU-wide selection process took four months.

In a formal process, the EU Commission will issue the formal grant decision after this selection decision, which Meyer Burger expects to receive before the end of this year.

Link to the official portal of the Innovation Fund: Projects selected for grant preparation (europa.eu)

Media contacts

Meyer Burger Technology AG

Christoph Podewils

Head of Politics & Corporate Communications

M. +49-174 3305 182

christoph.podewils@meyerburger.com



Alexandre Muller

Investor Relations

M. +41 43 268 32 31

alexandre.mueller@meyerburger.com

About Meyer Burger Technology AG

www.meyerburger.com

Meyer Burger has started production of high-performance solar cells and solar modules in 2021. Its proprietary heterojunction/SmartWire technology enables the company to set new industry standards in terms of energy yield. With solar cells and modules developed in Switzerland and manufactured in Germany according to high sustainability standards, Meyer Burger aims to become a leading European photovoltaic company. The company currently employs around 1200 people at research facilities in Switzerland, development and manufacturing sites in Germany and sales offices in Europe, the United States, Asia and Australia.

Meyer Burger was founded in 1953 in Switzerland. As a provider of production systems, the company has shaped the development of the global photovoltaic industry along the entire value chain in recent decades and has set essential industry standards. A large part of the solar modules produced worldwide today are based on technologies developed by Meyer Burger.

The registered shares of Meyer Burger Technology AG are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker: MBTN).
Former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil confirmed her split with girlfriend Jorgia O'Hare in June after a 'wonderful' year together.

And the Melbourne-based beauty, 30, says she has no regrets about making her love life public despite things not working out.

Speaking to Confidential on Thursday, Maria explained: 'She was the first time I'd fallen in love in four years and I suddenly had a public platform. I knew it was only a matter of time before people connected the dots.

'I have never publicly shared who I dated before this year. I'm generally a very private person.

'When I became Miss Universe, I intentionally asked people I dated to keep it private because I didn't want to be talked about as someone's girlfriend.'

Former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil confirmed her split with girlfriend Jorgia O'Hare in June after a 'wonderful' year together

And the Melbourne-based beauty, 30, says she has no regrets about making her love life public despite things not working out

The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! star confirmed she and Jorgia went their separate ways on Instagram last month.

'After a beautiful year together, Jorgia and I wish to share that we are no longer together,' she shared in a statement to her Instagram.

'Her love healed so much in me and was a light that I was missing for a long time. Whilst we are no longer together, we have nothing but respect for each other and continue to support each other.

'Our break up has been loving, safe, intimate, secure and respectful.

'We will both be okay, but please respect our privacy - thank you for the beautiful support.'

Not long after Maria posted this to her over 200k followers, Jorgia also shared it to her own page, and added her own comment.

She wrote: 'Privileged to be loved by her. I will always stand in this woman's corner... nothing but love and respect for our connecting.

Posting to Instagram the model and reality TV star shared the news that they are no longer together after 'a beautiful year' together

'Thank you all for supporting our journey together.'

Rumours began swirling two weeks ago that the couple had broken up, as Melbourne-based Maria travelled to Australian Fashion Week in Sydney solo.

Speaking to The Herald Sun at the time, Maria was cryptic when asked about the couple's relationship.

'Jorgia, she is doing some incredible things at the moment in Melbourne and we love and support each other so much,' Thattil said when quizzed.

The couple appeared on the cover of Stellar magazine together back in January after meeting online some months beforehand.

Rumours began swirling two weeks ago that the couple had broken up, as Melbourne-based Maria travelled to Australian Fashion Week in Sydney solo

Rumours began swirling two weeks ago that the couple had broken up, as Melbourne-based Maria travelled to Australian Fashion Week solo

The former Miss Universe Australia wrote: 'After a beautiful year together, Jorgia and I wish to share that we are no longer together

Maria revealed back in January the pair hit it off almost immediately after meeting each other for a date.

'It was lust at first sight and it was obsession at first sight,' she said of the Melbourne mental health professional.

'After that first date, I ended up spending the night and the next day, I went off on a work trip to the Gold Coast with my brother and I was secretly referring to her as my girlfriend. I hadn't felt that way in a long time'.

Maria, who is of Indian heritage, added: 'Growing up, if I had seen an interracial same-sex female couple in the media  open, visible, living truthfully  that might have shaped my own experience a little bit more positively'.

Not long after Maria posted this to her over 200k followers, Jorgia also shared it to her own page, and added her own comment. She wrote: 'Privileged to be loved by her. I will always stand in this woman's corner... nothing but love and respect for our connecting

Jorgia has found fame on social media platform TikTok, racking up 86,000 followers.

The pair sparked rumours they were dating after fans spotted them exchanging flirty messages online.

Maria, a model and 9Honey columnist, has tellingly commented 'Dream girl' and 'wowweeeeeee' on several of Jorgia's posts.

Maria came out as bisexual in January last year while a contestant on Channel 10's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and has since defined herself as pansexual.
Meadow Walker gave fans a behind-the-scenes peek at her latest photo shoot on Wednesday

And the model, 24, did so by posing topless on set in a pair of white Spandex pants that hugged her endless legs.

She concealed much of her chest with one hand, which had a moody maroon manicure, and covered her face with her iPhone.

Meadow  who is the daughter of the late Paul Walker  wore her black hair pulled back off her face and secured with bobby pins.

The runway maven snapped the racy snap in front of a light up, floor-length mirror.

Racy: Meadow Walker gave fans a behind-the-scenes peek at her latest photo shoot on Wednesday by sharing a topless on-set snap

Meadow is one of the modeling industry's most sought after models.

She recently headed a campaign for the luxury clothing line Rag and Bone.

Last year, she became the face of Tiffany & Co.'s eyewear line after previously being name the face of Proenza Schouler at just 22-years-old.

Though she's forging her own path in Hollywood, Meadow has made it her goal to keep her late father's memory alive.

While attending the premiere of Fast X, the latest movie in the Fast and Furious franchise, Meadow revealed that she receives signs from Paul almost a decade on from his death.

Meadow, who appears in the film, believes she remains connected to her dad, who died in a car accident in November 2013, aged 40.

Speaking about their connection, Meadow told E! News: 'For me, it's numbers, four and seven are my dad's favorite numbers.

'And I swear whenever I'm doubting anything or whenever I'm in an argument with someone or anything, I start seeing four and seven everywhere. So I always know that it's him.

'Even yesterday, I was having a moment and then the clock bells started ringing. And I was like, "OK, it's all good, it's gonna be OK." '

Family: Meadow Walker recently revealed she believes she receives signs from her late father Paul Walker (pictured in May 2023)

Heartbreaking: She believes she remains connected to her dad, who died in a car accident in November 2013, aged 40

Meadow said: 'Four and seven are my dad's favorite numbers. And I swear whenever I'm doubting anything or whenever I'm in an argument with someone or anything, I start seeing four and seven everywhere'

Paul played the part of Brian O'Conner in the hit film franchise, and Meadow is now thrilled to be a part of Fast X.

She shared: 'For me this is super exciting and he would be amazed that this is happening.'

Meadow has enjoyed success as a model, and insists that it remains her 'big passion'.

Despite this, Meadow suggested that she's open to shooting more movies in the future.

She said: 'I'm thinking about it. Modelling is my focus and that's my big passion, but I could see myself potentially in the future breaking out a little bit.'

In November, Meadow admitted that she repeatedly watches her late dad's movies to remind herself of the sound of his voice.

She told the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column: 'They always say the first thing you forget about someone is their voice, so I'm fortunate enough to have his voice in many movies.

'I like to watch (his films) at night. For me, it brings me joy to talk about him and keep his spirit alive.

'Honestly, I just saw him as my dad, and I think he kept me very behind the scenes of everything, so I didn't realise how big his fan base was.'

Paul tragically passed away at the age of 40 in November of 2013 after he was involved in a single-vehicle crash that occurred in Santa Clarita, California.

At the time, the actor was working on the seventh instalment in the movie series, Fast 7, which eventually premiered in 2015.

The actor's final scenes for the feature were ultimately completed with the assistance of his brothers, Caleb and Cody.

Leading man: Medow's father Paul previously portrayed Brian O'Conner in the Fast & Furious franchise; he is seen alongside Vin Diesel in 2009's Fast & Furious
Mia Fevola and her new boyfriend Bass Miller have gone Instagram official with their budding new romance.

The daughter of AFL legend Brendan Fevola, 23, and Bass are currently vacationing in Hawaii with her family.

Smitten Bass, who Mia has known since high school, has shared pictures of himself and his new girlfriend on Instagram.

In recent weeks, Mia has been teasing her romance on social media, but has only 'soft launched' him by sharing pictures of his hands at dinner rather than a full picture.

This week, the hunk shared a picture of himself wrapping his other arm around bikini-clad Mia as he kissed her after a surf.

Mia Fevola and her new boyfriend Bass Miller have gone Instagram official with their budding new romance while holidaying in Hawaii with family

Another image showed Mia posing out of the sunroof of a hired maroon Jeep that the couple used to go exploring around the island.

'Mahalo,' the post was captioned.

After posting the images while his account was on public, Bass soon switched his Instagram account to private.

Bass has shared pictures of himself and his new girlfriend on Instagram

Meanwhile, Mia's makeup artist mother Alex recently shared a video of her family on holiday in Hawaii, showing Mia and her new man cosying up together at dinner.

Mia 'soft launched' a mystery man in March, and has been posting snaps ever since.

Last month, the pair were spotted out together for the first time.

One image showed Mia posing out of the sunroof of a hired maroon Jeep that they used to go exploring around the island

The couple met in high school and have known each other for 10 years and recently reconnected.

Earlier last month, Mia announced she had a new love but decided to keep their relationship private.

Speaking to the Herald Sun, she expressed how 'happy' she was but won't be publicising their love life as 'he's a private person'.

Her makeup artist mother Alex recently shared a video of her family on holiday in Hawaii, showing Mia and her new man cosying up together at dinner

'We went to school together and I've known him for 10 years,' she told the publication.

Mia's dating history in the AFL world has been well-documented over the past couple of years.

She enjoyed a trip to Bali in July last year with Daniel Grant, who played for divisional club Sorrento Sharks.

A photo was uploaded at the time which showed her seated next to Daniel and several other pals as they enjoyed drinks before their dinner.

Earlier last month, Mia announced she had a new love but decided to keep their relationship private. Speaking to the Herald Sun, she expressed how 'happy' she was but won't be publicising their love life as 'he's a private person'

She had since denied their relationship was a romantic one, insisting they shared a close friendship.

Mia previously dated Western Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

Their relationship dissolved in 2021 just after his team's defeat to Melbourne Demons at the Grand Final.

Her high-profile relationship with Daniel Rioli of the Richmond Tigers in 2020 also didn't work out, but they've remained good friends.

Mia became part of a footy family at a young age when her mother Alex married the-then Carlton forward Brendan Fevola in 2005.
Kroy Biermann told authorities that Kim Zolciak was a 'compulsive behavior addict' who squandered an astounding $1.5 million dollars of the family finances gambling.

A day before he filed for a split from the Bravo star, the Atlanta Falcons alum made the allegations against the Real Housewives Of Atlanta star after she called police May 4 at their Milton, Georgia mansion.

The accusations about Kim's gambling losses were seen in a Milton Police Department bodycam video after officers responded to the home after Kim reported a domestic dispute.

The footage was obtained by RadarOnline.com this week, about two months after Biermann, 37, and Zolciak, 45, filed for divorce from one another amid a 12-year marriage. They have since called off their divorce.

Biermann - who was cautious as he spoke to law enforcement in hopes Zolciak would not hear him- called the Bravo personality a 'narcissist to the extreme level.'

The latest: Kroy Biermann told authorities that Kim Zolciak, 45, was a 'compulsive behavior addict' who squandered an astounding $1.5 million dollars of the family finances gambling

Kroy's accusations about Kim's gambling losses were seen in a Milton Police Department bodycam video after officers responded to the home after Kim reported a domestic dispute. He was pictured at an event in Atlanta in 2021

Biermann said that Zolciak's penchant for gambling had grown exponentially in recent years.

'It's probably been going on for pretty much our entire marriage and it's gotten significantly worse,' Biermann said of Zolciak, who was pictured at a Bitcoin ATM last month in Atlanta. 'In the last two years, she's gambled away $700,000 - just in the last two-and-a-half years.'

He added: 'The total in the marriage was about $1.5 million dollars - and she does it online.'

In the incident, Zolciak told police that Biermann had locked in a safe a cache of valuable items she owned that were worth $175,000 - including designer purses and jewelry - and hid the key from her.

Biermann said he believed the lot of items fell under the classification of community property, adding of the items: 'The problem is these are the assets, there are no [other] assets to go to.'

Biermann told police that the Don't Be Tardy alum 'has decimated everything' with her penchant for gambling; he added that some of her gaming activity was illegal.

Zolciak and Biermann's four kids - Kroy Jr., 12, Kash, 11, and twins Kane and Kaia, nine - were at home at the time of the altercation. (Biermann had adopted Zolciak's older children from previous relationships - Brielle, 26, and Ariana Biermann, 21 - when they were minors in the couple's earlier years.)

In their two months of being split - in which both asked the court for sole legal and physical custody of their four younger children - Zolciak and Biermann took issue with one another in court documents.

The Atlanta Falcons alum made the allegations against the Real Housewives Of Atlanta star after she called police May 4 at their Milton, Georgia mansion

Biermann said that Zolciak's penchant for gambling had grown exponentially in recent years. They were pictured in Atlanta in October of 2022

Kim and Kroy's trips to the casino were documented on her Bravo series Don't Be Tardy

Kroy told police that Kim had 'gambled away $700,000 - just in the last two-and-a-half years'

Kim's predilection for online and casino gaming had caused a rift in the 12-year union

Zolciak said that Biermann smokes marijuana, calling into credibility his ability to raise their kids; while Biermann claimed that Zolciak's gambling habit has consumed her time and decimated the family finances.

Biermann told officers they had continued to sleep in the same bed but did not engage with one another.

News broke earlier this week that the reality TV pair had decided not to split, withdrawing their divorce papers in Superior Court of Fulton County in Georgia.

Biermann and Zolciak have been 'getting along and [are] calling off the divorce' and remain 'trying to make it work for the kids,' an insider told People.
The Television Academy announced the 2023 Emmy Award nominations on Wednesday, one of which honored the late great Ray Liotta.

Liotta was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or TV Movie for his work in the Apple TV Plus series Black Bird.

He will vie for the award alongside his Black Bird co-star Paul Walter Hauser, Murray Bartlett (Welcome To Chippendales), Richard Jenkins (Dahmer  Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story), Joseph Lee (Beef), Young Mazino (Beef) and Jesse Plemons (Love & Death).

His daughter Karsen Liotta said in a statement: 'I am so grateful to the members of the Television Academy for honoring my Dad with this nomination. He was so incredibly proud of his performance in Black Bird, and it would mean the world to him to be nominated alongside Taron and Paul.'

Liotta previously won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his 2005 portrayal of Charlie Metcalf in ER.

Black Bird ultimately earned four nominations in total, with Taron Egerton earning a nod for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie while Natalie Kingston earned a nod for Outstanding Cinematography For a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.

Proud moment: Ray Liotta's proud daughter Karsen said she is 'so grateful' her late father earned a posthumous Emmy nomination

Best Supporting Actor: Liotta was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or TV Movie for playing Big Jim Keene in the Apple TV Plus series Black Bird

Black Bird is based on the true story of Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton), a criminal facing a 10-year prison sentence, who is offered a unique deal.

He's approached by the FBI to serve as an operative and get a confession from serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser) in an attempt to find the bodies of the 18 women he murdered.

Liotta plays Big Jim Keene, the father of Egerton's Jimmy Keene in the six-episode limited drama series that debuted last July.

Liotta passed away in his sleep in late May 2022 while filming the movie Dangerous Waters in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic.

An autopsy revealed the cause of death was respiratory insufficiency, pulmonary edema and heart failure, citing Atherosclerosis as an underlying cause.

Egerton opened up about the 'special bond' that he formed with Liotta while filming the limited series last July, just two months after he passed away.

'I developed a very special bond with him and I actually, I didn't develop a very special bond with him, it just appeared the moment I met him,' Egerton said.

'And it was strange because of that. I couldn't quite work out why we just clicked in a way that was lovely. I felt very relaxed in his company,' he added.

Big Jim: Liotta plays Big Jim Keene, the father of Egerton's Jimmy Keene in the six-episode limited drama series that debuted last July

Passed away: Liotta passed away in his sleep in late May 2022 while filming the movie Dangerous Waters in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic

'He and I would sit in silence and it's not often that you get that with somebody. Do you know what I mean? Especially if you've only just met them. And I mean it in the nicest way, to sit comfortably in silence with someone is quite a thing,' he said.

Egerton admitted, 'I don't have that with many people, but I had it with Ray and he just brought this level of focus and tenderness and vulnerability to the part that was just gorgeous.'

He added, 'Because I'm glad you said that you found those scenes affecting or touching, because they are kind of the heart of the show, really.'

'It's a very dysfunctional relationship, but it is one that's full of love. And Ray really brought that. And I absolutely adored working with him. It was one of the more special experiences of my career,' Egerton stated.
Matt Damon opened up about a time when he experience being in a depressed state while in the middle of making one of his unidentified movies.

The actor attributed his depression to the realization, that despite all his efforts, the film was a 'losing effort'.

While the Academy Award winner didn't come out and name the movie, he did share in a recent interview with Jake's Takes that there was a moment when he concluded it 'might not be what you had hoped it would be, and youre still making it.'

'I remember halfway through production and youve still got months to go and youve taken your family somewhere, you know, and youve inconvenienced them, and I remember my wife pulling me up because I fell into a depression about like, what have I done?' he reflected.

Damon, 52, recalled how his wife of 18 years tried to reassure him by putting the scenario in perspective, which he credits with helping him get out of his depression.

Team work: Matt Damon, 52, credited his wife Luciana Barroso, 46, with helping get out of a depression that started when he realized he was in the middle of making a movie that was a 'losing effort'; the couple, who have been married for 18 years, are pictured in June 2023

Damon's wife, Luciana Barroso, told him, 'We're here now,' and to basically focus on doing the best job he could do, and let the things out of his hands be.

'You know, and it was likeI do pride myself, in a large part because of her, at being a professional actor and what being a professional actor means is you go and you do the 15-hour day and give it absolutely everything, even in what you know is going to be a losing effort,' the longtime leading man said, while out promoting his new film Oppenheimer.

He added, 'If you can do that with the best possible attitude, then you're a pro. And she really helped me with that.'

Damon and Barroso met while he was filming Stuck on You and she was working in a bar in Miami in 2004.

They ended up dating for about two years before getting engaged.

The couple got married in a private civil ceremony at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau on December 9, 2005.

It didn't take long before the couple decided to star growing their family, which started with the arrival of their first daughter Isabella, now 17, She would be followed by her two sisters Gia, 14, and Stella, 12.

Barroso, 46, also has a daughter named Alexia, 24, from a previous relationship.

This past Tuesday, Damon was joined by three of the couple's four daughters at the Oppenheimer premiere in Paris.

Family matters: The couple are the proud parents of three daughters Isabella, 17 Gia, 14, and Stella, 12, while Barroso also has a daughter Alexia, 24, from a previous relationship

in the film Cillian Murphy plays J. Robert Oppenheimer, an American theoretical physicist credited with being the 'father of the atomic bomb' for his role in the Manhattan Project - the World War II undertaking that developed the first nuclear weapons.

Damon plays Lieutenant General Leslie Richard Groves Jr., a United States Army Corps of Engineers officer who oversaw the construction of the Pentagon and directed the Manhattan Project, a top secret research project that developed the atomic bomb during World War II.

Along with Murphy and Damon, the cast also includes such big stars as Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Rami Malek, Florence Pugh and Kenneth Branagh, along with the likes of Benny Safdie, Josh Hartnett, Michael Angarano, Dane DeHaan, Dylan Arnold, David Krumholtz, Alden Ehrenreich and Matthew Modine.

The story focuses on the physicist as he wrestles with the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II.

Heavy burden: Oppenheimer focuses on J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man and physicist, as he wrestles with the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II

Major player: Damon plays the role of Lieutenant General Leslie Richard Groves Jr., a United States Army Corps of Engineers officer who directed the Manhattan Project, a top secret research project that developed the atomic bomb during World War II

This summer: Oppenheimer is scheduled to premiere in theaters in the U.S. and UK on July 21

Instead of focusing on the science of the atom bomb and what it entails, Murphy decided to focus his pre-shoot preps on learning more about J. Robert Oppenheimer and what inventing the atomic bomb does to the individual, the actor told The Guardian last year.

'You realize this is a huge responsibility. He was complicated and contradictory and so iconic,' Murphy said of Oppenheimer the man, adding, 'But you know you're with one of the great directors of all time. I felt confident going into it with Chris. Hes had a profound impact on my life, creatively and professionally. Hes offered me very interesting roles and Ive found all of them really challenging. And I just love being on his sets.'

Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer was made with a budget of at least $100 million, according to Screen Rant.

The film premiered at Le Grand Rex in Paris on July 11, and is scheduled for release in the United Kingdom and United States on July 21 by Universal Pictures.
Robert Irwin whipped his female followers into a frenzy on Wednesday when he debuted his rugged new look.

The Wildlife Warrior, 19, has fallen behind with his grooming habits as he revealed he's got some stubble growing along his strong jawline.

He shared a snap of his whiskers to Instagram as he stood grinning beside brother-in-law Chandler Powell, who also had some noticeable stubble.

The hunky duo were all smiles as they showed off their bulging biceps in T-shirts paired with jeans and hardy brown boots.

While the celebrity conservationist left his sandy blonde locks uncovered, Chandler, who is married to Bindi Irwin, accessorised with a khaki cap.

Robert Irwin, 19, whipped his female followers into a frenzy on Wednesday when he debuted his rugged new look. Pictured with brother-in-law Chandler Powell

The Wildlife Warrior has fallen behind with his grooming habits as he revealed he's got some stubble growing along his strong jawline

Robert's female followers flocked to his comment section to gush over the teen and his new look, with one person writing: 'IS THAT A BEARD?'

Another said, 'FACIAL HAIR! Mans getting even cuter!' while someone else wrote: 'I cant believe I see facial hair.'

A fourth fan added: 'Not sure if thats a shadow or youre growing a beard but you look GREAT.'

Despite Robert's strong female following, the star's relationship with Heath Ledger's niece Rorie Buckey continues to go from strength-to-strength.

Robert's female followers flocked to his comment section to gush over the teen and his new look

The couple made their red carpet debut in Sydney for the Mission Impossible premiere last week.

Robert looked dashing in a black suit with a tuxedo style lapel as he wrapped his arm around his love and posed for photographers.

Girlfriend Rorie, also 19, looked sensational in an asymmetric black maxi dress which featured a one-sleeve, one-shoulder detailing.

Despite Robert's strong female following, the star's relationship with Heath Ledger's niece Rorie Buckey, 19, (left) continues to go from strength-to-strength. The couple made their red carpet debut in Sydney for the Mission Impossible premiere last week

At one point, Robert tenderly wrapped his arms around Rorie as they appeared to share a joke and giggle.

Their outing comes after news Robert is reportedly planning to pop the question to Rorie after several months of dating.

According to New Idea magazine, protective mother Terri has concerns that her lovestruck son and his smitten girlfriend will rush down the aisle too early.
Daisy Jones & the Six star Riley Keough shared a black and white childhood snap of her late mother Lisa Marie Presley posing with her late brother Benjamin Keough to somberly mark the third anniversary of his death on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old granddaughter of Elvis Presley - who boasts 1.2M Instagram followers - captioned her Instastory: 'Missing you both.'

Keough's younger sibling tragically died, age 27, in 2020 from a self-inflicted shotgun wound inside their mother's $1.8M Calabasas mansion.

And Riley (born Danielle) still hasn't fully processed the death of her 'beautiful mama,' at age 54, on January 12 from cardiac arrest.

The LA-born heiress' grandmother Priscilla Presley posted a red rose emoji with the caption: 'Needless to say, this has been a very solemn day for me - the anniversary of the passing of my sweet grandson Ben. Words cannot express how much you are missed - Nona.'

'Missing you both': Daisy Jones & the Six star Riley Keough shared a b&w childhood snap of her late mother Lisa Marie Presley posing with her late brother Benjamin Keough to somberly mark the third anniversary of his death on Wednesday

On May 11, Riley paid the flame-haired 78-year-old a $1M settlement and $400K in legal fees to legally resign as sole trustee of Lisa Marie's estate, so she could step into the position instead - according to New York Times.

In doing so, Keough also became responsible for the sub-trusts belonging to her 14-year-old fraternal twin half-sisters Harper and Finley Lockwood.

It was a bittersweet day for The Terminal List actress, who received her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for lead actress in a limited/anthology series/movie as the titular character in Daisy Jones & the Six.

Riley faces heavy competition against Beef's Ali Wong, Swarm's Dominque Fishback, George & Tammy's Jessica Chastain, Try Beautiful Things' Kathryn Hahn, and Fleishman is in Trouble's Lizzy Caplan.

Keough told E! News on Wednesday: 'I'm surprised, I'm feeling really grateful and just blessed and honored.'

Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber's 10-episode miniseries scored nine total nominations including limited/anthology series, costumes, music supervision, and production design.

Daisy Jones & the Six - based on Taylor Jenkins Reid's 2019 novel - is centered on a seventies rock band, which more than strongly resembles Fleetwood Mac.

The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards - WGA/SAG strikes willing - is scheduled to air September 18 on Fox.

RIP: The 34-year-old granddaughter of Elvis Presley's younger sibling tragically died, age 27, in 2020 from a self-inflicted shotgun wound inside their mother's $1.8M Calabasas mansion

Final photo together: And Riley (born Danielle) still hasn't fully processed the death of her 'beautiful mama,' at age 54, on January 12 from cardiac arrest (pictured January 8)

Keough's grandmother Priscilla Presley posted a red rose emoji with the caption: 'Needless to say, this has been a very solemn day for me - the anniversary of the passing of my sweet grandson Ben. Words cannot express how much you are missed - Nona'

Takeover: On May 11, the LA-born heiress paid the flame-haired 78-year-old (R, pictured June 16) a $1M settlement and $400K in legal fees to legally resign as sole trustee of Lisa Marie's estate, so she could step into the position instead

Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon was one of 13 credited executive producers and she was 'incredibly thrilled' about the 'dream come true' project, giving special shout outs to Riley and Camila Morrone.

Keough told E! News she was spending the day at home with her toddler daughter and husband of eight years - SAG Award-winning stuntman Ben Smith-Petersen - who turns 32 this Thursday.

The Australian actor - who looks just like the nepo-baby's musician father Danny Keough - even had a small uncredited role as her character Daisy's lover in an intimate scene.

'In my eyes he's the real Emmy winner,' Riley gushed.

'It's super special, it's not every day you get to work with your husband, it was a very fun experience.'

Riley and Ben originally met on the 2012 set of Mad Max: Fury Road.

Wednesday was clearly a big day for Keough, who unveiled the first trailer for her and Gina Gammell's feature directorial debut War Pony, about two young Oglala Lakota men, which hits limited US theaters July 28.

When the the Felix Culpa producing partners premiered the critically-acclaimed coming-of-age drama at the Cannes Film Festival last year, they were awarded with the Camera D'Or for best debut feature film.

'I'm surprised. I'm feeling really grateful!' It was a bittersweet day for Riley, who received her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for lead actress in a limited/anthology series/movie as the titular character in Daisy Jones & the Six

Who will win? Keough faces heavy competition against Beef's Ali Wong, Swarm's Dominque Fishback, George & Tammy's Jessica Chastain, Try Beautiful Things' Kathryn Hahn, and Fleishman is in Trouble's Lizzy Caplan

'I could not be more thrilled for all of you!' Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon was one of 13 credited executive producers and she was 'incredibly thrilled' about the 'dream come true' project, giving special shout outs to Riley and Camila Morrone

Still going strong! The Terminal List actress told E! News she was spending the day at home with her toddler daughter and husband of eight years - SAG Award-winning stuntman Ben Smith-Petersen (pictured March 12) - who turns 32 this Thursday
Jonah Hill fired back after being asked a pointed question about his personal life in an interview on Australian radio that's resurfaced in the aftermath of his texting scandal.

On her breakfast radio show earlier this week, radio host Fifi Box recalled the 'disastrous' interview she had with Hill back in 2012.

The chat has resurfaced in the wake of Hill's ex Sarah Brady sharing shocking texts that she allegedly got from the actor, branding him a 'misogynist' and 'narcissist.'

Speaking on The Fox's Fifi, Fev & Nick For Breakfast show, Box, 46, said she and her former co-host, Jules Lund, were interviewing Hill, 39, when he was promoting 21 Jump Street with Channing Tatum.

Fifi Box (pictured) spoke out on Thursday about the 'disastrous' interview she conducted with Jonah Hill when he was in Australia in 2012, in the aftermath of his texting scandal

She claimed the chat turned sour after Lund asked Hill a probing question and it caused the actor to 'absolutely crack it.'

'It was a very uncomfortable, and I am going to say a little scary, moment, because he did fire up... It did provoked Jonah...,' she began.

'We've got the audio, so this is the moment that Jules mentioned something about Jonah's personal life and he fired right up.'

Then the show cuts to the throwback interview with Hill and Tatum.

In the audio, Lund is heard saying: 'Last time you were out here, Jonah, you hooked up with a friend of mine and you didn't call her.'

A shocked Box says: 'What?'

'That's bulls***,' Hill responds.

'A girl in every port?' Lund quips, with Hill firing back: 'That's not true.'

The radio star, 46, revealed on The Fox's Fifi, Fev & Nick For Breakfast show she and her former co-host Jules Lund were interviewing Jonah Hill (pictured) when he was promoting a movie

Lund then goes on to say his friend's name was 'Natalie.'

'That was the last time I was out here, first of all,' Hill begins to defend himself.

He continues: 'You're talking to two people who have no shame in hiding anything from their past.

'But we don't know enough about you to dig up all the s*** from your past to make fun of you on live radio.'

A fiery Jonah added: 'If I knew anything about you or I cared enough, I would dig up all the embarrassing s*** from your past and I would rip on you about it  but I don't care and I don't know, so I don't have that luxury.

'But you know what? We have guns and we don't care.'

Earlier this week, the hosts of Australia's No. 1 female podcast also weighed in on the current Jonah Hill texting scandal.

The Superbad actor was recently accused of sending 'emotionally abusive' texts to ex-girlfriend Brady, who has been posting the year-old messages, allegedly sent by Hill, to social media all week.

Discussing the subject, Life Uncut's Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne sided with Brady and blasted Hill for masking his relationship rules as 'boundaries'.

'It's not boundaries, it's a rule book he's given her,' Byrne said, calling Hill's behaviour 'manipulative'.

'If those texts are real then it's hugely problematic,' she added.

She said the chat went downhill after Jules Lund (pictured) asked Hill a pointed question which made him uncomfortable. In the resurfaced audio, Jules is heard saying: 'Last time you were out here, Jonah, you hooked up with a friend of mine and you didn't call her'

The alleged texts from Hill display him outlining his parameters for a 'romantic partnership.' The two dated back in 2021 for about one year

Brady blasted Hill's alleged text messages all over Instagram and called them a form of 'misogyny'

Sharing her two cents, Hockley said: 'This is gaslighting, it's manipulation, coercion, it's control.'

Despite the pair slamming the Hollywood A-lister, they also explained that his behaviour was stemming 'from his own insecurities' with self-esteem and body image, which Hill has been open about in the past.

Hill's ex-girlfriend had the internet buzzing when she took to social media to brand the actor a 'misogynist' and 'narcissist' by sharing the alleged text messages.

And now the 26-year-old surfer has revealed why she waited until his new girlfriend gave birth before posting the alleged receipts.

Brady took to Instagram on Sunday to post a voice memo to explain the timing of her posts was out of respect toward the pregnancy of 39-year-old Jonah's girlfriend Olivia Millar.

The Superbad actor was accused of sending 'emotionally abusive' texts to ex-girlfriend Brady (right), who has been posting the year-old messages to social media all week

She could be heard saying: 'I didnt want [Millar] to have to see all of this while she was pregnant because I didnt know what kind of stress that would cause her and her baby physically.'

The surfer went on to say that she knows that 'the timing can seem bad' but she is hoping that Millar had seen the posts in order to 'make an informed decision of how she wants to care for herself and her baby.

'I just hope she would receive some of these screenshots somehow through friends, like, friends of mine that I met through him that I know are good people that I know would make an effort to protect her.'

This came just a day after Brady blasted the Superbad star by taking to Instagram to share messages allegedly sent by him that appear to reveal their past arguments.

The alleged texts from Hill display him outlining his parameters for a 'romantic partnership.' The two dated back in 2021 for about one year.
Tegan Sandilands (nee Kynaston) was glowing as she took her son Otto to a local beach in Sydney on Wednesday following a three-week trip to France.

The blonde beauty recently returned from her $500,000 honeymoon in Saint Tropez with her husband, Kyle Sandilands.

Tegan, 37, flaunted her toned and tanned abs in a pink cropped sweater paired with crisp white sweatpants and sensible sneakers.

Makeup free, she wore her blonde locks out and hid her eyes behind a dark pair of shades.

Eleven-month-old Otto looked adorable dressed in an all-blue wool winter ensemble.

Tegan Sandilands (nee Kynaston) was glowing as she took her son Otto to a local beach in Sydney following their three-week trip to France on Wednesday

Tegan carried her tot on her hip as they walked onto the sand before she held onto his little hands.

The communications director also flashed her huge engagement and wedding ring as she pushed Otto in his stroller.

Kyle, 52, and Tegan's honeymoon was far from an intimate affair as the radio shock jock invited co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson and her daughter Kitty along for the trip.

Tegan, 37, flaunted her toned and tanned abs in a pink cropped sweater paired with crisp white sweatpants and sensible sneakers

He also bankrolled several others from their KIIS FM team to jet off to the South of France with them for their luxurious holiday.

Kyle's manager Bruno Bouchet and his partner Laura also joined them on the luxury trip.

As the radio host splashed $1 million on his extravagant wedding to Tegan, it's no surprise he also spent a bombshell amount on their honeymoon.

Eleven-month-old Otto looked adorable dressed in an all-blue wool winter ensemble

According to Yahoo Lifestyle, an insider revealed the KIIS FM presenter spent around $500,000 on the three-week holiday to St Tropez.

He reportedly splashed the cash on private jets, famous chefs, and luxury chateaus which cost $8,200 a night.

Once they landed in France, the crew took a private jet to St Tropez, which cost an estimated $30,000 each way.

The radio host also spent money kitting out his wardrobe for the trip, after he revealed on The Kyle and Jackie Show he hired a personal stylist to ensure he was looking his best for the occasion.
PolyPeptide Group / Key word(s): Profit Warning

PolyPeptide delivers revenue of around EUR 132 million for H1  expects net loss for H1 and full year 2023



13-Jul-2023 / 07:00 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Media Release  ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

PolyPeptide delivers revenue of around EUR 132 million for H1  expects net loss for H1 and full year 2023

Baar, July 13th, 2023  PolyPeptide Group AG (SIX: PPGN) achieves H1 2023 revenue of around EUR 132 million driven by strong momentum in its peptide business. It expects 2023 to be a transitional year with a net loss for H1 2023 and the full year, as the Group offsets the revenue associated with the coronavirus pandemic and operational improvement initiatives take effect. The Group is in advanced negotiations with lenders to secure long-term financing for ongoing and future investments to support existing and new agreements and increased demand.

With H1 2023 results scheduled for August 15th, PolyPeptide expects to report around EUR 132 million in revenue for H1 2023 (around EUR 134 million at constant currency rates) of which revenue associated with the coronavirus pandemic is immaterial. This compares to EUR 133.7 million in H1 2022, which included EUR 32.8 million of revenue associated with the coronavirus pandemic. The Groups order book for H2 2023 is robust as PolyPeptide advances its partnerships in the metabolic and rare disease markets. Its custom projects pipeline increased to 226 active projects as of June 30th (compared to 220 at the end of 2022), with 31 projects in phase III of clinical development. As a result, the Group plans to accelerate its capital expenditures anticipated for 2023.

The Groups operational improvement initiatives are underway. Initiatives include comprehensive training programs, process improvements, and upgrading its organization and capabilities. PolyPeptide continues to review its pricing and strengthen its cost management and working capital discipline.

Reported EBITDA for H1 2023 is expected to be between EUR -19 and EUR -21 million compared to EUR 26.7 million in H1 2022. Around half of the decline in profitability is driven by an inventory write-off of EUR 9.5 million, an impairment of EUR 2.0 million in assets and negative cost absorption reflecting inventory optimization. The other half reflects an increased cost base ahead of expected growth in H2 2023 and 2024, coupled with lower productivity.

The Group expects improved EBITDA for H2 2023, driven by higher revenue and its operational improvement initiatives. Despite this, the Group expects to operate for the full year 2023 at a net loss. It plans to update its guidance for 2023 together with the publication of the Half-year Report 2023.

Juan-Jose Gonzalez, CEO of PolyPeptide, comments: PolyPeptide participates in one of the most attractive CDMO markets with significant growth potential. Our focus for H2 2023 is to deliver on our customers demand and to execute our operational and profit improvement initiatives. Securing the long-term financing facility will enable us to continue our capacity expansion program and to maximize opportunities beyond 2023.

Audio webcast with conference call today at 9.30am CEST

The Group holds an audio webcast with conference call today at 9.30am CEST, where CEO Juan-Jose Gonzalez and CFO Lalit Ahluwalia will be available to answer questions. Please click here to join the audio webcast. To ask questions during the Q&A session, you must dial in to the moderated telephone conference. Participants may pre-register here and will receive dedicated dial-in details to easily access the call. Please dial in 5-10 minutes prior to the start. A replay of the event will be made available on the Corporate Website after the call.

Contact

PolyPeptide Group AG

Michael Staheli

Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications

michael.staeheli@polypeptide.com

T: +41 43 502 0580

About PolyPeptide

PolyPeptide Group AG with its consolidated subsidiaries (PolyPeptide) is a focused Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) for peptide- and oligonucleotide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients. By supporting its customers mainly in pharma and biotech, it contributes to the health of millions of patients across the world. PolyPeptide offers products and services from pre-clinical through to commercial stages, including generics. Its active custom projects pipeline reflects the opportunities from novel drug therapies in development to fight both widespread and rare diseases. Dating back to 1952, PolyPeptide today runs a global network of six cGMP-certified facilities in Europe, the U.S. and India. PolyPeptides shares (SIX: PPGN) are listed on SIX Swiss Exchange. For more information, please visit polypeptide.com.

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Disclaimer

This media release has been prepared by PolyPeptide Group AG and includes forward-looking information and statements concerning the outlook for the Groups business. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the factors that may affect its future performance. These expectations, estimates and projections are generally identifiable by statements containing words such as expects, believes, estimates, targets, plans, projects, outlook or similar expressions. There are numerous risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond PolyPeptide Group AGs control, that could cause the Groups actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information and statements made in this media release and that could affect the Groups ability to achieve its stated targets. The important factors that could cause such differences include, among others: relationships with employees, customers, and other business partners; strategies of competitors; manufacturing capacity and utilization; quality issues; supply chain matters; legal, tax or regulatory disputes; and changes in the political, social and regulatory framework in which the Group operates, or in economic or technological trends or conditions. Although PolyPeptide Group AG believes that its expectations reflected in any such forward-looking statement are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that those expectations will be achieved.

Alternative financial performance measures (APM)

This media release contains references to APM that are not defined or specified by IFRS, including EBITDA, revenue at constant currency rate and revenue associated with the coronavirus pandemic. These APM should be regarded as complementary information to and not as substitutes for the Groups consolidated financial results based on IFRS. These APM may not be comparable to similarly titled measures disclosed by other companies. For the definitions of the main operational indicators and APM used, including related abbreviations, as well as for selected reconciliations to IFRS, refer to the section Definitions and reconciliations in PolyPeptide Group AGs Annual Report 2022.
Hayley Atwell has revealed her fiance Ned Wolfgang Kelly was trouserless when he proposed to her during a trip to Venice.

The Mission: Impossible actress, 41, became engaged in April 2023 after first being linked to songwriter and composer Ned in July 2022.

According to the Daily Mail's Eden Confidential, Hayley said: 'My fiance was in his pants in the kitchen, and there was an accordion playing outside our window  which was timed perfectly but not planned.

'We had rented this Airbnb that had lots of shelves with porcelain ducks on them, so it was quite a surreal set-up.

'I said to him, "Venice was my first most precious destination", and I've always had a weird connection with it. So, he took me there, and it happened there.'

Couple: Hayley Atwell has revealed her fiance Ned Wolfgang Kelly was trouserless when he proposed to her during a trip to Venice (pictured in July 2022)

Hayley said: 'My fiance was in his pants in the kitchen, and there was an accordion playing outside our window  which was timed perfectly but not planned' (pictured in July 2023)

Ned confirmed the engagement himself on his Instagram, writing: 'Lucky me. Arrived in Venice at 10am, around midday the love of my life and I got engaged in the kitchen of this strange apartment surrounded by ducks, with a bloke outside the window murdering "My Way" on the accordion.

'A perfect start to the rest of our lives together. I'd never had any interest in getting married... until I met this extraordinary woman. Happy as a clam.'

Hayley and Ned keep their relationship lowkey and have rarely been pictured together.

The London-based artist's Instagram bio reads that he 'doesn't eat animals' and that he has been 'alcohol & drug free for over a decade'.

Speaking to The Sun when the couple first got together, an insider claimed: 'Hayley's happiness is written on her face right now.

'They get on like a house on fire and make a very handsome couple.'

Ned's website says he has produced commercial music for big brands such as Bud Light, Headspace and Samsung.

He has also scored films, worked on the design side of projects, and penned articles.

Private: Hayley and Ned keep their relationship lowkey and have rarely been pictured together (pictured in June 2023)

Last year, Hayley was said to have split from her Mission Impossible co-star Tom for the second time.

A source said: 'Unfortunately it hasnt worked out for them. They have now decided they are better as friends.'

The insider also revealed that the fanfare around the couple after going public was too much to handle.

'They get on really well, and have fantastic chemistry, which is why they decided to quietly give the relationship another try earlier this year.

'What was working behind closed doors didnt work out so well when it was made public, and the fanfare around them as a couple exploded again,' the source stated.

The source also insisted that the couple's romance was 'genuine', stating 'In spite of some rumours to the contrary, it was never just for the cameras.'

The pair began dating in 2020 after meeting on set of Mission: Impossible 7, and were first reported to be an item in December.

Tom, who plays Ethan Hunt in the famous franchise, and Hayley, who portrays a character mononymously known as Grace, spent much of the last year shooting the movie across the UK, as well as in Rome, Venice, and Norway.

Though the two had never expressly confirmed their romance, they were said to have become 'fairly inseparable' after they 'hit it off from day one' on the film.

On/off: Hayley and Tom Cruise were said to have started dating in 2020 after meeting on set of Mission: Impossible 7, splitting twice during their relationship (pictured on set in 2020)

However, by September, the relationship was said to have 'run its course' for the pair.

An insider told The Sun about the breakup: 'It has been a very intense period of filming together. They really got on well  but as the latest film winds down they've decided to go back to being friends.'

'Their filming schedules are very full-on, and Tom has a number of other commitments coming up and is always shooting around by private helicopter and jet so it just ran its course.

'But they're still happy to work together. It's a shame, but just one of those things. They still get on well.'
And Just Like That... was back again with twists and turns following Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte in season two, episode five on Thursday.

After watching her navigate grief, a return to the dating scene and a withdrawal, Carrie, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, gets back on the saddle after a chance accident introduces her to dashing app designer George.

Following an ill-fated attempt to meet men in a hotel bar with her fellow single pals Seema and Nya, she turns up the heat with George - however all is not as smooth as it seems when she realises he is in a relationship - of sorts.

Elsewhere, Miranda's opposing schedules with her partner Che throws their romance into disarray before an identity crisis pushes them to the edge.

And in Charlotte's weekly dramas, she navigates a modelling career for her nonbinary child Roc yet husband Harry pooh-poohs the idea - before attempting to infiltrate the shoot in a disguise, comprising his new brunette wig.

Cheeky! And Just Like That... was back again with twists and turns following Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte in season two, episode five on Thursday

Baldilocks! Harry is seen rocking a wig - in a shock departure from his trademark long locks

Off they go: Miranda then meets up with Carrie while heading to Charlotte's fancy dress fundraiser - although the duo opted not to wear fancy dress, something Charlotte told Carrie would cause Charlotte 'to kill them'

The show opens with Miranda's alarm going off at 5am and waking up Che Diaz (played by Sara Ramirez), who urges her to return to bed.

Miranda says: 'I can't. I have an early class. If I don't go home first and wake up Brady he'll be asleep all day. I'll be out in two minutes.'

As Miranda zips across town after heading into Hudson Street station, she maneuvers her way home with a pumpkin in hand to carve once she got inside.

After her son Brady comes into the kitchen, she says: 'Morning Pumpkin! I got our pumpkin! And I made pancakes', yet her kindness is rebuffed by Brady who insists she does not need to come from Che's every morning to wake him.

She replied: 'You know I like it and the two of you would starve if I didn't', before she asks Brady if he will help her with Halloween decorations.

Brady says: 'Isn't this house scary enough?'

Miranda then meets up with Carrie while heading to Charlotte's fancy dress fundraiser - although the duo opted not to wear fancy dress, something Charlotte told Carrie would cause Charlotte 'to kill them'.

Carrie - clad in a lame pussybow blouse and pink blazer - protests: 'I am in fancy dress! I'm Helen Gurley Brown, founder and writer of Cosmopolitan Magazine.'

We are! While they point out that Charlotte is not in costume - in her red suit with slicked back - she protests: 'Ye I am! I'm Elizabeth Jennings from The Americans! Harry come here! We are a husband and wife team of spies from Russia in the Eighties'

What! As Charlotte's fundraiser kicks off, she predictably rages at her pals before Carrie uses her Helen Gurley Brown defense again

Before then holding up a clutch bag shaped like the magazine.

Miranda spills the beans to Carrie about her cross-city woes and how she is 'wrecked' from splitting her time between Che's and her own home.

Carrie replies: 'You did come in a costume - you came as a gigantic bummer'.

As Charlotte's fundraiser kicks off, she predictably rages at her pals before Carrie uses her Helen Gurley Brown defense again.

Carrie says: 'Charlotte did you really think I was gonna come as Belle from Beauty And The Beast?'

While they point out that Charlotte is not in costume - in her red suit with slicked back - she protests: 'Ye I am! I'm Elizabeth Jennings from The Americans! Harry come here! We are a husband and wife team of spies from Russia in the Eighties'.

Harry, played by Evan Handler, stuns the duo by wearing a brown wig with a centre parting - in contrast to his trademark bald look.

Check this out: Carrie - clad in a lame pussybow blouse and pink blazer - protests: 'I am in fancy dress! I'm Helen Gurley Brown, founder and writer of Cosmopolitan Magazine'

Stunner: Miranda, Seema and Carrie are joined by PVC-clad Dr Naya Wallace, played by Karen Pittman, whose split from her husband played out in heartbreaking detail

Seema, played by Sarita Choudhury, also opts against fancy dress and dazzles in a red gown, yet she reveals to the ladies that she is still causing confusion: 'If one more foodie asks me if I'm Padma Lakshmi I will file a class action lawsuit'.

Miranda, Seema and Carrie are joined by PVC-clad Dr Naya Wallace, played by Karen Pittman, whose split from her husband played out in heartbreaking detail.

She revealed to the ladies that she is searching for a new man after leaving Andre - and recently had a free trial on Hot Chocolate Singles.

Seema vows to take her to a 5* hotel bar as the best place to meet single men - to avoid 'deadbeats' and ensure the men they meet are rich.

As she asks Carrie if she'd like to join the fun, Miranda is shocked when she agrees, leading to Carrie stating: 'I'm a mouse on the outside but on the inside I'm a tiger and I have to get on with it - it's a quote from Helen Gurley Brown'.

Huh! Anthony runs to a man dressed as Spartacus who he claims to have been met him in the gym - however the confused Roman introduces his wife

Check us out! Anthony is confused by the man he believed to be gay

Lisa, played by Nicole Ari Parker, takes to the dancefloor with Anthony, played by Mario Cantone, for a while dance-off before her husband Herbert, played by Christopher Jackson, arrives without a costume.

Following his reveal that he is running for City Controller, he tells Lisa the reason he did not wear a costume she rented as it would be bad publicity - before scolding her for her dance with Anthony as people would not know he was gay.

He insists the dance was not 'dignified' due to his career aspirations.

Harry and Charlotte continue trying to convince others of their costumes before Anthony runs to a man dressed as Spartacus who he claims to have been met him in the gym - however the confused Roman introduces his wife.

Shooting: In yet another nod to their costumes, Harry and Charlotte cosy up to watch The Americans before their child Roc rushes into the room

He then receives a menacing look.

Carrie and Miranda hit the dancefloor, where the latter marvels at the former's hotel plans, leading to her stating: 'If I want a man I can't sit at home and wait for him to come to me', in the wake of Mr Big's death in the previous season.

Following the party, Lisa is seen reading in bed when Herbert enters the room in an Admiral costume - which she deems 'bizarrely hot'.

She says: 'Before we start, Mr President, I know you're running for City Controller but you don't get to control me', he replies: 'A message from the council woman in the sheets has been received'.

Wah! Roc - whose gender identity battle was documented in the first season - delightedly states: 'Mom you will never guess what just happened'

Steamy: Carrie, Nya and Seema's man-hunting hotel jaunt then kicks off, with Carrie revealing: 'Last time I went to a bar to meet a man, my phone folded'

In yet another nod to their costumes, Harry and Charlotte cosy up to watch The Americans before their child Roc rushes into the room.

Roc - whose gender identity battle was documented in the first season - delightedly states: 'Mom you will never guess what just happened...

'I was in the park and this cool guy came up to me and said I was awesome and wanted to know if I ever thought about modelling.'

While the duo originally voiced concern over the man being 'a creep', when Charlotte sees the business card she discovers the scout is from Ralph Lauren.

Harry insists the whole thing was 'a scam' by a man who made fake business cards, yet Charlotte protests: 'What's the harm in calling?'

Carrie, Nya and Seema's man-hunting hotel jaunt then kicks off, with Carrie revealing: 'Last time I went to a bar to meet a man, my phone folded'.

Oh my! Sex is once again back in the city as Seema is seen getting passionate with the gin merchant, who announces: 'I just want to put this out there and it has nothing to do with you but sometimes I suffer from ED (erectile dysfunction)'

Hot stuff: Seema is then approached by a dashing gentleman at the bar, who brands her royalty in a slick chat-up line before revealing he represents Nettlefield gin

Nya revealed: 'Last time I went to a bar to meet a man was... never', as she revealed her husband Andre and her high school boyfriend were the sum total of her dating.

The women then start talking about how many 'd**ks' they had seen - with Nya saying two, Seema 'enough that she can not be shocked' and Carrie 'enough that she still can be shocked'.

Seema is then approached by a dashing gentleman at the bar, who brands her royalty in a slick chat-up line before revealing he represents Nettlefield gin.

Nya is the next to be approached, as a gentleman called Ian - who she claims is her 'chocolate single' - sidles over and offers to by her a drink.

Sex is once again back in the city as Seema is seen getting passionate with the gin merchant, who announces: 'I just want to put this out there and it has nothing to do with you but sometimes I suffer from ED (erectile dysfunction).'

Seema states: 'Got it, I appreciate the sensitivity but the way things are going tonight I don't think that's gonna be an issue' - however she is left stunned when he gets up to grab a contraption from the other side of the room.

Oh no! As Seema calls Carrie to regale her penis pump story, drama strikes as Carrie stops in a bike lane and causes a cyclist to fall off his bike leaving him shouting and telling her she should not stand there

Help! Carrie hangs up on Seema amid fears she 'had killed somebody', before asking the cyclist if she should call an ambulance

It then transpires he is using a penis pump.

The scenes then turn to Che's apartment where she is playing video games with friends while Miranda attempts to sleep next door at 3.30am.

Appearing to have completed her aim, Nya is seen leaving the Mondrian Hotel with a grin firmly in place following a night of passion.

As Seema calls Carrie to regale her penis pump story, drama strikes as Carrie stops in a bike lane and causes a cyclist to fall off his bike leaving him shouting and telling her she should not stand there.

Carrie hangs up on Seema amid fears she 'had killed somebody', before asking the cyclist if she should call an ambulance.

As he voices concerns over spraining his wrist, she burbles and offers to take him to an Urgent Care facility she had once seen an Olsen twin enter.

In the Urgent Care facility, Carrie begs the nurse to see the injured gentleman sooner, however she is told he will be seen as soon as possible.

I'm so sorry: As he voices concerns over spraining his wrist, she burbles and offers to take him to an Urgent Care facility she had once seen an Olsen twin enter

Help: In the Urgent Care facility, Carrie begs the nurse to see the injured gentleman sooner, however she is told he will be seen as soon as possible

Planning: Harry comes home to Charlotte and Roc cooking, who reveal they have been doing research on the modelling - yet Harry stands by his concerns - even insisting he is envisioning Roc being kidnapped

Won't stand for it: Charlotte utters her delight and states that Roc plans to plant trees in Israel with the money they make from the shoot

While filling out forms, Carrie learns his name is George Campbell, he was born on 17th October 1968, lives on 245 East 29th, his emergency contact is his business partner Paul Bennett, who then Facetimes him.

Paul is raging over work and their need to sort an appdeck which is due in two days as they are 'do or die' due to running out of buyers.

George says he was involved in 'the opposite of a hit and run' and is summoned to be seen by a nurse before they bid farewell.

Harry comes home to Charlotte and Roc cooking, who reveal they have been doing research on the modelling - yet Harry stands by his concerns - even insisting he is envisioning Roc being kidnapped.

The excited duo however explain that the shoot is a progressive family setting, in which Roc will be wearing a polo shirt which Charlotte wore when she was a teen model.

Charlotte utters her delight and states that Roc plans to plant trees in Israel with the money they make from the shoot.

Harry says: 'Even if it legit. It's exploitative, the next thing you know they'll be using her image in God knows what else' and despite his protestations they reveal that Charlotte will be taking them to the shoot.

Back to Carrie in the Urgent Care, she sits awaiting George's return while on the phone to Seema, saying: 'I don't know why they call it Urgent Care, it should be called I hope you have nothing else planned for the rest of the day'.

Carrie reveals the reason she is still at the facility is because she gave her number and is worried about being sued - but also feeling guilty.

Seema says: 'You're a pushover like me. I told pump gin guy that I'd see him again.. dating at this age, there's always something. We had 30 minutes of great foreplay, a bizarre intermission and B+ sex'.

George then leaves and is stunned that she waited before revealing it 'feels pretty good', and reveals his wrist is broken.

The nurse then reveals his card was declined, as a red-faced Carrie looked on.

Chatting up: Nya is the next to be approached, as a gentleman called Ian - who she claims is her 'chocolate single' - sidles over and offers to by her a drink

On hand: Nya sits with Miranda and gushes over her 'amazing one-night stand' and subsequent all day sleep, which makes Miranda 'so jealous'

Nya sits with Miranda and gushes over her 'amazing one-night stand' and subsequent all day sleep, which makes Miranda 'so jealous'.

Miranda elaborates: 'I'm jealous of the all-day sleep part. I'm early mornings, Che is late nights. I would only sleep there at the weekends and spend all day in bed if I had anywhere else to go.'

Nya then offers her spare room, given Miranda gave ex Steve their Brooklyn home and vowed to look for another place. She happily accepts.

In a bid for forgiveness once again, 'near assassin' Carrie heads to George's apartment - a vast and trendy loft - which he buzzes her in to.

She is wowed by the size and likens the area to an art gallery or air hanger.

Carrie brings lunch and offers help with her presentation, which he brands weird but says he will take her help. The duo then sit down to tuck in to the vast lunch she had brought which he marvels at and wonders when he last ate.

She candidly admits she was worried for his finances after his panicked call from the business partner and his declined call yet he clarifies, his card was blocked due to fraud and his call from Paul was due to the hard work they put in the app.

Sizzling: Carrie and George get hot and heavy before the shuns the union

Carrie admits the home is 'pretty impressive', which he reveals is thanks to selling three apps and are hoping to make it four with the presentation.

While sitting close with his laptop between, the duo enjoy electrifying chemistry which leads to a kiss - yet the moment is interrupted by Paul toting dry-cleaning and stating: 'Dude hang a towel on the door if you have company'.

Carrie and George look sheepish before she is introduced to the business partner - who pointedly tells them that they were on a deadline.

With the moment ruined, Carrie heads home with a smile.

Che and Miranda are seen at dinner, where the former is revealing updates on her TV career, yet the latter is distracted by the heat of her food - which she reveals she ordered by means of ''waking herself up'.

Che reveals: 'They ask a load of randos they meet in Times Square to give feedback on my pilot. I guess it helps figure out how to market the show to 'Merica'.

Here she goes: Miranda glugs water and announces that she may move into Nya's spare room amid concerns that their opposing schedules is ruining their sleep

Ahem! Che obliges before making a saucy joke about the spice on Miranda's lips

Miranda glugs water and announces that she may move into Nya's spare room amid concerns that their opposing schedules is ruining their sleep.

Che obliges before making a saucy joke about the spice on Miranda's lips.

Roc's shoot is then underway, as they walk into a bustling room with mum Charlotte, who professes she is 'so proud' although Roc insists: 'I haven't done anything yet'.

She is introduced to Bee, a stylist, who marvels that Charlotte is wearing head-to-toe vintage Ralph Lauren - much to Charlotte's utter delight.

Ahead of her big move, Carrie and Miranda then head to a vintage shop to pick up items for the 'very small' room, following Miranda's insistence she is ok with the changes and calls her and Nya Laverne & Shirley.

After Carrie queries how long it will take Steve to find a new place after two months, Miranda reveals she feels like she cannot ask him.

Carrie then reveals she is having dinner with George that evening.

Roc is then seen working hard at her shoot, where they jump on a trampoline for the snaps. Due to his concerns over the shoot, Harry goes undercover with his wig from earlier in the show and probes an artistic director.

When he asks the director if anything 'dirty or sexy' will be on the screen, he is met with disgust: 'I don't know bro, but this is a family scene. There's kids here'.

Shopping up a storm: Ahead of her big move, Carrie and Miranda then head to a vintage shop to pick up items for the 'very small' room, following Miranda's insistence she is ok with the changes and calls her and Nya Laverne & Shirley

Who's that? Roc is then seen working hard at her shoot, where they jump on a trampoline for the snaps. Due to his concerns over the shoot, Harry goes undercover with his wig from earlier in the show and probes an artistic director

Charlotte then spots her husband and says: 'Dude, you better get out of her right now before Roc sees you. If you don't get out of here before that kid sees you, you'll never be the cool dad again'.

Che looks on from behind a double sided mirror to see what the test audience are saying, with comments about their on-screen dad Tony Danza being made as well as concerns over the scene in which they tell their dad they are nonbinary.

When one member of the group was asked how she felt, she said: 'The whole Che character was like a walking boomer joke that felt so fake to me...

'Just some phoney, sanitised, performative, cheesy a*s, dad joke, bulls**t version of what the nonbinary experience is. It sucked.'

Che looked heartbroken as the whole group raised their hands before things shot to Miranda comforting them while they smoked a spliff at home: 'TV is just a corporate conglomorate and they can eat s**t'.

Devastated: Che looked heartbroken as the whole group raised their hands before things shot to Miranda comforting them while they smoked a spliff at home: 'TV is just a corporate conglomorate and they can eat s**t'

Hold me close: As she gets increasingly furious, Miranda shouts yet Che muses how she will afford her apartment as she was relying on her TV money

Are you kidding? Turning up the heat, Seema is then seen getting hot and heavy with 'penis pump gin guy' and while he lauds their intimacy, she concludes their passion by using a sex toy - something he insist 'is not cool'

In a huff: She said: 'Are you for real right now? Do you seriously have the balls to say something about my device when I wake up to your freshly washed penis pump drying on my washing rack'

As she gets increasingly furious, Miranda shouts yet Che muses how she will afford her apartment as she was relying on her TV money.

Attempting to cheer them up, Miranda vows to be 'a cheerleader' yet Che shouts: 'Miranda stop! I don't need a cheerleader. This isn't a game, this is my life, this is my career, this is my identity...

'It took me 46 years to work out my identity and a focus group one hour to f**king destroy me so I don't need to be all Tony Robbins right now.'

When Miranda asks what she can do, Che insists she needs some space, and asks her to leave their home. Miranda then asks for a hug and Che continues to say they 'need a few more days alone'.

Turning up the heat, Seema is then seen getting hot and heavy with 'penis pump gin guy' and while he lauds their intimacy, she concludes their passion by using a sex toy - something he insist 'is not cool'.

She said: 'Are you for real right now? Do you seriously have the balls to say something about my device when I wake up to your freshly washed penis pump drying on my washing rack'.

Irresistable: Keeping the sex up in the city, Carrie and George are seen taking things to the bedroom, during which he asks for help undoing his shirt due to his broken wrist

Anger: Carrie explained that Paul was standing in the way of their union

In a fit of rage, he storms out of bed and she continues to use the sex toy.

Keeping the sex up in the city, Carrie and George are seen taking things to the bedroom, during which he asks for help undoing his shirt due to his broken wrist.

Once again they are interrupted by Paul, who is demanding the final deck which has not arrived - leading to rage and a bitter exchange.

As George storms out, he leaves Paul on the bed, who starts talking to Carrie and apologising for the interruptions and admits they have had 'a few bumpy years' and spills his heart - while Carrie hilariously slips out while he talks.

She then calls out to George to reveal she is leaving, as he apologises for Paul's behaviour - Carrie explains that Paul is in fact 'George's wife'.

Carrie was then seen ruling out their romance and leaving her single once again.

She concludes with: 'And Just Like That... me and George were over but I got back up on the bike'.

Moving on: She then calls out to George to reveal she is leaving, as he apologises for Paul's behaviour - Carrie explains that Paul is in fact 'George's wife'
Ryan Gosling was all smiles as he stepped out for the Barbie after party at the Chiltern Firehouse on Wednesday evening.

The actor, 42, looked dapper in a pastel blue blazer and coordinated trousers as he waved to fans on arrival.

Ryan, who portrays Ken in the 1960s doll inspired movie, teamed his ensemble with a crisp white open collar shirt and matching lace up shoes.

It comes after he attended the Barbie premiere earlier in the evening in London at Cineworld Leicester Square.

Ahead of partying at Chiltern Firehouse, Ryan joined co-star Margot Robbie who showed off another stunning look when she changed into a red mini dress at the Barbie photocall at the London Eye.

Looking good: Ryan Gosling was all smiles as he stepped out for the Barbie after party at the Chiltern Firehouse on Wednesday evening

Dressed to impress: The actor, looked dapper in a pastel blue blazer and coordinated trousers as he waved to fans on arrival

The leading actress, 33, put on a leggy display in the corseted satin number that laced down her back as the stars turned the London Eye pink.

She swept her blonde hair back from her face into a messy updo and opted for a typically glamorous makeup look.

To complete her second look of the day, Margot elevated her height with a pair of matching heels.

Earlier in the day, she wowed in a stunning pink satin gown by Vivienne Westwood with an embroidered tulle trim.

Margot has debuted a series of looks inspired by the doll in the lead up to the film's release, and chose to channel a 1960s Enchanted Evening figurine for the hotly anticipated premiere.

The dress was cinched in with a corset-style top with a flower on her hip and featured a dramatic train.

Margot boosted her height with see-through heels and wore a pearl chocker as well as long white gloves.

The actress, who tackled the leading role of Barbie, has recently been kept busy on a global press tour with other cast members including Ryan Gosling as Ken, and has made stops in countries such as Australia, South Korea, and Mexico so far.

Dapper: Ryan, who portrays Ken in the 1960s doll inspired movie, teamed his ensemble with a crisp white open collar shirt and matching lace up shoes

Incredible: Ahead of partying at Chiltern Firehouse, Ryan joined co-star Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig for a photocall (left to right - America Ferrera, Simu Liu,Margot Robbie, Issa Rae, Ryan Gosling, Greta Gerwig)

Greta Gerwig, who is known for directing past films such as Little Women (2019) and Lady Bird (2017), not only took on the role as director of the upcoming fantasy comedy, but also co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach.

The Barbie movie not only stars Margot, Ryan, and Dua, but also America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Simu Liu. Various versions of both the Barbie and Ken dolls will be portrayed, with actress Helen Mirren narrating the film.

The premise of the movie, which has a budget of $100 million, follows Barbie and Ken as they travel to the real world in order to find the true meaning of happiness.

Filming began last year in 2022 at Warner Bros. Studios in England, while some exterior shots were notably filmed outdoors in Los Angeles, such as Venice.

During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Greta revealed that Margot had felt 'self-conscious' while filming the Venice Beach scene.

'People would go by Ryan, high-five him, and say, "Awesome, Ryan, you look great!" And they wouldnt actually say anything to Margot. Theyd just look at her. It was just surreal. In that moment, she did feel self-conscious.'

Gerwig added, 'And as the director, I wanted to protect her. But I also knew that the scene we were shooting had to be the scene where she felt exposed. And she was exposed, both as a celebrity and as a lady.'

Gorgeous: Margot showed off another stunning look when she changed into a red mini dress at the Barbie photocall
Isla Fisher looked sensational in a white crochet co-ord as she posed up a storm on Instagram while enjoying a stunning sunset on Wednesday.

The actress, 47, showed off her incredible figure in a green plunging swimsuit which she donned under the cut out long sleeved crop top and matching skirt.

She flashed her gorgeous smile while playing with her loose auburn tresses in front of the picturesque backdrop of the ocean.

Though the Australian star and her husband Sacha Baron Cohen are very much in the public eye, they are notoriously private about their children.

Isla and her comedian partner, 51, have never uploaded social media images of their three children Olive, Elula and Montgomery.

Glowing: Isla Fisher looked sensational in a white crochet crop top and matching skirt as she posed up a storm on Instagram while enjoying a stunning sunset on Wednesday

Amazing: The actress, 47, showed off her incredible figure in a green plunging swimsuit beneath the co-ord and played with her loose auburn tresses

Appearing on Lorraine earlier this year, Isla explained the reason she chooses to keep them out of the spotlight.

She said: 'It's unfair on them! Kids deserve a normal childhood. I want them to be outdoors and play and run around - not feel self-conscious.'

This is not the first time the actress has spoken about her decision to shield her children from the public eye.

In an interview with Marie Claire Australia in 2021, Isla said: 'Motherhood is actually my favourite topic  but I keep it private.

'I think all parents are trying to protect their kids, especially in the social media age.

'I want our children to have a normal childhood  being able to play outside without pressure or scrutiny. All kids have the right to just be kids, and I would never sell a film or magazine by speaking about [mine].'

In November last year, Isla explained how being a mother is the most important role in her life.

The Hollywood star, who started her career on Aussie soap Home and Away, told The Australian Women's Weekly her acting skills often come in handy when raising her three children.

'One of the perks of being an actor is you have a bunch of silly voices in your back pocket to whip out at bedtime,' she said.

The Wedding Crashers star said she loves reading bedtime stories to her kids, and often uses her imagination to come up with fun and engaging stories.

Interview: Though Isla and her husband are very much in the public eye, they are notoriously private about their children

Private: The Australian actress and comedian partner, 51, (pictured in December) have never uploaded social media images of their three children Olive, Elula and Montgomery

Happy couple: The actress has been married to Baron Cohen (right) since 2010 after the pair met at a party in Sydney in 2002

She said: 'There's often a teachable lesson that leads to interesting discussions. If somebody is having a problem at school or something, I'll tailor the bedtime story a little bit to align with whatever's going on,' she added.

The Hollywood couple relocated from Los Angeles to Sydney in 2020.

While it was widely speculated that they moved Down Under to escape the Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the US, reports claimed they were actually fleeing America's tumultuous political climate.

'They didn't want to raise their kids in Trump's America,' an insider told Sydney Morning Herald.

Isla and Sacha first met at a party in Sydney in 2002, and married eight years later.

Isla reflected on the couple having been together for two decades - a rarity in the world of showbusiness.

'It is a fun ride. I feel so lucky to have Sacha in my life. Now we have this beautiful family and we survived lockdown together, which you know, it is not easy for any couple,' she said.

'I think by Hollywood standards it's probably 200 years!' she joked. 'I feel like it's a Golden Jubilee or something. Everyone was congratulating me.'
Bachelor in Paradise star Matt Whyatt has proposed to Love Island Australia star Kim Hartnett.

The couple shared the exciting news to Instagram on Thursday, with Matt posting some stunning photos from the moment he proposed.

Matt, 31, who was on season three of Bachelor in Paradise, popped the question to Kim on a beach in Noosa Heads, Queensland.

He got down on one knee in the sand, and Kim, 27, looked ecstatic as she jumped for joy.

Another photo from the day they got engaged showed the happy couple celebrating their engagement with a bottle of champagne on a boat.

Bachelor in Paradise star Matt Whyatt has proposed to Love Island Australia star Kim Hartnett (both pictured)

The couple shared the exciting news to Instagram on Thursday, with Kim sharing an adorable snap of her and Matt smiling as she showed off her ring to the camera

It appears that the couple might be having a low-key wedding, as they are getting married in Vegas, a popular place for couples who elope.

Matt captioned the carousel of photos: 'We are getting married, Vegass baby xx'.

Kim, who was on season one of Love Island Australia, also shared the happy news on her Instagram.

She posted a photo of her gorgeous solitaire diamond engagement ring with a gold band.

The former reality TV star also shared an adorable snap of her and Matt smiling as she showed off her ring to the camera.

Friends and fans flocked to the comments to congratulate the pair on their engagement.

Cassidy McGill, who was on Kim's series of Love Island, commented: 'Love you both so much. Cant wait for Vegas'.

Another Love Island alum, Jessie Wynter, wrote: 'Congratulations you cuties!'

Matt, 31, who was on season three of Bachelor in Paradise, popped the question to Kim on a beach in Noosa Heads, Queensland

Another photo from the day they got engaged shows the happy couple celebrating their engagement with a bottle of champagne on a boat

Kim posted a photo of her gorgeous solitaire diamond engagement ring with a gold band.

While influencer Ashy Bines wrote: 'Congrats guys'.

Matt and Kim's engagement comes almost a year after they welcomed their first child together.

Last August, Kim gave birth to a baby boy called Chase.

She already has a seven-year-old son called Braxton from a previous relationship.
Lee Evans has lived a reclusive life since he retired from touring, with the comic making his first public appearance with his wife Heather Nudds in five years on Wednesday.

Once a fixture on British TV and the stand-up circuit, the comic gave up his regular shows in 2014 to spend more time with his family.

Thanks to amassing a huge net worth of 6 million, Lee, 59, has been able to retire in luxury, and now resides in Billericay, Essex, where he's managed a property business and his production company.

In recent years Lee has been rarely spotted, with just a handful of public appearances after his last tour ended.

So, as Lee makes a brief return to the public eye, MailOnline takes a look at his life away from the spotlight.

Living in Essex

Lee Evans' quiet life away from the spotlight: After the comic made his first appearance in two years (pictured) - a glimpse at his life since he retired from touring in 2014

Previously: The funnyman gave up touring in 2014 to spend more time with his wife of 39 years - pictured in 2011

Lee resides in Billericay in Essex with his wife of 39 years Heather, in a part of the town known for its big-name residents.

One resident previously told Essex Live: 'It's famous in the area for it's high house prices and the quality of the houses and I'm sure there are plenty of famous faces down there.'

Since then, Lee and Heather put focus into their property business, which was set up in 2012, but according to Companies House, was liquidated in 2021.

Lee and Heather have one daughter, Mollie, who after studying at The Ringling College of Art and Design, has become an illustrator and online content creator.

The couple married on September 22 1984, and Lee frequently referenced his wife during his stand-up shows

He previously revealed he met her by chance on a bus when they were teenagers, telling The Guardian: 'Her mum was dying, and I saw her go by on her way to hospital.

'And I was talking to a mate in the street, and I said, ''Who's that?'' And he went, ''I dunno.'' She looked distraught. ''And about two weeks later, I met her coincidentally when I went to see this band play - and we got on really well. I made her laugh, I think.''

A vast fortune

Cashing in: Throughout his decades of touring, Lee earned himself a hefty fortune, and according to The Richest, Lee has a net worth of around 6.1 million

Throughout his decades of touring, Lee earned himself a hefty fortune, and according to The Richest, Lee has a net worth of around 6.1 million.

His production company, Little Mo Films Ltd, also has a hefty 229,000 in net assets, according to documents filed by Companies House in April 2023.

The company were involved in all of Lee's stand-up DVDs from his tours, including the most recent, Monsters in 2014.

Little Mo Films also produced the 2008 short film The Tonto Woman, which starred Charlotte Asprey and Richard Quinn.

In 2011, Lee's record-breaking 67 date UK Roadrunner tour sold 911,000 DVDs and 733,000 tickets, netting him an eye-popping 12.9million.

As well as stand-up comedy, Evans made a brief foray into mainstream acting, with prominent roles in 1998 comedy There's Something About Mary - in which he starred alongside Ben Stiller and Cameron Diaz - and 1995 science fiction epic The Fifth Element, with Bruce Willis and Gary Oldman.

Rare appearances

Don't mind me: Since his retirement, Lee has been spotted a handful of times, including an appearance during a bike ride in Essex in 2021

Since his retirement, Lee has been spotted a handful of times, including the premiere of Kenny in Liverpool in 2017.

He also came out of retirement briefly to star in a charity production of Harold Pinter's Wither Would You Go with Jack Whitehall that same year. It remains his last on-stage performance.

In 2021, Lee was spotted for the first time in almost a year as he headed out for a bike ride in Essex.

The star looked content and relaxed as he got in a spot of exercise on his bike, adding a blue cap, black trainers and sunglasses to his sporty look.

Stepping away from the spotlight

Time away: Lee confirmed his retirement from stand-up comedy during an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show in 2014, after the death of his manager 'put things into perspective'

Lee confirmed his retirement from stand-up comedy during an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show in 2014.

On the show, he told Jonathan that the death of his manager, Addison Cresswell, had 'put things in perspective'.

He said: 'I don't know, I've come to a junction in my life where - please forgive me it sounds very narcissistic - I've done musicals and plays and films and stand up and you sort of get to a point where you go "I don't know what else to do next".'

He added: 'I want to go and see my wife, she deserves my time, I've been working solidly.'

Ross asked how long he planned to carry on in his job, to which he replied: 'I am knackered. This is it... Finished. This is the end. I am not doing anything.'

Lee went on: 'All I have ever done is work and Addison always used to put his arm around me and say, "Don't worry, I will look after you. It is okay"...

'My dad always said to me, "You have got to work" so I constantly worked and did comedy tours.

'I think I have ignored for far too long my missus, and I want to spend a lot more time with her.'

Family tragedy

Tragedy: Lee's retirement was tinged by tragedy in 2019, when his father died after a lengthy career in comedy

Lee's father Dave tragically died in 2019 after his own lengthy career in comedy.

He had reportedly been unable to perform for seven years due to health problems and his death has left his colleagues in the the comedy scene distraught.

Dave Evans began performing on nightclubs before appearing on cruise ships such as the QE2.

As well as mainstream stand-up and music gigs, Dave also did impressions of famous performers such as Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Max Bygraves and Tom Jones.

In the mid-1980s he appeared on the ITV impressions show Copy Cats and was a guest on the 1984 prime time show Knees Up hosted by Jeff Stevenson.

His last stage performance was said to have been in October 2012 in a performance playing Max Bygraves in Re~Educating Archie at the Underground Theatre in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

Dave Evans continued to perform on cruise ships, clubs and holiday camps until he began suffering ill-health.

Before his son became a performer himself, Lee got a taste of showbusiness when he used to travel with his father as he performed at working men's clubs around the country.
Vogue Williams showed off her stunning new hair style as she ditched her long locks for a cropped do during an appearance on Lorraine.

The TV personality, 37, followed the Barbiecore trend in a coral pink shirt and patterned mini skirt as she appeared on Lorraine to chat about fashion.

She styled her new ashy toned blonde locks curly and beamed a smile during her fashion segment.

Vogue looked exceptionally chic in her vibrant outfit which showed off her incredible physique.

The mother-of-three looked radiant in her trendy attire and opted for a minimal palette of makeup to embrace her natural beauty.

Gorgeous! Vogue Williams showed off her stunning new hair style as she ditched her long locks for a cropped do during an appearance on Lorraine

Beaming: The TV personality, 37, followed the Barbiecore trend in a coral pink shirt and patterned mini skirt as she appeared on Lorraine to chat about fashion

Vogue and her husband Spencer Matthews share three children Theo, four, Gigi, two, and Otto, 15 months.

The couple looked as loved up as ever as they made an appearance together at the Barbie premiere.

They looked incredible as they walked holding hands through Leicester Square on Wednesday.

Vogue donned a gold sequined mini dress and flashed her toned legs, while Spencer opted for a vibrant multi-coloured jacket.

She added height to her frame with a glamorous pair of heels and accessorised with a bright pink handbag.

The pair appeared to be in good spirits as they posed up a storm outside a 'Barbiephone' at the premiere.

The Irish model has recently shared that she had paused her therapy sessions an d said that she is in a good place with her husband Spencer.

She candidly revealed that 'things are great' between herself and the Made in Chelsea star Spencer, 34, as she gushed over their marriage.

Stunning: The TV personality looked nothing short of sensational in her pink ensemble as she appeared on Lorraine to chat about fashion

Sizzling: She added height to her frame with a glamorous pair of heels and accessorised with a bright pink handbag

Loved-up: The pair appeared to be in good spirits as they posed up a storm outside a 'Barbiephone' at the premiere

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Vogue told how she hasn't felt that she needs her therapy sessions at the moment.

She said: 'We're in a very good place at the moment. I'm not feeling like I need [therapy] at the moment.'

'I always have it on the back burner because I've found someone I really enjoy talking to. It's good to have when you need it.'

Vogue does not have therapy because of marriage problems.

Earlier on Lorraine was slammed by viewers for misgendering non-binary Sam Smith when discussing his outfit at the Barbie premiere with Vogue.

When discussing outfits at the Barbie premiere on Wednesday night, Lorraine slipped up and referred to Sam as 'he' instead of 'they/them'.
The first trailer for the new star studded action film The Retirement Plan starring Nicolas Cage dropped on Thursday.

The actor takes on the role of an absent father Matt who is sought out by his daughter Ashley (Ashley Greene) and granddaughter Sarah (Thalia Campbell) for help when they end up caught in the middle of a criminal enterprise.

Yet disaster strikes when the group are found by crime boss Donnie (Jackie Earle Haley) and his lieutenant Bobo (Ron Perlman) while Matt's murky past also begins to catch up with him.

The trailer begins with a worse for wear Matt shocked to see Sarah arrive unannounced as he is living the life of a retired beach bum in the Cayman Islands.

As Sarah warns him that she thinks her parents are 'in trouble', he responds: 'Oh Ashley is in trouble, what is it this time?'

Assassin? Nicolas Cage's character Matt gets shot and wields a vodka bottles while 'killing everyone' to protect daughter in The Retirement Plan trailer which dropped on Wednesday

Action: His daughter is played by Ashley Greene - pictured alongside crime boss Donnie (Jackie Earle Haley) and his lieutenant Bobo (Ron Perlman)

The clip then cuts to Ashley being threatened by crime boss Donnie and Bobo.

The group seem to be in an extensive amount of trouble as the hit men keep tracking the family down until they 'are all dead'.

However, Ashley soon learns that her dad has a secret past that she knew nothing about as he 'keeps killing everyone' with a number of weapons including a vodka bottle.

With Ashley musing: 'My dad's an assassin isn't he?'

The clips shows Matt looking over three dead bodies floating in the water before he kills someone with a knife and another with a gun.

Director Tim Brown said: 'I am thrilled to be working with Falling Forward and Productivity Media on the theatrical release of this film.

'Im super grateful to Nic and the rest of the cast, and being able to watch this film in theaters is a childhood dream come true.'

President of Falling Forward Films, Nic Cage added: 'This film is destined to be another classic Nic Cage action-comedy.

'We are big supporters of the theatrical experience and there is nothing better than to have the audience experience the laughter and the thrills of The Retirement Plan on the big screen.'

The movie is due to hit theaters in the U.S. from August 25.

In character: Nicolas' character looked rather worse for wear with his grey longs locks covering his face while enjoyed living the life of a retired beach bum in the Cayman Islands

Drama: The video kicked off with the actor, who portrays Matt, yelling at a young girl Sarah (Thalia Campbell) who is his granddaughter in the crime movie

Nicolas said: 'Ashley is in trouble. I haven't seen my daughter and now her daughter turns up on my front doorstep without a word'
Eric Bana looked dapper as he attended day 11 of Wimbledon with his wife Rebecca Gleeson to watch the women's singles semi-final.

The Australian actor, 54, looked handsome in a black suit that he paired with a purple tie as he sat in the Royal Box on the Centre Court.

He was joined by his gorgeous wife who looked nothing short of sensational in a lacy red frock with exaggerated peplum sleeves.

The Australian publicist, 52, looked as happy as ever as she cosied up to her husband.

Eric and Rebecca, who share two children, Sophia, 21, and son Klaus Banadinovich, 25, looked in good spirits as they were spotted in the crowd clapping.

Loved-up: Eric Bana, 54, put on a dapper display as he attended day 11 of Wimbledon with his wife Rebecca Gleeson, 52, to watch the women's singles semi-final

Dapper: The Australian actor looked handsome in a black suit that he paired with a purple tie as he sat in the Royal Box on the Centre Court

The doing couple, who were sat next to actor Ben Whishaw and his brother James Whishaw, could be seen chatting away together.

Aussie's Eric and Rebecca shielded their eyes with a pair of sunglasses as they sat back to enjoy the match.

Rebecca styled her long brunette tresses in front of her shoulders and wore a minimal palette of make-up to embrace her natural beauty.

Eric, who also starred in the Hulk, looked strikingly sharp as he slicked back his iconic grey locks.

The eleventh day of Wimbledon saw Ukraine's Elina Svitolina and Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova play against each other.

Sophia, Eric's daughter, has recently signed with an acting agent to follow in her father's footsteps.

The stunning model has signed up with Emma Raciti Management, the leading independent Australian talent agency representing acting talent from film, TV and theatre.

Speaking to The Herald Sun, the dancer, model and now actress said she was broadening her interests with the support of her family and friends.

Stunning: He was joined by his gorgeous wife who looked nothing short of sensational in her lacy red frock with exaggerated peplum sleeves

Pals: The doing couple, who were sat next to actor Ben Whishaw (far right) and his brother James Whishaw, could be seen chatting away together

Concentrating: Aussie's Eric and Rebecca shielded their eyes with a pair of sunglasses as they sat back to enjoy the match

'I think that in a lot of ways dancing and modelling compliment each other,' she told the publication.

'As dancers we are taught from a young age to have strong awareness of our bodies, our physicality and the way we hold ourselves.

'Modelling was something I had never personally considered, but with the mentoring and support of my friends and family I decided why not give it a go?

'I am definitely a beginner but I am excited to see where it can go!'
Johnny Ruffo is enjoying a romantic getaway in New Zealand with his long-time girlfriend Tahnee Sims amid his ongoing treatment for terminal cancer.

The former Home And Away star, 35, has been sharing online what life is like as someone with brain cancer, and the various treatments he has been undergoing.

But, the actor likes to stay positive, and has also been posting about all the exciting things he has been doing in between hospital visits.

On Thursday, Johnny shared several stunning photos from his trip to Queenstown with his girlfriend Tahnee.

In one photo, the 35-year-old stood beside a steaming hot tub with a gorgeous view of mountains in the background.

Johnny Ruffo is enjoying a romantic getaway in New Zealand with his long-time girlfriend Tahnee Sims amid his ongoing treatment for terminal cancer (both pictured)

Another snap showed the happy couple smiling as they wore beanies for the cold weather.

Johnny captioned the carousel of photos, 'Back at it again in Queenstown' followed by a snowflake emoji.

Friends and fans of the actor jumped to the comments to wish him a safe and happy trip.

On Thursday, Johnny shared several stunning photos from his trip to Queenstown with his girlfriend Tahnee. In one photo, the 35-year-old stood beside a steaming hot tub with a gorgeous view of mountains in the background

His former Home And Away colleague Lynne McGranger wrote: 'Not jealous one bit JR'.

While comedian Joe Avati said: 'How are you my friend enjoy the peace and tranquility that is Queenstown'.

And NRL star Luke Burgess simply commented: 'Queenstown' followed by three 'ok hand' emojis.

Johnny regularly posts updates about his cancer treatment to his 261,000 Instagram followers.

In March, Johnny started another round of chemotherapy and posted a photo of himself undergoing the treatment in hospital with his girlfriend Tahnee by his side

In March, Johnny started another round of chemotherapy and posted a photo of himself undergoing the treatment in hospital with his girlfriend Tahnee by his side.

The actor put on a brave face, smiling and giving the thumbs up while he sat in a chair.

'Back in my favourite chair,' he wrote sarcastically alongside the hashtags #ihatethischair and #f**kcancer.

In December, Johnny marked another year of undergoing chemotherapy and revealed he was looking forward to having a break and spending time with family over Christmas.

The actor is best known for playing Chris Harrington on the Seven Soap from 2013 to 2016 (pictured)

'Another year of chemotherapy done, It wasn't easy but I made it through,' he wrote at the time.

'Can't wait to have a few weeks break over Christmas & spend some well earned time with my family. #f**kcancer.'

In August 2022, he confirmed his brain cancer diagnosis was terminal and said he feared how his girlfriend Tahnee would cope once he is gone.

'You can only imagine how difficult it's been for her,' he said on The Project.

'What plays in my head a lot is, I hate to say this, how hard it may be for her if something does happen to me.

Johnny's long-time girlfriend Tahnee also shared a photo of Johnny reclining back in the hospital chair

'So, it's something that I don't want to think about. It just gets me a little bit emotional about it because I know at some point something will happen, whether it's, you know, a month from now or 10 years from now or 20 years.'

Johnny told then-host Carrie Bickmore he had already outlived his life expectancy.

'At some point it will get me but I'm still fighting. Still kicking on. Looking up my diagnosis and my tumour, the average life expectancy was three years,' he said.

The actor was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after he went to hospital with painful migraines

In August that year, he was rushed to surgery and had a 7cm brain tumour surgically removed from his frontal lobe, before undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Johnny was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after he went to hospital with painful migraines.

In August that year, he was rushed to surgery and had a 7cm brain tumour surgically removed from his frontal lobe, before undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The former X Factor star went on to praise his partner Tahnee and referred to her as his 'guardian angel'.

'She is here with me every step of the way,' he said. 'I'm so very grateful to have her by my side, I don't know what I would do without her.'

Johnny went into remission months after his initial diagnosis in 2017, but revealed in November 2021 the disease had returned.
Iran continues to deplete its artillery ammunition inventory in order to supply Russia. The latest deal involves 14,000 152mm shells for D20 towed howitzers, 10,000 high-explosive shells for T-72 tank guns as well as two replacement barrels for the T-72 tank and two replacement barrels for the 122mm D30 towed howitzers. These guns and ammo are sold to Russia, and not at a discount. Russia needs more artillery and shells for its big guns. Iran is one of the few foreign suppliers available.

The Russia D30 122mm howitzers are the most numerous towed howitzers in Russian service. These towed guns were widely used during World War II as the M30 and production continued until 1955. After that the improved D30 model went into production. Some M30s and a lot of D30s are used by over 20 countries because they are cheap, reliable, easy to operate and rugged. Russia provided many of them to Arab customers during the Cold War. These weapons are still cheap as Russia can afford to give them away because at the end of the Cold War Russia demobilized most of its army and ended up with 4,000 M30s in storage. There was still demand for this old reliable, even though an improved version, the D30, entered production in 1963 and is still being produced. Used M30s were cheap (often free to favored customers) and that often came with offers of war surplus 122mm ammo that was being given away, because a lot of it was well past its use by date. Before the Ukraine War, the largest use of 122mm shells was the Syrian army, which used its D30 122mm guns against residential areas in order to chase away pro-rebel civilians or convince them to make peace. For more accurate artillery fire Russian sent some of its most modern rocket systems, some of them using satellite or other guidance systems. These were used against precise targets in order to test these new weapons and, when they worked, to serve as an aid in selling them to customers who needed it and could afford to pay.

The M30 is a three ton, towed gun that entered production in 1939 and over 19,000 were eventually built. China began building an M30 clone in 1953 and before production ceased in the 1980s some 10,000 were delivered. During World War II the M30 comprised 31 percent of Russian field artillery.

The D30 is a four ton, towed weapon with a range of 15 kilometers (or more, with special ammo) that has a longer barrel and more effective mechanical components. It can use the same ammo as the M30 but often uses more expensive modern ammo that has longer range (22 kilometers, twice that of the M30) and is more accurate. The D30 was used as the basis for numerous self-propelled guns built during the Cold War. But if all you need to do is kill civilians the M30 will do. When the civil war began in 2011 the Syrian Army had about 750 Russian towed 122mm guns, 20 percent of the M30s and the rest D30s. When the Ukraine War began, the D30 was its standard artillery system and even Ukraine had over a hundred of them.

Ukraine then received Western towed or truck-mounted 155mm howitzers and found them superior to the Russian 122mm artillery. Russia had some 5.7-ton D20 152mm howitzers and to obtain more they had to bring many out of storage facilities. The 152mm guns were in pretty good shape but some of the stockpiled 152mm shells were well past their use by '' date and some of these elderly shells were no longer reliable. This usually meant less range than the standard 17.4 kilometers, or not detonating when hitting the ground. In one case an elderly shell exploded as it was being fired and destroyed the D20 barrel.
Two newbies are set to enter the Love Island villa after a double dumping.

And following the latest recoupling, viewers were asked to vote for the most compatible couples, and Catherine and Elom were sent packing after receiving the fewest votes.

Now two bombshells will take on the competition, including Ella Barnes who plans to 'shake things up' and Josh Brocklebank whose smile, he claims, can land him in 'trouble'.

And, like several of this year's cast members, Josh knows somebody who's been on the show before.

But who is Josh Brocklebank? Here is everything you need to know about Love Island's latest bombshell.

New Bombshell: Josh Brocklebank will enter the Love Island villa on Thursday night, and he's more than prepared for the competition as he's close friends with a previous contestant

Who is Josh Brocklebank?

The 26-year-old bombshell from Essex is ready to take on the Love Island villa, and has close insight into the workings of the competition as he is close friends with Zara McDermott.

The 2018 contestant, who coupled up with Adam Collard on the show, took to her Instagram story to wish her pal well on the reality show.

To her 1.7 million followers, she wrote: 'I am so excited that my best friend is going into the Love Island villa!!!

'CAN'T WAIT TO WATCH YOU JOSHY!!! love you!!' she added before tagging his account.

Exciting: Zara and Josh have been friends since they were 2 years old, the 2018 Love Island star took to Instagram to share her excitement

Commenting under a post shared by the Love Island Instagram account, Zara said: 'Yay Josh! Josh and I have been best friends since we were 2 years old. He's really kind, has the best sense of humour, he's one of the nicest people I know, hence why we've been friends for so long!!'

The reality star, who is now with Made in Chelsea's Sam Thompson, has been there for Josh for major milestones in his life.

One of their first signs of friendship on social media is from July 2019 when Zara liked and commented with a love heart emoji on Josh's Instagram post celebrating his graduation from the University of Portsmouth.

Best friends: Zara has shown support for Josh for many milestones, including his new venture into the villa and his graduation in 2019

What is Josh Brocklebank's job ?

Outside of the Love Island Villa, Josh Brocklebank is a financial advisor.

When Josh isn't working, he shares snaps from his adventures to his Instagram account @josh_brocklebank.

While Josh hasn't racked up quite the following as other Love Island 2023 cast members, his 4,000 followers is likely to grow once the hunk enters the villa.

Beach day: The 26-year-old works as a financial advisor outside the villa but posts pics from his travels in his spare time

Relaxed: Josh Brocklebank looks relaxed on his trip to Mallorca and captured himself in the summer golden glow

The new bombshell doesn't often post on social media and took a break between his first post in 2019 and his more recent photos from 2022 onwards.

Now, he posts every few months sharing pictures of his travels from Madrid to Ibiza.

In one post Josh showed off his abs at the Blue Marlin resort, under which his longtime pal Zara commented: 'My babes'.

In another post, Josh captured himself during golden hour in Cala D'or Mallorca, under which hundreds of followers gushed over him.

What should Islander's expect from Josh?

Josh revealed in his Love Island promo video that he is 'most attracted' to Jess Harding and Kady McDermott.

Turning heads: Josh Brocklebank has his eyes on Jess and Kady, he says Kady 'seems to know what she wants' which he thinks is attractive

He said: 'Personality wise, I think Id be a great match for Jess. Shes so bubbly and has similar energy to me. Kady is also beautiful. Shes a similar age to me and seems to know what she wants which I think is really attractive.'

The villa can also expect a bit of a stir as Josh bounces in, he added: 'I've got a lot of energy so I will be bouncing and dancing my way around the villa! Ive also got a sharp trim and a great smile, my smile can definitely get me into trouble with the girls.'
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Reality TV star Gia Giudice has certainly taken after her famous mother Teresa Giudice of Bravo fame.

The 22-year-old college student was seen posing in a skimpy black, white and blue print bikini in her latest Instagram post shared on Wednesday.

Her figure looked very toned as she showed off a deep tropical tan while her highlighted hair was worn down over her bare shoulders.

The caption read, 'Summer with you. The star was seen with her boyfriend Christian Carmichael and in one image they kissed for the camera.

A pair: Reality TV star Gia Giudice has certainly taken after her famous mother Teresa Giudice of Bravo fame. The 22-year-old college student was seen posing in a skimpy bikini in her latest Instagram post shared on Wednesday

In May Gia has graduated from Rutgers University in New Jersey.

The reality TV star wore a red cap and gown with a blue sash that said Criminal Justice over a white mini dress with strappy while heels.

Gia beamed with pride as she stood next to her mother Teresa who had on a beige suit with a bandeau top.

Teresa left a gushing note for her mini-me daughter on Instagram. 'I am so proud of my devoted and intelligent daughter, Gia, for graduating a stellar university, a huge milestone to accomplish in life,' began the Bravo staple.

'Seeing you graduate college is one of the most special moments in my life. You definitely paved the path of success for your sisters, and you are an inspiration to them and me,' added the wife of Luis Ruelas.

'I am so excited to see what your future holds,' she stated.

A 10: Her figure looked very toned as she showed off a deep tropical tan while her highlighted hair was worn down over her bare shoulders

True love: The caption read, 'Summer with you. The star was seen with her boyfriend Christian Carmichael

'You have always been a leader and a determined individual. Your attributes are admirable, and I have no doubt that you will do anything less than reach for the stars.

'I love you to infinity and beyond!'

Her father Joe Giudice could not attend the ceremony as he was deported to Italy after spending time in jail for fraud.

Joe and Teresa both served time for conspiracy and bankruptcy fraud - Joe served 41-months while Teresa served just under a year, but was released in 2015.

Joe did share a note on Instagram: 'Congratulations Gia love you so much so proud of you sky is the limit .'

Teresa and Joe also have daughters Gabriella, Milania, and Audriana, who all seemed to be at the graduation.

In 2019, Teresa was seen helping Gia, move in to her Rutgers University dorm room.

Kissy time on the beach: And in one image she kissed her shirtless hunk for the camera

Luckily the mom-of-four had her family on site to lend a hand as Gia filled an entire pick up truck with her belongings and filled five suitcases.

Though she was not far from home, Gia made sure to not leave any of her necessities behind.

The Real Housewives Of New Jersey star documented moving her daughter, out of the house and into her new space, in Instagram stories.

As she showed fans the full pickup truck her brother Joey Gorga was loading, and the multiple suitcases still to be grabbed, Teresa could be heard saying, 'She packed way too much.'

It was an emotional morning for the teenager as she prepared to move.

The star didn't give her daughter any privacy as she snapped Gia crying while saying goodbye to the family dog, Bella.

Through tears Gia told said, 'Mom get out of here,' as she cuddled up to the small white dog.

Good move: Teresa's daughter Gia graduated from college in May. Teresa was seen doting over her first born as she wore her cap and gown at the ceremony

After less than an hour drive, the family began unpacking and setting up the dorm room.

Gia's uncle was the handyman of the day, as Teresa documented his work of building a bookcase, setting up a white plush headboard and hanging a neon sign.

Giudice has opened up about her plans for the future during an interview with Bravo.

The reality television personality stated: 'After I graduate, I am pursuing my dream of going to law school.'

The influencer did express, however, that she was planning on branching out into the fashion world in the near future.

'My hope for the future is to become a very successful lawyer and have a lucrative clothing business on the side,' she stated.
Clara McGregor showcased her incredible figure on Thursday as she soaked up the sun with pals in Italy.

The actress, 27, slipped into a patterned orange bikini that highlighted her trim physique for the day out with her companions in the sunshine.

Clara, who is the daughter of Ewan McGregor and Eve Mavrakis, was in great spirits as she larked about before speeding off in a boat with her pals.

She nailed her holiday style during the outing, adding trendy oval-shaped sunglasses and an orange tote bag to her look.

While Clara also clutched onto a pair of grey denim shorts as she strolled a long the beach.

Beach babe: Clara McGregor showcased her incredible figure on Thursday as she soaked up the sun with pals in Italy

Stunner: The actress, 27, slipped into a patterned orange bikini that highlighted her trim physique for the day out with her companions in the sunshine

The beauty went make-up free for the day while her brunette locks were slicked back behind her ears in a wet, sleek style.

Clara was in good company on the outing, as she was joined by artist Nikita Pelizon and Tom Gormican.

It comes after Clara appeared to be having the time of her life as she showcased a host of energetic dance moves at the Ischia Global Fest 2023 in Italy on Wednesday.

Ready for the beach party, the actress cut a stylish figure in a white and brown striped shirt and beige linen trousers.

The Reefa star embraced the summer spirit and went barefoot.

Clara appeared in good spirits as she danced and chatted with a host of other guests.

She has certainly been enjoying her time in the sunny city, and was all smiles as she enjoyed a beach day on Tuesday.

The actress showed off her incredible figure in a plunging bikini top and matching bottoms.

Looking good: She nailed her holiday style during the outing, adding trendy oval-shaped sunglasses and an orange tote bag to her look

Holiday style: While Clara also clutched onto a pair of grey denim shorts as she strolled a long the beach

Orange you gorgeous: Clara looked happy and relaxed as she topped up her tan in Italy

Pal: Clara was in good company on the outing, as she was joined by artist Nikita Pelizon

Sunshine: Nikita covered her yellow two-piece with a pretty patterned cover-up

Companions: Director Tom Gormican was also on the trip with Clara and her pals

Chilled: The film star appeared very relaxed as she kicked back with her pals

Off they go: The large group headed out to the sea for a boat trip

Clara was seen enjoying a swim before floating in the water and chatting to a mystery man.

Clara split up with her long-term boyfriend Gordon Goodman in 2017.

She had met the part-time disc jockey in 2015 at New York University, where they are both studying film.

The pair soon became lovers and travelled together to exotic destinations including Bali in Indonesia.

They would often share romantic photos together on social media, including this one where they are posing by a hot tub in Miami.

Family affair: The trip comes after Clara was recently spotted in Czech Republic with her dad Ewan to promote their new movie You Sing Loud, I Sing Louder

The trip comes after Clara was recently spotted in Czech Republic with her dad Ewan to promote their new movie You Sing Loud, I Sing Louder.

The father-daughter duo are starring together in their latest project which focuses on a father daughter road trip, with Ewan's character driving his daughter, played by Clara, to rehab.

Ewan shares Clara with ex-wife Eve Mavrakis, and has repaired his relationship with his daughter over the past five years.

While the drive is fictional, the premise of a dad trying to help his daughter is based on Clara's own experience.
The former Teen Mom 2 star Nathan Griffith has more legal trouble after he was arrested in Las Vegas on Wednesday night.

The 35-year-old former reality fixture was booked by police at the Clark County Jail on a charge of battery by strangulation, according to TMZ.

The arrest appears to be related to a domestic altercation, as he was arrested at the home he has been staying at recently.

Police were reportedly called to the home around 9:15 p.m. and arrested Griffith for allegedly attacking a 'family member.'

This is just the latest run-in with the law for Griffith, after he was arrested in Florida on domestic violence charges in February.

More violence: Former Teen Mom 2 star Nathan Griffith was arrested Wednesday night in Las Vegas for allegedly strangling a family member; mug shot from February 2023

Exes: Griffith appeared on Teen Mom 2 from 2013 to 2015 during his relationship with former fiancee Jenelle Evans. They share one child together, Kaiser

Chillingly, Griffith's latest arrest appears to be for a similar crime to the one he was alleged to have committed in February of this year.

At the time, he was arrested in Delray Beach, Florida, in the early morning hours of February 24.

He was charged with 'domestic battery by strangulation,' according to booking documents obtained by Us Weekly, though his alleged victim was not revealed.

The outlet did note that Griffith had married May Oyola in 2022, though they were said to be having marriage issues, and it is unclear if the two were still together at the time.

TMZ reported that he had attacked a girlfriend at the time, and police allegedly arrested him after bruises began to develop on her neck.

Strangulation is considered a particularly dangerous form of intimate partner violence because it is more likely to lead to death than some other forms of physical violence.

Griffith is best known for his whirlwind romance with Teen Mom 2's Jenelle Evans.

He was featured on the popular MTV reality show from 2013 to 2015.

He and Jenelle got engaged in January of 2015, but they split just two months later when he was arrested for domestic violence.

The formerly engaged couple share a son named Kaiser, the second child for both of them.

Griffith has a long history of run-ins with the law, as well as domestic violence.

In 2015, the reality TV actor was arrested and accused of pinning a woman in a bathroom and attempting to remove her engagement ring, all while his show Teen Mom 2 was filming at the location.

Scary: Griffith was arrested at the home he has been staying at attacking a family member. He was booked at the Clark County Jail on a charge of battery by strangulation

A pattern: The former reality star has a years-long history of legal run-ins and allegedly domestic violence. He has also been accused of strangulation multiple times; pictured in 2019

Dangerous: Strangulation is considered a particularly dangerous form of intimate partner violence because it can more easily lead to death than other forms of domestic violence

Then, in 2016, he was arrested for allegedly strangling a former girlfriend in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Griffith was also arrested in 2019 in North Carolina for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

In 2020, the former model was accused of stalking a woman, who was later awarded a temporary restraining order against him, according to The Sun.

If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic violence please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 for help.
The star-studded cast of Christopher Nolan's 81million film Oppenheimer walked out of the London screening prematurely on Thursday, in a show of support to the writers' strike.

Leading man Cillian Murphy, 47, Emily Blunt, 40, Florence Pugh, 27, and Matt Damon, 52, hit the black carpet an hour earlier so as to avoid a clash after the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced it had voted in favour of taking action.

The actors walked the black carpet at 5.45pm at Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square, before filmmaker Christopher told the audience once inside the cinema: 'they're off to write their picket signs'.

The schedule conflict is no doubt a blow to the filmmaker, after it was hailed a 'knockout film' and tipped to win big at awards when it premiered in Paris earlier this week.

But Christopher vowed to stand by writers as he said: 'You've seen them here earlier on the red carpet. Unfortunately, they're off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by Sag, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of the unions, and we support them.'

Clash: The London premiere of Oppenheimer was moved forward an hour early on Thursday ahead of the writers strike (L-R Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh)

Leading man: Cillian, 47, joined his co-stars Emily, 40, and Florence, 27, on the black carpet at 5.45pm in Leicester Square to avoid a clash

Braless: Florence Pugh put on a daring display in a plunging burnt orange gown as she joined Emily on the black carpet

A whole host of Hollywood stars, including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Mark Ruffalo, are poised to join writers on strike for the first time in 60 years.

Thousands of members of the Writers Guild of America have downed tools after talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers over pay fell apart.

At the center of the row is the rise of streaming - with the guild claiming that even as budgets have increased, writers' share of that cash has consistently shrunk.

Matt Damon told Variety on the black carpet: 'Once the strike is officially called, the cast is going to walk obviously in solidarity.

'That's why we moved this [red carpet] up because we know the second it's called, we're going home', he added.

Despite a mass walk out for the screening, the cast were dressed to the nines to greet fans with Florence bringing the drama in a plunging burnt orange dress.

The actress made sure all eyes were on her in the plunging number which flashed some side boob and had a daring cut-out section across her midriff.

Emily, meanwhile, wowed in a black sequin gown which had skirt fringing and a cut-out section at the midriff.

Rave reviews: Oppenheimer features an all-star cast and is led by Cillian Murphy, who plays the theoretical physicist who helped develop the bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer

Playful: Florence ensured all eyes were on her as she posed with the cast

Looking good: Undeterred by the earlier start time, the cast were dressed to the nines

Stunning: Florence wowed in a racy dress as she posed at the Oppenheimer London Premiere

Plunging: She had her ample assets on display in the dress

Show-stopping: She was every inch the red carpet queen

Having a laugh: Emily and Florence shared a laugh at the premiere

Gorgeous: Emily wowed in a black sequin gown with skirt fringing and a cut-out section at the midriff

Wow: It was adorned with sequins and had a swirling pattern on the hip and statement shoulder pads

Posing up a storm: Florence put on a daring display in the dress as she swished this way and that for the camera

Making a statement: The dress was backless and had a dramatic train

Bringing the fire: She posed up a storm for the cameras in the dress, which was a nod to the film plot

On cloud nine: Florence blew kisses to the crowd

Confident: She was in her element as she posed up a storm

Fun: The girls put on an animated display as they walked the black carpet

Say cheese: Florence posed for selfies with fans

Early: The actors, including Florence Pugh, walked the black carpet at 5.45pm at Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square as the event kicked off an hour early

Big names: The film is set to be released on July 21 and has already been hailed as a contender to scoop multiple awards

Peaky Blinders star Cillian takes on the role of Dr J. Robert Oppenheimer, the 'father of the atomic bomb' and, after the Paris premiere earlier this week, critics have tipped it to win big.

Emily takes on the role of physicist Oppenheimer's wife Kitty, while Florence plays Jean Tatlock, a psychiatrist, Communist Party member, and close friend of J. Robert Oppenheimer.

Florence ensured all eyes were on her as she posed with the cast. She added a dramatic and glamorous touch with the puffy skirt and accessorised with silver hoop earrings.

Emily, meanwhile, styled her blonde locks in soft waves and added a boost to her height with black heels.

The actress starred alongside Cillian in A Quiet Place Part 2 and the duo hugged on the black carpet.

The film is being adapted from the 2006 book American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

The book, which won the Pulitzer Prize, details Oppenheimer's personal life and his time leading the Manhattan Project in the early and mid-1940s.

Friendship: Cillian and Emily, who also starred in A Quiet Place part two, enjoyed a proud moment on the black carpet at the screening

Matt showed off his cheeky side as he photobombed Emily

Born entertainer: Florence decided to give her own take on a traditional group shot

Star-studded cast: (Left to right) Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Cillian Murphy, Christopher Nolan, Robert Downey Jr. and Josh Hartnett

Date night: Lisa Snowdon and her partner George Smart arrived for the screening

Metallic: The presenter dazzled in a silver pleated dress

The film has already been hailed as a contender to scoop multiple awards.

Journalists have taken to Twitter to share their glowing reviews of the movie, with one critic describing how the film 'split my brain open' and 'left me sobbing through the end credits'.

The Telegraph's Robbie Collin wrote: 'Am torn between being all coy and mysterious about Oppenheimer and just coming out and saying it's a total knockout'

Elsa Keslassy of Variety added: 'A sign that French audiences loved #Oppenheimer is that they stayed in front of the Grand Rex theater long after the film ended to debate about it!'

Attending a photo event on Wednesday, Oppenheimer star Matt said while everyone was hoping a strike could be averted, he said many actors need a fair contract to survive.

'We ought to protect the people who are kind of on the margins,' Damon told the AP.

Having a blast: Robert Downey Jr appeared in high spirits

Hollywood legend: Robert Downey Jr gave a thumbs up for the camera

Amorous: Rami Malek gave Robert a kiss on the cheek

Big moment: Rami gave a wave to fans who had travelled to get a glimpse of the star-studded cast

Say cheese! The cast put on a united front after being called for an earlier black carpet time

One to watch: Tamsin Egerton and Josh Hartnett also attended the premiere

Big moment: Christopher Nolan and family

Rare reviews: The cast and crew all posed for a photo ahead of the screening

Windswept: Sam Ryder's hair looked a little wild as he posed for photos

Jovial spirits: Robert put on an animated display

'And 26,000 bucks a year is what you have to make to get your health insurance. And there are a lot of people whose residual payments are what carry them across that threshold.

'And if those residual payments dry up, so does their health care. And thats absolutely unacceptable. We cant have that. So, we got to figure out something that is fair.'

It is the first time since 1960 that actors and writers picket film and television productions.

Members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since early May slowing the production of film and television series on both coasts and in production centers like Atlanta.

A spokesperson for SAG said: 'After more than four weeks of bargaining, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)  the entity that represents major studios and streamers, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros. Discovery  remains unwilling to offer a fair deal on the key issues that are essential to Sag-Aftra members.

'The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us.

'Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal.

'We have no choice but to move forward in unity, and on behalf of our membership, with a strike recommendation to our national board.

'The board will discuss the issue this morning and will make its decision.'
Ashley Graham put on stylish display in New York City on Thursday as she made various appearances to promote her new Reality TV Competition series Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge.

The model, 35, first appeared on the NBC Mornings News show Today with Hoda & Jenna where she was seen arriving and departing the studio in a long short-sleeved red dress that had puffy sleeves and a pair of silver high heels.

Graham completed her look with a pair of silver hoop earrings. She had her her dark long hair straightened as she wore it down.

The Instagram account for Today with Hoda & Jenna uploaded a video of the 35-year-old on its Instagram Stories participating in the show's traditional signing of the guest wall, where celebrity guests on the show use a black sharpie to sign a large white plaque with The Today Show's logo on it in the center.

Stylish: Ashley Graham wore two different looks on Thursday when promoting her new show Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge in NYC

Fancy dress: She looked elegant in this gown that was sheer from her hips down

Graham also shared a TikTok video of herself in a dressing room getting her hair and makeup done before her appearance on the NBC morning news show.

'About to go on the @TODAY Show to chat all things #barbiedreamhousechallenge !!!!!  Tune in now!! @HGTV ,' the model wrote in the caption of her TikTok post.

Graham, who has three children with husband Justin Ervin, was seen flashing a smile and waving to fans as she departed the set of Today with Hoda & Jenna.

Later that morning, the model was spotted exiting a black vehicle as she arrived at the ABC studios to make an appearance on the morning talk show Live with Kelly and Mark! to promote her show Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge.

For her appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark!, Graham showed off her figure in a green sheer long sleeve dress from Hildur Yeoman, which she wore over a black body suit.

She completed her look with a pair of pink strappy heels as she had her hair slicked back in a ponytail.

Just like she did at Today with Hoda & Jenna, Graham posted another video of herself backstage on Live with Kelly and Mark!.

In this clip, she showed off her green sheer dress and did several model poses to the camera. The song heard in the background of the video was 'Barbie Girl' by Lady Aqua.

Media Rounds: The model was spotted exiting a black vehicle as she arrived at the ABC studios to make another appearance, this time on the morning talk show Live with Kelly and Mark!

Dress code: For her appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark!, Graham showed off her figure in a green sheer long sleeve dress from Hildur Yeoman, which she wore over a black body suit. She completed her look with a pair of pink strappy heels

Radiant: All eyes were on the star as she sauntered down the sidewalk in a pair of silver platform heels

TikTok no. two: In another TikTok video, Graham showed off her green sheer dress and did several model poses to the camera while she was backstage at the set of Live with Kelly and Mark!

During her Today appearance, the bombshell raved about she was 'such a Barbie fan' growing up and was overwhelmed when Mattel created a doll in her likeness with 'thick thighs, a round butt, and lower belly fat.'

'It was an honor,' she raved. 'If I would have had a Barbie that looked like my body shape growing up... I think my mind would have been not as traumatized.'

Additionally, she said as an adolescent that she probably wouldn't have looked at herself in the mirror and thought: 'Why do I have this, and she has that?'

While speaking about how her self-esteem has changed over the years, Graham proudly stated that she has become more 'confident' as she's matured.

'I've just been able to say thank you to my body because I've done so much,' she told the hosts. 'Being able to tell my story has also enabled so many other women to tell their story... and find confidence within themselves.

The cover girl also gushed about her twin boys, who she described as 'exact opposites' of each other.

She also teased the upcoming Barbie movie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is 'so good.'

Changing the world: During her Today appearance, the bombshell raved about she was 'such a Barbie fan' growing up and was overwhelmed when Mattel created a doll in her likeness with 'thick thighs, a round butt, and lower belly fat'

'It was an honor,' she raved. 'If I would have had a Barbie that looked like my body shape growing up... I think my mind would have been not as traumatized'

Honest: Additionally, she said as an adolescent that she would not have looked at herself in the mirror and thought: 'Why do I have this, and she has that?'

Graham's media rounds on July 13 come just a few days after she attended the July 9 world premiere of The Barbie movie in Los Angeles, California.

For the premiere, Graham posed for photos on the pink carpet in a long funky black gown.

Graham will serve as the host of Barbies Dreamhouse Challenge, which will feature eight HGTV experts who will transform a Southern California mansion into a life-size pink oasis fit for Barbie and her pals.

The four-part series is scheduled to premiere on Sunday, July 16 at 8 p.m. EST. The series premiere will occur just five days before the highly anticipated premiere of the Barbie movie on July 21.
She never puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion.

And Florence Pugh wowed in a racy red dress as she posed at the Oppenheimer London Premiere at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square on Thursday night.

The actress, 27, made sure all eyes were on her in the plunging number which flashed some side boob and had a daring cut-out section across her midriff.

She added a dramatic and glamorous touch with the puffy skirt and accessorise with silver hoop earrings.

Florence wore her dyed tresses in her short style and opted for a natural makeup look to show off her pretty features.

Stunning: Florence Pugh wowed in a racy red dress as she posed at the Oppenheimer London Premiere at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square on Thursday night

Beauty: The actress, 27, made sure all eyes were on her in the plunging number which flashed some side boob and had a daring cut-out section across her midriff

Vision: She added a dramatic and glamorous touch with the puffy skirt and accessorise with silver hoop earrings

Florence looked in great spirits as she protected her modesty in the stunning dress while posing up a storm.

The London premiere of Christopher Nolan's film Oppenheimer was moved forward an hour early on Thursday so the cast had time to walk the black carpet ahead of the writer's strike.

The last minute change came after the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced it had voted in favour of taking action, after a deadline to reach a deal passed.

Leading man Cillian Murphy joined Emily Blunt, Florence and Matt Damon on the black carpet at 5.45pm in Leicester Square, to avoid a clash.

A whole host of Hollywood stars, including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Mark Ruffalo, are poised to join writers on strike for the first time in 60 years.

Thousands of members of the Writers Guild of America have downed tools after talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers over pay fell apart.

At the center of the row is the rise of streaming - with the guild claiming that even as budgets have increased, writers' share of that cash has consistently shrunk.

The untimely clash is a bitter blow to Christopher Nolan who has shelled out 81million on the production.

Racy: Florence looked in great spirits as she protected her modesty in the stunning dress while posing up a storm

Glowing: Florence wore her dyed tresses in her short style and opted for a natural makeup look to show off her pretty features

Plan: The London premiere of Christopher Nolan's film Oppenheimer was moved forward an hour early on Thursday so the cast had time to walk the black carpet ahead of the writer's strike

Change: The last minute change came after the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced it had voted in favour of taking action, after a deadline to reach a deal passed

Crew: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Florence posed together at the London premiere

Cast: Leading man Cillian Murphy joined Emily Blunt, Florence and Matt Damon on the black carpet at 5.45pm in Leicester Square, to avoid a clash

Having their say: A whole host of Hollywood stars, including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Mark Ruffalo, are poised to join writers on strike for the first time in 60 years

Friendly: She blew kisses to the crowd

Show-stopping: She was every inch the red carpet queen

Peaky Blinders star Cillian takes on the role of Dr J. Robert Oppenheimer, the 'father of the atomic bomb' and after Paris' premiere earlier this week, critics have tipped it to win big.

Attending a photo event on Wednesday, Oppenheimer star Matt said while everyone was hoping a strike could be averted, many actors need a fair contract to survive.

'We ought to protect the people who are kind of on the margins,' Damon told the AP.

'And 26,000 bucks a year is what you have to make to get your health insurance. And there are a lot of people whose residual payments are what carry them across that threshold.

'And if those residual payments dry up, so does their health care. And thats absolutely unacceptable. We can't have that. So, we got to figure out something that is fair.'

It is the first time since 1960 that actors and writers picket film and television productions.

Members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since early May slowing the production of film and television series on both coasts and in production centers like Atlanta.

Kind: Florence signed autographs for her fans while at the premiere

Strutting her stuff: She put on a confident display in her racy red dress

Confident: She was in her element as she posed up a storm

Plunging: She had her ample assets on display in the dress

Cast: The group also posed for a shot all together

Cleavage: She put on a busty display in the red dress

Work it: She looked as great as ever

Flawless: Her makeup was perfection as always

Pose: She made sure to stand out from the crowd

Gown: She was the epitome of glamour

Premiere: The whole cast were out in force

A spokesperson for SAG said: 'After more than four weeks of bargaining, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)  the entity that represents major studios and streamers, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros. Discovery  remains unwilling to offer a fair deal on the key issues that are essential to Sag-Aftra members.

'The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us. Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal.

'We have no choice but to move forward in unity, and on behalf of our membership, with a strike recommendation to our national board. The board will discuss the issue this morning and will make its decision.'

Together: They posed for a group shot

Film: The movie comes out next week

Happy: She put on an animated display

Red carpet: She sported a light pink manicure

Having fun: She looked in great spirits

Weather: It was lightly raining during the premiere

Backless: The dress showed off her figure
Emily Blunt put on a dazzling display as she stepped out at the star-studded Oppenheimer premiere in London on Thursday.

The actress, 40, looked as elegant as ever in an eye-catching sequinned ensemble as she joined her co-stars at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square.

She showed off her sensational sense of style in a sparkling black gown with padded shoulders and a fringed skirt which gave a flash of her toned pins.

Emily gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of black strapped heels and toted her essentials in a small black and white clutch bag.

The Mary Poppins star - who is playing the wife of J. Robert Oppenheimer in the biopic - accessorised her sensational look with silver and green jewelled earrings.

Glam: Emily Blunt put on a dazzling display as she stepped out at the star-studded Oppenheimer premiere in London on Thursday

Glitzy: The actress, 40, looked as elegant as ever in an eye-catching sequinned ensemble as she joined her co-stars at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square

She swept her golden tresses away from her face as she clipped her fringe back and let her locks fall down her shoulders in glamorous waves.

Emily bolstered her striking features with lashings of mascara and a smokey-eye make-up palette, as well as a slick of pink lipstick.

She was also joined at the premiere by her co-star Florence Pugh, and the pals looked as close as ever as they laughed and smiled for the cameras.

Emily was seen giggling as Florence, 27, posed with her arms wrapped around her waist as the pair had the time of their lives.

Florence cut a glamorous figure in a stunning backless red gown with a daringly low neckline which showed off her toned midriff.

Her gown billowed out behind her in a dramatic train and the pals were quite the elegant pair as they graced the premiere.

Emily and her co-stars have been very busy promoting their latest film - the Christopher Nolan-directed biopic Oppenheimer, slated for release on July 21.

She appeared on The One Show on Wednesday with her co-star Matt Damon to discuss the film, and the pair had a hilarious exchange about their friendship.

Elegant: She showed off her sensational sense of style in a sparkling black gown with padded shoulders and a fringed skirt which gave a flash of her toned pins

Fashionista: Emily gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of black strapped heels and toted her essentials in a small black and white clutch bag

Gorgeous: She swept her golden tresses away from her face as she clipped her fringe back and let her locks fall down her shoulders in glamorous waves

Wow! The Mary Poppins star - who is playing the wife of J. Robert Oppenheimer in the biopic - accessorised her sensational look with silver and green jewelled earrings

During their appearance on the show, they revealed that they are neighbours in real life as they live in the same apartment block in Brooklyn, New York.

The pair dished on what they are each really like as neighbours as they chatted to hosts Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas.

When asked if it was true that they are neighbours, Matt grumbled: 'God help me!'

Emily then hilariously shared her thoughts on what Matt is like as a neighbour, quipping: 'Nosy neighbour over there, always scratching at the door.'

Her response had Matt in stitches and the pair giggled as he said: '[I'm] like Gollum outside your house.'

Host Alex then asked Emily if he was a 'needy' neighbour, prompting the Mary Poppins star to joke: 'Oh he's so needy. He's like "hey #available".'

Matt couldn't help but chime in as he added: '#Nodinnerplansagain!'

Close: She was also joined at the premiere by her co-star Florence Pugh, and the pals looked as close as ever as they laughed and smiled for the cameras

Having fun: Emily was seen giggling as Florence, 27, posed with her arms wrapped around her waist as the pair had the time of their lives

Larking around: Florence cut a glamorous figure in a stunning backless red gown with a daringly low neckline which showed off her toned midriff

Stars: Emily and Florence were also seen posing on the red carpet with their co-stars Matt Damon and Cillian Murphy

Friendship: Emily was also seen larking around with her close pal, and neighbour in real life, Matt Damon

Joker! Matt was seen photobombing Emily's glamorous photographs as the stars made sure to have a laugh

Posers: Emily was joined by her on-screen husband Cillian Murphy, who cut a suave figure in an all-black ensemble

The pair were left in fits of laughter as they jokingly criticised each other, before Emily gushed that she actually loves living next to Matt and his family.

Taking a more serious tone, Emily said: 'No, I adore having them as neighbours, it's the best!'

Agreeing, Matt added: 'We have a lot of fun.'

The pair first worked together on 2011 thriller The Adjustment Bureau and have reunited on screen for new biopic Oppenheimer.

Cillian Murphy is taking on the leading role of the 'father of the atomic bomb' Dr J. Robert Oppenheimer while Emily is starring as his wife Kitty.

Matt also features in the 81million blockbuster as Lieutenant General Leslie Groves - an engineer who directed the Manhattan Project.

Amusing: During an appearance on The One Show on Wednesday, Emily revealed that she and Matt Damon are neighbours in a hilarious exchange

Thriller: Emily and her co-stars have been busy promoting the Christopher Nolan-directed biopic Oppenheimer, which stars Cillian Murphy and is set for release on July 21

The cast is also made up of the likes of Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek and Josh Hartnett, while Florence stars as Oppenheimer's mistress Jean Tatlock.

Oppenheimer was the director of the laboratory which designed the atomic bomb during World War Two as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project.

The film is being adapted from the 2006 book American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

The book, which won the Pulitzer Prize, details Oppenheimer's personal life and his time leading the Manhattan Project in the early and mid-1940s.
Florence Pugh and Emily Blunt shared a sweet moment at the Oppenheimer London Premiere at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square on Thursday night.

The co-stars wrapped their arms around each other and cuddled on the red carpet while posing for photos.

Emily, 40, flashed a huge smile and giggled with Florence, 27, as their promotional tour of the upcoming biographical thriller.

The actresses made sure to bring the drama in their sensational ensembles with Florence wearing a plunging burnt orange dress.

She was dressed to the nines in the gown, which flashed some side boob and had a daring cut-out section across her midriff.

Cute: Florence Pugh, 27, and Emily Blunt, 40, shared a sweet moment at the Oppenheimer London Premiere at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square on Thursday night

Adorable: The co-stars wrapped their arms around each other and cuddled on the red carpet while posing for photos

Florence added a dramatic and glamorous touch with the puffy skirt and accessorise with silver hoop earrings.

Emily, meanwhile, wowed in a black sequin gown with skirt fringing and a cut-out section at the midriff.

She styled her blonde locks in soft waves and added a boost to her height with black heels.

Emily, who starred alongside Cillian in A Quiet Place Part 2, hugged the actor as they posed for photos.

The London premiere of Christopher Nolan's film Oppenheimer was moved forward an hour early on Thursday so the cast had time to walk the black carpet ahead of the writer's strike.

The last minute change came after the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced it had voted in favour of taking action, after a deadline to reach a deal passed.

Leading man Cillian Murphy joined Emily Blunt, Florence and Matt Damon on the black carpet at 5.45pm in Leicester Square, to avoid a clash.

A whole host of Hollywood stars, including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Mark Ruffalo, are poised to join writers on strike for the first time in 60 years.

Fun: Emily flashed a huge smile and giggled with Florence as their promotional tour of the upcoming biographical thriller

Stunning: The actresses made sure to bring the drama in their sensational ensembles with Florence wearing a plunging burnt orange dress

Glam: She was dressed to the nines in the gown, which flashed some side boob and had a daring cut-out section across her midriff

Beauty: Florence added a dramatic and glamorous touch with the puffy skirt and accessorise with silver hoop earrings

Thousands of members of the Writers Guild of America have downed tools after talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers over pay fell apart.

At the center of the row is the rise of streaming - with the guild claiming that even as budgets have increased, writers' share of that cash has consistently shrunk.

The untimely clash is a bitter blow to Christopher Nolan who has shelled out 81million on the production.

Peaky Blinders star Cillian takes on the role of Dr J. Robert Oppenheimer, the 'father of the atomic bomb' and after Paris' premiere earlier this week, critics have tipped it to win big.

Attending a photo event on Wednesday, Oppenheimer star Matt said while everyone was hoping a strike could be averted, many actors need a fair contract to survive.

'We ought to protect the people who are kind of on the margins,' Damon told the AP.

'And 26,000 bucks a year is what you have to make to get your health insurance. And there are a lot of people whose residual payments are what carry them across that threshold.

'And if those residual payments dry up, so does their health care. And thats absolutely unacceptable. We can't have that. So, we got to figure out something that is fair.'

It is the first time since 1960 that actors and writers picket film and television productions.

Shimmering: Meanwhile, Emily put on a dazzling display in a vintage inspired look

Glitzy: The actress looked as elegant as ever in an eye-catching sequinned ensemble

Wow! The Mary Poppins star - who is playing the wife of J. Robert Oppenheimer in the biopic - accessorised her sensational look with silver and green jewelled earrings

Film: The movie comes out next week

Members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since early May slowing the production of film and television series on both coasts and in production centers like Atlanta.

A spokesperson for SAG said: 'After more than four weeks of bargaining, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)  the entity that represents major studios and streamers, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros. Discovery  remains unwilling to offer a fair deal on the key issues that are essential to Sag-Aftra members.

'The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us. Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal.

'We have no choice but to move forward in unity, and on behalf of our membership, with a strike recommendation to our national board. The board will discuss the issue this morning and will make its decision.'
Kylie Jenner showed off her incredible hourglass figure on Instagram on Thursday.

The 25-year-old cosmetics mogul was modeling a semi sheer white outfit that looked great on her, especially considering she has already welcomed two children: Stormi and Aire.

The reality TV sensation had on a skintight, long-sleeved crop top that gave a look at her toned midsection.

And the daughter of Kris Jenner added a micro skirt with a long panel that flashed her muscular legs.

The Kardashians star was standing on the passenger side of one of her many luxury vehicles as she held up a beverage.

'Summer glow,' the raven-haired looker wrote in her caption for her 397m followers.

Hollywood pinup: Kylie Jenner showed off her incredible hourglass figure on Instagram on Thursday

From the back: The 25-year-old cosmetics mogul was modeling a semi sheer white outfit that looked great on her, especially considering she has already welcomed two children: Stormi and Aire

The outfit seems to be made of thin T-shirt material and didn't cover a lot.

The top looked like an ordinary T-shirt at first but in a shot of her backside it is made clear that the top has a long train that covers her butt.

The skirt was also not usual.

It is very short, very tight and has a fold over design on the top that leads to a long panel in front.

In other words, it's not really something one would be comfortable wearing to a business meeting.

The star, whose birthday falls on August 10, wore her black hair down and very full.

She was perfectly made up in plum tones and overlined, pouty lips as she looked coquettishly at the camera.

Jenner was standing with the door open of one of her SUVs that had a tan and chrome interior.

Rise and shine energy: The reality TV sensation had on a skintight, long-sleeved crop top that gave a look at her toned midsection

That come hither look: 'Summer glow,' the raven-haired looker wrote in her caption for her 397m followers

The look: The daughter of Kris Jenner added a micro skirt with a long panel

No tummy trouble here: She has lost the weight after welcoming Aire

Also spied in the images was the ring on her wedding finger.

It was a silver model with a criss-cross pattern.

The versatile star has been wearing rings very often this year suggesting it could be a promise ring.

The beauty has been romancing Dune actor Timothee Chalamet for several months.

Kylie and Timothee have been dating since April, according to several reports.

They were seen recently at his Los Angeles house, but have not been spied since then as they seem to want to keep the romance out of the headlines.

A better look: The Kardashians star was standing on the passenger side of one of her many luxury vehicles as she held up a beverage

Cheeky chic: She put the bottle of Glow on her hip as she looked down

Not for the office: The outfit seems to be made of thin T-shirt material and didn't cover a lot. In other words, it's not really something one would be comfortable wearing to a business meeting

Jenner has a habit of wearing rings on her wedding finger even though she has never been engaged or wed.

The ring could just be a promise ring however.

In mid June she flashed another ring on her wedding finger - a trinity model - when on a private jet.

In mid June the cosmetics queen was sitting in her private jet - called Kylie Air - as she looked out the window.

The TV star put one of her manicured hands off to show off a ring on her wedding finger.

It was an eternity trinity ring which symbolizes love.

Ring of truth? Jenner is often seen with a ring on her wedding finger

Her man: This comes as she continues to date Dune actor Chalamet. Seen in April in NYC

Cartier was the first jewelry to come up with the trinity design.

According to Cartier, Louis Cartier, the son of the namesake founder, designed an intertwined ring for French poet and playwright Jean Cocteau.

The piece included three bands in yellow gold, rose gold, and white gold.

This creation would become a distinctive code of the Cartier style of the trinity ring. The ring is often associated with a lasting bond.

Jenner has never been engaged or wed.

Her past relationships have been with rappers Tyga and Travis Scott.

Kylie's sister Kendall Jenner and brother Rob Kardashian have never wed either, but three of her other sisters have: Kim was last wed to Kanye West, Kourtney has married Travis Barker and Khloe tied the knot with Lamar Odom but they divorced.
Iran has supplied Russia with more and more military equipment, weapons and munitions for use in Ukraine. These sales have included several Iranian made Mohajer-6 UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).

Since 2021 Iran has been offering Mohajer-6 to potential export customers seeking a reasonably priced armed UAV. Mohajer-6 is similar to older Israeli Heron UAVs but equipped to carry four small laser-guided missiles or smart (GPS guided) bombs. The Mohajer line of UAVs first appeared in the 1990s and were crude by comparison with Western, especially Israeli and American, UAVs. Iran could not find foreign customers willing to buy these early models but they were accepted and used by foreigners that received Iranian weapons to be used against Israel or other enemies of Iran.

Mohajer-6 was different and Iran sought to present this UAV as a cheaper alternative to Chinese armed-UAVs. China has dominated this export market because the United States, which was the first to arm large UAVs, would not sell to anyone who might use the weapons for terrorist activities, against American allies or any questionable activities. That worked for China, and Iran is seeking to compete with China on price. Currently Israel dominates the market for unarmed reconnaissance and surveillance UAVs. Israel rarely armed its UAVs because its armed force used them extensively to defend Israel. That meant that the unarmed UAVs could quickly call on fighter-bombers, armed helicopters or artillery to attack targets. Israel developed very effective maritime (coastal) patrol UAVs which appealed to many export customers as well as Western nations who could not get American UAVs because for most of the last two decades American manufacturers could barely keep up with demand from the American military. The U.S. eased up on its export restrictions after 2012 but by then China had grabbed most of the export market by selling just about anyone who could pay.

Iran also offered the latest tech for its GSCs (ground control stations), and the video pitch for Mohajer-6 featured the equipment used for the truck mounted GSC. There were some photos of earlier Iranian GSCs, which showed operators using bulky CRTs running pirated Windows XP operating systems. Iran does not like to publicize how backward its military hardware and software is so they deliberately revealed that Mohajer-6 was using flat screen displays running pirated copies of Windows 7. The use of pirated operating system software might appear to limit the export market but there are many countries, like Ethiopia, that are not bothered by that, and want fast delivery of less expensive armed UAVs. The Mohajer-6 has been in use since 2017 against Kurdish separatists and Syrian rebels and is thus combat tested. Mohajer-6 weighs 600 kg (1,300 pounds), has a payload of 100 kg and max endurance of 12 hours. Max ceiling is 5,600 meters (18,000 feet) and max speed is 200 kilometers an hour. Max range (from the GSC) is 200 kilometers. Production began in 2017 and by 2023 over 200 have been produced. Most of those are in use by the Iranian military (army, navy and IRGC). Iran eventually found export customers and Iran is making a major effort to find some more. Price is cheaper than any competitors and negotiable. Ethiopia, Iraq, Venezuela and Russia have purchased several dozen plus several GSCs.

Iran has long been an exporter of weapons, usually cheaper versions of Chinese and Russian assault rifles, mortars and RPGs. Iran has long had a trading relationship with North Korea in ballistic missile technology. Both nations are banned from exporting that sort of thing but desperation will find a way.

Russia has a larger UAV called Orion. Introduced in 2020, this 1.15 ton aircraft can carry a payload of 250 kg (550 pounds) but for maximum endurance (24 hours) only 60 kg can be carried. This is fine for surveillance missions but when carrying weapons, like Vikhr-1V laser-guided anti-tank missiles, which weigh 45 kg each and are similar in weight and performance to the American Hellfire, endurance is less. Orion has a top speed of 200 kilometers an hour and a cruise speed of 120 kilometers. Max range is 1,400 kilometers and Orion can operate at altitudes of up to 7,500 meters (24,000 feet). The first combat use of Orion was in Syria during 2019. This was successful and Orion was approved for production. The next combat use of Orion was in Ukraine, where they showed up in early 2022 and carried out combat missions. Unlike the opposition in Syria, the Ukrainians were more effective at destroying hostile UAVs. Orion is a large target while most Ukrainian UAVs were smaller, operated at lower altitudes and were used primarily to find targets for Ukrainian artillery or ground forces. Russia began to operate the Ukrainian way and that reduced combat losses for Orion. Russia developed a larger version of Orion called Helios. This was a five ton UAV similar to the American Reaper. The cost of the war in Ukraine has halted plans to mass produce Helios. There is also a twin-engine version of Orion in development but that model is also delayed by the war costs. Russia was eager to buy some Mohajer-6 UAVs because Russian defense industries are having a hard time producing all the equipment and munitions Russian forces in Ukraine require.
Josh Hartnett made a rare public outing with his wife Tamsin Egerton as they attended the Oppenheimer London Premiere on Thursday night.

The actor, 44, walked hand-in-hand with the actress, 34, on the red carpet at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square.

Josh and Tamsin have been together ten years and allegedly tied the knot back in November 2021 at Marylebone Town Hall.

Stepping out to the event, he looked stylish in an oversized grey suit with a pale blue shirt, which was partially unbuttoned.

Tamsin, meanwhile, slipped into an incredible blue and pink floral patterned tea dress with puffed sleeves.

Cute: Josh Hartnett, 44, made a rare public outing with his wife Tamsin Egerton, 34, as they attended the Oppenheimer London Premiere on Thursday night

She styled her blonde hair into a voluminous look and elevated her height with a pair of strappy gold heels.

The London premiere of Christopher Nolan's film Oppenheimer was moved forward an hour early on Thursday so the cast had time to walk the black carpet ahead of the writer's strike.

The last minute change came after the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced it had voted in favour of taking action, after a deadline to reach a deal passed.

Leading man Cillian Murphy joined Emily Blunt, Florence and Matt Damon on the black carpet at 5.45pm in Leicester Square, to avoid a clash.

A whole host of Hollywood stars, including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Mark Ruffalo, are poised to join writers on strike for the first time in 60 years.

Thousands of members of the Writers Guild of America have downed tools after talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers over pay fell apart.

At the center of the row is the rise of streaming - with the guild claiming that even as budgets have increased, writers' share of that cash has consistently shrunk.

The untimely clash is a bitter blow to Christopher Nolan who has shelled out 81million on the production.

Adorable: The actor walked hand-in-hand with the actress on the red carpet at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square

Dashing: Stepping out to the event, he looked stylish in an oversized grey suit with a pale blue shirt, which was partially unbuttoned

Stunning: Tamsin, meanwhile, slipped into an incredible blue and pink floral patterned tea dress with puffed sleeves

Cast: The movie comes out next week, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh are pictured

Peaky Blinders star Cillian takes on the role of Dr J. Robert Oppenheimer, the 'father of the atomic bomb' and after Paris' premiere earlier this week, critics have tipped it to win big.

Attending a photo event on Wednesday, Oppenheimer star Matt said while everyone was hoping a strike could be averted, many actors need a fair contract to survive.

'We ought to protect the people who are kind of on the margins,' Damon told the AP.

'And 26,000 bucks a year is what you have to make to get your health insurance. And there are a lot of people whose residual payments are what carry them across that threshold.

'And if those residual payments dry up, so does their health care. And thats absolutely unacceptable. We can't have that. So, we got to figure out something that is fair.'

It is the first time since 1960 that actors and writers picket film and television productions.
Khloe Kardashian appeared on Instagram on Thursday morning to address 'co-parenting' her niece Dream Kardashian.

The 39-year-old Hulu personality - who clapped back at critics on Thursday's episode of The Kardashians - used the platform to share two statements about helping raise her brother Rob Kardashian's six-year-old daughter.

The 36-year-old reclusive star shares Dream with ex-girlfriend Blac Chyna.

It comes after the latest episode of the docuseries saw Khloe help Rob throw Dream - the only offspring of the Kardashian clan to inherit their famous last name - a 6th birthday party.

On the show she said she was the 'third parent' to Dream and added she had no contact with Blac Chyna.

'I do not have a relationship with Dream's mom. It's hard to have a relationship with someone when they sue you for hundreds of millions of dollars,' Khloe said in a confessional interview.

'We are ALL trying to do our best in life,' she said in back-to-back Instagram Stories later on Thursday.

Speaking up: Khloe Kardashian appeared on Instagram on Thursday morning to address 'co-parenting' her niece Dream Kardashian

Statement: Khloe used the platform to share two statements about helping raise her brother Rob Kardashian's 6-year-old daughter

Positive: 'We are ALL trying to do our best in life,' she said in back-to-back Instagram Stories

Speaking to her 310 million followers, she wrote, 'I love ALL of my nieces and nephews more than I can express. Dream and I are particularly close.

'My brother and I are extremely close. I am with Dream all the time because I am with my brother all of the time. I love her beyond measure.'

She then touched on the bond her daughter True, five, shares with her cousin Dream.

'True and Dream are best friends and I feel so incredibly blessed they have this relationship.'

She then added, 'I consider ALL of my nieces and nephews my babies. I even consider my sisters my babies.'

Khloe gushed, 'I take pride in this love and always have,' before adding, 'I wholeheartedly believe it takes a village to raise a child.'

Touching on her family's close-knit dynamic, she wrote, 'Life is full of ups and downs and I am proud that we have a family that can lean on one another. That's what family does.'

She finished the first post, 'We are a tribe and all of us will always be there for one another. Especially the babies!'

Former couple: Rob, 36, and Chyna, 35, welcomed Dream in 2016 before going their separate ways in 2017; seen in 2016

A second post, featuring black text over a light gray background, was dedicated to spreading positivity.

'Life is challenging enough. I hate how something so sweet as Dream's 6th birthday is getting twisted.'

The entrepreneur addressed Rob and Blac Chyna individually, calling the model by her real name, as she said, 'Rob is doing the best he can as a parent and in life. Angela is doing the best she can as a parent and in life.'

She said the same for herself and then declared, 'Our children are healthy and happy! Most of all they are LOVED!! LOVED by everyone in our tribe.'

About the past feud between the Kardashians and the media personality, she said 'there really is nothing there anymore.'

Khloe then said, 'The focus is on Dream and her happiness and making sure she feels unconditional love at her mommy's house, her daddy's house, and any family member's house for that matter.'

On The Kardashians Khloe admitted to feeling like a 'third wheel' to Rob and Chyna before Scott Disick replied, 'You're the wheel that makes the car move.'

In addition to True, Khloe is also raising son Tatum Thompson, 11 months, with ex-beau Tristan Thompson.

Unbreakable: Khloe declared, 'I love ALL of my nieces and nephews more than I can express. Dream and I are particularly close'

BFFs: 'True and Dream are best friends and I feel so incredibly blessed they have this relationship,' she said about her daughter and niece

Trio: Khloe regularly shares outtakes from life with True and Dream, like this picture of them at Disneyland

'Dream is one of my babies, too, just like all the rest of them,' the proud aunt gushed in an interview snippet on the show.

'I absolutely love being a mom to people,' she said in the confessional. 'I love mothering people. It's so in my blood just to be a mom. I wouldn't have it any other way.'

In addition to Dream, Khloe is also aunt to Mason Disick, 13, Penelope Disick, 11, Reign Disick, 8, North West, 10, Saint West, 7, Chicago West, 5, Psalm West, 4, Stormi Webster, 5, and Aire Webster, 1.

Rob and Chyna welcomed Dream in 2016 before going their separate ways in 2017.

That year Chyna - born Angela White - took Khloe, Rob, Kris Jenner, Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian to court for defamation, in hopes of winning upwards of $100 million.

The five reality TV stars emerged triumphant in 2022 when a jury found them innocent following a two-week trial.

Despite the litigation, Chyna told The Sun that there's never been any ill-will toward the family on her part.
Real Housewives of New York City Jessel Taank reportedly threw up 'all over' the premiere party for her hit Bravo series, at the Rainbow Room on Wednesday night.

Eyewitnesses reported that the fashion publicist and brand consultant, 40, fell ill at the event multiple times, before she was 'escorted out with her belongings placed into bags.'

Unfortunately, one insider told Page Six that 'she didn't make it to the exit before becoming sick again.'

'She was holding her stomach and had her hand over her mouth,' the source added. 'She then stopped and puked at the top of the stairs It seemed to be just liquid and was absorbed into the carpet pretty quickly.'

Still, the publication reported that 'Bravo PR had to direct attendees around the stained area.'

Yikes: Real Housewives of New York City Jessel Taank reportedly threw up 'all over' the premiere party for her hit Bravo series, at the Rainbow Room on Wednesday night

Feeling sick: Eyewitnesses reported that the fashion publicist and brand consultant, 43, fell ill at the event multiple times, before she was 'escorted out with her belongings placed into bags'

'She had flown in from Greece the night before and was running on no sleep,' a source, close to the new reality star, explained. 'Absolutely no alcohol was involved. It really could've been lack of sleep.'

One attendee told the outlet that the mother-of-two puked 'right on the carpet' while two other insiders claimed she vomited into a sink in a private bathroom.

Her nausea reportedly prompted her to leave the red carpet early, but she tried to rally as she watched Andy Cohen introduce her and the cast.

'She looked very pale and wasn't smiling or interacting with a lot of people,' one source told Page Six. 'At one point, she sat at a table by herself to catch her breath for a bit, and people pretty much left her alone.'

Shortly after Cohen's welcome speech, she left the premiere.

Upon seeing Page Six's article on Instagram, Taank wrote: 'The most offensive thing about this story is that they got my age wrong and added several years to me... and so it begins.'

Taank, a married mother of twin boys, marks the Real Housewives' first Indian cast member.

'I'm the first Indian housewife ever to be cast in the franchise and I love to be the first. I'm Hindu and Ubah is Muslim,' she told Cosmopolitan. 'And there are certain taboo topics for women that come from those communities. I really wanted to come and eradicate some of that stigma.'

Bad timing: Unfortunately, one insider told Page Six that 'she didn't make it to the exit before becoming sick again'

New cast: The rest of the RHONY cast includes former J.Crew president Jenna Lyons, as well as fashion blogger Sai De Silva, model Ubah Hassan, home renovation and design firm owner Erin Dana Lichy, influencer Lizzy Savetsky and brand marketing professional Brynn Whitfield

The rest of the new RHONY cast includes former J.Crew president Jenna Lyons, as well as fashion blogger Sai De Silva, model Ubah Hassan, home renovation and design firm owner Erin Dana Lichy, influencer Lizzy Savetsky and brand marketing professional Brynn Whitfield.

Last year, the network surprised fans when it announced that they were re-casting RHONY following season 13.

The official logline for the show reveals that it will follow 'an all-new group of seven dynamic women who run in the same social circles, thriving in one of the most diverse and electric cities in the world.'

'From fashion and real estate, to philanthropy and social influence, these women have made their mark in NYC and will now share their lives as they juggle careers, family life and jam-packed social calendars in the city that never sleeps.'
The multi-millionaire cast of Oppenheimer walked out of the film's UK premiere in 'solidarity' with the actors' strike - as Hollywood grinds to a halt with unions taking militant action over how streaming services are pushing down pay and the increasing use of AI.

The likes of Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and Rami Malek walked the red carpet at the Odeon in Leicester Square earlier in the night.

But the group left the event prematurely to 'go and write their picket signs' in preparation for the 'imminent' strike by the actors' union.

The last minute change came after the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced it had voted in favour of taking action, after a deadline to reach a deal passed.

The reasons for the strike include issues such as the use of unregulated AI as well as the effects of the rise of streaming services on pay.

Director Christopher Nolan told the cinema's audience: 'You've seen them here earlier on the red carpet.

Christopher Nolan says the cast of #Oppenheimer left the premiere to go and write their pickets and join the strike pic.twitter.com/rc2SaSxcfk  Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 13, 2023

Taking a stand: The Oppenheimer cast walked out of UK premiere in 'solidarity' with actors' strike on Wednesday night (L-R: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, and Florence Pugh)

Director Christopher Nolan told the cinema's audience: 'Unfortunately, they're off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by Sag'

'Unfortunately, they're off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by Sag, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of the unions, and we support them.'

Christopher then attended a second premiere screening of Oppenheimer and voiced his support for the strikes while introducing the film as he praised the 'talented' workers.

According to Deadline, he told the audience: 'They are here in spirit, and you'll get to see their incredible work and the reason we value these talented people so much and need to care for them and make sure they're looked after.'

'Thanks so much for being here and we hope you enjoy the film,' he added as the audience applauded his supportive words.

In a red-carpet interview with Variety on the night, Damon revealed that 'once the strike is officially called', the cast is 'going to walk obviously in solidarity'.

'That's why we moved this [red carpet] up because we know the second it's called, we're going home,' he said.

Speaking to Deadline on the red carpet earlier, Emily added: 'I hope everyone makes a fair deal and we are here to celebrate this movie.

'And if they call [a strike], we'll be leaving together as cast in unity with everyone.  We are gonna have to. We are gonna have to. We will see what happens. Right now it's the joy to be together.'

Tension: The last minute change came after the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced it had voted in favour of taking action, after a deadline to reach a deal passed'

Clash: The London premiere of Oppenheimer was moved forward an hour early on Thursday ahead of the writers strike (L-R Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh)

Support: Christopher then attended a second premiere screening of Oppenheimer and voiced his support for the strikes while introducing the film as he praised the 'talented' workers

Christopher Nolan introduces a second premiere screening of #Oppenheimer in London and repeats his casts support for the SAG strike. He received a round of applause from the audience that included directors Alfonso Cuaron, Mike Newall, artist-filmmaker Tacita Dean and several pic.twitter.com/FoYxJA7dhB  Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 13, 2023

Sag-aftra is expected to rule in favour of a picket line after its negotiating committee had unanimously voted to recommend its 160,000 members go on strike on June 12.

The decision has the potential of bringing a simultaneous strike from actors and writers for the first time in 60 years.

Undeterred by the earlier start time, the cast were dressed to the nines on the red carpet with Florence bringing the drama in a plunging burnt orange dress.

The actress made sure all eyes were on her in the plunging number which flashed some side boob and had a daring cut-out section across her midriff.

Emily, meanwhile, wowed in a black sequin gown which had skirt fringing and a cut-out section at the midriff.

The untimely clash is a bit of a blow to Christopher who has shelled out 81million on the blockbuster production, set to hit UK cinemas on July 21.

Peaky Blinders star Cillian takes on the role of Dr J. Robert Oppenheimer, the 'father of the atomic bomb' and, after the Paris premiere earlier this week, critics have tipped it to win big.

Emily takes on the role of physicist Oppenheimer's wife Kitty, while Florence plays Jean Tatlock, a psychiatrist, Communist Party member, and close friend of J. Robert Oppenheimer.

Florence ensured all eyes were on her as she posed with the cast. She added a dramatic and glamorous touch with the puffy skirt and accessorised with silver hoop earrings.

Emily, meanwhile, styled her blonde locks in soft waves and added a boost to her height with black heels.

Plan: In a red-carpet interview with Variety on the night, Damon revealed that 'once the strike is officially called', the cast is 'going to walk obviously in solidarity'

Words: Speaking to Deadline on the red carpet earlier, Emily added: 'I hope everyone makes a fair deal and we are here to celebrate this movie'

United: Before the strike action was announced, the Oppenheimer cast had put on a united display while arriving at the premiere

Leading man: Cillian, 47, joined his co-stars Emily, 40, and Florence, 27, on the black carpet at 5.45pm in Leicester Square to avoid a clash

Braless: Florence Pugh put on a daring display in a plunging burnt orange gown as she joined Emily on the black carpet

Playful: Florence ensured all eyes were on her as she posed with the cast

Looking good: Undeterred by the earlier start time, the cast were dressed to the nines

Stunning: Florence wowed in a racy dress as she posed at the Oppenheimer London Premiere

Plunging: She had her ample assets on display in the dress

Show-stopping: She was every inch the red carpet queen

Having a laugh: Emily and Florence shared a laugh at the premiere

Gorgeous: Emily wowed in a black sequin gown with skirt fringing and a cut-out section at the midriff

Making a statement: The dress was backless and had a dramatic train

Bringing the fire: She posed up a storm for the cameras in the dress, which was a nod to the film plot

The actress starred alongside Cillian in A Quiet Place Part 2 and the duo hugged on the black carpet.

The film is being adapted from the 2006 book American Prometheus: The Triumph And Tragedy Of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.

The book, which won the Pulitzer Prize, details Oppenheimer's personal life and his time leading the Manhattan Project in the early and mid-1940s.

The film has already been hailed as a contender to scoop multiple awards.

Journalists have taken to Twitter to share their glowing reviews of the movie, with one critic describing how the film 'split my brain open' and 'left me sobbing through the end credits'.

The Telegraph's Robbie Collin wrote: 'Am torn between being all coy and mysterious about Oppenheimer and just coming out and saying it's a total knockout'

Elsa Keslassy of Variety added: 'A sign that French audiences loved #Oppenheimer is that they stayed in front of the Grand Rex theater long after the film ended to debate about it!'

A whole host of Hollywood stars, including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Mark Ruffalo, are poised to join writers on strike for the first time in 60 years.

Thousands of members of the Writers Guild of America have downed tools after talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers over pay fell apart.

At the center of the row is the rise of streaming - with the guild claiming that even as budgets have increased, writers' share of that cash has consistently shrunk.

Attending a photo event on Wednesday, Oppenheimer star Matt said while everyone was hoping a strike could be averted, he said many actors need a fair contract to survive.

'We ought to protect the people who are kind of on the margins,' Damon told the AP.

'And 26,000 bucks a year is what you have to make to get your health insurance. And there are a lot of people whose residual payments are what carry them across that threshold.

'And if those residual payments dry up, so does their health care. And thats absolutely unacceptable. We cant have that. So, we got to figure out something that is fair.'

Crowds: The Oppenheimer cast and crew all looked united as they smiled for pictures ahead of the walkout

Support: The leading stars of Oppenheimer all showed their support for the strikes both while speaking on the carpet and later with their walkout

Celebrating: The stars, including Emily and Florence, all smiled and showed their close friendships as they celebrated the release of Oppenheimer

Fun: The girls put on an animated display as they walked the black carpet

Say cheese: Florence posed for selfies with fans

It is the first time since 1960 that actors and writers picket film and television productions.

Members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since early May slowing the production of film and television series on both coasts and in production centers like Atlanta.

The provisions the studios had agreed to The highest percentage increase in minimums in 35 years

76% increase in High Budget SVOD foreign residuals

Substantial increases in pension and health contribution caps

AI proposal which protects performers digital likenesses, including a requirement for performers consent for the creation and use of digital replicas or for digital alterations of a performance

58% increase in salaries for major role (guest star) performers wages on High Budget SVOD Programs

Limitation of self-tape requests, including page, time and tech requirements. Options for virtual or in-person auditions

11% pay increase in year 1 for background actors, stand-ins and photo doubles, an additional 17% increase for background actors required to do extensive self-styling, and an additional 62% increase for stand-ins required to deliver lines during a run-through and photo doubles required to memorize and deliver lines on camera.

First-time-ever fixed residuals for Stunt Coordinators on television and High Budget SVOD programs

Shortened option periods for series regulars earning less than $65,000 per episode on a half-hour series or less than $70,000 per episode on a one-hour series

Dancers will now receive the on-camera rate for rehearsal days. Advertisement

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) announced early Thursday morning that negotiations for higher wages from studios had ended without a deal.

By Thursday afternoon, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland announced the union leadership officially voted for a work stoppage to begin at midnight after their demands for higher wages and protections against artificial intelligence were not met.

Under the rules of a strike, SAG-AFTRA members would not be able to film any movie or TV series, take part in any press or film premieres or promote anything at this month's San Diego Comic-Con.

The pending strike will affect Disney's Avatar and Lion King sequels, as well as shows that were scheduled to return to television in the fall, like The Simpsons.

Announcing the strike Thursday afternoon, actress Fran Drescher, who serves as the president of SAG-AFTRA, said 'We demand respect! You cannot exist without us!'

'What happens to us is important,' The Nanny star said. 'Whats happening to us is happening across all fields of labor.

'When employers make Wall Street and greed their priority and they forget about the essential contributors who make the machine run, we have a problem.'

'The jig is up, we demand respect,' she said.

Almost immediately afterwards, picketing screenwriters outside Netflix's Hollywood offices started chanting 'Pay Your Actors!'

A spokesperson for SAG said: 'After more than four weeks of bargaining, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)  the entity that represents major studios and streamers, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros. Discovery  remains unwilling to offer a fair deal on the key issues that are essential to Sag-Aftra members.

'The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us.

'Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal.

'We have no choice but to move forward in unity, and on behalf of our membership, with a strike recommendation to our national board.

Glam: Undeterred by the earlier start time, the cast were dressed to the nines on the red carpet with Florence bringing the drama in a plunging burnt orange dress

A-list talent: Cillian Murphy, who plays the leading role of J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Emily Blunt both graced the red carpet

Thriller: Oppenheimer has already been hailed as a contender to scoop multiple awards and the stars have all been busy promoting its release

Early: The actors, including Florence Pugh, walked the black carpet at 5.45pm at Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square as the event kicked off an hour early

Premiere: The glitzy premiere saw the stars - including Rami Malek, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Cillian Murphy and Christopher Nolan - pose for pictures before the walkout

Couple: Christopher Nolan was joined by his wife Emma Thomas as they celebrated his new movie Oppenheimer

Having a blast: Robert Downey Jr appeared in high spirits

Amorous: Rami Malek gave Robert a kiss on the cheek

Pickets: Meanwhile, the 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since their own talks collapsed and their contract expired on May 2

'The board will discuss the issue this morning and will make its decision.'

SAG-AFTRA represents more than 160,000 screen actors, broadcast journalists, announcers, hosts and stunt performers.

The walkout affects only the union's 65,000 actors from television and film productions.

Meanwhile, the 11,500 members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since their own talks collapsed and their contract expired on May 2. The stoppage has showed no signs of a solution, with no negotiations even planned.
Emily Ratajkowski and Rita Ora led the stars at the British Vogue x Self Portrait Summer Party in London on Thursday.

The model, 32, commanded attention in a black velvet cut-out gown, while Rita, 32, left little to the imagination as she showed off lingerie in a black beaded mesh dress.

Hosted by editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, a whole host of celebrities descended upon Chiltern Firehouse.

Rochelle Humes, Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Emma Weymouth all received coveted invites.

Emily proved her fashion status as she rocked up in the show-stopping black dress which was emblazoned with pearl jewels and came complete with a thigh-high slit.

Here come the girls! Emily Ratajkowski [left] and Rita Ora [right] led the stars at the British Vogue x Self Portrait Summer Party in London on Thursday

Show-stopping display: The model, 32, commanded attention in a black velvet cut-out gown

She teamed the look with black heels and a small glittery clutch bag, while Rita flaunted her toned figure in the daring dress.

The Anywhere hitmaker teamed the racy number with sparkly cowboy boots and a gold necklace.

Maya Jama, who is the latest star to front a Vogue cover, looked gorgeous in a figure-hugging black dress with diamante neckline.

The Love Island host looked thrilled to be at the party, having marked a milestone earlier this week when the cover was released.

Also at the star-studded bash was Shakira, 46, who arrived in an all black ensemble.

Leigh-Anne, 31, meanwhile, channeled her inner Barbie in a strapless pink diamante dress which hugged her slender figure, while Rochelle strutted into the venue in a black and chainmail dress with bow.

The This Morning presenter, 34, appeared in her element as she complemented the midi dress with a pair of sunglasses and a Dior handbag.

The event is held annually with fashion influencers getting together to celebrate the importance of creativity.

Party-time: Emily and Rita posed up a storm for the camera

Woah: Maya Jama, who is the latest star to front a Vogue cover, looked gorgeous in a figure-hugging black dress with diamante neckline

Career high: The Love Island host looked thrilled to be at the party, having marked a milestone earlier this week when the cover was released

Racy display: Rita, 32, left little to the imagination as she showed off lingerie in a black beaded mesh dress

Head turner: Emily proved her fashion status as she rocked up in the show-stopping black dress

Star-studded: Hosted by editor-in-chief Edward Enninful (pictured left with Emily and Self Portrait designer Han Chong), a whole host of celebrities descended upon Chiltern Firehouse

Sparkle: Emily's dress was emblazoned with pearl jewels and came complete with a thigh-high slit

Skin-flashing look: Emily went braless in the dress and flashed a hint of cleavage

Glam: She wore her hair up and accessorised with small gold hoop earrings

Street style: Emily appeared in her element as she posed for the cameras before entering the party

I'm a Barbie girl: Leigh-Anne, 31, channeled her inner Barbie in a strapless pink diamante dress which hugged her slender figure

Gorgeous: Leigh-Anne wore her hair in a stylish up do and accessorised with a purple clutch bag

Working it: Rochelle strutted into the venue in a black and chainmail dress with bow

Designer garb: The This Morning presenter, 34, appeared in her element as she walked into the venue a pair of sunglasses, clutching her Dior handbag

Excited: Rochelle smiled for the cameras as she headed inside

Double trouble: Rochelle and Georgia Medley posed for a snap

Ethereal: And Edward's close friend Emma Weymouth, 37, exuded elegance as she arrived in a white embroidered floor-length dress with a matching pashmina

Say cheese: The Marchioness of Bath slicked her hair back and flashed a smile to the cameras

Snapped: Eiza Gonzalez, Rita and Phoebe Tonkin pouted for the camera

Fashion queen: Maya posed with Han at the bash

Glamorous: Jourdan and Leigh-Anne posed for photos inside the bash

And Edward's close friend Emma Weymouth, 37, exuded elegance as she arrived in a white embroidered floor-length dress with a matching pashmina.

The Marchioness of Bath slicked her hair back and flashed a smile to the cameras as she headed into the celeb hotspot.

Nadine Leopold put on a dazzling display in a blue sequin dress, while Ella Eyre rocked a patterned miniskirt.

Emily's public appearance comes amid swirling rumours she got cosy with Tom Brady at Michael Rubin's recent party in The Hamptoms.

DailyMail.com revealed Brady spent the evening glued to the side of Emily as they dismissed rumours he was close with Kim Kardashian.

A well-placed source who attended the event told DailyMail.com: 'I don't know why there are all these rumors about Brady and Kim Kardashian  they barely interacted at all.'

The source added: 'He actually spent the evening with Emily Ratajkowski  they were together most of the night and looked very cozy.

'They didn't leave together but if anyone was getting close, it was them.'

Like Kardashian, model Ratajkowski posted a pictures from the lavish bash on Tuesday but kept coy about her budding friendship with the NFL great  instead adding a video to her Instagram stories that showed her dancing through the sitting room of Rubin's $50million Bridgehampton mansion.

DailyMail.com has approached Ratajkowski and Brady for comment at the time.

Effortlessly cool: Shakira, 46, arrived at Chiltern Firehouse in an all black ensemble

Style: The songstress slipped into a pair of satin trousers and a lacy cut out top

Edgy: Despite the late hour, Shakira rocked some quirky sunglasses

Superstar: She clutch a sparkly silver bag as she headed into the venue whilst fans snapped away

Gorgeous: Jourdan Dunn showed off her toned abs in a sparkly black two-piece

Bringing the glamour: The model looked incredible in the outfit

Nadine Leopold put on a dazzling display in a blue sequin dress

She accessorised with a silver diamante bag

Night out: Rochelle looked every inch the fashionistas as she worked the cameras

Model behaviour: Emily had sky-scraper heels on but didn't wobble as she strutted along the pavement

Fashion forward: Han Chong, Founder and Creative Director of Self Portrait, together with model Emily to celebrate British creativity

Legs for days: Ella Eyre put on a leggy display in a patterned miniskirt and quirky white shirt

All in the details: Ella cinched in her waist with a black belt

Beauty: Ella-Rae Smith looked lovely in a silver sparkly dress and open toe heels

Walk this way: Eiza Gonzalez upped the fashion ante in a strapless grey jumpsuit and open toe heels

Packing the PDA: Christine Centenera and Joel Edgerton held hands as they arrived at the bash

High spirits: Edward Enninful flashed a smile to the cameras

Solo appearance: Count Nikolai Von Bismarck attended the party without Kate Moss amid rumours they have split

Ravishing: Elizabeth Jagger looked glam at the party

Green with envy: Larsen Thompson [left] and Roxie Nafousi [right] both opted for green sparkly numbers

Glittery: Olivia Buckingham posed inside the venue

Stunning: Eurovision singer Mae Muller wowed in purple

Shimmer: She teamed the look with sparkly heels and a small clutch bag

Home time! Rita was later pictured strutting out of the party

Revealing: The singer put on a cheeky display in the outfit
Leah and Montel were dumped from the Love Island villa on Thursday night's dramatic episode.

It was the second part of the double elimination that saw Catherine and Elom also leave in a shock decision during Wednesday's instalment.

After the decision was announced Kady had a savage outburst as she questioned why Amber and Scott weren't voted least compatible given that they 'aren't even a couple'.

As she left Leah tearfully said: 'I came to find someone and I wouldn't have wanted to do this with anyone else.'

Montel added: 'I hope she wants to carry on this journey together on the outside!'

Bye: Leah and Montel were dumped from the Love Island villa on Thursday night's dramatic episode

Off they go: It was the second part of the double elimination that saw Catherine and Elom also leave in a shock decision during Wednesday's instalment

After Amber said she was shocked she wasn't voted out as she was only in a friendship couple with Scott.

Twitter users were quick to react to Kady's dig as one wrote: 'all the islanders confused and kady being the one to say what they're thinking.'

A second said: 'Is kady actually okay??'

A third penned: 'sorry but you two aren't even a couple' kady made me giggle a little there icl.'

In his exit interview Montel said: 'Its bittersweet. Its a bit disappointing with the way that we left but I am happy because I am leaving with Leah and a strong connection. Its hard to be sad when I am leaving with her.'

Leah added: 'I went into the Villa to explore connections which I definitely did during my time there, I think I spoke to every single guy at some point.

'Im so glad I gave everyone a chance because it made me realise who was right for me, which led me to Montel.'

It comes after Catherine and Elom were shockingly dumped from the Love Island villa in a 'ruthless' elimination during Wednesday night's episode.

The real estate agent and the masseuse, both 22, were left stunned when they were suddenly evicted in an extremely abrupt and unexpected dumping.

Catherine and Elom were voted the least compatible couple by viewers, and the islanders were suddenly given the news while enjoying drinks - rather than the normal practice of gathering them around the firepit.

They were left shocked when they received an unexpected text telling them fans had been voting for the least compatible couples, with people sharing their dismay.

But before they even had a chance to move, Whitney Abebayo then received a second text immediately telling them the result.

Whitney covered her mouth in shock as she told her fellow islanders that not only had Catherine and Elom been voted least compatible - but they would immediately be dumped.

The islanders were all left completely baffled by the sudden dumping, while Catherine and Elom shared their upset that they would be packing their bags.

Over: As she left Leah tearfully said: 'I came to find someone and I wouldn't have wanted to do this with anyone else'

What! After the decision was announced Kady had an awkward outburst as she questions why Amber and Scott weren't voted least compatible given that they 'aren't even a couple'

Cute words! Montel added: 'I hope she wants to carry on this journey together on the outside!'

Stunned: It comes after Catherine and Elom were shockingly dumped from the Love Island villa in a 'ruthless' elimination during Wednesday night's episode

Viewers were quick to take to Twitter to comment on the very abrupt dumping, describing it as 'savage' as ITV2 wasted no time in dumping the latest stars.

One person wrote: 'Hahahah I'm sorry producers aren't messing around this year, RIP THAT PLASTER OFF.'

Another said: 'Love how they didn't even waste no time with that!! Producers drop that bomb,' and a third wrote: 'That dumping was so abrupt.'

A fourth commented: 'This new Love Island producer deserves multiple rounds tonight,' and a fifth tweeted: 'Damn, they did that I guess Catherine and Elon are gone.'

Another added: 'They dumped them just like that??? oh my god the producers are ruthless.'

Catherine and Elom's dumping was not the only unexpected twist in the episode, as immediately after waving them off, the islanders got another shock.

They were left reeling when Mitchel received yet another text telling them to all gather around the firepit 'immediately' in a sign that more bad news was looming.

When they all gathered at the firepit, it was then announced that three other couples were also in danger of being dumped after being voted the least compatible.

Leah and Montel, Kady and Ouzy, and Jess and Sammy were all at risk and told to stand in front of the firepit. Leah and Montel were then dumped.

There will also be two new bombshells heading to the villa in Thursday's episode following the dumping, with a teaser clip at the end revealing their arrival.

Josh Brocklebank, 26, from Essex, and model Ella Barnes, 23, from Kent, are set to stir things up between the couples upon their arrival in the villa.

Speaking of their exit, Elom admitted he was 'shocked' by being voted least compatible couple, as he claimed they have a strong connection - despite him saying he was 'too comfortable' hours earlier.

They're off! The real estate agent and the masseuse, both 22, were left stunned when they were suddenly evicted in an extremely abrupt and unexpected dumping

He said: 'I was really shocked because Catherine and I have such a strong connection, everyone in the Villa could see that which is why I think everyone was so surprised with the result.'

While Catherine added: 'It wasn't something I saw coming at all. When I heard our names I was shocked because I know what me and Elom have is genuine and we are so compatible.'

Speaking of their future, she went on: 'Elom and I have something special so I'm excited to see where it goes.'

Elom agreed as he added: 'Now we've left the Villa together, I think our connection is only going to flourish and get stronger. Catherine is exactly what I've been looking for and I feel like we've been getting closer every single day.'
Those who've already seen Taylor in the U.S. this year agree all the stress is worth it.

The show, which opened in March and continues until August next year, is said to be the most expensive and complex production this century.

READ MORE: I am such a big Swiftie I travelled 3,700 miles for just 47 HOURS to see Taylor Swift in concert Advertisement

And it's not only the music that's wowing crowds. Costing hundreds of thousands of pounds Taylor's tour-drobe is making headlines too.

It's a fashion extravaganza. She wears an incredible 16 costumes during the three-hour set, each one a hand-decorated, custom piece by some of the world's greatest designers including Alberta Ferretti, Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Elie Saab, Ashish and Etro.

There's a bespoke outfit for every 'era', each of which takes its name from one of her studio albums, with every sequin, ruffle and heel painstakingly thought out to fit a specific time in her life.

The purple, beaded bodysuit by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad that Taylor slips into for the Midnights era, took more than 350 hours to create, using some 20,000 crystals and pearls.

Each concert at each new venue debuts new pieces.

The only things that remain constant?

Taylor's trademark red lips, winged eyeliner and record-breaking popularity.

Fearless era

For the energetic Fearless set, it's one of many shimmering Roberto Cavalli dresses, set with Swarovski Crystals, and plenty of fringing.

Fearless era: For the energetic Fearless set, it's one of many shimmering Roberto Cavalli dresses, set with Swarovski Crystals, and plenty of fringing

Roberto Cavalli has unveiled the designs behind Taylor Swift's hottest looks as she kicked off her new tour

Speak Now era

To sing Enchanted from the Speak Now album, Taylor has multiple options fit for a princess.

A tiered design from Nicole + Felicia Couture features mauve, lilac and purple glitter tulle, but some nights she dons a couture piece in dusky pink with silver starburst beading thought to cost 45,000. On others, it's an Elie Saab 2020 couture gown.

To sing Enchanted from the Speak Now album, Taylor has multiple options fit for a princess

Taylor Swift wears iconic Speak Now purple for night two of her set at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City on July 8

Nicole + Felicia designs for the Speak Now era of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour

The process behind the creation of the ethereal gown for Speak Now

1989 era

Taylor wears one of three 55,000 beaded mini skirts and matching bra tops  in either rich magenta, bright green or brilliant orange  from Roberto Cavalli for the iconic Shake It Off set.

Taylor wears one of three 55,000 beaded mini skirts and matching bra tops for the Shake It Off set

The designs from Roberto Cavalli are either rich magenta, bright green or brilliant orange

Reputation era

Taylor turns up the tempo in this show-stopping, asymmetric black and red catsuit from Roberto Cavalli, with sequins studded along the right leg.

A red and silver sequined snake motif winds from top to bottom, with boots sporting matching embroidery.

Taylor turns up the tempo in this show-stopping, asymmetric black and red catsuit from Roberto Cavalli, with sequins studded along the right leg

A red and silver sequined snake motif winds from top to bottom, with boots sporting matching embroidery

Midnights era

Oscar de la Renta owns this extravagant era.

The set opens with a loose-fitting, silver mini dress and fur coat before layers are shed to reveal a custom-made bodysuit costing 30,000 and studded with more than 5,300 hand-embroidered crystals and beads.

Oscar de la Renta is the designer of choice for the Midnights era - Swift's studio album released last year
She is one of the world's most respected tastemakers.

And Vogue Australia's Editor-in-Chief Christine Centenera made a very bold fashion statement as she attended the after party for the London Barbie premiere on Thursday evening with her partner, Joel Edgerton.

The mother-of-two flashed her black underwear in a daring sheer black dress.

The lacy frock was also very low-cut to show off a hint of her cleavage.

Christine added a pop of colour by painting her pout with red lipstick, along with lashings of mascara to accentuate her big brown eyes.

Vogue Editor Christine Centenera made a bold fashion choice as she attended the Barbie after party in London with partner Joel Edgerton on Thursday evening

She boosted her height with a pair of towering platform heels and carried a black crocodile skin designer handbag.

Meanwhile, Animal Kingdom star Joel looked dapper in a black suit teamed with a cream waistcoat and Louis Vuitton loafers.

Christine recently replaced Edwina McCann as Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Australia.

The stylish fashion star, who also has her own label Wardrobe.NYC, has worked for the magazine since 2012.

She will continue to report to McCann, who was promoted to Vogue Australia's Editorial Director and Publisher.

Christine's first issue was in March 2023, with the red carpet regular set to change up the title.

The mother-of-two flashed her black underwear in a daring sheer black dress

'After more than 10 years editing the magazine, I am thrilled Christine has agreed to expand her role and look forward to seeing the next chapter of Vogue Australia magazine's rich history unfold,' McCann told the Daily Telegraph last December.

'We have worked together for more than 13 years and Christine is my natural choice to succeed me in this role.

'While I will continue as the magazine's editorial director and publisher, this change will allow me to focus on our expanding and successful Prestige publishing business at News Corp Australia, which also includes Conde Nast titles GQ Australia and Vogue Living.'

Christine also showed off her incredible figure in tight leggings when she attended British Vogue x self-portrait Summer Party at Chiltern Firehouse earlier in the day

Centenera, who will continue to be based in Australia, the UK and the US, added: 'I love being in close proximity to the extraordinary photographers and people that we work with on the pages  anywhere in the world.

'Wherever I go people love Australia and I'm proud to be an Australian abroad.'

Meanwhile, Joel revealed that he and Christine had welcomed their first children together in an interview with Oprah Daily in May last year.

He also confessed he'd been 'very nervous' he'd miss the babies' births in Sydney, because he was working in Queensland at the time.

They're the first children for the notoriously private couple, who started dating back in 2018.
Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG  Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report issued on Wednesday.

Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on CFG. Barclays decreased their target price on Citizens Financial Group from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Evercore ISI cut Citizens Financial Group from an outperform rating to an in-line rating and cut their price target for the stock from $32.00 to $29.00 in a research note on Monday. Bank of America cut Citizens Financial Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price target for the stock from $37.00 to $33.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. DA Davidson cut their price target on Citizens Financial Group from $40.00 to $37.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, TheStreet cut Citizens Financial Group from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Citizens Financial Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $40.56.

Get Citizens Financial Group alerts:

Citizens Financial Group Trading Up 2.0 %

CFG stock traded up $0.54 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $28.12. 6,289,458 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,252,804. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $26.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $33.25. Citizens Financial Group has a 52-week low of $23.37 and a 52-week high of $44.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.61 billion, a PE ratio of 6.78 and a beta of 1.31.

Insider Buying and Selling at Citizens Financial Group

Citizens Financial Group ( NYSE:CFG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The bank reported $1.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.11 by ($0.11). Citizens Financial Group had a net margin of 21.12% and a return on equity of 11.12%. The firm had revenue of $2.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.14 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.07 EPS. Citizens Financial Groups revenue was up 29.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Citizens Financial Group will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, Director Shivan S. Subramaniam purchased 3,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, April 21st. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $28.79 per share, with a total value of $95,007.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 66,263 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,907,711.77. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Shivan S. Subramaniam acquired 3,300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 21st. The stock was bought at an average price of $28.79 per share, for a total transaction of $95,007.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 66,263 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,907,711.77. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Terrance Lillis acquired 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 17th. The shares were bought at an average price of $26.39 per share, with a total value of $26,390.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $79,170. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.53% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Citizens Financial Group

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CFG. BTC Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 6.2% in the second quarter. BTC Capital Management Inc. now owns 79,241 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,067,000 after purchasing an additional 4,635 shares in the last quarter. Paragon Capital Management Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group in the second quarter valued at $232,000. B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 32.5% in the second quarter. B.O.S.S. Retirement Advisors LLC now owns 58,539 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,527,000 after purchasing an additional 14,369 shares in the last quarter. Thompson Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 15.7% in the second quarter. Thompson Investment Management Inc. now owns 147,911 shares of the banks stock valued at $3,858,000 after purchasing an additional 20,113 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AE Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 35.7% in the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 552,394 shares of the banks stock valued at $14,406,000 after purchasing an additional 145,315 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.85% of the companys stock.

Citizens Financial Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Citizens Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Citizens Bank, National Association that provides retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, corporations, and institutions in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking.

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Lack of success in Ukraine has become a problem for the Russian government and the Russian media. Russian leader Vladimir Putin does not tolerate public criticism. After all, Putin began his career as a Soviet KGB officer. Back then openly criticizing the KGB was against the law and violators were jailed or simply died under mysterious circumstances. Putin revived those practices after the invasion of Ukraine turned out to be a disaster for Russia. Now the Ukrainians are counter-attacking with the goal of driving Russians out of Ukraine entirely. Another embarrassing aspect of the Ukraine fighting was that the Ukrainian received over $80 billion in military and other aid from NATO countries while no one was helping Russia. Several groups in Russia have opinions on why this is so and not all of these opinions agree with each other.

Some Russians see the invasion of Ukraine as necessary if Russia is to negotiate with the West on an equal basis. The invasion triggered massive Western economic sanctions on Russia, which kept Russian leaders developing methods to cope with the economic impact, especially on ordinary Russians. Vladimir Putin first established power in Russia two decades ago by paying attention to the standard of living for Russians, especially those surviving on a pension. This made Putin very popular, although that popularity is diminishing the longer Russian forces are struggling in Ukraine. This has encouraged the more radical supporters of Putins foreign policy. This produced the angry Russia faction that opposes any efforts to negotiate with the West. Demands are preferred but the more Russia struggles in Ukraine the less likely anyone in the West wants to negotiate with Russia. This is because Russia tends to break agreements made with the West and blame the West for forcing Russia to take drastic action.

Despite many failures, Putin remains in power. Despite that, the growing list of threats is eroding that power. Russians like a strong leader, but there is a limit to how many of the leaders mistakes they will tolerate. This has created a bad situation for Putin because the most common causes of wars are territorial disputes and overconfidence by the aggressor. The current war in Ukraine is the result of over a decade of bad decisions by Russian leaders, particularly Vladimir Putin, who has been running Russia for over two decades despite term-limits laws and continued, but futile, popular opposition.

The first actual invasion of Ukraine occurred nine years ago after five days of popular protests in Ukraine forced a pro-Russia Ukrainian president to flee to Russia. Victor Yanukovych had won the 2010 presidential election because of promises to seek greater economic and diplomatic links with the West. At that point Russia had been interfering in Ukrainian affairs for over a decade in an effort to prevent Ukraine from becoming more Western and less subservient to Russia. Yanukovych was bribed by the Russians to renege on his election promises about closer links with the West. In late 2013 Yanukovych was supposed to sign a political association and free trade agreement with the EU (European Union). To the surprise of the Ukrainians who voted for him, Yanukovych refused to sign the EU agreement and announced he was going to seek closer ties with Russia. This triggered a popular uprising demanding he resign. At first Yanukovych tried using violence to suppress what came to be called the Maidan Revolution. Over a hundred protesters were killed but the number of protesters in Kyiv grew and Yanukovych fled to Russia. The Ukrainian parliament then voted to officially remove Yanukovych from office and an interim president was selected to arrange new elections and sign the EU agreement. Petro Poroshenko was elected president in May 2014.

Russia was dismayed by the removal of Yanukovych and turned to more violent solutions to their Ukraine problems. Russia declared that former Ukrainian president Yanukovych was still the legitimate president and had him write a letter requesting Russian military assistance in Crimea, where the new Ukrainian government was threatening to cancel the lease Russia had for their naval base. Russia was providing Yanukovych with sanctuary and protection from prosecution for crimes he is accused of in Ukraine.

Russia was acting on its belief that three Ukrainian provinces, Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk should be part of Russia because most of the people in those provinces were Russian speakers and could be persuaded to voluntarily join Russia. This turned out to be only partially true. Many of the Russians in Crimea were military personnel and their families, living there because of the continued use of Sevastopol as the Black Sea Fleet headquarters. Russia prepared a surprise operation that involved the 22nd and 45th GRU (Military Intelligence) spetsnaz (special operations) regiments, which were part of the Russian military force but not identified as spetsnaz. There were only a few hundred spetsnaz in Crimea and Ukrainians soon were able to recognize the little green men with weapons and lots of attitude wearing uniforms with no insignia. Also identified were recently (after the takeover began) arrived members of the infamous (for brutal but effective special operations in Chechnya) Vostok battalion and an airborne unit (31st Airborne Brigade) that showed up in a lot of tricky situations (Bosnia, Chechnya, Georgia). In other words, what foreign intelligence agencies have come to regard as The Usual Suspects whenever there is an operation using a lot of special operations troops.

Ukraine appealed to the West for help, not just a trade deal. Putins actions in Ukraine had made Ukraine closer to the west and seek membership in NATO. Putin had invoked grievances with NATO and sought to resolve them by claiming they attacked Ukraine to annex it to Russia. This was considered necessary to restore Ukraine to its status as part of Russia. Putin later claimed that he was seeking to restore other areas to Russian control.

Putin eventually named portions of Poland as one of its future targets for absorption into Greater Russia, otherwise known as the Russian empire. Belarus, the Baltic States and some former Soviet territories in Central Asia are also on the acquisition list. None of these targets for Russian aggression are willing to go peacefully. As the largest and wealthiest East European NATO member, Poland is leading the way by rearming to confront any future threat. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Poland decided to increase the size of the armed forces to 300,000 personnel and spend at least three percent of GDP on defense. NATO agreements suggest two percent of GDP but few European NATO members reached two percent. Now more NATO members are reaching or exceeding two percent and the increases are higher the closer the country is to Russia.

The NATO nations close to Russia or bordering Russia insist that if Russia is allowed to keep any Ukrainian territory, the Russians will attack them too as part of an effort to reconstitute the Greater Russia that the tsars and later communists created and maintained until 1991. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has always insisted that the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 was a big mistake and must be rectified. Many Russians agree with that, but are less willing to pay the economic and military price that Ukraine demonstrated would result if Russia tried.

Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan are nervous because they are, after Ukraine, according to Vladimir Putin, on the list of former Soviet territories that need to be reunited with Greater Russia. That would be difficult because these three states have growing economic ties with China and diplomatic ties with India.

Russia later expanded its territorial claims beyond Ukraine to include what it openly called Greater Russia. This is not quite rebuilding the tsarist or communist empires because Russia does not want the expensive to rule Central Asian states, but rather more lucrative territories Russian once ruled. This includes portions of Poland, all of the Baltic States and Finland, and parts of Alaska. There are some serious legal and practical problems with these claims. The United States has a larger military and nukes which might come into play to deal with efforts to enforce any Russian claims on Alaska. Russia is making claims on several Eastern European NATO members who are protected by the mutual defense clause of the NATO treaty.

Russia and all the nations involved are members of the United Nations. Article 51 of the UN charter demands that members refrain from the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. Russia says this does not apply because Ukraine is a breakaway part of Russia and Russian troops are seeking to liberate Ukraine from foreign (NATO) oppression. Ukraine is also a UN member and protests Russian claims as well as the UN tolerating the Russian use of its Security Council veto to block any serious UN opposition to the Russian aggression.

Ukraine pointed out that the Ukrainian forces will force Russian troops out of Ukraine and then the problem will be what the rest of the world does with Russia.

Putins decisions have led Western and even some Russian media to describe Putin as out of control and deranged. That sort of talk can get you arrested in Russia. This is only one of many unpopular Putin decisions. Another one is the effort to sever access to the Internet outside of Russia. Only a few government and commercial operations would have access to the Internet beyond Russias borders. Putin has had this system tested recently and there were still major problems that had to be fixed before he could sever international Internet access for most Russians. This is not popular with most Russian Internet users.

Putin appears to go out of his way with actions and statements that further diminish his popularity inside Russia. There are still like-minded Russians who agree with Putin, but their number dwindles as each new scheme backfires and makes things worse for Russia.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE:ANF  Get Free Report) CEO Fran Horowitz sold 120,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.42, for a total value of $4,250,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 933,913 shares in the company, valued at $33,079,198.46. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website.

Abercrombie & Fitch Stock Down 1.4 %

ANF traded down $0.50 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $35.30. 1,335,394 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,710,238. The stock has a market cap of $1.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.43 and a beta of 1.49. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has a fifty-two week low of $14.02 and a fifty-two week high of $38.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $31.44 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $28.45.

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Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 24th. The apparel retailer reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.02) by $0.41. The business had revenue of $836.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $814.93 million. Abercrombie & Fitch had a return on equity of 6.82% and a net margin of 0.96%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted ($0.27) earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Abercrombie & Fitch Co. will post 2.08 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its holdings in Abercrombie & Fitch by 445.1% during the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,549,428 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $35,497,000 after buying an additional 1,265,202 shares in the last quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 172.1% in the 4th quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 1,843,459 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $42,234,000 after buying an additional 1,165,872 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 2,308.2% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 973,675 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $22,307,000 after buying an additional 933,244 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 149.9% during the 2nd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,121,848 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $18,982,000 after buying an additional 672,933 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 48.4% during the 3rd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management LLC now owns 1,811,477 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $28,168,000 after buying an additional 590,747 shares during the last quarter. 99.03% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Abercrombie & Fitch from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 4th. Citigroup raised their price objective on Abercrombie & Fitch from $24.00 to $33.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Abercrombie & Fitch from $35.00 to $30.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 9th. UBS Group raised their price target on Abercrombie & Fitch from $28.00 to $32.00 in a report on Thursday, May 25th. Finally, Argus raised Abercrombie & Fitch from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $41.00 price target on the stock in a report on Monday, June 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $30.50.

About Abercrombie & Fitch

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Abercrombie & Fitch Co, through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Hollister and Abercrombie. It offers an assortment of apparel, personal care products, and accessories for men, women, and kids under the Hollister, Gilly Hicks, Social Tourist, Abercrombie & Fitch, and abercrombie kids brands.

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Shares of Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF (NYSEARCA:PXJ  Free Report) are going to reverse split on the morning of Monday, July 17th. The 1-5 reverse split was announced on Monday, July 17th. The number of shares owned by shareholders will be adjusted after the market closes on Monday, July 17th.

Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF Price Performance

Shares of Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF stock opened at $5.47 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $4.75 and a 200 day moving average of $5.06. Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF has a 12 month low of $3.25 and a 12 month high of $5.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $95.29 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -72.41 and a beta of 1.76.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PXJ. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $335,000. Raymond James & Associates purchased a new position in Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,397,000. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,506,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $82,000. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC purchased a new position in Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $294,000.

About Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF

The Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF (PXJ) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in energy equity. The fund tracks an index of US companies in the oil and gas services sector that are weighted in tiers. The index uses a multi-factor methodology to select holdings. PXJ was launched on Oct 26, 2005 and is managed by Invesco.

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Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust PLC (LON:MTU  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Wednesday, July 12th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Investors of record on Thursday, July 20th will be given a dividend of GBX 1.13 ($0.01) per share on Friday, August 11th. This represents a yield of 1.11%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 20th. The official announcement can be viewed at this link.

Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust Trading Up 1.2 %

LON:MTU traded up GBX 1.25 ($0.02) during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching GBX 101.50 ($1.31). 149,084 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 205,419. The company has a fifty day moving average of GBX 105.08 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 110.68. Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust has a 12 month low of GBX 90.34 ($1.16) and a 12 month high of GBX 128 ($1.65). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.46, a quick ratio of 41.12 and a current ratio of 41.12. The stock has a market capitalization of 169.89 million, a P/E ratio of -161.69 and a beta of 0.94.

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About Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust

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Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust PLC is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Montanaro Investment Managers Ltd. It invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of small-cap companies operating across diversified sectors.

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National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$98.28 and traded as high as C$98.47. National Bank of Canada shares last traded at C$97.86, with a volume of 1,157,139 shares.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently commented on NA. Cormark lowered their price objective on National Bank of Canada from C$113.00 to C$109.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. TD Securities increased their price target on National Bank of Canada from C$100.00 to C$105.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. CSFB decreased their price target on National Bank of Canada from C$116.00 to C$111.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on National Bank of Canada from C$111.00 to C$108.00 in a research report on Monday, March 27th. Finally, CIBC decreased their price target on National Bank of Canada from C$110.00 to C$108.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$105.77.

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National Bank of Canada Stock Up 1.1 %

The company has a market capitalization of C$33.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.70, a PEG ratio of 18.85 and a beta of 1.10. The companys 50-day moving average is C$98.96 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$98.32.

National Bank of Canada Increases Dividend

National Bank of Canada ( TSE:NA Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 31st. The financial services provider reported C$2.38 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$2.40 by C($0.02). The firm had revenue of C$2.48 billion for the quarter. National Bank of Canada had a net margin of 34.69% and a return on equity of 15.30%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that National Bank of Canada will post 8.683466 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 1st will be paid a dividend of $1.02 per share. This is a boost from National Bank of Canadas previous quarterly dividend of $0.97. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.11%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 23rd. National Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 44.44%.

National Bank of Canada Company Profile

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National Bank of Canada provides various financial products and services to retail, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International.

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Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, July 12th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 1st will be given a dividend of 0.5119 per share by the basic materials company on Thursday, July 20th. This represents a $2.05 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile has a dividend payout ratio of 129.7% meaning the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Research analysts expect Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile to earn $10.00 per share next year, which means the company may not be able to cover its $12.58 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 125.8%.

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Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Trading Up 0.9 %

Shares of SQM traded up $0.74 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $80.17. 1,413,003 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,735,942. The business has a fifty day moving average of $70.82 and a 200-day moving average of $78.50. The company has a current ratio of 2.48, a quick ratio of 1.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.90 billion, a PE ratio of 5.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 0.97. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile has a 1-year low of $60.21 and a 1-year high of $115.72.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile ( NYSE:SQM Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 18th. The basic materials company reported $2.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.12 by ($0.49). The business had revenue of $2.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.44 billion. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile had a net margin of 35.24% and a return on equity of 82.96%. Analysts expect that Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile will post 12.45 EPS for the current year.

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in a research note on Friday, May 19th. They issued a sell rating and a $60.00 price target on the stock. StockNews.com started coverage on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. HSBC cut their price target on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $134.00 to $90.50 in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $134.00 to $97.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Scotiabank cut shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $113.00 to $86.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $88.19.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SQM. Capital International Investors bought a new stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile during the 1st quarter worth about $184,773,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 373.7% during the second quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 926,507 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $77,391,000 after acquiring an additional 730,931 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 69.7% during the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,210,421 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $98,117,000 after purchasing an additional 496,983 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 63.9% in the second quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,195,008 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $99,819,000 after purchasing an additional 466,002 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,014,000. Institutional investors own 17.35% of the companys stock.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA produces and distributes specialty plant nutrients, iodine derivatives, lithium derivatives, potassium chloride and sulfate, industrial chemicals, and other products and services. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers.

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UK Commercial Property REIT Limited (LON:UKCM  Get Free Report)s share price crossed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 54.23 ($0.70) and traded as low as GBX 48.50 ($0.62). UK Commercial Property REIT shares last traded at GBX 48.50 ($0.62), with a volume of 1,325,741 shares.

UK Commercial Property REIT Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.16, a current ratio of 3.22 and a quick ratio of 2.58. The stocks fifty day moving average is GBX 52.61 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 54.18. The stock has a market cap of 678.60 million, a PE ratio of -307.06 and a beta of 0.29.

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UK Commercial Property REIT Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 18th were paid a dividend of GBX 0.85 ($0.01) per share. This represents a yield of 1.63%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 18th. UK Commercial Property REITs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -1,764.71%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

UK Commercial Property REIT Company Profile

In related news, insider Peter Pereira Gray bought 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 12th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 53 ($0.68) per share, with a total value of 15,900 ($20,455.42). 0.04% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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UK Commercial Property REIT (UKCPT) was launched in September 2006, registered as a Guernsey investment company and has a full listing on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250). The initial offering raised 530m and the proceeds were used to acquire a portfolio of properties from closed life funds held by Phoenix Group Holdings.

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United American Healthcare Co. (OTCMKTS:UAHC  Get Free Report) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $0.03 and traded as low as $0.03. United American Healthcare shares last traded at $0.03, with a volume of 1,000 shares.

United American Healthcare Stock Up 26.4 %

The firms 50 day moving average price is $0.03 and its 200-day moving average price is $0.03.

About United American Healthcare

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United American Healthcare Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides contract manufacturing services to the medical device industry. It also focuses on the production of natural rubber. The company was incorporated in 1983 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

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Vesuvius plc (LON:VSVS  Get Free Report) shares crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 408.11 ($5.25) and traded as low as GBX 395.39 ($5.09). Vesuvius shares last traded at GBX 396.60 ($5.10), with a volume of 95,117 shares traded.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a GBX 585 ($7.53) target price on shares of Vesuvius in a research note on Friday, March 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 462 ($5.94).

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Vesuvius Stock Performance

The business has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 409.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 408.07. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 33.49. The firm has a market cap of 1.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 622.77, a P/E/G ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.35.

Insiders Place Their Bets

About Vesuvius

In other news, insider Mark Collis acquired 9,524 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 15th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 418 ($5.38) per share, for a total transaction of 39,810.32 ($51,216.16). 0.81% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

(Get Free Report)

Vesuvius plc provides molten metal flow engineering and technology services to steel and foundry industries worldwide. It operates through Flow Control, Sensor & Probes, and Advanced Refractories segments. The company provides consumables and equipment, which includes binders, coatings, feeding systems, filtration and gating systems, melt shop refractories, metallurgical and pouring control systems, die dressings and coatings, melt treatment products, crucibles, and ceramics for the iron, steel, and nonferrous foundries.

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Pinnacle Wealth Management Group Inc. lessened its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM  Free Report) (TSE:AEM) by 1.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 22,487 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 229 shares during the quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Group Inc.s holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines were worth $1,146,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Lindbrook Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 61.6% during the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 514 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 72.7% during the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 708 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 298 shares in the last quarter. Almanack Investment Partners LLC. acquired a new position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines during the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 124.2% during the 4th quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 834 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 462 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 55.54% of the companys stock.

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Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of AEM traded up $0.35 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $53.03. The company had a trading volume of 557,399 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,862,046. The companys 50 day moving average price is $52.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $52.53. The stock has a market cap of $26.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.44, a PEG ratio of 21.96 and a beta of 0.78. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a 52 week low of $36.69 and a 52 week high of $61.15. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 2.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12.

Agnico Eagle Mines Dividend Announcement

Agnico Eagle Mines ( NYSE:AEM Get Free Report ) (TSE:AEM) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The mining company reported $0.57 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $1.51 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.30 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 40.12% and a return on equity of 6.07%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 2.27 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.02%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 31st. Agnico Eagle Miness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.50%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AEM has been the topic of several recent research reports. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a report on Monday, April 3rd. They set an outperform rating on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Scotiabank assumed coverage on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $63.00 to $61.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $70.38.

Agnico Eagle Mines Company Profile

(Free Report)

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

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Magna International (NYSE:MGA  Free Report) (TSE:MG) had its price target increased by Barclays from $59.00 to $60.00 in a research report sent to investors on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Several other analysts have also issued reports on MGA. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Magna International from an underperform rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, May 8th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Magna International in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Bank of America upgraded shares of Magna International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $65.00 to $85.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. TD Securities raised shares of Magna International from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $62.00 to $64.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Magna International from $51.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Magna International currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $63.17.

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Magna International Price Performance

Shares of MGA opened at $59.48 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $17.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 1.61. Magna International has a twelve month low of $45.58 and a twelve month high of $68.92. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The company has a 50 day moving average of $53.95 and a two-hundred day moving average of $55.64.

Magna International Announces Dividend

Magna International ( NYSE:MGA Get Free Report ) (TSE:MG) last issued its earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The company reported $1.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.95 by $0.16. Magna International had a net margin of 1.12% and a return on equity of 10.05%. The firm had revenue of $10.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.28 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 10.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that Magna International will post 4.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 19th were issued a dividend of $0.46 per share. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.09%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 18th. Magna Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 121.05%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Magna International

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MGA. Thomas White International Ltd. grew its position in Magna International by 8.6% in the 1st quarter. Thomas White International Ltd. now owns 13,142 shares of the companys stock valued at $845,000 after buying an additional 1,043 shares in the last quarter. Achmea Investment Management B.V. bought a new position in shares of Magna International during the 1st quarter valued at about $2,036,000. Power Corp of Canada bought a new position in shares of Magna International during the 1st quarter valued at about $574,000. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA boosted its position in shares of Magna International by 549.6% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA now owns 26,177 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,683,000 after purchasing an additional 22,147 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC boosted its position in shares of Magna International by 272.2% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 72,430 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,435,000 after purchasing an additional 52,971 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 60.13% of the companys stock.

About Magna International

(Get Free Report)

Magna International Inc designs, engineers, and manufactures components, assemblies, systems, subsystems, and modules for original equipment manufacturers of vehicles and light trucks worldwide. It operates through four segments: Body Exteriors & Structures, Power & Vision, Seating Systems, and Complete Vehicles.

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MANZINI  The Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) says the dialogue which His Majesty King Mswati III referred to during Sibaya on Tuesday is not the political national dialogue they were hoping for.

Secretary General of MSF Sikelela Dlamini said the Kings remarks on Tuesday were in line with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini. He said, in his understanding, the King said emaSwati shall gather at the cattle byre after the elections to caucus (kubhunga). He said the dialogue was said by the interpreter and the media. Dlamini explained that the national dialogue sought by MSF was different as it had many components. It is worth noting that according the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Act 1 of 2005; Sibaya means the nation meeting, as the Swazi National Council at the Ndlovukazis official residence for the purpose of deliberating or deciding on important national matters. Section 232, subsection 3 states that Sibaya functions as the annual general meeting of the nation. but may be convened at anytime to present the views of the nation on pressing and controversial national issues.

inclusive

Meanwhile, Dlamini said they were calling for and seeking an all inclusive, well organised, structured and genuine dialogue. Dlamini said they were seeking that the national dialogue they were hoping and calling for would have an external mediator, be held at a neutral venue and have all sectors of society represented. The MSF said they were calling for an all-inclusive externally mediated political dialogue/negotiation process; the total and unconditional unbanning of all political parties; creation of an interim government, while the negotiation process is under way, the crafting and adoption of a new democratic Constitution. Also, he said they were seeking the introduction of a multiparty dispensation, founded on the rule of law.

This presupposes that there would be a meeting between all the parties on the political impasse. If such a meeting were to take place as we envisage and propose it in what we call talks about talks, the parties would agree on the creation of a conducive climate and setting up of a table for a proper and genuine dialogue, said Dlamini.

Leading to this, he said the MSF sought that there should be the talks about talks, which would lead to all political prisoners such as Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube being unconditionally released. Also, he said it would lead to all charges against members of the pro-democracy forces unconditionally dropped; all political exiles including Mduduzi Gawuzela Simelane are safely allowed to return home unconditionally and that all charges are withdrawn. Dlamini said this had to also lead to the parties discussing and agreeing on the rules of engagement (terms of reference) of the process, including the time frame of the process and lastly the creation of a political environment that was friendly for the people to participate and engage with the process without impediments, such as the rights of the people to peaceful assembly and association, freedom of expression and freedom of speech.
Benedetti & Gucer Inc. bought a new position in The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 1,059 shares of the aircraft producers stock, valued at approximately $225,000.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. United Bank raised its holdings in shares of Boeing by 4.7% during the 1st quarter. United Bank now owns 5,036 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $964,000 after buying an additional 226 shares in the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund raised its stake in shares of Boeing by 1,064.4% during the first quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 850 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $163,000 after acquiring an additional 777 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 68.0% in the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,111 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $1,362,000 after acquiring an additional 2,879 shares during the last quarter. Prudential PLC purchased a new stake in shares of Boeing in the 1st quarter valued at $836,000. Finally, Dakota Wealth Management grew its holdings in shares of Boeing by 26.7% during the 1st quarter. Dakota Wealth Management now owns 2,127 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $408,000 after purchasing an additional 448 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 60.22% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. 888 reissued a maintains rating on shares of Boeing in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Northcoast Research cut Boeing from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $180.00 target price for the company. in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on Boeing from $225.00 to $220.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Credit Suisse Group boosted their price objective on Boeing from $200.00 to $220.00 in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of Boeing from $261.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $221.60.

Insider Buying and Selling at Boeing

Boeing Stock Down 0.8 %

In other news, EVP Howard E. Mckenzie sold 412 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $204.36, for a total value of $84,196.32. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 17,181 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,511,109.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Insiders own 0.15% of the companys stock.

Shares of BA stock opened at $217.11 on Thursday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $208.88 and its 200 day moving average is $207.46. The stock has a market cap of $130.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -31.37 and a beta of 1.41. The Boeing Company has a twelve month low of $120.99 and a twelve month high of $223.91.

Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The aircraft producer reported ($1.27) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.98) by ($0.29). The firm had revenue of $17.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.56 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned ($2.75) earnings per share. Boeings revenue for the quarter was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that The Boeing Company will post -1.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Boeing Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital.

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CTT  Correios De Portugal, S.A. (OTCMKTS:CTTPY  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $7.28 and last traded at $7.28, with a volume of 0 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $7.28.

CTT  Correios De Portugal Price Performance

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $7.43 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $6.90.

About CTT  Correios De Portugal

(Get Free Report)

CTT  Correios De Portugal, SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides postal and financial services worldwide. It operates through Mail, Express & Parcels, Financial Services & Retail, and Bank segments. The company offers courier and urgent mail transport services; postal financial services; and banking services.

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HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA  Get Free Report) had its target price upped by stock analysts at Mizuho from $305.00 to $325.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Mizuhos price objective points to a potential upside of 10.08% from the companys current price.

A number of other brokerages have also commented on HCA. Oppenheimer increased their price target on HCA Healthcare from $270.00 to $310.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Citigroup raised their price objective on HCA Healthcare from $293.00 to $324.00 in a report on Monday, April 24th. Raymond James lifted their price target on HCA Healthcare from $300.00 to $320.00 in a report on Monday, April 24th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on HCA Healthcare from $325.00 to $350.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price target on HCA Healthcare from $310.00 to $345.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $306.78.

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HCA Healthcare Trading Up 0.2 %

HCA opened at $295.24 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 157.23. The business has a 50 day moving average of $281.91 and a 200-day moving average of $266.68. HCA Healthcare has a 52 week low of $164.47 and a 52 week high of $304.86. The stock has a market cap of $81.25 billion, a PE ratio of 14.81, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.65.

Insiders Place Their Bets

HCA Healthcare ( NYSE:HCA Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 21st. The company reported $4.93 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.99 by $0.94. The company had revenue of $15.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.26 billion. HCA Healthcare had a negative return on equity of 1,157.58% and a net margin of 9.42%. HCA Healthcares revenue for the quarter was up 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $4.12 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that HCA Healthcare will post 18.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other news, SVP Kathryn A. Torres sold 4,473 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.38, for a total transaction of $1,289,923.74. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 22,243 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,414,436.34. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Kathryn A. Torres sold 4,473 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.38, for a total value of $1,289,923.74. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 22,243 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,414,436.34. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP P. Martin Paslick sold 2,687 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $275.00, for a total value of $738,925.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 24,643 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,776,825. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On HCA Healthcare

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CX Institutional purchased a new position in shares of HCA Healthcare during the 4th quarter worth approximately $393,000. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in HCA Healthcare in the 4th quarter worth $705,000. Moors & Cabot Inc. acquired a new position in HCA Healthcare in the 4th quarter worth $232,000. Clear Street Markets LLC bought a new stake in shares of HCA Healthcare in the 4th quarter worth about $52,000. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System grew its position in shares of HCA Healthcare by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 13,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,639,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.86% of the companys stock.

About HCA Healthcare

(Get Free Report)

HCA Healthcare, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides health care services in the United States. It operates general and acute care hospitals that offers medical and surgical services, including inpatient care, intensive care, cardiac care, diagnostic, and emergency services; and outpatient services, such as outpatient surgery, laboratory, radiology, respiratory therapy, cardiology, and physical therapy.

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Palisades Hudson Asset Management L.P. cut its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 13.6% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 29,807 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,707 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF comprises approximately 6.6% of Palisades Hudson Asset Management L.P.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th biggest position. Palisades Hudson Asset Management L.P.s holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $12,253,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Buffington Mohr McNeal increased its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Buffington Mohr McNeal now owns 24,781 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,187,000 after purchasing an additional 202 shares during the last quarter. Reinhart Partners Inc. grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Reinhart Partners Inc. now owns 2,537 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,043,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Werba Rubin Papier Wealth Management grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Werba Rubin Papier Wealth Management now owns 3,893 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,600,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. First National Trust Co grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. First National Trust Co now owns 39,746 shares of the companys stock valued at $16,339,000 after purchasing an additional 1,021 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 15.0% during the 1st quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 49,426 shares of the companys stock valued at $20,482,000 after purchasing an additional 6,458 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF stock opened at $448.27 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $334.57 billion, a PE ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 1.00. The firms 50 day moving average is $429.34 and its 200 day moving average is $412.06. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 1 year low of $349.53 and a 1 year high of $449.83.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Company Profile

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IVV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report).

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New Jersey Resources Co. (NYSE:NJR  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, July 13th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 20th will be given a dividend of 0.39 per share by the utilities provider on Monday, October 2nd. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.34%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 19th.

New Jersey Resources has raised its dividend by an average of 7.5% per year over the last three years and has raised its dividend annually for the last 27 consecutive years. New Jersey Resources has a dividend payout ratio of 56.5% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect New Jersey Resources to earn $2.73 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.56 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 57.1%.

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New Jersey Resources Stock Up 0.4 %

NYSE NJR traded up $0.17 during trading on Thursday, reaching $46.77. The companys stock had a trading volume of 710,072 shares, compared to its average volume of 534,323. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.53 billion, a PE ratio of 15.49, a PEG ratio of 2.92 and a beta of 0.63. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $48.42 and a 200-day moving average price of $50.40. New Jersey Resources has a 1-year low of $38.07 and a 1-year high of $55.84.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

New Jersey Resources ( NYSE:NJR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported $1.16 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.20 by ($0.04). New Jersey Resources had a return on equity of 14.22% and a net margin of 10.94%. The firm had revenue of $644.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $954.32 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.36 earnings per share. New Jersey Resourcess quarterly revenue was down 29.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that New Jersey Resources will post 2.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on NJR. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of New Jersey Resources in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Guggenheim boosted their target price on shares of New Jersey Resources from $46.00 to $47.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and two have issued a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $48.50.

Insider Buying and Selling at New Jersey Resources

In other New Jersey Resources news, CEO Stephen D. Westhoven sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.04, for a total value of $250,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 180,372 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,025,814.88. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.72% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On New Jersey Resources

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NJR. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in New Jersey Resources by 172.2% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 14,056 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $645,000 after acquiring an additional 8,893 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its position in New Jersey Resources by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 52,212 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,421,000 after acquiring an additional 1,664 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its position in New Jersey Resources by 10.1% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 35,205 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,615,000 after acquiring an additional 3,233 shares in the last quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. bought a new stake in New Jersey Resources in the 1st quarter valued at $2,081,000. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can lifted its position in New Jersey Resources by 12.7% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 114,869 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,510,000 after acquiring an additional 12,945 shares in the last quarter. 75.15% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

New Jersey Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

New Jersey Resources Corporation, an energy services holding company, provides regulated gas distribution, and retail and wholesale energy services. The company operates through four segments: Natural Gas Distribution, Clean Energy Ventures, Energy Services, and Storage and Transportation. The Natural Gas Distribution segment offers regulated natural gas utility services to approximately 569,300 residential and commercial customers throughout Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, and Sussex counties in New Jersey; provides capacity and storage management services; and participates in the off-system sales and capacity release markets.

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RenaissanceRe (NYSE:RNR  Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at BMO Capital Markets from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a report issued on Tuesday, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage presently has a $216.00 price target on the insurance providers stock, up from their previous price target of $198.00. BMO Capital Markets target price indicates a potential upside of 11.75% from the stocks previous close.

RNR has been the topic of a number of other reports. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on RenaissanceRe in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $222.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on RenaissanceRe from $245.00 to $256.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. TheStreet downgraded RenaissanceRe from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. Jefferies Financial Group raised RenaissanceRe from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the company from $234.00 to $238.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on RenaissanceRe from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, March 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, RenaissanceRe currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $221.40.

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RenaissanceRe Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of RNR opened at $193.29 on Tuesday. RenaissanceRe has a 1 year low of $124.18 and a 1 year high of $223.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 1.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $193.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of $198.88. The stock has a market cap of $8.49 billion, a PE ratio of -53.39 and a beta of 0.43.

Insider Buying and Selling at RenaissanceRe

RenaissanceRe ( NYSE:RNR Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The insurance provider reported $8.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $7.34 by $0.82. The business had revenue of $2.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.40 billion. RenaissanceRe had a positive return on equity of 11.89% and a negative net margin of 1.61%. RenaissanceRes quarterly revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.50 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that RenaissanceRe will post 23.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In related news, CEO Kevin Odonnell acquired 13,020 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 26th. The stock was bought at an average price of $192.00 per share, for a total transaction of $2,499,840.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 296,025 shares of the companys stock, valued at $56,836,800. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 2.10% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On RenaissanceRe

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of RNR. Pacer Advisors Inc. bought a new position in RenaissanceRe during the second quarter worth about $1,641,000. Buckley Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of RenaissanceRe during the second quarter worth approximately $375,000. Nordea Investment Management AB bought a new stake in shares of RenaissanceRe during the second quarter worth approximately $3,073,000. Fulton Bank N.A. boosted its holdings in shares of RenaissanceRe by 6.4% during the second quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 2,675 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $499,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the period. Finally, Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in shares of RenaissanceRe during the first quarter worth approximately $261,000. Institutional investors own 93.15% of the companys stock.

RenaissanceRe Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Property, and Casualty and Specialty segments. The Property segment writes property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance and excess of loss reinsurance to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes, including hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, as well as winter storms, freezes, floods, fires, windstorms, tornadoes, explosions, and acts of terrorism; and other property class of products, such as proportional reinsurance, property per risk, property reinsurance, binding facilities, and regional U.S.

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Shares of Toast, Inc. (NYSE:TOST  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday after The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on the stock from $21.00 to $27.00. The stock traded as high as $26.17 and last traded at $25.96, with a volume of 1495783 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $24.77.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently commented on the stock. BNP Paribas began coverage on shares of Toast in a research report on Thursday, March 23rd. They issued a neutral rating and a $16.00 price objective on the stock. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Toast from $25.00 to $27.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. DA Davidson reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Toast in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. KeyCorp cut their price objective on shares of Toast from $26.00 to $24.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, BTIG Research began coverage on shares of Toast in a research report on Thursday, June 15th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $23.65.

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Insider Activity

In other news, insider Stephen Fredette sold 18,263 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.07, for a total value of $330,012.41. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 3,314,888 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $59,900,026.16. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, Director Mark J. Hawkins sold 52,790 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.95, for a total value of $1,105,950.50. Following the transaction, the director now owns 64,007 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,340,946.65. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Stephen Fredette sold 18,263 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.07, for a total transaction of $330,012.41. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 3,314,888 shares in the company, valued at approximately $59,900,026.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 2,619,583 shares of company stock valued at $55,570,306. 13.70% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Toast Trading Up 5.1 %

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Raymond James & Associates boosted its position in shares of Toast by 115.4% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 24,946 shares of the companys stock worth $542,000 after acquiring an additional 13,364 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Toast by 78.2% during the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 28,356 shares of the companys stock worth $616,000 after acquiring an additional 12,446 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Toast during the 1st quarter worth approximately $438,000. Ergoteles LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Toast during the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,427,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP acquired a new stake in shares of Toast during the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,356,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.12% of the companys stock.

The firm has a market cap of $13.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -38.12 and a beta of 1.75. The companys 50-day moving average is $21.53 and its 200-day moving average is $19.92.

Toast (NYSE:TOST  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported ($0.16) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.18) by $0.02. The business had revenue of $819.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $763.11 million. Toast had a negative net margin of 11.01% and a negative return on equity of 29.74%. The firms revenue was up 53.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.20) EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Toast, Inc. will post -0.52 EPS for the current year.

Toast Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Toast, Inc operates a cloud-based digital technology platform for the restaurant industry in the United States and Ireland. The company offers Toast POS, a software module that integrates payment processing with point of sale functionality; Toast Invoicing that allows restaurants to send invoices and collect payment; Toast Mobile Order & Pay, which allows guests to scan a QR code to browse the menu, order, and pay from mobile; Kitchen Display System software that connects the house with the kitchen staff; and Multi-Location Management, a tool to manage operations and configure menus across multiple locations and channels.

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Primerica (NYSE:PRI  Free Report) had its price target upped by Truist Financial from $220.00 to $240.00 in a report released on Monday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

A number of other brokerages have also recently issued reports on PRI. Raymond James assumed coverage on shares of Primerica in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. They issued a strong-buy rating and a $244.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Primerica from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, July 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $210.25.

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Primerica Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:PRI opened at $202.57 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $7.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.28 and a beta of 1.19. Primerica has a 52-week low of $115.03 and a 52-week high of $205.00. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $189.42 and a 200 day simple moving average of $173.85.

Primerica Announces Dividend

Primerica ( NYSE:PRI Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The financial services provider reported $3.49 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.45 by $0.04. Primerica had a net margin of 15.33% and a return on equity of 27.48%. The firm had revenue of $690.04 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $697.61 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.11 EPS. The businesss revenue was down .2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Primerica will post 15.35 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 12th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 22nd were paid a $0.65 dividend. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 19th. Primericas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 23.47%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Primerica

In other news, President Peter W. Schneider sold 3,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $184.99, for a total transaction of $647,465.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president now directly owns 15,024 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,779,289.76. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Primerica news, CEO Glenn J. Williams sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.25, for a total value of $765,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 49,902 shares in the company, valued at $9,543,757.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, President Peter W. Schneider sold 3,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $184.99, for a total transaction of $647,465.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now owns 15,024 shares in the company, valued at $2,779,289.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 11,200 shares of company stock valued at $2,119,760. Corporate insiders own 0.87% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Primerica

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Primerica by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC now owns 3,907,117 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $672,962,000 after buying an additional 24,125 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in Primerica by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,277,573 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $564,529,000 after acquiring an additional 12,990 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Primerica in the 4th quarter worth $210,472,000. State Street Corp increased its holdings in shares of Primerica by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,112,658 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $133,174,000 after buying an additional 6,390 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Primerica by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 812,200 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $115,184,000 after buying an additional 22,486 shares during the last quarter. 91.27% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Primerica

(Get Free Report)

Primerica, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. The company operates in four segments: Term Life Insurance; Investment and Savings Products; Senior Health; and Corporate and Other Distributed Products. The Term Life Insurance segment underwrites individual term life insurance products.

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Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) had its price objective boosted by Wells Fargo & Company from $235.00 to $240.00 in a research note published on Monday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $183.00 to $181.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. 3M reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. StockNews.com cut shares of Illinois Tool Works from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, June 22nd. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $203.00 to $210.00 in a research report on Monday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $240.00 to $236.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $230.77.

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Illinois Tool Works Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of ITW stock opened at $251.38 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 1.20. Illinois Tool Works has a 1 year low of $173.52 and a 1 year high of $254.24. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $236.30 and a two-hundred day moving average of $234.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $76.39 billion, a PE ratio of 25.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.74 and a beta of 1.13.

Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend

Illinois Tool Works ( NYSE:ITW Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $2.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.23 by $0.10. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 92.13% and a net margin of 19.27%. The company had revenue of $4.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.98 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.11 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Illinois Tool Works will post 9.65 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $1.31 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $5.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.08%. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 52.40%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Illinois Tool Works

In other Illinois Tool Works news, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 5,425 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $239.23, for a total transaction of $1,297,822.75. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 8,870 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,121,970.10. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.78% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Illinois Tool Works

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in ITW. Cibc World Market Inc. grew its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 9,666 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,024,000 after buying an additional 348 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 4.2% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 9,070 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,899,000 after buying an additional 368 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 54.7% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,859 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $599,000 after buying an additional 1,011 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. grew its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 9.9% in the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 2,407 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $504,000 after buying an additional 217 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd grew its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 70.7% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 746 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $156,000 after buying an additional 309 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.37% of the companys stock.

Illinois Tool Works Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment worldwide. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment offers plastic and metal components, fasteners, and assemblies for automobiles, light trucks, and other industrial uses.

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Wolters Kluwer (OTCMKTS:WOLTF  Get Free Report)s share price traded up 0.2% on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $119.00 and last traded at $119.00. 120 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 91% from the average session volume of 1,301 shares. The stock had previously closed at $118.75.

Wolters Kluwer Stock Performance

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $118.69 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $116.29.

Wolters Kluwer Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Wolters Kluwer N.V. provides professional information, software solutions, and services in the Netherlands, rest of Europe, the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Health; Tax & Accounting; Governance, Risk & Compliance; and Legal & Regulatory.

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MBABANE  The buying of votes puts women at a disadvantage.

One Billion Rising African Regional Coordinator Colani Hlatjwako cited corruption as one of the reasons there were fewer women who eventually made it to Parliament. Hlatjwako was reacting to His Majesty King Mswati IIIs call, that he made at Sibaya on Tuesday. The King urged the nation to conduct free and fair elections. His Majesty also urged the electorate to favour women as well as people with disabilities, because they were equally fit to assume political positions. Hlatjwako applauded the call from the King to have women elected into Parliament. Following the Kings call, she said it was crucial for government to follow through the call by having clear strategies on how women could be elected.

responsibility

It is the responsibility of government to level the playing field. As it is now, our government is not doing enough to ensure that we have equal participation. This requires more resources allocated for this exercise. There are a couple of things that we need to work on to ensure that what the King was talking about is implemented, she said. The coordinator said there was a high level of corruption that was preventing the chances of women participating fairly in the elections. She said the level of corruption in this country was putting women at a disadvantage. Hlatjwako said there was too much buying of votes, both directly and indirectly. She said most women did not have the money to buy votes, hence they made up only a few percentage in Parliament. Where there is corruption, you will see few or no women in decision-making positions or Parliament. The face of poverty is female, they do not have money to buy votes and practise corruption in order to go to Parliament, she said. For a change this year, we want to see more young women in Parliament. They bring hope for the countrys future. Let us allow young women to lead for it is high time, she added.

Hlatjwako also mentioned the need to have a change of mindset and attitude towards women. She called for intensive and inclusive sensitisation throughout the whole country, which should have started years ago. The coordinator said the sensitisation may help uproot the patriarchal mindset that people have been socialised into for many years - that women were of a lesser value that men.

Promoting

We need the youth, women and men, to play a role in ensuring equal representation. Promoting equal participation has got layers; this includes changing how we socialise our children.

Let them see their sisters and mothers given equal opportunities to lead at home or family level, she said. Further, Hlatjwako said another layer was that of religious bodies or institutions. She said they could also play a huge role in promoting equal participation. Moreover, she said schools were also very important institutions to influence change. She went on to state that community leaders (chiefs) must lead by example when making appointments for any position in the communities. She added that electoral laws guiding the electoral process should also be gender sensitive.
MBABANE  All 18 Cabinet ministers are continuing to execute their duties as per the provision of the Constitution.

Government Spokesperson Alpheous Nxumalo said the status of the current Cabinet would be announced after internal consultations had been completed. The government press secretary was responding to questions posed by this reporter about the status of the current Cabinet ministers following the dissolution of the 11th Parliament by His Majesty King Mswati III on Tuesday during Sibaya at Ludzidzini Royal Residence. The 11th Parliament was dissolved with immediate effect. Worth noting is that the dissolution of Parliament occurred while the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) was busy conducting the voters validation exercise. On July 22 and 23, 2023 communities will be nominating candidates of the general elections.

When the King made the announcement of dissolving the 11th Parliament, nothing was said about Cabinet ministers. Some individuals had anticipated that the dissolution will also include Cabinet ministers as some said it had always been the norm that whenever Parliament was dissolved, His Majesty was left with a team he would work with to wrap up government business.

In 2013, when the King dissolved the 9th Parliament, there was an announcement of a committee which was known as a council of ministers, which he referred to as sigejana , that was to hold the fort while a new government was being elected into office. Yesterday, Nxumalo, when, asked about the status of the current Cabinet, said all ministers were executing their respective duties as per the provision of the Constitution. Government is waiting for the Office of the Attorney General, who is consulting the authorities in regard to the status of the Cabinet after dissolution of Parliament yesterday (Tuesday), he said. He said once the consultations were completed, the status of Cabinet would be communicated to the nation accordingly.
The police said that as per their preliminary investigation, the fire was caused due to a short circuit and that they registered a case in this regard. (Representative image: DC)

Hyderabad: Swift response from the Vanasthalipuram police helped prevent loss of lives, as they successfully rescued 40 workers of a hotel who were asleep in a four-storeyed building that caught fire in the early hours of Wednesday.

The police said that the fire started around 1 am, at a dining hall on the

first floor of the building, which houses the popular Subbayya Gari

restaurant in Chintalmet of Vanasthalipuram. It then spread to the other floors, including the third and fourth, where the hotel workers stayed.

The police said that as per their preliminary investigation, the fire was caused due to a short circuit and that they registered a case in this regard.

Four air conditioners, three styled coolers and furniture worth lakhs of

rupees were gutted in the fire, the police said.

Vanasthalipuram police inspector D. Jalender Reddy said, "We rushed to the

scene, which is over one km from the police station, within eight minutes.

On my way, I alerted the local assistant engineer of TSSPDCL and

firefighters. The TSSPDCL disconnected the power from the transformer and

the high-tension line that was passing in front of the fire-hit building,

following which the firefighters opened their cannons."

He said that while firefighters were busy, he led two constables, a personal security guard and a night security officer through a staircase through which they reached the third floor.

"We were shocked to see 40 workers deep in sleep on the premises that was

surrounded by black dark smoke from the first and second floor. I woke up M. Srinivas, one of the workers, who was shocked and immediately raised the

alarm among the staff," Jalender Reddy said.

The workers were asked to hurry down the stairs and were safely rescued to

the backyard of the building, police said.

The police also had to break a large elevation window of the building to

provide firefighters with direct access to the building. The fire was then extinguished within 45 minutes.

Shiva Prasad and Laxmipathi, the managers of the restaurant, thanked the police for rescuing the workers.

"The police did an excellent work by breaking the window glasses that saved

the lives of our workers and helped the firefighters to gain access to

control fire with a minimum damage to our hotel," Shiva Prasad said.

Laxmipathi said, "If police would have not reacted on time, fire would have

spread to the kitchen where over nine filled gas cylinders were placed. The

scene would have been different."
Due to the rise in the water level of Yamuna and resultant inundation of low-lying areas, traffic movement has been impaired in several places. (ANI)

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday urged people in the national capital to look out for each other and extend all necessary assistance amid the floods caused by the rising waters of the Yamuna.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, the Delhi CM posted, "The water level of Yamuna is increasing continuously. The water level has now reached 208.46 metres, on account of which the Yamuna has flooded all nearby roads and areas. I urge people to avoid these routes. People are being evacuated from areas that have gone under water. The people residing in these areas are requested to cooperate with the administration. Saving lives at this time is of paramount importance. I hereby urge all the people to help each other out in all possible ways at this time."

CM Kejriwal will visit Wazirabad water treatment plant at 11:30 am, informed officials, adding that the plant has been shut down due to flooding in the area.

Several areas of the city are under water as the water level of river Yamuna continues to rise following heavy rainfall and the release of water from the Hathnikund Barrage in neighbouring Haryana.

Due to the rise in the water level of Yamuna and resultant inundation of low-lying areas, traffic movement has been impaired in several places.

The North East district police have informed that more than 1000 people and around 999 cattle have been rescued from different areas near Yamuna, amid the ongoing flooding woes. The rescue was carried out in areas in Usmanpur, Shastri Park, and Sonia Vihar police station areas.

Officials have advised commuters to avoid these roads and plan their journeys accordingly.

Further, according to official inputs, the movement of commercial vehicles will be regulated as non-destined commercial vehicles won't be allowed to enter Delhi and will be diverted to the Eastern and Western Peripheral

Expressways.Commercial vehicles will be diverted from Mukarba Chowk, Sarai Kale Khan, Ghazipur border, and from Akshardham towards DND.The officials further said no commercial vehicles will be allowed between Mukarba Chowk and Wazirabad Bridge, Sarai Kale Khan and IP Flyover and also between Akshardham and Sarai Kale Khan.
The Prime Minister's remarks indicate New Delhi's push for permanent membership of the UN's 15-nation body that currently has only five permanent members. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: The UN Security Council (UNSC) cannot speak for the world as long as the worlds most populous country and largest democracy India is not its permanent member, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly told the French media at his official residence, shortly before his departure for France on Thursday.

The Prime Ministers remarks indicate New Delhis push for permanent membership of the UNs 15-nation body that currently has only five permanent members  the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China  who enjoy veto power.

"The issue is not just of credibility, but something much larger. How can the UN Security Council claim to speak for the world when the most populous country and worlds largest democracy is not a permanent member?" the Prime Minister reportedly told a French publication in an interview, adding that the UNSC reflected the dissonance of an institution that is not in line with a changed world order.

"Its skewed membership leads to opaque decision making processes, which adds to its helplessness in addressing todays challenges. I think most countries are clear on what changes they would like to see in the UNSC, including Indias role in it," Modi reportedly said.

"As the world's largest democracy, with unparalleled social and economic diversity, our success will demonstrate that democracy delivers. That it is possible for harmony to exist amidst diversity. At the same time, there is a natural expectation of adjustments in the international system and institutions to give the rightful place to the world's largest democracy," the Prime Minister was further quoted as saying.

"The rights of the global south (the worlds developing nations) have been long denied. As a result, there is a feeling of anguish among the members of the global south that they are forced into undertaking action; but when it comes to decision making, they dont find a place or voice. The true spirit of democracy has not been respected vis-a-vis the global south," the Prime Minister reportedly said.

Regarding his remarks made in September last year to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine conflict that "today is not an era of war", Modi was quoted as telling the French publication "India's stand has been clear, transparent and consistent. I have said that it is not an era of war. We have urged both sides to resolve issues through dialogue and diplomacy. I told them that India is ready to support all genuine efforts that can help bring this conflict to an end. We believe that all countries have an obligation to respect the respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, to abide by international law and adhere to the UN Charter,"

On India's soft power, the Prime Minister reportedly said, "Our exports have never been war and subjugation, but yoga, ayurveda, spirituality, science, mathematics, and Astronomy. We have always been a contributor to global peace and progress."
For this season, the government has to disburse Rs 7,720.29 crore to 70 lakh farmers. It has disbursed Rs 4,377.42 crore till June 30, while disbursal of Rs 3,242.87 crore is pending.

Hyderabad: Over 13 lakh farmers across Telangana owning more than five acres each are awaiting the Rythu Bandhu aid from the state government, which is currently facing a shortage of funds for the scheme, according to official sources.

Already faced with a fund crunch for regular use, the government is learnt to have asked the finance department to give priority to paying salaries and pensions for employees and pensioners for the month of July. As of now, employees working in Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts have received their salaries.

With July entering its third week, there is pressure from employees of other districts for salaries and pensions, forcing the finance department to channelise available funds towards the same.

For this season, the government has to disburse Rs 7,720.29 crore to 70 lakh farmers. It has disbursed Rs 4,377.42 crore till June 30, while disbursal of Rs 3,242.87 crore is pending. The direct account credit of Rythu Bandhu aid, of Rs 5,000 per acre, for the ongoing kharif season started on June 26.

So far, about 57 lakh farmers owning fewer than five acres each received the amount till June 30, following which the scheme was halted.

While the state government did not cite a reason for not crediting Rythu Bandhu to farmers owning above five acres, official sources said that the finance department failed to adjust the funds for the schemes due to the fund crunch.

Since the Covid-19-induced financial crisis of 2020, the state government is giving priority to farmers owning fewer than five acres for the Rythu Bandhu. The government is later giving priority to farmers owning between 5 and 10 acres, while farmers owning above 10 acres are generally made to wait for one or two months. There are also instances of farmers in the latter category not receiving Rythu Bandhu in several districts.

Before the Covid-19 crisis, all farmers, irrespective of the extent of land holdings, were given Rythu Bandhu at a go. But at present, the government is forced to impose undeclared restrictions on big farmers due to the fund crunch.

70 lakh farmers eligible for Rythu Bandhu

Rs 7,720.29 crore required in total

On June 26, Rs 642.52 crore disbursed to 22,55,081 farmers

On June 27, Rs 1,278.60 crore disbursed to 16,98,957 farmers

On June 28, Rs 1,325.24 crore disbursed to 10.89 lakh farmers

On June 30, Rs 1,131 crore paid to 6,64,717 farmers

Rs 4,377.42 crore distributed in total to 57 lakh farmers, all owning fewer than 5 acres

Rs 3,242 crore to 13 lakh big farmers pending
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy University Vice-Chancellors, Education department officials after meeting at the camp office on Thursday. (Photo by arrangement)

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has stressed the need for teaching Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality in medical and science courses, enabling the state to catch up with the latest advancements in technology.

"Our youths must become creators of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies," he said while holding a meeting with officials of the education department and the vice chancellors at the camp office on Thursday.

He said, "We are not helping students have practical knowledge. The design of teaching methods and question papers should be changed altogether, giving priority to applicability of theories. We shall constitute working groups with four or five universities, giving representation to engineering, medical and other faculties."

The Chief Minister told vice chancellors to fill the gap between our goals and achievements in education in the backdrop of the changes happening around the world. "From steam engines to electricity to computers, we remained followers without having a say in their creation," he noted.

The world, the Chief Minister noted, is witnessing a fourth revolution in the form of AI.

The Chief Minister stated, "Like in Western countries, we should also concentrate on applicability and overhaul the teaching methods and examination systems by resorting to emerging technologies into our curriculum. To achieve this vision, we shall constitute a board with top experts to make suggestions."

"Two separate boards would be constituted -- one for primary education and the other for higher education so that we can overhaul the entire system from basic education right up to higher education."

Pointing out that vice chancellors played a key role in higher education, the chief minister said they should think of adopting a two-pronged strategy to move along with the emerging technologies. "While adopting AI into the education system for improving teaching methods and learning skills, students should also be imparted with the AI creating skills. It should become a part of the curriculum, he said.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said the German Consular General had called on him recently. "He said Germany is facing acute scarcity of skilled manpower. In fact, all western countries are facing a demographic imbalance. Here, 70 per cent of the people are capable of working. We must train them with proper knowledge and skills, enabling them to shine at the global level."

The Chief Minister said there was a need to introduce several verticals in a single faculty, like asset management, financial market, risk management and security analysis in courses like B.Com, as in western countries, so that students will have several options to pursue.

He said teaching methods in medical education also should be changed with the introduction of AI and Robotics while changing the syllabus in tune with emerging technologies. Classes should be conducted in such a way that augmented reality and virtual reality should be integrated with the curriculum. Technology is playing a key role in agriculture too, he noted.
Thousands of mid-day meal workers from across the state will take out a massive 'Chalo Hyderabad' protest on Thursday and go on an indefinite strike in the city. The decision was taken on Wednesday after not getting any response from education minister Sabitha Indra Reddy despite staying away from work for the last three days. (Representational Images)

HYDERABAD: Thousands of mid-day meal workers from across the state will take out a massive 'Chalo Hyderabad' protest on Thursday and go on an indefinite strike in the city. The decision was taken on Wednesday after not getting any response from education minister Sabitha Indra Reddy despite staying away from work for the last three days.

Slamming the governments indifference to their demands, Sulochana, a worker from Adilabad district, said, "For three days we did not cook food for the students. Our hearts go out to those kids but we know that we need to resort to such pressure tactics more for them than us. It is ridiculous that the government has not shown any consideration. We, and the children, feel let down and betrayed."

In Nirmal, close to 1000 mid-day meal workers took to the streets and staged a rasta roko.

"It is good that schools were closed today and the impact of our strike was less on kids. We plan a 'Chalo Hyderabad' on Thursday and won't stop until the government responds. If the education minister fails to meet us, we will meet the Chief Minister urging him to settle all our demands," said Chittiyala Laxmi from Nirmal district.

She added that as a desperate attempt, they had spoken to forest minister Allola Indrakaran Reddy, who, apparently, assured them that he would speak to the education minister.

Meanwhile, some other workers, who wrote to the CMO, said that they had mentioned that they would wait until July 14 for a response from the state government and resume their strike if no satisfactory response comes from their end.
BJP Nizamabad Lok Sabha MP Arvind Dharmapuri. (Facebook)

HYDERABAD: Telangana state roads and buildings minister Vemula Prashant Reddy is responsible for a Rs 400 crore scam, in which the minister oversaw his department procure crushed stone metal from an illegally operated granite mine owned by his cousin, alleged BJP Nizamabad Lok Sabha MP Arvind Dharmapuri here on Thursday.

Arvind, speaking at a press conference in the state BJP office in Nampally sought an explanation from Prashant Reddy, who is the ruling BRS party MLA from Balkonda, why his department bought crushed stone metal from an allegedly illegally operated granite mine in his constituency at Rs 2000 per cubic meter instead of at the fixed government rate of Rs 800 per cubic meter.

"I thank the Telangana High Court for ordering to stop mining and stone crushing but the BRS minister still needs to come clean on how an illegal operation ran in his constituency for several years, and who all profited from the ill-gotten wealth," the BJP MP, who defeated Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Raos daughter K. Kavitha in the last LS elections, demanded to know.

The mining unit was illegal since the Pollution Control Board had made it clear that the unit had never received environmental clearance and the company had over Rs 65 lakh electricity dues, Mr Dharamapuri Arvind explained.

It would seem that the BRS minister ensured quarry operators were paid Rs 400 crore, way over the government price, to benefit a first cousin and his partners, Arvind alleged.

Arvind said that a quarry in Battapur village of Yergantla mandal in Nizamabad district falling in Prashant Reddys constituency was leased to one K.V. Srikant, and Geostone Industries, represented by Vamsi Reddy.

"The quarry and a stone crusher unit operated for five years without environmental clearances, resulting in destruction of a reserve forest located adjacent to it. The permit for the quarry was for 9,280 cubic meters of rock but almost 20 lakh cubic meters of stone was excavated and crushed. The resulting stone metal was sold to R&B department at inflated rates, creating a big scam gain for private individuals, at the behest of a minister, and causing losses to state exchequer," Arvind said.

Arvind further said that as per law, for any illegal excavation of the rock, the guilty operator must pay a fine of Rs 96 crore to the state government. Further, the penal seigniorage works out to Rs 57.60 crore, totalling to a combined fine due of Rs 153.60 crore.

"If the polluter pays the principle applied as per Supreme Court guidelines, this penalty alone would be a minimum of Rs 100 crore, but can go up to Rs 500 crore. This means, the company being shielded by minister Prashant Reddy will need to pay a total of anywhere between Rs 263.60 crore and Rs 653.60 crore as penalties alone. Minister Prashant Reddy must explain why no action was taken against a company that profited off a department he heads," Arvind demanded.
screenshot of DC newspaper clippings shared by BJP leaders on Twitter

Taking note of the recent reports published in Deccan Chronicle on multiple sections of government staff either already resorting to strike or planning to go on one, over non payment of salaries/arrears due for more than 6 months & around 6000 child labourers employed in industries majority of them being forced to work as bonded labourers, BJP Leaders took to twitter to slam the BRS government under the leadership of KCR. They accused KCR behaving like a "Dora" Telugu word for a feudal lord, treating Telangana as his personal fiefdom to fill up his personal coffers resulting in fiduciary mismanagement of the state.

G Kishan Reddy, Secunderabad MP, Union Minister and the BJP State President for Telangana tweeted, "Is this Bangaru Telangana KCR has promised?"

His tweet was accompanied with screenshots of the various reports with caption

Sad state of Telangana in KCR rule.

Panchayat Workers protest Mid-day meal cooks protest Delay and non-payment of salaries to Govt employees Child labour in Telangana industries

Amit Malviya, in-charge of BJP IT cell tweeted, "KCRs Telangana Model? Sanitation staff is on strike, villages are stinking...Power staff is demanding that salaries be paid on time. Mid Day meal cooks, after failing to get Govt. attention, plan a Chalo Hyderabad agitation. Professors, suffering under BRS, pray for the Govt to change... Unemployment and widespread misery has led to sharp increase in participation of underage children in labour force... Telangana is in a royal mess with KCR and family looting the resources with both hands and pushed the state in utter chaos."

Sunil Bansal, BJP General Secretary and election in-charge of Telangana tweeted, "The financial situation in Telangana is in such a bad shape that,

-Salaries are not being paid on time to power department employees.

-Sanitation workers have not been paid for over 6 months.

-Mid Day Meal workers are protesting on the streets demanding the release of pending bills and salary hikes.

The list goes on... Meanwhile, KCR travels across the country, painting a glossy picture of his government. Its time to wake up and smell the coffee,Dora."

#SaaluDoraSelavuDora

This vitriolic attack asking KCR to pack up by BJP belies the apprehension that it might go soft on BRS after a change in the state leadership earlier this month.
SIPHOFANENI  Over 500 people are reportedly wanted out of the voters roll at KaMkhweli under Siphofaneni Constituency.

KaMkhweli Chiefdom is under Siphofaneni Constituency, located about 52 kilometres southeast of Manzini and is led by Prince Mshengu. Until Tuesday, wherein His Majesty King Mswati III declared 59 vacant seats in Parliament, it was represented by Nomalungelo LaZwide Simelane, for about 12 months. She took over from the President of the Swaziland Liberation Movement (SWALIMO), Mduduzi Gawuzela Simelane, after his seat was declared vacant in Parliament as he missed 20 consecutive sittings. He is currently in self-exile.

Meanwhile, the individuals said to be a cause for concern among the residents are supposedly unknown to many people within the polling station.

Elections

It is claimed that some of the people who have registered to partake in the general elections under this polling station are not from area. These individuals were reportedly identified by community members when verifying the voters roll and they raised their concerns with the Elections and Bounderies Commission (EBC) officers. Sources from the community claimed that after pointing out of these individuals, some community members registered their concern with the EBC officers; however, it was claimed that the stationery used for this was not sufficient. A form should be filled in when filing a complaint with the EBC.

According to the sources, the community members decided to photocopy the form in order to register the individuals who were unknown to them. One of the community members, *Marvin, alleged that there were foreign nationals who were identified in the voters roll. The foreigners, according to the community member, neither had any business establishments in the area nor homesteads. Instead, Marvin claimed that the foreign nationals listed their residential areas as those in the capital city, Mbabane. Some of the people claim to be residing in flats at Checkers. We dont have Checkers in Siphofaneni and we have never seen them, Marvin claimed. The registered voter purported that in his exercise of establishing unknown people in the community, who had registered to vote at KaMkhweli, he had identified over 120. Another resident, *Caleb, claimed that he had seen people who were from Sithobelweni, Siyendle, Lavundlamanti, Bulunga and even Fairview. The community member supposed that among the people he had seen who were not from his constituency was a blogger of one of the popular Facebook pages discussing political news in the country.

Identified

Caleb supposed that he had viewed the voters roll at KaMkhweli Primary, Mnotfweni Primary and Siphofaneni High. In these three polling stations, he purported to have identified 89 people who were not known to the community and or were not residents of the constituency. Caleb said: KaMkhweli has a population of less than 2 500 people but seemingly those who seek to vote in the area are over 4 800. Where are they from and why do they want to elect for us someone who may not be accountable to us? He bemoaned that the people who were listed on the voters roll would arrive on the key days in the election calendar to make decisions for the residents, something that would impact them for the next five years. This, he said, was wrong and would be the source of stalling any prospects of development as the individual they might vote for would not have the interests of the people. Caleb expressed his wish that the validation period could be extended as they (KaMkhweli constituents) only had the voters roll copy from the past Saturday.

He supposed that from what he had gathered from other people, there could be over 500 people who could not be identified despite that they registered to vote at KaMkhweli yet they were not residents and or born thereat. Worth noting is that arson attacks and the vandalising of property started under Siphofaneni Constituency on June 26, 2021. The climax of the violent protest, which was organised to deliver a petition to the then Siphofaneni Constituency legislator (Mduduzi Simelane), started after the community members were stopped from engaging in the exercise. This was two days after the Acting Prime Minister at the time, Themba Masuku, had suspended the delivery of petitions to constituency centres, with immediate effect. In light of this, police officers were assigned to Siphofaneni to stop the exercise, which did not augur well with the petitioners and they went berserk, setting alight a South African-registered horse and trailer truck after looting its contents  sugar.

Smouldered

Also, just across the Great Usuthu River Bridge, another horse and trailer truck ferrying an excavator was torched. In this incident, the horse was smouldered into ashes with debris of the frame lying on the ground. The chaos was not limited to the torching of the trucks as a shop, run by a Pakistan national, was vandalised and looted as well. The shop belonging to Ahmid Hassan had almost all its contents emptied by people believed to be the protesters, while its owner was asleep within it. The vandals pelted stones on its windowpanes before gaining entry to take some of the items that were in stock. The turmoil, resembling an aftermath of a warzone, was visible along the MR 8 Road (Hhelehhele  Lavumisa Road), cutting through the town of Siphofaneni to Phuzumoya. Worth noting is that Siphofaneni Constituency has seven chiefdoms which are; KaMkhweli, Madlenya, Othandweni, Mphumakudze, Nceka, Ngevini and Tambuti.
Telangana state Congress state president A. Revanth Reddy. (DC Image)

Hyderabad: The Congress would give round-the-clock (24-by-7) free power to farmers after coming to power in the next elections but would stop the over Rs 8,000 crore annual corruption scam of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao-led BRS government, which was cheating farmers, said Telangana state Congress state president A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday here at a press conference.

Reaffirming the Congresss commitment to providing 24 hours free power to farmers, Mr Reddy said, "The Congress invented the scheme of free power to farmers. Our party is committed to implementing all the promises made as part of the Warangal Farmers Declaration, which was released by our leader Rahul Gandhi."

Explaining the context, the Malkajgiri MP said, "KCR government claims it is providing 20,000 million units of power to farmers for free, spending Rs 16,000 crore per year. But no farmer is getting power even for 12 hours in practice. Most farmers get six hours power, while farmhouses are getting 10 to 12 hours of power supply. What is happening to power being supplied for the remaining time? Farmers are not getting it. This power is being stolen and given to companies."

"My colleague Parliamentarian and senior Congress leader Komatireddy Venkat Reddy exposed the fact that the government is not providing 24-hour power. In Bhuvanagiri, he went to verify power supply records in the log books of sub-stations. Instead of answering him, the KCR government, I am informed, has removed access to those books to hide their failure," Mr Reddy said.

Congress leader and MLC Jeevan Reddy and MP dared the BRS government to come for an open, and would resign if the BRS can prove they are supplying power for 24 hours, he said.

Elaborating on the failure of the BRS government in the power sector, he said there has been a steep fall in rating and ranking of Telangana power distribution companies. "Wrong policies adopted by the BRS government in signing agreements with jacked up prices has resulted in the fall in rating of Telangana state discom companies from A+ to C- (minus). Their ranking fell down from top 10 to 38th and 45th place among 52 discoms in the country, which means the bottom 10 positions."

Answering a query on how could Congress party allege corruption when the agreement was between Telangana and Chhattisgarh state governments, Revanth Reddy responded saying "Chattisgarh State government agencies only facilitated signing of agreements with private companies."

He explained that the commitment of Congress party to farmers and Telangana was clear when Jaipal Reddy convinced Sonia Gandhi to make an extraordinary exception of distribution of power, and upped the quota for Telangana from 38 per cent (based on location of power plant) to 52 per cent (based on pro rata consumption).

"We gave more power to Telangana because of dependence on borewells by farmers here, and for the needs of Hyderabad. But why did the number of electric pump sets increase by a lakh each year after Telangana was formed if KCR government is providing water for irrigation through Kaleshwaram?"

Mr Reddy also said that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao was cheating farmers but had committed to the Centre to fix meters on power connections to farmers.

"My comments at a meeting in the USA were twisted out of context to create doubts among farmers. The BRS is scared because we are winning the next elections. We will only remove corruption, not connection," he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received by France's Prime Minister lisabeth Borne upon his arrival at Orly Airport, in Paris, France on Thursday. (Twitter)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his two-day visit to France with "fruitful" meetings with his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne and Senate President Gerard Larcher on Thursday. During the meetings, the Prime Minister discussed ways to impart new impetus to India's longstanding and time-tested strategic partnership with France.

The Prime Minister was accorded a warm welcome by Borne upon his arrival in Paris. Prior to his departure from New Delhi on Thursday morning, the Prime Minister had said that his visit is 'special' as he will join his 'friend', France's President Emmanuel Macron, on Friday for the Bastille Day celebrations as the guest of honour.

In his first engagement, Modi had a "productive meeting" with Senate President Larcher and the two leaders deliberated on a range of issues of mutual interest and agreed to work together to deepen India-France cooperation in a number of areas, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

"Delighted to have met Mr. @gerard_larcher, President of the @Senat. Had productive exchanges on ways to deepen India-France cooperation across diverse sectors," the Prime Minister tweeted.

Separately, Modi met Prime Minister Borne and discussed measures to further strengthen the bilateral ties. "PM @narendramodi held fruitful talks with PM @elisabeth_borne in Paris. The leaders reviewed various facets of India-France partnership as well as discussed measures to further strengthen the ties between both the countries," the PMO said.

The Prime Minister is here on a two-day visit during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron and join him for the French National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.

"PM @narendramodi commenced his engagements in France with a productive interaction with President @Senat @gerard_larcher. PM underlined how shared values of democracy, freedom and equality form foundational ethos of India-France partnership. Discussions covered India's G20 priorities, democratic values in technology usage, cooperation between the two Upper Houses as well as regional and global issues," ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

Modi also interacted with children and members of the Indian diaspora on his arrival at the hotel in Paris. Enthusiastic Indian community members who were waiting outside his hotel chanted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' as they met the Prime Minister.

"A warm welcome by the Indian diaspora in Paris! Across the world, our diaspora has made a mark for themselves and are admired for their diligence and hardworking nature," Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi's intensive programme in Paris includes a slew of engagements with the French leadership, Indian diaspora, CEOs and prominent personalities.

Ahead of his departure, Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership. In his departure statement issued from New Delhi, the Prime Minister said, "This year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership.

Rooted in deep trust and commitment, our two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people to people ties. We also work together on regional and global issues."

"I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years. I have had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since my last Official Visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023 during the G-7 Summit," the Prime Minister added.

President Macron will host a private dinner for Modi late on Thursday evening and also host a State Banquet at the iconic Louvre Museum on Friday evening.

On the UAE leg of the visit, Modi said, "From Paris, I will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an Official Visit on July 15. I look forward to meeting my friend, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science & technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties. Last year, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and I agreed on a Roadmap on the future of our partnership, and I look forward to discussing with him how to further deepen our ties."

In his departure statement, the Prime Minister added, UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year. I also look forward to exchanging views on strengthening global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate the energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement. I am confident that my visit to the UAE will usher in a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."
China's two-way trade with Russia rose in June to its highest level since the Ukraine war started, Chinese customs data showed on Thursday, at a time that both of the neighbours have described their relations as at a new high.

Bilateral trade value surged to $20.83 billion in June, the highest since February 2022, according to the data by the General Administration of Customs, despite slowing global demand and rising geopolitical risks.

China's imports from Russia rose 15.7 per cent to $11.28 billion, faster than a 10 per cent increase in May. China has been buying discounted Russian oil, coal and some metals.

Also read | Chinas Russia game a concern for India

Outbound shipments to Russia soared 90.9 per cent last month to a total of $9.55 billion, slower than a 114 per cent growth registered in May.

The Chinese customs agency did not release a breakdown of the data on Thursday.

According to analytical agency Autostat, six of the top 10 brands by market share in Russia's auto industry are Chinese, such as Haval, Chery and Geely, which have filled a vacuum left by departing Western firms.

China's President Xi Jinping on Monday pledged to continue working with Russia to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that a visit by President Vladimir Putin to China was on the agenda, adding that it was a good time to maintain the good relations between their countries.
By Anna Edgerton

Elon Musk said he believes that China is on Team Humanity and would be willing to work with the international community on common guidelines for artificial intelligence  a technology he described as a civilisational risk.

Representative Mike Gallagher, the Wisconsin Republican who took part in a Twitter Spaces discussion with Musk on Wednesday, was not so sure.

Also Read  Elon Musk launches artificial intelligence firm xAI

Musk, who recently returned from a trip to China, said he had warned top government officials there that digital super intelligence could try to take over their country.

The Tesla Inc and SpaceX chief executive officer said while he recognises that he has some vested interests in China, his impression was that Beijing is definitely interested in working in a cooperative international framework regarding AI regulation.

Gallagher questioned whether China has ever played a constructive role in existing global institutions. He said he sees the Chinese Communist Party as more on Team Genocidal Communism, citing the threat to Taiwan and the use of technology to control the Uighur population in western China.

Also Read  Elon Musk to host AI-focused Twitter event with US House lawmakers

Strategic competition with China has become one of the main arguments of those pushing for the US to forge ahead on artificial intelligence, even as some of AIs initial investors and inventors have urged caution. Musk was one of thousands of signatories to an open letter published in March that called on AI researchers to pause development of powerful large language models to allow time for shared safety protocols.

Wednesdays wide-ranging conversation on Twitter, the social media platform that Musk owns, came the day that he unveiled a website for xAI, a company he said should aim for AI that is maximally curious, maximally truth seeking rather than being programmed with one understanding of morality.

Musk said hes hopeful that relations between the US and China will improve once the, the very difficult question of Taiwan is  you know  resolved, although he didnt say how.

Its probably gonna get hot in the Pacific  hopefully not too hot, Musk said. Hopefully we can get past that and get to a positive situation for the world in the spirit of: aspirationally were all on Team Humanity. But its going to get spicy.

The live Twitter Spaces event included California Representative Ro Khanna, a progressive Democrat whose district includes part of Silicon Valley. Khanna is a member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, which is led by Gallagher.

While all three participants tried to end the conversation on an optimistic note by affirming that the worst case scenario for artificial intelligence is unlikely, Musk said he stays up at night trying to figure out how do we navigate to this to the best possible future for humanity.

It might end up being the hardest problem weve ever faced, Musk said. Nation-state battles will seem parochial ultimately compared to digital superintelligence.
Just a few hours ago, Apple opened the access to public beta of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14 Sonoma, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17.

Several features were showcased at World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2023 in June, but due to time constraints, some didn't make it to the keynote presentation.

Now, value-added features specific to the Indian region are emerging. They are really exciting and sure to enhance the user experience of Apple products.

Here's what you should know about the new features coming in iOS 17, macOS 17, watchOS 17, and tvOS 17:

Apple Siri to get bilingual support (on iPhone,iPad, Mac, and Watch)

Once updated to the new OS, Siri on iPhones and iPads will be able to understand commands with a mix of English and regional languages including Kannada, Telugu, Punjabi, Hindi, or Marathi

Users can set an alarm or timer, send messages, make calls, play music, check the weather, and look up directions on Maps.

Transliteration Keyboard support for more Indian languages

In India, it has become normal for people to use a mix of English and regional languages not just during talking but also while texting too. So, Apple has been adding bilingual support to the keyboard since 2022.

In the previous version of iOS 16 (and v16.4), Apple had introduced support for Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Urdu, Punjabi, and Gujarati, now with the new iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS 14, the keyboard will support Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

Also, with the new macOS/iPadOS/iOS, Apple devices will get a built-in Punjabi dictionary. Here, users can easily look up definitions of words and phrases from a variety of sources.

Better dual-SIM experience on iPhone

In India, owning two or three SIMs is normal, as people, most corporate employees, and business enterprises like to have separate SIMs for personal and work purposes.

Apple, though quite late to bring dual-SIM (via e-SIM) compared to Android, it has improved the dual-SIM usage experience in the last few years. Now, with the new iOS 17, messages will get more organized. It will have clear categories of Messages sorted by their primary as well as secondary SIM.

Also, the new iOS 17 brings support for different ringtones for calls from primary and secondary SIM, so that the user will instantly know if the call is related to work or personal.

Must read | watchOS 10: Key features you should know about Apple's new wearable OS

Key features that will surely improve user experience on Apple products:

-- For the first time, Apple is bringing an option to sign into Apple ID with a phone number.

Once you update to iOS/iPadOS 17 or macOS 14, users can sign into their Apple ID using a phone number instead of an email address.

--Extended call history: This has been one of the most requested features in India. Currently, the call history doesn't go beyond two weeks. Now, with the new iOS/iPadOS 17, users will be able to view extended call history in Recents within the Phone app, including phone and FaceTime calls, as well as calls received on WhatsApp

--Full page Screenshots: Android had this feature for several years and thankfully, it is finally coming to iPhones and iPads. Now, users want to take screenshots, they can scroll down to the last to get the full page in it. Be it a full page in Safari, or Mail, or Notes, users can choose whether to save it to iPhone and iPad as an image or a PDF.

--Message filtering: With this, the iMessage app will have a filter with categories such as unread, known senders, and unknown senders on iPad, in addition to iPhone.

Read more | Here's how to install iOS/iPadOS beta on iPhones and iPads

Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps, cybersecurity, and more on personal technology only on DH Tech.
Search engine giant Google on Thursday (July 13) announced the launch of the UPI LITE feature on the Google Pay wallet app in India.

The new feature is introduced to facilitate faster digital cash transfer during small value transactions.

"UPI LITE account is linked to the users bank account but does not rely real-time on the issuing banks core banking system. Due to this technical innovation by the ecosystem, UPI LITE promises higher success rates even during peak transactions up to Rs 200," Google said.

With the latest update, Google Pay now offers a new option UPI LITE. The user has to link a UPI ID and he/she can deposit up to a maximum of Rs 2,000 twice a day, a total of Rs 4,000 per day.

One major advantage of using UPI LITE is that there is less chance of failed transactions even in peak hours compared to the current method. And, users can do instant UPI transactions without a PIN number for up to Rs 200. This will come in really handy while filling up fuel for two-wheelers and also at tea stalls.

Another benefit is the user's bank passbook won't be cluttered with hundreds of small-value UPI transaction details. As of now, ICICI, Kotak Mahindra, Axis, SBI, and 11 other banks support UPI LITE in India.



UPI LITE feature on Google Pay. Credit: Google



Here's how to setup UPI LITE on Google Pay:

Step 1: Open Google Pay >> Tap on profile photo >> select UPI Lite >> Follow the instructions on the screen

Step 2: Users can add a maximum of Rs 2000 (twice a day) and type the four-number PIN and this creates Rs 2000 UPI Lite balance

Step 3: Then, users can do PIN-less super fast UPI transactions in two steps by just scanning the QR Code or phone number and typing the amount, and just tap the on-screen pay button.



UPI LITE feature on Google Pay. Credit: Google



In May, Google introduces support for the RuPay card in the Google Pay wallet app.

Must read | Google Pay now supports RuPay credit card

Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps, cybersecurity, and more on personal technology only on DH Tech.
Explosions boomed in the skies over Kyiv early Thursday morning, as Russian forces launched an aerial assault on the Ukrainian capital, killing at least one person, just hours after the NATO summit in Lithuania concluded.

It was the third night in a row that Kyiv was targeted by Iranian-made attack drones. Air raid sirens wailed around 12:15 am Thursday, and blasts echoed over the city center about an hour later.

Kyivs military administration called the attack massive and said air defenses had shot down about a dozen drones coming into the capital from different directions. It was not immediately clear if any drones had evaded air defenses.

Read more | UK to provide $65 million support package to Ukraine

Authorities said falling debris from the interceptions had caused casualties, destruction and at least one fire. A dead body was found as firefighters tried to put out a blaze at a residential building, according to the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko. Two people were wounded, and buildings in several districts of the city sustained damage, he added.

Images shared on social media by Kyivs military administration early Thursday showed a gaping hole in a building, with a mangled kitchen inside.

Ukraines complex air defense network has become increasingly adept at intercepting Russian attacks. But even when Ukraine manages to shoot down drones or missiles, falling debris can bring death and destruction.

The attack came as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was en route back to Ukraine from the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Over the course of the two-day meeting, the leaders of NATOs 31 member nations projected unity in their support for Ukraine in the face of Russias 16-month invasion. They promised new military support and made the strongest pledges yet that Kyiv would become a member of the military alliance  though they provided no clarity on when and how exactly it would happen. While in Vilnius, Zelenskyy also met one-on-one with President Joe Biden, a meeting that he described as very good.

Seeking to move past a dispute over when his country would be invited to join the alliance, Zelenskyy stressed his gratitude for NATOs military assistance  and appeared determined to portray the trip as a success back in Ukraine.

We are returning home with a good result for our country and, very importantly, for our warriors, he said in a video posted to Twitter during the air raid alert. We have put to rest any doubts and ambiguities about whether Ukraine will be in NATO. It will!
Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday landed in Paris for a two-day visit, the European Parliament, now holding its plenary at Strasbourg in northeastern France, urged his government to take all necessary measures to immediately end the ethnic and religious violence in Manipur in India.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution expressing concerns about politically motivated, divisive policies promoting Hindu majoritarianism in the northeastern state of India. It took note of the accounts of partisan involvement by security forces in the killings resulting in increased distrust in the authorities in the state.

New Delhi rejected the resolution, calling it an unacceptable interference by the European Parliament in the internal affairs of India.

Also Read | It is absolutely our internal matter: India ahead of debate in EU parliament on Manipur situation

Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, stated that the move by the European Parliament had reflected a colonial mindset.

The lower house of the bicameral legislature of the European Union adopted the resolution on a day the prime minister commenced his two-day visit to Paris on an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron.

Modi will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade in the capital of France on Friday.

His state visit to Washington DC last month had also come under a bit of a shadow in the wake of former United States president Barack Obamas comment on the need to protect the rights of the Muslims in Hindu-majority India. As many as 75 Democrat members of the US Congress had even written to President Joe Biden requesting him to convey to his guest concerns over reports of growing religious intolerance, shrinking of political space, curbs on freedom of the press and erosion of human rights in India.

The Members of the European Parliament on Thursday expressed concerns over the clashes between the Meitei and Kuki ethnic communities in Manipur.

A fierce ethnic clash between the majority Meiteis and the minority Kuki tribal communities started on May 3. The clashes started after the High Court ordered the Bharatiya Janata Partys government in the state to take a decision on granting the Scheduled Tribe status to the Meiteis within four weeks. The Kukis took out a protest march as they feared the ST status for the Meiteis might cut into their own shares in the reservation pie.

The European Parliament noted that at least 120 people had been killed and 50,000 had been displaced in the violent clashes that had left over 1,700 houses, over 250 churches and several temples and schools destroyed in Manipur. It stated that intolerance towards religious and belief minorities, including Christians, contributed to the violence. It also took note of the appeal by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to India to safeguard the rights of human rights defenders, raising concerns over shrinking space for civil society.

It strongly urged the authorities in India to take all necessary measures and make the utmost effort to promptly halt the ongoing ethnic and religious violence, to protect all religious minorities, such as Manipurs Christian community, and to pre-empt any further escalation.

Indian authorities at all levels, including the judiciary, are seized of the situation in Manipur and are taking steps to maintain peace and harmony and law and order. The European Parliament would be well advised to utilize its time more productively on its internal issues, Bagchi, the spokesperson of the MEA, stated.

The resolution adopted by the European Parliament called on all sides in Manipur to exercise restraint and urged political leaders to cease inflammatory statements, re-establish trust and play an impartial role in mediating and de-escalating tension. It also denounced in the strongest terms any nationalistic rhetoric.

The European Parliament stressed that those who were critical of the conduct of the government should not be criminalised.

The resolution was moved in the European Parliament by five groups  the Verts/ALE (or the Greens and the European Free Alliance), the S&D (the Socialists and Democrats), the Renew, the Peoples Party of Europe (PPE) and the European Conservatives and Reformist (ECR). They account for almost 80 per cent of the total 705 members of the European Parliament.
Lathi charge on protesting Bihar leaders led to a huge uproar as one BJP member died. BJP blamed Nitish Kumar while JD(U) said the probe is on. In Kashmir, three non-locals were shot at. In other big news, PM Modi reached France and has a packed schedule for tomorrow. Thank you for staying with us at DH. Please join us tomorrow as well as we bring you all the latest news from Karnataka, India and the world. Good night!
The Bihar government cancelled the leaves of all teachers for a week, according to an official document.

The Education Department also asked the district magistrates to inspect all state-run schools on Thursday to check the attendance of teachers.

"The attendance/presence of teachers in all government schools must be 100 per cent on July 13... Strict departmental action, including suspension, should be taken against those teachers who are found absent during inspection on July 13," said the letter by K K Pathak, the additional chief secretary (ACS-Education), on Wednesday.

Also read | BJP disrupts Assembly proceedings in Bihar demanding Tejashwi Yadav's resignation

The department also asked district education officers to cancel the leaves of all teaching staff for a week.

"Only in emergency situations, permission (of leave) can be taken directly from the ACS only," said the letter, which was also issued on Wednesday.

The reasons behind the directives were not specified by the department in the letters.

However, the opposition BJP claimed that the directions were given to prevent teachers from participating in its state-wide protest against the new recruitment policy.

"The BJP is organising a protest march against the new recruitment policy for teachers on Thursday. The march will begin at Gandhi Maidan and conclude at the gate of the state assembly. These directions were issued to prevent the participation of teachers in the protest. This shows the dictatorial mindset of the Nitish Kumar government," alleged state BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand.

On July 11, teaching job aspirants protested in Patna against the government's decision to remove the domicile policy in hiring 1.7 lakh teachers, which would allow people from other states to take part in the process.

Some teachers also participated in the protest. The Education Department has asked the district education officers to identify those teachers.
Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) is looking for a multidisciplinary consultant to conduct a concept masterplan of the overall site and also provide comprehensive detailed masterplan and architectural design guidelines for its mixed-use urban development, Madinat Al Irfan East.

Spread over a 175,000 sq m area, the Madinat Al Irfan East will boast a range of modern, mixed-use developments that will help position Oman as a leading MICE and business tourism hub.

Central to these efforts is the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), which is connected to several businesses, hospitality assets, and components, stated the Omani developer.

Madinat Al Irfan East development also includes the Crowne Plaza Muscat OCEC Hotel, the first JW Marriot Hotel in Muscat, and a Business Park consisting of commercial land plots, one of which one of which houses the award-winning Omantel headquarters.-TradeArabia News Service
Seema Ghulam Haider, the Pakistani woman, who crossed over to India from Nepal with her four children in May this year, to be with her lover Sachin Meena, a resident of Greater Noida, who she met on PUBG, the gaming app, rejected assertions that she could be a 'spy' and said that she would prefer to 'die' in India rather than go to Pakistan, where, she said, she would 'definitely' be killed.

The story of Seema and Sachin have hogged the limelight on social media platforms since the couple was arrested on July four and sent to jail. Seema had allegedly been residing at Sachin's Greater Noida home without disclosing her identity. The couple, however, was released on bail later.

Also Read: Out on bail, Indo-Pak 'PUBG couple' plan new chapter

''I am not a spy. I came to India to be with Sachin. I will not go back to Pakistan. I will be killed if I go there,'' she told reporters. The media had made a beeline before Sachin's residence at Rabupura village.

Sources said that three mobile phones, Aadhaars and a SIM card were recovered from her possession, when she was arrested. A senior police official visited Sachin's home on Wednesday and quizzed the couple.

Clad in a saree and sporting 'sindoor' (vermilion) on her forehead like a married Hindu woman, Seema confidently answers the flood of questions thrown at her from the local media persons.

The questions mainly pertain to her meeting Sachin, about her life at Karachi in Pakistan and her knowledge of Hindi. Seema has 'converted' to Hinduism and has also given Hindu names to her three daughters and a son.

Seema said that she sold a plot to arrange money and flew to Dubai before flying to Nepal. She entered India from Nepal. She also claimed that her husband Ghulam Haider, who worked in a Gulf country, used to torture her.

A senior cleric from prestigious Islamic seminary Darul Uloom has said that Seema was no longer a Muslim and that she should be thoroughly investigated by the security agencies.

The couple, however, betrays no fears. Seema has also appealed to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath to help her acquire Indian citizenship.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah Thursday set out from his home on foot to reach the party office after police allegedly denied him escort vehicles and ITBP personnel cover.

Abdullah, the vice president of the National Conference (NC), was scheduled to address a function at the party headquarters, Nawa-i-Subah, to pay homage to 22 Kashmiri people who were killed by the army of a Dogra ruler on this day in 1931.

Also Read: J&K political parties welcome Supreme Court decision on Article 370 hearing

He alleged that the Jammu and Kashmir Police denied him his security escort vehicles and ITBP cover to visit the party headquarters.

There was no immediate response from the police.

Unfazed by the denial, Abdullah set out to the office near Zero Bridge on foot from his home in the Gupkar area of the city here, while a handful of his special security group personnel -- a wing of J-K Police responsible for guarding VVIPs -- were seen walking along with him.

The former J-K chief minister took to Twitter and posted a video of his walk to the office.

"Dear @JmuKmrPolice don't think that refusing to give me my escort vehicles & ITBP cover will stop me. I'll walk to where I have to get to & that's exactly what I'm doing now," Abdullah said.

Dear @JmuKmrPolice dont think that refusing to give me my escort vehicles & ITBP cover will stop me. Ill walk to where I have to get to & thats exactly what Im doing now. pic.twitter.com/tHZ50Pq6GS  Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 13, 2023

After reaching office, where some of his party leaders and activists were waiting for him, the NC vice president said the "police would now send everything" for his security.

"Now that I've got to the office & will go ahead with my programme you will send everything. The fact is @JmuKmrPolice has stopped a lot of my senior colleagues from coming to the @JKNC_ office today by adopting the same tactics of stopping them in their homes. Notable amongst those stopped are Abdul Rahim Rather Sb, @AliMSagar_ Sb, Ali Mohd Dar Sb and others," he said.

The NC said Abdullah was to address the party workers to pay tributes to the 1931 martyrs.

"Despite the restrictions placed on JKNC Vice President @OmarAbdullah, which denied him security vehicles and ITBP cover, he chose to walk from his home to the Nawai Subh office. His purpose was to address the party workers who had gathered there to pay their heartfelt tributes to the 1931 Martyrs," the party said in a tweet.

Despite the restrictions placed on JKNC Vice President @OmarAbdullah, which denied him security vehicles and ITBP cover, he chose to walk from his home to the Nawai Subh office. His purpose was to address the party workers who had gathered there to pay their heartfelt tributes to pic.twitter.com/1bJ8VJKIxJ  JKNC (@JKNC_) July 13, 2023

July 13 was a public holiday in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and a grand official function was held every year on this day where the chief minister or the governor would be the chief guest.

However, the governor administration dropped the day from the list of gazetted holidays in 2020, after the abrogation of Article 370 and splitting of the erstwhile state into Union territories by the Centre on August 5, 2019.

Apart from the official function at the Martyrs' graveyard, mainstream political leaders also used to visit it to pay homage to the 22 Kashmiris who fell to the bullets of the Dogra army while protesting the autocratic rule of Maharaja Hari Singh.

For these last few years, the political parties have alleged that their movement was restricted on the day and they were not allowed to visit the graveyard in the city.
The Bombay High Court on Thursday rejected the interim medical bail plea filed by former Maharashtra minister and senior NCP leader Nawab Malik.

The veteran politician is suffering from a chronic kidney disease, apart from various other ailments, and had sought temporary medical bail.

Malik (64) was arrested on 23 February, 2022 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the activities of Pakistan-based underworld don and the mastermind of 1993 serial blasts Dawood Ibrahim.

Also read | Nawab Malik's son, daughter-in-law booked for using fake documents for visa application

Justice Anuja Prabhudessai rejected Malik's plea but said it would hear his plea seeking bail on merits after two weeks.

Senior counsel Amit Desai, who appeared for Malik, had argued that his health was deteriorating since the last few months and was in stage 2 to stage 3 of a chronic kidney disease.

However, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the ED, opposed the bail and said Malik - who is in judicial custody - is already in a hospital of his choice and is receiving medical treatment.

On Monday, the ED had submitted draft charges against Malik before a special PMLA court. Special Public Prosecutor Sunil Gonsalves filed the draft charges before special judge R N Rokade.
Banco Macro S.A. (NYSE:BMA  Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $20.07 and traded as high as $25.96. Banco Macro shares last traded at $25.48, with a volume of 283,982 shares.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Banco Macro in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock.

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Banco Macro Stock Performance

The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $21.55 and its 200 day simple moving average is $20.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.72. The company has a market capitalization of $1.63 billion, a PE ratio of 6.42 and a beta of 1.43.

Banco Macro Cuts Dividend

Banco Macro ( NYSE:BMA Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 17th. The bank reported $1.04 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.78 by $0.26. Banco Macro had a net margin of 5.15% and a return on equity of 8.14%. The company had revenue of $913.72 million for the quarter. As a group, research analysts expect that Banco Macro S.A. will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a  dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 24th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 18th will be given a $0.4455 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 17th. Banco Macros dividend payout ratio is presently 128.46%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of Banco Macro by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 20,798 shares of the banks stock valued at $360,000 after buying an additional 747 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG grew its position in shares of Banco Macro by 980.3% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,889 shares of the banks stock valued at $56,000 after buying an additional 3,529 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its position in shares of Banco Macro by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 367,720 shares of the banks stock valued at $6,038,000 after buying an additional 4,369 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Holdings LLC purchased a new position in Banco Macro during the 1st quarter worth $79,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in Banco Macro by 456.9% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,298 shares of the banks stock worth $109,000 after purchasing an additional 5,167 shares during the last quarter.

About Banco Macro

(Get Free Report)

Banco Macro SA provides various banking products and services to retail and corporate customers in Argentina. It offers various retail banking products and services, such as savings and checking accounts, time deposits, credit and debit cards, consumer finance loans, mortgage loans, automobile loans, overdrafts, credit-related services, home and car insurance coverage, tax collection, utility payments, automated teller machines (ATMs), and money transfers.

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Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited (NYSE:CCM  Get Free Report) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $1.36 and traded as high as $1.48. Concord Medical Services shares last traded at $1.40, with a volume of 469 shares trading hands.

Concord Medical Services Stock Up 2.2 %

The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $1.38 and a 200 day moving average price of $1.36.

About Concord Medical Services

(Get Free Report)

Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited, together its subsidiaries, operates a network of radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging centers in the People's Republic of China. The company operates in two segments, Network and Hospital. Its services include linear accelerators and external beam radiotherapy, proton therapy system, gamma knife radiosurgery, head gamma knife system, and diagnostic imaging services.

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First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (NYSEARCA:EMLP  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $26.90 and traded as high as $27.62. First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund shares last traded at $27.60, with a volume of 279,709 shares.

First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $2.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.88 and a beta of 0.81. The stocks fifty day moving average is $26.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $26.90.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in EMLP. Integrated Advisors Network LLC raised its holdings in shares of First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC now owns 63,176 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,686,000 after purchasing an additional 366 shares in the last quarter. Tyler Stone Wealth Management raised its holdings in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 60.3% in the 4th quarter. Tyler Stone Wealth Management now owns 1,103 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 415 shares during the period. Equitable Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 16,930 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $469,000 after acquiring an additional 430 shares during the period. Cherry Creek Investment Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Cherry Creek Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 26,375 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $704,000 after acquiring an additional 439 shares during the period. Finally, Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. raised its holdings in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 84,281 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,244,000 after acquiring an additional 448 shares during the period.

First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund Company Profile

The First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Alerian MLP index. The fund is an actively managed fund that invests in North American energy infrastructure MLPs and LLCs. EMLP was launched on Jun 21, 2012 and is managed by First Trust.

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Geneos Wealth Management Inc. reduced its holdings in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) by 9.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,527 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 268 shares during the quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $433,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TRV. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter valued at $239,875,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 11.9% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 7,820,386 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,466,244,000 after purchasing an additional 829,918 shares during the last quarter. Prostatis Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter valued at $839,000. Junto Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the 4th quarter valued at $108,956,000. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted its stake in shares of Travelers Companies by 19.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 3,284,693 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $615,847,000 after purchasing an additional 539,294 shares during the last quarter. 81.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Roth Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a research note on Friday, April 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $185.00 to $194.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 6th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $188.00 to $182.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 10th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, June 19th. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $182.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Travelers Companies presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $194.31.

Travelers Companies Stock Performance

Shares of TRV stock opened at $171.13 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $175.87 and a 200-day moving average of $179.13. The company has a market cap of $39.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.59, a P/E/G ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 0.33 and a quick ratio of 0.33. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a one year low of $149.65 and a one year high of $194.51.

Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The insurance provider reported $4.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.64 by $0.47. The company had revenue of $9.70 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.98 billion. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 7.41% and a return on equity of 13.41%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $4.22 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 14.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Travelers Companies Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 9th were issued a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 8th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.34%. This is an increase from Travelers Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.93. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio is currently 34.10%.

Travelers Companies declared that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, April 19th that allows the company to repurchase $5.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the insurance provider to buy up to 12.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 37,316 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.08, for a total value of $6,682,549.28. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 11,703 shares in the company, valued at $2,095,773.24. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 37,316 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.08, for a total transaction of $6,682,549.28. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 11,703 shares in the company, valued at $2,095,773.24. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Andy F. Bessette sold 11,572 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $178.14, for a total transaction of $2,061,436.08. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 17,361 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,092,688.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 59,134 shares of company stock worth $10,617,466 over the last quarter. Insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Travelers Companies Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance.

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NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC raised its holdings in shares of Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:NUS  Free Report) by 6.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 9,480 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 600 shares during the quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLCs holdings in Nu Skin Enterprises were worth $373,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of NUS. AlphaCrest Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Nu Skin Enterprises in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $336,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Nu Skin Enterprises by 39.1% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 58,476 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,800,000 after buying an additional 16,431 shares in the last quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Nu Skin Enterprises in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $385,000. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its holdings in Nu Skin Enterprises by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 148,426 shares of the companys stock worth $7,107,000 after purchasing an additional 849 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its holdings in Nu Skin Enterprises by 10.5% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 18,260 shares of the companys stock worth $874,000 after purchasing an additional 1,741 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.06% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently commented on NUS. StockNews.com began coverage on Nu Skin Enterprises in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. TheStreet lowered Nu Skin Enterprises from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Wednesday, March 15th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $39.33.

Nu Skin Enterprises Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:NUS opened at $29.68 on Thursday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $34.31 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $38.87. Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $29.51 and a fifty-two week high of $47.31. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.27 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 2.08 and a quick ratio of 1.09.

Nu Skin Enterprises (NYSE:NUS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.33 by $0.04. Nu Skin Enterprises had a return on equity of 14.13% and a net margin of 3.68%. The firm had revenue of $481.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $477.49 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.76 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 20.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. will post 2.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Nu Skin Enterprises Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 26th were issued a dividend of $0.39 per share. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 25th. Nu Skin Enterprisess payout ratio is presently 101.30%.

Insider Transactions at Nu Skin Enterprises

In other news, Director Andrew D. Lipman sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.75, for a total transaction of $81,500.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 60,393 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,461,014.75. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Nu Skin Enterprises news, Director Andrew D. Lipman sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.75, for a total value of $81,500.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 60,393 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,461,014.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Edwina D. Woodbury sold 1,255 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.87, for a total value of $47,526.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 15,469 shares in the company, valued at approximately $585,811.03. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 7,255 shares of company stock worth $261,827. Insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock.

Nu Skin Enterprises Profile

(Free Report)

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops and distributes various beauty and wellness products worldwide. It offers skin care devices, cosmetics, and other personal care products, including ageLOC LumiSpa and ageLOC LumiSpa iO, ageLOC Body Spa; and nutricentials skin care products.

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Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 7,210 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $574,000.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in ADM. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland during the 4th quarter valued at about $525,111,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland during the 4th quarter worth approximately $369,091,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 29.4% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 6,524,033 shares of the companys stock worth $524,856,000 after acquiring an additional 1,483,115 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 1,328.8% during the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 902,850 shares of the companys stock valued at $83,468,000 after buying an additional 839,659 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland by 9.2% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 6,744,254 shares of the companys stock valued at $626,204,000 after buying an additional 570,811 shares during the period. 78.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently weighed in on ADM shares. Roth Mkm started coverage on Archer-Daniels-Midland in a report on Thursday, June 22nd. They set a buy rating and a $92.00 price target on the stock. Barclays decreased their price target on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $99.00 to $95.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $98.00 to $90.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. StockNews.com began coverage on Archer-Daniels-Midland in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $94.00 to $85.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $99.50.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Price Performance

ADM opened at $78.73 on Thursday. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a 12-month low of $69.92 and a 12-month high of $98.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.51, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $74.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is $79.31. The company has a market capitalization of $42.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.88, a PEG ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.81.

Archer-Daniels-Midland (NYSE:ADM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $2.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.38. Archer-Daniels-Midland had a return on equity of 18.39% and a net margin of 4.36%. The business had revenue of $24.07 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.09 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.90 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Archer-Daniels-Midland Company will post 6.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Archer-Daniels-Midland Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 7th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 17th were given a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.29%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 16th. Archer-Daniels-Midlands payout ratio is currently 22.58%.

About Archer-Daniels-Midland

(Free Report)

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition.

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Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 7,328 shares of the medical equipment providers stock, valued at approximately $367,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Forum Financial Management LP boosted its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 1.8% in the first quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 11,903 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $596,000 after acquiring an additional 205 shares in the last quarter. Dubuque Bank & Trust Co. lifted its stake in shares of Boston Scientific by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. Dubuque Bank & Trust Co. now owns 5,112 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $256,000 after purchasing an additional 209 shares during the last quarter. Montag A & Associates Inc. lifted its position in Boston Scientific by 8.5% during the 4th quarter. Montag A & Associates Inc. now owns 2,712 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $125,000 after acquiring an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. Childress Capital Advisors LLC lifted its position in Boston Scientific by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. Childress Capital Advisors LLC now owns 6,201 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $287,000 after acquiring an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson LLC increased its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson LLC now owns 15,306 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $766,000 after purchasing an additional 223 shares during the period. 92.20% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Boston Scientific

In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Arthur C. Butcher sold 6,697 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.80, for a total value of $360,298.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 17,453 shares in the company, valued at $938,971.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Arthur C. Butcher sold 6,697 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.80, for a total transaction of $360,298.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 17,453 shares in the company, valued at approximately $938,971.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Eric Francis Yves Thepaut sold 83,401 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.49, for a total transaction of $4,377,718.49. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 12,269 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $643,999.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 176,779 shares of company stock valued at $9,360,777. Corporate insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock.

Boston Scientific Price Performance

Shares of BSX stock opened at $52.46 on Thursday. Boston Scientific Co. has a 1 year low of $36.15 and a 1 year high of $54.74. The firms 50 day moving average is $52.69 and its 200-day moving average is $49.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 88.92, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47.

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $3.39 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.16 billion. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 6.91% and a return on equity of 14.57%. Boston Scientifics revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.39 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Boston Scientific Co. will post 1.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on BSX shares. Raymond James boosted their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $56.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. Piper Sandler upped their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $58.00 to $62.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 6th. BTIG Research upped their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $53.00 to $54.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $54.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $56.00 to $58.00 in a research note on Wednesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Boston Scientific has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $56.56.

About Boston Scientific

(Free Report)

Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through MedSurg and Cardiovascular segments. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions; devices to treat various urological and pelvic conditions; implantable cardioverter and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators; pacemakers and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers; and remote patient management systems.

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Sydney, July 13 (UNI) Police in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) on Thursday appealed for dashcam footage after a six-vehicle crash killed one and critically injured two in Sydney's northwest.

At about 1:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, emergency services were called to a multi-vehicle pile-up at the intersection of Blaxland Road and First Avenue, Eastwood, which involved a Mitsubishi SUV, a Holden Commodore, a Kia SUV, a Toyota sedan, an Audi hatchback, and a van.

A 61-year-old female passenger of the Holden died at the scene, while out of the same car, a 67-year-old female driver and a 63-year-old female passenger were sent to hospitals with critical injuries.

A 31-year-old man behind the wheel of the Mitsubishi was treated for a head injury and in stable condition, with other drivers uninjured. Both Mitsubishi and Holden cars have been seized to undergo forensic examination.

"Police established a crime scene which was examined by specialist officers from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit," said NSW Police Force, adding that an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

This is the second six-car accident reported in Sydney this week. On Tuesday, a collision at Strathfield in Sydney's inner west injured five people, and a 22-year-old man was arrested.

UNI/XINHUA ARN
There was deep sadness across the city and beyond as news spread of the passing of Derry community activist Roisin Barton (nee Keenan).

Roisin died on July 5, 2023, peacefully at Altnagelvin Hospital, surrounded by her loving family and partner.

She was the beloved partner of Peter, loving mother of Liam, Sean, Colm, Aine, Seamas and the late Padraig, a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother, dear daughter of the late Sean and Nancy, (formerly of St Columbs Street), loving sister of Seamus, Nora and the late Sean and Colm.

Roisin with her son Colm.

Roisins funeral left her home, 23 Little Diamond on Friday (July 7) for Requiem Mass in St Columbas Church, Longtower, with interment afterwards in the City Cemetery.

Warm tributes were paid to Roisin and her indefatigable and multifaceted activism in the days after her death, including those from, the Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum; Alliance For Choice; SureStart Edenballymore; the Museum of Free Derry; Feile Derry; and the Derry Anti-War Coalition, as well as her heartbroken family, friends and comrades.

Roisins oration was delivered at her graveside by Derrys Mary Nelis. Mary told me: Roisin was my best friend and I will miss her very much.

Speaking of Roisin, Mary said: It was an Irish American priest who many years ago wrote an article entitled Consider the Women of Ireland. We are gathered here today to pay tribute and to honour such a woman, Roisin Keenan Barton, many of us just knew as Roisin Keenan.

We are sorrowful beyond words for the loss of this woman of Ireland, her courage, her strength, and her great dignity as a human being living through a time of great adversity.

Roisin was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a partner, a mother and grandmother and great grandmother and in all the many roles she fulfilled in her life she did so with humour and compassion and a lot of straight talking. Roisin never minced words.

Each of us in our own way will cherish the memories of Roisin but few of us will truly understand the immense debt that we owe her. She was of the generation that got off their knees and for the rest of her life she gave her energy and talents firstly to her family and to the cause of freedom and justice not just in Ireland but in the many countries of the world for she was truly an internationalist.

Her life and that of her family was never easy. Her father the late Sean Keenan spent many years in various prisons and prison ships though he was never convicted of any offence. Her Mother Nancy was also interned in the 1940s.

In the past few months, Roisin, her sister Nora and son Colm launched the Forgotten Woman exhibition to honour the many women imprisoned during the 1940s and written out of history. Though not well enough to attend the launch herself, nonetheless she was delighted that the launch was packed out. It was a step forward in researching the hidden and often unacknowledged history of women.

The early days of what has become known as the troubles were hard times for the Nationalist community. The Keenan family living in St Columbs Wells in the Bogside knew at first hand the tragedy of those years. The injustice of internment without trial affected her father Sean, and her brothers Sean and Seamus.

All this weighed heavily on the newly married Roisin. The death of her brother Colm in 1972 added to her grief. But Roisin was made of stern stuff as we all witnessed during the past months of her ill health for she was that stubborn human being, stoic, who would not accept that what was happening to her family and to the community, was right.

She had grown up in the hard times where the washing ritual of a tin bath on a Saturday night was the norm and overcrowding in housing had produced an epidemic of TB, a deadly lung disease which sent many of her community to an early grave. But Roisin could see change on the horizon.

Many of us here today will have had personal experience of her courage, her intelligence, and her determination to bring about that change. Her early political activism was directed towards protests for better housing conditions and at the injustice of internment.

She, who knew such personal grief wept with the community march against internment which ended with the deaths of thirteen people in what the world now knows as Bloody Sunday. It was a day that changed life forever for the people of Derry.

In the years to come hundreds of young people ended up in the Norths infamous prison, the H Blocks of Long Kesh. Roisin, even though pregnant with her fifth child, regularly visited prisoners, and helped with fundraising efforts to support their relatives.

She moved to the Brandywell area of the City which she loved and became involved in the Gasyard Feile.

During those years her youngest son Padraig was killed in a road accident. It was a blow that a lesser person would not survive but Roisin, now suffering a lot of physical illness, faced it down and continued her lifes work of bringing change and instilling a sense of justice and equality in this community of the Bogside she loved so well.

She became involved in Dove House, a Community Resource Centre in the Bogside where she was instrumental in setting up empowerment projects for women. She later was invited to join the Management Committee and she shaped the great Centre it is today.

Wherever there was injustice, whether it was women's rights or the denial of rights to Palestinians, Roisin got involved. She never missed a protest. She was an avid reader and helped start a local book club in the area. There was plenty of good discussion and great craic on book club night.

Roisin never accepted the status quo. She wanted a better Ireland, and a better world, for her own children, whom she loved deeply and who brought her great joy.

She will be sorely missed by Peter, Liam, Sean, Colm, her only daughter Aine, wee Seamas and her beloved Padraig. She saw the future in the grandchildren she loved.

To them all I offer my sincere sympathy. Roisin had a great life, she had a hard life. It was full of both love and hardship, but it was always the love, the desire for a better Ireland, her desire for justice and her desire for freedom that won out.

As we say goodbye to Roisin our hearts are sore and I know that no words of mine can ease them. But as we leave here today, as we leave Roisin in the company of Old Jimmy Keenan and with her beloved Padraig, I do so in the knowledge that my life, and the lives of so many people have been the better for the courage of this tiny woman, my friend and a true friend of the people of the Bogside. We will never see the likes of Roisin again.

Roisin Barton: Go nDeana Dia trocaire ar a anam uasal.
It is 2023, everywhere should be wheelchair accessible.

This was the exasperated sentiment of Catchleen OBrien who spoke to Derry News about a recent incident in which her brother, Jim, was turned away from a city centre pub because he was a wheelchair user.

Catchleen said: We were invited to our eldest cousins surprise 40th birthday party, in Bar Fifty Seven in Waterloo Street. We had to be down before nine oclock, so we got the taxi down the town with Jim. We lifted him in and out of the taxi no problem. It was my mammy, Jim and me.

There are steps in Bar Fifty Seven to get up to the top, so we had family members ready to come down the stairs and lift Jim up. Thats what we do if Jim is going to something in the AOH or the Derby, he will get lifted up.

Outside the bar, the bouncer asked us where we were going. Jim explained that there were family members coming down the stairs to lift him up to the birthday party but the bouncer said we werent getting in.

At that stage I was upset and I said, Thats discrimination. He said it wasnt. He also said that none of the bars in Waterloo Street had licences to have wheelchair users in their premises. I said I didnt think that was right because Jim sometimes went to the Dungloe Bar to get a wee bite to eat. To be honest, I think the bouncer just didnt want the botheration, said Catchleen.

Catchleen said her mother and herself were upset because Jim was effectively excluded from a family party because of his disability.

Can a wheelchair user not have the same rights as an able-bodied person? asked Catchleen.

Jim is quite withdrawn, added Catchleen. He hardly leaves his room so for us to actually get him up and out was a big thing. The whole family was going to be there and we wanted our brother along with us.

Jim (23) told Derry News he had felt like **** when he had been prevented from going into his cousins birthday party.

He added: Thats how anyone would feel if they were told they couldnt get into a special family party.

I felt like I was being discriminated against. Because I was a wheelchair user, I couldnt go to my cousins 40th birthday. I had to miss out on that. I dont go out that much so it was a big deal for me to be there that night.

The situation needs to be looked at again, said Jim. Something needs to be worked out so people who use wheelchairs have access to the same places as everyone else. I think there needs to be more awareness about the needs of people in wheelchairs.

The way that incident made me feel was not good, so what would it be like for other people with disabilities? It would affect anybodys mental health not being able to go out and socialise, said Jim. Catchleen said that as a result of the incident, Jim had not been out of the house since.

She added: I really want to raise awareness about the challenges faced everyday by people who use wheelchairs. It is 2023, everywhere should be wheelchair accessible.

I think, maybe, unless you have someone in your family who uses a wheelchair or know someone who uses a wheelchair, it is hard to understand their daily struggles, said Catchleen.

Derry News approached Bar Fifty Seven for a comment and a spokesperson said: The upstairs 57 area of our premises and its facilities , cannot be accessed safely by wheelchair users.

The OBrien family held a meeting with Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan (SDLP) following the incident.

Mr Durkan told Derry News: I've met with the O'Brien family and have contacted Security Industry Authority (SIA) training providers to ensure that inclusion training is included as part of the course.

"I recognise that efforts are needed to ensure that the business and city as a whole is inclusive, welcoming and as safe as possible for people with all abilities.

Obviously some premises aren't readily accessible for people with disabilities; however, legislation would require them to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate everyone.

Businesses and society could benefit from more people availing of disability awareness training so that even where admission is regrettably not possible, that this is conveyed with courtesy and explanation."
A trade union umbrella body has warned of a carnival of industrial unrest in Northern Ireland this autumn if the pay of public sector workers in the region falls behind the rest of the UK.

The NIC/Ictu was responding after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak offered public sector workers in England pay rises of up to 7%.

Public sector pay decisions in Northern Ireland are devolved to ministers at Stormont, but the powersharing institutions are currently not operating due to a DUP protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements.

In addition, Stormont departments are facing substantial budget pressures and it has been previously stated that any new money for pay deals which passes to Northern Ireland through Barnett consequentials would have to be used to pay off a Stormont overspend from previous years.

The chairman of the BMA in Northern Ireland, Dr Tom Black, has called for an urgent meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris and for Stormont to return to ensure a full pay restoration in the region.

Health workers, teachers and some civil servants in Northern Ireland have been involved in industrial action in recent months amid ongoing disputes about wages and conditions.

The Prime Minister said on Thursday he had accepted the recommendations from pay review bodies, including 6.5% increases for teachers in England for 2023-24.

Junior doctors will receive 6% rises, along with an additional consolidated 1,250 increase.

Hospital consultants will receive a 6% rise.

There is to be a 7% rise for police officers and prison officers in the operational bands will receive an increase of 7%, with larger rises for support grades and 5% for managers and governors.

Senior civil servants in England will receive a 5.5% rise.

@GMurphyAGS"Improved pay offers for PS workers in Eng/Wales. What about workers here?Will NI public servants continue to fall further behind? If that is allowed to happen then Autumn will be a carnival of industrial unrest. Can we afford that?" https://t.co/ndwVY2JaJg  NIC ICTU (@NIC_ICTU) July 13, 2023

As the pay awards were announced, a tweet from NIC/Ictu stated: Improved pay offers for PS workers in Eng/Wales.

What about workers here?

Will NI public servants continue to fall further behind?

If that is allowed to happen then autumn will be a carnival of industrial unrest.

Can we afford that?

Londonderry GP Dr Black said: The BMA in Northern Ireland is deeply concerned at the budget situation in Northern Ireland.

We have been told that there is no funding for a pay uplift to be awarded.

We have written to the Secretary of State and all of the local party leaders to clearly and categorically state that this situation is completely unacceptable.

He added: We will continue to seek an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State.

We urge our local politicians to get back to work and engage with the BMA as soon as the assembly is restored to ensure funding is ringfenced so the uplift can be paid as soon as possible, but to also make a commitment to full pay restoration in Northern Ireland.
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Islamabad, July 12 (UNI) Four soldiers were killed while five others were critically injured after terrorists launched an attack on a military base in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, a military statement said on Wednesday.



The incident happened during the early hours of Wednesday when a group of terrorists launched the "dastardly attack" on the Zhob Garrison in the province, the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in the statement.



"Initial attempt of terrorists to sneak into the facility was checked by soldiers on duty," the ISPR statement said.



"In the ensuing heavy exchange of fire, the terrorists have been contained into a small area at the boundary," the ISPR said, adding that three heavily armed terrorists have been killed so far.



The military said that a clearance operation by security forces is underway to apprehend the remaining two terrorists as well.



"Security forces remain determined to thwart all such ghastly attempts at destroying the peace of Balochistan and Pakistan," it added.

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Chevron to acquire PDC Energy in $6.3 billion all-stock deal

According to reports, US-based Chevron Corporation  one of the top oil & gas firms in the world  has signed a definitive agreement with PDC Energy, an energy production firm, to acquire all of PDC Energys outstanding shares in an all-stock deal with an estimated value of US$6.3 billion (US$ 72 per share).

As per the agreement, each PDC share is valued at US$0.4638 of Chevron. This is what the shareholders of PDC will get for every PDC share that they own after the all-stock deal acquisition is done by Chevron. The total enterprise value of the transaction, including debt, is US$7.6 billion.

This acquisition is expected to expand Chevron Corporations overall assets, boost its ROI, and help it focus on its goal of being complaint with low carbon production.

Strong cash flows, low break-even production and growth opportunities in the Denver-Julesburg Basin and the Permain Basin are some of the key gains from this deal for Chevron.

According to reports, Chevron CEO & chairman Mike Worth said he was happy with the deal. He said, This transaction is accretive to all important financial measures and enhances Chevrons objective to safely deliver higher returns and lower carbon. We look forward to welcoming PDCs team and shareholders to Chevron and continuing both companies focus on safe and reliable operations.

The PDC president and CEO Bart Brookman had this to say: The combination with Chevron is a great opportunity for PDC to maximize value for our shareholders. It provides a global portfolio of best-in-class assets. I look forward to blending our highly complementary organizations, and Im excited that PDCs assets will help propel Chevron toward our shared goal for a lower carbon energy future.

The other top highlights of this US$6.3 billion deal are:
New Delhi, July 13 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday left for official visits to France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

During his visit to France, PM Modi will attend the celebrations of the French National Day, or Bastille Day, in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, the Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra told the media on Wednesday.

"This year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership," PM Modi said in his departure statement.

India and France will enhance cooperation across various domains including space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment and culture, he added.

From Paris, PM Modi will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, the UAE, for an official visit on July 15.

The UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Modi expressed his anticipation of exchanging views on enhancing global cooperation to facilitate energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement.

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A Government bailout for RTE would not come without conditions attached, the Taoiseach has said.

Leo Varadkar said that, as of now, only interim funding had been sought by RTE which had been sought before the broadcaster became engulfed controversy over governance and finance.

RTE operates on a dual funding model, with 55% of its income, 200 million euro a year, brought in by way of the licence fee, which costs Irish households with a television 160 euro a year.

In recent years, RTE has emphasised a funding crisis at the broadcaster and called for reform of the licence fee, stating that millions were being lost annually by people evading the fee and using the RTE Player on phones and tablets.

There are fears among staff at RTE that the crisis over underdeclared fees to its star presenter Ryan Tubridy, as well as spending for advertising clients, could affect revenues further.

The government did not accept a recommendation from the commission on the future of media in Ireland, in a report published last summer, that RTE should be directly funded by the Exchequer.

It said that pending the reform of the licence fee, funding for RTE would be considered as part of the budget process.

Mr Bakhurst said on Monday that he did not know what level of interim funding would be needed, but that the broadcaster would need to see what our finances are (and) provide the right information.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Varadkar said: RTE has a long standing request in for interim funding and thats being considered at the moment.

But thats been there long before the recent controversy.

At the moment, theres been no request for additional financial support, no request for a bailout.

If that were to arise, wed have to consider it when it arises and cross that bridge when we come to it.

But government has had to bail out agencies, state companies, or other entities before, and its never come without conditions.

But Im not going to prescribe what they are now.

But what I do want to say to taxpayers, and to assure them that if were put in the position where we have to provide additional finance to RTE, as a consequence of the recent controversy, well make sure that their money is well spent, and that the appropriate conditions or controls apply.

Separate from that, we do have a longer standing issue of reforming the TV licence fee, a very old-fashioned way of collecting revenue, linked to devices that many people just dont own anymore, and of course, a fund that goes almost entirely to RTE, which isnt fair, because theres more to public service media than than RTE and I believe this should be the Government, this should be the Dail that deals with this issue once and for all.

Reform was put off in the past for lots of different reasons but it is now long overdue and Im determined to see that through during this governments time in office.
Dhaka, July 13 (UNI) Main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday formally announced a one-point movement with a goal to remove Awami League from the power to hold the upcoming national elections under a neutral government.

As part of the first programme, a two-day road march programme has also been announced for July 18 and 19.

Fakhrul came up with the announcement at a huge rally organised by the partys Dhaka north and south units in front of its Nayapaltan Central Office on Wednesday.

On July 18, the road march will be held in all metropolitan cities and districts across the country to realise one-point demand while the same programme will be observed in Dhaka stretching from Gabtali to Jatrabari from 10am to 4pm on the same day.

On July 19, the party will also carry out the similar programme from Uttaras Abdullahpur to Bahadur Shah Park in the old part of Dhaka from 10am to 4pm.

Apart from the BNP, 36 other like-minded political parties also announced the one-point movement to press home their demand to hold the next parliament elections under a non-party government.

Earlier in the morning, the BNP leaders and activists started gathering before the partys Nayapaltan office with processions carrying banners, festoons, placards and portraits of the partys top leaders from different parts of Dhaka since Wednesday morning to join the rally.

Tens of thousands of the BNP leaders and activities thronged in front of the partys Central Police in response to the party call.

A large number of members of law enforcement agencies were deployed in the Nayapaltan area to maintain law and order.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) issued separate notices not only allowing the BNP to hold the rally at Nayapaltan, but also the ruling Awami League to hold a 'peace rally' not very far away at the Baitul Mokarram South Gate. Both parties were given permission to hold the rallies on 23 conditions, including ending the programmes by 5 pm

Alongside the BNP, its like-minded political parties were set to announce the one-point demand through separate rallies in the capital on Wednesday.

Ganatantra Mancha, a platform of six parties that shares the BNP's view that the government must resign ahead of elections, or otherwise be toppled through a movement, announced their participation in the one-point movement at 4 pm by holding a meeting outside the Jatiya Press Club.

A separate 12-party alliance that similarly believes no fair election can be held under the Awami League-led government came up with a similar announcement from a rally in front of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU). The Jatiyatabadi Samomona Jote at Bijoynagar, the Liberal Democratic Party at Tejgaon and Gonoforum and Peoples Party at Motijheel and Labour Party at Nayapaltan at different times of the day announced the same demand.

Besides, two splinter groups of the Gono Odhikar Parishad (one led by Reza Kibria and the other by Nurul Haque Nur), Gonotantrik Bam Oikya, Samomona Gonotantrik Peshajibi Jote and Sadaran Chhatra Odhikar Sanrakshan Parishad held rallies in front of the Jatiya Press Club around 3 pm and announced their participation in the one-point movement.

Earlier at a public rally on December 10 last in the capital's Golapbagh field, the BNP had announced a 10-point charter of demands including the resignation of the government, the dissolution of parliament, and the transfer of power to a non-partisan government.

BNP and its like-minded parties observed various programmes, including human chains, sits-in, road marches and rallies across the country, over the last seven months since the announcement of the 10-point movement, which itself came at the end of a programme of divisional rallies that started in August.

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The decision by Louth County Council to give planning permission for a new Primary Care Centre at the former Carroll Village Shopping Centre in Dundalk has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala.

Carroll Village Retail Management Services Limited lodged a third party appeal with An Bord Pleanala on 7 July against the decision to permit the development.

Louth County Council granted conditional planning permission on 12 June 2023 to Aviva Life and Pensions Ireland DAC for the development, which proposed partial demolition of the existing shopping centre building and the construction of a new four storey Primary Care Centre.

The planned development includes a General Practitioners Surgery, Pharmacy Unit and HSE accommodation, with planned works also including car parking and set down area; erection of access control barriers; new totem sign; general wall mounted signage; and new elevational treatment to north facade.

Carroll Village Retail Management Services Limited, in its appeal correspondence with An Bord Pleanala, says that it was responsible for the development of the Carroll Village Shopping Centre development and "remains an important stakeholder in the development of this part of the core town area and retains control over much of the Carroll Village complex."

Among the nine reasons outlined in its summary of grounds of appeal for appealing the decision, Carroll Village Retail Management Services Limited, says that "the planning application notices do not describe the full extent of development and all parking proposals are not included in the Applicant's red line boundary. As such the description of development is misleading and should be declared invalid".

It also says that "the applicant does not have sufficient property rights to implement the development as Granted and would sterilise the entire Carroll Village complex negating any potential for redevelopment and regeneration."

The case is due to be decided by An Bord Pleanala by 9 November 2023.
County Antrim-based environmental specialists Triterra, have joined forces with local digital marketing agency ProfileTree for the first-ever All Ireland Sustainability Awards and are calling on businesses in Louth to enter.

This event will celebrate those individuals and businesses who are investing in sustainable practices and working towards a net-zero agenda in Ireland.

With 14 different award categories up for grabs, spanning across multiple industries, this event will shine a light on those who have spearheaded sustainability within their sector.

BBC weatherman Barra Best is going to be the host for the evening and has previously presented Barras Return of The Wild - a series that documented the conservation efforts of threatened native species across the U.K. and Europe.

On the evening of the 5th of October 2023, Barra Best will introduce nominees and present the Award Winners of the different categories which will pay homage to those who are the driving force behind Irelands green future.

The deadline for entries is open until 1 pm on the 15th of August, and all applications should be submitted via the website.

Entries received after this time will not be accepted. Applicants should also provide evidence of their commitment to sustainability and demonstrate how they have been a force of positive change in pursuing sustainable practices.

The awards night will be held in the Europa Hotel, Belfast, on the evening of October 5th, 2023. This formal event welcomes nominees for a night of celebration and honouring those who have stepped up to the challenge of pursuing a circular economy and sustainable future in Ireland.

Ciaran Connolly, Director of ProfileTree and partner of the All Ireland Sustainability Awards 2023, said:

As a leading digital marketing agency based in Ireland, we believe that it is of utmost importance to recognise the businesses and individuals who have made a positive impact in working towards a sustainable future - not only will this help them set themselves apart from the competition, but it will also inspire others to work towards similar sustainable goals for the future.

Danielle McCormick - Owner & Lead Consultant, Triterra

"We are really looking forward to our inaugural awards event, which seeks to showcase and celebrate sustainability best practice across the island of Ireland.

"Our awards are developed and judged by sustainability professionals in order to create a highly credible, celebration event that offers peer-to-peer recognition for all who are working to implement and drive positive change across their own organisations, communities and environment.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the team at Profile Tree, as well as all of our partners, in delivering this year's event, and creating a fantastic and memorable evening for all!"
There were testy exchanges between Louth Independent TD Peter Fitzpatrick and Ryan Tubridy at Tuesdays Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media.

Mr Tubridy was before the Committee alongside his agent Noel Kelly to answer questions regarding payments made to him as part of a contentious deal at the centre of the controversy that has engulfed RTE.

In his opening statement made before the Public Accounts Committee that morning Mr Tubridy had thanked the many people from across the country who have taken time to stop me on the street, decent Irish citizens who have taken my shoulder and elbow in their hands and said, "You will get through this." I have cards and letters, nearly a foot off the ground, from people who have written to "Ryan Tubridy, Dublin".

However, apparently taking issue with the comments, while asking questions of Mr Tubridy, Deputy Fitzpatrick contended that:

I do not know who all these people are who are rubbing his shoulders and shaking his hand, because if he came to County Louth, it would be the opposite.

The Louth TD further asked Mr Tubridy if his leaving "The Late Late Show" had nothing to do with the controversy and if he stuck by his statement that the timing was entirely a coincidence and that he first became aware of the Grant Thornton review in May.

Mr Tubridy replied, Yes, adding: The Deputy's dismissal of the good people of Ireland who have the courtesy and kindness to approach me in the street is not something I appreciate, on their behalf.

They have approached me too, interjected Deputy Fitzpatrick.

Mr Tubridy continued: Second, I wish I had brought with me, in some ways, the countless cards and letters I have received from people around the country, speaking words of kindness and, indeed, wisdom. I would not like to dismiss their decency either.

Later on in the exchange Deputy Fitzpatrick questioned Mr Tubridys agent Noel Kelly on an invoice labelled consultancy fees sent to Uk based company ASTUS to collect a fee of 75k which Renault had agreed to pay Mr Tubridy but was guaranteed by RTE.

Deputy Fitzpatrick put it to him that: In respect of the consultancy fee invoices, Mr. Kelly simply followed instructions?

Mr Kelly answered: Yes.

The Louth TD continued: Mr. Kelly is a very successful negotiator and works for three members of the top talent at RTE. Why was this instruction not questioned? Neither of the witnesses are consultancies. If RTE told Mr. Kelly to invoice a company he had never heard of, why did he not question it? It makes no sense.

In response Mr.Kelly responded that: I suppose it is obvious now, but at the time we were just acting under instruction. We had been working with RTE for 23 years. I never saw any reason RTE would do anything deceptive. Why would I? It is the national broadcaster. I listen and watch and pay my licence fee like everybody else. Honestly, why would I have doubted it?

The Louth TD finished by stating that people were very disappointed with Mr. Tubridy but commended both men for coming to the Committee voluntarily.

People just want to know the truth about what happened over this.

Last week and the week before we seem to have been told lies, he claimed.

I am hoping the information we received today from both the witnesses is the truth. If it is the truth then we would all put our hands up.

It is public money. People are really sad over this. Mr. Tubridy is the one who kept mentioning the cost of living.

I have not changed how I felt. I love the Deputy's county very much, by the way, responded Mr Tubridy.

Mr. Tubridy has said how he feels. There are millions of people in Ireland who feel worse, replied Deputy Fitzpatrick.

Yes, I understand, said Mr Tubridy.
Louth TD and Sinn Fein spokesperson on Media, Imelda Munster TD, has written to the competition watchdog, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), seeking clarification on GAAGO streaming GAA matches within Ireland.

Deputy Munster was speaking after both RTE and the GAA confirmed to her in the Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, and Media that GAAGO has not yet had clearance from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to broadcast within Ireland.

Teachta Munster said:

In 2017, GAAGO sought and received clearance from the CCPC to stream games abroad for the Irish Diaspora and for those who want to watch games while on holidays.

But they have not received clearance to show games in Ireland, behind their paywall, as they have done this year.

It has been a topic of concern, and indeed anger in some quarters, that GAAGO has cherry-picked certain GAA matches and put them behind a paywall this year.

Many fans view this as being double-billed to see a match, as they already pay their licence fee for RTE or their TV subscription, which has always allowed them to view all televised games.

The language in the CCPC determination allowing GAAGO to broadcast is quite clear as it says, excluding the island of Ireland.

It is my opinion that GAAGO should not be putting GAA games in Ireland behind a paywall, and I have written to the CCPC seeking clarification on how they will deal with GAAGO operating without clearance.
Srinagar, July 13 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday imposed restrictions on the movement of two former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti to stop them from paying homage to 22 Kashmiri people who were killed by the army of a Dogra ruler on this day in 1931.

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah set out from his Gupkar home on foot to reach the party office after police allegedly denied him security.



In a series of tweets Omar alleged that Jammu and Kashmir Police denied him his security escort vehicles and ITBP cover to visit the party headquarters. Omar also alleged that senior party leaders were stopped by police from coming to the office.

Police did not respond to Omars allegations immediately.



After attending a function at party headquarters, Omar said he set out of his home and walked to reach the office to pay homage to the martyrs of July 13, 1931.



If police repeated and did the same, I would have no choice but to take similar steps, he told reporters.



In a question that on July 13 it was being observed as a state holiday, Omar said the governments did change and their decisions also change.



"Today this holiday has been cancelled and another declared..this will change. Like they (government) changed the several holidays by using the pen and declared several.. similarly the new government will come and do the same", he said.



PDP chief and former chief minister Mehhbooba Mufti was placed under house detention at her Khimber residence on the outskirts of Srinagar.

She also posted a video on social media showing the main gate of her house locked and an unknown policeman telling her that they have orders from higher-ups.

Mufti said she wanted to visit Martyrs graveyard in the Nowhatta area of downtown Srinagar.

..This at a time when GOI has used its tall claims of normalcy in SC to justify an act of betrayal- the illegal abrogation of Article 370. BJPs own heroes Vir Sarvarkar, Shyama Prasad Mukheriji ,Gowalkar & Godse who spread hatred & divison cant be forced on us. For us those who sacrificed their lives for democracy to take root in J&K will always be admired for their act of courage. We wont allow you to distort our history or forget our heroes. On the occasion of Martyrs day, I salute their courage for valiantly fighting against despots to the end, she tweeted.

The erstwhile state used to observe July 13 as 'Martyrs Day' to mark the killing of 22 Kashmiri people who were shot dead by the army of a Dogra ruler on this day in 1931. Since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, no function has been allowed to commemorate the Martyrs Day.

While, the erstwhile state of J&K used to observe Martyrs Day on July 13 as a state holiday and a grand official function used to be held every year on this day where the chief minister or the governor would be the chief guest, Kashmiri separatists used to call for a shutdown.

After the abrogation of Article 370, J&K dropped the 'Martyrs Day from the list of gazetted holidays in 2020.

There were no restrictions in and around the martyrs graveyard in the old city. However, police were deployed in large numbers in the area.



Peoples Conference leader Khurshid Alam alleged that he along with other leaders of the party were detained and denied the opportunity to lead a peaceful gathering of party leaders and workers to offer prayers and pay tributes to the martyrs at the martyrs graveyard.



Apni Party chief Altaf Bukahri said like every other common person, we were also not allowed to go to martyrs graveyard to pay homage to July 1931 martyrs.





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Chinese hackers breached State Dept., other government email on eve of Blinken visit, officials say

U.S. officials say state-backed Chinese hackers foiled Microsofts cloud-based security and hacked the email of officials at multiple U.S. agencies that deal with China ahead of Secretary of State Antony Blinkens trip to Beijing last month
Art is for everyone and has the ability to bring people together. The 6th Ortigas Art Festival will take place in Estancia East Wing in Pasig City from July 12 to August 13, 2023, and Ortigas Malls wanted to highlight this.

With the overarching theme Art for All: An Exhibition of Borderless Passion & Craft, the Ortigas Art Festival is a free event where visitors can see and experience art in varying forms and participate in educational workshops. It aims to highlight the talents of artists who want to showcase their creations to a wider audience, as well as ignite passion and appreciation for the arts without being confined to a limited space.

One of Ortigas Malls goals is to put Filipino art and craftsmanship into the forefront, and bring them closer to Filipinos through our annual art exhibit in Estancia. This years Ortigas Art Festival is unique as we invited talented artists from Rizal, Pangasinan, Bulacan, and Davao to share their talents, knowledge, and masterpieces in this month-long event, said architect Renee Bacani, Vice President of Ortigas Malls.

Im really thankful to Ortigas Malls for providing an opportunity like this for six years. This is an important platform to really reach out to a wider market, said Renato Mang Ato Habulan, Head Curator for Agos Studio and Linangan Residency. He added that the Ortigas Art Festival is a great way to educate people about various forms of art, and empower people to build a community through artistic expression.

A wide range of art appreciation

One of the highlights of this years Ortigas Art Festival are the artworks from Mr. Habulans Art Caravan, a traveling exhibit that brought art to various communities. The project encouraged collaboration between artists, fostering a creative space for them to paint and sculpt outside the confines of their rooms. These pieces are displayed at the Agos Studio and Linangan Art Residency exhibits.

Seasoned and up-and-coming Filipino artists from Davao, headed by Ms. Rita Bustamante, also shared pieces at the month-long exhibit.

For Photography, vintage photos from 1900-1920 of Southern Philippines and Cordillera are showcased by Ortigas Foundation. While fine print photographs are exhibited by Red Lab Gallery.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) will host free Night Film Screenings of critically acclaimed Filipino movies directed by Regina Cadena (Sonata), Paolo Villaluna (Pauwi Na), and Zig Dulay (Paglipay).

Aspiring filmmakers can also join the third Ortigas Vertical Cinema Contest, with the theme Pursuit of Happiness, for a chance to win exciting prizes.

For Dance & Music, Step by Step Performing Arts Studio, Bughaw Folkloric, and Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild are scheduled to have performances during the Ortigas Art Festival.

For Fashion, there will be a Miss Universe National Costume Exhibit by Empire PH and a Couture and Bridal Dress Exhibit by Kaayo Modern Mindanao.

Sharing the knowledge and love for the arts

In the spirit of making arts and craft more accessible, Ortigas Art Festival is hosting a series of talks and workshops.

Visitors can sign up and have an immersive experience in pottery with OdangPutik, and create intricate macrame pieces with Luntian Kagubatan in partnership with Agos Studio. There will also be back-to-back workshops by the Philippine Bonsai Society and Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Manila.

Mr. John Silva, Executive Director of the Ortigas Foundation, will give a talk on the Cordillera exhibit, while Dr. Laya Boquiren Gonzales, professor at the University of Asia and the Pacific, will give a talk entitled Writing About Art and Artists. Another professor from UA&P will have a poetry reading of Dante Alighieris Inferno.

Over the past six years, we have worked with so many people  those who came to learn and those who came to teach, said Helen Mirasol, Ortigas Art Festival Consultant. One thing that became an integral part of each festival were the Comment Boards, which encouraged viewers to take a more critical view of the artworks, adds Mirasol.

Through the Ortigas Art Festival, Estancia Mall continues its advocacy of bringing art closer to more Filipinos as well as giving them respite from the challenges of everyday life. The festival also gives Filipinos a chance to learn more about art and tap into their artistic side.

We have to teach art to a wider audience because it can enlighten people. I hope we can connect not only to young artists, but also to ordinary people who have the potential to do more art, said Mr. Habulan.

Art indeed has the power to connect us all. Together, let us enjoy Ortigas Art Festival 2023.

The Ortigas Art Festival 2023 will run from July 12 to August 13, 2023 at the East Wing, Estancia in Pasig City.

For more information, follow Ortigas Art Festival on Facebook (@ortigasartfestival), and Estancia on Facebook (@estanciaofficial) and Instagram (@estanciaph).
The Everyman has announced that its August run of a new production of Tennessee Williams most autobiographical work will bring to Cork homegrown and internationally recognised talent.

The Glass Menagerie was the play which in 1944 launched American playwright Thomas Lanier Williams III from obscurity to acclaim, and The Everymans summer showing promises to breathe new life into the eight-decades-old work.

In her stage debut at The Everyman, Natalie Radmall-Quirke will play the role of paradoxical mother, Amanda.

Hailing from Cork, Darragh Feehely will play Tom, Williams most autobiographical character and the plays narrator.

Another Cork native, Chloe OReilly, will play the role of fragile Laura, and audiences of The Everyman may recognise her from 2022s Letters of a Country Postman and the 2023 Irish national tour of Gina Moxley's Danti-Dan.

Lorcan Strain will play the role of Jim, a nice, ordinary, young man as Williams described the character.

Award-winning director, Emma Jordan, returns to The Everyman following the touring success of The New Electric Ballroom earlier this year.

Set and lighting will be designed by Ciaran Bagnall with sound and composition by Peter Power and costume by Valentina Gambardella.

The Everymans artistic director, Sophie Motley, praised the cast of the new production.

I am beyond thrilled to have three talented young actors Darragh Feehely, Chloe OReilly and Lorcan Strain, who are key members of our creative community, partner with the inimitable Natalie Radmall-Quirke, whose work I have admired for a number of years, she said.

The Glass Menagerie runs in The Everyman from August 2-26 (excluding Sundays and Mondays). Tickets are from 19 and are available from everymancork.com.
A ceremony was held in Cork City Hall recently for 25 students who graduated from this years YMCA STEP and Elevate programmes.

YMCA STEP (Support, Training and Enterprise Programme) was launched nationally in 1989 as a pre-vocational training programme for 1825-year-olds who were both educationally disadvantaged and long-term unemployed.

Cian O'Callaghan, David O'Donovan, Brian Synnott, Co-ordinator, Elevate Programme, Gabriele Dovidaviciute and Ryan Lynch at the graduation ceremony for the YMCA Cork Step programme that took place at the City Hall, Cork. Picture: David Creedon

Sharon ODonovan who is the YMCA Cork STEP Coordinator said students who completed the programmes were recognised at the graduation ceremony. 25 people in total were awarded certificates at the ceremony for their achievements.

They are part of the three different programmes, STEP Cork City, STEP Cobh and Elevate.

The young people would have completed QQI Level 4 with us and some would have Component certificates.

They would have completed those with us through our programmes, she said.

Brian Synnott, Co-ordinator, Elevate Programme, Suzanne Brennan, Dept. of Social Protection, Norma O'Brien, Dept. of Social Protection and Mary Nott, Assistant Co-ordinator Elevate Programme at the graduation ceremony for the YMCA Cork Step programme that took place at the City Hall, Cork. Picture: David Creedon

Ms ODonovan said:

The STEP programme runs over nine months and is a QQI Level 4 award which is what they got.

The Elevate programme runs over two years. That is a Community Employment (CE) scheme.

It is run by the Department of Social Protection (DSP). It is modules and working on recovery.

The students range in ages from 17 to 25. They are from Cork city and county.

The classes take place in the YMCA building in Marlboro Street and the Cobh one is in an industrial estate.

It is a general learning certificate that we do. It is the equivalent of the Leaving Certificate, she added.

Aaron O'Callaghan, Evan Doody, Lia Geasley and Jack O'Donnell at the graduation ceremony for the YMCA Cork Step programme that took place at the City Hall, Cork. Picture: David Creedon

Independent councillor Mick Finn deputised for the Lord Mayor as the guest of honour on the night said Ms ODonovan.

We had about 75 people present at the event with a good few family members present.

It was a nice occasion and their extended family members were very proud.

The graduation was a great occasion, and it was very pleasing for the students who had worked hard throughout the year.

Cllr Finn pointed out during his speech that the graduates can now step out in several new directions and graduating will give them a leg up.

The graduates will now pursue new avenues in several different routes which vary from embarking on more studies at third level institutions, starting apprenticeships or entering the workplace.

There are numerous benefits from completing the STEP programme said the co-ordinator.

They will now go on to do Level 5 courses in college, some are going on to apprenticeships, and some are going into the workplace.

The course provides a great opportunity for young people to get back into education and get qualifications.

It gives them confidence and it helps to get them into a routine. It helps them to get back on their feet and it gets them used to working with other people.

It also gets them working in their communities. We did an art project with The Glucksman and the Cobh group did a piece with the local active retirement group. You are linking them back into their communities all the time. It is a great springboard, she added.

Kate Damery, Catherine Murphy and Martin O'Sullivan at the graduation ceremony for the YMCA Cork Step programme that took place at the City Hall, Cork. Picture: David Creedon

The STEP programme in Cork city and Cobh takes on 25 new students every year and recruitment is already underway ahead of the new term in September said the co-ordinator.

We are starting with another intake for September. We take 25 students on the STEP programme between Cork city and Cobh.

We run from Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm. The Elevate programme takes on 14 students and runs for 19.5 hours per week.
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A bizarre drug-dealing case saw a 68-year-old Dutchman travelling from Cork to Dublin and back and then supplying heroin out of his car in a case where he claimed that he wanted it for pain-relief for his wife.

Harrij Van Der Veen of Garrisker, Broadford, Carbury, County Kildare, pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to charges of possession of the Diamorphine (heroin) and having drugs for sale or supply.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis described how the crime came to light.

On September 8 2021 Garda Derry OBrien and Garda Francis ORiordan were on plainclothes patrol of the city centre.

At 4.40pm on the Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, Garda OBrien overserved a known drug dealer leaning in the window of a car. The car had pulled in and gardai could see the male driver had small plastic bags in his hand which Garda OBrien believed to be Diamorphine.

Told that he was about to be searched, the driver handed over the plastic packs containing Diamorphine.

The man gave his details as Harrij Van Der Veen and he said it was heroin which he planned to supply to someone else, Sgt Davis said.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said: This is an unusual tale. He was not known to the guards. The other person (in the drug transaction at the car) was known to them. Contemplating getting involved in this was bizarre.

He is a Dutch national. He was never in trouble in his life. The idea of being involved in drugs would have been alien to him. His wife had health problems. He came up with this hare-brained idea.

A friend suggested he could procure Diamorphine and that it would be helpful to his wife. The friend suggested he should travel to Dublin where he might be less exposed and he could get a small quantity of heroin. He got 150 worth of the drug in six individual wraps.

Mr Buttimer said that on the defendants return to Cork he was contacted by the friend asking if he would provide him with two of the packages. In effect, this is the transaction that occurred at the car, he said. The solicitor said this other man was known to gardai and was being observed.

In relation to the accused man before the court, Mr Buttimer said: To say the least, it was highly unusual.

Judge Olann Kelleher said to Mr Buttimer: This is a bizarre situation. I dont accept his bona fides as easily as you do  doing the best you can for him. He brings heroin back from Dublin to Cork, he passes on the heroin.

"I dont accept all of his bona fides. I do accept it is unusual.

The judge said it merited a custodial sentence. However, in the circumstances he said he would fine him 750 for possession of the heroin and four months suspended for having it for sale or supply.
A 38-year-old man accused of having heroin for sale or supply at Prosperity Square in Cork was remanded in custody until July 24.

Shane Morrissey of Townsend Place, Greenmount, Cork, appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison.

He is charged with possession of diamorphine (heroin) and having the drugs for sale or supply at Prosperity Square, off Barrack Street, Cork, on February 5, 2023.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis said directions were awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Judge Olann Kelleher remanded the accused in custody to allow time for DPP directions.
Uisce Eireann, formerly Irish Water, is warning of potential disruption to water supplies in Cork and other areas of the country as a result of ongoing strike action by members of the Unite trade union.

Precautionary boil water notices for households and businesses are in place in Tipperary and Waterford over the next several days. Other areas where there could be disruption include Cork city and county, Kerry, Fingal, South Dublin County Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Louth, Carlow, Galway city and Wexford.

There is the potential for significant disruption to householders, businesses and water users generally across the 12 local authorities, and those impacts could be across the network and across the quality of water, Tom Cuddy, head of operations at the firm, told RTE radios Morning Ireland.

An incident management team has been working closely with management in the 12 local authorities to manage any disruptions to the water and wastewater system. However, there may be water supply interruptions and other water or wastewater issues, Mr Cuddy added.

These will be advised through local media and on our website and social media channels and we are in contact already with large customers and will follow up with customers in the areas which are already being identified. That will include, for example, hospitals and care homes and we are providing them with support and advice.

Mr Cuddy said he hoped a resolution could be reached with the trade union so that no further action would be necessary.

Strike Action

Tom Fitzgerald, regional coordinating officer with the Unite trade union, explained that strike action had been taken because the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which is the body charged with engaging with trade unions on behalf of local authorities, had refused to meet members of Unite.

This was not an acceptable position for one state agency to say that they would not engage with a trade union, he said.

Unite is seeking a commitment that water staff transferring from local authorities to Uisce Eireann will retain their public service status.

Our members democratically rejected a framework for future delivery of water services.

The trade union wants to sit down and discuss the difference in approach to standard operating procedures and industrial action.

Our members don't engage in this action lightly," added Mr Fitzgerald. "No one wants to be on strike. Its a very difficult place to be, and remember, our people who are on strike today live in those areas where the notices are going out. So this impacts upon their family, their communities. So it's not something they want to do.  Mr Fitzgerald said that in situations such as emergencies his members would leave the picket line to make sure any essential work was done.

The situation was not tenable. The union was available and was ready to sit down for talks.
CORK TD Michael McGrath has been heavily backed by punters to take over from Micheal Martin as leader of Fianna Fail according to BoyleSports, who now make the Minister for Finance the 7/4 favourite for the top job.

Speculation continues to mount over the next party leader and the current incumbent Mr Martin was said to be angry at party members who recently passed a motion calling for a deputy leader to be appointed.

The Taniaste has consistently stated that he plans to lead Fianna Fail into the next general election.

The Tanaiste is however one of the figures being tipped as Irelands EU Commissioner in 2024 and with Fianna Fail languishing 12 points behind Sinn Fein in a new Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks opinion poll, money is now going down on candidates who may be biding their time on a leadership bid.

A spokesperson for BoyleSports said that punters are now siding with Minister McGrath succeeding his fellow Cork TD with whom he shares the same Cork South Central constituency.

Fianna Fail have some catching up to do if the opinion polls are anything to go by and of the potential big hitters jockeying for position, more and more punters are now siding with Michael McGrath.

The Taniaste has consistently stated that he plans to lead Fianna Fail into the next general election.

Jim OCallaghan had been the frontrunner, but the Dublin Bay South TD has now been eased to 9/4 from 6/4. Micheal Martin has said minister for state Jack Chambers will lead the partys campaign for the local elections next June but Chambers himself is also being touted as a future leader and is down to 9/1 from 14/1.

A sensational return to the top position for Bertie Ahern looks out of the question at 100/1 after he re-joined party ranks earlier this year, but the former Taoiseach has not ruled out a run for Aras an Uachtarain. He is now the 8/1 third favourite to succeed Michael D. Higgins as President.

Irish MEP Mairead McGuinness remains the 4/1 favourite, while Ryan Tubridy is currently an outsider for the Aras at 33/1.
The 43-year-old man accused of murdering his late mothers 51-year-old partner in Skibbereen almost six years ago confessed to manslaughter today (July 13).

Andrew Nash, with an address in Thurles, Co Tipperary, made this admission in the trial by judge and jury where he denied the single charge of murdering Jonathan (John) Ustic, 51, in Skibbereen in September 2017.

The jury of seven men and five women returned for the resumption of the trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork. However, as they waited for the first witness of the day to be called  in the trial that commenced on July 10  prosecution senior counsel Sean Gillane asked Mr Justice Michael McGrath if the accused could be re-arraigned on the same count.

Andrew Nash was asked again how he pleaded now to the charge that he did murder Mr Ustic on September 24/25 2017 at High Street, Skibbereen, County Cork. He replied: Not guilty to murder, guilty to manslaughter.

Mr Gillane SC then said: That plea is acceptable to the state.

On the opening day of the trial, Andrew Nash had simply replied not guilty to the murder charge but with no admission to anything else.

Mr Justice McGrath said that as a result of this change the jury was no longer required. He thanked them for their service and excused them from jury service for five years.

Mr Justice McGrath remanded Nash in custody until July 14 when victim impact evidence and evidence of the defendants background will be given, as well as details of the circumstances that gave rise to the prosecution.

Background

On the opening day of the case, Mr Gillane said a sofa was lifted and brought down repeatedly on the head of the victim lying defenceless or Ustic when he was defenceless on the floor of a house in Skibbereen.

The late Mr Ustic was living at the house on High Street in Skibbereen with his long term partner, Suzanne Fenton, who has since died. She was also the mother of the accused man, Andrew Nash.

The accused had been in the company of Thomas Fitchett and his partner, Nicola Colgan, on Saturday September 23, 2017 having been at a show in Cork Opera House, and Mr Nash stayed at their home in Ballinhassig that night.

On Sunday, the accused received a phone call from his mother and he asked Mr Fitchett and Ms Colgan to take him to Skibbereen and they arrived in the town at around 5pm and went to the house on High Street.

Mr Ustic was upstairs. The accused went upstairs and struck him a number of blows causing him injury to his cheek. Both of them reappeared downstairs and things settled down at that stage, Mr Gillane said.

The parties in the house left sometime after that, looked at a camper van in the town that was of interest to them, got some food and drink and drove to Lough Hyne near Baltimore for a while. They returned to High Street at 7.40pm, the late Mr Ustic having consumed a lot of alcohol.

Mr Ustic was pulled violently out of the car, hitting his head off the ground in the carpark area, as a result of which he suffered an injury (and was left) prone in the carpark on the ground. Passers-by were themselves concerned about his state, Mr Gillane said, adding that Mr Nash and Mr Fitchett carried him under the armpits to the house, his feet dragging on the ground at a time when Mr Ustic was insensible.

Mr Gillane outlined further details of what allegedly happened in the house after that.

Mr Nash attacked Mr Ustic when he was on the ground. He stamped on his face, slicing his ear with a broken bottle.

"He was literally defenseless.

"He (the defendant) lifted a sofa he (Mr Ustic) was lying next to and he brought it down repeatedly on the head and chest area of Mr Ustic, Mr Gillane said.
A Cork TD has criticised a decision by the Office of Public Works to host a lecture by an Irish-American academic on the Elizabethan conquest of Ireland and is seeking clarification from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform about the booking.

James Charles Roy, an Irish-American academic whose most recent book is entitled The Elizabethan Conquest of Ireland, is due to give a lecture this Sunday at Doneraile Court on the 16th century British conquest of Ireland.

Doneraile Court is owned by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and a press release issued on behalf of the OPW says the Elizabethan conquest of Ireland has rarely received the attention it deserves, long overshadowed by more glamorous events that challenged the Queen, most especially those involving Catholic Spain and France, superpowers with vastly more resources than Protestant England.

It continues: Ireland was viewed as a peripheral theatre, a haven for Catholic heretics and a potential back door for foreign invasions  This is the story of revolt, suppression, atrocities and genocide, and ends with an ailing, dispirited queen facing internal convulsions and an empty treasury.

Her death saw the end of the Tudor dynasty, marked not by victory over the great enemy Spain, but by ungovernable Ireland  the first colonial failed state. In his lecture on Sunday, the press release says, Mr Roy will speak on the Elizabethan conquest of Ireland.

Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, told The Echo he was seeking clarification from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, on the role the OPW has taken in booking Mr Roy.

I note that the event that appears to be hosted by the OPW in Doneraile will feature a talk from a historian who holds particularly questionable and controversial views on the history of this island, Mr Gould said.

I would disagree with many of his views.

"I think they would be highly disrespectful and would reflect a colonial view of Ireland.

I think it portrays the Irish people badly, and reflects an anti-Irish stereotype perpetuated by the British, portraying that all the Irish did was fight and drink, that we were uneducated, while we know all that is the opposite from the truth, he said.

While debate such as this should be facilitated, it must be debate. We should see balanced debate that allows for full understanding of the lived experience of occupation on this island.

Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, told The Echo he was seeking clarification from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, on the role the OPW has taken in booking Mr Roy.

Mr Gould said he had asked Minister Donohoe for clear details on the cost of this event, the number of tickets to be sold and whether speakers fees are to be paid.

Events such as this, while important, must be transparent and clear in their cost and the role the OPW have played. Was the event pitched to the OPW or did they seek out the proposed speaker?

I am also calling for a review of the event with a view to ensuring balance and accuracy in the reporting of our history. Biased, or one-sided, education is not education, Mr Gould said.

RESPONSE

Contacted by The Echo, Mr Roy said he would suggest that Mr Gould read his book, The Elizabethan Conquest of Ireland, a little more attentively.

Mr Roy said that in the introduction to his book, he had clearly stated that it was told from the perspective of the British adventurers who made up the Elizabethan administration here, and he had instanced a luncheon party given by a minor official in the Dublin Castle administration outside the city gates in the late 1500s.

He had eight or nine guests, all of whom were Englishmen, except for one Irishman. [The rest] were all English, they were all Protestants, they were part of the Dublin Castle administration, they were all anti-Catholic, they were all anti-Irish, and they were all adventurers, seeking their own fortunes here in Ireland, at the expense of, of course, the Irish themselves, Mr Roy said.

He said that he had been very clear that the documents he had researched were the work of those men, and were clearly anti-Irish, containing the usual slurs on Irish people and Irish culture.

What you read in the book is what these people felt about Ireland.

"Now, its not what I feel about Ireland, Im a historian, Im just telling the story from these colonial oppressors who were seeking to colonise the island of Ireland, Mr Roy said.

Im not perpetuating anti-Irish stereotypes, and my talk will not be perpetuating anti-Irish stereotypes, but if Mr Gould wants to show up at the lecture, I would be happy to talk to him.

The Elizabethan Conquest of Ireland: an illustrated talk by James Charles Roy, takes place at 4pm on Sunday 16 July at Doneraile Court. Admission is 6, including booking fee.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

We already know that plastic is a top threat to marine life, with over 12.7 million metric tons of plastic waste entering the oceans each year. But a new study has found that 92% of global coral reefs surveyed, even remote reefs, are covered in plastics.

The study, published in the journal Nature, surveyed 84 coral reef systems, both shallow and deep, at 25 locations across the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. They found that the coral reefs were more impacted than other marine ecosystems (outside of coastal ecosystems like beaches and wetlands) by plastic and other waste.

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing problems plaguing ocean ecosystems, and coral reefs are no exception, Hudson Pinheiro, lead author of the study and biologist at the Center for Marine Biology of the University of Sao Paulo, said in a statement. From macroplastics that spread coral diseases to fishing lines that entangle and damage the structural complexity of the reef, decreasing both fish abundance and diversity, pollution negatively impacts the entire coral reef ecosystem.

The researchers found that the deeper into the oceans they studied, the more plastic they found. About three-fourths of the plastic debris found in the study was from fishing gear. Most of the plastic debris found, about 88% of the total debris, was larger than two inches.

It was surprising to find that debris increased with depth since deeper reefs in general are farther from sources of plastic pollution, Luiz Rocha, senior author of the study and curator of ichthyology at the California Academy of Sciences, said in a statement. We are almost always the first humans to set eyes on these deeper reefs, and yet we see human-produced trash on every dive. It really puts the effect we have had on the planet into perspective.

The researchers hypothesize that the higher amounts of trash at greater depths could be because of waves carrying trash away, humans collecting trash from shallow reefs, or shallow reefs growing over the debris.

In the study, scientists found that Comoros, a country of three islands off the coast of eastern Africa, had the highest pollution density. Here, they found about 84,500 pieces of debris per square kilometer.

The researchers recommended that in addition to improvements in waste management and reducing single-use plastic, there needs to be innovations in fishing gear to make it biodegradable.

How can we change the ropes, the nets? Pinheiro told NPR. We need to find a biodegradable material, like made from fibers as we used to do before.

We can also look to places that were found to have less plastic pollution, such as the Marshall Islands, for inspiration on curbing this pollution.

Despite the disturbing overall trend, there were some places where we found relatively little debris, which shows us that there are effective strategies for preventing plastic pollution, study co-author Bart Shepherd, director of the California Academy of Sciences Steinhart Aquarium, said. If we act fast and employ science-based solutions, there absolutely is hope for coral reefs.




India, Ecuador, and Indonesia lead shrimp exports to the US





India, Ecuador, and Indonesia maintain their status as the top three shrimp exporters to the US, according to the latest report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) covering May 2023, SeafoodSource reported.

India's shrimp exports to the US totaled 47 million pounds (21,767 metric tonnes) in May 2023, a decrease from the 54 million pounds (24,787 metric tonnes) exported in May 2022. The year-to-date total shows a decline of nearly 15,000 metric tonnes compared to the previous year.

Ecuador exported 36 million pounds (16,590 metric tonnes) of shrimp to the US in May 2023, down from the 40 million pounds (18,070 metric tonnes) exported in May 2022. However, Ecuador's year-to-date exports are only slightly lower than its 2022 figures.

Indonesia sent 30 million pounds (13,793 metric tonnes) of shrimp to the US in May 2023, experiencing a decline from the 36 million pounds (16,644 metric tonnes) exported in May 2022. Indonesia's year-to-date exports have dropped by over 20,000 metric tonnes, and given that the US represents 68% of its total shrimp exports, this decline has been significant.

Indonesian exporters have shown resilience by adapting to find alternative markets for their products, as noted by Shrimp Insights Founder Willem van der Pijl.

Among the top 10 shrimp exporters to the US in May 2023, Vietnam secured the fourth position with 10 million pounds (4,645 metric tonnes), followed by Thailand in fifth place with 3 million pounds (1,697 metric tonnes). Argentina ranked sixth, exporting 2.9 million pounds (1,321 metric tonnes), while Mexico took seventh place, sending 2 million pounds (973 metric tonnes). China, Canada, and Saudi Arabia completed the list with varying shipment volumes.

The US imported a total of 137 million pounds (62,263 metric tonnes) of shrimp in May 2023, marking a decrease from the 165 million pounds (74,915 metric tonnes) imported in May 2022. Year-to-date, US shrimp imports have dropped by approximately 20%, equating to nearly 64,000 metric tonnes compared to the same period in 2022.

- SeafoodSource




Vietnam's meat imports valued over US$480 million in first five months



Vietnam has recorded an increase in meat imports, surpassing 239,000 tonnes valued at US$480 million during the initial five months of this year, according to the General Department of Customs of Vietnam, Saigon News reported.

The quantity of meat imports saw a modest rise of approximately 1.6%, while the value experienced a decline of 9.1% compared to the same period last year.

In May, Vietnam imported 57,620 tonnes of meat, amounting to US$108.8 million. This reflects a 9.5% increase in volume but a 10.2% decrease in value year-on-year.

This marks the fourth consecutive month of growth in meat and meat product imports. During this period, Vietnam sourced meat from over 36 markets, with the top five suppliers being the US, India, Russia, Brazil, and Poland.

Notably, imports of meat from Russia have shown a steady upward trend following a decline in 2022. The main types of imported meat include poultry and offal, as well as fresh chilled or frozen pork and beef. While imports of chilled or frozen poultry and offal from pigs, buffaloes, and cattle have been on the rise, there has been a decrease in pork and beef imports compared to the previous year.

From January to May 2023, Vietnam imported 29,610 tonnes of fresh chilled or frozen pork, with a total value of US$73.62 million. This represents a decline of 19.9% in volume and 5.7% in value.

- Saigon News




Indonesia implements pilot project for saline tilapia cultivation



Indonesia's Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has launched a pilot project aimed at cultivating saline tilapia in a 16-hectare area in Karawang, West Java, Antara reported.

Saline tilapia, a versatile species that can thrive in both freshwater and saltwater environments, is expected to play a significant role in stimulating the local economy and improving community welfare.

Haeru Rahayu, Indonesia's Director General of Aquaculture Fisheries, said that the project's objective is to position tilapia as a strategic commodity for Indonesia's future. With a growing demand for tilapia fillets, the cultivation of saline tilapia holds great potential.

M. Tahang, head of the Karawang Fisheries Production Business Services Centre, highlighted efforts to boost the production of saline tilapia seeds. It is projected that the project could yield approximately 672 tons of tilapia over a rearing period of 150-180 days, potentially generating around IDR 20 billion (~US$1.3 million; IDR 10,000 = US$0.67) in total income, assuming an average price of IDR 30,000 (~US$2) per kg.

Tahang also said that the saline tilapia cultivation project prioritizes ecological considerations. By taking into account environmental factors, the initiative aims to ensure sustainable and responsible aquaculture practices.

Indonesia is the fifth-largest global exporter of tilapia.

- Antara
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), has signed an order to commend two outstanding military units and two individuals.

An office of the CMC equipment development department and a unit of Troop 92730 of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) were given first-class merit citations.

Zhang Xiongwei, a professor with the Army Engineering University of PLA, and Zhang Jianning, a senior neurosurgery doctor and professor at the Chinese PLA General Hospital, were given third-class merit citations in defense-related science and technology.




Philippines launches taskforce to ensure safety and effectiveness of ASF vaccines

The director general of the Philippines' Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Samuel Zacate, has launched Taskforce Moccus, an organisational unit that aims to ensure the safety, effectiveness and good quality of African swine fever (ASF) drugs and vaccines.

According to the FDA, the taskforce shall facilitate applications for ASF drugs and vaccines. The FDA said it supports the Philippines' programme to rehabilitate the local hog industry and ensure the availability and affordability of pork products.

The FDA also encourages the veterinary pharmaceutical industry to submit applications with complete requirements in support of the government's efforts to control ASF infections.

- FDA
Complete backside routing solutions enable next-generation high-performance chips for mobile, automotive, AI and hyperscale applications

Cadence Design Systems announced that it has delivered a complete, certified backside implementation flow to support Samsung Foundrys SF2 process node.

This latest collaboration between Cadence and Samsung Foundry enables customers to leverage the Cadence digital full flow and corresponding process design kit (PDK) to speed next-generation mobile, automotive, AI and hyperscale chip design innovation. The flow has already been validated with the completion of a successful 2nm test chip tapeout.

The complete Cadence RTL-to-GDS flow that is optimized for the Samsung Foundry 2nm process technology includes the Genus Synthesis Solution, Innovus Implementation System, Integrity 3D-IC platform, Quantus Extraction Solution, Pegasus Verification System, Voltus IC Power Integrity Solution, Tempus Timing Signoff Solution and Tempus ECO Option. Backside routing improves PPA results and reduces congestion on the frontside layers and can be used for power distribution networks, clock tree nets and signal routing. Accordingly, the four Innovus Implementation System engines have been optimized for the Samsung Foundry 2nm process:

Innovus GigaPlace engine automatically places and legalizes a nano through silicon via (nTSV) structure, allowing a connection between frontside and backside layers

Innovus GigaOpt engine uses backside layers for timing-critical long wires to improve chip performance

Innovus NanoRoute engine inherently supports backside routing based on rules in the technologys Library Exchange Format (LEF)

In addition to the Innovus Implementation System engine capabilities that support SF2 technology, the Quantus Extraction Solution fully supports backside layers to enable the Tempus Timing Solution to sign off designs with a mix of frontside and backside layers, delivering reduced voltage drop on the power distribution mesh and improved routability on the frontside metal layers.

Through our ongoing collaborations with Cadence, were consistently looking for new ways to help our mutual customers accelerate next-generation design innovation, said Sangyun Kim, vice president of the Foundry Design Technology Team at Samsung Electronics. The successful rollout of this backside design flow, fully supported by the Cadence digital flow, lets customers reap the benefits of our advanced SF2 technology.

Designers can speed time to market by leveraging our collaboration with Samsung Foundry on the complete RTL-to-GDS flow and SF2 technology, said Vivek Mishra, corporate vice president in the Digital & Signoff Group at Cadence. Weve already seen a successful tapeout, and were looking forward to seeing our customers achieve many more design successes using our latest technologies.
The new Siemens campus in Erlangen as a digital image

Siemens plans to invest around 1 billion in Germany, including around 500 million for a new campus for development and high-tech manufacturing in Erlangen, which will become a global R&D and manufacturing hub and the nucleus of global technology activities for the Industrial Metaverse.

The project is part of a global investment strategy of around 2 billion in 2023 to strengthen growth, innovation and resilience in all regions. Further investments are planned in Europe outside Germany and the USA.

With around 3,500 employees, the current location is already home to a world-class factory for key products in industrial automation and digitalization. Today, production in Erlangen is already highly automated, with humans and robots working side by side. Through this investment, Siemens is now creating a blueprint for the industrial metaverse, a virtual representation of the real world  photorealistic, physics-based and in real time. The targeted use of relevant, physical data and the application of artificial intelligence are creating the latest generation of high-tech manufacturing, which produces more sustainability and can respond flexibly to market changes.

Siemens is banking on innovation in Germany and launching the next stage of digitalization: were laying the foundation for the industrial metaverse in the Nuremberg metropolitan region. Here, on the new campus, were combining the real and the digital worlds, said Roland Busch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens AG. Together with partners, were developing new digital technologies in the metaverse and revolutionizing how well run our production in the future  much more efficiently, flexibly and sustainably.

New campus combines development and high-tech manufacturing

The campus  which is to be built in the west of Erlangen  will focus on sustainable and future-oriented high-tech manufacturing, related research and development activities, and the opening of the location for an ecosystem of partners from the business and scientific communities. The plan for the location also calls for converting existing facilities and expanding the site.

Before construction work begins, the new buildings for research and development, production and logistics will be planned and simulated in the digital world. They will then be implemented in the real world. In the process, an exact replica is created in the digital world, in which the entire existing factory layout is optimized and later readjusted in the real world by using the industrial metaverse. The Erlangen factory manufactures power electronics components and machine tool controls for the machine building industry, which are key elements of Germanys economy and industry.

The investment is another important element of Siemens strategy to combine the real and the digital worlds. The company is strengthening its Erlangen location as a hub for digital production concepts  for example, through the use of the industrial metaverse and for modern technologies like industrial 3D printing and innovative power electronics. In addition, employees are upgrading their skills through forward-looking work and training concepts (NextWork) not only to prepare themselves for the digital transformation of the working world but also to actively shape it.

Environmentally sustainable location

The facilitys expansion is based on a comprehensive and forward-looking sustainability and energy concept. Its roughly 200,000-square-meter area is being rigorously designed to be a net-zero location that meets the highest sustainability criteria. Plans include an innovative energy infrastructure, green energy supply and energy storage in partnership with the city of Erlangen, and the extensive use of Siemens sustainable digital building technology solutions. The new campus in Erlangen will be implemented by Siemens Real Estate  the companys real estate arm.

Strengthening Germany as an industrial location

Germany is Siemens AGs home market and one of the worlds most important locations for production, research, development and employment. The technology company employs about 86,000 people in Germany, including around 38,500 in the metropolitan region. As part of its global investment strategy of around 2 billion, Siemens has announced investments in regions such as the U.S., China and Southeast Asia. At the beginning of the week, the company announced its most recent investment project: the construction of new headquarters in Spain with an investment volume of 160 million.
Summerland 50: British MPs call on Manx Government for 'full inquiry' and apology



Credit: Stuart Taylor

MPs in the UK have asked the Manx Government whether they would commit to a full inquiry into the Summerland fire.

A debate in the House of Commons was held last night.

Justin Madders MP led the discussion examining the 50th anniversary of the fire in which 50 people died.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan is expected to make a statement in next weeks sitting of Tynwald.

The MP has called on the Chief Minister to issue an apology to those affected:

Media

MP CLIP
AP and OpenAI enter into two-year partnership to help train algorithmic models This is one of the first news-sharing agreements between a major journalistic entity and an AI firm.

The Associated Press (AP) and ChatGPT parent company OpenAI have reached a news-sharing agreement, but not for the reasons you may think. It doesnt involve AI chatbots quickly churning out content, but rather a way for OpenAI to train its algorithmic models, as reported by Axios. The two-year deal gives OpenAI access to select news content and technology from the AP archives, dating back to 1985. All of this sweet, sweet data will be used to improve the efficacy of future iterations of ChatGPT and related tools.

This is one of the first high-profile partnerships between a major news organization and an artificial intelligence company. The two firms are still working out the details, but it looks like AP will receive access to OpenAIs proprietary technology as part of the exchange. AP has long relied on automation technology when filing news reports, so itll likely use OpenAIs tech to streamline and improve this process.

AP doesnt use generative AI to write articles but does use similar technologies to automate corporate earnings reports and coverage of local sporting events, among other article types. Additionally, the organization uses these tools to translate weather alerts into Spanish. AP launched an AI tool earlier this year to enable clients, which are mostly other newsrooms, to search for relevant photos, videos and stories. This software allows clients to make queries using descriptive language instead of dry metadata. In other words, having access to OpenAIs treasure trove of data should dramatically improve this experience.

As for OpenAI, they are obviously looking to expand into news in the future, and this partnership gives them plenty of legally-obtained data to work with. Artificial intelligence threatens to upend traditional news business models, but AP says it supports a framework that will ensure intellectual property is protected and content creators are fairly compensated for their work. The organization also says that newsrooms must have a seat at the table to ensure they arent taken advantage of.
Around 80 Google Help subcontractors who recently voted to unionize with the Alphabet Workers Union-Communications Workers of America (AWU-CWA) found out last week that they will be laid off. The group began a hearing this week with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) regarding the complex issue of joint employment for contractors. It really stinks of retaliation, Casey Padron, a general writer on the team scheduled to lose her job in August, told Engadget today.

The group announced the unionization effort on Thursday, June 8th; around two-thirds of the workers were notified weeks later about the layoffs. The team includes writers and graphic designers who create internal and external content for the search giant, including Google Help support pages. They list Google and Accenture as joint employers due to the direct role both companies play in shaping working conditions. Because they were joint contractors employed by tech consultancy Accenture, they dont appear to enjoy protections with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, legislation passed in 1988 that provides certain rights for laid-off workers. (California is currently considering expanding protections for contract workers.)

Last week we received news that 80 of our nearly 120 recently unionized Google Help coworkers would be laid off, said Julia Nagatsu Granstrom, Senior Writer and member of the Alphabet Workers Union- CWA. We had exercised our right to organize as members of the Alphabet Workers Union-CWA in order to bring both Google and Accenture, a Google subcontractor, to the bargaining table to negotiate on several key demands, including layoff protections. Nagatsu Granstrom describes the layoffs as absolutely unacceptable, given the timing of an active union campaign with overwhelming support from workers.

The Google Help cuts follow a group of company contractors rating search results who were fired last month after announcing intentions to unionize with the same organization, the AWU-CWA. However, they were reinstated and promised backpay after filing Unfair Labor Practice charges with the NLRB.

Henry Nicholls / reuters

Padron says the Google Help layoffs caught her off guard. I was extremely surprised to hear about our teams layoffs, she told Engadget. We are constantly told by Google and Accenture management how impressed they are with the quality of our work, so the timing of these layoffs looks suspiciously like retaliation for our union formation. She says the employers proclaimed motive of budget tightening doesnt add up. They claimed that the cuts were a result of changes in budget allocation, but Accenture has also posted job listings that have our exact job description and project code.

These giant, wealthy corporations need to start living up to their own core values and treating their workers with the dignity, respect, and humanity we deserve, Padron added. If these multi-billion dollar corporations cant afford to provide humane working conditions to their employees, the business model needs radical change. Some of our operations managers and the Googlers we collaborate with have already expressed that Googles help centers will suffer without our team. They will feel this loss, and they deserve to.

Nagatsu Granstrom says the unionized workers will take every recourse possible to support our impacted members and continue to organize workers at Google Help and beyond. Padron echoes the upbeat, fighting tone. If its Accenture and Googles goal to demoralize us, they have failed, she told Engadget. We are more united than ever and will continue to fight for this job that so many of us love and rely on.

Update, July 19th, 2023, 8:40AM ET: Attempting to distance the company from joint employer status, Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini told Engadget, As weve shared, Accenture is responsible for these workers' employment terms, including staffing. We, of course, respect their right to join a union or not, but its a matter between the workers and their employer, Accenture.

Correction, July 19th, 2023, 12:36PM ET: An earlier version of this story's headline attributed the layoffs to Google directly. While acting at Google's behest, the entity directly responsible for these layoffs was Accenture.
If you've used Microsoft productivity suites this millennium, you're in for a big change... visually, at least. After 15 years, Microsoft is replacing the default font in 365 and Office apps, Calibri, with something new: Aptos. It may look like a simple sans-serif font (and it is in default form), but Microsoft is betting that you'll like it thanks to its sheer flexibility.

Aptos works with many languages. There are four different font weights, and serif variants if you need something less hypermodern. Creator Steve Matteson (who made Windows' first TrueType fonts) waxes poetic about Aptos including a "little bit of humanity" and evoking the personalities of Carl Kasell and even Stephen Colbert, but the end result is a font that will theoretically be easy to read and eye-catching whether you're writing a school essay or prepping a company presentation.

Microsoft

The font has already been available as Bierstadt as part of a feedback gathering effort, but is rolling out as the default font in Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word for hundreds of millions of people starting today. Everyone will see it within the next few months. It'll still be available under its old name, as will the four fonts that didn't make the cut (Grandview, Seaford, Skeena and Tenorite). Like Calibri, Aptos will be pinned to the top of the font picker but won't be mandatory.

Yes, it's just a font  like those redesigned Office icons from 2018, Aptos will have zero impact on your ability to get things done. As one of the most noticeable elements of any app, though, the new default font will change the look and feel of tools you might use every day. And like Apple's San Francisco font, it reflects an evolving technological landscape where a typeface has to be le on a wide range of devices and screen sizes.
The Morning After: Researchers find evidence of organic matter on Mars But they need to bring the materials back to Earth to confirm their origin.

The Perseverance Rover has found evidence of organic compounds in the Jezero Crater on Mars. Dont get too excited: These compounds could have also developed in nonbiological ways. But even if its not proof of organic life on Mars, the results hint at complex organic conditions for the key building blocks for life. Organic molecules like those observed in the Jezero Crater contain carbon and often hydrogen atoms. Theyre the core components of life as we know it on Earth.

The rover found organic materials in all ten targets it observed on the crater floor. Our results support observations by previous robotic missions to Mars that the Red Planet was once rich in organic material, compounds made primarily of carbon and hydrogen, and that some of that organic material can still be detected billions of years later, co-author Joseph Razzell Hollis, a London-based astrobiologist, told Gizmodo. Each detection, each observation, gives us a little bit more information that brings us closer to understanding the history of Mars and whether it could have supported life in the past.

Hopefully, scientists can maintain this level of excitement. Theyll have to wait for the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission, which isnt expected to launch from Earth until at least the late 2020s.

 Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

Apple's iOS 17 public betas are ready to download

How to install the iOS 17 public beta

Chipotle's guacamole robot is cursed to peel and core avocados for eternity

macOS Sonoma preview: For the widget wonks

Sony's 26-megapixel A6700 is its new flagship APS-C mirrorless camera

For those who really need it.

Engadget

Just a year ago, Apple announced the biggest software update the iPad has ever seen. iPadOS 16 ushered in Stage Manager, a completely revamped multitasking mode. There were several other new features, as usual, but Stage Manager, in particular, brought the iPad closer than ever to a Mac or Windows PC experience. iPadOS 17, on the other hand, is a subtler update. We preview the beta, which is out on public release now.

Continue reading.

It understands 40 languages and can speak its responses.

Google Bards latest round of updates includes expanded linguistic skills. It can now respond with spoken word in addition to text. It can do so in nearly four dozen languages. Users can now converse with the AI in Arabic, Chinese, German, Hindi and Spanish, among others, as well as access the platform from more places on the planet, such as Brazil and "across Europe." Users will have the option to either read or listen to the AI's generated responses, as well as have more control over how friendly Bard is, with five distinct AI tones: simple, long, short, professional or casual. Those are only available for English-language requests at the moment.

Continue reading.

Zuck says the beta version drops in a few weeks.

Roblox

The immensely popular online game creation platform, Roblox, is coming to VR, thanks to the Meta Quest. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg made the announcement, which was followed by an official Roblox blog post. A beta version of the app, according to Zuckerberg, launches in just a few weeks, via the Quest platforms dedicated App Lab. This is going to be a fully cross-platform title, so anything you interact with or make on your phone or console should be accessible in VR.

Continue reading.

The team will be holding a Twitter Spaces chat on Friday.

Elon Musk has a new AI company. A website has appeared for xAI, which will embark on the self-described mission to understand the true nature of the universe. The announcement comes after filing documents revealed the existence of a company called X.AI Corp earlier this year. Musk also said in April he wanted to start a venture for maximum truth-seeking AI that tries to understand the nature of the universe, which hopefully does more good than harm.

Not much else is known yet about Musks latest venture. He tweeted yesterday: Announcing formation of @xAI to understand reality. The company webpage notes the team will host a Twitter Spaces chat on Friday, July 14th.

Continue reading.
Internacional

Argelia afirma que el reconocimiento de Israel a la soberania marroqui en el Sahara viola las leyes internacionales
During his visit to London, COP28 President Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber met with US President Joe Biden, His Majesty King Charles III, UK Government Ministers and Leading Investors and Philanthropists to discuss unlocking climate finance with a focus on

During his visit to London, COP28 President Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber met with US President Joe Biden, His Majesty King Charles III, UK Government Ministers and Leading Investors and Philanthropists to discuss unlocking climate finance with a focus on - COP28/PR NEWSWIRE

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber , COP28 President-Designate, met with US President Joe Biden , His Majesty King Charles III, UK Government Ministers and Leading Investors and Philanthropists to discuss unlocking climate finance with a focus on developing economies.

, President-Designate, met with US President , His Majesty King Charles III, UK Government Ministers and Leading Investors and Philanthropists to discuss unlocking climate finance with a focus on developing economies. The meeting was part of the Climate Finance Mobilization Forum, led by the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.

Dr. Al Jaber said, "The leadership of the US and UK is crucial on both fulfilling climate finance pledges and mobilizing further capital. We must deliver on the $100bn of annual climate finance promised in 2009, and I have been encouraged by recent assurances that this pledge will be fulfilled."

said, "The leadership of the US and UK is crucial on both fulfilling climate finance pledges and mobilizing further capital. We must deliver on the of annual climate finance promised in 2009, and I have been encouraged by recent assurances that this pledge will be fulfilled." "Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. All financial actors must work within a new framework of solidarity to enable climate finance at the scale, scope and speed that the world needs."

"We must now take holistic action to mobilize capital from all sectors, public, private and philanthropic. I welcome the US and UK's efforts to create the right enabling environment for business and philanthropy to mobilize climate finance at the scale required ahead of COP28 ."

." "Today, representatives from leading business and philanthropic organizations came together to announce significant action to increase innovative and catalytic climate finance for developing economies. This is a significant step forward for those living on the frontlines of climate change."

"To help raise global ambition, COP28 will host a High-Level Business & Philanthropy Delivery Forum. This forum will focus on removing barriers to progress, showcasing what is working, and identifying opportunities for co-creation, collaboration, and acceleration. This will be the first time that business and philanthropy will be meaningfully and inclusively integrated into the Official Leaders' Programme."

will host a High-Level Business & Philanthropy Delivery Forum. This forum will focus on removing barriers to progress, showcasing what is working, and identifying opportunities for co-creation, collaboration, and acceleration. This will be the first time that business and philanthropy will be meaningfully and inclusively integrated into the Official Leaders' Programme." "His Majesty King Charles's leadership in convening and mobilizing the global private sector has been critical in recent years, and we are delighted that his Sustainable Markets' Initiative will be one of the key delivery partners for the Business & Philanthropy Delivery Forum at COP28 ."

." "The World Bank's Private Sector Investment Lab is also a strong complement to our efforts. I look forward to actionable recommendations coming out of the Private Sector Investment Lab that can be integrated into COP28's climate finance agenda."

(Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante)

WINDSOR, England, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate has participated in high-level discussions on climate finance with US President Joe Biden and H.M King Charles III, alongside leading investors and philanthropists, in a visit to the UK to advance innovative climate finance to deliver climate action and a just energy transition.

During his visit, Dr. Al Jaber attended a forum on Climate Finance Mobilization convened by the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Rt Hon. Grant Shapps MP and the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry.

The forum was attended by UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, Mark Carney, as well as private sector and philanthropic leaders from finance, sustainability, and climate action. Dr. Al Jaber encouraged all parties to set their ambitions high ahead of COP28 and continue to galvanize UK and US-based businesses and philanthropists to do the same.

Dr. Al Jaber said, "The leadership of the US and UK is crucial to both fulfil climate finance pledges and mobilize further capital. We must deliver on the $100bn of annual climate finance promised in 2009, and I have been encouraged by recent assurances that this pledge will be fulfilled. However, we need to mobilize trillions, not billions, of dollars if we are to reach our climate, biodiversity and SDG targets. To achieve this we need to mobilize capital at all levels, public, business and philanthropic. Capital and finance are critical enablers of climate action. But to unleash its power, it must be available, accessible and affordable throughout the world."

Dr. Al Jaber added, "Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. All financial actors must work within a new framework of solidarity to enable climate finance at the scale, scope and speed that the world needs. As an outcome of today's meetings, I am pleased to announce that COP28 will host a High-Level Business & Philanthropy Delivery Forum, during the World Climate Action Summit. The forum will focus on removing barriers to progress, showcasing what is working, and identifying opportunities for co-creation, collaboration, and acceleration."

Dr. Al Jaber restated his call for major reform of international financial institutions and multilateral development banks, and added, "To invest the amounts required, we must build the right risk mitigation instruments that incentivize private sector action at scale. This is not a time for incremental reform. We need a holistic approach underpinned by collaborative frameworks."

Discussing the announcements made by organizations in attendance, Dr. Al Jaber continued, "Initiatives like the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum provide a key avenue for progress. The funding announced today by some of the world's leading private sector actors and philanthropists is exactly what we need to see ahead of COP28."

During his visit, Dr. Al Jaber also welcomed progress on the World Bank's Private Sector Investment Lab which will be charged with developing solutions to address barriers to private sector climate finance. Dr. Al Jaber said, "Capital is a key enabler of climate action, and catalyzing private investments is a key priority for the COP28 Presidency. I look forward to actionable recommendations coming out of the Private Sector Investment Lab that can be integrated into COP28's climate finance agenda."

He concluded that, "The UK and US are home to two of the largest financial markets in the world. Their action and the funding announced today is vital to keep 1.5C within reach and must be replicated on a global scale."

COP28 UAE:

COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30-December 12, 2023 . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors.

UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors. As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals.

UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals. The UAE will lead a process for all parties to agree upon a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a 'leave no one behind' approach to inclusive climate action.

The Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum was convened by the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security, the Rt Hon. Grant Shapps MP and the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry .

. The Forum was attended by COP28 President-Designate, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber , in addition to:

President-Designate, Dr. , in addition to: UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, Mark Carney



Chair and CEO of Bank of America, Brian Moynihan



Chair and CEO of Blackrock, Larry Fink



CEO of HSBC, Noel Quinn ,

,

Founder and Executive Chair of Fortescue, Dr Andrew Forrest



Founder and CEO of Ninety One, Hendrik du Toit



Chair of Prudential, Shriti Vadera



Founder and Chair of Heirs Holdings, Tony O. Elumelu



Global Chair of Boston Consulting Group, Rich Lesser



Chair of Meritage Group LP, Nat Simons



LeapFrog founder, Dr. Andy Kuper



Group CEO of Standard Chartered, Bill Winters



CEO of Allianz Insurance, Colm Holmes



Co-CEO of ImpactA, Isabella da Costa Mendes



Co-CEO and CIO of ImpactA, Victoria Miles



CEO of NatWest Group, Alison Rose DBE



Vice Chairman of Community Jameel, Fady Jameel



Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Three Cairns Group



Vice Chair of Global Public Policy of Bloomberg, Mary Schapiro



Founder and CEO of Builders Vision, Lukas Walton



CEO of The Sustainable Markets Initiative, Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, MBA



CEO of Lloyds of London, John Neal

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2153440...

View original content: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cop28-president-designate-advances-innovative-climate-finance-leveraging-public-business-and-philanthropic-capital-during-meetings-with-uk-government-king-charles-iii-and-president-biden-301876378.html
Fort Polk, LA (71446)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 98F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms in the evening. Partly cloudy skies overnight. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Biden says US commitment to NATO 'rock solid'

President Joe Biden during a visit to Finland gave his assurance that the United States would stay committed to NATO.
Thursday, July 13, 2023

Its Americas Birthday

Celebrate the Freedom of Writing and Being an Author

Today is the 4th of July  a huge day in America. Its Americas birthday. For some, the celebration of Americas independence started days before the 4thstretching it over many.

Last Friday was the get-away day for many and was in full view. Flags were out. Families and friends planning gatherings for picnics, barbecues, movies, and or just a layback and take a few days off. All a good thing, celebrating a long weekend into the new week.

But theres more to think about.



What happened within the walls of what became known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was life-changing. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both debated, adopted, and birthed.

Within the Constitution lies multiple Amendments. The First Amendment is essential and critical to what authors do: Freedom of Religion, Speech, and the Press.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Amendment 1

Freedom of Religion, Speech, and the Press

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or the right of people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Value greatly that the Founding Fathers lit the authors writing path with  freedom. Freedom for words and the creation of books. True independence.

ALL authors and writers globally should be joining in a universal cheer and celebration of the power of words. Their meaning  their impact  their ability to make a difference  to create change  to solve problems  to relieve pain  to entertain.

Thats a tremendous amount of power and ability to practice. Its a very cool thing to think about this 4th of July weekwouldnt you agree?

Many in the literary community see and experiencing clouds growing for censoring, even banning of words  of books. More books. In bookstores I visit, I see tables filled with books that are on the banned book lists. On the 14th of this month, I have the privilege of presenting author Avi, winner of the Newbury Medal for Crispin: The Cross of Lead in 2003 to an online chat and Q&A. For middle school kids, Crispin is an amazing, creative book with twists and turns based in medieval England from Avis imagination that hit the banned book list.

I know this topic will be hot where Im heading next month. I have the privilege of speaking at the annual meeting of the Florida Authors and Publishers Association and will be interacting with authors, librarians, and publishers.

Honor this day. Embrace the power of your words and that you can still write what you do and publish and get it published and available. There are avenues to make it happen.

Think of the symbolic sparkler of the 4th. Its in your hand representing your words, your passion, and your vision. Hold it high for the freedom to write what you can and do.

Im celebrating with you. And speaking out for the ability to write what I want.

Dr. Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. Often, she must roll up her writing sleeves and become a Book Doctor, juicing up storylines and author words. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 44 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Success for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a Million Dollar Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Amazon and her historical fiction debut Secret Journey. Collectively, her books have earned over 45 book awards. Judith speaks throughout the year at publishing conferences.

Throughout the year, she holds Judith Briles Book Unplugged in-person and online experiences: Publishing, Speaking, Marketing, and Social Media. All are two-day intensives limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Join Judith live for the AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast on the Toginet Radio Network HERE.

Follow @AuthorUYOUBooks and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a Like at AuthorYOU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact her.

2023 Judith Briles  The Book Shepherd All Rights Reserved.

see all) Latest posts by Judith Briles
See artist Anne Nordhaus-Bike's (not so) absurd traffic sign in Dada-inspired show at renowned Woman Made Gallery's new show.

After reviewing nearly 700 artworks, jurors for the prestigious Woman Made Gallery in Chicago selected artist Anne Nordhaus-Bike's Love Sign as one of only 43 pieces for its upcoming Absurdity: In Dada We Trust exhibition, opening Saturday, July 22.

"I'm thrilled to have my art chosen as part of this important, thought-provoking show at such an important gallery," Nordhaus-Bike said.

Opening Reception To Be Held July 22: Artist Will Be Present

Woman Made Gallery will kick off the exhibit with an opening reception on Saturday, July 22, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Nordhaus-Bike will attend the opening, which is free and open to the public.

"I'm looking forward to meeting collectors and visitors at the opening," Nordhaus-Bike said. "This event is a great chance to experience art up close, and it will be great to share the story of Love Sign."

Artist Walkthrough August 19: Join Anne For Show's Final Day

In addition, Woman Made will host an Artists Walkthrough on the final day of the show. Participating artists will be on hand from 2 to 4 p.m. to chat with visitors, share stories about their work, and reflect on this show's theme.

Anne will attend this event as well.

"The walkthrough is a wonderful opportunity for informal conversation and getting to know the artists and their art," she said.

About Love Sign

Love Sign "stops traffic" with its direct appeal to "Love" (instead of "Stop").

Because: To fight anything is to give it power.

"Dada bypasses this dead end through humor, non sequitur, irrationality, and the absurd," Nordhaus-Bike explained. "In the face of what's hard and what's horrid, how about something so soft and gentle it confounds every argument? (And changes the culture.)"

About The Show

Woman Made's Dada show is one of several current exhibits in the Chicago area focused on the Dada art movement of more than a century ago as a way to address the world's current "insanity." As all participating groups have said, when the world goes mad, the arts go Dada.

The original Dada movement arose in the middle of World War I as artists reacted to the absurdity of war and its propaganda, when it seemed the world was on the brink of madness.

Woman Made Gallery is located at 2150 S Canalport Ave., #4A-3, Chicago, IL 60608.

Find Out More

To learn more, go to Love Sign 'Stops Traffic' In Chicago Art Show, https://artistanne.com/1032/love-sign-mixed-media-art-stops-traffic-in-chicago-art-show/
Thursday, July 13, 2023

Buy the Book

It Takes a Child to Lead Them Home

A love lost. A soul restored. A decade of secrets and separation.

In A THOUSAND FLYING THINGS, an idealistic American humanitarian worker with a decade of field experience arrives in 1991 Southern Sudan hoping to save the world, but its the love of a child and the return of an old flame from Lebanon that ends up saving and healing her instead.

Qasim, charming and cosmopolitan, trying to save his homeland, Lebanon, and Dianna, brilliant and beautiful, trying to save children in war-torn 1990s Southern Sudan, bump into one another in Nairobi and fall in love again. But they must choose between their work and their love. In the face of cultural barriers, their commitment to family and career, and ongoing war, can they find the strength to stand up for both love and a lasting peace?

Culture shaped them. Love transformed them. Will a child unite them?

The author of A THOUSAND FLYING THINGS, Kathryn Brown Ramsperger, began her career as a journalist in Virginia and Washington, DC. As a researcher and writer for National Geographic, and later as a humanitarian journalist, her work took her throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to help people facing disaster, famine, and war.

This book combines the stories she witnessed with her imagination to create this riveting, poignant novel. All Kathryns work focuses on peace and the connections all people share.

Praise for A THOUSAND FLYING THINGS :

Beautifully written, a joy to read and highly entertaining in the most wonderful way possible. Kathryn Brown Ramsperger, quite simply, has written a great novel.

 Cindy Williams, Actress best known as the co-star of LAVERNE & SHIRLEY, author of SHIRLEY, I JEST!

For information on booking the author for book appearances, speaking, or interviews, Contact:

Nine Speakers, Inc.

A Full-Service Entertainment Agency

www.ninespeakers.com/contact.html
Los Angeles, CARecently called the "most profound analysis of a serial killer I have read," by respected UK crime reporter and author Paul Cheston, Without Redemption has seen sales throughout Europe, North America and down under in Australia and New Zealand. One reader, in New Zealand, personally requested multiple copies autographed by co-authors Vonda Pelto, Ph.D. and Michael B. Butler.

Cheston, author of The Babes in the Woods Murders and a first rate court reporter at London's Old Bailey for 23 years, went on to write this, "Michael Butler has a light writing style which keeps the pace moving briskly and never loses the balance between explaining why Bonin killed and the devastating impact of this need to kill on the victims and their families."

A reader from Southern California, who had worked on a number of serial killer productions, wrote this, "Freeway Killer Bill Bonin's whole life is laid out and this allows the authors to carefully track his 30-year journey/descent into murderous depravity. I have worked on a number of productions about serial killers and murderers, and this book has all the elements for a compelling movie, mini-series or docudrama."

What sets Without Redemption apart from other serial killer biographies is the voluminous amounts of raw material the authors had at their disposal. They are as follows:

1) Bonin's jailhouse diaries/confession murder stories, which helped solve two 40-year-old homicides mysteries and dispelled myths about Bonin and the Freeway Killer cases.

2) Co-author Vonda Pelto's sessions, as a Clinical Psychologist, with Bonin and two accomplices before, during and after his Los Angeles trial.

3) Official reports and court documents from the nine years spent in California mental hospitals and prisons from 1969-78.

4) Complete transcripts from the December 1980 Detective Confessions interviews and trial.

5) Over 400 newspaper articles from all over the United States.

6) Investigative documents and records about Bonin's traumatic childhood Vietnam combat tour.

Without Redemption: Creation & Deeds of Freeway Killer Bill Bonin, His Five Accomplices & How One Who Escaped Justice has the distinction of also helping to identify how one day, in the midst of the ten-month murder spree, changed everything to follow. Quite by accident, primarily because of Bonin's diaries and murder stories, the authors discovered that on March 24, 1980 four key players crossed paths and altered future events dramatically. In addition, that day ushered in the motives of love, revenge and spite into the final disposition of many Freeway Killer cases.

Without Redemption is currently available on Amazon, Kobo and Google Play and has found interested readers in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and throughout Europe.

Below is the book trailer and eight Kindle E-Gift Links.

Without Redemption Book Trailer





Here are Eight FREE E-Gift Kindle Links for Without Redemption:

https://www.amazon.com/kindle/redeem/?t=GSG5F3RWGAQTNFB

https://www.amazon.com/kindle/redeem/?t=GSJ6XBH5ER86RTV

https://www.amazon.com/kindle/redeem/?t=GSPHTUDHTYJES3K

https://www.amazon.com/kindle/redeem/?t=GS7N2A9CRXUF4P5

https://www.amazon.com/kindle/redeem/?t=GSDUWQSEWPMGGK2

https://www.amazon.com/kindle/redeem/?t=GS4GPTFUUC4PXF2

https://www.amazon.com/kindle/redeem/?t=GSMHYET45NQBEF5

https://www.amazon.com/kindle/redeem/?t=GSYLP944SHVG9SS

Vonda Pelto, Ph.D. on Gary Nolan Show





Without Redemption: Creation & Deeds of Freeway Killer Bill Bonin, His Five Accomplices & How One Escaped Justice, Paperback ISBN: 979-8841931249, Hard Cover ISBN: 979-8844477775. For more info go to www.WithoutRedemption.com and purchase copies at Amazon, Google Play or Kobo.

Media Contact: For interviews or to request review copies contact Flotsam PR at 319-504-3788 or flotsampr@pm.me.
Fort Polk, LA (71446)

Today

Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 98F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms, especially in the evening. Low 74F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
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(The Center Square)  With the second special legislative session coming to a close, a border county attorney is once again asking Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to call another special session to create a state agency specifically tasked with focusing on border security.

Abbott has said he would consider calling a special session to revisit the 50 bills he vetoed solely because the legislature couldnt agree on a property tax relief package. The legislature announced it had reached an agreement on Monday. The Senate passed property tax relief bills on Wednesday, with the House poised to pass them on Thursday. As of press time, the House was still debating amendments.

The governor also has said a special session is forthcoming to pass school choice legislation.

Another bill likely to be added to a special legislative session is one that enhances penalties for stash houses. Abbott previously listed this issue in the first call for the first special legislative session and it went nowhere. While the House passed it, the Senate instead advanced a range of border security measures. None of the bills went anywhere.

Last month, Abbott signed a handful of border security-related bills after they passed with bipartisan support in the regular legislative session. The legislature also allocated for the next two years nearly $5 billion in funds to keep Operation Lone Star enforcement operations going and build the Texas border wall. However, the signature border security bill in the House, HB 20, which Speaker Dade Phelan tagged as a legislative priority, couldnt get passed in the House. And some of the strongest border security legislation to ever pass the Senate in the regular and first special session were also killed in the Republican-controlled House.

With Abbott likely to soon schedule a third special legislative session, Kinney County Attorney Brent Smith is calling on him to prioritize border security and create a state agency to specifically secure the border.

Smith first made the request in a letter to the governor and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on May 31. He shared copies of the letters with The Center Square, saying he hasnt received a response.

The border crisis touches each and every Texan, irrespective of where they live in our state, Smith wrote to Abbott. For Texans living on the border, words cannot adequately describe the conditions on the ground. Our homes are being broken into in the middle of the night. The main streets of our small towns are now the place of high-speed car chases with cartel operatives. Walking outside on our own property after dark is no longer safe. Texans who reside on our border no longer enjoy the comfort and safety of their own home. The violence and lawlessness occurring along the southern border is not sustainable for any sovereign state.

Creating an effective Texas agency tasked solely with border security would enable the state to potentially hire former Border Patrol agents and maximize on the ground operations to repel unlawful entry, Smith argues.

As the [Texas] Border Czar [Mike Banks] demonstrated in Brownsville recently, preventing unlawful entry is key to our success, he said, noting Banks implemented tactics he used during his 25-plus-year career with the Department of Homeland Security.

Obtaining this same level of experience and knowledge through any existing state agency is impossible, Smith added. Mr. Banks experience and leadership enabled him to utilize the TMD and DPS to effectively stop all illegal crossings that would have continued to occur under prior strategies employed by DPS.

Patrick has previously said that a border protection unit should fall under an existing agency like DPS. Smith addressed this in his letter to Patrick, saying, While DPS is very effective in performing criminal interdiction within the state of Texas, Governor Abbotts state mission centers upon the securement of the Mexican border itself. The simple truth is that the command structure and mission training of DPS is not suitable to undertake the task of securing the actual border.

Touting the high number of arrests and drug seizures occurring within the interior of the state only gives evidence of our failure to secure the actual border and preventing [criminal actors and crime] from traveling into the interior of Texas.

You can pass all kinds of border protection laws but unless you have the agency and personnel to enforce them, theyre meaningless, Smith told The Center Square.

The magnitude of this crisis cannot be overstated, he said. The tools that are created to confront this border crisis will ultimately determine the fate of Texas.

Smith was sworn into office on the same day as President Joe Biden. Smith says his life and the lives of those in his county have never been the same. He first led the counties in issuing a disaster declaration on April 21, 2021, and the county was the first to draft a declaration of invasion, which former Kinney County Judge Tully Shahan signed on July 5, 2022. Since then, over 50 counties issued disaster declarations and over 40 issued invasion declarations, with some overlap.

Brad Coe, the sheriff of Kinney County, responsible for covering 16 miles of shared border with Mexico, says his deputies are doing everything they can to defend the county. But he told The Center Square, they are witnessing an invasion of single, military age men.
(The Center Square)  FBI Director Christopher Wray faced questions from Republicans lawmakers Wednesday over the federal law enforcement agencys alleged bias against conservatives and Republicans.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, kicked off the hearing by blasting the FBI, laying out several instances of alleged bias, including the FBIs role in cautioning social media companies to censor certain COVID-19 viewpoints as well as the Hunter Biden laptop story weeks before the presidential election.

American speech is censored, parents are called terrorists, Catholics are called radicals, and I haven't even talked about the spying that took place of a presidential campaign or the raiding of a former presidents home, Jordan said at the hearing. But maybe what's more frightening is what happens if you come forward and tell Congress  you will be retaliated against.

Jordan also pointed to U.S. District Judge Terry Doughtys ruling from earlier this month demanding the White House and FBI stop pressuring social media companies to censor conservative speech, citing the First Amendment. Jordan cited this paragraph from the ruling to back his point:

"Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits in establishing that the government has used its power to silence the opposition. Opposition to COVID-19 vaccines, opposition to COVID-19 mask and lockdowns, opposition to the lab leak theory of COVID-19, opposition to the validity of the 2020 election, opposition to President Biden's policies, statements that the Hunter Biden laptop was true, and opposition to policies of the government officials in power. All were suppressed. It is quite telling that each example or category of suppressed speech was conservative in nature."

Wray pushed back against allegations of bias and defended the agencys work.

"The idea that I am biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me given my own personal background," said Wray, who is reportedly a registered Republican.

Democrats jumped to Wrays defense as well.

We dont have a two-tiered system of justice, said Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif. We have one Department of Justice that goes after criminals regardless of party ideology.

It is not the fault of the FBI that Donald Trump surrounded himself with criminals, he added.

Critics have blasted the FBI for an array of alleged missteps, in particular the agencys role in monitoring the campaign of former President Donald Trump and alleged rampant abuse of secret FISA warrants.

Former Special Counsel for the United States Department of Justice John Durham testified earlier this year that the FBI had no real basis for its probe into Russian collusion with the Trump campaign.

Durham said the FBI was too willing to accept and use politically funded and uncorroborated opposition research like the Steele Dossier. That dossier became the foundation for the FBIs investigation and monitoring of Trumps campaign but was almost certainly a political document funded by the Clinton campaign.

The agencys handling of the Jan. 6 protests in favor of Trump have raised eyebrows among critics as well who point out Black Lives Matter riots around the country were largely ignored while Jan. 6 rioters were tracked down.

A Government Accountability Office report published in February said the FBI and Capitol Police were aware of threats before Jan. 6 but did not do enough to address them.

One whistleblower, Steve Friend, a former FBI special agent who served five years on an FBI SWAT team and five years before that in local law enforcement in Georgia, testified before Congress in May alleging that the FBI manipulated Jan. 6 data to make domestic terrorism appear more widespread.

Friend said that the FBIs National Security Branch has refocused counterterrorism from legitimate foreign actors to political opponents within our borders.

In response to those allegations, an FBI spokesperson told The Center Square that the agency "has not and will not retaliate against individuals who make protected whistleblower disclosures.

While the crimes at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, occurred in Washington, D.C., the reality is many of the people who committed violent acts and other crimes that day traveled to the nations capital from multiple jurisdictions across the country," the FBI said. "The FBI investigates individuals who commit or intend to commit violence and other criminal activity that constitutes a federal crime or poses a threat to national security. We do not conduct investigations based on a persons views. We are committed to upholding the constitutional rights of all Americans and will never open an investigation based solely on First Amendment activity.
BROWNING, Mont. - Right now in Montana there are 55 reported missing indigenous persons.

Thirty five of those people have been missing less than a year, while the other 20 have been missing for more than a year.

Of those missing, is Arden Pepion, one of the youngest on the list.

Arden went missing over two-years ago in 2021 after spending time with her uncle off of Joe Show Road east in the Two Medicine area.

Even though it's been years, the community hasn't stopped looking for her.

"We can't stop. We have to keep moving forward. This little girl has to be brought home," said Belinda Bullshoe, who continues to search for Arden.

Arden went missing when she was three-years-old.

Her uncle and his girlfriend were reportedly practicing shooting when he noticed she wasn't near him and saw footprints leading to the river about 50-yards away.

Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services found one of her boots in the river after searching for several days.

"You think about Arden and the question is why do we keep looking? You know, we shouldn't even be looking for her. This little girl's life has been taken at a young age. So, when you ask why do you guys still search for that little girl, she had a whole life in front of her," said Bullshoe.

Arden's parents and the community created a Facebook group called 'Arden Pepion - Holding Hope SAR' in 2021, and since then they've brought out more search crews to help find her.

"When we watch the cadaver dogs, it's like they don't want to leave from here, and they will, like, literally bite at our pants, or cry like she's here - or somethings here. And they don't want us to leave until we find it. And it's just the feeling like they get really sad... they try to keep us here," said Diana Burd, another person who continues to search for Arden.

Holding Hope is going to conduct another large search next week, July 20-22, according to Bullshoe and they are asking for your help.

"We're trying to raise money to get more teams in for more help. We had a good team from Arizona. The Northern Cheyenne are very important to Arden and they've been here since day one," said Burd.

"We ask for any kind of help, if any volunteers want to come down and they have the time, that would be such a blessing," said Bullshoe.

If you want to donate, you can find the GoFundMe page here.

For more information on the search or to help in person, click here.
Gov. Greg Gianforte speaks at a press conference on March 30, 2023. (Photo by Nicole Girten/Daily Montanan)

Montana state Sen. Becky Beard thought shed found a fix for a shortage of assisted living care options for Montanans who cant afford to pay for it themselves  a shortage she became aware of while searching for a suitable place for her mother to live.

Beard, a Republican from the rural town of Elliston, ushered a bill through the GOP-controlled legislature this spring. The proposal would have moved more than 200 people off waiting lists for government-supported care and saved the state money by accessing more federal Medicaid money to cover their costs and the cost of those already in assisted living.

The bill had broad support from assisted living facility owners whose facilities eventually would accept more of these patients covered by Medicaid, the state-federal program that pays medical and other health-related bills for low-income and disabled people. In Montana, the federal government pays about 65% of the cost of most Medicaid-covered services, and the state pays for the rest.

But Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoed the measure May 18, two weeks after the legislature adjourned. A post-session vote in June by Montanas 150 lawmakers to override the veto failed by 10 votes.

Gianfortes veto disappointed and mystified the bills supporters.

I dont see where there is any negative impact, financially for the state, for the residents, or to us as providers, said Mike White, who co-owns seven assisted living facilities across Montana. I thought, of all the bills out there, this would be the last one to get vetoed.

Gianforte said the bill, by creating another Medicaid entitlement program, could have ended up costing the state much more in the long run. He also said it would have restricted the states ability to serve Medicaid-funded residents in a community setting.

Supporters of the bill said that the governor is simply wrong  and that Montana missed an opportunity to tackle a long-standing problem: the lengthy waiting lists for people on Medicaid who need assisted living or in-home care, to keep them out of more expensive nursing homes.

An analysis by Gianfortes own budget office said the bill would have saved the state $1 million during its first two years by using more federal money. Some supporters also pointed to the states $2.4 billion surplus, saying the state could certainly afford this small change to its Medicaid plan, if it ended up costing the state.

This administration has shown that they dont care about poor people, about people who are struggling, said state Rep. Mary Caferro, a Democrat. They simply dont care, because we had the money to do it.

The Gianforte administration insisted that there is no accurate way to estimate the long-term costs of placing assisted living under a Medicaid option called Community First Choice, and that doing so would complicate management of in-home and assisted living services.

Beards Senate Bill 296 would have required the state to place Medicaid funding for assisted living under Community First Choice starting in 2026, instead of a waiver program, where its been for many years.

States must ask the feds for Medicaid waivers to offer services or cover populations not covered under federal law. Like many other states, Montana asked for a waiver decades ago to cover nonmedical services that help keep older or disabled people out of nursing homes or other institutional settings. About 2,700 Montanans use these waiver-covered services each year, including about 900 in assisted living facilities.

But funding for Montanas Big Sky Waiver program is capped by the legislature, so it has a waiting list for covered services. As of this spring, about 160 people whod qualified for Medicaid coverage were on the waiting list for an assisted living spot.

An additional 150 people were waiting for other Medicaid services, such as in-home care that helps with daily chores like eating, dressing, and bathing. Those spots open only if lawmakers approve more funding or if a person getting the services dies or no longer qualifies for Medicaid.

Community First Choice, however, has no waiting list because its an entitlement, with no funding cap. A person who qualifies for Medicaid gets whatever services are covered under the program.

CFC was created as a state Medicaid option by the 2010 Affordable Care Act, in hopes of expanding coverage of services that help older and disabled people who have little income and few assets live independently, staying out of pricey facilities.

To encourage states to incorporate CFC into their Medicaid plans, the Affordable Care Act offered a higher federal match, of 6 additional percentage points.

Only nine states, however, have adopted CFC, and only three  Washington, Oregon, and California  have chosen to cover assisted living under the program.

Montana is one of the nine states that applied for the program, 11 years ago under Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer. But the state did not include assisted living as a covered service under CFC.

Rose Hughes, executive director of the Montana Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes and assisted living facilities, said states apparently worry that making these services an entitlement will increase their Medicaid budgets.

But she argued that expanding assisted living coverage under Medicaid saves states money because it can keep people out of more expensive nursing homes and, in some cases, costs less than in-home care.

Assisted living is an extremely cost-effective service, and its one that seniors like, Hughes said.

She also noted that anyone who qualifies for assisted living under CFC or the waiver is eligible for nursing home-level care.

The day they get put on a waitlist, they could go to a nursing home, and the state would pay for that, Hughes said.

And getting rid of the waiting list simply is the humane thing to do, bill supporters said.

The waiting list, managed by the state, rates peoples level of need and can seem incredibly arbitrary, bill supporters said. There are separate waiting lists for different locales; if youre on the list in one town and move elsewhere, you must get on another waiting list.

These systems are designed to protect people when they run out of resources. These people did their part, and we owe it to them, said Michael Coe, director of operations for Caslen Living Centers, the company co-owned by White.

Beard eventually found her 82-year-old mother a spot at a Helena senior living facility that her mother pays for herself, without help from Medicaid.

Beard said the experience drove home the difficulty many Montanans face in finding such services if they cant afford to pay.

She said she shares the concerns of her fellow conservatives about the state budget, but on this issue, she thinks paying for more assisted living slots is both fiscally sound and the right thing to do  and shell pursue it again in the 2025 legislature.

This is a real need, and were not done with it, Beard said. Im not giving up on this.

KFF Health News, formerly known as Kaiser Health News (KHN), is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF  the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.

The post Montana governor vetoed plan to cut Medicaid waitlists, mystifying supporters appeared first on Daily Montanan.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine had ramifications throughout Europe, some positive, some negative

For example, NATO has been partially revived and recognized as the quintessential mechanism to contain Russia. Sweden and Finland, after years of close collaboration, decided to officially apply to join NATO. Most Western European nations have awakened from their decades-long fantasy that they could collaborate peaceably with Russia and build their industrial and energy future on inexpensive Russian fossil fuels. On the other side of the Atlantic, the United States, after President Trump's bromance with Vladimir Putin, appears to have returned temporarily to its Cold War bipartisan stance against Moscow.

Other Important sectors of Western Europe, however, particularly the energy-dependent German companies, would prefer to return to the pre-invasion dalliance with Moscow. But even as the political distance between Russia and NATO increases, the desire to appease and reengage with Russia remains constant in much of Western Europe.

At this moment, no one knows how the war in Ukraine will turn out. If the West perseveres and Ukraine survives with its pre-2014 lands intact, Europe is likely to settle into another extended cold war with Moscow. For the West, this might be an acceptable endgame.

Another eventuality might be a gradual post-war rapprochement between Moscow and its European neighbors, if the Kremlin military and political elites recognize that embracing the Chinese dragon would drag Russia into an indefinite period of military and economic subservience to Beijing.

A plausible third outcome is that a "peace now" faction in Western Europe, led by France and Germany, would pressure a humiliated Ukraine to sign a treaty with Russia, wherein Ukraine cedes to Moscow most of its lands seized in 2014, particularly Crimea. Such an outcome would set the stage for a decades-long process of Russia reassembling the Tsarist empire by grabbing ever larger chunks of Eastern Europe as well as parts of the NATO north in Sweden and Finland.

If this third outcome becomes a reality, some Eastern European countries may be expected to take desperate measures.

The West and Eastern Europe

In recent history the West's relationship with Eastern Europe has been marked by fickleness and betrayal. In 1938 France and Great Britain stood aside as Hitler absorbed Czechoslovakia and Austria. The flimsy excuse was "Peace in our time." When Hitler marched into Poland in 1939, France and the British declared war on Germany but provided no military assistance to the Poles.

At the end of World War II, Franklin Roosevelt allowed most of Eastern Europe to come under Stalin's brutal embrace. During the Cold War, the West encouraged the 1956 Hungarian revolt against Soviet oppression, only to stand aside as Soviet tanks crushed a popular uprising.

More recently, the first President Bush argued strenuously that Ukraine should not separate itself from the disintegrating Soviet Union. But in 1994, the Clinton administration persuaded the nascent Ukrainian government to give up all of its nuclear weapons, one-third of the entire Soviet arsenal, to Russia in return for inexpensive natural gas and a U.S./British guarantee of territorial sovereignty. Only a few years later, in 2014, President Barack Obama blithely dismissed this territorial guarantee of Ukraine and let his friend Putin seize Crimea.

Now, Eastern and Central European nations, even those under the shaky NATO nuclear umbrella, have plausible reasons to question the long-term commitment of the U.S. and NATO to their territorial integrity.

The introduction of nuclear weapons in Eastern Europe.

In June 2023, Putin announced his installation of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Thus, the Kremlin, which has constantly been threatening to use nuclear weapons to get its way in Ukraine, has moved to dramatically raise the stakes and threaten the catastrophic destruction of all NATO countries, particularly those in Eastern Europe.

If this placement of nuclear weapons in Belarus gives Putin the upper hand and allows him to retain the land he seized in Ukraine, he will walk away with a substantial strategic military and geopolitical victory, leaving the Russians in a dominant strategic posture and with an unsatiated taste for expansion to the West.

Such a scenario would humiliate NATO on its home turf. Its resolve would have been tested and found wanting. The U.S. commitment to Europe would be shaken, and the Article 5 commitment of NATO to defend the territory of its members would be in doubt.

Going Nuclear

If Putin gains leverage by threatening to use nuclear weapons to obtain his strategic goals, several Eastern European nations, especially the Baltic nations of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, as well as Poland, would feel an existential threat. Would they and perhaps other threatened nations of Eastern Europe be motivated to acquire or develop their own nuclear weapons? Probably yes.

But what would be the deterrent value of a small number of nuclear weapons? Former French President DeGaulle thought he knew. When questioned about the military value of a limited number of nuclear weapons, the late French President noted that the French atomic force was militarily adequate because it was sufficient "to tear off an arm."

In a similar vein, an Eastern European diplomat recently remarked that no one invades a country with nuclear weapons.

But how easy would it be for a coalition of Eastern, and perhaps Northern European, nations to create a handful of nuclear weapons? In a technical sense, it would not be difficult.

To give one graphic illustration, a junior undergraduate attending Princeton University in 1976, designed a nuclear weapon using publicly available books and papers. This student became a celebrity and was dubbed "The A-Bomb Kid" by the media. For his seminar on nuclear proliferation, the student outlined the design for an atomic bomb similar to the weapon used at Nagasaki. Some authorities questioned whether the teenagers bomb, as designed, would actually go off. Dr. Frank Chilton, a California nuclear scientist specializing in nuclear explosion engineering, answered this question, saying that student's design was "pretty much guaranteed to work."

So, for almost half a century, it has been clear that the details for making atomic weapons are in the public domain and that any country with a modernized technical economy could accomplish the task.

The major obstacle to an Eastern European bomb would be political. The current nuclear powers, particularly France and the U.S., would probably oppose it. But if the E.U., the U.S., and NATO had allowed Putin to prevail in Ukraine, opposition from this quarter would lack credibility.

Eastern European Alliances

The European nations of the East have been developing close economic, military, and political working relations over the past few decades. Since the collapse of the Soviet empire, thirteen nations of Eastern Europe have become members of NATO. In addition, nine of the 13 nations joined the Bucharest Nine, which Poland and Romania founded. The twelve-member Three Seas Initiative (that is the Baltic, Black, and Adriatic Seas), which Poland and Croatia founded, constitutes a second alliance. Additionally, there is the four-member Visegrad Group of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Finally, Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova are tied in with the E.U. via the so-called Eastern Partnership.

Sitting on the front lines and faced with an angry expansionist Russia, many of the Eastern European states may be receptive to a proposal, probably led by Poland, to rapidly develop a small number of nuclear warheads. But how well-equipped is Europe to accomplish this goal?

Eastern Europes Nuclear Infrastructure

Eastern Europe, including Ukraine and Finland, has 35 nuclear reactors in service as of 2023. With the addition of a few hundred centrifuges, the East has the infrastructure in which uranium could be enriched to weapons grade. Moreover, ten countries of the Eastern region offer nuclear and engineering Ph.D. and Master's degree programs. Hence, the East has many scientists and technicians who could oversee the enrichment and warhead manufacturing process.

In addition, Ukraine, when still part of the Soviet Union, housed one-third of the Soviet nuclear warheads. Those warheads, all of which were transferred back to Russia in 1994, were partially maintained by a highly trained Ukrainian workforce, many members of which are still alive.

So Eastern Europe, perhaps with the assistance of Finland and Sweden, could develop a modest number of nuclear weapons in a relatively short time if the region felt that Russia had become an ongoing existential threat.

While this Eastern nuclear initiative is realistic, it is not a desirable outcome. A nuclear-armed East is unlikely so long as NATO and the United States hold firm and insist that Ukraine's pre-2014 borders are fully restored and guaranteed in any final settlement with Russia.

An essential component of this guarantee would be a U.S. and Western European decision to admit Ukraine into NATO.

James S. Fay is a California attorney, political scientist, and semi-retired college administrator. A graduate of Georgetown, he has a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from the University of California. His articles have appeared in social science and law journals and the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and Real Clear Education. He served as an U.S. Army intelligence officer in Germany.
Our caving adventure didnt end at Mammoth Cave National Park. We continued to travel east in Kentucky until we reached Carter County.

The region is known for having the highest concentration of caves in Kentucky. Not only was my family looking forward to exploring more caves, but we wanted to hike across natural arches found in the area.

Carter Caves

We had a campsite reserved at Carter Caves State Resort Park. The state park was established in 1946 when citizens donated 945 acres to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Included in the donated land were many impressive caves.

The Carter and Cascade cave systems located in the park have over 20 caverns in total. The park is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, just under 40 miles from West Virginia. More land was donated over time, bringing the total to 2,000 acres.

When we pulled into the campground, we noticed the party atmosphere. Like most state parks, alcohol is prohibited in Kentucky state campgrounds. The party Im referring to was the festive atmosphere created with lights, flags, activities for kids and large family gatherings. Our 26-foot camper seemed tiny next to the giant fifth-wheel trailers and motorhomes.

Arriving late in the day meant cave tours would have to wait until the morning. Instead, we looked for a short hike as daylight hours were beginning to fade. We started behind Lewis Caveland Lodge, a mid-century modern lodge named after John F. Lewis.

Built in 1962, the fieldstone lodge remains a time capsule as well as a hotel with 28 rooms. The Lewis family owned much of the land donated to the park and started much of the tourism in the area.

Smoky Bridge

Our goal was to see the Smoky Bridge located on the Three Bridges Trail. The topography of the area was very similar to Mammoth Cave with sinkholes and . We didnt have time to complete the entire 3.1-mile loop, but we were able to use shortcuts and connector trails to make our way to the bridge.

Immediately impressed with the massive limestone bridge, we carefully descended the steps into the ravine. The best view was from inside the natural arch. Looking upwards, it seemed reverent and massive like natures own sanctuary. The great rounded opening inside was the result of weathering. At one point in time, swirling water eroded large slabs of limestone creating a breakout dome.

As I continued to look around at the dome, my boys hurried off to look inside a cave opening on the nearby rock cliff. They stepped inside to find that it was small for them but just right for snakes or spiders. At the bottom of the ravine was a creekbed, dry at the moment.

Enjoying the evening

As much as I love seeing a forest at twilight, we had to leave before darkness set into the valley. The campground was buzzing with lights and laughter. The enormous camper next to us was illuminated with blue LED lights casting an eerie glow into all our windows.

My husband joked that it was a blue light special, but our kids have never shopped at K-Mart and didnt understand the joke. They had missed the punchline by a few decades.

Im not usually a night owl, but I managed to stay awake late into the night. Sitting in a lounge chair, with our camper blocking our neighbors LED lights, I was surprised by the night sky. A million stars were scattered across the dark expanse above me. My husband joined me in star gazing. Its been a long time since I was able to slow down and just stare at the heavens.

Our camping trip was incredible with many thrilling sights. However, I have to count gazing at the depths of the stars as one of my personal highlights. Eventually, I had to give in to slumber. We had more arches and caves to explore the next day.

I was starting to understand the natives and grasped their cycle of amicable gatherings, celebration in nature and sleep on repeat.

(Julie Geiss lives with her husband and four children in Unity Township, Ohio. Faith and family are first in her life, but she also loves hiking, biking and camping. You can contact Julie at juliegeiss1414@gmail.com.)
Farmers and landowners in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales are joining forces in an ambitious partnership to create one of the UKs largest nature-focused landscape programmes.

The programme, called Cumbria Connect, has secured 4.1 million funding from the Endangered Landscapes Programme to boost the local environment.

Around 33,000 hectares will be enhanced through nature-friendly farming, the creation of new habitats and the restoration of existing ones.

Cumbria Connect will create a tapestry of interconnected ecosystems which will support species such as the red squirrel, ring ouzels and pied flycatchers.

The project will also see the reintroduction of species once found in the area such as water voles.

Martin Varley, programme manager for Cumbria Connect, said: Areas most rich in nature are currently concentrated in managed, protected areas rather than being spread throughout the landscape as they could be.

"Our ambitious programme of landscape restoration will build bigger, better and more connected spaces for nature combining leading conservation techniques, guided by scientific research and harnessing the expertise and enthusiasm of local farmers and landowners.

One of our first actions is working with Eden Rivers Trust to re-introduce water voles  currently one of our most threatened native species."

Another cornerstone of the programme will be to assist farmers in the area to adopt new or existing nature-friendly business models to access grants from the UK government's new Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS).

Tim Winder, a farmer and member of the Orton Fells Farm Cluster, said: Our work is about combining the best of modern farming and traditional practices to ensure we produce healthy, sustainable food alongside a rich biodiverse landscape.

"We envision a future where thriving ecosystems co-exist with thriving farms, ensuring a prosperous legacy for generations to come.

Cumbria Connect will initially create ten new jobs across the area with roles in conservation advice for land managers, community engagement, volunteering and scientific research.

It will also see opportunities for PhD students and will support a programme of apprentices working on farms across the partnership.

David Bliss, CEO of Lowther Estate, welcomed the new project: Over the years, various organisations and farmers in the area have made valuable efforts towards conservation.

"Now, Cumbria Connect aims to join-up and co-ordinate these efforts on a landscape scale thereby creating a more cohesive and effective approach which will result in the landscape of Eastern Cumbria becoming of much greater value for both nature and people.
A small abattoir based in Wigton in Cumbria has closed its doors for good in a move which has rocked the local farming sector.

Black Brow abattoir, which was seen as a lifeline for remote farmers in Cumbria, shut down for business on 7 July 2023 after 20 years.

The site was used for slaughtering cattle, sheep, pigs and goats, however, the challenging environment had significantly impacted the business's financial situation.

The abattoir is now on the market for 795,000.

NFU Cumbrian council delegate, Alistair Mackintosh said its closure was a 'shame' and a 'blow' to local farmers.

He said: "The aim is to have a vibrant rural community and it is handy to use a local facility that importantly cut down on local food miles.

Farmers will have to travel further afield which will affect their carbon footprint.

It comes after Pilgrims UK Ashton-under-Lyne pork processing site closed its doors last week after 70 years in operation.
Brad Pitt is reportedly determined to force out the Russian vodka oligarch to whom Angelina Jolie secretly sold her share of their $500 million French vineyard.

Brad Pitt is reportedly determined to force out the Russian vodka oligarch to whom Angelina Jolie secretly sold her share of their $500 million French vineyard

The Oscar-winning Fight Club actor, 59, and actress Angelina, 48, bought Chateau Miraval in 2008 and married there in an intimate ceremony in 2014, but have been battling over it since their 2019 divorce.

Its now been reported by Page Six Brad is furious at Yuri Shefler for mocking him in court filings revealed on Monday (10.07.23) as an actor and not a winemaker.

A source told the outlet: Brad stands by the people who hes done business with and he doesnt give into bullies.

Insiders also say Brad sees Angelinas sale to the Russian as vindictive as Jolie knew he had previously turned down an approach to buy the chateau from Yuri.

It comes after attorneys for Angelinas former investment company Nouvel claimed in newly-lodged court papers Brad wasted the firms assets by spending millions on vanity projects including rebuilding a staircase four times and spending millions to restore a recording studio.

Documents obtained by Page Six also showed lawyers branded Brads alleged behaviour misconduct and say it escalated after Angelina sold Nouvel in October 2021 to a company controlled by oligarch Yuri.

The papers stated: Incensed that Jolie sold Nouvel to Stoli rather than him, Pitt has acted like a petulant child, refusing to treat Nouvel as an equal partner in the business.

Angelina is said to have allegedly agreed to divide the company up 68 percent to 38 per cent in Brads favour as he had invested more into their 35-room manse.

During summer 2021, the actor found out via a press release that Jolie had sold her 50 percent stake to a Russian oligarch, who Brad had previously turned down.

Brad filed his original lawsuit against his Atelier Jolie founder ex-wife in February 2022, claiming she deprived him of his right to enjoy his private home and to oversee the business he developed from scratch.

The star previously claimed his vindictive ex-wife collaborated in secret with Yuri, who also owns Stoli Group, to ensure he would be kept in the dark.
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Recently, IIT has finalised its plan to establish its first-ever campus outside India, which will be located in Zanzibar. This campus holds a unique distinction as it will be led by Preeti Aghalayam, making her the first woman to head an IIT. Preeti, an alumna of IIT Madras, completed her BTech in Chemical Engineering and has been appointed as the director-in-charge for this offshore campus.Preeti did her BTech in chemical engineering from IIT Madras in 1995 post which in 2000 she obtained her PhD from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her research primarily revolved around Chemical Reaction Engineering. She specialises in various areas such as Underground Coal Gasification, Automotive Aftertreatment, and the utilisation of CO2 in industries that are difficult to decarbonise."Preeti Aghalayam is the first woman to be an IIT director. We will see many more encouraging things. We are following sustainable development goals and one of the important goals suggests that we need to bring in gender balance," said V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras in a press conference announcing Preetis appointment as the head of the Zanzibar campus.I am an alumnus of IIT Madras and doing something of this magnitude for the institute and for the country is such a big honour. Every time we visited Zanzibar as part of the IIT Madras contingent, we noticed that the representation of women on their side is quite significant. So, it was important that we do this mindfully, Preeti said, joining remotely during the press conference.Recently, India and Tanzania signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), enabling IIT Madras to establish its inaugural international campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The institute is now accepting applications for admission to two full-time academic programs at the campus for which the academic classes will commence from October.
Bangladesh was the third-largest apparel supplier to Malaysia, accounting for over 10 per cent of the market share during the first quarter of this year. Malaysia imports apparel from Bangladesh and also receives raw materials, including fabric, from Bangladesh for its own textile sector. Trade data indicates that both countries can leverage their strengths in the textile industry to pursue a proposed free trade agreement (FTA). Recently, they agreed to explore the possibility of such a trade agreement.

During the Third Foreign Office Consultation held in Dhaka, a Malaysian trade delegation discussed various matters, including a potential trade agreement.

Malaysia imported apparel worth $48.943 million from Bangladesh in the first quarter of 2023, which accounted for 10.06 per cent of Malaysia's total apparel imports valued at $486.711 million. China and Singapore were the first and second largest suppliers, with market shares of 29.99 per cent and 14.39 per cent, respectively, according to date obtained from Fibre2Fashion's TexPro.

Bangladesh was the third-largest apparel supplier to Malaysia, with a 10 per cent market share in Q1. Malaysia imports apparel and fabric from Bangladesh, and both countries are considering a free trade agreement. In 2022, Malaysia imported apparel worth $48.943 million from Bangladesh, while fabric exports from Malaysia were $14.694 million in early 2023.

Last year, Malaysia imported apparel worth $2,051.032 million, with imports from Bangladesh valued at $234.673 million, accounting for 11.44 per cent of the total.

Malaysia exported fabric worth $14.694 million during January-March 2023, compared to $12.412 million in October-December 2022 and $13.272 million in January-March 2022. In 2022, fabric exports amounted to $53.527 million, $51.938 million in 2021, $36.560 million in 2020, and $42.722 million in 2019, as per TexPro.

Given that Bangladesh is one of the largest apparel exporters globally, the country requires raw materials for garment production. During the first quarter of this year, Bangladesh imported fabric worth $1,760.026 million. Malaysia accounted for a mere 0.83 per cent share, ranking seventh among fabric suppliers. There is significant potential for Malaysia to tap into this market in bilateral trade.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has estimated that world cotton production may drop to 116.84 million bales of 480 pounds/218 kg during the year 2023-24. Last year, the production was pegged at 117.97 million bales. In its July 2023 World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report, the USDA projected lower global exports and higher beginning and ending stocks of cotton in the year 2023-24.

The WASDE report stated that global cotton consumption is likely to increase to 116.45 million bales, up from 109.77 million bales of the previous year. The opening stock will be 93.95 million bales in 2023-24, compared to the opening stock of 86.04 million bales last year. The closing stock is estimated at 94.52 million bales for the next year. It was estimated at 93.95 million bales during the last year. The report estimated that the global cotton export will rise to 43.51 million bales from 37.56 million bales last year.

USDA has projected a decrease in global cotton production to 116.84 million bales in 2023-24, down from 117.97 million last year. This prediction, part of the USDA's July 2023 WASDE report, also forecasts increased global cotton consumption, larger opening and closing stocks, and a rise in global exports. China's production may drop, while US may see growth.

The USDA report indicated that Indias opening stock may increase to 11.6 million bales in 2023-24, compared to the last opening stock of 8.60 million bales. However, cotton production is estimated to decline from 26 million bales to 25.50 million bales. Indias consumption may increase to 24.50 million bales from 23.50 million bales of the current year. Indias export is likely to increase to 2.20 million bales from 1.25 million bales this year.

China's production is projected to decrease to 27 million bales from 30.70 million bales of last year. Consequently, its import could jump to 9.75 million bales from 6.35 million bales. Chinas consumption may also rise to 37 million bales from 36.50 million bales. Cotton production in the US may increase to 16.50 million bales from 14.47 million bales of last year. Its export could go up to 13.75 million bales next year from 12.90 million bales of the previous year.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Sri Lankas cabinet recently granted permission to start negotiations with Indonesia for a preferential trade agreement (PTA), ultimately leading to a free trade agreement (FTA). President Ranil Wickremesinghe had sought cabinet approval early this week for the same.

The country has identified Indonesia as a potential trading partner to cultivate profitable trade ties, the governments information department said.

Sri Lanka's cabinet recently gave the nod to start talks with Indonesia, a potential trading partner, for a preferential trade agreement, ultimately leading to a free trade agreement. Cabinet spokesperson Bandula Gunawardana said the government is expediting negotiations on signing trade agreements with Thailand, China and Singapore as well.

In 2018, both sides had launched a joint feasibility study to commence negotiations for an FTA.

Indonesia is one of the largest economies in South East Asia. The preferential agreement will help to enhance access to our exports and it will also allow (Indonesia) to import competitively, cabinet spokesperson minister Bandula Gunawardana was quoted as saying by Sri Lankan media reports.

Gunawardana said the government is expediting negotiations on signing trade agreements with Thailand, China and Singapore as well.

Sri Lanka has also decided to formally request the member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to join the trade pact.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
June not only brought respite from the scorching summer but also bestowed upon us a deluge of surprises in the form of recent Hollywood movies. These films captivated audiences, generating a whirlwind of excitement and becoming viral sensations on social media with each passing day.Here are some of the Hollywood films that were trending and created a lot of buzz amongst the audience.Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. ThompsonShameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jason Schwartzman, Issa Rae, Karan Soni, Daniel Kaluuya, Oscar Isaac and moreMiles Morales is back as the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man. The film continues from the events of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, now alone Miles misses Gwen Stacy and when she comes to visit him, he sneakingly travels to another multiverse adventure. In this adventure, he meets Spider-People known as the Spider-Society, led by Miguel O'Hara or Spider-Man 2099, but comes into conflict with them over handling a new threat in the form of the Spot.The film became popular due to its amazing animation sequences which looked like the comics and also its addition of multiple Spidermen from all possible ways such as the Indian Spider-Man aka Pavitr Prabhakar and Hobie aka Spider-Punk.June 1Steven Caple Jr.Anthony Ramos, Dominique FishbackTransformers: Rise of the Beasts, the seventh instalment in the Transformers franchise, carries forward the saga. Acting as both a sequel to Bumblebee and a prequel to the original film, the story unfolds in Brooklyn during the year 1994. The film revolves around Noah Diaz, a former military electronics expert, and Elena Wallace, as they find themselves entangled in a conflict among the Maximals, Terrorcons, and Predacons. Joining forces with the Autobots and Optimus Prime, they unite to protect Earth from impending danger.June 9Andy MuschiettiEzra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdu, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue, Michael Keaton.After numerous setbacks and controversies, including those involving Ezra Miller, The Flash, the highly anticipated entry in the DCEU, was finally released in the theatres. The movie chronicles Barry Allen's journey through time as he endeavours to prevent his mother's tragic fate. This daring endeavour inevitably sets off a chain of events, entangling not just one but two iterations of Batman - portrayed by Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck - as well as Supergirl, in a thrilling and chaotic tale.The film became buzzworthy due to fans eager for a Flash film as well as the compelling storytelling, action sequences and amazing visual effects.June 16Peter SohnLeah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Catherine O'Hara.Under the direction of Peter Sohn, Elemental shines a spotlight on the fundamental forces of fire, land, water, and air. Set in the vibrant Element City, the film delves into the unexpected convergence of Ember Lumen, a spirited woman embodying fire, and Wade Ripple, a fellow crafted from water. Ember takes a daring leap outside her comfort zone as she embarks on an exploration of uncharted territories.The film became a trend due to Pixar finally releasing a new animation film with original storytelling.June 16James MangoldHarrison Ford, John Rhys-Davies, Karen Allen, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore, and Mads Mikkelsen.Directed by James Mangold, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny marks the return of Harrison Ford as the iconic Indiana Jones. In this thrilling instalment, Indiana Jones teams up with his goddaughter, Helena Shaw, as they embark on a crucial quest to recover a legendary dial. Their mission becomes all the more urgent as they race against time to prevent Jurgen Voller, a former Nazi, from acquiring the powerful artefact.The film became a buzz-worthy topic as it marks the last instalment of the epic movies Indian Jones.June 30
Fans were finally able to catch a glimpse of Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday together in Lisbon, Spain.They reportedly went to a rock concert together, according to an earlier report. It has since been established that the two did in fact attend the Arctic Monkeys concert in Spain, despite the fact that they each published separate Instagram images on their personal accounts.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Filmfare (@filmfare)

On his Instagram Stories, Aditya Roy Kapur posted a little clip from a concert accompanied with a blue smiley face and a monkey emoji. Ananya shared a photo from the event on Tuesday on her Instagram Stories, writing, Nothing quite like the Arctic Monkeys. My favourite song ever." She tagged the location as Madrid, Spain. Later, Ananya even posted on her Instagram Stories images of the sea and the gorgeous sky she had seen while in Portugal. The caption was "magic magic," she wrote.

An Instagram photo of the two of them together was taken in Spain and went viral. Both Ananya and Aditya posed for photos with their fans while donning similar black and blue ensembles. A fan's photo of Aditya holding Ananya while they gazed at the sky together also circulated on Instagram.
Latest TRP Ratings This Week Malayalam Serials: In the realm of Malayalam television, Asianet's serial lineup has once again captured the attention of audiences. The ratings for Week 27 (July 1st Saturday to July 7th Friday) have been revealed, offering insights into the popularity of these captivating shows.

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Here's a rundown of the ratings, with the previous week's ratings provided for comparison:

"Santhwanam" remains a firm favourite, maintaining a strong hold with a rating of 12.10 (13.10).

"Mounaragam" continues to enthral viewers, securing a commendable rating of 12.10 (12.90).

"Kudumbavilakku" keeps viewers engrossed with its compelling storyline, achieving a noteworthy rating of 11.80 (12.70).

"Geethagovindam" maintains its popularity, garnering a solid rating of 10.40 (11.70).

"Patharamattu" captivates audiences with its intriguing plot, recording a respectable rating of 9.80 (10.60).

"Gourishankaram" makes its mark with an impressive rating of 6.50, showcasing its growing appeal among viewers.

"Koodevide" continues to engage audiences, earning a rating of 5.30 (5.90).

"KathoduKathoram" presents a unique storytelling experience, receiving a rating of 3.82.

"Nammal" concludes the list with a rating of 2.50 (2.30), maintaining its audience base.

The ratings reflect the viewers' preferences and highlight the success of Asianet's serials in captivating the audience. With engaging storylines and talented casts, these shows continue to captivate viewers and keep them eagerly tuning in.

Bigg Boss Malayalam Lovebirds, Pearle Maaney And Srinish Aravind, Expecting Second Baby!

"Santhwanam"

Santhwanam, a highly popular Malayalam serial, is directed by Aadithyan. The series made its debut on September 21, 2020, on Asianet and is available for on-demand streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. It features a talented cast, including Rajeev Parameshwar, Chippy Renjith, Girish Nambiar, Raksha Raj, Sajin TP, Gopika Anil, Achu Sugandh, and Manjusha Martin in prominent roles. This show is an official adaptation of the Tamil serial "Pandian Stores," which airs on Star Vijay.

"Mounaragam"

Mounaragam, a highly acclaimed Malayalam serial, is broadcast on the popular channel Asianet and is available for streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. This series is an official adaptation of the Telugu serial "Mouna Raagam," which is aired on Star Maa.
Mollywood Stars Embark on Lavender Adventure: Get ready for some star-studded sightseeing as our beloved Mollywood celebrities, Manju Warrier, Kunchacko Boban, and Ramesh Pisharody, recently made a memorable trip to the enchanting lavender farms of Kent, UK.

The trio, accompanied by Kunchacko Boban's family and executive producer Bineesh Chandra, visited the renowned Castle Farm, where vibrant lavender fields stretched for acres.

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Captivated by the allure of lavender, the stars couldn't resist capturing their magical moments and sharing them on their social media accounts, captivating the hearts of fans around the world.

In addition to exploring the lavender farms, Manju and her team had another reason to rejoice as they attended the esteemed Anand TV Film Awards Night held in Manchester, UK.

The talented Manju Warrier took home the well-deserved Best Actress award, while the charismatic Kunchacko Boban claimed the title of Best Actor of the Anand TV Film Awards 2023. Not to be outdone, the versatile Ramesh Pisharody was honoured with the prestigious Best Character Actor award.

Adding to the glamour of the night was the presence of the legendary Mammootty, who graced the event as the chief guest.

No trip is complete without some picture-perfect moments, and Kunchacko Boban made sure to capture the essence of their lavender escapade. Sharing a series of stunning photos on social media, he accompanied them with the caption, "It's Lavender Time."

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Pisharadi, known for his humour and wit, added a touch of his trademark charm by describing the farm as a place brimming with the fragrances of lavender, love, and laughter. Meanwhile, Manju Warrier delighted her fans with other captivating snapshots from her London adventure.

Castle Farm: A Lavender Paradise In Kent, UK, Where Beauty And History Unite

Kent, UK, is renowned for its numerous lavender farms, each holding a special place in British history and culture. It's a known fact that lavender flowers were adored by none other than the esteemed Queen Victoria herself, who played a pivotal role in popularising their exquisite beauty and aromatic allure across the country. In fact, even Queen Victoria's tea was infused with the delicate flavour of lavender.

Among these picturesque farms, Castle Farm stands tall, boasting expansive fields of lavender that captivate the hearts of both locals and tourists alike. The farm, located in the charming village of Shoreham, Sevenoaks, invites visitors to indulge in its breathtaking beauty, offering enchanting tours of its grounds and distillery. For lavender enthusiasts, June and July mark the prime season to immerse themselves in the wonders of these fragrant blooms.

There you have it-the perfect blend of celebrity allure, lavender enchantment, and British history! With their recent escapades, Manju Warrier, Kunchacko Boban, and Ramesh Pisharody have not only created unforgettable memories but also reignited the fascination for lavender farms among fans and wanderlust enthusiasts.
Pearle Maaney and Srinish Aravind's Exciting News: Pearle Maaney and Srinish Aravind, the beloved star couple of the Malayali audience who first met and fell in love on the sets of Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 1, have some exciting news to share!

The ever-active social media influencer, Pearle Maaney, took to her social platforms to delightfully announce another addition to their family.

Malayalam Movies Releasing In Theatres And OTT Platforms This Weekend

In a heartwarming post, Pearle shared a picture alongside Srinish and their adorable daughter Nila, accompanied by a playful dialogue uttered by Nila herself: "Kunjuvava (baby) in mother's tummy, dosa in DD's tummy."

But that's not all, as Pearle revealed the wonderful news, saying, "We are happy to share this beautiful news with you. We are expecting our second baby. Need all your blessings." The actress also revealed that she is three months pregnant, expressing her joy through the hashtag.

A Journey Of Love: From Bigg Boss Romance To Growing Family

In a blast from the past, we reminisce about the thrilling first season of Bigg Boss Malayalam, where Pearle Maaney made her mark as the impressive second runner-up, while Srinish secured the notable fourth position.

However, their journey was not without its fair share of controversy. Social media was abuzz with accusations that their blossoming romance inside the Bigg Boss house was merely a strategic ploy.

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Yet, once the show concluded, Pearle and Srinish put all doubts to rest as they joyously announced their union, seeking the blessings of their families. Their wedding day arrived on May 5, 2019, graced by Christian rituals, and a few days later, on May 8, they celebrated their love with Hindu customs. Their family expanded with the arrival of their first child, Nila, on March 20, 2021, marking a beautiful new chapter in their lives.

Fans and well-wishers are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the couple's second bundle of joy, showering Pearle, Srinish, and their growing family with blessings and love as they embark on this beautiful journey of parenthood once again.
Monalisa Viral Bikini Pics: Bhojpuri fame Monalisa, who has transitioned herself into a television actress has set social media on fire with her bikini pictures. Monalisa is currently seen in Colors TV's popular show, Bekaboo also starring, Eisha Singh and Shalin Bhanot.

MONALISA SETS THE MERCURY SOARING IN HOT BIKINI PICS

Monalisa who enjoys a massive, 5.4 million following on social media, often treats her fans with pictures and videos of herself. The diva is once again hogging the limelight for the hot pictures that she shared on social media.

The Nazar actress took to social media and shared pictures of herself in a scintillating bikini. Monalisa set the temperatures soaring as she put her curvaceous figure on full display. The actress's hot pictures have gone viral, captivating fans and admirers alike.

The pictures show Monalisa enjoying a relaxing time by the pool. She captioned her pics as, "The Rain Begins With A Single Drop ... #waterbaby #rain #love #lovely #weather."Check out the pictures.

Well, it's not the first time that the actress has treated her fans with her sexy bikini pics. Recently, she flaunted her ample assets in a flowery bikini, as she enjoyed her vacay in Goa. The pictures had become viral in no time. Check out the pics.

NETIZENS REACT TO MONALISA'S PICS

Netizens were quick to shower Monalisa with compliments and her comments section was flooded with praise for her boldness. A user wrote, "So hot." "So Hot Figure Monalisa," wrote another. Several others dropped heart and fire emojis.

MONALISA'S WORK-FRONT

Meanwhile, Monalisa is one of the most popular Bhojpuri actress. She is currently seen in Ekta Kapoor's show, Bekaboo, wherein she essays the role of Yamini. Monalisa became a household name with her stint in Salman Khan hosted Bigg Boss season 10. The actress underwent a massive body transformation post the show, as she lost 10 kgs inside the house.

Talking about the same, Monalisa recently shared with India Today, "When I did Bigg Boss 10, I lost 10 kg after coming out of the house. That was superb. I wonder how I lost so much weight. Maybe wahaan (in Bigg Boss) khaana kam milta hain (laughs) because at that time Bigg Boss was very strict. It could also be due to stress, because it's a difficult place to live in. However, it was an experience of a lifetime being in the Bigg Boss house. After doing that reality show, I got a lot of love and became popular all over India. I got name and fame. It was such a happy moment for me."
Urfi Javed is a name that doesn't need an introduction. The young actress has managed to carve a niche for herself with her innovative, quirky and bold fashion sense. Give Urfi a prop and watch her make an outfit from it. She clearly leaves no chance unturned to leave the fashion police in awe of her style

And now, there are reports about Urfi looking forward to making her big Bollywood debut. Yes! According to media reports, the fashionista is said to make her debut with Ekta Kapoor's Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2 soon.

According to a report published in the Times of India, Urfi has been approached to play the lead role in the movie. A source close to the actress said, "Urfi has been approached for Love Sex aur Dhokha 2 as she fits perfectly for the lead character. Urfi might take this film as her Bollywood debut". However, an official announcement in this regard is yet to be made.

Urfi Javed Shows Off Her Toned Midriff In BOLD Embellished Transparent Top; Netizens Say: Ese Koi Rok Nahi..

Interestingly, Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2 or LSD 2 was announced during Bigg Boss 16 when Ekta Kapoor and Dibakar Banerjee entered the BB house. The producer-director even announced Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia as the main lead of their project. Ever since then, there have been reports about Nimrit making her debut with LSD 2.

Sharing her excitement, Nimrit had earlier told Bollywood Bubble, "I think that has to be the highlight of my Bigg Boss Journey. I'm not kidding as an actor it was the most precious moment to date because it was so surreal. One did not expect and I was like 'yay', I mean, on weekends you would be told okay you know to prepare this or prepare that while we would get ready but we didn't know that she'll be coming inside the house or this is happening. It all happened in a snap and I was like 'whoa', that was nice".

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And now, with Urfi's name also doing the rounds for the lead character in Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2, there is quite a possibility about both Urfi and Nimrit make their big Bollywood debut together.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu-starrer Kushi's second single 'Aradhya' was released on July 12. The song from Shiva Nirvana directorial features its lead pair Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha in montage shots.

A still from the lyrical video where Vijay Deverakonda relaxes her leg on Samantha, caused quite an unexpected stir on Twitter and other social media handles on July 13.

Fans of superstar Mahesh Babu hit back at Samantha for the latter's 'regressive' comments on Mahesh's '1 Nenokkadine' poster featuring Kriti Sanon.

Back when Pushpa fame Sukumar's '1 Nenokkadine' released, a promotional poster featuring Adipurush actress Kriti Sanon crawling behind Mahesh Babu by the beach, upset Samantha.

By then, Samantha had already worked with Mahesh Babu, in fact, in her second film in the Telugu industry. Having known Mahesh Babu and growing to be one of the successful female leads in Tollywood, Samantha reacted to the post by saying, "Saw a poster of a yet-to-be-released Telugu film. Not only is it deeply regressive, but its point is actually that it is deeply regressive, (sic)"

The comment and post went viral within no time and drew the attention of Mahesh Babu as well as the film's director Sukumar. Mahesh Babu also reacted to the tweet and said, "Samantha knows me and my wife Namrata. If she found anything regressive about the poster she could have checked with me first. Instead, she went and posted her views online. She shouldn't have done that. At least she could have tried to speak to us."

Now, from the lyric video of Vijay Deverakonda-starrer 'Kushi,' a still where Vijay Deverakonda was seen stretching his legs on Samantha by the sofa caught the attention of the netizens. They brought back her 'regressive' post and wrote, 'No Hate But Sorry Samantha Karma Hits Back.'

Fans of both actors are involved in several arguments under the comment section and have been sharing their views.
Naples, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - efizbo, a soon to be launched online real estate platform, is delighted to announce their partnership with the leading provider of 3D virtual reality solutions, IntelliMedia Networks, and are embarking on a campaign that will see the duo's mixed reality framework Holoport 5.0 pioneer its PropTech application in spatial computing environments.

There is the opportunity for sellers of residential real estate to create the next generation of online real estate listings while also having the ability to conduct transactions themselves, resulting in a 5% reduction in fees that would normally go to real estate agents.

"The efizbo platform builds trust {between buyers and sellers} by making the real estate transaction as simple as possible. The initial feedback we have received has home sellers thrilled and surprised how we simplified the entire selling process." says James P. Schlimmer, CEO of efizbo. "For example, we're creating a platform that gives home sellers the ability to leverage cutting edge technology for the marketing of their home, while at the same time, have an experienced team and resources to hold their hand from listing all the way to close."

"We feel that by bringing all the spatial computing and invisible computing concepts under the single umbrella of Holoport, we can achieve the objective of making human-machine interaction more spatial. Our partnership with efizbo makes human contact with real estate in their ambient environment more natural." Darshan Sedani , President, Co-Founder IntelliMedia Networks.

Holoport 5.0 enables digitizing activities, presentations, and interactions of machines, people, objects, and environments on a singular canvas. Applications built on this foundation will be compatible with existing wearables in the industry.

"This partnership has the power to change the real estate industry forever," says Teodros Gessesse, CEO of IntelliMedia Networks. "Implementing our technology into the efizbo home selling platform will reinvent the online property listing while at the same time, reshape the home buying process."

"Holoport 5.0 and IntelliMedia Networks allowed me to reimagine what a property listing can be," stated Schlimmer.

Through efizbo, Buyers will be exposed to a more immersive property viewing experience that has all listings including a 3D VR tour, the ability to review a property inspection from a trusted 3rd party inspector, and when the time comes, make an offer directly to a seller from the online property listing. Upon the seller's acceptance, the sales contract is created, eSigned and the entire transaction closes through the integrated closing agent.

"Great technology will never replace the peace of mind sellers and buyers get from a simple phone call with an actual human being. This is critical and we'll never forego this step," says Schlimmer. "Our customer service team is growing tired of training and eager to begin helping buyers and sellers this Fall."

About efizbo & IntelliMedia Networks:

efizbo is a 100% online user-friendly real estate platform that simplifies the buying and selling process. From listing to close, efizbo provides home sellers with helpful, innovative features and guidance through every step of the transaction for the ultimate closing experience. efizbo is scheduled to launch in South Florida this Fall. For more information, visit https://efizbo.com/. Media@efizbo.com/.

IntelliMedia Networks is a US-based company that specializes in revolutionizing the methods with which media is grown, delivered and monetized. For more information, visit https://intellimedianetworks.com/.

Media:

https://efizbo.com/

Media@efizbo.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/172491
Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR of the SIX Swiss Exchange



Geneva, Switzerland - July13, 2023 - ObsEva SA (SIX: OBSN), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for women's health, today announced that it has recovered full worldwide rights on nolasiban, a novel, oral oxytocin receptor antagonist being developed to improve clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in women undergoing embryo transfer after in vitro fertilization ("IVF"), following the termination of its sub-licensing agreement with Yuyuan BioScience ("Yuyuan").

In January 2020, ObsEva granted to Yuyuan an exclusive sublicense to use, register, import, develop, market, promote, distribute, offer for sale, and commercialize nolasiban for use in humans in the People's Republic of China, including Hong Kong and Macau. The terms of the sub-licensing agreement provided ObsEva with rights to terminate the agreement with immediate effect subject to certain development milestones not being met by Yuyuan within certain deadlines. Under these terms, on July 12, 2023, ObsEva decided to notify Yuyuan of its breach to comply with certain set milestones and the license rights on nolasiban previously granted to Yuyuan forthwith reverted to ObsEva.

"With one third of the ART cycles worldwide, China is a key market in fertility, and recovering the Chinese rights of nolasiban is a significant opportunity for ObsEva to address the huge unmet medical need in IVF and its global commercial potential." said Fabien de Ladonchamps, Chief Executive Officer. "So far, Nolasiban has shown meaningful efficacy results on ongoing pregnancy rates with no safety concerns, and we look forward to resuming its clinical development, as well as evaluating potential strategic partnerships with well-established candidates."

In its previous clinical trials of nolasiban, involving more than 1'700 randomized patients, ObsEva was able to demonstrate an average 5.03% absolute (15% relative) increase versus placebo of the 10 weeks ongoing pregnancy rate after embryo transfer following IVF (1), with a favorable safety profile, an increase considered as clinically very significant by IVF specialists. Indeed, with success rates of IVF procedures that could be as low as 30%, nolasiban might have the potential to meaningfully improve success rates of assisted reproductive technologies ("ART"), which accounted for more than 3.1 million cycles worldwide in 2018 (2).





(1) Meta-analysis of IMPLANT 1, IMPLANT 2 and IMPLANT 4 data

(2) ICMART Preliminary World Report 2018





About ObsEva

ObsEva is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies to improve women's reproductive health and pregnancy. ObsEva has established a development program focused on improving in vitro fertilization success rates. ObsEva is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange where it is traded under the ticker symbol "OBSN". For more information, please visit www.ObsEva.com.





For further information, please contact:

For general information:

contact@obseva.ch

For investors information:

IR@obseva.ch

ObsEva SA

Chemin des Aulx 12,

1228 Plan-les-Ouates

Switzerland

+41 22 552 1550

###

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Regulatory News:

SpineGuard (FR0011464452 ALSGD), an innovative company that deploys its DSG (Dynamic Surgical Guidance) sensing technology to secure and streamline the insertion of bone implants, and XinRong Medical Group, a China leader in medical technology, announced today the placement of a large purchase order of PediGuard devices and the completion of a capital increase primarily intended to fund the registration of the whole SpineGuard product portfolio by the Chinese NMPA (National Medical Product Administration).

In line with the extended distribution agreement announced on May 16, XinRong Medical placed a purchase order for 448 Straight PediGuard units. In parallel, SpineGuard appointed a third-party regulatory agent, with XinRong's input, to execute the Chinese registration of the other versions of PediGuard i.e. the Curved, the XS, the Canulated and the Threaded spinal drilling probes embedding SpineGuard's DSG (Dynamic Surgical Guidance) technology.

XinRong's equity contribution to SpineGuard has been made according to the terms announced on May 16 as follows:

issuance of 500,000 new SpineGuard shares,

- at a price of 1.00 per share,

- equal to a 500K equity injection by XinRong Medical,

- representing 1.28% of current issued shares,

- with an 18-month lock-up period.

China's spine market is the world's second-largest market after the USA driven by an aging population, increasing disease prevalence and treatment rates, along with access to care growing affordability.

Pierre Jerome, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of SpineGuard, said: "I am delighted that our recently signed three-prong agreement with XinRong is swiftly materializing. This 500,000 cash injection will finance the regulatory approval of the whole PediGuard product range in China. It confirms XinRong's ambition and commitment to mobilize the necessary means for properly deploying SpineGuard's DSG technology in the largest market for spinal surgical devices after the United States. This equity stake strengthens our collaboration and further aligns both companies' interests which I believe is essential to make such partnership successful."

Christine Zhang, CEO of XinRong Medical, added: "I am thrilled about our partnership with SpineGuard. Our investment in the company represents our shared commitment to innovation and advancing medical technology. We believe that SpineGuard's DSG technology will revolutionize spinal surgical devices and we are excited to be a part of that journey. The completion of this capital increase reinforces our dedication to bringing the latest medical advancements to patients in China and beyond. We look forward to working closely with SpineGuard over the coming years and are confident that our collaboration will yield significant results."

"PediGuard increases safety for better screw placement, reduces surgical time, decreases X-ray exposure for patients, surgeons and staff and also helps train the young surgeons. It is a very useful and convenient device that is effective without any other supplementary equipment for complex spine surgery, especially for spinal deformity cases." said Professor Yong Qiu, Chairman of Orthopedic Surgery of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and President of the Chinese Scoliosis Research Society

Professor Weishi Li, Chief of Department of Orthopedics of Peking University Third Hospital (PKUTH), and Chairman of the AO Spine China Council, concluded: "As a medical expert, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to SpineGuard and XinRong Medical Group on their new partnership. The placement of a large purchase order of PediGuard devices and the completion of a capital increase to fund the registration of the whole SpineGuard product portfolio by the Chinese NMPA is a significant achievement. I am excited about the potential impact that SpineGuard's DSG technology will have on spinal surgical devices in China, which is the world's second-largest market after the USA. The benefits of PediGuard in terms of increased safety, reduced surgical time, and decreased X-ray exposure are well-known, and I look forward to seeing this innovative technology being used to improve patient outcomes in China. Congratulations again to both companies on this exciting partnership."

About SpineGuard

Founded in 2009 in France and the USA by Pierre Jerome and Stephane Bette, SpineGuard is an innovative company deploying its proprietary radiation-free real time sensing technology DSG (Dynamic Surgical Guidance) to secure and streamline the placement of implants in the skeleton. SpineGuard designs, develops and markets medical devices that have been used in over 95,000 surgical procedures worldwide. Twenty-four studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals have demonstrated the multiple benefits DSG offers to patients, surgeons, surgical staff and hospitals. Building on these strong fundamentals and several strategic partnerships, SpineGuard has expanded the scope of its DSG technology in innovative applications such as the smart pedicle screw, the DSG Connect visualization and registration interface, dental implantology and surgical robotics. DSG was co-invented by Maurice Bourlion, Ph.D., Ciaran Bolger, M.D., Ph.D., and Alain Vanquaethem, Biomedical Engineer. SpineGuard has engaged in multiple ESG initiatives. For further information, visit www.spineguard.com

About XinRong Medical

XinRong Medical is a leading medical technology company in China that is dedicated to improving patient affordability and providing advanced solutions for surgeons to deliver the best possible patient care. With a focus on orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, and reconstructive surgery, XinRong Medical offers innovative solutions that utilize new materials, techniques, and minimally invasive therapies. Founded in 2000, XinRong Medical was one of the first companies in China to manufacture orthopaedic implants and has since grown to become a professional orthopaedic implants manufacturing enterprise. Backed by the world's leading investment institution, XinRong Medical is committed to constantly innovating and moving forward to meet the evolving needs of patients and surgeons alike. For more information, please visit our website at www.XRBest.com.

Disclaimer

The SpineGuard securities may not be offered or sold in the United States as they have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any United States state securities laws, and SpineGuard does not intend to make a public offer of its securities in the United States. This is an announcement and not a prospectus, and the information contained herein does and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities referred to herein in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or exemption from registration.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712597684/en/

Contacts:

SpineGuard

Pierre Jerome

CEO Chairman

Tel: +33 1 45 18 45 19

p.jerome@spineguard.com

SpineGuard

Anne-Charlotte Millard

CFO

Tel: +33 1 45 18 45 19

ac.millard@spineguard.com

NewCap

Investor Relations Financial Communication

Mathilde Bohin Aurelie Manavarere

Tel: +33 1 44 71 94 94

spineguard@newcap.eu
BOSTON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- There is no denying that silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs are the story of the next decade for electric vehicle power electronics. The material improves powertrain efficiency (EV range), operates at higher voltages for faster charging, and creates new materials opportunities, such as Ag or Cu sintering, as power densities and operational temperatures increase.

The IDTechEx report "Power Electronics for Electric Vehicles 2023-2033" provides a deep-dive into EV power electronics with technology insights into the evolving semiconductor and package materials, including Si, SiC and GaN semiconductors, die-attach materials, wire bonding, thermal management, and more. IDTechEx presents granular forecasts detailing unit sales, GW and US$ demand for inverters, onboard chargers (OBC) and DC-DC converters segmented by voltage (600V, 1200V) and semiconductor type (Si, SiC, GaN).

Infineon and ST Microelectronics are consistent market leaders in the supply of automotive power semiconductors, with both expanding major OEM partnerships recently. Infineon has a deal to supply Stellantis' Tier 1 partners from 2025, potentially worth over 1 billion euros. Infineon also has a ten-year supply deal with VW, supplies into Hyundai's 800V E-GMP platform, and has a historic relationship with BMW for the original i3, as well as Renault.

Meanwhile, STMicroelectronics ('STMicro') has a major supply relationship with EV maker no. 1 - Tesla - a company which had ~14% market share of all BEV+PHEV cars sold globally in 2022 according to the "Electric Cars 2023-2043" report from IDTechEx. Recently, STMicro has developed new SiC modules branded ACEPACK, a drop-in module solution akin to other mainstream designs, which will help expand its customer base. The company is expanding production capacity in Italy in anticipation of demand, and Hyundai has already chosen to use the modules in upcoming E-GMP models.

Other players' announcements are also gathering momentum, reflecting the pace of SiC adoption. Onsemi has released a SiC MOSFET brand called EliteSiC and will supply VW and Hyundai, and Tier 1 Borgwarner announced it would invest US$500 million in Wolfspeed, with Wolfspeed supplying SiC semiconductors to future Mercedes-Benz models and JLR's next generation of electric cars from 2024.

Going against the grain, on its last investor day, Tesla announced it was aiming for a 75% reduction in SiC utilization for the cyber truck and future model releases. What does this mean for suppliers? While the announcement is a little unclear in isolation, IDTechEx expects all Tesla's vehicles will continue to use SiC MOSFETs in most of their power electronics.

It is worth remembering that SiC MOSFETs were only introduced to the automotive sector at scale with Tesla's release of the original Model 3 in 2018. The inverter design currently in use across Tesla's line-up is similar to this original inverter. IDTechEx expects that the announced reduction is being driven by smaller and more advanced SiC chips reaching commercialization alongside the five years of real-world experience and understanding of SiC chip thermal management. It is also likely that Tesla's initial SiC inverter design was optimized for redundancy - extra chips - with the design now being optimized for cost and efficiency.

Overall, Tesla's announcement will not negatively impact IDTechEx's forecasts for SiC inverter adoption/vehicle over the next decade. IDTechEx predicts a 27% CAGR for the period 2023 - 2033 for 600V - 1200V SiC MOSFETs in inverters, allowing the technology to capture more than half the market.

IDTechEx Research

This research forms part of the broader electric vehicle and energy storage portfolio from IDTechEx, who track electric vehicle markets and technologies across land, sea and air, helping you navigate whatever may be ahead. Find out more at www.IDTechEx.com/Research/EV.

About IDTechEx

IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

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Contact:

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Sales and Marketing Administrator

press@IDTechEx.com

+44(0)1223 812300

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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/IDTechEx

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Schneider Electric solutions help upgrade Serbia's medium-voltage electrical distribution network 140 million project to improve grid reliability, reduce failures and shorten outage duration. It will also reduce network losses, which will allow huge CO2 emissions reduction and savings.

Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has signed a contract to supply medium voltage (MV) equipment and grid management software to upgrade Serbia's electrical distribution network. This country-wide, grid modernization project aims to improve network reliability, reducing power outages and their duration.

Serbia seeks to improve electricity reliability and reduce losses

This upgrade will improve the quality of electricity supply and thus strengthen the service provided by Serbia's distribution system operator Elektrodistribucija Srbije (EDS) and its customers.

"I am sure that the new investment in the modernization of our electricity distribution system of 140 million will improve the supply of our citizens, as well as business entities, and significantly reduce losses in the network by several million euros per year," said Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic.

Schneider Electric will optimize Serbia's modernization and automation efforts

As a market-leading technology provider, Schneider Electric has the connected products, software and expertise to modernize, automate and transform the country's entire MV grid. The digitalized grids of the future improve energy efficiency, accelerate the integration of renewable energy sources,such as solar and wind power, balance energy supply and demand and thus facilitate the green energy transition. Data managementcapabilities support efforts to optimize and decarbonize demand-side energy use.

Grid modernization and digitalization also help identify how best to configure and operate the existing distribution network, which can reduce or postpone large capital investments in building power plants - saving public funds and reducing waste.

"Software produced in Serbia by Schneider Electric can be implemented in our energy network to make it more reliable and efficient, for fewer outages and reduce losses on our network," said Dubravka Djedovic, Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy.

"I'm proud that Schneider Electric is helping Serbia achieve its grid modernization goals and support its green energy transition," said Gary Lawrence, President of Power and Grid segment at Schneider Electric. "We have over 20 years of experience working in the country, including our global center for research, development, and production of Schneider Electric's software to optimize electrical distribution management."

Contact: global.pr@se.com

Attachment
Recently inaugurated to meet customer needs in the country, the brand-new location further expands the company's presence in the region and represents a further step in its growth strategy.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gilbarco Veeder-Root Middle East and Africa (MEA) has opened a new office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking a step forward in the company's growth plan. The recently inaugurated location has been established to cater to local clients as well as expanding the reach of Gilbarco's solutions across the region.

Located in Riyadh, the Kingdom's capital, at the SADA Premium Building 6676, the new opening represents a milestone for the company amidst its expansion strategy across several markets. It also strengthens the firm's footprint in the regional market after a successful 2022, in which the firm participated in several events and rolled out numerous solutions throughout the region.

"With this new opening we are not only expanding our reach but also enhancing our relationship with local clients as business throughout the region keeps growing," says Yemi Fatunla, Managing Director MEA. "A dedicated hub in Saudi Arabia is a most welcome addition to Gilbarco's portfolio, furthering our commitment to support our partners' growth by expanding our operations even further thanks to this new addition," adds Fatunla.

The inauguration also represents Gilbarco Veeder-Root's growing role across the Middle East and Africa. As the company consolidates its position as the global leader in technology for retail and commercial fuelling operations, a new location is proof of the firm's continued efforts to achieve this goal.

"A new office means new opportunities across the region! We are excited to strengthen our existing relationships and also welcome potential new partners into our portfolio," says Adnan Al Otiebi, Regional Sales Director MENEA at Gilbarco Veeder-Root Middle East & Africa.

The new office will join Gilbarco Veeder-Root MEA's regional office recently relocated to Johannesburg, South Africa, as well as other offices located in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Morocco.

"The opening of a new office in Saudi Arabia resonates with Gilbarco Veeder-Root Middle East and Africa's dedication to provide our partners' businesses for success. This new facility will help fulfill our mission to support their growth," comments Allen Youssef, Regional Marketing Manager MEA at Gilbarco Veeder-Root Middle East & Africa.

About Gilbarco Veeder-Root

Gilbarco Veeder-Root is a complete fuelling solutions provider for fuel management and convenience retail store technologies. With a universal range, global reach, deep-rooted expertise, and superior customer service, GVR is committed to keeping the world moving. By understanding the challenges that its customers face, their needs are met with adaptable and expandable solutions that are designed to maximise uptime and profitability.

Gilbarco Veeder-Root is committed to keeping the world moving, to learn more visit https://www.gilbarco.com/mea.

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LONDON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zedsen is renowned for its non-invasive sensing technology applied to early breast cancer detection. With its world class team of scientists and engineers, Zedsen is developing a product to revolutionise the clinical pathway in cancer care.

At its helm, are Michael Lynch (Chief Executive Officer) and Martin Harriman (Chairman) who both bring a wealth of experience within the hardware and deep technology space with a proven track record within the industry. Most notably, their work growing WaveOptics from a seed stage company to its sale to Snap, Inc for over $600m in 2021.

Michael, who joined Zedsen in June 2023, brings impressive experience across multiple industries, spanning aerospace, consumer electronics, biotech and the US Federal Government. More recently, he has served in senior executive positions at the likes of Rocket Lab, WaveOptics, Space X and Eli Lilly. During his tenure at WaveOptics, he was instrumental in its acquisition which is touted to be one of the UKs largest hardware technology exits.

"Mike is an exceptional leader specialising in leading high performing organisations. His background in taking innovative technologies and turning them into incredibly successful businesses is perfect for Zedsen as they reach a pivotal point in their development pathway and prepare to commence their first clinical study. The Board of Directors are delighted that he has accepted the appointment and has joined the company." Martin Harriman, Chairman

"Zedsen is at a very exciting inflection point as the technology enters into clinical trial. The company has a world class team of experts who have developed this technology. I am really excited to take on this new challenge and believe deeply that this technology has the potential to be a force for good globally, in the way we diagnose and treat breast cancer." Michael Lynch, CEO

Martin was appointed Chairman of Zedsen in July 2021 and has steered the team through the early development of its transformational oncology product.

Martin has been deeply engaged in technology for over 25 years and has been responsible for raising over $1 billion for UK based businesses in the last 5 years. He has led a number of recent successful exits, including the sale of a majority stake in Community Fibre to Warburg Pincus and Deutsche Telecom Capital Partners, the sale of WaveOptics to Snap and the sale of Jola Ltd to Wireless Logic. Martin is a start-up veteran, he was a Founding Director and judge for Pitch at the Palace (where the majority of start-ups focused on the health/medtech sectors), and a visiting fellow in entrepreneurship at the Cambridge Judge Business School. He has worked extensively with hardware businesses trying to overcome the 'unfashionable' tag that makes it harder for them to raise capital and succeed.

Michael and Martin will navigate Zedsen through the next crucial phase of its development, with the commencement of its first clinical study in Q4 2023 and bringing its technology to market.

www.zedsen.com

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Convera opts for Temenos scalable platform to fuel global expansion and offer fast and secure commercial payments

GENEVA, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Temenos (SIX: TEMN) today announced that Convera, the largest non-bank global B2B payments provider, has selected Temenos Payments Hub running in the Temenos Cloud to modernize its payments infrastructure.



The move to Temenos Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) will help Convera to drive efficiency in payment processing from inbound funding to outbound disbursements and massively scale with the aim to double its payments volumes in the next five years and expand its payment rails. Temenos SaaS will help enable Convera to compete in the highly dynamic payments market

Convera will overhaul its payments engine by progressively replacing legacy systems with Temenos' robust, scalable platform to standardize its international commercial payments on a single platform. Temenos' platform capability to intelligently route payments over Convera's global partner bank network will allow for greater efficiencies and improved customer service. Convera will also use Temenos' data hub capabilities for real-time data management. Temenos' composable platform can easily integrate with Convera's existing infrastructure which includes integrated compliance systems and payment gateways, increasing automation and time to value.

Temenos' highly scalable platform with proven localization and ongoing investment in US and global compliance will enable Convera to process payments in a highly efficient and standardized manner. Temenos' cloud-native platform will offer real-time payments and resilience giving Convera the business agility required to benefit from new market initiatives such as instant payments and ISO 20022. With Temenos payments platform, Convera will also continue to enhance its straight through processing (STP) rates through advanced exception handling.

Convera - which was previously part of Western Union - is the largest non-bank fintech in global B2B payments and makes cross-border money transfers simple by allowing its customers to transact globally with ease. Convera offers services ranging from currency exchange to hedging solutions and has capabilities in 140+ currencies across 200+ countries and territories. The company serves more than 30,000 customers, which range from small business owners and enterprise treasurers to educational institutions, financial institutions, law firms and NGOs.

Convera selected Temenos after a competitive process including US incumbent vendors and specialized payment vendors. Temenos offers a single platform across all banking verticals, fintechs, and associated business segments including payments and core banking, and as a result it benefits from higher investment in R&D.

Patrick Gauthier, Chief Executive Officer, Convera, said: "Temenos payments platform will underpin Convera's growth strategy as it transforms into a modern, technology-led, global B2B payments organization, focused on innovation, value, and exceptional customer service. After extensive assessment, we selected Temenos both for its superior cloud technology capabilities and the trust in the team and its local operations. Temenos is the platform of choice for massive scale; we have a clear path for global expansion and look forward to partnering with Temenos with its global expertise to support us along the way."

Philip Barnett, President Americas, Temenos, said: "We are excited to be selected by Convera, one of the largest fintechs, to modernize its payments infrastructure. We see tremendous growth opportunities in the payments space, and we continue to heavily invest in our single code base across core banking and payments making our offering the most compelling in the market. With Temenos Payments Hub running on Temenos SaaS, Convera will have a modern payments platform which can scale massively and propel its expansion plans. With our SaaS solution, Convera will stay agile and at the forefront of innovation and deliver fast, reliable, and transparent payment services to its corporate customers. Temenos offers a proven SaaS model together with robust US pre-configured capabilities, which is compelling for financial institutions of all sizes to move to Temenos."

Temenos Payments is ranked #1 best-selling payments system in the IBS Sales League Table 2022.

About Convera

Convera is a global B2B payments company, providing payments services and foreign exchange products to companies of all sizes. With expertise in managing foreign exchange and moving funds around the globe, Convera offers access to over 140 currencies and a financial network spanning more than 200 countries and territories. Providing technology-led payment solutions to 30K+ customers - from small business owners to enterprise treasurers across a range of industries. Convera's purpose is to make moving money so easy that any company in the world can grow with confidence.

For more information, visit convera.com.

About Temenos

Temenos (SIX: TEMN) is the world's leading open platform for composable banking, creating opportunities for 1.2 billion people around the world every day. We serve 3000 banks from the largest to challengers and community banks in 150+ countries by helping them build new banking services and state-of-the-art customer experiences. The Temenos open platform helps our top-performing clients achieve return on equity three times the industry average and cost-to-income ratios half the industry average.

For more information, please visit www.temenos.com.
Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen.

LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Engineering and consulting business John Wood Group Plc. (WDGJF.PK) reported that its second quarter revenue was about $1.5 billion, up around 11% on last year or up 14% at constant currency, with growth in all business units. Adjusted EBITDA was in line with its expectations. The company still expects performance for fiscal year 2023 to be in line with its medium-term financial targets of adjusted EBITDA growth at mid to high single digit CAGR, with momentum building as it delivers its strategy. The company expects positive free cash flow in the second half of this year, and positive free cash flow in 2024 as previously guided. For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA / AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS / HONG KONG / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Sustainable Apparel Coalition - The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), an impact-driven global convener of nearly half of the apparel, footwear, and textile industry, is pleased to announce the return of its Manufacturer Forums, a series of action-oriented events aimed at bringing together business leaders and stakeholders to learn how they can leverage the Higg Index suite of tools and industry programs to drive sustainability improvements throughout global supply chains.

Under the theme, Catalyst for Change, the first Manufacturer Forum will take place in Shenzhen, China on July 25 at Sheraton Shenzhen Futian Hotel and will be the first in-person Manufacturer Forum the SAC has hosted since 2019. The event will feature sessions on policy, supply chain dynamics, decarbonization, standardizing facility data collection, verification, and much more.

The Manufacturer Forum will also offer attendees an opportunity to learn about the SAC and how its member organizations collectively work together to drive improvements in the apparel, footwear, and textile industry. Attendees will learn how to use the Higg Index suite of tools and stay up-to-date on recent tool updates like the FEM 4.0, scheduled to launch later this year, as well as industry programs such as the SAC's newly launched Decarbonization Program.

Jeremy Lardeau, Vice President, Higg index at the SAC said: "We are honored to be hosting industry stakeholders at our Manufacturer Forum, which will provide attendees an opportunity to learn more about our work at the SAC and how to leverage our Higg index suite of tools to better understand data insights informing their sustainability strategies and how upcoming legislation will impact their operations. As an organization committed to transforming business through groundbreaking tools and collaborative partnerships, we believe through initiatives such as the Manufacturer Forums, we can help solve the industry's most urgent and systemic challenges."

Joyce Tsoi, Director of Collective Action Programs at the SAC said: "With time running out for us to reverse the worst impacts of climate change, we cannot afford to waste any more time. We are thrilled to bring together industry stakeholders for our Manufacturer Forum to discuss key issues impacting our industry, connect and share best practices on setting science based targets and the types of decarbonization actions required to reduce climate risk and build climate resilience. Through our Decarbonization Program, we are working collectively to build collective solutions to drive systemic change required in our global supply chains, which no one company can do alone. The Manufacturer Forum presents a great opportunity for us to deepen our collaboration and drive rapid progress at scale."

As an organization that is deeply committed to collaboration, the SAC's goal is to catalyze industry collaboration, bringing together individuals and organizations from across the entire value chain to reach shared industry goals. Through its Manufacturer Forums, the SAC aims to bring together driven and passionate professionals for solution-centered discussions to drive social and environmental impacts.

The Manufacturer Forum is open for interested participants to register and join other stakeholders in discussions and networking opportunities on how to accelerate progress to transform the industry.

- Ends-

About the Sustainable Apparel Coalition

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) is an independent and impact-creating organization that aims to lead the industry toward a shared vision of sustainability based upon a joint approach for measuring, evaluating, and improving performance.

As a non-profit organization, it has members from across the apparel, footwear, and textile sector, but exists independently outside any one company so that it can drive progress. The SAC's collective action efforts bring more than 280 global brands, retailers, manufacturers, NGOs, academics, and industry associations together. They represent about half of the apparel and footwear industry along the whole supply chain - from sustainability pioneers to organizations just getting started.

Before the SAC existed, companies worked in a siloed way, using their own programs and measurements that lacked standardization and an ability to drive collective action. In 2009, Walmart and Patagonia identified this as a serious problem. Joining forces, they brought together peers, competitors, and relevant stakeholders from across the sector to, on a pre-competitive basis, develop a universal approach to measuring sustainability performance and founded the Sustainable Apparel Coalition.

LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Sustainable Apparel Coalition on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Sustainable Apparel Coalition

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/sustainable-apparel-coalition

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Sustainable Apparel Coalition

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PEYNIER, France, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gustave Roussy and THERYQ announce a strategic and structuring partnership to roll out and assess FLASH technology for radiotherapy. French medical technology company THERYQ, specializing in particle accelerators and radiotherapy systems, has provided Gustave Roussy's Department of Radiotherapy with the first FLASH clinical radiotherapy machine in France for treating superficial tumours.

The collaboration between Gustave Roussy, Europe's leading cancer centre, ranking third worldwide, and THERYQ, a French company specializing in the manufacture of FLASH radiotherapy systems, represents a major breakthrough in cancer treatment in France through the arrival of the first FLASHKNiFE machine.

FLASHKNiFE technology is a new radiotherapy process that uses electrons. The FLASH radiotherapy system delivers a very high dose rate, enabling professionals to treat patients in milliseconds. Several pre-clinical studies have shown that this technique can further save healthy tissue while effectively destroying tumour cells. In addition, the very short irradiation time eliminates any movement of the organ or tumour, ensuring more precise and controlled targeting.

Thanks to this major partnership, Gustave Roussy will be the first centre in France to use THERYQ's FLASH radiotherapy machine. Prior to its mainstream use, a clinical study will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of FLASH radiotherapy in skin cancer patients. The results of this study could have a significant impact on skin cancer management, thereby paving the way for new therapeutic breakthroughs, including in the treatment of all solid tumours.

Professor Eric Deutsch, Head of Gustave Roussy's Department of Radiotherapy, said: "Introducing this system will allow FLASH radiation therapy, a significant evolution from current methods, to undergo thorough clinical testing. The reduced number of sessions, along with the possibility of minimizing radiation-induced side effects, will lead to more tolerable and effective treatments. We are fully invested in and motivate by this project, which fuels the hope of significantly improving therapeutic management."

Mr. Ludovic Le Meunier, CEO of THERYQ, added: "We are delighted to work with Gustave Roussy, a pioneer in cancer research and treatment, to introduce FLASH radiation therapy in France. This collaboration marks a key milestone in our goal to deliver advanced treatment solutions to patients. FLASH radiotherapy has tremendous potential to improve skin cancer patient management and we look forward to this study's results."

Gustave Roussy and THERYQ are committed to pursuing their joint effort to develop innovative treatments for the benefit of patients, leading to more effective and tolerable radiotherapy thanks to this promising technology.

About Gustave Roussy:

Gustave Roussy, ranked first in Europe and third worldwide, is a global centre of expertise entirely dedicated to cancer patients. The Institute is a founding pillar of the Paris Saclay Cancer Cluster. As a source of therapeutic innovation and diagnostic breakthroughs, the Institute welcomes nearly 50,000 patients every year and develops an integrated approach combining research, care and teaching. Gustave Roussy provides expert care for rare cancers and complex tumours, treating all cancers at every stage of life. It offers its patients personalized management that combines innovation and a human-focused approach, taking into account care and physical, psychological and social quality of life. Boasting 4,100 employees at two facilities, namely Villejuif and Chevilly-Larue, Gustave Roussy brings together the expertise needed for high-level cancer research, with one quarter of patients included in clinical trials.

Find out more about Gustave Roussy and get the latest news from the Institute at www.gustaveroussy.fr , as well as on Twitter , Facebook , LinkedIn and Instagram .

About THERYQ:

THERYQ, a spin-off of PMB-ALCEN located in the south of France, is an innovative medical technology company specializing in particle accelerators and radiotherapy systems. The company has and provides essential expertise in project management, R&D, industrialization and production. THERYQ is part of the Healthcare arm of the ALCEN Group.

Follow us on LinkedIn and our website www.theryq.com .

Contact:

Fatine Slaoui

fslaoui@theryq.com

+33 4 42 53 13 13

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DUBAI, UAE, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IBS Software, a global leader of SaaS solutions to the travel industry, today reveals the results of a survey of 1500 air passengers based in Hong Kong, Singapore or United Arab Emirates (UAE). The majority (63%) of respondents, which included both leisure and business travellers, are members of an airline loyalty program and nearly 80% also choose to be part of schemes at supermarkets (44%), clothing brands (36%), and restaurants (33%).

Despite the widespread adoption of Airline Loyalty Programs (ALP), the results reveal passengers feel unable to make the most of them with over half (58%) unsure where they can redeem points and 56% unaware of the value of their points; this figure jumps to 64% in Singapore and the UAE.

Of the 37% of respondents who either have never been a member of a loyalty program or whose membership has lapsed, the main reason cited (after not flying frequently enough to make it worthwhile) is a lack of awareness of the benefits (30%). The perception that it's too hard to build up points is the third most common reason for avoiding loyalty programs with nearly a quarter (23%) and this figure jumps to a third (33%) of non-members in Singapore.

However, despite the apathy amongst non-members, there is an opportunity for airlines to tempt them to sign up. 58% of respondents not already part of a loyalty program would be willing to try one in the future and this increases to 67% in the 26-35 year old age bracket and 64% in the UAE region. Hong Kong residents seem the most reluctant to try loyalty programs with just 46% considering it in the future. Easy check-ins (46%) and cabin class upgrades (44%) are highlighted as the two top reasons a non-member would be willing to sign up.

Of the respondents who are already members (63%), they belong to an average of at least two airline loyalty programs. Exclusive access to lounges (32%) and cabin class upgrades (31%) are seen as the top benefits for this group. For leisure travellers, class upgrades and points not expiring are the most appealing benefits, while a fast track check-in, immediate rewards and free tickets to events appeal more to business travellers.

Marcus Puffer, Vice President & Head of Loyalty Solutions at IBS Software, said -- "It's incumbent on airlines to ensure their program members are aware of the benefits of their loyalty schemes, or they risk losing their interest in being part of the club. VIP lounges and class upgrades are fantastic perks but if a member doesn't feel confident in how to build up their bank of points or, worse, know how to use them, the selection of benefits becomes irrelevant."

For detailed survey refer to the blog: While airline loyalty benefits appeal, 58% don't know how to redeem points

*The survey was conducted online by YouGov. The study polled 1500 travellers from Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai who have travelled by air in the last 18 months.

ABOUT IBS SOFTWARE

IBS Software is a leading SaaS solutions provider to the travel industry globally, managing mission-critical operations for customers in the aviation, tour & cruise, hospitality, and energy resources industries. IBS Software's solutions for the aviation industry cover fleet & crew operations, aircraft maintenance, passenger services, loyalty programs, staff travel and air-cargo management. IBS Software also runs a real time B2B and B2C distribution platform providing hotel room inventory, rates and availability to a global network of hospitality companies and channels. For the tour and cruise industry, IBS provides a comprehensive, customer-centric, digital platform that covers onshore, online and on-board solutions. Across the energy & resources industry, we provide logistics management solutions that cover logistics planning, operations & accommodation management. The Consulting and Digital Transformation (CDx) business focuses on driving digital transformation initiatives of its customers, leveraging its domain knowledge, digital technologies and engineering excellence. IBS Software operates from 16 offices across the world. Further information at www.ibsplc.com. Follow us: Blog | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

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SINGAPORE, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novotech, the leading Asia Pacific centred biotech CRO with global execution capabilities is a finalist in the Asia Pacific Cell & Gene Therapy Awards 2023.

The winner will be announced at the 7th Cell & Gene Therapy World Asia in Singapore on 13 September 2023.

Novotech is currently the recipient of the Asia Pacific Cell & Gene Therapy Clinical Trials Excellence2022 award.

According to the award organizer IMAPAC, a leading global business data company:

"The Asia Pacific CGT Excellence Awards 2023 seeks to give recognition to exceptional Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT) pioneers, researchers, innovators and manufacturers that facilitate fast advancement in new therapies, R&D and manufacturing. Featuring top CGT leaders in the industry, along with the new CGT research development, latest advances and technologies and best practices in CGT manufacturing, the Asia Pacific CGT Excellence Awards 2023 applauds extraordinary leaders and trend-setters of today and inspires innovators of tomorrow."

Novotech offers biotechs a unique and unparalleled suite of early to late-phase CRO services across the US and Europe, with a foundation in Asia Pacific where the company has built a reputation for delivering high-quality expedited clinical trials.

As part of Novotech's commitment to CGT progress, the company recently hosted a roundtable with Citeline at BIO 2023 titled: Building the Foundations of Successful Cell & Gene Therapy Trials.

Expert panelists included:

Milos Miljkovic, Chief Medical Officer - Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc.

Michelle Lynn Hall, Associate Vice President, Genetic Medicine & Neurodegeneration - Eli Lilly

Jordan Shin, Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and Translational Science - LEXEO Therapeutics

Sonal Gupta, Senior Vice President and Head of Clinical Development - AffyImmune Therapeutics Inc.

Catherine Stehman-Breen, CEO - Chroma Medicine

Moderator: Brent Warner, President, Gene Therapy - Poseida Therapeutics

Novotech also recently published an industry survey report in partnership with Citeline where respondents shared future investment and development trends across sectors including CGT.

According to the report:

The CGT market was valued at $18.61 billion in 2022 but is projected to hit $93.78 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.41%. Proving this momentum, FDA approval numbers for gene therapy in H2 2022 surpassed the combined total for the previous five years.

When respondents were asked about the most promising therapy type for future investment and development, CGTs took the top spot (26%), followed by mRNA (22%) and antibody therapeutics (19%).

The report shares insights into the trends and pain points in biotech clinical trials, as companies seek to secure funding for continued and future development.

Download the Report Here

Novotech has been awarded a range of significant industry awards including a CRO Leadership Award 2023, is the recipient of the Asia Pacific Cell & Gene Therapy Clinical Trials Excellence2022 award, and the Asia-Pacific Contract Research Organization Company of the Year Award, and has signed more than 45 Leading Site Partnership agreements over the last 3 years.

About NovotechNovotech-CRO.com

Novotech is the leading Asia Pacific centred biotech CRO with global execution capabilities. Novotech is a clinical CRO with labs, phase I facilities, drug development consulting services and FDA regulatory expertise and has experience in over 5,000 clinical projects, including Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials and bioequivalence studies. Novotech is positioned to serve biotech clients conducting clinical trials in Asia Pacific, the US and Europe. Novotech has over 3,000 staff globally and 34 office locations across the US, Europe and Asia Pacific.

For more information visit https://novotech-cro.com/contact
The annual rankings result from the language industry's most comprehensive, large-scale survey of the language services and translation technology market.

SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Hanna Interpreting Services has been named one of the leading providers of language services worldwide by independent market research firm CSA Research. In its 2023 rankings, based on verified revenues from 2022, Hanna secured the position of the 17th-largest language services provider in North America and the 61st largest position globally.

CSA Top 75 Global Language Service Providers

Badge for CSA Top 75 Global Language Service Providers

The language services and technology industry encompasses a wide array of players, ranging from specialized agencies to global giants. With this prestigious recognition, Hanna solidifies its position as a major contributor to the multi billion-dollar global language services market.

Hanna is a woman and minority-owned business committed to providing efficient and comprehensive language services. Based in the vibrant city of San Diego, California, Hanna is dedicated to providing exceptional language services that bring peace of mind to clients and their customers across the country. With a strong focus on meeting the needs of individuals with Limited English Proficiency, Hanna ensures a seamless experience and language access for all.

Hanna excels in providing seamless interpretation and translation services, offering a wide range of options such as in-person, video, over-the-phone, and written translations. Additionally, the company specializes in ADA remediation, transcription, language assessments, voice-over, and website localization.

Founded in 2010 by mother-and-son duo Jennifer Hanna and Tom Elias Hanna in their garage, Hanna has grown to more than 70 employees, served 1.1 million clients to date in 250+ languages, and has sponsored countless outreach events to serve the local community.

Additionally, so far in 2023, Hanna has also been ranked by the Slator Language Service Provider Index as the #1 On-site Interpretation Provider in California, the 19th-largest provider in the United States, and 68th on the Slator Global Language Service Providers List.

Contact Information:

Sean Spicer

RevOps Manager

sean.spicer@hannais.com

(619) 963-2331

SOURCE: Hanna Interpreting Services

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767540/Hanna-Interpreting-Services-Ranked-as-the-17th-Largest-Language-Services-Provider-in-North-America-and-61st-in-the-World-by-Market-Research-Firm-CSA-Research
Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen.

BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - U.K. stocks were slightly higher on Thursday after data showed the U.K. economy contracted less than expected in May. Real GDP decreased 0.1 percent on a monthly basis, reversing April's 0.2 percent growth. However, this was slower than economists' forecast of 0.3 percent decline. On a yearly basis, GDP fell 0.4 percent, in contrast to the 0.5 percent expansion in April. Separate data showed that the visible trade deficit widened to GBP 18.72 billion in May from GBP 14.64 billion in April. The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 15 points, or 0.2 percent, at 7,431 after closing 1.8 percent higher on Wednesday. Housebuilder Barratt Developments slumped over 5 percent after warning of a challenging environment and a further slowdown in demand due to 'significant macro-economic headwinds.' Persimmon and Berkeley Group both fell around 2.4 percent while Taylor Wimpey gave up 3.8 percent. Kenmare Resources fell more than 2 percent after lowering its full-year production guidance. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - American Eagle Gold Corp. (TSXV: AE) ("American Eagle" or the "Company") is pleased to update shareholders on its ongoing drill program at the NAK Copper-Gold Porphyry project ("NAK") in British Columbia. The visual assessment of NAK23-08, NAK23-09 and NAK 23-10 is encouraging, showing zones of consistent mineralization, though management emphasizes that visual interpretations do not always correlate with positive assay results.

Cannot view this video? Visit:

Video of CEO Anthony Moreau Providing Update on the 2023 NAK Drill Program

See Core Photos of NAK 23-08, 23-09 and 23-10 here

View 2022 and 2023 NAK Drill Program

NAK 23-08 Complete

NAK 23-08 at NAK has revealed compelling visual chalcopyrite mineralization, extending to a downhole depth of 881 meters. This hole has provided access to untested ground west of the main historically drilled South zone, and west of the north-south fence of deep holes drilled by the Company in 2022. Initially, hole 23-08 was planned to be drilled to 300m depth, but visuals prompted continuation of drilling and have provided us with encouragement to drill additional step-out holes to the west. The visuals in NAK 23-08 highlight the significant potential of this area and further emphasize the potential at the NAK property.

NAK 23-09 Complete

Drill hole NAK23-09, was drilled 730 meters east of NAK22-01, in an area immediately south of the main Babine Stock intrusion. It also yielded encouraging visuals, and confirms the presence of mineralization beyond the limit of historical drilling. American Eagle is assessing the results and actively integrating them into the overall NAK system. Adjustments to the 2023 drilling plan may prioritize further exploration in this area, which we now refer to as the Southern Margin Zone.

NAK 23-10 In-progress

NAK 23-10 is focused on extending the historically higher-grade near-surface mineralization encountered in NAK 22-01 and NAK22-02 and linking this shallower mineralization with the newly- recognized deeper mineralization farthest west in drill hole NAK23-08. Early visuals from the top of the hole are promising. The local zones of chalcopyrite, molybdenite, and bornite veining are consistent with that observed in NAK 23-08.

The aim of the Company's 2023 exploration efforts is to build scale, discover further high grade zones, and to link those together with an improved understanding of the geology and controls on mineralization within the extensive NAK system.

Assay Results and Core Photos

The Company plans to release assay results in batches as it receives data from the laboratory. The Company may also share photos of the core, though it will not comment on the timing of dissemination of such material and assays.

About American Eagle's NAK Project

The NAK Project is in the Babine copper-gold porphyry district of British Columbia, near past-producing mines and with excellent infrastructure. Previous drilling at NAK revealed a large near-surface copper-gold system measuring over 1.5 km x 1.5 km. Historical exploration was limited to shallow depths, averaging 170 m. In 2022, American Eagle's 2022 drilling program explored deeper and discovered significant copper-gold mineralization. The objective for 2023 is to expand the known mineralized footprint at NAK and identify high-grade sources of copper and gold. The property is accessible by road, can be drilled year-round, and largely without helicopter support. The promising initial results make NAK an ideal candidate for further exploration. Drilling resumed in June 2023.

For the latest videos from American Eagle, Ore Group, and all things mining, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theoregroup.

About American Eagle Gold Corp.

American Eagle is focused on exploring its NAK project in the Babine Copper-Gold Porphyry district of central British Columbia.

Anthony Moreau, Chief Executive Officer

Phone: 416.644.1567

Email: amoreau@oregroup.ca

www.americaneaglegold.ca

QP Statement

Mark Bradley, B.Sc., M.Sc., P.Geo., a Certified Professional Geologist and 'qualified person' for the purposes of Canada's National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Properties, has verified and approved the information contained in this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policies) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding whether the Company can exercise its option to acquire the Project as anticipated and whether the Company's exploration efforts on the Project produce the results anticipated by management. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results might differ materially from those suggested in forward-looking statements. American Eagle Gold Corp. assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to American Eagle Gold Corp. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by American Eagle Gold Corp. with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available under American Eagle Gold Corp. profile at www.sedar.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173390
(2023-07-13) Kitron today reported record revenue and profitability for the second quarter, lifted the outlook for the full year and announced capacity expansions.



Kitron's revenue for the second quarter was EUR 206.3 million, compared to 157.3 million last year. Growth was particularly strong within the Electrification market sector.

Second-quarter operating profit (EBIT) was EUR 19.2 million, compared to 9.9 million last year. EBITDA was EUR 23.5 million, compared to 14.2 million last year.

The order backlog ended at EUR 535 million, an increase of 13 per cent compared to last year, reflecting continued strong demand. The highest growth was in the market sectors Electrification and Defence & Aerospace. However, the order backlog is lower than in the preceding quarter as the gradually improving electronic component situation has reduced lead times.

Peter Nilsson, Kitron's CEO, comments:

"Our second quarter 2023 performance is once again record-breaking, demonstrating our adaptability in a challenging economic landscape. We also see new business opportunities, for instance driven by the electrification megatrend and by a growing trend of capacity diversification outside of China. We are now investing in new facilities in the Czech Republic and Malaysia to seize these opportunities."

Profitability expressed as EBIT margin was 9.3 per cent in the second quarter, compared to 6.3 per cent in the same quarter last year.

Profit after tax amounted to EUR 15.7 million, compared to 6.6 million in the same quarter the previous year. This corresponds to earnings per share of EUR 0.08, up from 0.03 last year.

Improved capital efficiency

Operating cash flow in the second quarter was EUR 9.0 million, compared to 4.0 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Net working capital was EUR 189 million, an increase of 9 per cent compared to the same quarter last year. Net working capital as a percentage of revenue was 22.3 per cent compared to 27.8 per cent last year. Capital efficiency ratios have improved, and this trend is expected to continue.

New facilities in the Czech Republic and Malaysia

Due to increased demand, Kitron will add production capacity towards the end of 2023 in the Czech Republic and Malaysia. The Czech facility will support increased volumes within the Electrification market sector. The Malaysian facility will diversify our Asian offering outside China.

Outlook

For 2023, Kitron has previously indicated a revenue outlook of between EUR 700 and 800 million and an operating profit (EBIT) between EUR 60 and 75 million. Entering the second half of 2023, demand continues to be strong, and capital efficiency ratios are improving. We now expect revenues between 750 and 800 EUR million with an operating profit (EBIT) between 65 and EUR 75 million.

Enclosed in PDF are the quarterly report and the presentation. The interim report is presented today at 2 p.m. CEST. The presentation will be given in English by CEO Peter Nilsson and CFO Cathrin Nylander, and will be webcast at the following link:

https://channel.royalcast.com/hegnarmedia/#!/hegnarmedia/20230713_2

For further information, please contact:



Peter Nilsson, President and CEO, tel. +47 94 84 08 50

Cathrin Nylander, CFO, tel: +47 900 43 284

E-mail: investorrelations@kitron.com

Kitron is a leading Scandinavian electronics manufacturing services company for the Connectivity, Electrification, Industry, Medical devices and Defence/Aerospace sectors. The group is located in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, India, China and the United States. Kitron has about 3 200 employees, and revenues were EUR 641 million in 2022. www.kitron.com

This information is made public by the Company pursuant to the EU market abuse regulation article 5, as supplemented by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Oslo Brs (https://www.euronext.com/nb/markets/oslo)





Attachments
Sustainability leader's cooling cart also recognized by Fast Company as one of its 2023 World Changing Ideas

Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT), a global climate innovator, has been recognized by Fast Company as one of the 2023 Best Workplaces for Innovators. The list ranks 100 global companies from a variety of industries that empower its employees to create new products, invent new ways of doing business or improve processes. Trane Technologies was also named as a finalist in the Sustainability category.

"Relentlessly innovating for a more sustainable world is core to our business strategy, and every day, our teams push the boundaries of what's possible to deliver industry-leading results," said Paul Camuti, executive vice president and chief technology and sustainability officer for Trane Technologies. "This prestigious recognition honors their dedication to creating healthy spaces and decarbonizing buildings, the cold chain and industries with high energy demands."

Trane Technologies' passive cooling cart for street vendors was also recognized by Fast Company as one of its 2023 World Changing Ideas. The cart was named the winner in the Developing World Technology category, a finalist in the General Excellence and Large Business categories and received an honorable mention in the Sustainability/Energy category.

The cooling cart is designed to provide a reliable income and improve the quality of life for millions of street vendors around the world. It reduces food waste and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. The cart utilizes dual-mode film technology that reflects sunlight to prevent fresh produce from overheating, while passively cooling the area beneath the canopy. This design does not require electricity and can be retrofitted onto existing carts already in-use.

Trane Technologies' cooling cart is the result of Operation Possible, an employee-powered social innovation program that addresses the most pressing social and environmental challenges, including the coexistence of food loss and hunger in low-income communities. By harnessing the power of innovative collaboration, Operation Possible is accelerating the potential for positive change for both people and the planet.

Other recent examples of innovation at Trane Technologies include:

High-efficiency heat pumps: In November 2022, Trane Technologies surpassed the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) requirements for the Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump (CCHP) Challenge. When tested at the DOE's lab, Trane's CCHP prototype performed in temperatures as low as negative 23 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing the mandatory negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit DOE requirement.





Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO): Trane Technologies approved the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fossil-free fuel as a sustainable alternative to diesel fuel in Thermo King global cold chain solutions, including refrigerated truck and trailer product lines. The use of HVO fuel offers a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and more than 30% in particulate matter while maintaining optimal product performance.





Thermal Battery Storage-Source Heat Pump Systems: Trane's Thermal Battery Storage-Source Heat Pump System (SSHP) is an innovative electrified heating solution that reduces carbon emissions even in cold climates. This innovative approach reclaims excess building heat and can also collect heat from the outdoor air to immediately heat a building or store it for tomorrow's heating.





Trane Technologies' innovation expertise powers its 2030 Sustainability Commitments, which addresses global challenges that affect the communities around the world. These commitments include the Gigaton Challenge a pledge to reduce customer greenhouse gas emissions by one gigaton (or, 2% of the world's annual emissions) by 2030. The company was also first in its industry and among the first across all sectors to receive validation from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) for its near-term 2030 emissions reduction targets and its long-term 2050 net-zero target.

About Trane Technologies

Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane and Thermo King, and our portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation. For more on Trane Technologies, visit tranetechnologies.com.

About Fast Company

Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of securities laws, which are statements that are not historical facts, including statements that relate to our initiatives to develop innovative heating and cooling solutions, our sustainability commitments and the impact of these commitments. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations. Factors that could cause such differences can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as well as our subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. We assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713389752/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Shelby Hansen

+1-925-336-0496

Shelby.Hansen@tranetechnologies.com



Investors Contact:

Zachary Nagle

+1-704-990-3913

InvestorRelations@tranetechnologies.com
COEUR D'ALENE, ID / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc. (NYSE American:IDR) ("IDR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the discovery of 23.5% total rare earth elements (TREE) in a sample taken from the Company's Mineral Hill Project in Lemhi County, Idaho.

The Mineral Hill rare earth elements (REE) project is comprised of approximately 2,000 acres situated in the northern portion of the Idaho REE-Th Belt. The project includes four distinct REE occurrences known as Lower Roberts, Upper Roberts, Lower Lee Buck, and the newly added Phyllis Gross claim group. The target of the Company's latest exploration program at Mineral Hill was to locate and sample a previously reported REE sample from 1954 which reported 21.5% TREEs. The sample was initially reported in a thesis by Fred Sturm (University of Idaho) and then again by Agatin Abbott (Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology). Sturm's report describes the occurrence as "an individual mass of monazite greater than any other exposed through the region".

After reviewing the two historic reports, IDR geologists located and sampled Sturm and Abbott's monazite occurrence and assay results for sample 98241 showed 23.5% TREEs, confirming the accuracy of the historic work the Company is building upon while providing ample support for the original decision to focus on this area overall.

IDR geologists describe the monazite mass as a 10 centimeter (4-inch) thick, pale-yellow sandy seam enveloped by two distinct carbonatites (Photo 1). The total width of the carbonatites and seam is 0.85 meters (2.5 feet). The hanging wall carbonatite body is greenish colored with large crystals of ilmenite. The footwall side of the monazite seam is brightly colored, red-brown to orange-brown, crystalline carbonatite that assays 7.5% TREE.

Equally as impressive as the overall grade, is the favorable mix of REEs. As indicated in the table above, the more valuable rare earths used in magnet applications, such as neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr), compose approximately 16.23% of the total reported rare earth elements. Given the favorable mix of individual rare earth elements and the impressive overall TREE grade, IDR plans to send the sample out for additional metallurgical testing, including flotation, gravity, and magnetic separation techniques - and possibly other recovery and/or separation techniques being studied.

IDR's VP of Exploration, Rob Morgan commented, "We always knew this area of Idaho contained carbonatites with exceptional REE grades. The historic information was paramount in refining our regional focus and the decision to first establish these claims back in 2019. We look at the Mineral Hill Project as being 'centered' on the high-grade REE mineralization of the district with Roberts, Lower Lee Buck and the Phyllis Gross occurrences defining the center of the bullseye. We feel that these are possibly the highest grades to come out of the region (Idaho and Montana), but also stack up quite favorably on a national basis as well."

Photo 1

Qualified person

IDR's Vice President of Exploration, Rob Morgan, PG, PLS is a qualified person as such term is defined under S-K 1300 and has reviewed and approved the technical information and data included in this press release. Assays were conducted by ALS Minerals using Ore Grade Rare Earth Element analysis (ME-MS81h) and ME-OGREE for Ce, La and Pr.

About Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc.

Domiciled in Idaho and headquartered in the Panhandle of northern Idaho, Idaho Strategic Resources (IDR) is one of the few resource-based companies (public or private) possessing the combination of officially recognized U.S. domestic rare earth elements properties (in Idaho), the largest known concentration of thorium resources in the U.S., and Idaho-based gold production located in an established mining community.

Idaho Strategic Resources produces gold at the Golden Chest Mine located in the Murray Gold Belt (MGB) area of the world-class Coeur d'Alene Mining District, north of the prolific Silver Valley. With over 7,300 acres of patented and unpatented land, the Company has the largest private land position in the area following its consolidation of the Murray Gold Belt for the first time in over 100-years.

In addition to gold and gold production, the Company maintains an important strategic presence in the U.S. Critical Minerals sector, specifically focused on the more "at-risk" Rare Earth Elements (REEs) with an overall land position of approximately 18,030 acres in Idaho's REE-Th Belt. The Company's Lemhi Pass, Diamond Creek, and Mineral Hill REE properties are included the U.S. national REE inventory as listed in USGS, IGS and DOE publications. IDR's Lemhi Pass REE-Thorium Project is also recognized by the USGS and IGS as containing the largest concentration of thorium resources in the country. All three projects are located in central Idaho and participating in the USGS Earth MRI program.

With an impressive mix of experience and dedication, the folks at IDR maintain a long-standing "We Live Here" approach to corporate culture, land management, and historic preservation. Furthermore, it is our belief that successful operations begin with the heightened responsibility that only local oversight and a community mindset can provide. Its "everyone goes home at night" policy would not be possible without the multi-generational base of local exploration, drilling, mining, milling, and business professionals that reside in and near the communities of the Silver Valley and North Idaho.

For more information on Idaho Strategic Resources click here for our corporate presentation, go to www.idahostrategic.com or call:

Travis Swallow, Investor Relations & Corporate Development

Email: tswallow@idahostrategic.com

Phone: (208) 625-9001

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by forward-looking words such as "intends", "potential", "believe", "plans", "expects", "may", "goal', "assume", "estimate", "anticipate", and "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, assumptions, intentions, or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information includes, but are not limited to, the reliance on historic reports and information to aid in the Company's project advancement for which the accuracy of the historic reports are unknown, the potential advancement of Idaho Strategic's Mineral Hill REE project, the potential development of the Mineral Hill REE deposit, the economics of the Mineral Hill REE deposit, and the potential for the Mineral Hill REE deposit to become an economic source of rare earth elements. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of Idaho Strategic Resources as of the date such information is provided and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of IDR to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. The forward-looking statement information above, and those following are applicable to both this press release, as well as the links contained within this press release. With respect to the business of Idaho Strategic Resources, these risks and uncertainties include risks relating to widespread epidemics or pandemic outbreaks, if they occur, including our ability to access goods and supplies, the ability to transport our products and impacts on employee productivity, the risks in connection with the operations, cash flow and results of the Company relating to the unknown duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; interpretations or reinterpretations of geologic information; the accuracy of historic estimates; unfavorable exploration results; inability to obtain permits required for future exploration, development or production; general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which the Company operates; the uncertainty of regulatory requirements and approvals; fluctuating mineral and commodity prices; the ability to obtain necessary future financing on acceptable terms; the ability to operate the Company's projects; and risks associated with the mining industry such as economic factors (including future commodity prices, and energy prices), ground conditions, failure of plant, equipment, processes and transportation services to operate as anticipated, environmental risks, government regulation, actual results of current exploration and production activities, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, permitting timelines, capital and construction expenditures, reclamation activities. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from this forward-looking information is available in Idaho Strategic Resources filings with the SEC on EDGAR. IDR does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Idaho Strategic Resources, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767524/Idaho-Strategic-Samples-235-Total-Rare-Earth-Elements-at-its-Mineral-Hill-Project
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. (TSXV:SM) ("Sierra Madre" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of four additional drill holes from the Phase I drill program at its La Tigra Gold/Silver Project in the State of Nayarit, Mexico.

The results for holes LTDH004 through TLDH007 are tabulated below.

Drill hole From (m) To (m) Intercept (m) Gold g/t Silver g/t AuEq g/t LTDH004 45.50 51.50 6.0 0.37 3.0 0.40 and 328.10 328.90 0.8 1.29 2.4 1.32 and 328.10 331.70 3.6 0.45 4.0 0.50 LTDH005 12.00 32.00 20.0 2.49 9.0 2.60 Includes 15.80 26.50 10.7 4.26 14.0 4.45 LTDH006 55.50 61.45 5.95 7.11 10.55 7.25 Includes 59.05 60.65 1.6 24.35 10.20 24.49 LTDH006 66.85 67.80 0.95 4.16 9.0 4.28 LTDH007 24.35 25.50 1.15 1.63 12.0 1.79

Length-weighted averages from uncut assays Intervals reported are hole lengths with true width estimated to be 90% or greater *Gold silver ratio used to calculate AuEq is 75 g/t Ag to 1 g/t Au 0.4 g/t AuEq external cut off

Gregory K. Liller, Executive Chairman and Chief Operating Officer commented "The drilling program at La Tigra continues to deliver strong results with some intercepts being wider than initially expected. These results continue to expand on the positive results to date at La Tigra."

The Phase I drilling program at La Tigra was designed using the data acquired from extensive surface mapping, sampling and trenching programs. This work has defined a 3.5 km long structural corridor with stacked northwest striking structures. Results for the first three holes from this Phase 1 program were released on May 24, 2022.

The structures at La Tigra dip at 40 to 45 and holes 1 and 2 were drilled at -45 and hole 3, -53. As such the true width of the intersections are approximately +90% of the intersected length.

The following map shows the locations of the holes.

About Sierra Madre

Sierra Madre Gold & Silver (TSX.V:SM) is a precious metals development and exploration company, focused on evaluating the potential of restarting the La Guitarra Mine in the Temascaltepec mining district, Mexico, and the exploration and development of its Tepic and La Tigra properties in Nayarit, Mexico. The La Guitarra Mine is a permitted, past-producing underground mine which includes a 550 t/d processing facility that operated until mid-2018.

The +2,600 ha Tepic Project hosts low-sulphidation epithermal gold and silver mineralization with an existing historic resource. La Tigra, located 148 km north of Tepic, has been mined historically; Sierra Madre's maiden 2022 drill program at the site intercepted shallow mineralization.

Sierra Madre's management has played key roles for managing exploration and development of more than 22Moz gold and 600Moz silver in combined reserves and resources. Sierra Madre's team of professionals has collectively raised over $1B for mining companies.

On behalf of the board of directors of Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd.,

"Alexander Langer"

Alexander Langer

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Contact:

investor@sierramadregoldandsilver.com

Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Best Practice

Sierra Madre is committed to best practice standards for all exploration and sampling activities. The Company's exploration programs have been conducted following CIM Exploration Best Practice Guidelines which are incorporated by reference in NI 43-101. Analytical quality assurance and quality control procedures include the systematic insertion of blanks, standards and duplicates into the sample strings. Samples are placed in sealed bags and shipped directly to Bureau Veritas Lab located in Durango, Mexico or ALS Chemex in Guadalajara, Mexico for 30 gram gold fire assay, Aqua Regia digestion for silver and multi-element analyses by four acid digestion.

Qualified Person

Mr. Gregory Smith, P. Geo, Director of Sierra Madre, is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical data and information contained in this news release. Mr. Smith has verified the technical and scientific data disclosed herein.

Cautionary Note

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the completion of the Transaction on the terms set out in the definitive agreement (or at all) and the ability of the Company to obtain requisite corporate and regulatory approvals for the Transaction, including but not limited to the approval of the Exchange, Mexican antitrust approval and other governmental approvals as currently anticipated.

In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including that the Company will be able to receive all required regulatory approvals by the timelines currently anticipated (or at all); and that the Company will be able to complete the Transaction on the terms of the definitive agreement. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including, but not limited to, the risk that the Company is not able to complete Transaction on the terms set out in the definitive agreement (or at all) and the risk that the Company is unable to obtain requisite corporate and regulatory approvals, including but not limited to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Mexican antitrust approval and governmental approval as currently anticipated.

Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

SOURCE: Sierra Madre Gold and Silver

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767529/Sierra-Madre-Drilling-Intersects-595-Meters-of-711-gt-Gold-and-107-Meters-of-426-gt-Gold-at-La-Tigra-Project-Nayarit
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Empress Royalty Corp. (TSXV:EMPR)(OTCQX:EMPYF) ("Empress Royalty" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its Tahuehueto Silver Stream, Manica Gold Royalty, and pipeline advancements.

"It is extremely rewarding to see our investments and mining company partners continue to deliver on milestones, improve operations and production targets," stated Alexandra Woodyer Sherron, CEO and President of Empress Royalty. "Tahuehueto reaching 500 tpd is a significant accomplishment that not only strengthens our cash-flow but also increases our direct exposure to silver. As they ramp up to full commercial production, we look forward to substantial revenue growth over the next quarters.

Operational performance, ore grades, and throughputs at Manica have been steadily advancing, and production levels have consistently met or exceeded internal guidance, resulting in steady and increasing royalty payments.

In addition to our existing portfolio, I am excited to provide a brief update on our pipeline advancements, in which we now have exclusivity on two potential investments. Successful site visits have been completed for both opportunities and we are in advanced stages of due diligence. As both assets are in production, execution of these opportunities would result in the addition of immediate and meaningful revenue for 2023 projections. I look forward to updating the market further in the coming months as our team continues to expand the portfolio, execute on our business strategy, and create sustainable, long-term shareholder value."

TAHUEHUETO SILVER STREAM UPDATE - 500 tpd capacity achieved

On June 28, 2023, Luca Mining Corp ("Luca") announced the Tahuehueto Gold Project ("Tahuehueto") located in Durango, Mexico, has achieved a major milestone with a production capacity of 500 tonnes per day ("tpd"), on time and budget. The 500 tpd installed capacity is expected to generate positive cash flow at current metal prices. Based on the pre-feasibility study updated in April, 2022 (NI43-101 Technical Report "Preliminary Feasibility Study - Tahuehueto Project"), at a capacity of 1,000 tpd the mine will have a net present value of US$131.8M1 with an IRR of 65% (economic analysis based on gold US$ 1,650/oz; silver US$ 21.02/oz, lead US$ 0.91/lb, and zinc US$ 1.15/lb). This is the first of two major milestones for Tahuehueto construction. Luca reports commercial production will be achieved when a capacity of 1,000 tpd is completed which is expected by end 2023.

On June 28, 2023, Luca also announced it had successfully closed an oversubscribed non-brokered private placement for a total of CAD$24,896,551.42 (see the Luca's news release dated June 28, 2023). Luca reports the Private Placement was heavily oversubscribed, and the aggregate gross proceeds exceed the original announced amount of CAD $20,300,000, as well as, the 20% oversubscription amount of CAD $4,060,000.

With these two important milestones achieved, Luca reports it is fully funded to achieve commercial production of 1,000 tpd, scheduled for year-end 2023.

Empress is expecting a US$150,000 payment from Luca by June 30, 2023 and resumption of the silver stream in July 2023. Importantly, with Luca and Tahuehueto well positioned to reach 1,000 tpd by the end of the year, this will further enhance the net cash flow to Empress through the silver stream.

MANICA GOLD ROYALTY UPDATE - Operations steadily improving

In June 2023, Empress completed a site visit of the Manica mine ("Manica"), located in Mozambique, and operated by Mutapa Mining & Processing Limitada ("MMP"). The site visit was technical in-nature with discussions ranging from the open pit operations and plant recovery, to the tailings facility, and resource estimation techniques. The Empress team spent time discussing optimization opportunities in geology, resource estimation, mine engineering and planning, plant processing, the elution circuit, and the assaying lab with the site operators.

Empress was overall impressed with the site team, which is reflected in the operational ramp-up and now the site operating at near steady-state operations. Since production started in July 2022, ore throughput has grown by 11% per month, grades have averaged 1.6 g/t, metallurgical recovery has risen to ~90%, and gold recovered has increased by 17% per month. Further, since the start of the year, internal guidance on production has either met or exceeded budget. The local communities supply the majority of the local work force, including women making up ~5% of the work force. ESG initiatives have been implemented and further plans for the local communities were discussed.

On July 12, 2023, Empress amended the Manica Royalty Agreement to reflect that Manica royalty payor MMP successfully obtaining its own gold export licence. This has allowed Empress and MMP to significantly simplify the mechanics of how Empress receives its Manica royalty payments and the monthly reporting of sales and royalty payment information to Empress. The royalty payable to Empress under the amended royalty agreement is unchanged and Empress will continue to receive a monthly payment of 3.375% on gold sales until MMP has sold 95,000 troy ounces of gold, after which the payment shall be reduced to 1.125% of gold sales. Empress looks forward to continuing to receive payments from MMP under the new simplified royalty agreement.

PIPELINE UPDATE

Empress is pleased to provide an update on the advancements of two potential investments, both of which have executed exclusivity agreements in place. Individual technical site visits have been conducted, with the support of third-party engineering teams, as well as, Empress representatives. Both opportunities are now in advanced stages of due diligence.

Richard Mazur, P.Geo., a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

ABOUT EMPRESS ROYALTY CORP.

Empress is a global royalty and streaming creation company providing investors with a diversified portfolio of gold and silver investments. Since listing in December 2020, Empress has built a portfolio of precious metal investments and is actively investing in mining companies with development and production stage projects who require additional non-dilutive capital. The Company has strategic partnerships with Endeavour Financial and Terra Capital which allow Empress to not only access global investment opportunities but also bring unique mining finance expertise, deal structuring and access to capital markets. Empress is looking forward to continuously creating value for its shareholders through the proven royalty and streaming models.

ON BEHALF OF EMPRESS ROYALTY CORP.

Per: Alexandra Woodyer Sherron, CEO and President

For further information, please visit our website at www.empressroyalty.com or contact Kaitlin Taylor, Investor Communications, by email at info@empressroyalty.com or by phone at +1.604.331.2080.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

The information contained herein includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate" ,"continue", "believe", "plans", "anticipate" or similar terms.

Forward-looking information and statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that Empress Royalty Corp. ("Empress" or the "Company") expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including those regarding future growth and ability to create new streams or royalties, the development and focus of the Company , its acquisition strategy, the plans and expectations of the operators of the projects underlying its interests, including the proposed advancement and expansion of such projects; the results of exploration, development and production activities of the operators of such projects; and the Company's expectations regarding future revenues.

Forward-looking information and statements are based on the then current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about Empress's business and the industry and markets in which it operates. Forward-looking information and statements are made based upon numerous assumptions and although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information and statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performances and achievements of Empress to differ materially from any projections of results, performances and achievements of Empress including, without limitation, any inability of the operators of the properties underlying the Company's royalty and stream interests to execute proposed plans for such properties or to achieve planned development and production estimates and goals, risks related to the operators of the projects in which the Company holds interests, including the successful continuation of operations at such projects by those operators, risks related to exploration, development, permitting, infrastructure, operating or technical difficulties on any such projects, risks related to international operations, government relations and environmental regulation, uncertainty relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future and the Company's ability to carry out its growth plans as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other related risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of important factors which could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements, refer to the annual information form of Empress for the year ended December 31, 2022 and its other publicly filed documents under its profile at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information and statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information and statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws. Disclosure relating to properties in which Empress holds royalty or stream interests is based on information publicly disclosed by the owners or operators of such properties. The Company generally has limited or no access to the properties underlying its interests and is largely dependent on the disclosure of the operators of its interests and other publicly available information. The Company generally has limited or no ability to verify such information. Although the Company does not have any knowledge that such information may not be accurate, there can be no assurance that such third-party information is complete or accurate. In addition, certain information publicly reported by operators may relate to a larger property than the area covered by the Company's interest, which often may only apply to a portion of the overall project area or applicable mineral resources or reserves.

SOURCE: Empress Royalty Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767477/Empress-Royalty-Provides-Update-on-Tahuehueto-Silver-Stream-Manica-Gold-Royalty
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Red Cloud Financial Services is pleased to announce that Matt Watson, Founder, Precious Metals Commodity Management will be presenting a live webinar on July 18, 2023 at 12:00pm ET.

This educational webinar will focus on critical minerals in the clean energy transition. Commodities to be covered include: copper, nickel, zinc and PGMs.

We invite all interested parties to register for the webinar and participate in the live Q&A session at the end of the presentation moderated by Taylor Combaluzier, Mining Analyst at Red Cloud Securities Inc.

The replay will be emailed out to all webinar registrants proceeding the event and will also be available on the Red Cloud website.

For more information and to register: https://redcloudfs.com/rcwebinar-pmcm/.

Matt Watson is the founder of Precious Metals Commodity Management LLC. Here Matt is helping industrial clients with Precious Metals Consulting Services, Market Reports, and Supply Chain Management expertise.

The 2020's and 2030's will be decades focused on Clean Energy and Mineral Constraints. Copper demand in the next 30-years will exceed all of the copper mined in the past 1,500 years. Solar, Wind, EV's, and the electrification of everything Nickel demand will exceed 7M mtpa demand by 2050 - Understanding the LiB Chemistry mix in China vs N. America and the EU, and the emerging storage market. PGMs - ICE Auto Catalysts to Long-Term ICE Recycle to the Hydrogen Economy. FCEV's, Green Hydrogen, Ammonia, and LOHCs all use PGMs. Zinc - Essential for On and Offshore Wind Turbine leading edges and achieving 20-year Wind Turbine expected lifetime.

About Red Cloud Securities Inc.

Red Cloud Securities Inc. is an IIROC-regulated investment dealer focused on providing a full range of brokerage services to all investor types focused in the junior resource sector. Our services include Investment Banking, Research, Institutional and Retail Trading, Institutional Sales, and Retail Investment Advisory services.

About Red Cloud Financial Services Inc.

Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. is a globally focused capital markets advisory firm that provides a full range of executive strategy, media, marketing, and corporate access services. Our breadth of services combines with our significant knowledge of the junior mining industry combine for unique product offering. The company was founded by capital markets professionals with extensive experience in the junior mining industry.

For additional information please contact our team at marketing@redcloudfs.com.

Or visit:

www.redcloudfs.com

www.facebook.com/RedCloudFinancialServices

www.twitter.com/RedCloudFS

www.linkedin.com/company/red-cloud-financial-services-inc

www.youtube.com/c/RedCloudFinancialServicesInc

www.instagram.com/redcloudfs

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173303
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - ATEX Resources Inc. (TSXV: ATX) ("ATEX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce partial assay results for drill holes ATXD-24 and ATXD-22B, the last two holes, from its Phase III drill campaign at the Valeriano Copper-Gold Project ("Valeriano" or the "Project") located in Atacama Region, Chile.

Highlights include:

ATXD-24 intersected 670 metres of 0.84% Copper Equivalent "CuEq" (0.60% Cu, 0.24 g/t Au & 101 ppm Mo) including,



312 metres of 1.00% CuEq (0.50% Cu, 0.37 g/t Au and 11 ppm Mo), in Early Porphyry within the Central Trend, from 1,530 metres to where the hole was paused at a depth of 1,842.4 metres at the end of the drill season (Figure 1).



The high-grade, Early Porphyry was intersected earlier in the hole than anticipated, widening the Central Trend by approximately 70 metres to the west.



ATXD-24 was planned to reach 2,200 metres in depth and will be completed as part of the Phase IV drill program.





ATXD-22B intersected 947 metres of 0.64% CuEq (0.49% Cu, 0.15 g/t Au and 74 ppm Mo) in mineralized rock milled breccia "RMB" from 668 metres to the bottom of the hole at 1,615 metres.





ATXD-22B ended in mineralization and with the grade improving towards the bottom of the hole. The hole was planned to reach a depth of 2,100 metres and will be completed as part of the Phase IV program.

"This is a great way to finish the Phase III program and has us excited to restart drilling in the fall and continue where we left off with Phase III," stated Raymond Jannas, President, and CEO of ATEX. "Hole ATXD-24 is a very significant hole as it intersected Early Porphyry further west than anticipated demonstrating that the Central Trend is wider than anticipated in this area. We look forward to completing this hole in the fall and are especially excited to follow up and test the continuity of this wider part of the Central Trend."

Table 1. ATXD-24 and ATXD-22B Results

Hole ID From To Interval (2) (3) Cu Au Mo CuEq(1) (metres) (metres) (metres) % g/t ppm % ATXD-24* 1,173.0 1,842.4 670.0 0.60 0.24 101 0.84 incl. 1,173.0 1,530.0 357.0 0.50 0.18 121 0.70 incl. 1,530.0 1,842.4 312.4 0.73 0.30 77 1.00 ATXD-22B* 668.0 1,615.1 947.1 0.49 0.15 74 0.64

The CuEq grade was calculated using a copper price of $2.60/lb, gold price of $1,450/oz and molybdenum price of $11.00/lb (all prices in US$). Metal recoveries are not considered as grade is reported as in-situ. Recoveries for comparable deposits range from 85-94% for Cu and 68-85% for Au. CuEq is calculated using the following formula - CuEq% = ((Cu%/100 * Cu $/tonne) + (Au g/t * Au $/gr.) + (Mo%/100 * Mo $/tonne)) / Cu $/tonne. Intervals are composited at a 0.40% CuEq cut-off and unless otherwise stated a maximum of 10 metres of internal dilution. All intervals are reported as core lengths as the true lengths of the intervals are unknown at this time.

Results

ATXD-24 was drilled to the southeast across the eastern contact of the Western trend and towards the Central Trend. The dip of the hole was flattened using directional drilling tools to intersect the Central Trend at a better angle. Three runs with the directional tool were completed between a depth of 1,050 and 1,173 metres with partial core recovery within this interval. Mineralization grading over 0.40% CuEq commenced above this interval in mineralized RMB from 964 metres to the top of the directional cut at 1,050 metres. This interval returned 86.0 metres of 0.45% CuEq (0.34% Cu, 0.1 g/t Au and 70 ppm Mo).

ATXD-22B was paused, at the end of the program, in potassic altered, chalcopyrite bearing RMB which included zones of veining with visible chalcopyrite and bornite mineralization and will be continued in Phase IV.

These results represent the last drill holes from the Phase III campaign which commenced in October 2022 and was completed in late May 2023. In total 12,513 metres of drilling were completed in eight drill holes including four holes from surface, and four daughter holes drilled from existing holes. A summary of results for the Phase III Program are presented in Table 2.

Phase III achieved a series of execution records for the project including completing the deepest hole to date at a depth of 2,190.5 metres (ATXD-11B) as well as achieving a 100% completion rate on drill holes. Additionally, the utilization of directional drilling in Phase III resulted in a saving of ~3,000 metres of drilling from surface. Phase IV, which will follow up on the success achieved in Phase III, is expected to commence in October 2023.

Figure 1: Valeriano Project Plan View



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6303/173316_da919c7634c92ac2_001full.jpg

Table 2. Phase III Results Summary

Hole ID** From To Interval2 Cu Au Mo Cu Eq Hole Length and Objective (metres) (metres) (metres) (%) (g/t) (ppm) (%) ATXD-11A 860.0 2,130.0 1,270.0 0.43 0.21 52 0.63 2,130 m - daughter from VALDD-11. Tested Western and Central Trends incl. 1,048.0 1,213.4 165.4 0.51 0.2 105 0.73 and 1,376.0 1,492.4 116.4 0.56 0.3 95 0.82 Incl. 1,376.0 1,393.3 17.3 0.73 0.3 39 1.01 and incl. 1,450.0 1,470.0 20.0 0.64 0.3 308 1.06 and 1,698.0 2,130.1 432.1 0.48 0.3 12 0.71 incl. 1,698.0 1,868.0 170.0 0.54 0.3 11 0.81 also incl. 1,730.0 1,752.0 22.0 0.66 0.4 11 0.95 and 1,816.7 1,836.0 19.3 0.56 0.5 10 0.94 and 1,854.0 1,868.0 14.0 0.6 0.5 11 1.00 and 2,100.0 2,130.1 30.1 0.53 0.2 19 0.73 ATXD-21 846.0 1,274.0 428.0 0.31 0.2 56 0.48 1,838 m - Drilled from surface. Tested above Eastern Trend didn't reach Central Trend incl. 850.0 902.0 52.0 0.34 0.2 73 0.53 incl. 1,020.0 1,044.0 24.0 0.32 0.2 38 0.52 incl. 1,084.0 1,252.0 168.0 0.41 0.2 60 0.59 and 1,492.0 1,532.0 40.0 0.27 0.1 68 0.41 ATXD-11B 848.0 2,190.5 1,342.5 0.46 0.31 43 0.73 2,190.5 m - Daughter from VALDD-11. Discovery hole on Western Trend incl. 1,078.0 2,088.0 1,010.0 0.5 0.35 29 0.8 incl. 1,438.0 2,088.0 650.0 0.46 0.44 13 0.83 incl. 1,864.0 2,086.0 222.0 0.46 0.58 13 0.94 incl. 1,964.0 2,086.0 122.0 0.47 0.65 14 1.01 ATXD-22 630.0 1,600.0 970.0 0.38 0.1 99 0.51 1,712 m - Drilled from surface - Mother hole between Central and Eastern Trends incl. 1,016.0 1,128.0 112.0 0.57 0.14 212 0.77 and 1,426.0 1,568.0 142.0 0.4 0.11 55 0.51 ATXD-23 782.0 1,746.0 964.0 0.48 0.24 78 0.70 2,050.5 m - Drilled from Surface testing Western Trend extension incl. 1,130.0 1,732.0 602.0 0.5 0.37 11 0.80 incl. 1,612.0 1,732.0 120.0 0.45 0.54 3 0.90 and 1,858.0 2,050.1 192.1 0.24 0.4 4 0.56 ATXD-22A 921.4 1,468.0 546.7 0.32 0.08 173 0.45 1,871 m - daughter from ATXD-22 testing Eastern Trend ATXD-24* 1,173.0 1,842.4 669.4 0.60 0.24 101 0.84 1,842.4 m - Collared above Western trend and stopped in Central Trend incl. 1,173.0 1,530.0 357.0 0.50 0.18 121 0.70 incl. 1,530.0 1,842.4 312.4 0.73 0.30 77 1.00 ATXD-22B* 668.0 1,615.1 947.1 0.49 0.15 74 0.64 1615.1 m - Daughter out of ATXD-22 towards Central Trend

* Holes ATXD-24 and ATXD-22B were paused at end of Phase III

**Please see Company releases noted below for full details on Phase III results:

ATXD-11A - Released Feb 07, 2023

ATXD-21 - Released Feb 27, 2023

ATXD-11B & ATXD-22 - Released March 30, 2023

ATXD-23 & ATXD-22A Released June 05, 2023

Outlook

The Company intends to use these the Phase III results and data to update the copper-gold mineral resource statement for the Valeriano Project and file an updated NI-43 101 compliant technical report. Additionally, metallurgical test work using core from the Phase III program is being undertaken by ATEX in conjunction with Libertas Metallurgy and Base Met Labs of Kamloops BC. This work is expected to be completed in Q3.

QAQC

Drill holes are collared with a PQ drill bit, reduced to HQ and, sequentially, to NQ as the drill holes progressed deeper. Drill core produced by the drill rigs was extracted from the core tubes by the drill contractor under the supervision of ATEX employees, marked for consistent orientation and placed in core boxes with appropriate depth markers added. Full core boxes were then sealed before being transported by ATEX personnel to the Valeriano field camp. Core at the field camp is processed, quick logged, checked for recovery, photographed, and marked for specific gravity, geotechnical studies and for assays. From camp, the core is transferred to a secure core-cutting facility in Vallenar, operated by IMG, a third-party consultant. Here, the core trays are weighed before being cut using a diamond saw under ATEX personnel oversight. ATEX geologists working at this facility double-check the selected two-metre sample intervals, placing the samples in seal bags and ensuring that the same side of the core is consistently sampled. Reference numbers are assigned to each sample and each sample is weighed. The core trays with the remaining half-core are weighed and photographed. Additionally, core logs are updated, and the specific gravity and geotechnical samples are collected. The remaining core is stored in racks at the Company's secure facility in Vallenar.

From Vallenar samples are sent to an ALS preparation facility in La Serena. ALS is an accredited laboratory which is independent of the Company. The prepared samples were sent to the ALS assay laboratories in either Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru for gold (Au-AA24), copper (Cu-AA62), molybdenum (Mo-AA62) and silver (Ag-AA62) assays as well as and multi-element ICP (ME-MS61) analysis. No data quality problems were indicated by the QA/QC program.

Qualified Person

Mr. Ben Pullinger, P.Geo., registered with the Professional Geoscientists Ontario, is the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards for Disclosure for Mineral Projects, for the Valeriano Copper Gold Porphyry Project. Mr. Pullinger is not considered independent under NI 43-101 as he is Senior Vice President Exploration and Business Development of ATEX. He has reviewed and approved the disclosure of the scientific and technical information contained in this press release.

About ATEX

ATEX is exploring the Valeriano Copper Gold Project which is located within the emerging copper gold porphyry mineral belt linking the prolific El Indio High-Sulphidation Belt to the south with the Maricunga Gold Porphyry Belt to the north. This emerging belt, informally referred to as the Link Belt, hosts several copper gold porphyry deposits at various stages of development including, Filo del Sol (Filo Mining), Josemaria (Lundin Mining), Los Helados (NGEX Minerals/JX Nippon), La Fortuna (Teck Resources/Newmont) and El Encierro (Antofagasta/Barrick Gold).

Valeriano hosts a large copper gold porphyry deposit overlain by a near surface oxidized epithermal gold deposit. In 2022, ATEX completed the Company's first limited drill test of the copper gold porphyry system that is now being followed up with campaign of directional drilling to extend the high-grade trend, test new targets and expand the mineralized envelope.

For further information, please contact:

Raymond Jannas,

President and CEO

Email: rjannas@atexresources.com

Ben Pullinger,

Senior Vice President of Exploration and Business Development

Email: bpullinger@atexresources.com

or visit ATEX's website at www.atexresources.com

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including predictions, projections, and forecasts. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "expects" or "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements include, among others: plans for the evaluation of exploration properties including the Valeriano Copper Gold Project; the success of evaluation plans; the success of exploration activities; mine development prospects; potential for future metals production; changes in economic parameters and assumptions; all aspects related to the timing and extent of exploration activities including the Phase III drill program contemplated in this press release; timing of receipt of exploration results; the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities and mineralization; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; the results of regulatory and permitting processes; future metals price; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the results of economic and technical studies; delays in obtaining governmental and local approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration; timing of assay results; as well as those factors disclosed in ATEX's publicly filed documents.

Although ATEX has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider has reviewed or accepts

responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173316
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday presided over the second meeting of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform (CCCDR). A series of documents were examined and approved at the meeting. They include Opinions on Establishing New Systems for a Higher-level Open Economy to Build a New Development Paradigm, Implementation Plans on Deepening Rural Reform, Opinions on Promoting the Gradual Transition from Control of Total Amount and Intensity of Energy Consumption to Control of Total Amount and Intensity of Carbon Emissions, Opinions on Pilot Reform of Remuneration System in Higher Education Institutions and Research Institutes, Opinions on Deepening Reform of the Oil and Gas Market System and Strengthening the Capacity for National Oil and Gas Security, and Guiding Opinions on Deepening Power System Reform and Accelerating the Building of a New Power Industry. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, chairman of the Central Military Commission, and director of the CCCDR, stressed that establishing new systems for a higher-level open economy is a strategic measure to promote reform and development through opening up. Centering around fostering a new development pattern, institutional opening up should be the focus when it comes to further reform of systems and mechanisms in such key areas for international exchange and opening up as investment, trade, finance, and innovation, so as to improve supporting policies and measures, and proactively elevate the country's opening up to a higher level. With the strategic goal of realizing agricultural and rural modernization as well as building strong agriculture as the linchpin, the country should well manage the relationship between farmers and land, and speed up efforts to bolster the weak links in agricultural and rural development to lay a solid foundation for comprehensively building a modern socialist country. Since the country's building of an ecological civilization has entered a critical period with carbon reduction as a key strategic task, it is imperative to improve the control of total energy consumption and intensity, so as to gradually shift to a system for controlling both the total amount and intensity of carbon emissions. It is important to advance the reform of remuneration system for university teachers and research personnel as a pivot for boosting the development of education, science and technology, and talent. Such reformed remuneration system should invigorate innovation, orient education to knowledge value, feature standardized and effective management, and give equal weight to basics and incentives, so as to further spur the innovativeness and creativity of higher education institutions as well as research institutes. It is essential to focus on boosting the capacity to ensure oil and gas security and target prominent problems when promoting the reform of the upstream, midstream and downstream systems and mechanisms in the oil and gas industry, in a bid to ensure a stable and safe oil and gas supply. Besides, it is imperative to deepen electric power system reform by accelerating the building of a power industry that is clean, low-carbon, safe and providing abundant supply, economical and efficient, well-coordinated between supply and demand, and flexible and intelligent, so as to better promote the revolution in China's energy production and consumption, ensuring national energy security. Li Qiang, Wang Huning and Cai Qi, members of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and deputy directors of the CCCDR, attended the meeting. It was pointed out at the meeting that China's development is facing a complex and severe international situation. We should improve the top-level design of new systems for an open economy, deepen the reform of the system and mechanism in the field of trade and investment, expand market access, comprehensively optimize the business environment, improve the service guarantee system, give full play to China's comprehensive strengths, and attract global resources with the flow of domestic economy, so as to improve the quality and level of trade and investment cooperation. We must be prepared to deal with worst-case and extreme-case scenarios to promptly improve national security systems and mechanisms, and strive to promote the capacity and level of supervision and management over and of opening up. It is imperative to dovetail the building of new systems for a higher-level open economy with national strategies such as high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, actively participating in the reform and development of the global governance system. It was emphasized at the meeting that to implement the arrangements of the 20th CPC National Congress for deepening rural reform, work must be done to consolidate and improve the basic system for rural operations, optimize the food security system, refine the system for comprehensively promoting rural revitalization, better the policies for integrated urban-rural development, and accelerate reform in important areas and key links for breakthroughs and effective results, letting the farmers have a stronger sense of fulfillment in the reform. It is necessary to combine top-level policy design with grassroots exploration, and allow and encourage different regions to explore according to local conditions. We should grow adept at discovering and summarizing grassroots practice and innovation, and give timely support to those having difficulties in exploration and innovation. It was noted at the meeting that since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have given high priority to green and low-carbon development, energy conservation and emissions reduction, and established and implemented the system for controlling both the total amount and intensity of energy consumption. As a result, our country's energy consumption efficiency has greatly increased while the intensity of carbon dioxide emissions has considerably decreased. To transit from controlling the total amount and intensity of energy consumption to controlling those of carbon emissions, it's imperative to stick to the principle of building the new before discarding the old, refine the system for controlling the intensity and total amount of energy consumption, optimize and improve the methods of doing so, strengthen the basic capacity of controlling the intensity and total amount of carbon emissions, and improve all the relevant mechanisms in this regard, so as to create favorable conditions for establishing and implementing the system for controlling both the total amount and intensity of carbon emissions. We must remain committed to prioritizing resource conservation and do a good job in this regard at a higher level with higher quality, so as to get maximum returns at minimum cost. It is imperative to do our work in a stable manner, coordinate the relationship between development and emissions reduction, be realistic, do everything within our capacity and soundly adjust and improve the policies and measures. It was stressed at the meeting that the pilot reform of remuneration system should be launched in higher education institutions and research institutes with the aim to improve and regulate the distribution system according to the need and reality of salary management. The income distribution policy should be talent-oriented, performance-based with the focus on innovation. Salary distribution should be favorable to the teachers and researchers who have made a significant contribution to urgent and arduous tasks, to the personnel who are engaged in teaching and research of basic disciplines and those who have made great breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields. Efforts should also be made to strengthen the supervision over salary management, so as to ensure that the national fund will be channeled to motivating the talented people and to the development of undertakings in need. It was noted at the meeting that further efforts should be made to deepen the reform of oil and gas market system and strengthen the systems for energy production, supply, storage, and marketing. It is important to intensify market supervision and regulation, strengthen subsector and cross-sector oversight. It is imperative to standardize the oil and gas market in order to promote fair competition. It is essential to further the reform of the oil and gas reserve system so that it can play a better role in dealing with emergencies and necessary adjustment. It was stressed at the meeting that we should build a new electric power industry in a professional and science-based manner, gradually reduce the proportion of traditional energy resources in the overall energy mix in a well-planned and phased way when new energy is safe and reliable as an alternative. It is imperative to improve the systems and mechanisms which can adapt to the new electric power industry and strengthen innovation in power technologies, market mechanisms, and business models. It is essential to promote better links between an efficient market and a well-functioning government, and continue to improve policies in order to secure the supply of basic public power services. Members of the CCCDR were present. Leading officials of relevant central Party and government departments sat in on the meeting.
Nine Additional Ultrasound Innovators Join SAB to Provide Insights and Feedback to Further Improve the Company's Technology Strategy

Verasonics, Inc., the leader in research ultrasound, announced today that it has expanded its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to include nine additional members with valuable expertise in the fields of biomedical engineering and Materials Science. These thought leaders will work closely with the Verasonics leadership team and existing SAB membership to provide external scientific review and insight on existing and emerging technologies, as well as potential research and development programs.

New members of the Scientific Advisory Board are as follows; individual bios can be found on the Verasonics website:

Pierre Belanger, PhD, Ecole de technologie superieure (ETS) Montreal, Department of Mechanical Engineering Professor

Frederic Cegla, PhD, Imperial College London, Senior Lecturer EPSRC Research Fellow in NDE

Hong Chen, PhD, Washington University, McKelvey School of Engineering Associate Professor

Hyun Dongwoon, PhD, Stanford University, Radiology Pediatric Radiology Instructor

Caterina Gallippi, PhD, Joint UNC, NCSU Department of Biomedical Engineering Professor

Joergen Jensen, PhD, Technical University of Denmark, Department of Health Technology Professor

Matt O'Donnell, PhD, University of Washington, Department of Bioengineering Professor

Jean Provost, PhD, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Department of Engineering Physics Associate Professor

Pengfei Song, PhD, University of Illinois, Electrical Computer Engineering Assistant Professor

"We are honored and privileged to expand our SAB to include this set of renowned and highly accomplished scientific experts," said Jon K. Daigle, President and Chief Executive Officer at Verasonics. "Together, the SAB brings a broad spectrum of knowledge that will allow Verasonics to leverage their depth of expertise to further advance research ultrasound to better assist researchers and developers."

Mr. Daigle added, "Our team would also like to thank Dr. James Greenleaf, Mayo Clinic, for his tremendous contributions to the SAB and Verasonics since 2018." Dr. Greenleaf retired from the Verasonics SAB at the end of 2022.

About Verasonics, Inc. Verasonics is a privately held company founded in 2001, with headquarters in Kirkland, Washington, USA. Verasonics is the leader in research ultrasound and is focused on providing researchers and developers with the most advanced and flexible tools enabling them to develop new algorithms and products used in biomedical ultrasound, Materials Science, earth sciences, and the physics of acoustics and ultrasonics. Verasonics also licenses its technology to companies for use in their commercial products. Researchers across the globe use Verasonics product solutions to advance the art and science of ultrasound through their own research efforts. Learn more by visiting the Verasonics website or following us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713030747/en/

Contacts:

Verasonics, Inc.

Toni Baumann

T: 425-998-9836

E: tonibaumann@verasonics.com
OXFORD, England, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lucy Group has acquired the assets and IP of Fundamentals' Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML) business. Focusing on grid monitoring and fault location, the AI/ML capability will merge with Lucy Electric's GridKey intelligent Low Voltage (LV) remote monitoring system and digital substation activities.

Paul Beck, Gridkey & Innovation Director at Lucy Electric, said: "As electrical networks get older and the load on them is increased, reliability becomes a significant issue. This exciting technology, when coupled with our existing GridKey monitoring system, allows not just improved fault management but also the ability to carry out preventative maintenance before faults occur."

Jon Hiscock, Director and CEO at Fundamentals, said: "Following successful innovation trials with UK Distribution Network Operators, Lucy Electric is ideally positioned to commercialise our AI/ML technology and roll it out at scale on distribution networks."

One of the main applications of this AI/ML technology in the electric power industry is the detection of intermittent faults in underground cables using an algorithm known as SYNAPS. The SYNAPS solution uses hardware installed at local substations to collect data from these early intermittent faults and then run an AI algorithm against a 'digital twin' model of the distribution grid. This enables the type of fault to be classified and the location to be identified, allowing planned maintenance intervention to prevent power interruption, which is far more efficient than an emergency repair.

Editors' notes

About Lucy Electric

Lucy Electric is an international leader in intelligent secondary power distribution products and solutions, with remote operation and monitoring. Linking energy generation to consumption, the business specialises in medium and low voltage switchgear and digital substations for utility, industrial and commercial applications. Lucy Electric is a business unit of Lucy Group, an international group that is making the built environment more sustainable. Established in Oxford 200 years ago, Lucy Group now employs 1,600 people across 5 continents.

More information: https://www.lucyelectric.com/

About Fundamentals

Fundamentals is a company committed to the development of technology to help improve the health and performance of the electricity grid. Using intellect and expertise in the area of voltage control, artificial intelligence and power system communications, the company is addressing some of the challenges for grid operators presented by the energy transition. Established in Oxford more than 30 years ago, Fundamentals now has operations in Swindon, Oldham (Ferranti Tapchangers) and Perth (Australia).

More information: https://fundamentals.tech/

Contacts

Patrick Pearson

Group Head of Marketing & Communications

Lucy Group Ltd.

+44 (0)7442 859751

patrick.pearson@lucygroup.com

Becca Ross

3THINKRS (PR agency for Fundamentals)

+44 (0)7447 917348

fundamentals@3thinkrs.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lucy-group-acquires-fault-detection-technology-from-fundamentals-301876496.html
EQS-News: Bybit / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

Bybit's World Series of Trading 2023 WIll Be an All-Star Showdown for Elite Crypto Traders



13.07.2023 / 13:15 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Bybit's World Series of Trading 2023 WIll Be an All-Star Showdown for Elite Crypto Traders

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - Media OutReach - 13 July 2023 - Bybit, the world's third most visited crypto exchange, has unveiled its grand crypto spectacle: the 2023 World Series of Trading (WSOT). Starting with the leader registration phase on July 13, the largest cryptocurrency trading competition in the world is attracting the cream of trading talent.

WSOT will open its gates for general registration from July 24 to August 17, offering traders a chance to secure their spot among elite contenders worldwide. But the real action begins on August 7 when traders clash in a furnace of strategies and lightning-fast decisions.

This year's competition will feature another record-breaking prize pool, which includes up to $8 million USDT, as well as a live stream giveaway on August 24, which offers traders the chance to win Rolex Explorers and Huracan Evo Spyder Lamborghinis.

The event, now in its fourth edition, will be the first time the exchange has made demo trading available to participants. This move is part of Bybit's commitment to making trading competitions more accessible to beginners, providing them a platform to hone their skills and gain experience in a risk-free environment.

In addition to the demo trading feature, this year's WSOT will also see the participation of influential traders and megastars such as The Moon, CryptoBanter, GINAREA, and Cornix. With these experienced players, the WSOT 2023 promises to be the venue to crown the champions of the crypto universe.

"Brace yourselves for the ultimate showcase of trading talent, strategy, and sheer determination," said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit. "This is the moment where dreams are forged, boundaries are shattered, and champions are crowned. So, we call on all traders to enter or witness the World Series of Trading, where the best of the best meet and the crypto world comes alive."

The WSOT has grown to historic heights in recent years with nearly 117,000 traders from all over the world between 2020 and 2022, resulting in a trading volume of over $177 billion. To learn more about the Bybit World Series of Trading and register for the competition, visit the Bybit website .

More From Bybit

WSOT 2022

How to Use Bybit Demo Trading (Step-By-Step)

Crypto Paper Trading: The Best Way to Practice and Perfect Your Trades

Bybit / WSOT2023 / TheUltimateAllStarShowdown

About Bybit

Bybit is a cryptocurrency exchange established in 2018 that offers a professional platform where crypto traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, excellent customer service and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One's reigning Constructors' and Drivers' champions, the Oracle Red Bull Racing team, esports teams NAVI, Astralis, Alliance, Made in Brazil (MIBR), and Oracle Red Bull Racing Esports.

For more information please visit: https://www.bybit.com/

For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

https://discord.com/invite/bybit

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For media inquiries, please contact: press@bybit.com

13.07.2023 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Trillium Gold Mines Inc. (TSXV: TGM) (OTCQX: TGLDF) (FSE: 0702) ("Trillium" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the TSX Venture Exchange to change the Company's name to "Renegade Gold Inc." (the "Name Change") and to consolidate the Company's outstanding common shares on the basis of one new common share for every ten common shares (the "Consolidation").

The Name Change and Consolidation will take effect at the start of trading on July 17, 2023, and the Company will trade under the symbol "RAGE" and under the new CUSIP/ISIN numbers 75974M105/CA75974M1059. As a result of the Consolidation, the 149,837,151 common shares issued and outstanding prior to the Consolidation will be reduced to approximately 14,983,715 common shares. Each shareholder's percentage ownership in the Company and proportionate voting power will remain unchanged after the Consolidation, except for minor changes and adjustments resulting from the treatment of any fractional common shares.

In connection with the Consolidation, the Company expects to send letters of transmittal to registered holders of its common shares for use in transmitting their existing share certificates ("Existing Certificates") to the Company's registrar and transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company of Canada, in exchange for new certificates ("New Certificates") representing the number of post-Consolidation common shares to which each shareholder is entitled.

No delivery of a New Certificate to a shareholder will be made until the shareholder has surrendered its Existing Certificates. Until surrendered, each Existing Certificate shall be deemed for all purposes to represent the number of post-Consolidation common shares to which the holder is entitled.

About Trillium Gold Mines Inc.

Trillium Gold Mines Inc. is a growth focused company engaged in the business of acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties located in the Red Lake Mining District of Northern Ontario. As part of its regional-scale consolidation strategy, the Company has assembled one of the largest prospective land packages in and around the Red Lake mining district in proximity to major mines and deposits, as well as along the Confederation Lake and Birch-Uchi greenstone belts. The recent completion of the acquisition of Pacton Gold Inc. extends Trillium's ownership in Red Lake to over 89,600 hectares of prospective and diversified exploration properties with significant potential for gold and critical minerals on trend with the major structures hosting known gold occurrences in the Red Lake mining district today. A portfolio of prospective projects in Western Australia has also been acquired.

Visit Trillium's website at www.trilliumgold.com.

For further information, please contact:

Trillium Gold Mines Inc.

Nav Dhaliwal

President, CEO and Director

info@trilliumgold.com

Tel: 604-678-5308

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects', "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved". Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated effective date of the Name Change and Consolidation. This news release contains forward-looking information, which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Forward-looking information is based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Such factors, among others, include the ability to obtain required final approvals from the TSX Venture Exchange.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The companies disclaim any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173339


BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - China's exports fell the most since the outbreak of the pandemic due to the subdued global demand in June and imports logged another annual decline, intensifying the call for fiscal stimulus to prop up domestic demand in a bid to sustain economic growth.



Exports decreased 12.4 percent on an yearly basis in June, following a 7.5 percent fall in May, data released by the General Administration of Customs showed on Thursday. Exports were expected to drop 9.5 percent.



This was the biggest decline since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.



Similarly, imports declined 6.8 percent annually, which was bigger than the expected fall of 4.0 percent and May's 4.5 percent decrease.



As a result, the trade surplus increased to $70.6 billion in June. The expected level was $74.8 billion.



Data showed that exports to all major markets decreased in June. Shipments to the US declined 24 percent from a year ago in June. Likewise, exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations shrunk around 17 percent.



With the global downturn in demand continuing to weigh on exports, China's exports are set to fall further before bottoming out towards the end of the year, Capital Economics' economist Zichun Huang said.



Although import volumes were almost the same as last month after hitting a 23-month high in May, the economist noted. Imports are expected to pick up in the coming months underpinned by the fiscal stimulus and the recovery in tourism.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



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Mega-Chance Cyber Security Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. Hier klicken
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Sterling Metals Corp. (TSXV:SAG)(OTCQB:SAGGF) ("Sterling Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of exploration activities at the Adeline Copper project ("Adeline" or the "Project") in Labrador, Canada (Figure 1). Located within the Central Mineral Belt of Labrador, this wholly owned 44 km long sedimentary basin hosts over 250 surface copper-silver occurrences and has many similarities to other world class, shale-hosted copper sulphide deposits. Sterling has compiled and layered 60 years of exploration data, including extensive showings, Induced Polarization (IP), Magnetic Survey, surface trenching and structural geology to develop a number of priority targets that are expected to be drill tested later this summer.

Highlights

Permits received for drilling and camp with construction and field activities commencing immediately.

Drill pads set up at the Ellis Main prospect, where recent trenching was completed, and initial drilling is expected to commence (Figure 2). The Ellis Main prospect is exposed in a series of 11 trenches along the western end of Seal Lake and was subject of historic work including grab samples and drilling. The strongest historical mineralization occurred in hole SL-11-10 from 90.6 m where 7.9 m @ 1.76% Cu and 56.2 g/t Ag was intercepted 50 m down dip from a surface trench of 4.5 m of 2.5% Cu, 94.3 g/t Ag (2011, Playfair Mining Ltd.). IP data collected by Noranda in the early 90s shows a large anomaly whereby SL-11-10 intercepted the edge of it. Drill pad preparation is beginning to test this anomaly as well as the others across the basin.

Completed hyperspectral study with ALS Goldspot Discoveries Ltd., confirming Ellis as the primary target, providing support for numerous secondary targets and new priority areas of interest.

Drilling contract with a minimum of 2,000 metres of diamond drilling with Logan Drilling Group International, whom Sterling has worked with in the past.

Jeremy Niemi, SVP Exploration and Evaluation comments, "We are thrilled to be working in Newfoundland and Labrador. In just a few months we have built our field team, permitted Adeline, and are now beginning to build our camp. The stage has been set for us to enter discovery mode and we look forward to commencing our inaugural drill program at Adeline, on schedule, within the next 6 weeks. We are eager to drill and hit our targets which could reveal large high grade copper mineralization and confirm the potential for a very substantial copper system."

Mathew Wilson, CEO and Director states, "Sediment hosted copper accounts for approximately 20% of the world's copper production and reserves. The incredible lateral extent of these projects along with very high grades of copper create attractive mineral systems - if you can find the correct conditions that result in near surface deposits. Adeline holds many of the key characteristics needed to host a super giant sediment hosted copper system - and the Ellis target - with its already confirmed drill intercept - is the first area where we will look for a near surface deposit."

Figure 1: Adeline Project located in Labrador, Canada

Comprised of roughly 30,000 hectares and a 44 km strike of copper-silver-rich terrain (Figure 2), Adeline covers the youngest middle Mesoproterozoic volcano-sedimentary sequences, known as the Seal Lake Group. The Seal Lake Group consists of supracrustal argillaceous and arenaceous sedimentary rocks, intercalated with basalt flows and intruded by gabbro sills. The volcano-sedimentary rocks formed as a result of extensive continental sedimentation from the transition from subaerial to shallow-marine during a rift-related cycle of uplift and erosions.

While sediment-hosted stratiform copper deposits are widespread, economically significant occurrences are infrequent. These deposits contribute to roughly 20 percent of global copper production and known reserves. Supergiant and giant deposits are formed in basins that experienced extended periods of fluid flow, where specific conditions facilitated the accumulation of substantial quantities of metal-rich fluid, ample reduced sulfur, and significant amounts of reductants.

Figure 2: Copper occurrences at the Adeline Project

The host rocks of this potential copper basin primarily consist of reduced facies marine or lacustrine rocks, such as green, black, or gray shale, siltstone, thinly laminated tidal facies, reefoid carbonate rocks, and dolomitic shales. These deposits are typically found in Middle and Late Proterozoic rocks worldwide. They are formed in continental clastic sedimentary basins that transition into epicontinental shallow-marine or lacustrine basins within 30 of the paleo-equator. The tectonic setting for these deposits is typically an intracontinental rift or aulacogen. Deposits may exhibit zoning, with centers of chalcocite-bornite, outer zones of chalcopyrite-pyrite, and peripheral galena-sphalerite. The exploration of this extensive copper basin through a targeted drill program promises to be an exciting opportunity to test these theories and initiate a systematic exploration program.

Qualified Person

Jeremy Niemi, P.Geo., Senior Vice President of Exploration and Evaluation to Sterling Metals, and a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Minerals Projects, has reviewed and approved the technical information presented herein.

About Sterling Metals

Sterling Metals (TSXV:SAG and OTCQB:SAGGF) is a mineral exploration company focused on large scale and high-grade Canadian exploration opportunities. The Company is advancing the Adeline Project in Labrador which covers an entire sediment-hosted copper belt, with demonstrated potential for important new copper discoveries with significant silver credits, and the Sail Pond Project in Newfoundland.

For more information, please contact:

Sterling Metals Corp.

Mathew Wilson, CEO and Director

Tel: (416) 643-3887

Email: info@sterlingmetals.ca

Website: www.sterlingmetals.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Sterling Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767459/Sterling-Metals-Commences-Exploration-Activities-at-its-Adeline-Project-in-Labrador
New hole is a 450-meter step-out from the nearest drill hole in the "Raptor Zone"

Tamarack, Minnesota--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) (OTC Pink: TLOFF) ("Talon" or the "Company"), the majority owner and operator of the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project ("Tamarack Nickel Project") in central Minnesota, is pleased to announce that its drill teams hit a new area of semi-massive nickel sulphide in a part of the Tamarack Intrusive Complex that has never been explored. The new nickel mineralization was encountered at a shallow depth of approximately 296.3 meters in an area between the Raptor's Head Area and the Raptor's Crest Area within the newly named "Raptor Zone" (see Figure 2 below).





Figure 1: Nickel mineralization encountered between 296.03 and 298.7 meters depth in new drill hole 23TK0482

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2443/173313_1c47840ef4f76864_001full.jpg

Both the Raptor's Head and the Raptor's Crest Areas contain high-grade massive nickel mineralization with grades up to 9.33% Ni1 and 9.95% Ni2, respectively, however, the 1.5 km distance between these zones has never been drilled.





Figure 2: Analytical signal magnetic map showing the location of the Raptor Zone (red = highly magnetic), showing the location of new drill hole 23TK0482

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2443/173313_1c47840ef4f76864_002full.jpg

This maiden drill hole intersected 4.21 meters of nickel mineralization (assays pending), but of particular interest is that the mineralization is texturally very similar to what is observed in the Tamarack Resource Area Semi-Massive Sulphide ("SMSU") unit located over 2 km south of this drill hole (i.e. within the Tamarack Resource Area). Coarse grained SMSU has never been identified outside of the Tamarack Resource Area. This drill hole represents a 450-meter step-out from the nearest drill hole and provides ample room for exploration.

Brian Goldner, Chief Exploration and Operations Officer of Talon said: "This intersection reminds me of our first discovery in the Tamarack Resource Area in 2008. At that time, we were drilling coarse grained nickel mineralization of similar size to the current drill hole, trying to figure out where it came from. It took 42 holes to make that first discovery back then, but today we have the benefit of our in-house drilling team and our in-house geophysics team with industry leading technology to guide further exploration in the Raptor Zone."

Henri van Rooyen, CEO of Talon commented, "This is just one more signal that there is more nickel in America. While we have started the process of permitting an underground mine in the Tamarack Resource Area, we are committed to continuing to search for more high-grade nickel deposits in Minnesota and Michigan. Our strategy is to become a significant supplier of US nickel for US batteries from both the Tamarack Intrusive Complex (TIC) in Minnesota and from potential future nickel discoveries in Michigan. In 2021 and 2022, Talon's in-house geology, geophysics and drill teams discovered and delineated the CGO-East and CGO-West high-grade nickel areas, which led to a deal with Tesla. Presently, our teams are drilling approximately 1 km to the south of the Tamarack Resource Area in the 164 Zone, approximately 1.8 km to the north-east of the Tamarack Resource Area in the Raptor's Head Area and approximately 2.6 km to the north-east of the Tamarack Resource Area between the Raptor's Head and Raptor's Crest Areas, where the mineralization was intercepted."

QUALITY ASSURANCE, QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALIFIED PERSONS

Please see the technical report entitled "November 2022 National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report of the Tamarack North Project - Tamarack, Minnesota" with an effective date of November 2, 2022 prepared by independent "Qualified Persons" (as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101")) Brian Thomas (P. Geo), Roger Jackson (P. Geo), Oliver Peters (P. Eng) and Christine Pint (P.G) for information on the QA/QC, data verification, analytical and testing procedures at the Tamarack Nickel Project. Copies are available on the Company's website (www.talonmetals.com) or on SEDAR at (www.sedar.com). The laboratory used is ALS Minerals who is independent of the Company.

Lengths are drill intersections and not necessarily true widths. True widths cannot be consistently calculated for comparison purposes between holes because of the irregular shapes of the mineralized zones. Drill intersections have been independently selected by Talon. Drill composites have been independently calculated by Talon. The geological interpretations in this news release are solely those of the Company. The locations and distances highlighted on all maps in this news release are approximate.

Dr. Etienne Dinel, Vice President, Geology of Talon, is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Dr. Dinel is satisfied that the analytical and testing procedures used are standard industry operating procedures and methodologies, and he has reviewed, approved and verified the technical information disclosed in this news release, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the technical information.

ABOUT TALON

Talon is a TSX-listed base metals company in a joint venture with Rio Tinto on the high-grade Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project located in central Minnesota. Talon's shares are also traded in the US over the OTC market under the symbol TLOFF. The Tamarack Nickel Project comprises a large land position (18km of strike length) with high-grade intercepts outside the current resource area. Talon has an earn-in right to acquire up to 60% of the Tamarack Nickel Project, and currently owns 51%. Talon is focused on (i) expanding and infilling its current high-grade nickel mineralization resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 to shape a mine plan for submission to Minnesota regulators, and (ii) following up on additional high-grade nickel mineralization in the Tamarack Intrusive Complex. Talon has an agreement with Tesla Inc. to supply it with 75,000 metric tonnes (165 million lbs) of nickel in concentrate (and certain by-products, including cobalt and iron) from the Tamarack Nickel Project over an estimated six-year period once commercial production is achieved. Talon has a neutrality and workforce development agreement in place with the United Steelworkers union. Talon's Battery Mineral Processing Facility in Mercer County was selected by the US Department of Energy for $114m funding grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Talon has well-qualified experienced exploration, mine development, external affairs and mine permitting teams.

For additional information on Talon, please visit the Company's website at www.talonmetals.com.

Media Contact:

Todd Malan

1-(202)-714-8187

malan@talonmetals.com

Investor Contact:

Sean Werger

1-(416)-500-9891

werger@talonmetals.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to future exploration, drilling, assays and the results thereof, including discovering additional nickel mineralization at the Tamarack Nickel Project and discovering nickel in Michigan. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Table 1: Collar Location of Drill Hole 23TK0482

HOLE ID Easting (m) Northing

(m) Elevation

(masl) Azimuth Dip End

Depth (m) 23TK0482 491686.0 5170936.0 388.0 307 -73 Hole still in progress

Collar coordinates are UTM Zone 15N, NAD83

Azimuths and dips are taken from survey record at collar unless otherwise noted

Table 2: Quick Lithology Log for Drill Hole 23TK0482

HOLE ID From (m) To (m) Length Quick Log % Sulphides 23TK0482 0 100.58 OB 100.58 277.93 SED 277.93 293.54 CGO trace 293.54 296.03 2.49 CGO 4-7% 296.98 298.00 1.02 CGO 15% 298 298.7 0.7 CGO 5% 298.7 299.45 SED 299.45 300.26 CGO 3% 300.26 Hole still in progress SED

Quick lithology log of drill holes: Overburden (OB); Meta-sedimentary rocks (SED); Coarse-grained Orthocumulate (CGO).

1 Drill hole 15TK0229. See the Company's press release dated September 1, 2015 for further technical details.

2 Drill hole 18TK0264. See the Company's press release dated June 21, 2018 for further technical details.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173313
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Gold Hunter Resources Inc. (CSE: HUNT) ("Gold Hunter", "HUNT" or the "Company") announces a significant expansion of its mineral claim holdings in the Baie Verte Peninsula, Newfoundland with the arm's length acquisition of a 100%-interest in five separate properties (the "Acquired Properties"). The Acquired Properties are all adjacent to HUNT's Rambler Project, which initially spanned 5,085.4 hectares. With the acquisition of the New Properties, the area now held by HUNT encompasses a total of 17,227.97 hectares, representing a 239% expansion of the original area of the Rambler Project. The region is renowned for its rich mining history and diverse mineral resources including copper, zinc, and gold, and is now largely consolidated under a single operator for the first time.





Figure 1: Location map displaying Gold Hunter's previous land position (Rambler Project) along the Baie Verte Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador, along with the newly-acquired mineral claim projects surrounding it.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8550/173366_7484debaa4279bb9_002full.jpg

HUNT President and CEO, Sean A. Kingsley, announced, "With these recent acquisitions, we have managed to broaden our exploration portfolio, bring in additional company supporters, and fortify our involvement in the Baie Verte Peninsula. Our technical team has put forth a considerable amount of work in analyzing and compiling data for this district, and we believe there is a lot of untapped potential for exploration. The district, known for its mineral wealth and history of mining, coupled with strong infrastructure, provides an advantageous setting for a mining company like ours. The area, often referred to as 'the heart of mining in Newfoundland', has a rich history that underlines its significance in the industry. Our Rambler project is an essential part of our overall property portfolio, with a large amount of historical drilling already completed, presenting potential for both deep and lateral expansion. We would like to acknowledge all the vendors who have committed their time and efforts to the exploration of this area.

"As we embark on this path, we invite our friends, family, communities, and investors who share our vision to be part of the formative days of our Company. Recognizing the current market conditions and maintaining our commitment to a balanced share structure, we have initiated a modest financing round. This move is intended not only to ensure financial stability but also to expedite the exploration of key targets. We look forward to working together to explore the prospects of the Baie Verte Peninsula."

The Acquired Properties

Each of the purchase agreements for the Acquired Properties were dated July 12th, 2023, and are expected to close within ten days ("Closing"), subject to applicable regulatory approvals. All common shares of the Company issued in connection with the purchase agreements set out below are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and a day from Closing.

Puddle Pond: Painted Dory & Woodstock Projects

The Company has entered into a property purchase agreement (the "Puddle Pond Agreement") with Puddle Pond Resources Inc. ("Puddle Pond") under which HUNT has agreed to acquire a 100% interest in 371 mineral claim licenses comprising the Painted Dory and Woodstock projects (the "Puddle Pond Property") in consideration for the issuance of 750,000 common shares and the payment of $75,000 to Puddle Pond or their nominees. The shares and cash will be issued to Puddle Pond as follows: half of the shares and cash on Closing, with the other half of the cash due within 90 days of Closing, and the other half of the shares to be issued on the date that is four months and a day from Closing.

Puddle Pond will retain a 2% net smelter returns royalty (NSR) on the Puddle Pond Property. The Company holds the right to buy back 50% of this NSR at any time for $1,500,000. In addition, the Company holds a right of first refusal in connection with any proposed sale or transfer of the NSR by Puddle Pond.

Marwan II Claim Package

The Company has entered into a property purchase agreement (the "Marwan II Agreement") with a vendor group consisting of Aubrey Budgell, Donna Lewis, Mark Stockley, Triassic Properties Ltd., Paul Delaney, Rebecca Heathcote, Stephen Stockley Agriculture and Fabrication Inc. (SSAF Inc) and Rod Power (collectively, the "Marwan Vendors") under which HUNT has agreed to acquire a 100% interest in 43 mineral claim licenses (the "Marwan II Property") in consideration for the issuance of a total of 850,000 common shares to the Marwan Vendors (the "Marwan Shares"). The Marwan Shares will be issued to the Marwan Vendors in two tranches according to the table below: half on Closing, with the other half due on the date that is four months and a day from Closing.

HUNT has also agreed to reimburse Nidon Enterprises Ltd. $15,000 for expenses associated with the Marwan II Property within 90 days of Closing. The Marwan Vendors will retain a 2% net smelter returns royalty (NSR) on the Marwan II Property, divided among the Marwan Vendors over three separate royalty agreements applying to the various claims comprising the Marwan II Property. The Company holds the right to buy back 50% of each NSR at any time for $1,000,000. In addition, the Company holds a right of first refusal in connection with any proposed sale or transfer by the Marwan Vendors of each NSR.

Planet X Claim Package

The Company has entered into a property purchase agreement (the "Planet X Agreement") with a vendor group consisting of Neal Blackmore, Bill Kennedy, G2B Gold Inc. (G2B) and Grassroots Prospecting & Prospect Generation Inc. (Grassroots) (collectively, the "Planet X Vendors") under which HUNT has agreed to acquire a 100% interest in 28 mineral claim licenses (the "Planet X Property") in consideration for the issuance of 1,200,000 common shares to the Planet X Vendors (the "Planet X Shares") on Closing.

The Planet X Vendors will retain a 2% net smelter returns royalty (NSR) on the Planet X Property. The Company holds the right to buy back 50% of the NSR at any time for $1,000,000. In addition, the Company holds a right of first refusal in connection with any proposed sale or transfer of the NSR by the Planet X Vendors.

Snook Claim Package

The Company has entered into a property purchase agreement (the "Snook Agreement") with R. John Snook and Alexander S. Duffitt (collectively, the "Snook Vendors") under which HUNT has agreed to acquire a 100% interest in 26 mineral claim licenses (the "Snook Property") in consideration for the issuance of 75,000 common shares to each of the Snook Vendors at Closing, and the payment of $7,500 to each of the Snook Vendors within 90 days of Closing.

The Snook Vendors will retain a 2% net smelter returns royalty (NSR) on the Snook Property. The Company holds the right to buy back 50% of the NSR at any time for $1,000,000. In addition, the Company holds a right of first refusal in connection with any proposed sale or transfer of the NSR by the Snook Vendors.

Hicks Claim Package

The Company has entered into a property purchase agreement (the "Hicks Agreement") with Darrin Hicks ("Hicks") under which HUNT has agreed to acquire a 100% interest in 4 mineral claim licenses (the "Hicks Property") in consideration for the issuance of 125,000 common shares to Hicks at Closing, and the payment of $10,000 to Hicks within 90 days of Closing.

Hicks will retain a 2% net smelter returns royalty (NSR) on the Snook Property. The Company holds the right to buy back 50% of the NSR at any time for $1,000,000. In addition, the Company holds a right of first refusal in connection with any proposed sale or transfer of the NSR by Hicks.

Finder's Fee

Pursuant to an agreement with Kluane Capital Fzco., the Company has agreed to pay Kluane a finder's fee in connection with the Acquisition Properties of up to 250,000 common shares of the Company (the "Finder's Shares"), allocated in proportion to the Acquisition Properties according to the following table.

Puddle Pond: Painted Dory & Woodstock Projects 77,500 Marwan II Claim Package 62,500 Planet X Claim Package 82,500 Snook Claim Package 15,000 Hicks Claim Package 12,500 Finder's Shares allotment 250,000 common shares

The Finder's Shares will be issued upon Closing, subject to regulatory approval and closing of the purchase of the Acquisition Properties and are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and a day from Closing.

The Financing

Gold Hunter is also pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement to finance the purchase of the Acquisition Properties as well as further project exploration and development, and for general working capital. The private placement will consist of both flow-through and non-flow-through units as follows:

Up to 2,000,000 units (the " NFT Units ") at a price of $0.25 per NFT Unit for gross proceeds of up to $500,000. Each NFT Unit will consist of one common share (an " NFT Share ") and one transferable common share purchase warrant exercisable for one additional NFT Share at a price of $0.35 for a period of 24 months (each NFT Share purchase warrant, a " Warrant ").

") at a price of $0.25 per NFT Unit for gross proceeds of up to $500,000. Each NFT Unit will consist of one common share (an " ") and one transferable common share purchase warrant exercisable for one additional NFT Share at a price of $0.35 for a period of 24 months (each NFT Share purchase warrant, a " "). Up to 833,333 flow-through units (the "FT Units") at a price of $0.30 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of up to $250,000. Each FT Unit will consist of one flow-through common share (an "FT Share") and one Warrant.

(collectively, the FT Units and NFT Units are referred to as the "Offered Securities").

The gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Units will be used by HUNT before the end of 2024 to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's projects in Canada. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the FT Units effective December 31, 2023.

The Company will pay finder's fees to eligible finders equal to 8.0% in cash of the gross proceeds from placees introduced by such finder, and issue to the finder non-transferable warrants ("Finder's Warrants") equal to 8.0% of the aggregate number of Offered Securities issued to placees introduced by such finder, subject to regulatory approval and compliance with applicable securities laws. Any Finder's Warrants will be exercisable into common shares at a price of $0.35 per common share for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of closing of the private placement.

This private placement is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, Canadian Securities Exchange approval. All Offered Securities will be issued pursuant to exemptions from the prospectus requirements and will be subject to statutory hold periods under applicable securities laws of four months and a day from the closing of the private placement.

The Bridge Loans

To accommodate the need for immediate expenditures on the Company's projects, the Company also announces that it has successfully obtained private, non-interest-bearing loans (the "Loans") from certain insiders and other independent parties (the "Lenders") in the aggregate amount of $100,000 pursuant to the terms of loan agreements dated July 12, 2023 (the "Loan Agreements"). These loans will be paid in full upon the completion of HUNT's private placement. The proceeds from the Loans will be used to fulfill HUNT's mineral claim obligations in Newfoundland's Baie Verte Peninsula and Ontario's Cameron Lake districts in Canada.



In accordance with the Loan Agreements, the Lenders will be granted an aggregate total of 400,000 common share purchase warrants (the "Bonus Warrants") in HUNT. Each Bonus Warrant is exercisable to purchase one common share of HUNT a price of $0.35 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. The Loans and Bonus Warrants are subject to regulatory approval and applicable securities laws. The Bonus Warrants along with any common shares acquired upon their conversion, will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from their date of issuance.

National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure

Nicholas Rodway, P.Geo. (Licence #46541) (Permit to Practice #100359) is independent of the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Rodway has reviewed and approved the technical content in this release.

About Gold Hunter Resources

Gold Hunter Resources is a mineral exploration company committed to uncovering the value of mineral-rich regions in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario, Canada. The Company's current projects are in districts abundant in minerals, surrounded by projects that either have a history of production or contain a wealth of mineral resources. Utilizing systematic geological and geophysical techniques, Gold Hunter aims to unlock the full potential of its projects.

Future press releases and information regarding Gold Hunter Resources can be accessed in French, Deutsch, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese on the website by selecting the preferred language from the button at the top right corner.

For further information, or to be included in the President's list for upcoming finance opportunities, please connect with Sean Kingsley, the newly appointed President, CEO, and Director, directly at +1 604-440-8474 (cell/WhatsApp) or info@seankingsley.ca

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

GOLD HUNTER RESOURCES INC.

"Sean A. Kingsley"

President, CEO, and Director

Email: info@goldhunterresources.com

Phone: +1 604-440-8474

www.goldhunterresources.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange and its Regulation Services Provider, as defined in the policies of the CSE, do not take responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

The offered securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to "U.S. persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, absent such registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the offered securities in any jurisdiction.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" concerning the Company's activities, exploration, drilling, and mineralization projects. These statements reflect the current views and assumptions of the Company's management and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ substantially from any future results implied by these forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates, or opinions change. Potential risks include operational hazards, geological uncertainties, assay interpretation, securing necessary permits, and financial contingencies. For a comprehensive discussion of these risk factors, please refer to the Company's publicly available documents at www.sedar.com.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173366
Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
This new CELLSEARCH Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) test is now available as a Research Use Only (RUO) lab service in North America and Europe. It is currently intended for basic and pharmaceutical research and it is the latest example of how Menarini Silicon Biosystems continues its development of customized liquid biopsy-based assays enabling Biopharma companies to support the assessment of treatment response to new drug candidates targeting specific biomarkers in clinical trials.

BOLOGNA, Italy and HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Menarini Silicon Biosystems (MSB), a pioneer in liquid biopsy and single cell technologies, announced today the availability of its new CELLSEARCH CTC lab service to detect expression of the Delta-Like Ligand 3 (DLL3) protein in tumor cells circulating in the bloodstream. This biomarker is mainly expressed in difficult-to-treat cancers. The new MSB lab service opens the door to the development of further minimally invasive tests that leverage the prognostic and predictive value of biomarkers in medical settings with high unmet needs.

According to Ralf Schoenbrunner, Chief Global R&D Officer of Menarini Silicon Biosystems, "We have the capability to develop such tests very quickly. This is important because new biomarkers are helping clinical researchers to determine treatment response in oncology trials, as well as guide physicians in their selection of therapies to improve outcomes in cancer patients. Making new biomarker assays quickly available is key to enable this progress."

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide with over 2.2 million cases in 2020. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) represents about 15%[1] of these cancers and is more aggressive than the more prevalent Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and often diagnosed in the late stage of the disease. DLL3 is an inhibitory ligand of the Notch receptor whose overexpression on the surface of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) is associated with the formation of high-grade neuroendocrine tumor types such as SCLC. The DLL3 biomarker is of great interest because it is highly expressed in the tumor tissue of patients with SCLC and other NENs but minimally in normal tissue. For this reason, scientists worldwide are increasingly investigating DLL3 proteins as they could represent clinically actionable targets.

CTCs in the bloodstream represent a premetastatic population involved in tumor dissemination. The fact that DLL3 positivity may be associated with more aggressive disease, strongly supports the clinical relevance of enumeration and characterization of CTCs that express this protein.

In addition, the new CELLSEARCH CTC test that detects this biomarker has the great advantage of being minimally invasive, standardized and allows for the dynamic real-time quantification of CTCs. It is based on the CELLSEARCH CTC platform, first and only clinically validated, FDA-cleared system for identification, isolation, and enumeration of CTCs in patients with metastatic breast, castration-resistant prostate or colorectal cancer. This is the first time that the CELLSEARCH platform is being made available for biopharma companies, who are focusing on developing treatments for lung cancer and other NENs.

According to Fabio Piazzalunga, President and CEO of Menarini Silicon Biosystems (MSB), "Our unique CELLSEARCH technology allows us to utilize any type of tumor protein marker to characterize CTCs. This broadens the portfolio of Menarini Silicon Biosystems' commercially available assays and demonstrates this technology's ability to accommodate other targets in which pharma companies may be interested."

CTC phenotypic characterization has the potential to not only support biopharma companies in their clinical development programs but in the future will also allow for decision making on personalized therapeutic strategies in an increasingly larger range of tumor types. This will help to avoid delays in needed therapies, minimize patient exposure to unnecessary medical strategies and reduce the high costs of inappropriate care.

About Menarini Silicon Biosystems (MSB)

MSB offers unique rare cell technologies and solutions that provide clinical researchers with access to unparalleled resolution in the study of cells and their molecular characterization.

Menarini Silicon Biosystems , based in Bologna, Italy, and Huntingdon Valley, Pa., U.S., is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Menarini Group, a multinational pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostics company headquartered in Florence, Italy, with more than 17,000 employees in 140 countries.

[1] Owen DH, Giffin MJ, Bailis JM, Smit MD, Carbone DP, He K. DLL3: an emerging target in small cell lung cancer. J Hematol Oncol. 2019 Jun 18;12(1):61.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2053506/3984239/Menarini_Silicon_Biosystems_Logo.jpg

Media Contact:

Linda PAVY; lipavy@pavyconsulting.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/menarini-silicon-biosystems-announces-the-launch-of-its-new-cellsearch-ctc-test-with-the-dll3-biomarker-for-small-cell-lung-cancer-301876298.html
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oz Lithium Corporation (CSE: OZLI) (OTC: GRXXF) (Frankfurt: G0A) is pleased to announce initial results from the Laguna Santa Maria Project, located in the northwest territory of the Province of Salta, Argentina. The project is fully permitted and licensed for the production of sodium bicarbonate, commonly referred to as soda ash, and is comprised of 500 hectares. The project has excellent road access, being approximately 60 kilometers from the town of Tolar Grande.

A Vertical Electrical Sounding survey completed on the project has returned better than anticipated initial results. Across the project area a total of eight transects with 15 sounding points has been completed. Management anticipated that the Laguna Santa Maria Project could extend tens of meters in depth. Preliminary results of the V.E.S. survey indicated the depth potential exceeds 280 meters with no sign of basement rock. It would appear from this preliminary result, that the Laguna Santa Maria Project basin has a depth potential for a significant soda ash deposition. Further results from the exploration program are expected in the next week.

Eleven liquid samples and fifteen solid samples have been collected at site by the OZ Li exploration team. The samples have been collected under the supervision of William Feyerabend, CPG, a consulting geologist, and Qualified Person under NI 43-101. All samples are being tested by Alex Stewart Laboratories (ISO Certified) of Mendoza, Argentina, for chemical analysis and quality evaluation. The initial interpretation is that the sodium carbonate samples are less than 10% sodium chloride, indicating that a sodium carbonate product may be very simple to produce. Final test results are expected later this month.

Soda Ash Critical to Lithium Carbonate Production

Soda ash is the trade name for sodium carbonate, a chemical refined from the mineral trona or sodium carbonate bearing brines (both referred to as "natural soda ash") or manufactured from one of several chemical processes (referred to as "synthetic soda ash"). The US Geological Survey reports U.S. exports of soda ash to Argentina for 2022 at 165,000 tonnes valued at US$48 million (source: US Mineral Industry Survey December 2022).

Soda ash is a "critical reagent" in the production of lithium carbonate with the process requiring two tonnes of soda ash for every tonne of lithium carbonate produced. As reported in La Nacion (an online Argentina News Paper) on January 30, 2023, there is an insufficient local supply of soda ash and importing it has various issues and challenges for present and future lithium carbonate producers in Argentina. Management believes a first mover advance exists for the Company with the Laguna Santa Maria Project. Much of the current sodium carbonate production in Argentina is required by the glass industry. Lithium carbonate producers must import their requirements of sodium carbonate from the world market. The future potential demand for soda ash could become significant given the expanding lithium production in Argentina.

Project Acquisition

Based upon the results to date, the Company has decided to acquire the Laguna Santa Maria Project. Pursuant to the terms of the purchase option agreement, the Company made the initial payment of US$100,000 to the owner of the property, a further and final payment of US$150,000 has been made into trust with legal counsel, awaiting transfer of title of the property. The Company paid finder's fees of US$25,000, and transfer fees of US$16,003 in connection to the purchase option agreement which will result in the acquisition of 100% ownership of the Laguna Santa Maria.

Company Name Change

To better reflect the new direction of the Company, a name change to Critical Reagents Corporation is being undertaken. Shareholders will be further apprised of the name change and new trading symbol in the coming weeks.

The Technical and scientific information contained in this news release was reviewed by Mr. William Feyerabend, CPG, a Consulting Geologist and Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Feyerabend participated in the production of this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Adrian Hobkirk

President and CEO

T: 954-684-8040

E: info@ozlithiumcorp.com

W: www.ozlithiumcorp.com

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We seek safe harbor.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/critical-reagent-project-acquired-in-argentina-301876380.html
LOS ANGELES and BERLIN, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Uberall , a leading provider of location marketing solutions, today announces its highly anticipated Summer 2023 features designed to amplify search visibility, strengthen customer relationships, and propel growth. Rolling out new capabilities for paid and organic social media, AI-powered reputation management, and platform-wide enhancements, this release promises to be a game-changer for brick-and-mortar businesses everywhere. Now more than ever, Uberall enables multi-location businesses to engage more effectively with local customers in today's crowded search journey.



With over 20 new developments, Uberall's Summer 2023 release focuses on addressing the specific needs of multi-location businesses, emphasising hyper-local engagement and brand authority. Ana Martinez, CTO of Uberall, explains, "Our latest release will further empower multi-location businesses to thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape. By placing social and engagement at the heart of our innovations, we enable companies to effortlessly connect with local customers and foster meaningful interactions that drive real impact. We recognize the significance of organic and paid social efforts, so our new solution encompasses both. With the versatility to opt for a fully corporate-controlled, locally controlled, or hybrid approach, we give businesses the power to scale their social strategy effectively."

76% of consumers find targeted ads useful in discovering new products, making a hyper-local marketing approach necessary to remain competitive. Still, recent statistics indicate that only 26% of multi-location businesses approach social media from a brand and location perspective. Recognizing this untapped potential, Uberall introduces cutting-edge features that bridge organic and paid social, redefining the way local businesses approach social media advertising.

Some of the key highlights of Uberall's Summer 2023 release include:

Uberall Social Ads . This new module allows businesses to run highly targeted ad campaigns, so they can reach local customers at the perfect moment-when they're one step away from a store. By leveraging the power of local ads, businesses can achieve 2-3x more conversions compared to campaigns run on the national level.

This new module allows businesses to run highly targeted ad campaigns, so they can reach local customers at the perfect moment-when they're one step away from a store. By leveraging the power of local ads, businesses can achieve 2-3x more conversions compared to campaigns run on the national level. New Social Post Approval dynamic workflow: This tool enables businesses to establish an intuitive approval process for posts on Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms. This way, local operators are empowered to create content and engage with customers on a local level, while businesses uphold best practices in social publishing-maintaining consistency across locations and ensuring brand integrity.

This tool enables businesses to establish an intuitive approval process for posts on Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms. This way, local operators are empowered to create content and engage with customers on a local level, while businesses uphold best practices in social publishing-maintaining consistency across locations and ensuring brand integrity. Generative AI Review Management : A groundbreaking feature that augments productivity is now right at the fingertips of business operators. This highly sought-after tool, in high demand among hospitality clients, harnesses the power of AI to quickly suggest review responses and in turn streamline review management processes.

Uberall's Summer 2023 release marks a new era of social media empowerment for multi-location businesses. By combining advanced AI capabilities, targeted advertising solutions, and streamlined social media management, Uberall enables businesses to stand out, drive local engagement, and achieve meaningful results in their marketing efforts.

"Uberall is an exceptional platform that effortlessly streamlines social ads, organic posts, and reputation management. It grants our franchise owners the freedom to independently upload content and handle their own listings, providing them with the utmost flexibility. Uberall has provided us with valuable guidance on enhancing our local SEO rankings, and the Uberall app simplifies the process of responding to reviews seamlessly." - Samantha Dembo, Digital Marketing Manager at Toppers Pizza.

Businesses can request a demo of the new social product via Uberall's website .

About Uberall

Uberall , helps the world's most innovative multi-location businesses stay relevant, competitive, and profitable, by using digital technology to win clicks online and feet offline.

The Uberall CoreX location marketing platform powers the entire customer journey from online discovery, to store visit, to recommendation and repeat purchase. Uberall makes sure businesses are not only found, but attract and delight customers on every corner, across the globe - driving revenue and customer lifetime value, at scale.

Uberall, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, has more than 400 employees and services over 1,850 multi-location businesses across 170 countries.

For further information visit www.uberall.com | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter

Contact: press@uberall.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/empowering-multi-location-businesses-uberall-launches-breakthrough-solutions-for-enhanced-customer-engagement-301876429.html
Healthwords is one of the world's first generative AI programmes providing personalised healthcare advice

Advances in self-care could release millions of unnecessary NHS appointments

LONDON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading UK-healthcare business Clinova has launched Healthwords, one of the world's first conversational AI tools solely focused on providing healthcare advice and self-care products in the UK.

The market-leading tool will transform the self-care industry by using a template similar to ChatGPT but with the search specific to the health sector. It is powered by state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms that have been trained on verified medical content from a team of over 50 doctors and pharmacists.

Healthwords is an end-to-end solution for self-care, providing users with 24/7 access to personalised healthcare advice. When users input their symptom into the conversational search function, the generative AI technology provides medically verified advice and recommends self-care products if directed to do so. Users can also read more about their condition in verified medical articles or chat online with a human pharmacist in real time should they want a second opinion. They can then choose to purchase self-care products and arrange for them to be delivered to their homes all through the single platform.

While it is not designed as a replacement for visiting a medical professional, Healthwords educates users in self-care, removing the accessibility barriers associated with seeking in-person advice for minor ailments.

NHS England has reported that there are 18 million GP appointments and 2.1 million visits to A&E year annually for conditions that could be dealt with at home, costing 850 million. Empowering patients with verified information that would allow them to manage self-treatable conditions instead of going to a GP, could release millions of unnecessary NHS appointments. Through Healthwords, Clinova aims to effect this change and improve efficiency in the British healthcare system, relieving pressure on heavily burdened GPs and freeing up appointments for those who need them most.

Sir Simon Burns, Government Liaison Officer for Clinova and Former UK Health Minister, said: "AI-powered conversational search tools have the power to transform people's lives, and this is especially true in healthcare. Our self-care advice product has the advantage of being free, easy-to-use and anonymous. We think it will be particularly attractive to individuals, who do not have the time to visit a medical professional for less serious conditions."

The advice offered on the platform has been approved by the Healthwords Healthcare Council, a team of highly regarded medical professionals.

Dr Tom Maggs, Chief Medical Officer for Healthwords, said: "There is a strong movement for consumer empowerment, especially in healthcare. Most consumers are tech savvy and are willing and able to search for answers that are relevant and tailored to their individual circumstances. Many of them prefer this type of interaction - anonymous, on their terms, at their convenience."

The service is accessed through the Healthwords app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices, or via www.healthwords.ai

Contact: Elly Crawford, elly.crawford@integra-group.co.uk

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/clinova-launches-new-ai-health-platform-that-will-revolutionise-self-care-and-free-up-gp-appointments-301876626.html
'Pierced by Claire's' brings a fresh new look to ears everywhere that reimagines the legacy of the brand's piercing service for a new age, continuing to inspire self-expression in Gen Zalpha

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With over 40 years and tens of millions of ears pierced, global fashion brand Claire's continues to be a trusted and favorite destination for the first or first of many piercings for generations. Now, the brand has created a distinct point of view and cultural voice for the piercing business, unveiling Pierced by Claire's. The new visual identity reimagines Claire's legacy piercing business, introducing an updated experience with a bold and inspiring attitude for this generation and the next. It will all be supported by a full-funnel marketing plan, including TV ads and a valuable 'Free earrings for a year' offering that will have the world signing up to be pierced by Claire's.

"For more than 40 years, we have created a deep connection with our consumers through our industry-leading piercing business, delivering an experience they can trust, styles that excite them and a memorable visit to Claire's," said Ryan Vero, Chief Executive Officer. "Piercing creates a deep connection with our consumers and draws new people and returning customers to our brand and stores every year, and we are proud to build on that legacy to meet the next generation."

Pierced by Claire's is led by a visually disruptive new identity, including a modern new logo, vibrant branding and playfully conversational voice to elevate the customer experience in stores and across digital channels worldwide. The brand is also introducing 'Pierce,' a digital character who personifies the joy of getting pierced with Claire's trend-forward earring style and assortment. Present across the brand's marketing, he will assist consumers throughout their piercing and online shopping journeys alongside several supporting 'phygital' characters that live both digitally and physically.

"As we continue to transform into a global fashion brand powerhouse, we have elevated what makes Claire's special and created immersive new experiences that envelop and inspire young people," said Kristin Patrick, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer. "Pierced by Claire's builds on our purpose of self-expression with a reimagined piercing experience and a unique point of view that continues to embed us in culture and positions the brand for its future."

Alongside the campaign launch, Claire's will offer consumers 'Free earrings for a year', an exciting opportunity to earn a free pair of earrings every month for a year when they get pierced in-store! This is the first of many exciting activations and initiatives that will make consumers' first or next piercing hard to resist.

Pierced by Claire's will extend this new attitude with a showcase of ear-styles through 'EarPrint', inviting Gen Zalpha to express themselves and showcase their own personal design through their EarPrint, a style identifier as unique as each person's fingerprint. Inspiring consumers to create distinct and personalized ear designs through multiple piercing selections that express their style, EarPrint reinforces Claire's brand purpose of empowering young people to embrace and celebrate their individuality. To showcase this powerful equity, Claire's Creative Director in Residence Nicola Formichetti tapped into the power of AI to create digital images that give consumers a glimpse into the many ways they can curate their EarPrint with Claire's piercing services and jewelry.

Claire's new brand identity will shine through in every detail of its piercing experience, from new Piercing Specialist attire, to pop-up piercing events at the brand's global stores and new merch. The experience is already evident at the brand's new flagship location in Paris as well as within stores throughout the EU. Claire's will also drive awareness with its second-ever TV spot rolling out across Connected TV as a part of a fully integrated omni-channel campaign.

The introduction of Pierced by Claire's comes just in time to get ready for the back-to-school season, creating the perfect opportunity for Gen Zalpha to express their personal style or add to their EarPrint with a new piercing or one of Claire's proprietary earring styles. To schedule a piercing appointment, find a store near you or learn more about earning Free earrings for a year, visit claires.com/piercing and share on social media using PiercedbyClaires and EarPrint.

About Claire's Holdings LLC

Claire's Holdings LLC is a fully integrated, global fashion brand powerhouse committed to inspiring self-expression through the creation and delivery of exclusive, well-curated products and experiences. For over 50 years, Claire's has been a destination for the curious, creative and influential and an industry leader in ear piercing services, delivering a trendsetting assortment of fashion products and accessories that help young people worldwide style and define themselves. Through its global brands, Claire's and Icing, the company delivers an immersive, omnichannel shopping experience with owned and concession stores throughout North America and Europe as well as franchise stores in the Middle East and South Africa. More information regarding Claire's is available at corporate.claires.com .

MEDIA CONTACTS



Katie Settle, Claire's

katie.settle@claires.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2153070/StitchedImage.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1631509/4161514/Claires_Stores_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/claires-introduces-a-new-image-and-attitude-for-its-industry-leading-piercing-business-301876290.html
Kingston, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Delta Resources Limited (TSXV: DLTA) (OTC Pink: DTARF) (FSE: 6G01) ("Delta" or "The Company") is pleased to announce that it continues to further expand the Delta-1 property in Thunder Bay, Ontario by doubling its land position.

Following the previously announced acquisitions on September 7, 2022, October 31, 2022, December 13, 2022, February 16, 2023, and May 4, 2023, Delta has now acquired the exclusive rights to an additional four (4) mineral exploration properties covering a total of approximately 4,716 hectares contiguous to its Delta-1 property package. Accordingly, Delta has now secured a land position on strike with the Eureka gold deposit for a strike length exceeding 4.5 kilometres.

The first exploration property consists of patented ground including both surface and mining rights, covering approximately 59 hectares, located contiguous to the Delta-1 property and on strike to Eureka. During its due diligence, Delta grab samples returned up to 10.0 grams per tonne of gold ("g/t Au"). Delta has entered into a five-year lease agreement with the surface and mining rights landowner. During the five-year lease period, Delta will have the exclusive right to explore the property and to purchase a 100% interest in both the surface and mining rights to the property. Should Delta elect to purchase the property, it will pay market value times ten (10). Delta has made a one-time cash payment of $90,000 to the landowners to cover the five-year lease. Should Delta elect to purchase the property during the five-year lease period, the landowners will retain a 2% net smelter returns ("NSR") royalty of which Delta can elect to buy back 1% at any time for the sum of $1,000,000 and the remaining 1% for $4,000,000. There are no work commitments nor were any shares of the Company issued.

The second exploration property includes 23 claims and covers approximately 2,348.5 hectares, located immediately south of Delta-1. Delta acquired a 100% interest by making a one-time cash payment of $50,000 and the vendor retains a 2% NSR with a 0.5% buyback for $1,000,000 and an additional 0.5% buyback for $1,000,000, and the remaining 1% for $4,000,000. There are no work commitments nor were any shares of the Company issued.

The third exploration property includes 97 claims and covers 2,056.4 hectares located south of Delta-1. Delta has paid $50,000 on signing with an additional $50,000 to be paid upon the 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th Anniversary for a total of $250,000. The vendor retains a 2% NSR of which Delta can elect to buy back 1% at any time for $1,000,000 and the remaining 1% for $4,000,000. There are no work commitments nor were any shares of the Company issued.

The fourth exploration property consists of 12 claims covering approximately 252 hectares contiguous and south of the Delta-1 Property. The Corporation acquired a 100% interest in the property by making a one-time $45,000 cash payment on signing. The vendors retain a 2.0% NSR royalty of which Delta can elect to buy back 1.0% at any time for $1,000,000 and retain a first right of refusal on the remaining NSR (up to $4,000,000). There are no work commitments nor were any shares of the Company issued.

Delta now controls an area of approximately 107 square kilometres straddling the Shebandowan Structural Zone in the Shebandowan Greenstone Belt (see figure 1).

The Delta-1 property is located in the Shebandowan Greenstone Belt and now covers an approximate 20 kilometre strike extent of the Shebandowan Structural Zone which also hosts the 6 million-ounce Moss Lake gold deposit which is approximately 50 km to the west.





Figure 1: Delta land position at Delta-1, including the new properties acquired and announced herein.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8482/173394_delta1.jpg

About Delta Resources Limited

Delta Resources Limited is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on growing shareholder value through the exploration of two very high-potential gold and base-metal projects in Canada.

DELTA-1 covers approximately 107 square kilometres located 50 kilometres west of Thunder Bay, Ontario where a gold mineralized zone 950 metres long was outlined through drilling in a multi-kilometre-scale intense alteration halo. Best grades to date include a drill intercept of 14.8 g/t Au over 11.9 metres, within a broader interval of 5.92 g/t Au over 31 m. The zone is open in all directions.

DELTA-2 VMS and DELTA-2 GOLD covers 194 square kilometres in the prolific Chibougamau District of Quebec. The property holds excellent potential for gold-rich polymetallic VMS deposits as well as hydrothermal-gold deposits. Delta targets VMS deposits such as the LeMoine past producer where 0.76 Mt were mined between 1975 and 1983, grading 9.6% Zn, 4.2% Cu, 4.5 g/t Au and 84 g/t Ag.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DELTA RESOURCES LIMITED.

Andre Tessier

President and CEO

www.deltaresources.ca

We seek safe harbor. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The TSX Venture Exchange has not approved nor disapproved of the information contained herein.

For Further Information:

Delta Resources Limited

Andre C. Tessier, CEO and President

Tel: 613-328-1581

atessier@deltaresources.ca

or

Frank Candido, Chairman

Vice-President Corporate Communications

Tel: 514-969-5530

fcandido@deltaresources.ca

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Some statements contained in this news release are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words and phrases (including negative or grammatical variations) or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking information and statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, information or statements with respect to: the repurchase of NSR royalties relating to the exploration properties, the results of exploration on the properties, and the ability and timing of Delta to purchase the exploration property subject to a lease. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and involves risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual facts to differ materially, including but not limited to: risks related to operations; risks related to current global financial conditions; actual results of current exploration activities; environmental risks; future prices of gold; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; and accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by management. The forward-looking information contained in this press release constitutes management's current estimates, as of the date of this press release, with respect to the matters covered thereby. We expect that these estimates will change as new information is received. While we may elect to update these estimates at any time, we do not undertake to update any estimate at any time or in response to any event.

Technical Information

The technical contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Andre C. Tessier, a Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Tessier is the CEO and President of the Company.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173394
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Hypercharge Networks Corp. (NEO: HC) (OTCQB: HCNWF) (FSE: PB7) (the "Company" or "Hypercharge"), a leading, smart electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions provider, is pleased to announce it has been selected by PCI Developments to supply 30 additional EV charging stations to commercial visitor parking spaces at the King George Hub development, scheduled for occupancy in 2025. In addition to the 748 Level 2 charging stations previously announced, an additional 29 Level 2 charging stations and 1 dual-port Level 3 charger will be installed at the site for use by visitors to commercial tenants.

PCI Developments, founded in 1982, is a Metro Vancouver real estate developer and investor specializing in urban mixed-use, commercial built-to-suit, and value-added repositioning of existing buildings. King George Hub is a landmark mixed-use development that will provide over 530,000 sq. ft. of LEED Gold, transit-oriented office and retail space in multiple phases, as well as nearly 2,400 homes situated at the junction of up to three rapid transit lines.

"The magnitude of the King George Hub project continues to grow, and we are very excited to expand our offering to include these new chargers, including Level 3 DC Fast Charging technology," said Chris Koch, Head of Growth & Partnerships at Hypercharge. "PCI Developments & Mott Electric have been fantastic partners to work with and we look forward to bringing this critical amenity to visitors of King George Hub's commercial tenants."

Hypercharge will complete the project in collaboration with Mott Electric, which will manage the installation of all chargers and infrastructure requirements. Founded in 1930, Mott Electric, a Hypercharge Preferred Partner, is one of the oldest and largest electrical contracting companies in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.

-##-

About Hypercharge

Hypercharge Networks Corp. (NEO: HC) (OTCQB: HCNWF) (FSE: PB7) is a leading provider of smart electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions that offers turnkey technology to multi-unit residential and commercial buildings, fleet operations, and other rapidly growing sectors. Driven by its mission to accelerate EV adoption and enable the shift towards a carbon neutral economy, Hypercharge is committed to providing seamless, simple charging solutions by offering industry-leading equipment and a robust network of public and private charging stations. Learn more: https://hypercharge.com/

On behalf of the company,

Hypercharge Networks Corp.

David Bibby, President & CEO

Investor Relations:

Kelsey Letham | Head of Investor Relations

invest@hypercharge.com

604-881-1730

Media Contact:

Kyle Green | Senior Marketing Manager

kyle.green@hypercharge.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends", "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the number of charging stations to be installed by Hypercharge at the King George Hub, and the anticipated timing thereof. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by management of the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statement. Except as expressly required by securities law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither NEO Exchange Inc. nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of NEO Exchange Inc.) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173315
Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen.

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Nikola Corp. (NKLA), a zero-emissions transportation solutions provider, through its HYLA brand, and BayoTech, Inc. announced a deal to boost hydrogen supply for zero-emission commercial fuel cell electric vehicles or EV fleets. The supply agreement includes Nikola Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, BayoTech HyFill bulk hydrogen transport trailers, and hydrogen produced at BayoTech's distributed network of hubs. As the anchor hydrogen offtake customer, Nikola expects to take delivery of low-carbon hydrogen produced by BayoTech commencing in Missouri this year and California in 2024. Nikola plans to acquire up to 10 BayoTech HyFill transport trailers, facilitating the distribution of high-pressure gaseous hydrogen from the production sites to refueling stations that serve fuel cell electric vehicle fleets. BayoTech will purchase up to 50 Nikola Class 8 fuel cell electric vehicles over the next five years, with the first twelve trucks being delivered in 2023 and 2024. The Nikola trucks will be paired with BayoTech's HyFill bulk hydrogen transport trailers to deliver low-carbon hydrogen to offtake customers from BayoTech's hydrogen production hubs. Mo Vargas, CEO of BayoTech, said: '.Partnering with forward-looking companies like Nikola allows us to accelerate the deployment of our hydrogen hub network and stimulate the growth of the hydrogen ecosystem.' Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen.

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday unexpectedly showed a modest decrease in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended July 8th. The Labor Department said initial jobless claims slipped to 237,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's revised level of 249,000. The dip surprised economists, who had expected jobless claims to inch up to 250,000 from the 248,000 originally reported for the previous week. The report said the less volatile four-week moving average also edged down to 246,750, a decrease of 6,750 from the previous week's revised average of 253,500. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 - Zimtu Capital Corp. (TSXV:ZC)(FSE:ZCT1) (the "Company" or "Zimtu") is pleased to announce that, further to its press release dated June 16, 2023 (the "June 16th News Release"), it has closed its previously announced acquisition of three separate mining claims generally known as the Eagle Lake claims (the "Eagle Lake Claims"), the Grove Lake claims (the "Grove Lake Claims") and the Whitefish Lake claims (the "Whitefish Lake Claims" and, together with the Eagle Lake Claims and Grove Lake Claims, the "Claims"), located approximately 350 km northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario (the "Acquisition").

Northwest Ontario Lithium Prospects

The Claims are comprised of a large-scale land package consisting of 89,120ha (891.2 sq km) across 17 claim groups prospective for spodumene-bearing lithium pegmatites in an underexplored area of Northwestern Ontario with multiple existing lithium deposits within a 100km radius. Recent digitization of historical maps from the Ontario geological survey shows dozens of pegmatites outcrops across the properties hosted within several rock units. Each property contains 99th percentile and above lithium in lake sediments values from the entire Ontario government database (>50,000 lake sediment samples analyzed for Lithium in the Ontario provincial database). Geophysical (airborne magnetic) anomalies crosscut the properties which are evidence of structural pathways that may have provided room for lithium bearing pegmatites to form.

Figure 1: NW Ontario Claim Group locations, Bedrock Geology

Figure 2: NW Ontario Claim Group Locations, Bedrock Geology with Lithium in Lake Sediment analyses and land tenure

Figure 3: NW Ontario Claim Group Locations, Bedrock Geology with Historic Pegmatite Notations

Whitefish Lake Claims

The Whitefish Lake Claims are comprised of 1,484 claims (instead of the 1,584 claims noted in the June 16th News Release) covering 30,791 hectares.

This claim group lies directly northeast of Dryden, Ontario, a city with population 7,500 located on the trans-Canada highway. CP rail lines pass through the claim groups. All claim blocks are road accessible.

The Whitefish Lake Claims were staked over several anomalous populations in lake sediment samples in Li, Cs, and Rb. (Each claim block contains >99th percentile samples for Li). E-W and ENE magnetic trending lineaments crosscut the properties.

Property is underlain by gneissic and foliated tonalite, massive granodiorite to granite, with minor mafic metavolcanic rocks. Recent digitization of historic Ontario geological survey maps shows dozens of mapped pegmatite occurrences in and around the properties. Historic mapping has been at low resolution (or wide spacing) as these units have been classically overlooked as prospective units for mineralization.

30 of 75 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Li (>28.1ppm, max 43.7)

22 of 75 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Cs (>2.4ppm, max 84.05)

28 of 75 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Cs (>37.1ppm, max 63.07)

Figure 4: Whitefish Lake Group Claim Blocks, Bedrock Geology, Lithium in Lake sediment analyses, mapped pegmatites, land tenure

Grove Lake Claims

The Grove Lake Claims are comprised of 1,620 claims (instead of the 1,520 claims noted in the June 16th News Release) covering 25,027 hectares.

This claim group lies directly North of Sioux Lookout, Ontario, a town with population 5,500. CP rail lines pass through the town. All claim blocks are road accessible.

The Grove Lake Claims were staked over several anomalous populations in lake sediment samples in Li and Rb. (Each claim block contains >99th percentile samples for Li). Dominantly E-W magnetic trending lineaments crosscut the properties.

Property is underlain by gneissic and foliated tonalite, massive granodiorite to granite, crosscut by metasedimentary and greenstone (mafic metavolcanic) units. Recent digitization of historic Ontario geological survey maps shows dozens of mapped pegmatite occurrences in and around the properties within all geologic units.

14 of 102 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Li (>28.1ppm, max 40.12)

3 of 102 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Cs (>2.4ppm, max 2.48)

21 of 102 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Cs (>37.1ppm, max 45.66)

Figure 5: Grove Lake Group Claim Blocks, Bedrock Geology, Lithium in Lake sediment analyses, mapped pegmatites, land tenure

Eagle Lake Claims

The Eagle Lake Claims are comprised of 1439 claims covering 30,302 hectares.

This claim group lies directly southeast of Dryden, Ontario, a city with population 7,500 located on the trans-Canada highway. CP rail lines pass through Dryden. All claim blocks are road accessible.

The Eagle Lake Claims were staked over several anomalous populations in lake sediment samples in Li and Cs. (Each claim block contains >99th percentile samples for Li). NW-SE and ENE magnetic trending lineaments crosscut the properties.

Properties are underlain by mafic, intermediate, and felsic volcanic rocks, gneissic and foliated tonalite, massive granodiorite to granite, with minor ultramafic rocks. On one of these properties, over 50 pegmatite occurrences have been mapped. No historical mapping data is available for most of these properties.

21 of 165 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Li (>28.1ppm, max 35.92)

66 of 165 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Cs (>2.4ppm, max 6.48)

4 of 165 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Cs (>37.1ppm, max 43.6)

Figure 6: Eagle Lake Group Claim Blocks, Bedrock Geology, Lithium in Lake sediment analyses, mapped pegmatites, land tenure

Terms of the Acquisition

Pursuant to the sale agreement dated June 15, 2023, among the Company and six arm's length vendors, including prospector Shawn Ryan (the "Vendors"), the Company acquired a 100% interest in the Claims for the following consideration:

an aggregate cash payment of $315,000 that will be paid to the Sellers within five days of closing of the Acquisition (" Closing ");

"); an aggregate of 9,000,000 common shares in the capital of Zimtu (" Zimtu Shares ") that will be issued to the Sellers within five days of Closing; and

") that will be issued to the Sellers within five days of Closing; and an aggregate cash payment of $315,000 that will be paid to the Sellers within four months of Closing.

As additional consideration for the Acquisition, the Company also granted to one of the Sellers a 1% net smelter returns royalty interest in the future minerals produced from the Claims upon achieving commercial production.

About Zimtu Capital Corp.

Zimtu Capital Corp. is a public investment issuer that aspires to achieve long-term capital appreciation for its shareholders. Zimtu Capital companies may operate in the fields of mineral exploration, mining, technology, life sciences or investment. The Company trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "ZC" and Frankfurt under symbol "ZCT1". For more information, please visit https://www.zimtu.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

ZIMTU CAPITAL CORP.

"Sean Charland"

Sean Charland

President & Director

Phone: 604.681.1568

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which include any information that addresses activities, events, or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to the timing of the payment of the cash and share consideration.

These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed, implied by, or projected in the forward-looking information or statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company or the businesses of the companies that the Company has invested in, including, without limitation, the natural resource exploration industry; changes in commodity prices as the Company has investments in natural resource exploration issuers; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; geopolitical risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and economic, competitive, governmental, environmental and technological factors which may affect the Company's operations, investments, markets, products and share price.

Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date of this document or to revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events.

SOURCE: Zimtu Capital Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767568/Zimtu-Capital-Corp-Announces-Closing-of-its-Acquisition-of-the-Eagle-Lake-Grove-Lake-and-Whitefish-Lake-Mining-Claims-in-the-Province-of-Ontario
DeepJudge adds experienced legal AI sales leader Kennan Samman as Chief Revenue Officer, to kick-start its global market expansion.

ZURICH, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DeepJudge, founded by ex-Googlers and supported by former executives from successful legal tech companies, is announcing first-of-its-kind Knowledge Search , a solution that enables legal professionals to search their entire document management systems using natural language.

"Across the globe, law firms and legal departments have accumulated hundreds of millions of documents containing decades of invaluable expertise, but they wrestle with error-prone keyword searches to surface relevant information," shared Paulina Grnarova, co-founder and CEO of DeepJudge, who was named a Digital Shaper in Switzerland and appeared on the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list. "That's where we come in. We connect legal professionals to their internal documents, eliminating the hassle of finding and creating time for higher-value tasks such as strategy development, client engagement and more, ultimately increasing their productivity and revenue generation."

The founding team of DeepJudge comprises Paulina Grnarova, Yannic Kilcher and Kevin Roth, all ex-Googlers and PhDs in Artificial Intelligence from ETH Zurich. They're supported by seasoned advisors Jan Puzicha, who founded and scaled Recommind (now OpenText) as CTO, and Steve Obenski, whose strategic leadership propelled Kira Systems' growth from its early stages through successful exit. Kennan Samman, who previously led global product sales at Litera has been appointed Chief Revenue Officer to spearhead DeepJudge's expansion initiatives globally. Kennan Samman is a vision-driven growth strategist whose exceptional sales, leadership and client relationship management skills have been demonstrated throughout his career at prominent legal technology companies like Litera, Kira Systems and Thomson Reuters. This combination of experienced legal tech advisors and breakthrough technology researchers puts DeepJudge in a unique position to deliver high-impact solutions to the global market.

DeepJudge's Knowledge Search is powered by the company's cutting-edge and proprietary Colinear Technology, which blends the capabilities of semantic and keyword search to deliver an effortless knowledge retrieval experience. Colinear Technology uses advanced Artificial Intelligence models to understand the content within each document regardless of document type, and enables legal professionals to search in their own words, without struggling to find the perfect keywords. Additionally, each document is automatically classified into an extensive taxonomy for easy filtering and AI-predicted tags enrich existing metadata. With DeepJudge's Knowledge Search, legal professionals can efficiently reuse prior work product to provide better client service.

Unlike some AI technology, DeepJudge's Knowledge Search ensures that no information is shared with external third parties, respecting existing security protocols whether deployed on-premise or in a secure cloud environment. The tool automatically integrates to the DMS via a secure single sign-on, including iManage Work and Microsoft SharePoint, maintaining all native ethical walls and access permissions. Knowledge Search is 100% ready to use out-of-the-box with no additional training, and its performance can be optionally fine-tuned on client and enterprise data.

"We've built a truly robust solution using the latest research on Large Language Models (LLMs). With the ability to scale to hundreds of millions of documents while ensuring absolute privacy for sensitive data, we created an intuitive search experience that integrates effortlessly into existing systems," shared Yannic Kilcher, DeepJudge co-founder and CTO, who also runs the biggest YouTube channel on Machine Learning Research and played a leading role in the development of OpenAssistant, an open source alternative to ChatGPT.

With Knowledge Search, DeepJudge forms a strong foundation for deploying trusted generative AI models. The ability to surface the most relevant documents from a firm's document collection allows generative AI models to ground all generated data in factual enterprise information, significantly reducing the risk of hallucinations. Furthermore, by understanding the intent and contextual meaning of search queries, Knowledge Search can counteract a generative model's reliance on purely statistical parameters, improving the quality of generated output and enabling instant verification and citing of source data.

DeepJudge has developed a strong presence in Switzerland since its founding in 2021 and has garnered the support of all major awards and grants in the country. The company counts top law firms among its customers and is backed by prominent investors such as Dr. Felix Ehrat, ex-General Counsel of Novartis, Daniel Sauter, ex-Chairman at Julius Bar, Dr. Christian Wenger, partner at Wenger & Vieli, Dr. Thomas Hofmann, former Director of Google and Professor in AI at ETH Zurich, and Dr. Thomas Duebendorfer, serial entrepreneur and president of SICTIC.

Learn more at deepjudge.ai .

About DeepJudge

DeepJudge, an AI-first company, enables legal professionals to find and navigate their firm's collective knowledge using natural language.

DeepJudge was founded by Paulina Grnarova, Kevin Roth and Yannic Kilcher, all ex-Googlers with PhDs in Artificial Intelligence from ETH Zurich. The team brings advanced Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning capabilities to the legal domain, enabling attorneys to spend their efforts on high-impact strategic work. DeepJudge is committed to offering solutions that are semantic, scalable and secure.

You can learn more at www.deepjudge.ai.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2153481/DeepJudge_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ex-googlers-with-phds-in-ai-redefine-knowledge-search-for-the-legal-industry-301876479.html
Arcserve's Cloud Services shortlisted for prestigious award

Awards ceremony to be held in London on September 21, 2023

Arcserve, the world's most experienced provider of backup, recovery, and immutable storage solutions for unified data resilience against ransomware and disasters, has been shortlisted for the Computing Cloud Excellence Awards 2023. Arcserve Cloud Services is a finalist for the Cloud Data Recovery and Continuity Product of the Year.

The Cloud Excellence Awards recognize the best of the UK's cloud industry, from the most innovative and compelling products and vendors to the top use cases from end-user firms. This year's winners will be announced at a live awards ceremony on Thursday, September 21, in Central London.

Arcserve Cloud Services is a cloud-based disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS) solution. When paired with Arcserve's backup and recovery solutions, Cloud Services ensures complete and reliable business continuity. It is architected from the ground up to streamline data backup and recovery management and get critical systems back online quickly and easily.

Said Patrick Tournoy, executive vice president of operations at Arcserve, "We are honored to be shortlisted for the Cloud DR and Continuity Product of the Year award at the Computing Cloud Excellence Awards 2023. It is very encouraging to receive recognition of our relentless commitment to helping organizations protect their critical data and maintain business continuity as they steer through an increasingly cloud-based business environment. Arcserve empowers businesses with the tools and technologies to recover swiftly from any disruption and stay resilient in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats."

About Arcserve

Arcserve, a top 5 data protection vendor and unified data resilience platform provider, offers the broadest set of best-in-class solutions to manage, protect, and recover all data workloads, from SMB to enterprise, regardless of location or complexity. Arcserve solutions eliminate complexity while bringing best-in-class, cost-effective, agile, and massively scalable data protection, and certainty across all data environments. This includes on-prem, off-prem (including DRaaS, BaaS, and Cloud-to-Cloud), hyper-converged, and edge infrastructures. The company's nearly three decades of award-winning IP, plus a continuous focus on innovation, means that partners and customers, including MSPs, VARs, LARs, and end-users, are assured of the fastest route to next-generation data workloads and infrastructures. A 100% channel-centric organization, Arcserve has a presence in over 150 countries, with 19,000 channel partners helping to protect 235,000 customers' critical data assets. Explore more at arcserve.com and follow @Arcserve on Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713403812/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Jock Breitwieser

Arcserve

+1 408.800.5625

jock.breitwieser@arcserve.com
SALT LAKE CITY, UT / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / KeyBank is focusing on its commitment to advancing economic equity and inclusion by hosting a home ownership workshop at Calvary Baptist Church this month. The workshop is part of an ongoing partnership between KeyBank and local member churches of the National Baptist Church Convention, the nation's oldest and largest African American religious convention. The partnership will work to address the Black homeownership gap in Utah by providing recurring opportunities to learn about pathways to homeownership and to connect attendees with local subject matter experts at KeyBank.

July's workshop will cover the homebuying process, credit and credit scores, and the potential benefits of refinancing a mortgage. Details on the event are below, and all local residents are invited to attend:

Home Ownership Class: Saturday, July 22, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon

Calvary Baptist Church | Pastor Oscar Moses

1090 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

"At KeyBank we know that homeownership is instrumental to building wealth and are committed to providing access to and knowledge about pathways to homeownership," said Brianna Adams, Corporate Responsibility Officer for KeyBank for Utah. "We are grateful to partner with Pastor Oscar Moses and other local faith leaders in Utah to provide additional resources to the community."

"We are excited and appreciative of the newly established partnership between Calvary Baptist Church and KeyBank," said Pastor Oscar Moses, Calvary Baptist Church. "This is a great opportunity to advance economic education, equity, inclusions, and to create generational wealth within the African American community."

About KeyBank

KeyCorp's roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $198 billion at March?31, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

# # #

Mortgage and Home Equity Lending products offered by KeyBank are not FDIC insured or guaranteed. KeyBank extends credit secured by residential real estate without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or familial status. All credit products are subject to collateral and/or credit approval, terms, conditions, availability and are subject to change. NMLS #399797.

CFMA #230707-2156729





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: KeyBank

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: KeyBank

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767625/KeyBank-To-Host-Homeownership-Workshop-in-Partnership-With-Calvary-Baptist-Church
Dieppe, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Colibri Resource Corporation (TSXV: CBI) (OTC Pink: CRUCF) ("Colibri" or the "Company") is pleased to report that it has submitted an application to the Mexican environmental authority (SEMARNAT) requesting permission to drill up to 2,000 metres ("m") at the EP Gold Project ("EP") on targets in the Main Zone and West El Sahuaro areas using its own RC drilling rig.

Ian McGavney, COO of Colibri commented, "Our drill plan at the Main Zone is designed to further validate our current interpretation & geological model and if successful it has the potential to double, or more, the footprint of the Main Zone. Northwest trending structures are very important at established gold mines in the Caborca Gold Belt and if they are confirmed with our Main Zone drilling it may provide the structural setting required to realize increased average grades. We are also very pleased to be drilling the West El Sahuaro target. The target consists of a large gold in soil anomaly spatially associated a northwest trending structure that was derived from mapping as well as IP resistivity interpretation. In addition, our work with the Plomo exploration data suggests that we can trace this northwest trending structure well onto the Plomo property and success with our West Sahuaro drill program could significantly expand the exploration potential at the EP project."

About the EP Gold Project

Illustration 1: Location of the Plomo & Evelyn properties within Caborca Gold Belt

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/173397_1b2b971da46018ae_001full.jpg

The EP Gold Project is located within the Caborca Gold Belt ("CGB") of northwestern Sonora and is comprised of the Evelyn and the Plomo properties covering a total of 4,766 hectares ("Ha"). The northwest trending CGB is approximately 500 km in length and is characterized by a number of orogenic-type gold deposits, prospects, and occurrences including the > 15 million ounce La Herradura Mine, located 25 km west of EP, the > 2-million-ounce Noche Buena Mine located approximately 8 km southwest of EP, and the past producing Soledad-Dipolos Mine (> 3 Moz Au) located approximately 32 km to the northwest of EP (see attached Illustration 1).

The Evelyn property was acquired by the Company in 2012 and the acquisition of the Plomo property was completed in March of 2023. On the Evelyn property, Colibri has completed comprehensive surface exploration including soil sampling, geological mapping and outcrop sampling, an airborne magnetic survey, and a property wide induced polarization survey. Since February 2020, Colibri has drilled a total of 10,133 metres (total of reverse circulation and core drilling) and is advancing mineralized zones at the Main Zone and El Sahuaro. On the Plomo property, the Company has compiled historical exploration data and has completed its first exploration program which included geological mapping and outcrop sampling at selected target areas on the property. The Company is continuing to advance its EP project-wide interpretation and exploration model and has identified 13 target areas with historical work that includes high grade grab samples from outcrop, high grade grab and channel samples from historical mine working, and drill intercepts that are both locally high grade and are consistent with grades being mined in the Caborca Gold Belt. In addition to the plans reported here, the Company is prioritizing additional target areas on the EP property for drilling and is also planning further field work to evaluate and advance earlier stage targets and to comprehensively evaluate and explore the complete project area.

Illustration 2: EP Gold Project Priority target areas and outcrop & trench grab samples

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/173397_1b2b971da46018ae_002full.jpg

Main Zone Description and Drill Plan

Illustration 3: Main Zone drill plan

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/173397_1b2b971da46018ae_003full.jpg

The Main Zone is located in the central part of the Evelyn property (see Illustration 2). It is interpreted as a series of north-northeasterly striking and moderately east dipping lenses occurring over an approximate strike length of 250 m and drilled to a vertical depth of approximately 120 m. The drill plan for the Main Zone includes testing northwesterly trending fault zones located both south and north of the Main Zone lenses and interpreted as controls on the occurrence of the north-northeast trending mineralization in the Main Zone. To the south of the Main Zone, the mapped structure is approximately coincident with a well-defined Soil Gas Hydrocarbon ("SGH") anomaly. To the north, the planned drilling will test a geochemical anomaly resulting from a recently completed short hole drill program coincident with a northwest structure inferred under alluvium. One thousand-two hundred metres of RC drilling is planned for the Main Zone targets.

Mineralization exposed on surface and in historical mine workings consists of a north-northeast striking and moderately easterly dipping quartz vein that is discontinuously exposed over a strike length of approximately 120 m. The quartz vein pinches and swells along the strike length on surface reaching a maximum exposed thickness of approximately 1.5 m. Grab samples from surface exposures of the vein have returned assay values of 43.9 g/t Au and 40.1 g/t Au. Previous drilling has intersected similarly high-grade mineralization and includes 12.19 g/t Au over an intersection length of 3 m . Mineralization in both the hangingwall and footwall of the Main Zone vein includes multiple quartz vein intersections and low to locally moderate grade Au assay values in chlorite-carbonate-pyrite altered host rocks. Longer mineralized intercepts of veined and altered host rock at the Main Zone include:

87 m at an average grade of 0.13 g/t Au including an interval of 8 m at 0.34 g/t Au

86 m at an average grade of 0.17 g/t Au including an interval of 10 m at 0.55 g/t Au

34.7 m at an average grade of 0.28 g/t Au including 5.65 m at 1.0 g/t Au

29.0 m at an average grade of 0.47 g/t Au including 6.0 m at 0.97 g/t Au

West El Sahuaro Target and Drill Plan

Illustration 4: West Sahuaro soil anomaly drill target

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/173397_1b2b971da46018ae_004full.jpg

El Sahuaro Zone is located in the northeastern part of the property (see Illustration 2 and 4) and is a priority target area for the Company. West of El Sahuaro zone, a sharp north-northwest trending gradient in apparent resistivity (Illustration 4) is interpreted as a fault zone that separates dominantly rhyolite to the southwest with a mixed succession of rhyolite and andesite with Proterozoic metamorphic rocks to the northeast.

To further explore the interpretation of apparent resistivity, the Company completed in-fill soil sampling of the historical soil geochemistry survey which resulted in a coherent soil anomaly over an approximately 500 m length and 200 m width with a north-northwest trend: parallel to the resistivity gradient. Anomalous soil samples in the anomaly area are interpreted to be locally derived. The plan at El Sahuaro includes drilling a series of holes in a southwest direction across the soil anomaly and through the resistivity gradient. Eight hundred metres of RC drilling is planned for the West Sahuaro target.

El Sahuaro is characterized by north-northeast trending magnetic anomalies. Detailed structural mapping in the northeast part of the property indicates a dominant north-northwestern strike and easterly dip to foliation and veins. The structural orientations observed are consistent with north-northwest trending structures interpreted from magnetic intensity contrasts and an apparent dislocation and offset of the north-northeastern magnetic trend. The El Sahuaro area is underlain by Jurassic rhyolite and andesite and by Proterozoic (?) metasedimentary rocks. All holes drilled at El Sahuaro have intersected Au mineralization. Highlights of drilling at El Sahuaro include:

15 m at an average grade of 2.36 g/t Au

22 m at an average grade of 0.17 g/t Au

25 m at an average grade of 0.10 g/t Au

3 m at an average grade of 0.92 g/t Au

6 m at an average grade of 0.627 g/t Au

2 m at an average grade of 1.943 g/t Au

QUALIFIED PERSON

Jamie Lavigne, P. Geo and a Director for Colibri is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release.

ABOUT COLIBRI RESOURCE CORPORATION:

Colibri is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V (CBI) and is focused on acquiring and exploring prospective gold & silver properties in Mexico. The Company holds six high potential precious metal projects, all of which have planned exploration programs for calendar 2023.

For more information about all Company projects please visit: www.colibriresource.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains "forward-looking statements". Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate.

For information contact: Ronald J. Goguen, President, Chairperson and Director, Tel: (506) 383-4274, rongoguen@colibriresource.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173397
A new executive leadership appointment from within the HR technology consulting sphere sets Click Boarding up for further expansion.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Click Boarding, LLC, a best-in-breed onboarding and employee transition solution, announced today the appointment of Ryan Black as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), reporting to Chief Executive Officer, Mike Ehrle. Black brings over 25 years of industry experience from technology consulting firms to add immediate insight and impact to Click Boarding's transformational employee experience software.





Ryan Black Headshot







Click Boarding CEO, Mike Ehrle, has been quoted as saying, "Ryan is an incredible asset to our executive leadership team, for numerous reasons, including his focus on relationship management and advisory services. His contributions will be instrumental to the future growth and long-term success of Click Boarding."

As Click Boarding's newest executive with a proven track record in exceeding targets, Ryan will spearhead revenue growth and client acquisition efforts. He has worked with a diverse client base across a number of industries including technology, financial services, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and professional services across the globe. Ryan's experience advising clients at the intersection of people and technology positions him as a trusted advisor in the highly complex and evolving human resource marketplace.

Prior to joining Click Boarding, Ryan had a 25-year career with Hewitt Associates, Aon, and Alight Solutions. In 2022, Ryan founded ITB Solutions (www.itb1.com), a consulting firm focused on helping clients grow their business. Ryan will continue in his role as Founder and Equity Partner as he transitions Managing Partner responsibilities to his team of experienced consultants. Building upon ITB's momentum, Ryan is excited to get back into the HR-specific software world at an award-winning onboarding provider.

"It is with great excitement that I officially join the Click Boarding team," said Black. "Click Boarding uniquely tackles an extreme need in the market today. I look forward to working with our clients to solve their employee onboarding and retention challenges. This is a critical need for dynamic, complex organizations, and Click is well positioned to deliver exceptional value to our clients."

For details about Click Boarding's executive leadership changes, contact Michelle Graham at 651.431.1410.

About Click Boarding, LLC

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Click Boarding, LLC is an employee experience platform providing compliant HR solutions that impact first-year employee growth and retention. With a seamless, mobile-first platform, we help leading enterprise organizations deliver modern, guided lifecycle experiences throughout the entire employee journey, from preboarding to offboarding. Our technology and unparalleled expertise help Fortune 500 companies achieve a higher return on investment. For more information, visit https://www.clickboarding.com.

Contact Information https://www.clickboarding.com marketing@clickboarding.com Sales: (952) 283-3450 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/click-boarding-llc/ Twitter: @ClickBoardingHR



Contact Information

Michelle Graham

Director, Communications

mgraham@clickboarding.com

651-431-1410

SOURCE: Click Boarding, LLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767206/Market-Leading-Employee-Experience-Provider-Click-Boarding-Appoints-Ryan-Black-as-New-CRO
Drilling highlights from the most recent drill core assays1:

33.9 metres of 17.93% Mn (23.2% MnO) from 58.2m including 5.39m of 42.5% Mn (54.9% MnO) from 62.9m

30.1 metres of 18.2% Mn (23.5% MnO) from 106.1m including 3.05m of 48.6% Mn (62.7% MnO) from 109.12m

13.0 meters of 18.9% Mn (24.4% MnO) from 119.6m 30.5 meters

These holes extend previously drilled manganese along-trend and at depth.

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Electric Metals (USA) Limited ("EML" or the "Company") (TSXV:EML)(OTCQB:EMUSF) is pleased to announce recent assay results of the current drill program at the high-grade Emily Manganese Project ("Emily Project"), Minnesota, USA. The Emily Project is located in the Cuyuna Iron Range of central Minnesota, USA, an area with a rich mining history and support from established local infrastructure, a skilled mining workforce and abundant power and gas.

Results reported from the first two drill holes (refer to announcement dated 27th June 2023) included substantial thicknesses of more than 40% manganese. Data from the next four drill holes, which are summarized in this news release, confirm that similar high-grade manganese extends both along-trend and to depth.

EML is currently drill testing the deposit to provide high-grade manganese feedstock as part of an effort to determine the viability of a potential, future mine operation, and to produce chemicals for the lithium-ion battery market. The United States is 100% reliant on imported manganese, including manganese chemicals used for standard and lithium-ion batteries. EML's goal is to be able to secure approvals to process Emily manganese and provide manganese chemicals to support future growth of electric vehicle production and energy storage infrastructure.

Assay results of samples from four diamond drill holes NSM 23003, NSM 23004, NSM 23005 and NSM 23006 have been received. Each drill hole intersected intervals of high-grade manganese oxide mineralization (manganite and pyrolusite, plus iron mineralization) with manganese contents of more than 17% Mn in many of the averaged intervals. High-grade zones with more than 40% Mn are conspicuous. Data is summarized in Table 1 overleaf.

The four drill holes are located in Figure 1 and a cross section showing the geology and assayed intervals are shown in Figure 2. At this east portion of the deposit high-grade zones of plus 40% manganese extend for at least 150 meters down dip with well mineralized rock extending to at least 250 meters. Importantly, the high-grade manganese zones correlate well with high-grade manganese grades intersected in drill holes NSM 23001A and NSM 23002A (Figure 1) which were located about 100m west of the cross section in Figure 2 and returned 32.1 metres of 17.67% Mn from 106m including 5.3m of 43.18% Mn from 109.6m in NSM 23001A and 34.9 metres of 21.05% Mn from 59.9m, including 5.3m of 44.66% Mn from 66.8m in NSM 23002A. A review of these results is provided in the Company's news release dated 27th June 2023.

Representative high-grade drill core (shown in Figure 3) is dominated by the dark grey to black manganese oxide minerals manganite (MnO(OH)) and pyrolusite (MnO2). The results continue to show that sulphides are not present in the high-grade manganese rock and importantly sulfur, copper, nickel, zinc, lead and arsenic contents are negligible.

Table 1. Average assay data for drill holes 23003, 23004, 23005 and 23006 at the Emily Manganese Project2.

Drill core samples from additional, recently completed drill holes located along trend to the west of this reported drilling have been forwarded for assaying and results from these are expected during coming weeks. Drilling is continuing to step westward at approximately 100-meter collar spacing and EML expects that this stage of drill work will be completed in late July.

Figure 1. Location of drill holes NSM 23003, NSM 23004, NSM 23005 and NSM 23006 showing the project area, manganese host rock (Emily Iron Formation) and the location of cross section in Figure 2. Data for drill holes NSM 23001A and NSM 23002A were reported in a previous update.

Figure 2. Cross section A-B (refer Figure 1) showing drill hole traces of NSM 23003, NSM 23004, NSM 23005 and NSM 23006.

Figure 3. Metallic sheen on high-grade manganese oxides in drill hole NSM 23003. This interval forms a portion of a 5.39-meter-wide drill intersection (17.7 feet) between 62.88 and 68.28 meters which averaged 44.5% Mn (57.5% MnO).

EML, operating under its wholly owned Minnesotan subsidiary, North Star Manganese Inc, plans to drill approximately 30 holes in the current drill program and is anticipating completion of this stage of work in late summer 2023.

Forte Dynamics Inc, Lakewood CO have commenced evaluation of sampling procedures, drilling and assay data and will complete a resource estimate for an expanded Emily Manganese deposit when final drill results have been received. An NI43-101 Technical Report, Resource Estimate is expected to be completed in 2023.

Gary Lewis, Group CEO of Electric Metals commented on the progress at Emily: "Exploration at Emily continues to go from strength to strength as the extent of the deposit appears to grow with each drill hole completed. Our technical team continues to be impressed by the exceptional manganese grade and continuity of this unique deposit."

"And with unprecedented growth and investment in downstream battery applications, particularly in EVs, markets are finally taking notice of the importance of manganese-based cathode chemistries".

"The location and apparent continuity of the very high manganese grades at Emily, along trend and at depth, are important to help EML complete the process to assess the viability of this deposit and the opportunity to supply the domestic USA market with battery grade manganese products."

EML is also pleased to announce the launch of its new website, which can be found at www.electricmetals.com.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical data contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Ian James Pringle PhD, who is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

1 Intervals shown are drilled widths.

2 Assaying undertaken by ALS (Reno, NV) included a 23-element suite (ME-XRF21). High manganese samples (>25% Mn) were re-assayed using ME ICP81.

About Electric Metals (USA) Limited

Electric Metals (USA) Limited (TSXV: EML) (OTCQB: EMUSF) is a U.S.-based mineral development company with manganese and silver projects geared to supporting the transition to clean energy. The Company's principal asset is the Emily Manganese Project in Minnesota, which has been the subject of considerable technical studies, including a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report - Resource Estimate, with over US$26 million invested to date. The Company's mission in Minnesota is to become a domestic U.S. producer of high-purity, high-value manganese metal and chemical products for supply to U.S. energy, technology and industrial markets. With manganese playing a critical and prominent role in lithium-ion battery formulations, and with no current domestic supply or active mines for manganese in North America, the development of the Emily Manganese Project represents a significant opportunity for America, the State of Minnesota and for the Company's shareholders. In addition, the Company owns and operates the Corcoran Silver-Gold Project and the Belmont Silver Project in Nevada, with the former also having been the subject of a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report - Resource Estimate.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further Information please contact:

Gary Lewis, Group CEO & Director: (647) 846 5299 - gl@electricmetals.com

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on EML's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the development of the Company's projects. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to EML. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of EML's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

While EML considers these statements to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include market risks and the demand for securities of the Company, risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof, and EML is not obligated, and does not undertake, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

SOURCE: Electric Metals (USA) Limited

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767635/Electric-Metals-Announces-Continuity-of-Manganese-Mineralization-and-Further-High-Grade-Intercepts-up-to-486-Mn-627-MnO-from-Drilling-at-the-Emily-Manganese-Project-Minnesota-USA
Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen.

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Thousands of Hollywood actors are on the verge of strike after negotiations with major studios and streaming services failed to reach any consensus. SAG-AFTRA, a union representing about 160,000 Hollywood artists, has been holding talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for more than four weeks on a new contract. AMPTP is an entity that represents major studios and streamers, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros. Discovery. After more than four weeks of bargaining, AMPTP remains unwilling to offer a fair deal on the key issues that are essential to SAG-AFTRA members, the union said in a statement. The Producers-SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical/Streaming Contracts expired on Wednesday. SAG-AFTRA said that in the wake of the AMPTP's 'intransigence and delay tactics', the negotiators informed the National Board that the actors are going on strike from Thursday. SAG-AFTRA's National Board will vote Thursday morning on a final decision to strike. National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland alleged that the studios and streamers have implemented massive unilateral changes in the Hollywood film industry's business model. The union said it will hold a press conference at 12 noon Thursday in Los Angeles after of the National Board vote. The Writers Guild of America has been on strike since May, affecting production of films and scripted television programs. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.




New York, July 13, 2023is proud to announce that its co-founder, Ronghui Gu, who is also Tang Family Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Columbia University, won the highly regarded 2022 VMware Systems Research Award.



VMware is a global leader in cloud infrastructure and virtualization technology. Established by VMware's academic sector, the Systems Research Award aims to acknowledge and support promising emerging research in computer science systems. It shines a spotlight on groundbreaking research that has the potential to significantly advance the field of computer science.

Professor Gu is recognized for his fundamental contributions to the theory of systems verification. His work, translating theoretical results into real-world applications for creating bug-free and secure system software, has found novel applications.



Professor Gu's most distinguished work is his Ph.D. thesis conducted at Yale University. This pioneering work involved the intricate task of certifying the CertiKOS operating system kernel, a complex endeavor encompassing everything from compilers to the fundamental building blocks of the operating system.

Gu's advisor, and also co-founder at CertiK, Professor Zhong Shao says, "Certifying an operating system is a huge task, involving models of many components ranging from threads and processes to physical and virtual memory management. Ronghui was a main driver to make the CertiKOS vision become a reality: he addressed the complexity of concurrency, and he got the proofs done for a realistic system."

Professor Greg Morrisett, Dean and Vice-Provost of Cornell Tech, says, "I think CertikOS is a tremendous leap forward, not so much in the artifact itself, but rather in the methodology used for constructing the proofs (though the artifact is also cool)."

"Ronghui's work represents an important data point in the evolution of formal verification technique," said VMware Fellow Pratap Subrahmanyam, as quoted by VMWare . "Making otherwise esoteric technologies accessible in practical settings is one reason we value Ronghui's research." VMware Fellow Christos Karamanolis added "Ronghui's depth, breadth, and focus on the advancement of formal methods - including both core platforms and emerging areas such as Quantum Computing - is remarkable and representative of the kind of systems research focus we value in making this award."

Reflecting his originality, potential for future impact, and the significance of his findings, the VMware University Research Fund will provide a grant of $125,000 to Columbia University in support of Professor Gu's continuing research.

In 2018, Professor Gu and Professor Zhong Shao, Chair of Yale University's Department of Computer Science, co-founded CertiK, a leading provider of blockchain security solutions. Leveraging advanced formal verification, AI auditing technologies, and expert manual checks, CertiK monitors the security of blockchain protocols and smart contracts.

The recognition of Professor Gu by the VMware Systems Research Award underscores the advanced level of sophistication that computer science academia has brought to the Web3 arena. Previous recipients of this esteemed award include professors of computer science at Stanford, MIT, Purdue, and Carnegie Mellon University.

About CertiK

CertiK is a pioneer in blockchain security, leveraging best-in-class technology to protect and monitor blockchain protocols and smart contracts. Founded in 2018 by professors from Yale University and Columbia University, CertiK's mission is to secure the Web3 world. CertiK applies cutting-edge innovations from academia to enterprise, enabling mission-critical applications to scale with safety and correctness.

One of the fastest-growing and most trusted companies in blockchain security, CertiK is a true market leader. To date, CertiK has worked with nearly 4,000 enterprise clients, secured over $360 billion worth of digital assets, and has detected nearly 70,000 vulnerabilities in blockchain code. Clients include leading projects such as Aave, Polygon, Binance Smart Chain, Yearn Finance, and Chiliz.
CHICAGO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 3D cell culture industry is poised for remarkable growth in the near future. As advancements in biotechnology and tissue engineering continue to accelerate, the adoption of 3D cell culture models is becoming increasingly widespread. These models provide a more physiologically relevant environment for studying cell behavior, drug screening, and disease modeling, offering superior insights compared to traditional 2D cell cultures. With the integration of technologies such as bioprinting and microfluidics, researchers are able to create complex 3D structures that mimic the intricate architecture of human organs, enabling better drug discovery and personalized medicine. Furthermore, the increasing demand for regenerative medicine and organ transplantation fuels the development of sophisticated 3D cell culture systems for tissue engineering applications. As a result, the 3D cell culture industry is expected to revolutionize drug development, disease research, and regenerative medicine, ushering in a new era of innovative solutions for healthcare challenges.

3D Cell Culture Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $1.3 billion in 2023 and is poised to reach $2.5 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 14.6% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Major factors driving the market growth at significant CAGR are increasing adoption of 3D cell culture over, restrictions over animal testing and increased use of 3D cell culture in personalized medicine.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "3D Cell Culture Market"

205 - Tables

39 - Figures

244 - Pages

3D Cell Culture Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $1.3 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $2.5 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 14.6% Market Size Available for 2021-2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Product, Application, End user and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Emergence of microfluidics-based 3D cell culture Key Market Drivers High focus on developing alternatives to animal testing

Scaffold-based 3D cell culture accounted for the largest share of the product segment in the 3D cell culture market in 2022.

Based on product, the 3D cell culture market is segmented into scaffold-based 3D cell cultures, scaffold-free 3D cell cultures, microfluidics-based 3D cell cultures, and magnetic & bioprinted 3D cell cultures. The scaffold-based 3D cell cultures segment accounted for the largest share in 2022. The advantages of scaffolds in 3D cell cultures, such as structural rigidity, the availability of attachment points, and support, have greatly driven the preference for the segment and ensured its large share in the market.

The cancer & stem cell segment research segment accounted for the largest share of the application segment in the 3D cell culture market in 2022.

Based on application, the market is segmented into cancer & stem cell research, drug discovery & toxicology testing, and tissue engineering & regenerative medicine. Cancer & stem cell segment research accounted for the largest market share of the market in 2022. The increasing prevalence of cancer and significant funding initiatives for cancer research from the government and the private sector are major factors driving the growth of this application segment..

Asia Pacific is likely to grow at the highest growth rate during the forecast period.

Based on region, the 3D cell culture market is segmented into North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2022, North America dominated the market, followed by Europe. The increasing incidence of cancer and a well-established pharmaceutical & biotechnology industry are key factors supporting the growth of the North American 3D cell culture market. The Asia Pacific market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 16.0% during the forecast period. Most companies in the market focus on organic and inorganic growth strategies, such as product launches, expansions, acquisitions, partnerships, agreements, and collaborations, to increase their product offerings, cater to the unmet needs of customers, increase their profitability, and expand their presence in the global market.

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3D Cell Culture Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

High focus on developing alternatives to animal testing Greater adoption of personalized medicine globally for multiple diseases Increased government support and funding for 3D cell culture Increased industry-academia collaboration on 3D cell culture and research

Restraints:

High costs of implementing 3D cell culture technologies Lack of widely accepted or single standardization in 3D cell culture

Opportunities:

Emergence of microfluidics-based 3D cell culture High growth opportunities and booming biopharmaceutical sector in emerging economies

Challenges:

Lack of consistency in 3D cell culture products High dependence on plastic waste disposals and consumables

Key Market Players:

The 3D cell culture market is consolidated, with a small number of players competing for market shares. Thermo Fisher Scientific. Inc. (US), Merck KGaA (Germany), Corning Incorporated (US), Lonza (Switzerland), and Avantor Inc. (US) are some of the leading players in this market.

Recent Developments:

In October 2022, Corning launched the Elplasia 12K flask featuring a unique microcavity geometry that enables easy spheroid formation, culture, treatment, assessment, and harvest, with approximately 12,000 spheroids of uniform size and shape per flask, generating 125 times more yield than conventional 96-well spheroid plates.

In March 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific launched a plasma-like medium, a cell culture medium that mimics the metabolic profile of human plasma, designed to provide researchers with a realistic view of cell growth within the human body.

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3D Cell Culture Market Advantages:

Physiological relevance: 3D cell culture models better mimic the complex three-dimensional structure and cellular interactions found in living tissues and organs. This physiological relevance allows for more accurate representation of cell behavior, drug responses, and disease progression, leading to improved reliability and predictive power in preclinical studies.

Enhanced drug discovery: 3D cell culture models enable more reliable screening of potential drug candidates by providing a more realistic microenvironment. This helps identify compounds with better efficacy and safety profiles, reducing the cost and time associated with failed clinical trials.

Disease modeling: 3D cell cultures can be engineered to recapitulate specific disease conditions, offering researchers a powerful tool for studying disease mechanisms, identifying novel therapeutic targets, and evaluating the effectiveness of potential treatments. This contributes to a deeper understanding of diseases and facilitates the development of personalized medicine approaches.

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: 3D cell culture systems play a crucial role in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. They allow for the creation of complex tissue constructs with controlled architectures, promoting cell differentiation, tissue formation, and organ development. This opens up possibilities for organ transplantation, replacement therapies, and the development of alternative models for toxicology testing.

High-throughput screening: 3D cell culture platforms can be adapted for high-throughput screening, enabling the testing of multiple compounds or interventions simultaneously. This accelerates the drug discovery process and facilitates the identification of promising candidates with higher efficiency.

Reduced animal testing: By providing a more accurate representation of human biology, 3D cell culture models can help reduce the reliance on animal testing in preclinical research. This aligns with the growing emphasis on ethical and sustainable research practices.

In summary, the 3D cell culture market offers advantages such as enhanced physiological relevance, improved drug discovery, disease modeling capabilities, tissue engineering potential, high-throughput screening, and reduced reliance on animal testing. These advantages make 3D cell culture an invaluable tool for advancing biomedical research and development in the coming years.

3D cell culture Market - Report Highlights:

Key conferences, and events 2022-2023, key stakeholders & buying criteria, pipeline analysis and trends/ disruptions impacting customer business are added in the market overview chapter.

The new edition of the report provides updated financial information till 2022 (depending on availability) for each listed company in a graphical representation. This would help in the easy analysis of the present status of profiled companies in terms of their financial strength, profitability, key revenue-generating region/country, and business segment focus in terms of the highest revenue-generating segment.

Impact of the recession has also been added in the new addition of the report.

Recent developments are helpful to understand market trends and growth strategies adopted by players in the market.

The hydrogel/ ECM segment is further subsegmented into synthetic and natural hydrogels.

Tracking product portfolios of prominent market players helps to analyze the major products in the 3D cell culture market. The new edition of the report provides an updated service portfolio of the companies profiled in the report.

Market evaluation framework, market share analysis, and competitive leadership mapping have been added in the competitive landscape chapter of the report.

The competitive leadership mapping has been updated considering recent developments in the company evaluation matrix.

Related Reports:

Cell-based Assays Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

High Throughput Screening Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

Cell Culture Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

3D Bioprinting Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

In Vitro Toxicology Testing Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

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LAKE CITY, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / When asked whether sustainable forestry certification makes a difference, Richard Boitnott can recall more than 20 years of providing feedback through audits that resulted in companies throughout the U.S. better-demonstrating their sustainability.

As a third-party auditor with Bureau Veritas, Richard Boitnott determines whether forestry companies are meeting the requirements of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (or SFI). He has scrutinized hundreds of forests.

On rare occasions, there are perfect audits. More often, they are excellent, but there are opportunities to improve-and that's what certified companies are looking for. Rather than reaching one level of sustainability and staying there forever, certified companies want to continuously improve and strengthen their efforts to protect and sustain the forest ecosystem.

"Those are really the best audits: the ones where you have a finding that you know you're helping them improve their system, and they recognize it, and they recognize the fact that you helped them improve their system," Richard says.

There are also times when a company seeking sustainable forest certification may need a lot of guidance before they are initially certified. Richard takes pride in the impact that kind of guidance can have on the way the land is managed.

"If there was not forest certification, a lot of land would be managed without that push to reach higher sustainability standards," says Richard, who has been an auditor for 22 years. "Forest certification is what forces a change."

In this article, we will explore various aspects of sustainable forestry certifications, including the certification process, objectives, audits, and the importance of continually raising the bar for environmental and social sustainability in the forestry industry.

What is a sustainable forestry certification?

What are the SFI sustainable forestry certification objectives?

How do timber companies become certified for sustainable forestry?

What happens when a sustainable forestry certification entity audits a forest owner?

What happens when a sustainable forestry certification audit identifies something that went wrong?

What happens when a company does exceptionally well, reaching far beyond the minimum SFI standard?

How to know if a company is certified for sustainable forestry?

What is a sustainable forestry certification?

Sustainable forestry certifications such as SFI, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) are standards used to ensure the highest environmental standards in the forestry industry.

There are standards that address forest management all the way from preparing the land for planting to the way the trees are harvested. There are also standards for mills that process logs and the companies that make forest products you buy in the store. You can look for sustainable forestry certification labels when you buy forest products such as wooden, paper, and cardboard items to ensure they come from a sustainably-managed source.

In forest management, the standards ensure the entire forest ecosystem will thrive.

The SFI guidelines verify that forest owners are only harvesting a small percentage of their overall land base. With well over 90 percent of the company's forests in some stage of growth, this practice ensures a continuous wood supply as well as a plentiful array of forest ecosystems in different stages of the forest life cycle. The standards also enforce methods to protect waterways from sedimentation and chemicals.

Protecting vulnerable habitats

Forest certification standards also ensure that the habitats of vulnerable species are carefully protected. For example, foresters set up and protect a large boundary area around bald eagles' nests as long as the nest exists. To learn more about that, watch our video, How Foresters Protect Bald Eagles.

There are also species you may have never even heard of that foresters are trained to recognize and protect. In the Red Hills region of Alabama, Rayonier foresters protect the extremely rare Red Hills Salamander, which was only discovered in the 1960s. You can learn more about this unique creature and the work we do to protect it in our video story, Foresters Protect Rare Salamander Found Only in Alabama.

Standards evolve

Newer standards under SFI are aimed at climate smart forestry, which are forest practices that will help prepare forests to better withstand future changes in climate; fire resilience and awareness, which ensures the use of practices to protect forests from wildfire and educating the public about it; social measures, such as having a diversity, equity and inclusion policy; and collaboration with indigenous peoples.

For companies like ours, we were implementing best practices long before we became certified, but the certification proves from an outside perspective that we are sustainably managing our forests. Rayonier has been certified by the SFI standard in the U.S. since 2001 and the FSC and PEFC standards in New Zealand since 2004.

What are the SFI sustainable forestry certification objectives?

SFI has more than 40 performance measures and 130 sustainable forestry indicators in the forest management certification standard, which are categorized under the 17 objectives below:

Forest management planning Forest health and productivity Protection and maintenance of water resources Conservation of biological diversity Management of visual quality and recreational benefits Protection of special sites Efficient use of fiber resources Recognize and respect Indigenous Peoples' rights Climate smart forestry Fire resilience and awareness Legal and regulatory compliance Forestry research, science and technology Training and education Community involvement and landowner outreach Public land management responsibilities Communications and public reporting Management review and continual improvement

To view the entire SFI standard, visit forests.org/standards.

How do timber companies become certified for sustainable forestry?

If a company wants to be certified for sustainable forestry, it must apply to the certification body, pay an annual fee based on acres managed and net sales and show that it meets certain requirements.

Once the application is accepted, the company must incorporate all of the certification body's standards into the way it does business.

Once the standards are implemented, the company will then undergo third party audits of its documents and forests to ensure it measures up to the standards.

When the company is officially certified, the external audit reviews will continue annually.

The goal of each audit is to verify that the company is doing a good job protecting its forests, but it is also a way to uncover ways to do even better. Every certified company is looking to constantly improve and fine-tune its practices to ensure it is doing the best it can possibly do with its forests.

Companies also conduct internal audits more frequently. Additionally, many state forest divisions periodically audit the companies' forests for Best Management Practices (BMPs) compliance. BMPs are guidelines established by the state to ensure waterways are protected. Reports from each of these audits are also a part of the annual third party audit.

What happens when a sustainable forestry certification entity audits a forest owner?

During a sustainable forestry certification audit, there are two segments: auditing documents and auditing forests.

What happens during the document portion of an SFI forest audit?

On a recent annual audit at Rayonier's Headquarters in Wildlight, Florida, Richard spent the entire day in a conference room reviewing about 500 documents with Rayonier employees. He screened the documents for compliance with more than 130 different SFI indicators.

The requirements include everything from the technical way forests are planted, managed and harvested to social standards such as indigenous relations and DEI policies. The employees were expected to be able to quickly locate the documents and expound on any details Richard asked about.

What happens during the field portion of an SFI forest audit?

The second portion of the audit included several days in the forest. Each day, Richard would select specific sites he wanted to see in person. An auditor often examines documents to find an example of something that didn't go as planned, such as a weather event or a miscommunication with a contractor.

The auditor will then go to the location to observe what happened and question the responsible foresters about the decisions made relating to that incident. The auditor will also ask general questions to test the expertise of the forester.

During the 2023 Rayonier audit, Richard went into a Lake City, Florida, forest with several Rayonier foresters. He quizzed them about what they would do to protect an eagle's nest if they were to find one. He asked them about soil types and their methodology for choosing which tree species to plant on each plot. He checked to see if an herbicide aerial application had ceased where the forester had designated.

Protecting properties of special importance

The SFI standard also calls for forestry companies to protect properties with special importance. Forester Joe Geisel, a Resource Land Manager at Rayonier, explained that one location within that forest had been the site of a tragic accident. Two wildland firefighters had been killed while battling the Blue Ribbon Wildfire of 2011.

Joe showed the auditor two memorials that had been established honoring the men where they had passed. He maintains the site in their honor. The memorial is included in an annual staff ride in which the Florida Forest Service honors the memory of the firefighters and teaches staff what can be learned from the accident. You can learn more about the staff ride in this article by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

Foresters also protect sites believed to have historical significance, sites where there is habitat for threatened or endangered species, special trees, water features, cemeteries and other geologically or culturally important sites.

An example of a protected site on Rayonier land is Brooks Sink, Florida's largest sinkhole. Rayonier partnered with the Suwannee River Water Management District to divert more water into the sinkhole, which replenishes the Floridan aquifer. Read more about the project and watch a video in our article, Working Forests Protect Water Quality Across the U.S.

Research is a component of good forest management

The SFI forest management standard also requires certified organizations to be active in research efforts. At Rayonier, we have an in-house research team and also participate in cooperative research with other forestry organizations and universities.

One recent cooperative effort between Rayonier, the University of Florida and the Suwannee River Water Management District is seeking ways to improve water flow in streams by changing how we manage the forest. Rayonier is also working internally and with partners to delve deeper into ways forest managers can identify climate risks and mitigation efforts, which aligns with SFI's 2022 additions to the Forest Management Standard.

You can learn more about some of the work our research team does in our video and article, Rayonier Scientists Bring Deep Knowledge to Forest Management.

What happens when a sustainable forestry certification audit identifies something that went wrong?

While every company hopes to perform well in an audit, there is usually room for improvement because the audits are intentionally rigorous.

"All you want is honest feedback," says Ben Cazell, Rayonier's Senior Manager of Sustainable Forestry. "Folks have a passion and self-ownership of the ground they manage and make decisions on. They want to ensure that they're doing things correctly. So, perfection, it's not always going to happen. It's nice to hear, 'Good job. Well done.' But it's also good to hear, 'You could do a little better in this aspect of one thing or another.'"

For example, SFI has new standards around climate smart forestry that have helped companies develop new ways to address and anticipate climate change.

When something is seriously out of alignment with the SFI standards, an auditor deems it to be either a minor or major "nonconformance."

"A minor nonconformance means the system is bent. A major nonconformance means the system is broken," Richard explains. "Now, most people have been in this business long enough where they don't get majors. They know what to do to avoid a major. A minor is more common."

The difference between a minor and major nonconformance in an SFI audit

An example of a minor nonconformance might be one mishap in which sediment went into a stream, Richard explains. A major nonconformance would be 3 or more instances of sediment seeping into waterways.

There is also a milder level of feedback called an "opportunity for improvement." Richard explains:

"Not everything we do in this business is black and white. There are lots of shades of gray. And I only call something if it's clearly a nonconformance. If it's not, and I think, 'Well, you ought to pay attention to this,' that's an opportunity for improvement."

Richard says, for him, the best audits are when his findings bring about a positive change in a company.

"When I get to the end and they tell me, 'You're right. We could've done that a little bit better. We will do better.' I like to hear that, because that means they accepted it, they agreed with what I found, and they're going to work to get better. Those are really the best audits."

What happens when a company does exceptionally well, reaching far beyond the minimum SFI standard?

On rare occasions, a company will receive recognition for a practice that goes well beyond the SFI standard and sets an example for peers to follow.

This recognition, called a "notable practice," is a special honor to those who receive it.

Ben recalls one example in which Rayonier was recognized for using winch-assisted logging on steep slopes in the Pacific Northwest. The winch machine anchors into the ground on a stable, flat landing area and using a powerful cable to support heavy equipment on the steep ground below. The machinery improves safety for the logging crew. It also decreases the impact on the environment, often replacing the need to build a road on the slope.

The notable practice we received was for the reduction of road construction by using this newer technology. You can read more about winch-assisted logging and watch our video of a winch assist machine in action here.

How to know if a company is certified for sustainable forestry

Forestry companies share their sustainability certification information on their websites and often in their reports and investor documents.

You can also verify their membership on the website of the certification body, itself. For example, SFI has a database of its member companies at sfidatabase.org, PEFC has a database at pefc.org/find-certified and FSC has a database at search.fsc.org/en/. Each website publicly posts members' third-party audit reports.

To learn more about Rayonier's third-party certifications and forestry regulations, click here.

Richard Boitnott, left, has been a third party SFI auditor for 22 years.

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / It's clear the energy transition is uneven, and countries worldwide are advancing the buildout of renewables at different speeds.

As we move toward net zero in 2050, there is another equally fundamental fact for Canada and Canadians to consider: natural gas is the great equalizer to a less turbulent, more equitable and sustainable energy evolution. And we happen to have plenty of it.

In fact, our friends from places like Germany and Japan have been knocking on our door in recent months and asking Canada for natural gas (the great equalizer) . . . to which we've said . . . no. So why are we shirking something that's equal parts opportunity and obligation?

LNG2023, the largest global liquified natural gas (LNG) conference and exhibition in the world, is taking place this week in Vancouver. It's not a stretch to picture 15,000 delegates and stakeholders wandering the epicenter of Canada's LNG industry scratching their heads and asking themselves the same question.

"The Germans, Japanese and South Koreans came to Canada looking for more energy and we've turned them away," said Greg Ebel, president and chief executive officer of Enbridge, the continent's leading energy infrastructure company that happens to move of 20% of all the natural gas consumed in North America. "What message does that send to our allies, trading partners and the developing world?"

Ebel joined president and CEO of the America Gas Association Karen Harbert, Woodside Energy CEO Meg O'Neill, and Chevron Executive Vice-President Oil Products and Gas Nigel Hearne in a panel discussion today titled Challenges of a Turbulent Energy Transition. The topic of LNG, natural gas cooled by industrial processes to a liquid state and moved offshore to the world's LNG market aboard special tankers, featured prominently in the conversation about the energy transition.

Canada has 1,373 trillion cubic feet of natural gas resources available for production-it's enough to power British Columbia, as an example, for centuries. With Canadian environmental policies, Canadian natural gas is also some of the lowest-emission, most sustainably produced in the world. It's a secure, clean supply that could go a long way towards helping the likes of China and India secure an alternative to coal for power generation. In China today, 55% of the energy mix is coal; in India it's 57%. In fact, both countries continue to grow their coal consumption.

Ebel also noted of the great potential North American LNG has to lift up many parts of the developing world. According to the World Health Organization, more than 700 million people on the planet have no access to electricity and 2.4 billion are cooking with fuels, like dung, which are harmful to health.

"Countries like Canada, the U.S. and others with an abundance of natural gas can and should help others alleviate energy poverty," Ebel said.

Enbridge voices were heard among other LNG20230 panel discussions in Vancouver today.

Cynthia Hansen, executive vice-president and president, Gas Transmission and Midstream, Enbridge, talked about the risks that Canada's uncertain permitting and regulatory processes pose to future growth of LNG. Enbridge has a 30% ownership stake in the Woodfibre LNG project in Squamish, B.C., due to enter service in 2027.

"We are well positioned to help meet the need, but it takes five to 10 years to permit anything, so without clear rules of engagement and timelines, capital will remain on the sidelines," she said.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Enbridge on 3blmedia.com.

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Spokesperson: Enbridge

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In a move that reflects the depth and breadth of knowledge now expected from data professionals, Redgate today announced a wide-ranging line-up of sessions at the upcoming 2023 PASS Data Community Summit.

Alongside familiar learning pathways like solving real world SQL Server problems and database DevOps, the in-person event in Seattle in November will be exploring the battle of data transformation tools, cloud DBA fundamentals and, notably, PostgreSQL.

This development for the Summit which has traditionally focused on SQL Server is a result of the expanding scope of skills being demanded from data professionals and DBAs in businesses and organizations everywhere.

Deeper insights are required from larger amounts of data which need to be cleaned, converted, aggregated, prepared and transformed. DBAs are expected to understand how to migrate on-premises databases into the cloud, protect them, fine-tune their performance and control costs. PostgreSQL is also rated the most desired database in the world according to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey, and 20 percent of Summit attendees have noted PostgreSQL as a database of interest.

As Ryan Booz, PostgreSQL Advocate at Redgate comments: "The Summit has historically focused on SQL Server and Microsoft Data Platform technology, but it's clear that many developers and DBAs are now being asked to support multiple database platforms. Increasingly, PostgreSQL is part of that picture more than almost any other relational database."

A good indicator is the 2023 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, which reveals that developers are now working with an average of three database types to manage the changing volume, nature, and location of data.

With more data professionals increasingly using multiple databases from project to project, a clear need was identified to broaden and diversify sessions at the PASS Data Community Summit so that the community and attendees are supported to navigate this shift.

The 2023 program of 170 technical sessions delivered over three days from community experts, industry engineers, and industry leaders such as Microsoft, aims to address this. Delivered across five tracks including Analytics, Architecture, Database Management, Development, and Professional Development, attendees can plan their own agenda to fill gaps in their knowledge and catch up with sessions that clash with on-demand recordings available after the event.

Tickets are now available for PASS Data Community Summit 2023, which takes place in Seattle from November 14 17, with Early Bird discounts on 3-day passes available until July 26. Visit www.passdatacommunitysummit.com for more details.

About Redgate Software

Redgate makes ingeniously simple software used by over 800,000 IT professionals around the world and is the leading Database DevOps solutions provider. Redgate's philosophy is to design highly usable, reliable tools which elegantly solve the problems developers and DBAs face every day and help teams get the most value out of any database, on a growing number of platforms, anywhere. As well as streamlining database development and preventing the database being a bottleneck, this helps organizations introduce data protection by design and by default. As a result, more than 200,000 companies use Redgate tools, including 91% of those in the Fortune 100.

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Meghana Shendrikar

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Redgate@allisonpr.com
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of "a+" (Excellent) of Seguros Catalana Occidente, S.A. de Seguros y Reaseguros (SCO), Bilbao, Compania Anonima de Seguros y Reaseguros, S.A. (SB) and Plus Ultra Seguros Generales y Vida, S.A. de Seguros y Reaseguros (PU). All three companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of Grupo Catalana Occidente S.A. (GCO), the non-operating holding company of the GCO group, and are the traditional insurance business units of the group. These companies are domiciled in Spain. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings of SCO reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings also reflect lift from GCO, which considers the strategic importance of the traditional insurance business to the GCO group, and the track record of financial and operational support from GCO. The ratings of PU and SB consider their strategic importance to SCO and GCO.

SCO's risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), is expected to be maintained at the strongest level, underpinned by strong earnings generation. The company's balance sheet strength assessment also benefits from low reinsurance dependence, good liquidity and the absence of external debt. A partially offsetting factor is a lack of financial flexibility on a stand-alone basis, as capital is managed at the group level.

SCO has a track record of strong operating performance, as evidenced by a five-year weighted average return-on-equity ratio of 23% (2018-2022), as calculated by AM Best, with balanced contributions from technical and investment income. In 2022, the company reported a stable and strong combined ratio of 86% (2021: 84%). SCO has maintained strong and consistent underwriting performance across most non-life and life business segments despite competitive market conditions in its domestic market of Spain. Technical earnings are supported by the company's extensive agency network, which has been in place for a number of years and allows SCO to manage the underwriting process tightly.

The traditional insurance business units of GCO operate exclusively in Spain and collectively maintain a top 10 position in several retail lines of business in its domestic market. SCO is the leading entity within GCO's traditional insurance business unit, writing approximately 25% of its consolidated gross written premium in 2022. SCO, SB and PU collectively form a solid and diversified franchise with an established presence in all of Spain's regions and the market's distribution channels.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings Assessments

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com

Copyright 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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Partners Group / Key word(s): Interim Report

Partners Group reports continued H1 AuM growth and reconfirms full-year fundraising guidance



13-Jul-2023 / 17:45 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Baar-Zug, Switzerland; 13 July 2023 | Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 Listing Rules (LR)

USD 8 billion gross client commitments received in H1; USD 17 to 22 billion 2023 full-year expected gross client demand, consistent with previous outlook

USD 5 billion invested across private market asset classes; robust pipeline of thematically sourced investments for H2

USD 5 billion in portfolio realizations generated; meaningful divestment pipeline of mature assets

Partners Group received USD 8.0 billion in new commitments from its global client base in H1 2023 (H1 2022: USD 13.1 billion), bringing the firm's total assets under management ("AuM")[1] to USD 141.7 billion as of 30 June 2023 (30 June 2022: USD 130.6 billion), an increase of 9% year-on-year. During the same period, the firm committed USD 5.0 billion to transformational investing across private markets asset classes globally and generated USD 5.4 billion in portfolio realizations. As highlighted in January, bid-offer spreads remained wider throughout H1 reflecting the typical process of price finding following periods of change in macroeconomic parameters, including rate recalibrations. Based on a robust demand pipeline and the expected normalization of client conversion periods, Partners Group reconfirms its full-year 2023 guidance for total fundraising of USD 17 to 22 billion.

David Layton, Partner and Chief Executive Officer, comments: "In H1 we strengthened our thematic investing approach and continued to drive value creation initiatives across our portfolio, positioning us well to execute on our significant investment and divestment pipeline as financing markets improve in H2. Over the last two months, we have observed a normalization of conversion periods for client commitments and our outlook on fundraising remains positive for the remainder of the year. We remain strongly positioned in this new environment and are committed to delivering 10-15% AuM growth on average in the years to come."

USD 5 billion invested

In H1 2023, Partners Group invested USD 5.0 billion (H1 2022: USD 13.4 billion) on behalf of its clients. During the period, Partners Group continued to grow its thematic investment pipeline across all of its asset classes and verticals.

Partners Group's thematic sourcing approach is a multi-year process that involves the firm's vertical teams looking beyond the top layer of sectorial dynamics to identify businesses and assets that can benefit from specific pockets of transformative growth in third- and fourth-layer themes. This approach aims to provide exposure to growth themes with a lower risk profile and higher value creation potential. For example, in private equity, key themes include pharmaceutical speed-to-market, warehouse automation, and industrial safety. To access the industrial safety theme, Partners Group acquired SureWerx in January, a leading North American supplier of technical safety equipment and tools. Partners Group's value creation initiatives will include transforming the company's digital capabilities to increase lead generation with end users, expanding the safety product portfolio with complementary high quality safety brands, as well as designing and executing a comprehensive warehouse network plan to ensure capacity readiness to meet demand growth.

In private infrastructure, investment teams emphasized themes in areas such as critical supply chain, low carbon fuels, water sustainability, and carbon management. In June, to capitalize on the low carbon fuels theme, Partners Group purchased a 60 MW portfolio of 35 biogas plants and 10 biomethane plants. Potential value creation initiatives will include creating an independent operating alternative fuels platform with a significant project pipeline to support the European energy transition. Together with management, Partners Group will upgrade the platform's waste streams by expanding the biomaterials that can be utilized to generate adjacent revenues.

In total, the firm invested 57% of total global volume into direct assets. To complement its direct investments, Partners Group invested the remaining 43% of total investment volume into portfolio assets. These assets include secondary investments into globally diversified private markets portfolios, select primary commitments to other complementary private markets strategies, and investments into the broadly syndicated loan market.

USD 5 billion realized

In H1 2023, portfolio realizations amounted to USD 5.4 billion (H1 2022: USD 6.4 billion) and were primarily driven by portfolio assets and direct infrastructure distributions (64% of total distributions). This included distributions from the sale of CWP Renewables, a vertically integrated renewable energy platform operating over 1.1 gigawatts of wind assets in Australia, making it the largest ever renewable platform divestment in the country.

Partners Group's focus on entrepreneurial governance and active value creation continues to deliver operational successes across its direct private equity portfolio, generating double-digit EBITDA growth at stable margins, and thereby strengthening its divestment pipeline. Supported by continued demand for high quality assets, the firm has launched multiple divestment processes of mature businesses and assets.

USD 8 billion in new client demand, led by bespoke client solutions

In H1 2023, Partners Group's client demand for investment solutions resulted in new commitments of USD 8.0 billion (H1 2022: USD 13.1 billion). Bespoke client solutions were the largest contributor to fundraising at USD 5.4 billion (68% of assets raised), which reflects the important differentiation these solutions offer clients.

Within bespoke client solutions, mandates (USD 3.2 billion raised) are separate accounts that allow large institutional investors to achieve their long-term target allocations to private markets. Evergreen programs (USD 2.2 billion raised), which allow for a certain amount of liquidity, enable individual investors to access private markets more conveniently. Traditional closed-ended programs also continued to grow and contributed a total of USD 2.6 billion (32% of assets raised).

Breakdown of total AuM as of 30 June 2023 (in USD billion):

2022 H1 2023 Last 5 years CAGR [2] Gross H1 client demand Private equity 71.2 74.3 +13% 3.2 Private debt 26.8 28.9 +13% 2.6 Private infrastructure 20.8 21.8 +17% 1.2 Private real estate 16.5 16.8 +5% 1.0 Total 135.4 141.7 +13% 8.0



During the six-month period to 30 June 2023, AuM grew by USD 6.4 billion. This growth is the result of USD 8.0 billion in gross client demand, tail-down effects from mature private markets investment programs of USD -2.9 billion and redemptions from evergreen programs of USD -2.4 billion. Foreign exchange effects further impacted AuM growth by USD 1.9 billion mainly driven by the strengthening of the Euro against the US Dollar during the period. A final USD 1.8 billion came from a select number of investment programs that link AuM to NAV development[3].

Outlook full-year 2023

Partners Group continues to see structural tailwinds for private markets and its outlook for long-term, sustainable growth remains in place. The firm reconfirms its full-year 2023 guidance for gross client commitments of USD 17 to 22 billion based on its demand pipeline. It anticipates stronger fundraising in the second half supported by a continuing normalization in the pace of client conversions as well as several next-generation closed-ended flagship and new evergreen strategies coming to market.

Partners Group has been a pioneer in offering bespoke solutions for the private wealth client segment for over two decades. These solutions holistically embed private markets, diversified across asset classes and strategies, within the portfolios of private wealth clients. The firm sees considerable opportunity in working with its partners to help a growing number of individual investors access the increasingly large and profitable part of the real economy that operates outside of public markets. Partners Group will expand its innovative solutions into different asset classes and strategies including next generation infrastructure, private debt, growth-oriented equity, and a multi-asset class mandate aimed at directly impacting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Partners Group's full-year estimates of tail-down effects from more mature closed-ended investment programs and redemptions from evergreen programs remain unchanged at USD -10.5 to -12.5 billion. Furthermore, the firm anticipates tail-down effects and redemptions to stabilize around 2023 guidance levels in the medium term. This is the result of the continued shift from traditional programs towards bespoke solutions that are often more perpetual in nature and which, as such, do not have tail-downs.

Sarah Brewer, Partner and Global Co-Head Client Solutions, adds: "Over the past two months we have seen institutional investors focusing again on investing in private markets and we anticipate this trend to continue throughout H2. We will continue to expand our market leading position in the private wealth space by introducing new solutions dedicated to individuals. Today, these investors have less than 1.5% of their total assets allocated to private markets and we see significant potential for them to increase their exposure to closer to 5% over time. Managers that have the expertise to transform assets and to provide accessible solutions at scale will capture an outsized portion of this growth."

Conference call today

Partners Group's senior management will hold a conference call today at 6:15pm CET. To register for the call, please click here or use the contact details at the end of this press release.

Key dates/publications 2023

05 September 2023 Interim Financial Results as of 30 June 2023 14 September 2023 Interim Financial Report as of 30 June 2023

[1] AuM is an Alternative Performance Metric ("APM"). A description of the APMs can be found in Partners Group's 2022 Annual Report on pages 32-33, available for download at www.partnersgroup.com/financialreports. Refers to Partners Group Holding AG.

[2] CAGR: compound annual growth rate for net assets for the period 30 June 2018 - 30 June 2023.

[3] Partners Group reports fee-paying AuM. Most of the firm's evergreen programs base fees on NAV. The portfolio performance during the period impacts the NAV of these products and this translates to a corresponding change in firm-level AuM. As always, calculations for semi-annual AuM numbers for evergreen programs are based on 31 May NAV valuations. Full-year AuM numbers are based on 30 November NAV valuations.

About Partners Group

Partners Group is a leading global private markets firm. Since 1996, the firm has invested USD 200 billion in private equity, private real estate, private debt, and private infrastructure on behalf of its clients globally. Partners Group seeks to generate strong returns through capitalizing on thematic growth trends and transforming attractive businesses and assets into market leaders. The firm is a committed, responsible investor and aims to create sustainable returns with lasting, positive impact for all its stakeholders. With USD 142 billion in assets under management as of 30 June 2023, Partners Group provides an innovative range of bespoke client solutions to institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and private individuals globally. The firm employs more than 1,800 diverse professionals across 20 offices worldwide and has regional headquarters in Baar-Zug, Switzerland; Denver, USA; and Singapore. It has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 2006 (symbol: PGHN). For more information, please visit www.partnersgroup.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter .

Shareholder relations contact

Philip Sauer

Phone: +41 41 784 66 60

Email: philip.sauer@partnersgroup.com
Capital increase of approximately 7 million after full exercise of the Extension Clause and Over-Allotment Option, including 2.4 million by debt set-off

Bright success with Retail investors: demand above 1 million

Settlement-delivery scheduled on July 18, 2023

Start of share trading on Euronext Growth Paris scheduled on July 19, 2023

Regulatory News:

This press release shall not be published, distributed or disseminated, directly or indirectly, in the United States of America, Australia, Canada or Japan.

Vinpai (the "Company") (Paris:ALVIN), specialist in the design, manufacture and marketing of algae- and plant-based functional ingredients for the food and cosmetics industries, announces the success of its initial public offering (IPO) on Euronext Growth market in Paris (ISIN code: FR001400AXT1; ticker: ALVIN

Cyrille Damany, Chairman and Co-founder of Vinpai, and Philippe Le Ray, CEO and Co-founder, declare: "We are proud to announce the success of our IPO on Euronext Growth and to be entering a new chapter in Vinpai's history. We would like to thank all our shareholders, both new and long-standing, as well as all our employees, for their confidence and commitment, which have enabled us to come to these ends. With this new structuring landmark, we will be able to accelerate Vinpai's development and support our BtoB customers in their efforts to address customers' growing concerns regarding the challenges arising from today's consumption habits, both in terms of health and well-being, and from an environmental perspective as well.

Now that we have the financial resources, we will move ahead with our development strategy while preserving our approach built on a strong ethical and socially responsible approach."

Reminder of the Reasons for the Offer

The estimated net proceeds from the capital increase carried out in the context of the offering amount to approximately 5.9 million and will be allocated as follows: a total of 2.4 million will be dedicated to the repayment of part of the Company's current debts, by offsetting such debts to the subscription price of the shares issued as part of this capital increase, the concerned creditors have committed to subscribe;

the remaining, i.e. approximately 3.5 million, will be allocated as follows: approximately 40% will be dedicated to financing current working capital requirements and its increase resulting from expected growth in Vinpai Group's business, as well as to repaying the pre-IPO debt; approximately 35% will be dedicated to investment in Vinpai group's industrial facility, to support volumes increase; approximately 20% will be dedicated to strengthening Vinpai group's sales teams and middle management; and approximately 5% will be dedicated to financing innovation and R&D to create growth drivers for tomorrow.



Results and allocation of the Offer

As announced by the Company on the launch of the operation, the subscription price of new ordinary shares to be issued as part of the Offering was set by the Company's Board of Directors, on July 3, 2023, at 6.55 (issuance premium included) per share.

In the framework of the Initial Public Offering, the Company's Board of Directors as of today has approved the issuance of 1,068,701 new ordinary shares, representing a capital increase of 6,999,991.55 (issuance premium included), making full use of the Extension Clause and Over-Allotment Option granted by the Company's Board of Directors on July 3, 2023.

These new shares were allocated as follows:

Global Placement: 908,596 shares allocated to institutional investors (i.e. 85% of the total number of shares offered);

Fixed Price Offering ("FPO"): 160,105 shares allocated to the public (i.e. 15% of the total number of shares offered). A1 orders (from 1 share up to 250 shares included) and A2 orders (above 250 shares) will be allocated at 100%. The total demand received in the FPO has been fully served.

Commitments received prior to the launch of the transaction from some of the Company's creditors and new investors will be allocated at 100%. In accordance with the terms of their commitments, each of the aforementioned new investors will receive a guarantee commission equal to 5% of the amount of their commitment (i.e. a total commission of 165,000). In addition, and in accordance with the intentions he had expressed, Cyrille Damany will subscribe to the transaction for an amount of approximately 610,000 by offsetting part of the current account advance he holds against the Company.

After completion of the operation, Vinpai's share capital is now comprised of 3,361,415 shares, which represent approximately a market capitalization of 22 million, based on the IPO price of 6.55 per share. Free float represent 20.7% of the Company's capital.

The Settlement-delivery of the FPO and the Global Placement will take place on July 18, 2023, and trading of Vinpai shares on Euronext Growth Paris should begin on July 19, 2023 under ISIN code FR001400AXT1 and ticker ALVIN.

No stabilization transactions will be carried out as part of the operation.

Identification code and characteristics of Vinpai shares

Code: Vinpai

ISIN code: FR001400AXT1

Ticker: ALVIN

Listing: Euronext Growth Paris

Paris ICB classification: 45201040 Miscellaneous Consumer Staple Goods

LEI: 969500S94L5CDKPONS13

Eligible for PEA "classic", PEA "SME-ETIs", for the 150-0 B TER scheme of the CGI (capital gains reinvestment) and for Bpifrance "Entreprise innovante" status

Forbearance commitment

Company's abstention commitment: 180 calendar days following the settlement-delivery date of the Offer, subject to certain customary exceptions.

Lock-up commitments

All the Company's shareholders have undertaken to hold the Company's shares for 360 calendar days from the settlement-delivery date of the Offer, subject to usual exceptions. The above-mentioned creditors participating in the transaction have also undertaken to retain the Company's shares for 180 calendar days from the settlement-delivery date of the Offer, subject to usual exceptions.

All of these undertakings (i) relate to all of their shares, with the exception of (i) those that may have been subscribed in connection with the Offer (excluding New Shares subscribed by debt off-set) or acquired on the market following to the Offer and, (ii) concerning Cyrille DAMANY and Philippe Le RAY, do not relate to the pledge granted by each of them to Aggro Croissance, Eiffel Apolline Dette privee and Eiffel Croissance Directe as collateral for the loan granted to the Company on June 26, 2020.

Setting up of the liquidity contract

Vinpai also announces the appointment of Invest Securities for the setting up of a liquidity contract starting July 19, 2023. This contract has been drawn up pursuant to current regulations, and in particular AMF Decision no. 2021-01 of June 22, 2021. It complies with the Code of Ethics of the Association Francaise des Marches Financiers (AMAFI). It has been concluded for an initial term of two years, renewable by tacit agreement for successive periods of one (1) year.

For the setting up of this contract, the following resources have been allocated to the liquidity account: 160,000.

The execution of the liquidity contract will be suspended under the conditions specified in article 5 of AMF Decision no. 2021-01 of June 22, 2021. The liquidity contract may be terminated by either party on expiry of its term, subject to two months' notice, or ipso jure if the parties are unable to agree on a follow-up to the contract.

Indicative timetable for the transaction

July 18, 2023 Settlement-delivery of the FPO and Global Placement July 19, 2023 Start of trading of the Company's shares on Euronext Growth market of Euronext Paris

Breakdown of the Company's capital and voting rights

Before issuance of New Shares After issuance of 100% of the New Shares Shareholders Number of shares % of capital Number of voting rights % of voting rights Number of shares % of capital Number of voting rights1 % of voting rights Cyrille DAMANY2 736,130 32.1% 736,130 32.1% 829,136 24.7% 1,565,266 30.1% Philippe Le RAY2 515,000 22.5% 515,000 22.5% 515,000 15.3% 1,030,000 19.8% Total Corporate Executive Directors 1,251,130 54.6% 1,251,130 54.6% 1,344,136 40.0% 2,595,266 49.9% Chris Project2 843,524 36.8% 843,524 36.8% 843,524 25.1% 1,434,174 27.6% Alexandre de SELLIERS de MORANVILLE2 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 305,343 9.1% 305,343 5.9% Saffelberg Investments SA 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 174,045 5.2% 174,045 3.3% Floating 198,060 8.6% 198,060 8.6% 694,367 20.7% 694,367 13.3% Total 2,292,714 100.0% 2,292,714 100.0% 3,361,415 100.0% 5,203,195 100.0%

Fully paid-up shares registered in the name of the same shareholder for at least two years are entitled to double voting rights. Company's Board members

Financial intermediaries and Advisors

INVEST

CORPORATE

FINANCE Listing Sponsor INVEST

SECURITIES Lead Manager

and Bookrunner JONES

DAY Legal Advisor NewCap Financial

Communication EY ACEFI CL Statutory Auditors

Availability of the Information Document and risk factors

Copies of the document d'information published by Company's are available free of charge from the Company's headquarter at 6, parc d'Activites de la Fouee 56130 Saint-Dolay, and in electronic form on Euronext's website (http://www.euronext.com) and on the Company's website (www.vinpai-finance.com).

Investors are invited to draw their attention to the risks relating to the Vinpai Group's business described in chapter 3 "Risk factors" of the first part of the aforementioned document d'information and those relating to the Offer described in chapter 20 "Risk factors relating to the offer and listing of the shares on Euronext Growth market of Euronext Paris" of the second part of the document d'information

Find out more on Vinpai's IPO website: www.vinpai-finance.com

About Vinpai

Founded in 2011 by Cyrille Damany and Philippe Le Ray, Vinpai is an ingredien'tech specializing in the design, manufacture and marketing of functional ingredients based on algae, plants, minerals and fibers, offering manufacturers natural alternatives to chemical additives. Positioned in the most promising market segments, Vinpai provide supports to food, cosmetics and nutraceutical manufacturers, thanks to its cross-technologyknow-how, enabling them to upgrade the nutritional qualities of their end products. The combination and mixing of ingredients and food additives enable manufacturers to accelerate their development, optimize their production costs and generate profitability. Operating on two sites, in Saint-Dolay (Morbihan) and near the harbour of Saint-Nazaire, Vinpai has developed over 3,500 formulations and has 39 employees. In 2022, the Company has recorded sales of 6.2 million, over half of which abroad, and is established in over 35 countries.

For further information: https://www.vinpai.com

Disclaimer

No communication and no information in respect of the issue by Vinpai of the shares (the "Shares") may be distributed to the public in any jurisdiction where a registration or approval is required. No steps have been or will be taken outside of France in any jurisdiction where such steps would be required. The offering and subscription of the Shares may be subject to specific legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Vinpai assumes no responsibility for any violation of any such restrictions by any person.

This announcement is not a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and the Council of June 14th, 2017, as amended (the "Prospectus Regulation

In accordance with Article 211-3 of the AMF General Regulations and pursuant to the provisions of Article L. 411-2-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code and Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Regulations, the offer of Vinpai shares will not entail the publication of a prospectus approved by the AMF.

With respect to the member States of the European Economic Area (each, a "relevant member State") no action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make an offer to the public of the securities requiring a publication of a prospectus in any relevant member State. As a result, the Shares can only be offered and will only be offered in relevant member States (a) to legal entities that are qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation or (b) in accordance with the other exemptions of Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation.

For the purposes of this paragraph, the notion of an "offer to the public of Shares" in each of the relevant member States, means any communication to persons in any form and by any means, presenting sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Shares to be offered, so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for those securities.

This selling restriction comes in addition to the other selling restrictions applicable in the other member States.

This press release and the information it contains are being distributed to and are only intended for persons who are (x) outside the United Kingdom or (y) in the United Kingdom who are qualified investors (as defined in the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018) and are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), (ii) high net worth entities and other such persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order ("high net worth companies", "unincorporated associations", etc.) or (iii) other persons to whom an invitation or inducement to participate in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Market Act 2000) may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons in (y)(i), (y)(ii) and (y)(iii) together being referred to as "RelevantPersons"). Any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire securities to which this press release relates will only be engaged with Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this press release or any of its contents.

This press release does not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities nor of any offer or solicitation to sell securities in the United States. The securities mentioned herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States except pursuant to an exemption from or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Vinpai does not intend to register any portion of the proposed offering in the United States nor to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States.

The distribution of this document in certain countries may constitute a breach of applicable law. The information contained in this document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan.

This press release may not be published, forwarded or distributed, directly or indirectly, in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan.

In case of exercise of the over-allotment option, Invest Securities (or any entity acting on its behalf), acting as a stabilizing agent in the name and on behalf of the underwriters may, without being bound and having the right to terminate at any time, during a period of 30 days following the date on which the characteristics of the Offer are determined, i.e., according to the indicative timetable, from July 13, 2023 up to and including August 12, 2023, carry out transactions with a view to maintaining the market price of Vinpai shares in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations and, in particular, Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of Council of April 16, 2014 supplemented by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of March 8, 2016. Any stabilizing action aims to support the market price of Vinpai shares and may affect the share price.

MiFID II Product governance target market: According to the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures, the target market assessment in respect of the shares offered in the global offering (the "Offered Shares") has led to the conclusion that: (i) the target market of the Offered Shares is eligible counterparties, professional clients and retail clients, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) all channels for distribution of the Offered Shares are appropriate (the "Target Market Assessment"). Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Offered Shares (a "distributor") should take into consideration the manufacturers' Target Market Assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Offered Shares (by either adopting or refining the manufacturers' Target Market Assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.

The Target Market Assessment is conducted solely for the purposes of the manufacturer's product approval process and neither constitutes an assessment for any particular client of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II nor a recommendation to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Offered Shares.

Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, the attention of distributors is drawn to the fact that: the price of the Offered Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Offered Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and that an investment in the Offered Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who are capable (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom.

Forward looking statements

Certain information contained in this press release is forward looking statements and not historical data. These forward looking statements are based on opinions, projections and current assumptions including, but not limited to, assumptions concerning the group's current and future strategy and the environment in which the group is developing. They imply known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could result in actual results, performances or achievements, or the results of the sector or other events, differing significantly from those described or suggested by these forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those that are indicated and detailed in Chapter 3 "Risk factors" of the first part of the document d'information

These forward looking statements are given only on the date of this press release and the group expressly declines any obligation or commitment to publish updates or corrections of the forward looking statements included in this press release in order to reflect any change affecting the forecasts or events, conditions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. The forward looking statements and information do not constitute guarantees of future performances, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, a large number of which are difficult to predict and generally outside the control of the group. Actual results may differ significantly from those described, suggested or projected by the forward looking information and statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713868031/en/

Contacts:

Contacts

Vinpai

Philippe Le Ray

Chief Executive Officer

investors@vinpai.com

NewCap

Theo Martin Aurelie Manavarere

Investor Relations

vinpai@newcap.eu

T.: 01 44 71 94 94

NewCap

Nicolas Merigeau

Media Relations

vinpai@newcap.eu

T.: 01 44 71 94 98
ScalePad Continues Its Growth Strategy With Its Fourth Acquisition in 2023

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / ScalePad, the premier provider of solutions Managed Service Providers (MSPs) use to effectively manage their clients' infrastructure and improve their internal operations, today announces the acquisition of Adept Managed Continuity (AdeptMC), a comprehensive solution which adds business continuity to its backup monitoring offering that includes Backup Radar. Together, they provide a comprehensive disaster recovery (DR) planning and backup monitoring, reporting, and compliance platform for MSPs.

ScalePad AdeptMC

ScalePad Acquires Adept Managed Continuity

AdeptMC's automation platform transforms the way providers create business continuity and disaster recovery plans and helps generate new recurring revenue streams. AdeptMC removes bottlenecks from MSPs' testing of clients' recovery plans. AdeptMC marks the fifth acquisition by ScalePad, which includes Lifecycle Insights, Cognition360, and ControlMap in 2023, and the acquisition of Backup Radar in late 2021.

"This acquisition will strengthen our portfolio's data protection, business continuity, and disaster recovery management offering so our partners can deliver the masterful experience their clients deserve," said Dan Wensley, CEO of ScalePad. "Business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) planning is an essential component of the QBR process, as it helps further mitigate risks for both MSPs and their clients. By adding AdeptMC to our offerings, we now provide MSPs additional resources to automate and simplify their planning processes."

"Building Adept Managed Continuity has been a great journey, and our technology will be a great fit for ScalePad," said Chris Jones, outgoing CEO and co-founder of AdeptMC. "ScalePad is an organization that prioritizes its partners and drives innovation. With deep expertise in the MSP space and a keen understanding of where the market needs to go, I'm excited to watch how ScalePad will incorporate our DR planning technology into its product portfolio in the future."

"Once integrated into the ScalePad core platform, AdeptMC's disaster recovery planning technology will enable a new level of automation across its product portfolio for MSPs' mission-critical BCDR processes," said Wensley. "With this integration, MSPs will accomplish tasks that traditionally take hours or even days in a matter of minutes, ultimately enhancing resilience, productivity, and client satisfaction."

About Adept Managed Continuity:

Adept Managed Continuity provides MSPs and ITSPs with a comprehensive managed continuity solution to ensure the resiliency of its clients' businesses. The automation platform transforms the way MSPs create disaster recovery plans and helps generate new recurring revenue streams. Adept Managed Continuity removes the bottlenecks that occur when MSPs test their clients' recovery plans.

About ScalePad:

ScalePad partners with MSPs to deliver the masterful IT experience that clients expect. ScalePad's innovative asset lifecycle management, business intelligence & analytics, business continuity & disaster recovery, and governance, risk & compliance solutions surface hidden risks and actionable opportunities, delivering automated analysis and insights that improve service delivery.

ScalePad has received recognition and awards in various categories, including DattoCon Best Revenue Opportunity, SMB Best Revenue Model, and SMB Channel Allstar. In 2022, ScalePad was listed as a top-growing company on Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 list and recognized on the Great Place to Work 2023 Best Workplaces in Canada list. Visit us at scalepad.com.

Contact Information

Brittany Thibaudeau

Communications Specialist

media@scalepad.com

(604) 334-8986

SOURCE: ScalePad

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/766921/ScalePad-Acquires-Adept-Managed-Continuity
SANTA ANA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / For the eighth year in a row, Optimum Employer Solutions has earned its place as one of the Best Places to Work in Orange County.









"This award demonstrates the consistent and steady commitment of all our employees to create and maintain a workplace culture that is positive and supportive," says President and Founder Kevin Gramian. "Most of how Optimum is assessed is based on the experience of the employees who work here. I'm so proud of them and of the policies and programs we have created to make this a great place to work."

In-depth employee surveys about their honest experience at work comprise 80% of a company's overall score and include open-ended questions on areas such as:

Communication and workplace culture

Supervisor relationship

Training, technology, and development

Diversity and inclusion

Leadership

Benefits and work-life balance.

Employer's workplace policies, practices, and demographics are also evaluated, and the combined scores determine the top organizations and their ranking.

A project of the Orange County Business Journal, in partnership with Workforce Research Group, the county-wide survey and awards program identifies, recognizes, and honors the best places of employment in Orange County, California, benefiting the county's economy, its workforce and businesses. Winners were announced in the July 3rd issue of the Orange County Business Journal.

Optimum Employer Solutions also appeared on OCBJs Best Places to Work list from 2016 to 2022; and on Inc. Magazine's Fastest Growing Private Companies list from 2011-2019, 2022, and 2023.

About Optimum Employer Solutions

Optimum Employer Solutions - an IRS-designated Certified* Professional Employer Organization (CPEO) - was founded with the goal of helping small businesses survive, thrive, and compete for the best talent by giving them access to resources and benefits typically only found at very large companies. As a single, knowledgeable partner, we help our clients to focus on their core business and save time and money by handling all their HR, benefits, and payroll needs.

We Care About Your Humans

www.optimumhr.net

Contact Information:

Jenafer Elin

Director of Accounting and Finance

jenafere@optimumhr.net

(949) 208-9216

SOURCE: Optimum Employer Solutions

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767405/Optimum-Employer-Solutions-Earns-a-Best-Place-to-Work-Award-in-Orange-County-Eighth-Consecutive-Year
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of a new interview with Spod Lithium Corp discussing their latest news.

The Power Play by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.

Spod Lithium Corp (CSE:SPOD) Samples 1.5% Li20 at Niemi Pegmatite Project

SPOD LITHIUM CORP. ("SPOD" or the "Company") (CSE:SPOD)(OTCQB:SPODF) has provided an update on the 2023 Phase I surface exploration program for its 100% owned NORTH NIPIGON - NIEMI PROJECT in the Georgia Lake Pegmatite Field, Ontario. Spod Lithium sampled 1.507% Li2O and continues to expand the mineralized area on the Niemi Block near (MDI42E05SW00017).

For the full interview with Chris Cooper and to learn about SPOD LITHIUM CORP, click here.

Interviews for The Power Play by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Power Play or to explore our other interviews visit The Power Play by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

CONTACT:

The Market Herald

marketing@themarketherald.ca

themarketherald.ca

SOURCE: The Market Herald

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767711/The-Power-Play-by-The-Market-Herald-Releases-a-New-Interview-with-Spod-Lithium-Corp-Discussing-Their-Latest-News
Kuros Biosciences AG / Key word(s): Study results

Kuros Biosciences Announces Completion of Enrollment in the Fibrin-PTH Phase 2 Trial



13.07.2023 / 19:29 CET/CEST



First investigational trial of drug-biologic bone graft for spinal fusion

50 patients have been enrolled in the Phase 2 trial

Potential to address $2.2B market opportunity Schlieren (Zurich), Switzerland, July 13, 2023 - Kuros Biosciences ("Kuros" or the "Company"), a leader in next generation bone graft technologies, announced today the completion of enrollment in the STRUCTURE trial, which is investigating the safety and efficacy of Fibrin-PTH (KUR-113) in single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedures in patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD). Fibrin-PTH is a novel parathyroid hormone-based healing matrix allowing targeted, controlled bone generation. "This first-of-its-kind, drug-biologic combination product has the potential to transform the way spinal fusions are performed" agreed Dr R. Todd Allen from UCSD, one of the investigators of the study. Due to its injectable formulation, it is particularly well suited for minimally invasive approaches.



Fibrin-PTH targets a substantial clinical need and, upon approval, will address the large musculoskeletal growth factor market projected to reach $2.2B by 2030.



The coordinating investigator of the STRUCTURE study, Dr John Chi from Brigham and Women's Hospital, commented: "Fibrin PTH is a keystone technology for promoting bone health and I'm excited to see it being used for spinal fusion, which is one of the hardest areas to fuse. I'm so pleased to see this product progressing through clinical development and we are now one step closer to treating many patients." Joost de Bruijn, Chief Executive Officer of Kuros, said: "This is a major milestone for the company as well as the patients and surgeons we serve across the globe. We look forward with great anticipation to the initial readout from the Phase 2 trial, which we estimate will be in December of this year." The STRUCTURE trial is being conducted under an open Investigational New Drug (IND) program for spinal fusion, which was filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020. STRUCTURE has enrolled 50 patients with DDD requiring single-level interbody fusion with concomitant posterolateral fusion (PLF). The primary endpoint of the trial is radiographic interbody fusion using CT scans at 12 months, as determined by an independent radiology expert panel. Upon successful completion of the Phase 2 study, the Phase 3 program will be initiated. For further information, please contact: Kuros Biosciences AG

Daniel Geiger

Chief Financial Officer

Tel +41 44 733 47 47

Daniel.geiger@kurosbio.com LifeSci Advisors

Mary-Ann Chang

Investors

+44 7483 284 853

mchang@lifesciadvisors.com

About Fibrin-PTH (KUR-113)

Fibrin-PTH (KUR-113) consists of a natural fibrin-based healing matrix with an immobilized targeted bone growth factor (truncated human parathyroid hormone (PTH) analog. Fibrin-PTH (KUR-113) is designed to be applied directly into and around an intervertebral body fusion device as a gel, where it polymerizes in situ. Fibrin-PTH (KUR-113) functions via the well established mechanism of action of parathyroid hormone; has been demonstrated in animal models of spinal fusion to be comparable to rhBMP-2; and has been shown in preclinical studies to be easy to use and ideal for open or minimally invasive techniques1*. The safety & efficacy of Fibrin-PTH (KUR-113) has not yet been evaluated for spinal fusion in humans.



About Spinal Fusion

Lumbar fusion surgery is designed to create solid bone between adjoining vertebrae of the spine, eliminating any movement between the bones. Spinal fusion may be recommended for conditions such as spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease or recurrent disc herniations. The goal of fusion surgery is to reduce pain and nerve irritation. Surgeons perform lumbar fusion using several techniques. One such technique - Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) - is used to stabilize the spinal vertebrae. This definition is adapted from www.spine-health.com. It is estimated that the orthobiology market for spinal fusion is growing to $2.2 billion in 2030, while currently over 800,000 spinal fusion procedures are performed annually in the U.S. & EU. About Kuros Biosciences

Kuros Biosciences is a fast-growing leader in the development of spinal fusion biologics that ease the burden of back pain. With locations in the United States, Switzerland and the Netherlands, the company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The company's first commercial product, MagnetOs, is a unique synthetic bone graft that has already been used successfully across three continents and in over 10,000 spinal fusion surgeries. The next candidate in the Kuros pipeline is Fibrin-PTH - the first drug-biologic combination product candidate for interbody spinal fusions, currently undergoing a Phase 2 clinical trial in the U.S. For more information on the company, its products and pipeline, visit kurosbio.com . Forward Looking Statements

This media release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are urged to consider statements that include the words "will" or "expect" or the negative of those words or other similar words to be uncertain and forward-looking. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements include scientific, business, economic and financial factors. Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no responsibility for updating forward-looking statements or adapting them to future events or developments. 1. Data on file

*Results from in vivo laboratory testing may not be predictive of clinical experience in humans.



End of Media Release


History was made in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, on July 7th, 2023, the final day of the inaugural Africa Voluntary Carbon Credits Forum (AVCCM). Agreements were signed to initiate and install a Regional (Pan African) Carbon Registry owned and operated in Zimbabwe plus a locally operated, owned, and branded version of the worlds first and leading global Voluntary Carbon platform, Carbon Trade Exchange (CTX).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713321840/en/

Contracts Signed in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe (Photo: Business Wire)

The Victoria Falls Carbon Registry (VFCR) will support the migration of Zimbabwe and other African nations projects and Carbon Credits back to Africa to be re-issued under their control. African Nations wishing to participate will be offered a National Sub-license and Registry Administration role within the VFCR, to support, lodge, monitor and manage projects and credit issuance in their nation. This low-cost solution negates the need for separate National Registries. Project types, methodologies and registry fees will be at the discretion of the VFCR, and they expect support from existing carbon credit standards internationally. The Registry will be operational in August 2023 and will start accepting projects, new or migrating, as soon as staff are trained to do so. Global Environmental Markets Group (GEM) will deliver the technology with training in August.

The Victoria Falls Carbon Exchange (VFCX) will have immediate access via CTX to hundreds of projects worldwide for buyers globally, millions of credits listed across worldwide for T+0 clearance and settlement. Plus new credits issued by VFCR Registry listed on the VFCX /CTX globally) instantly at the price the seller determines from that new registry. VFCX registry account holders can list via VFCX at no costs to list. A 5% fee on Sale of credits, no transfer or Retirement fees.

The AVCCM event attracted a large global audience across the carbon market, plus Government, banking, and project developers, supporting Zimbabwean Government's decision to bring the carbon credits 'home' under the UNFCCC Paris Agreement.

"This is the future Africa said it wanted from the Paris agreement in 2015," according to Wayne Sharpe, CEO Founder, Global Environmental Markets Group. This follows on from COP27 where GEM and CTX did multiple presentations to various African nations. After speaking at the AVCCM event, Wayne added, "We saw the passion and commitments to Carbon Credits in Zimbabwe and Africa. This is why we built this technology, to deliver financial and ecological benefits to nations on the ground!

Kwanele Hlabangana, Chairman and Co-Founder of AVCCM said, "Partnering with experienced world class Carbon Market technology leaders like GEM CTX is exciting. Responses from projects, communities and governments is outstanding. It's a great opportunity to accelerate Africa into the Global Climate to save our planet." Ground up approach plus community engagement combined with GEM's proven world class Registry and Exchange technology ticks the boxes for a trusted, credible, transparent, and vibrant African marketplace

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713321840/en/

Contacts:

CTX/GEM:

Wayne Sharpe,

CEO and Founder

info@ctxglobal.com

+44 7502 229523,

www.ctxglobal.com

www.gemglobal.com


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A former Twitter employee has filed a new lawsuit against Twitter and its owner, Elon Musk, alleging that the company failed to fulfill its commitment of providing the full amount of severance promised to employees during mass layoffs in November. The lawsuit, seeking class action status, was filed in a federal district court in California and requests that Musk and Twitter be ordered to pay additional severance benefits to former employees, amounting to no less than $500 million.



The complaint, brought forward by Courtney McMillian, a former human resources leader at Twitter who was among those laid off after Musk's acquisition of the company, states that Twitter repeatedly assured employees about the severance plan during Musk's takeover to retain workers. Specifically, the complaint alleges that Twitter had pledged senior employees a severance package comprising six months of base pay and an additional week for each year of service, along with other benefits. However, Musk's Twitter provided laid-off employees with a total of three months' pay, inclusive of state and federally mandated notice periods.



Since taking ownership of Twitter, Musk has reduced the company's workforce by approximately 80 percent in the nine months of his tenure. This lawsuit adds to a series of legal actions brought against Twitter by former employees making severance-related claims. Over 1,500 former employees have submitted arbitration claims after Twitter pushed for those who had signed an arbitration agreement during their employment to resolve their disputes outside of court.



Kate Mueting, one of the lawyers handling the case, highlighted that this lawsuit relies on the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, a federal law that the firm argues supersedes Twitter's arbitration agreement. Consequently, if the suit is granted class action status, former employees may be eligible to participate, regardless of whether they signed the arbitration agreement.



Apart from the employee-related legal battles, Twitter is also facing lawsuits from vendors, landlords, and business partners who allege non-payment of dues. Additionally, music publishers have lodged copyright infringement claims against the platform. Last week, a lawyer representing Twitter sent a letter threatening to sue Meta, a new rival platform, over its product, Threads.



Overall, the latest lawsuit against Twitter and Elon Musk highlights allegations of unfulfilled severance commitments and adds to the legal challenges faced by the social media giant.



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Mega-Chance Cyber Security Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. Hier klicken


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Elon Musk, the visionary CEO of Tesla (TSLA) and SpaceX, as well as the owner of Twitter, has made a significant announcement on Wednesday, revealing the establishment of a new artificial intelligence or AI company called xAI.



The primary objective of xAI, as stated on the company's website, is to delve into the profound nature of the universe. Musk and his team plan to share further insights during a live Twitter Spaces chat scheduled for Friday.



The formidable team behind xAI consists of accomplished professionals who have previously worked at esteemed organizations such as DeepMind, OpenAI, Google Research, Microsoft Research, Twitter, and Tesla. These talented individuals have contributed to groundbreaking projects, including DeepMind's AlphaCode and OpenAI's highly advanced GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 chatbots. Musk appears to be positioning xAI as a potential competitor to established entities like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, which are known for pioneering chatbot technologies such as ChatGPT, Bard, and Claude.



Reports regarding the formation of the startup initially surfaced in April through the Financial Times, which also indicated that Musk had secured a substantial number of graphics processing units from Nvidia. This acquisition was expected to provide the necessary computational power to drive a potential large-scale language model. In the same month, Musk divulged details about his plans for a new AI tool called 'TruthGPT' during a televised interview on the Fox News Channel. He expressed concerns that existing AI companies prioritize systems that are 'politically correct.'



One of the notable advisors to the xAI team will be Dan Hendrycks, the executive director of the Center for AI Safety, a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco. In May, the Center published a letter signed by prominent tech leaders emphasizing the importance of mitigating the risks associated with AI, which should be treated as a global priority comparable to challenges like pandemics and nuclear warfare.



However, the letter received criticism from certain academics and ethicists who argued that excessive focus on AI's potential future threats detracts from addressing the real-life harms caused by certain algorithms to marginalized communities in the present, rather than an unspecified future.



Greg Yang, co-founder of xAI, shared insights into the startup's core focus, explaining that it will delve into the intricacies of the 'mathematics of deep learning,' a crucial aspect of AI. The aim is to develop the 'theory of everything' for large neural networks, ultimately propelling AI to new frontiers.



Reports indicate that Musk incorporated xAI in Nevada in March. Previously, he altered the name of Twitter to 'X Corp.' in specific financial filings. However, xAI's website clarifies that the company is separate from X Corp., while also noting that it will collaborate closely with X (Twitter), Tesla, and other organizations to advance their shared mission.



As Musk ventures into yet another groundbreaking endeavor, the launch of xAI promises to shed light on the mysteries of the universe through cutting-edge AI technologies and mathematical breakthroughs.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Mega-Chance Cyber Security Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. Hier klicken
Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen.

France is a mature Western European data center market with significant investments from local and global operators, driven by government initiatives for digitalization, AI/ML technologies, and big data solutions. It is well-connected with major markets and is home to major cloud services providers such as OVHcloud, AWS, Microsoft, Google, and Oracle. France has established Free Trade and Industrial Free Zones and is a major global nuclear power producer, committing to carbon neutrality by 2050. The France data center market is experiencing increasing demand for colocation, with the country leading Europe in digital product leadership ahead of Germany and the UK. In 2022, the major investors in the market were Digital Realty, Telehouse, and CyrusOne. The market also witnessed investments from new entrants such as CloudHQ, Stratosfair, Titan Datacenters, and Yondr.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
IPO News has just released an upcoming IPO Brochure section on its website. The IPO market has been slow this year but there are still some gems planning on coming to the market. This Private Company research website reports on the performance of major private equities that are looking to have an IPO.

RATHCOOLE, IRELAND / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / IPO News & Calendar has released an IPO Prospectus section. Full information can be found on the subject companies in over 20 pages of compact information. The Discord IPO and Instacart IPO prospectus have shown to be very popular on the website as many investors await these future IPO stock market listings. For now, these are only available on its website until an app update is released next week.





IPO News

IPO News





IPO News has reported extensively on highly anticipated TSX IPOs, LSE IPOs. The site has recently reported on the potential ASX IPO for Canva Inc, in addition to providing a prospectus for the potential Starlink IPO. A brochure detailing Epic Games stock allocations and funding rounds will be released next month by the unicorn mobile app and site, which has also been reporting on information released on the big investors in Boston Dynamics stock and has been briefed on the possible availability of Lamborghini stock in the form of an IPO.

A huge upcoming potential IPO is being closely watched as many await the final Arm share price and valuation if the possible plan to list proceeds. To stay informed about the potential listing, the app can be downloaded on the Google Play store, or readers can visit IPO News to see the site's full content and view all of the IPO prospectus available. The brochures will be available on the app in due course but for now, they are only on the website.

Contact Information

David Jofferey

Chief Editor

info@adverwise.net

+356 89967 9030

SOURCE: IPO News

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767800/Upcoming-IPOs-on-the-ASX-and-Their-Pre-IPO-Brochures-Now-Featured-in-IPO-News
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Xebra Brands Ltd. (CSE: XBRA) (OTCQB: XBRAF) (FSE: 9YC0) ("Xebra") is providing an update to its previously disclosed management cease trade order ("MCTO"), announced on June 29, 2023, in respect of the audited annual financial statements and corresponding management's discussion and analysis for the year ended February 28, 2023, including the CEO and CFO certifications (collectively, the "Annual Financial Filings") that were not filed by the required filing deadline of June 28, 2023 (the "Filing Deadline").

As previously disclosed, the Annual Financial Filings were not filed by the Filing Deadline due to the fact that there have been delays associated with the recent changes of management.

The Company is working expeditiously on the steps required to complete the Annual Financial Filings and expects to be able to file the Annual Financial Filings by July 21, 2023. The Company will provide updates as further information relating to the Annual Financial Filings becomes available.

Until the Annual Financial Filings are filed, the MCTO will be in effect. Additionally, the Company will issue bi-weekly default status reports in accordance with National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders. The Company intends to satisfy the provisions of the Alternative Information Guidelines during the period it remains in default of the filing requirements. The Company confirms that there have been no material business developments or other material information relating to its affairs as of the date of this news release that have not been generally disclosed.

About Xebra Brands Ltd.

Xebra Brands is an international cannabis cultivation and product company, with global brands and intellectual property. Our focus includes beverages, wellness and leisure. Xebra Brands is an absolute first mover in the Mexican cannabis sector with the first ever granted authorization to a corporation by the COFEPRIS. In Canada, Xebra Brands retails its unique Vicious Citrus THC/CBN Lemonades.

On Behalf of Xebra Brands Ltd.

"Jay Garnett"

Chief Executive Officer

For further information please contact:

Tel : (833) XEBRA 88

Email : ir@xebrabrands.com

Forward-Looking Information

Except for the statements of historical fact, this news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. "Forward-looking information" in this news release includes, but is not limited to, business goals and objectives of the Company; statements and information regarding the timing for the filings of the Annual Filings; the Company's ability to be a first mover in a country, or to obtain or retain government licenses, permits, or authorizations in general, or specifically in Mexico, Canada or elsewhere, including cannabis authorizations from the Mexican Health Regulatory Agency (COFEPRIS); the Company's ability to satisfy the conditions of authorizations granted by COFEPRIS; any continuing uniqueness of any of the Company's products; and other forward-looking information concerning the intentions, plans and future actions of the parties to the transactions described herein and the terms thereon.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the reliance of the Company on its auditors and management with respect to the Annual Filings; Such factors include, but are not limited to, the inability of the Company to retain the authorizations granted by COFEPRIS; the inability to generate sufficient revenues or to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plan; changes in government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in various countries; risks associated with agriculture and cultivation activities generally, including inclement weather, access to supply of seeds, poor crop yields, and spoilage; compliance with import and export laws of various countries; significant fluctuations in cannabis prices and transportation costs; the risk of obtaining necessary licenses and permits; inability to identify, negotiate and complete potential acquisitions, dispositions or joint ventures for any reason; the ability to retain key employees; dependence on third parties for services and supplies; non-performance by contractual counter-parties; general economic conditions; the continued growth in global demand for cannabis products and the continued increase in jurisdictions legalizing cannabis; the timely receipt of regulatory approvals for license applications on terms satisfactory to the Company; and other related risks as more fully set out in the registration statement of Company and other documents disclosed under the Company's filings at www.sedar.com. In addition, there is no assurance that the Company will: be a low-cost producer or exporter; obtain a dominant market position in any jurisdiction; or have products that will be unique.

The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made assumptions about the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, the timing thereof and related matters. The Company has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of the Company's normal course of business. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173455


REDMOND (dpa-AFX) - In a recent blog post, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates expressed a more optimistic stance than some of his peers in Silicon Valley regarding the potential risks associated with artificial intelligence or AI. While acknowledging concerns about AI's impact on misinformation dissemination and job displacement, Gates stressed that these risks are 'manageable' and not unprecedented. Drawing parallels to past transformative innovations like the introduction of cars, Gates pointed out that societies have successfully controlled new threats in the past.



While Microsoft is actively involved in developing generative AI tools, Gates' perspective differs from those who have raised doomsday scenarios surrounding the rapidly evolving technology. In May, numerous tech leaders, including Microsoft's CTO Kevin Scott, joined AI researchers and celebrities in signing a letter highlighting the importance of addressing AI risks alongside other global priorities such as pandemics and nuclear war.



Gates has previously advised against panicking over apocalyptic AI scenarios, asserting that concerns about machine decision-making and human-machine conflicts are not more urgent today than before recent AI advancements. In his latest blog post, Gates expressed particular concern about deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation undermining elections and democracy. He expressed hope that AI could both identify and create deepfakes, emphasizing the need for clear laws and labeling guidelines to distinguish genuine content from manipulated ones.



Additionally, Gates highlighted cybersecurity risks associated with AI, noting the potential for hackers and even nations to launch cyberattacks. He urged the development of cybersecurity measures and proposed the creation of a global body for AI, drawing a parallel with the International Atomic Energy Agency.



Gates also addressed other concerns, including AI's impact on job displacement, perpetuation of biases inherent in training data, and potential disruption to traditional learning methods. Drawing on the example of electronic calculators in the 1970s and 1980s, Gates explained that similar concerns were raised about students' reliance on technology for basic arithmetic. However, he remains optimistic about the future, stating that history demonstrates societies' ability to solve challenges posed by new technologies.



Gates concluded by emphasizing the need for a knowledgeable public debate on AI, where understanding its benefits, risks, and technology itself will be crucial. He referred to AI as 'the most transformative innovation' of our lifetime, emphasizing the significance of a healthy discourse surrounding its implications.



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Mega-Chance Cyber Security Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. Hier klicken
The global payments processor aims to minimize chargebacks and refunds.

RIVIERA BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Verde Payments is announcing a suite of tools to aid merchants with chargeback problems. This ala carte service is now available through the FraudDeflect Product Suite. Of particular note is the new Visa Compelling Evidence 3.0 service tool that can erase chargebacks and stop chargebacks for existing subscription customers.

Visa Compelling Evidence 3.0 (CE3.0) was developed to help merchants eliminate disputes with customers and erase chargebacks for good. It allows merchants to provide more detailed evidence to support their case in the event of a dispute. Visa CE3.0 will reduce the number of chargebacks merchants receive, saving them time and money.

A key benefit of Visa CE3.0 is a more detailed view of a customer's transaction history, including the date, time and location of each transaction, past transactions with the same customer and other relevant details. This helps convince the issuing bank that a charge is legitimate, reducing the likelihood of a chargeback. It provides proof when a customer in fact made a transaction and erases the chargeback - prompting the customer to deal with the merchant about an issue rather than blindly charging back the transaction.

Pre-Auth Anti-Fraud: This JavaScript service provides device fingerprinting, geo-location, rule evaluation and transaction scoring to help stop fraud before a transaction, plus information gathering to help merchants win a Visa Order Insight inquiry or CE3.0 case with no refund or chargeback.

Verifi Order Insight (OI): This product lets issuers request real-time transaction information while the consumer is on the phone. It provides shopping cart details, customer history, refund information, shipping details and more.

Verifi CDRN: This sends merchants an alert letting them know of a pending chargeback. If they accept and refund within 72 hours, the chargeback is prevented. Visa CDRN is effective on Visa and some Mastercard.

Ethoca Alerts: Similar to Visa CDRN, Ethoca Alerts work for all Mastercard transactions and allow merchants 24 hours for a refund decision.

Visa Rapid Dispute Resolution (RDR): This product is fully automated by Visa. Once an RDR is received, the acquirer pulls the funds from the merchant's bank account like a chargeback, but this does not count against a merchant's chargeback ratio or the monitoring programs.

Verifi Inform: This is a real-time notification service. When a merchant receives a chargeback, fraud-flagged transaction or a CE3.0 win/loss, they are informed immediately. This is useful for representment, stop-shipment, disentitle digital goods, etc. (Required for OI/CE3.0).

According to Bill Ranta, VP of Revenue at Verde Payments and self-proclaimed CNP Evangelist, "Order Insight, coupled with Compelling Evidence 3.0 and Inform, can provide a recurring billing merchant a solid defense shield  It's great progress over the last 10 years for Card Not Present merchants, and you shouldn't be selling without it."

Contact Information

Bill Ranta

VP of Revenue

branta@verdepayments.com

SOURCE: Verde Payments

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767829/Verde-Payments-Rolls-Out-Powerful-Merchant-Protection-Tools
Vancouver, British Columbia and Johannesburg, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (TSX: PTM) (NYSE American: PLG) ("Platinum Group", "PTM" or the "Company") reports the Company's financial results for the nine month period ended May 31, 2023 and provides an update and outlook. The Company is focussed on advancing the Waterberg Project located on the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa (the "Waterberg Project"). The Waterberg Project is planned as a fully mechanised, shallow, decline access palladium, platinum, gold and rhodium ("4E") mine and is projected to be one of the largest and lowest cost underground platinum group metals ("PGM" or "PGMs") mines globally.

The Company's near-term objectives include the advancement of the Waterberg Project to a development and construction decision, including the arrangement of construction financing and concentrate offtake agreements. The Company is also advancing an initiative through Lion Battery Technologies Inc. ("Lion") using platinum and palladium in lithium battery technologies in collaboration with Anglo American Platinum Limited ("Anglo") and Florida International University ("FIU").

For details of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the nine month period ended May 31, 2023 (the "Financial Statements") and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the nine month period ended May 31, 2023 (the "MD&A") please see the Company's filings on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). Shareholders are encouraged to visit the Company's website at www.platinumgroupmetals.net. Shareholders may receive a hard copy of the complete Financial Statements from the Company free of charge upon request.

All amounts herein are reported in United States dollars unless otherwise specified. The Company holds cash in Canadian dollars, United States dollars and South African Rand. Changes in exchange rates may create variances in the cash holdings or results reported.

Recent Events

On June 21, 2023, the Company reported that Lion Battery Technologies Inc. ("Lion") had engaged The Battery Innovation Center ("BIC") in Newberry, Indiana to help drive commercialization of its next generation platinum and palladium based battery chemistries. Lion is advancing both proprietary lithium-sulfur and enhanced lithium-ion (NMC) technology using the unique catalytic properties of platinum and palladium. Under a scope of work, the BIC will conduct independent small and large scale trials to validate Lion's proprietary platinum and palladium based electrode composition, slurry, and films in both lithium-sulfur and lithium-ion (NMC811) coin and pouch cells. Collaboration with BIC will also include additional research and development focused on improving performance and scale-up with the goal of creating prototypes for commercialization consideration in 2024. Lion's target is to develop batteries with specific energies that are 20% to 100% higher than current technologies while meeting or exceeding their present cycle lives.

On June 9, 2023, the Company reported that the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security ("JOGMEC") and Hanwa Co. Ltd. ("Hanwa") had established a special purpose company, HJ Platinum Metals Ltd. ("HJM"), to hold and fund their future equity interests in the Waterberg Project. The combined interests of JOGMEC (12.195%) and Hanwa (9.755%) were consolidated into a 21.95% interest for HJM going forward, with JOGMEC to fund 75% of future equity investments into HJM and Hanwa the remaining 25%.

On May 17, 2023, the Company reported that exploration borehole WE153 had intercepted platinum group metals mineralization consistent with both the T Zone and F Zone as found within the mineral resources and reserves of the Waterberg Project. Borehole WE153 was collared on prospecting rights owned by Waterberg JV Resources (Pty) Ltd. ("Waterberg JV Co.") located adjacent to the north of the Waterberg Project mining right. See the Company's May 31, 2023 MD&A for full details and assay results.

On March 30, 2023, the Company reported positive results from a completed infill drill campaign at the Waterberg Project. Assay results for sixteen planned F Zone boreholes were disclosed. During February 2023, recovered drill cores were logged and mineralized intercepts were sampled and sent for assay by Intertek Genalysis Minerals in Australia. Results will be incorporated into a definitive feasibility study update now underway and described more fully below.

On March 24, 2023, the directors, and shareholders of Waterberg JV Resources (Pty) Ltd. ("Waterberg JV Co.") approved a stage two budget of $3.6 million (the "Stage Two Budget") for continued work on the Waterberg Project. The Stage Two Budget, covering the period from April 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023, is a subcomponent of the $21 million Work Program (as defined below) approved in principle on October 18, 2022.

On February 21, 2023, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued FIU a fifth patent, No. 11,588,144 B2, entitled "Battery Cathodes for Improved Stability". The patent involves the fabrication of cathodes using palladium as a catalyst in carbon nanotubes. The carbon structure provides a barrier between the catalyst and the electrolyte, thereby increasing the stability of the electrolyte during charging and discharging of a battery. Further patents are currently applied for. Under an agreement between Lion and FIU (the "Sponsored Research Agreement"), Lion has exclusive rights to all intellectual property being developed by FIU including the patents granted.

On January 26, 2023, the Company reported positive results from the infill drill campaign at the Waterberg Project. Assay results for sixteen planned T Zone boreholes and one of sixteen planned F Zone boreholes were disclosed. Recovered drill cores were logged and mineralized intercepts were sampled and sent for assay by Intertek Genalysis Minerals in Australia.

On November 10, 2022, the South African Supreme Court of Appeal (the "Supreme Court") dismissed an August 31, 2022 application by Africa Wide Mineral Prospecting and Exploration Proprietary Limited ("Africa Wide") seeking leave to appeal the June 14, 2022 South African High Court (the "High Court") ruling dismissing their challenge to the 2018 sale of the Maseve Mine and awarding costs to the defendants. Costs were again awarded to the defendants. On July 10, 2023, the Company received notice that Africa Wide had applied for a reconsideration of the ruling of the Supreme Court of Appeal. Notwithstanding the lack of merit and unusual nature of this application, it was filed nearly seven months past the deadline for such a submission. The Company will oppose the application.

On October 18, 2022, the directors and shareholders of Waterberg JV Co. approved in principle a pre-construction work program (the "Work Program") for the Waterberg Project amounting to approximately $21 million over a 23-month period ending August 31, 2024. From the Work Program an initial budget (the "Initial Budget") of approximately $2.5 million was approved for expenditure by March 31, 2023.

On October 13, 2022, the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy ("DMRE") ruled to dismiss a series of appeals filed in 2021 against the grant of the Waterberg Mining Right. In its ruling the DMRE provided the regulatory reasons why each appeal was denied and confirmed the DMRE's assessment that Waterberg JV Co. has complied with Black Economic Empowerment requirements and Social and Labour Plan community consultation procedures.

On October 4, 2022, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued FIU a fourth patent, No. 11,462,743 B2, entitled "Battery Comprising a Metal Interlayer". The patent involves the use of palladium as interlayer in batteries to stabilize and enable lithium metal anodes in various existing and emerging lithium battery technologies. Further patents are currently applied for. Under the Sponsored Research Agreement, Lion has exclusive rights to all intellectual property being developed by FIU including the patents granted.

On July 27, 2022, the Company entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. (the "Canadian Agent") and BMO Capital Markets (the "U.S. Agent" and together with the Canadian Agent, the "Agents") for a new at-the-market equity program (the "2022 ATM") to distribute up to $50.0 million (or the equivalent in Canadian dollars) of Common Shares (the "Offered Shares"). The Offered Shares will be issued by the Company to the public from time to time, through the Agents, at the Company's discretion. The Offered Shares sold under the 2022 ATM will be sold at the prevailing market price at the time of sale. The net proceeds of any such sales under the 2022 ATM will be used for general working capital purposes, including the Work Program as described above. As of July 13, 2023, the Company has issued 1,089,503 Common Shares, through the U.S. Agent on the NYSE American pursuant to the 2022 ATM, at an average price of $1.81 for gross proceeds of $1.98 million. Directly attributable fees and expenses related to the 2022 ATM of $0.35 million were incurred in the nine month period ended May 31, 2023.

Results For The Nine Month Period Ended May 31, 2023

During the nine month period ended May 31, 2023, the Company incurred a net loss of $4.05 million (May 31, 2022 - $7.26 million).

General and administrative expenses of $2.9 million (May 31, 2022 - $3.26 million ) during the current period were lower than the comparable period, with the higher expense at May 31, 2022 being primarily due to legal expenses for our successful defense at trial against claims by Africa Wide, which took place during October 2021 and February 2022. Interest expense was $Nil in the current period versus $1.65 million in the comparable nine month period of fiscal 2022. The Company repaid all its remaining debt in February 2022, thereby eliminating related future interest expense. The foreign exchange gain recognized in the current period was $0.29 million (May 31, 2022 - $0.12 million loss) due to the U.S. Dollar increasing in value relative to the Canadian Dollar during the current period. Lion Battery joint venture battery research and development expenses were $0.30 million during the nine month period (May 31, 2022 - $0.25 million). Stock compensation expense was $1.6 million during the period (May 31, 2022 - $1.73 million).

At May 31, 2023, finance income consisting primarily of interest earned in the period amounted to $0.47 million (May 31, 2022 - $0.09 million).

Loss per share for the current period amounted to $0.04, as compared to a loss of $0.08 per share for the nine month period ended May 31, 2022.

Amounts receivable at May 31, 2023, totalled $0.44 million (August 31, 2022 - $0.38 million) while accounts payable and accrued liabilities amounted to $0.62 million (August 31, 2022 - $1.12 million). Amounts receivable were comprised mainly of value added taxes repayable to the Company in South Africa. Accounts payable consisted primarily of Waterberg engineering fees, infill and geotechnical drilling costs, accrued professional fees and regular trade payables.

Total expenditures on the Waterberg Project, before partner reimbursements, for the nine month period ended May 31, 2023 were approximately $3.5 million (May 31, 2022 - $2.6 million). After accounting for foreign exchange gains or losses related to the U.S. Dollar, at May 31, 2023, $38.6 million in accumulated net costs were capitalized to the Waterberg Project (May 31, 2022 - $43.4 million). Total expenditures on the property since inception from all investor sources to May 31, 2023 are approximately $83.8 million. For more information about the Waterberg Project, see Note 3. of the Financial Statements, "Mineral Properties and Exploration and Evaluation Assets".

Outlook

The Company's primary business objective is to advance the Waterberg Project to a development and construction decision. PTM is the operator of the Waterberg Project as directed by a technical committee comprised of representatives from joint venture partners Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. ("Implats"), Mnombo Wethu Consultants (Pty) Ltd. ("Mnombo"), JOGMEC and Hanwa.

On October 18, 2022, Waterberg JV Co. approved in principle the pre-construction Work Program (as described above) of approximately $21.0 million over a 23-month period ending August 31, 2024. The Work Program is focussed on project infrastructure including initial road access, water supply, essential site facilities, a first phase accommodation lodge, a site construction power supply from state utility Eskom and advancement of the Waterberg Social & Labour Plan. An update to the 2019 Waterberg Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS Update") is also underway, including a review of cut-off grades, mining methods, infrastructure plans, scheduling, concentrate offtake, dry stack tailings, costing and other potential revisions to the project's financial model.

From the Work Program, an Initial Budget of approximately $2.5 million was approved for expenditure by March 31, 2023, including thirty-two infill boreholes, several geotechnical boreholes, and one exploration borehole. The Initial Budget was completed as planned. A Stage Two Budget for $3.6 million in work was approved for expenditure on March 24, 2023. The Stage Two Budget, currently underway, includes DFS Update engineering, pre-construction engineering, electrical power supply engineering and the permitting and licensing of construction aggregate borrow pits identified near the Waterberg mine site.

The Initial Budget and the Stage Two Budget are being funded pro rata by the joint venture partners. Subsequent expenditures in accordance with the Work Program are subject to expected approvals for the next sequential time period beginning September 1, 2023.

The Company continues to work closely with regional and local communities and their leadership on mine development plans to achieve optimal outcomes and best value to all stakeholders.

Before project financing and a construction decision can be undertaken, arrangements will be required for project concentrate offtake or processing. Obtaining reasonable terms for Waterberg concentrate offtake from an existing smelter/refiner in South Africa is considered the preferred option and discussions with such parties are ongoing.

In addition to seeking reasonable terms for Waterberg concentrate offtake from an existing smelter/refiner in South Africa, the Company must also consider alternatives. The NI 43-101 definitive feasibility study technical report for the Waterberg Project entitled "Independent Technical Report, Waterberg Project Definitive Feasibility Study and Mineral Resource Update, Bushveld Complex, South Africa" dated October 4, 2019, stated that "Additional smelting capacity may need to be constructed in the industry to be able to treat the flotation concentrate from Waterberg and the other potential Platreef miners". The Company is assessing the economic feasibility of constructing a matte furnace and base metal refinery in South Africa, either with or without partners, to process Waterberg concentrate. A matte furnace and base metal refinery as described above is envisioned as a separate business from Waterberg JV Co. that could provide fair market concentrate offtake terms to Waterberg JV Co. and possibly to other PGM miners. Discussions with potential participating partners and investors are ongoing.

The Company is also assessing the economic feasibility of constructing a matte furnace and base metal refinery outside of South Africa to process Waterberg concentrate. Working with a potential partner in a jurisdiction with less expensive power and water, the Company has completed a trade off study which indicates that savings on power and water substantially offset the cost of additional concentrate transportation. Before concentrate could be exported from South Africa, a formal government approval would be required. Further studies are underway.

As the world seeks to decarbonize and look for solutions to climate change, the adoption of battery electric vehicles is forecast to reduce the future demand for PGMs used in autocatalysis. The unique properties of PGMs as powerful catalysts are being applied to various technologies as possible solutions for more efficient energy generation and storage, which may create new demand for PGMs. The Company's battery technology initiative through Lion with partner Anglo represents one such new opportunity in the high-profile lithium battery research and innovation field. The investment in Lion creates a potential vertical integration with a broader industrial market development strategy to bring new technologies to market which use palladium and platinum. Research and development efforts by FIU on behalf of Lion continue. Technical results from Lion's research may have application to most lithium-ion battery chemistries and the scope of Lion's research work is being expanded.

Environmental, Social and Governance

In November 2022, Platinum Group received its second annual Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") disclosure report from Digbee Ltd. ("Digbee"), a United Kingdom based company that has developed an industry standard ESG disclosure framework for the mining sector providing a right-sized, future looking set of frameworks against which they can credibly disclose, track, compare and improve their ESG performance. Digbee ESG has been developed in consultation with mining companies, ESG specialists and capital providers and is endorsed by leading financial institutions, producing mining companies and other industry stakeholders. Digbee's reporting framework is aligned with global standards, including the Equator Principles.

Regulatory

As well as the discussions within this news release, the reader is encouraged to also see the Company's disclosure made under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended August 31, 2022 ("AIF") as filed with Canadian securities regulators and annual report on Form 40-F for the year ended August 31, 2022 ("Form 40-F") as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

Qualified Person

Rob van Egmond, P.Geo., a consultant geologist to the Company and a former employee, is an independent qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Mr. van Egmond has reviewed, validated and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release and has previously visited the Waterberg Project site.

About Platinum Group Metals Ltd. and the Waterberg Project

Platinum Group Metals Ltd. is the operator of the Waterberg Project, a bulk underground palladium and platinum deposit located in South Africa. The Waterberg Project was discovered by Platinum Group and is being jointly developed with Implats, Mnombo, JOGMEC and Hanwa.

On behalf of the Board of

Platinum Group Metals Ltd.

Frank R. Hallam

President, CEO and Director

For further information contact:

Kris Begic, VP, Corporate Development

Platinum Group Metals Ltd., Vancouver

Tel: (604) 899-5450 / Toll Free: (866) 899-5450

www.platinumgroupmetals.net

Disclosure

The TSX and the NYSE American have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this news release, which has been prepared by management.

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "may", "plans", "postulate" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the success of the Company's objective to advance the Waterberg Project to a development and construction decision, the completion of the various phases of the Work Program, the planned DFS Update, the plan for and development of the Waterberg Project and the potential benefits and results thereof, financing and mine development of the Waterberg Project, potential commercial alternatives for mine development financing and concentrate offtake, financing and mine development of the Waterberg Project, the size and cost of the Waterberg Project, the economic feasibility of establishing a Waterberg matte furnace, the possible implementation of dry stack tailings methods and results on water consumption, work with local communities, the development of new battery technologies and the potential benefits of utilizing palladium and platinum therein, the commercialization thereof and Lion's development of next generation battery technology, a the market demand outlook for PGMs, the success of Lion's and FIU's research and development efforts, the expansion of Lion's research work into additional battery chemistries, the Company's ability to better access capital markets due to its ESG practices, the results of the Company's infill drill program at the Waterberg Project, and the Company's other future plans and expectations. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including possible adverse impacts due the global outbreak of COVID-19, the Company's inability to generate sufficient cash flow or raise additional capital, and to comply with the terms of any new indebtedness; additional financing requirements; and any new indebtedness may be secured, which potentially could result in the loss of any assets pledged by the Company; the Company's history of losses and negative cash flow; the Company's properties may not be brought into a state of commercial production; uncertainty of estimated production, development plans and cost estimates for the Waterberg Project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs, between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries and between estimated and actual production; fluctuations in the relative values of the U.S. Dollar, the Rand and the Canadian Dollar; volatility in metals prices; the uncertainty of alternative funding sources for Waterberg JV Co.; the Company may become subject to the U.S. Investment Company Act; the failure of the Company or the other shareholders to fund their pro rata share of funding obligations for the Waterberg Project; any disputes or disagreements with the other shareholders of Waterberg JV Co. or Mnombo; the ability of the Company to retain its key management employees and skilled and experienced personnel; conflicts of interest; litigation or other administrative proceedings brought against the Company; actual or alleged breaches of governance processes or instances of fraud, bribery or corruption; exploration, development and mining risks and the inherently dangerous nature of the mining industry, and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and other risks and uncertainties; property and mineral title risks including defective title to mineral claims or property; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and South Africa; equipment shortages and the ability of the Company to acquire necessary access rights and infrastructure for its mineral properties; environmental regulations and the ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits, including environmental authorizations and water use licences; extreme competition in the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining, or a failure to obtain, permits necessary for current or future operations or failures to comply with the terms of such permits; risks of doing business in South Africa, including but not limited to, labour, economic and political instability and potential changes to and failures to comply with legislation; the Company's common shares may be delisted from the NYSE American or the TSX if it cannot maintain compliance with the applicable listing requirements; and other risk factors described in the Company's most recent Form 40-F annual report, AIF and other filings with the SEC and Canadian securities regulators, which may be viewed at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com, respectively. Proposed changes in the mineral law in South Africa if implemented as proposed would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and potential interest in projects. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

The technical and scientific information contained herein has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, which differs from the standards adopted by the SEC. Accordingly, the technical and scientific information contained herein, including any estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources, may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies subject to the disclosure requirements of the SEC.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173424
The progressive supranuclear palsy market size shall grow significantly during the forecast period (2023-2032). This increase will be due to rising disease awareness and improving diagnosis, besides the launch of emerging therapies by leading companies such as Woolsey Pharmaceutical, Asahi Kasei Pharma, AlzProtect, Transposon Therapeutics, Oncolys Biopharma, and others.

LAS VEGAS, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, progressive supranuclear palsy emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2019 to 2032, segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU-4 (Italy, Spain, France, and Germany), the United Kingdom, and Japan].

Key Takeaways from the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Report

As per DelveInsight analysis, the progressive supranuclear palsy market size in the 7MM was approximately USD 8.3 billion in 2022.

in 2022. According to the assessment done by DelveInsight, the estimated total prevalent progressive supranuclear palsy cases in the 7MM were approximately 81K in 2022.

in 2022. Leading progressive supranuclear palsy companies such as Woolsey Pharmaceutical, Asahi Kasei Pharma, AlzProtect, Transposon Therapeutics, Oncolys Biopharma, Ferrer, Asceneuron, UCB Biopharma, Novartis , and others are developing novel progressive supranuclear palsy drugs that can be available in the progressive supranuclear palsy market in the coming years.

, and others are developing novel progressive supranuclear palsy drugs that can be available in the progressive supranuclear palsy market in the coming years. The promising progressive supranuclear palsy therapies in the pipeline include BRAVYL (fasudil), AZP2006 (ezeprogind), TPN-101/OBP-601 (censavudine), ASN90, NIO752, UCB0107 (bepranemab), and others.

Discover which therapies are expected to grab the major progressive supranuclear palsy market share @ Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Report

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Overview

Progressive supranuclear palsy, also known as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome and Parkinson-plus syndrome, is the most frequent atypical Parkinsonism. It is one of a group of disorders known as tauopathies. The exact cause is unknown. It does, however, include the aberrant buildup of tau protein in specific tissues. Brain areas, particularly the basal ganglia, and brainstem, produce aberrant tangles, resulting in cell degeneration.

Progressive supranuclear palsy is difficult to diagnose since its symptoms coincide with those of other movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and corticobasal degeneration. There is no specific test for progressive supranuclear palsy, and diagnosis is mainly based on the presence of specific symptoms, clinical examination, and the elimination of other probable causes. Brain imaging, such as MRI, may also be utilized to support the diagnosis by revealing specific patterns of brain shrinkage. Progressive supranuclear palsy is currently diagnosed using two diagnostic criteria: the MDS-PSP and the NINDS-SPSP.

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Epidemiology Segmentation

DelveInsight estimates that there were approximately 81K prevalent cases of progressive supranuclear palsy in the 7MM in 2022.

Among the 7MM, the US accounted for the largest diagnosed prevalent progressive supranuclear palsy population contributing nearly 33% to the total diagnosed population in 2022. In contrast, Spain accounted for the least, with approximately 5% share of the total population in 2022.

The progressive supranuclear palsy market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2019-2032 in the 7MM segmented into:

Total Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Prevalent Cases

Total Diagnosed Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Prevalent Cases

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Gender-specific Cases

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Comorbidities-associated Cases

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Phenotype-specific Cases

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Treatment Market

There is no cure for progressive supranuclear palsy, and the various treatments merely treat the symptoms. Disease-modifying medicines and treatment recommendations are currently lacking in the progressive supranuclear palsy treatment landscape. While symptomatic therapies are commonly employed, their efficacy is only mild to moderate. Specific therapies may be beneficial because one medicine does not alleviate all of the symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy. Antiparkinson drugs levodopa and amantadine are commonly used to improve muscle flexibility and balance.

Parkinson's drugs are ineffective; about 20-30% of patients respond adequately to levodopa. Antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, and other medications, in addition to antiparkinson drugs, are used to treat related symptoms and diseases. Furthermore, eye drops are indicated for dry eyes to avoid keratitis, and botulinum toxin injections may help with blepharospasm, dystonia, and retrocollis.

The primary pharmacologic drug utilized for dopaminergic replacement therapy in progressive supranuclear palsy is levodopa (together with a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor such as carbidopa or benserazide), with a more strong response often seen in the PSP-P subtype. Postural instability is unlikely to respond in PSP-P, although bradykinesia, stiffness, and tremor may be found in any phenotype of progressive supranuclear palsy. According to historical research, 20-30% of pathologically verified PSP patients and 20-40% of clinically diagnosed PSP patients responded favorably to levodopa alone or in combination with another dopaminergic drug (such as amantadine). These responses typically arise early in the disease's progression and last only a few months. Furthermore, levodopa therapies are only undertaken in patients with stiffness, bradykinesia, or impeded daily activities due to tremors.

To know more about progressive supranuclear palsy treatment guidelines, visit @ Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Management

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Pipeline Therapies and Key Companies

BRAVYL (fasudil): Woolsey Pharmaceutical/Asahi Kasei Pharma

AZP2006 (ezeprogind): AlzProtect

TPN-101/OBP-601 (censavudine): Transposon Therapeutics/Oncolys Biopharma

ASN90: Ferrer/Asceneuron

NIO752: Novartis

UCB0107 (bepranemab): UCB Biopharma

Learn more about the FDA-approved drugs for progressive supranuclear palsy @ Drugs for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Treatment

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Dynamics

The progressive supranuclear palsy market is anticipated to change in the coming years. The updated MDS diagnostic criteria for PSP broaden the disease's clinical spectrum by including disorders indicative of PSP as well as a variety of symptomatic PSP presentations. Moreover, advocacy and support organizations are dedicated to increasing awareness, providing resources, and assisting individuals and families impacted by PSP. In addition, increased research can help us understand progressive supranuclear palsy better, including its underlying mechanisms, risk factors, and potential therapy targets. Furthermore, better imaging and biofluid biomarker research will allow early and accurate diagnostic enrolment of relevant patients who are likely to demonstrate more clear favorable effects in clinical trials.

However, several factors are impeding the growth of the progressive supranuclear palsy market. The scarcity of epidemiological data on disease phenotypes restricts research and clinical health interventions. The disease's diverse phenotype makes diagnosing subtypes of PSP difficult, resulting in diagnostic delays and poor treatment outcomes. Moreover, a probable concern is the failure of multiple drugs in clinical trials, including rasagiline, tideglusib, and davunetide. Furthermore, patients become wheelchair dependent due to frequent falls, which has a severe impact on a patient's quality of life and increases the carer's burden.

Report Metrics Details Study Period 2019-2032 Coverage 7MM [the United States, the EU-4 (Italy, Spain, France, and Germany), the United Kingdom, and Japan] Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market CAGR 27.7 % Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Size in 2022 USD 8.3 Billion Key Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Companies Woolsey Pharmaceutical, Asahi Kasei Pharma, AlzProtect, Transposon Therapeutics, Oncolys Biopharma, Ferrer, Asceneuron, UCB Biopharma, Novartis, and others Key Pipeline Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Therapies BRAVYL (fasudil), AZP2006 (ezeprogind), TPN-101/OBP-601 (censavudine), ASN90, NIO752, UCB0107 (bepranemab), and others

Scope of the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Report

Therapeutic Assessment: Progressive Supranuclear Palsy current marketed and emerging therapies

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy current marketed and emerging therapies Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Dynamics: Conjoint Analysis of Emerging Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Drugs

Conjoint Analysis of Emerging Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Drugs Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Access and Reimbursement

Discover more about progressive supranuclear palsy drugs in development @ Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Clinical Trials

Table of Contents

1. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Key Insights 2. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Report Introduction 3. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Overview at a Glance 4. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Executive Summary 5. Disease Background and Overview 6. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Treatment and Management 7. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Epidemiology and Patient Population 8. Patient Journey 9. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Marketed Drugs 10. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Emerging Drugs 11. 7MM Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Analysis 12. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Outlook 13. Potential of Current and Emerging Therapies 14. KOL Views 15. Unmet Needs 16. SWOT Analysis 17. Appendix 18. DelveInsight Capabilities 19. Disclaimer 20. About DelveInsight

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Summer is getting its annual kickoff Parkway Lofts-style, as the luxury apartment complex announces its 3rd Annual Block Party to support its residents and the local community.

BLOOMFIELD, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Summer is getting its annual kickoff Parkway Lofts-style, as they support their residents and the surrounding community of Bloomfield. As part of that mission, they're eager to announce their 3rd annual Block Party on July 15th, 2023- a day of community, networking, and fun, featuring a bouncy house, face painting, a dunk tank, music performers, stand-up comedians, and a DJ.

Melanie Jack, property manager at Parkway Lofts, shares that "this is our chance to show our residents how we truly appreciate them and how grateful we are that they chose Parkway Lofts to call their home."

The highlight of the event will be the resident booths - an opportunity for all Parkway Lofts small business owners or creators to exhibit their businesses. Parkway Lofts is home to clothing designers, musicians, music professionals, artists of all mediums, social media influencers, and fitness trainers, among others, and the event is sure to draw a crowd.

Parkway Lofts is expecting around 200 attendees, as both new residents as well as those who have attended previous parties, are excited to be a part of this tradition.

Once all residents have had a chance to secure a slot, the event will be opened to all Bloomfield business owners. Parkway Lofts, owned and operated by AJH, a real estate management company based in New Jersey, would love to welcome all members of the community to the Block Party. Reach out to parkwaylofts@ajhmanagement.com to RSVP.

Parkway Lofts is a luxury apartment complex in Bloomfield, New Jersey, with endless amenities, impeccable service, and a wonderful community.

Contact Information

Melanie Jack

Property Manager

mjack@ajhmanagement.com

2013088200

SOURCE: Parkway Lofts

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/767803/Parkway-Lofts-Luxury-Apartment-Building-in-Bloomfield-NJ-Partners-With-Community-to-Host-3rd-Annual-Block-Party
Distributed Ventures (which was born out of NFP Ventures), a Chicago, IL-based early-stage venture capital firm, closed its first fund, at $100M in total commitments.

Limited partners include insurance carriers, insurance brokerages, current as well as former insurance executives and private family offices.

The fund will focus on early-stage venture investments spanning insurtech, healthtech, and fintech verticals.

The Distributed Ventures investment thesis is to discover, invest in and rapidly accelerate the most promising startups in insurtech, fintech, and digital health that have the potential to positively affect risk in each respective vertical. The firm provides capital to late Seed and Series A companies while catalyzing growth through Distributed Ventures strategic LP base and the teams expertise as former founders, investors, and operators.

Distributed Ventures was born out of NFP Ventures with the goal of helping entrepreneurs demonstrate product-market fit and accelerate their commercial traction via diverse distribution channels. As a result, their investments align with their strategic partners subject matter expertise, market perspectives, and distribution strength.

Led by Shawn Ellis, Managing Partner, Adam Blumencranz, Partner, at Distributed Ventures.

In May 2023, they added tech community-building veteran Mandy Yoh as their Chief of Staff. As Chief of Staff, Yoh will focus on brand growth and expanding investment opportunities for the firm. Yoh began her entrepreneurial tech career as the first hire at SpotHero where she led the community management of their ecosystem to help drive growth for the company. Most recently, Yoh oversaw the end-to-end experience for the global startup community at the worlds #1 private tech incubator, 1871 as well as the build out of the community / platform function at a Chicago mid-market private equity firm.

The firm has worked with companies across the U.S. and has led 6 acquisitions, and an IPO within their portfolio.

FinSMEs

13/07/2023
EG 427, a Paris, France-based biotechnology company developing pinpoint DNA medicine solutions, raised additional 5M in funding.

The round, which brought the total amount to 18M, saw participation from a combination of existing investors and new family office investors.

The company intends to use the funds to finance clinical development of EG110A and advance other pipeline products.

Led by Philippe Chambon, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and CEO, and Cornelia Haag-Molkenteller, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, EG 427 has developed a non-replicative Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (nrHSV-1) based vector platform which delivers, with pinpoint precision, highly selective, durable expression of disease modifying transgenes. The company leverages the technology to design new treatments of peripheral nervous system disorders and beyond. Its lead asset, EG110A, targets the silencing of type-C sensory neurons.

Later this year, EG 427 will be initiating a Series B fundraising to finance clinical development of EG110A and advance other pipeline products.

FinSMEs

13/07/2023
HawkEye 360, a Herndon, VA-based defense technology company providing global knowledge of human activity and trends derived from radio frequency (RF) geospatial intelligence, raised $58M in Series D-1 funding.

The round was led by BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) with additional funding from Manhattan Venture Partners and existing investors including Insight Partners, NightDragon, Strategic Development Fund (SDF), Razors Edge, Alumni Ventures, and Adage Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to develop new space systems and expand analytics that support high-value defense missions.

Led by CEO John Serafini, HawkEye 360 is a defense technology company providing global knowledge of human activity and trends derived from revolutionary radio frequency (RF) geospatial intelligence. Its space-based technology was developed to detect, characterize, and geolocate a broad range of RF signals. These RF data and analytics allow analysts to detect the first glimpse of suspicious behavior, trace the first sign of adversarial activity, and reveal the first sighting of ships attempting to vanish. Its RF intelligence presents a quicker grasp of critical events and patterns of life, providing early warnings to drive tip-and-cue efforts, and providing leaders the insights needed to make informed decisions.

HawkEye 360 has 21 satellites in orbit and plans to move to a new Block 3 satellite architecture starting with Cluster 14 and beyond. The company is also investing further in artificial intelligence, data fusion, and multi-intelligence orchestration to extract value from the large amount of RF data being collected.

FinSMEs

13/07/2023
Ashton Braun, Co-Founder and CEO

Silo, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of technology solutions for the food supply chain, raised $132M in funding.

The round was led by First Citizens Bank and Koch Disruptive Technologies. Other investors included existing investors Andreessen Horowitz, Haystack Capital, Tribe Capital, Collate Capital and Moore Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth of financial services solutions and product development.

Led by CEO Ashton Braun, Silo provides distributors and grower shipper businesses of the perishable food supply chain with a finance platform, called Silo Finance, which gives users a full understanding of their cash flow and financing in an easy and fluid way.

Last year, the company secured financing to introduce a working capital program called Instant Pay and after a track record of providing their customers with an innovative way to manage and access working capital, the company has received more attention. Today, First Citizens Bank is partnering with Silo to provide an additional $100 million to launch Silos new funding program called Cash Advance. These two funding facilities will help expand Silos capital program and embed additional fintech services, empowering more supply chain businesses to survive and thrive during an economic downturn.

FinSMEs

12/08/2023
Simbe, a San Francisco, CA-based company leveraging AI and robotics to automate processes for retailers, raised $28M in Series B funding.

The round, which brought the total amount to $54M, was led by Eclipse.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach.

Led by Brad Bogolea, CEO, Simbe Robotics specializes in automation solutions that give retailers visibility and insight into the state of their store environments, while improving inventory and operational challenges. Its business intelligence solution is empowered by Tally, an autonomous in-store product auditing solution that traverses aisles to generate exact product location data and identify out-of-stock, misplaced, or mispriced products accurately.

In 2020, Simbe introduced Tally 3.0, the latest iteration of Tally and the most advanced autonomous inventory robot on the market. Advancements in camera systems, data capture, 2D and 3D imaging, and more have led to more refined machine learning and AI models that deliver higher quality data and deeper insights into store environments.

In 2023, the company developed new capabilities specifically tailored to the warehouse club format to prepare Tally for chainwide deployment across BJs Wholesale Club locations, further validating that Simbes solution can integrate into any retail environment.

In addition to partnering with BJs Wholesale, Simbe has signed new agreements and expansions with leading retailers, such as Schnuck Markets, SpartanNash, Wakefern, Carrefour, and more. The company has also expanded its leadership team, bringing on a number of industry veterans to serve in key roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Sales.

The privately held company works with worldwide retailers and brands across the US, Europe and Asia.

FinSMEs

13/07/2023
Meghan Markles Hollywood dream is officially dead, as her documentary with Prince Harry fails to nab a single Emmy nomination. The Sussexes put forth their entire series as a potential contender, and some people even project Harry and Meghan as winning the documentary category. But as it turns out Hollywood isnt interested in getting invested in brand Sussex. The six-part series, directed by Liz Garbus, was under consideration for the Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series category.

Even after the magnificent success of the docuseries on Netflix, Harry & Meghan was snubbed by the Emmys. According to the DEADLINE, as a consolation, Harry & Meghan did earn an honor on Tuesday when it was nominated for the Hollywood Critics Association Awards in the category of Best Streaming Nonfiction Series.

The docuseries disclosed a lot of British Royal dark secrets which didnt go down well with the British royal family. In one episode, he said his family exhibits a huge level of unconscious bias, although he suggested it wasnt the fault of individuals, but reflective of the culture broadly speaking. He did add, Once its been pointed out or identified within yourself, you then need to make it right. Its education, its awareness and its a constant work-in-progress for everyone, including me.

Initially in US Harry and Meghan got a positive coverage. But, later things changed there too. And nobody actually wanted to be associated with the couple. Not just UK, America is also fed-up with the couple. Many felt that Meghan and Harry must stop playing the victim card. Finally, America has understood that Harry and Meghan are attention seekers. According to reports published in geo tv, it seems as Americans are sick of the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs narrative of denigrating the royal family.

The couple has been advised to change their strategy to win support and sympathy. They are being urged by the critics and royal commentators to stop playing the victim card.

Former conservative MP Louise Mensch has recently lashed out at the couple while talking to Piers Morgan on Sky News, claiming everyone is fed up with them.

Mensch told the former Good Morning Britains host that while the Sussexes sell a lot of books they have chucked away whatever credibility they had with both hands.

Meghan and Harry, who have lost their lucrative Spotify deal, were not invited to the Obamas 60th birthday party which was attended some by some big public figures and celebrities. The Sussexes were also not invited to attend the Met Gala.

Meghans invitation to Prince Archies fourth birthday party was also snubbed by some A-list celebrities.

The Duchess reportedly invited several high-profile people to celebrate her sons birthday, including Katy Perry and her fiance Orlando Bloom. But, the celebrity pair shunned the former Suits stars invitation.

Pop superstar Taylor Swift also snubbed Meghan and Harry as she reportedly declined to become the part of the couples now-scrapped podcast, despite receiving a personal letter written by the Duchess herself.

A royal commentator has recently claimed that the social elite in Washington and Hollywood stars are distancing themselves from the Harry and his wife.

Citing the Sussexes absence from recent events, Hilary Fordwich recently claimed that Prince Archie and Princess Lilibets parents have squandered the chance to foster diversity in the royal family and strengthen relations between the US and UK.

It is so sad what the Sussexes have squandered. They had almost universal support and hope for what they could bring, whether it was diversity or a Trans Atlantic relationship. Unfortunately they made the choice to denigrate the Royal Family, she told Express UK.

Meghan an agent of destruction

We all know that Meghan was the mastermind behind Harrys controversial memoir Spare. Meghan Markle has been an agent of destruction, a royal biographer had earlier sad following the leaking of Prince Harrys memoir Spare. The royal biographer, Tom Bower also said that Meghan Markle had constantly sought platforms to speak before meeting Prince Harry. She wanted to be Angelina Jolie; a celebrity and a famous influencer. But she was irrelevant. Being with Harry gave her that opportunity and she played him from the start. Harry was groomed by Meghan. Her wedding guests were all Hollywood, not family, which shows her agenda. She always wanted to go back to Hollywood, the biographer said. It is true that Meghan Markle has been an agent of destruction and she understood Harrys vulnerability.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi may finally have a house of his own and it has a historical connect to his party. The former Wayanad MP  he was disqualified owing to his conviction in the Modi surname case  has been living with his mother, Sonia Gandhi, at her 10 Janpath home in the capital.

It is believed that he was looking for a home for a while now and had been looking for properties and his search has finally borne fruit. Reports have emerged that the former Congress leader would be soon moving into a modest three-bedroom house and it belonged to none other than former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who spent the last years of her life there.

Heres what we know about Rahuls new digs and how it compares to his previous residence at 12 Tughlaq Lane.

Rahuls new address

Rahul Gandhi has been reportedly on the hunt for a house in the capital and it has now been said that he may soon move into a three-BHK residence, spread over 1,500 square, overlooking the verdant Humayuns Tomb in South Delhis leafy Nizamuddin East locality.

The house belongs to the family of veteran Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, who stayed there from 1991 to 1998. She again shifted to the same flat after 2015 and passed away over there in 2019.

A Business Standard report states that Dikshit bought the house in 1991 and moved into it shortly after her Kerala gubernatorial stint. Incidentally, the house is a few hundred metres from the dargah of 13th-century Sufi saint Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya where Rahul had offered prayers when his Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Delhi in the last week of December.

Also read: Why Rahul Gandhi needs to get out of Lutyens Delhi for a while

Sandip Dikshit, son of the late Sheila Dikshit, had recently put out an informal notice of moving out and this caught the attention of Rahuls office. An Indian Express report citing sources said that Rahul has visited the house several times and is keen to take up the residence on rent as Sandeep moves to another property in the same neighbourhood.

An NDTV report added that after receiving a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from security agencies, Rahul will move into the house, bidding adieu to his mothers residence at 10 Janpath.

Goodbye, Tughlaq Lane

The likely move to Nizamuddin East locality comes after the Congress leader was asked to vacate his spacious and luxurious residence at 12 Tughlaq Lane in April.

This came as he was disqualified from Parliament owing to him being convicted in the Modi surname defamation case in Gujarat. Shortly after he was disqualified, the Lok Sabha Housing Committee had issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi to vacate his bungalow.

While leaving the house he had called home for two decades, Rahul Gandhi had said, Main sach bolne ki kimat chuka raha hu (I am paying the price for speaking truth). He further told reporters outside the bungalow, I have no problem even if it has been snatched away from me. This house was given to me by the people of India. I will stay with the former Congress president (Sonia Gandhi) at 10, Janpath for some time and then find some other way.

The Congress, at the time, had also written on Twitter, This country is the home of Rahul Gandhi. Rahul who resides in the hearts of people. Rahul whose relation with the public is unbreakable. Some see in him their son, some brother, some their leader Rahul belongs to everyone and everyone belongs to Rahul. This is the reason why today the country is saying- Rahul ji, my house-your house.

Rahul was allotted this Type VIII bungalow after he won the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency in the 2004 general elections. Type VIII bungalows are the most sought-after residences allotted to MPs and ministers and are located in Delhis posh areas like Ashoka Road, Lodhi Estate, Kushak Road, Canning Lane, Tughlaq Lane etc.

Also read: Why special housing for MPs and ministers is a common political flashpoint

Rahul moved into the sprawling bungalow after a private Griha Parvesh was conducted and was attended only by immediate family  mother Sonia Gandhi, sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and brother-in-law Robert Vadra. A News18 report states that the house was done up by his sister and is simple and basic. It has a gym and few offices that double up as Gandhis work space.

As the years went by, 12 Tughlaq Road became a power centre and senior Congress leaders were often seen in and out of the residence.

Interestingly, Rahul kept a large part of his residence private; meetings and political parleys took place in his office or on the sprawling lawns.

But while Rahul may have finally found a house, his woes are far from over. The Gujarat High Court refused a plea on staying the conviction in the Modi surname case, meaning his disqualification stands. It has been said that he will appeal to the Supreme Court. But this may be a huge issue come 2024 and the Congress goes up against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the general elections.

With inputs from agencies
On Wednesday, the Mumbai Police received a threat warning of a 26/11-like attack.

The reason for the threat? A Pakistani woman named Seema Haider.

If Seema Haider does not come back then India will be destroyed, an unidentified caller claimed, as per News18.

But who is Haider? And why is she in the news?

Lets take a closer look:

Who is she?

According to News18, 27-year-old Haider lived in Pakistans Sindh province in Khairpur district.

Haider, a Muslim, connected with 22-year-old Sachin Meena, a Hindu and shopkeeping assistant, during the COVID-19 lockdown playing the online game PUBG.

We became friends and our friendship turned to love and our chats became longer  every morning and night  before we finally decided to meet, said Seema, speaking to AFP from the cramped courtyard of Sachins two-room family home, where she now lives.

According to BBC, Haider and Meena first met in person in Nepal in March.

They spent a couple of days at a hotel before returning to Pakistan and India.

Haider, a married mother of four, then left Pakistan and her husband.

Haider, accompanied by her children, travelled to Nepal in May.

BBC quoted Greater Noida police official Saad Miya Khan as saying that Haider travelled to Nepal on a tourist visa the second time.

Police said Haider raised funds for the trip by selling land that belonged to her parents.

The idea of coming to India via Nepal came to her from a YouTube video.

Enters India, arrested by police

As per News18, Haider entered India illegally on 13 May.

Haider and Meena were then arrested after a lawyer they approached regarding getting married alerted the police.

I was startled when I found that she and her children were carrying Pakistani passports, the advocate told The Times of India.

As per The Independent, Meenas father was also detained by police for giving shelter to an illegal immigrant.

Meenas father was also taken into custody for sheltering an illegal immigrant.

As per BBC, Haider and Meena were remanded to jail for 14 days.

They were then later granted bail.

Their landlord Girish Kumar told the BBC he never suspected anything untoward. He said Meena furnished the requisite documents and that his parents even came to visit.

Kumar was quoted as saying by The Independent that it did not seem like the woman was from Pakistan. She wore salwar suit and sarees.

Seema told AFP she has married Sachin, taken his name and converted to Hinduism.

I converted to Hinduism, she said, sitting next to Sachin in the village of Rabupura, about 55 kilometres from New Delhi.

Rather die than return

Id rather die than return or leave Sachin.

News18 reported that Haider had also changed the name of her children.

I request the Indian government to grant me citizenship, Seema pleaded, a red headscarf covering her hair and her four young children playing nearby.

Meena, meanwhile, said his family have accepted Haider and her children.

Meenas family only learned of her existence when he rented a nearby apartment with her.

There was some resistance, but my father and everyone accepted us. They are happy for us, said Meena. I will do everything for them.

Meena has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath to intervene on Haiders behalf, as per News18.

The Independent quoted Hemant Krishna Parashar, a lawyer representing the couple, as saying the couple married in Kathmandu in March.

Seema told me in writing that she and Sachin had got married in Kathmandu, Nepal. I informed the court about this. I also argued that Seema first went from Pakistan to Nepal and then came to India. Those coming from Nepal to India are not required to carry a passport or have a visa, Parashar said.

But Indian police insist that it is impossible for Seema to remain in India long-term.

Destined

The love-struck couple say their passion trumps national rivalries or fear of religious backlash.Apostasy is considered punishable by death in some interpretations of Islam.

Haider said she had already received online threats and insisted the couple would live and die together.

Apostasy is considered punishable by death in some interpretations of Islam.

Seemas proclamation of undying love for Sachin and a promise to only return to Pakistan as a dead woman when they featured on a raucous Indian TV debate this week drew cheers from the crowds sitting around them.

Seema said she had been first attracted by Sachins gaming skills.

She became sure about leaving her abusive Pakistani husband  charges he denies  after the first meeting.

It was very difficult to travel from Pakistan to India, she said. I believe that with Gods love, we were destined to meet.

Still my family

Seemas estranged husband, Ghulam Haider, left his job as a labourer and rickshaw driver to earn more money for his family in Saudi Arabia.

Haider, who said he had not heard of PUBG, wants his family back.

I earnestly appeal to Indian and Pakistani authorities to bring my wife and children back to me, Ghulam Haider told AFP by phone from Saudi Arabia.

According to BBC, Ghulam has accused Haider of selling their home in Pakistan and taking all the jewellery.

Haider said the couple, from different Baloch tribes, have a defiant love story of their own.

Forbidden by their families from marrying, they ran away to get hitched  a taboo in Pakistan that can sometimes lead to so-called honour killings.

Later, a jirga (council of elders) was summoned to settle the matter and a fine of one million rupees (around $3,640) was slapped on me, he said.

I am far from my home, from my family, and it is very agonising for me because we married out of love.

She is an adult

The couple have received a popular welcome in India.

Crowds from nearby villages have been visiting them since their arrest grabbed national headlines.

We took selfies, said Rakesh Chand, 37, who drove over an hour to offer his congratulations, one of the dozens lining up to greet them.

Sachin is very happy, even his family has accepted them, so the government must ensure that she isnt forced to leave.

But on the streets near her old home in Pakistan, Dhani Bakhsh village in eastern Karachi, the news has not been welcomed.

While people know about Seemas story, few are willing to talk about the incident openly  though they gossip in small groups on street corners.

Lets forget about her, as she has gone and she is an adult, said Haiders cousin Zafarullah Bugti, blaming PUBG for turning Seema into a psycho.

Meena herself is unrepentant, calling Sachin the love of her life and insisting she will dedicate herself to her family.

My children will get all the love, care and attention here, she said.

With inputs from agencies
Last weekend, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was in the eye of a storm when it emerged that one of its senior presenters had been suspended after it emerged that the person had paid a young person 35,000 (Rs 37.35 lakh) for explicit photos over three years.

Over the course of the week, the broadcaster stayed mum on the identity of the suspended presenter, leading many to speculate. To make matters worse, other young people also came forward alleging that the presenter had contacted them on dating apps, even pressuring one of them to meet up.

Amid all this speculation, the presenter has been identified, by his wife and it has come as a shock to the nation and the media world. On Wednesday, Huw Edwards, an anchor on the BBCs flagship nightly news program and one of its most prominent and distinguished figures, was named by his wife, Vicky Flind, as the man at the centre of the scandal.

In a statement published by BBC News, Flind said, In light of the recent reporting regarding the BBC Presenter I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.

I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children, the statement continued. Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.

The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where hell stay for the foreseeable future, she said. Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.

Flind added, To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday. In the circumstances and given Huws condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected. I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.

We take a closer look at who is Huw Edwards and how he became to be known as UKs most high-profile broadcasters and BBCs choice to front coverage of major national events.

UKs familiar face

Edwards, now 61, was born in Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales into a Welsh speaking family in 1961. He left home to study undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in French at Cardiff University before starting his career in broadcasting.

After completing his education, he became a reporter for local radio station Swansea Sound. In 1984, Edwards joined BBC News as a trainee. He became parliamentary correspondent within two years and by the early 1990s, he was the BBCs chief political correspondent at Westminster.

He had a strong Welsh accent during his early phase of his career, which he has in the past described as not a great deal of help, as it was comparatively unusual on the BBC.

He became a regular face on the BBC News channel, then called BBC News 24, after it launched in 1997.

It is said that his confidence and level-headedness impressed the broadcasting bosses and in the early 2000s, he was promoted to the Ten OClock News, widely seen as the BBCs flagship bulletin, and was increasingly asked to present and commentate on major national events for the BBC.

He was the presenter for BBC during the wedding of the Prince William and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (as they were known at the time) in 2011, the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh (2021), the Queens Diamond and Platinum Jubilee (2012 and 2022) and the coronation of King Charles (2023). He was also on hand during Prince Harrys wedding to Meghan Markle in 2018.

He was also on air when South Africas Nelson Mandela passed away in 2013 and was also co-host during the Brexit referendum results in 2016.

But what can be described as the single biggest moment in Edwards presenting career was announced the demise of Queen Elizabeth II in September last year. He, according to a BBC report, started his shift early that day following the rumours of the Queens declining health and later put on a dark suit to confirm her death to the nation.

He carried on the coverage of the late Queens funeral and was praised by viewers for his anchoring skills.

Also read: The Modi documentary, the prejudiced lens on India, and other controversies

BBC has long trusted his presenting skills and has been highly valued by the broadcaster. In fact, he was one of the only stars last year to receive a pay rise. The annual accounts released on Tuesday revealed Edwards pay increased by 25,000 (Rs 26 lakh) to 435,000 (Rs 4.64 crore), making him the BBCs highest paid journalist.

And Edwards has also made a cameo appearance as himself in the 2012 James Bond film Skyfall. In the movie, he presents a BBC news report on a fictionalised attack on the British intelligence service MI6.

Edwards depression struggle

Amid this scandal, Edwards himself has remained mum as he has been admitted to after suffering a serious episode with his mental health.

It was last year that the presenter revealed that he has been battling depression and anxiety since 2002. Speaking in the interview, he had said that it tends to hit (him) in a strong wave and then go away, and remarked that it has frequently left him bedridden.

He had added, Things that you usually enjoy, you dread. You come into work and obviously you do a professional job, but youre kind of pushing your way through it.

And, of course, if its very bad  as it has been a few times over the course of 20 years  you cant work. During the worst one I had, I couldnt get out of bed.

Allegations against Edwards

The entire issue stems from a report published by The Sun. The British tabloid reported that a male BBC presenter had allegedly given a child 35,000 pounds (Rs 37 lakh) for sexual pictures. The payments have said to have begun when the teen was 17, which is over the age of sexual consent.

British law states that while the age of consent is 16, it is a crime to take, make, share or possess indecent images of anyone younger than 18.

The Sun had quoted the mother of the teenager, saying the money was used by the child to purchase drugs, which led to cocaine addiction. The payments were made over three years.

According to the mother, the BBC employee requested performances from her child, who would get their bits out for him. She also said that she saw the presenter stripped to his underpants for a video call with the teen. I blame this BBC man for destroying my childs life Taking my childs innocence and handing over the money for crack cocaine that could kill my child, she said.

She further alleged that she had complained to the broadcaster in May, but the presenter continued to appear on television.

The BBC said that after receiving the initial complaint it had started an investigation. However, a full-blown investigation started only after The Sun approached the broadcaster for comments. The initial allegations were not strong as the ones made by the tabloid.

Later, a second person, in their early 20s, stated that they were first contacted anonymously by the presenter on a dating app. They were reportedly pressurised to meet up but never did. After the person hinted that they might call out the presenter online, they were sent threatening and abusive messages.

Another report by The Sun stated that the presenter allegedly travelled to meet a 23-year-old during the lockdown in February 2021. The COVID-19 restrictions prevented people from meeting anyone outside the household and the presenter allegedly broke the rules and travelled to this persons home. The TV anchor also sent money to this youngster and asked for a picture. He was sent a semi-naked photograph, reports The Sun.

The tabloid also reported that the presenter started a conversation with a 17-year-old follower on Instagram. The individual said that the TV star was the one who reached out to them out of the blue and started chatting. The first message came around October 2018. It stated that the BBC personality had responded to messages from the teen, who was asking him about his work, with a heart emoji, followed by a kiss at the end of the message.

The youngster, who is now 22, told The Sun that while they thought it was a bit strange, they did not read into the messages.

BBC investigation

While the Londons Metropolitan Police has concluded its assessment into the allegations and found there was no indication a criminal offence had been committed, the BBC said it would continue with its internal investigation into the allegations.

The BBC said on Wednesday, We have seen the statement from the police confirming they have completed their assessment and are not taking further action. Were grateful to them for completing this work at speed. The police had previously asked us to pause our fact finding investigations and we will now move forward with that work, ensuring due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.

British prime minister Rishi Sunak had also earlier said the allegations were very serious and concerning.

With inputs from agencies
The swollen Yamuna river in Delhi reached an all-time high of 208.46 metres on Thursday (13 July) at 7 am, breaching the danger mark. Thousands have been evacuated as the rising water level of the river submerged several areas in the National Capital.

The deluge has also affected traffic movement in many places, with the police issuing advisory to avoid waterlogged roads. In view of the current situation, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced today that schools will be shut in the flooded areas of the city.

Now, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh from 14 July, there are fears that the situation in Delhi may also be affected.

Lets take a closer look at how major parts of Delhi have been inundated, what is the government doing and will the situation deteriorate?

Delhi deluge

On Wednesday, Yamuna water level rose to 207.81 metres, breaking the record high of 207.49 metres reported in 1978.

As many as 16,564 people were evacuated as water gushed into low-lying areas, homes and markets in Delhi, reported Times of India (TOI).

As Yamuna continued to flow above the danger mark, Delhi police imposed Section 144 in flood-prone areas of the city.

In an advisory issued today, the Delhi traffic police warned commuters to avoid the Singhu border, Mukarba Chowk, Bhalswa, GTK Road to Azadpur under Mukarba Chowk flyover and GTK Road to ISBT from the Sonepat side.

The advisory said that traffic has been diverted from the Outer Ring Road (Rohini to ISBT) towards GTK Road.

Traffic Advisory Due to rise in water level of Yamuna and consequent inundation of low lying areas, traffic movement is diverted on some roads. Please follow the advisory to avoid any inconvenience.#DPTrafficAdvisory pic.twitter.com/mO7q0dj2yE  Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) July 13, 2023

After torrential rains lashed northern India last weekend, the water level in Yamuna in Delhi saw a surge as neighbouring Haryana released water from Hathni Kund Barrage into the river.

Explaining the increase in Yamuna level, the Central Water Commission (CWC), said in a tweet, Hathni Kund Barrage has limited storage. During high inflows, excess water is to be released downstream. Very heavy rainfall occurred in the Himalayan region upstream of Hathni Kund Barrage during 9-11 July.

As per NDTV, a senior official at the CWC said: We noticed that the water released from the Hathni Kund Barrage took less time to reach Delhi compared to previous years. The main reason could be encroachment and siltation. Earlier, the water would have had more space to flow. Now, it passes through a constricted cross-section.

Manu Bhatnagar, Principal Director of the Natural Heritage Division at the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), blamed incessant rainfall witnessed over a short period of time as the chief reason for the rise in the Yamuna water level.

The same amount of water falling over a longer period of time would not lead to such a situation as it allows time for the water to pass through. Even a lesser amount of precipitation can result in a higher level downstream if it falls in a shorter period of time, he was quoted as saying by NDTV.

As per the IMD, northwest India saw 59 per cent excess rainfall in the first nine days of July.

ALSO READ: The Drowning Capital: Why heavy rains flood Delhi every year

What is the Delhi government doing?

The Delhi chief minister said Wednesday he wrote to Union home minister Amit Shah, urging to release a limited quantity of water from the Hathni Kund Barrage in Haryana.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal writes to Union Home Minister Amit Shah Limited quantity of water should be released from Hathnikund, so that the water level of Yamuna does not increase further. G20 summit is to be held in Delhi so if flood happens in Delhi, it wont send a pic.twitter.com/iVbBUv8gTR  ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2023

He said that following his letter, he received a response from Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat who said the volume of water being discharged to Haryana from Himachal Pradesh has plunged, which would impact the Yamuna water level.

Following my letter, I got a call from Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who said that Hathnikund is just a barrage and there is no reservoir to store water and limit the water speed. The water volume being released from Himachal Pradesh has reduced and the situation will improve. But it will take time to reflect in the water level of the Yamuna, Hindustan Times quoted Kejriwal as saying.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has set up about 2,500 relief camps for those affected by the floods, reported Reuters.

However, those residing in east Delhis Mayur Vihar relief camp told news agency PTI they do not even have basic facilities.

We are facing so many problems here. We have lost everything. What will we do now? Its poor people like us who are suffering and not the politicians. The government makes false promises but does nothing on the ground, a woman staying at a relief camp in Mayur Vihar, alleged.

We came here by ourselves after wading through neck-deep water. Our houses were flooded. Where will we go now? The tents allotted to us are such that if it rains, we will be rendered homeless again, she added.

Will Delhis situation worsen?

The IMD has predicted heavy showers in Himachal Pradesh, the worst-hit state, for the coming four to five days.

The intensity of rainfall will be less today (12 July) and tomorrow (13 July). Monsoon will become a bit weak and light rainfall will occur in Himachal Pradesh. However, monsoon will once again intensify from 14 July and rains will continue for the next four-five days, Shimla Meteorological Department chief Surendra Pal told PTI on Wednesday.

This may increase the Yamuna water level in the hill state. It remains to be seen how this will affect the water level of the river in the National Capital.

Moreover, water supply in Delhi may take a hit in the coming days as some treatment plants have been shut due to swollen Yamuna. Speaking to ANI at Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant, Kejriwal said today: For the first time in Delhi, Yamuna has touched this level. Three water treatment plants have been shut down due to this as the water has entered pumps and machines25 per cent of the water supply in Delhi will go down due to this. The tube wells are closed too. There can be water scarcity for a day or twoI hope that the supply resumes by tomorrow evening. As per the CWC prediction, the peak (of river Yamunas water level) will reach by 3-4 pm today and it will then start going down.

With inputs from agencies
The India-France strategic partnership has completed 25 years. Its a big diplomatic milestone and to mark it Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in France. He will be in Paris on 13 July and 14 July at the invitation of French president Emmanuel Macron. There will be bilaterals, the focus will be on defence and space. And one of the highlights of the visit will be the Bastille Day celebrations to which the Indian premier has been invited as a guest of honour.

Its a rare honour. On Bastille Day or French national day, the country holds the Bastille Day parade, said to be the oldest and largest in Europe. Its a lot like Indias Republic Day; there is a display of Frances military strength. But unlike India, foreign leaders are seldom invited to the celebrations. This makes the presence of PM Modi all the more significant. The last time a foreign leader was invited to Bastille Day was in 2017  it was then US president Donald Trump.

We take a history of Bastille Day, the parade and what makes this years celebration so different.

Also read: What to expect from PM Narendra Modis France visit

What is Bastille Day?

The national day of France is celebrated on 14 July every year. While it is known as Bastille Day in English-speaking nations, in France it is formally called Fete nationale francaise (French National Celebration).

One of the most important days in French history, it marks the fall of the Bastille, a military fortress and political prison, considered a symbol of monarchy and armoury in the 18th Century. The attack signalled the beginning of the French Revolution.

Why is 14 July celebrated as Bastille Day?

In 1789, France was experiencing shortages of food and its people were forced to pay high taxes, which was seen as a solution to King Louis XVIs debts. The king who sensed the anguish called upon the Estates-General to deliver a new tax plan. The result was the Third Estate, which broke away from the clergy and the nobility, and demanded a written constitution for France.

In late June, their proclamation led to the forming of the National Assembly. But weeks later, the king called in fresh troops and ousted Jacques Necker, who was approved by the Estate, as finance minister. This led to fears that the monarchy was attempting to crush any political rebellion in the making, according to a report in TIME.

It all culminated on 14 July 1789. Parisians marched to the Hotel des Invalides to loot firearms and cannons and then headed to the ancient royal fortress of Bastille in search of proper ammunition. That hunt for gunpowder  not the hope of freeing prisoners  was the main reason for the storming of the Bastille, reports TIME.

After the attack, people seized weapons and ammunition to fight the royal troops. They released a handful of prisoners. It led to a battle and the beheading of the prisoner governor and his officers.

The storming of the Bastille signalled the first victory of the people of Paris against a symbol of the Ancien Regime (Old Regime). Months later, the edifice was razed to the group.

A year on, on 14 July 1790, the Fete de la Federation (Feast of the Federations) was celebrated with great pomp to mark the first anniversary of the insurrection. Tens of thousands of Parisians gathered to celebrate the new French Nations unity and its peoples national reconciliation.

An altar was set up at Champ-de-Mars, which was quite far outside the centre of Paris then, as a symbol of civility.

How did the parade start?

However, the commemoration of 14 July did not continue. It was not until almost a century later, it was declared a national holiday.

Nine decades on, a deputy for the Seine department, Benjamin Raspail, moved that 14 July be named the national holiday of the Republic, and Parliament passed an act to that effect on 6 July 1880.

The first Bastille Day military parade was held in Paris on 14 July 1880 in Champs-Elysees, which is often described as the worlds most beautiful avenue.

After World War I (1914-1918), 14 July 1919 was a solemn occasion. While France was on the winning side, it came at an enormous cost. On Bastille Day, the entire French army and allied troops, including 1,000 war wounded, marched behind marshals from Avenue de la Grande Armee to Place de la Republique, via the Champs-Elysees.

Similarly, during World War II, 14 July 1945 was preceded by three days of civic rejoicing.

In the years that followed, July 14 festivities became popular. The traditional military parade is well-planned and there is a display of fireworks across the country. It is attended by the French president and other top leaders of the country.

Also read: Why France has banned fireworks for Bastille Day

What can we expect from this years parade?

As is the tradition, France will display its military prowess and rich heritage at the Bastille Day parade. It will witness the presence of 6,300 soldiers from various contingents. One of the highlights of the parade will be the tri-services contingent representing the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

This is the second time India will be participating in the parade. In 2009, when then PM Manmohan Singh was the guest of honour, the parade opened with 400 Indian commissioned and non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

This year, the 269-member contingent of the Indian armed forces will mark alongside their French counterparts. As it rehearsed for the parade, the tune of Sare Jahan Se Achha filled the air at Champs-Elysees.

The Indian Army contingent of 77 marching personnel and 38 members of the band will be led by Captain Aman Jagtap. It is represented by the Punjab regiment, one of the oldest regiments of the Army. The regiments history dates back to both World Wars, where they demonstrated exceptional valour and were honoured with 18 Battle and Theatre Honors in the first war. Joining them is the Rajputana Rifles Regiment Band, the seniormost refile regiment of the army, according to a report by ThePrint.

Commander Vrat Baghel and Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy will lead the navy and air force contingents. The Rafale fighters jets of the IAF will also participate in the flypast during the parade.

It is rare to include a foreign contingent in the military parade. And this is yet another indication of the long-standing partnership between India and France.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yet again pushed for India to receive permanent status on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Modi, in an interview with French newspaper Les Echos ahead of his two-day trip to France, asked How can we talk of it as a primary organ of a global body, when entire continents of Africa and Latin America are ignored ? How can it claim to speak for the world when its most populous country, and its largest democracy, is not a permanent member?

Modi added that the UNSCs skewed membership leads to opaque decision-making processes, which adds to its helplessness in addressing the challenges of today.

But what is the UNSC? What is Indias status? and how do you become a permanent member? And who is supporting Indias permanent membership bid?

Lets take a closer look:

What is UNSC?

According to the UN website, the security council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression. It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorise the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security, as per the website.

The council has 15 members  each having one vote.

All members are mandated to comply with the UNSCs decisions.

Of the 15 members, five are permanent and the rest are non-permanent.

The UNSC permanent members, collectively known as the P5, are:

The United States

The United Kingdom

China

France

Russia

The UNSCs non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.

The current non-permanent members are:

Albania

Brazil

Ecuador

Gabon

Ghana

Japan

Malta

Mozambique

Switzerland

United Arab Emirates

According to the website, more than 50 of the United Nations 193 Member States have never been invited to join the Security Council as non-members.

Indias status at UNSC and permanent membership

India is currently not a member of the UNSC.

In the past, India has been a non-permanent member on several occasions including 1950-1951, 1967-1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1978, 1984-1985, 1991-1992, 2011-2012 and the latest term in 2021-2022, as per CNBC.

Indias most recent two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) began in January 2021 and concluded in December 2022.

India received 184 of the 192 votes in the June 2020 elections.

India has been making efforts to become a permanent UNSC member for a long time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar have most recently given voice to Indias demand.

The rights of the Global South have been long denied. As a result, there is a feeling of anguish among the members of Global South, that they are forced into undertaking action but when it comes to decision making they dont find a place or voice for themselves. The true spirit of democracy has not been respected vis-a-vis the Global South, Modi was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Modi also commented on New Delhis stance on the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Indias stand has been clear, transparent and consistent. I have said that it is not an era of war. We have urged both sides to resolve issues through dialogue and diplomacy. I told them that India is ready to support all genuine efforts that can help bring this conflict to an end. We believe that all countries have an obligation to respect the respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, to abide by international law and adhere to the UN Charter, Modi added.

The Times of India quoted Jaishankar in March as saying, This is like five people, who are occupying the first-class compartment of a train and dont want others to enter it. They put various barriers like increasing the ticket price and other restrictions. The fact is that some of them are resisting the idea of India becoming a member. Over the years, support for us in Europe is picking up. I am very sure a large number of countries will say yes India should be in. It is a matter of perseverance and determination. All the time, we will have to build the support. I am confident that one day it will happen as certain things cannot be denied. We are the largest country in the world and today in fifth place.

How does one become a permanent UNSC member?

Its not an easy task.

According to Outlook, expansion of the UNSC is no mean feat due to the UN charter rules  which require a yes vote from two-thirds of member states.

Then theres also the veto from any of the five permanent members to worry about.

Of the five permanent UNSC members, the US, the UK, France and Russia have all repeatedly expressed support for Indias long-standing bid to win a permanent seat at the table.

However, China, using its veto power, has repeatedly blocked Indias bid for permanent membership.

What have Indias supporters said?

In June, US president Joe Biden reiterated Washingtons support for New Delhis permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.

Biden welcomed Indias candidature as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2028-2029 considering Indias significant contribution to the UN system, commitment to multilateralism and active engagement in the intergovernmental negotiation process on Security Council reforms.

The joint statement released by India and US read, In this context both sides remain committed to a comprehensive UN reform agenda, including through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UN Security Council.

Sharing the view that global governance must be more inclusive and representative, President Biden reiterated US support for Indias permanent membership on a reformed UN Security Council(UNSC), the joint statement read.

Biden further welcomed Indias candidature as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2028-2029 considering Indias significant contribution to the UN system, commitment to multilateralism and active engagement in the intergovernmental negotiation process on Security Council reforms.

It further said, In this context, President Biden welcomed Indias candidature as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2028-29 term, in view of Indias significant contributions to the UN system and commitment to multilateralism, as well as its active and constructive engagement in the Inter-Governmental Negotiations process on Security Council reforms, with an overall objective of making the UNSC more effective, representative, and credible.

UK

The UK in July called for the expansion of the UN Security Councils permanent seats to include India, Brazil, Germany and Japan as well as African representation, underlining that it is high time the powerful UN body entered the 2020s.

Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of July Ambassador Barbara Woodwards comments came as she briefed UN correspondents on the programme of work of the Security Council for the month.

On reform of the UN Security Council, we want to see the expansion of the Councils permanent seats to include India, Brazil, Germany and Japan and African representation. Its high time the Council entered the 2020s, Woodward told reporters here on Monday.

Introducing India and Brazil would bring a wider geographical representation into the Council, but also to bring in countries that have more influence than they had when the original Security Council was put together in 1945 for obvious reasons, she said.

Theres a sort of combination of recognising the world as it is today, alongside geographical balance, and thats behind our position too on Africa, she said.

The UK government in June also expressed support for Indias bid for permanent membership of the powerful Security Council.

In a speech at a conference at the Chatham House think-tank in London. UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly called for a reinvigorated multilateral system that is more reflective of the times.

He pointed out that the worlds economic centre of gravity is shifting away from the Euro-Atlantic and towards the Indo-Pacific but the multilateral institutions are yet to catch up.

I have five transnational priorities. First, reform of the United Nations Security Council. We want to see permanent African representation and membership extended to India, Brazil, Germany and Japan, said Cleverly.

I know this is a bold reform. But it will usher the Security Council into the 2020s. And the UNSC has grown before  albeit not since 1965. My second priority is reform of the international financial institutions. This matters for climate finance and, of course, for poverty reduction, he said.

Cleverly also hailed Indias leadership role with its presidency of the G20 in pitching for representation of poorer nations on the world stage.

It seems obvious to me that the voice of the poorest and most vulnerable countries must be heard at the heart of the multilateral system. Thats why we support permanent membership of the G20 for the African Union and welcome Indias leadership on taking this forward, he said.

France

In December, the French ambassador to UN Nicolas De Riviere at a UN Security Council open debate said that his country supports the candidacy of Germany, Brazil, India, and Japan as permanent members.

I want to reaffirm forcefully that France is in favour of a reform of the Security CouncilWe support the enlargement of the Security Council to take into account the emergence of new powers that are willing and able to assume the responsibility of a permanent presence in the Security Council.

Russia

Russias Sergey Lavrov also hailed India for adding value to the council as a non-permanent member for its stance on global and regional issued.

I think that India is currently one of the leading countries in terms of economic growth, maybe even the leader. Its population will soon be bigger than that of any other country. New Delhi has vast diplomatic experience in settling various kinds of problems, as well as authority and a reputation in its region, Lavrov said.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a ceremonial welcome as he arrived in Paris Thursday (13 July) for a two-day visit. He will meet French prime minister Elisabeth Borne and Senate president Gerard Larcher before interacting with the Indian diaspora at La Seine Musicale today.

Later, French president Emmanuel Macron will host Modi at a private dinner at his official residence at Elysee Palace. The Indian leader will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade on Friday.

Modis trip to France is expected to give a boost to defence ties between the two nations. The visit will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation, the Indian government said in a statement on Wednesday.

Lets take a closer look at the expected deals between India and France that may be announced during Modis visit.

Rafale-M fighter jets

India has agreed to buy the marine version of French company Dassault Aviations Rafale fighter jets.

As per reports, India will procure 26 Rafale-Marine (M) aircraft for INS Vikrant, the countrys first indigenous aircraft carrier commissioned last August.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has 36 Rafale combat jets which were purchased at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore.

The Rafale is a twin-jet fighter aircraft with variants that can operate from an air base on land and an aircraft carrier.

The Rafale-M jets for the Indian Navy will bring commonality with the IAFs aircraft, creating advantages in training, maintenance and logistics support, according to Hindustan Times (HT).

Last December, ThePrint reported that Indian Navy has selected Rafale-M over America-made F/A 18 Super Hornets for its aircraft carrier operations.

Scorpene-class submarines

Indias Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) issued an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) on Wednesday for building three French-origin Scorpene (Kalveri) class submarines at the state-run Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, reported Economic Times (ET).

MDL has already constructed six Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines with technology from Frances Naval Group under a Rs 23,562-crore programme, noted HT. The sixth Kalveri class submarine, INS Vagsheer, might be commissioned next year.

These submarines are mainly attack submarines or hunter-killers, meaning they target and sink rival naval vessels. With an endurance of nearly 50 days, the Kalavari class of submarines can carry out anti-warship and anti-submarine operations, intelligence gathering and surveillance, as per Indian Express.

The Indian Navy needs these Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) equipped submarines before its ageing fleet of Russian-origin submarines get retired.

As per reports, the Indian Navys Project 75 India (P75I) programme is delayed and could take at least 15 more years.

Under the project, India intends to build 24 submarines  18 conventional and six nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs)  by 2030.

Out of the 18 conventional submarines, Indian Navy only has six so far.

With P75I stuck, the Navy believes three more Scorpene class submarines can be built meanwhile, reported ThePrint.

As per The Hindu, there are 16 conventional submarines, seven Kilo-class, four HDW submarines and five French Scorpene class submarines in service in India presently.

SCALP naval missile

According to HT, France is ready to provide the naval version of the SCALP missile to India.

This naval cruise missile has a range of more than 1000 kilometers when launched from a submarine and can reach 1400 kilometers when fired from a warship.

Built by European manufacturer MBDA, the French Navy deployed the missiles from its Barracuda class submarines last year.

HT report says that the manufacturer is willing to produce the missile in India under New Delhis Make in India initiative.

With some amendments, the missile is capable of launching from Scorpene class submarines, said the report.

Amid the Chinese Navys expansion plans in the Indian Ocean region, India needs weapons capable of challenging Beijing.

Engine deals

The two nations are expected to announce collaboration on aircraft engines to power Indias futuristic 6.5-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fighter jet.

India has been in talks with French aircraft equipment manufacturer Safran for some time but it has not resulted in a breakthrough so far.

As per ET, a 100 per cent technology transfer for the Shakti engine that powers Indias Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) could be on the agenda of Modis visit to France.

Nuclear project

India and France have been in talks to set up nuclear power reactors at Jaitapur in Maharashtras Ratnagiri district for years. As Modi meets Macron, the project is likely to come up for discussion, as per ThePrint.

Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said previously that both sides are involved in issues related to the project, including liability, techno-commercial arrangements, cost of power generation and engineering elements for concretisation of the cooperation, reported HT.

With inputs from agencies
Yamuna River water levels are at an all-time high of 208.6 metres, placing Delhi on high flood alert.

The National Capital has been seriously affected by the flood, which has significantly disrupted daily life and traffic flow.

The 20 million-people city experienced severe rain over the weekend, and flooding in low-lying areas led hundreds of residents to seek shelter in rescue camps.

This flood crisis has even prompted an emergency response from government officials.

Lets take a look at how it has brought Delhi to stand still.

Also read: Delhi is flooding as Yamuna rises but is the worst yet to come?

Schools, colleges, and non-essential government offices shut

According to Hindustan Times, the government has decided to extend the shutdown of non-essential government offices, schools, and colleges till Sunday, 16 July, as a result of the Yamuna swelling. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal shared the news on Twitter.

           DDMA       ,               non-essential    work from home          Work from home    pic.twitter.com/kiPVHsyXMW  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 13, 2023

It has also strongly advised that private businesses implement work-from-home practices during this time. Additionally, businesses near Kashmere Gate have been instructed to suspend operations till Sunday.

Drinking water shortage

According to Reuters, supplies of drinking water in New Delhi will fall by a quarter on Thursday and Friday because three treatment plants have been flooded, the government said, as the Yamuna River overflowed after incessant rain.

There will be a water problem in some areas of Delhi, CM Kejriwal said on Twitter, adding, As soon as the Yamuna water recedes, we will try to start them (the three water treatment plants) as soon as possible.

                                       pic.twitter.com/x1OSudFNBN  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 13, 2023

Kejriwal said the water level in the river could peak later on Thursday and in the meantime, people were being evacuated from flooded areas.

Also read: Yamuna water level at all-time high: How will Delhi-NCR be affected?

Waterlogging, traffic jams

On Thursday, the floodwaters inundated a number of significant locations in the National Capital, including the Secretariat, which houses the office of the chief minister.

The upscale Civil Lines neighbourhood of the nations capital was underwater when river water seeped into the neighbourhood. CM Kejriwal and the Delhi Assembly are only 350 metres away from the river, reported NDTV.

Numerous highways, including portions of the major Outer Ring Road, have experienced traffic disruption due to waterlogging. There are severe traffic delays as a result of the vehicles being redirected to alternative routes. The traffic police have also issued advice regarding limits and guidelines for driving owing to flooding.

Traffic Advisory Due to rise in water level of Yamuna and consequent inundation of low lying areas, traffic movement is diverted on some roads. Please follow the advisory to avoid any inconvenience.#DPTrafficAdvisory pic.twitter.com/mO7q0dj2yE  Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) July 13, 2023

India Today reported Monastery Market, Yamuna Bazar, Garhi Mandu, Geeta Ghat, Vishwakarma Colony, Khadda Colony, the vicinity of the Neeli Chatri temple near the Old Railway Bridge, Neem Karoli Gaushala, and a section of the Ring Road from Wazirabad to Majnu Ka Tila are also affected by flooding.

Flooding has also forced the closure of the Geeta Colony crematorium in Old Delhi, which is adjacent to the Yamuna River. The Karkarduma and Ghazipur cremation grounds both have facilities for cremations, according to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

Delhi metro and bus services affected

Delhi Metro services have been impacted by the flood-like situation in the city after the route to Yamuna Bank metro station was closed due to an increase in Yamunas water level.

The Yamuna Bank station is unavailable, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) tweeted. This Blue Line station serves as a hub for transfers between Noida and Ghaziabad. The transfer facility is unaffected, according to clarification from the Metro administration.

DMRC said on Twitter, Due to the escalating water levels of the Yamuna River, the approach road leading to Yamuna Bank Metro Station is currently inaccessible. Kindly plan your journey accordingly and consider alternate routes. However, interchange facility is available.

Due to the escalating water levels of the Yamuna River, the approach road leading to Yamuna Bank Metro Station is currently inaccessible. Kindly plan your journey accordingly and consider alternate routes. However, interchange facility is available.  Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I    (@OfficialDMRC) July 13, 2023

Although services are normal, according to DMRC, trains are traversing all Metro bridges at a limited speed.

Due to rising water levels of the Yamuna, trains are passing through all four Metro bridges on the river with a restricted speed of 30 kmph as a precautionary measure. Normal services on all corridors, it said.

Due to rising water levels of the Yamuna, trains are passing through all the four Metro bridges on the river with a restricted speed of 30 kmph as a precautionary measure. Normal services on all corridors.  Delhi Metro Rail Corporation I    (@OfficialDMRC) July 13, 2023

Buses headed for the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) will temporarily be rerouted to the Singhu Border. Additional buses will be run by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to take passengers to their destinations, according to India Today.

More than 300 mail and express trains and 406 passenger trains have been cancelled between 7 and 15 July due to waterlogging on tracks following heavy rainfall over the past few days, officials said on Thursday.

The efforts to lower the water levels are ongoing, according to CM Kejriwal, and restoration work will start in two days.

The entry of heavy goods vehicles into the city from four borders, including the Singhu border, has been prohibited by the Delhi administration, with the exception of those transporting necessities. According to todays statement from Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot, this has been done as a precaution because of the rising Yamuna levels.

                 ,  ,       Heavy Goods Vehicles        l  ,  , ,   ,     pic.twitter.com/6snraJQPM7  Kailash Gahlot (@kgahlot) July 13, 2023

Gahlot added in Hindi, On the other hand, interstate buses coming from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand will stop at Singhu border instead of going to ISBT Kashmere Gate. Vehicles transporting necessities like food and petrol are not restricted, he continued.

Also read: Raging Yamuna crosses 45-year record in Delhi, section 144 imposed

Evacuations from risky areas

Following an emergency meeting yesterday, CM Kejriwal announced that the government is evacuating regions that are underwater and asked publics assistance. The National Disaster Response Force has up to 12 teams working as rescuers right now, according to another NDTV report.

In order to prevent the entry of floodwater in case Yamunas water level rises further, around 16,500 residents in low-lying districts have already been relocated to safer locations at higher altitudes. Additionally, embankments are being built in low-lying areas.

Gatherings of four or more individuals and public group movements in flood-prone regions have been outlawed by city police in order to preserve order.

As the situation worsens, Kejriwal has written to Union home minister Amit Shah, urging to release a limited quantity of water from the Hathni Kund Barrage in Haryana. Following receiving his letter, he claimed to have heard back from Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, who claimed that a decrease in the amount of water being discharged to Haryana from Himachal Pradesh would have an impact on the Yamuna river level.

Hindustan Times quoted Kejriwal as saying, Following my letter, I got a call from Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who said that Hathnikund is just a barrage and there is no reservoir to store water and limit the water speed. The water volume being released from Himachal Pradesh has reduced and the situation will improve. But it will take time to reflect in the water level of the Yamuna.

Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Kejriwal-led Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) would continue to meet to go over and manage the flood situation in the city.

The causes of flooding

On the Yamuna River, there are two significant fortifications: Dakpathar in Uttarakhand and Hathnikund in Haryana, upstream of Delhi. Since there are no dams on the river, the majority of the monsoon flow is wasted and floods occur throughout the rainy season.

Saturated soil due to heavy downpours in Delhi and the surrounding areas over the weekend and ongoing rains in the upper catchment areas have both contributed to the rise in water levels, according to India Today.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) tweeted that the Hathni Kund Barrage has limited storage as a reason for the rise in Yamuna level. He said, Hathni Kund Barrage has limited storage. During high inflows, excess water is to be released downstream. Very heavy rainfall occurred in the Himalayan region upstream of Hathni Kund Barrage during 9-11 July.

The water flow from the Haryana barrage is anticipated to begin decreasing at around 2:00 PM today, but the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that Uttarakhand will continue to experience heavy to extremely heavy rains over the following two days, increasing the risk of floods.

According to IMD, Delhi has had record rainfall since the monsoon season started on 1 June. Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have experienced 100 per cent and 70 per cent more rain than typical, respectively. The weather agency says that rainfall in Delhi has also been 112 per cent above average.

With inputs from PTI and Reuters
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has departed for his special visit to France. Ahead of his departure, the Indian PM said he looks forward to holding a wide-ranging discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron on taking forward a time-tested relationship (between the two countries) over the next 25 years.

PM Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership.

The Indian Prime Ministers visit will focus on strengthening India-France ties in several domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, trade, investment, culture and people-to-people ties.

This France visit is special

In his departure statement, PM Modi said this visit to France is particularly special as he would be joining Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, while Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past on the occasion.

25th anniversary of India-France strategic partnership

PM Modi said that the year 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership.

Rooted in deep trust and commitment, our two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties. We also work together on regional and global issues, PM Modi said in his departure statement.

Look forward to holding wide-ranging discussions

I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years, PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also recalled his earlier meetings with Macron and said, I have had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since my last Official Visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023 during the G-7 Summit.

The Prime Minister said he is looking forward to his interaction with French leadership including his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne, President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher, and President of the National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet.

During my visit, I will have the opportunity to meet the vibrant Indian community, leading CEOs from both countries as well as prominent French personalities, PM Modi said.

After France, PM Modi to travel to UAE

PM Modi said from Paris, he would be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an official visit on July 15.

I look forward to meeting my friend, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, the PM said.

Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties, PM Modi stated

PM Modi said last year, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and he agreed on a Roadmap on the future of the bilateral partnership, and he looks forward to discussing with him how to further deepen ties.

Noting that the UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year, PM Modi said he also looks forward to exchanging views on strengthening global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate the energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement.

I am confident that my visit to UAE will usher in a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the Indian Prime Minister said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Thursday that all schools in inundated areas will remain shut until further notice.

Kejriwal visited the flooded area in the national capital today. We are at the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant. For the first time in Delhi, Yamuna has touched this level. Three Water Treatment Plants have been shut down due to this as the water has entered pumps & machines25% of the water supply in Delhi will go down due to this. The tubewells are closed too. There can be water scarcity for a day or twoI hope that the supply resumes by tomorrow evening he said.

#WATCH | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says, We are at the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant. For the first time in Delhi, Yamuna has touched this level. Three Water Treatment Plants have been shut down due to this as the water has entered pumps & machines25% of the water supply in pic.twitter.com/SAAhguqo45  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

An already-swelled Yamuna reached a staggering 208.48 metres on Thursday, inundating nearby areas and causing chaos among residents of New Delhi.

After the water from the Yamuna River was seen spilling over roads in the national capital, the Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory on the restrictions and regulations of vehicular movement.

The chief minister said water supply may be affected in parts of the city with the shutting down of treatment plants at Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla following rising levels of the Yamuna.

The water levels at the Old Railway Bridge surpassed the 208-metre mark on Wednesday night and touched 208.48 metres by 8 am on Thursday.

According to reports by the Central Water Commission, water levels of the river are expected to rise further. The commission has termed the phenomenon an extreme situation.
The surge in tomato prices has had a significant impact on peoples finances. In a recent incident from Madhya Pradeshs Shahdol district, tomatoes became the cause of an argument between a husband and wife.

Sanjeev Burman, who operates a tiffin service, revealed that a major argument erupted between him and his wife Aarti Burman when he used two tomatoes while preparing a meal without consulting her.

Burman stated that his wife was displeased with the tomato usage, as he did not ask for her opinion before using them.

He also said that following the dispute, Burmans wife decided to leave their residence with their daughter. Despite his attempts to locate them, he was unable to do so, prompting him to seek assistance from the local police station.

Burman also claimed that he hadnt spoken to his wife for three days and was unaware of her whereabouts.

A senior police officer stated that Sanjeev had lodged a complaint, according to India Today.

Sanjay Jaiswal, Station House Officer, Dhanpuri, Shahdol told NDTV that Aarti left the house after the argument with her husband. She later went to her sisters place in Umaria.

The police officials have said that they have contacted Sanjeevs wife and she will return soon.

With inputs from agencies
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday raised concern regarding terrorists using the dark net to hide their identity and spread radical material, and find solutions by understanding the pattern of these activities.

Addressing the inaugural session of the G 20 Conference on Crime and Security in the Age of NFTs, AI & Metaverse, the home minister said that India has taken giant strides in empowering digital security systems.

The conference will play a transformative role in building a global cooperation network to strengthen the capabilities of nations and international organizations to combat cyber threats, including terrorism, terror financing, radicalization, narco-terror, and misinformation in an effective way, he added.

The brainstorming in this congregation will help all the participant nations to achieve remarkable feats in security, he said.

Multilateral cooperation is the key to success in securing nations from emerging threats to cyber security. Addressing the inaugural session of the G 20 Conference on Crime and Security in the Age of NFTs, AI & Metaverse.#G20India https://t.co/FlIJrd6Afb  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 13, 2023

The minister also warned of cyber-attack threat which he said is hovering over all the major economies of the world and many countries of the world have become victims of it.

To create a robust and efficient operational system, Shah said, Terrorists are using the dark net to hide their identity and spread radical material, and we have to understand the pattern of these activities running on the dark net and find solutions for the same.

The Home Minister also specified the need to think coherently to crack down on the use of various virtual assets.

Speaking at the G20 Conference on Crime and Security in the age of the Non-Fungible Token (NFT), Artificial Intelligence (Al) and Metaverse, Shah further said The Metaverse, once a science fiction idea, has now stepped into the real world.

He said the metaverse may create new opportunities for terrorist organizations primarily for propaganda, recruitment, and training.

This will make it easier for terrorist organizations to select and target vulnerable people and prepare material according to their vulnerabilities.

The metaverse also creates opportunities for true imitation of a users identity, known as deep-fakes. Using better biometric information about individuals, criminals will be able to impersonate users and steal their identities, Shah further said.

The minister also pointed out that incidents ranging from ransomware attacks, the sale of critical personal data, online harassment, and child abuse to fake news and misinformation campaigns with toolkits are being carried out by cybercriminals.

At the same time, Shah said, there is also a growing tendency to strategically target critical information and financial systems.

Such activities are a matter of national concern, as their activities have a direct impact on national security, law and order, and the economy. If such crimes and criminals have to be stopped, then we have to think and also act by rising above the conventional geographic boundaries, said Shah.

The targets in digital warfare are not our physical resources, but our ability to act online. Disruption of the online network even for 10 minutes can be fatal.

Noting that all the governments of the world are promoting digital means in governance and public welfare today, Shah said it is necessary in this direction that citizens have faith in digital platforms.

Insecurity in the digital space also raises questions about the legitimacy and sovereignty of the nation-state, Shah said while advising Our internet vision should neither be one of excessive freedom threatening the very existence of our nations nor one of isolationist structures such as digital firewalls.

Stating on cyber-attack threat hovering over all the major economies of the world, Shah cited World Bank estimate that cyber-attacks could have caused losses of around $5.2 trillion to the world during the years 2019-2023.He also said the use of cryptocurrency by malicious threat actors further complicates its detection and prevention.

The government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi has worked towards outlining a uniform cyber strategy, real-time reporting of cyber-crimes, capacity building of LEAs, designing analytical tools and setting up a national network of forensic laboratories, ensuring cyber hygiene, and spreading cyber awareness to every citizen.

The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS) has been implemented in all the police stations of the country, Shah said.

He also said the Government of India has established the Indian Cyber-Crime Coordination Center (14C) to ensure a comprehensive response against cybercrime.

With inputs from agencies.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday filed chargesheet against three individuals involved in an alleged extortion scheme orchestrated by banned terrorist groups in Manipur.

The NIA has accused these individuals, including a Myanmar national, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

According to the reports, the agency found in the investigation that the suspects were purportedly engaged in the collection and allocation of funds to various terrorist organizations, namely the Peoples Revolutionary Army, Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), and United National Liberation Front (UNLF).

An NIA spokesperson confirmed the submission of the chargesheet at the NIA Special Court in Imphal earlier today.

The chargesheet has been filed against the three members associated with the banned terrorist organizations, including the Peoples Revolutionary Army, KCP (Kangleipak Communist Party), PREPAK (Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak), and UNLF (United National Liberation Front), the spokesperson stated.

The accused persons were identified as Deepak Sharma (38), also known as Khinmaung from Myanmar, Suraj Jasiwal (33) from Manipur, and Shaikhom Bruce Meetei (38), also from Manipur.

They have been charged under the UA(P)A Act of 1967, with Deepak Sharma facing additional charges under the Foreigners Act of 1946.

They, according to the cops, were allegedly amassing funds with the intention of supporting the activities of these terrorist organizations.

Investigations conducted thus far have revealed that members of these banned groups were engaging in extortion calls targeting the residents of Imphal and the surrounding Valley areas to raise funds for their organizations, added the spokesperson.
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis arrival in Paris, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) Thursday approved proposals for the procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighter jets from France to boost Indias defence capabilities.

Three proposals were approved at the DAC meeting held on July 13, 2023, under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh.

The mega defence projects are expected to be announced after bilateral talks between PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday, July 14.

The DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircrafts along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy from the French Government based on Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA).

The price and other terms of purchase will be negotiated with the French Government after taking into account all relevant aspects, including comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries, the Ministry of Defence said on Friday.

The ministry further informed that the integration of Indian designed equipment and establishment of Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) hub for various systems will be incorporated into the contract documents after due negotiations.

India already has procured 36 Rafale jets from France for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The Rafale jets are Indias first major acquisition of fighter planes in over two decades after the country imported the Sukhoi jets from Russia.

The DAC also granted the AoN for procurement of three additional Scorpene submarines under Buy (Indian) category which will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

The defence ministry said that the procurement of additional submarines, with higher indigenous content, will help in maintaining required force level, aid operational readiness of the Indian Navy, and create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector.

It will also help the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction, the ministry said.

The DAC also approved the proposal to lay down guidelines for achieving the desired indigenous content in all categories of capital acquisition cases. This will help in achieving Aatmanirbharta in critical manufacturing technologies and life-cycle sustenance of defence platforms/equipment through indigenous manufacturing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met French Senate President Gerard Larcher here as he began his bilateral engagements to boost Indias strategic ties with France.

PM Modi, who landed here earlier in the day, received a warm welcome upon his arrival at the meeting hall to hold talks with Gerard Larcher.

The Prime Minister is here on a two-day visit during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron and join him for the French National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.

In a special gesture, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne received Prime Minister Modi at the airport. A ceremonial welcome and Guard of honour were accorded to Prime Minister Modi upon his arrival at the airport.

Prime Minister Modi will address the Indian community members later in the evening.

Ahead of his departure, PM Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership.

Expansion of bilateral defence ties is expected to be a key focus of Prime Minister Modis talks with Emmanuel Macron.
In a shocking development, a district court in Uttar Pradeshs Bareilly reportedly granted bail to a cold storage owners son and six others within 24 hours of being arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of two women who were set on fire after gangrape.

The court reportedly cited delay in producing case diary as the reason for granting the bails.

According to SSP OP Singh, the women were murdered on July 3 by three co-workers, namely Ibne Hasan, Ajay Sharma, and Mukesh Pal.

The following morning, Mayur Gupta, along with Ramveer alias Pappu, Ramratan Yadav, and Pradeep Yadav, packed the bodies in polythene sacks and dumped them in a pond.

Subsequently, they were sent to jail.

According to reports, the court proceedings took place on Tuesday, and on the same day, the court demanded the case diary from the investigating officer (IO) without allowing sufficient time for its submission.

A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed concerns about Mayurs bail, as he was actively involved in the heinous crime.

The accused individuals were charged under sections 376-D (gang rape), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 201 (disappearance of evidence), and section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Shockingly, the IO was not given even a single day to present the evidence.

SSP OP Singh expressed disappointment over Mayurs bail, stating that they sought his custody for further investigation.

They are considering the possibility of challenging this decision in a higher court. The courts order reportedly highlighted that the accused had assisted in concealing the evidence by disposing of the bodies.

The IO was instructed to present the case diary, but it was not made available. Despite the case pending in the additional district and session court, the crime was considered bailable due to the existing circumstances and facts.

The victims, both married and residing with their families, were employed as laborers at the cold storage unit.

On July 4, the police discovered their bodies in a pond located in Bachi village, under Ushait police jurisdiction. The cause of death, confirmed by the autopsy, was strangulation, and doctors created slides for confirmation of sexual assault.
An already-swelled Yamuna reached a staggering 208.48 metres on Thursday, inundating nearby areas and causing chaos among residents of New Delhi.

After the water from the Yamuna River was seen spilling over roads in the national capital, the Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory on the restrictions and regulations of vehicular movement.

#WATCH | The area near Nigam Bodh Ghat in Delhi gets flooded as river Yamuna overflows and floods low-lying nearby areas. pic.twitter.com/8briPb9rzq  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

The water levels at the Old Railway Bridge surpassed the 208-metre mark on Wednesday night and touched 208.48 metres by 8 am on Thursday.

According to reports by the Central Water Commission, water levels of the river are expected to rise further. The commission has termed the phenomenon an extreme situation.

Traffic movement has been impaired on Mahatma Gandhi Marg between the IP flyover and Chandgi Ram Akhara, Mahatma Gandhi Marg between Kalighat Mandir and Delhi Secretariat, and Outer Ring Road between Wazirabad Bridge and Chandgi Ram Akhara.

#WATCH | Civil Lines area of Delhi flooded, latest visuals from the area. Several areas of the city are reeling under flood and water-logging as the water level of river Yamuna continues to rise following heavy rainfall and the release of water from Hathnikund Barrage. pic.twitter.com/UecZsfIBwb  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

Earlier on Wednesday, Delhi Police imposed section 144 CrPC as a precautionary measure in the flood-prone areas in the national capital as the Yamuna River swelled to 207.25 metres, the highest ever in the past 45 years.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging him to release a limited quantity of water from the Hathnikhund barrage in Haryana to prevent water levels to rise further in Yamuna.

#WATCH | Delhi | Water level of river Yamuna continues to rise; Ring Road near ITO flooded. pic.twitter.com/38YOHa1Be3  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

In his letter to Shah, Kejriwal wrote, It is well above the danger mark (205.33 m). Prior to this, the maximum level of Yamuna had been reached in the year 1978, which was 207.49 metres. At that time there was a flood in Delhi and the situation became very serious. At the level of 207.55 metres now Yamuna can flood anytime, the letter reads.

Kejriwal stressed that a flooded Delhi would send a bad message to delegates who are scheduled to attend the G20 Summit in the national capital.

With inputs from agencies
The countdown for the launch of the much-awaited Chandrayaan-3, Indias third lunar exploration mission, has begun. The lift-off will be carried out by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 2:35 pm on Friday.

Chandrayaan-3, Indias third lunar mission, will be launched by LVM3 rocket which has been renamed Bahubali and weighs 642 tons which is said to be equal to the combined weight of about 130 full grown Asian elephants.

Cost of Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission

The cost of Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission is said to be Rs 615-crore.

Aim of Chandrayaan-3 Mission

The aim of Chandrayaan-3 mission is to accomplish what its predecessor Chandrayaan-2 could not, i.e. land softly on the lunar surface and explore it with a rover.

A successful soft landing will make India the fourth country, after US, Russia, and China, to achieve the feat.

ISROs Chandrayaan-2 mission faced challenges during its soft landing in 2019.

Why did Chandrayaan-2 mission fail?

Indias second mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-2 was launched on July 22, 2019 from the same place where its successor will be taking off on Friday, July 14, 2023.

The Chandrayaan-2 mission, however, failed after the Vikram lunar lander crashed on the Moon during the early hours, instead of landing softly on it.

Movement of the launch vehicle to the launch pad. pic.twitter.com/Tu973C6IjC  ISRO (@isro) July 7, 2023

ISRO chairperson S Somanath recently said the main issue was that the five engines on the lander developed a slightly higher thrust than expected.

The changes in Chandrayaan-3 have been made keeping in mind the errors in Chandrayaan-2.

What is different this time?

Three main changes have been made for Chandrayaan-3 mission. They are:

1  Expanded landing area: Chandrayaan-3 mission has been given instructions to land safely anywhere in a 4km x 2.4km area, instead of trying to reach a specific 500m x 500m patch for landing which was targeted by Chandrayaan-2.

2 - Lander provided with more fuel: The lander has been fed with more fuel to enable it to travel longer distances to the landing site or an alternate landing site, if required.

3 - Lander to click images to confirm it reached right location: The lander will not just click pictures during the descent to determine a landing site. High resolution images from Chandrayaan-2 orbiter have been fed into the lander which will take images only to confirm that it has reached the correct location.

Apart from this, changes have also been made to the physical structure of the lander.

The lander's central thruster has been removed, reducing the number from five to four. It has got sturdier legs which will ensure it can land even at a higher velocity. The body of the lander now has more solar panels.

What remains unchanged?

The payloads on the lander and rover are the same as the earlier mission. The lander will have four scientific payloads which will help study lunar quakes, thermal properties of the surface of the moon, changes in the plasma near the surface and a passive experiment to accurately calculate the distance between the moon and the Earth.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission will not carry an orbiter and instead use data from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter.

Bahubali rocket that will send Chanrayaan-3 to the moon

India's upgraded rocket will lift Chandrayaan-3 satellite towards the moon.

Chandrayaan-3 satellite weigh 3,921 kilograms. The upgraded 'Bahubali' rocket is massive, standing 43.5 meters tall.

Why was Bahubali rocket chosen for Chandrayaan-3?

Chandrayaan-3 will be the sixth flight of the rocket which has a one hundred per cent success rate till date. With this, hopes are mounting of the successful lift off from India's space port.

When will Chandrayaan-3 mission start & end?

Around 16 minutes after the lift-off on Friday (July 14) at 2:35 pm, the propulsion module is expected to get separated from the rocket and would orbit the Earth for nearly 5-6 times in an elliptical cycle with 170 km closest and 36,500 km farthest from the planet moving towards the lunar orbit.

After gaining the speed, the propulsion module and the lander would proceed for an over a month-long journey towards reaching the orbit of the moon until it goes 100 km above the lunar surface.

Soon after reaching the desired position, the lander module would commence its descent for a soft landing on the south pole region of the moon and this is expected to happen somewhere on August 23 or 24, ISRO scientists said.

Why moon's south pole?

The south pole region of the moon has been chosen as the Lunar South Pole remains much larger than that at the North pole. There could also be a possibility of the presence of water in permanently shadowed areas around it.

"After the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the surface of the Moon, the rover, which has six wheels, will come out and is expected to work for 14 days on the Moon. With the support of multiple cameras on the rover, we will be able to receive images," Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh had said earlier.

India's first moon mission

In 2008, India for the first time attempted a mission to the moon with Chandrayaan-1 which was an orbiter, however, it died about half way into the mission.

Not all was bad, as Chandrayaan-1 returned with a major finding that the moon is not a parched desert. It discovered the presence of water molecules on the moon.

This finding had changed the geological history of the moon and also had pointed out possibility of human habitation outside the Earth.

With inputs from agencies
We have recently been witnessing interesting scenes being played out in the UK, Canada, Australia and the US. Sikhs, permanent residents of these countries, with almost no affinity or links to India, except religion, standing in protest outside Indian embassies and consulates, demanding the creation of a hypothetical state they call Khalistan. Those demonstrating will never reside in this hypothetical state, leaving the luxury of their current adopted home. In some cases, protestors have been so carried away that they have attempted to attack Indian diplomatic establishments or their counter demonstrators desperate to grab media attention.

They carry flags which are meant to represent their hypothetical state, which will never be created. They protest in far off countries demanding that this state be created in India which is truly the height of absurdity. They arrive in groups, herded by community leaders, who promptly disappear.

They discredit the Indian national flag, disregarding the fact that hundreds of thousands of their community members have proudly saluted it, as also those who laid down their lives defending it, have been draped in it. It only lowers whatever little respect they possess. Countering them have been far more Indian origin residents who respect India for its history, culture and global standing. There are regular clashes between these two groups.

A look at the map of the state they demand makes you laugh in amusement. The hypothetical state only has parts of India including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal and sections of UP, leaving out Pakistans Punjab. Lahore, which was the erstwhile capital of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, is also not included. Even Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan, which is amongst the most revered shrines of the community and just 7 kms from the international border, is excluded. The dream  Khalistan-Pakistan border  runs along the current Indo-Pak international border commencing from where the Jammu and Kashmir boundary ends.

J&K is left out mainly because Pakistan claims the region. The designated map cuts off J&K from the rest of the country, with Khalistan imposed between. To push their hypothetical claims, they have conducted referendums in countries in which they reside, seeking to enhance awareness on their claims.

While numbers voting may be inconsequential and the result meaningless, however it gives them a few seconds of media coverage as the Indian government protests. Interestingly, hardly any local resident attends the referendum and protest events, those who do are forced by circumstances and social pressure. There are reports that the same few attendees vote repeatedly in unmonitored referendums as the organisation is desperate to display support in numbers.

The illogical map and protests abroad highlight that the movement has links to Pakistans ISI which harbours Khalistan terrorists on its soil. The ISI, realising that its actions in J&K are collapsing, is activating this so-called defunct movement, hoping that some in Punjab raise a banner in revolt. It has been disappointed that despite all its funding and support, protests only take place in far flung countries rather than India.

The movement of drugs into Punjab by smuggling and drones is intended to boost narco-terrorism and link it to ongoing terrorist activity in J&K. While this will not succeed, it will result in impacting the health of youth of Punjab.

Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), the organisation claiming to lead the struggle for utopian Khalistan, is US based and funded by organisations which abhor the global rise of India, including Pakistans ISI. To display their relevance and continue to claim funds from sponsors, the SFJ instigates its members to organise protests, aware that these are irrelevant. It sponsors violence hoping to gain media glare. None of its so-called leaders are ever seen in these events, displaying that they are aware that their actions are meaningless.

The only country where SFJ have been given some freedom to operate has been Canada, where the Trudeau government is backed by pro-Khalistan political parties. Its vote bank politics has made it subservient to maintaining good diplomatic ties with India. Ideally, Khalistan protestors should join hands with the Free Quebec movement and demand a separate state within Canada, especially as they form 2 per cent of the Canadian population of 38 million. In India they are 1.7 per cent. The movement is more likely to succeed there than in India as Canada is sparsely populated and has land to spare.

In the past few months, deaths of four Khalistani separatists/terrorists, either by murder due to internal disagreements, or other suspicious causes, has led to all so-called leaders of the SFJ going into hiding, fearing a similar end. It only displays that none are serious in pursuing the demand themselves but pushing innocents forward to demonstrate, while they reap financial benefits. An internal tussle within the leadership is ongoing as it involves finances and control over Gurdwaras.

Protests have witnessed an increase in recent times, especially as India rises in global stature. Promoters of the movement flood venues when members of the Indian Opposition address audiences and project a poor image of India as also force their brethren to stand in protest when leading government functionaries visit their nations. Many protestors are illegal immigrants desperate for political asylum, which is exploited by the organisers. The presence of the police dampens their efforts as an arrest could blunt their chances of permanent residence.

While protests abroad have little to no impact on India, it does damage Indias relations with nations which permit them to operate on the pretext of free speech. India-Canada relations have deteriorated and so would India-UK, unless it comes down hard on such movements. Post the attack on the Indian high commission in London, India removed security from the residence of the British High Commissioner, forcing the UK to respond.

The movement has been ongoing for half a century and achieved nothing. Terry Milewski, author of the book, Blood for Blood: 50 years of the Global Khalistan Project, gave his views on the movement in an interview to the Sunday Guardian. He stated, As long as the Khalistan idea remains alive, Pakistan will take advantage of it. He added, The Khalistanis are very loud indeed right now, but there may be some desperation in that. Their time is running out. Internal wars are sapping their energy.

The movement may be just an irritant and meaningless but has diplomatic overtones. Attacks on Indian government establishments abroad are diplomatically an embarrassment and hence compel India to react. In India, we should stop referring to them as Khalistanis as there is no nation by the name Khalistan.

The author is a former Indian Army officer, strategic analyst and columnist. Views expressed are personal.

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This year, France and India are celebrating 25 years of their strategic partnership. The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief guest for the parade on the French National Day (Bastille Day) in Paris will be the culmination of this momentous year. It will also witness a host of new agreements between the two nations.

One could believe that Narendra Modis decision to purchase 36 Rafale planes off-the-shelf, during his April visit to Paris in April 2015, was the true beginning of the partnership; it is true that it was a quick, pragmatic and smart move. Delhi brought the IAFs critical operational necessity to the negotiating table while dropping the cumbersome Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft framework. But it was far from being the first bilateral deal in terms of defence.

A letter sent by HS Malik, Indias Ambassador to France to prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in October 1953 testifies that 70 years ago, France and India were already special friends.

At that time, India purchased 71 Ouragans (known in India as Toofanis) from the French firm, Dassault.

Though at that time the question of the French settlements in India was not solved; (the de facto transfer of Pondicherry and the three other settlements Yanon, Mahe and Karikal took only place a year later on 1 November, 1954), some trust was obviously already present.

Addressing Nehru, the Indian ambassador wrote: All of us in the Embassy who have been working on the implantation of the contract with the Defence Ministry for the supply of Ouragan aircraft were greatly relieved and delighted when we got the news that our four pilots with the four Ouragans had reached Palam safely. This flight from France to India has involved a great deal of organizational work for which much credit is due to the team of the Indian Air Force Officers.

Malik continued: I venture to bring to your notice the wonderful cooperation that we have received both from the French officers of the Ministry of Defence, from the Cabinet Minister downwards, and from the French industry. We signed the contract only last June. Already four planes have reached India; another 35 are being sent on October the 30th on the aircraft carrier Dixmude, and the remainder, 32 aircraft, will be dispatched in January 1954. I think you will agree that this is indeed prompt execution of the agreement as embodied in the contract between us and the French.

Malik added: Our pilots who came here to learn to fly this type of aircraft, which was new to them, won the admiration and respect of the French Air Force and, generally speaking, in spite of the language handicap, [the pilots] have made friends and won the respect of the people among whom they have lived. These words speak for themselves.

Old and stable relations

The selection of the Toofanis or the Rafales was a hallmark of the partnership between Delhi and Paris.

Historians usually consider the period between 1947 and 1962 as the first phase of Indo-French relations. Year 1962 was for France the year it constitutionally departed from the subcontinent and for India.

As early as January 1947, though the relations were not too cordial between France and India due to the colonial burden, the French government asked for a 10-year extension of the 1945 agreement permitting military air ferries to fly across India. Nehru, the interim prime minister noted: Public opinion in India is very much against the use of force by the French Government against the people of Indochina and anything which we do to facilitate the use of this force is bound to be resented and vigorously criticized, but on 16 July, 1947 an agreement on air services between India and France was signed.

Soon after, an interesting development occurred. Nehru, then interested in the programme Atoms for Peace, was anxious to help in every way in developing atomic energy in India. He decided to unofficially send Homi J Bhabha to enquire about the possibility of collaboration for the peaceful use of atomic energy: In view of the fact that India possesses very large resources of minerals suitable for the generation of atomic power, India is destined to play an important part in research on atomic energy in cooperation with other countries.

Homi Bhabha had extremely cordial contacts with Frederic Joliot-Curie and Raoul Dautry, the first heads of the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), founded by de Gaulle in 1945.

The French armament sales during this first phase were relatively large despite the factors mentioned above.

On 22 September, 1962, General de Gaulle received Nehru in Paris. Nehru first congratulated him for the settlement of the Algerian crisis as well as the ratification of the cession of the French Establishments in India. De Gaulle replied that he was happy to see that India had dealt successfully with some of the issues the West had doubts about at the time of independence.

Though the Indian Air Force did not directly take part in the conflict with China, Toofanis, as well as 110 Mystere and 12 Alizee (of Breguet Aviation), were in service in 1962. Further, 150 AMX 13 light tanks were sold to India after an agreement was signed in 1957 (remember the battle of Chushul in November 1962).

With Dassault, the collaboration continued uninterrupted and in the 1980s India acquired the Mirage 2000.

If president Francois Mitterrand laid the foundation of a solid friendship with India, the regular dialogue was institutionalised during president Jacques Chiracs visit in early 1998 through a strategic partnership. This is still the base of the present trusted relationship. As for cultural relations, they will go on regardless of who is at the helm of India or France.

Modi in Paris

To be invited as the chief guest at the Bastille Day Parade is a rare honour. French Ambassador in India, Emmanuel Lenain told India Today that the visit would have maximum impact and maximum outcomes.

Lenain mentioned the leaps in defence cooperation, which would be visible at the special military parade. Were going to have Indian troops marching on the Champs-Elysees at the beginning of Bastille Day, and we have Indian Rafale participating in the fly past. The ambassador added: We provide the best technology to India as a close partner and ally. We also provide maximum content of Make in India, so we have made a good offer. The decision is now really in the hands of Indian authorities.

The cherry on the cake could be the signature for Rafale-M; the Indian Navy is believed to have expressed a preference for the French fighter plane for its new aircraft carrier.

The Indian Navy is also interested in additional Scorpene-class submarines (six Kalvari submarines were built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited with French transfer of technology), also in the pipeline, an Airbus deal to manufacture C-295 tactical transport aircraft in Gujarat.

But there is more, after the Indian prime minister managed to get Washingtons agreement for the transfer of jet engine technology; negotiations with Paris should materialise to co-develop a high-thrust engine for the countrys stealth fighter jet programme, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

According to India Today: Frances Safran is believed to have agreed to completely share its jet engine technology with India to help develop the high-thrust 110kN engine. Safran has already co-developed a helicopter engine for Indias homegrown chopper fleet, and has been negotiating over the fighter jet engine for long.

It is interesting to note that in recent years, France has emerged as a winner over Russia in defence purchases by India; with the Ukraine war, this trend can only increase.

In another interview with ANI, Lenain explained: We work in the spirit of partnership, French companies have been the pioneers for years for make in India and now we totally understood the philosophy of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and they really want to share best technologies and to develop jointly in future.

India and France will also be working on a roadmap for renewed cooperation for the next 25 years, which might be extremely challenging for the planet.

Indeed, India and France have gone a long way during the last 70 years (and especially after 1998). But it is important to remember that when India conducted its nuclear tests in Pokhran in May 1998, France was one of the few countries which did not condemn Delhi (or impose sanctions). This was greatly appreciated in Delhi and when in October 1998 prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee returned president Jacques Chiracs visit to India, the new strategic dialogue could take its first concrete steps.

These events set in motion a closer collaboration and the indeed present partnership owes much to these two leaders.

From the friendship mentioned by General de Gaulle in 1962, the relationship has become a true strategic, economic and cultural partnership.

In the present turbulent times, the stability of the relationship between Delhi and Paris is important for the world.

The author is Distinguished Fellow, Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (Delhi). Views are personal.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting France at an inflectional moment in Europes history. Russia is stuck in a Ukrainian quagmire, and NATO is sniffing blood. The Ukraine war has given it the perfect opportunity to bleed its old adversary dry. Coincidentally, on Thursday, the day before Modi landed in Paris where he has been invited by French president Emmanuel Macron as the Guest of Honour for the Bastille Day Parade on 14 July, NATO leaders wrapped up their summit at the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius.

For all their assistance of arms, training, and intelligence to Ukraine, the transatlantic security alliance is taking care not to directly enter the battlefield against a country that has an unpredictable leader sitting on a stockpile of 6,000 nuclear warheads.

Therefore, even though Volodymyr Zelenskyy put huge moral and tactical pressure on NATO leaders to speed up Ukraines membership, all he got from the Vilnius summit instead was the prospect of long-term security protection and a fuzzy promise of a membership pathway that puts Ukraines fate, in the words of legendary Bollywood villain Ajit, in liquid oxygen.

The summit communique held that Ukraines future is in NATO and the grouping reaffirmed the commitment we made at the 2008 Summit in Bucharest that Ukraine will become a member, but it gave no clear timeline and offered only a vague pledge that we will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met.

The terms of those conditions are unclear, with Joe Biden, the most consequential leader, stating clearly that Ukraine cant be handed membership in the middle of a war. All this was too much for Zelenskyy who flew into a bit of rage. He called the lack of a timeframe absurd and accused the alliance of lacking readiness to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the alliance.

Zelenskyys outburst prompted US national security adviser Jake Sullivan to call for some gratitude from Ukraine for the billions it has provided for the war so far () while UK defence secretary Ben Wallace said, Ukraine had a habit of treating allies, including the UK, as if they were an Amazon warehouse with lists of demands for weapons.

The Ukrainian leader was forced to tone down his criticism, call the summit outcome a meaningful success and acknowledge a bunch of security assurances from NATO and military aid from members that includes long-range cruise missiles from France.

These missiles can travel 250 km and strike deep behind the Russian front lines. According to Reuters, Macron said the delivery would adhere to Frances policy of assisting Ukraine to defend its territory, indicating that these wont be fired into the Russian mainland.

Amid this volatile cauldron, Modi arrived in Paris for a two-day visit on Thursday to celebrate the 25th-anniversary of a bilateral strategic partnership that has stood the test of time, is based on deep mutual trust, and has remained largely unaffected by the vagaries of the latest war in Europe. That trust is based on a long-standing defence and strategic partnership, and decades of behaviour from France in prioritizing friendship over virtue-signalling.

Unlike most developed nations in the West, including the United States, France is the only major Western power that refrained from imposing sanctions when India conducted nuclear tests in 1998, the very year former French president Jacques Chirac arrived in India and initiated the Indo-French strategic partnership in January. France was also the first nation to sign a civil nuclear agreement with India in 2010, and four other pacts for bilateral cooperation in the atomic energy sector when former president Nicolas Sarkozy came calling.

The Russian invasion and Ukraine are sure to come up for discussion between Modi and Macron when they meet for formal talks, a state banquet and even a private dinner over the course of two days, but it wont be the main item on the menu.

The focus instead will be on the ceremonial pomp and honour of Bastille Day celebrations that take place on Friday, where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent will be taking part in one of Europes largest military parades, and a buttressing of the defence and strategic partnership that is now branching out into different segments. The prime minister will be accompanied by a group of top CEOs, which illustrates that economic ties will remain one of the key centrepieces of the partnership and may focus on the new and emerging domains, including the startup industries.

As foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said at a presser on Wednesday, there are several components to the strategic partnership  from defence to space  and each of these areas would come up for stock-taking and the pathway ahead in terms of future cooperation in these areas.

The prime ministers visit will consolidate the partnership in the areas of security cooperation, space cooperation, engagement in the civil-nuclear domain, technology partnership, partnership in the field of counterterrorism, cybersecurity, climate change, renewable energy, issues relating to International Solar Alliance, and most importantly, as the foreign secretary said, in reorientation of our security partnership in line with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives, supply chain integration between the industry and business segments of the two countries.

This is the key. While there was a lot of talk about supply chain integration during Modis state visit to the US, it was inevitably linked with apprehension over the gap that exists between the intent and actualization of that objective, given the byzantine minefield of Americas strict export control regime and an ossified bureaucracy.

France has historically been nimble in this regard, and a spate of reports indicate that the French government has given the green signal to defence major Safran to jointly design, develop, test, manufacture and finally certify an engine that will power Indias twin engine advanced multi-role combat aircraft (AMCA) and the twin engine deck-based fighter for Indian aircraft carriers. As Hindustan Times has reported, the deal may involve 100% transfer of technology.

Perhaps to drive home the message that France could be that crucial link between Indias defence needs and its urgent imperative to upgrade its own defence industrial base, French ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain in an interview with Times of India stressed that France has been the pioneers in transfer of technology to India and like India, we are a totally independent country and we understand the need for India to master its own defence technology and to have its own independent industry. Our companies have been working in that spirit for years now, doing a lot of Make in India with focus on transfer of advanced technology like no other country does.

The barely concealed potshot at the US, which subjects defence collaboration and coproduction to corrosive stress tests, was hardly hidden. One may excuse the French for doing so because it still feels hard done by, by the way, Americans torpedoed French plans to build submarines for Australia.

The convergence in thinking, however, between both sides on this crucial aspect of bilateral ties is remarkable. While Ambassador Lenain stressed Frances track record, his views were echoed by the foreign secretary during the presser.

On a question on the scope of bilateral defence cooperation, Kwatra said: when two leaders will meet, they will discuss how to further enhance the scope of this cooperation on how to take the defence cooperation between the two countries in the direction of co-production, co-designing, co-development, and how to align it with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

A plethora of deals and deliverables, therefore, is expected to hog the headlines. Reports indicate that India may buy 26 more Rafale jets, and three more Scorpene submarines and introduce France to Indias digital payment interface (UPI). Economic Times reports that Indias Defence Procurement Board (DPB) has cleared the acquisition of 26 Rafale M fighter jets and additional Scorpene class submarines for the Navy, paving the way for the deal to be sealed during Modis visit. The newspaper pegs the contract at around 5.5 billion euros and says that the jets will be equipped to India-specific standards and will have several indigenous systems, including weapons.

Beyond these headlines, at a deeper level, the biggest takeaway will be a closer alignment between two nations that value strategic autonomy  a concept that is fundamental to both their foreign policies.

India is navigating a tricky geopolitical terrain messed up further by the war. It is slowly shifting its legacy Russian military platforms and a long-standing defence relationship based on supplies from Russia that include fighter aircraft, assault rifles, submarines and aircraft carriers away from Moscow towards indigenous production and greater alignment with the West. And it is trying to do so without running a scythe through the long-standing relationship with Russia, which is now crucial to Indias energy security.

This display of strategic autonomy has drawn grudging admiration from the US-led West that is now trying to woo India away from Russia instead of showing New Delhi the red eye  a strategy that was tried initially but didnt work.

Similarly, Macron is trying to lead Europe away from its vassalization by America, haunted by a fear that it may not survive as a geo-economic and a military bloc if the US, led by a returning Donald Trump, withdraws from the collective security bargain.

At a speech in Bratislava in June, Macron said, Today, we should be pleased to have an American administration that has stood with us Will that administration always be the same? Nobody can tell, and we cannot delegate our collective security and our stability to the choices of American voters in the coming years.

In Macrons eyes, Europe should be a self-sufficient geopolitical force that does not need American help to take care of its security needs as the US shifts its focus towards Asia. Also crucial in this equation is Europes economic ties with China where Macron has openly called for Europes treading of a different path instead of getting tangled in US-China great power rivalry over Taiwan. The pursuing of these diplomatic strains call for strategic autonomy, where Modi and Macron are sure to exchange notes. Modi would additionally like to know the modalities of Europes de-risking strategy with China where the key actors are clearly not on the same page.

This interplay between a key European and Indo-Pacific power will be the thing to watch out for.

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Elon Musks Tesla, after delaying for a significant period, has finally initiated talks with the Indian government regarding an investment proposal to establish a car manufacturing plant in India. The proposed factory would have the capability to produce up to 500,000 electric vehicles annually, with prices starting at Rs 20 lakh.

Tesla is also engaged in discussions with the Indian government to consider the potential establishment of its auto parts and electronics chain in India.

As part of these talks, Tesla is also exploring the opportunity to receive incentives and tax benefits. While the Indian government has requested Tesla to evaluate the current auto components supply chain in the country, the company has expressed its interest in creating its own supply chain ecosystem within India.

In addition to its substantial presence in China, including manufacturing facilities, Tesla is considering India as a potential export hub. The company intends to utilize India as a base for exporting cars to countries located in the Indo-Pacific region.

During his recent visit to the United States, Tesla CEO Elon Musk met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed his admiration for him. Musk stated that PM Modi genuinely cares about India and has encouraged Tesla to make substantial investments in the country, a commitment that Tesla intends to fulfill.

Furthermore, Musk referred to himself as a fan of Mr Modi and expressed his belief that India holds great potential and opportunities, surpassing any other large nation in the world. He really cares about India because hes pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do, Musk said back then.

We asked them about their specific needs and also urged them to consider sourcing their needs from the Indian ecosystem, a senior government official told Economic Times, who first reported the story.

But these companies have a well-oiled system of their suppliers. These are initial talks so we are hopeful of making some headway, the official said.

Executives from Tesla US and Tesla India had held discussions with senior Indian officials and ministers in May and inquired about the incentives and support structure available for the company and its partners in order to establish a manufacturing facility in India. They were exploring the possibility of setting up manufacturing operations for cars and batteries in India. The company had previously postponed its plans to enter the Indian market due to the high import tax structure.

Indias auto components industry, which contributes 2.3 per cent to the countrys GDP, is projected to become the third-largest globally by 2025, as per the governments estimates. Notably, Tesla already procures approximately $100 million worth of steering wheel components and other parts from India.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the G20 conference on Crime and Security in the Age of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Metaverse at Gurugram, Haryana. During his speech at the opening session, Home Minister Shah emphasized the significance of multilateral collaboration in effectively safeguarding nations against evolving cyber threats. IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, spoke at the inauguration as well.

In his inaugural speech, Home Minister Amit Shah issued a warning to the global community regarding the security challenges that have transformed from traditional threats like dynamite to metaverse and hawala to cryptocurrency. He called upon the G20 nations to transcend conventional boundaries and take action against such crimes.

The Home Minister expressed deep concerns about several cybercrime trends such as ransomware, phishing, offline telecom, offline child sexual abuse, and hacking. He highlighted that these trends pose a significant global threat, as outlined in Interpols 2022 Global Trends Summary report, and cautioned that there is a high possibility of a manifold increase in cybercrime in the future

According to Interpols 2022 Global Trends Summary report, some of the cybercrime trends such as ransomware, phishing, offline telecom, offline child sexual abuse and hacking are posing a serious threat globally. There is a possibility that this cybercrime will increase manifold in future, he said.

These activities have far-reaching implications for national security, law and order, and the economy, making them a matter of great concern. He emphasized the need to transcend conventional geographic boundaries in order to effectively combat such crimes and criminals. To address cyber criminals operating across borders, the Home Minister proposed several measures, including the establishment of uniform laws across all countries, the development of response mechanisms under various legal frameworks, the harmonisation of benchmarks, best practices, and regulations, and enhanced coordination among cyber agencies globally.

He also highlighted the need to adopt an integrated and stable approach to cyber security policies that would promote interoperability, build trust in information sharing, and bridge gaps in agency protocols and resources. Home Minister Shah emphasized the importance of sharing real-time cyber threat intelligence among member countries, with active support from industry and academia, to safeguard critical national infrastructure.

The Home Minister further stated that while technology has positively brought people, communities, and countries closer, there are also negative elements and global forces exploiting technology to cause economic and social harm to both citizens and governments. He stressed the need for a balanced internet vision that avoids excessive freedom that threatens national existence as well as isolationist structures like digital firewalls.

Meanwhile, IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, spoke of the need to have continuous conversation and cooperation among nations to tackle modern-day cyber threats.

Today we are a nation of 840 million internet users. In a couple of years, we will have 1.2 billion Indians using the internet and becoming digital nagriks. We are living in very interesting timesOne of the most interesting aspects of these interesting times is the rapid digitalising of our lives. Governments, enterprises and services, as well as consumers lives, are all digitalising fast, said Minister Chandrasekhar.

India is a beacon to the world of how the internet has been harnessed to transform decades-old dysfunctional governance into modern, responsive governance, rebuild trust between government and citizens, and generally how technology has been harnessed to do good, he added.

The IT Minister also highlighted that the positive impact of technology has been evident, but it is important to recognize that in recent years, technology, especially the internet, has also emerged as a source of harm. He further explained that although technology, especially the internet has brought about positive outcomes, it is progressively becoming associated with user harm, toxicity, misinformation, and criminal activities.

It is important that we understand the growing use of tech and various platforms to cause harm, that we understand, the present and the future of cyberspace, requires the world to corporate and make it more safe and trusted, added Minister Chandrasekhar.

The minister then spoke on the divergence of cybercrime, victim and jurisdiction. He explained that the internet and technology, in general, operate in a realm where traditional borders hold no significance. Victims may be located in one jurisdiction, while the crime itself occurs in another, and the perpetrator resides in yet another jurisdiction. Therefore conventional law and order systems and responses are ineffective in addressing these issues. Furthermore, the situation is exacerbated by the growing tendency of platforms to promote anonymous usage of their services.

It is necessary that we have continuous conversations for a framework of regulations, cooperation and partnership between nations, in investigations as well as the development of tools and protocols on how we address the rising challenges and threats, said the IT minister.
According to US officials and Microsoft, Chinese hackers with state affiliations have been covertly infiltrating email accounts at approximately 25 organizations, including two US government agencies and Microsoft itself, since May. The US government detected the breach of federal government accounts promptly and managed to prevent any further unauthorized access. Both the US State and Commerce Departments confirmed their involvement in the incident through official statements.

The Washington Post reported that Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondos email account, as well as the accounts of Department of State officials, were compromised. Raimondo is the only known Cabinet-level official whose account was breached in this particular incident.

However, a senior US government official cautioned against comparing this intrusion to the SolarWinds compromise, a wide-ranging cyber-attack attributed to Russian cyberspies that came to light in late 2020. The official described the recently discovered campaign as being significantly narrower in scope.

Regarding Microsofts attribution of the hack to China, the US official refrained from providing any comment on the matter. In their statement, Microsoft revealed that the hacking group, referred to as Storm-0558, employed the tactic of forging digital authentication tokens to gain unauthorized access to webmail accounts hosted on the companys Outlook service. The illicit activity began in May, as stated by Microsoft.

Microsoft stated that in response to the observed nation-state actor activity, they have directly contacted all targeted or compromised organizations through their tenant administrators. Microsoft has provided these organizations with important information to assist in their investigation and response efforts.

While Microsoft did not disclose the specific organizations or governments affected, they noted that the hacking group primarily targets entities in Western Europe.

Chinas embassy in London dismissed the accusation as disinformation and referred to the U.S. government as the worlds biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief. China consistently denies involvement in hacking operations, regardless of available evidence or context.

According to Adam Hodge, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, the intrusion in Microsofts cloud security impacted unclassified systems, but no further details were provided.

Hodge stated that officials immediately reached out to Microsoft to identify the source of the breach and the vulnerability in their cloud service.

The State Department acknowledged detecting anomalous activity and promptly took measures to secure their systems, as stated by a department spokesperson. The Commerce Department also stated that they took immediate action upon receiving notification of the compromise from Microsoft.

Cybersecurity experts in the private sector have noted that the newly discovered hacking activity demonstrates the improvement of Chinese groups in their cyber capabilities.

John Hultquist, the chief analyst for the U.S. cybersecurity firm Mandiant, remarked, Chinese cyber espionage has evolved significantly from the crude tactics that many of us are familiar with.
Intel Corporation has introduced its latest Gaudi2 processor, specifically designed for deep-learning applications in artificial intelligence (AI), in mainland China. This move comes in response to the high demand for advanced chips that are restricted for export from the United States, leading to a thriving underground trade of smuggled graphics processing units (GPUs) from Nvidia Corporation.

During a press conference in Beijing, Intel executives unveiled the Gaudi2 processor as a competitive alternative to Nvidias A100 GPU, which is widely utilized for AI system training. Despite sanctions imposed by the U.S. government, Intels latest initiative highlights the continued significance of the vast Chinese market for US semiconductor technology providers. Intels annual report indicates that 27 per cent of its total revenue in 2022 originated from China.

Earlier this year, Nvidia made efforts to comply with US restrictions and maintain supply chains for its customers in China by offering modified versions of its flagship A100 and H100 GPUs. These measures were taken after the US Department of Commerce banned Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) from selling certain advanced chips to China. Nvidia was specifically prohibited from selling A100 and H100 GPUs, while AMD faced restrictions on exporting its MI250 chips to the mainland.

Consequently, Chinas AI sector faced challenges in acquiring limited supplies of advanced chips, resulting in a rapidly growing market for smuggled GPUs, including Nvidias A100 and H100 devices. The A100 Tensor Core GPU touted on Nvidias website, powers leading data centres employed in AI, data analytics, and high-performance computing applications worldwide.

According to Sandra Rivera, Intels executive vice-president and general manager of the data centre and AI group, the demand for Intels products in China reinforces the companys commitment to offering a wide range of hardware options to its clients. During the press conference in Beijing, Rivera stated that the Gaudi2 processor aims to lower barriers and empower Chinese clients to deploy AI through cloud and smart-edge technologies, thereby contributing to the development of Chinas AI future.

Intel also announced a collaboration with Inspur Group, the worlds second-largest AI server manufacturer based in Shandong province, to develop new Gaudi2-powered machines specifically for the Chinese market.

Intels data centre team focused on AI deep learning processor technologies, Habana Labs, initially launched the Gaudi2 processor in the United States in May. They claimed that the training throughput performance of Gaudi2 was twice as high as Nvidias 80-gigabyte A100 GPU for models like the ResNet-50 computer vision model and the BERT natural language processing model.

Intels latest offering comes at a time when Chinas AI ambitions face potential challenges. The US government is reportedly considering restrictions on Chinese companies access to American cloud computing services, which would impact the ability of Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Corp to utilize advanced AI chips for the benefit of their Chinese clients. Additionally, there are reports suggesting that Nvidias remodelled A800 GPU could be included in the US export ban, further complicating the landscape, according to The Wall Street Journal.
In late June, armed mercenaries took control of a Russian regional capital and began moving towards Moscow. It was difficult to find reliable information about the situation. Initially, Vladimir Putins propaganda machine ignored the mutiny by the Wagner Group.

The government also blocked access to Google News through major internet providers and concealed search results, such as the rebels leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, on the Russian search engine Yandex.

However, Wikipedia, the collaborative online encyclopedia, was an exception. It published a detailed article in Russian called The Mutiny of the Wagner Group. This article provided up-to-date information about the uprising and included sources ranging from news media outlets criticized by the Kremlin to US newspapers and Russian state media. The article was quite long, consisting of thousands of words, and received over 270,000 page views on its first day.

Despite the Kremlins efforts to control information, Wikipedia remains one of the most popular websites in Russia. It attracts about 95 million visitors each month and has around 10,000 active editors who maintain almost 2 million articles in Russian.

This enduring presence of Wikipedia is surprising considering the governments increasing attempts to control the narrative, especially since the invasion of Ukraine. Wartime censorship has resulted in new laws against so-called disinformation and the banning of news websites, civic organizations, and even environmental groups.

Wikipedia has faced increasing challenges in Russia. The government has imposed substantial fines, amounting to nearly 23 billion rubles, and demanded the removal of certain content, which the Wikimedia Foundation has refused. President Putin has expressed his dissatisfaction with Wikipedia and expressed support for an alternative platform that aligns with the governments views.

In April, a Kremlin-backed figure suggested replacing Wikipedia with a more compliant local alternative. Although a similar version called Ruwiki emerged in June, it lacked critical articles and content banned by the Russian government. The creator, Vladimir Medeyko, who had been a leader among Russian Wikipedia editors, left the project to develop Ruwiki, aiming to make it more aligned with the governments expectations.

Unlike Wikipedia, Ruwiki restricts external editing, and Medeyko plans to involve panels of experts to vet content.

While Vladimir Medeyko, the creator of Ruwiki, opposes blocking Wikipedia, some hard-liners view his project as a means to achieve that goal. Alexander Khinshtein, chair of the digital committee in the Russian parliaments lower house, expressed this sentiment on his Telegram account the day after Ruwikis launch, stating that Wikipedia can only be blocked once a domestic alternative exists, which is no longer an issue.

Russian Wikipedia contributors are concerned about a similar outcome. Stanislav Kozlovskiy, who succeeded Medeyko, acknowledges that if the government decides to block them, they have the capability to do so.

Kozlovskiy states that the Putin regime has targeted fewer than 200 articles, which is a small fraction of the total. However, he also notes that fully satisfying government censors is challenging. They strive to maintain neutrality, and moderators review sensitive issues to the best of their ability.

Wikipedias popularity serves as a strong defence against government actions. When China banned Wikipedia, they countered it by creating a government-friendly alternative called Baidu Baike, which adhered to censorship rules and provided a similar service.

Medeyko aims to replicate Wikipedias crowdsourcing approach with Ruwiki, attracting editors who may feel excluded from Wikipedia due to political controversies or other reasons. However, his creation of Ruwiki has caused a rift in his former community, with Wikipedia editors immediately deleting his account.

If Ruwiki becomes dominant in Russia, original Wikipedia editors will need to decide their stance and engagement with the new platform.
A former executive in the human resources department at Twitter has alleged that the company failed to pay approximately $500 million (385 million) in severance pay owed to former employees.

Courtney McMillian, who previously served as Twitters head of total rewards, before she was laid off, made this claim in a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit asserts that Twitter owner Elon Musk was aware of Twitters severance policy before terminating thousands of employees but hesitated due to the associated costs.

This lawsuit is one of several legal actions filed against the company following the extensive layoffs that occurred after Musks acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion (34 billion) last year. According to the lawsuit, approximately 6,000 individuals were ultimately affected by the layoffs.

As per Twitters severance policy, junior employees were entitled to receive at least two months of base salary as severance pay, along with a cash contribution towards health insurance and other benefits.

The complaint, filed in federal court in San Francisco, reveals that individuals in more senior positions, including McMillian, were owed six months of base salary in severance pay, plus an additional week for each full year of experience. However, terminated staff like her received a maximum of three months of pay, which included one month of severance and an additional two months of pay to comply with a US law which mandated notice for layoffs.

This amount received by employees was a mere fraction of the $500 million they were entitled to, according to the complaint. Musk had previously stated in November, following a series of mass layoffs, that employees would receive three months worth of pay. He went on to say that this was 50 per cent more than legally required.

The complaint accuses Musk of deceiving employees regarding the companys commitment to honouring the severance plan, causing some individuals to remain at the firm longer than they would have otherwise.

Kate Mueting, the attorney representing McMillian from Sanford Heisler Sharp, stated that Musk initially assured employees that Twitter would continue to abide by the severance plan. These promises were apparently made with the knowledge that they were crucial to preventing mass resignations that could have jeopardized the mergers viability and the vitality of Twitter itself.
China repeated its request on Thursday for the United States to ease unilateral sanctions against Chinese firms, ahead of a planned visit by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

The United States has placed penalties on Chinese enterprises engaging in what the US refers to be forced labour in the far western region of Xinjiang. China has always refuted the allegations.

The US has seriously damaged Chinese companies interests, Chinas commerce ministry spokesperson Shu Jueting told a press conference.

China is firmly opposed to it, and urges the US side to immediately stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese firms and lift its unilateral sanctions against them, Shu said.

When asked about a possible visit by Raimondo, Shu said: China is open to such a visit and is in communication with the US over the matter.

China will remain committed to addressing economic and trade concerns through communication and dialogue while promoting constructive and practical cooperation, Shu said.

Raimondo stated in March that the Biden administration was exploring a pilot initiative to handle the dangers associated with Chinese investment.

In response to its significant worries about sanctions, Chinas finance ministry demanded that the US lift bans on Xinjiang-related products and take practical actions on Monday.

The ministry remark followed US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens recent visit to Beijing, which produced no breakthrough but was characterised as productive by all parties.

The two nations agreed to maintain economic routes open.
The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in India, with particular reference to the recent clashes in Manipur.

The Parliament in Strasbourg, France, called on Indian authorities to put in place measures to halt the ethnic and religious violence and to protect all religious minorities.

On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said EU parliamentarians concerned are being reached out and it has been made clear to them that it is a matter absolutely internal to India.

Manipur has been witnessing violent clashes, especially between Kuki and Meitei communities for close to two months.

This is a matter totally internal to India, Kwatra said, replying to a question on the matter at a press conference in New Delhi. We made a reach-out to the concerned EU parliamentarians. But we made it very clear that this is a matter absolutely internal to India, he added.

The resolution entitled India, the situation in Manipur was initiated by Pierre Larrouturou, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament.

Parliament strongly urges the Indian authorities to put in place all necessary measures to promptly halt the ethnic and religious violence and to protect all religious minorities, reads a press statement from the Parliament on the passed resolution.

The MEPs called on the Indian authorities to allow independent investigations to look into the violence and urged all conflicting sides to cease making inflammatory statements, re-establish trust and play an impartial role to mediate the tensions.

Parliament reiterates its call for human rights to be integrated into all areas of the EU-India partnership, including in trade, the press statement said.

MEPs also advocate for the EU-India Human Rights Dialogue to be reinforced and encourage the EU and its member states to systematically and publicly raise human rights concerns, notably on freedom of expression, religion and the shrinking space for civil society, with the Indian side at the highest level, it added.

The resolution comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to France on the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron as the Guest of Honour at the countrys Bastille Day Parade.
India has rejected European Unions call to hold an urgent debate on Manipur and the violence that has ensued in the state.

The Indian government on Wednesday said that the matter is totally internal to India.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said, We made efforts to reach out to EU parliamentarians. The matter is totally internal to India.

EUs motion for Manipur situation

On 11 July, the European Union issued a resolution to include in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law pursuant.

It defended the conduction of a debate on the basis of the EU and India being the worlds two largest democracies that have committed to protecting and promoting human rights.

Whereas violence in Indias Manipur state has erupted along ethnic and religious lines between the mainly Hindu Meitei community and the Christian Kuki tribe, leading to a cycle of violence with over 100 people killed, over 40,000 displaced and the destruction of property and places of worship, the resolution read.

It added, Whereas Manipur has previously faced secessionist insurgencies in which serious human rights abuses were committed; Whereas, in the latest round of violence human rights groups have accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government in Manipur and nationally of implementing divisive ethnonationalistic policies which oppress in particular religious minorities.

The body said that it strongly condemns the acts of violence in the northeastern state.

The EU notes that the use of the unlawful Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), and internet shutdowns. Denounces in the strongest terms nationalistic rhetoric deployed by leading members of the BJP party. Calls on the central government to repeal the AFSPA, in line with UPR recommendations as well as those of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, calls for unimpeded internet access to be re-established.

Indias response

Speaking at a press briefing in New Delhi, Kwatra said that the debate in the European Parliament is happening despite Indias attempts to put across its point of view.

This is a matter totally internal to India. We are aware of the happenings in the [European] parliament and have reached out to the concerned Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). But we have made it absolutely clear that this is a matter wholly and totally internal to India, he told The Hindu.
During a visit to Uganda, which has just enacted some of the worlds toughest anti-gay laws, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi launched into a critique of Western views towards homosexuality.

Raisi, on the first trip to Africa by an Iranian politician in 11 years, called out the West at a news conference with President Yoweri Museveni following meetings with the senior Ugandan leader.

The West today is trying to promote the idea of homosexuality and by promoting homosexuality they are trying to end the generation of human beings, Raisi announced.

Museveni signed the measure into law on May 29, causing an outcry among human rights organisations, the United Nations, LGBTQ campaigners, and Western countries.

The new legislation makes aggravated homosexuality a capital charge, with penalties of up to life in jail for consenting same-sex relationships.

Raisi stated during a news conference that the West is acting against national inheritance and culture.

The Iranian leader also expressed support for Musevenis significant proposal to develop a local oil refinery and pipeline, which has been challenged by environmental organisations and has faced legal action in France as well as condemnation in the European Parliament.

Raisi said Tehran was ready to share its oil industry experience, while the West was not generally interested to see countries who enjoy great resources and national reserves to be independent.

The visit comes as the Islamic Republic tries to shore up diplomatic support to ease its international isolation, with Raisi due to travel to Zimbabwe on Thursday.

He had met Kenyan President William Ruto early Wednesday in Nairobi, describing his visit to the East African powerhouse as a turning point in the development of relations between the two countries.

He then flew to the Ugandan city of Entebbe, where he was welcomed with a gun salute and military parade, public broadcaster UBC showed.

He is due to meet with his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday.

Africa has emerged as a diplomatic battleground in recent months, with Russia and the West vying for support over Moscows invasion of Ukraine, which has had a devastating impact on the continent, sending food prices soaring.

Western powers have also sought to deepen trade ties with the continent, along with India and China, which have been on an infrastructure spending spree in Africa.

Raisi said his talks with Ruto reflected the determination and resolve of both countries for expansion of economic and trade cooperation, political cooperation, cultural cooperation.

Ruto described Iran as a critical strategic partner and said the two sides had signed five memoranda of understanding covering information technology, investment, fisheries and other areas.

These memoranda will enhance and further deepen our bilateral relations for sustainable growth and development, he said.

Ruto told reporters that Raisi had also shared plans for Iran to set up a plant in the port city of Mombasa to manufacture an indigenous Iranian vehicle that has now been given the Kiswahili name, Kifaru, meaning rhino.

Common political views

Irans official IRNA news agency said Raisis delegation includes the foreign minister as well as senior businesspeople.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani had expressed optimism that the trip could help bolster economic and trade ties with African nations.

He also said on Monday that Tehran and the African continent share common political views, without elaborating.

Iran has increased its diplomacy in recent months to decrease its isolation and mitigate the impact of severe sanctions reimposed following the United States exit from a carefully negotiated nuclear deal in 2018.

Raisi received Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf on Saturday in an effort to strengthen ties with Algiers.

Iran joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) last week, joining Russia, China, and India.

Under a pact negotiated by China, Tehran agreed to resume ties with regional adversary Saudi Arabia in March. It has now sought to repair ties with other nations in the area, particularly Egypt and Morocco.

Raisi travelled to Latin America in June, visiting Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba before heading to Indonesia.
The corpses of scores of persons reportedly executed by Sudanese paramilitaries and associated militias have been discovered in a mass grave in West Darfur, according to the UN.

The remains of the 87 persons, some of whom belonged to the ethnic African Masalit group, were thrown in a one-meter (about three-foot) shallow grave close outside the West Darfur city of Geneina, according to credible information collected by the UN Human Rights Office.

The first 37 dead were buried on June 20, according to a United Nations statement issued from Geneva. The next day, another 50 bodies were dumped at the same location. Seven women and seven children were among those buried.

Since April 15, when tensions between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exploded into open battle, Sudan has been shaken by bloodshed.

Darfur has been at the centre of the 12-week battle, which has devolved into ethnic warfare, with RSF forces and associated Arab militias fighting African ethnic groups.

According to rights groups, the RSF and associated Arab militias rampaged through the western region, causing hundreds of thousands to evacuate their homes, with many crossing the border into neighbouring Chad. Throughout the province of West Darfur, entire towns and villages have been burned to the ground and looted.

Darfur had been the scene of genocidal war in the early 2000s, when ethnic Africans rebelled, accusing the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum of discrimination. Former dictator Omar al-Bashirs government was accused of retaliating by arming local nomadic Arab tribes, known as Janjaweed, who targeted civilians.

JanJaweed fighters were folded into the RSF.
North Korea announced Thursday that it has successfully launched its new intercontinental ballistic missile, according to state media, as Pyongyang vented its rage after threatening to shoot down US spy planes it claimed breached its airspace.

According to the state-run KCNA news agency, the Hwasong-18  a new type of purportedly solid-fuel ballistic missile fired by the North only once before, in April  flew 1,001 kilometres at a maximum altitude of 6,648 kilometres before splashing into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

Experts say the flight period of roughly 70 minutes is also comparable to some of North Koreas past ICBM launches. According to the source, the launch, which was directed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was a grand explosion that rocked the entire planet.

Kim also promised a series of stronger military offensives unless the US and South Korea adjust their policies towards the North, according to KCNA.

The launch was confirmed by the South Korean military on Wednesday, at a time when ties between the two Koreas are at an all-time low, with negotiations stalled and Kim demanding expanded weapons development, including tactical nukes.

In reaction, Seoul and Washington have increased security cooperation, threatening Pyongyang with a nuclear reprisal and the end of its current regime if it ever used nuclear weapons against the allies.

The launch is a grave provocation that harms the peace and security of the Korean peninsula and breaches UN sanctions against Pyongyang, according to South Koreas military, which urged North Korea to halt such activities.

The United Nations, the United States, and its allies, particularly France, all criticised it harshly.

This launch is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilising the security situation in the region, US National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement.

Pyongyang in February also launched a Hwasong-15, which flew a similar 989 kilometres.

Provocative US Actions

Wednesdays launch came after North Korea on Monday accused a US spy plane of violating its airspace and condemned Washingtons plans to deploy a nuclear missile submarine near the Korean peninsula.

A spokesperson for the North Korean Ministry of National Defence said the United States had intensified espionage activities beyond the wartime level, citing provocative spy plane flights over eight straight days this month.

There is no guarantee that such shocking accident as downing of the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen in the East Sea of Korea, the spokesperson added.

Kims powerful sister Kim Yo Jong said that a US spy aircraft had violated the countrys eastern airspace twice on Monday, according to a separate statement.

Kim Yo Jong said North Korea would not respond directly to US reconnaissance activities outside of the countrys exclusive economic zone, but warned it would take decisive action if its maritime military demarcation line was crossed.

The United States said in April that one of its nuclear-armed ballistic submarines would visit a South Korean port for the first time in decades, without specifying an exact date.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has ramped up defence cooperation with Washington in response, staging joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and long-range heavy bombers.

Yoon is set to attend a NATO summit in Lithuania this week, seeking stronger cooperation over North Koreas growing threats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who arrived in Paris on Thursday afternoon received a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Paris.

They accorded a warm welcome to PM Modi while raising slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Vande Mataram. Many were seen clicking selfies with the prime minister while some sang songs and presented gifts to PM Modi.

VIDEO | PM Modi interacts with children and members of the Indian diaspora on his arrival at the hotel in Paris.#PMModiInFrance (Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/eATVkLFWfY  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 13, 2023

It was a show of unity in diversity in Paris as people from different faiths and different walks of life thronged at the hotel to shower love on PM Modi.

Landed in Paris. Looking forward to boosting India-France cooperation during this visit. My various programmes today include an interaction with the Indian community later in the evening. pic.twitter.com/2rBClUL0zJ  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2023

During his two-day visit, PM Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron and join him for the French National Day or Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.

In a visit that is just about 36 hours, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher and President of the National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet, Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

He (PM Modi) will also later today address the Indian community (in France). President Macron, who is the principle host is organising a private dinner today evening with formal talks tomorrow (July 14), Bagchi said.

The main event  Bastille Day celebrations  will see both PM Modi and French President Macron will attend. Later in the evening tomorrow, there is state banquet as well as interaction with the CEOs and other prominent personalities, the MEA spokesperson said.

Ahead of his departure, PM Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to India-France strategic partnership.

Expansion of bilateral defence ties is expected to be a key focus of Prime Minister Modis talks with Macron.

From Paris, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an official visit on July 15.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the world is marching towards a new world order and Indias role and capabilities are also changing rapidly.

Addressing the Indian Diaspora in Paris, PM Modi said that the People-to-people connection is the strongest foundation of the India-France partnership,.

Today the French Prime Minister came to greet me. Tomorrow Ill join my friend President Macron at the Bastille Day parade. This is a reflection of the bond between the two Nations, said PM Modi.

PM Modi announced that New Delhi and Paris have come to an agreement have reached an agreement on the use of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in France which will start from the Eiffel Tower.

The PM also said that Indian students pursuing masters in France will be given 5-year long term post-study visa.

#WATCH | It has been decided that Indian students pursuing Masters in France will be given 5-year long term post-study visa: PM Modi, in Paris pic.twitter.com/IQHBF4qbEk  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

Whether it is climate change, supply chains, counter-terrorism or counter-radicalism, the world is looking to India, he added.

Exhilarating atmosphere at the community programme in Paris. https://t.co/qM9hUhLrLr  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2023

Hundreds of years ago, Indian soldiers were martyred on French soil protecting the pride of the country, he said, adding that the Punjab Regiment, one of the regiments that took part in the war here, is going to participate in the National Day Parade tomorrow.

The PM also hailed the contribution of Your members of the Indian diaspora in France towards improving the Indo-French relationship, saying that their efforts will be written in history in golden words.

The Prime Minister also said that the world has come to believe that it wont take long for India to become USD 5 trillion economy.

Tomorrow, the soldiers of Indias all three forces will take part in the Bastille Day Parade, says PM Modi during his interaction with the Indian diaspora at a community event in Paris.Wherever we Indians go, we make a mini-India there, PM Modi said.

Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi was today accorded a red-carpet welcome as he arrived in Paris on a two-day visit during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron and join him for the French National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.

PM Modi met French counterpart Elisabeth Borne and discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interests.

He also interacted with children and members of the Indian diaspora on his arrival at the hotel in Paris. Enthusiastic Indian community members who were waiting outside his hotel chanted Bharat Mata ki Jai as they met the prime minister.

Ahead of his departure, Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership.

Modi will also meet the vibrant Indian community, leading CEOs from both countries as well as prominent French personalities.

From Paris, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an official visit on July 15.
All eyes are on Prime Minister Narendra Modis France visit during which India is likely to sign deals to purchase 26 Rafale M naval jets and three additional Scorpene submarines. Centered on strengthening bilateral relations, the two-day visit of the PM may also witness the possible launch of digital payment technology Unified Payments Interface or UPI in France.

If President Emmanuel Macrons government inks the deal for the UPI system in France, then it will become the first European country to have the UPI.

As per reports, if all agreements are closed in time, the linkage will be launched by Prime Minister Modi from an iconic location in Paris.

How will UPI in France help?

In February this year, Indias real-time retail payment system UPI and its equivalent network in Singapore called PayNow were integrated to establish faster remittance between both countries at a competitive rate.

Just like with Singapore, the UPI deal between India and France will allow users in either country to make cross-border transactions.

Reports say that NPCI, the company behind UPI, and Frances Lyra have been working on this for a year.

In July 2022, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Ashwini Vaishanaw said India was in talks with 30 countries regarding UPI and had already signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with three countries  France, UAE and Singapore.

The minister, last year, had also said UPI and Rupay cards will soon be accepted in France.

The MoU with France was signed between the National Payments Corporation of India International (NPCI International), the international arm of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Lyra Network, a French payment solutions company.

India-France UPI MoU

As part of the MoU, Lyra Networks will let Indians pay using UPI and Rupay cards at terminals and machines offered by Lyra Networks. This would help make payments easier especially for students and tourists from India.

Countries where UPI is used

Indians can already use UPI in countries like Singapore and Bhutan. As per reports, NPCI International is also in talks with Nepal to enable UPI payments.

In his departure statement, PM Modi highlighted that his visit special visit to France will focus on strengthening bilateral relations in several domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, trade, investment, culture and people-to-people ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met French counterpart Elisabeth Borne and discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interests.

PM Modi, who landed here earlier in the day, was received by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne at the airport in a special gesture.

The Prime Minister is here on a two-day visit during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron and join him for the French National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.

Ahead of his departure, PM Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership. Expansion of bilateral defence ties is expected to be a key focus of Prime Minister Modis talks with Emmanuel Macron.

PM @narendramodi held fruitful talks with PM @elisabeth_borne in Paris. The leaders reviewed various facets of India-France partnership as well as discussed measures to further strengthen the ties between both the countries. pic.twitter.com/acUnHLfmeW  PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 13, 2023

Prime Minister Modi interacted with children and members of the Indian diaspora on his arrival at the hotel in Paris. Enthusiastic Indian community members who were waiting outside his hotel chanted Bharat Mata ki Jai as they met the prime minister.

Ahead of his departure, Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership.

Expansion of bilateral defence ties is expected to be a key focus of Prime Minister Modis talks with Macron.

I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years, Modi said in his departure statement.

We also work together on regional and global issues, he added.

Modi said his visit to France was particularly special as he will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

A 269-member Indian tri-services contingent will participate in the parade. Three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will also join the flypast on the occasion along with French jets.

Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of India-France strategic partnership, Modi said that rooted in deep trust and commitment, the two countries cooperate closely across various domains, including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties.

Modi had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since his last official visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023 during the G-7 Summit.

I also look forward to my interactions with the French leadership, including Elisabeth Borne, Prime Minister of France, Gerard Larcher, President of the Senate, and Yael Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly, he said.

Modi will also meet the vibrant Indian community, leading CEOs from both countries as well as prominent French personalities.

From Paris, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an official visit on July 15.
The top-ranking military official in Moscow has allegedly dismissed Major-General Ivan Popov, who served as the commander-in-chief of Russias 58th Combined Arms Army stationed in southern Ukraine.

Popovs removal stems from his expressed concerns about troops enduring relentless combat without adequate rest, as well as his criticism of Russian battlefield strategy.

In a voice message sent via the Telegram messaging app on Wednesday, Popov addressed soldiers, revealing that he had been relieved of his post due to his outspokenness about the militarys shortcomings in Ukraine.

According to a message circulated on the Telegram channel of Duma legislator Andrei Gurulyov, Popov stated, I brought attention to the gravest tragedy of modern warfarethe absence of artillery reconnaissance and counter-strikes, which have resulted in numerous casualties and injuries caused by enemy artillery.

Popov, whose unit was engaged in combat in the southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhia, expressed severe criticism towards his superiors.

He accused the Ukrainian armed forces of failing to breach their frontlines, but condemned the treacherous blow dealt by the commander-in-chief himself, decapitating the army at a critical and tense moment, as he stated in his message.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a Washington DC-based think tank, claimed that Popovs removal is purportedly linked to his complaints about Moscows failure to rotate and provide necessary rest for Russian troops stationed on the front lines in Ukraine.

According to the ISW, Popov had informed Chief of Staff Gerasimov that his troops had been engaged in prolonged battles, experiencing significant casualties, and urgently requiring relief from frontline duty.

Reportedly accusing Popov of alarmism and blackmail against the Russian military command, the ISW said, citing Russian online sources. Consequently, Popov was allegedly ousted from his position and deployed to forward positions in Ukraine after threatening to lodge a complaint with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

If these reports are accurate, they may substantiate the ISWs previous assessments that Russian forces lack operational reserves necessary for rotating personnel to defend against Ukrainian counteroffensives.

Additionally, the think tank noted that Russian defensive lines may be fragile.

Popovs dismissal and his criticism of the Russian military leadership align with the grievances expressed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Russias Wagner mercenary forces. Prigozhin had spent months berating top commanders in Moscow for their inadequate military planning before instigating a short-lived uprising by his mercenaries in June, with the aim of removing senior Russian defence officials.

However, Prigozhin called off his 24-hour mutiny as Wagner units closed in on Moscow. He subsequently reached an agreement allowing him and his fighters to depart Russia, establishing bases in neighboring Belarus.

On Wednesday, Russias defence ministry announced that Wagner forces had returned a substantial quantity of heavy weaponry provided to them for operations in Ukraine.

This return of weaponry appears to be part of the agreement between Moscow and Prigozhin following the mutiny. The ministry specified that Wagner had surrendered T-90 and T-80 tanks, multiple rocket launchers, various artillery systems, as well as 2,500 tonnes of ammunition and 20,000 firearms.

As of now, the whereabouts of Prigozhin remain unknown, and it remains uncertain whether his fighters will accept the offer of exile in Belarus. The camps prepared for their arrival in Belarus remained unoccupied last week.
Swedens Supreme Court ruled Thursday that it will not allow the extradition of two persons wanted by Turkey for their role in the so-called Gulen movement, a crucial demand of Ankara in order for Stockholm to join NATO.

The decision comes only days after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he was willing to let Sweden join the military alliance.

However, Erdogan indicated on Wednesday that the nation would not be able to confirm Swedens NATO candidature until at least October when the Turkish parliament returns from its summer recess.

The government makes the last decision on extradition petitions in Sweden, but it cannot grant a request to another state if the Supreme Court finds against it.

The two cases included people wanted for being members of the Gulen organisation, which Erdogan blames for orchestrating a violent coup attempt by a rogue army section in July 2016.

According to the evidence presented by Turkey, they both downloaded an app for encrypted communication used by members of an organisation that Turkey has classified as a terrorist group.

In one case extradition is requested for the enforcement of a prison sentence and in the other for prosecution. In its opinion to the government, the Supreme Court has explained that there are obstacles to extradition in both cases, the court said in a statement.

The court said the extraditions could not go forward because downloading the app would not by itself be enough to convict someone of participating in a terrorist organisation under Swedish law.

It also added that the individuals had been granted refugee status in Sweden and would risk persecution if they were returned to Turkey.

Turkey and Hungary are the only NATO member states yet to ratify Swedens bid  which requires unanimous ratification.

Erdogan had until earlier this week blocked Sweden, accusing Stockholm of being a haven for terrorists.

Cracking down on extremist groups and approving the extradition of dozens of suspects it believed were linked to the failed 2016 coup attempt had been key demands from Turkey.
Thai legislators will meet Thursday to choose a new prime minister, a process whose conclusion is far from inevitable despite the fact that the countrys most progressive party won both the popular vote and the most House of Representatives seats in the most recent election.

The triumph of the reformist Move Forward Party in the May 14 election looked to signal the end of nine years of unpopular army-backed government. It is uncertain whether that mandate for change will be honoured two months later.

Parliament will vote on whether to name Move Forwards leader, 42-year-old businessman Pita Limjaroenrat, Prime Minister of Thailand. His party won 151 of the 500 House seats and has formed a coalition government in the making. The coalitions eight parties received 312 seats, giving them a comfortable majority.

However, the Election Commission said on Wednesday that it had found that Pita had broken election law and had sent his case to the Constitutional Court for a verdict. If the case is accepted and he is found guilty, he might lose his House position, be expelled from parliament, and face prison time.

As Pita entered Parliament ahead of the vote on Thursday, he told reporters: I will do my best to live up to the hope and support that the people have given me.

The more immediate roadblock to Pita taking power is that the prime minister is elected through a joint vote of the House and the 250-seat Senate, whose members were hand-picked by the military-backed regime established after a 2014 coup. Pita, or any other candidate, needs a minimum of 376 votes to become head of government, meaning he would probably have to shake loose a large number of votes from the Senate, many of whose members appear openly hostile to him.

The biggest hurdle between the liberals backing Move Forward and the deeply conservative Senate is the campaign pledge of Pitas party to amend a law that makes defaming the royal family punishable by three to 15 years in prison.

The monarchy is sacrosanct to members of Thailands royalist establishment, and even minor reforms that might improve and modernize the monarchys image are anathema to them. Move Forwards coalition partners also have not endorsed the proposed legal change, and other parties ruled out joining the coalition over the idea.

Chonlanan Srikaew, the leader of the coalition partner Pheu Thai Party, nominated Pita to start Thursdays proceedings, which include six hours of debate before an up-or-down vote for prime minister. If Pita does not get the required number, another round of voting is expected to be held next week.

If Pita cannot win over enough senators, his options appear nil. The options for the eight-party coalition as a whole appear more viable.

One option is for the Pheu Thai Party, which used to be the royalist establishments top rival, to put forward one of its members as a candidate for prime minister. The party is closely affiliated with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire populist who was ousted in a 2006 military coup, in part because his popularity rubbed royalists the wrong way.

Thaksin-backed parties finished first in every election from 2001 until this past May but were blocked or forced from power each time. The 2014 coup seized power from a government that Thaksins sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, had formed.

Pheu Thai enrolled three of its members as potential prime minister candidates this year, including Thaksins daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Real estate developer Srettha Thavisin, another of the trio, is considered more likely to have his name put forward if Pita isnt elected.

If the coalition cannot win enough support because Move Forward is a part of it, it could be dropped and other parties recruited to replace it. This could involve ceding the prime ministers seat to a newly enlisted coalition partner, such as the Bhumjaithai Party, which polled third in the May election and secured 71 House seats. The partys leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, was health minister in the outgoing government and has made no secret of his political ambitions.

If Pita and Move Forward somehow prevail  and it could take several votes over a period of weeks  their political survival still would sit on a knifes edge.

There have been fears that Thailands conservative ruling establishment would use what its political opponents consider to be dirty tricks to cling to power. For a decade and a half, it has repeatedly utilized the courts and supposedly independent state agencies to issue questionable rulings to cripple or sink political opponents.

The alleged violation against Pita involves undeclared ownership of media company shares, which are banned for Thai lawmakers. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkoks Chulalongkorn University, describes the charges as bogus, and says many people will be unwilling to accept them.

It all depends on how far the royalist conservative establishment wants to go after Pita and prevent a democratic outcome, Thitinan said.

Michael Montesano, a Thai studies expert who is an associate senior fellow at Singapores ISEASYusof Ishak Institute, said Thailands political system should move into closer correspondence with the realities of Thai society and with the aspirations of its younger, well-educated members.

The biggest question is whether this transition will be painful and even violent, or whether it will be constructive and thus serve the countrys future prospects, he said.
According to Reuters, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin that he renew a pact that allows secure Black Sea grain exports from Ukraine in exchange for joining a unit of Russias agricultural bank to the SWIFT international payment system.

Russia has threatened to pull out of the grain contract, which is set to expire on Monday since its requests to ship its grain and fertiliser overseas have yet to be addressed. The final two ships travelling under the Black Sea accord are presently loading goods at the Ukrainian port of Odesa to meet the deadline.

The reconnection of the Russian agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT international payment network is a crucial demand from Moscow. The European Union cut it off in June 2022 due to Russias invasion of Ukraine. In May, an EU official stated that the EU was not contemplating reintroducing Russian banks.

However, according to three individuals involved with the negotiations, the EU is considering linking to SWIFT a subsidiary of Rosselkhozbank to allow expressly for grain and fertiliser transactions. The European Commission did not reply quickly to a request for comment.

Guterres has proposed to Putin that Russia allow the Black Sea grain deal to continue for several months, giving the EU time to connect a Rosselkhozbank subsidiary to SWIFT, two of those sources familiar with discussions told Reuters.

Guterres sent a letter to Putin on Tuesday proposing a way forward to further facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports and ensure the continued Black Sea shipments of Ukrainian grain, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday.

The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by the Russian Federation, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

He gave no further details on the proposal but added that Guterres was engaged with all relevant parties on the issue and was willing to further discuss his proposal with Russia.

A spokesperson for the Kremlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The United Nations and Turkey brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative with Russia and Ukraine in July 2022 to help alleviate a global food crisis worsened by Moscows invasion and blockade of Ukrainian ports.

To convince Russia to agree to the Black Sea deal, a three-year memorandum of understanding was struck at the same time under which UN officials agreed to help Russia get its food and fertilizer exports to foreign markets.

While Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not subject to Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow says restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have amounted to a barrier to shipments.

As a workaround to the lack of access to SWIFT, UN officials have gotten US bank JPMorgan Chase & Co to start processing some Russian grain export payments with reassurances from the US government.

The United Nations is also working with the African Export-Import Bank to create a platform to help process transactions for Russian exports of grain and fertilizer to Africa, the top UN trade official told Reuters last month.
US State Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to meet Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in Jakarta on Thursday. This is their second official meeting in as many months as the powers seek to manage tensions.

The two diplomats will meet on the sidelines of the ASEAN-plus-three foreign minister talks in the Indonesian capital.

The meeting in Jakarta come a month after Blinken travelled to Beijing, making it the first time a top US diplomat visited the country in years. Blinken had also held meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping as well as Wang and Foreign Minister Qin Gang.

Since then, there has been a flurry of diplomacy, with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visiting Beijing last week and a trip set in the coming days by climate envoy John Kerry.

However, tensions between the worlds two largest economies have soared in the recent past over issues like Chinas assertiveness in the region including Taiwan and sweeping restrictions imposed by the United States on exports of its advanced semiconductors.

In addition to this, Microsoft recently revealed that Chinese hackers had breached US government email accounts, including those of the State Department.

With inputs from AFP
The Wagner Group has surrendered thousands of tonnes of weapons and ammunition to the Russian Defence Ministry following the failed mutiny.

The ministry said that it has received more than 2,000 pieces of equipment that includes hundreds of tanks. The group has also handed over more than 2,500 tonnes of ammunition.

The handover indicates that Wagner chief Yevgeny Prighozin is abiding by some of the deals brokered with the Kremlin last month after he led an all-out mutiny against Russias Defence Ministry, which later failed.

Last month, the Wagner group receded their steps from Moscow after reaching halfway to avoid bloodshed, hence effectively aborting his mutiny plan.

A deal to halt further movement of Wagner fighters across Russia in return for guarantees of safety for the rebels was brokered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, his office said.

Russian authorities also dropped charges on the Wagner group after Lukashenko struck a deal between the two parties.

Following the deal, Prighozin had reportedly travelled to Belarus as part of his promised exile.

On 27 June, a jet purportedly belonging to Prighozin landed in Belarus. According to the flight tracking website Flightradar24, an Embraer Legacy 600 jet carrying the identification codes that match a plane linked to Prigozhin in US sanctions documents landed near the Belarusian capital of Minsk.

The current whereabouts of the Wagner chief, however, are unknown with flight data of his private jet indicating multiple travels between Moscow and St Petersburg.
The imposition of a Hong Kong police bounty for her arrest, according to Anna Kwok, a Washington-based Hong Kong activist, has highlighted the urgency of her application for political refuge at a time of rising tensions between the United States and China.

The Hong Kong native, who left the territory in early 2020, is one of a tiny group of abroad activists speaking out against human rights breaches in the global financial hub in the aftermath of Chinas national security law.

Last week, Hong Kong police moved to increase pressure on Kwok and seven other foreign campaigners, including those currently resident in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, by issuing arrest warrants for suspected national security offences and offering HK$1 million ($127,656) rewards for each arrest.

Its something that Im still digesting mentally within me, the 26-year-old Kwok said in a telephone call from her apartment in Washington. They are, you know, giving me more reason to fight on  

She said she would continue lobbying Congress members and other US officials on Hong Kong issues despite fears for her personal safety given the sizeable bounty on her head. She recently raised those concerns in meetings with US authorities.

We are looking for ways to ensure that I can be safe in the US and Im also continuing to speak to other civil society partners who do have resources and experience in dealing and protecting dissidents from dictatorship regimes, she said.

Asylum uncertainty

Kwok said the warrants confirmed what she has long suspected  that returning home would be impossible since it would lead to almost certain arrests. The last time she saw her family was over three years ago.

Kwoks bid for political asylum in the United States remains in limbo, however, one year after applying.

Theres a piece of anxiety that you dont know what may happen and the slim chance that they reject my application, added Kwok, who is currently covered by Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status that provides her with a temporary safe haven in the US

Over the past few years, Kwok acknowledges that she has sometimes battled depression as friends back home were jailed, and as Hong Kong fell out of the global spotlight. To ease the pressure of working long hours and most weekends, she occasionally does yoga or plays video games.

With on-the-ground movements in Hong Kong disappearing or silenced, its really up to us to narrate the story of Hong Kong, said Kwok. Hong Kong is not just about human rights abuses, Hong Kong is also about authoritarian expansion waged by the Chinese government.

Hong Kong was once considered a bastion of freedoms on Chinas doorstep, enjoying a separate and independent judicial system from China under a one country, two systems arrangement when it returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997.

Since the 2020 imposition of the national security law, most of the democratic opposition has been jailed or exiled. An electoral overhaul has also effectively barred democracy proponents from legislative and district elections.

Hong Kong authorities say the security law has brought stability, and that the eight absconders including Kwok, by asking foreign powers to impose sanctions on Hong Kong amongst other activities, continue to endanger national security.

Besides lobbying work, and building alliances with activists, NGOs and the overseas Hong Kong diaspora in the US capital, Kwoks group, The Hong Kong Democracy Council, also conducts research including a database on over 1,500 political prisoners in Hong Kong.

A recent report also detailed the political and lobbying activities of the Hong Kong government, including through its US-based trade offices, to advance Chinas interests at a time of growing geopolitical tensions between the two superpowers.

I do see myself staying here for the foreseeable future, Kwok said from her Washington apartment.

Its going to be a contest between DC and Beijing. And I do hope that we can help to make DC really the trendsetter, or the one dominating the dance with China.
The campers visit Jinzhai County Revolutionary Museum From 9 to 11 July, the 17th Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp was successfully held in Jinzhai, Anhui Province. Nearly 70 high school students from 11 countries, including Australia, Bolivia, Hungary, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Nepal, New Zealand, San Marino, the United States and China, arrived in Jinzhai, an old revolutionary base area, by high-speed railway from Shanghai. In just three days, the campers visitedthe Jinzhai County Revolutionary Museum and learntabouthistory of the Chinese revolution. Through field research, they explored the path to prosperity of Dawan Village, a "national model for poverty alleviation". The campers also put on aprons and straw hats to learn about Anhui tea culture in an immersive experience of tea picking, frying and tasting. At the same time, they hiked to Tiantangzhai, "the last primitive forest in East China", to watch the waterfalls and clouds, and experience the beautiful ecological environment of the region. The campers put on aprons and straw hats to learn about Anhui tea culture in an immersive experience of tea picking, frying and tasting. The 17th Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp in Anhuiis organised by Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Anhui People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Shanghai Youth Federation. It was hosted by Shanghai Municipal Youth Activity Centre and co-organised by the MunicipalGovernment of Lu'an City and relevant departments of Jinzhai County. The event vividly told the Chinese stories related to Anhui through cultural sharing and field experience. Through friendly communicationamong international youth, it further promoted the exchange ofChinese and foreign civilisations. The activityis not only a vivid practice to implement the promotion of the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, but also an important initiative to promote the integration of friendship and collaboration in the region. Through field research, the campers explored the path to prosperity of Dawan Village Dressed in beautiful national costumes, the campers put on a wonderful country-themed show through hand-drawn maps, songs and exhibits. Source: Anhui News Reported by Zhang Meimei and Liu Yucai Edited and translated by Zheng Chen and Wang Xirui
Adobe has announced the expansion of Firefly, its family of creative generative AI models, to support text prompts in over 100 languages. This update enables users worldwide to create images and text effects using their native languages in the standalone Firefly web service.

Enhancing Creative Confidence

With Fireflys integration into Photoshop, Express, and Illustrator, Adobe continues to prioritize creators. By serving as a creative co-pilot, Firefly removes barriers between imagination and the blank page. It brings precision, power, speed, and ease directly into Creative Cloud applications and workflows, helping customers build their creative confidence.

Broadening User Base and Commercial Use

This announcement extends Fireflys reach to millions of new users, regardless of their experience levels. It empowers them to confidently generate content suitable for commercial use. The Firefly website and Photoshop have already witnessed users generating over one billion assets, making them among Adobes most successful beta releases to date.

Support for Indian Regional Languages and Localization

Firefly now includes support for text prompts in eight Indian regional languages, namely Gujarati, Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu.

This addition allows users from various regions to utilize their native languages in the standalone Firefly web service. Additionally, the service will be localized in 20 languages, with versions available in French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese.

Availability

Adobe Firefly is currently available in beta.

Speaking at the announcement, Ely Greenfield, CTO, Digital Media at Adobe, said:
Elista, a UAE-based brand specializing in home appliances, IT, and mobile accessories, has made a significant stride by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The ceremony took place in the presence of Shri Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Honble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

The MoU entails an investment of Rs. 100 crore by Elista to establish its second manufacturing plant in the state, solidifying its commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat. The company had previously announced the setting up of a cutting-edge facility spanning 1.32 lakh sq ft in Andhra Pradesh, with an investment of Rs 250 crore, in March 2023.

This additional plant, slated to be operational by December 2024, marks Elistas entry into the smartwatch segment, diversifying its product portfolio to meet the rising demand for wearable technology.

The plant will have a production capacity of 10 lakh smartwatches and 2 lakh speakers, generating employment opportunities for around 500 individuals.

Elistas collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh Government reflects its dedication to manufacturing excellence, job creation, and the overall development of the Indian economy.

The first manufacturing plant will focus on producing TVs and LED monitors, while the second plant will bolster in-house manufacturing of audio speakers, smartwatches, and other large appliances.

With an anticipated revenue of Rs 1,500 crore by 2025 from both Indian and international operations, the company aims for a 20% YoY growth in line with its expansion plans.

Regarding the matter, Saket Gaurav, Chairman and Managing Director of Elista said,
Apple Release iOS 17 Beta: How To Get Most-Awaited Apple iPhone OS Features In The Update Features oi -Alap Naik Desai

Apple announced the iOS 17 update at this year's WWDC event. However, the company did not immediately start sending out the update to developers for testing.

The iOS 17 beta is now finally out and is crammed with new features and functions. Let's look at what Apple will soon offer iPhone users who qualify for the iOS 17 update.

iOS 17 Public Beta Most-Awaited Features

Apple has finally released the much-awaited iOS 17 public beta update. This beta version is intended for a much wider group of testers and even for the general public.

The latest iOS 17 beta update is relatively more stable than the recently released developer beta builds, which were intended for developers, who wish to optimize their apps. The new iOS 17 public beta includes multiple new features, including a few specifically meant for Indian users.

The latest iOS 17 beta promises to significantly improve the dual-SIM user experience for most iPhone users who use the device with two SIM cards. Specifically speaking, users can sort messages by primary and secondary SIM.

Users can also choose which SIM to use to call an unknown number from which they had missed a call. Users can now set different ringtones for each SIM.

In the iOS 17 update, iPhone users can sign into their Apple ID using their phone number. Previously, users were restricted to email addresses.

The beta update finally brings the extended call history users have been asking for a long time. After updating to the latest iOS and iPadOS version, full-screen screenshots on iPhone and iPad can now be saved as an image or a PDF. Users can now filter messages on iPad. This feature was previously available only on iPhones.

Apple Introduces Features Specially Meant For Indian iPhone Users

Indian users can now welcome and use a bi-lingual Siri. Users can now use a mix of different languages to interact with Siri.

From iOS 17 onwards, Siri will support combining English with Hindi, Telugu, Punjabi, Kannada, or Marathi. This feature is also accessible via iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. In other words, bi-lingual will now be available on an iPad, Mac PC, and even Apple Watch.

Additionally, Apple is expanding its range of transliteration keyboards that are available in iOS. The virtual keyboards now support even more major Indian languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.

These new languages are in addition to existing transliteration keyboards for Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, Punjabi, Marathi, and Bengali. These keyboards can also be used on iPadOS and macOS. Apple has also added an in-built dictionary for Punjabi language users.

How to Download And Use iOS 17 Public Update On An Eligible Apple iPhone?

As mentioned above, the iOS 17 beta version update is intended for a much wider group of testers. Even the general public with an eligible or compatible iPhone can download and use the latest experimental update.

Apple iPhone users interested in trying out the iOS 17 Public Beta update must visit the Apple Beta Software Program website on the target iPhone. Thereafter, sign in with an Apple ID and follow the on-screen instructions to become a beta tester.

To access, download, and use the iOS 17 Public Beta update tap on Settings > General > Software Update. Apple iPhone users who have joined the beta software program will see a new Beta Updates option below the Automatic Updates option.

The iOS 17 Public Beta should show up in the abovementioned section. Tap on the same. Now head back to the Software Update section and check for the new update the usual way. The iPhone device will automatically choose the experimental version, and download as well as install the same.

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Elon Musk Launches AI Startup After Warning About Generative AI Platforms: What Is xAI And Who Will Work On It Tech Biz oi -Alap Naik Desai

Elon Musk has announced his own AI company, called xAI. Although Musk claims the new company wants to "understand reality", it will most probably end up competing with big technology firms in the AI field such as Google, Microsoft, and others.

After raising multiple concerns about Generative AI, Elon Musk has unveiled his highly anticipated artificial intelligence startup, xAI. Let's look at the latest development and try to figure out what xAI will work on and who will work at the new AI company.

What Is xAI, Elon Musk's New AI Startup?

Elon Musk has launched xAI. The Artificial Intelligence startup's website went live this week. The startup will be led by Musk, the CEO of Tesla and owner of Twitter.

The xAI website has indicated that Elon Musk will hold a Twitter Spaces event on July 14, 2023. Musk registered a firm named X.AI Corp in March 2023, which is incorporated in Nevada, a state filing indicates.

xAI Corp. lists Musk as the sole director and Jared Birchall, the managing director of Musk's family office, as a secretary. There's no information about the company, its activity, or its finances. However, this information should start trickling in as the company begins operations and announce new projects.

Announcing formation of @xAI to understand reality  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 12, 2023

Incidentally, xAI Corp. is looking for interested candidates who want to join the startup. Candidates can fill out an application form online to approach the company. the company wants to hire experienced engineers and researchers in the San Francisco Bay Area to join its team.

The current team at xAI claims to have worked at multiple organizations, including "DeepMind, OpenAI, Google Research, Microsoft Research, Tesla, and the University of Toronto". Basically, Musk has poached talent from companies that have been deeply involved in AI.

Specifically speaking, the founding team members include Igor Babuschkin, formerly of Google's DeepMind; Tony Wu, a former Google employee; Christian Szegedy, a research scientist at Google; and Greg Yang, who previously worked at Microsoft.

Why Is Elon Musk Starting A New AI Startup?

Elon Musk was a co-founder of OpenAI, the company responsible for ChatGPT. Simply put, Musk was one of the pioneers and visionaries in the field of Generative AI.

For reasons best known to Musk, the billionaire stepped down from OpenAI's board in 2018. Needless to add, Microsoft quickly grabbed the opportunity and heavily invested in OpenAI. The company produced and launched ChatGPT, which is now the leading Generative AI platform.

Apart from ChatGPT, Google's Bard, Midjourney, and dozens of other Generative AI platforms are rapidly gaining users. OpenAI even offers ChatGPT Plus, a paid subscription that grants access to the latest GPT-4.

xAI is a separate entity from X Corp, which is another company of Elon Musk. However, it is quite likely that xAI may draw resources from X Corp. It is amply clear that after badmouthing Generative AI and calling for stricter regulations, Elon Musk has joined the bandwagon to develop an AI company and consequentially a Generative AI platform. After all, it is nearly impossible to ignore the rising use of AI by the masses.

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A. Anusauskas and Minister of National Defence of Greece discussed prospects of military cooperation

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2023-07-12

International cooperation

On July 12 Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anusauskas had a meeting with Minister of National Defence of Greece Nikolaos Dendias, Ministers discussed prospects of military cooperation between the countries, regional security and other relevant topics.

"Even though Lithuania nad Greece border different threats, we still are Allies who share numerous common security interests and defence the same values, and as such, we wish to cooperate as close as possible," A. Anusauskas.

Ministers met on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, they also discussed the decisions taken by the Allied leaders, regional defence plans, increasing defence investment.

"We welcome NATO's progress, the decision concerning the rotational air defence model is really crucial and timely. Now we need to continue to implement it, work is in progress with the Allies who are possible capability donors."

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Gitanas Nauseda: We welcome the U.S. President as a close friend and ally

President of the Republic of Lithuania

July 12, 2023

On Wednesday, President Gitanas Nauseda delivered a speech in the Grand Courtyard of Vilnius University, underscoring the contribution of the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, to Lithuania.

"We welcome him with open hearts and open arms as a close friend and ally. Over the years, we observed his tireless work for freedom with the utmost respect. Today, President Joe Biden is here with us, and we have an excellent opportunity to thank him and all the people of the United States," the President said.

In his speech, Gitanas Nauseda highlighted the inspiring leadership of the United States in bridging and integrating the transatlantic space from Washington to Vilnius politically, economically and by shared values.

"And today, as Russia's brutal military aggression threatens to trample democracy and the free self-determination of nations in our region, the United States does not stand aside. America's presence in Lithuania strengthens our security. America's assistance to Ukraine strengthens its ability to resist the occupier," the President said.

The President also underscored the vivid imprint of Lithuanian Americans such as Steponas Darius, Stasys Girenas, Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas, Pranas Lubinas, Jonas Mekas, and Jurgis Maciunas on Lithuania's history, as well as their contribution to the social, economic, political, and cultural life of the United States.

Gitanas Nauseda expressed his delight that U.S. President Joe Biden's working visit to Lithuania is taking place as we celebrate the centenary of bilateral diplomatic relations and expressed hope that it will further strengthen the friendship between Lithuania and the United States.

The President's Communication Group

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The President and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom discussed security situation in the region

President of the Republic of Lithuania

July 12, 2023

During the Vilnius NATO Summit, President Gitanas Nauseda met with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak.

The President and the Prime Minister discussed the security situation in the region, Belarus' influence on the instability of the situation, and thanked the United Kingdom for its leadership of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).

"The United Kingdom is one of Lithuania's main strategic security and defense partners, both in NATO's northern flank and in the Baltic Sea region," Gitanas Nauseda spoke during the meeting.

The meeting also discussed support for Ukraine. The Lithuanian leader stressed that the European Union and the United Kingdom need to strengthen cooperation in the strategic areas of support for Ukraine, and security, foreign policy and defense.

The President's Communication Group

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The President discussed bilateral cooperation with the Prime Minister of Australia

President of the Republic of Lithuania

July 12, 2023

On the sidelines of the Vilnius NATO Summit, President Gitanas Nauseda met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to exchange views on bilateral cooperation, global security issues and NATO cooperation.

The Head of State congratulated the Prime Minister of AustraliaNATO's Indo-Pacific partneron his first visit to Lithuania on the special occasion of the Vilnius NATO Summit.

"Despite the geographical distance, we are like-minded and close friends, defending the values of democracy and the international rules-based order. We greatly value the partnership between NATO and Australia and Australia's support for Ukraine," the Lithuanian leader spoke during the meeting.

The President thanked Australia for its military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and called on it to continue mobilizing the international community to help Ukraine win the war against the aggressor Russia. Only this will prevent other aggressive states from following the precedents set by Russia.

Gitanas Nauseda underlined the excellent bilateral relations and welcomed the growth in economic ties. Australia is one of Lithuania's main partners in the Indo-Pacific region. The President also urged expanding cooperation in the sectors of high added value products and services such as life sciences, financial and defense technologies.

The President's Communication Group

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The President met with the Prime Minister of Canada

President of the Republic of Lithuania

July 12, 2023

President Gitanas Nauseda met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the Vilnius NATO Summit.

Gitanas Nauseda thanked Justin Trudeau for Canada's significant contribution to strengthening the security of the Baltic region by leading the NATO forward presence in Latvia and deploying troops to the NATO Force Integration Unit in Vilnius, and welcomed Canada's plans to expand its military presence in Latvia.

The President also welcomed Canada's decision to open an embassy in Vilnius, which will provide new opportunities to further strengthen cross-border ties and expand the bilateral agenda.

According to Gitanas Nauseda, Lithuania and Canada share a common value-based approach to Euro-Atlantic security issues, especially in terms of fully supporting Ukraine and coordinating international sanctions against Russia and Belarus. The President stressed that he particularly appreciated Canada's long-term military, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. The Lithuanian leader also underlined Lithuania's support for initiatives to use the assets of the Russian regime and oligarchs for the reconstruction of Ukraine, and welcomed amendments to Canada's national legislation that would give it the authority to take such actions.

The President noted that Canada is a very important pillar of transatlantic bonds, without which the security of Europe is hard to imagine.

Gitanas Nauseda and Justin Trudeau also discussed the development of bilateral relations and welcomed the growing trade and economic ties between Lithuania and Canada. According to the President, there is potential to further strengthen them, especially in high added value sectors, food exports, life sciences, and agriculture. Lithuania also seeks to further boost security and defense cooperation by developing start-up ecosystem initiatives.

The President's Communication Group

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Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, with Sweden, Indo-Pacific Partners, and the EU

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

12 Jul. 2023

(As delivered)

First of all, Good morning and welcome to all of you.

And a warm welcome to our close partners Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea, and also to the European Union.

It is great to see you all of here together again.

NATO is a regional Alliance between Europe and North America but the challenges we face are global and our security is interconnected.

What happens in the Euro-Atlantic region matters for the Indo-Pacific, and what happens in the Indo-Pacific matters to the Euro-Atlantic.

The war in Ukraine has global ramifications. Terrorist and cyber-threats know no borders.

And authoritarian regimes are coming closer together.

So we must stand together for the rules-based international order.

And I therefore welcome the presence of partners here with us today.

This ends the public part of this meeting.

I thank the media for joining us.

We will continue the meeting in just a moment.

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Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

12 Jul. 2023

(As delivered)

Prime Minister Kishida,

Welcome to NATO.

It is really great to see you again.

We met earlier this year in Tokyo and it's good to see you here in Brussels.

We highly value the partnership with Japan. No other partner is closer to NATO than Japan.

And you have stated many times that what happens in Asia matters for Europe and what happens in Europe, matters for Asia. That demonstrates that security is not regional, security is global.

And that is demonstrated by the ongoing war in Ukraine which has global ramifications, and we are extremely grateful for your strong support to Ukraine, your economic support, and also the fact that you visited Kyiv some months ago.

We are of course also concerned about China's heavy military build-up, the modernization and expansion of its nuclear forces, and we are of course, following very closely and condemning the nuclear and missiles programs of North Korea, violating international norms and multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

And we saw the latest missile launched by North Korea once again reminding us of the nuclear missile programs which are in violation of international law.

So we strongly appreciate the fact that you are here, participating in the NATO Summit.

We look forward to deepening further cooperation and to have the meeting later on today with the Indo Pacific partners.

So once again, Prime Minister welcome to NATO.

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A look at the Defence news 3-9 July

Netherlands Ministry of Defence

News item | 12-07-2023

Military support to Ukraine rises to 1.9 billion Euros

The total value of the military support that the Netherlands has supplied to Ukraine now stands at around 1.9 billion. The support packages include weapons, ammunition, vehicles, maritime vessels, demining equipment, bridges, fuel, medical supplies and rations, among other things.

The Netherlands Minister of Defence, Kajsa Ollongren, informed the House accordingly last week. This information is based on deliveries up to 26 June.

HNLMS Van Amstel returns home safely

Last week, HNLMS van Amstel returned safely to Den Helder Naval Base. Since 17 April, the frigate with its NH90 helicopter had been patrolling the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea as part of a NATO fleet. In addition, it was on 24/7 stand-by to carry out assignments for NATO's maritime headquarters in the United Kingdom. The ship also took part in a number of major exercises.

Dutch military efforts in Iraq on the increase

The Netherlands is to increase its contribution to the NATO mission in Iraq (NMI). The expansion concerns an infantry company with support from 145 military personnel. The company will be deployed for a year for the purpose of force protection in Baghdad from 1 January 2024. This mission was activated following a request from Iraq. The Netherlands is currently providing advisers and staff officers to strengthen the Iraqi security sector. Their deployment has been extended until July 2025.

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Palestinian PM slams U.S. inaction on reviving Palestinian-Israeli peace process

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 11:18, July 12, 2023

RAMALLAH, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye on Tuesday slammed the United States for not presenting any initiative to revive the Palestinian peace process with Israel, which has remained stalled since 2014.

"U.S. President Joe Biden and his administration is the only U.S. president and administration that didn't present any initiative to resolve the conflict (between Israelis and Palestinians)," Ishtaye said at the first Palestinian National Population Conference held in the West Bank city of Al-Bireh.

"President Biden is also the only one who did not send an envoy for peace, and this U.S. government is playing the role of a spectator in the light of the practices Israel is carrying out in the Palestinian territories," he added.

"The Palestinians are looking forward to a different approach from the international community ... to deal with the issue of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict," Ishtaye said.

The last round of U.S.-sponsored peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis broke down in March 2014, because of their deep divisions over Israeli settlement expansion and Palestinian statehood.

The Palestinians hope to establish an independent state on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital, while Israel claims the whole of Jerusalem as their "indivisible capital."

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Statement of Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo on the 7th Anniversary of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration

Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs

12 July 2023

The Philippines today commemorates the 7th Anniversary of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration. An affirmation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its dispute settlement mechanisms, the Award definitively settled the status of historic rights and maritime entitlements in the South China Sea and declared without legal effect claims that exceed entitlements beyond the geographic and substantive limits set by UNCLOS. It is now part of international law.

Anniversaries are markers reminding us of the trajectory we have taken as a nation and as a people. In the decision to file a case for arbitration, the Philippines opted to take the path of principle, the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The Tribunal's decision affirmed the correctness of that course of action. The Award has since facilitated the plotting of new paths and trajectories, reflecting the rich maritime heritage of our country and our people, firm in the conviction that our rights over our maritime jurisdictions are indisputable.

We welcome the growing number of partners that have expressed support for the Award. We are honored that the Award stands as a beacon whose guiding light serves all nations. It is a settled landmark and a definitive contribution to the progressive development of international law. It is ours as much as it is the world's. Just as lighthouses aid vessels in navigating the seas, the Award will continue to illuminate the path for all who strive towards not just the peaceful resolution of disputes but also the maintenance of a rules-based international order.

We will continue to translate the positive outcomes of the Award into positive gains for our people to secure our legitimate interests in our maritime domain, and to promote peace, security and prosperity in our region. END

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Iran pulls no punches over its territorial integrity: Amir-Abdollahian on Persian Gulf islands

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 4:06 PM

Iran's foreign minister has rejected a recent joint statement issued by Russia and the Arab Persian Gulf countries about the three islands of Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, saying Tehran will not soften its stance over its territorial integrity.

"We do not pull any punches with any side over the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran," Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in a Persian-language tweet on Wednesday.

Amir-Abdollahian made the comment two days after the issuance of a statement at the end of the sixth joint ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the GCC states and Russia in Moscow.

In their statement, the foreign ministers from the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council and Russia called for "a peaceful solution" to the issue of the Greater and Lesser Tunb islands and Abu Musa.

They urged a resolution through "bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice, in accordance with the rules of international law and the United Nations Charter."

Earlier on Wednesday, Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned Russia's ambassador to Tehran, Alexey Dedov, and voiced the Islamic Republic's objection to the joint statement.

The Foreign Ministry reaffirmed that the three islands are an integral part of Iran and called on Russia to revise its stance vis-a-vis the issue, with the Russian diplomat saying Moscow respects Iran's territorial integrity and promising to convey Tehran's protest to his respective country as soon as possible.

The three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs have historically been part of Iran, proof of which can be found and corroborated by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and other parts of the world.

However, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly laid claim to the islands.

The islands fell under British control in 1921 but on November 30, 1971, a day after British forces left the region and just two days before the UAE was to become an official federation, Iran's sovereignty over the islands was restored.

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Iran summons Russian ambassador over joint statement on Persian Gulf islands

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 9:49 AM

Iran's Foreign Ministry has summoned the Russian ambassador to protest the contents of a joint statement issued by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Russian Federation about three islands in the Persian Gulf.

Alireza Enayati, director general of the Persian Gulf Affairs section of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, summoned the Russian envoy on Wednesday to convey Tehran's protest over the statement, issued at the end of the sixth joint ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the GCC states and Russia in Moscow on Monday.

The three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs have historically been part of Iran, proof of which can be found and corroborated by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and other parts of the world. However, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly laid claim to the islands.

The islands fell under British control in 1921 but on November 30, 1971, a day after British forces left the region and just two days before the UAE was to become an official federation, Iran's sovereignty over the islands was restored.

In their Monday statement, the ministers said the issue should be settled through bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice, in accordance with the rules of international law and the United Nations Charter.

During the Wednesday meeting, Enayati reaffirmed that the three islands are an integral part of Iran, calling on Russia to revise its stance vis-a-vis the issue.

The Russian diplomat said Moscow respects Iran's territorial integrity and promised to convey Tehran's protest to his country as soon as possible.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani said on Tuesday that the country forever has full sovereignty over the three Persian Gulf islands.

Iran's sovereignty over islands 'indisputable': Vice president

Iran's Vice President for Legal Affairs Mohammad Dehqan also said on Wednesday the country's sovereignty over the three Persian Gulf islands is indisputable.

He added that all previous documents proved that the islands belong to Iran.

He emphasized that some regional rulers seek to fabricate the existing evidence and bribe some professors of international law to draw up new documents which have no legal value at all.

There are clear documents about Iran's ownership of the islands and the country has no doubt in this regard, Dehqan added.

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UN agency: 900 Palestinian homes damaged in Israeli aggression on Jenin

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 10:04 AM

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) says some 900 Palestinian houses have been damaged and many of them have become uninhabitable in the wake of the Israeli military's two-day raid on the Jenin refugee camp that killed at least 12 Palestinians and wounded dozens more.

Adnan Abu Hasna, the spokesman for the UN agency, said on Tuesday that his fellow colleagues are still documenting the damage caused inside the camp during the Israeli onslaught.

The UNRWA's priority is to help restore some sense of normality by resuming its services like education, healthcare and sanitation, he added.

"The other urgent priority is to provide cash assistance to families who were displaced from their homes, and help them pay for rent and rehabilitate their residences," Abu Hasna noted.

Last week, a group of UN experts said Israel's military raids targeting the Jenin refugee camp in the northern part of the occupied West Bank "may prima facie constitute a war crime."

"Israeli forces' operations in the occupied West Bank, killing and seriously injuring the occupied population, destroying their homes and infrastructure, and arbitrarily displacing thousands, amount to egregious violations of international law and standards on the use of force and may constitute a war crime," the experts said in a statement.

UN chief Antonio Guterres also said that "there was an excessive force used by Israeli forces" during the Jenin raid.

Guterres also said Israeli forces had prevented the injured from receiving medical care and stopped humanitarian workers from reaching those in need.

UN rights office urges Israel to end land grab policies

Meanwhile, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the State of Palestine (OHCHR) has denounced the expulsion of a Palestinian family from their home in the occupied Old City of al-Quds.

It said that the development sheds light on discriminatory forced evictions and the threat of forcible transfer that hangs over more than a thousand Palestinians living in the area.

"The Ghaith-Sub Laban family was forcibly evicted from their home by Israeli police in the Old City of Jerusalem (al-Quds) early this morning. Twelve Israeli activists, seven women and five men, protesting the eviction were arrested. Concerted efforts to evict Palestinians from their homes in the Occupied East Jerusalem may amount to forcible transfer. Forcible transfer is a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions and a war crime," Ajith Sunghay, the head of the office of OHCHR in the occupied Palestinian territories, said on Tuesday.

He added that the eviction follows an Israeli court order suggesting that the regime's courts apply discriminatory laws in violation of international human rights and humanitarian principles.

"Israel must repeal these laws that have facilitated and allowed settler organizations to target Palestinians such as Nora Ghaith and Mustafa Sub Laban, and end the practice of forced evictions directed at Palestinians in East Jerusalem," Sunghay emphasized.

Late last month, Palestinian civil society and rights groups released a statement, blasting Israel's efforts to displace the Ghaith-Sub Laban family, who had lived in their home for 70 years.

They termed the eviction as "forcible transfer, which constitutes both a war crime and a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute."

The statement said the ongoing expulsions of Palestinians are a "result of the international community's deliberate failure and unwillingness to take effective and meaningful measures to end Israel's illegal occupation, and settler-colonial apartheid regime."

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Sudan's foreign ministry rejects deployment of peacekeeping forces as conflict deepens

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 6:34 AM

Sudan's foreign ministry on Tuesday rejected a regional summit's proposal to consider the deployment of peacekeeping forces to protect civilians, amid early hopes the meeting may help efforts to end the three-month-old war.

Clashes between the army and the militia's Rapid Support Forces have killed more than 1,000 civilians and displaced 2.9 million people since April 15, according to the United Nations.

Neither side has reached a clear outcome, and many properties have been abandoned or destroyed, while mediation efforts have so far failed.

In the meeting, which was held by the East African regional body IGAD and with the presence of the heads of states as well as representatives of several countries and other institutions, it was suggested to consider the deployment of peacekeeping forces in the region and greater participation of civilians in the talks.

It was the first such meeting in weeks after a separate round of talks in Jeddah was suspended by the United States and Saudi Arabia after multiple ceasefire violations.

Meanwhile, Sudan's army has refused to take part in the mediation effort of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), accusing Kenya, which headed the effort, of keeping the Rapid Support Forces side.

The East African bloc had invited both the Sudanese army and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to its meeting in Ethiopia's capital on Monday.

"The disrespect of IGAD towards the opinions of its member states will cause the Sudanese government to re-think the utility of its membership in the organization," the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

"The Sudanese government rejects the deployment of foreign forces in Sudan and will consider them enemy forces," it added.

The fighting in Sudan began in mid-April over a power struggle between army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who commands the RSF.

Neither Burhan nor Dagalo personally attended the talks in Addis Ababa, but the RSF sent a representative to the quartet meeting, which was attended by Kenya, South Sudan, Djibouti, and Ethiopia.

The meeting came a day after United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that Sudan is on the brink of a full-fledged civil war, which may spill over into neighboring countries and threaten the stability of the entire region.

Guterres "remains deeply concerned that the ongoing war between the armed forces has pushed Sudan to the brink of a full-scale civil war, potentially destabilizing the entire region," the UN chief's spokesperson, Farhan Haq, said in a statement.

The International Organization for Migration says almost 700,000 Sudanese have fled to neighboring countries, especially Chad and Egypt, due to the armed conflict.

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Police raid home of opposition party member who refused switch to ruling party

Even though the opposition Candlelight Party won't be on this month's ballot, activists are still being harassed.

By RFA Khmer 2023.07.12 -- About 30 police officers raided the Phnom Penh home of an outspoken opposition party member in what appears to be retaliation for not defecting to Prime Minister Hun Sen's ruling party ahead of the July 23 election.

Khem Monykosal, the Candlelight Party's chief for Pailin province, told Radio Free Asia that he wasn't home on Tuesday when police conducted the two-hour search. Police left a handwritten note that said a mobile phone was taken by order of a prosecutor.

"I have not committed any wrongdoing. Why do they pursue me from Pailin province to Phnom Penh?" Khem said. "They neither showed the search warrant nor stated any reasons."

The raid comes just two weeks before a parliamentary election that Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party is expected to sweep.

The Candlelight Party - Cambodia's main opposition party and the only one capable of mounting a challenge to the CPP - has been blocked from appearing on the ballot. The National Election Committee ruled in May that it submitted inadequate paperwork.

Even so, Hun Sen and his government have continued to pursue Candlelight Party supporters in recent months. He's persuaded dozens of opposition activists to switch their allegiance to the CPP, while others have been threatened with legal action.

Pailin proposal

Four ruling party officials who hold senior positions at Pailin's provincial health department recently asked Khem Monykosal to join the CPP in exchange for reinstatement to a civil servant position at the department, he told RFA.

When he declined, the CPP officials threatened to have two pending court cases reviewed, Khem said.

One case relates to a Facebook post during the COVID-19 lockdown in which he criticized local quarantine officers. In the other case, he said on Facebook that a village chief in Pailin had tried to persuade Candlelight Party activists not to work as election observers during the 2022 commune election.

The Pailin court has yet to take any action on the cases.

The lack of a warrant for Tuesday's raid of Khem's home was a flagrant violation of the law, ADHOC President Ny Sokha said.

"A court warrant should have been shown and read aloud before such a search," he told RFA. "They cannot violate this procedure."

RFA attempted to reach Boeung Raing administrative police station chief Bun Pros, Phnom Penh Municipal Police spokesman San Sokseyha and National Police General Commissariat spokesman Chhay Kimkhoeun for comment on the raid on Wednesday.

Khem told RFA that he is taking refuge at a safe location and remains a firm supporter of the opposition.

'I still feel terrified'

A Candlelight Party member who was arrested last week by Thai authorities on the streets of Bangkok had also posted critical comments on Facebook about Hun Sen and the CPP, and was also the target of a home raid.

Thol Samnang fled Cambodia on July 4, a day after police and government authorities visited his home in Kandal province seeking to detain him without a warrant.

The 34-year-old was arrested on July 7 by men in plainclothes as he made his way to the office of the United Nations refugee agency. He was being held at an immigration detention center in the Thai capital and could face deportation to Cambodia.

"Hun Sen is taking an opportunity of the transition government of Thailand to collude with his old conspirators to arrest and deport democrats who are hiding in Thailand," said Meng Sotheara, an opposition activist who lives in Thailand.

So Dara, a former bodyguard of opposition leader Sam Rainsy, said he is worried he will also be arrested by Thai authorities and deported to Cambodia, where he could face a long imprisonment.

"I still feel terrified and dare not even leave my room," he told RFA. "All other political refugees dare not go out either."

Translated by Sovannarith Keo and Sok Ry Sum. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Kosovo Announces Reduction Of Police Presence In Serb-Majority North, Fresh Elections

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service July 12, 2023

Kosovo's government has announced that it will reduce by one-quarter the number of special police deployed around administrative buildings in the ethnic Serb-majority north and organize fresh mayoral elections in four northern municipalities as part of measures to de-escalate simmering tensions with neighboring Serbia.

The steps are to be "finalized within a two-week period," the government said in a statement late on July 11.

The announcement came following an informal meeting in Slovakia's capital, Bratislava, between Kosovar Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi and the EU's special envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak.

Clashes broke out last month between international peacekeepers and ethnic Serbs after three ethnic Albanian mayors took office following a local election that Serbs boycotted.

The ethnic Albanian mayors were installed with the help of special Kosovar police in the four municipalities with overwhelming Serbian majorities following by-elections in April with a turnout of under 3.5 percent amid the Serbs' boycott.

The boycott is part of a campaign for greater autonomy for Kosovo's Serbs and has been backed by Belgrade.

The United States and the European Union have called on Prime Minister Albin Kurti to withdraw the mayors, remove the special police used to install them, and uphold a 2013 deal for an association of autonomous Serbian municipalities in the region.

The government statement said that new elections will be held after the summer in the four Serb-majority municipalities in the north.

"The government of Kosovo, through this public statement, backs the holding of early elections in the four municipalities after the summer season," the statement said, adding that Kosovo's state institutions will ensure the necessary legal basis for holding the elections.

The statement also said that the Kosovar police, in coordination with the EU Rule of Law mission (EULEX) and the NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping mission, will assess the security situation "in particular to look at the possibility of further reducing the police presence in and around municipal buildings."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-serbian- municipalities-new-elections/32500638.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Neutral Moldova Vows 'Intensified, Accelerated Cooperation' With NATO

By RFE/RL's Romanian Service July 12, 2023

Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu says his country's prosperity and security can only be guaranteed through its eventual membership in the European Union and through "intensified, accelerated cooperation with NATO," amid discussion on whether the current policy of neutrality is insufficient.

Moldova, wedged between Ukraine and EU and NATO member Romania, is one of Europe's poorest countries and has acutely felt the impact of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Since gaining independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991, Moldova, where Moscow has continuously held considerable sway, has remained neutral.

But after U.S.-educated President Maia Sandu came to power in November 2020 following the defeat of Moscow-backed incumbent Igor Dodon, Moldova took a firm pro-Western stand and has backed Ukraine since the start of the war, gaining EU candidate status in June 2022 alongside Ukraine.

Sandu said in May that Moldova's neutrality, although enshrined in its constitution, has become an increasingly talked-about topic for the Moldovan public and that she was ready to revisit the issue if the Moldovan people would want that.

Popescu told RFE/RL in an interview on July 11 while attending the ongoing NATO summit in Vilnius that the government in Chisinau has concluded that neutrality is not sufficient to ensure the security of the country, but that the governing Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) does not have enough votes in parliament to change the constitution.

"In the Republic of Moldova, we have a political debate, and a debate in our society regarding the usefulness of the neutrality. At this stage, we have the same constitution that we adopted in 1994," Popescu said.

However, Popescu said that joining the EU and seeking closer ties with NATO are the best options for Moldova.

"The Republic of Moldova can ensure its security, peace, prosperity, freedom, and development through a firm anchoring within the family of European countries, by joining the European Union, and through intensified and accelerated cooperation with NATO," Popescu said.

The small country of 2.6 million has received thousands of Ukrainian refugees and initially voiced fears of a potential Russian invasion aided by more than 1,000 Russian troops stationed in its breakaway Transdniester region.

But Popescu said that thanks to Ukraine's stubborn resistance, Moldova has been able to enjoy peace. He said Kyiv getting ever closer to NATO will benefit Moldova's own security and stability.

"The reality is that, due to Ukraine's resilience, the Republic of Moldova is currently in a state of peace. It is precisely Ukraine's ability to withstand brutal Russian aggression that maintains peace in the Republic of Moldova," Popescu said.

"Clearly, any measures that help Ukraine resist, that assist Ukraine in reclaiming its own territories, also contribute to fortifying the security of the Republic of Moldova. Moreover, Ukraine's movement towards NATO is a factor that will continue to aid in keeping the Republic of Moldova stable," he added.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-neutrality-nato- european-union-constitution/32500369.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Foreign Ministry: Vilnius Summit Shows NATO Back to Cold War Era Behavior

Sputnik News

20230712

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The results of the NATO summit in Vilnius showed that the alliance is back to the Cold War era behavior for good, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, adding that Moscow will carefully analyze the outcomes of NATO's decisions.

"It's results demonstrate that the organization has finally returned to the Cold War schemes, only now for the sake of protecting 'our one billion [people]' from the other part of humanity and on the basis of the ideology of dividing the world into 'democracies and autocracies,'" the ministry said in a statement.

Russia plans to carefully analyze the outcomes of the NATO summit, "taking into account the identified challenges and threats to the security and interests" of the country, the ministry added.

"NATO is consistently lowering the threshold for the use of force and strengthening the nuclear component in military planning," the ministry said. "Spinning a spiral of militarization and exacerbation of military-political tensions for the sake of achieving superiority, NATO continues its provocative policy of expansion. At the center of these NATO aspirations is the further 'natoization' of Ukraine."

"We will respond in a timely and appropriate manner using all means and methods at our disposal. In addition to the decisions already taken, we will continue to strengthen the military organization and the country's defense system."

According to the ministry, Ukraine has a role of the "main expandable material" in NATO's hybrid war against Russia.

The NATO's Vilnius summit officially kicked off on July 11 and touched on a variety of topics, chief among them continued aid to Ukraine and Sweden's accession to the military bloc.

Also a hot button topic was Ukraine's own entry into the alliance, which was recently prompted tensions after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated that there was no purpose in discussing the matter if Kiev fails to prevail in hostilities.

 Sputnik

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The UK is committed to supporting Colombia along its path to peace and security for all its people: UK statement at the Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Colombia.

12 July 2023

Thank you to SRSG Ruiz Massieu and Ms Salcedo Lopez for their briefings. I welcome the participation of Foreign Minister Leyva at this meeting.

The United Kingdom welcomes the efforts made by the Colombian Government to implement the Peace Agreement. We welcome the approval of the National Development Plan, which includes an Investment Plan for Peace. Ensuring funding to deliver reforms and strengthen state presence across Colombia will be essential to deliver progress in the coming years.

As Ms Salcedo sets out, the Gender Chapter is an essential element of the Peace Agreement. We are concerned that women leaders and female ex-combatants continue to face conflict-related sexual violence, and we encourage the Government of Colombia to continue to prioritise full implementation of the gender provisions of the Peace Agreement.

Political participation is also critical to the implementation of the Peace Agreement. As we approach regional elections in October, we encourage the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of peace signatories seeking to participate in the democratic process.

We strongly condemn violence against ex-FARC combatants, human rights defenders and social leaders. Since the signing of the agreement, over 375 ex-FARC combatants have been killed. We urge the Government to strengthen prevention and protection measures, and reiterate the importance of the National Commission on Security Guarantees.

The United Kingdom welcomes the announcement in June of a ceasefire between the Government and the ELN and hopes that communities see genuine improvements in their security. We expect the ELN to approach its undertakings in good faith. We are following closely the efforts of the government to reach a ceasefire agreement with the EMC.

Finally, we thank the Secretary-General for providing the Council with options for an expanded UN role in verifying ceasefire agreements. We will share a draft resolution in the coming days for discussion with Council Members.

Foreign Minister Levya, SRSG Ruiz Massieu, members of the Council, Colombia can count on the UK to continue supporting it along your path to peace and security for all its people.

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UK statement on the South China Sea

A UK government spokesperson statement issued on 12 July on the South China Sea

12 July 2023

On the 12 July 2023, HMA Manila delivered a speech organised by the Stratbase ADR Institute in Manila, noting the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal which, established in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), delivered a unanimous decision on the South China Sea Arbitration which is binding on the two parties - the Philippines and China.

This decision contains clear rules that apply for maritime claims, the lawful uses of maritime spaces - including freedom of navigation and overflight - and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

A UK government spokesperson said:

"As provided for in UNCLOS, the Arbitral Tribunal's decision is final and legally binding on both parties. We call on the Philippines and China to abide by its terms."

"The UK does not take a position on competing sovereignty claims, but strongly opposes any claims that are not consistent with UNCLOS. Adherence to international law, including UNCLOS, is fundamental to ensuring there continues to be a safe, prosperous and stable South China Sea. The UK will continue to encourage the resolution of disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law."

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SHANGHAI -- Chinese scientists set off for the 13th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition on Wednesday aboard the Xuelong 2, the country's first domestically built polar icebreaker, departing from Shanghai.

The expedition, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, is intended to conduct investigations into the geology and geophysics of the mid-ocean ridge, as well as atmospheric, sea ice, marine and subsurface environmental surveys, and surveys of biomes and pollutants.

It will improve China's capabilities in the areas of Arctic Ocean environmental protection and marine pollution assessment, and will obtain key information and data needed for related research, such as mid-ocean ridge dynamics.

In addition, the team will work with scientists from countries including Russia and Thailand on relevant research to promote international cooperation on Arctic scientific expeditions.

The expedition team is expected to return to Shanghai in late September after a trip of 15,500 nautical miles.
UK sanctions businesses funding Sudan war

New sanctions have been announced which will target the businesses associated with the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

12 July 2023

UK government sanctions imposed on businesses associated with leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the military groups behind the ongoing conflict in Sudan

strict measures will cut funding sources and pressure the warring parties to engage in the peace process, allow access for humanitarian aid and end atrocities against the Sudanese people

the sanctions are part of the UK's response to ongoing hostilities since fighting broke out in April and a growing humanitarian crisis

The UK has today (12 July) imposed new sanctions on businesses which are fuelling the devastating conflict in Sudan by providing funding and arms to the warring militias. These sanctions will ensure that any assets held in the UK by these conglomerates and companies will be frozen.

These strict measures on companies controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces ( SAF ) and the Rapid Support Forces ( RSF ) will limit their financial freedom by preventing UK citizens, companies and banks from dealing with them and put pressure on the parties to engage in the peace process.

Almost 3 months of violence in Sudan has resulted in 25 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, over 2.2 million internally displaced and 682,000 people estimated to have fled to neighbouring countries. In Darfur, there are also reports of increasing ethnic violence.

The war has been exacerbated and prolonged by the vast financial empires supporting the SAF and RSF . The multi-billion-dollar conglomerates and companies associated with both parties have provided them with a steady source of funds and weapons, enabling the continuation of fighting which has seen atrocities committed against civilians.

The UK has designated 6 commercial entities in total, with each of the 2 warring parties having 3 associated businesses targeted. These sanctions will send a strong message to those providing funding and supplies to the SAF and RSF that the ongoing conflict is unacceptable and the violence must stop.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly says:

These sanctions are directly targeting those whose actions have destroyed the lives of millions. Both sides have committed multiple ceasefire violations in a war, which is completely unjustified. Innocent civilians continue to face the devastating effects of the hostilities, and we simply cannot afford to sit-by and watch as money from these companies, all funding the RSF or SAF , is spent on a senseless conflict. Working with international partners, we will continue to do all we can to support a meaningful peace process, stop the violence and secure free humanitarian access.

These new measures are aimed at pressing the parties driving the conflict to engage in a sustained and meaningful peace process, stop blocking life-saving humanitarian aid into Sudan, and end the violence and atrocities.

Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell said:

The SAF and RSF have dragged Sudan into a wholly unjustified war, with utter disregard for the Sudanese people, and must be held accountable. These sanctions are designed to pressure the parties to engage in a meaningful and lasting peace process.

These sanctions will not impact vital aid to the region and include a humanitarian exemption, ensuring that aid can continue to be delivered by the UN and other eligible organisations.

The UK continues to pursue all diplomatic avenues to end the violence, de-escalate tensions and secure safe humanitarian access, including engaging with the UN Security Council, African Union and other partners to achieve this.

The businesses sanctions announced today are:

Companies associated with the RSF :

Al-Junaid, a large Rapid Support Forces owned conglomerate set up by Rapid Support Forces leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo 'Hemedti'. This company has provided at least tens of millions in financial backing for the militia, enabling it to continue the conflict

GSK Advance Company Ltd, a key front company owned by the Rapid Support Forces, providing some funding to the militia to support the purchase of materiel

Tradive General Trading co, a company associated with the Rapid Support Forces, supplying it with funds and materiel such as vehicles retrofitted with machine guns for the RSF to patrol the streets

Companies associated with the SAF :

Defense Industries Systems (DIS), a large Sudan Armed Forces-owned conglomerate, which provides some of the finances for General Abdel Fattah al Burhan to continue fighting, Defensive Industries System has over 200 companies and makes a profit of $2 billion per annum

Sudan Master Technology, a Sudanese company involved in the sale of arms with close commercial ties to Defense Industries System, the economic and manufacturing arm of the Sudan Armed Forces which supplies it with funds and equipment

Zadna International Company for Investment Limited, a subsidiary of DIS, owned by the Sudan Armed Forces, and reported to be one of its top 3 'major earners'

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

12 July 2023

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

** Ukraine-Russian Federation

Good afternoon. I have a statement from the Secretary-General on food and fertilizer exports from the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

As you know, the Secretary-General has been very much focused on ensuring the continuous access to global markets of food and fertilizer exports from the Russian Federation and Ukraine for global food security. The full implementation of the agreements signed in Istanbul in July 2022 is critical to ensuring that these products can reach global markets smoothly, efficiently and at scale. Together, the agreements have been contributing to sustained reductions in global food prices, which are now more than 23 per cent below the record highs reached in March last year. The Secretary-General is grateful for the continued engagement of Turkiye with the same objective.

As part of his ongoing efforts in this regard, the Secretary-General yesterday sent a letter to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, outlining a proposal aiming to harmonize the vital further implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with the vital need to keep the Black Sea Initiative operational.

The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by the Russian Federation, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

For his part, the Secretary-General will continue to stress the crucial importance of food and fertilizer exports from both the Russian Federation and Ukraine to global food security. His overriding concern remains for vulnerable people around the world, who stand to lose the most from any unravelling of the Istanbul arrangements and a likely subsequent rise in global food and fertilizer prices.

The Secretary-General remains engaged with all relevant parties on this issue and expresses his willingness to further engage on his proposal with the Russian Federation. That statement is being shared electronically with you as we speak.

** Secretary-General's Travel

Later today, the Secretary-General will travel to Belgium, where he will take part in the second United Nations-European Union High-Level Dialogue.

In Brussels, he is scheduled to meet with their Majesties, the King and Queen of the Belgians, as well as with the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander de Croo.

The UN-EU High-Level Dialogue is now an annual event, which illustrates the importance of the partnership between the UN and the European Union. Discussions will take place on Thursday and Friday, and will include a broad range of topics, including climate ambition, peace and security, the digital transition, as well as the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reforms of the international financial architecture.

The Secretary-General will join Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, to address the media at the start of the High-Level Dialogue, and that will be webcast on our UN Web TV platform.

The Secretary-General will be back in the office on Monday morning.

** A World of Debt

As you know, a short while ago, the Secretary-General, along with UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan and ESCAP (Economic and Social Committee for Asia and the Pacific) Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, launched the "A World of Debt" report.

The Secretary-General said that the main message of the report is that half our world is sinking into a development disaster, fuelled by a crushing debt crisis. He said some of the poorest countries in the world are being forced into a choice between servicing their debt or serving their people. This is the result of the inequality built into our outdated global financial system, which reflects the colonial power dynamics of the era when it was created.

He added that the report sets out our road map to global financial stability  including through an effective debt workout mechanism that supports payment suspensions, longer lending terms, and lower rates, including for vulnerable middle-income countries.

** Nigeria

Today, the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, continues her travels in Nigeria along with Malala Yousafzai. Today they marked the tenth anniversary of Malala's iconic speech at the United Nations with a special event on Malala Day at the UN House in Nigeria. Introducing Malala, the Deputy Secretary-General highlighted the progress that has been made, although we are still far from realizing the goal of making equal, quality education accessible for all girls.

As part of her visit, on Tuesday, Ms. Mohammed travelled to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, with Malala and her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, who is a co-founder of the Malala Fund.

The delegation visited three schools, all of which focus on providing quality education to girls, many of whom have been impacted by violence.

The Deputy Secretary-General is now on her way to Brussels, where she will join the Secretary-General in the UN-EU meetings.

** Syria

Turning to Syria: As you know, the authorization to use Bab Al-Hawa crossing point expired earlier this week. I just want to underscore that the Secretary-General is not giving up on the possibility of keeping that crossing point open and, as he said yesterday, [Security] Council members must redouble their efforts to support the delivery of cross-border assistance.

Also, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, urged Council members to ensure that the UN can continue its vital work delivering humanitarian assistance to north-west Syria. Mr. Griffiths said millions of Syrians are counting on the international community.

The Bab al-Hawa border crossing remains the centre of gravity of the UN's efforts to deliver aid in the north-west part of Syria.

** Sudan

Turning to Sudan, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that ongoing fighting in the country has now displaced more than 3 million people in less than three months of conflict.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says more than 2.4 million men, women and children have been displaced inside Sudan, across all 18 States. The majority are in River Nile State, followed by North, White Nile and Sennar States. Nearly three quarters of those displaced originally fled from Khartoum.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), for its part, says more than 650,000 people have sought shelter from the fighting in neighbouring countries.

Roughly half of those displaced by the fighting, both inside and outside the country, are children; that's according to UNICEF. That's more than 1.5 million children.

Overall, one in every two children in Sudan needs urgent humanitarian assistance.

Since the conflict began, UNICEF has provided health supplies to more than 3 million children and women, as well as safe drinking water to some 1.4 million people. More on the internet.

** Central African Republic

During a press briefing in Bangui today, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Central African Republic, Valentine Rugwabiza, noted that the national ownership of the political and peace process in the Central African Republic has led to encouraging progress, including the dissolution of two armed groups and three factions since May.

She emphasized the importance of involving women in the peace process to promote dialogue and reconciliation and assured the continued support of the Mission (MINUSCA), whose contribution has enabled the signing of more than 60 local peace agreements since 2015.

Ms. Rugwabiza highlighted that the arrival of Sudanese refugees in the north-east, as well as Chadian refugees in the north-west, is causing pressure on areas which already have the highest vulnerability rates in the country.

The Mission has stepped up efforts in Am Dafock, in the Vakaga Prefecture, to protect Sudanese refugees, while peacekeepers have also considerably increased the number of patrols across the country to prevent and respond to threats from armed groups.

She also stressed the need for donors to support the humanitarian efforts in the Central African Republic.

** Combating Sand and Dust Storms

Today is the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms, which have become a serious global concern in recent decades due to their significant impact on the environment, health, agriculture, livelihoods, and socioeconomic well-being.

** 75 th Anniversaries

And I just wanted to flag today that at 1:15 p.m., in Conference Room 1, the Human Rights Office, the Department of Peace Operations and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs are jointly hosting an event called Uniting for Peace and Human Rights, which marks the seventy-fifth anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of Peacekeeping and [of] Special Political Missions.

The event will explore achievements, challenges and lessons learned over the past seven and a half decades and discuss how to continue working together to build a more sustainable and inclusive future. If you want to attend in person, it will be webcast.

** Noon Briefing Guest

Tomorrow, my guest will be Angeli Achrekar, the Deputy Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

She will be here to brief on the Global AIDS Update 2023 report. And I think I have a guest today on the global food crisis, which will include a guest from FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and WFP (World Food Programme), but I will give you their names when they show up.

** Financial Contribution

Lastly, we have 123 fully paid-up Member States today, thanks to this country, which has a distinction of having a capital city, whose official name is by far the longest of any capital in the World... All right, you want to know? [response from the crowd: "Bangkok."]

Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit. We thank our friends in Bangkok.

** Questions and Answers

Spokesman : And Dezhi, you may get the first question for the next year.

Question : Oh, really? Okay. So, a follow-up on the Secretary-General's letter to President Putin. You just mentioned that he in that letter outlined a proposal. I just want to know are there any details about that one? Or is it just the one you just mentioned about the transaction for the...?

Spokesman : Well, there are more details in the letter. For, I think, obvious reasons, we don't want to get into operational details at this point. But I think, as you know, the issue of the facilitation of payments of fertilizer and of grain through the Russian Agricultural Bank has been a challenge, when we've been trying very hard through Rebeca Grynspan's efforts to address, but remains a challenge.

Michelle, then Edie.

Question : Thank you, Steph. A couple of quick follow-up questions as well. You said the letter was sent yesterday. Has there been any response yet from Russia?

Spokesman : We know they have it, and we know they're looking at it.

Question : And will the SG try to speak on the phone with them?

Spokesman : Well, as he made clear in the letter, he's available to speak to the President and will engage with the Russian Federation as needed.

Question : So last week, the FT reported that the EU was considering allowing a subsidiary of the Russian Agricultural Bank to be re-Swifted with the purpose of doing these transactions. But that's obviously going to take some time. Does this letter sort of maybe address this proposal and say: Give it some time?

Spokesman : I'm not going to get into the details, but, obviously, it is, as I think we said in the statement, it's to harmonize and ensure that we have the further implementation of the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) and the continuing operational ability of the Black Sea Initiative.

Edie?

Question : Thank you, Steph. Some other follow-ups. Rebeca Grynspan said when I asked her if she was going to Moscow this week that it doesn't seem so. Do you know why? And also, do you know if Martin Griffiths is going to Istanbul, as he hoped to meet with the other parties?

Spokesman : As soon as we have travel to confirm and announce, we will do so.

Yes, Toshi?

Correspondent : That really did not answer my question.

Spokesman : No, and purposely. [laughter] Yeah. It was not a mistake.

Toshi?

Question : Thank you, Steph. I have a quick question on that small detail of Black Sea Grain Initiative. I thought that the expiration date is on Monday, this month, at 17th. But I believe the UK Ambassador said it's going to be expired on 18th. Does that mean it's going to be expired at the end of Monday?

Spokesman : So basically, our interpretation is the 17th would be the last day of which the corridors are operational. That's just to answer your technical question. The Secretary-General is, I think it could not have been made clearer, is fully engaged on doing whatever he can to ensure that everything that's been agreed to in Istanbul continues, given the vital importance of all of this to keeping global food prices down.

Correspondent : And I know you thought I was going to ask about the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), so if you... [cross talk]

Spokesman : No. No. No. I don't think. I'm not paid to think, so don't...

Question : Yeah. I would also appreciate it if you have any comment on that.

Spokesman : Don't worry. We continue to be very concerned about these launches that we are seeing that are in violations of Security Council resolutions.

Pam?

Question : Thank you, Steph. A little more on Black Sea. We have seen reports speculating on what the alternative to Swifting is, but is there any way you can elaborate on what you said about it and what Grynspan said about an alternative to the payment to the...?

Spokesman : Well, I think what she said is that we have set up already in existence. We've talked about this. Rebeca has talked about this in the past: There is a mechanism that's been set up that really deals with some of the transactions. Right? We're looking for something a little, let's say, a little more fluid and easier to use.

Question : And anything specific on how that would work?

Spokesman : As frustrating it is for all of you, and I understand it, I think we want to remain a bit below the waterline in these critical days.

Question : Okay. And then one follow-up on the trip to Moscow that we've heard you asked already of Grynspan. Is there any reason given that she might not be going? She seemed to indicate that... it sounded like she was saying the Russians don't want her to come.

Spokesman : I think it's not a headline to say that we're in very delicate times.

Question : Thank you.

Spokesman : Edie?

Question : Thank you very much. And first, I meant to congratulate you on your pronunciation of that very long... We want to know whether you took a language lesson to do it. [laughter]

Spokesman : No. It was a scramble at the last minute to find a fun factoid.

Question : But I had a question about Myanmar. The Thai Foreign Minister said today that he met with Aung San Suu Kyi on Sunday, and she offered to her openness to engage in talks to resolve the crisis in Myanmar. First, does the Secretary-General have any comment on this meeting, which I believe is the first with any outside diplomats?

Spokesman : We have yet to receive, I think, a readout from our Thai colleagues of the meeting. I think obviously it's good that the Thais were able to meet with her and see her in person and assess her well-being. We continue to call for her release, as well as other political prisoners, including the State President, but we're waiting to get a fuller readout.

Question : And can you give us an update on the search for a new Special Envoy for Myanmar?

Spokesman : Exactly that. There is a search going on for a new... but I do not have, you know how these things work, I won't have an update till I have an announcement.

Michelle Nichols?

Question : On Syria, can you give us any idea, you've had a day to digest what happened yesterday and there doesn't appear to be any moves in the Council to have another vote anytime soon. Can you give us an indication of what the humanitarian implications are?

Spokesman : Well, the humanitarian implications are detrimental to our operations. I think our colleagues at Bab al-Hawa did a great job in pushing through the crossing as many trucks as possible prior to the end of this particular mandate, which enabled us to pre-position a lot of material. We're now looking at pre-positioning trucks at the other... at Bab al-Salam and Bab al-Ra'ee crossing for contingency planning. But we remain very, very concerned about the current situation and the current framework and the way it hampers our ability to deliver aid to men, women and children who need it.

Question : And has the Syrian Government communicated with the UN on whether they might add Bab al-Hawa now to the other two crossings for approval for the UN?

Spokesman : No. I have no updates to share with you on the political discussions.

Dezhi?

Question : Actually, a follow-up on Michelle's question. Since we're not talking about Bab al-Hawa, what about the two other border crossings because they are due to expire on 13 August. Right? Has the Syrian Government talked to you? [cross talk]

Spokesman : No. I think as I said to her is I don't have any updates to share with you on that. Given in the calendar that we're dealing with these days, 13 August does seem far away. But obviously, as with any humanitarian assistance, any place where we need mandates or permission, the longer lead time we have, the more effective it is in terms of delivering aid and the more financially effective it is, right? So, you can do long-term planning. That's why Secretary-General was asking for a much longer extension to use the Bab al-Hawa crossing.

Question : Yesterday, during the Security Council meeting, the US Ambassador, Ms. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, when talking about the two border crossings, she said, "If the regime fails to follow through, we will bring this to the top of the Council's agenda during our Security Council presidency in August. You have my word on that." Well, if I were the Syrian Government, I feel like someone is bullying me. But do you think this kind of rhetoric is helpful for keeping those border crossings open?

Spokesman : I'm way past commenting on comments. Our focus is on the humanitarian work. Okay. I will get our guests who are our good friend Maximo Torero from the FAO and Arif Husain from WFP. So, stand by.

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Biden Hails NATO Unity, Commitment as Ukraine Conflict Deepens

By Patsy Widakuswara, Anita Powell July 12, 2023

President Joe Biden capped what he described as a historic NATO summit with optimistic resolve for Ukraine and a stern warning to Moscow. The two-day meeting in Lithuania's capital saw renewed support for Ukraine to join the alliance but stopped short of a specific timeline that Ukraine sought.

"We will not waver," Biden repeated twice as he spoke to a crowd of thousands gathered at Vilnius University, a 4-century-old institution that has weathered the Baltic nation's occupation by Polish, Russian, Soviet and German forces.

"Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken," Biden said. "We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes."

He also delivered a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Unfortunately, Russia has shown thus far no interest in a diplomatic outcome. Putin still wrongly believes he can outlast Ukraine. He can't believe it's their land, their country, their future. And even after all this time, Putin still doubts our staying power. He's still making a bad bet," Biden said.

Cluster munitions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday defended Washington's decision to provide Kyiv with cluster munitions, weapons banned by more than 120 countries for their indiscriminate killing capability, saying it will help Ukraine defend itself from Russian aggression.

"It's very simple to criticize cluster munitions," Zelenskyy said to reporters during his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. "This decision will help us save us," he added..

Washington's decision has created discomfort among some NATO allies, many of whom are signatories of the convention that bans the weapons.

The Ukrainian leader noted that Moscow employs cluster munitions in the battlefield. "I didn't hear some of you countries criticize Russia," he said

Biden and Zelenskyy met on the sidelines of the alliance's summit in Lithuania's capital Vilnius on Wednesday, where NATO leaders closed their two-day gathering with renewed support for Kyiv to join the alliance but stopped short of any specific commitments or timeline that Zelenskyy has sought.

"Today, we meet as equals. I look forward to the day we meet as allies," said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

In its written declaration Tuesday, leaders said they "will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree, and conditions are met."

Kyiv's NATO membership in the middle of Russia's invasion would require allies to apply the principle of "an attack on one is an attack on all" enshrined in the bloc's Article 5 - putting members in direct conflict with Moscow.

Speaking alongside Zelenskyy, Stoltenberg dismissed new Russian threats on the consequences of supporting Ukraine.

"Of course, guarantees, documents, council meetings are important, but the most urgent task now is to ensure enough weapons for Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and his armed forces," Stoltenberg said.

Moscow swiftly hit back. "It is more important for the West to kill than to protect," said Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova via Telegram.

While not extending a fast track to membership, NATO is dropping its requirement for Ukraine to fulfill its so-called Membership Action Plan, a list of political, economic and military goals it must meet before joining the alliance.

A day after blasting NATO's lack of a clear timetable as "absurd," Zelenskyy appeared more conciliatory and acknowledged concerns that allies do not want to be dragged into direct conflict with Moscow.

"Even during the full-scale war against Russia, Ukraine continues to conduct reform," he said. "Therefore, we highly appreciate the recognition that Ukraine will not need an action plan on its way to NATO."

Wednesday's agenda also features the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, a newly established decision-making body that carries more authority than the previous NATO-Ukraine Commission, which was a consultation-only platform.

G7 declaration on Ukraine

Alongside Zelenskyy, leaders of the Group of Seven wealthiest democracies announced a new framework to provide long-term security and economic support for Ukraine through separate bilateral negotiations.

"Unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion are unacceptable anywhere in the world," said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who in May hosted a forum to support Ukraine at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.

Calling the framework "a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine," Biden said G7 allies will "help Ukraine build a strong capable defense across land, air, and sea" to become a "force of stability in the region to deter against any and all threats."

In a briefing to reporters, National Security Council Senior Director for Europe Amanda Sloat said the multilateral declaration will "send a significant signal to Russia that time is not on its side."

Biden's final item before leaving Vilnius is an address "highlighting how the United States, alongside our allies and partners, are supporting Ukraine, defending democratic values and taking action to address global challenges," the White House said.

From Vilnius, Biden traveled to Helsinki to meet with the leaders of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark. Now that Sweden will be joining NATO, all five Nordic countries are part of the military alliance.

Misha Komadovsky contributed to this report.

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NATO Not Expanding Eastward Into Asia, Says US Ambassador

By Patsy Widakuswara July 12, 2023

The United States is defining the limits of NATO's outreach in the Indo-Pacific region, saying its focus on challenges posed by China does not signal an intention to invite Asian nations to join the bloc.

Speaking Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Lithuania, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith told VOA, "We're not adding members from the Indo-Pacific."

"We're breaking down barriers between America's Atlantic allies and America's Pacific allies to look at common challenges like cybersecurity, emerging and disruptive technology, maritime security," she said. "There's a whole array of issues where we can learn from one another without bringing anyone from the Indo-Pacific formally into the alliance."

Beijing criticized this week's joint NATO statement that said China challenges the groups' interests and security with "coercive policies." A Chinese diplomat said the communique disregarded facts and misrepresented Beijing's position.

NATO countries signed on to the joint statement that underscored that "stated ambitions and coercive policies" of the People's Republic of China, or PRC, have "challenged the alliance's interests, security and values."

"The PRC employs a broad range of political, economic and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power, while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military buildup," the group's leaders said in their communique.

Beijing quickly rejected the claims. Instead of reflecting on its own responsibilities, NATO "has been making groundless accusations, meddling in affairs beyond its borders and creating confrontation," a spokesperson for the Chinese Mission to the European Union said in a statement Tuesday.

NATO has sent mixed signals about whether to open a liaison office in Japan, the first of its kind in Asia. France has opposed it saying the bloc should keep focused on the North Atlantic, but NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said this week that it's still up for discussion.

China has warned NATO against what it has called an "eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region" and vowed to deliver a "resolute response" to actions that jeopardize its "legitimate rights and interests."

In a speech in front of thousands of Lithuanians, President Joe Biden made no direct mention of China but alluded to themes commonly used by his administration in describing Beijing's violation of international rules and norms.

Biden said nations must work together to safeguard rights and freedoms needed to protect "the flow of ideas and commerce" that "have enabled decades of global growth." He said it was necessary to respect territorial integrity and sovereignty, "but also principles like freedom of navigation, and overflight, keeping our shared seas and skies open so that every nation has equal access to our global common space."

As NATO committed to work together to address the systemic challenges posed by the PRC to Euro-Atlantic security, the most important action the alliance can take is to stay unified, said Mark Kennedy, director of the Wahba Institute of Strategic Competition at the Wilson Center.

"That was exhibited in the communique," he told VOA. "The key will be to translate these commitments into reality."

Indo-Pacific partners

Indo-Pacific partners attended the summit amid concerns about rising tension in the region from increasing Chinese military activities and threats from North Korea. On Wednesday, Pyongyang tested a suspected long-range ballistic missile.

This is the second time the Indo-Pacific partners have participated in the gathering of North Atlantic leaders, after last year's NATO summit in Madrid. Participating leaders included Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Smith pointed to an initiative called the Individually Tailored Partnership Program, or ITPP, that NATO struck with Japan as an example of deepening ties with Indo-Pacific partners.

Collaboration will go beyond traditional security areas and extend to cyber, emerging and disruptive technologies, and strategic communications, Kishida said Wednesday about the deal.

Speaking alongside Stoltenberg, Kishida said the new arrangement is a response to challenges in the international security environment.

"Japan and NATO share the understanding that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion will not be tolerated, regardless of where they occur in the world," Kishida said.

In May, as he hosted the Group of Seven summit of the world's wealthiest democracies in Hiroshima, Kishida emphasized that Japan has no plans to become a NATO member.

China-Russia

Beijing pushed back against NATO's assessment of its "deepening strategic partnership" with Russia, which said the two countries are involved in "mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut the rules-based international order."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged NATO to "quit the outdated Cold War mentality" and stop seeking to "sow chaos here in the Asia-Pacific or elsewhere in the world."

Wang criticized NATO's condemnation of North Korea's nuclear weapons program, saying the alliance is "not a party to the Korean Peninsula issues." He blamed the West's military deterrence and "double standards on nuclear nonproliferation" as counterproductive to settling Korean Peninsula issues.

While Beijing has not provided lethal aid to Moscow, observers say its growing trade ties with Moscow have helped sustain the Russian economy, offsetting the effects of international sanctions.

VOA's Celia Mendoza and Jorge Agobian contributed to this report.

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Cameroon Hosted Sahel Cross-Boundary Pastoralists Forum Proposes Peacekeeping

By Moki Edwin Kindzeka July 12, 2023

Ministers from eight of Africa's Sahel region countries are meeting in Cameroon to try to end conflicts between farmers and nomadic herders. The ministers say seasonal movement of livestock north from the Sahel is fueling clashes between the communities and say a peacekeeping effort is needed.

African ministers of Transboundary Transhumance, or seasonal movement of livestock, say the practice is threatening resources and fueling farmer-herder conflicts.

The meeting Wednesday in Yaounde included ministers from Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Sudan.

They say in the past 20 years, clashes between the communities in the Sahel region increased from 30 per year to more than 200 with about 800 deaths in the Central African Republic (CAR) alone.

The African Union says transboundary pastoralism in the CAR, one of the worst affected, is practiced by herders from Cameroon, Chad, South Sudan, and Sudan.

Cameroon's livestock minister, who goes by only one name  Taiga  hosted the second international conference on the issue.

Taiga said cattle theft, banditry, robbery, farmer-herder conflicts, pressure on natural resources and intercommunal conflicts and many other incidents of transhumance activities are not given adequate attention by African governments, international organizations, and communities.

The ministers said several thousand civilians displaced by the conflicts were yet to be resettled.

Taiga said an immediate task for the eight countries was to establish buffer zones and protect existing corridors to safeguard the livelihoods of 270 million African pastoralists.

Kenyan-born Japheth Kasimbu works with the East African regional blog IGAD.

Kasimbu said IGAD members Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda found ways to reduce clashes.

"Our region came up with a protocol on transhumance to regulate, to facilitate cross border mobility of livestock and herders to access water, to access pasture, even to enable the countries to do joint vaccinations and promote livestock keeping by pastoral communities," said Kasimbu.

The three-day Yaounde conference, which ended Wednesday, is calling for peace keeping operations to reduce growing conflicts from the pastoralists.

German Christian Ruck attended the conference for the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBPF), one of the founders.

He said Africa's Sahel region needs to better police farmers and herders to prevent clashes, but also provide more resources to the communities.

"It was a declaration of development and defense because it is also a security issue. We want to transform this declaration to action plans, not only talking. We need water holes, veterinary stations, a lot to do with information for the herders. Where is the rain, where will be the rain. The most important thing is more education for the people to mitigate the effects of transhumance," said Ruck.

The conference was initiated in 2022 with support from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the Central African Forest Commission, (COMIFAC).

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Remarks by President Biden Before Air Force One Departure | Vilnius, Lithuania

July 12, 2023

Vilnius International Airport

Vilnius, Lithuania

8:50 P.M. EEST

THE PRESIDENT: You all ready to go to Finland?

Q Are you ready?

Q How'd it go?

THE PRESIDENT: I'm ready. Have you ever seen me not ready?

Anyway.

Q How did your meeting with Zelenskyy go? Did you talk about long-range missiles?

THE PRESIDENT: It went very well, and I think he'd tell you that. We spent about an hour together, and I think we're  we're on the right track.

And so, I'm feeling good about the trip. And, you know, we accomplished every goal we set out to accomplish. I know there was some cynicism about whether I could talk the Turks into Sweden and 

Q How  how long do you think it'll take to get Ukraine into NATO? I mean, it's not for a while, right?

THE PRESIDENT: I think until the war is over.

But, look, the one thing Zelenskyy understands now is that whether or not he's in NATO now is not relevant as long as he has the commitments that  you remember my talking about saying we'd treat it like  guarantee his security, along with a number of other NATO countries, as it related to how we deal with, for example, Israel  long term. So he's not concerned about that now. And 

Q Do you believe the issue of Crimea needs to be fully resolved?

THE PRESIDENT: Say again?

Q Do you feel the issue of Crimea needs to be fully resolved to mean the war is over?

THE PRESIDENT: Seventeen other things need to be fully resolved too. Crimea is important, but there's much more to deal with. There's 

Q Mr. President, what sort of update did President Zelenskyy give you on how their counteroffensive is going?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I'm  I'm not at liberty to give you the detail of that. But it's  we talked at length about it with all his military people within there, and they're  they're still optimistic, but they know it's a hard slog. And  so, any rate.

But I  I don't think it'd be appropriate to 

Q Sir, are you thinking about sending ATACMS  the surface-to-surface missiles  yet? Is that something that is on your mind at all yet?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, but they  they already have the equivalent of ATACMS now. What we need most of all is artillery shells, and they're in short supply. We're working on that.

And so, he seemed very  very satisfied with everything we're doing, when we left.

Q Are you confident  on Turkey  that Senator Menendez will drop his objections to sending the F-16s to Turkey?

THE PRESIDENT: I'm confident that Turkey will continue to support Sweden getting into NATO. And I'm confident that we'll be able to sell F-16s.

Thank you.

Q Mr. President, after this summit and all the support that the NATO gave for Ukraine, and the G7, what kind of message does this send to President Putin?

THE PRESIDENT: We're together. We're together.

Thank you.

8:53 P.M. EEST



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Remarks by President Biden on Supporting Ukraine, Defending Democratic Values, and Taking Action to Address Global Challenges | Vilnius, Lithuania

July 12, 2023

Vilnius University

Vilnius, Lithuania

7:51 P.M. EEST

THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Lithuania! (Applause.) As my mother would say, "God love ya." No seats. Holy mackerel. (Laughter.)

It's good to be back in Vilnius, a nation and a region that knows better than anyone the transformational power of freedom. (Applause.) You know, you showed the world that the strength of a people united cannot be denied.

And together, with your brothers and sisters in Estonia and Latvia, you helped end the era of division through the power of connection. The Baltic Way, not the Berlin Wall, became the symbol for Europe's future.

And later, when Soviet tanks sought once more to deny your independence, the people of Vilnius said, "No." No, no, no. And in January of 1991, tens of thousands of citizens, unarmed and unyielding, came for their own  of their own accord, standing as one to protect the TV Tower, to shield the Supreme Council, and to defend freedom.

Fourteen heroes tragically lost their lives. Hundreds were wounded. But the whole world saw that decades of oppression had done nothing to dim the flame of liberty in this country. (Applause.) I mean it. It's consequential.

The light of Lithuania: You kept it strong. You kept it bright. And you kept the light shining here in Vilnius and in Washington, D.C., where the yellow, green, and red of your flag flew every day.

This past year, we have celebrated 100 years of unbroken diplomatic relationship between the United States and the Baltic states.

America  America never recognized the Soviet occupation of the Baltics. Never, never, never, Mr. President. (Applause.)

And besides, you've got a great president. (Applause.) Stand up. No, stand up.

As your president can yell you, the bonds between Lithuanian and the American people have never faltered.

And just  just seven months after the bloody January crackdown, the first foreign vivistor [sic]  first foreign visitor to have their passports stamped here in Lithuania with visas of this  to this new, reborn state were a planeload of Lithuanian Americans from Chicago, Illinois. (Applause.) Oh. (Laughs.) And their families are still proud of that.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: From Los Angeles.

THE PRESIDENT: Los Angeles came after that. (Laughter.) A lot came after.

Look, many aboard that plane had fled Lithuania during the early years of Soviet oppression and marveled  marveled at their return to this independent state. One of them told reporters, quote, "This day is like a resurrection for us." "This day, Father, is like a resurrection for us." That's what the quote was, for real. That's the feeling.

And it was  a resurrection that quickly became a revelation. And a nation which stands today as a stronghold of liberty and opportunity, a proud member of the European Union and of NATO. (Applause.)

I had the great honor as a United States senator of championing Lithuania and other Baltic states to join NATO in 2004. Wasn't I brilliant doing that? (Laughter.)

But all kidding aside, think about what it  how it's changed things. Think about what's happened.

Now, over the last few days, as President of the United States, I had the honor of participating in a historic NATO Summit hosted by Lithuania, where we welcomed NATO's newest Ally, Finland, and reached agreement to bring Sweden into the Alliance as soon as possible. (Applause.) And President Erdogan kept his word.

We have witnessed your historic journey. And I'm proud to call Lithuania a friend, partner, and Ally. Ally. Ally. (Applause.)

Soon, NATO will be the 32nd freestanding  have free-  33  32 freestanding members  (laughter)  standing together to defend our people and our territory, beyond  beyond all the rest, bound by democratic values to make us strong and by our sacred oath that an attack against  it is a sacred oath  attack against one is an attack against all. Because each member of NATO knows that the strength of our people and the power of our unity cannot be denied. (Applause.)

If I sound optimistic, it's because I am.

Today, our Alliance remains a bulwark of global security and stability as it's been for more than seven decades. NATO is stronger, more energized, and, yes, more united than ever in its history. Indeed, more vital to our shared future.

It didn't happen by accident. It wasn't inevitable.

When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart. He was betting NATO would break. He thought our unity would shatter at the first testing. He thought democratic leaders would be weak. But he thought wrong. (Applause.)

Faced with a threat  (applause)  faced with a threat to the peace and stability of the world, to democratic values we hold dear, to freedom itself, we did what we always do: The United States stepped up. NATO stepped up. Our partners in Europe, in the In-  and then the Indo-Pacific stepped up. All across the world they stepped up.

And we're ready  we were ready because we stood together.

In the months leading up to the war, as Putin amassed his forces on the Ukrainian border and laid the groundwork for his brutal invasion, it wa-  I was in constant contact with my fellow leaders of the G7 and the European Union and NATO, constantly.

We warned the world what Putin was planning. Even some in Ukraine didn't believe we were  what we had  our intelligence community found. We made sure NATO was prepared to deter any aggression against any member state. We pursued intense diplomacy with Russia, seeking to avert this terrible war. And when Russian bombs began to fall, we did not hesitate to act.

We rallied the world to support the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their liberty and their sovereignty with incredible dignity. (Applause.) I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Think about it. Think about what they're doing.

After nearly a year and a half of Russia's forces committing terrible atrocities, including crimes against humanity, the people of Ukraine remain unbroken. Unbroken. (Applause.) Ukraine remains independent. It remains free. And the United States has built a coalition of more than 50 nations to make sure Ukraine defends itself both now and is able to do it in the future as well.

Since this war began, I've stood with President Zelenskyy  as I just spent about an hour with him  both in Washington, in Kyiv, in Hi-  in Hiroshima, and now in Vilnius, to declare to the world what I say again: We will not waver. We will not waver. (Applause.) I mean that. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes. (Applause.)

We all want this war to end on just terms  terms that uphold the basic principles of the United Nations Charter that we all signed up to: sovereignty, territorial integrity. These are two pillars of peaceful relations among nations. One country cannot be allowed to seize its neighbor's territory by force.

Russia could end this war tomorrow by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine, recognize these international borders, and ceasing its attacks on its  inhumane attacks on Russia  I mean, by Russia on Ukraine, against its children  women and children; its military.

Unfortunately, Russia has shown thus far no interest in a diplomatic outcome. Putin still wrongly believes that he can outlast Ukraine. He can't believe it's their land, their country, and their future.

And even after all this time, Putin still doubts our staying power. He's still making a bad bet that the conviction and the unity among the United States and our Allies and partners will break down.

He still doesn't understand that our commitment to our values, our freedom is something he [we] can never, never, ever, ever walk away from. It's who we are. (Applause.) I mean it  it's who we are. It's who we are.

Throughout this horrific war, the people of Lithuania, together with our Baltic brethren, have been among the fiercest champ-  most fiercest champions of Ukraine's right to a future of its own choosing: one that is free.

Because you lived so long with freedom denied, many of you who are older know better than anyone how precious the right to determine your own future is, precious to people everywhere  everywhere  not just in Ukraine, but Belarus, Moldova, Georgia  in all the places around the world where people continue to fight to make their voices heard.

So, my message  my message to all of you tonight is: Keep it up. Keep it going. Keep reminding the world of hope that Lithuania embodies. And that's what you embody: hope in this country. (Applause.) No, I really mean it. I'm not joking. I mean this sincerely.

We must never forget how much this matters and never, never give up on a better tomorrow. The defense of freedom is not the work of a day or a year. It's the calling of our lifetime, of all time.

We are steeled for the struggle ahead. Our unity will not falter. I promise you. (Applause.)

Folks, as I look around the world today, at a moment of war and peril, a moment of competition and uncertainty, I also see a moment of unprecedented opportunity  unprecedented opportunity  opportunity to make real strides toward a world of greater peace and greater prosperity, liberty and dignity, equal justice under the law, human rights and fundamental freedoms which are the blessing and birthright of all of humanity.

That  that is the world the United States is working toward. And it's one we'll only reach if we do it together  and I mean together.

We need to take the same spirit of unity, common purpose, determination that we have demonstrated in our response to Russian aggression in Ukraine and bring more partners along as we continue working to build a world we want to live in and a world we want for our children.

My friends, at the most fundamental level, we face a choice  it's not a hyperbole  we face a choice: a choice between a world defined by coercion and exploitation, where might makes right, or a world where we recognize that our own success is bound to the success of others.

When others do better, we do better as well  where we understand that the challenges we face today, from the existential threat of climate change to building a global economy where no one gets left behind, are too great for any one nation to solve on their own, and that to achieve our goals and meet the challenges of this age, we have to work together.

And I mean this sincerely: The world is changing. We have a chance to change the dynamic.

That's why I've been so focused as president on rebuilding and revitalizing the alliances that are the cornerstone of American leadership in the world.

These past years, we have brought the Transatlantic Partnership to new heights, reaffirming the importance of the relationship between Europe and the United States as an anchor to global stability. The idea that the United States could prosper without a secure Europe is not reasonable.

We've also elevated  (audience members clap)  that's  it really isn't. Not a joke. (Applause.)

I sometimes  well  we also elevated and deepened America's alliance in the Indo-Pacific with Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and the Philippines, which provide critical security and deterrence in that vital region of the world.

Through our Quad partnership  it's a fancy way of saying our partnership with Australia, India, Japan, and the United States  we're bringing major democracies of the region together to cooperate, keeping the Indo-Pacific free and open, prosperous, and secure.

We've demonstrated during this NATO Summit, with In-  with Indo-Pacific partners joining us for the second year in a row, we're working to deepen connections between the Atlantic and Pacific democracies so they can better work together toward the shared values we all seek: strong alliances, versatile partnerships, common purpose, collective action to meet our shared challenges.

The world has shrunk. That's how we build a future to see. But we share and know we share challenges and work together.

We have to step up together, building the broadest and deepest coalition to strengthen and defend the basic rules of the road, to preserve all the extraordinary benefits that stem from the international system grounded in the rule of law.

We have to come together to protect the rights and freedoms that underwrite the flow of ideas and commerce and which have enabled decades of global growth. Yes, territorial integrity and sovereignty, but also principles like freedom of navigation and overflight, keeping our shared seas and skies open so that every nation has equal access to our global common space.

And as we continue to explore this age of new possibilities, an age enabled by rapid advances in innovation, we have to stand together to ensure that the common spaces of our future reflect our highest ras-  aspirations for ourselves and for others  as my dad would say, that everybody has  is treated with some dignity  so that artificial intelligence, engineering, biology, and other engineering techno-  emerging technologies are not made into weapons of oppression but rather are used as tools of opportunity.

We're working with our allies and partners to build a supply chains that are more resilient, more secure, so we never again face a situation like we had during the pandemic where we couldn't get critical goods we needed for our daily lives.

You know, we all must summon the common will to  to actually address the existential threat of accelerating climate change. It's real. It's serious. We don't have a lot of time. It is the  the single greatest threat to humanity.

And it's only by working together that we'll prevent the worst consequences of climate change from ravaging our future and that of our children and grandchildren.

We also have to recognize our shared responsibility to help unlock the enormous potential that exists in low- and middle-income companies [countries] around the world  not out of charity, because it's in our own self-interest. We all benefit when more partners stand together, working toward shared goals. We all benefit when people are healthier and more prosperous. And that's not, again, hyperbole. It's true. We all benefit when more entrepreneurs and innovators are able to pursue their dreams for a better tomorrow.

You know, so we need to update our toolset to better address the needs of today in this interconnected world. A world where climate disasters, pandemics, conflicts spill over borders and make it harder to address the challenges of poverty and instability that hold so many people back.

That's why the United States is leading an effort to transform the multilateral development banks, like the World Bank, to help them better address the global challenges while enhancing their core mission of reducing poverty and boost shared prosperity.

We're all working together with our partners in the G7 to address the enormous needs for high-standard infrastructure around the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. It's a statement about the world we want to build together.

Ladies and gentlemen, we stand at an inflection point, an inflection point in history, where the choices we make now are going to shape the direction of our world for decades to come. The world has changed.

Will we turn back naked, unchecked aggression today to deter other world  would-be aggressors tomorrow?

Will we staunch the climate crisis before it's too late?

Will we harness the new technologies to advance freedom or will we diminish it?

Will we advance opportunity in more places or allow instability and inequality to persist?

How we answer these essential questions is literally going to determine the kind of future our children and grandchildren have. And, again, that's not an exaggeration; that's a fact. It's going to take all of us. All of us.

I believe that with ambition, with confidence in ourselves and one another, with nations working together for common cause, we can answer these questions. We can ensure the vision we share and the freedoms we cherish are not just empty words in a troubled time, but a roadmap  and I mean this literally  a roadmap, a plan of urgent action toward a future we can reach, and we'll reach if we work together.

Folks, the road that lies before us is hard. It will challenge us, summon the best of ourselves to hold faith in one another and never give up, never lose hope. Never.

Every day, we have to make the choice. Every day, we must summon the strength to stand for what is right, to stand for what is true, to stand for freedom, to stand together.

And that, my friends, is the lesson we learn from history and the history of Lithuania's story. You know, it's the lesson we see demonstrated each day, and it will determine  it will determine what Ukraine looks like. And it is now  it's how we're going to work  how we rewrite the future of peace and hope, justice and light, liberty, possibilities for everyone  everyone everywhere.

Folks, some have heard me say to my country many times: Never ever in my entire career I've been more optimistic about the prospects of the future. Never. Never.

So let me just say thank you for taking the time to be here to listen.

God bless you all, and may God protect the freedoms of the  the protectors of freedom in Ukraine, here, in every nation in the world, everywhere. God protect our troops.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. (Applause.)

8:12 P.M. EEST





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On-the-Record Press Gaggle by NSC Senior Director for Europe Amanda Sloat on the President's Trip to Europe

July 12, 2023

Via Teleconference

9:22 A.M. EEST

MR. SAVETT: Apologies for the delay, everyone. We can go ahead and get started. This is Sean Savett from the National Security Council. Thank you for joining this briefing this morning.

Our speaker today is the National Security Council Senior Director for Europe, Amanda Sloat. As a reminder of the ground rules, this call is being held on the record with no embargo.

Amanda, I'll turn it over to you.

MS. SLOAT: Hey, everybody. Good morning in sunny Vilnius. As you all know, we're in the midst of a historic NATO Summit at a very consequential moment in history and in European security. The team here is feeling very good coming out of the first day of the NATO Summit and looking forward to the second day of the summit ahead.

As President Biden has said, we believe NATO is bigger and stronger, more energized and more united than ever before. We welcomed Finland as the newest member of the Alliance for the first time at a leaders-level summit yesterday. And we look forward to welcoming Sweden very soon, following the announcement earlier this week between President Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson.

You will have seen the communique that came out last night, which we believe is full of many important achievements and notable progress. Particular NATO Allies came together yesterday to strengthen the Alliance's deterrence and defense posture. Allies are modernizing our military planning and adopting the most comprehensive defense plan since the end of the Cold War.

To meet our defense needs, Allies agreed to build on the 2014 Wales Defense Investment Pledge. This was the decision that leaders had taken at the summit in Madrid to work towards updating the pledge this year, which they did. Particularly, Allies committed to spend 2 percent of GDP on defense and increase our collective defense investments.

In particular, the defense investment pledge that Allies adopted yesterday makes clear that 2 percent for defense spending is a floor and not a ceiling. Allies have been making progress on this, and 2023 is the ninth consecutive year of increased defense spending by non-U.S. allies.

Higher levels of defense spending must be coupled with a strengthened defense industrial base. And in recognition of that, Allies adopted a Defense Production Action Plan to boost joint procurement and make it easier for Allies to acquire the equipment they need to meet NATO's capability targets and standards.

In addition, yesterday Allies agreed to update NATO's counterterrorism guidelines to ensure NATO is addressing today's terrorism threats and to renew their cyber defense pledge to strengthen individual cyber resilience, including against critical infrastructure attacks.

NATO is deepening its global partnerships. And in meetings this morning, leaders are going to be meeting with Indo-Pacific countries and the EU in response to the global challenges that we face. Yesterday, NATO Allies unanimously agreed to send a substantial new aid package to Ukraine and to send an important message reaffirming that Ukraine will become a member of NATO.

The language in the joint communique recognizes the progress that Ukraine has made while laying out the need for further democratic and security sector reforms.

Today will be the very first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. You may remember: In the past, this has been a NATO-Ukraine Commission, but one of the decisions of Allies was to upgrade it to a council, which will meet for the first time today.

After that meeting, President Biden will have the chance to meet with President Zelenskyy to discuss the United States near- and long-term support for Ukraine, alongside our allies and partners, to help Ukraine defend itself now and to deter future aggression.

I also want to share some additional news for an event that is going to be happening following the conclusion of the NATO Summit this afternoon.

President Biden and G7 leaders will make a major announcement alongside President Zelenskyy this afternoon outlining our long-term commitments to support the people of Ukraine. The United States, along with G7 leaders, will announce our intent to help Ukraine build a military that can defend itself and deter a future attack.

The launch of this process today will start a series of bilateral negotiations with Ukraine on the reaching of bilateral security commitments to help make this a reality.

In particular, this process will ensure that the military assistance we provide Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression continues to be part of a long-term investment in Ukraine's future force.

In particular, it will focus on ensuring Ukraine has a sustainable fighting force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future, a strong and stable economy, and the help Ukraine needs to advance the reform agenda to support the good governance necessary to advance Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations, which Ukraine recommits itself to as part of this declaration.

Taken together, we believe the declaration we will announce today seeks to ensure Ukraine's future as a free, independent, democratic, and sovereign nation. It signals the joint long-term commitment to building a powerful defensive and (inaudible) force for Ukraine  a force for both stability and for peace.

This multilateral declaration will send a significant signal to Russia that time is not on its side.

Finally, we'll conclude our day here in Vilnius by the President making a speech tonight. President Biden will talk about the strength of the NATO Alliance and how it remains a force for global security and stability, as it has for more than seven decades. He'll talk about how NATO is more vital to our shared future and that didn't happen by accident.

As the President has talked about before, Vladimir Putin thought he could break our resolve when he invaded Ukraine. But our NATO Allies and our partners around the world responded by coming together to support the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom, their independence, and their democracy.

The President will talk about how the widespread support for Ukraine is reflective of the value of our alliances and partnerships, which he has revitalized since taking office.

He'll underscore how we have an opportunity at this moment to apply the same unity and sense of purpose and urgency to addressing the other great challenges of our time, including the climate crisis, emerging technologies, upholding the international rules of the road, and expanding opportunities so we build an economy where no one gets left behind.

It'll be a memorable speech as the President spends the week in the middle of the world stage, and I would encourage you all to attend.

With that, I'll be happy to take your questions.

MR. SAVETT: Thank you, everyone. Just to remind people to raise their hands using the "raise hand" feature on Zoom. And we'll go through Q&A now.

First, we'll start with Sebastian Smith. Sebastian, you should now be able to unmute.

Q I have unmuted. Thank you very much for taking my question. Just two questions, please. Is  in the commitments that are being announced today, will there be any reference, any idea in there that the point of these commitments is that they'll  they're not only "long-term" in words, but they'll survive  they're designed at least to survive changes of government in the countries, including in the U.S.?

And the other question is about the timing for Ukraine in NATO. Everyone is going off the point that they can't join because there's a war going on. Is there any feeling that if the war were to be stopped or let's say the Ukrainians pushed the Russians out to  you know, as far as they  that would satisfy them  whether it's, you know, to the original borders or less or whatever  to the point where Ukraine has said, "Okay, the war is over," would there be, you know, an appetite for, at that point, really rapid inclusion of Ukraine in NATO  you know, an accelerated version  while there was a chance, as it were, to then freeze the situation before Russians could try and have another go?

Thank you.

MS. SLOAT: Thanks for  for both of those questions. Let me take the second one first. As I think President Biden has spoken to, including very clearly earlier this week or last week, Ukraine still needs to make a number of reforms in order to join.

And so, coming out of the summit communique yesterday, the United States clearly joined with NATO Allies in agreeing to a strong positive message reaffirming that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance. And as the communique has made clear, as the President has spoken to directly in the past, we recognize that Ukraine has already made significant progress in terms of reforms. That was part of what led to Allies making the decision to  to say that the Membership Action Plan was no longer required for Ukraine.

But as both the President has said and as the communique made clear, there is still the need for Ukraine to take further democratic and security sector reforms.

The President has been clear that we think Ukraine can get there, but that is still going to be a requirement for Ukraine to join, as it has been, frankly, for all members who have joined the Alliance.

And on your first question, in terms of the  the document that we are announcing today, the intention is for this to be long-term security commitments that are going to be made by individual countries with Ukraine. And the expectation is that those will last for the long term.

Q All right. Thanks so much.

MR. SAVETT: Thank you. Next, we'll go to Chris from the AP. Chris, you should be able to unmute.

Q Hello, everybody. I was interested in any more details on this reform agenda for Ukraine. You know, what commitments has the United States received from Ukraine and President Zelenskyy to pursue such a reform agenda? What does that reform agenda look like? You know, what specifically is the U.S. going to do to help push that forward?

MS. SLOAT: So, we have been working, both bilaterally as the United States and also as an Alliance, with Ukraine on the reform agenda for a while. Ukraine has been a partner of NATO for many years. As part of that, there is a technical process referred to as an Annual National Programme. This is a document that Ukraine drafts and reviews with Allies.

As the communique makes clear, that ANP process will continue. This is something that foreign ministers will continue to review on an annual basis with Ukraine.

The establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council means that Allies will be able to sit next to Ukraine and have conversations with them directly as well.

All Allies have been required to meet standards within NATO. We have set out ourself, including in the document that the President launched with President Zelenskyy when he first visited Washington before the war started, a series of governance and security sector reforms that we were working with them on.

So, this is something that we are committed to work on with them both bilaterally and as an Alliance. I think they've shown great capability, obviously, on the battlefield. They have made continued progress on the reform agenda. And the Alliance made very clear in the communique yesterday that this is something that we are prepared to continue working with them on to take forward.

MR. SAVETT: Thank you. Next, we'll go to Francesca from USA Today.

Q Thank you so much. Could you just respond directly to President Zelenskyy's criticism that the NATO communique is "unprecedented and absurd" because neither the timeframe for membership nor a timeframe for an invitation to NATO were outlined, and his comment that "uncertainty is weakness"?

And then, could you also just talk about what role the U.S. played in shaping that communique on membership?

MS. SLOAT: So, I would agree that the communique is unprecedented, but I see that in a positive way. We joined with Allies yesterday in agreeing to a very strong, positive message. We reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of the  the NATO Alliance. As I said, we upgraded the commission to a council. We have reinforced support that we are giving to Ukraine through the Comprehensive Assistance Package. We've noted progress that Ukraine has made in a number of areas. And we've also said that ministers will keep under regular review progress on Ukraine's membership.

So, in our view, this is a very strong, forward-leaning message that moves significantly beyond what has been said in the past, in terms of Bucharest.

The lifting of MAP we see as something very significant. This is something that we are saying Ukraine has made progress on, it is noting the progress that Ukraine has made, and it is saying that we are removing that step for them as a further step along their path to joining.

We also believe that, coupled with the document that we are leas-  releasing this afternoon  these long-term security commitments  it gives Ukraine the strong perspective that we are, one, continuing to provide them with ongoing security assistance to help them on the battlefield, in addition to everything we are doing on the economic side and on the humanitarian side.

Second, we had a very strong statement in the NATO communique yesterday reaffirming their membership perspective.

And then, third, this afternoon, we will be launching the Joint Declaration, which shows our investment in helping them build their long-term security and future force.

MR. SAVETT: Thank you. And next, we'll go to Steve Holland from Reuters.

Q Hey, it's Steve Holland. I missed the top. Could you just explain how the security assurances will be released today?

MS. SLOAT: So, we're going to be doing an event after the end of the NATO Summit, after the third session. I know our press team will be releasing more details on this, including information for press. But it will be an event with the G7 leaders and President Zelenskyy. And then we will have a copy of the declaration that will be released as part of that event.

Q Excellent. Thanks.

MR. SAVETT: Thank you. Next, we'll go to Alex Ward with Politico.

Q Thanks for doing this. Just trying to get some clarity here. I know there's the removal of MAP. But if Ukraine still has to go through a bunch of democratic and military reforms, then is  isn't Ukraine basically still doing sort of the same thing here? I mean, you know, isn't  sorry, more clearly: Isn't Ukraine still required to do the same thing as if it were still to have a MAP? Yeah, there it is.

MS. SLOAT: Sorry, I had a technical glitch there. No, not  not necessarily. If you look at the communique, it talks about priority reforms that  that need to be made. We have always been clear, NATO has been clear, the President has been clear that there are standards that countries need to meet in order to join the NATO Alliance.

The decision to remove the Membership Action Plan was intended to signal that Ukraine has made significant progress, certainly in terms of military interoperability as well as in a number of reforms that it has already made. But as the communique makes clear, there are still governance and security sector reforms that are going to be required by Ukraine before it joins. And both the United States and NATO remain committed to supporting Ukraine as it makes those reforms.

MR. SAVETT: Thank you. And next, we'll go to Asma Khalid with NPR.

Q Hi, there. Thanks for doing this. I had two quick questions. One is: On issue of democratic reforms, can you all articulate with a little bit more specificity or just give us an example or two of what those democratic reforms might be?

And then the second question I had was: Going back to the issue of Ukraine being at war with Russia, can you explain, I guess, how that factors into the issue of  you know, about a decade ago  right?  Russia annexed Crimea, and I just want to get some clarity on what it means for the war to be over.

MS. SLOAT: Sorry, can you repeat the second question? I heard the first one, but 

Q Yeah, so I was saying  yeah  about a decade ago  right?  Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. And I just want to understand what it means for the war to be over. Does that mean this immediate invasion? Or does it mean there needs to be some sort of resolution to the issue of Crimea?

MS. SLOAT: I  so, thank you for both of those. I'm not going to be able to give detailed answers on  on both of those questions. I think, as we saw with the discussions on the communique, everything coming out of the Alliance remains a consensus decision.

As I have said on the Annual National Programme, part of this is for Ukraine to identify the reforms and the progress that it plans to make and things that it plans to address.

And in terms of when the war is over, our view is that we're going to continue supporting Ukraine until they are able to go to the negotiating table and  and sit down with the Russians. And we're going to remain in a position of doing everything we can to support them on the battlefield so that they are able to come to the negotiating table.

We have very much consistently taken our lead from Ukraine on this question.

MR. SAVETT: And apologies, everyone. We just got the call to load the motorcade, so we're going to have to wrap up there. Sorry to cut this one short. But we hope this was helpful, and we appreciate everyone taking the time to join.

Hope everyone has a good day.

9:40 A.M. EEST

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Palestinian president visits Jenin camp after large-scale Israeli offensive

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:06, July 13, 2023

JENIN, West Bank, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited the northern West Bank city of Jenin and its refugee camp on Wednesday, about a week after the end of a large-scale Israeli military offensive on the area.

During the two-hour visit to the camp, Abbas pledged to immediately rebuild what had been destroyed by the Israeli army during the two-day offensive in Jenin.

"We challenge everyone who wants to defeat us or attack us, and we will not accept aggression from anyone, and we will remain steadfast and patient in our country, and we will not leave," he told the crowds gathered in the camp.

The Israeli offensive in Jenin, which was launched on July 3, killed 12 Palestinians, wounded more than 150, and caused serious destruction in housing and infrastructure in the refugee camp, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Abbas arrived in Jenin by a helicopter and visited the city's cemetery where the 87-year-old president laid a wreath of flowers on the graves of the 12 Palestinians killed in the recent Israeli offensive.

This visit by Abbas to Jenin and its camp was rare as he last came to the city in July 2012 but did not visit the camp, according to local Palestinian sources.

The Jenin camp is home to about 14,000 refugees, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 12 July 2023 - Day 504

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A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that on 10 July 2023, Russian Chief of the General Staff General Valery Gerasimov made his first TV appearance since the abortive Wagner mutiny of 24 June 2023.

Gerasimov was seen being briefed by video link by Russian Aerospace Forces Chief of Staff Colonel-General Viktor Afzalov. Afzalov has been in post for at least four years, but this is probably his first public appearance with Gerasimov.

Afzalov is deputy to Commander-in-Chief Russian Aerospace Forces, General Sergei Surovikin. Afzalov's increased public profile, while Surovikin's whereabouts remains unclear, adds further weight to the hypothesis that Surovikin has been sidelined following the mutiny.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day July 12, Russian occupiers attacked Ukraine with Iranian-made strike drones of the "Shahed" type. A total of 15x kamikaze drones were used. As a result of the successful combat work of Air Defense of Ukraine, fighter jets and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and other components Armed Forces, 11x strike UAVs were destroyed. Also, Russian forces carried out 59x airstrikes and launched 40x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas. Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded civilians, including children. Houses and other civilian infrastructure have been damaged.

The threat of missile and air strikes remains high across Ukraine.

Russia continues to focus its main efforts on the Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mar'inka axes, heavy battles continue. During the day, 22x combat clashes took place.

Volyn' and Polissya axes: no significant changes detected.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the Russian forces maintain an enhanced military presence. They shelled with mortars and artillery more than 10x settlements, in particular, Huta-Studenetska of the Chernihiv Oblast; Vyntorivka, Manukhivka of the Sumy Oblast and Vidrodenivske, Izbytske, Zemlyanka of the Kharkiv Oblast.

Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian soldiers are holding their ground. Russian forces launched an airstrike at Kislivka of the Kharkiv Oblast. Figolivka, Novomlyns'k, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Kup'yans'k, Kislivka of the Kharkiv Oblast were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Lyman axis: the Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the Novoselyvskyi area of the Luhansk Oblast. They carried out airstrikes in the areas of Bilogorivka, Luhansk Oblast, and Spirnyi, Vesely, and Rozdolivka, Donetsk Oblast. More than 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Belogorivka of the Luhansk Oblast, and Torske, Spirne, Berestov, and Rozdolivka of the Donetsk Oblast, were shelled by artillery.

Bakhmut axis: Russian forces carried out airstrikes at Stupochka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Dilyivka of the Donetsk Oblast. More than 15x settlements, including Lyman, Bohdanivka, Khromov, Ivanivs'ke and Torets'k of the Donetsk Oblast, were shelled by artillery.

Avdiivka axis: under heavy fire from theRussian forces' aircraft and artillery, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled attacks by Russian troops in the vicinities of Avdiivka. Russian forces launched an airstrike at Panteleimonivka of the Donetsk Oblast. At the same time, Russian forces fired artillery at more than 15 settlements, including Berdychi, Avdiivka, Vesele, Vodyane, and Zhelane Pershe of the Donetsk Oblast.

Mar'inka axis: Defense Forces continue to hold back the advance of Russian troops in the vicinities of Mar'inka. occupiers carried out an airstrike at Krasnohorivka. They shelled more than 10x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Mar'inka, Georgiivka, Maksimilianivka, and Katerynivka in the Donetsk Oblast.

Shakhtars'k axis: Russian forces carried out airstrikes in the areas of Zolota Niva, Makarivka, and Rivnopol' and shelled the settlements of Novomykhailivka, Vugledar, Novoukrainka, Prechistivka, Zolota Niva, and Velika Novosilka of the Donetsk Oblast.

Zaporizhzhia and Kherson axes: Russia is concentrating forces to prevent further advance of Ukrainian troops. Shelled more than 20x settlements, including Temyrivka, Novodarivka, Chervone, Hulyaipole, Zaliznychne, Orihiv of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast; Nikopol', Dnipropetrovsk Oblast; Beryslav, Vesele, Antonivka, Bilozerka of the Kherson Oblast and Kherson. Defense Forces of kraine continue offensive operations in the Melitopol' and Berdyansk axes, carry out counter-battery measures.

In the temporarily occupied Berdyansk of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, as a result of a direct hit on the Duna hotel, during the night, it was confirmed that the bodies of Russian troops were transported to the local morgue by trucks.

Russia intensified counterintelligence measures in the temporarily captured Mariupol' of the Donetsk Oblast. Russian occupiers conduct mass raids on houses and apartments of local residents, check personal documents and mobile devices. This way, the occupiers are trying to intimidate local population and identify those who support the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Air Force conducted 6x strikes on Russian manpower, weapons and military equipment concentrations and 2x  on anti-air defense systems.

Ukrainian missile and artillery units hit 1x control post, 16x artillery units at firing positions, 4x anti-air defense systems and 2x Russian electronic warfare stations.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the AFU continued unsuccessful attempts at offensive actions in South Donetsk, Krasny Liman and Donetsk directions.

In Donetsk direction, as a result of the courageous and competent actions of the Yug Group of Forces' units, aviation and artillery, 30 enemy attacks have been successfully repelled close to Zolotaryovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Spornoye, Kleshcheevka, Andreevka, Sol, Severnoye, Veseloye, Vodyanoye, Pervomaiskoye, Krasnogorovka and Petrovskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, enemy manpower and hardware concentration areas have been hit in two areas to the west of Andreevka and Kleshcheevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 335 Ukrainian servicemen, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one U.K.-manufactured FH-70 towed howitzer.

In South Donetsk direction, as a result of coordinated actions by the defending units of the Vostok Group of Forces, aviation and artillery, an enemy attack by the units of the AFU 35th Marine Brigade have been repelled forward Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and also foiled an enemy combat reconnaissance actions near Ugledar (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU inflicted a comprehensive fire attack on an AFU manpower and hardware cluster close to Storozhevoye and Makarovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

The activities of one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been suppressed close to Sladkoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

In Zaporozhye direction, as a result of the selfless actions by Russian troops, two enemy attacks have been repelled near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

In addition, Army Aviation and artillery struck enemy military personnel close to Marfopol, Rabotino and Lugovskoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were over 240 Ukrainian servicemen, nine infantry fighting vehicles, two armoured personnel carriers, six armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, as well as Msta-B and D-30 howitzers .

In addition, one ammunition depot of the AFU 33th Mechanised Brigade has been destroyed near Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region).

In Krasny Liman direction, as a result of the active actions by the units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, aviation, artillery, and heavy flame thrower systems, two enemy attacks of the 63rd and 66th mechanised brigades of the AFU each with the strength of up to a motorised infantry platoon have been repelled close to Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Karmazinovka (Lugansk People's Republic).

The activities of one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been suppressed close to Terny (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, enemy personnel have been hit near Nevskoye, Chervonaya Dibrova and Kuzmino (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were over 60 Ukrainian servicemen, two infantry fighting vehicles and one Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer.

In Kupyansk direction, the units of the Zapad Group of Forces, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, and artillery have successfully repelled three enemy attacks near Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk People's Republic).

AFU manpower and hardware have been hit close to Molchanovo, Novomlynsk, Ivanovka (Kharkov region) and Artyomovka (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy were up to 40 Ukrainian servicemen, two tanks, one infantry fighting vehicle, and two motor vehicles.

In Kherson direction, assault groups of Russian troops continued reconnaissance and search operations on the islands close to Antonovsky Bridge.

The enemy losses were up to 40 Ukrainian servicemen, two motor vehicles, and two U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery systems.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 74 AFU artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and hardware in 107 areas.

One ammunition depot of the 1st Special Forces Brigade of the AFU has been destroyed near Volchansk (Kharkov region).

Fuel depots for Ukrainian military equipment have been destroyed close to Malodolinskoye and Chernomorsk (Odessa region).

The 5th National Guard Brigade's battalion command and observation post has been hit near Yampol (Donetsk People's Republic).

Fighter Aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces has shot down one Mi-24 airplane of Ukrainian Air Force near Cherevkovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Air defence facilities have intercepted 4 Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

15 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle have been destroyed close to Grozovoye, Priyutnoye, Dorozhnyanka, Vladimirovka, Konstantinovka (Zaporozhye region), Blagoveshchenka (Donetsk People's Republic), Chervonaya Dibrova, Verkhnekamenka, Chervonopopovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Tavolzhanka (Kharkov region) and Zburyevka (Kherson region).

In total, 455 airplanes, 242 helicopters, 4,981 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 10,668 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,137 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,421 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,626 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.
MONEYVAL calls on North Macedonia to improve investigation and prosecution for combating money laundering and financing of terrorism

Council of Europe

MONEYVAL

Strasbourg

12 July 2023

In a new report the Council of Europe's anti-money laundering body MONEYVAL calls on North Macedonia's authorities to further strengthen its measures to combat money laundering (ML), financing of terrorism (FT) and financing of proliferation (FP), in particular in the investigation and prosecution fields. MONEYVAL draws up a comprehensive assessment of the country's level of compliance with international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). It concludes that, having strengthened its legal framework since the last mutual evaluation, North Macedonia has laid the foundations for a sound regime to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing, but needs to improve the implementation of measures in several areas.

MONEYVAL finds that the North Macedonia's authorities co-operate internationally in a constructive manner, although there are some shortcomings in terms of timeliness and quality of some of the responses provided. This could be improved by establishing clear policy objectives and procedures, and an integrated case management system and prioritisation mechanisms.

North Macedonia is expected to report back to MONEYVAL under its enhanced follow-up reporting process in May 2025.

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Chinese hackers breached US email servers for a month

National security adviser downplays a hack on Microsoft-hosted government email servers.

Alex Willemyns for RFA 2023.07.12 -- A breach of Microsoft-hosted U.S. government email servers by a Chinese hacking group was detected and fixed "fairly rapidly," National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Wednesday, despite Microsoft saying that the breach was only discovered after a month.

Microsoft on Tuesday revealed that the group, known as Storm-0558, had been caught forging digital authentication tokens to access federal government email servers hosted on its Outlook email platform.

The company said the breach was detected on June 16, and that it believed the hackers had first gained access around May 15. But Sullivan appeared to downplay the hack on Wednesday, telling a morning news program that the breach was remedied quickly.

"We detected it fairly rapidly and we were able to prevent further breaches," Sullivan said on ABC's Good Morning America. "The matter is still being investigated so I have to leave it there."

Not Falkland Islanders

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the U.S. government had not formally identified the source of the hack, but that officials were aware of Microsoft's announcement pointing to the Chinese group.

"Last month, the State Department detected anomalous activity. We did two things immediately: one, we took immediate steps to secure our systems and, two, took immediate steps to notify Microsoft of the event," Miller said during a press briefing. "As a matter of cybersecurity policy, we do not discuss the details of our response."

Miller would also not say if officials were aware of the hack before Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to Beijing, which also followed reports of a Chinese spy base in Cuba. Blinken arrived in Beijing on June 17, the day after Microsoft says the hack was discovered.

But the spokesman stressed there was no official determination about the hack's origins. Pressed by a reporter, he ruled out only one origin.

"I do not believe it's people from the Falkland Islands," he said.

Cyber espionage

Microsoft said in its statement that the Storm-0558 hacking group "primarily targets government agencies" in Western Europe, but this time had "gained access to email accounts affecting approximately 25 organizations including government agencies" in the United States.

"Microsoft investigations determined that Storm-0558 gained access to customer email accounts using Outlook Web Access in Exchange Online and Outlook.com by forging authentication tokens to access user email," it said. "Microsoft blocked usage of tokens issued with the key for all impacted consumer customers."

In a blog post, the company also said the group were likely spies.

"We assess this adversary is focused on espionage, such as gaining access to email systems for intelligence collection," Microsoft said. "This type of espionage-motivated adversary seeks to abuse credentials and gain access to data residing in sensitive systems."

U.S. officials have over the past year intensified warning about the threats to American business and government posed by Chinese hackers. In July last year, FBI director Christopher Wray said Beijing was intent on exploiting cyber vulnerabilities to its advantage.

The comments followed another hack by a suspected Chinese hacking group, Hafnium, on email servers hosted by Microsoft Exchange.

"The Chinese government sees cyber as the pathway to cheat and steal on a massive scale," Wray said. "Over the last few years, we've seen Chinese state-sponsored hackers relentlessly looking for ways to compromise unpatched network devices and infrastructure."

Chinese response

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin used his press briefing on Wednesday to accuse the U.S. government of overseeing "the world's No.1 hacking group" - the National Security Agency - but otherwise did not comment on the claims against Storm-0558.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told Radio Free Asia that China condemned any hack, and reiterated Wang's claims the United States was responsible for cyber attacks.

He said that the United States was "actually the biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief" and added that the U.S. government should stop "spreading disinformation to deflect public attention."

"China is against cyber attacks of all kinds and has suffered from cyber hacking," Liu said in an emailed comment. "Since last year, cyber security institutions from China and elsewhere in the world have issued reports to reveal [the] US government's cyber attacks against China over the years, but the US has yet to make a response."

Edited by Malcolm Foster.

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Treasury Sanctions Illicit Fentanyl Network Run by Key Sinaloa Cartel Family Members

U.S. Department of the Treasury

July 12, 2023

Close relatives of "Los Chapitos" and Zamudio Lerma families targeted in collaboration with Government of Mexico

WASHINGTON a Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 10 individuals, including several Sinaloa Cartel members and fugitives, as well as one Mexico-based entity, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059. Those sanctioned today are associated with Sinaloa, Mexico-based precursor chemical suppliers and brothers Ludim and Luis Alfonso Zamudio Lerma and ultimately operate under the Los Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. Responsible for a significant portion of the illicit fentanyl and other deadly drugs trafficked into the United States, the Sinaloa Cartel is one of the most powerful and pervasive drug trafficking organizations in the world.



"On my visit to the southwest border, I've seen how Treasury's authorities can best be used to expose and isolate those who profit from deadly fentanyl sales in the United States," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "Today's sanctions demonstrate our ability and our resolve to exploit the financial vulnerabilities of networks involved in the illicit fentanyl trade."



Today, OFAC designated Noel Lopez Perez and Ricardo Paez Lopez, both Mexican nationals, who are involved in drug trafficking and transportation, precursor chemical sales, overseeing illicit drug laboratories, cross-border tunnels, and enforcement operations for Los Chapitos. As a sibling of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera's second wife, Griselda Lopez Perez, Noel Lopez Perez is a brother-in-law of Guzman Loera and therefore an uncle to Ovidio and Joaquin Guzman Lopez. Additionally, Ricardo Paez Lopez and his brother, Saul Paez Lopez, are maternal cousins of the Guzman Lopez brothers. OFAC designated Joaquin Guzman Lopez and Saul Paez Lopez in May of this year pursuant to E.O. 14059.



Further, today OFAC designated Mexican nationals Dora Vanessa Valdez Fernandez, who purchases precursor chemicals from Ludim Zamudio Lerma; Nestor Isidro Perez Salas (a.k.a. "Nini") and Oscar Noe Medina Gonzalez (a.k.a. "Panu"), fentanyl traffickers and violent enforcers for Los Chapitos; and Jeuri Limon Elenes, a methamphetamine trafficker and a brother-in-law of the Paez Lopez brothers, Ricardo and Saul.



OFAC designated Noel Lopez Perez, Ricardo Paez Lopez, Dora Vanessa Valdez Fernandez, Nestor Isidro Perez Salas, Oscar Noe Medina Gonzalez, and Jeuri Limon Elenes pursuant to E.O. 14059 for having engaged in, or attempted to engage in, activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production.



Also today, OFAC designated import/export company REI Compania Internacional, S.A. de C.V. (REI Compania Internacional) pursuant to E.O. 14059 for having engaged in, or attempted to engage in, activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production. Based in Metepec, Estado de Mexico, REI Compania Internacional regularly receives chemical shipments from exporters in the People's Republic of China. OFAC concurrently designated the company's majority shareholder, Eliseo de Leon Becerra, for being a leader or official of REI Compania Internacional.



Additionally, OFAC designated three siblings of Ludim and Luis Alfonso Zamudio Lerma today for their association with Aceros y Refacciones del Humaya, S.A. de C.V. (Aceros y Refacciones del Humaya), which OFAC designated in February of this year pursuant to E.O. 14059. Specifically, OFAC designated Mexican nationals Angel Guillermo Zamudio Lerma, Daniel Zamudio Lerma, and Jorge Alberto Zamudio Lerma for being or having been leaders or officials of Aceros y Refacciones del Humaya. In addition to each owning shares of Aceros y Refacciones del Humaya, each of the siblings maintains a position related to the company's administration.

Today's action was coordinated closely with the Government of Mexico's La Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit) and is the result of ongoing collaboration with U.S. government partners, including the FBI Phoenix Field Office (Tucson Resident Agency), the FBI Legal AttachA San Salvador (Sub-Office Guatemala City), the FBI Washington Field Office Squad CR3, the FBI Los Angeles Strike Force, the DEA Tampa District Office ("CHEMEX"), the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge in Phoenix, the HSI Nogales Field Office, and the HSI Spokane Field Office.



Among other charges, Oscar Noe Medina Gonzalez and Jeuri Limon Elenes were indicted on drug trafficking charges related to methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in April 2015 and April 2017, respectively. In February 2021, Nestor Isidro Perez Salas was indicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on drug trafficking charges related to methamphetamine and cocaine and, among other charges, conspiracy to retaliate against a witness. Additionally, Perez Salas and Medina Gonzalez were indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in April 2023. Medina Gonzalez, Limon Elenes, and Perez Salas are fugitives. Moreover, in April 2023, the Department of State issued reward offers for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Oscar Noe Medina Gonzalez and Nestor Isidro Perez Salas.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated individuals and entities that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.



Today's action is part of a whole-of-government effort to counter the global threat posed by the trafficking of illicit drugs into the United States that is causing the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans annually, as well as countless more non-fatal overdoses. Last week, 85 countries and 13 international organizations convened virtually to launch a Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats, providing support to more than 20 million Americans in recovery, partnering with law enforcement around the world to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations, and offering over 30 rewardsatotaling over $75 millionafor information to help bring fentanyl traffickers to justice through the Narcotics and Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Programs.



Treasury's action demonstrates the Administration's strengthened approach to saving lives by disrupting the trafficking of illicit fentanyl and its precursors into American communities. OFAC, in coordination with its U.S. Government partners and foreign counterparts, will continue to target and pursue accountability for foreign illicit drug actors.



In addition, persons that engage in certain transactions with the individuals and entities designated today may themselves be exposed to sanctions or subject to an enforcement action.



The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.



View more information on the individuals and entity designated today.



View the chart on the individuals and entity designated today.



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Targeting of State Department, Others in Microsoft Hack 'Intentional'

By Jeff Seldin July 12, 2023

Hackers, possibly linked to China's intelligence agencies, are being blamed for a monthlong campaign that breached some unclassified U.S. email systems, allowing them to access to a small number of accounts at the U.S. State Department and a handful of other organizations.

Microsoft first announced the intrusion Tuesday, attributing the attack on its Outlook email service to Chinese threat actors it dubbed Storm-0558.

The company said in a blog post that the hackers managed to forge a Microsoft authentication token and gain access to the email accounts of 25 organizations, both in the U.S. and around the globe, starting in mid-May.

The company said access was cut off after the breach was discovered a month later.

"We assess this adversary is focused on espionage, such as gaining access to email systems for intelligence collection," Microsoft said. "This type of espionage-motivated adversary seeks to abuse credentials and gain access to data residing in sensitive systems."

The State Department confirmed Wednesday that it had discovered the breach and had taken "immediate steps" to secure its systems and to notify Microsoft.

Some U.S. officials, however, were hesitant to back Microsoft's attribution for the attack while saying the U.S. "would make all efforts to impose costs" on whoever was responsible.

"The sophistication of this attack, where actors were able to access mailbox content of victims, is indicative of APT [advanced persistent threat] activity but we are not prepared to discuss attribution at a more specific level," a senior FBI official told reporters Wednesday, briefing them on the condition of anonymity.

According to senior officials with the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the number of U.S. victims of the Microsoft Outlook breach was in the single digits and only a small number of accounts were accessed.

They added that because the breach was detected quickly, the hackers did not have access to any email account for more than a month and never had access to any classified information or systems. In many cases, their access lasted only days.

Still, the officials noted reason for concern.

"The targeting was intentional," said a senior CISA official who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity.

"This appears to have been a very targeted, surgical campaign that was not seeking the breadth of access we have seen in other campaigns," the official added.

Despite the reluctance of some U.S. cyber officials to place the blame on China, there was no hesitation Wednesday from key U.S. lawmakers.

"The Senate Intelligence Committee is closely monitoring what appears to be a significant cybersecurity breach by Chinese intelligence," Chairman Mark Warner said in a statement.

"It's clear that the PRC is steadily improving its cyber collection capabilities directed against the U.S. and our allies," the Virginia Democrat added. "Close coordination between the U.S. government and the private sector will be critical to countering this threat."

Top U.S. intelligence, security and military officials have long warned about the growing cybersecurity threat posed by China-linked hackers.

Earlier this year, CISA Director Jen Easterly warned China "will almost certainly" employ aggressive cyber operations against the U.S. should tensions between Washington and Beijing get worse.

A separate Defense Department cyber strategy likewise warned of China's increased investments in military cyber capabilities while also empowering a growing number of cyber proxies.

But John Hultquist, chief analyst at Google's Mandiant cybersecurity intelligence operation, said this latest attack showed that the Chinese threat has evolved in a very dangerous way.

"Chinese cyber espionage has come a long way," Hultquist said in an email. "They have transformed their capability from one that was dominated by broad, loud campaigns that were far easier to detect. They were brash before, but now they are clearly focused on stealth."

VOA reached out to the Chinese Embassy in Washington about the allegations that Beijing was behind the Microsoft attack.

"China is against cyberattacks of all kinds and has suffered from cyber hacking," Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told VOA in an email. "As MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) spokesperson has commented at regular press conference, the source of Microsoft's claim is information from the U.S. government authorities."

Liu went on to call the U.S. "the biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief," saying it was "high time that the U.S. explained its cyberattack activities and stopped spreading disinformation to deflect public attention."

In its blog post about the latest breach Tuesday, Microsoft said it had managed to repair its systems for all of its customers.

The FBI and CISA on Wednesday separately issued a cybersecurity advisory, urging organizations using Microsoft Exchange Online to take steps to increase their security measures and also their monitoring of their systems to catch any suspicious activity.

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China to send taikonauts to moon for lunar research, technology verification before 2030 using two rockets: CMSA official

Global Times

By Deng Xiaoci in Wuhan Published: Jul 12, 2023 01:23 PM

As China plans to realize a manned moon landing before 2030, the country will attempt to build a moon-based scientific research station, in a bid to carry out long-term, systematic lunar research and verify relevant technology, Zhang Hailian, deputy chief engineer with the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), revealed on Wednesday.

Zhang made the remarks while outlining the China's primary manned moon landing plan in a keynote speech at the opening event of the Nineth China (International) Commercial Aerospace Forum (9th CCAF) in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province on Wednesday.



China will attempt to use two launch vehicles to send a moon surface lander and manned spacecraft into lunar orbit before they carry out rendezvous and docking with each other. Following this maneuver, taikonauts onboard the manned spacecraft will enter the lander, Zhang said.

Taikonauts will carry out scientific exploration and sample collecting after they descend to the moon's surface using the lander. After completing all preset missions, they will engage the lander to ascend and dock with the manned spacecraft waiting in the lunar orbit, he said.

Then taikonauts will take the lunar samples and return to Earth in the manned spacecraft.

Currently, China is working on the research and development of the Long March-10 carrier rocket, a new-generation manned spacecraft, lunar surface lander as well as the lunar manned rover that could support two taikonauts, for the mission, the Global Times has learned from developers.

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State-owned aerospace giant to build 300-satellite constellation at Very Low Earth Orbit by 2030 for better, more economic remote sensing services

Global Times

By Deng Xiaoci in Wuhan Published: Jul 12, 2023 11:15 AM

China unveiled plans to build a new satellite constellation at the Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) that would comprise 300 satellites orbiting the globe by 2030 and provide ultra-fast remote sensing and communication services, with the first satellite to be launched December this year , the Global Times learned from developers on Wednesday.

The Second Academy of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC), a state-owned space contractor, announced its ambitious plan at the opening day of the Ninth China (International) Commercial Aerospace Forum (9th CCAF) in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province on Wednesday.

The VLEO refers to orbits that are below 300 kilometers, compared with traditional satellite orbits, the dynamic environment of the VLEO is more complex so that it requires to offset the impact of the rapid decay of satellite orbital heights due to higher atmospheric resistance.

Although the long-term operation of ultra-low orbit will face many technical challenges, it also offers unique value, including lower costs and higher observation resolution achieved by changing from "remote sensing" to "near observation" due to the decrease of orbital, shorter transmission delay, among other benefits, according to Zhang Nan, the chief designer of the CAISC program.

VLEO technology could help reduce the weight and cost of optical payloads by 50 percent while providing the same resolution and reducing the weight and cost of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payloads by 40 percent. The resolution of VLEO sensing services could reach up to half of a meter, Zhang told the Global Times.

According to the overall plan released by the developer, the construction of the new VLEO constellation will be carried out in three phases.

At the technology and service verification stage, the first satellite of the constellation will be launched by December 2023. By 2024, nine more satellites will be launched, and together form a satellite data public service platform, to demonstrate the system's capability to commercial users.

By 2030, there will be 300 VLEO satellites making up the constellation, forming an ultrafast global responding capability within 15 minutes and that could be further improved to 10 minutes when the construction is fully completed at the integration and development stage after 2030.

Currently, the first prototype satellite for the constellation has already emerged from the design and production phase. It is equipped with payloads such as optical remote sensing cameras, on-board intelligent processing equipment, and atomic oxygen detectors, Zhang explained.

To illustrate the increased efficiency of VLEO satellites in their remote sensing and communication functions, the developer detailed its application scenarios, such as supporting emergency rescue and disaster relief.

The satellite platform could provide disaster monitoring and early warning to facilitate the rescue and disaster relief command with fast capture of on-site images of a given disaster area within 15 minutes.

Once an emergency event occurs, it can capture and extract key information thanks to their inter-satellite transmission and intelligent processing capabilities, sending critical data through an independent network to terminals on Earth which could include a moving vehicle or portable devices.

Themed Constructing a Modern Commercial Aerospace Industry System: Innovation and Leadership, the two-day 9th CCAF kicked off on Wednesday in Wuhan, a city home to China's Wuhan National Aerospace Industry Base. Representatives and officials with aerospace agencies from 15 countries attended the event this year and will deliver their key note speech at side conferences, including those from Mexico, Tukey, Egypt, and Thailand.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

July 12, 2023

Vilnius, Lithuania

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the margins of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The Prime Minister and the President reinforced their unwavering support for Ukraine. They agreed to continue working closely together, for as long as it takes, to assist Ukraine as it continues to resist Russia's brutal and unjustifiable aggression.

The leaders also discussed the record-setting wildfire season in Canada. Prime Minister Trudeau thanked the European Union (EU) for its support in fighting Canadian wildfires through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Prime Minister Trudeau and President von der Leyen reaffirmed the importance of the close relationship between Canada and the EU. The leaders discussed critical minerals and responding to economic coercion.

The two leaders agreed to stay in close contact and work together to advance shared priorities.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with President of Lithuania Gitanas NausAda

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

July 12, 2023

Vilnius, Lithuania

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of Lithuania, Gitanas NausAda, on the margins of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The Prime Minister thanked the President for hosting the Summit and for Lithuania's active and constructive role within the Alliance. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to Euro-Atlantic security in the face of evolving challenges, including Russia's brutal war against Ukraine.

The two leaders reaffirmed their determination to support Ukraine for as long as it takes to achieve victory. They also reiterated their support for Ukraine's path toward Euro-Atlantic integration.

The Prime Minister and the President welcomed the strengthening of bilateral relations between Canada and Lithuania, exemplified by the recent conversion of the Canadian office in Vilnius into a full embassy.

Prime Minister Trudeau and President NausAda agreed to remain in regular contact.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on July 12, 2023

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Dragon TV: On July 12, Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo issued a statement on the seventh anniversary of the so-called award on the South China Sea arbitration, saying that the award is now part of international law, and the Philippines welcomes the growing number of partners that have expressed support for the award. What is your comment?

Wang Wenbin: China's position on the so-called South China Sea arbitration and the award is consistent, clear and firm. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on this on July 12, 2016. The Arbitral Tribunal violated the principle of state consent, exercised its jurisdiction ultra vires and rendered an award in disregard of the law. This is a grave violation of UNCLOS and general international law. The award is illegal, null and void. China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award. China's sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea were established in the long course of history, and are solidly grounded in history and the law. This shall under no circumstances be affected by illegal awards.

The illegal award of the so-called South China Sea arbitration has been questioned widely by the international community. Many internationally authoritative law experts and scholars, including former president of the International Court of Justice and former judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, have written articles to point out the serious flaws in the award. Visionary people in the Philippines have publicly noted that the award is illegal and wrong. China's position of not accepting or recognizing the award has won the support and understanding of more than 100 countries.

China and ASEAN countries are fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in an effective way, and actively advancing consultations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). All parties have agreed to handle the South China Sea issue by following the dual-track approach, namely, maritime disputes should be handled properly by countries directly concerned through dialogue and consultation and peace and stability in the South China Sea should be jointly safeguarded by China and ASEAN countries. We urge relevant parties to continue working with China to properly handle and manage maritime differences through dialogue and consultation, and work with regional countries to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.

TASS: Yesterday, NATO released the Vilnius Summit CommuniquA, which said that "the deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia and their mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut the rules-based international order run counter to our values and interests." What's China's response?

Wang Wenbin: The China-Russia relationship is built on the basis of no-alliance, no-confrontation and no-targeting of any third party. It rises above the model of military and political alliance in the Cold War era and provides a model for major-country relations. This is fundamentally different from the exclusive groupings and bloc confrontation practiced by some NATO countries.

We urge NATO to stop making groundless accusations and provocative rhetoric targeting China, quit the outdated Cold War mentality, ditch the wrongdoing of seeking absolute security. We have seen what NATO has done to Europe, and NATO must not seek to sow chaos here in the Asia-Pacific or elsewhere in the world.a

Yonhap News Agency: This morning, the DPRK fired a ballistic missile. In its recent communiquA, NATO strongly "condemned the DPRK's weapon of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programmes" and urged the DPRK to realize denuclearization "in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner." What's China's position on this?

Wang Wenbin: The Korean Peninsula issues are political and security issues and require efforts from all parties to follow the dual-track approach of pursuing in parallel the establishment of a peace mechanism and the denuclearization of the Peninsula. NATO is not a party to the Korean Peninsula issues. Its communiquA ignores the crux of the issues and the negative impact of relevant parties' military deterrence and pressure and double standards on nuclear non-proliferation. This is not conducive to the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issues.

China has repeatedly stressed that without addressing the absence of a peace mechanism, which is the crux of the issue, the Peninsula can hardly get rid of the security dilemma that generates tension and confrontation. The current situation is not what China wishes to see. We hope parties will be committed to a political settlement, resolve each other's legitimate concerns in a balanced way through meaningful dialogue and uphold peace and stability on the Peninsula.

CCTV: Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare is on an official visit to China. This is his second visit to China since the two countries established diplomatic relations. On July 10, the two sides issued the Joint Statement on Establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Featuring Mutual Respect and Common Development for a New Era. Could you share more details about the visit? What effect will the visit have on the future of China's ties with Solomon Islands and the other Pacific Island countries?

Wang Wenbin: Prime Minister Sogavare has begun his official visit to China on July 9. President Xi Jining met with him and they jointly announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development for a new era. Premier Li Qiang held talks and other official events with Prime Minister Sogavare. Today, Chairman Zhao Leji met with the Prime Minister. The leaders had in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest, and reached broad and important consensus. The joint statement issued by the two sides outlined the major guiding principles and specific cooperation measures for growing bilateral relations. The two countries agreed to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and be committed to building a community with a shared future for mankind. The visit achieved fruitful outcomes. The two sides signed multiple cooperation documents in the fields of development cooperation, trade, infrastructure development, civil aviation, education, police affairs, customs and meteorology. Prime Minister Sogavare and his delegation will also travel to Jiangsu and Guangdong.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in September 2019, China-Solomon Islands relations have shown robust momentum. It shows the strong dynamism in China's ties with countries that newly established diplomatic relations with China. Prime Minister Sogavare's visit is of special importance. It elevated the China-Solomon Islands relations, broadened practical cooperation in a wide range of areas, deepened people-to-people friendship and took bilateral relations to a new height. China stands ready to work with Solomon Islands to fully implement the important common understandings and outcomes reached by leaders of the two countries, sustain the sound growth of China-Solomon Islands comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era, and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

I also want to say that China and Pacific Island countries are all developing countries. Strengthening mutual assistance and deepening South-South cooperation is integral to our joint endeavor of building a community with a shared future for mankind. When meeting with Prime Minister Sogavare, President Xi Jinping presented China's "four full respects" policy toward Pacific Island countries, namely China fully respects the sovereignty and independence of Pacific Island Countries, fully respects their will, fully respects their cultural traditions and fully respects their effort to seek strength through unity. This policy embodies the fundamental guiding principles for China's relations with Pacific Island countries. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will always remain a trustworthy friend and a reliable brother of the Pacific Island countries, and will always stay committed to building an even closer community with a shared future between China and Pacific Island countries.

AFP: Both Australia and New Zealand have urged China and Solomon Islands to release the details of their new policing pact. They said that the lack of clarity about the security implications of this deal might aggravate tensions in the South Pacific. Do China and Solomon Islands plan to publish the complete text of this agreement? Will any details of this deal be released at all? And if so, when will this happen?

Wang Wenbin: First of all, I would like to point out that the police cooperation agreement signed between China and Solomon Islands is in line with relevant international law and common practice. Police and law enforcement cooperation is an important part of our bilateral cooperation and has played a positive role in promoting security and stability of Solomon Islands. China firmly supports Solomon Islands in achieving long-term peace and stability and will continue to provide support and assistance to the best of our capacity on the basis of the will and needs of Solomon Islands.

Bloomberg: The Sri Lankan finance secretary is currently visiting China and he's had meetings with the China Exim bank and the China Development Bank. Can you give us any update on how the negotiations on the debt relief for Sri Lanka is going?

Wang Wenbin: On Sri Lanka's debt issue, we have reiterated China's position several times and you may refer to that. Let me say that China and Sri Lanka are good brothers, good partners and good friends. Our two countries have complementary strengths and enjoy bright prospects for cooperation. China is committed to amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness as well as good neighborliness in our relations with countries in the region, and will continue to support Sri Lanka's socioeconomic development to the best of our capacity. We also encourage capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Sri Lanka and participate in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to help Sri Lanka grow its economy and improve its people's livelihood.

Global Times: On July 12, the spokesperson of the US Department of State said that the so-called award on the South China Sea arbitration rejected China's expansive South China Sea maritime claims. He added that this ruling is final and legally binding on the Philippines and China and asked China to halt illegal maritime activities. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: The so-called award on the South China Sea arbitration seriously violates international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and is illegal, null and void. China neither accepts nor recognizes it. It is for the purpose of upholding the integrity and authority of UNCLOS that China does not accept or recognize the award. As the mastermind behind the South China Sea arbitration, the US plays up the issue each year on the anniversary of the illegal award to exert pressure and force China into accepting the illegal award. We are firmly against this.

The US disregards the history and facts on the South China Sea issue, acts against the UN Charter, and misinterprets the international law of the sea, including UNCLOS. The US has gone back on its public commitment of not taking a position on the sovereignty issues of the South China Sea. It has been stoking trouble and using the South China Sea issue to sow discord among regional countries. This is extremely irresponsible and ill-intentioned. We urge the US to respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, stop all words and actions that are not conducive to regional peace and stability, and refrain from being a troublemaker to peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea has been generally stable. China will work with ASEAN countries to continue to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea and work for prosperity and development in the region.a

Hubei Media Group: On July 10, the first High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development was held in Beijing. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the meeting stressing that China will further step up resources investment in global development cooperation and work with the international community to advance the Global Development Initiative (GDI). It has been nearly two years since China proposed the GDI. Can you elaborate on the current progress and future plan of the GDI?

Wang Wenbin: The first High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development was held in Beijing recently. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the meeting. Vice President Han Zheng met with foreign representatives attending the meeting. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi attended the event and read President Xi's congratulatory letter. This meeting fully reflects all sides' expectation for stronger development cooperation and the international community's recognition of and support to the GDI.

Over the nearly two years since President Xi Jinping proposed the GDI, with joint efforts of all sides, relevant cooperation has reaped important early results. So far, more than 100 countries and international organizations have rendered support to the GDI and nearly 70 countries joined in the Group of Friends of the GDI established on the UN platform. The GDI has developed more effective cooperation mechanisms in various fields and a clearer cooperation pathway. GDI practical cooperation has benefited many developing countries, injecting strong impetus for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In the past year, half of the 32 practical measures listed in the Deliverables of the High-level Dialogue on Global Development have been implemented or achieved early results. 20,000 training opportunities have been provided through the 1,000 human resource development programs organized by the Chinese government, covering almost all members of the Group of Friends of the GDI.

The GDI is not a solo performance by China, but a chorus by all parties. Being the largest developing country in the world, China is naturally a member of the Global South. China will take more active, effective and sustainable steps to implement the GDI. China will also take actions in six aspects to jointly open up development prospects with countries around the world, namely supporting development as a priority agenda, improving the fostering of development projects, breaking the bottleneck of development financing, expanding ways of development cooperation, strengthening third party development cooperation and supporting young people's leading role in development.

On the path toward development, no country or individual should be left behind. This is the vision of the GDI, as well as the goals upheld by the UN. China will work with the international community to seek common development with practical steps, so as to make new contributions to realizing the UN's 2030 SDGs on schedule and to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

CCTV: On July 10, China and Solomon Islands issued a joint statement calling on relevant country to fulfill international obligations and prudently handle the issue of discharging nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. The foreign ministry of Solomon Islands issued a statement to express concerns over the IAEA comprehensive report. On July 11, Mark Brown, rotating chair of the Pacific Islands Forum and Prime Minister of the Cook Islands after meeting with the IAEA Director General said that leaders of Pacific Island countries have different views regarding the ocean discharge of nuclear-contaminated water and will decide on their position after reviewing the IAEA report. What's your response?

Wang Wenbin: The quantity, time span and geographical scope of Japan's ocean discharge are all expected to be unprecedented. The discharge will cause uncertainty and risk for the collective interests of the global community. China and the Pacific Island countries have serious concerns over Japan's ocean discharge plan and firmly oppose Japan's attempt of shifting nuclear pollution risks.

Ocean discharge is neither the only option to handle the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water, nor the safest and most effective method. We noted that the head of the independent expert panel of the Pacific Islands Forum pointed out recently that according to IAEA safety standards, justification is one of the ten fundamental principles for the international standards of radiation protection and activities giving rise to radiation risks must yield an overall benefit.

Japan should ask itself whether it has violated this principle by treating the Pacific Ocean like a sewer and dumping nuclear-contaminated water into it, whether this violates Japan's due international obligations and whether Japan is punishing the good deeds of countries around the world who helped post-quake Japan 12 years ago. China urges Japan to take the concerns of the international community seriously, shoulder its moral responsibility and international obligations, immediately stop pushing through the ocean discharge plan and dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a science-based, transparent and safe manner.

AFP: The US climate envoy John Kerry is now confirmed to be visiting China from July 16 to 19. In addition to what was announced this morning, can the Chinese side give any more details about this visit, such as who he will be meeting and what will be discussed specifically?

Wang Wenbin: I responded to a question related to this yesterday, and I have nothing to add at the moment.

Yonhap News Agency: Will Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi hold talks with ROK Foreign Minister Park Jin during the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting?

Wang Wenbin: According to my knowledge, the two sides have been in communication through diplomatic channels on bilateral engagement at the ASEAN-plus foreign ministers' meetings. I have no specifics to share at the moment.

Beijing Youth Daily: According to reports, the NATO Vilnius Summit CommuniquA said that China "is rapidly expanding and diversifying its nuclear arsenal with more warheads and a larger number of sophisticated delivery systems" and lacks "transparency". The communiquA urges China to "engage in strategic risk reduction discussions" and to "promote stability through greater transparency" with regard to nuclear. What's China's comment?

Wang Wenbin: NATO, as a military alliance, is known to have the largest and most powerful nuclear arsenal in the world, and yet it irresponsibly accuses China of posing nuclear threats and does so through megaphone diplomacy. This is simply wrong and hypocritical. China is gravely concerned and strongly opposed to this.

China has always been extremely prudent and responsible about nuclear weapon issues. China is committed to a defensive nuclear strategy and keeps our nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required by national security. We never had the intent to engage in nuclear arms race. China follows a policy of "no first use" of nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances and has committed unconditionally to not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states and nuclear-weapon-free zones. China is the only nuclear weapon state to have adopted such a policy. Would any NATO member states make such a commitment?

The international community has more reasons to be concerned over NATO's nuclear-sharing arrangement, through which NATO maintains the world's largest nuclear arsenal. Certain member states are accelerating the modernization of their nuclear power, strengthening the so-called "extended deterrence" and heightening the risk of nuclear proliferation and conflict. If NATO members are truly interested in reducing strategic risk and safeguarding strategic stability, they should lower the role of nuclear weapons in national and collective security policies, promote strategic stability with concrete actions and uphold international and regional peace and security.a

RIA Novosti: Yesterday, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, former Russian Ambassador to China Andrey Denisov said that the Chinese side has invited Russian President Putin to visit China during the Belt and Road Forum in October. Could you just confirm this?

Wang Wenbin: The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held this year. China is in communication with BRI partners on this.

China News Service: The ongoing NATO Summit in Vilnius issued a communiquA saying that "China's ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values" and pose "systemic challenges to Euro-Atlantic security". The communiquA says China strives to subvert the "rules-based international order". NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg expressed similar views in his article, saying that "what is happening in Europe today could happen in Asia tomorrow". What's China's comment?

Wang Wenbin: What's said in the NATO communiquA is a complete opposite of the truth and the product of Cold War mentality and ideological bias. China strongly opposes it. More than 30 years after the Cold War ended, its legacy NATO remains trapped in a zero-sum mindset and views the world as opposing blocs. Despite the global community's call for peace, development, and common progress, NATO continues to act against the prevailing trend and seek to turn back the wheel of history. The world will not welcome this.

NATO claims to be a regional organization. Why then is NATO reaching beyond its geographical scope laid down in its treaty, making its foray into the Asia Pacific at a faster pace and seeking to become a "Global NATO"? NATO claims to be a defensive alliance. Why then is NATO encouraging member states to ramp up military budget, keep crossing the line and expanding the mandate, and stoke confrontation in the Asia Pacific? NATO claims to defend a "rules-based international order", but it has been ignoring international law and basic norms governing international relations and interfering in other countries' internal affairs. NATO has taken part in various wars and acted as a scaremonger on security issues, as if the world needed any more instability. NATO has been piecing together exclusive blocs and promoting group politics to intensify ideological and bloc confrontation.

China is a force for world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order, and a source of public good. China is committed to the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms governing international relations that stem from the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China has the best record on peace and security. We have never invaded any country or engaged in any proxy war. We have never conducted global military operations, threatened other countries with force, exported ideology or interfered in other countries' internal affairs. We do not set up or participate in military groups and oppose the use of force or threat of force in international relations. How would such a China pose "systemic challenges" to NATO?

The prosperity and stability that the Asia-Pacific has long enjoyed depends on the mutual respect, open cooperation, mutual benefit and the ability to properly resolve differences among regional countries. NATO's foray into the Asia-Pacific will only stir up tension and lead to bloc confrontation and even a "new Cold War" in this region. Asia-Pacific countries do not welcome it and many NATO states do not approve of it. The Asia-Pacific does not need an "Asia-Pacific version of NATO."

We urge NATO to immediately stop smearing and lying about China. NATO must abandon the outdated Cold War mentality and zero-sum mindset, renounce its blind faith in military might and misguided practice of seeking absolute security, halt the dangerous attempt to destabilize Europe and the Asia-Pacific and stop finding pretext for its continuous expansion. We urge NATO to play a constructive role for world peace and stability.a

Bloomberg: Last night or early this morning, Microsoft said it found a China-based group that was targeting government agencies in western Europe. Does China have any comment on this report and have you had any contact with governments in western Europe asking about this?

Wang Wenbin: We noted the reports saying that the spokesman for the White House National Security Council claimed that US officials found hackers linked to China took advantage of a security weakness in Microsoft's cloud-computing to break into unclassified email accounts of the US, and the US has notified Microsoft about this. I would like to say that in the past, it was usually the world's No.1 hacking groupathe US National Security Agency, which also serves as the US Cyber Force Command, that released such kind of disinformation. This time, it was the US National Security Council that made a public statement. Whatever agency spoke, it does not change the fact that the US is the world's biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief.

Since last year, cyber security institutions from China and elsewhere in the world have issued reports to reveal US government's cyber attacks against China over the years, but the US has yet to make a response. It is high time that the US explained its cyber attack activities and stopped spreading disinformation to deflect public attention.

Bloomberg: The Microsoft report says that it was western European government agencies that were hacked by the China-based group, not US-based or US government agencies. Have you had any contact with any western European governments about the alleged hacking of their agencies?a

Wang Wenbin: I've mentioned relevant reports. Relevant Microsoft report is based on information released by the US authority. I'd like to refer you to Microsoft to check with them whether the report related to "Chinese cyber attacks" is based on US official information. If yes, I suggest that Microsoft then check whether it knows that the US is actually the biggest hacking empire and global cyber thief.

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Beijing lashes back at NATO's anti-China communiquA, says it will protect its rights

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 2:26 AM

China has categorically opposed NATO's eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region, warning it will give a resolute response to any threat to its legitimate rights.

The warning came in a statement issued on Tuesday by China's mission to the European Union following a NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius where the US-led Western military alliance lashed out at Beijing.

NATO said in a strongly worded communiquA earlier in the day that the People's Republic of China (PRC) challenged its interests, security and values with its "ambitions and coercive policies."

"The PRC employs a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power while remaining opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up," NATO heads of state said in their communiquA.

"The PRC's malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation target Allies and harm Alliance security."

The Chinese mission rejected the military alliance's alleged concerns over what it described as China's ambitions and coercive policies.

It said the NATO communiquA disregards basic facts, distorts China's position and policies, and deliberately discredits China.

The statement said Beijing will firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests.

It also accused NATO of ignoring basic facts, deliberately distorting Beijing's policies, and smearing China.

"We firmly oppose and reject this," it said.

The mission stressed that NATO's repeated declarations of being a nuclear alliance in its communiquA will further exacerbate tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.

China has repeatedly warned against "NATO's continued eastward foray into the Asia-Pacific and interference in regional affairs."

It said the Western military alliance's activities "will inevitably undermine regional peace and stability and stoke camp competition."

Beijing has warned against the establishment of an "Asia-Pacific version of NATO" and made clear its opposition to any foreign military involvement in the region.

Last month, in a survey, more than 90 percent of respondents in a global survey strongly oppose NATO's involvement in the Asia-Pacific region, describing the US-led Western military alliance's activities in the region as cause for great alarm.

Ninety-three percent of the respondents strongly agreed that the actions of NATO in recent years have violated its stated defense position.

More than 92 percent believe NATO has become a tool for the US to maintain hegemony and pursue political interests, according to the poll.

"NATO stirs up trouble everywhere and keeps interfering in the affairs of other regions, which will only end up with its own consequences," said a respondent, as cited by CGTN.

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Communist Party takes direct charge of the running of Hong Kong

The Hong Kong and Macau Work Office is charged with 'maintaining national security' in the city under a 2020 law

By Chen Zifei for RFA Mandarin, Gigi Lee and Raymond Cheng for RFA Cantonese 2023.07.12 -- The ruling Chinese Communist Party has taken over responsibility for running the day-to-day affairs of Hong Kong from China's cabinet, the State Council, in a move commentators said is likely linked to a recent bid to pursue the city's democracy activists overseas and to harass their families.

The Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party's Central Committee is headed by Xia Baolong, who also headed its predecessor, according to a brief account of its July 11 meeting posted to its official website.

Its remit - according to plans passed by the National People's Congress in March - will be to "deploy the governing power of the central government" in Hong Kong and to "maintain national security," under a security law imposed on Hong Kong in July 2020 that criminalizes public criticism of the authorities by anyone, anywhere in the world.

The office is also charged with "supporting" the integration of both cities with the rest of China.

Its first publicized meeting comes days after Hong Kong's national security police issued arrest warrants and bounties for eight prominent overseas democracy activists, with the city's leader John Lee vowing to pursue them "for life."

The warrants were swiftly followed by five arrests in Hong Kong of people suspected of helping overseas activists, and the questioning of the parents and brother of U.K.-based former pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law.

U.S. response

As the office made its public debut, U.S. President Joe Biden extended the U.S. state of emergency with regard to Hong Kong.

In a July 11 letter to Congress, Biden said recent actions taken by Beijing "to fundamentally undermine Hong Kong's autonomy ... [continue] to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security.

Exiled former lawmaker Ted Hui, who is among the eight wanted activists, said the order to issue the arrest warrants had clearly come from Beijing.

"These concerted actions [the warrants, arrests and questioning of family members] were clearly ordered by Beijing," Hui told Radio Free Asia. "They may not be able to arrest us, but they can make things tough for our families."

"It's political law enforcement that uses people as hostages in a kind of psychological warfare," he said. "They've started by harassing Nathan Law's family, sending the message that if he doesn't submit to their will and keep quiet, they will take further action."

Current affairs commentator Sang Pu said the new, party-run Hong Kong and Macao Office will likely be running a "rectification" campaign in Hong Kong, which could mean that some heads will roll in the local administration.

"It has the spirit of [political] struggle - the more communist the better," Sang said. "Nobody in the Hong Kong government has said anything - they must think there's a crisis coming."

"Everything they do ... will be about demonstrating loyalty - it's a continuation of the spirit of the Cultural Revolution," he said.

Losing its uniqueness

Chen Li-fu, vice president of the Taiwan Association of University Professors, said Washington appears to want to step up pressure on China to ease off its political controls over Hong Kong.

"[Biden's] saying here that he doesn't think they have seen the error of their ways, so he's extending [the state of emergency] for one year ... but not forever, hoping they'll change their ways," Chen said.

There are signs that not everyone in the Chinese political establishment agrees with the current approach to dissent in Hong Kong.

A post by mainland Chinese blogger Jinghaihou -- a former columnist for a Beijing-backed newspaper in Hong Kong -- calling for an easing of the political crackdown in the city was recently allowed to remain online.

In it, the blogger argues that Hong Kong is losing its uniqueness under the national security law, saying there are fears the city has lost its luster, and that it's neither special nor a particularly attractive destination, and has been marginalized on the international stage.

The post cites the recent removal of books from the shelves of the city's public libraries, including work by revolutionary Chinese author Lu Xun.

"Since the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, a small number of people have gotten into the habit of overdoing the implementation of some policies ... of mechanically implementing the government's decisions ... to the point where Lu Xun is being taken off library shelves, and movies that have nothing to do with politics are no longer being shown," the blogger wrote.

"They always seek left over right, regardless of the consequences," the post said, blaming the local government for its "frivolous" use of the law to scare people.

The pro-China Sing Tao Daily newspaper also published an article on July 11 hitting out at local officials for their "excessive leftism" and calling for a balance between national security, and the need for investment, human rights and freedom.

"Some people [within the Chinese government] feel pessimistic and lack confidence in a Xi Jinping-style model for governing Hong Kong," mainland Chinese commentator Si Ling told Radio Free Asia.

"The fact that this article was published is a rebuke to Xi Jinping and a call for change, and also speaks to the influence of those whose views are represented in it," he said.

Current affairs commentator Johnny Lau said one or two articles are unlikely to change much, however.

"Unless there is a long period of easing back, one or two articles are hardly going to change anyone's perception of tightening controls," he said.

"Even if there are people in the central government who think a better balance needs to be found, those further down the hierarchy haven't gotten the memo," Lau said.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie; edited by Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Beijing Accuses NATO of Discrediting China, Misrepresenting Its Policies

Sputnik News

20230712

BEIJING, (Sputnik) - NATO member countries misrepresented China's policies in their joint statement and deliberately discredited the country, announced China's diplomatic mission to the European Union.

On Tuesday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO member countries agreed to jointly counter China's growing influence and military power. At the same time, NATO members said in a joint statement following the first day of the summit in Vilnius that China's policy is a challenge to the interests, security and values aaof the alliance, but NATO remains open to interaction with China.

"The content of the communique related to China ignores the basic facts, arbitrarily distorts China's position and policy and deliberately discredits the PRC," the mission said in a statement, adding that Beijing "strongly opposes and rejects this."

China is determined to protect its sovereignty and security and will resolutely rebuff any NATO action that harms China's legitimate rights and interests, the statement read. The statement added that China also opposed NATO's expansion in the Asia-Pacific region.

"The repeated statement in the communique that NATO is a 'nuclear alliance' will only further exacerbate regional tensions, and China is deeply concerned in this regard," the mission noted.

The NATO summit is taking place from July 11-12 in Vilnius, with Stoltenberg chairing the meeting. The summit agenda includes Ukraine's prospects for NATO membership and the issue of defense spending.

A Sputnik

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Extension of China-Pakistan Corridor to Afghanistan Presents Challenges

By Roshan Noorzai, Nazrana Ghafar Yousufzai July 12, 2023

The Taliban may have achieved a diplomatic win in an agreement to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan, analysts said, but implementation of the project still faces challenges.

"The three sides reaffirmed their resolve to fully harness Afghanistan's potential as a hub for regional connectivity," said a joint statement released in May following a meeting of officials representing the three countries in Islamabad. The countries restated their commitment "to further the trilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and to jointly extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan."

"I think it's a big diplomatic success for the Taliban. It further legitimizes the regime," said Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Brookings Institution, a nonprofit public policy organization.

But she added, "I don't expect any significant new projects. ... I think there are serious obstacles" in terms of regional connectivity.

The $62 billion CPEC connectivity project is a flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. The initiative is a series of infrastructure projects and investments that span the globe with the aim of connecting China to foreign trade.

Felbab-Brown said the decision to extend CPEC to Afghanistan "has really much more to do with China's global posturing and trying to separate itself from the United States."

She said China continues its narrative "that the West is to blame for the humanitarian crisis [and] that the West should not be holding [the] money of the central bank of Afghanistan."

Since the withdrawal of the U.S. and NATO forces and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, China has been vocal in criticizing the U.S. for freezing Afghanistan's assets.

"[B]y seizing Afghanistan's overseas assets and imposing unilateral sanctions, the U.S., which created the Afghan issue in the first place, is the biggest external factor that hinders substantive improvement in the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan," China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in April.

Chinese investment

The ministry's position paper on Afghanistan stated that China would "do its best" to support Afghanistan's reconstruction and development.

In recent months, Chinese companies have shown interest in investing in Afghanistan.

Last week, in a meeting with Taliban officials in Kabul, officials of Fan China Afghan Mining Processing and Trading Co. announced an investment of $350 million in various sectors ranging from construction to health to energy in Afghanistan, according to the Bakhtar News Agency, Afghanistan's state news agency. The company is a joint venture between China's Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas Co. (CAPEIC) and Afghanistan's Watan Group.

In January, the Taliban signed a contract with CAPEIC to extract oil in the north of the country by investing $150 million annually.

China has also shown interest in the development and operation of mines in Afghanistan. A Chinese company, Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC), signed a contract with the then-Afghan government in 2008 to extract copper from Mes Aynak in Logar province.

But that work has not started yet. Last month, the Taliban's mining and petroleum minister, Shahabuddin Delawar, urged MCC to begin "practical" work on the development and operation of the mine.

Security concerns

"I do think that China continues to have very substantial security interests and frustrations in Afghanistan, and the security agenda is still the dominant one," Felbab-Brown said.

A U.N. report, published last month, said the Taliban still has ties with al-Qaida and other groups, including the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party.

China considers ETIM, which was founded in Pakistan by a Uyghur religious figure, Hasan Mahsum, in 1997, as a threat to its security. However, the U.S. removed the ETIM from its terror list in 2020.

Hamidullah Farooqi, a former Afghan minister of transport and civil aviation, told VOA that the Taliban tried to reassure China and Pakistan that "they can address their security concerns, and no terrorist groups will be allowed to use Afghan soil."

"I do not think that Chinese and Pakistani officials are convinced," said Farooqi, adding that the Taliban have to act on their counterterrorism commitment.

Farooqi said that the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan was "considered years before the Taliban's takeover," but, because of security concerns, it was not implemented.

He said that because of a "lack of security in the country and the activities of TTP [Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan] and other terrorist organizations in the region, the project was not implemented."

Instability

"Though the security situation improved under the Taliban, Afghanistan does not have political stability, and that is the reason for no foreign investments in the country," Farooqi said.

He added that the Taliban have to make "fundamental changes in their policies."

"They [the Taliban] have to respect human rights, women's rights and form an inclusive government. These are the things that would bring stability to Afghanistan," he said.

"Though the Taliban claim that they have brought stability in Afghanistan, I think it will take some time to have full control of Afghanistan," Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, a political economist in Islamabad, told VOA.

Geopolitics

He said geopolitics presents another challenge for Afghanistan in getting investments and deals.

"There is a competition going on among the major powers and some big players in the region," said Ramay, adding that rivalry between powers can "create some hurdles in the implementation of this policy to include Afghanistan in CPEC."

Citing an example, Azarakhsh Hafizi, former head of the international relations committee at Afghanistan's Chamber of Commerce and Industries, told VOA that China is interested in investing in Afghan natural resources, but the Taliban are not recognized by any country as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

"This will make it difficult for any country to deal with the Taliban," Hafizi said.

This story originated in VOA's Afghan Service.

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China deploys minesweeper drones in sea mine countermeasure training

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Jul 13, 2023 02:20 AM

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy deployed minesweeper drones alongside a manned minesweeper in a recent sea mine countermeasure exercise, with experts saying on Wednesday that unmanned vessels can enhance efficiency and lower casualty risks amid US plans to deploy sea mines against China.

A minesweeping detachment attached to the PLA Northern Theater Command recently organized sea mine countermeasure forces and explored new patterns of unmanned integrated minesweeping procedures with an exercise in the Yellow Sea, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Tuesday.

The exercise eyed new characteristics under the new situation, CCTV said.

An article by Commander Victor Duenow of the US Navy published on the website of the US Naval Institute last year said that the US should pursue offensive mining capabilities against China in the Yellow Sea and the Pearl River Delta.

The island of Taiwan also commissioned additional minelayers in January 2022 to "defend" against the Chinese mainland, the Associated Press reported at the time.

The exercise, simulating a scenario in which hostile sea mines were spotted around friendly forces, tasked the detachment with clearing the area of the sea mine threat, CCTV reported.

A flotilla consisting of the manned minesweeper Huimin, two minesweeper drones and two motor boats quickly maneuvered to the area, with the two remotely controlled minesweeper drones taking the lead.

The drone vessels activated their side-scan sonar systems, searched for underwater targets, and transmitted the data to the combat system of the Huimin in real time.

After building a database on the sea mines, the Huimin deployed its mine neutralization vehicle and sent frogmen to remove the mines.

According to the CCTV report, the drones are smaller than the Huimin, but significantly larger than the motor boats.

The exercise set up a realistic combat environment, tactical background and challenging objectives, and enhanced the training intensity for unmanned integrated mine countermeasures, Lieutenant Commander Sun Jian, the commanding officer of the Huimin, said in the report.

Drone vessels are expected to play a significant role in future naval warfare, as they can carry out multiple missions including reconnaissance, obstacle clearance and attack, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

China is in the world's top tier of drone ship development, Song said.

Mine-laying, minesweeping and anti-submarine missions are also key tasks for drone vessels, another Chinese military expert, who requested anonymity, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Deploying unmanned equipment in mine countermeasures can greatly enhance efficiency because it is more flexible, maneuverable and there is no risk of casualties, the expert said.

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Enlarged Plenary Meeting of C.C., SWUK Held

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, July 12 (KCNA) -- The 8th Enlarged Plenary Meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Socialist Women's Union of Korea (SWUK) was held on Tuesday through video conferencing.

Present there were members and alternate members of the SWUK Central Committee.

Attending it as observers were officials of the Central Committee of the SWUK and chairwomen of the city and county women's union committees.

The meeting discussed the issue of thoroughly implementing the resolutions of the 8th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).

Kim Jong Sun, chairwoman of the C.C., SWUK, made a report.

The reporter said that the resolutions of the 8th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the WPK serve as guidelines and immortal banner clarifying the scientific path and clear practical policy for advancing socialist construction according to our timetable from A to Z.

The report analyzed and reviewed the work of the women's union for implementing the resolutions of the 6th and 7th plenary meetings of the 8th Central Committee of the WPK in the first half of the year and referred to tasks and ways for all the officials and members of the women's union to attain this year's goals set forth by the Party.

The reporter called upon all the officials and members of the women's union to make strenuous efforts to implement the action programme of the national prosperity set forth by the Party, true to the revolutionary idea and leadership of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un with single mind, thus making positive contribution to glorifying this year as a year of great turn and change.

Then speeches were made.

A relevant resolution on the agenda item was adopted after the study and discussion on its draft at the enlarged plenary meeting. -0-

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N Korea launched long-range missile days after US recon. flights

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 9:35 AM

North Korea has launched a long-range ballistic missile off its east coast days after it threatened the US with "shocking" response over conducting reconnaissance flights while violating the country's airspace.

South Korea and Japan both announced that a long-range missile was fired on Wednesday at around 10 am local time (01:00 GMT) from the Korean Peninsula hundreds of kilometers into the sea east of the land as the US-led NATO military alliance members took part in a Summit in Lithuania along with their Asia-Pacific allies.

"The ballistic missile was fired on a lofted trajectory and flew 1,000 km before splashing down in the East Sea," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) declared, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.

North Korea has carried out numerous missile tests in response to persisting joint war games by US and South Korean military forces near its territorial waters. This year, it launched its first-ever solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and tried to put its first reconnaissance satellite into orbit, though the mission ended in failure.

Seoul's JCS described the Wednesday's launch as "a grave provocation that damages the peace and security of the Korean peninsula," calling on Pyongyang to halt its nuclear and missile development programs.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters it flew for about 74 minutes, reaching an altitude of 6,000 km.

The country's coast guard confirmed that the missile fell into the sea east of the Korean peninsula.

The missile launch came ahead of the second day of a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who are taking part inthe summit, are scheduled to meet up with one another as well as other NATO leaders on the sidelines of the event on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, China has warned the West and its regional allies against the idea of establishing an "Asia-Pacific version of NATO."

Beijing made clear its opposition to any foreign military involvement in the East as Kim Yo-jong, Pyongyang's senior foreign policy official and the sister of national leader Kim Jong-un, promised "clear and resolute" repercussions against Washington.

She condemned a United States plan to deploy a nuclear missile submarine to waters near the Korean peninsula and threatened to shoot down spy planes after saying US reconnaissance planes recently violated North Korea's economic air space, saying fighter jets were scrambled to ward off an American warplane that was detected inside the North's 200-nautical-mile economic zone.

A spokesperson for the North Korean Ministry of National Defense said the United States had "intensified espionage activities beyond the wartime level", citing "provocative" spy plane flights over eight straight days this month.

"There is no guarantee that such shocking accident as downing of the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen in the East Sea of Korea," the spokesperson added.

In related news, Japan's Matsuno stated that Tokyo will respond to North Korea's missiles in what he described as close cooperation with the international community.

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China: NATO Ignoring 'Crux' of Korean Nuclear Issue by Blaming North Korea for Tensions

Sputnik News

20230712

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - China accused NATO on Wednesday of ignoring the "crux" of the Korean nuclear problem after the alliance pinned the blame for tensions in the peninsula on North Korea.

"NATO is not a party to the Korean Peninsula issues," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily briefing.

"Its communique ignores the crux of the issues and the negative impact of relevant parties' military deterrence and pressure and double standards on nuclear non-proliferation."

The US-led military alliance said in a communique on Tuesday that the North must abandon its nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs and accept the offers of dialogue put forward by South Korea, Japan and the United States.

Wang said NATO's approach was "not conducive" to the political process on the peninsula and urged all parties to follow the dual-track approach of pursuing in parallel the establishment of a peace mechanism and Korean denuclearization.

"The current situation is not what China wishes to see. We hope parties will be committed to a political settlement, resolve each other's legitimate concerns in a balanced way through meaningful dialogue and uphold peace and stability on the Peninsula," he said.

Last week, Wang criticized the United States and South Korea for taking the false path of military intimidation after US Forces Korea deputy commander Scott Pleus said the Pentagon would soon send a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea to enhance the "regular visibility" of its strategic assets in the peninsula.

A Sputnik

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North Korea Fires Long-Range Ballistic Missile Toward Sea of Japan

Sputnik News

20230712

The Wednesday launch marks the first in nearly a month after North Korea last fired off a missile in mid June. To date, it marks the 12 such launch in 2023 alone.

North Korea fired a ballistic missile early Wednesday toward the Sea of Japan, defense ministries with both South Korea and Japan have detailed.

"A possible ballistic missile was launched from North Korea," read an initial message issued by Japanese officials. A follow-up release stated Pyongyang had "launched at least one ballistic missile."

South Korean military reported that the launch involved one long-range ballistic missile.

Details of the launch have yet to be released by military as an official analysis remains ongoing; however, preliminary reports citing defense insiders suggested the missile flew for approximately 74 minutes at an altitude of 6,000 kilometers and a range of 1,000 kilometers.

Japanese officials earlier indicated the missile fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone at about 11:13 a.m. local time.

A statement by issued by Japanese officials notes that aircraft and ships were instructed to avoid any potential debris they may come in contact with, as well as alert the Japan Coast Guard of any findings.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno has since condemned the "unacceptable" launch, underscoring that such behavior "threaten the peace and security of our country, the region and the international community."

"Such ballistic missile launches violate relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council," Matsuno said. "This is a serious problem from the point of view of the security of the people; that is why a strong protest has been lodged through the embassy in Beijing."

In response to the development, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is participating in NATO's Vilnius summit, called an emergency national security meeting. The launch was deployed as Yoon is due to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday.

The launch comes as North Korea blasted recent US reconnaissance flights that saw American planes enter the airspace above the nation's economic zone.

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the North Korean leader and who serves as the deputy department director of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, detailed that two flights were documented. The flights, however, are in addition to 'multiple' airspace violations that occurred earlier in the month.

A Sputnik

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North Korea ICBM Had Longest Flight at 74 Minutes, Says Tokyo

By Eunice Kim July 12, 2023

North Korea has fired a single long-range ballistic missile off its east coast, as leaders of Japan and South Korea are in Lithuania for NATO meetings and are due to hold a bilateral summit later Wednesday.

The suspected intercontinental ballistic missile was launched at around 10 a.m. local time from an area around the North's capital, Pyongyang, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

The missile flew in a lofted trajectory, piercing through the earth's atmosphere, to land some 1,000 kilometers to the east, according to Seoul and Tokyo.

Japan estimates the missile reached a top altitude of more than 6,000 kilometers before splashing down 74 minutes after launch. If true, that would mark the longest duration flight for a North Korean missile, according to Japan's defense ministry.

From Lithuania's capital of Vilnius, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol convened an emergency National Security Council meeting via video call with relevant ministers in Seoul.

Condemning the launch, Yoon said North Korea's illegal activities would come with a price, according to his office, and promised to galvanize support with nations convened at the NATO summit. He also ordered a further strengthening of extended deterrence, with an inaugural U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Consultative Group meeting planned for next week.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Tokyo immediately lodged a strong protest against North Korea via its embassy in Beijing, underlining that such ballistic missiles violate multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. Japan at this stage does not believe the detected missile carried a "so-called satellite," he added.

Ahead of the missile launch on Tuesday, 31 NATO countries issued the Vilnius Summit Communique in which they called on Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons program in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and accept repeated offers of dialogue.

On the second day of the summit, members of the Asia-Pacific 4 grouping - Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand - are engaging with NATO countries over China's influence in the region.

A bilateral summit between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon is also planned Wednesday, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss Japan's plan to release treated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Raising the temperature

North Korea's latest missile launch comes on the heels of a trio of angry statements out of Pyongyang over what it claimed were illegal U.S. drones and reconnaissance planes "intruding" on its exclusive economic zone to spy on the state along its eastern coastline earlier this week.

The latter two of the three statements came directly from leader Kim Jong Un's influential sister, who warned North Korean forces would react "clearly and resolutely" should the U.S. cross into its economic zone again.

Both Seoul and Washington countered that any aerial maneuvers were routine in nature, and that Pyongyang's claims that "U.S. flights above its claimed exclusive economic zone are unlawful are unfounded," according to State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller Tuesday, "as high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in such areas."

Analysts in Seoul expressed concern that the repeated warnings within 24 hours could be North Korea setting up for additional provocations in the region ahead of a key anniversary on July 27, which marks the signing of an armistice that put a pause on the Korean War.

North Korea refers to it as Victory Day and is believed to be planning a large military parade for the occasion. But that may not be enough.

"North Korea has to celebrate the 70th anniversary [of Victory Day] with achievement in the military or economic field," Won Gon Park, professor of North Korean studies at Ewha University tells VOA.

But given that the North has been struggling economically, hampered by ongoing COVID-19 border controls, and militarily, its failed spy satellite launch at the end of May, which South Korea evaluated as having no military utility, it is left with few options.

"That's why North Korea has to escalate tension, releasing these aggressive statements by Kim Yo Jong, which is at a very high level. This is a very typical pattern when they face difficulties domestically and internationally," Park added.

Wednesday's launch of a long-range ballistic missile is the first since April 13 when Pyongyang had tested a solid fuel ICBM, the Hwasong 18, for the first time.

Others warned against too quickly attributing the latest missile test as a response to U.S. reconnaissance flights or the NATO summit.

"If indeed today's launch was a follow-up test to the Hwasong 18, this is North Korea developing its missile technology on its own timeline," offered Kim Dong Yup, a professor of military and security studies at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul.

"I'd caution against too quickly tying this to the Kim Yo Jong statements or the NATO meetings. That could make it more difficult to respond."

Juhyun Lee contributed to this report.

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Article of Military Commentator of DPRK

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, July 13 (KCNA) -- A military commentator of the DPRK released an article titled "Justifying impudent provocation will only bring about the dangerous result of escalating regional tensions" on Thursday.

The full text of the article said:

Entering July, the U.S. reconnaissance assets are steadily committing provocative espionage acts, which can no longer be overlooked. As a result, the military tensions on the Korean peninsula are inching close to the worst crisis.

Aerial reconnaissance means of the U.S. forces illegally intruded into the economic water zone where the sovereignty of the DPRK is exercised more than 30 times between July 2 and 10.

As regards the grave situation in which the U.S. provocative espionage is getting undisguised, the Korean People's Army (KPA) sent a clear and strong warning to the U.S. by dispatching air force fighters and expelling U.S. air force strategic reconnaissance planes. It also clearly warned that a special incident may occur if such action is done again.

This is a clear manifestation of the DPRK's will to defend peace and its patience to prevent military conflict that may lead to the worst crisis on the Korean peninsula where nukes and nukes are standing face to face and to control the present dangerous situation.

Nevertheless, the hostile forces are going reckless in their moves to justify their shameless military provocations while branding the DPRK's warning as "far-fetched assertion".

The south Korean puppet Joint Chiefs of Staff patronized the U.S. master's criminal act, insisting that it is an "unreasonable assertion contrary to the fact" that the U.S. air reconnaissance means illegally intruded into the economic water zone of the DPRK side and it is aimed to obtain a pretext of provocation.

The puppet forces who have nothing to do with the issue of the DPRK-U.S. relations, made reckless remarks, prompted by the instigation of the U.S. So, we clarified our stand again and again.

When its trick to cover up its criminal acts through its servant didn't work, the U.S. talked volubly and reluctantly before the eyes of the world that it is engrossed in safe and responsible flying, navigating and carrying out operations together with its allies and partners in any places permitted by international law, and schemed to mislead the international opinion, trumpeting as if the DPRK was escalating tensions.

What merits serious attention is that recently the U.S. has urgently deployed a formation of B-1B strategic bombers from its mainland in Misawa air force base in Japan near the Korean peninsula through its successive provocative and shameless aerial espionage acts.

Some days ago, the U.S. increased the number of B-52H nuclear strategic bombers on Guam to eight. This time, its additional deployment of nuclear strategic asset around the Korean peninsula makes clear the intention of the U.S. talking incoherently to justify the recently increasing air espionage acts.

The U.S. is now claiming that its spy plane has implemented the "freedom of navigation" in the sky over the open sea under international law.

The airspace that the U.S. insists on the sky over the open sea is the one above the economic water zone in the East Sea of Korea where the sovereignty of the DPRK is exercised from A to Z and, therefore, it is part of the DPRK's airspace even an inch of which can never be conceded.

As the U.S. knows this well, it had so far restrained espionage in the sky over the water zone, and the DPRK, too, has not taken direct counteraction against the military acts committed outside the economic water zone.

Of course, it is not that there is no military danger when the RC-135S, a strategic reconnaissance plane with high observation and reconnaissance capabilities, takes acts outside the DPRK's economic water zone, but the DPRK has acted thoroughly in accordance with the requirements of international law.

After all, this time the U.S. branded the DPRK's just warning as "groundless accusation," only to betray for itself its arrogant and self-contradictory behavior of abandoning its decades-long habitual practices without scruple.

The "denial" of the international legal position of the economic water zone impudently advocated by the puppet forces is nothing but a gangster-like sophism which interpreted the basic spirit and relevant provisions of the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea to suit their taste.

The convention clearly stipulates that the freedom of navigation in the economic water zone shall be guaranteed under the conditions that the security and interests of a coastal state are not encroached.

According to this logic, the puppet forces unilaterally set up "ship control zone" and "air defence identification zone" in the East, West and South seas of Korea, and are making a great fuss, claiming that the flights of the warplanes of the neighboring countries in the sky above the vicinity of south Korea are "intrusion" while obstructing all the sailing of DPRK vessels.

According to the logic of the puppet forces, the intelligence reconnaissance activities of the DPRK's warships and fighters in the economic water zone or in the sky above the "air defence identification zone" of south Korea can be interpreted otherwise than the ones done as required by international law.

Japan, too, should be called into question as it pokes and pries whether the DPRK's projectiles are landed on inside or outside of the exclusive economic zone whenever it tests projectiles.

The hostile forces should objectively look at such reality and clearly express their stand on it.

The situation on the Korean peninsula is a dangerous one in which fire and nukes could come to grips anytime, and so, it is as clear as noonday that the future situation will be developed into an unpredictable state as the hostile forces' moves to justify their impudent provocative moves are becoming more undisguised.

Sovereignty is, indeed, the dignity and life of the DPRK and its people and the DPRK's self-defence capability with the nuclear force as its pivot is fully ready to perfectly carry out the sacred mission and duty for defending its sovereignty without an inch of deflection anytime.

As those who are fond of playing with fire are destined to perish in the flames, it will be difficult to defend one's own sovereignty in the end if one does not respect the sovereignty of the other party.

Stressing again, the hostile forces should think to the maximum, being aware that to test the DPRK's will to defend its sovereignty is a dangerous act of expanding the continuous war into a nuclear war. -0-

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Germany to Withdraw From Project on Leopard Tank Maintenance Hub in Poland

Sputnik News

20230712

BERLIN (Sputnik) - Germany will withdraw from the project for the construction of a maintenance hub for Leopard 2 tanks in Poland due to Warsaw's inflated expectations regarding maintenance payment, German newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

Berlin wants the tanks to be repaired as close to the Ukrainian border as possible, but Poland has set what Germany described as unreasonable prices for maintenance of the military equipment, the newspaper reported.

The German Defense Ministry will officially announce its withdrawal from the project in the coming days, the report said.

In mid-June, Polish envoy to NATO Tomasz Szatkowski said that Warsaw and Berlin were planning to set up a repair center for German-made Leopard battle tanks in Poland's southern city of Gliwice in the near future. Szatkowski said Poland was also interested in servicing US-made Abrams tanks.

However, in July, German magazine reported, citing sources, that Berlin and Warsaw had failed to reach a consensus on a final draft of the hub agreement, as Poland demanded over 100,000 euros ($110,000) for maintenance of one tank as part of the primary assessment. For comparison, in Germany, the cost of such work does not usually exceed 12,000 euros per tank, the report said.

A Sputnik

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Transcript of Special Briefing by Foreign Secretary on Prime Minister's visit to France and UAE (July 12, 2023)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

July 12, 2023

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: A very good afternoon to all of you. Thank you for joining us for this special media briefing on the forthcoming visit of Honourable Prime Minister to France and the United Arab Republic. To give us a sense of what is in store and also the context of the visit, we have the privilege of having with us Foreign Secretary Sir, Shri Vinay Kwatra. Also joining us on the dais, Shri Vipul, Joint Secretary, the Gulf Division of the Ministry of External Affairs. Sir, may I hand over the floor to you?

Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Thank you very much, Arindam, and good afternoon to friends from the media for this special media briefing on the two upcoming visits of the Honourable Prime Minister. So, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji will depart tomorrow morning for his visits to France and UAE. The first segment of this two-country visit will be a visit to France. He will reach Paris by midday tomorrow. The visit to France is for July 13th and 14th at the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Macron, the President of France. This would be Prime Minister's sixth visit to France. Prime Minister Modi and President Macron had their most recent meeting on the sidelines of G7 summit in Hiroshima in May this year. And as you are all aware, the two leaders have remained in very regular touch since they first met in June 2017. After Prime Minister reaches in Paris midday tomorrow, his first interaction would be with the Prime Minister of France during the remainder of day tomorrow, as also with the President of the French Senate, Mr. GArard Larcher, on the same day. In the evening tomorrow, Prime Minister has an interaction scheduled with the Indian community, which would be followed by a private dinner to be hosted by President Macron at Elysee Palace in honour of the Prime Minister.

The major official and ceremonial part of the visit will start on the 14th, which is with the Prime Minister's participation at the French National Day celebrations, Bastille Day. This is a very, very special gesture extended by France to Prime Minister Modi. As part of our participation in the Bastille Day celebrations, a large tri-services contingent from India will also participate in the Bastille Day parade, along with three Indian Air Force aircraft, which would also take part in the fly past after the Bastille Day celebrations. The programme on the 14th also includes meeting with the President of the French National Assembly, Mrs. Braun-Pivet, and a series of other meetings with the thought leaders and prominent business people. There is going to be another ceremonial reception at the Elysee Palace on the 14th, later in the evening, which will then be followed by delegation-level discussions, led by Prime Minister Modi and President Macron. The two leaders will also interact with the CEOs from both countries under the rubric of India-France CEO Forum. The programme in France would conclude with a state banquet to be hosted in honour of Prime Minister in the evening of 14th of July at the iconic Louvre Museum. As you are all aware, India and France have a long-standing strategic partnership, which actually captures a series of strategic convergences that both countries have on a range of issues. And this year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership. There are several pillars of our strategic partnership, and each of these pillars would come up for stock-taking and the pathway ahead in terms of future cooperation in these areas. Security cooperation, space cooperation, engagement in the civil-nuclear domain, technology partnership, partnership in the field of counterterrorism, cybersecurity, climate change, renewable energy, issues relating to International Solar Alliance, reorientation of our security partnership in line with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives, supply chain integration between the industry and business segments of the two countries, etc., would all form part of discussions under the bilateral talks that the two leaders would hold.

Economic ties, one of the key centrepieces of India-France strategic partnership, has been on robust upswing, spans across not just the conventional areas of trade, industry, and investment cooperation, but is also increasingly focused on the new and emerging domains, including the startup industries. India has had a very robust participation, for example, in VivaTech, which is one of the signature forums of participation by technology, innovation, and startup companies in France. Space economy is again a very upcoming area besides the traditional area of cooperation in the space.

Besides, of course, the substance of discussions, we all know that both President Macron and Prime Minister Modi share a very warm and personal strong equation, and their common vision has actually given a very strong guidance to the further deepening and expansion of our partnership. The visit of Prime Minister to France would be both rich in substance and also in form, and we believe that it would set new benchmarks for our strategic partnership in years ahead.

After concluding his visit to France, the Prime Minister would depart for UAE and reach there on 15th of July, where he will meet His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, to be followed by ceremonial welcome, bilateral talks, and other events organized in honour of Prime Minister's visit to UAE. We have all seen in front of our eyes in the last few years a significant transformation that has taken place in India-UAE relations, and a central driver of this has been the vision of the two leaders, the President of the UAE and the Prime Minister of India. Both of them, of course, also enjoy excellent personal rapport, which is reflected in their very frequent engagements. They last met in June in Abu Dhabi when PM visited UAE while on his return from the G7 summit in Munich. They have since, of course, also met in many virtual platforms, including the last one in July last year during the I2U2 summit.

As you would all be aware that in February 22, during the virtual summit, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and UAE was signed. A joint vision statement was also issued at that time. We have seen a significant jump, qualitative enhancement in the substance of our engagement across the whole range of areas since the signing of the CEPA, and the partnership has continued to grow from strength to strength. This is particularly reflected in the strong economic exchanges, both on the trade side but also on the investment side, people-to-people ties, and also convergence on a range of regional and international issues. Bilateral trade is currently at a very strong $85 billion between India and UAE, making UAE India's third-largest trading partner last year, and India's second-largest export destination is UAE. Also, very substantial large sums of FDI flows from UAE have taken place to India, making UAE the fourth-largest overall investor in India. UAE and India are also very strong partners in the field of energy security, and besides those, several new areas of partnership and engagement have also registered strong progress, including in the field of renewables, health, food security, S&T, education, fintech, and defense and security.

As we all know that Indian diaspora is present in very strong and robust numbers in UAE, about 3.5 million, and the historical people-to-people ties between India and UAE remain a key pillar of our strategic partner. UAE is also a special invitee during India's G20 presidency summit to be held in September this year. India and UAE are also cooperating very closely on COP28, which will be held in UAE towards the end of this year. Prime Minister's visit to UAE provides a useful opportunity for us to review this important partnership and inject further momentum across the whole range of areas that we cooperate in. I would stop here and if there are questions, we'll take that.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Thank you very much, sir. Please introduce yourself and the organization that you represent before asking your questions.

Madhurendra: Sir, Madhurendra main News Nation se. Aapne strategic partnership ki baat kahi India aur France ke beech. Ye mana ja raha hain ki pradhan mantri Modi ke is daure ke dauran bharat aur france ke beech kuch naye defense deal ki ghoshna hogi, agar aap uspe kuch bataye ki kya submarine aur Rafael jaise jo baatain ho rahi hain...

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, this is Madhurendra from News Nation. You mentioned about a strategic partnership between India and France. It is being said that during Prime Minister Modi's visit, there will be announcements of some new defense deals between India and France. Can you provide some information regarding them, the discussions about submarines and Rafale-like matters...

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Pahle se hi? [Answered in Hindi: Approximate translation] You want to know them in advance?

Madhurendra: Bilkul kyuki tamam chizain procedure mai hongi, aur uski ghoshna ka intezar hain, us barain mai jo bhi prakash aap dalna chahain aap daal sakte hain?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Certainly, as all matters must be in the process, and we are awaiting the announcement, you can share whatever information or insights you would like to provide on this topic.

Manish Jha: Sir main Manish Jha hoon TV9 se. Mera sawal hain ki pradhan mantri is baar phir bastille day ke function mai chief guest rahenge toh India ka pahle hi jo participation raha tha aur is baar ke participation mai kis level ka scale mai antar hain?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] Sir, I am Manish Jha from TV9. My question is that, Prime Minister will be the chief guest at the Bastille Day function again this year. What is the difference in the level of India's participation compared to the last time?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Pichli baar matlab? [Answered in Hindi: Approximate translation] What do you mean by last time?

Manish Jha: Ye dusri baar hain jab Indian Prime Minister is function mai chief guest hain.

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] This is the second time that the Indian Prime Minister is the chief guest at this function.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Dono bar chief guest rahain hain... main samjha nahi aapka prasha kya hain? [Answered in Hindi: Approximate translation] Both times we are chief guest... I am not able to understand your question.

Manish Jha: Aapne mention kiya ki jaise indian army ke aur dusre log waha par participate karenge, toh kitna antar hain 2009 ki event mai aur is baar ki event mai?

[Question in Hindi: Approximate translation] You mentioned that the Indian Army and others will be participating there. What is the difference in terms of participation between the event in 2009 and this year's event?

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Accha contingent ki baat kar rahe hain? [Answered in Hindi: Approximate translation] Oh, so you are talking about contingent.

Amiti Sen: Sir, I am Amiti Sen. I am from the Hindu Business Line. Are there any specific trade and investment issues that the PM would want to take forward during the meeting? And the CEO forum, do we have the names of some of the companies that would be represented from both sides?

Huma Siddiqui: Sir, I am Huma Siddiqui from the Financial Express. You talked about ties in space and space economy. What about the space economy? How is India and France involved in that? And also, there is news that the French President is interested in attending the BRICS summit. So would that also be discussed?

Suhasini Haidar: Suhasini Haidar from the Hindu. Foreign Secretary, if we could ask about the India-France nuclear cooperation for the Jaitapur NPP. Last year, in November, our Minister, Mr. Jitendra Singh had gone to France. Sorry, he had welcomed the Minister from France. He had announced that in time for this visit in the 25th year, that all the pending issues on Jaitapur would have been resolved. Are we expecting to see some kind of an announcement during the Prime Minister's visit given that it's been several years and the issues of cost as well as liability in particular seem to be (inaudible)? And later, if we have time, I had another question, but we can come back to it.

Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Dekhiye jo aapka sabse pahle prashn tha ke jo bharat france ki strategic partnership hain usmai khas taur pe raksha ke kshtra mai aapne particular defense deals ke baarain mai jo baat ki. Dekhiye yadi aap bharat france raksha sahyog ki vyapakta ko dekhenge toh aap payenge ki uske kai mukhya bhag hain. Dono deshon ki militaries ke beech mai jo exercise hoti hain wo hain, dono deshon ki armed forces ke beech mai jo logistic support cooperation hain who hai. Defense ke kshetra mai jo bharat aur france milke coproduction karte hain wo hain. Raksha ke kshetra mai hi kai aspects mai jo research aur design ki prakriya mai raksha ke sambandho se judi hui jo prakriyaye hain uska hain. Indian ocean region aur larger indo-pacific region mai kis prakar se dono deshon ki navies maritime security ki samasyaon ko lekar aapas mai sahyog karti hain wo hain.

Toh bharat france ka raksha sahyog ka yadi aap paripeshya dekhenge toh aap payenge ki wo aapne aap mai kafi vyapak, sashakt aur sudradh hain. Swabhawik hain ki jab do neta milenge toh is raksha sahyog ki vyapakta ko kis prakar se aage joda jaye. Jaise ki maine apne vaktavya mai kaha kis prakar se hamare sahyog ke uddeshya aatmanirbhar bharat ki prathamiktaon se jude, wo apne aap mai mahatvapura aur aanivarya chiz hain. Toh hame ye swabhawik hain ki jab do neta milenge toh kis prakar se dono deshon ka raksha sahyog, coproduction, codesign, co-development ki disha mai badhain, kis prakar se aatmanirbhar bharat se jude, woh vartalap ke vishay avashya apne aap mai honge. Un vartaon ke baad kya uplabdhiyan hoti hain, kya uska niskarsh nikalta hain, wo hum varta ke baad aapse uchit roop se share karenge.

[Answered in Hindi: Approximate translation] With regard to your first question in which you talked particularly about the defense deals in the context of India-France Strategic Partnership. If we look at the broad scope of defense cooperation between India and France, you will find that there are several key aspects of it - there are joint military exercises between the militaries of the two countries; there is logistic support cooperation between the armed forces of both countries; co-production in the defense sector various areas; there are aspects related to research and design processes in the defense sector; there is cooperation between the navies of both countries to address maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean region and the larger Indo-Pacific region.

If you look at the scope of India-France defense cooperation, you will find it to be very robust, strong, and extensive in itself. Naturally, when two leaders will meet, they will discuss how to further enhance the scope of this defense cooperation. As I mentioned earlier in my speech, how the objectives of our cooperation could be linked to the priorities of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, that in itself is an important and essential thing. It is natural that when two leaders meet, there will be discussions on how to take the defense cooperation between the two countries in the direction of co-production, code-signing, co-development, and how to align it with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The outcomes and conclusions of these discussions will be shared with you appropriately after the conversations take place.

Dekhiye aapka jo prashna tha bastille day pe pradhan mantri ji ka jo swagat, jo ceremonial welcome hoga. Bastille day pe pradhan mantri ji ki upasthiti apne aap mai ek unique swagat hain pradhan mantri ji ka. Pure bharat ke samman ka ye prashn hain. Is bastille day mai wo kevel ek akele mukhya athithi honge. Kai baar past mai aisa hua hain ke bastille day pe kai baar ek se jyada bhi aamantrit aathithigan rahte hain. Jaise ki maine bataya ki is baar ki bastille day ki parade mai hamara ek strong tri services contingent bhi ismain participate karega. Aur sath mai hamare bhartiya vayusena ke tin ladaku jahaj bhi ismai bhag lenge.

Iske alawa jaise ki maine kaha pradhan mantri ji ki upasthiti mai aur unke swagat mai ek state dinner hoga 14 tarikh ko hi, Elysee pe ceremonial welcome hoga, varta hogi. Yadi aap 14 july ke jitne events dwipakshiya sahyog aur pradhan mantri aur rashtrapati Macron ke bich mai dekhain, unki vyapakta ko dekhain, unke vistar ko dekhain, toh aap payenge ki woh aapne aap mai unique aur ek abhutpurwa swagat hoga. Ye pichle nimantran se kaise compare karta hain wo aap swayam pichle nimantran ko utha ke dekhain compare kar ke, apne aap niskarsh swayam nikale toh jyada behtar rahega. Lekin jo is baar bastille day ke participation ke jo program ki sanrachna hain aur program ke alawa jo baki yatra ke jo sandarbh hain, uske jo specifics hain, aap payenge ki wo bahot hi extensive, aur bahot hi deep hain aapne aap mai.

[Answered in Hindi: Approximate translation] Regarding your question about the Prime Minister's welcome and ceremonial events on Bastille Day. Prime Minister's presence in the Bastille Day is in itself a unique honour for the Prime Minister and honour for India. In previous years, there have been occasions where multiple guests were invited on Bastille Day. As I mentioned earlier, this year, from our side, a strong tri-services contingent will participate in the parade, along with three fighter jets from the Indian Air Force. Additionally, as I mentioned, there will be a state dinner hosted in Prime Minister's honour on 14 July; there will be ceremonial welcome at the AlysAe Palace, with discussions and interactions. If you observe the events related to bilateral cooperation on 14th July between Prime Minister and President Macron, their scope and extent, you will find that this is in itself a unique and extraordinary welcome. How does it compare with the previous invitation - it would be better for you to assess and derive your own conclusions by checking the previous invitation and comparing with it. You will find that the structure and specifics of this year's Bastille Day participation and other aspects of the visit are very extensive and deep in themselves.

Ms. Sen, I think your question was on trade, investment and the CEO forum. As I mentioned, if you look at different dimensions of India-France partnership, you will find that trade, investment and technology, whether it is related to goods or it extends to services, you will find that they have always been a very, very strong focus of our engagement between the two countries. The CEO forum provides both the leaders an opportunity to provide a clear direction to the CEOs on both sides, to look at new elements of trade, technology and investment partnership between the two countries. Given the kind of changes that are taking place in the world, how exactly do the industrial supply chains of France, more important than that the value supply chains, not just the good supply chain, but the value supply chains get integrated between the two countries will be a very important element of the discussions during this visit. These would naturally be positioned in the CEO forum meeting when it takes place on 14th of July. We will be sharing the specific details of the CEOs participating in the CEO forum as we go along. At this stage today, we are not able to share those details with you, but I can tell you that this would be one of the key centerpieces of discussions when the two leaders meet, as also when they together speak with the members of the CEO forum on 14th of July.

On space economy and on BRICS, if you look at India's overall growth journey in the space sector and how India has partnered with different countries, you will find that India-France partnership in the field of space is actually one of the oldest and perhaps also it would be correct to say, it is probably the most wide-ranging in the field of space. The space sector globally is undergoing considerable evolution at this stage, which is having an impact on different elements of space sector economy, whether it is relating to the launches, whether it is to the development of the payloads, whether it is relating to the small micro and nano satellites, medium satellites, heavy satellites. All these areas are actually new areas of great promise in terms of India-France bilateral cooperation in the field of space. We have seen over the last few years very strong growth and deepening of our partnership in the field of space and we are confident that during this visit there would be further expansion of this engagement between the two countries, which will begin to touch on some of the new areas of the space economy between the two countries.

On the BRICS participation, as you know, South Africa is the host country for this year's BRICS summit. What countries are being invited to participate in the BRICS summit I think is a question that one should address actually to South Africa and not really to India in the current context. We have heard of expression of interest from France wanting to participate in the BRICS summit, but as I said this is something which actually should be addressed to South Africa.

Ms. Suhasini, on the Jaitapur question, again if you go back you will find that civil nuclear cooperation as a larger frame of reference has always been one of the very strong pillars of India-France partnership. You have mentioned about two of the areas of focus in the progress in the civil nuclear partnership, one relating to the question of liability and the second relating to the cost. I am not an expert in this space, but I can easily also add another one which relates to how exactly do the techno-commercial arrangements of the Jaitapur cooperation project and also the engineering elements of those need to converge together for the concretization of cooperation to materialize. Now this is something on which both sides, the EDF and the relevant French authorities on their side and Department of Atomic Energy and other agencies on our side, are very intensely engaged with each other to address all elements relating to progress in the Jaitapur project. Whether these are questions relating to nuclear liability, obviously there is a set of laws, rules and other explanatory frameworks that are governing of the liability question when it comes to India - CNLD Act, CNLD rules, FAQs that got instituted, the strong and robust insurance mechanism that exists for that. Combine that with, as you yourself observed, the questions relating to the cost at which the eventual power is to be produced. Relevant techno-commercial elements of the cooperation need to be factored in also. So both sides are currently, as I said, very, very closely and intensely talking about it to make progress on this issue and which we would, depending upon what stage we are at, will suitably reflect it in the outcomes for the summit.

Manash: This is Manash Pratim Bhuyan, PTI. The Prime Minister's visit to Paris is taking place at a time in when Europe is rallying very strongly behind Ukraine, and President Macron has been one of the global leaders who has been maintaining some kind of contacts with Moscow. Obviously, we are very close to Moscow. Our Prime Minister has been talking to President Putin since the beginning of the conflict. Do you think, in fact, it is a good occasion for the two leaders to explore the possibility of ensuring some kind of solution to the Ukraine conflict? Thank you.

Shridhar: Shridhar from Asian Age. We have seen in the past couple of weeks France being ravaged by riots triggered by the protests of the North African immigrants there. Something similar was witnessed about three years back, a similar strife. At that time, Prime Minister Modi had spoken to the French President and expressed India's solidarity with France in fighting terrorism and extremism. But this time, India has been largely silent, and we have not really reacted. And also, was there any apprehension from your side that the visit could be impacted in some way because the riots were raging till very recently? Thank you.

Suhasini Haidar: Foreign Secretary, if you would just indulge in a question slightly related to Europe, and that is that on the eve of Prime Minister's visit there, the European Parliament is actually looking at a resolution on Manipur today. I wanted to ask what the Indian response is, and in particular to a news report that says India actually hired a lobby firm in Brussels, I think it's called Albar and Geiger, to try and stop this resolution from being discussed in the Parliament, but this was not successful.

Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary: Manash, on Ukraine and contacts both by India and by France, look, it's not correct for me to prejudge what the two leaders would discuss when they meet, but our perspective on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, on the derivative impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, our constant interaction with President Putin, most recent meeting between Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Hiroshima G7 summit, are well-known, well-appreciated, well-acknowledged position on Russia-Ukraine conflict. I think when the two leaders meet, naturally the developments in different parts of the world, the challenges, some of those developments throughout will come up for discussion. My Prime Minister and President Macron have discussed this issue in the past also. I'm sure they'll take off from the conversation they've had in the past. And will exchange perspective on that. As I said, what exactly those discussions would be, it would not be really prudent for me to speak on that.

The riots in Paris that you spoke about, its impact on the visit. Look, it's a matter internal to France. And from our perspective, we don't see any impact on the visit whatsoever. We have never had any doubt right throughout the course, and have kept preparing for it completely.

On the Manipur question Suhasini, this is a matter totally internal to India. We are aware of what is happening in European Parliament. And we have made a reach out to the concerned EU parliamentarians, but we have made it very clear, this is a matter totally and absolutely internal to India.

Shri Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson: Thank you very much, sir. Thank you, Foreign Secretary, sir, as well as thank you to Shri Vipul for joining us for the special briefing. Thank you.

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Pro-India Political Parties in Indian Kashmir Optimistic as Indian Top Court Orders Hearing on Special Status Restoration

By Muheet Ul Islam July 12, 2023

The Supreme Court of India Tuesday ordered a hearing on multiple petitions challenging the government of India's revocation four years ago of the special status of the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir or J&K.

Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India announced that the Constitution Bench would commence the hearing on August 2.

Twenty-one petitions have been filed challenging the government's decision in August 2019 to abrogate Article 370 and Article 35(A) of the Indian constitution. The two articles provided J&K several benefits including a separate constitution, protected land-ownership rights, and government jobs for its permanent residents.

The government of India Monday defended its decision by submitting a written affidavit at the court stating that the region has witnessed a positive impact after the abrogation of the special status. However, the court during the hearing made it clear that it would not consider the fresh affidavit filed by the government regarding the situation in J&K.

Prominent pro-India political parties expressed strong confidence in the Supreme Court regarding the restoration of the special status.

Muzaffar Shah, Vice President of the Awami National Conference, while stressing the historical context of J&K's accession to the Union of India in 1947 stated that the power to amend Article 370 and Article 35(A) solely lies with the "Constituent Assembly of J&K."

"I believe that J&K will regain its special status as guaranteed under the Constitution of India through the agreements signed by the Union of India and J&K," Shah said.

Hasnain Masoodi, former Chief Justice of the J&K High Court and a senior politician associated with the National Conference, told VOA that the Government of India "violated the constitution" when the special status of the region was revoked.

"The main argument of my petition is the unconstitutional nature of the revocation of Article 370 and Article 35(A). "The Court has the authority to set aside illegally taken decisions," Masoodi said.

Mehbooba Mufti, President of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said in a recent article that in previous challenges to Article 370's legality and continuation, the Supreme Court had made it clear that the provision, although temporary in nature, could not be removed unless recommended by the J&K constituent assembly for dissolution to the Indian president.

Raman Bhalla, a Jammu-based politician affiliated with the Indian National Congress, appreciated the decision made by the Supreme Court. Bhalla told VOA that the residents of J&K did not support the revocation of the region's special status.

"We eagerly await the outcome of the verdict," said Bhalla. "People of J&K are hopeful for the restoration of the special status, and we will honor whatever decision the Court announces," he added.

In response to the ongoing developments Ashok Koul, the General Secretary of the BJP in J&K, told VOA that his party had been committed to repealing Article 370 and Article 35(A) since 1953.

He said that every individual has the right to approach the court if they believe there is a matter that needs to be challenged.

"We believe that both articles were enacted unlawfully," Koul said. "The matter is currently under judicial consideration, and we are prepared to accept whatever decision the Court announces," he added.

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President Raeisi departs Iran on three-nation tour of Africa

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 12:35 AM

President Ebrahim Raeisi has departed Iran on a three-nation tour of Africa that will take him to Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe at the respective invitation of the African countries' heads of state.

The chief executive set out on the tour on Wednesday as means of trying to enhance the Islamic Republic's relations with the destination countries as friendly nations, and paving the way for further political and commercial cooperation with them.

While at the airport, Raeisi clarified that, unlike some countries that retained an exploitative and colonialistic attitude towards African nations, "Iran's perspective of cooperation with Africa was based on synergy and relied on the human dignity of the people of the continent."

The president hailed that Iran had maintained "very favorable" relations with African nations since the victory of the country's Islamic Revolution in 1979.

African countries, he maintained, were in possession of immense wealth, resources, talents, and capacities that could be exchanged with the great capacities that has been created in Iran on the back of the Revolution and the Iranian nation's contribution.

Iran's current share of the $1,200 billion market offered by Africa is, however, only $1.200 billion that is considered to be "a very low share considering the [available] mutual capacities," Raeisi remarked.

The president referred to the fields of agriculture, science, and technology as some available favorable areas of cooperation with African countries.

He advised inauguration of Iran's science and technology offices in the threesome nations and elsewhere in the African continent as well as "exportation of Iranian technical and engineering services" to African destinations.

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In Uganda, Iranian President Attacks West On LGBT Rights

By RFE/RL July 12, 2023

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on July 12 launched into a condemnation of Western attitudes on homosexuality during a visit to Uganda, which has just introduced some of the harshest anti-gay laws in the world.

"The West today is trying to promote the idea of homosexuality and by promoting homosexuality they are trying to end the generation of human beings," Raisi said.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed a law in May making "aggravated homosexuality" a capital offense and same-sex relations punishable by life in prison, triggering outrage among human rights groups, the United Nations, LGBT activists, and Western powers.

Raisi has begun a rare visit to Africa as his country, which is under heavy U.S. economic sanctions, seeks to deepen other partnerships around the world. Raisi's visits to Kenya and Uganda on July 12 are the first to the African continent by an Iranian leader in more than a decade.

He will also visit Zimbabwe on his trip to Africa, which he described as a "continent of opportunities" and a great platform for Iranian products. "None of us is satisfied with the current volume of trade," he said.

With reporting by AFP and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-raisi- africa-trade-visit/32500774.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Founder Of Prominent Iranian Charity Fled Into Exile After 'Months Of Torture'

By Mohammad Zarghami, Golnaz Esfandiari July 12, 2023

For over 20 years, the Imam Ali's Popular Student Relief Society has worked on combating poverty and helping vulnerable children in Iran.

But the charity, which has over 10,000 volunteers across Iran, has come under mounting pressure from the authorities in recent years. In 2021, an Iranian court ordered the independent NGO be dissolved, a ruling that was upheld by an appeals court last year.

In July 2021, the charity's founder, Sharmin Meymandinejad, was arrested and charged with insulting Iran's leaders. He was kept in detention for months, during which he alleges he was tortured.

In an interview with RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Meymandinejad, who recently fled Iran, said the clerical establishment saw his grassroots organization as a threat.

He said his organization's interpretation of Islam clashed with what he called the intolerant and violent version promoted by the authorities.

"Our path was different than the one taken by the establishment, our reading of the religion was an attempt to promote self-sacrifice, mercy, and altruism," said the 53-year-old, who now resides in the United States with his wife and three children.

"But the reading promoted by the establishment is based on violence, which the authorities claim comes from above, they even say from God," he added.

The crackdown on the charity, which is widely known as the Imam Ali's Society, came after years of state pressure and a smear campaign by hard-liners, who have branded the organization a cult, Meymandinejad said.

One of the NGO's biggest critics has been the ultra-hard-line daily Kayhan, whose editor in chief was appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"We didn't want to challenge the establishment. We were doing social work based on real [Islamic] principles," said Meymandinejad.

"They saw that a [nongovernmental] group was doing the work [of the government] and that comparisons could be made," he said.

The Imam Ali's Society has been credited with helping alleviate poverty and aiding marginalized Iranians. In comparison, large state charities with extensive funds are often seen as corrupt and ineffective.

The Imam Ali's Society, one of the largest NGOs in the Islamic republic, was launched in 1999 by a group of students led by Meymandinejad at Tehran's Sharif University of Technology. The organization originally focused on poverty alleviation but has since expanded its activities to include providing education, medical care, and social and cultural events for vulnerable children and campaigning against the death penalty for offenders who committed crimes as minors. The group has been credited with saving around 50 minors on death row.

Rights groups criticized the 2021 court order to disband the Imam's Ali Society as an assault on independent NGOs and said the ruling had been "made in apparent coordination with Iran's abusive intelligence and security apparatus."

It is unclear if the charity is still active or has been dissolved.

The original court order was issued following a complaint by the Interior Ministry, which said the Imam Ali's Society had "deviated" from its mission. As evidence, the court cited the group's "questioning of Islamic rulings," including the principle of qisas, or retributive justice, as well as "promoting falsehood by publishing statements against the Islamic republic of Iran."

The move came amid a wider crackdown on civil society and dissent. Scores of activists, lawyers, and journalists have been arrested in recent years.

The Oslo-based Iran Human Rights reported last year that two other NGOs, including the Society For the Protection of Children, have also come under pressure by the authorities.

'I Broke'

In his interview with Radio Farda, Meymandinejad also accused the authorities of sending children from poor Iranian families to fight in the war in Syria, where Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) deployed military advisers and fighters to prop up the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Meymandinejad also accused the authorities of using minors to help crush nationwide antiestablishment protests that erupted in September.

Photos appeared on social media in October that purportedly showed children and adolescent boys wearing uniforms and holding batons. They appeared to be wearing the uniforms of the Basij paramilitary forces, a branch of the IRGC.

Members and supporters of the Imam Ali's Society said the authorities had recruited children from impoverished families to help "suppress" the street protests. In exchange, the minors received a "few bags of food," the charity said.

The Imam Ali's Society was among several groups that warned that the use of child soldiers was against international law.

Meymandinejad said he will continue to hold Iran's clerical establishment accountable for its actions even from exile.

He said state pressure and the alleged torture he suffered during his time in detention forced him to leave his homeland.

"I was weak, I wasn't strong like [prominent jailed rights activist] Narges Mohammadi. I was concerned that my children will pay the price for my activities," he said.

"After four months of torture I broke and signed whatever they wanted. I broke because of my children," he added.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-charity-founder- flees-exile-months-of-torture/32500552.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Kicks Off Africa Tour in Kenya

By Mariama Diallo July 12, 2023

Kenyan President William Ruto welcomed Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi to Nairobi on Wednesday. This is the first leg of a trip that will take Raisi to Uganda and Zimbabwe and aims to bolster Iran's political, economic and trade ties with the African nations.

"Highly productive" is how President William Ruto described meetings with Ebrahim Raisi as Ruto hosted his Iranian counterpart at the State House in Nairobi.

Ruto said stronger collaboration with Iran is important for the Kenyan economy, and that trade volumes between their nations have increased.

"Kenya exported tea worth 28.4 million U.S. dollars, about 4 billion shillings, to Tehran in the first quarter of this year, which is an eight-fold increase from sales from the same period last year," he said. "Kenya is also highly encouraged by the great interest shown by Iran in promoting technological and entrepreneurial innovation among Kenyan youth by promoting incubation of Kenyan startups and creative industry through the Iran House Innovation and Technology Center."

Ruto also reported good news for Kenya's mechanical and automotive industries.

"Iran's intention to set up a motor vehicle assembly plant in Mombasa to manufacture an indigenous Iranian vehicle that has now been given the Kiswahili name 'Kifaru,' meaning rhino, and I hope it'll be a tough one, your excellency. I am confident the project is unstoppable as the name suggests," he said.

The two leaders signed agreements to increase cooperation on information and technology, fisheries, animal health, livestock products and investment promotion. Through an interpreter, President Raisi said this is a turning point in the development of relations between Iran and Kenya.

He said, "With the talks and exchanges we had with the president earlier today, we register the determination of both countries for expansion of economic and trade cooperation, political cooperation, cultural cooperation between the two countries. And I hope the relevant authorities and officials in both countries could exercise a lot of efforts in order to provide the groundwork for further cooperation of relations between the two countries, which could also lead to development of regional cooperation."

With Raisi's visit, Iran joins China, Russia, the United States and other countries in seeking to strengthen diplomatic and trade links on the African continent.

Javas Bigambo is a lawyer and governance specialist based in Nairobi. He notes this is the first time an Iranian president has visited Kenya in 11 years.

"When you look at the issue of Africa and Kenya being a significant nation on matters of geopolitics in the Horn of Africa, then Kenya becomes a very important nation within the continental politics of Africa," he said. "Beyond sending a message to the West and to the friends and even the enemies of Iran, President Raisi wants to demonstrate he's unafraid to reach out to nations that are friendly to the West and Kenya, in this case, even though themselves they don't have a particularly rosy and friendly relationship with the West."

The U.S. and its allies have moved to isolate Iran because of its nuclear program, human rights record and anti-Western ideology. Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

In an attempt to reduce its isolation and offset sanctions, Iran recently restored ties with regional rival Saudi Arabia. President Raisi embarked on a Latin America tour last month.

He will travel to Uganda and Zimbabwe later this week.

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Junta airstrikes kill 2, injure 4 in Myanmar's Kayah state

An 11-year-old boy was among the dead.

By RFA Burmese 2023.07.12 -- A junta fighter jet repeatedly strafed a village in Myanmar's Kayah state, killing an 11-year-old boy and injuring two more locals, local People's Defense Force Officials told RFA Wednesday.

The plane attacked Kyauk Su village three times on Tuesday night, said an information officer of Hpasawng township People's Defense Force who did not want to be named for security reasons.

"A jet fighter came and bombed at night," the official said.

"The injured are not seriously hurt. A Christian church and around six homes were also destroyed."

On Wednesday a jet attacked the Daw Noe Khu displaced people's camp on the Thai-Myanmar border, killing a 32-year-old man and injuring two women.

More than 4,000 people were sheltering at the camp, according to Karenni Progressive Party Joint Secretary, Aung San Myint.

"The jets came around 1:00 a.m. and dropped bombs four times," he said, adding that a school was destroyed by the bombing and a medical clinic and some houses were damaged.

People's Defense Force officials said that the junta is launching an offensive from Hpasawng township in order to fully control Mese township and is sending its forces to the region by air.

Hpasawng People's Defense Force said the army has had no opportunity to launch ground offensives so it relies on airstrikes and heavy artillery to attack civilian targets.

The junta has not released a statement on the attacks.

RFA called junta spokesperson for Kayah state Aung Win Oo by phone, but nobody answered.

On July 4, three civilians, including a two-year-old child were injured when the air force bombed a displaced people's camp in the western part of Demoso. The founder of the Karenni Human Rights Group, Ba Nyar, said that the attack was a war crime.

The junta has carried out 527 airstrikes in Moebye (Moe Bye), Pekon and Pinlaung townships in southern Shan state and Kayah state since the February 2021 coup, according to the latest figures released by Progressive Karenni People's Force.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Thai top diplomat says he met with Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi

The jailed Nobel laureate encouraged dialogue with the Burmese junta, Don Pramudwinai told ASEAN members

By Tria Dianti for BenarNews 2023.07.12 -- Thailand's foreign minister met secretly over the weekend with Aung San Suu Kyi, he told an ASEAN meeting Wednesday, making him the first known high-ranking foreign official to meet the Burmese leader since Myanmar's military threw her in prison in February 2021.

Thai top diplomat Don Pramudwinai said Aung San Suu Kyi supported the idea of talks to end the post-coup crisis in her country. Previously, the pro-democracy leader and Nobel laureate had rejected the idea of talks between the military government and armed resistance members.

Don, who was in Jakarta for Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings, briefed diplomats from other ASEAN states about the in-person meeting approved by the Myanmar junta and Aung San Suu Kyi, the Thai foreign ministry said.

"At least she's in good health and that's all, because most people are concerned about her," Don told reporters after speaking to his Southeast Asian counterparts.

The meeting, which took place on Sunday, "is an approach of the friends of Myanmar who would like to see a peaceful settlement," he said.

When reporters asked him to sum up Aung San Suu Kyi's message, Don replied: "Encourage dialogue."

The Burmese pro-democracy icon was sent to prison after the military toppled her elected civilian government in a coup in February 2021.

In a statement, the Thai foreign ministry said the two spoke for more than an hour and Don "found her to be in good health, both physically and mentally."

Aung San Suu Kyi supported dialogue and expressed concern about the toll the past two years had taken on the people of Myanmar and the economy, the Thai ministry said in a statement.

"The expanding and worsening transnational crimes as the result of political and security volatility in Myanmar calls for ASEAN to come together to address these issues at the root cause," it said.

Zin Mar Aung, the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) foreign minister, said the junta allowed the meeting between Don and Aung San Suu Kyi for its own benefit.

"We are in a position to believe that the meeting actually happened only when the persons involved said so. But now our leader has been detained in prison and the news has been one-sidedly released in favor of the military junta," he said. "I also believe that this news of the Thai minister's visit is the junta's well-planned and timely attempt to gain advantage just before the ASEAN meeting."

NUG spokesman Nay Phone Latt noted that Don was not authorized to mediate for ASEAN.

"As NUG, we can only believe it when our leader is released and delivers the message herself. I don't think we should think too seriously the words of someone who has not been mandated to mediate," the spokesman said.

Five-point consensus

ASEAN has been seeking to mediate a resolution to the crisis in Myanmar, where more than 3,700 people have been killed and thousands more arrested by security forces since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a Thai-based monitoring group. The junta also has been battling ethnic armed groups and civilian resistance fighters across the country.

In April 2021, ASEAN and junta leaders agreed on a five-point consensus to end the violence, start dialogue, provide humanitarian aid and appoint a special envoy to Myanmar. But the peace plan has made little progress amid disagreements, and the Southeast Asian bloc has been widely criticized for failing to implement the plan.

Muhammad Waffaa Kharisma, a political analyst at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Jakarta, said Don's meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi could change the dynamics of the conflict.

"It is quite surprising, actually," he said. "This could potentially be a game-changer in the political crisis."

Still, he said, he feared the meeting's purpose was to strengthen the junta's grip on power, which would alarm other countries that want Myanamr's military rulers and other perpetrators of violence in that nation to face justice.

"If you look at the situation on the ground, the conflict has actually gone beyond the framework of Aung San Suu Kyi alone," he said.

He said many groups in Myanmar, especially among ethnic minorities, had different agendas for the country such as constitutional amendments, federalism and ending violence from the junta, rather than just restoring and freeing Aung San Suu Kyi.

Another analyst, Aaron Connelly, of the Singapore-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the meeting hurt the regional bloc's role in solving the Myanmar crisis.

"This meeting undermines ASEAN centrality and ASEAN efforts to resolve the crisis, and shifts the center of gravity for international diplomacy about the conflict in Myanmar to a Thai-led process that Foreign Minister Don initiated in December," Connelly said in a Twitter post.

Ministerial retreat

Opening an ASEAN ministerial retreat on Wednesday, Retno Marsudi, foreign minister of Indonesia, the 2023 ASEAN chair, said the five-point consensus was the main reference for the bloc's efforts to help Myanmar. A member of ASEAN, Myanmar is not represented at the retreat.

"Indonesia strongly condemned the use of force and violence. We strongly urge all stakeholders to denounce violence as this is paramount to build trust, and this is also paramount to deliver humanitarian assistance and for dialogue," Retno said.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Indonesia's Kompas newspaper that his country supported the role of ASEAN in resolving the Myanmar crisis.

Lavrov made the remarks before arriving in Jakarta for meetings with ASEAN counterparts and other top diplomats.

Russia always emphasizes "the central role played by ASEAN in international efforts to resolve the situation around Myanmar," Lavrov told Kompas, in the report published Wednesday.

He said joint efforts of the 10 ASEAN members and other interested countries on the Myanmar track should be based on close cooperation with the authorities in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar.

"We believe that the world community is called upon to help normalize the situation in Myanmar without interfering in its internal affairs," Lavrov said.

His comments come amid growing international pressure on Myanmar's junta, by which the United States and other Western countries have imposed sanctions on the Southeast Asian nation.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is to meet with his ASEAN counterparts on Friday at a conference following the ministers' meeting.

He also will join officials from the ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit to discuss regional and global issues.

The East Asia Summit is a strategic forum that includes ASEAN and eight other countries - China, Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, Australia, the United States and New Zealand.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Four Soldiers, Civilian Killed In Attack On Pakistani Army Base In North Balochistan

By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal July 12, 2023

Four soldiers and at least three gunmen were killed when a group of suspected militants attacked a Pakistani Army outpost in the restive Balochistan region of Pakistan, while a woman bystander caught in the cross fire has also died, the army and a regional administration chief said on July 12.

A group of up to 20 gunmen dressed in Pakistani Army uniforms launched an attack overnight on the military base in the northern Zhob district of Balochistan, the chief of the local administration, Muhammad Azim Kakar, told RFE/RL, adding that a prolonged gunfight ensued.

The Pakistani military said four of its troops were killed and another five were critically wounded.

Kakar said a woman who was traveling on a bus was also killed in the gunfight and three other passengers were wounded.

The military said a "clearing operation" was under way to neutralize the remaining attackers who fled the area.

A militant group called Tehrik-e Jihad Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.

In May, six militants and seven soldiers were killed in another attack by Tehrik-e Jihad Pakistan on a military compound in Muslim Bagh, another district of Balochistan.

Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province that borders both Afghanistan and Iran, is regularly targeted by Islamist militants, sectarian groups, and nationalist separatists.

Balochistan is sparsely populated but rich in natural resources such as copper, gold, and gas, and has been marred by instability and violence.

The most prominent militant group in the region, the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army, or BLA, routinely takes credit for attacks on Pakistani security forces.

The BLA claims ethnic Baluchis face extortion and discrimination by Pakistani authorities.

Islamabad rejects the charges. Ethnic Baluchis account for just under 4 percent of Pakistan's population of 231 million.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-balochistan- attack-army-base/32500284.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Militants Raid Pakistan Army Base; 12 Soldiers, Civilian Die in Clashes

By Ayaz Gul uly 12, 2023

Authorities in Pakistan said Wednesday that an insurgent assault on a military base and clashes elsewhere in the turbulent southwestern Baluchistan province killed 12 soldiers and a civilian.

The army's media wing said that five "terrorists" had attempted "to sneak into the facility" in the province's northern Zhob district early in the morning, but troops intercepted them.

The ensuing hourslong clashes killed nine soldiers and all the assailants, a military statement said. It did not share further details, but reliable security sources in Zhob reported that at least a dozen soldiers were injured, and the death toll was expected to increase.

"Security forces and the nation remain resilient and determined to thwart all such dastardly attempts of the enemy aimed at destroying the peace of Baluchistan and Pakistan," the military said in its statement.

A top district administration official earlier confirmed that militants had stormed the Zhob cantonment area. Azeem Kakar told reporters that civilians were caught in the crossfire, leaving a woman dead and five people injured.

A relatively new militant outfit, Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan, reportedly claimed credit for the attack on the army base, but its authenticity could not be ascertained immediately. The group is believed to be tied to the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, an alliance of banned extremist organizations conducting attacks against the Pakistani state.

Separately on Wednesday, the military said a gunfight with "heavily armed terrorists" in the Sui district of the province left three soldiers dead. It added that two militants also were killed, saying a "clearance operation is underway to apprehend remaining terrorists as well."

Baluchistan and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan, have recently suffered a dramatic upsurge in militant attacks. The violence has killed more than 400 people, mostly security forces, in suicide bombings and other attacks since the beginning of 2023.

The TTP and the so-called Baluch Liberation Army, both designated as global terrorist organizations by the United States, have taken responsibility for most of the bloodshed in the two provinces and elsewhere in Pakistan.

The Pakistani military has confirmed the death of more than 100 officers and soldiers in insurgent raids and clashes in the first six months of the year.

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'Readiness For Service': Russia's Schools Continue Marching Toward Militarization

By Current Time July 12, 2023

As Moscow's war against Ukraine rages on, children at schools across Russia can expect to see significant changes to the academic curriculum starting in September -- alterations with a militaristic bent.

At a discussion in the lower house of parliament late last month, State Duma Deputy Andrei Kartapolov lamented what he said was the unpreparedness of young volunteers and conscripts joining the Russian military.

"They are infantile youths," said Kartapolov, a member of the Kremlin-controlled United Russia party who chairs the Duma Defense Committee, "who in many respects are not prepared for real life."

The remedy?

Over the next two years, Russian schools will address this purported issue by scrapping its long-standing program called Fundamentals Of Safe Living and replacing it with a block of lectures with the working title Fundamentals Of Safety And Defense Of The Homeland.

It is the latest intensification of the thread of "patriotic education" that has run through Russia in Vladimir Putin's more than two decades as president or prime minister -- and that many critics say prioritizes the goals of the government over the interests of children.

Basic Training

Beginning with the new school year in September, students in 10th grade will be taught the "elements of basic military preparedness." In addition to drills and instruction in basic military skills, it will also include lectures on the "career prospects" of military service, according to textbooks and teacher's manuals that have been officially posted online.

In 11th grade, such lessons will continue with "the formation of Russian civic identity, patriotism, and a sense of responsibility toward one's homeland," as well as the development of "conviction and readiness for service and defense of the Fatherland and a sense of responsibility about its fate."

Other lecture topics to be covered include "the danger of being lured into illegal and antisocial activity" and "the use of young people as a tool for destabilization."

Students will also be warned about what the documents call the danger of "fakes as an element of information warfare." Instructors will tell students that "it is illegal to violate norms about the distribution of information about the role of the U.S.S.R. during World War II or to commit public acts aimed at discrediting the armed forces of the Russian Federation."

In the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the government hastily adopted a series of laws criminalizing the knowing distribution of "false information" about Russian military operations and "discrediting" the Russian armed forces. In February, 18-year-old Maksim Lypkan was sentenced to two months in jail for repeated anti-war statements and actions, becoming the youngest Russian convicted under the new laws.

Two Types Of Hand Grenades

The new block of lectures replaces a Soviet-era innovation called Fundamentals Of Safe Living that was introduced in the 1980s following a spate of accidents, most notably the Chernobyl nuclear-plant disaster in 1986. Over the years, the course of weekly lectures -- 68 hours per academic year --- was modified to include sections on emerging threats such as terrorism and cybercrime.

The current version includes lectures on reducing the risk of terrorist attacks, ways of remaining safe in large crowds, and fundamentals of online safety. It also includes a lecture on the "symbols and traditions" of the Russian military.

The new course will also include basic first aid, but other topics will be replaced by "basic military preparedness," including the maintenance and operation of the Kalashnikov automatic rifle and two types of hand grenades. The program is similar to the basic military training taught in schools during the Soviet period that was canceled in 1993.

In comments to the state news agency TASS last month, Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov said the changes will be introduced "gradually."

In January, Kravtsov said the new courses could be taught by veterans of the "special military operation" in Ukraine, using the Kremlin's mandatory euphemism for the war of aggression against Kyiv. Former soldiers would undergo three months of pedagogical training before being assigned to classrooms, he said.

Forward, March!

The Fundamentals Of Safety And Defense Of The Homeland program is the latest in a series of similar developments in Russian schools under Putin. Since 2014, the Education Ministry has recommended that schools organize five-day military camps for all 10th-grade boys -- and girls, on a voluntary basis -- to be held, if possible, at a nearby military base.

The purpose of the camps is "to form the moral, psychological, and physical qualities necessary for service in the armed forces." Students learn how to dig trenches, march in formation, shoot, throw grenades, move around a battlefield, and cope with battlefield injuries.

The idea for such camps was originally proposed jointly by the Defense and Education ministries in 2010. This past February, as the full-scale war against Ukraine entered its second year with no sign of a quick resolution on the horizon, parents of children in many schools were informed that participation in the camps was now mandatory.

Beginning in September, the Defense and Education ministries have proposed the camps be conducted by Avangard, a lavishly funded Defense Ministry "center for the military-patriotic education of young people" after many schools complained that no military bases were available.

Avangard runs a large, modern campus outside of Moscow, where military veterans, including many fresh from the war in Ukraine, serve as instructors. It conducts five-day camps similar to those mandated for schools, but on a commercial basis.

The center has already opened similar facilities in the Perm region, in Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's home region of Chuvashia, and outside St. Petersburg. The regional government of the Chelyabinsk region in the Ural Mountains, has allocated more than $7 million over two years to build an Avangard training center there.

'It's Not Scary To Die For The Motherland'

For the 2022-23 academic year, Russian schools introduced weekly lectures for students of all levels called "Important Conversations." The program, which was launched by Putin during a visit to a school in Kaliningrad, was designed to inculcate patriotism and to present to students the Kremlin's version of events in Ukraine and other political matters. Children at the lower levels get lessons on Russia's natural wonders, interspersed with patriotic messages such as, "Love your motherland" and, "It's not scary to die for the motherland."

In 2024, the Education Ministry will introduce a new social-studies textbook, Kravtsov said at a forum in May.

"The current textbook was, to say the least, liberal or pseudo-liberal," Kravtsov said. "Now we will stress the real and immutable values of society."

He added that mathematics, physics, and geography textbooks would also be reworked with the new ethos in mind. Earlier, he said that new history textbooks for the 11th grade would include a chapter on the war in Ukraine.

In April, the Duma quietly and unanimously adopted in all three readings amendments to the law on military service that would allow people as young as 18 to sign contracts to serve in the military. Previously, volunteers had to complete a technical education or academic degree to sign up, meaning that contract soldiers younger than 20 were rare, even though Putin reduced the minimum age to 18 in May 2022.

When Duma Deputy Kartapolov, who described Russian school graduates as "infantile," first proposed the amendments in 2022, Deputy Nina Ostanina, head of the Committee on Families, Women, and Children, expressed her opposition, saying the proposal left "schoolchildren who want to make money immediately simply defenseless."

According to Russian media reports, the government has set the goal of signing up 400,000 new volunteer soldiers.

"The goal has been set and now they are purging the law of all obstacles to concluding contracts on military service," human rights activist Sergei Krivenko told the BBC's Russian Service.

Written by RFE/RL's Robert Coalson based on reporting by Current Time.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-schools- militarization-service-war-ukraine-putin/32500453.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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European Investigators Say Traces Of Subsea Explosives Found On Yacht Linked To Nord Stream Blasts

By Mike Eckel July 12, 2023

Investigators trying to solve last year's unexplained blasts that destroyed the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea say they have found traces of undersea explosives on a German yacht that is linked to the incident.

The revelations, announced by Danish, German, and Swedish diplomats in a letter dated July 10, were a small but noteworthy development in the continuing mystery of the destruction of the gas pipelines, which occurred September 26 on the Baltic seabed, east of the Danish island of Bornholm.

The explosions were discovered as residual gas bubbled up to the surface.

Western officials initially blamed Russia for the blasts, which all but destroyed the twin pipelines. Moscow blamed the United States and its allies, saying it had no reason for blowing up an energy link vital to bringing its supplies westward.

The pipelines were built by Russia to bring its gas directly to Germany and Europe, bypassing Ukraine, Poland, and other nations that had hostile ties with Moscow. While the first pipeline was operational, the second had not gotten final approval from German regulators.

The United States had warned for years that the pipelines were a security risk for Germany and other European nations, making the countries beholden to Russian energy exports.

In the months that followed the blasts, the mystery of who was responsible deepened, with a spate of reports by European media organizations that focused on a yacht called the Andromeda that had been rented at a German port by a group of people, some of whom showed Bulgarian passports. German investigators reportedly found traces of explosives on the Andromeda, which had been reported in Bornholm prior to the explosions.

In the July 10 letter addressed to the United Nations, and signed by ambassadors from Germany, Sweden, and Denmark, officials said that traces of explosives used for underwater detonations were discovered among the samples taken from the Andromeda.

None of the three overlapping investigations has been concluded, the letter said.

"It is still not possible to say when they will be concluded," the letter said. "The nature of the acts of sabotage is unprecedented and the investigations are complex."

German police in May reportedly raided an apartment in the eastern city of Frankfurt an der Oder, investigating a woman whose former boyfriend was a Ukrainian soldier. According to the reports by the German newspaper Die Zeit and The Wall Street Journal, the soldier was among the crew members on the Andromeda prior to the blasts.

On June 13, the Netherlands' public broadcaster NOS, along with Die Zeit and German broadcaster ARD, reported that a year earlier, the main Dutch intelligence agency received a tip that a secret plot by Ukrainian operatives was under way to target the pipelines.

The Dutch agency forwarded the tip to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, which then warned Ukrainian officials not to carry out the effort.

That reporting was later corroborated by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed U.S. officials. U.S. officials were reportedly told by Ukrainian counterparts that the plot had been aborted.

Then, in September, the explosions took place.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that German investigators were examining evidence that suggested the sabotage team had used Poland as a conduit or base for carrying out the attack.

The Ukrainian government has repeatedly denied responsibility for the blasts or any prior knowledge of a plot to destroy the pipelines.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nord-stream-pipeline- blasts-subsea-explosives-yacht/32500340.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Syria: Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic on the cross-border humanitarian deliveries

European External Action Service (EEAS)

12.07.2023

EEAS Press Team

The European Union deplores the veto by the Russian Federation in the UN Security Council on 11 July 2023 on the renewal of the United Nation Security Council Resolution 2672 (2023) regarding cross-border delivery of humanitarian assistance to people in Northwest Syria . The non-renewal of UNSCR 2672 as a result of the Russian veto will further exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in northwest Syria and will gravely disrupt the delivery of life-saving humanitarian supplies to millions in need. The European Union is deeply concerned about the impact of this decision and the further politicisation of humanitarian assistance to people in desperate need. The European Union calls on the Security Council to undertake every effort to find a solution that will enable cross-border assistance to continue.

As there is no adequate alternative to the UN-coordinated mechanism, the halting of cross-border delivery will lead to the loss of the only lifeline for more than 4 million people living in Northwest Syria, including almost 3 million internally displaced persons. This will cause further unnecessary suffering to the Syrian people, that are affected by more than decade of conflict and the consequences of a devastating earthquake. We urge the Russian Federation not to unnecessarily exacerbate the suffering of millions of Syrian people.

While the European Union welcomes the extension of the opening of the Bab al-Salam and Al-Ra'ee crossing points until 13 August 2023, it recalls that this short-term bilateral agreement does not provide stable access for humanitarian organisations to plan and deliver in a timely and efficient manner assistance in Northwest Syria.

The European Union will continue to do its utmost to provide much-needed life-saving humanitarian assistance to those in need in Northwest Syria through all the available modalities, which however cannot replace the lifeline provided by the UN-coordinated cross-border humanitarian assistance.



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U.S. Senate committee files annual defense bill with Taiwan provisions

ROC Central News Agency

07/12/2023 12:24 PM

Washington, July 11 (CNA) The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday filed its draft of an annual defense policy bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), that contained provisions to strengthen defense and cybersecurity cooperation with Taiwan.

The draft legislation, which the committee approved in a bipartisan 24-1 vote on June 23, would authorize US$876.8 billion for military and national defense programs at the departments of defense and energy, and will now be advanced for debate in the full Senate.

As it relates to Taiwan, the bill directs the secretary of defense to work with counterparts in Taiwan to establish a "comprehensive training, advising, and institutional capacity-building program" for Taiwan's military forces.

The program would be aimed at enabling a "layered defense" of Taiwan by Taiwanese forces, including through the use of an asymmetric defense strategy, and would also boost interoperability between Taiwan and U.S. forces and encourage information sharing, the bill said.

The legislation would also require U.S. officials, including the secretary of defense and the heads of the U.S. Cyber Command and U.S. Indo-Pacific command to engage with Taiwan on expanding military cybersecurity cooperation.

Aside from these initiatives, the draft NDAA would instruct the Department of Defense to provide an assessment to Congress on how Taiwan has integrated the military capabilities it has received from the U.S. over the last 10 years.

It would also mandate the completion of a "comprehensive analysis of the risks and implications of a sustained military blockade of Taiwan" by China, carried out by the secretary of defense and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, in coordination with the director of national intelligence.

Specifically, the analysis would include an assessment of how China would execute a blockade, its possible precursors or warning signs, its potential impact on Taiwan and the U.S., and military and non-military options for countering a blockade, the bill said.

In addition to the draft NDAA in the Senate, the U.S. House Armed Services Committee passed a separate version of the legislation late last month.

Typically, after the full House and Senate have passed their own versions of the NDAA, they negotiate a reconciliation of the bill to send to the president to sign into law before the end of the year.

(By Chiang Chin-yeh and Matthew Mazzetta)

Enditem/ls

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Military stages rehearsal for anti-takeover drill at Taoyuan airport

ROC Central News Agency

07/12/2023 05:38 PM

Taipei, July 12 (CNA) Taiwan's military on Wednesday morning held a rehearsal for an anti-takeover drill at Taoyuan International Airport, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).

The drill at Taiwan's main international gateway is designed to test the armed forces' cross-branch coordination and emergency response capabilities during a simulated Chinese invasion, the MND said.

In the rehearsal staged at a hanger of the Taoyuan International Airport, members of the Aviation and Special Forces Command and Army Airborne Special Forces acted as the red team invading force, with the blue team formed by ground troops from Sixth Army Corps serving as the defenders.

The red team was originally set to arrive at the drill ground in Army helicopters but decided to call off the plan during Wednesday's rehearsal given the fact that nearby schools were hosting college entrance exams, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).

The rehearsal saw the red team perform a simulated attack on the airport while the blue team, which was joined by Army soldiers, aviation police officers and airport firefighters stationed at the Taoyuan International Airport, performed the defense.

The red team also simulated a bomb attack at the airport with the airport firefighters using two Oshkosh Striker 3000 firefighting vehicles to distinguish the explosives.

A military source responsible for supervising Wednesday's rehearsal told CNA that the exercise was meant to test the airport authorities' capabilities to coordinate with the military and other government branches in response to an airborne invasion.

It is also meant to test the military's emergency response to such invasion, the unnamed source added.

Wednesday morning marks the first round of rehearsal for the drill to be staged at Taoyuan Airport on July 26, as part of the live-fire portion of this year's Han Kuang exercises.

A second rehearsal will be staged on July 19.

The anti-takeover drill is the first such exercise staged at Taoyuan International Airport since it opened in 1979.

Transportation Minister Wang Kwo-tsai (), who previously said the drill is scheduled to last about an hour, later revised this to two hours.

According to the minister, the drill will affect at least 61 flights and more than 4,000 passengers.

Past reports of plans related to the exercises have indicated that the airport will remain open to passenger traffic while the drills are being held but that one of the airport's two runways may be closed on the morning of July 26.

The MND, Transportation Ministry, and Taoyuan airport operators provided no further details about possible flight delays or whether passengers connecting through the airport should adjust their plans, despite there being only about two weeks before the drills are to be held.

Meanwhile, a rehearsal was also held at the temporary coastal fortifications constructed by Army reservists near the Port of Taipei in New Taipei's Bali District on Wednesday morning.

The 100-meter-long temporary trench system was constructed as part of a simulated response to a Chinese invasion, according to the military.

The annual Han Kuang exercises, which have served as Taiwan's major war games since 1984, consist of live-fire drills and computerized war games and are meant to test Taiwan's combat readiness in the face of a possible Chinese invasion.

This year's tabletop exercises were staged in May.

The five-day island-wide live-fire exercises portion, meanwhile, is scheduled for July 24 to 28.

(By Matt Yu, Wu Sheng-hung and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ASG

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U.S. denies report of requesting Taiwan to produce bio-weapons

ROC Central News Agency

07/12/2023 04:51 PM

Washington, July 11 (CNA) The U.S. State Department on Tuesday denied a recent Taiwanese report that the United States asked Taiwan to develop weaponized biological agents.

"There is no truth to this report," a spokesperson at the State Department said in a statement in reply to a question from CNA.

"The United States is in full compliance with its obligations under the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and does not develop or possess such weapons anywhere -- nor do we support anyone else to do so," the spokesperson said.

The U.S. State Department has posted on its website that the BWC, which took effect in 1975, is "critical to international efforts to address the threat posed by biological weapons... To remain effective, it must deal with all biological threats we face in the 21st century."

The rebuttal from Washington came after the Chinese-language United Daily News (UDN) reported Sunday that the U.S. requested the National Defense Medical Center under Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) to secretly develop the ability to research and develop viruses for use in the production of bio-weapons.

The paper cited what it said were the minutes of a secret meeting held by the government on June 23, 2022, which it said was held along with another secret meeting in January 2023 that address the issue among many others.

In the Sunday report, the UDN did not disclose how it got the meeting minutes, but it said the minutes cited an MND representative as saying the ministry had completed preliminary plans to build a new Biosafety Level 4 (P4) laboratory to handle the development of bio-weapons as requested by the U.S.

On Wednesday, the UDN published the meeting minutes on its website and said it received the minutes from "a reader/readers," but it did not qualify the source/sources.

In response, Taiwan's Presidential Office and Executive Yuan on Wednesday denied that the meetings ever took place and questioned the authenticity of the minutes of the meeting.

Presidential Office spokeswoman Olivia Lin () called the minutes released by the UDN "fabricated documents" and said the minutes were "full of holes" and the format, style and word choices of the minutes are not the same as those commonly seen in Cabinet meeting minutes.

For example, the use of "our party" in the minutes is not something that would be seen in Cabinet meeting minutes, Cabinet spokesman Lin Tze-luen () said Wednesday.

The Ministry of National Defense also released a statement Wednesday, saying that the parts attributed to the MND in the minutes of the meeting used Chinese-language terms for things like tanks and ammunition that the MND would not use.

The Presidential Office and Cabinet spokespeople alleged that China could be the source of the documents, saying that China has a record of spreading disinformation through "forged official documents."

They criticized the UDN for failing to verify the information it gathered and demanded that the newspaper issue a correction immediately.

On Sunday, the MND issued a statement denying that the P4 lab was to be used to develop bio-weapons.

The MND said the mission of the medical center was to detect, protect and treat pathogens of infectious diseases and that it also develops reagents that can detect bio-agents to strengthen Taiwan's ability to detect biological weapons.

The MND said its development of nuclear, biological and chemical warfare readiness has been built around defense, and that the center's planned P4 lab was designed with the purpose of detection, protection and treatment.

(By Stacy Hsu, Lai Yu-chen, James Lo and Frances Huang)

Enditem/ls

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Paraguay to stand with Taiwan: Visiting president-elect

ROC Central News Agency

07/12/2023 04:42 PM

Taipei, July 12 (CNA) Paraguayan President-elect Santiago PeAa said during a meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen (ee) in Taipei on Wednesday that his administration would continue to stand with Taiwan and strive to boost bilateral relations.

PeAa, who is scheduled to be sworn in next month, made the pledge at the meeting participated in by some of Paraguay's future officials, including Foreign Minister-designate RubAn RamArez Lezcano and Finance Minister-designate Carlos FernAndez Valdovinos.

During a meeting earlier the same day with Vice President Lai Ching-te (ea), who is also the Democratic Progressive Party's nominee in Taiwan's January 2024 presidential election, PeAa also pledged his "full support" for Paraguay's diplomatic ties with Taiwan, according to a Presidential Office statement.

Maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan is in the best interests of Paraguay, PeAa said, adding that he would continue promoting bilateral relations based on the 66 years of friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay.

The current visit by the Paraguayan delegation from July 11 to 15 served to demonstrate that Paraguay and Taiwan would continue to insist on their shared values, ideals, and goals despite facing many challenges, PeAa told Tsai, without elaborating.

While thanking Taiwan's government for its decades-long backing of Paraguay in the financial and economic realms, PeAa called for Taipei's continued support as his administration works to reduce poverty and develop the country.

The new administration's priorities include providing better health care and education to young people in Paraguay and creating 500,000 jobs in the next five years by attracting foreign investment and rolling out public infrastructure projects, PeAa said.

At the same time, he also called for Taiwan's help with a program that will allow some 200,000 Paraguayans to get loans to improve their living conditions, without going into detail.

Meanwhile, Tsai, delivering her remarks ahead of PeAa, said she looked forward to seeing more cooperation between Taiwan and Paraguay in the future in various areas, such as electric vehicles, food processing and textile.

In the face of authoritarian expansion, she added, Taiwan and Paraguay should work together with democratic partners to contribute to the peace and stability of the world.

(By Teng Pei-ju)

Enditem/ls

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PM statement to leaders at NATO Summit in Lithuania: 12 July 2023

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's press statement at NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

12 July 2023

This summit stands out as a landmark in NATO's long history.

We arrived here faced with a more volatile and dangerous world...

A mechanised war in Europe on a scale not seen since 1945...

And increasing aggression from authoritarian states, challenging our security in Europe and beyond.

But as we leave Vilnius, we are more confident and more united than ever.

Let me set out three reasons why that's the case.

First, we've acted decisively to strengthen this alliance.

Agreeing the most fundamental transformation to NATO's readiness since the Cold War...

Comprehensive warfighting plans to defend the UK and its allies...

Scaled up defence production to boost our stockpiles, which will benefit British industry...

And increased defence spending...

...with all allies now committed to hitting the 2% target.

And we did something here in Vilnius that not long ago seemed impossible...

We welcomed Finland to the table as a NATO member...

....and very soon we'll be doing the same with Sweden.

We are stronger with them by our side... and in time we will be stronger with Ukraine as a NATO ally too.

This is my second point...

It is now over 500 days since Russia's invasion.

500 days of barbarity.

Of innocent people being murdered in their homes.

Of children being killed, abducted and used as human shields.

I want to pay tribute to the Ukrainian people and to their incredible bravery and resilience.

They're still standing strong and defiant... and the counteroffensive is making progress.

In the last few weeks, they've taken back more ground than Russia has taken in the last year.

We are standing with them...

...and allies are doubling down in their support.

At the Munich Security Conference in February, I called for long-term security arrangements...

...to protect Ukraine, break the cycle of Russian violence, and ultimately help to end this war.

And today we have delivered.

Together with our G7 partners we have agreed to provide the long-term bilateral security commitments that Ukraine needs.

These commitments mark a new high point in international support for Ukraine.

And I want to be clear, they are not a substitute for NATO membership.

The summit communique echoes the UK's long-held position that "Ukraine's future is in NATO."

And we've taken a big step this week towards bringing Ukraine into the alliance.

Together we've shortened their path to membership...

...removing the need for a Membership Action Plan...

...and holding the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council with President Zelenskyy sitting at the table, by our side, as an equal.

Finally, I'd like to say a word about the UK's role here.

I was struck once again this week by just how highly valued our contribution is.

The British people should know that - and they should be proud.

We are the leading European contributor to NATO.

We were one of the first to hit the 2% target and now we're moving towards 2.5%.

We spend more than 20 other NATO countries combined, but it's about much more than that.

It's about our incredible Armed Forces across land, air and sea.

We're one of the only countries that contributes to every NATO mission with RAF jets patrolling the eastern flank...

Troops on the ground in Estonia and Poland as part of NATO's enhanced forward presence...

And the Royal Navy, including our two aircraft carriers, providing around a quarter of NATO's maritime capability.

It's about our deep partnerships...

With Japan and Italy we're producing a sixth-generation fighter through our Global Combat Air Program...

...and with AUKUS, we're working with Australia and the US to build some of the most advanced nuclear-powered submarines the world has ever known.

And it's about leadership.

We've led the way on Ukraine... moving first on tanks and long-range missiles... training their troops for the counter-offensive.

Just today I've announced we're providing more ammunition, 70 more combat vehicles, as well as a new rehabilitation centre for injured Ukrainian veterans.

We're moving forward with the combat air coalition...

...and the UK starts training Ukrainian pilots next month.

And we're using our leadership in technology to keep NATO at the cutting edge...

Hosting the European Headquarters of the Defence Innovation Accelerator in the UK...

...and holding the first global summit on AI Safety later this year.

The UK has been there since the start of this alliance.

In 1948, in the hope of avoiding another devastating war, we joined together with a handful of allies...

...to pledge that we would come to one another's defence.

That pact was the seed of the North Atlantic Treaty.

75 years later, faced with new threats in Europe, NATO is more important than ever.

It has proved itself to be the most successful Alliance in history...

...and this week we've shown once again that the UK is at its heart.

Thank you.

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PM meeting with Prime Minister StAre of Norway: 12 July 2023

The Prime Minister met Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas StAre at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

12 July 2023

The Prime Minister met Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas StAre at the NATO Summit in Lithuania today.

The leaders praised the extensive cooperation between the UK and Norway on defence and security, from our membership of the Joint Expeditionary Force to our consistent leadership within NATO.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to providing maritime defence and security in the High North, agreeing protecting the region was critical for Euro-Atlantic security. They agreed to look to deepen defence cooperation further.

The leaders welcomed the collaboration between the UK and Norway on energy security. The Prime Minister reflected on the importance of offshore wind farms in shoring up energy supplies across Europe, and agreed we needed to deepen collaboration to increase provision.

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Joint Statement by the Defence Ministers of the United Kingdom and Estonia

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur signed a joint statement, deepening defence cooperation.

12 July 2023

Over the last 12 months, the UK and Estonia have worked in exceptionally close cooperation to implement the commitments pledged at the 2022 NATO Summit in Madrid. Our collaboration has delivered a more capable UK presence, better able to deter aggression and to defend Estonia in crisis and conflict. The enhanced eFP contributes to our shared objective of protecting our populations and defending every inch of Allied territory at all times.

Following Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, and to support NATO's new era of collective defence, Estonia and the UK continue to work together to strengthen NATO's deterrence and forward defences in Estonia. This is underpinned by a credible forward defence posture in Estonia which includes the Estonian Defence Forces and the UK-led eFP Battlegroup which will be further reinforced, when required, by a sovereign allocated UK Brigade, held in high readiness in the UK. The UK will regularly exercise the projection of forces up to Brigade level for the reinforcement of Estonia in accordance with NATO's regional defence plans, while Estonia will provide suitable facilities to support the UK's permanent presence and surge capacity. Estonia and the UK commit to holding their respective forces at the appropriate readiness required by NATO's regional defence plans and will work together to explore options for future prepositioning of equipment and ammunition forward, as required, to enable this.

In accordance with our joint objectives, since signing the Roadmap in November 2022, the UK has allocated an Armoured Brigade at high readiness for the rapid reinforcement of Estonia and uplifted the command of its eFP Headquarters to Brigadier level, enhancing the ability to receive Brigade level reinforcements at a time of need. In recognition of its enduring commitment to Estonia, the UK has also converted a number of staff officer positions to permanent posts. By maintaining Divisional level enablers in Estonia, such as the SHORAD and MLRS, the UK-led eFP Battlegroup continues to ensure a combat-ready presence in-country that offers opportunities for exercising these elements under the command of the Estonian Division HQ. As agreed, the UK has further reinforced these by deploying multiple surges of additional aviation capabilities into Estonia since January 2023.

To fulfil a NATO military requirement, Estonia established the Estonian Division in December 2022. The UK has deployed a Divisional Advisory Team to Estonia on an enduring basis to support the establishment of the Division and will embed staff officers into it in the future to further enhance the UK's integration with the Division. Estonia will continue the development of the Estonian Division, including by acquiring additional high-end, Divisional level capabilities and commit to the Divisional HQ becoming a NATO Military Body with International Military Headquarters status within the NATO Force Structure. The UK will provide staff officers from the allocated Brigade to support the Estonian Division during the War Fighter Program in February 2024, after which the UK and Estonia will continue to look for further joint opportunities for developing the Estonian Division.

The UK and Estonia are committed to enhancing our integration and interoperability in the years to come. We will work together to develop an executable plan to enable the UK to consistently exercise reinforcement with the allocated Brigade, and other relevant units of choice, in accordance with defence plans. In 2024 the UK will exercise its Very High Readiness Air Assault Brigade Combat Team during Exercise SPRING STORM, and will exercise the allocated Armoured Brigade in 2025. This will be underpinned by a programme of Staff and Command integration activity, with a regular drumbeat of command visits from the allocated Brigade commencing in autumn 2023. The UK and Estonia will continue to work closely together to ensure the UK is fully integrated with the Estonian Defence Force's Command and Control, with the UK Brigade aligned to the Estonian Division and fully integrated into Estonia's National Defence Plan.

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NATO Ministers of Defence discussed implementation of decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Vilnius

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2023-07-11

International cooperation

"Historical NATO decisions have been taken in Vilnius, they will even more strengthen the security and defence of Lithuania and the whole of Alliance," said Minister of National Defence on July 11 at the NATO Defence Ministers session during the Vilnius NATO Summit which addressed implementation of the decisions taken by Heads of State and Government at the Summit.

In a discussion on the approved regional defence plans, Minister A. AnuAauskas noted the importance of the speed of implementation and assignment of the necessary capabilities. Ministers agreed to work with one accord to ensure that the defence plans are implemented by the end of the year. NATO will dedicate 300 000 high readiness military personnel, including significant air and naval combat force, to deliver on the defence plans and ensure defensibility of every inch of the Alliance territory.

The Defence Ministers session also addressed implementation of a bigger ambition in defence investment - NATO Heads of State and Government approved in Vilnius the common Allies' commitment to invest no less than 2% of GDP in defence annually.

NATO Defence Ministers also discussed further support to Ukraine and building up its integration with NATO. In addition, Defence Ministers welcomed the greenlighted accession of Sweden and the growing and tightening NATO partnership with Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea, in such areas as cybersecurity, maritime security and new technologies.

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Australia gifts further Bushmasters to Ukraine

Media release

12 Jul 2023

Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Australia will provide 30 additional Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles to Ukraine, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to their defence against Russia's aggression.

The contribution expands on Australia's previous commitment of 90 protected mobility vehicles, taking Australia's provision of Bushmasters to Ukraine to 120. This takes Australia's total military assistance provided to over $710 million and Australia's overall assistance to Ukraine to approximately $890 million.

This announcement follows the recent gifting of 70 assorted highly capable military vehicles, a supply of critical 105mm ammunition and a $10 million contribution to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund announced by Australia in late June.

This also builds on the Government's commitment earlier this week to deploy a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to Germany for approximately six months from October to help protect a gateway of international humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine. This deployment includes up to 100 crew and support personnel.

The aircraft will provide early warning in the event of any threats outside of Ukraine against the gateway for humanitarian and military assistance.

Along with our international partners, Australia continues to look for practical ways to assist the Ukraine Government and people and help bring about a rapid conclusion to the immoral and unprovoked invasion by Russia.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister, the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP:

"I am pleased to have met President Zelenskyy again today and to inform him of Australia's decision to gift 30 additional Bushmasters to Ukraine.

"Australia remains steadfast in its commitment to support Ukraine.

"We are proud to provide additional Bushmaster vehicles to assist the brave men and women fighting for their home and their nation's sovereignty.

"Russia unilaterally launched this illegal and immoral invasion and should withdraw its troops and end the conflict immediately."

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Richard Marles MP:

"From the start of this invasion, Australia has stood by Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression, which is a gross violation of international law.

"The gifting of further military support is a tangible sign of our nation's ongoing commitment to Ukraine and the rules-based international order.

"We call on Russia to end to this appalling war so peace can be restored as quickly as possible."

Quotes attributable to Foreign Minister Penny Wong:

"Australian Bushmasters have been used extensively by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and our additional contribution of 30 vehicles will bolster Ukraine's capabilities.

"We are providing sustainable and meaningful support to Ukraine, including through our humanitarian assistance and through our diplomacy.

"Russia's attack on Ukraine is an attack on us all. It is an assertion that a larger country is entitled to subjugate a smaller neighbour.

"We again call on Russia to cease its illegal, immoral war on Ukraine."

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Prime Minister announces additional measures to support Ukraine and strengthen transatlantic security at NATO Summit

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

July 12, 2023

Vilnius, Lithuania

In the face of Russia's ongoing, brutal invasion of Ukraine - an attack on democracy, human rights, freedom, and security everywhere - North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allies are standing together, and with the Ukrainian people, for as long as it takes.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced additional support for the Alliance and for Ukraine at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. At the Summit, NATO Allies committed to strengthening the Alliance's deterrence and defence capabilities and enhancing their assistance to Ukraine. The Prime Minister, along with G7 Leaders, reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to a free, independent, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine, capable of defending itself and deterring future aggression. The PM, along with leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union, also announced their commitment to formalize their enduring support to Ukraine, through bilateral long-term security commitments, as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity, rebuilds its economy, protects its citizens, and pursues integration into the Euro-Atlantic community.

At the Summit, the Prime Minister announced $541 million in new funding and projects to support Ukraine and strengthen transatlantic security. The new funding for Ukraine builds on the over $8 billion in multifaceted assistance Canada has dedicated since the beginning of 2022, and builds on the announcement the Prime Minister made in Latvia this week to renew and expand Operation REASSURANCE, part of NATO's defence and deterrence measures in Eastern Europe, and double Canada's current presence in the country.

Canada will continue to help provide Ukraine with the military equipment and training it needs to defend itself. The Prime Minister announced that Canada intends to build on our military support and respond to a direct request from Ukraine by providing additional drone cameras. Canada will also now provide training and capacity building to the Ukrainian military under Operation UNIFIER in Canada. This summer, the Royal Military College Saint-Jean will welcome Officer cadets from Ukraine for an intense three-week training program developed in partnership with NATO through the Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP). The training builds on Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) training in support of Ukraine currently underway in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Latvia.

Further, the Prime Minister announced an additional $48.8 million to the Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) for Ukraine. This contribution, in addition to the $34.6 million announced in April 2023, will support NATO's provision of non-lethal practical assistance to Ukraine through donations of material including fuel, bridging equipment, rations, and first aid. The CAP provides practical support and defence capacity building to Ukraine and Canada is among the leading contributors.

Canada, along with Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, signed a statement to establish a joint coalition for the training of the Ukrainian Air Force in operating and maintaining the F-16 fighter aircraft. By signing the statement, Canada commits to contributing to multinational efforts to train Ukrainian pilots, technicians, and support staff to operate and maintain the F-16 fighter aircraft.

Prime Minister Trudeau also announced an additional $2.7 million in cyber security assistance for Ukraine to support efforts to counter malicious cyber activity in the face of evolving cyber risks and threats.

The Prime Minister announced that the Government of Canada has awarded a $450 million contract to Thales Canada Inc. in a joint venture to provide in-service support for the CAF's Minor Warships and Auxiliary Vessels (MWAV) fleet for five years, with options to extend to up to 19 years. This includes support to the Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels, such as those deployed under Operation REASSURANCE, demonstrating Canada's unwavering commitment to NATO. The contract will begin this month.

At the Summit, Canada and other NATO member states, including Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Norway, Romania, TArkiye, and the United Kingdom signed the founding document of the new NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence. This initiative is led by Canada, the Centre's Framework Nation, and will be located in Montreal. Canada will provide direct support and $40.4 million over five years, with $7 million per year ongoing, in funding. This Centre of Excellence will enable Canada, NATO Allies, and other global partners to understand and address the serious security implications of climate change, including in the Arctic. Its activities will support the NATO Climate Change and Security Action Plan and will be Canada's first NATO Centre of Excellence. It will contribute to Montreal's status as a global hub for international organizations.

The Allied Heads of State and Governments endorsed the Vilnius Summit CommuniquA reaffirming the transatlantic unity and solidarity at a critical moment for Euro-Atlantic and global security. NATO remains the strongest defence Alliance in history and Allies will continue to work together to safeguard the freedom and security of our Allies and work toward peace and security everywhere.

Quote

"Canada remains a strong, reliable Ally through its ongoing contributions to NATO and to transatlantic security. We are providing members of the Canadian Armed Forces with the modern equipment they need to deliver on a wide range of operations, including training members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Canada has stepped up as we always have, and we will continue to stand with our Allies and partners now and into the future." The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Quick Facts

At the Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau welcomed recent progress on Sweden's NATO accession, reiterating that Canada has always welcomed Sweden's contributions to Euro-Atlantic security and supported its close partnership with the Alliance. He emphasized Canada's full confidence in Sweden's ability to integrate into NATO and make meaningful contributions to our collective security.

Prime Minister Trudeau underscored that Canada fully supports the renewal of NATO's Defence Investment Pledge (DIP), while underlining that the DIP should also maintain an equitable balance in burden sharing.

The Prime Minister was joined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, MAlanie Joly, and the Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand.

While at the Summit, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Ingrida A imonytA, the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Chris Hipkins, the President of Slovakia, Zuzana AaputovA, the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Before travelling to Vilnius, the Prime Minister announced in Latvia that Canada is committing $2.6 billion in funding to renew and expand Operation REASSURANCE, Canada's contribution to part of the biggest reinforcement of the Alliance's collective defence in a generation, and Canada's largest overseas mission. This new funding will double Canada's current presence in Latvia.

Defence spending in Canada has been steadily increasing. Over the past year, Canada has committed more than $66 billion to national defence. This includes significant NORAD investments for continental defence. In addition, Canada is on track to exceed the current NATO target of 20 percent of spending on equipment and we will reach 32 percent in 2024.

Current Canadian contributions to NATO include: Leading the multinational NATO enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia as the Framework Nation since 2017 as part of Operation REASSURANCE. Providing support to NATO maritime forces through the deployment of surface and sub-surface vessels as part of Operation REASSURANCE. His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Fredericton is currently deployed with Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG 2) in the Mediterranean Sea. On July 3, 2023, HMCS Shawinigan and HMCS Summerside departed, from their homeport of Halifax, Nova Scotia, to join Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1). Continuing to support training and capacity building efforts in the Middle East under Operation IMPACT, including through NATO Mission Iraq. Continuing to provide CAF personnel support to the NATO-led international peace support Operation in Kosovo through Operation KOBOLD.

Operation UNIFIER is the CAF training mission for the Armed Forces of Ukraine through which Canada provides military training and capacity-building assistance in support of Ukraine's efforts to defend its sovereignty, security, and stability.

The CAF has trained over 37,000 Ukrainian military and security personnel in battlefield tactics and advanced military skills since the start of Op UNIFIER in 2015, including over 3,000 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces since Russia's full-scale illegal invasion in 2022.

At home, the Communications Security Establishment and its Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre) contributes significantly to Canada's defence priorities, providing key support to our response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The CSE works diligently to expose Russia's ongoing disinformation efforts and provides cyber security support to Ukraine and Latvia, working with partners to combat foreign interference, protect democracy, provide signals intelligence to federal and international partners and supporting Operation UNIFIER.

Since Russia's illegal occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea in 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 2,500 individuals and entities in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova. Many of these sanctions have been undertaken in coordination with Canada's Allies and partners.

Since February 2022, Canada has committed to over $1.5 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. This includes eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks, one armoured recovery vehicle, a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) with associated munitions, 39 armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 howitzers and associated ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, winter clothing, and more.

Since Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, Canada has welcomed more than 165,000 Ukrainians. Canada is helping Ukrainian families find a safe, temporary home and has put in place support services for their arrival. This includes temporary financial assistance and access to federally funded settlement services, such as language training and employment-related services.

DEEP is a NATO led institutional capacity building program that supports NATO partner countries' efforts to reform, modernize, and professionalize their armed forces. Canada is a key contributor to the NATO DEEP through the Canadian Defence Academy.

The Minor Warships and Auxiliary Vessels (MWAV) fleet includes Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels, Orca-class training vessels, tugs, dive tenders, research vessels, range vessels, and auxiliary support barges and vessels.

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July 12, 2023

By Jim Garamone , DOD News

Biden Speaks on Ukraine's Future With NATO in Vilnius

"Ukraine's future lies at NATO," President Joe Biden said today in Vilnius, Lithuania.

At the end of the NATO Summit, Biden stressed the long-term commitment nations have made to Ukraine as it fights to counter the Russian invasion.

The NATO allies agreed to eliminate the requirements for the Membership Action Plan for Ukraine and to create a path to NATO membership. Biden said the United States and its allies are "doing everything we can" to support Ukraine. The allies are also making commitments to long-term efforts to provide security to Ukraine.

The United States and other G7 nations (Japan, Canada, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy) issued a joint declaration of support for Ukraine, "and make it clear that our support will last long into the future," the president said. "It starts a process by which each of our nations and any other nation who wishes to participate will negotiate long-term bilateral security commitments with them to Ukraine. We're going to help Ukraine build a strong capable defense across land, air and sea."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the NATO Summit a "success for Ukraine." He was pleased with the security guarantees for Ukraine and looks forward to meeting nations pledged to support his country.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also was pleased with the results of the NATO Summit. "Over the past two days, we took major decisions to adapt our alliance for the future," he said during an end-of-meeting news conference. "We agreed on NATO's most detailed and robust defense plans since the Cold War. We strengthened our commitment to defense investment. We agreed to bring Ukraine closer to the alliance, and step up support for the long haul."

NATO also worked to deepen partnerships with nations around the world. Leaders from Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand attended the summit, as did European Union officials.

Stoltenberg chaired the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, and called it "a significant step to move Ukraine closer to NATO."

He also praised major new announcements of aid to Ukraine even as he noted that allies have delivered billions of dollars worth of military capabilities to the embattled nation.

Alliance leaders agreed on new NATO-standard equipment for Ukraine and the training needed to operate seamlessly with NATO forces.

All this will lead to Ukraine joining the most successful alliance in history. "We will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when allies agree that conditions are met," Stoltenberg said. "This sends a clear, strong and united message from our Vilnius Summit. We must ensure that when this war ends, there are credible arrangements in place for Ukraine's security, so that history does not repeat itself."

While North Atlantic is part of the name of the alliance, NATO really faces global challenges, the secretary general said. "What happens in Europe matters to the Indo-Pacific, and what happens in the Indo-Pacific matters to North America and Europe," he said. "Beijing's global assertiveness and Moscow's war against Ukraine require even closer coordination between NATO, the [European Union] and our Indo-Pacific partners."

NATO will reinforce ties with Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea with tailored partnership programs, he said. This will include joint work on issues like maritime security, new technologies, cyber, climate change and resilience. "We will work even more closely together, standing strong for the rules-based international order," he said.

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Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna in Vilnius: Ukraine is closer to NATO membership than ever

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

12.07.2023

Commenting on the communique adopted at the NATO summit, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that Allies agreed on the next concrete steps for Ukraine to become a full member of NATO. "The decision to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan in Ukraine's accession process is a clear sign that we have moved on from the decisions of the 2008 Bucharest summit and now Ukraine's NATO accession is closer than ever," Tsahkna said.

Allies also agreed on continued long-term assistance to Ukraine and established the NATO-Ukraine Council, which will have its inaugural meeting today, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attending. "Based on these decisions we can say that politically and militarily, NATO is ready to admit Ukraine as a member at the right time," Tsahkna said.

The foreign minister also welcomed the compromise reached between TArkiye and Sweden, which is hopefully soon followed by Sweden becoming a NATO member.

The communique also reiterates the continued threat posed by Russia to the Alliance. "Russia bears full responsibility for the aggression in Ukraine and the aggressor must be held accountable," the Estonian foreign minister said.

Tsahkna also welcomed the approval of NATO's new regional defence plans and the decision to raise defence spending to at least 2% of GDP in all member states.

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Norway extends agreement on medical evacuation from Ukraine

Government of Norway

Press release | Date: 12/07/2023

'Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine is continuing unabated. Many Ukrainians are in need of life-saving medical treatment. I am pleased that Norway is now extending the agreement with Scandinavian Airlines and the EU to transport Ukrainian patients to Norway and other European countries for medical care,' said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr StAre.

Since August 2022, Norway has been providing regular weekly flights to evacuate Ukrainian patients to countries across Europe. The European Commission has described the transport as a cornerstone of the evacuation effort. In response to the request of the EU, the Norwegian Government has decided to extend the medical evacuation operation until February 2024. The agreement may be further extended if necessary.

'These evacuations are saving lives and are an important component of Norway's support to Ukraine. Roughly one in ten hospitals has been damaged in Russian attacks. Hospitals, maternity clinics and medical warehouses are being bombed. At the same time, over 14 million Ukrainians need medical help. It is crucial that Norway's assistance in evacuating Ukrainian patients can continue,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt.

Since the operation started in August 2022, Norway has helped to transport over 1500 people (patients and family members). The operation is being coordinated under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and the EU has asked Norway to extend the transport agreement.

'Many countries have available hospital capacity but do not have the means to transport patients. Norway's airlift operation means better use of this capacity across Europe, which in turn reduces the burden on health care services in Ukraine. I am proud that we can offer this assistance. Norway is one of the countries that has transported the greatest number of patients to hospitals in Europe. Norway is also one of the countries that has received the most patients,' said Minister of Health and Care Services Ingvild Kjerkol.

The medical evacuation operation from Ukraine is a coordinated effort involving several Norwegian ministries, the regional health authorities and the Norwegian Directorate of Health, as well as the Norwegian Armed Forces, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), and the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection.

A long-term agreement between the Norwegian Armed Forces and SAS has made it possible to convert an ordinary airliner into a state-of-the-art air ambulance. SAS operates and pilots the aircraft, and the Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical Services provide the medical and operational expertise. The business sector, civil society and military authorities are all working together in this important effort.

'Ukraine has an impressive health care system, but is in an extremely difficult situation. This transport agreement and evacuation operation helps to ensure that Ukrainian patients receive the treatment they need. The health care personnel on board normally work in the Norwegian health services, but have an agreement to be deployed at short notice for the Armed Forces,' said Minister of Defence BjArn Arild Gram.

Patients of all ages from Ukraine are first transported out of Ukraine to the medical hub in Poland before being transferred to hospitals in Europe for treatment. The majority of these are patients suffering from cancer or injuries, but there are also patients with infections and other medical conditions.

'The transport is available to wounded soldiers and injured Ukrainian civilians alike, providing them with access to high-quality medical care and treatment from Norway and other European countries. There is a great need to alleviate the burden on the health system in Ukraine. The patient transport operation clearly shows that Norwegian society as a whole supports the effort to assist Ukraine, and bears witness to the close cooperation between European countries,' said Ms Huitfeldt.

Facts

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that some 14.6 million Ukrainians are in need of medical help. At least one in three lack access to health services.

So far, over 1 000 attacks on the health sector in Ukraine have been registered.

Roughly one in ten hospitals in Ukraine has been directly damaged in Russian attacks, and the eastern part of the country has been hit the hardest.

Norway is one of the countries that has received the most patients from Ukraine. So far, some 259 patients have been treated in Norwegian hospitals.

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Update 173 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

International Atomic Energy Agency

71/2023

Vienna, Austria

12 Jul 2023

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts have in recent days continued to inspect parts of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) - without seeing any mines or explosives - but are still waiting to gain the necessary access to the rooftops of reactor units 3 and 4 following recent reports that explosives may have been placed there, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said, adding that the nuclear safety and security situation remains very precarious.

The five basic principles that Director General Grossi established on 30 May at the United Nations Security Council state that there should be no attack from or against the plant and that it should not be used as storage or a base for heavy weapons - multiple rocket launchers, artillery systems and munitions, and tanks.

In recent days, the IAEA experts have heard a series of explosions apparently taking place some distance away from the ZNPP but still a stark reminder of potential nuclear safety and security risks facing the facility during the military conflict in the country.

One blast occurred in the morning of 8 July, several in the evening of 10 July, one yesterday morning and five in the evening. While it was not possible to determine the exact locations of the explosions, the IAEA experts were able to confirm that the site had not been impacted.

On 9 July, the IAEA team went to areas just inside the site perimeter and around the sprinkler cooling ponds. On 10 July, the experts went to the main control room, emergency control room, rooms where electrical cabinets of the safety systems are located and to the turbine hall of reactor unit 1, and today visited the corresponding areas in unit 3. Yesterday, the team also visited the unit 1 reactor hall, coolant pumps and safety system pumps. The experts reported that they had unrestricted access to these areas.

The IAEA continues to closely follow developments related to the availability of water for cooling the ZNPP's six reactors and other essential nuclear safety and security functions, following the destruction of the downstream Kakhovka dam in early June and the subsequent depletion of the huge reservoir near the plant.

The IAEA team said the two main bodies of water - the ZNPP's cooling pond and the discharge channel of the nearby Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant (ZTPP) - had been relatively stable, with the water level decreasing by 1-2 centimetres per day due to usage and evaporation. The site continues to have sufficient water for some months.

As part of ongoing efforts to explore back-up options, the plant is planning to construct additional wells that could be used to replenish essential cooling water for the sprinkler ponds, which are currently utilizing underground water pumped from the site's drainage system.

During the past week, a submersible pump was used to transfer some of the residual water in the ZTPP inlet channel into the ZTPP discharge channel, slightly increasing the height of the water in this channel.

The plant is separately preparing to move reactor unit 4 from cold shutdown to hot shutdown - after which unit 5, currently in hot shutdown, will be placed in cold shutdown in order to carry out preventive maintenance activities that are only possible in cold shutdown. The other units remain in cold shutdown.

The site uses the steam generated from one reactor unit in hot shutdown for various nuclear safety purposes including the processing of liquid radioactive waste collected in storage tanks. However, the IAEA experts are strongly encouraging the ZNPP to investigate all possible options to install an external boiler to generate the steam required, which would enable the site to bring all units into a cold shutdown state. The Ukraine national regulator - SNRIU - has issued regulatory orders to limit the operation of all six units to a cold shutdown state.

The IAEA is continuing to request the ZNPP to improve the conditions on site for Agency staff, including better accommodation, living and working conditions.

Since January this year, the IAEA also has a permanent presence at Ukraine's other nuclear power plants - the Khmelnitsky (KhNPP), Rivne (RNPP), South Ukraine (SUNPP) and the Chornobyl (ChNPP) sites - where the most recent rotations of experts took place last week.

The IAEA teams report that the sites are continuing to maintain their operating and refuelling schedules despite the challenges faced by the conflict. They also confirm that there are no nuclear safety or security related issues at the four sites.

Among other activities, these IAEA experts help facilitate the delivery of assistance to Ukraine's NPPs, organised by IAEA staff in Vienna, by discussing the technical specifications of safety and security equipment requested with their counterparts at the sites.

In the last two weeks, two deliveries of equipment to Ukraine took place, bringing the total to 21 since the conflict began in February 2022.

With the most recent deliveries, the KhNPP, SUNPP and RNPP received medical equipment and supplies that are essential for providing medical care and support, both to Ukrainian operating staff as well as to IAEA personnel at the sites.

In addition, the RNPP, SNRIU and State Enterprise Eastern Mining and Processing Plant, SE VostokGOK, received IT equipment, power supply systems, infrared sensors and portable tritium detectors. This equipment was procured with funds provided by Australia, the Republic of Korea and the United States of America as well as with support of the European Union.

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The President: Ukraine's future is in NATO

President of the Republic of Lithuania

July 12, 2023

On Wednesday, President Gitanas NausAda participated in the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

The President welcomed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and underscored the heroic fight of all Ukrainians for the sovereignty and freedom of their country.

Gitanas NausAda assured that Lithuania, which started delivering assistance to Ukraine even before the Russian military aggression, would continue to deliver all available support, including military. The President outlined Lithuania's long-term support plan for Ukraine, which includes military support, rehabilitation for wounded soldiers and assistance in defense reforms.

The President pointed out that all members of the NATO-Ukraine Council are equal and will address common security challenges in consultation on an equal footing. "The NATO-Ukraine Council must be a key forum and tool on Ukraine's path to NATO membership. Ukraine's future is in NATO and we cannot delay any longer this long-standing promise. Decisions must be implemented. Promises must be kept," the President said.

Gitanas NausAda underlined Ukraine's tremendous progress on the path of reform and interoperability with NATO, despite the ongoing war.

The President reiterated Lithuania's strong support for the establishment of a Special International Tribunal to investigate Russian aggression and war crimes.

"Our collective goal is sustainable peace and stability in Europe. Fully anchoring and integrating Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic security architecture is an indispensable prerequisite for it. Ukraine can count on Lithuania's unwavering support on its path to NATO membership," the President said.

The President's Communication Group

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The President: Countries around the world stand united in support of Ukraine

President of the Republic of Lithuania

July 12, 2023

On Wednesday, President Gitanas NausAda attended the Vilnius NATO Summit meeting with the leaders of the European Union and the Indo-Pacific partners (Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand).

The President noted that both the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific regions are currently on the geopolitical frontlines, and that the security situation in these regions is closely linked.

"NATO, the EU, and Indo-Pacific partners share the same values. We are united by our commitment to defend against the threats and challenges of authoritarian regimes. Also, to defend the rules-based international order," the President underlined.

Gitanas NausAda stressed that the world stands united in support of Ukraine, and that this support has to be long-term. "We must support Ukraine until it liberates all its territory. We must support Ukraine until it wins this brutal war," President Gitanas NausAda spoke.

The Head of State added that Lithuania contributes to the sustained efforts of the EU, NATO and partner countries to keep the Indo-Pacific free, open and rules-based, and called on the allies to use all available measures to promote world peace and partnership.

The President's Communication Group

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Secretary General welcomes President Zelenskyy to the NATO Summit ahead of inaugural NATO-Ukraine Council

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

12 Jul. 2023

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to the Vilnius Summit on Wednesday (12 July 2023) ahead of the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

The Secretary General praised the President, the Ukrainian people, the armed forces and the political leadership for their courage and determination since the beginning of Russia's war. "NATO will continue to stand with you for as long as it takes," he said.

The establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council is part of a three-part package of support bringing Ukraine closer to NATO. The Council will act as a forum "where Ukraine and NATO Allies will meet as equals, hold crisis consultations, and jointly take decisions," Mr Stoltenberg said.

The package also includes a multi-year programme of assistance to help the Ukrainian armed forces transition from Soviet-era to NATO equipment and standards and become fully interoperable with Allied forces.

Allies have also reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan. "This will change Ukraine's membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process," said the Secretary General, adding: "we will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when Allies agree that conditions are met." This is "a strong, united message from Allies on your path to NATO membership," he added.

Mr Stoltenberg further stressed the need for "credible arrangements" to be in place to ensure Ukraine's security when the war ends, welcoming the plan of many Allies to commit to providing long-term security assurance to Ukraine. "This will help deter any future aggression from Russia after this war ends," he said, adding that it complements the support provided by NATO.

"The decisions made here in Vilnius mark the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between NATO and Ukraine. Today, we meet as equals. I look forward to the day we meet as Allies," Mr Stoltenberg concluded.

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Opening remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of Heads of State and Government, with Sweden

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

12 Jul. 2023

(As delivered)

Good afternoon again, welcome to all of you, welcome to this first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

This is truly a historic moment - Allies and Ukraine sitting side by side as equals to address our common vision of Euro-Atlantic security.

And I'm really honoured to welcome in our midst our dear friend Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine. Welcome to you, Volodymyr, it's great to have you here.

Dear Volodymyr, we stand with you in your courageous struggle for freedom and sovereignty. We are humbled by all the sacrifices that Ukrainians have made in this fight, and we are inspired by your courage.

We need to keep up and further expand our support to help Ukraine liberate its land and deter future Russian aggression.

At this Summit, we have reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance and we have made decisions to bring Ukraine closer to NATO.

Today we meet as equals. And I look forward to the day we meet as Allies.

This concludes the public part of the meeting.

I thank the media for joining us and we will continue the meeting in just a moment.

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Ukraine sets up coalition with 11 countries to train F-16 pilots

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:05, July 12, 2023

KIEV, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine signed a memorandum with 11 countries to create a coalition for training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said Tuesday.

"It's official: a coalition for F-16 training of the Ukrainian Air Force has been formed," Reznikov tweeted.

Apart from pilots, technicians and support staff will participate in a training program, Reznikov said.

The creation of the coalition opens the doors to include other types of fighter aircraft in the program, he added.

Reznikov thanked Denmark and the Netherlands for their leadership in creating the coalition.

Separately, Ukraine's Ambassador to the United Kingdom Vadym Prystayko said that 20 Ukrainian pilots will begin training on Western fighter jets in Britain at the end of this month or at the beginning of August, the Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency reported.

Prystayko noted that Britain does not operate F-16 fighters, but has other European-made aircraft.

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UK minister warns West 'not Amazon' delivery service for Ukraine weapons

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 7:16 PM

The British defense secretary has said the West is not an "Amazon" delivery service for weapons shipment to Ukraine, in an extraordinary snub of Ukraine's repeated requests for more arms to fight against Russia.

Ben Wallace said Kiev needed to show gratitude for Western weapons donations and to persuade some doubting politicians in Washington and other capitals that the tens of billions of dollars they are spending on military aid to the country for its war with Russia are worthwhile.

"You have got to persuade doubting politicians in other countries that it is worth it, it's worthwhile and they are getting something for it," Wallace told British media on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius.

Wallace recalled that after receiving a list of weapons requests from Ukraine last year, he told officials in Kiev "I am not Amazon."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was asked about Wallace's comments at his summit press conference and responded in an exasperated tone.

"I believe that we were always grateful to the United Kingdom. We are always grateful to the prime minister -- or to prime ministers -- and to the minister of defense," he told reporters.

Western countries have so far provided or committed to providing Kiev with tens of billions of dollars worth of military equipment.

Ukraine has repeatedly called for more military assistance, notably long-range weapons. Kiev has also frequently asked to be admitted into NATO over the past months.

The US and its allies unveiled new security assurances for Ukraine at the NATO summit on Wednesday, vowing to offer "enduring" military support to help Ukraine with the war.

The pledge came a day after Zelensky decried as "absurd" a refusal to offer an invitation or timetable for Ukraine's entry into NATO.

Russia, which says NATO's eastward expansion is an existential threat to its own security, has lashed out at the West's support for Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was "potentially very dangerous" for the West to give Ukraine security guarantees.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council, said increasing military assistance to Ukraine by NATO was bringing closer a World War Three.

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G7 offers Ukraine wide-ranging security package at NATO summit

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 5:10 PM

The Group of Seven (G7) countries have offered Ukraine a long-term and wide-ranging security package at the NATO summit as Kiev strives toward membership in the US-led Western military alliance.

Leaders of the world's most industrialized countries revealed a strategy on Wednesday, focusing on Ukraine's long-term security. The plan aims to bolster Ukraine's military capabilities, transforming it into a robust military fortress to deter future cross-border military actions by Russia, Western media reported.

The package, which has a direct message to the Kremlin, was offered to Kiev on the second day of the two-day NATO summit in Lithuania as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was meeting with NATO leaders at a summit of the 31-member Western military bloc.

NATO leaders on the first day of the summit declared that Ukraine's future lay inside the US-led alliance but rebuffed Zelensky's desperate call for setting a timeline for membership.

NATO's Article 5 stipulates that an attack on one member is an attack on all, which means that if Ukraine is added to the bloc while it is still at war, all NATO members must enter a full-fledge and direct war with Russia, and this is not the bloc's intention right now.

NATO has so far pointedly refrained from giving military assistance to Ukraine as an organization. Nevertheless, Ukraine has so far managed to reap rewards in the form of current and long-term security commitments it has lobbied for.

Britain, France, Germany and the United States have been in talks with Ukraine for the past several weeks over a multilateral text to establish a wide-ranging international framework.

The global package encompasses various elements, including advanced military equipment, such as fighter jets, as well as training, intelligence-sharing and cyber-defense.

"Today we are launching negotiations with Ukraine to formalize - through bilateral security commitments and arrangements aligned with this multilateral framework, in accordance with our respective legal and constitutional requirements - our enduring support to Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the G7 countries said in a joint statement.

At the signing ceremony of the plan in Vilnius on Wednesday, US President Joe Biden hailed it as "a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine."

Zelensky, for his part, said, "Today there are security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to NATO...that shall be further extended through arrangements with our key partners. (Our) delegation is bringing home significant a security victory for Ukraine."

The G7, which comprises the US, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, Italy and Britain, as well as the European Union, further said in its declaration on Wednesday that said other countries could also sign on to make their own commitments, adding that the member states would begin bilateral talks with Kiev immediately.

The Ukrainian leader, in a separate presser, said that "the new document should be valid for as long as Ukraine is not in NATO."

"Today's declaration opens that possibility with strong bilateral agreements," Zelensky further said, adding that the best guarantee was still to be part of NATO itself.

In exchange, Ukraine would commit to reforms, including its judiciary and civilian control of the military.

Russia blasts G7's 'dangerous' move

Moscow was quick to blast the provocative move by G7, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling the move misguided.

He also warned that it is "potentially very dangerous" for the West to give Ukraine security guarantees, stressing that the move would infringe on Russia's own security.

The war in Ukraine began after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the launch of a "special military operation" in the ex-Soviet republic on February 24, 2022 to "demilitarize" two eastern Ukrainian regions amid Kiev's vaulting ambitions to join NATO, which Moscow deems a redline.

In September 2022, Zelensky formally applied for a fast-track NATO membership and ruled out talks with Putin as the war entered its eighth month.

Moscow has repeatedly warned Ukraine against its NATO membership proposals, calling the move "purely destabilizing." Russia has also warned the alliance against its further expansion toward its borders.

On Monday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that NATO member states had reached a consensus to drop the requirement for the Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Ukraine's bid to join the alliance, meaning that Kiev has taken a key step toward membership.

MAP is a list of political, economic and military goals that other Eastern European nations had to meet before joining NATO.

US determined to send banned cluster bombs to Ukraine

On Friday, the White House said that the US would indeed supply internationally-banned cluster bombs to Ukraine to help its counteroffensive against Russian forces despite a global ban on the use of the controversial munitions.

Biden said that the decision to provide the munitions was "very difficult," but that Ukrainian forces were "running out of ammunition."

"They either have the weapons to stop the Russians now -- keep them from stopping the Ukrainian offensive through these areas -- or they don't. And I think they needed them," he said.

Cluster bombs are banned under the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), an international treaty that addresses the humanitarian consequences and unacceptable harm caused to civilians by cluster munitions through a categorical prohibition and a framework for action.

Trump slams Biden over cluster bombs for Ukraine

Former US president Donald Trump warned on Tuesday that by sending banned cluster bombs to Ukraine the Biden administration is "dragging us further toward World War Three."

Biden "should be trying to end the war and stop the horrific death and destruction being caused by an incompetent administration," Trump said in a statement posted on his Truth Social platform.

He said that unexploded cluster munitions "will be killing and maiming innocent Ukrainian men, women, and children for decades to come," long after the war has ended.

"Joe Biden is needlessly and dangerously leading us into World War Three, which would be a nightmare beyond imaginationaobliteration!" Trump said.

Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, US media have regularly reported on the weapons shipments sent by the US to boost Kiev's fighting forces, with other NATO members delivering tens of billions in military aid, as well.

By January, the US and its allies had provided Ukraine with over 100 million rounds of small arms ammunition, over a million rounds of artillery shells, and more than 100,000 tank rounds.

Russia sees the flooding of Ukraine with weapons from the West as a futile effort to change the outcome of the war. Moscow says supplying Kiev with more weapons will only add to the death and destruction and prolong the conflict.

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Ukraine lost over 26000 forces during its counteroffensive: Russia

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 10:27 AM

Ukraine's armed forces have so far lost more than 26,000 soldiers and more than 3,000 pieces of military hardware during their counteroffensive that supposedly began on June 4, Russia's defense minister has declared.

"The adversary's losses beginning from June 4 have reached over 26,000 servicemen and 3,000 items of various pieces of armament," Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told reporters on Tuesday.

According to Shoigu, Russian forces destroyed 21 aircraft, 5 helicopters, 1244 tanks and other armored vehicles, 17 Leopard tanks made by Germany, five AMX tanks made by France, and 12 US-built Bradley infantry fighting vehicles during the reported period.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed 914 special vehicle equipment, two air defense systems, 25 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), 403 field artillery guns and mortars.

Russian air defense systems shot down 176 HIMARS rockets, 27 Storm Shadow air cruise missiles, and 483 UAVs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

"Once again, I repeat, 403 [artillery] weapons [have been destroyed], including 43 US-made artillery pieces and 46 self-propelled artillery weapons from Poland, the United States and France," the minister emphasized.

He added that Russian forces continue to attack the enemy's reserves and West-supplied military equipment with their highly accurate weapons, thereby reducing the offensive potential of the Ukrainian armed forces.

According to Shoigu, foreign intelligence services, mainly US and NATO forces, closely monitor and analyze Russia's combat operations, and note "the high efficacy of our defense lines and barrier minefields, [and the] professional work of army aviation and ground-attack aircraft who carry out preemptive strike at the adversary's targets."

Russia launches air strikes on Kiev as NATO meets

Russia, meanwhile, launched at least 15 drone attacks on Kiev and other regions for the second night in a row, with air Ukrainian defense systems being engaged in repelling aerial weapons just hours before Ukraine's president met with leaders of the NATO military alliance.

Two people were wounded in the attacks and a fire broke out at a non-residential infrastructure facility, said Ihor Taborets, the military chief of the Cherkasy region southeast of Kiev.

Serhiy Popko, head of the Kiev military administration, declared earlier in the day that the airstrike took place on "the 504th day of the Russian Federation's all-out invasion of Ukraine."

Despite Russia's repeated warnings that Western military aid will only prolong the war, the US and European countries have continued to supply Ukraine with lethal weapons.

Since the start of the war, they have given Ukraine tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons, including rocket systems, drones, armored vehicles, tanks, and communication systems.

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Russia warns NATO military aid to Kiev only brings WW III closer

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 6:12 AM

Russia has warned against NATO's increasing military assistance to Ukraine, saying such assistance could bring World War III closer.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council chaired by President Vladimir Putin, said late on Tuesday that the increase in military assistance to Ukraine by the NATO alliance will not stop Moscow from achieving its goals in Ukraine.

"The completely crazy West could not come up with anything else ... In fact, it's a dead end. World War Three is getting closer," Medvedev wrote on the Telegram messaging app in comments related to the first day of US-led NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where a number of countries pledged more weaponry and financial support to Kiev.

"What does all this mean for us? Everything is obvious. The special military operation will continue with the same goals," Medvedev pointed out.

Since the onset of the conflict between the two countries, the United States and its European allies have unleashed an array of unprecedented sanctions against Russia and poured numerous batches of advanced weapons into Ukraine to help its military fend off the Russian troops, despite repeated warnings by the Kremlin that such measures will only prolong the war.

Medvedev also advocated for Russia to use cluster munitions, saying that Ukraine is already using them in battle.

Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had said earlier that Moscow would be forced to use similar weapons, if the US provided Kiev with cluster munitions.

The US has announced it will supply Ukraine with cluster munitions that release large numbers of smaller bomblets, which can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Cluster munitions are banned by over 120 countries, including most NATO members.

In related news, the UK government said on Tuesday it will provide Ukraine with more than 70 combat and logistic vehicles, thousands of rounds of ammunition for Challenger 2 tanks, and a 50 million pound ($64.7 million) support package for equipment repair.

The UK government also said that all Group of Seven (G7) members were expected to sign a new framework on Wednesday that would provide long-term, bilateral security commitments for Ukraine that would be detailed in due course.

"Supporting Ukraine's progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral, and bilateral agreements and the overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe," British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement released by the government.

Russia commenced its special military operation in the eastern parts of the ex-Soviet republic on February 24, with the objective of defending its pro-Moscow population and stopping NATO expansion toward the Russian motherland by "demilitarizing" the Donbas region.

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NATO Summit Removed Any Doubts About Ukraine's Future Membership In Alliance, Zelenskiy Says

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 12, 2023

VILNIUS -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine "removed any doubts and ambiguities about whether Ukraine will be in NATO" during the alliance's two-day summit in Vilnius that ended on July 12.

He welcomed the security guarantees provided by the countries of the Group of Seven (G7), saying never before had Ukraine had such a base on which to build a security foundation on the way to NATO membership.

"On this foundation, we will build a new, legally binding architecture of bilateral security agreements," he said, assessing the results of the summit positively, saying the meeting brought clarity to Ukraine's future membership in NATO.

"For the first time, not only are all members of the alliance in agreement with [Ukrainian membership], but also a significant majority in the alliance is energetically approaching it," he said after the summit in the Lithuanian capital closed. "Never before have the words 'you are equal among equals' for Ukraine from other NATO members sounded truly meaningful."

The G7 announced the arrangement in the wake of Kyiv's disappointment after the NATO summit issued a vaguely worded statement saying the 31-member defense organization "will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met," without releasing details on what the conditions are.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said that despite the lack of an invitation to join, Ukraine "is now closer to NATO than ever before," adding, "I look forward to the day we meet as allies."

Zelenskiy earlier on July 12 welcomed a long-term security "framework" for Ukraine offered by the G7, but stressed it isn't a replacement for a clear timetable from NATO for membership in the military alliance.

"The best guarantee for Ukraine is to be in NATO," Zelenskiy told reporters.

The G7 framework lays the groundwork for each nation in the group to negotiate agreements to help Ukraine bolster its military over the long term.

It will provide more defense equipment, increase and accelerate intelligence sharing, bolster support for cyber and hybrid threat defenses, expand training programs and military exercises, and develop Ukraine's industrial base. It will also allow for long-term bilateral security agreements between Kyiv and the G7 countries.

"Supporting their progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral, and bilateral agreements and the overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin and return peace to Europe," British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.

The Kremlin immediately lashed out at the security agreement, saying it is "a mistake."

"We consider this extremely ill-judged and potentially very dangerous," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow, adding that "by providing security guarantees to Ukraine, they're infringing on Russia's security."

The Russian Foreign Ministry said after the summit ended that the Kremlin was ready to respond to threats by using all necessary means.

"The results of the Vilnius summit will be carefully analyzed. Taking into account the challenges and threats to Russia's security and interests that have been identified, we will respond in a timely and appropriate manner, using all means and methods at our disposal," the ministry said in a statement. "In addition to the decisions already taken, we will continue to strengthen the country's military organization and defense system."

On the final day of the summit, the alliance also launched a new forum for deepening ties with Ukraine, known as the NATO-Ukraine Council. It's intended to serve as a permanent body where the alliance's 31 members and Ukraine can hold consultations and call for meetings in emergency situations.

Zelenskiy welcomed the fresh pledges of support, saying the Ukrainian delegation "is bringing home a significant security victory for Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children," he said.

Zelenskiy also met on the sidelines of the summit with U.S. President Joe Biden, who later told a crowd at Vilnius University that U.S. and allied commitment to Ukraine "will not weaken."

Biden and Zelenskiy discussed further security cooperation and internal processes in Russia, "taking into account the latest events" -- an apparent reference to last month's mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group.

Biden told the Ukrainian president after their meeting that "the United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need."

U.S. support "will last long into the future," Biden said after the face-to-face meeting. "We're going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defense."

In his speech at the university, Biden pledged that Western allies "will not waver" in defense of Ukraine, casting the struggle against Russian aggression as one of the world's central challenges.

"Our unity will not falter," Biden declared. "I promise you."

Calling Lithuania a country that knows the "transformational power of freedom," Biden drew parallels between Lithuania's struggle to escape Soviet rule and Ukraine's ongoing fight to repel Russia's invasion.

"America never recognized the Soviet occupation of the Baltic," he said to cheers from the crowd in a courtyard draped with U.S. and Lithuanian flags.

The president pointed to the U.S. and allied response to Moscow's invasion as a model for how to respond to other global challenges, from climate change to the rise of China, touting the strength in the broad and deep coalition.

"Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken," he said. "We will stand for freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes."

Meanwhile, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace raised eyebrows by suggesting that Ukraine should appear more grateful for Western military support and not treat allies like "Amazon."

In comments cited by multiple British media outlets, Wallace said he had heard "grumbles" from lawmakers in Washington that "we're not Amazon." He agreed with the statements, saying he had told the Ukrainians the same.

Sunak's spokesman, Max Blain, downplayed the remarks. "I think you have heard from President Zelenskiy repeatedly...about his gratitude to the people of the United Kingdom for their support and their generosity," Blain said.

With reporting by Rikard Jozwiak in Vilnius, Reuters, AP, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-nato-membership- vilnius-zelenskiy-biden/32499865.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russia Launches Fresh Drone Strikes On Kyiv, Other Ukrainian Cities Amid Heavy Fighhting In East, South

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 12, 2023

Russia on July 12 launched more kamikaze drones on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for a second day in a row, while shelling of other cities and towns in eastern Ukraine caused death and injuries as Russia announced that the Wagner mercenary group is completing its handover of weapons to the Russian Army.

Eighteen people were injured in a residential area of Zaporizhzhya as a result of shelling of the southeastern city, regional Governor Yuriy Malashko said.

Among the injured were six children, Malashko said on Telegram, adding that several of the injured required treatment at a hospital.

In the nearby Kherson region, an 81-year-old man was killed and his 82-year-old wife was injured when their house was shelled and caught fire, the press service of the regional government said.

One person died and five others, including a child, were injured by Russian shelling in the Kherson region the day before, authorities said.

In the northeast, Russian troops shelled a border village in the Kharkiv region, hitting a private house and starting a fire that caused significant damage, the Interior Ministry said.

The ministry said firefighters quickly extinguished the fire. The State Emergency Service said the Russian strike completely destroyed the home.

Russia has denied targeting civilians in the conflict despite abundant evidence to the contrary.

The Ukrainian military said earlier on July 12 that most of the kamikaze drones launched by Russian forces were shot down by air defenses.

All Iranian-made drones in the airspace around Kyiv were destroyed, the head of the Ukrainian capital's military administration, Serhiy Popko, said on Telegram

Separately, the Ukrainian air defense said it shot down 11 out of 15 drones launched by Russia.

In Ukraine's central region of Cherkasy, two people suffered burns after a drone hit infrastructure, causing a fire, the region's governor, Ihor Taburets, said on Telegram.

On the battlefield, Ukrainian troops fighting near Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region are moving forward at a "fairly moderate pace" and the initiative remains with them, according to Serhiy Cherevatiy, spokesman for Ukraine's defense forces in the eastern region.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian military said in its early morning report on July 12 that Ukrainian and Russian forces fought 29 close-combat battles in the area.

British intelligence and the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War said on July 8 that. after a lull in June, Bakhmut had again become the site of some of the fiercest fighting on the front. They confirmed that Ukrainian forces achieved steady success both in the north and in the south of the city, which was previously fully occupied by Russia.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, the head of Ukraine's southern command, said Ukrainian troops destroyed seven Russian ammunition depots in one day in the Tavria direction.

It was not possible for RFE/RL to verify Ukraine's claims of battlefield success.

In Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry said more than 2,000 pieces of military hardware from the private military company Wagner had been turned over following the mercenary group's short-lived mutiny last month.

The group is completing its handover of weapons, including tanks, rockets, and more than 2,500 tons of ammunition, and about 20,000 small arms, to Russia's regular armed forces, the ministry said on July 12.

The weapons have been transferred to rear positions where the equipment can be maintained or repaired, the ministry said.

The handover follows a deal under which Wagner and its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, called off their mutiny. The Wagner fighters, who took part in some of the heaviest fighting of the war in Ukraine, were given the option of joining Prigozhin in exile in Belarus, joining Russia's regular armed forces, or going home.

The whereabouts of Prigozhin are still unknown. Belarusian authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka told reporters last week that the 62-year-old mercenary chief was in Russia.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-drone- attack-bakhmut/32499835.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Ukrainian Ambassador Praises French Decision To Send Long-Range Missiles, Calls On Others To Follow Suit

By Shelby Rayer July 12, 2023

WASHINGTON -- Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova praised the recent French decision to send Ukraine long-range missiles at a forum in Washington on July 12 and said any other county that has this type of missile should also send them to Ukraine's front lines.

Markarova met with French Ambassador to the U.S. Laurent Bili at a panel discussion as the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, came to a close.

The decision to send the SCALP missiles was announced on July 11 by French President Emmanuel Macron as the summit opened. The new delivery adds to the British supply of Storm Shadow missiles -- identical to the French SCALP missiles -- which Britain began delivering to Ukraine in May.

"We are very grateful...to France and Great Britain for providing [the long-range missiles]," Markarova said. "It really makes a difference on the battlefield.

"We are still working and asking both our friends in the U.S., but also anyone else who have these capabilities, to give it to us," she added.

The missiles have a range of more than 250 kilometers, meaning they are capable of striking targets far into Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, well behind front lines.

This capability is critical for Ukraine's forces to disrupt Russian logistics and command and control, military analysts have said.

The Ukrainian ambassador also thanked the United States for the recent decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine, saying that it was "such a valued decision" from President Joe Biden, who has received some backlash from domestic critics and foreign allies about the controversial weapons.

Among these new additions to Kyiv's arsenal, Ukraine also came out of the Vilnius summit with a G7 security guarantee, promising continued support for Ukraine throughout the war.

While the ambassador called the G7 statement "a very powerful declaration," the guarantee falls short of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's aspirations to have a clear date for Ukraine's entrance into NATO.

However, the ambassador reiterated that winning the war and Ukraine's integration into Western institutions are fundamentally linked.

Ukrainian military forces, Markarova explained, were already moving toward NATO membership by making all equipment interoperable with NATO equipment.

"I think our army is one of the few armies...that use NATO type equipment very effectively," she said.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-france- scalp-missiles/32500884.html

Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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UN Chief Proposes to Preserve Grain Deal for Few Months - Reports

Sputnik News

20230712

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has proposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to preserve the Black Sea Grain Initiative for a few more months until the European Union manages to connect a subsidiary of the Russian Agriculture Bank to SWIFT, media report says.

Earlier in the day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a letter to Putin that outlines a proposal to extend the grain exports agreement, formally known as the Black Sea Initiative.

"As part of his ongoing efforts in this regard, the Secretary-General sent a letter yesterday to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, outlining a proposal aiming to harmonize the vital further implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with the vital need to keep the Black Sea Initiative operational," United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said during a press briefing.

Guterres said in the letter that the objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank - a major concern expressed by Russia - and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

A Sputnik

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France Plans to Train About 7,000 Ukrainian Soldiers by End of 2023

Sputnik News

20230712

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - France has already trained 5,200 Ukrainian soldiers, and it plans to train a total of 7,000 military by the end of 2023, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Wednesday.

"France's support for Ukraine is not weakening. [...] Nearly 5,200 Ukrainian soldiers have already been trained by France, including 1,600 in Poland. There will be nearly 7,000 by the end of the year," Lecornu tweeted.

He also noted that training is conducted taking into account the needs of Ukrainian armed forces. In particular, the troops learn how to operate French military equipment transferred to them and practice modern combat tactics, the minister added.

The United Kingdom's government meanwhile announced on Wednesday that over 19,000 Ukrainian soldiers were trained in the country over the past six past months.

"In the past six months, the UK has also expanded its military training programme for Ukrainian recruits. This programme has trained more than 19,000 soldiers to date and training for Ukrainian pilots in the UK will begin this summer," the government statement said.

The UK also plans to create a medical center for the rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers within NATO framework, as well as allocate Kiev 50 million pounds ($65 million) to repair military equipment and, together with other G7 countries, will provide "thousands of additional rounds" for Challenger 2 tanks and over 70 combat and logistics vehicles.

Earlier in the day, the G7 members presented the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine agreed at the NATO summit in Vilnius. The declaration provides for the allocation of additional military equipment, expanded intelligence sharing, new training programs for the Ukrainian military, as well as the development of industrial capacities.

A Sputnik

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NATO Allies Sign Pact on F-16 Jet Training for Ukraine

Sputnik News

20230712

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - NATO allies and Sweden signed a declaration that formalized a coalition for teaching Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets, the Romanian Defense Ministry Said on Wednesday.

"Minister of National Defence, Angel Tilvar, signed on Tuesday, July 11, as part of the NATO Summit from Vilnius, the Joint Declaration on the formalization of the Training Coalition for the Ukrainian Air Force, in order to operate the F-16 aircraft," the statement read.

The coalition groups Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Romania has recently retired its fleet of Soviet-made MiG-21s to replace them with F-16s. Defense Minister Tilvar said Romania planned to have three squadrons equipped with F-16 Fighting Falcons and was interested in training pilots trained to fly them "as soon as possible."

Romania will set up a training facility for Romanian air force personnel where they will be taught to operate F-16s. The Defense Ministry said it would accept pilots from NATO allied and partner states, including Ukraine.

A Sputnik

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The destruction of the Kakhovka dam: UK statement to the OSCE, 12 July 2023

Deputy Ambassador Brown says Russia must bear ultimate responsibility for the destruction of the Kakhovka dam.

12 July 2023

Chairs, as we said this morning, and as we have seen in detail this afternoon, the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam is a major catastrophe with wide-reaching ecological and humanitarian consequences. Tens of thousands have been directly impacted by the resultant flooding.

Let us be clear. Russia has controlled the area since just after the invasion and must bear ultimate responsibility: none of the suffering that we have seen or the damage caused would have happened if Russia had not launched an unprovoked and illegal war of aggression.

We are still analysing the impact on Ukraine's grain production, but what is very clear is that this disaster has had, and will have, an unquantifiable impact on Ukraine's ability to maintain production. An attack on the dam is not just on Ukraine, but on all those who depend on Ukraine's grain exports to provide food around the world.

The destruction of the Kakhovka is abhorrent. Intentionally targeting exclusively civilian infrastructure is a war crime. And any targeting of innocent civilians or humanitarian workers trying to escape an ongoing humanitarian disaster is not only barbaric, but also a gross breach of the Geneva Conventions.

The links between environmental destruction and security are alarmingly clear. And it is right that we should discuss them in this forum at the OSCE.

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PM meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 12 July 2023

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

12 July 2023

The Prime Minister met President Zelenskyy at NATO this morning.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the courage and bravery of Ukraine's Armed Forces on the front lines.

They discussed the increasing progress of the counteroffensive, and the Prime Minister outlined a new package of UK support for Ukraine.

The Prime Minister welcomed the fact that the MAP requirement for Ukraine had now been removed, smoothing the path to full NATO membership in the future.

The Prime Minister and the President agreed on the importance of the security arrangements to be announced by the G7 this afternoon.

They marked a new high point in support from the international community and would give Ukraine an even greater level of endurance against Russian aggression, the Prime Minister said.

Both agreed the arrangements will not be a substitute for NATO membership and looked forward to building on the new security framework as soon as possible.

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Historic security framework for Ukraine set to be agreed in major step toward ending the war

A significant international framework for Ukraine's long-term security arrangements is expected to be agreed by G7 partners in the margins of the NATO Summit today (Wednesday).

12 July 2023

UK and G7 allies are expected to agree a new framework for guaranteeing Ukraine's long-term security today, delivering on an ambition the PM set out at the beginning of this year

At the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, the PM will strongly support simplifying the path to Ukraine's NATO membership

Comes as the Prime Minister announces a major new tranche of support for Ukraine, including thousands of additional rounds of Challenger 2 ammunition, more than 70 combat and logistics vehicles and a A50m support package for equipment repair, as well as establishing a new military rehabilitation centre

A significant international framework for Ukraine's long-term security arrangements is expected to be agreed by G7 partners in the margins of the NATO Summit today (Wednesday).

The joint declaration, expected to be signed by all members of the G7, will set out how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war and deter and respond to any future attack. It is the first time that this many countries have agreed a comprehensive long-term security arrangement of this kind with another country.

Joint Declaration signatories will provide long-term, bilateral security commitments for Ukraine, with the aim of building a Ukraine that can defend its territorial sovereignty both today and in the future.

At the Munich Security Conference in February, the Prime Minister set out the obligation the international community had to ensure Ukraine was never again left vulnerable to the kind of brutality inflicted on it by Russia, and in turn, put the country in the best possible position for any future negotiations.

Since that speech, the UK and allies have delivered on this obligation through the continued provision of security assistance and modern military equipment across land, sea and air - prioritising air defence, artillery, long-range capabilities, and armoured vehicles.

The UK was the first G7 country to provide Ukraine with main battle tanks and the first country to provide long-range missiles. We have also been instrumental in establishing the new international coalition to provide Ukraine with combat air capability.

In the past six months, the UK has also expanded its military training programme for Ukrainian recruits. This programme has trained more than 19,000 soldiers to date and training for Ukrainian pilots in the UK will begin this summer.

Following today's Joint Declaration, partners will provide more defence equipment, increase and accelerate intelligence sharing, bolster support for cyber and hybrid threat defences, expand training programmes and military exercises, and develop Ukraine's industrial base.

Signatories will set out the detail of their long-term commitments to Ukraine under the framework announced today in due course.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

As Ukraine makes strategic progress in their counteroffensive, and the degradation of Russian forces begins to infect Putin's front line, we are stepping up our formal arrangements to protect Ukraine for the long term. We can never see a repeat of what has happened in Ukraine and this declaration reaffirms our commitment to ensure it is never left vulnerable to the kind of brutality Russia has inflicted on it again. Supporting their progress on the pathway to NATO membership, coupled with formal, multilateral, and bilateral agreements and the overwhelming support of NATO members will send a strong signal to President Putin and return peace to Europe.

The Prime Minister will also praise Allies in the inaugural NATO-Ukraine Council today for agreeing the Alliance's decision to simplify Ukraine's path to joining NATO and recognise their impressive progress on adapting to alliance standards.

He will say Ukraine's extensive strides towards NATO interoperability and its willingness to reform has already helped them make progress toward the moment when they will be ready to take their rightful place in the Alliance, adding that they have made Ukraine's need for a formal Membership Action Plan (MAP) redundant.

Removing the need for a formal MAP would ensure Ukraine's accession to NATO is quicker when the war is over.

In addition to the work on a long-term bilateral security pact, the UK will deliver more than 70 combat and logistics vehicles to Ukraine, including CVRT vehicles. The British Army vehicles will be gifted to Ukraine to ensure front line forces have the means to carry vital ammunition and equipment, evacuate injured soldiers and recover damaged vehicles, making them crucial to Ukraine's counteroffensive.

Thousands of additional rounds of Challenger 2 ammunition will also be immediately delivered to Ukraine as part of the package, while a new A50m equipment support contract will sustain the battle-winning platforms the UK has already provided to Ukraine including spare parts, technical support, and maintenance training.

As demonstrated by the UK's hosting of the Ukraine Recovery Conference last month, the Prime Minister is focussed on ensuring Ukraine can recover and rebuild in the long term, including supporting members of the military injured on the front lines.

That's why today, the UK will launch a project through NATO to establish a medical rehabilitation centre to support the recovery and return of soldiers to Ukraine's lines of defence after being injured in combat. The centre will be twinned with the UK's world leading facility Stanford Hall, drawing on remote UK expertise and support to accelerate recovery and reduce the long-term impacts of war.

The programme will be funded through NATO's Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine and supported by rehabilitation specialists from across the Alliance.

The centre will treat the most severely injured, helping them to adapt to prothesis, relearn to walk and regain confidence and ambition for the future. For those less severely injured, the centre will accelerate their recovery, helping them to return to the Armed Forces to defend Ukraine.

The announcement comes after several visits of the Ukrainian Surgeon General to the UK, to see first-hand how veterans have been supported to overcome and adapt to major physical challenges inflicted in conflict.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not rule out that Russia will try to block humanitarian initiatives after the G7 countries agreed on security guarantees for Ukraine

President of Ukraine

12 July 2023 - 22:02

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy does not rule out that Russia will react to the agreement by the G7 countries on security guarantees for Ukraine by attempting to block humanitarian initiatives in order to create new crises. He said this during a meeting with representatives of Ukrainian and foreign media following his visit to Lithuania and participation in the NATO Summit.

"I am sure that after today's acceptance of security guarantees, they will now disrupt important humanitarian projects in one way or another. Russia always reacts like this: it does not keep its word and constantly wants to block certain humanitarian corridors to create a new crisis," the Head of State noted.

Answering journalists' questions about the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which expires on July 17, the President of Ukraine noted that there are risks of blocking it: "At our meeting, President ErdoAYan raised the issue and said that TArkiye supports this initiative. There are risks. We discussed this with President ErdoAYan during my visit to Istanbul, at our meeting."

Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for United Nations Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres to join the negotiations with Russia on the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative as one of the parties to the previous agreements with Russia.

"We are not violating anything, we are not blocking anything. We did not agree with Russia - we agreed with the UN and TArkiye, and they agreed with Russia," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

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President: Ukraine must prepare for the NATO Summit in 2024 in Washington

President of Ukraine

12 July 2023 - 21:55

Ukraine must prepare for the next NATO Summit, in particular, by winning the war with Russia, which will open the possibility of our country's membership in the Alliance. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with representatives of Ukrainian and foreign media following his visit to Lithuania and participation in the NATO Summit.

"We believe in victory. We believe that there will be a next, very important step for Ukraine at the next NATO Summit. It is symbolic - after all, it will be the 75th anniversary of the Alliance, in Washington. We have to work hard and prepare for this Summit," the Head of State said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the main goal for Ukraine is to win the war with Russia, which will open the possibility of joining the Alliance.

"NATO membership will definitely come with victory. And it is clear to everyone: we have absolute unity that Ukraine will be a member of the European Union. This is absolutely fair. Ukraine has been fighting for such a future, a near future - to be an equal member of the European Union, a security alliance and an independent state," the President noted.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy: There is certainty that Ukraine will be in NATO

President of Ukraine

12 July 2023 - 21:05

At the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Ukraine received assurances from its partners that their support in the fight against Russia will continue and that our country will become a member of the Alliance as soon as the security situation allows. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with representatives of Ukrainian and foreign media following his visit to Lithuania and participation in the Summit.

"The most important thing is that we equally understand the conditions when and how Ukraine will join NATO. Maybe not all the details are communicated, but for me it was very important that there is certainty that Ukraine will be in NATO, that no one will trade NATO membership with anyone. That this is a real political decision based on the security situation in Ukraine," the Head of State said.

The President noted that he trusts partners and allies who help Ukraine win the war unleashed by Russia. According to him, at the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, our state received powerful support from more than thirty countries.

"I believe that we will be in NATO as soon as the security situation is stabilized. In simple terms: when the war is over, Ukraine will definitely be invited to join NATO and Ukraine will definitely become a member of the Alliance. I have not heard any other opinion today," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

In addition, according to the President, Ukraine has received powerful confirmations of defense assistance.

The Head of State called the support for security guarantees for Ukraine by the allies and the adoption of the relevant Joint Declaration the third important achievement.

"In this declaration, we have kept one very important point - the fact that it says that these are security guarantees on Ukraine's path to NATO," he emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that during his talks with state leaders, he discusses in detail the situation in Ukraine and the issues that may slow down or complicate certain processes.

"I believe that our team has done this: we have conveyed all these important details. Therefore, the support will not decrease. At least that's what our partners said," he said.

The President also emphasized that Ukraine would never agree to any political status in exchange for giving up its territories.

"We will not give up our territories and will never exchange them for any "frozen conflict". This will never happen. Our partners are well aware of my position," the Head of State summarized.

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President of Ukraine met with the President of the European Council

President of Ukraine

12 July 2023 - 19:48

In the framework of his participation in the NATO Summit in Vilnius, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the European Council Charles Michel.

The leaders discussed key issues of Ukraine's interaction with the European Union and our country's progress on the path of European integration.

The interlocutors paid special attention to the issue of Ukraine's preparation to the start of negotiations on EU membership and reviewed the state of implementation of the relevant seven recommendations of the European Commission by our country.

The Head of State expressed gratitude to the President of the European Council for his leadership in supporting Ukraine on the way to EU membership.

The parties noted the importance of the approval of the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine by the G7 leaders, which is an important step in the formation of the future system of guaranteeing the security of our state until Ukraine gains full membership in NATO.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Charles Michel also discussed the EU sanctions policy and the need to further increase sanctions pressure on Russia.



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Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Joseph Biden in Vilnius

President of Ukraine

12 July 2023 - 19:26

During the NATO Summit in Vilnius, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the United States Joseph Biden.

The Head of State expressed gratitude to Joseph Biden, the Congress and the entire American people for the powerful assistance, primarily military, provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia.

"I would like to thank you for being with us all these days, for standing side by side. We really appreciate it," he emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed Joseph Biden in detail about the course of hostilities on the frontline, operational and strategic plans of Ukraine. The parties also discussed internal processes in the Russian Federation given the recent events.

The Presidents paid considerable attention to further long-term defense cooperation.

The Head of State noted the tremendous support from the United States, which has already reached $43 billion.

"But the United States is spending this money to save the lives of Ukrainians, and we are also defending a large part of Europe and the whole world," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The President of Ukraine noted the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council and the approval of the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine by the G7 countries.

"I know that other states are willing to support the G7 decision. And this will help tremendously, because these are very concrete things for ensuring security that you are doing for us," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

For his part, Joseph Biden noted that the President of Ukraine and the Ukrainian delegation had been able to feel the great support of all partner countries.

"You have already done a great deal of work, and I know you have a lot more to do. I look forward to the day when we're having the meeting to celebrate your official membership in NATO," the President of the United States said.

Joseph Biden noted the extraordinary bravery and fortitude of the entire Ukrainian people, who have been resisting large-scale Russian aggression for more than 500 days.

He assured us that the United States is doing and will continue to do everything to help Ukraine as quickly as possible and for as long as it takes.





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With the participation of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, G7 leaders agreed on a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine

President of Ukraine

12 July 2023 - 18:29

In the margins of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, with the participation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the leaders of G7 countries agreed on a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, in which they reaffirmed that the security of our country is an integral part of the security of the Euro-Atlantic region.

This is an important step in shaping the future system of guaranteeing Ukraine's security until it becomes a full-fledged NATO member.

The approval of this document is the result of many months of work by the Ukrainian team with partners from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and others.

Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida noted that the G7 Summit, which took place in May in the Japanese city of Hiroshima with the participation of a wide range of partner countries, emphasized the inadmissibility of attempts to change the status quo in any country in the world by force. The need to protect a free and open international order based on the rule of law was also emphasized.

"I feel that the fact that we, the G7 leaders and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have gathered again today is of great importance," Fumio Kishida said.

He emphasized that the declaration is open for accession by other countries that share the intention to support Ukraine and expressed hope that many states will make such a decision.

"The G7 will continue to stand by Ukraine, and our solidarity will never waver," the Japanese Prime Minister emphasized.

U.S. President Joseph Biden emphasized that the G7 Joint Declaration contains long-term commitments to support Ukraine.

"We will help Ukraine build a strong and capable defense across land, air and sea. It will be the force of stability in the region and deter against any threats. I want to thank my fellow G7 leaders and President Zelenskyy for their work to make this happen," Joseph Biden said.

He emphasized that the G7 countries in this declaration expressed their commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes as it defends its freedom and rebuilds the future.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the current NATO Summit is ending with a very necessary, significant success for Ukraine.

The Head of State thanked Joseph Biden, Fumio Kishida, as well as President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, as well as President of Lithuania Gitanas NausAda and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

"I am grateful to all the leaders, all NATO countries for their very practical and unprecedented support for Ukraine, considering the decades of our relations. Today, we have security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to NATO - a very important package of guarantees. We are agreeing with the G7 on the framework of security guarantees that shall be further extended through arrangements with our key partners, bilateral and multilateral agreements," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The Head of State emphasized that the Ukrainian delegation is returning home with a significant security victory for Ukraine and its citizens.

"This opens up completely new security opportunities for us. I thank everyone who worked for this, I thank you, dear colleagues," the President said.

The declaration is a general framework document. The next step is to conclude a system of bilateral security agreements between Ukraine and the guarantor countries in the framework of multilateral cooperation.

After the adoption of the declaration, each of the countries will start working with Ukraine to develop specific and long-term commitments that will ensure our country's capability to defend itself now and deter Russian aggression in the future.



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President: Declaration of support for Ukraine will consolidate security guarantees for our country until NATO membership

President of Ukraine

12 July 2023 - 16:52

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the approval by the G7 countries of the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine will be the first decision that will put in writing the security guarantees for our country on the path to NATO integration.

"If today the G7 agrees on the first major declaration on security guarantees, it will be a concrete fact, because it says that these guarantees are valid on the way to NATO. And this is extremely important. It will be a very concrete signal," the Head of State said at the press conference following the meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius.

He noted that these security guarantees will be the first legal formalization of the assistance that Ukraine has received since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion and will continue to receive from its partners.

"It is very important that this may become the first legal document that symbolizes that we have such an "umbrella" of security guarantees. And then Ukraine will have documents on real relations with each security guarantor state, and there will be all the things that we have or lack today: air defense, aviation, etc. It will definitely be at the bilateral level," the President stated.

He also noted that this document is open, and other non-G7 countries can join the provision of security guarantees for Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy added that the new document should be in effect until our country becomes a full member of the North Atlantic Alliance, which will be the best guarantee of security for Ukraine and Ukrainians.

The Head of State particularly thanked U.S. President Joseph Biden for the decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions.

"I want us to look at it like this: it's about justice. Russia is constantly using cluster munitions on our territory, fighting exclusively on our land, killing our people, using cluster munitions for many years. The assistance that we can receive from the United States regarding cluster munitions is exclusively for military purposes, exclusively for use on the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He emphasized that the use of this ammunition is absolutely controlled and will not be used on the territory of other states.

The President also emphasized that Ukraine still needs long-range weapons.

"This deficit has not disappeared, and I will raise this issue," the Head of State noted.

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Security is our key task at the NATO Summit - Volodymyr Zelenskyy following the meeting with Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius

President of Ukraine

12 July 2023 - 15:18

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during the NATO Summit in Vilnius.

"We have already come a long way in interoperability with NATO. Our warriors have the freshest experience of cooperation with various Allies. The skillful use of NATO weapons by our troops has proved that global democracy is stronger than any terrorist threats against us. At the same time, even in the time of a full-scale war with Russia, Ukraine continues the reforms, and in the framework of our path of integration into the EU, it is clearly defined what exactly we have to do, and we are doing it," the Head of State said at the joint press conference with Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting in Vilnius.

In this regard, the President praised the decision of NATO members to cancel the need for a Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Ukraine. At the same time, he believes that the Summit would have been more effective if Ukraine had received an invitation to join the Alliance.

"We can state that the results of the summit are good, but if there had been an invitation, they would have been perfect," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He also emphasized the need to provide security guarantees for Ukraine that will remain in place until our country becomes a NATO member.

"Today, the G7 can confirm these security guarantees. And if this happens, it will be a really important success for us," the Head of State emphasized.

The President also stated that in the course of today's meetings with the leaders of the partner countries, the situation on the battlefield and the steps necessary to ensure peace and security of the citizens of Ukraine are discussed in detail.

"This primarily concerns defense assistance from our partners. And here we want to thank you: we have extremely positive news about new defense support packages from our partners. We have such agreements within the summit. I thank each of the leaders who offered us these packages," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The Head of State also praised the support of the NATO Secretary General and thanked him for his efforts and attention to Ukraine.

"Security is something that is in obvious deficit right now, and cooperation of all partners here in NATO is something that will definitely fill the security deficit. Ukraine is and will always be a donor to our common security. Security is our key task at the NATO Summit, at all our meetings and in all our communications," the President emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the Allies believe in Ukraine as a future equal member of NATO, as a guarantor of security and as a winner in this war for freedom and human rights.

He also emphasized that the NATO-Ukraine Council is not just an instrument of participation, but an instrument of integration.

"And it gives us the feeling that we will be part of the Alliance," the President said, answering journalists' questions.

"I am confident that Ukraine will join NATO after the war. We will do everything for this," the Head of State added.

For his part, Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that the Alliance will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. He noted that over the past year, NATO members have provided assistance worth tens of billions of dollars.

"We have now agreed on a three-part package that brings Ukraine closer to NATO. A multi-year practical assistance program. Establishment of a new NATO-Ukraine Council. A new confirmation that Ukraine will become a NATO member and the abolition of the requirement for a Membership Action Plan," Jens Stoltenberg said.

According to him, the new multi-year assistance program will help Ukraine's transition from the standards of the Soviet army to those of NATO member states and make the Armed Forces of Ukraine fully interoperable with NATO forces.

Jens Stoltenberg also noted that the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council will soon begin, where Allies and Ukraine will meet as equals. This platform will be used for consultations and joint decision-making.

"Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before. Allies have reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance and agreed to waive the MAP requirement. This will change Ukraine's membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process. We will extend an invitation to Ukraine to join NATO when Allies agree that the conditions have been met," the Secretary General said.

Jens Stoltenberg also welcomed the decision of NATO members to provide Ukraine with long-term security assistance, which will help deter any possible Russian aggression after the war.

"The decisions taken here in Vilnius mark the beginning of a new chapter in NATO-Ukraine relations. Today, we meet as equals, and I look forward to the day when we meet as allies," the NATO Secretary General summarized.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Emmanuel Macron in Vilnius

President of Ukraine

12 July 2023 - 14:26

In the framework of his participation in the NATO Summit, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had an unscheduled meeting with President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron.

The Head of State informed the President of France in detail about the situation on the battlefield in the main directions of offensive operations.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked France for its large-scale military assistance, in particular long-range SCALP missiles, and spoke about Ukraine's further defense needs, including engineering equipment.

The leaders agreed to work on developing a multi-year and predictable program of defense support for Ukraine.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the Prime Minister of Australia in Vilnius

President of Ukraine

12 July 2023 - 13:00

In the framework of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese.

The Head of State expressed gratitude for the support and assistance provided to Ukraine by Australia and informed his interlocutor about the situation on the frontline.

The parties discussed the defense needs of our country and further cooperation in this sphere, particularly the possible expansion of military support by new types of armored vehicles and weapons. The President of Ukraine thanked Australia for providing 30 additional Bushmaster armored vehicles and logistical support for defense.

The parties also discussed the need for further sanctions against the aggressor state.

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Head of State had a meeting with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

President of Ukraine

12 July 2023 - 12:42

In the framework of the Vilnius NATO Summit, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Rishi Sunak.

The leaders discussed Ukraine's defense needs, further cooperation to expand the capabilities of the Ukrainian army on the battlefield, in particular with long-range weapons and, in the future, modern Western aviation.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Rishi Sunak and the United Kingdom for supporting Ukraine's accession to NATO and for participating in providing our country with effective security guarantees for the period prior to membership in the Alliance.

The Head of State thanked the United Kingdom for the recent successful holding of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London and the decisions taken to provide our country with long-term financial support, in particular by allocating frozen Russian assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Olaf Scholz in Vilnius

President of Ukraine

12 July 2023 - 12:00

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the framework of the NATO Summit in Vilnius.

The Head of State informed the Chancellor on the course of hostilities on the frontline and shared his assessment of the situation in Russia after the recent events.

The President thanked Olaf Scholz for the powerful military assistance provided by Germany to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, particularly noting the latest security support package that includes air defense systems, armored vehicles and artillery shells.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about Russia's increase in missile production using Western components.

The parties discussed further long-term defense cooperation between Ukraine and Germany, including the functioning of hubs for the repair of Western equipment.

The Head of State also thanked for the important decisions taken by the Allies to enhance practical cooperation between Ukraine and NATO, in particular the launch of a multi-year assistance program to support Ukraine's full interoperability with the Alliance in the field of security and defense. Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the launch of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

The President emphasized that today our country makes an extremely significant contribution to the protection of peace, freedom and democracy on the European continent, and 90% of Ukrainians stand for NATO membership.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Olaf Scholz also exchanged views on further steps to implement the Ukrainian Peace Formula and prepare for the Global Peace Summit.

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President of Ukraine met with the Prime Minister of Canada in the framework of the NATO Summit

President of Ukraine

12 July 2023 - 11:45

In the framework of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Canadian Prime Minister for his recent visit to Kyiv and expressed gratitude to Canada and all Canadians for their assistance from the very beginning of the full-scale Russian aggression.

"We can truly count on you. We are fighting for our common values. And I am very grateful for all the support from your government. I am glad that we can have a conversation today. We need your support, and I am confident that we will have it," the Head of State emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted Canada's principled position that there is no alternative to Ukraine's membership in NATO.

He also thanked for Canada's support on the issue of providing security guarantees for Ukraine.

The President informed the Prime Minister of Canada on the situation on the battlefield.

During the tete-a-tete talks with the participation of the delegations, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Justin Trudeau discussed the continuation of enhanced military and technical assistance to Ukraine from partners until the complete liberation of all the temporarily occupied territories of our country.

The parties emphasized the importance of further strengthening the protection of Ukrainian skies and Canada's participation in the coalition of fighter jets.

The parties paid special attention to discussing preparations for the global summit on the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula.

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Latest in Ukraine: Russian Drones Target Kyiv for 3rd Consecutive Night in Drone Attack

By VOA News July 12, 2023

Latest developments:

Ukraine's military cites some success in fighting along the front lines to the south of the Russian-occupied city of Bakhmut.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells reporters at NATO summit that Ukraine needs long-range weapons.

Officials in Ukraine's capital said Thursday at least one person was killed after Russian drones attacked Kyiv.

Air defenses shot down at least 10 drones, the officials said, but falling debris struck residential buildings in several districts of Kyiv. The debris damaged buildings, sparked fires, and injured at least three people.

"Tonight, a massive attack by Iranian drones took place," Kyiv's military administration said on Telegram.

Russia has frequently targeted Ukrainian cities with aerial attacks featuring Iranian-made Shahed drones.

The latest wave was the third consecutive night in which the drones attacked Kyiv.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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UN Rights Chief Condemns Russia's 'Costly, Senseless' War on Ukraine

By Lisa Schlein July 12, 2023

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker TArk has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a costly, senseless war that has killed and injured thousands of civilians and violated the human rights of millions. TArk presented an oral update on the current situation in Ukraine and Crimea on Wednesday to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.

In a no-holds-barred presentation to the council, TArk outlined in grim detail what he calls the horrendous civilian cost of the war in Ukraine. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, he said more than 9,000 civilians, including at least 500 children, have been killed, adding that these figures are likely to be much higher.

He said Russia did not grant U.N. monitors access to places of detention. Nevertheless, from interviews with 178 detainees who had been released, he said monitors have documented more than 900 cases of arbitrary detention, many of them tantamount to enforced disappearances.

"We also documented the summary executions of 77 civilians while they were arbitrarily detained by the Russian Federation," he said. "Over 90% of detainees held by the Russian Federation whom we were able to interview stated that they had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment a including sexual violence, in some cases a by Russian security personnel."

TArk also expressed concern about human rights violations committed by Ukraine. He said the U.N., which had unimpeded access to places of detention under Ukrainian control, documented 75 cases of arbitrary detention. He added that monitors found Ukrainian personnel in unofficial places of detention, to a much lesser extent, also engaged in torture or ill-treatment, including sexual violence.

TArk said a report submitted to the Human Rights Council by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres describes widespread, systematic human rights violations committed by Russian forces in Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, as well as other areas occupied by Russia.

TArk said his team has documented 60 arbitrary arrests, as well as enforced disappearances and torture in these areas. He said 2,500 men have been forcibly conscripted in Crimea. He said he is deeply concerned about population transfers of civilians.

"During the reporting period, my office collected information about 23 residents who were arrested by Russian security forces and transferred across the administrative boundary line to Crimea, reportedly handcuffed and blindfolded," he said. "In parallel, the Russian authorities have continued transferring Ukrainian citizens whom they consider so-called foreigners out of Crimea."

Russian Ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, categorically rejected the high commissioner's report, calling it flawed and one-sided. He said the report does not adequately reflect the crimes committed by Ukraine.

The Russian envoy said there is a multitude of video evidence on the internet of Ukrainian security forces executing suspected collaborators in regions vacated by Russian troops. He called on the high commissioner's office to pay attention to these actions by Kyiv and to address them publicly.

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UN Chief Writes to Putin in Bid to Keep Grain Deal Alive

By Margaret Besheer July 12, 2023

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, outlining a proposal aimed at satisfying a Russian demand that threatens to shut down the key Black Sea Grain Initiative.

"The secretary-general remains engaged with all relevant parties on this issue and expresses his willingness to further engage on his proposal with the Russian Federation," Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Wednesday.

Dujarric declined to go into details about the proposal, saying "we are in very delicate times."

The initiative, which allows the export of Ukrainian grain from ports Russia blocked during its invasion of Ukraine last year, is due for renewal by July 18. Moscow has said repeatedly during the lead-up to previous extension deadlines that it is not benefiting enough under the initiative and has sent similar signals recently.

A parallel memorandum of understanding between Moscow and the United Nations has sought to remove obstacles to the export of Russian grain and fertilizer. While food and fertilizer are not sanctioned by the West, efforts have been made to ease concerns of anxious banks, insurers, shippers and other private sector actors about doing business with Russia.

One of Russia's main demands has been for its agriculture bank to be reinstated in the international Swift system of financial transactions.

U.N. trade chief Rebeca Grynspan, who has led the U.N. negotiations with Moscow on the memorandum of understanding, told reporters Wednesday that the U.N. has been able to secure "alternatives" to Swift within the Western sanctions framework, to help the Russian Agriculture Bank expedite its work.

"But it's true that this is one of the challenges that has not yet fully happened," she said. "We have not fully found the solution for the Russian Agriculture Bank."

But she said the U.N.'s proposal could be of significant help for what the bank wants to achieve. She emphasized that it would apply only to food and fertilizer and not to the Russian Agriculture Bank's other operations.

Since the Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed in Istanbul on July 22, 2022, nearly 33 million metric tons of grain and other food stuffs have been exported to global markets, helping to calm food prices, which spiked at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year.

Experts say food prices would certainly spike again if Moscow does not renew the deal.

"How much will be the duration of that spike will depend a lot on how markets will respond to that," Maximo Torero, Chief Economist of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) told reporters.

His remarks came at the launch of a global food security report, which found that between 691 and 783 million people faced hunger in 2022, an increase of 122 million people compared to 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

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NATO Leaders Meet With Zelenskyy at Vilnius Summit

By Patsy Widakuswara, Anita Powell July 12, 2023

NATO leaders met Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lithuania's capital as they close a summit that has included emphasis on supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion and discussion of Ukraine's future within the alliance.

Zelenskyy said at a joint news conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg that he understands some allies do not want to consider Ukraine joining the alliance at this time due to fears of a world war, and that it is clear Ukraine cannot join while the conflict with Russia is ongoing.

NATO leaders said in a written declaration Tuesday that the bloc "will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree and conditions are met," reiterating their position supporting Ukraine's membership but stopping short of any specific commitments or timeline that Zelenskyy has sought.

Zelenskyy said Wednesday he understands the statement to mean the conditions will be met when Ukraine's territory is secure.

Stoltenberg highlighted a three-part package of more closely integrating Ukraine with NATO, including work on interoperability between Ukrainian and NATO forces, a new NATO-Ukraine council that held its first meeting Wednesday and removing a requirement for Ukraine to complete a membership action plan on its path to becoming a member.

"Today we meet as equals," Stoltenberg said. "I look forward to the day we meet as allies."

Russia has issued several statements during the summit stating that security assistance for Ukraine and NATO expansion represent a threat to Russia.

Asked about potentially inflaming the situation, Stoltenberg said there is already a "full-fledged war going on in Europe" and there is no risk-free option. He said the "biggest risk is if President [Vladimir] Putin wins."

Stoltenberg repeated NATO's position that it is only for Ukraine and NATO allies to decide if Ukraine will join the alliance and that "Moscow doesn't have a veto."

Britain said members of the Group of Seven, or G7, leading industrialized nations planned to announce a new framework for allies providing long-term security support for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy welcomed the move, saying that while the best security guarantee for Ukraine would be NATO membership, the G7 action would be a concrete step in support of Ukraine's security. He added that Ukraine has already spoken to nations outside of the G7 that are interested in joining as well.

Stoltenberg said that while guarantees, documents and meetings are important, the most urgent task for allies is to provide Ukraine with enough weapons.

Zelenskyy was also set to hold separate talks with U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday.

The U.S. leader is scheduled to deliver an address "highlighting how the United States, alongside our allies and partners, are supporting Ukraine, defending democratic values, and taking action to address global challenges," the White House said.

Following the two-day summit, Biden heads to Helsinki on Thursday to meet with leaders of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark. Once Sweden has joined NATO, all five Nordic countries will be members of the military alliance.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters

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Remarks by President Biden, Prime Minister Kishida of Japan, and President Zelenskyy of Ukraine in a G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine | Vilnius, Lithuania

July 12, 2023

Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre

Vilnius, Lithuania

4:24 P.M. EEST

PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA: (As interpreted.) I am pleased to be able to announce the Joint Declaration on Support for Ukraine today.

At the G7 Hiroshima Summit, by engaging in discussions that included a wide range of invited countries, we agreed that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion are unacceptable anywhere in the world and to safeguard a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

I feel that it is truly meaningful that we, the G7 leaders, and Volodymyr have gathered once again today.

Going forward, this declaration will be open to any country that shares the intention to support Ukraine. I hope many countries will choose to join.

The G7 will continue to stand by Ukraine. Our solidarity will never waver.

Thank you very much. (Applause.)

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Let me start off by saying something that I hadn't planned on saying. You know, I think there are very few people in Europe or in the continental United States, in the North American continent, that thought this man would stand up and come to the aid and assistance of Ukraine. He increased his military budget. He stepped up a Japan a Japan a because he understood that when any part of the world has 185,000 people, soldiers crossing a border, stealing sovereignty from another nation, that it affects the whole world.

I want to thank you again publicly. (Applause.)

We've just concluded the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council and a where all our Allies agreed Ukraine's future lies with NATO. That's not a surprise to any of us, I don't think. I hope it's not a surprise to you, Mr. President.

Allies all agreed to lift the requirements for Membership Action Plan for Ukraine and to create a path to NATO membership while Ukraine continues to make progress on necessary reforms.

But we're not waiting for that process to be finished to make the long-term commitments that we're making to Ukraine's security. Volodymyr and I, we a the a I shouldn't be so familiar a Mr. Zelenskyy and I talked about the kind of guarantees we could make in the meantime when I was in Ukraine and when we met in other places.

And so, today, the long-term commitments we're making are a are backed up by the notion that in the meantime we're going to provide security to Ukraine for its needs and against any aggression that may occur.

Today, the members of the G7 are launching a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine to make it clear that our support will last long into the future.

This starts a process by which each of our nations and any other nation who wishes to participate will negotiate long-term bilateral security commitments with and to Ukraine.

We're going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defense across land, air, and sea from which we will force the a it will be a force of stability in the region and deter against any and all threats.

I want to thank my fellow G7 leaders and President Zelenskyy for their work to make this happen. I think it's a powerful statement a a powerful statement of our commitment to Ukraine as it defends its freedom today and as it rebuilds the future for a and we're going to be there as long as that takes.

And, again, I thank all my colleagues for their support for this. (Applause.)

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: Thank you very much, Mr. President.

President Biden; Prime Minister Kishida; Chancellor a I don't see a I see you a Chancellor Scholz; Prime Minister Sunak; President Macron; Prime Minister Trudeau; Prime Minister Meloni; President Michel; President von der Leyen: A great honor to be here.

The outcome of the NATO Summit in Vilnius is very much needed and meaningful success for Ukraine. And I am grateful to all leaders in NATO countries for very practical and unprecedented support considering decades of our relations' support for Ukraine.

Today, there are security guarantees for Ukraine on the way to NATO a an important package of security guarantees.

Today, we are coordinating with the G7 countries the framework for security guarantee that shall be further extended through arrangements with our key partners, bilateral and multilateral agreements.

And Ukrainian delegation is bringing home significant security victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children. It opens for us absolutely new security opportunities, and I thank everyone who made it possible. Thank you, dear colleagues. Thanks, you a thanks, Lithuanian, and Jens Stoltenberg. Thank you very much.

Slava Ukraini. (Applause.)

4:31 P.M. EEST

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For the first time since independence, we have formed the foundation of security for Ukraine on its way to NATO - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

President of Ukraine

13 July 2023 - 00:32

Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians!

We are returning home with a good result for our country, and very importantly, for our warriors. A good reinforcement with weapons. This includes air defense, missiles, armored vehicles and artillery.

It is very important: for the first time since independence, we have formed a security foundation for Ukraine on its way to NATO. These are concrete security guarantees that are confirmed by the top 7 democracies in the world. Never before have we had such a security foundation, and this is the level of the G7. On this foundation, we will build a new, legally binding architecture of bilateral security treaties with the most powerful countries.

Very importantly, during these two days of the Summit, we have put to rest any doubts and ambiguities about whether Ukraine will be in NATO. It will! For the first time, not only do all Allies agree on this, but a significant majority in the Alliance is vigorously pushing for it. Never before have the words "you are equal among equals" for Ukraine from other NATO members sounded truly meaningful. Now everyone understands that this is a fact. Equal among equals. And we will definitely reaffirm this fact with our victory. And with our accession to NATO. Previously, Russia's rulers wanted to have their own fence in front of NATO's door. We have left this Russian ambition on the margins of European history - behind the fence of our unity in Europe and, more broadly, in the free world. I am grateful to all those who have worked for unity in Vilnius now!

I thank Mr. President Biden and the whole of America for showing that global freedom really does rely on American leadership. We are equally committed to a robust defense of freedom and work together with America to achieve this.

I thank Lithuania for organizing this Summit, it is truly historic for all of us... The countdown to a new security. Thank you for every Ukrainian flag on Lithuanian streets - and there were really many flags. And thank you, Vilnius, for the emotions!

It is important that Lithuania, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Albania, Iceland, and representatives of other countries emphasized that Russia and Russian war criminals must be punished fairly for what they have done against Ukraine. Aggression must be punished.

I am grateful to the countries and leaders who are preparing to start training our pilots on F16 jets in a few weeks... I thank the Netherlands! Thank you for your extremely important leadership in Europe. Denmark, thank you! Thank you for your very specific support!

The United Kingdom... Rishi, Mr. Prime Minister, I thank you for your help and for stating that we have to take the next step at the next NATO Summit. Ukraine is already among the equals in the Alliance and should be a real part of the Alliance.

France and Mr. President Macron... I thank you for your readiness to do everything necessary to liberate our entire territory from the occupiers. Thank you for supporting, together with America and Germany, the long-term programs of our common strength.

Olaf, Mr. Chancellor, it is very important to see Germany among our allies. All Ukrainians are grateful to you for the additional Patriots and missiles for them. This is the defense of life, and Germany has already saved thousands of lives. I thank you for your willingness to support us until we defeat the Russian terror.

Italy... I am grateful to the Italians, personally to Prime Minister Meloni, for the principled position. Every Ukrainian family has something to thank Italian security assistance for. There will be a new security package. And it is very important that Italy fully supports the Peace Formula.

Canada... Mr. Prime Minister Trudeau said that Canada will do everything to ensure that Ukraine's membership in NATO is achieved as soon as possible. Thank you!

Poland's principled position... That our membership in the Alliance is not only our security, it is the security of our entire region, at least. And it is very important that Poland supports Ukraine on its way to the Alliance - strongly, vigorously. Thank you!

Mr. President ErdoAYan and TArkiye... He said today that he really sees Ukraine moving closer to membership in the Alliance. This means a lot. I thank you! Thank you also for the principled defense of security in the Black Sea... TArkiye is doing historic things for all of us.

President ErdoAYan and the Prime Minister of Norway spoke today about reconstruction... The clarity of the partners' commitments is extremely important. Thank you for that!

I thank Norway for its tangible leadership, for all the support that has already been provided... Now there is Norway's readiness to join the G7 in guaranteeing security for Ukraine on its way to NATO as well. I am very grateful!

Portugal, Sweden, and the Netherlands also expressed their readiness to join the security guarantees for Ukraine... Thank you! We will make this system truly extensive and effective.

Mr. President of Romania... Thank you for your work on the pilot training hub. Thank you for supporting our cooperation on the Danube and in the Black Sea. Thank you for your extremely kind and honorable words about our warriors and the entire Ukrainian people.

Greece is also joining the long-term support of Ukraine. I am grateful for this!

Montenegro, thank you for choosing security and freedom for all in Europe, thank you for your defense support!

Spain will continue and increase the treatment and rehabilitation programs for our warriors and veterans. I thank you for your help in this very sensitive issue!

Bulgaria is preparing a new security assistance package and I am sure it will work very vigorously with everyone in the NATO-Ukraine Council. Thank you!

Slovakia and Mrs. President personally... Thank you for your sincere help and for making your country one of the European leaders in protecting our fundamental values.

Latvia, thank you for your faith in Ukraine and for your tangible defense support! Estonia, thank you for your initiative on munitions, which really strengthens and changes the history of Europe for the better and brings peace closer. Thank you also for your political support at the Summit.

Luxembourg, invariably principled. Thank you very much! The Czech Republic, thank you for all the weapons, and for the equipment, thank you for the helicopters... There will be a new defense package.

Albania, as clearly as possible: Ukraine will be in NATO, and Russia will be held accountable for its aggression. As Prime Minister Rama aptly said today, the Kremlin's policy resembles Russia's anthem: The words are different, but the music is the same. The threat is the same. NATO is the response.

Belgium - thank you for your principled position on the issue of reparations from Russia and for your clear support for the fact that Ukraine is at the table with everyone else in NATO.

North Macedonia, thank you for your clear support for Ukraine's contribution to common security!

Finland, I thank you for your help and thank you for your very important words today that Ukrainian soldiers will soon be sharing their experience with the armies of other NATO members. It is true. The experience of winners is always powerful.

And Hungary... It was such a Summit where everyone was quite constructive. Thank you!

I would like to thank Mr. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. As always, they are pro-European, and therefore pro-Ukrainian.

Of course, Australia and Japan as security guarantors - thank you! I am grateful that peace and justice have become closer today, and Ukraine has become stronger.

Glory to Ukraine!

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NEWARK, DEL, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Flexographic and digital printing technologies have transformed the Printed Labels Market, revolutionizing the way labels are produced and opening up new possibilities for customization and efficiency. Flexographic printing, known for its high-speed production capabilities, has significantly increased the speed and volume of label production. With advancements in press technology, flexographic printers can now achieve faster print speeds while maintaining exceptional print quality. Additionally, flexographic printing has made significant strides in terms of substrate compatibility. It can efficiently print on various materials, including paper, cardboard, plastic films, and non-porous surfaces like metal or glass. This versatility allows label manufacturers to cater to diverse labeling needs, ensuring labels are suitable for different product types and packaging formats.



According to the latest study conducted by Future Market Insights, the Global Printed Labels Market is projected to be valued at US$ 26.8 Billion by 2023. Furthermore, by 2033, the market is anticipated to surpass US$ 40.1 Billion, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%.

Discover the Future of Labeling: Gain valuable industry insights with our complimentary sample report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-17538

Digital printing has brought new flexibility and customization to the printing labels market. Unlike traditional printing methods, digital printing eliminates the need for printing plates, enabling label manufacturers to produce labels on demand and with minimal setup time. This has reduced lead times, making it possible to respond quickly to market demands and efficiently handle short-run label orders. Digital printing also enables variable data printing, where each label can have unique content, such as sequential numbering, barcodes, or personalized information. This level of customization is precious for industries like pharmaceuticals, where individual packaging and labeling requirements are essential. Furthermore, digital printing allows easy integration with digital workflows and systems, streamlining the entire label production process.

Key Takeaways from the Printed Labels Market Research Report:

The printed labels industry in the United States is predicted to reach US$ 11.2 billion by 2033, increasing at a 3.6% CAGR.

During the forecast period, the printed labels industry in China is expected to reach a market share of US$ 4.8 billion, securing a 5.2% CAGR.

The printed labels industry in India is predicted to reach US$ 2.5 billion by 2033, increasing at a 5.7% CAGR.

With a CAGR of 5.1% from 2022 to 2033, the food industry is expected to dominate printed labels.

With a CAGR of 4.9% from 2022 to 2033, the pressure-sensitive labels segment is expected to dominate the printed labels industry.



Personalize your report with country-specific insights and save up to 30% today! Specify your Scope Now: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-17538

Cosmetics & Personal Care and Chemicals Spurring the Growth of Printed Labels Market

The cosmetics & personal care, and chemicals industry have played a crucial role in fuelling the growth of the printed labels market. In the cosmetics & personal care sector, the demand for innovative and eye-catching labels has soared as brands strive to stand out in a highly competitive market. With an array of products and increasing consumer expectations, cosmetic companies require labels that convey product information, reflect their brand identity, and appeal to the target audience. This has led to a surge in the demand for high-quality, visually appealing labels that can be customized to meet specific brand requirements.

Additionally, the chemicals industry has contributed to the growth of the printed labels market through its diverse range of products and strict labeling regulations. Chemical products often require labels that provide detailed information about safety precautions, handling instructions, and regulatory compliance. Labels play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and proper use of chemicals and complying with industry standards and government regulations. The chemicals industry has witnessed an increasing need for durable labels that can withstand harsh environments and resist chemical exposure, making it a significant market segment for label manufacturers. Although, the cosmetics & personal care, and chemicals industry has spurred innovation in labeling solutions, pushing label manufacturers to develop advanced printing techniques, sustainable materials, and integrated technologies to meet the evolving needs of these industries.

Major Key Players in Printed Labels Market and Their Marketing Strategies:

CCL Industries Inc. Avery Dennison Corporation 3M Company Fuji Seal International, Inc. Multi-Color Corporation Klockner Pentaplast Europe GmbH & Co. KG Walle Corporation Anchor Printing UPM Raflatac BRADY Corp Sato Holdings Corporation Weber Packaging Solutions, Inc. H Derksen & Sons Company Traco Manufacturing, Inc. Fort Dearborn Company Edwards Label, Inc. Resource Label Group, LLC



Exploring the Market Share Analysis of the Top Players in the Printed Labels Industry: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/request-report-methodology/rep-gb-17538

Key Segmentations;

Product Type:

Pressure Sensitive Labels (PSL)

Shrink Labels

Stretch Labels

Wet Glue Labels

Others (In-mold, Pre-gummed, etc.)



Material:

Plastic

Paper

Aluminium



Printing Technology:

Flexographic

Digital

Gravure

Offset

Letterpress



End Use:

Food Bakery & Confectionaries Dairy Products Baby Food Chilled/Frozen Food Others (Snacks, Pet Food, etc.)

Beverages Alcoholic Non-Alcoholic

Healthcare

Cosmetics & Personal Care

Homecare & Toiletries

Chemicals

Automobiles

Others Industrial



Gain Immediate Access to Detailed Market Insights: Purchase Now to Uncover Segment-specific Information, Identify Key Trends, Drivers, and Challenges https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/17538

About the Packaging Division at Future Market Insights (FMI)

The packaging division at Future Market Insights (FMI) provides an in-depth historical analysis and projections for the next ten years. It covers the competitive landscape through a unique dashboard view. From packaging materials and machinery to packaging designs & formats, Future Market Insights (FMI) has an exhaustive database for these industry verticals, serving clients with unique research offerings and strategic recommendations. With a repository of 1,000+ reports, the team has analyzed the packaging industry comprehensively in 50+ countries. The team evaluates every node of the value chain and provides end-to-end research and consulting services; reach out to explore how we can help.

Explore Trending Reports of Packaging:

Pressure Sensitive Tapes and Labels Market Size: The industry is anticipated to rise at a healthy CAGR of 6% over the forecast period to attain market revenue of US$ 170.85 billion by 2033.

Sustainable Labels Market Share: The global Sustainable Labels Market is set to enjoy a valuation of US$ 15.6 Billion in 2022 and further expand at a CAGR of 5.7% between 2022 and 2032 to reach US$ 27.2 Billion by 2032.

Printed Boxes Market Scope: The global Printed Boxes Market was valued at around US$ 19.5 Billion in 2021. Printed box sales are projected to increase at a healthy CAGR of 4.8% and top a valuation of US$ 32.7 Billion by 2032.

Labels Market Demand: The global Labels Market size is set to reach a valuation of US$ 39.8 Billion in 2022 and further accelerate at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2022-2032. The market is projected to reach US$ 63.7 Billion by the end of 2032.

Linerless Labels Market Trends: With a CAGR of 4.9% from 2022 to 2032, the Linerless Labels Market is anticipated to grow rapidly. Sales of linerless labels are anticipated to rise from US$ 1.8 Billion in 2022 to US$ 2.9 Billion by 2032.

Multi-Part Labels Market Values: The current valuation of the multi-part labels market is US$ 1.77 Bn in 2022. The value of the multi-part labels market is anticipated to reach a high of US$ 2.89 Bn by the year 2032.

Resealable Packaging Labels Market Growth: It is anticipated that in the near future, the competition in the resealable packaging labels market will increase owing to the entry of new players and consolidation strategies of existing players.

Specialty Labels Packaging Market Overview: The Global Specialty Labels Packaging Market is set to enjoy a valuation of US$ 5.6 Billion in 2022, and further expand at a CAGR of 5.0% to reach US$ 9.1 Billion by the year 2032.

Flexible Packaging Paper Market Outlook: The flexible packaging paper market is on track to grow at an estimated CAGR of 4% during 2022-2032.

Beverage Packaging Market Analysis: The global beverage packaging market is expected to secure US$ 156.7 Billion in 2032 while expanding at a CAGR of 4.1%. The market is likely to hold a value of US$ 104.8 Billion in 2022.

About Future Market Insights, Inc:

Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, Stevie Award - recipient market research organization, and a member of Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) provides in-depth insights into governing factors elevating the demand in the market. It discloses opportunities that will favor the market growth in various segments on the basis of Source, Application, Sales Channel, and End Use over the next 10 years.

Contact Us:

Future Market Insights, Inc.

Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive,

Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA

T: +1-845-579-5705



LinkedIn | Twitter | Blogs | YouTube

For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com
Westford, USA, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to SkyQuest, commodity plastics market encompasses a broad range of applications in numerous industries. These plastics serve various purposes, ranging from manufacturing disposable cups to serving as vital components in lightweight electric vehicles. Unlike engineering plastics, commodity plastics are characterized by their lower mechanical properties but are produced at a lower cost, making them more economically viable for various applications.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Commodity Plastics Market"

Pages - 250

Tables - 94

Figures  76

Commodity plastics, which are primarily thermoplastics, are produced in large quantities and are cost-effective compared to other types of plastics in the commodity plastics market. These versatile plastics find widespread application in various industries. Commodity plastics manufacture interior and exterior components in the automotive sector, providing lightweight and cost-efficient solutions.

Get a sample copy of this report:

https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/commodity-plastics-market

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Attributes Details Market Size in 2022 USD 603.6 Billion 2030 Value Projection USD 858.4 Billion CAGR 6.3% Forecast Period 2023-2030 Segments Covered Product Type

Application

Plastic Type Regions Covered North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East and Africa

Prominent Players in Commodity Plastics Market

Exxon Mobil Corporation

Dow Inc.

LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

SABIC

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC

INEOS Group Holdings S.A.

Formosa Plastics Corporation

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec Corp.)

BASF SE

Total SE

Braskem S.A.

Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

Reliance Industries Limited

LG Chem Ltd.

Lotte Chemical Corporation

Nova Chemicals Corporation

Eastman Chemical Company

Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.

Arkema S.A.

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC)

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC):

https://www.skyquestt.com/report/commodity-plastics-market

Polyethylene Segment is Expected to Grow the Market Due to its Versatile Applications in Industries

Polyethylene (PE) has emerged as a dominant player in the global commodity plastics market, commanding over 35% of the total revenue. This widespread adoption can be attributed to its versatile applications across various industries. PE finds extensive use in durable consumer products, packaging, and the medical and pharmaceutical sectors. The increasing demand for these sectors is expected to drive the growth of the PE segment throughout the forecast period.

The markets in North America are poised for rapid growth in the commodity plastics market during the forecast period. Several factors contribute to this positive outlook, including a growing emphasis on advanced packaging materials and an increasing demand for renewable solutions.

Packaging Segment is Expected to Dominate the Market Due to Enhance the Comfort

The packaging segment emerged as the leader, capturing the largest revenue share in the global commodity plastics market. This dominance can be attributed to the escalating demand for packaged food and beverages and the growing preference for flexible packaging solutions. Plastics, including various polymers, are extensively used in the food industry for packaging purposes.

Regional markets in the Asia Pacific emerged as the leader in the commodity plastics market, commanding over 46% of the overall share. The region's dominance can be attributed to the increasing demand for commodity plastics in the packaging, medical, and pharmaceutical sectors.

A comprehensive analysis of the major players in the commodity plastics market has been recently conducted in a report. The report encompasses various aspects, including collaborations, mergers, innovative business policies, and strategies, providing valuable insights into key trends and breakthroughs in the market. Furthermore, the report scrutinizes the market share of the top segments and presents a detailed geographic analysis. Lastly, the report highlights the major players in the industry and their endeavours to develop innovative solutions to cater to the growing demand.

Speak to Analyst for your custom requirements:

https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/commodity-plastics-market

Key Developments in Commodity Plastics Market

Faurecia, a leading automotive technology company, recently announced a significant investment of USD 147 million to establish a new facility in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The facility will serve Faurecia's Interiors and Seating Business Groups as a combined operation. Out of the total investment, USD 75 million will be allocated to the Interiors Business Group to enhance production capabilities. This funding will primarily be utilized to develop and install instrument panels and other interior modules. The remaining USD 72 million will be dedicated to Faurecia's Seating Business Group.

Faurecia recently entered into a collaboration agreement with Veolia. This partnership fosters innovation in developing sustainable compounds for automotive interior modules. The two companies will work together to expedite the deployment of pioneering and environmentally-friendly solutions for European instrument panels, door panels, and center consoles.

Key Questions Answered in Commodity Plastics Market Report

What specific growth drivers are projected to impact the market during the forecast period?

List the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence.

In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how these differences shape the market's future growth?

Related Reports in SkyQuests Library:

Global Eco Fiber Market

Global Farnesene Market

Global Plasticizers Market

Global Rapid Self-Healing Gel Market

Global Alumina Market

About Us:

SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally.

Address:

1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886

Phone:

USA (+1) 617-230-0741

Email: sales@skyquestt.com
Dublin, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "APAC Data Center Market Landscape 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The APAC data center market will witness investments of USD 96.85 billion by 2028.

The APAC data center market has the presence of IT infrastructure vendors such as Arista Networks, Atos, Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, Juniper Networks, and others. Vendors are continuously innovating their offerings to meet up with the industry demand.

The APAC region is experiencing a surge in the growth of edge data centers, fueled by the rising deployments of 5G technology. Countries such as China, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and others have widely adopted 5G, leading to increased demand for data centers with high-computing power and enhanced connectivity standards. This has resulted in the deployment of 5G across multiple locations and industries, revolutionizing the way data is processed and transmitted.

One noteworthy example of 5G adoption is the allocation of China's first private 5G spectrum to the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) in November 2022. This highlights the significance of 5G technology in various sectors and the growing importance of edge data centers to support its implementation.

In addition to the rising 5G deployments, the APAC region is experiencing a growing adoption of innovative IT infrastructure, driving the demand for advanced technologies in the IT infrastructure market. Industry trends include the adoption of NVMe storage, increased usage of 200/400 GbE ports, the implementation of ARM-based architecture, server virtualization, and the adoption of converged and hyper-converged infrastructure. These innovations in IT infrastructure are reshaping the data center landscape and enabling organizations to meet the evolving demands of the digital age.

The APAC data center market, comprising countries such as China, Australia, India, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, and New Zealand, is witnessing significant growth. These countries are contributing majorly to the expansion of the global data center market, with a focus on data center activities and infrastructure development.

While Southeast Asia faced a setback in data center construction due to a moratorium, the lifting of this restriction in 2022 has paved the way for a resurgence in the industry. Over the next 2-3 years, the data center market in Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore, is expected to regain momentum and flourish.

Insights from the market indicate that servers play a crucial role in data center operations, with various types and configurations available, including rack, blade, and tower servers. Prominent vendors such as Cisco Systems, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Dell Technologies, IBM, Lenovo, and NetApp offer rack and blade servers, which are widely adopted across the industry.

Moreover, there are emerging opportunities for vendors providing lithium-ion and nickel-zinc batteries used in uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. Additionally, operators can explore the adoption of new-age generator sets that run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), natural gas, and other eco-friendly alternatives.

Furthermore, the APAC data center market is witnessing the adoption of water- and air-based cooling solutions. In Southeast Asia, water-based cooling solutions are in high demand due to the tropical climate, offering efficient and sustainable cooling methods for data centers.

The rapid growth of edge data centers driven by 5G deployments, the adoption of innovative IT infrastructure, and the expansion of the APAC data center market are indicative of the region's dynamic and evolving data center landscape. As businesses and industries embrace digital transformation, the demand for robust and efficient data center infrastructure is set to continue its upward trajectory in the APAC region.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 139 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $70.09 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $96.85 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.5% Regions Covered Asia Pacific

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

IT INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDERS

Arista Networks

Atos

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Broadcom

Extreme Networks

Fujitsu

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Hitachi Vantara

Huawei

IBM

Inspur

Intel

Juniper Networks

Lenovo

Micron Technology

NEC

NetApp

Oracle

Pure Storage

Quanta Cloud Technology

QNAP

Quantum

Seagate Technology

Super Micro Computer

Toshiba

Western Digital

Wiwynn

Key Construction Contractors

AECOM

Arup

Aurecon Group

CSF Group

DSCO Group

Gammon Construction

Larsen & Toubro (L&T)

NTT Facilities

PM Group

Studio One Design

Other Prominent Construction Contractors

AWP Architects

BYME Engineering

Chung Hing Engineers Group

Corgan

CTCI

DPR Construction

Faithful+Gould

Fortis Construction

Hutchinson Builders

ISG

Kienta Engineering Construction

Linesight

LSK Engineering

M+W Group

Nakano Corporation

Obayashi Corporation

Powerware Systems (PWS)

Sato Kogyo

Sterling and Wilson

Red Engineering

Rider Levett Bucknall

Turner & Townsend

Prominent Support Infrastructure Vendors

ABB

Caterpillar

Cummins

Eaton

Rittal

Schneider Electric

STULZ

Vertiv

Other Prominent Support Infrastructure Vendors

Airedale

Alfa Laval

Canovate

Cyber Power Systems

Delta Electronics

EAE

Fuji Electric

Green Revolution Cooling (GRC)

HITEC Power Protection

KOHLER Power

Legrand

Mitsubishi Electric

Narada

Piller Power Systems

Rolls-Royce

Shenzhen Envicool Technology

Siemens

Socomec

Trane

Prominent Data Center Investors

AirTrunk

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Digital Realty

Equinix

GDS Services

Keppel Data Centres

NTT Global Data Centers

NEXTDC

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres

Other Prominent Data Center Investors

Bridge Data Centres

Big Data Exchange (BDx)

CDC Data Centres

Chayora

Chindata Group

Colt Data Centre Services

CtrlS Datacenters

Digital Edge DC

Facebook (Meta)

Google

Huawei Technologies

Iron Mountain

LG Uplus

Microsoft

Nxtra by Airtel

OneAsia Network

Open DC

Pi Datacenters

Princeton Digital Group (PDG)

Regal Orion

SpaceDC

SUNeVison Holdings (iAdvantage)

Sify Technologies

Tenglong Holding Group

Viettel IDC

VNET

Yotta Infrastructure Solutions

New Entrants

AdaniConneX

Data Center First

Edge Centres

EdgeConneX

Evolution Data Centres

Hickory

MettaDC

Nautilus Data Technologies

Pure Data Centres Group

Vantage Data Centers

YCO Cloud

YTL Data Center

Yondr

Segmentation by Facility Type

Hyperscale Data Centers

Colocation Data Centers

Enterprise Data Centers

Segmentation by Infrastructure

IT Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

General Construction

Segmentation by IT Infrastructure

Server Infrastructure

Storage Infrastructure

Network Infrastructure

Segmentation by Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Transfer Switches & Switchgear

Power Distribution Units

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Segmentation by Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Racks

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Segmentation by Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Towers, Condensers, and Dry Coolers

Economizers & Evaporative Coolers

Other Cooling Units

Segmentation by Cooling Techniques

Air-based Cooling Technique

Liquid-based Cooling Technique

Segmentation by General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & Commissioning Services

Engineering & Building Design

Physical Security

Fire Detection & Suppression

DCIM

Segmentation by Tier Standard

Tier I & II

Tier III

Tier IV

Segmentation by Geography

APAC

China

Hong Kong

Australia

New Zealand

India

Japan

South Korea

Taiwan

Rest of APAC

Southeast Asia

Singapore

Indonesia

Malaysia

Thailand

Philippines

Vietnam

Other Southeast Asian Countries

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/499g6v

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Dublin, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Automotive Fluid Transfer Systems Market - Line, Material, Vehicle and Fitting Types" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of market trends, drivers, and key players shaping the industry.

Growing Demand for Automotive Fluid Transfer Systems

Automotive fluid transfer systems, encompassing a range of components required for fluid transfer in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, and shipping, are witnessing significant demand. These systems are integral to machines and can also be used independently.

Key components such as hoses, pipes, valves, and loading equipment are vital for seamless fluid transfer. The report focuses specifically on the automotive fluid transfer systems market, further segmented into different lines and systems.

Addressing Environmental Concerns with Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Lines

To tackle environmental issues stemming from pollutant particulate matter produced by diesel-powered vehicles, the adoption of Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) lines in conjunction with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology is on the rise. This combination helps chemically convert harmful diesel emissions into harmless atmospheric gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor.

As industrial development drives the demand for heavy commercial vehicles worldwide, the SCR and DPF lines market is expected to witness impressive growth during the forecast period. The global market for automotive fluid transfer systems is estimated to reach $22.4 billion by 2023.

Segmentation and Key Findings

The report offers in-depth segmentation analysis based on line type, material type, vehicle type, and fitting type. It examines the market size, share, and growth potential of automotive fluid transfer systems in major geographic regions and countries. Key findings include:

DPF regeneration enhances fuel consumption and reduces NOx emissions.

Electric vehicle thermal management is shifting towards oil-based solutions.

Nanocatalysts facilitate the reduction of vehicular exhaust emissions.

Plastics adoption for automotive fuel lines is gradually gaining momentum.

Air conditioning lines in vehicles benefit from high-performance nylon materials.

Key Players Driving the Market

The global automotive fluid transfer systems market is highly competitive and dynamic, with numerous international, regional, and local players offering comprehensive solutions. Prominent companies shaping the industry landscape include:

Accurate Products

AGS Automotive Solutions

AKWEL

BM Catalysts Ltd

Balcrank Corporation, Inc.

Castello Italia S.p.A.

Continental AG

Cooper Standard

Gates Corp

Graco, Inc.

Hutchinson SA

Hydrapower Dynamics Ltd

JK FENNER (India) Ltd.

Kongsberg Automotive

KROS Otomotiv San. Ve Tic. A.S

Lander Tubular Products

Macnaught Pty Ltd

Newage Industries

Parker Hannifin Corp

Pirtek Fluid Systems Pty. Ltd.

Reelcraft Industries, Inc.

Sanden Vikas (India) Ltd

Sanoh Industrial Co Ltd

TI Fluid Systems

Tristone Flowtech Holding SAS

Voss Automotive GmbH

Comprehensive Market Analysis and Regional Coverage

The report provides a detailed analysis of the global market, encompassing North America (United States, Canada, Mexico), Europe (France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific), and Rest of World.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/cs5syb

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
TORONTO, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Halcones Precious Metals Corp. (TSX  V: HPM) (the Company or Halcones) is pleased to provide results from recently completed colluvial and mineralogical studies from the Carachapampa project in Chile (Carachapampa or the Project). The colluvial study analyzed sediments sampled on a grid over the Northwest zone area. The mineralogical study analyzed thin sections from recent drilling from the Carachapampa project. Carachapampa is located in the prolific Maricunga belt approximately 180 km northeast of the mining center  the city of Copiapo, Chile  with year-round road access (Figure 4, Location Map).



Colluvial Sampling Program

In mid-May 2023, the Halcones technical team commissioned a colluvial study to follow-up on the drilling results from earlier in 2023 at the Northwest zone. The study comprised 50 samples over a 100m x 100m grid pattern (Figure 1). The samples were analyzed at ALS Laboratory in Copiapo, Chile. The results summarized in Figure 1 highlight a distinct geochemical anomaly comprising elements that are typical pathfinder elements related to gold deposits in the region, between hole CAR23-012 and CAR23-007. For reference, typical regional background levels of As+Sb+Pb are in the range of 40-45 ppm.

Figure 1. Colluvial sampling results Northwest zone





Mineralogical Study Program

Following completion of the drill program, Halcones commissioned GABGEO laboratory to analyze 8 thin sections from drill cores from the early 2023 drill campaign. The goal of the mineralogical study was to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the observed alteration and the mineral assemblage of the new discoveries with the aim of using this data to improve drill hole targeting in future exploration campaigns. Particular interest was paid to the observed alteration and intensity of silicification in relation to mineralization. With this information, the Halcones technical team is able to project and better understand the spatial relationship of drill holes in relation to the conceptual deposit model. Also, increased understanding of the alteration and mineral assemblage will help Halcones better relate these results to the conceptual geologic model Halcones geologists have utilized for drill targeting thus far. Carachapampa is covered with a thin veneer of younger volcanics and sediments which limits the use of traditional prospecting methods.

Mineralogical Study Results



The results confirm advanced argillic alteration in the volcanic breccia with disseminated pyrite and gold in the upper part of the system. The confirmed presence of alunite and other alteration minerals are characteristic of a high sulfidation epithermal (HSE) system. The presence of hypogenous covellite surrounding the disseminated pyrite is one of the most important results as it explains the presence of copper in a high temperature hydrothermal environment. The presence of covellite implies a deposition environment in the key temperature range for high sulphidation gold deposit emplacement.

Alunite, which is an important alteration mineral is confirmed as one of the dominant alteration minerals in a portion of hole CAR23-012. It is the dominant alteration mineral associated with disseminated mineralization at the nearby Salares Norte deposit and other HSE deposits.

Conceptual Geologic Interpretation

Below is a conceptual interpretation of the spatial relationship of recent drilling and how it may relate to the conceptual deposit model. The representation below is generated by superimposing drill results using identified rock types and associated alteration on the typical deposit model of the district.

Figure 2. Conceptual Geologic model interpretation North West Target





According to Ian Parkinson, CEO and Director of Halcones, These results are very encouraging; in that they indicate we are potentially on the margin of a substantial deposit. I recently returned from Chile having spent several days with the Halcones technical team reviewing core and the data from our recent studies. We are confident in our conceptual deposit model which we are using for drill hole targeting. The recent program identified significant gold mineralization within the property and these mineralogical and sediment results give us an idea of where our recent drilling may fit within the deposit model for gold deposits in the region. We will use this new data along with recent drill results as a basis for continued exploration. The spatial relationship of alteration and geochemical signature to the mineralization observed in the recent drill program is very encouraging as it is directly analogous to local producing mines and other deposits in the area.

Next Steps

The Halcones exploration team is using these mineralogical results and colluvial sediment data to plan an upcoming drill campaign. In addition to diamond drilling, Halcones will expand the colluvial sampling program.

Figure 3. Covellite in thin sections





As previously announced (see April 27th, 2023 press release), Halcones drilled 7 holes totaling 1,524m, drill testing the depth extent of surface sample results and known geophysical anomalies. Three of the seven holes returned mineralized intervals greater than 1 g/t Au.

Drill Campaign Highlights

Hole CAR23-008 returned 1.09 g/t Au and 17.35 g/t Ag over 11 m from 81 m down hole at the Central Target, including 1.53g/t Au and 27.82 g/t Ag over 6m.

Hole CAR23-012 returned 2.75 g/t Au and 20.94 g/t Ag over 10 m from 79 m down hole at the Northwest Target. This is part of a broader mineralized interval of 1.3 g/t Au and 11.73 g/t Ag over 24 m from 73 m downhole.

Figure 4. Carachapampa Location





Drill Core Sampling Protocol

Sampling is conducted in a manner that will allow reasonable averaging and statistical analysis of the data for mineral resource estimation. Standards, blanks and duplicate samples are used to maintain quality control and to verify laboratory procedures. The Company has established a QA/QC sampling control protocol which it applies to all rock sampling, including chip channels from trenches, surface grab samples and diamond drilling. Following is a summary of these protocols:

Drilling:

Samples are collected using a standard 0.5m to 1m sample length in the main mineralized zones and a 1m to 2m length in the surrounding rocks or in other minor intervals of alteration and/or mineralization. Shorter sample lengths were avoided whenever was possible.

Core samples are split along the core axis using an electric rock saw by the Companys trained technicians. Prior to sampling the core is logged and a high-resolution photographic record is taken for the files.

One standard sample is inserted for each 20 core samples and one coarse blank, one fine blank and one internal duplicate sample are included in each 50 core samples for QA/QC control.

In order to meet NI 43-101 security standards, the samples are placed in rice bags and sealed with numbered security tags on site and then shipped to the laboratory facilities by truck by Company personnel. The custody and transfer of samples is always the responsibility of Company personnel.

Surface and Trench Sampling Protocol:

Channel trench samples are collected using a standard 0.5m to 1m sample length in the main mineralized zones and a 1m to 2m length in the surrounding rocks or in other minor intervals of alteration and/or mineralization. Shorter sample lengths are avoided whenever possible.

Field mapping samples are also collected using a standard 0.5m to 1m sample length in mineralized zones when possible, depending on the outcrop availability.

One standard sample is inserted for each 20 core samples and one coarse blank, one fine blank and one internal duplicate sample are included in each 50 samples for QA/QC control.

In order to meet NI 43-101 security standards, the samples are placed in rice bags and sealed with numbered security tags on site and then shipped to the laboratory facilities by truck by Company personnel. The custody and transfer of samples is always the responsibility of Company personnel.

Laboratory Analysis

All analyses of the samples were carried out by ALS Limited, an independent laboratory with all regulatory documents and certifications approved and up to date. The sample prep facilities are based in Copiapo, Chile, 180 km SW from the Project.

The analysis package chosen, for Au, Ag, and a multielements, trace level method are as follows:

Au-ICP21/Au-ICP22  Fire Assay Fusion  ICP-AES Finish Sample Decomposition: Fire Assay Fusion (FA-FUSPG1 & FA-FUSPG2) Analytical Method: Inductively Couple Plasma  Atomic Emission Spectrometry A prepared sample is fused with a mixture of lead oxide, sodium carbonate, borax, silica and other reagents as required, inquarted with 6 mg of gold-free silver and then cupelled to yield a precious metal bead. The bead is digested in 0.5 mL dilute nitric acid in the microwave oven. 0.5 mL concentrated hydrochloric acid is then added and the bead is further digested in the microwave at a lower power setting. The digested solution is cooled, diluted to a total volume of 4 mL with de-mineralized water, and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry against matrix-matched standards.

When gold samples exceed the 10g/t upper detection limit of Au-ICP/Au-ICP methods, samples are re-assayed using the following:

Ag-GRA21, Ag-GRA22, Au-GRA21 and Au-GRA22 Precious Metals Gravimetric Analysis Methods Sample Decomposition: Fire Assay Fusion (FA-FUSAG1, FA-FUSAG2, FA-FUSGV1 and FA-FUSGV2) Analytical Method: Gravimetric A prepared sample is fused with a mixture of lead oxide, sodium carbonate, borax, silica and other reagents in order to produce a lead button. The lead button containing the precious metals is cupelled to remove the lead. The remaining gold and silver bead is parted in dilute nitric acid, annealed and weighed as gold. Silver, if requested, is then determined by the difference in weights.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. David Gower, P.Geo., as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

About Halcones Precious Metals Corp.

Halcones is focused on exploring for and developing gold-silver projects in the Maricunga Belt, Chile, the premiere gold mining district in South America. The Company has a team with a strong background of exploration success in the region.

For further information, please contact:

Vincent Chen

Investor Relations

vincent.chen@halconespm.com

www.halconespreciousmetals.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, regarding the prospectivity of the Project, the mineralization of the Project, the Companys exploration program, the Companys ability to explore and develop the Project and the Companys future plans. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward- looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Halcones, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities; risks associated with operation in foreign jurisdictions; ability to successfully integrate the purchased properties; foreign operations risks; and other risks inherent in the mining industry. Although Halcones has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Halcones does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Images accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/15c3b892-02dc-4487-85d3-aff0ec530a36

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee0dadfe-f402-43aa-84ef-7d40d4c4b8a7

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Report: Pace of installation on solar, wind sectors may help China hit target early

China may beat its 2030 target for solar and wind energy development five years ahead of schedule, a report from an independent nonprofit organization in the United States has found, as China celebrates its National Low-Carbon Day on Wednesday.

Prospective solar and wind energy projects that have been announced or are in the preconstruction and construction phases in China totaled approximately 379 gigawatts and 371 GW, respectively, said the report published by Global Energy Monitor late last month.

If these prospective facilities  nearly all of which are included in the 2021-25 five-year plans of different regions  are built and commissioned, China is expected to roughly double its current installed operating capacities for solar and wind energy, it said, adding that this will help the country realize its 2030 target for the two types of renewable energy by 2025.

In December 2020, while addressing the Climate Ambition Summit, President Xi Jinping announced that China will strive to boost its installed capacity of wind and solar power to more than 1,200 GW by 2030.

"As we closely monitor the implementation of prospective projects, this detailed information becomes indispensable in navigating the country's energy landscape," Dorothy Mei, project manager at Global Energy Monitor, was quoted as saying in a media release from the organization.

However, Martin Weil, a researcher with the organization, said China still needs to make more efforts to promote its energy transition.

"China is making strides, but with coal still holding sway as the dominant power source, the country needs to bolster advancements in energy storage and green technologies for a secure energy future," he said.

The country has seen a slew of renewable energy projects go into operation in the past few days as electricity consumption peaks amid scorching heat waves.

In the Bohai Sea, for instance, offshore wind power facilities with a combined installed capacity of 500,000 kilowatts were put into operation over 10 days ago. To date, these facilities have generated roughly 200 million kilowatt-hours of electricity.

In desert areas in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Mulei Kazak autonomous county in the region, and Delingha city in Qinghai province, solar and wind energy generation facilities with a total installed capacity of nearly 3.1 million kilowatts are up and running.

Altogether, they are expected to produce 7.5 billion kilowatt-hours of green electricity annually, according to local authorities.

Last year, the proportion of coal in the country's energy consumption mix stood at 56.2 percent. With green power development gaining speed, renewable energy has vastly dominated new electricity projects.

"The installed capacity for renewable energy across the country grew by 47.4 million kilowatts in the first quarter this year, increasing by 86.5 percent year-on-year and representing 80.3 percent of the total new installed capacity," Wang Dapeng, deputy head of new energy and renewable energy department at the National Energy Administration, said at a news conference in late April.
THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.



TORONTO, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lithium Ionic Corp. (TSXV: LTH; FSE: H3N) (Lithium Ionic or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Clarus Securities Inc. and Canaccord Genuity Corp. as co-lead underwriters on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters (collectively, the "Underwriters") to purchase, on a bought deal private placement basis, 11,904,900 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $2.10 per Common Share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $25,000,290 (the "Offering"). The Company has also granted to the Underwriters an option to purchase an additional 1,785,735 Common Shares at the same price, exercisable by the Underwriters for a period of up to two days prior to closing for additional gross proceeds of up to $3,750,044.

Lithium Ionic plans to use the net proceeds of the Offering for mineral exploration and development activities at its Brazilian properties and for working capital requirements and general corporate purposes.

The Offering is scheduled to close on or about August 1, 2023, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV). The securities to be issued under this Offering will be offered by way of private placement exemptions in all the provinces and territories of Canada, and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Common Shares issued under the Offering will carry a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the closing date of the Offering.

The securities being offered have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States.

About Lithium Ionic Corp.

Lithium Ionic is a Canadian mining company exploring and developing its lithium properties in Brazil. Its flagship Itinga and Salinas projects cover 14,182 hectares in the northeastern part of Minas Gerais state, a mining-friendly jurisdiction that is quickly emerging as a world-class hard-rock lithium district. The Itinga Project is situated in the same region as CBLs Cachoeira lithium mine, which has produced lithium for +30 years, as well as Sigma Lithium Corp.s Grota do Cirilo project, which hosts the largest hard-rock lithium deposit in the Americas.

Investor and Media Inquiries:

+1 647.316.2500

info@lithiumionic.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute forward-statements. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. When used in this press release, the words estimate, project, belief, anticipate, intend, expect, plan, predict, may or should and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include information relating to the prospectivity of the Companys mineral properties, the Offering, the expected use of proceeds of the Offering, the Companys exploration program and other mining projects and prospects thereof. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that managements beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
NORWOOD, Mass., July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Channeling the Boston Tea Partys rebellious spirit while dressed in traditional colonial garb, MariMed executives and team members staged the Boston 280E THC Party from a boat in Boston Harbor on July 12. In reenacting 1773s No taxation without representation revolt, yesterdays event protested Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Section 280E burdens cannabis companies with paying significantly higher taxes than most U.S. businesses, often resulting in higher product prices for consumers. MariMed Inc. (MariMed or the Company) (CSE: MRMD) (OTCQX: MRMD), a leading Massachusetts-based cannabis company, surprised the crowds at Boston Harbor when they boarded the Liberty Star schooner, heaved cargo chests emblazoned with WEED overboard1 and chanted anti-280E slogans.

Section 280E is a prime example of the unique obstacles that legal cannabis businesses must navigate that significantly increase the cost of conducting business. When calculating their taxes, Section 280E prevents the deduction of ordinary business expenses associated with trafficking a Schedule 1 or 2 controlled substance. Approximately 90% of U.S. adults support its legalization, yet cannabis remains classified as a federally illegal Schedule 1 controlled substance by the U.S. federal government, on par with heroin. Due to Section 280E, cannabis businesses pay much more in taxes than they would if it were repealed, according to Wolf & Company.

As a Boston-based multi-state cannabis operator, MariMed protested in a way that would make the Companys Patriot ancestors proud  by paying homage to the most famous tax protest in history during the year of the Boston Tea Partys 250th anniversary. By shining a light on Section 280Es negative financial impact on legal cannabis operators, MariMed hopes to effectuate policy change geared towards industry growth and advancement.

MariMed CEO and President Jon Levine said, MariMed is among the most-sound financial companies in cannabis, with top-selling brands in the markets we serve. Our protest was less about us and more to provide a voice for the entire industry. Section 280E is unfair and hampers companies striving to make cannabis accessible for consumers and medical cannabis patients in all legal states. It should be repealed. Doing so would remove an obstacle to our mission to improve peoples lives every day through cannabis.

Mr. Levine continued, We applaud some of the states where we operate, including Massachusetts, Illinois and Maryland, plus the 17 others that have approved laws providing cannabis businesses relief from 280E.



A growing number of U.S. Congressmen and women are aligned with MariMeds take on 280E: State-legal cannabis businesses are denied equal treatment under 280E, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) said earlier this year, referencing it as grotesquely unfair treatment and urging his colleagues to allow legal cannabis operations to deduct business expenses, just like any other industry.

For more information, visit https://marimedinc.com

______________

1 The natural wood, sustainable boxes tossed into the Boston Harbor were empty, floated on the surface, and pulled immediately from the harbor.

About MariMed

MariMed Inc., a multi-state cannabis operator, is dedicated to improving lives every day through its high-quality products, its actions, and its values. The Company develops, owns, and manages seed to sale state-licensed cannabis facilities, which are models of excellence in horticultural principles, cannabis cultivation, cannabis-infused products, and dispensary operations. MariMed has an experienced management team that has produced consistent growth and success for the Company and its managed business units. Proprietary formulations created by the Companys technicians are embedded in its top-selling and award-winning products and brands, including Betty's EddiesTM, Natures HeritageTM, InHouseTM, Bubbys BakedTM, K FusionTM, Kalm FusionTM, and VibationsTM: High + Energy. For additional information, visit www.marimedinc.com.

Media Contact:

Gretchen Giles

Grasslands: A Journalism-Minded Agency

gretchen@mygrasslands.com

Company Contact:

Howard Schacter

Chief Communications Officer

Email: hschacter@marimedinc.com

Phone: (781) 277-0007

Investor Relations Contact:

Steve West

Vice President, Investor Relations

Email: ir@marimedinc.com

Phone: (781) 277-0007
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Patagonia Gold Corp. (Patagonia or the Company) (TSXV: PGDC) is pleased to announce receipt of the final analytical results from drilling at the Monte Leon (MLN) target near its Cap Oeste (Capo) mine in the Santa Cruz province of southern Argentina.



Highlights

Results from samples from 28 new HQ core holes, prepared and analyzed by Alex Stewart International (Figure 1, Table 1) in their Mendoza, Argentina facilities.

To date, a total of 5,601.64 meters in 33, HQ-sized core holes have been completed at MLN.

Favorable analyses were received from all but 3 of the 28 new, HQ core holes. Results from 4,678.64 meters of drilling are reported in this news release (MLN-875-D through MLN-902-D).

Gold (Au) values up to 132.9 g/t and silver (Ag) values up to 46.7 g/t, within 5 meters grading 45.5 g/t Au and 14 g/t Ag, were reported in samples from core hole MLN-896-D.

Mr. Christopher van Tienhoven, CEO of Patagonia, commented, Results from this phase of Company drilling continue to discover encouraging precious metals in a new geologic setting within our 66,215 hectare-sized El Tranquilo concession block. El Tranquilo also hosts other mineralized areas including our Capo mineral deposit and the now depleted Cose zone to the ESE of Capo. However, only MLN is deemed to be diatreme hosted. We will thoroughly model all the data to design follow-up work.

Historical Work

Prior to this new program of core drilling at MLN, the Company identified gold mineralization in oxidized and brecciated structures at MLN, with 104 trenches and 21 core holes (see the Companys December 29, 2020 news release on www.patagoniagold.com). In addition, Patagonia Gold Plc (the AIM-listed predecessor to the Company), drilled 75 reverse circulation and 21 core holes in the general area surrounding the recent MLN drilling in 2011 and 2015. The location of the historic work in noted in Figure 1. In addition, 43.9 line-kilometers (km) of ground-based, induced polarization and resistivity (pole-dipole IP-Res) surveying was completed in 2021, and more than 800 line-km of ground magnetics.

Current Activities

In 2023, Company geologists continued with surface mapping and modeled all the data, including its own IP/Res survey data, and believe MLN mineralization is contained within a diatreme setting that occurs at the SE end of larger NW-SE structural corridor extending from the Capo mine. Composited Au and Ag analyses from the new core samples are shown in Table 1.

Figure 1. Location of MLN and Capo in the El Tranquilo concession black.

(New drill holes are noted in yellow font)





Table 1. Analytical Results (composited) from Latest MLN Core Drilling





Notes to Table 1 :

Incl. means including, NSR means no significant results. Samples were collected from HQ-diameter core. Core recoveries were high (+ 80%) for all reported intervals with the exception of hole MLN-880 with 20% recovery in the mineralized interval and hole MLN-882 with 69.5% recovery in the mineralized interval at starting at 45 meters down-hole. Mineralized intervals are down-hole lengths. True widths are not yet known. A 0.5 g/t Au minimum grade was used in compositing and no more than 1 consecutive grades less than 0.5 g/t Au were used in compositing. Grades were not capped. All analyses were performed by Alex Stewart International, a certified, independent analytical services provider, in their Mendoza, Argentina facilities using fire assaying for Au and four-acid digestion, ICP-MS for Ag. No assays are pending. For QA/QC purposes, a total of 203 blanks, 471 Certified Reference Material standards were inserted into the primary, drill sample stream by Company personnel at a ratio of one QA/QC sample to 9 primary samples. All QA/QC results were within acceptable limits. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource at this time and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource.

Figure 2. MLN Geologic and Mineralization Cross Section Looking Northeast





Qualified Persons Statement

Donald J. Birak, an independent geologist and Registered Member of SME and Fellow of AusIMM and a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure herein. The Qualified Person visited the MLN property in November 2022 and viewed the historic drill sites, new RAB drilling then underway, and the surface geology and mineralization exposed in a shallow pit, as well as Company core sample preparation activities from other drilling.

About Patagonia Gold

Patagonia Gold Corp. is a South America focused, publicly traded mining company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company seeks to grow shareholder value through exploration and development of gold and silver projects in the Patagonia region of Argentina. The Company is primarily focused on the Calcatreu project in Rio Negro and the development of the Cap-Oeste underground project. Patagonia, indirectly through its subsidiaries or under option agreements, has mineral rights to over 430 properties in several provinces of Argentina and Chile and is one of the largest landholders in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to, among other things, plans related to additional drilling and the results of such drilling; the belief that the exploration results herein present viable exploration targets for the Company to evaluate with additional drilling; and the anticipated growth in shareholder value. Wherever possible, words such as may, will, should, could, expect, plan, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict or potential or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Maps accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bf5df748-7e36-4fcd-9b17-5a24af4cc489

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b1361077-6474-42c4-8d77-3b29b9356293

Table accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f3705859-4875-40df-869f-a238b7bf21f4
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vital Battery Metals Inc. (Vital or the Company) (CSE: VBAM | OTC: VBAMF | FRA: C0O) is pleased to announce that it has commenced its initial Exploration Program (the Program) at its Schofield Lithium Project (Project) in Northwestern Ontario. The Program is being led by Clark Exploration Consulting Inc. who has been providing geological consulting services in Ontario, Canada as well as in many other jurisdictions both in Canada and Internationally since 1987.



Highlights of the Project include:

There are 17 mapped pegmatite outcrops on the Project which have not been thoroughly tested for LCT mineralization.

The Project is strategically situated adjacent to Brunswick Explorations Hearst Lithium Project.

Located 15km north of the Quetico-Wawa subprovince terrane boundary, the Project benefits from deep-seated regional structures know to influence LCT pegmatite mineralization.

Located within the Quetico subprovince, the Project comprises a variety of evolved S-type granitoids and pegmatites hosted by metamorphosed sediments (paragneisses) and metavolcanics.

Historical chip samples from Brunswick Exploration's Hearst package have shown 5.15% Li2O (see Brunswick Exploration Inc. news release dated October 3, 2022).





Figure 1 - Vital Battery Metals Schofield Lithium Project Regional Geology

The Projects exploration phase will consist of a 16-day 3-stage prospecting Program. Like the Companys previously announced program for the Dickson Lake Lithium Project, the aim of the current Program will be to locate, delineate and sample pegmatite dikes on the Project. Crews will take one day to locate and explore all historic roads on the Project establishing which are usable and which are not. The next stage will be a prospecting and sampling phase. Crews will take the next 7 to 10 days to traverse the Project attempting to locate and sample pegmatites noted in historic reports but also new ones that werent previously reported. The last stage of the Program will involve hand stripping and channel sampling. Stripping targets will be selected based on their prospectivity, overburden as well as location. Crews will take the rest of the time to hand strip, detail map and channel sample an exposure. Samples collected will be brought to AGAT Laboratories in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Adrian Lamoureux, Vitals Chief Executive Officer and President, comments, We are looking forward to sampling and mapping the numerous pegmatite outcrops on the Schofield Project during the Program. Once complete, Vital will have a key understanding of the Projects geology and the potential of lithium bearing pegmatites.

The Project is located within the Quetico Subprovince and contains a variety of evolved S-type granitoids and pegmatites hosted by metamorphosed sediments (paragneisses) and metavolcanics. The Quetico Subprovince is host to several pegmatite swarms such as Georgia Lake, Lowther and Wisa Lake. The pegmatites in the Quetico Subprovince are hosted by medium-grade unmigmatized metawacke with subordinate interbedded metapelite (e.g., spodumene-subtype Wisa Lake pegmatite and albite spodumene-type Georgia Lake pegmatites) and by their parent granite (e.g. petalite-subtype MNW pegmatite and lepidolite-subtype Lowther Township pegmatite) (Pye 1965; Breaks, Selway and Tindle 2003a, 2003b).

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Garry Clark, P.Geo., and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

The reader is cautioned that the mineralization on nearby or adjacent properties does not necessarily indicate that any mineral resources may be discovered on the Schofield Lithium Project, or if discovered, that such resources would be economically recoverable.

About Vital Battery Metals Inc.

Vital Battery Metals Inc. (CSE: VBAM |OTC: VBAMF | FRA: C0O) is a mineral exploration company dedicated to the development of strategic projects comprised of battery, base and precious metals in stable jurisdictions. The Company is working to advance its Schofield Lithium, Dickson Lake Lithium, Sting Copper Project, and Vent Copper-Gold Projects.

The Schofield Lithium Project covers 8,824 hectares and is adjacent to Brunswick Explorations Hearst Lithium Project. The Schofield Lithium Project is located ~60 km south of Hearst, Ontario.

The Dickson Lake Lithium Project covers 464 single-cell mining claims and approximately 9,780 hectares and is near a Brunswick Exploration Lithium Project, Imagine Lithiums Jackpot Deposit and Rock Techs Georgia Lake Deposit.

The Sting Copper Project covers approximately 12,700 hectares and hosts multiple historic Newfoundland and Labrador Government documented mineral occurrences and is located within a 50 km corridor known for significant volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS), copper quartz vein lode and low sulphation epithermal gold showings. The Vent Copper-Gold project covers 1,562 hectares in British Columbia. Vital continues to evaluate value-add assets to bolster its project portfolio.

For more information, visit www.vitalbatterymetals.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Adrian Lamoureux

Chief Executive Officer, Director

+1 (604) 229-9772

info@vitalbatterymetals.com

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the Project acquisition bringing a low-risk opportunity, the Company building a strong battery metals portfolio with low-risk opportunities that positively impact the Company and its shareholders and the Company providing an initial work plan are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Sting Copper Project and its mineralization potential; the Companys objectives, goals or future plans with respect to the Sting Copper Project; the commencement of drilling or exploration programs in the future; the completion and anticipated results of the Program. These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/323594f7-51cb-4835-98bb-f3aec2fd558c
FT. PIERCE, Fla., July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Treasure & Shipwreck Recovery, Inc. ("TSR" or "the Company"), trading as (OTC PINK:BLIS), today announced the launch of their Monetization Strategy, which includes a new venture between several well established media companies to better monetize its business and content. The Company has signed an Operational Agreement with Beverly Hills Productions and BGTV Direct that will combine strengths. through the formation of a global advertising operations team and strategy. The Monetization Strategy supports new revenue opportunities including a TV Docu-series, reality shows, asset sales programming, and even movies.



The potential value of recoverable shipwreck assets is substantial based on proprietary data held by TSR. The new Monetization Strategy should greatly enhance the value of any assets that have been recovered and expected future recoveries. The additional fleet of boats, crew, and equipment announced earlier this year is allowing TSR to aggressively seek value from existing shipwreck sites and make plans for new sites.

TSR CEO, Craig Huffman, stated, As a valued partner to our media customers, BGTV Direct and Beverly Hills Productions will create various Monetization opportunities that extend our commitment to providing new vertical revenue possibilities that will optimize our various assets that have and will be recovered in the near future. This should truly drive and maximize revenue to greatly increase our bottom line.

Beverly Hills Productions, a multi-award winning production company was founded by filmmaker Michael P. Nash over a decade ago. In 2010, MovieMaker Magazine named Michael Nash one of the Top Ten Filmmakers For The Planet. The Production Company has filmed in over fifty countries around the world and there content have been screened at commercial theaters, television networks, and streamers globally.

Mr. Nash stated, I grew up along the Treasure Coast of Florida, and recognize the vast dramatic canvas available to showcase shipwreck treasure narratives. Shipwrecks are often shrouded in mystery, offering a blend of historical, cultural, and archaeological elements. The process of exploring these wrecks and uncovering hidden treasures can captivate audiences and provide a unique lens into our past.

Marvin Baker, President of BGTV Direct, added, With all of our clients, the one thing that everyone is looking for are new opportunities that their customers havent had the opportunity to purchase, but have a lasting value that will only go up over time. As a valued partner to our Live Shopping clients that broadcast on major TV networks in the US and Overseas, this Monetization Strategy extends our commitment to providing our clients with the best products and services to increase the revenue while creating new revenue for Treasure and Shipwreck Recovery. This should truly drive and maximize their gross revenue and profitability.

About Treasure & Shipwreck Recovery

Treasure & Shipwreck Recovery, Inc. (Currently trading as BLIS) conducts shipwreck and treasure recovery from shallow shipwreck finds in the Caribbean and North America. Through certain exploration, survey and recovery techniques, we use innovative methods and state-of-the-art technology to provide access to known wreck site areas, as well as plans to explore key suspected large unrecovered wreck sites outside of State of Florida waters. We intend to expand into media projects involving games, television and sales of artifacts using our web development methods and expertise. We now own the following vessels the R/V Bellows large recovery and search vessel, the M/V Bottomline on site recovery vessel, a second on site recovery vessel, a leased survey vessel, and owns two smaller service vessels that service and assist on sites already active and producing.

Treasure & Shipwreck Recovery, Inc. also owns 40% of Kraken Treasure, LLC. whereby an exclusive NFT and gaming project, World of Treasure, has created NFTs of the collection for sale. Such NFT collection will be part of the first "Pirate 888" collection.

Please follow TSR at our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/treasurewrecked and its new Twitter account: https://twitter.com/TreasureShipR

Our website will be updated as new matters are announced including recoveries, media developments, and advances with the gaming division at www.treasurewreck.com. Also, visit our Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/treasurewrecked/. World of Treasure and the NFT collection can be found at www.WorldOfTreasure.io.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This press release and the statements of representatives of TSR. (the "Company") related thereto contain, or may contain, among other things, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are "forward-looking statements," including any other statements of non-historical information. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "guidance," "projects," "may," "could," "would," "should," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "ultimately" or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements involve material assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and the expectations contained in such statements may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company's actual results (including, without limitation, TSR's ability to advance its business, generate revenue and profit and operate as a public company) could differ materially from those stated or anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including factors and risks discussed in the periodic reports that the Company files with OTC Markets (Pink Sheets). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. The Company undertakes no duty to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.

COMPANY CONTACT:



Website: www.treasurewreck.com

Investor Relations Email: ir@treasurewreck.com

Investor Relations Telephone: (813) 563-8777

SOURCE: Treasure & Shipwreck Recovery, Inc.

New Twitter account: https://twitter.com/TreasureShipR
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPOD LITHIUM CORP. (SPOD or the Company) (CSE: SPOD) (OTCQB:SPODF) has provided an update on the 2023 Phase I surface exploration program for its 100% owned NORTH NIPIGON  NIEMI PROJECT in the Georgia Lake Pegmatite Field, Ontario. Spod Lithium sampled 1.507% Li 2 O and continues to expand the mineralized area on the Niemi Block near (MDI42E05SW00017). A new lithium bearing boulder was also discovered on the north shore of Parole Lake, that returned 0.538% Li 2 O, approximately 100 m west of a boulder discovered in 2018 (Ontario Geological Survey AFRI 20000019444).



The Phase I program is designed to target spodumene bearing pegmatite bodies on our expansive land package in the heart of the prolific Georgia Lake Pegmatite Field. The program covers the Niemi Block, North Nipigon Block A and North Nipigon Block C (Figure 1). The program will continue to evaluate the historically underexplored Block B, Block C and Block A east of Rock Tech Lithiums Georgia Lake deposit. Detailed mapping and sampling of the Parole Lake area will also be prioritized to determine the source of the spodumene bearing boulders. A total of 107 surface grab samples have been collected to date and submitted to the Actlabs facility in Thunder Bay, ON.

Chris Cooper, Spod Lithiums CEO commented: The North Nipigon  Niemi Project is beginning to show its real potential with 1.5% Li 2 O sampled on trend with Imagine Lithiums Jackpot Pegmatite and a new discovery of 0.54% Li 2 O in the Parole Lake area. Our bedrock stripping and sampling program for the Niemi Pegmatite is scheduled to begin in August and will provide a better understanding of the spodumene bearing pegmatite in this area. The discovery of a second lithium bearing boulder 100 m from a historic showing in the Parole Lake area is encouraging and our field crews are working to identify the source of the boulders. We will continue to focus on the Parole Lake area, the underexplored Block B and the northern extend of Block A, east of Rock Tech Lithiums Georgia Lake Deposit.

The North Nipigon  Niemi Project is underlain by Archean metasediments and granites, along with Keweenawan age diabase. Pegmatites in the region occur close to and within the granitic plutons. The Project is contiguous with RockTech Lithiums Georgia Lake Project and Imagine Lithiums Jackpot Lithium Project. RockTechs Project contains a NI43-101 compliant indicated resource of 10.6 Mt at 0.88% Li 2 0 and a NI43-101 compliant inferred resource of 4.2 Mt of 1.00% Li 2 O (MRE Source: Technical Report, NI 43-101, Pre-Feasibility Study, Georgia Lake, effective October 1, 2022). There are numerous other known pegmatite occurrences in the region as shown in Figure 1.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4b668f1d-1247-4197-954d-914521bed305

Figure 1 shows the North Nipigon  Niemi Project with Rock Tech and Imagine Lithiums developing deposits.

Assay results have been returned for the first series of 107 surface grab samples collected from the Project (Table 1). The Niemi Block continues to deliver lithium results on trend with Imagine Lithiums Jackpot Zone that returned 1.5% Li2O from sample 475539 (Table 1). This sample was collected approximately 40 m south of sample 269006 which was collected during a site visit in the fall of 2022 and returned 0.38% Li 2 O. Overburden stripping of this pegmatite is on schedule to commence in the fall of 2023 (Figure 2).

Table 1 Summary of lithium results from the initial prospecting program on the property.

Sample Easting Northing Area Li (ppm) Li2O (%) Cs (ppm) Ta (ppm) Be (ppm) Ba (ppm) 475539 434345 5461301 Niemi Pegmatite 7000 1.507 22.9 8.1 760 20 475550 433272 5473382 Parole Lake (AFRI 20000019444) 4020 0.866 87.3 25.2 126 15 475551 433272 5473382 Parole Lake (AFRI 20000019444) 1920 0.413 49.1 49 315 20 475577 433184 5473319 Parole Lake - New Boulder 2500 0.538 97.2 23.4 13 141





https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1c32fa90-32ba-4471-a4ba-7b6287f53829

Figure 2 shows the Niemi Project samples with Imagine Lithiums Jackpot Project to the west.

The North Nipigon Block A prospecting program continues to develop a lithium target on the northern edge of Parole Lake where confirmation sampling of a spodumene rich boulder returned 0.866% Li 2 O and 0.413% Li 2 O from sample 475550 and 475551, respectively (Table 1). This boulder historically returned assay values of 0.764% Li 2 O and 0.685% Li 2 O during a 2018 sampling program (Ontario Geological Survey AFRI 20000019444). A second boulder was discovered on the shore of Parole Lake, approximately 100 m to the west, and returned 0.538% Li 2 O (Table 1). A detailed mapping and sampling program is planned for the north shore of Parole Lake to determine the provenance of the lithium bearing pegmatite boulders (Figure 3).





https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f46066cb-bafb-479c-91ce-670421ef610d

Figure 3 shows North Nipigon Block A boulders on the north shore of Parole Lake.

JAMES BAY QUEBEC

The Company is eager to begin its planned exploration program on its Megali and Lithium Grande 4 projects. The recent restrictions imposed by the Quebec government, because of the regional forest fire situation, is directly impacting exploration operations, and, therefore, the company is temporarily delayed in kicking off its surface exploration field activities until the situation improves. The company is actively monitoring the situation to ensure all company activities are compliant with respective governmental decrees and to ensure the safety of personnel associated with the property. The company will provide further updates as information becomes available.

Qualified person

Jason Arnold, P.Geo., President of DCX Geological Consulting and an independent Qualified Person as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the geological information reported in this news release. The Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to verify the historic information on the Property and in the vicinity, particularly regarding historical drill results, historical mine production and historical grab samples.

However, the Qualified Person believes that these results were completed to industry standard practices. The information provides an indication of the exploration potential of the Property but may not be representative of expected results. Also, mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby properties, particularly with respect to neighbouring mineral resources, is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Companys property.

About Spod Lithium Corp.

Spod Lithium Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral properties containing battery, base, and precious metals. The Companys flagship assets are its Lithium properties located in the James Bay region of Quebec and the Nipigon and Niemi region of Ontario, Canada. For further information, please refer to the Companys disclosure record on SEDAR ( www.sedar.com ) or contact the Company through its website at www.spodlithiumcorp.com or by telephone at 604.721-3000.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Chris Cooper

Chief Executive Officer

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as may, expect, estimate, anticipate, intend, believe and continue or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OKX, a leading Web3 technology company, has issued updates for the day of July 13, 2023.



OKX Enhances Large Orders Execution with Revamped Iceberg Trading Bot

OKX is pleased to announce that it has updated its Iceberg trading bot and introduced new features and settings to enhance the execution of large orders.

Iceberg bot allows users to split large orders into smaller, strategically placed limit orders, resulting in improved execution and reduced slippage. Traders can now customize their preference settings, control the number of visible orders, and set specific start conditions to align the bots behavior with their trading strategies.

OKX currently offers a wide range of trading bots from beginners to advanced level, which includes Spot grid, futures grid, moon grid, infinity grid, recurring buy, smart portfolio, price lock, arbitrage order, iceberg and TWAP.

For more information, please visit the Support Center.

For further information, please contact:

Media@okx.com

About OKX

A leading global technology company driving the future of Web3, OKX provides a comprehensive suite of products to meet the needs of beginners and experts alike, including the OKX Wallet, NFT Marketplace and DEX.

OKX partners with a number of the world's top brands and athletes, including: English Premier League champions Manchester City F.C., McLaren Formula 1, The Tribeca Festival, Olympian Scotty James, and F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo.

As a leader building innovative technology products, OKX believes in challenging the status quo. The company recently launched a global brand campaign entitled, The System Needs a Rewrite, which advocates for a new paradigm led by Web3 self-managed technology to replace existing centralized systems.

To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx.com



Disclaimer

The information displayed is strictly for education and informational purposes only. It does not constitute and shall not be considered as an offer, solicitation or recommendation, to deal in any products (including any NFT or otherwise), or as financial or investment advice. Both OKX Web3 Wallet and OKX NFT Marketplace are subject to separate terms of service at www.okx.com.
QUINCY, Mass., July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the second year in a row, Retail Business Services (RBS), the services company of leading grocery retail group Ahold Delhaize USA, has designated the entire month of July to celebrate and honor both veteran and active-duty associates and military families.



In partnership with Salute + Allies  the RBS internal business resource group dedicated to the growth and advancement of active military associates and veterans through networking, career development and service opportunities  the company will offer a host of supportive and educational programs and events:

A 30-minute lunchtime walk session with veteran Ryan Vander Weit of Home Base, a national nonprofit dedicated to veterans of all eras, service members, military families and families of the fallen, who will lead a conversation on the four main barriers to reaching fitness goals.

A lunch-and-learn program to benefit Semper Fi & Americas Fund.

A keynote speaker session with Darren McBurnett, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL, combat veteran, professional photographer, author, and motivational speaker. Darren will discuss his military experience and promote personal growth by sharing how to navigate adverse environments.

The creation of a Wall of Honor on the RBS intranet to spotlight veteran and active-duty associates, recognizing their service and sharing their stories.

My military background has served me well in my career, said Gary Newell, a U.S. Navy veteran and a Special Projects and Store Development Specialist at RBS. Skills I learned in the Navy  team development, fostering morale and collaboration, working with diverse groups  has helped me succeed not only in my role at RBS, but also in my everyday life.

I come from a military family, and the support from both RBS and our military-focused business resource group, Salute, is incredible, said Beth Sampson, Chair of the Salute+Allies BRG. Military associates and their family members are able to connect on their shared experiences, and our entire company is able to learn more about their fellow associates.

In addition to the myriad programming and events this month, donations will be made via RBS Cares, the charitable arm of Retail Business Services, to both Semper Fi and Home Base to further the support and care of military personnel and their families.

About Retail Business Services

Retail Business Services is the services company of leading grocery retail group Ahold Delhaize USA, currently providing services to five omnichannel grocery brands: Food Lion, Giant Food, The GIANT Company, Hannaford and Stop & Shop. Retail Business Services leverages the scale of the local brands to drive synergies and provides industry-leading expertise, insights and analytics to local brands to support their strategies with services that include Business Integrity Services (Legal, Risk Management, Quality Assurance), Business Services (HR Technology Systems and Process Management), Communications, Omnichannel Services, Finance Business Services, Financial Planning and Analysis, Human Resources, Indirect Sourcing, Procurement, Information Technology, Pharmacy Services, Store Development, Leasing, Facilities Support, and Strategy and Business Development. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and we foster a community of belonging where everyone is valued. For more information, visit www.retailbusinessservices.com.
RICHMOND, Va., July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TForce Freight, Inc., an operating company of TFI International Inc. (NYSE and TSX: TFII), a North American leader in the transportation and logistics industry, today announced that on July 13, it reached an agreement with the US International Brotherhood of Teamster Union for the renewal of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. This new five-year agreement is subject to ratification by the employees which is expected to occur soon. TForce Freight is pleased with the mutually beneficial terms.



ABOUT TFORCE FREIGHT

TForce Freight is one of the largest Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) carriers in the U.S. Serving customers throughout North America, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, TForce Freight offers a full range of regional and long-haul capabilities for all LTL shipments.
Dallas, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dickeys Barbecue Pit continues to be recognized throughout the country for its Legit. Texas. Barbecue.

The 82-year-old, Texas-style barbecue brand was recently named a recipient of the Texas Treasure Business Award by the Texas Historical Commission. The Texas Treasures program began in 2005 and pays tribute to the states well-established businesses and their exceptional historical contributions to multiple communities across Texas. Since its inception, over 500 businesses across the great state of Texas have been honored for their historic significance, from large establishments like H.E.B. to small town bakeries, florists, general stores, and more.

We are so honored to be named as a Texas Treasure business, said Roland Dickey Jr., CEO Dickeys Capital Group. As a family business it has always been important for us to offer great barbecue, exceptional service, and to continue to ensure our legacy for many years to come.

Long considered a true American food, Barbecue restaurants continue to gain prominence in restaurant spaces, although still behind other category favorites such as burgers and pizza. The New York Times recently published an article on Texas Barbecue being at its best. You can read that story HERE. Yet Barbecue restaurants are also facing new challenges as beef prices reach an all-time high, as mentioned in this Market Watch online article, as well as being recently reported by Fox News.

With over eight decades of restaurant history, Dickeys is the largest barbecue brand in the world with over 500 locations in over 40 states and eight countries. The brands original location opened in Dallas, Texas in 1941 and still serves guests from the same location today.

Were humbled to have such loyal guests. The original Dickeys location is the oldest, continuously operating restaurant in Dallas, Texas that has never closed, changed ownership or changed names, said Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. The best compliment is when folks are surprised were as big as we are. They know Dickeys as a neighborhood barbecue joint, with a real hickory, wood-burning pit smoking on site each day. Thats brisket done right. Were just in many more neighborhoods these days.

To learn more, follow Dickeys Barbecue Pit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Download the Dickeys Barbecue Pit app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

To learn more about Dickeys Virtual Concepts follow: Wing Boss on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok , Trailer Birds on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok and Big Deal Burger on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok

About Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.

Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the worlds largest barbecue concept, was founded in 1941 by the Dickey family. For the past 80 years, Dickeys Barbecue Pit has served millions of guests in 44 states Legit. Texas. Barbecue. At Dickeys, all our barbecued meats are smoked onsite in a hickory wood burning pit. Dickeys proudly believes theres no shortcut to true barbecue and its why our name isnt BBQ. The Dallas-based, family-run barbecue franchise offers eight slow-smoked meats and 12 wholesome sides with 'No B.S. (Bad Stuff)' included. Dickeys Barbecue has 550 locations across the United States and eight other countries.

Dickeys was named to Newsweeks 2022 Americas Favorite Restaurant Chains list and USA Today 2021 readers choice awards. Dickeys won first place on Fast Casuals Top 100 Movers and Shakers list, been named a Top 500 Franchise by Entrepreneur and named to Hospitality Technologys Industry Heroes list. Led by CEO Laura Rea Dickey, who was named among the countrys 50 most influential women in foodservice in Nations Restaurant News, was recognized by Fast Casuals Top 100 Movers and Shakers list and honored by Dallas Business Journal. Dickey's Barbecue Pit has also been recognized by Fox News, Forbes Magazine, Franchise Times, The Dallas Morning News, The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine and QSR Magazine. Dickeys Barbecue is part of Dickeys Restaurant Brands which has more than 700 restaurants nationwide including brands Wing Boss, Trailer Birds, Big Deal Burger and bbqathome.com. DRB is led by CEO Roland Dickey Jr. For more information, visit www.dickeys.com.

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Attachment
Pune, India, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Insight Partners latest study on " Facial Recognition Market Size Report, Forecast to 2028  COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis  by Component, Application, and Vertical, the market size is projected to reach $12.67 billion by 2028 from $5.01 billion in 2021; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.2% from 2021 to 2028, driven by increasing demand from government and defense sectors and burgeoning adoption of ai-based facial recognition systems.





Download Sample Pages: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00003385







Global Facial Recognition Market Strategic Insights:

Report Coverage Details Market Size Value in USD 5.01 Billion in 2021 Market Size Value by USD 12.67 Billion by 2028 Growth rate CAGR of 14.2% from 2021 to 2028 Forecast Period 2021-2028 Base Year 2021 No. of Pages 165 No. of Tables 77 No. of Charts & Figures 89 Historical data available Yes Segments covered Component, Application, and Vertical





Global Facial Recognition Market Analysis: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments

Tech5, IDEMIA, Aware Inc., Cognitec Systems GmbH, Ayonix Corporation, Fujitsu Limited, Onfido, NEC Corporation, Thales Group, and Face PHI are a few of the key companies operating in the facial recognition market. The market leaders focus on new product launches, expansion and diversification, and acquisition strategies, which allow them to access prevailing business opportunities.

In September 2022 : CyberLink Corporation, an AI and facial recognition technology, integrated its AI facial recognition engine, FaceMe, into MediaTeks new AIoT platform, Genio. With the recent MediaTeks Genio 1200 integration, FaceMe further provides IoT/AIoT developers and system integrators precise facial recognition capabilities for flexible deployment across various industries and use cases, including security, access control, public safety, smart banking, and smart retail.

In March 2022 : Salto Group announced the acquisition of Cognitec Systems to build face biometrics into the access control portfolio. The acquisition is expected to enhance Cognitecs research and development efforts and market reach for its product portfolio as it collaborates with Salto on new technologies for expanding biometric markets.

In January 2020 , NEC Corporation, an electronics and information technology company, announced that the company would offer facial recognition technology to the Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd, a Japan-based real-estate company.





Browse key market insights spread across 165 pages with 77 list of tables & 89 list of figures from the report, "Facial Recognition Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Component (Software, Hardware, and Services), Application (Security & Surveillance, Access Control, and Others), and Vertical (BFSI, Retail & Ecommerce, Government, Healthcare, Education, Automotive & Transportation, and Others)" in detail along with the table of contents: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/facial-recognition-market







Adopting Cloud - Based Facial Recognition Technology Provides Lucrative Opportunities for Global Facial Recognition Market:

The adoption of cloud-based facial recognition technology presents a significant opportunity in the market and plays a crucial role in driving its growth. Cloud-based solutions offer several advantages over traditional on-premises deployments, providing businesses with scalable, cost-effective, and flexible facial recognition capabilities. One key opportunity that arises from cloud-based facial recognition is the ability to leverage the power of cloud computing resources. Facial recognition algorithms require substantial computational power to process and analyze large amounts of data. By utilizing cloud infrastructure, businesses can access unlimited computing resources, enabling faster and more accurate facial recognition performance. This scalability empowers organizations to handle growing workloads and accommodate fluctuations in demand without significant hardware investments.

Moreover, cloud-based facial recognition technology offers enhanced accessibility and ease of deployment. Unlike on-premises solutions that require dedicated hardware and extensive setup, cloud-based systems can be easily integrated into existing infrastructures through APIs or software development kits (SDKs). This ease of deployment enables businesses of all sizes to adopt facial recognition technology, regardless of their IT infrastructure or technical expertise. Cloud-based solutions also facilitate real-time data processing and analysis, enabling businesses to make informed and timely decisions. By leveraging cloud resources, facial recognition systems can process and match facial data in real time, enabling immediate responses and actions. This capability is particularly valuable in scenarios such as security monitoring, where quick identification and response are critical. Another advantage of cloud-based facial recognition is the ability to securely store and analyze vast amounts of facial data. Cloud service providers offer robust security measures, including encryption and access control, to protect sensitive data. This ensures that facial data is stored and managed securely and competently, addressing privacy and data protection concerns. Cloud-based facial recognition technology also contributes to market growth by reducing upfront costs and improving affordability. Traditional on-premises solutions require significant hardware, software licenses, and maintenance investments. In contrast, cloud-based solutions operate on a subscription or pay-as-you-go model, eliminating the need for upfront capital expenditure. This cost-effectiveness makes facial recognition technology more accessible to a broader range of businesses, promoting its widespread adoption and market growth.

China has emerged as a prevailing player in the facial recognition market within the Asia-Pacific region. The country's dominance can be attributed to several key factors that have propelled its market leadership. Firstly, China has invested heavily in developing and deploying facial recognition technology. The Chinese government has actively supported and promoted the use of facial recognition across various sectors, including public security, transportation, and finance. This proactive approach has created a favorable environment for the widespread adoption of facial recognition technology in the country. Secondly, China benefits from its large population and the massive scale of its market. With over 1.4 billion people, there is a significant demand for enhanced security and surveillance systems. Facial recognition technology provides a viable solution for managing security challenges, such as crime prevention, identity verification, and access control, on a large scale. Moreover, China boasts a thriving technology industry and a highly innovative ecosystem. Chinese companies have been at the forefront of developing advanced facial recognition algorithms and systems, leveraging artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques. This technological prowess has enabled Chinese firms to offer highly accurate and efficient facial recognition solutions that fulfill the needs of various industries and sectors. Additionally, the Chinese government's support for facial recognition technology has facilitated integration into various aspects of daily life. Facial recognition has become ubiquitous in China, from public transportation systems to building access control. The government's initiatives, such as the Social Credit System and facial recognition for public security, have further driven the adoption of facial recognition technology across different applications. Furthermore, Chinese companies have actively pursued partnerships and collaborations with international organizations, expanding their market presence beyond China's borders. This has helped them gain a strong foothold in the global facial recognition market, further reinforcing China's dominance. In conclusion, China's dominance in the facial recognition market within the Asia-Pacific region can be attributed to its significant investments in technology development, government support, a large population that drives demand, a thriving technology industry, and the proactive integration of facial recognition into various sectors. These factors have positioned China as a global leader in facial recognition technology.





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Global Facial Recognition Market: Segmental Overview

Based on component, the facial recognition market is segmented into software, hardware, and services. The software segment held the largest share of the market in 2020 and is anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. Based on application, is segmented into security & surveillance, access control, and others. The security & surveillance segment held the largest share of the facial recognition market in 2020 and is anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period. Based on vertical, the facial recognition market is segmented into BFSI, retail & ecommerce, government, healthcare, education, automotive & transportation, and others. The government segment held the largest share of the market in 2020 and is estimated to register the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.









Go through further research published by The Insight Partners: (Purchase with 10% Instant Discount):

Image Recognition Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis

Gesture Recognition System Market Forecast to 2028 - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis

Speech & Voice Recognition Market Forecast to 2028 - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis

Emotion Detection and Recognition Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis

Voice Recognition Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis









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TORONTO, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Giyani Metals Corp. (TSXV:EMM, GR:A2DUU8) ("Giyani" or the "Company"), developer of the K.Hill battery-grade manganese project in Botswana (K.Hill or the Project), is delighted to announce an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for K.Hill.

Highlights

310% increase in Indicated Mineral Resources to 8.6 million tonnes ( Mt ) with approximately 3.1 Mt of contained High Purity Manganese Sulphate Monohydrate ( HPMSM ) equivalent, before processing recoveries are applied.

) with approximately 3.1 Mt of contained High Purity Manganese Sulphate Monohydrate ( ) equivalent, before processing recoveries are applied. 97% increase in Inferred Mineral Resources to 6.1 Mt with approximately 2.1 Mt of contained HPMSM equivalent, before processing recoveries are applied.

Company is currently undertaking a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA) based on the new MRE, assessing the potential for K.Hill project life to extend beyond 25 years.



The MRE has been prepared by CSA Global South Africa, an ERM Group company (CSA Global) in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Code (CIM Code) and National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). An independent peer review has also been performed on the updated MRE by Paul Daigle, P.Geo., geo.

Major Mineral Resource Upgrade

In February 2022, the Company released an MRE for K.Hill based on data from 115 reverse-circulation (RC) and diamond drill (DD) holes totalling 4,793 meters (m) of drilling. The updated MRE from CSA Global has been prepared using data from 187 RC and DD holes from all drilling campaigns conducted over the Project since 2018, totalling 10,710 m. This additional drilling, completed since February 2022, includes 40 step-out holes along strike into a previously untested, but mineralized, section to the west and to the south.

This collated and complete set of drilling data, together with new density determination programs and updated optimization parameters for the constrained pit shell, has seen a strong conversion of Inferred to Indicated Mineral Resources resulting in an increase in Indicated Mineral Resources of more than 300% and an increase of almost 100% in Inferred Mineral Resources.

Figure 1 below shows the drill holes used in the February 2022 MRE (left) compared to the holes used in the updated July 2023 MRE (right).





Figure 1: Comparison between the drillholes used in the 2022 and 2023 MREs.

The MRE reported has been restricted to all classified material located within an optimized pit shell based on market data within the Companys K.Hill feasibility study (FS) filed in December 2022. The pit shell also used various technical economic parameters, derived from ongoing technical studies for the Project. This represents the material which CSA Global considers having reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction.

K.Hill CSA Global MRE Statement as of July 2023 (at a cut-off grade of 7.3% MnO)

Mineral Resource Classification Tonnage

(Mt) Grade

(% MnO) Contained MnO

(Mt) HPMSM Equivalent (Mt)1 Indicated 8.6 15.2 1.3 3.1 Inferred 6.1 14.1 0.9 2.1

Before processing recoveries are applied



MRE Notes:

a) The Mineral Resource has been classified and reported under the guidelines defined by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum in their document CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves of May 2014.

b) Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability.

c) Mineral Resources are stated as in situ dry tonnes; figures are reported in metric tonnes.

d) Figures have been rounded to the appropriate level of precision for the reporting of Mineral Resources.

e) Estimation has been completed within 6 different mineralization domains.

f) Mineral Resources are reported assuming open pit mining methods.

g) The Mineral Resource is reported within a conceptual pit shell determined using a price of US$3,800/t HPMSM (equivalent to US$9,054/t MnO), conceptual parameters and costs to support assumptions relating to reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction.

h) The Mineral Resource is reported at a cut-off grade of 7.3% MnO.

i) The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. CSA Global is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other any other relevant factors affecting the MRE.

j) HPMSM price quoted is based on 2022 market data, which was available at the time of reporting the Mineral Resource. Additional pricing information will be available for input into subsequent technical studies, and this may impact on the Mineral Resource reported.

Updated Development Plan and PEA

As a result of the new MRE, the Company has commenced a study to analyze the implications of extending project life beyond 25 years, as well as considering the potential installation of a second processing line to double capacity at the proposed K.Hill plant site. An updated PEA for K.Hill based on the new MRE and a development plan targeting optimal plant feed grade has been commissioned and results are expected before year end.

CSA Global has reported the MRE using a cut-off grade of 7.3% MnO, which offers the Company greater flexibility in its mine planning and grade scheduling to optimise the feed grade to the plant. The table below shows the estimated block model at various cut-off grades.

Cut-off Grade

(MnO%) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade

(MnO%) Contained MnO

(Mt) HPMSM Equivalent (Mt)1 7.3 14.7 14.7 2.2 5.2 12.0 8.7 18.1 1.6 3.8 13.0 7.3 19.1 1.4 3.4 14.0 6.1 20.3 1.2 2.9

Before processing recoveries are applied



Note: This tabulation does not represent a Mineral Resource and only serves to illustrate tonnage, grade and content scenarios at various cut-offs within the reporting pit shell.

Testing of mineralized material from this newly defined resource will be undertaken by the Company using portions of the 100 t of sample material currently held at the demonstration plant (Demo Plant) in Johannesburg. Sufficient variability exists in the sample material collected to make composite samples to demonstrate that material from this newly defined resource can be processed to make HPMSM.

Danny Keating, President and CEO of the Company, commented:

The size of the updated resource suggests that K.Hill can support production of this critical battery raw material for more than 25 years enhancing the Projects long term benefit to off-takers. It also gives us a realistic basis to assess higher cut-off grades, improve plant feed grades as well as assessing a doubling of throughput once the plant has been successfully commissioned. This establishes the potential for K.Hill to become one of the most attractive high purity manganese projects in the world today in addition to offering substantial project development optionality.

The hard work undertaken by our exploration team has consistently delivered resource growth and now we can finally demonstrate the true scale of the Project. The MRE and pending updated PEA for K.Hill, which will be followed by an optimized FS, will be run in parallel to the ongoing construction and future commissioning of the Demo Plant, which remains the Companys priority. The submission of our current environmental impact assessment for K.Hill will also not be affected by planning for future potential capacity upgrades.

About Giyani

Giyanis mission is to become a sustainable, low-carbon producer of battery materials for the electric vehicle (EV) industry. The Company has developed a hydrometallurgical process to produce high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate, a lithium-ion battery cathode precursor material critical for EVs, directly from ore from its manganese oxide deposits in Botswana, wholly-owned by its Botswana subsidiary Menzi Battery Metals (Pty) Limited. The Companys assets include K.Hill and the Otse and Lobatse manganese prospects, each of which has seen historical mining activities.

Additional information and corporate documents may be found on www.sedar.com and on Giyani Metals Corp. website at https://giyanimetals.com/.

Qualified Persons / NI 43-101 Disclosures

The MRE was carried out by Mr. Anton Geldenhuys (MEng), a registered Professional Natural Scientist (SACNASP, membership number 400313/04) of CSA Global, who is an independent Qualified Person as defined by CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves in accordance with NI 43-101. Mr. Geldenhuys is a geoscientist, is qualified as a geologist (Honours) and engineer (Masters) and has over 22 years of relevant industry experience. Mr. Geldenhuys is a member in good standing of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and has sufficient experience relevant to the commodity, style of mineralization and activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

Mr. Anton Geldenhuys (MEng), a registered Professional Natural Scientist (SACNASP, membership number 400313/04) of CSA Global is a qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Anton Geldenhuys has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical content contained in this press release.

An updated NI 43-101 technical report for the K.Hill Project will be filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com within 45 days of this announcement.





About CSA Global

CSA Global is a geological and mining consulting company that provides technical and expert services, training and independent corporate advice to public and private mining companies, financial and legal group. CSA Global is an ERM Group Company that has been providing services to its clients across all mineral commodities and regions globally for over 35 years. Website: https://www.csaglobal.com

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Giyani Metals Corp.

Danny Keating, President and CEO

Contact:

Danny Keating

President & Chief Executive Officer

+44 7799 214 083

dkeating@giyanimetals.com

George Donne

VP Business Development

+44 7866 591 897

gdonne@giyanimetals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

The securities described herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. persons," as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act ("U.S. Persons"), except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Company's securities to, or for the account of benefit of, persons in the United States or U.S. Persons.

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Giyani expects to occur, are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "does not expect", "plans", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur.

All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of the relevant management as of the date such statements are made and are subject to certain assumptions, important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Giyani's ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In the case of Giyani, these facts include their anticipated operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of its properties, and plans related to its business and other matters that may occur in the future. This information relates to analyses and other information that is based on expectations of future performance and planned work programs.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including, without limitation: inherent exploration hazards and risks; risks related to exploration and development of natural resource properties; uncertainty in Giyani's ability to obtain funding; commodity price fluctuations; recent market events and conditions; risks related to the uncertainty of mineral resource calculations and the inclusion of inferred mineral resources in economic estimation; risks in how the world-wide economic and social impact of COVID-19 is managed; risks related to governmental regulations; risks related to obtaining necessary licenses and permits; risks related to their business being subject to environmental laws and regulations; risks related to their mineral properties being subject to prior unregistered agreements, transfers, or claims and other defects in title; risks relating to competition from larger companies with greater financial and technical resources; risks relating to the inability to meet financial obligations under agreements to which they are a party; ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel; and risks related to their directors and officers becoming associated with other natural resource companies which may give rise to conflicts of interests. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect Giyani's forward-looking information. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking information or statements.

Giyani's forward-looking information is based on the reasonable beliefs, expectations and opinions of their respective management on the date the statements are made, and Giyani does not assume any obligation to update forward looking information if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions change, except as required by law. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. For a complete discussion with respect to Giyani and risks associated with forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, please refer to Giyani's Annual Information Form, all of which are filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d2553ff-31ca-4374-a9f7-042f604b12de
Toronto, Ontario, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Edward Escobar, CEO of Fare.Coop/Local Driver Co-op Federation and the founder of #DriversUnite/The Alliance for Independent Workers, has led a successful protest coalition against the rapid introduction of autonomous vehicles in San Francisco. The Local Driver Co-op Federation, a cooperative championing the rights and welfare of drivers and gig workers in the face of increasing automation, has supported postponement of the deployment of Cruise and Waymo's round-the-clock Robotaxi services on San Francisco streets. With mounting public pressure, led by Drivers, the state regulator CPUC has rescheduled the hearing twice already which favors the goals of the protest coalition, whose mission is to guard against the potentially devastating impact of automation on millions of drivers' jobs.

The Federation's commitment to the cause of drivers, underlines its dedication to preserving drivers' integral role in shaping the future of transportation. Inspired by VISA's multi-stakeholder cooperative, which orchestrated the largest IPO in U.S. history in 2008, the Local Driver Co-op Federation consistently champions the rights and welfare of drivers and gig workers. This success reinforces the Federation's determination to stave off the job-loss risks automation might pose.

"We aim to provide a competitive, fair alternative for consumers saving them 20% per mile compared to the incumbents while paying drivers 90%, preparing for a just and balanced transition to automation. We believe that our driver partners should have ownership in the driverless vehicles that could potentially replace them," said Mr. Escobar.

This news follows closely on the heels of the Federation's announcement at Collision in Toronto, where they shared their plan to raise $26M in a Series A funding round. This revelation was a highlight of Collision, further cementing the Federation's stature as an impactful force in the transportation industry.

Reflecting on the potential ramifications of this technological shift, Ahmed Attia, Co-Chair of the Federation and CEO of Direct Global, said, "We have seen the traumatic repercussions of disruption in the past - taxi medallion holders taking their own lives, losing homes, and destroying families. This emerging wave of disruption poses a threat to tens of millions of gig workers in America. We're not opposing the technology; rather, we welcome it. However, we demand an equitable chance to present our alternative, with government backing akin to what the incumbents receive, often at voters' expense. Once we're able to compete effectively, we are open to driverless vehicles operating around the clock."

The Local Driver Co-op Federation is committed to ensuring a just and balanced transition to automation. They are devoted to granting drivers a stake in the future of transportation, thereby safeguarding jobs and influencing the industry's trajectory. As a partner of the United Nations Sustainable Development Program (UNSDG), the Federation aligns with goals #8, #9, and #11.

To learn more about Fare.Coop and the Local Driver Co-op Federation, visit www.fare.coop and www.localdriver.coop

About Local Driver Co-op Federation

The Local Driver Co-op Federation is an innovative, driver-led cooperative dedicated to preserving the rights and welfare of drivers and gig workers amid rising automation. Inspired by VISA's multi-stakeholder cooperative, the Federation is committed to ensuring drivers maintain an influential role in the future of transportation.

Company Name: Fare.Coop/Local Driver Co-op Federation

Contact Person: Danny Golnik

Email: info@fare.coop

Website URL: www.fare.coop

Disclaimer: There is no offer to sell, no solicitation of an offer to buy, and no recommendation of any security or any other product or service in this article. Moreover, nothing contained in this PR should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security, or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. It is your responsibility to determine whether any investment, investment strategy, security, or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. Consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax advisor regarding your specific business, legal, or tax situation. For more info, please contact brandnewsproject@gmail.com.

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LOS ANGELES, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Comerica Incorporated ("Comerica" or the "Company") (NYSE: CMA) investors that the firm has initiated an investigation into possible securities violations and may file a class action on behalf of investors. Comerica investors that lost money on their investment are encouraged to contact Lesley Portnoy, Esq.

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy , by phone 844-767-8529 or email : lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case via www.portnoylaw.com . The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

The investigation concerns whether Comerica and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in alleged securities violations or other unlawful business practices.

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The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims against caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

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ACHESON, Alberta, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North American Construction Group Ltd. (NACG or the Company) (TSX:NOA.TO/NYSE:NOA) announced today that it will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 after markets close. Following the release of its financial results, NACG will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 6:00 a.m. Mountain Time (8:00 a.m. Eastern Time).



The call can be accessed by dialing:

Toll free: 1-888-886-7786

Conference ID: 47287641

A replay will be available through September 1, 2023, by dialing:

Toll Free: 1-877-674-7070

Conference ID: 47287641

Playback Passcode: 287641

A slide deck for the webcast will be available for download the evening prior to the call and will be found on the companys website at www.nacg.ca/presentations/

The live presentation and webcast can be accessed at: https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1624616&tp_key=5ac36a78e5

A replay will be available until September 1, 2023, using the link provided.

About the Company

North American Construction Group Ltd. (www.nacg.ca) is one of Canadas largest providers of heavy construction and mining services. For 70 years, NACG has provided services to the mining, resource, and infrastructure construction markets.

For further information, please contact:

Jason Veenstra, CPA, CA

Chief Financial Officer

North American Construction Group Ltd.

Phone: (780) 960-7171

Email: ir@nacg.ca




GUADALAJARA, Mexico, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: PAC; BMV: GAP) (the Company or GAP) announces that today the Company made the payment of the second installment of Ps.3.71 (THREE PESOS 71/100 M.N.) per each outstanding share, corresponding to the dividend payment approved at the Annual General Ordinary Shareholders Meeting held on April 13th, 2023. This payment corresponds to the thirty-five such payment.



COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (GAP) operates 12 airports throughout Mexicos Pacific region, including the major cities of Guadalajara and Tijuana, the four tourist destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, La Paz, and Manzanillo, and six other mid-sized cities: Hermosillo, Guanajuato, Morelia, Aguascalientes, Mexicali and Los Mochis. In February 2006, GAPs shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PAC and on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GAP. In April 2015, GAP acquired 100% of Desarrollo de Concessioner Aeroportuarias, S.L., which owns a majority stake in MBJ Airports Limited, a company operating Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. In October 2018, GAP entered into a concession agreement for the Norman Manley International Airport operation in Kingston, Jamaica, and took control of the operation in October 2019.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts and are based on managements current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance, and financial results. The words anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, plans and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations, and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity, or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends, or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

In accordance with Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Article 42 of the Ley del Mercado de Valores, GAP has implemented a whistleblower program, which allows complainants to anonymously and confidentially report suspected activities that involve criminal conduct or violations. The telephone number in Mexico, facilitated by a third party responsible for collecting these complaints, is 01 800 563 00 47. The website is www.lineadedenuncia.com/gap. GAPs Audit Committee will be notified of all complaints for immediate investigation.

Contact:



Alejandra Soto, Investor Relations and Social Responsibility Officer

asoto@aeropuertosgap.com.mx

Gisela Murillo, Investor Relations

gmurillo@aeropuertosgap.com.mx / +52 33 3880 1100 ext. 20294
Rockville , July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As per Fact.MR, a provider of market research and competitive intelligence, the global conveyor oven market is expected to witness a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period and reach a market valuation of US$ 134.9 Million by 2033-end.



Due to the changing workplace practices in the food business, conveyor oven sales are rising. Food manufacturers are looking for cutting-edge food preparation methods that are effective, efficient, and economical. Since they can prepare a large quantity of food at once, stacked conveyor ovens are in high demand. The sales of conveyor ovens are increasing as a result.

Get Free Sample Copy of This Report:

https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=5859

The demand for conveyor ovens in the industrial sector to heat processes with high output is the main factor driving market growth. Conveyor oven usage in modular food processing facilities is promoting market expansion. The desire for contemporary equipment to prepare more food in less time in hotels, restaurants, bakeries, and food catering services is also a factor in the expansion of the conveyor oven market.



Report Attributes



Details Forecast Period 2023 - 2033 Value Projection (2033) US$ 134.9 Million Growth Rate (2023-2033) 3.7% CAGR No. of Pages 170 pages No. of Tables 129 Tables No. of Figures 90 Figures

Key Driving Forces Accelerating the Market Growth

The growing demand for efficient cooking equipment in the food service industry, including restaurants, cafes, and fast-food chains, is driving the adoption of conveyor ovens. These ovens provide quick and consistent cooking, making them ideal for high-volume food production.

Conveyor ovens automate the cooking process, reducing the need for manual labor and improving operational efficiency. With rising labor costs and a shortage of skilled workers, food service establishments are turning to conveyor ovens to streamline their operations and improve productivity.

The busy lifestyles of consumers in North America have led to an increased demand for convenient food options. Conveyor ovens offer quick and consistent cooking, making them suitable for preparing various convenience foods like pizzas, sandwiches, baked goods, and frozen snacks. The convenience food industry's growth is directly contributing to the demand for conveyor ovens. Conveyor Ovens market is expected to witness a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period (2023-2033). Moreover, the market is expected to grow faster due to opportunities for convenient cooking practices in the business food section.

Conveyor ovens are designed to be energy-efficient, offering features like improved insulation, advanced heat distribution systems, and programmable controls. As energy costs continue to rise, businesses are looking for energy-efficient solutions to reduce operating expenses and meet sustainability goals. Conveyor ovens align with these requirements, leading to their increased adoption.



Key Companies Profiled in This Report

Lincoln

Middleby Corporation

Italforni USA

Picard Ovens Inc.

Davron Technologies Inc.

Star Manufacturing

Wisconsin Oven Corporation

Zanolli

Ovention, Inc.

Mahan Oven & Engineering Co. Inc.

Infratrol LLC

Doyon

Moretti Forni

LEWCO, Inc.



Vital indicators shaping future of the industry

Continued advancements in technology will play a significant role in shaping the future of the conveyor oven market. Innovations such as improved heating elements, energy-efficient designs, smart controls, and automation capabilities will drive the adoption of conveyor ovens. Manufacturers that invest in research and development to introduce new technologies will gain a competitive advantage in the market.

As sustainability practices and energy efficiency become increasingly important, the future of the conveyor oven market will be influenced by the development of eco-friendly and energy-efficient solutions. Conveyor ovens that reduce energy consumption, minimize carbon footprint, and incorporate sustainable materials will be in high demand. Manufacturers that prioritize sustainability and offer greener alternatives will have a competitive edge.

The demand for customizable conveyor ovens will shape the future of the market. Businesses in the food service industry require equipment that fits their specific needs and operations. Conveyor oven manufacturers that offer customization options in terms of size, speed, temperature control, and cooking capabilities will be sought after by customers looking for tailored solutions.

Challenges hindering the market growth

Conveyor ovens often require a significant upfront investment, which can be a deterrent for small and medium-sized businesses. The cost of purchasing and installing conveyor ovens, along with additional infrastructure requirements, can be prohibitive, limiting adoption rates and market growth.

The conveyor oven market in North America is highly competitive, with numerous manufacturers and suppliers vying for market share. Intense competition can lead to price wars, reducing profit margins and hindering market growth. Manufacturers need to differentiate their products through innovation, features, and service offerings to remain competitive.

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How competition influences the market

Key companies are focusing on new developments, increasing the efficiency of conveyor ovens. Moreover, Competition fosters innovation and drives manufacturers to develop new and improved conveyor oven models. In a competitive market, companies strive to differentiate themselves by introducing innovative features, enhanced functionalities, and advanced technologies.

For instance, Lincoln Company had launched a gas-powered conveyor oven with fast bake technology, which helps to reduce cooking time by 30%.



Explore More Related Studies Published by Fact.MR Research:

Frozen Bakery Products Market: The global frozen bakery products market is valued at US$ 31.78 billion in 2023.

Gluten-free Bakery Products Market: The gluten-free baked delicacies market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period 2022-2032.

Organic Bakery Market: The organic baking market in the US is anticipated to develop moderately. North America is predicted to generate close to US$ 2,500 million in sales by the end of 2022.

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BRISBANE, July 12, 2023 - Allkem Ltd. (ASX|TSX: AKE) ("Allkem" or "the Company") will release its June Quarter Activities Report on Thursday, 27 July 2023.



Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Martin Perez de Solay and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Christian Barbier will conduct a live webcast briefing at 10:00 am AEST (Sydney, Melbourne) on the same day.

To pre-register your details and join the webcast briefing, please follow the link on the homepage of Allkem's website, www.allkem.co. Written questions may be submitted via the webcast and playback of the briefing and Q&A session will also be available on the company's website.

This release was authorised by Mr Martin Perez de Solay, CEO and Managing Director of Allkem Ltd..
TORONTO, July 13, 2023 - (TSXV: NBM) (OTCQB: NBMFF)



Appointed Dr. Luc C. Duchesne, Ph.D., as VP of Government Relations to Initiate Canada Expansion Strategy Funded by Federal and Provincial Grant and Non-Dilutive Financing Programs Extensive Record in Grant Applications, Public-Private Partnerships, and Business Operations in Pharmaceutical, Energy, and Mining

Establishing Ontario R&D Centre for Silicon Anode Production & Ease of Access to North American Global Battery Manufacturers and EV OEM Partners

To Form Task Force of Battery Professionals, University Professors, and Former Government Officials to Increase Non-Dilutive Financing & Expand Research

NEO Battery Materials Ltd. ("NEO" or the "Company"), a low-cost silicon anode materials developer that enables longer-running, rapid-charging lithium-ion batteries, is pleased to announce the initiation of NEO's Canada Expansion Strategy through the appointment of Dr. Luc C. Duchesne, Ph.D., as the Vice President of Government Relations to secure government grants and non-dilutive funding initiatives.

NEO will expand to North America by establishing an R&D Centre in Ontario next month, taking advantage of favourable commercialization and material optimization progress in South Korea. Producing localized NBMSiDE, NEO's proprietary silicon anode materials, in Canada will facilitate better communication, faster material evaluation, and improved relationships with Canadian and U.S. global battery manufacturers and EV OEMs, creating increased opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

To strategically expand into Canada through non-dilutive financing, NEO has appointed Dr. Luc Duchesne as VP of Government Relations to lead federal and provincial grant applications and to manage relationships with government officers and entities. With vast experience in private-public partnerships over a 35-year career, Dr. Duchesne bridges the gap between science and business having senior-level leadership in multiple sectors, including pharmaceutical, agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and mining. He has an extensive track record of securing government grants and non-dilutive funding on both the federal and provincial levels.

Dr. Luc Duchesne commented, "I am excited to join the Company's journey to commercialization. The potential and level of technology that NEO possesses is one of the first in Canada, and the Company will be a critical component within the EV battery supply chain going forward. Our first task will be to build a portfolio of grant applications to secure non-dilutive government funding for NEO's R&D Centre in Ontario."

He has authored and co-authored 85 peer-reviewed scientific articles, literature reviews, books, and over 300 non-peer-reviewed articles. He is passionate about sustainability and anthropogenic effects on the environment, earning his Ph.D. from the University of Guelph in 1988, an MSc from the University of Toronto in 1985 and a BSc in Forestry Sciences from Laval University in 1983. As a former scientist with Natural Resources Canada from 1991 to 2003, he received a 5NR Science Award to Leaders in Sustainable Development for advancing and communicating science for sustainable development.

Mr. Spencer Huh, President & CEO of NEO, said, "With the decarbonization of the Canadian economy becoming a central policy platform, NEO offers a technology suite that permits governments to meet their policy targets of atmospheric carbon reductions. In parallel, the Company aims to establish a task force of battery professionals, university professors, and talented personnel like Dr. Duchesne to increase the magnitude of non-dilutive funding amounts. This task force will build a research consortium with public and private entities to deploy NEO's technology platform in North America and conduct long-term studies of its technology."

About NEO Battery Materials Ltd.

NEO Battery Materials is a Canadian battery materials technology company focused on developing silicon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, electronics, and energy storage systems. With a patent-protected, low-cost manufacturing process, NEO Battery enables longer-running and ultra-fasting charging batteries compared to existing state-of-the-art technologies. Building the first commercial plant in South Korea, the Company aims to be a globally-leading producer of silicon anode materials for the electric vehicle and energy storage industries. For more information, please visit the Company's website at: https://www.neobatterymaterials.com/.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Spencer Huh

President and CEO

604-355-6463

shuh@neobatterymaterials.com

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, the effectiveness and feasibility of technologies which have not yet been tested or proven on a commercial scale, competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at?www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

TORONTO, July 13, 2023 - (TSX:NEXT) ("NextSource" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has priced its previously announced overnight marketed public offering (the "Offering"). Pursuant to the Offering, NextSource will issue 30,303,500 common shares of the Company (each a "Share") at a price of C$1.65 per Share (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds of approximately C$50 million. The Offering is being conducted through a syndicate of underwriters co-led by Cormark Securities Inc. and BMO Capital Markets (collectively, the "Underwriters").

In addition, the Company has granted the Underwriters an option (the "Over-Allotment Option") to purchase up to an additional 15% of the number of Shares issued under the Offering on the same terms exercisable at any time up to 30 days following the closing of the Offering, for market stabilization purposes and to cover over-allotments, if any.

Vision Blue Resources Ltd. has confirmed its intention to participate in the Offering to maintain its pro rata ownership in the Company. Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about August 1, 2023 and is subject to regulatory approval, including that of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The net proceeds of the Offering are intended to be used by the Company to advance and complete construction of a battery anode facility in Mauritius and other matters as to be described in the Prospectus (as defined below).

The Securities to be issued under the Offering will be offered by way of a final short form prospectus (the "Prospectus") in each of the provinces of Canada, other than Quebec, and may be offered in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws, and certain other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the Securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This press release does not constitute an offer of Securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such Securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements.

About NextSource Materials Inc.

Nextsource Materials Inc. is a battery materials development company based in Toronto, Canada that is intent on becoming a vertically integrated global supplier of battery materials through the mining and value-added processing of graphite and other minerals.

The Molo Graphite Mine has begun production and is expected to ramp up to its Phase 1 nameplate capacity of 17,000 tpa of graphite concentrate over a period of up to three months.

The Company has announced plans to build the first of several Battery Anode Facilities ("BAF") in Mauritius, which will be capable of producing coated, spheronized and purified graphite ("CSPG").

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Forward looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements include any statements regarding, among others, the terms of the proposed Offering, the proposed use of proceeds of the Offering, the construction and potential expansion of the BAFs, expansion plans, as well as the Company's intent on becoming a fully integrated global supplier of critical battery and technology materials. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and, in some instances, to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive there from. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with them.

SOURCE Nextsource Materials Inc.
VANCOUVER, JULY 13, 2023 - Element 79 Gold Corp. (CSE:ELEM)(OTC:ELMGF)(FSE:7YS) ("Element 79 Gold", the "Company") announces that, further to its November 17, 2022 release, the Company has closed the sale of two properties from its Battle Mountain Portfolio located in the gold mining district of northeastern Nevada, USA to a subsidiary of Centra Mining Ltd. ("Centra").

Under the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, Centra purchased all of Element79 Gold's interests and obligations in relation to the Long Peak Project ("Long Peak") and the Stargo Project ("Stargo") in exchange for total consideration of CAD $1,000,000 paid by the issuance of an aggregate of 2,500,000 common shares of Centra at a deemed price of CAD $0.40 per share (the "Payment Shares"). The transaction closed on July 13, 2023, subject to regulatory approval.

"The sale of Long Peak and Stargo to Centra marks another milestone in Element79 Gold's journey for the strategic development of its high-grade gold assets," commented James Tworek, President and CEO of Element79 Gold. "This achievement enables us to unlock additional value from our extensive portfolio of prospective properties while advancing our core projects and driving their success to new heights."

Tworek added, "With other development assets in this exciting region, and with the prospective nature of the properties being sold, we are excited to maintain our exposure to the very promising potential of these properties and the opportunity for continued discovery through our equity participation in Centra."

The Battle Mountain Portfolio

The Battle Mountain Portfolio was originally comprised of 15 separate projects totaling over 44,478 acres across 2,203 unpatented claims in five counties: Elko County, Eureka County, Humboldt County, Lander County, and Nye County. Most of the Battle Mountain Portfolio is located within the Battle Mountain Trend, with several projects close to globally reputable gold deposits including Nevada Gold's Cortez Mine.

The Battle Mountain Portfolio is comprised primarily of early-stage projects. While drilling has been completed at some projects, such as Elder Creek (155 holes) and Clover (104 holes), many have only surface sampling and geophysical surveys completed. Of particular note are the Long Peak, Elephant, Elder Creek, North Mill Creek, Clipper, Pipeline South, West Cortez, and Walti Projects, which are interpreted to lie along the northwest trending fault that hosts the high-grade Pipeline deposit, which is included in Nevada Gold's Cortez Mine.

Figure 1. Map of Nevada showing location of Battle Mountain Projects, and select major gold mines.

The Long Peak Project

Long Peak is comprised of 34 unpatented claims located near Copper Basin and the Copper Canyon Mine in Lander County, Nevada. Long Peak hosts significant historic prospects, warranting further exploration at Long Peak.

The Stargo Project

Stargo is comprised of 337 unpatented claims located south of the Battle Mountain Trend in Nye County, Nevada. The large claim block contains attractive host rocks, tertiary age intrusives, and appropriate aged structural preparation to represent an attractive area for exploration target development.

About Element79 Gold

Element79 Gold is a mining company focused on gold, silver and associated metals and committed to maximizing shareholder value through responsible mining practices and sustainable development of its projects. Element79 Gold's main focus is on two core properties: developing its previously-producing, high-grade gold and silver mine, the Lucero project located in Arequipa, Peru, with the intent to bring it back into production in the near term; and its flagship Maverick Springs Project located in the famous gold mining district of northeastern Nevada, USA, between the Elko and White Pine Counties. Maverick Springs hosts a 43-101-compliant, pit-constrained mineral resource estimate reflecting an inferred resource of 3.71 million ounces of gold equivalent "AuEq" at a grade of 0.92 g/t AuEq (0.34 g/t Au and 43.4 g/t Ag) with an effective date of October 19, 2022. The acquisition of the Maverick Springs Project also included a portfolio of 15 properties along the Battle Mountain trend in Nevada, which are non-core to its primary business focus. In British Columbia, Element79 Gold has executed a Letter of Intent and funded a drilling program to acquire a private company that holds the option to 100% interest of the Snowbird High-Grade Gold Project, which consists of 10 mineral claims located in Central British Columbia, approximately 20km west of Fort St. James. The Company also has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Dale Property, 90 unpatented mining claims located approximately 100 km southwest of Timmins, Ontario, Canada in the Timmins Mining Division, Dale Township. The Company is analyzing the non-core Nevada projects, the Dale Property and the Snowbird Property for further merit of exploration, sale or spin-out.

For more information about the Company, please visit www.element79.gold

Contact Information

For corporate matters, please contact:

James C. Tworek, Chief Executive Officer

E-mail: jt@element79.gold

For investor relations inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations Department

Phone: +1.613.879.9387

E-mail: investors@element79.gold

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press contains "forward?looking information" and "forward-looking statements" under applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward?looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the closing of the sale of the Long Peak Project and the Stargo Project; obtaining regulatory approval for the sale of the Long Peak Project and the Stargo Project; the Company's business strategy; future planning processes; exploration activities; the timing and result of exploration activities; capital projects and exploration activities and the possible results thereof; acquisition opportunities; and the impact of acquisitions, if any, on the Company. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward?looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "forecast", "potential", "target", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward?looking statements".

Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the integration of acquisitions; actual results of exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; commodity prices; variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; actual performance of plant, equipment or processes relative to specifications and expectations; accidents; labour relations; relations with local communities; changes in national or local governments; changes in applicable legislation or application thereof; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; exchange rate fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; government regulation; environmental risks; reclamation expenses; outcomes of pending litigation; limitations on insurance coverage as well as those factors discussed in the Company's other public disclosure documents, available on www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward?looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward?looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
After years of having the highest teen pregnancy rate in Kansas, Wyandotte County -- home of Kansas City -- got some relief. In 2010, the Obama administration started offering grants to help schools back away from abstinence-only and integrate evidence-based lessons into their sex education.That year, many schools in Kansas stopped teaching abstinence-only, and the state's teen pregnancy rate declined 9 percentage points . That's because the federal Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) is proven to delay sexual activity, increase use of birth control and reduce teen pregnancy. It was created as an alternative to Title V, which funds strictly abstinence-only teaching.But more and more states are refusing PREP grants, while continuing to accept Title V funding. It's a trend that worries health officials.If a 16-year-old gets pregnant, she is more likely to not finish school, and that sets off a bad domino effect for the rest of her life," said Greg Stephenson, personal health services manager at the Wyandotte County Public Health Department. "The impact of these programs goes way beyond sexual health."Less than 50 percent of the nation's high schools meet the CDCs standards for comprehensive sex education, and this recent trend may worsen the problem. In 2015, Florida, Indiana, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia all opted out of PREP grants. They're joined this year by Kansas and South Dakota.With the exception of South Dakota, the other states that declined PREP funds also accepted Title V funds this year and last year. Most states are awarded a mix of both, with 35 receiving Title V funds and 44, plus the District of Columbia, receiving PREP grants.Not all of these PREP-funded programs were even comprehensive, sometimes they just covered the bare basics -- but that is still essential, said Chitra Panjabi, president of the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States.States accept the money and then award it to the local health departments and school districts of their choosing. When Stephenson got an email that the state wouldn't be taking the grants this year, he was shocked because PREP seemed to satisfy everyone.The local government was pushing it, the school board wanted it, parents liked it, we got a green light from everyone. It was amazing."The reason Kansas, and many of the other states, don't want the funds anymore isn't totally clear.Cassie Sparks, public information officer at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said the state decided to forgo the funds so localities can apply for them on their own. But the state didn't apply that some logic when they accepted $600,000 in abstinence-only Title V grants this year. In addition, Stephenson is unsure whether local agencies and districts can even apply for the funds.The state's Republican governor, Sam Brownback, falls at the extreme end of conservativism when it comes to reproductive issues. He signed a bill in 2012 that allows pharmacists to refuse filling a prescription if they think it will be used to induce an abortion. He followed that up in 2013 with a set a bills that include blocking tax breaks for abortion providers and defining life as beginning "at fertilization."When states don't take PREP funding, Panjabi said its not uncommon for private groups to fund a sex ed program that pushes their own political agenda. She points to an example in Teton County, Wyo., which wasn't granted any PREP funding this year.An anti-abortion group foot the bill to get abstinence-only speaker Shelly Donahue to talk to students at a public school. Donahue is known for her unorthodox speeches on sex, like referring to people who have sex outside of marriage as chewed pieces of gum. If Teton County had been awarded PREP grants, there's no way hiring Donahue would have been an option, said Panjabi. (Donahue, by the way, never spoke because of pushback from parents.)As for whats next for Stephenson and Wyandotte Countys sex education curriculum, its all up in the air. Once the PREP funding dries up at the end of this coming school year, there's no money -- or seemingly enthusiasm -- to keep evidence-based sex ed going there."We are going to try to energize teachers to take it up on their own," said Stephenson, "but they dont seem to want to."
Helmut Marko has opened up about Daniel Ricciardo's comeback in Formula 1. The Australian will replace Nyck de Vries, who has been sacked from AlphaTauri. Marko had already discussed the plan with Ricciardo, he told F1 Insider.

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Helmut Marko explains that Ricciardo already knew a seat at AlphaTauri would beckon, provided he performed well during the tyre test. It was a stress test, so to speak: "He knew he would get the seat if he did well, and he passed that stress test with very well."

Read more Does Nyck de Vries still have a future in Formula 1?

Benchmark for Tsunoda

According to the Austrian, the Australian's arrival is also a chance to further test Yuki Tsunoda. After all, from now on the Japanese rides alongside a proven Grand Prix winner, who showed during the tyre test at Silverstone that he can still be fast. "Daniel is now the benchmark of our junior, Tsunoda," said Marko.

In Hungary, the Australian will race his first Grand Prix since Abu Dhabi 2022, when he drove at McLaren. After an unhappy spell at the British side, Ricciardo returned home. At Red Bull, he acted as a test and reserve driver, which has now earned him a seat in Formula 1.
All F1 teams said no to Andretti buyout

Michael Andretti has hit back at existing Formula 1 teams who are opposed to the expansion of the grid to eleven teams.

Fernando Alonso, British GP 2023

 Aston Martin Racing

The most visible and arguably qualified entrant currently waiting for Liberty Media and the FIA's decision amid a current tender process is Andretti-Cadillac.

But Mercedes boss Toto Wolff reiterated his opposition last weekend.

Our position was very clear - buy a team, he said at Silverstone.

When asked if he agrees with that position, Ferrari's Frederic Vasseur added: "Yeah.

We have a huge boom in Formula 1 now, but you have to keep in mind that a couple of years ago, when the crisis was there, the owners of the teams made a huge effort and the benefit is today, he said.

It is expected that the FIA will update the prospective entrants, including Andretti, about the status of their applications on July 15.

Former F1 driver Michael Andretti, whose racing empire is present in Indycar, Formula E and elsewhere, said the 11th team is the only way he can enter Formula 1.

We have contacted all the teams, but no one is interested, he told reporters at the Extreme E race in Sardinia, according to France's Auto Hebdo.

They keep saying 'buy a team', but nobody wants to sell. They are not even interested in a discussion.

And so, the 60-year-old American says he is putting his trust in F1's authorities.

In the end, the teams are not the ones who will make the decision, Andretti said. It will be up to F1 and the FIA to decide if they think us coming in is a good thing.

He also hit back at suggestions that General Motors and Cadillac are only being associated with the Andretti bid in order to get it over the line.

People try to say 'they're just putting their name on it', but it's not like that. They are an integral part of the team, Andretti said.

And so, if there are two Andretti-Cadillac cars on the grid as soon as 2025, the identity of at least one of the drivers is already clear - Colton Herta.

Colton is part of the project, Andretti confirmed. "He is still so excited to join us, and I would love for him to be involved in this category.
Access Bank champions sustainable energy transition in Africa

Daily Graphic Business News Jul - 13 - 2023 , 08:16

Head of Corporate Communications at Access Bank Ghana, Oluwaseun David- Akindele has said that the bank remains committed to financing renewable energy in Africa.

He said while renewable energy in Africa held immense potential for revolutionising the continent's energy landscape, driving economic growth, and combating climate change, African countries were faced with significant obstacles in attracting adequate financing for renewable energy projects.

Speaking at the Climate Finance for Sustainable Energy transition in Africa Conference in Accra, he said bridging the funding gap for sustainable energy projects in Africa required a thoughtful exploration of various financial instruments and mechanisms.

He said one avenue to mobilise funds was through the issuance of green bonds, which offered a purposeful investment opportunity for individuals and institutions seeking to support renewable energy projects in Africa.

He noted that limited access to capital was a significant challenge African countries faced in their pursuit of sustainable energy.

Other factors

Mr Oluwaseun said other factors such as the presence of political and economic instability across the continent created an environment of higher perceived risks, deterring potential investors.

He also said currency volatility and exchange rate risks, inconsistent or inadequate policies and regulations related to renewable energy, among other factors, posed additional risks for investors and further contributed to limited access to capital.

He pointed out that Access Bank Plc issued the first Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI)-certified corporate green bond in Africa in 2019, raising US$41 million from this issuance.

Also, in 2022, the bank successfully closed its second green bond issuance, raising $50 million.

The step-up puttable green bond was issued under the Access Bank $1.5 billion Global Medium-Term Note Programme and is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange.

In addition, Oluwaseun alluded to the importance of a collaboration between governments, financial institutions, and development partners for effective mobilisation and allocation of climate finance.

He revealed that in 2022, Access Bank Plc partnered the Lagos Business School (LBS) to fund the schools 350KW and 152KWh hybrid power solutions project through its Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Energy Finance (SUNREF) facility.

SUNREF is a green energy facility availed to Access Bank by the Agence Francaise de Developpment (AFD) to support Nigerias journey toward carbon emissions reduction and a cleaner environment.
Dont give up on entrepreneurial dreams - Dr McKorley urges students

Daily Graphic Business News Jul - 13 - 2023 , 10:40

Ghanaian entrepreneur and chairman of the McDan Group of companies, Dr Daniel McKorley, has admonished students not to allow setbacks to impede their pursuit for entrepreneurial dreams.

He has, instead, challenged them to take setbacks from businesses as a learning curve and allow it to help build on their ambitions and not allow it to be a demoralising factor that will push them to abandon their ambition.

Delivering his key note address at the #McDanYouthConnect, the business mogul emphasised on the values of hard work, resilience and learning from failures as the hallmark to achieving their goals.

Business dreams

According to him, most people, particularly the young ones who dare to start some business easily watch their dreams fizzle out after a few months when things dont go as plan but advised that the keys to a breakthrough in business lied between the point of quitting and pushing further.

He said scaling the tides in business does not come on a silver platter and added that most entrepreneurs who are successful today are those who, despite challenges, refused to give up but work harder to find the solutions to their problems.

Dr McKorley further acknowledged the importance of collaboration among the business sector, educational institutions and traditional leaders in promoting sustainable development and to nurture the potential of the young ones.

The acknowledgement from the traditional leaders showcase the power of unity and collaboration in inspiring and empowering the youth.

The University of Cape Coast will witness this exceptional occasion where entrepreneurship, education and traditional leadership converge to shape a brighter future of Ghanas youth, he said.

Traditional leaders

Earlier in a separate meeting with two traditional leaders in Cape Coast, Dr McKorley, acknowledged their guidance in shaping their communities and inspiring the youth and emphasised his resolve to supporting the development of the youth and promised to work closely with the traditional leaders to create a better future.

At the Palace of the Zongo chief of the Kotokuraba traditional area, Chief Dandey expressed his gratitude to Dr McKorley for the positive impact he has made in the various sectors and particularly empowering the youth.

He was also full of praise for the McDan Group chairman for his commitment towards uplifting communities and challenged the youth in his area to follow in the footsteps of Dr McKorley by working hard.

From the Zongo chiefs place, Dr McKorley was at the office of the Omanhene of Cape Coast, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, where the revered chief emphasised on the importance of education, entrepreneurship and community development.

These attributes, the chief said, was what has made Dr McKorley a role model to the youth and thanked him for what he was doing to ensure the upcoming generation was equipped with the confidence to enable them confront the business world.

He also appreciated the business mogul for selecting University of Cape Coast as a place where he wants to inspire and empower young minds, and also praised him for his commitment towards nation-building.
US-Ghana Business Summit scheduled for September

Charles Benoni Okine Business News Jul - 13 - 2023 , 08:24

The 2nd US-Ghana Business Summit and Expo has been scheduled from Tuesday, September 12, to Sunday September 17, in Philadelphia, United States of America.

The event, an initiative of the US-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia, is meant to among other things help to deepen discussion and relationship with critical institutions that facilitate international business development and cooperation.

It has been modelled around the concepts such as the World Affairs Council, African Caribbean Business Council and World Trade Centre of Delaware.

The event comes at a time when Ghanaian businesses and trade institutions are seeking credible collaborations and partnerships to scale up in the wake of the challenging economic environment in the country occasioned by the twin global events of COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian/Ukraine war which have disturbed the foundations of many an economy including Ghana.

It is expected that, with Ghana successfully closing a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restore credibility, the summit and expo will create a unique platform for Ghanaian businesses and trade institutions to open new chapters with their American counterparts.

Activities

The President of the US-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Florence TorsonHart, told the Daily Graphic from her base in Philadelphia that as part of the event which is fast developing into one of the most sought-after for Ghanaian businesses, there will be a meeting with Lancaster Chamber of Commerce members to provide a unique opportunity for further business-to-business (B2B) and private business discussions.

There will also be company investment pitches which will include a meeting at Millersville University; a tour of manufacturing companies; a visit to Hershey Park; tabletop exhibition; and a special meeting with the Governor.

On Thursday, September 14, there will be an all day exhibition in Philadelphia, while at the same time, individual and institutional meetings; B2B matching; and B2G activities have been scheduled.

Others will be a meeting with World Trade Centre (WTC) of Delaware businesses, tabletop exhibition; company investment pitches; cultural day and the unveiling of Diasporan/Ghanaian Store at Shoprite.

Partnerships

Ms TorsonHart said Last years major partners included US Commercial Service, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development, Ghana Embassy in DC, Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.

Ms TorsonHart said GEPA sponsored exhibitors to last years event which resulted in a massive distribution opportunity with Browns ShopRite in the US which includes 15 ShopRite stores.

We are in discussions with GEPA to facilitate and finalise this opportunity, she added.

This year, she revealed that the World Trade Centre of Delaware, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Temple Universitys Fox Business School have joined the partnership.

Expectations

As an added toast to the event, she said the chamber was planning to unveil the ShopRite /Ghana Market.

Again, Ms TorsonHart said work was ongoing to finalise some of the business deals under consideration, increase the number of US companies on board as well as offer Ghanaian companies opportunities to scale businesses.

Another crucial aspect will be how to identify funding resources for companies, particularly those interested in growing but with specific interests in agriculture, real estate, trade, energy, logistics and Fintech.

Takeaways

She said the event would also provide a platform for discussion, orientation and education of business opportunities in Ghana.

Ms TorsonHart said the turnaround point after all, will provide opportunities for market expansion, ability to scale business, new lead generation, and identify resources including technological solutions and funding.
God is law

Ahumah Ocansey Opinion Jul - 13 - 2023 , 10:57

The universal acknowledgment and exaltation of God as the Creator of the universe, the source of excellence and goodness for humanity, fount of mercy and forgiveness of sins, and the great consoler of pains, who deserves the highest adoration and praises, skews our mind off one of His characteristics: that God is a God of law, and law is order, and by law has the universe been kept going all these innumerable years.

The laws of God work with inexorable exactitude, and create results with mathematical certainty, such that the sufferings of humanity must be explained in relation to the obedience or disobedience to the laws that regulate both nature and man.

In other words, does God exercise his mercies outside or within the compass of his laws?

This is what we need to reflect on.

Since the universe is Gods handicraft, it is obvious its governance must operate by the immutable laws that ensure continuance of the universe, and the well-being of humanity.

The laws are several, but we can distinguish laws of the following: planetary laws; ecological laws; spiritual laws; moral laws; personal laws (psychological, social, relational, etc); and laws of governance (justice, economics, leadership, etc).

These laws require separate essays to elucidate them.

Divine laws

Whereas the material transformations of societies have sprung from seemingly only material decisions taken to improve the lot of humanity, we shall discover that back of our achievements are divine laws that God emplaced in creation to facilitate our relationship with him, and also for our evolution as spirit beings, and it is these laws that have informed our various decisions in the organisation and transformation of our nations.

Presently, the state of the nations of the world bespeaks severity of sufferings and manifold challenges of magnitudes defying solutions.

When the United Nations and other international bodies meet, they discuss problems and solutions from the limited perspective of human knowledge and reasoning.

I have not read anything showing reference to God and evaluation of our solutions per His standards, as stated in the various religions of the world.

Admittedly, religion does not feature in such global discussions, for obvious reasons, but, still, any allusion to what I would call first principles, would be determinative of whether humanity is conforming to those basic universal principles or not, and solutions would then be formulated conformable to those first principles.

Illustrate

Let me illustrate.

According to historians, in the earliest known written manuscript of Ptah Hotep, an Egyptian high priest, in 553 BC, is found this inscription: "If thou be among people, make for thyself love the beginning and end of the heart.

At the first Buddhist Council held at Rajagriha, India, in 466 B.C., the scribes almost duplicated the advice of Egypt's priest, in the writing: One should seek for others the happiness one desires for oneself.

When Alexander of Macedon marched into Persia, 334 B.C., he found there: "Do as you would be done by," which had been taught by Zoroaster.

Jesus Christ stated the same law of love at John 13: 34: A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another: as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (KJV).

Moses stated the extremities of the law in this admonition to the Israelites: I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live (Deut 30:19 KJV).

Laws

The laws of God are several and diverse, but when it comes to mans evolution and progress, the laws reduce themselves into one primal and fundamental law: the law of love.

This is an instant of what I mean by first principles.

And these principles exist as standards for evaluating our conduct in life.

The fortune of nations is dependent on the degree of adherence to the Laws that exist for humanitys spiritual, moral and physical growth.

When these laws are endangered, calamity ensues.

The wars in Somalia, Sudan and Ethiopia have affected the land itself, and nature has also rebelled, and shut off rain from falling.

The consequences are known to all.

Beyond the moral and spiritual laws that we endeavour to live by, the ecological laws of the universe also deserve our highest respect and compliance.

Desertification, greenhouse warming, rise in oceanic temperatures, reduction of ice at the polar regions, and other ecological aberrations could be due to the abuse by humanity of the laws that regulate our relationship with nature.

The laws of God are not religiously denominated.

The laws belong to no creed, no sect, no doctrine, no nation; they are universal principles.

It behoves us, therefore, to know the laws of God, and acknowledge that the truest worship of God, and the surest foundations for any national development and prosperity of the people, is by living in compliance with His laws.
Why I do not want to live in Accra

Benjamin Kwame Amankwa Opinion Jul - 13 - 2023 , 12:00

Growing up, it was the dream of most of us born in the village to at least visit Accra, the capital.

If you are lucky among the village boys and girls to have an aunt or uncle residing in Accra and they visit, we all gather to hear stories from the holidays, when school resumes from vacation.

We want to hear about the numerous cars that pass on a road that one has to wait several minutes to cross.

We want to know about the city's tallest buildings and how everyone seems busy going to or coming from a place.

These were fantasies that our feeble minds as children could not fathom.

As an adult, however, every single day that I visit Accra, I prefer going back to my village where everyone cares for, and about one another.

Wonder

I really wonder why people will want to move from their towns and beautiful homes in the village to Accra to live under dehumanising conditions under the illusion of getting non-existing jobs.

Is it that bad in the town or village? I have a couple of friends who live in kiosks in Accra that could basically pass as livestock pens in the village.

The dehumanising environment, near chocked and stinking gutters, where these kiosks are situated, is enough to send the sensitive packing back to the village where there are many empty buildings to be occupied.

The irony and the drama is to turn up on festive occasions in the village in rugged jeans with a couple of cedi notes to flatter friends and family that all is well in Accra.

Really?

Opportunities

I am not blind to the many opportunities that Accra offers, but if you want to be in Accra, you must be ready and prepared to live in squalor.

Many, who live in Accra and do decent work have no problem being in Accra.

Accra is for them and they are for Accra.

The bottom billion, however, who come to Accra with no skill, no qualification, but to take chances to better their lives do more harm to themselves than good.

The overpopulation in Accra has already taken a toll on every sector, particularly the the public empolyment sector, with no job opportunities in the public service.

No one has the time nor the space to listen or attend to you, if you have not met the required standard.

Even if you meet the standard for public goods or services, you have numerous others in the same category to compete with.

Accra will be enjoyed better if you possess some skill, let us be in the village brother.

Why bother to come to Accra when you can make it in the village?

The writer is a Marketing & Communication Consultant.

E-mail: benonymullray @gmail.com
Zanzibar cracks down on men with braided hair

International News Jul - 12 - 2023 , 15:35

Zanzibar authorities are enforcing a ban on men wearing their hair in braided styles, telling the BBC it flouts the law and local traditions and threatens people's morals. "We find it dangerous to our future generations", says Zanzibars Culture Executive Secretary Omar Adam. "This is one form of immorality in Zanzibar, it is a culture which is adopted from outside Zanzibar."

He has dismissed concerns that the move was targeting the LGBTQ community in the islands, where same-sex relationships are illegal.

The law against men braiding their hair is not new - it dates back to 2015 - but the authorities have only now started enforcing it.

Any man who enters or lives in Zanzibar with braided hair faces fines of over $400 or six months imprisonment - or both.

Despite Zanzibar being among top tourist destinations, the authorities say the enforcement will apply equally to visitors.

Two months ago, the Zanzibar government banned 16 book titles and the use of rainbow colours in schools claiming that they advocated for LGBTQ rights.
Committee probes teacher licensure exam failure

Emmanuel Bonney Education Jul - 13 - 2023 , 08:08

The Ministry of Education has set up a seven-member committee to look into the mass failure of prospective teachers in the Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination (GTLE) and provide solution to the problem.

The committee, which is chaired by a Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has four weeks to submit its report to the ministry.

The other members are the Head of a Public College of Education, Prof. Samuel Atintonoo (Accra College of Education); the Head of a Private College of Education, Rev. Monsignor Louis Kofi Tuffuor (Christ The Teacher College of Education) and the Chief Director of the Ministry of Education, Mamle Andrews.

The rest are a representative from the colleges of education, Prof. Jonathan Fletcher (University of Ghana); a Professor of Testing, Prof. Eric Anane of the University of Cape Coast, as well as a representative of the National Teaching Council (NTC), Lawrence Sarpong.

Alignment

The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, who said this at a press conference in Accra yesterday, noted that the committee would look at the extent to which the GTLE is aligned to the National Teachers Standard (NTS) and other supporting policies or framework such as National Teacher Education Curriculum Framework (NTECF), Pre-Tertiary Curriculum and Pre-Tertiary Teacher Professional Development and Management (PTPDM).

Again, he said it would look at the quality of students being admitted into the teacher education institutions relative to the grade and programme of specialisation at the senior high schools (SHSs).

Moreover, it would look at the selection process of students into the teacher education institutions and the possibility of integrating the GTLE into the teacher education institutions programmes.

The committee would examine best practices and what works globally as well as make recommendations.

2023 Licensure

Out of 7,728 prospective teachers who sat again for the GTLE in May this year, 1,277 passed.

The figure represented 16.5 per cent of the candidates who sat again for the examination.

All the candidates had sat for the exam at least twice, with some sitting for as many as nine times.

The release of the results led to an uproar over the performance of the prospective teachers.

This is especially when some of the examination scripts were leaked on social media.

Dr Adutwum said the ministry was determined to ensure that the country offered more opportunities to teacher trainees, adding that the examination was not for those who were already teaching but those who want to enter our noble teaching profession.

He said the ministry and the NTC had set up a process to ensure that, we do our possible best to facilitate the process to ensure that there is alignment between the preparatory institutions (universities and colleges) and the NTC to ensure there is curricula alignment, assessment alignment and also provide preparatory materials for those who register to prepare for the examination.

Sieve

The Registrar of the NTC, Dr Christian Addai-Poku, said the purpose of the examination, which began in 2018, was to serve as a sieve that would help get the right calibre of people to teach in schools in the country.

From 2018 to 2022, a total number of 145,050 candidates has sat the examination.

The 7,728 candidates who sat the 2023 GTLE are the 'remnants' of 145,050.

This shows that a greater percentage (95 per cent) of them had passed leaving this small percentage (five per cent) who are unable to meet the competencies in NTS.

The introduction of serialisation or items differentials prevented them from cheating, he said.

He said judging from the examination results, it was clear that some candidates were not fit to enter teacher education institutions in the first place.

Recommendations

To deal with the issues with the licensure examination, Dr Addai-Poku said the Ministry of Education was looking at a possible introduction of an entrance assessment as part of the selection process for teacher education admissions.

The ministry, he said, would support the NTC to strengthen its regulatory systems on teacher education institutions and to ensure compliance.
Ghana on verge of reaping TVET dividends

Emmanuel Bonney Education Jul - 13 - 2023 , 08:33

The country is at the point of getting the dividends of the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) transformation agenda, a Deputy Minister of Education, Gifty Twum Ampofo, has said.

That, she said, was where young people in the country could work in industries, Africa and the globe at large.

Our youthful population is very high and so once we train them in quality TVET, investors who are coming into the country are sure of getting quality decent and ready-to-work youth, to be employed in their various industries, Mrs Ampofo said on Monday after she toured some examination centres in the ongoing TVET examination.

The deputy minister, who was accompanied by the Director General of the Commission for TVET, Dr Fred Kyei Asamoah, toured some of the exam centres including the Sacred Heart Technical Institute, Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC), Accra Girls Vocational Institute, GH Media School and the Tema Technical Institute.

Over 29,000 financial-year students are writing TVET examination commissioned by CTVET, which started last Monday, July 10 until August 4, 2023.

Skills gap

The investments in TVET, Mrs Ampofo said, were in the areas including cosmetology, welding and metal fabrication, electronics and electricals, automobile, plumbing and piping, masonry and carpentry.

After CTVET had carried out the skills gaps analysis and audit, we now know the trade areas the country needs, what Africa needs and what the world in general needs, so these are areas that we have invested in to ensure that our graduates become a hot cake wherever they find themselves, she said.

Attention

Mrs Ampofo said TVET had received the necessary attention in the areas of policy, programmes and investments and that what was left was with the change of mindset, which took some time.

Fortunately this year, she said, during the Computerised School Selection and Placement System, students who had aggregate eight, 10 and 12, opted for TVET institutions although they were placed in some top grammar schools.

This shows how well the advocacy, investment and education, together with support from the media have gone well.

Now parents and students have realised that the way to go is TVET, she said.

On what the ministry was doing to deal with the negative perception about TVET, she said the ministry was doing a lot with the establishments of the Ghana TVET Service, CTVET, which had undertaken a programme to sensitise the public to the importance of TVET and for youngsters to take it as a career.

Ambassadors

We also have TVET ambassadors to reach out to the public.

Another thing is that when it is getting to the last term for final-year junior high school students, all the technical institutes organise open days for students to visit them to see what is there and give them career guidance, she said.

In spite of that, she said there is still more room for improvement.
Africa must invest in early climate warning systems  WMO

Mary Anane-Amponsah & Linda Sah Jul - 13 - 2023 , 05:46

Africa must invest in early warning systems that will provide information to enable people to cope with extreme weather and climate change effects on the continent, the Regional Programme Manager of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Dr Ernest Afiesimama, has said.

He said the continent was already experiencing extreme effects of climate change such as flooding and droughts which were affecting the socio-economic conditions of the people.

The manager added that in the coming years, the effects of climate change would be felt more severely in Africa, given the high exposure, fragility and low capacity of the people.

Dr Afiesimama was speaking at a workshop to review the annual state of climate (SoC) report for Africa in Accra last Tuesday.

The report is a flagship climate product generated under the leadership of the Africa Union Commission and the World Meteorological Organisation, with technical support from the African centre of meteorological applications for development and other regional climate centres in Africa.

The three-day workshop is being participated in by climate experts who are reviewing the report and exploring additional products to fine-tune it to provide information on African climate variability, trends and impact with optimal climate actions to support the continents negotiation positions on mitigation, adaptation and most recently losses and damages.

Coverage

Dr Afiesimama, who presented the report, further said that approximately 60 per cent of people lacked coverage of early warning systems which made it impossible for them to take early mitigation actions to protect life and property.

For instance, the report indicated that in the past 50 years, drought-related hazards claimed the lives of more than half a million people and economic losses of over $70 billion.

Drought in Southern Africa in 2015 also led to up to two per cent reduction in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in some countries, with hydropower generation capacity lacking water to operate.

He added that floods across the continent due to heavy rainfall and cyclones led to billions of dollars in losses and damages, as well as millions of people being affected, saying here in Ghana, we see flooding.

The last report indicated severe flooding in many parts of the country.

So this is the message to all governments; we need to begin to do things differently to avoid these climate threats.

In this workshop, we expect experts to come up with how we can do things differently, the manager said.

Disasters

The Board Chairman of the Ghana Metrological Agency, Isaac Amoo, said the country had been experiencing its share of climate change disasters from flooding and tidal waves, among others.

While we are suffering from tidal waves, our African neighbouring countries who are in the Sahara regions are experiencing drought, which is increasing the acreage of desertification, he said.

Mr Amoo expressed hope that the experts would share knowledge, experiences and also devise strategies that would benefit the continent.
Ama Ata Aidoo goes home

Donald Ato Dapatem Jul - 13 - 2023 , 18:40

A solemn and befitting state burial service was held on Thursday [July 13] at the forecourt of the State House in Accra for the illustrious Ghanaian poet, playwright and academician, Professor Ama Ata Aidoo, who died on May 31, 2023 at 81.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former President John Dramani Mahama; the African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns, Dr Ibn Chambas; the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Akosua Frema Osei Opare, and the 2020 NDC running mate, Prof Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman were in attendance.

Officiated by a large retinue of clergy led by the President Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana, Most Rev. Dr Paul Boafo, the burial service had ministers of state, Members of Parliament, some members of academia, the military top brass, family and friends in attendance.

Outstanding writer

Reading a tribute, President Akufo-Addo quoted the African proverb: Every time an elder dies, a library burns with him, meaning when an elder passes on some amount of stored knowledge disappears.

He said that cannot be said about Ama Ata Aidoo who was a knowledgeable teacher, famous poet, flawless public servant and an outstanding writer, who possessed excellent mastery of the English language and put all into writing.

He said the late professor was his contemporary in the 1960s when they were students at the University of Ghana, Legon and someone whom I enjoyed friendly and productive relations with.

President Akufo-Addo indicated that through her work, Ama Atta Aidoo made a tremendous contribution to the development of Ghana and Africa, and expressed many feelings about the faith of Ghanaians and Africans.

Words

He said she was famed for taking African literature back to one of its primary origins and exemplified the words of Ngugi Wa Thiango that the written words too can sing, adding that her plays and essays captured the imagination and spoke directly and unambiguously.

He said her contribution towards the education of women and the girl-child in general was remarkable and that even though she never took up a gun in the African struggle for independence, her pen did the fighting for the liberation of the political and social consciousness of the African.

Brochure

The ceremony was interspersed with some of her poems, hymns by the Methodist Church and songs by the Winneba Youth Choir.

A 143-page gorgeously designed brochure distributed contained memorable pictures of her with some leaders around the world, classmates, colleagues and family members.

Tributes written by laureates such as Wole Soyinka, Efua Sutherland, Anne Adams, among others, as well as tributes by family members were also captured in the brochure.

In her tribute, Kinna Nana Adjoa Kwesiwa Likimani, her only daughter, like her mum, used words to describe in colourful terms her relationship with her mum, which drew applause from the crowd.

She described her mum as a made-in-Ghana mum, whose Pan-Africanism, feminism, socialism, tolerance and acceptance of marginalised people were exemplary and that she would always say that the world was big enough to hold all kinds of people.

These values, coupled with clarity and courage of purpose meant she was unstoppable and unwavering. She wrote us to freedom. Love and kindness don't make you weak.

Mummy, a mountain of outstanding things are being said about you, all deserved. If you were here, you would be incredulous and ask "they are saying these wonderful words about me?, part of the tribute read."

As Uncle Kojo used to say, I have "a big mouth" so I'll tell those gathered here today that you were the most stubborn person, period. Founder of Stubborn Academy. She Who Will Not Be Moved, she added.

Sermon

In a sermon, Rev. Dr Paul Boafo said just as Ama Ata Aidoo used her writings and speeches to fight for the right of others, including domination of the western world over Africa, others must emulate her example.

He urged people to lead good and exemplary life because death was inevitable and after death, as the holy Bible had stated, there would be judgement.

Navy

The Ghana Navy in a regimented fashion made up of females presented the wreaths to seven designated people who laid them on behalf of the state, the chiefs and people, her daughter, the clergy, the writers association, Wesley Girls High School and Wesley Girls Old Students Association.

Her casket, draped in the colours of the flag of Ghana, was carried by the officers and men of the Ghana Navy to a waiting hearse be transported to her hometown, Abeadze Kyeakor in the Central Region, for burial on Saturday.
Fresh Trial: Dr Opuni challenges Appeal Court

Justice Agbenorsi Jul - 13 - 2023 , 12:50

Lawyers of the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni, have filed an application at the Supreme Court to overturn the Court of Appeals decision ordering the trial court not to start the criminal case from scratch.

Dr Opunis defence team, led by Samuel Codjoe, told the newly constituted court presided over by Justice Aboagye Tandoh, that they disagreed with the ruling of the Court of Appeal; hence, his client was challenging the ruling at the Supreme Court.

The notice comes after the Chief State Attorney, Evelyn Keelson, had informed the court that the state had successfully obtained a favourable decision at the Court of Appeal which ordered the High Court to rely on the record of proceedings already gathered in the case and continue the trial.

Justice Aboagye Tandoh subsequently adjourned the matter to July 25, 2023, for both parties to have the necessary documents for the trial to continue.

Not guilty

Dr Opuni is standing trial with Seidu Agongo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Agricult Ghana Limited, an agrochemical company.

State prosecutors have accused the two of causing a financial loss of more than GH271 million to the state in a series of lithovit foliar fertiliser transactions.

It is the case of the prosecution that the fertiliser was substandard, and has accused Agongo of allegedly using fraudulent means to sell the fertiliser to COCOBOD for onward distribution to cocoa farmers.

The prosecution has further accused Dr Opuni of using his position as the CEO of COCOBOD (November 2013 to January 2017) to facilitate the alleged acts of Agongo by allowing the lithovit liquid fertiliser not to be tested and certified as required by law.

Dr Opuni and Agongo have pleaded not guilty to the charges, and are on self-recognisance bail in the sum of GH300,000 each.

Trial

On April 4, this year, the High Court, presided over by Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah, ruled that the trial, which had been ongoing for the past five years, would restart from scratch.

Justice Gyimah was a new judge assigned to the case by the Chief Justice following the retirement of Justice Clemence Honyenuga, a Justice of the Supreme Court, with additional responsibility as a High Court judge.

With the new development, the prosecution filed an application urging the High Court to adopt the previous proceedings of the case before Justice Honyenuga, which had been ongoing for five years.

However, in a ruling, Justice Gyimah said the trial must start afresh because it would be unfair for him to adopt the proceedings of Justice Honyenuga, which had been saddled with numerous allegations.

The A-G then filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal challenging the decision of the High Court to start the trial afresh, with a case that the decision was against the tenets of a fair trial.

It is the case of the A-G that Justice Gyimah misdirected himself by how he refused to adopt the evidence already adduced at the trial.

A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice Philip Bright Mensah, Justices Jennifer Dadzie and Dr Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, overturned Justice Gyimahs decision and ordered the High Court not to continue the trial from scratch.

Justice Tandoh now takes over the trial at the High Court following Justice Gymahs transfer to a different region.
Krobo Girls inaugurates students parliament

Ezekiel E. Sottie Jul - 13 - 2023 , 15:28

The Krobo Girls Senior High School in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region has inaugurated a students parliament, also known as students governance, with a call on the members to help contribute their quota for effective administration and governance of the school.

Students parliament

The students parliament is representative bodies composed of students elected by their peers to voice out their opinions, concerns and ideas.

These bodies aim to empower students and give them a platform to contribute to the overall school environment and policies.

The history of student parliament can be traced back to the 20th century when the concept of student self-governance gained prominence.

One influential event was the establishment of the International Students Conference in 1972, which brought together students representatives from various countries to discuss common issues and foster international cooperation.

Prior to the inauguration of the parliament, the programme was preceded by a debate on sexual harassment in senior high schools by both majority and minority of the Students Parliament in the school.

Executive

The executives of the Krobo Girls Students Parliament include the Speaker, Dominic Bless Eyram, Ist Deputy Speaker, Pobi Josephine, 2nd Deputy Speaker, Amoafora Emmanuella Owusuaa, Minority Leader, Doris Aidoo, Deputy Minority Leader, Afrifa Lawrencia, Majority Leader, Oko Elizabeth Charki, Deputy Majority Leader, Alexandria Aggrey-Fynn, Majority Chief Whip, Erica Adjei, and Minority Chief Whip, Miriam Dasborders.

The rest were Clerks of Parliament, Gifty Ofoe, Albert Oppong and Evelyn Amanor.

The Parliamentary Marshalls included Tetteh Priscilla Badjo, Hayford Phebe, Matey Joana Dedo, Veronica Ansah Odame, Grace Adjetey and Pertual Darko.

The students raised pertinent issues, including incidents of teachers in senior high schools making sexual advancements for grades.

According to the debaters, in situations where the student refused to give in to the sex demand from the teacher, the student would definitely fail the subject in question.

That, they said had happened to many students all over the country, and the schools parliament enacted a law so as to stop that practice happening in the senior high schools.

Former students

Four old students of the school who are at various places of work were the guests of honour.

They were Founder and Managing Partner of Fortress Legal (Legal Consultants), Naomi Asiedu (ESQ), National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) Secretary for Finance, Lynn Willis Francisca, Acting Nursing Officer in charge of 3 Renal Dialysis Unit of the 37 Military Hospital, Major Agnes Awudi and T.V. 3 News Anchor, Portia Gabor, who all linked their success stories at their various places of work to the discipline they had from Krobo Girls Senior High School, took turns to address the student parliamentarians.

National development

The Founder of Krobo Girls Students Parliamentarians and student activist, Paul Abrokwa, noted that the club of the students parliament should be replicated in all senior high schools in the country to encourage students participation in all national development, which should be purely based on non- partisan basis.

The Headmistress of the school, Bernice Mensah-Akutteh, was highly elated when the students debated the very national issue, and assured the department in charge of the programme of her full support to build the students up for their future.
Mentor younger women - Chief Justice urges women in maritime space

Della Russel Ocloo Jul - 13 - 2023 , 10:13

The Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, has challenged women in the maritime space to mentor younger women to take up careers in the sector.

At the opening of a three-day seminar of the Network of Professional Women in Maritime and Port sectors of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) in Tema last Tuesday, Justice Torkornoo said providing guidance and support for younger women would further strengthen the desire to position women not only in the maritime and port space, but also in positions of responsibility in management.

Regional seminar

The seminar, which was held on the theme: PMAWCA Ports Facing the Challenges of Sustainable Development: Status and Prospects, brought together 111 delegates from 16 ports in Angola, Benin, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Congo Brazzaville, among several other countries, in the West and Central African region.

It featured presentations on a variety of topics related to sustainable development in the maritime sector, including climate change, gender equality and port security.

Also at the event, an eight-member executive body of the Ghana Chapter of the Network was sworn in.

Maritime gender equity

Justice Torkornoo, whose speech was read on her behalf by a Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Sophia Bernasko-Essah, said while the proportion of women in technical and marine jobs remained stagnant, the vision of achieving equity in the sector rested on the shoulders of the women who were already working in the sector.

It is also gratifying to note that in Ghana, we have had brilliant women who have blazed the trail and earned for themselves recognition by occupying key positions, but that there is still much room for improvement, she added.

She also urged women to continue to mentor and support each other, and to work together to create a more inclusive and equitable maritime industry.

The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, commended women in the maritime sector for shattering stereotypes and proving that gender was not a barrier to success.

Stereotypes and biases have hindered the progress of women, limiting their access to education, employment opportunities and leadership positions, he said.

But the stories of professional women in the maritime and port sectors are stories of resilience, determination and unwavering commitment to excellence, he added

Mr Ofori-Asiamah also spoke about the importance of sustainability in the maritime sector, noting that digital technologies were playing a major role in making ports more efficient and environmentally friendly.

He urged the PMAWCA to continue to innovate and embrace new technologies in order to remain competitive.

GPHA

The Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Michael Luguje, in his welcome remarks, emphasised the importance of ports in shaping a sustainable future for our planet.

Ports are crucial gateways for global trade, and they have a pivotal role to play in shaping a sustainable future for our planet, he said.

The growing awareness of environmental concerns and the urgent need for action has made it evident that ports ought to rise to the challenge and embrace sustainable practices in their operations.

Mr Luguje also said ports faced numerous challenges in their efforts to become more sustainable, such as minimising their carbon footprint, reducing air and water pollution, managing waste effectively and preserving the delicate ecosystems in which they operated.

However, he said achieving sustainable development required a holistic approach that took into account environmental, social and economic dimensions.

As we embark on this journey of sustainable development in ports, it is crucial that we remain committed to our shared vision, he said.

I urge you the participants to seize this opportunity to explore new ideas, share experiences and learn from one another, he stated.
Nation loses position as most peaceful country in W/Africa

Benjamin Xornam Glover Jul - 13 - 2023 , 05:39

The nation has lost its position as the Most Peaceful Country in West Africa to Sierra Leone in the latest Global Peace Index released last week.

The country also slipped to the fourth position, from its second place as the Most Peaceful in Africa in the 2022 index.

The GPI covers 163 countries which make up 99.7 per cent of the worlds population.

They used 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators from highly respected sources and across three domains: the level of societal safety and security; the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarisation to arrive at their decision.

The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Peace Council, (NPC) Rev. Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, who disclosed this, attributed the decline to threats such as armed robbery, attack on journalists, political violence, land guard menace and perceptions which he said contributed the ratings and compilation of results.

He was speaking at a two-day national dialogue on improving civilian-security agency relations for the prevention of violent extremism in the country at Prampram in the Greater Accra Region yesterday.

The event formed part of a project named Prevention of violent extremism through social accountability (PoVETSA).

Participants included personnel of the Ghana Police Service and representatives from various political parties.

It was organised by the NPC and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and funded by the Netherlands Embassy.

Building trust

Rev. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi stressed the need to enhance trust and confidence between the security and the civilian population to prevent extremism and improve understanding and tolerance in the country, especially in activities leading to the 2024 general election.

He said the NPC, since 2020, had contributed to the prevention of insurgent activities by undertaking programmes to build resilience against terrorism and violent extremism.

The chairman said that the council engaged more than 100 student leaders across the country, trained more than 400 youths in all the regions and also reached out to more than 200 fisherfolk, as well as commercial drivers on ways to prevent the insurgents from getting a foothold in the country.

It is worth noting that protracted chieftaincy conflicts give us reasons to worry, because the insurgents are always lurking around to use vulnerable communities for their nefarious activities.

Other unresolved conflicts, including intra and inter-party elections at all levels, must be holistically dealt with so that they do not serve as motivation for violence and provide impetus for aggrieved individuals to use unlawful means to seek revenge, he added.

Concerns

The Country Representative of CRS, Daniel Mumuni, said there had been instances where trust between political parties and security agencies in the country had strained, leading to a sense of apprehension within the society.

He said such situations endangered democratic processes and undermined national development, adding that establishing a vibrant peace-building infrastructure strengthens partnerships and also promotes inclusive and participatory governance.

The Tema Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police, Daniel Kwame Afriyie, said his outfit had embarked on a transformation agenda to position itself to become a world-class institution.

He said that was being done through engaging various stakeholders in communities to ensure law and order prevailed.
National Cathedral debate: Rev. Kusi Boateng fails to gag Okudzeto Ablakwa

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Jul - 13 - 2023 , 19:57

The Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court has dismissed an application by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, aka Kwabena Adu-Gyamfi, which sought to restrain the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, from discussing him in relation to the National Cathedral project.

Rev Kusi Boateng, also known as Kwabena Adu-Gyamfi filed the application under Article 33 of the 1992 Constitution seeking an enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

In a judgment Thursday [July 14], the court, presided over by Justice Barbara Tetteh Charway, held that an application under Article 33 implied the enforcement of a human right of a person or entity with personal interest, reports Graphic Online's Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson.

The court said, the two distinctive identities - Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng and Kwabena Adu-Gyamfi, meant it was not clear which of the two identities sought the enforcement of the human right.

The court dismissed the contention of Rev Kusi Boateng aka Mr Adu-Gyamfi that the two names referred to the same person, and held that the manner in which the two names had been deployed meant two completely separate identities.

In view of the lack of clarity of the person seeking the enforcement of the human rights (that is whether Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng or Kwabena Adu-Gyamfi, the court dismissed the application for lack of capacity or locus standi.

Apart from dismissing the case, the court also slapped Rev Kusi Boateng aka Mr Adu-Gyamfi with a cost of GH10,000.

Background

Mr Ablakwa has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate Rev. Kusi Boateng aka Mr Adu-Gyamfi over an alleged conflict of interest, including possession of multiple identities and other alleged criminal dealings.

The MP alleged that there was a transfer of GH2.6 million from the National Cathedral Secretariat to JNS Talent Centre Limited owned by Rev. Kusi Boateng under a secondary identity - Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.

Mr Ablakwa's petition is seeking to invoke the mandate of CHRAJ under Article 218 of the 1992 Constitution to investigate the odious conflict of interest with regard to Rev. Kusi Boatengs position on the National Cathedral board as he literally paid his own company a staggering GH2.6 million for no work done.

Rev. Kusi Boateng, who is also the founder of Power Chapel Worldwide, according to Mr Ablakwa, was the same person as Kwabena Adu-Gyamfi who received the GH2.6 million from the National Cathedral Board.

Suits

Rev. Kusi Boateng subsequently filed a defamation suit against Mr Ablakwa and followed it up with a contempt application, accusing the legislator of refusing to be served with the defamation suit.

He applied for an order to enforce his human rights seeking to prevent the MP from further commenting on the subject.

In May 2023, the High Court in Accra dismissed the contempt application on the basis that it was flawed with inconsistencies, was irregular and failed to meet the threshold of the law.

After dismissing the contempt application, the court, presided over by Justice Charles Gyamfi Dankwa, slapped Rev. Kusi Boateng with a cost of GH10, 000 in favour of the MP.
Oda MP sponsors mock exam for BECE candidates

Samuel Kyei-Boateng Jul - 13 - 2023 , 10:28

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has sponsored a super mock examination for 1,670 final year students from 41 public and private junior high schools (JHS) in the Birim Central Municipality for the upcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The super mock examination is aimed at putting the candidates in good shape to excel in the BECE for them to gain admission to senior high schools of their choice.

Last Monday, the MP in the company of his education committee chairman, Aaron Donkor, and the Birim Central Municipal Director of Education, Esther Quaye-Sowah, visited some of the beneficiary schools to monitor the students writing the mock examination.

Advice

Addressing the students, Mr Acquah advised them to pay special attention to the super mock examination, since it was in tune with the BECE set by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

He enjoined them to study hard in order to come out with flying colours for them to gain admission to the well established SHS.

The MP, however, cautioned the pupils to refrain from examination malpractices such as entering the examination hall with foreign materials or copying from their mates as they would be sanctioned when caught by invigilators.

Mr Acquah promised to award scholarships to some of the pupils who would excel in the BECE and urged parents not to overburden their children in school with household chores as that could hamper their academic progression.

He also enjoined them to monitor the activities of their wards at home and ensure that they concentrated on their studies when they returned from school.

The MP promised to provide each of the 1,670 students participating in the BECE with free mathematical sets as he did in the previous years.

Commitment

The Municipal Director of Education, Mrs Quaye-Sowah, commended Mr Acquah for his commitment to education development in the municipality and urged the pupils to reciprocate the gesture by studying hard to come out with flying colours in the BECE.

She noted with pride that the mock examination sponsored by the MP last year helped the pupils to pass the BECE very well.

Throwing more light on the support of the MP, Mr Donkor said Mr Acquah spent GH42,500 in the preparation of the super mock examination question papers as well as motivation for the teachers who set the questions, supervising the examination, marking the papers and revising them with the candidates.
Parliament legalises wee cultivation for medicinal use

Daniel Kenu and Nana Konadu Agyeman Jul - 13 - 2023 , 12:21

The Minister for the Interior has regained the power to grant a licence for the cultivation of cannabis, popularly referred to as "wee", with a small quantity of its active properties for industrial and medicinal purposes.

The licence will strictly be for the cultivation of cannabis with not more than 0.3 per cent Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active ingredient of cannabis, on a dry weight basis and should be for industrial or medicinal purposes only.

Section 43 of Act 1019 stipulates that the Minister on the recommendation of the Commission, may grant a licence for the cultivation of cannabis, popularly referred to as "wee" in Ghana, which is not more than 0.3 per cent THC content on a dry weight basis for industrial purposes for obtaining fibre or seed for medicinal purposes.

The Bill, when assented to by the President, will further prohibit a person who has been granted a licence under the bill from cultivating cannabis for recreational use.

The empowerment came after Parliament passed the Narcotics Regulation Commission Amendment Bill, 2023 yesterday.

The bill will amend the Narcotics Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019).

It amended Act 1019 to reintroduce section 43 that provided an opportunity for Parliament to debate the policy rationale of the provision in accordance with Article 106 of the Constitution and in compliance with the ruling of the Supreme Court.

Supreme Courts ruling

The amendment to the Bill was triggered by a ruling of the Supreme Court in the case declaring Section 43 of Act 1019 as unconstitutional and, therefore, null and void.

In a 4-3 majority decision on July 28, 2022, a seven-member panel of the apex court held that Section 43 of Act 1019 violated Article 106 of the Constitution, which details the processes a bill must go through before it is passed into law by Parliament and therefore, the passage of the law was null and void.

In the view of the court, the lack of debate on Section 43 of Act 1019 amounted to not only to a direct violation of the letter of Article 106 of the Constitution, but also a violation of the spirit of the law.

There was conspicuously no debate over such a critical and mode of policy by Parliament.

Needless to say, this conduct and mode of lawmaking defeats transparency and accountability enjoined by the Constitution.

The dictates of constitutional fidelity, in our view, require that such a shift in policy, which is intended to result in a novel exception ought to be debated to satisfy the purpose of Article 106 the court said.

The apex court said failing that, the process adopted by Parliament offended the letter and the spirit of the Constitution.

This conclusion does not, in any way, derogate from Parliaments power and independence in the conduct of its proceedings but in accordance with our supreme Constitution, the court held in the Ezuame vs the Attorney-General and the Speaker of Parliament case.

Urgency of the Bill

Moving a motion for the House to adopt the report of the Defence and Interior Committee which considered the bill, the Vice-Chairperson of the committee, Ophelia Mensah, said the committee met and determined that the bill was of an urgent nature and should, therefore, be taken under a certificate of urgency.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Mfantseman said the urgency emanated from the numerous benefits Ghana stood to gain by empowering the Minister for the Interior to regulate the cultivation of cannabis which had not more than 0.3 per cent THC content on a dry weight basis.

It came to the attention of the committee, prior to the ruling of the Supreme Court, the Narcotics Control Commission and the Ministry of the Interior had held pre-laying engagement with the Parliamentary Committee on Subsidiary Legislation on the Draft Regulations of Act 1019, including provisions for operationalising Section 43 of the Act.

The reintroduction of the said section which was struck down as unconstitutional will, therefore, restore the Act to its full original provisions and accordingly pave the way for the regulations to be laid in Parliament in accordance with Article 11(7) of the Constitution and Order 77 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, Ms Mensah said.

Additionally, the Mfantseman legislator said information gathered by the committee indicated that prior to the Supreme Court ruling, foreign investors had initiated preparations to commence investment in the cultivation of cannabis, including entering into agreements with local partners and joint venture companies.

Some urgency is, therefore, required in the passage of the Bill to minimise potential losses to these interested investors, Mrs Mensah added.
Quality education critical to childrens devt  Educationist

Emmanuel Bonney Jul - 13 - 2023 , 09:34

An Educationist, Francis Essel-Okyeahene, has said his schools will step up the delivery of quality education to Ghanaian children to equip them with the requisite knowledge to prepare them adequately for the future.

He said the provision of quality education was critical to the development of the child, and as such he would do whatever was possible to ensure that children had access to the right kind of education so that they could compete effectively wherever they found themselves in the world.

Mr Essel-Okyeahene, who is the Founder of both the Young Executive School (YES) and the Onua Francis International School, located in the Gomoa East District and the Awutu Senya East Municipality in the Central Region, said this shortly after he was honoured with two awards recently.

The first was when he picked the Education of the Health Environment Safety and Security (HESS) Industry Impact Award 2023 which was held in Accra.

The other was a Special Father's Day honour done him by a local television network, Lucky TV at Kasoa.

At the event, the Onua Francis International School was also presented with the Education Facility Excellence Award.

Platform

The HESS Awards, an internationally renowned platform, celebrates individuals and organisations that have made significant strides in safeguarding the well-being of individuals, the environment and communities at large.

The event, held annually, brings together industry leaders, experts and innovators who are committed to improving HESS standards worldwide.

The television station chose Mr Essel-Okyeahene for the special recognition due to his outstanding contribution to education and his profound impact on the lives of his students.

Mr Essel-Okyeahene, who just returned from an education tour abroad, commended the two organisations for recognising his contributions to national development, especially in the area of education.

Key

Education is key and important to the development and growth of children and we at YES and Onua Francis, would continue to ensure that children get the quality that is required to enable them to deliver effectively and efficiently, he said.

The management of the two schools said the awards were a testament to the proprietors unwavering commitment, passion and dedication to ensuring a world-class educational experience while prioritising the well-being of students and the environment.

We believe that Essel - Okyeahenes accomplishments will continue to inspire educators, industry professionals and individuals around the world to strive for excellence in education and make a positive impact on the health, environment, safety and security of their communities, they said in a statement.
Send sexually abused children to hospital first ''Parents advised''

Augustina Tawiah Jul - 13 - 2023 , 11:40

Parents of sexually abused children have been advised to as a first step, take the abused children to a hospital for immediate attention.

This is to enable the victims to be stabilised physically and mentally before reporting the case to the police.

This will also enable the victim to be administered with medication which would prevent them from getting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and diseases.

A Child Protection Specialist of the Child Health Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Harriet Odoley Klufio, who gave the advice, explained that if the case was reported within 72 hours of the defilement or sexual assault, and the hospital was able to establish that indeed there was penal penetration, anti-retroviral drugs would be given which would prevent HIV infection from occurring.

But if the child stays for more than 72 hours of the sexual act before reporting to the hospital, the victim may miss the opportunity of preventing HIV infection as a result of the sexual assault.

It is, therefore, important to report any incident of sexual abuse to the hospital immediately it occurs.

You should not dilly-dally trying to get money from the perpetrators to settle the case at home, she advised.

She said better still, while hospital care was taking place, a report to the police could be done concurrently by other family members or the victim.

Criminal act

Mrs Klufio, who was speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic said while it was acknowledged that the act was criminal and needed to be reported to the police, taking the child-victim first to the police station before the hospital could scare them, adding that, the mere hearing of the name police even causes some children to shiver.

So, we prefer that the victims are brought to the hospital first for us to stabilise them psychologically and physically so that they will be able to narrate the incident in a calm state of mind.

The police station does not offer a conducive atmosphere for the child-victim to be able to give a vivid description of what transpired because they are most often traumatised and scared, she explained.

Mrs Klufio, who is also the first Ghanaian Forensic Nurse and the officer in charge of the Child Protection Unit of the hospital, said it was for that reason that the unit had been made child-friendly, so that when abused children were brought there, they could calm down and the health professionals would use their expertise to get all the necessary information from them.

She said where after reporting the case to the police and it became necessary for the police to see and interview the child victim, the police could always do so by visiting the victim at the clinic, home or go to the crime scene with them after the child-victim has been discharged.

Bad act

Describing child sexual abuse as a very bad act that leaves its victims traumatised psychologically, physically and sexually, she said, in some of the serious cases, it leaves the victims with an opening between the vagina and the rectum for which reason the victims undergo at least three surgical operations to correct the damage caused.

She advised parents to educate their children to run away from advances from sexual perpetrators and also not to believe the perpetrators when they threaten to kill them or their mothers if they report the acts to their parents or an adult.

The forensic nurse said every year, the Child Protection Unit of the hospital records an average of between 38 to 40 cases of child abuse and 80 per cent of these abuse in children are sexual abuse.

The remaining 20 per cent of abuse cases make up physical abuse and neglect.

Rising cases of abandonment in

newborn babies

She disclosed that abandonment of newborn babies was rising in the hospital due to the current economic hardships, adding that formerly, that was not the case due to the free maternal health delivery policy that was in place.

She said the latest case of abandonment involving three babies were only a few months ago.

She added that the acts were committed by both grown up women and adolescents, however, adolescents were in the majority.

They do it all the time.

It is not everybody that will have an abortion.

They may not even have money for safe abortion so they carry the pregnancy to term, come and deliver, abandon the baby and go back home to say they lost the child.

They dont have the money and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) does not cover everything after delivery.

We may ask them to buy certain things and they may also have to buy diapers and other belongings for the baby and because they dont have money, they abandon them, she said.
Fighting infertility: Spiritual versus clinical antidotes

Philip Afeti Korto Health Jul - 13 - 2023 , 10:00

Human beings have the right to good physical and mental health including the right to reproductive health.

Unfortunately, infertility sometimes affects the realisation of these human rights.

This is why infertility must be addressed.

Over the ages, infertility has been attributed to both spiritual and medical causative factors.

It has been mentioned in the Bible under various circumstances.

As such, various families afflicted with the condition have sought for spiritual solutions even in addition to medical therapies.

To the people of Larteh in Akuapem for example, the solution for infertility emanates from their renowned Akonedi Shrine headquartered at Larteh-Kubease.

In this article, therefore, I have discussed infertility in general and explore briefly, its clinical and spiritual antidotes in the Ghanaian society.

Infertility

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.

The WHO further posits that infertility affects about one in every six people of reproductive age worldwide.

Cause

Infertility among males is mostly due to problematic semen ejection, low sperm count or abnormal morphology or movement of sperms.

Female infertility is often caused by a range of abnormalities of the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, and the endocrine system, among others.

In some rare cases, however, it is not possible to clinically explain the causes of infertility.

Perhaps this usually gives the impetus for patients to rather resort to spiritual solutions for the problem.

Infertility can be classified as primary or secondary.

Primary infertility occurs when a woman at a reproductive age has never achieved a pregnancy.

It also means a woman who has never conceived a child in the past has difficulty conceiving.

Contrarily, secondary infertility occurs when the woman had one or more pregnancies in the past, but she is having difficulty conceiving again or unable to carry pregnancy to term.

Blame Game

The causative agent of the primary or secondary infertility can be traced to the male or female partner hence apportioning blame for the cause is not advised since that can pose more psychological pressure.

Clinical Treatment Types

Effective fertility care encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infertility.

Unfortunately, infertility treatment can be expensive especially in low-income countries.

Clinically, infertility treatment is highly dependent on the corresponding causative factors and treatment options available and accessible to those affected.

Three main clinical types of infertility treatment can be identified.

These are the use of medications, surgical procedures (e.g., surgical repair of a blocked fallopian tube) and assisted conception including intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

IUI involves the placement of washed and concentrated sperm in the womans uterus around the time the ovary releases an egg or more to be fertilised.

Contrariwise, IVF involves the removal and sperm fertilisation of the womans ovaries in a laboratory after which the fertilised egg (an embryo) is returned to the uterus for growth and development.

Apart from IUI and IVF, infertility can be cured using medications prescribed by a doctor.

It is thus important to seek for clinical fertility care from a recognised hospital or medical practitioner since complications can occur during treatment.

For example, some of the infertility medications tend to have side effects such as nausea, headaches, vomiting and hot flashes.

A hot flash is the sudden feeling of warmth in the upper body, which is usually most intense over the face, neck and chest.

Medical research also revealed that medicines that stimulate the ovaries are not recommended for women with unexplained infertility because they have not been found to increase their chances of getting pregnant.

Infertility and Spirituality

Since infertility is one of the age-long healthcare challenges and sometimes its clinical cause is not diagnosed, various societies have proffered spiritual antidotes to it aside from clinical care.

Accordingly, Kpobi and Swartz (2019) observed that healthcare seeking behaviour in many African countries typically involves making use of multiple healing systems such as indigenous and faith arrangements.

In Ghana, these different healing systems coexisted for many years (Roudsari et al, 2007).

Mindful of the fact that infertility is a multifaceted problem, and it leads to multiple losses, it is expertly advised that health professionals must be tolerant to all aspects of care when caring for infertility patients.

Holistic care considers not only the psychological and social needs of patients, but also their religious and spiritual needs.

For example, women may use their religious/spiritual beliefs to cope with crisis as well as find meaning and hope in their suffering.

Accordingly, Christian women dealing with infertility problems tend to draw inspiration from the Biblical Hannah, the barren wife of Elkanah.

Hannah was childless but God listened to her prayer and cured her infertility (1 Samuel 1:2-2: 21).

Eventually, Hannah became the mother of Samuel in the Bible whose name is given to that chapter of scripture.

Psychologically, Hannah was troubled that Peninnah (Elkanahs other wife) gave birth, but she (Hannah) was childless.

Genesis 25:21 also states that Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, Rebekah who was childless.

The Lord answered Isaacs prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant.

Isaac might have sought for spiritual cure for his wifes infertility because of the belief that children are a heritage and a reward from God (Psalm 127:3).

Other examples of spiritual cure for infertility abound in scripture.

For this and many other reasons, some people afflicted with infertility seek for only spiritual cure or in addition to clinical cure.

Deities and Infertility

Moving from the Biblical examples of spiritual cure for infertility, one may cite other spiritual examples from the Ghanaian society.

For example, it is believed that the Akonedi shrine of Larteh- Kubease offers cure for infertility, using herbs and incantations.

The trite belief is that Akonedi worshippers including barren women or women with countless stillbirth episodes come to the shrine to seek for spiritual antidotes for their conditions (Brokensha, 1966).

Most Ghanaian communities believe in other infertility curing deities.

The people of Mepe in the Volta Region, for example, believe that their deities such as Adido, Dedzi, Aklakpa etc cure infertility and children born pursuant to the cure are given shrine names such as Klu, Klutse, Kosi, Dzatugbe, Xanu among others.

Conclusion

Infertility is inimical to human reproduction.

The WHO defines infertility as a disease and admits that holistic care for infertility considers the psychosocial and spiritual needs of affected persons.

Evidently, therefore, people dealing with infertility in Ghana usually seek for both medical and spiritual cure from clinical and spiritual settings such as hospitals, prayer camps, churches and shrines.

Healthcare providers in Ghana ought to be aware and cope with the patients beliefs in spirituality as the cause of their infertility.
African Continental Unity Party gets provisional certificate

Vincent Amenuveve Politics Jul - 13 - 2023 , 07:00

The Electoral Commission (EC) has presented a provisional certificate to the African Continental Unity Party (ACUP) to enable it to organise its structures effectively but not to operate as a fully-fledged political party until after it meets certain criteria.

With the certificate, the ACUP has been given the green light to take steps to formalise its registration for the issuance of a final certificate after vetting by the EC.

Under the law, the ACUP is expected to complete all appointments of its executives up to the constituency level.

They are also expected to acquire a national office, regional offices in all the 16 regions and offices in at least two-thirds of districts in each region.

They are also required to draft their own constitution devoid of plagiarising the constitution of existing political parties.

Road map

At a short meeting in Accra yesterday, the Director of Electoral Services at the EC, Dr Serebour Quaicoe, announced a roadmap for the interim executives and members of the ACUP which was led to the EC by its Interim National Women's Organiser, Christiana Agyare.

Dr Quaicoe said the formation of a party is a journey in itself, and so today we are giving you a provisional certificate.

This is to enable you to take certain steps to formalise the registration, after which you are given the final certificate.

He noted that there had been instances where some prospective political parties were given the provisional certificate but they couldn't complete the processes in order to be given their final certificates while others were able to complete the processes within three months.

So, this certificate is to enable you to start your organisation.

But it does not mean that you are forming a political party.

So, you cannot campaign for votes based on the provisional certificate, the director advised.

He said after the ACUP had drafted its constitution, it would be gazetted together with its slogans, symbols and colours, adding that the people in the country had the right to object to anything in the ACUP constitution that flouted the laws of the country.

The Deputy Director, Electoral Services, Samuel Dottoh Kwaah, for his part, gave the assurance that the EC would go to the field and make sure that whatever report the ACUP submitted to it for the acquisition of the final certificate to operate as a political party was a true reflection of what was on the ground.

Ms Agyare expressed gratitude to the EC for the opportunity granted the organisation to contribute to the development of the country.

ACUP Ghana is part of a global movement of Africans to train a new generation of leaders who will stamp out corruption and defend the interests of ordinary Ghanaians.
Committee clears 10 for NPP Super Delegates Conference

Albert K. Salia Politics Jul - 13 - 2023 , 06:52

The National Council of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will next Thursday deliberate and decide on the recommendations of the Vetting Committee on the flag bearer aspirants of the party for the 2024 presidential election.

It follows the adoption of the committees report by the National Steering Committee of the party at its meeting in Accra last Tuesday.

The Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye presidential vetting committee cleared all the 10 aspirants in the upcoming presidential primary subject to the approval of the National Council.

Pursuant to Article 10(3) of the NPP Constitution, the Vetting Committee submitted its report to the National Council through the General Secretary on Monday, July 10, 2023.

In the report, the Committee recommended the aspirants as eligible to participate in the upcoming presidential primary based on the guidelines spelt out for the committee.

Aspirants

The aspirants are Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen; Kwadwo Poku; Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko and Kwabena Agyei Agyapong.

The rest are Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku; Dr Owusu Akoto Afriyie; Joe Ghartey and Francis Addai-Nimoh.

Appeals

Throwing more light on the issue, the secretary to the vetting committee, Evans Nimako, said per the partys schedule of activities leading to the presidential primary, there should have been an appeals hearing before the report was submitted to the National Council.

He, however, explained that since the steering committee accepted the report, the final decision would emanate from the National Council.

A source close to the national council told the Daily Graphic that considering the thorough job by the vetting committee, the Council would not have any problem clearing them for the Special Electoral College to prune the number to five.

Revised timelines

Under the partys revised timelines for its internal elections, a steering committee meeting was fixed for Tuesday, July 11, 2023 for the publication of the vetting report.

It subsequently fixed July 12 to 14, 2023, for submission of any petitions to the National Presidential Appeals Committee which would sit on July 17 and July 18, 2023 to address any petition.

The National Council and the National Executive Committee meeting have been fixed for July 20, 2023 to adopt the report, while the list of qualified presidential aspirants will be published on July 21, 2023.

Balloting for positions on the ballot paper will take place on Monday, July 24, while the first notice of poll is scheduled for Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

If the qualified candidates exceed five, a Special Electoral College will be held on August 26, 2023, to prune the number to five.

Fresh balloting of the final five qualified candidates will take place on August 28, 2023 with the final notice of poll fixed for August 31, 2023 and the national congress to elect the flag bearer will be November 4, 2023, while a run-off, if any, is scheduled for November 11, 2023.
Dont sell your conscience to politicians - Fifi Kwetey to Ghanaians

Daily Graphic Politics Jul - 13 - 2023 , 07:25

The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has admonished Ghanaians not to sell their conscience during elections for peanuts from politicians who take them for a ride.

He said such politicians later abandoned them and returned only during elections for their votes.

We must not sell our soul and let the nation go down.

I believe this message is timely and relevant for all of us particularly, the Electoral Commission, the Judiciary, the governing New Patiotic Party (NPP), the media, the security services, every electorate in Ghana and more importantly, we in the NDC, he added.

Kwetey was speaking at a rally to climax the Thank You tour of the NDC at Assin North.

The rally which was held at the Methodist School Park at Assin Bereku was to express the party's gratitude to the people for re-electing James Gyakye Quayson as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North.

Mr Kwetey bemoaned the level of depravity in the country as a result of the mismanagement of the economy by the ruling government.

He said with the results of the by-election, a strong message had been sent to the NPP that the people of Assin North would not sell their votes at the expense of the development of the country.

He said all must understand that those times when the electorate could be taken for granted and be "bought" were over and added that all institutions must learn a lesson from the election results.

The just ended by-election has taught everyone that dedication and love for country must at all times be paramount over and above our personal and parochial interests, the NDC General Secretary said.

You cannot plunge the people into deepened hardship and create so much pain for our citizens only to show up during elections with money, shady developmental projects and expect that the electorate will fall for such and give you the mandate, he stated.

Appreciation

Mr Kwetey thanked God and the people of Assin North for giving the NDC and their candidate the opportunity to represent them in Parliament.

He reiterated the partys commitment to serve the best interest of the people of Assin North and the country as a whole, rebuilding Ghana to a sound and viable economic status that would breed prosperity.

Also in attendance at the rally was the flag bearer of the NDC, John Mahama, party chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, executives of the party and Members of Parliament.
Emulate Dr Busia - Speakers urge govts at 110th anniversary commemoration

Joshua Bediako Koomson Politics Jul - 13 - 2023 , 07:08

Speakers at a symposium have urged successive governments to emulate the regime and character of the countrys former Prime Minister, Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, by implementing policies and programmes that contribute to promoting sustainable and holistic development of the country.

The speakers at the symposium which was held in Accra last Tuesday to mark the 110th anniversary of the birth of Dr Busia described him as a man whose name evoked excellence, and that he had the ability to take decisions and implement policies with lasting impact on future generations.

They said it was important for successive governments to link the works and ideologies of Dr Busia to the contemporary world, and see how they could build on his ideas to improve the country.

The main speakers were the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor; the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Kwaku Afriyie, and a development economist, Dr George Domfeh.

Other speakers were the Member of Parliament (MP) for Okaikwei Central , Patrick Boamah, and a presidential hopeful on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party, Boakye Agyarko.

The event, which was held on the theme: Relevance of Busia's Ideas to Our Contemporary Society, was organised by the Busia Institute for Rural and Democratic Development to appreciate and demonstrate commitment to the ideals of the former prime minister.

It was chaired by a former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, and attended by the daughter of Dr Busia, Akosua Busia.

Gracing the occasion was also the Paramount Chief of Asante Asokore, Dr Nana Susubiribi Krobea Asante.

Decentralisation

Prof Oquaye described Dr Busia as a man of great humility although he was from royal background.

He recounted how he was discovered at the early stage of his life by the British who shepherded him through secondary school and the university until he finally became a professor in sociology and anthropology.

He said during his time as prime minister, he fought hard to lead Ghana in the right direction.

Prof Oquaye also recounted that Dr Busia was on the verge of decentralisation of the countrys politics and developmental programmes fully when he was, unfortunately, overthrown by the Acheampong government.

We have to learn from the pathway of such a great man.

He was a selfless and visionary leader who had the welfare of the country at heart, he added.

Environment

As far back as 1970, Mr Jinapor said Dr Busia had a vision in green Ghana and embarked on a plantation development project under the governments Rural Development Programme with the main focus on teak.

He said the objectives of the programme were to create employment and protect the environment.

Apart from that he said Dr Busia anticipated that electricity on wooden poles would be cheaper and better than the concrete ones and teak would be a very critical tool to the countrys electrification programme.

At the time, this might have sounded too far a vision to realise since teak takes about 10 years to mature but today, millions of Ghanaians are enjoying the fruits of Dr Busias foresight in using teak to transmit electricity.

The greatest gift we can dedicate to the memory of Dr Busia is to demonstrate our commitment to the green society he yearned for through good stewardship, the preservation of the environment and planting of trees, Mr Jinapor stated.

Economy

Dr Domfe also said everything Dr Busia did during his time made him different from his peers.

He said during his time he saw that the country needed the inflows of foreign direct investment and went ahead to open the frontiers of the country to receive foreign investors.

He said such a move attracted a lot of agitation from the Ghanaian populace at that time.

They didnt understand that foreign direct investment was the way to go.

They were complaining that Nkrumah had sent the whites away and Dr Busia had gone to bring them back, he said

The development economist further explained that for China to become the second biggest economy in the world, it had to open its economic frontiers which attracted foreign direct inflows.

And so if we had listened to Dr Busia, Ghana wouldve been far better than it is today, Dr Domfe stated.
NDC to launch book of manifestos

Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Politics Jul - 13 - 2023 , 07:15

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is set to launch a book that seeks to compile all its manifestos since the formation of the party.

Titled; Manifesto Scroll of the National Democratic Congress 1992 - 2020, it will serve as a certified declaration of policies, aims and objectives of the NDC, issued towards every Parliamentary and Presidential elections that the party has participated in.

The aim of compiling the partys manifestos into a single document is an attempt to enhance its information and knowledge sharing agenda by creating convenient access to the social contracts and the promises of the party to the people of Ghana.

The 759-paged book, which will be launched next month, was also created with the belief that manifestos played significant roles not only in the modern democratic dispensation, but also, in the countrys intellectual culture and social sciences.

Significance

In an interview with the Daily Graphic ahead of the launch, the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, said the book would be the second in a series of books the party intended to publish as a compilation of its various records and another strategy of reorganising the party for victory in the upcoming general election and subsequent elections.

He said the book would give readers the opportunity to know and vividly understand the partys views and position on various sectors of the country including agriculture, energy, health and rural development among others.

The important thing about having them in a compilation like this is that, youre able to identify common trends that will tell you the thinking of the NDC.

Youll see common strands that run through even though details may differ from one electoral cycle to the other, he stressed.

Mr Nketiah, who wrote the introduction to the book at the time when he was the partys General Secretary, said even though the documents contained were already available to anyone, he praised the author for giving people the chance to get a fair idea of where the NDC came from and where it was headed.

Inspiration

The author, Israel Yao Dzantor, said the compilation was as a result of recommendations he made to the party in a dissertation he wrote whiles at the University of Ghana (UG).

Mr Dzantor, who is the Librarian at the NDC John Evans Atta Mills Memorial Research Library Annex, said as a former organiser of the University of Education (UEW), Winneba Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) and a devout member of the party, he was inspired to use his skills for the betterment of the party and the country at large.

We are thinking of a bigger project for the NDC and Ghana.

We hope that after all our histories are complied, we then think of something like an encyclopaedia whereby we update every year; writing something on past executives and their biographies, as well as the contributions of notable persons  he said.
Bosch will receive a grant of 160.7 million from the federal government of Germany and the states of Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, and Saarland for its project for the initial industrialization of stationary solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems:Bosch Power Units.

As part of the IPCEI Hydrogen Program of the European Union (Important Projects of Common European Interest, IPCEI), the German Federal Government and the German Federal States of Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, and Saarland are funding the Bosch Power Units project.

The aim of the funding project is to ensure the mass production and series ramp-up of the decentralized SOFC technology up to the start of series production. The Bosch project is one of the first projects in Germany to receive this funding.

The heart of the system is the SOFC stack, where chemical energy is converted into electrical energy. A hotbox will contain several stacks. This hotbox is combined with an air and gas supply system, an electronic control unit, and an exhaust system to form an SOFC unit.





When generating power the SOFC efficiency is approximately 60% at beginning of life. When the heat generated by the SOFC is also put to productive use, the SOFC system can even reach an overall efficiency of up to 90%.





Boschs SOFC can run on fuels such as natural gas and biomethane, which are converted to hydrogen in the fuel cells reformer. When the SOFC operates with natural gas or biomethane, carbon emissions are reduced by about two-thirds compared to power generation from coal. In the future, it will be possible to combine several SOFC systems, each with an output of 100 kW, to create a decentralized power supply solution in the megawatt range, Bosch says.
Johnson Matthey (JM) signed an investment agreement with the Jiading District in Shanghai to help accelerate the hydrogen economy in China. JM and the Shanghai Jiading District plan to build a new catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) production facility, providing CCM production capability for multiple proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell applications and PEM electrolyzers.





CCMs consist of precisely structured catalyststypically platinum (cathode) and iridium (anode)that are applied to solid membranes in a way which maximizes hydrogen production. Water flows into the CCM, where an iridium catalyst uses electrical energy to break water molecules into oxygen, protons and electrons. The electrons are driven through the external circuit and protons then cross the membrane. A platinum catalyst puts the protons and electrons back together to form hydrogen. Source: JM

The facility which will have an initial capacity of up to 5GW, will occupy

22,000 m2 in the Jiading district of Shanghai, in a designated Hydrogen industrial zone and is due to be operational in 2025. It will have potential to expand further in line with customer demand.



The investment, which is backed by customer demand, is part of JMs 1.1-billion global stated capital expernditure for the three years to 2024/25 and will include government support and incentives.

This is a landmark investment for our business as we build our footprint in the US, Europe and now China, cementing our presence in all three major hydrogen markets. We are excited to expand our businesses whilst creating and scaling the low carbon solutions that will help China achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Dr Mark Su, President of Greater China at Johnson Matthey

The new production facility will enable Johnson Matthey to supply existing Chinese and international customers with locally produced CCMs, and in addition there is a strong pipeline of further customer interest across both fuel cell and renewable (green) hydrogen technologies.

CCMs are key performance-defining components in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). China has said it aims to have 1 million hydrogen-powered vehicles on its road by 2030.

JM is one of Chinas leading auto catalyst producers and platinum group metals traders and refiners, and a leading player across syngas and hydrogen fuel cells. JM was the first commercial-scale membrane electrode assembly (MEA) producer in China, producing the MEAs for hydrogen fuel cell shuttle buses showcased in the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022.
The Green River City Council approved a grant application to help improve upgrades compliant to Americans with Disabilities Act standards in front of Lincoln Middle School and Monroe Elementary School.

The grant, formally known as a Transportation Alternatives Program Grant, is provided by the Wyoming Department of Transportation. In total, the city seeks $244,895.80 and, if selected, will provide $25,737.20 in matching funds  an amount representing 9.5% of the total project amount.

According to Ryan Rust, the citys grants and government affairs administrator, the grant the city is applying for is similar to a submission that was turned down last year. Overall, he said the city has had success in bringing funding from the program to Green River. One of the differences from last years grant application is the scope of the project being reduced.

Theres a little bit less money available, little bit more competition, he said.

Specifically, the proposal would see the creation of curb ramps on sections of Monroe Avenue and in front of the elementary school. Additional curb ramps would link the school to other ADA-compliant curb ramps nearby, while consolidating pedestrian traffic away from the mid-block crossing and bus loop at LMS. According to Council documents, the improvements would not only create ADA-compliant paths, but would also link schools with neighborhoods and business areas. The pathways currently limit the access of those with disabilities to nearby public facilities. Others that would be helped include bicyclists, children and elderly residents.

Councilman Ron Williams said he is in favor of the application and project it would fund, but was curious if similar grants have been sought for Flaming Gorge Way and other major streets.

We have a pretty bad situation between the Red Feather, all the way up to the auto body shop, he said.

Rust said Flaming Gorge Way was the focus of a previous grant application that was not awarded. In discussions with WYDOT representatives, Rust said it became clear that WYDOT would likely not award the project because that project proposal was valued at more than $1 million. However, Rust said the need for ADA improvements along Flaming Gorge Way is known.

It comes down to the amount of available funding and the cost of the project, Rust said.

The Council approved the grant application unanimously.
Human remains found near Granger, Wyoming in 1982 have been identified as belonging to a man who disappeared in 1981 while traveling back to his home in Missouri after visiting family in California.

The sheriff's office announced June 21 that the remains, known to investigators over the years only as "Pipeline Pete," have now been identified through DNA testing as those of Jack Clawson, of Sedalia, Missouri.

Family members lost contact with Clawson after a visit with him in Fremont, California in July of 1981. Clawson was supposed to return home to Missouri for a hunting trip with friends, but days later when he never showed up, Clawson's family reported him missing.

Over a year later, in August of 1982, Clawson's remains were discovered by a group of pipeline surveyors in the remote desert near Granger, Wyoming, south of Interstate 80. Though his identity was unknown and indeterminable at the time, an investigation and autopsy revealed no signs of foul play, and it was believed Clawson likely died months earlier (during the winter months) from exposure.

With no way to positively identify Clawson's remains or otherwise connect the missing person report from California to the discovery a year later of unidentified human remains in southwest Wyoming, for Sweetwater County detectives, the case of "Pipeline Pete" soon grew cold.

Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office photo Jack Clawson circa 1981.

In May of 2011, in an ongoing effort to solve a handful of historical cases involving unidentified human remains (including the case of Christine Thornton, 28, of San Antonio, Texas who was killed by the infamous Dating Game Killer, Rodney Alcala), sheriff's detectives, with the help of forensic analysts at the state crime lab, submitted biological samples to the University of Northern Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas for possible identification through mitochondrial DNA analysis. In March of 2023, they finally received a positive match to Clawson.

Sheriff John Grossnickle said, "A final resolution of this case for Mr. Clawson's family would not have been possible without the incredible technological advancements in forensic analysis and the outstanding teamwork of everyone involved including our lead detective, Stephanie Cassidy, the University of Wyoming Department of Anthropology, the Wyoming State Crime Lab, and the University of Northern Texas Health Science Center."
Maintaining a secure financial base for Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County is the No. 1 priority for MHSC Chief Financial Officer Tami Love.

Giving her MHSC team, as well as other hospitals around the state, the tools to carry out that mission is important. The Wyoming Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (WHFMA) is one way to help achieve that goal.

In fact, Love was elected in March as president-elect of the WHFMA and began her term with a Volunteer Leadership Meeting from June 24-25 in Nashville, Tenn. Regional executives, presidents and presidents-elect from all regions and chapters met to discuss roles and responsibilities; succession and strategic planning; and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force for the chapters.

Darcy Robertson, CFO at North Big Horn Hospital District in Lovell, was elected president; and Kayla Gross, Patient Access Services Operations Director for Banner Health, secretary/treasurer.

Other board members include Amy Canaday, Senior National Account Manager with Frost-Arnett; Shaun Johnson, owner with Dingus, Zarecor & Associates; and Hakeem Arogundade of Gillette. Jim Cussins, CFO at Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas, is Immediate Past President. Barry Burkhart, CFO of the Wyoming Hospital Association in Cheyenne, is a non-voting member and is the WHA liaison.

As president-elect, Love said she will use this year to support Robertson in chapter operations in anticipation of taking on the role of president in 2024-25. She will assist in selection of committee members for chapter committees, coordinate chapter planning and goal-setting processes, and conduct program planning for membership meetings throughout the year.

"I bring to the board over 20-plus years of healthcare finance experience," Love said. "As a member of the Wyoming board, I'm able to share that experience. The chapter is a valuable resource because it allows everyone to share their experiences, both positive and negative, with other finance professionals across the state.

"HFMA supports healthcare financial professionals with tools and resources needed to sustain the future of the individual healthcare organizations," Love said. "At the state level, the Wyoming chapter offers online and virtual education and networking opportunities to discuss the challenges we are all facing in the healthcare industry."

Robertson said she looks forward to working with Love and the entire board in the coming year, and that Love rounds out a "great team."

"It's always beneficial to have different perspectives brought to the HFMA table from hospitals of different sizes and scopes," she said. "We bounce ideas off of each other and plan together for HFMA activities throughout the year.

"Tami and I both are very passionate and absolutely enjoy being CFOs and serving our hospital teams in this capacity," Robertson said. "When we attend the HFMA events, we learn so much. We discuss all the CFO roundtable events and feedback ... with our colleagues throughout the state. If there is anything we can put in place that would benefit our HFMA chapter, that is certainly what we want to do."

For more on this and all Sweetwater Memorial has to offer, go to sweetwatermemorial.com.
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Honor CEO George Zhao believes that the smartphone market is at a turning point  the Honor Magic V2 is close enough in size to regular bar phones (when closed) while offering a large 7.92 display when opened.

The V2 is under 10mm thick when closed (a fraction more for the glass back variant) and it is only 156.7 x 74.1mm tall and wide, making it slightly shorter and narrower than a Galaxy S23+, for example. Its fairly light too at 231g (lighter than an iPhone 14 Pro Max, the company is keen to point out).

Getting it to this point wasnt easy, though, as all the additional parts take more time and effort to develop and the first two generations of Honor foldables lost money due to high R&D costs. The company was happy to eat the loss in order to keep prices reasonable and attract a fanbase, allowing foldables to one day replace bar phones.

By the way, the reason that prices in Europe are higher than those in China is what you would expect  its the combination of import taxes, local VATs and overhead in the distribution channel. Honor still feels that its prices are competitive, though.

Speaking of Europe, the Magic Vs began sales in China at the end of December last year but its launch in the West was at the end of February this year. After seeing the positive reception from its global partners, Honor is working on expanding the new Magic V2 to more markets faster than it did with the Vs.

The company considers Europe to be its second home market and it wants to compete with Apple and Samsung in the premium segment. However, an online-only presence wont cut it as the other two have access to extensive retail networks. So, Honor is expanding to new markets, however, it does it in a slow and steady fashion to ensure it gets things right.

This approach is paying off and Honors global sales have already exceeded those of 2022, so the company expects to see growth of over 100% this year.

For more on the Honor Magic V2, check out our hands-on review.
Samsung released its first phone with support for 45W wired charging in 2019 (Galaxy Note10+) and hasnt moved an inch above that. In fact, 45W is still quite rare in Samsungs line-up. Things may finally start to change with the arrival of stacked batteries, which is tech borrowed from EVs.

According to @RGCloudS, the stacked battery will be featured in the Galaxy S24 Ultra and possibly the S24+. It depends on the supply chain  currently Samsung is just running tests with batteries made at a Chinese plant as the plant in Cheonan is still waiting for manufacturing equipment to arrive.

Regular vs. stacked battery tech (image credit)

One of the advantages of stacked batteries is faster charging  the S24 Ultra will go up to 65W (up from 45W for the 2023 model). Both the S24 Ultra and S24+ batteries will reportedly have 5,000mAh capacity, but the Ultra will have additional cooling, allowing it to hit the higher charge rate.

There may not be enough production capacity to also upgrade the small Galaxy S24, which could be stuck at 25W for yet another year. Once the stacked battery tech proves itself (and supply constraints are lifted), however, it could be used in the future Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 too. By the way, Apple is expected to use stacked batteries for all iPhone 15 models.

Source | Via
Event guests gather on the dance floor during a performance by MiG Ayesa and the Pink Ballers during the Pink Ball at Dusit Thani Guam Resort in Tumon Aug. 6, 2022.
As students were initially scheduled to head back to school, clean-up efforts on Typhoon Mawar damage and debris are still going on.

To assist with preparing the schools, the US Environmental Protection Agency and their contractors visited every public school and other education-related facilities to help assess the amount and different types of typhoon impacted hazardous waste and e-waste needing proper disposal.

All 41 public schools on Guam have now been assessed for and had their hazardous waste and electronic waste picked up.

Coordination with the Guam Department of Education and individual school administrators was essential to the agency and their contractors completing this work under a Federal Emergency Management Agency mission assignment for hazardous waste removal.

Working with the Guam Department of Education and school administrators has been vital to our efforts, said EPA Incident Commander Chris Myers. We are truly appreciative of the local and federal partnership to clear hazardous waste and e-waste from schools so they can prepare for reopening.

After visiting each school for assessments, EPA and their contractors transported materials to debris collection sites for sorting and to EPAs staging area in Barrigada.

At the staging area, hazardous waste and e-waste are sorted and combined with materials from the collection sites at Ypao/Oka Point in Tamuning, the Tiyan fairgrounds in Barrigada and the old transfer station in Dededo. The materials were then safely loaded into shipping containers for eventual transport to the mainland.

Common hazardous waste materials picked up at schools included paint, cleaning chemicals and chemistry lab supplies.

Common forms of e-waste included computers, monitors, light bulbs and solar panels.
Bill 20-37, which will restore access to federal public assistance programs to individuals with felony drug convictions, has been signed into law as Public Law 37-24.

Since 1996, a felony conviction in Guam involving the possession, sale or distribution of a controlled substance rendered a person permanently ineligible for federal public assistance, according to Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero.

With this bill, Guam joins the vast majority of states that have lifted the lifetime ban on federal public assistance programs for individuals with felony drug convictions, stated the governor. Our administration fully supports the provisions of Bill No. 20-37 that lift the lifetime ban.

However, the governor does not agree with the mandated drug testing for all formerly convicted felons, including those with non-drug felony convictions.

According to the governor, drug testing has the potential to stigmatize individuals with substance abuse disorders and discourage individuals from disclosing their addiction in order to seek treatment for fear they could lose benefits.

I vehemently disagree with the bills provisions conditioning public benefit eligibility on drug screening for all individuals with felonies. As individuals convicted of crime reenter society and reestablish support systems, it is crucial to their success that our government provide them access to food security and financial support during their period of reentry, concluded the governor.

Veteran license plates

Bill 82-37, which grants access to veteran license plates to Republic of Korea soldiers who fought alongside the US military during the Vietnam War, has also been signed as Public Law 37-28.

Republic of Korea soldiers under this law must have acquired U.S. citizenship and did not obtain a dishonorable discharge or release.

The author of the bill, Sen. Dwayne T.D. San Nicolas, noted that this is what happens when they collectively work together for the good of the community.

I thank both my Republican and Democratic colleagues for seeing the good in this bill. I also want to thank the governor for signing this bill into law, stated Sen. San Nicolas. The bill came about because veteran organizations informed me that there are some members of the community, specifically the Republic of Korea veterans, who never got the recognition. This law will do just that.

Public Law 37-28 now also allows Distinguished Flying Cross recipients to qualify for Guam veteran driver license plates. The law also permits the National Guard Bureau 22 Armed Forces Retirement Certificate and the Armed Forces Statement of Personnel Record to be utilized for veteran qualifications.

Other bills signed into law

Bill 42-37, which requires the availability of automated external defibrillators at all school campuses of the Guam Department of Education, has been signed into law as Public Law 37-25.

Bill No. 73-37, which expands access and requires co-prescription to opioid antagonists, has been signed into law as Public Law 37-27. According to the governor, this will supplement P.L. 37-2 by providing additional safeguards to protect the community from opioid overdoses by authorizing expedient provision and distribution of opioid antagonists to the community, expanded testing for fentanyl and preventing higher life insurance rates for individuals rehabilitating from opioid addiction.

According to the National Institute of Health, opioid receptor antagonists block one or more of the opioid receptors in the central or peripheral nervous system, which then can block the effects of opioids.
Employees from Core Tech International, contractors for iLearn Academy Charter School, pose at the new Dededo campus on Aug. 10, 2022.
Guam Election Commission Executive Director Maria Pangelinan asked Democrats and Republicans to submit by July 31 their current bylaws that include the partys preferred primary election format in 2024, even as GECs latest data shows only 2,858 voters identifying themselves as Democrats and 1,628 as Republicans out of some 52,000 registered voters.

The Democrats plan to pursue a closed primary.

This means only Democrats can participate in choosing the partys candidates for governor, delegate and senator in the 2024 general elections.

Theres no telling as of this week whether the less than 3,000 Democrats in GECs voter registry will be the only ones allowed to participate in a closed primary, or whether GEC will allow the use of the Democratic Partys own voter roster of more than 20,000 Democrats.

Pangelinan said voters who are already registered can always change or add their party affiliation online or by visiting the GEC office in Tamuning.

GEC data as of May 25 shows 52,750 registered voters on Guam, and most or 47,763 of them didnt indicate their political party affiliation when they registered.

There were also 458 who indicated they are Independent, and 43 others indicated a party other than Democrat or Republican.

Anthony Babauta, chairman of the Democratic Party of Guam, said the party is reviewing the letter from GEC and hopes to have a productive discussion on how a closed primary can be carried out.

Republican Party of Guam Chairman Juan Carlos Benitez said the party will continue to hold an open and transparent primary in 2024, which means any registered Guam voter, whether a Republican, Democrat, independent or others, can take part in the process.

Democrats in May last year rescinded a decision they made just days earlier to hold a closed primary in the 2022 elections, after GEC informed them there was not enough time to prepare and conduct a closed primary.

At the time, GEC said promulgating rules alone, which includes writing the regulations, conducting public hearings on them and then sending them over to the Legislature for review, could take at least three months.

With more than a year to go before the August 2024 primaries, the Democrats informed GEC once again of its intent to hold a closed primary, giving the commission ample time to prepare and provide guidance on how to proceed.

Election commissioners, in their June 22 meeting, discussed the initial stages of the process, including asking the parties to provide their bylaws that specify the type of primary that will be conducted, before GEC can move forward with the rules.

Pangelinan wrote a June 30 letter addressed to Babauta and Benitez, asking them to submit by end of this month their current organization report and articles and bylaws that include their preferred primary format, as well as a written notice to the (GEC) as to whether the partys primary format shall remain open or closed, in accordance to the Articles and Bylaws of the respective political party.

At the GEC meeting, discussions included the commissions role in a closed primary, whether it will hold the closed primary for the Democratic Party and then bill the party, or whether the party itself will have to conduct its own closed primary but GEC would still ensure that primarys validity.

In prior election years, GEC would send the inquiry letter about 90 days prior to the primary election, with both parties indicating an open primary. But the Democrats intent to hold a closed primary prompted GEC to inquire much earlier.

Political parties have the prerogative to dictate their primary election format, based on a 2004 order from Superior Court of Guam Judge Alberto Lamorena III.
Bill 62-37, which would have allowed private schools to apply and be considered an academy charter school, has been vetoed by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero.

The bill noted that the legislature recognized the enormous contribution and history of private sectarian education on Guam, which would then have all applicants be considered on their records and application.

Gov. Leon Guerrero noted that this bill would allow the operation of religious schools using public funds. She also alluded to the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects religious diversity by prohibiting the use of government power to enforce religious uniformity or to favor one religion over another.

The governor also noted that charter schools are prohibited from being religious schools or from charging tuition because all their funding is appropriated by the government of Guams general fund.

Bill No. 62-37, if enacted, would violate the US Constitution and the Guam Bill of Rights, and expose the government of Guam to lawsuits involving constitutional protections and the illegal expenditure of government funds, according to the governor.

I understand that the bill was passed to help support private religious schools that are struggling financially. I cannot sign a law that authorizes the use of taxpayer dollars to sponsor the establishment of religious schools, even if the school teaches my religion. Guams charter schools must respect the Constitution and the Organic Act of Guam, which clearly prohibit public schools from discriminating based on religion or promoting students to engage in religious activities.

Set GDOE up for failure

Bill 44-37, which created the Safe School Facilities Act of 2023, has lapsed into law without the governors signature, and it is now known as Public Law 37-26.

The governor noted how the act will add a number of additional duties to the superintendent of the Guam Department of Education and other GDOE stakeholders. However, Gov. Leon Guerrero noted the department may not have adequate resources or personnel for the enactment of the law.

GDOE is not a regulatory agency with capacity to inspect for, detect, isolate, remediate and monitor hazardous materials or infestations. It does not have the personnel with the requisite education, experience and training to perform these functions, said the governor. It does not even have inspector positions within its agency. Though GDOE may arguably attempt to procure the services, it does not have the expertise necessary to craft the scope of work for such solicitations or to evaluate proposals.

The Organic Act of Guam vests the Guam Legislature with ultimate authority over the public schools, and the Guam Legislature has wielded this power to add new substantial statutory requirements to GDOEs mandate with no additional resources, manpower or funding. The Guam Legislature has, in effect, set GDOE up for failure, concluded the governor.

Public Law 37-29{span class=print_trim style=font-size: 12px;}Substitute Bill 101-37, which has a general intent to create more stringent emission starts for sulfur oxides from fuel combustion, has lapsed into law as Public Law 37-29 without the governors signature.

The governor noted that the legislation seeks to amend regulations, which is prohibited under the separation of powers doctrine in the Organic Act of Guam.

I thank GEPA and the legislature for their efforts in preparing legislation with the intention of bringing Guam into compliance with national standards and for protecting our people, marine life and environment. However, Substitute Bill 101-37 seeks to perform an executive function and likely will result in an effective measure that cannot be ratified with my signature, stated the governor. To ensure that these important regulations are properly implemented, I direct GEPA to begin the formal rulemaking process to perfect the amendment sought in Substitute Bill No. 101-37. This will ensure the rule will survive possible challenges to its validity and best achieve the agencys mission.{/span}
Officials with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints pose with Captain Hector Acosta and the new generator gifted to The Salvation Army Guam Corps. From left: Bill Davis, Welfare & Self Reliance Manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; Sister Ilene Jenkins; Elder David Jenkins; and Captain Hector Acosta, Corps Officer for The Salvation Army Guam Corps.




Haiti - Caricom : High level delegation in Haiti





Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry had an important working meeting at his official residence with a high-level delegation made up of personalities mandated by Caricom, among others, three former Prime Ministers: Kenny Anthony (Saint Lucia), Perry Christie (Bahamas), Bruce Golding (Jamaica); Ambassador Colin Granderson.



The objective of this meeting is to continue the 3-day consultations initiated in Jamaica last June, and to discuss with the Government, political actors, representatives of civil society and the private sector ways and means to build consensus and enable inclusive participation in a neutral environment. The delegation will then begin a series of consultations with stakeholders, which will take place over the next three days.



The delegation with a small team comprising technical expertise in mediation, security and policy research will initiate good offices support in designated priority areas including security, governance, electoral process, long-term development planning and advocacy. They will also liaise with key international partners and organizations.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Economy : Financial restructuring of the Digicel Group





Digicel Haiti announces that Digicel Telecommunications Group (Digicel Group) has reached an agreement with its partners to reduce its debt structure [of $1.7 billion converted into stocks]. The debts of the Digicel Group have been reduced to 3 billion dollars. This operation is beneficial for the company, which will thus be able to continue to invest in telephone networks.



This agreement will enable the group to strengthen itself financially, to increase its ability to invest in all the markets in which it operates and this will allow it to maintain its social commitments through its Foundations.



These partners are led by "Contrarian Capital Management, GoldenTree Asset Management and PGIM", which are located in the United States and have excellent investment means. These three companies have won the support of the majority of Digicel's partners, and this process should be finalized in the coming weeks but the management team for all markets will not change, according to Oliver Coughlan, the group's chief executive officer (CEO).



Denis O'Brien, the founder of Digicel, retains a significant stake in the company and remains the largest individual investor. Thus, he will remain involved as one of the 9 directors of the Group Council.



"The Haitian market is delighted with this agreement. We will strengthen our ability to better serve our customers. Together we are stronger," said Jean Philippe Brun, General Manager of Digicel Haiti.



For his part Maarten Boute, the Director of Operations of the Group, this agreement is very good news for the Digicel Group which will regain its investment capacity and is a great opportunity for Haiti which will benefit from many important investments.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politic : Haitians excluded from free movement in the Caribbean, the Chancellery clarifies the words of the PM





CARICOM leaders ended their summit in Trinidad and Tobago by agreeing to the free movement of all categories of people by March 2024, an arrangement that does not include Haiti, at the request of Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry, given the humanitarian, social and political crisis in the country.



The Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifies that the Prime Minister has never asked to exclude our country from the provisions of the treaties concerning the free movement of persons in the area of the Caribbean community (CARICOM) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39986-haiti-caricom-ariel-henry-refuses-free-movement-for-haitians.html . "Prime Minister Henry only noted that Haiti was not in a position to fulfill this facility immediately and therefore requested that Haiti be temporarily excluded from this arrangement."



The Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley confirmed and explained "The Prime Minister of Haiti has requested that the arrangements we have put in place for freedom of movement, that Haiti be exempt from these arrangements, and we have accepted because Haiti's circumstances are different at this point and it's a very delicate situation. Thus, the status quo will remain for countries that, in fact, still have visa requirements for Haitians."



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





The FAdH are not authorized to carry out operations

The armed forces of Haiti (FADH) support the police but are not authorized to carry out operations alone. Ms. Emilie Prophet Milce, the Minister of Public Security stressed that the army is still embryonic and does not have enough soldiers and equipment.



Survival Training for Police Officers

Canada is proud of its partnership with HERO to provide combat survival training to officers of the Polcie Nationale d'Haiti (PNH) on the front lines of anti-gang operations.



DGI : An accountant arrested for embezzlement

Nobenson Larochelle, accountant at the Directorate General of Taxes (DGI) of Les Cayes, was arrested by the judicial authorities of Les Cayes, in a case of embezzlement of 14 million Gourdes from the institution. Two other employees, Billy Marclin and Gregory Marcenat, are wanted in connection with this case.



False Consul arrested

Esther Dacius, who pretended to be a consul at the Canadian Embassy, under wanted notice, was arrested in the Dominican Republic and then transferred to the National Police of Haiti. She is accused of fraud, forgery, breach of trust and criminal association.



Truce in Cite Soleil

Life has resumed in Cite Soleil thanks to an uneasy truce between the gangs. Many residents of Brooklyn neighborhoods were able to visit their friends in other neighborhoods such as Boston and Belekou.



End of general blackout

Resumption of electricity distribution activities in certain neighborhoods of the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince following the end of the strike by technicians at the Peligre plant. The strikers ended their movement after the payment of 2 months of salary arrears by the State.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2023/07/12 | Source

Actor Jeon Sung-woo will join "The First Responders - Season 2".

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SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama "The First Responders - Season 2" depicts a fire-fighting, crime-catching police, and evidence-catching cooperation against unprecedented and unprecedented cases. Jeon Sung-woo plays Han Se-jin, a professor at the National Forensic Service.

Han Se-jin, played by Jeon Sung-woo, is a professor of forensic medicine and a new autopsy at the National Forensic Service. His rational and cool-headed appearance inside and outside the autopsy room is expected to inject fresh and subtle tension into the play. Attention is focused on how Han Se-jin, a bad-tempered but good autopsy doctor, will meet with Jin Ho-gae (Kim Rae-won) and Song Seol (Gong Seung-yeon) to achieve harmony.

Jeon Sung-woo broke down his first shot in 2023 in the movie "The Point Men" to reveal his unrivaled presence as a scene stealer with stable acting skills, and once again proved the actor's potential by portraying the delicate inner and emotional lines of genius musician Mozart through the play "Amadeus". Attention is focusing on how Jeon Sung-woo will perform in "The First Responders - Season 2" .

"The First Responders - Season 2" will premiere at PM on August 4th following "Revenant".
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Published on 2023/07/12 | Source

New poster and stills added for the upcoming Korean movie "Hail to Hell" (2022)

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Directed by Lim Oh-jeong

With Oh Woo-ri, Bang Hyo-rin, Jung Yi-ju, Park Sung-hoon, Lee Joo-won-I,...

Synopsis

Wait, this isn't what we expected, should we change the plan?

Na-mi and Seon-woo, the outcasts in school, plan to commit suicide instead of going to the school trip. On the moment of success, they find out that the girl, Chae-rin, who made their lives miserable is living a new happy life in Seoul. So, they decide to make revenge before ending their lives. However, when they finally spot Chae-rin, they see a good-hearted girl in front of them which makes their plans go awry. But something seems to be strange about the religious institution she's staying in and they start to think whether they should save Chae-rin from this weird place.

Release date in Korea : 2023/08
Published on 2023/07/12 | Source

New stills added for the upcoming Korean movie "A Man of Reason" (2021)

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Directed by Jung Woo-sung

With Jung Woo-sung, Kim Nam-gil, Park Sung-woong, Kim Jun-han, Park Yoo-na, Lee Elijah,...

Formerly known as "The Protector" on HanCinema

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After 10 years in the prison on behalf of his boss, Soo-hyeok is released, but the boss doubts his loyalty. When Soo-hyeok visits his long-abandoned girlfriend, he finds out that he, now, is a father of young girl. He wants to cut ties with the gang, but the boss is not ready to release him, and hires a notorious killer. The killer takes the daughter as hostage, and Soo-hyeok decides to take revenge in a way that he`s best at; a violence.

Release date in Korea : 2023/08/15
China's top health authority said on Wednesday the per-capita subsidy standard for basic public health services this year will rise to 89 yuan ($12.4), up five yuan from 2022.

The National Health Commission said in a notice on its official website the increased amount will be mainly invested into strengthening public health services for the elderly and children.

It stressed local authorities should obtain a clear catalog of local seniors aged 65 and above and update the list continuously.

Local governments are encouraged to launch cognitive screening services for the elderly and guide those showing abnormal results to higher-level hospitals.

More efforts are also required to strengthen nursery care for infants and toddlers aged 3 or below, boost assessment of children's growth, psychological and behavioral development, step up prevention of child obesity and improve their eye health and oral health.

The notice also required local authorities to ramp up management of patients with high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes.

It added the risk of COVID-19 disease remains, and seasonal infectious diseases continue to emerge. Grassroots medical institutions are required to handle and report contagious cases and acute public health events appropriately and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns will be carried out for target groups.

The document was jointly released by the National Health Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control.
Finley Hodges, at left, displays a plaque and gift of appreciation he received for 15 years of service as commander of American Legion Post #130, presented by the new post Commander, Rick Cornejo, pictured right. Photo by Sherrie Norris

By Sherrie Norris

During the July meeting of the Watauga County American Legion Post #130, longtime commander Finley Hodges relinquished his leadership role, but not before installing his successor and new officers for the coming year.

For 15 years, Hodges has led the local veterans organization with dignity and pride, but at the ceremony on July 6, he turned over the reins to Rick Cornejo, who was has pledged to take the group forward.

Finely is the only commander some of us have ever known, said post member and Junior Vice-Commander, Norman Garland. We are going to miss him, but we appreciate everything he has done for us.

Several in attendance spoke of Hodges and the posts many accomplishments during his terms of service, which includes: increasing membership, increased funding through donations and monthly breakfasts, leading hundreds of military honor funerals, securing full uniforms for honor guard members, increased participation in civic and community events, and leading the local campaign to have the words, In God We Trust placed upon the Watauga Country Courthouse, on more than 700 posters in schools and businesses, and upon county law enforcement vehicles.

We received a lot of feedback from those (last) efforts, said Hodges. Not all of it was positive and we had an uphill battle that even got the attention of Fox News, but it was worth it all. If anyone ever wants to question why its important to us that those words never be forgotten, all theyve got to do is read the preamble to the constitution. Its there for everyone to see. Theres no question for us, especially as veterans, that its all for God and country.

Hodges thanked his fellow veterans for their support through the years and welcomed Cornejo as the new commander. Theres no way I couldve done any of this without the help of our members. I know Rick will continue the good work that we started and I look forward to what the future holds for this post.

During the July 6 meeting of American Legion Post #130, outgoing Commander Finley Hodges, at left, installs officers for the coming year: Pictured from left are Senior Vice-Commander Allen Culler, Finance Officer Jeff Winkler, Junior Vice-Commander Norman Garland, and Commander Rick Cornejo.

Photo by Sherrie Norris

Moving Forward With New Commander

In accepting his role as the new commander of American Legion Post #130, Rick Cornejo expressed his appreciation for the confidence placed in him for his new position, and to Hodges for paving the way for him.

Finley Hodges will be a tough act to follow. His leadership, guidance, helpfulness, dedication, commitment, and, of course friendship, has led our post through some tough times. I am thankful he will still be available to help us continue into the future.

During the installation ceremony, Cornejo was joined by returning officers: Allen Culler, senior vice-commander; Norman Garland, junior vice-commander, and Jeff Winkler, new finance officer.

Other leaders of the post include Larry Osborne, adjutant, Joe Bryan, chaplain, and heading up committees, in addition to Garland (building/grounds/uniforms) Culler (guns and ammunition), and Winkler (transportation van), are A.R. Moody (membership) and Buddy Townsend (breakfast).

Coming to the command post with a lifetime of military experience, Cornejo retired from the US Navy in 1994 with 22 years of service. He joined the Watauga Chapter 130 of the American Legion in 2000, served as the senior vice commander until 2008 when, upon the unexpected death of the finance officer, he assumed that position until he became commander.

Cornejo also served as district senior vice commander when former post commander, the late Earl Moretz was appointed District 21 Commander.

Cornejo has also been part of the posts honor guard since joining the organization..

He is also currently the commander for Chapter 80 Disabled American Veterans in Ashe County.

For the last 17  years, Cornejo has also served as the pastor at Mt. Paran Baptist Church on Wildcat Rd in Deep Gap.

High Country Post recently spoke with Cornejo about his new role with American Legion and learned that his No. 1 priority, as with all organizations, he said, is growing the organization through increased membership. And to continue the great work set down by our outgoing Commander, Finley Hodges.

We asked Cornejo why should or would a veteran (want to) be a part of this organization?

He responded; As with all of our veteran organization, a veteran should belong to, and support it, because there is strength in numbers. One voice can do something, however the millions of veterans that belong to the American Legion can accomplish much, much more together.

And, what is the strength behind this local post, we asked?

Camaraderie! he responded emphatically. One of the things that most veterans miss from our active days, in whatever branch of service we served, is knowing our brothers and sisters in arms have our backs. That is never a question within the American Legion.

And, Cornejo noted that the national commander of the organization fights for our benefits in Washington, for which he and his comrades are eternally grateful.

When asked how the Watauga County community, in general, can be of help to him and this veterans organization, Cornejo responded, Prayers for wisdom, for myself and my fellow officers, to lead our post into the future. The motto for the American Legion is For God and Country. We are looking for God to continue to guide us.

Watauga American Legion Post #130 is located at 135 Bear Trail in Boone. Monthly meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month beginning at 6 p.m. New/potential members are welcome to attend.

Fundraising breakfasts take place on the third Saturday of each month, beginning at 7 a.m. until around 9 a.m., or until the food runs out.

Rick Cornejo leads his first meeting as new commander of the American Legion Post #130, with Adjutant Larry Osborne, Finance Officer Jeff Winkler and Junior Vice-Commander Norman Garland, pictured at right.

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Chief among the concerns is that the controversies could dent the country image of Finland, consequently undermining export opportunities and damaging the countrys reputation as an investment destination and place of residence for international talent.

THE CONTROVERSIES sparked by the past actions and writings of cabinet members are a regrettable development that is monitored with concern in companies, reports YLE.

The statements that have surfaced, even if theyre from years ago, raise a lot of questions, Mikael Pentikainen, the managing director of Yrittajat, stated to YLE on Wednesday.

Its good to keep in mind that companies operate globally as companies and that political turbulence doesnt really have an impact on the corporate image. But this kind of discussion can have an impact on Finlands image.

Jaakko Hirvola, the chief executive of the Technology Industries of Finland, viewed that it is unfortunate that issues that threaten to dent the country image have dominated the first weeks of the electoral term.

The publicity received from these controversies is definitely negative and difficult, he said to the public broadcaster.

He added that he is particularly concerned about how the situation is perceived from the vantage point of skilled foreign workers who are considering moving to and corporate executives who are considering making investments in Finland.

The need for skilled foreign labour is high in Finland. And we should develop our country image so that we at least dont slow down the inflow of foreign labour, he emphasised.

Pentikainen estimated that how the controversies are covered around the world is ultimately of secondary importance; what is more important is making sure that absolutely no room is given for racist thought.

The impact on country image is secondary. It can be negative, which is unfortunate, but whats more important is the kind of concept of humanity decision makers in this country have and that people can feel safe regardless of the colour of their skin, race, religious or political convictions.

Both Hirvola and Pentikainen also bemoaned the fact that the controversies have prevented the government from implementing a government programme that, they both agreed, is positive for businesses.

Also Riikka Pakarinen, the CEO of the Finnish Startup Community, expressed her concern about the situation in an interview with Ilta-Sanomat on Wednesday. The community, she said, has worked hard to make sure its international members feel as at home as possible in Finland.

Now we have a person as the minister of finance whos undoing all this work by silently approving racism and open hostility, if not hatred, toward foreigners. The absolutely inexplicable and untenable situation is embarrassing and makes me, as a Finn, sadder than I can put into words, she stated to the daily.

Pakarinen is also a deputy chairperson of the Centre.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The discussion was kindled on Wednesday by Harry Harkimo , the chairperson of Movement Now: Every representative should voice their opinion on the issue, and the best way to do so is through a vote of confidence, he argued to Helsingin Sanomat.

SEVERAL opposition leaders have expressed their readiness to suspend their summer break in order to gauge confidence in Minister of Finance Riikka Purra (PS).

It doesnt help to waffle about this for two months before determining whether theres confidence in the minister of finance.

Members of the Parliament are presently on a summer break, with the autumn session not scheduled to start until September. The Parliaments rules of procedure stipulate that the speaker can summon representatives to resume an interrupted parliamentary session.

The Speaker of Parliament is ex-chairperson of the Finns Party Jussi Halla-aho.

Purra has come under severe media scrutiny over a series of racist and violence-inciting comments posted 15 years ago under the username riikka on the blog of Halla-aho. Purra on Tuesday issued an apology for her past comments, only a day after declaring that she would not even entertain the notion.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) on Wednesday stated on YLE A-studio that there is no need to suspend the summer break, arguing that the government is able to function. He stated at a news conference earlier yesterday that he continues to have confidence in Purra, saying she made the right decision to apologise.

On Tuesday, the ruling quartet issued a rare joint declaration pledging to promote equality, gender equality and non-discrimination in society.

Everyone is equal before the law. No one may be discriminated against based on their gender, age, ethnic or national origin, nationality, language, religion or belief, opinion, disability, state of health, sexual orientation or any other personal characteristic, the declaration reads.

It also promised to issue a statement on efforts to promote equality and non-discrimination at the beginning of the autumn session. The issuance of a government statement can be followed by a vote on confidence in the government or an individual minister.

Also the Green League, Left Alliance and Social Democrats on Wednesday voiced their readiness to convene in the middle of the summer recess.

What weve seen in recent days has unfortunately not invoked confidence. Were talking about absolutely key questions, such as Finlands standing, the governments ability to function and the actions of individual ministers, Antti Lindtman, the chairperson of the Social Democratic Parliamentary Group, said to Helsingin Sanomat.

Halla-aho, he added, should consider resuming the parliamentary session purely from a parliamentary perspective rather than through the party-political lens.

Sofia Virta, the chairperson of the Green League, viewed that the issue deals not only with Purra, but with confidence in the weak leadership of Orpo and the entire Finns Party Parliamentary Group.

Its unclear what the zero tolerance for racism the government has agreed on means in a situation where many members of the Finns Partys ministerial group have published racist writings in recent times, she said.

Virta also drew attention to growing concerns among businesses about how the racism debate could impact the country image, export opportunities and investment outlook in Finland.

Its not a problem for us to suspend the break and gauge confidence in Purra, echoed Li Andersson, the chairperson of the Left Alliance. But the speaker is the one who reconvenes the Parliament, so all eyes are on him.

Annika Saarikko, the chairperson of the Centre, told Helsingin Sanomat on Wednesday that Orpo can decide whether it is in the national interest to wait until the autumn.

The Centre has clarified its stance on the government programme by voicing its lack of confidence in the programme a couple of weeks ago, she said to the newspaper. The government hasnt submitted a single proposal, meaning it hasnt started its work. The events of last few weeks are such that they create a lot of confusion and bring up issues that have had to be rejected clearly.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Hendersonville filmmakers are dominating PBS-NC's summer season

The award-winning moonshine documentary by filmmaker David Weintraub and the Center for Cultural Preservation will have its public television debut on PBS-NC at 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3.

In addition airing the moonshine documentary, PBS-NC will also feature the centers "Come Hell or High Water: Remembering the Great Flood of 1916" at 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24.

Airing the two Weintraub shows means that PBS-NC is featuring six nights of documentaries by Hendersonville filmmakers this summer. The statewide public television network is currently broadcasting Paul Bonesteel's four-part "Shadow of a Wheel," a documentary about the ride across America he and 30 other teenagers from North Carolina made in the summer of 1982, at 9:30 every Thursday night in July.

In "The Spirits Still Move Them," Weintraub weaves together interviews with nearly three dozen moonshiners and their families in Western North Carolina, East Tennessee and the Dark Corner of South Carolina to present a story about moonshine history thats never been told before.

"Everything we know about moonshiners and moonshining history is wrong, Weintraub says. "The myth that all moonshiners are violent, lazy, drunk criminals hiding in the woods wearing long beards and longer arrest records has been recounted by the media for over 100 years. In reality, liquor production was hard, backbreaking work that only the most entrepreneurial farmers conducted which they did in order to survive difficult circumstances and put food on the table. Its a fascinating story and far more interesting than the myths and distortions weve heard.

Long-time Transylvania County moonshiner Tommy Dodson says that making liquor was about putting food on the table. It was the hardest work Ive ever had to do, but it was about survival, and continuing a mountain legacy, he said.




(JNS)  Sometimes, kids just need a hug.

Thats especially true of children who have endured the horrors of war. In 2006, Israeli psychologists invented a plush dog called HibukiHebrew for hugto help kids cope with trauma from the Second Lebanon War.

The stuffed toy, with its elongated arms and sad eyes, has expanded globally. Last year, it was introduced in Ukraine, and now Hibuki is comforting many Ukrainian refugee children who have made their way to New York, at a Brooklyn school that teaches Hebrew and Israeli culture.

At Hebrew Language Academy, educational interven...
(JTA)  The request for rainbow-frosted cupcakes came from a repeat customer  a local synagogue that had relied on the West Orange Bake Shop to make kosher desserts for its special events. But this year, bakery co-owner Yitzy Mittel decided to decline the order. He couldnt bring himself to produce the Pride-themed goods.

Mittel, an Orthodox Jew, had made a similar cake for an order the year before. But the experience unnerved him, he told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, because his understanding of Jewish law holds that LGBTQ symbols are antithetical to what we stand for.

The s...
(JTA)  The BBC has apologized for an on-air interview in which one of its anchors told former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett that Israeli forces are happy to kill children.

The journalist, Anjana Gadgil, was interviewing Bennett on Tuesday about the Israel Defense Forces incursion this week into the Palestinian city of Jenin. Twelve Palestinians, including a number of children, and one Israeli were killed in the operation, which lasted two days.

Israel conducted the operation to root out terror cells in the city and maintains that all of the Palestinian dead, regardless...
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during an event about lowering health care costs in the East Room of the White House July 7, 2023.

WASHINGTON (JTA) - President Joe Biden blamed increasing tension in Judea and Samaria on the "lost credibility" of the Palestinian Authority as well as on "extreme" ministers in Israel's government.

In a televised interview on foreign policy with CNN host Fareed Zakaria on Sunday, Biden also again declined to say when he would invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House. Biden has pushed off scheduling that meeting due to friction between the two men regarding Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners and his government's plans to weaken the judiciary.

"Bibi, I think,...
(JNS) - It has been nearly ten years since General Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi came to power as president of Egypt following a military coup.

July 3, 2013, began as a regular day in Cairo, with demonstrations held against then-President Mohamed Morsi, but ended in his dramatic ouster.

The Egyptians had taken to the streets for seven long months. Some due to Morsi's attempt to reinstate an Islamist-led parliament, others due to the energy crisis. Following the coup, there were suspicions that the Egyptian military had manipulated fuel prices to destabilize the government.

A gas manager said...
(JNS)  A day after the Israel Defense Forces completed its extensive security operation, it appears the goal of squashing Jenins image as a terrorist safe haven has been accomplished, with some caveats.

The IDF, backed by Shin Bet intelligence and Border Police officers, seized more than a thousand pieces of armament in Jenin camp and surrounding areas, including bombs, ammunition and guns.

Security forces questioned over 300 suspects; some 120 of them were detained. Fourteen command posts and hideouts used to coordinate terrorist activity were demolished, and six bomb-making facilit...
K2 Medical, a prominent healthcare organization, recently hosted a special breakfast event for sponsors of the Jewish Pavilion in Maitland. The primary objective of the occasion was to facilitate networking among healthcare professionals who actively support the Jewish Pavilion's endeavors. Members of the Jewish Pavilion's board were also in attendance, lending their support and fostering a sense of community within the healthcare industry.

The event was a resounding success, bringing together an array of healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds. As the attendees mingled and excha...
(JNS)  JNS reported last April that Morningstar and its subsidiary Sustainalytics had flagged 26 companies for doing business beyond the so-called Green Line in Israel. Its controversy ratings could dissuade socially-conscious investors from placing funds in those companies.

Under pressure from a growing list of state-level investigations for potential anti-Israel BDS practices, Morningstar and Sustainalytics, an environmental, social and corporate governance rater, have trimmed the list down substantially.

Multiple sources told JNS that the list is now seven: B Communications,...
In November 1940, days after the Nazis sealed 450,000 Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto, a secret band of journalists, scholars, and community leaders decided to fight back. Led by historian Emanuel Ringelblum and known by the code name Oyneg Shabes, this clandestine group vowed to defeat Nazi lies and propaganda not with guns or fists but with pen and paper. They detailed life in the Ghetto from the Jewish perspective. They commissioned diaries, essays, jokes, poems, and songs. They documented Nazi atrocities with eyewitness accounts. They sent reports of mass murder to London via the Polish under...
Israeli security forces at the scene of a shooting attack, in Kedumim, in Samaria, July 4, 2023.

(JTA) - A Palestinian gunman killed an Israeli soldier when security forces stopped the gunman while he was driving near the Kedumim settlement in northern Samaria. The gunman was killed after the attack.

Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack on Thursday, noting that Kedumim is where Bezalel Smotrich, the minister responsible for Judea and Samaria, lives.

"Tell the criminal Zionist Minister Smotrich that al-Qassam almost knocked on your door," the Jerusalem Post quoted Qassam Brigades, a militia affiliated with Hamas, as saying.

Hamas said the attack was retaliation for a massive Isra...
WASHINGTON (JTA)  In a case that drew support from a broad array of Jewish groups, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that employers had to show a substantial burden to deny workers religious accommodation.

In a decision released Thursday, the court sided with Gerald Groff, an evangelical Christian mail carrier who asked not to work on Sundays, his Sabbath. Jewish groups that do not often line up on the same side of church-state issues before the court were of a single voice in this case.

Justice Samuel Alito, writing the opinion, sought to substantially narrow a 1977 decision tha...
(JNS)  A spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, which advises U.S. President Joe Biden, released a statement on Monday in support of the Israel Defense Forces ongoing counterterrorism operation in Jenin.

We support Israels security and right to defend its people against Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups, it states.

The council added that it is monitoring the situation closely.

Sources said on Tuesday afternoon that the operation was getting close to winding down. But Israeli officials said it would probably continue at least until Wedn...
(JNS)  How could the notoriously antisemitic Council on American-Islamic Relations have ended up  embarrassingly  as a resource in President Bidens National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism?

CAIR was launched in 1994 by a Muslim Brotherhood-related Hamas support group called the Palestine Committee. The organization was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a 2007 trial that convicted five former officers of the Holy Land Foundation for funneling millions of dollars illegally to the murderous terror group Hamas.

Moreover, CAIRs statements on Jews and Israel over the...
(JNS)  The international reaction to the recent surge in Palestinian terrorism and Israels operation in Jenin to take out the gunmen and infrastructure of the groups responsible for the bloodshed has been as predictable as it is depressing. Though the Biden administration has paid lip service to the notion that Israelis have the right to defend themselves, the general tone of press coverage and commentary from Washington and the international community has been the usual mantra about a pointless cycle of violence and worries about the declining chances of a two-state solutio...
(JNS)  If necessary, just as we prevented the fall of Assad, we will prevent the fall of Putin. This brazen claim was posted to a Telegram channel linked with the Iranian regimes Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps last Saturday, as an amazed world watched a mutiny unfold in Russia that was quickly snuffed out before any significant violence unfolded.

The IRGC has every reason to remain loyal to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has deepened his military alliance with Iran in tandem with his aggression against Ukraine. Russia has been a key diplomatic and strategic ally of t...
The 988 Lifeline answered nearly 5 million contacts in the past year  2 million more than the previous 12 months  following $1 billion Biden-Harris Administration investment

Specialized services for LGBTQI+ youth and young adults were expanded, following a successful pilot test

Note to editors and reporters: B-roll video is available for download and use in reporting, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

One year after the rollout of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its 988 Lifeline partners announced the addition of Spanish text and chat services. Specialized services for LGBTQI+ youth and young adults were also added earlier this month, following a successful pilot test. The 988 Lifeline is part of the Biden-Harris Administrations comprehensive strategy to address the nations mental health crisis, and to date, the Administration has invested nearly $1 billion into this life-saving initiative. This investment is driving an increase in calls, texts and chats, with nearly 5 million contacts answered in the past year  and helped millions of people in crisis.

Today, we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Biden-Harris Administrations launch of 988, Americas three-digit Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 988 is a life-saving program that connects Americans with trained counselors who offer real support in times of crisis, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. Building on our good news, this year we enhance 988s reach by adding new 24/7 text and chat support in Spanish to the already existing call support. 988 is about delivering life-saving resources to Americans facing mental health challenges, and now we can say that to you in Spanish.

Almost 1 million of the nearly 5 million contacts were answered by Veterans Crisis Line (VCL). The 988 Lifeline links to the VCL, which military members, veterans and their families can reach by dialing 988 and pressing option 1.

There is nothing more important to VA than preventing Veteran suicide  and that means getting Veterans the support they need, exactly when they need it, said Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough. Since the launch of Dial 988 then Press 1, the Veterans Crisis Line has fielded nearly 1 million contacts from Veterans and their loved ones. This new, shorter number has made it easier for those in crisis to connect with caring, qualified responders and access lifesaving support.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a life-saving resource, said Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm. We are facing a behavioral health crisis in this country. With our continued investment in 988, and the addition of Spanish language text and chat services, we are furthering our commitment to addressing this crisis head on.

The 988 Lifeline, a network of more than 200 state and local call centers supported by HHS through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), answered nearly 5 million calls, texts and chats from people looking for help with suicide, mental health and substance use-related crises since launching last July  2 million more than the 988 Lifeline received in the previous 12 months.

The 988 Lifeline is responding to thousands of people in crisis every day. The data continues to show increased calls, texts and chats and at the same time, speed to answer rates are significantly improved, said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA. This means that more people are getting help and they are getting help more quickly, which is crucial for a person in crisis.

The Biden-Harris Administrations nearly $1 billion investment into the 988 Lifeline includes funding from President Bidens American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) and supports the Presidents Unity Agenda to address the mental health crisis. Much of that investment has gone directly to states, territories, and tribes to hire crisis counselors and improve local response. More than $200 million in 988 Lifeline grants will be awarded in late Fiscal Year 2023 to support states, territories and tribes as they continue to build out local capacity for crisis services and connect with more people in need.

Compared to the 12 months prior, text contacts through the Lifeline increased by 1135%, chats answered increased by 141% and calls answered increased by 46%. Average speed to answer for contacts decreased from 2 minutes and 39 seconds to 41 seconds.

The 988 Lifeline also uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in more than 240 additional languages. Later this year, the 988 Lifeline plans to add video phone service to better serve deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

In another expansion of national services, the 988 Lifeline network administrator Vibrant Emotional Health concluded a successful pilot earlier this month and now offers, as part of the national subnetwork, the option for LGBTQI+ youth and young adults under the age of 25 who want to connect with a counselor specifically focused on meeting their needs. The pilot, which began in September 2022, demonstrated a demand for the service, which accounted for about 6% of calls, 11% of chats, and 15% of texts routed to the 988 Lifeline network during the pilot phase.

As the nonprofit administrator of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Vibrant is committed to building a lifeline that is accessible, equitable, and responsive to the needs of all individuals, said Dr. Tia Dole, Chief 988 Lifeline Officer at Vibrant Emotional Health. We are proud of the work that has been done and look forward to working closely with national and local partners to continue to significantly impact mental health support across the nation, saving lives and fostering well-being.

The concept for 988 was first proposed to Congress by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in August 2019 as a nationwide, easy-to-remember, 3-digit dialing code for individuals in crisis to connect with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, signed into law after the passage of bipartisan legislation in 2020, authorized 988 as the new three-digit number for suicide and mental health crisis.

When the FCC started our work on 988 several years ago, I encouraged our agency to explore incorporating texting into the Lifeline. It shouldnt make a difference how you reach out in an emergency, but that you can connect to mental health resources, no matter how you communicate, said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. In the past year, both text and chat have become an integral part of the 988 Lifeline. And now, that reach is further expanded to Spanish speakers, who can communicate in Spanish by text and chat for the first time. Im extremely proud of the work that our agencies have done to make this life-saving service more accessible to those who need it most.

In 2021, according to SAMHSAs National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 4.8% of adults ages 18 or older (about 12.3 million people) had serious thoughts of suicide, and among adolescents ages 12 to 17, 12.7% (about 3.3 million people) had serious thoughts of suicide.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2021, suicide was the second-leading cause of death for people aged 1014 and 2534 years and more than 107,000 people died from drug overdoses.

Studies have shown that after speaking with a trained crisis counselor, most callers are significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Individuals who speak Spanish can now connect directly to Spanish-speaking crisis counselors by calling 988 and pressing option 2, texting AYUDA to 988, or chatting online at 988lineadevida.org or 988Lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug, and alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov.
Dear COVID-19 Vaccine Manufacturers,

We are appreciative of your strong partnership over the last three years, which has seen the development, manufacture, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines at a record pace. Your collaboration and dedication to this mission have enabled the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to deliver safe and effective medical countermeasures to the American public more efficiently and equitably than ever before. To put it simply, you have been an instrumental part of a vaccination campaign that has saved millions of lives.

The COVID-19 response remains a significant public health priority for the Biden-Harris Administration and HHS. Many people are still at risk of infection and re-infection, and millions are experiencing the longer-term effects of the virus, including seniors, immunocompromised people, and those with disabilities. The U.S. government remains committed to maximizing access to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and tests. The relationship with HHS and the manufacturers continues to evolve as the U.S. government moves into this next phase of our response, but your innovation and expertise will continue to be important to develop, manufacture, and help to ensure equitable access to lifesaving products going forward.

As you know, HHS is working to ensure a smooth transition of COVID-19 vaccines to more traditional pathways for procurement, distribution, and payment. After the transition, we expect that vaccines will remain available in the types of locations where the public currently receives them -- including pharmacies, clinics, healthcare provider offices, health departments, and other points of care -- to maximize access.

We also expect that vaccine manufacturers planning to offer updated COVID-19 vaccines are preparing an ample supply of doses for the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccination campaign that is sufficient to support wide and timely access to the vaccine. Further, we expect that vaccine manufacturers will remain ready to support potential surges in demand and evolving circumstances of COVID-19. Manufacturers are advised that they should plan the updated COVID-19 vaccine supply and regulatory submissions so that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can take regulatory action and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can make recommendations on vaccination by the latter part of September.

As we approach this transition, we expect that companies will look to the example that the U.S. government has set in eliminating access hurdles for the American public. In just the past few years, the U.S. government has invested billions of dollars in research, development, and procurement for COVID-19 vaccines across multiple manufacturers. Moreover, federally-sponsored research has provided crucial insights that laid the groundwork for the development of COVID-19 vaccines over several decades. Updated COVID-19 vaccines entering the market this fall should be priced at a reasonable rate, reflective of the value that you have obtained through U.S. government investment. Price gouging behavior takes advantage of the trust the American people have placed in you through the COVID-19 response. In the coming weeks and months, we anticipate that you will work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and other payors to ensure that they have the required information to make payments for the updated vaccines this fall.

Accurate and timely data will also continue to be vital as we uphold our shared goal of facilitating equitable access to COVID-19 products. Throughout the pandemic response, HHS has used distribution and administration data to spotlight communities that have been left behind and enhance distribution efforts to maximize access. As ordering and distribution transitions to more traditional pathways, HHS asks you to find sustainable ways to enable continued visibility of the provider network and availability of vaccines. Your sharing of information with government partners is fundamental to maintaining our mutual commitment to equity.

Finally, as you know, HHS has announced the Bridge Access Program For COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments. This program is intended to provide access to vaccines and treatments for adults without other sources of coverage. Part of the program is expected to provide support for the existing public sector vaccine safety net, using existing authority under Section 317 of the Public Health Service Act and decades of experience in similar efforts. Under this part of the program, similar to the Vaccines for Children Program, the CDC intends to purchase vaccines from the manufacturers. The second part of the program is designed to facilitate access to vaccines that manufacturers have previously committed to provide for uninsured adults, as well as those whose insurance does not fully cover COVID-19 vaccination. That part of the program will be supported via a partnership between the Federal government and pharmacies, and not with the manufacturers. However, HHS knows that this critical piece of the program can only function well with your support and provision of vaccines. Our teams have been in numerous conversations, and I hope you are as committed as we are to the success of this program. We will continue to provide you with details to facilitate your partnership on this program.

HHS looks forward to continuing to build our relationship and working closely with you in the coming weeks leading up to this transition in the fall. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Xavier Becerra
Aries: You have always been known for your passion and drive, and today is no different. Your dedication to your work will not only be noticed but will also inspire those around you. You can set high standards for yourself and your team, and your subordinates will respond positively to your strong work ethic. Lead by example, and show them the rewards of hard work and perseverance. Read daily money and career horoscopes for all zodiac signs and know your fortune for today at Hindustan Times.(Pixabay)

Taurus: Your mind is buzzing with new ideas and innovative solutions to existing challenges. This is the perfect time to embrace your natural curiosity and explore alternative approaches that can revolutionize the way you work. Trust your instincts and let your imagination soar. Use your persuasive skills to present your thoughts compellingly, backed by solid evidence and a clear vision of the potential benefits.

Gemini: Your intellect and analytical skills will help you make informed decisions today. You will find yourself effortlessly assessing situations, understanding complex problems, and devising innovative solutions. Your colleagues and superiors will be impressed by your ability to think independently, and you may even receive appreciation for your sharp intelligence. While your mind is razor-sharp today, staying focused and avoiding distractions is important.

Cancer: Get ready for a bustling day ahead as a hectic schedule awaits you at work. The cosmos indicates a flurry of activities and a fast-paced environment requiring utmost focus. While this may seem overwhelming initially, remember that you have the innate ability to adapt to challenging situations. Don't forget to take short breaks to rejuvenate yourself. Step away from your desk, stretch your legs, and clear your mind.

Leo: You may be feeling a bit impatient today. This could lead to you snapping at your staff or making unrealistic demands. It is important to step back and remind yourself that they are humans, too. They are not perfect, and they will make mistakes. If you are frustrated, take a deep breath and walk away. Come back to the situation later when you have calmed down. You will be able to handle it much better then.

Virgo: The key to success today is to be proactive. Don't wait for opportunities to come to you; go out and find them. Let your boss know that you are interested in taking on more responsibility, and be prepared to discuss your goals and aspirations. The stars are also aligned for you to start your own business. If you have been thinking about entrepreneurship, today is the day to plunge. You have the drive and determination to succeed.

Libra: Today you may feel frustrated when your efforts do not produce the results you were looking for. You may be working hard on a project, but nothing seems to go your way. Remember that not everything will always go according to plan. The good news is that you are a persistent person. You won't give up easily and keep working until you achieve your goals. So, keep going, and eventually, you will succeed.

Scorpio: Take control of your professional endeavours. Today, you may find yourself encountering challenges at the workplace. Resisting the temptation to rely on others to resolve these issues is essential. Instead, embrace your innate problem-solving skills and take the initiative to tackle them yourself. Your meticulous attention to detail and ability to think outside the box will prove invaluable in finding effective solutions.

Sagittarius: It is essential to exercise diplomacy when dealing with authority figures, particularly today. Your natural tendency to speak your mind and express your views openly may clash with your boss's expectations. Therefore, choosing your battles wisely and finding a balance between asserting yourself and respecting the chain of command would be wise. Choose your moments wisely to express your thoughts constructively.

Capricorn: The planetary alignment today indicates that the higher-ups in your organization are recognizing your hard work, dedication, and talent. They may have noticed your contributions and are ready to reward you with exciting prospects. This recognition could be a promotion or even a special project showcasing your skills. Nonetheless, you still need to demonstrate your abilities and prove your worth.

Aquarius: The stars align to bring you a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction in your professional life. It's a day to reflect on your accomplishments and recognise your progress. The positive energy surrounding you will enhance your confidence and make you feel in control of your career trajectory. You have a clear vision of where you want to go and feel motivated to take the necessary steps to get there.

Pisces: Your sensitivity can make it difficult to make firm decisions about your career path. You may find yourself easily swayed by the opinions and expectations of others, which can lead to confusion and doubt. By reconnecting with your inner aspirations, you can clarify your direction in your professional life. If you're unsure about your skills, now is the time to invest in self-improvement.

----------------------

Neeraj Dhankher

(Vedic Astrologer, Founder - Astro Zindagi)

Email: info@astrozindagi.in, neeraj@astrozindagi.in

Url: www.astrozindagi.in

Contact: Noida: +919910094779
In today's digital age, social media platforms have become essential for individuals and businesses to showcase their presence and engage with their audience. Among these platforms, Instagram holds significant importance, particularly in Australia, where it has a massive user base.

Gaining a substantial following on Instagram can be a challenging and time-consuming task. To address this, several websites offer the option to buy Instagram followers, providing a convenient solution for users.

In this article, we will explore the three best sites in Australia to buy Instagram followers and look into their features, user reviews, pricing, and overall reliability.

3 Best Sites to Buy Instagram Followers Australia

Here are 3 of the best sites we will talk about that will help you to buy Instagram followers Australia & Australia with an easy process. Let's have a look.

IamFamous.com.au

This summary highlights the reasons why IamFamous.com.au is considered the best site to buy real Instagram followers which are real, active & engaging users. IamFamous is an Instagram marketing agency that offers a range of services to boost Instagram profiles. With their high-quality and real Instagram followers, they help businesses and individuals increase their visibility and engagement on the platform.

Wide Selection of Packages

IamFamous provides eight different packages to choose from, catering to various budgets and profile requirements. The packages offer a specific number of real and non-drop followers, along with additional benefits such as free likes. The availability of different options ensures that customers can find a package that suits their needs.

Easy Buying Process

To purchase Instagram followers from IamFamous, customers only need to follow a few simple steps. They can choose a package, provide their Instagram username, email, and contact details, make the payment securely through PayPal or a credit card, and expect instant delivery of followers.

High-Quality and Real Followers

IamFamous pride itself on delivering high-quality Instagram followers who are real, active, and engaged. The agency ensures that the followers provided do not violate Instagram policies, minimizing the risk of account suspension or other penalties. Their authentic followers help enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of their Instagram accounts.

24/7 Live Chat Support

IamFamous offers round-the-clock live chat support to address any customer queries or concerns. Their friendly and knowledgeable customer service team is available to assist customers throughout the buying process and provide guidance whenever needed.

Safety and Security

When purchasing Instagram followers from IamFamous customers can rest assured that their personal information and Instagram account details are safe and secure. The agency does not require passwords and maintains a strict privacy policy to protect customer data. For their safety and security, this site is considered the best places to buy Instagram Followers Australia.

Positive Customer Reviews

IamFamous has garnered positive reviews from numerous satisfied customers. These reviews highlight the excellent service, fast delivery, and positive impact on businesses and brands. Customers praise the agency's customer care and overall experience.

SuperViral.com.au

In the competitive world of Instagram marketing, SuperViral stands out as the top website to buy Instagram followers Australia which actually interact and engage with your content.

With affordable prices, real and active followers, a satisfaction guarantee, and exceptional customer support, SuperViral offers a one-stop-shop for boosting your Instagram growth. This is one of the best sites to buy Instagram followers Australia.

Quality-Assured Services

SuperViral maintains a perfect balance between quality and price. Unlike many other service providers, SuperViral focuses on providing value to its customers while offering competitive pricing. With real Australian followers and a promise of drop protection, SuperViral ensures that your investment in Instagram followers is worthwhile.

Hassle-Free Buying Procedure

SuperViral has years of expertise and a seamless buying process. With proven methods to maximize followers and reach, SuperViral takes care of the entire process, ensuring a smooth experience for its customers. In the rare event of any issues, their expert team is readily available to provide instant support and resolve any problems.

Round-The-Clock Customer Support

Customer satisfaction is a top priority at SuperViral. Their round-the-clock customer support ensures that all queries and issues are promptly addressed. With a dedicated team of experts, SuperViral goes the extra mile to deliver the best solutions for their customers. The after-purchase support sets them apart from the competition, offering assistance even after buying Instagram followers.

Secured Payment Gateway

SuperViral prioritizes customer privacy and data protection. They have implemented secure payment methods and high-level payment security to ensure the safety of customer information. All communications between customers and the SuperViral team are protected by SSL encryption, and customer data is stored securely.

IGLikes.com.au

IGLikes.com.au is a reputable and reliable website that specializes in providing Instagram followers to users in Australia. The platform offers various services to enhance Instagram growth, with a focus on delivering high-quality followers and ensuring customer satisfaction. You can easily buy followers for Instagram from this site.

Real and active followers

IGLikes distinguishes itself by providing users with real and active Instagram followers. These followers are genuine users who actively engage with content, resulting in increased interaction rates and improved visibility for the user's account. You can buy real Instagram Followers from Australia from this site.

Instant delivery and gradual growth

This ensures that users can see an immediate increase in their follower count. However, IGLikes also understands the importance of maintaining organic growth. They ensure that the increase in followers is gradual, simulating natural growth patterns and avoiding any sudden spikes that may raise suspicion.

Customizable packages for specific needs

Users can select the number of followers they want to purchase based on their specific requirements and growth goals. This flexibility allows users to tailor their purchase and ensure that it aligns with their desired outcomes.

The Winner is. IamFamous.com.au 

After careful evaluation of the options, it is evident that IamFamous stands out as the top choice among the best sites to buy Instagram followers in Australia.

How to Buy Instagram Followers Australia

To buy Instagram followers Australia, you can follow these steps:

Research Reputable Service Providers: Start by researching reputable service providers that offer Instagram follower packages in Australia. Look for companies with positive reviews and a track record of delivering real and active followers.

Start by researching reputable service providers that offer Instagram follower packages in Australia. Look for companies with positive reviews and a track record of delivering real and active followers. Select the Right Package: Once you've identified a reliable service provider like SuperViral, explore their packages and select the one that suits your needs. Consider factors such as the number of followers, pricing, and any additional features or benefits offered.

Once you've identified a reliable service provider like SuperViral, explore their packages and select the one that suits your needs. Consider factors such as the number of followers, pricing, and any additional features or benefits offered. Provide Your Instagram Details: After selecting a package, you'll need to provide your Instagram account details, usually your username or email address. Ensure that you provide accurate information to avoid any issues with the delivery of followers.

After selecting a package, you'll need to provide your Instagram account details, usually your username or email address. Ensure that you provide accurate information to avoid any issues with the delivery of followers. Complete the Payment: Proceed to the payment process and choose a secure payment method offered by the service provider. Reputable providers typically offer options like credit/debit cards, PayPal, or other trusted payment gateways. Follow the instructions provided to complete the payment securely.

Proceed to the payment process and choose a secure payment method offered by the service provider. Reputable providers typically offer options like credit/debit cards, PayPal, or other trusted payment gateways. Follow the instructions provided to complete the payment securely. Await Delivery: Once the payment is confirmed, the service provider will initiate the delivery of your Instagram followers. The timeframe for delivery may vary depending on the provider and the package you've chosen. Some providers offer instant delivery, while others may have a specified timeframe.

Once the payment is confirmed, the service provider will initiate the delivery of your Instagram followers. The timeframe for delivery may vary depending on the provider and the package you've chosen. Some providers offer instant delivery, while others may have a specified timeframe. Monitor and Engage: As the followers start being added to your Instagram account, monitor the progress and engage with the new followers. Respond to comments, like their posts, and interact genuinely to build a relationship with your audience.

Why should you buy Instagram followers Australia?

Buying Instagram followers Australia can provide several benefits for individuals and businesses looking to enhance their Instagram presence. Here are some key reasons why you should consider buying Instagram followers for your business or personal brand:

Increased Social Proof: When potential followers see a high follower count, they are more likely to perceive your content as valuable and worthy of their attention.

When potential followers see a high follower count, they are more likely to perceive your content as valuable and worthy of their attention. Enhanced Visibility and Reach: With more followers, your posts have a higher chance of appearing on the explore page or in the feeds of other users, thereby reaching a broader audience. This increased visibility can lead to more engagement, likes, comments, and potential followers.

With more followers, your posts have a higher chance of appearing on the explore page or in the feeds of other users, thereby reaching a broader audience. This increased visibility can lead to more engagement, likes, comments, and potential followers. Faster Organic Growth: Buying Instagram followers can kickstart your organic growth. When you have a substantial follower count, it attracts more attention from real users, prompting them to follow and engage with your content.

Buying Instagram followers can kickstart your organic growth. When you have a substantial follower count, it attracts more attention from real users, prompting them to follow and engage with your content. Establishing Credibility and Trust: People tend to trust accounts with a significant following, perceiving them as influential and authentic. This credibility can attract potential customers, clients, or collaborators, benefiting your business or personal brand.

People tend to trust accounts with a significant following, perceiving them as influential and authentic. This credibility can attract potential customers, clients, or collaborators, benefiting your business or personal brand. Competitive Advantage: In a saturated Instagram landscape, standing out from the competition can be challenging. Buying Instagram followers can give you a competitive edge by surpassing your competitors in terms of follower count.

In a saturated Instagram landscape, standing out from the competition can be challenging. Buying Instagram followers can give you a competitive edge by surpassing your competitors in terms of follower count. Time and Effort Saving: Growing an Instagram following organically can be a time-consuming and gradual process. It allows you to focus on creating high-quality content and engaging with your audience, knowing that you have a solid foundation of followers to build upon.

FAQs about Buying Australian Instagram Followers

If you're considering purchasing Instagram followers from Australia, you likely have questions about the process, costs, and potential outcomes. In this section, we will address some commonly asked questions to provide clarity and help you make informed decisions.

How much does it cost to buy Instagram followers from Australia?

The cost of purchasing Instagram followers from Australia can vary depending on the type of followers you choose. For authentic, engaged followers from Australia, the prices typically range from $3 per 100 followers to $110 per 15,000 followers. It's important to note that prices may vary among different providers, and it's advisable to compare packages and features before making a purchase.

Can you buy real Instagram followers from Australia?

Yes, it is possible to buy real Instagram followers from Australia. Reputable websites and services offer genuine followers who are active and engaged on the platform. These followers can contribute to the growth and engagement of your Instagram account.

Where can I buy Instagram followers in Australia?

If you're looking to buy Instagram followers in Australia, there are several reliable websites to consider. Here are three popular options:

1. IamFamous.com.au

2. SuperViral.com.au

3. IGLikes.com.au

How do I buy Instagram followers in Australia?

To buy Instagram followers in Australia, follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Compare different Australian websites that sell followers to find the one that aligns with your requirements and budget.

2. Once you've selected a suitable website, browse through their follower packages or plans.

3. Choose the package that best suits your needs, considering factors such as the number of followers and the delivery time.

4. During the checkout process, you will typically be asked to provide your Instagram username or link to your account.

5. Complete the purchase by making a secure payment using your credit card or other available payment options.

Can I get in trouble or get banned for buying Instagram followers?

No, purchasing Instagram followers does not typically result in penalties or account bans. However, it's crucial to buy followers from reputable providers to ensure the quality and authenticity of the followers. Engaging in practices that violate Instagram's terms of service, such as buying fake or bot followers, may lead to consequences for your account.

Will people know if I buy followers for my Instagram account?

No, purchased followers are usually indistinguishable from organic followers. They will appear like any other follower on your account, and people won't be able to tell that you have bought them.

Is there a warranty for purchased Instagram followers?

Yes, most reputable websites that sell Instagram followers offer a warranty or guarantee. For example, the mentioned websites provide a 30-day free refill warranty. This means that if you experience any drop in follower count within the specified period, they will refill your followers for free.

Can I remove the followers if I change my mind about buying them?

Yes, as the owner of your Instagram account, you have the freedom to remove followers at any time. If you decide to change your mind or no longer wish to have the purchased followers, you can manually remove them from your follower list.

Should I choose instant delivery or slower delivery for purchased followers?

The choice between instant delivery and slower delivery depends on your specific needs and preferences. Instant delivery ensures that you receive the followers promptly, allowing for a quick increase in your follower count. On the other hand, slower delivery can appear more natural and gradual, mimicking organic growth patterns. Consider factors such as your desired timeline and overall social media strategy when making this decision.

What are the benefits of buying Instagram followers in Australia?

Buying Instagram followers in Australia can offer several potential benefits. These include increased visibility, social proof, and the potential to attract more organic followers over time. A higher follower count can make your profile appear more popular and reputable, which may attract genuine users to follow your account. Additionally, having a larger follower base can enhance your online presence and provide more opportunities for engagement and collaboration within the Australian Instagram community.

Conclusion

IamFamous stands out as the top choice among the best sites to buy Instagram followers in Australia 

Building a substantial following on Instagram can be a challenging task, but buying followers from reliable platforms can provide a jumpstart to your growth. IamFamous, Superviral, and IGLikes are three top-notch websites in Australia that offer quality Instagram followers.

By choosing these platforms, users can experience genuine growth, increased engagement, and an enhanced online presence. Before purchasing followers, it is essential to consider factors like quality, targeting options, delivery speed, pricing, and the website's trustworthiness.

With these considerations in mind, users can make an informed decision and embark on their Instagram growth journey with confidence.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
Full body checkups are a crucial part of preventive healthcare. Preparing for a full body checkup involves factors like sleep, fasting, avoiding alcohol, exercise, and bringing existing reports for better diagnosis.

A comprehensive full body checkup is a standard routine examination conducted by your healthcare provider to assess your overall physical condition. This thorough evaluation examines various biophysical parameters to detect early indications of potential health problems and offers guidance on maintaining your well-being. As a vital component of preventive healthcare, a full body checkup can greatly contribute to the preservation of your overall health. Heres all you need to know about what this test involves and how to prepare for it.

Who Should Get a Full Body Checkup and How Often?

Regular full body health checkups offer a multitude of advantages for individuals who prioritise their well-being. It is important to undergo a comprehensive evaluation of all major bodily systems to proactively manage one's health. Typically, individuals below 30 and in relatively good health should consider a normal full body health checkup every 2-3 years. Once individuals reach the age of 30, it is recommended to have an annual full body checkup. However, those at higher risk for health conditions, such as senior citizens, should opt for a full body checkup every six months. By adhering to regular checkups, individuals can actively monitor their health and take necessary measures to maintain their overall well-being.

How to Prepare for a Full Body Checkup?

Preparing for a full body checkup requires certain considerations to ensure accurate test results. Here are some guidelines to follow:

Get adequate sleep : Prioritise a good night's sleep of at least 6 hours before the checkup. Sufficient rest helps maintain proper heartbeat, blood flow, body temperature, blood pressure, and muscle function during the tests.

: Prioritise a good night's sleep of at least 6 hours before the checkup. Sufficient rest helps maintain proper heartbeat, blood flow, body temperature, blood pressure, and muscle function during the tests. Fasting : Refrain from eating or drinking anything (except water) for six to eight hours before the tests. This ensures accurate blood sugar and cholesterol measurements.

: Refrain from eating or drinking anything (except water) for six to eight hours before the tests. This ensures accurate blood sugar and cholesterol measurements. Avoid Alcohol : It is advisable to abstain from alcohol consumption for 24 hours before the checkup. Alcohol can affect the liver, kidney, and blood test results.

: It is advisable to abstain from alcohol consumption for 24 hours before the checkup. Alcohol can affect the liver, kidney, and blood test results. Limit Salty and Fatty Foods : Steer clear of salty and fatty foods before the tests, as they can disrupt blood sugar levels. However, after the tests, you can enjoy these foods in moderation.

: Steer clear of salty and fatty foods before the tests, as they can disrupt blood sugar levels. However, after the tests, you can enjoy these foods in moderation. Avoid Heavy Exercise : On the day of the checkup, avoid engaging in weightlifting or intense cardio exercises. Exercising increases heart rate and blood flow, which can affect the test results.

: On the day of the checkup, avoid engaging in weightlifting or intense cardio exercises. Exercising increases heart rate and blood flow, which can affect the test results. Bring Existing Reports : If you have any chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, carry the latest reports related to that condition. This information will assist the doctors in conducting a comprehensive diagnosis.

: If you have any chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, carry the latest reports related to that condition. This information will assist the doctors in conducting a comprehensive diagnosis. Consultation for Hypertension Medicines : If you take medication for hypertension, consult with a doctor before the checkup. Some medicines may have side effects that could impact the test results. Follow your doctor's prescription accordingly.

: If you take medication for hypertension, consult with a doctor before the checkup. Some medicines may have side effects that could impact the test results. Follow your doctor's prescription accordingly. Wear Loose and Comfortable Clothing : Opt for loose and comfortable clothing on the day of the checkup. This allows easy access to the upper arm for blood sample collection and ensures a comfortable experience.

: Opt for loose and comfortable clothing on the day of the checkup. This allows easy access to the upper arm for blood sample collection and ensures a comfortable experience. Menstrual Period Considerations: For females, it is advisable to avoid scheduling tests during the menstrual cycle, as well as four days before and after. Menstruation can contaminate urine samples, potentially affecting the accuracy of the tests.

Why is a Full Body Checkup Necessary?

Getting a full body health checkup offers several key benefits for maintaining your overall health and well-being. Here are the primary advantages of these checkups:

Early Detection of Issues : Full body checkup aids in identifying potential health problems before they progress into serious illnesses that could disrupt your daily life. The checkup allows healthcare providers to detect early signs of life-threatening diseases, enabling timely intervention and treatment. Managing a disease at an early stage increases the likelihood of effective treatment and complete recovery.

: Full body checkup aids in identifying potential health problems before they progress into serious illnesses that could disrupt your daily life. The checkup allows healthcare providers to detect early signs of life-threatening diseases, enabling timely intervention and treatment. Managing a disease at an early stage increases the likelihood of effective treatment and complete recovery. Management of Genetic Conditions : Many diseases have a genetic component and can be inherited within families. Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and psychological disorders often have a genetic predisposition. Regular full body checkup helps monitor the progression of these conditions and ensures proper management strategies are in place.

: Many diseases have a genetic component and can be inherited within families. Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and psychological disorders often have a genetic predisposition. Regular full body checkup helps monitor the progression of these conditions and ensures proper management strategies are in place. Comprehensive Assessment of Overall Health : Full body checkup package provides a holistic evaluation of your health status, allowing for the early detection and management of diseases or health conditions even before symptoms manifest. Monitoring vitals and various health parameters helps determine if they fall within normal ranges, providing valuable insights into your overall health.

: Full body checkup package provides a holistic evaluation of your health status, allowing for the early detection and management of diseases or health conditions even before symptoms manifest. Monitoring vitals and various health parameters helps determine if they fall within normal ranges, providing valuable insights into your overall health. Cost Savings on Treatment: Investing in preventive healthcare through full body checkup can save you money in the long run. Detecting and addressing health issues early on is more cost-effective compared to treating advanced-stage diseases. Full-body checkups are typically affordable, and they help address potential health concerns before they escalate into expensive medical treatments.

All in all, getting a full body checkup is an effective method to stay informed about any potential problems and address them before they can cause significant harm. It allows for early detection and proactive management of health issues, ensuring timely intervention and preventing further damage.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein.

Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the views, opinions, announcements, declarations, affirmations etc., stated/featured in the same. The decision to read hereinafter is purely a matter of choice and shall be construed as an express undertaking/guarantee in favour of Hindustan Times of being absolved from any/ all potential legal action, or enforceable claims.

The information does not constitute medical/health advice. Readers are strongly advised to consult a registered medical practitioner.
Imagine a world where websites are not just ordinary but extraordinary. Webflow expert agencies build a deep understanding of dynamic capabilities, enabling them to create visually captivating, user-friendly, and technically robust websites that leave a lasting impression. Webflow enables companies to create unique and appealing websites that accurately reflect their brand identity thanks to its drag-and-drop interface, customisable templates, and a large library of pre-built pieces.

Webflow expert agency also offers powerful SEO features that are essential for businesses aiming to improve their online visibility and attract organic traffic. Their experts take a holistic approach to web design and development.

Partnering with a top Webflow agency India means gaining access to a team of talented professionals who stay at the forefront of design trends, emerging technologies, and industry best practices. In this article, we dive into some of India's top Webflow agency, where innovation and expertise converge to unlock the true potential of online success.

Let's look at the Top Webflow Agency in India.

1. Aron Web Solutions: Aron Web Solutions is a leading Frontier as a Top Webflow design agency in India. Established in 2012, Aron Web Solutions has quickly risen to prominence, becoming a frontrunner in web development and digital marketing. With a strong commitment to excellence, they helped numerous client businesses flourish and create extraordinary brand experiences for their valued customers. As a team of skilled Webflow experts, They take pride in showcasing a diverse portfolio of over 120 successful projects. Each project represents a strong commitment to driving targeted traffic, enhancing search engine performance, and creating standout websites that elevate the client's brands.

Why Aron Web Solutions is the Best Webflow Agency in India

Unparalleled Expertise: With a team of highly skilled professionals who possess in-depth knowledge of Webflow's capabilities, they have the proficiency to create stunning websites that combine aesthetics, functionality, and user experience seamlessly.

Customized Solutions: Aron Web Solutions understands that each client has unique requirements and goals. As the best Webflow expert, they excel in providing customized solutions tailored to the specific needs of their clients.

Creative Design: Creativity is at the heart of Aron Web Solutions' approach. As the top Webflow expert, they have a proven track record of designing visually captivating websites that leave a lasting impact on visitors.

Results-Driven Approach: What truly sets Aron Web Solutions apart as the best Webflow expert agency is their results-driven approach. They don't just focus on building visually appealing websites; they also prioritize achieving tangible business outcomes for their clients.

Experience the difference of working with Aron Web Solution a top Webflow agency that is dedicated to your success.

Visit Aron Web Solutions to get the service.

2. Technoworld wide: Many ventures fail due to a lack of strategic thinking and a wrong focus on mere techniques and technologies. Recognizing this critical gap, Techno Worldwide emerges as a leading Webflow development company in India, delivering a holistic approach that transcends conventional boundaries.

They believe that true success lies in aligning solution design and development with commercial objectives, breathing life into businesses and propelling them towards unparalleled growth. Their strategic mindset ensures that every digital project is rooted in your organization's core objectives. Their approach extends far beyond the mere implementation of Webflow technology.

Why Techno Worldwide Excels as a Webflow Expert

Strategic Visionaries: They are more than just technical experts. They approach web solutions with a strategic vision that goes beyond the mere implementation of technology.

They understand that true success lies in aligning your web presence with your business goals.

Commercial Insight: They Drive Results, Not Just Technology. They don't just focus on the technical aspects; they dive deep into your business concerns or opportunities that technology can address.

Tailored Solutions: Holistic Services to Empower Your Journey. They offer tailored, targeted services that cover the entire web design and development process.

Integrating Design And Technology: They not only focus on creating visually stunning websites but also on driving engagement, conversions, and long-term success through effective digital marketing strategies.

Uncompromising Excellence: In any aspect of their job, they have the highest standards of perfection. From the quality of their code to the user experience they deliver, they strive for perfection.

Their commitment to client satisfaction ensures that every project exceeds expectations.

Businesses in India are turning to Webflow to create exceptional websites that captivate audiences and drive growth. The top Webflow agencies in India, including Aron Web Solution, techno worldwide have proven their expertise in the field of Webflow to deliver outstanding solutions. With their commitment to creativity, technical prowess, and customer satisfaction, these agencies are at the forefront of the Indian web design industry, shaping the future of digital experiences.

Collaborating with these top Webflow agencies ensures businesses receive exceptional web solutions that propel them towards success.

Visit Aron Web Solutions to get the service.

3. Nitrous design was Founded in 2018, emerged with a clear mission to represent the essence and significance of User Experience, collaborating with esteemed brands to craft exceptional digital products and websites. To actualize this vision, we assembled a team that combines seasoned expertise with fresh perspectives. The vibrant culture embraces the synergy of novel concepts, nurtured by the wisdom of experience. In our pursuit, we encountered Webflow, a platform that astounded us with its website development capabilities. This discovery presented a remarkable opportunity to cater to clients who struggled to obtain well-crafted websites.

4. Bowstring Studio was originally founded in 2014, Situated in Delhi, India.

It was established by three technologists well-versed in the realms of web and mobile technologies. Early on, they realised a recurring predicament faced by marketing teams in startupstheir insufficiency of resources from engineering teams devoted to primary product development. Recognizing this gap, they embarked on the journey of assisting product engineering teams by offering them access to skilled personnel. Through collaborative efforts, the company's aim is to provide premium webflow services that work exclusively with saas marketing.

Why do I need webflow for my business?

With a number of advantages, Webflow has grown to be an effective business tool that is a must for any digital firm. The key advantage of using Webflow is its ability to provide complete control and flexibility over your website design. You can quickly customise every area of your website to match your brand identity and satisfy your individual requirements thanks to its drag-and-drop flexibility and configurable templates.

What are the benefits of a Webflow website?

A Webflow website offers numerous benefits that can significantly impact your online presence and business success.

Responsive Design: All Webflow websites are totally responsive, assuring that they look fantastic and work well on any platform, from computers to smartphones.

Customizable Templates: You can build a unique and personalised website with Webflow that reflects your brand and style thanks to the accessibility of a large selection of editable templates.

Powerful CMS: You can quickly maintain and update the material on your website, such as blog articles, product listings, and more, thanks to Webflow's feature-rich content management system (CMS).

SEO Optimization: Webflow provides built-in SEO tools and features that help optimize your website for search engines. You can easily edit meta tags, URLs, alt text, and other elements to improve your website's visibility in search results.

E-commerce Capabilities: Webflow offers seamless e-commerce integration, making it simple to set up and manage your items, inventory, and payments if you run an online store.

Support and Community: Webflow offers extensive support resources, including documentation, tutorials, and a vibrant community of designers and developers who can provide assistance and inspiration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Webflow service?

Webflow simplifies the website design and development process, making it accessible to individuals and businesses without extensive coding knowledge. It combines the power of design flexibility, content management, responsive layouts, and interactive elements to help users create professional and functional websites.

What is the use of Webflow service for my business?

Webflow Experts service connects businesses and individuals with experienced professionals who specialize in designing, developing, and managing websites using the Webflow platform.

How can a Webflow Expert help me with my website?

A Webflow Expert can assist you with various aspects of your website, including designing custom templates, optimizing website performance, implementing e-commerce functionality, integrating third-party tools, and providing ongoing website maintenance and support.

Can Webflow Experts handle website migration from other platforms?

Yes, They can help you seamlessly transfer your content, design, and functionality to the Webflow platform while ensuring a smooth transition.

Do Webflow Experts provide ongoing website maintenance and support?

Yes, Webflow Experts can provide ongoing website maintenance and support services to ensure your website remains up-to-date, secure, and optimized.

How long does it take to complete a project with a Webflow Expert?

During the initial discussions, the expert can provide you with an estimated timeline based on their expertise and workload. Clear communication and collaboration can help ensure timely project completion.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
As Apple continues to expand the scope of social initiatives in India, an Energy for Livelihoods Accelerator has been designed for social entrepreneurs. This 12-week program, which starts in September, will focus on what they define as social enterprises, or business which have a social or environmental mission. For this, Apple is working with global non-profit, Acumen. The latest initiative is part of Apples increasing involvement with communities, including for environment and upskilling. For representational purposes. (Apple Photo)

Apple and Acumen hope the Energy for Livelihoods Accelerator will create an ecosystem of social enterprises in the country, with potential for scaling up, while working to advance sustainable energy solutions for small businesses and farmers.

Apple is committed to helping ensure everyone can share in the benefits of a greener economy. Were demonstrating the transformative potential of clean energy in everything we do, and excited to support social innovators who share that goal, says Sarah Chandler, Apples vice president of Environment and Supply Chain Innovation.

Also read:Tech, education, community and climate: Understanding the Tim Cook philosophy

The tech giants country specific initiatives around environment, education and local issues, sit alongside the tech giants global pursuit for reducing a wider footprint on the environment. A net-zero pledge that means more than just using recycled materials in product manufacturing.

We think climate change is the biggest issue of the century. We want to put all of ourselves into solving a part that we can solve, and running our company on renewable energy is a part of that, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, told HT earlier this year.

Acumen hopes the program will accelerate a cohort of early-stage social enterprises using clean energy and energy-efficient solutions to serve the needs of low-income communities. The non-profit says participants for the accelerator will join a global community of small businesses, called The Foundry, and will be eligible for early-stage investment via the Pioneer Energy Investment Initiative.

For over 20 years, Acumen has invested in early-stage social enterprises addressing problems of poverty in India, and some of our most innovative recent investments have been at the intersection of energy access and livelihoods, says Mahesh Yagnaraman, Acumens director for India. He hopes the partnership with Apple will help build an ecosystem of scalable social businesses in the country, specifically focused on the use of sustainable energy.

Acumen says investments in India are now around $41.2 million, with a claimed 82.9 million lives impacted by various initiatives. Some examples include working with Drishtee to provide health services in villages, education for youth in rural parts of the country with Edubridge and working with BioLite to spread awareness about low-cost biomass stoves.

Also read:At 25 years in India, Apple shifts gears beyond products and sales

Earlier this summer, Apple announced the clean water initiative, partnering with non-government organisation Frank Water. The focus is on improving water quality and supply, as well as availability of sanitation and hygiene facilities. The pilot project is in Anekal taluk, in the outskirts of Bengaluru.

Apple has also begun working with the Applied Environmental Research Foundation to promote the protection and conservation of mangroves in Maharashtra. Mangroves can store up to 10 times more carbon per acre than terrestrial forests.

The company has also collaborated with the Barefoot College to conduct training programs for women in rural India, with particular focus on the advantages of using solar energy in communities.

Globally, Apples initiatives include pushing clean energy in South Africa, forest preservation in Georgia, and an impact accelerator for climate change in Michigan in the US.

Alongside country specific initiatives, the tech giant has set a global target of carbon neutrality across its entire business, all products they make, supply chain, and product life cycle, by the year 2030. Its own operations became carbon neutral, including Apple Stores globally, in 2020.

Product manufacturing, too, is well on its way to meeting the Apple targets for 2030.

Last year, Apple said theyll be using the worlds first direct carbon-free aluminium in its iPhones beginning with iPhone SE. Direct carbon-free aluminium is the result of improvements in smelting technology to reduce emissions. This aluminium is the first to be manufactured on an industrial scale outside of a laboratory and does not create any direct carbon emissions during the smelting process.

Hydropower is used in the process of making this aluminium. As a result, the process to make this aluminium produces oxygen, instead of direct greenhouse gas emissions that emerge from the traditional methods.

Also read:Apple aims for carbon neutrality, seeks wider local community support in India

Tim Cook made it clear that any and all environment focused targets, are non-negotiable, highlighting that the 2030 target for Apples entire set of operations being totally carbon neutral, is a hard deadline.

For instance, the new Apple Stores in India, Apple BKC in Mumbai and Apple Saket in Delhi, use completely renewable energy from dedicated solar arrays, making them carbon neutral operations.

Earlier, the company announced a switch to fully recycled cobalt for batteries by 2025 and set a similar target to use entirely recycled rare earth elements for magnets in its devices. All Apple-designed circuit boards will also use fully recycled tin soldering and gold plating, the company has planned.

The Apple iPhone 14 series, for instance, has fully recycled gold in the wire of all cameras, recycled tin is used in the solder of the main logic board while the antenna lines are made from upcycled plastic bottles that may have otherwise ended up in a landfill.

The company says 67 percent of all aluminium that was shipped as part of the MacBook, iMac, iPad and Apple Watch product lines, was from recycled sources. The new MacBook Air 15 launched this summer, for instance, is made from completely recycled aluminium, 100 percent recycled cobalt for the MagSafe connector, 90 percent recycled steel in the battery tray and more than 35 percent recycled plastic.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Vishal Mathur Vishal Mathur is Technology Editor for Hindustan Times. When not making sense of technology, he often searches for an elusive analog space in a digital world. ...view detail
As significant consumer attention and excitement revolves around generative artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots in particular, the pace of development shows no signs of slowing down. Google is now giving its chatbot  Bard  a set of significant and wide-ranging updates, including more Indian and worldwide language knowledge, responses that can be read out, saving a history of your conversations with Bard and the ability to export Python code generated using Bard (a capability that too was enabled recently). For representational purposes. (Official image)

In what is safe to file as Bards biggest update yet, milestones till now have included Bards official unveiling earlier this year, though the pivotal moment came in summer when Bard was made available across 180 countries to all users. It also coincided with the switch to using PaLM 2 large language model, or LLM.

From today, Bard will work with 40 more global languages, in addition to existing support for English, Japanese and Korean. The Indian languages will include Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Canada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati and Urdu. Global language support now includes Arabic, Chinese, German and Spanish.

Bard also got rolled out to 59 new countries, including within the European Union (EU) and Brazil.

Also read:Google I/O 2023: Bard is now available for chat, amidst intensive AI focus

It will be in line with our bold and responsible approach to AI. Weve proactively worked with a number of policymakers, regulators and experts on this roll-out, and as we continue to evolve, we will keep our AI principles as a guide, says Amar Subramanya, VP of Engineering at Google, in a briefing that HT was part of.

These updates come at a time when Google Bard is competing with OpenAIs ChatGPT and Microsofts Bing chatbot, which has similar underpinnings to ChatGPT. Bards widening feature set gives it more tools in battle.

In a follow-up to the text-to-image feature that was already part of Bard, the reverse will be true now too. A user will be able to input an image for Bard to search with (Google Lens integration comes along too). Generative AI will attempt to generate details about what it decodes from the image youve shared with Bard. Think of this as Google Lens, but potentially much smarter.

This past weekend, I had this chore of cleaning up one of the desks in our home and I ended up taking a picture if it and going to Bard. Hey, can you give me ideas on how I can declutter this desk, it gave me a bunch of suggestions and it was awesome to get help in a moment that mattered, shares Subramanya.

Also read:Beyond chatbots: AI builds productivity pitch

Google is also enabling conversation history in Bard, something that was conspicuously missing thus far, thatll allow users to revisit previous chats and responses. There will also be an option to choose the tone and style of responses youd like from Bard  shorter, longer, professional or casual. For now, this vibrancy will be limited to English language chats, but expect wider support in the coming months.

Microsoft has similar response options for Bing too  more creative, more balanced, more precise, though the differences may not be as apparent in all questions a user may send its way.

Bard chatbot, which till now was primarily geared towards text responses, will now be able to speak out those responses too. If you generate a poem, you might actually want to listen to what was generated rather than just read it, says Subramanya. Its also sometimes super useful to hear a pronunciation, he adds.

Recently, Google Bard adopted the ability to generate Python code for app and software developers. Now, Bard will also be able to export it to Replit, a tool that lets developers run code live within a web browser.

Google Bard, which is still very much in the experimental stage (and Google reemphasises that) is available on the web browser, but unlike Microsoft Bing and ChatGPT (in an early stage of rollout), does not have apps for Android phones or Apple iPhones for now. Bing, in fact, is also integrated within the Edge web browser apps and the SwiftKey keyboard app for smartphones.

At the Google I/O developer conference earlier this summer, Google hinted at focus on integrating Bard within Googles wide tool set, including Google Lens, Mail and Search.

Also read:As Microsoft builds with AI, chatbot for India indicates wider community focus

Microsoft, in March, had confirmed the Bing chatbot had clocked 100 million active users within weeks of launch for consumers. Google hasnt released any official statistics on Bards active user base yet, but insists the more user feedback they get, the better theyll be able to improve Bard.

Over the summer, Bings importance to develop the Microsoft 365 Copilot tool was highlighted at the companys annual developer conference keynote. Itll arrive with integration within Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 apps including the office suite, later this year.

Google is looking to plug in Bard into its own suite of apps, including Docs, Drive, Gmail and Maps. There will be third-party integrations as well, including with Adobe Firefly to help users generate high quality AI images.

The more people use it and give us feedback, the more opportunity we have to make this model and generative AI better. We will be able to figure out how we can actually bring it to more users in a safe and responsible way, says Subramanya.

The new features set for Bard rolls out for all users, though some functionality may arrive in batches.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Vishal Mathur Vishal Mathur is Technology Editor for Hindustan Times. When not making sense of technology, he often searches for an elusive analog space in a digital world. ...view detail
The GST Council, headed by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, held its 50th meeting on Tuesday, and came up with several key decisions. One such decision was a clarification regarding the tax on food served in cinema halls, which it said, was fixed at 5%. Representational Image

According to CNBCTV18, the Multiplex Association of India had appealed for a reduction in the tax on food services in cinema halls. Their representation to the GST Council came after confusion arose due to reports of theatres receiving notices regarding the GST being imposed by them, the report said.

What does 5% tax mean?

At present, movie tickets priced above 100 are taxed at 12%, and those above 100, at 18%. Therefore, when theatres offer moviegoers an online combo option of the food and the film, the GST will be on the total amount, and will, therefore, be taxed at 18%.

Image courtesy: PVR Cinemas/Twitter

The 5% GST, on the other hand, is applicable when the food is brought separately from the movie ticket, at the cinema hall itself. To avoid the higher GST, therefore, industry experts advise customers not to pre-book their snacks.

Food and beverage account for almost half of the ticket price

According to Nitin Sood, CFO, PVR Inox, the food and beverage (F&B) alone account for almost up to 52% of a film's ticket price.

Cinema average F&B spend today is approximately 50-52% of average spending on a ticket by a consumer. And there is no reason this number should not be higher. In the Western countries, we have seen this ratio as high as 70-75% as well. And, that is our aim that over the next few years, to increase the overall F&B consumption at cinemas, Sood told CNBC TV18.

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After a series of back-to-back scorching days across the world that broke temperature records, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said on Monday that Earths average temperature was highest ever in the beginning of July  the latest in a series of alarming (but not surprising) signs that the planet is already very hot and that greenhouse gas emissions need to decrease substantially. Developing economies argue that they have a lesser responsibility of doing so because of their lower historical contribution. (HT file photo)

However, underdeveloped and developing economies often argue that they have a smaller responsibility of doing so because of their lower historical contribution and current per capita emissions.

Also Read: Global temperatures smash records, underscore danger of greenhouse gas emissions

Does this mean that energy transition in these economies can wait? Not really. A transition in just the developing economies of the G20 could be one of the fastest ways of reducing emissions. However, even this scenario involves the developed economies paying for their historical emissions, because these economies cannot fund such a transition themselves. Here are three charts that explain this.

Developing economies and current emissions

Developing economies are correct to argue that historically they are not responsible for the climate crisis gripping the world right now. The two most populous among these  India and China  have contributed only around 18% of the total fossil emissions since 1850, despite accounting for 36% of the world population right now. However, this should not be taken to mean that these countries will remain irrelevant in the trajectory of the climate crisis. In 2021, these two countries accounted for 38% of the fossil emissions; while all developing economies of the G20 taken together contributed 53%. Clearly, a bulk of future emissions are going to come from developing nations, and they will go on to define the battle against the global climate crisis unless this trend changes.

despite developing nations being energy frugal right now

It may appear obvious that developing economies emit more because they consume more fossil-based energy. However, this is not an entirely straightforward correlation. An example should make this clear. Renewables were 20% of the power mix in 2020 for both Mexico and Russia, the former a developing country and the latter a country in transition. However, Mexicans emitted only 2.7 tonnes CO2 per capita in the year, while Russians emitted 10.8 tonner CO2 per capita. In fact, an analysis of 21 emerging markets and developing economies (EMDE) shows that the share of renewables in the power mix hardly has any relation with per capita emissions. This is because the poorer economies genearlly consume less electricity per person.

For example, electricity consumption per capita by Mexicans was only around a third of Russians. Therefore, while the share of renewables in power mix does not have a relation with per capita emissions, fossil-based per capita electricity consumption does. This means that the per capita emission argument that developing economies use right now becomes weaker as they develop more. This is because per capita electricity and energy demand increases as countries become richer. The data for the 21 economies (this also holds true for the world in general) also shows that per capita electricity consumption is higher among economies with bigger per capita GDP.

Transitioning now can keep emissions low

The above arguments make it clear that an energy transition right now will help in keeping emissions low even as the developing economies of today become developed tomorrow.

What will this take?

A report published by the International Energy Agency in June shows that EMDEs invested US$770 billion across different aspects of energy transition  such as electricity generation and distribution, phasing down of fossil fuels, and efficient energy use by households and industries  in 2022. This needs to increase to $2.2 trillion annually at 2022 prices during 2026-2030 and further to $2.8 trillion annually at 2022 prices during 2031-2035 (and remain at this level until 2050) to limit warming to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and limit global warming to 1.5C. If China is excluded from this group, the increase will have to be even bigger proportionally: $260 billion in 2022 to $1.9 trillion.

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Air carrier Vistara has clocked 50 million customers since launch. The airline decided to celebrate the milestone with a campaign titled #50MillionFeelings as a tribute to the feelings they instilled in the customers over the years.



The 50 millionth customer was treated to a journey of a lifetime including pick-up and drop service in a luxury chauffeur-driven car, surprise cabin upgrade to Business Class, complimentary Gold Tier membership for Club Vistara loyalty programme, exclusive lounge access, luggage assistance and more! The showstopper of this celebration included an anamorphic 3D display at Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru airports.

The airline also surprised customers with cabin upgrades to their Premium Economy and Business Class cabin across major airports.



The showstopper of this celebration included an anamorphic 3D display at Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru airport which encapsulated 50 million feelings of the customers through the years as well as innovative hoardings in Delhi and Mumbai, Vistara said in a statement.

We wanted to tell our story of achieving an important milestone of flying 50 Million Customers - 50 Million Customers, 50 Million Journeys & #50Million Feelings. As a key driver of this campaign, we wanted to attempt something thats innovative and eye catching, thus ensuring virality", Deepti Sampat, vice-president, marketing, Vistara, said in a statement.

We chose to launch this campaign with a 3D anamorphic display at 3 major airports -Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The aircraft visual that appeared in the beginning caught the attention of the customers, and the striking and attractive animation that followed thereafter completed the story, Sampat added.



"This medium helped us to break the clutter and evoked many feelings amongst customers about flying with Vistara and a feeling of pride amongst employees, she added.

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Tesla has begun discussions with the Indian government for an investment proposal to set up a car factory in the country, with an annual capacity of as many as 500,000 electric vehicles, the Times of India reported on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hand with Tesla chief executive Elon Musk during their meeting in New York City, New York, U.S., June 20, 2023. India's Press Information Bureau/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES./File Photo

The prices for the vehicles will start from 2 million rupees ($24,400.66), the report added.

The billionaire Elon Musk-led company is also looking at using India as an export base as it plans to ship cars to countries in the Indo-Pacific region, the report said, citing government sources.

Tesla did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

The discussions with the Indian government show a shift in strategy for the U.S. electric car maker.

Last year, talks stalled after the Indian government refused to agree to a request from Tesla seeking lower import taxes on cars, which can be as much as 100%.

India was keen for Tesla to manufacture vehicles locally, but the company said it wanted to export its cars first so that it could test the strength of demand.

In renewed efforts to enter the domestic market with a change of stance, Tesla held discussions in May with officials about incentives being offered by the government for car and battery manufacturing, Reuters reported.

In a meeting with Musk last month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushed the car maker to make a "significant investment" in the country.

India has strong potential for a sustainable energy future including solar power, stationary battery packs and electric vehicles, Musk said after meeting Modi, adding he hopes to bring SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service to the country as well.
Bengaluru police on Wednesday warned the social media users against giving a communal spin to the double murder case where a CEO and MD of a company were allegedly killed by an ex-employee and his friends. The cops further said that the investigation is going on and asked people to refrain from sharing unverified claims on the murder. Police identified the two victims as Vinu Kumar (L), the CEO of Aeronics Media Pvt Ltd, and Phanindra Subramanya, the firms MD.

Also Read - In Karnataka, Mangaluru police file 21 cases over communal posts in a month

Responding to a tweet which claimed that one of the victims, Phaneendra Subramanyam is a Hindu leader, Bengaluru police said, Pertaining to this incident, the alleged accused have been arrested and an FIR has been registered at @amruthahallips. We request namma public to refrain from sharing this incident further while the investigation is underway.

On Wednesday, Bengaluru police arrested three people in the double murder case who were identified as Shabarish alias Felix (27), Vinay Reddy (23) and Santosh alias Santhu (26).

The three men, one of whom is said to be a former employee of Aeronics Media Pvt Ltd, had barged into its office at Pampa Extension near Amruthahalli, and hacked to death the CEO and managing director of the firm. Business rivalry is suspected to the be the reason behind the double murder. The victims, CEO Vinu Kumar (40) and MD Phanindra Subramanya (36), died on the way to hospital, after suffering grave injuries from the attack. An FIR has been filed and the investigation is going on.Also
Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, who is in charge of Bengaluru development, has proposed to build an underground tunnel network in the city in a bid to ease its ongoing traffic issues. The tunnel highway network, inspired by Singapore's tunnels, will be a 99-kilometre-long project, consisting of three main corridors, according to a report by Times Now. Karnataka DCM DK Shivakumar called for a meeting last month on "Brand Bengaluru" which was attended by various industry leaders including Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. (PTI)

If completed, this will also be one of the world's longest tunnel networks. The Karnataka government decided on the project after receiving inputs from several industry leaders at the Brand Bengaluru meeting held last month. DK Shivakumar, along with other leaders, had earlier also planned to visit Singapore to inspect it's tunnel networks. The Siddaramaiah-led leadership in the southern state will spend around 22,000 crore to construct Phase 1 of the project, and 450 crore to tunnel each kilometre, according to initial estimates.

READ | Siddaramaiah allocates 45,000 crore for Brand Bengaluru

The first corridor will be in the north - south direction, while the other two main corridors will be from east to west. The project will also have three other connecting corridors. It is due to undergo a feasibility study soon, after which the government will address concerns surrounding the land acquisition process.

While the initiative is being backed by several industry leaders, experts pointed out that the development of public transport and mass transit systems in the city is a more sustainable solution to end traffic congestions. Sandeep Anirudhan, a civic activist and the convenor for two groups - Citizens Agenda for Bengaluru and Bengaluru Mobility - said the DCM should visit Singapore, not to inspect its tunnels, but to study its mass transit system.

READ | Karnataka govt aims to provide good quality governance: DK Shivakumar

Singapore does not have any tunnel based road network. A few odd tunnels (underpasses) and bridges were built in previous decades. In fact, Singapore did propose an underground road system in the 80's, which it thankfully scrapped in 2017, he said in a statement.

The Singapore Land Transport Authority instead chose to focus on enhancing the Metro network, which is now the main mode of transport, transporting 25 to 35 lakh passengers per day. That is seven times more passengers than our (Bengaluru) metro, even though the population of Singapore has only one third our population, he added.

Anirudhan also pointed to other cities including Tokyo and Amsterdam, hailing their mass transit systems.
A 22-year-old engineering student in Bengaluru died by suicide at his residence on Tuesday after being allegedly harassed by private money lending apps, police said on Thursday. A 22-year-old engineering student in Bengaluru died by suicide after being allegedly harassed by private money lending apps (Agencies/Representative use)

The deceased was a resident of Jalahalli, and a mechanical engineering student at a private college near Yelahanka, police said.

According to officials, the victim had allegedly borrowed money from loan apps for his friend. He had failed to pay the EMIs for the past year, an outstanding amount of approximately 45,000.

The incident came to light around 7 pm on Tuesday when the victims father returned home, officials said, adding that the victim was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The family of the deceased lodged a complaint with the Jalahalli police station, alleging that moneylending apps were harassing him and responsible for their sons death. Based on the fathers complaint, the Jalahalli police have registered a case of unnatural death.

Tejas had borrowed money from loan apps and given it to his friend. He had borrowed money from his cousins to repay that loan and borrowed from the apps again to return money to his cousins. He had borrowed around 30,000, including interest and late fee charges he had to pay back around 45,000, the victims father said in the complaint.

The agents allegedly resorted to blackmail, threatening to expose the deceaseds intimate photographs stored on his mobile phone if he failed to repay the loan, his father alleged.

The victim also left a note explaining his decision to end his life. I am sorry, mom and dad, for whatever I did. I have no other choice than this. I am unable to pay other loans that are there in my name and this is my final decision. Good Bye, he said in his note.

Meanwhile, the Congress government raised the issue in the assembly on Monday.

The state government informed the legislative council that as many as 42 moneylending mobile applications were pulled down from the Google Play Store after they were found to be harassing the public.
JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday claimed there was a rate chart pertaining to the transfer business in Karnataka and appealed to the ruling Congress government to rectify it. JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy. (PTI)

During discussion on Governor Thaawarchand Gehlots address to the joint session of both Houses of the State Legislature, Kumaraswamy also challenged the government to prove its pre-poll allegations against the BJP that they looted the state to the tune of 1.5 lakh crore.

The JD(S) leader has been claiming that a cash-for-transfer business is going on in the state.

READ | HD Kumaraswamy pulls out a pen drive, tells he will expose Congress govt's corruption

According to JD(S) sources, transfer business means that the transfer of an officer is either effected or stopped after paying the bribe.

Referring to the issue of tackling corruption in the state as mentioned by the Governor in his address to the joint session of the House, Kumaraswamy said the Congress, which was then in oppossion during BJP tenure, had brought out an advertisement regarding the recruitment, transfer and posting rates.

"I will support your sincere effort to contain corruption and rectify these evil practices. Earlier you (Congress) brought out advertisements (before elections) pointing to the rate fixed for transfer and posting but now a new rate has been fixed," the JD(S) second-in-command claimed in the House.

He also waved a paper showing the rate chart, which he claimed was given to him by an officer.

Interrupting Kumaraswamy, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge said that the allegations about the transfer and posting rates were based on a statement by the then ruling BJP MLA. The Minister also said that he has evidence for it.

To this BJP MLA C N Ashwath Narayan challenged the Minister to furnish the proof. He also claimed that he has evidence on corruption in Kharges departments. Kharge then challenged Narayan to expose it. The arguments led to a commotion for a while.

Kumaraswamy said there cannot be any proof on such corrupt practices.

The JD(S) leader also said a solar power agreement done in 2017 burdened people with heavy power tariff.

"The Power Purchase Agreement for solar power was at the rate of 9.6 per unit for a period of 25 years," Kumaraswamy said.

When the opposition BJP sought to know in whose period the agreement was done, he said Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will tell them.

READ | Will fight together against Congress govt, says Yediyurappa; backs Kumaraswamy

Shivakumar was the Energy Minister in 2017 during Congress government.

Kumaraswamy said he had raised the matter in the House in 2017, following which the House Committee was formed to probe why the agreement was made for 25 years but nothing happened.

"A CBI inquiry will reveal the truth. The state would have got power for a cheaper price but it opted for higher price. Ultimately, poor people have to bear the brunt of it," the JD(S) leader claimed.

He also said that before the revision of tariff by the Karnataka Electricity Regulation Commission, there were 35 slabs, which were brought down to 21. The slabs for extremely poor and poor people have been removed and now there are only domestic consumers. It's effect would be felt later, Kumaraswamy said.
Police on Wednesday arrested a 19-year-old youth for raping and impregnating a 16-year-old girl. The accused was identified as Jaspreet, alias Jassi, of Subhash Nagar, Manimajra. The hospital staff informed the Chandigarh Police, who recorded the girls statement and arrested Jaspreet. (HT)

The matter came to fore on Tuesday after the victim complained of stomach pain and was taken to Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, where she was found six months pregnant. The hospital staff informed the police, who recorded the girls statement and arrested Jaspreet.

As per police, the accused managed to get the minors phone number and started calling her. Eventually, he developed a physical relationship with her on the pretext of marriage.

The accused told her that they would get married in secret and asked her not to reveal their relationship to anyone, a cop said. He added that the minor girl was a Class 9 drop-out.

The accused was booked under Section 376 (2)(n) (whoever commits rape repeatedly on the same woman), 365 (kidnapping), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at the IT Park police station.

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With the arrest of three persons on Wednesday, district crime cell of police claim to have foiled a robbery bid. Police recovered a country made pistol, five live cartridges, iron punch, iron rod and a pair of scissors from their possession. Chandigarh Police have booked the three accused under the Arms Act. (iStock)

The accused were identified as Amit Hans, 27, of Ramdarbar Phase II, Akshay Kumar, 24, of Ramdarbar Phase I, and Saleem Bhatti, 24, of Hoshiarpur, Punjab. Police said that the trio had planned to rob a businessman in Sector 26 grain market.

Deputy superintendent of police Vikas Sheokand said the accused were arrested at a naka near diving roads of Sector 27 A/B. Police said that Amit Hans, the mastermind behind this racket, works as delivery boy with Big Basket.

We will question the accused to find out the source of their weapon, an officer said.

Sector 26 police have booked the accused under relevant sections of Arms Act. The trio was also wanted in a snatching case registered at Sector 34 police station.

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After the hospital administration fulfilled their demands, contractual security guards at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) ended their protest on Wednesday. One of the security guards suffered a heart attack while protesting outside Kairon Block and was admitted to the institute. His condition is stable. The protest over delay in salary payment of security guards in Chandigarhs PGIMER had started on Tuesday. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The protest over delay in salaries started on Tuesday. The guards said that they used to get their salaries on or before the 7th of every month, but recently, there had been repeated delay in its disbursement.

In a meeting with administration deputy director Dr Kumar Gaurav Dhawan, the protesters representatives were assured that their demands would be met.

PGI All Contractual Worker Union vice-president Gurdeep Singh said, We came to express solidarity with the protesting security guards. Unfortunately, one of the guards also suffered a heart attack during the protest.

Some guards got their salaries yesterday and others got it today. The administration deputy director has assured that the remaining individuals will get their salaries by tomorrow, he added.

As per unions president Vikramjit Singh, the salaries were delayed as the contractor failed to make payments.
Drama ensued on Wednesday at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Researchs Advanced Eye centre after a patients son entered into a heated argument with a resident doctor. The patient said that she, along with her son, had to come to PGIMER, Chandigarh, from Mandi around 7 am. (HT File)

Dailma, 70, from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, was accompanied by her son to the hospital for a check up. Allegedly, they did respond when the attendant called out patients name.

Later, when the doctor said she will be examined after lunch, Dailmas son allegedly started arguing and recording a video.

While nearby patients gathered, security guards stopped the patient and relative as they were leaving after the argument. The patients son was asked to write an apology letter by police and hospital security. Dailma was taken for a check-up after her son wrote the letter.

Dailma said We reached PGIMER around 7 am and were waiting for our turn. My son got angry and shouted at the doctor.
: With no decline in the reverse flow of the Buddha Nullah, residential colonies along the nullah remained flooded on Thursday for the seventh consecutive day. Residents who have been affected due to the reverse flow raised questions over the preparedness of the civic body as the efforts to clear the nullah have been initiated at several points. The residential colonies along the Buddha Nullah remains flooded in Ludhiana on Thursday; and (right) a big road cave-in on the ATI Road. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

Protesting against the pathetic condition of their area, residents of Dharampura and Dhoka Mohalla had also blocked the Shingar Cinema Road.

Despite the efforts by the MC to pump out the water from the streets which are flooded with sewage water, the areas still lay inundated as the Buddha Nullah is flowing at full capacity.

Due to flow from the upstream districts which are facing floods, the level of the Buddha Nullah remained above the danger mark throughout the day. MC workers and JCBs were deployed at various sites, including the Tajpur road, to clear the bed of the water body from garbage and debris.

Environmental activist CM Lakhanpal said, The nullah is both deep and wide where it enters and exits the city. The problem is within the city where the area along the nullah has been encroached upon.

He added that though the nullah overflows from the same locations each year, nothing is being done to solve the problem.

Harwinder Singh, a resident of New Deep Nagar, said, Each year the civic body allots several crore rupees for the maintenance and cleaning of the nullah, still heaps of garbage were seen floating over the nullah during the initial days of rain.

He added that garbage and debris collected in the nullah is being cleared.

As the reverse flow of the Buddha Nullah spread to more areas and roads, the authorities had restricted the traffic movement on several roads along the nullah as a precautionary measure on Wednesday.

Due to the overflow of the Buddha Nullah, several localities, including Chander Nagar, New Deep Nagar, Pavitar Nagar, Kundanpuri, Madhopuri, Vivek Nagar, Shivaji Nagar, Ranjit Singh Park and New Kundanpuri and Shivpuri, were flooded.

As heaps of wild grass were stuck under various bridges over the nullah, it hampered the flow of water leading to overflow at different points. Poclain and JCB machines were deployed to clear the water body of the wild grass.
Two days after a hotel owner shot at his partner, the Division number 2 police lodged an FIR on Thursday. The accused is on the run. During investigation, the police found that the weapon used in the crime was illegal. The complainant stated that Anil had opened a hotel in partnership with Manish and the accused Kavish. (iStock)

The accused has been identified as Kavish, who is a partner of BR Plaza Hotel at Gurdwara Shri Kalgidhar Sahib. The FIR has been lodged following the statement of Sandeep Rajput of Nidhan Singh Nagar of Civil city, who is brother of the victim, Anil Rajput, 22.

The complainant stated that Anil had opened a hotel in partnership with Manish and the accused Kavish. He added that on Tuesday night, Anil was present at the hotel with his partners, where he had indulged in a spat with Kavish.

In a fit of rage, Kavish flashed a gun and opened fire targeting him. The bullet hit Anil in his stomach. After opening fire, Kavish managed to escape from the spot. Hotel manager Dalip Kumar rushed Anil to Christian Medical College and Hospital.

ASI Balwinder Singh said a case under Section 307 of the IPC, and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act has been lodged against the accused. A hunt is on for his arrest.

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The Ludhiana rural police booked a sub-inspector on graft charges after a local conducted a sting operation on him. He was deputed at City Raikot Police station. The complainant had telecast the sting operation live on his Facebook page. Raikot sub-inspector booked on graft charges at Ludhiana. (HT FILE)

The accused has been identified as sub-inspector Nirmal Singh. He was demanding a bribe to help the complainant in settlement of a case.

The FIR has been lodged following the statement of Vipan Kumar of Mohalla Maulviya of Raikot. Vipan Kumar added that he had filed a complaint of fraud against a property dealer Parash Jain and a registry clerk Amanpreet Singh. Sub-inspector Nirmal Singh was assigned to investigate the matter. The sub-inspector had made him and the accused settle the matter.

Vipan added that later the sub-inspector had started demanding a bribe from him for helping him in settling the case. When he refused to give him bribe, the accused started threatening him.

He added that he shared the matter with his friends Sahil Goyal of Raikot and Harpreet Singh Sidhu of Johlan village, who made a plan. When he contacted the sub-inspector, he asked him to come to the police station with money on July 12.

We did photocopy of the currency notes which we gave to the sub-inspector as a bribe. The sub-inspector took him inside a room, where he accepted 5,000 in cash as a bribe and demanded 5,000 more. As he kept the currency notes in his pocket, Sahil and Harpreet turned up there. They recovered the cash from his pocket and also telecast the entire incident live on his Facebook account, he added.

We made a complaint to the senior officers and submitted the proof, he added.

Deputy superintendent of police (DSP, Raikot) Rachhpal Singh, who is investigating the case, said that an FIR under Sections 7 (A) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been lodged against the accused. The FIR has been lodged following an investigation. The police will arrest the accused soon.

Earlier on June 6, an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) deputed at Sudhar Police station of Ludhiana Rural police was booked after an auto driver conducted a sting operation and made a video of him while accepting the bribe.
Political parties in Punjab on Thursday slammed the Chandigarh administration for allotting land to Haryana to build a legislative assembly. A view of Punjab and Haryana Vidhan Sabha.

HT was the first to report UTs decision that the Chandigarh administration has decided to allot 10 acres to Haryana to build an assembly in exchange for 12 acres belonging to the state adjoining Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park.

Chandigarh deputy commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh had said on Wednesday that the decision to swap the land was taken at a recent meeting with Haryana government officers, who have been asked to submit a non-encumbrance certificate and a demarcation report of the 12 acres. They have been given two weeks to submit both certificates. The development comes exactly a year after Union home minister Amit Shah announced the allocation of land for the Haryana assembly in Chandigarh at the 30th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council in Jaipur.

Leader of opposition in Punjab and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa termed the move as extremely deplorable. In a message on micro-blogging site Twitter Bajwa said: The BJP-led Centre govt is hell-bent on infringing Punjabs claim on Chandigarh in one way or the other.

However, the @AAPPunjab govt has also completely failed to safeguard Punjabs rights in the capital (SIC).

Bjawa alleged that ever since Bhagwant Mann took over as CM, he had attempted to dilute Punjabs claim on Chandigarh.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged both the Centre as well as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab colluded to allot land for a separate Vidhan Sabha to Haryana in the union territory for political advantage in the state assembly polls.

In a press statement issued here, Badal said the decision was in continuation of an announcement made by Union home minister Amit Shah at the 30th meeting of the North Zonal Council in Jaipur on July 9, last year.

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann did not protest against this announcement and has played a dubious role on this sensitive issue, said Sukhbir, adding that when the proposal was first mooted by Haryana, Mann did not oppose, instead requested the Centre to allot land to Punjab also for the same purpose. Sukhbir demanded a roll back of the decision.

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann, who was touring the flood affected areas in Sangrur on Thursday, said, Lets save these acres (flood-hit agricultural land) first,, and we will talk about 10 acres later.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which leads the NDA government in the Centre, has also not reacted to the move.

Reacting to the development, AAP Punjabs chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang on Wednesday had said that allotment of land was unconstitutional. We will not tolerate the land being allotted to Haryana in Chandigarh for setting up an assembly... we will hold a meeting soon in this regard, he said.
For the first time, the water level in the Ghaggar river crossed the 754-ft danger mark in Sangrur district of Punjab on Thursday morning, prompting chief minister Bhagwant Mann to head for his home district to oversee relief and rescue operations. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann inspects the flood situation in Punjab. (Twitter Photo)

District executive engineer (drainage) Gursharan Virk said that the water had not breached this mark even during the 1993 floods. The danger mark in Ghaggar river is 746.2ft but it is flowing six feet above that and has started overflowing, inundating fields and villages.

The Ghaggar has recorded such a big volume of water in the district for the first time in history. Even during the 1993 floods, it had not reached the 754-ft mark when the breadth of the river was much narrower, Virk said.

Besides, the surging waters of the Ghaggar breached two embankments in Moonak. The first breach took place near Banarsi village and the other near the Moonak-Tohana bridge. The water entered houses at Phulad village.

On Wednesday, the river breached embankments at three locations in Makored Sahib, Phulad and Mandvi village near Moonak in the district. The district administration managed to plug the 20-ft breach at Mandvi within hours.

Efforts are on to repair the breach at the other two locations. The breach at Makored Sahib village is around 100-ft wide, while the one at Phulad is 65ft and the third at Mandvi village was 45ft.

The water has inundated fields adjoining these villages.

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The Punjab government has set a target of distributing 40,000 food packets among flood-affected persons out of which 23,600 have already been distributed, said civil supplies and consumer affairs minister, Lal Chand Kataruchak. He said that the packaging and preparation of the food packets is being undertaken at the milk plants located at Mohali, Ludhiana, Patiala, Jalandhar and Amritsar.

The essential goods for the flood victims were dispatched from the Verka milk plant in Mohali. (Source:Twitter)
The rising Ghaggar crossed 754 feet, inundating at least 20 villages of the Moonak sub-division and submerging nearly 25,000 acres of agricultural land. With multiple breaches in Sangrur and Patiala districts, the river is flowing 6 feet above the danger mark, aggrevating the situation in villages. The river is flowing 6 feet above danger mark; At least 20 villages affected, with nearly 25,000 acres of agricultural land submerged

According to officials, the situation was getting serious every passing hour.

The rising water has submerged the national highway, and link roads to affected villages has been blocked, officials added.

As of now, the flood has hit 20 villages of the Moonak sub-division submerging nearly 25,000 acres of agricultural land.

The water can soon reach Moonak and Khanauri towns by Thursday evening and submerge more villages and fields in upcoming days as Ghaggar breached two more embankments in Moonak. The first breach was near Banarsi village, and the other near the Moonak-Tohana bridge.

The water entered houses at Phulad village.

The national highway connecting PatranKhanauriDelhi was blocked after a portion of it was submerged in water near Khanauri.

District executive engineer, drainage, Gursharan Virk, said that the water in Ghaggar had not breached this mark even during the 1993 flood. The danger mark in the Ghaggar is 746.2 feet, but it is flowing six feet above it and has started overflowing, inundating fields and villages, he said.

The Ghaggar has recorded such a large volume of water in the district for the first time in its history. Even during the 1993 floods, it had not reached the 754 feet mark, Virk said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the river breached embankments at three locations in Makored Sahib, Phulad and Mandvi village near Moonak in the district. The district administration managed to plug the 20-ft breach at Mandvi within hours,but it is still struggling to plug other breaches.

Sangrur deputy commissioner Jitendra Jorwal said, In villages, the water has inundated only agricultural lands but has reached Moonak and Khanauri towns. The next 72 hours are very crucial if the water continues to rise. We fear that if the water doesnt start receding, it may enter houses in towns.

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann visited his home district and oversaw relief and rescue work.

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Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday appealed chief minister Bhagwant Mann to take corrective steps to mitigate the sufferings of the people instead of relying on propaganda to give the impression that all concerns in the wake of damage and destruction to dwellings and fields had been addressed. Badal said people complained that all gates of the Harike barrage had been opened at the instance of an Aam Aadmi Party MP leading to flooding (File Photo)

Talking to mediapersons at Basti Ram Lal in Ferozepur Urban constituency, the SAD president said, I dont want to get into politics. My only issue is timely provision of relief to those suffering due to incessant rains and resultant flooding. The CM should have visited these flood affected areas himself to galvanize the civil administration into action.

Badal, who also visited areas along the barbed wire fence with Pakistan, said people complained that all gates of the Harike barrage had been opened at the instance of an Aam Aadmi Party MP leading to flooding of villages in its downstream. As much as 2.17 lakh cusecs of water was released from Harike and almost the same amount from Hussainiwala leading to flooding, he said.

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In the past seventy-two hours, the Ferozepur administration, along with the Army and the BSF, successfully carried out the evacuation of over a thousand families from the submerged villages. Among the evacuees were more than two dozen expectant mothers, who were given priority during the rescue mission. (HT Photo)

Among the evacuees were more than two dozen expectant mothers, who were given priority during the rescue mission.Deputy commissioner, Ferozepur Rajesh Dhiman said, Rescue teams evacuated over 28 pregnant women while several persons were rescued from Kaluwala, Gajniwala, Dona Mathar, Sultanwala, Nijam Wala, and Muthianwalai villages.

Although some villages did not experience rainfall, their proximity to the Sutlej River led to their submergence due to the excessive water release over the past three days.

To facilitate the evacuation process, two batteries from the Army, comprising 60 personnel each, one BSF squad, and several police officials were deployed. They utilised ten motorboats and numerous wooden boats.

In addition, more than 18 relief camps were set up to accommodate the evacuated individuals. These camps provided food, medical assistance, drinking water, beds, and animal fodder. Meanwhile, around two dozen teams from the health department were deployed to provide medical aid to the affected individuals. Ambulances were on standby at the evacuation sites to ensure prompt medical assistance for the villagers.

Minister of power and local government, Harbhajan Singh on Thursday visited the flood-affected villages, including Hazara Singh Wala and distributed relief material. Meanwhile with the reduction of discharge of water from Harike, Hussainiwala headworks, the water level in the Satluj River has gradually decreased, which brought relief to inhabitants.

Meanwhile, a portion of a bridge at Hajara Singh Wala village over the Sutlej river caved in Thursday, affecting the connectivity of more than twenty villages.

With the help of BSF jawans, we are trying to fill this breach using soil bags, said Harbhajan Singh, former sarpanch of the village.

Sub-divisional magistrate (Zira) Gagandeep Singh said the administration is trying to make temporary repairs and restore the bridge connectivity at the earliest possible.

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Traffic congestion on Madhya Marg in Chandigarh due to damage to arterial roads continued to cause hardship to commuters for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. The stretch on Madhya Marg from Housing Board light point near Manimajra till Transport light point near Sector 26 remained choked during office hours, as four key bridges over Sukhna Choe were damaged due to continuous release of water from regulator end gates of Sukhna Lake. (Keshav Singh/HT)

To ease vehicle load on the major traffic lifeline, Chandigarh Police on Wednesday requested their counterparts in Panchkula to divert traffic coming from Himachal Pradesh towards Zirakpur.

The situation, according to police officials, is expected to ease in a couple of days.

The stretch on Madhya Marg from Housing Board light point near Manimajra till Transport light point near Sector 26 remained choked during office hours, as four key bridges over Sukhna Choe, including Kishangarh, Shastri Nagar, Makhan Majra and CTU workshop, Industrial Area, Phase 1, were damaged due to continuous release of water in Sukhna Choe from regulator end gates of the lake.

These bridges were closed by the administration, following which traffic from Panchkula, IT Park, Manimajra, Mansa Devi Complex and Panchkulas Sector 17 was redirected to Madhya Marg.

Traffic was also closed and diverted from the railway under bridge near CTU workshop and Mauli Jagran due to heavy waterlogging. Consequently, vehicles coming from Panchkula and Baltana have also been forced to travel via Madhya Marg road.

I had to reach my office in Chandigarh, but I got stuck in a massive traffic jam near Kalagram light point, following which I took a wrong turn towards a petrol pump on the opposite side and entered the inner roads of Manimajra, trying to reach Chandigarh from Bapu Dham. But that road was also blocked, forcing me to return home,said Ruhi Sharma, a Manimajra resident.

In order to reduce traffic congestion on Madhya Marg, we have deployed extra traffic cops at all major junctions till 11 pm, said Manisha Chaudhary, senior superintendent of police (SSP, Traffic).

DSP (Traffic) Jaswinder Singh said commuters had no choice but to commute through Madhya Marg: They must avoid the routes leading to Kishangarh, Shastri Nagar, Makhan Majra and CTU workshop in Industrial Area to enter Chandigarh, as they would again have to return to Madhya Marg. The repair work is in full swing. The Shastri Nagar route will be reopened by Friday and route from Hallo Majra to Panchkula via Mauli Jagran may be reopened on Thursday.

Panchkula police issue advisory

With commuters heading from Panchkula to Chandigarh also getting stuck in massive traffic jams, Panchkula police also issued a traffic advisory for alternative routes.

Due to increased traffic load on Madhya Marg, commuters going from Panchkula to Chandigarh have been advised to take the route via Zirakpur, until alternative routes become viable for traffic movement.

The Panchkula police also advised commuters to avoid using the Nada Sahib- Morni road, as it is temporarily blocked due to landslides at various places. The advisory issued said light vehicles may take diversion via Raipur Rani to Morni route.
AMRITSAR A 9-year-old girl who went missing on Tuesday was found dead in an abandoned building at Mudhal village falling under the Verka police station of Amritsar commissionerate on Thursday.

A 9-year-old girl who went missing on Tuesday was found dead in an abandoned building at Mudhal village falling under the Verka police station of Amritsar commissionerate on Thursday. Police said the body had some injury marks suggesting that she might have been murdered before being dumped in the building.

Assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Sukhpal Singh said they were trying to ascertain the reason behind the death.

A case of kidnapping was registered at the Verka police station on the complaint of the girls father on Wednesday. He told the police that when his wife returned home on Tuesday after work, she found the girl missing.

The ACP said CCTV footage of the area was scanned but there was no clue about the girl. We searched the area using drone but to no avail. On Thursday, the body was spotted in an abandoned building, the ACP said.

He said they have taken some family members in custody on suspicion.

The police have added Section 302 (murder) of the IPC to the FIR.

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A local court has convicted a youth from Bapu Dham Colony for an attempt to murder case. The quantum of the punishment will be pronounced later. A complaint was filed by youths maternal grandfather, who lived with his widowed daughter and her three children in Bapu Dham, Chandigarh. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The 20-year-old, identified as Aman, had stabbed his younger brother over a scuffle over a mobile phone. The case was registered at Sector 26 police station on March 30, 2020, on complaint of the accuseds maternal grandfather, Dilbag Singh.

The complaint alleged that the accused was in a heated argument with his 18-year-old brother, Abhishek, when the latter ran outside. Aman followed Abhishek with a knife, and stabbed him in a fit rage. The accused fled the spot, leaving his brother injured. Singh took Abhishek to a hospital.

Singh added that his widowed daughter, along with her three kids, has been living with him for the last decade.

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Schools, colleges, and non-essential government offices will be shut until Sunday amid floods in Delhi due to swelling Yamuna waters, officials said as the river was flowing at 208.48 metres at 8am on Thursday and was likely to swell further. Overflowing waters from the rising Yamuna near Kashmere Gate in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI)

The surging water levels in the river breached a 45-year-old landmark to touch a record high of 208.08 metres at 11pm on Wednesday and marooned low-lying neighbourhoods and triggered heightened evacuation efforts.

In a tweet, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said all schools have been closed in areas flooded due to swelling Yamuna waters.

Prakash Rajput, a resident of civil lines, said his sons, aged 9 and 14, had already gone to school by the time the announcement was made. The children called me from their teachers phone around 10.30am and asked me to pick them up because the school was flooded, he said. There was chaos at the school... flooded inside and around ...Teachers and children were stressed...

Delhi Parents Association president Aprajita Gautam said the announcement should have come earlier because schoolchildren leave between 6 and 7am for their schools. Many schools are also having exams; so parents would be compelled to send their children to school despite the floods.

Kejriwal appealed to all volunteers, councillors, and lawmakers to visit relief camps and provide all possible support to the displaced people. He said the water level of Yamuna was increasing continuously and had inundated roads around it while asking people to avoid them. He added people were being evacuated from flooded areas. The people living there are requested to cooperate with the administration. Saving lives of people is most important.

Officials said the Yamuna was flowing three metres above the danger level (205.33 metres) on Thursday morning. The level on Wednesday broke the previous record of 207.49 on September 6, 1978.

Monastery Market and Majnu ka Tila in north Delhi, Mayur Vihar Phase I and Geeta Colony in east Delhi, and multiple portions on Ring Road near Kashmere Gate in old Delhi were among the places inundated on Wednesday. Some sections of the Ring Road and Bhairon Marg in central Delhi were closed on Wednesday evening.

As many as 16,500 people from six districts were evacuated on Wednesday and housed in 2,500 relief camps as Kejriwal called an emergency meeting and wrote to Union home minister Amit Shah seeking his intervention in stopping the release of water from Hathni Kund barrage in Haryana, about 230km upstream. The Yamuna level is directly linked to the release of water in the barrage.

The quantum of the water being sent downstream from Hathni Kund was considerably lower than earlier because rivers upstream in Himachal were no longer in spate.

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The Central Water Commission estimated that the Yamuna could swell to 207.99 metres on Wednesday night- an unprecedented danger mark. But exceeding the estimate, the water level of Yamuna breached the mark of 208.05 metres marking it as an 'extreme situation' for Delhi as flood water entered the city on Wednesday evening. On Thursday morning, the water level breached the mark of 208.46 metres with flood water entering Delhi's ITO. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal urged the Centre to intervene and ensure that the water released from Haryana's Hathnikund barrage is slowed. Yamuna flooding: Follow LIVE updates People from low-lying areas around the Yamuna river carry their belongings while relocating to a safer place near Mayur Vihar Phase-1, in New Delhi on Wednesday. ((Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO))

Yamuna water level today: How has it been rising? What is the danger mark

The danger mark is 205.33 metres which was breached on Monday after heavy rain for consecutive days. The water level shot up rapidly. But as the intensity of the rain was to gradually weaken, Kejriwal on Monday said there was no immediate flood threat.

The water level breached all-time record of 207.49 metres by 1pm on Wednesday. On Thursday morning, the level was beyond the 208-metre mark.

Time Yamuna water level Sunday 11am 204.14 metres Monday 5pm 205.4m Monday night 206m Wednesday 4am 207m Wednesday 1pm 207.55m Wednesday night 208.05 Thursday morning 208.46

What led to the Delhi flood? Delhi blames Haryana's Hathnikund barrage

Extreme rain in a very short duration has been identified as the primary cause for the Yamuna flooding parts of Delhi. An official of the Central Water Commission said the water released from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana took less time to reach Delhi compared to other occasions. The reason could be encroachment and siltation. The water had a constricted space to pass through which could have increased the speed, experts said. The same amount of rainfall scattered over a few days would not have led to the extreme situation, experts believe.

Delhi flood: List of affected areas

All low-lying areas along Yamuna have been affected as the flood water entered the ring road on Wednesday afternoon. Boat Club, Monastery Market, Neeli Chhatri Temple, Yamuna Bazar, Neem Karoli gaushala, Vishwakarma colony, the stretch between Majnu ka Tila and Wazirabad were flooded by Wednesday evening.

Parts of Mayur Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan, Badarpur, Jamia Nagar, and Shaheen Bagh are at risk of getting flooded if the water level rises further.

(With inputs from Alok K N Mishra)

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With Yamuna river levels breaching the danger level, a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority was held at the LG Secretariat on Thursday to assess the deluge in the city. Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena chaired the meeting which was attended by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is also the vice-chairperson of DDMA. Revenue minister Atishi and irrigation and flood control minister Saurabh Bhardwaj were also part of the review meeting along with senior officials from police, NDRF, CWC and IMD. Flood hit people take shelter near a bridge as the swollen Yamuna river floods low-lying areas, in New Delhi, Thursday, (PTI)

Kejriwal had earlier said the water level in the Yamuna was constantly rising and spilling onto the nearby roads, urging people not to go there. He also requested people to help each other in this emergency situation.

However, the water level of river Yamuna has been stable for the last three hours after continuously rising for the past four days. It stood at 208.62 metres at 1 pm and 2 pm on Thursday.

The following decisions were taken at the meet:

Those evacuated from flood-ravaged regions will be moved to government school buildings in the vicinity. Relief camps should be prepared with adequate amounts of food, water, first aid and mobile toilets. Proactive relief and precautionary measures to be initiated in areas prone to flooding like Sonia Vihar, Mukherjee Nagar, Haqeeqat Nagar etc. Educational institutions and non-essential government offices across Delhi will be shut till Sunday. Commercial organisations in and around Kashmere Gate have been asked to suspend operations till the situation improves. Private offices have been urged to give work from home permits for employees. Buses arriving at Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) and Kashmere Gate - which were flooded on Thursday - will halt at Singhu Border. Passengers can commute to their respective destinations from there by availing Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) services. Additional forces to be deployed to manage traffic snarls in flood-affected parts. Only heavy vehicles with essential items will be allowed to enter borders at Chilla, Loni and Badarpur. In addition to the 12 NDRF teams currently operating in the city, more forces have been arranged to assist in rescue operations. All control rooms have been asked to coordinate to better tackle emergencies. Crematoriums, which remain open, should be prepared in lieu of some establishments shutting down owing to the rise in water level. Distribution of water to be rationalised to ensure uninterrupted supply as water treatment plants at Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla have been shut. Medical establishments should be in a state of preparedness to handle any eventualities even after the flood water recedes. Citizens have been advised to stay at home and avoid stepping out unnecessarily.

On Thursday, key parts of Delhi, including the Secretariat which houses Kejriwal's office, witnessed massive flooding despite no fresh rainfall. The road from Rajghat to Delhi Secretariat was also under water.

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As the Delhiites continue to battle flood-like situation in the capital, political blame game has erupted between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party.



Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that the five gates of ITO barrage maintained by the Haryana government are jammed. Lot of water which is coming into Delhi from Wazirabad side is not getting released from ITO (barrage) causing rise in water level, Bharadwaj told PTI.



Earlier, the AAP leader had tweeted that the concerned department in Haryana had been informed about the condition.



Delhi floods LIVE coverage



BJP's IT cell head Amit Malviya, meanwhile, in a tweet hit out at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. Terrible news for Delhi. The DJB regulator at the Indraprastha Metro Station-WHO point has collapsed due to prolonged disrepair, causing water from Yamuna to flow into Delhi, inundating the Ring Road. Authorities are trying to fix it, with little success. If not fixed soon, water may soon reach Mathura Road and even Supreme Court. Well done, Kejriwal! He has taken water to every corner of the city, even though it is contaminated, he tweeted.



ALSO READ: Where is the Delhi CM?': Congress leader jabs Kejriwal over flood situation in capital Rickshaw pullers take rest on their rickshaw amid the flood water at Yamuna Bazar area, in New Delhi on Thursday.(ANI)

At least 23,692 people have been evacuated today, ANI quoted the Delhi government as saying. As of now, 21,092 people are living in shelters. Also, 12 teams of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) have rescued 1,022 people.

At present, the water level of river Yamuna at Old River Bridge at 8 pm was 208.66 metres. According to the flood forecast by the Central Water Commission, the water level at Old Railway Bridge is expected to be at 208.45 metres on Friday between 02:00 AM to 04:00 AM & thereafter, it is likely to decrease.

The Delhi government has already ordered the closure of schools, colleges and non-essential government offices till Sunday, this as several parts of Delhi remain waterlogged due to swelling water levels of Yamuna.

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Five pilgrims on their way to Haridwar for the annual Kanwar Yatra to fetch the Ganga waters were killed in separate incidents in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) late on Wednesday and early hours of Thursday. The Siraspur accident scene. (Sourced)

A pilgrim identified as Gaurav Singh, 25, was electrocuted while eight others were injured when a music system on the vehicle they were in came in contact with a high-tension electricity wire in Ghaziabads Loni. Hours later, four pilgrims were killed after a speeding truck jumped a divider at Siraspur on GT Karnal Road and crashed into another truck in outer Delhi. The driver of the speeding truck fled the scene leaving behind his vehicle.

Deputy police commissioner Ravi Kumar Singh said that their control room was informed about the Siraspur accident at 12.44am. He added many people died on the spot. Singh said one of the two trucks involved in the accident was carrying Kanwar Yatra pilgrims from Nangloi to Haridwar.

From the spot inquiry, it was found that the other truck going towards Delhi jumped the central verge of the highway and crashed into the truck carrying kanwariyas [pilgrims] on the opposite carriageway. The impact of the collision was such as at least 19 kanwariyas out of 20-23 were injured. A total of 14 injured were rushed to Satyawadi Raha Harish Chandra Hospital at Narela, where four of them were declared brought dead.

He added other injured people were referred to hospitals in Paschim Vihar and Jahangirpuri. Singh said the accident caused a traffic jam before the movement of vehicles was fully restored by removing the damaged trucks.

Ghaziabad Police said they were informed about the electrocution around 10.30pm on Wednesday and that eight injured pilgrims were rushed to two different hospitals. A truck mounted with a big music system was getting readied to go to Haridwar from Loni. In between, a vehicle passed by...the truck driver to evade the vehicle turned it other way and the music system touched the electricity cables. ...nine people suffered shock and one succumbed on the spot, said assistant police commissioner (Loni) Rajneesh Kumar Upadhyaya.

Jaivir Singh, a local resident, said the vehicle the truck tried to evade was carrying LPG cylinders. ...two other vehicles carrying the pilgrims had already left Loni. This was the last one to depart.

Upadhyaya said an additional police force was deployed in Loni to maintain law and order even as no untoward happened after the electrocution. Despite our repeated requests, the injured or the victims family has not given us any police complaint so far.

Shiva devotees undertake the annual Kanwar Yatra to fetch the holy waters of the Ganga from places such as Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Gomukh.
The water level of the Yamuna breached the 207.5m mark on Wednesday, breaking a 45-year record and leading to several neighbourhoods in low-lying areas of the Capital becoming inundated with floodwaters. Firefighters and local residents rescue 120 cows stuck in a cowshed due to the floodwaters in Sector 168 in Noida on Wednesday. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

Read here: From Wazirabad to Vikas Marg  Ring Road: Delhis key roads affected as Yamuna swells

The Delhi government has said areas around the Monastery Market, Yamuna Bazar, Garhi Mandu, Geeta Ghat, Vishwakarma Colony, Khadda Colony, the areas around Neeli Chatri temple near Old Railway Bridge, Neem Karoli Gaushala and a stretch of Ring Road from Wazirabad to Majnu Ka Tila are now flooded with Yamuna waters.

The government has sounded the alarm for people in low-lying areas to vacate their houses, noting that the water level may rise rapidly. Boats have also been deployed along the floodplains for rescue operations  47 boats are on standby, each located 2km apart.

Majnu Ka Tila

This densely populated area, located along the Ring Road, flooded in the early hours of Wednesday. Many people whose houses have been flooded have moved to hotels or to their relatives homes. They mostly helped themselves because no one came to help them, said Wango, who runs a shop in the local market.

Another woman, who declined to give her name, said she had seen several snakes in the area. The dirty water has also caused many people to develop skin allergies.

Central district ADM Atul Pandey said district teams have been running relief and rescue operations since the floodwaters entered homes.

Monastery Market

The Monastery Market is located close to the banks of the Yamuna on the Ring Road near Kashmere Gate. The market was completely flooded by Wednesday morning, triggering fear among the locals.

The water started entering the market area last night, and by the morning the entire market was flooded. Some store owners had removed their wares in advance, but many could not do so. The total damage will be known only when the shops open after the flood water recedes, said Dawa, a store owner.

A district official said sand bags were used to create a temporary embankment at the market gate to prevent flood water from entering the Ring Road. The entire market was closed in advance, the official said.

Ring Road

Floodwaters from the Yamuna reached the Ring Road stretch between Wazirabad and Majnu Ka Tila at around 3.30pm, leading to panic among the people living in nearby colonies such as Yamuna Bazar. In the 10 years that I have been living here, I never saw floodwaters flow onto the Ring Road. The water level is rising very fast, said Vinit Kumar, a resident of Yamuna Bazar.

By 4.30pm, whole patches of this stretch of the Ring Road were submerged under floodwaters.

Read here: Rising river water level leaves large areas vulnerable in Delhi

Jaitpur Extension

The Bulandshahr carnival with its 400 workers  eateries, shops, and amusement rides  was camped at Jaitpur Extension for the last 20 days as part of the Eid festivities. On Wednesday morning, however, members of the carnival found that water from the Yamuna was gushing around their camped area.

Layak Ram, 26, who is in charge of elephant rides, said that around 6am, farmers from the Yamuna fields started creating a hue and cry about rising floodwaters. Initially, we did not pay much heed, but the water rose so fast that we could barely pick up anything, Ram said.

Md Rais, 35, one of the managers of the carnival, said the group has lost equipment worth lakhs. All motors are damaged, eatables have perished, and parts of the set up are now under water. We were about to move to the next city in five days, Rais said.

Vishwakarma Colony

Around 3,000 houses in the neighbourhood, located along the Delhi-Haryana border, have been inundated by floodwaters from the Yamuna. In the absence of any tents or other relief arrangements, these families are either camping in local temples and mosques located on higher ground, or have moved to their relatives homes.

The lanes of this unauthorised colony, as well as the nearby Khadda Colony, filled with muddy waters on Wednesday morning. Those who lived in permanent structures fled  often leaving one family member behind to prevent theft  while those who lived in temporary structures fled with bag and baggage.

Shabnam, 40, a resident of Vishwakarma Colonys D-block, said that the discoms cut the electricity supply of the entire area at around 9am to prevent any case of death by electrocution. We are watching out for snakes, but we have nowhere else to move, she said.

At the nearby Baba Vishwakarma temple  the house of worship from where the locality derives its name, Bibi Maryam, 60, said she was unable to pick up anything while fleeing her house. We dont even have water to drink. No relief arrangements have been made in this part of the city. There are families with elderly people and children, she said.

Read here: Yamuna water breaches level hit during 1978 floods in Delhi

Around 4pm, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel started operating boats to rescue stranded people.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has begun measures to prevent water from the Yamuna entering critical areas and ward off a public health crisis in neighbourhoods that have been inundated by floodwaters. Flood-affected people inside makeshift tents on Wednesday. (PTI)

Read here: Rising river water level leaves large areas vulnerable in Delhi

In an attempt to prevent outbreak of disease in the flood hit areas, the civic body has tasked its veterinary department to deploy teams to pick up dead animals. Citizens can submit their complaints with respect to picking dead animals on MCDs centralised control room number 155305. All zonal deputy directors of the veterinary department will be coordinating these efforts, a senior MCD official said.

A second official said the MCDs public health department has been tasked with preventing the outbreak of water-borne and vector-borne diseases in low-lying areas.

We have deployed teams of field workers and domestic breeding checkers to intensify anti-larval activities at all water-logged sites. Under these drives, insecticides will be sprayed at waterlogged places to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes. Zonal entomologists will be monitoring the density of mosquitoes in flood-affected areas at regular intervals so that the situation can be kept under control. A nodal epidemiologist and Deputy Health Officer is monitoring the situation of mosquito borne diseases on a daily basis, the second official said.

A public health department official said reserves of chlorine sachets have been set up for distribution in flood-hit areas. In many of these places, the water supply is not coming through pipelines. In all the places where hand pumps are being used, these chlorine sachets can be used to treat water. The main goal in this case is to prevent cholera and jaundice, the official added.

Meanwhile, a senior MCD official associated with flood preparations said the corporation, in coordination with the flood control department, has deployed pumps at 10 sites where the drains have an outfall in the Yamuna to prevent a backflow.

MCD has deployed pumps from the zonal resources in the flooded areas to pump out water, and each zone of MCD has been tasked to prepare 5,000 sand bags each, to be used in case of flooding, the official said.

The civic body has prepared action plans for vulnerable areas located in five of its 12 zones along the Yamuna  Central zone, City-SP Zone, Civil Lines zone, Shahdara North Zone and Shahdara South Zone.

Read here: Low-lying parts of Yamunas northern, eastern banks in Delhi hit; rescue operation on

The civic body also decided to start an awareness drive in all 250 wards within the next one week, and hold meetings with all councillors and RWAs. A meeting in this regard was held under the chairmanship of mayor Shelly Oberoi on Wednesday.
The Yamuna was flowing at 208.53 metres at 10am on Thursday and expected to swell further to 208.75 metres between 3-5 pm a day after the surging water levels in the river breached a 45-year-old landmark to touch a record high of 208.08 metres at 11pm on Wednesday. The surging waters marooned low-lying neighbourhoods and triggered heightened evacuation efforts. The Yamuna breached a 45-year-old landmark to touch a record high of 208.08 metres at 11pm on Wednesday. (REUTERS)

Officials said the Yamuna continued to flow above the danger level of 205.33 metres on Thursday morning. The Yamuna level on Wednesday broke the previous record of 207.49 on September 6, 1978.

Monastery Market and Majnu ka Tila in north Delhi, Mayur Vihar Phase I and Geeta Colony in east Delhi, and multiple portions on Ring Road near Kashmere Gate in old Delhi were among the places inundated on Wednesday. Some sections of the Ring Road and Bhairon Marg in central Delhi were closed on Wednesday evening.

As many as 16,500 people from six districts were evacuated on Wednesday and housed in 2,500 relief camps as chief minister Arvind Kejriwal called an emergency meeting and wrote to Union home minister Amit Shah seeking his intervention in stopping the release of water from Hathni Kund barrage in Haryana, about 230km upstream. The Yamuna level is directly linked to the release of water in the barrage.

The quantum of the water being sent downstream from Hathni Kund was considerably lower than earlier because rivers upstream in Himachal were no longer in spate.

Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena, who visited flood-affected areas, has called a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Thursday.

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Traffic has been regulated at separate places in Delhi while non-destined commercial vehicles were being restricted from entering the city due to the rise in Yamuna waters level and inundation of low-lying areas. Police said non-destined commercial vehicles were being diverted. (HT PHOTO)

In an advisory on Thursday morning, the Delhi Traffic Police cited the restrictions and regulations of vehicular movement and asked commuters to plan their journeys accordingly.

The restrictions have been put in place on the Mahatma Gandhi Marg between Indraprastha flyover and Chandgi Ram Akhara, Kalighat Mandir and Delhi Secretariat, and on the Outer Ring Road between Wazirabad Bridge and Chandgi Ram Akhara.

Special police commissioner (traffic) SS Yadav said non-destined commercial vehicles were being diverted to the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressway. The commercial vehicles will also be diverted from Mukarba Chowk and they will not be allowed between Mukarba Chowk and Wazirabad Bridge, he said.

Yadav added the commercial vehicles going towards the Indraprastha flyover have been diverted from Sarai Kale Khan.

The Yamuma was flowing at 208.48 metres at 8am on Thursday and expected to swell further to 208.75 metres between 3-5 pm a day after the surging water levels in the river breached a 45-year-old landmark to touch a record high of 208.08 metres at 11pm on Wednesday. The surging waters marooned low-lying neighbourhoods and triggered heightened evacuation efforts.

Officials said the Yamuna was flowing three metres above the danger level (205.33 metres) on Thursday morning. The Yamuna level on Wednesday broke the previous record of 207.49 on September 6, 1978.

Monastery Market and Majnu ka Tila in north Delhi, Mayur Vihar Phase I and Geeta Colony in east Delhi, and multiple portions on Ring Road near Kashmere Gate in old Delhi were among the places inundated on Wednesday. Some sections of the Ring Road and Bhairon Marg in central Delhi were closed on Wednesday evening.

As many as 16,500 people from six districts were evacuated on Wednesday and housed in 2,500 relief camps as chief minister Arvind Kejriwal called an emergency meeting and wrote to Union home minister Amit Shah seeking his intervention in stopping the release of water from Hathni Kund barrage in Haryana, about 230km upstream. The Yamuna level is directly linked to the release of water in the barrage.

The quantum of the water being sent downstream from Hathni Kund was considerably lower than earlier because rivers upstream in Himachal were no longer in spate.

Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena, who visited flood-affected areas, has called a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Thursday.

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At least four people on their way to Haridwar for the annual Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage to fetch the Ganga waters were killed and 15 others injured after an allegedly speeding truck jumped a divider at Siraspur on GT Karnal Road and crashed into another truck in outer Delhi in the early hours of Thursday. The speeding truck jumped a divider at Siraspur. (Sourced)

The driver of the speeding truck fled the scene leaving behind his vehicle. Police said he has been booked for rash and negligent driving causing death.

Deputy police commissioner Ravi Kumar Singh said that their control room was informed about the accident at 12.44am. He added many people died on the spot. He added one of the trucks was carrying Kanwar Yatra pilgrims from Nangloi to Haridwar.

From the spot inquiry, it was found that the other truck going towards Delhi jumped the central verge of the highway and crashed into the truck carrying kanwariyas [pilgrims] on the opposite carriageway. The impact of the collision was such as at least 19 kanwariyas out of 20-23 were injured. A total of 14 injured were rushed to Satyawadi Raha Harish Chandra Hospital at Narela, where four of them were declared brought dead.

He added other injured people were referred to hospitals in Paschim Vihar and Jahangirpuri. Singh said the accident caused a traffic jam before the movement of vehicles was fully restored by removing the damaged trucks.

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The entry and exit at the Yamuna Bank metro station on the Blue Line have temporarily been ,closed due to a rise in the water levels of the Yamuna River, leading to the approach roads being blocked by the water, officials said on Thursday. The water level of the Yamuna was flowing at an all-time high of 208.62 metres at 1pm (File Photo)

Entry and exit at Yamuna Bank metro station have been temporarily closed due to the rising water levels of the Yamuna River. However, the interchange facility is still available and services on Blue Line are running normally, said the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in a tweet, asking people to plan their journey accordingly.

Due to the escalating water levels of the Yamuna River, the approach road leading to the Yamuna Bank metro station is currently inaccessible, it added.

Also Read: Delhi floods: Traffic regulated, non-destined commercial vehicles restricted

The water level of the Yamuna was flowing at an all-time high of 208.62 metres at 1pm  more than a metre higher than the previous all-time mark of 207.49 metres recorded in 1978, the figure which was crossed at 1pm on Wednesday.

The DMRC has said that metro operations are still continuing, but as a precautionary measure, trains were running at restricted speeds of 30 km/hr over the four metro bridges built across the Yamuna.

In another tweet, DMRC said train operations across all four Yamuna bridges were being regulated.

Due to rising water levels of the Yamuna, trains are passing through all four Metro bridges on the river with a restricted speed of 30 kmph as a precautionary measure. Normal services on all corridors, the tweet read.

The Red Line, the Blue Line, the Pink Line and the Magenta Line all have bridges built across the Yamuna, providing Delhi connectivity to Noida, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Faridabad and east Delhi.

DMRC is operating a network of approximately 391 km in Delhi-NCR which consists of 286 stations. There are a total of 12 metro lines operational in the region, which includes the Rapid Metro in Gurugram and the Aqua Line (Noida-Greater Noida).

Meanwhile, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said all schools have been closed in areas flooded due to swelling Yamuna waters. In a tweet, he appealed to all volunteers, councillors, and lawmakers to visit relief camps and provide all possible support to the displaced people.

Kejriwal said the water level of Yamuna was increasing continuously and had inundated roads around it while asking people to avoid them.

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The water from Yamuna flooded streets of Delhi on Thursday leaving roads waterlogged and leading to high traffic congestions. The water level of the Yamuna river touched 208.57m on Thursday and as per the Central Water Commission (CWC) it is likely to reach 208.75m. NDRF personnel resuce a livestock at flood-hit at Nigam Bodh Ghat as the swollen Yamuna river floods low-lying areas, in New Delhi, Thursday, July 13, 2023. (PTI)

Areas near Red Fort, ITO, Kashmiri Gate, Central Secretariat, Civil Lines among several others were flooded leaving trucks, vehicles and people stranded in water. Traffic diversions also led to massive traffic in the city. In many areas, people were seen walking knee-deep in water on the streets of the national capital.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday urged people to not leave their houses if not essential. He said, Resort to Work From Home. We have closed the schools in affected areas. We are also trying to provide all facilities at the relief camps As per the CWC prediction, the peak (of river Yamuna's water level) will reach by 3-4 pm today and it will then start going down.

However, metro services and water supply will also be affected across the city.

Water Supply

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday that Yamuna, Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla water treatment plants will be closed amid the rising water levels of the Yamuna river.

Kejriwal tweeted on Thursday saying, Due to rising water level in Yamuna, Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla water treatment plants have to be closed. Due to this there will be water problem in some areas of Delhi. As soon as the Yamuna water recedes, we will try to start them as soon as possible.

Delhi CM Kejriwal also visited the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant after it was ordered to shut down.

He said at the plant, For the first time in Delhi, Yamuna has touched this level. Three Water Treatment Plants have been shut down due to this as the water has entered pumps & machines. After the water reduces, machines will be dried and then the water will be restarted. 25 per cent of the water supply in Delhi will go down due to this. The tube wells are closed too. There can be water scarcity for a day or two. I hope that the supply resumes by tomorrow evening

Saying that all the preparation had been done to restart the machinery, Kejriwal said that they were waiting for the water to reduce.

Metro services

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Thursday said that due to the rise in Yamuna's water levels, the approach road leading to the Yamuna Bank Metro Station was inaccessible. It asked the public to consider alternative routes and plan their journeys accordingly.

DMRC also said that the Yamuna Metro Station's entry and exit had been temporarily closed. It said, However, interchange facility is still available and services on Blue Line are running normally.

Taking a precautionary measure, DMRC also said that the speed of trains moving across the Metro bridges will be restricted. It tweeted, Due to rising water levels of the Yamuna, trains are passing through all the four Metro bridges on the river with a restricted speed of 30 kmph as a precautionary measure. Normal services on all corridors.

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The Yamuna river broke the banks near and flooded some bungalows near Civil Lines area abutting the Ring Road which was closed off between the key stretches of Wazirabad, ISBT Kashmere Gate and ITO. NDRF teams during rescue operations in Yamuna Bazar. (Sanchit Khanna/HT)

Several families said they moved to higher floors, while many were evacuated.

There is no way to go outside, said 30-year-old Anushka, whos neighbours bungalow on Ram Kishore Road was flooded.

Residents said the water began to reach the bungalows at dawn, and by morning, the entire lane was flooded. The water filled so quickly in the early hours that people didnt even have time to get their vehicles out. Rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were called in and rescued several families, including children, said a central district official, who asked not to be named.

A few kilometres away, the river had completely taken over the road and made contact with the Red Fort boundary. A police bus was seen submerged near Yamuna Bazaar, and the high-ground Hanuman Temple was flooded.

Not far from this north-central locality, the Nigam Bodh crematorium was completely flooded.

Yamuna Bazaar, one of the first areas in the central district to be flooded, has more than 100 pucca houses and some hutments. While we evacuated the majority of the people from Yamuna Bazaar, dozens of people refused to leave over burglary fears. But since the water rose to dangerous levels today, they moved to upper floors or on rooftops from where they were rescued today, said the official quoted above.

A Delhi police official who monitored rescue operation said at the Garhi Mandu village, settled in the Yamuna floodplain, teams rescued 1,200 people and nearly 1,000 cattle in 24 hours. Most of the houses in the village are more than 10 feet under water. The people have been relocated to camps, said the official.

A revenue department official said in north Delhi, the flooding affected Pradhan Enclave Pusta, Burari Pusta, Ramzanpur and Mohammadpur. In light of the situation, officials from the irrigation and flood control department have been directed to take all necessary measures. Directives have been issued to officials from all departments for the prompt action required to mitigate the crisis, said Delhi minister Gopal Rai, after visiting the affected areas.

Authorities halted traffic movement on the affected stretches, which led to congestion on diversions, including on key cross-Yamuna links.
The water level of river Yamuna is stable for the last three hours after continuously rising for the past four days. The water level of Yamuna at 1 pm and 2 pm on Thursday stood at 208.62 metres. A view of the swollen Yamuna as its water level crosses the danger mark in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI)

On Wednesday, the water levels at Yamuna had breached the 45-year-old record, touching 208.48 metres at 11 pm. The officials had said that the water levels were likely to swell further.



The Delhi government has ordered the closure of all schools, colleges and non-essential government offices till Sunday.



The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has temporarily shut the entry and exit at the Yamuna Bank metro station on the Blue Line due to the rise in water level of the river. The metro body, however, said that the interchange facility is available and services on the Blue Line were functioning normally.



Delhi floods LIVE updates



The areas inundated due to heavy rains included Majnu Ka Tila, Mayur Vihar Phase 1, Monastery Market, Geeta Colony, multiple portions of Ring Road near Kashmere Gate.

The national capital's largest bus-terminal, the Kashmere Gate Bus Terminal, has been flooded, leading to the suspension of bus services.

Several water treatment plants had to be shut due to rise in Yamuna's water levels. I inspected the Wazirabad water treatment plant. It will be restarted once the situation is normal, Kejriwal tweeted.

At least 16,500 people from six districts were evacuated and taken to 2,500 relief camps on Wednesday. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has already urged the Centre to intervene in stopping the release of water from the Hathni Kund barrage in Haryana.

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LUCKNOW Fourteen people were killed in rain-related incidents across Uttar Pradesh in the past 24 hours, even as the Ganga was flowing above the danger level at Kachla Bridge (Badaun) and Yamuna at Mavi in Muzaffarnagar. Seven people died after lightning struck them, four drowned and three were killed in other related incidents, the relief commissioner said in a statement on Thursday. Manpur Kardahiya basic school eroded by Sharda river in Phoolbehar block of Lakhimpur Kheri on Thursday. (HT Photo)

River Sharda was flowing near the danger mark at Paliyakala in Lakhimpur Kheri district, according to the irrigation department.

In the last 24 hours, more than normal rainfall was recorded in many districts. Sambhal, Bijnor, Saharanpur, Unnao, Amroha, Muzaffarnagar, Kasganj and Meerut saw more than 30mm of rainfall. The state received 199.7mm of rainfall so far, which was 114% of the average.

Excess rainfall was recorded in 18 districts, more than normal rainfall in 15 districts, normal rainfall in 19 districts, deficient rainfall in 18 districts and extremely deficient rainfall in five districts.

In Meerut, 15 villages were inundated after erosion in the Kar Sewa embankment on Thursday. As many as 104 villages and 13 urban localities of Saharanpur, 25 villages of Shamli, six villages of Gautam Buddha Nagar, one village of Baghpat and 12 villages of Muzaffarnagar were affected by floods.

A total of 3,763 people in Saharanpur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Shamli, Baghpat and Muzaffarnagar had been shifted to flood shelters.

95 PEOPLE FROM U.P. BACK FROM HIMACHAL

The UP relief commissioner said 307 people from UP were stranded in Himachal Pradesh. While 95 people had returned, 112 were on their way home and 77 people still in Himachal Pradesh were safe. The administration had not been able to establish contact with 23 people, he said.
PRAYAGRAJ The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Thursday filed a 2056-page charge sheet against three assailants who had allegedly shot dead gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his younger brother Khalid Azeem aka Ashraf in Prayagraj on April 15 night. Gangster brothers Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were allegedly gunned down by the trio at Motilal Nehru (Colvin) Divisional Hospital around 10.30pm on April 15 when they were being taken for a court mandated medical examination under police custody. (File Photo)

The charge sheet was filed against three accused - Lavlesh Tiwari, Sunny Singh and Arun Maurya - in the court of chief judicial magistrate (CJM), Prayagraj, Dinesh Kumar Gautam. No lawyers were present to represent the three shooters.

As per the charge sheet, Lavlesh Tiwari hails from Banda, Arun Maurya from Kasganj and Sunny Singh from Hamirpur. They had past criminal records and planned to murder Atiq and Ashraf to earn fame and money. They used sophisticated firearms, which were given to Sunny Singh by Delhi-based gangster Jitendra Man aka Gogi for killing his rival Tillu Tajpuria.

After the perusal of records, the court took cognizance of the charge sheet filed by SIT and fixed July 14 as the next date of hearing in the case. The judicial remand of the three accused was also ending on July 14 and they were likely be produced before the court through video-conferencing.

Gangster brothers Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf were allegedly gunned down by the trio at Motilal Nehru (Colvin) Divisional Hospital around 10.30pm on April 15 when they were being taken for a court mandated medical examination under police custody remand.

The SIT submitted 2056 pages of documents, which included 2000 pages of case diary, 56 pages of charge sheet, scientific evidence and statements.

CJM Dinesh Kumar Gautam examined the charge sheet, which included relevant documents, case diary, post-mortem examination reports, photographs, crime scene map, FIRs, report of recreation of the crime, ballistic report of firearms used in crime etc filed by police under sub section (2) of Section 173 of the IPC. He said there was adequate base to take cognizance of the crime.

The CJM ordered to register the case and produce the accused before the court on July 14. He also instructed to provide the copy of the charge sheet to the accused and transfer the case for trial to the sessions court.

The charge sheet, filed by the SIT 88 days after the murder of Atiq Ahmad and Ashraf, mentioned that the three accused were arrested from the crime scene. A three-member SIT headed by ADCP (crime) Satish Chandra was constituted by senior police officials to investigate the murders of gangster brothers.

The SIT included over 200 witnesses in the case diary and charge sheet. The eyewitnesses and witnesses were mentioned separately. The eyewitnesses included 21 policemen engaged in the security of Atiq and Ashraf, 11 media personnel and more than 16 hospital personnel. The team submitted 70 CCTV footages and 15 video recordings of CCTV cameras as evidence in the court.

The team also included statements of the three assailants, the CDR report of the mobile phones found in the hotel room, CCTV and video footage, statements of independent sources, scientific evidence collected from the crime scene and other facts in the charge sheet.

The case diary included the detailed information about the assailants and their motive behind committing the murders of mafia Atiq and his brother Ashraf.

The SIT added the section of fraud and forgery against the three accused after recovery of forged Aadhaar cards from them during custody remand. The case diary mentioned that Lavlesh and Sunny went to Delhi where they met Arun Maurya.

They purchased mic and camera from a market in Delhi to pose as media persons to reach near their targets. They later reached Lucknow and stayed at a hotel near Charbagh Railway Station before coming to Prayagraj.
Lucknow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting of NDA partners in Delhi on July 18. Ahead of the meeting, there is intense speculation going on if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would showcase more allies at the meet in addition to the existing ones Sanjay Nishad (HT file)

The buzz is that along with Apna Dal (S), a party of Kurmis, a key non-Yadav OBC sub-caste of great influence, especially in east UP and Nishad Party, comprising OBC riverine community, the SBSP could well be the third OBC ally for the BJP in U.P.

Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad, a cabinet minister in Yogi 2.0, currently camping in Delhi ahead of the NDA meet, spoke to Manish Chandra Pandey on various issues, including whether or not he was feeling unnerved at the prospect of the SBSPs joining in the most populous state that sends 80 LS MPs to the Parliament and is again crucial for the BJPs 2024 plan.

You are currently taking out Arakshan Mahasampark Abhiyan in U.P. to connect with your OBC community on the issue of being included in the Scheduled Castes. With less than a year left for the 2024 LS polls, what makes you take out this yatra?

: This demand to be included in the SC category is something we have been raising for long. I have met top BJP leaders and convinced them of the constitutional provisions that support our stand. An injustice done to us for long awaits correction and we are convinced that only under a BJP government will we get it. The issue has got traction only due to the BJP, but the opposition is trying to mislead the community.

So, you seem to indicate that the Arakshan Mahayatra isnt a tactic to pressurise the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, especially amid the growing buzz of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party joining the NDA, a prospect that some feel unsettles you?

No, not at all. Why should it unsettle me? I will welcome bhaiya (SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar) and his climbing the NDA fold would strengthen he fight for social justice.

There is a view that you fear that with more OBC parties, your bargaining capacity would be compromised if OBC allies like SBSP joined the NDA?

Did the number of seats held by Apna Dal (S) (which has been a BJP ally well before we joined the NDA) reduce after our joining? If it didnt happen then, then how can one say that SBSPs joining would undermine our presence? We feel that our say will increase as we will be able to win more seats collectively. Then our fight for reservation too would get a boost.

So how many seats do you expect that the BJP would leave for you in 2024?

See, Anupriya jis party is an older ally but as we showed, our ability to get the votes transferred has been better than that of her party. So, we expect a better deal.

Apna Dal (S) won 2 seats in 2019 LS polls 

(interrupts)  See, all these seat sharing pacts arent decided in front of the media. They are decided in front of Union home minister Amit Shah ji. The rest is all immaterial.

Right, so should you get an opportunity to speak at the NDA meet, what would you say as both PM and union home minister Amit Shah would be there?

If we get a chance at that NDA meeting, we will put forth our views after thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, we are going to that meeting not to talk about seats but to talk about jeet (win).

The buzz is that the SPs trusted ally Rashtriya Lok Dal, an influential OBC player in west UP, has been approached as well?

See, just as the BJP has helped us in our fight for being included among the SCs, we hope that the RLD which claims support of farmers too would be part of the NDA. Thats because the BJP has done a lot for farmers and (for revival of) sugar mills.

Your son Pravin has now been a Lok Sabha MP twice, once on Samajwadi Party ticket and now on BJP ticket. Would this arrangement continue?

In 2019 LS polls, there was this SP-BSP pact. So tactically it made sense then.

But your party didnt get any seat as part of the pact in 2019?

We were offered to choose from any of the eight seats that were left by that time. But we didnt contest as our booth-level preparations werent in place on those seats then. We helped the BJP by ensuring transfer of Nishad communitys vote in over 30 seats.

What does your partys internal survey tell you about your partys chances in 2024?

The BJP does our survey too. Its a mixed exercise.
A primary school building at Ahirana village in Lakhimpur Kheri districts Phoolbehar block was washed away by the swollen Sharda on Thursday morning. Two hutments were also reported to have been washed away by the river in the village. The river is in spate following several rain spells. Manpur Kardahiya basic school getting eroded away by the Sharda river in Phoolbehar block of Kheri district on July 13. (HT photo)

Ahirana, a small village, is located along the banks of the Sharda in the flood-prone area between two afflux bunds, about 15 km north off the district headquarters. With heavy rain lashing the hilly areas of Nepal, the Sharda river started swelling a week ago and almost entire village was exposed to erosion threat.

Villagers, however, were alert in view of the scenario. Within a week, nearly a dozen houses and hutments, agricultural land with crops have been devastated. Earlier on Tuesday, Kheri DM Mahendra Bahadur Singh visited the village and advised the villagers to move to safe places.

He had also instructed Kheri BSA to immediately shift the students and teaching staff of the school to neighbouring Shankarpur village. Villagers fear that given the situation, much more loss of property would be caused. However, no loss of human life or cattle has been reported so far.

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Mumbai: As many as 363 colleges across Maharashtra have obtained National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) rating within a year of the state governments step of threatening restrictions on new admissions for colleges without an NAAC rating. The state is now home to the maximum number of NAAC-accredited educational institutions in the country. An additional 240 colleges have submitted applications to NAAC. HT Image

The higher education department had issued an order to universities across the state to de-affiliate colleges without NAAC assessment. In February, the state government directed all institutions to register and submit institutional information for quality assessment (IIQA) to the NACC office to start NACC evaluation and re-evaluation by March 31.

Taking this as a serious warning, educational institutions started applying to NAAC, said Vikas Chandra Rastogi, principal secretary, higher and technical education department. To fast-track the applications, the state government launched the Paris sparsh scheme. Within a year, 363 institutions completed their NAAC, and 240 colleges submitted their proposals. Rastogi was speaking at the workshop arranged by the Public Relations Department and the Bal Apte Study Center at the University of Mumbai on understanding the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

As per data published on the NAAC website on May 19, the state has 35 universities and 1,922 colleges with NAAC accreditation. Maharashtra is the top state in the country with NAAC-accredited higher education institutions, said Rastogi. With this, we are assuring quality education in the state.

While explaining the states readiness in implementation of the NEP, Rastogi said, There are 157 autonomous colleges in the state, and recently 25 colleges have been given the status of empowered autonomous colleges. Very soon, we will also be coming up with guidelines for cluster universities for academic flexibility.

Rastogi also informed the audience that the state government had started filling up faculty positions. Six hundred and ninety-seven positions have been filled till now out of 2,088 approved positions, and a no objection certificate has been given to fill around 700 positions, he said.

Rastogi said that to raise awareness about NEP in the state, the government had decided to hold NEP week between July 20 and July 27 across state universities. During this week, academics and industry will be able to sign MOUs and other partnerships.

Professor Vinod Mohitkar, director of technical education, said, Taking a progressive step to implement NEP in engineering colleges, the state has formed a committee and decided on a framework for engineering education.

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In a meeting held with Govandi residents on Thursday, Harshad Kale, deputy municipal commissioner (DMC) of Zone 5, agreed to several of their long-standing demands, the first of which was that the soil of the Rafi Nagar Kabristan be tested. The soil for this will be collected on Saturday at 11 am. BMC agrees to test the soil of Govandi graveyard

HT had reported on June 10 that when the graves in the burial ground were dug up to make space for new bodies, the earlier bodies were found to be only partially decomposed even after 18 months, the minimum time required for decomposition. This led to the temporary closure of the graveyard.

Several explanations were proffered for the lack of decomposition, from the poor quality of the soil to the fact that these could be COVID bodies covered in polythene. A BMC health officer, however, later said that as more bodies were later found in a similar state, polythene was unlikely to be the reason.

BMC officials further furnished reports of soil-testing in 2022 and 2021, which both certified the soil as good. The DMC has also ordered soil-testing of the Bada Kabristan at Marine Lines to arrive at a standard; the results will be used as a benchmark for graveyard soil against which the next batch of soil will be tested.

The next request at the meeting, organised by local activist Shaikh Faiyaz Alam, was the restructuring of the Rafi Nagar Kabristan. Alam claimed that there was ample space for more graves, and the DMC agreed to check its feasibility.

The prime issue was the paltry number of graveyards in the area, which has a majority Muslim population. A resident questioned why the Deonar Kabristan, the other cemetery in the area, was shut every two months, to which the BMC health officer replied that the cemetery had reached its capacity and would be reopened after the 18-month period got over on July 21.

More graveyard space in the area, however, is on the anvil, with the Development Plan (DP) listing three reserved plots. The reservation of the first one admeasuring 9,800 square metres was recently cancelled by the state government for reasons unknown. The second plot, of 16,000 square metres, is owned by Union Carbide. The BMC has requested the corporate to hand it over in exchange for TDR, which will be discussed in a meeting next week.

The third plot, 15,800 square meters in size, is within the Deonar dumping ground. As this plot has humongous garbage heaps on it, BMC officials at the meeting estimated that it would cost around 200 crore and five years to get the graveyard ready. The solid waste management team, in response, offered another plot as an alternative, but as this falls in the mangrove buffer zone, it will require court permission. Kale has ordered feasibility studies for both plots.

The DMC asked the citizens themselves to prepare a report on required grave space in proportion to the predicted population of the area till at least 2034.

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MUMBAI: It is high time India considered reducing its age of consent for sex, the Bombay High Court has said. HT Image

The court pointed out that after the enactment of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences, (POCSO) Act , scores of adolescents are being prosecuted and jailed for maintaining consensual relationships with minor girls.

Majority of the countries have set their age of consent between 14 and 16 years and India, at 18 years, should take cognizance of happenings around the world, said the court.

The POCSO Act cannot stop natural feelings towards the opposite sex, particularly among adolescents on account of the biological and psychological changes they go through, said single judge bench of justice Bharati Dangre on Monday.

Therefore, punishing a minor boy for entering a relationship with a minor girl would be against the best interest of the child, added justice Dangre.

Justice Dangre highlighted the fact that over time, the age of consent has gone up through various statutes in India and was maintained at 16 years from 1940 till 2012, when the POCSO Act raised it to 18 years.

This is probably one of the highest age of consent globally, as majority of countries have set their age of consent in the range of 14 to 16 years, said justice Dangre.

Children in the age group of 14 are considered capable of giving consent to sex in countries such as Germany, Italy, Portugal, Hungary etc., said the court.

In countries such as England, Wales, and even in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the age of consent is 16 years. Japan has set the age of consent at 13 years, said the court.

In comparison, as far as India is concerned, the age of marriage for male and female is fixed at 21 and 18 years (respectively) as per the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006, said justice Dangre..

The definition of the term child varies from statute to statute and as per the POCSO Act, a person below 18 years of age is considered a child and it criminalises all sexual activities with them, even if the act was committed with consent, added justice Dangre.

The age of consent must be distinguished from the age of marriage, as sexual acts do not happen only in the confines of marriage and not only the society, but the judicial system must take note of this important aspect, said justice Dangre.

The single judge bench was hearing into an appeal filed by a 32-year-old tailor from Antop Hill in Wadala, who was sentenced by a special POCSO court on February 21, 2019, to 10 years of imprisonment for eloping with and maintaining a consensual relationship with a minor girl.

The tailor was around 25 years old and the girl around 17-and-a-half years of age when they eloped. The two later married and the girl reiterated before the trial court that their relationship was consensual. However, the POCSO court convicted the tailor and sentenced him as the girl was technically a minor.

Justice Dangre said a case of physical attraction or infatuation always comes forth when a teenager enters a sexual relationship, and it is necessary that our country looks and observes all that is happening around the world.

However, in this whole scenario, if a young boy is castigated as a rapist for being guilty of having sex with a minor girl, merely because she is below 18, but an equal participant in the act, he would suffer a severe dent which he will have to carry lifelong, added justice Dangre.

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MUMBAI: A 25-year-old businessman, Hitesh Mali, and his two associates were threatened and restrained in a hotel in China, as one of his employees allegedly owed money to an Indian businessman. The L T Marg police said that two Indians and two unknown Chinese nationals were involved in the wrongful confinement. HT Image

According to the police, Mali, who deals in imitation jewellery, runs a store called Bhavana Imitation Jewellery at Juma Masjid in South Mumbai. Mali told the police that most imitation jewellery store owners purchase jewellery and parts from Yiwu in Chinas Zhejiang province.

On March 17, Mali, along with Mangilal Rao and Sohan Singh Rajpurohit, who are also in the imitation jewellery business, went to China to check samples. While at their hotel in Yiwu, a person called Chand Shah and two Chinese nationals approached them, said a police officer. They told Mali to return the money he had taken from Vipendra Singh Rajpurohit alias V P Singh, who has a shop next to Malis shop in South Mumbai. As Mali had taken neither money nor materials from him, he refused.

The men then told Mali that they knew his employee Kalpesh Mali, and that Kalpesh had taken material worth 36 lakh from V P Singh. Kalpesh later suffered losses due to COVID-19 and did not repay Singh, said a police officer. The men thought Kalpesh Mali was Hitesh Malis business partner.

The men prevented Hitesh and his companions from leaving the room, and warned them that if they tried to flee, the two Chinese nationals would kill them. They added that if they did not repay Singhs money in time, they would have to pay 1 crore and would not be allowed to return home from China.

Finally, late in the night, the trio of threateners left the hotel, said a police officer. Hitesh and his associates immediately left for India. The first thing they did was to call Singh and tell him that they were in no way involved but would convince Kalpesh Mali to return his money. When they reached Mumbai, they met Singh, who warned them to pay up or face the consequences. Singh told them that Chand Shah and the Chinese nationals were dangerous people, who would stop their going to China and could even kill them.

After being approached, the police registered a case against Singh and Chand Shah, who lives in China, along with two unidentified people for conspiracy, wrongful restraint to extort property and putting persons in fear of death or of grievous hurt to commit extortion. V P Singh alias V S Rajpurohit was subsequently arrested.
Mumbai: The traffic police control room on Wednesday received messages that threatened to carry out a 26/11-like terrorist attack if the Indian government failed to return Seema Haider  the Pakistani woman who fell in love with an Indian national through an online gaming application and landed in the country via Nepal. Sachin Meena (L) and Seema Haider at their residence in Rabupura village, about 90 km from New Delhi. (AFP)

Investigation to trace the sender of the WhatsApp messages that allegedly came from a mobile number associated with a foreign country is underway, police officers said.

We are trying to find the origin of the messages and if any mischief was played to hide the actual location of the sender by using something like VoIP (voice over internet protocol), a crime branch officer said.

The messages, which were in Urdu, read, If Seema Haider does not return to Pakistan India will be destroyed. Be ready for a 26/11-like attack. The Uttar Pradesh government will be responsible for it.

On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives carried out a coordinated attack in Mumbai, killing 164 people and injuring several others.

Seema Haider, a woman from Pakistan, illegally entered India via Nepal with her four children after she fell in love with a Hindu man through PUBG Mobile. The couple started living together in Greater Noida.

In August 2022, a series of WhatsApp messages in Hindi were received by the traffic police control room, which claimed that seven Indians had hatched a terror plot that would be worse than 26/11. The sender also claimed himself to be from Pakistan. UP ATS karwana chahti hai Mumbai udaana. (Uttar Pradesh anti-terrorism squad wants to destroy Mumbai), one of the messages said.

The police could not trace the sender of those messages, as they originated from outside of India, but the seven numbers given by him were found to be held by Indians with no ulterior motive.

Baloch dacoits have already recorded a video from Pakistan in which they have threatened that if Seema Haider is not sent back to their country, they will rape and kill the Hindu population living in Pakistan. In the viral video, four men are seen wearing masks and holding rifles, a police officer said.
Several videos showing people fainting, blood coming out from a woman's mouth at Bageshwar Dham Dhirendra Shastri's 'divya darbar' in Greater Noida on Wednesday went viral. Police refuted reports of a stampede and said there were many misleading videos doing the rounds. "There was no ruckus at the event. Because of heat and humidity, some elderly people and women fell sick and they were immediately taken to the nearby hospitals. All of them were discharged after treatment," Anil Kumar Yadav, DCP, Central Noida, said. Cops said there was no stampede at Bageshwar Dham's event and those who fell ill because of heat and humidity were taken to hospitals.

"A huge crowd was present at the event and there was adequate police deployment. No people were electrocuted as claimed on social media. A photo went viral of a woman vomiting blood. She had some health issues and was taken to a hospital. We have no information that she got an electric shock," Yadav said to news agency PTI.

According to reports, lakhs of devotees of Bageshwar Dham attended the event near Jaitpur metro depot near Greater Noida's Pari Chowk. The metro station was closed and the authorities urged people to go back to their homes and watch the address on television.

Dhirendra Krishna Shastri popularly known as Bageshwar Dham is the chief priest of Madhya Pradesh's Bageshwar Dham Sarkar. He was recentlt in news after he was challenged by Maharashtra's anti-superstition organisation.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
KANPUR Amid soaring prices of tomatoes across the country, two men allegedly stole 25 kg of tomatoes in Aung Fatehpur and sold it in the market to make quick money. However, the Fatehpur police on Thursday lodged an FIR and arrested the two accused -- Kamta Prasad, 21, and Mohammad Islam, 20. An FIR was lodged on the complaint of Pathwari Raidass, who has a vegetable shop. (PTI)

Police have said that the two accused also stole a small quantity of green chillies and ginger. That too have been recovered, said Prakash Singh Parihar, the investigator of the case.

An FIR was lodged on the complaint of Pathwari Raidass, who has a vegetable shop in Aungs main market. The theft took place during the night of July 11 between 11 pm and 12 am.

Raidass said that 26 kg of tomatoes was missing from his shop. Also, 25 kg of green chillies and 8 kg of ginger was missing from Naeems shop, which is adjacent to Raidasss shop.

The complainant had a suspicion that Kamta and Islam were behind the theft. Thus, the police arrested the duo and they confessed to stealing the tomatoes and other vegetables. They sold the tomatoes in retail.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Haidar Naqvi Haidar Naqvi covers central UP and Bundelkhand. He closely tracks developments in internal security in the region and beyond. ...view detail
Former Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Thursday slammed the Nitish Kumar government over the death of BJP's Jehanabad general secretary's death in lathicharge in Patna during protest on the issue of teachers in the state.



It is so unfortunate that one of our party workers died due to a lathi charge by the police. He died on the way to the hospital. We will lodge murder charges against the police. Nitish Kumar is responsible for all this, the BJP leader told ANI.



The lathi charge on BJP workers in Patna is the result of the failure and indignation of the state government. Mahagathbandhan government is attacking democracy to save the citadel of corruption.., BJP national president JP Nadda tweeted.



BJP activist Vijay Kumar Singh, the general secretary of the party's Jehanabad unit, was allegedly killed and several others including a woman leader were injured in police action to stop the saffron party's march to Raj Bhavan against the continuance of Tejashwi Yadav as the deputy CM despite filing chargesheet against him in the land for jobs case and the issue of recruitment of teachers in the state. Police lathicharge BJP workers during a protest against the Bihar government on Patna. (Santosh Kumar/HT Photo)

According to the police, the protesters were sitting on a dharna at Patna's Dak Bungalow intersections and were not allowing anyone to pass through it. The Dak Bungalow crossing is situated around two kilometres from the Vidhan Sabha and, normally, processions are not allowed beyond the point. The cops said the protesters abused and manhandled them. The police used water cannon and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

The protesters also damaged windscreens of several vehicles including anti-riot vehicle of district administration, and the protest led to the disruption of traffic for nearly three hours.

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Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday hit out at opposition Bharatiya Janata Party over its protest against the ruling government's inability to deliver on ten lakh jobs in state.



They (BJP) are asking for 10 lakh jobs. They should tell which state of the country has published advertisements for more than 3 lakh government jobs. We will fulfil our promise of 10 lakh jobs in our tenure but they should tell us about the 2 crore jobs which they had promised..., the deputy chief minister was quoted by ANI as saying.



The BJP staged a protest in Patna over several issues which included demanding the resignation of Tejashwi Yadav being named in the CBI chargesheet in the railways' land for jobs case, Nitish Kumar government's ten lakh jobs promise and the issue of teachers' recruitment in the state.



Clashes erupted between the police and BJP workers in the state capital, forcing the cops to resort to water cannon, firing tear gas shells and lathicharge on the protesters. Vijay Kumar Singh, the BJP general secretary of Jehanabad unit of the party, allegedly succumbed to injuries from police action during the protests, BJP leader Sushil Modi said.



BJP president JP Nadda hit out at chief minister Nitish Kumar, tweeting,""The lathi charge on BJP workers in Patna is the result of the failure and nervousness of the state government. The grand alliance government is attacking democracy to save the citadel of corruption. The Chief Minister of Bihar has even forgotten his morality in order to save the person who has been charge sheeted". Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav.(Santosh Kumar / Hindustan Times)

On July 3, the CBI had chargesheeted RJD chief Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav along with 14 other people in the railways' land-for-jobs case. The CBI alleged that between 2004 and 2009, the period when Lalu Prasad served as railways minister in the UPA government, several people were appointed as Group D personnel in various zones of the Indian Railways in exchange for land being transferred to the RJD chief and his family members.

As per CBI, no advertisement or public notice was published for the appointment but some Patna residents got appointed as substitutes in different railway zones in Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur, Hajipur and Mumbai.

The CBI alleged that the candidates directly or through their immediate family members, allegedly sold land to Lalu Prasad's family members at highly discounted rates.

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PATNA: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker, who participated in the protest march to Raj Bhavan led by Bihar BJP president Samrat Choudhary and comprising legislators and leaders against the Nitish Kumar-led government, died of injuries sustained in the police action to disperse them, two senior party leaders said on Thursday. Bihar BJP leader Samrat Choudhary led the protest to Raj Bhavan (PTI Photo)

Police, however, insisted that the cause of his death was unclear and that there were no injury marks on his body.

A BJP activist Vijay Kumar Singh, general secretary of the Jehanabad unit of the party, succumbed to injuries at the Patna Medical College Hospital, said Union minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai. Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Modi said Singh and other party workers sustained injuries when the police used force to disperse the protesters at Dakbungalow.

The BJPs protest march was aimed at demanding deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadavs exit from the Nitish Kumar government in view of the new charge sheet filed against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The BJP also accused the government of backtracking on its assurance to treat school teachers as government employees and failing to create the 10 lakh jobs that it had promised.

Patna district magistrate (DM) Chandrasekhar Singh said that a person, Vijay Singh of Jehanabad was found unconscious in the Chhajjubagh area, about 700 metres from the Dakbungalow intersection. The DM said the man did not have any injury marks and that he was sent to the Patna Medical College and Hospital.

Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Rajiv Mishra told reporters that Vijay Singh died about 30 minutes after reaching the hospital. His body has been sent for postmortem to establish the cause of death, Mishra added.

Dr IS Thakur, medical superintendent of the Patna Medical College Hospital, said there were no external injury marks on the patient when he was brought to the hospital. We intubated him and put him on a ventilator in the intensive care unit but his ECG was flat (indicative of the fact that the patient had died), said Dr Thakur added

Dr Thakur said the exact cause, whether he died due to an internal injury, or after suffering a heart attack, or any other reason, will only be known after the post-mortem examination.

The BJP had announced that it will stage a march from the historic Gandhi Maidan to the Vidhan Sabha on July 13. The proceedings of the Bihar Assembly were disrupted on the third consecutive day over the protest by the BJP.

On Thursday, the atmosphere charged up as the heavily deployed police force from Gandhi Maidan to the Bihar Assembly tried to stop the march led by Choudhary and others comprising legislators and leaders at the Dak Bungalow crossing.

Police said that the protesters sat on a dharna at Dak bungalow intersections and they were not allowing anyone to pass through.

According to the police, as they tried to pacify the protestors, some of them abused and manhandled them which led the police to use water cannon and tear gas shells. The response, the protestors pelted stones, and they also damaged the windscreens of several vehicles.

Police said that more than three dozen people, including cops and women protestors, were injured in brick batting and lathi charge.

Tejashwi Yadav has claimed that the alleged scam took place when his father and party president Lalu Prasad was the railway minister and he was a minor and years away from entering active politics.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal has alleged that the CBI is being politically misused by the BJP which rules the Centre, and pointing out that Yadav was a minor when the alleged scam took place.

The land-for-jobs scam pertains to taking land from 12 candidates in return for jobs in the Railways between 2004 and 2009. Lalu was the railway minister during this period. On July 3, CBI had filed its charge sheet against Tejashwi, Lalu and his wife Rabri Devi, and 14 others in the case.

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The Hinjewadi police have lodged FIRs against two schools - Bliss Edify International School and Rudimentary International School  for not having the mandatory government permissions required to run them. The action comes on the back of complaints by the school education department. Rudimentary International School located at Ozarkarwadi Road, Maan (HT PHOTO)

In the case of Bliss Edify International School - which is run by the Budhrani Knowledge Foundation, Hinjewadi  school principal Sija Ali Khan and chairman Gautam Budhrani have been booked under sections 420 (cheating), 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (fraudulently using document), and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The FIR against Bliss Edify International School was lodged on Thursday by Suresh Sabale, centre head of the Marunji division of the Zilla Parishad in Munji.

Sabale in his FIR stated that the inspection of school documents was carried out on April 25 wherein no valid permissions or mandatory government documents required to run the school were found. The school has Classes from 1 to 8 and 116 students on its roll. The inspection report revealed that exorbitant fees have been charged from students and parents, both of whom have been cheated by the school authorities.

It is an illegal school and despite being unauthorised, the school has demanded leaving certificates from other schools, given admissions and cheated the government by not paying tax. A report on the irregularities was readied on April 26 and handed over to the block education officer who ordered registration of an FIR against the school principal, management and owner. The school owner and management projected the school to be legal despite it being unauthorised and cheated parents, students and the government, Sabale said in the FIR. When contacted, an office representative of the Bliss Edify International School promised to call back after getting a detailed response from the school administration.

In a similar vein, an FIR has been registered against Rudimentary International School accusing its management of not having any valid document related to permissions to run the school. When contacted, Vinit Bharadwaj owner of the Rudimentary International School said, We will respond shortly.

Sabale, who has lodged an FIR against this school as well stated that it has been booked under charges related to not possessing valid permission documents. The FIR has named Vinit Bharadwaj and Sarika Ozkar as the accused in the case.

Ozkar said, We have still not received the FIR copy. Instead of taking action, the government must support schools and education.

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The smart signal system installed across the city under the Smart City Mission by Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited (PSCDCL) with support from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has come under fire by non-governmental organisation (NGO) Save Pune Traffic Movement. The NGO said that the advanced traffic system leaves very less time for pedestrian signal. A pedestrian signal in Pune (Ravindra Joshi/HT PHOTO)

Harshad Abhyankar, director, Save Pune Traffic Movement, has challenged the civic officials to cross the road as per the pedestrian signal time.

Abhyankar said, The pedestrian signal time at many locations is 3-8 seconds. According to the Indian Road Congress (IRC) recommendations, pedestrian signal time should be 15-20 seconds as per the road width. The pedestrian signal time at Hutatma Rajguru Chowk on Karve Road is 3-8 seconds. It is 7 seconds at Bhandarkar Chowk on Law College Road.

Shrinivas Kandul, head, PMC electric department, said, The new signals under Adaptive Traffic Management System or ATMS is getting installed by the Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited and our department is just the coordinating agency. We have received public feedback about short pedestrian signal time. I will call a meeting of Smart City officers and activists working in this field next week to address the issue.

Dinesh Virkar, official, Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited, said, We are yet to receive any complaint on pedestrian signal time. We had fixed the duration of pedestrian signal after discussions with the traffic police. We will check the issue and address it.

Pune municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar had recently said that 85 of the 125 planned traffic signals have been installed and the remaining will be placed after the rainy season. The ATMS system uses sensors to automatically adjust the timing of traffic signals based on the number of vehicles on roads.

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Central Bank of India will close the registration process for Manager posts on July 15, 2023. Candidates who want to apply for Manager in Middle Management Grade Scale II in Mainstream category can do it through the official site of Central Bank of India at centralbankofindia.co.in. Central Bank of India Manager Recruitment 2023: Registration ends on July 15

This recruitment drive will fill up 1000 posts in the organisation. The online examination will be conducted on second or third week of August 2023.

Candidate who want to apply for the posts should have a degree in any discipline from a university recognised by the government of India. The maximum age should not exceed 32 years as on May 31, 2023.

Selection will be through On-line written test and Personal interview. The written examination will comprise of 100 questions of 1 mark each. The examination duration is for 60 minutes. The test will be available bilingually, i.e. English and Hindi. Candidates who are successful in online test will be subsequently called for interview. The interview will be conducted for 100 marks. Passing marks for interview will be 50% for General/EWS candidates and 45% for SC/ST/OBC candidates.

Central Bank of India Manager Recruitment 2023: How to register

To apply online, candidates can follow the steps given below.

Visit the official site of Central Bank of India at centralbankofindia.co.in.

Click on recruitment link available on the home page.

A new page will open where managers apply online link will be available.

Click on the link and register yourself.

Once the registration is done, login to the account.

Fill in the application form and make the payment of application fees.

Click on submit and download the page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

The application fee is 850. For Schedule Caste/Schedule Tribe/PWBD candidates/ Women candidates, the application fee is 175.
With Yamuna levels rising to a record high flooding areas near the inundated river floodplains, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority directed that all non-essential government offices, schools and colleges in the city be closed till Sunday. Delhi's non-essential govt offices, schools, colleges closed till Sunday

Private establishments across the city have been advised to work from home.

The decision was made at the DDMA meeting held at the LG Secretariat here. The meeting, chaired by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, was also attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"All schools, colleges and universities are being closed till Sunday," Kejriwal told reporters after the meeting.

"All government offices associated with non-essential services will be closed till Sunday. Private offices will be issued an advisory to follow work from home practice," he said.

Officials said commercial establishments around Kashmere Gate will be asked to close till Sunday. Buses coming to ISBT will stop at Singhu Border, and DTC buses will ferry people from there, they said.

The chief minister also warned of chances of an acute water shortage in the city.

"There is going to be an acute shortage of water since three treatment plants are closed. There could be a shortage of 25 per cent water so ration will have to be done," he said.

Several key areas in Delhi, including the Secretariat housing the chief minister's office, were flooded on Thursday, impairing normal life and traffic movement as authorities scrambled to lead rescue and relief efforts.

The Yamuna flowed at 208.53 metres at 10 am on Thursday, breaking the 45-year-old record, officials said.

Kejriwal, who wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday for releasing of water into the Yamuna with a limited speed, said the river's water level is likely to rise further till Thursday evening after which it may recede.
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta contracted a stomach infection on Thursday morning. He took to Twitter and said it was from the drinking water of Mumbai and blamed the government for not providing safe drinking water to its citizens. He said his doctor has been dealing with similar cases every day. Also read: Hansal Mehta feels film industry is going through curve Hansal Mehta falls sick.(Amal KS/ HT Photo)

Hansal Mehta's stomach infection

Hansal wrote on Twitter, I developed a terrible stomach infection this morning. It hit me before Id even eaten. Spoke to my family doctor and he said that he is seeing at least 10 patients with similar symptoms every day and some have been hospitalised. The infections seem to be from a bug originating in our drinking water.

Hansal Mehta on unsafe drinking water

He tagged Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), CM Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis among other leaders of the state. He added, It is ridiculous that a city that is financial capital to the country and capital to a state with two deputy CMs cannot provide basic clean drinking water to its citizens. Not to mention the abysmal roads, the crippling traffic, the lack of readiness for flooding and crumbling state of our infrastructure. THIS IS MUMBAI. And it is run by people who just dont give a damn about its citizens. All they care for is power and filling their own coffers. Shameful state of affairs. @mybmc @mieknathshinde @Dev_Fadnavis @AjitPawarSpeaks @AUThackeray.

Sharing the tweet, Hansal also revealed that Karan Vyas who wrote Hansal's hit Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story has also fallen ill with a similar infection. I got a message from @karanmukeshvyas that he too is sick with a similar infection. So are people in his society, Hansal said. Meanwhile, a section of Twitter users agreed with Hansal after he shared the post.

Hansal Mehta film

Hansal Mehta's last outing was Scoop. His upcoming film is The Buckingham Murders, the working title. It stars Kareena Kapoor and has been shot in the UK. Reportedly, she plays a mother and detective who has to look into a murder in a small town in Buckinghamshire, inspired by Kate Winslet's Mare of Easttown. While the makers are yet to announce the final title of the film, it's likely to come out later this year. However, there is no confirmation about it.

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Samantha Ruth Prabhu has wrapped up the shooting of the Indian leg of Russo Brothers' web series, Citadel. She took to her Instagram Stories to announce the shoot wrap along with a happy selfie. Last week, there were confirmed reports about the actor planning to take a year-long break from work to focus on her health. Also read: Samantha Ruth Prabhu to take break from acting, returns advance payments to producers Samantha Ruth Prabhu shared a new picture of herself early Thursday.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Samantha shared her happy selfie and wrote, 13th of July (heart emoji) will always be a special special day. And it's a wrap on #CitadelIndia.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu's latest post on Instagram.

A video of Samantha leaving the sets on the last day of her shoot was also shared on a paparazzo's Instagram account.

Last week, Samantha also wrapped up the shoot of her upcoming film, Kushi. With the wrap up of Citadel, Samantha has now wrapped up all the shoot portion of her projects.

Samantha to take a break

Last week, a source close to the actor confirmed that Samantha will be going a break to focus on her health as she is dealing with an autoimmune condition, Myositis. The source told Hindustan Times, Few months back, Samantha decided that she will be taking a break from acting, and was just waiting to wrap up her projects  Kushi with Vijay Deverakonda and the Indian segment of Citadel with Varun Dhawan. When I checked with her a few months back, she told me that she is not signing any projects currently."

The source however, denied that Samantha was returning money to producers, claiming that she was not accepting any projects since quite some time.

Samantha's upcoming show, film

Samantha will be seen doing some high-octane action in Citadel, which has Varun Dhawan as the male lead. Filmmaker duo Raj and DK have directed the show.

Samantha will next be seen opposite Vijay Deverakonda in Kushi. The Telugu film is scheduled to release on September 1. It will also release in Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. A new song titled Aaradhya will be unveiled on Thursday. It also stars Jayaram, Sachin Khedakar, Murali Sharma, Lakshmi, Ali, Rohini, Vennela Kishore, Rahul Ramakrishna, Srikanth Iyengar and Saranya. The film is anticipated to be an inter-faith love story.

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Actress Margot Robbie continues to dazzle as she embraces the spirit of Barbie, stepping onto the pink carpet at the London premiere of the "Barbie" movie in yet another stunning ensemble. Margot Robbie poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Barbie' on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in London. (Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)(Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

This time, Robbie paid tribute to the iconic Barbie Enchanted Evening 1960 Fashion Doll, channeling its glamour and elegance.

Robbie, 33, radiated in a custom Vivienne Westwood gown in a soft pastel pink hue. The exquisite dress featured a rosette at her hip, which gracefully flowed into a trailing train.

A standout feature of the gown was the oversized off-the-shoulder ruffled collar, adding a touch of drama to the ensemble.

Margot Robbie attends the European premiere of "Barbie" in London, Britain July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska(REUTERS)

Completing the look, the 33-year-old actress accessorized with white opera-length gloves and clear heels, capturing the essence of Barbie's style.

The star-studded London premiere also saw the attendance of co-stars Ryan Gosling, Dua Lipa, America Ferrera, Hari Nef, Sam Smith, and Simu Liu. Each celebrity embraced the movie's theme by donning their own fashionable interpretations inspired by Barbie, with vibrant shades of pink dominating the red carpet.

Throughout her worldwide press tour, Robbie, along with her stylist Andrew Mukamal, has been paying homage to Barbie by recreating some of the doll's most iconic looks.

At the Los Angeles premiere, the Wolf of the Wall Street actress channeled the spirit of the 1960s Solo in the Spotlight Barbie, stunning in a strapless gown by Schiaparelli Haute Couture.

In Seoul, Robbie showcased two separate outfits inspired by the famous Day-to-Night Barbie from 1985.

ALSO READ| Esteemed BBC anchor, Huw Edwards confirms involvement in teen sexting scandal amid mental health struggles

Not to be outdone, Ryan Gosling, who portrays Ken in the film, embraced the Barbiecore aesthetic with his own ensemble. Gosling sported an initial necklace in the doll's signature font, paying tribute to his partner Eva Mendes.

With just one more week until the mostly-anticipated theatrical premiere on July 21, fans are eagerly awaiting the unveiling of more jaw-dropping looks from Margot Robbie and the rest of the cast.

The "Barbie" movie promises to be a celebration of fashion and style, showcasing the enduring influence of the beloved doll. Stay tuned for more fabulous fashion moments as Robbie continues to bring Barbie to life on the big screen.
Veteran Hollywood actor Robert De Niro welcomed his seventh child with girlfriend Tiffany Chen at the age of 79, earlier this year. Now, in the first interview after giving birth, Tiffany Chen has revealed that she suffered postpartum complication after the delivery. (Also read: Who is Tiffany Chen, Robert De Niro's girlfriend, and mother of his 7th child?) Robert De Niro's girlfriend Tiffany Chen revealed that she suffered postpartum complication.

Robert De Niro welcomes daughter at 79

In May, Robert De Niro had shared the first glimpse of his daughter and revealed that her name was Gia Virginia Chen De Niro. The actor also shared on a US show that the baby girl weighed 8 lbs (around 3.6kh) after birth. He also added that the decision to have the baby was made by him and his girlfriend and that they were over the moon with the arrival of their daughter.

Tiffany Chen's first interview after giving birth

Now, in her first-ever interview after giving birth, Tiffany has told CBS This Morning that she has been facing complications since giving birth. The Twitter handle of the news channel tweeted, "Tiffany Chen recently gave birth to her first child with partner Robert De Niro. Tomorrow, she reveals a postpartum complication to @GayleKing, speaking exclusively to CBS Mornings for her first interview since giving birth." The full interview drops soon.

Robert and Tiffany's relationship

Robert and Tiffany reportedly started dating during the shoot of The Intern. They were spotted together on a romantic vacation in the south of France in 2021. Robert has been linked with several women in the past. The Academy Award-winning actor is a father to six children. He shares daughter Drena, 51, and son Raphael, 46, with his first wife, Diahnne Abbott. In 1995, he welcomed twin sons Julian and Aaron, 27, with his former girlfriend, model, and actor Toukie Smith. De Niro also has a son Elliot, 24, and a daughter Helen Grace, 11, with his ex-wife, Grace Hightower.

Robert will be next seen in Killers of the Flower Moon, where he reunites with his longtime collaborator Martin Scorsese. The film also stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jesse Plemons, Brendan Fraser and Lily Gladstone in pivotal roles.

The official synopsis of Killers of the Flower Moon reads, At the turn of the 20th century, oil brought a fortune to the Osage Nation, who became some of the richest people in the world overnight. The wealth of these Native Americans immediately attracted white interlopers, who manipulated, extorted, and stole as much Osage money as they could before resorting to murder.

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The release date for the new drama series The Magic of Shiri has been moved amid reports of the Jain community raising objections against it. Starring Divyanka Tripathi and Jaaved Jafferi in lead roles, the show was initially set for a digital premiere on JioCinema on July 13. The new release date is yet to be announced. (Also read: Twitter schools Divyanka Tripathi's exciting reaction to earthquake) Divyanka Tripathi in a still from The Magic of Shiri.

The Magic of Shiri postponed

Announcing the delay in the release, Divyanka shared a poster on Instagram with the text, Mehermaan Kadardan sahiban, taiyar ho jaiye hone ko hairaan. Batani hai aap sabko ek dil ki baat, Shiri milne aegi ab ek naye din aur ek nayi tareekh ke saath. Bus kuch aur doni ka karna hoga aap sabklo intezar. Hum hain aapke sabra ke liye shukra guzaar (Get ready to be surprised one and all! Shiri will now meet you on a new date and time. You will have to wait a few days, and we are grateful for your patience).

Along with the poster, she wrote in her caption, Show date postponed. Stay tuned for further updates! Well be back soon with Shiri"

Divyanka reacts to the delay

Responding to the development, Divyanka also told Zoom TV, "A lot of hard work has gone into the project from the entire team. Of course, no intention was to hurt any sentiments. I hope we find a solution."

An ETimes report recently claimed that the show was delayed because certain sections of the Jain community raised objections against a few scenes from the trailer of The Magic of Shiri.

About The Magic of Shiri

Directed by Birsa Dasgupta, the show also features Namit Das, Parmeet Sethi, Darshan Zareewala and Neelu Kohli. It is presented by Jio Studios and produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Tanveer Bookwala. The Magic of Shiri traces the story of Shiri Shah (Divyanka), who sacrifices a lot to marry her Jain husband but decides to pursue her dreams later.

When the show's trailer released earlier this month, Divyanka said in a press statement that playing Shiri was a rewarding experience for her. "It has reminded me of the indomitable spirit we all possess, the courage to follow our dreams, and the transformative power of embracing our true selves. Through 'The Magic of Shiri,' we aim to inspire and uplift viewers, showcasing that even in the midst of chaos, there is always room for magic and wonder. It's a heartfelt narrative that celebrates the human spirit and the incredible strength that lies within each of us only if we believe in it.

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PRAYAGRAJ: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Uttar Pradesh police on Thursday filed a 2,056-page charge sheet against three assailants who shot dead gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his younger brother Khalid Azeem, alias Ashraf outside a Prayagraj hospital in full public view on April 15. Gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were gunned down by the three accused outside a hospital in Prayagraj on April 15. (File photo)

The charge sheet against the three accused  Lavlesh Tiwari (22), a resident of from Banda, Sunny Singh (23) from Hamirpur, and Arun Maurya (18) from Kasganj  was filed in the court of chief judicial magistrate (CJM), Prayagraj, Dinesh Kumar Gautam. No lawyers were present to represent the three accused.

The three assailants had a criminal past and they planned to murder Atiq and Ashraf to earn fame and money, a senior police officer told HT, citing the charge sheet.

They used sophisticated firearms, which were provided to Sunny Singh by Delhi-based gangster Jitender Mann alias Gogi to eliminate his rival Tillu Tajpuria, the officer said, requesting anonymity.

After perusal of records, the court took cognizance of the charge sheet and fixed July 14 as the next date of hearing in the case. The judicial remand of the three accused will also end on Friday and they are likely to be produced before the court through video-conferencing.

Atiq and Ashraf were gunned down by the trio outside the Motilal Nehru (Colvin) Divisional Hospital around 10.30pm on April 15 when they were being taken for a court-mandated medical examination while in police custody.

The 2,056-page charge sheet including 2,000 pages of case diary, besides post-mortem examination reports, photographs, crime scene map, FIRs, report of recreation of the crime, and ballistic report of firearms used in crime  was filed under Section 173 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

CJM Dinesh Kumar Gautam said there was adequate base to take cognizance of the crime. He ordered the police to produce the accused before the court on July 14. He also instructed to provide the copy of the charge sheet to the accused and transfer the case for trial to the sessions court, the officer quoted above said.
All accused have a right to silence and investigators cannot force them to speak up or admit guilt , the Supreme Court said on Thursday, emphasising that the Constitution accords every person a right against self-incrimination. The right to silence emanates from Article 20(3) of the Indian Constitution, which states that no one can be compelled to be a witness against himself. (ANI)

A bench of justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta said that cooperation with an investigation cannot mean confession, and thus the investigating agency cannot make out a case against the accused just because they choose to remain silent.

Cooperation cannot mean confession...Why cannot he (accused) choose to remain silent? When the Constitution gives every person a right to remain silent, how can this be raised against as an argument of non-cooperation? asked the bench, as it heard a criminal case from Uttar Pradesh.

The right to silence emanates from Article 20(3) of the Indian Constitution, which states that no one can be compelled to be a witness against himself. The provision gives an accused the right against self-incrimination -- a fundamental canon of law.

Under criminal law jurisprudence, it is considered the duty of the prosecution to prove a person guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Until proven otherwise, the accused remains innocent. An accuseds decision to remain silent can be construed as a negative inference in certain circumstances but it cannot absolve the prosecution from its duty to prove the guilt of that person beyond reasonable doubts, the court reasoned.

The case before the Supreme Court involved a doctor couple with the wife levelling charges of dowry harassment and assault against the man. While the Allahabad high court in February dismissed the pre-arrest bail plea of the man, the Supreme Court in May protected him from arrest.

When the matter came up for a hearing on Thursday, the mans lawyer sought an adjournment by one or two weeks, but the wifes lawyer strongly objected to it. Asked by the bench, the wifes lawyer contended that the man has not been cooperating with the investigation and thus, he does not deserve any indulgence of the court.

To this, the bench retorted that one cannot argue that an accused is not cooperating on the basis that he has not confessed to all the charges. You will keep saying he has not cooperated until he confessed to everything alleged against him. But thats not how the criminal law jurisprudence and the Constitution view it, it said.

Referring to the constitutional right of every person to not speak against himself or to remain silent, the court added that it cannot deprive a person of his liberty merely because there is a statement that he has not admitted his crimes.

The bench then proceeded to extend the interim bail of the man and asked the couple to mull over a shot at mediation to resolve differences amicably. It deferred the proceedings by four weeks.

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Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday hit out at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal over flooding in several areas of the national capital. Thakur said, "Some people are staying in 'Sheesh Mehal' and are blaming others for the situation in Delhi, they're running away from their responsibility...we have never seen them taking responsibility for anything in the last 9 years...when will he (Arvind Kejriwal) realise his responsibilities? Union Minister Anurag Thakur (ANI)

Thakur's statement comes as Delhi batters heavy rains and waterlogging in several parts. The water levels in Yamuna are at an all-time high. The water level of Yamuna rose at 208.65 metres after staying stable for more than four hours.

READ | Delhi showers wreck Kejriwal's donation kits after godown submerged: Report

The water levels breached the 45-year-old record, touching 208.48 metres at 11 pm on Wednesday. Many areas including the Majnu Ka Tila, Mayur Vihar Phase 1, Monastery Market, Geeta Colony, and multiple portions of Ring Road near Kashmere Gate were inundated. Bus services remained suspended because of the flooding in bus terminals.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) which was also attended by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and other officials. The decisions taken included closure of schools, colleges and non-government offices till Sunday.

READ | Delhi rain: Arvind Kejriwal calls meeting as Yamuna water nears danger mark. 10 updates

12 NDRF teams have also been deployed in the city to assist in rescue operations.

According to the Central Water Commission, water released from the Hanthnikund barrage in Haryana became one cause of flooding in Delhi. "We noticed that the water released from the Hathnikund barrage took less time to reach Delhi compared to previous years. The main reason could be encroachment and siltation. Earlier, the water would have had more space to flow. Now, it passes through a constricted cross-section," an official of the CWC said.

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Belagavi Police have tightened security around Narayan Mali, the prime accused in the murder of Jain monk Kaamakumar of Nandi Parvat ashram in Hirekodi village of the district, after he allegedly threatened to die by suicide in regret over the incident, officials said on Thursday. Members of the Jain community stage a protest condemning the murder of a Jain monk in Belagavi district of Karnataka. (ANI)

Chikkodi division deputy superintendent of police (Dy SP) Basavaraj Yaligar, who is leading the investigation of the murder, told HT, We were not that much worried in tracing the murder accused of the monk. However, we have to be much alert as the accused disclosed about ending his life. We have deployed additional police personnel to be with him and watch him round-the-clock to save him from taking the drastic step.

As the Chikkodi court remanded Mali, with the other accused, Hasan Dalayat, to police custody till July 17, the special investigating squad has accelerated its efforts to gather material evidence and build a strong case.

On Thursday, the squad retrieved ashes from the burnt personal diary of the deceased monk, which Mali had set on fire at the crime scene after killing him.

According to police, the monk used to record important daily events, including details of the loan Mali had borrowed from him, in the diary. Aware of this incriminating evidence, Mali had taken possession of the diary and burned it in his village of Khatakabhavi. The police have collected the ashes as material evidence and sent them to a forensic laboratory in Bengaluru for testing.

The monk had reordered the matter of the loan, which Narayan Mali had obtained from him in the diary. Mali knew this and managed to take it with him and burnt his village Khatakabhavi village, the investigation officer said.

Mali, who was closely associated with monk Kaamakumar, had borrowed 6 lakh from the Aacharya Kaamakumar Nandi Parvat Charitable Trust but failed to repay it within the agreed-upon time. The interest on the loan had accumulated to 1 lakh. The monk frequently inquired about the repayment from Mali, causing him alleged mental distress, police said.

Unable to bear the alleged torment, Mali sought assistance from his friend Hasan Dalayat, who devised a plan to murder the monk. As per the plan, they lured the monk out of the ashram on the night of July 6. Mali reportedly took the monks diary before leaving, which was later burned after the murder, police said.

According to the police, the monks body was dismembered into seven pieces, wrapped in a saree and a towel, and disposed of in an abandoned well on Malis farm located near the ashram.

The body parts were found at a depth of approximately 25 to 30 feet in a borewell that was around 400 feet deep. Police used earth-moving JCB vehicles to excavate the well and recover the victims remains. The accused were arrested the day after the crime, the officer said.

Bhimappa Ugare, the president of Aacharya Kaamakumar Nandi Parvat Charitable Trust, had filed a missing complaint with Chikkodi police who, after nabbing the accused, registered a case under sections 302 (murder) and IPC 201 (attempting to destroy the evidence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against them.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar will attend the second united opposition meeting in Bengaluru to be held on July 17 and 18, according to Janata Dal-United (JD-U) senior leader and Bihar minister Sanjay Kumar Jha. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar (left) and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav (right) at the Patna meeting (File Photo)

Chief minister Nitish Kumar will attend the meeting in Bengaluru on July 17 and 18, said Jha, a close aide of Kumar.

Talking to media personnel, Jha said the outcome of the first mega opposition meet attended by heads of 15 parties opposed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Patna had a positive outcome.

Also Read: Sonia Gandhis dinner outreach; 24 parties invited to 2nd Opposition meet

A total of 24 parties are likely to attend the second meeting of the united opposition in Bengaluru 18. Among the other notables from Bihar set to attend the Bengaluru meeting includes Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. RJD is a key constituent in the six-party grand alliance government comprising Congress, RJD, JD(U), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist) Liberation (CPI-ML), and Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPM.

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi is also likely to attend the Bengaluru meeting. While Indian Union Muslim League is a new entry, the Aam Aadmi Party has also been extended the invitation after the apparent showdown at the first meeting in Patna over the issue of Congresss support to the ordinance issue.

Earlier this month, Lalu Yadav had that the second meeting of opposition leaders in Bengaluru would be conclusive as a final shape of the proposed front would be given to oust Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2024 general elections.

Also Read: Bengaluru opposition meeting will be conclusive, will oust PM Modi: Lalu Yadav

We will do the preparations for ousting the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 parliamentary at the Bengaluru meeting. I will attend it. A lot of other issues would also be discussed, the RJD chief had said.

Kumar, who snapped ties with the BJP last year, has held discussions with several top leaders in the last few months and has emerged as the fulcrum of the campaign to cobble up opposition unity.

The Patna meeting has resolved to ink a common national agenda or common minimum programme (CMP) to work out a seat-sharing arrangement on a state-specific basis and also draw up an agitational programme on peoples issues at the next meeting in July in their bid to forge a coalition to challenge the ruling BJP in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

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New Delhi: A convict undergoing life imprisonment in a murder case cannot be denied remission just because the slain victim happened to be a public servant, the Bihar government has told the Supreme Court, justifying its decision to release former lawmaker Anand Mohan, who was sentenced to life for instigating the killing of the then Gopalganj district magistrate in 1994 but was freed early after the state tweaked the prison rules. Anand Mohan walked out of prison on April 27 after the Bihar government tweaked the Bihar Prison Manual (HT Photo)

The rules were amended on April 10 and the gangster-turned-politician, who spent less than 16 years behind bars, walked out of jail on April 27.

The status of a victim cannot be a factor for grant or refusal of remission...the remission of the Respondent No.4 (Mohan) was considered in accordance with the policy and as per the procedure prescribed, said the Bihar governments affidavit, adding there is a limited scope of judicial interference in states remission policy.

It argued that 2012 prison rules were changed on April 10 to remove the prohibition against premature release of life convicts guilty of murdering public servants after heeding to a variety of relevant factors and the fact that no such distinction existed in the similar rules framed by other states such as Delhi, Punjab and Haryana.

The punishment for murder of general public or a public servant is same. On the one hand, the life convict prisoner guilty of murder of general public is considered eligible for premature release and on the other hand, the life convict prisoner guilty of murder of a public servant is not eligible for consideration for premature release. The discrimination on the basis of status of a victim was sought to be removed, said the government, lending reasons to the April 10 notification.

According to the affidavit, it was found that the ineligibility for consideration of premature release of life convict who is guilty of murder of a public servant was not in consonance with the punishment prescribed for murder in general under the Indian Penal Code.

It added that Mohan was released after relevant reports were favourable. He has written three books during his incarceration and also participated in the work assigned in the jail, the Nitish Kumar government maintained.

Gopalganj district magistrate G Krishnaiah was killed in December 1994. Mohan, then a member of the legislative assembly (MLA), was convicted for instigating the murder for which he was awarded the death sentence by a trial court in 2007. Mohans death sentence was reduced to life imprisonment by the Patna high court in 2008. He challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court but to no avail.

Mohan walked out of prison on April 27 after the Bihar government tweaked the Bihar Prison Manual, allowing life convicts involved in the murder of a public servant to be eligible for premature release after serving a sentence of 14 years.

The wife of slain IAS officer, Uma Krishnaiah, moved the Supreme Court on April 29 challenging Mohans premature release. Her petition challenged the April 10 amendment that paved the way for Mohans release and argued that the state government could not mechanically release any person at the end of 14 years.

Uma also cited decisions of the top court to argue that the state had to consider remission of life convicts based on the policy that existed at the time of conviction. Mohan was convicted in 2007 when the 2002 remission policy was in vogue. The 2002 policy also denied premature release to convicts guilty of killing public servants on duty.

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Bharatiya Janata Partys Kerala unit president K Surendran on Thursday said that Metro man E Sreedharans proposal for high-speed train travel will benefit the state, indicating the partys support for the proposal mooted by the latter. After his meeting with Metro man E Sreedharan, Surendran told reporters, Bharatiya Janata Partys Kerala unit president K Surendran said high-speed trains are essential for the state. (HT Archives)

The development came after Surendran met Sreedharan at his residence in Ponnani on Wednesday.

The states BJP unit as well as Sreedharan, a national executive member of the party, had earlier opposed the state governments semi high-speed rail project named Silverline or K- Rail, citing environmental damage, displacement of people and financial impracticality.

After his meeting with Sreedharan, Surendran told reporters, High-speed trains are essential for Kerala right now. So in this context, Sreedharan has recently talked about an alternative proposal (to Silverline) which will involve lesser land acquisition and minimal environmental damage. Certainly, its important for Kerala. It is his dream project and I understand that it will benefit the state.

Keralas development is our priority and if this proposal is realised, it will be a new beginning for high speed travel in the state. The state government and railway officials should work for a project like this, he added.

When asked if the BJP would support the state government if the latter were to build a high speed railway system, he said, When a new project like this comes along, the poor people shouldnt get displaced. Our ecosystem shouldnt be damaged as we are a special state that gets a lot of rain a year. Unscientific methods shouldnt be used. When it comes to railway infra projects in Kerala, the state BJP unit takes advice from Sreedharan.

At the same time, Sreedharan, who played a key role in the Delhi Metro and Konkan Railway projects, said his advanced age prevented him from overseeing a high speed railway project. But I can offer my guidance, he said.

Sreedharan on Monday submitted a note to the chief ministers office detailing the changes he would recommend in the Silverline proposal in order to make it feasible and attract financial aid.
Chandrayaan-3, India's third moon exploration mission, will be launched on Friday at 2.35pm on Launch Vehicle Mark-3 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The propulsion module will carry the lander and rover till 100km lunar orbit. The Isro also completed the launch rehearsal lasting 24 hours for Chandrayaan-3, the countrys third lunar mission, on Tuesday. (Twitter/ISRO)

A day before the launch, The team of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) scientists visited the Tirupati Venkatachalapathy Temple with a miniature model of Chandrayaan-3.

A team of around eight scientists was seen going inside the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh. The team speaking to reporters outside the temple said, This is Chandrayaan-3  our mission to the moon...We have a launch tomorrow.

Among the team members was Shantanu Bhatwadekar, the Scientific Secretary of Isro.

Isro Chairman S Somanath after offering prayers at Sri Chengalamma Temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh said on Thursday, Chandrayaan-3 will start its journey tomorrow. We are hoping that everything goes right and it lands on the moon on August 23.

The countdown for the Chandrayaan-3 mission will be beginning on Thursday. The 26-hour countdown will begin at 1:05 pm.

The Isro also completed the launch rehearsal lasting 24 hours for Chandrayaan-3, the countrys third lunar mission, on Tuesday. In a tweet, Isro said, The Launch Rehearsal simulating the entire launch preparation and process lasting 24 hours has been concluded.

Isro on Wednesday said that it had completed the 'Mission Readiness Review' (MRR) for Chandrayaan-3. The space organisation tweeted, The (MRR) board has authorised the launch. The countdown begins tomorrow.

Chandrayaan-3

Chandrayaan-3 is a mission following Chandrayaan-2. The mission is set to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface.

Chandrayaan-3 consists of an indigenous lander module, a propulsion module and a rover. Its objectives include developing and demonstrating new technologies required for interplanetary missions. The lander will have the capability to land at a specified lunar site and deploy the rover, which will carry out chemical analysis of the lunar surface during the course of its mobility.

The lander and rover will have scientific payloads to carry out experiments on the moons surface.

Chandrayaan Mission

The Chandrayaan programme, also known as the Indian lunar exploration programme, is an ongoing series of outer space mission by Isro. The first moon rocket, Chandrayaan-1, was launched in 2008, and was successfully inserted into lunar orbit.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on an official visit in France, made a phone call to home minister Amit Shah and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday to get a status update on the deluge in Delhi. PM Modi spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi LG Saxena over phone from France regarding Delhi floods. (PTI)

The official twitter account of the home minister informed that the PM dialled Shah as the water level in Yamuna river breached the danger mark in Delhi. The HM told the PM that the water levels are expected to decrease within a day. UHM Shah briefed him thathe is keeping a close watch on the situation along with the LG Delhi. A sufficient number of NDRF teams have being deployed to conduct rescue and relief operations and help the people in need, the tweet added.

In a tweet, the LG said that the PM also enquired about the relief measures and asked to get help from the Centre for the same.

Honorable Prime Minister Mr.@narendramodi ji called from France and inquired about the waterlogging and flood situation in Delhi and the efforts being made to deal with it in detail. He directed to take appropriate steps in the interest of Delhi by taking all possible help from the Central Government, the Delhi LG tweeted.

The water level in Yamuna, which rose to a record high of 208.62 metres due to the discharge of water from Haryanas Hathini Kund barrage on Thursday, is likely to come down to 208.45 metres by early Friday morning, according to the flood forecast by the Upper Yamuna Division of the Central Water Commission.

Modi was accorded a red-carpet welcome as he arrived in Paris on a two-day visit on Thursday during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron and join him for the French National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.

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Delhi and Punjabs ruling Aam Aadmi Party has kept everyone guessing if it will attend the meeting of the Opposition parties next week in a Congress-ruled state, Karnataka. In the first meeting of opposition parties in Patna, AAP had demanded that the Congress should articulate its position on the Delhi ordinance that granted the Centre control over Delhis bureaucracy (HT Photo)

The second Opposition meeting will be held at Bengaluru on July 17 and 18. Even as back-channel talks with AAP and other parties are in full swing, interlocutors maintained that the AAP leadership has not confirmed their presence for the Bengaluru meeting so far.

HT reached out to the AAP but couldnt get a reply immediately.

In the first meeting of opposition parties in Patna, AAP had demanded that the Congress should articulate its position on the Delhi ordinance that granted the Centre control over Delhis bureaucracy. The Congress refused to give any instant commitment even as it indicated that the party would not support any unlawful ordinance. Minutes after the meeting, AAP issued a statement saying it would be difficult for them to attend the next meeting where the Congress is a participant.

The Congress, so far, has not spelled out its stance on the ordinance. The party has called a meeting of its Parliamentary strategy groupa body empowered to decide its stand on the Delhi ordinance and other issues of the House.

In this situation, back-channel talks have gained momentum between different parties. Trinamool Congress leader Derek OBrien told HT, The hosts tell us that there are more than 20 political parties attending the Bengaluru Summit. We are different political parties-- not photocopies of each other. Obviously there are varied dynamics; some parties are more comfortable with certain others. Thats quite natural.

OBrien claimed there is no logjam on any issue. All is well. We are all working in a cohesive manner to present a positive vision for India beyond 2024, he added.

OBrien or other interlocutors, however, couldnt confirm if AAP would attend the meeting. A senior Left leader, who is also in touch with the AAP leadership, said on Thursday, The last I heard, they have not confirmed.

AAP, which threw out the Congress governments in Delhi and Punjab, might not be politically comfortable to join the Opposition meeting hosted in a Congress-ruled state. Moreover, the AAP fought the assembly election against the Congress and the BJP in Karnataka but drew a blank.

On Monday, the leaders will meet informally at 4 PM for a discussion followed by dinner hosted by (Karnataka) chief minister Siddaramaiah. On Tuesday, the formal meeting will start at 11 AM, said a Congress leader.

It is unlikely that the Delhi CM will attend a dinner hosted by the Congress. There is a strong possibility that AAP might skip the meeting altogether or it might send emissaries.

The Left leader in touch with AAP, said, they might be looking at the Congress Parliamentary strategy groups meeting and take the final call.

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The editor of a Chennai-based Tamil news magazine has expressed deep remorse for a tweet against sitting Orissa high court chief justice S Muralidhar in 2018, the Delhi high court said on Thursday. HT Image

A bench of justices Siddharth Mridul and Gaurang Kanth said the court accepted the apology and discharged the editor, S Gurumurthy, in a contempt case filed by the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) in 2018.

...after considering the facts and circumstances, we accept S Gurumurthys apology for the subject incident and consider it appropriate to discharge the show cause notice issued to him in the present contempt petition..., the bench noted.

The DHCBA had filed the petition after Gurumurthy posted certain tweets against justice Muralidhar, who was then a judge of Delhi high court.

In 2018, the editor apologised through an affidavit. In April this year, he refused to file another affidavit, after the court observed that the 2018 affidavit did not contain an apology. The court, however, accepted it on Thursday.

On Thursday, DHCBA submitted that Gurumurthys apology and his statement that he has the highest respect for judiciary, and in all humility, is truly sorry for any offence that may have been caused, be accepted as having purged the alleged contempt. htc

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A Gujarat court on Thursday sentenced former minister Vipul Chaudhary, 57, and 14 others to seven-year imprisonment after convicting them in the case related to siphoning off 750 crore from the Mehsana District Milk Producers Federation, popularly known as Dudhsagar Dairy. Chaudhary was the chairman of Dudhsagar Dairy when the scam occurred. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The diary is Indias largest co-operative dairy and part of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation, which markets its products under the Amul brand name. Chaudhary was the diarys chairman between 2005 and 2016 when the scam occurred.

The Mehsana district court acquitted four accused due to lack of evidence. The case dates back to 2014 when 22 people were accused of financial irregularities. Three of the accused passed away while 19 faced the trial. Testimonies from 23 witnesses were considered during the proceedings.

Chaudhary was a minister in chief minister Keshubhai Patels government in the 1990s. In 1996, he sided with Shankersinh Vaghela when he rebelled against Patel and formed the government with Congresss help. Chaudhary served in the Vaghela government as a minister as well.

Chaudhary, who returned to the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2001, formed a socio-political outfit in 2022. Gujarats anti-corruption branch arrested him in September last year for the irregularities when he headed Dudhsagar Dairy.

In February 2015, the state cooperative registrar ordered his removal from the Mehsana District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited over alleged financial irregularities. He was accused of taking unfair decisions as the chairman and supplying cattle feed to Maharashtra, causing losses.

Chaudhary was booked for breach of trust, cheating, forgery, producing forged documents as genuine, and criminal conspiracy, and under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The primary focus during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to France may be on defence, but the two countries are poised to take giant steps in co-operation in areas such as the digital economy, manufacturing and clean energy including developments concerning the 9900 MW Jaitapur nuclear plant in Maharashtra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron are having a private dinner on Thursday on eve of Bastille Day Parade.(@EmmanuelMacron)

After five years, the India-France CEOs Forum has also been revived and is meeting in Quai dOrsay, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office, on July 14 with 10-12 corporate leaders from either side. While the Indian side will be co-chaired by Hari Bhartia, co-chairman of the Jubilant Bhartia Group, the French side will be headed by Paul Hermelin, Chairman of Information Technology firm Capgemini SE. Hermilin has also been appointed by the French Government as the point person for business and trade with India. Capgemini employs around 200,000 people in India and is set to open a 6G laboratory in Pune. Bilateral trade between India and France has doubled from 2014 to 14 billion Euros with the balance in favour of India.

However, the big ticket item that is currently work in progress between the two countries is the possible launch of the digital payment technology Unified Payments Interface or UPI in France by Modi during his two day visit. In 2023, UPI and Singapores PayNow signed an agreement, allowing users in either country to make cross-border transactions. If the Macron government agrees to do the same with UPI -- NPCI, the company behind UPI, and Frances Lyra have been working on this for a year -- then France will become the first European country to have UPI. It is understood that if all agreements are closed in time, the linkage will be launched by PM Modi from an iconic location in Paris.

The other major focus of PM Modis visit will be on clean energy; it was from Paris that he had launched the International Solar alliance in 2015, which today has 100 member countries. The focus this time will be on green hydrogen, renewables, batteries and small modular reactors. In this context, the two sides have also made significant progress in the 1650x6 MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project with forward momentum to technical discussions on the 8000-page techno-commercial offer made by France in 2019. It is understood that this exercise will come to fruition soon and the plant will become a reality as part of a bilateral clean energy initiative.

The French are also open to technology transfer and are keen to get French companies to diversify their manufacturing and sourcing footprint and are looking at India as an alternative global supply chain hub to China.

France is also ready to build collaboration with India for EXAScale computing . France has been Indias partner in supercomputing in the past and shared technology .

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Apart from offer to build three more Scorpene class submarines for the Indian Navy at Mazagon Dockyards in Mumbai, France has also agreed to arm the air independent propulsion (AIP) equipped submarine with a naval cruise missile, which has double the range of SCALP air to ground missile carried by Indian Air Force (IAF) Rafale fighters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on INS Vikrant aircraft carrier.

Upgraded from the SCALP missile, the naval version has a range of over 1000 kilometers when launched from a submarine and goes up to 1400 kilometers when launched from a warship. The turbojet powered cruise missile is sub-sonic and remains sub-surface before taking to the skies while approaching the target and then annihilating the potential enemy threat on ground. The missile is being used by the French Navy on board its frigates since 2017 and onboard its Barracuda class submarines from 2022. The missile can also be used on Scorpene class submarines after slight technical modifications of the torpedo tubes.

While Indian Navy officials and diplomats have seen the performance of the Naval SCALP in France, it is understood that the missile manufacturer is willing to produce the cruise weapon in India under the Make in India route. The decision to build three more submarines at MDL has been taken as the entire process for Indian Navys Project 75 I will take a minimum of 15 years or more. The time delay can be estimated from the fact that the decision to make six Scorpene (Kalveri) class submarines was taken when Atal Bihari Vajapee was the Prime Minister and George Fernandes was the Defence Minister in 1999. The sixth of the submarines will be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2024, a quarter of a century after the 30 year submarine program was given approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by PM Vajpayee.

Given the rapid expansion of Chinese Navy which is expected to patrol Indian Ocean waters by 2025, the Indian Navy has no options but to counter the PLAN challenge in the Indo-Pacific as it cannot allow Beijing to dominate the sea lanes from Gulf of Aden to South China Sea with the help of Indias once upon a time arch rival Pakistan.

It is quite evident from the content of bilateral ties with France that PM Modi visit will take the strategic relationship on a top gear with President Emmanuel Macron and his companies only waiting for India to ask for the technology the country wants.

Politically what is quite interesting is that PM Modi has been offered a state visit by US and France on the eve of 2024 Lok Sabha general elections, while UPA Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was offered the same immediately after the Congress got 206 seats in 2009 Lok Sabha elections. That PM Modi has been feted by both President Joe Biden and will now be by President Macron, reveals the confidence they have on the Indian leader in 2024.

Fact is that both Biden and Macron have close personal relations with PM Modi, who likes to bat straight without compromising on Indias strategic autonomy be it on Ukraine war or expansionist China.

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The third meeting of G20 sherpas at Hampi, the world heritage site, in Karnataka will focus on New Delhis priorities such as accelerated economic growth and digital transformation while contentious issues such as the Ukraine crisis are set aside for later, Indias G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said on Thursday. Delegates during the G20 Culture Working Group meeting, at Yeduru Basavanna complex in Hampi, Karnataka. (PIB/ ANI)

This is expected to be the second-to-last meeting of the sherpas, senior officials who negotiate on behalf of leaders of the worlds 20 largest economies, before India hosts the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September. Lack of consensus on text to refer to Russias invasion of Ukraine has held up consensus at all G20 ministerial meetings held so far.

Briefing the media after the first of three sessions to be held on Thursday and Friday to draft the leaders declaration to be adopted at the G20 Summit, Kant made it clear that Indias focus, for now, will be on issues such as accelerated development and growth, financing climate transition, reforming multilateral financial institutions and pushing the adoption of the countrys digital public infrastructure (DPI) around the world.

There will be a contentious issue and thatll be the issue of geo-politics, which we are not discussing at this stage at all, he said. Our priority is developmental issues, inclusive and sustainable growth, progress, more finance from multilateral institutions, sustainable development goals (SDGs), technological transformation, gender equality.

Responding to an issue on the Ukraine crisis holding up consensus within the G20, he said, There is no elephant in the room...because...the Russia-Ukraine war is not our creation, it is not a creation of developing and emerging countries, it is not a priority for us...Our priority is not war, thats not our priority at all. That may be a priority for somebody else. That is why well discuss [Ukraine] right in the end and...whether we get a solution or not, that is nothing to reflect [on India], he added.

People familiar with the matter said Russia has insisted that there should be no reference whatsoever to the Ukraine crisis in outcome documents, and it has been supported in these efforts by China. This marks a significant shift from the text in the leaders declaration at the last G20 Summit in Bali, which said most member states strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and stressed it was heightening energy and food insecurity, but added there were also other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions.

Kant also said the Indian side is trying to bring everybody together and achieve consensus on taking forward Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for a G20 agenda that is inclusive, decisive, ambitious and action-oriented. Indias draft is based on several themes that push accelerated, sustainable and resilient growth because one-third of the world is in recession, he said.

Another focus area is forging consensus on Indias push to include the 54-nation African Union as a new member of the G20, and Kant said such a move will allow the grouping to cover 90% of the global population.

We are looking at global growth, macro-economic policy, role of the private sector, unlocking trade for growth, global value chains, building cities for tomorrow, preparing for future of work [and] fostering global economic cooperation, Kant said.

The sherpas will also discuss law enforcement principles related to international cooperation and information-sharing to combat corruption, a framework for crypto assets and tax rules, and accelerating progress on SDGs, including a new seven-year action plan for achieving the goals by the timeframe of 2030.

The Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis had led to regression in implementing the SDGs and only 12% of the targets are on track, he said.

The sherpas will also discuss a green development pact proposed by India for sustainable and just transitions globally, delivering on climate finance, protecting eco-systems, reducing disaster risk and building resilient infrastructure. Kant said the reform of multilateral financial institutions has become imperative to ensure the flow of funds into emerging markets.

On the issue of DPI (Digital Public Infrastructure), Kant said there is a global vacuum in terms of definition of such infrastructure and a governance framework. DPI includes internet connectivity, digital identity and digital payments, which form layers of public infrastructure on which the private sector can innovate.

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HAMPI: The third meeting of G20 sherpas at the world heritage site in Karnataka will focus on New Delhis priorities such as accelerated economic growth and digital transformation while contentious issues such as the Ukraine crisis are set aside for later, Indias G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said on Thursday. Indias G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant made it clear that Indias focus, for now, will be on issues such as accelerated development and growth, financing climate transition, reforming multilateral financial institutions

This is expected to be the second-to-last meeting of the sherpas, senior officials who negotiate on behalf of leaders of the worlds 20 largest economies, before India hosts the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September. Lack of consensus on text to refer to Russias invasion of Ukraine has held up consensus at all G20 ministerial meetings held so far.

Briefing the media after the first of three sessions to be held on Thursday and Friday to draft the leaders declaration to be adopted at the G20 Summit, Kant made it clear that Indias focus, for now, will be on issues such as accelerated development and growth, financing climate transition, reforming multilateral financial institutions and pushing the adoption of the countrys digital public infrastructure (DPI) around the world.

There will be a contentious issue and thatll be the issue of geopolitics, which we are not discussing at this stage at all, he said.

Our priority is developmental issues, inclusive and sustainable growth, progress, more finance from multilateral institutions, sustainable development goals (SDGs), technological transformation, gender equality.

Responding to an issue on the Ukraine crisis holding up consensus within the G20, he said, There is no elephant in the room...because...the Russia-Ukraine war is not our creation, it is not a creation of developing and emerging countries, it is not a priority for us...Our priority is not war, thats not our priority at all. That may be a priority for somebody else.

That is why well discuss [Ukraine] right in the end and...whether we get a solution or not, that is nothing to reflect [on India], he added.

People familiar with the matter said Russia has insisted that there should be no reference whatsoever to the Ukraine crisis in outcome documents, and it has been supported in these efforts by China. This marks a significant shift from the text in the leaders declaration at the last G20 Summit in Bali, which said most member states strongly condemned the war in Ukraine and stressed it was heightening energy and food insecurity, but added there were also other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions.

Kant also said the Indian side is trying to bring everybody together and achieve consensus on taking forward Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for a G20 agenda that is inclusive, decisive, ambitious and action-oriented. Indias draft is based on several themes that push accelerated, sustainable and resilient growth because one-third of the world is in recession, he said.

Another focus area is forging consensus on Indias push to include the 54-nation African Union as a new member of the G20, and Kant said such a move will allow the grouping to cover 90% of the global population.

We are looking at global growth, macro-economic policy, role of the private sector, unlocking trade for growth, global value chains, building cities for tomorrow, preparing for future of work [and] fostering global economic cooperation, Kant said.

The sherpas will also discuss law enforcement principles related to international cooperation and information-sharing to combat corruption, a framework for crypto assets and tax rules, and accelerating progress on SDGs, including a new seven-year action plan for achieving the goals by the timeframe of 2030.

The Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis had led to regression in implementing the SDGs and only 12% of the targets are on track, he said.

The sherpas will also discuss a green development pact proposed by India for sustainable and just transitions globally, delivering on climate finance, protecting eco-systems, reducing disaster risk and building resilient infrastructure. Kant said the reform of multilateral financial institutions has become imperative to ensure the flow of funds into emerging markets.

On the issue of DPI, Kant said there is a global vacuum in terms of the definition of such infrastructure and a governance framework. DPI includes internet connectivity, digital identity and digital payments, which form layers of public infrastructure on which the private sector can innovate.

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Due to the release of water from Haryana's Hathnikund Barrage, several parts of Delhi have been flooded as the Yamuna River rises to 208.62 meters at the Old Delhi Railway Bridge. This is 3.29 meters above the danger mark. In response, Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and urge Haryana to regulate the water flow. However, countering CM Kejriwal's allegations, Haryana on Thursday said that Hathnikund is a barrage and not a dam, making it technically difficult to control the amount of water flow. (Follow Delhi Flood News Live Updates) Hathni Kund Barrage on the Yamuna River in Yamuna Nagar district of Haryana state.(PTI)

The Delhi Chief Minister's claim that Yamuna's water level has risen due to the release of surplus water from the Hathnikund Barrage is absolutely false. It appears that his officers did not inform him of the accurate details. The letter written by Arvind Kejriwal to the Union Home Minister in this regard holds no significance, said Devender Singh, Advisor (Irrigation) to the Chief Minister Haryana in a statement.

ALSO READ: Why is Delhi flooded? Encroachment of floodplains, extreme rainfall | Explained

He added that the structure at Hathnikund is a Barrage designed to divert/regulate the water. Only a dam, not a barrage, can control water in limited quantities.

Following the Central Water Commission's recommendations, the water discharged into the Yamuna River, for the protection of the Hathnikund barrage, is the water that is constantly coming from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand due to excessive rains, he said.

The statement from the Haryana's official further added that due to rainwater, land erosion and water-logging have occurred in Yamunanagar, Karnal, Panipat and Sonipat, due to which Haryana has to bear a heavy loss of life and property. If there was any option to release water in limited quantities, it would have been in the interest of Haryana too, he added.

'If an attempt is made to stop water, it can damage all gates of barrage'

The Hathnikund Barrage was designed by the Central Water Commission (CWC). According to the guidelines of the CWC, when more than 1 lakh cusecs of water come into it, the water automatically goes into the Yamuna River, the official said, adding that if an attempt is made to stop the water coming into the barrage, it can damage all the gates of the barrage and this water can turn into a fierce flood and cause huge destruction in Haryana and Delhi.

Latest updates on water release from Hathnikund Barrage

As per the latest updates, after being open for over 100 hours, the floodgates at Hathnikund Barrage have been closed. The water levels have decreased below 1 lakh and were recorded at 88,000 at 4 pm. On Sunday, all the gates at the barrage were opened around 3 pm due to heavy rainfall in the catchment area, which resulted in the water levels crossing the 1 lakh mark.

What is Hatnikund Barrage?

Hathnikund Barrage is a barrage located in Yamunanagar on the Yamuna River. This barrage was built between 1998 and 2000 to replace the earlier Tajewala Barrage. The structure barrage located at Hathnikund supplies to the partner states as per the 1994 agreement/memorandum.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the district administration has been put on alert ahead of Bhutan's decision to release excess of water from the Kurichu dam. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (File Photo)

The Royal Government of Bhutan has informed us that tonight there will be an excess release of water from the Kurichu Dam. We have alerted our district administrations to remain vigilant and assist the people in every possible way in case the water breaches the Beki and Manas rivers, Sarma tweeted.



Last month, nearly half a million people across 19 districts of the state were affected by the floods across the north eastern state. Barpeta, Dhubri, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Kokrajhar, Kamrup and Nalbari were among the affected districts as per the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

Bajali was the worst-affected district, affecting 2,67,253 people. In this district, 15,841 people had taken refuge in 73 shelter camps. The Assam government authorities provided food to the inmates in these camps.



Due to floods, 10,782 hectares of cropland were submerged by the flood-water which resulted in the destruction of large amounts of agriculture products.



A report by independent policy research think tank The Council on Energy Environment and Water stated that an estimated 72 per cent of districts in India are exposed to extreme flood events but only 25 per cent of them have level flood forecasting stations.

Despite high exposure to floods, Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim are the best-performing states in terms of flood early warning systems (EWS), the report added.

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The district police have increased security at the Kolar APMC market since Wednesday after an increase in theft of tomatoes due to skyrocketing prices, officials familiar with the developments said. According to the officials, Kolar is the major contributor of vegetables for Bengaluru and other parts of the state (PTI)

Kolar Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) is the second largest tomato market in Asia, and thousands of buyers and sellers come to market.

However, since a month, amid the threat of tomato thefts, tens of farmers stayed in market yards with their agriculture produces, and police stepped up vigil to prevent undue incidents.

As price went up the trading activity also increased in APMC market. We have deputed 6 policemen to market itself on shift basis, Kolar superintendent of police (SP) Narayan told HT. He said even we have increased night beat in rural areas also.

According to the officials, as Kolar is the major contributor of vegetables for Bengaluru and other parts, the majority of farmers are involved in growing vegetables. After the price of tomatoes crossed 150 per kilogram, farmers started guarding their agricultural fields by erecting tents.

I have been cultivating land for the last three decades but never guarded my farm. This year, I am sleeping in a tent on my farm for two weeks to prevent possible theft, said Boralingaiah, a farmer in Srinivasapura.

He said many farmers in his village are also guarding their tomato crops from thieves.

As Kolar is the second largest market, we have installed CCTV cameras in APMC premises since the beginning, Kolar APMC secretary Vijayalakshmi told HT.

She said earlier, the rush was less in the market, but after the demand for tomatoes increased, the number of buyers from Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu also increased.

Though the crop is less this year owing to leafdiseases, the farmers are getting good prices for tomatoes, she added.

On Tuesday, tomato rates reached a record high of 2,200 for a 15-kg box at the Kolar APMC yard.

The consignment brought by farmer Ashwanth from Vaijakur village in Chintamani taluk fetched a record rate when it was auctioned at one of the stalls in APMC.

As tomatoes price touched 200 in many cities of the country, the demand also increased due to short supply owing to less yield this year, officials said.

The price would come down only after the second week of August when a new crop arrives on the market, said a second APMC official.

On July 3, tomatoes worth over 2 lakh were stolen from a farm in Hassan district. This was followed by a case on July 8 where miscreants robbed 2 lakh worth of tomatoes, which were being transported to the Kolar market. The accused have still not been traced.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the rights of the Global South have been long denied and this has led to a feeling of anguish among these countries while underlying Indias role as a bridge between them and the Western world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (REUTERS)

In an interview with the French financial newspaper Les Echos ahead of his arrival in France, Modi advocated a comprehensive reshuffle of the international institutions. He said as the most populous in the world, India needs to regain its rightful place. How can the UN Security Council claim to speak for the world when its most populous country, and its largest democracy, is not a permanent member? .

Modi called French President Emmanuel Macron a strategic partner in the Asia-Pacific region who shared his views on the international order.

The interview was published as Modi on Thursday left for France for the first leg of his two-nation tour during which he will be the guest of honour at the annual Bastille Day Parade in Paris and hold talks with Macron on cooperation in areas such as defence and space.

Modi will be the first foreign leader since 2017 to be the chief guest at the parade marking the storming during the French Revolution (1789) of the Bastille fortress, a symbol of the monarchy. Then-US President Donald Trump was invited to the national day parade in 2017.

Asked about China pouring massive sums of money to boost its defence capabilities and whether it is threatening the security in the region, Modi told Les Echos Indias interests in the Indo-Pacific region are vast, and its engagement is deep. I have described our vision for this region in one word - SAGAR, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. While peace is necessary for the future we seek to build, it is far from assured.

He said India has always stood for peaceful resolution of differences through dialogue and diplomacy, and for respecting sovereignty of all nations, international law, and the rules-based international order. This is more important than ever for maintaining mutual trust and confidence. We believe that it is through this that a positive contribution can be made towards lasting regional and global peace and stability.

Responding to a question on what he expected from France in terms of strategic support in the stand-off with China, Modi said New Delhi and Paris have a broad-based and comprehensive strategic partnership that encompasses political, defence, security, economic, human-centric development, and sustainable cooperation. When countries with similar vision and values work together, bilaterally, in plurilateral arrangements or in regional institutions, they can deal with any challenge.

Modi underlined that India-France partnership, including in the Indo-Pacific region, is not directed against, or at the expense of any country. Our aim is to safeguard our economic and security interests, ensure freedom of navigation and commerce, and advance the rule of international law in the region. We work with other countries to develop their capabilities and support their efforts to make free sovereign choices. More broadly, we aim to advance peace and stability in the region.

Asked whether India was going to firm up its stance on the Ukraine war, Modi said he has spoken a number of times to President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky. I met President Zelensky in Hiroshima. Recently, I spoke to President Putin again. Indias stand has been clear, transparent, and consistent. I have said that it is not an era of war. We have urged both sides to resolve issues through dialogue and diplomacy. I told them that India is ready to support all genuine efforts that can help bring this conflict to an end.

He said India believes that all countries have an obligation to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, abide by international law, and adhere to the UN Charter. We are also deeply concerned about the impact of the conflict on the wider world, especially the Global South. Countries already suffering from the impact of the Covid pandemic now face energy, food, and health crisis, economic slowdown, inflation, and rising debt burden.

Modi said philosophies from every corner of the world have to be considered and that the world would make quick progress only when it learns to let go of anachronistic and outdated notions. There is one earth but not one philosophy, said Modi. He spoke about Indian power and the global reach of Indias cinema and music, the renewed interest in Ayurveda medicine, and the universal success of Yoga.

Modi called youth Indias strongest asset and said the countrys young and skilled workforce will be an asset for the world over the decades to come when many countries in the world are ageing and their populations are shrinking. What is unique is that this workforce is steeped in openness and democratic values, eager to embrace technology, and ready to adapt to the changing world. ...Indian diaspora, wherever they are, contribute towards the prosperity of their adopted homeland. The progress of one-sixth of humanity will give the world a more prosperous and sustainable future, he said in response to a question on how India as the most populous country changes its status on the world scene.

Modi said as the worlds largest democracy, with unparalleled social and economic diversity, Indias success will demonstrate that democracy delivers. That it is possible for harmony to exist amidst diversity. At the same time, there is a natural expectation of adjustments in the international system and institutions to give the rightful place to the worlds largest democracy.

When asked to elaborate on what he means by saying that India is gaining its rightful position in the world, Modi said he would rather term it as regaining its rightful place. Since time immemorial, India has been at the forefront of contributing to global economic growth, technological advancement, and human development. Today, across the world, we see a lot of problems and challenges. Recession, food security, inflation, and social tensions are just some of them. In such a global backdrop, I see a renewed confidence in our people, an optimism about the future, and an eagerness to take its rightful place in the world.

Asked about a phenomenal rise in the relationship between India and the US since the turn of the century, Modi said it has accelerated and reached new levels in the past nine years. There is widespread support for deepening our ties, from all stakeholders, in both countries - be it government, parliament, industry, academia, and of course the people. The US Congress has consistently extended bipartisan support for elevating our relationship.

Modi said he has personally enjoyed an excellent rapport with US leadership, across different administrations over the last nine years. During my state visit to the United States in June, President Joe Biden and I agreed that the partnership between the worlds two largest democracies with exceptionally strong people-to-people ties could be the defining partnership of this century. This is because this partnership is perfectly placed in terms of interests, vision, commitments, and complementarities to address the challenges of our times and contribute in a significant way to shaping the global order.

He said the India-US partnership is responding with a great sense of urgency and purpose as the challenges to the international order have grown. Trust, mutual confidence, and belief in the relationship have been key ingredients. Advancing a free, open, inclusive, and balanced Indo-Pacific region, is a shared goal. We pursue this with other partners in the region and beyond.

He said they were working together to advance standards and norms, build resilient global supply chains, including in critical and emerging technologies, pursue a successful green energy transition, catalyse manufacturing in key sectors, and forge a robust defence industrial partnership. We are working together with other countries in the region and beyond and revitalising multilateral institutions. These are all important shared goals that are driving the partnership. There is much that binds our two nations together and allows us to play a constructive role in addressing the challenges of our times and contributing in a significant way to shaping the global order.

Modi called for an honest discussion about the multilateral governance structures built in the aftermath of the Second World War. Nearly eight decades after the institutions were created, the world has transformed. The number of member countries has grown by four times. The character of the global economy has changed. We live in an era of new technology. New powers have risen causing a relative shift in global balance. We face new challenges, including climate change, cyber security, terrorism, space security, and pandemics. I could go on about the changes.

He said in this changed world, many questions arise. ...are these [structures] representative of todays world? Are they able to discharge the roles for which they were set up? Do countries around the world feel that these organizations matter, or are relevant? He said the UN Security Council, in particular, epitomises this dissonance. How can we talk of it as a primary organ of a global body, when entire continents of Africa and Latin America are ignored? How can it claim to speak for the world when its most populous country, and its largest democracy, is not a permanent member? And its skewed membership leads to opaque decision-making processes, which adds to its helplessness in addressing the challenges of today.

He said most countries are clear on what changes they would like to see in the UN Security Council, including on the role India should play. We just need to listen to their voice and heed their advice. I must appreciate the clear and consistent position that France has taken in this matter.

Asked about his vision for India in 2047, Modi said they were working with a clear one for the 100th anniversary of Indias independence. We want to see India become a developed country in 2047. A developed economy that caters to the needs of all its people - education, health, infrastructure and opportunities. India will remain a vibrant and participative federal democracy, in which all citizens are secure about their rights, confident of their place in the nation and optimistic about their future.

He said India will be a global leader in innovation and technology. A nation with sustainable lifestyles, clean rivers, blue skies and forests brimming with biodiversity and alive with wildlife. Our economy will be a hub of opportunities, an engine for global growth and its source of skills and talent. India will be a strong testimony to the power of democracy. We will help advance a more balanced multipolar world, anchored in international law and underpinned by the discipline of multilateralism.

He said Indias economic development has always been guided by a people-centric approach. We have tried to implement decisions that take along the most disadvantaged. Our focus on last-mile connectivity, on reaching out to every household, has been extremely successful. Harnessing digital technology has been a key element in this..

He referred to Indias demographic dividend, deep roots in democracy, and civilizational spirit and said they will guide the way as it moves towards the future. We recognize our responsibility in contributing to addressing global challenges, building a more cohesive world, giving voice to the aspirations of the weak, and advancing global peace and prosperity. India brings its own unique and distinct perspective and voice to the global discourse...it always stands in favour of peace, a fairer economic order, the concerns of the weaker nations and global cohesion in addressing our common challenges.

He said Indias belief in multilateral action is deep-rooted. The International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the One Sun, One World, One Grid initiative, and Indias Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiatives are all examples of this approach.

He referred to the supply of Covid vaccines to over 100 countries and the sharing of the open-source digital platform CoWin freely with others and said there is a global recognition that India is a force of good in the world and indispensable for global unity, cohesion, peace, and prosperity at a time of great turmoil and risks of fragmentation. As India grows, our contribution towards global good will further increase, and our capabilities and resources will continue to be directed towards the larger good of humanity, not to raise claims against others or challenge the international order.

Modi said Indias civilizational ethos and heritage provide the basis of what could be termed its soft power. We are blessed to have this in abundance. Our exports have never been war and subjugation, but yoga, ayurveda, spirituality, science, mathematics, and astronomy. We have always been a contributor to global peace and progress.

He said they are privileged that there is renewed interest in Indian culture and civilization. Yoga is a household term today. Our traditional medicine of Ayurveda is gaining acceptance. Indian cinema, cuisine, music and dance are being sought after across the world.

He said coexistence with nature drives Indias climate actions and the drive for sustainable lifestyles. Our innate belief in democratic ideals and the success of our vibrant democracy drive our desire to see a more accountable, inclusive, and representative system of international governance, and provide hope and inspiration to many.

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The friendship between India and France is unbreakable; it is rooted in history and spans the most modern of sectors from space to digital; and both countries are dealing with challenges of the 21st century together, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Seine Musicale in Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris suburb, on Thursday. (AFP)

Modi also hailed India as both the mother of democracy and a model of diversity, suggested that this diversity was the basis of Indias strength, outlined the domestic transformation in India, and recognised the Indian diasporas contribution in both adding to Indian capabilities and deepening the Indian imprint globally.

Addressing a community gathering at La Seine Musicale in Paris hours after arriving in France, Modi said, to chants of Bharat mata ki Jai, that he felt he had come home. His speech focused on three themes  the bilateral relationship, Indias domestic story; and the role of the diaspora.

I have come to France many times but this time, it is special. Tomorrow is the French national day. I congratulate the people of France and thank them for inviting me on this special occasion. Today, PM Elisabeth Borne came to receive me at the airport and tomorrow, I will participate in the national day parade with my friend, President Macron. This is not just a sign of a connection between the two leaders but a reflection of the unbreakable friendship between India and France, Modi said.

He pointed out that men and women of all of Indias armed services will participate in the parade and there could be no better way to celebrate the 25 years of the bilateral strategic partnership. Modi recalled how, during his visit in 2015, he had paid homage to those Indian soldiers who had given up their lives to defend France during the First World War  and said that one of the regiments that contributed men then, the Punjab Regiment, would be participating in the parade on Friday.

But moving to the contemporary period, Modi highlighted the expansive collaboration between India and France in space, clean energy, clean transportation, circular economy, and announced that the two countries have struck an agreement on the use of Indias unified payment interface (UPI) in France, beginning from the Eiffel Tower.

Modi also spoke of Indian democracy and diversity. India is the mother of democracy and model of diversity. This is a great strength of ours. Giving the specific example of linguistic diversity, he said that India had more than 100 languages and more than 1000 dialects  and every day, 32,000 newspapers were published in these 100 plus languages, besides India having over 900 news channels broadcast and 400 radio channels in these languages. He also spoke of the economic rise of India from being the worlds tenth to the fifth largest economy, the progress on gender empowerment and other social indicators, and the distance travelled in eliminating extreme poverty. When India progresses, the worlds development parameters improve.

Modi also hailed the diaspora for being the brand ambassadors of India, remaining connected to their motherland, strengthening Indo-French ties, and told the crowds that with remittances to India crossing $100 billion, the diaspora had set a new record.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Prashant Jha Prashant Jha is the Washington DC-based US correspondent of Hindustan Times. He is also the editor of HT Premium. Jha has earlier served as editor-views and national political editor/bureau chief of the paper. He is the author of How the BJP Wins: Inside India's Greatest Election Machine and Battles of the New Republic: A Contemporary History of Nepal. ...view detail
The defence ministrys approval to build three more Scorpene-class submarines in the country with technology from France will help boost the navys undersea capabilities at a time when a critical Make in India project for advanced submarines is making slow progress and the country is struggling to achieve modernisation goals set almost 25 years ago, officials aware of the matter said. HT Image

Indias defence acquisition council (DAC), headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday cleared the procurement of the new submarines as a follow-on order to an earlier deal under which Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has built six Scorpene or Kalvari class submarines with technology from Frances Naval Group under a 23,562-crore programme called Project-75.

The three submarines are likely to be delivered five to six years after a contract is signed, and that will help fill a critical capability gap as the 43,000 crore Project-75(I) to build six more advanced submarines for the Indian Navy is expected to come to fruition only in the 2030s, the officials said.

The navy needs to address its urgent operational needs and strengthen its dwindling submarine fleet, said former navy vice chief Vice Admiral SN Ghormade (retd). The three new submarines will help partly fill the capability gap created by the slow pace of the 30-year submarine-building programme approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 1999, he added.

The three submarines will be fitted with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems to allow them to remain submerged for longer.

The procurement of additional submarines, with higher indigenous content, will not only help in maintaining required force level and operational readiness of the Indian Navy, but also create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector, the defence ministry said in a statement. It will also help MDL in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction.

Spains state-owned shipbuilder Navantia and engineering major Larsen & Toubro on July 10 signed an agreement to jointly bid for Project-75(I). The agreement has put the firms in competition with the combine of Germanys ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and MDL, which signed an agreement on June 7 to bid for the same project under the Indian governments strategic partnership (SP) model.

Project-75(I) requires an Indian bidder to tie up with a foreign collaborator and build six conventional submarines equipped with AIP systems. The first submarine must have a minimum of 45% indigenisation, with the indigenous content going up to 60% in the sixth.

The project is one of the biggest under the Make in India initiative.

India cleared the project two years ago to strengthen the navys capabilities and provide momentum to a defence indigenisation drive. The SP model envisages indigenous production of major defence platforms by an Indian firm collaborating with a foreign original equipment manufacturer.

In January 2020, the defence ministry cleared two Indian and five foreign shipbuilders to take part in Project-75(I). The Indian strategic partners cleared were MDL and L&T. The foreign yards cleared included the Naval Group, Russias Rubin Design Bureau, Navantia and South Koreas Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Company. Naval Group and Rubin Design Bureau withdrew from the competition a year ago.

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Today's weather news LIVE Updates: Several north Indian states have reported a loss of life and property, along with disruption in transport and power as heavy rainfall lashed the parts of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, for the past few days leading to waterlogging, flash floods and landslides. Women stand on a road that got damaged by the flooding of Beas river following heavy rainfall, in Kullu on Thursday. (ANI)

Meanwhile, the water level of Yamuna in Delhi has crossed the mark of 208.08 meters, exceeding the Central Water Commission's estimate of 207.99 meters late on Wednesday night, putting authorities on alert mode. Thousands of people staying national capitals low-lying areas were shifted to safe places as a precautionary measure.
Indias defence acquisition council (DAC) on Thursday cleared the Indian Navys proposals to acquire 26 Rafale Marine combat jets and three more Scorpene-class submarines from France  deals set to be announced in Paris, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed later in the day for an official visit that aims to bolster bilateral ties and open new avenues of cooperation. HT Image

Modis participation as guest of honour in the French National Day, or Bastille Day, celebrations on Friday will be the highlight of the 36-hour visit.

I am confident that my visit will provide a new impetus to our strategic partnership, Modi said in a statement ahead of his departure for Paris. I look forward to meeting President [Emmanuel] Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years, he added.

On his arrival in Paris, Modi was received at the airport by French premier Elisabeth Borne, and given a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour. Landed in Paris. Looking forward to boosting India-France cooperation during this visit, he tweeted.

Modi said in his statement that the visit is particularly special as he will join Macron for the Bastille Day Parade in Paris as the guest of honour. An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the parade, while three French-origin Rafale jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will join a fly-past on the occasion.

Referring to the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership, Modi said it is rooted in deep trust and commitment, and the two countries cooperate closely in areas such as defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties.

Besides hosting a private dinner for Modi late on Thursday, Macron will hold formal talks with the Indian leader on Friday after they participate in the military parade. Both leaders will also participate in an India-France CEOs Forum and Modi will separately meet prominent personalities. The visit will conclude with a banquet hosted by Macron at the Louvre Museum.

Modi also said that he looked forward to his interactions with the French leadership, including Borne, Senate president Gerard Larcher, and National Assembly president Yael Braun-Pivet.

Meanwhile, in New Delhi, the decks were cleared for the announcement of the two big-ticket defence deals as Indias DAC on Thursday approved the Indian Navys proposals to buy 26 Rafale Marine jets and three more Scorpene submarines to sharpen its operational capabilities, officials aware of the matter said.

DAC, headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh, accorded its acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the Rafale M jets for use with the first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, and for building three Scorpene submarines in the country through transfer of technology. Under Indias defence procurement rules, the AoN by the council is the first step towards buying military hardware.

The two deals are estimated to have a combined value of 9 billion to 10 billion, though the final price will be determined after complex negotiations between India and France, the officials said, asking not to be named.

The Rafale procurement will include weapons, simulators, spares, associated equipment, crew training and logistics support for the Indian Navy from the French government based on an inter-governmental agreement, the defence ministry said in a statement.

The Rafale M edged out the American F/A-18 Super Hornet in a direct competition to equip the navy with new deck-based fighters.

The price and other terms of purchase will be negotiated with the French government after factoring in all relevant aspects, including the comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries, the statement said.

Further, integration of Indian designed equipment and establishment of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) hub for various systems will be incorporated into the contract documents after due negotiations, it said.

IAF operates 36 Rafale jets bought from France at a cost of 59,000 crore, and the aircrafts naval variant will bring commonality with the IAFs fighters, creating advantages in training, maintenance and logistics support.

The Rafale M jets are being imported as an interim measure to meet the navys needs until India develops its own twin-engine deck-based fighter (TEDBF). The first prototype of TEDBF could make its maiden flight by 2026 and be ready for production by 2031, HT has learnt.

The procurement of three submarines under the Buy (Indian) category will be a follow-on order to an earlier deal whereby state-run Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai built six Scorpene or Kalvari class submarines with technology from Frances Naval Group under a 23,562-crore programme called Project-75. The sixth vessel is set to be inducted in the Indian Navy early next year.

The procurement of additional submarines, with higher indigenous content, will not only help in maintaining required force level and operational readiness of the Indian Navy, but also create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector, the statement said. It will also help MDL in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction.

The three submarines will be fitted with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems to allow them to remain submerged for longer.

From Paris, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for an official visit on July 15. I look forward to meeting my friend, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, he said in his departure statement.

India and the UAE are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties, he said.

Last year, Mohamed bin Zayed and Modi agreed on a roadmap on the future of the bilateral partnership, and Modi said he looks forward to discussing with him how to further deepen our ties.

The UAE will be hosting the COP28 this year, and Modi said he would discuss ways to strengthen global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate the energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rezaul H Laskar Rezaul H Laskar is the Foreign Affairs Editor at Hindustan Times. His interests include movies and music. ...view detail
When the 640-tonne Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3) rocket takes off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on Friday, it carries not only the Chandrayaan-3, but also the weight of history as it seeks to place India in an elite club of nations that have successfully landed on the moon. Here are some charts that explain how this mission is placed in historical context. The Launch Vehicle Mark-III (LVM3) M4 vehicle with Chandrayaan-3 at the launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, in Sriharikota. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)(PTI)

India aims to be the 4th nation to ever achieve a soft landing on moon

A soft landing takes place when a spacecraft lands intact on the lunar surface and does not, intentionally or unintentionally, crash. Till date, four countries  the former Soviet Union, the United States, China and Israel  have previously attempted such landings on the moon. All but Israel have succeeded. This means if Chandrayaan-3 is a success, India will be the fourth nation to ever accomplish this feat. Follow Chandrayaan-3 Launch LIVE Updates Here.

The Chandrayaan-2 mission, which ended in a hard landing on the lunar surface on September 6, 2019, was also an orbiter mission (which succeeded). Thus, it is not included in Nasas aggregation of past lander attempts.

Interest  and success  in lunar missions is rising

The Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War inspired intense investment in space exploration from the late 1950s to the mid-1970s. After a lengthy hiatus  no country executed a single lunar mission in the 1980s  exploration of the Moon resumed in the 1990s. In the time since the Space Race, the portion of successful missions has only generally increased, data shows.

More countries are joining in

With the conclusion of the Space Race, more countries jumped in to join the United States and Russia beginning in the 1990s. Japan executed the first successful lunar [CHECK] mission by a country other than the US or Russia in 1990. Europe, China also accomplished trips to the moon, with the first successful European lunar mission launching in 2003 and the first successful Chinese one launching in 2007. India was not far behind, as the first Indian mission  Chandrayaan-1  was executed in 2008.

Israel has also since tried to join, with Beresheet in 2019 becoming the first privately funded mission sent into outer space. The spacecraft did not, however, land successfully on the lunar surface.

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The autorickshaw drivers union in Bengaluru on Thursday alleged that the Congress-led state government neglected them in the recent budget, and put forward various demands, including ban on bike taxis and compensation for the losses incurred due to the implementation of the Shakti scheme. The union also gave a seven-day deadline to the state government to resolve the issue while threatening of indefinite protest in case their demands are not met. The autorickshaw drivers union in Bengaluru alleged the Congress-led state government neglected them in the recent budget (AP)

According to the Bangalore Auto Drivers Unions Federation, the income of the auto drivers which had already taken a hit due to the bike taxis in the city, has now compounded with the implementation of the Shakti scheme, which provides free travel for women in select state-run buses. he scheme was launched on July 11 by chief minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru.

Auto drivers are suffering after the implementation of the Shakti Yojana. At least 10,000 per month should be given to each auto driver as compensation, the Union demanded.

Union president M Manjunath said, Bike taxis are banned in Maharashtra, Telangana and Odisha. In the same way, bike taxis should be banned in Karnataka as well. Otherwise, all the other transport except government transport will be completely shut down.

According to the union, there are 3.2 lakh autos across the state and 2.1 lakh autos in Bengaluru alone. The union stated that for the past two years, many organisations in the city have been continuously fighting against illegal white board taxis.

They pointed out that the Congress in its pre-poll manifesto had assured the auto and taxi drivers to ban bike taxis, among other demands, and condemned the lack of budget allocation in the interest of autorickshaw drivers.

The union has given a seven-day deadline to the state government to resolve the issue, and warned of indefinite protest from June 28, till their demands are met. All the auto drivers will participate in the strike on that day. At least 21 auto organisations in Bengaluru will take part in the protest, Manjunath said.

Apart from these demands, the union also urged the state government to establish a development corporation for unorganised commercial drivers and provide low-interest loans of up to 2 lakh through various government development boards. The union said that a proposal regarding the same would be submitted to the government soon.

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KOCHI: A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Kochi on Thursday awarded life imprisonment to three of the six convicts in a 2010 case wherein a Malayalam professors palm was chopped off by members of now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI). On July 4, 2010, TJ Joseph, a former head of Malayalam department of Newman College in Thodupuzha, was attacked by a group of PFI workers in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district. (HT Photo)

The three remaining convicts were sentenced to three years of imprisonment. The court also imposed a total fine of 4 lakh on all the convicts and directed that it be paid to the victim.

On July 4, 2010, TJ Joseph, a former head of Malayalam department of Newman College in Thodupuzha, was attacked by a group of PFI workers in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district. The PFI members chopped off Josephs right palm and stabbed his left leg with a hatchet for allegedly using the name of Prophet Mohammed in a blasphemous manner in an internal exam question paper. Joseph was later terminated from the college for hurting religious sentiments.

The trial in the case was held in two phases. In the first phase, 31 people were examined following which 13 were convicted. While 10 were awarded prison terms of eight years each for offences under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Explosive Substances Act and Indian Penal Code, three were found guilty for harbouring the offenders and awarded two-year rigorous imprisonment. NIA has petitioned the Kerala high court to enhance the punishment of all the convicts in the first phase and examine the acquittal of the remaining.

On Wednesday, six people were convicted and five others acquitted as part of the second-phase trial.

To have uniformity among the accused, imprisonment for life is to be awarded for sec 20 of the UA(P) Act and imprisonment for 10 years is to be awarded for the offence u/s 16 and 18 of the UA(P) Act, sec 307 of IPC and sec 3 of Explosive Substance Act with a further direction to pay a fine of 50,000 each, justice Anil K Bhaskar said in his order on Thursday.

The life sentences were awarded to second accused Sajil (36), third accused MK Nasar (48) and fifth accused Najeeb (42) under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Indian Penal Code and The Explosives Act for possessing weapons, conspiracy, damaging vehicle and indulging in terrorist activities, among others.

MK Naushad (48), PP Moideenkunju (60) and PM Ayub (48) were sentenced to three years for on charges of harbouring offender, criminal conspiracy and omitting information about the offence. They were subsequently granted bail to approach a higher court. They were subsequently granted bail to approach a higher court.

Ashamannur Sawad, the first accused in the case who chopped off the professors palm with a machete, is still absconding and is reportedly based in the UAE. Earlier this year, NIA had announced a reward of 10 lakh for information on Sawad.

Reacting to the quantum of punishment, Joseph told reporters: It doesnt affect me what form of punishment is handed to the convicts. Let legal experts discuss if the punishment is small or big. The court has pronounced its verdict and I have no feelings about it. I am an ordinary citizen and I was attacked in the name of some primitive beliefs. Thats over. I have already endured the suffering and pain and I have no interest if anyones punished or tortured in my name.
The special NIA court in Kochi on Thursday awarded life imprisonment to three convicts after second phase trial in the 2010 case in which a Malayalam professors palm was chopped off by now outlawed outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) members. The first accused in the case Ashamannur Savad, who had directly played a role in the attack, remains at large. (Representative file image)

Judge Anil K Bhaskar handed down the life sentences to the second accused Sajil (36), third accused MK Nasar (48) and the fifth accused Najeeb (42), according to the NIA chargesheet.

Three others who were convicted by the court on Wednesday, were sentenced to three years of imprisonment under various charges.

They were identified as MK Naushad (48), PP Moideenkunju (60) and PM Ayub (48), who were granted bail in order to approach the higher court.

Also Read: 2010 hand chopping case: Special NIA court convicts 6 persons

All the convicts were directed by the court to pay a fine of 4 lakh together to the victim.

However, the first accused in the case Ashamannur Savad, who had directly played a role in the attack on the professor, remains at large.

The NIA had earlier this year announced a reward of 10 lakh for those providing information about him.

To have uniformity among the accused, imprisonment for life is to be awarded for sec 20 of the UA(P) Act and imprisonment for 10 years is to be awarded for the offence u/s 16 and 18 of the UA(P) Act, sec 307 of IPC and sec 3 of Explosive Substance Act with a further direction to pay a fine of 50,000 each, the court order read.

The special court had on Wednesday convicted six of the 11 accused after second phase trial in the case.

On July 4, 2010, TJ Joseph, a professor of Malayalam of Newman College in Thodupuzha, was attacked by PFI activists who chopped off his right palm and stabbed his leg. The attack took place while he was returning home with his family after attending a Sunday mass at a church in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district.

Reacting to the sentencing, Joseph said, It doesnt affect me what form of punishment is handed to the convicts. Let legal experts discuss if the punishment is small or big. The court has pronounced its verdict and I have no feelings about it. I am an ordinary citizen, and I was attacked in the name of some primitive beliefs. Thats over. I have already endured the suffering and pain and I have no interest if anyones punished or tortured in my name.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday continued its raids in south Kashmir and searched five locations in the 2022 militant conspiracy case. The agency said that these outfits are affiliated to various banned Pakistan-backed organisations. (Representative file image)

This development comes two days after five places were raided.

As part of its ongoing investigations in the Jammu and Kashmir terrorist conspiracy case, the agency conducted another round of raids at the premises of hybrid militants and overground workers (OGWs) of the outfits and affiliates of Pakistan-backed banned militant organisations.

Raids were conducted today at five locations in the three police districts of Shopian, Awantipora and Pulwama, the agency said in a statement.

Also Read: Four Pak soliders killed by Islamist militants in attack on army base

The NIA also raided the premises of alleged sympathisers and cadres of the newly floated outfits, namely The Resistance Front (TRF), United Liberation Front Jammu & Kashmir (ULFJ&K), Mujahideen Gazwat-ul-Hind (MGH), Jammu & Kashmir Freedom Fighters (JKFF), Kashmir Tigers, PAAF and others.

The agency said that these outfits are affiliated to various banned Pakistan-backed organisations like Laskhar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Al-Badr, Al-Qaeda, among others.

Some of these newly floated outfits, The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow organisation of Lashkar-e-Taiba, have been found issuing threats of carrying out attacks in J&K over the social media, it said.

The NIA stated that several digital devices containing large volumes of incriminating data were recovered by them during Thursdays searches.

These have once again put the spotlight on OGWs as an important part of the terror ecosystem in the Valley, which is being dismantled on a continuous basis. Also known as hybrid terrorists, they provide support to militants and terrorists based in Pakistan, it said.

The NIA had registered a suo moto case on June 21, 2022, to investigate the involvement of the cadres and OGWs of the various outfits in spreading activities relating to terror, violence and subversion in J&K.

These cadres and workers have been involved in the collection and distribution of sticky bombs, magnetic bombs, IEDs, funds, narcotic substances and arms and ammunition. NIA investigations have revealed that Pak-based operatives were using social media platforms to promote terror. Drones were being used by them to deliver arms & ammunition, explosives, narcotics etc. to their operatives and cadres in the Kashmir valley, the agency said.

The alleged conspiracy relates to plotting by the banned outfits in both physical and cyber space to unleash violent militant attacks in J&K with sticky bombs, IEDs and small arms.

On Tuesday, the NIA had raided five different locations in three districts of south Kashmir namely Anantnag, Shopian and Pulwama regarding the case.

The NIA had stated that the Pakistan-backed outfits are also engaged in radicalising local youth and mobilising overground workers, to disturb peace and communal harmony in J&K.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to France on Thursday to deepen ties with New Delhi's oldest strategic partner in the West, with a slew of high-profile defence deals expected and a new joint plan to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplanes for Paris for a state visit to France on Thursday. (Twitter)

Modi has been invited as the guest of honour at the Bastille Day celebrations by French President Emmanuel Macron. Units from India's army, navy and air force will also participate in the parade, including two of the 36 Rafale fighter jets India bought in 2015 for nearly $9 billion.

The visit will "provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation," the Indian government said in a statement on Wednesday.

This year marks 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries, and the announcement of the new military deals will burnish the deepening defence ties between the two nations.

France has been one of Indias closest partners in Europe for decades. Paris was the only western capital to not impose sanctions on New Delhi after India conducted nuclear tests in 1998.

Ten years later, when India got Nuclear Suppliers Group waiver for its civil nuclear plans, France was the first country to sign an agreement.

India has relied on French fighter jets for four decades now. Much before buying Dassault Aviation's Rafale in 2015, India bought Mirage jets in 1980s, which still comprise two squadrons of the air force.

In 2005, India bought six Scorpene-class diesel submarines from France for 188 billion rupees ($2.28 billion) to be built in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) in partnership with the French Naval Group, the last of which will be commissioned next year.

The ageing fleet of India's Russian-made platforms, Moscows inability to perform maintenance work, and delays in India's indigenous manufacturing plans for parallel platforms have necessitated the two new defence deals.

For submarines, India is expected to buy three more Scorpene submarines, which will again be made by MDL and the Naval group, government sources in New Delhi and Paris said. The price of the deals has yet to be agreed.

India is also expected to agree to buy 26 Rafale jets, the sources said, without giving the deal's expcted value.

The marine version of Dassualt's Rafale jets, intended for India's first indigenous aircraft carrier commissioned in August 2022, outperformed the American SuperhornetF18s in tests last year for Indian requirements.

During the visit, Macron will host Modi for a private dinner, as well as a state banquet at the Louvre Museum. Modi will also meet other political leaders, selected French personalities and business leaders, and interact with the Indian diaspora.

Read Here: France ready to offer naval SCALP missile with three Scorpene subs

Both India and France through its island territories have deep interests in the Indian Ocean and are concerned about China's growing assertiveness in the region. Details of an announcement on a plan for the region are not known.

The visit comes less than a month after President Joe Biden hosted Modi for a state visit, during which the U.S. offered critical military technology including fighter jet engines and high altitude drones to India.

Last week Modi chaired an online meeting of leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Group members, which included Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping.

Macron, Biden, Putin and Xi, along with leaders of the other G20 members countries are expected to visit New Delhi in September for its summit to be hosted by India as its head this year.

The Indian leader will also later visit the UAE and meet President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the ruler of Abu Dhabi.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday filed a charge sheet against three persons, including a Myanmar national, in a case of extortion by members of banned terror outfits in Manipur. NIA had registered the suo motu case in the matter on 9 March 2022. (File image)

The charge sheet was filed in the NIA Special Court, Imphal, against the three cadres of the proscribed terrorist organisations, namely PRA (Peoples Revolutionary Army), KCP (Kangleipak Communist Party), PREPAK (Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak) and UNLF (United National Liberation Front), among others.

The accused, charged under various sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), have been identified as Deepak Sharma alias Khinmaung (38) of Myanmar, Suraj Jasiwal (33) of Manipur and Shaikhom Bruce Meetei (38), also from Manipur. Deepak Sharma has been additionally charged under the Foreigners Act, 1946.

The accused had been raising and collecting the funds with the intention to further the activities of these terrorist organizations, said a NIA spokesperson.

Investigations so far have revealed that the cadres of the banned outfits had been making extortion calls to the people in Imphal and the Valley areas to raise funds for their organizations. These cadres shared bank account details of their associates with the victims and instructed them to deposit the extortion money in the same, the spokesperson said.

Also Read:Internal matter: India responds to European Parliament plan to discuss Manipur

The federal agency had registered the suo motu case in the matter on 9 March 2022.

The violence in Manipur has claimed 142 lives till July 4, the state government informed the Supreme Court on Monday by filing an updated status report, which disclosed that the majority of fatalities occurred in the valley districts as the state still reels under ethnic tensions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met French Senate President Gerard Larcher here as he began his bilateral engagements to boost India's strategic ties with France. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Senate President Gerard Larcher in Paris. (ANI)

Modi, who landed here earlier in the day, received a warm welcome upon his arrival at the meeting hall to hold talks with Larcher.

The Prime Minister is here on a two-day visit during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron and join him for the French National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.

In a special gesture, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne received Prime Minister Modi at the airport. A ceremonial welcome and Guard of honour were accorded to Prime Minister Modi upon his arrival at the airport.

Prime Minister Modi will address the Indian community members later in the evening.

Ahead of his departure, Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership.

Expansion of bilateral defence ties is expected to be a key focus of Prime Minister Modi's talks with Macron.Also
France will be the first stop on a two-nation tour this week by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be the guest of honour at the annual Bastille Day Parade and hold talks with President Emmanuel Macron to take forward cooperation in key areas ranging from defence to space. Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaving for his visit to France in New Delhi on Thursday (PTI/Twitter-MEAIndia)

Modi is visiting France at the invitation of Macron during July 13-14. Being the chief guest at the military parade is considered a signal honour, and the last foreign leader to receive this in France was former US president Donald Trump in 2017. A 269-member Indian tri-services contingent will participate in the parade and three French-origin Rafale combat jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will join a flypast.

Defence is set to be a focus area during Modis visit to Paris, with the two sides expected to sign agreements to pave the way for India buying 26 Rafale-Marine combat jets for the navy and building three more Scorpene-class submarines in the country, officials aware of the matter said.

Indias defence acquisitions council (DAC), headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh, is expected to accord acceptance of necessity (AON) to the navy for buying the maritime fighters and for building the diesel-electric attack submarines at state-run Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The IAF operates 36 Rafale jets bought from France at a cost of 59,000 crore, and the Rafale M will bring commonality with IAFs fighters, creating advantages in training, maintenance and logistics support.

There are also reports that an arrangement for joint development of an engine for fighter jets with French aircraft equipment manufacturer Safran and a road map for defence-industrial cooperation could be finalised during the visit.

Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra told a media briefing that defence cooperation between India and France covers several important areas, including exercises, logistics support and maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific. Modi and Macron, he said, are expected to discuss ways to take forward joint research, design and production of military hardware and aligning these efforts with Indias drive to achieve self-reliance through initiatives such as Make in India.

MDL has built six Scorpene or Kalvari class submarines with technology from Frances Naval Group under a 23,562-crore programme. The sixth vessel is set to be inducted in the Indian Navy early next year.

Soon after arriving in Paris on Thursday, Modi will meet his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne and Senate President Gerard Larcher. He will interact with the Indian community before Macron hosts him for a private dinner at the Elysee Palace.

The ceremonial part of the visit will be July 14, when Modi will join the French national day celebrations at the Bastille Day Parade. This will be followed by a meeting with National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet and a series of interactions with thought leaders and businesspeople.

The 68-member IAF contingent taking part in the parade will be led by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy, a Mi-17 pilot. She led the IAF contingent at this years Republic Day parade. The army contingent will be led by Capt Aman Jagtap, while the naval contingent will be headed by Commander Vrat Baghel. A French Army contingent joined the Republic Day parade in 2016 when then president Francois Hollande was the chief guest at the event in Delhi.

There will be a ceremonial reception at the Elysee Palace on July 14, which will be followed by delegation-level talks between Modi and Macron. The two leaders will also participate in the India-France CEO Forum, which will be followed by a state banquet hosted by Macron at the Louvre Museum.

The visit to France, Kwatra said, will be rich in substance and form and is expected to new benchmarks for the bilateral strategic partnership, which is based on a series of strategic convergences. The two leaders will review cooperation under key pillars of this partnership, including security, space, civil nuclear technology, counterterrorism, cyber security, climate change and integration of supply chains, and outline plans for the future, he said.

The two leaders are also expected to explore new areas of cooperation in space, especially since this sector in India has undergone a rapid evolution, Kwatra said. Responding to a question on French energy major EDFs plans to build a nuclear power project at Jaitapur in India, he said agencies on the two sides are engaged in intense discussions on issues such as liability, cost of power generation, techno-commercial arrangements and engineering elements for concretisation of the cooperation.

While acknowledging that the two leaders will discuss developments in different parts of world, Kwatra declined to say whether the Ukraine crisis will figure in the talks. He described the recent riots that hit several French cities as an internal matter that had no impact on the visit.

The 25-year-old strategic partnership with France is time-tested and geopolitical developments havent affected the close ties, said Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), director general of the Centre for Air Power Studies. The defence relationship has been especially significant in the air and maritime domains for decades. France has played a critical role in strengthening Indias military capabilities and continues to do so, he said.

From France, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 15. He will hold talks with the UAE President and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership has been steadily strengthening and Modis visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture, the external affairs ministry said.

The visit will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of the UAEs presidency of COP28 and Indias G20 presidency, in which the Emirates is a guest country.

Since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022, two-way trade is now worth $85 billion. The UAE is Indias third largest trading partner and second largest export destination. The UAE is also the fourth largest investor in India, and is home to 3.5 million Indian expatriates. The PMs visit provides a useful opportunity to review this important partnership and inject further momentum across the whole range of areas that we cooperate in, Kwatra said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rezaul H Laskar Rezaul H Laskar is the Foreign Affairs Editor at Hindustan Times. His interests include movies and music. ...view detail
The Indian Navys latest fighter Rafale Marine is a sturdy aircraft built for sustained combat operations at sea and comes with a raft of design features that significantly enhance its survivability in carrier operations that are demanding and expose deck-based assets to a highly corrosive environment, people familiar with aircraft carrier operations said. Rafale M has an exceptionally strong airframe and undercarriage for aircraft carrier operations. (French Navy photo)

Also read: In France, PM Modi stresses on Indias diversity, democracy during address to diaspora

The twin-engine Rafale M has been specifically designed to operate from 40,000-tonne class aircraft carriers. The defence acquisition council (DAC), Indias apex procurement body, on Thursday approved a proposal to buy 26 of these fighters for the countrys first indigenous aircraft carrier: the 45,000-tonne INS Vikrant.

The Rafale M has an exceptionally strong airframe and undercarriage for aircraft carrier operations, it is made of advanced composite materials and corrosion resistant alloys, its components offer highest protection against rust, and the aircraft performance isnt compromised in severe tropical environments, HT has learnt.

Landing on an aircraft carrier deck is a traumatic event for an aircraft as it is not cushioned and there is a lot of stress on the airframe, fuselage, engines and avionics, said former navy chief and veteran decorated aviator Admiral Arun Prakash (retd).

Marine aircraft mounts have to be stronger to deal with the stress compared to shore-based aircraft. The metallurgy of marine fighters is also different as they operate in a corrosive environment, Prakash added.

The fighter jets on board INS Vikrant, built at a cost of  20,000 crore at Cochin Shipyard, use the ski-jump to takeoff and are recovered by arrestor wires or what is known as STOBAR (short takeoff but arrested recovery) that induces massive stress on the aircraft. Twelve Russian-origin MiG-29Ks are likely to be deployed on INS Vikrant till the Rafale Ms join the naval fleet, the officials said.

The Rafale M edged out the American F/A-18 Super Hornet in a direct competition to equip the navy with 26 new deck-based fighters.

The air force and the naval versions of the Rafale have similar mission capabilities, and equipment commonality that makes training, maintenance and logistics support easier. The Indian Air Force operates 36 Rafale jets bought from France at a cost of 59,000 crore. The new fighters have sharpened the capabilities of the air force, with their advanced weaponry, high-tech sensors, superior radar for detection and tracking of targets, and the ability to carry an impressive payload.

The IAF Rafale weaponry includes Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, Mica multi-mission air-to-air missiles and Scalp deep-strike cruise missiles - weapons that allow fighter pilots to attack air and ground targets from standoff ranges. The Rafale M will additionally be equipped with the AM39 Exocet missile for anti-ship strikes.

The Rafale M can carry up to 9.5 tonnes of weapons, fuel tanks and pods on 13 external hardpoints (14 for the air force variant), and is capable of low-level, high-speed penetrations to evade enemy radar.

The Rafale M is deployed on the French Navys Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. The configuration of the payload, including weapons and fuel tanks, depends on the range of carrier-launched strike raids and factors in that a pilot landing back on the carrier in bad weather or at the end of a demanding mission may need more fuel.

Several refinements help the pilot trap (arrested landing of the aircraft) on board a carrier in safety, including a dedicated approach symbology in head-up display and an innovative and precise power management system, according to Dassault Aviation, which manufactures Rafale.

Also read: India a bridge between Global South and Western world: Modi

The Rafale M fighters are being imported as an interim measure to meet the navys requirements until India develops its own twin-engine deck-based fighter (TEDBF). The first prototype of TEDBF could make its maiden flight by 2026 and be ready for production by 2031.

INS Vikrant, which has an indigenous content of 76%, will operate an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft including the new fighters, Kamov-31 choppers, MH-60R multi-role helicopters and advanced light helicopters.

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Hyderabad The research centre, being constructed at Palasa in Andhra Pradesh at a cost of  50 crore, will be associated with a 200-bed super-speciality hospital exclusively for kidney patients. (HT Archives)

The establishment of a state-of the-art research centre at Palasa has rekindled hopes of people, amidst rise in the cases of mysterious kidney disease, that has crippled thousands in Uddanam area of Andhra Pradeshs Srikakulam district.

The research centre, being constructed at a cost of 50 crore, will be associated with a 200-bed super-speciality hospital exclusively for kidney patients. The research centre has been established in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The construction of research centre-cum-hospital has been completed and is awaiting inauguration soon, special chief secretary (medical and health) of Andhra Pradesh government, M T Krishna Babu, said.

On July 3, the state government issued an order sanctioning the appointment of 41 super-specialists, specialists and medical officers at the Palasa research centre-cum-hospital, on a regular basis. It is the first of its kind research institute exclusively to deal with chronic kidney disease in the region, which has become an enigma for doctors, medical experts and scientists from across the world, Krishna Babu said.

He further said that the state government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with George Institute for Global Health, Technology Education and Research Institute (TERI) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 2019 to jointly conduct comprehensive research and identify the cause for kidney problems in Uddanam area of the state.

Geographically, the lush-green Uddanam region is spread across seven mandals (revenue blocks of Srikakulam district -- Ichapuram, Kaviti, Sompeta, Kanchili, Mandasa, Palasa and Vazrapukotturu. The tragic paradox of the area is that it is popular for cultivation of cashew nuts. For the last two decades, the people of Uddanam area, mostly farmers and agriculture labourers, have been suffering from the mysterious kidney epidemic of unknown etiology, popularly referred to as Uddanam Nephropathy.

Various studies conducted by several national and international institutes, including the World Health Organisation, Harvard University, King George Hospitals, Visakhapatnam and NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada have revealed high prevalence of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology between 40% and 60% of the people in the area, Krishna Babu said.

However, till now, neither scientists nor medical experts have been able to determine the exact root cause of the kidney diseases. Some studies suspected that the disease might be due to high selenium or lead content in the water and some others suggested it to the nature of soil. There were studies which attributed the disease to temperature, low water consumption, excessive usage of painkillers, air composition and even genetic disorders, the special chief secretary said.

But none of these studies have been able to give a correct picture. Only people in Uddanam area are suffering from mysterious kidney ailments, while those on the other side of the national highway do not have the disease, he said.

According to the estimates of ICMR (as of 2015), since 2005, more than 4,500 people died from chronic kidney disease, and around 34,000 people suffered from kidney diseases in Uddanam. In the last five years, as many 1,221 people have died of mysterious kidney diseases in the area, including 97 deaths since January this year, district medical and health officer (DMHO) of Srikakulam Dr N Anuradha said.

She said that even now, hundreds of patients continue to throng the government health centres regularly, complaining of kidney-related ailments. We have as many as 18 primary health centres, five urban health centres and six community health centres, which remain flooded with patients on a regular basis, Dr Anuradha said.

At present, there are five dialysis centres with 69 dialysis machines in Uddanam area at Kaviti, Sompeta, Palasa, Haripuram and Tekkali, established under Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP). Three more dialysis centres are coming up Baruva, Ichapuram and Kanchali with a total of 25 machines. They are being run in public-private partnership mode in collaboration with institutions like Apollo and Nephroplus, Anuradha said.

All these beds in the dialysis centres are extremely busy round-the-clock. It takes nearly three hours for each cycle of dialysis and each patient has to undergo dialysis for three days a week. The demand for beds is so high that we are forced to do dialysis for six patients on one bed every day, the DMHO said. It is a heart-rending scene at these health centres every day to see patients suffering.

Besides these government dialysis centres, quite a few private nursing homes with dialysis facilities have also come up in Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam cities, making a brisk business. But dialysis is an expensive procedure and costs around 10,000 for every cycle. Not everybody can afford it. Even those who are go to private dialysis centres come back to the government centres for follow-up, as it is done free of cost here, Anuradha said.

The district medical officers are now conducting regular screening of patients to identify new chronic kidney disease cases, if any, at an early stage and treat them medically. A dedicated online application has been developed and Community Health Officer (CHO) has been deployed to conduct screening of all people in the Uddanam area. Blood samples will be sent to the PHC [primary health centre] lab for testing for serum creatinine and blood urea levels, the DMHO said.

Apart from setting up of the research institute at Palasa, the government has simultaneously taken up Uddanam drinking water project at a cost of 742 crores to supply safe drinking water to the villages in the area. This project is also nearing completion and is all set for inauguration, Krishna Babu said.

Besides, the government has also set up seven filtration plants, each of 10,000 litres capacity, and 135 remote water dispensing units, each of 5,000 litres capacity, covering 165 villages in the area. The government is also providing a pension of 10,000 per month to every patient undergoing dialysis and 5,000 per month to each patient who do not need dialysis, he said.

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A Supreme Court constitution bench has until September 13 deferred consideration of a legal issue involving the appointment of arbitrators after the Union government asked it to await the report of an expert committee formed last month to recommend changes to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The Supreme Court will hear the matter on September 13. (ANI)

The bench comprising Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud and justices Hrishikesh Roy, PS Narasimha, Pankaj Mithal, and Manoj Misra on Wednesday told the government to apprise it of the progress made in this regard by the next date of hearing while agreeing to postpone the matter. It was hearing the reference on the question whether a person ineligible to nominate an arbitrator can do so and the validity of such a decision.

Attorney General R Venkatramani, who appeared for the government, apprised the court of the decision on June 14 to appoint the committee to examine the 1996 law. Former law secretary TK Vishwanathan-led committee was given a month to suggest changes in the law to make the process party-driven and cost-effective.

Venkatramani said that once the recommendations are made, the government will deliberate whether changes in the law were warranted. He requested the court to take up the matter after the government considers the committees report. The committee should not take more than two months. We will report back to the court as soon as deliberations are over, he said when the bench inquired about the time required for getting back with the recommendations.

Senior advocate Fali S Nariman, who appeared in one of the related matters, agreed with the Venkatramanis proposal. The reference by the government is really on a new law to be enacted. We do not know if the new law will be enacted or not, Nariman said.

The bench directed that the two references before it be deferred by two months. The court shall be apprised on the next date about the progress made following the recommendations made by the committee.

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The state of Tamil Nadu has witnessed heavy rains in the month of July. Rainfall ranging from 150mm to 273mm was seen in the state on Thursday. Taking to Twitter, the India Meteorological Department wrote, Heavy to very heavy rainfall (in mm) with extremely heavy falls recorded over Tamil Nadu during past 24 hours. The weather department also mentioned the stations and the amount of rainfall they received in the past few hours. A man shelters under an umbrella during a rainfall. (AFP)

It listed:

Villupuram - BASL Manampoondi - 273.0mm rainfall

Villupuram - RSCL 2 Soorapattu - 214.0mm rainfall

Villupuram - BASL Mugaiyur - 203.0mm rainfall

Villupuram - RSCL-2 Kedar - 150.0mm rainfall

Vellore - 85.1mm rainfall

Several parts of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, received heavy rainfall during the wee hours of Thursday. Visuals from the city showed the difficulty of people as they took off on their journeys amid the heavy rain lashing in the state. The regional centre forecasted the weather conditions in Chennai earlier.

READ | Heavy rain expected, red warning issued for parts of northeast India, Bihar

On Wednesday, the IMD also issued a warning about heavy rain in the coastal area of Andhra Pradesh.

The department has issued a heavy rainfall alert for Kerala on July 13-14. A yellow alert has been issued for the districts of Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur and Ksaragode on Thursday.

The southern part of India is expected to receive incessant rainfall till Sunday. The IMD forecasted heavy spells in areas of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday (July 11), coastal Andhra Pradesh till Wednesday (July 11-12), and South Interior Karnataka on Thursday and Friday (July 13-14).
The Chitthapura taluk block education officer (BEO) in Kalaburagi district suspended a teacher of Bhali Nayaka Tanda on Wednesday on charges of dereliction of duty, officials said. Chitthapura taluk BEO in Kalaburagi suspended a teacher of Bhali Nayaka Tanda on Wednesday on charges of dereliction of duty (Agencies)

According to officials, Mahendra Kollura, who was working as a teacher in Bhali Nayaka Thanda in Chittapura taluk, was irregular to school and doing agriculture in his land. He allegedly hired another woman unauthorisedly in his place to teach students.

Officials said they received complaints from parents and school development monitoring committee (SDMC) members that the teacher hired a young woman Savithri from the same village to teach students.

The teacher Kollura was coming to school one or two days a week and doing agriculture on his farm. He just wanted government salary and has no concern about the future of students, Basappa Gowda, a parent, said. We warned him many times, but he did not change his attitude. We then filed a complaint with the BEO, he added.

According to officials, the Kalburgi district in the north Karnataka region is one of the most backward districts in the state. Bhalinayak Tanda government primary school has classes from first to fifth.

Following the complaint, I visited the school and found that teacher Kollura is very irregular to school and he illegally hired Savithri to teach students, Chitthapura BEO Siddaveeraiah told HT.

He said the teacher has been working for 21 years and in this school for five years.

We served notice to him along with cluster resource persons. However, the reply by the teacher is not sufficient, and prima facie, he was found guilty of dereliction of duty and violation of KCSR (Karnataka civil service rules). I have suspended him and ordered for departmental enquiry, he added.

SDMC president Rajappa said, The school teacher was irregular, and despite several warnings, he did not go to school. Hence, we complained against him.

Meanwhile, the teacher is question has denied the allegations. I am going school regularly , I did not appoint anybody in my place, Kollura said.
Militants targeted and wounded three non-local labourers in the Gagran area of Shopian district, Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Representattive photo (HT photo)

The militants opened fire on the labourers during the evening. The injured individuals have been taken to a hospital. According to the officials, the three belong to Supaul, Bihar and have been identified as Anmol Kumar, Pintu Kumar Thakur and Heralal Yadav.

The authorities have cordoned off the area and initiated a search operation to apprehend the attackers.

The Bharatiya Janata Party states' spokesperson Altaf Thakur condemned the attack on unarmed non-local labourers by the terrorists.

This reflects the frustration, inhumanity and cheapness of terrorists involved in the gruesome attack on three non-local labourers who had gone to buy grocery items. Urge police to track those involved in the gruesome act and punish them sternly. Praying for the speedy recovery of all three injured men, Thakur said.

Omar Abdullah, the National Conference vice-president, denounced the attack and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

"Very unfortunate. I unreservedly condemn this attack and send my best wishes to the injured. I hope they make a complete and speedy recovery," the former chief minister said in a tweet.
Hyderabad Former union minister Daggubati Purandeswari, who took over as the president of Andhra Pradesh BJP unit on Thursday, Accusing the Jagan government of rebranding the central government schemes as its own. (MINT Archive)

Former union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party national general secretary Daggubati Purandeswari, who took over as the president of Andhra Pradesh BJP unit on Thursday, refused to commit on an alliance with the Telugu Desam Party in the forthcoming assembly elections in the state.

After assuming the charge, Purandeswari told reporters that the partys national leadership would look into the issue of forging alliances with other parties in the state. She, however, said the BJP would continue its friendly relations with Jana Sena Party headed by actor Pawan Kalyan.

Our former president of Andhra BJP Somu Veerraju had regularly been in touch with Pawan Kalyan. The Jana Sena Party is always our friendly party, she said.

Purandeswari was accorded a grand welcome at the Gannavaram airport by the BJP leaders and cadre. Former chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, Somu Veerraju, Y Satya Kumar and other leaders accompanied her.

Before flying to Vijayawada, she offered floral tributes to her late father and former chief minister N T Rama Rao at his Samadhi in Hyderabad.

She said she would put in her best efforts to strengthen the BJP in the state. A malicious propaganda has been going on against the BJP in the state (that it was favouring the YSR Congress party headed by chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy). Like for any other state, the BJP government at the Centre was extending support to Andhra Pradesh, without linking it to votes, she said.

Accusing the Jagan government of rebranding the central government schemes as its own, Purandeshwari demanded that the state government make public the facts relating to the Centres support to the state.

While the Centre is extending financial assistance of 6,000 to each farmer every year under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, the state government is claiming it as its own assistance under the Rythu Bharosa scheme, she pointed out.

She sought to know what had happened to Jagans promise to provide 12,500 each to farmers as investment support.

Purandeswari said 20,000 crore was given to the state by the Centre for construction of houses in nine years. While 65% houses should have been completed by now, not even 35% work is completed. The Jagan government should explain where the funds released by the Centre under various schemes have gone, she said.

She also blamed it on the YSRCP government for the delay in construction of the Polavaram project. She said that if the state government cant complete the work, it should leave it to the Centre which is funding the project.

The BJP state president also alleged that the law and order situation in the state was pretty bad and so was the condition of roads. The state has not been getting any investors while those who have already set up industries in the state are moving to other states, she said.

The YSRCP leaders could not be reached to comment on Purandeswaris allegations.

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Some antisocial elements and global forces are using technology to cause economic and social harm to citizens and governments, and there is a need to have uniformity in the laws of all countries to counter digital crimes and a united front to combat cyber threats, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Thursday. Union home minister Amit Shah. (Twitter Photo)

Shah called for a dedicated common channel among nations to prevent financial irregularities through the use of digital currencies.

Today, we live in a big global digital village. Although technology is a positive development in bringing human beings, communities, and countries closer, there are also some anti-social elements and global forces that are using technology to cause economic and social harm to citizens and governments, Shah said while inaugurating the two-day G20 Conference on Crime and Security in the Age of NFTs, Artificial Intelligence and Metaverse in Gurugram.

Over 900 participants from G20 countries, nine special invitee countries, international bodies such as Interpol and technology leaders and domain experts from India and across the world are attending the conference.

Asserting that the metaverse may create new opportunities for terrorist organisations, primarily for propaganda, recruitment, and training, Shah said, This will make it easier for terrorist organisations to select and target vulnerable people and prepare material according to their vulnerabilities.

Cybercriminals are perpetrating incidents ranging from ransomware attacks, sale of critical personal data, online harassment, and child abuse to fake news and misinformation campaigns with toolkits. At the same time, there is also a growing tendency to strategically target critical information and financial systems. Such activities are a matter of national concern, as their activities have a direct impact on national security, law and order, and the economy. If such crimes and criminals have to be stopped, then we have to think and also act by rising above the conventional geographic boundaries, Shah said.

While the home minister did not name any country, there have been instances of cyber attacks by China-backed hackers on Indias key establishments in the recent past, including hacking of the AIIMS servers last year.

Emphasising that no single country or organisation can combat cyber threats alone, Shah said that it requires a united front.

We aim to create a Cyber Success World and not a Cyber Failure World. Together, we can harness the potential of these technologies while ensuring a secure and prosperous digital future for all. Let us seize this opportunity to collaborate, share our ideas and forge international partnerships, he said.

On the rise in cybercrime involving digital currency, Shah said that there is a need for a dedicated common channel among nations to prevent such financial irregularities.

On terrorists leveraging technology, which is becoming a challenge for law enforcement agencies, Shah said the transformation of our security challenges from dynamite to metaverse and hawala to crypto currency is a matter of concern for countries across the world. Terrorists are finding new ways to perpetrate violence, radicalise youth and raise financial resources. New methods in the form of virtual assets are being used by terrorists for financial transactions.

And all of us, together, have to devise a common strategy against it, Shah said.

Citing World Bank data, the home minister said that cyber attacks could have caused losses to the tune of $5.2 trillion to the world from 2019-2023.

There must be efforts to bring some uniformity in the laws of all countries made to counter digital crimes. Keeping in mind the borderless nature of cybercrimes, we must put in place a response mechanism under different laws of the countries. Global cooperation in this area will help in harmonising cyber security benchmarks, best practices, and regulations, Shah said.

The need of the hour, he stated, is to share real-time cyber threat intelligence among member countries with active support from industry and academia to secure the nations critical infrastructure.

There should be greater coordination among cyber agencies of all countries in reporting and action on cyber incidents. Cooperation in the investigation of cross-border cyber crimes through joint efforts to build a peaceful, secure, deterrent and open information and communication technology environment is extremely necessary today, he added.

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A combination of unusually heavy rainfall in the upper reaches of the Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, in turn leading to a heavy flow of water from the Hathinikund Barrage that regulates the flow of water into Delhi (it is not a dam so does not have either a reservoir for storage, or overflow channels), and environmental factors such as the reduced absorption capacity of the riverbed and riverbanks, and encroachment of the Yamuna floodplain have led to the unprecedented flooding of Delhi, the first such in 45 years. Officials have said that while the situation at the barrage stabilised on Thursday -- it reached a high at 11 am on Tuesday -- a fresh spell of rain in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on Thursday morning may mean an increase in the flow of water on Friday, although experts say Delhi is unlikely to see the situation worsen -- unless there is another cloudburst either in Himachal or Uttarakhand. PREMIUM National Disaster Response Force personnel rescue people from flooded waters at Jaitpur Khadda in New Delhi on Thursday. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

Also read: Yamuna floods swathes of Capital after 45 years

Rainfall data from areas that feed the Yamuna suggest that these regions received rainfall much higher than the normal range in the days leading up to Wednesday, leading to the rivers that make up the Yamuna river system swelling to unprecedented levels. The Sirmaur and Shimla districts of Himachal Pradesh, for instance, which are major catchment areas for the Yamuna through the Giri and Pabbar rivers, received over 200 mm of rain, double the normal, between July 8 and 10. Uttarakhands Uttarkashi district, where the Yamuna originates at the Yamunotri glacier, recorded 202.3 mm of rain between July 6 and 12, 133% more than normal. The Dehradun district, which feds water into Yamuna through smaller rivers such as Asan, Sunheri, Pabbar and Aglar, saw 345.3 mm of rain between July 6 and 12, 139% more than the normal.

All of this meant that the flow of water at the Hathinikund barrage rose steeply between July 10 and 11, forcing Haryana to open the sluice gates. The barrage, built in the year 1996 and operationalised in 1999, to replace Tajewala built in 1873, is located in Yamunanagar, on Haryanas northern tip, and has ten main gates. Between 2 pm on July 10, the flow of water was 2.13 lakh cusecs, it rose to a peak of 3.59 lakh cusecs at 11 am on July 11.

Since then, the flow of water has reduced steadily; it was 61,019 cusecs at 6 pm on Thursday even, eventually leading to close of the gates at about 6 p.m. on Thursday, which should come as major relief of several districts of Haryana and Delhi, officials said. The decision on re-opening of the gates will be taken depending on water flow from Himachal and Uttarakhand, they said.

The usual average flow of water in July at the barrage is around one lakh cusecs per second.

On Wednesday an alarmed Delhi Chief Minister blamed the water from the barrage for the worsening situation in Delhi and said in a letter to the Union Government, It has not rained in Delhi for the last three days. The water level in the Yamuna in Delhi is not increasing due to the rains in Delhi, but due to the water released from the Hathinikund barrage located in Haryana. He asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to limit the speed of the release of water so that the level of Yamuna in Delhi does not rise further.

The problem was that a barrage cant do this. The Delhi chief minister himself admitted as much later in the evening, when he said that he received a phone call from Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat who had said Hathinikund was just a barrage and had no reservoir to store water. The water volume being released from Himachal Pradesh has reduced and the situation will improve. But it will take time to reflect in the water level of the Yamuna, Kejriwal said at a press conference on Thursday evening.

Officials said that heavy rainfall in areas corresponding to the Yamuna river system downstream from the barrage were also a factor in the flooding Delhi has seen. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), Yamunanagar received 400.6 mm of rainfall between July 6 and 12, almost six times the normal in that period while Karnal received 186.2 mm of rain between those dates, three times the usual. Panipat received 131.3 mm of rainfall, four times the usual.

This also led to several local rivers that rise during the monsoons, such as the Somb and Pathrala that originate from the Shivalik hills, to swell beyond capacity. It played an important role in sudden increase in Yamuna water, a senior Haryana government official said.

Himanshu Thakkar, an independent expert who has done extensive work on river systems however added that poor management of the Yamuna river was one of the primary drivers of the floods in Delhi. Peak flow of water from Hathinikund on July 11 was less than in 1978, 2019 and 2012-13 where it was even upto 9 lakh cusecs showing that the rains in the hills may have had a limited role. It is more because of what is happening in Yamuna flood plains in and around Delhi, he said. To be sure, in 1978, the job of regulating water flow was done by the Tajewala barrage which was replaced by Hathanikund.

Thakkar pointed out that water absorbtion capacity of Yamuna riverbed has been affected by the muck that is emptied into the river and the rampant sand mining along its banks. Very little flushing of water is happening because of deforestation along the flood plains and disappearance of water bodies.

Officials in Haryana said that over the next two days they expect the flow of water in the Hathinikund barrage to increase, but encouragingly, stay below the levels of July 11. This is because after no rain on Tuesday, there was another spell of rainfall in Yamuna catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand on Wednesday and Thursday. Dehradun received 62 mm till 8.30 a.m. on Thursday morning, 220% higher than normal. IMD has issued an orange alert for Himachal and Uttarkhand on Friday and red alert for Saturday and Sunday.

Also read: Water everywhere in Delhi, but supply crisis looms as 3 plants closed

Officials said that rain water from these two states usually takes 24 to 48 hours to reach the plains. But we dont expect a June 11 like situation in Delhi again because there is very little rainfall in areas downstream of Hathinikund, an official said. Another official from the Central Water Commission said that he expects the water level in the Yamuna in Delhi to dip below 208 metres by Friday evening, despite a possible increase in flow from Hathinikund, given the lack of localised sources of rain.
The devastating floods, landslides, mudslides in Himachal Pradesh followed by Uttarakhand and now, the downstream impact on the national Capital, which has been flooded for the first time in 45 years may be unprecedented , but experts say they are the natural outcome of three factors: the climate crisis; a young mountain range that is still geologically active ; and mindless infrastructure projects. A view of the damaged road depicting an aftermath of the flood occurred by the incessant monsoon rains, in Manali, Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday. (ANI)

Also read: How rain in hills is flooding Delhi

The combination, they add, will continue to cause damage every time there is extreme weather. Several scientific institutions and experts warned both Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh of this, but neither state took heed.

The facts, by themselves, should have forced the act.

The average temperature over the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) between 1951 to 2014 was 1.3 degrees C oas compared to 0.7 degree C over the entire Indian region according to a 2020 assessment by the union ministry of earth sciences. Several areas of HKH have experienced a declining trend in snowfall and also retreat of glaciers in recent decades. By the end of the 21st century, the annual mean surface temperature over HKH is projected to increase by about 5.2 degrees C under a high emission scenario. The warming over the Himalayan region may be even higher now in the past few years but an assessment is pending.

River basins originating in the Western Himalayas are predominantly fed by snow and glacial melt with rainfall largely coming from wintertime western disturbances but with the rise in extreme rainfall events and various man-made obstructions thanks to construction and the dumping of debris, the behaviour of Himalayan rivers have become unpredictable.

Rivers rise in response to heavy rainfall as we have seen this week but if they are obstructed then they will flood any low-lying areas and areas downstream. River water has to find ways to move and drain. Its a natural process, explained Kalachand Sain, director of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology.

Finally, the Himalayas are still forming. They started forming about 50 million years ago but are still fairly young compared to other ranges. The Western Ghats, for instance started forming around 150 million years ago.

The Himalayas are a very young mountain range and there are a lot of subsurface and surface activities going on here. There is erosion going on due to heavy rainfall events and snowfall; there is exhumation of rocks; there is plate tectonics. It is geo-dynamically extremely active due to these ongoing processes, Sain added.

Developmental projects such as roads, ropeways etc will have to be constructed based on scientific assessments from a geological point of view, he said.

And this will have to pretty much outweigh all else. For instance, the Supreme Court effectively signed off on the wider roads for the Char Dham project after the government took the position that this was critical for national security. While that may be a factual position, the threat that the roads now face from the crumbling hills around it may well render the project useless.

Proper land use planning, design of infrastructure is critical to minimize loss and damage. We must learn from our past experiences and ensure that development in the mountains is sustainable as such events are going to be on the rise due to climate change and socioeconomic changes, said Mandira Singh Shrestha, Senior Water Resources Specialist at International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

Its also important to understand that Himalayas respond strongly to temperature rise, experts said. The average temperature over the Himalayas is rising faster than the rest of the country. This is called the elevation effect, the higher you go the temperature rise will be higher. With the rise in temperature, the airs capacity to hold water also increases. This can cause very heavy rainfall events, said Anil Kulkarni, glaciologist and visiting scientist at the Divecha Center for Climate Change in IISc.

Unfortunately, the Himalayas are also fragile, a function of their composition and age. The Himalayas particularly the Western Himalayas are fragile also because they mainly have metamorphic rock which are fractured in nature, not as strong as say rocks in the Western Ghats. With heavy forest cover, the soil and rocks are protected to an extent but deforestation can make this region significantly susceptible, added Kulkarni.

And that is exactly what infrastructure projects have done. For example, you want to make the Chandigarh-Manali highway a four-lane one from the current two. Along with loss of forest cover, slopes will become unstable which will again take decades to stabilise. The debris from construction and landslides obstruct the flow of rivers creating an unpredictable flood situation, he explained.

The Himalayas face another problem -- receding glaciers. A study by Kathmandu based ICIMOD in 2019 found that even the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees by the end of the century would lead to the melting of one-third of the regions glaciers, a critical water source to some 250 million mountain dwellers and the 1.65 billion others living in the river valleys below. Snowmelt is very high over the glaciers when there is extreme rainfall which can add to the problem. Rainfall adds energy to the snowpack leading to accelerated melting. Moraines (usually soil and rock) can also fall and create lakes which can then burst and cause flooding and damage, Kulkarni said.

And all of this, affects not just the Himalayan states, but downstream regions -- such as Delhi, which, on Thursday, was dealing with an unprecedented situation which could worsen with more rainfall upstream. The surprising thing this time is that the peak volume of water being discharged from upstream is comparatively lower than previous years. But Delhi and Haryanas catchment areas recorded heavy rain and encroachments on the river bed and floodplains have increased constricting the rivers flow. There are several flyovers and bridges which impact the flow and concretisation has also increased. Silt and muck accumulation in the river has also caused it to flood, said Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP).

Experts also said that environmental oversight on large infrastructure projects is lacking. In the case of the 880 km Char Dham pariyojana, the project bypassed environment impact appraisal altogether. In an affidavit, the Union environment ministry informed the National Green Tribunal in 2018 that under EIA notification 2006, only new national highways and expansion of highways that are longer than 100 km need prior environmental clearance.

But char dham pariyojana had in fact been broken in to several small stretches separated by 16 bypasses.

Also read: Union home minister Amit Shah assures Himachal government of more help

This was warned time and again that increasing the width of Char Dham road would automatically lead to an increase in carrying capacity or footfalls. More pilgrims or tourists visiting the state would also mean many more people will be at risk from disasters. This is why the high-powered committee on char dham roads had recommended intermediate road width. Along with this, construction of hydropower projects like Vishnugad Pipalkoti near Joshimath is continuing; there is helicopter tourism which is on the rise and tourism in general is not regulated. The two lessons from 2013 flood disaster that tourism needs to be carefully regulated and there should be no obstructions on rivers have not been implemented. So, the state is in a precarious state and extremely vulnerable during every monsoon, Mallika Bhanot, Member of Ganga Ahvaan, a citizen forum had said in June.

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Womens groups in Goa have called for justice rather than uniformity in comments sent in response to the Law Commission of Indias call for views on the Uniform Civil Code. UCC refers to a common set of laws that will subsume customary laws across faiths and tribes and govern issues such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and maintenance (ANI)

The groups that consisted of several NGOs working for womens welfare, have also expressed the fear that women in the state could stand to lose the positive provisions they have, such as equal rights to parental property, if the code is passed.

We come from the location of a State that has near uniform family laws There are also provisions in Goas family laws that are uniform in discrimination, there are also provisions that are uniform across religions but not substantially equal, and there are also provisions that may be different but can enable empowerment, given our realities. Therefore, we believe that the goalpost has to be justice for all stakeholders in the family, and for all communities, rather than uniformity, the statement signed by six womens collectives said.

We are concerned that in the rush for a Uniform Civil Code, we in Goa may lose the positive provisions we have, like equal rights to parental property, as also the possibility of working towards reforms in each specific family law, including the family laws of Goa, the groups said.

The groups have sought that more time be given to deliberate, and give views on the UCC.

A months time does not suffice to deliberate on complex matters covering a wide range of areas such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, succession, guardianship, adoption, marital property, inheritance, different forms of property, and other related matters such as gender just tenancy rights, gender-just comunidade (village communities as in Goa) holdings, community holdings, positions on conflict of laws, that has repercussions for us in Goa, for the whole country and for its diverse populations, the groups said.

The atmosphere has to be created for people to articulate the challenges they face in accessing the law or because of the law, which cannot easily happen within a rhetoric where laws of a section of society are cherry-picked for critique. This kind of attitude can only drive women and marginal stakeholders in the family to silence, Adv Albertina Almeida, speaking on behalf of the groups, said.

UCC refers to a common set of laws that will subsume customary laws across faiths and tribes and govern issues such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and maintenance. In the Constitution, it is a part of the non-justiciable directive principles of state policy. In a 2018 consultation paper, the law commission said UCC was neither necessary nor desirable at this stage. Earlier this month, the law commission again sought views and suggestions on UCC from the public and recognised religious organisations. Moreover, some states such as Uttarakhand have set up panels to explore implementation of UCC.

The issue got a fresh fillip on June 27, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to BJP booth workers and made a strong case for UCC. These days, people are being provoked by the UCC. You tell me, if there is one law for one person in a home, and another law for another person, can that house function? Modi asked. As the crowd roared in denial, Modi said, Then how can a country work with such a hypocritical system? We have to remember that even the Constitution of India talks of common rights.

Dating back to the year 1867 when it was first enacted in Portugal before later in 1869 being extended to Portugals overseas provinces (that included Goa), the Goa Civil Code law has been praised for being more gender just than similar laws across the country including mandating compulsory registration of marriages before a civil authority, ensuring that the wife is an equal inheritor and is entitled to half of the couples common assets including those inherited by her husband in the case of a divorce and that the parents must compulsorily share at least half of the property with their children which must then be equally distributed among the children with daughters too entitled to a share on equal footing with their brothers.
Surging water levels in the Yamuna breached a 45-year-old landmark to touch record levels on Wednesday, marooning low-lying neighbourhoods in the Capital and sparking a massive evacuation effort that stoked a political controversy. People waiting for help at the Yamuna Sabzi Mandi wade through floodwaters near Mayur Vihar on Wednesday. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)(HT_PRINT)

Read here: Rising river water level leaves large areas vulnerable in Delhi

The Yamuna swelled to 208.08 metres at 11pm, breaking the previous record of 207.49 on September 6, 1978, leading to floods in the Capital.

Authorities warned that the water level will rise through the night and rise to 208.3m by 9am on Thursday as large chunks of Delhi  monastery market and Majnu ka Tila in north Delhi, Mayur Vihar Phase I and Geeta Colony in east Delhi, andmultiple patches on Ring Road near Kashmere Gate in old Delhi  were inundated. It remained unclear just how big a swathe of the city this new benchmark could submerge.By 6pm, police had closed some sections of the Ring Road and Bhairon Marg in central Delhi.

But experts pointed out that Delhi then didnt have over 22km of embankments on each side of the Yamuna protecting the city in 1978, and added that three consecutive days of little or no rainfall in Delhi may help avoid large-scale flooding with new measures added over the past 45 years.

Relief personnel helped evacuate 16,500 people from six districts, and housed them in 2,500 relief camps, warding other people off the banks of a river that lies moribund for most of the year but one that has transformed into a gushing torrent due to heavy showers in Himachal Pradesh and water released from upstream dams bursting beyond their capacity.

The water started entering the market area last night and by the morning the entire market was flooded. Many store owners had removed their stuff in advance, but many could not do it. All the stores are now closed. The total damage will be known only when the shops open after the flood water recedes, said Dawa, a worker at a store in Monastery Market.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal called an emergency meeting and wrote to Union home minister Amit Shah, asking for his intervention in stopping the release of water from Hathni Kund barrage in Haryana, about 230km upstream. The level in the Yamuna is directly linked to the release of water in the barrage. Later in the day, he said he spoke to Union jal shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who assured him that while not releasing the water was not possible since the barrage did not have a reservoir, the quantum of the water being sent downstream was considerably lower than earlier because rivers upstream in Himachal were no longer in spate.

I urge everyone living in low-lying areas to evacuate because the water level will rise suddenly and your life could be in danger, the chief minister said at a press conference.

Read here: Ghats at Delhis Nigam Bodh flooded, facility shut

After an emergency meeting, Kejriwal listed out affected areas. The areas already affected by the floods are Boat Club, Monastery Market, Neeli Chhatri Temple near Old Railway Bridge, Yamuna Bazaar, Geeta Ghat, Vishwakarma Khadda colony, Garhi Mandu, the stretch between Majnu ka Tila to Wazirabad, he said.

The CM said people in low-lying areas in Usmanpur, Badarpur Khadar, DND, Pushta Mayur Vihar, main Yamuna Road in Jagatpur, Bhelopur Shamshaan Ghat in Sarai Kale Khan, Jain Mandir, Gyaspur, the slums around Millennium Depot, also need to start leaving their houses in the wake of further rise in water levels.

He also wrote to Shah, asking the Centre to intervene and ensure only limited discharge of water from Haryana. The news of flooding in the capital of the country will not send a good message to the world. Together we will have to save the people of Delhi from this situation, he said, citing the upcoming G20 summit in Delhi

Later in the day, he said Shekhawat informed him that the volume of water being released to Haryana from Himachal Pradesh had reduced, which, in turn will bring down the water level in the Yamuna.

Following my letter (to Shah), I got a call from Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who said that Hathnikund is just a barrage and there is no reservoir to store water and limit the water speed. The water volume being released from Himachal Pradesh has reduced and the situation will improve. But it will take time to reflect in the water level of the Yamuna, the chief minister told reporters.

Delhi lieutenant governor (LG) VK Saxena visited flood-affected areas and called a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Thursday.

Visited the inundated banks of Yamuna and witnessed the preparedness of agencies. NDRF teams have been deployed to assist in case of any eventuality. I appeal to people of the city to not panic and those stuck in flooded areas to evacuate. As in the past, water coming from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana will eventually pass on through the river, downstream. With rains subsiding in upper reaches, the danger in Delhi is expected to recede soon, he said in tweets.

As the night deepened, flood waters submerged one section of the Ring Road near Kashmere Gate, and parts of arterial roads near Majnu Ka Tila and Metcalfe House. Flood waters also submerged a portion of busy Bhairon Marg near Ring Road by 6pm. One carriageway (towards Mathura Road) was shut, while the other was open. At 10:40pm a bus got stuck in the submerged carriageway (from Mathura road to Ring Road).

In Majnu Ka Tila, Wango, a woman who runs a shop, was seen taking out a deep freezer with the help of some locals from waist-deep water. My shop has been submerged along with several other shops and some restaurants. I have suffered a huge loss, she said.

At least two people in Yamuna Bazaar said they saw snakes in the water. We rescued many people by braving the floodwater yesterday. There are many snakes in the area. There are no arrangement of lights and at night we are exposed to danger, said Dhananjay Kumar, an auto mechanic.

The suffering brought back memories of the 1978 floods, when rain in the upper catchment areas of the Yamuna flooded many areas including Model Town and Jahangirpuri, Indiranagar, Majlis Park, Gopal Nagar, Alipur, Mukherjee Nagar, Kingsway Camp, Delhi University, Adarsh Nagar, Civil Lines, Bela Road, Okhla, Sarai Kale Khan and Maharani Bagh. Thousands were affected at the time. Since then, the Yamuna has breached the 207 metre level only twice  in 2013 and 2019.

But the situation in significant parts of the Capital remained largely normal, due to the embankments that were built in the 1960-70s, fortified over the years, an official said, ensuring that the city can withstand higher columns of river water. After two days of record-breaking showers, the city has also largely remained dry, holding out hope that even if a neighbourhood is inundated, the water will drain quickly.

Bhim Singh Rawat, a Yamuna activist and member of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) says since 7am on Thursday, there has been a declining trend in the water release from the Hathnikund barrage, but even then, a drop in water levels is only expected after two days. This is when we see no additional rain. If there is rain further up north or in Delhi, these levels may take longer to drop. At this point, the floodplains are at their saturation point. he said.

An official in the irrigation and flood control (I&FC) department said the gates of 12 major drains which flow into the Yamuna were closed. The water of the drains are being pumped out and drained into the Yamuna. The I&FC department is maintaining a 24 hours vigil at all vulnerable locations. At multiple places, the embankments are being strengthened with sand bags to prevent water from flowing into the residential areas close to the Yamuna embankments, said the official, requesting anonymity.

The official added that even though the embankments were strengthened over the years, the water level remained critical. The important part is that the unprecedented level of water will be maintained for a long time and may put the strength of the embankments on test. The engineering teams have identified some vulnerable points in the embankments and fortified them with sang bags. That is the only option available, added the official.

The Yamuna snakes through the Capital in a 22km-long arc with natural floodplains on both banks that have been encroached to grow vegetables and flowers. Migrant labourers have also built hutments on the floodplains and homeless people have found a shelter under the bridges. In places such as Yamuna Bazaar, slums as well as concrete houses have come up close to the floodplains. Around 35,000 people are estimated to be living there.

The embankment at Yamuna bazaar was in critical condition at the time of going to press and authorities were planning to start evacuations in areas near Kashmere Gate likely to be affected in the event of a breach.

A second official said 47 boats from the boat club, and the flood and irrigation department were kept ready to meet any emergency. The irrigation and flood control department identified 17 vulnerable points including places such as Vijay Ghat, Tibet market, Metcalf house, Tonga stand area, drain number 12 and 12A, and Delhi gate, and these sites are being monitored.

Irrigation and flood control department minister Saurabh Bharadwaj inspected the flood-affected areas in the central district and instructed the department to maintain constant vigilance. If the water level in Yamuna continues to rise at this rate, there is a possibility that it will overflow the areas that have been closed off to prevent water from reaching the roads. It could potentially breach those closures and spill onto the roads, Bharadwaj said.

Read here: Low-lying parts of Yamunas northern, eastern banks in Delhi hit; rescue operation on

Delhi BJP leaders went to affected areas to meet the displaced people, and slammed the Delhi government. The Delhi government ministers are taking boat rides in the Yamuna to show that they are working for flood relief, but the government did not make arrangement for the boats to evacuate those who stranded in the flood waters in the capital, said BJP leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri.

The potential crisis again brought home the impact of the climate crisis, and its power to initiate extreme weather events that take the heaviest toll on poorer communities. This cannot be tackled without inter-agency coordination and a dedicated focus on building climate-responsive policy.
Air India recently saw the first dispute with pilots since the Tatas took over the airlines operations in January. Two Air India pilots unions, The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and the Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) issued a legal notice in April terming the new wage contracts offered by the Tata Group "illegal". The unions noted that the new contract conditions were drawn up unilaterally without consulting the pilots and were "anti-labour". PREMIUM In April, Air India announced a revamped compensation structure for pilots and cabin crew. (Representative Photo)

These new terms deem the pilots as officers, not workmen, thereby effectively killing the pilots unions. After a brief standoff, amid the industry conditions, and a vote where as many as 80 per cent of pilots were willing to sign the contracts, the protest was withdrawn on May 11, just a day ahead of the deadline set by the AI management. The move also came shortly after GoFirst Airlines grounding, which left several pilots unemployed.

However, experts point out, the withdrawal of demands by Air Indias pilot unions is a strategic move and the matter has not yet been settled for good. Pilots remain categorised as "workmen" under the National Industrial Law Tribunal in 1956. The recent order addition of 470 new aircraft to the Air India fleet means that the new pilots will be signed on the new contracts. But all of them remain workmen, for now, even if their contract uses a different terminology.

The recent standoff

A senior official in Air India expressed deep concern over the situation, which he attributed to the Air India management's blatant disregard for the welfare of unions and pilots. He pointed to the management's flawed approach of introducing new terms to pilots and subsequently organising a town hall meeting amidst escalating tensions. According to the senior official, the stakes are high for pilots being asked to sign these restructured terms, raising valid concerns about the implications and potential risks involved.

In April, Air India announced a revamped compensation structure for pilots and cabin crew. It faced strong rejection from both unions, which advised their members not to accept the offer of a minimum monthly salary of 50,000 and the potential for some pilots to earn up to 8.5 lakh per month based on category and flying hours. They argued that the terms and conditions were unfairly imposed upon them, raising concerns over a lack of transparency and fairness.

Around 3,000 Air India, Vistara, and Air Asia pilots may be impacted by the proposed changes that would see fixed pay for 40 hours, down from the pre-pandemic 70 hours. The unions have expressed concern that pilots will experience pay cuts when on leave or unavailable due to training and license renewal requirements. Additionally, the union opposes a clause that would remove the workmen status of pilots. This allows them to form unions and strike against unfavourable policies. The ICPA and IPG, representing 1,700 Air India pilots, have also spoken out against the requirement for pilots to be on standby duty, arguing that it will disrupt their work-life balance.

Air India's decision to classify all senior commanders as management pilots and restrict their involvement in trade union activities has drawn intense criticism as being flagrantly unlawful. The unions have accused the management of deliberately attempting to undermine senior pilots by promoting them to the management cadre. It is worth noting that historically the airline maintained a small group of pilots known as management pilots, who performed both managerial and flying duties. Despite their inclusion in the management cadre, these pilots were still considered workmen under the legal framework established by the Beni Prasad Award. This binding award, which has received support from high courts and the Supreme Court in numerous challenges, determines that if the majority of work performed by management pilots is related to flying, they should still be classified as skilled workmen. As a result, management pilots retained their union membership and even participated in union elections, emphasising their alignment with the broader workforce.

The unions' opposition to the revamped compensation structure and their criticism of Air India management highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding the implementation of new terms and conditions. The dispute underscores the need for fair and inclusive dialogue between the airline and its employee representatives to ensure a mutually agreeable resolution.

Mark Martin, founder and CEO of Martin Consulting, an aviation consultancy, believes negotiation and mediation could help both parties find common ground on the proposed compensation structure changes. Improving communication between the management and pilots and addressing underlying issues, such as staffing shortages and high workload, could reduce the likelihood of future disputes, Martin said.

There may be jobs available outside. Carriers in the Gulf are hiring, and airlines like IndiGo will hire as per need. But Air India has placed 500 aircraft orders, indicating it offers a certain degree of stability. And the airline is also hiring for this. The new joiners will come on these new terms, he added.

A pilot, who signed on the dotted line, believes that industry-wide changes are the need of the hour. The pilots who petitioned the Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran and Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata were also in favour of working with the company to find mutually beneficial solutions.

However, many Air India pilots have voiced allegations of being coerced into signing the new contracts, citing the immense pressure within the industry. With the official withdrawal of the protest, the ramifications of these changes on pilots' unions and their role in the future of Indian civil aviation remain uncertain. If not resolved amicably, the future of Air India itself could be at stake, particularly considering its ambitious growth plans, as evidenced by the recent confirmation of a 470 aircraft order at the Paris Air Show.

The outcome of this ongoing situation, with the pilots union seeming to have only made a strategic withdrawal from any conflict, will have far-reaching implications for the aviation industry and Air India's trajectory.

A long dispute

This isnt Air Indias first run-in with pilots unions. The history of Air India's pilots unions is checkered with periods of intense conflict, strikes, and reconciliation. It all began with an allowance of 100 that the pilots were paid in pre-nationalised days. After the airline was nationalised into Indian Airline Corporation and Air India in 1953, this payment was denied to the pilots who went on agitation.

The government set up a National Industrial Tribunal to resolve the dispute under the chairmanship of Mr Bin Beniwal Prasad in Lucknow. "The tribunal was to decide whether the pilots were officers (supervisors) or workmen for the allowance to be admissible or not, recalled aviation veteran Shakti Lumba. His memoir, The Old Bold Pilot, references the history of Indian aviation, including the Indian Airlines pilot union, the ICPA, and a member of the Central Executive.

The pilots claimed that they were officers, with duties and responsibilities akin to that of a ships Captain. However, the Indian Airlines management held that they were workmen, as they did not have the right to hire or fire staff, a view shared by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

In 1959, the tribunal, in its award, The Beni Prasad Award, upheld the airline and ministrys pleading and deemed pilots were skilled workmen covered under section 2 SS of the Industrial Disputes Act 1947. The 100 officers allowance was denied to them. It is pertinent to point out that pilots are considered workmen under labour laws of the United States, UK, Canada, Australia and the European Union, to name a few other countries.

According to Captain Lumba, this denial of a workman's rights and protections, as guaranteed by the Industrial Disputes Act and the Beni Prasad Award, can be legally challenged. Captain Lumba further highlighted the historical precedent of management pilots participating in the pilot strike in 1992, emphasising that the Chief Labour Commissioner supported and upheld their actions. In his opinion, any country or company denying legitimate rights lays the groundwork for a potential revolution. The issue raises concerns over the fundamental rights of pilots and the implications of disregarding established labour laws and precedents.

Rise of the union

Workmen, including pilots, can register a trade union, granting them collective bargaining power. This enables them to negotiate service conditions, resolve disputes, and seek protection from unfair labour practices. If necessary, they can also go on strike, provided a 14-day notice is given to the employer as per statutory requirements. To ensure compliance with labour laws, each employer must establish a dedicated Industrial Relations cell to provide guidance. The Industrial Disputes Act of 1947 outlines the process of conciliation for resolving disputes, during which the trade union is prohibited from going on strike.

A strike is deemed illegal until the Chief Labour Commissioner declares dispute resolution failure. A seven-day notice is required for a legal strike if the government fails to establish the National Industrial Tribunal. Strikes during the conciliation process are considered illegal, risking the loss of union registration, recognition, pay, and possible termination for workmen.

The ICPA, formed in 1961 has been a proactive union advocating flight safety and pilot interests. In 1964, it facilitated the introduction by pioneering Flight and Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) in a tripartite agreement with Indian Airlines and the civil aviation ministry to address pilot fatigue and establish structured duty times, secured career progression agreements based on seniority for co-pilots to Captain upgrades, and implemented the mandatory pre-flight breathalyser tests after an incident in 1970, where an air crash was suspected to be alcohol-related. The union agreed to salary deduction for pilot coverage under the LIC-managed annuity scheme and secured loss of medical insurance for pilots declared medically unfit.

In December 1992, ICPA's legal strike for flight safety highlighted inadequate route navigation and landing aids on the A320. Among the fallouts of the strike was the resignation of the then civil aviation minister Madhavrao Scindia following the crash of an aircraft temporarily leased from Uzbekistan in 1993. The aircraft had been leased along with its foreign crew to tide over the airlines pilot crisis. The airline's chairman and managing director (CMD) Air Marshal SS Ramdas also quit amid the rift at Indian Airlines. The strike, however, saw the much-needed allocation of funds to upgrade India's airports and air routes. This enhanced safety measures and brought them on par with more advanced aviation nations.

Indian Airlines and Air India pilots demonstrated their unwavering support to the country during Desert Storm 1, swiftly evacuating Indian nationals from Amman, Jordan. They further showcased their commitment by conducting relief flights during the SARS and Covid pandemics.

The merger of Indian Airlines and Air India in 2007 pushed two profitable airlines into an abyss of mounting losses. The government had to inject billions of rupees to keep it afloat while the airline struggled. After enduring a series of setbacks and failures, the government ultimately decided to divest the airline, transferring ownership to Tata Sons.

Air India's transformation under the Tata Group's ownership has been marked by noteworthy developments. From addressing long-standing issues like unpaid pilots and mounting debt, the airline has undergone a notable turnaround. Recently, Air India made headlines by hiring 900 new aviators, and placing an order for over 400 new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. The new owners are actively working towards a merger between Air India and Vistara, a move that could well reshape the Indian aviation landscape.
Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur broke the internet after photos of the rumoured couple cuddling and clicking pictures with fans in Lisbon, Portugal, went viral on social media. The two stars' fan pages and paparazzi accounts shared clicks of Ananya and Aditya watching the sunset as he hugged her from behind, the couple enjoying the scenic views in Lisbon, and more. The couple chose to twin in casual-chic ensembles for the occasion. Check out their summer holiday looks. Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday twin in viral photos from their romantic Lisbon holiday. (Instagram)

(Also Read | When Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur set the ramp on fire as showstoppers for Manish Malhotra at Lakme Fashion Week)

Love in Lisbon: Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday

Netizens shared Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday's pictures on Instagram, announcing that the couple confirmed their relationship with the outing. The posts show Ananya dressed in a strappy dark blue maxi dress with minimal accessories and Aditya complimenting her in a dark blue T-shirt and black shorts. Scroll through to see the pictures and read our download on the couple's casual-chic outfit for the outing.

Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday's holiday look decoded

Ananya Panday's floor-length dress for an outing with Aditya Roy Kapur features noodle straps, a plunging neckline and back, a ruched design on the bust with a fitted silhouette, cinched waistline, a flowy skirt, and a maxi-length hem. She styled the ensemble with a dainty charms-adorned necklace, matching bracelet, strappy white sandals, a blue mini tote bag from Goyard, a messy low bun, and a no-makeup look.

Aditya Roy Kapur's comfy outfit checked all boxes of street-style fashion. He wore a crewneck T-shirt featuring half-length sleeves and a relaxed fitting. Black baggy shorts, white ribbed socks, and chunky lace-up sneakers rounded off his holiday look. Back-swept hairdo and trimmed beard gave the finishing touch.

Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur's films

Ananya has several projects lined up in the future, including Vikramaditya Motwane's untitled cybercrime-thriller, Farhan Akhtar's Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, Dream Girl 2 with Ayushmann Khurrana, and Amazon Prime Video's Call Me Bae.

Meanwhile, Aditya Roy Kapur was last seen in The Night Manager Part II. He has Anurag Basu's Metro...In Dino in the pipeline.
Barbie fever is taking over the world. But no one is doing the Barbiecore trend quite like the film's lead star Margot Robbie. One look at Margot's recent fashionable appearances during the Barbie movie promotions and world premieres, you would agree with our claim. The actor and her stylist Andrew Mukamal have taken inspiration from iconic Barbie dolls and recreated their looks for each promotional event. They did the same for the recently-concluded European premiere of Barbie in London, Britain. Other stars, including Ryan Gosling, Dua Lipa, Hari Nef, Simu Liu, Greta Gerwig, Nicola Coughlan, Issa Rae, Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa, and more, made a stunning appearance. Check out who wore what to the show. Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and Dua Lipa wow at Barbie London Premiere. (AP, Instagram)

Who Wore What to Barbie London Premiere

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie stole the spotlight at the Barbie European premiere in Vivienne Westwood Couture. Margot and Andrew decided to take inspiration from the Enchanted Evening 1960 Barbie doll for the event. Vivienne designed the dress exactly like the vintage doll. Even the pearl accessories looked on point. The gown features an off-shoulder faux fur neckline, corseted bodice, a form-fitted skirt, a floral embellishment on the waist, and a floor-sweeping train on the front. She wore it with white Opera gloves, embellished glass heels, a triple-string pearl choker, pearl ear studs, striking glam, and a centre-parted hairdo.

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling brought the 'Ken-ergy' to the Barbie European premiere, dressed in a pastel-coloured two-piece suit. Ryan wore a pastel green shaded notch lapel blazer featuring full-length sleeves, patched pockets and an open front. He styled it with matching straight-fitted pants, a light pastel-green linen shirt, white dress shoes, a side-parted messy-hairdo, and a trimmed beard.

Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa attended the Barbie premiere in a Versace dress from her co-designed collection 'La Vacanza 2023' - which debuted in Cannes. The figure-hugging midi dress has gold embellished noodle straps featuring the Versace logo, a plunging neckline, a colourful butterfly print on a silver mesh fabric, and a midi-length hem. She wore the ensemble with a choker necklace, matching earrings, a statement bracelet, rings, strappy pumps, a sleek hairdo, and striking makeup picks.

Simu Liu

Simu Liu chose an all-black outfit decked in grey floral patterns for the London premiere. He wore a fitted sleeveless collared shirt tucked inside matching pants featuring a relaxed fitting, side pockets and a flared hem. Chunky Chelsea boots, a silver mesh watch, rings, a chain-link choker, and a backswept hairdo rounded off his look.

Hari Nef

Hari Nef and Jeremy O. Harris attend the European premiere of Barbie in London.(Reuters)

Hari Nef dropped the pink accents for the London premiere and opted for the classic black route. She slipped into a black gown with metallic silver boning detail for the occasion. Golden see-through pumps, hoop earrings, rings, her ginger hair side-parted in a sleek bob, graphic silver and black eyeliner, feathered brows, mauve lip shade, and sharp contouring rounded off the styling.

Nicola Coughlan

Bridgerton and Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan wowed the crowd on the pink carpet in a sparkly silver wet dress by Wiederhoeft. Channelling a Diamond Barbie moment, she styled the form-fitted ensemble with diamond earrings, rings, smoky cat eye makeup, berry-toned lips, and metallic shoes.
When it comes to fashion, Janhvi Kapoor reigns supreme, effortlessly slaying fashion goals like a pro. This stunning actress knows how to captivate her fans with her stylish looks, sharing snippets of her fashion-forward choices on her Insta diaries. With a penchant for bodycon fitted dresses, Janhvi flaunts her perfectly toned figure with confidence and grace. From a mesmerizing floral bodycon gown to a smouldering hot black dress, Janhvi keeps it simple yet oh-so-sexy. With her irresistible curves, flawless makeup, and seductive poses, Janhvi Kapoor sets our screens on fire, leaving us unable to tear our eyes away. Keep on reading to know more about her look. (Also read: Janhvi Kapoor in chiffon saree dances with Varun Dhawan on Bawaal latest song, fan calls her 'Yash Raj heroine': Watch ) Janhvi Kapoor in her latest Instagram post can be seen posing in a stunning black bodycon fitted dress.(Instagram/@janhvikapoor)

Janhvi Kapoor slays in a black bodycon dress

On Thursday, Janhvi Kapoor pleasantly surprised her fans by uploading a series of pictures on Instagram. Dressed in a sizzling black dress, Janhvi's photos went viral within a matter of hours, amassing over 400k likes and attracting numerous comments from her followers who couldn't help but praise and compliment her. Even her best friend Orry couldn't resist showering her with compliments, commenting, "Angel baby" with a red heart emoji. Meanwhile, others expressed their admiration with heart-eyed and fire emojis. Let's take a moment to admire her stunning pictures.

Decoding Janhvi's stunning look

For her look, Janhvi Kapoor chose a stunning black dress from the shelves of fashion brand Galvan London. Her dress channels old-school Hollywood glamour for the modern woman. It features thin straps, a sweetheart neckline, a cutout in the bust, bodycon fitting and a sculpted bustier style fused with stretch for comfort. If you loved Janhvi's dress and wondering about its price don't worry we have got you covered. Her dress comes with a price tag of 1,150.00 which is equal to 12,35,79. Scroll down for more details.

Janhvi Kapoor's stunning outfit is from the fashion brand Galvan London and costs 12,35,79.(galvanlondon.com)

Assisted by makeup artist Riviera Lynn, Janhvi opted for a minimalistic makeup look featuring nude eyeshadow, beautifully coated lashes with mascara, contoured cheeks, and a touch of glossy pink lipstick. Janhvi left her luscious tresses open, styled with a side partition, exuding effortless elegance. To complete her glamorous ensemble, she wore a pair of black pump heels, adding the perfect finishing touch to her overall look.
When we talk about Indian tradition, then among many things that come to mind, one of them is the saree. It's the most beautiful and elegant attire that has been part of our culture for past many years. For those who love wearing different kinds of attire, the saree, the traditional Indian outfit, has served as a major source of inspiration. It comes in different designs and varieties, from Bandhani saree, Banarasi saree to Kanjeevaram sarees. Saree worth  21 lakh made with pearls from Japan and real Swarovski wows the internet(PTI)

These days there is another variety of saree which is grabbing attention because of its price. It costs 21.09 lakh. Well, indeed after knowing the price question arises what makes it so costly? (Also Read | Alia Bhatt creates magic in black saree during an event, internet calls her 'Raha's cute mommy': Watch)

Haider Ali Khan, Store Manager/Production, told ANI that this entire saree is made on the same wire, and that's why its cost increases. He told that even if the nets installed in it are more or less open, its cost increases, along with this, there is also another saree worth 10 lakh in his store and also told that the Dubai customer who bought the wedding. They have also ordered another saree of almost the same price which is being made.

"It's a piece of art which costs about 21 lakh. It takes a lot of time to make it as it put a lot of strain on the eyes. So, it took almost two years to make it. Chikankari is done through thread work then there is a fine zari work. Most of the material including pearls is from Japan. Moreover, original Swarovski has been used in it."

It would not be wrong to call this gleaming white-coloured saree the royal saree of Lucknow because it took two years to make this saree. In this, out of 32 stitches of chicken, those stitches have been used, which are now extinct or are now made by very few artisans. Not only this, there are crystals in this saree which shine so brightly.

Apart from these features, this entire saree is unique, which you will not find anywhere else in Lucknow. This saree has been prepared by Ada Designer Chikan Studio, which is located in Hazratganj, Lucknow. Haider Ali Khan, who got it ready, told that he had ordered it to be made two years ago. Now it has come in the form of a saree. The biggest reason for it being expensive is that the border that is put in it is made by the nuns of the convent with their own hands.

The cost of this border itself is about two to two and a half lakh rupees. It has very fine chikankari stitches, which are now used by very few people.
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and holds great significance for Muslims worldwide as it is Islamic New Year, also known as Al Hijri or Arabic New Year and is celebrated on the first day of Muharram as it was in this holy month that Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina. However, the 10th day of the month, known as Ashura, is mourned by Muslims in the remembrance of the matryrdom of Prophet Muhammads grandson, Hussain Ibn Ali. Muharram 2023: Al Hijri date, history, significance of the Islamic New Year, rituals performed by Muslims (Photo by Zayn Shah on Unsplash)

Unlike the Gregorian calendar that consists of 365 days, Islamic calendar has about 354 days divided into 12 months where Muharram is followed by the months of Safar, Rabi-al-Thani, Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada ath-Thaniyah, Rajab, Shaban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Zil-Qadah and Zil-Hijjah. After Ramadan or Ramzan, Muharram is considered to be the most sacred month in Islam and it marks the beginning of the lunar calendar which Islam follows.

Date:

The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, so the dates of Muharram vary each year in the Gregorian calendar. Muharram is the first month of the Islamic year and its precise start depends on the sighting of the moon.

According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, President of the Emirates Astronomy Society (ESA), Muharram 2023 or the new Hijri year 1445 is likely to be on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Apart from UAE, this might be the same for United Kingdom (UK), Saudi Arabia, Oman and other Gulf countries or those that follow KSA's moon sighting.

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Morocco usually gear up to sight the crescent moon of the Holy Month of Muharram a day later hence, 1st day of Muharram is expected to fall in these countries on Thursday, July 20, 2023 while the 10th of Muharram or Ashura is expected to be observed on Saturday, July 29, 2023 in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco and other South Asian nations.

History:

Muharram has historical importance for both Sunni and Shia Muslims. It commemorates significant events, including the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (the grandson of Prophet Muhammad) in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. This battle holds immense religious and political significance in Islamic history.

The battle took place during the caliphate of Yazid I, the second Umayyad caliph and it involved a conflict between the forces of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and the ruling Umayyad army. Imam Hussein, along with his family members and a small group of loyal companions, refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid I due to concerns about his unjust rule and violation of Islamic principles.

They embarked on a journey to the city of Kufa in present-day Iraq, responding to calls for support from its inhabitants however, upon reaching Karbala, Imam Hussein and his companions were met with a large Umayyad army, which vastly outnumbered them. Despite the odds, Imam Hussein and his followers remained steadfast in their commitment to uphold justice and the true teachings of Islam.

On the 10th day of Muharram, known as Ashura, Imam Hussein and his supporters faced a brutal battle against the Umayyad forces where the small group of Imam Hussein's followers including men, women and children, were surrounded and deprived of food and water for several days. Ultimately, they were mercilessly killed and Imam Hussein himself was martyred in the battle.

Significance:

Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year, signifying a time of renewal and spiritual contemplation. The word Muharram means not permitted or forbidden hence, Muslims are prohibited from taking part in activities like warfare and use it as a period of prayer and reflection.

However, Muharram is also a month of mourning and reflection for Muslims. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Imam Hussein and his companions, highlighting principles of justice, bravery and standing up against oppression.

The events of Karbala and the martyrdom of Imam Hussein hold great significance for Muslims. The sacrifices made by Imam Hussein and his companions are seen as a symbol of resistance against oppression and the importance of standing up for justice, even in the face of tyranny.

Observance and rituals:

Muharram is observed differently by Sunni and Shia Muslims, although mourning and remembrance are common aspects. Shia Muslims engage in mourning processions, hold gatherings called "Majlis," and commemorate this tragic event through mourning rituals, processions and gatherings in mosques, Hussainiyas or community centers to listen to sermons by religious leaders that recount and highlight the events of Karbala, paying homage to the martyrs and expressing grief and sorrow.

They may also engage in self-flagellation or chest-beating as expressions of grief. Shia Muslims refrain from attending and celebrating all joyous events in this period and observe a faaka on the tenth day of Muharram, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, who was the son of Hazrat Ali and the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in Karbala.

As for Sunnis, observing a fast on this day is considered a sunnah since Prophet Muhammad kept a roza on this day after Prophet Musa or Moses as per the Sunni tradition. Sunni Muslims may observe fasts on the 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th days of Muharram, known as Ashura, as recommended by Prophet Muhammad where the two fasts of Ashura is also observed to distinguish from the Jewish observance of Yom Kippur.

It was in the month of Muharram that Allah saved the Children of Israel from Pharaoh hence, as a sign of gratitude to Allah, Prophet Musa or Moses fasted on the day of Ashura that is the 10th of Muharram. In 622 CE, when Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina in the month of Muharram, he learnt from the Jews that they fasted on this day following the ways of Prophet Musa.

Wanting his followers to show the same gratitude to Allah, Prophet Muhammad decided to observe a two-day fast - one on the day of Ashura and one on the day prior (that is the 9th and 10th day of Muharram). These are the traditional customs of Sunni Muslims.

The 10th day of the month or Ashura is mourned by Muslims in the remembrance of the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammads grandson, Hussain Ibn Ali, in Karbala. The Shia community remembers the massacre on Ashura when Imam Hussain was said to be beheaded in the battle of Karbala and to mark public mourning and remembering the pain given to their great leader and his family, members of Shia community wear black clothes, observe abstinence, faaka and take out processions on this day.

It is important to note that Muharram is a solemn time for reflection, remembrance and honouring the sacrifices of Imam Hussein. It is a period of mourning and respect and individuals partaking in its observance do so with reverence and sensitivity to its cultural and religious significance.
In July 1969, I was in primary school. My heroes were cricketers -- Farokh Engineer, BS Chandrasekhar and MAK Pataudi. For some of my friends, the idols were film stars. That changed overnight with the American moon landing. I put up large pictures of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, cut out from newspapers, on the walls. My father bought me a large towel with pictures of astronauts and the Moon. Half a century later, the new Indian descendants of the rocket boys  many of them women  are our new stars. PREMIUM The success of Chandrayaan-3 will hopefully motivate young people to pursue careers in science and engineering.(ANI)

In September 2019, as the launch of Chandrayaan-2 approached, a hundred of us huddled in the cavernous lecture hall of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, watching the descent of the Vikram lander  the Pragyan rover in tow  on the lunar surface, its thrusters in full force, slowing down the free fall of the delicate component of the Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft, all 1,498 kg of it hurtling down, pulled in by the gravity of the Moon.

It had detached from the rest of the spacecraft four days ago, leaving the orbiter in its path about 100 km above the lunar surface, where it was going to spend at least seven more years, its instruments sending back crucial scientific information about the Moon, its environment and even the Sun.

We were applauding the green dot on the plot of the landing trajectory  showing the altitude and the range of the lander  till it reached about 2 km above the surface. Our spirits fell as it deviated from the expected course, and got stuck, indicating that we had lost communication. This is the phase that then Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Sivan described as 15 minutes of terror. The country was crestfallen.

However, the orbiter on Chandrayaan-2 continued to operate, and after the landing dust settled, we told ourselves that the failure of the lander did not mean that the mission was unsuccessful.

We were right. The rest of the mission went on to yield unambiguous evidence of water on the Moon, with the 3-micron absorption feature in the infrared spectrum, and made important breakthroughs in surface mineralogy, composition of the ionosphere and measuring the seismic disturbances on the lunar surface. Chandrayaan-3, its successor, concentrates almost exclusively on the lander and rover. The orbiter will be mostly a propulsion module, and there will be only one experiment on the orbiter.

What went wrong in the landing last time has been analysed in great detail by several teams, based on ISROs own information, and images and research shared by space agencies across the world. Almost everything that can go wrong has a backup plan, and many more sensors have now been added to raise relevant alarms.

The lander will have a number of changes, including two TTC (tracking, telemetry and command) antennas, two hazard avoidance cameras, a larger fuel tank, and a single engine. There is a laser doppler velocimeter that will be used to measure the velocity of the lander during descent. The landing site has been changed to be about 100 km away, and software vastly improved to prevent the glitch that occurred during the Chandrayaan 2 heartbreak.

The Moon and Earth are supposed to be sisters  formed from the same nebula as the Sun and the rest of the inner solar system. Some models say that the composition of the Moon and the Earth should be similar, though the distribution of the components may be different. Therefore, minerals found deep in the Earths surface could be found near or on the surface of the Moon. Understanding the formation of the Moon can go a long way in understanding how our own planet was birthed.

Also, our knowledge of the nature of the Moons thin atmospheric layer, the abundance of charged particles near the surface, and the availability of water will all be very pivotal if we hope to make the Moon a base for future space exploration.

Chandrayaan-3 is a major undertaking, and has the potential to make significant scientific discoveries. The mission will provide us with new insights into the Moons history, composition, and potential resources. The lander and rover will conduct detailed studies of the lunar surface, including its composition, mineralogy, and geology.

The mission will also search for water ice, which could be a valuable resource for future lunar missions, as it could be used for drinking water, fuel, and other purposes. Characterising the lunar atmosphere will help us understand how the Moons atmosphere interacts with the solar wind and other factors. Studying the lunar seismic activity will help us grasp the Moons internal structure and evolution. And all of this knowledge will come together to paint a better picture of the Moons formation and evolution.

As for the impact on the general public, and indeed on Indian science, the mission that flies off today is an invaluable milestone.

It further demonstrates Indias technological prowess. The successful launch and landing of Chandrayaan-3 will show the world that India has the ability to undertake increasingly complex space missions. This will boost investor confidence and attract more private investment in the space sector., making way for close interaction with the industry for the long-term goal of becoming a major player in the international space industry.

Chandrayaan-3 spurred the development of new technologies, such as the indigenous propulsion module, lander module, and rover. These technologies will have applications in other areas, such as defence, transportation, and health care.

And crucially, it will inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. The success of Chandrayaan-3 will hopefully motivate young people to pursue careers in science and engineering. This will help to ensure that India continues to be a leader in the global space race. The new heroes of the country need to be the new rocket boys and girls. And for the dreamers, it will bring the Moon much, much closer to us.

Somak Raychaudhury is vice-chancellor, Ashoka University and former director, IUCAA, Pune. The views expressed are personal
The struggle for political legacy is a recurring characteristic among regional political parties in India. The succession battle, which followed the death of Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, famously referred to as NTR, was no exception. PREMIUM New Delhi, July 06 (ANI): Daggubati Purandeswari, the newly appointed president of the Andhra Pradesh unit of the BJP, met partys national president J.P. Nadda in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI)

The very different political paths pursued by NTRs family members are a telling reminder of how individual ambitions  and not ideology  dictate political careers  especially in a year when his birth centenary is being observed across Telugu-speaking states.

NTR's family members have since aligned themselves with diverse political parties, ideologies of which bear no resemblance to his original political beliefs.

The appointment of D Purandeswari, daughter of the founder of Telugu Desam Party (TDP), as the chief of Andhra Pradesh BJP, is the most recent example of this phenomenon.

NTRs untimely death in 1996 was followed by a succession battle for his political legacy, involving various family members, including his second wife Lakshmi Parvathi, his younger son-in-law Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Purandeswari's husband and elder son-in-law D Venkateswara Rao, and son N Harikrishna.

Interestingly, Purandeswari wasnt openly involved in the internal power struggle at that time even though her husband had emerged as a direct contender.

As the political battle ensued, neither Parvathi nor the other family members  who periodically attempted to seize NTR's political legacy  could browbeat Naidu. Naidu maintained a firm grip on the TDP, steadily leaving his contenders behind in the succession race.

As a direct result, those who couldn't secure leadership roles in the TDP opted for different political parties to pursue their individual political ambitions.

And, given their lineage  because of their proximity to NTR and seeming access to his legacy  political parties eagerly courted them as well.

For nearly all the family members who Naidu sidelined, it was, in turn, their antipathy against him that primarily dictated their political decisions as they charted their own paths.

In the process, most ended up with parties that NTR, in his time, did not approve.

The first one to chart an alternative route was the primary contender, Lakshmi Parvathi. She was unable to capitalise on the anticipated wave of sympathy in the Lok Sabha elections that followed NTR's passing in April-May 1996. From that point forward, the decline of her party was swift, as her NTR- TDP failed to secure any seat in the 1998 (Lok Sabha), 1999, and 2004 (assembly) elections. Parvathi later formed an alliance with YS Rajasekhara Reddy and the Congress Party, a party that her late husband had opposed throughout his life.

Following the division of Andhra Pradesh, she merged the remnants of her own party with the newly formed YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

At present, Parvathi, no longer the political player she once was, serves as the chairperson of the Telugu Academy in the Reddy government, persisting in her criticism of Naidu even after all these years.

Harikrishna, NTRs son, played a significant role in the downfall of his father's government during the 95 palace coup. As it turned out, he later experienced a falling out with his brother-in-law, Naidu.

Taking a stance against Naidu's government, Harikrishna, along with his brother-in-law and Purandeswari's husband, Rao, founded their own party called Anna TDP in January 1999.

The party flopped: It received less than 2% of the votes polled in the elections of 1999. The humiliation was complete when Harikrishna himself lost in Gudivada (Krishna district), his fathers hometown.

Following this defeat, Harikrishna distanced himself from active politics for nearly a decade. However, he eventually re-joined the TDP when it transitioned into the opposition.

In 2008, Harikrishna  as it often happens in politics -- patched up with Naidu who then nominated him to the Rajya Sabha.

That saga came to an untimely end when Harikrishna met with a fatal road accident in 2018, August.

Separately, Raos political path too changed with time.

After actively participating in the palace coup against his father-in-law and assisting Naidu in assuming the position of chief minister, Rao, (Purandeswaris husband), soon had a falling out with Naidu.

Rao, in fact, returned to NTR's camp while the patriarch was still alive. Following NTR's demise, he joined forces with NTR's second wife, Parvathi. That alliance was short-lived, as Rao quickly became disillusioned with Parvathi's political play during the Rajya Sabha elections in April 1996.

After severing ties with Parvathi, Rao opted to align himself with the BJP, possibly the first to directly to do so from the immediate family.

It was short-lived: He departed from the party after just a year to join Harikrishna's newly formed political party, Anna TDP.

Following the disappointing outcome of the Anna TDP in the 1999 elections, Rao took a hiatus from active politics, only to resurface in 2004 when he joined the Congress party. Rao contested and successfully won as a Congress MLA in the same year, and later in 2009 as well.

Even though he often changed political tact, Rao consistently opposed Naidu throughout his career.

In 2014, he announced retirement from politics but made a comeback in 2019 by joining forces with Naidu's rival, Jagan Mohan Reddy, and contested for the assembly on a YSR Congress Party ticket, though unsuccessfully.

Since then, his political life has mostly been dormant.

NTRs son, N Balakrishna, who established himself as the patriarchs successor in the Telugu film industry as a leading actor, remained aligned with Naidu, having supported him during the rebellion against his father in 1995.

He later joined electoral politics and won the assembly elections in 2014 and 2019 on the ticket of the TDP.

Balakrishna remains an active member of the TDP.

The political path of Purandeswari

The case of NTRs eldest daughter Purandeswari is different from the rest of the clan  she waited for years after his death to emerge as a powerful politician in her own right though she charted a path her father would not approve of.

She was never in the limelight despite her illustrious background: Her sudden emergence as a politician was an unexpected development in this continuing family political drama.

Purandeswari entered the electoral arena as the Congress candidate for the Lok Sabha elections in 2004 when she was 45.

Her foray into politics was at the time seemingly aimed at preventing Naidu from becoming the sole inheritor of NTR's political legacy.

The Congress party welcomed the husband-and-wife duo even as their entry exposed the divisions within NTR's family.

Purandeswari emerged victorious in the elections and  by many accounts  proved to be an exceptional parliamentarian, gaining recognition and admiration.

Her rise within the Congress was sharp: Impressed by her capabilities, the Congress leadership appointed her as the state minister for human resources in the Manmohan Singh cabinet within two years.

During the 2009 general elections, she secured victory once again on a Congress ticket, and went on to hold portfolios in commerce, industry, and later textiles.

In about five years, the suave and well-spoken Purandeswari established herself as a respected figure in politics.

Bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh

In the midst of the upheaval caused by the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in 2014, Purandeswari and her husband Rao parted ways with the Congress party.

She joined the BJP but was defeated in both the Lok Sabha elections of 2014 and 2019.

Serving as a BJP spokesperson in AP, she remained a constant source of opposition for Naidu, particularly after the TDP severed ties with the NDA government in the latter half of 2018.

In an unexpected turn of events, the BJP has now appointed her as the state party chief.

In recent times, her animosity towards Naidu and the TDP appears to have somewhat diminished while her criticism of the YSRCP government has grown more stringent.

Meanwhile, there are discussions in political circles within the state suggesting that the TDP might form an alliance with the BJP for the 2024 elections.

It would certainly be intriguing to observe how Purandeswari navigates such a situation.

Political opportunism trumps ideology

Interestingly, many of NTR's family members did not exhibit any marked attachment to his political ideology when it came to their own political careers.

Despite NTR's relentless fight against the Congress Party, it did not dissuade any of them, including his second wife Lakshmi Parvathi, from pursuing their own careers within the same party.

Furthermore, even the patriarch's refusal to align with the BJP following the Babri Masjid demolition did not deter his daughter Purandeswari from joining the party. Of course, even Naidu, who has been leading the TDP since 1995, has deviated multiple times from its original ideological positions.

Purandeswari's career path serves as a testament to personality-driven politics within regional parties. It also highlights how the BJP strategically capitalises on internal family divisions within these parties to weaken them.

This trend is not limited to Purandeswari alone, as recent events in the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party have shown.

Ramesh Kandula is the author of Maverick Messaiah: A Political Biography of NT Rama Rao. The views expressed are personal
Several areas in Delhi, including Yamuna floodplains, along with low-lying areas of Civil Lines and Kashmere Gate, are currently experiencing severe flooding due to the swelling of the river. The water level at the Old Delhi Railway Bridge has risen to 208.65 meters, surpassing the danger mark by 3.32 meters. This unprecedented flood level has shattered a 45-year-old record, previously set at 207.49 meters. (Follow Delhi Flood News Live Updates) Delhi floods alert: NDRF personnel resuce a livestock at flood-hit at Nigam Bodh Ghat as the swollen Yamuna river floods low-lying areas, in New Delhi, Thursday, July 13, 2023. (PTI)

Commuters are experiencing huge traffic jams and delays as portions of roads have submerged. Delhi government has ordered the closure of all schools, colleges and universities till Sunday. Non-essential government offices will also remain shut and work from home norm has been advised.

How to check the Yamuna water level online?

In Delhi, the Yamuna River water level is measured at Old Delhi Railway Bridge and the information is fed in real-time on the flood alert portal of the Central Water Commission.

To check the water level of the Yamuna River online, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the CWC flood alert portal https://ffs.india-water.gov.in/ or CLICK HERE

Step 2: On the website, you will see a ticker at the top showing the latest water levels of rivers at different measuring points.

Step 3: Select the measuring station of your interest. In this case, choose Delhi Old Railway Bridge.

Step 4: A page will open with a detailed chart showing the water levels recorded on different dates and times.

On this page, you can find information such as the danger water level mark, current water level, forecasted water level, and any previous records. It will also display the cumulative daily rainfall. The water levels are regularly updated to provide the latest information.

You will get the chart of Yamuan's water level in Delhi.(screengrab/cwc website)

What is Central Water Commission?

CWC functions as an attached office of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The Commission is entrusted with measuring rivers' water levels and maintaining flood forecasts.
Industrialist Anand Mahindra took to Twitter on July 12 to express his hesitation about staying in a room suspended from a cliff. Although he acknowledged the beauty of the cliffside room, he highlighted the increasing unpredictable fury and impact of the rains worldwide that may lead to unfortunate events. Understandably, Mahindras apprehension stems from the recent weather events, including heavy rainfall, floods and landslides. Anand Mahindra is unsure if he would sign up for this beautiful bedroom suspended from a cliff. (Twitter/@anandmahindra)

Ordinarily, I would have marvelled at this beautiful design but with the unpredictable fury & impact of the rains now being evident around the world, Im not sure Id sign up for a night in this space! wrote Anand Mahindra while sharing a video on Twitter. The video showcases a breathtaking bedroom constructed with glass and wood, suspended from what appears to be the edge of a cliff.

Watch the video shared by Anand Mahindra right here:

Since being shared a day ago, the tweet has accumulated over 6.1 lakh views and the numbers are still increasing. Many even shared their thoughts after watching the video.

Heres what people have to say about the video:

I will not either, given the way this structure looks. However, if proper construction code is followed, yes. Living in earthquake-prone area (lot more dangerous than rains), newly homes here can/have withstood earthquakes upto 6 on Richter scale, without any significant damage, posted a Twitter user. Another added, Yes sir it is stable due to fixing of bed following centre of gravity but stability remains unpredictable.The factors like body weight, no.of people, external pressure etc may jeopardise pleasure of stay. Well, if its anchored in igneous or Basalt bedrock and higher enough from any river bed, one may still think, expressed a third. A fourth shared, While it looks beautiful, its giving me anxiety looking at its location! Sir, I am more worried about the quality of wood and strength of glass, wrote a fifth.

Also Read| Pakistani family holds world record for sharing same birthday

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Imagine this, you are roaming around your university campus and suddenly you come across a bear. What would you do in such a case? Well, this may seem like a scene out of a movie, but believe it or not, recently a bear was spotted roaming around a section of the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Bear spotted on Colorado university campus.(Twitter/@CUBoulderPolice)

As soon as the bear was spotted, the university police alerted the students through Twitter. They wrote, "CUPD and @COParksWildlife are expanding the closure area near the UMC due to a bear in the area. Please avoid the UMC south terrace entrance/exit. Vendor service area also closed. Sidewalk remains closed near underpass."

Take a look at the tweet made by CU Boulder Police here:

The university police had even put a closure near some areas to ensure safety. After the bear was removed from the area, they shared another update. CU Boulder Police shared in a tweet, "CUPD has lifted the closure near the UMC south terrace, vendor service area and SE sidewalk from Euclid to Broadway underpass. Thank you @COParksWildlife for a quick response and assistance with a bear in the area." They also added, "The bear was relocated by @COParksWildlife and there is no ongoing safety concern. Thank you for your patience as we rerouted pedestrian and vehicle traffic this afternoon!"

These posts were shared just a day ago. Since being shared, they have been viewed by several people. Many have also liked and commented on these posts.

Check out a few reactions from people here:

An individual wrote, "Oh man, such a sleepy baby." A second Twitter user joked, "Every time there is a bear on campus- I am not. Sigh." A third added, "He thought it was the Conference on World Bears." What do you think about this?

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Do you like pani puri? Do you like kadhi? Well, pani puri and kadhi are two different foods that are loved by many across the world. Some enjoy that spicy burst of mint water in pani puri while others love the comfort of kadhi with rice or roti. While these two dishes are worlds apart from each other, recently, someone made kadhi pani puri, and people are having a hard time digesting it. Kadhi meets pani puri in this latest food experiment.(Instagram/@foodiepopcorn)

Also Read: Love cheese? Burger King Thailand makes 'real' cheeseburger with 20 slices

What is shown in the making of this kadhi pani puri?

In a video shared by Instagram page @foodiepopcorn, they show a street vendor with a kadhi in a bowl. They first take a puri and fill it with chickpeas, then they dip it in kadhi and serve it. In the caption of the post, @foodiepopcorn wrote, Kadhipuri, will you give it a try?

Watch the making of this kadhi pani puri here:

This post was shared a week ago. It has also received more than two lakh views. The clip has also garnered over 4,000 likes. Several also shared their reactions in the comments section. Many were not happy with this combination.

Take a look at what people are saying about this dish:

An individual joked, They could have given rice in the filling. A second commented, Why make such wrong combinations? A third shared, Stop it. So stupid, expressed a fourth.

Earlier, another food-related post on social media had gone viral. The post showed green-coloured 'Mountain Dew' jalebis. Yes, you read that right. However, it isn't what you think it is. The post was shared on Instagram by food blogger @foodieincarnate, in the post he informed that these jalebis are famous in Bengaluru. They are made of hyacinth beans or more popularly known by the locals as Avarebele in Karnataka. You can read more about these jalebis here.

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Due to the steep prices, cinemagoers often face a dilemma when purchasing snacks and beverages at movie theatres. This unfortunate situation hampers their ability to fully indulge in their favourite treats while watching a film, significantly affecting the overall cinema experience. Recently, a journalist who visited PVR Cinemas in Noida encountered the same issue. After paying high prices for popcorn and a beverage, he took to Twitter to raise concerns about the exorbitant prices of snacks and beverages, in addition to the movie ticket by multiplex chains. He even compared the amount he paid for snacks at the theatre and the cost of an entire years subscription to an OTT platform. Now, PVR has acted on his complaint and slashed the prices of their food and beverages. The journalist shared this invoice after he paid  820 for regular cheese popcorn and Pepsi at a PVR in Noida. (Twitter/@tridipkmandal)

 460 for 55gm of cheese popcorn, 360 for 600ml of Pepsi. Total 820 at @_PVRCinemas Noida. Thats almost equal to the annual subscription of @PrimeVideoIN. No wonder people dont go to cinemas anymore. Movie watching with family has just become unaffordable, tweeted journalist Tridip K Mandal along with a picture of the invoice. It shows that Mandal spent 820 for regular cheese popcorn and Pepsi.

Take a look at the invoice he tweeted below:

The tweet, shared by Mandal, soon went viral, amassing over 2.7 million views. It also received a flurry of responses from netizens, with one saying, Took my parents out for a movie in Guwahati. Spent almost one year of Hotstar premium subscription price on food. The more interesting thing is that there is only Rs. 10 difference between medium and large. It becomes a life changing decision to decide for which to go when considering calorie intake as well, posted another.

Ten days after Mandals tweet, PVR Cinemas slashed the prices for various food items and beverages. They shared a picture and wrote, We at PVR believe that every opinion matters and it must be respected. We have this update for you and for every moviegoer in India #PVRHeardYou.

Heres how people reacted to PVR Cinemas tweet:

Asked the PVR staff at @VegaCitySocial mall in Bangalore and they said its just for display. Ended up paying 300 for the burger. What a sham, posted a Twitter user. To this, the company apologised and requested the person to share the details. Another added, (The offer) not showing online.

Do share terms and conditions, commented a third. A fourth posted, Amazing. PS - I sometimes watch movies at PVR only for Caramel Popcorn. Is this offer applicable for all PVR screens? enquired a fifth.

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A picture of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from the recently concluded NATO Summit is doing the rounds on social media and prompting numerous reactions from people. The picture, taken ahead of the social dinner, shows Zelensky standing alone while other delegates can be seen interacting with each other. While Zelensky can be seen standing alone, his wife, Olena Zelenska, is seen interacting with a delegate. Viral Pic: Was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky standing alone at the NATO Summit?(Screengrab)

Many started tweeting this picture from the NATO summit, saying the delegates were unhappy with President Volodymyr Zelenskys remarks on his countrys membership in NATO. A Twitter user shared the picture and wrote, Result of #Nato summit in Vilnius in one photo. No comments needed, while another expressed, No one else wants to take a picture with him, hug him, rub his shoulder? The whole essence of Zelenskys role at the NATO summit in one photo.

Take a look at the pictures below:

But, was he really left alone, and world leaders turned their back on him? Check out these pictures from the NATO summit that show him with his wife greeting other delegates:

NATO Summit 2023

The two-day NATO summit took place from July 11-12 in Vilnius, Lithuania, to address the challenges that the alliance is facing and to further strengthen NATOs deterrence and defence. Along with this, the leaders of the 31 member states also joined hands to make Ukraine even stronger with a multi-year programme of assistance to support their armed forces and upgrade their political ties with a new NATO-Ukraine Council and bring the country closer to NATO membership. A draft agreement states that Ukraine can join NATO when allies agree and conditions are met.

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After flash floods inundated several reg and thunderstorms brought torrential downpours, the US is now under another threat. It has now been hit by tornado warnings in Chicago on Wednesday, July 12. Passengers were forced to take shelter after a tornado touched down near Chicagos OHare International Airport. Hundreds of flights were disrupted. Tornado warnings hit Chicago on Wednesday, July 12 (@lilyjusth/Twitter, @t72320334/Twitter)

This tornado has been touching the ground intermittently so far and is moving east. There are additional circulations along the line south of OHare. Seek shelter if in the warned area," the National Weather Service in Chicago said, according to News18. Various clips posted to Twitter show tornado sirens going off in downtown Chicago.

Hundreds of people took shelter in an OHare Airport concourse, and 173 flights that were scheduled to depart the airport were cancelled. More than 500 flights were delayed. Poweroutage.us confirmed that over 10,000 customers lost power in the region.

As per weather forecasters, the storm was moving east toward southwest Michigan after hitting Chicago. A tornado watch was then issued for parts of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio on Thursday, July 13.

Several states, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Vermont, experienced rainfall on Sunday and Monday, July 9 and 10. Bridges were washed and roads were nearly inaccessible. On Tuesday, July 11, President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency in the northeastern US state of Vermont. Heavy rainfall caused flooding, leading to over 100 people being rescued from cars and homes.

Earlier this week, floods in New York wreaked havoc in various regions, including parts of the Lower Hudson Valley. The water rapidly flooded roadways, trapped people inside cars and spilled debris across places. Emergency responders worked to make rescue efforts.

A West Point Military Police spokesperson told CNN that there was heavy flooding at the United States Military Academy West Point in Orange County. Several people were trapped in their vehicles and had to swim out to safety. State police urged the public to avoid the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Rockland County due to excessive flooding, NYSP public information officer Steven Nevel told Newsweek.

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet top Chinese foreign policy official Wang Yi on Thursday in Jakarta, their second meeting in as many months as the powers seek to manage tensions. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (AP)

Blinken and Wang will meet on the sidelines of the ASEAN-plus-three foreign minister talks in the Indonesian capital, the State Department's public schedule showed.

The meeting is going ahead despite Microsoft recently saying that Chinese hackers had breached US government email accounts, including those of the State Department.

The Jakarta talks come nearly a month after Blinken travelled to Beijing, the first visit by the top US diplomat in nearly five years, and met President Xi Jinping as well as Wang and Foreign Minister Qin Gang.

Since then, there has been a flurry of diplomacy, with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visiting Beijing last week and a trip set in the coming days by climate envoy John Kerry.

Tensions have soared in recent years between the world's two largest economies over a host of issues including China's assertiveness in the region including Taiwan and sweeping restrictions imposed by the United States on exports of its advanced semiconductors.

Neither country has predicted breakthroughs in the renewed diplomacy but both have spoken in terms of managing the relationship to make sure that friction does not lead to outright conflict.
A true crime YouTuber, known by the name Zav Girl, has been slammed for selling autopsy photos of a murdered Colorado boyon her Patreon account. According to NewsNation correspondent Brian Entin, Zav girl obtained disturbing photos of Gannon Stauch, 11, who had been stabbed and shot by his mom Leticia Stauch in 2020. Zav Girl did this by submitting a Freedom of Information Act request. The photos were later released on Zav Girls Patreon account, with people being charged to pay $3 to view them (Zav Girl/YouTube)

The photos were later released on Zav Girls Patreon account, with people being charged to pay $3 to view them. Her account has now been removed. Zav Girls real name is unknown, but she has revealed her face on YouTube.

We removed "Zav Girl" from Patreon for violations of our Community Guidelines for Violent and Graphic Content. To create a safe environment for users, Patreon does not allow content glorifying or promoting violence of any kind," a Patreon spokesperson told Hindustan Times.

Gannon Stauch, 11, was stabbed and shot by his mom in 2020 (El Paso County Sheriff's Office)

I spent a lot of time and worked hard

Amid the criticism, Zav Girl released a statement on the community section of her YouTube channel. The reality of the situation is that different people feel differently about this. Some people genuinely think making a video including the autopsy photos is bad and I respect their opinion and feelings. Other people, like myself, think of autopsy photos and the coroner discussing/explaining them as interesting and informative and are able to view it all in a more scientific detached way. Its just one of those things where it depends on the person,Zav Girl wrote.

I understand some of you have issues with me charging money on my patreon for the video. If I was charging money for the autopsy files alone or something like that I think Id see your point. But in this case I spent a lot of time and worked hard putting together a video lining up the coroners audio and descriptions along with the appropriate part of the photos she is describing and editing it together to try to make it as informative as possible for the viewer. That is what I am charging for, which I would hope you can agree is understandable, she continued.

Zav Girl added, Im not against removing the video, and I care what you think. But its hard to make sense of it all while Im getting some very seriously unhinged threats being made against myself and my loved ones, and those threats are coming from those who claim Im doing something morally objectionable

What you did with Gannon's autopsy photos is appalling

YouTube users criticised her after she released the statement. One of my children died in 2005, so I'm responding as a parent. What you did with Gannon's autopsy photos is appalling. It's simply appalling. Did you ever think about how his parents would feel, or are you devoid of empathy? Gannon's murderer also lacked empathy. If you're so desperate for money, I suggest a Go-Fund-Me, One user wrote. Here's the thing. This isn't about what we think. Gannon's family has been through a hell that most of us will never comprehend. This case was closed already and his family have finally started trying to heal from those wounds. All this did was reopen those wounds for absolutely no reason other than greed. For all of you defending this because your thirst for morbid curiosity wasn't quenched or your quest for scientific knowledge was hampered, too bad. Here's some science for you Zav...the world doesn't revolve around you, thankfully, another user said.

Your not the victim here. What you did is unfathomable. You should be ashamed of yourself, one user wrote, while another said, Gannon was disrespected enough during his short life. Sharing AUTOPSY photos? And discussing them? Inexcusable. This is no True Crime podcast with videos like that. Unsubscribing now. NO ONE should see those. Disrespectful in SO many ways. I hope every single one of your patreon members leave one by one for what youve done, one user said.

In May,Letecia Stauch was sentenced to life in prison without parole for Gannons murder. The 39-year-old was convicted of first-degree murder by a Colorado court, along with other charges including first-degree murder of a child by a person in a position of trust and tampering with evidence, according to Associated Press.
Amid avian flu outbreaks globally, three UN agencies warned that the virus might adapt to infect humans more easily, urging countries to strengthen disease surveillance and improve hygiene at poultry farms. This comes as a new highly contagious H5N1 strain of bird flu among wild birds spread to new geographical regions, raising fears of a pandemic among humans. Bird Flu Outbreak: The virus can infect domestic poultry, other birds, and animals.(PTI)

Only about six cases in people had close contact with infected birds as per World Health Organization (WHO) and most of those have been mild, it said.

There is a recent paradigm change in the ecology and epidemiology of avian influenza which has heightened global concern as the disease spread to new geographical regions and caused unusual wild bird die-offs, and alarming rise in mammalian cases, Dr Gregorio Torres, Head of the Science Department at WOAH, said.

While United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Organisation for Animal Health said countries should work together across sectors.

"We encourage all countries to increase their ability to monitor these viruses and to detect any human cases," Dr Sylvie Briand, the director of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention at the WHO, said.

Countries also need to share genetic data of viruses from humans and animals in publicly accessible databases, the agencies said. About ten countries have reported cases of avian flu outbreaks in both land and sea mammals since 2022.

There are likely to be more countries where outbreaks have not yet been detected or reported. Both land and sea mammals have been affected, including outbreaks in farmed mink in Spain, seals in the United States of America, and sea lions in Peru and Chile, with at least 26 species known to have been affected," WHO noted.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
There's no evidence to show that BBC presenter Huw Edwards who allegedly paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos committed a crime, London police said. No further action will be taken against him, the police said after speaking with the alleged victim and that person's family. This comes after Huw Edwards' wife identified him as the presenter remained unnamed for a week since The Sun newspaper reported that the presenter had been allowed to remain on air even after the mother complained to the BBC in May that he paid the youth 35,000 pounds starting 2020. BBC journalist Huw Edwards,(AFP)

Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed, the police said.

Huw Edward's wife Vicky Flind named her husband following the allegations saying that after five extremely difficult days for our family she was naming him primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.

He has been hospitalized with serious mental health issues, she said, adding, The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he'll stay for the foreseeable future."

Who is BBC journalist Huw Edwards?

Huw Edwards, 61, is one of UK's best-known news broadcasters. He is the lead anchor on the BBC's nighttime news and the face of its election coverage. He also led the BBC coverage of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September and has an annual salary of at least 435,000 pounds.

In a 2021 documentary, he had revealed that depression had left him bedridden for periods over two decades.

Scandals at the BBC

The episode comes less than two months after the BBC faced its own scandal when Phillip Schofield, a long-time host, quit in May, as he admitted that he had lied about an affair with a much younger colleague.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
Samantha Markle, the half-sister of Meghan Markle, has recently made headlines yet again as she reportedly sues the Duchess of Sussex over comments made in her interviews with Oprah Winfrey and in her Netflix documentary with Prince Harry. The ongoing feud between the two siblings dates back to the early days of Meghan's relationship with Harry when Samantha wasted no time in criticizing the Duchess. FILE - Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, arrives at the Invictus Games venue in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, April 15, 2022. Meghan will be in New York Tuesday, May 16, 2023, along with Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown, to receive the Ms. Foundations Women of Vision Award, as the nations oldest womens foundation marks its 50th anniversary. (AP)

Newsweek reports that Samantha Markle has filed a lawsuit against Meghan, accusing her of libel for the statements made in previous interviews. The court documents state, "Meghan continues to participate in and perpetuate the lies around her family and upbringing, and where Meghan could have set the record straight, she did not... lies that have defamed Samantha and the negative fallout that has therefrom occurred."

Meghan's legal team is vigorously contesting the lawsuit and seeking its dismissal. They argue that Samantha's claims lack merit and have already been rejected three times before. The court filings assert, "This action should be dismissed with prejudice... none of the statements in the Oprah interview are defamatory. Meghans statements in the [Netflix] series are just more of the same."

This legal battle sheds light on the strained relationships Meghan has with her father's side of the family. Initially, Meghan had a close bond with her father, Thomas Markle. However, their relationship deteriorated when he was caught staging paparazzi photos. Meghan sent him a letter pleading with him to stop seeking fame, but portions of the letter were later published by a British tabloid. Meghan successfully sued the tabloid for invasion of privacy.

Thomas Markle's absence from Meghan's wedding further strained their bond, and they reportedly haven't spoken since. Thomas has given multiple interviews expressing his desire to mend their relationship, but it seems that each public appearance only pushes Meghan further away. However, Meghan remains close to her mother, Doria Ragland.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made a historic decision by granting approval for a revolutionary birth control pill to be made available without a prescription. This remarkable milestone holds immense potential to revolutionize the landscape of contraception access throughout the nation. The medication, which goes by the name Opill and is manufactured by Perrigo Company, is poised to redefine the standard for over-the-counter birth control methods, outperforming traditional options like condoms, spermicides, and various nonprescription alternatives. A package of the daily contraceptive Opill is seen in an undated illustration provided by its distributor Perrigo.(via REUTERS)

What are Perrigo Company's plans for making Opill available to the public, and will it be affordable?

Perrigo Company, based in Dublin, has announced plans to make Opill available from stores and online retailers in the United States starting in early 2024. Although the cost of the medication has not been disclosed, Perrigo's global vice president for women's health, Frederique Welgryn, emphasized the company's commitment to ensuring its accessibility and affordability for women and people of all ages. Ms. Welgryn further revealed that Perrigo would implement a consumer assistance program to provide the pill at no cost to certain women.

Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, a leading authority in the medical field, has shared her profound excitement regarding the recent approval bestowed by the FDA. This decision now opens doors for millions of individuals across the United States, granting them unprecedented access to a nonprescription daily oral contraceptive. Dr. Cavazzoni underscored the importance of using daily oral contraception correctly, emphasizing its remarkable safety and effectiveness. In comparison to currently available nonprescription contraceptive methods, she affirmed its superiority in effectively preventing unintended pregnancies.

Who supports the initiative to expand access to nonprescription birth control pills?

The initiative to expand access to a nonprescription birth control pill has received immense backing from prominent figures in the field of reproductive health, esteemed adolescent health experts, and reputable organizations such as the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

What differentiates Opill, the newly approved birth control pill, from other contraceptive methods?

Opill also referred to as a "mini-pill," contains only one hormone, progestin, unlike combination pills that contain both progestin and estrogen. Another company, Cadence Health, which manufactures combination pills, is also reportedly in discussions with the FDA regarding applying for over-the-counter status.

What are the concerns regarding potential risks for individuals with medical conditions who may use Opill?

While concerns were raised about potential risks for individuals with medical conditions that should preclude them from taking birth control pills, the FDA analysts deemed the risk to be very low, provided that users read and adhere to the labeling instructions. Advisory committee members highlighted that patients with breast cancer, a condition that contraindicates hormonal contraception, are typically advised by their doctors to avoid birth control pills.

Also Read | Iowa Republicans pass bill banning most abortions after about 6 weeks, governor to sign Friday

Perrigo reported that participants in a study demonstrated high adherence rates, taking Opill on 92.5 percent of the recommended days. Incidences of pregnancy while using Opill were minimal, with only six cases among 955 participants.

The introduction of over-the-counter birth control pills has the power to completely transform the field of contraception, opening doors for enhanced accessibility, especially for communities that have historically faced barriers.

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NATO is stronger, more energized and yes, more united than ever in its history. Indeed, more vital, US president Joe Biden said at the alliance's summit in Lithuania denouncing his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as "craven" while promising Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky full support even without membership in the group. US president Joe Biden delivers remarks at Vilnius University during a NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.(Reuters)

"It didn't happen by accident. It wasn't inevitable," Joe Biden said, adding, "When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart... He thought our unity would shatter at the first testing. He thought democratic leaders would be weak. But he thought wrong."

Joe Biden also said that Vladimir Putin badly underestimated NATO's resolve.

Earlier, Zelensky criticized NATO for not offering a clear pathway for Ukraine to join the group, calling it absurd. "One thing Zelenskiy understands now is that whether or not he's in NATO now is not relevant" as long as he has the new commitments that have been made at the summit, Joe Biden said after meeting the Ukrainian president.

He's not concerned about that now, the US president added.

"The idea that the United States could prosper without a secure Europe is not reasonable," he said adding that the US and its allies wanted an end to war on just terms.

"We will not waver. We will not waver. I mean that. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes," he asserted.

What Ukraine president Zelensky said?

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky hailed small steps forward at the NATO summit emphasizing the importance of receiving weaponry saying that talks about supplies of artillery were continuing.

The power of weapons always brings victory on the battlefield, he said, welcoming new security guarantees pledged by G7, saying they were part of Ukraines path to NATO.

We will never exchange any status for any of our territories. Even if its just one village with one elderly person, we will not give away our territories or exchange them for a frozen conflict," Zelensky said.

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Researchers in Oregon have uncovered the detrimental impact of heat and drought on hops, a vital ingredient in craft beer. John Henning, a USDA hop geneticist, described the results as "an eye-opener." The study discovered that extreme temperatures and water deprivation significantly reduced the levels of alpha acid in hops, leading to less flavorful beer. Various cans of beers and craft beers are displayed at Taopiphop Bar Project, in Bangkok, Thailand, May 23, 2023. (REUTERS)

Rise in costs: Craft beer prices set to soar as hops supply dries up

The cost of hops and the resulting beer prices are expected to rise as brewers contend with the scarcity of alpha acid extract. Henning stated, "That's basic supply and demand." Although hops growers can mitigate the effects of dry conditions with increased water usage, high temperatures pose a far greater challenge. Finding hop strains that can adapt to rising temperatures remains an ongoing struggle for researchers.

Heatwave havoc: Rising temperatures leave craft Beer's taste on the rocks

Climate change poses a significant threat to hops and barley across the globe. Farmers may face reduced yields per acre, leading to diminished quality and increased beer prices. Growing hops is already a challenging task, as they require specific amounts of sunlight to initiate the flowering stage.

Wildfire smoke infuses unsavory taste into key ingredients of craft beer

Another unique challenge facing the beer industry is the rising threat of forest fires. Wildfire smoke has a drying effect on hop and barley fields, potentially infusing these key ingredients with an undesirable taste. Tom Shellhammer, a professor at Oregon State University's College of Agricultural Sciences, confirmed the persistent issue of wildfire smoke affecting beer production year after year.

Canadian forest fires highlight potential barley supply crisis

Furthermore, U.S. brewers heavily rely on ingredients from Canada. Patrick Hayes, a professor at Oregon State University, warned that the forest fires plaguing Canadian territories may foreshadow a dire future for the barley supply chain.

Also Read | World hits record land, sea temperatures as climate change fuels 2023 extremes

Europe has already experienced the devastating impact of drought on hops. In 2022, German hop yields decreased by more than 20% compared to typical years. Even domestic growers faced hardships, as wildfires in Oregon and Washington tainted hops with a smoky flavor, disappointing beer drinkers.

Researchers and for-profit companies worldwide are striving to breed barley and hops resilient to climate extremes. However, these efforts come with their own challenges. While innovative solutions like Sattler's discovery of a heat-tolerant hop variety provide glimmers of hope, the complexity of climate change demands a comprehensive and diverse approach to secure the future of the craft beer industry.
FBI Director Christopher Wray found himself in a challenging position as he testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Wray is testifying before the committee amid calls by some hardline conservatives for his ouster. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg(Bloomberg)

Facing relentless criticism from House Republicans regarding his handling of the Trump documents case and his efforts to combat right-wing extremism, Wray had the daunting task of defending not only himself but also the entire federal law enforcement community.

One after another, GOP lawmakers launched scathing attacks, accusing the FBI of unfairly targeting conservatives, including former President Donald Trump. Wray, a registered Republican who was appointed by Trump, expressed, The idea that Im biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background.

Wray's testimony took place against the backdrop of Republican efforts to tarnish the Biden administration's reputation ahead of the 2024 election and to delegitimize the U.S. justice system following Trump's federal criminal prosecution. Central to their strategy is the portrayal of a weaponized Justice Department acting in President Joe Biden's favor.

This hearing marked Wray's first appearance before Congress since Trump's indictment last month on charges related to mishandling government secrets and obstructing the government's efforts to retrieve them. Republican Representative Mike Johnson of Louisiana declared, "The American people have lost faith in the FBI. This is about whether the very system of justice in our country can be trusted anymore."

ALSO READ| Extreme weather warning for US West and East Coast, 42 Million grapple with oppressive heatwave

Wray vehemently refuted the GOP's allegations that he had protected Hunter Biden, the president's son, who recently reached a plea deal on misdemeanor tax charges. House Republicans intend to intensify their investigation into Hunter Biden after an Internal Revenue Service whistleblower claimed he had received preferential treatment from federal prosecutors. When directly asked by Republican Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida if he was protecting the Bidens, Wray responded with a firm "Absolutely not."

Wray addressed the far-right conspiracy theory suggesting that the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol was actually an FBI sting operation. He dismissed, This notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous and is disservice to our brave, hard-working, dedicated men and women.

While Democrats on the committee generally supported Wray, some questioned the FBI's online surveillance practices. Nevertheless, many sought to defend the agency's search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago club last year when the former president refused to return classified documents to the National Archives.

Representative Jerry Nadler of New York, the committee's ranking member, criticized Republicans for refusing to hold Donald Trump accountable for issues that were solely his responsibility. Nadler remarked, "When they do not like the outcome, they investigate the investigators and work to discredit the outcome."

Regarding the search of Trump's Florida estate, Wray clarified that it was not a raid but the execution of a lawful search warrant. The search ultimately led to Trump's indictment, with prosecutors presenting evidence of classified information stored in unauthorized locations at Mar-a-Lago. Wray emphasized the importance of following strict rules for storing classified information and clarified that ballrooms, bathrooms, and bedrooms are not appropriate locations.

ALSO READ| I cant get over these images,' Barack Obama marvels at James Webb Space Telescope's spectacular images

During the hearing, Wray addressed the recent ban on U.S. agencies collaborating with communication platforms to combat misinformation, as ordered by a federal judge in Louisiana. He assured lawmakers that the FBI would comply with the order and reiterated that the agency does not request social media companies to censor or suppress information.

Republican Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee and one of Wray's staunchest critics, remained dissatisfied with the FBI's response. In his opening statement, Jordan labeled the FBI's work as "Orwellian" and called for the agency's headquarters to be relocated out of Washington, D.C. He also suggested defunding the agency if necessary to prevent the government's weaponization against the American people.
A new lawsuit has claimed that Google has been "secretly stealing everything ever created and shared on the internet by hundreds of millions of Americans" to train its generative AI products, such as its chatbot Bard. The proposed class-action lawsuit was filed by Clarkson Law Firm in the US District Court for the Northern District of California on Tuesday, July 11. It alleged that Google, along with AI sister company DeepMind, and parent company Alphabet, accessed peoples data without consent. A new lawsuit has claimed that Google has been "secretly stealing everything ever created and shared on the internet by hundreds of millions of Americans (REUTERS/Aly Song - Representational image)(REUTERS)

The lawsuit says, "Google has taken all our personal and professional information, our creative and copywritten works, our photographs, and even our emails  virtually the entirety of our digital footprint" to build its AI products. It added, "For years, Google harvested this data in secret, without notice or consent from anyone."

The data allegedly accessed was reportedly taken from subscription-based websites. It was also allegedly obatined from websites known for pirated books. The complaint cited that as per an update to Google's privacy policy from July 1, it may gather information that is "publicly available online". This data would subsequently be used for training its AI models, as well as for building products like Google Translate, Bard, and Cloud AI capabilities.

"Google must understand, once and for all: it does not own the internet, it does not own our creative works, it does not own our expressions of our personhood, pictures of our families and children, or anything else simply because we share it online. "'Publicly available' has never meant free to use for any purpose, the lawsuit says.

Google general counsel Halimah DeLaine Prado told the outlet Insider that Google had been "clear for years" that it used data from public sources. He said the company used data that is published to the open web and public datasets "responsibly and in line with our AI Principles." "American law supports using public information to create new beneficial uses, and we look forward to refuting these baseless claims," Halimah said.

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President Joe Biden on Thursday said hes serious about pursuing a prisoner exchange for a Wall Street Journal reporter who has been detained in Russia for more than 100 days. Danielle Gershkovich, second from left, sister of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, speaks about the Russian government's ongoing detention of her brother during a news conference, Thursday, (AP)

The Kremlin earlier this month suggested that it was open to a possible prisoner exchange that could involve Evan Gershkovich, but it underscored that such talks must be held out of the public eye.

Speaking at a news conference in Helsinki, Finland, Biden made clear that the U.S. is interested.

I'm serious on a prisoner exchange, Biden said. That process is underway."

Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip. He is being held at Moscows Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions. A Moscow court recently upheld a ruling to keep him in custody until Aug. 30.

Gershkovich and his employer deny the allegations, and the U.S. government has declared him to be wrongfully detained. His arrest rattled journalists in Russia. Authorities there have not provided any evidence to support the espionage charges.

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Former US president Donald Trump claimed that an unnamed "they" are using cocaine to "pump" Joe Biden up for speeches after a small amount of cocaine was found during a routine security check at the White House by the secret service. Pushing the theory that the drug was "for" the current president or his son Hunter Biden, a recovering cocaine addict, Donald Trump said that Joe Biden is a president that's on cocaine. Former US president Donald Trump.(AFP)

The cocaine found in the White House is just the tip of the iceberg, Donald Trump said, adding that the US president's speeches showed clues that he was under the influence of drugs.

You know, you watch Joe at the beginning of his speech and he's got a little life. Not much, but he's got a little life. By the end of the speech, he's a disaster. He can't even find his way off the stage. So there's something going on there, Joe Biden said.

The cocaine was left at the White House for both Joe and Hunter Biden, Donald Trump said. It's just my opinion, he continued, saying, "I think they pump him up, absolutely. And we can't have a president that's on cocaine when you're dealing with nuclear weapons and everything else ... It's very dangerous."

The Secret service is still investigating the incident and the results are yet to be released but there is no evidence that the Bidens had any connection. Both Joe and Hunter Biden were away on a trip to Camp David at the time the cocaine was found, it was reported earlier.

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Joe Biden is using "so much botox", a Republican congressman and doctor said while criticising the incumbent's reelection bid. Representative Greg Murphy of North Carolina, former professor of surgery and chief of the division of urology at the East Carolina University School of Medicine, said that Joe Biden had undergone "so much plastic surgery" and so much filler while talking about the president's health. US president Joe Biden speaks with members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.(AP)

Joe Biden has faced questions regarding his health since he announced his intention to run for a second term. At present, Joe Biden is the oldest president in US history and would be 86 by the time he finishes a potential second stint in the White House.

He has brushed off concerns about his physical and mental health saying that his mind was "focused".

I no more think of myself as being as old as I am than a fly. There's not things that I don't do now that I did before, whether it's physical or mentalor anything else, he had earlier said.

Greg Murphy told Fox News, "Let's look at Joe. He's had so much plastic surgery, so much botox, so much filler. That's on the outside. I deal in a surgical field that has a lot of older patients and so I have seen patients through the year decline mentallyit's just a fact, it's what happens."

Joe Biden's alleged "outbursts" at staff spoke of "a form of dementia," as the president would be "frustrated" by an inability to communicate, the Republican alleged.

Have claims of Joe Biden's plastic surgery been made earlier?

In 2019, several cosmetic surgeons said in the Washington Examiner that scars on the sides of Joe Biden's cheeks were "obvious" signs of a facelift.

"Oh he's had a facelift, there's no question," Arthur Perry, a plastic surgeon and associate professor of surgery at Columbia University, told the outlet while Cap Lesesne, a cosmetic surgeon based in New York, said in the article, "The problem with Biden's surgery is that it's obvious. I've operated on several high-profile individuals, and I'd never let them look like that. Those are classic facelift scars. It's probably been over a year. I kind of feel bad for him. He should have had those scars removed."

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
In a shocking incident, the mutilated body of a missing German businessman was found in a freezer inside a house in southern Thailand's Pattaya, news agency AP reported citing the police officials. The Police have arrested two Germans in connection with the case. A Thai reporter takes a photo of an empty freezer at the Nong Prue police station in Pattaya, Chonburi province,(AP)

Hans-Peter Mack, a 62-year-old German real estate broker had went missing for a week until his dismembered body was found stuffed into a chest freezer in a home in Nong Prue, an upscale settlement popular with foreigners northeast of Pattaya in Chonburi province, the report added.

He was last seen driving his Mercedes sedan in Pattaya, where he lived with his wife. His family had also announced to offer a reward of 3 million baht ($86,000) for information leading to his return, according to a missing person announcement, the officials said.

Tawee Kudthalaeng, the police chief in the town has said that a large amount of money was missing from Mack's bank account, which they suspect is linked to the slaying. The police chief refused to elaborate but said investigators were looking into several suspects, both German nationals and Thai.

Meanwhile, the officials have arrested a 52-year-old German man in Bangkok, and a 47-year-old German woman surrendered, according to the local media. The police chief has also confirmed the arrests and said the two had been charged with murder. He said a probe is underway to nab the third suspect as well.

According to the report, Mack's body was located by using security camera videos from the area. Meanwhile, his car was found Sunday in the parking lot of a condominium in the locality. The police have also found the traces of what appeared to be a cleaning solvent on the seats, dashboard, steering wheel and other areas of the car.

(With inputs from AP)

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A detailed video of how the Titan submersible may have imploded and killed five passengers has surfaced on social media. The video was posted by the YouTube accountAiTelly, and went viral shortly after. It shows how and why the vessel imploded on its way to the Titanic, due to massive underwater pressure. The new animation used an open-source software called Blender to show how the subs so-called experimental design was actually different from existing sub technology (AiTelly/YouTube)

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, along with British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul Henry Nargeolet, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, after as a result of a catastrophic implosion of the Titan.

The new animation used an open-source software called Blender to show how the subs so-called experimental design was actually different from existing sub technology. The Titans hull was constructed with aerospace-grade carbon fibre, even though submersible hulls are typically made with solid metals like steel or titanium.

The YouTube channel took 12 hours to put together data about OceanGate into the 3D modelling software, according to Daily Mail. In the video, the animators revealed what the inside of the submersible looked like. This is probably one of the basic deep diving submarine you will ever see [sic], they said.

Meanwhile, a recent report claimed that the Titan completed less than 15 percent of its dive to the famed Titanic shipwreck. As per a passenger's waiver viewed by Insider, the vessel previously reached the depth of the wreckage during "as few as 13" of the 90 trips the company undertook. OceanGate reportedly had a success rate of 14 per cent. In the liability waiver, the company referred to the Titan as "experimental" as many as three times.

The Titan started taking passengers to the Titanic wreckage back in 2021, and completed more than 14 expeditions and 200 dives in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico. Two submersibles have reportedly been used. Several emails and messages between experts and Stockton went viral after his death, revealing that he dismissed repeated warnings that the submersible was not safe.

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New Delhi Trebling renewable energy capacity, doubling energy efficiency, and raising hydrogen production to 180 million tonnes (Mt) per year by 2030 are the highlights of COP28 president-designate Sultan Al Jabers plan for the UN Climate Conference (COP28) scheduled to be held in Dubai in November, he said on Thursday, adding that these goals will be critical in keeping global warming under 1.5C over pre-industrial levels. Children play in a water fountain during a heatwave, near the walls of Jerusalem's Old City on Thursday. (REUTERS)

Al Jaber, who is the UAEs industry and advanced technology minister, is also CEO of State oil giant Abu Dhabi National Oil Corporation (ADNOC) and the founding CEO of Masdar, a government-owned renewable energy company. Being the first serving oil firm CEO to take the post of COP28 president, and with his country heavily dependent on petroleum and natural gas, experts and activists had raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest since his nomination in January.

On Thursday, Al Jaber said the phasing down of fossil fuels is inevitable, while addressing a ministerial meeting on climate action with the environment ministers of the EU, Canada, and China in Brussels. He also called for a comprehensive transformation of climate finance instead of piecemeal reforms, with a special focus on supporting climate-positive development across the Global South.

Today, Id like to walk you through our plan of action. This plan is guided by a single north star. And that is keeping 1.5 [C] within reach. To do this, we aim to match the highest ambition for the negotiated outcomes with an equally strong and robust action agenda that can implement those outcomes in the real world, he said.

The main challenge facing COP28 is a deep trust deficit among developed and developing countries. At the Bonn climate talks in June, a formal agenda could not be adopted until a day before the meeting was to officially close. This was mainly because in line with the Paris Agreements principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities, developing countries sought an agenda on finance for scaling up mitigation action. But developed countries led by the US and the EU opposed the agenda stating that existing mechanisms address the issue of finance.

There was a sense of disappointment because there was little progress on action and an erosion of trust among rich and developing countries at the critical Bonn conference. Developed countries want mitigation burden to be shared equally by all countries to meet the 1.5C goal. Developing countries want the burden of climate mitigation be shared based on historical responsibility. They also expect scaled up finance for energy transition. Island nations demand that the 1.5C goal is not breached because it is a question of survival for most of them.

Al Jaber called for collective ownership of the global stocktake. We must be brutally honest about the gaps that need to be filled, the root causes and how we got here. Then we must apply a far-reaching, forward-looking, action-oriented and comprehensive response to address these gaps, he added. Global stocktake is the process for reviewing the implementation of the Paris Agreement and its goal of keeping global warming to well below 2C and pursuing efforts to keep it under 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. It is scheduled to be held at COP28 in Dubai this November.

On fast-tracking the transition, we must be laser focused on building the energy system of the future, a system free of unabated fossil fuels, including coal, using all available technologies, while we rapidly decarbonise the system of today. As Ive said many times, the phase down of fossil fuels is inevitable. It is in fact essential. And it must also be responsibleWe will co-create a practical action plan, based on the science, around pathways consistent with keeping 1.5C within reach. On the supply side, we are partnering with governments in the north and south to double energy efficiency, triple renewable energy capacity to 11,000 GW, and double hydrogen production to 180 million tonnes per year by 2030, Al Jaber added.

He urged all parties to update their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement to keep the 1.5C goal of Paris Agreement within reach.

Strong demand signals must come from the top through NDCs. The UAE just submitted a third update to its second NDC that pushes emission reductions to 40%, compared to business as usual, with clearly defined targets for all domestic sectors. Thats an almost 10% improvement on the previous disclosure. This aligns with our 2050 net zero initiative and our ambition to keep 1.5C within reach. At the same time, we will invest $54 billion to triple clean energy capacity by 2030, massively scale up hydrogen while maintaining zero coal in our energy mix. And I call on all governments to update their NDCs by September of this year, ensuring alignment with the Paris Agreement, he said.

COP28 President Al Jaber outlined the plan today, emphasising efforts to keep warming below 1.5C as the central focus of the climate summit. We are already experiencing the hottest days in over 125,000 years. We are witnessing record-shattering heatwaves, floods, and wildfires at 1.2C warming. It is clear that the time has come to end the era of fossil fuels. COP28 must initiate a roadmap for a just and equitable transition that benefits workers and communities and supports the countries least responsible for the climate crisis, said Harjeet Singh, head of global political strategy for Climate Action Network International.

This needs to occur alongside establishing ambitious targets for renewable energy and the scaling up of finance to implement climate action and support those suffering from climate-induced loss and damage, he added.

The COP 28 presidencys plan mentions an inevitable phasedown of fossil fuels, but COP28 must precipitate real commitments from developed countries on phasing out the production and consumption of oil and gas. A renewable energy target is a very positive goal to anchor efforts in this decade. It needs to be accompanied by serious inquiry into how predictable, scalable money for renewables buildout will flow into developing countries, said Avantika Goswami, programme manager for climate change at Centre for Science and Environment.
In a recent College poll by Siena, we found that 41% of New York residents have never really been concerned about their personal safety as much as they are now. While there is a shocking 87% response that crime is somewhat of a serious problem in New York State and the City, In a recent College poll by Siena, we found that 41% of New York residents have never really been concerned about their personal safety as much as they are now. While there is a shocking 87% response that crime is somewhat of a serious problem in New York State and the City,(AP)

The Post interacted with several locals about the present condition of the Big Apple and the crimes that take place.

However, in a recent interview with Fox 5, the Mayor of NYC, Eric Adams, gave a defensive statement and blamed the media for the widespread chaos. He said, 'They start their day picking up the news, the morning papers, and they see some of the most horrific events that could happen throughout the previous day."

A lot of the victims have come out to say they love the city, but the increase in violence and crime has really given them second thoughts about staying.

Some of the residents are really scared for their lives and are forced to carry pepper spray whenever they go around town. Paula Gavioli, a 32-year-old resident of NYC, has recently relocated to New Jersey. Gavioli has always admired the city and has New York" tattooed on her calf.

Maurice Marble, a Manhattanite who has been in New York for quite some time now, went on to raise issues regarding the subways being one of the most unsafe parts of the city.

"People are just going to work", he said, mentioning the shootings and violence that take place underground. He also mentioned how the NYPD was not always at fault, as they couldn't be everywhere at a given time.

Due to the crimes taking place in the hub, her feeling of uncertainty made her change her mind. Mayor Adams has assured that the New York Police Department (NYPD) have covered major ground in order to prevent any crime taking place in the city.

The NYPD statistics of the crime that's been taking place differs from the ones of the people most fear about. The crime rates have dropped by 4% in the five districs have dropped since last month in comparison to June 2022.

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Booker prize-winning author Salman Rushdie said that he still has crazy dreams about the knife attack that he endured in New York, which left him blind in one eye. The 76-year-old Mumbai-born author said that he was working with a therapist to help him process the mental impact of the attack which took place when he was on stage almost a year ago. Salman Rushdie was stabbed up to 10 times by the suspect Hadi Matar. Author Salman Rushdie.(AFP)

Speaking to the BBC, Salman Rushdie said he was in "two minds" about whether to face his alleged attacker or not. "I have a very good therapist who has a lot of work to do. I have crazy dreams," the novelist said, adding, If he changes his plea to guilty then actually there's not a trial, there's just a sentencing, and it may well be that then my presence isn't required. I'm in two minds about it. There's one bit of me that actually wants to go and stand on the court and look at him and there's another bit of me that just can't be bothered.

"I don't have a very high opinion of him. And I think what is important to me now is that you're able to find life continuing. I'm more engaged with the business of, you know, getting on with it," he said when asked about Hadi Matar.

The injuries from the attack resulted in damage to Salman Rushdie's liver and paralysed his hand.

"The human body has an amazing capacity to heal. And so I'm fortunate to be well on that way," the author said about his recovery. I feel more or less OK physically, he asserted.

Talking about his upcoming book on the stabbing incident, he told the BBC that it won't be more than a "couple of hundred of pages" long.

"There's this colossal elephant in the room and, until I deal with that, it is difficult to take seriously anything else," he said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
The media mogul Rupert Murdoch is reportedly seeking a fresh face to challenge former President Donald Trump in the 2024 GOP primary. After growing dissatisfaction with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' campaign, Murdoch has reportedly set his sights on Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin as his preferred candidate. The media mogul Rupert Murdoch is reportedly seeking a fresh face to challenge former President Donald Trump in the 2024 GOP primary leaving Florida Governor Ron DeSantis behind.

This surprising twist marks a significant departure from Murdoch's previous support for DeSantis and signals a shifting landscape in Republican politics. Let's delve into the details and explore the implications of Murdoch's rumored choice.

DeSantis faces mounting criticism

Over the past few months, DeSantis has encountered numerous setbacks in his presidential campaign. From a glitchy campaign launch to lackluster polling, his performance has failed to match the soaring expectations set by Trump. Even conservative media outlets, including Fox News, have adopted a more critical stance toward DeSantis.

During recent interviews, hosts such as Will Cain and Maria Bartiromo probed him about his declining poll numbers and campaign progress. The New York Post, also owned by Murdoch, covered the backlash against a DeSantis video targeting Trump's past support for the LGBTQ community. The shifting coverage signals a growing discontentment with DeSantis' campaign and underscores Murdoch's decision to seek an alternative contender.

Also read | Peaky Blinders team condemns Ron DeSantis campaign's homophobic post

Murdoch's preference for Youngkin

According to reports, Murdoch has privately expressed his desire for Glenn Youngkin to enter the 2024 race. Youngkin, the current governor of Virginia, had initially ruled out a run but speculation resurfaced in May that he might reconsider. Murdoch's media organizations, including Fox News, have become increasingly dissatisfied with DeSantis' perceived stumbling campaign.

Murdoch's preference for Youngkin could inject fresh energy into the race and potentially challenge Trump's dominance in the Republican primary. The media mogul's decision to back Youngkin suggests a cooling of his previously warm relationship with both DeSantis and Trump.

Shifting political landscape

Murdoch's reported shift in support reflects a broader evolution in Republican politics. Trump's strained relationship with Fox News and his sense of snubbed coverage during DeSantis' rise have strained his ties with the network.

As Trump maintains a commanding lead in the primary, his distrust of mainstream media outlets has led him to surround himself with more sympathetic journalists or rely on platforms like Truth Social. The entrance of Youngkin, endorsed by Murdoch, could introduce a fresh dynamic into the race and test Trump's stronghold on the Republican base.

Also read | Donald Trump throws verbal punches at Joe Biden, declares 'gloves are off' in fiery speech before UFC spectacle

With the 2024 election cycle gaining momentum, the political landscape continues to evolve. As the GOP primary takes shape, Murdoch's reported preference for Youngkin highlights the unpredictable nature of political alliances.
Russia will regard Western F-16 fighter jets sent to Ukraine as a "nuclear" threat because of their capacity to carry atomic weapons, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday. Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov(Reuters)

"We will regard the very fact that the Ukrainian armed forces have such systems as a threat from the West in the nuclear sphere," Lavrov was quoted as saying by the Russian foreign ministry.

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Ukraine said Thursday it had downed 20 Russian attack drones and two cruise missiles overnight in a third night of strikes on Kyiv and elsewhere in the country. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat (HT File)

"We have a successful air defense operation," air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said. "Twenty Shaheds were destroyed -- all those flying were downed. Two Kalibr cruise missiles were also destroyed."
A tornado touched down near Chicagos OHare International Airport following warnings of severe weather for the city, the National Weather Service said. A confirmed tornado was on the ground around 7 pm Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Chicago said. Chicago Weather: Storm clouds pass over downtown Chicago and the Bronzeville neighborhood of the city.(AP)

It had earlier issued two tornado warnings for portions of the city. Tornado sirens sounded at least twice across Chicago, warning people to take cover.

This tornado has been touching the ground intermittently so far and is moving east. There are additional circulations along the line south of OHare. Seek shelter if in the warned area," it said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
As North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the launch of his country's newest and most powerful ballistic missile, he was spotted with a shiny gadget: a foldable smartphone. Photos released by the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed a silver foldable handset in black leather casing, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z or China's Huawei Pocket S phones. North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un applauding the test firing of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) "Hwasong-18",(AFP)

The photo began speculation about where the phone came from as South Korea's Joongang Ilbo newspaper reported, If the object in the photo is a foldable phone, it is highly likely that it was secretly smuggled to North Korea via China.

Earlier as well, Kim Jong Un's love for gadgets has been an object of curiosity as he has been pictured using what appeared to be Apple products, including iPads and Macbooks before.

North Korea is banned under UN sanctions from importing or exporting electronic devices. US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook said that only around 19 percent of the North Korean population are estimated to have access to mobile phones.

Following the launch, Kim Jong Un said that North Korea would ramp up weapons testing activities to expand its arsenal in response to recent US steps to enhance its security commitment to South Korea.

The present unstable situation in which the security environment on the Korean peninsula is being seriously threatened by the hostile forces every moment, Kim Jong Un said, according to state media.

(That) requires more intense efforts to implement the line of bolstering nuclear war deterrent," he added, calling the launch another important stride in efforts to boost the North Koreas strategic forces.

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Joe Biden's slip of tongue has again become a subject of scrutiny. This time at the annual NATO summit being held in Vilnius, Lithuania. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks at an event, while U.S. President Joe Biden listens, as G7 leaders announce a joint declaration of support for Ukraine, as the NATO summit is held in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY(REUTERS)

Watch: Putin On Biden's Mind? U.S President's 'Vladimir' Gaffe At NATO Triggers Trolling

US President was caught in another embarrassing situation while addressing the press at a conference where he confused Ukranian President Zelensky with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Vladimir and I... I shouldn't be so familiar," President Biden uttered, mistakenly referring to President Zelensky as Vladimir, the name commonly associated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, an adversary to both Ukraine and the United States.

The slip-up caused a momentary hush in the room as the president realized his blunder. Sensing the error, Biden quickly corrected himself, "Mr. Zelensky and I talked about the kind of guarantees we could make in the meantime when I was in Ukraine and when we met in other places." His correction, however, did little to alleviate the awkwardness of the situation.

Though Candadian President didn't sky away from expressing feelings, he smiled as Biden corrected himself within few seconds.

Interestingly, the official White House transcript failed to capture Biden's misstep. Instead, it incorrectly recorded his reference to the Ukrainian president as "Volodymyr." In reality, "Volodymyr" and "Vladimir" were different variations of the same name, both meaning "ruler of the world" or "ruler of peace." While "Volodymyr" was the more commonly used variant in Ukraine, it was still an unfortunate mix-up on the part of President Biden.

Official White House transcript of Joe Biden's address

This incident was not an isolated occurrence. The president has a history of making such gaffes when discussing Ukraine. In his 2022 State of the Union address, Biden mistakenly referred to "Ukrainians" as "Iranians" while discussing President Putin's invasion of Ukraine earlier that year.

In another instance, President Biden misspoke when he mentioned Russian troops withdrawing from "Fallujah," a city associated with the Iraq War. His intended reference was to the Ukrainian city of Kherson in the southeastern region of the country.

Such slip-ups have raised concerns and are becoming a fodder for the Republicans to question his ability to continue as the President of US, especially considering his advanced age.

Adding to the growing scrutiny, President Biden had notably skipped the opening dinner of the NATO leadership summit and White House staff attributed his absence to a busy workweek. The decision, however, did not go unnoticed, raising eyebrows among political observers.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT News Desk Follow the latest breaking news and developments from India and around the world with Hindustan Times' newsdesk. From politics and policies to the economy and the environment, from local issues to national events and global affairs, we've got you covered. ...view detail
The Secret Service has wrapped up its investigation into the mysterious case of cocaine found at the White House, but the culprit remains unidentified. Despite extensive efforts, the lack of physical evidence has left the investigation at a standstill, according to a statement from the Secret Service. The White House is seen in Washington. No fingerprints or DNA turned up on the baggie of cocaine found in the West Wing lobby last week despite a sophisticated FBI crime lab analysis, and surveillance footage of the area didnt identify a suspect, according to summary of the Secret Service investigation obtained by The Associated Press.(AP)

The baggie of cocaine discovered at the White House yielded no DNA or fingerprints, as revealed in the summary of the Secret Service's findings. Investigators scoured surveillance footage and visitor logs but were unable to pinpoint who brought the illicit substance into the building. The absence of concrete leads and physical evidence has led to the closure of the investigation.

Evacuation and precautions

The incident occurred on Sunday, July 2, while President Joe Biden was away at the Camp David retreat. A suspicious powder was found, later confirmed to be cocaine, prompting a brief evacuation of the premises for precautionary reasons. The substance was discovered in the West Wing lobby, a reception area for visitors of White House personnel.

FBI's assistance

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provided support to the Secret Service in evaluating the white powder. FBI Director Christopher Wray informed the House Judiciary Committee that lab personnel from his agency were involved in the analysis. However, Wray deferred further questions to the Secret Service, as they are the lead agency handling the investigation.

Also read | Speculation soars as bookies point to Hunter Biden as White House cocaine culprit

The White House had promised appropriate consequences if the individual responsible for bringing the cocaine into the White House was identified as a White House employee. Both President Biden and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed their desire for a thorough investigation and finding out the truth behind the incident.

Security measures in place

White House staff are authorized to give tours of the West Wing, but visitors must first undergo background screenings. Metal-detector screenings are also conducted for both guests and staff upon entering the White House premises. Additionally, visitors are required to leave their cellphones in designated boxes at the White House lobby, where they enter the building.

Also read | White House press secretary snaps, calls Post irresponsible for asking about cocaine ties to Biden family | Watch

The unanswered questions surrounding this case of cocaine at the White House leave authorities perplexed. As the investigation comes to a close, the identity of the person behind the illicit substance remains a mystery, leaving the incident shrouded in uncertainty and speculation.

(With inputs from AP)
New Delhi The world can end AIDS  or at least achieve considerable reduction in new infections  by 2030, the United Nations agency UNAIDS said on Thursday as it released its annual AIDS update, which found that new HIV infections had been cut by 59% since its peak in 1995 and the epidemic can be reined in by investing substantially in prevention and treatment. A medical clinic officer examines an unidentified transgender and LGBTQ member, who is one of their patients at the Ice Breakers Uganda (IBU) clinic in Makindye that supports HIV/AIDS programmes and treatment for the LGBTQ community in Salaama road, Kampala, Uganda. (REUTERS)

The data show that there is a path that ends aids by 2030; it is the same path that will help societies for future pandemics. In fact, some countries are already making progress along that path, said Winnie Byanyima, executive director, UNAIDS, during the release of the data.

According to the report, campaigns against HIV succeed when they are anchored in strong political leadership. This means following the data, science, and evidence; tackling the inequalities holding back progress; enabling communities and civil society organisations in their vital role in the response; and ensuring sufficient and sustainable funding, it read.

The number of people on antiretroviral treatment worldwide rose almost fourfold, from 7.7 million in 2010 to 29.8 million in 2022. HIV treatment averted almost 21 million AIDS-related deaths between 1996 and 2022.

The estimated 1.3 million [1.0 million1.7 million] new HIV infections in 2022 were the fewest in decades, with the declines especially strong in regions with the highest HIV burdens, read the report.

However, the report also sets out that ending AIDS will not come automatically. AIDS claimed a life every minute in 2022. Around 9.2 million people still miss out on treatment, including 660 000 children living with HIV.

Women and girls are still disproportionately affected, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, 4,000 young women and girls became infected with HIV every week in 2022. Only 42% of districts with HIV incidence over 0.3% in sub-Saharan Africa are currently covered with dedicated HIV prevention programmes for adolescent girls and young women.

Funding for HIV, the report found out, declined in 2022 from both international and domestic sources, falling back to the same level as in 2013. Funding amounted to $20.8 billion in 2022, far short of the $29.3 billion needed by 2025.

We are hopeful, but it is not the relaxed optimism that might come if all was heading as it should be. It is, instead, a hope rooted in seeing the opportunity for success, an opportunity that is dependent on action, said Byanyima. The facts and figures shared in this report do not show that as a world we are already on the path, they show that we can be. The way is clear.

UNAIDS analysis also shows some countries where HIV incidence is declining, including India, Dominican Republic, Kyrgyzstan and Togo, are putting between 3% and 16% of HIV spending towards prevention programmes for people from key populations.

Indias own AIDS 2022 report showed that at the national level, estimated adult HIV prevalence (15-49 years) has declined since the epidemics peak in 2000 where prevalence was estimated at 0.55% in 2000, through to 0.32% in 2010, and 0.21% in 2021.

There is a lot of investment over the years that went into HIV treatment and prevention, and the results we are seeing now is a result of that. India has seen significant reduction in numbers and managed the disease well. There is still the last mile to cover, which always is the toughest, but the intention is very much there. The programme, like other programmes, was also affected because of the pandemic , said a former central government official, requesting anonymity.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rhythma Kaul Rhythma Kaul works as an assistant editor at Hindustan Times. She covers health and related topics, including ministry of health and family welfare, government of India. ...view detail
Australian hospitality chain TFE Hotels last week, unveiled the Adina Serviced Apartments Vienna, featuring 131 rooms. This new venture follows their earlier foray into Vienna with the Adina Apartment Hotel Vienna Belvedere launched in 2021. They're also planning to open another 108-room facility in the DANUBEFLATS, Austria's highest upcoming residential building, next year.

The new Vienna facility, offering roomy apartments complete with kitchenettes, modern co-working spaces, a gym, and DGNB Platinum certification for sustainability, carries forward the Adina brand's successful global impact. This success is evident from their effective expansions into Singapore, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Australia within the last one and a half years. Furthermore, this hotel is among seven new Adina openings in Europe since the start of 2021, with more in the planning stage.

TFE Hotels' CEO, Antony Ritch, emphasized that all Adina locations provide Australian-style hospitality and expansive apartments that feel like a second home. He mentioned that the serviced apartments function slightly differently from regular Adina Hotels, with guests benefitting from large, self-contained apartments and on-demand services, replacing usual hotel amenities like in-house restaurants.

He highlighted that serviced apartments and apartment hotels account for approximately 7% of Vienna's hotel inventory, making it an enticing investment option worldwide. This makes the Adina Serviced Apartment model a crucial aspect of their portfolio and essential for their ongoing European expansion.

Ritch affirmed that TFE was on track to provide a comprehensive range of hotel options in Vienna, with the anticipated opening of the Danubeflats property in 2024. He asserted that the apartment hotel model attracts both business and leisure travelers, adding to its investment appeal. Their global development team is currently investigating potential ventures across the Pacific, Europe, and Asia.

The Adina Serviced Apartment Vienna is strategically located near Vienna Central Station, with efficient tram and subway connections to the old town, commuter trains to all districts in Vienna, a quarter-hour train transfer to Vienna airport, and long-distance trains to locations including Budapest, South-Eastern Europe, Italy, Salzburg, and Munich. Leisure guests can also enjoy Vienna's prime attractions, such as Belvedere Palace, the Museum of Military History, Vienna State Opera, Hofburg Imperial Palace, Stephansplatz, Prater, and the Vienna Christmas Market, all within walking distance.

Hotel website
Towering over Bangkok's trendy On Nut neighbourhood, INNSiDE by Melia Bangkok Sukhumvit has cut the ribbon on a host of remarkable facilities ranging from integrated co-working spaces to a sky-high transparent infinity pool and rooftop tapas bar.

Reaching 34 floors, the 208-room hotel celebrates its grand opening on July 7th, 2023. It is Thailand's first 'INNSiDE by Melia' hotel and the fourth Melia Hotels International property to debut in the kingdom after nautical-themed Melia Koh Samui, wellness-inspired Melia Phuket Mai Khao and urban hotel Melia Chiang Mai opened in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively.

INNSiDE by Melia Bangkok Sukhumvit is the newest member of an eclectic collection of urban and beach INNSiDE hotels  in 14 different countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas  designed for those with curious minds who have a fluid lifestyle when it comes to work and leisure.

Situated at 1472 Sukhumvit Road, the new On Nut hotel is a 30-minute ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport and close to an array of services and attractions suited to business and leisure travelers including the On Nut BTS Skytrain station and Bangkok's largest convention centre, BITEC.

The lifestyle hotel's vast 32nd floor co-working space with soaring floor-to-ceiling windows offers a front seat to Bangkok's sweeping skyline. Five playful meeting rooms and multifunctional areas designed to encourage creativity and productivity, such as the Big Ideas Space, underpin the INNSiDE brand and lend themselves to being mixed and matched for all sorts of bespoke social and corporate events.

Three diverse food and beverage outlets make for the hotel's dynamic dining landscape. Together with the hotel's jewel in the crown, an awe-inspiring infinity pool, The Giant Swing Pool Bar commands the 34th floor. Nestled between bar and pool, a compelling contemporary interpretation of Bangkok's Brahman structure The Giant Swing is a dramatic photo backdrop.

Adjacent to the infinity pool is an expansive rooftop terrace, dotted with outdoor lounges and sunbeds, that evokes an Ibiza mood accompanied with panoramic vistas. Open from 10am until midnight, the open-air pool bar serves Mediterranean, Thai and international snacks and dishes such as INNSiDE's Burger and cool beverages including imaginative cocktails.

By night, the pool bar becomes an upper-floor extension of the hotel's 33rd floor LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar. Offering authentic tapas, Spanish wines, beer on tap, cocktails and signature sangrias, the tapas bar invites diners to embark on a culinary pilgrimage across Spain. Chef de Cuisine Laia Ferrer brings her Barcelona roots to the fore with a dynamic variety of local Thai ingredients embellished with Spanish flavours.

A spectacle unlike any other in Bangkok, tapas bar guests peer into the bottom of the infinity pool. The tapas bar's design, including its striking angled lines and cabling, pay tribute to another iconic Bangkok landmark, Rama VIII Bridge. Open from 4pm until midnight, LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar's signature dishes include Suquet de Peix Amb Romesco, Fideus a la Cassola, and Tiradito Basque.

In addition to drawing on Melia's Spanish origins and celebrating Spain's gastronomy, the hotel's dining landscape taps local roots with fresh, colourful Thai cuisine. The chefs at all-day dining venue "The Kites Eatery", open from 6.30am-11pm, serve up central, northern, north-eastern and southern Thai cuisine a la minute using quality ingredients sourced from local farms.

Adorned with graphic glass walls depicting state park Sanam Luang, the Kites Eatery's chic setting is also dominated by soaring windows giving way to stunning views of Bangkok. The hotel's chefs serve a healthy buffet breakfast and a la carte menu from noon, as well as customised lunches and banquets for meetings and events. The Kites Eatery's not-to-be missed dishes include Kites Pad Thai and Kites Satay.

A hip cafe and lobby bar seamlessly integrated into the 32nd floor's coworking space, The Open Living Lounge is manned by a barista by day and bartender by night. Open from 7am-11pm, the lounge offers an easy grab-and-go menu and specialises in Thai and Western comfort food.

With drink trolleys in circulation, The Open Living Lounge's offerings include, but are not limited to, grab-and-go barista coffee, morning pastries, cold-pressed juices, kombucha, and a Spanish afternoon tea. The lounge's design takes cues from another Bangkok landmark, Wat Phra Kaew, with, for example, a golden counter inspired by Wat Phra Kaew's traditional Thai decorations gilded in gold leaf.

Sleek, bright and predominantly white with understated rose gold accents, the hotel's accommodations feel fresh with purpose and pizazz and offer ideal bases to retire to after a day of rummaging through Bangkok's lively streets. Anchored by work desks and DreamMaker mattresses, in-room perks range from complimentary minibar items, organic bathroom amenities and natural cork yoga mats to 50-inch TVs, Wi-Fi and USB chargers. Rooms on the upper floors afford great views of the Thai capital.

Ranging from a convenient 20 sqm to an ample 64 sqm, the hotel's eight accommodation categories fall under two umbrellas - 'INNSiDE Room' and 'The Townhouse'. The 'INNSiDE Room King' and 'INNSiDE Room Twin' are each 20 sqm and feature a king-size bed and twin beds respectively, with the 'INNSiDE Connecting Room' at 40 sqm when one room with a king bed connects to another with two single beds. As their names suggest, the 'INNSiDE Room King City View' and 'INNSiDE Room Twin City View', each at 20 sqm, located on the hotel's upper floors, offer full length windows on the capital city's constant movement.

Boasting stunning city views, separate living area, bathtubs and showers, Chromecast, coffee maker and free premium minibar with local beer, 'The Townhouse' and 'The Townhouse City View' are each 40 sqm. 'The Townhouse Two-Bedroom' is 64 sqm.

Room service is available 24/7. The hotel offers a 24-hour Infit Gym and a concierge service. Its range of sustainability efforts include a ban on single-use plastic, recycled glass bottles for drinking water and biodegradable takeaway boxes, in-room paper and plastic free collaterals and complimentary organic amenities.

Hotel website
St. Amand joins WATG as an industry expert with over 30 years of experience in global markets. His career has largely been focused on senior living andresidential with many landmark high-rise and urban-density projects.

In his new role as GlobalPracticePrincipal, St. Amand will be responsible for supporting the firm's growth strategy through new business development opportunities inLifestyle andLuxurySenior/Later living projects whilst also harnessing WATG's deep domain knowledge of hospitality and guest experience. He will work in collaboration with WATG's Regional Managing Directors across The Americas, EMEA and APAC.

St Amand is a highly dynamic leader with an entrepreneurial spirit. As a native Californian, he will be based in WATG'sLos Angeles studio.
rittain Resorts & Hotels (BRH), the leading full-service hospitality management company in the Southeast, today announced the addition of Christy Jernigan as chief development officer. Jernigan has more than 20 years of industry experience, most notably serving as the vice president of business development at Aimbridge Hospitality. During her 16-year tenure, she played a pivotal role in expanding the company's portfolio to over 1,500 hotels worldwide. Prior to that, she spent five years at Remington Hotels in various operational roles.

Jernigan's decision to join BRH was driven by the company's proven leadership team and organizational culture. BRH is ideally positioned for further growth, and Jernigan is confident that her experience and relationships will contribute significantly to the company's continued success.

In her new role, Jernigan will lead all aspects of business development at BRH. Her primary focus will be expanding Brittain's third-party management platform by sourcing new deals, acquiring properties and spearheading efforts to expand the network of investment partners. With her extensive experience in the hospitality industry and passion for travel, Jernigan brings a wealth of expertise to BRH, who is well-positioned to expand its footprint in the industry.
Experienced hospitality leader Erin Poders has been named to the general manager role at SENZA Hotel, a 48-room boutique hotel in Wine Country. Poders is charged with enhancing the overall guest experience and will work hand-in-hand with operating partner Bentley Legacy Holdings following the acquisition of the hotel by hospitality-focused, family-founded investment groups Cienda Partners and Pendant Capital.

Poders will be responsible for the day-to-day management of SENZA Hotel, which serves as a special retreat with tucked-away seating areas featuring private views of the nearby vineyards. His oversight includes the property's five separate buildings, including the historic 1870 Parker Mansion, as well as the hotel's staff, events, and food & beverage offerings.

Initiatives already underway under Poder's leadership include expanded F&B, including enhanced breakfast and dinner o ptions with a reimagined menu of cocktails and desserts. SENZA Hotel will also offer carry-out options for guests, which will enhance the experience through custom picnic baskets packed with specialty items for guests as they take full advantage of the extraordinary 2-acre Napa property. Additionally, guests can order small bites and wine at the pool, creating even more venues for people to enjoy the Napa sunshine.

Poders brings energy and deep industry expertise to SENZA, most recently serving as the hotel manager of the exclusive Malibu Beach Inn Hotel and Spa, located on Carbon Beach, a position he held twice in a five-year period. There, he held a key role in training and promoting staff, while also guiding the hotel's participation in notable food & wine festivals in the region and overall generating meaningful results and national recognition for the hotel as a top travel destination. He also previously served as general manager at The Inn of the Five Graces in Sant a Fe, New Mexico.

Early in his career, Poders gained critical career experience through a series of roles at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and Park Hyatt and Hyatt properties, while based in some of the world's most celebrated tourist cities such as Boston, Honolulu, La Jolla, California, and Whistler, British Columbia.
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa is pleased to announce the appointment of Sibylle Jenny to director of sales and marketing at the 453-room landmark resort in affluent Paradise Valley, Ariz. Spearheading the sales and marketing efforts for the luxury resort, Jenny will provide strategic leadership and direction for the sales team to drive revenue and implement business goals to continue building upon the success of the award-winning property. She also will focus on VIP relations and managing relationships with group and leisure clients along with industry partners.

Prior to joining the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa team, Jenny held the position of director of sales for the Southwest Region at Marriott International's Multi-Hotel Sales Organization where she oversaw 95 hotels and 17 brands, including both full-service and Marriott select hotels. She also served as the director of sales for Marriott International's Arizona Resorts Collection with annual production of more than $70 million per year. Throughout her 17-year career, Jenny led sales teams for the Sheraton brand in Toronto and Phoenix including Sheraton Phoenix Downtown - Arizona's largest hotel - demonstrating her ability to drive hotel and team success. In 2019, Jenny was named Sales Leader of the Year for the Southwest by Marriott International. She earned her degree in International Hospitality Management from Lausanne Hotel Management School in Switzerland.

Originally from Geneva, Switzerland, Jenny is a lover of nature and celebrates an active lifestyle, fitting naturally with the luxury resort that is sprawled across 125 acres of the Sonoran Desert and situated at the base of Mummy Mountain. With a passion for travel and outdoor adventure, Jenny aims to develop and implement new sales and marketing strategies, programs, activations, and partnerships that will increase revenue and elevate the property's position in Paradise Valley and new markets around the world. Jenny resides in Cave Creek, Ariz. with her husband.
Duetto, the hospitality industrys #1 Revenue Management Software (RMS), has seen rapid expansion in Italys hotel sector, signing such notable brands as Baglioni Hotels & Resorts, Gruppo UNA, and Mangia's all within the last 12 months.

Baglioni Hotels & Resorts is a collection of five-star city-center hotels and luxury resorts, many of which are part of the Leading Hotels of the World collection. The high-end hospitality provider has contracted with Duetto for seven of its most prestigious boutique hotels in Italy.

We are thrilled to embark on this new collaboration with Duetto. We truly appreciate the expertise and innovation they bring to the table and we believe that our combined expertise in the hotel industry, resources, and shared passion for pushing the boundaries of technology can lead to extraordinary outcomes and create incredible value for our customers, said Federica Garavaglia, Director of Revenue, Baglioni Hotels & Resorts.

Gruppo UNA is an iconic Italian chain featuring 52 properties across Italy, from city center destinations to rural retreats, and coastal idylls, this brand offers something for everyone. Gruppo UNA's strength is its distinctive Italian character and its portfolio comprises the three brands UNA Esperienze, UNAHOTELS, and UNAWAY that best represent three ways of experiencing hospitality, aimed at the upper-upscale, upscale and smart segments respectively.

We chose Duetto because we found it to be the most dynamic in the market and the most user-friendly. It is a solution that not only helps you manage your room pricing in a dynamic way but also helps with total profit management, said Luca Vallasciani, Director of Revenue, Gruppo UNA.

Mangias is an Italian-based resort and club collection of 13 properties offering outstanding home-grown hospitality throughout Italy.

We are proud of the collaboration between Mangia's and Duetto, which will improve the revenue strategy for our company and is part of the climate of change that Mangia's is going through in this year of great news! Nino Tropea, Director of Revenue, Mangias Resorts

Duetto appointed Antonio Casale to the post of Director of Sales, Italy, in May 2022 as part of its expansion into the region. Before Duetto, Casale worked as Director of Hotel Solutions & Sales for HRS. He also spent many years working in hotels, in reservations, and sales roles.

In 2022, Duetto was announced as a preferred Revenue Solutions provider for Leading Hotels of the World (LHW). The luxury hotel collection collaborated with Duetto because of its built-in customization and controlled automation, along with its long-standing experience working with independent, prestigious, high-end hotels.

I am so pleased and proud to announce our partnerships with these iconic Italian marquee hotel groups. Since Antonio arrived in 2022, we have continuously seen regional progress and success. Italy is such a beautiful country and a unique hotel market, and I cannot wait to see how we further develop the territory. Michael Schaffner, VP Sales EMEA, Duetto

About Duetto

Duetto delivers a suite of SaaS cloud-native applications for hospitality businesses to optimize every booking opportunity for greater revenue impact. The unique combination of hospitality experience and technology leadership drives Duetto to look for innovative solutions to industry challenges. The software as a service platform allows hotels, casinos, and resorts to leverage real-time dynamic data sources and actionable insights into pricing and demand across the enterprise.

More than 4,000 hotel and casino resort properties in more than 60 countries have partnered to use Duetto's applications, which include GameChanger for pricing, ScoreBoard for intelligent reporting, and BlockBuster for contracted-business optimization.

In both 2022 and 2023, Duetto was named the world's #1 revenue management system in the HotelTechAwards.

For more information, please visit https://www.duettocloud.com/.

Sarah McCay Tams

Director of Marketing Communications
Launched in January 2023, the Handwritten Collection is a global portfolio of one-of-a-kind hotels enriching Accors offering in the collection brands segment. Delivering an authentic, intimate, and stylish hospitality experience for guests, the Handwritten Collection also offers independent owners and boutique hotels the best of both worlds, enabling them to stay unique with flexible standards while maximizing their revenue. The growth of Accor's Handwritten Collection portfolio continues to accelerate successfully, consolidating Accor's position in this key segment.

Needs Aligned, Success Defined: Meeting Clients & Owners Expectations

Six months after being launched, the Handwritten Collection has hit the right mark with guests and owners alike. Answering travelers demand for more tailored, authentic, and local experiences, it also responds to independent and boutique hotel owners. Looking to boost their global profile, connect with more travelers and grow their revenue without losing their identity, owners can bring with the Handwritten Collection a personalized energy to the guest experience while accessing all the benefits of the Accor ecosystem with the opportunity to maximize revenue with immediate access to the power and reach of Accors sales, distribution, and loyalty platforms.

Hotels Curated with Passion: Diving Into the Handwritten Collection

With 8 hotels already welcoming guests, the Handwritten Collection expects a portfolio of more than 250 hotels worldwide by 2030. Accor currently has over 150 properties under discussion to become part of the Handwritten Collection, and rather than embarking on construction or new builds, the Group prioritizes the conversion of existing buildings, requiring a simpler transition, ramp up process and a more sustainable growth and development model.

A glimpse into a selection of hotels that have already opened:

Hotel Morris Sydney  Handwritten Collection

In the heart of Sydney, The Morris Sydney  Handwritten Collection interweaves Italian and local heritage. Committed to offering a personalized experience, the boutique hotel features opulent Italian architecture and art deco detailing including 82 custom guest rooms and a wine bar serving simple, seasonal produce with an Italian twist.

Saint Gervais Hotel & Spa  Handwritten Collection

Set in the picturesque French Alps, St Gervais Hotel & Spa  Handwritten Collection is a year-round residence that gives guests the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate in an elegant setting. Focused on wellbeing, the hotel combines mountain views, spa facilities, a cocktail bar and Ottoman influences.

Hotel Les Capitouls Toulouse Centre  Handwritten Collection

In the French city of Toulouse, Hotel Les Capitouls Toulouse Centre  Handwritten Collection offers guests a soft, English-inspired decor in an elegant former townhouse. With large meeting rooms and a glass-domed bar offering a gourmet menu based on regional products, the hotel aims to cater to the needs of both leisure and business travelers.

Relais San Martino Salento  Handwritten Collection

In a fully renovated 17th century residence, Relais San Martino Salento  Handwritten Collection provides a relaxed atmosphere steeped in local architectural traditions including an ethical restaurant in a centuries-old citrus grove. This hotel focuses on wellbeing with access to customizable wellness services and a private beach with shuttle service. It is ideally located for guests to make the most of the stunning coastline and town of Salento.

Unleashing Potential: A Portfolio with Unstoppable Growth

There is no doubt that the Handwritten Collection meets a strong demand from both customers and independent owners and boutique hotels. Imminent openings around the world include properties in Spain (Madrid), Vietnam (Hoi An) and France (Paris Montmartre Sacre Coeur). A portfolio that will only continue to grow.

Independent hotels are increasingly seeking the strength of Accors powerful sales, distribution and loyalty platform to increase their revenue and optimize their costs, whilst retaining their own distinctive personality and experience. Handwritten Collection offers a franchise model that is flexible and cost-effective. With an impressive portfolio already, and over 150 further properties under discussion to become part of Handwritten Collection, we look forward to growing the portfolio to over 250 properties by 2030. CAMIL YAZBECK Global Chief Development Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy, Accor

About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group

Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5 400 properties, 10 000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industrys most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit www.group.accor.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
l ChatGPT taking travel and the world by storm, says Euromonitor Internationals travel research expert

97.8% of travel executives expect AI to have an impact on their industry

AI could disrupt travel bookings sector where 66% of bookings are already online in 2023, with mobile bookings accounting for 35% of all online sales

Travellers using artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT to plan their travel itineraries is set to boom, according to market research company Euromonitor International.

The massive increase can be narrowed down to convenience and 24/7 accessibility, says Caroline Bremner, Head of Travel and Tourism Research at Euromonitor International. Travellers can access AI tools from various devices, including smartphones and computers, at any time and from anywhere with an internet connection.

A resounding 97.8% of travel executives in the Euromonitor Internationals Voice of the Industry: Travel Survey stated that AI would have an impact over the next five years.

AI could disrupt travel bookings industry, which is already highly digitalised

Bremner commented: ChatGPT is taking travel and the world by storm. With travel highly digitalised where 66% of all bookings are conducted online in 2023 and mobile accounts for 35% of all online sales, disruption from generative AI is already rife.

The travel industry is already adapting. Expedia announced in April 2023 its collaboration with OpenAI, offering in-app trip planning powered by ChatGPT for iOS, as well as offering a plug-in to ChatGPT Plus users. The Expedia ChatGPT experience provides personalised recommendations, acting like a virtual travel assistant, delivering relevant results for hotels and what to do in destination.

Booking Holdings Kayak and OpenTable also announced ChatGPT plug-ins. Other travel brands like TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide and Klook followed suit. Trip.com integrated ChatGPT into TripGen, its newly released AI chatbot that provides real-time assistance, itinerary planning and booking tips in the pre-trip stage. Hotels and airlines meanwhile are turning to generative AI for customer service, while automating menial tasks.

More integration will inevitably follow so that ultimately the trip planning to booking stages will blend seamlessly, dependent on access to real-time booking functionality. Generative AI is only at the beginning of its journey, giving consumers what Airbnb called the ultimate concierge.

AI access to real time data can be a game-changer

Bremner said: The path of AI adoption will not run entirely smoothly as there are major concerns over consumer privacy with countries like Italy temporarily banning ChatGPT. There are also concerns over large language models being reliant on out-of-date internet knowledge, with a lag of two years in the case of ChatGPT with no access to current events or real-time information. However, access to real time data has been enabled thanks to a new plug-in with Microsoft Bing.

The risks of amplifying misinformation, bias and inequality are all too real. Safety and security of consumers must be of paramount importance. Tech leaders like Elon Musk recently demanded a pause on AI development to avoid risks to humanity including possible extinction from superintelligence, stating that the AI race was out of control and time was needed to enable government policy to play catch up.

Travel agents faced mass disruption due to the rise of online travel three decades ago, that led to mass store closures and job losses. Now, the sector is ripe for more disruption as generative AI accelerates automation of tasks across every stage of the customer journey, before, during and after the trip. With Microsoft planning to integrate generative AI into its Microsoft 365 Copilot software, it will become ever more prevalent in consumers daily lives and work whether we like it or not.

As before, travel brands will take the rough with the smooth to navigate this new phase of digital transformation with a test and learn approach. However, only those that ultimately celebrate the human touch of travel and hospitality will thrive.

You can read more in Euromonitor Internationals report on Revolutionising Travel with ChatGPT and Generative AI, which includes a detailed analysis on the impact of future technology on travel brands and destinations.
Access Hospitality, part of the Access Group, has today announced the acquisition of Guestline. The acquisition presents an exciting opportunity for Access to expand the range of products it can offer hotel operators, who will benefit from a greater range of solutions that best suit their operational requirements.

Henry Seddon (MD of Access Hospitality) commented on the acquisition: We are delighted to add Guestline to the Access Group. As well as enhancing our ability to serve hotel customers' requirements by providing a tailored product that fulfils their operational needs, the acquisition will enable us to expand into new territories, given Guestline's strength in European and international markets.

We have been particularly impressed with the strength and experience of the Guestline management team and look forward to welcoming our new colleagues into the Access Group.

Guestline and Access Group are a natural fit, and we are very excited to join the Group. The combined groups cloud software solution will provide the most comprehensive set of capabilities in the market, making a real difference to hoteliers across the globe. We look forward to working together to expand further into our existing European and Asia Pacific markets, which offer significant growth opportunities. Commented Andrew McGregor, CEO of Guestline.

The sale of Guestline marks the sixth exit achieved by the Riverside Europe team over the past 18 months and again demonstrates our ability to support leading mid-market businesses through organic and inorganic growth initiatives. Despite the challenges of Brexit and Covid-19, Guestlines revenue and earnings more than doubled during our investment period, said Riverside Europe Managing Partner Karsten Langer.

About The Access Group

The Access Group is a UK -headquartered provider of industry-leading business management software to small and mid-sized organisations in the UK, Ireland, the US and Asia Pacific. It helps more than 75,000 customers across commercial and non-profit sectors become more productive and efficient. Its innovative Access Workspace cloud solutions transform how business software is used, giving every employee the freedom to do more of whats important to them. Founded in 1991, The Access Group employs approximately 6,300 people. www.theaccessgroup.com

The Riverside Company

The Riverside Company is a global private equity firm focused on investing in growing businesses valued at up to $400 million. Since its founding in 1988, Riverside has made more than 970 investments. The firms international private equity and structured capital portfolios include over 150 companies. Riverside Europe is an integral part of the firms broad global network and has invested in Europe since 1989. Riverside believes a truly global presence provides exceptional insight into local conditions, culture and business practices, making team members better investors and business partners.

Sophie Cartwright

Marketing & Communications Manager

01743 282300
6 Reasons Why You Need an AI Response Generator to Reply to Guest Reviews

TrustYou responseAI allows users to quickly respond to guest reviews using cutting-edge technology, producing genuine responses that feel human with minimal effort required from your staff.

Why Responding to Guest Reviews is Important for Your Hotel

Guest reviews have never been more essential in shaping the reputation and success of hotels. With so many choices available, travelers rely on feedback to make informed decisions and find the best option based on their needs.

95% of travelers read reviews before booking.

Review Responses Impact Bookings, Reputation, and Score

Besides scanning feedback, travelers also pay attention to how hotels respond to reviews. Heres how review responses shape travelers behaviors - and can have a crucial impact on your bookings, guest satisfaction, and, ultimately, revenue:

9 out of 10 travelers who read review responses expect a response from the hotel.

2 out of 3 guests will return if the hotel addresses their negative reviews.

3 out of 4 reviewers expect a response within the first four days after they submit their negative feedback.

Another study shows that hotels that start responding to reviews receive, on average 12% more reviews, with their ratings increasing between 0.12 and 0.5 stars within 6 months. Ratings are an essential criterion for travelers. In the booking phase, consumers filter through the options by looking at hotels with better scores. On average, it is estimated that a one-star increase can bring 5% to 9% more revenue for a hotel.

A Consistent Reply Strategy Will Help You Differentiate from the Competition

Do you know that the response rate has consistently increased since 2019? Before the pandemic, the average global response rate was 39%. Our latest data for 2022 shows that this number is currently at 44%.

The response rate was calculated based on the reviews that can be responded to, excluding all sources that do not allow responses.

This data shows us two key things:

#1 A review response strategy is no longer desirable; its a must.

More hotels are actively managing their reviews. With a clear and consistent response strategy, you are more likely to attract and retain your potential and current guests against the competition.

#2 Its critical to reply as soon as possible.

When looking at the data, we noticed that some reviews received a reply even a couple of months after they were published. Responding promptly will help you differentiate yourself from other competing hotels.

How Does an Effective Response Strategy Looks Like?

A few elements will help you make the most out of your replies to reviews.

#1 Response Structure

Our recent research on how travelers perceive reviews confirmed that these are the five key things guests expect in the hotel's response:

 5 Key Things To Mention in Your Reply 

1. Acknowledge your guests experiences.

2. Apologize for any negative experience detailed in the review.

3. Give details on changes you intend to make to fix the issues mentioned.

4. Thank the guest for taking the time to write a review.

5. Invite the guest to return.

#2 Response Immediacy

Try your best and respond to your guest reviews as soon as possible. There isnt a standard timeframe for this, but ideally, you should respond within 48 hours after receiving the guest review. Always prioritize reported issues and negative feedback.

#3 Response Efficiency

When dealing with many reviews, it can get overwhelming to compose personalized messages for each review and ensure you address every issue flagged. Your staff's time on writing replies can go elsewhere: focusing on the current guests and improving their experience on the go. Thats why response efficiency is crucial to your response strategy: the faster you can reply - without making any amendments to quality - the easier it will be to handle all reviews and focus on other priorities.

How AI Can Help You Effectively Manage Review Responses

Artificial Intelligence is one of the most discussed topics in every sector impacted by technology. AI emerges as an opportunity for the hospitality industry to optimize and rethink how hotels deliver personalized experiences, optimize operations, and interact with guests.

AI can play a valuable role in helping hotels manage review responses by analyzing and categorizing reviews, generating suggested responses, and assisting in sentiment analysis.

You can significantly reduce the time spent analyzing each review and composing replies using an AI response generator. On the other hand, you might feel reluctant to use automatically generated replies. Technology can take from the human touch, from the attention to detail and personalization a human can bring.

Heres where TrustYous responseAI will help you achieve efficiency and immediacy without making any amendments to your reply structure or tone. With our latest feature, you will reduce the time spent replying while keeping the human touch. responseAI is smart enough to detect a positive or negative review, personalize the message, translate, and just like that - it's ready to review and send!

With TrustYous responseAI generator, you can reduce your reply efforts by up to 75%. responseAI and ChatGPT - Whats the Difference?

You can think of TrustYou responseAI as a technology similar to ChatGPT but specialized in crafting perfect responses to hotel reviews by following best practices for responding to guest feedback.

Using TrustYou responseAI over ChatGPT will help you generate replies that follow industry best practices and produce factually correct responses, as it uses the review as a single source of truth. ChatGPT can generate responses that are still quite generic or contain inaccuracies since it's pulling information from an industry nonspecific database. Ultimately, this can lead to responses that require manual rewriting, making the process more time-consuming.

From a functionality standpoint, TrustYou responseAI is integrated directly into our platform. Theres no need to copy and paste your review into ChatGPT and then copy a response back into TrustYou - everything is generated in the same place.

6 Reasons You Need TrustYous responseAI Generator to Reply to Guest Reviews

With a simple yet effective functionality at its core, responseAI is ultimately about enhancing guest satisfaction in an efficient way. Here are six reasons to use our newest feature:

#1 Save time & money

Respond quickly to your guest reviews using cutting-edge technology, with minimal effort required from your staff.

#2 Prioritize guest experience

Your staff will have more time to focus on the current guests and ensure they have everything they need, thus increasing guest satisfaction and preventing negative feedback.

#3 Personalize your reply

Easily adjust the tone of your message - make it sound more formal or casual. The technology recognizes your guests and the hotels name, allowing you to personalize your response.

#4 Speak the language of your guests

Automatically translate your reply based on the review language.

#5 Adjust Your Message on the Go

Say goodbye to restrictive templates - keep the human touch by improving or adjusting the text quickly if needed.

#6 Enhance performance and reputation

Increase the response rate by replying to more reviews and boosting your chances of improving your star rating.

Get started now to see how much time and money you can save with responseAI!

Catalina Brinza

Catalina is a social media and data enthusiast. At TrustYou, she's on the mission to bring the most out of travel and hospitality data. One day, she hopes to experience Japan's culture to its fullest.

About TrustYou

TrustYou is on a mission to make guest communication and feedback simpler and more productive. All communication channels, together in one place, is the new way of doing business. Today, customers expect instant responses on their preferred communication channels. As a subset of communication, feedback is the foundation to build better products, services and companies.

TrustYou helps companies win through the power of listening and provides a Guest Experience (GX) Platform that makes listening to customers easy, powerful, and actionable. The platform unlocks the potential of guest feedback and helps to:

Create unlimited opportunities to listen and respond to guests needs.

Understand all reviews across the web and make better business decisions.

Publish hotel reviews on the website and on Google and allow positive feedback to influence bookings.

TrustYou empowers companies to earn trust, make better decisions, and ultimately, win.

Find more information on TrustYou and our GX platform on www.trustyou.com.
Westin Annapolis Hotel

District Hospitality Partners, a privately held hospitality investment group that owns properties nationwide, announced today the acquisition of the Westin Annapolis.

Located in bustling historic downtown Annapolis, the 225-room property provides guests convenient access to popular attractions, including the United States Naval Academy, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Maryland State House, and Chesapeake Bay. Guests can watch the sailboats while strolling along the Annapolis Waterfront or visit historic Annapolis. The property is walkable to over 90 independent stores and restaurants, only 30 miles from two major Mid-Atlantic metro areas (Washington D.C. and Baltimore), and less than a 45-minute drive from Ronald Regan Washington National and BWI airport.

"The Westin Annapolis is an iconic asset in the Annapolis hotel market and a perfect fit for our portfolio as we continue to accelerate our acquisition pace," said Fred W. Malek, CEO, District Hospitality Partners. "The property is located in a growing market with high barriers to entry and benefits from the balanced strength of its group and transient customers. Properties with high cash flow in strong markets are the type of assets we are looking for to increase our hospitality presence."

The Westin Annapolis underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2020 for all its guest rooms, including case and soft goods, and modernizing the guest bathrooms. District Hospitality is planning a significant renovation to the bar, restaurant, and lobby.

With 13 event spaces encompassing over 19,000 square feet of meeting space, including two kitchens, the hotel offers the most meeting space of any venue in Annapolis, allowing the property to host the premier corporate and life cycle events in the market. Additional amenities include spacious modern rooms, free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, and an indoor pool.

HEI Hotels & Resorts, a nationally recognized hotel management firm, will continue to manage the asset. Eastdil Secured served as the debt placement advisor, and Wells Fargo provided the financing.
Four Points by Sheraton San Rafael Marin County

Equinox Hospitality has acquired the Four Points by Sheraton San Rafael Marin County for $38 million. This acquisition marks Equinox's fifth successful addition to its hotel portfolio in the past year.

"The potential of this property has always resonated with me, having kept an eye on it for quite some time," said Adam Suleman, principal at Equinox Hospitality. "When it came onto the market, it felt like the perfect alignment of opportunity. Marin County is an affluent market that presents a strong demand for a hotel of this nature due to its supply constraints. The property's strategic location  being at the heart of key sites in Marin, in proximity to San Francisco and Wine Country, and next door to a billion-dollar retail and development zone  lends itself to a wealth of opportunities."

Additionally, nestled amidst the scenic beauty of Mount Tamalpais, Muir Woods, and Stinson Beach, the property holds remarkable promise with its robust infrastructure and assortment of amenities. Notably, it boasts the largest outdoor hotel pool in Marin County and offers approximately 6,840 square feet of versatile event space spread across seven ballroom and meeting rooms. The property also includes a generous restaurant and bar space and a charming outdoor seating area.

Equinox Hospitality aims to unlock the latent potential of the property through a thorough renovation and strategic rebranding. The hotel will soon align itself with the growing portfolio of Tribute by Marriott, a brand recognized for its distinguished independent properties. Driving this initiative is a commitment to enrich the guest experience and create an environment that appeals to the local Marin community and visitors from neighboring regions, such as Napa, Sonoma, and San Francisco. The renovation plans will kick off next year.

"Having acquired five unique properties and executed more than $100 million in hotel deal volume in the past year, Equinox is on a determined expansion path," he said. "We are keen on solidifying our presence in existing markets and exploring new promising ones. With an optimistic view on San Francisco's rebound, we aim to expand across the Bay Area. Our strategic partnerships with the major hotel brands continue to bolster our growth, and we remain confident about unearthing valuable opportunities, especially in California and Texas, even amid some uncertainties."
Rendering of the Imperial Flair Chania Old Town, Curio Collection by Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced a franchise agreement with Tsiledakis S.A to open Imperial Flair Chania Old Town, Curio Collection by Hilton, which will join two Curio Collection by Hilton hotels in Crete. Set to open in 2026, the 85-room hotel will take a prime beachfront location in the picturesque town of Chania and all guest rooms will feature a private pool.

Andreas Koukas, director, development, Greece & Cyprus, Hilton, said, Were excited to continue our impressive growth momentum in Greece with this latest signing announcement. In the last month alone, weve announced our third hotel in Crete, Imperial Flair Chania Old Town, Curio Collection by Hilton, and opened two hotels  Domes Aulus Elounda and Lindian Village Beach Resort Rhodes. In partnership with owners such as Tsiledakis S.A., were going from strength to strength and look forward to expanding the presence of our world-class brands in Greece in the years to come."

Labros Tsiledakis, chief operating officer, Tsiledakis S.A, said, "Were thrilled to be working with Hilton to deliver what will undoubtedly be a fantastic addition to the Cretan hotel market. This unique, characterful hotel will capture Cretes charm and offer guests an indulgent experience, with private swimming pools, direct access to a beach and modern upscale accommodations. Were looking forward to our future relationship with Hilton in the Greek market, capitalising on Hiltons strong commercial engines and our local knowledge to deliver a high-quality hospitality product in the heart of Chania."

Imperial Flair Chania Old Town, Curio Collection by Hilton will reflect Curio Collection by Hiltons portfolio of one-of-a-kind hotels handpicked for their unique character, featuring two dining outlets, including a specialty rooftop restaurant. Guests can also take a dip in the indoor or outdoor pools, take advantage of the upscale fitness facilities or enjoy an afternoon relaxing in the spa. There will also be meeting space for business travellers, and events and retail options are available from the hotels two onsite shopping outlets. The hotel will be located on the western seafront of Chania, right beside the Venetian Port and the Old Town, where the Municipality of Chania has approved a study for the redevelopment of the coastal front.

Crete, the largest of Greeces islands and one of the most popular destinations for European tourists, offers a beautiful natural landscape, rich gastronomic culture and ancient historical sites. Chania, on the islands northwest coast, is known for some of the islands best beaches, as well as the Old Venetian Port of Chania, with its striking 16th-century lighthouse and a wide variety of restaurants and cafes. A short walk from the hotel are Chanias beaches and Old Town, and a short drive away are other Cretan beaches, including Elafonissi Beach, with its charming pink sand, and Balos Beach, with its shallow and vivid turquoise waters.

Imperial Flair Chania Old Town, Curio Collection by Hilton will join the portfolio of four additional properties in Greece, including The Royal Senses Resort & Spa Crete, Curio Collection by Hilton, Lindian Village Beach Resort Rhodes, Curio Collection by Hilton, Domes Aulus Elounda, Curio Collection by Hilton and Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton.

Imperial Flair Chania Old Town, Curio Collection is located at Akti Kanari, Nea Chora, Chania, 73131, just a 20-minute drive from Chania International Airport.
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Pittsfield May Query Voters on Police Chief Residency Requirement

Meg Bossong speaks to the council

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The City Council is considering asking voters, "Should public safety leaders be required to reside in Pittsfield?"

On Tuesday, councilors unanimously referred Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren's request for a ballot question asking if the restriction that requires such management positions to live in the city should be eliminated to City Solicitor Stephen Pagnotta.



Pagnotta is expected to draft a question with clarifying language and return it to the body in August. He will also identify what a "yes" and "no" vote would entail.



The original motion was to approve Warren's petition but the panel amended it to be a referral after some pushback.



Warren said that every time there is a question that comes before the council members come up with reasons not to put it on the ballot such as being too complicated.



"This is not one of them in my eyes. To do that is basically voter suppression at the most basic level. We need to let the voters get involved. This is a thing that the voters can address," he said.



"If they can figure out whether our mayor's term should be raised from two years to four years, they can figure out whether our public safety people should be residing in the city of Pittsfield and there's only three positions that it deals with."



He explained that the provision has been in the ordinance since 1947. Originally, it required that all members of the police department were residents of Pittsfield.



"We have something that's been around since 1947 so I would think that if you're thinking of changing something, you'd want to at least see what the voters think," Warren said.



"They are the stakeholders."



The councilor did not have a strong opinion on the matter but favored keeping it so that there is an extra layer of investment in the community for the officials.



He is okay with the question being binding or non-binding.



Ward 3 Councilor Kevin Sherman did not know where he fell on the issue but wanted to give the public and the council time to mull the situation.



Sherman sad he had a philosophical opposition to putting the question as presented on the ballot. He pointed out that residents are likely on vacation over the summer and may not have time to make a well-informed decision by November.



"There are so many different narratives out there and it is a simple question," he said.



"Maybe it's a poll. I have no problem putting a poll out and getting a temperature of the public, and I'm all for that, and see where the people stand."



Later in the conversation, he clarified that he had "no dog in this fight" and does not have a decision on it yet.



"I'm not doing this from an angle of I know which way it's going to go and I don't want it on the ballot," he said. "That's not where I'm coming from at all."



Councilor At Large Pete White agreed with Sherman's testimony and said that he was also against ballot questions.



He asked Warren which specific offices would apply to the question and Warren felt it would be confusing to identify them but he doesn't have a problem doing so.



"I think that kind of proves the point why ballot questions can be detrimental," White said.



"If the 11 of us up here don't have a consensus of what this question would mean I don't think it's fair to put that to voters."



Persip also agreed with Sherman's point.



"This is too unclear for me right now. The question is just too vague. It doesn't give me what a yes vote does what a no vote does. It's not a true ballot question form so it's hard to vote on that," he said.
North Adams Fire Chief Returns To Duty

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The North Adams Police Department concluded the investigation of a pedestrian accident involving Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre and has deemed the incident was accidental with no criminal element.

It was determined that this was an unfortunate accident with no criminal elements, Mayor Jennifer Macksey wrote in a statement released Wednesday. Chief Lefebvre was issued Massachusetts Uniform Citation for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. As a result of these findings, Chief Lefebvre has returned to full duty effective immediately. We hope for a speedy recovery for the victim.

The statement regarding the July 6 incident read that speed was not a factor in the accident and that the pedestrian was in the marked crosswalk on Veazie Street.

Chief Lefebvres vehicle struck the pedestrian as she turned north onto Veazie Street from River Street.

After the collision, Chief Lefebvre exited his vehicle and rendered emergency medical aid to the victim. He also made the emergency call into dispatch.

According to the report, upon arrival, Police witnessed Lefebvre providing aid to the victim. The report stated that he immediately told the arriving officers that it was me.

The victim's belongings were spread out in the roadway. Police reported that she had suffered an injury to the back of her head and was disorientated.

According to the Chiefs statement, he was traveling east on River Street coming from a physical therapy appointment in Williamstown heading home. He stopped in traffic near the intersection of River Street and Veazie Street. Instead of waiting in traffic, he made a left turn onto Veazie Street.

Per the report, the Chief stated that he never saw a pedestrian in the roadway until his vehicle made contact. He stated that he was traveling approximately 5 miles per hour at the time.

The police report stated that the victim had told them that she had suffered a skull fracture, a brain bleed, and a broken finger.

The fire chief was placed on paid administrative leave following the incident on Thursday, July 6.
Blue Sox Score Late to Trip SteepleCats

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Matthew Bergevin hit a one-out sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning to give the Valley Blue Sox a 3-2 win over the SteepleCats at Joe Wolfe Field.

Aiden Stewart went 2-for-3 with an RBI for North Adams, which got a hit and an RBI from Cedric Rose.

Jagger Jefferis threw three innings of scoreless relief for the Cats, allowing two hits and and no walks while striking out three.

North Adams (8-20) goes to Mystic, Conn., on Thursday.
In November 1968, a few months shy of her 40th birthday, the artist Yayoi Kusama sent an open letter to the then President-elect of the United States, Richard Nixon. She offered to have sex with him  to lovingly, soothingly, adorn [his] hard masculine body  if he agreed to end US involvement in the Vietnam War.

It is not entirely clear whether she was serious, or whether Nixon replied. Whats undeniable, though  not to mention remarkable  is that more than half a century later, aged 94, Kusama is still creating a stir.

Her work, typically featuring striking patterns of polka dots, seems to be everywhere this year. A show of inflatable sculptures, Yayoi Kusama: You, Me and the Balloons, is the inaugural exhibition at Manchesters 211 million new arts centre, Aviva Studios. Her pair of Infinity Mirror Room installations are still wowing visitors at Tate Modern. (They opened in 2021 and, due to popular demand, keep having their closing date postponed  currently its April 2024). Further afield, a major career retrospective, Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now, has just opened at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
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Censors in the Philippines have allowed Barbie to be shown in the countrys cinemas, but have requested for certain lines on a map in the movie to be blurred out.

The news comes after Vietnam banned the film, made by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, earlier this month.

The national ban was prompted by a scene officials believed to include the nine-dash line, a representation of Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea, which Vietnam says violates its sovereignty.

China and Vietnam have long been in a stand-off over the region, while Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia all make claims to parts of the sea.

After two meticulous reviews of the film, as well as consultations with foreign affairs officials and legal experts, censors in the Philippines took the decision to allow screenings.

Censors came to the conclusion that the map, which Warner Bros defended as a doodle that was not intended to make any type of statement, does not depict the nine-dash line.

Instead, the map portrayed the route of the make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the real world, as an integral part of the story, the censorship board said.

Rest assured that the board has exhausted all possible resources in arriving at this decision as we have not hesitated in the past to sanction filmmakers/ producers/distributors for exhibiting the fictitious nine-dash line in their materials.

The map features dashed lines in numerous places. The one next to Asia features eight dashes, rather than nine.

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According to The Guardian, in a separate letter to the Philippines senator Francis Tolentino, who had spoken out against the film for violating Filipino fisherfolks rights, the censors said they had asked Warner Bros to blur out any controversial lines on the map.

Ryan Gosling at the LA Barbie premiere (Getty Images)

First reactions to the film, following its Los Angeles premiere earlier this month, have singled out Gosling as a scene-stealer deserving of an Oscar.

This Week Media editor Eze Baum said: Barbie is a triumph. A pitch-perfect script backed by great performances  particularly from Ryan Gosling  turns what could be a simple studio comedy into a sharp commentary on our society that makes its nuance palatable for those that may not take it at face value. GG is 3/3.

Robbie has been delivering some memorable fashion moments throughout the press tour for the film, including a pink leather Balmain minidress inspired by the Earring Magic Barbie doll from the Nineties. Check out some of the outfits here.

Barbie is due for release in the UK on 21 July, and in the Philippines on 19 July.
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Hours before the actors union formally approved its members to join the writers strike, Disney chief Bob Iger had spoken out against the very disturbing potential.

Speaking to CNBCs David Faber at the Sun Valley Conference in Idaho on Thursday (13 July), the CEO, 72, addressed Sag-aftras strike, complaining that its timing is the worst in the world  as it would effectively shut down Hollywood.

I understand any labour organisations desire to work on behalf of its members to get the most compensation and be compensated fairly based on the value that they deliver, Iger said at the time.

We managed, as an industry, to negotiate a very good deal with the directors guild that reflects the value that the directors contribute to this great business. We wanted to do the same thing with the writers, and wed like to do the same thing with the actors. Theres a level of expectation that they have that is just not realistic.

This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption, he added. And they are adding to the set of the challenges that this business is already facing that is, quite frankly, very disruptive.

Igers comments came hours before Sag-aftras national board approved its membership of 160,000 TV and film actors to begin striking on Thursday at midnight, joining screenwriters whove been picketing since May  a historic move which will effectively shut down Hollywood, which hasnt happened in over 60 years.

The decision came hours after contract negotiations with companies such as Netflix, Amazon, Disney and Warner Bros, failed to pass before the Wednesday (12 July) midnight deadline.

Hollywood Strikes (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The acting unions demands are similar to those of its counterpart, the Writers Guild of America (WGA). Among the formers chief demands include increased wages, higher streaming residuals and improved working conditions.

Union members should withhold their labour until a fair contract can be achieved, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, national executive director and chief negotiator of Sag-aftra said during a Thursday press conference. They have left us with no alternative.

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In June, over 1,000 actors, including several-well known celebrities, namely Meryl Streep, John Leguizamo, Jennifer Lawrence, Constance Wu and Ben Stiller, signed a letter to guild leadership, declaring that they were prepared to strike.

Follow along here for real-time updates on Sag-aftras imminent strike.
The charges against the government are scathing.

Britain is facing a nightmare scenario of China carrying out a systematic intelligence assault on almost every strategic sector against completely inadequate defences.

The findings conclude that the UKs core liberal democratic system is in danger. And that security has been sacrificed for perceived economic gains and the country severely handicapped by a short-term approach that is a serious failure one that the UK may feel the consequences of for years to come.
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The traversing of a US Navy patrol plane into the sensitive Taiwan Strait within international airspace on Thursday led to China scrambling its fighter jets.

The event coincided with Chinas ongoing military exercises, now in their third day, conducted to the south of Taiwan.

The escalation of tensions between Taiwan and China come as US secretary of state Antony Blinken held a meeting with Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in Jakarta on Thursday on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit.

According to a statement from the US Navys 7th Fleet, a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, that is utilised for anti-submarine operations, traversed the Taiwan Strait within the international airspace.

By adhering to international law and operating within the Taiwan Strait, the United States reaffirms its commitment to protecting the navigation rights and freedoms of all nations, the statement said.

The Peoples Liberation Armys Eastern Theatre Command responded by saying in their own statement that they sent their fighter jets to monitor and warn the US plane.

Chinas military described the flight as public hype.

Troops in the theatre are always on high alert and will resolutely defend national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability, PLAs Eastern Theatre Command said.

Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the PLAs Eastern Theater Command, called the aircrafts transit provocative.

In the recent period, US warships and planes have frequently carried out provocative actions, fully proving that the US is a disruptor of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and a creator of security risks in the Taiwan Strait, Mr Shi said.

According to Taiwans defence ministry, Chinese warplanes and warships conducted military exercises for a third consecutive day to the south of the island on Thursday.

The ministry also reported detecting a total of 26 aircraft, including advanced Chinese J-16 and Su-30 fighters, flying towards the open ocean while responding to the presence of the US Poseidon aircraft.

Taiwans defence ministry said the US Navy aircraft maintained its course along the median line of the strait and flew southward during the morning of Thursday. It added that Taiwans forces remained vigilant and monitored the situation closely.

Meanwhile, Mr Blinken met with Mr Wang on the sidelines of the Asean summit in Indonesias capital, Reuters reported.

Mr Wang is serving as Chinas representative at the Jakarta meetings involving the Asean members and partner countries. This comes after Beijing said its foreign minister Qin Gang would be unable to attend due to health concerns.

Tensions have escalated between the two superpowers following the visit of Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen to the US to meet Kevin McCarthy in California in early April.

Since then, the US has attempted to defuse tensions by sending a number of its top officials to the country.

Mr Blinken had met both Mr Qin and Mr Wang in Beijing last month during his historic China visit.

Earlier this month, US treasury secretary Janet Yellen also paid a visit to China, and in the next week, climate envoy John Kerry will be going there as well.

Last week, Daniel Kritenbrink, the top US state department official for East Asia, told reporters that Mr Blinken would collaborate with Asean members in Jakarta to address increasingly unhelpful, coercive, and irresponsible actions taken by China.

It is not a matter of getting countries on board with the US view, its a matter of working with our partners to advance our shared view and vision for the region and to push back on behaviour that runs counter to that vision, he said.

The number of visits by the US officials have come on the heels of another purported high-profile meeting, this time involving the presidents of both the nuclear powers.

US president Joe Biden and Chinese president Xi Jinping are expected to meet in November this year, possibly at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit that will take place in San Francisco.
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North Korea has threatened the US and claimed tensions have reached the phase of nuclear crisis beyond the Cold War era, while confirming that it launched its latest Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un who oversaw the countrys longest-ever test with a flight time of 74 minutes, was pictured clapping and laughing as the missile was blasted off on Wednesday.

Wearing a white coat, similar to that of a military general on his side, Mr Kim flagged off the missile test fire with his wife Ri Sol-ju, state media KCNA said.

The state-run news agency, in a bizarre claim without offering evidence, said it was a moment of a grand explosion of the strategic weapon fully loaded with our strength and technology blasted that shook the whole planet.

This was the second test of the solid-fuel ICBM after Pyongyang claimed its first launch this April was a miraculous success.

The Hwasong-18 is a more advanced missile than the liquid-fuelled ICBMs North Korea currently operates. A solid-fuel ICBM can be fired more quickly and is harder to detect when having intercontinental targets such as the US.

North Korea test-fired the missile after Pyongyang threatened to shoot down US military reconnaissance planes and warned of shocking consequences if they continued to fly near its territory.

Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and herself a senior North Korean official, accused the US spy planes of violating its air space at least eight times on Monday, according to a statement on Tuesday from state news agency KCNA.

In case of repeated illegal intrusion, the US forces will experience a very critical flight, Ms Kim warned in the statement.

The UN Security Council, which has passed resolutions banning North Koreas ballistic missile and nuclear weapons development, will convene a public meeting to discuss the missile launch on Thursday.

The launch took place as several world leaders were gathered for the Nato and Asean summits in Lithuania and Indonesia respectively, and was confirmed by the militaries of South Korea and Japan, who condemned the test.

North Korea said the missile was the core weapon system of the strategic force and warned the US of intensifying unprecedented military provocations in the Korean peninsula.

It was second test of a Hwasong-18 ICBM (AP)

Pyongyang said the launch was conducted in the face of a grave period when the military security situation on the Korean peninsula and in the region has reached the phase of nuclear crisis beyond the Cold War era.

The test-fire is an essential process aimed at further developing the strategic nuclear force of the Republic and, at the same time, serves as a strong practical warning to adversaries, state news agency KCNA said.

Experts have reacted with surprise over the successful back-to-back tests of Hwasong-18 as the country struggles with other large, multi-stage, solid-propellant missile launches.

Ankit Panda, a senior fellow at the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, was quoted as saying by Seoul-based North Korea analysis portal NK PRO that the test was remarkable.

Just how North Korea has managed to attain this stunning level of success with its solid-propellant ICBM remains a mystery, but Kim Jong-un will have few complaints, Mr Panda wrote.

UNSC to convene a public meeting to discuss ICBM launch (AP)

Colin Zwirko, a senior analytic correspondent for NK PRO, said the launch took place from the same spot outside Pyongyang as the missiles first test in April.

It was conducted from a field that commercial satellite imagery showed had been purposefully built and likely reinforced with concrete beneath the grass, he said.

The missile flew 1,001km to an altitude of 6,648km before landing in the sea, east of the Korean peninsula, which is about 250km west of northern Japans Okushiri island, officials in Japan and South Korea said.

The launch prompted Japan and the US to stage drills with Tokyos four F-2 jets and Washingtons F-15C jets in west of Kyushu island on Wednesday, the Japanese defence ministry said.

A video and pictures of the missile released by the state broadcaster KCNA showed Hwasong-18 being launched from a canister mounted on a road-mobile, multi-wheeled vehicle along with dramatic music and a voiceover starting a countdown before the launch.

Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Thursday said they were deeply dismayed by the launch of ballistic missiles this week, and urged North Korea to take action to de-escalate tensions.

Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are meeting in Jakarta with envoys from the United States, South Korea, Russia, China and others.
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Indian officials have revealed the cause of death after a seventh fatality in the countrys project to reintroduce cheetahs to South Asia, decades after they went extinct in the wild.

The death of adult male Tejas was caused by traumatic shock triggered by injuries from a violent interaction with a female cheetah also present in the same enclosure, officials have said.

They said the animal was already ailing and weak.

The cheetah suffered a traumatic shock and died shortly after the female inflicted injuries on his neck, which were found to be superficial and not deep enough to cause his death, principal chief conservator of forests JS Chouhan told The Independent.

The injury is not the standalone reason because Tejas, weighing 43 kgs at the time of autopsy, was a compromised cheetah. It was found that his lungs, heart, spleen, and kidney were not normal during the autopsy on Wednesday, the forest official said.

There was accumulation of chicken fat and coagulated blood was also found in the aorta and auricle of his heart. His kidney appeared pulpy and emphysema and white coloured nodules were found in spleen, he added.

Mr Chouhan added: He was already down and ailing from internal infections, and possibly could have died sooner if not for the violent interaction.

It is unclear if the two animals tried mating and the female cheetah resisted the forced mating attempt from Tejas as no official was around the enclosure on Tuesday morning at the time of the violent interaction, the official added.

Circumstances are unclear, we cannot say with certainty that the female attacked Tejas to stop mating, he said.

The female cheetah borrowed from Namibia, however, carries limited hunting skills and has not shown any violent tendencies, Mr Chouhan said on being asked about previous signs of any violent interaction with other wild cats, including Tejas.

A cheetah lies inside a transport cage at the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) before being relocated to India, in Otjiwarongo, Namibia, Friday, 16 Sept 2022 (The Associated Press)

Two cheetahs are seen inside a quarantine section before being relocated to India at a reserve near Bella Bella, South Africa, Sunday, 4 Sept 2022 (Associated Press)

The autopsy was conducted at a wildlife hospital on Wednesday afternoon by three wildlife doctors posted in the Cheetah Project and experts from School of Wildlife Forensic and Health, Jabalpur and senior wildlife doctor from Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal.

Tejas is the seventh cheetah India has lost since the start of an ambitious translocation project that aims to revive the wildcats population in South Asia, 70 years after it went extinct.

He was brought to India in February this year.

Four of the original 20 cheetahs have now died, and another three cubs born to one of the adult females did not survive. A fourth cub is being bred in captivity and so will not be a part of the project in future.

It comes just two weeks after India nearly lost another cheetah after a violent territorial altercation between two coalitions formed by the big cats.

One expert questioned the official explanation that Tejas died after sustaining injuries while mating, with cheetahs known to be among the most gentle and least aggressive of the big cats.

Valmik Thapar, a senior Indian wildlife conservationist who has monitored cheetahs in Africa for 25 years, called on the Kuno authorities to stop keeping two or more of the animals together in limited space.

Cheetahs do not kill while mating as they are very careful big cats. Females never kill males and males never kill females in the wild. Such fatal encounters occur only if cheetahs are forced together in one enclosure, he told The Independent.

He pointed to a previous instance where India lost a female cheetah in May after it suffered injuries during an interaction with two male cheetahs that turned violent, making it the third such death within 50 days.

Repeated instances like this are signs of poor management, negligence and a lack of understanding of the animal, he said.

It also shows that these cats are still in enclosures and bad management is leading to fatalities on what is a flawed operation of reintroduction, because in the wild it is very, very rare for cheetahs of any sex to kill or injure each other.
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Police in India arrested two men who were allegedly found eating the half-burnt remains of a human body in an inebriated condition.

The arrests were made from the eastern Odisha states Mayurbhanj district on Tuesday after the men were caught committing the act at a funeral.

Local media said police identified the two men as 58-year-old Sundar Mohan Singh and 25-year-old Narendra Singh.

The men were related to the woman who was being cremated, according to a report in The Times of India newspaper. Followers of the Hindu religion cremate their dead.

Local villagers told the police that the two men, from the districts Dantuni village, started eating the remains while the funeral was underway.

The two men allegedly showed no remorse when confronted by the villagers.

B Gangadhar, a local police superintendent in Mayurbhanj district, told the media that the men have been arrested based on prima facie evidence.

Another official in charge of a local police station, Sabjay Parida, said one of the accused had confessed to eating human flesh.

Sundar Mohan Singh, one of the accused, is a [self-styled] sorcerer. He did so under the influence of liquor and confessed to his actions, Mr Parida was quoted as saying by several media outlets.

The two men will reportedly undergo psychiatric evaluations.

The police are also investigating if the two accused had indulged in the practice of cannibalism before this incident.

One of the most disturbing cases that involved cannibalism in the country, dubbed the Nithari killings, had occurred in 2006. At least 19 young women and children had been killed and dismembered inside a house, known as the house of horrors, in Noida citys Nithari area.

The accused, businessman Moninder Singh Pandher and his domestic help Surinder Koli, were subsequently sentenced to death for the crimes. Koli had admitted to eating some of the body parts.

In 2017, Iranian-American scholar Reza Aslan courted controversy after eating a human brain on camera while filming with an obscure Hindu sect in India, prompting condemnation from members of the religions mainstream.
It was an economic crisis that escalated into a dramatic popular uprising. Thousands of Sri Lankans took to the street, storming president Gotabaya Rajapaksas palace and looting treasures.

Citizens from across the island nation of 22 million boarded buses and trains to descend on Colombo with chants of Go home Gota as they demanded Rajapaksas resignation amid soaring prices, shortages of essential goods, and crippling international debts.

One year on since Rajapaksa finally heeded their calls and stepped down, Sri Lanka is undoubtedly in a better economic position. But activists say growing political and financial stability have come at the cost of a slide in civil rights, incomes for the poorest in society and the long-term health of many, particularly women.
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Nobel prize winner Malala Yousafzai has spoken of her despair at the complete reversal of education and rights for women in Afghanistan under the Taliban.

Ten years ago, millions of Afghan girls were going to school, she told an audience at the United Nations House in Abuja, Nigeria.

One in three young women were enrolled in university. And now? Afghanistan is the only country in the world to ban girls and women from seeking education.

Even as a teenager, I understood that progress could be slow  but I never expected to witness a complete reversal, an entire country of girls locked out of school, trapped in their homes and losing hope.

In 2012, Ms Yousafzai was shot by a Taliban gunman who strongly opposed her vocal activism surrounding the education of women. She was 15 years old at the time and was returning home after taking an exam when she was shot in the head. She was later transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England.

She has previously called on authorities to step forward more boldly in their backing for Afghan women now forced to live under the Taliban.

She recounted her own incident of suffering brutality at the hands of the Taliban as she spoke in Nigeria on her birthday. I spent two years of my childhood under the terrorism of Taliban, displaced from my home and banned from going to school because I was a girl.

I was shot and nearly killed for speaking out against these injustices. I did not know if my first speech at the UN would be my last  my only chance to ask the world to send every girl to school, Ms Yousafzai said.

Referring to her speech, Thomas West, the US special representative for Afghanistan, said the women and girls in Afghanistan deserve full access to education to realise their potential.

On #MalalaDay, we recognise advocacy for education rights. Afghan women and girls are a tremendous asset to the future of Afghanistan and deserve full access to education to realise their potential, he said in a tweet.

Hours after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan at an unprecedented speed in August 2021, the education activist expressed shock and concern for women and minorities in the disturbed region.

The Nobel Prize laureate also asked for action from global agencies to safeguard refugees and civilians.

We watch in complete shock as the Taliban takes control of Afghanistan. I am deeply worried about women, minorities and human rights advocates, she had said.

In a call to action, the Pakistani activist added: Global, regional and local powers must call for an immediate ceasefire, provide urgent humanitarian aid and protect refugees and civilians.
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Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of Thailands progressive Move Forward party, has failed to secure the required votes to become the next prime minister.

The 42-year-old was the only candidate nominated on Thursday after weeks of talks following Thailands 14 May general election, in which his left-wing alliance comfortably defeated conservative parties including that of the incumbent military-backed government.

But Mr Pita still faced a challenge in securing the required backing of more than half of the 749-member bicameral parliament, after a military-drafted change to the constitution meant that all 250 upper-house senators are chosen by the countrys generals.

A host of abstentions and votes against Mr Pita meant that it was clear he would fall short of the required 375 votes by some margin, while the final votes continued to be placed on Thursday evening.

Mr Pita secured 316 votes out of 737 names called during the parliamentary vote, just 51 votes short of the required number.

"We accept the result. We are not retreating," Mr Pita said, adding he would not give up home to be the next prime minister. "The result was not what we expected, we will work hard to gather support for next vote."

The parliament is expected to attempt another vote on 19 July, which Mr Pita can contest if nominated again. A third vote, if necessary, will be held a day later.

Move Forwards victory in the May election alongside its alliance partner Pheu Thai was seen as a major political turning point after nearly a decade of government led by Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former general who seized power in a 2014 military coup.

Mr Pitas party captured 151 of the 500 House seats to emerge as the largest single party, and then assembled a coalition government-in-waiting.

The eight parties in the coalition account for a healthy majority of 312 seats in the 500-seat lower house, but it left Mr Pita still needing the support of at least 64 senators to be elected prime minister.

"I will do my best to match the hope and encouragement from the people," Mr Pita had told reporters as he arrived at parliament earlier in the day.

The vote took place a day after the country's election commission concluded there was evidence that Mr Pita violated election law and referred his case to the constitutional court for a ruling, which risks his disqualification as a lawmaker.

The Harvard graduate told reporters on Wednesday that he felt the election commission's decision was unfair and should not have been made so close to the parliamentary vote.

Supporters of Move Forward Partys leader Pita Limjaroenrat gather outside parliament (EPA)

He added there were attempts to "block the majority government of the people from getting to run the country in various ways" which was "quite normal for the path to power in our country".

"... I am encouraged and hopeful to fix things as they come until the dream of mine and the people can be reached," he told the Thai Rath TV channel.

A second legal challenge was also mounted against Move Forward's flagship proposal to amend Thailands draconian lese majeste (insulting the monarchy) laws, which also likely harmed his prospects of winning over the required number of senators.

Mr Pita's party promised major reforms during the election campaign, including breaking up monopolies and ending military conscription, which put him at odds with a powerful nexus of conservatives.

Supporters of Mr Pita's coalition were expected to gather outside the parliament building in protest against Thursday's vote.

Caretaker prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, whose United Thai Nation party finished fifth in the elections, will remain the countrys leader till his successor is declared.

Mr Prayuth, 69, a former army commander who led the 2014 military coup, announced earlier this week that he was retiring from the political arena.

Members of the second-largest party in the coalition Pheu Thai are expected to field property tycoon, Settha Thavisin, for the next round of votes.
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More than 113 million Americans were under heat alerts on Thursday as stifling, life-threatening temperatures dug in across large parts of the country.

In the south and southeast, relentless, hazardous heat is expected to continue for at least another week after constant triple-digit temperatures in the past month.

A wide area will experience temperatures of 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius), from a combination of heat and humidity, the National Weather Service reported.

The climate crisis, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, is making long-lasting, dangerous heat five times more likely in places like Texas, Arizona, and Mexico, according to analysis from Climate Central.

And there is little relief at nighttime as extreme heat in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean are contributing to prolonged humidity. The lack of nighttime cooling only increases the health risks, public health officials warned.

The mercury has hit 110F in Phoenix, Arizona for 13 days in a row as officials advised residents to limit outdoor activities, and be alert to signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The risks of heat-related illness rise when the temperature surpasses 90F.

The city has opened a heat relief network to allow those without air conditioning to cool off at places like public libraries.

Heat alerts were in place across much of the southern and western US on Thursday (NOAA/National Weather Service)

An intense heatwave is also building further west, and is likely to see temperature records topple this weekend, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Parts of California were warned to prepare for searing temperatures - the hottest of the year so far, NWS reported.

The most at-risk regions are Californias Central Valley, the Mojave and Sonoran desert regions, and southern California, Nevada, and Arizona including the cities of Las Vegas, Phoenix, Bakersfield and Fresno.

Midday highs were mostly expected to be above 100F (37.7 C), and desert areas could reach 120F (48.8 C), forecasters said.

The heat will be extremely dangerous and potentially deadly due to the intensity, longevity, and a relatively cool start to summer that may have limited the ability for people to acclimate to more typical hot summer weather in this region, forecasters said.

Please plan accordingly, this is not the time to be hiking or be outside for long durations, NWS Los Angeles office tweeted.

If you need to work outside, shift hours to the early morning, take frequent breaks and hydrate!

In California, the state reminded employers of health and safety regulations that mean outdoor workers are given water, shade and regular breaks to cool off. There are few protections for outdoor workers in other parts of the south including Texas.

The extreme heat and dry conditions were also increasing the wildfire risk in the Golden State with fire agency, Cal Fire, reporting a number of blazes have ignited since the beginning of July.

Ja-Veah Cheney, 9, pours water over her head, taking shelter from the sweltering heat at the splash pad station at Riverside Park in New Bedford, Mass., on July 12, 2023 (AP)

Europe is in the grip of a severe heatwave, named Cerberus, with temperature records broken in France, Switzerland, Germany and Spain.

On 11 July, the land surface temperature exceeded 140F (60C) in some areas of Extremadura, Spain while 13 communities remained at risk of temperatures surpassing 40C (104F).

This week, Greece introduced a mandatory work stoppage in the afternoon as temperatures topped 40C (104F).

Globally, June 2023 broke the temperature record by a significant margin, and the second week in July was the hottest ever recorded.

This has been combined with unprecedented sea surface temperatures and record low Antarctic sea ice.

Ocean temperatures in Florida, and other parts of the Gulf coast, have soared as high as 98 degrees in places this week, threatening to wipe out coral reefs.

The scorching heat is being driven by the rising global temperature as well as El Nino  a cyclic climate pattern which makes many places a lot hotter.
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Torrential downpours this week have led to the deaths of 100 people and unleashed havoc in northern India in what officials have described as the worst monsoon the country has experienced in decades.

The deadly monsoon comes as several other nations across the world grapple with similar extreme weather.

The northeastern US is under a state of emergency, China is evacuating thousands of people, and Japan has reported its heaviest rain ever experienced, according to its weather department officials.

Rains have battered neighbouring Pakistan as well, and the death toll there as of Tuesday evening had reached 86 since 25 June. The deaths have been a reminder of the deadly deluge that devastated the country just a year ago.

In India, downpours have lashed several areas, from western Rajasthan to northern Jammu and Kashmir, and have killed at least 100, with thousands more left stranded as key highways were damaged.

A massive downpour in Delhi has left large swathes of the national capital submerged, including the central area around Connaught Place, while several key government buildings are also affected. On Sunday, Delhi received its highest amount of rain on a single day in July since the 1980s.

People were seen wading through knee-deep water, and several motorists became stuck on roads that had turned into rivers.

The Yamuna River, which cuts across Delhi, passed the danger mark of 205 metres above mean sea level, as incessant rain combined with dam water released from neighbouring Haryana prompted evacuations.

On Wednesday, the river flowed close to 207.25m, precariously close to the all-time record of 207.49m reached in 1978, government officials said.

A person wades through a flooded street after heavy rains in New Delhi (Reuters)

The rains were far deadlier in the fragile mountainous states of Himachal Pradesh, the northern state most severely affected, and Uttarakhand, where they triggered severe floods and deadly landslides, killing dozens.

Shocking images showed floods washing away villages and key highways, disrupting essential services, in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab.

Floodwaters blocked the Indo-Tibet border road, while contact was lost with more than a dozen border villages.

Heavy rain and falling boulders killed four people and injured seven others in Uttarakhand on Tuesday. At least 20 people died in flash floods and other rain-related disasters in just one province of Himachal Pradesh.

State chief minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Monday said Himachal had not witnessed such widespread heavy rains in more than 50 years.

This years monsoon has raised concern among experts, who warn that the climate crisis is playing a significant role in the intensification of such extreme weather.

It rains fewer hours, but when it rains, it rains very heavily, observed M Rajeevan, a former secretary of Indias Ministry of Earth Sciences, according to the Hindustan Times. Recent heavy rains and flash floods remind us of one of the important impacts of climate change on monsoon, he said.

South Asia receives approximately 70-80 per cent of its annual rainfall during the monsoon season, which normally starts in late June. This weather event often has severe consequences for a region that is vulnerable to flash floods because of its lack of adequate infrastructure.

This years monsoon, however, which began on 1 June, has brought significantly higher levels of rainfall in Delhi, Punjab and Himachal, with the regions seeing an increase of 112 per cent, 100 per cent and 70 per cent respectively, according to the India Meteorological Department.

Climate scientists have raised the alarm over the monsoons changing patterns, which are making rain more erratic, resulting in much more falling in a short period and leading to flash floods.

The ongoing spell of extremely heavy rains is due to the alignment of three weather systems: western disturbance over Western Himalayas, cyclonic circulation over northwestern plains, and axis of monsoon trough running across Indo-Gangetic Plains, explained Mahesh Palawat, vice-president of meteorology and climate change at private weather agency Skymet.

Commuters use plastic sheets to protect themselves from rain in New Delhi (AFP via Getty)

This alignment is not happening for the first time, and is the usual pattern during the monsoon. However, global-warming-led changes in monsoon patterns have made a difference, he added.

There has been a constant rise in both land and sea temperatures, which has increased the capacity of the air to hold moisture for a longer time. Thus, the role of climate change in the increasing extreme weather events in India has been strengthening with each passing year.

Research has already established the impact of the climate crisis on south Asias monsoon patterns. Last years devastating floods in Pakistan were also found to be a result of the effect of the climate crisis on monsoon patterns.

But with this years record-shattering global warming, experts have said that heat is also meddling with atmospheric and oceanic phenomena.

There have been extreme weather events earlier as well, but 2023 has been a unique year, said Raghu Murtugudde, professor of atmospheric and oceanic science at the University of Maryland.

Global warming is making a significant contribution, but there are some other factors as well, Dr Murtugudde explained, adding that the El Nino pattern, record North Atlantic Ocean temperatures, and exceptional warming in the Arabian Sea in recent years are among the contributing factors.

Deadly floods cause havoc around the world as torrential rains lash India, US and Spain (AP/Reuters/Policia Zaragoza/TMX)

He also said that with wildfires being three times larger, more carbon is being released into the atmosphere, increasing greenhouse gases.

A recent report by Indias earth sciences ministry found that overall monsoon rainfall, which already leads to repeated flooding, is projected to become more intense in the future and will affect larger areas, driven by the climate crisis.

India has already faced back-to-back deadly heatwaves, more frequent extreme temperature and rainfall events, droughts, sea-level rises, and intensified severe cyclones.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned of summer and monsoon precipitation increasing and becoming more frequent, with the Indian subcontinent projected to experience a 20 per cent surge in extreme rain events in the coming years.
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Scientists have unveiled a white paint that can reflect the suns rays off the Earths surface, which could help cool the planet.

Dr Xiulin Ruan  a mechanics engineering professor at Purdue University  and his team first revealed the paint in 2020, which can reflect up to 98 per cent of the suns rays, the New York Times reported on Wednesday. The paint can cool surfaces up to eight degrees Fahrenheit in the middle of the day and up to 19 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

The paint itself is physically cool to the touch, Dr Ruan told the publication. Beyond this, the paint is award-winning: it earned a Guinness World Record in 2021 as the whitest paint ever.

We werent really trying to develop the worlds whitest paint, Dr Ruan said in an interview with the Times. We wanted to help with climate change, and now its more of a crisis, and getting worse. We wanted to see if it was possible to help save energy while cooling down the Earth.

Its not so white that you cant look at it, Dr Ruan added, because the paint disseminates light. His team is working on creating other colors that utilise the same white color as the base.

They will work less ideally than the white, but better than some of the other commercial colors, the professor said, adding that the paint is not yet available for commercial use.

Not everyone is so convinced that the paint is as ultra-effective as it is ultra-white. Even Dr Ruan noted that his team currently uses barium sulfate, which needs to be mined, and therefore has a negative environmental impact. However, he told the publication that his teams paint is on par with other commercial ones, as most of them use titanium dioxide, which is also mined.

Dr Jeremy Munday, an electrical and computer engineering professor at University of California, Davis, told the New York Times that the effects of the paint are minimal.

Itd be like pouring a cup of regular water into the ocean, explaining that the sun generates a billion times more heat than the Earth, and the paint just reflects the suns heat.

Ultra-white paint or other methods of radiative cooling on a large scale is definitely not a long-term solution to the climate problem, Dr Munday said. This is something you can do short term to mitigate worse problems while trying to get everything under control.
 Close Devastating floods batter Vermont as water levels continue to rise

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Vermont authorities confirmed the first flood-related death following catastrophic rain on Wednesday.

Some 117 rescues were made in Vermont as the towns of Londonderry and Weston remained largely inaccessible. Officials were beginning to assess how many homes had been destroyed and what the financial cost would be from damaged roads, bridges and railways.

Vermont Emergency Management confirmed on Thursday that 63-year-old Stephen Davoll died as a result of a drowning incident in his home on Wednesday. It is the first death linked to the historic floodings in the state.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared the floodings a 1-in-1,000-year weather event caused by the climate crisis, after a woman died in the Empire State when she was swept away while trying to escape her home with her dog.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott said at a news conference that thunderstorms were expected to move into parts of the state by Thursday night, which could cause more flash flooding.

The period we are more concerned about is Sunday because that could be more widespread and heavier, but not nearly on the scale of what we saw earlier in the week, National Weather Service meteorologist Seth Kutikoff also said.
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An influencer is being mocked after complaining about the various methods of transportation she had to use to reach Italys Amalfi Coast, which she described as impossible to get to.

Lexi Jordan, who goes by the username @millenniallex on TikTok, shared a video describing her grievances with the popular tourist destination on Wednesday. In the clip, Jordan began by condemning the influencers and TikTokers who put the Amalfi Coast on [her] For You page.

Every single influencer and TikToker who put the Amalfi Coast on my For You page over the last two months deserves jail time, Jordan claimed. Because, while they showed you the gorgeous coastlines and the cute little towns, what they didnt tell you were the disclaimers.

Jordan then proceeded to share her annoyance with the means of transportation required to reach the stretch of coastline located in southern Italy, with the TikToker revealing that shed had to take a plane, train and ferry.

First of all, its impossible to get here. You have to fly into Naples, then you have to take a train from Naples to Sorrento, then you have to stand in 90F weather waiting for a ferry to get on a ferry with all of your luggage, Jordan said.

According to the influencer, the trip was especially difficult because she has a lot of luggage, as she has been in Europe for two weeks.

All of your luggage. Lug it onto the ferry. Get to the Amalfi Coast. Finally, Jordan continued, before noting that the journey isnt over then, as she then had to carry her luggage up more than 100 stairs to reach her hotel.

To get to the highest of the high points, the beautiful hotels with the gorgeous theres no streets here, she said as she gestured towards the view. Theres no cars driving. So you have to walk up 160 stairs with all of your luggage to get to the top of this gorgeous area with these beautiful views.

In the video, Jordan then revealed that her frustration with the destination only grew when the power went out, which she claimed was due to the Amalfi Coast not having the infrastructure to support this tourism.

In a text caption on the video, the influencer wrote: Dont get me wrong I love it but be serious this is literal manual labour not vacation.

Jordan also urged viewers interested in visiting the Amalfi Coast not to make the same mistake that she did, with the TikToker suggesting visitors go for at least a week and not just two days like she had.

The video, which has since been viewed more than 424,000 times, has sparked criticism from Jordans viewers, with many questioning why the influencer didnt research her destination beforehand.

Do people not do research before they travel anymore?? one person asked, while another said: WARNING: Travel may imply: Travelling.

Omg are you going to be okay??? This must have been so traumatic for you, someone else wrote.

The video also prompted many to question the sincerity of Jordans complaints, with one person expressing their hope that she was kidding. This has to be a parody, they wrote.

The clip has also circulated on Twitter, where viewers have continued to criticise the influencers complaints.

You have to fly to Naples then take a train to Sorrento then wait on a ferry... what did you think was going to happen when you booked a plane ticket then a train ticket then a ferry ticket??? one person asked.

The Independent has contacted Jordan for comment.
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Theres nothing better than french fries. Now, foodies can snag the delicious treat free of charge (or discounted) on National French Fry Day 2023.

National French Fry Day is celebrated in the US on Thursday 13 July. However, the exact date of this special holiday is still unclear. Many restaurants have petitioned to move National French Fry Day to the second Friday in July so that its always observed on a fry-day.

Luckily for us, not all fast food chains have caught on yet, meaning many establishments are celebrating National French Fry Day all weekend long by giving away an order of their beloved crispy, golden fries. McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys and more are all participating in the giveaway, but not all chains are made the same.

Heres how to get free french fries on National French Fry Day.

McDonalds

McDonalds announced it will be giving away complimentary french fries of any size on National French Fry Day via the McDonalds app. Customers will need to make an account on the smartphone app, where they will be able to place an order for the free fries, no purchase necessary.

Burger King

At Burger King, members of the chains Royal Perks loyalty program can get a free order of fries of any size with any purchase via the app or BK.com.

Wendys

Wendys is celebrating National French Fry Day for the next three days until Sunday, 16 July. There, customers can receive a free order of fries, any size, with any purchase made using the Wendys app. Wendys will also be participating in National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, where fans can get a free small Frosty with purchase of a small order of fries through Grubhub.

Checkers and Rallys

Checkers and Rallys is offering Rewards App members a free order of extra large fries from Friday through Sunday.

Carls Jr and Hardees

When customers buy french fries on National French Fry day on the Carls Jr or Hardees app, they will be rewarded with free small fries each day for the rest of the year with a minimum $1 purchase.

Del Taco

Del Taco is giving away many deals through Sunday, including free medium fries with any $3 purchase through its Del Yeah! Rewards loyalty program.

Fatburger

Customers can receive a free order of Fat or Skinny fries with any purchase through Sunday. The offer can be redeemed in-store or online with the code FrenchFryDay23.

Heinz

Of course, the worlds most popular ketchup brand is also participating in National French Fry Day. This year, the company partnered with UberEats to offer $5.70 off on orders that include french fries at participating restaurants nationwide  Arbys, Buffalo Wild Wings, BurgerFi, Carls Jr, Checkers, Chilis, Freddys, Hardees, IHOP, and MOOYAH Burgers, Fries and Shakes. When UberEats customers choose a participating restaurant on the app and place any order that includes fries, a $5.70 discount will be applied at checkout.

Jack in the Box

On Thursday, members of the Jack Pack loyalty program can get a free large order of regular or curly fries with a $15 minimum purchase.

Smashburger

For National French Fry Day, Smashburger is giving away a free order of Smashfries, French Fries, or Sweet Potato Fries with any purchase  no minimum purchase required. The offer can be redeemed in-store or online by using the code FRIES.
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Todays Google Doodle celebrates one of Indias most famous street food snacks  the bite-sized pani puri.

The dish is one of Indias most popular street foods and can incorporate many different flavours depending on the ingredients used and where in the country it is being made.

The popular snack consists of a crispy, deep-fried shell that is cracked open on one side and stuffed with any combination of potatoes, chickpeas, spices or chillies dunked in flavoured water.

The tiny snack is best eaten quickly in rounds, with customers dipping the shell into the water and popping it whole into their mouths before the next shell is offered.

The sweet and savoury dish goes by different names in different parts of India.

In capital Delhi, it is known as gol gappa, while in West Bengal, Bihar and Nepal, the snack is called phuchka.

In southwestern Maharashtra, it is known by the staple pani puri, while in northern Haryana state, it is called paani patashi. In central Madhya Pradesh, the snack goes by fulki and in Uttar Pradesh, its called pani ke batashe or padake.

In the northeastern state of Assam, locals call it the phuska, while Gujaratis call it pakodi.

In parts of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, locals call the snack Gup-chup.

The process of making the humble pani puri is simple and the filling can be made according to the preference of the person eating it.

The options usually consist of a potato stuffing, mashed chickpeas stuffing, boondi or tiny fried gram flour balls. A hot ragda stuffing can also be used, which is a curry or gravy preparation made from dried white peas, spices and seasonings.

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The server pokes a hole in the deep-drief hollow shell called the puri and fills the stuffing in it.

The flavoured water, or pani in Hindi, used to dunk the filling is made either of tamarind, asafoetida, mint, garlic, lemon or jaljeera  a type of flavoured water made with chilli, cumin (jeera) and water (jal, which is another word for water)  and is served to customers one by one.

One plate of pani puri usually consists of six to eight bites and costs between Rs 20-40 (0.20-0.40).

(Hardik Monga/Unsplash)

The staple Indian snack is available in almost every north Indian restaurant locally and has only grown in popularity abroad.

Londons high end Indian restaurants, like Dishoom, Roti Chai, Indian Accent and Gunpowder, also serve the dish.

The snack is best enjoyed when the flavoured water is served cold.

Todays Google Doodle features a bespoke video game in which players serve customers orders for pani puri with different fillings.

Google said 12 July marked the anniversary of a World Record set in 2015 for the most flavours of pani puri offered by one restaurant. It was claimed by eatery Indori Zayka in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
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Maya Jama, the host of ITV2s dating show Love Island, has revealed why she would not be a contestant on the series.

The presenter is regularly seen confidently striding into the villa and delivering news of recouplings and dumpings, but she doesnt think she would be well-suited as an Islander.

Jama, 28, is currently presenting the 10th series of the dating show, following her successful stint as the presenter of the Love Island South Africa winter edition in January.

In a new interview with British Vogue for her August 2023 cover, when asked if she would ever go on the show as a competitor, Jama said: I would not be able to, at any age, strut out of the house in a bikini in front of men that are judging me based on just one sentence and what I look like.

She went on to praise the courage of the contestants for going on the show to find love.

The confidence of the people that go on! Theyve got a different kind of juice, she said.

The dating show has faced controversy in recent years, with accusations of racism, misogyny, ageism and on-screen bullying. Scrutiny intensified when two former contestants  Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis  died by suicide. The shows former presenter Caroline Flack, in circumstances unrelated to the show, died by suicide in 2020.

Last week, Jama asked fans in the live audience at Love Islands sister show Aftersun to be nice and stop booing the contestants.

Maya Jama hosting Love Island (ITV)

In the photos shot by Steven Meisel for her Vogue cover feature, Jama modelled clothes from designer brands including Valentino, Prada, JW Anderson and Miu Mui.

Elsewhere in the interview, Jama reflected on the publics reaction to her four-year relationship with her ex-boyfriend, British rapper Stormzy.

None of us really knew the level of importance it held to a certain group of people, us being together, the TV presenter, who is half Swedish and half Somali, said of her relationship with the Vossi Bop rapper. The pair met in 2014 and dated from 2015 to 2019.

We were both super ambitious. We were both from similar upbringings and we were both just little grafters that have made something good of ourselves.

It was lovely when it was lovely, and then you move.

Maya Jama and Stormzy attend the Glamour Women of The Year awards 2017 (Getty Images)

This isnt the first time Jama has opened up about her relationship with Stormzy. Earlier this year, the presenter shared details about her experience with the then-unknown rapper. We were so young when we met, just beginning our careers, Jama told The Sunday Times in January. I was starting at MTV. Hed not even released a single at that point. We were just little babies.

Jama started her career working as a DJ on Rinse FM, and presented on MTV (in Topshop clothes shed return the next day) and BBC Radio 1. She went on to present BBC Ones Peter Crouch: Save Our Summer alongside Peter Crouch and Alex Horne and was the presenter of the BBC Three competition Glow Up: Britains Next Make-Up Star.
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Should I feel bad for forgetting my dogs birthday? I know that Muggles, my Golden Retriever, is coming up to his ninth birthday later this month  thats 63 in dog years  but I cant remember the exact date. I think its 27 July, but it easily might not be. In all honesty, Ive forgotten about celebrating it for the last few years. I havent even been getting him his favourite treat of an ostrich bone. Am I letting him down? Would I be a better pet owner if I treated him to occasional bursts of luxury treatment and fine dining?

At Love My Human Townhouse, a dog cafe attached to a grooming salon on Londons Kings Road, a mouth-watering doggy menu is on offer. Dishes costing from 2.80 to 7 include sea bass, sweet potato and french beans; beef wellington, French beans and pumpkin puree; and cod and sweet potato fish cakes. There are doggy drinks, too: a 3 Townhouse PupCup Puppocino consists of coconut cream and a cookie topping, along with a choice of goji berries or blueberry powder sprinkles. And if thats not adequate, why not try the Birthday Package, or a 12 three-course dogs dinner complete with serenading.

Jenny Matthews, the founder of Love My Human, tells me that dogs instinctively know when its their birthday. When we bring out the cake to the group of doggy friends, its only the dog whose birthday it is that sits to attention, she insists. We often get asked to bake several cakes costing from 50 each, but pricing can go up when clients ask for a cake filled with chicken or minced beef so they can do a cake smash. She adds: Dogs can just dive in.

Welcome to the surreal world of luxury pet parties, where a good brush or a squeaky toy just wont do. The possibilities for pooch pampering are endless. There are the invitations that read Lets Pawty!. The 3.99 bottles of Posh Pooch Pawsecco, a herbal infusion suitable for dogs and cats. All the bespoke birthday cakes on offer  Ive seen one with a mincemeat centre that can have your dogs name written on top of it in pup-friendly icing.

I could splash out on afternoon tea in the grandeur of Egerton House Hotel in Knightsbridge, where dogs could be served (for 30) a pooch-pleasing selection of treats, including chicken liver meatloaf, homemade dog biscuits and a carrot cupcake. To top it all off is the special dog-tini drink for an extra-special experience, served with doggy canapes.

The vibe is more low-key and cool at Westbourne Groves dimly lit grooming boutique and dog party venue Verve, which theyve dubbed the worlds first-ever dog bar. A gigantic black poodle and an even bigger mastiff are snoring on the sparkly disco floor as I pop in for a look around. Dog parties start from 45 in the small area at the front of the venue (15 per person minimum spend), to 9,000 for the whole place. They cater for red carpet events with a costumed greeter and guest list person if needed. The bar area includes an onyx counter, hanging glitter balls and giant bottles of wine, and can cost as much as 1,000  though all of this seems more geared towards the human experience than the dogs. For a start, the stools are far too high for a dog to sit at the bar.

For less flashy clients, Verve recommends bringing your own dog cake to the party, using a dog cake mix they sell (14.99) that is spread with dog-friendly peanut butter (6.99) and sprinkled with dog treats. Things get even wilder from there  Verve sells a Swarovski dog collar at a cost of 1,200, and flouncy pet tutus from 45.

I just wanted to celebrate her. I went full-blown and people say, Oh, you wasted money, but its like, no. Im celebrating something that means the world to me Comedian Gabriel Iglesias on Instagram

At The Mutz Nutz grooming salon, also in Londons Westbourne Grove  where Im told a baseline dog in Notting Hill is a Cockapoo, Cavappo and a Cavalier  dogs (and cats) can luxuriate at its spa. For a Spa Day Birthday (95) we offer lots of WildWash treatments including a Deep Cleanse Facial scrub and a Pawdicure, says The Mutz Nutz and Wildwash owner Jane Cooper. Bespoke cakes can be ordered in for the spa day, including a custom-made, two-tier, meat-free cake from 65. The Mutz Nutz also sells an array of gifts including birthday cake toys starting at 12.95, and a rather nice red birthday bandana (9.95) that Im now considering for Muggles.

If all of this sounds otherworldly, thats sort of the point. Extravagant pet parties are massive on TikTok and Instagram, with videos often going viral showing owners going all out for their animals. One recent video, uploaded by the user @hoobaloobalou, depicts a pregnant cat named Cleo licking milk out of a champagne glass surrounded by heaps of pink-wrapped gifts. The US comedian Gabriel Iglesias also went viral last year after throwing a $100,000 party  complete with 300 human guests and roughly 12 animals  for his dog Risa. Party of the year, all for my little princess, Iglesias captioned a post on Instagram. Risa has given me so many years of happiness. I just wanted to celebrate her. I went full-blown and people say, Oh, you wasted money, but its like, no. Im celebrating something that means the world to me.

The luxury events experts Dazzle & Fizz tell me that they often get asked to provide their services for dog parties. Their most expensive party cost 5,000 to put on, all for the eighth birthday of a Chihuahua called Oscar. It took place at the owners London home, with Dazzle & Fizz providing bespoke doggy cakes and cookies, personalised gift bags, bowls and organic food  as well as a doggy sandpit perfect for bone-digging. Eight dogs were invited.

Its not a trend that we see increasing, the firms owner Charlotte Melia says. Most people organise their dog parties themselves. However, for those who want a truly Instagrammable moment, thats when you engage a planner for your pet.

Its become so easy to suffer from parental guilt with our dogs (iStock)

I do find it all a bit mad. Not even when I got pregnant after years of infertility did I celebrate in this kind of style. Thats not to say, though, that I havent had my pet party moments. Back in 2015 and before I had kids, I hosted a party for Muggles for his first birthday. Around 15 other dog friends arrived with a dog walker and were unloaded out of a van into my flat. It was carnage. To celebrate his big day, I bought special doggy cupcakes and tied a helium balloon to his pink collar  a friend threw in some duck chews. I pushed the boat out with the party bags, too, buying  albeit from Poundland  light-up bouncy balls and some cuddly toys. Ive also been known to splash out on Muggles in the past. Ive bought him dog advent calendars for Christmas containing dog-friendly treats, and Ive left him a few presents under the tree  such as a squeaky pheasant. I may not be the type to buy him a 600 Dior pet harness, but it doesnt mean I dont adore him.

Then it all stopped, though  I had kids. Now Im faced with people spending more on their dogs birthdays than I do on my kids parties. And thats why its become so easy to suffer from parental guilt with our dogs.

Muggles deserves to have his birthday acknowledged, but if I took my matted dog to a grooming salon in Notting Hill I would feel shame  like I was bringing in a windswept sheep. Im not prepared to host a big guest list soiree either. Instead, Ive decided that this year Ill host a small gathering with his two best mates Shanti and Picasso, and take him swimming at Hampstead Heath dog pond. Its not glamorous but its his idea of heaven  especially if I throw in a stick. Hell be so happy he wont even realise I didnt host a big blowout. After all, hes a dog  not a party animal.
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Sarah Ferguson has said that Prince Andrew is lonely following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

In the latest instalment of her podcast Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah, which she co-hosts with her friend Sarah Jane Thompson, the duchess talked about her ex-husband, the Duke of Yorks grief for his mother and father, the late Queen and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Even though Sarah and Prince Andrew divorced in 1996, the pair remain close and live together at Royal Lodge at Windsor. The pair share two daughters: Princess Beatrice, 34, and Princess Eugenie, 33.

After the Queen died, Sarah adopted her two corgis, Muick and Sandy, taking her total number of dogs to seven.

Sarah said on Wednesday (12 July), she and Andrew took the dogs to where the Queen would have walked them at Windsor  a woodland walk made especially for the monarch  at this time of year before she left for her annual break at Balmoral.

It was very moving actually. At one stage we both, Andrew and I, just sat quietly under some really beautiful trees and I asked him if he was all right without his mum and dad, she explained.

He said its lonely. He thinks about it a lot.

Prince Andrew, who is the brother of King Charles, stepped down from royal duties in 2019 over his links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. In January 2022, he was stripped of his HRH title after he was accused of sexual assault by Virginia Giuffre, a victim of Epsteins. He has vehemently and continuously denied these claims.

The Duke and Duchess of York on their wedding day 1986 (PA)

Ferguson is currently recovering from breast cancer surgery at Royal Lodge, the residence that she and Andrew have lived in since 2003. The home came under the spotlight earlier this year when it was reported that King Charles III had asked Prince Harry to leave his residence, Frogmore Cottage, and offered it to Prince Andrew. This would mean that the Duke of York would have to leave his much larger long-term home for a more modest residence.

It was reported earlier this month that the plan to move Prince Andrew out of Royal Lodge has been quietly shelved.

A palace insider told The Mail on Sunday that any plans for the contentious move to go ahead soon had been paused while the duchess recovered from her cancer surgery.

Earlier this month, a spokesperson for the Duchess of York told The Independent an eight-hour-long mastectomy had been successful and that the duchess was recuperating with her family.

In June, Fergusons representative confirmed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram screening.

On last weeks episode of Tea Talks, the duchess spoke about how her daughters Beatrice and Eugenie had responded to her diagnosis, saying: I think its scary for any family member out there, you really start looking at your own demise. Its a wake-up call, and you think, right okay, how am I going to deal with this?
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Robert De Niros partner Tiffany Chen has candidly revealed she lost all facial functions following the birth of their daughter.

The 45-year-old mother spoke to CBS Mornings cohost Gayle King about her postpartum complications during her first interview since having baby Gia in April.

During the interview, which airs in full on Friday, Chen revealed to King her face felt weird and her tongue was funny post-delivery.

When I got home it was like everything was just starting to fall down on itself, like my face was melting, the actress said.

About a week later, Chen couldnt move her mouth to eat, and had begun slurring her words. She said she called her doctor only to find out she was experiencing Bells palsy, a neurological disorder that causes paralysis in the face.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Bells palsy causes a weakness in the muscles on one side of the face, but the condition is often temporary and improves in a couple of weeks. In Chens experience, both sides of her face were affected.

Also known as acute peripheral facial palsy, the disorder can make the face appear lopsided or droopy suddenly and worsen within two days. There is no confirmed cause of Bells palsy. However, The Facial Paralysis Institute has linked numerous cases to women post-pregnancy.

De Niro announced the birth of Gia Virginia  his seventh child  when he corrected an ET Canada correspondent who described him as a father of six children. I just had a baby, he told the interviewer.

The Godfather and Goodfellas actor shares Drena, 51 and Raphael, 46, with his ex-wife Diahnne Abbott, while he and ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith coparent their 27-year-old twin sons Aaron and Julian. He shares his son Elliot, 25 and daughter Helen, 11, with his former wife Grace Hightower.

On 2 July, De Niro lost his eldest grandchild Leandro, Drenas 19-year-old son, to alleged fentanyl consumption.
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Robert De Niros girlfriend Tiffany Chen has spoken candidly about her experience with postpartum complications after giving birth to the couples daughter Gia in April.

The 45-year-old actress sat down with CBS Morning cohost Gayle King for her first interview since she and De Niro welcomed their first child together.

During the interview, which airs in full on Friday, Chen admitted to struggling with a postpartum complication.

In addition to Gia, De Niros seventh child, he is also father to Drena, 51, Raphael, 46, 27-year-old twins Julian and Aaron, Elliot, 24, and Helen, 11.

The Goodfellas star, 79, and Chen were first acquainted on the set of The Intern in 2015, resulting in a romantic relationship six years later.

De Niro revealed he had become a father for a seventh time in May 2023, when he corrected an ET Canada reporter who described him as a father of six. Seven, actually, he said.

During an appearance on the Today show in June, De Niro couldnt help but boast about his newborn daughter, saying it feels great to be her parent.

The Hollywood icon also opened up to Hoda Kotb about how hes changed as a father over the years.

I have certain awareness - when youre older you have awareness of certain things in life, dynamics, everything, family dynamics, he admitted. You cant avoid learning certain things and how you can deal with those and manage them and this and that, the usual. Its amazing, but Im very happy about it.

Speaking with Page Six, De Niro also set the record straight on whether Gia was planned, with the actor clarifying that he wasnt surprised by Chens pregnancy. How could you not plan that kind of thing? he asked.

The wider De Niro family is currently mourning the 3 July passing of Leandro, Drenas 19-year-old son, who reportedly died of a drug overdose, according to an Instagram post shared by his mother.

New Yorks Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has yet to confirm the 19-year-olds cause of death.

Christopher Walken, Tommy Mottola, and Harvey Keitel attended Leandros funeral in support of their friend and the rest of De Niros family.
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Tiffany Haddish has revealed that she used to crash weddings for the free food at a point where she was homeless and hungry.

The 43-year-old actor reflected on a time where she was living in her car during a recent interview withPeople, while discussing season two of her new show, The Afterparty. According to Haddish, she was also going to weddings uninvited to get food, since she couldnt afford it herself.

Ive crashed weddings before, given a speech and didnt know anybody there, she said. Thats when I was homeless and hungry.

The comedian, whos been vocal about struggling with homelessness before rising to fame, went on to describe how she got free alcohol at these nuptials. She also specified that shed typically crash weddings that were at a hotel in Los Angeles Westchester neighbourhood.

I would have two or three drinks, and then I would grab the microphone and be like, I just want to say that you are the most beautiful couple, she said. Everybody would be looking at me like, Who is this Black girl at our wedding?

Back in 2019, Haddish shared a post on Instagram to reflect on how she remained motivated while homeless. In the caption of the post, which included a throwback snap of her performing at a comedy gig, Haddish confessed that she gets emotional when looking at this picture.

I look at this picture and want to cry tears of joy for this Girl. I remember that night. She was homeless, hungry, scared, and hurt, she wrote.

She proceeded to describe some of the things that she told herself back then, while in the midst of financial struggles.

I promised her if she kept faith in God and Herself, We will get to a place where we will be Housed, Over Fed, Less Hurt and Fear Free, she wrote. I am so Grateful that she Believed. I am so Happy we have come this far and excited about where we will Go.

Haddish concluded: Tiffany Sara Cornilia Haddish I Love and Approve of you and most of all God does too. You are perfect enough for both of us right now and always.

Elsewhere in her interview with People, she noted that even after she found success in Hollywood, she still remembers the challenges she faced when her career started. She also described some of the daily habits that she tries to follow, which includes getting enough sleep.

I try my best not to hold onto to too many emotions because I feel like when you hold onto all those emotions, they make you crazy and then you get delusional, the Girls Trip star said. Sleep is the key. And dont be afraid to go out in nature. Take your shoes off and walk in some grass.
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Pro-democracy campaigner Chau Van Kham on Thursday thanked his supporters who helped secure his release from a Vietnamese prison this week four years into a 12-year sentence for terrorism offenses.

The 73-year-old Australian citizen returned to his family in Sydney on Tuesday after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged that the retired baker be released from prison during a visit to Hanoi last month.

Kham thanked a broad array of supporters including the current and former Australian governments, rights groups including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, community groups, media and lawyers.

The first time in front of you, so I feel so nervous. So nervous, because Im so happy, and Im never nervous in front of the Vietnamese officials, Kham told reporters in Sydney.

He thanked his wife and two children for forever supporting me in my dreams and my beliefs.

The last thing, can you send a message to the Vietnamese government. I thank you to have ... cooperated with the Australian government to bring me home and resolve my case, Kham said.

He said some of the Vietnamese prison officers he encountered silently support me.

Kham had been in custody in his birth country since he visited in January 2019. He was convicted that year on terrorism charges related to his support for democracy group Viet Tan and sentenced to 12 years in prison. The Vietnamese government considers Viet Tan a terrorist organization.

Albanese on Tuesday described Khams release as an example of how engagement in a constructive way achieves results in Australias national interest.

Albanese visited Vietnam on June 4 to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They are preparing to upgrade their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and agreed to establish a ministerial-level dialogue on trade.

Australias previous conservative government had also urged the release of Kham, a South Vietnamese army veteran, on health grounds before Albaneses center-left Labor Party won power in elections in May last year.

Kham has lived in Australia since the 1980s.

Amnesty International Australia said Kham was a prisoner of conscience detained solely for his peaceful political beliefs.
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A senior Interior Department official who has had a key role in negotiations over the shrinking Colorado River plans to step down from the job next week.

Tanya Trujillo told the department of her intention to resign as assistant secretary for water and science about six weeks ago and her last day is Monday, she told The Associated Press. Trujillo, who has served in the role since June 2021, said it made sense to leave now as the Biden administration gears up for a reelection campaign.

Its a normal transition time, either committing to staying to the end of the (presidential) term or leaving before the campaign really gets fired up, she said. I am really, really proud and happy about all the accomplishments that we put into place and made.

The Interior Department declined to offer further comment on her departure.

Trujillo oversaw the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and played an important role in discussions between the federal government, seven U.S. states and Native American tribes that share the waters of the 1,450-mile (2,334-kilometer) Colorado River. The waterway, which supports 40 million people and a $5 billion farm industry, has been in crisis for years due to a multi-decade drought intensified by climate change, rising demand and overuse.

Her departure comes as the states, cities and farmers that rely on the river are still struggling to decide how to reduce their use. In August the department will offer its annual analysis on the health of the river and announce if there will be additional cuts in the coming year.

In recent years the federal government has lowered some states' water allocations and offered billions of dollars to farmers, cities and others to cut back. But key water officials  including Trujillo  didnt see those efforts as enough to prevent the system from collapsing.

Last summer the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation called for the states to figure out how to use between 15% and 30% less in 2023. But states blew past the deadline set by federal officials, who also appeared to back off.

An agreement remained elusive for months longer, until Arizona, Nevada and California announced a breakthrough deal in May to cut their use in exchange for $1.2 billion in federal money. Interior is still reviewing the plan.

Anne Castle, who held Trujillo's position from 2009 to 2014, said the job has gotten substantially more difficult in recent years because of the rapid decline in available water supplies for Colorado River users.

Those are hard jobs in the best of circumstances, Castle said.

Before joining Interior, Trujillo was executive director of the Colorado River Board of California. She has managed natural resources for more than two decades.

Trujillo said Wednesday she plans to spend more time in her home state of New Mexico and will take some time off before returning to work on water-related issues.

___

Fonseca reported from Albuquerque, N.M.

___

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
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A long-running religious freedom case has come full circle, with a court ruling this week that a deeply conservative Amish community in Minnesota cannot be threatened with the loss of homes if its members dont install septic systems to dispose of their bath, laundry and dishwater.

The state Court of Appeals on Monday found that the Swartzentruber Amish community in southeastern Minnesota doesnt need to install septic systems to dispose of gray water, which is dirty water left from dishwashing, laundry, bathing, and other tasks not involving toilet waste. Two years ago, the US Supreme Court reversed court rulings that had required the group to install septic tanks.

Here's a look at the legal dispute and the traditionalist religious community at the root of it.

Who are the Swartzentruber Amish?

The Amish are a Christian religious group that, based on its religious beliefs, shuns many modern technologies like electric and gas-powered machinery. Members are likely most recognizable by their use of horse-and-buggy transportation. There are more than 360,000 Amish in the US, and at least 32 states had an Amish population as of 2022, concentrated in the Midwest and East Coast states.

The Swartzentruber Amish are among the most restrictive concerning the use of technologies and eschew everything from tractors and refrigeration to phones and flushing toilets.

What is the dispute?

It's essentially about plumbing  specifically, the disposal of gray water. The Swartzentruber Amish do not have modern running water in their homes. Water arrives through a single line and is either pumped by hand or delivered by gravity from an external cistern.

In 2013, Fillmore County adopted an ordinance requiring most homes to have a septic system for the disposal of gray water. The Amish community sought an exemption in the name of our Lord, explaining that their religion forbids the use of such technology. They also offered an alternative used in more than a dozen other states that would allow them to funnel gray water from their homes by pipes to earthen basins filled with wood chips to filter solids and grease from the water as it drains, similar to how a septic system would work.

But the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency refused, and filed an administrative enforcement action against 23 Amish families in Fillmore County, threatening criminal penalties, civil fines and even to force them from their homes if they didn't comply. State officials presented testimony from an expert in court that said the mulch basins would not be as effective and that the mulch would quickly clog with solids and grease, requiring frequent relocating of new mulch pits.

State courts acknowledged that the requirement for septic tanks systems burdened the Amish community's religious beliefs. But the courts also found that septic systems  not mulch basins  would be the least-restrictive means for the Amish families to meet the government's interest in protecting public health and the environment.

The case made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2021, which found that Minnesota courts overstepped. It said the burden was on the government to prove that the mulch basins wouldnt work, not on the Amish to show they would. And it sent the case back to the Minnesota courts for reconsideration. Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote that if the government can achieve its interests in a manner that does not burden religion, it must do so.

Is gray water really a problem?

Gray water is more hazardous to public health than it might sound, wastewater treatment expert Sara Heger testified in the lawsuit over the Fillmore County septic system requirement.

Heger, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, acknowledged that gray water is less dangerous than toilet waste, or black water." But gray water carries contaminants such as human fecal material, harmful bacteria and viruses, and a variety of chemicals, commercial soaps and detergents that contain nitrogen and phosphorous that pose environmental problems.

Whatever might make you sick, thats also present in the gray water," she said.

The lower courts also found that while mulch basins may work in other states, the topography of Fillmore County  including fissures, fractures and sinkholes in the area's limestone bedrock  lends to more rapid travel of wastewater to ground and surface water than in other places.

If dumping gray water is occasional  like washing a car or wastewater by hunters and anglers  it poses very little risk, experts said. But large families produce much more wastewater where they live, testified Brandon Montgomery, with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

An attorney for the families, Brian Lipford, argued that it made little sense for the state to target his clients over gray water disposal when it allows their use of outhouses  where residents essentially relieve themselves in a hole dug into the ground.

But state officials argued there are already regulations in place governing outhouses that require them to be a certain distance from wells and other sources of water. It's the addition of water in wastewater, they argued, that has the potential to spread contaminants much further.

Is there a next step in the court fight?

Fillmore County Attorney Brett Corson is hoping to decide in the coming days whether to appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court. He has 30 days from Monday's ruling to decide.

Were just taking the chance to digest the decision and consider what were going to do," he said.

Officials with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether theyll appeal.

Corson said he recognises the issue is important to both the county and to the Amish.

In a county like ours, the Amish community is a big part of our community, he said. "Theyre our neighbors and friends. We work together. Its one of those things we have to make a solid decision on.
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A number of incidents around the Twelfth celebrations in Northern Ireland have damaged and brought shame to unionist culture, Doug Beattie has said.

The Ulster Unionist leader also said that those who complain about pro-IRA singing but remain silent about incidents surrounding bonfires and attacks on medical staff are hypocrites.

Scores of parades took place across Northern Ireland as Protestant loyal orders celebrated the Twelfth of July this week.

While the parades passed off peacefully, police are investigating a number of incidents around loyalist bonfires, including the burning of an effigy of Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and a picture of Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

The Ambulance Service also said that 11 paramedics were assaulted over the Twelfth period. In one incident, five staff members were punched, kicked, bitten and spat at at a bonfire site in the Carrickfergus area.

In a separate incident, police are investigating the burning of a car at the home of an Aontu representative in Newry as a sectarian hate crime.

Mr Beattie said this week had represented the best of days and the worst of days.

He said: Communities have celebrated both the 11th and 12th in the spirit that it was intended.

They have attempted to make it inclusive, family-orientated, a genuine community celebration.

Sadly, there are those within communities and our society who have completely undermined those celebrations with their actions belittling the Twelfth activities.

As a unionist I want to promote our shared history, culture and traditions but the actions of some shame us all Doug Beattie, UUP leader

The UUP leader added: The placing of flags and effigies on bonfires, the assault of ambulance staff and the burning of a car belonging to a paediatric nurse and former election candidate for Antou have shown the very worst in some people.

In these cases, it is clear, a criminal offence has been committed but it has also damaged the image of the Twelfth and unionist culture, history and identity.

Those who complain around individuals singing pro-IRA songs, itself hurtful to many victims, then remain silent when this activity takes place are hypocrites.

Those who stoke the fires of intolerance and hate must take responsibility for their actions and words.

As a unionist I want to promote our shared history, culture and traditions but the actions of some shame us all.

The Twelfth celebrations mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin, and saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.

Thousands of Orange lodge members parade through the summer months to mark Williams victory and other key dates in Protestant, unionist or loyalist culture.

Those celebrations culminate on the Twelfth.

Wednesday saw another gathering, this time organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh.

Thousands attended the event which included a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing the rival monarchs William and James.

For me it was a wonderful event, that only the British people could undertake in a world devoid of any sort of moral or spiritual guidance Rev William Anderson

Delivering the address in Scarva, Rev William Anderson, Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution, said it was a special year due to the coronation of the King.

He said: For me it was a wonderful event, that only the British people could undertake in a world devoid of any sort of moral or spiritual guidance.

There is no doubt that our world is struggling. People are finding it very difficult to understand what is going on.

Trust has been broken and people are disheartened when they look at those around them who are tasked with providing guidance but fail miserably.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks has confirmed that one of its employees is under investigation after a video emerged on social media of him saying a pro-IRA phrase in front of an unlit bonfire.

A statement said: The video circulating on social media is deeply offensive, and NIE Networks condemns the content without reservation.

A full investigation into this matter is underway.
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Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has told a jury the sexual assault allegations against him are either madness, make no logical sense, or are a stab in the back.

The Hollywood star became fought back tears as he said his world exploded when allegations first emerged against him on the internet in 2017.

He began giving evidence from the witness box at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, where he said he was not on a suicide mission after being accused of aggressive crotch grabs.

The 63-year-old told jurors he is a big flirt and described his encounters with two of the alleged victims as comfortable or relaxed, while insisting nothing happened with a third.

He denies charges including sexual assault and indecent assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.

Spacey said an aspiring actors claims that he drugged him and performed a sex act on him while he was asleep in his flat were false, saying the pair had shared an intimate moment.

Asked about his initial reaction the accusations, the American Beauty and House Of Cards star said: My initial reaction to that was this is somebody who is just shaking me down.

The defendant also described his relationship with a man who drove him to a lavish showbiz party in the early 2000s as somewhat intimate, but denied assaulting him in a violent, aggressive, painful way.

Court sketch artist Elizabeth Cook puts the finishing touches on her drawing of actor Kevin Spacey giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court (Aaron Chown/PA)

As well as describing allegations by a man he met in a West End theatre in the mid-2000s as madness, he told the jury that claims he directed a barrage of vile comments at him were words he had never said to anyone in my life.

Addressing sexual grab claims made by a fourth complainant he met in a pub near Oxford, he said he had primarily no issue with what the man had told the court, adding: I made a pass and Im only happy that he testified that the moment he told me he was not interested I stopped.

Spacey is accused of having had a panicked look on his face after a man rejected an alleged sexual grab at an expensive property he was staying at in the Cotswolds in the early 2010s  to which he said he did not remember a great deal about the evening.

The actor was seen dabbing his eyes with a tissue and could be heard sniffing as he gave evidence about his lost reputation from the witness box.

Actor Kevin Spacey arrives at Southwark Crown Court on Monday (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Telling the court about the first allegations that emerged against him online, Spacey said: There was a rush to judgment and before the first question was asked or answered I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days.

He also told jurors he felt pressurised to come out as gay after allegations of sexual misconduct were first levelled at him.

During his evidence, Spacey gave jurors an insight into his relationship with famous faces  including storing the most expensive Mini Cooper in Sir Elton Johns garage and gifting a ping pong table to Dame Judi Dench.

Kevin Spacey gave evidence from the witness box at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

The Oscar-winning actor told jurors he gave Dame Judi the gift after they worked on a film together  The Shipping News  in Nova Scotia.

Other famous names heard at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday included Val Kilmer, Joan Collins and Richard Harris.

On filming with Dame Judi, Spacey told jurors: It was a particularly difficult time for Judi.

Her husband had just passed away.

I made it my mission in that experience to try to make Judi laugh as much as I could.

We developed a lovely friendship.

The court heard that the property they stayed in while filming had a ping pong table.

Spacey said he took it upon himself to teach Dame Judi how to play and later gifted her a table of her own.

Jurors also heard how Spacey stored the most expensive Mini Cooper ever in Sir Eltons garage.

The actor explained he bid on the vehicle at an auction in the early 2000s and the Rocket Man singer kindly stored it for him.

When Spacey began giving evidence, he detailed his childhood and the various schools he attended in the US.

He named one fellow pupil as Top Gun actor Val Kilmer and called him highly skilled at drama.

Denying the allegations against him made by the man who claimed Spacey had almost made him come off the road due to a painful crotch grab, the defendant told the jury: He was a lads lad. He was funny and charming and flirtatious.

Spacey said he touched the complainant in romantic and intimate ways.

He said he and the alleged victim did not take things further because the man made it clear that he did not want to go any further and that happens at times and you just respect how far someone wants to go.

Spacey said: I cant remember specific conversations we had but I remember the tone, I remember the atmosphere, I remember the laughter.

We had a very fun time together.

The actor accepted touching the man but said: It did not happen in a violent, aggressive, painful way.

It was gentle  and it was, in my mind, romantic.

Asked by his barrister if there was any reluctance from the alleged victim to his advances, Spacey said: No. The only thing he made clear is he did not want to go any further than we were going and I respected that.

Questioned whether the man had said anything after Spacey had touched him, the defendant said: I think he said things like this is new for me so I think that he may have been surprised by his reaction.

The actor denied he had almost made the complainant come off the road after the alleged aggressive grab, saying: That never happened. I was not on a suicide mission.

Asked how he felt after the alleged victim made allegations against him, the defendant said: I was crushed.

I never thought that the (man) I know would (so many) years later stab me in the back.

Mr Gibbs then asked Spacey about the man he allegedly met in a theatre.

Questioned on why he believed the allegations to be madness, the actor said: It never happened.

Asked to respond to the mans allegations of vile comments, the Hollywood actor said: I never said any of the things that he claims I said to him and wouldnt and never have to anyone in my life.

He told the jury that he did not recognise the complainant at all when showed a photograph of him.

Asked what he remembered of that day, Spacey said: Not a great deal.

Detailing his account of what happened with the aspiring actor in the late 2000s, the Hollywood star told the jury that he hurriedly left after the pair shared an intimate moment.

Spacey leaves Southwark Crown Court by car following court proceedings (Getty)

Spacey said: We had had a sexual encounter after which I had gone to the bathroom and I came back from the bathroom and it was like something had changed.

The person that I had this intimate moment with was suddenly awkward and fumbling and I dont want to say ran out but hurriedly left. And it felt very odd.

I felt like maybe he was making an excuse and it concerned me and my memory is that I called this person to make sure they were OK and they were OK.

Asked what he remembered of the alleged encounter, Spacey said: I remember the end of the evening and that was what struck me in my mind because we had a consensual and, I believe, a very nice and lovely evening.

If he regretted it immediately I dont know, I cant speak for him, but something was odd  it was strange.

Questioned on whether he remembered any physical contact he had with the man, Spacey told jurors: I dont remember but I know the way I am with someone and I would never be behaving in the way he claimed  it makes no logical sense.

I think we were very comfortable with each other.

He said he did perform a sex act on the man but claimed it was consensual.

The defendant, standing trial under his full name Kevin Spacey Fowler, was labelled a sexual bully when proceedings began last month.

The 63-year-old denies charges including sexual assault and indecent assault, which are alleged to have been committed between 2001 and 2013.

Spacey pleaded not guilty in January to three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

The two-time Academy Award winner also previously denied four further charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

The trial continues.
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Grant Shapps has said the Government needs to weigh up difficult decisions in approaching its commitment to phase out petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

The Energy Secretary warned he would be aiming to avoid putting people under the cosh with the pace at which green policies are introduced.

Speaking at a press gallery lunch in Parliament, the minister also refused to rule out a leadership bid, saying who knows what will happen in the future.

There are many benefits to getting there but I want to make sure we get there in a way that is not putting people under the cosh Grant Shapps, Energy Secretary

Asked about a recent report from the Governments own climate advisers which found a lack of progress on reaching net zero targets, Mr Shapps said he does not have to accept their recommendations.

The Government has committed to a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 and a transition to fully zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.

Mr Shapps said on Thursday he was pretty confident we will get there but added: The Government have to weigh up these difficult decisions between going faster and slower.

He added: We understand that we need to get to this. I also understand that we need to do that in a way that does not cause families undue hardship. It can be very nice running an electric car, theyre quick, theyre clean, but weve got to see the second-hand market develop, weve got to see the prices converge, and theres every reason why they should There are many benefits to getting there but I want to make sure we get there in a way that is not putting people under the cosh.

He said he was hugely grateful for the work of the Climate Change Committee (CCC)  the independent body which advises Government on the environment  but that their recommendations were not binding.

The minister also suggested that hydrogen may not be the answer to removing carbon emissions from domestic heating networks.

He said it was unlikely such an energy system, which was being considered as an alternative to natural gas, would be used in all homes.

Downing Street said final conclusions have not been drawn but that it was right for Government to consider all the options for people to heat their homes.

It comes after the CCCs latest progress report described the Governments efforts to scale up action towards reaching net zero as worryingly slow, and planned trials of hydrogen heating were scuppered by local protests earlier this week.

Mr Shapps later appeared to hint that he may throw his hat into the ring for the Tory leadership in the future when pressed on whether he still has ambitions for the top job.

Who knows what happens in the future. All I know is we have wisdom and experience to guide the way for this country which is why I think that now, that person is Rishi Sunak, he said.

Elsewhere, Mr Shapps echoed Foreign Secretary James Cleverlys cautious tone on China, saying he did not believe in exclud(ing) them but in taking a hardline stance where appropriate.

But he also likened Beijing to the British Empire, suggesting it wants to operate under its own world order.

They do want to change the world, to operate under their world order. That is no surprise, we did that when we had an empire, the Americans have done that, the Dutch did it before us. Thats the way large economies and empires operate, he said.
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Suella Braverman has been granted permission to fight a ruling that the Rwanda migration deal is unlawful at the Supreme Court.

Ministers have continued to back the policy despite the Court of Appeal finding that the country was not safe to receive asylum seekers forcibly deported from the UK.

The home secretary said she respectfully disagrees with the judgment, and the government claims it will make robust arguments in defence of the 140m deal with Rwanda.

Its new small boats bill, which is currently the subject of a stand-off between MPs and peers, relies on the Rwanda deal to achieve its aim of detaining and removing small boat migrants  although the High Court heard it only has the capacity to take a small portion of them.

The law is likely to be passed by parliament this week, but the Supreme Court will not be able to decide the Rwanda case for months.

An order published by the Court of Appeal said it had found there were substantial grounds for believing that the removal of asylum seekers to Rwanda exposed them to a real risk of ill-treatment by being transferred to countries where they were at risk, and violated the European Convention on Human Rights.

It confirmed that any removals under the deal remain unlawful unless the ruling is overturned, but added: Permission is granted to the [home secretary] to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Ms Braverman welcomed the decision and defended robust assurances given by the Rwandan government that asylum seekers from the UK would be offered a safe and fair process.

I absolutely believe this policy is lawful and both the High Court and Court of Appeal have been unanimously clear that relocating asylum seekers to a safe third country can be done in line with the Refugee Convention, she added.

Rishi Sunaks asylum accommodation strategy is also mired in legal challenges, with three councils in the High Court on Thursday arguing plans to use military bases and a former prison are unlawful.

Despite the ongoing legal battle, the Home Office moved the first group of asylum seekers into former RAF Wethersfield in Essex yesterday.

Suella Braverman extended the Rwanda deal to cover modern slavery victims in March (PA)

The prime minister has made one of his five key pledges to the British public stopping the boats, but crossings have rocketed in recent weeks, bringing figures close to the records seen in 2022.

When the Rwanda deal was struck last April, ministers claimed it would deter asylum seekers from using small boats, but a parliamentary report found there was no clear evidence for the assertion.

The Court of Appeals 161-page ruling said Rwanda was not safe for the purpose of receiving asylum seekers, and that ministers were wrong to rely on unevidenced assurances that seriously deficient processes would be improved.

A judge said the Home Office had ignored the past and the present situation, and failed to probe the disappearance and death of migrants sent to Rwanda under a previous deal with Israel.

The court said the government had responded to damning evidence from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) with not very satisfactory statements that were dependent on information supplied by the government of Rwanda itself.

The Lord Chief Justice concluded: Unless and until the deficiencies in its asylum processes are corrected, removal of asylum seekers to Rwanda will be unlawful.

He said the decision implied no view whatever about the political merits or otherwise of the Rwanda policy, which has already seen Kigali paid 140m and the government spend more than 1m on legal costs.

No flights can take off unless the government wins the case, sparking calls for the government to put the new Illegal Migration Bill on hold until it can be implemented.

Ms Braverman extended the Rwanda deal to fit the terms of the bill during a visit to Rwanda in March, broadening it beyond asylum seekers to include modern slavery victims and other small boat migrants.

But the Court of Appeal said evidence showed that the physical capacity for housing asylum seekers in Rwanda was limited to 100, and that Kigali has complete control over who goes and the power to reject any proposed name.
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Suspended BBC presenter Huw Edwards is facing several allegations against him after being accused last week of paying a young person for sexually explicit photos.

The Sun first reported allegations against an unnamed presenter on Friday, claiming a top BBC star had paid a young person tens of thousands of pounds for explicit images.

The young persons mother made the allegations in the Sun newspaper, which published her claim that payments helped fund her childs crack cocaine habit.

Mr Edwards, who has been suspended by the BBC, was named by his wife Vicky Flind on Wednesday night as the presenter at the centre of the scandal.

Ms Flind also said her husband is suffering from serious mental health issues and is receiving in-patient hospital care, adding he intends to respond when he is well enough.

The presenter was hit by fresh allegations on Wednesday evening, with BBC Newsnight reporting the veteran broadcaster sent BBC staff "inappropriate messages".

Separately, a 17-year-old alleged they were following the star on Instagram when he messaged them, using love hearts and kisses, The Sun reported on Tuesday.

Here, we take a look at the allegations facing the BBC presenter:

Follow The Independents live coverage for the latest updates

Have you been affected by this story? If so email holly.evans@independent.co.uk

What are the allegations?

The first allegations against Mr Edwards emerged in The Sun on Friday. The newspaper - which did not name the presenter in their story - alleged the presenter paid a young person around 35,000 for sexually explicit images. It also claimed the BBC star appeared in his underwear in a video call.

The family of the young person, now 20 years old, claimed the series of payments over three years fuelled their crack cocaine addiction.

Days later the young persons lawyer issued a statement saying the mother and the Sun had made false claims.

The lawyer said: For the avoidance of doubt, nothing inappropriate or unlawful has taken place between our client and the BBC personality and the allegations reported in the Sun newspaper are rubbish.

On Sunday, The Sun published an update that claimed that the presenter called the young person twice after the allegations became public. He reportedly told them in panic what have you done and demanded that their mother stop the investigation.

The BBC reported on Tuesday that a second person in their 20s alleged that they were sent threatening messages by the then-unnamed man after meeting on a dating app.

In another set of allegations published by The Sun, a 17-year-old claimed they were following the star on Instagram when he messaged them, using love hearts and kisses.

Separately, a 23-year-old claimed Mr Edwards broke lockdown rules to meet them during the pandemic in February 2021, according to The Sun. Its report alleges the presenter travelled from London to a different county to meet the 23-year-old at their flat in February 2021, when strict lockdown rules were in place.

The young person, who claims to have met the newsreader on a dating website, said Mr Edwards also gave them more than 600 in three payments.

Fresh allegations Mr Edwards sent BBC colleagues "inappropriate messages" also emerged on Wednesday. The new claims come from two current BBC employees and a former member of BBC staff, who said they had received inappropriate messages from Mr Edwards on social media, according to BBC Newsnight.

The former employee said they had never met the presenter but received messages from him on social media, some late at night and signed off with kisses, which they said they believed was an abuse of power.

One of the current staffers said Mr Edwards sent a private message to them on social media, commenting on their physical appearance, which gave them a cold shudder.

While the other current BBC employee said Mr Edwards had sent them inappropriate messages, which had left them feeling uncomfortable. There is a power dynamic that made them inappropriate, they told the BBC.

Two of the three said there was a reluctance among junior staff to complain to managers about the conduct of high-profile colleagues in case it adversely affected their careers, Newsnight said.

What have the police said?

Two police forces have determined that no criminal offence was committed.

Neither force is taking any further action with regards to the allegations, with the BBC confirming that it will resume its fact-finding investigations to ensure "due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.

Known for presenting the BBCs News At Ten, Mr Edwards has been a familiar face in British television for over 20 years

Detectives from the Mets Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed, the Metropolitan Polices statement read.

In reaching this decision, they have spoken to a number of parties including the BBC and the alleged complainant and the alleged complainants family, both via another police force. There is no further police action. As such, the Met has advised the BBC it can continue with its internal investigation.

The statement added: We are aware of media reporting of further allegations against the same individual. No specific details or information about these allegations have been passed to us and therefore there is no police action at this time.

Meanwhile, South Wales Police also revealed that it has identified no criminality and, as such, there are no ongoing enquiries being carried out against Mr Edwards.

"South Wales Police has remained in contact with representatives of the Metropolitan Police and the BBC following a meeting on Monday, a statement from South Wales Police read.

"Information was initially received by the force in April 2023 regarding the welfare of an adult. No criminality was identified.

"Following recent events, further enquiries have been carried out and officers have spoken to a number of parties to establish whether any criminal allegations are being made.

"At this time, there is no evidence that any criminal offences have been committed. There are no ongoing enquiries being carried out by South Wales Police.

"However, should evidence of criminality or safeguarding issues be identified at any point in future then they will be investigated."

What has his wife said?

In a statement issued on his behalf, Vicky Flind stated that Mr Edwards is receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future after suffering from serious mental health issues, requesting that the family receive privacy.

In light of the recent reporting regarding the BBC Presenter I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family, Ms Flinds statement read.

I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.

Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.

The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where hell stay for the foreseeable future.

Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.

To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.

In the circumstances and given Huws condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected.

I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.

What is the BBC saying?

After Mr Edwards was named as the TV presenter by his wife, the BBCs director-general Tim Davie sent a note to staff, saying this is a reminder that the last few days have seen personal lives played out in public. At the heart of this are people and their families.

He said it will no doubt be a difficult time for many after a challenging few days and added: I want to reassure you that our immediate concern is our duty of care to all involved.

Also this afternoon, the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police confirmed they would be taking no further action following an assessment of information provided to them.

As you know, we were asked to pause our fact finding investigations until that assessment had been concluded. It is important we now continue with this work. I want to be clear that in doing so we will follow due process.

This remains a very complex set of circumstances. As we have done throughout, our aim must be to navigate through this with care and consideration, in line with the BBC values.

In a new statement on Thursday, a BBC spokesman said: We are moving forward with our fact finding investigations.

We are going to get on with this work calmly, carefully and with diligence, with full consideration of our duty of care to all involved. We will not be providing further comment while this work is ongoing.

BBCs director-general Tim Davie sent a note to staff, saying this will no doubt be a difficult time for many after a challenging few days

What are politicians saying?

Security minister Tom Tugendhat told Sky News the BBC should be given space to conduct an investigation into the allegations, adding the broadcaster should make sure that the family are not dragged into this.

Spokespersons for culture secretary Lucy Frazer and Rishi Sunak both refused to comment in the wake of the BBC presenter being named, saying it was a matter for the BBC.

On Saturday Ms Frazer did comment, saying she had spoken to BBC director-general Tim Davie about the deeply concerning allegations.

And on Tuesday, Mr Sunak described the initial allegations as shocking and concerning on the plane to the Nato summit in Lithuania.

On Saturday Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer did comment, saying she had spoken to BBC director-general Tim Davie about the deeply concerning allegations

What are other BBC stars saying?

Several stars at the BBC tweeted over the weekend to try and distance themselves from the allegations at a time when Mr Edwards had not yet been identified.

Jeremy Vine, meanwhile, was among those urging Mr Edwards to come forward publicly as speculation about his identity deepened before his wife disclosed his name.

Jeremy Vine was among those urging Mr Edwards to come forward publicly as speculation about his identity deepened before his wife disclosed his name on Wednesday

What next?

Currently, Mr Edwards wife said the father-of-five is suffering from serious mental health issues and is receiving treatment in hospital.

The broadcaster is continuing its fact-finding investigations into the allegations, following a pause to allow police to conduct their probe, which found no criminal case.

BBC chief Tim Davie will be questioned in Parliament about the corporations leadership during a pre planned committee.

The BBC director general, acting chairwoman Dame Elan Closs Stephens and policy director Clare Sumner have been called to appear before the Lords Communications Committee on Tuesday.

The peers will raise a range of issues, including in light of recent events, what concerns have been raised about the adequacy of the BBCs governance arrangements and how it is addressing these.

The Sun has said it has no plans to publish further allegations.

The newspaper was on Wednesday accused by its former editor David Yelland of having inflicted terror on Mr Edwards. , saying the paper now faced a crisis.

I wish @thehuwedwards well, Mr Yelland wrote on Twitter. The Sun inflicted terror on Huw despite no evidence of any criminal offence.

This is no longer a BBC crisis, it is a crisis for the paper. Huws privacy must now be respected. Social media also needs speedy reform.
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BBC director general Tim Davie will be questioned in parliament about the corporations leadership, after mental-health charities called for Huw Edwards to be given support and treatment.

The corporation is facing questions over why it did not take allegations against its most highly paid news presenter more seriously sooner.

Some BBC News journalists had reportedly started work on a potential expose about the newsreader before The Sun reported claims about him allegedly paying a teenager for explicit images.

Sources said Newsnight host Victoria Derbyshire had been examining accusations about Mr Edwardss conduct, the website Deadline claimed.

Ms Derbyshires enquiries surprised some BBC staff, it was said, and it is not clear whether senior editors were aware of them.

Mr Davie, acting chairperson Dame Elan Closs Stephens and policy director Clare Sumner will appear before the Lords communications committee on Tuesday.

Despite the appearance being booked before the Edwards story broke, the committee said on Thursday that it would raise issues including in [the] light of recent events, what concerns have been raised about the adequacy of the BBCs governance arrangements and how it is addressing these.

Mr Davie has already ordered an internal review to assess how some complaints are red-flagged up the organisation.

The BBC is conducting fact-finding investigations into allegations against the veteran broadcaster, after his wife identified him on Wednesday night as the star at the centre of the scandal. Vicky Flind said her husband was in hospital suffering from serious mental-health issues.

Father of five Mr Edwards, 61, who was suspended five days ago, is facing a string of claims, including contacting a 17-year-old and sending inappropriate messages to two BBC colleagues and a former member of staff.

The former employee said they had never met the presenter but received messages from him on social media, some late at night and signed off with kisses, which they said they believed was an abuse of power.

A current staffer said Mr Edwards sent them a private message on social media, commenting on their physical appearance, which gave them a cold shudder.

The other BBC employee said: There is a power dynamic that made them inappropriate.

Two of the three said there was a reluctance among junior staff to complain to managers about the conduct of high-profile colleagues in case it adversely affected their careers, Newsnight reported.

Mr Edwardss long-time colleague Jon Sopel said the star newsreader was very angry about the coverage the story has been given. Nor was he overly impressed with the broadcasters own coverage, he said.

Mr Sopel, who worked with Mr Edwards for decades before leaving the corporation last year, told ITVs Good Morning Britain that he was in touch with his ex-colleague before he went to hospital and that he was very angry.

I think [he] felt very let down by what happened in The Sun, furious with their coverage, [and] not overly impressed with the BBCs coverage, either.

Mr Sopel said coverage of the allegations got ugly, adding: I think it became a feeding frenzy. I think it was a competition to see who could go further the fastest.

The Metropolitan Police has said no criminal offence has been committed by Mr Edwards and no further police action will be taken at this time, allowing the internal BBC investigation to resume.

Other BBC colleagues have also expressed sympathy for the newsreader, who has been open about his history of depression.

World affairs editor John Simpson tweeted: I feel so sorry for everyone involved in this: for the Edwards family, for the complainants, and for Huw himself.

No criminal offences were committed, so its a purely personal tragedy for everyone involved. Lets hope the press leave them all alone now.

Nicky Campbell of 5 Live said: What a saga this all is. Its been very tough to cover here, obviously. Our thoughts have to be with all those who have suffered, the family who have suffered and Huw Edwards of course.

The news presenter was last seen on BBC Ones News At Ten on 5 July when he co-presented a special edition live from Edinburgh as the King was honoured in the Scottish capital.

The director of Mind Cymru, Susan OLeary, said Mr Edwards, who is patron of a branch of Mind in Llanelli, said: We would like to stress that it is important that anybody experiencing serious mental health problems is given the appropriate space to receive the treatment they need.

Recommended BBC bosses to face questions in Parliament following Huw Edwards furore

We acknowledge that the ongoing news coverage could impact people in many different ways. Mind is here to support anyone who needs help with their mental health.

Rethink Mental Illness tweeted that everyone connected to the story should be supported and have their mental health prioritised.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

For services local to you in the UK, the national mental health database - Hub of Hope - allows you to enter your postcode to search for organisations and charities who offer mental health advice and support in your area.
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The wife of newsreader Huw Edwards has revealed he is the presenter in the middle of the BBC scandal.

Vicky Flind said her husband was in hospital suffering from serious mental health issues after facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

The BBC is facing increased pressure after fresh claims emerged about the presenter, with The Sun reporting a 23-year-old has claimed Mr Edwards broke lockdown rules to meet them during the pandemic in February 2021.

Follow The Independents live coverage for the latest updates

Separately, BBC News reported on Tuesday that a person in their early 20s has alleged that they were sent threatening messages by the unnamed man.

They appear to be separate to a young person who The Sun claims was paid around 35,000 over three years, from the age of 17, for sexually explicit images by the presenter, who has been suspended by the BBC.

Below we set out a timeline of how the story has developed over the last week.

Have you been affected by this story? If so email tara.cobham@independent.co.uk

May 19

The family of a young person, who was 17 when the presenter allegedly started payments back in 2020, complained to the BBC and became frustrated when the presenter stayed on air. They reportedly asked the broadcaster to stop the man sending the cash.

July 6

The BBC said it became aware of new allegations against the male presenter.

A statement said: New allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature and in addition to our own inquiries we have also been in touch with external authorities, in line with our protocols.

July 7

The Sun publishes an exclusive which revealed a BBC presenter is facing allegations he paid a total of 35,000 for sexual content. A legal representative of the young person told the Sun that evening there was no truth to it.

The BBC responded to the article with a statement saying: We treat any allegations very seriously and we have processes in place to proactively deal with them.

July 8

BBC presenters choose to publicly clear their names  including Gary Lineker, Jeremy Vine, Rylan Clark and Nicky Campbell.

July 9

The BBC says in a statement that it has suspended a male presenter from all duties and contacted the Metropolitan Police over the allegations. The Sun reported the presenter allegedly made two calls to the young person and asked them to call their mother to stop the investigation after the exclusive was published.

July 10

The Metropolitan Police said it is carrying out further inquiries to establish whether any crime has been committed after BBC representatives met with detectives virtually in the morning.

The force requested the BBC pause its investigations into the allegations while they scoped future work. A lawyer representing the young person said the claims in the inappropriate article are rubbish.

In a letter reported by BBC News At Six, the young person said via the lawyer: For the avoidance of doubt, nothing inappropriate or unlawful has taken place between our client and the BBC personality and the allegations reported in The Sun newspaper are rubbish.

July 11

The BBC reported a second person felt threatened by messages they had allegedly received from the presenter. According to the BBC, the person  aged in their early 20s  met the presenter on a dating app before their conversations moved to other platforms.

The presenter then revealed his identity and asked the young person not to tell anyone. The young person later posted online alluding to having had contact with a BBC presenter and hinting they might name him.

The presenter then sent a number of threatening messages which the BBC said it had seen, it is claimed, and confirmed came from a phone number belonging to the presenter. The BBC said the young person felt threatened by the messages and remain scared.

BBC News said it had contacted the presenter via his lawyer but had received no response to the allegations.

Separately, The Sun reported on Tuesday that a 17-year-old has alleged they were following the star on Instagram when he messaged them, using love hearts and kisses.

The teenager told the newspaper: Looking back now it does seem creepy because he was messaging me when I was still at school.In light of everything now, I feel shocked because as a broadcaster it is a name everyone would trust.

I had no reason to think it was anything beyond that at that time.

The Sun reported it is handing its dossier to BBC investigators.

July 12

Vicky Flind, the wife of Mr Edwards, issues a statement naming her husband as the individual involved.

She said that he was suffering from serious mental health issues and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future as she asked for privacy for her family.

Earlier, The Suns new report claimed messages seen by the paper suggested the presenter travelled from London to a different county to meet a 23-year-old at their flat in February 2021, when strict coronavirus lockdown rules were in place including a stay at home order and mixing only between household bubbles.

The young person, who claims to have met the presenter on a dating website, said the man also gave them more than 600 in three payments, which the newspaper said messages also suggest.

They told The Sun: The BBC were briefing the nation on the rules  when their star who was part of the institution was quite happy to break them.The Sun said it had approached the BBC and the presenter for comment and would hand over evidence to the BBCs investigation team.

Broadcaster Jeremy Vine called on Mr Edwards to name himself publicly to prevent damage to the BBC, his friends and those falsely-accused.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that he personally was concerned by the serious allegations.

The Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police say that no criminal offence has been committed by Mr Edwards and neither force would currently be taking any further action in relation to the allegations.

The BBC announces it will resume its fact-finding investigations to ensure due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.
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In a shock announcement, Huw Edwards has been named as the BBC presenter at the centre of a sex scandal that has rocked the nations broadcaster.

His wife Vicky Flind named him as the suspended TV star and said that her husband was suffering from serious mental health issues and was receiving treatment in hospital, where he would remain for the foreseeable future.

Huw Edwards and his wife Vicky in 2018 (Noble/Draper)

Describing the last few days as extremely difficult for her family, she requested privacy for all involved, including the couples five children.

Below we take a look at who his wife Vicky Flind is, as well as the presenters own well-documented history.

Who is Vicky Flind?

Vicky Flind is a television producer who has worked on several acclaimed shows such as ITVs Peston and BBC Ones This Week.

Ms Flind was reportedly 28 when she met Mr Edwards who was 30 and working as a BBC correspondent at Westminster at the time. They didnt start dating until much later, when Mr Edwards invited his future wife on a skiing trip after one of his friends backed out.

When their flight was delayed for 14 hours, Mr Edwards told the Daily Mail: We started talking and havent ever really stopped.

The couple were engaged in 1993 and now live in Dulwich, south London. They share five children  three sons and two daughters  together. Despite her marriage to the well-known broadcaster, not much is known about Ms Flind  with one source telling the tabloid she made a conscious decision to keep her personal life private.

During an interview with The Times, Mr Edwards credited his wife for helping him with his fitness after she pointed out he had gained weight following the death of his father in 2010.

After Ms Flind released her statement on Wednesday, her current and former colleagues praised her as a talented, hard-working, and thoroughly decent and good person.

Robert Peston called Ms Flind thekindest, most decent woman  in a statement during Wednesdays episode of his programme Peston.

What few of you will know is that Vicky Flind is the editor of this show, and the person who created it with me  though she hasnt been involved tonight or at all this week, Mr Preston said. The Labour MP Jess Phillips tonight described Vicky as the nicest, kindest and most decent woman.

I and everyone who works with me here would agree. It has been difficult to feel what she and her family have been going through - and to read her statement that Huw has been hospitalised with acute depression.

One of Ms Flinds ex-colleagues at the BBC described her as very creative, but shes also impish with a well-crafted and quirky sense of humour, in a statement to the Daily Mail.

TV producer Rob Burley, who was formerly the editor of the BBCs live political programmes, tweeted: The only person I know whos involved in the Huw Edwards story is his wife, Vicky Flind, who I worked with at the BBC.

Shes a hugely talented and a thoroughly decent and good person. I hope shes left alone now too.

What has his wife said?

In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Mrs Flind said: In light of the recent reporting regarding the BBC Presenter I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family. I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.

Mr Edwards is being treated in hospital (PA Archive)

Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.

The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where hell stay for the foreseeable future.

Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.

To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.

In the circumstances and given Huws condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected. I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.

The BBC star is one of the most recognisable faces on British television (PA)

In a special S4C program on the occasion of his 60th birthday last year, Mr Edwards said his depression began in 2002 and that he went down fairly quickly.

I couldnt get out of bed. I didnt want to go to work, he explained. I didnt want to speak to anybody. Maybe it was partly due to the fact that I wasnt happy in work. I couldnt describe how overwhelming it was. I had a bit of a scare and I had never experienced that before.

In a 2022 interview with his former spokesperson Alistair Campbell for Mens Health, Mr Edwards detailed his decades-long battle with depression, explaining his mental health has been very bad a few times ove the last 20 years.

Im pretty clear that I have suffered  and do suffer  from depression. Its not anxiety, although it includes anxiety, but it tends to hit me in a strong wave and then go away, adding he had taken up boxing to help him cope with the mental disorder.

Its one of the things I can do when I feel myself on the slide. I can pull my way out of it, he told Mr Campbell. Mr Edwards also confirmed he had sought therapy and taken anti-depressants in the past, adding Id happily take them again if I needed to.

Who is Huw Edwards?

Huw Edwards is one of the most recognisable faces on UK television.

A Welsh journalist, presenter, and newsreader, the 61-year-old is best known for anchoring BBC News at Ten in his trademark calm and professional manner.

While fronting the broadcasters flagship evening news programme, he has covered numerous key moments in the UKs recent history.

Memorably, he made the momentous announcement of the late Queens death in September, receiving much praise from viewers for how he delivered the news.

In September, he announced the Queens death and covered the Coronation of King Charles III (PA Archive)

Alistair Campbell, the ex-spokesperson for the former prime minister Tony Blair, tweeted that he thought Mr Edwards had done superbly and revealed the presenter had been preparing, practicing and even rehearsing in front of his bathroom mirror for the moment for some time.

Mr Edwards fronted BBC coverage of other notable state events, including the coronation, the Queens funeral, and the weddings of Prince William and Kate Middleton as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The presenter is also known for his dry wit on social media as well as his fierce Welsh pride. The two combined when he posted a photo of himself on Twitter in front of a huge Welsh flag, alongside the caption, Flags are now mandatory - very pleased with my new backdrop for BBC News at Ten.

Hours later he updated his followers, telling them his BBC bosses had ordered him to take it down.

BBC Broadcasting House, as Mr Edwards revealed as presenter at centre of storm (PA)

Born in Bridgend, Wales, the presenters family moved to Llangennech, near Llanelli, when he was four years old.

Both Welsh speakers, his father, Hywel Teifi Edwards, was a Plaid Cymru and Welsh language activist, while his mother, Aerona Protheroe, was a teacher at Llanellis Ysgol Gyfun y Strade.

How long has he worked for the BBC?

Mr Edwards has been with the BBC for almost four decades, rising through the ranks from trainee to presenting its flagship programme.

He joined the BBC as a news trainee in 1984 before becoming the parliamentary correspondent for BBC Wales in 1986.

Between 1994 and January 2003, Mr Edwards presented the BBC Six OClock News, which was the most watched news programme in Britain at that time.

He has been suspended since news of the allegation emerged against him (PA Archive)

In January 2003, he became the main presenter of the Ten OClock News on BBC One and has been fronting the programme for the two decades since.

Huw Edwards is the BBCs highest-paid newsreader and is among its highest-paid presenters.

His pay bracket is 435,000  439,999, up from 410,000  414,000 last year, according to the corporations annual report this year, putting him fourth on the list.

Is he under a criminal investigation?

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said they had concluded their assessment and had determined that no criminal offence had been committed.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: We have seen the statement from the police confirming they have completed their assessment and are not taking further action. Were grateful to them for completing this work at speed.

The police had previously asked us to pause our fact finding investigations and we will now move forward with that work, ensuring due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.
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Nato allies could have been more positive about Ukraines future within the alliance, a Conservative former minister has said.

Tory former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith told the Commons he was slightly sorry Nato was not able to send Ukraine a stronger signal about its future with regards to Nato.

Sir Iain was speaking as MPs debated the Governments action on the war in Ukraine.

It came after world leaders, including the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, attended a Nato summit in Lithuania this week.

The Tory former party leader added: I think we could have been more positive And America and Germany particularly stood in the way of the general mood of the Council to offer more to Ukraine.

I know we couldnt have probably brought them in immediately and everyone harped on about Article Five being the problem here because it committed people to go to war. It does no such thing by the way. Its always worth reading these things before you ever pronounce on them.

Article Five does not commit the nations in Nato to go directly to war, what it commits them to do is to agree together that they will take action as they deem necessary.

During the Commons debate, MPs gave their support to a backbench motion which called on the Government to continue and accelerate its support for the Ukrainian armed forces and to note warnings from the Foreign Affairs Select Committee about the role of dirty money in the war.

The cross-party committee last year said the Government was not taking enough action on the flow of illicit cash through London, which could be used to fund Russias war effort in Ukraine.

Urging the Government to seize, not just freeze, Russian assets, Sir Iain said: We may yet win the war, but thats no good if what we leave behind is a shell of a country, incapable of operation, democracy, or even economic well-being. So, winning the peace is as vital and we need to be planning for that now.

And they did that during the Second World War. Its worth reminding ourselves that by the time the end of the war was there, they were very clear what they were going to do.

Which brings me therefore to this point, whether its Nato, whether its an alliance of the G7 or whoever, it is important that we form a bloc in these matters and agree this.

Shadow foreign office minister Catherine West said ministers needed to ensure their plans to tackle illicit finance were funded into the future, and called on them to ensure that the plan has necessary funding to ensure that public investments matches the scale of the challenge that we face.

Foreign Office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan told the Commons: Members rightly want to see continued sanctions while we are in this very difficult time, asset freezes and travel bans.

But I was proud to bring in new legislation just last week which will now enable sanctions to be maintained until Moscow pays compensation for the reconstruction of Ukraine, and indeed a route developed for Ukrainian reconstruction.

We will of course be also creating a route to allow individuals to voluntarily hand over those assets of theirs which are presently frozen into a fund to support reconstruction.

That will be a one way ticket. If they feel like they have realised the error of their ways, this will be an opportunity for them to do so.
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Michael Gove has argued that planning for a no-deal Brexit made the UK more match fit for dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The veteran Tory, who was Cabinet Office minister and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the pandemic began in 2020, said EU exit planning was some of the best preparation possible for a crisis.

Giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on Thursday, he denied that moving staff over to Brexit work had a detrimental effect on pandemic planning.

The preparation for EU exit in and of itself was some of the best preparation that could have been undergone for any future crisis Michael Gove

The Civil Service grew and expanded in readiness for departing the EU, Mr Gove said when asked about staff being overworked.

The nature, the pace and the intensity of the work undoubtedly placed pressure on individuals and the system, but it also ensured a greater degree of match fitness for what none of us anticipated but what was to come the year after, he said.

I would argue that the skills acquired, honed and refined during EU exit preparation helped us not only to have an organisational system that was better in dealing with the crisis, but having a cadre of people whod been through an intense process that enhanced their ability to respond.

He added: The preparation for EU exit in and of itself was some of the best preparation that could have been undergone for any future crisis.

Mr Gove, a staunch Brexiteer, chaired a Cabinet committee that marshalled preparedness for no-deal Brexit risks across government departments under Boris Johnsons premiership.

The XO (Exit Operations) committee had to work at an accelerated tempo due to the EU exit deadline, he said.

I do believe that it was helpful for all of government to be operating at that pace, because we made government more match fit overall for the terrible events that this inquiry has been set up to look at.

The Levelling Up Secretary also said Britain was unprepared for a coronavirus pandemic because it was focused on responding to a flu pandemic instead.

Ultimately the pandemic that occurred was not a flu pandemic. It was one for which we were unprepared because few western nations, if any western nations had anticipated the particular type of pandemic that Covid-19 was.

He added that the Cabinet Office did flex rapidly once it was clear what the scale of the pandemic was in the spring of 2020.

Mr Gove is the latest Conservative figure to give evidence to the inquiry, which is in an early stage examining the countrys preparedness for a pandemic.

His appearance, which was at one point interrupted by his phone apparently playing a recording of the earlier part of the session, comes after the inquiry heard from former prime minister David Cameron and his chancellor George Osborne.

Other witnesses, including Scotlands former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, have told the inquiry that no-deal Brexit planning from 2018 onwards damaged the UKs ability to also plan for a pandemic.

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said resources had been diverted away from emergency planning for this reason.
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Irelands deputy premier has said the issue of an Irish airport being used as a stop-off to transport cluster bombs from the US to Ukraine doesnt arise.

Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister Micheal Martin said that Ireland remains opposed to cluster munitions, pointing out that it was a lead nation in the establishment of a global 2008 convention banning the weapons.

His comments come after the controversial decision by the US to provide Kyiv with cluster munitions; US president Joe Biden has defended the difficult decision to send the weapons to Ukraine to help in battling against an invasion by Russia.

When asked about the issue on Thursday, Mr Martin said the cluster munitions convention was adopted in Dublin in 2008, and he remembers convincing nations to sign up to it.

It was an outstanding diplomatic achievement by Ireland to have so many countries, over 120, I think signed eventually, he said.

I remember working with Gordon Brown at the time to get the UKs agreement to sign up to the banning of cluster munitions and I recall very well meeting many civilians from countries all over, Asia in particular: amputees, people with severe injuries as a result of cluster munitions that are left in the aftermath of battle, the aftermath of war, in childrens playgrounds and so on.

So, were opposed to the use of cluster munitions on the battlefield, that is Irelands position, that hasnt changed, and that will remain our position.

He said the possibility that they might be transported through Shannon doesnt arise.

No, I dont think that that issue arises.

In respect of any travel through Ireland or any flight (carrying munitions) coming through Ireland has to seek permission in the first instance.

The Tanaiste was speaking at a Defence Forces Open Day in Farmleigh House in Dublin to encourage people to join the Irish army.

Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy said that recruitment is a challenge and that they have an all year round open recruitment campaign.

So were actively pursuing recruitment at the moment, in particular, in a very challenging environment where the highest levels of employment exists now in the state, and were in a competitive market as well.

He added: Were doing everything as well and to retain the people we have people that are highly valued with high levels of skills and competence that we train people and develop and nurture people within our organisation.

He said that some of the specific roles they are targeting for recruitment are medical corps and medical officers, and engineers.

We have a targeted campaign around specialists required in the naval service right now, for instance, weve a targeted campaign in terms of equitation There are specialist areas as well within growing areas of interest, if you like, demanded by the security environment that exists today, such as cyber.
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Defence secretary Ben Wallace has been accused of scolding the Ukrainians after revealing that he told them Britain was not retail giant Amazon when presented with a list of weapons demands.

In a summit that has revealed cracks between Western leaders and Kyiv, Mr Wallace also said he had advised Ukraine that the international community wanted to see gratitude for its support in the war with Russia.

Asked about the row, Rishi Sunak distanced himself from the comments, saying the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had repeatedly expressed his gratitude. I think everyone can see thats how he feels, he said.

The prime minister said that people across Ukraine were fighting for their lives and freedom every single day and paying a terrible price for it, adding that he understood Mr Zelensky's desire to do everything he can to protect his people.

President Zelensky  told about Mr Wallaces remarks about Amazon and wanting to see gratitude  fired back by saying he didnt know what [Mr Wallace] meant and asked whether he wants something special.

I believe we were always grateful to the United Kingdom, Mr Zelensky told a press conference. We were always grateful to prime ministers and to the minister for defence, because the people in the United Kingdom have always supportive  we are grateful for this.

I didnt know what he meant and how else we should be grateful, he added. We could get up in the morning and express our gratitude personally to the minister  Maybe the minister wants something special, but I think we have wonderful relations [with the UK].

Labour's shadow defence secretary John Healey said Ukrainians did not need lectures when they were fighting for the future and the freedom of their country.

President Zelensky wants more military help yesterday, of course he does. What he doesnt need is lectures on gratitude, especially when they overshadow a successful summit in which Nato is stronger and the support for Ukraine is greater, he added.

And Lib Dem defence spokesperson Richard Foord said Ukrainian people were dying because of Russias invasion and were asking for the equipment needed to protect their country, adding: It is ill-judged to scold them for this and demand that they show more gratitude.

Volodymyr Zelensky fired back at Wallace at press conference (Kacper Pempel/Reuters)

It came as Western leaders tried to smooth tensions with Ukraine after President Zelensky sensationally accused the alliance of absurd delays to the process of making his country a member on Tuesday.

In a move widely seen as a way to soften the blow over Nato, the G7 announced a new framework for Ukraines long-term security, marking the first time many of its members have agreed such an arrangement with another country.

The summit also held the first meeting of the Nato-Ukraine council, a new forum designed to deepen ties with the war-torn country.

For his part Mr Zelensky struck a more conciliatory note during a press conference with Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg.

Asked later by the press if the wrangling over accession would depress morale near the frontline, Mr Zelensky said a new Nato-Ukraine council would give Ukrainians the spirit needed.

In a tweet, he also expressed gratitude to the UK for its support, after a one-to-one meeting with Mr Sunak.

Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden with Volodymyr Zelensky at Nato (PA)

Earlier Mr Wallace insisted that it was a matter of when, not if Ukraine joins the group. He also argued that a clear pathway for membership had been set out - that after the war ends Ukraine will join if it continues to make progress on political reform.

But, in a briefing with journalists, the defence secretary added that he had advised the Ukrainians to show they were grateful for the support they have received during a bloody conflict which has now lasted more than 500 days.

Whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude, he said. You know, my counsel to the Ukrainians is sometimes, Look, you are persuading countries to give up their own stocks and yes, your war is a noble war and we see it as you waging a war not just for yourselves but for our freedoms.

"But sometimes you've got to persuade lawmakers on (Capitol) Hill in America, youve got to persuade doubting politicians in other countries that its worth it and its worthwhile and that theyre getting something for it. Whether you like it or not, thats just the reality of it.

Allies had given huge amounts of supplies to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, he said. He added: We are not Amazon I told them that last year, when I drove 11 hours to be given a list of demands for more weapons.

Ben Wallace said: We are not Amazon I told them that last year (PA Wire)

He also said the war against Russia was going better than people think and claimed that the Russians had left Laurel and Hardy in charge of the campaign.

He also predicted there would be more British troops in Ukraine after this conflict than before, as a result of the G7 agreement. Sources later made clear they would be there in a training capacity.

A joint declaration said it was designed to ensure a sustainable force capable of defending Ukraine now and deterring Russian aggression in the future.

This will be done through the continued provision of assistance and equipment on land, air and sea, developing Ukrainian industry, intelligence sharing, training and support for cyberdefence.

British sources said that the UKs main contribution on air support would be training pilots. They did not rule out other countries coming forward with offers of F16s, but said the UK did not have any of the fighter jets Ukraine wants.

G7 countries will also seek to make the war as costly as possible for Russia, including through sanctions and export controls, as well as holding those who carry out war crimes responsible.

For its part, No 10 said that Mr Sunak paid tribute to the courage and bravery of Ukraines armed forces when he met Mr Zelensky. But both made clear the G7 arrangements were not a substitute for Nato membership.

On Tuesday Zelensky had raged at the military alliance, denouncing delays in the membership process as absurd.

A communique said Ukraine would only be invited to join when allies agree and conditions are met.

Ukraines deputy foreign minister Andriy Melnyk was also quoted complaining that Kyiv has been given the runaround since 2008 and needs to join as soon as possible, not when hell freezes over.
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Boris Johnsons WhatsApp messages from his old phone have not yet been handed to the Covid inquiry because he has forgotten the passcode, it is claimed.

The former prime minister is thought to be unable to recall the code to unlock the device thought to contain crucial Covid-era communications with ministers, which he stopped using in May 2021.

Mr Johnson cannot remember the passcode with 100 per cent confidence, according to The Times. The ex-Tory leaders spokesman did not deny he could not recall the code.

There are concerns that any attempt to unlock the iPhone could lead to it being disabled, erasing its data including key WhatsApp messages from the pandemic, it reported.

But Covid bereaved campaigners described the idea as a complete joke, urging Mr Johnson to work with security officials to retrieve the information.

On Thursday evening the FT reported the pin has now in fact been remembered by Mr Johnson.

Mr Johnsons old mobile  said to be known as Phone 1 in Whitehall  has proved a thorny issue ever since a series of disputes between his camp and Rishi Sunaks government blew up earlier this year.

He was forced to turn the device off and switch to a new mobile after a security breach. It emerged his number had been freely available online for 15 years.

On Monday Mr Johnson missed a strict deadline set by the Covid inquiry to hand over all relevant material, including WhatsApp messages on the phone.

Mr Johnsons office said his team was still working with government security officials on how best to switch on the old phone  insisting he wanted to cooperate fully with the inquiry.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said the phone is being held by his lawyers while government-appointed tech experts work to recover data from the device.

As previously stated, Mr Johnson will cooperate fully with the inquiry, the spokesman added. He wants to disclose any relevant material which is why he is fully cooperating with this process.

A Cabinet Office source also said the phone was still in Mr Johnsons possession, but government officials were supporting him in trying to access the material.

Covid inquiry chair Baroness Hallett has asked for all messages (PA Media)

But security experts have said that information could likely be retrieved simply by taking out the sim card and putting it in another phone.

Susie Flintham, a spokesperson for Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK, said the idea of the passcode holding things up was a complete joke.

The campaigner said: No one seriously believes that Johnsons messages cant be accessed because he forgot a passcode that he was apparently using last December.

She added: Johnson needs to take full responsibility for ensuring that these messages are shared in their entirety with the inquiry, and the inquiry must be prepared to take legal action against him if he doesnt.

Government solicitor Parm Sahota wrote to the inquiry last month to say the Cabinet Office continues to work with security partners and Mr Johnsons representatives to assess the security issues in relation to that device.

The government had fought the request from inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett to release unredacted documents  arguing it should not have to hand over material that is unambiguously irrelevant.

But the argument was dismissed by High Court judges last week, who said the fact an order for material would produce some irrelevant documents did not invalidate it or mean it cannot be lawfully exercised.
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Boris Johnsons plan to build an outdoor swimming pool on the grounds of his country manor could be halted by protections on the archaeological site.

The former prime minister is seeking planning permission for the pool on the grounds of his Grade II-listed Brightwell Manor.

Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie moved in May into the moated family home in Oxfordshire, where they will raise their three children, including newborn Frank Alfred Odysseus Johnson.

Boris and Carrie Johnson have moved into Brightwell Manor in Oxfordshire ((Knight Frank/Getty))

Last month, an application was made to the local council for the development of an 11m x 4m swimming pool, surrounded by a tiled area. It is currently at the consultation stage with a decision due next month, The Mirror reported.

The newspaper said Mr Johnsons plans face an early hurdle because the home is located within a site of considerable archaeological interest. The former PM may have to monitor for important archaeological finds if the plans are approved.

The Liberal Democrats have argued that if Mr Johnson can afford a pool, he should refund the cash for his Partygate legal fees.

The partys deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: If Boris Johnson can afford to pay for a swimming pool, surely he could have paid his own legal fees for the Partygate inquiry instead of taxpayers having to stump up the cash.

Brightwell Manor, located in the village of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell in Oxfordshire, boasts original Tudor and Georgian features as it was built over the two periods.

It is believed that in the 1150s, the Norman King Stephen built a moated siege castle on the site where the manor house now stands.

According to the now-closed listing for the property, the castle was delivered up to Duke Henry after the Civil War and [was] probably promptly demolished.

Originally, the moat also encircled the neighbouring Church of St Agatha, which indicates that the Bishop built it as a garrison church, the listing said.

The heart of the house, which includes the sitting room, family room and bedroom suite, is believed to date back to 1605. The property originally included extensive arable farmland and further properties, but these were sold in 1914.

Mrs Johnson announced this week that she and Mr Johnson welcomed their third child together, Frank Alfred Odysseus Johnson.

Mr Johnsons successor as PM, Rishi Sunak, has previously brushed off criticism about his own private heated swimming pool.

The 40ft pool built in the grounds of his constituency home in North Yorkshire reportedly used so much energy that the local electricity network had to be upgraded to cope with the demand.
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Successive governments have failed to grasp the scale of the threat posed by China, a report by an influential group of MPs has warned, stating that Chinese intelligence is prolifically and aggressively targeting the UK and its interests.

In a wide-ranging report the Commons intelligence and security committee (ISC) is scathing about the governments completely inadequate response to the threat of China, saying it had no strategy to tackle the problem.

It sparked an immediate row with Rishi Sunak, who insisted that his government was not complacent about China. But MPs on the committee branded his response weak and accused him of trying to undermine the committee.

The damning report raises concerns about Chinas coercive influence in UK universities and Beijings intention to become a permanent and significant player in the civil nuclear energy industry.

The ISC also warned that Beijing had been buying up control and influence in Britain  condemning successive governments for accepting Chinese money with few questions asked.

The dossier, published on Thursday, also said the UK is of significant interest to China when it comes to espionage and interference  placing Britain just below Chinas top priority targets around the world.

It stated: Chinas state intelligence apparatus  almost certainly the largest in the world with hundreds of thousands of civil intelligence officers ... targets the UK and its interests prolifically and aggressively, and presents a challenge for our agencies to cover.

The committee, chaired by Tory MP Sir Julian Lewis to scrutinise the work of the UKs intelligence agencies including MI5, MI6 and GCHQ, said China has the potential to pose an existential threat to the liberal democratic system.

The report said the governments approach for dealing with the threat posed by China is completely inadequate  with the nation severely handicapped by too much focus on short-term economics rather than long-term risks.

The former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith  sanctioned by Beijing  told The Independent that the report was absolutely damning and described government policy as a shambolic mess.

Rishi Sunak is under pressure to toughen stance on China (PA Wire)

It is one of the most damning reports of government security failings that I have read in the 30 years I have been here, Sir Iain said. The government has got to pay attention, because they are in a mess. Their China policy is a complete and shambolic mess.

Senior Tory MP Bob Seely, a leading China hawk, told The Independent: It basically substantiates everything China-sceptics have been saying. There is a battle of values in the 21st century, between open societies like our own and closed societies like China.

Responding to the report, Mr Sunak insisted that his government was not complacent and would continue adapting ... to meet the challenge that China presents.

In a written statement the PM also said: We are not complacent and we are keenly aware that there is more to do. Wherever Chinas actions or intent threaten the national interest, we will continue to take swift action.

Cabinet minister Grant Shapps said China is a reality that Britain cannot wish away  saying Beijing was acting like the old British Empire.

The energy secretary told reporters: They do want to change the world, to operate under their world order. That is no surprise  we did that when we had an empire  I dont agree with a policy that says lets just pretend they are not there and exclude them.

But Mr Shapps also told Tory China hawks that we do have to accept that this is the world as it is, adding that the UK should welcome investment from China but not let the country become part of our critical national infrastructure.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith says government policy is a shambolic mess (PA Archive)

Security minister Tom Tugendhat said: We have woken up in time to make the right decisions to protect the British people and that is exactly what were doing now, he said.

Mr Sunak also claimed that the bulk of the committees evidence was gathered before the governments integrated review of 2021 and refresh of defence and security policy this year.

But Sir Julian insisted that the group of MPs had been continually in dialogue with various agencies and had received quarterly reports.

Committee member Kevan Jones, a senior Labour MP, called Mr Sunaks response weak, and said the claim it was partly out of date showed the depth to which the government is trying to again undermine the committee.

The report raises particular concerns about Chinese influence in UK universities  saying the government has shown very little interest in warnings from academics, despite being rich feeding ground for Beijing.

It warned that China exerts influence over institutions by leveraging fees and funding, over individual UK academics through inducements and intimidation, over Chinese students by monitoring and controlling, and over think thanks through coercion.

The report also said it was unacceptable for the government to be considering any Chinese involvement in the UKs civil nuclear industry. China General Nuclear last year exited the Sizewell C nuclear power plant project in Suffolk.

But MPs said serious questions remain about future projects. The government would be naive to assume that allowing Chinese companies to exert influence over the UKs civil nuclear and energy sectors is not ceding control to the Chinese Communist Party, the report said.

China has been buying up and seeking to control or influence the UKs industry and energy sector and  until the Covid-19 pandemic  Chinese money was readily accepted by HMG with few questions asked.

The report also warned that the West is on a trajectory for the nightmare scenario where China steals blueprints, sets standards and builds products, exerting political and economic influence at every step.

A senior Whitehall official told The Independent: The serious problem we faced is that it took a long time for successive UK governments to accept what was going on.

There was, frankly, complacency  an unwillingness to face up to what was developing. We were falling out of step with our American allies, that became very clear. At the end there was serious alarm at what happened.

In evidence to MPs, MI5 director general Ken McCallum said the challenge posed by China was the central intelligence challenge for us across the next decade.

Liz Truss has warned the Cold War with China has already begun (PA)

The Sunak government has characterised the growing influence of China as an epoch-defining challenge but some backbench China hawks  including former PM Liz Truss  have pushed for a much stronger stance to counter Beijings influence.

Mr Seely called for the government to publish an annual statement on our trade dependency on Beijing. China is not going to go away. We need to not only understand the nature of the threat but also to act on it, he said.

Sir Iain said: We are becoming far too dependent on China economically, and therefore worried about upsetting them, such that the economics of the government trumps any security concerns. That is very dangerous.

It comes as Foreign Office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said it was very concerning to hear reports that China sent a spy to infiltrate a Commons event involving Hong Kong campaigners.

Ms Trevelyan said she could not comment on security matters of individuals, adding: The security of the parliamentary estate is a matter for parliament and I wouldnt wish to try and answer that one on behalf of Mr Speaker.

The minister also said the government will formally protest to the Chinese ambassador over attempts by Hong Kong officials to intimidate and silence pro-democracy activists.

Ms Trevelyan expressed concerns over the arrests of five individuals in the former British territory. Any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK will not be tolerated, she said.
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Nadine Dorries is facing growing calls for a formal investigation over claims she sent a forceful message to the UKs top civil servant pushing to be added to Liz Trusss resignation honours list.

Cabinet secretary Simon Case revealed on Wednesday that he had reported the former culture secretary to the chief whip and Commons speaker over messages sent after she was blocked from a peerage in Boris Johnsons list.

Now it has emerged that Ms Dorriess WhatsApp message to Mr Case was a request to get a peerage through Ms Trusss as yet unannounced list, according to The Times.

Whitehalls former ethics chief told The Independent she should be probed over a possible breach of rules, while Labour called on the government to make sure Ms Dorries is properly investigated over any peerage demands.

The ardent Boris supporter was furious that she did not get a place in the Lords despite Mr Johnsons efforts  lashing out at posh boys Rishi Sunak and his adviser James Forsyth over the decision.

Her messages to Mr Case first emerged at a hearing of the public administration and constitutional affairs committee on Wednesday, when the cabinet secretary confirmed that he reported Ms Dorries and even sought legal advice.

Senior Tory MP William Wragg, the committee chair, asked Mr Case if he was aware of any rather forceful communications sent by Ms Dorries to senior civil servants.

Mr Wragg also accused Ms Dorries of threatening to use the platform of the Commons and indeed her own television programme to get to the bottom of why she hadnt been given a peerage.

Mr Case said he was aware of those communications and had flagged them to both the chief whip [Simon Hart] and Speaker of the House [Sir Lindsay Hoyle].

Asked whether the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 could come into play, Mr Case said he had taken initial advice, but asked for more. But The Independent understands that government officials have already decided she did not contravene the 1925 law.

Boris Johnson with Nadine Dorries and Liz Truss (PA)

It remains uncertain whether the chief whip or Commons speaker could make further inquiries and sanction the senior MP.

Sir Alistair Graham, former head of the Committee of Standards on Public Life, told The Independent, that Daniel Greenberg, the parliamentary standards commissioner, should investigate the matter to see if she had brought the Commons into disrepute.

That is not appropriate behaviour for an MP, he said on her contact with the cabinet secretary over a peerage. I was surprised she would do it in such a public way. Sir Alistair said an MP would have to report her to the committee.

Labours Thangam Debbonaire called on the Tory government to make sure Ms Dorries was properly investigated.

The shadow Commons leader mocked Ms Dorries for failing to turn up here for more than a year while finding the time to present her own TV show, write her Daily Mail column and pen a book. That is a lot to fit in between strops over being denied a peerage.

Labour demands Nadine Dorries 'properly investigated' over peerage message

Referring to her message to Mr Case, she challenged Commons leader Penny Mordaunt to clear up this mess and tell us if this is being properly investigated. She also asked if Mr Sunak was still happy for that member to be listed as a Conservative.

Ms Mordaunt said the issues around Ms Dorries are not ones for me or the Tory chief whip, adding: They are matters for the cabinet secretary. Standards and ethics are very important and they are important rules, but clearly there are some grey areas.

The Lib Dems have called on Mr Sunak to suspend the Tory whip. Deputy leader Daisy Cooper said Ms Dorries was facing serious allegations and warned that any further delay to the Conservative whip being removed while this investigation takes place is another clear sign of Rishi Sunaks weak leadership.

But a friend of Ms Dorries told The Times the idea of threatening messages was complete nonsense, adding: She was probably upset on the day at the way she had been treated but shes not aggressive. She has been very badly served.

Nadine Dorries is in the spotlight after refusing to formally resign (Getty)

Mr Wragg has referred to Ms Dorries as the lingering member for Mid-Bedfordshire. Many Tory MPs are frustrated by failing to formally resign, despite announcing she was leaving parliament with immediate effect over a month ago.

The arch-Johnson loyalist has warned Mr Sunak that she will not formally quit until the government releases documents surrounding the decision to deny her a peerage as part of the former PMs resignation honours.

Ms Debbonaire said: Perhaps she could give a dictionary definition of the word immediate . When will the people she is supposed to represent get the chance to elect a Labour MP, who will actually show up for working people?

Ms Dorries has said she was 100 per cent sure that Mr Johnson had not decided to axe her from the list himself, accusing Mr Sunak and Mr Forsyth of blocking her peerage.

But No 10 has insisted that the PM and his team had nothing to do with changes made to the list, pointing to the role of the House of Lords appointment commission (Holac) in approving honours.
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Watch as Rishi Sunak delivers a statement to the House of Commons on Thursday 13 July after the Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

He returned to the UK after G7 countries signed a joint declaration in support of Ukraine at the summit earlier this week.

The leaders of the wealthiest economies have vowed to stand by Kyiv for as long as it takes as they set out the details of what a package of new security measures will entail.

Mr Sunak has said it marks a new high point in international support for Ukraine.

He thinks it will send a message to Russian president Vladimir Putin and has the potential to bring an end to the conflict in eastern Europe.

The pact contains promises to act multilaterally and on a country-to-country basis to offer Ukraine long-term security guarantees and the UKs side of the bargain will see more Ukrainian pilots trained in Britain.
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A 32 Rishi Sunak Toby jug on sale at the House of Commons gift shop has been mocked online for looking nothing like the prime minister.

Social media users were left perplexed by the ceramic jug, with some saying it bore more resemblance to one of Mr Sunaks predecessors, Gordon Brown.

Other commenters suggested the jug looked more like former BBC correspondent Jon Sopel or former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe.

A Toby Jug of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Houses of Parliament Shop) (PA Media)

The limited edition Rishi Sunak jug is part of the range made for all modern prime ministers, and follows others depicting Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.

Other PMs to be immortalised in mug form include Tony Blair, Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May.

A Toby Jug of former Prime Minister Liz Truss (Houses of Parliament Shop) (Houses of Parliament Shop)

Responding to the 11cm jug, of which 1,500 will be made, internationalist campaign group Best for Britain said: What is even happening?

Last August, figures showed 225 Toby jugs of Mr Johnson had been sold since 2019, compared to 157 of Mrs Thatcher and 154 for Mr Churchill.

The jugs are made in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, and 1,500 have been made for each prime minister in the series.

Shoppers bought 64 Mr Johnsons in 2019/20, 69 in 2020/21, 77 in 2021/22 and 15 so far in the current financial year.

By contrast, 77 Theresa May Toby jugs were sold during her three years in power between 2016 and 2019.

The Conservative former prime minister was fourth on the latest list with 65 sales since 2019/20 followed by Labours Tony Blair on 64.

Labour post-war prime minister Clement Atlee sold 58 followed by 46 for Harold Wilson and Sir John Major on 40  with David Cameron only managing 39 sales and Gordon Brown 34.

Neville Chamberlain was among the least popular prime ministerial Toby jugs over the same period, with 20 sold. Andrew Bonar Law, Ramsay MacDonald and Stanley Baldwin sold 10 each.
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Sir Keir Starmer insisted Labours commitment to Nato is unshakeable as he clashed with Rishi Sunak in the House of Commons.

The Labour leader described the alliance as a cornerstone of British security in a week that saw Conservative MPs posting social media attacks on his partys defence policy.

Prime Minister Mr Sunak was heckled by Opposition MPs as he claimed Sir Keirs statement showed a newfound affection for Nato, with Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle repeatedly having to intervene to calm tempers.

The exchanges came after Mr Sunak made a statement to the chamber on this weeks Nato summit in Lithuania.

Sir Keir said Nato nations are united in their collective support for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and the belief victory will come to the Ukrainian people against Russia.

He said: Labours commitment to Nato is unshakeable. Its an achievement of this party, a cornerstone of British security for 74 years.

Therefore I welcome the progress made in Vilnius this week, in particular the commitment to strengthen the collective defence of this continent  regional plans, greater intelligence co-operation, improved readiness.

This will put us all on a better footing to react quickly to modern threats.

Sir Keir stressed Labours support for Ukraines aim of joining Nato, adding: Its important we are clear to the people of Ukraine who fight so bravely for their future, the question is not if Ukraine joins Nato but when Ukraine joins Nato.

Its important we are clear that even if theres a change of government in the UK there will never be a change in Britains resolve, no change in our support for Ukraine, no change in our commitment to the security of Britain and our allies.

Sir Keir advised MPs to choose their words wisely, saying: I would ask the Prime Minister when he rises whether hes prepared to correct the record in this House in relation to a social media statement he made last night that Labour didnt want him to attend the summit this week.

On the contrary, we were delighted that he was there because in an evermore dangerous world we must be united and Nato must be co-ordinated, ready to adapt and ready to strengthen.

Mr Sunak said it was a bit rich to attack me for missing Prime Ministers Questions given he was attending the Nato summit.

Sir Lindsay intervened to calm heckling from both sides, with Mr Sunak adding: I think the point has been made.

I welcome (Sir Keirs) I think newfound affection for the Nato alliance, having sat for long years next to someone who wanted to

Sir Lindsay again had to intervene before Mr Sunak said: I think you can tell from the volume of noise they dont like it, Mr Speaker, but its the truth.

He added: The reality is this: for long years (Sir Keir) did sit there next to someone (former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn) who didnt support Nato, who wanted to scrap Trident and abolish our armed forces, so thats what the record is.

Mr Sunak welcomed Labours support for Ukraine and reiterated Nato membership is a question of when, not if.

Other Labour MPs were unhappy with the Prime Ministers comments, with former minister Kevin Brennan telling the Commons: He knows the absolutely seminal role that was played by the post-war Labour Government and in particular foreign secretary Ernest Bevin in the creation of Nato.

After murmurs from the Conservative benches, the Cardiff West MP added: I suggest they read some history books. He also knows that Labours policy of support for Nato is as strong now as it was 75 years ago.

Will he instead welcome that fact and work in a statesmanlike way with the Leader of the Opposition and in the national interest?

The Prime Minister replied: I wasnt quibbling at all with the leadership shown by Labour politicians 75 years ago, I was quibbling with the one shown by them just a few years ago.

Asked what the purpose would be of delaying Ukraines acceptance into Nato beyond the end of hostilities with Russia, Mr Sunak referred to remarks from the alliances secretary general Jens Stoltenberg, and said accession was a matter of conditions and not timing.

He added: There are requirements on all Nato members when it comes to areas like modernisation, governance and interoperability, which now Ukraine is firmly on the path towards fulfilling.
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Rishi Sunak has urged unions to call off strike action after accepting recommendations for pay rises for millions of public sector workers.

The Prime Minister accepted the recommendations from pay review bodies, including 6.5% increases for teachers in England for 2023-24, which education unions said could allow them to call off strike action.

Junior doctors, who began their longest walkout yet in England on Thursday, will receive 6% rises, along with an additional consolidated 1,250 increase.

Hospital consultants, set to strike in England next week, will also receive a 6% rise.

Mr Sunak called on the British Medical Association to help make the NHS strong again by returning doctors to the wards.

The Government has not only made todays decision on pay. Weve backed the NHS with record funding, delivered the first ever, fully funded long-term workforce plan and met the BMAs number one ask of government, with a pensions tax cut worth 1 billion.

So, we should all ask ourselves, whether union leaders  or indeed political leaders  how can it be right to continue disruptive industrial action?

Not least because these strikes lead to tens of thousands of appointments being cancelled  every single day and waiting lists going up, not down.

At a Downing Street press conference, Mr Sunak said: Todays offer is final. There will be no more talks on pay. We will not negotiate again on this years settlements and no amount of strikes will change our decision.

He said the accepted recommendations are a fair deal for the British taxpayer.

But with no new borrowing to fund deals, Mr Sunak said government departments will have to reprioritise spending  raising fears of cuts across public services.

Details of the deals, given by Treasury Chief Secretary John Glen in the Commons, include:

 Policing will receive a 7% headline rise.

 Prison officers in the operational bands will receive an increase of 7%, with larger rises for support grades.

 Armed forces will receive a 5% rise, with an additional consolidated 1,000 increase.

The 6.5% pay award for teachers will be fully funded, the Government said, with 525 million of additional funding for schools in 2023-24 and a further 900 million in 2024-25.

The Government set out some changes to raise around 1 billion of additional money to fund the rises, including increasing the immigrant health surcharge to 1,035.

Fees will be increased across a range of immigration and nationality routes, including a rise in the cost of work and visit visas by 15%, and increasing the cost of study visas, certificates of sponsorship, wider entry clearance, leave-to-remain and priority visas among others by at least 20%.

But the bulk of the money will have to come from existing budgets.

Mr Sunak said its not about cuts but about departments reprioritising.

We are asking departments to reprioritise to support public sector workers and that will mean in other areas  its not about cuts, its just about focusing on public sector workers pay rather than other things.

And Im really pleased that the teaching unions specifically have said that this pay offer is properly funded.

He insisted no cuts will need to be made in schools.

The Prime Minister and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan along with the leaders of the four education unions issued a joint statement setting out how the agreement could end strike action.

The statement said: The Government has committed that all schools will receive additional funding above what was proposed in March  building on the additional 2 billion given to schools in the Autumn Statement. The Government will also provide a hardship fund of up to 40 million to support those schools facing the greatest financial challenges.

ASCL, NAHT, NASUWT and NEU will now put this deal to members, with a recommendation to accept the STRB recommendation. This deal will allow teachers and school leaders to call off strike action and resume normal relations with government.
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A senior RTE executive has denied misleading a parliamentary committee over who knew what about a commercial deal at the heart of the payments crisis engulfing the broadcaster.

Interim deputy director general Adrian Lynch insisted he had been completely truthful in his evidence to the Public Accounts Committee when challenged on an email that some committee members claimed directly contradicted RTEs narrative on the contentious agreement involving star presenter Ryan Tubridy and car company Renault.

Former Late Late Show host Tubridy has been off air from his weekday radio show since the payments scandal broke last month and his future at the broadcaster remains in serious doubt.

New RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst told the committee on Thursday that the organisation had not yet paid an invoice received from the star this week due to uncertainty over what his salary rate should be, as he is currently between contracts.

An agent for Tubridy told the PAC on Tuesday that an email from former chief financial officer Breda OKeeffe, which was circulated among several other RTE executives, makes a clear reference to RTE underwriting the Renault deal.

Agent Noel Kelly claimed the email fatally undermines RTEs contention that senior colleagues of former director general Dee Forbes were unaware of her commitment to underwrite the agreement.

Ms Forbes quit last month amid the fall out from the undisclosed payments furore.

Mr Lynch faced robust questions from Sinn Fein TD Imelda Munster about the email on Thursday and specifically on his assertion at a previous committee hearing that members of RTEs executive team had provided guarantees they knew nothing about the underwriting agreement.

I did not mislead this committee, he replied.

RTE has been rocking since admitted it had underdeclared Tubridys earnings by 345,000 euro (295,000) from the years 2017 to 2022.

Of that amount, 225,000 relates to three 75,000 annual payments received by Tubridy for proposed public appearances for Renault, as part of a tripartite agreement involving the sponsor, RTE and the presenter.

The most controversial aspect of the deal was RTEs decision to underwrite the payments, which effectively resulted in the publicly funded broadcaster stumping up to cover the costs.

In year one this was done by issuing a 75,000 credit note to Renault in exchange for the motoring company paying Tubridy, and in years two and three, when Renault were no longer involved, by paying Tubridy from its own funds using a UK-based commercial barter account.

Mr Lynch insisted the February 2020 email from Ms OKeeffe did not contain a legally binding commitment from RTE to underwrite the deal.

He said that was done in a verbal commitment by Ms Forbes three months later.

He said when he had previously referred to fellow executives lack of knowledge of the underwriting, he was specifically talking about the verbal commitment given by Ms Forbes in May 2020.

I was completely truthful in everything I said, he said.

I was referring specifically to May 7, 2020 which is the verbal agreement between Dee Forbes and Noel Kelly to underwrite it.

Ms Munster challenged his assertion, saying: You were giving inaccurate information in relation to who knew and who didnt know.

Mr Lynch also apologised to Renault over the fact it had been dragged into the middle of the controversy.

He insisted the agreement between the car company, RTE and Tubridy was central to negotiations around the stars wider contract with the broadcaster.

The interim deputy director general also challenged Mr Kellys claim that he did not know that Renault had not renewed years two and three of the commercial deal.

Mr Lynch also contested a further claim from Mr Kelly that he had not met Ms Forbes alone without lawyers and finance personnel being present.

Mr Lynch highlighted a Microsoft Teams call on April 25 2022 that only involved Ms Forbes and Mr Kelly.

He said this came in the context of Mr Kelly contacting RTE on several occasions earlier that year looking for the two 75,000-euro invoices for years two and three to be paid.

Mr Lynch said Mr Kelly wrote an email to Ms Forbes after their call requesting that then commercial director Geraldine OLeary send him the invoicing details.

At that point in time in April, who did Mr Kelly think he was sending the invoices to, given the fact that Geraldine OLeary has clearly said the Renault deal was for one year, he said.

Mr Lynch also apologised to the committee for not bringing the email to the attention of PAC members earlier.

Mr Bakhurst, who stood down the RTE executive board in first day in the job, insisted he retained confidence in his interim deputy director general.

I have absolute confidence in him, Ive seen hes done an incredibly diligent job, he said.

Mr Bakhurst said RTE should not be brokering or facilitating commercial arrangements with its contractors going forward, and that the level of fees in these contracts are too high.

I am absolutely determined to implement the change and reform which will help us draw a line under this shameful period in RTEs history and to rebuild trust in public service broadcasting, he said.

Of the other 120,000 euro of undeclared payments involved in the controversy, these relate to Tubridys salary across the years 2017-19.

In extraordinary back-to-back committee appearance on Tuesday, the presenter claimed he was not overpaid by this amount and blamed the misreporting on an accountancy error in how RTE had logged a loyalty fee he had waived.

At the PAC committee on Thursday, Mr Bakhurst pledged to change and reform the broadcaster after what he called one of the most shameful moments in its history.

He said it was completely unacceptable that the public and politicians were misled and the various payments were not properly declared.

The crisis at the broadcaster has widened out from underdeclared pay to Mr Tubridy to RTEs internal financial, accounting and governance practices and its expenditure on corporate hospitality for advertising clients.

The Government has launched two external reviews into RTE, has announced a forensic accountant Mazars to look into RTEs accounts, and has paused discussions on a new long-term funding arrangement for the broadcaster.

At a protest held outside RTE offices on Wednesday, staff expressed concern that the fallout from the controversy could lead to a drop in commercial revenues from advertising and fewer people paying the obligatory TV licence fee.

Mr Bakhurst said RTEs commercial partners have so far stuck with the broadcaster.

The feedback from them is that they think were dealing with this and they see the commercial side as business as usual and RTE remains a valued customer and brand for them, he said.

Mr Bakhurst said licence fee figures for June were largely in line with the year before but acknowledged they could take a hit going forward.

I would expect this to be a little bit bumpy here because I understand the anger out there, he said.

Chairwoman of the RTE Board Siun Ni Raghallaigh, who also appeared before the committee, credited Mr Bakhurst with steadying the ship of RTE by taking swift action on a range of important matters  including setting up a register of interests for staff and contractors.
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RTEs director-general is taking legal advice over his decision not to pay the most recent invoice for Ryan Tubridys services to the organisation.

The Irish national broadcaster has been embroiled in controversy for weeks after it announced that it had under-reported Tubridys salary and failed to declare hundreds of thousands of euros in additional payments to him.

Tubridy normally hosts a radio programme every weekday but has not been on air since the scandal emerged.

The contractual position of the presenter is in dispute after he stepped down from his television duties earlier this year.

The legal advice is we need to find a proper negotiated way of paying him Kevin Bakhurst

RTE said it had suspended renegotiation of the contract down to radio-only services which were under way when the hidden payments were revealed.

Kevin Bakhurst, who took up the position of director-general on Monday, told the Public Accounts Committee that Tubridy had not yet been paid for his most recent invoice for services.

Asked what salary Tubridy is being paid, Mr Bakhurst said: Well have to continue discussions with Mr Tubridys agent about that because clearly hes not doing his TV programme any more.

He should be available for radio so we have not settled on exactly what he should be being paid at the moment but well be paying the appropriate amount once weve confirmed.

Asked if any salary was currently being paid to Tubridy, Mr Bakhurst said: As of this week, no. Because we need to agree what the level of that is.

As I understand it, the latest invoice came in this week and my advice is we need to decide exactly what were paying him because hes not doing his past duties any more, so thats currently a process going on.

RTE has not announced whether Tubridy will return to the airwaves.

The director-general said there will be a fair process around a decision on Ryan Tubridys future at the broadcaster and this would happen as quickly as possible.

Mr Bakhurst said he wants to speak to key members of radio staff and the interim leadership team before he makes the decision.

He said he wants to be fair to Ryan but had acknowledged he had not spoken to the presenter.

After the committee, he was asked by reporters if he was concerned that his decision not to pay the invoice would result in legal action.

Im taking proper legal advice on that, he said. The legal advice is we need to find a proper negotiated way of paying him.

Earlier at the committee, Mr Bakhurst was also asked about an offer from Tubridy to pay back two payments at the centre of the scandal.

Tubridy, RTE and Renault entered into a tripartite agreement which involved the star presenter receiving payment for attending three events for the car manufacturer.

However, in addition, RTE had verbally agreed to underwrite the deal in the event a commercial sponsor could not be found for subsequent years.

The national broadcaster said Renault was not involved in the deal after year one.

RTE executives previously explained that Renault paid Tubridy the first 75,000 euro payment, while two other 75,000 euro payments were from RTE, as it had underwritten the amounts due  in what TDs were previously told was a verbal-only agreement made on a Microsoft Teams meeting in May 2020.

On Thursday, acting deputy director-general Adrian Lynch said it was RTEs position that the agreement was central to negotiations around Tubridys wider contract with the broadcaster.

Mr Lynch also challenged a claim from Tubridys agent Noel Kelly that he did not know Renault had not renewed years two and three of the commercial deal.

In relation to some of the commentary made here on Tuesday last, RTE must clarify the proposal to underwrite these payments was central to the contractual negotiations between RTE and Mr Tubridy, he said.

We believe that the substantive contract would not have been signed without the additional commercial agreements or the underwriting.

Moreover, we contend that the payments of 75,000 per year for year two and three of the commercial contract were pursued by NK Management (Mr Kellys company) despite it knowing that the Renault contract was no longer in place.

Mr Kelly had also told parliamentary committees on Tuesday that six events were still owed to a commercial partner under the second and third year of the arrangement, while Tubridy said: If that work is not called upon to be done, of course the money goes back.

On Thursday, Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe asked RTEs leadership if it was credible that Mr Kelly believed Renault was making all the payments rather than the broadcaster.

Mr Lynch said: The commercial director was not asking Renault to deliver another six events. On that basis, Im not quite sure what he was thinking.

Mr Bakhurst said he would welcome a repayment of the two 75,000 euro payments from Tubridy and his agent, but added there is probably no legal obligation for them to do so.

Asked by Alan Dillon TD if RTE would look to recoup the money, Mr Bakhurst said: Yes.

Additionally, Mr Bakhurst and Mr Lynch said no legal papers have been served on the national broadcaster on behalf of Tubridy amid the payments scandal.
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A record number of British school leavers have applied to study computing courses at university, figures show.

The number of applications to computing by 18-year-olds in the UK has risen by 9.5% since last year  making it the seventh most popular course to study, according to the university admissions service Ucas.

Ucas chief executive Clare Marchant suggested that students are becoming increasingly inspired to study computing due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and advances in digital technology.

As of June 30  the final deadline to apply to up to five courses simultaneously  there were 94,870 applications to computing from 18-year-olds in the UK, up from 86,630 last year and 71,150 in 2021.

The number of applications from British school leavers to computing courses  including artificial intelligence  has increased in the past year.

Teenagers in the UK know that AI will change the world forever; it shouldnt surprise us to see this soaring demand for computing degrees Rashik Parmar, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

It comes as AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, have been making headlines.

The number of applications from British school leavers to study software engineering has increased by 16% compared to the same point last year, while computer science (up 11%), artificial intelligence (up 4%) and computer games and animation (up 2%) have also seen applications rise on last year.

But computing remains a male-dominated field, Ucas said, with only 18% of all applications from 18-year-olds in the UK made by females.

Ms Marchant said: We know that changes in the world around us translate into increased demand for certain courses, as we saw for economics post-2008, and for medicine and nursing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

These new figures suggest students are becoming increasingly inspired to study computing thanks to the rise of digital and AI.

Overall, the figures show there have been 195,690 applications to computing from applicants of all ages and from all countries  which is up 9% on 2022.

Rashik Parmar, chief executive of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, said: Teenagers in the UK know that AI will change the world forever; it shouldnt surprise us to see this soaring demand for computing degrees.

AI is already reshaping how cancer is diagnosed, how we tackle climate change, how we work and how we communicate.

The thousands of young men and women applying for computing through Ucas do so because they want a say in this future.

These new figures suggest students are becoming increasingly inspired to study computing thanks to the rise of digital and AI Ucas chief executive Clare Marchant

The figures show that the overall number of 18-year-old school and college leavers in the UK applying to undergraduate courses has fallen this year.

A total of 319,570 18-year-olds from across the UK have applied to courses this year, compared to the record high of 326,190 in 2022.

Ucas said a range of factors are influencing applications  including geopolitics, the economy and job market, and rising cost of living.

The number of international applicants, of all ages, has increased by 2.4% in the last year, which is driven by interest from India, the Middle East and Africa.

Meanwhile, applicants from China are down by 2.2% which Ucas said is most likely due to Covid-19 restrictions and disruption to learning.

In a blog on the Higher Education Policy Institutes (HEPI) website, Ms Marchant said that although there is an increase in the number of international students this year, their overall offer rates are about the same as last year.

She said: The ratio between domestic and international students being placed at UK institutions remains relatively constant, with about 13% of all accepted students from outside the UK  so there remains plenty of choice available to domestic students.

On this years decline in the number of applicants from China, Ms Marchant added: Early indications from upcoming Ucas research suggests that demand will recover, countering suggestions that we may be close to peak China.
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Watch as Egypt hosts a summit of Sudans neighbours to discuss ways to end a 12-week conflict between rival Sudanese military factions that has triggered a major humanitarian crisis.

The summit on Thursday 13 July comes as the UK imposes sanctions on firms linked to warring forces, with foreign secretary James Cleverly saying Britain could not sit by and watch as money from the firms helped fund the Sudan conflict.

Measures apply to three businesses associated with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and three to its rival in the power struggle, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The action comes with the conflict between the regular army and the paramilitary RSF threatening to spiral into a full-blown civil war.

These sanctions are directly targeting those whose actions have destroyed the lives of millions, Mr Cleverly said.

Both sides have committed multiple ceasefire violations in a war, which is completely unjustified. Innocent civilians continue to face the devastating effects of the hostilities, and we simply cannot afford to sit by and watch as money from these companies, all funding the RSF or SAF, is spent on a senseless conflict.
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The bodies of dozens of people allegedly killed by Sudanese paramilitary and allied militia have been uncovered in a mass grave in West Darfur, the United Nations has said.

According to credible information obtained by the UN Human Rights Office, the bodies of the 87 people, some of whom belong to the ethnic African Masalit tribe, were dumped in a one-metre shallow grave just outside the city of El Geneina.

Ethnically motivated bloodshed has escalated in recent weeks in step with fighting between rival military factions that erupted in April and has brought the country to the brink of civil war. In El Geneina, witnesses and rights groups have reported waves of attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary faction and Arab militias against the non-Arab Masalit people, including shootings at close range.

Local people were forced to dispose of the bodies including those of women and children in an open area near the city between 20 June and 21 June, the a UN statement said. Some of the people had died from untreated injuries, it said.

"I condemn in the strongest terms the killing of civilians and hors de combat individuals, and I am further appalled by the callous and disrespectful way the dead, along with their families and communities, were treated," said the UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk in the same statement. He called for a prompt and thorough investigation. It was not possible to determine exactly what portion of the dead were ethnic Masalits, a UN spokesperson added.

An RSF senior official who declined to be identified said it "completely denies any connection to the events in West Darfur as we are not party to it, and we did not get involved in a conflict as the conflict is a tribal one." Another RSF source said it was being accused due to political motivations from the Masalit and others. He reiterated that the group was ready to participate in an investigation and to hand over any of its forces found to have broken the law.

The ethnic killings have raised fears of a repeat of the atrocities perpetuated in Darfur after 2003, when "Janjaweed" militias from which the RSF was formed helped the government crush a rebellion by mainly non-Arab groups in Darfur, killing some 300,000 people.

This report is a good first step, but more efforts are needed to uncover more violations, said Ibrahim, a refugee in neighbouring Chad, who asked to withhold his last name for fear of retribution.

Army spokesperson Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah claimed that the incident "rises to the level of war crimes and these kinds of crimes should not pass without accountability."

"This rebel militia is not against the army but against the Sudanese citizen, and [its] a project of ethnic cleansing," he said.

Reuters
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Mozambique's former finance minister pleaded not guilty in a U.S. federal court in New York on Thursday in connection with a $2 billion corruption and money laundering scandal that prosecutors said defrauded American investors and threatened to further destabilize the economy of one of the world's poorest countries.

Manuel Chang served as finance minister from 2005 to 2015 for Mozambique, a country of 31 million on Africas southern coast on the Indian Ocean. He was ordered detained until at least October, when his attorneys argue for a dismissal of his case.

Chang is accused of receiving bribes of up to $18 million during a scheme that secured loans for Mozambican state-owned companies from foreign banks and financiers for maritime projects. The money was looted through kickbacks and other corrupt dealings, according to U.S. prosecutors.

Until his extradition to the United States Wednesday, Chang had been held in South Africa after being arrested in Johannesburg in 2018 on a U.S. warrant.

He is relieved to be here, his lawyer, Adam Ford, said after the arraignment in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn.

He had fought his extradition to the U.S., and the Mozambican governments own attempts to have Chang face trial in Mozambique had been dismissed by several South African courts. Some groups opposed his return to his own country because of concerns that he would likely be treated leniently.

In a letter a month ago to U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis, one of Changs attorneys sought to have the case dismissed, asserting that Changs right to a speedy trial had been violated.

Ford has called the charges meritless and asserted that Chang would be acquitted  like another key figure in the alleged scheme who was acquitted by a U.S. jury in 2019.

The judge raised that point in court Thursday, but was persuaded by the prosecution's suggestion that another jury might see things differently.

In 2019, a federal jury acquitted co-defendant Jean Boustini, a Lebanese national who worked for a Middle Eastern shipbuilding company, who was accused by American authorities of fraud related to $200 million in bribes and kickbacks as part of the broader scheme.

The scandal centers on loans totaling $2 billion that were supposed to go toward purchasing fishing vessels and naval patrol boats to bolster Mozambiques fishing industry. But prosecutors say the investments never happened.

The scandal caused a financial crisis in Mozambique when the International Monetary Fund withdrew its support for the country after the so-called hidden debts were revealed in 2016.

In 2021, Swiss bank Credit Suisse agreed to pay at least $475 million to British and American authorities to settle bribery and kickback allegations stemming from their involvement with the corrupt loans.

At least 10 people have already been convicted and sentenced to prison by a Mozambican court over the scandal, including Ndambi Guebuza, the son of former Mozambican president Armando Guebuza. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for receiving up to $33 million from the corrupt deal.

___

Associated Press Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
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Dramatic footage has captured the police response to the targeted shooting of a Tennessee surgeon by a patient inside an exam room.

Larry Pickens, 29, has been charged with first-degree murder of Benjamin Mauck at Campbell Clinic Orthopedics in Collierville on Tuesday and is due to be arraigned on Thursday morning.

Police say the suspect lay in wait for several hours at the health centre before shooting Mauck with a handgun in front of other patients and staff.

Footage obtained by WREG shows armed police officers going door-to-door at the clinic minutes after the shooting.

He fled, he fled, hes not in there, a witness can be heard telling the officers. He had a gun and he came running out.

As police swarm the clinic, patients keep their arms raised and continue to provide the officers with information.

Dr Benjamin Mauck was fatally shot by a patient in an exam room at the Campbell Clinic in Memphis (Campbell Clinic)

Suddenly, the armed officers run out of the front doors of the clinic as sirens blare.

The suspect was arrested outside the clinic about five minutes after the shooting without incident, Collierville Police Chief Mike Lane said.

Mr Pickens, who had no criminal record prior to Tuesdays shooting, was being held on $1.2m bail ahead of his first appearance at the Collierville Town Court on Thursday.

Larry Pickens, 29, has been charged with the first-degree murder of Collierville surgeon Benjamin Mauck (Collierville Police Department )

Mauck, a 43-year-old specialist hand, wrist and elbow surgeon, was remembered by colleagues, patients and friends as a beloved colleague and a dedicated physician.

The married father of two had worked at Campbell Clinic Orthopedics since 2012. He was also director of the Congenital Hand Deformities Clinic Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital, where he told Memphis magazine operated on children with congenital defects.

He was named on Memphis magazines 2023 Top Doctors List just last week.

Cancer survivor Josh Jacobs told WREG he credited Mauck with saving his life. Mr Jacobs was referred to the surgeon after he noticed a bump on his hand, which was later diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

He told the news site that Mauck performed the operation to remove one of his fingers.

Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari said in a statement that a patient had been threatening to harm employees at the clinic for the past week.

Ms Akbari called for stricter gun regulations in the wake of the shooting.
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Bodycam footage has captured the moment a Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy punches a woman twice in the face as she holds her three-month-old daughter.

The mother was pulled over for driving without headlights in Palmdale, north of Los Angeles, just before midnight on 13 July last year, Sheriff Robert Luna told a press conference on Wednesday.

According to Sheriff Luna, deputies smelled alcohol as they approached the car and arrested three female passengers who were each holding unrestrained babies, as well as the driver, on felony child endangerment.

The edited bodycam footage shows a stand-off lasting several minutes, as the mother tells deputies: Youre not taking my baby.

A female deputy then asks her: Are you going to give up the baby nicely, or am I going to have the grab him, and theyre going to grab your hands?

When the mother warns they are going to break the childs leg, another deputy appears to punch the woman twice in the face.

A woman holding her baby was punched by an Los Angeles County Sheriffs Deputy during a traffic stop (NBC News)

The deputies then take the infant away, and handcuff the mother.

Sheriff Luna said the officers actions were completely unacceptable, and said he had referred the case to the county district attorneys office for possible prosecution. The FBI has also been notified.

The deputy, who has not been identified, has been relieved of field duty pending the outcome of the investigation, Sheriff Luna said.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna (Associated Press)

Its the second time in two weeks Sheriff Luna has criticised the use of force in the Antelope Valley area, 80 miles (130kms) north of downtown LA.

Last week, two deputies were removed from field duty after video emerged showing one violently tackling a woman while she filmed a man being handcuffed, before pepper-spraying her in the face on 24 June.

In both cases, Sheriff Luna said he had only recently learned of the footage.

The former Long Beach Police Department chief was elected sheriff in December last year after defeating controversy-plagued Alex Villanueva.
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Larry Nassar was stabbed in his prison cell in a blindspot not covered by surveillance cameras, a new report claims.

The former US womens gymnastics doctor, 59, suffered serious injuries after he was stabbed in the neck, back and chest by a fellow inmate armed with a makeshift weapon at the high-security United States Penitentiary Coleman in Florida on Sunday.

A source told the Associated Press that prison cameras only record common areas and corridors, and that Nassars stabbing had been an unwitnessed event.

Guards performed life-saving measures on Nassar before he was taken to hospital, where he is in a stable condition after suffering a collapsed lung, the AP reported.

Nassars stabbing came weeks after a bombshell report described chronic failures by the Bureau of Prisons over the suicide of Jeffrey Epstein in 2019, and Unabomber Ted Kaczynskis suicide at a North Carolina federal medical centre.

A scathing report by the Department of Justices Inspector General found negligence, misconduct and poor job performance by corrections officers had enabled Epstein to take his own life at a Manhattan detention facility while awaiting trial for child sex trafficking.

Larry Nassar at his 2017 sentencing for sexually abusing young female athletes in his care (Associated Press)

In response to the report, Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters pledged to change hiring practices and end systemic abuse and corruption.

At the time of the attack on Nassar, two guards were working mandated overtime shifts due to low staffing levels, a source familiar with the incident told the Associated Press.

USP Coleman II, where Nassar was incarcerated, has 1,200 inmates and staffing guidelines state it should have 222 correctional officers. However, records obtained by the AP show that only 169 officers are currently employed there.

The former USA Gymnastics team doctor is serving between 40 and 175 years in prison for sexually abusing young female athletes in his care and possession of child pornography.

He was previously assaulted at a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona, in May 2018 within hours of being placed in the general population.

Last month, the release of a trove of 4,000 pages of documents related to Epsteins death revealed the disgraced financier wrote to Nassar weeks before his death.

The letter was found returned in the jails mailroom weeks after Epsteins death.
 Close Furniture thrown out of Ceasars palace window as police respond to hostage situation

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The suspect in a dramatic hostage situation at the Caesars Palace hotel in Las Vegas threatened his landlord in Colorado before going on a drug binge that unfolded in Tuesdays incident, according to police records.

Matthew Mannix, 35, had an outstanding warrant in his home state of Colorado before he allegedly took a woman hostage at the famous resort. The warrant stemmed from Mr Mannix allegedly threatening his landlord not to mess with him because he was a killer and a hunter, according to Jefferson County court records obtained by FOX 31.

The landlord also told law enforcement that Mr Mannix was in possession of a firearm, which led to four weapons being seized from his home. Due to his previous criminal history, which includes four protection orders against him, he is barred from owning any type of firearm.

Mr Mannix was contacted by the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office but failed to meet with deputies, prompting law enforcement to issue a fugitive warrant.

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments affidavit for his arrest, both Mr Mannix and the hostage victim, who was not named but was described as having been in an on-and-off relationship with her alleged captor, were suspected of having experienced drug-induced schizophrenia.

A SWAT standoff was launched after Mr Mannix allegedly forced the woman into his room before threatening to shoot someone if they entered. Mr Mannix was taken into custody about five hours later.

He appeared in court on Wednesday where a judge set his bail at $750,000.
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The suspect in a hostage standoff at Caesars Palace has been identified as 35-year-old fugitive Matthew Mannix, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

A probable cause affidavit obtained by The Independent revealed that Mr Mannix was experiencing drug-induced schizophrenia when he allegedly held a 26-year-old woman hostage inside a room on the 21st floor of the resort on Tuesday. Hotel security first informed authorities of a domestic dispute in room 2128 around 9.30 PDT.

Mr Mannix was arrested nearly five hours later after allegedly claiming that he had a magazine full of rounds and would pull the trigger  no mention of firearms recovered from the scene was made in official records. He was charged with kidnapping in the first degree, coercion with force, destroying property, resisting arrest without a firearm and disregard for the safety of a person.

Following Mr Mannixs arrest, the hostage victim told law enforcement that she was afraid to leave the room because her alleged captor had a knife and she also thought he would throw her out of the window he broke in the room. According to the incident report, Mr Mannix and the victim previously knew each other and had been experiencing a transient lifestyle on the Las Vegas strip and binging on narcotics for several days.

As crisis negotiators talked with Mr Mannix, he allegedly spoke over the woman and threatened to cut her tongue out of her mouth so she wouldnt engage with law enforcement at the scene. After she was rescued, police noted that the victim had cuts and bruises on her legs, some of which could have been caused by a beating.

Employees at Caesars Palace first tried to check on the guests after receiving several complaints of noise coming out of room 2128, which they believed to be a domestic dispute.

Matthew Mannix has been identified as the suspect in Tuesdays standoff at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas (LVMPD)

When security approached the room, they reportedly found a man believed to be Mr Mannix barricaded inside and threatening to shoot someone if police tried to breach the room. The threats continued and at some point, a female also yelled that the man had a knife.

Las Vegas Police, a SWAT team and medical responders arrived at the scene to handle the hostage situation. Mr Mannix reportedly refused to let the 26-year-old woman out of the room and continued to open and close the door while allegedly threatening to pull the trigger.

The woman eventually attempted to reach the door, but Mr Mannix then allegedly dragged her to the bed as he body slammed her ... and began to have intercourse with her.

Mr Mannix is also accused of throwing large objects out of the window of his hotel room, sending guests on the pool deck running for cover. Bystander video showed broken glass and debris littering various decks at the Caesars as guests ran for safety.

A police officer looks out of a broken window on a hotel tower at Caesars Palace hotel-casino, Tuesday, July 11, 2023 (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

An investigator noted that the pool deck was left littered with furniture and glass and the property damage inside the room was some of the most severe I have seen in my 18 years as a detective. The damage caused is estimated to be upwards of $50,000.

Mr Mannix was finally taken into custody at 2.40pm PDT. He reportedly told investigators during questioning that the victim was her girlfriend and he loved her and that he would pay for everything that he damaged.

[Mr Mannix] was so high that he was paranoid and had a schizophrenic episode where he was yelling random comments and numbers and saying that he would pay for everything because he has a lot of money, the affidavit read.

Las Vegas police also said that Mr Mannix is wanted in Colorado and has four protection orders against him.

He appeared in court on Wednesday and his bail was set at $750,000.

Mr Mannix is being held at the Clark County Detention Center.
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The US Department of Justice appears to be seeking longer prison sentences for eight members of a far-right anti-government militia group convicted of treason-related charges in connection with the January 6 attack.

Federal prosecutors have filed brief documents in the cases of Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and other members of the group whose prison sentences were set below what the government asked a judge to impose.

In documents leading up to his sentencing in May, prosecutors wanted Rhodes jailed for 25 years, arguing in court filings that the need to deter others is especially strong because he engaged in acts that were intended to influence the government through intimidation or coercion.

In other words, terrorism, prosecutors wrote.

Rhodes was ultimately sentenced to 18 years in prison on 25 May.

Kelly Meggs received a sentence of 12 years. Prosecutors sought 21.

Our notice merely preserves our ability to appeal, Patricia Hartman, spokesperson for the US Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia, said in a statement to CNN, which first reported the appeal.

The filing did not provide a reasoning or legal arguments for the notice, but the appeal will keep alive a case that has tested the scope of the rare charge of seditious conspiracy  what US District Judge Amit Mehta warned Rhodes is among the most serious crimes an American can commit when he handed down his 18-year sentence.

You, sir, present an ongoing threat and a peril to this country and its democracy and the very fabric of this country, the judge said during the sentencing hearing. You are smart, you are compelling, and you are charismatic. Frankly, that is what makes you dangerous.

The sentences for Rhodes and Meggs were the first ever to find that a defendant involved with the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January, 2021 was tantamount to terrorism and warranted an upward departure under sentencing guidelines, according to the Justice Department.

After the sentences were handed down, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said the sentences reflect the grave threat the actions of these defendants posed to our democratic institutions.

More than a dozen people have been charged with seditious conspiracy in connection with the Capitol riots.
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The gunman who killed 11 people at a Pittsburghsynagogue in 2018 is eligible for the death penalty, a jury ruled on Thursday.

White supremacist Robert Bowers stormed the Tree of Life synagogue armed with an AR-15 and three handguns on 27 October 2018, killing worshippers as they began Sabbath worship in what was the deadliest antisemitic attack in US history.

The 50-year-old truck driver from Baldwin, Pennsylvania, was convicted last month on 63 counts including obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death and use of a firearm to commit murder.

A jury took less than two hours to decide that Bowers was eligible for the death penalty, according to the Associated Press.

To reach the verdict, the jury had to answer three questions: whether the gunman was over 18, if he had intent, and whether there were one or more aggravating factors.

The trial now moves onto a sentence selection phase where jurors must decide whether he is sentenced to life in prison or death, where victims family members will present impact statements.

The majority of those who lost loved ones have said they support the death penalty.

Prosecutors had argued that Bowers meticulously planned the attack for six months and deliberately chose vulnerable victims, including 97-year-old Rose Ballinger who was shot dead next to her daughter.

Experts called by Bowers defence attorneys said he had a long history of mental illness, was committed to psychiatric hospitals by the age of 13, and had acted out delusions without any intent to commit murder, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

A Star of David hangs outside the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh where 11 worshippers were shot dead in 2018 (Associated Press)

His attorneys argued that Bowers suffered from schizophrenia, epilepsy and a delusional belief that he was trying to stop a genocide of white people by killing Jewish people.

Jurors heard conflicting testimony from doctors about whether medical scans showed Bowers had suffered significant brain damage.

Experts for the defence told the court that Bowers had significant brain damage, and was unable to manage emotions, stress and conflict.

Prosecution witnesses countered that the scans showed largely normal brain activity.
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An elderly man has been killed and two other people injured in a hit-and-run by a driver trying to flee the Secret Service in Washington DC.

The tragic incident unfolded just before 1.30pm on Wednesday close to the National Mall when uniformed Secret Service agents spotted a vehicle with an expired registration.

Secret Service spokesperson Lt Paul Mayhair said that the officers tried to pull the Honda Accord over at the intersection of 17th Street NW and Constitution Avenue, next to the Ellipse.

Initially, the unidentified driver indicated that they would pull over but then suddenly sped off south along 17th Street NW, crossing through a red traffic light and striking three pedestrians who were walking across the crosswalk, authorities said.

An eyewitness told NBC Washington that he was standing by the intersection at the time of the crash and saw the 75-year-old man thrown into the air when the car hit him.

The victim landed on the hood before the driver allegedly ran over him again and then fled the scene.

All of a sudden, it just hit the guy. The guy flew up  I saw him when he was flying up. He came down on the hood, said the unnamed witness.

All of a sudden, he backed up a little bit and ran over him again and kept on continuing down until the light.

The Secret Service agents rendered aid to the victims  including a 75-year-old man and a 13-year-old girl  on the scene.

The elderly man was then rushed to hospital in critical condition where he died from his injuries. The other two victims suffered minor injuries.

The suspect, whose identity is still unknown, managed to get away in the chaos and is still believed to be on the run as of Thursday morning.

Authorities are now looking for the suspect and for the blue 2006 Honda Accord with Virginia tags 8718BE used in the hit-and-run.

Police tape on scene of deadly hit-and-run (NBC News)

An alert has been issued to law enforcement agencies in the area to be on the lookout.

Anyone with information is urged to call 911 immediately.

The incident comes just weeks after a 19-year-old crashed a U-Haul van into the barricades outside the White House.

Sai Varshith Kandula, from Missouri, was arrested on the scene by Secret Service agents who found he was carrying a Nazi flag in the van.

Investigators say Mr Kandula plotted the attack for six months in an attempt to try to seize power from the government.
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Plans to demolish the home where four University of Idaho students were murdered last year have been paused.

The delay follows requests from family members of the victims that the decision is revisited in October, when the only suspect in the case, 28-year-old Bryan Kohberger, is expected to face trial. Mr Kohberger is accused of brutally stabbing Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin to death in the early morning hours of 13 November.

The owner of the property donated it to the school after the killings, and the university announced earlier this year that it was planning to demolish the home. University spokesperson Jodi Walker previously told The Idaho Statesman that the school wanted the house gone before the start of the fall semester.

But Shannon Gray, an attorney representing Goncalves family, said in an email to the newspaper that the home itself has enormous evidentiary value as well as being the largest, and one of the most important, pieces of evidence in the case.

Although the prosecution and the defence did not object to having the house demolished before the trial, the university said in a memo on Wednesday that it will pause the process and revisit the decision in October.

In response to this tragedy, we have tried to do what is right, knowing full well there are no actions or decisions that will be, met with full support, the memo, obtained by KHQ, read. This is why the decision about what to do with the King Road house is so difficult.

It continued: There are people who want the house taken down because it brings a constant reminder of the heinous acts that happened inside.

Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were stabbed to death on 13 November inside the young womens rental home (Instagram/Kaylee Goncalves)

On the other hand, there are people who are grieving that worry that the demolition of the house could impact the court case.

With all this in mind, the university has decided to pause demolition and revisit the decision in October.

Mr Kohberger previously refused to enter a plea at his arraignment on four charges of first-degree murder and one charge of burglary. His attorney said that he was standing silent on the charges, leaving the judge to enter not-guilty pleas on his behalf.

Mr Kohbergers trial is scheduled for 2 October, but the date is expected to be delayed following his defences filings.
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CNN has apologised to transgender influencerDylan Mulvaney after misgendering her twice in an on-air segment discussing the right-wing backlash to her Bud Light partnership.

On Tuesday, CNN National Correspondent Ryan Young incorrectly referred to the 26-year-old using the pronouns he/him  a mistake neither he nor anchor Kate Bolduan corrected at the time.

The two journalists were discussing the boycott of Bud Light after the beer brand entered into a sponsorship deal with Mulvaney back in April.

Right-wing figures such as Kid Rock sparked a transphobic backlash and vowed to stop drinking the beer because of its collaboration with the transgender star.

The beer brand then faced further backlash from liberals and Mulvaneys fans who condemned it for not supporting her enough in the furore.

In a CNN News Central segment, Ms Bolduan pointed out that, amid the controversy, sales of Americas best-selling beer plunged a dramatic 28 percent in the last month alone.

Mr Young then joined to reveal a number of interviews he had done on the topic  stopping people in bars in Nashville and Chicago and asking them their opinions on th matter.

One man in the show said that he supported the boycott: Its quite simple: people just dont want it shoved down their throat.

A woman adopted a similar tone, saying: No Bud Light, because its like, I have grandchildren. We dont need to put that in the young kids heads.

CNN host misgenders Dylan Mulvaney during segment on Bud Light boycott (CNN)

Meanwhile, another man did not support the boycott and instead recounted a moment where he was in a bar and other patrons dismissed a fellow patrons comments when he said he was no longer drinking the beer.

And everybody else in the bar kind of rolled their eyes at him, the man said.

Mr Young said he also heard from one bar which planned to stop serving Bud Light because they dont like the way Dylan Mulvaney was treated after this whole controversy started.

At this point, Mr Young then went on to explain who the transgender influencer is  but misgendered her in the process.

He, of course, is the transgender person they were going to sponsor and go along with, with Bud Light, he said.

But they didnt like how Bud Light didnt stand by him after all this.

Following the segment, CNN faced a backlash of its own, with social media users slamming the network for misgendering the social media star.

What horrible coverage and the pundit couldnt even correct the misgendering of Dylan. This makes me sad, one person tweeted.

On Wednesday, anchor Ms Bolduan addressed the mistake live on air and issued an apology to the influencer on behalf of the network.

Dylan Mulvaney attends The 76th Annual Tony Awards at United Palace Theater on June 11, 2023 (Getty Images)

Yesterday in a segment about transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, who was featured in Bud Lights recent campaign, she was mistakenly referred to by the wrong pronouns, she told viewers.

CNN aims to honor individuals ways of identifying themselves and we apologise for that error.

Mulvaney does not appear to have commented on the matter.

However, earlier this month, she did speak out to slam Bud Light for failing to support her amid the transphobic backlash of the last three months.

For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse, in my opinion, than not hiring a trans person at all, she said in a TikTok video.

She later revealed she has left the US for Peru because she no longer feels safe in the current situation.
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A teenage couple in Plano, Texas, surrendered their newborn baby to a medical supply store after the mother unexpectedly gave birth.

An employee at the medical supply store, Hieline Mobility Solutions, said a teenage boy ran into the store asking for help after his girlfriend suddenly gave birth in a car in the parking lot.

When the employee went outside she found the teenage girl holding a baby who appeared to be less than an hour old.

I open the passenger door to see a young girl sitting there with a newborn baby in her lap, wrapped in a towel, employee Angela Owens told local news outlet KWTX.

The teenagers claimed they had no idea the girl was pregnant.

Ms Owens helped the couple and newborn while on the phone with 911. Meanwhile, another store employee, Tabatha Peri, rushed to help out the shocked couple by offering to get the teenage girl a wheelchair.

Ms Peri and Ms Owens said that they both have three children and could tell the teenagers were frightened and surprised.

Both employees explained to the young couple how they could surrender the baby at a Safe Haven location.

In Texas, Safe Haven laws, also known as Baby Moses laws allow mothers in crisis to relinquish their babies to specific locations where infants can be protected and provided medical care until a permanent home is found.

Locations include a hospital, fire station or EMS station.

However, the store employees feared the couple would not make it to the approved locations so Ms Peri and Ms Owens accepted the infant and offered to contact authorities.

There was no thought. It was like right place, right time, Ms Peri and Ms Owens said. It was being a mother. We had to do what we had to do.

The employees brought the infant to a hospital and tracked down the unexpecting parents to ensure they got help.

Local police told KWTX that the baby is in good condition.

It is unclear whether the Safe Haven law (also known as the Baby Moses law), which gives new parents 60 days to surrender their newborn to a fire station or hospital without repercussions, applies in this case.

CPS is still working with the parents to find the best possible solution, a spokesperson for Plano Police told USA Today.

Ms Peri said: I hope they dont end up in trouble because I feel like they did the right thing. Thats whats killing me right now.

Im proud of them for asking for help. That doesnt happen all the time, Ms Owens said.
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A cluster of tornadoes tore across the Chicago area overnight on Wednesday causing extensive damage, cancelling flights and leading thousands to take refuge at OHare Airport.

[A] tornado is on the ground, the National Weather Service posted online at 7.03pm local time. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.

Sirens could be heard wailing across the area as black, ominous clouds formed over the city.

At least eight tornadoes were reported in the city amid severe thunderstorms. Viral video posted to social media showed thousands of people sheltering at OHare after air traffic was halted.

All departures from OHare and Midway airports were grounded, resulting in delays to almost all outgoing flights, the Federal Aviation Administration reported.

The tornadoes ripped through at least four counties in northeastern Illinois, including Cook County where Chicago is located.

One cinder block building collapsed in an industrial district of McCook, 15 miles southwest of Chicago.

Trees were uprooted and roofs blown off in the towns of Countryside and La Grange, according to the National Weather Service.

While there was some property damage, there were noo immediate reports of injuries or fatalities, authorities said.

Storm clouds pass over downtown Chicago and the Bronzeville neighborhood of the city heading East out over Lake Michigan (AP)

Earlier Wednesday, the weather services Storm Prediction Center had said there was an enhanced risk for severe weather, including tornadoes in northern Illinois, including Chicago.

Brett Borchardt, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service, confirmed to WGN-TV that multiple tornadoes touched down across the Chicago area. He said surveying the damage will likely take days.

Over the years many tornadoes have struck in the Chicago metropolitan area, and several have hit within the city limits of Chicago, according to the National Weather Service. Between 1855 and 2021, the weather service recorded 97 significant tornadoes in the Chicago metro area.

The deadliest formed in Palos Hills in Cook County on April 21, 1967. The twister traveled 16 miles (26 kilometers) through Oak Lawn and the south side of Chicago, killing 33 people, injuring 500 and causing more than $50 million in damage, according to the weather service.

With Associated Press. This article has been updated
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President Joe Biden on Thursday said the US will remain a part of the Nato alliance in the future despite the threat of a second term in the White House for Donald Trump, who has reportedly expressed a desire to pull America out of the transatlantic alliance.

Speaking along Sauli Niinisto at the Finnish presidential palace in Helsinki, Mr Biden was asked by a Finnish reporter about the US Senates failure to pass legislation barring US presidents from ordering a unilateral withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty.

Pressed on what actions he will take to assure Finns that America would remain a reliable member of the alliance, he replied: I absolutely guarantee it. There is no question.

Theres overwhelming support from the American people. Theres overwhelming support from the members of the Congress, both House and Senate, in both parties, he added, though he conceded some extreme elements of the Republican Party feel differently.

Mr Biden said the US and her Nato allies would continue to stand together because the American people have known since the end of World War Two that unanimity among European and transatlantic partners is the best bet anyone could make for global security.

Continuing, the president interjected as the reporter attempted to ask his Finnish counterpart a question about political instability in the US to say that he knows its not possible to guarantee the future.

Im saying as sure as anything can possibly be said. about American foreign policy. We will stay connected to Nato, connected to Nato, beginning, middle, and end.

The presidents appearance in Helsinki and his statement of support for the Nato alliance comes roughly five years to the day that his predecessor, Mr Trump, stood in the same place alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and disparaged Americas intelligence apparatus, which had concluded that Mr Putin had ordered a campaign of interference to aid Mr Trump in the 2016 US presidential election.

Mr Trump, who throughout his four years in office exhibited disdain for Americas democratic allies and the Nato alliance, reportedly planned to pull the US out of Nato had he defeated Mr Biden in the 2020 election.

The twice-impeached ex-president, who is currently running for a second term while facing multiple criminal indictments, has similarly expressed a desire to halt US support for Ukraine, which has been a hallmark of Mr Bidens foreign policy.

Mr Biden, who appeared with Mr Niinisto following a summit meeting with other Nordic leaders, said the recent addition of Finland and the imminent addition of Sweden to the soon-to-be 32-member bloc will add significantly to the strength, security, and unanimity of the transatlantic alliance.

Nato makes the entire world stronger, he said.
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President Joe Biden says he is seriously considering a prisoner exchange with Russia for jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

Mr Biden said efforts were underway to free Mr Gershkovich, who has been detained for more than 100 days on bogus espionage charges, at a joint press conference with Finnish president Sauli Niinisto in Helsinki on Thursday.

Im serious about prisoner exchange, Mr Biden said in response to a question from a Wall Street Journal reporter.

Im serious about doing all we can to free Americans being illegally held in Russia or anywhere else for that matter. And that process is underway.

Mr Gershkovich, 31, was detained by officers from Russias FSB spy agency in the city of Yekaterinburg on suspicion of spying for the US on 29 March.

The Wall Street Journal and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken have emphatically denied the allegations, while the State Department has designated him as wrongfully detained.

A Russian court has since extended his pretrial detention until 30 August. The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

Evan Gershkovich has been locked up in a Russian prison for more than 100 days (AP)

Mr Gershkovich, the son of Jewish immigrants who grew up in the Soviet Union, had been covering Russian affairs for the Journal in the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier this week, his parents Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich told ABC News that Mr Biden had promised to do whatever it takes to bring their son home.

The Kremlin last week said they were in contact with US officials about a potential prisoner swap for Mr Gershkovich.

On the 100th day of his incarceration last Friday, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that US officials were speaking with their Russian counterparts to try to secure his release.

We are prepared to do hard things in order to get our citizens home, including getting Evan home. I do not want to give false hope.

On 3 July, US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy visited Mr Gershkovich for the first time since April.

US authorities freed US basketball star Brittney Griner in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout last December.
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A group of men who helped establish Fox News say they now believe the conservative broadcaster has become a disinformation machine thats destabilising democracy.

In a blog post on Wednesday, Preston Padden, a former lobbyist for the company, Ken Solomon, a former distribution executive, and Bill Reyner, a former lawyer for the then-nascent cable network, all offered a mea culpa.

We never envisioned, and would not knowingly have enabled, the disinformation machine that, in our opinion, Fox has become, the men wrote.

The Fox News logo is displayed outside Fox News Headquarters in New York, April 12, 2023

The Independent has contacted Fox News for comment.

The trio said that in the 1990s, as Rupert Murdoch was laying the groundwork to launch Fox News, they believed in his insurgent mission.

At the time of our work in the 1990s, we all greatly admired Rupert Murdoch and his vision and bold efforts, the blog post reads. We genuinely believed that the creation of a fourth competitive force in broadcast television was in the public interest.

Now, however, the former Fox allies believe the network is causing direct harm.

Arguably the worst has been Foxs role in promoting Trumps Big Lie about alleged widespread fraud in the 2020 election and, in our opinion, Foxs role in contributing to the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol that undermined our democracy, the post continues. In fact, the connection between Fox and the January 6 attack is so strong that multiple Jan 6 defendants have pleaded not guilty arguing they were suffering from Foxitis  a disease caused by watching false news on Fox!

The post claims that Mr Murdoch admitted in emails with Mr Padden to knowing Donald Trumps claims about the 2020 election being stolen were false, despite Fox News heavily nonetheless featuring news and commentary that suggested the election was rigged.

In April, Fox News paid over $787m to settle a defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems, which alleged the network repeatedly made false claims that the companys voting machines were part of a conspiracy to steal the election.

As part of the suit, Mr Murdoch admitted that top Fox News hosts Maria Bartiromo, Lou Dobbs, Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro endorsed at times this false notion of a stolen election.

I would have liked us to be stronger in denouncing it in hindsight, Mr Murdoch said, according to court documents.
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A Republican lawmaker has a bizarre new label for Hunter Biden  glitter.

Speaking at a House Judiciary Committee hearing with FBI Director Christopher Wray on Wednesday, Rep Wesley Hunt compared President Joe Bidens son to the sparkly stuff.

Hunter Biden to me, is like glitter. He is on everything and you cannot get rid of him, he fumed.

And yet nothing is going to be done about this. Were sick of it.

Several social media users found the comparison hilarious, with many sharing the tweet alongside laughing emojis.

Hunter Biden is like glitter hes on everything LMFAO!!! one person tweeted.

Another described the outburst as the best statement of the hearing while another simply shared the quote and a short clip of some glitter sparkling.

The bizarre statement came in the midst of the contentious House Judiciary Committee hearing, where Mr Wray faced a grilling from House Republicans over his leadership of the FBI.

The hearing, billed as focusing on the politicization of the FBI under Mr Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland, comes as Republicans continue to target the bureau and call for its defunding.

The outrage has especially risen after the FBI raided Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago property last August as part of an investigation into his handling of classified documents.

Last month, Mr Trump was then indicted on 37 federal charges over his handling of classified documents, including national defence information, after leaving the White House.

During the hearing, Mr Hunt and far-right Republican Matt Gaetz hit out at what they claimed to be the double standard of the federal agency in its investigations involving Mr Trump and that of Hunter Biden.

Last month, Hunter Biden reached a plea deal with the Justice Department to plead guilty to three misdemeanour federal tax charges.

Heres what the American people know and believe about the FBI today, sir, Mr Hunt said to Mr Wray.

If you are a Trump, you will be prosecuted. If you are a Biden, you will be protected.

Wesley Hunt bizarrely compares Hunter Biden to glitter (Fox News)

Mr Wray strongly rejected the claim and branded the idea that he and the bureau are biased against conservatives insane. The FBI director also refused to be drawn into specific questions about ongoing federal investigations, including those involving Mr Trump and Hunter Biden.

I obviously disagree with your description of the two standards, he said.

In my view, at least under my watch, we have one standard. And that is were going to pursue the facts wherever they lead, no matter who likes it.

And I add that last part because especially in sensitive investigations, almost by definition, somebodys not going to like it.

Despite House Republicans criticism of Mr Wray, the FBI director was actually appointed by Mr Trump to the role. The former president nominated him in 2017 after he fired previous director James Comey.
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Federal prosecutors investigating Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results have questioned his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, among other witnesses to see if the former president acknowledged he had lost.

Mr Kushner testified to a grand jury in Washington DC last month, according to a report from The New York Times.

Prosecutors inquiry about Mr Trumps private knowledge of the election results may determine whether US Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith brings charges against the ex-president regarding his interference with the results of the 2020 election.

During his testimony, the former presidents son-in-law maintained that Mr Trump believed the election was stolen, a source briefed on the matter said.

Other people close to Mr Trump, including Alyssa Farah Griffin, the former White House director of strategic communications, and Hope Hicks, the former White House communications director, were questioned as well.

Throughout a series of congressional hearings by the House Select Committee on the January 6th Attack, members of Congress provided the public with witness testimony that allies of Mr Trump informed him multiple times he lost the election.

Despite this, the ex-president maintained he won and purported lies of voter and election fraud.

A baseless narrative of election fraud fuelled supporters of Mr Trump who stormed the Capitol building on 6 January 2021, interrupting the certification of the election results and assaulting dozens of law enforcement officers.

It is unclear what charges federal prosecutors could bring against Mr Trump, should they decide to, but the House Select Committee referred several possible charges to the Justice Department last year, including inciting an insurrection and obstructing an act of Congress.

Mr Trump is already facing federal charges brought by Mr Smith regarding his alleged mishandling of classified documents. He also faces charges in New York related to an alleged hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

He also is facing an investigation in Georgia by Fulton County district attorney Fani Willis regarding his alleged efforts to overturn his election loss in that state.
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Fox News host Jesse Watters bizarrely complained that Joe Biden does not assert dominance by shoving other world leaders out of his way like Donald Trump did.

The longtime Fox News anchor, who was recently announced as Tucker Carlsons replacement on the network, said that the US president allowed every world leader to walk all over him during the Nato summit in Lithuania.

He said his behaviour was unlike Mr Trumps, who was recorded shoving the president of Montenegro, Dusko Markovic, to be at the centre for photo-ops during a 2017 summit.

Expressing disappointment, Watters said: The American president usually dominates every room.

When [George W] Bush went overseas, he commanded authority. Every leader was trying to get facetime. Optics is always important in politics, especially overseas. The worlds watching.

Trump knew that. 2017, when all the leaders were heading to a photo op, Trump pushed the president [sic] of Montenegro out of the way so he could be front and centre. Sorry, Montenegro, we got the F-35s.

Biden doesnt do that. Looks like a freshman on the first day of school, he said, referring to the 2017 summit during Mr Trumps visit to the Nato headquarters in Brussels.

He said Mr Biden is letting all world leaders walk all over him. They are all acting like he is not there. They are reaching over his body, shoving him out of the way.

He claimed nobody wanted to meet Mr Biden.

The network played the visuals of Mr Bidens visit to Vilnius, Lithuania, for the Nato summit where world leaders gathered, including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, to discuss Russias war in Ukraine.

Last week an attempt by Watters to mock Mr Biden for mixing up Iraq and Ukraine went comically awry when the host managed to confuse the countries himself.

Watters was discussing two recent gaffes by Mr Biden that saw the president say Iraq when he meant to say Ukraine.

Commenting on the internal uprising in Russia that left its president Vladimir Putin on the back foot over the weekend, Mr Biden said Mr Putin was clearly losing the war in Iraq and losing the war at home in the latest in a series of verbal blunders for the gaffe-prone president.

But Watterss attempt to chide Mr Biden flopped when he commented that the president comes out and confusing Iraq with Afghanistan.

Fine, just dont send Iran $800bn, referencing the aide the US has sent to Ukraine since Russia invaded at the beginning of 2022.
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Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) stumbled over his words during a rant on Fox News show Hannity on Wednesday evening creating a discombobulated sentence.

Mr Jordan began by commenting on Christopher Wray, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, testifying to the House Judiciary Committee.

The Ohio Republican told host Sean Hannity and fellow guest rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL): A federal judge disagreed with what Christopher Wray testified to today and he did that decision on July 4th just eight days ago for goodness sake, thats exactly what happened with the

But then Mr Jordan paused in the middle of his sentence and began spouting an incomprehensible statement: The decision the  when it came to the, the decision with Mr

The Ohio rep interrupted his string of thoughts to apologise to Mr Hannity, claiming he drew a blank and blamed feedback from his earpiece for causing the misspoken words.

Ive got a huge echo in my ear and I cant even hear, Mr Jordan said.

After another brief pause, Mr Jordan seemed to collect his thoughts and continue his sentence coherently, in part thanks to Hannitys encouragement.

Later on in Hannitys programme, the Fox News host mocked President Joe Bidens speech and movements at the Nato summit, calling him embarrassing.

In the same segment, guest Kristi Noem  Republican governor of South Dakota  claimed Mr Biden can barely get through a sentence.

Fox News also targeted Vice President Kamala Harris simplified explanation of artificial intelligence on Fox & Friends on Thursday claiming she has the intellect of a three-year-old.

Guests and hosts of Fox News have often used the Presidents and Vice Presidents verbal mistakes to attack their intelligence.

On Twitter, journalist Aaron Rupar called out the hypocrisy of allowing Mr Jordan to misspeak while attacking Democrats.

If Joe Biden did this during a live interview Fox would spent nights yelling about how hes in cognitive decline, Mr Rupar wrote.

Mr Jordans word salad comes just hours after he grilled Mr Wray during a hearing on Wednesday regarding several investigations opened by the House Judiciary Committee  which Mr Jordan heads.
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President Joe Biden on Thursday said hes serious about pursuing a prisoner exchange for a Wall Street Journal reporter who has been detained in Russia for more than 100 days.

The Kremlin earlier this month suggested that it was open to a possible prisoner exchange that could involve Evan Gershkovich, but it underscored that such talks must be held out of the public eye.

Speaking at a news conference in Helsinki, Finland, Biden made clear that the U.S. is interested.

I'm serious on a prisoner exchange, Biden said. That process is underway."

Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip. He is being held at Moscows Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions. A Moscow court recently upheld a ruling to keep him in custody until Aug. 30.

Gershkovich and his employer deny the allegations, and the U.S. government has declared him to be wrongfully detained. His arrest rattled journalists in Russia. Authorities there have not provided any evidence to support the espionage charges.
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Vice President Kamala Harris has been left somewhat red-faced after a clip of her attempting to explain artificial intelligence was viewed more than 800,000 times.

Ms Harris describing AI as a fancy thing during a roundtable with advocacy representatives has been roundly mocked, with many people comparing the answer to some of the gaffes that President Joe Biden has become known for.

I think the first part of this issue that should be articulated is AI is kind of a fancy thing, first of all, its two letters, it means artificial intelligence but ultimately ... its about machine learning, Ms Harris said.

And so the machine is taught and part of the issue here is what information is going into the machine that will then determine, and we can predict then if we think about what information is going in, what then will be produced in terms of decisions and opinions that may be made through that process.

One Twitter user referred to Ms Harris description as being like the introduction to a 6th-grade essay on AI, while another suggested the vice president always speaks as if she is talking to a room of 3rd graders.

Its nearly impossible to tell the difference between Kamala Harris speaking about AI and Bart Simpsons book report on Treasure Island, another user added.

Ms Harris has previously been mocked for past comments, in particular after she told Today in January 2022 on the topic of the coronavirus pandemic: It is time for us to do what we have been doing, and that time is every day. Every day, it is time for us to agree that there are things and tools that are available to us to slow this thing down.

The vice president currently has an approval rating of 39.2 per cent, according to polling averages from FiveThirtyEight, while President Biden has a slightly higher approval rating of 40.6 per cent.
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Arizonas chief law enforcement officer has tasked a team of attorneys with looking into alleged efforts by GOP figures to reverse the results of the 2020 election in the state after Donald Trump became the first Republican in decades to lose Arizonas electoral votes.

Citing two sources familiar with the probe, The Washington Post reported that Attorney General Kris Mayes assigned a team of prosecutors and investigators to the case two months ago, with the prosecutors already having spoken to a number of pro-Trump figures as part of the investigation.

The Post also reported that investigators have already made requests for records and other information from Arizona election officials who oversaw the balloting in November 2020, as well as evidence that has already been collected by the Department of Justice and the Fulton County, Georgia district attorneys office.

Its not yet known whether Ms Mayes effort will examine the pressure campaign exerted against officials by Mr Trump and his allies as they sought to keep him in the White House against the will of voters who chose to show him the door after a single term in office.

Her chief deputy, Dan Barr, told the Post that the probe is in a fact-gathering phase and did not say whether her office has issued subpoenas. He also declined to state what laws the attorney generals office believes may have been violated by Mr Trumps allies.

This is something were not going to go into thinking, Maybe well get a conviction, or Maybe we have a pretty good chance, he said. This has to be ironclad shut.

Kris Mayes (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The Grand Canyon State probe, which fulfils a campaign promise by Ms Mayes to investigate the Republican figures who signed fake electoral college certificates which were submitted to the National Archives, is just one of multiple investigations into post-election efforts by the twice-impeached, twice-indicted ex-president and his allies that is being conducted under the auspices of federal and state law enforcement entities.

A Department of Justice special counsel, Jack Smith, is overseeing a Washington, DC grand jury that has spoken to multiple witnesses as part of a probe into Mr Trumps actions after the November 2020 election, including a former Arizona House speaker, Rusty Bowers.

Fani Willis, the Fulton County, Georgia District Attorney, is currently presenting evidence to a grand jury that will decide whether to indict Mr Trump or any of his allies for their efforts to reverse his loss to Mr Biden in the Peach State. She has said she will announce a decision on whether to charge the ex-president or anyone in his orbit this summer.
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The House Ethics Committee has reportedly revived a probe into Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) regarding allegations of misconduct, as investigators have reportedly begun reaching out to witnesses.

A witness from Florida told CNN they spoke with investigators recently about alleged lobbying violations.

Other witnesses have also been contacted by the Ethics Committee, a source close to the matter told CNN.

The Ethics Committee investigation is a continuation of their 2021 probe into Mr Gaetzs alleged misconduct while serving as a representative. It is unclear what misconduct the witnesses were interviewed for, though the initial probe regarded sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, misuse of state identification records and bribery.

Earlier this year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to charge Mr Gaetz after a sex trafficking investigation that was deferred to them by the Ethics Committee upon request.

Last year, an ex-associate of Mr Gaetz, Joel Greenberg, was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to six federal crimes, including sex trafficking of a minor.

After the DOJ reached a conclusion, the Ethics Committee restored its own investigation.

A spokesperson for Mr Gaetz directed The Independent to comments he made to CNN regarding the investigation.

The Florida lawmaker said the investigation is not something Im worried about adding that hes focused on the work.

The Ethics Committee typically operates through leaks and so this is no surprise, Mr Gaetz said. But the Ethics Committee has never found me to be in violation of House rules, though theyve been investigating me during my entire seven years in Congress.

He added: Its also funny that the one guy who doesnt take the corrupt lobbyist and PAC money seems to be under the most Ethics investigation.

The committees decision to pursue the investigation by reaching out to witnesses marks the first time investigators have taken steps since the probe was revived.

The Ethics Committee is currently led by Rep Michael Guest (R-MS).

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy declined to comment to CNN about the investigation claiming he doesnt know anything regarding the details of it.
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Joe Biden met with Nordic leaders in Helsinki, Finland, on Thursday 13 July.

The meeting was hosted by Finlands president Sauli Niinisto and other attendees include the prime ministers of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.

Mr Bidens visit to the Finnish capital brought to a close his five-day European tour that was carefully sketched to highlight the growth of Nato - which the US president says has fortified itself since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Finland joined as the military alliances newest member earlier this year, an entry that effectively doubled Natos border with Russia.

Biden arrived in Helsinki after what he deemed a successful annual summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where G7 allies agreed a joint framework for providing long-term security pledges to Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelensky called the summits outcome a significant security victory for his country but did express disappointment Kyiv did not get an outright invitation to join Nato.
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For the past two years, Ray Epps has been living a surreal nightmare, one born out of the same conspiracy theory universe that launched a riot in the halls of Congress, hundreds of criminal investigations, and a blockbuster defamation lawsuit against one of the most influential cable networks in the country.

He cast his vote for Donald Trump weeks before he would end up at the centre of a conspiracy theory on that same network, one he loyally watched.

Mr Epps traveled to Washington DC from Arizona to support the president while a joint session of Congress certified the results of an election he lost but refused to accept. He moved past exterior barricades as an unruly mob pushed through police and stormed the US Capitol.

He never went inside, and he was never arrested, fuelling an ongoing conspiracy theory that the now 66-year-old was working with law enforcement to instigate a riot to entrap Trump supporters, part of a long-running belief among Republicans that federal authorities are using the levers of power to discriminate against them.

Those claims have circulated across social media, among members of Congress  and in dozens of segments on Tucker Carlsons Fox News platform, now the subject of a defamation lawsuit from Mr Epps.

The man in the middle of the right-wing conspiracy theory surrounding January 6 has accused the far-right pundit of amplifying a fantastical story that has destroyed his family and his business, accusations that echo an historic $787m settlement between Fox and Dominion Voting Systems, which accused the network of spreading defamatory statements about the company in the elections aftermath.

A lawsuit filed in Delaware Superior Court on 12 July points to the mountains of allegations from that case, noting that Foxs role in creating and disseminating destructive conspiracy theories has already been well documented.

The complaint was signed by Brian Farnan  who served as the lead Delaware counsel for Dominion in its suit against Fox.

Defamation is defamation, so if Tucker and Fox News defamed Ray Epps, it doesnt ultimately matter what happened with Dominion, Michael Teter, an attorney for Mr Epps, told The Independent.

It certainly is possible for us to prove a pattern of disregard for the truth. I think it will resonate with a jury that there should be additional punitive damages associated with Foxs behavior and conduct, he said. I believe that this case is ripe for punitive damages, not just because of the willfulness on the part of lying about Ray and the egregious lies but also because theres a past conduct here of disregard for the truth.

Rodney Smolla, president of Vermont Law School who consulted for Dominion in its case against Fox, told The New York Times that when it comes to proving defamation no case is easy but the lawsuit from Mr Epps is certainly, in my view, viable.

The challenge, Mr Smolla said, is for a judge to agree that the conspiracy theory is so inherently, bizarrely improbable that only a reckless person would put it into circulation.

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The lawsuit follows a cease-and-desist letter that Mr Teter sent to the network earlier this year, demanding that Carlson retract his false and defamatory statements about him and deliver a formal on-air apology for the lies he promoted. Fox did not respond, Mr Teter said.

The extensive filings in the Dominion case documented how Fox employees were harassed and intimidated and threatened by Fox viewers because of the lies that Fox was spreading about the company, according to Mr Teter.

And if a company is going to feel the brunt of that, then an individual whos singularly targeted by Fox is going to especially feel that, and so they acted with a heightened degree of malice and disregard for the consequences of their actions, he said.

The Independent has requested comment from Fox.

On his Tucker Carlson Tonight, Carlson claimed there is no rational explanation why this mysterious figure who helped stage-manage the insurrection had not yet been charged, among more than two dozen statements collected in the lawsuit, which notes that the claims were not isolated to Carlsons prime-time program.

Fox repeatedly published defamatory falsehoods about Epps, including by broadcasting and rebroadcasting defamatory statements by Tucker Carlson who devoted over two dozen segments to Epps and by republishing those falsehoods across Fox platforms, according to the lawsuit.

The House select committee that investigated the January 6 attack and efforts to overturn the 2020 election also dismissed the conspiracy theory surrounding Mr Epps. In his interview with committee investigators, he testified that he was not a federal agent, and that the crazy conspiracy theories surrounding him have torn his life apart.

Its almost like an out of body experience like, is this really happening to me? Mr Teter said. They had one life that was serene and calm and happy and contented and busy and prosperous. And then within a matter of weeks or months, after lies started being told about them, all that disappeared, all of it.

Ray and his wife Robyn Epps received threatening messages, including death threats and a plastic bag with a bullet casing inside and voicemails threatening to burn their house down, according to the complaint, which includes several examples of harassing emails, letters and text messages.

They were forced to sell their five-acre ranch in Arizona, out of which they ran their wedding business, according to the complaint. They moved into a 350-square-foot mobile home in Utah.

The business went with it, Mr Teter said. They didnt get to sell the business separately. It just was part of the house going for the appraised value and that was it. There was no additional value of the business. So theyve lost their business. Theyve lost their livelihood.

The lawsuit also seeks unspecified significant damages for the extensive emotional harm the couple has endured.

The Eppss story illustrates the depths of the conspiratorial coverage driving right-wing media  the irony of a Trump-supporting Fox News viewer turning into the star of a conspiracy theory is not lost on Mr Teter.

I think it demonstrates the extreme nature of conspiracy theories and that conspiracy theories are often born out of his political tool, He said. You could look at any amount of evidence existing prior to January 6 to see that Ray Epps and Robyn Epps supported Donald Trump and supported Republicans. The fact that they would turn against some of their own demonstrates that it really is about serving some other interests and other purpose.

Those claims have also been echoed by Republican members of Congress who have made Mr Epps the subject of investigative hearings. On the same day the lawsuit was filed, House Republicans grilled FBI director Christopher Wray about alleged federal agents at the scene of the attack.

I will say this notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on January 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous and is a disservice to our brave, hardworking dedicated men and women, Mr Wray said in his sworn testimony to the House Judiciary Committee.

Carlson, in his first interview since his exit from the network in the wake of the Dominion settlement, said he doesnt know why he was fired.

The network announced that Carlson agreed to part ways days after Fox agreed to the settlement with the voting machine company over bogus claims that Carlson privately disputed but amplified on air.

Fox also reached a $12m settlement with Abby Grossberg, a former producer for Tucker Carlson Tonight, who alleged a culture of misogyny at the network in a federal lawsuit that depicted an environment where women are routinely verbally violated by a poisonous and entrenched patriarchy.

Speaking about her case, Ms Grossberg alleged that she was directed to find lawyers for January 6 defendants who would speak to and validate a conspiracy theory surrounding any alleged federal involvement in the attack.

When none of them would, she was told to find someone else, she said.

Tucker was very set on finding an FBI person who was implanted in the crowd and spinning this conspiracy that they were ultimately the ones responsible for the Capitol attack, she told MSNBC.

An attorney told her, twice, there is no conspiracy, get away from this stuff, this is dangerous, tell Tucker to stop, she said.

The response was, Find somebody else. Tucker is really intent on this, she said.

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Mr Teter said they are keeping the door open for potential settlement discussions, but attorneys have not had any communication from the networks legal team after issuing the cease-and-desist letter in March.

Theyve had opportunities to reach out to us, he told The Independent. Maybe it takes the formality of a complaint to get those conversations started. And if they want to engage in those conversations, we are always open to them.

Ray and Robyn Epps face the prospect of a similar media circus that descended on the near-trial in the Dominion case, with media reporters and news outlets from around the US parked in front of the Delaware courthouse in Wilmington.

Theyve been scrutinized for two years. And so in some sense, having a framework and a forum that is fair and deliberate and meaningful will be much better for them than what theyve had to experience, Mr Teter said. Theyre open-eyed about it. They know their lives will never be the same as they were before.
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Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is attempting to rally support for a bill that would reveal to Americans if their household devices are spying on them.

Mr Cruz took to the Senate floor on Tuesday to rally support for the Informing Consumers about the Smart Devices Act  warning that as more and more Americans bring smart devices into their homes, the result could be a loss of privacy.

In Texas, weve become very aware of that cost, Mr Cruz said. The past few years, smart thermostats have allowed electric companies to control the temperature in your own home from afar in the name of conserving energy. Furthermore, a lot of Americans dont realize or expect that the growing number of smart household devices and appliances, have cameras on them, and microphones that can surreptitiously record families and transmit data.

Mr Cruz says his bill would require technology manufacturers to clearly disclose whether their appliances have listening devices, cameras, or any other spying technologies. The bill would not apply to cell phones, laptops, or other devices that a consumer would reasonably expect to include a camera or microphone.

Mr Cruz first introduced the proposal back in January with Sen Maria Cantwell of Washington, a Democrat. Sen Raphael Warnock of Georgia also joined the bill as a co-sponsor in late March, shortly after it was marked up by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation committee. According to Mr Cruzs testimony, the bill passed the Commerce Committee by a voice vote but has not yet been taken up by the full Senate.

At its core, Mr Cruz said, the bill is designed as a consumer protection measure to let Americans know what theyre bringing into their home  a right that he feels takes precedent over concerns about government overreach.

Now, Im sympathetic to the argument that there are too many mandates from government and that many of the mandates are unnecessary, burdensome, and costly, Mr Cruz said. But requiring a manufacturer to tell you if theyre spying on you does not fall into that category. And I have to say in assessing the minimal burden, the disclosure burden, against the harm, I fall down on the side of individual liberty. I fall down on the side of privacy.

Privacy is, in many ways, one of the defining issues of the internet age  particularly at a time when the buying and selling of peoples personal data is a multi-billion dollar industry that is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years.

I dont think the American people want their air fryer spying on them, Mr Cruz said. And at a minimum, they have a right to know if their air fryer is spying on them.
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Medical providers and families with transgender children are suing the largest state with a ban on gender-affirming care for trans youth, a measure that would impact thousands of trans children with a potential ripple effect that could more broadly devastate healthcare for young non-trans patients and their families.

Texas  the second-largest state in the nation, home to thousands of young trans people  is preparing to enforce a law that would prohibit minors from accessing transition healthcare and force trans youth who are already receiving such care to de-transition.

The plaintiffs, which include families with five trans children and a coalition of LGBT+ advocates and civil rights groups, have argued that health providers face an impossible choice to break the law and lose their medical licenses or violate their oath and leave their patients behind.

The lawsuit filed in state district court in Travis County, home to the states capitol in Austin, argues that Senate Bill 14 violates the state constitution by infringing on parents autonomy over their childrens healthcare, discriminating against trans patients, and interfering with physicians rights by forcing doctors to disregard best practice clinical guidelines that could compromise the health of their patients.

Senate Bill 14 is scheduled to take effect on 1 September, joining more than a dozen states that have enacted laws or policies banning gender-affirming care for young trans people.

Passing these laws sends a loud and clear message that you are not welcome here, Lynly Egyes, the legal director for the Transgender Law Center, told reporters on 13 July.

Medical decisions regarding trans healthcare should not be made by cruel government officials or politicians who are using trans youth as pawns, she said.

These families are courageously fighting for their freedom so they can be the best parents for their children, she added. Through this lawsuit we are making it clear  we will fight back and we will not be silenced. Let doctors be doctors and parents be parents.

All major medical organisations support the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy to treat gender dysphoria, treatments that are also regularly prescribed to cisgender people who are not targeted by gender-affirming care bans.

Texas families with trans children are considering whether to move out of state to continue their childrens care, decisions that are breaking some families apart or leaving families isolated in a state where care will soon be out of reach, according to Emmett Schelling, executive director of the Transgender Education Network of Texas.

The cruelty is the point here. The cruelty is whats driving this legislation, is whats targeting trans people specifically, to have a large part of our healthcare that we depend on  stripped away, he said.

These decisions are made thoughtfully, intentionally, and in due time with parents, a child and a provider who has studied and educated themselves for years in practicing medicine, he added. Instead, we are hearing voices that are literally trying to rip away my humanity and the humanity of so many beautiful people from my community.

Families are navigating how to maintain continuity of care for their children, or where they can go if they dont have the resources or ability to travel to other states, many of which have imposed similar bans on affirming care.

Advocates fear that a domino effect will follow, as providers weigh whether to move their practice out of state and cut off access not only to affirming care for a relatively small pool of young trans patients but also healthcare for their non-trans patients.

Its been devastating, Mr Schelling said. Ive spoken to so many families, so many community members who are literally just terrified, and for what reason?  Its a situation no parent should be faced with  do I have to flee my home to make sure I am not targeted by my state leadership, but also so that I can live a happy, full life?

Alex Sheldon, executive director of GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality, said the groups members are being maligned not because of the quality of care they provide but because of who they provide care to.

Our members are telling us theyll have to flee the state to keep their license, with fears of a mass exodus of health professionals that will be felt throughout the state, they said.

The Independent has requested comment from the office of Texas Attorney General, which is named in the lawsuit.

Federal judges in five other states  Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Florida and Kentucky  have ruled that similar bans are likely unconstitutional. A decision in the Arkansas case permanently struck down that states law, the first ban on affirming healthcare for trans youth in the US, marking the first such ruling in the country after a weeks-long federal trial.

Last week, Republican-appointed judges on a federal appeals court in Tennessee allowed the state to enforce its gender-affirming care ban, the first time that a challenged law against gender-affirming care has taken effect while a series of legal challenges against similar bans play out across the country.

The Texas lawsuit is filed in state court, where plaintiffs are relying on the state constitutions explicit protections for parents rights.

SB 14 is arbitrary, irrational and oppressive, said Paul Castillo, senior counsel with Lambda Legal. Like weve seen in similar lawsuits already, we aim to stop SB 14 in its entirety.
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Justice Department investigators have interviewed Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson as part of their investigation into Donald Trumps attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Ms Bensons meeting with prosecutors working for special counsel Jack Smith took place last month and lasted for several hours, a source told CNN.

Michigan was one of the crucial battleground states targeted by the former president and his allies as he tried to overturn Joe Bidens victory, which is now the subject of a DoJ probe.

President Joe Biden presents Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson a Presidential Citizens Medal during a ceremony to mark the two-year anniversary of the January 6 attack on the Capitol (Getty Images)

Her interview with Mr Smiths team took place after her office was subpoenaed and provided a tranche of documents to the special prosecutor that included communications between the states election officials and Mr Trumps former lawyers and members of his campaign.

In one email a Michigan election official reported receiving a voicemail from a person claiming to be a lawyer working for Rudy Giuliani, who was then Mr Trumps personal attorney.

While the City Clerk of Rochester Hills, Michigan, I received voicemails in December 2020 specifically requesting access to the election equipment, the email read, reported CNN.

The official also included an audio file of a call that came in from a lawyer with Rudy Giulianis team, according to the news network.

In early 2022, Ms Benson spoke to The Independent about attacks on women by Mr Trump and some of his supporters. She experienced this herself when angry protesters gathered outside her home after the then-newly defeated president filed a lawsuite against her over his bogus claims of election fraud.

She told The Independents Eric Garcia: I think the attacks on women, not just coming from the former president but many of his most ardent supporters and others, are particularly pernicious and particularly personal and all the more offensive.

I think my most important concern is that they not serve as a deterrent for women to serve in times like these because we need all voices at the table now more than ever.

She also said Mr Trump should be held accountable for his efforts to overturn the result of the 2020 election. In that sense, we have to recognise two things are happening now.

One, the tactics and effort to potentially overturn or thwart an election result that Trump or others may disagree with in the future, those efforts are becoming incredibly sophisticated and perhaps more strategic. Because of that, in part we have to ensure there is accountability and justice and consequences for those who tried but failed to block the will of the people in 2020.

Ms Benson spoke about the failure of the John R Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to advance, and the pressure it put on states to protect democracy.

The fact that one component of the federal government, the US Senate, is clearly abdicating that role, that constitutional role in this critical moment is disappointing to all those who believe in democracy, Ms Benson told The Independent.

That said, given where we are in this moment, the action or failure to act in the US Senate also underscores the reality that the path to protecting and defending democracy will run through the states as opposed to the federal government.

In January, to mark the second anniversary of the January 6 insurrection, Ms Benson was among 12 people to receive the Presidential Citizens Medal from Joe Biden.

The president said that the medals how courage and selflessness around the events of the riot at the US Capitol, which were intended to prevent the certification of Mr Bidens election victory.

This extraordinary recognition gives me hope that we will emerge out of this time with a democracy that is stronger, healthier, and more robust than ever before. That is what I fight for, have hope for, and what I have confidence that all of us working together can achieve, Ms Benson said in a statement at the time.
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A bipartisan group of US senators is pushing for legislation that would prevent any US president from pulling America out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation without approval from the upper chamber.

The proposed joint resolution, which would need to pass both the House and Senate and gain President Joe Bidens signature to have the force of law, is the latest effort by legislators to head off the possibility that a future president would yank the US out of the transatlantic defensive alliance it became a founding member of in the years following the end of the Second World War.

Previous efforts to bar US presidents from exiting the Nato alliance by decree have been introduced in previous Congresses, but none have managed to get past the upper chamber thanks to the 60-vote de facto threshold for legislation created by the Senates filibuster rule.

Like a nearly identical bill introduced in the 117th Congress and approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the resolution states that the US chief executive shall not suspend, terminate, denounce, or withdraw the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty, done at Washington, DC, April 4, 1949 without the advice and consent of the Senate, provided that two-thirds of the Senators present concur or pursuant to an Act of Congress.

This resolution, which was first reported by Reuters, is sponsored by Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat, and Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. Both are members of the Senates Foreign Relations panel.

Similar measures have been introduced in the last few Congresses, but the effort to bar a presidentially-ordered Nato pullout took on added urgency during Donald Trumps tumultuous four-year term.

The former president, who is currently seeking his partys nomination in the 2024 election despite multiple criminal cases against him, has expressed a desire to withdraw the US from the alliance, which has taken on outsized importance in the wake of Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Biden, who has long been a strong supporter of Americas role in the soon-to-be 32-member bloc, has made restoring US alliances in the wake of Mr Trumps presidency a priority of his administration, and has overseen efforts to expand Nato with the addition of Finland and the imminent addition of Sweden to the alliance.

Yet despite the strong support for Nato from both parties, a minority of Republicans remain aligned with Mr Trump and have expressed a willingness to support him or a future GOP president should that person choose to end Americas participation in the defensive pact.

Asked about that possibility during a press conference in Helsinki on Thursday and pressed on how hed assure Finns that America would remain a reliable Nato ally, Mr Biden replied: I absolutely guarantee it. There is no question.

Theres overwhelming support from the American people. Theres overwhelming support from the members of the Congress, both House and Senate, in both parties, he said.

Mr Biden said the US and her Nato allies would continue to stand together because the American people have known since the end of World War Two that unanimity among European and transatlantic partners is the best bet anyone could make for global security.

We will stay connected to Nato, connected to Nato, beginning, middle, and end, he added.
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A Wisconsin school board fired a first-grade teacher after she publicly criticised a decision by the district to not let her play a Miley Cyrus song called Rainbowland at the spring concert.

The Waukesha school board voted unanimously on Wednesday to fire teacher Melissa Tempel, who took to Twitter in March to protest the decision on Rainbowland, a song featuring Dolly Parton with inclusivity-focused lyrics like, Wouldnt it be nice to live in paradise / Where were free to be exactly who we are.

"This is not a case about culture wars or rainbows. Its a case about constitutional rights, and Miss Tempel has them like every other person in this country. I think we are moving forward with next steps and Miss Tempel looks forward to vindicating her rights in federal court," her attorney, Summer Murshid, told reporters after the decision.

Wisconsin teacher Melissa Tempel and her attorney speak with reporters on 12 July, 2023, after the educator was fired for criticising a district decision not to let children sing a Miley Cyrus song about rainbows. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel broadcast screengrab)

The Independent has contacted the Waukesha Schoola District for comment.

The incident at issue began when Ms Tempel said her proposal to have her students sing Rainbowland at the Heyer Elementary School spring concert was rejected.

My first graders were so excited to sing Rainbowland for our spring concert but it has been vetoed by our administration, she wrote on Twitter. When will it end?

The post also tagged the school district, Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus, the Department of Justice civil rights division, and a Wisconsin LGBT+ advocacy group.

In May, following an internal investigation, the district superintendent recommended Ms Tempel be fired, arguing she expressed her discontent in an inappropriate and disruptive way.

The case attracted attention from state officials, and the Wisconsin state superintendent of public instruction urged the district to reconsider, arguing, We cannot afford to lose our educator workforce to misguided choices made in the name of student protection.

During a nearly four-hour school board hearing on Wednesday, both sides of the issue presented their arguments.

School officials said Ms Tempel didnt speak with her direct supervisor before taking the issue to the Twitter masses, prompting "hundreds of emails, calls, voicemails, many of which contained vulgar, obscene and threatening language to be directed towards the school, requiring an increased police presence because of safety concerns.

Ms Tempel, meanwhile, argued she made the post while outside of work and was exercising her First Amendment rights.

Ultimately, the school board decided Ms Tempel violated the districts controversial issues policy, forbidding personnel from engaging in behaviour that may be the subject of intense public argument, disagreement or disapproval, may have political, social or personal impacts or is likely to arouse both support and opposition in the community, according to The Washington Post.

Some community members saw the decision as a continuation of allegedly anti-LGBT+ district policies that have banned inclusive books, pride flags and rainbow lanyards in classrooms, and forced teachers to use childrens birth pronouns unless given parental approval.

It seems like the boards decision concerning Ms Tempels employment, much like their previous decisions regarding safe space signage and lunch program issues, arent truly representative of the opinions of a majority of Waukesha residents, Dave Dringenburg of Alliance for Education in Waukesha, told the Post. While Ms Tempel was terminated in part for being disruptive, the boards inconsistent implementation of policy has led the district to years of disruption in our schools and community.

Others, like Marcus Schroeder, who joined the competing demonstrations outside the school board vote, felt Ms Tempel was unduly using her position to promote her own views.

"The fact that theyre willing to take a stand and be like OK, if one of our teachers is not going to be in line with the way that we are running our school district and shes going to be promoting the LGBTQ agenda in her classroom and things like that, them taking a stand against that is encouraging because most school districts wont take a stand against that," he told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "I want to show that if theres a school board willing to take a stand on these issues, that Im here to support them as well, because theres not very many of them left."

During the school board hearing, school officials said they struck down the song not because of its rainbow imagery, but because they worried about past explicit songs and images from Cyrus.
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The sister of Evan Gershkovich, The Wall Street Journal reporter who has been detained in Russia for over 100 days, held a news conference on Thursday, 13 July.

Danielle Gershkovich spoke at the National Press Club in Washington DC, where was expected to describe how her family has been impacted by her brothers dentention.

The American citizen was detained on espionage charges by Russian security services on 29 March 2023 - he is the first overseas journalist to be charged with espionage by Russia since the Cold War.

Mr Gershkovich is being held in Lefortovo prison in Moscow, where a court has ordered he should remain until at least 30 August according to Russian media.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan has said that the US has held discussions with Russia regarding a possible prisoner swap to bring Mr Gershkovich home.

There have been discussions, but those discussions have not produced a clear pathway to a resolution, Mr Sullivan said.

We are prepared to do hard things in order to get our citizens home, including getting Evan home. I do not want to give false hope.

At Wednesdays event, talks were also held on what TheWall Street Journal and the US government are doing to seek Mr Gershkovichs return, perspectives on Russias criminalisation of journalism, and what Mr Gershkovichs case says about press freedom worldwide.
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The Cerberus heatwave is bringing temperatures to central and southern Europe that are so extreme, heat map graphics are turning the most critical shade of black.

A 44-year-old Italian man has died in Lodi, near Milan, after collapsing in the heat, while health alerts have been issued in countries across the continent.

The map turns a dark shade of red when the mercury reaches the high 30s and then creeps into black when it gets to 40C and beyond. Parts of central and southern Spain have already been shaded black, while Greece is also dark over the coming weekend.

The National Observatory of Athens weather unit has given a level three alert for the Greek capital, Thessaloniki, and Larissa on Friday when 41C temperatures are forecast.

Meanwhile, Germanys health ministry last weekend urged people to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity. The advice could be repeated this coming weekend with parts of the country set for 38C temperatures.

Nine Italian cities have all been put on red alert because of the extreme weather.

Bologna, Bolzano, Florence, Frosinone, Latina, Perugia, Turin, Rome and Rieti have all been given the warning. The temperature is likely to exceed 40C in the next few days and as the heatwave continues it could even threaten the all time European record of 48.8C, set in Sicily in 2019.

Napoli residents cool off amid the fierce heat (REUTERS)

Italian MP Nicola Fratoianni tweeted: We are facing an unbearable heat wave. Perhaps it is the case that in the hottest hours all the useful precautions are taken to avoid tragedies like the one that happened today at #Lodi.

The warning has been echoed in Austria. Beate Prettner, a health official for southern state Carinthia, said: Provide your four-legged friends with enough water, make sure they have a place in the shade and dont underestimate the risk of leaving animals in a car.

A few minutes can already have dramatic consequences.
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Russias top mercenary Yevgeny Prigozhin has probably been murdered after leading a failed rebellion against the Kremlin regime, a former senior US military leader has suggested.

Prigozhin, the Wagner Group chief, ordered his soldiers to march on Moscow last month amid an ongoing feud with Russias top military brass about its strategy in the Ukraine war.

I personally dont think he is, and if he is, hes in a prison somewhere, Robert Abrams, a retired general, told ABC News when asked if he thought the warlord was alive.

The Kremlin claimed that president Vladimir Putin met with Prigozhin five days after the latter stood down his troops.

But Prigozhin has not been seen in public since then and general Abrams cast doubt on whether the meeting ever actually took place.

Id be surprised if we actually see proof of life that Putin met with Prigozhin, and I think its highly staged, he said.

The move by Prigozhin, viewed by some in Russia as a potential successor to Putin, plunged the country into a temporary meltdown.

On 24 June Prigozhin claimed to have taken control of all of Russias military sites in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and demanded that the military leadership come to him after accusing them of killing his forces with a rocket attack on the front line.

He vowed to take revenge for the deaths and to stop the evil brought by the military leadership of this country in an extraordinary series of audio clips published the night before.

Some reports suggest Prigozhin is in Belarus (PRIGOZHIN PRESS SERVICE)

Images and video circulating on social media showed armed men on the streets of Rostov, skirting the regional police headquarters in the city on foot, as well as tanks positioned outside the headquarters of the Southern Military District - key to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

It sparked a huge security response in Moscow, where anti-terrorist measures were put in place and additional checks on roads, with unconfirmed footage showing military vehicles on the streets.

Russias FSB Security Service, meanwhile, opened a criminal case for armed mutiny against Prigozhin and said his statements and actions constituted calls for the start of an armed civil conflict on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Prigozhin later called off the rebellion, saying he wanted to avoid bloodshed and the charges against him were later dropped.

Putin conceded in a speech to military personnel in Moscow that a civil war had been narrowly avoided and some analysts suggested that his authority had been badly damaged by the public spat between Wagner and the Kremlin.

The Kremlin suggested Prigozhin would be exiled to Belarus as punishment but his whereabouts since the failed rebellion have remained a mystery. His fellow mercenaries involved in the rebellion were also reportedly being allowed to leave to Belarus.

But neither Russia nor Belarus has confirmed where Prigozhin is. Belaruski Hajun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring project, said a business jet that Prigozhin reportedly uses landed near Minsk on the morning of 27 June.

On Wednesday this week Russias defiance ministry said the Wagner Group was completing the handover of its weapons to the military.

The disarming of Wagner reflects efforts by authorities to defuse the threat it posed and also appears to herald an end to the mercenary groups operations on the battlefield in Ukraine.
 Close Aspen Security Forum: Top officials discuss Ukraine war

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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said the countrys counteroffensive to push back occupying Russian forces is set to gain pace as Kyiv expects more military aid from its allies, including the US.

Mr Zelensky called on allies to provide fighter jets and more long-range missiles, with Washington planning to announce a new military package to Ukraine imminently.

US national security adviser told the same security forum in Colorado that the results of the counteroffensive would only become clear once Kyiv fully commits its forces, saying this has not yet happened.

Meanwhile, president Vladimir Putin accused Nato member Poland of having territorial ambitions in the former Soviet Union, and said any aggression against Russias neighbour and close ally Belarus would be considered an attack on Russia.

Moscow would react to any aggression against Belarus with all the means at our disposal, Putin told a meeting of his Security Council in televised remarks.

And a South African court has issued an arrest warrant for Mr Putin ahead of a Brics summit in Johannesburg next month. The Kremlin says Mr Putin will not be attending.
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Establishing accurate data on the number of military casualties sustained since Russias invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022 is difficult for two reasons. The severity of the fighting on the ground and the fact that both sides are inclined to keep their cards close to their chests to avoid damaging morale  especially at a time when the war is entering a pivotal new stage.

The Kremlin, in particular, is unlikely to admit to high fatality rates among its troops because to do so would amount to a confession that Vladimir Putins spurious war to de-Nazify Russias neighbour state is not going according to plan and, in fact, represents a monumental miscalculation on the part of its leader, who is already under pressure at home over the attempted uprising by Wagner Group mercenaries.

Moscow is more likely to downplay its own (rarely offered) numbers  putting the official number at around 6,000  and accuse its enemies of dishonestly briefing against it whenever outside estimates are offered that imply significant Russian losses.

Ukraine, meanwhile, posts a daily report on its Ministry of Defence website listing a cumulative total of the number of enemy personnel liquidated, alongside other combat losses, which stood at the much higher total of 234,480 on 10 July.

Most tolls typically refer to casualties as the preferred military euphemism, under which combatants killed and injured can be grouped together, whereas liquidated seems to imply killed only.

Overseas observers offer a more dispassionate (if still not entirely impartial) assessment of the situation on the ground, which might equally be flawed by their far remove from the realities of life on the frontline.

Local independent media group Mediazone, branded a foreign agent by the Kremlin, nevertheless work hard, operating within a tightly-controlled environment, to offer its own running total of Russian casualties in Ukraine based on what its journalists can corroborate from publicly available information, which currently puts the total at just 27,423 as of its latest update of 7 July.

It works with the BBC but explains: These numbers do not represent the actual death toll since we can only review publicly available reports including social media posts by relatives, reports in local media, and statements by the local authorities.

The real death toll is much higher. Besides, the number of soldiers missing in action or captured is not known.

Another Mediazone partnership with fellow Russian independent outlet Meduza (now forced to operate from Lativa) and Germanys Tubingen University used Russian government data to cast a different light on the question and put the total number of Russian deaths twice as high, at nearly 50,000.

For this count, they relied on a statistical concept popularised during the Covid-19 pandemic called excess mortality. Drawing on 11m inheritance records from the National Probate Registry and official mortality data, they estimated how many more men aged under 50 had died between February 2022 and May 2023 than normal.

According to their analysis, 25,000 more inheritance cases were opened in 2022 for males aged 15 to 49 than expected. By 27 May 2023, the number of excess cases had shot up to 47,000.

Discussing the two approaches, Mediazone editor Dmitry Treshchanin told the Associated Press the first represents only soldiers who we know by name, and their deaths in each case are verified by multiple sources.

As for the second: The estimate we did with Meduza allows us to see the hidden deaths, deaths the Russian government is so obsessively and unsuccessfully trying to hide.

Russians who are missing but not officially recognised as dead, as well as citizens of Ukraine fighting in units of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics, are not included in these counts.

One of the most significant insights to be volunteered so far from Ukraines allies, watching on, came from John Kirby, the White Houses National Security Council spokesperson, who said on 1 May  citing newly declassified information  that the US believed Russia had suffered 100,000 casualties between December 2022 and April 2023, amounting to 20,000 deaths and 80,000 injuries, after becoming caught up in a grinding war of attrition around Bakhmut during the freezing winter months.

Its really stunning, these numbers, Mr Kirby said. Its three times the number of killed in action that the United States faced on the Guadalcanal campaign in the Second World War.

That followed an estimate given by Mark Milley, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, the previous November, when he told an audience in New York that the number of Russian casualties in the first eight months of the war stood at well over 100,000.

If that figure is accurate and is added to Mr Kirbys update, that would put the total well north of 200,000 by this point, roughly in agreement with Ukrainian accounting, although the Kremlin has inevitably disputed Americas calculations and dismissed them as anti-Russian propaganda.

Russian soldiers march towards Red Square as part of a Victory Day military parade in Moscow on 9 May 2023 (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

The US has declined to estimate the number of Ukrainian casualties publicly, arguing that doing so would betray sensitive military information and risk undermining an ally.

However, the top secret Pentagon documents leaked on social media in April  if accurate  suggested that the US Defence Intelligence Agency believed that Ukraine had suffered between 15,500 and 17,500 fatalities at that stage and seen between 109,000 and 113,500 of its soldiers injured.

Those documents, incidentally, put the agencys assessment of Russian casualties at between 189,500 and 223,000, including between 35,500 and 43,000 soldiers killed in action and between 154,000 and 180,000 wounded. That likewise tallies with the other estimates seen so far.

Elsewhere, Norways defence chief, Eirik Kristoffersen, offered a similar ballpark figure when he told his countrys TV2 on 22 January that he believed Russia had suffered around 180,000 deaths and injuries while Ukraines total casualties was significantly lower, closer to 100,000.

In February, the UKs Ministry of Defense said it believed approximately 40,000 to 60,000 Russians had been killed in the war.

As for civilian casualties, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) publishes regular updates of its tallies based on the latest intelligence from the conflict zone.

The most recent such report from the OHCHR was published on 18 June 2023, recording that 9,803 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the invasion began 16 months ago and another 15,779 people have been injured.

Of these numbers, 7,072 deaths and 13,001 injuries occurred in territory controlled by Ukraine. In Russian-occupied territory, 2,011 people have been killed and 2,778 injured since the attempted conquest began last year.

These latest figures, recorded between 1 June and 18 June, added 557 civilian casualties in Ukraine to the running total, of which 112 were killed and 445 injured.

However, even here, the OHCHR notes that the actual figures are likely to be considerably higher than those it can substantiate on account of the inevitable delay in receiving information from the most fiercely contested areas, underlining the complexity of saying anything definite about the state of play in Ukraine.
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Fernando Almeyda Rodriguez and Remy Hernandez are two friends from Cuba, bound by a joint struggle for democracy in their country. But that comes at a price.

The two men  Rodriguez is 31 and Hernandez 27  were forced to flee Cuba in the aftermath of mass protests in 2021 to avoid persecution for their activism. An unlikely migration route brought them to Serbia  on the Balkan peninsula, at Europe's southeastern edge  where they sought political asylum.

Rodriguez and Hernandez chose Serbia because it was among the few countries in the world that did not require entry visas for Cubans. But Belgrade has since revoked the open travel regime, closing down a passage into Europe used by fleeing Cubans for decades.

Serbia made the decision under pressure from the European Union, which it wants to join. Belgrade was also forced to impose visas for the citizens of countries such as Burundi, India or Tunisia which have become a source of migration into the 27-nation bloc.

For Rodriguez, however, the decision only meant that Cubans like him will now have fewer options if they wish to flee to avoid pressure from the Communist regime or escape crippling poverty.

Cuba resembles more or less some kind of a concentration camp in which your only option is to die in silence and not complain, he said. A lot of these (people) are humanitarian cases or refugee cases and you close the door to them. What about these people?

Friendly relations between Cuba and Serbia date back to the era when Serbia was part of the former Communist-run Yugoslavia, resulting in a small Cuban community here. Last month, Belgrade hosted Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel, at a time when Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic has been facing weeks of street protests against his increasingly autocratic rule.

Rodriguez said he had been forced to hide for months in Cuba to avoid arrest before he finally flew to Belgrade via Frankfurt, Germany, in Feb. 2022. It was "jail or leaving, he told the Associated Press in an interview.

I spent more than six months playing hide and seek with the security ... the police, said Rodriguez. I would not stop struggling for human rights in my country.

Rodriguez has since been granted asylum in Serbia while the procedure for Hernandezs application is still underway.

Serbian lawyer Nikola Kovacevic, who represented Rodriguez in the asylum procedure, also said the changes in Serbias visa policies would expose many refugees from Cuba, Africa and Asia to much longer, dangerous and more complicated ways to reach Europe.

It was the safest route to protection said Kovacevic. And now it does not exist any more, it was cancelled. The options for these people have narrowed down.

Migration activists have repeatedly criticized EU countries over the reported illegal pushbacks of migrants and efforts to keep the borders closed even as hundreds die while traversing dangerous routes over the seas or in the hands of people smugglers.

Last month, EU countries agreed on a reform of asylum laws and a shared responsibility for migrants entering Europe without authorization. Hungary and Poland opposed the deal, reflecting disunity in the bloc over migration.

Both Rodriguez, who is a well-known human rights lawyer and activist in Cuba, and Hernandez, an artist and art teacher, say they had no other option but to flee the government crackdown.

The protests in July 2021 were the biggest in Cuba in decades. Scores of people were jailed after the mass rallies that first erupted because of blackouts and shortages that soared during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rodriguez was a prominent member of the Archipelago group that was active on social networks. Hernandez says he lost his job as an art teacher in a Havana high school because he published cartoons in a satirical magazine critical of the Communist authorities.

They expelled me from the school where I worked, from the profession that I studied all my life, he said.

Hernandez said most his friends and family members had also fled as part of a major exodus in recent years. In Cuba, he said, there is no food, there is no electricity, there is no medicine.

The majority of fleeing Cubans still head for the United States while Europe, primarily Spain, had been an option via Moscow or Serbia. So far, 56 Cubans expressed their intention to seek asylum in Serbia in the first half of 2023, a number that is expected to fall because of the change in the visa regime.

Lawyer Kovacevic says that the numbers of Cubans who have used Serbia as a gateway to Europe represent merely a trickle compared to other nationalities migrating along the so-called Western Balkan land route. Serbias relaxed visa policies in the past had saved lives, he said.

Any refugee escape is not dignified, added Kovacevic. But at least you come directly to safety and then apply for asylum, (which) is way better than to jump over 15 borders where you are going to be beaten up 20 times, pushed back, extorted, humiliated.

This is the way people should be provided with safe routes, he said. And this is not the case now.

-

Follow AP's coverage of migration at: Migration ' AP News
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Ukraine has reported regaining further ground from invading Russian forces along the eastern and southern fronts in early July as its counteroffensive continues, following on from the liberation of a number of frontline villages in June.

Offering an update from the frontlines on Monday 10 July, the Ukrainian military said its troops have so far retaken more than 65 square miles on the southern front and 9.26 square miles around the eastern city of Bakhmut since the counteroffensive effort commenced.

Ukraines deputy defence minister, Hanna Maliar, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said that heavy fighting raged in two areas of the southeast.

We are consolidating our gains in those areas, she wrote.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking to US network ABC News ahead of a Nato summit in Lithuania, said: All of us, we want to do it faster because every day means new losses of Ukrainians. We are advancing. We are not stuck.

We would all love to see the counteroffensive accomplished in a shorter period of time. But there is reality. Today, the initiative is on our side.

Ukrainian military analyst Denys Popovych meanwhile reported that Ukrainian forces had taken important positions near Klishchiivka, a village lying on heights to the south of Bakhmut.

This will allow for artillery control of Klishchiivka itself and of parts of Bakhmut and supply routes, he told Ukraine's NV Radio. Just as [Russian mercenary group] Wagner surrounded the city, so will we.

For its part, Russias Defence Ministry said brutal fighting had persisted in that area, with combat made difficult not only by the daily intensity of fire and battle, but also by topography. The line of contact runs between two hills.

Pro-Moscow Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov also took to Telegram to claim that his Akhmat unit had been deployed to the region.

A week earlier, Ukraine had said its soldiers had made steady advances in the Lyman, Avdiivka and Mariinka directions of Donetsk in the Donbas as Russias under-pressure defence minister Sergei Shoigu moved to deny that the short-lived rebellion by the aforementioned Wagner Group, which saw them occupy Rostov-on-Don and march on Moscow in protest on 24 June, had had any impact on its operations in Ukraine.

Following months of speculation about when the Ukrainian counteroffensive might begin, unverified photographs and video began to appear on social media on Sunday 11 June showing its soldiers holding aloft their countrys blue and yellow flag in triumph above the eastern villages of Storozheve, Blahodatne, Neskuchne and Makarivka in Donetsk, suggesting they had been recaptured from occupying enemy troops.

The Ukrainian national flag is seen flying in the newly-liberated village Neskuchne in Donetsk (Oleksandr Ratushniak/Reuters)

Ms Maliar posted one such photo from Storozheve and thanked the 35th Separate Brigade of Marines for liberating it and subsequently reported that Ukraine had won back three more villages in Zaporizhzhia  Lobkove, Levadne and Novodarivk  and made fresh advances near Bakhmut, on the Toretsk front in the east and towards the port city of Berdyansk.

The enemy is doing everything to hold on to the positions it has seized, Ms Maliar wrote on Telegram two days later.

She added that Russian forces had air support and were showering Ukrainian troops with intense artillery fire and that the latter were encountering continuous minefields which are combined with anti-tank ditches.

All this is combined with constant counterattacks by enemy units on armoured vehicles and the massive use of ATGMs [anti-tank guided missiles] and kamikaze drones, Ms Mailer reported.

A team of Reuters journalists subsequently visited Neskuchne, observing that no building had been left unscarred by the fighting, noting three Russian corpses lying in the road and writing: The hamlet was silent except for birdsong and the crump of artillery fire in the distance.

Since then, two more villages have been added to the list, bringing the reported total to nine.

Kyiv has imposed a strict silence on its armed forces to avoid compromising an operation it hopes will retake swathes of land and eventually threaten the land bridge Russia has established for use in supplying the occupied Crimea.

In practical terms, the advance represented by the retaking of the villages amounts to only modest gains: Makarivka, for instance, is around three miles short of the frontline and 56 miles from the southern rim of the aforementioned bridge over the Sea of Azov.

But the symbolic value of Ukraines most rapid progression forward for seven months, after an arduous winter, is obvious, a timely boost to national morale for a beleaguered nation still reeling from the collapse of the Nova Kakhovka Dam, allegedly brought down after being mined by Russian soldiers, flooding neighbouring towns for miles around and leaving the regions farmland swamped, its crops ruined and livestock drowned.

As the pushback continues, Ukraine is banking on the huge amount of weaponry, training and intelligence it has received from the West, combined with its own battlefield resolve, tactical nous and the motivation of driving an invader from its own land, to give it the edge in the conflict.

The country also knows it may have to show significant progress over the summer to ensure its international allies demonstrate the same level of commitment in future.

But so far the response has been positive, with Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg telling US president Joe Biden recently: The Ukrainians are making progress, making advances. Its still early days, but what we do know is that the more land that Ukrainians are able to liberate, the stronger hand they will have at the negotiating table.

The US has responded by announcing that it will begin supplying Ukraine with cluster bombs for very careful use on its own territory against Russian forces, despite previously criticising Russias use of such munitions and the opposition of other nations, 100 of whom signed a 2008 treaty in Oslo, Norway, objecting to their deployment in warzones.

Moscow has largely refrained from officially acknowledging any Ukrainian advances, insisting that it has consistently repelled attacks and inflicted heavy casualties on opposition forces.

A map showing several of the villages liberated from Russian occupation by the Ukrainian military (The Independent/Datawrapper)

Unverified footage circulated on social media by pro-Russia accounts has meanwhile shown destroyed American and German armoured vehicles, clearly intended to undermine allied faith in the Ukrainian cause.

It is unquestionably too early to draw conclusions about the fate of the counteroffensive from these early skirmishes, which may be more about testing Russian defences than staking out major land gains.

The US-based Institute for the Study of War said Ukraine was attempting an extraordinarily difficult tactical operation, a frontal assault against prepared defensive positions, further complicated by a lack of air superiority and these initial assaults should not be extrapolated to predict all Ukrainian operations.

Ben Hodges, a former commander of US forces in Europe, told the Center for European Policy Analysis that the main attack, when it came, would be expected to feature several hundred tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.

The offensive has clearly started, but not I think the main attack, he said.

When we see large, armoured formations join the assault, then I think well know the main attack has really begun.

That tallies with Ms Mailars recent comments on domestic television, when she told the nation the main events of the attack remain ahead of us, adding: The main blow is still to come.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of Ukraines ground forces, similarly told The Guardian: I want to say that our main force has not been engaged in fighting yet, and we are now searching, probing for weak places in the enemy defences. Everything is still ahead.

Additional reporting by agencies
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A Russian general says he has been dismissed as a commander after telling the military leadership about the dire situation on the frontline in Ukraine  a sign of mounting tensions in the countrys military in the wake of the Wagner mercenary groups mutiny.

Major General Ivan Popov, the commander of the 58th Army fighting in Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region, which is a focal point in the Ukrainian counteroffensive, said in an audio statement to his troops that he was dismissed after a meeting with the top military brass in what he described as a treacherous stab in the back to the Russian forces fighting in Ukraine.

Maj Gen Popov said that the military leadership was angered by his frank talk about the challenges faced by his forces.

The top officers apparently saw me as a source of threat and rapidly issued an order to get rid of me, which was signed by the defence minister in just one day, he said. The Ukrainian military has failed to break through our armys defenses, but the top commander hit us in the rear, treacherously and cowardly beheading the army at this most difficult moment.

Maj Gen Popov, 48, claimed he had merely told the truth. There was a tough situation with the senior bosses in which it was necessary either to keep quiet and be a coward or to say it the way it is, he said.

He did not reveal when he raised the complaints, but added: I had no right to lie in the name of you, in the name of my fallen comrades in arms, so I outlined all the problems which exist.

In the wake of the 24-hour mutiny by Wagner mercenaries in late June  the biggest domestic challenge to the Russian state in decades  President Vladimir Putin has so far kept the defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, and chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov, in their jobs. But, without naming them, Maj Gen Popovs angry missive is clearly aimed at the pair.

The voice message was published by Russian legislator Andrei Gurulyov late on Wednesday. Maj Gen Popov, whose military call sign was Spartacus, explicitly raised the deaths of Russian soldiers from Ukrainian artillery and said the army lacked proper counter-artillery systems and reconnaissance of enemy artillery. In the message he called his troops dear gladiators.

Mr Gurulyov is a hardline former army commander who regularly appears on state television. It was unclear when the message was recorded and Maj Gen Popovs current whereabouts are not known. The defence ministry has not said anything about his dismissal.

However, such public criticism of Russias military leadership from a battle-hardened general less than three weeks after the mutiny led by Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, shows the level of dicontent that exists. Maj Gen Popovs voice message has little of the hysteria that marked Mr Prigozhins repeated tirades against Russias military leadership in the months leading up to the mutiny. Mr Prigozhin had been openly insulting Mr Shoigu and Mr Gerasimov, using a variety of crude expletives and prison slang that shocked Russian officials.

Mr Putin has said the mutiny risked tipping Russia into civil war and has compared it to the revolutionary turmoil of 1917. The Kremlin has sought to project calm for days, but Russian officials and diplomats have told Reuters that the full consequences of the mutiny  which Mr Prigozhin said was aimed only at settling scores with Shoigu and Gerasimov  have yet to play out.

Neither Mr Prigozhin nor General Sergei Surovikin, a deputy commander of Russias military operations in Ukraine, have been seen in public since the day of the mutiny.

In 2017, the official newspaper of Russias armed forces published a profile of Maj Gen Popov. It said he had previously served in Russias war against separatists in Chechnya and in the 2008 war in Georgia.

A Telegram channel linked to Wagner mercenaries said that Maj Gen Popov had raised the need to rotate exhausted troops from the frontline with Mr Gerasimov.

Russias main state television channels did not report the remarks by Maj Gen Popov on their main news programmes on Thursday, though Kommersant, a respected Russian newspaper, did report them.

War bloggers in Russia were split between those who said Popovs remarks were open defiance and those who said Popov was not a mutineer but simply a well-respected general who had fallen out with the top brass.

This is a dangerous precedent, said Igor Girkin, a former Federal Security Service (FSB) officer who helped Russia annex Crimea in 2014 and then organise pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine.

Maj Gen Popov said his future was now uncertain in his message. I await my fate, he said.
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Russias special military operation in Ukraine has been raging for one year now as the conflict continues to record devastating casualties and force the mass displacement of millions of blameless Ukrainians.

Vladimir Putin began the war by claiming Russias neighbour needed to be demilitarised and de-Nazified, a baseless pretext on which to launch a landgrab against an independent state that happens to have a Jewish president in Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine has fought back courageously against Mr Putins warped bid to restore territory lost to Moscow with the collapse of the Soviet Union and has continued to defy the odds by defending itself against Russian onslaughts with the help of Western military aid.

Battle tanks from the US, Britain and Germany are now being supplied for the first time and Mr Zelensky toured London, Paris and Brussels in early February 2023 to request fighter jets be sent as well in order to counter the Russian aerial threat, a step the allies appear to have reservations about making, although Joe Biden has since visited Kyiv in a gesture of solidarity.

Much of the fighting has been concentrated around the key eastern city of Bakhmut of late, with bombardments and heavy artillery fire taking place as Russian forces ramp up a major new offensive with the one-year anniversary of the war looming.

In the autumn, Mr Zelenskys forces launched a major campaign of their own to retrieve the besieged city of Kharkiv and succeeded in driving Russian orcs out of Kherson but, as Ukraines resistance grows, Mr Putins threats of escalating the fight grow too, causing concern globally about the prospect of nuclear warfare being unleashed.

Mr Zelensky has said Russian officials have begun to prepare their society for the possible use of nuclear weapons but added that he does not believe the Kremlin is ready to use them.

The president believes action is needed now to avert that scenario, pointing out that Russias threats pose a risk for the whole planet and that Moscow has made a step already by occupying the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europes largest nuclear station.

In response to the ever-growing sense that his invasion has backfired, Mr Putin staged a televised address in September in which he ordered a partial military mobilisation of 300,000 reservists and reiterated his threat to use nukes against the West, a major escalation of his rhetoric in which he assured the world: Its not a bluff.

Vladimir Putin (Mikhail Klimentyev/AP)

The Kremlins faltering troops, otherwise saddled with outmoded equipment and sub-standard supplies, have employed brutal siege warfare tactics throughout the war, surrounding Ukraines cities and subjecting them to intense shelling campaigns, a strategy previously seen in Chechnya and Syria.

Ukrainian cities in the east and south have been battered by Russian missiles in pursuit of gradual gains, while the targeting of residential buildings, hospitals and even nurseries and memorials have led to outraged accusations of civilians being intentionally targeted and of war crimes being committed on a massive scale.

The discovery of mass graves in towns like Bucha and Izium have shocked the world.

Mr Zelenskys initial appeals for Nato to implement a no-fly zone remain unanswered as the West fears such an act would be interpreted as a provocation by Russia and draw the alliance into a much larger war over Eastern Europe.

However, US president Joe Biden, his European counterparts Rishi Sunak, Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz and UN secretary general Antonio Guterres have all condemned the Kremlins unprovoked and unjustified invasion and promised to hold it accountable, with the West introducing several rounds of tough economic sanctions against Russian banks, businesses and oligarchs while supplying Ukraine with additional weapons, hardware and defence funding.

The Ukrainian president has recently shown signs of frustration with allied dithering over next steps and the West has also faced criticism for not doing enough to support the millions of refugees from the conflict, who have fled their homeland for neighbouring states like Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Moldova.

Ukrainian refugees wait in front of the consular department of the Ukrainian embassy in Berlin, Germany, in April 2022 (AP)

So what are the key issues behind the conflict, where did it all begin and how might it unfold?

How did the crisis start?

Rumbling tensions in in the region first began in December 2021 when Russian troops amassed at its western border with Ukraine, creating widespread international concern but not acting until the final week of February 2022, when Mr Putin moved to officially recognise the pro-Russian breakaway regions of the Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) and Luhansk Peoples Republic (LPR) as independent states.

This enabled him to move military resources into those areas, in anticipation of the coming assault, under the guise of extending protection to allies.

That development meant months of frantic diplomatic negotiations pursued by the likes of US secretary of state Antony Blinken, Mr Macron, Mr Scholz and then-UK foreign secretary Liz Truss in the hope of averting calamity had ultimately come to nothing.

Going back even further to 2014 gives the current situation more context.

Russia annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula that year in retaliation after the countrys Moscow-friendly president, Viktor Yanukovych, was driven from power by the midwinter mass protests seen in Kyivs Maidan Square, an angry reaction to his decision to reject a treaty strengthening economic and diplomatic ties between his country and the EU, probably acting under pressure from the Kremlin.

Ukrainians return to Kyivs Maidan Square to celebrate the liberation of Kherson in November 2022 (AFP/Getty)

Weeks later, Russia threw its weight behind two separatist insurgency movements in Ukraines eastern industrial heartland, the Donbas, which eventually saw pro-Russian rebels in Donetsk and Luhansk declare the DPR and LPR independent states, although their claims went entirely unacknowledged by the international community.

More than 14,000 people died in the fighting between 2014 and 2022, which devastated the region.

Both Ukraine and the West have accused Russia of sending troops and weapons to back the rebels but Moscow has denied the allegations, stating that the Little Green Men who joined the separatists cause were not really Russian soldiers or had done so voluntarily, hence their lack of identifying insignia, an argument few believe.

A 2015 peace accord  the Minsk II agreement  was brokered by Francois Hollande of France and Germanys Angela Merkel to bring Mr Yanukovychs eventual successor Petro Poroshenko and Mr Putin to the table in the hope of ending the bloodshed.

The 13-point agreement obliged Ukraine to offer autonomy to the separatist regions and amnesty for the rebels while Ukraine would regain full control of its border with Russia in the rebel-held territories in return.

Former German chancellor Angela Merkel mediates a tense meeting between then-Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko and Vladimir Putin at a D-Day commemoration in 2014 (AP)

The agreement is highly complex and remains contested, however, because Moscow continues to insist it has not been a party in the conflict and is therefore not bound by its terms.

In point 10 of the treaty, there is a call for the withdrawal of all foreign armed formations and military equipment from the disputed DPR and LPR: Ukraine says this refers to forces from Russia but Mr Putin is adamant in his denials that his country has any of its own troops in the contested regions, despite the obviousness of the untruth.

In 2021, a spike in ceasefire violations in the east and a Russian troop concentration near Ukraine fuelled fears that a new war was about to erupt but tensions abated when Moscow pulled back the bulk of its forces.

How is the situation at present?

As discussed, the fighting has become entrenched around the towns of Bakhmut and Soledar since late 2022, with Russias savage Wagner Group mercenaries battling Ukrainian forces in heavy mud, rubble and sub-zero temperatures in what has become a savage war of attrition.

Of the latest aggressions against Bakhmut, the deputy commander of Ukraines Svoboda battalion, Volodymyr Nazarenko, said: The city, the citys suburbs, the entire perimeter, and essentially the entire Bakhmut direction and Kostyantynivka are under crazy, chaotic shelling.

But after months of costly and violent warfare like this, it is believed that Russian citizens are finally beginning to see through the fog of Kremlin propaganda and understand Mr Putins misjudgement of the war for what it is, the aggressor having suffered devastating losses and economic consequences as a direct result of its leaderships actions.

Ukrainian servicemen drive along a street with BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle in the frontline town of Bakhmut in February 2023 (Yevhenii Zavhorodnii/Reuters)

The news that the average number of Russian soldiers dying per day has hit 824 in February 2023, four times higher than the rate of casualties recorded in June and July 2022, will only increase the pressure on Mr Putin at home.

A growing reluctance to see more conscripts killed and living standards fall, especially in support of a war so ill-defined, is likely and could eventually lead to street protests.

Sir Jeremy Fleming, director of the intelligence, cyber and security agency GCHQ, said Russians are now feeling the consequences of the Kremlin leaders war choice.

What might happen next?

In October, Russia responded to Ukrainian strikes on a major bridge connecting Crimea to its territory  a matter of huge pride to Mr Putin when it was first opened  by launching a widespread missile bombardment of Ukraine, some of which killed civilians in Kyiv.

Mr Putin called the destruction of the bridge along the Kerch Strait an act of terrorism aimed at destroying critically important civilian infrastructure.

In response to these assaults, Mr Zelensky accused Russia of trying to wipe his country off the face of the earth while his foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, added that the strikes show Mr Putin is a terrorist who talks with missiles.

Volodymyr Zelensky (AP)

Meanwhile, the West continues to assess the risk of nuclear warfare.

Mr Biden has warned explicitly that the conflict could lead to nuclear armageddon. However, the White House has insisted that it has no reason to believe there is an imminent threat of Mr Putin using such weapons just yet.

But the Kremlin leader did make clear in that September address that Russia would consider the use of nuclear weapons against Nato if its territory were to be threatened as a result of the invasion.

At the time, Mr Putin warned: To those who allow themselves to make such statements about Russia, I would like to remind you that our country also has various means of destruction, and for some components more modern than those of the Nato countries.

The threat was the most significant suggestion of the use of nuclear weapons by a leader with access to those weapons in decades and threatened to return Washington and Moscow to the height of tensions not seen since the Cold War.

The question of fighter jets now needs to be resolved with some urgency as the war enters a new stage with the coming of spring.

A Ukrainian man surveys the damage caused by a missile strike on a residential area near Kyiv's main train station (Getty)

It is feared that Mr Putin, humiliated by the failure of his conquest so far, could now resort to even more drastic measures as the first anniversary of the war approaches, given that he will be under enormous pressure to present demonstrable wins to a Russian public growing impatient with a futile conflict.

The prospect of the war finally spilling out over Ukraines borders and engulfing the rest of Europe can also not be dismissed, although Nato remains hugely reluctant to take up arms against Russia and will do everything in its power to avert that nightmare scenario.

Ukraine is not (yet) a member of the military alliance, hence Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty not having been triggered before this point.

However, the world saw a near-miss on 15 November when what appeared to be a Russian rocket crossed into Poland, killing two people when it hit a grain silo in Przewodow, Lublin, an act that might well have been interpreted as an attack on a Nato ally necessitating the entire alliance entering the fray to come to its defence.

Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and investigators concluded that the blast had actually been caused by a Soviet-era relic from Ukraines own arsenal, which had been fired in an attempt to bring down one of the aggressors projectiles targeting Lviv and drifted off course by mistake.

The West breathed a collective sigh of relief but the episode served to illustrate just how quickly matters could escalate into a much wider war over continental Europe.
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Elon Musk has launched a new AI company that aims to understand reality and unlock the secrets of the universe.

The formation of xAI brings together researchers from leading artificial intelligence firms, including Googles DeepMind, OpenAI and Microsoft Research, who collectively have contributed to major advances in AI in recent years.

Announcing the launch on Twitter on Wednesday, Mr Musk gave further details about what he hoped to achieve with his latest venture.

I often wonder where consciousness starts, as we progress from one cell to ~35 trillion cells, Mr Musk wrote.

If the Standard Model is correct, then quarks and leptons become conscious no later than ~13.8B years from start, assuming there are no sentient aliens. Btw, where are the aliens!?

Mr Musk has warned for months about AIs potential for civilizational destruction, arguing that a race among companies such as Google and Microsoft to develop the technology should be halted to allow time for drafting regulation for the sector.

The reason for the launch of xAI is to understand the true nature of the universe, said Mr Musk, who also co-founded OpenAI but later left the startup credited with sparking the generative AI frenzy through its launch of the ChatGPT chatbot.

Dan Hendrycks, who serves as the director of the Center for AI Safety, a nonprofit that aims to reduce the risks posed by the technology, will be an adviser to xAI.

The startups team includes several former engineers and scientists from Alphabet-owned Google, Microsoft and OpenAI.

We have worked on and led the development of some of the largest breakthroughs in the field including AlphaStar ... GPT-3.5, and GPT-4, the startup said on its website.

The company, which is looking for experienced engineers and researchers to join its team as technical staff in the Bay Area, will hold a Twitter Spaces event on 14 July.

Mr Musks startup will work closely with his other companies including Twitter and Tesla, according to the website.

Tesla shares showed little reaction to the news and were trading 1.5 per cent higher, a sign that investors were not worried the startup will be a potential distraction for Mr Musk.

The billionaire in March registered a firm named X.AI Corp, incorporated in Nevada, according to a state filing. The firm lists Musk as the sole director and Jared Birchall, the managing director of Musks family office, as a secretary.

Mr Musk has previously warned of the existential risk posed by advanced AI, claiming that it is one of the most serious threats to the future of humanity.

Earlier this year, he joined more than 1,000 tech leaders and researchers in signing an open letter urging a moratorium on the development of powerful AI.

Additional reporting from agencies
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Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk now has a new artificial intelligence startup xAI, years after he left ChatGPT-owner OpenAI.

The Twitter owner announced the formation of the new firm on Wednesday in a tweet, sharing that its goals are to understand reality.

He did not reveal any more details about the companys plans and the firms website also doesnt say much other than that its aims are to understand the true nature of the universe.

The startup, however, noted it is a separate entity from X Corp  the new name of the company formerly known as Twitter.

However, the company mentions in its website that it would work closely with X Corp, Tesla, and firms owned by Mr Musk as well as other companies to make progress towards our mission.

While xAI does not reveal a lot on its website about its mission, the new companys sole Twitter post hints it would look into the most fundamental unanswered questions of the universe.

The companys website also reveals the names of its employees, led by Mr Musk and listing Dan Hendrycks  the director of the Centre for AI Safety  as an advisor.

Employees listed with the company are all men, and people who have previously worked at DeepMind, OpenAI, Google Research, Microsoft Research, Tesla, and the University of Toronto.

Collectively we contributed some of the most widely used methods in the field, xAI mentions in its website.

We have worked on and led the development of some of the largest breakthroughs in the field including AlphaStar, AlphaCode, Inception, Minerva, GPT-3.5, and GPT-4, the company noted about its employees.

Mr Musks new venture also comes as companies including Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and even smaller firms and competitors in other countries like China continue to invest heavily in AI technology.

The multibillionaire had previously co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left the firm in 2018 to avoid conflicts of interest with Tesla which had its own AI operations for the vehicles autopilot mode.

Following the launch of the now popular ChatGPT AI chatbot by OpenAI, the Tesla titan had also hinted in interviews that he was planning to start his own new artificial intelligence firm.

In April, he told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson that he planned to develop TruthGPT, which he called a maximum truth-seeking AI.

This was followed by an xAI statement calling for the world to prioritise reducing AIs dangers, signed by prominent members of the tech industry, and Mr Musk also reportedly acquired thousands of GPU processors from Nvidia seemingly to run a large language model like ChatGPT.

The xAI team is planning to host a Twitter Spaces discussion on Friday  one in which listeners can meet the team and ask us questions, according to the startups website.
The Barbie actor Margot Robbie has said she would "absolutely" be prepared to join the actors' strike if it goes ahead.

The prospect of a strike is looking more likely after the union representing Hollywood actors - the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) - has recommended strike action after a negotiation deadline passed with no agreement.

Speaking to a reporter, the Australian actor said: "I'm very much in support of all the unions and I'm a member of SAG so I would absolutely stand by that."
Vandals set fire to and destroyed a seminal artwork by one of Italys most famous living artists on Wednesday 12 July.

By the time flames were doused, all that was left of the installation by Michelangelo Pistoletto was a charred frame.

Mr Pistolettos artwork, titled Venus of the Rags had been on display outside Naples City Hall since 28 June.

It featured a large plaster neoclassical nude Venus, inspired by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsens 19th century Venus with Apple, picking through a mountain of rags.

Pistoletto told the Corriere della Sera daily newspaper that there could be many reasons for the attack.
Footage posted on Twitter appeared to show wildfires raging near Houston, a town in Canada British Columbia province.

The fast-moving fires at Peacock Creek, south of the town, resulted in an evacuation alert being given by authorities.

The alert followed a recommendation from the British Columbia Wildfire Service and is on top of an evacuation order issued last night for residents.

This year has been a record-breaking one for Canada in terms of high temperatures and the resulting wildfires have been unprecedented in scale.
A record-breaking 19ft Burmese python has been caught in Naples, Florida.

A 22-year-old, who was part of an amateur team of python hunters, found the huge snake in the early morning of 10 July.

The team took the reptile to the Conservancy of Southwest Floridas python team to document their find.

The snake measured 19ft long and weighed 125lb - officially the longest ever documented in Florida.

The snake is as long as an adult giraffe is tall.

The previous record was 18 feet 9 inches.

Burmese pythons are an invasive species in Florida. Since being set up a decade ago, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has removed more than 30,000 pounds of python from an approximately 150 square mile area in the state.
The first 46 asylum seekers arrived at a former RAF airbase in Essex on Wednesday, 12 July, despite an ongoing legal challenge over using the site.

Migrants arrived at Wethersfield Airfield hours a High Court hearing and despite warnings from the local council that the site was not safe.

A local resident is challenging the governments plans to house asylum seekers at the site.

Braintree District Council attempted to block the plans but lost a High Court bid and an appeal.

The Home Office plans to house 1,700 single adult men at the airbase.
Volodymyr Zelensky has responded to Ben Wallace after he said Ukraine should show more gratitude for Western support.

Speaking at the Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, the Ukrainian president said that Kyiv has always been grateful to the United Kingdom, its prime ministers and the British public.

The people in the United Kingdom have always supported Ukraine, we are grateful for this, Mr Zelensky said.

I dont know how else we should be grateful... how else should I express my words of gratitude?

Mr Zelensky also said that the UK and Ukraine have wonderful relations.
Joe Biden took a sarcastic swipe at journalists on Wednesday (12 July), when Volodymyr Zelensky was asked how soon after the war he would like Ukraine to join Nato.

An hour and 20 minutes, the US president said, jumping in to answer the question.

You guys ask really insightful questions, he then added, taking a swipe at the press.

Mr Bidens response drew a smile from Mr Zelensky, who was sitting next to him as the pair attended the Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The incident came amid claims that the president is known to privately lose his temper and launch into expletive-filled rants toward his staffers.
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Politics very rarely offers a symmetric split-screen image between Democrats and Republicans. But this week provided a perfect contrast in how Democrats and Republicans approach international affairs, with President Joe Biden preaching the virtues of the liberal international order while the loudest voices in the GOP talked about America retreating from the world.

This week, Mr Biden traveled abroad to the United Kingdom for a meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles III, to Lithuania for a summit for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and to Helsinki, Finland for a meeting with Nordic leaders. The venture also doubles as a reminder to voters back home that an added benefit of Mr Bidens age is his experience and understanding of international affairs.

Mr Biden also notched some early wins throughout his trip, such as Turkey lifting its block on Sweden joining Nato after he worked the phone with Recep Tayyip Erdogan while aboard Air Force One. In addition, the US president delivered a spirited speech at the Great Court at Vilnius University to 10,000 observers.

This is not to say that his international tour went off without any kinks. Despite an announcement from the G7 on its continued support for Ukraine as it defends itself from Russias assault, the United States and Ukraine still differ on when the latter country can join Nato, with the United States and other countries wanting to wait until the wars end.

On Friday, Mr Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to Nato at the presidential palace in Helsinki. Politicos Playbook could not help but notice the parallel with five years ago, when former president Donald Trump held a joint briefing with Vladimir Putin where Mr Trump appeared to take the Russian presidents words denying the Kremlins interference in the 2016 election at face value.

Mr Trumps presidency, of course, heralded a shift within the Republican Party from a more hawkish foreign policy to adopting the idea of America First, which is particularly allergic to international alliances like Nato. And indeed, this week, one of his biggest devotees, Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would have the United States withdraw from Nato.

In her announcement, she parroted many of Mr Trumps talking points, claiming other countries freeload off the United States while not paying into their share into the organization. Of course, it is highly unlikely that such an amendment would pass given that many Republicans, particularly in the Senate, see Nato as a vital institution.

The amendment also offered Mr Biden the ability to contrast himself with Ms Greene, saying that the United States would stay connected to Nato, beginning, middle, and end.

Trump and Putin's Helsinki summit: What you need to know

Of course, Ms Greene does not stand alone in her hesitation toward Americas global commitments. Mr Trump, who for years questioned the validity of organisations like Nato, remains the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for president. In the same vein, his closest competitor for the opportunity to challenge Mr Biden, Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, dubbed the war between Ukraine and Russia a territorial dispute to now-former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidates with more traditional foreign policy views like Nikki Haley, a former US ambassador to the United Nations, have failed to catch fire in the run-up to the Iowa caucuses.

Ms Greenes remarks also create a litmus test for Republicans because of her widespread popularity within the GOP. It is not infeasible to think that Republican candidates, particularly at Carlsons presidential forum, which Mr Trump will skip, will be asked about whether they agree with Ms Greene with this new standard (while all the while saying that Mr Biden is actually weak on the global stage).

By contrast, Mr Biden can seize these squabbles as an opportunity to become the adult in the room who understands the necessary commitments that America makes to the world because they in turn make America safer.
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Shortly after I became editor-in-chief of USA Today a decade ago, I asked the reporting team for a nationwide special report on how global warming would affect all parts of the country, from Florida to Seattle.

One of the goals was to identify the safest place in the entire country from natural disasters, such as rising seas, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.

They came up with Salt Lake City in Utah. Perhaps a good choice at the time, but 10 years later I realise we missed the idea that the Great Salt Lake would begin to evaporate.

I was reminded of that this week when climate-powered rain storms  nine inches in two days in some parts  flooded the capital of Vermont, Montpelier, and surrounding areas. The emergency prompted federal relief action and is likely to become the 13th billion-dollar climate disaster of 2023 (there were 18 in all of 2022).

As extreme heat has pummeled the southern and Western parts of the country in recent years, its become fashionable to predict that at some point a migration of sorts will develop as people seek cooler, less volatile climates.

Duluth, Minnesota is often cited as an ideal place to be in 20 years as the Earth gets hotter, and indeed real estate prices there have begun the creep up. Much to the shock of Minnesotans and anyone who ever spent a frigid winter up there.

Vermont has also been cited as a future climate change Shangri-La. But the events of this week show that no place is safe. There is nowhere to hide from the effects of the earth hotting up.

Super-powered rainstorms like the ones in Vermont and upstate New York have become increasingly common. Southern Florida had a major storm and flooding problem earlier this year. Northern California had several this past winter.

Likewise, the dense, orange smoke from Canadian wildfires that blanketed New York City and the Eastern Seaboard last month showed that climate problems elsewhere, in this case another country, could impact everywhere.

Its difficult to predict what will come next with everything moving so fast. But scientists this week said one ominous development is that prolonged drought in some places is threatening the infrastructure of major cities. The ground underneath Chicago is shifting dangerously, they said. In London, the unusual dryness is cracking the British clay and soil used to build many older houses and offices, portending a massive safety issue if they start crumbling.

As new ripple effects of global warming emerge, we will continue to learn and take steps to mitigate whatever we can. New types of carbon-free cement for buildings. Wildfire prevention plans. Sea walls to defend against rising waters. A rearguard action, to be sure.

But nature and climate change will always be one step ahead of us. No place to run. No place to hide.

David Callaway is founder and editor of Callaway Climate Insights and a former editor of USA Today.
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A deadly heatwave sweeping across Europe with temperatures forecast to shatter records in the coming days stands in complete contrast to the weather faced by the United Kingdom that has had wet and windy conditions continuing this week.

As the UK gets prolonged showers  the Met Office predicts unsettled conditions to continue for the next few days  the Mediterranean region grapples with soaring heat that could touch a new European record as soon as this week.

Temperatures are expected to go beyond 40C in parts of Spain and Italy in the coming days.

Spain, Italy and Greece have been experiencing scorching temperatures for several days already, damaging agriculture and leaving tourists scurrying for shade.

But a new anticyclone dubbed Charon, who in Greek mythology was the ferryman of the dead, pushed into the region from north Africa on Sunday and could lift temperatures above 45 Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) in parts of Italy early this week.

The countrys blazing mercury led to the death of a 44-year-old man, while a tourist from the UK visiting Romes Colosseum fainted, prompting health warnings.

We need to prepare for a severe heat storm that, day after day, will blanket the whole country, Italian weather news service Meteo.it warned on Sunday.

In some places ancient heat records will be broken.

The temperature of the ground, which is different from the air temperature that weather forecasts mention, hit more than 60C in some areas of Spain last week, satellite recordings have shown.

While mean ground temperatures are generally close to the air temperatures, they can sometimes be higher as the soil in summer can trap more heat. However, a surface land temperature of 60C is extremely high and rare in Europe.

The heatwave will intensify from Monday, with temperatures reaching 44C (111.2F) in the Guadalquivir valley near Seville in the south of the country, forecasters predicted.

The conditions have been raising fears of a repeat of last years extreme heat conditions when Europe experienced its hottest summer on record in 2022, marked by an onslaught of scorching heatwaves, devastating droughts and raging forest fires driven by the human-induced climate crisis.

The heat contributed to the deaths of over 61,000 people, a recent study has shown.

Heat map showing extremely hot areas in black (European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-3 imagery)

Experts have said the European heatwave is because of an area of high pressure named after the underworld monster from Dantes Inferno  Cerberus.

The area of high pressure comes as the world recently experienced record-shattering temperatures that have fuelled baking heatwaves in several countries like the US  that has seen contrasting weather extremes of its own.

The southern US has been engulfed by extreme heat while its northeast grapples with severe flooding.

The UK, on the other hand, finds itself under the influence of a different weather pattern that has brought in more rain and thus pulled down temperatures after the country got its hottest June on record, pointed out experts.

Dr Melissa Lazenby, a climate change lecturer at the University of Sussex, explained that the current placement of a high-pressure system located further south is the primary reason for this divergence.

The current European Heatwave is being driven by stable atmospheric conditions from a stationary high pressures feature, Dr Lazenby explained.

She added that while it is not possible to determine all the drivers and their exact contributions to the current heatwave yet, Europe is not particularly affected by El Nino events directly.

Therefore it is likely the high-pressure system and climate change are the main contributors to this heatwave event, she said.

The UK at the moment is not experiencing the same high temperatures as the rest of Europe and that is mainly due to the placement of the current high-pressure system, which does not cover the UK and is situated further south, Dr Lazenby said, which provides stable atmospheric conditions for enhanced warming and resulting heatwaves.

If you are in the UK today, you will notice the higher winds which are not associated with a high-pressure feature and therefore not allowing conducive heatwave conditions explaining why UK temperatures are not anomalously warm like the rest of Europe.

A woman fans herself in Madrid, Spain (AP)

While the UK may be relieved to avoid sweltering conditions experienced by its European counterparts, extreme temperatures have impacted the countrys summertime this year.

The Met Office said record June temperatures in the UK were caused by the background warming of the Earths atmosphere due to human-induced climate change.

The sea around the UK and Ireland also experienced an unheard of extreme marine heatwave that posed dangers to the coastal ecosystem.

July was largely expected to be the hottest month of the year, surpassing June temperatures, as experts predicted more heatwaves in the coming days. Current changes, however, indicate no imminent heatwave threat to the country.

But the rapid temperature rise in the Mediterranean region serves as a stark reminder that the climate crisis is an intricate system with potential feedback loops and unforeseen events, experts say.

To an extent, the European heatwave we are seeing in summer 2023 reflects what has been observed over the last few years in the science. Namely, that Europe has been warming much faster than other continents in recent decades, and that this trend is especially pronounced in north-west Europe  including the UK, said Dr Leslie Mabon, lecturer in environmental systems at The Open University.

Dr Mabon explained that while it is difficult to pinpoint a single factor responsible for making Europe warm so fast, due to the complex relationships between the different elements in the system, we can be in absolutely no doubt that a critical driver behind this warming trend is carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.

Until we rapidly reduce emissions from fossil fuels, extremes like the heatwave we are seeing in Europe at the moment are going to become more and more likely, Dr Mabon said.

The differences that we are seeing in the extent of warming both globally and between regions of Europe are also a stark reminder that the Earths climate is a complex system.

As we get to higher degrees of warming, the danger of feedback loops or unexpected events occurring becomes greater. This is why we need to urgently reduce emissions from fossil fuels and limit the extent of global heating at all costs.
There has been a drop in the cost of settling insurance claims taken under Employers and Public Liability Insurance, but new data shows legal bills are rising even for cases kept out of the courts.

The latest National Claims Information Database (NCID) report from the Central Bank has been welcomed by Financial Services Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill who said its shows the Personal Injury Guidelines are having a significant impact.

The Personal Injury Guidelines introduced two years ago have guideline compensation levels that provide for lower payouts in the cases of minor injuries in particular and have been designed to speed up and reduce the overall cost of insurance cases.

The minister said that combined with new legislation that reduces the duty of care on business premises owners in cases of so-called slips and trips, it should translate into lower cost insurance for businesses.

The new data was also welcomed by the Alliance for Insurance Reform, a lobby group for businesses, but it flagged a sharp rise in legal fees including a 57pc increase for claims settled directly with insurers, a 17pc increase for those settled through the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) and 9pc for the cases that are settled through litigation.

Legal fees account for a huge share of settlement costs in most cases and that cost goes directly to the cost of insurance, they said.

A board member of the Alliance, Michael Magner, who owns the Vienna Woods Hotel in Cork, said the data means there is a strong case for reducing the price of cover.

The total cost of settling liability claims is down by 12pc due to a reduction in the volume of settled claims and the average cost of settling them. Importantly, it appears that insurers are sticking to the Judicial Guidelines in terms of direct settlements. In light of these reductions there is a compelling argument to pass on savings to liability policy holders without any further delay and any premium increases would simply be unconscionable.

Moyagh Murdock, CEO of insurers body Insurance Ireland, said so many cases still end up in the courts that the benefits of the PIAB guidelines are limited, especially when legal costs here are so high relative to the rest of Europe.

The NCID report notes that the overall impact of the Personal Injury Guidelines on average claim costs is limited as claims settled via litigation represent the largest proportion of the total claims cost, and to date they have not yet been materially impacted by the guidelines, she said.

Successive NCID reports have consistently shown that the litigated channels still accounts for the majority of claims costs. This further highlights that the strengthened role of PIAB to increase settlements though mediation and without unnecessary litigation is critically important.
Ryanair group chief executive Michael OLeary and the airlines chief technology officer, John Hurley, are set to give evidence via depositions next month in an ongoing US legal battle between the carrier and Booking.com.

The dates have provisionally been set for August at locations to be agreed by the two sides in the dispute. Court filings show that the dates might also be altered, subject to agreement.

Other Ryanair executives including director of marketing and communications Dara Brady will also be required to give testimony next month.

Ryanair initiated legal action against Booking.com and its subsidiaries  Kayak.com, Priceline.com and Agoda.com  in 2020 in the United States.

It has claimed that the defendants are depriving Ryanair of the opportunity to maximise its revenues from its own website.

The carrier claimed in a Delaware court that Booking.com had bypassed the airlines website security and engaged in so-called screen-scraping of its fares.

Screen-scraping involves a third party accessing an airlines website and often offering fares to its own customers via its own website.

Court filings show that the defendants, including Booking.com, will take the deposition of Michael OLeary at such a location as may be agreed upon by counsel for the parties, commencing at 9am local time on August 23, 2023, or another date as may be agreed upon by counsel for the parties, and continuing from day to day thereafter until completed.

The deposition of Mr Hurley will also be taken on August 17.

On August 16, the deposition of Poland-based Ryanair data scientist Lukasz Stocki will be taken by lawyers for Booking.com and its subsidiaries.

Mr Bradys deposition will be held the day before.

Ryanairs head of development at Ryanair Labs, David OCallaghan, will give testimony on August 21.

The deposition will be by oral examination before an officer duly authorised by law to administer oaths and testimony, the court notices state in relation to the two executives, adding that the testimony will be recorded by a stenographer and on video.

Booking.com has denied the allegations and countersued Ryanair. While Booking.coms defamation counterclaim with respect to Ryanairs public statements was struck out by the court last month, other claims by the internet giant against the airline, including other defamation allegations, were not.

The airline previously said it denies that Booking.coms customers understand statements made by Ryanair to be defamatory.

Ryanairs wrongful conduct  including its defamatory accusations and misrepresentations to Booking.coms customers  harms what Booking.com has built, the online travel group previously alleged in its counterclaims against the airline.

While Ryanair previously asked for all of Booking.coms counterclaims against it to be dismissed, the Delaware court said in April that of the five counterclaims, just one element is dismissed. The others, including counterclaims for tortious interference with business relations, unfair competition, trade libel and deceptive trade practices also remain actionable.

The judge said Booking.com has plausibly alleged that Ryanairs communications with Booking.coms customers were the proximate cause of Booking.coms alleged loss of repeat business.
Northern Irish firms hope that cheaper houses and a post-Brexit customs deal will give them an edge over their Irish counterparts as they make a push for new business.

A mission fronted by Northern Irelands three biggest trade bodies  Hospitality Ulster, Manufacturing NI and Retail NI, together making up Trade NI  is on its way to Dublin today to meet with Tanaiste Micheal Martin to deliver a positive message about Northern Irelands bright prospects.

Weve a great ability in the North to talk ourselves down, said Stephen Kelly, chief executive of Manufacturing NI. Were embarrassed about the unique proposition that we actually have and that we can take to the world. But this place has actually transformed in the last 25 years.

A report for Trade NI by consultants BDO, published today, found that economic output in Northern Ireland has more than doubled in the 25 years since the Good Friday peace deal.

The number of tech jobs has doubled in the same period, with more than 1,200 foreign companies establishing bases in the country.

Mr Kelly and his colleagues are eyeing even more opportunities since the post-Brexit Windsor Framework was agreed in February.

That deal creates a green lane for British goods coming into Northern Ireland, including simpler rules for mixed loads of food products, based on a trusted trader scheme, which Irish freight operators have been crying out for.

Meanwhile, Northern Irish exporters will not face the same UK customs controls that are due to apply from January next year for Irish firms.

Its going to become incredibly, much more difficult for Irish traders to send stuff to Great Britain, particularly for food and medicines, but its not for us. So our proposition actually strengthens as the UK beds down its external borders.

Irelands housing woes are also playing into Trade NIs business plan. Average house prices in the North are around 100,000 cheaper, while average rents are just over half the 1,750 people pay here.

We have an availability of housing stock that is a fraction of the price it would be in other parts of Ireland. That is potentially a threat to the scale of Irelands economic ambitions, Mr Kelly said.

Despite the fact that the threat level was raised to severe again earlier this year on the back of dissident republican and loyalist violence, Mr Kelly said it is still a very safe place to live.

But he said the country has lost investment because of the incredibly confusing political situation, with the Northern Ireland Executive still on ice after 16 months.

One of Trade NIs asks of any new Executive would be to match Irelands 12.5pc corporation tax and low VAatT for hospitality and tourism, which is temporarily set at 9pc here.

If that were done, Belfast would be stiff competition for Dublin, Mr Kelly said.

We know, speaking to people in Dublin and elsewhere, when we ask them, What is your biggest threat? They say that the biggest threat is if we ever get ourselves sorted politically in the North.
Fitness is taken care of, too, through Strava and others. Stock image

Vodafone OneNumber

Requirements: Samsung Galaxy LTE watch, Android phone

For years, Irish runners have peered jealously at UK neighbours who can take their smartwatches on a walk or a run without their smartphone and still stream music or podcasts or get calls and messages.

Mostly, this jealousy has focused on Apples cellular Watch models. Apples smartwatch is, by far, the best-selling watch of any kind in Ireland, as well as in the UK.

So it has been galling that Ireland remains one of the few countries in Europe not to be supported by operators on the issue.

Until now. Sort of. Vodafone has extended its OneNumber service into Ireland, allowing you to use your cellular smartwatch away from your phone and still be connected to Vodafones mobile network via the watch.

Unfortunately, were not allowed to be at the top table. Instead of an Apple Watch, the service is limited to the fourth-most popular brand of smartwatch: Samsung. And its only the high-end Watch4 LTE and Watch5 LTE models, too.

Ive been trialling the service  using a Samsung S23 and a Galaxy Watch5  for the last two weeks and Ill admit, its very handy.

It has allowed me to go for a walk without my phone, a rare delight; theres little that disrupts a beautiful summer evening walk in Dublin like the reflex to take your phone out of your pocket just to check something.

That goes double for running, where a phone is an awkward accessory in any setup.

The really essential functions were mostly satisfied with the service.

I could pay for things in shops with the Galaxy Watch5, because it allowed me to add Google Pay to its list of Wear apps. Samsung Pay remains unavailable in Ireland, a longstanding niggle in Samsungs aspiration to create a mobile ecosystem to match Apples.

I also downloaded Spotify to the watch and was able to stream music and podcasts. Amazon Music and Deezer are also supported. Wireless earbuds can be paired to the Galaxy Watch

Fitness is taken care of, too, through Strava and others.

I could even get Outlook email via the mobile app. The only essential app gap is WhatsApp, which isnt available. Neither are Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, but thats actually more of a relief when Im out and about.

Being Vodafone, this OneNumber service is only available for bill pay plans, which tend to cost at least 35 per month. And youll need to pay an extra 5 per month to add it onto your service.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 LTE and Watch 5 LTE are the models supported, although you can use most new non-Samsung Android phones with it.

Obviously, it remains a disappointment that the most popular smartwatch isnt supported in Ireland for any of this; there are few runners who choose a Samsung Galaxy watch over an Apple Watch, Garmin or Fitbit.

Theres no timeline offered, either, as to when this might change. Operators here dont especially like dealing with Apple, which has long set commercial terms that local carriers resent.

However, it still has to be regarded as a small step forward. If youre not that fussy about your smartwatch  or are one of the handful who actively go out and look for a Galaxy smartwatch  and already have an Android phone, this can be a compelling option.
Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Matt Damon were among the stars who staged a walk-out from the London premiere of Oppenheimer to "write their picket signs" ahead of the Sag-Aftra strike announcement on Thursday evening.

The premiere of Christopher Nolan's historical epic was brought forward by an hour ahead of a Sag-Aftra press conference in Los Angeles, which later declared the US union had agreed to strike.

The anticipated announcement cast a shadow over the London film premiere at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square, with the film's major stars including Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr, Sir Kenneth Branagh and Rami Malek leaving before the screening of the film.

Speaking on the red carpet, Sir Kenneth told the PA news agency: "Everybody is working very hard to make sure it doesn't happen, if it happens I stand in solidarity with our Sag members.

"We know it is a critical time at this point in the industry and the issues need to be addressed, difficult conversations, I know everybody is trying to get a fair deal, that is what's required so we'll support that."

Murphy told PA: "I stand by my colleagues, that's all I can say to you."

Cast of Oppenheimer walk out of UK premiere ahead of actors strike announcement

Speaking on stage at the premiere ahead of the strike announcement, filmmaker Nolan said: "I have to acknowledge the work of our incredible cast, led by Cillian Murphy.

"The list is enormous - Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek and so many more. You've seen them here earlier on the red carpet.

"Unfortunately, they are off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by SAG, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of their union."

Arriving on the red carpet ahead of the screening, British actress Blunt warned that the cast would be leaving "in unity" if the strike was announced.

She told US outlet Deadline: "I think right now we are just sorting of ... I hope everyone makes a fair deal and we are here to just celebrate this movie.

"And if they call it, we'll be leaving together as a cast in unity with everyone."

When asked if she is "upping sticks", she replied: "We're going to have to. We are going to have to. We will see what happens, but right now it's a joy to be together."

Fellow British actress Pugh told PA that the cast felt lucky to have got to the Oppenheimer premiere before the strike was announced but also lucky to be standing in solidarity with their acting peers.

She said: "It's been a really, really tense few days for a lot of people, not just actors but everybody in the industry who are going to be affected by this decision but affected by a decision that is necessary.

"Equally, premieres aren't just for us, they are to honour a movie, they are to honour a crew that made them so we feel both lucky, that we got to squeeze this in, and also lucky that we get to stand by our peers in a decision that is made.

"We hope that something comes of it soon."

The strike news comes after the US union and Hollywood studios failed to reach an agreement after more than four weeks of negotiations, with actors wanting better pay and increased safeguarding around AI rights among their demands.

A look at Cillian Murphy's best roles on screen

Last month Sag-Aftra members voted overwhelmingly to authorise a strike if a new contract with major studios, streamers and production companies could not be reached.

Nearly 98pc (97.91pc) of the 65,000 members who cast votes were in favour, Sag-Aftra said.

A statement from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPT) said: "We are deeply disappointed that Sag-Aftra has decided to walk away from negotiations.

"This is the union's choice, not ours.

"In doing so, it has dismissed our offer of historic pay and residual increases, substantially higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, a ground-breaking AI proposal that protects actors' digital likenesses, and more.

"Rather than continuing to negotiate, Sag-Aftra has put us on a course that will deepen the financial hardship for thousands who depend on the industry for their livelihoods."

It is now anticipated the strike will affect upcoming award shows, premieres, events and film festivals around the world, including the Toronto and Venice film festivals, and the 75th Emmys.
Peadar was ridiculed on TV shows and had his dignity stripped away  family remember gentleman as pair who dragged his body to post office are jailed
New RTE boss Kevin Bakhurst has said it was not appropriate for RTE radio DJ Dave Fanning to call the Oireachtas committees that Ryan Tubridy, Noel Kelly and RTE executives are facing a nonsensical Oireachtas Nuremberg trial.

RTE host Dave Fanning, who is a client of Mr Kellys agency NK Management, on Tuesday told his Twitter followers that his radio show might come as a distraction to the committee hearings.

"I think we all need a distraction from that nonsensical Oireachtas Nuremberg trial, he said.

Mr Fanning has since issued an apology for the comments this afternoon.

"I want to apologise unreservedly to the Oireachtas Committee for my ill judged comment regarding this weeks hearings. There was no intention to trivialise the proceedings, Mr Fanning tweeted.

The matter was raised this morning before the Public Accounts Committee by Labour TD Alan Kelly, who said an RTE presenter referred to the PAC meeting as being nonsensical Oireachtas Nuremberg trial yesterday and asked how this is appropriate.

"A person who is paid by the taxpayer  through his agent [Noel Kelly]  on RTE saying, effectively, what the Public Accounts Committee are doing... Mr Kelly tailed off.

That is not appropriate from my point of view, as an employee or a contractor working for RTE, because the work of this committee has been incredibly important in trying to cleanse this, said Mr Bakhurst.

I think we all need a distraction from that nonsensical Oireachtas Nuremberg trial So listen to our Rory Gallagher special tonight 10pm on Radio 1!! One of the all time greats. pic.twitter.com/FlI3Ypeqhz  Dave Fanning (@davefanning) July 11, 2023

I thought that was very insulting, said Mr Kelly.

Mr Kelly said: If politicians said something of a similar ilk, you know what would happen.

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The 2FM DJ has since deleted the tweet in question.

Mr Bakhurst did not say whether RTE management have spoken to Mr Fanning over the comment.

The former Late Late Show host Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly gave over six hours of testimony before the Media and the Public Accounts Committee.

The pair gave their account of the ongoing payments controversy at the public broadcaster.

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) member Catherine Murphy also alluded to the trials during the hearing, telling Mr Kelly: This following instructions. Its called the Nuremberg defence.
Mr Bakhurst says he does not accept Tubridys list of seven untruthsTDs and Senators were told that an invoice has been sent in from Tubridys agentMr Bakhurst said he did not want to rush a decision on Tubridys future

RTE's new director general Kevin Bakhurst was before the Public Accounts Committee today

RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst has confirmed that as of this week there is no salary being paid to Ryan Tubridy, as RTE executives face another round of grilling at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

An invoice came in this week from Ryan Tubridys agent, Mr Bakhurst said, but added: We need to decide what were paying him because hes not doing his duties any more.

Clearly hes not doing his TV programme any more, he should be available for radio.

He said he received an email from the finance department a few days ago to say an invoice had come in from Tubridy.

He said he then took advice on whether it should be paid.

Before the PAC on Tuesday, Tubridy said he was still being paid by RTE.

RTE bosses said they have not asked Tubridy to give back 150,000 from outstanding Renault appearances, but Mr Bakhurst did later state he would look at recouping this money from Tubridy if he was agreeable to return it.

"It is taxpayers money, TD Alan Dillon pointed out.

Mr Bakhurst said he has not contacted Mr Tubridy since Tuesday and said he does not want to rush on a decision on whether he should come back to work at RTE or not.

I want to consider whats the right thing for RTE, he said.

FG TD Alan Dillon said are there any disciplinary actions for staff who have breached any rules surrounding commercial arrangements.

Mr Bakhurst said there is a process to establish whats been going on up till now led by Mr Lynch.

FG TD Colm Burke asked if all contracts with side letters will be reviewed.

The DG said if a contract has been agreed it is hard to revisit that but most of them are not long in term.

Interim deputy director general Adrian Lynch said Tubridy doesnt owe six outstanding events to anybody because Renault never signed up for six additional events.

Mr Lynch then told the committee that RTEs former chief financial officer Breda OKeefe sent him a text saying that she disputes a certain claim made.

TDs Catherine Murphy and Paul McAuliffe intervene to say this contribution cannot be accepted.

Ms O'Keefe was invited to come before the PAC but declined the invite. Independent TD Verona Murphy said she is at a loss as to how the committee can do business when someone is corresponding with a witness via text message despite this person having declined an invitation to appear before the committee.

Mr Bakhurst said he would be willing to come back before TDs and be joined by Tubridy if this would shed more light on the payments scandal.

He added that the future location of the organisation is also being looked at and added a lot hinges on future funding.

Mr Bakhurst said there will be a price tag and it will be a significant one but it is not clear what it will be in relation to the reviews ongoing in RTE.

TD John Brady said Tubridy was paid for services which have not been provided.

Mr Lynch said he has access to former director general Dee Forbess email account and there is very little else of substance that can be provided from it.

Mr Bakhurst said the commercial side is business as usual for RTE in the midst of the payments scandal.

He said he has the June figures showing how many people paid the TV licence and this remains same as last year, and added that he has no intention to re-start lobbying politicians for a TV licence overhaul for RTE at the moment.

Commercial director Conor Mullen said most of commercial business will be from September onwards.

Independent TD Verona Murphy said Tubridys agent Noel Kelly said he knew nothing about the scheme to deceive. She referenced the DG's comments in a Newstalk interview and Mr Bakhurst said he stands over his comments 100pc.

I said there was two sides to this agreement, he said. He accused Ms Murphy of putting words in my mouth.

Renaults contract to sponsor the next series of The Late Late Show is also up for renewal, Mr Bakhurst confirmed.

Deputy interim director general Adrian Lynch said former RTE commercial director Geraldine OLearys testimony shows that six further Renault events that were planned under the tri-partite agreement between Renault, RTE and Tubridy did not go ahead.

Mr Lynch asserted that this shows Noel Kelly may have known invoices made out to UK-based barter account Actus could have been paid by RTE and not Renault, as Mr Kelly suggested on Tuesday. Deputy Murphy asked what proof Mr Lynch had of this, which he could not furnish.

Ms Murphy said former chief financial officer Breda O'Keefe gave the impression that everybody in RTE was opposed to underwriting this agreement.

The Independent TD said RTE has not counteracted that and said there isnt an ounce of credibility to Mr Lynch or Mr Bakhurst.

Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon asked if anybody else in RTE should be paid more than the director general. If they have a worth to RTE that is worth more than I am, then I think we should consider that, said Mr Bakhurst.

He said there should be downward pressure on the top presenter pay but also attract the very best talent.

Mr Lynch said he is not sure where the figure of 100m comes from  the figure given by Noel Kelly as to the commercial revenue brought in by Ryan Tubridys shows.

That seems high to me, he said

There may be a valid methodology to that.

He declined to comment on whether Mr Kelly's explanation is credible.

Mr Dillon then asked if the fraudulent invoices have been reported to the gardai.

RTEs legal director Paula Mullooly said the legal advice is that it was misleading but not fraudulent. Mr Dillon asks if there is collusion between Noel Kelly and RTE on where these payments were going.

That doesnt necessarily mean that it amounts to a criminal offence, said Ms Mullooly.

Ms Mullooly said Mr Kelly sent in a draft letter which was not signed because there is pushback in respect to the underwriting of this agreement.

TD Paul McAuliffe said this is contradictory to Ms OKeefes email saying that a side letter could be provided.

Labour TD Alan Kelly said: A lot of us are now more confused than we ever were.

.

Mr Kelly said based on the messing thats going on he wants a timeline of events pulled together and signed by Mr Bakhurst.

He also asked for any other side deals with advertisers, going back to Gay Byrnes time in RTE. He said he also wants a breakdown of who are the people that have pension top-ups; as well as who has credit cards for the barter accounts; as well as a list of presenters agents.

Mr Lynch said his role was not advertised because he was appointed by the DG. Adrian Lynch said Breda OKeefes exit package never came to us for sign-off on the executive board.

Mr Kelly replied then there is a big problem because all executive board members must sign off on it.

Mr Bakhurst said RTE are already working on that.

'We'll wait to see what he does about it' - RTE Director-General Kevin Bakhurst on Ryan Tubridy's offer to return payments

Mr Kelly said an RTE presenter referred to the PAC meeting as being a nonsensical Oireachtas Nuremberg trial yesterday. The TD asked: How this is appropriate?

That is not appropriate from my point of view, said Mr Bakhurst.

I thought that was very insulting, said Mr Kelly.

Mr Bakhurst added that he does not accept Tubridys seven untruths.

When asked if he took a 20pc pay cut, Mr Bakhurst said you can use figures the way you want.

He took a significant pay cut, thats undoubtedly true. I dont want to say yes or no to 20pc because I havent got my calculator, he said.

NK Management, the agency run by Noel Kelly, received 75,000 payments despite knowing that Renault contract was no longer in place, Mr Lynch told TDs at the PAC.

There was a verbal agreement given to the agent that RTE would pay the money if there was no sponsorship in place.

Ryan Tubridy and his agent made the claim that the broadcasters guarantee to underwrite the 75,000 was widely known within the RTE executive board.

Earlier Richard Collins intervened to clarify that he is the current Chief Financial Officer (CFO) after he was named as the former CFO by the PAC chair Brian Stanley.

Mr Lynch referenced former CFO Breda O'Keefe's email which was brought up consistently by Mr Kelly.

He said it was a single email in the process of negotiations which werent completed.

He said the agent insisted there should be a side letter from RTE underwriting the agreement but this letter was not forthcoming.

He said Mr Kelly drafted a letter but this letter was never signed.

Mr Lynch also referenced emails from NK Management which reference the verbal agreement given by Dee Forbes.

Mr Lynch referenced how Noel Kelly said he never met Dee Forbes alone without legal or finance representatives.

He said there was a meeting on Monday, April 25, 2022 at 12.45.

Mr Lynch said RTE were obligated to provide the 75,000 payments.

Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch contradicts evidence given by Noel Kelly about his interaction with Dee Forbes

Mr Lynch said there was no Renault deal after the first year.

Mr Lynch then read out an email from Noel Kelly to Dee Forbes referencing Geraldine OLeary.

The two [75,000] payments were at extravagant expense to the public, Mr Lynch said.

"The Renault deal was for one year, he added.

Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy said certain witnesses have put things on the record which have not been correct as the committee asked about the status of Geraldine OLearys invite. They insisted she was invited but nobody seems to know whether she declined formally or not.

Sinn Fein TD John Brady asked about Ms OLearys exit package.

Head of legal Paula Mullooly said Mr Kelly drafted the commercial agreement and Fine Gael TD Colm Burke then questioned Ms Mullooly about the tripartite agreement.

She said a query was raised about what should be in the invoice but she said the legal department doesnt take instructions, but gives advice.

New DG Kevin Bakhurst said were not going to have side letters in future agreements.

Mr Burke said he has asked for a list of people involved in the making of the tripartite agreement and he has not received it. He said the Grant Thornton report references that the then-DG Dee Forbes was not involved in it.

Ms Mullooly said the agreement was sent to RTEs legal department by NK management and then forwarded to the director of content and the head of commercial.

Mr Lynch said Jim Jennings  director of content  said in emails the agreement was nothing to do with him.

Mr Burke asked if more work should have been done before the statement made by RTE at the end of June, which referenced Tubridy 15 times.

RTE board chairperson Siun Ni Raghallaigh said the Grant Thornton review was independent and was about correcting the record in terms of the misstatement of figures.

She said in the report, the auditors interviewed a number of people including Mr Kelly. She said fair procedure happened in the report.

Mr Lynch said RTE is looking into how former CFO Breda OKeefes exit package was delivered.

RTE bosses are asked why there was an illusion given that a rogue DG went and negotiated a deal.

Mr Lynch said the DG was the one member of the executive board who gave a verbal guarantee.

Fianna Fail TD James OConnor asked if there is a set list of charities RTE would support.

Mr Lynch said he would have to come back with a full list.

Mr OConnor said there is a huge paper trail and he is at a point where he doesnt know what to believe anymore.

Mr Bakhurst said the sound bite of drip-feed has been used several times and that he had full confidence in Mr Lynch.

He said information has been put out as quickly as possible.

The impression was given that it was almost all Dee Forbes, said Fianna Fail TD Cormac Devlin.

The contract was not finalised and binding until May 7, said Mr Lynch.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh said when the first Grant Thornton report was concluded, nobody knew the beneficiary of the payments.

We didnt know all the details at that point, she said.

Ms Mullooly said a number of other legal issues have arisen when asked why certain documents werent shared with the committee earlier.

She said notes drafted by a solicitor at certain meetings are privileged.

Sinn Fein TD John Brady said Ms OKeefe gave very convincing testimony to the committee. Mr Kelly had sent a legal letter to RTE some days before she came before TDs. Mr Lynch said when she gave her testimony, he did refer to having received something.

I do think people were operating in silos, said Mr Bakhurst. Im not convinced anybody else knew all the information.

Mr Brady said the assurances given in the email that RTE would issue a side letter and the people CCd in this email are key people in key roles at the top of the organisation.

This shows these people operated in collaboration but the new DG disagrees with this.

Mr Bakhurst said certain people should have spoken up.

Mr Lynch apologised to Renault for "being dragged into this".

Social Democrat TD Catherine Murphy referenced Ms OKeefes letter to the committee declining to come in.

She said the email she sent on February 20, provided by Noel Kelly, completely blows out of the water Ms OKeefes evidence.

The reality of it is, that ended up being the agreement, said Ms Murphy.

Mr Lynch said he wouldnt agree as the fee wasnt final and certain parts changed, such as a revenue share for Late Late Live, which did not happen. Ms Murphy said she finds very difficult to believe Ms OLeary and Ms OKeefe.

She said the PAC has been given the absolute runaround and the public have been misled.

She asked if Deloitte audited the barter accounts. CFO Richard Collins said they have been auditors since 2018. He said it was picked up this year as part of last years audit.

The second Grant Thornton report will also address accounting issues, said Mr Collins.

Mr Lynch rejected multiple assertions from Sinn Fein TD Imelda Munster that he misled the PAC. Ms Munster said Mr Lynch said the executive board knew nothing about the underwriting.

Mr Lynch said he has been truthful at all times and was referring to the verbal agreement.

You knew exactly about the deal [that] as done to underwrite the Renault agreement, said Ms Munster. She referenced his comments saying that he received a guarantee from members of the executive board that they didnt know about the underwriting.

Mr Lynch said he stands over exactly what I said and rejected the claim that he misled the committee.

He said he was referring to the agreement on May 7; RTEs three payments to Tubridy, one from a credit note and two from the barter account.

He said he asked each of the executives if the deal was underwritten by a verbal agreement by Dee Forbes.

I did not mislead this committee, he said.

Fine Gael TD Colm Burke asked who made the final decision on former chief commercial officer Ms Breda OKeefes exit payment.

Mr Collins said he didnt sign off on it. He said an instruction came from HR.

Mr Bakhurst said it was agreed between Dee Forbes and Ms OKeefe. The processing department was also aware.

Adrian Lynch then said there was a statement made in previous committee hearings that any time Mr Kelly met Ms Forbes there was finance or legal representatives present. They werent friendly, they didnt meet that often, it was purely business, he said.

But there was a meeting on Microsoft Teams between Mr Kelly and Ms Forbes after which an email from Mr Kelly implied the meeting could have been about the Renault deal, the committee was told.

Mr Lynch said the only two names on the record are Ms Forbes and Mr Kelly, and nobody else from RTE was there.

PAC chair Brian Stanley asked the DG what vision he has for RTE.

Mr Bakhurst said the size of the organisation depends on the way it is changed and on the funding going forward, which is an issue.

He said he wants to deliver visible change.

He said the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) auditing RTE would add reassurance but said auditing can be done by an outside body as well.

The C&AG said there is a need for a change in the law for this to happen.

TD Imelda Munster asked what consequences there will be for senior members in RTE and not a slap on the wrist and go off with your pension.

Mr Bakhurst said people stepping down and resigning is a consequence.

He said people have paid a high price for a marginal involvement in some of these things.

Green TD Marc O Cathasaigh said Adrian Lynchs opening statement blew the door off the hinges and said it should have been sent in earlier.

The statement said was in relation to Noel Kelly meeting with Dee Forbes without any legal representation present.

Deputy O Cathasaigh asked who made the decision to pay the 150,000 out of the barter account.

Mr Lynch said there is no email evidence but said it was an instruction from Dee Forbes to the now-retired director of commercial, Geraldine OLeary. This was between January and March of 2022.

We know because of the evidence we have supplied the Renault agreement had expired, he said.

Mr O Cathasaigh referenced a payment to Marco Pierre White restaurant, who said there was a card payment on the day or an invoice is sent, but no invoice was sent to Astus.

Mr Mullen said an invoice was raised to Astus and Astus made the payment.

Sinn Fein TD John Brady said Tubridy told the committee his reputation was desperately sullied.

He asked if any legal papers have been served by him or NK Management.

RTEs legal chief Ms Mullooly said RTE doesnt comment on legal matters even though Mr Bakhurst and Mr Lynch shook their heads to indicate no legal papers had been served.

Commercial director at RTE Conor Mullen was unable to say if there was a debit or credit card attached to the barter account.

Mr Bakhurst said there is a need for a barter account for airtime.

Mr Mullen said contracts need to be looked at but said he understands that a charge of 35pc is a common cost.

Mr Bakhurst said it doesnt make sense to make other payments out of the barter account.

Mr O Cathasaigh asked about members of editorial within RTE sitting on a sponsorship committee.

Mr Mullen said the clearance committee clears all the advertising which goes through radio and TV.

He said it is absolutely essential to have members of editorial there.

Head of sport Declan McBennett said a register of interests would level the playing field and be welcomed broadly by managers.

You dont want staff looking across the fence at someone, he said.
Ms Leonardi, who had worked here since 2019, had gone back to her native country for a brief visit, but was found dead there last week

A protest in memory of Priscila Leonardi has been organised for on Monday, July 17

Priscila Leonardi (40) had been working in Ireland since 2019 before she was found murdered in her native Brazil

Friends of Priscila Leonardi have said they are heartbroken following her murder in Brazil.

Ms Leonardi had been working in Ireland since 2019 and returned home to Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil, for a month-long visit.

Last week a fisherman discovered a body on the banks of the Ibirapuita River in Alegrete. It was later confirmed by police to be that of Ms Leonardi, who had been missing since June 19.

She was found with a ribbon-like lanyard around her neck, and injuries consistent with beating.

According to her friend, who wished to remain anonymous, Ms Leonardi (40) went back to the South American country to collect the last of her belongings.

We worked together; we were very close. We were a part of each other's lives, said the friend.

Priscila was a lovely person. She had a very tough life, she lost both of her parents when she was quite young. She was motivated, hard-working. She had a lot of dreams and plans for her life. She wanted to find her love and build a family.

She was genuine, shed never talk bad about anyone. She was a peaceful person, and she had a beautiful smile. She was polite, honest, and transparent in every step of her life.

She was excited to take on a business degree in Ireland. She graduated as a nurse in Brazil beforehand. She worked in a nursing home in Dun Laoghaire for two years, it was her last job here.

Its a tragedy, its very painful for us. Its tough for all of us. She went over to collect the last of her belongings she left there before she moved to Ireland.

Local media reports that the police are investigating whether Ms Leonardi was killed over an inheritance dispute.

She was laid to rest in her hometown last Friday with tributes continuing to pour in to remember the nurse.

Friends of Ms Leonardi are encouraging people to wear black shirts and attend a protest outside the Brazilian embassy in Dublin next Monday to demand answers.

Were going to go in front of the Brazilian embassy and fight for justice. We want answers. Its been over 20 days. The police in Brazil say that theyre investigating, but weve no answers about Priscila and her disappearance, said Ms Leonardis friend.

It's very strange  the police never reached out to us, asked us who was close to her. Its not acceptable. She died in the most horrible way.

A protest in memory of Priscila Leonardi has been organised for on Monday, July 17

There wont just be people from Ireland at this protest. Her friends from places like Portugal, Croatia, Spain, and Bolivia will be there. Were getting together to make this happen on Monday.

We want to know why she died and who did it to her. The police in Brazil are very slow. Its not new that theres a lot of corruption and with a case like this, it could be forgotten very easily.

Were afraid to tell our names publicly because we dont know what happened to her. We have to protect ourselves.

Priscila had no close family, both her parents are dead. She had some relatives in her hometown, but she did not have a close relationship with them. Her friends became her family, she was very social, and she made friends with people all over the world. We want to help with this case.

Anyone can join the protest. We want justice. We want people to know that she was loved by us, and she was supported by people from all over the world.

Its a way for us to highlight violence against women. People can wear black on the day. The embassy didnt show us much support, they didnt really help (considering Ireland) was the country she was living in.

On This Day In History - July 13th
Engineering firm finds underground anomalies at the Co Tipperary mother and baby home site

Around 1,100 babies died at the home, which closed in 1969

An examination of land at one of the States most notorious mother and baby homes has identified underground anomalies which could be the mass graves of infants buried between the 1930s and 1960s.

The results of an analysis of lands at Sean Ross Abbey at Roscrea, Co Tipperary, has prompted calls for a re-evaluation of the site amid campaigners fears that mass burials there could prove to be on an even greater scale than at Tuam, Co Galway.

One campaign group, Bring Them Home (BTH), said the findings from the ground penetrating radar (GPR) scans were concerning  and even said the entire Tipperary site should be treated as a potential crime scene.

The anomalies were identified after an extensive analysis of the Sean Ross site by experts from TST Engineering, the same group that assisted with the examination of the Tuam site.

Several large anomalies were found during on-site surveys this summer.

TST director Simone Demurtas told radio station Tipp FM how the findings do not tally with the 2019 results of an examination of the Angel Plot at Sean Ross Abbey conducted at the behest of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes.

Almost 1,100 babies died at Sean Ross Abbey over 40 years of operations until 1969. The 2019 examination of the site identified only 42 baby remains.

BTH believes the latest survey has identified potentially more graves  with some ground analysis indicating the possible presence of coffins.

Campaign groups and the engineering firm believe a more detailed investigation of the site was now warranted.

The examination of the site earlier this year was part-funded by campaign groups which, like counterparts in Tuam and in Bessborough, Cork, believe there are undiscovered burials of infants who died at mother and baby homes.

There is a high chance that there are more coffins... but it is not easy to understand the anomalies because they are black and white images, Mr Demurtas told the Tipp Today show.

You need to take your interpretation and do your assumption at the end with all the background information, the GPR and whatever else you have and come to a conclusion.

If it is not possible, [then] you need to do more investigation.

Campaign groups said the latest survey was clear proof of the need for a more expansive and detailed investigation of the Sean Ross Abbey grounds.

BTH official Rachel Keogh said the group fear the burials at Roscrea could prove to be on an even greater scale than at Tuam.

About a tenth of the Angel Plot was examined four years ago and, in places, excavated as part of the work directed by the commission.

Ms Keogh said the entire area should now be treated as a potential crime scene  and a full examination must be ordered.

It has to be handled very delicately but I just dont think the Commission of Investigation should be allowed anywhere near this, she said.

They have completely undermined public trust with how they have handled the Commission of Investigation.

They [survivors] have been retraumatised, blow after blow after blow. [It has been] devastating and then they seal the archives for 30 years?

Ground-penetrating radar can identify areas of historic soil disturbance which can be attributed to archaeological remains, historic building or farming work and even drainage systems. But it can also indicate the presence of historic burial sites, particularly if the burials were large scale and coffins were used.

Sean Ross Abbey ranked alongside Bessborough in Cork and Tuam in Galway as among the most notorious mother and baby homes in Ireland.

Bessborough and Sean Ross Abbey were also the focus of controversial Irish vaccine trials and allegations of arranged adoptions to the US.

Research by historian Michael Dwyer revealed that 2,051 children drawn from the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary facilities at Bessborough and Sean Ross Abbey in Tipperary were part of the secret vaccine trials almost 70 years ago.

Of the more than 900 babies who died at Bessborough or in Cork hospitals, having been transferred from the mother and baby home over the course of seven decades, less than 70 have known burial sites.

A full excavation programme has been sanctioned for the Tuam mother and baby home site with the work described as one of the most complex and challenging forensic recovery operations in state history.

Tuam made global headlines with the revelation that a large number of infants who died at the home were buried in a sewage tank.

On This Day In History - July 13th
The earliest the new National Childrens Hospital could be able to admit patients is March 2025  as it cannot open in mid-winter, according to officials.

Paediatric consultants were informed of the proposed date last week, despite Government hopes that it could open at the end of 2024.

The information was raised at the Oireachtas Health Committee by Social Democrat TD Roisin Shortall, who asked officials if doctors were given this information.

In response, medical director Dr Emma Curtis said: I understand that is the case. It is a working date, I think. It would have come from Childrens Health Ireland and it is based on the view that the hospital cannot open in mid-winter.

The proposed opening date would be based around a March 2024 completion of construction and fitting out of the hospital over several months. But this March 2024 date now looks likely to be extended.

The hospital board has been promised an overdue timeline from the builders BAM for completion of the hospital next week. It was originally due last February.

A monthly report suggested a completion deadline of May 2024, but the Government said recently it was holding the builders to a March 2024 deadline. 

It comes as David Gunning, chief officer of the National Paediatric Hospital Board, said 1.433bn was allocated for the hospital in 2018. It asked the HSE at the end of May to go to the Government to ask for more funding, although he refused to say for how much. He said around 1.325bn has been spent so far on the project.

BAM has submitted around 756m extra in claims, against a contracted 910m, but these are being contested and just 14m has been conceded so far  though there are various stages in the dispute process.

Mr Gunning told the committee that in accordance with the contract, BAM is required to proceed with the works regularly and diligently, and it is obliged to resource the project at a level that will deliver substantial completion of the hospital at the earliest possible date.

BAM is not providing sufficient resources to deliver the hospital. This continued lack of resourcing, together with poor project execution, may lead to further slippage of the substantial completion date if this continues.

To illustrate this point, BAM achieved 67pc of its planned output in the last 12 months  this output level fell as low as 34pc at certain times during this period.

To further illustrate this point, BAMs monthly billing currently should approximate to 15m however, in the last number of months, they are below 10m.

What this looks like from an actual output perspective is illustrated by examining BAMs progress with room completions. Based on BAMs commitments, 3,000 rooms should have been completed by now. To date, 27 rooms have been deemed complete.

Furthermore, upon inspection these 27 rooms presented a large number of snags. The board has worked closely with BAM and the design team to eliminate these issues. This has been a time-consuming exercise.

Some 573m of the claims relate to only 16 claims out of a total of 2,175.

The claims include compensation for delays which BAM is blaming on the board.

In response, BAM said it rejected any allegations of under-performance or under-resourcing the hospital project.

It said: Any suggestion that BAM is deliberately not committing adequate resources to the project, or is in any way slowing down delivery of the hospital is untrue.

BAM said the build was more than 85pc complete and it would provide a timeline for completion next week.

It said that, subject to any further changes outside of its control, this timeline will set out our plan to complete and hand over this crucial facility.

It also said that revisions to the design of the hospital had been numerous, ongoing and challenging  and these had added significantly to the required scope of work.

We have offered up more than 600 rooms for design team inspection and this number is increasing by the week.

Meanwhile, two teams of experts are examining ventilation systems in 11 of the hospitals theatres to determine what work might need to be carried out on them.

It is also unclear when the construction of accommodation for families will be ready, but the hope is it would be complete by early to mid-2025.
RTEs new Director General Kevin Bakhurst has ordered an external review of the organisations voluntary redundancy schemes in 2017 and 2021.

Mr Bakhurst made the announcements following his appearances at the Oireachtas Public Accounts (PAC) Committee today.

In a statement issued to the Irish Independent, a spokesperson for RTE said: RTE's Director-General Kevin Bakhurst has decided to commission an external review of RTE's voluntary exit schemes (2017, 2021).

Details of the review, which will feed into the Government's Review of Contractor Fees, Human Resources (HR) and other matters, will be announced as soon as possible.

It comes as the PAC heard today that the voluntary redundancy package for former RTE Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Breda OKeeffe was not signed off by every member of the broadcasters executive.

'We'll wait to see what he does about it' - RTE Director-General Kevin Bakhurst on Ryan Tubridy's offer to return payments

Ms OKeeffe left the organisation in 2020.

Current CFO Richard Collins said he was on the executive board when the payment to his predecessor was made but not when it was agreed.

Mr Collins said: I knew nothing about that package, Breda never explained anything about it, the director-general (Dee Forbes) never did.

Interim deputy-director general Adrian Lynch was also on the executive board at the time but said he only became aware she exited through the voluntary redundancy scheme last week.

Labour TD Alan Kelly said all members of the executive team were supposed to sign off on such packages.

Mr Lynch said this was absolutely factually correct.

Asked by Mr Kelly how he could not have signed off on the package, Mr Lynch said: It never came to us for sign off.

RTE Interim deputy director general Adrian Lynch arriving at Leinster House, Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

New director-general Kevin Bakhurst said the matter was being examined.

This is an issue that I take very seriously because this is exactly about bringing significant decisions to the executive, he added.

Mr Kelly also said that RTE needed to investigate if there were other instances of the voluntary redundancy scheme in which the post was not suppressed  which he said was the case for Ms OKeeffes role.

Later in the committee, which sat for four-and-a-half hours, Mr Lynch interjected during a gap in questioning seeking to make a point of clarification.

Mr Lynch said: I received a text from the former CFO, just to say she would dispute the idea that nobody in the exec board knew.

There was consternation in the chamber as Mr Lynch was interrupted to be told the committee could not accept second-hand evidence.

Ms OKeeffe had told the public accounts committee she would not attend on Thursday as she had nothing further to add to her contributions to the media committee last week.

Following admonishment from several members of the committee, Mr Lynch sought to defend his contribution regarding the text message.

I received a text, whatever it was, 20 minutes ago, he said.

I thought it was very important having made a statement in front of the house that that should be correct with that information.

I thought it was material.

Additional reporting by PA Media.
The body is believed to be that of Robert Wilkin (60s) who was reported missing

The Irish Coast Guard during the search around Sliabh Liag. Photo: Joe Dunne

A man has been arrested in connection with the discovery of a body off cliffs at Sliabh Liag in Co Donegal on July 4th last.

The body of the man in his 60s was found following an extensive search of the area for a number of days.

It followed claims that a man had been seriously assaulted and his remains dumped at the popular tourist destination.

Gardai swooped on an address in Letterkenny early this morning and arrested a man.

The man, who is in his 30s, was taken to Ballyshannon Garda Station for questioning.

The suspect is believed to be one of two people who were previously arrested but realised without charge in connection with the alleged incident.

The victim is thought to be Robert Wilkin, aged in his mid-60s and from Northern Ireland, who is reported missing and is known to police.

In August 2021, Mr Wilkin, who had been living in Tilbury in Essex at the time, was questioned by officers from the UKs National Crime Agency (NCA) after the lorry he was driving was stopped at the Coquelles Channel Tunnel terminal.

The vehicle, which was registered in Poland, had been carrying a load of Belgian chocolates which were to be delivered to a location in Maidstone, Kent.

During a search of the lorry, border force officers found tape-wrapped packages of drugs hidden in two pallets of the chocolates.

In total, 63 kilos of heroin and 32 kilos of cocaine were seized.

Officers from the NCA later charged Wilkin with attempting to import a class A drug.

He appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court in the UK on August 14, 2021, and was released on bail.

It is understood that Mr Wilkin's remains were released from Letterkenny University Hospital to his family yesterday.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg outside the European Parliament this week ahead of debates on the Nature Restoration Act. Photo: Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

Big EU plans to rewild vast swathes of farmland to restore insect, bird and animal life have survived a strong move to block them.

The EU Nature Restoration Law  of major concern to Irish farmers because it includes rewetting huge areas of cutaway bogland in the midlands and west  has been narrowly endorsed by the European Parliament.

The plan was finally adopted yesterday after last-minute switching of votes by some MEPs at a full session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Hotly disputed nature plans aim to restore at least 20pc of the EUs damaged land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems by 2050.

The package now goes into complex negotiations between the 27 EU member governments, the European parliament and the European Commission.

Fierce opposition to the EU policy-guiding commissions proposals meant it looked unlikely to pass to the next stage after the parliaments biggest grouping, and Fine Gaels allies, the European Peoples Party (EPP), vehemently opposed it.

But the five Fine Gael MEPs broke ranks with their EU group and backed the move, arguing that it supports the greater good and can be modified to suit Irish farmers special needs.

Fine Gaels EU parliament leader Sean Kelly said he believed the outcome will prove beneficial for Irish farmers and for the natural environment generally.

Now we can sit down to negotiate with the 27 member governments and achieve workable compromises that will restore the environment and ensure Irish and European farmers interests are also served, Mr Kelly told the Irish Independent.

Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher, from a farming background in Cork, said he had finally backed the thrust of the proposal in the belief that Irish farmers concerns can be met.

What we need now is to work out schemes to support farmers, he said.

A series of complex inter-related votes yesterday morning eventually backed the proposal by 324 votes to 312.

Fine Gael MEPs Mr Kelly, Deirdre Clune, Frances Fitzgerald, Colm Markey and Maria Walsh were joined by some fellow EPP dissidents in voting to keep the nature restoration proposal alive, against the group leadership stance.

Ireland South Green Party MEP Grace OSullivan noted that all Irish MEPs voted in favour of the Nature Restoration Law and argued that this was the direct result of having the Green Party in government and in the European Parliament.

The Nature Restoration Law is now an inevitability and this is nothing short of a win for every person and place on the whole continent, she said. We are all breathing a big sigh of relief today. Tomorrow we get back to work on negotiations with the commission and council.

Dublin Green Party MEP Ciaran Cuffe argued it was a good compromise, saying: Each of us will benefit from increased food security, stronger economies and greater protection from the impact of climate change that these measures to restore nature can provide.

But Independent MEP Mick Wallace warned the proposal was weakened.

Im pleased with the outcome of the final vote. In that sense it is a good day for the people of the EU, for nature and for farmers, but the text passed by the parliament today has been absolutely gutted. Its a shell of the Commissions proposal, he said.

The restoration proposal has been divisive across the EU, a matter of concern for farmers, and in the EU institutions in Strasbourg and Brussels. It also caused tension in the coalition, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar angering the Green Party by saying the plans went too far.

But Mr Varadkar said changes to the draft EU text gave it the potential to be a good deal for farmers. He said long negotiations on the details  including re-wetting of Irish bogs  still lay ahead.
Ryan Tubridy gives evidence to the Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday. Photo: PA

The unprecedented Public Accounts Committee (PAC) grilling of Ryan Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly over the RTE payments scandal broke online streaming records for Oireachtas TV.

New figures show there was more than nine million streaming minutes during the lengthy hearing on Tuesday morning.

Streaming figures Mr Tubridy and Mr Kellys appearance before PAC were significantly higher than those for the Dail addresses by US President Joe Biden and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ryan Tubridy bangs fist on desk and says well stay for as long as it takes

Figures from the Houses of the Oireachtas show public interest in the long running RTE controversy has grown steadily over recent weeks.

There was 900,070 streaming minutes for the first appearance by the RTE executive and board before the Oireachtas Media Committee on June 28.

The following day there was 1,197,193 streaming minutes on Oireachtas TV when the same group appeared before the PAC.

When RTE executives returned to the Media Committee last week there was 1,799,070 minutes.

However, on Tuesday for Tubridys appearance before PAC the figures hit a massive 9,007,810 minutes.

Meanwhile, there was 261,944 minutes of streaming on Oireachtas TV for Mr Bidens address and 384,108 minutes for Zelensys Dail speech in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

There was 445,078 minutes of streaming for Budget Day last September.
Some dont buy presenters version of events, others feel pay problems at Montrose are more deep-seated

RTE staff are angry following Ryan Tubridys committee appearances but the door is not fully closed to his potential return to the airwaves.

Workers did not want to comment publicly on the future of the former Late Late Show host at a rally yesterday although some privately revealed they did not buy his or agent Noel Kellys version of events.

But while some gave a flat no to his return, others were conflicted.

Tubridy was referred to as just one individual at the gathering of over 100 workers who demanded an urgent funding plan for the national broadcaster.

They were joined by the new director general Kevin Bakhurst.

Tubridy is keen to get back on air, but told politicians at Leinster House that he may be out of a job by Friday.

It was 70:30 against Tubridy straight after the committees, said one employee, who did not want to be named. But it may be more 50:50 among the public.

Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh speaks at RTE staff rally

Speaking before the rally, Mr Bakhurst said he will soon be approaching radio managers to gauge their views and assess whether there is an appetite for the presenters return. A decision is expected within three weeks.

He has said staff will have a considerable input on the decision.

Workers including Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh revealed they fear for their jobs, while Mr Bakhurst has not ruled out further radical steps, including selling parts of the Montrose campus.

She said she watched the committee meetings but was not going to comment on Tubridys future.

I think hes been through a lot, she said. Ive had a lot of stuff myself over the last few years and I know what it takes, and I know the toll it takes on your family. I just hope for the staffs sake that we can all move on and we have a better structure.

Ni Cohofaigh said there had been a mixture of shock and anger among staff.

And now I think were just upset. Some of us are genuinely worried about our jobs.

Ms Ni Chofaigh said the public has been supportive, although she has been the subject of derision by one person asking her wheres your flip-flops?.

Speaking over a megaphone, Emma OKelly, RTEs education correspondent, said a lot of people would be asked about one individual and his future in the organisation. But what we need to make very clear is today is not about the future of one individual, its about the future of an organisation, said the correspondent, who is chair of the Dublin broadcasting branch of the NUJ.

Its about the future of public service broadcasting in this country. Its about the future career prospects of hundreds of people, employees here but also actors, musicians, artists, other people who rely on this organisation as part of their own income to live on.

That is what today is about and thats the message we need to send to government.

The workers held placards as they stood beside the canteen whose closure due to a rat infestation may feel like the last straw after weeks of unwelcome revelations.

Their sigsn read We are your RTE, Protect Public Service Media and Is Muide Bhur RTE.

There was little mention of the so-called poster boy of the scandal.

There is a lot of rage and disappointment, said one worker. A lot of it is more with management. People are still very conflicted.

One day theyre going one way and then they change their mind. Theyre on an emotional roller coaster. Some who had a close working relationship with Tubridy are still fond of him and sorting their perception of him and are conflicted. People make mistakes.

However, another employee said most of their colleagues do not want his return and claimed some people who worked closely with him are strongly against him now.

They said the line of questioning at committees did not get to the nub of the crisis and deliver more detail on the consultancy fees or why Tubridy had not spoken up when incorrect pay figures were made public.

When asked if RTE can afford to lose Tubridys ratings, one senior radio figure said he is a smaller fish in the world of radio, compared with TV.

Emma O'Kelly and Seamus Dooley speaks at RTE staff rally

Siptu official Teresa Hannick said she was not getting a sense there was any hatred or a witch-hunt against him.

It is really not around an individual, but the them and us culture that allowed it to happen, she said.

She added that staff were concerned about a severance package paid to the former chief financial officer.

Some prominent figures have backed Tubridy in recent days.

Maia Dunphy defended him against claims that he left the Late Late Show job due to the payments scandal.

RTE Radio 1 DJ Dave Fanning described Tubridy and Mr Kellys Oireachtas committee appearances as nonsensical.

Fanning is a client of Mr Kellys agency NK Management.

Tubridy told politicians he has nothing but respect and admiration for the great number of very decent hard-working people in RTE.

I am very sorry for those whose lives have been made difficult with an incessant dripping of new revelations, he said. I want to thank those colleagues who have supported me through these last few weeks.
The male drivers of both vehicles were rushed to Tallaght University Hospital with serious injuries.

Two motorcyclists are in hospital this evening after a serious motorbike crash in Kildare earlier today.

Gardai attended the scene of the accident in Prosperous, at approximately 2.10pm.

The collision, which involved two motorcycles, occurred at Healys Bridge between Prosperous and Kilmeague in Co. Kildare.

The male drivers of both vehicles were rushed to Tallaght University Hospital with serious injuries.

A statement from gardai said: The road was closed between Mylerstown Crossroads and Downings Crossroads earlier this afternoon to allow for a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. It has since reopened.

Gardai are appealing to any person who may have information in relation to this collision to contact them.

Any road users who were travelling in the vicinity of Prosperous and Kilmeague this afternoon, between 1.45pm and 2.30pm, and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to investigating Gardai.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident can contact Naas Garda Station on 045 884 300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
The 38-year-old vanished without trace from Parede in Portugal on July 13, 2020Jeans family believe she was travelling to meet someone on the day she disappeared

An Irish woman who went missing from a Portuguese holiday resort in 2020 has only now been placed on a missing persons police database, her family has said.

Cavan woman Jean Tighe was 38-years-old when she vanished without a trace from Parede on July 13, 2020.

Speaking on the third anniversary of her disappearance, her elder sister Leona, who lives in New York, said her sister always looked on the positive side of life.

We miss her dreadfully and we just want to know what happened to Jean and where she is. We dont believe that people just disappear, she told RTEs Morning Ireland.

Jean was last seen leaving Help Yourself Hostels on Monday, July 13, 2020, with her handbag. This fact was established by a private investigator hired by the family, rather than proffered by the police.

She had travelled alone to the area, but had friends locally. With the help of their private investigator, the family believe Jean was planning to meet someone on the day she disappeared.

She did not return to the hostel later that day and has not been seen or heard from since.

Jean was a seasoned traveller and it was not unusual for her to travel solo all over the world.

Leona said the investigation has been progressing very, very slowly since 2020 and that there is a lot more work to be done. She said the family still do not have access to Jeans personal information.

The family are liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs on a regular basis.

Weve had to knock on a huge amount of doors, weve had to get everybody activated to help us, especially the Portuguese police, she said.

On Monday evening, Jean was put up on the Portuguese police missing person database, which is very important, but it just goes to show you how long that took. That took a huge amount of effort and work and theres an awful lot more work to be done.

We still dont know what happened to Jean, we still dont know where Jean disappeared to, we still dont have Jeans bank account records, her social media footprint, her digital footprint.

Anything to do with her Facebook or Instagram, all these very ordinary things that we have nowadays that tell us basically how we live our lives.

Jean Tighe's family are still searching for answers

Ms Tighe said the Portuguese police dont update us regularly by their own accord.

We have to constantly get onto the Department of Foreign Affairs and to the lawyers in Portugal to get movement and action from the Portuguese police and we cant understand why thats so hard to get, she said.

Jean disappeared, a criminal investigation was opened, and I cant understand for the life of us how this is so slow, why were not getting any information about what has happened in the investigation so far.

We received an update that the gardai and the Portuguese police are to have a video conference meaning that the two of them would sit down together and exchange information and to see where they need to go to progress the investigation into Jeans disappearance.

That hasnt happened yet, three years has passed, thats over 1,000 days, I mean no matter how slow Interpol is, it couldnt possibly be that slow.

Ms Tighe said the love her family has for Jean drives them on to continue searching for her.

We keep going  Jean is a great goer; she is not a person to give up. Jean is a great worker too, so I know that my sister would want me to keep going so thats what we do, she said.

But going over and back to Portugal and sitting in front of the Portuguese police and being told this is what were going to do, and we will be in contact with you and then it doesnt happen  sets us right back to square one.

Were losing time all the time.

Ms Tighe said she is still hopeful of finding her sister alive and well.

I get a lot of messages from people all over the world through the Facebook page that we have for Jean, who tell me that they have found their loved one after 18 months, two years, two and a half years, three years, five years, she said.

The key to all of that was their loved one went up on a missing person database. Now weve only just achieved that.

Weve lost three years there so Im hopeful that going forward we really need to share this information on the database.

There are a lot of charitable organisations who cover the streets all over the world with their work.

And when charitiable workers come across someone in distress, the first thing they do is look up these police administrated databases to see is this person genuinely, officially missing and unfortunately, we never had that up until a couple of days ago.
Ben Roberts-Smith was a national hero in his native Australia until the country's most historic defamation case found he committed war crimes while serving in Afghanistan. The Indo Daily hears his story and why he's now appealing that loss. Host: Kevin Doyle. Guest: Tiff Genders.

Ben Roberts-Smith is appealing against the court ruling (Rick Rycroft/AP)

At the height of his military career, Ben Roberts-Smith was Australias most decorated, living soldier. His reported acts of gallantry made him a national hero and served as a springboard to a successful career as a media executive in recent years.

However, allegations of war crimes including that he pushed a handcuffed man off a cliff have tarnished his military legacy and sounded the last post for his public image.

On today's episode presenter Kevin Doyle hears about his downfall from 9News Sydney reporter, Tiff Genders, and how that historic defamation loss is now being appealed by the fallen war hero.

On This Day In History - July 13th
Popular Wildlife Park celebrated its 40th birthday recently

IF I could talk to the animals, just imagine it, chattin with a chimp in chimpanzee is a well known ditty from the film Dr. Dolittle.

Indeed when The Corkman visited Fota Wildlife Park recently, there was chat in abundance and a magic atmosphere with monkeys chattering, lions roaring, seals barking and birds chirping as the 108 species of residents each contributed to the fanfare.

The hugely popular Wildlife Park recently celebrated a landmark 40th Birthday.

Since it first opened in1983, the park has grown from 73 to 100 acres and expanded its animal kingdom from 59 species to 108. Statistics indicate that in the 40 year period, approximately 12 million people have visited the park and also generated 70 annually to the local economy.

Fota was the home of the Smith Barry family for almost 800 years until UCC acquired it in 1975. Terry Murphy who was Director of Dublin Zoo at the time proposed the idea of establishing a Wildlife Park in Ireland and Professor Raftery immediately proposed Fota as a possible location.

Over the past four decades, Fota Wildlife Park has donated 4 million to Irish and international conservation programmes and has over seen the births of hundreds of endangered species including 240 cheetahs, 72 Rothschilds giraffes and 60 European bison.

Over the last 40 years, 7914 different animals have called Fota Wildlife Park their home, some for a short term and some for their entire life. This does not include the 7,500 Natterjack toadlets that were released into the wild in Kerry.

In 1983, the Rothschilds giraffe along with the zebra and cheetah were some of the first species of animals to come to Fota Wildlife Park and it is very poignant as Fota celebrates its 40th anniversary, that the birth of a baby Rothschilds giraffe has been announced.

The totally cute and endearing female giraffe was born on the 30th April to mother Clodagh and father Ferdie. The new baby can trace her lineage in Cork back to 1982 when her great, great grandmother Frisky came to Fota Wildlife Park from Southampton Zoo in England.

Sean McKeown, Director of Fota Wildlife Park said:

When I first joined Fota Wildlife Park over 40 years ago, I never imagined that some of the most iconic species that I had the privilege of working with, such as natures giants the giraffe, or the worlds fastest, the cheetah, would be threatened with extinction.

I am delighted to celebrate Fota at 40 and highlight the real and great successes we have here in terms of breeding endangered animals such as the Rothschilds giraffe.

We hope that Fota at 40, and, this baby giraffe, will serve as a symbol of our commitment to the conservation of future species. At Fota at 40, we place education, conservation, and research at the forefront of our endeavours, firmly cementing their importance in our collective mission

During the next 40 years we will expand on our collaborative native species projects already started, helping to save and reverse the decline of Irelands emblematic species such as the Corncrake, the Curlew and the Natterjack toad in conjunction with partners and stakeholders such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service, farmers and landowners as it is only by all of us working together that we have a chance of saving the natural world around us Mr. McKeown said.

The landmark 40th anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the summer with a line up of wildlife talks, live events, and educational themed weekends. Readers can visit www.fotawildlife.ie for further information
Its the Sunday afternoon session at the West Cork Literary Festival and Cork writer Conal Creedon steps into function room of the Maritime Hotel and begins to talk about his new book, Art Imititating Life Imitating Death, and, without seemingly drawing a breath, speaks non stop for a little more than an hour.

The journey begins in Cork city in the 1970s when Conal, who has written several books since his days managing the family launderette in the 1980s, was an Inter Cert student in the North Monastery where he first came across the short story by Frank OConnor, Guests of the Nation.

The story concerned two British soldiers who were being held hostage by the IRA during the War of Independence. The fate of the soldiers depended on whether the British authorities would release Irish volunteers they were holding. In the end, the British soldiers, with whom a real rapport had been built by their captors, were executed.

Something about that story stopped me in my tracks, said Conal, before explaining a bit of the context of Cork and Ireland in the early 1970s, 50 years after the War of Independence and the Civil War had ended.

It was also a time, as he told the gathered fans in the Bantry hotel, when refugees from the troubled North were coming to live in Cork, away from the violence and sectarian strife.

That seemed to people of the time to recall the heady events of 50 years previously when Cork had been the epicentre of conflict for both the War of Independence and the Civil War.

One of the reasons he got into the stories of Frank OConnor was, back in 1972, Cork had a sense that Dublin was Irelands metropolis while Cork was secondary. But then Frank OConnors book, featuring a photograph of a view of Cork from a wall near where Conal lived, gave him and others of his generation in the city a sense that Cork was important after all.

To have these photos on the cover of the books meant an awful lot to us, he said, as there was more than one book in the series featuring Cork scenes.

There was a strong echo of Cork history in the story of Guests of the Nation, written as it was by Frank OConnor, a Cork writer and a former Irish Volunteer who had been editing an anti-Treaty newspaper with Erskine Childers in Reidh na nDoiri in the Muscrai Gaeltacht during the Civil War.

A number of British soldiers had been taken captive by the IRA during the War of Independenence and their stories had entered folklore to a certain degree and could have been said to inspire the writing of OConnor.

A Major Compton Smith was one such British soldier who was captured by the Irish Volunteers.

The story is told that Compton Smith, a veteran of the First World War where he had suffered shell shock, was convalescing in Victoria Barracks in Cork after being ill and he met a nurse and, it appears, a relationship began.

Compton Smith, a married man, left one day by train to Blarney and left word he was going to meet a nurse but he was met off the train by a group of volunteers headed by local IRA commander Frank Busteed.

Major General Strickland in Victoria Barracks was informed that Compton-Smith was being held and that the IRA were seeking the release of four IRA men being held by the British.

In 2012 when he was writing a radio play of Guests of the Nation at the request of RTE, Conal was invited by relatives of those involved in the capture and subsequent holding of Compton-Smith to visit some of the places in the Donoughmore area where Compton-Smith had been held by his captors before his eventual execution.

One of these houses, now derelict and decrepit, stood on a slope overlooking a view which stretched in one direction towards the city and in another towards north Kerry.

As he spoke in Bantry, he described how Donoughmore was a spiders web of roads, with no real centre to the place, in which one would easily become lost.

In his telling of these stories, Conal took many tangents from the main route but always returned to the central element of the story.

At one instance during Compton-Smiths captivity, he asked to write home to his wife in England, and the request was granted. He told his wife that he had been captured while on a painting outing. Later, after his execution, his wife wrote to Michael Collins to seek the retrieval of his remains and one of the pointed questions, she asked in the letter was whether he was carrying painting equipment when he was captured.

The story of another captive British soldier, told in the book, was that of a General Lucas who was captured while out fishing with other British Army officers on the Bride River. A shootout followed in which one of the others was wounded and the decision was taken to take just the General.

It proved to be an expensive decision on the part of the IRA. He invoked a convention which suggested that captured officers were entitled to a bottle of whiskey a day - which his captors were happy to share with the General. He was also an adept card player and would regularly clean out his opponents and, on another occasion, as he had been captured while fishing, he was clad in fishing attire. The IRA decided to buy him a suit which would make his moving about from safe house to safe house less obvious and cumbersome. He would write home to his wife also and asked for a return address so she could send him post. He was told to give the address General Lucas, C/O the IRA. The correspondence reached him. After a while, the decision was taken to allow the General to escape. He absconded and when he got the opportunity to return to uniform, he returned the suit to The Sinn Feiners or the IRA courtesy of General Lucas.

Art Imitating Life Imitating Death contains the lecture given by Conal Creedon arising out of the radio play he wrote of the Guests of the Nation.

All in all, its a fascinating spiders web of intrigue and mystery which shines a light on an aspect of our history which has been mostly hidden or, at least unexplored. This makes the book a treasure. Art Imitating Life Imitating Death is published by Irishtown Press and is available in all good bookshops.
The autobiographical play The Glass Menagerie will run at the Everyman across the course of August

THE Everyman Theatre has announced it will host a new production of Tennessee Williams stunning tour de force The Glass Menagerie across August a stellar cast of homegrown and international talents.

Premiered in 1944 the play, which is regarded as his most autobiographical work, featuring characters based on its author, his histrionic mother and his mentally fragile sister, catapulted the relatively unknown Williams, real name Thomas Lanier Williams III, from obscurity to fame.

Set in an unremarkable 1930; Missouri apartment, The Glass Menagerie revolves around a trio of central characters, the most dominant of these being Amanda, a faded Southern Belle who has been abandoned by her husband and is trying to raise two children while clinging to the romance of her past.

Her daughter Laura, left mentally fragile by a childhood illness, has shied away from the outside and created a world of her own symbolised through her collection of glass figurines,. He brother Tom, an aspiring poet, longs to escape his job in warehouse and the suffocation of his existence.

While hope that arrives in the form of gentleman caller Jim OConnor is inevitably shattered, memories are not so easily demolished.

Directed by the award-winning Emma Jordan, who returns to the Everyman stage fresh from the touring success of Enda Walshs The New Electric Ballroom, the production features Natalie Radmall Quirke in the role of the paradoxical mother Amanda. She has an impressive CV having worked on a variety of TV, film and theatre productions, most recently filming the role of Serena in the TV series Blackshore for the BBC.

Hailing from Cork, Darragh Feehely will play Tom, Williams most autobiographical character and the plays narrator, with another Corkoninan, Chloe OReilly, taking on the role of the fragile Laura and Lorcan Strain playing the role of Jim, described by Williams as a nice, ordinary young man.

Set and lighting will be designed by Ciaran Bagnall with sound and composition by Peter Power and costume by Valentina Gambardella.

The Everymans artistic director, Sophie Motley said she was delighted to see such a strong cast for the play.

I am beyond thrilled to have three talented young actors Darragh Feehely, Chloe OReilly and Lorcan Strain, who are key members of our creative community, partner with the inimitable Natalie Radmall-Quirke, whose work I have admired for a number of years, said Sophie.

To have Emma Jordan at the helm of Tennessee Williams astonishing story, with a design team of her key collaborator Ciaran Bagnall, and Corks finest sound and costume designers, Peter Power and Valentina Gambardella, means that The Everyman audiences are in for international quality work on our stage this summer, she added.

For performance dates and ticket information visit www.everymancork.ie.
Canon John served as Parish Priest of Kanturk and Lismire from 1992 to 2008. During that time his dedication to his pastoral ministry was exemplary.

While here in the parish he applied himself to the renovation of Kanturk church and the upgrading of Lismire church, along with the parochial and curates houses. He was also involved in the building project at Lismire National School.

Canon Terrys vision was to include education for everybody at every stage of lifes journey  from pre-school education to adult education. He would be very pleased with our new school, Scoil Naomh Padraig, officially opened recently.

Fr John lived a very full life and right up to the end was assisting in the Parish of Cloyne since his retirement up to three weeks ago.

In addition to his pastoral work, Canon Terry made enormous contributions to music and liturgy in the Irish church.

The following was written by Rev. Patrick Jones, former director of the National Centre for Liturgy in Maynooth and former executive secretary for Liturgy of the Irish Bishops Conference:

John, after ordination to the priesthood in 1958 and teaching in St. Colmans College, Fermoy, was able to bring his enthusiasm for music and, in particular, Gregorian Chant to a wider audience. He was a tutor in the department of music at UCC and brought the Ward Method of teaching music through summer courses. He had trained as a teacher of this method with Dr Mary Berry, its leading exponent in Britain.

The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) brought an increased interest in music. John was very soon a member of the promotion of music in our worship, at a national level, becoming a member of the Bishops Commission for Liturgy. The Council for Liturgy and as the Irish Commission for Liturgy before 2010 is the primary agency charged with the renewal of worship and John was a member for over 50 years until retiring in 2020.

John was a member of the original church music panel, which became the Advisory Committee on Church Music. He had a powerful memory of the events of those years, including the publication of Mass settings for the liturgy celebrated in the vernacular, the founding of the Irish Church Music Association in 1969, the establishment of the Schola Cantorum at St Finians College, Mullingar in 1970 and the publication of the Veritas Hymnal in 1973. John wassecretary of the Advisory Committee on Church Music for many years before becoming runai of the new Coiste Comhairleachum an Liotuirge i nGaeilge in 1993. This gave him great satisfaction with his love of the language and of music.

His skill as a secretary enabled the Coiste to provide the Irish translation of many of the books we use at worship, in particular the new edition of An Leabhar Aifrinn Romanach in use since 2017.

Johns memory may well be kept alive in a very special way through his composition of the Song of Farewell, Receive his/her soul; used at many of our funerals since 1992. Singing it is a sign of our appreciation of his work in church music and his gentle enthusiasm for liturgy which brings us to God, now and for ever.

We offer our condolences to his family, relatives and friends, and our sincere gratitude for Fr Johns ministry among us in our parish. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.
Kevin Quaid after getting the tattoo of the shell logo for the Camino walk.

The film crew setting up at Barretts in Kanturk for the documentary but which turned out to be a mighty night.

POPULAR Kanturk man Kevin Quaid - living the best he can and doing his best with a diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia - is now the focus of a documentary which is a pilot series for Netflix for people who have different types of dementia from all over the world.

Because people with dementia are sometimes treated horrendously in other countries, the message of the documentary is to educate people to the possibility of living with your ailment as Kevin Quaid has. Diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, Kevin has not only come to terms with his own condition but has also written books on living with dementia and has become a dementia ambassador, giving talks to others to help them cope also.

Now, journalist, bestselling author and Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health Fernando Aguzzoli arrived with a film crew to Ireland to make a pilot documentary. This documentary will be aired all around the world and it will be a big comfort for all those with dementia and for those caring for someone with dementia.

Meanwhile, Kevin walked 40km of the Camino de Compostella a few weeks ago with seven other people with a diagnosis of different types of dementia, mainly the Alzheimer type. They were all from different countries and the documentary began as they walked each day together with their carers and supporters.

The crew then travelled to Kanturk to film Kevin in his home last week. They filmed many places around the town, the beautiful parks, rivers, bridges and, of course, Kanturk Castle. They also filmed him in Patricias Daily Grind Cafe, where Kevin and his wife, Helena, started the first dementia cafe in the area. This has now relocated to the Culturlann in Newmarket and is held on one Thursday a month from 11am to 1pm.

They also filmed at Banteer Station where they got some lovely footage of the Irish Rail trains.

The following day they travelled to Kevins home county, Limerick, where he was born and reared, across the border in Broadford and got some lovely shots of the Broadford Ashford Walking Trails by the lake and the spectacular views of the Mullaghareirk Mountains.

While primarily focusing on dementia, the documentary will show what Ireland has to offer to others who may be suffering.

Barretts Bar in Kanturk was set up early on the second morning of filming and they spent four hours there filming for two documentaries, one is called walking the talk and thats about the Camino, and the second interview was for the Netflix documentary.

After all the hard work the group had a mighty night at Ned Barretts premises in Kanturk which was the venue for music, song and dance. This was a fantastic opportunity to highlight our traditional Irish music on this documentary.

Noreen Murphy Clery, who works in Kanturk Hospital, explained the background to their musical instruments and also played her wonderful music with the help of Colleen Angland and Darragh Twomey, while Kevin, his brother Tim and his dad accompanied them on the bodhran.

It was a night of great craic as other friends and family joined in and sang their favourite songs and put on a fantastic show for the visiting crew.

Then they went to Dublin by train and on to Dublin and Croke Park, where they filmed a lot about the wonderful stadium and toured the stadium as well as filming pitchside.

The grand finale was in Dublin with Kevin getting his first ever tattoo, which was the Camino shell. A pact was agreed on the Camino that all who were walking the talk for dementia would get that tattoo to show solidarity to all those other people around the world living with dementia of any type.

This Kevin Quaid is A Man You Dont Meet Everyday.
Some of the dead fish that were removed from the stream by Inland Fisheries Ireland officials and taken away for analysis as part of their investigation into the fish kill.

AN investigation has been launched by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the State agency responsible for the protection and conservation of freshwater fish and habitats, into what they have described as a serious incident in County Cork that resulted in the deaths of at least 2,000 fish.

An IFI spokesperson said they were alerted to the fish kill, which occurred in the Brownsmill stream and spread for almost 5km flowing into the Kinsale estuary, by a concerned member of the public on Wednesday afternoon.

Inland Fisheries Ireland first became aware of the issue when a member of the public informed staff of seeing dead fish in the stream. The species of fish discovered include brown trout and eel, said the spokesperson.

We have taken fish and water samples for analysis. Cork County Councils Environmental Department are assisting with the investigation, they added.

The spokesperson said it was too early to say what had caused the fish kill. Inland Fisheries Ireland is not in a position to confirm the specific cause of the fish kill at this early stage, but our investigations are continuing, said the spokesperson.

IFI reminds the public they can report instances of fish kills, pollution or illegal fishing nationwide by calling its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24, they added.
Kanturk Colaiste Treasa student, Hannah Walsh, fitted in a paddle boarding session on the River Lee with Green Party MEP for Ireland South, Grace O'Sullivan, during her recent Summer work experience internship.

Kanturk student Hannah Walsh will have plenty of stories to tell when she returns to Colaiste Treasa for her Leaving Cert year in the Autumn as shes had an exciting Summer work experience with Ireland South Green MEP, Grace OSullivan.

Hannah, who has won several awards at the BT Young Scientist Exhibition, recently spent a week with the Green MEP, learning about politics and finding out more about the EU.

Hannah was selected to shadow the MEP during a constituency week for the politician, as she has an avid interest in politics and sustainability. She applied after being inspired during a visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg earlier this year. Hannah followed Grace as she met with constituents and attended events while in Cork, with a particular focus during the week on the marine as it overlapped with World Ocean Day. OSullivan is the Green Partys spokesperson on the marine, and also sits on the European Parliaments Fisheries Committee.

The Kanturk student met with the Save our Bride Otters group in Blackpool in Cork City carrying out water testing on the River Bride which is due to be culverted under OPW plans. A 5am sunrise paddleboard session on the river Lee was also a more unorthodox political experience for the young woman, who joined the MEP in her call for more public swimming areas to be created on Irelands rivers and lakes. Hannah finished her week by attending the inaugural Fair Seas Conference on World Ocean Day in Cork City Hall.

I saw so much of the amazing work Grace is carrying out and how she applies what happens in Europe to home, it was really interesting and opened my eyes to how varied and fascinating an MEPs work is, said Grace.

"It also further highlighted the value of the work carried out in Brussels - connections between decisions made in the EU to what we experience on the ground might not always be obvious, but listening to the ongoing work of the Parliament I began to see them Hannah shared.

But does a future in politics await Hannah?

I loved meeting so many different people and hearing what they are passionate about and real ways they can be helped.

"It gave me so many ideas about the work I can do to be involved in politics and promote positive change,  said Hannah.

"Im not sure I ever see myself running but would love to work in policy and planning in the future.
A doorman in the Stardust nightclub crawled into the burning building to help pull out a young girl who was completely on fire and who appeared to be dead when she was brought out, an inquest has heard.

The jury in the Dublin District Coroners Court, today heard the original statements of a number of unavailable witnesses.

The statements were read into the record by members of the coroners legal team, during the inquest into the fire that killed 48 people when it swept through the Stardust nightclub in the early hours of February 14, 1981.

The statement of Patrick J Murphy, a doorman at the Stardust, was read out by Mark Tottenham BL. Mr Murphy said that at 1.45am on the night, he was approached by a female who said: Theyve started a fire in the corner, and pointed to the far end of the partitioned area near the main bar.

Mr Murphy went to the partition and rolled under it, and he saw in the far right hand corner the top of a seat on fire. He got a fire extinguisher and attempted to put out the fire, which had spread across the tops of the seats, but it did not seem to make any difference.

I noticed intense heat from the ceiling, which started to melt, and parts of it dropped onto tables and seats starting more fires, he said.

He said the ceiling collapsed, filling the area with fumes and black smoke.

I was overcome by fumes and smoke and made my way to the door leading to the kitchen, he said, going on to say that he got sick in the bar area and when he recovered, he left the premises through one of the doors.

Mr Murphy said he ran around outside to the exit doors. Some patrons were lifting out a man who was badly burned, and the place was engulfed in flames.

I saw a young girl run towards the door, and she fell about four feet inside the door. This person was completely on fire. When she fell, I and two others crawled in and pulled her out. When we got her out, she appeared to be dead, he said.

He said that people were shouting through the windows of the toilets, and Mr Murphy said he helped others get the grating off the windows and helped two people out of the windows.

The statement of Patrick Joseph McGrath, who was general maintenance man for the Stardust, was also read by Mr Tottenham.

Mr McGrath said that three weeks before the fire, the assistant manager told him that someone had reported smoke at the back of the club, which was thought to be coming from a heating duct. He said that he believed this to be impossible, as that section of heating was out of operation for some time.

Further evidence that Mr McGrath gave to a previous tribunal was also read out, in which he confirmed that a horizontal bar was missing on one of the exit doors, and another bar was fitted upside down, which he said was an error made by the carpenter.

He said that this did not affect the opening of the door. He also said that a couple of weeks before the fire, a decision was made by management to put steel plates on the toilet windows.

He was asked if there had been neither bars nor plates on the windows, were the windows big enough to permit a person to wriggle through, to which he replied: It is possible, I suppose.

The statement of another doorman, Michael Griffin, was also read out. He said that on one occasion, he was told by his boss to remain at one of the exit doors, which was locked and chained. He said he was told only to open the door in an emergency.

Mr Griffin also said that on the night of the fire, a ramp that was a mobile extension of the stage was left near exit four. He said the ramp was 18 to 20 feet long and six feet wide, and the end of it was five feet from the door. He said it covered about half the door, and there were a number of stools near the ramp, leaving only about two and a half to three inches of a gap to get out when the panic came.

These stools and ramp caused a serious obstruction when the people were attempting to escape from the fire, said Mr Griffin in his statement.

However, during a subsequent tribunal, Mr Griffin said that the gap was three and a half feet, not inches, and he told the tribunal that the ramp could have caused an obstruction.

The statement of Liam OConnor was read by Mr Tottenham. Mr OConnor said that he went to the Silver Swan pub on the night in the same complex as the Stardust. Outside the pub he met two men, one of whom had been refused admission into the Stardust, so they decided to try to get into the Stardust without paying.

Five of them went to the side of the club to an exit door and found steel bars. He said that one man tried to pull open the doors with his hands but was not able to.

We pushed the pieces of bars into the joints where the doors meet and tried to press the doors open, but it would not open. The middle of the door opened out about three or four inches but would not come any more. There was a clip on this door and I saw a chain coming off the bar on the door. While the door was prised open, we pulled on the door but it would not budge, said Mr OConnor.

The jury also heard evidence from Maeve Naughton, who was a waitress in the Stardust. She confirmed to Simon Mills SC, a member of the coroners legal team, that she saw the flames coming out over one part of an alcove in the Stardust. She said the fire was going flying down the alcove and she could see it blowing.

She said the ceiling was crackling for a few minutes before she saw the fire and she thought she was going to get electrocuted.

There was crackling from the ceiling, that was the most frightening. I thought I was going to get electrocuted. I thought the wires were going to come down, she said.

The inquest continues tomorrow.
A witness at the Stardust inquest has agreed that there were "all sorts of tall tales" and stories circulating about what had happened at the nightclub on the night of the fire.

Evidence was heard today from Michelle Murray, who was a student working part-time in the Lantern Rooms on the night of the fire.

The inquest has heard that the Stardust had been open for three years as a venue for music concerts and dances when the fire broke out in the early hours of Valentines Day 1981.

There were three venues on the site, including another function area known as the Lantern Rooms and a bar known as the Silver Swan.

In her statement, read to the inquest today, Ms Murray said she and three friends went behind the shutters in the dispense bar for their break during their shift.

She said they then went to watch the disco dancing competition that was taking place in the Stardust before going back to the Lantern Rooms.

A few minutes later, someone came in and started banging on the shutters of the bar before another person grabbed a fire extinguisher and ran back into the Stardust.

She said her supervisor then came in and said there was a small fire and told them to get their coats and leave.

Ms Murray said she left through the Lantern Rooms exit. She said she remembered a chap outside the Lantern Rooms in a white shirt who told her he saw someone slitting the shutter and pouring paraffin over it. She said she didnt know who this person was and had never seen him before.

At the inquest today Ms Murray agreed with Bernard Condon SC, representing a number of the families of the deceased, that there were all sorts of tall tales being told at the time and stories circulating about what had happened.

She confirmed that the man did not say anything about when he had seen this or who he had seen do it.

Caroline Maher, who was 18 at the time and worked as a lounge girl, said the fire initially seemed quite small and she thought it could be easily contained but in a short space of time it spread from the seat up to the ceiling.

In statements made to gardai in 1981 and read to the inquest today, Ms Maher said when the fire was first noticed, someone pulled up the remainder of the partition and as soon as they did so she saw smoke gush out from the fire towards the dance floor and the flames rushing up the wall and setting the ceiling on fire.

She told Brenda Campbell KC, representing a number of families of the young people who died, that she first saw an orange flame which she thought would be dealt with quickly but the fire seemed to gain traction fast and spread out from there.

It just seemed to take hold so very quickly, she said.

In her deposition, Ms Maher said she heard people shout fire, fire. She said she walked toward exit number six and as she did so the smoke seemed to follow me and gushed out after her as she made her way outside. She said only a few people had gone out the door before her and she didnt see many people come out after her.

The inquest also heard evidence today from Mairead Brady, who worked as a supervisor in the club.

In a statement made at the time, she told how, within minutes of staff getting out through the kitchen door, she witnessed the hall at the front of the building on fire and firemen trying to break down the main doors of the building which were closed by that stage.

Mrs Brady said people in the crowd outside and the firemen were also trying to break the glass on the toilet windows at the front of the building and she could hear the people screaming inside those windows trying to get out.

The supervisor said she worked part-time at the Stardust and the Lantern Rooms and was in charge of about 25 waitresses working in the club and a number of boys who did the washing up.

She said when they left through the kitchen and went around to the front of the building, both of the doors at the main entrance were still open. She said the fire engines arrived shortly afterwards and one of the units stopped outside the main door, by which time had closed. The firemen were trying to break down the doors, she said.

In the statement, Mrs Brady said she was collecting glasses in the Stardust when she noticed a flame at the back of the shutters near the dispense bar. She said there didnt appear to be any smoke in that area at this stage.

She told the barmen there was a fire and then told the rest of her staff about the fire and warned them to get out as quick as they could.

She gave the key of the cloakroom to one of the girls and tried to go back into the Stardust to see where the rest of the staff were but couldnt get in as she was stopped by the doorman.

Evidence was also heard from Belinda Pearse, who was a 17-year-old student working as a waitress in the Stardust at the time of the fire.

In her statement, which was read to the jury today by the court registrar, Ms Pearse said she was at the rear of the hall at approximately 1.40am when she smelled something burning.

She said she told another waitress who was with her to run to the kitchen, as was the policy if anything went wrong in the club.

She agreed with Sean Guerin SC, representing a number of the families of the bereaved, that by this she meant if there was any trouble in the club in terms of disorder and had nothing to do with if there was a fire in the club.

She said staff had never been given any instruction on what to do in the event of a fire and never had any fire drills or fire training.

She said she tried to open the door at exit number six but could not open it. The chain was off the door but was padlocked on to one half of it around the bar, she said.

When she could not open the door, she went towards the kitchen and met another girl who worked with her. She said she grabbed her and ran towards the fire area where one shutter was up and they could see some barmen trying to put the fire out.

The inquest continues.
Fenit village is experiencing a revival in visitors since Tralee-Fenit Greenway opened. But one of its most historic buildings now needs saving.

What next for this building? The former O'Sullivan's Bar in Fenit may be about to get a new lease of life. Photo by Mark O'Sullivan.

Efforts to restore one of Fenits most iconic buildings is underway with residents hoping to turn the former OSullivans Bar site into a community hub.

Its distinctive gable entrance is the most recognisable in Fenit and one of the oldest buildings in the village with maps dating from the 1830s showing it as a hotel. Its been derelict for many years and is rapidly becoming an eyesore.

The structure is owned by Kerry County Council (KCC) and the community organisation Fenit Town Hall has notified the Local Authority of its wish to see the building restored and used for the community.

The ongoing success of Tralee-Fenit Greenway means more services are required to ensure the seaside village is better equipped to deal with the influx of visitors  a situation that is already happening.

Among the proposals for the building is a visitor and information centre that would chart the rich history of Fenit and its environs. A community centre is also being touted as there is no such facility in the village for community events, an issue that is particularly acute in winter.

Locals say the building initially came into use in response to Fenits growing industry as a port and fishing hub in the 1880s. The view is that its restoration would again be linked with a rising industry, namely, the Tralee-Fenit Greenway.

The edifice has survived decades of change, both economic and social. It even has bullet indentations on its walls from the Civil War when Free State troops landed at Fenit in 1922 to capture the county for the then Provisional Government.

Locals believe that by restoring the site it would not just serve the present needs of Fenit but would be a mark of respect to those who built and used it all those years ago.

Local resident Mary OBrien Browne is a member of Fenit Town Hall and recalls when OSullivans Bar was thriving. She hopes it can be rejuvenated and returned to its rightful status as a place where people gather.

This is a remarkable building that is full of history, and theres loads of scope there for improvements. It has a long association with Fenits fishermen and dockers, she said.

I remember walking past it as a child and you would always hear Irish music playing and laughter. Its a building full of character that had as many characters within its walls as outside them, she added.

Mary explains how everything in Fenit is connected to its port. OSullivans Bar is located in whats known as the old quarter - the nucleus from where Fenit village was formed. This accelerated in the 1880s when the pier was commissioned.

There is now such an emphasis on facilities in Fenit. We want people to stay here for as long as possible when they do visit us. Services need to improve. Restoring this building would be a good start. Yes, its exciting in Fenit as things are starting to progress again, but the village has more to offer, she said.

Eileen OConnell is Secretary of Fenit Town Hall. She feels people would like to see OSullivans Bar being used for the community.

Eileen said where the building is situated will be pedestrianised once a new road is completed. This has potential to turn the area into a hub of activity.

Fenit Town Hall would like to engage with the council to do something to protect the building so that it doesnt fall into further disrepair. Thats our first priority, Eileen said.

Then we can discuss its future plans, and how we can work together to develop it into a village amenity. This is something that could benefit visitors and locals alike. Whatever it is going to be, we would like to see something done, Eileen added.
Topic debated at monthly meeting of Sligo Co Council

Sligo County Council is calling on all schools in the county to have mobile phone restrictions on their pupils, after a motion was adopted at the monthly meeting.

Cllr Sinead Maguires motion claimed that with the increase in online bullying, the prevalence of social media and the negative impact of harmful content to the mental health of young people, she wants the council to write to the Minister for Education asking that she encourage all schools to implement mobile phone restrictions on their pupils as has been successfully implemented in Greystones to much public acclaim.

Cllr Maguire said the motion came from an initiative that was held in Greystones where second level schools asked their pupils to leave their phones outside of the school for the school day.

And it has been warmly greeted by many of the students and their parents as online bullying has become a huge problem.

She said this would give students a rest for a few hours from the online presence in their lives.

She said that numerous parents had approached her over the past few weeks and said it would be fantastic if there could be something similar here in Sligo to the initiative in Greystones.

In supporting the motion, Cllr Thomas Walsh said it was very timely.

He said there was growing evidence linking cases of anxiety in young people through the use of mobile phones in school and at home.

Mr Walsh said he sat on the board of Coola Post Primary School and they would be introducing a new locker system from a private company.

They were the second or third school in Sligo to do so and young people would be asked to put their phone in a locker at the start of the school day.

They would be given a code and they would be able to access the locker at the end of the day.

The onus should be on schools across the country to ensure that phones should not be present in classrooms, he said.

He added that they might be waiting a bit longer for the Department of Education to act on this matter.

Mr Walsh said a number of schools in Sligo had banned the use of mobile phones.

The motion was agreed.
Situation of student accommodation in Sligo is criticised

Affordability must be key to student accommodation, according to a Councillor at the monthly meeting of Sligo Co Council.

Sinn Fein Cllr Arthur Gibbons said that the focus on delivering student accommodation cannot neglect the issue of affordability.

His motion called on the government to make affordability key to student accommodation.

Cllr Gibbons was responding to announcements by Minister Simon Harris that new accommodation is to be brought onstream and at a time when 1,000 student beds have been taken out of the system in the past six to eight months in Sligo, according to Cllr Rosaleen OGrady.

Cllr Gibbons stated: The situation of student accommodation is a disaster in Sligo and beyond and reflects the governments wider failures in the housing system.

I know the Minister is trying to increase the supply of student accommodation, but we cant just have the same approach where all we get is a supply of accommodation thats completely unaffordable.

Supply without affordability will either price people out or force them to go into debt just to keep a roof over their heads.

Take for example a neighbours family member from Sligo, who is studying in the University of Galway for the academic year, their monthly rent will be just shy of 820 for a single bedroom.

Lets say that the student has to pay this themselves. An 18-year-old earning a below minimum wage rate (9.04), due to the discriminatory nature of the minimum wage legislation, would have to work for 22 hours just cover this cost.

Thats before they pay for food, study materials, the price of the bus home and any kind of social life. Its also before they find time for all their course commitments.

It is no wonder so many of our students are stressed out and considering emigration.

If Minister Harris goes down the same route as Housing Minister Darragh OBrien, and just keeps telling us that its only about supply, supply, supply, well the simple response from students and parents will be that yes supply is important, but it must be matched with affordability.

In supporting the motion, People Before Profit Cllr Gino OBoyle said he had raised this issue at the Council 18 months ago.

He said at the time that students were facing an accommodation crisis here in Sligo and that the government needed to take some action.

Cllr OBoyle said that governments over the past decade had failed to solve the housing crisis.

The provision of affordable student accommodation was a current pressing issue and needed to be addressed.

He said that many Sligo students are already facing a crisis as they come back to third level education.

Some students are having to defer courses, sleep in hotels or friends couches.

Our young population was affected very badly by the covid crisis and they missed out on a lot of education.

And now after the stresses and strains of the Leaving Cert they are coming into college in Sligo with virtually no place to go.

Cllr OBoyle said Sligo did not have the affordable student accommodation that was needed.

He said subsidized student accommodation and controlled rents were needed to help solve the crisis.

Cllr Rosaleen OGrady said it was a huge problem in Sligo. Sligo had University status with the ATU but 1,000 beds had been taken out of the system in Sligo in the past six to eight months.

That has to be a huge concern for all of us, she said Cllr OGrady said she did not know the answer to this question.

1,000 beds had been taken out for our students who are attending the ATU and that was very worrying.
One of the bedrooms in the Weavers Haggard

One of the bedrooms in the Weavers Haggard

One of the five bedrooms inside the Weavers Haggard

A well-known, charming country property in County Wexford sold at online auction for 17 per cent above the guide price, with the hammer dropping on 290,000.

The Weavers Haggard, a five-bedroom detached residence located in Courtclough, The Ballagh, Enniscorthy, was described by auctioneers, Quinn Property, as deceptively spacious.

The property, which sits on a 4.5 acre site was built on the footprint of the original farmyard and outhouses and extends to over 250 sq m.

The property is five minutes drive from Blackwater village which has a range of amenities including a primary school, shops, church, pubs and restaurant. Its also located just seven minutes from the Ballagh village which has a post office, convenience store and pub. Enniscorthy town is 15 minutes away while Wexford town is only 20 minutes drive.

The property was offered in three lots: Lot 1  the residence on C. 0.5 acres; Lot 2  C.3.9 acres, and Lot 3  the entire property.

Property consultant Jack Quinn had guided Lot 1 at 200,000 and Lot 2 at 12,000 per acre in advance of the auction.

Commenting on the sale Mr Quinn said there was good interest in all the lots but particularly in its entirety. He also said several local farmers expressed an interest in Lot 2.

On the day of the auction, Lot 1 reached 180,000 after the first round of bidding, while Lot 2 got as far as 60,000, said Mr Quinn.

That meant the entire property, Lot 3, had to surpass the combined bid of 240,000 to remain as a viable option.

However, there was nothing to fear as Lot 3 opened with a prompt bid of 250,000 and quickly jumped up to 290,000 with strong competition between two active bidders.

After taking a short break for client instructions, the entire property (Lot 3) was declared on the market and with no additional bids forthcoming, the hammer fell at 290,000.

Speaking after the auction, Mr Quinn expressed satisfaction at the outcome and said he was satisfied to have secured such a strong result for our clients.

"The property sold for 17% above the guide price with five active bidders across all the lots on offer, he said.
Were Going on a Bear Hunt author Michael Rosen thanks nurse for her care in London hospital during Covid-19 pandemic

A Co Wexford woman who helped to keep celebrated childrens author Michael Rosen alive when he was at risk of dying of Covid in the pandemics first wave, has been celebrated during the 75th NHS anniversary week.
Jury reached a majority verdict after deliberating for over eight hours

Not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter  that was the verdict in the case of DPP versus David Bolger of 43 Irish Street, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.

The 45-year-old accused was responsible for the death of meat factory worker Przemyslaw Klimzczuk in the house they were sharing off Greenville Lane in Enniscorthy.

A jury of seven men and five women spent just over eight hours deliberating their decision at the end of a trial which lasted into a ninth day.

They proved unable to reach a unanimous verdict before finally coming down 10-2 in favour of manslaughter rather than murder committed at 41 Ashbrook on May 1, 2020.

The conclusion of the trial presided over by Judge Tony Hunt at the courthouse in Wexford came at lunchtime on Thursday, July 15. Earlier in the day the jurors asked for the knife which caused the death of the deceased in the case and the judge ruled that this was in order.

The black handled kitchen knife with its 12.5 centimetre blade was presented to them by Detective Garda Tomas O'Leary. An hour later, the judge indicted that he was prepared to accept a majority 10-2 or 11-1 verdict. Less than two hours after this, word came through that the waiting was over.

David Bolger, who had two family members with him, returned to the dock and his legal team of barristers Colman Cody and Dylan Redmond with solicitor Ed King also took their places.

On the other side of the courtroom gardai led by Superintendent David O'Sullivan were present along with the estranged wife and brother-in-law of the deceased, who had the services of an interpreter.

Prosecuting barrister James Dwyer attended with junior counsel Sinead Gleeson and solicitor Aoife O'Halloran.

The jury was ushered to their seats by Garda Sean Whelan and court registrar Michael Neary asked their forewoman if a verdict had been reached. She replied in the affirmative and the manslaughter decision written on the issue paper was read out before she confirmed that this was the decision of ten members, with two disagreeing.

Judge Hunt thanked them all for their efforts in what was a very tragic case and he exempted them from further jury service for 12 years.

David Bolger did not set out that evening to kill anyone, he observed commending them on their decision made by a dozen citizens drawn from the electoral register: It's a community verdict and no one can argue with it.

During the trial, evidence was given that five bottles of Jagermeister were shared between five men drinking in the living room of 41 Ashbrook on the night in question during Covid-19 lockdown.

Among them were factory worker Bolger and married but separated father of two Klimzczuk, who worked at Irish Country Meats.

Evidence was given that the defendant went up two flights of stairs to a bedroom on the top floor where he stabbed the deceased once, in the heart.

A few minutes later, he told a garda who arrived at the scene that he had stabbed the man nicknamed 'Shammock'.

In his closing address, barrister Colman Cody suggested that his client was too intoxicated to form the intent to kill or cause serious injury, which is a necessary legal ingredient of murder. Most of the jury apparently agreed with this line of argument.

The defendant remained in the dock while his father went to collect an overnight bag. Mr Cody applied for bail to be granted pending a sentencing hearing but this was turned down.

The quicker that Bolger started his sentence, the quicker he will be finished, Judge Hunt pointed out. A medical report, to include a psychiatric or psychological report, was ordered by the court as well as a victim impact statement.

The sentencing hearing was fixed for Monday, October 23 in Dublin before the defendant was brought away to begin his time in custody at Cloverhill Prison.

The trial was the first visit by the Central Criminal Court to the new court complex at Belvedere Road.
MEP Mick Wallace has commended the efforts made by the European Parliament after a successful vote this week that saw the contentious Nature Restoration Law kept alive.

Speaking after the vote, Wallace paid tribute to the EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, acknowledging their success despite the absolute madness of whats gone on in this house for months.

The vote came after months of division within the parliaments groups, with the centre-right European Peoples Party tabling the motion to reject the draft Nature Restoration Law. All eleven Irish MEPs voted in favour to reject the EPPs proposal, with the law now advancing to legislative process with the council.

The threat of global biodiversity collapse is real, warned Wallace, who continued that the scientific consensus is that if we do not take dramatic action within the next decade, we may face irreversible damage to the natural world and the collapse of our societies.

The Nature Restoration Law aims to restore at least 20% of the EUs land and sea areas by 2030 and repair all ecosystems needing restoration by 2050. The law had in recent weeks received considerable push-back from farming communities who were concerned about the prospect of re-wetting farmland areas.

Wallace noted, however, that the biggest threat to the future of agriculture is the climate and biodiversity crisis.

Following a series of votes that accepted several amendments to the law, responsibility for achieving rewetting targets will be largely on Bord na Mona and will be carried out on state lands, lessening the burden for farmers.
As elected members of Wexford County Council were briefed on the next step in the complete handover of responsibility for water services from local authorities to Uisce Eireann (Irish Water), many were left scratching their heads and wondering if we still in fact live in a democracy.

The reason being, the overwhelming opinion of our democratically elected representatives is that Uisce Eireann has been an unmitigated disaster. The views of the general public are not much softer. In fact outside of the council chamber, a pensioner couple were protesting at having had no propert access to water for four years  an issue which forces them to visit a relatives house whenever they want a shower. They outlined their experience of having rang Uisce Eireann a total of 209 times over that four year period, and they still seem no closer to a solution.

The view in the council chamber is that responsibility for water services should rest with the local authority  those who have the local knowledge and expertise and those who are contactable.

The condemnation was unanimous, but particularly furious was Fianna Fail councillor Lisa McDonald, who said Uisce Eireann should be abolished.

"This is one of the most depressing events to have happened in this chamber, she said. Its absolutely clear that Uisce Eireann is not working. There seems to be a democratic deficit here. Theres a complete lack of transparency. Theres no accountability. Uisce Eireann want councillors to attend clinics. I couldnt be bothered. Its a waste of my time. They need to come down here to council meetings at least three times a year and deal with the issues."

With the RTE pay scandal still rumbling on, Cllr McDonald drew comparisons with the utilities company.

"Theres no transparency here at all, she said. Its the same problems as RTE. Im telling you now, the next big scandal like RTE is going to be Uisce Eireann. You heard it here first.

Councillors expressed their frustrations at an inability to contact Uisce Eireann in relation to issues.

"I just want a mobile number, Cllr Ger Carthy said. I just want to be able to pick up the phone when theres a problem and talk to someone like I do with Eamonn Hore (Director of Services).

Cllr Michael Whelan said that he was trying to contact Irish Water in relation to a repair since March and had yet to hear back, while Fine Gael councillor Cathal Byrne outlined an exchange so poor, it was nearly comical.

"We ring the reps line, we get through and then theres no follow up, he said. Its obviously passed on to somebody else, but we never get a call back on it. We get a reference number for our complaint, but that leads nowhere. Its no help to anybody.

"You might get an email then a few weeks later, which says we hope this case has been resolved. Well I hope so too, but I just dont know. Theres absolutely no accountability. Nobody ever comes back to you.

Sinn Fein councillor Davy Hynes dismissed the whole idea of Uisce Eireann as a quango, designed to take power off local government. Its an absolute disgrace.

It was also noted that Wexford County Council will still be responsible for rural water and that there are 18 non-Irish Water sewerage plants, 4 disputed plants and 50 non-Irish Water water supplies that will require funding, management, operation and maintenance from Wexford County Council even after the Uisce Eireann takeover. This sparked more fury.

"Uisce Eireann either take responsibility for water infrastructure or they dont, Cllr George Lawlor said. They cannot pick and choose which aspects they want to be in charge of. Either we have a single public utility or we dont.

Acting Senior Water Engineer Fionnuala Callery agreed with Cllr Lawlor and agreed to pass on some of the issues raised by members to Uisce Eireann. Both she and Director of Services Eamonn Hore were praised for their work in water services over the years and the members expressed their wish that the current system could be retained.

While it appears that these issues and complaints from the members will rumble on into the September meeting, it appears little will be done to change the situation and theyll be stuck with Uisce Eireann whether they like it or not.
The award-winning seafood company Sofrimar is to create approximately 20 new jobs from increased whelk exports and expansion at its facility in the Wexford fishing village of Kilmore Quay with help from the Brexit Processing Capital Support Scheme.

The business is one of 44 projects sharing in a 26.8 million investment from the BIM-administered scheme which will deliver up to 45 million in funding to the seafood processing sector. The scheme is funded by the European Union under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.

The largest processor of whelk meat in Ireland, Sofrimar is investing 678,000 to create additional space in its factory which will allow it to meet an increased demand for frozen cooked whole whelks in Asia and Europe.

At the moment, we send our cooked and raw whelk meat to Asia for further processing with cooked whelk meat canned in South Korea and sold locally, said company Finance Director Lorcan Barden.

Our raw whelk meat is processed into sushi slices in China and sold in major sushi restaurant chains in Japan. This new line for frozen cooked whole whelks in our expanded facility will enable value adding to be completed in Ireland, maximising revenue from the whelks landed by Irish boats.

Sofrimar currently employs 140 people with a further 20 new jobs to be created at the Kilmore Quay factory.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sofrimar exported its cooked whelk meat to South Korea where it was canned and then sold at bars as a popular pub dish with noodles.

However, the closure of bars due to pandemic restrictions led to reduced demand for this product, with the company pivoting to increasing production of frozen cooked whole whelks which proved hugely popular.

This new automated line for the packing of frozen cooked whole whelks and other products in retail packs will be capable of producing about 15,000 kg per day," said Lorcan.

"The grant aid from the Seafood Processing Capital Support Scheme has allowed us to diversify our sales of whelk products which secures the future of our whelk fishermen, increases the value added from our landings and continues our export growth strategy in new and existing markets.

Following expected completion of the expansion work this month, the company will have an additional 500 sq. metre of processing facilities to meet demand for more than 1,000 metric tonnes of frozen cooked whole whelks per year with a significant proportion to be packed in small retail packs.

It will include a new area for grading and washing of whole whelks before cooking and an automated packing line for retail packs. Efficiency gains in the production process will also result in reduced energy consumption.

Founded in 1979 in Kilmore Quay, Sofrimar started to process whelk for the Far East market in 1991 and continues to sell this product to several markets. It was named Seafood Exporter of the Year in 2011.
Wexford School of Ballet and Performing Arts staged 'Back to the Movies 2' at the National Opera House.

Wexford School of Ballet and Performing Arts staged 'Back to the Movies 2' at the National Opera House.

Wexford School of Ballet and Performing Arts staged 'Back to the Movies 2' at the National Opera House.

Wexford School of Ballet and Performing Arts staged 'Back to the Movies 2' at the National Opera House.

Over 500 students, some just three-years-old, performed songs from Avatar, Interstellar, Enchanted, Cruella, Dredd, and Whitney over two performances at the National Opera House. The Wexford School of Ballet & Performing Arts (WSBPA) students brought audiences Back to the Movies for the second time in shows which school principal Suzanne OLeary said were choreographed to precision and brimming with energy exuding the student's pure love of performance. WSBPA is renowned for its high standards and these performances certainly did not disappoint.

Already thoughts are turning to WSBPAs next big production which will come in the weeks leading up to Christmas, again in the National Opera House on December 16 and 17. However, prior to that, preparations for the annual summer school, which will take place in their brand new purpose-built studios in West Point from July 24-28, have begun.

Culminating with an end-of-week performance in the Jerome Hynes Theatre, the summer school will see guest teachers travel from London and Dublin to train the students in jazz, ballet and commercial dance styles. A few days later on July 31, 40 students will jet off to Paris for their annual performance in the Videopolis Theatre in Disneyland Paris.

"This trip is always a fun-packed treat for the students who work so hard throughout the year, said Suzanne.

WSBPA's new term starts on August 28, online booking is available at wexforschoolballet.com
Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Matt Damon were among the stars who staged a walk-out from the London premiere of Oppenheimer to write their picket signs ahead of the Sag-Aftra strike announcement on Thursday evening.

The premiere of Christopher Nolans historical epic was brought forward by an hour ahead of a Sag-Aftra press conference in Los Angeles, which later declared the US union had agreed to strike.

The anticipated announcement cast a shadow over the London film premiere at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square, with the films major stars including Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr, Sir Kenneth Branagh and Rami Malek leaving before the screening of the film.

Speaking on the red carpet, Sir Kenneth told the PA news agency: Everybody is working very hard to make sure it doesnt happen, if it happens I stand in solidarity with our Sag members.

We know it is a critical time at this point in the industry and the issues need to be addressed, difficult conversations, I know everybody is trying to get a fair deal, that is whats required so well support that.

Murphy told PA: I stand by my colleagues, thats all I can say to you.

Florence Pugh arrives for the UK premiere of Oppenheimer (Ian West/PA)

Meanwhile British actress Pugh told PA that the cast felt lucky to have got to the Oppenheimer premiere before the strike was announced but also lucky to be standing in solidarity with their acting peers.

She said: Its been a really, really tense few days for a lot of people, not just actors but everybody in the industry who are going to be affected by this decision but affected by a decision that is necessary.

Equally, premieres arent just for us, they are to honour a movie, they are to honour a crew that made them so we feel both lucky, that we got to squeeze this in, and also lucky that we get to stand by our peers in a decision that is made.

We hope that something comes of it soon.

Speaking on stage at the premiere ahead of the strike announcement, filmmaker Nolan said: I have to acknowledge the work of our incredible cast, led by Cillian Murphy.

The list is enormous  Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek and so many more. Youve seen them here earlier on the red carpet.

Unfortunately, they are off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by SAG, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of their union.

Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas arrive for the UK premiere of Oppenheimer (Ian West/PA)

The strike news comes after the US union and Hollywood studios failed to reach an agreement after more than four weeks of negotiations, with actors wanting better pay and increased safeguarding around AI rights among their demands.

Last month Sag-Aftra members voted overwhelmingly to authorise a strike if a new contract with major studios, streamers and production companies could not be reached.

Nearly 98% (97.91%) of the 65,000 members who cast votes were in favour, Sag-Aftra said.

Among the productions in the UK that could be affected by the strike action is Deadpool 3, starring Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman who were both recently pictured suited up for filming.

Ryan Reynolds attending a special Fan Screening of Deadpool (PA)

The third instalment of the popular antihero franchise is scheduled for release in May 2024 but the strike action could significantly impact production.

Similarly, new film Wicked starring US singer Ariana Grande, actress Cynthia Erivo, Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey and Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, which is being shot in a village in Buckinghamshire could also be impacted, as the release date is currently set for November next year.

Other UK productions include Beetlejuice 2 starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega, vampire thriller The Radleys with Damian Lewis, and psychological thriller Speak No Evil with James McAvoy.

Upcoming romantic comedy The Gorge with Anya Taylor-Joy, Miles Teller and Sigourney Weaver could also be affected, as well as action film Heads Of State with Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and John Cena.

A number of TV series being filmed in the UK might also be impacted, including spy thriller The Day Of The Jackal starring Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne and period boxing drama A Thousand Blows with Stephen Graham.

Cast members attends the House of Dragon premiere in London (Ian West/PA)

House Of The Dragon series two with Matt Smith and Emma DArcy could also be affected, alongside the second series of The Sandman with Tom Sturridge and the fourth series of Slow Horses with Academy Award winner Gary Oldman.

Announcing the strike at a press conference on Thursday, Sag-Aftra president Fran Drescher gave an impassioned speech in which she said it was a very seminal hour for the union.

The gravity of this move is not lost on me  its a very serious thing that impacts thousands if not millions of people.

This is a moment of history that is a moment of truth. If we dont stand tall now we are all going to be in trouble.

The jig is up AMPTP, we stand tall, you need to wake up and smell the coffee. You cannot exist without us.

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher speaks during a press conference announcing a strike by The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Chris Pizzello/PA)

Asked how long the strike would last, Ms Drescher said: Thats up to them, we are open to talking to them tonight.

All of this is because of their behaviour, its up to them if they want to talk in a normal way.

Meanwhile, British actors union Equity said it stands full square behind our sister union, stating it has also been experiencing bullish engagers attempting to undermine its collectively bargained agreements.

The general secretary of Equity, Paul W Fleming, said Equity had been in constant contact with Sag-Aftra during the negotiations, adding that it will continue to work closely and collaboratively on advice for artists working in the United Kingdom as the situation develops.

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A statement from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said it was deeply disappointed that the union had decided to walk away from negotiations.

This is the unions choice, not ours.

In doing so, it has dismissed our offer of historic pay and residual increases, substantially higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, a ground-breaking AI proposal that protects actors digital likenesses, and more.

Rather than continuing to negotiate, Sag-Aftra has put us on a course that will deepen the financial hardship for thousands who depend on the industry for their livelihoods.

It is now anticipated the strike will affect upcoming award shows, premieres, events and film festivals around the world, including the Toronto and Venice film festivals, and the 75th Emmys.
Margot Robbie says the highly anticipated Barbie movie is a celebration of the real life Barbie  director Greta Gerwig.

The Australian actress, who stars alongside Ryan Gosling as the titular character in the upcoming film, said Gerwig was everything and can do anything.

Based on the Mattel doll, the Barbie movie follows Robbie and Goslings Barbie and Ken as they leave Barbie Land and travel to the real world.

Gerwig has written the screenplay with her long-term partner Noah Baumbach, director of films such as Marriage Story and Frances Ha.

A number of other actors and actresses, including Sex Education star Emma Mackey and Simu Liu, will play different types of Barbie and Ken.

Asked about how the movie would change the perception of Barbie, Robbie told the PA news agency: I think thats been changing and shifting over the years multiple times.

I think sometimes Barbie has been ahead of the times, sometimes shes been behind the times majorly.

She added: I think this movie is its own thing right now but its just supposed to celebrate the real life Barbie that is Greta Gerwig.

She is everything and can do anything.

For the London premiere on Wednesday Robbie mirrored the Enchanted Evening Barbie from 1960 in her choice of outfit.

Barbie movie director Greta Gerwig (Ian West/PA)

The actress wore a pale pink gown with a corseted strapless top, floral detailing at the hip, a train and white opera gloves.

She was joined by Gosling and Ladybird and Little Women director Gerwig.

Asked about her penchant for strong female characters, she told PA: Its what Im interested in  I like women.

I mean I like men too but Im very interested in women and how they construct their lives, intergenerationally and what they think is important.

Margot Robbie (Ian West/PA)

You inevitably end up making movies about things you like, and I like ladies.

Gerwig added that men that were hesitant about going to see a girlie movie would be pleasantly surprised.

Implicitly you say Barbie and people will think its girlie but the truth is theres a lot in it for the men and the Kens, she told PA.

I think if they go theyll find themselves pleasantly surprised.

Gosling also said that Barbie was a very layered and complicated film that was a choose-your-own-adventure.

Sam Smith features on the Barbie movie soundtrack (Ian West/PA)

I wouldnt want to Kensplain the Barbie movie. I think its very layered and complicated and its so unexpected, and theres so much in there, he told PA.

I had the experience of experiencing as Greta wanted me to and I want other people to have that experience too.

Theres so many interesting conversations going on in it  theres also a lot of dancing, its really just a choose-your-own-adventure, but its loaded and I think its just so special.

British stars Sam Smith and Dua Lipa are among the artists that feature on the movies soundtrack, alongside US heavyweights Billie Eilish and Haim.

Barbie arrives in UK cinemas on July 21.
Journalists and high profile media figures are among those who have sent support to superb broadcaster Huw Edwards after he was named as the BBC presenter at the centre of the recent furore.

A statement from Edwards wife, Vicky Flind, said he is suffering from serious mental health issues and is receiving in-patient hospital care as he faces allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

Former Downing Street press secretary Alastair Campbell recounted how he and Edwards had spoken often about depression.

Alastair Campbell spoke about how he and Edwards had discussed depression (Yui Mok/PA)

He said in a tweet on Wednesday evening: Like virtually everyone else, I know absolutely nothing about the events that have led to the statement by Huw Edwards wife. But I do know that he is a superb broadcaster.

I know too that he has a long history of depression. He and I have spoken about it often, including in an interview for @MensHealthUK shortly before the Queens death which he covered so brilliantly.

Precisely because he is both well known and well liked he is the perfect target for those who would undermine and indeed would like to destroy the BBC

The police having said no action to be taken, whatever he did or did not do is a matter for him and his family, and for the BBC.

The obsession with this story has been a further sign of a media that has frankly become weird. But I hope  almost certainly in vain  that Huw and his family are given the privacy they need and to which they are entitled.

And the same goes for all others involved in this story. I hope he is getting good care and wish it was available to all who struggle with their mental health.

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Jon Sopel also sent his best wishes to Edwards after earlier on Wednesday he said he did not agree that the then-anonymous presenter should come forward, saying on his The News Agents podcast: I think that whoever the presenter is needs to work it out himself, I cannot begin to imagine the sort of pressure, the sort of anguish, turmoil that is going on in his life.

Following the announcement that Edwards was the man involved, Sopel, the former BBC News North America editor, tweeted: This is an awful and shocking episode, where there was no criminality, but perhaps a complicated private life.

That doesnt feel very private now. I hope that will give some cause to reflect. They really need to. I wish @thehuwedwards well.

He added: Dear @BBCRadio4 @BBCNews, Well done on handling the breaking news about @thehuwedwards and the fact that hes now being treated in hospital  but to then straight off (the) back of that into a report on him facing fresh allegations of misconduct? That was just terrible.

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BBC World presenter John Simpson has said he feels so sorry for everyone involved in the matter including Edwards.

I feel so sorry for everyone involved in this: for the Edwards family, for the complainants, and for Huw himself, he wrote on Twitter.

No criminal offences were committed, so its a purely personal tragedy for everyone involved. Lets hope the press leave them all alone now.

Dan Walker said that the situation will come as a shock to many people (Ian West/PA)

Former BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker added on Twitter: This is an awful situation and will come as a big shock to many.

Huw Edwards is clearly not in a good place at the moment and this must be terrible for his family.

I just hope that whoever needs help  on all sides of this  gets the time, space and support they need to heal.

BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine, who said earlier on Wednesday that he felt the then-unnamed presenter needs to come forward, retweeted Walkers statement.
A public relations and crisis consultant has said the wife of Huw Edwards should be praised following her naming the BBC presenter as the figure embroiled in an explicit photos scandal.

Vicky Flind spoke out saying Edwards was the BBC presenter on Wednesday following him facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

She said he is suffering from serious mental health issues and is receiving in-patient hospital care in a statement.

Mark Borkowski told the PA news agency of the need for a true appraisal of the facts.

He said: Its interesting that his wife took control of this, and actually she should be praised for dealing with the fact that theres a huge amount in our society that we still are affected by shame  and shame (plays) a huge part in the British human condition.

He added that people in the public eye face the same pressures and it is really tough at the top.

Mr Borkowski said: Its a very cold and lonely place and people just see the bright side of fame. We dont talk enough about the prefabricated hell that people live in when theyre famous.

He also said that families who are not the celebrity do not get considered and have to deal with the fallout of a controversy like this.

Speaking about how the BBC is feeling at this time, he said the organisation is suffering from PTSD after a series of crises.

He said: Were going into a completely different rules of celebrity, different rules run by a social media crowd, who are not empathetic, and are just craving the story.

The BBC is regulated by Ofcom, by government, by a long winded process and their competition isnt governed by (those) same rules.

Mr Borkowski said he has empathy for the BBC as it is a lumbering beast who has to work with due process.

He said: Its a huge organisation that everybody has an opinion on, theyre damned if they do, theyre damned if they dont.

There needs to be a root and branch sort of study from a person outside the bubble, to take a look at all these integrated procedures like human resources, artists, relations (and) production (departments).

Mr Borkowski called on the BBC to be more aggressive in the way that the broadcaster shouts about its values.

However, he questioned why no-one at the corporation saw that Edwards was struggling.

Mr Borkowski said BBC director-general Tim Davie could not meet with the most public facing figure of the nightly news because of due process.

He said the BBC is clearly struggling to compete with a fast moving media.
A commuter at Seoul Railway Station walks by a TV screen showing an image of the latest North Korean missile launch. Photo: AP

North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) off its east coast yesterday, prompting US condemnation, as well as from the leaders of South Korea and Japan who met on the sidelines of a Nato summit.
US president Joe Biden speaks to the media as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky looks on after the announcement of a Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine during the Nato summit in Vilnius. Photo: PA

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed fresh commitments of weapons and ammunition to fight Russias invasion even as he expressed disappointment over the lack of a clear path for his country to join Nato as the alliance wrapped up its annual summit.
The Indo Daily: Introducing Im Not Here to Hurt You  a new podcast about Irelands most polite bank robber
The alleged mistress of a Colorado dentist accused of poisoning his wife with arsenic-laced protein shakes has broken her silence as a judge is set to decide whether the man will go on trial for her murder.
Image Credit: Wikipedia

Czech-born author Milan Kundera, who wrote 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being', died in Paris at the age of 94, media reports said.

Kundera, who was one of the biggest names in European Literature, was a poetic and satirical author.

Born in 1929, Kundera studied in Prague and became a lecturer in world literature.

He had also served the ruling Communist Party.

However, his scathing criticism of the Communist regime of Czechoslovakia saw him flee to France in 1975.

His first novel, 'The Joke', which was published in 1967, led to a ban on his writing in Czechoslovakia.

Among the awards which he received were Jerusalem Prize in 1985, the Austrian State Prize for European Literature in 1987, the Herder Prize in 2000.

He received the Golden Order of Merit from Slovenia President in 2021.
Image Credit: Twitter/@PMOIndia

New Delhi/UNI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday left for official visits to France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

During his visit to France, PM Modi will attend the celebrations of the French National Day, or Bastille Day, in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, the Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra told the media on Wednesday.

Furthering friendship with France!



PM @narendramodi emplanes for Paris. A wide range of programmes including talks with President Macron, a community programme and meeting with CEOs will be a part of this visit. pic.twitter.com/PcZzVVIDTT  PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 13, 2023

"This year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership," PM Modi said in his departure statement.

India and France will enhance cooperation across various domains including space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment and culture, he added.

From Paris, PM Modi will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, the UAE, for an official visit on July 15.

The UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and Modi expressed his anticipation of exchanging views on enhancing global cooperation to facilitate energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Image credit: Pixabay

Srinagar/UNI: Police on Thursday arrested a shopkeeper for selling petroleum products illegally at exorbitant rates in Jammu and Kashmirs Baramulla district.

The accused has been identified as Mehraj Din, a resident of Tantraypora Palhallan, who was found involved in selling petroleum products illegally at exorbitant rates at his shop in Pattan.

Police said 187 litres of Petrol and Diesel were recovered from his shop and seized immediately.

A case under Sections of the Essential Commodities and Petroleum Act was registered at Police Station Pattan, and investigations were set in motion, the police added.
Image credit: Video grab

New Delhi: The schools and colleges in Delhi will remain closed till Sunday as the Yamuna River continues to swell with the water level reaching an all-time high of 208.6 m as the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana continues to release water into the river.

The Delhi government has also ordered non-essential government offices to remain shut till July 16, India Today report.

The Central Water Commission has called it an "extreme situation" as the water flow into Yamuna is expected to rise even further by 3-4 pm today, said the report.

The private establishments have been advised to strictly implement work-from-home policies during this period.

Amid the crisis, the city may also face drinking water problems as the government has shut down three water treatment plants at Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla.

Further, businesses located near Kashmere Gate have been instructed to suspend their operations until Sunday.

Buses heading towards the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) will be rerouted to the Singhu Border as a temporary measure.

To accommodate the affected passengers, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) will be deploying extra buses to facilitate their travel to their desired destinations.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said efforts are underway to lower the water levels, and restoration work is set to commence within two days.

It is worth noting that the Delhi Secretariat, which houses offices for Kejriwal, his cabinet, and other senior bureaucrats, experienced flooding on Thursday.

Waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall has severely impacted traffic movement on various roads, including sections of the important Outer Ring Road. As a result, traffic has been redirected to alternative routes, resulting in significant traffic congestion and jams.

To manage the situation, the traffic police have issued advisories detailing restrictions and regulations on vehicular movement in areas affected by flooding.

Several areas, including Monastery Market, Yamuna Bazar, Garhi Mandu, Geeta Ghat, Vishwakarma Colony, Khadda Colony, the vicinity of Neeli Chatri temple near Old Railway Bridge, Neem Karoli Gaushala, and a section of Ring Road from Wazirabad to Majnu Ka Tila, continue to experience flooding.

Due to the flooding, the Geeta Colony crematorium, situated near the Yamuna River in Old Delhi, has been temporarily closed.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has advised citizens to access the cremation facilities available at Karkarduma and Ghazipur cremation grounds instead of the Geeta Colony crematorium.

Arvind Kejriwal, after conducting an emergency meeting, announced that the administration is actively evacuating waterlogged areas and urged citizens to cooperate with the evacuation efforts.

To assist in rescue operations, 12 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed on the ground.

To date, more than 16,500 individuals residing in low-lying areas have been relocated to safer locations at higher elevations.

Embankments are being constructed in low-lying areas to prevent the entry of floodwater, especially if the water level of the Yamuna River continues to rise.

These measures are being implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected population.
Image credit: Devendra Fadnavis Twitter

Mumbai: The alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra could face internal conflicts as recent developments indicate that the finance ministry might slip out of the hands of Devendra Fadnavis to Ajit Pawar, India Today reported.

If the crucial finance portfolio is reallocated, it would be a major victory for the NCP rebel leader.

Since joining the ruling BJP, Shiv Sena coalition, he has been pressing for important portfolios for his party's ministers.

According to the report, he raised the matter during his discussions with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, aiming to strengthen the position and influence of the NCP within the alliance.

The MPs of both the BJP and the Shiv Sena have been expressing dissatisfaction though not openly, the report said, adding that the delay in the Maharashtra cabinet expansion was caused due to a standoff between Ajit Pawars camp and the Eknath Shinde faction.

Deputy Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar held several meetings on July 10-11 during which the two might have resolved the differences.

NCP working president Praful Patel said on Wednesday that the issue of distribution of portfolios was sorted out and the allocation of portfolios will happen in a day or two.

Praful Patel's comments were made following his arrival in Delhi along with Ajit Pawar for a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and senior BJP leaders.

During the meeting, Patel dismissed reports suggesting a deepening rift within the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance regarding the allocation of portfolios.

We are here for a courtesy visit as Ajit Pawar didn't meet BJP leadership after taking oath as deputy chief minister, he said.

In a surprising turn of events on July 2, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar saw a split, as his nephew Ajit Pawar and nearly three dozen MLAs joined the ruling alliance of Shiv Sena and BJP.

Ajit Pawar and eight other NCP leaders were subsequently sworn in as ministers, indicating a significant realignment of political alliances in Maharashtra.
Seema Haider with her Indian partner Sachin (Image tweeted by @Gabbar0099)

Mumbai cops received a call from an unidentified individual, who warned of a 26/11-like attack if Seema Haider, a Pakistani woman who arrived in India to marry her partner, did not return to her country,

According to media reports, the Mumbai Traffic Control Room received the call on Wednesday.

The caller speaking in Urdu threatened that if Seema Haider, who hails from Sindh province in Pakistan, did not return to her husband India would experience severe consequences and destruction.

An investigation was launched immediately after the threat call.

The Mumbai Police and Crime Branch are currently engaged in an investigation regarding this incident. While the Mumbai Police Control Room often receives such calls, the police are now closely examining the matter.

Seema Haider, who resided in Karachi since her marriage in 2014, was arrested on July 4 for unlawfully entering India without a visa through Nepal.

The 27-year-old woman had come to India along with her four children to meet her online game acquaintance, Sachin, whom she met on PUBG. Sachin was also arrested for providing shelter to illegal immigrants.

After their release, Sachin and Seema went to his parents' residence in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida to live together with her children. They claim to have been legally married in Nepal.

Seema and Sachin initially connected in 2019 while playing PUBG and their relationship deepened to the point where they decided to live together in India, unbeknownst to Seema's husband, Ghulam Haider, who was working in Saudi Arabia at the time.

In a video plea, Ghulam Haider, Seema's husband, appealed to the Indian government for assistance in reuniting him with his wife.
Image Credit: wikipedia.org

New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council has granted approval for the procurement of 26 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian navy, India Today reported.

This includes 22 single-seater Rafale marine aircraft and four twin-seater trainer versions.

The council has also given the green light for the purchase of three more Scorpene class submarines for the Indian Navy.

The deals are estimated to have a value of approximately Rs 90,000 crore.

The construction of these submarines will be undertaken by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

"The DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy from the French Government based on Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA)," the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

The acquisition of additional submarines, which will have a higher proportion of indigenous content, is expected to serve multiple purposes.

It will not only contribute to maintaining the desired force level and operational readiness of the Indian Navy but also generate substantial employment opportunities within the domestic sector.

This move aligns with the government's emphasis on boosting indigenous manufacturing capabilities and promoting self-reliance in defence production.

According to reports, the agreements are expected to be signed during Prime Minister Modi's visit to France, which commenced today.

The visit, extended by an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron, includes Prime Minister Modi's attendance as the guest of honour at the French Bastille Day celebrations on July 14.

During the Bastille Day Parade, an Indian tri-services contingent will participate, and the Indian Air Force will conduct a fly-past, as mentioned by the Prime Minister.

The need for these new defence agreements arises from several factors, including the ageing fleet of Russian-made platforms, challenges in maintenance by Moscow, and delays in India's indigenous manufacturing plans for similar platforms, as reported by Reuters.

For over four decades, India has relied on French fighter jets. Prior to the procurement of Rafale aircraft in 2015, India had acquired Mirage jets in the 1980s, which still constitute two squadrons of the Indian Air Force.

In 2005, India purchased six Scorpene-class diesel submarines from France for a total of 188 billion rupees ($2.29 billion), and the final submarine is set to be commissioned next year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly during his visit to the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt, on June 25

The two-day visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Egypt on June 24 and 25, 2023, is a potential game changer in bilateral relations. With increased Indian presence in Egypt, the efforts of China to build its presence in the Middle East is under stiff challenge.

The U.S. may no longer be the undisputed big dog in the region, but as long as India expands its presence in the Middle East neither Russia nor China can assume that role, Steven A Cook has observed in an article in the American magazine Foreign Policy.

The Indian initiatives in Egypt are an extension of the collaboration between India and the United State to counter China beyond the Indo-Pacific region and into the Middle East. The Indian capabilities at infrastructure building will counter the Belt and Road Initiative of China in the Gulf countries.

Egypt can also serve as a gateway through which India can send its goods to Africa and Europe and meet the Chinese challenge in these areas, particularly in Africa. The Middle East is becoming increasingly important for India due to its trade interests and also for the millions of Indians who work in the region and send remittances back home.

Narendra Modi arrived in Cairo on his first State visit to Egypt received by Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt at the airport

With all the expansion of Indias economic and security ties with the Middle East, however, the Indian position on Iran may differ sharply with those of the United States and Israel, Stephen Cook has pointed out. It is unlikely that India will line up with the United States, but it is also unlikely that New Delhi will undercut Washington the way both Beijing and Moscow have done.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was received by President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi at Al-Ittihadiya Palace on June 25. An agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship between India and Egypt to a Strategic Partnership was signed by the two leaders. Prime Minister Modi and President Sisi also discussed more cooperation in the areas of food and energy insecurity, climate change and the need for the Global South to have a concerted voice. The President of Egypt also conferred on the Indian Prime Minister the Order of the Nile, the highest civilian award of Egypt.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a meeting with the India Unit in the Egyptian Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister of Egypt Musfafa Madbouly. There were discussions on ways to strengthen cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, renewable energy, green hydrogen, information technology, digital payment platforms, pharma and people-to-people ties.

Besides business talks, the Indian Prime Minister also met the Grand Mufti of Egypt His Eminence Shawky Ibrahim Allam who emphasized on the strong cultural and people-to-people relations between India and Egypt and appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Modi in fostering inclusivity and pluralism. Discussions focused on issues related t*o social and religious harmony in society. Prime Minister Modi conveyed that India would set up a Centre of Excellence in IT at Dar-al-Ifta, a centre of Islam and Islamic legal research in Egypt.

According to a Foreign Policy report, India is planning a significant connectivity project to counter the growing influence of China in the Gulf. The project aims to link New Delhi to the Middle East through a series of roads, railways and seaports. The idea for the project was formed under the I2U2 forum for economic cooperation, which includes India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and the USA.

The project has been discussed in a meeting between the National Security Advisor of India Ajit Doval and his counterparts from the USA and the UAE, as well as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

According to reports, the connectivity project aims to leverage the capacity of India as a provider of infrastructure, the Indian track record including the construction of the largest railway system in the world and cross-border electricity sharing arrangements. I2U2 is not formally an entity focused on China because of the close commercial cooperation of both the UAE and Israel with China. It is an open secret, however, that the I2U2 group is a vehicle for Indo-U.S. cooperation to counter China beyond the Indo-Pacific and in the Middle East.

Nobody said it out loud, but it was about China from day one, an Israeli official has been quoted to have said. The formation of I2U2 is a clear recognition that the Biden administration is now actively involved in responding to China in multiple regions, the Observer Research Foundation has noted. New Delhi also understands that the China challenge has to be met not only to Indias north and east but also towards Indias west. Both India and the U.S. now recognize that they need each other to meet the challenges from China which are not only military but also economic.

The assertion of Beijing that it wants to help low income countries develop with BRI assistance is a mask. According to analysts, the BRI is a Chinese investment platform that employs Chinese capital across infrastructure projects in emerging markets for geopolitical gains.

The focus of this investment strategy is now shifting to Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. China has signed comprehensive strategic partnerships with Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE and strategic partnerships with another eight states in the region.

Egypt is not fully trusting China, however. Cairo now wants investment from India to meet its foreign debt obligations and maintain food security.

The war in Ukraine has affected the food supply of Egypt. Almost 80 percent of the grains of Egypt are imported from Ukraine and Russia. The war has also impacted the foreign exchange reserves of Egypt. In 2022, India assisted crisis-ridden Egypt and allowed the shipment of 61,500 tonnes of wheat to Egypt despite New Delhi having put restrictions on wheat exports.. Cairo needs New Delhi.

It thinks India can help it deal with its economic crisis by expanding trade and investment in Egypt. More than 50 Indian companies have already invested in the infrastructure sector in Egypt.

With 12 percent of the global trade passing through the Suez Canal, India has kept in mind the crucial geostrategic significance of Egypt.

The expectations are also high in Egypt that the Narendra Modi government in India will announce Indias support for the desire of Egypt to join the BRICS, a grouping that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. By inducting Egypt in the grouping, India wants to balance Chinas influence; and also prevent Pakistan, which Beijing is backing, from joining the BRICS.

With the recent improvements in the relationship between Cairo and Tel Aviv, New Delhi hopes with the help of Egypt India can also get much deeper access in Israel. According to a RAND Corporation report, Chinese investments in Israel have grown substantially in hi-tech companies that produce sensitive technologies; as well as in the construction and operation of key infrastructure projects. This presents distinct concerns to the United States, as well as to Israel itself.

The acquisition of the Haifa port in Israel by the Gautam Adani group has come, however, as a fitting reply to Beijing from New Delhi.

The Adani group of India in January 2023 acquired the strategic Israeli port of Haifa for $1.2 billion and promised to transform the skyline of the Mediterranean city of Haifa as a part of the decision of the group to invest more in Israel. These investment decisions include the opening of an artificial intelligence lab in Tel Aviv. Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has described the Haifa port deal with the Adani group as an enormous milestone that would significantly improve connectivity between Israel and India in many ways.

Among other major Indian groups that have investments in Israel are TCS, Infosys, Mahindra and Wipro. In a visit to India in 2023, Foreign Minister of Israel Eli Cohen said India could significantly enhance regional stability in the Middle East by extending its influence, trade and diplomacy beyond the Indo-Pacific region.

The Indian efforts to checkmate Chinese attempts to use its Belt and Road Initiative to gain geopolitical advantage in the Middle East has been supplemented by the B3W --- Build Back Better World  initiative launched by U.S. President Joe Biden and his G7 counterparts; a values-driven, market-led high-standard and transparent infrastructure partnership to help narrow the infrastructure gap in the developing world by 2035.

The B3W initiative aims to mobilize bilateral and multilateral, as well as private-sector capital for investment in climate, health and health security, modernized digital technology, gender equity and equality. The B3W is planned to be global in scope and cover low and middle income countries.
File image from Chinese Embassy Twitter page

Kathmandu: Nepal Foreign Minister NP Saud has rejected the claims of the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal that an airport had been built under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Nepal.

While addressing the International Relations and Tourism Committee on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Saud rejected the claims stating the BRI project hasnt been put into action in Nepal.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nepal has been claiming that the Pokhara International Airport was built under the BRI framework.

While addressing the committee meeting, FM Saud denied the Chinese Ambassadors claim by saying that Nepal only has signed on the pact and no tangible plans or initiatives have been implemented so far.

Chinas statement that the Pokhara International Airport is its flagship project in Nepal under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) came as a surprise earlier this week.

According to a report by Nepal-based The Kathmandu Post, since China made the claim, confusion gripped Nepals diplomatic circles after China is unilaterally listing one project after another in Nepal under the Belt and Road Initiative.

At the inauguration of the new airport by Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, China reportedly made the claim.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song, on June 22, in a post on Twitter wrote, Warm congratulation to Wechat Pay Cross-board Payment Service Inauguration in Nepal. A new step forward in financial connectivity, one of the five connectivities under #BRI initiative.

Earlier, last week too, Nepals Foreign Minister NP Saud, while addressing the House of Representatives, said, The project implementation plan of the BRI is at a stage of discussion between Nepal and China. Not a single project in Nepal under the BRI has been executed. The project implementation plan of the BRI is still under consideration.
File photo of Dalai Lama from Wallpaper Cave

Lhasa: Chinese authorities are forcing monasteries and monks in Tibet to denounce all ties with the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, according to a report by Radio Free Asia (RFA).

The Dalai lama, while celebrating his birthday on July 6, expressed the hope to return to his homeland. Though China, which sees the Dalai Lama as a "separatist" for splitting Tibet, sought to control Tibetan Buddhism.

The Dalai Lama, who now lives in exile in India's Dharamshala, says only that he seeks greater autonomy for Tibet as a part of China, with guaranteed protections for Tibets language, culture and religion, reports said.

Last year, China began requiring Tibetans working in official government positions to renounce all ties to the Dalai Lama as a condition of employment. Authorities appear to be including monasteries under this rule, reports ANI.

According to RFA, at the beginning of July, Chinese authorities conducted searches of monasteries in Shentsa (in Chinese, Shenzha) and Sok (Suo) counties on the premise of maintaining security, a Tibetan living in exile, who requested anonymity for security reasons.

The authorities search all the residences of the monks and the main shrines in the monasteries, said the exile.

The monks of Shartsa Monastery are also forced into renouncing ties with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and be a part of anti-Dalai Lama groups," the exile added.
File photo from Wallpaper Cave

New Delhi: China has reportedly protested a weekend meeting between the Dalai Lama and the US coordinator for Tibetan affairs, saying on Monday that no external forces have the right to interfere in the affairs of Tibet.

US special coordinator for Tibetan issues Uzra Zeya, who is also the US undersecretary for civilian security, democracy and human rights, met Sunday with exiled spiritual leader of Tibet the Dalai Lama.

The representative of the Dalai Lama in Washington Namgyal Choedup, who attended the meeting, said, "Undersecretary Urza Zeya reiterated the continued attention and support for Tibetan issues by the U.S. administration."

The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi tweeted that China firmly opposes any form of contact between foreign officials and the "Tibetan independence" forces.

Penpa Tsering, leader of the Central Tibetan Administration, also attended the said meeting, according to reports.


According to reports, Germans Audi might be joining hands with Chinas SAIC Motor Corp. Audi is allegedly in talks to buy an electric vehicle (EV) platform from the Chinese-owned carmaker in a remarkable effort to shore up market share.

Audi Reportedly In Talks To Buy Chinese Carmaker SAIC's EV Platform

Audi

The sale of Audis EV products has been on the decline as of late and falls sharply behind Tesla and other domestic competitors like Nio. In such circumstances, the move to buy SAICs EV platform highlights the apparent pressure on all legacy and Western brands to hold their own in the worlds largest auto market as these companies strike blades over EVs.

Like Audi, the premium car brand of Volkswagen AG is also preparing to take over the EV platform owned by SAIC's EV unit, IM Motors, according to Reuters. For those unfamiliar, IM Motors is a premium EV brand controlled by SAIC. Its main pool of investors includes the e-commerce giant Alibaba Group. The brand started delivery of its first model, the L7 sedan, in June 2022.

While reports of Audi and SAICs transactions are going around, both Audi and SAIC representatives have declined to comment on the matter. It is also hard to gauge the amount being offered by Audi to SAIC in return for taking over its EV platform. Besides, it is also unclear whether SAIC will still be involved in making the L7 sedan after the deal.



Companies Like Toyota Are Following Tesla's Lead Instead And Building EV Platforms

Unsplash

The initial news of Audis takeover was reported by the Chinese media outlet Mingjing Pro on Tuesday. Before this, Automobilwoche had reported that Audi was in talks with several manufacturers to acquire an EV platform.

Although Audi is looking to take over an EV platform, other automakers like Toyota have been doing all they can to follow the lead of Tesla and some other Chinese EV makers who have established EV platforms from the ground up in a bid to cut costs, improve performance, and protect margins.

Audi has never before bought a platform from another manufacturer, and in China, it has used Volkswagen's EV-dedicated MEB platform for models on offer in the country. All this while the company has also been building a new EV platform with Porsche.

Audi chief executive Markus Duesmann, who is set to step down in September, told Reuters last month that the brand had to increase its development speed of new models in order to meet the demand for EVs, particularly in China. However, even after the surge, the companys sales performance has fallen short of expectations. Primarily because of a lack of vehicles that are optimal for Chinese needs.
1. Akshay Kumar's OMG 2 Reportedly Put On Hold By Censor Board To Avoid Adipurush-Like Controversy



Om Rauts recently released mythological drama based on Hindu epic Ramayana left the audiences fuming with anger. Starring Prabhas and Kriti Sanon as Raghava (Lord Rama) and Janaki (Lord Sita), the film was one of the highest-budgeted films ever made in Indian cinema but fell flat on the face. As another film based on a religious subject is all set to arrive, the censor board has turned a little conscious. Read More!

Indiatimes

2. 'Chandrayaan 3' Is Allegedly Cheaper Than Om Raut's 'Adipurush' And Internet Is Dumbstruck

Movie buffs will never be able to forget Adipurush. The film was hyped too much before its release, but the makers apparently failed to execute their vision, which didn't even strike a chord with the audiences. They wanted to show our gods like Marvel superheroes on screen but instead made a mockery of them. People are appalled to know that the film was made on a massive budget and didn't live up to the expectation. Read More!

Indiatimes

3. Making A Sequel Is Like Encashing, Paresh Rawal Once Revealed Why He Opted Out Of OMG 2

Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal played the role of Kanji Lalji Mehta in Akshay Kumars 2012 blockbuster Oh My God! The film was a satirical comedy which also starred Mithun Chakraborty, Om Puri, Govind Namdeo, Poonam Jhawer, Puja Gupta and Mahesh Manjrekar in prominent roles. When the films second part was announced, Paresh Rawal revealed that he has opted out of the sequel. Read More!

Indiatimes

4. I Struggled For 25 Years, Slept Hungry, Heard Abuse: Gajraj Rao On Why He Doesnt Reduce Fees



Bollywood actor Gajraj Rao became an overnight sensation by playing a prominent role in Ayushmann Khurranas 2018 blockbuster Badhaai Ho. But it took him 20 years to attain the success he deserved ever since. In a recent interview, Gajraj Rao opened up on the difficult times he faced and worked on multiple jobs for survival. The Bandit Queen actor expressed that he expects certain luxuries as he has worked hard for them. Read More!

Indiatimes

5. Acid Attack Survivor Reaches Out To Shah Rukh Khan After Being Denied A Bank Account



An acid attack survivor was denied the basic right of having a new bank account because she couldn't blink after a KYC machine could not scan her biometric details. To raise awareness around this issue and get justice, Pragya Prasun reached out to Shah Rukh Khan and his NGO Meer Foundation. The Foundation focuses on the rehabilitation of acid attack survivors under the work for women empowerment and funds corrective surgeries. Read More!

Indiatimes

For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Raghubir Yadav is an actor of class and has always been loved his fans for his flawless talent. He is also an alumnus of the prestigious National School of Drama. However, nothing ever comes easy especially when you are not from the film industry. A video of the Chacha Chaudhary actor is doing the rounds on social media in which he talks about the 'struggles' he has faced during his acting career.

However, his perspective on 'struggles' will change yours. In this video, Yadav says, "Zindagi mein koi struggle nahi hai. Aap kuchh karenge nahi toh aap kahin pahunch hi nahi sakte. Toh karne ko kuchh seekhne ko aap struggle keh rahe hain, mujhe toh beimaani lagti hai."

Twitter/BollywoodDirect

The Panchayat actor is basically explaining that what most people define as 'struggle' is nothing but stepping stones in your journey. If we label every learning as a struggle, we will never grow in life.

The video was shared by Bollywood Direct on Twitter with the caption, 'RaghubirYadavs perspective on struggle unveils a profound truth. Its not just about facing obstacles, but about embracing them as stepping stones to self-improvement. Embrace the crucible of struggle to refine yourself and uncover your true strength. Lets navigate lifes challenges with resilience, purpose, and a renewed sense of joy!'

#RaghubirYadavs perspective on struggle unveils a profound truth. Its not just about facing obstacles, but about embracing them as stepping stones to self-improvement.



Embrace the crucible of struggle to refine yourself and uncover your true strength. Lets navigate lifes pic.twitter.com/9EKqy6PrGn  Bollywoodirect (@Bollywoodirect) July 11, 2023

"Aap takleefiyon ka zara sa mazaa leke dekhiye," he adds which translates to 'try enjoying your hardships.'

People took to the comments section to express how they felt about Yadav's words. The comments show that the actor touched a lot of people's hearts with this thought.

'This is pure gem. (Needed this self-reminder, rather). '



'This man is a legend and delight to watch, listen or be with.'



'Such a brilliant perspective.'



'So true.. and what a brilliant perspective of looking at difficult times for an actor!!'



'Survival in one video.'

Here are some more reactions.

      !! Self Torture. 



Whisper words of wisdom - Let it be. https://t.co/FsBg5VPN4N  Akshat Ajay Sharma (@AkshatAjay) July 11, 2023

Aap maza lena sikhiye zara sa taqlifon se....

Raghubir Yadav #Philosophy https://t.co/cRIKfRBpOr  Varun Sharma (@Varun12S) July 11, 2023

Aag laga dala aag  



Must watch https://t.co/y91cwxs1Rw  Arbaaz (@arbaazio) July 12, 2023

Bahut khoob   Santiago (@Santiag50502399) July 11, 2023





Raghubir Yadav has a lot of shows and movies to his name. Some of them are Chacha Chaudhary, 1942: A Love Story, Lagaan, Dilli 6, Peepli Live, Piku, Newton, Pagglait, Kathal, and many more.

For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


According to Section 2(K) of the Transgender Persons Act (2019), "Transgender person" means someone whose gender does not match with the gender assigned to that person at birth and includes trans-man or trans-woman [whether or not such person has undergone Sex Reassignment Surgery (Gender Affirmation Surgery) or hormone therapy or laser therapy or such other therapy], person with intersex.

The transgender community in India continues to be subjected to discrimination, humiliation, and marginalisation. In India, hijra is a generic term often used to describe trans women, intersex people, and eunuchs. Traditionally, hijras have lived in communities that follow a kinship system and have been historically part of Indias social fabric, occupying many roles - performers, blessings givers, and caregivers during ceremonies and celebrations. However, this limited understanding is falsely imposed on all identities falling in the transgender umbrella.

Legal reforms in India so far

In the National Legal Services Authority of India (NALSA) v Union of India (2014), the Supreme Court (SC) ruled out that the transgenders also have the right to reservation as they are also socially and educationally backward class.

Further, the judgement also noted that We direct the Centre and the State Governments to take steps to treat them [transgender persons] as socially and educationally backward classes of citizens and extend all kinds of reservation in cases of admission in educational institutions and for public appointments. Even though the NALSA judgment demands reservations for transgender community, it does not mention the nature (vertical/horizontal) and scope of the reservations.

AFP/Representational Image

Vertical and Horizontal Reservations

In Horizontal Reservation, a certain percentage of reserved seats or positions are allocated to various categories of beneficiaries simultaneously. It ensures representation for different categories of marginalised groups across different communities or sections of society. For example, within the reserved seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs), a specific proportion might be reserved for SC women, SC disabled individuals, or SC economically backward sections.

By implementing horizontal reservation, the aim is to ensure that multiple marginalised groups have equal opportunities within their respective reserved quotas. It acknowledges the intersecting identities and challenges faced by individuals belonging to different sections of society and ensures fair representation.

Also read: LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Toolkit: How To Navigate The Complexities Of Well-Being

Vertical reservation, on the other hand, refers to the allocation of reserved seats or positions exclusively for specific categories or communities. It provides preferential treatment or reserved quotas for historically disadvantaged groups such as Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Vertical reservation focuses on providing opportunities for these specific groups to overcome historical social and economic disadvantages.

The percentage of reserved seats or positions for vertical reservation can vary depending on the state or institution implementing the policy.

Also read: How Public Data On The LGBTQIA+ Community Is Shaped And Erased In India



In 2017, the National Human Rights Commission conducted a research which revealed that only 6% transgender people were able to get employed. A majority of the hijra community, for example, is employed in informal work like begging and sex work. In this way, the interpretation of NALSA is that the reservation of transgender folks should be done in the OBC category.

Furthermore, community activists argue that this proposed policy change will impose a detrimental burden on transgender individuals belonging to the Dalit, Bahujan, and Adivasi communities. They would be forced to face a difficult decision between accessing affirmative action programmes based on their caste or tribal background and those based on their gender identity.

BCCL/Representational Image

What are the recent developments?

1. In 2015, Rajya Sabha DMK MP Tiruchi Siva introduced the Rights of Transgender Persons Bill. The bill had reservations for trans people in both public and private sectors. After being passed in the Rajya Sabha, the bill was passed in Lok Sabha. Later, howerver, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 was introduced by the Centre and had no provisions for reservations.

2. In 2018, the Ministry of Social Justice set up a parliamentary standing committee. It was headed by BJP MP Ramesh Bais, now Governor of Maharashtra. Even though the committee recommended reservations for transgender persons, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 did not have any mention of reservations.

3. In 2015, Tamil Nadu Government decided to provide reservations only to Transwomen under Most Backward Class (MBC) category.

4. After Sangama v State of Karnataka, Karnataka became the first and only state to offer one per cent horizontal reservation to transgender persons in 2021.

5. In April 2023, transgender people were included in the OBC category in Madhya Pradesh.

Lately, Transgender persons have filed several petitions in the Delhi HC, Madras HC, and Rajasthan HC, etc. asking for horizontal reservation in education and jobs. However, on June 13, the Bombay High Court sought that providing additional reservations would be hard in education and public employment owing to various affirmative action policies that exists so far for various communities in India.

For more stories on the LGBTQIA+ community and queerness in India, keep reading Spectrum on Indiatimes.
Presidential candidate RFK Jr declared Monday that he believes the CIA was involved in funding the Wuhan lab where the Covid pandemic originated
The direct and indirect contribution of Greek-owned ships to the US economy, whose GDP totaled 23.3 trillion dollars in 2021, reached 1 trillion dollars.Erick Diaz, head of Capital Markets

Greek-owned ships contribute $1 trillion to the US economy -  
Home Search ICH Question Everything! Click Here To Support Information Clearing House By Scott Ritter July 13, 2023: Information Clearing House -- The US decision to provide Ukraine with the M864 DPICM round is driven by one thing and one thing only The Biden administration has announced that it will be authorizing a new tranche of military support for Ukraine Totaling around $800 million, it will also feature Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles, air defense missiles, and anti-mine equipmentand hundreds of thousands of 155mm artillery dual-purpose improved conventional munition (DPICM) rounds, the M864. Scott Ritter: Cluster Munitions Will Change Nothing for Ukraine dud munitions (i.e., munitions that fail to detonate on impact). As a result, cluster munitions continue to kill long after the battle where they were employed has ended. The The United States has, prior to the recent announcement, refused to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine for one simple reasonmuch of the world, including many of Americas NATO alliesviews cluster munitions as representing an unacceptable risk to civilian life due to the high occurrence of. As a result, cluster munitions continue to kill long after the battle where they were employed has ended. The victims tend to be civilians who stumble upon these munitions and inadvertently set them off. US has refused to sign the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), an international treaty that prohibits all use, transfer, production, and stockpiling of cluster munitions, it has recognized the need to develop cluster munitions with a designed dud rate of less than 1% to minimize the post-conflict risk to civilian populations. For this reason, the US military stopped using the M864 in 2016, replacing it with an improved DPICM round. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter While the, an international treaty that prohibits all use, transfer, production, and stockpiling of cluster munitions, it has recognized the need to develop cluster munitions with a designed dud rate of less than 1% to minimize the post-conflict risk to civilian populations. For this reason, the US military stopped using the M864 in 2016, replacing it with an improved DPICM round. While the M864 round does not meet the 1% dud threshold set by the US Department of Defense for DPICM munitions, the Biden administration touts the fact that the M864 has a dud rate of less than 2%, which given the urgency of the need for artillery shells by Ukraine, is deemed to be an acceptable departure from the US norm. However, like virtually every statement made by the United States regarding the conflict in Ukraine, the claim that the M864 DPICM rounds being sent to Ukraine are comprised only of batches certified as possessing a dud rate of less than 2% is a calculated lie. The tests citedfive of them, conducted between 1998 and 2020were carried out at the KOFA firing range, located within the US Armys Yuma Proving Ground, in Arizona, using the Terminal Ballistics Evaluation Area, which possesses a prepared and instrumented impact area optimized for data collection. This range employs a surface area consisting of hard-packed, flattened dirt designed to maximize point-detonating fuses such as those employed on the 24 M46 and 48 M42 dual-purpose anti-materiel/anti-personnel sub-munitions contained in each M864 round. However, when employed in real-life situations, the dud rate of the sub-munitions will be much higheroften up to 20%. Rough terrain, mud, soft soil, trees, and bushes all conspire to prevent the sub-munitions from detonating. Moreover, given that the lifespan of a 155mm artillery shell is 20 years, and that production of the M864 round, which began in 1987, terminated in 1996, the vast majority of the M864 artillery shells being provided to Ukraine have reached or exceeded their expiation date, which means that there is an increased probability that many of these shells will not perform as designed. Likewise, the US government knows that the dud rate is derived from laboratory-like testing conditions, and not the real-world environment that exists in Ukraine. The fact is that the M864 DPICM round being delivered to Ukraine is neither as reliable or safe as the Biden administration contends. The M864 is considered by the US military to be 5-15 times as lethal as conventional high-explosive 155mm artillery shells. This calculation, however, is derived from comparisons made regarding massed infantry and light armor vehicles deployed in the opena situation which may have existed in 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, where some 25,000 M864 rounds were fired against Iraq. However, the battlefield Ukraine faces today against Russia is a far cry from Iraq. The Russian defenses that Ukraine is seeking to breach are constructed on uneven terrain and integrate natural and man-made overhead cover. The reality of the actual battlefield conditions will result in a significant degradation of the lethal impact of the DPICM round, given it at best a three-fold advantage and in many cases making it inferior to a conventional high explosive round. In short, the M864 is not a game changer. The Ukrainian forces will achieve limited tactical advantage through its employment, and in many cases, see their probability of kill factors drop. The US decision to provide Ukraine with the M864 DPICM round is driven by one thing and one thing onlythe fact that Ukraine is running out of 155mm artillery shells, and the US has nothing left to give Ukraine except the M864. The drawdown in Afghanistan led to the Department of Defense slashing its artillery acquisition budget in 2021, creating a deficit of production that is only now being addressed in the 2023-24 defense budget. Ukraines ambitious counteroffensive is predicated on planning factors built around anticipated availability of 155mm artillery shells. As things stand, Ukraine will exhaust its supply of 155mm artillery shells prior to any of the objectives set for the counteroffensive having been met. The Biden administration has decided to provide the M864 DPICM round as an emergency stop-gap measure designed to allow Ukraine to sustain its planned rate of fire until which time US and European production of 155mm artillery can be expanded to meet Ukraines operational needs, something that isnt anticipated to occur until mid-2024 at the earliest. But the provision of artillery shells, whether conventional or DPICM, cannot alter the reality that the Ukrainian military lacks the capabilities necessary to successfully defeat the Russian defenses currently deployed against them. The M864 munition cannot offset Russia's ten-fold superiority in artillery fire, and unchallenged supremacy in the air, where Russian fixed-wing and helicopter assets operate without meaningful opposition while breaking up Ukrainian attacks with precision fire. The decision by the Biden administration to supply Ukraine with the M864 round is simply a callous continuation of a policy designed to prolong a conflict Ukraine cannot win, and which causes Ukraine to lose hundreds of men killed every day. It does nothing to alter the current trajectory of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which as things currently stand points to a decisive Russian victory, an outcome the Biden administration is loath to accept. Views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Registration is not necessary to post comments. We ask only that you do not use obscene or offensive language. Please be respectful of others. See also Search Information Clearing House The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load.
July 13, 2023: Information Clearing House -- President Biden had a recent interview with CNNs Fareed Zakaria during which he defended his controversial decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine and suggested that the US can continually support Ukraine the way it supports Israel rather than adding it to the NATO alliance.

About halfway through the interview Biden said something about China thats worth flagging, because the claim he makes is self-evidently false, and its not the first time hes made it.

Describing the conversations hes been having with Chinas President Xi Jinping, Biden said the following:

Were going to put together the Quad which is India, Australia, the United States and Japan. I got a call from him [Xi] on that. He said why are you doing that. I said were not doing that to surround you, were doing that to maintain stability in the Indian Ocean and in the South China Sea. Because we believe the rules of the road about what constitutes international air space, international space and the water should be maintained.

Biden uttered this same bogus talking point about not trying to surround China last month at the private fundraising event where he made headlines by calling Xi a dictator:

But what he was really upset about was that I insisted that we  we reunite the Qu-  so-called Quad. He called me and told me not to do that because it was putting him in a bind. I said, All were doing  were not trying to surround you, were just trying to make sure the international rules with air and sea lanes remain open.

Biden is lying. The US is deliberately surrounding China with war machinery and has been for years, and has rapidly escalated its efforts to do so during Bidens term. There are currently no fewer than 313 US military bases in East Asia by the Pentagons own admission, with the Biden administration adding four new ones in the Philippines. Bidens war machine has been busy instituting the AUKUS alliance which is specifically set up to menace China, moving nuclear-capable bombers to Indonesia, signing a military deal with Papua New Guinea, working to station missile-armed marines at Japans Okinawa islands, staging provocations in Taiwan, and getting into increasingly confrontational encounters with Chinese military vessels and aircraft off Chinas coast as part of its dramatically increased military presence in the area.

So of course the US is trying to surround China, as evidenced by the mountains of US war machinery that are being moved into areas surrounding China. Biden can babble all he wants about wanting to secure sea lanes and protect international waters, but only a drooling idiot would believe the worlds most powerful empire is militarily surrounding its top geopolitical rival as an act of defense.

And Beijing is under no illusions about this. Xi said in a speech earlier this year that Western countries  led by the U.S.  have implemented all-round containment, encirclement and suppression against us, bringing unprecedentedly severe challenges to our countrys development.

So Biden isnt trying to fool the Chinese government with his Were not trying to surround you schtick  hes trying to fool you. Hes trying to fool the western public and the allies of the United States, who would get spooked if the US president openly admitted to a deliberate campaign of militarily encirclement against an economic superpower they all trade with extensively.

You simply cannot understand the geopolitics and major conflicts of the 2020s without understanding that the US empire has been actively amassing military threats in the immediate surroundings of its top two rivals  China and Russia  that it would never tolerate anyone else amassing anywhere near the United States. The single dumbest thing the US empire asks us to believe nowadays is that surrounding its two biggest foes with war machinery is a defensive action, rather than an act of extreme aggression.

The best advice I can offer about US-China tensions is to ignore the words and watch the actions. Ignore what officials say about wanting peace and not trying to surround China and supporting the One China policy etc, and just watch all the US war machinery thats being rapidly added to that region. The US empire is better at international narrative manipulation than any power structure that has ever existed in human history, but what they cant spin away is the concrete maneuverings of solid pieces of war machinery, because they are physical realities and not narratives.

Caitlin's articles are entirely reader-supported, so if you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it around, liking her on Facebook, following her antics on Twitter, checking out her podcast, throwing some money into her hat on Patreon or Paypal, or buying her book Woke: A Field Guide for Utopia Preppers. New book! Lao Sue And Other Poems, available in paperback or PDF/ebook. - All works co-authored with her husband Tim Foley. https://caitlinjohnstone.com

Views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House.
July 13, 2023: Information Clearing House -- LONDON: The persecution of Julian Assange, along with the climate of fear, wholesale government surveillance and use of the Espionage Act to prosecute whistleblowers, has emasculated investigative journalism. The press has not only failed to mount a sustained campaign to support Julian, whose extradition appears imminent, but no longer attempts to shine a light into the inner workings of power. This failure is not only inexcusable, but ominous.

The U.S. government, especially the military and agencies such as the CIA, the FBI, the NSA and Homeland Security, have no intention of stopping with Julian, who faces 170 years in prison if found guilty of violating 17 counts of the Espionage Act. They are cementing into place mechanisms of draconian state censorship, some features of which were exposed by Matt Taibbi in the Twitter Files, to construct a dystopian corporate totalitarianism.

The U.S. and the U.K. brazenly violated a series of judicial norms and diplomatic protocols to keep Julian trapped for seven years in the Ecuadorian Embassy after he had been granted political asylum by Ecuador. The CIA, through the Spanish security firm UC Global, made recordings of Julians meetings with his attorneys, which alone should invalidate the extradition case. Julian has been held for more than four years in the notorious Belmarsh high-security prison since the British Metropolitan Police dragged him out of the embassy on April 11, 2019. The embassy is supposed to be the sovereign territory of Ecuador. Julian has not been sentenced in this case for a crime. He is charged under the Espionage Act, although he is not a U.S. citizen and WikiLeaks is not a U.S.-based publication. The U.K. courts, which have engaged in what can only be described as a show trial, appear ready to turn him over to the U.S. once his final appeal, as we expect, is rejected. This could happen in a matter of days or weeks.

Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda?

On Wednesday night at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Stella Assange, an attorney who is married to Julian; Matt Kennard, co-founder and chief investigator of Declassified UK, and I examined the collapse of the press, especially with regard to Julians case. You can watch our discussion here.

I feel like Im living in 1984, Matt said. This is a journalist who revealed more crimes of the worlds superpower than anyone in history. Hes sitting in a maximum-security prison in London. The state that wants to bring him over to that country to put him in prison for the rest of his life is on record as spying on his privileged conversations with his lawyers. Theyre on record plotting to assassinate him. Any of those things, if you told someone from a different time Yeah this is what happened and he was sent anyway and not only that, but the media didnt cover it at all. Its really scary. If they can do that to Assange, if civil society can drop the ball and the media can drop the ball, they can do that to any of us.

When Julian and WikiLeaks released the secret diplomatic cables and Iraq War logs, which exposed numerous U.S. war crimes, including torture and the murder of civilians, corruption, diplomatic scandals, lies and spying by the U.S. government, the commercial media had no choice but to report the information. Julian and WikiLeaks shamed them into doing their job. But, even as they worked with Julian, organizations such as The New York Times and The Guardian were determined to destroy him. He threatened their journalistic model and exposed their accommodation with the centers of power.

They hated him, Matt said of the mainstream media reporters and editors. They went to war with him immediately after those releases. I was working for The Financial Times in Washington in late 2010 when those releases happened. The reaction of the office at The Financial Times was one of the major reasons I got disillusioned with the mainstream media.

Julian went from being a journalistic colleague to a pariah as soon as the information he provided to these news organizations was published. He endured, in the words of Nils Melzer, at the time the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture, a relentless and unrestrained campaign of public mobbing, intimidation and defamation. These attacks included collective ridicule, insults and humiliation, to open instigation of violence and even repeated calls for his assassination.

Julian was branded a hacker, although all the information he published was leaked to him by others. He was smeared as a sexual predator and a Russian spy, called a narcissist and accused of being unhygienic and slovenly. The ceaseless character assassination, amplified by a hostile media, saw him abandoned by many who had regarded him a hero.

Once he had been dehumanized through isolation, ridicule and shame, just like the witches we used to burn at the stake, it was easy to deprive him of his most fundamental rights without provoking public outrage worldwide, Melzer concluded.

The New York Times, The Guardian, Le Monde, El Pais and Der Spiegel, all of which published WikiLeaks documents provided by Julian, published a joint open letter on Nov. 28, 2022 calling on the U.S. government to end its prosecution of Julian Assange for publishing secrets.

But the demonization of Julian, which these publications helped to foster, had already been accomplished.

It was pretty much an immediate shift, Stella recalled. While the media partners knew that Julian still had explosive material that still had to be released, they were partners. As soon as they had what they thought they wanted from him, they turned around and attacked him. You have to put yourself in the moment where the press was in 2010 when these stories broke. They were struggling for a financial model to survive. They hadnt really adapted to the age of the internet. You had Julian coming in with a completely new model of journalism.

There followed a WikiLeaks-isation of U.S. media outlets such as The New York Times, which adopted the innovations pioneered by WikiLeaks, including providing secure channels for whistleblowers to leak documents.

Julian was a superstar, Stella said. He came from outside the old boys network. He talked about how these revelations should lead to reform and how the Collateral Murder video reveals that this is a war crime.

Julian was outraged when he saw the heavy redactions of the information he exposed in newspapers such as The Guardian. He criticized these publications for self-censoring to placate their advertisers and the powerful.

He exposed these news organizations, as Stella said, for their own hypocrisy, for their own poor journalism.

I find it very ironic that you have all this talk of misinformation, thats just cover for censorship, Stella said. There are all these new organizations that are subsidized to find misinformation. Its just a means to control the narrative. If this whole disinformation age really took truth seriously, then all of these disinformation organizations would hold WikiLeaks up as the example, right? Julians model of journalism was what he called scientific journalism. It should be verifiable. You can write up an analysis of a news item, but you have to show what youre basing it on. The cables are the perfect example of this. You write up an analysis of something that happened and you reference the cables and whatever else youre basing your news story on.

This was a completely new model of journalism, she continued. It is one [that] journalists who understood themselves as gatekeepers hated. They didnt like the WikiLeaks model. WikiLeaks was completely reader-funded. Its readers were global and responding enthusiastically. Thats why PayPal, MasterCard, Visa and Bank of America started the banking blockade in December 2010. This has become a standardized model of censorship to demonetize, to cut channels off from their readership and their supporters. The very first time this was done was in 2010 against WikiLeaks within two or three days of the U.S. State Department cables being published.

While Visa cut off WikiLeaks, Stella noted, it continued to process donations to the Ku Klux Klan.

Julians message was journalism can lead to reform, it can lead to justice, it can help victims, it can be used in court and it has been used in court in the European Court of Human Rights, even at the U.K. Supreme Court in the Chagos case here, she said. It has been used as evidence. This is a completely new approach to journalism. WikiLeaks is bigger than journalism because its authentic, official documents. Its putting internal history into the public record at the disposal of the public and victims of state-sponsored crime. For the first time we were able to use these documents to seek justice, for example, in the case of the German citizen, Khalid El-Masri, who was abducted and tortured by the CIA. He was able to use WikiLeaks cables at the European Court of Human Rights when he sued Macedonia for the rendition. It was a completely new approach. It brought journalism to its maximum potential.

The claims of objectivity and neutrality propagated by the mainstream media are a mechanism to prevent journalism from being used to challenge injustices or reform corrupt institutions.

Its completely alien, the idea that you might use journalism as a tool to better the world and inform people of whats happening, Matt said. For them its a career. Its a status symbol. I never had a crisis of conscience because I never wanted to be a journalist if I couldnt do that.



For people who come out of university or journalism school, where do you go? he asked. People get mortgages. They have kids. They want to have a normal lifeYou enter the system. You slowly get all your rough edges shorn off. You become part of the uniformity of thought. I saw it explicitly at The Financial Times.

Its a very insidious system, Matt went on. Journalists can say to themselves I can write what I like, but obviously they cant. I think its quite interesting starting Declassified with Mark Curtis in the sense that journalists dont know how to react to us. We have a complete blackout in the mainstream media.

There has been something really sinister that has happened in the last twenty years, particularly at The Guardian, he said. The Guardian is just state-affiliated media. The early WikiLeaks releases in 2010 were done with The Guardian. I remember 2010 when those releases were happening with The Guardian and The New York Times. Id read the same cables being covered in The Guardian and The New York Times and Id always thought Wow, were lucky to have The Guardian because The New York Times were taking a much more pro-U.S. pro-government position. Thats now flipped. Id much prefer to read The New York Times covering this stuff. And Im not saying its perfect. Neither of them were perfect, but there was a difference. I think whats happened is clever state repression.

The D-notice committee, he explained, is composed of journalists and state security officials in the U.K. who meet every six months. They discuss what journalists can and cant publish. The committee sends out regular advisories.

The Guardian ignored advisories not to publish the revelations of illegal mass surveillance released by Edward Snowden. Finally, under intense pressure, including threats by the government to shut the paper down, The Guardian agreed to permit two Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ) officials to oversee the destruction of the hard drives and memory devices that contained material provided by Snowden. The GCHQ officials on July 20, 2013 filmed three Guardian editors as they destroyed laptops with angle grinders and drills. The deputy editor of The Guardian, Paul Johnson  who was in the basement during the destruction of the laptops  was appointed to the D-notice committee. He served at the D-notice committee for four years. In his last committee meeting Johnson was thanked for re-establishing links between the committee and The Guardian. The papers adversarial reporting, by then, had been neutralized.

The state realized after the war in Iraq that they needed to clamp down on the freedom in the British media, Matt said. The Daily Mirror under Piers MorganI dont know if anyone remembers back in 2003, and I know he is a controversial character and hes hated by a lot of people, including me, but he was editor at The Daily Mirror. It was a rare opening of what a mainstream tabloid newspaper can do if its doing proper journalism against the war, an illegal war. He had headlines made out of oil company logos. He did Bush and Blair with blood all over their hands, amazing stuff, every day for months. He had John Pilger on the front page, stuff you would never see now. There was a major street movement against the war. The state thought Shit, this is not good, weve gotta clamp down.

This triggered the government campaign to neuter the press.

I wouldnt say we have a functioning media in terms of the newspapers, he said.

This is not just about Assange, Matt continued. This is about all of our futures, the future for our kids and our grandkids. The things we hold dear, democracy, freedom of speech, free press, theyre very, very fragile, much more fragile than we realize. Thats been exposed by Assange. If they get Assange, the levies will break. Its not like theyre going to stop. Thats not how power works. They dont pick off one person and say were going to hold off now. Theyll use those tools to go after anyone who wants to expose them.

If youre working in an environment in London where theres a journalist imprisoned for exposing war crimes, maybe not consciously but somewhere you [know you] shouldnt do that, Matt said. You shouldnt question power. You shouldnt question people who are committing crimes secretly because you dont know whats going to happenThe U.K. government is trying to introduce laws which make it explicit that you cant publish [their crimes]. They want to formalize what theyve done to Assange and make it a crime to reveal war crimes and other things. When you have laws and a societal-wide psyche that you cannot question power, when they tell you what is in your interest, thats fascism.

Chris Hedges is a Pulitzer Prizewinning author and journalist who was a foreign correspondent for fifteen years for The New York Times. https://chrishedges.substack.com

Views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House.
The arraignment of the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari, Wednesday, failed as he did not appear at an Adamawa High Court in Yola.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) filed charges against the Adamawa REC for controversially declaring the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress) in Adamawa State, Aisha Dahiru (Binani), winner of the last governorship election in the State.

INEC however cancelled the declaration and announced incumbent Adamawa State Governor and Peoples Democratic Partys candidate, Ahmadu Fintiri, the winner of the poll.

The electoral commission, which declared the RECs action as illegal and criminal, last week announced that it was set to prosecute the REC and that his arraignment had been fixed for Wednesday.

Moreso, ahead of the appearance, the APC governorship candidate, Binani, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday and obtained an interim order stopping the prosecution of the REC.

Information Nigeria reports that the prosecuting counsel for INEC, Rotimi Jacobs, appeared on Wednesday before Justice Benjamin Lawan of the Adamawa State High Court in Yola for Yunusa-Aris arraignment but realised the REC was absent.

On the realisation, Jacobs expressed disappointment, contending that the Abuja suit stopping Yunusa-Aris trial was an abuse of court processes.

READ ALSO: Court Restrains INEC, AGF From Prosecuting Suspended Adamawa REC, Yunusa-Ari

My Lord, we read in the news that the defendant had obtained an order restraining both the prosecution and the high court from proceeding with his trial. I want to note that the alleged offences as preferred against him are serious offences. But it appears the defendant is running away considering his decision to seek protection from another court of concurrent jurisdiction, Jacobs said.

In response, Justice Lawan said he would rather defer to the Abuja court and stay action on the charges until the Abuja lawsuit was determined.

INECs National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, told The Punch that the commission had been served with the Abuja court order and had directed its legal team to study it with a view to challenging it in court.

The commission has been served with an order restraining it from proceeding with the arraignment and trial of the Resident Electoral Commissioner and inviting it to show cause why the order should not be sustained.

The commission has consulted its legal department and legal team and charged them with the task of studying the said ex parte order and are making the necessary representation before the Federal High Court.

The legal team will weigh all the constitutional and legal options available to the commission and determine whether the Federal High Court is vested with the requisite jurisdiction to entertain the matter and whether it can halt the prosecution of the Resident Electoral Commissioner.

In other words, the legal team may show cause why the ex parte order should be discharged to enable the prosecution to proceed, Okoye said.

He further assured that INEC would diligently and professionally and in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association file and prosecute all electoral offenders whose case files have been handed over to it for prosecution.

He also reiterated INECs campaign for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission that will be charged with the task of investigation, arrest and prosecution of electoral offenders.

Nigeria must find ways and means of breaking the cycle of electoral impunity, he added.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, revealed on Wednesday that he is not after his predecessor, Samuel Ortom, but focused on good governance and service to the people.

This was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, in Makurdi, the States capital.

Information Nigeria understands that Terver Akase, a media aide to Ortom and the State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bemgba Iortyom, accused Alia of harassing and witch-hunting the former Governor, Ortom.

According to Alia, the Assets Recovery Committee inaugurated on June 22 was not to witch hunt anyone, but to recover government property sold and kept in the wrong hands.

While maintaining he does not have time for trivialities he said: Ortom was not and has never been the target, as his aide and the publicity secretary of his party would want the Benue people to believe in a bid to curry public sympathy.

The discovery and recovery of numerous vehicles at a private building within the state capital by the committee is an indication that they have truly swung into action.

READ ALSO: Fuel Subsidy: Tinubu Seeks Reps. Approval Of N500bn For Palliatives

In fact, all patriotic Benue citizens should be happy, and must commend the Committee for daring to carry out the assignment given to them by the government without fear or favour, Alia said.

The Governor furthered that committees of this nature were not new in the State, adding that Ortom did the same in 2015 and allegedly recovered items from individuals.

The discovery and recovery of numerous vehicles at a private building within the state capital by the committee is an indication that they have truly swung into action.

But one thing is sure. Benue people were surprised to see the number of cars recovered at a property belonging to someone they once held in trust, he said.

He added that the people of Benue witnessed a regime characterised by broad day rape of their commonwealth.

We witnessed a regime that supervised broad-day robbery and rape of our common patrimony. Let it be made abundantly clear that the old order is gone, and gone for good.

The good thing is that the discovery and retrieval of more Benue assets currently in the wrong hands will provide the right ground for accountability in the Alia-led administration in the state, he added.

The Assets Recovery Committee, on Tuesday, also raided a private automobile workshop company and recovered over 20 exotic cars from it.
Immediate past Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has embarked on a bitter war of words with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, over a statement where he (Atiku) reportedly accused Ortom of being corrupt.

Information Nigeria reports that Atiku had insinuated that members of the Integrity Group (G-5) who worked against him during the last presidential election have ongoing corruption cases at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but were being protected by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Ortom, the comment by the February 25 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), depicts a frustrated man, rejected by his own party due to his past corrupt practices.

Terver Akase, Ortoms media aide in a statement on Wednesday, said Atiku should rather be worried being the first presidential candidate of a leading political party to be rejected by key stakeholders.

We are not sure that the Special Assistant on Public Communication to the PDP presidential candidate got his consent before making the statement; because if he did, he would have refrained from blaming the G-5 for his loss at the polls.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ought to be worried more that he has gone into history as the first presidential candidate of a leading political party to be rejected by key stakeholders including five sitting Governors and many other members of his party.

READ ALSO: Fayose, G-5 Running From Pillar To Post Seeking Appointment, Protection From Prosecution  Atiku

The question that should bother him is, why did the G-5 and other members of the Integrity Group reject his candidacy? The group stood for justice, equity and fairness that the 2023 presidency must go to the southern part of the country and Nigerians saw the indisputable facts contained in the position of the Integrity Group and voted for a presidential candidate from the south, the statement read.

Ortom who is currently being hounded by the Benue State government, added that Atiku is angry because he and his G-5 colleagues refused to be used by him as Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to circumvent and thwart the resolve of Nigerians to produce a President from the southern region.

Another reason for Atikus attack on Chief Ortom is the former Benue State Governors boldness to speak truth to his face and rebuke him for making unstatesmanlike comments regarding the killing of Benue people by herdsmen.

Atiku is on record to have expressed bitterness towards Ortom for daring to enact a law to prohibit open grazing of livestock in the state.

The former Vice Presidents diatribe against Chief Ortom can therefore be understood as the manifestation of frustration for losing the 2023 election, his failure to humble himself and unite the PDP, opting to remain haughty even when the signals were clear that he was heading for defeat summarized his performance in the last election. Atiku lacks the moral ground to accuse anyone else of corruption, he added.
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released results of the 2023 National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) for admission into the 110 Federal Government Colleges (Unity Schools) across Nigeria.

The examination was written on June 3, 2023 in Nigeria, Benin Republic and Togo. Out of the 69,829 pupils who sat for the examination, 76 pupils had the highest score of 203. A total of six students scored 01.

READ ALSO: NECO Records Rise In Malpractice, Blacklists Supervisors

Giving a breakdown of the scores in Abuja on Wednesday, July 12, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejo said;

A total of (72,865) pupils registered compared to 71,738 for 2022 with Lagos State having the highest number of 18,644 and Taraba with the lowest of 102. With 38,801 female registrants against 34,064 males, we are making progress with bridging the gender parity; Sixty nine thousand, eight hundred and twenty nine (69,829) pupils sat for the examination;

3,036 pupils were absent; 76 pupils had the highest score of 203; The lowest score was 01 mark and this was scored by six pupils.
Shehu Sani, socio-political commentator, says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is trying to accommodate and give everyone in the country a sense of belonging, especially the Christians.

The former Kaduna Central Senator, however, said Tinubus effort could be undermined by Nasir El-Rufai, who he described as former emperor from Kaduna State.

In an obvious reference to the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Sani said he (El-Rufai) was fanning the embers of religious bitterness despite Tinubus efforts to appease Christians.

According to him, Kaduna emperor wants Tinubu to run Nigeria based on malice and vindictiveness.

READ ALSO: Drama In Court As Complainant Bursts Into Tears, Begs On Behalf Of Convict

He further cautioned Tinubu against allowing the emperor trigger crisis in Nigeria.

The Government of Tinubu is trying to calm and appease the Christian population in the country while the retired Kaduna Emperor is still stocking the embers of religious bitterness, hate and strife with his inflammatory utterances.

He wants the country to be run with malice and vindictiveness against a certain section and against a certain faith as he once did during his divisive and tragic tenure in Kaduna.

Its left for the President to allow him to trigger a crisis, tear or incinerate the country. Nigeria is still a fragile country, we must be careful, Sani wrote on Twitter.
American Airlines travelers who used to drive to Philadelphia from Atlantic City or the Lehigh Valley to catch a flight out of Philadelphia International Airport can now head to their local airport to clear security, then board a bus to PHL.

On Tuesday, American Airlines, a major employer for PHL which operates out of five of the airports seven terminals, officially launched its new bus service in partnership with Landline, a bus company. The program  the first of its kind in the country  will allow customers to make connections from Atlantic City or Lehigh Valley International Airports to PHL after going through security at their local airport.

For the first time ever, passengers who have already been through screening will be able to transit between two airports on something that isnt an airplane, said David Sunde, CEO of Landline, at a press event at PHL on Wednesday.

Since June of last year, travelers flying American have already had the option to take a Landline bus from Atlantic City or Lehigh Valley International Airports to PHL, but the service only took them from the curb of one airport to the other. Now, travelers will go through security at their local airport, and head to a gate just as if they were waiting to board a flight, where they will be shuttled directly to their connecting gate at PHL.

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Upon their return trip, travelers will make the journey from PHL to their local airport via bus as well.

Passengers will make the journey without the stress of wondering how long the [security] lines are, whether or not theres parking available, or where their bags are. Everythings taken care of for you, said Sunde.

The new system will also help TSA spread out its security efforts across different airports, unloading some of the traffic seen at PHL. Last year, a shortage of TSA workers resulted in long security lines, according to reporting from 6abc. The country has struggled to retain TSA workers who are paid less than other government workers. A new bill signed by President Joe Biden could improve payment for workers starting this month.

Customers booking tickets online from Atlantic City or Lehigh Valley International Airports will now see options to connect via a bus to Philadelphia International Airport to catch an American flight.

Thousands of travelers have already used Landline to connect to PHL since the service started operating last year, according to a news release announcing the new program. The buses seat 35 people, offer WiFi and power outlets, as well as 36 inches of legroom, according to Landline VP of revenue Nick Johnson.

But what if your bus gets stuck in traffic? Because youre already within the American Airlines system while riding the bus, the airline is aware of your delay, and can rebook or hold your flight, said Sunde. If you made the same journey by car and got stuck in traffic, youd be in a tough situation.
A Mississippi man accused of harassing Philadelphia-area synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses with vows to put their owners into work camps has been indicted on federal cyberstalking charges, authorities said Thursday.

Donavon Parish, 28, of Hattiesburg, Miss., made the antisemitic threats between April and May 2022 through phone calls to at least three delis and three worship sites across the region, some of which he called up to 15 times a day, prosecutors said.

He repeatedly referenced Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Partys genocide of approximately six million Jewish people, according to the indictment unsealed Thursday. He specifically stat[ed] among other things, Heil Hitler, All Jews Should Burn, All Jews must die, We will put you in work camps, Gas the Jews, and Hitler should have finished the job.

Investigators did not identify in court filings the businesses and worship sites they say Parish targeted.

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But because a special grand jury found that Parishs alleged threats were motivated by the religion of the victims, he could face enhanced penalties should he be convicted on the counts of cyberstalking and interstate communication of threats with which he has been charged.

He faces up to five years in prison on the most serious of those charges under federal sentencing guidelines.

Parish was arrested Thursday morning by FBI agents in Mississippi and is expected to be extradited to Philadelphia in the coming weeks. It was not immediately clear from court dockets whether he had retained an attorney.

His arrest is the latest in a string of cases the U.S. Justice Department has brought in recent months as incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism and violence have risen in recent years.

Last year, the Anti-Defamation League tracked more than 3,600 reports of antisemitic intimidation  up 36% from the year before. That number made 2022 the year with the highest number of incidents since the organization began tracking them in 1979, it said.
Octavia Brown with her twin sons Jy-Fir, left, and By-Kir, right. Read more

Octavia Brown cruised down 56th Street, the windows of her Jeep Cherokee slightly cracked.

Dusk was falling, and a light breeze whispered through her hair as she made her way to her stepmothers Kingsessing home. Her 2-year-old twins were in the backseat and 10-year-old niece sat next to her up front.

Brown, 33, slowed as she approached Springfield Avenue, she said, because she heard faint screams.

Thats when she saw the man, dressed in all black, standing in the middle of the street. Only his eyes and mouth were visible, peering out the holes of a ski mask, and in his hands was a rifle.

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He stepped toward her car, Brown said, then he raised the weapon and pulled the trigger  at least 14 times.

He was so close I couldve reached out my window to touch him, Brown recalled in an interview.

Four .233-caliber rounds from an AR-15-style rifle exploded through the Jeeps windshield before she even heard the shot. Thats what happens when a bullet is fired: It moves faster than the speed of sound.

In all, four shots tore through the front windshield, and 10 more ripped across the drivers side of the car, including one that pierced the rear window, inches from where Browns twins sat strapped in their car seats.

Three shots struck By-Kir in the left leg. Bullet fragments and glass sliced his brother, Jy-Fir, and their mother.

 READ MORE: Remembering the lives lost in the Kingsessing mass shooting

Their young cousin in the passenger seat dropped to the floor of the car and wedged herself under the dashboard so tightly that her aunt later had to struggle to pull her out.

Brown floored the gas as the shooter kept firing, breaking her back window. She turned left on Chester Avenue and sped up another block until she saw a Philadelphia Police cruiser heading her way.

She jumped out and flagged down the officer. She didnt know about the safety of her children. She only saw blood.

I think my children have been shot, Brown screamed. Please help us. Please help my children.

Officer Laquisha Robinson jumped out of her cruiser and ran to the mother as more gunshots rang out from around the corner. They decided it was easier for Robinson to drive the family to the hospital in the Jeep than to remove the children, whose injuries were not yet known, from their car seats.

All I knew was they were in trouble. I needed to get them to safety, I needed to get them help, Robinson recalled in an interview.

So Robinson jumped behind the wheel of the Jeep, and Brown crawled in the back with her babies, and they sped off.

Browns 10-year-old niece, still curled up on the car floor, repeatedly asked, Are we away? Are you taking us away from the man?

And the twins, Brown said, sat silently, staring ahead in a near daze, holding their sippy cups, covered in blood.

 READ MORE: Law enforcement watchdogs say there should have been more follow-up after bungled 911 call prior to Kingsessing mass shooting

An officer by her side

With the Jeeps windshield shattered, and no siren or emergency lights, Robinson leaned out the window as she drove, waving and screaming to motorists and pedestrians that they needed the right of way. She got the family to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center safely within minutes.

By the grace of God, we made it, said Robinson, who is based in the 12th Police District and has been on the force about five years.

Once at the hospital, Brown stepped out of the car, and fainted at the sight of the bullet holes. When she came to, she was on a stretcher, surrounded by doctors cutting off her clothes and searching for potential bullet wounds.

Brown was not shot, but three shards of glass had pierced her left eye. She said that bullet fragments and glass sliced her arms and head, and a piece remains embedded in her cheek below her right eye.

By-Kir was treated at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia for three gunshots to his left leg. The bullets went cleanly through his skin, Brown said, and fragments cut his right leg.

After examining Jy-Fir, who was cut by glass and metal fragments, doctors brought him to Brown for comfort. She cried as she held him close to her chest.

My son was just staring at me. His face, he was so lost, Brown said. I remember he was sitting on me, and just kept touching my face.

Robinson stayed at Browns side that night, relaying updates from doctors on her sons and keeping her calm.

I am a mother myself, and knowing this young mom went through something that traumatic. ... The human part of me, the compassionate part of me, knew I needed to make sure that shes OK, and so that she knows that in this moment, you have somebody by your side, Robinson said.

But by 3 a.m., Brown decided that she had to get to By-Kir at Childrens Hospital, and walked out of Penn Presbyterian without being discharged. Doctors ultimately admitted Jy-Fir to CHOP to check his eyes and keep the twins together, and Brown never left their side until they were discharged three days later.

On the day the children left for home, Robinson returned, candy and balloons in hand.

 READ MORE: Gunman in Kingsessing mass shooting killed one of his victims nearly two days before the others, police say

The financial, emotional toll

The family is now back at their South Philadelphia home. But almost two weeks since the shooting, theyve gotten little sleep.

Brown, who worked as a home health aide, is out of work for the foreseeable future. Her vehicle, which she relied on to get to work, was totaled. Because she had only liability insurance, shell get no money to replace it. Even before all of this, she lived paycheck to paycheck, she said. Her landlord has been understanding, but she doesnt know how shell afford upcoming bills. The family has organized a GoFundMe campaign to help with expenses.

The twins double stroller and car seats are in the back of the Jeep, which remains impounded for evidence, so it will be a struggle to get around the city with both children.

Not that she hasnt tried. She took By-Kir out of the house for the first time on Monday, but he was a wreck, she said. Any sudden sounds or movements, even just a car passing by, makes him jump and burst into tears, she said. A once cheerful, playful baby, he now cries when separated from his mother, she said, and he wets himself more often.

The twins, who had been working with a speech therapist on some developmental delays, are now speaking fewer words, and whining more, Brown said. Neither is sleeping.

Brown said the children dont understand what happened to them, but they know they were hurt; they feel their mothers pain and stress; and they know that something bad happened to them.

By-Kirs leg is still painful, and changing his bandage throughout the day is upsetting for both him and his mother. Doctors told Brown he should be walking on the leg by now, but he refuses to extend or put pressure on it. On a recent day, he scooted and rolled across his blanket to his toys, while his brother ran through the house.

Brown worries that this may set him back for the long term, especially considering the delays he was already experiencing with learning and speaking. Shes seeking physical therapy for By-Kir, and emotional therapy for both children and her niece.

And all the while, Brown has taken little time for herself, an attempt to stay available for her children, she said, including her 13-year-old son, who is also emotionally distraught.

 READ MORE: The Kingsessing mass shooting suspect used ghost guns, police say. Philly is suing two manufacturers.

Brown said she thought that the shooting was preventable. She questioned why the countrys gun laws allowed the shooter  identified by police as Kimbrady Carriker, 40  to buy parts to a gun online, and assemble it into whats known as a ghost gun. She was angry, she said, that police had failed to respond when Carriker allegedly killed one of his victims 44 hours before returning to the block and shooting her and her children. And she was frustrated, she said, that Carrikers roommates and family didnt report his increasingly erratic, concerning behavior.

Thats just upsetting, she said.

But the family is holding on to the fact that physically, they are OK  something they called a miracle.

Im so grateful. Anytime I cry, anytime I want to get sad, I just say thank you Lord that theyre alive, said Shirley Toler, Browns aunt.

And Officer Robinson feels more inspired to serve the city that raised her.

Thats what were out here for, she said. This is what we took an oath to do, to help people, to help our communities.

Toler visited Browns house earlier this week, and before she left, she gathered the family for a prayer.

Thank you, God, for their lives, she recalled saying.

But as Toler went to hold Browns hand, she said, By-Kir started to cry and batted her hand away.

Im not gonna hurt your Mama, she assured him.

But after what hed been through, they said, how could he know?
The Cape May promenade has new arches that were supposed to be retro, but they're made of vinyl. and that's only the start of everyone's opinions of them. Read more

CAPE MAY  The City of Cape Mays cause was noble. They tried, said one woman walking along the promenade under the patriotically draped new arches the other day. She didnt want to give her name.

Others are more appreciative. I love the way they are bunted, said Mark Wiedorfer, visiting from Rehoboth Beach. Some people dont like anything.

I like anything retro, said his friend, Lori Hitchings.

The six promenade arches, a re-creation of the ornate wooden arches that graced a then-wooden boardwalk in Cape May a century (or so) ago, have stirred the pot in this Victorian jewel of a beach town at the bottom of the Jersey Shore.

Cape May has long been lauded for its allegiance to its Victorian past, but this attempt at re-creating a historic legacy that may (or may not) have been done in by a hurricane was far from universally hailed.

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Facebook has been brutal, but people are coming around.

Mayor Zack Mullock says people love them now. The judging and complaints started when the arches were just square metal beams, he points out. Now look at them. (The holiday bunting will stay up another week or so.)

For those still not thrilled, brace yourselves for more to come.

The six arches were funded through the Fund for Cape May at about $25,000 each, and on July 18, architect John Boecker will go back to City Council with a plan for 16 more, eight on either side of the six that are there now.

The fund has raised about $500,000 for the arches, says hotelier Curtis Bashaw, president of the funds board.

Bashaw has no time for the haters. Im thrilled with how they turned out, he said. I think they look exactly like the photographs from historic time. "

OK then. Heres what to love, and what not to love, about Cape Mays Promenade Arches.

LOVE  : The project meant that the city took down overhead wires and telephone poles, and ran them under the promenade, a great improvement.

The new lighting is dark sky friendly, says Mayor Mullock. Thats good for birds, who famously make Cape May a major flyway in their migration. The effect at night is very pretty.

NOT LOVE  The bulbs, at 2700 Kelvin, a very warm white, were selected for a magical effect. Eh. The lighting seemed a bit garish, and during the day, the bulbs just dont look that great.

The bulbs are frosted, unlike the originals. Some arches had the under lights on during the day, others did not, a timing issue that will be adjusted, Boecker said.

LOVE : The city and its designers set out to faithfully re-create the design, proportion, and spacing of the original arches from 1910 photographs.

Boecker said one difference is the new archway uses the arc of a circle, whereas the original ones used the slightly more graceful arc of an ellipses.

The promenade in this section is wider than in other sections. Do these little design tweaks matter? Kind of?

I think it brings back the old, said Eric Christiansen, 65, a public works employee who works as a beach tag checker during the summer and who walks the arches every day. They were a part of history.

NOT LOVE : Azek anyone?

OK, I get it, the popular synthetic material designed to mimic wood is much easier to maintain, makes sense near the beach, everyones using it (except on Cape Mays original historic homes, where Azek is not allowed), but it screams (to me at least) synthetic vinyl from a parking spot across the street.

Lets be honest, theres nothing authentic about Azek. Boecker acknowledges the wood-vs.-Azek debate was contentious.

Noted Christiansen: The people who own historic homes dont like it because theyre not allowed to use it. Fair?

LOVE : Any upgrade to this oddly unsatisfying asphalt promenade, is welcome. A Victorian town with a cement walkway is like a brilliant smile with a tooth missing.

Mullock says the walkway has now been painted with a cooling surface, and widened. Everyone agreed that some updating of the promenade was long overdue, and getting rid of the unsightly wires, regardless of ones opinion of the arches, was a great start.

NOT LOVE : Time for a wooden boardwalk again? Not anytime soon, says the mayor. Hes advocating resiliency in addition to beautification (See above, Azek).

Some have pointed out that the original arches are arguably not that Victorian at all (a point on which Mayor Mullock agrees). And there is some dispute over their demise. Bashaw and others have been saying they were destroyed in the Hurricane of 1944.

But Ben Miller of the Cool Cape May Facebook page, and author of The First Resort, a history of Cape May, says the history of the originals has been grossly misrepresented.

He posted on July 1 that the arches never made it anywhere near 1944, survived a blizzard that took out a portion of the boardwalk, and were in fact demolished by city leaders who were perhaps tired of paying for the electricity and maintenance.

Like the current arches, Miller points out, the 20th-century arches were a well-meaning gift (he says from the railroad that constructed the Stockton Hotel).
Thomas Sher, left, a firefighter with the Margat, City Fire Department is escorted from the FBI office in Linwood, N.J., in 2019. Read more

A federal judge handed down one of his stiffest sentences yet in a vast $50 million prescription drug scheme that has snagged Jersey Shore firefighters, teachers, police officers, doctors and a pizza shop owner, sentencing a Margate firefighter to eight years in prison on Wednesday for his role in the conspiracy.

Thomas Sher, 50, of Northfield, Atlantic County, was sentenced to 96 months in prison after being convicted last September of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and three counts of health care fraud following a 12-day trial before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler in Camden.

Sher chose to go to trial, unlike most of the 50 people who have been charged in the conspiracy. All but four have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Shers brother, John, also a Margate firefighter, was sentenced to 37 months in April.

Another brother, Michael, has also pleaded guilty. Michael Sher testified at his brothers trial, describing how he recruited him into the scheme he initially thought was legal but later realized he was going down the rabbit hole.

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Shers attorney, Thomas Grimes, did not immediately respond to a request for comment message Thursday morning.

Steven Monaco, a pharmaceutical representative who also chose to go to trial, and was sentenced to 14 years in prison, said Matthew Reilly, spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office. That was the only longer sentence given out so far in the conspiracy, Reilly said.

Also sentenced Wednesday by Kugler was Christopher Broccoli, 51, of West Deptford, who received 24 months in prison. Broccoli pleaded guilty a year ago to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

 READ MORE: Former owner of Tony's Baltimore Grill sentenced to 37 months in health care fraud

The scheme involved recruiting state employees with access to the state health care prescription plan to receive medically unnecessary prescriptions for compound medications. Sher and others recruited almost 70 people, the U.S. Attorneys Office said, leading to $7 million in payouts from the pharmacy benefit plan.

According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Sher directly received about $115,000. At the sentencing, prosecutors said, Kugler found that Sher obstructed justice when he lied during his trial testimony. The judge also found that he attempted to tamper with witnesses and devise a cover-up story in advance of trial.

Broccolis guilty plea involved millions of dollars of payouts for the prescription medications, including scar and libido creams and vitamin supplements, for individuals he recruited. Broccoli directly received $150,315.

 READ MORE: Firefighters, cop, pizzeria owner among 7 arrested in Jersey Shore drug fraud ring

The leader of the scheme, William Hickman, of Northfield, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and is set to be sentenced in October.

Hickman, a sales representative for a pharmaceutical company, created a side business called Boardwalk Medical LLC in his wifes name to sell medical products for other companies, an activity that was prohibited by his employer.

Hickman was named in a search warrant executed in June 2017 at the office of James Kauffman, an endocrinologist who later died by suicide while in prison awaiting trial in the murder of his wife, April. The warrant alleged that Hickman used Boardwalk Medical to solicit the services of Kauffman and other doctors for fraudulent prescriptions for the expensive creams, vitamins, and libido medication, and scar ointments. The prescriptions were reimbursed at the rate of thousands of dollars for a one-month supply, prosecutors said, allowing the proceeds to be distributed up and down the recruiting chain.
State Rep. Mark Rozzi, (D., Berks), speaks at a news conference in the Pennsylvania Capitol in 2018 about legislation to allow adult victims of child sex abuse to sue their accusers and the institutions that protected them. Gov. Josh Shapiro, who was then attorney general, stands next to him. Rozzi is still hoping to get legislation approved, and Shapiro says it's one of his top priorities, but efforts are stalled. Read more

HARRISBURG  In the nearly five years since a bombshell grand jury report found that thousands of children were sexually abused at the hands of Roman Catholic clergy in Pennsylvania, more than 20 states have passed legislation making it easier for victims to pursue civil action against their abusers and the institutions that protected them.

In Pennsylvania, however, efforts to create a two-year window for victims to file civil lawsuits based on decades-old allegations have repeatedly failed.

How embarrassing is this building, said Rep. Mark Rozzi (D., Berks), a childhood clergy abuse survivor, from his Capitol office last month. We cant even pass a bill that would give victims their day in court and expose perpetrators who are out there raping children.

Child abuse survivors say theyve been led on for years by Pennsylvanias top officials  including by Gov. Josh Shapiro, who released the grand jury report as attorney general, and the top Senate Republican, after efforts to pass legislation earlier this year came to a halt amid political wrangling over unrelated partisan issues.

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The tragedy of the Pennsylvania legislature is they are a state that has done the most grand jury reports on child sexual assault in the entire country, so they are the most knowledgeable, said Marci Hamilton, an expert on clergy sex abuse statutes and founder of Child USA, a nonprofit dedicated to ending child abuse. What they have done is teased victims with the possibility and then failed because of politics.

Shapiro, who drew national attention for releasing the report in 2018, called the issue crucial during a news conference last week and noted that its just one of his top priorities that havent yet been accomplished. His office declined to comment further.

What is the current status of legislation in Pennsylvania?

In 2019, the Pennsylvania General Assembly removed the criminal statute of limitations for child sexual assault and extended the window for victims to file a civil suit until age 55. But efforts to create a two-year suspension of the statute of limitations to allow older victims to file civil suits have stalled.

Survivors thought they were close to getting relief a few years ago after lawmakers started the process of creating a constitutional amendment. But an administrative error by the Department of State forced them to restart the process in 2021.

The GOP-controlled state Senate earlier this year advanced a package of constitutional amendments, including one to create a two-year window for those civil lawsuits. The bill, Senate Bill 1, also included two unrelated amendments that Democrats oppose: one to require voter IDs and another to give the legislature a say over more regulations. The House, where Democrats hold a one-seat majority, stripped the other amendments and sent it back to the state Senate with only the statute of limitations amendment. Republican leaders say it will sit untouched.

I made it very clear that they would be best served to pass Senate Bill 1 as we presented it to them, Senate Majority Leader Sen. Joe Pittman told reporters in June. They didnt do that. I wish they would have taken my advice.

The Catholic Church and insurance companies have long opposed changes to statutes of limitations that could lead to a flood of costly lawsuits. Opponents also argue that the measures upend a basic tenet of the American legal system that relies on statutes of limitations to protect defendants from claims that are too old to defend because of fading memories and unavailable witnesses.

Rozzi, who was House speaker when the House amended and passed that bill, said Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward was going back on her word after she had reached an agreement with former Gov. Tom Wolf.

A spokesperson for Ward deferred comment to Pittmans office, which referred a reporter to his past comments on the topic.

Shaun Dougherty, who leads the Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests and is a survivor of clergy sex abuse, said the back-and-forth between lawmakers is exhausting and harmful to survivors.

Ive been fielding nonstop calls from survivors that are triggered once again, because yet another year has gone by and they are ignored, Dougherty said. They arent listened to, their stories arent valued, and thats a very hard road to walk on as a survivor.

What action have other states taken?

Seventeen states have entirely removed the statute of limitations for civil cases of child sexual abuse, according to Child USA.

California was the first to enact window legislation after a 2002 Boston Globe investigation uncovered child sex abuse by Catholic clergy.

In 2018, Michigan created a 90-day window for victims of Larry Nassar, a former USA gymnastics doctor convicted of child sexual abuse.

When New York opened a one-year window for survivors of child sex abuse to file lawsuits in 2019, courts there were inundated with more than 400 new lawsuits on the first day and the Diocese of Rochester later declared bankruptcy. New Jersey also opened a two-year window for lawsuits in late 2019.

Other states have changed their statutes of limitations by removing or increasing age caps, which Pennsylvania has also done.

What comes next for Pennsylvania?

Advocates for victim relief in Pennsylvania say the ball is in Shapiros court.

I keep hearing from the governor that this is his top priority, Rozzi said. If this is truly his top priority, he will get it done during budget negotiations.

Pennsylvania is currently in a budget standoff. A budget deal could eventually include policy changes unrelated to state spending, such as a promise to vote on changes to the statute of limitations.

The budget controversy centers on a school voucher program to help children from low-performing districts attend private schools.

To even consider passing school vouchers without first passing the retroactive window for childhood sex abuse survivors is reckless behavior from sworn legislators, Dougherty said. Its the less advantaged children that get preyed upon in private schools.

Rozzi said he hasnt had any communication from the governor and House leadership about the future of his amendment.

Hamilton acknowledged that lawmakers have a lot on their plate, including a court-ordered fix of public school funding.

Even if the window isnt part of budget negotiations, she believes Pennsylvania survivors will get justice soon.

I am still hopeful and optimistic that well see a window on the November ballot, Hamilton said last week. Negotiations for the year are not over, and I have every expectation that the governor will bring back the legislature into session and that this bill will be on the table.

DaniRae Renno is an intern with the Pennsylvania Legislative Correspondents Association.
Police officers on the scene of a fatal car jacking attempt shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday night near 11th and Porter Streets. Read more

A Philadelphia man is dead after police say he tried to stop three young men from stealing his car Wednesday night.

Police said the victim, identified as Michael Salerno, 50, was attempting to prevent his car from being carjacked around 10:45 p.m. in South Philadelphia. A woman was in the car, but officials declined to identify her, citing the ongoing investigation.

Preliminary information appears that the motive for this homicide began with a carjacking of a female, and when the owner intervened, he was shot and killed, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small told reporters Wednesday night.

The episode occurred on Porter Street near South 12th Street. Salerno had just arrived at the location but wasnt in the car when the attempted carjacking occurred, according to police, who declined to say whether it was near his home.

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Salerno was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:53 p.m, and police said the shot that killed him was fired at close range.

The shell casing was just a few inches from his head, Small said.

No arrests have been made. Philadelphia Police Lt. Hamilton Marshmond told reporters Thursday afternoon officers have recovered video from numerous surveillance cameras along the block.

Mr. Salerno is a victim that easily could be you, myself or anyone, Marshmond said. We all have a right to be out. We all have a right to enjoy our life, and to have individuals come up armed with guns to take your property and then take your life? Thats not right.

Marshmond said the three suspects were last seen in a small, red Kia Soul with out-of-state license plates reversing westbound on Porter Street, and continuing to travel southbound on 12th Street. Marshmond described the suspects as young men, appearing to be between the ages of 15 and early 20s, dressed in dark clothing.

Authorities ask that anyone with information call police at 215-686-3334 or 215-686-TIPS. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
Alex Schneider, 39, and Christina Rosso-Schneider, 32, owners of Novel Idea Bookshop, turned to Go Fund Me to keep their doors open. Read more

Christina Rosso-Schneider and her husband, Alex, had been struggling for months to keep their East Passyunk bookstore, A Novel Idea, afloat.

The enthusiasm for small businesses that buoyed their shop through the pandemic had dried up, and by this summer, they were in debt to publishers. They laid off staff and cut hours. They had no money to purchase more books.

Down to their last option, they asked customers to help.

They never expected to meet the $10,000 goal of the GoFundMe campaign they started July 7. But donations surged past that total in three hours, reaching nearly $25,000 overall.

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Weve been crying for days, Rosso-Schneider said. Our shelves are pretty empty at the moment, because all weekend the shop was full.

Weve had people calling, emailing, messaging, from all over the country, Rosso-Schneider. People have really shown up, whether theyre here in this neighborhood or they just care about bookstores.

The outpouring means new life for a bookshop that quickly established itself as a staple of the East Passyunk neighborhood and area literary scene after opening in 2018.

The small storefront, on East Passyunk Avenue below Morris Street, is known as a supportive hub for Philly authors, artisans, educators, and book lovers.

The couple will use the donations to sign a year-to-year lease with their landlord, who offered to not raise rent. Theyre placing new orders and now have breathing room to invest in independent books and smaller presses.

Its a welcome reprieve in a city that has seen its share of painful bookstore closings in recent years, even as others continue to stay on the map.

Still, the sudden show of support for the slumping shop shows that while people may love cool, quirky, independent bookstores in their neighborhood, they may not actually buy a lot books there.

Rosso-Schneider, a novelist, and Schneider, a graphic designer, opened A Novel Idea six weeks after getting married.

They saw the venture as a way to blend her passion for books and publishing with his merchandising and branding experience. More than anything, they wanted to show local literary pride.

Philly has such an incredible literary scene, said Rosso-Schneider. I wanted a space where local writers would be featured even if they werent on the New York Times best-sellers list.

They stayed true to their mission. In five years, A Novel Idea has hosted more than 800 events.

Weve had readings, signings, book clubs, said Schneider. Weve held an original play in this space. Weve had live music. We even had two weddings that were fully catered. If its an interesting idea, we say yes to it.

Philly-based author and deaf-rights activist Sara Novic was on the way to her book launch at A Novel Idea in 2022 when she learned that her novel True Biz had become a New York Times best seller.

The shop stepped up to host a reading when a more established venue would not agree to a mask policy, Novic said.

A Novel Idea took it at the last minute to make it a safe night for disabled people to celebrate a disability-centric novel, Novic said. They really open their hearts to the community, and on a strip of the Avenue that sees a lot of turnover.

Stephanie Feldman, a Philly native and most recently author of the novel Saturnalia agreed. A Novel Idea is an essential part of the Philly literary community.  Every event feels like a reunion, Feldman said.

Rosso-Schneider and Schneider were still building a business base when the pandemic hit. They didnt qualify for most PPP grants, they said, since they werent yet paying themselves.

They were on the brink of closing in 2020 when they finally secured a modest grant.

Mirroring national book-buying trends, the store thrived as the pandemic eased and more shoppers bought local.

They briefly considered opening a second location. But sales plummeted as many book buyers returned to old routines and the ease of Amazon deliveries.

This time, theyre hoping that all the new faces will stick around.

The hope is that well still be here in August 2024, said Rosso-Schneider.
British pop star Zayn Malik spoke publicly this week about criminal harassment charges he faced in 2021 after an altercation with model Gigi Hadids mother, Yolanda, in their Bucks County home, calling his handling of the situation amicable and respectful.

Malik faced four criminal harassment charges and pleaded no contest in Bucks County Magisterial District Court. According to court documents, Malik had been arguing with Yolanda on Sept. 29, 2021, when he used expletives to demand she stay away from Khai, his daughter with Gigi. Malik then shoved Yolanda Hadid into a dresser, according to the documents.

Malik was placed on nearly a year of probation during which he was forbidden from contacting Yolanda, and he was ordered to take an anger management class and complete a domestic violence supervision program. Court documents show that the case has since been closed, meaning his probation has ended.

On the Call Her Daddy podcast episode, posted Wednesday, Malik said he wanted to avoid bringing further attention to the incident by talking about it online, and feels that he dealt with it in the best way.

If something happens in the family, Id rather keep that between the family because you dont need a whole audience of people and opinions because its hard enough to manage between two, Malik said.

Malik and Gigi had made Bucks County their home after the birth of their daughter.

In 2021, shortly after TMZ first reported Yolanda Hadid was considering filing a police report, Malik said he would not contest her claims in an effort to protect his young daughters privacy.
Octavia Brown with her twin sons Jy-Fir, left, and By-Kir, right, on Wednesday. Read more

Were not getting a break from the hot weather. Temps will reach a high of 95 today.

There are still unanswered questions as the investigation into the Kingsessing mass shooting continues, including the bungled 911 response.

But today, were talking about the survivors of the shooting. In our lead story, we speak with a woman who is recovering after the Kingsessing shooter shot at her and her children more than a dozen times.

We have a full news day, so lets dive in.

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 Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

Octavia Brown was driving down 56th Street when a man standing in the middle of the road dressed in all black and in a ski mask shot at her car.

At least fourteen times.

Three shots hit her son, By-Kir, in the left leg. Bullet fragments and glass sliced Brown and her other son, Jy-Fir. Browns young niece in the passengers seat dropped to the floor and wedged herself under the dashboard.

Brown floored the gas and got away, not letting up until she saw a Philadelphia police officer. Officer Laquisha Robinson got the family to a hospital within minutes.

Days later, the family is physically okay. Emotionally and financially, thats another story.

Keep reading to hear more from Octavia Brown about the aftermath for her family.

Its been almost five years since a grand jury report revealed thousands of children were sexually abused at the hands of the Roman Catholic Clergy in Pennsylvania.

In that time, more than 20 states have passed laws making it easier for victims to pursue civil action against their abusers and the institutions that protected them.

Whats the current status in Pennsylvania? The state legislature removed the criminal statute of limitations for child sexual assault and extended the window for victims to file until age 55. But the efforts to create a two-year window to allow older victims to file have stalled.

Continue reading to learn what comes next in the fight to reform statutes of limitations for victims in Pennsylvania.

What you should know today

Beyonce chose Philly to be her first stop of the U.S. leg of her Renaissance Tour at the Lincoln Financial Field last night. Her local fans here have been preparing for weeks, which included binging music videos, memorizing lyrics, and practicing tour choreography.

One devout member of the BeyHive wrote about how Queen Bs music helped her develop into her womanhood.

In her own words: Now, as a 39-year-old trans woman, its like Bey and I grew up with each other. I see Beyonce as my big sister, teaching me the ropes and helping me thrive through societys expectations and its lack of tolerance and acceptance ... I have dealt with breakups, self-awareness, love, and spirituality in every word shared through the lyrics of the many albums curated by this talented artist. Beyonce helped me through my struggles as an LGBTQ teen, and she has supported me as a transgender adult, Naiymah Sanchez wrote.

Click here for the full message of gratitude to the icon.

 Trivia time 

Abbott Elementary earned multiple Emmy nominations.

How many?

A) 2

B) 5

C) 7

D) 8

Think you know? Check your answer.

What were...

 Watching: At 99, Marshall Allen still loves exploring Sun Ras space music.

 Sharing: How to stretch a dollar when going out this summer. I like the idea of going to see a movie at Cira Green.

 Unscramble the anagram 

Hint: Jersey Devil

BRIE SPANNER

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Denise Collier, who correctly guessed Wednesdays answer: Divine Lorraine.

Photo of the day

Were one day away from Friday. Stay hydrated out there. Ill catch you tomorrow. 
Philadelphias new public restroom  the Phlush  on Tuesday, its first day of operation, at 15th and Arch Streets. Read more

A city cant be world-class if it fails to provide the basics. While Philadelphia has made great strides in recent decades, it lags in standard services such as public bathrooms and, as of last month, a bus terminal.

So it was welcome relief (pun intended) to see the first public restroom open in Center City this week. The aptly named Phlush is long past due. The stand-alone stainless steel kiosk was first unveiled in Portland, Ore., in 2008. Meanwhile, San Francisco installed the first of 24 self-cleaning public restrooms nearly 30 years ago and just began rolling out a newer version.

Better late than never, Philly. Although the five-year pilot program calls for only six public restrooms across the entire city compared with Portland, which has more than 20 and less than half the population. And already there are problems. Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr road-tested the Phlush at 15th and Arch Streets and gave it high marks, only to return hours later to find the toilet was clogged.

Philadelphia budgeted $656,864 a year to pay for three restroom specialists to clean and restock toilet paper and other supplies every two hours. If the city fails to maintain the bathrooms, it will literally be money down the drain.

To be sure, many other big cities across the country do not have enough public bathrooms, including New York. This is not a problem exclusive to Philadelphia. The United States has only eight public restrooms per 100,000 people, compared with 56 per 100,000 in Iceland. The U.S. is tied with Botswana in restroom ratio.

Safe and clean public restrooms are a public health necessity in any large city. Philadelphias renaissance was built around tourism. But the city cant lure millions of visitors and not provide for basic bodily functions. The public facilities are also needed as more families and young people move into the city, leading to more vibrant street life.

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Most important, public restrooms are a human right that should be available to everyone. In the nations poorest big city with more than 4,000 unhoused people, access to public restrooms is also about dignity. More broadly, public restrooms benefit everyone  as anyone who endures a foul-smelling subway entrance knows all too well.

While Philadelphia takes one small step forward by installing a handful of public restrooms, it took a giant step backward when the Greyhound bus station closed in June. Rather than find a real solution, the city allowed bus travelers to congregate along the sidewalk at Sixth and Market Streets.

Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron detailed the debacle in a deeply reported column. The Greyhound bus station on Filbert Street was a dingy embarrassment for decades, but it at least provided travelers with access to an enclosed structure with bathrooms and vending machines.

Greyhound has been around for nearly a century and provides low-cost transportation to 1,700 destinations across the county. But Greyhound was sold to a German company in 2021 that then put its bus stations up for sale to better compete with low-cost carriers like Megabus.

Without the stations, Greyhound customers are now left waiting on the curb. What are they to do when it rains or when winter comes? Rather than allow bus companies to operate a curbside business, other cities have built stations and negotiated leases with the carriers.

Philadelphia must do the same. It makes the most sense to build a bus station near 30th Street Station to better connect train and bus passengers. Leaving scores of travelers congregating on the sidewalk with their luggage is a glaring sign of a city that falls short of world-class.
In this 1921 image provided by the Library of Congress, smoke billows over Tulsa, Okla. An Oklahoma judge has thrown out a lawsuit seeking reparations for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Read more

Three survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre  all over 100 years old  are appealing a judges decision to dismiss their lawsuit seeking reparations.

As children, Lessie Benningfield Randle, 108, Hughes Van Ellis Sr., 102, and Viola Fletcher, 109, saw their neighborhood burned to the ground by a racist mob in Tulsa, Okla. Now, in waiting for their appeal, theyll face yet another injustice. They will likely die before they receive reparations for the lives and property that were violently snatched away in 1921. Officials in Tulsa are well aware of that reality. So am I, and thats why Im so angry.

Make no mistake. In dismissing a lawsuit filed by these elderly survivors of a massacre that killed an estimated 300 Black Americans and destroyed their prosperous community, Tulsa County District Court Judge Caroline Wall has delayed justice, and in this case, justice delayed is justice denied. Im sure these brave elders know that, but theyve vowed to fight on anyway.

We were forced to plead this case beyond what is required under Oklahoma standards, which is certainly a familiar circumstance when Black Americans ask the American legal system to work for them, they said in a statement read by attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons. And now, Judge Wall has condemned us to languish on Oklahomas appellate docket.

But we will not go quietly. We will continue to fight until our last breaths.

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They will need to do so while facing Americas posture of denial. It is the way our country has always approached the issue of reparations for Black people. Denial of wrongdoing, denial of responsibility, and ultimately, denial of compensation.

That posture of denial made it possible for the U.S. Supreme Court to gut the Voting Rights Act in 2013 and undo affirmative action just weeks ago. Eliminating such safeguards is easy when you believe that the effects of slavery stopped when it was abolished. Its easy when youre convinced that there are no repercussions from more than a century of Jim Crow. But if you understand the role systemic racism has played in denying African Americans access to everything from health care to housing, you know that these disparities dont happen by accident.

Take the Tulsa Race Massacre, for example. It began, like so many of our countrys racist atrocities, with a Black man accused of assaulting a white woman. The details of what happened when Dick Rowland boarded an elevator with Sarah Page are murky, but when word about the accusation began to spread in the white community, multiple institutions worked in concert to carry out the attack on the well-to-do community known as Black Wall Street.

A report in the Tulsa Tribune claimed Rowland had attempted to rape Page, and an editorial announced that there would be a lynching. A group of Black men went to protect Rowland, and gunfire erupted when they were confronted by white people. Civil officials then selected scores of white men, deputized them, gave them arms and ammunition, and sent them into Greenwood. Soon after, the state called up the National Guard. Thousands of Black residents were arrested. Then numerous insurance companies refused to pay claims to Black Tulsans who were insured.

Thus, through the coordinated efforts of media, government, and business, the Greenwood community lost $1.8 million in property, which would amount to more than $27 million today. Thats systemic racism, and thats why African Americans still lag behind our white counterparts in so many measurable categories.

The survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre are owed reparations. The harm they suffered was generational in nature. The remedy should be generational as well. So even if the claimants die prior to settlement, justice demands that their families collect in their place.

Such a resolution would require admitting that stolen wealth directly affects future generations. It would also require rethinking the outcome of a 2004 lawsuit filed against companies that profited from slavery. In that case, U.S. District Judge Charles Norgle Sr. ruled that the plaintiffs did not have legal standing to file the suit, since they were generations removed from slavery.

In my view, that ruling was wrong. When lives, labor, and wealth are violently ripped away, the suffering is not contained in a generation. It is spread out over time. The children of the Tulsa Race Massacre know that, and thats why theyre still fighting. Every African American must follow their example, and fight until our very last breaths.
Philadelphias first Center City public bathroom debuted on Tuesday, but until now, a random portable restroom was your best bet at finding a city-installed loo.

Located at 15th and Arch Streets, this Center City modular bathroom is part of a government pilot program to address the lack of public hygiene options. These new public bathrooms come with many features, including free period products, a changing station, a naloxone station, and a needle disposal.

However, as reported by Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr on Twitter, the brand-new loo experienced its first clog before completing its first 24 hours as a Philadelphian.

The jury may still be out on how well the program fares, but as Farr writes, there was lots to praise. Still, Philadelphians have plenty of opinions about where locals and visitors alike can duck into for, um, a little quiet time, as evidenced by numerous Reddit threads with public-generated lists for accessible bathrooms. (The Inquirer has not verified the accessibility or availability of the proffered opinions of these Internet good Samaritans, but its worth noting that hotels are mentioned quite a bit. Also, RIP Barnes and Nobles bathroom.)

While we welcome the Phlush with open arms, it may not be convenient to your location when youre on the brink of personal disaster. Dont worry, weve got you: Below is our non-exhaustive list of verified WCs around town. Need more? Reddit is just a click away, but be warned, as your milage may vary.

Want to share your bathroom intel? Any locations we may have overlooked? Let us know at thingstodo@inquirer.com

1. Fashion District

Previously known as the Gallery, the Fashion District has free restrooms on every floor. Family bathrooms are located on the concourse level (next to T-Mobile), and on the second floor by the Levis outlet store. If you are looking for a restroom that is wheelchair-accessible, theres one at the street level, in front of Kate Spade. The mall is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday to Thursday), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

901 Market St.

2. Reading Terminal Market

The Reading Terminal Market is filled with local food, produce and more, but you dont need to buy anything to access the bathroom. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the doors at Arch Street and 11th Street lead you to the loos, hidden between the Pennsylvania General Store and security. They do have a family restroom in case you need it, and after washing your hands, you can shop the stalls for a little treat.

1136 Arch St.

3. The Shops at the Liberty Place

If you are in Center City West, Liberty Place is a popular reprieve, with three restrooms throughout. On the first floor, find the bathroom by Puttshack. On the second level, there is one in the food court and another one next to Victorias Secret. You can access them daily, from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., except on Sundays (noon to 6 p.m.).

 1625 Chestnut St.

4. Parkway Central Library

Not only does this Free Library of Philadelphia branch have tons of free events, but you can also go into the bathroom without being bothered. There are accessible bathrooms on the ground and first floor with powerful stainless steel hand dryers to die for. You can also find a restroom on the fourth floor, by the Skyline room. Sadly, the library is only open Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  weekend warriors are out of luck.

1901 Vine St.

5. The Bok Building

If you are in South Philly, Bok Building lets folks access the bathroom for free. Open to the public with tons of workshops, events and Bok Bar and Irwins on the rooftop terrace, no one will stop you with questions about what youre doing there. More importantly, they have gender-neutral bathrooms in front of the reception desk, and by Machine Shop bakery.

1901 S 9th Street

6. Independence Visitor Center

This rec may be too touristy if you are a seasoned Philadelphian but if you can bear the long lines, you can access the restroom. And, according to reporter Anna Orso, they are enormous and very clean.

599 Market St.

Other options

If you are far from any of the sites we mention, remember retailers, grocery stores, and pharmacies have bathrooms but you might need to make a purchase . Another option is an app created by a Philly startup Where2go, which shows you nearby restrooms.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. officially announces his candidacy for President on April 19 in Boston. Read more

The founders of the Kennedy Democrats PAC want to make it very clear that they do not endorse Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The statewide political action committee launched in 2019 by Patrick Murphy, a former member of the U.S. House, and former Congressional candidate Scott Wallace, both of Bucks County. Their goal is to deepen the progressive political bench in Pennsylvania, particularly outside of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

But when it comes to the presidential election, dont let the name fool you.

We considered changing our name but we decided instead to just make a very explicit statement that we are fully in support of President Bidens reelection, Wallace said. And we disavow anybody else using our organizations name to oppose President Biden.

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The Kennedy Democrats are not a particularly well-known group, but their eagerness to distance themselves from RFK Jr. illustrates the larger simmering concern setting in with some Democrats as the environmental lawyer and longtime vaccine skeptic has risen in the polls.

RFK Jr. was polling at about 17% with registered Democrats in Pennsylvania last month to Bidens 71%. Nationally, between 15% and 20% of Democratic voters say they support him. A third Democratic presidential candidate, Marianne Williamson, is polling at about 5% with Pennsylvania Democrats.

Wallace and Murphy are holding a Biden endorsement event Friday evening, alongside state Reps. Joanna McClinton and Malcolm Kenyatta. They said the move felt necessary to clear up any confusion after RFK Jr. appropriated the organizations name while on the stump.

The alleged appropriation, occurred when RFK Jr. spoke in front of a group of people, some holding signs that read Im a Kennedy Democrat.

The expression Kennedy Democrat, however, predates the political group. And RFK Jr., 70, had the name before the PAC did.

Why would they call themselves Kennedy Democrats when they are Biden Democrats? RFK Jr.s campaign asked The Inquirer in response to a request for comment.

RFK Jr. is the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, and the son of Robert F. Kennedy. He founded the Waterkeeper Alliance  the worlds largest clean water advocacy group  and has won praise for environmentalism. He has also faced criticism for promoting anti-vaccine conspiracy theories.

While widely seen as having little chance at the nomination, Kennedy Jr. has gained traction with libertarians, disaffected Democrats, and some anti-Trump Republicans. Hes centered his campaign on an anti-censorship platform and hes gotten attention for his penchant for doing push-ups in jeans and for being heir to a political dynasty.

Wallaces organization is a state PAC, so it cant spend money on federal races. He said the group was founded with the support of members of the Kennedy family. Wallace is also a former classmate of RFK Jr.s. They both attended the Millbrook School in the Hudson Valley, where Wallace recalled RFK Jr. having an interest in the boarding schools on-site zoo. (RFK Jr. has spoken at length about a childhood filled with exotic animals.)

Biden supporters have grown increasingly agitated by RFK Jrs rise as the presidents approval ratings sag and polls show that voters are wary of him running for reelection at age 81.

Its so early and I think people are just expressing their frustration with the choices in front of them, Wallace said.

Wallace sees a parallel with his own familys long-ago political history. Wallaces grandfather, Henry Wallace, who was vice president under FDR, ran for president as a third party Progressive Party candidate in 1948 against incumbent Democrat Harry S. Truman, Thomas Dewey and Strom Thurmond.

Wallace started out around 10% in the polls, shocking Democrats who worried he could hurt Trumans reelection chances. By the time the election rolled around, Truman won and Henry Wallace got fewer votes than Dixiecrat and civil rights opponent, Thurmond.

As we get closer to the election, reality will set in, Wallace predicted. Theres no way he wins the primary.
A rendering of the proposed city health center on the Friends Hospital campus in Northeast Philadelphia. Read more

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is planning two new public health centers in Northeast Philadelphia, where its existing ability to provide care is more strained than anywhere else in the city.

The proposal includes a smaller location, near the Frankford Transportation Center, that will serve about 5,000 people a year. A much larger site, meant for 30,000 patients a year, is proposed for a site on Roosevelt Boulevard in front of the historic Friends Hospital.

However, concerns over transit accessibility and historical preservation have arisen among community members and stakeholders. A meeting on Friday will determine its fate.

The health department has long desired to bring more health services to Northeast Philadelphia, which, in recent years, has seen an influx of residents from refugee and immigrant communities, many of whom have limited access to federal or private health insurance programs.

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The city health departments capacity in the Northeast is not big enough, said Cheryl Bettigole, Philadelphias health commissioner. We are not taking care of enough people, and this section of the city by far suffers the effects of that.

Critics say that building a huge health center at the entrance to the verdant 100-acre Friends Hospital campus is not ideal. It would both be disruptive to the largely undeveloped historic site and would prove dangerous to those not arriving by car. The proposed site is in a section of the city where poverty is on the rise, and many foreign-born residents do not own cars or have drivers licenses during their early years in the United States.

Transportation critiques

Former Councilmember Maria Quinones Sanchez, who advocated for the site near Frankford Transportation Center, argues that bus access from Roosevelt Boulevard will be difficult for the Friends Hospital site, given that anyone taking public transit will have to cross one of the citys most deadly roads by foot.

The Frankford Transportation Center is an ideal location for a multifaceted mixed development project that anchors a community and provides real public transportation access, said Quinones Sanchez, who resigned from Council to run for mayor earlier this year. The Friends Hospital site provides no opportunity for access and puts patients in harms way.

The health department declined to respond to The Inquirers questions about transit accessibility

Historic site requires permission

Originally established in 1813 as the Friends Asylum for the Relief of Persons Deprived of the Use of Their Reason, and expanded frequently throughout the 19th century, Friends Hospital was the first hospital dedicated to mental health care in the United States.

Part of the attraction of the area in the 19th century was its isolation, an idyllic escape from the city for those struggling with mental health issues.

Since then, Northeast Philadelphia has become heavily urbanized, and now the area around the campus is thickly developed with shopping malls and housing. But the grounds themselves remain a discordantly serene escape from the surrounding asphalt and traffic.

The campus is protected by local historic preservation regulations, and is also listed as a National Historic District by the federal government.

The current plan calls for the demolition of the historic Lawnside home on the west edge of the campus to make way for the two-story health center.

The health department needs the permission of the Historical Commission to move forward with the plan because Lawnside is protected from demolition by local preservation regulations, as are the rest of the venerable buildings on the campus.

At a June 27 meeting of the Architectural Committee, which advises the commission, appointees appeared skeptical of the departments position that there was no possible alternative to the present plan.

The Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, an advocacy group, also objected to the demolition of Lawnside. Although the structure is now dilapidated, and the ground around it strewed with broken glass and litter, it was built in 1859 and once served as home for the Friends Hospitals superintendent.

The group has also criticized the general layout of the proposal, saying that it would forever change a site that was deemed significant enough to be covered by local and national historic protections.

The health center is a big building, so the whole bucolic setting that makes this a National Historic Landmark District would be disrupted permanently, said Steinke. We are so cavalier with our historic assets.

The Preservation Alliance has asked that the health department reveal the 44 other sites it rejected. Quinones Sanchez argues that the Frankford Transportation Center site could have been more heavily utilized as well.

The Historical Commission meets on Friday at 9 a.m., when the health department will make its pitch for permission to move forward with demolition of Lawnside.

Addressing a decades-long problem

Local neighborhood groups have only learned of the Friends Hospital plan in recent weeks, but are also skeptical  although they take no official stance on it yet.

Its in the wrong place, said Terry Heiser, vice president of the Northwood Civic Association. It has limited transit and will be serving people who are elderly, who lack financial resources. For them to travel to that location, theyre going to have to cross a very busy 12-lane highway.

The health department argues that the human toll of unmet health needs in the Northeast outweighs such site considerations. More medical capacity accessible to those without insurance was needed yesterday.

Bettigole argued that the current layout is the only one possible. It is large enough to accommodate a sprawling two-story building, which the health department prefers because it helps ensure that patients  many of whom do not speak English as a first language  wont get lost trying to navigate a multistory building with elevator banks.

She also said that the site enjoys access to parking for cars and transit, given the heavy bus routes on Roosevelt Boulevard.

If were able to build it, we will finally address whats been a decades-long problem, Bettigole said in June. If we could have  found another site, we absolutely would have done it.
Signs posted at 4720 Chester Ave. on Mar. 29, 2021. At the time, a group of West Philly residents/scientists asked residents to donate a fecal sample to fight gentrification by showing that development could "adversely affect the neighbors' microbiota and increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer." This month, the owner withdrew an application for a 76-unit apartment building. Read more

The owner of a property at 48th Street and Chester Avenue in West Philadelphias Squirrel Hill neighborhood withdrew an application for a 76-unit apartment building last week, after more than two years of heated opposition.

The debate over the development of this site gained national attention in March 2021 when one opponent, Ang Sun of West Philly United Neighbors, sought to collect fecal samples from neighbors to prove a link between gentrification and cancer. That proposal, which did not come to fruition, spawned the nickname poop building for the project.

 READ MORE: Fecal samples: The next frontier in fighting West Philly gentrification?

In April of this year, a preliminary approval was granted for 13 duplexes on the site, with one parking spot available for each residence. The owner of the site, Meir Gelley also owns a neighboring nursing home. The land, which is lined by apartments to the north, had functioned as a dog park until 2021.

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Most foes of the apartment proposal centered their opposition on less unusual talking points than a fecal study, including concerns that new construction would further increase housing costs in an already pricey neighborhood.

There was no doubt that it was just going to become slum housing, said Nosta Glaser, a neighbor who signed on to a lawsuit contesting the property owners zoning permits. Traffic congestion, parking, a blight to the skyline, blockage of sun to residential flora, noise pollution. The list just goes on and on.

Lawsuits, appeals, and zoning hearings

In a prior agreement with Cedar Park Neighbors, a neighborhood group that supported the proposal, Gelley said he would reduce the height of the apartment building and restrict rents in 15 of the homes so they would be affordable to households making 40% of the area median income for 50 years. The units were to be rented for $725 to $870 a month.

But a group of project opponents known as Protect Squirrel Hill called the offer of 15 rent-restricted apartments crumbs. In an Inquirer op-ed, they argued that for-sale duplexes would be less likely to spur gentrification because they believed such dwellings would not affect neighborhood rents.

In addition to Glaser, others signed on to the lawsuit to contest the projects permits. Other signers included Thomas Ewing another neighbor; Catherine Blunt, a member of the community organization 46th Ward; Mike Ross, president of Southwest Philadelphia District Services; and Valerie Ross of West Philadelphians for Progressive Planning and Preservation.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment originally granted exceptions to zoning rules that would have allowed the apartment development, but the opponents appealed the decision.

In responding to that appeal last May, Common Pleas Court judge Anne Marie B. Coyle ruled that the zoning board had failed to provide evidence to justify granting zoning exceptions. She ordered the board to reexamine the development proposal.

The new hearing before the zoning board started last year but was never completed. It was scheduled to continue July 18 of this year.

Instead, on July 6 a lawyer representing Gelley told the zoning board that the property owner would no longer be pursuing his application to allow the construction of the 72 apartments.

Klehr Harrison lawyer Brett D. Feldman, who represents Gelley, declined to comment or provide a reason for the withdrawal.

 READ MORE: West Philly residents who tried to fight gentrification with fecal samples celebrate neighbors court win

There was a real missed opportunity for something that would have benefited the neighborhood in very positive ways, said Kathy Dowdell, co-chair of the zoning committee for Cedar Park Neighbors, the community group that supported the developer.

Looking ahead

Although preliminary approvals from the city were granted for an alternative duplex plan, they note that the rear yards of the homes in the new proposal are too small under the zoning. The current approvals expire on Oct 27, 2023.

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier issued a qualified critique of the plan in 2021 after the vociferous opposition became clear. This week, she said that she still wants to work with both sides to reach a compromise.

We desperately need more affordable housing in communities like Squirrel Hill, but we also have a responsibility to make sure new developments work alongside our neighborhood and the people who live here, said Gauthier in a statement. Its time to put aside mistrust and come together to create a development our community deserves.

Meanwhile, the eye-catching request that brought notoriety to the building is no longer top of mind for neighbors embroiled in the conflict.

West Philly United Neighbors later removed references to the fecal study from its website. Protect Squirrel Hill said the group was not part of the larger neighborhood organizing to stop the development. But social media users continued to refer to the project as the poop building and the name stuck.

In a statement published online Monday, Protect Squirrel Hill said, This is not the first or last time that greedy developers will try to prey on our community, but we have power when we stand together.

Contacted later in the week, Glaser said she personally was skeptical of a duplex proposal, too.

Youd be lucky if you could put two duplexes there without it being invasive, said Glaser.
The exterior of Lynnewood Hall, located across from the Elkins Park post office on Ashbourne Road. Read more

Elkins Parks Lynnewood Hall has a reputation that extends well beyond the quiet Philadelphia suburb. Numerous YouTube videos of the 110-room mansion have racked up millions of views, and lovers of Gilded Age history and old homes have obsessed about it on Facebook and other forums.

So its a welcomed development that the estates new nonprofit owners will be giving hard-hat tours. But theyre going to cost quite a bit.

The Lynnewood Hall Preservation Foundation (LHPF), which purchased the 124-year-old house last month for $9 million, is offering tours to raise money for asbestos remediation  the first step in making the house accessible to the public one day. Its no surprise that ridding a 100,000-square-foot building of asbestos is really expensive. The project will cost $1.25 million, according to LHPFs Asbestos Free in 2023 campaign page.

That explains why the price tag for these tours, to be scheduled post-remediation, is eye-popping: A single 90-minute tour of the houses sprawling first floor and its exterior will cost $1,500; $2,500 will cover two people.

For $5,000 a person, the extended-access tour  complete with a souvenir photo and hard hat  will take you everywhere thats safe to go in four hours. The $15,000 option, for well-off shutterbugs, will cover four people and allow three hours for arranging and taking shots at leisure. Bump it up to $50,000 and you will be able to bring as many as 12 people on your six-hour tour, which will also include souvenirs and lunch with the nonprofits staff.

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The cost of admission may strike you as absurdly high or somehow befitting. After all, Lynnewood Hall was built for $8 million in the 1890s, roughly $295 million in todays currency. The nonprofits staffers, anticipating disappointment, offer a note of acknowledgment and solace for the future.

We understand that the donation levels ... may be out of reach for some, the donation page reads. Our goal is to raise the money needed to get remediation done as soon as we possibly can to make a variety of other opportunities to experience Lynnewood Hall available to the public.

Donations of any amount are appreciated, they added. They had raised $3,020 as of mid-morning on the campaigns launch day.
Utility crews from PSE&G are still at work in Haddonfield on July 6 after Microbursts pounded South Jersey. More storms are due Friday and Sunday. Read more

After one of the steamiest days of the summer to date forecasters say more of those random downpours are on the way for late Friday afternoon into the evening, with a possible encore Sunday.

Groundhog Day in July?

Meanwhile, parts of the Southwest keep baking alarmingly.

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Veteran meteorologists have marveled at the recent behavior of the atmosphere. Its been crazy, said Greg Carbin, chief of the Forecast Operations Branch at the Weather Prediction Center, in College Park, Md., who recently returned from inundated central Vermont.

Around Philadelphia, with the sultry atmosphere energized and well-juiced, the governments Storm Prediction Center has the Philly region under a marginal risk for severe storms  those with gusts approaching 60 mph  Friday afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service said the favored areas appear to be near and to the west of I-95.

A rain delay isnt out of the question, but the Phillies should be able to play their game against the visiting San Diego Padres, as the rain probabilities chances drop considerably after the scheduled start time, 6:05 p.m. But Sunday may be more problematic.

Sunday, said Dave Dombek, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc., might be the day to watch.

 READ MORE: Severe storms pounded the region last week.

With a high of 95 degrees, tied for the highest of the year, Thursday marked the sixth day this month that Phillys temperature reached 90 or better. However, with the meteorological summer about half over, so far the region has been spared a prolonged heat wave and anything remotely similar to the record-smashing warmth in parts of the Southwest.

But what keeps happening there is very much related to what keeps happening here, said the weather centers Carbin.

Persistence

All that heat in the Southwest is orchestrated by sprawling, stalled-in-place high pressure, or heavier air that discourages cloud cover. That has been allowing the sun to bake the ground, resulting in ultra-high temperatures that have further stoked the ongoing concerns about climate change.

Meanwhile, Dombek said, areas of lower pressure, or troughs that are associated with storminess, have taken residence in south-central Canada and the upper Midwest, and have directed a sequence of disturbances eastward  dramatically here and in New England last weekend.

Clouds and storminess have derailed the development of sustained heat in the Philadelphia region, and the atmosphere has been in a rut of lather, rinse, and keep rinsing. Its almost like you cant go a day or 36 hours without something coming around, Dombek added.

The high and low systems have been working in tandem, as is usually the case in the atmosphere, said Carbin: The positions of high and low pressure naturally alternate around the planet.

In this case, Its been a quasi-persistent pattern, he added. The heat has been incredibly stubborn.

So, whats with drought?

All of Pennsylvania remained under a drought watch as of Thursday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

In the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor update Thursday, western Chester County, and portions of Camden, Gloucester and Burlington Counties were declared abnormally dry. A piece of Gloucester was in moderate drought.

 READ MORE: The early outlooks trended warm for Philly's summer, but so far ...

In the last 30 days, rainfall has been well above long-term averages in the nine-county Philly region, according to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center.

However, during the previous six months through Wednesday, it was below normal in all nine counties in the region.

Those rain deficits may well be on the run.

The outlook

The upper-air pattern is likely to stay this way until further notice, said Dombek.

The weather centers Carbin said that the high responsible for the heat may migrate westward, rather than approach the East.

At 1:30 p.m. Nevada time Friday, the temperature in Las Vegas was 109 degrees, and a heat warning was in effect through Tuesday.

The atmospheric dramas in the Northeast have been of a different nature.

Carbin said he had returned from Vermont right before the flooding hit, but his wife remained and has been posting images on social media. He said his analysis showed that these were the heaviest rains to inundate the state since 2011, when it was deluged by the remnants of Irene.

Given the recent extremes, he said, it seems as though, If youre on Earth, youre in danger.

He cautioned, however, that its hard to separate to what extent would this have occurred without a warmer world. Thats the challenge of attribution.
Some insurers are expanding or returning to markets

Were seeing global insurers expanding or going back into markets that they may have pulled out of previously because the rates and the margins werent there, he said. The hard market, which weve been experiencing for the last few years, is fueling that expansion, whether its by verticals or by geography.
The industrys best will be determined using IBs unique methodology that looks at several factors such as premium income, client retention, policies written and new clients to compare all businesses on a level playing field.
I am very pleased to welcome Alex to our leadership team. As the only major composite  life and general  insurer in the market, this is a critical appointment, Delaney said. With a strong understanding of the local market, together with broad global and regional experience, Alex will bring both continuity and a fresh perspective as we seek to further advance our customer offering and competitive position.
If we are as prepared as possible at a government level, we can ensure communities get help fast, Watt said. The Albanese government is committed to looking at what can be done better, to build a better prepared, more resilient Australia.
A recent powerful F4 tornado in Alberta that formed on near Didsbury on Canada Day did not cause much of an impact on insurers, as its path was mostly within rural areas.
So, I think the solution will be found in the insurance sector. At that point, insurers are going to need to know what the risk is and what the assets are that they're insuring, where the assets are, what the value is, and what the aggregation is in certain locations. That can only be achieved if the data is collected digitally and housed in a way that is completely visible to the insurers and the financiers.
Our new corporate affairs team will help Lloyds build stronger relationships with all our stakeholders so we can provide more effective leadership on the issues that matter, from climate transition to the digital revolution, Neal said. Rebekah's experience and her team's deep expertise will help sharpen our voice as we continue driving our market's performance, digitalisation, purpose and culture goals.
I am delighted that the board of directors proposes Jacques de Vaucleroy, who currently acts as chair ad interim, as next chairman of Swiss Re, Reinhardt said. From the selection process, which involved several external candidates, Jacques emerged as the board's preferred successor. I am convinced that his in-depth knowledge, his outstanding experience in the industry, and his thorough acquaintance with Swiss Re will be of great value.
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Crews extinguished the intensely burning fire aboard a cargo ship docked in New Jersey after nearly a week and are now beginning their investigation into the blaze that killed two firefighters, officials said Tuesday.

We can officially declare the fire is out, Coast Guard Capt. Zeita Merchant, the captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey, said during a news conference in Port Newark.

It could be a while before officials know the cause of the blaze that started late Wednesday and left two Newark firefighters dead and five others injured.

Authorities are now also beginning a salvage operation for the Grande Costa d`Avorio, which could take up to two months, Merchant said.

Manifests showed there were no lithium ion battery vehicles onboard when the ship reached Newark, according to Bethann Rooney the port director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

However, it did have electric vehicles onboard when it reached Baltimore, where they were offloaded, she said. The ship had taken on used vehicles in Newark and was destined to do the same in Providence, Rhode Island before heading to West Africa, Rooney said.

The National Transportation Safety Board has warned about the possible dangers of electric vehicle battery fires, a hazard that stems from thermal runaway, a chemical reaction that causes uncontrolled battery temperature and pressure increases.

She described the hold of the ship as essentially a parking garage with ramps and different levels. The cars on board had but a spit of gasoline in their tanks, she said, adding that it was car components and other parts that were burning.

Killed in the blaze were Newark firefighters Augusto Augie Acabou and Wayne Bear Brooks Jr., whom officials praised for their bravery. Funeral services for the men were set for later this week.

The fire broke out about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. About an hour later, there was a mayday call when two firefighters became trapped inside the ship. Acabou was rescued from the ship before midnight. He was later taken a hospital where he died Thursday morning. Brooks died early Thursday morning after he was recovered.

Part of the investigation will examine whether the Newark Fire Department knew there were no lives at risk when firefighters initially responded, Merchant said.

Officials have acknowledged that the fire department hadnt recently done training on a ship like the Grande Costa dAvorio and that theyd be discussing training going forward.

Grimaldi Deep Sea said in a statement last week that the crew immediately activated onboard fire suppression procedures and the local firefighting service was alerted, triggering a prompt response that was crucial to containing and controlling the blaze. It also said that no electric cars nor hazardous cargo were on board, no fuel spills had been detected, and the stability of the ship was not compromised.

The Grimaldi Group statement said the cause of the fire isnt known, but it will investigate in cooperation with authorities.

A 2020 inferno aboard a U.S. Navy ship in San Diego reflects the challenge of containing fires aboard vessels. In that case, the USS Bonhomme Richard, a $1.2 billion amphibious assault ship, burned for nearly five days and eventually had to be scuttled.

Photo: In this image taken from video, smoke rises from a cargo ship early Thursday, July 6, 2023, in the port of Newark, New Jersey. Two firefighters were killed battling the blaze that began when cars caught fire deep inside the ship carrying 5,000 cars at the port, Newarks fire chief said. (WABC-TV via AP)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics New Jersey Trucking
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The Justice Department on Tuesday said that Donald Trump can be held personally liable for remarks he made about a woman who accused him of rape  a reversal of its position that Trump was protected because he was president when he made the remarks.

In a letter filed with the judge presiding over a defamation lawsuit that columnist E. Jean Carroll brought in Manhattan federal court in 2020, the department says it no longer has a sufficient basis to conclude that Trump was motivated in his statements about Carrolls claims by more than an insignificant desire to serve the United States.

Previously, the department had agreed with Trump`s attorneys that he was protected from the lawsuit by the Westfall Act, which provides federal employees absolute immunity from lawsuits brought over conduct occurring within the scope of their employment.

In May, a jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages after concluding that Trump sexually abused her in 1996 at a midtown Manhattan Bergdorf Goodman store and then defamed her last fall with comments he made about her and her claims. While the jury concluded Trump sexually abused Carroll, it rejected her rape claim.

The trial resulted from a lawsuit Carroll brought last November after New York state temporarily allowed victims of sexual abuse to make civil claims for attacks that occurred even decades earlier.

In the government`s letter, U.S. lawyers cited the jury`s verdict, Trumps October deposition and new claims Carroll has since made that Trump defamed her again with comments he made during a CNN town hall a day after the verdict.

The letter gives fresh fuel to Carroll`s original defamation lawsuit, which had been delayed by appeals over whether Trump could be held liable for statements he made while president.

The original claims are scheduled for trial next January and stem from comments Trump made in 2019 after Carroll first went public with her claims about being sexually attacked by Trump in a memoir.

Carrolls lawyer, Robbie Kaplan, welcomed the DOJ submission, saying it was one of the last obstacles to the lawsuit reaching trial.

We are grateful that the Department of Justice has reconsidered its position, she said in a statement. We have always believed that Donald Trump made his defamatory statements about our client in June 2019 out of personal animus, ill will, and spite, and not as President of the United States.

Lawyers for Trump did not immediately comment.

Earlier in the day, Carroll`s lawyers filed papers challenging a counterclaim in the defamation lawsuit by Trump`s lawyers who maintained that Carroll had defamed him with comments she made after the May verdict __ in part because she repeated statements that he had raped her.

The lawyers wrote that his counterclaim was nothing more than his latest effort to spin his loss at trial.

They said the sexual abuse Trump was found liable for was equivalent to rape under some criminal statutes and would require him to register for the rest of his life as a sex offender if it had been a criminal claim.

The Associated Press typically does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly, as Carroll has done.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits
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Floodwaters receded in Vermont cities and towns pummeled by a storm that delivered two months of rain in two days, allowing officials to focus on recovering from a disaster that trapped residents in homes, closed roadways and choked streets and businesses with mud and debris.

In the capital city of Montpelier, where streets were flooded Tuesday by the swollen Winooski River, officials said that water levels at a dam just upstream appeared to be stable.

It looks like it wont breach. That is good. That is one less thing we have to have on our front burner, Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser said.

Fraser said the dam remains a lingering concern but with the water receding the city was shifting to recovery mode. Public works employees were expected out Wednesday to start removing mud and debris downtown and building inspections will start as businesses begin cleaning up their properties.

The slow-moving storm reached New England after hitting parts of New York and Connecticut on Sunday. Some communities received between 7 and 9 inches (18 centimeters and 23 centimeters) of rain. Towns in southwest New Hampshire had heavy flooding and road washouts, and the Connecticut River was expected to crest above flood stage Wednesday in Hartford and towns to the south.

In Vermont`s capital, brown water from the Winooski had obscured vehicles and all but the tops of parking meters along picturesque streets lined with brick storefronts whose basements and lower floors were flooded. Some residents of the city of 8,000 slogged their way through waist-high water Tuesday; others canoed and kayaked along main streets to survey the scene.

Bryan Pfeiffer canoed around downtown to check out the damage and was appalled by what he saw. The basement of every building __ including the one where he works __ and the lower levels of most were inundated. Even the citys fire station was flooded.

Its really troubling when your fire station is under water, Pfeiffer said.

Similar scenes played out in neighboring Barre and in Bridgewater, where the Ottauquechee River spilled its banks.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said floodwaters surpassed levels seen during Tropical Storm Irene. Irene killed six people in Vermont in August 2011, washing homes off their foundations and damaging or destroying more than 200 bridges and 500 miles (805 kilometers) of highway.

The flooding has already caused tens of millions of dollars in damage throughout the state. There have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to the flooding in Vermont, where swift-water rescue teams aided by National Guard helicopter crews performed more than 100 rescues, Vermont Emergency Management said Tuesday.

One of the worst-hit places was New Yorks Hudson Valley, where a woman identified by police as Pamela Nugent, 43, died as she tried to escape her flooded home with her dog in the hamlet of Fort Montgomery.

Atmospheric scientists say destructive flooding events happen more frequently as storms form in a warmer atmosphere, and the planets rising temperatures will only make it worse.

In Vermont, more rain was forecast Thursday and Friday, but Peter Banacos, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the state will be spared any further torrential downpours.

Much of the focus turned to reopening roadways, checking on isolated homeowners and cleaning out mud and debris from water-logged businesses.

We sustained catastrophic damage. We just really took the brunt of the storm, Ludlow Municipal Manager Brendan McNamara said as he assessed the flood`s impact around the town of 1,500 people.

Among the losses was the towns water treatment plant. Its main supermarket remained closed. The main roadway through town had yet to be fully reopened and McNamara couldnt begin to estimate how many houses had been damaged. The towns Little League field and a new skate park were destroyed, and scores of businesses were damaged.

Thankfully we got through it with no loss of life, McNamara said. Ludlow will be fine. People are coming together and taking care of each other.

Colleen Dooley returned to her condominium complex in Ludlow on Tuesday to find the grounds covered in silt and mud and the pool filled with muddy river water.

I dont know when well move back, but it will certainly be awhile, said Dooley, a retired teacher.

President Joe Biden, attending the annual NATO summit in Lithuania, declared an emergency for Vermont and authorized the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide assistance.

FEMA sent a team to Vermont, along with emergency communications equipment, and was prepared to keep shelters supplied if the state requests it. The agency also monitored flooding in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire, regional spokesperson Dennis Pinkham said.

Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire; Michael Hill in Albany, New York; and Mark Pratt, Michael Casey and Steve LeBlanc in Boston contributed.

Photo: This image made from drone footage provided by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets shows flooding in Montpelier, Vt., Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets via AP)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics New York Flood Connecticut Vermont
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Penske Truck Leasing Co. will pay up to a $3.5 million civil penalty for alleged fraudulent safety and emissions inspections on fleet trucks and trucks it rented for commercial use.

According to Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, the settlement with Penske, and six of its inspectors, is for allegedly issuing passing inspection certificates on 189 heavy-duty trucks. Most of the inspections took place at its New Bedford facility.

Penske has admitted no wrongdoing and maintains that its inspections were properly and safely conducted. In a statement, the company said it disagrees with the attorney generals interpretation of the law and the facts. The firm says the dispute involved a disagreement over what the states remote inspection camera monitoring system technology was able to capture during inspections, and not whether the inspections took place.

Penske said it elected to settle this dispute to avoid the time, distraction and expense of litigation.

Campbell said the failures are violations of the Massachusetts Clean Air Acts Motor Vehicle Inspection Program, the Massachusetts Inspection and Maintenance Act and the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act.

By issuing inspection certificates without ensuring that the critical safety and emissions components of these trucks were actually working, Penske put the health and safety of the public and Penskes drivers at significant risk, said Campbell. The fraudulent emissions inspections also risked potential environmental harm to New Bedford and its nearby communities.

Under the consent judgment, Penske is required to pay $3 million up front, and another $500,000 if it does not provide enhanced training for inspectors at the New Bedford facility and hire a third-party to perform audits of its mobile vehicle inspections for six months.

The six inspectors who conducted the disputed inspections are barred from performing motor vehicle inspections indefinitely.

According to a lawsuit brought by the Attorney Generals Office in 2021, the inspectors failed to inspect brakes, the fifth wheel (which connects the trailer to the cab of the truck), and tire and wheel components. Some inspection videos show that during the fraudulent inspections, the inspector did not go under the vehicle, which the lawsuit said is necessary to view these components to determine if they are functioning properly.

Additionally, the state maintains that the trucks should have undergone smoke opacity testing, which measures the density of black smoke in a vehicles exhaust. But, according to the complaint, the Penske inspectors used a variety of illegal methods to falsify passing results.

Topics Auto Fraud Massachusetts
Japans Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that restrictions imposed by a government ministry on a transgender female employees use of restrooms at her workplace are illegal, in a landmark decision that could promote the rights of LGBTQ+ people in a country without legal protections for them.

It was the courts first ruling on the working environment for LGBTQ+ individuals.

The judges said in a unanimous ruling that the Economy and Trade Ministrys restrictions, which forced the employee to use either a nearby men`s room or women`s restrooms at least two floors away, were extremely inappropriate. It said the approval of the restrictions by the National Personnel Authority, which is supposed to serve the interests of government employees, was illegal and an abuse of power.

The victory by the plaintiff, identified only as a transgender female ministry official in her 50s who sued the government over toilet access, was good news for the LGBTQ+ community in Japan, the only member of the Group of Seven industrialized nations where same-sex marriage is not legal.

All people should have the right to live their lives in society based on their own sexual identities, the plaintiff said after the ruling. The significance of that should not be reduced to the usage of toilets or public baths.

The ministry had imposed the two-floor bathroom restriction to limit the chances that the plaintiffs coworkers might use the same restroom and be embarrassed. The ruling said the ministry was excessively considerate of other employees, while unjustly neglecting the plaintiff`s inconvenience even though there had been no trouble or complaint.

Even if awareness is lacking among the public, the administrative branch must promote understanding and prohibit discrimination, said the plaintiff`s lawyer, Toshimasa Yamashita. The government now must deal with the workplace environment more appropriately to protect the rights of minorities.

The decision comes at a time of increased awareness and support for the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Activists have increased their efforts to achieve an anti-discrimination law since a former aide to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in February that he wouldnt want to live next to LGBTQ+ people and that citizens would flee Japan if same-sex marriage were allowed.

But opposition to equal rights remains strong within Kishida`s governing Liberal Democratic Party, known for its conservative values. In June, parliament passed a contentious law to promote awareness of sexual minorities without providing legal rights.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the government will need to carefully examine the ruling before responding to it. We will firmly work to achieve a society where diversity is respected, and everyone, including those who are members of sexual minorities and those in the majority, value each others human rights and dignity and enjoy a vibrant life, he said.

Transgender people in Japan must undergo surgery to remove their reproductive organs in order to have their gender changed on official documents, a requirement that human rights groups call inhumane.

Kishida insists that public views vary on same-sex marriage, and that its legal recognition would have a broad impact on society and therefore must be discussed carefully.

A court in Fukuoka in southern Japan ruled last month that the lack of legal protections for LGTBQ+ people appears to be unconstitutional. It was the last of five court cases brought by 14 same-sex couples in 2019 that accused the government of violating their equality. Four of the courts ruled that current government policy is unconstitutional or nearly so, while a fifth said a ban on same-sex marriage was constitutional.

Photograph: LGBTQ rights supporters march in a parade through the famed Shibuya entertainment district in Tokyo, on April 24, 2022. (Iori Sagisawa/Kyodo News via AP, File)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation
Mining giants BHP Group and Vale faced off in a London court on Wednesday over who should accept legal and financial responsibility in a potential 36 billion pound ($47 billion) lawsuit stemming from Brazils worst environmental disaster.

Around 720,000 Brazilians are suing the worlds biggest miner by market value BHP, over the 2015 collapse of the Fundao Dam owned by the Samarco joint venture it operates with Brazilian iron ore producer Vale.

BHP, which denies liability, applied in December to have Vale join the case and contribute to damages if they lose, but Vale challenged the London High Courts jurisdiction to determine the claim. The trial will start in October 2024.

BHP Group Seeks to Delay $44B Brazil Dam Court Case in London

BHP currently has no right to a contribution from Vale under Brazilian law, said court filings submitted by Vales lawyers.

BHP can have no such right unless and until it is found liable to the Claimants and makes a payment to them, the filings added.

Vale also said that having no direct operations in Britain, London is not the appropriate location for the case.

Has BHP satisfied the court that London is the natural forum for the dispute? The natural forum is Brazil, Vales lawyer Simon Salzedo KC said on Wednesday.

BHPs lawyers said that if the company is found liable, then Vale should be too, because its relationship with Samarco was equivalent in terms of ownership, control and knowledge to that of BHPs.

BHP therefore seek to have Vale share the burden of any such liability, and contribute (50% or more) to any payments made, the lawyers said in a filing.

When the dam collapsed, 19 people were killed as mud and toxic mining waste swept into the Doce river, obliterating villages, contaminating water supplies and reaching the Atlantic Ocean more than 650 km (400 miles) away.

Alongside their total failure to provide full and fair compensation to the victims, BHP have also exposed their investors to extraordinary levels of risk in relation to the unprecedented compensation bill they now face, Tom Goodhead of law firm Pogust Goodhead, which represents the claimants, said in an email.

Reparation and compensation programs implemented by the Renova Foundation, a redress scheme established in 2016 by Samarco and its shareholders, had funded more than $6 billion of rehousing, rehabilitation and indemnification for those affected by the disaster, BHP said.

BHP Brasil continues to work closely with Samarco and Vale  The 2024 trial will not deal with individual payments or any kind of indemnification, a BHP spokesperson said.

The lawsuit, one of the largest in English legal history, first began in 2018.

An application to the Supreme Court by BHP to end the case without trial was quashed in June because it did not raise an arguable point of law, the court concluded.

($1 = 0.7696 pounds)

(Reporting by Clara Denina, additional reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Emma Rumney and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

Photograph: In this Nov. 23, 2015 photo, a car sits precariously on top of the wall of a home, destroyed when the dam of an iron ore mine burst in early November, causing a mudslide, in Bento Rodrigues, Brazil. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Topics London
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Canopius and AXIS Capital Holdings.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Canopius Taps Former AXA XL Exec Cooper as Head of Reinsurance & Bermuda CEO

Canopius Group, a leading global specialty (re)insurer, announced the appointment of Charles Cooper as global head of Reinsurance and CEO of Canopiuss Bermudian entities.

He will report to Canopius Group Chief Executive Officer Neil Robertson and will join the Canopius Group Leadership Team. Cooper will join Canopius on Sept. 1, 2023.

Cooper joins from AXA XL, where he most recently served as the chief executive for Reinsurance in Bermuda, a role he held since 2017. Cooper has worked in the Bermudian reinsurance sector for nearly 20 years and is one of the islands most respected and experienced senior executives.

As reinsurance chief executive at AXA XL, Cooper was responsible for the business global reinsurance operations and a member of the AXA XL leadership team and AXA Partners Group. He led a large team and had responsibility for the profitability of a multi-billion-dollar global portfolio. He also established and implemented a global reinsurance strategy and operating model following the acquisition of XL Group by AXA in 2018.

Cooper will be tasked with driving Canopiuss global reinsurance business strategy. He will work with Canopius teams of reinsurance professionals in Bermuda, London and Singapore to develop a more significant growth driver for the business.

Cooper will also be tasked with further developing Canopius Bermuda platform, which was established in 2007. In 2021, Canopius was granted a Class 4 Reinsurer license by the Bermuda Monetary Authority, which significantly expands the business scope and will allow Canopius to take advantage of more opportunities in the market.

I am thrilled to welcome Charles to Canopius. We are gearing up to take full advantage of the opportunities for Canopius in Bermuda and develop it alongside the exciting growth plans we have for our business, and our people in the UK, APAC and the US, commented Robertson, who also serves as the interim chief executive of Canopius Re.

We see opportunities where we can be distinctive in the global reinsurance market, and within Bermuda. We believe Charles is the right person to lead these initiatives and position us for sustained success, Robertson added.

***

AXIS Re International Appoints Chubbs Kent as President

AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. announced the appointment of Lauren Kent as president, AXIS Re International. Kent reports directly to Ann Haugh, CEO of AXIS Re and is part of the reinsurance executive team. She is based out of the companys Zurich office.

In this role, Kent is responsible for leading the international division of AXIS Re and shaping its strategy in alignment with the strategic priorities of the global reinsurance business and the broader company. This includes driving the profitability of a casualty and specialty portfolio, leading the underwriting and underwriting support teams, and enhancing our value proposition through relationships with brokers and new and existing customers.

Kent brings more than 25 years of experience in reinsurance spanning London, European and U.S. markets. Her expertise extends across multiple specialist lines of business, with a strong focus in the casualty treaty market. Most recently, Kent was senior vice president, International Casualty manager at Chubb Tempest Re in Zurich. She has also held positions at companies including Endurance Specialty Ltd., Endurance Worldwide Ltd., GE Employers Reinsurance Corp. and Zurich Reinsurance.

Topics Reinsurance Chubb AXA XL
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There are several must-have elements that go into creating a strong, easy-to-use insurance agency website that communicates your brands identity and value.

Your insurance agencys website serves as the public face of your business. With this in mind, to instill confidence in your brand and to cultivate positive, long-term relationships with customers, your website must feature functionality that allows clients to accomplish their goals on your site quickly and easily.

First, consider that there are five primary reasons why consumers would visit your agency website:

To learn more about your agency (Theyre wondering: do they want to do business with you? Do your capabilities match their needs?)

To get in touch with an expert/learn more about insurance coverage

To obtain a quote

To file a claim

To pay their bill

Your agency website should make it easy to do all of those things. With this in mind, lets dive into the must-have features of your insurance agencys website.

How to Create a Powerful First Impression

The first experience that most new customers will have with your agency online happens the instant they click on your link through a Google search (well also cover how you can improve your chances of ranking well in web searches). Once they do, you only have one chance for your digital storefront to make a knockout first impression.

The first things visitors should see are a simplified, easy-to-use menu bar, your agencys logo, and a strong image that portrays the tone of your brand.

The layout of your agencys homepage is directly indicative of the breadth and depth your agencys products and services, according to Jason Walker, President of Agency Revolution, which provides websites and marketing automation for insurance agencies.

The personality and product set of each insurance agency website, he notes, is unique. As every insurance agency is different, your site directly reflects your staff, your customers, and the community you serve.

Your site should tell a story that emphasizes your agencys expertise and illustrates your strengths. It should clearly list your product offerings; the decision to go with either a streamlined homepage or one that lists all of the insurance products you sell is determined by your own preference.

For example, if your agency offers a somewhat limited number of coverage products, its a good idea to list them all on your homepage. If the list of products is more extensive, you may consider a different approach.

The navigation bar (or nav bar, as its sometimes referred to) at the top of your agency website should clearly spell out which insurance products you sell. Your main nav bar could contain text as simple as, Products/About Us/Contact Us, and as a visitors cursor hovers over Products, sub-navigation options appear showing Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Employee Benefits if appropriate.

Beneath the Commercial Lines sub-navigation, a list can appear of all the types of business-related insurance products you sell.

Its up to the agency about how they want to be perceived, says Walker. If you have specialization in certain coverage lines, he adds, youll want to emphasize that as part of your agencys story.

What Goes on Your Insurance Agency Websites Homepage

Your story, however, has to be told succinctly. Walker notes that its best to adhere to the 3-second rule, which states that you have only seconds to both communicate your brand to the site visitor and encourage them to take direct action.

Thats a process that starts with keeping your agencys site navigation simple and intuitive. Make it clear to the customer what you want them to do. What action do you want them to take?

Recall the previously mentioned reasons why people will visit your agency online. Your homepage should be a centralized hub that connects the customer to carrier or other third-party service centers so that they can easily obtain documents, such as proof of insurance, pay their premium, or submit a claim.

Your lead-capture form needs to be included on or linked directly from the homepage. The form should include the type(s) of coverage the visitor is interested in, their name, phone number, and e-mail address. Keep in mind that the more information you ask for in your client-engagement form, the less likely they are to finish filling it out.

You need to create spaces for an action to take place, says Walker. On your agency website, he recommends balancing the opportunity to request a quote using embedded third-party rating solutions with the ability to offer consumers a more open-ended, less data-intense way of capturing information. Sometimes saying, Tell me about yourself and then well get back to you results in more intel than when customers are asked to offer metrics in a formal data-entry approach. Give your agency the ability to control that dialogue.

Consider including the contact information (including phone numbers and e-mail addresses) of all of your producers, as well as the hours when its best to reach someone personally.

Including a chat module on your homepage will allow the consumer to interact with your business the same way they work with AI on other consumer websites. During business hours, the chat should be connected to CSRs or agents to enable a quick response. When youre not on duty, this always on module for your customers includes tools that can guide the customer up to 40% of the way.

Interactive graphics on your agency websites homepage can also foster more time on site. For example, featured images of a home, an auto, and other visuals can be linked to other pages detailing the types of coverage that your agency offers.

Does your agency operate with multiple insurance company partners? If so, list them on your homepage, and include their logos. Illustrate to customers that youre a trusted advisor who can offer them a variety of options from several insurers.

If youre a member of an agency network or aggregator, you may wish to include the groups logo on your homepage. (Membership with some agency groups even makes this practice mandatory.)

Why the About Us Page is Important

Put your company culture on display on your agency website to create a personal connection with customers. On your About Us page, include a video or an interview with your agencys leaders. This story should talk more about your customer than it does about you. The goal here is to communicate that your agency is a group of intelligent, experienced, real people who understand your customers problems, and can diligently solve them.

Convey the fact that youre an independent agent in their community, and that you have a strong team that can handle their needs, says Walker.

Agency owners can sometimes struggle with telling their own story in a way that retains a focus on the clients it serves. Conveying what your business is all about in a brief bio can be daunting, but Agency Revolutions leader offers several key questions to ask yourself during this process.

Whats the headline about your agency? he asks. What are the non-negotiable factors that make you tick as a business? Be real with yourself and give your 30-second pitch. What are my core values as a business? What is my level of social awareness? Look to convey all of that.

Including localized images on your site is a must, as it speaks to your relationship with the community that youre based in. Dont use a New York City photo if youre based near Omaha, he says.

Additional advice when it comes to visuals for your site: Avoid the color red, Walker adds. It reads like a warning sign.

Ive Built My Agency Website. Now How Do I Promote It?

Focusing on search engine optimization (SEO) will help your insurance agency website show up more prominently in local web searches, and yield more visitors. The same type of work is done by other businesses, such as restaurants, to maximize their Google rankings.

People often conduct web searches for something they need, like an electrician, rather than a business name. If someone types car insurance and your ZIP code into a web search, does your agencys name show up first? If not, youre already a step behind the competition.

Does your agency do charitable work, or does it have a connection to an educational institution? If so, ask the other party if they can link to you. Backlinks, as these links are known, help improve your agency websites search authority with Google. Credible links help you get better visibility in online search results. Even one link like that means the world to an independent insurance agency, says Walker.

Another effective way to boost your agency websites SEO is positive Google reviews from your customers. Google reviews are key to where you show up in search results, and you shouldnt be afraid to ask for reviews from satisfied clients. Make it a practice to include in your e-mail signature a link to where people can leave reviews; the impact can quite literally elevate your agencys profile.

Customers dont always wish to let you post their photo with a review, but when theyre OK with it, do it  especially if that person is a recognizable or well-known figure in your community. Doing so can strengthen your agencys credibility.

An Investment that Pays Dividends

Do your due diligence when selecting an experienced partner to build your insurance agencys website. There are certain investments in any business that must be made, and in the digital age, this is one of them.

There are a variety of cost-efficient options available, and hiring a professional to do the heavy lifting for you can help you continue to maximize your time selling. Dont hire a friend or relative to handle the job inexpensively  in the long run, any money you save will be more than lost through missed revenue opportunities.

One of the advantages of joining an agency aggregator or network is that some (but not all) of them have resources devoted to building you a top-flight web portal. If youre thinking about leveraging the resources of an agency network, consider the expense of a new website against what youd pay for membership. The math could very well work out in your favor.

Finally, while building the website for your independent insurance agency, consider your own experience with the consumer websites you interact with when conducting any kind of business online. Creating an experience thats not just painless but actually pleasurable will keep customers coming back  and help ensure your agencys future.
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A New York judge ordered a unit of Allianz SE to pay about $6 billion as punishment for misrepresenting the investment risk posed by a group of hedge funds that collapsed amid market fluctuations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

US District Judge Colleen McMahon imposed the sentence Wednesday in Manhattan on Allianz Global Investors US, which had agreed to the payout last year when it pleaded guilty to a single criminal charge of securities fraud as part of a deal with federal prosecutors. It ends an embarrassing chapter for the units corporate parent, the German insurance giant.

This is a sad and sorry state of affairs, McMahon said in describing the criminal conduct admitted by AGI. The amount of money that is being paid over and forfeited is astronomical, certainly in my experience.

AGI was automatically disqualified from acting as an investment adviser or principal underwriter for any mutual fund or closed-end fund for 10 years. Allianz agreed last year to transfer most of AGIs US assets to Voya Financial Inc. AGI planned to dissolve shortly after the sentencing, according to a July 5 letter to the judge by both sides.

In addition to the payments, AGI was sentenced to five years probation, which will be discontinued once it no longer exists, McMahon said.

Unusual Plea

The Allianz units guilty plea is unusual for a major financial firm. Companies more often resolve government investigations by paying money and pledging corrective actions without admitting any wrongdoing. The judge said AGI is the first corporation she has sentenced in her 25 years on the bench.

Gregoire Tournant, the former chief investment officer and co-lead portfolio manager of the funds, was charged with fraud and conspiracy in connection with the funds meltdown. He has pleaded not guilty and is fighting the charges. Two other executives with the funds, Stephen Bond-Nelson and Trevor Taylor, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and fraud last year and are cooperating with prosecutors.

In the July 5 letter, both sides agreed that AGI did not voluntarily disclose the alleged misconduct to the government but has since cooperated with its investigation.

AGI USs Structured Alpha funds were marketed as providing protection against a market crash. Instead, they ended up losing $7 billion during the tumultuous early days of the pandemic in 2020, spurring multiple lawsuits from pension plan investors.

Under the sentence, AGI was ordered to pay fines of $2.3 billion, $3.2 billion in restitution and to forfeit $463 million. It will receive credit for $1.9 billion already made over to victims of the fraud and for a $675 million civil penalty paid to the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

As the judge read through all the payment numbers, down to the cent, she added a $400 mandatory court assessment that is required when a corporation pleads guilty to a felony.

Thats smaller than a rounding error in this particular case, McMahon remarked.

The case is US v. Allianz Global Investors US, 22-cr-00279, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

Photo: Photographer: Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics USA Fraud
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A bill to make large companies in California disclose their emissions is worth a watch in all states.

The moving through California Legislature  it passed the Assembly Natural Resources Committee this week  could set a stage in other states for similar proposals. the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission already has proposed rules require public companies to spell out their own direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, but the California bill appears to go further.

Senate Bill 253, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, would require the State Air Resources Board to develop regulations requiring specified business entities with total annual revenues over $1 billion doing business in California to disclose greenhouse gas emissions starting in 2026.

SB 253 would also require the board to contract with an academic institution to prepare a report on the disclosures made by reporting entities, and it would create a small annual fee to fund to oversight of regulations that would seek administrative penalties for violations of the bills provisions.

The people, communities, and other stakeholders in California, facing the existential threat of climate change, have a right to know about the sources of carbon pollution, as measured by the comprehensive GHG emissions data of those companies benefiting from doing business in the state, in order to make informed decisions, the bill states.

It is not unheard of for other states or nations to follow climate framework laid down in California. In fact, he bills language notes that the climate actions of the state have inspired and contributed to bold actions in other states and across the globe.

The bill is now in the Appropriations Committee.

Vermont Flooding

Expect the severe flooding being seen in Vermont to occur more frequently in coming decades throughout the Northeast and much of the eastern U.S., several experts told USA TODAY.

USA TODAY reporter Dinah Voyles Pulvers piece this week features interviews with numerous climate scientists warning about the likelihood of future comparable events.

The piece also draws on a study from Dartmouth that warned in May that heavy rainfall events could increase in the Northeast by an additional 52% by the end of the century.

While its difficult to decisively say anything about one event, this is completely consistent with increasing precipitation in the Northeast and part of that being driven by climate change, Jonathan Winter, associate professor of geography at Dartmouth, told the USA TODAY.

Ken Kunkel, an atmospheric sciences professor at North Carolina State University, told the publication that the number of rainfall events with 5 inches of rainfall has increased by about 100% over about 50 years or so in the Northeast.

NOAA records gathered for the piece show: seven of the 15 wettest years in the 127-year record in Vermont occurred between 2003 and 2019; New Yorks nine of the 15 wettest years dating back to 1895 occurred between 2003 and 2021; annual rainfall in the Northeast region has been below the long-term average only twice since 2000.

Morningstar

DBRS Morningstar analysts say credit ratings of global property insurers are coming under pressure from rising reinsurance costs due to growing losses that industry players say are in part driven by the impact of climate change.

Rising reinsurance costs are forcing insurers to cut back on coverage and retain more risks themselves, Reuters reported in an article this week on Insurance Journal.

Global reinsurance prices have gone through six years of increases.

They were up 27% in January from a year earlier, the largest annual increase since 2006, Morningstar analysts said.

Morningstar said insurers that maintain optimum reinsurance levels without hiking premiums would see underwriting profits deteriorate, while those reducing reinsurance cover could see more volatile earnings as risks materialize, Reuters reported.

Insurers can pay more for the same reinsurance, or reduce costs by restricting new business, withdrawing risky certain regions or business lines or adjusting their strategy, Morningstar said.

Underground Climate Change

Underground climate change is weakening buildings, according to a new study of downtown Chicago.

It is already known that city streets, sidewalks and roofs absorb heat, making some urban areas up to 6 degrees hotter than rural aeras, forming urban heat islands. However, this effect can also occur underground as the city heat from above reaches and basements, subway tunnels and other subterranean infrastructures to create hotspots as the planet warms, according to an article in the Scientific American.

The study of downtown Chicago shows the underground hotspots may threaten the same structures that emit the heat, making the ground around them expand and contract. Without [anyone] realizing it, the city of Chicagos downtown was deforming, study author Alessandro F. Rotta Loria, a civil and environmental engineer at Northwestern University, told the Scientific American.

The findings were published in the journal Communications Engineering. The temperature data came from more than 150 sensors installed in basements, train tunnels and parking garages underneath Chicagos downtown Loop district. According to the Scientific American, temperatures beneath Loop buildings were often 18 degrees F hotter than those beneath Grant Park, where sensors were also installed in the ground for comparison purposes.

Past columns:

Topics California Vermont
A Northern California man who was left paralyzed after he was slammed to the ground during a traffic stop won a $20 million settlement, one of the largest in the state`s history, officials announced.

Gregory Gross, an Army veteran who lives in Yuba City, sued the police department in 2022 after police officers used pain compliance techniques and expressed disbelief when he repeatedly cried out, I cant feel my legs. Police officers also dismissed Gross when he said, I can`t breathe, while being held facedown on the lawn outside a hospital, video released by Gross`s lawyers shows.

Gross was accused of driving drunk and causing a slow-speed collision in April 2020.

Gross was left with a broken neck, and he underwent two surgeries to fuse his spine. He said the officers` use of force left him unable to walk or care for himself, and he now needs round-the-clock nursing care for the rest of his life.

We are not against the police, said Attorney Moseley Collins, who represents Gross. We are for the police, but we are against police brutality when it occurs.

The settlement is among one of the largest police misconduct settlements in California history. In May, the state agreed to pay $24 million to the family of a man who died in police custody after screaming, I cant breathe, as multiple officers restrained him while trying to take a blood sample.

As part of the settlement, Yuba City will also start randomly auditing officers` bodycam footage and reviewing use of force incidents, police Chief Brian Baker said. He apologized to Gross at a news conference Tuesday.

Youve been in my thoughts since this tragedy was brought to my attention, Baker said to Gross. On April 12th, 2020, we missed the mark. And for that, Mr. Gross, I`m sorry.

Gross said the police reforms are important to make sure what happened to him isn`t repeated. He`s donating $20,000 to California Peace Officers Memorial Foundation.

Im glad that they did something and took it serious, Gross said Tuesday. I couldnt understand how someone could be in a position of authority and was acting like that and treating another human being like that.

Deronda Harris, Gross` partner of 13 years, said she`s grateful to see the settlement finalized.

It`s nice to finally have closure, Harris told The Associated Press.

Gross also filed separate lawsuits in 2021 against Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville, along with the University of California, Davis Medical Center, alleging their actions contributed to his condition. Collins declined to comment on the status of the lawsuits, citing confidentiality.

In the police body camera video supplied by Gross lawyers, an officer is seen twisting Gross already handcuffed arms and forcibly seating him on a lawn. At one point, officers slammed him on the ground and held him facedown as Gross repeatedly cried out that he couldn`t feel his legs and he couldn`t breathe.

Mr. Gross, we are done with your silly little games, an officer tells him.

In September 2021, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law barring police from using certain facedown holds that have led to multiple unintended deaths. The bill was aimed at expanding on the states ban on chokeholds in the wake of George Floyds murder.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California Law Enforcement
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. acquired Carlsbad, California-based Benchmark Commercial Insurance Services.

Robert Cohen and his team will remain in their current location under the direction of Scott Firestone, head of Gallaghers Southwest region retail property/casualty brokerage operations.

Benchmark is a retail insurance agency offering commercial and personal risk management and insurance services to business owners in San Diego and the surrounding area.

Arthur J. Gallagher is an insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.

Topics California Mergers & Acquisitions Commercial Lines Business Insurance A.J. Gallagher
Source: Chen Lin

July 13, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Amid China's new restrictions on critical metals, asset manager Chen Lin sits down to speak with First Tellurium CEO Tyrone Docherty.

Chen Lin: Welcome to this special interview; we have a special situation here this week. China imposed export controls to the rest of the world on two critical metals that China controls about 80 to 90% of worldwide production. Those are very, very critical and aim to strike at the heart of the semiconductor industry in the United States and beyond. I've gotten a lot of questions from my subscribers and I understand from First Tellurium that they also are getting a lot of questions, so let's get started. It's my great pleasure to introduce First Tellurium Corp. (FTEL:CSE; FSTTF:OTCQB) CEO Tyrone Docherty, who happens to be the largest shareholder and he has been running the company since the very beginning. Hi and welcome.

Tyrone Docherty: Thank you, Chen. It's always a pleasure to talk about First Tellurium.

CL: Can you tell us what is tellurium? A lot of people don't know it and don't know how to spell it. Can you tell us what is tellurium, who makes tellurium, and what is tellurium's use?

TD: Well, it's a critical medal; it's the eighth or ninth rarest medal in the world, and it's used primarily of late in solar panels, cadmium-tellurium solar panels, which are the specialty of First Solar, the large U.S. corporation that has about 40% of the [solar panel] market, 30% of the market in thermoelectrics, and then there are some other markets. What has got us attention as well lately is that the University of British Columbia has patented a new lithium-tellurium battery, which is supposedly far superior to a lithium-ion battery, so if and when that comes to market it will make the demand even greater for a mineral that is in scarce supply as we speak.

CL: Tyrone, who makes most of the tellurium in the world? We kind of know the concept but maybe you can elaborate.

TD: Well, like all the critical metals, most of it comes from China. As a matter of fact, they're responsible for about 60% of the tellurium supplied in the world. That's one of the reasons why about 18 months ago the U.S. government was hoping to get other countries with properties with tellurium to get them going because they're going to need that supply because there was always a risk that the U.S. government would stop the importing of tellurium. Now with what's happened recently with the Chinese deciding that they weren't going to export it, it's a bit of a Mexican battle if you will, and we're really good in the fact that we're the only junior in the world that's been looking for tellurium for the last few years, so we're well ahead of the curve.

CL: Excellent. Just let me make people understand a little bit better. So, First Solar in the United States, the largest solar panel producer, is directly in competition with Chinese solar panels producers, and they use a lot of tellurium, the biggest tellurium user in the world. So, if China were to restrict tellurium exports, that would strike at the heart of the solar panel industry to the benefit of the Chinese solar panel industry.

TD: That's correct and that's why I think starting in 2006-07, First Solar had a worldwide expedition looking for potential suppliers down the road of tellurium and then they decided that they would get out of the mining business and just buy tellurium off the market, so we positioned ourselves by taking the property that used to belong to them in Colorado, which is superb, and our own high-grade property here in British Columbia  it's also mixed up with high grade gold and silver, so we've got the best of both worlds: great precious metals and this wonderful mineral tellurium. We're sitting very, very good compared to anyone else.

CL: So, basically let me understand. You took over the best tellurium claim that used to be owned by First Solar when they got out of the mining business, you took it, right, so that you own the best claim of tellurium in the world.

TD: Yes, but to put things in perspective, Chen, is that in North America alone they [First Solar] looked at over 100 properties that had tellurium in it and their number one property by far was this Klondike property in Colorado, which we now control. And the reason we control it is that when they got out of the mining business, they sold the property to their head of exploration who formed the company with his family and friends and then approached us a few years ago to see if we'd be interested. Two-and-a-half years ago we finally came to an agreement and now we have that under our control. We plan on exploring it and developing it, and the results are on another planet compared to what we have in Canada. We're high-grading Canada.

CL: Excellent. I understand in the United States, in Toledo, Ohio, they have a consortium funded by the U.S government. Can you tell us more about that?

TD: The U.S. government gave them, I think, $20 million about a year ago to help with the advancement of tellurium, looking for other properties and other potential suppliers, mainly domestic and, of course, from friendly countries such as Canada. So, they've been working together with First Solar who's been the main beneficiary but there's a number of scientists working to figure out where we can get tellurium that isn't reliant on China. So, we're very fortunate in that situation.

CL: You seem to be the go-to guy in terms of tellurium. Are you approached by any governments to work out certain deals?

TD: Well, I don't know if they're considered government or certain government entities or people behind them, which I can't really get into because unless we sign something that is binding, then I'd have to report it. So, all I can say is that obviously if you're the only company that has tellurium and people understand how valuable it is going to be in the future, people with money and with foresight will want to get involved with a company that has these types of properties available to them. Just like if you could imagine someone who's looking for cobalt, there's probably two or three dozen cobalt companies out there and two or three dozen graphite companies, probably they would get an interest. We're the only tellurium company and that's why I joke we should call ourselves "First and Only Tellurium," but because we have these two phenomenal properties of a critical metal that no one else has, it shouldn't be unexpected that people with money knock on the door and say, "Hey, would you like to talk to us about the future?" So, my attitude's always been, Chen, is that we know we're going to drill it up this summer, increase the size of the reserve that we know we have, and then we're in a bigger position to say, "Okay now we have more ounces of gold and silver, more kilos of tellurium, now let's figure out where the bidding starts or we just keep drilling more next year because we know we're going to increase it as well." So, we're in a very good situation. We're not hurting for money. I've made a little bit of money in my last deal, so if there's any emergency funds needed, I throw it in and away we go.

CL: You have been in on almost every financing so far that the company has done.

TD: I think between my wife and I we own between 13% and 14% of the company not including the warrants. If you include the warrants, I think we'd be somewhere around 21, 22, 23%, so I don't sell. If anyone looks at the insiders, as a matter of fact just a week ago I bought another 50,000 shares at 12 cents. I believe in the deal and that's why you see other CEOs that don't own a penny and you are wondering, well, are their interests really aligned with the shareholders? And people could say, well, no matter what Mr. Docherty does, he's obviously buying shares so he's aligned with us and that's the way I do it.

CL: Good. I like to invest along with the CEO who is the largest shareholder. You have these two wonderful projects so you can start drilling this year. What's your plan and what kind of timeframe is there for news flow?

TD: Well, I think next week or so, within the next 10 days, we're going to be sending up five graduating student geologists of Dr. Lee Groat who's our qualified person; they're going to map the whole area, take soil samplings, and I understand we're going to start taking rock samples off the porphyry because both Dr. Groat and my chairman Tony [Fogarassy], who are geological experts, are so excited about that area. It's never been looked at in its entirety before because up until recently it's been covered by snow and glaciers. But thanks to Mother Nature and global warming, that's one of the benefits, that you can get to properties that were previously unattainable. So, they're going to go up starting in 10 days and then we're going to follow that up in a couple weeks with induced polarization on the property to see what's underneath the surface. We know we have porphyry, but what else is there?, which is very exciting. When we have that, then we'll follow it up with the drill program, which as you know we've mentioned, we own our own drill now that we bought from a group in Alaska just so that we can control when the drilling program is and not have high costs that go out of control. We make sure that we take care of all those ends so there's no surprises for us. And then when we're finished up there, we'll head down to Colorado and see what we can do there.

CL: So, maybe when in the winter you can move on to Colorado; can that can be drilled for a longer season than BC?

TD: Yes, a much longer season. We're limited in Canada because we're up a mountain, we're limited for really a three, three-and-a-half-month season where I've been told in Colorado where we're situated down there, it's easily a 10-month exploration window for us, so we're not constrained at all. And I should mention, Chen, just for the viewers, that because we are quote-unquote the only tellurium company out there, people that have some interest in tellurium properties are starting to approach us because they're doing their Google searches with tellurium so there are some interesting properties that come our way. They're not on our radar as we speak, but I wouldn't be surprised if something tickles our fancy in a month, two months, three months. So, if we add another property, it might be because it has outstanding tellurium potential. It's not going to take away a lot of our budget, but if we can put it under wraps on a relatively cheap basis, then that's something to look at down the road.

CL: Excellent. Do you have more to add to potentially interest new investors and interested parties?

TD: There's a couple other things that we work on, and unlike a lot of junior companies, there's never any rumors that leak out where people say, "Buy on rumor, sell out news." That never happens with us, so sometimes you take people by surprise, "Oh, we didn't know that was happening." There's lots of stuff going on behind the scenes on a number of different fronts that I can't talk about, and when we put out a news release, people don't have to guess, "Well, is this true?" It's 100% true and that's why we wait, just like, for example, we were working on Salmon Gold with Apple and Tiffany and Company, no one knew anything until we announced it four years ago and caught people by surprise. So, there's lots of stuff going behind the scenes that I think has a chance to greatly enhance the value of the company.

CL: Finally, last year First Tellurium stock had a huge run to almost a dollar, and then your stock tends to be moving very violently with any slight news or some interest, so right now seems to be a good time with coming news, you have the drilling, and especially tellurium if the United States government decides to get involved. You're working with government right now.

TD: As a matter of fact, as we speak, my chairman Tony is meeting with the Canadian government representative who seems very interested in critical metals as they made that public, but tellurium was sort of an education process for them as well. As you mentioned, not too many people know but they understand how big it is in solar panels through First Solar and then with the University of British Columbia on this new phenomenal battery, so they're willing to sit down and talk and figure out if we can fit in with them somehow. We'll also see what happens.

And to talk to the stock price, just to let people know who follow charts is that, yeah, we had a great run there, starting in January until the end of February of 2021, and that's because we announced this new lithium-tellurium battery from the University of British Columbia, which is far superior to lithium-ion, and then the stock plummeted. And you can go check the morning that it happened, that was the morning that Russia invaded Ukraine, so all the people that are buying in Europe decided to sell and I don't blame them, but that's the only reason it came down. If there was no invasion, I'm sure we'd be up at 55 or 60 cents or higher, but these things happen and people always think there's something going wrong. Not at all, and just to let people know, I bought I think 40,000 shares at 48 cents on the way up and haven't sold a share since and added a lot more. So, either I know something's good or I'm a dummy and hopefully it's the former not the latter.

CL: Thank you. Good luck. Always nice to have the CEO as a strong shareholder.

TD: Anytime, Chen. Thank you.

Note: this interview was posted on July 8 and can be viewed here.

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Source: Ron Struthers

July 13, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Ron Struthers has followed Tesla since its infancy and says hydrogen fuel cells and vehicles will be the next big rage, and he sees huge growth in green energy transportation. Struthers discusses one company that he believes has lined up all the ducks in order to benefit.

I have followed Tesla since the early days, suggesting to buy or sell the stock numerous times. My last suggestion was a buy In January around $113. See my January Seeking Alpha article here, called "A Perfect Storm Hits Tesla in 2022." I think the stock will test $300 so around $295 I will probably suggest selling.

The battery driven EVs have been all the rage with the "climate change" narrative; however, they are not a good enough solution. They are fine for commuters and those driving low daily mileage, but where they fail big time is higher mileage like the transport industry, as an example. A friend had a recent discussion with an Uber driver in Vancouver, Canada, about why he was not driving an EV. He said they are not practical because of battery charge life and long wait and charge times, especially in the colder months when the efficiency of the EVs drops -50% and more.

I did an in-depth article on the charging of EVs, the costs and efficiency. You will be surprised, so here a few tidbits from that analysis.

The average price to charge a 60-kilowatt-hour Tesla Model 3 at home is US$6.83, while it's $8.88 for Volvo XC40 Recharge with a a 78-kWh battery pack and $14.92 for a Ford F-150 Lightning with its larger 131 kWh battery;

A big catch is that price is based on US$0.11 per-KWh. Where I am in Ontario the average is around Cdn $0.20. California is high at US$0.29 and the U.S. state average is US$0.16;

It will take a week to charge your EV at home unless you fork out about $2,000 to install a level 2 charger in your garage that will charge overnight in 8 to 12 hours, depending on battery size;

High-speed charging at Electrify America, meanwhile, costs something on the order of US$0.41 per kWh. Some Tesla Superchargers are charging as much as US$0.50 per kWh. That would mean your $6.83 at- home Tesla Model 3 charge would instead cost US$30, while that $14.92 Lightning fill-up jumps to $53.71;

The EVs mileage sucks big time in cold weather, so for almost half the year in Canada and northern US. Car.com did a road test with a Tesla Model Y and the range dropped over 50% at 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

I compared the fueling costs of a Tesla Model 3 with two other comparable luxury sedans, BMW 3 and the Jaguar XE. I used the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] ratings on these cars. Plus you will pay a higher price for the Tesla and I did not include the cost of a Level 2 charger, so charging cost is at charging stations. I used $3 per gallon gasoline as that is about the current going rate where I am in Florida at that time.

The battery technology has a long way to go yet. Weight of the batteries is another issue. I have seen estimates that one-third of the payload of a transport truck would have to be the batteries to move it. Hydrogen is going to be a much better solution in many cases and it is in it's infancy like Tesla and EVs in the early days. There are numerous hydrogen test vehicles doing trials and there are few hydrogen filling stations like there were few charging stations six or seven years ago. The U.S. had about 3,000 charging stations in 2016 and 22,000 in 2021.

There are very few hydrogen stations, but they are coming. I saw news this week that a new one is being built at Toronto Airport. Geazone, a British Columbia courier company, recently ordered 40 Toyota Mirais because they are well served by four strategically located hydrogen refueling stations. The British Columbia government has committed $10 million to build more. Meanwhile, there are now some 47 hydrogen refueling stations in California.

Let's compare hydrogen to batteries.

A modern car battery can store 250 watt-hours of energy for every kilogram of lithium-ion. A kilogram of hydrogen, meanwhile, has 33,200 of those watt-hour things per kilo. Yes, hydrogen is more than 100 times as energy-dense as a li-ion battery. The batteries will improve some but that won't be much of a factor in this regard. Hydrogen vehicles will be far lighter than the battery-loaded EVs as well.

Hydrogen is only about 38% efficient versus 80% for lithium batteries The difference is in how the two process electricity. For hydrogen to be as emissions-free as a battery-powered car, you need to electrolyze the water - splitting H2O into, well, H2 and O - with clean wind, solar, or nuclear power. This electrolysis is not nearly as efficient as simply charging a battery. Similarly, in the fuel cell itself, the H2 and O must be recombined to generate electricity. This process, again, is not nearly as efficient as a battery dumping its electrons.

The newer electric cars are capable of achieving an 80% charge in around 30 minutes. However a fuel cell EV (FCEV) is like filling a gasoline car being fueled in under four minutes and can travel around 300 miles on a single tank. Hydrogen is a big winner here!

There are longer term environmental problems with EVs. Thousands of new mines will have to be built for battery metals. ln the Salar de Uyuni - the world's largest salt flat and an enormous lithium reserve located in southwest Bolivia - mining is threatening to destroy the ecosystem and drain the water supply. Indeed, extracting just a tonne of lithium requires up to 2 million liters of water.

The sourcing of metals for lithium batteries can result in profound environmental damage and can produce as much as 16 tons of carbon emissions. For hydrogen it will be a matter of building green electrical plants to make the hydrogen. A lot of these will have to be built.

Currently less than 5% of EV batteries are being recycled; there is a substantial risk of environmental contamination relating to spent battery disposal. According to recent estimates, by 2030, the number of EV batteries requiring disposal will roughly equal the number currently produced annually. Most EV batteries have a 10-year warranty so that is an approximate lifespan. A hydrogen fuel cell will typically last the life of the vehicle and only require one small battery.

Summary

The biggest advantage for EVs is a lot more infrastructure is available while FCEV infrastructure is in its infancy. The EV electrical use is more efficient than FCEV but the recharging/fueling is a clear winner for FCEV. EVs have a lot of excess weight with batteries so the lighter FCEV could make up on its comparable electrical deficiency. The long-term environmental aspects of EVs have not been considered or have been ignored. FCEVs will play a big part in long haul transportation, taxis, service fleets, and last mile delivery.

The green hydrogen market was valued at US$676 million in 2022 and is projected to reach US$7,314 million by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 61% from 2022 to 2027. The market's growth is attributed to the lowering cost of producing renewable energy by all sources, the development of electrolysis technologies, and high demand from FCEVs.

A recent report from the EIA [Energy Information Agency] shows very strong growth for hydrogen in FCEVs. Currently they are consuming less than 1% of the hydrogen market with the current big users being ammonia production and the others being methanol and steel production.

Hydrogen demand in road transport increases 60% in 2021 from 2020.

Heavy-duty hydrogen trucks increased significantly in 2021 (up over 60-fold from 2020).

I have talked about the technology "S curve" numerous times in the past. Once a technology reaches acceptance, and that is where FCEVs have just arrived, you have the strongest growth in the market. For example if the new technology has 5% of the market, the growth to 50% is a 1,000% increase. Currently FCEVs have less than 5% of the EV market.

A company I see as very well positioned for the development of hydrogen and FCEVs is:

First Hydrogen Corp. (FHYD:TSX; FHYDF:OTC; FIT:FSE) TSXV:FHYD OTC:FHYDF

Shares outstanding - 70 million approx.

First Hydrogen is based in Vancouver and London, UK, focused on zero-emission vehicles, green hydrogen production and distribution, and super-critical carbon dioxide extractor systems. The company has designed and built hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered light commercial demonstrator vehicles (LCV) under two agreements with AML Powertrain and Ballard Power Systems Inc. This graphic on their home page shows the FCEV and some bullet points.

These vehicles are currently being trialed with an initial 16 fleet operators in the United Kingdom.

On June 26, First Hydrogen's FCEV was delivered to U.K. utility SSE PLC. The FCEV will begin real-world trials at SSE's operational site at Aberdeen, Scotland, and surrounding areas, which features some of the U.K.'s best hydrogen infrastructure. This infrastructure will enable SSE to experience easy and fast refuelling within five to seven minutes, showcasing a significant advantage of the company's FCEV over battery electric vehicles (BEV), which typically take hours to recharge.

The FCEV has some good reviews/praise such as in May from award-winning fleet management provider Rivus for its smooth and pleasant driving experience. Rivus drivers noted the capability to manage greater ranges and refuel much faster than battery electric vehicles, which will help fleets using this vehicle class to switch to meet zero emissions targets. Following initial journeys on roads in Birmingham, the West Midlands, and South Yorkshire, Rivus' drivers have complimented the vehicle for its "effortless" and "comfortable" driving. Drivers were particularly impressed with the automatic transmission, which they appraised as "easier than a petrol or diesel van to operate" as it does not require gear changes and the vehicle is much quieter to run. Rivus, which manages approximately 120,000 vehicles, including approximately 85,000 LCVs, is the first fleet management company to test drive the first-of-its-kind hydrogen vehicle on U.K. roads.

The company has a very experienced and strong management team. FHYD is led by Malraj Mann, chairman and CEO, who has 40+ years of experience in corporate finance, acquisitions, and financial reporting for both private and public companies.

Rob Campbell is CEO-Energy with 40+ years engineering, commercial, and executive experience, including Chief Commercial Officer at Ballard Power Systems. He has held various previous leadership roles in energy and technology space (including solar and hydrogen).

Steve Gill is CEO- Automotive with 30+ years in automotive, with 20 years with Ford Motor Company (final role: Director, Powertrain Engineering at Ford of Europe); Board Director Ford Technologies; 11 years with Perkins Engines; (final role: Chief Engineer).

Allan Rushforth is CCO-Mobility with 30+ years in automotive and mobility. He has held senior leadership roles in automotive sales, distribution and service, including Marque Group, Lookers, Nissan, Hyundai and Volkswagen/Audi. International experience includes Japan, Korea, and Germany.

First Hydrogen is also active in Canada and has finalized land option agreements with the City of Shawinigan, Quebec. Next they signed a feasibility study agreement with Sacre-Davey for the development of a 35-megawatt green hydrogen production facility and vehicle assembly factory in Shawinigan. The purpose of the feasibility study is to establish the technical and market analysis, engineering review, analysis of grid and water constraints, permitting requirements, environmental constraints, and a review of distribution and operations. The overarching theme throughout the study is to recognize the combined aim to create a zero-emission hydrogen ecosystem.

The production facility will use advanced electrolysis and supply the company's hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered vehicles (FCEV), as well as support other hydrogen-fueled vehicles and applications in the Montreal-Quebec City region. The company's planned FCEV assembly factory will be designed for annual production of 25,000 vehicles per year when at full capacity and will represent a major boost to green technology jobs in the region. The distribution of First Hydrogen's FCEV, throughout North America, will be in combination with the company's hydrogen-as-a-service product offering.

It is very early days for First Hydrogen but it will have a far easier path than Tesla did. Tesla was met with much skepticism and doubt as North America's first EV producer. Now governments and large investment funds are pouring oodles of money into the EV and hydrogen markets.

So far First Hydrogen's FCEV has accumulated 6,000 kilometers on United Kingdom roads, including mileage around London's M25 motorway. The data logging supports vehicle range simulations, which exceed a 500-kilometer range. The vehicle is currently performing with excellent efficiency, including both urban, extraurban (which includes driving at higher speeds), and highway operations. First Hydrogen's LCV fuel consumption figures seen in many driving scenarios are under two kilograms per 100 km, and in mostly urban driving this is 1.5 kg/100 km.

Conclusion

First Hydrogen is at the very beginning of its growth cycle. It will have revenues from selling FCEVs that have now reached acceptance and I expect will soon see major purchase orders. The company has partnered with the Quebec University and numerous other government, investor, and industry partners in the sector. It is not doing this alone. First Hydrogen will also make revenues producing and selling hydrogen.

There is enormous government support for hydrogen in Western countries. In Canada's recent budget, programs supporting First Hydrogen include investment tax credits for clean hydrogen ($17.7 billion) and zero-emission technology manufacturing ($11.1 billion), as well as lower tax rates for zero-emission technology manufactures ($1.3 billion). The federal incentives are in addition to incentive programs offered by the province of Quebec, which the company has picked for its first green hydrogen eco-system.

The stock ran up last year with good news from the company and Canada officially getting behind hydrogen. PM Justin Trudeau and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met in Newfoundland, Canada, creating an alliance between Canada and Germany. The joint declaration of intent to invest in hydrogen and establish a transatlantic Canada-Germany supply corridor will be the start of establishing Canada as a significant hydrogen producer and advancing on its decarbonization path.

The stock has come down after what now looks like too much hype in the sector, but has put in a bottom and current prices look like an attractive entry point. There is not much resistance until around $3.40 and the the $4.00 area.

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Shenzhen, China-headquartered RoboSense is a provider of smart LiDAR systems. Its complete portfolio of LiDAR (Light, or Laser, Detection and Ranging) solutions includes state-of-the-art sensors, AI perception technology and IC chipsets, to name a few. At its core, RoboSense transforms conventional 3D LiDAR with comprehensive data analysis and interpretation systems, and its experts hail from top global companies and various scientific research institutions; this explains how RoboSense owned (at the end of 2022) more than 1,000 patents in total. Whether its smart LiDAR perception system solutions (which include MEMS LiDAR and mechanical LiDAR), fusion hardware and perception software, what RoboSense produces has been widely applied to IoT mobility solutions, including in autonomous driving passenger vehicles, automated logistics vehicles, in robots (e.g. also robotaxi, robobus and robotruck technologies) and for transportation infrastructure at large.

Long story short? RoboSense has made  and will surely continue to make  big waves in IoT, especially LiDAR-centric ones, and even bigger names have taken notice.

Names, for instance, like NVIDIA.

Thats why, in late Q2 of this year, RoboSense put together an announcement. To better accelerate the sensor development, testing and validation, RoboSense announced that it is now officially connected to the NVIDA Omniverse ecosystem.

Heres the lowdown:

RoboSenses second-generation smart solid-state LiDAR model is now integrated into NVIDIA DRIVE Sim (which is built on Omniverse). This enables physically based, high-fidelity sensor simulation so autonomous vehicle developers can directly access new, top-of-the-line LiDAR for their needs.

For additional context, NVIDIA DRIVE Sim is a reference application that delivers digital twin environments for autonomous driving systems. With DRIVE Sim, safely repeatable testing scenarios at scale can be performed, fast-tracking development and reducing undue long-term costs.

And for the very LiDAR-inclined folks, RoboSenses M-Series LiDAR has, by far, the most designated partnerships worldwide, having been implemented in the following vehicle models:

GAC Aion LX Plus,

GAC Aion Hyper GT

SAIC IM LS7, SAIC IM L7

Lotus Eletre

XPeng G9

XPeng P7i

Great Wall WEY Mocha DHT-PHEV

Great Wall Motor WEY DHT-PHEV

Chery Exeed STERRA ES, STERRA ET

Per Mark Qiu, co-founder and RoboSenses Executive President:

The global automotive industry is undergoing a massive transformation, with ADAS and LiDAR markets continuing to gain traction. Leveraging the NVIDIA Omniverse ecosystem, RoboSenses LiDAR technology and industry experience will be applied to a wider field, providing stronger support for the development and verification of next-gen autonomous vehicles. This will achieve more efficient, safer and smarter driving applications.

And per Zvi Greenstein, a general manager at NVIDIA:

NVIDIA Omniverse is an open platform that includes leading LiDAR models from top manufacturers worldwide. RoboSense's outstanding technical strength and customer base help strengthen our ecosystem and will surely accelerate the development and validation of autonomous vehicles while bringing more flexibility to developers.

As a bonus, watch this video for a live look at RoboSenses enhanced LiDAR in action.Edited by Greg Tavarez
Ibec has put its weight behind the Government injecting billions of euro into a new infrastructure fund which the business group says will ensure much needed capital projects will get built, no matter how the economy performs in future years.

In a key part of a submission ahead of Octobers budget, the employers body foresees the capital fund growing to around 10bn by the end of next year, boosted by the 6bn already in the National Reserve Fund, and increasing in size in future years.

Ibecs proposal would ensure capacity constraints facing employers would be tackled by ringfencing spending for key infrastructure such as housing, healthcare, and transport, and would be completed through the spectacular amounts of tax revenues flowing into the exchequer, said Ibec executive director of lobbying and influence Fergal OBrien.

Member firms were voicing frustration about capital projects failing to get the go-ahead, despite the substantial exchequer funds.

The huge tax flows were an incredible opportunity that would allow the Government to run huge budget surpluses, as long as the enormous funds from corporate tax receipts continue to flow, he said. An infrastructure fund would help send a signal to international companies that Ireland was on course to solve its infrastructure deficit.

Ibecs proposed infrastructure fund appears to chime with the thinking of Finance Minister Michael McGrath, who has also proposed setting up a second and separate savings fund or sovereign wealth fund.

However, the business group said that other huge future spending commitments, including on pensions as the population ages, and to prepare for a net-zero economy, will still require tax increases elsewhere.

Mr OBrien said there was a real risk that a sovereign wealth fund breeds complacency over funding of future spending demands.

Ibec chief economist Gerard Brady said in the submission that the Government could plan to run a huge surplus of 4% of GDP next year, likely to be the second-highest after Norway in advanced economies.

It has costed its proposals, including one-off items, that amount to a budget day package of 8.7bn, which compares with the total cost of 10.4bn under all the items currently planned by the Government, Mr Brady said.

He said he expected the Governments 10.4bn package would increase further by budget day in October.

It is appropriate to run a large surplus, said Mr Brady.

I guess it is what you do with the surplus is the main point of differentiation, in that we see an infrastructure fund as a priority.

He added that a sovereign wealth fund could not be relied on to meet the full pensions bill.

Ibec said that companies had recognised that recruiting staff will continue to be difficult.

Its submission reiterated unlocking funds in the 1.5bn National Training Fund to help firms retain staff by re-skilling, investing 650m to drive climate change proposals, injecting 710m in research, putting 307m more into universities, and using 225m to help Irish exporters.
Scammers are targeting us with text messages pretending to be from motorway toll operator, eFlow. A series of widely-circulated smishing scam texts tells people they owe toll charges, and directs them to click on a link within the text message to pay the outstanding balance.

But the website is not genuine and aims to collect the victims bank account details.

Some examples of the kinds of texts that people have seen in the last two months: "eFlow: You havent paid your charges. Visit eflow-toll-paymentsupdate.com or an additional fine will be sent to your home address."

Another: "Eflow  As of the 11th, your toll bill is very overdue. To avoid being blacklisted, please process as soon as possible: https://ie.eflow.life"

One more: "eFlow: You have been recorded using the motorway without paying the appropriate charge(s) of 6.40. Visit https://eflowsecure-online.com or an additional fine of 97.50 will be sent to your home address."

There are many other variations of the same thing, but the core idea is the same. Once you get to the site  which usually looks very like the real site  youll be invited to enter your bank details and pay the "fine". When you do, you have not only paid scammers, you have also given them your bank details.

According to Bank of Ireland, as many as 10 new fake eFlow sites are being set up by fraudsters every day.

Head of fraud at Bank of Ireland Nicola Sadlier points out that smishing attacks tend to come in waves, and that in the recent past, the bank has seen fraudulent messages appearing to be from delivery services, utility companies, Government agencies and banks.

But this latest attack, with fraudsters sending messages purporting to come from eFlow, has lasted now for several months, which is unusual. Based on intelligence we have received, we are also expecting fraudsters to ramp up activity, cloning other well-known Irish brands in the coming months, particularly electricity and gas companies.

She points out too how easy it is to be caught out by a scam of this nature.

If people recently passed through a toll, they might be more inclined to click on the text message thinking it is legitimate. eFlow has advised that they do not send text messages with links to confirm account or payment details.

Text messages purporting to be from any company should be treated with extreme caution  the general rule is to stop, think and check.

So how can you tell if a text is genuine or fraudulent?

Signs to watch out for

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) says that there are certain signs you should be alert for. A typical smishing text message will try to alarm you, claiming you need to take urgent action in order to avoid negative consequences.

For example, you might receive a text message appearing to be from your bank telling you your bank card, account, or online access has been blocked or frozen due to "unusual activity" or fraudulent transactions.

You will be asked to click on a link in the text bringing you to a fake website. Scammers can create very professional-looking fake websites that imitate real websites. Once directed to this fake website, youll be asked to enter your personal information and bank account details.

The CCPC advises consumers to never click on a link within a text, or call a number you are asked to call from a text. Always call businesses on phone numbers that you know to be genuine.

For example, the genuine phone number of your bank is printed on your bank card.

If you receive a text message you suspect may be a scam, delete it immediately. If youre unsure, contact the organisation named to see if the text is genuine. Remember not to use the contact details supplied to you by the texter, as these may be fake.

If you have responded to a smishing text message and given your bank account details, notify your bank or card issuer immediately. Your account can be placed on hold and card cancelled if necessary. You should also report it to your local Garda station.

According to FraudSMART, the fraud awareness initiative led by Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), fraudsters stole nearly 45m through frauds and scams in the second half of 2021  the latest year for which figures are available. Thats a jump of 50% on the same period the year before.

Head of financial crime at BPFI Niamh Davenport: 'Fraudsters are continuously updating and adapting their tactics and tools'

Debit and credit card fraud (including ATM fraud) hit 14.5m, up 18.5%, the highest levels since the first half of 2017. Most of the increase was driven by online card fraud or card not present, where a fraudster uses the victims compromised card information to make an online purchase. However, 2021 also saw payment card fraud at point of sale or in-store return to pre-covid levels.

The report also highlights the soaring value of unauthorised electronic payment (credit transfer and direct debit) fraud to 21.5m. This reflects a sharp increase in online and mobile banking fraud. This type of fraud happens when a payment is made by another person without the account holders authorisation or permission, and usually results from the loss, theft or misappropriation of sensitive payment data (such as account numbers and PINs).

Additionally, the report shows how consumers were scammed out of 7.6m through authorised push payments, down 4.4% year on year. This type of fraud takes place when a victim is duped into transferring money from their account to a fraudsters account such as through romance or investment scams.

Head of financial crime at BPFI Niamh Davenport points out that fraudsters are continuously updating and adapting their tactics and tools.

As well as scam texts, phone calls and emails, scammers have developed a range of techniques to convince online users to disclose key personal or financial information. While banks are using a range of measures such as encryption and continuous fraud monitoring to protect their customers and ensure everyday payments can be made securely, fraudsters are increasingly targeting businesses and consumers directly, so it is important for us all to know how to protect ourselves.

With a jump of almost 46% in debit card fraud losses alone, we are calling on all consumers to pause for thought before parting with their money or information and familiarise themselves with some of the very straight forward steps they can take to protect themselves.

Again, be very wary of sudden calls from banks, agencies or companies seeking to verify details, and if anyone sends you a link, think twice before clicking and ask yourself, Is this safe?
Farmers are planning to gather for a rally on Thursday night as concern continues to grow around a reduction in the nitrates derogation stocking rate.

Taking place in Bandon, Co Cork, from 7:30pm, the event is being organised by Cork branches of the Irish Farmers' Association.

Cork Central IFA chairman Conor O'Leary is urging farmers from all organisations and sectors to turn out, as they "will all be affected" by a cut to the stocking rate.

Interim review

The Environmental Protection Agency's recent report shows that nitrates "remain too high in rivers, groundwater, and estuaries in the south-east, south-west and midlands and eastern regions".

While negotiations are continuing, the EPAs report has gone to the commission.

The report is part of the interim review process of the Nitrates Action Programme. The review was required by the European Commission as part of granting Irelands nitrates derogation.

The report outlines the regions that could be required to reduce their organic nitrogen stocking rate to 220kg per hectare from 250kg in 2024 under the derogation, as a result of the effect of agriculture on water quality in these areas.

This would likely see a reduction in herd numbers.

Time needed

Conor O'Leary told the Irish Examiner that farmers have "undertaken another waft of measures and we're not being allowed time for those to take account".

"Our big ask is that the measures were employing are given time to take effect, and that there are other measures we can undertake other than the reduction to 220kg," he said.

"The reduction will mean either of two things  a farmer will have to reduce the number of stock they have, or they'll have to find more ground to put that stock across.

The threat of it has led to turmoil in the land rental market, where farmers are taking ground or looking for ground they dont really need.

"Its putting a competitive nature to the land market that the likes of tillage farmers and beef farmers can't compete with. If some farmers have to get bigger to stay the size they are, it means that well have fewer farmers at the end of the day."

Rally

Mr O'Leary said organisers are hoping for a crowd exceeding 500 people at the rally in Bandon, which is aiming to show Government and the European Commission the level of concern out there over this.

"We really need the commission to come here and see the type of farming we do and how different it is to the rest of Europe," Mr O'Leary said.

"One of the critical things in dairying that we do is you can walk the cows to the grass. If you can't walk the cows to the grass if the field is miles away, its of no use to the system; its so critical that we can hold on to that type of system."

Those within 30 minutes of Bandon have been urged to bring a tractor, while those from further have been told to bring a car full of people.

'Some co-ops won't survive' nitrates stocking rate cut

Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill has recently warned that "some of our co-ops won't survive" a cut to stocking rate in the nitrates derogation.

Dairying is the "driving economic force" of rural Ireland, Mr Cahill said, "and without our vibrant dairy industry", it would be a "seriously poorer place".

Mr Cahill said that he is farming in derogation, and that the 250kg stocking rate is "hugely important to the economic viability of my own business".

"Negotiations have been going on a while at this stage, I feel that there's a view a reduction in our derogation level is inevitable, I think there's a defeated attitude by the department," Mr Cahill said.

"We have taken on new measures in the last 12 to 18 months which are putting extra onus on derogation farmers but will definitely bear fruit going forward.

"It's a very few short years ago since we were at the abolition of quotas, and serious incentives were given to both farmers and processors to increase production."
A TD has said that the new suckler scheme is "failing totally to improve the herds of smaller farmers".

The objective of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) is to provide support to suckler and beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd.

The programme aims to build on the gains already delivered through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, which finished in December, and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme by improving the genetic merit of the herd.

'Drive further improvements'

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said that he is confident that the new scheme will "drive further improvements in what are already world-class suckler and beef herds".

At the moment, the minister confirmed this week, there are 3,513 participants in SCEP who have reference animals of 10 or fewer, which equates to 16.9% of the total applicants to the scheme.

"There is a challenge there for some smaller herds in particular. They tend to be cases where they are not dependent on that income, are not full-time when there are fewer than 10 in the herd," Mr McConalogue told the Dail on Thursday.

"Often there is off-farm income involved as well where there is a suckler herd of fewer than 10.

"Therefore, take-up of schemes, not just SCEP, can sometimes be less for a smallholding like that than it is for a larger holding that is more dependent on that income. Sometimes it is not attractive to those with fewer numbers than it is for those who might have more than 10, 20 or 30 in a herd."

'Failing'

Fianna Fail TD Eamon O Cuiv told the minister that the scheme is "failing totally to improve the herds of smaller farmers".

One of the eligibility conditions of the SCEP, as set by the Department of Agriculture, is that participants must also become certified members of the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS) by October 16, 2023.

"For many of our small farmers, on condition that they do not finish the cattle or do not have them for the last 90 days, why is the Bord Bia requirement there?" Mr O Cuiv asked the minister.

It seems to be putting them off and the minister is not achieving his objective, which is to get farmers to farm to a high standard. Instead, they are just walking away.

"From my own experience, very few farmers in the Connemara region of my constituency are in the scheme. Of course, those in the good land region around the Neale and Cross in Mayo and east of the Corrib River are in the scheme, but the small farmers are just walking away.

"Even though they might take part in the Agri-Climate Rural Environmental Scheme and in other schemes, they are walking away on this one."

Challenge

Mr McConalogue responded, saying that "it has always been a challenge to get smaller herds into the suckler schemes".

"That was the experience with the previous scheme as well. This scheme is much more attractive in terms of pay rates," he said.

Last time around, somebody with fewer than nine or 10 cows would have received 90 per cow. The payment this time around is 150.

"That is a big increase in the funding we are giving to farmers who would have fewer than 10 cows."

Strategic interest

Mr McConalogue said that the decision to add the Bord Bia membership requirement "was made in the strategic interest of improving our suckler and beef herd and especially the value of the animals we sell and market abroad".

"At the moment, if it is on a quality-assured farm for the last 90 days, it qualifies as quality-assured," he said.

"We must broaden the scheme as we go forward to make sure we stay ahead of other competing nations and to make sure our produce stays on the shelves ahead of that of other countries.

"This means it needs to be more than the final 90 days. We need to try to ensure more suckler farmers are quality assured as well."
How to be a Dancer in Seventy-two Thousand Easy Lessons

Michael Keegan-Dolan, the creative force behind Teac Damsa, takes to the stage himself for the first time in more than two decades in this acclaimed show, a big hit with audiences at last years Dublin Theatre Festival. A blend of theatre and dance, it traces the choreographers own story while exploring a veritable panoply of themes, from nationality and identity to sexuality and shame. Joining Keegan-Dolan for this fascinating journey is his long-time partner and collaborator Rachel Poirier. Cork audiences will get a chance to see it in September as part of the Sounds from a Safe Harbour festival, which, in 2019, also showcased Loch na hEala, Keegan Dolans astounding reimagining of Swan Lake.

Black Box Theatre, Jul 1722, 7pm; Matinee, Saturday, Jul 22, 1pm.

Volcano, Attic Projects

Another work from an acclaimed director and choreographer, this time Cork native Luke Murphy. He gives a thoroughly modern spin on live performance in this hybrid of experimental theatre, contemporary dance and sci-fi thriller. Conceived during lockdown, the set-up is reminiscent of Samuel Beckett and Enda Walsh, but for the streaming generation, as two characters, X and Y, are trapped in a room together. Presented in four separate 45-minute performances, audiences can take an a-la-carte approach, watching them in one go or on consecutive days.

The Mick Lally Theatre, preview, Jul 20, 6pm; for other times, see giaf.ie

Life & Times of Michael K

An array of South African talent brings Nobel prizewinner JM Coetzees novel to life in this haunting stage adaptation, a collaboration with the Tony Award-winning Handspring Puppet Company, who created the spectacular puppets in Warhorse. It tells the story of Michael K, who undertakes an arduous journey through war-ravaged South Africa in order to bring his dying mother home.

Black Box Theatre, Jul 2530, 7pm; matinees, Thurs, Jul 27 and Sat, Jul 29, 2pm.

Gavity & Other Myths' The Pulse as part of Galway International Arts Festival 2023. Photo: Darcy Grant

The Pulse

Australian circus company, Gravity and Other Myths, fuses acrobatics and choral performance to exhilarating effect in this much-anticipated production. An indication of its scale and ambition is the fact that it will take place in the new Festival Theatre, at the Kingfisher at the University of Galway, the biggest indoor temporary venue the festival has ever created. In defiance of the distance that came between us during Covid, a 30-strong all-female choir and 30 acrobats celebrate connection on a visceral level in a pulsating unification of movement and sound.

Festival Theatre, Kingfisher, University of Galway, Jul 17-22, 8pm.

Pavement are among the music attractions in Galway.

Pavement and Pillow Queens

Arguably more appreciated now than in their musical prime in the 1990s, the reunited US indie band might be tapping into the nostalgia circuit but they showed they still have a lot to offer at their rapturously received gig at Vicar Street last November. Prolific frontman Stephen Malkmus is still the engine of the band, which produced a run of influential albums, most notably Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain in 1994 and Wowee Zowee in 1995. Providing equally accomplished support are Pillow Queens. Other music acts playing in Galway include the Saw Doctors, and Fat Freddys Drop.

Heineken Big Top, Jul 24.

Robert Forster

Fervently loved and admired as a founding member of The Go-Betweens, Forster has also produced an impressive solo repertoire which continues to showcase his gifts as a songwriter par excellence. His most recent album, The Candle and the Flame, is a mediation on ageing and mortality, underpinned by his wife Karin Baumlers diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 2021. Ultimately, though, it is a life-affirming celebration of love.

Roisin Dubh, 8pm, Jul 27

David Mach The Oligarchs Nightmare [Maquette] Photo: Steve Russell Studio

The Oligarchs Nightmare, David Mach

The Scottish artist is always a huge draw at the festival, his previous works Golgotha (2012) and Rock n Roll (2018) attracting record-breaking audiences. Inspired by his childhood as the son of a miner in Fife, he is known for his large-scale public work fashioned from materials including clothes hangers, tyres and newspapers. The Oligarchs Nightmare, specially-commissioned for the festival, is a site-specific installation, which, as illustrated by a preview maquette, will feature a bashed-up Range Rover.

Festival Gallery, Jul 1730, 11am6pm

Far Away & Close to Home, Enda Burke

The Galway photographer was awarded a prestigious International BarTur Photo prize for his lockdown-inspired project Homebound With My Parents, in which his mother and father posed in various gloriously luminous and kitsch tableaux. His work takes on a more narrative tone in this multi-disciplinary showcase curated by Tom McLean, including immersive installations and collaborations with motion graphic artist Dara Greaney.

Outset Gallery, TuesSat, 10am5.30pm; Sunday 12 noon-5pm

Culture? What the Hell?

With podcasts fuelling an increasing appetite for intelligent but entertaining chat, the festival has a fascinating array of talks slated, including this contribution from US professor James Shapiro, who earlier this year won the Bailie Gifford prize for his biography 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare. Here, he will discuss his forthcoming book on the US Federal Theatre Project which in the 1930s attempted to provide affordable theatre for all classes and races, before falling foul of the House Un- American Committee for its supposed Communist influences. Shapiro will be interviewed by Chris Morash, Seamus Heaney Professor of Irish Writing at Trinity College.

ODonoghue Theatre, University of Galway, Jul 29, 4pm

Dragon  The Forgotten World

Silent Disco Walking Tours

Prepare to be blown away  not literally  as French street art pioneers Planete Vapeur bring their giant 30ft mechanical smoking dragon to the streets of Galway, travelling from Eyre Square to the Spanish Arch via Shop Street, OBriens Bridge and Dominick St Lower. More open-air fun awaits with the Silent Disco Walking Tours which were one of the festivals most popular attractions last year. Put on your noise-cancelling headphones and join Australian Guru Dudus, Madame Cha Cha and 49 fellow dancers for your own personal bop through the city to a mixtape soundtrack of 70s, 80s and 90s hits.

See festival website for details

Galway International Arts Festival runs July 17-30. For more information and booking see giaf.ie
The rise of therapy speak is the discourse du jour, made all the more prevalent this week in light of new allegations of emotional abuse against actor and producer Jonah Hill by his ex-girlfriend, Sarah Brady.

Brady, a 26-year-old professional surfer, shared screenshots of alleged text messages she received from Hill to her Instagram stories on Saturday. In them, the 39-year-old Hollywood star expressed his "boundaries for a romantic relationship".

"If you need: surfing with men, boundaryless inappropriate friendships with men, to model, to post pictures of yourself in a bathing suit, to post sexual pictures, friendships with women who are in unstable places and from your wild recent past beyond getting a lunch or coffee or something respectful, I am not the right partner for you," he wrote in one. In another, he appears to ask the professional surfer to take down a specific image of herself from her Instagram, in another, he comments "good start" in response to a message from Brady detailing posts she has already removed.

Its been a year of healing and growth with the help of loved ones and doctors to get back to living my life without guilt, shame and self-judgment for things as small as surfing in a swimsuit rather than a more conservative wetsuit," Brady shared after posting the screenshots, "And Im sure theres still much more healing from this abuse ahead of me."

A trojan horse for control

While it can be empowering to find the language to describe the way someone has hurt you or how we feel, often we are adopting these labels without the correct context or guidance of a therapist to help you accurately and healthily apply them to your circumstances. Applying these terms not just to ourselves, but to those around us.

Therapy speak is the trend of taking concepts and phrases from therapeutic practice  using I statements, setting boundaries etc  and using them in your everyday interactions. At best it is a case of oversimplification and misuse of certain phrases. But at its worst therapy speak is a trojan horse for control and abuse. It is a weaponsiation of terms intended to empower people.

Sex and intimacy educator Grace Alice O Se says of these messages: Two words popped into my head immediately; 'insecure' and 'control'. I found the list of boundaries quite startling  to see them laid out like that in bullet point format is unusual to me. Often we see these rules being imposed in a much more subtle, insidious way.

Grace Alice O'Shea

Using 'therapy speak' makes it all sound so much more fair and reasonable. It really sugarcoats what is actually being said."

What Hill is doing in these exchanges is becoming common to varying degrees, O Se says, adding that she has picked up on this tendency towards improperly using expressions like this through her work.

I have noticed a huge increase in the use of 'therapy speak' online, mainly on social media, but also with young people in my sex education workshops. The terms I most commonly hear being misused include; boundaries, narcissist, empath, gaslighting, grooming, predator, abuser and toxic

I am fully supportive of learning about and using this language as this can be incredibly empowering, but it needs to be used correctly, or it really loses its power, she said.

Jonah Hill has to an extent re-branded based on the version of himself he managed to achieve through therapy, even releasing a documentary on Netflix about his adored therapist, Phil Stutz. Stutz raised concerns about this method of therapy which ring even more true now.

That he has made his relationship to therapy so public makes these allegations somewhat less surprising but no less concerning. Psychotherapist Judy Moloney, who specialises in boundaries, agrees that it appears Hill is using tools he has learned in therapy as a way to control his relationship.

This type of behaviour can be common when people begin their journey of personal development, they can take on themes and ideas from their therapy without fully integrating them into their lives or doing the work on a deep level. If people do not fully do the work and lean into the vulnerability of it, they can use those terms as another form of defence for their behaviour.

The reason this language is so effective is because it is almost impossible to argue with. Who is going to begrudge someone they love the adjustments they need to be comfortable and content in your relationship? It sounds so reasonable to begin with.

It is important to remember that boundaries are something a person sets for themselves, not for how someone else should accommodate them.

Boundaries are very personal, and should be the rules you set for yourself, not rules for others. Yes, they can be used as guidelines or signposts in a relationship, however, they do not entitle anyone to put others down or shame people because they do not hold the same values or boundaries says Moloney.

O Se echoes this sentiment. She says, Boundaries are not used to impinge on our partners' sense of identity, autonomy or wellbeing.

This story has, rightfully, captured the public's attention as it is a convergence of recent culture. A beloved Hollywood man is accused of being abusive? Check. By adopting a zeitgeisty behavior? Check. And it all came out on Instagram stories sparking untold amounts of content across every platform imaginable? Check.

While we should be wary of taking a real, complex relationship that was potentially controlling and manipulative and chalking it up to a misuse of Therapy Speak, this episode does provide the opportunity to reflect on how language, once almost solely used by trained professionals in a clinical environment, can be misunderstood and, at its worst, weaponised, by the masses, particularly online.

After all, while in this specific instance Hill may have learned these concepts in therapy, often the place we learn them is online. Therapy speak may begin on the therapist's couch but it is the dilution and dissemination of it in the form of content after the fact that lets it spread.

We have created the perfect environment for this to grow in the petri dish that is social media. What else could we expect when we use platforms which champion centering yourself above all else, short and snappy content designed to grab you above informing you and hollow, detached communication?

The genie is out of the bottle when it comes to the internet taking an idea, compressing it and spewing it back out, but we could all have a little more critical thinking when we engage with things online. Proper education about these things and media literacy are vital if we want to stop the label maker.
Hello its Rosealeen here in Ballydesmond.

Knock, knock. Whos there? My knob-end of a brother back from Paris showing off his latest 23-year-old girlfriend with a touch of Vanessa Paradis about her, how does he do it, the pudsy little mickey man with the earning power of a Hawthorn Bush? An Irish man will never be without a young one as long as he can play the tin whistle.

Anyway, my mother is up to ninety, hoovering the pattern off her carpet now that the Messiah is back in town. Well by Jesus Christ Im watching him like a hawk in case she gives him her bank card so he can head into Mallow and help himself to a juicy bit of cash: "ah the poor crater has nothing" says Mammy, blind as ever to his many failings.

Anyway, didnt he tell me that he took espionage training from a Libyan lad in Paris and now hes a Ninja when it comes to spotting if someone is tailing him. 'Well so much for following him into Mallow wearing Bernas wig', I said to myself, 'youll need to raise your game here Rosealeen from Ballydesmond'.

So do you know anyone who could train me in the dark arts of following my brother across north Cork?

Rosealeen, Ballydesmond

My dopey cousin is big into spy movies, we call him James Blond. I rang there and said "Whats the best way to tail someone in Mallow?" He said: "Wear clothes from 2014. #BlendingIn"

Cmere, whats the story with fancying Ryan Tubridy?

Myself and the old doll took the day off to watch the hearings in Dail Eireann there on Tuesday, its the first time we turned on RTE in years. I havent enjoyed the telly this much in ages.

Every time your man Kelly said he was acting under instruction from RTE, myself and old doll shouted "that would be an ecumenical matter" and downed a shot of Sambuca, we were langers by half eleven in the morning, it was like being in Ibiza. I pride myself on managing my alcohol intake so for the afternoon session I was down to sipping cans because the Sambuca can be savage for the heartburn.

Like everyone else in Cork, my take on the hearings was that they are all just a shower of langers on the take above in Dublin. But the Old Doll do get funny after Sambuca, and didnt she shock me and Budgie (he was there too) with the news that she fancies the bones off of Ryan Tubridy.

I said "is it all the money he has?", but she said 'no, she aint no gold digger', she just likes his accent and the way he talks to bogmen TDs. She said, wait for it, she likes to fantasise about him when were doing the business. Thats insulting.

Should I start fantasising about Claire Byrne?

Dowcha Donie, Blackpool

Pick someone other than Claire Byrne. A Cork person fantasising about someone from Laois is messing with the laws of nature.

Its getting horny on our WhatsApp group, Douglas Road Stunners Who Heard about the Six Second Kiss and Now Cant Talk about Anything Else.

Its a new thing Audrey, you might have read about it in Suzi Godsons sex advice column this week in the Examiner. So basically, if you want to have a healthy relationship with your partner, you should either kiss for six seconds or hug for 20 seconds every day.

As you can imagine were all dying to have a good relationship so we can ram it down the throat of our friends whose marriages end in divorce. But this six-second thing is a bit of a mare.

Morny_NotAlwaysHorny said she tried it with her Ken and he was disappointed when it didnt lead to sex.

Fifi_AllAboutMe tried it with her Ken and he was also disappointed when it didnt lead to sex.

Long story short Audrey, we all tried it with Our Kens and they were all disappointed when it didnt lead to sex, except for Orla Ps Ken, probably because hes sleeping with Morny_NotAlwayHorny.

Anyway, is it possible to kiss a man for six seconds without him thinking wey-hey!?

Jenni, Douglas Road

No. Its not.

So like, ya, total sympathy for Ryan Tubridy, everyone wants to take a pot-shot at the rich guy with the polished accent, its not his fault he was born into privilege.

Myself and Bryan with a Y have decided that enough is enough, its time to create a safe space for beautifully spoken guys who are vastly over-paid through no fault of our own. We had our first meeting in yacht club on Thursday night, it was like a Mens Shed where everyone has a sailing tan and went to Pres.

The general consensus was that our mental health has been overlooked for too long in favour of working-class types and bogmen. So were totally taking matter into our own hands with a support group and podcast, which should be a great way to attract chicks. The only thing missing now is a name. Bryan with a Y wants to call it LWS (Loaded, With Sadness) but that sounds self-pitying, even for us. So would you have a good name for our group?

Ed, Ballintemple.

I sure do. SOL. Its the Spanish for 'sun'. But it means Shower of Langers.
The result of a ballot of Tara Mines workers on management proposals to support them while they are laid off will be known by noon today.

Unions have recommended the proposals, brokered at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), be accepted.

SIPTU, Connect, and Unite trade unions secured the proposals last Saturday after more than 40 hours of negotiations at the WRC.

If agreed to, they will provide enhanced support for workers laid off during a temporary closure of Tara Mines in Navan, county Meath which is scheduled to commence tomorrow.

The deal being recommended to members by all the unions provides what has been described as a modest retainer allowance for workers who are being laid off.

There is also an increase in the number of people who will be retained for care and maintenance of the mine during its period of closure.

The proposals include a guarantee that workers will return on the same terms and conditions of employment as they had secured when the mine ceases operation.

Workers at Tara Mines during a protest over its closure. Around 650 workers will be temporarily laid off by management at the Mines, which opened in 1977 and which produces more than 2m tonnes per year. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Negotiations over the decision by Boliden Tara Mines initially started after the company announced on June 13 it would temporarily suspend operations and place the mine into what is known as a care and maintenance arrangement.

Around 650 workers will be temporarily laid off by management at the Mines, which opened in 1977 and which produces more than 2m tonnes per year.

Those jobs are on top of around 200 private contractors, most of whom are understood to have already been let go.

The decision shocked unions and workers as just two years ago, a Boliden Summary Report of Tara Mines Resources and Reserves had stated that mineral reserves at the mines represented an equivalent amount for seven years of full production.

But, inflation coupled with energy costs, which are understood to include a 3m per week electricity bill, have impacted on the decision to temporarily shut the plant down.

The company has stated it is currently cash flow negative, due to a combination of factors including operational challenges, a decline in the price of zinc, high energy prices, and general cost inflation.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the Government will explore ways to help reduce Boliden's energy costs burden and said it want "to explore all options to secure the long term future of the mine and employment".

In their initial rejection of union proposals before matters went to the WRC, Boliden Tara Mines said they did not sufficiently address, in the short term, "the significant and unsustainable losses that the business is currently experiencing".
Eleven on-duty ambulance staff were assaulted over an unprecedented six-hour period on the eve before and in the early hours of the Twelfth of July.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said that the assaults took place at four different locations, when crews were responding to calls to provide medical treatment to patients requiring assistance.

It said that five staff members were punched, kicked, bitten and spat at at a bonfire site in the Carrickfergus area, in what it called the most serious of the incidents.

They also had threats made on their lives, a statement said.

Those assaulted at this call included a paramedic student who is unlikely to have experienced anything like this before.

The other assaults took place in the Forthriver area of Belfast, in Belfast city centre and in the Ballymacash area of Lisburn.

NIAS chief executive Michael Bloomfield condemned the absolutely disgraceful attacks.

On Tuesday night, 11 of our staff left their homes to go to their work, ready to respond to calls for assistance, from wherever they came.

Those 11 staff should have had a reasonable expectation that their night would involve nothing more than using their skills to ensure the safety of the communities we serve.

It is absolutely disgraceful that during the night they should be abused in the manner in which they were, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.

I spent time with our crews across Belfast on 11th July and saw first-hand the professionalism and compassion they brought to all those who needed their care.

This is in such stark contrast to the actions of those who behaved in this way towards them.

I can only imagine the fear these dedicated staff must have experienced in the face of this aggression. I understand that the vast majority of people appreciate the efforts of our crews but that would have been of little comfort to them at that time.

Mr Bloomfield appealed for those with information to contact the PSNI, and called on those with influence in communities to state that such assaults are unacceptable.

Our staff, and all emergency services staff, need the full support of everyone in the community, and I would appeal to anyone who has information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of these attacks, to bring that information to PSNI.

NIAS has campaigned over many years highlighting the fact that assaults are not, and should never be, part of the job. It is a very sad reflection on some in our community that these incidents continue to happen.

We will support our staff over the next days and weeks, being aware that the physical injuries will be quickest to heal. The mental distress will likely remain with them for some time to come.

I make no apology for placing the welfare of our staff as a priority but it also concerns me greatly that such attacks can have a serious impact on our response to emergency calls as crews are stood down and cover is reduced. Not only are our staff placed in danger but lives are put at risk by the actions of these irresponsible individuals.

I once again call for those with influence in communities to use that to stress the unacceptability of such assaults, and to raise awareness of the impact such actions have on local communities and also to call for the full weight of the judicial system to be brought to bear on anyone found guilty of attacking our crews.
Podcaster and television presenter Vogue Williams revealed this week that she felt like crying when the for-sale sign went up outside the Dublin home she had lovingly renovated  but that her family had outgrown the 1,295,000 residence.

Kapiti on Thormanby Road, Howth, went on the market because Vogue has her eye on another nearby property which she hopes will be a forever home for herself, her husband Spencer Matthews and their three children.

The family divide their time between Vogues native Dublin and London.

Known for her creative flair, Vogue also displayed the vibrant room revamps she curated in the three-storey property.

I wanted to create a super-peaceful environment.

"The house is beside the sea, and the colours weve redecorated will achieve exactly the effect I was hoping for, creating such a warm and inviting living space that inspires happy family time, says the co-host of the My Therapist Ghosted Me and Vogue and Spencer podcasts.

A new spin on the coastal aesthetic and nature-inspired decorating are the hottest interior trends of the season.

Vogue, who is originally from Portmarnock, moved with her family to the scenic seaside village in later years.

When she traded up from an apartment to Kapiti, a contemporary build, it was unfinished so Vogue had something of a blank canvas and she engaged A-list interiors professional Arlene McIntyre of Ventura Design.

Vogue has long spoken of her love for living by the sea, and in Howth.

They came and put the 'for sale' sign up this week, and I was like 'I'm going to cry'."

You never know, one day we might move home, thats the five-year plan, move back to Ireland  Id be delighted, she told the Irish Daily Mail. She added: They came and put the for sale sign up this week, and I was like 'Im going to cry', which is pathetic!

Vogue works both the coastal and the current Nature Luxe themes into her family space using the luxury Dulux Heritage brand, and choosing colours including Sage Green, Quartz Grey, Powder Colour and Mallow White following a surge in popularity of seaside neutral tones and woodland shades.

The company said it partnered with interiors enthusiast Vogue to show how the Nature Luxe trend can easily be incorporated into any home.

Vogue worked on the colour facelift with Dulux Heritage creative director Marianne Shillingford.

Vogues colour choices create the perfect backdrop for enjoying lifes little wins."

Beachy neutrals are, according to Marianne, sweeping into our spaces to form a comfort blanket to those in need of a hug from their four walls.

Many of us head out to the coast and countryside when we need to feel refreshed, uplifted and at peace," says Marianne.

Spending time immersed in the natural beauty of a wild, unspoilt landscape is one of the simplest antidotes to the challenging fast pace of our lives, so its instinctive for us to turn to shades of nature when we want to capture the same feeling of tranquillity in our homes.

Vogue chose coastal and natural themes in her Howth home's interiors.

The past few years have taught us to fully appreciate the world around us, especially the familiar local outdoor spaces on our doorsteps, and we have begun to re-evaluate the role nature plays in our lives as one of our most valuable luxuries.

"Walks in the woods and trips to the seaside are no longer taken for granted, and were starting to take inspiration from the little luxuries nature provides us when creating moments of indulgence in our homes.

"The colours of nature help us to enjoy the special moments we experience outdoors in our homes by making us feel comforted yet stimulated, calm yet revitalised.

Vogue with Dulux Heritage creative director Marianne Shilingford.

Vogues colour choices create the perfect backdrop for enjoying lifes little wins.

Thats what the Nature Luxe trend is all about  finding hues in Earths own colour palette that encourage you to take a moment to be thankful for lifes everyday comforts.
The BBC is to continue its fact-finding investigations into allegations against BBC veteran broadcaster Huw Edwards following the naming of the presenter by his wife on Wednesday night.

After days of conjecture and Edwards name being speculated about on social media, Vicky Flind issued a statement via the PA news agency to say her husband is receiving in-patient hospital care.

Naming the 61-year-old as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images, a story first reported by the Sun newspaper last week, Ms Flind said the father-of-five is suffering from serious mental health issues and is now receiving treatment.

Huw Edwards is receiving hospital treatment for serious mental health issues (Chris Jackson/PA)

The fact-finding investigations come as BBC Newsnight reported new claims from one current and one former BBC worker, who said they had received inappropriate messages from Edwards, some late at night and signed off with kisses.

Both said there was a reluctance among junior staff to complain to managers about the conduct of high-profile colleagues in case it adversely affected their careers, the programme said.

Following the family statement, BBC director general Tim Davie said in a note to staff it is important that the work on the internal investigation continues, adding: I want to be clear that in doing so we will follow due process.

He also stressed that the corporations immediate concern is our duty of care to all involved.

Read More Timeline: Allegations against BBC newsreader Huw Edwards

The Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday that no criminal offence has been committed by the presenter, and that no specific details or information about further allegations reported in the media have been provided to them.

The Sun said it has no plans to publish further allegations and will co-operate with the BBCs internal investigation process.

In Thursdays edition of the paper, the front page focuses on Ms Flinds statement and says Edwards is facing further claims from BBC colleagues over suggestive messages sent on social media.

Jeremy Vine was forced to deny he was the person involved (Jonathan Brady/PA)

In the days leading up to Edwards being named, BBC presenters including Gary Lineker, Rylan Clark, Nicky Campbell and Jeremy Vine were forced to publicly deny they were the unnamed presenter at the centre of allegations.

Vine appealed on Twitter for the presenter to come forward, and said on his Channel 5 show: Its his decision but he needs to come forward now, I think.

The 58-year-old, who also hosts an afternoon programme on BBC Radio 2, added: I had a situation: I was going to see Bruce Springsteen at the weekend and my wife said Are you going to be safe there?

Thats how serious this thing is, and she gave me a baseball cap and said Youd better wear this.

Edwards is the BBCs highest-paid newsreader, with a pay bracket of 435,000439,999 (508,517-514,361), putting him fourth on the top 10 list, the corporations annual report revealed on Tuesday.

The presenter was last seen on BBC Ones News At Ten on July 5 when he co-presented a special edition live from Edinburgh as the King was honoured in the Scottish capital.

Sources have made it clear to PA that Edwards has not resigned from the BBC.

I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation.

The statement from his wife, a TV producer who has worked on BBCs This Week politics show and Robert Pestons ITV programme, Peston, to PA said: Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues.

As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.

The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where hell stay for the foreseeable future.

She said that once the presenter, who has worked for the BBC for four decades, is well enough, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published and added that her husband was first told there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.

Ms Flind asked for privacy for the family and said: I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation.

We hope this statement will bring that to an end.

Edwards has previously spoken about his mental health, revealing in a documentary in 2021 that he has suffered bouts of depression which leave him bedridden since 2002.
US President Joe Biden said he and other Nato leaders showed the world that the military alliance remains more united than ever, as he ended a trip to Europe meant to demonstrate the force of the international coalition against Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The allies understand that this fight is not only a fight for the future of Ukraine, Mr Biden said, noting that it is also about sovereignty and security.

At this critical moment in history, this inflection point, the world watching to see, will we do the hard work that matters to forge a better future? Will we stand together, will we stand with one another? Will we stay committed to our course? Mr Biden said. He said the answer was a resounding yes.

Earlier on Thursday in Helsinki, Mr Biden met the leaders of other Nordic nations including Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.

US President Joe Biden with Swedens Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Denmarks Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Finlands President Sauli Niinisto, Icelands Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir and Norways Prime Minister Jon

Sweden is poised to be admitted as Natos 32nd member country after it pledged more co-operation with Turkey on counterterrorism efforts while backing Ankaras bid to join the European Union. Finland gained Nato membership earlier this year.

Both Finland and Sweden abandoned a history of military nonalignment and sought to join Nato after Russia invaded Ukraine last year.

Mr Bidens brief stop in the Finnish capital is the finale to a tour that was carefully designed to highlight the growth of a military alliance that the president says has fortified itself since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Finlands admittance to Nato effectively doubled the alliances border with Russia.

Mr Biden arrived in Helsinki after what he deemed a successful Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where allies agreed to language that would further pave the way for Ukraine to also become a future member.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the summits outcome a significant security victory for his country but nonetheless expressed disappointment at not getting an outright invitation to join.

Mr Biden and other administration officials also held what aides said were pivotal conversations with Turkey before that country dropped its objections to Sweden joining Nato.

Finlands President Sauli Niinisto, right, shakes hands with President Joe Biden (Sergei Grits/AP/PA)

Mr Biden said he felt good about the trip.

We accomplished every goal we set out to accomplish, he told reporters on Wednesday before the flight to Finland.

And despite Mr Zelenskys expressed frustrations, Mr Biden  who met the Ukrainian leader on Wednesday in Vilnius  said on Thursday that Mr Zelensky ended up being very happy.

The US presidents trip this week played out nearly five years to the day since then-president Donald Trump stood alongside Putin in Helsinki and cast doubt on his own intelligence apparatus. That was just days after Mr Trump tore through a Nato summit where he disparaged the alliance and from which he threatened to withdraw the US.

In contrast, Mr Biden has heartily embraced the tenets of multilateralism that Mr Trump shunned, speaking repeatedly of having to rebuild international coalitions after four tumultuous years led by his predecessor.

Opening the broader meeting, Finlands President Sauli Niinisto said his Nordic counterparts had one overriding objective: guarantee the future  security-wise, environmental-wise and technology-wise.

Mr Biden added that the nations around the table not only share common history, but we share common challenges, and I would add presumptuously, common values.

US President Joe Biden listens during a meeting with Nordic leaders in Helsinki (Susan Walsh/AP/PA)

The talks at the seaside Presidential Palace in the heart of Helsinki were to focus on closer co-operation between the Nordic countries and the US on security, environment and technology issues, Mr Niinistos office said. Mr Biden also scheduled a news conference with Mr Niinisto before departing for Washington.

Mr Biden is the sixth US president to visit Finland. The first involved President Gerald Ford, who would sign the so-called Helsinki Accords with more than 30 other nations in 1975.

But Charly Salonius-Pasternak, senior researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, noted that Mr Bidens visit marked the first time a sitting US president came to Finland to honour the country itself, rather than as a neutral location for meeting Russian leaders or other similar reasons.

The fact that Biden has chosen to go specifically to Finland for Finland is symbolic and, in some ways, very concrete, he said. Its a kind of deterrence messaging that only the United States can do.
Social media personality Andrew Tate and his brother are suing a Florida woman, saying she falsely accused them of imprisoning her in Romania, leading to their arrest there on human trafficking charges.

The widely followed former professional kickboxer and his brother, Tristan, are seeking at least five million dollars (3.8 million) in the lawsuit, which was filed in Palm Beach County against the woman, her parents, another woman who lived at the Tates Bucharest estate and a male friend of the woman.

The Tates say the five conspired to falsely accuse them of human trafficking and rape, costing them their freedom and millions of dollars in income from their lucrative social media, podcasting and business ventures.

The lawsuit says the woman and her parents are residents of Palm Beach County, which is why it was filed there on Tuesday.

Romanian officials arrested the Tates in December and indicted them last month, saying the brothers forced seven victims into pornography and subjected them to physical violence. They remain under house arrest in Romania.

But lawyers Thomas Maniotis and Joseph D McBride in their lawsuit say the Tates are the victims of the Florida woman. They call her a professional con artist and say she pursued a sexual relationship with Tristan Tate in order to move to Romania, then tried to defraud the brothers.

When that failed, she conspired with the others to make false statements to Romanian and US embassy authorities that led to the arrests, the lawyers say.

Andrew Tates brother Tristan, arrives at the Bucharest Tribunal, before a hearing (Alexandru Dobre/AP/PA)

At no point did the Tate brothers engage in human trafficking, the lawsuit says. The lawyers say the woman is a serial liar, manipulator and schemer who exploits vulnerable, often wealthy men with good intentions for sexual, financial and emotional profit.

The Associated Press is not naming the woman or her parents because she is the alleged victim of sexual assault. The other woman lives in the UK and the male friend in Virginia, US.

Romanian investigators said in their indictment that the Tates and two Romanian women formed a criminal group in 2021 in order to commit the crime of human trafficking in that country, the United States and Britain.

Andrew Tate was banned from TikTok, YouTube and Facebook for alleged hate speech and misogynistic comments, including that women should bear responsibility for being sexually assaulted. He has more than seven million followers on Twitter.

Several women in Britain also are pursuing civil claims against Andrew Tate, alleging they were victims of sexual violence.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Tate denied spreading a culture of misogyny and accusations that he manipulated women for financial gain.

The British-American brothers were jailed for three months before being released to house arrest in March pending trial. Prosecutors also confiscated the Tates assets, including 15 luxury cars, luxury watches and about three million dollars (2.29 million) in cryptocurrency.

After listing several other men they claim the Florida woman has defrauded or exploited, the Tates lawyers say Tristan Tate met her through a dating app.

He invited her to a Miami business event the Tates company hosted in December 2021, and they had sex numerous times before Tristan Tate returned to Romania two weeks later, the lawsuit says.

It says the two kept in touch through texts, with the woman telling Tristan Tate she wanted to move to Romania and pursue internet modelling  a type of business the Tates have been involved with.

Tristan thought her modelling plans could work, but he tried to dissuade her, the lawsuit says. But in April 2022, in the spirit of fun and adventure, he paid for the womans flight to Romania.

The lawsuit says she stayed at the Tates estate for two days, where the pair again had sex. She then moved, as agreed, to another nearby home, but had access to the estate. They say she remained in the country only six days.

She was not restrained in her movement, never confined, never controlled by any person nor was she threatened in any manner and always had free will, the lawsuit says.

They say she soon conspired with another woman she met at the estate to defraud them of 200,000 dollars (152,400) by falsely claiming they needed it for something important. When that failed, they say the Florida woman conspired with her male Virginia friend to contact the US embassy to falsely say she and the other woman were being trafficked.

That led Romanian officials to raid the home where she was staying, beginning the investigation into the Tates, the lawsuit says.
The countrys four telecom operators have been fined US$ 100,000 each by the Posts and Telecommunications Department (PTD) for violating SIM card registration rules. The PTD is under the supervision of the juntas Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The fines were imposed amid the regimes ongoing crackdown on unregistered SIM cards, a move widely seen as an effort to trace and identify resistance forces.

Human rights groups have criticized the junta for its attempts to intercept calls and read text messages and emails, via telecom networks, since it seized power in a coup in February 2021.

The PTD fined operators MPT, ATOM, Ooredoo and MyTel last week, saying they had repeatedly failed to supervise SIM card outlets as well as their authorized dealers, according to a PTD official who requested anonymity.

The department instructed them to sell the SIM cards only after they were registered correctly. But the operators are failing to prevent sales [of unregistered SIM cards] and thats why the department fined them, the official explained.

Telecom operators have been instructed to register SIM cards when consumers purchase them at their outlets, but they have been unable to fully regulate sales of new preregistered SIM cards, which are widely available.

Fining telecom operators is not a new punishment. The civilian government of the National League for Democracy (NLD) also fined operators the same amount for the same violation of SIM card registration rules.

The PTD started enforcing the registration rule under the NLD government in August 2016, saying it wanted to secure mobile financial services, protect public safety, and replace damaged or lost SIM cards for registered users. It imposed a heavy fine on all operators once. In another case, the PTD imposed a heavy fine on military-backed telecom operator Mytel in July 2019. The PTD fined Mytel 300 million kyats (about US$ 197,800 at the time) for violating the Pricing and Tariff Regulatory Framework by offering free SIM cards.

There is widespread fear that the junta is trying to consolidate control over the countrys mobile service providers by forcing all users to register their SIMs, putting activists, opposition members, and journalists at greater risk of surveillance.

Registering SIM cards is a process necessary for a government to prevent crimes or any other abuses through the use of unregistered SIM cards. People understand it. But its required to educate people well, and it needs the voluntary cooperation of millions of people, said a Yangon-based telecom professional.

The regime is issuing warnings via state-owned media and sending short messages to push people into registering their SIM cards. The warnings tell users that if they fail to register their SIM card within a specified timeframe, the PTD will terminate their phone numbers.

To register a SIM card, a user needs to present identification, such as a national registration card, student identity card, or driving license, to an operator, while foreign nationals need to show a passport and copies of the identification document, as well as a local address.
DHAKA  Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the Bangladeshi authorities of failing to protect Rohingya refugees amid surging violence.

The New York-based rights group also called for refugees to be provided with services to report crimes.

It said the authorities force Rohingya leaders to serve as informants, putting them at risk without protection.

The government should create a rights-respecting security policy in consultation with refugees and the United Nations. Donor governments should press Bangladesh to remove barriers to justice, said HRWs statement on Thursday.

The US civilian security and human rights representative Uzra Zeya and South Asian affairs envoy Donald Lu visited a Rohingya camp in Coxs Bazar on Wednesday.

HRW said it had documented 26 cases of violence against Rohingya, including murder, kidnapping, torture, rape and forced marriage, through interviews with 45 Rohingyas between January and April along with police and medical reports.

Victims said they face obstacles in getting police, legal and medical assistance with the authorities failing to provide protection, improve security or prosecute those responsible.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas past pledges to protect Rohingya refugees are now threatened by violent groups and an indifferent justice system, said Meenakshi Ganguly of HRW. The Bangladesh authorities increasingly evident intention to repatriate the Rohingya does not absolve the government of its responsibility to ensure their protection.

The Bangladesh government needs to protect Rohingya refugees, rather than let criminal elements drive them out, Ganguly said. Donor governments should be helping to meet the humanitarian needs of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh while pressing for the establishment of rights-respecting civilian rule in Myanmar so they can one day go home.

Deputy Inspector General Jamil Hasan of Coxs Bazar police, who leads nearly 2,000 personnel and has responsibility for all 33 Rohingya camps, told The Irrawaddy that the authorities had been facing tremendous logistical problems since Covid.

Jamil said his patrols lacked communications technology and struggled with poor roads between the camps.

We placed our requirements for what we need to bring stability in the camps but we are told about funding cuts, he added.

An internal police report said 191 firearms and 987 bullets had been seized and 4,755 Rohingya were charged over 1,720 cases between 2020 and May this year.

Another report said 96 Rohingyas had been killed between 2019 and May 31.

Jamil said his officers lacked the resources to stop conflict between armed groups like the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO).

On Tuesday, an ARSA statement said biased media reports implied the conflict was an internal dispute within the Rohingya community.

In reality, innocent and defenseless Rohingyas are losing their lives as a result of actions serving the interests of some law enforcement officers and the RSO, the statement said.

ARSA commander Somiur Uddin told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that the RSO had AK47s and modern pistols.

He said eight of their commanders and supporters had been killed this month.

The RSO has groups of 30-40 attacking us  my life is at risk, although I have committed no crime, Somiur said.

The RSO was unavailable for comment.

The HRW said Rohingya community leaders or their families were being targeted amid numerous abductions for ransom.

Several Rohingya reported the involvement of armed groups in sexual assault, forced marriage and child recruitment, with victims blaming ARSA, the RSO, Munna Islami Mahaz and other groups.

Bangladeshs Ministry of Defence reported that at least 11 armed groups were vying to control drug and human trafficking in the camps.

Activists, educated residents and religious leaders are common targets with at least 16 majhis killed in the first half of 2023.

John Quinley, director of Fortify Rights, praised the HRW report and said his staff had documented similar patterns of violence in the camps.

Bangladesh should work with [the UNs refugee charity] the UNHCR to provide protective spaces outside the camp for Rohingya at risk as well as focus on solutions for refugees, including ending restrictions on access to livelihoods and freedom of movement, Quinley added.

About a million Rohingya refugees are in Bangladesh in sprawling, overcrowded camps in Coxs Bazar or the isolated silt island of Bhasan Char.

Most of them fled military atrocities in Rakhine State in 2017.

The violence in the camps has escalated amid Bangladeshs increasingly coercive restrictions on livelihoods, movement and education, including harassment at checkpoints and the closing of community schools and markets.
At least five junta troops were killed in a predawn ambush Thursday in Khwet Khwin Village of Myinmu Township in the resistance stronghold of Sagaing Region, according to resistance forces.

Junta troops were ambushed by local resistance forces at around 4.30am while they were raiding Khwet Khwin Village, according to a spokesperson from Myinmu Peoples Defense Force (PDF).

The joint attack was conducted by PDF groups, including Zero Guerrilla Force, which made a daring visit to Sadaung Town last month.

At least five bodies of junta troops were found on Nyaung Gyi Aing Road between Ayadaw and Myinmu townships, a resident of Khwet Khwin Village said.

The Myinmu PDF carried out a drone attack while junta forces raided village houses after the ambush, but the number of causalities is unknown.

A junta column with about 200 troops has raided a dozen villages in Myinmu and Ayadaw townships over the past week.

Junta forces killed four resistance members last week when they raided Na Be Kyu, Nyaung Myit and Ma Gyi Kan villages, a village resistance fighter said.

About 230 houses in Gon Nyin Seik, 70 houses in Ngar Kin (North) and 230 houses in Ngar Kin (Ywar Ma) villages in Myinmu Township were incinerated by junta troops between July 7 and July 9.

The same junta column moved towards Ayadaw Township where it torched at least 100 houses in Nyaung Pin, Ma Le Thar and Kan Yin villages on Tuesday.

Three village residents were killed by junta troops in Ayadaw during Tuesdays raid, residents said.

More than 20,000 people have fled their homes in a dozen villages and more than 630 houses in Myinmu and Ayadaw townships were set ablaze from June 7 to June 11.
Shortly before Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai revealed at Wednesdays Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ministerial retreat in Jakarta that he met imprisoned Myanmar democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during his recent secret visit, news website PanOrient News posted a controversial report on the meeting.

The report, citing anonymous sources, claimed that the detained leader told Don that she neither recognizes nor supports the PDF or the NUG accused by the government of Myanmar of terrorism and the killing of innocent people.

NUG is an acronym for Myanmars shadow National Unity Government that was formed with elected lawmakers from Daw Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) party and their ethnic allies. The PDF (Peoples Defense Force) is the NUGs armed wing. Both enjoy popular support and have been trying to topple the military regime following the coup in 2021.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyis alleged statement on the NUG and PDF, as quoted by PanOrient, triggered widespread confusion. But observers were quick to express suspicion that the quote had been concocted, pointing out that the democracy leader expressed support for the anti-regime resistance movement in a message she delivered through her former aide Sean Turnell. Others questioned the accuracy of the report, saying it echoed the regimes narrative of branding the NUG and PDF as terrorist organizations.

Also, in his comments at the retreat, the Thai foreign minister mentioned nothing about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi referring to the NUG and PDF during their meeting.

A few clicks on the internet were all it took to shed light on the shady PanOrient outlet and its connections with the junta.

In May this year, the news outlets president, Khaldon Azhari, arrived in Naypyitaw for a meeting with the juntas foreign minister Than Swe and information minister Maung Maung Ohn. Their talks focused on cooperation in the media sector and upgrading of junta mouthpiece English-language newspapers.

Many observers are now convinced the junta is using PanOrient to spread misinformation about the democracy leader with the aim of driving a wedge between anti-regime resistance forces, the NUG and the people of Myanmar.

NUG foreign minister Daw Zin Mar Aung wondered whether the news outlet is on the regimes payroll for disinformation, as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has always said she would never go against the peoples will and would stand with them.

So, for such a person, the question of whether she supports the NUG or the PDFs is totally unnecessary. The one thing thats sure is that the junta is desperately trying to spread disinformation, she said.

She also said if the junta really wanted to know whether the civilian leader supports the NUG and PDFs, it should give her the freedom to speak her opinion freely.

What they should not forget is that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is still the NUGs State Counselor, Daw Zin Mar Aung added.
Thursday, Jul 13th, 2023 (12:01 am) - Score 384

The Digital Connectivity Forum (DCF), an industry think-tank, has today announced that the UKs largest mobile and broadband providers, including BT, Three UK, and Sky Broadband, among many others, have agreed to work together to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the telecoms supply chain.

The vast majority of the operators making this commitment already have related Net Zero style targets for their own networks (i.e. removing as many carbon emissions as they produce), but ensuring that the wider supply chain follows suit is a harder task.

The participants have all committed to work via the DCFs Climate & Sustainability Work Group, to building industry consensus on these areas to drive action, ahead of COP28, while ensuring compliance with Competition Law. The group will meet a further four times before the end of COP28 and will collaborate with other telecoms groupings and bodies that are committed to tackling climate change.

Participants are expected to focus on parts of the value chain where the telco industry can collectively make the greatest impact to reduce GHG emissions. They include:

 Scope 3 [categories 1 and 2  purchased goods & services and capital goods]

 Scope 3 [categories 11 and 13 (end-of-use of sold products and downstream leased assets)]

Alex Mather, Head of the Digital Connectivity Forum, said: We commend the collaborative commitment of these companies in reducing the climate impact of the telecoms sector. By understanding and addressing the complexities of the industry, we can pave the way for industry-wide transformation. The enthusiasm and support for the DCFs climate working group are inspiring, and we look forward to their proposals ahead of COP28.

Ed Leighton, Director of Strategy & Policy at Ofcom, said: We welcome the commitment of these companies to work together to reduce the climate impact of the sector. Better understanding the supply chain is as critical for sustainability as it is for security, so this is the right focus. We look forward to seeing further specific proposals ahead of COP 28.

No doubt this sort of development will attract the usual comments about virtue signalling, as well as the odd climate sceptic. But its worth remembering that, for a business, its always nice to have virtues worth signalling and, no matter what your stance on the climate, ensuring a cleaner supply chain is by no means a negative  assuming it can be done in a way that doesnt burden suppliers with unviable costs.
Thursday, Jul 13th, 2023 (8:21 am) - Score 3,600

Unite the Union, which has previously expressed its opposition to Vodafone and Three UKs proposed merger (here), is attempting to up the ante by pressing some of Vodafones largest shareholders (e.g. Blackrock, Vanguard, Norges Bank and local authority pension funds) to take a stand, on conflict of interest grounds, at the next AGM.

The deal, which would see Vodafone hold a 51% slice of the business (Three UK / CK Hutchison on 49%), has been promoted as something that would be great for customers, great for the country and great for competition, while also resulting in a major 11bn investment to upgrade the UKs 5G mobile (mobile broadband) infrastructure and network coverage.

However, Unite and others have raised concerns about the merger, both on national security grounds, and because of reduced competition (i.e. three mobile network operators, instead of four), the accompanying risk of price increases and, naturally, the likelihood of big job losses. The union has now set out these concerns in more detail as part of their pre-briefing for the forthcoming Vodafone AGM on 25th July 2023.

Unite believe it is critical that any potential conflicts of interest relating to parties involved in the merger are addressed in a rigorous and transparent way. Therefore, we urge Vodafone investors to consider withholding support from resolutions at the companys forthcoming AGM on 25 July, said the union.

Unites Concerns (Briefing Extract)  Research from the Balanced Economy Project has shown that prices after a Three-Vodafone merger could be up to 50% higher. Based on current average spending patterns, this means UK consumers would pay up to 300 more per year on their mobile bills.  On top of this, price levels in European markets with only three mobile network operators (MNOs) are 20% higher on average than those with four.  Following a merger, Threes ultimate parent company, CK Group, will become a person of significant control over a business that will serve 40% of the UKs population. Unite has uncovered extensive collaboration between the CK Group, the Li family which controls it, and the Chinese state.  The CK Group would also become party to Vodafones sensitive government contracts, including with the Ministry of Justice, and strategic national assets in the form of Vodafones subsea communications cables, which link the UK to global communication networks.

Unite says theyve already been in contact with major Vodafone shareholders, including Blackrock, Vanguard, Norges Bank and local authority pension funds. The union is asking them to vote against the re-election of David Nish, and the remuneration policy, on conflict-of-interest grounds (theyve also been in touch with proxy voting advisors Glass Lewis and ISS). But whether any of this will have a meaningful impact is yet to be seen. Vodafone has been asked to comment.
This Week in Review

A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
Iowa Capital Dispatch )  The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature, in a daylong special legislative session, passed legislation late Tuesday to outlaw most abortions in Iowa after six weeks of gestation.

The House adjourned just after 9 p.m. Tuesday after sending House File 732 to the Senate with a vote of 56-34. Rep. Zach Dieken, R-Granville, and Rep. Mark Cisneros, R-Muscatine, voted no and 10 House members were absent.

About two hours later, the Senate voted 32-17 to pass the bill, with one Republican, Sen. Mike Klimesh of Spillville, voting no. Abortion-rights supporters shouted from the gallery, causing the Senate president to ask troopers to eject them.

Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a statement she would sign the bill Friday, after which it will take effect immediately. She called the special session after the Iowa Supreme Court, split 3-3, left in place an injunction that blocked enactment of a nearly identical 2018 law.

The Iowa Supreme Court questioned whether this legislature would pass the same law they did in 2018, and today they have a clear answer, Reynolds said in a statement. The voices of Iowans and their democratically elected representatives cannot be ignored any longer, and justice for the unborn should not be delayed.

The bill would prohibit abortion after embryonic cardiac activity can be detected, usually as early as six weeks after conception. The bill contains exceptions for rape or incest reported within a certain period of time to law enforcement or a medical professional, or for the life of the pregnant patient.

Mr. President, this bill ensures all life is protected when a heartbeat is detected, Sen. Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, said in opening remarks on the bill. The child in her mothers womb has her own heartbeat, her own DNA. Shes a baby, and she deserves the same protections as any other baby in the state.

Democrats in both chambers offered amendments and argued in favor of broadening the exceptions, without success.

Republicans defeated amendments to eliminate the requirement that rape or incest must be reported to authorities and to create an exception for pregnant patients age 12 or younger or with mental health conditions or a developmental disability.

Although the bill does include exceptions for rape and incest, the bill specifies a 45-day limit for a rape to be reported or 140 days for incest to be reported for the crime to qualify as an exception to the abortion prohibition.

Democrats in both chambers tried to eliminate the reporting limit.

I am appreciative that the current bill acknowledges that the survivors of rape and incest have an option, I would just like it to be a little less restrictive, House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst D-Polk, said during floor debate.

Women who become pregnant as a result of rape or incest often do not feel safe reporting it, lawmakers said.

We know, folks, that women who are the survivors of rape and incest, for a myriad of reasons, including fear for their own safety, are not able to safely report rape or incest and therefore, the law as it is currently written, would be forcing these women to carry out their pregnancy because they were not able to safely report what happened, Rep. Austin Baeth, D-Des Moines, a physician, said.

Democrats in both chambers also attempted, unsuccessfully, to include mental health concerns as an exception.

The number one cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States is related to mental health, suicide or substance overdose, Baeth said.

Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Dubuque, the bills floor manager, responded by saying, I would like to recognize that abortion isnt a treatment for mental illness. Obviously if we have someone whose life is in danger, a doctor should take an approach to make sure they immediately refer them to inpatient care.

Debate in the Senate was contentious almost from the beginning.

Senator Sinclair, dont piss down my back and tell me its raining, Sen. Liz Bennett, D-Cedar Rapids, said at one point during debate, prompting a call for decorum from Sen. Brad Zaun, who was presiding.

At another point, a Democratic senator objected to Sinclair repeatedly referring to their talking points as lies.

I would love to not use the word lie, Sinclair responded, to derisive laughter from the opposite side of the chamber.

Later, Zaun threatened to remove anyone causing a disturbance in the public gallery.

In the House, Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hampton, said he was impressed with the camaraderie shown by the representatives. Even so, Rep. Jeff Cooling, D-Cedar Rapids, drew an objection when he suggested on the House floor that the session was a result of special interests.

Were here today because special interests, some would say, are running the state and controlling the governor, some would say that. So this special interest session, Cooling said before a point of order was called.

So its my belief that our time here today is neither fiscally responsible to the taxpayer, nor will the result of what we do here today lead to responsible government, Cooling continued. I believe that this session is all about power and politics, and I believe I was elected to represent people, not special interests.

Lawmakers get personal

Lawmakers of both parties brought their personal stories to the debate.

Rep. Luana Stoltenberg, R-Davenport, said she was standing up for mothers who have died or are infertile as a result of an abortion.

Id like to speak up for my three children who lost their life and died by abortion, Stoltenberg said. Id like to speak up for the 65 million plus other children that died by abortion and will never get to speak. Id like to speak up for the women who have been hurt by abortion and are too ashamed and too filled with guilt to be able to speak.

I was told that it was just a blob of tissue, that it was easy and it was safe. That was a lie. Those abortions caused me not to be able to have children. Every day I live with the reality that I killed the only children I would ever have, she said.

Stoltenberg said uterine damage and infertility can happen as a result of abortions and shared stories of other mothers who have been harmed by abortions. We do not have a constitutional right in the state of Iowa to kill our children, she concluded.

Weiner, arguing that exceptions should be expanded to include mental health conditions, said she is raising her 5-year-old grandchild because her daughter has a mental health condition.

Shes an addict, and she has serious mental health challenges and diagnosis so the irony is that right now under this bill, based on her addiction, based on her purposely and knowingly ingesting or injecting something, she would have a choice. Based on the mental health challenges that most likely led to and exacerbated her addiction, she would not have a choice, Weiner said.

Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, whose late daughter had developmental disabilities, offered an amendment seeking to expand the exceptions under the bill to pregnant patients with a developmental disability. She said sexual abuse victims with developmental disabilities are taught to trust their abusers.

That was one of my biggest fears as a mom  biggest fear  that so many of the adults with disabilities are such trusting people, Jochum said. And no, they dont understand whats going on. And yes, we have a duty to protect them.

Sinclair said because people with severe developmental disabilities are unable to consent to sex, they would be covered under the exception for rape. But Jochum said that was a flimsy excuse.

She said the abuse is unlikely to be reported. If you cant consent, how can you report?

One Republican, Sen. Carrie Koelker of Dyersville, voted in favor of the amendment, which failed on a vote of 17-32.

Whats the penalty?

The bill specifies that women who obtain an abortion in violation of the law would face no civil or criminal penalties. But lawmakers in both chambers argued over whether the bill was clear or vague and what might happen to doctors who violate the law.

Baeth said, as a doctor, he does not know where to draw the line on the definition of medical emergency. The law is not specific enough to give doctors confidence they will be free from punishment from the Board of Medicine, he said.

Baeth said he was worried a patient would have to be already in critical condition to receive an abortion, because doctors are concerned they will break the law if they provide care too soon.

I have great concerns that the current exceptions are actually extremely narrow and strict because they only apply to somebody in whom because of pregnancy they would develop potentially, and quickly, Baeth said. Its critical illness and death, actually they must be in critical illness and near death to receive those services.

The bill states the Board of Medicine is directed to adopt administrative rules to administer the bill. Normally, administrative rules have to be enacted within 90 days after a bill is signed into law. Since the bill is effective immediately upon enactment, rules are not yet established.

Rep. Brian Meyer, D-Des Moines, asked Lundgren multiple times how the bill will be enforced, considering its quick passage.

In multiple instances, Lundgren was asked what would happen to a doctor if the law is violated.

Lundgren responded each time that the Board of Medicine will determine those rules, providing no more information to the body.

In the Senate, Sinclair said repeatedly she could not predict what rules the board would enact, but said she believes the bill text is clear enough that rules may not be needed. Rules are not necessary for this bill to go into effect, she said.

Rep. John Forbes, D-Urbandale, a pharmacist, said the Board of Medicine will have a hard time creating rules.

I think theyre [the Board of Medicine] going to have a difficult time interpreting really what type of action should be taken if a physician does make a mistake and not make the right decision he thinks is proper for that patient, Forbes said.

Iowans pack the Capitol

Hundreds of Iowans packed the State Capitol on Tuesday to express their views on the legislation.

The Iowa House Health and Human Services Committee hosted a public hearing on House Study Bill 255 and the Senate State Government Committee heard public comments during a subcommittee meeting on its identical version of the bill, Senate Study Bill 1223.

As hearings were underway in two meeting rooms, hundreds gathered in the Capitol rotunda with signs and participated in chants, muffling the voices of those speaking inside. Chants of Vote them out and Hey hey, ho ho, abortion bans have got to go rang in the halls outside of the room.

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy joined the crowd after meeting with Reynolds.

The judicial branch here got it wrong but the people of this country  people of this state  put Kim Reynolds in office and put those legislators in both chambers of the Legislature to actually reflect the will of the people. And thats what were celebrating, Ramaswamy said.

Lori Van Lo of West Des Moines, who was standing nearby, interjected that 60% of Iowans dont agree with an abortion ban.

So, look, if you want to vote for somebody else, you have the power to do that, Ramaswamy responded.

During both hearings, advocates from both sides of the issue shared their stories, citing religion, bodily autonomy and clarity of the bills enforcement.

Maggie DeWitte, executive director of Pulse Life Advocates, said during the House hearing that she testified in front of legislators to prevent abortions in 2018.

This has been a long time coming, DeWitte said. I testified at our heartbeat bill in 2018, and here we are again. It is beyond time to once and for all have this heartbeat law passed, for the second time, signed into law for the second time, but now will be able to be enforced.

Advocates that have spoken out against the passing of this bill have threatened to take the law to court if enacted.

Francesca Turner, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, asked lawmakers for better guidance from the bill.

Using medically inaccurate language is confusing and dangerous, Turner said. The words in the bill should be very specific and accurate. These words matter and facts are important.

Turner asked the committee members: At what point will your wife or your daughter, who is having a medical emergency related to pregnancy, do I get to save her life? At what point do I get to intervene? It is unclear in this bill.

Pregnancy is too complicated to legislate, Turner said. I support the rights of patients to choose medical care that is best for them, and help them access care without government interference.

Speakers cite religion

A majority of speakers in favor of the bill referred to their religion. John Lamb, a pastor speaking for Lutheran Family Service, emphasized during the Senate hearing that he believes life begins at conception. A new and unique human being comes into existence, he said.  So I want to remind everyone that when we talk about heartbeat, were not talking about the heartbeat of something, but the heartbeat of someone.

Some who opposed the bill also cited their religion.

Sally Frank, who said she was an active member of the Jewish community, said that the law does not allow her to practice religion.

Under Jewish life, human life begins at birth. While the fetus has value, its value is far below the human lives of the living people, including those who are pregnant.

Abortion is part of good health care and forced birth is not, Frank said.

Rev. Brigit Stevens, a regional minister for the United Church of Christ, spoke on behalf of Black, indigenous people of color and LGBTQ Iowans.

Abortion will not go away, it will go underground, and lets be frank, straight white men with money will still be able to get abortions for their wives, their daughters and their girlfriends, Stevens said. And other people of color, Black, indigenous folks and LGBTQ Iowans will continue to die at exponentially higher rates than white Iowans. Mothers will die and babies will die.

Loras College student Grace Van Petten said she used to be pro-choice and she now believes women her age are misinformed about abortion. We have many young women like my younger self convinced that abortion is needed or necessary, she said, and that abortion is the removal of just a clump of cells.

House Democrats presented four amendments in committee regarding extending postpartum Medicaid, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and access to contraception and accessibility to child care. They all failed on party-line votes. Both bills passed their respective committees on party-line votes.

Both the House and Senate majority parties passed rules for the special session that limited debate in committees and on the floor. House leadership planned to halt debate at 10 p.m. and move immediately to a vote. The Senates debate was set to end at 11 p.m.

Democrats in the House and Senate objected to limiting debate on the legislation.

When you make a decision, Senator Whitver, to change the rules and democracy, to cut and muzzle the voices of Iowa women and those who love them and stand for them, youre showing what Iowa looks like. Thats a dictatorship, Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, said, addressing Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver during debate of chamber rules for the special session.

Sinclair pushed back at the criticism that the process has been rushed, saying during the subcommittee meeting the language was identical to the legislation debated at length and passed in 2018. We are not here for one day, we are here for five years, she said during opening comments of the Senates subcommittee meeting on the bill. In fact, I would suggest that perhaps this has gone on too long, given the nature of the contents of the law.
I have long held a deep fascination with the intellectual journey of individuals who undergo profound conversions. Religious or political, witnessing the gradual evolution of ideological stances, culminating in the decisive act of severing ones personal Gordian knots, is truly captivating. With my background, profession and personal interest, I have had the privilege of observing first hand the transformative journeys undertaken by Muslims who undergo profound shifts in their perceptions and practices of Islam, as well as Zionists who experience a profound disillusionment with their emotional connection to Israel.

When it comes to the latter, Thomas L Friedman and Peter Beinart are two contemporaries whose political trajectories I have watched closely. Their respective paths have been a subject of great interest and intrigue in equal measure. Beinarts, for the way he has abandoned his early certainties about Israel and Zionism; and Friedmans, not only because of his public disillusionment with the apartheid state, but also because the New York Times columnist is arguably the journalist who has most shaped US debate over Israel-Palestine in recent decades.

Although Friedman and Beinart still share major disagreements on Israel, their different paths highlight powerfully the existential crises in whats referred to as liberal Zionism. As I pointed out in a previous article commenting on a discussion between the two, both are liberal Jews and, unlike Beinart, who has had a very public political conversion regarding Israel and Zionism, Friedman has been less willing to part company with his past loyalties. That, however, does not mean that he has not become disillusioned over the direction that Israel is taking.

In that discussion, Friedman refused to use the word apartheid to describe Israeli policy. I argued that the main reason he is less trenchant in his views over Israel than Beinart is because, as one of the main commentators in the US on the Middle East, the NYT columnist is less concerned about the rights and wrongs of the conflict as much as he is about writing for his audience. Do you want to make a point, or do you want to make a difference? Freidman said during the exchange, shooting back with a prickly response when Beinart presented him with a charge sheet of Israeli crimes against the Palestinians, beginning with the ethnic cleansing in 1948 through to the crime of apartheid.

Of course, numerous factors contribute to why individuals cling to beliefs they disagree with privately but may not openly acknowledge. One significant factor is emotional attachment, as people tend to develop strong emotional connections to their beliefs. This emotional bond can create resistance to letting go, even when faced with conflicting evidence. Beliefs become intertwined with personal identity, fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth.

Article continues after bonus IC video

Principles by Ray Dalio: Thomas Friedman and Ray Dalio Discuss the Changing World Order

Furthermore, social pressure and conformity play a role. The fear of uncertainty that accompanies the relinquishment of long-held beliefs can be daunting. It requires courage for individuals to question their worldview and confront the potential fallibility of their convictions. Recognising the complexities involved, it becomes evident that the process of re-evaluating ones beliefs requires introspection and a willingness to embrace the possibility of being wrong. It is an endeavour that demands personal growth and the experience of serious discomfort.

During his discussion with Beinart, Friedman exhibited traits reminiscent of someone grappling with an ideological crisis. As I posited in my piece, Friedman, who has spent a significant portion of his career covering Israel and Palestine while often defending the occupation state, now perceives himself as a person of influence not only in the US but also in Israel. Consequently, he is cautious about expressing anything that may undermine his position. In my analysis, I proposed that Friedmans rationale lies in the belief that being at the heart of the debate, where he can potentially sway the perspectives of those he disagrees with, is more impactful than advocating from an external standpoint. It is this consideration that seemingly prevents him from undergoing a political conversion akin to Beinarts of several years ago.

Nevertheless, upon reading Friedmans article in the New York Times yesterday, it appeared evident that the 69-year-old journalist has taken yet another step towards a comprehensive political transformation. Within the piece, Friedman articulated his view that the US had initiated a process of re-evaluating its association with Israel. He spoke of a sense of shock today among US diplomats about the direction of Israel and the breakdown of shared values between Washington and Tel-Aviv.

However, the most remarkable revelation in the article emerged as Friedman delved into the concept of a shared fiction between the US and Israel, which allows the perpetuation of the occupation states unlawful settler-colonial policies. Whether rooted in religious or political beliefs, misguided ideological positions stem from the presence of false notions, misplaced optimism, and untruths. According to Friedman it is the shared fiction about the nature of Israels occupation that is at the root of Americas inexplicable devotion to Israel.

The US is reassessing its relationship with Israel, said Friedman, because the far-right government of Benjamin Netanyahu is undermining [o]ur shared values and the vitally important shared fiction about the status of the West Bank that has kept peace hopes there just barely alive. Friedman went on to explain that one of the most important Israeli and American shared interests was the shared fiction that the occupation of the West Bank was only temporary and one day there could be a two-state solution.

Washington did not feel the need to worry about the now more than 500,000 Israeli settlers, argued Friedman, because one day there will be a Palestinian state. Because of that shared fiction, the US has almost always defended Israel in the UN and the International Court of Justice in The Hague against various resolutions or judgments that it was not occupying the West Bank temporarily but actually annexing it permanently, said Friedman. This Israeli government is now doing its best to destroy that time-buying fiction.

The idea of a shared fiction is key to understanding why US support for Israel has been based on nothing more than false beliefs, false hope and bare-faced lies. Its been apparent for decades that the settlements were meant to be permanent, which is why every human rights group has now decided to call Israel out for its imposition of apartheid. It is fiction to have believed and continue believing that Israel was ever interested in peace; that it would end its occupation and allow Palestinians to have their own state. It was all a lie from the beginning.

I am delighted that Freidman has mustered the courage to call Israeli policies apartheid just as I am thrilled to see him admit that US relations with Israel have been built on a fiction. Such revelations undoubtedly bring individuals like Friedman one step closer to completing their political conversion and abandoning Zionism.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment.
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Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Given the decisions announced by Turkeys President Tayyip Erdogan at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, some have speculated that Turkey is turning back toward the West after a long period of estrangement and flirtation with Russia. Erdogan finally dropped his opposition to Sweden joining NATO. He backed NATO membership for Ukraine. He welcomed a Biden offer to sell Ankara F-16 fighter jets and to offer update kits for the F-16s that Turkey already has.

It should be underlined, however, that Turkey has not agreed to join in the economic boycott of Russia, to which most NATO members have signed on. Ankara still attempts to mediate between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, including the grain export agreement that it initiated. Turkey has managed ship traffic through the Bosporus Strait in an even-handed way, which Russia appreciates. President Erdogan says he invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to Turkey in August, though TASS says that Putin presently has no such plans.

Turkey is not the only NATO member to resist Washingtons wide-ranging boycott of Russia. Hungary, too, cites its dependence on Russian petroleum as a reason for which it cannot cut Moscow off.

Erdogan did express his support for Ukraine joining NATO eventually, which cannot have been welcome in the Kremlin. Turkish commentators, however, were sanguine that this step would not harm Russo-Turkish relations because Putin has already factored in Turkeys NATO membership and understands the constraints it places on Ankara (BBC Monitoring). Gareth Jones at Reuters wrote of Russia spokesman Dmitry Peskov, saying Peskov said Russia understood that Turkey had to fulfil its obligations as a NATO member over Sweden, but he added that Moscow wanted to continue to build mutually beneficial relations with Ankara despite all disagreements.

Peskov also said that Russia didnt worry about Turkey being allowed to join the European Union, a request that Erdogan renewed this week and pressured Sweden into supporting.

The EU is widely seen as a largely Christian club unwilling to admit 85 million Muslim Turks on racial grounds and out of fear of a surge of immigration from Turkey if borders were lowered. The EU says it worries that Turkeys eastern borders are embroiled in conflicts with Kurds and Syria and it does not want to invite those conflicts into Europe.

So if Turkey is not actively pivoting to the West or actually turning against Russia, what did happen?

It was all transactional. Karl Ritter and Andrew Wilks at AP explain that Turkey wanted a firmer Swedish and NATO commitment to fight terrorism, by which Erdogan means Kurdish groups such as the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Some European countries have been sympathetic to Kurdish desires for a country of their own, even though it would be carved out of existing countries such as Turkey, Syria and Iraq. Sweden in particular did an about-face and pledged closer anti-terrorism efforts with Turkey, which implies less sympathy for at least those Kurdish nationalists who turn to violence.

President Joe Biden also met personally with Erdogan, seeking a reset of relations with Turkey, which Erdogan said was welcome. People around Erdogan had blamed the US for the 2016 attempted coup against Erdogan, though there is no public evidence that the Obama administration had anything to do with it. The US has also disappointed Turkey by refusing to sell it advanced F-35 fighter jets or even F-16s. Turkey has bought the S-400 anti-missile system from Russia. Such systems are on the internet and suck in information from devices around them that are also on line, including the US jets. So Washington considers the S-400 to be a major security threat, allowing the internet of things to transmit sensitive information about weapons systems to the enemy.

Article continues after bonus IC video

MSNBC: Biden meets with Turkish President Erdogan at the NATO summit in Lithuania

While the US still wont sell Turkey F-35s, Biden said he would try to sell some F-16s to Turkey, if he can get the deal through a skeptical Congress. Erdogan was apparently mollified by the offer, and said he understood that the deal would have to go through the US legislature, just as he would have to take the proposed Swedish membership in NATO to his own parliament when it reconvened in October.

So the warmer ties between NATO (including the US) and Turkey appear mainly to be a matter of selling F-16s to Erdogan and leaning toward his definition of the PKK as a terrorist organization (which the US had itself long since accepted but some other NATO members had not). Erdogan was allowed to have his way on a couple of the outstanding issues between Turkey and NATO, and thats why agreement was reached on Swedish accession to NATO.

It isnt a turn to the West, it is a successful piece of bargaining with the West, which does not forestall continued bargaining with the Russian Federation.
TORONTO, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the Company or Torex) (TSX: TXG) reports Q2 2023 gold production of 107,507 ounces (oz) and gold sold of 105,749 oz. With first half gold production of 230,425 oz, the Company reiterates 2023 production guidance of 440,000 to 470,000 oz.

TABLE 1: PRELIMINARY SECOND QUARTER 2023 OPERATIONAL RESULTS

Q2 2023 Mining ELG Open Pits - Ore tonnes mined tpd 7,074 ELG Open Pits - Waste tonnes mined tpd 122,243 ELG Open Pits - Strip ratio waste:ore 17.3 ELG Underground - Ore tonnes mined tpd 1,913 Processing Total tonnes processed tpd 13,293 Average gold recovery % 88.3 Average gold grade of ore processed gpt 3.13 Gold produced oz 107,507 Gold sold oz 105,749

Operational results are preliminary in nature and subject to final reconciliation. Financial and operational results for Q2 2023 will be released after market close on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. A conference call hosted by senior management will be held the following day at 9:00 AM ET.

Jody Kuzenko, President & CEO of Torex, stated: We produced 107,507 oz of gold during Q2. With production of 230,425 oz through the first half of 2023, we are on pace to achieve full year production guidance for the fifth consecutive year.

Production was supported by a new record average processing rate of 13,293 tonnes per day (tpd) and yet another a record mining rate of 1,913 tpd at ELG Underground. The excellent mining rate puts us on track to exit the year at the targeted run rate of 1,800 tpd.

The reduction in production from Q1 levels was as expected, grade driven, and reflects the sequencing of our pits. A greater proportion of stockpiled material was processed during the quarter, which is a result of lower ore production from the open pits and, notably, the exhaustion of reserves in the Guajes pit, which we plan to use for future in-pit tailings deposition as part of the Media Luna Project. The focus on waste stripping within the El Limon pit relates to the pushback that will extend the mine life of the deposit by six months to mid-2025. With ore production from the open pits expected to ramp up in Q4, we expect quarterly production for the second half of the year to mirror that of the first half.

With production on track to achieve full year guidance, development of Media Luna tracking to schedule and budget, a strong balance sheet with robust liquidity, and ongoing exploration success, we continue to make significant progress on the execution of our strategic plan, which we fully expect will translate into long-term value creation for our shareholders.

CASH FLOW SEASONALITY

Similar to prior years, cash flow from operating activities during the second quarter includes the mandated profit sharing (PTU) payment. The annual payment made in Q2 was approximately $30 million.

SECOND QUARTER 2023 CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS

Torex plans to release its second quarter financial and operational results after market close on August 2, 2023. A conference call and webcast hosted by senior management will be held on August 3, 2023, at 9:00 AM ET.

Telephone Access

Please join the conference call approximately ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Dial-in details for the conference call are as follows:

Toronto local or International: 1-416-915-3239

Toll-Free (North America): 1-800-319-4610

Webcast Access

A webcast will be available on the Companys website at www.torexgold.com/investors/upcoming-events/. The webcast will be archived on the Companys website at www.torexgold.com/investors/financial-reports/.

ABOUT TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC.

Torex is an intermediate gold producer based in Canada, engaged in the exploration, development, and operation of its 100% owned Morelos Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometres southwest of Mexico City. The Companys principal asset is the Morelos Complex, which includes the El Limon Guajes (ELG) Mine Complex, the Media Luna Project, a processing plant, and related infrastructure. Commercial production from the Morelos Complex commenced on April 1, 2016 and an updated Technical Report for the Morelos Complex was released in March 2022. Torexs key strategic objectives are to optimize and extend production from the ELG Mine Complex, de-risk and advance Media Luna to commercial production, build on ESG excellence, and to grow through ongoing exploration across the entire Morelos Property.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC. Jody Kuzenko Dan Rollins President and CEO Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations Direct: (647) 725-9982 Direct: (647) 260-1503 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CAUTIONARY NOTES ON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements that: the Company reiterates 2023 production guidance of 440,000 to 470,000 oz.; the Company is on track to exit the year at the targeted run rate of 1,800 tpd at ELG Underground; the plan to use the Guajes pit for future in-pit tailings deposition as part of the Media Luna Project; the El Limon pushback will extend the mine life of the deposit by six months to mid-2025; with ore production from the open pits expected to ramp up in Q4, the Company expects quarterly production for the second half of the year to mirror that of the first half; with production on track to achieve full year guidance, development of Media Luna tracking to schedule and budget, a strong balance sheet with robust liquidity, and ongoing exploration success, the Company continues to make significant progress on the execution of its strategic plan, which the Company fully expects will translate into long-term value creation for our shareholders; and Torexs key strategic objectives are to optimize and extend production from the ELG Mine Complex, de-risk and advance Media Luna to commercial production, build on ESG excellence, and to grow through ongoing exploration across the entire Morelos Property. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as guidance, "expects", planned, targeted or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results are on schedule, or is on track to or will, or is expected to" occur. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties identified in the Companys technical report (the Technical Report) released on March 31, 2022, entitled NI 43-101 Technical Report ELG Mine Complex Life of Mine Plan and Media Luna Feasibility Study, which has an effective date of March 16, 2022, Companys annual information form (AIF) and managements discussion and analysis (MD&A) or other unknown but potentially significant impacts. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. The Technical Report, AIF and MD&A are available under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Companys website at www.torexgold.com.
Coquitlam, BC  July 13, 2023 - Grid Battery Metals Inc. (formerly Nickel Rock Resources Inc.) (the Company or Grid Battery) (TSXV:CELL), (OTC:EVKRF) (FRA:NMK2) announces that further to its news release dated June 26, 2023, the Company has now closed the Transaction to acquire the Texas Spring Property, located in Elko County, Nevada from Springfield Land Limited Liability (Springfield). The Company and Springfield entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement which Agreement has been accepted by the TSX Venture Exchange.

In connection with the closing, the Company has paid US$55,000 and issued 8,000,000 shares of Grid Battery to Springfield.

The Company has also paid finders fees in the amount of 707,142 shares of the Company.

All shares issued in connection with the Transaction and the finders fee will be subject to a fourmonth and a day hold period expiring on November 14, 2023 in accordance with applicable Canadian Securities Laws.

Qualified Person as Defined Under National Instrument 43-101

Alan J. Morris, CPG of Spring Creek, Nevada, a Qualified Person as defined under Nation Instrument 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release.

About Grid Battery Metals Inc.

Grid Battery Metals Inc. is a Canadian based exploration company whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Companys maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market. www.gridbatterymetals.com.

About Texas Springs Property

The Company owns a 100% interest in the Texas Spring Property which consists of mineral lode claims located in Elko County, Nevada. The Property is in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, Nevada, about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Nevada. The target is a lithium clay deposit in volcanic tuff and tuffaceous sediments of the Humbolt Formation.

The Texas Spring property adjoins the southern border of the Nevada North Lithium Project - owned by Surge Battery Metals Inc. (Surge) (TSXV: NILI, OTC: NILIF) and comprised of 303 mineral claims. Surge's first round of drilling identified strongly mineralized lithium bearing clays. The average lithium content within all near surface clay zones intersected in the 2022 drilling program, applying a 1000 ppm cut-off, was 3254 ppm. (Press release March 29, 2023).

About Clayton Valley Lithium Project

The Company owns a 100% interest in 113 lithium lode and placer claims covering over 640 hectares in Clayton Valley. Clayton Valley is a down-dropped closed basin formed by the Miocene age Great Basin extension and is still active due to movement along the Walker Lane structural zone. As a result, the basin has preserved multiple layers of lithium bearing volcanic ash, resulting from multiple eruptive events over the past 6 million years including eruptions from the 700,000-year-old Long Valley Caldera system and related events. These ash layers are thought to contribute to the lithium brines extracted by Albemarle and are also likely involved in the formation of the exposed lithium rich clay deposits on the east side of Clayton Valley.

Volt Canyon Lithium Property

The Company owns a 100% interest in 80 placer claims covering approximately 635 hectares of alluvial sediments and clays located 122 km northeast of Tonopah, Nevada.

About the British Columbia, Nickel Projects

The Mount Sidney Williams Group consists of three claim blocks with a total area of 10,569 hectares in the area surrounding Mount Sidney Williams, both adjoining and near the Decar project of FPX Nickel Corp., located 100 kilometres northwest of Fort St. James, B.C., in the Omineca mining division. Metallic mineralization includes nickel, cobalt, and chromium. At least some of the nickel mineralization occurs as awaruite. The Mitchell Range Group area claim consists of one claim block covering 8,659 hectares with demonstrated metallic mineralization including nickel, cobalt, and chromium. Nickel cobalt mineralization has not been well explored, but the presence of awaruite has been documented.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Tim Fernback

604-428-5690

Tim Fernback, President & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - CopAur Minerals Inc. (TSXV: CPAU) (OTCQX: COPAF) ("CopAur" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the first two core holes for a total of 607 metres of infill drilling (KMR23-01, and KMR23-02) targeting the high-grade Western Flank Zone (WFZ). Drilling is now underway on the third planned core hole KMR23-03 at the Kinsley Ridge IP geophysical target discovered in 2021, (Figure 1) The Kinsley Ridge IP target is designed to target an undrilled area between WFZ mineral resource and the past producing Ridge Pit.

Core cutting and sampling of the first WFZ core hole is now complete, and samples will be shipped to ALS Global in North Vancouver, Canada for gold fire assays and multi-element analysis in the coming days.

The second drill rig is now turning, with the commencement of reverse circulation (RC) drilling, as part of the 3,500 metre (m) combined reverse circulation (RC) and diamond core drilling program at the Company's flagship Kinsley Mountain Gold Project (the "Kinsley Mountain Project" or "Kinsley Mountain") in Elko County, Nevada.

Near surface oxide-gold resource expansion RC drilling has now commenced at the Main Pit North target (8 holes for a total of 1,200 metres planned) designed to further delineate the companies 2020 shallow oxide gold intercept of 9.83 g/t gold over 7.6 metres in KMR20-030 (Figure 1, and Image 1). High-grade oxide gold mineralization at Main Pit North occurs within 120 metre depth from surface and 75 metres outside the current resource pit shell representing a unique resource expansion opportunity given the high-grade and shallow depth of the mineralization being targeted.

Following completion of RC drilling at Main Pit North the drill will move to the Secret Spot target where drilling designed to further delineate new 2020 surface oxide gold discovery that yielded 1.77 g/t gold over 25.3 metres in KMD20-007B in the centre of a broader 400 x 300 metre northwest trending gold in soil anomaly1. New geological mapping completed this month indicates more extensive Dunderberg Shale, a well demonstrated Kinsley Mountain gold host, than previously recognized, and association of drilled gold mineralization with steeply dipping southeast striking structures, which opens the potential expansion of the KMD20-007B surface oxide gold zone at depth.

CEO Jeremy Yaseniuk stated, "We are pleased to have added a second drill rig at Kinsley Mountain. With resource infill core drilling at the Western Flank Zone now complete we're excited to test the under-explored Kinsley Ridge IP target. Main Pit North continues to be a focus of RC resource expansion where high-grade near surface oxides have the potential to rapidly accrete gold ounces. In addition, the recently completed geological mapping at Secret Spot has significantly reinforced our view of the expansion potential of this already exciting new surface oxide gold discovery."

The Kinsley Project hosts mineral resources comprising the high-grade sulphide Western Flank Zone and near surface oxide of 418,000 indicated ounces gold at 2.63 g/t gold, and 117,000 inferred ounces gold at 1.51 g/t gold1. Indicated resources are inclusive of 302,000 ounces averaging 6.11 g/t gold hosted within the Secret Canyon Shale at the Western Flank Zone. The Kinsley Project was an historical past producer that yielded 138,000 ounces of near surface open pit oxide gold between 1995-1999.

Figure 1. 2023 Planned RC and Diamond Drilling and Kinsley Ridge IP Target

Image 1: RC Drilling Underway at Main Pit North Target Looking East

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (BC), Principal and Consultant, and Christopher W. Livingstone, P.Geo. (BC), Senior Geologist, both of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, and "Qualified Persons" as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Raffle and Mr. Livingstone have verified the data disclosed which includes a review of the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the information and opinions contained herein.

For more information, please contact:

CopAur Minerals Inc.

Jeremy Yaseniuk, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Tel: +1 (604) 773-1467

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Max Sali, Director

Tel: +1 (604) 367-8117

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain statements that constitute "forward-looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities law, including without limitation, conducting exploration work on its projects, receipt of assays, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company and its properties, and other matters.

This news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or Company's future performance. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revised any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

1 Technical Report on the Kinsley Project, Elko County, Nevada, U.S.A., dated June 21, 2021, with an effective date of May 5, 2021, and prepared by Michael M. Gustin and Gary L. Simmons, and filed under New Placer Dome Gold Corp.'s issuer profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).
Kelowna, British Columbia - TheNewswire - July 13, 2023 - Shine Minerals Corp. (the "Company") (TSX-V:SMR.H) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Manpreet Minhas to the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Minhas graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Mr. Minhas is a successful entrepreneur in the field of real estate development and has over a decade of experience in the motel and liquor store business.

Dev Randhawa CEO of Shine Minerals commented, We look forward to having Manpreet on the board, He brings valuable hands-on experience to Shine.

About Shine Minerals Corp.

Shine Minerals Corp is a Canada-based natural resource focused company. The Company is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, evaluation, and development of mineral resource assets.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Mr. Devinder Randhawa

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 1-866-979-7022

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forwardlooking information or statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, statements that address the Companys plans for its properties/projects, the closing of the debt settlement, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of metals, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Companys views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those filed under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, the impact of Covid-19 or other viruses and diseases on the Companys ability to operate, adverse weather conditions, equipment failures, failure to obtain the necessary equipment or machinery, failure to maintain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), increase in costs, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forwardlooking statements or forwardlooking information, except as required by law.




Vancouver, British Columbia  TheNewswire - July 12, 2023  Element79 Gold Corp. (CSE:ELEM) (OTC:ELMGF) (FSE:7YS) ("Element79 Gold", the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of James C. Tworek, the Companys CEO, as a non-independent Director of the Company. In addition to his operational role as CEO, Mr. Tworek will now be in a more direct supportive role to work with the Board in strategic decision making and guidance.

James has been the CEO of Element79 Gold Corp since its pre-IPO era and has built his career holding positions as Director, Senior Management, Operational and Analytical roles in both public and private companies. As successful entrepreneur, his 25-year career started in banking in 1998 and he has garnered a wealth of experience across diverse industries between Commercial Banking, Mining, Oil and Gas, Project Finance, mezzanine debt, mortgage brokerage, Hemp/legal Cannabis, and Clean Water/Envirotech industries. His investing experience includes real estate, private mining, private equity, startup generation, tech, and agricultural ventures.

A team leader, James built his career on successfully executing, developing and reaching corporate growth targets. His strong communication skills, honesty and integrity with investors and stakeholders make him an asset as a board member.

Mr. Tworek comments Its a huge achievement to be brought onto the board here at Element79, where I can actively be part of the decision-making process for the Companys future beyond solely my day-to-day operational role as CEO. I look forward to enacting change and generating value for our shareholders with my fellow Directors as the Company continues to grow through executing our plans and strategies today and through the coming years.

About Element79 Gold

Element79 Gold is a mining company focused on gold, silver and associated metals. Element79 Golds main focus is on two core properties: developing its previously-producing, high-grade gold and silver mine, the Lucero project located in Arequipa, Peru, with the intent to bring it back into production in the near term; and its flagship Maverick Springs Project located in the famous gold mining district of northeastern Nevada, USA, between the Elko and White Pine Counties. Maverick Springs hosts a 43-101-compliant, pit-constrained mineral resource estimate reflecting an inferred resource of 3.71 million ounces of gold equivalent AuEq at a grade of 0.92 g/t AuEq (0.34 g/t Au and 43.4 g/t Ag) with an effective date of Oct. 19, 2022 (see news release October 20, 2022, available on SEDAR). The acquisition of the Maverick Springs Project also included a portfolio of 15 properties along the Battle Mountain trend in Nevada, which are non-core to its primary business focus. In British Columbia, Element79 Gold has executed a Letter of Intent and funded a drilling program to acquire a private company which holds the option to 100% interest of the Snowbird High-Grade Gold Project, which consists of 10 mineral claims located in Central British Columbia, approximately 20km west of Fort St. James. The Company also has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Dale Property, 90 unpatented mining claims located approximately 100 km southwest of Timmins, Ontario, Canada in the Timmins Mining Division, Dale Township. The Company is analyzing the non-core Nevada projects, The Dale Property and Snowbird Property for further merit of exploration, sale or spin-out. For more information about the Company, please visit www.element79.gold

On Behalf of the Company

James Tworek

CEO

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Contact Information

Investor Relations Department  Dylan Anderson

Phone: +1.613.879.9387

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press contains "forwardlooking information" and "forward-looking statements" under applicable securities laws (collectively, "forwardlooking statements"). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Companys business strategy; future planning processes; exploration activities; the timing and result of exploration activities; capital projects and exploration activities and the possible results thereof; acquisition opportunities; and the impact of acquisitions, if any, on the Company. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forwardlooking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "forecast", "potential", "target", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forwardlooking statements".

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, BC - TheNewswire - JULY 13, 2023  Element 79 Gold Corp. (CSE:ELEM) (OTC:ELMGF) (FSE:7YS) ("Element 79 Gold", the "Company") announces that, further to its November 17, 2022 release, the Company has closed the sale of two properties from its Battle Mountain Portfolio located in the gold mining district of northeastern Nevada, USA to a subsidiary of Centra Mining Ltd. ("Centra").

Under the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, Centra purchased all of Element79 Gold's interests and obligations in relation to the Long Peak Project ("Long Peak") and the Stargo Project ("Stargo") in exchange for total consideration of CAD $1,000,000 paid by the issuance of an aggregate of 2,500,000 common shares of Centra at a deemed price of CAD $0.40 per share (the Payment Shares). The transaction closed on July 13, 2023, subject to regulatory approval.

"The sale of Long Peak and Stargo to Centra marks another milestone in Element79 Gold's journey for the strategic development of its high-grade gold assets," commented James Tworek, President and CEO of Element79 Gold. "This achievement enables us to unlock additional value from our extensive portfolio of prospective properties while advancing our core projects and driving their success to new heights."

Tworek added, "With other development assets in this exciting region, and with the prospective nature of the properties being sold, we are excited to maintain our exposure to the very promising potential of these properties and the opportunity for continued discovery through our equity participation in Centra."

The Battle Mountain Portfolio

The Battle Mountain Portfolio was originally comprised of 15 separate projects totaling over 44,478 acres across 2,203 unpatented claims in five counties: Elko County, Eureka County, Humboldt County, Lander County, and Nye County. Most of the Battle Mountain Portfolio is located within the Battle Mountain Trend, with several projects close to globally reputable gold deposits including Nevada Gold's Cortez Mine.

The Battle Mountain Portfolio is comprised primarily of early-stage projects. While drilling has been completed at some projects, such as Elder Creek (155 holes) and Clover (104 holes), many have only surface sampling and geophysical surveys completed. Of particular note are the Long Peak, Elephant, Elder Creek, North Mill Creek, Clipper, Pipeline South, West Cortez, and Walti Projects, which are interpreted to lie along the northwest trending fault that hosts the high-grade Pipeline deposit, which is included in Nevada Gold's Cortez Mine.

Figure 1. Map of Nevada showing location of Battle Mountain Projects, and select major gold mines.

The Long Peak Project

Long Peak is comprised of 34 unpatented claims located near Copper Basin and the Copper Canyon Mine in Lander County, Nevada. Long Peak hosts significant historic prospects, warranting further exploration at Long Peak.

The Stargo Project

Stargo is comprised of 337 unpatented claims located south of the Battle Mountain Trend in Nye County, Nevada. The large claim block contains attractive host rocks, tertiary age intrusives, and appropriate aged structural preparation to represent an attractive area for exploration target development.

About Element79 Gold

Element79 Gold is a mining company focused on gold, silver and associated metals and committed to maximizing shareholder value through responsible mining practices and sustainable development of its projects. Element79 Gold's main focus is on two core properties: developing its previously-producing, high-grade gold and silver mine, the Lucero project located in Arequipa, Peru, with the intent to bring it back into production in the near term; and its flagship Maverick Springs Project located in the famous gold mining district of northeastern Nevada, USA, between the Elko and White Pine Counties. Maverick Springs hosts a 43-101-compliant, pit-constrained mineral resource estimate reflecting an inferred resource of 3.71 million ounces of gold equivalent "AuEq" at a grade of 0.92 g/t AuEq (0.34 g/t Au and 43.4 g/t Ag) with an effective date of October 19, 2022. The acquisition of the Maverick Springs Project also included a portfolio of 15 properties along the Battle Mountain trend in Nevada, which are non-core to its primary business focus. In British Columbia, Element79 Gold has executed a Letter of Intent and funded a drilling program to acquire a private company that holds the option to 100% interest of the Snowbird High-Grade Gold Project, which consists of 10 mineral claims located in Central British Columbia, approximately 20km west of Fort St. James. The Company also has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Dale Property, 90 unpatented mining claims located approximately 100 km southwest of Timmins, Ontario, Canada in the Timmins Mining Division, Dale Township. The Company is analyzing the non-core Nevada projects, the Dale Property and the Snowbird Property for further merit of exploration, sale or spin-out.

For more information about the Company, please visit www.element79.gold

Contact Information

For corporate matters, please contact:

James C. Tworek, Chief Executive Officer

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For investor relations inquiries, please contact:

Investor Relations Department

Phone: +1.613.879.9387

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press contains "forwardlooking information" and "forward-looking statements" under applicable securities laws (collectively, "forwardlooking statements"). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the closing of the sale of the Long Peak Project and the Stargo Project; obtaining regulatory approval for the sale of the Long Peak Project and the Stargo Project; the Company's business strategy; future planning processes; exploration activities; the timing and result of exploration activities; capital projects and exploration activities and the possible results thereof; acquisition opportunities; and the impact of acquisitions, if any, on the Company. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forwardlooking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "forecast", "potential", "target", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forwardlooking statements".

Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the integration of acquisitions; actual results of exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; commodity prices; variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; actual performance of plant, equipment or processes relative to specifications and expectations; accidents; labour relations; relations with local communities; changes in national or local governments; changes in applicable legislation or application thereof; delays in obtaining approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities; exchange rate fluctuations; requirements for additional capital; government regulation; environmental risks; reclamation expenses; outcomes of pending litigation; limitations on insurance coverage as well as those factors discussed in the Company's other public disclosure documents, available on www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forwardlooking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forwardlooking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.




Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Hertz Lithium (CSE: HZ) (OTCQB: HZLIF) (FSE: QE2) ("Hertz" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that its shares will commence trading under the symbol "HZLIF" on the OTCQB Venture Market (the "OTCQB") effective July,11, 2023. The Company has also received The Depository Trust Company (the "DTC") full-service eligibility in the United States, making the Company's stock more accessible to U.S. retail and institutional investors.

Robert Barker, Director, comments: "Trading on the OTCQB, along with our Frankfurt, Germany listing, enables our U.S. and European shareholders to more effectively participate in trading Hertz shares and will increase liquidity in multiple jurisdictions. With our Lucky Mica Lithium project and Penn State Lithium Extraction patent licence development technology, we expect to attract many U.S.-based retail and institutional investors who are interested in exposure to lithium exploration and extraction technologies development and exploration within North America.. We are aggressively pushing forward with our active exploration programs at Lucky Mica (which have provided exciting early results) and we are advancing our Penn State lithium extraction technology. We look forward to growing our global investor base through our listings in Canada, U.S., and Germany as we proceed into a highly active period for the company."

The DTC is the largest securities depository in the world and facilitates electronic settlement of stock certificate transfers in the United States. The shares of the Company, trading under the symbol "HZLIF" in the United States, are now eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through the DTC and are therefore considered "DTC eligible." This electronic method of clearing securities offers a more efficient, lower-cost settlement process for investors and brokers.



The OTCQB is the premier market for entrepreneurial and development stage U.S. and international companies that are committed to providing a high-quality trading and information experience for their US investors. To be eligible, companies must be current in their financial reporting, pass a minimum bid price test, and undergo an annual company verification and management certification process.

RIO TINTO ENTRY INTO GRASS ROOTS LITHIUM PROJECTS IN JAMES BAY, QUEBEC-HERTZ CONDUCTING DUE DILLIGENCE ON ADJACENT PROJECTS

The Company is pleased to learn that Rio Tinto has recently entered the grass roots lithium exploration field.

As reported in Mining Weekly on July 11, 2023.

"In a development that underscores the growing global demand for critical minerals, mining giant Rio Tinto has set its sights on Quebec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region.

Through its subsidiary Rio Tinto Exploration Canada (RTEC), the mining major will be searching for lithium on the Corvet and Kaanaaya properties, owned by TSX-V-listed Azimut Exploration.

Azimut has signed two option and joint venture (JV) agreements with RTEC, contemplating an aggregate value of up to C$115.7-million in expenditures and cash payments.

The exploration programmes under the agreements will focus on identifying lithium/cesium/tantalum pegmatites, but both properties also have strong potential for intrusion-related gold/copper and magmatic nickel/copper/cobalt mineralisation.

The Corvett property comprises 877 claims over 424 km2 and the Kaanaaya property comprises 421 claims over 216 km2.

Rio Tinto has previously said that it was actively searching for lithium assets, as it expected demand for the metal used in the batteries that power electric vehicles to remain high for a long period of time.

Last month, RTEC entered into an option agreement with Midlands Exploration to acquire ten properties with lithium potential in the James Bay region. The properties include a total of 2 009 claims, covering a surface area of more than 1 000 km2."

HERTZ LITHIUM CONDUCTING DUE DILLIGENCE ON JAMES BAY, QUEBEC AND BRAZIL PROJECTS

Hertz Lithium is currently conducting due diligence on projects that may be near or adjoining Rio Tinto projects in James Bay Quebec and also in certain lithium potential areas of Brazil, where Rio Tinto has also acquired projects. Due diligence is in very early stages and no transaction is currently at an advanced stage and there is no guarantee a transaction in these area will materialize.

Recent Interview with Hertz CEO Kal Malhi and PR Media can be viewed here.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Signed"

Kal Malhi, CEO

About Hertz Lithium Inc.

The Company is a British Columbia based mineral exploration company primarily engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. The Company's lithium exploration project, the Lucky Mica Project, is located along the Arizona Pegmatite Belt in the Maricopa County of Arizona, USA. The Company is also working with Penn State University's College of Earth and Mineral Science department to develop a novel lithium extraction technology.

Hertz Lithium (OTCQB: HZLIF) now trades on the OTCQB Venture Market (as well as (CSE: HZ) (FSE: QE2), for early stage and developing U.S. and international companies. Companies are current in their reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process. Investors can find Real-Time quotes and market information for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

For further information, please contact Hertz Lithium or view the Company's filings at www.sedar.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Kal Malhi

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Phone: 604-805-4602

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

https://hertzlithium.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the matters referenced herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements." All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
Police evicted a Palestinian family from their home in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem Tuesday to make way for Jewish settlers after a long legal battle, officials and an AFP correspondent said.

Since 1978, the Sub Laban family had fought in the Israeli courts against their eviction from their home in the Muslim Quarter of the walled Old City.

But early on Tuesday, police arrived to remove the family from their home following a court order.

"They do not have the right to expel me from my house," Nora Abu Laban, 68, told AFP.

"They are thieves and they steal everything from us, they stole the house, the lands, the youth."

Israeli and Palestinian activists jostled with police in the aftermath of the eviction.

One held a placard that read "A family was evicted today" as Jewish settlers looked on, video footage filmed by AFP showed.

In May, the Sub Laban family had been served with an eviction notice and told to vacate the building by June 11.

The "family was forcibly evicted from their home by Israeli police," Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for Palestinians, said in a statement.

He said 12 Israeli activists protesting against the eviction, seven women and five men, were arrested.

"Concerted efforts to evict Palestinians from their homes in occupied east Jerusalem may amount to forcible transfer," Sunghay said.

"Forcible transfer is a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions and a war crime."

The European Union expressed "regret" over the decision.

It urged the "Israeli government to respect international law and let these families live where they have been living for decades".

Hazem Qasem, a spokesperson for Hamas, the Islamist group which controls the coastal Gaza Strip enclave, described the eviction as a "crime" and part of the "Zionist war on the Arab identity of Jerusalem".

The Jewish settlers are part of an organisation called Atara Leyoshna.

The Israeli plaintiffs claimed that Jews lived in the building before the division of the holy city into Israeli and Jordanian sectors following the proclamation of the Jewish state in 1948.

They invoke an Israeli law from the 1970s that allows Jews to reclaim property owned by Jews before 1948, even if they are not related.

According to anti-settlement watchdog Ir Amim, some 150 Palestinian families in Jerusalem's Old City and nearby neighbourhoods are currently threatened with eviction because of "discriminatory laws and state collusion with settler organisations".

The group says such evictions are part of "a strategy to cement Israeli hegemony of the Old City basin, the most religiously and politically sensitive part of Jerusalem and a core issue of the conflict".

Israel captured Jerusalem's Old City in the 1967 Six-Day War, before annexing it in a move regarded as illegal by the UN.
Sporting giant Nike and mining company Dynasty Gold are being investigated in Canada over allegations they used forced labor from China's Uyghur minority, a Canadian watchdog announced Tuesday.

The companies are both "alleged to have or have had supply chains or operations in the People's Republic of China identified as using or benefitting from the use of Uyghur forced labor," a statement from the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise said.

The investigations were announced after a coalition of 28 civil society organizations filed several complaints in June last year about the overseas activities of the two Canadian companies, according to the statement.

Nike Canada is suspected of having "supply relationships with Chinese companies identified as using or benefitting from the use of Uyghur forced labor. Nike maintains that they no longer have ties with these companies and provided information on their due diligence practices," the statement said.

The second investigation targeting Dynasty Gold alleges that the company "benefited from the use of Uyghur forced labor at a mine in China in which Dynasty Gold holds a majority interest.

"Dynasty Gold's response to the complaint is that it does not have operational control over the mine and that these allegations arose after it left the region," the statement continued.

Rights groups say more than one million Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim minorities have been held in re-education camps in China's western Xinjiang region, with a slew of abuses that include forced labor.

The announcement of the investigation was welcomed by the Ottawa-based Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, which applauded "an important step in the right direction".

Asked for response late Tuesday by AFP, the sports giant did not immediately respond.

Lawmakers in Western nations, including Canada, have called the crackdown in Xinjiang a "genocide," and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has referred to the treatment of Uyghurs as crimes against humanity.

Beijing denies the accusations, describing the facilities as vocational centers designed to curb extremism.

In April, the French justice system closed a preliminary investigation into clothing giants such as Uniqlo and Zara owner Inditex, accused by associations of having profited from the forced labor of Uyghurs in China.

A new complaint was filed in May.

ast/dax/st/jh/bfm

INDITEX - ZARA
Sudan's warring sides must face "accountability" for the "crimes" committed in their conflict, which risks spiralling into a regional crisis, the head of UN mission in the country said Wednesday.

The fighting, which has gone on for three months, "risks morphing into an ethnicised, tribalised and ideologised conflict which is much closer to being a full-blown civil war," the official, Volker Perthes, told reporters in Brussels.

Already the multiple human rights violations carried out, including "murder, rape and looting," are fuelling a desire among ordinary Sudanese to see the back of the warring generals, he said.

"The interpretation of what I hear is that a majority of the Sudanese don't want these generals to continue in any way in the country," Perthes said.

While he was not directly calling for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to bring the generals to justice, he said: "The ICC of course is watching -- it's not up to me to ask the ICC to take action, but I think they are on it."

Fighting has raged in Sudan since mid-April, when army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), turned on each other

Around 3,000 people have been killed, and the UN has warned of possible crimes against humanity in the western region of Darfur.

"It's almost three months into the war and still none of the two sides is able to score a decisive victory," Perthes said.

He said the situation was causing a "humanitarian catastrophe -- again" in Sudan, and putting pressure on neighbouring Chad, which was taking in many Sudanese refugees and whose food supply lines through Sudan were cut.

That building crisis, with the risk of migration flows, should concern Europe, he said.

- Bids at diplomacy -

Perthes said the UN backed "linked" diplomatic overtures by the east African regional bloc IGAD and an Egypt-hosted summit of Sudan's neighbours on Thursday.

"We also see a risk that neighbouring states are being dragged into the conflict," he said. "So there is a risk of this becoming a regional conflict, and a civil war inside the country."

Perthes said it was important that countries supplying one or the other side in the conflict stop doing so, to push Sudan's generals to a ceasefire.

"This war will not end with a week or two weeks, or shortly in any respect, so regional actors are still in a way trying to find out what leverage they have and in which form they can best apply this leverage."

Perthes, whom army chief Burhan on June 9 ordered out of Sudan as "persona non grata", said his deputy was running the UN mission's operations on the ground out of Port Sudan, while he was moving the main office to Kenya's capital Nairobi.
The United Nations on Wednesday said nearly three months of war in Sudan have uprooted more than three million people, and called for the warring sides to face "accountability".

Britain said it was taking action. It announced sanctions on businesses it said were associated with Sudanese military groups on both sides of the conflict.

Fighting has raged in the northeast African country since mid-April, when army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), turned on each other.

Safa Msehli, a spokeswoman for the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Geneva, told AFP that more than three million people had fled their homes because of the conflict.

IOM figures showed that more than 2.4 million people were now displaced within Sudan, while nearly 724,000 have escaped across the country's borders, in a continuously increasing stream.

"This is more than a figure, however: these are people who have been uprooted, fleeing for their lives," Msehli said, appealing for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

"We need the international community's sustained support to provide aid and protection to those affected by the conflict," she said.

Khartoum's millions of residents, cornered in the capital often without water or electricity in the searing heat of summer, were again subjected to air raids on Wednesday, witnesses said.

"Planes have been pounding RSF bases since dawn," one resident told AFP.

Dozens of civilians have been killed in air raids, and paramilitaries have established bases in residential areas.

Witnesses also reported artillery fire in Khartoum on Wednesday.

The conflict "risks morphing into an ethnicised, tribalised and ideologised conflict which is much closer to being a full-blown civil war," the United Nations Sudan chief Volker Perthes told reporters in Brussels.

- Broken truces -

Perthes, whom Burhan ordered out of the country on June 9 as "persona non grata", said his deputy was running the UN mission from Port Sudan, while he was moving the main office to Kenya's capital Nairobi.

"Accountability is a much broader concept than only a judicial one," he said.

"It is about whether the Sudanese people would allow the leaders of the warring parties to have any leadership function after this war."

Around 3,000 people have been killed, and the UN has warned of possible crimes against humanity in the western region of Darfur.

Perthes said the situation was causing a "humanitarian catastrophe -- again" in Sudan, and putting pressure on neighbouring Chad, which was taking in many refugees and whose food supply lines through Sudan were cut.

IOM figures show more than 239,000 people have crossed into Chad.

Perthes warned of a "risk that neighbouring states are being dragged into the conflict".

He said the UN backed "linked" diplomatic overtures by the east African regional bloc IGAD and an Egypt-hosted summit of Sudan's neighbours on Thursday.

Many truces have been agreed and quickly broken since the fighting in Sudan erupted.

Previous deals have been brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States, but now the IGAD bloc has said it would ask the African Union to look into possibly deploying the East Africa Standby Force in Sudan "for the protection of civilians and... humanitarian access".

The force is usually tasked with election observer missions.

Human rights violations including "murder, rape and looting," are fuelling a desire among ordinary Sudanese to see the back of the warring generals, Perthes said.

While he was not directly calling for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to bring the generals to justice, he said: "The ICC of course is watching -- it's not up to me to ask the ICC to take action, but I think they are on it."

The United Kingdom on Wednesday said it was sanctioning firms associated with both the army and RSF "fuelling the devastating conflict in Sudan by providing funding and arms".

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the sanctions "are directly targeting those whose actions have destroyed the lives of millions" in an "unjustified" war.

Last month the United States also sanctioned companies linked to both the army and the RSF.
In a well-established weekly ritual, the "Saturday Mothers" meet in a small street in Beyoglu, in the centre of Istanbul, then gather in Galatasaray Square with their commemorative placards displaying portraits of disappeared relatives. There is an imposing police presence: riot police, barriers, water cannon trucks. Caught in a police noose, a handful of activists hastily attempt a press conference before dispersing  if they are not taken away in a police van. For 28 years and almost 1,000 weeks, with a few interruptions, the Saturday Mothers have been demanding justice for their loved ones, presumed victims of enforced disappearance after being arrested by the security forces. But to no avail.

These missing persons - 1,352 individuals, mostly men aged between 12 and 73, according to a note published in 2022 by the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) - were journalists, trade unionists, doctors, teachers, farmers and ordinary villagers from the predominantly Kurdish region of Turkey. Human rights activists suspect they were disappeared during illegal detentions and in unsolved murders. These practices were widespread at the height of the Turkish state's "dirty war" against the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) insurrection in the south-east of the country in the 1980s and 1990s. This war continued with a relentless crackdown on the civilian population.

2011: Erdogan awakens families hopes

In 2011, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, then Prime Minister, met these activists and raised the hopes of their families. Those calling for an end to impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes believe that the investigations were botched in the name of the "fight against terrorism". But despite its desire to join the European Union, expressed once again on the sidelines of the recent NATO summit, Turkey has never ratified the International Convention against Enforced Disappearances, which came into force in 2010.

On 25 August 2018, for their 700th gathering, the activists were in turn accused by the state of collusion with "terrorist groups". Their rallies were brutally dispersed and banned for more than four years. But last February, the Turkish Constitutional Court ruled that the demonstrators rights had been violated. The Saturday Mothers immediately returned to Galatasaray Square. And on 26 May, 14 demonstrators were acquitted by the criminal court on charges of "illegal assembly".

Arrest of Emine Ocak, on 25 August 2018 in Istanbul (Turkey). After her son Hasan disappeared in early 1995, she was one of the first women to protest in silence every Saturday - like the "Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo" in Argentina.  Hayri Tunc / AFP

Nevertheless, the government continues to prevent demonstrations. As recently as July 8, a lawyer representing the families was arrested as he was explaining to the security forces that their action was contrary to court rulings. "Impunity is the message being sent out," concludes Eren Keskin, a lawyer and long-standing human rights activist who, with her association IHD, has supported these rallies from the outset.

2016: the return of enforced disappearances

Keskin has seen these practices return. Enforced disappearances in Turkey are not just a thing of the past, she tells Justice Info. There has even been a sharp upsurge in cases since the failed coup of July 15, 2016, to which the authorities responded with a wave of mass arrests. And the prophecy of former prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu has been borne out: in 2015, he expressed fears of a "resurgence of white Toros", the local version of the Renault 12, which once symbolised the death squads of Turkey's paramilitary forces and these unexplained disappearances. The vehicles have been modernised. Now there are fears of a "black Transporter".

In a May 2020 report entitled "Enforced Disappearances in Turkey, an Open Secret", the "Solidarity with Others" organisation documented at least 25 cases since 2016. "On numerous occasions, armed men identifying themselves as police officers have forced victims into a van, often a black Volkswagen Transporter with tinted windows," reports the Brussels-based NGO founded by exiled members of Fethullah Gulen's brotherhood, accused of conspiring against Turkey. "Some of them reappeared months later, after having been tortured, while others never returned home," the report states. This is the case of teacher Sunay Elmas, kidnapped in Ankara in January 2016. And Ayhan Oran, an agent of the Turkish intelligence services, who disappeared in November of the same year. Most of them were former civil servants close to Gulen, "purged" by the regime. And those who eventually resurface sometimes find themselves accused of crimes they confessed to during their secret detention.

Faruk Gergerlioglu, a doctor and staunch defender of human rights, is one of the few MPs to be urging that light be shed on recent cases. Despite relentless political pressure and the threat of a prison sentence, where he already spent three months in 2021, he was re-elected last May on the ticket of the YSP (Green Left Party), the pro-Kurdish left, and he continues to question Ankara. "We have come across many cases of abductions and enforced disappearances in Turkey over the past seven years after the state of emergency was declared [following the failed coup in July 2016], he explained in an interview at the beginning of July. Thousands of cases in the 1990s have not been resolved, and the same incidents began to recur during the state of emergency [maintained until July 2018]. People were clandestinely abducted in other countries by the MIT (Turkish intelligence services) and forcibly brought to Turkey."

Citizens of this country have been abducted and tortured while being held illegally in the same place for months on end," continues Gergerlioglu. How do we know this? Some of these people have spoken about it in court after their release, they have told their relatives and their lawyers, in letters they sent from prison, so we know that these cases are violations of rights. We have identified 35 examples. It is clear that this is a common and indisputable practice."

Erdogan's "black box" promoted head of diplomacy

The MIT is suspected of being involved in the majority of disappearance cases. Kidnappings abroad have sometimes been openly claimed by the State, but when it comes to cases in Turkey, there is an ominous silence. When Gergerlioglu questioned MIT officials in parliament, he got no answer. The questions went unanswered," continues the Turkish MP, "but one of the MIT agents was himself kidnapped and tortured after being dismissed from his post. He has not been seen, dead or alive, for six years. The Constitutional Court ruled that the investigation into his abduction had been incomplete, and ordered that the family receive financial compensation of 90,000 Turkish pounds (around 3,150). But that's the end of the investigation and no legal action has been taken against MIT."

The MIT appears to be untouchable. At the heart of the government, the Turkish intelligence services are directly under the authority of the Presidency. For a long time, they were headed by Hakan Fidan, nicknamed Erdogan's "black box". But in June he was appointed foreign minister. He was replaced at the head of MIT by Ibrahim Kalin, who until then had been the President's spokesman.

"Prosecutors said they did not want to interfere in the work of the MIT. The investigations were interrupted, the recordings from the city's surveillance cameras were not properly studied, we saw all the investigations drag on," notes the veteran human rights activist, noting that, as for torture cases, impunity prevails.

* Guillaume Perrier is a journalist at Le Point, former correspondent in Turkey, and author of "Les loups aiment la brume" (Grasset, 2022), an investigation into Turkey's clandestine operations in Europe.
Vern DeLaronde, the founder of the First Nations Indigenous Warriors walk on the main road into the Brady Road landfill, just outside of Winnipeg, Monday, July 10, 2023. A court hearing on an injunction to end a seven-day blockade at a Winnipeg landfill has been adjourned until Thursday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski
Ugandans are exporting more organic foods than they are consuming, a trend that is worrying both trade and food security experts.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the trade volume of organic foods has increased from USD 50 million in 2018 to USD 135 million in 2022.

Alex Lwakuba, the commissioner for production in the ministry however told a stakeholders consultative meeting on the national organic agriculture bill in Kampala that since the beginning of 2023, there has been a notable change in trend.

He said more upmarket food stores and supermarkets are stocking up large amounts of organic products, which is a clear sign of growing demand.

Lwakuba noted that government encourages investment in the sector to increase both production and consumption.

He added that if fully embraced, organic agriculture will promote food security for many families as it does not require procurement of expensive fertilizers for growth.
By Obed Kankiriho

Kigezi Diocese is struggling to trace one of its motor vehicle that was stolen during the burial of prominent businessman Apollo Nyegamehe commonly known as Aponye, on Wednesday.

According to the Diocesan Secretary Rev Canon Milton Nkurunungi, the motor vehicle Suzuki registration number UAT 478N attached to Kikungiri Archdeaconry in Kabale Municipalitys Southern division, under the diocese of Kigezi was stolen during a requiem service at the deceaseds home in Muhanga town council yesterday.

The event attracted hundreds of people including business operators, political leaders, clergy, and government officials among others.

Rev. Canon Nkurunungi has condemned the act, wondering how someone could take advantage of a situation of grieving to commit such a crime

We were attending the burial [Aponyes burial] and one of our archdeacons vehicles was stolen. We have reported to police and to the DPC and we have also informed those in Ntungamo and Mbarara. They are making all tracking to see that the vehicle is recovered, Rev. Canon Nkurunungi told KFM.

Nyegamehe who died in a road crash on Thursday last week at Itojo in Ntungamo district was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kitaburaza village, Muhanga town council, Rukiga district yesterday.

The road crash that claimed the life of Aponye is one of the many that have taken a toll on Ugandas population in the recent past.

Three separate crashes occurred this week, including the grisly one that claimed the life of a Link bus driver in Kyenjojo district.

Meanwhile, a meeting of senior government officials including the Prime Minister that is meant to seek a lasting solution to increasing road carnage chaired by the Speaker of Parliament was held on Thursday morning.
The Muslim community led by the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje has lauded President Museveni for availing them an opportunity to be part of the Iran President Ebrahim Raisis visit to the country.

We express our special gratitude to His Excellency, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for giving us that profound opportunity to be a part of the programme of your official visit, May Allah guide him, lead him to other levels of prosperity, Mubajje said.

During Raisis tour at Gaddafi Mosque in Old Kampala, Mubajje also prayed that peace initiatives be extended to countries still in armed conflicts like Palestine, Yemen, Syria, and Sudan among others.

He also stopped by Aidan-Uganda Agricultural Park in Nakirebe-Masaka road where he planted a tree as a promising solution to climate change and biodiversity loss.

In a July 13th statement, the religious leaders say they hope the visit will foster great opportunities and cooperation between Uganda and Iran countries.

Uganda is one of the three African countries that the Iran leader is visiting, including Kenya and Zimbabwe.
In a move meant to find a lasting solution to the persistent road crashes in the country, the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among will this morning chair a crisis meeting with government officials today.

The meeting that starts at 8 am in the Speakers boardroom will be attended by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Works Minister Gen Katumba Wamala, Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua, police, and Uganda National Roads Authority officials.

Top on the agenda is to find solutions to the escalating road crashes in Uganda due to the continued loss of lives despite having deterrent measures in place.

I want to ask the government chief whip that we should have a meeting since Works [Ministry of Works and Transport] has failed to do its work, can we have a meeting with Works tomorrow? Among said on Wednesday.

The call for todays crisis meeting follows a Link bus accident in which the vehicle rammed into a stationary trailer loaded with logs on the Kampala-Fort portal highway, killing its driver on spot. This is the latest of the many road crashes that have claimed several lives on Ugandas roads in the recent past.
President Museveni is slated to address the country on security concerns and other matters of national importance today.

Ahead of the address scheduled to commence at 8 pm this evening, KFM has sampled a section of Members of Parliament to establish what they would like President Musevenis address to focus on.

Nyabushozi legislator who also doubles as the chairperson of the Committee on Defense and Internal Affairs Mr. Wilson Kajwegye hopes Mr Museveni will update the country on the recent gruesome attack on the Lhubiriha Secondary School in Kasese by suspected Allied Defense Force (ADF) rebels which left over 40 people dead.

I have a feeling that he is going to address the nation on the unfortunate massacre of children of Lhubiriha Secondary School in Kasese. He will probably be addressing the nation on how far government response has gone and the way forward, Kajwegye told KFM.

Mr Ronald Balimwezo, the Nakawa East MP wants Museveni to provide redress for the low salaries earned by the security personnel, something he believes directly affects the safety of Ugandans

The junior officers of government in prisons, police, and the army are paid little money that they cannot be able to pay school fees for their children and they are seeing people holding money without security. So what they have to do is to use their guns to kill and steal that money. The only way we can avoid that is to make sure that we increase their salaries, Balimwezo said.

On the other hand, the shadow minister for health Mr. Timothy Batuwa wants President Museveni to come clear on the persistent cries of the medical interns in Uganda. He wants a definitive position to inform the next course of action from government.
A number of incidents around the Twelfth celebrations in Northern Ireland have damaged and brought shame to unionist culture, Doug Beattie has said.

The Ulster Unionist leader also said that those who complain about pro-IRA singing but remain silent about incidents surrounding bonfires and attacks on medical staff are hypocrites.

Scores of parades took place across Northern Ireland as Protestant loyal orders celebrated the Twelfth of July this week.

While the parades passed off peacefully, police are investigating a number of incidents around loyalist bonfires, including the burning of an effigy of Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and a picture of Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

The Ambulance Service also said that 11 paramedics were assaulted over the Twelfth period. In one incident, five staff members were punched, kicked, bitten and spat at at a bonfire site in the Carrickfergus area.

In a separate incident, police are investigating the burning of a car at the home of an Aontu representative in Newry as a sectarian hate crime.

Mr Beattie said this week had represented the best of days and the worst of days.

He said: Communities have celebrated both the 11th and 12th in the spirit that it was intended.

They have attempted to make it inclusive, family-orientated, a genuine community celebration.

Sadly, there are those within communities and our society who have completely undermined those celebrations with their actions belittling the Twelfth activities.

The UUP leader added: The placing of flags and effigies on bonfires, the assault of ambulance staff and the burning of a car belonging to a paediatric nurse and former election candidate for Antou have shown the very worst in some people.

In these cases, it is clear, a criminal offence has been committed but it has also damaged the image of the Twelfth and unionist culture, history and identity.

Those who complain around individuals singing pro-IRA songs, itself hurtful to many victims, then remain silent when this activity takes place are hypocrites.

Those who stoke the fires of intolerance and hate must take responsibility for their actions and words.

As a unionist I want to promote our shared history, culture and traditions but the actions of some shame us all.

The Twelfth celebrations mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin, and saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.

Thousands of Orange lodge members parade through the summer months to mark Williams victory and other key dates in Protestant, unionist or loyalist culture.

Those celebrations culminate on the Twelfth.

Wednesday saw another gathering, this time organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh.

Thousands attended the event which included a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing the rival monarchs William and James.

Delivering the address in Scarva, Rev William Anderson, Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution, said it was a special year due to the coronation of the King.

He said: For me it was a wonderful event, that only the British people could undertake in a world devoid of any sort of moral or spiritual guidance.

There is no doubt that our world is struggling. People are finding it very difficult to understand what is going on.

Trust has been broken and people are disheartened when they look at those around them who are tasked with providing guidance but fail miserably.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks has confirmed that one of its employees is under investigation after a video emerged on social media of him saying a pro-IRA phrase in front of an unlit bonfire.

A statement said: The video circulating on social media is deeply offensive, and NIE Networks condemns the content without reservation.

A full investigation into this matter is underway.
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(Kitco News) - Amid the growing optimism for Bitcoin (BTC) and the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem brought by renewed institutional interest in the asset class, Jurrien Timmer, Director of Global Macro at Fidelity, has warned that the top crypto has gotten ahead of itself and may see a pullback in the near term.

Bitcoin (that aspirational digital store of value) seems to be shrugging off the rise in real rates, anticipating the possibility of a spot ETF, Timmer tweeted on Tuesday.

He included the following chart, saying, This chart suggests that Bitcoin is slightly ahead of itself, based on its adoption curve and the macro real-rate environment.

Bitcoin Drivers. Source: Twitter

A follow-up note from Timmer focused on the adoption curve for Bitcoin, which represents the rate at which new participants enter the market.

Using the internet-adoption curve as a possible roadmap for Bitcoins future network growth and applying a range of real rates (from +2% to -2%), we see that Bitcoin has reached the +2% side of the band (which is where real rates are now), he said. Unless real rates start to decline again (or the adoption curve accelerates), it suggests limited upside for now.

BTC Price vs. Bitcoin adoption curve. Source: Twitter

He also noted that Bitcoins adoption curve has fallen short of the adoption curve for mobile phones, and is now tracking the internet curve more closely.

Real rates have become a driver as well, which makes sense if BTC is aspirational money, he added.

While Timmer sees overbought conditions as a sign that BTC may soon trend lower, another possible source of weakness emerged on Wednesday after the U.S. government  for the second time  transferred some of the Bitcoin seized from the Silk Road darknet marketplace in preparation for sale on the open market.

According to on-chain data, two wallets identified as belonging to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and linked to the Silk Road crypto seizure moved nearly $300 million worth of Bitcoin (BTC) in three separate transactions on Wednesday morning.

The bulk of the transfer was in the second transaction made by the DOJ, with 8999.908 BTC worth $274,785,010 sent to one address, while a second address received a transfer of 0.1 BTC worth $3,053.

The DoJ first began selling its Silk Road stash of 51,352 BTC in March, with government officials selling 9,861 BTC for more than $215 million, leaving roughly 41,491 BTC in the governments possession.

"The Government understands [the seized Bitcoin] is expected to be liquidated in four more batches over the course of this calendar year, the DOJ said in a court filing at the time of the first sale.

The DOJ said at the time that the second round of liquidation would not occur until the sentencing date for James Zhon, a Georgia man who pleaded guilty in November to stealing the BTC stash in question from Silk Road and forfeited the tokens to the DoJ as part of his plea deal.

On April 14, Zhon was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for a charge of wire fraud, which cleared the way for the DOJ to progress to the second round of selling.

While many crypto proponents are concerned that the sale of 9,000 BTC by the DOJ could negatively affect the market, price action around the time of the first sale on March 14 shows that BTCs price actually increased in the days that followed.

BTC/USD Chart by TradingView

This sale also coincided with the collapse of several banks in the U.S. and Europe, which potentially helped support the price of BTC at the time as investors sought out assets that could protect their wealth in the event of a widespread banking crisis.

A deeper dive by crypto sleuths showed that the 9,000 BTC were divided into 101 different wallets, with Coinbase set to sell the tokens in tranches of 79 BTC worth $2.37 million each.

Thus far Bitcoin appears to be showing resilience in the face of the FUD generated by this announcement and the start of sales, leading many to predict that BTC will soon break out higher after facing multiple days of price compression around support at $30,500.
BERLIN, July 13 (Reuters) - German business associations on Thursday welcomed the government's long-awaited China strategy, praising its focus on minimising risk instead of cutting economic ties, and said the next steps would be to focus on domestic production.

The 64-page document outlined possible responses to an "increasingly assertive" China, such as outbound investment controls on cutting-edge technology with military use, but it did not lay out binding or specific targets for companies.

The BDI industry association said more discussion on the concrete design of some measures, such as instruments for controlling German investments abroad, was still needed.

"There is a danger that entrepreneurial dynamism will be restricted too much," said BDI president Siegfried Russwurm.

There is particular concern in Germany about the impact of this de-risking strategy on an economy already in recession given its strong business ties with China, which became the country's single biggest trade partner in 2016.

At now nearly 300 billion euros ($325 billion) in imports and exports, it is a core market for top German companies including Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) and BASF (BASFn.DE).

Volkswagen's China chief said the carmaker was not naive about the economic superpower, but that it was important to remember China also depends on Germany and Europe.

"We can both consolidate the strong German economic position in China and reduce dependencies as well as strengthen our position in other regions," Ralf Brandstaetter said in a LinkedIn post welcoming the strategy's "political goal".

Dirk Jandura, president of the BGA wholesale and foreign trade association, warned, however, that if Germany did focus on remaining competitive as a business location, the coming years might see China become more likely to decouple from Europe.

"Only a strong business location carries political weight. We must finally do our homework here and strengthen our domestic industrial base. Otherwise, the world champion in exports will become a world champion in announcements," said the VCI chemicals lobby's managing director, Wolfgang Grosse Entrup.
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(Kitco News) - On Thursday, authorities in the U.S. took multiple actions against the Celsius crypto lending platform and its former CEO Alex Mashinsky related to allegations of misleading investors and raising billions through the unregistered and fraudulent offers and sales of crypto asset securities.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) all filed lawsuits against Celsius and Mashinsky on Thursday.

At the same time, the US District Court for the Southern District of New York unsealed an indictment filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that includes criminal charges against Mashinksy and his former chief revenue officer Roni Cohen-Pavon.

A grand jury has charged the former executives with a total of seven counts, including wire fraud and token manipulation. All of the charges pertain to fraud at Celsius that was organized by Mashinsky through a series of complex balance sheet maneuvers that left customers vulnerable to withdrawal issues and systemic leverage problems.

Mashinsky orchestrated a scheme to defraud customers of Celsius Network together with the former Chief Revenue Officer Roni Cohen-Pavon and misled investors about core aspects of Celsiuss business, the DOJ alleged.

The DOJ claims Mashinsky falsely said the bankrupt crypto lender was a modern bank and also manipulated the price of its token. Celsius did not hold a federal banking charter. Celsius was in a dire financial situation by mid-2022, the DOJ said.

SEC lawsuit

According to the lawsuit filed by the SEC, Celsius reportedly made numerous false statements about Celsiuss business while manipulating the market for CEL, the native token for the platform.

In reality, Celsius bought, at Mashinskys direction, millions of dollars of additional CEL to bolster the price of CEL and induce investors to buy it, the SEC claims. The regulator also included statements from unnamed former employees of the company, who said it became clear that Celsius was a sinking ship prior to the bankruptcy, while another said that the firm didnt have any profitable services.

In 2021, Celsius incurred losses of $800 million due to its unstable financial model and lost another $165 million in 2022 amid the fallout surrounding the collapse of Terra/Luna. The DOJ said by the time that the algorithmic stablecoin TerraUSD depegged and caused the crypto market to drop, Celsius could not withstand the drop in crypto asset prices.

The combination of customer withdrawals and a steep drop in the price of CEL exerted significant financial pressure on the company.

Despite this reality, Celsius claimed in May 2022 that all user funds are safe, and on June 10, Mashinsky sought to reassure investors further by claiming that Celsius has billions in liquidity.

User withdrawals and deposits were paused a couple of weeks after he made those statements, and the company filed for bankruptcy in July.

Among other false representations, Defendants misrepresented Celsiuss central business model and the risks to investors by claiming that Celsius did not make uncollateralized loans, the company did not engage in risky trading, and the interest paid to investors represented 80% of the companys revenue, the SEC lawsuit alleges.

CFTC lawsuit

According to the CFTC lawsuit, Celsius acted as an unregistered commodity pool operator of the Celsius Pool by soliciting, accepting, and receiving assets for the purpose of trading commodity interests; and Mashinsky operated as an unregistered associated person of that CPO by soliciting members of the public to contribute to the Celsius Pool.

In order to meet the returns promised to its customers, Celsius engaged in increasingly risky investment strategies, including the extension of millions of dollars in uncollateralized loans and millions of dollars in unregulated, risky decentralized finance agreements, the CFTC said.

FTC lawsuit

According to the FTC, Celsius customers were duped into depositing crypto on the platform after the company and its CEO assured investors that the lender was safer than a bank or traditional institution and made claims that deposits were safe.

The firm told its users that it earns profits at no risk to its customers by making secured crypto loans to other exchanges, the FTC said. Internally, Celsius employees acknowledged that the promises that Celsius made only collateralized loans were false, and that Mr. Mashinsky was a liar for claiming that we do not do unsecured lending.

Shlomi Daniel Leon, a co-founder and the current CSO for Celsius, was also named in the FTC lawsuit.

In the time since the lawsuit was made public, the FTC announced it reached a settlement with Celsius and its affiliates that will permanently ban the companies from offering, marketing, or promoting any product or service that could be used to deposit, exchange, invest, or withdraw any assets.

The companies also agreed to a fine of $4.7 billion, which will be suspended to permit Celsius to return its remaining assets to consumers in bankruptcy proceedings.

Celsius touted a new business model but engaged in an old-fashioned swindle, said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection. Todays action banning Celsius from handling peoples money and holding its executives accountable should make clear that emerging technologies are not above the law.

Mashinsky, Leon and Hanoch Goldstein did not agree to the settlement and the FTCs case against them will proceed in federal court.

Each of the four suits made public on Thursday conveys similar claims against the bankrupt lender and its former CEO, saying both defrauded investors and misled the public about its financial position.

Celsius has been going through the bankruptcy process since July 2022. The firm received approval to convert some of its less liquid assets into Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) beginning July 1, 2023, in an effort to maintain as much value for its creditors as possible. The SEC said that it reserves its rights to challenge the transactions.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds light and variable.
COLUMBIA  The Parking Advisory Commission met Wednesday afternoon for its monthly meeting. The agenda included conversations on parking revenue, renovations to the Eighth and Cherry parking garage and employee parking.

Last week, The District distributed a flyer asking employees of downtown businesses to not park at the meters in front of businesses. The District said it had an "uptick in complaints about employees parking in front of other businesses."

John Ogan, spokesperson for Columbia Public Works, said The District did not consult with the city before the flyers went out.

Ogan said there are green parking meters on the edges of downtown that are specifically meant for workers with the expectation that they would walk a block or so to work.

"... It would be excellent if those who are able to walk could park further away from the concentrated areas," Ogan said. "That's what the Employee Downtown Parking Permit is for."

The permit is affiliated with the Park Mobile app. Ogan said 225 permits are available on a first come, first serve basis. It costs $35 a month opposed to an estimated $80 a month through meters.

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"We don't necessarily have a parking problem downtown, it's more of a walking issue," Ogan said. "Some folks would rather not walk."

KOMU 8 spoke with business owners who expressed frustration with the remaining 15-minute parking spots that were created for convenience during the pandemic.

"When will the red bags come off?" one business owner on Broadway questioned.

When asked about this specifically, Ogan said it is likely the spots will remain as temporary parking spots for pick up, carry out and downtown customers.

"We understand its inconveniencing people because we did take away a number of parking spaces right in heart of the downtown area with Eighth and Cherry [garage]," he said. "But we hope to have that garage back by the latest August 11, if not earlier."

The city is currently working on repairing driving lanes and weather proofing the Eighth and Cherry garage. Meanwhile, the Sixth and Cherry and Tenth and Cherry parking garages are available to all.

If safety is a concern when it comes to parking garages, Ogan reassured community members that they have security cameras at every post.

Parking permits for downtown can be purchased on the city's website.
Children in eight states will not get Pandemic EBT funds this summer to help their families buy food while school is out unless their state officials act before Friday.
Bank of America upgraded shares of Greif (NYSE:GEF  Free Report) from an underperform rating to a neutral rating in a report issued on Monday morning, MarketBeat reports.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on GEF. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Greif from $66.00 to $67.00 in a research note on Friday, June 9th. StockNews.com raised shares of Greif from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, May 27th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Greif from $85.00 to $94.00 in a research note on Friday, June 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $73.00.

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Greif Trading Up 0.8 %

NYSE:GEF opened at $71.21 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.33 billion, a PE ratio of 9.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17. Greif has a 52-week low of $57.38 and a 52-week high of $74.22. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $65.72 and a 200-day simple moving average of $65.97.

Greif Announces Dividend

Greif ( NYSE:GEF Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 8th. The industrial products company reported $1.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.45. Greif had a return on equity of 22.73% and a net margin of 7.76%. The business had revenue of $1.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.42 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.41 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 21.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Greif will post 5.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, July 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 19th were paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 15th. Greifs dividend payout ratio is currently 26.77%.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Timothy Bergwall sold 1,450 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.98, for a total transaction of $101,471.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 44,762 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,132,444.76. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, CFO Lawrence A. Hilsheimer sold 2,968 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.27, for a total transaction of $205,593.36. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 95,587 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,621,311.49. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Timothy Bergwall sold 1,450 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.98, for a total value of $101,471.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 44,762 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,132,444.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 7.60% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Greif

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC grew its holdings in shares of Greif by 90.7% during the 1st quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 473 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 225 shares during the period. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in Greif by 59.9% in the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 491 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 184 shares during the period. First Manhattan CO. LLC. purchased a new position in Greif in the 1st quarter worth approximately $38,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in Greif by 67.1% in the 2nd quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC now owns 670 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 269 shares during the period. Finally, Spire Wealth Management boosted its holdings in Greif by 48.9% in the 1st quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 700 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 230 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 47.26% of the companys stock.

Greif Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Greif, Inc engages in the production and sale of industrial packaging products and services worldwide. It operates through three segments: Global Industrial Packaging; Paper Packaging & Services; and Land Management. The Global Industrial Packaging segment produces and sells industrial packaging products, including steel, fiber, and plastic drums; rigid and flexible intermediate bulk containers; closure systems for industrial packaging products; transit protection products; water bottles, and remanufactured and reconditioned industrial containers; and various services, such as container life cycle management, filling, logistics, warehousing, and other packaging services to chemicals, paints and pigments, food and beverage, petroleum, industrial coatings, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, mineral product, and other industries.

Further Reading

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BorgWarner (NYSE:BWA  Free Report) had its price objective decreased by Wells Fargo & Company from $56.00 to $53.00 in a research report released on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Several other research firms also recently weighed in on BWA. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of BorgWarner from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $49.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Monday, May 15th. Bank of America upgraded shares of BorgWarner from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $54.00 to $67.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 6th. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of BorgWarner from $53.00 to $50.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of BorgWarner from $45.00 to $51.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on shares of BorgWarner from $58.00 to $56.00 in a research report on Friday, May 5th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $53.45.

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BorgWarner Stock Performance

NYSE BWA opened at $46.40 on Monday. BorgWarner has a 52-week low of $31.14 and a 52-week high of $51.14. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $46.15 and a 200 day simple moving average of $46.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.59. The company has a market capitalization of $10.87 billion, a PE ratio of 11.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.42.

BorgWarner Announces Dividend

BorgWarner ( NYSE:BWA Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The auto parts company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.13 by ($0.04). BorgWarner had a return on equity of 14.85% and a net margin of 5.97%. The company had revenue of $4.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.05 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that BorgWarner will post 4.73 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were paid a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 31st. BorgWarners dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.63%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other BorgWarner news, VP Stefan Demmerle sold 5,000 shares of BorgWarner stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.61, for a total transaction of $238,050.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 177,614 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,456,202.54. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other BorgWarner news, VP Stefan Demmerle sold 5,000 shares of BorgWarner stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.61, for a total transaction of $238,050.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 177,614 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,456,202.54. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Alexis P. Michas sold 7,173 shares of BorgWarner stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.45, for a total transaction of $318,839.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 76,441 shares in the company, valued at $3,397,802.45. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 12,383 shares of company stock valued at $566,697. 0.45% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of BorgWarner by 2.2% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 26,131,243 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $1,016,505,000 after buying an additional 570,039 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of BorgWarner by 2.8% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,092,045 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $495,620,000 after buying an additional 276,554 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in BorgWarner by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 7,091,584 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $348,258,000 after purchasing an additional 67,706 shares during the period. Macquarie Group Ltd. increased its position in BorgWarner by 10.0% during the 1st quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 5,322,946 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $261,410,000 after purchasing an additional 484,794 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in BorgWarner by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,014,053 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $245,705,000 after purchasing an additional 82,471 shares during the period. 91.84% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

BorgWarner Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

BorgWarner Inc provides solutions for combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles worldwide. It offers turbochargers, eBoosters, eTurbos, timing systems, emissions systems, thermal systems, gasoline ignition technology, smart remote actuators, powertrain sensors, canisters, cabin heaters, battery modules and systems, battery packs, battery heaters, and battery charging.

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Employees Retirement System of Texas lowered its position in Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG  Free Report) by 27.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 165,200 shares of the companys stock after selling 63,000 shares during the period. Employees Retirement System of Texas holdings in Conagra Brands were worth $6,205,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Czech National Bank lifted its holdings in Conagra Brands by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 56,097 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,171,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System increased its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 31,000 shares of the companys stock worth $1,200,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 5,870 shares of the companys stock worth $227,000 after acquiring an additional 304 shares during the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans increased its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 29,348 shares of the companys stock worth $958,000 after acquiring an additional 310 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Keel Point LLC increased its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. Keel Point LLC now owns 6,200 shares of the companys stock worth $233,000 after acquiring an additional 311 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.80% of the companys stock.

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Conagra Brands Stock Performance

NYSE CAG opened at $32.98 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $15.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $34.89 and a two-hundred day moving average of $36.50. Conagra Brands, Inc. has a 1-year low of $32.30 and a 1-year high of $41.30.

Conagra Brands Increases Dividend

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 31st will be paid a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.24%. This is a boost from Conagra Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.33. Conagra Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 79.04%.

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Bank of America raised their target price on Conagra Brands from $40.00 to $42.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Conagra Brands from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Credit Suisse Group raised their target price on Conagra Brands from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, March 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their target price on Conagra Brands from $38.00 to $36.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Conagra Brands from $43.00 to $39.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $40.08.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Charisse Brock sold 7,036 shares of Conagra Brands stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.04, for a total value of $260,613.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 94,802 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,511,466.08. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.98% of the companys stock.

Conagra Brands Profile

(Free Report)

Conagra Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer packaged goods food company in North America. The company operates in four segments: Grocery & Snacks, Refrigerated & Frozen, International, and Foodservice. The Grocery & Snacks segment primarily offers shelf stable food products through various retail channels in the United States.

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ENB Financial (OTCMKTS:ENBP  Get Free Report) is one of 295 publicly-traded companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its competitors? We will compare ENB Financial to similar businesses based on the strength of its institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, dividends, valuation and earnings.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for ENB Financial and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score ENB Financial 0 0 0 0 N/A ENB Financial Competitors 1081 3304 3375 36 2.30

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 329.00%. Given ENB Financials competitors higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe ENB Financial has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio ENB Financial N/A N/A 5.57 ENB Financial Competitors $3.39 billion $845.32 million 253.57

This table compares ENB Financial and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

ENB Financials competitors have higher revenue and earnings than ENB Financial. ENB Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

This table compares ENB Financial and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets ENB Financial N/A N/A N/A ENB Financial Competitors 33.96% 10.11% 0.90%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

0.3% of ENB Financial shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 30.5% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by institutional investors. 1.8% of ENB Financial shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 14.8% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

ENB Financial pays an annual dividend of $1.06 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.3%. ENB Financial pays out 40.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 13.1% and pay out 18.8% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. ENB Financial lags its competitors as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio.

Summary

ENB Financial competitors beat ENB Financial on 10 of the 10 factors compared.

About ENB Financial

(Get Free Report)

ENB Financial Corp operates as the bank holding company for Ephrata National Bank that provides various financial services to individuals and small-to-medium-sized businesses in Pennsylvania, the United States. The company's deposit products include non-interest bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits, NOW accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts, and time deposits. Its loan portfolio comprises secured and unsecured commercial, real estate, and consumer loans. The company also provides direct deposit and direct payments of funds through electronic funds transfer. In addition, it offers ATM, telephone banking, debit and credit card, safe deposit box, remote deposit capture, and trust and investment advisory services, as well as internet banking services, such as bill pay and wire transfer. The company was founded in 1881 and is headquartered in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.

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Shares of Interfor Co. (OTCMKTS:IFSPF  Get Free Report) shot up 0.7% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $19.04 and last traded at $19.04. 1,202 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 81% from the average session volume of 6,320 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.90.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently weighed in on IFSPF. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on Interfor from C$35.00 to C$32.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. CIBC dropped their target price on Interfor from C$31.00 to C$30.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 20th.

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Interfor Stock Performance

The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $16.89 and a 200 day simple moving average of $16.94.

Interfor Company Profile

Interfor Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells wood products in Canada, the United States, Japan, China, Taiwan, and internationally. It offers decking, fascia and board, framing, v-joint paneling, paneling, and siding products, as well as appearance, structural, studs, timbers, and machine stress related products.

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StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Inuvo (NYSE:INUV  Free Report) in a research report released on Sunday. The brokerage issued a sell rating on the stock.

Separately, Alliance Global Partners cut their target price on shares of Inuvo to $1.00 in a report on Thursday, June 15th.

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Inuvo Stock Performance

INUV stock opened at $0.23 on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average is $0.27 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.32. The stock has a market cap of $27.38 million, a P/E ratio of -1.88 and a beta of 1.09. Inuvo has a twelve month low of $0.20 and a twelve month high of $0.59.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Inuvo

Inuvo ( NYSE:INUV Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($0.03) EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $11.85 million during the quarter. Inuvo had a negative net margin of 21.00% and a negative return on equity of 61.45%.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of INUV. Bard Associates Inc. grew its position in Inuvo by 90.3% in the 4th quarter. Bard Associates Inc. now owns 1,260,502 shares of the companys stock valued at $279,000 after buying an additional 598,000 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers purchased a new stake in shares of Inuvo during the 4th quarter worth $43,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its position in shares of Inuvo by 175.0% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 144,100 shares of the companys stock worth $71,000 after purchasing an additional 91,700 shares in the last quarter. Perkins Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Inuvo by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Perkins Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,643,082 shares of the companys stock worth $1,250,000 after purchasing an additional 79,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Prudential Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Inuvo during the 2nd quarter worth $34,000. 17.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Inuvo Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Inuvo, Inc, a technology company, engages in the development and sale of information technology solutions for marketing and advertising industries in the United States. The company's platforms identify and message online audiences for various products or services across devices, formats, and channels, including video, mobile, connected TV, linear TV, display, social, search, and native.

Further Reading

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Shares of Mueller Water Products, Inc. (NYSE:MWA  Get Free Report) have been given a consensus recommendation of Hold by the seven research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $13.67.

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. DA Davidson restated a neutral rating on shares of Mueller Water Products in a report on Wednesday, May 10th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Mueller Water Products in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Seaport Res Ptn reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Mueller Water Products in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, TD Cowen raised Mueller Water Products from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their price target for the stock from $11.00 to $19.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th.

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Mueller Water Products Price Performance

Shares of Mueller Water Products stock opened at $16.37 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.82, a current ratio of 3.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The company has a market cap of $2.56 billion, a PE ratio of 32.74, a P/E/G ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 1.32. The business has a 50 day moving average of $14.89 and a 200 day moving average of $13.65. Mueller Water Products has a 52 week low of $9.90 and a 52 week high of $16.59.

Mueller Water Products Announces Dividend

Mueller Water Products ( NYSE:MWA Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The industrial products company reported $0.14 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.16 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $332.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $332.45 million. Mueller Water Products had a net margin of 5.90% and a return on equity of 12.69%. Mueller Water Productss revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.15 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Mueller Water Products will post 0.68 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 22nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 10th were issued a $0.061 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 9th. This represents a $0.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.49%. Mueller Water Productss payout ratio is 48.00%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Mueller Water Products

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of MWA. Brown Advisory Inc. increased its holdings in Mueller Water Products by 148.0% in the 1st quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 6,320,677 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $88,110,000 after buying an additional 3,772,093 shares in the last quarter. Nuance Investments LLC grew its stake in shares of Mueller Water Products by 20.9% during the 4th quarter. Nuance Investments LLC now owns 13,817,036 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $148,671,000 after purchasing an additional 2,388,219 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Mueller Water Products during the 4th quarter valued at about $17,097,000. Impax Asset Management Group plc grew its stake in shares of Mueller Water Products by 10.2% during the 4th quarter. Impax Asset Management Group plc now owns 14,645,826 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $157,589,000 after purchasing an additional 1,356,570 shares during the period. Finally, Eaton Vance Management grew its stake in shares of Mueller Water Products by 21.0% during the 1st quarter. Eaton Vance Management now owns 3,984,187 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $51,476,000 after purchasing an additional 690,788 shares during the period. 89.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Mueller Water Products Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Mueller Water Products, Inc manufactures and markets products and services for the transmission, distribution, and measurement of water used by municipalities, and the residential and non-residential construction industries in the United States, Israel, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Water Flow Solutions and Water Management Solutions.

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Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. raised its stake in Invesco Senior Loan ETF (NYSEARCA:BKLN  Free Report) by 52.5% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,455,716 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after purchasing an additional 845,367 shares during the period. Invesco Senior Loan ETF accounts for approximately 4.3% of Sumitomo Life Insurance Co.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest position. Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. owned approximately 1.34% of Invesco Senior Loan ETF worth $51,079,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of BKLN. Covestor Ltd increased its position in Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 186.1% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,156 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 752 shares during the period. Ahrens Investment Partners LLC bought a new position in Invesco Senior Loan ETF during the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH increased its position in Invesco Senior Loan ETF by 180.1% during the 1st quarter. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH now owns 1,605 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 1,032 shares during the period. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Invesco Senior Loan ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, LFA Lugano Financial Advisors SA acquired a new position in Invesco Senior Loan ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $46,000.

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Invesco Senior Loan ETF Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of NYSEARCA BKLN opened at $21.17 on Thursday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $20.84 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $20.88. Invesco Senior Loan ETF has a fifty-two week low of $20.06 and a fifty-two week high of $21.49.

Invesco Senior Loan ETF Company Profile

The Invesco Senior Loan ETF (BKLN) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value-weighted index of senior loans issued by banks to corporations. BKLN was launched on Mar 3, 2011 and is managed by Invesco.

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Uni-President China Holdings Ltd (OTCMKTS:UNPSF  Get Free Report) shares dropped 4.8% on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $0.84 and last traded at $0.84. Approximately 500 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 90% from the average daily volume of 5,200 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.88.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Uni-President China from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, May 18th.

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Uni-President China Trading Down 4.8 %

The firms fifty day simple moving average is $0.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $0.79.

Uni-President China Company Profile

Uni-President China Holdings Ltd., an investment holding company, manufactures, sells, and trades in beverages and food in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Beverages, Food, and Others segments. It offers instant noodles, tea drinks, juices, milk tea, coffee, bottled water, and bottle can drinks.

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Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Sunny, along with a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 79F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds light and variable.
Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Sunny, along with a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.
The announcement came as a tweet on July 12, where BamBam shared a poster with the tour dates and cities.

The tour will kick off on September 16 in Seoul, followed by performances in Manila, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok.

BamBam Reveals Dates and Cities for his 'AREA 52' Tour

GOT7 member BamBam took to social media on July 12 to unveil exciting details about his upcoming 'AREA 52' tour. The announcement included dates and cities for his first world tour, expected to run from 2023 to 2024.

BamBam's tour will begin on September 16, 2023, in Seoul. From there, he will head to Manila on September 22, Macau on September 30, and Kuala Lumpur on October 15.

The tour will wrap up on October 28 in Bangkok, with the possibility of additional tour stops to be soon announced.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS: Will IVE Bring the Party Vibes in Their Upcoming MV for 'I Want'? Teaser Revealed!

Aghase Express Excitement for BamBam's 'AREA 52' Tour on Social Media

Fans immediately expressed their excitement on social media, with many eagerly anticipating the upcoming tour.

One fan exclaimed, "So excited! Can't wait for my boy!! #Area52 #BamBam."

Another fan jokingly mentioned BamBam taking their salary, saying, "I guess BamBam's getting my salary for this month, but I'm really excited for #BamBam_TOUR_AREA52."

I guess BamBam's getting my salary for this month but I'm really excited for #BamBam_TOUR_AREA52 pic.twitter.com/cP9ODoT1dK  Lulu  (@meetlulu) July 12, 2023

The anticipation from fans was clear as they expressed their willingness to support BamBam.

Bam, I love you and I understand. Youre taking your time for the U.S. dates but I NEED TO KNOW. MY LIFE IS GONNA BE ON PAUSE FOR THIS. FOR YOU  BAMBAM WORLD TOUR (@q_double_b) July 12, 2023

The 'AREA 52' world tour is expected to showcase BamBam's talent and charisma on stage, as he takes fans on a musical journey.

ALSO READ: Yeoreum is Copying Karina? WJSN Member Accused of Imitating Idol For THIS Reason

KpopStarz own this article.

Written by Madison Cullen.
slide 2 of 6

IVE is returning from Thailand through Incheon International Airport on the 12th after completing overseas schedules.
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LE SSERAFIM is returning from Macau through Incheon International Airport on the 12th after completing overseas schedules.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Today, at the EU-Japan Summit, President von der Leyen announced that the Commission is lifting the import restrictions for food following the nuclear accident at Fukushima. The lifting of the measures stems from positive results from controls done on the products by the Japanese authorities and the Member States.

Shortly after the accident, the EU took the necessary measures to protect human health against possible radioactive contamination from food and feed imported from Japan and imposed thorough pre-export testing of food products for radioactivity.

Since the adoption of these restrictions in 2011, the measures have been reviewed by the Commission every second year and have been progressively eased as risks declined. The last review took place in September 2021 and limited the pre-export testing restrictions to wild mushrooms, some fish species and wild edible plants.

A strict maximum level of 100 Bq/kg has been in place in the EU for food from Japan since June 2011. This maximum has always been fully respected, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Japanese control and monitoring systems.

Now that the restrictions have been fully lifted, it is however important that the Japanese government continues to monitor domestic production for radioactivity. This includes in particular fish, fishery products and seaweed close to the release site of the contaminated cooling water. They should be monitored for the presence of radionuclides, including tritium. It is also important that the Japanese government makes all the results publicly available.

Background

The Member States endorsed the Regulation lifting the restrictions, which was adopted today by the Commission.
PNN

New Delhi [India], July 13: Credent Global Finance Limited has announced it is undertaking a Right Issue of equity shares to raise capital to augment of capital base. Issue open from 25th July, 2023 - 8th August, 2023, The Rights Issue Committee of the Board of Credent Global Finance Limited (Formerly known as Oracle Credit Limited) at its meeting have inter alia considered and approved the total number of 34,68,750 fully paid-up Equity Shares at Rs 140.00 per fully paid-up Equity Shares (including a premium of Rs 130.00 per Equity Share) for an amount aggregating to Rs 48,56,25,000.

Also Read | How Do I Quit Smoking?.

The Rights Entitlement Ratio has been set at 1 Equity Share for every 2 fully paid-up Equity Shares held by the eligible equity shareholders of the Company, as on the Record Date, which has been fixed as 17th July 2023.

The funds raised through this Right Issue will be utilized to augment the capital base. The Board of Directors firmly believes that this capital infusion will support the Company's growth objectives.

Also Read | Stray Dog Menace in Gujarat: Two-Year-Old Mauled to Death by Canine in Morbi.

Before the Right Issue, Credent Global Finance Limited had 69,37,500 Equity Shares. Post the Right Issue, the Company's outstanding Equity Shares will increase to 1,04,06,250, representing a significant expansion in the Company's share capital.

Profile

Credent Global Finance

Founded in 2017, Credent Global Finance (CGF) is a BSE listed, SEBI registered & RBI regulated NBFC, providing end-to-end financial services. The company offers diversified financial services that provides a broad range of financial products and services, catering to corporates, institutions and individuals. CGF provides strategic advisory to its investors with in-depth knowledge and solid financial strategy to make the best investment choices for a thriving portfolio across diversified services like Asset Management, Investment Banking, NBFC and Real Estate.

Credent Global in numbers:

1. Joint experience of over 150+ years in the financial services sector2. Transactions to the tune of Rs 2,000 cr + executed so far3. 500 + UHNI & Family offices as trusted clientele across the world4. AUM of Rs 200 crores5. Launched 4 Alternative Investment Funds6. Invested over Rs 400 million across 46 businesses7. Investments of over Rs 5 billion in Real Estate across 13 leading developers8. Generated an ROI of 250%+ through its PMS vertical

Key senior leaders:

Aditya Kanoria Co-Founder / Director  Credent Global With an experience of over 15 years in the financial ecosystem of India, Aditya Kanoria, launched Credent Global with a single minded focus on offering his investors a diversified investment portfolio spread across, equities, real estate and asset management. He has held senior management roles in multiple facets of financial services with renowned bands like Motilal Oswal Financial Services and Capital First.

Vishnu Rathore, Board of Director  Credent Global Vishnu Rathore is a seasoned professional in the financial services industry of India with an experience of over 16 years. He has structured and executed deals across key verticals like Asset Management, Structured Finance, Distressed Assets, Debt Capital Markets, Investment Banking, Equity Capital Markets, Research Analytics and Institutional Sales Brokerage. Apart from that, he has also executed real estate transaction to the tunes of millions for Indians as well as NRI investors.

(Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
NewsVoir

New Delhi [India], July 13: Food is the most basic need of a human being or, for that matter, any other living thing on earth. And even for this basic need, our constant endeavour, curiosity and inquiring minds have elevated food to the highest form and standards.

Also Read | Assam: Elderly Man Swept Away by Strong Currents While Taking Bath in Brahmaputra River in Majuli Island.

With the support of modern technology and in our current state of information overload, the food we offer must satisfy the taste buds and meet ever-growing and increasingly demanding culinary standards. The proliferation of social media and the popularity of travel worldwide have exposed people to an amalgamation of cultural influences that will make our future cuisines more fusion than just local.

And it's all about getting everything done as quickly as possible in a limited time frame because every second counts. To master the art of living, where more needs to be experienced, and less wasted, the modern kitchen and chef are looking for quick answers that are consistent in quality and dependable in taste and result.

Also Read | Good News for Mumbaikars, Mumbai RTO Launches WhatsApp Helpline Number for Commuters to Lodge Complaint Against Errant Taxi and Auto-Rickshaw Drivers.

Every kitchen, whether in a restaurant or at home, will vouch for one essential ingredient: the quintessential tomato. The tomato, over the ages and since it has traversed countries and various kitchens across cultures, has been the most adaptable ingredient which can be used to rustle up a variety of meals. Think Pasta sauce, Greek salad, Ratatouille, or Stroganoff- go to any part of the world and explore the local cuisine. Chances are there will be at least one signature dish with tomatoes as a main component. And within India, tomatoes cater to every taste palate- from sweet and sour chutneys and achars, thick and uber-comforting soups and small street food snacks, stir-fried starters and tikkas with grilled tomatoes, rich gravies, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian main-course dishes, speciality drinks and coolers, and many more. Since tomatoes were introduced, we have never stopped increasing their repertoire.

Tomatoes are always present. Yet tomatoes are also highly specialised, and a master chef always knows them very well before they make it into the final recipe. Their quality is reflected in the final result. In most cases, what comes out from the hands of an international chef as fine cuisine is a delightful culmination of picking and choosing the right product. In the case of tomatoes, nothing beats Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe - the star of many culinary shows.

Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe is the name of the EU (European Union) project to raise awareness of EU-preserved canned tomatoes, 100 per cent made in Europe. Canned tomatoes are produced using a traditional process that preserves all flavour of the fruit, harvested at the peak of its ripeness and flavour which has been perfected over time. Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe come in various forms - whole peeled, cherry, or dice, bringing the finest quality of European produce to our kitchen.

With the availability of the finest quality preserved tomatoes and the convenience of simply opening the can of your choice, Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe ensure that the best is always possible. It wont take long to get used to our high standards that will keep you hooked enough to prepare a fantastic array of dishes over and over again. You dont have to worry about blanching, cutting, chopping, or peeling - you can still present the finest taste every time you cook, which is thrilling and highly satisfying. Canned products maintain the highest food standards and guarantee the best taste and quality. In this case, we are talking about delicious ripe tomatoes grown under the Mediterranean sun which are among the highest-quality agricultural products.

So gift yourself the taste of a lifetime. Get a can of Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe now to cook your finest dish. See the difference it makes to your culinary journey and explorations.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Follow us on: Instagram @redgoldtomatoesfromeurope & on Facebook @redgoldtomatoesfromeurope.

(Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

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SRV Media

New Delhi [India], July 13: Kapur Infratech, a notable Delhi NCR-based real estate company, known for its in-demand, reasonable yet luxury housing projects, has recently embarked on a workforce expansion, offering about 200 job openings. The robust real estate-centric hiring spree is envisioned to meet the overall increased operations and the breathtaking sales target of 500 crore approximately, which the venture is set to hit in the coming financial year.

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Over the last 11 years, since its inception in 2012, the real estate company has gone from 2-3 core members to the current dynamic team of 26. Therefore, following steady growth in the competitive real estate market, the latest hiring requirements reflect Kapur Infratechs steady growth and solid footing in the sector. Similarly, the ambitious sales target signals the companys commitment to customer satisfaction as well as its zeal to capture more and more market share in the ever-expanding domain of housing projects. Moreover, the real estate enterprise also excels in the commercial property and office segments, catering to a wide range of buyers.

About upcoming developments, Yassh Kapur, the CEO and the Founder of Kapur Infratech said, We are extremely thrilled to welcome fresh talent to our company. This step will not only help us deliver an augmented volume of projects and serve more customers but also ensure that we can take our legacy of quality service ahead with better innovations. More importantly, the expansion of the team would be pivotal in the coming year, as we gear ourselves to achieve the mammoth 500 crore sales target.

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Further elaborating on the brand ideology, the founder continued, Our vision with the ongoing as well as the past projects has been to build affordable yet luxury homes so that a large section of consumers can enjoy the convenience of the first-rate housing. Unique in our domain of work, we strive to strike this delicate balance between cost-effectiveness and quality. We hope that in the coming years as well our efforts match the increasing demand for group housing flats in the market and that more people achieve their dream homes with us. Also, as we continue to grow, we envision seeing progress in other sections of the real estate industry such as commercial undertaking and office infrastructure.

The powerhouse behind major real estate undertakings in the National Capital Region, including Trident Realty, CRC Group, Mahagun, and Godrej Properties, Kapur Infratech has become a trusted name among consumers looking for luxury homes at affordable prices. Until today, Kapur Infratech has served over 5,000 customers, helping them in the journey of owning their dream homes.

To conclude, the impressive portfolio of projects indicates that the attractive pricing of the apartments and the premium quality of the projects have cemented the companys name in the real estate arena. Further, the new expansion plan, comprising 200 new job openings and a huge sales target of about 500 crores, will ensure that the company remains dedicated to upholding its staggering standards of excellence.

For more information, please visit- www.kapurinfratech.com

(Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

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GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC)

New Delhi [India], July 13: Utho, India's first cloud platform, ignited a new era in the Indian cloud market at the MSP India Summit held in Delhi on 7 July, 2023. Manoj Dhanda (Founder and CTO - Utho) electrified the audience with his profound insights on propelling India's digital revolution.

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He also facilitated the nation's growth through the "Make in India" and "Digital India" initiatives.

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Utho emerged as the essence of Indian brilliance and technological excellence, uplifting the audience's spirits.

Manoj Dhandas captivating presentation showcased Utho's unwavering commitment to the nation, fueling a surge of enthusiasm amongst the attendees who witnessed firsthand the greatness of an Indian provider revolutionizing the cloud industry.

With unwavering authority, He drew a striking comparison between Utho and hyperscalers. He proved Utho's superiority in terms of Cost, Simplicity, Support, Reliability, and Customer Service. As the crowd absorbed this remarkable announcement, a wave of appreciation swept through the room, strengthening Utho's position as the leading leader in the Indian cloud market.

"From the depths of my passion to uplift SMBs across India, I launched Utho, India's first cloud platform, with a singular vision: to transform their journey through the power of secure, reliable, and affordable cloud solutions," passionately expressed Manoj, embodying the spirit of a true Indian entrepreneur dedicated to propelling the nation's growth.

The event exuded an electric atmosphere as the audience connected with Utho's resounding impact on Indian businesses.

Thrilled with pride and enthusiasm, attendees were inspired by Utho's commitment to empowering Indian SMBs, ensuring that their success fuels the progress of the Indian economy.

Utho marks a historic turning point in the Indian cloud market. The platform's comprehensive suite of cloud solutions, fortified by robust security measures, seamless scalability, and personalized customer support, is tailored to meet the unique demands of Indian businesses.

Utho empowers organizations to unleash their full potential, transforming the way they operate and carving a path toward unparalleled success.

As India's first cloud platform, Utho is a catalyst for innovation, driving economic growth, and strengthening India's position as a global technology powerhouse.

The rise of Utho signifies the dawning of a new era, where Indian providers take over new areas and rewrite the narrative of success in the digital space.

Utho is India's pioneering cloud platform, (formerly known as Microhost) revolutionizing businesses by providing secure, reliable, and affordable cloud solutions. With an unwavering focus on "Make in India" and "Digital India," Utho empowers organizations to unlock their true potential, contribute to the nation's growth, and usher in a new era of Indian technological supremacy.

(Disclaimer: The above press release has been provided by GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC). ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

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Ranchi, Jul 13 (PTI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren demanded a hike in royalty on coal at a meeting with a team from the NITI Aayog, officials said on Thursday.

At the meeting, he also raised the issue of the release of compensation for land acquisition, which he said was pending with different coal companies.

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An eight-member team of NITI Aayog, led by its member Vinod Kumar Paul, is on a visit to the state to review its progress on various aspects. It held a meeting with the chief minister at the state secretariat on Wednesday.

Soren said compensation of about Rs 80,000 crore is due with different coal companies against land acquisition, and only Rs 2,532 crore has been given.

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"Coal companies should pay compensation for the land they have acquired, even if mining work has not started on it," he said.

It was agreed at the meeting that the coal companies will submit a report on how much land was acquired and how much compensation was paid, an official statement said.

Soren also demanded that the royalty on coal be increased.

The chief minister also sought additional foodgrains from the Centre.

He said the Centre has a fixed quota for beneficiaries as part of National Food Security Mission.

"But, more beneficiaries need subsidised ration in the state. The state government is giving subsidised ration to additional 20 lakh beneficiaries under green card category," he said.

Soren said the state government has to purchase grains for the additional beneficiaries from the market as FCI was not providing for them.

"The NITI Aayog should place the demand of Jharkhand with the central government that FCI should also provide grains for the ration card holders of the state government," he said.

He also demanded 8.5 lakh houses under PM Awas Yojana for the people of the state.

Paul said NITI Aayog works as a bridge between the Centre and state governments.

"Whatever cooperation is needed from the Centre for the development of Jharkhand, the Aayog will work in this regard. The meeting was successful," he said.

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New Delhi [India], July 13 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a second supplementary chargesheet before a court in Delhi against five accused including the Director of Chariot Productions Media Pvt Ltd in an ongoing investigation in an alleged excise scam case.

The accused named in the second supplementary chargesheet have been identified as Rajesh Joshi, Director of Chariot Productions Media Pvt. Ltd; Damodar Prasad Sharma, Employee of Chariot Productions Media Pvt. Ltd; Prince Kumar, Employee of Chariot Productions Media Pvt. Ltd; Arvind Kumar Singh, an employee of a media channel and Chanpreet Singh Rayat.

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In a statement, CBI mentioned that a case was registered on August 17 in 2022 against the then Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and others including then Commissioner (Excise), then Deputy Commissioner (Excise), then Assistant Commissioner (Excise), all of GNCTD, Delhi; 10 liquor licences, their associates and unknown others on a reference from MHA(GOI) related to alleged irregularities in framing and implementation of the excise policy of GNCTD, Delhi.

It was further alleged that irregularities were committed including modifications in the Excise Policy, extending undue favours to the licences, waiver and reduction in licence fee, an extension of L-1 license without approval etc. It was also alleged that Illegal gains on the count of these acts were diverted to concerned public servants by private parties by making false entries in their books of accounts.

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Searches were earlier conducted at various locations including in Delhi, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, and Bengaluru which led to the recovery of incriminating documents and articles, digital records etc.

During the investigation, several accused were also arrested. Earlier, a chargesheet was filed in November 2022 against seven accused including then Deputy Commissioner(Excise), then Assistant Commissioner (Excise) and private persons and a supplementary chargesheet was filed in April 2023 against four accused including then Deputy Chief Minister, GNCTD of Delhi and private persons.

Further investigation into the case is underway.

During further investigation, the alleged role of said accused was found in respect of the transfer of ill-gotten money amounting to Rs.44.54 crore(approx) to Goa through Hawala channel. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], July 13 (ANI): Delhi Lt Governor, VK Saxena has called for a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to discuss the flood situation in the National Capital on Thursday over rising water level of Yamuna river.

"The meeting will be held at the LG Secretariat at 12 noon, CM Arvind Kejriwal will also be present at the meeting," DDMA officials said.

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The water level of Yamuna has crossed the mark of 208.05 meters, exceeding the Central Water Commission's estimate of 207.99 meters late on Wednesday night, putting authorities on alert mode.

Meanwhile, thousands of people staying national capitals low-lying areas were shifted to safe places as water level in Yamuna breached the 45-year record and crossed 208.05 metres mark on Wednesday.

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According to the Delhi government as part of its evacuation plan, a total of 16,564 people living in low-lying areas have been evacuated to safer places and 14,534 are living in tents/shelters, across the city.

Owing to the flood-like situation in Delhi, MCDs Education Department has decided to close 10 schools in low-lying areas of Civil Lines Zone, 06 schools in Shahadra South Zine and 1 school in Shahadra North Zone for Thursday. "Online classes will be held for students of those schools," the government said.

Earlier in the day, the Yamuna in Delhi swelled to 207.55 metres, breaching its all-time record of 207.49 metres set in September, 1978, government agencies said.

Informing about the development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that he has requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to reduce the flow of water entering from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana in the national capital.

Kejriwal said that a letter has been sent to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in this regard. Stating the reasons for the increase in the level of Yamuna, the Chief Minister said that the water level in Yamuna in Delhi has increased due to water being released from the Hathni Kund barrage located in Haryana and requested the Union Minister to release the water from Hathni Kund barrage at a limited rate.

"The water level in the Yamuna in Delhi is not increasing due to the rains in Delhi, but due to the water being released from the Hathini Kund barrage located in Haryana. I humbly request that if possible the water from Hathni Kund barrage should be released at a limited rate only so that the level of Yamuna in Delhi does not increase further," he said in his letter to Union Minister.

"The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi has reached 207.71 metres, the highest ever. Delhi has not received rainfall in the last 2-3 days," Kejriwal said while addressing a press conference.

Expressing concern over the rising level of the Yamuna River, he said, "Water is entering Delhi from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Regarding this, I have also written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting him to reduce the flow of water entering Delhi, only then we can stop the Yamuna River from overflowing."

He further appealed to people living in the low-lying areas near Yamuna floodplains to vacate their homes. "I request everyone to vacate their homes in the low-lying areas. There are several places affected by the rise in the level of water in Yamuna River," he added. (ANI)

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Guwahati (Assam) [India], July 13 (ANI): In order to mitigate the increasing human-elephant conflict (HEC), Assam launched the Gajah Kotha' campaign, engaging over 1,200 people to foster coexistence.

The initiative targets HEC-affected villages in eastern Assam, and educates them about the elephants' behaviour, ecology, and cultural connection to the region and the importance of their conservation.

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Aaranyak and the British Asian Trust, in partnership with the Assam Forest Department and with support from the Darwin Initiative, are implementing this initiative as part of their efforts for fostering coexistence."In consultation with scientists, artists, educators and conservationists, we have developed insightful and engaging awareness materials for exhibitions open to community members comprising of women, men, youth, elderly and students," Dr Alolika Sinha, a senior conservationist at Aaranyaks Elephant Research and Conservation Division said.

"We have reached out to over 1,200 HEC affected people in eastern Assam through 24 'Gajah Kotha' campaigns so far," stated Aaranyak through a press statement.

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The campaigns were held at Majulis Haladhibari, Jaborchuk Kathoni, Gazera, Gazera High School, Ujani Majuli Kherkatia High School, Pub Majuli Kherkatia HS School, Jaborchuk Basa, and Jopanchuk.

In Dibruagarh, the campaign was held at Konwabam, Panchukia Bongaon, Nahorjan Lebankula, Nagaghat Tantipather, Lebankula ME Schoolm and Kamargaon ME School. In Tinsukia, the campaign was conducted in Ujani Sadiya HS School and Padumphula.

Other locations included Sivasagars Chamarajan, Charaguwa Grant, Majumelia, Charagua ME School, Charagua High School, Demomukh Gohaingaon, and Jorhats Sankardev Janajati ME School and Bejorchiga.

Aaranyak collaborated with several local organisations to mobilise community members and future stewards from each HEC area.

These organisations and community members also interacted with Aaranyaks experts to discuss innovative approaches for human-wildlife coexistence.

"Our community educators, field staff, and village champions are working relentlessly on this coexistence initiative between the communities and elephants in Assam, home to a well-established elephant population as well as burgeoning conflict," said Zakir Islam Bora, an Aaranyak official in charge of the initiative in Eastern Assam. (ANI)

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Surendranagar, Jul 13 (PTI) Two Dalit men were killed allegedly by a group of persons belonging to an OBC community over a land dispute in Gujarat's Surendranagar district, police said on Thursday.

The incident took place on Wednesday evening in Samadhiala village under Chuda taluka.

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The two victims - Aalji Parmar (60) and his brother Manoj Parmar (54) - died during treatment at a government hospital in Surendranagar town on Wednesday night, the police said.

Based on a complaint given by one Parulben Parmar, who was also injured in the attack, the Chuda police on Thursday morning registered an FIR against six identified and 12-15 unidentified persons from Kathi Darbar community, Inspector General of Police, Rajkot and Surendranagar Range, Ashok Kumar Yadav said.

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"The victims were attacked because of a land dispute between the members of two different communities. The Dalits as well as Kathi Darbars have been staking claim on a piece of land in Samadhiala village," he said.

"While two men died in the incident, some others, including women, were injured. An FIR has been registered in this connection," said Yadav.

He said the dispute over the piece of land was going on since 1998 and the Dalit family had also won the case in a lower court.

As per the FIR, the complainant, a widow living in Ahmedabad, along with her two brother-in-laws (brothers of her deceased husband) and their wives went to their ancestral Samadhiala village to start sowing on their agricultural land.

The complainant alleged the accused have been trying to grab her ancestral land and threatening her and other family members for a long time.

When they were returning after ploughing the field, a group of nearly 20 men allegedly attacked them with sticks and sharp weapons, as per the FIR.

These accused, led by one Amrabhai Khachar, and his brother and sons, allegedly attacked their vehicle and started beating them saying the land belongs to them only and no one should enter in it, it said.

Following the serious injuries received in the attack, two brothers - Aaljibhai and Manojbhai Parmar - died during treatment while three women and a tractor driver were admitted to hospital for treatment, the police said.

The accused were booked on charges of murder, attempt to murder and rioting, as well as under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the police added.

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New Delhi [India], July 13 (ANI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday filed a chargesheet against three persons, including a Myanmar national, in a case of extortion by members of banned terror outfits in Manipur. The charge sheet was filed in the NIA Special Court, Imphal, against three cadres of the proscribed terrorist organisations namely (Peoples Revolutionary Army), KCP (Kangleipak Communist Party), PREPAK (Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak) and UNLF (United National Liberation Front), among others. The accused charged under Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, have been identified as 38-year-old Deepak Sharma alias Khinmaung of Myanmar, Suraj Jaiswal (33) of Manipur and Shaikhom Bruce Meetei (38), also of Manipur.

Deepak has been additionally charged under the Foreigners Act, of 1946. Further, according to the NIA, the accused had been raising and collecting funds in a bid to facilitate and further the activities of these terrorist organisations.

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Investigations, so far, have revealed that the cadres of the banned outfits had been making extortion calls to the people in Imphal and the Valley areas to raise funds for their organisations.

"These cadres shared bank account details of their associates with the victims and instructed them to deposit the extortion money in the same," read the statement. The NIA registered the case suo moto on March 9, last year. Investigations to nab others involved in the case are still underway. (ANI)

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Ranchi Jul 13 (PTI) The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Thursday said it will probe the death of a class 10 student who allegedly died by suicide after being slapped by a teacher for coming to school with a bindi on her forehead.

The incident happened at Tetulmari in Dhanbad on July 10, after a female teacher slapped the 17-year-old girl during prayer for the bindi. Police have already arrested the teacher, and the principal of the school.

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"We have received information that a student has committed suicide in Dhanbad after being beaten and humiliated for going to school with a bindi. NCPCR has taken cognisance of the incident and we will investigate the matter," its chairperson Priyank Kanoongo told PTI.

Kanungo said a team from NCPCR will be visiting Dhanbad to investigate the matter.

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The girl had left a suicide note in which she allegedly held the teacher and the principal of the school responsible for the incident, police said.

In the suicide note, addressed to the officer-in-charge of the Tetulmari police station, she said she could not tolerate the insult in public and preferred death, according to police.

She also demanded action against the teacher and the principal, police said.

After returning home from school, the girl hanged herself from the ceiling fan in her room. Police seized the suicide note and lodged an FIR against the teacher and the principal.

The girl's family alleged that when her mother went to the school to complain against the teacher for slapping and humiliating her daughter, the principal sent her back.

The family had also blocked a road with the girl's body, alleging that the police failed to act even after 24 hours of the incident.

Later, deputy superintendent of police (DSP) of Baghmara region Nisha Murmu reached the spot and assured the agitating parents of action against the guilty. Then, the two accused were arrested from the school.

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New Delhi, Jul 13 (PTI) India on Thursday described as reflection of "colonial mindset" a resolution adopted at the European Parliament on the situation in Manipur.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said such interference in India's internal affairs is "unacceptable".

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"We have seen that the European Parliament held a discussion on developments in Manipur and adopted a so-called urgency resolution," he said.

"Such interference in India's internal affairs is unacceptable, and reflects a colonial mindset," Bagchi added.

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The spokesperson said Indian authorities at all levels, including the judiciary, are seized of the situation in Manipur and are taking steps to maintain peace and harmony and law and order.

"The European Parliament would be well advised to utilize its time more productively on its internal issues," he said, replying to media queries on the resolution.

Manipur has been witnessing violent clashes, especially between Kuki and Meitei communities for close to two months. Opposition parties have accused the government of failing to contain the violence.

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New Delhi, July 13: All Delhi schools and colleges will remain closed till Sunday and government offices, except those providing essential services, will resort to work from home, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday.

Talking to ANI after the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on the unprecedented flood situation in the national capital, Kejriwal said, We had a DDMA meeting. Several important decisions were taken. Schools, colleges & universities will remain closed till Sunday. All government offices, except those providing essential services, will have Work from Home till Sunday. Advisory is being issued for private offices to do the same. Delhi Rains: CM Arvind Kejriwal Announces Closure of All Schools, Colleges Till Sunday in View of Flood Situation (Watch Video).

CM said that entry of heavy vehicles, except those providing essential services have been banned. Water rationing will have to be done as three Water Treatment Plants are shut and people will face water crisis for a day or two. Heavy vehicles, except those providing essential services, that enter Delhi will not be allowed. There were issues of toilets and bathrooms at relief camps. So, the camps are being shifted to schools. There are over 20,000 people in relief camps, Kejriwal told ANI. Deadline Passes for Hollywood to Avoid Actors Strike.

The CM further told ANI that NDRF teams are deployed and will request for more if the situation demands. NDRF teams are deployed, if needed we will request more. Also arrangement have been made for more NDRF relief boats. We expect the water to recede by tomorrow, he said.

As per NDRF inputs, a total of 12 NDRF teams have been deployed in Delhi which includes three in Central Delhi, three in North-East Delhi, two in South-East Delhi, three in East Delhi and one in Shahdara.

Meanwhile, in view of the rising water level of River Yamuna, the Delhi government banned entry of Heavy Good Vehicles from the Singhu Border, Badarpur Border, Loni Border and Chilla Border. Interstate buses from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand terminating at ISBT Kashmere Gate will terminate at Singhu border.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday predicted that South-West Delhi and adjoining areas is likely to receive light to moderate intensity rain on Thursday.

Thunderstorms with light to moderate intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of isolated places of South-West Delhi, South Delhi (Chhattarpur, IGNOU, Ayanagar, Deramandi) and NCR ( Gurugram, Manesar) , Sikandrabad, Bulandshahar, Khurja, Pahasu (U.P.) during next 2 hours, IMD shared in a tweet.

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Beijing [China], July 13 (ANI): China had hoped for a quick economic recovery after the government relaxed strict COVID restrictions and reopened its borders six months ago. However, China's hopes have been dampened by weak external demand, Channel News Asia reported.

Although China witnessed positive annual growth in March and April. However, economists warned that this is not the full picture. The comparison has been made from a low base when a lockdown was implemented in Shanghai in 2022.

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The development comes as companies have been intending to diversify their supply chains from China. Trade tensions between US and China have also sparked concerns among businesses, according to Channel News Asia report.

Online logistics platform Container xChange founder Christian Roeloffs has said that he has observed a significant number of excess containers at ports in China. He noted that price is not the only factor in his decisions regarding business.

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If I deal with an export country, where I can't rely on politics to create a climate or an environment for reliability, but the politics that creates a climate of sort of severe restrictions of ongoing production, then I'm more inclined to move to more reliable alternatives, Channel News Asia quoted Christian Roeloffs as saying.

Observers highlighted the challenges that China faces as it tries to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind it. Month-on-month export growth figures have been witnessing a slowdown, the report said. According to ING Bank forecast, no growth is expected in exports of China in 2023. The ING Bank forecast comes amid weak demand for goods.

Iris Pang, chief economist for Greater China at ING said, "This is not because the Chinese domestic economy hasn't picked up, it is almost the opposite," Channel News Asia reported. She further said, "It is the external market that is slowing and that will have some impact on the domestic economy."

Although the Chinese authorities are hoping to increase domestic spending. However, observers noted that the reduction in imports indicates that this might not be happening as quickly as Beijing hoped for.

Meanwhile, companies are once again heading abroad to grow their business. Vehicle manufacturer Tenglong Automobile has expressed hope to make up for lost time after two years of dampened overseas sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Channel News Asia reported.

Tenglong Automobile vice president Zhou Shengming said that it was "inconvenient" for sales staff to travel abroad due to the restrictions. Tenglong Automobile expects orders from abroad to rise by up to three times this year in comparison to 2022. Meanwhile, Xiao Xuming, general manager of GEMAC Engineering Machinery, said, "The market proportion of our business is mainly domestic at present."

Meanwhile, a report in The New York Times said China which has lent nearly 1 trillion USD to some 150 developing countries is itself facing a 'debt bomb' at home, compelling Beijing to be reluctant in cancelling large debts owed by countries struggling to make ends meet.

China is facing a debt bomb at home: trillions of dollars owed by local governments, their mostly off-the-books financial affiliates, and real estate developers, Keith Bradsher said in a piece in New York Times.

He believes that one of the main issues during US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's China visit was whether she can persuade China to cooperate more to address an evolving debt crisis facing in lower-income countries. But China's state-controlled banking system is wary of accepting losses on foreign loans when it faces far greater losses on loans within China.

Researchers at JPMorgan Chase calculated last month that overall debt within China, including households, companies and the government had reached 282 per cent of the country's annual economic output. That compares with an average of 256 per cent in developed economies around the world and 257 per cent in the United States, NYT piece stated.

What distinguishes China from most other countries is how fast that debt has accumulated relative to the size of its economy. If it is compared with the US or an indebted Japan, debt has increased less precipitously. The steep rise in China's debt, more than doubling compared with the size of its economy since the global financial crisis 15 years ago, makes managing it harder.

China's lending to developing countries is small relative to its domestic debt, showcasing less than 6 per cent of China's annual economic output. However, these loans are particularly sensitive politically, as per the news report. Despite heavy censorship, periodic complaints emerge on Chinese social media that banks should have lent money to poor households and regions at home, not abroad. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Paris, July 13: Its a moment of great honour for India as three Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jets, as part of the military contingent, are poised to participate in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees, Paris, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be the chief guest.

The first look of the Rafales was revealed on Thursday in visuals from the Evreux-Fauville Air Base in France. Drug Found in Soy Sauce at US Restaurant: Japanese Steakhouse in Florida Shut After Meth Found in Soy Sauce.

Watch Video: Indian Air Forces Rafale Fighter Jet To Participate in Parade

#WATCH | First look of the Indian Air Forces Rafales that will take part in the Bastille Day parade on July 14 in Paris, France Visuals from Evreux-Fauville Air Base. pic.twitter.com/p1itfkeRaB  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

Group Captain Abhishek Tripathi, Commanding Officer of 101 Squadron (Rafale) and the leader of the formation that will participate in the Bastille Day Flypast said, "It is a matter of pride for us that we have brought Rafale to France once again. The PM will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day parade and we will be a part of the opening formations of the Flypast...

Tripathi said: It (Rafales) has the best of the avionics which all the fighters in the world have, even better than them...To summarise, it is a very compact, extraordinary, powerful, extremely agile and very discreet machine..." PM Modi Interview With French Newspaper Les Echos: India Has Shown It's Possible for Harmony to Exist Amid Diversity, Says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Group Captain Anindo Sur said, "It is very prestigious for us to fly so far, close to 4500 miles. Our aircraft did not land anywhere in the middle, we did air-to-air refuelling. We flew continuously for over 10 hours - for the first time ever any aircraft has flown so long from India.

The Group Caption said it is an amazing feeling for India. We have done two practice sorties, tomorrow is the D-Day for us...We have four aircraft, all four of which will fly..., he said.

Indian Rafale jets that will take part in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees, Paris, reached France a couple of days back. The French traditional military parade is held annually in Paris during Bastille Day on July 14. PM Modi, at the invitation of France President Emmanuel Macron, will be the Guest of Honour on France's National Day.

PM Modi's visit will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the "strategic partnership" between France and India. Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy said it is a moment of tremendous pride for India since we will be representing our country as well as our Force on foreign land in front of our PM who will be witnessing the parade...I will be commanding the Air Force's contingent which comprises 77 personnel of which 68 will be marching..." she said.

Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador to France Jawed Ashraf on Wednesday said Indian Rafale jets taking part in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees, Paris, will send a message across the world that India-France ties are very strong and close.

In an interaction with ANI, Ashraf said that the flypast and marching by the IAF air warriors on Bastille Day follow a long association that the two nations share, especially in the field of air power. The Indian envoy also termed Rafale being part of the Bastille Day flypast as very important.

Any ship could have come from India. We have many ships. What is important is that both our soldiers have a lot of inter-operability, a lot of trust and in this way, this Bastille Day parade sends a message to the whole world that the partnership between India and France is very close, he told ANI.

Ashraf also underlined that the India-France partnership is about the power of values. The military relations that we have are to protect our values, without claiming or suppressing anyone else. We call it Prime Minister's partnership of values, he added.

On Monday, France's ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain tweeted: "A warm welcome to France for the Indian Rafale jets that will soar in the skies of Paris on Friday for #BastilleDay!"

Also, in a major development, India's Defence Ministry has given an initial nod to the plans to buy 26 Rafale fighter aircraft and three Scorpene class conventional submarines from France.

The proposals were approved by the Defence Procurement Board of the Defence Ministry and will now be taken up by the Defence Acquisition Council for discussion most likely on July 13, government sources told ANI.

The deals, once accorded Acceptance of Necessity by the DAC, are likely to be announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France this week, the sources said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
London, Jul 13 (PTI) There is work ongoing with a number of economies, including the UK, on the issue of intellectual property (IP) rights and modernisation in an effort to improve Indian protocols, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has said.

Goyal, who visited London this week amidst the India-UK talks for a free trade agreement, attended a gathering of Indian-origin chartered accountants (CAs) from the UK Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) here on Wednesday evening.

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Responding to questions at the event, the minister  a qualified CA covered a range of topics including IP rights and corporation tax to environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG).

He said the process to harmonise with international standards is high on the government's agenda because integrating with world thinking on standards and IP is important for the fast-paced growth of the Indian economy.

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With the UK we are working on IP rights or IP modernisation. Our effort is to improve the Indian protocols around intellectual property rights and areas associated with it, but I feel it will have to be a little more gradual process, said Goyal.

Similarly, we are working very actively on quality standards in India. The BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) for non-food products and FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) on food products are trying to develop standards.

Wherever it's possible, we are trying to harmonise also with international standards. But it's not possible in everything...we are roughly at about 90 per cent of our standards harmonised with what is generally accepted standards, he said.

But I can assure you we are conscious that if we have to develop our economy at a fast pace, we'll also have to integrate ourselves with the world thinking on standards, on intellectual property. Though it may be a process, we are moving very rapidly and hoping to become a preferred destination for other countries. So, it's very high on our agenda, he added.

The minister forecast that over the next three or four years, Indian standards will be seen as world class and accepted across the world.

While he veered away from any direct reference to the ongoing India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) while negotiations are on, the minister mentioned that the issue of transfer pricing was among the matters that had emerged as part of efforts to find wider solutions in the trade talks.

There is no written rule or unwritten rule that any one geography or one set of people are honest and the other set is dishonest... so transfer pricing will remain an issue by issue, case by case subject and there can't be a one size fits all, he said.

Asked about the corporate tax levels in India, the minister was clear that India's rates were at a comparable level having been reduced significantly in the last nine years.

We have been successful through G20 in getting the world to bring in a minimum corporate tax of 15 per cent, he noted.

Goyal, who was in the UK on a three-day visit which coincided with the 11th round of FTA negotiations with the UK, met his British counterpart Kemi Badenoch to build momentum behind the process. The Commerce Ministry issued a statement following the meeting to say that considerable progress was achieved during their frank and open discussions on various difficult issues.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Seoul (South Korea), Jul 13 (AP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to further bolster his country's nuclear fighting capabilities as he supervised the second test flight of a new, powerful intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the mainland United States, state media reported Thursday.

Kim's statement suggested North Korea would ramp up weapons testing activities to expand its arsenal in response to recent US steps to enhance its security commitment to ally South Korea.

Also Read | PM Modi in France Video: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Arrives in Paris on Official Two-Day Visit To Boost Strategic Ties.

On Thursday, in an apparent show of force against North Korea, the US flew a nuclear-capable B-52 bomber to the Korean Peninsula for joint aerial exercises with other US and South Korean fighter jets.

(Kim) clarified again that there will be no change and vacillation in the strategic line and policy of (the North Korean) government to steadily accelerate the development of more developed, effective and reliable weapon system," the Korean Central News Agency said.

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Kim said North Korea is compelled to bolster the country's nuclear war deterrent because the security environment on the Korean Peninsula is being seriously threatened by the hostile forces every moment.

The Korean Central News Agency reported Kim's comments a day after the launch of the Hwasong-18, which was first test-fired in April and which Kim has called the most powerful weapon of his nuclear forces.

The road-mobile ICBM has built-in solid propellant, which makes it more difficult to detect in advance than liquid-fuelled missiles.

KCNA said the launch was meant to reconfirm the technical credibility and operational reliability of the missile. Kim called the launch another important stride in efforts to boost the North's strategic forces, KCNA said.

According to KCNA, the missile was launched at a high angle to avoid neighbouring countries.

It flew 74 minutes and a distance of 1,001 kilometres (622 miles) at a maximum altitude of 6,648 kilometres (4,130 miles) before landing in a targeted area in the open waters off the North's east coast.

The missile's flight time is the longest recorded by any weapon launched by North Korea.

If launched on a standard trajectory, the missile could fly to the mainland US, though some experts say North Korea still has some technologies to master to acquire functioning nuclear-armed missiles.

South Korea, Japan and the United States criticized North Korea over the launch that they said posed a threat to regional and international peace.

Adam Hodge, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council, said in a statement that the US will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and South Korean and Japanese allies.

The United Nations Security Council scheduled an open meeting late Friday afternoon to discuss the ICBM launch at the request of the United States, Albania, France, Japan, Malta and the United Kingdom.

Wednesday's launch violated UN Security Council resolutions that ban any North Korean launches using ballistic technologies.

But it's unclear if the council can impose new sanctions on North Korea because China and Russia, both veto-wielding permanent members, had blocked the US and others' previous attempts to do so over North Korea's other recent ballistic launches.

South Korea's military said Thursday it maintained a firm readiness to repel potential provocations by North Korea and was pushing to achieve peace through strength, based on the strong military alliance with the United States.

Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson, Lee Sung Joon, said the South Korean and US authorities agreed to maintain a solid joint defense posture after the North Korean launch.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said that Thursday's South Korea-US training involving the US bomber improved the allies' joint operational capabilities and demonstrated Washington's resolve to implement its extended deterrence" commitment, a promise to use full US capabilities, including nuclear, to protect its allies.

North Korea has been focusing on reinforcing its nuclear capability after Kim's high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with then-President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019 due to disputes over US-led sanctions on North Korea.

Thursday's KCNA dispatch accused the US and South Korea of recently taking frantic confrontation attempts and bringing a new chain of nuclear crises to the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea often issues such harsh, warlike rhetoric in times of tension with its rivals.

KCNA cited a US-South Korean agreement to strengthen the allies' deterrence capabilities such as the periodic docking of a US nuclear-armed submarine in South Korea and the establishment of a new bilateral nuclear consultative group, whose inaugural meeting is slated for next week in Seoul.

The United States has expanded military drills with South Korea and taken steps to enhance "regular visibility of US strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula in response to the North's advancing nuclear arsenal. North Korea conducted about 100 missile tests since the start of 2022.

Experts say Kim eventually aims to use his enlarged arsenal to win greater concessions in future diplomacy with the United States.

Wednesday's ICBM launch came two days after Kim's sister and senior adviser, Kim Yo Jong, threatened shocking consequences to protest what she called provocative United States reconnaissance activity near its territory.

The US and South Korean governments dismissed the North's accusation as groundless and urged it to refrain from escalatory actions. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], July 13 (ANI): Four Pakistan army soldiers were killed while five others were critically injured after terrorists launched a "dastardly attack" on the Zhob garrison in Balochistan during the early hours of Wednesday, Pakistan-based Dawn reported citing the military's media affairs wing.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that terrorists' initial attempt to enter the facility was checked by soldiers on duty. "In ensuing heavy exchange of fire, the terrorists have been contained into a small area at the boundary," adding that three "heavily armed terrorists had been killed so far, according to Dawn.

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According to the statement, a clearance operation by security forces is being carried out to arrest the remaining two terrorists. It further said, "Security forces remain determined to thwart all such ghastly attempts at destroying peace of Balochistan and Pakistan."

Earlier on Wednesday, Zhob District Commissioner Azeem Kakar said that the cantonment area in Zhob was under attack, Dawn reported. He further said that a woman was killed after being caught in the ceasefire while five other civilians suffered injuries. He said that seriously injured victims were being referred to Quetta.

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Azeem Kakar said that a passenger bus coming from Dera Ismail Khan was also caught in the firing. He stressed that "nothing can be said about the number of attackers" and added that departments were on alert and an operation was being carried out, as per the Dawn report. Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo condemned the attack on Zhob Garrison.

Pakistan has been witnessing a rise in terrorist activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Dawn reported. The increase in terrorist attacks has been witnessed after the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the Pakistan government in November last year.

Earlier this month, two Pakistani Army personnel, including a Major, were killed in an exchange of fire with "terrorists" in the country's Balochistan's Kech district, Dawn reported citing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). According to the ISPR, the security forces started the operation on Sunday after receiving credible intelligence about the movement of a gang of "terrorists."

While establishing blocking positions to cut the escape routes was underway, a party of terrorists opened fire on the security forces. As a result of the heavy exchange of fire, Major Saqib Hussain and Naik Baqir Ali were killed, while another soldier got injured, the ISPR said.

"Security forces, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart such attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan. Resultantly, the follow-up operation to nab the perpetrators of the attack continues in the area," the ISPR said in a statement, according to Dawn.

The incident took place hours after the death of four security personnel in simultaneous attacks on three checkpoints in the Sherani district. Earlier, four security personnel were killed after unidentified gunmen attacked a checkpost in the Sherani district of Pakistan's Balochistan, Geo News reported. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad [Pakistan], July 13 (ANI): Two people, including a woman, were shot and killed in yet another shooting incident in Pakistan on Thursday. The incident took place at Lahore Sessions Court, ARY News reported.

According to details, the two individuals who arrived at the Lahore Sessions Court for the hearing were shot by a rival party.

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According to ARY News, the attackers were apprehended by the police and taken to the police station. For security purposes, the police have locked the court's doors.

A similar incident occurred earlier, and two suspects in a murder case were shot and killed in Lahore outside a sessions court.

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Riyasat and Bilal, two under-trial prisoners (UTPs), were brought to the court from Kot Lakhpat jail to testify in a case involving the murder of a woman that fell under the purview of Nishtar Colony police station.

The investigation is underway. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, July 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from India for an official visit to France and UAE on Thursday morning. He is visiting France at the official invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron from July 13 to 14. Ahead of his departure to France, PM Modi in a statement said he is looking forward to meeting French President Emmanuel Macron, and holding discussions on taking forward the partnership between both nations.

"I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years. I have had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since my last Official Visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023 during the G-7 Summit," an official statement released from the Prime Minister's Office said. PM Modi France Tour: Visit to France Will Provide New Impetus to Our Strategic Partnership, Says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PM Narendra Modi Leaves for France:

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from Delhi for Paris, France earlier this morning. He will take part in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour on July 14. During his visit, he will hold discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and other pic.twitter.com/nXjlXDwfKv  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

Calling his visit to France "special", PM Modi said that he will join Macron for Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour. He noted that an Indian tri-services contingent will take part in the Bastille Day Parade. PM Modi further said that Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past on the occasion.

"This visit is particularly special as I will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour. An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, while Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past on the occasion," PM Modi said.

PM Modi Departs for Three-Day Visit to France From Delhi:

Furthering friendship with France! PM @narendramodi emplanes for Paris. A wide range of programmes including talks with President Macron, a community programme and meeting with CEOs will be a part of this visit. pic.twitter.com/PcZzVVIDTT  PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 13, 2023

PM Modi noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France. He stated that India and France cooperate closely in various sectors, including defence, space, civil nuclear, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties. Bastille Day 2023: PM Narendra Modis Upcoming Visit to France High on Substance.

"This year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership. Rooted in deep trust and commitment, our two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people to people ties. We also work together on regional and global issues," PM Modi said in a statement.

PM Modi Leaves For Three-Day Visit To France:

PM Modi said that he looked forward to meeting his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne, French Senate President Gerard Larcher and President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet. In the statement, PM Modi said that he will meet the Indian community and leading CEOS from both nations. He expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to strategic partnership between India and France.

After his visit to France, PM Modi will be travelling to Abu Dhabi on July 15. He noted that India and UAE are engaged across various sectors, including fintech, defence, security and energy. "From Paris, I will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an Official Visit on July 15. I look forward to meeting my friend, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi," PM Modi said in the statement.

"Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science & technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties. Last year, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and I agreed on a Roadmap on the future of our partnership, and I look forward to discussing with him how to further deepen our ties," he added.

PM Modi stated that UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year. He further said, "I also look forward to exchanging views on strengthening global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate the energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement. I am confident that my visit to UAE will usher in a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Paris [France], July 13 (ANI): Hailing the bilateral ties between India and France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the relationship between the two countries are in an 'excellent' space and stood steady and resilient through the 'darkest storms'.

PM Modi has embarked on a visit to France at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. His two-day visit, on July 13 and 14, is special as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France.

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In an interview to French newspaper Les Echos before departing for France, PM Modi said, "First of all, on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitude to France, to its government and personally to President Macron for inviting India to 14th July National day celebrations as Guest of honour. I feel grateful to visit France on this occasion. This is a special year as it marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership. It is an honour for India and a tribute to India-France friendship."

PM Modi will be the Guest of Honour at the French Bastille Day celebrations at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, on July 14.

Also Read | PM Modi Leaves for France Photos and Video: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Departs for Three-Day Visit to France, UAE; Says Looking Forward to Productive Discussions.

PM Modi stated that the relations between the two countries are currently at a turning point and the success of the strategic partnership has been significant in taking the ties forward.

Delving deeper into the India-France partnership, PM Modi said, "Our partnership in sensitive areas like space and defence go back to five decades and more. It was a phase when the West did not have a friendly disposition towards India. So, it is not a surprise that France was the first Western country with which we declared a Strategic Partnership. That was a difficult time for the world, including for In-dia. Since then our relationship has transformed into a partnership that is important not just for our two countries, but is of great geopolitical consequence."

Affirming that the relationship between the two countries was in excellent space, PM Modi added, "The relationship is in excellent shape. It is strong, trusted, consistent. It has been steady and resilient in the darkest storms. It has been bold and ambitious in looking for opportunities," according to English translation of the Interview of PM to French newspaper Les Echos.

"The level of mutual trust and confidence we share is unmatched. It stems from shared values and vision. We share a strong sense of strategic autonomy. Both have deep commitment to international law. We both seek a multipolar world. Both of us carry an unwavering faith in multilateralism," he added.

To a question on expectations from France with regard to extending strategic support to India amid its frosty equations with China, PM Modi said that India and France have a wide-ranging and comprehensive strategic partnership that includes cooperation in the areas of politics, defence, security, economy, and human-centric development.

"When countries with similar vision and values work together, bilaterally, in plurilateral arrangements or in regional institutions, they can deal with any challenge," PM Modi told Les Echos.

"Our partnership, including in the Indo Pacific region, is not directed against, or at the expense of any country. Our aim is to safeguard our economic and security interests, ensure freedom of navigation and commerce, advance the rule of international law in the region," Prime Minister Modi said.

Earlier, on Thursday morning, PM Modi left for France on a two-day official visit.

Ahead of his departure to France, PM Modi, in a statement, said he was looking forward to meeting French President Emmanuel Macron and holding discussions on taking forward the partnership between both nations.

"I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years. I have had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since my last Official Visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023 during the G-7 Summit," read an official statement released from the Prime Minister's Office.

Terming his visit to France as "special", PM Modi informed that an Indian tri-services contingent will take part in the Bastille Day Parade.

He added that the Indian Air Force aircraft will also perform a fly-past on the occasion. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bengaluru, July 13: The Karnataka Police have arrested the owner of Zee-Net company in connection with the double murder case in which the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) were killed in the office premises here, police said on Thursday. Phanindra Subramanya, the Managing Director, and Vinu Kumar, the CEO of the Aeronics Media Private Company, were hacked to death in their office in the Amrutalli locality in broad daylight on Tuesday.

The accused arrested on Thursday was identified as Arun Kumar. With this arrest the total number of nabbed accused has risen to four. Earlier, the police had arrested three persons -- J. Felix a.k.a Jocker Felix, Vinay Reddy and Shivu. Bengaluru Double-Murder Video: CCTV Footage Showing Two Accused Fleeing Spot After Killing Aeronics Media CEO and MD Surfaces Online.

The accused were nabbed near Kunigal town in Tumakuru district. The accused had told police that Subramanya always humiliated Felix and sacked him from the job. Felix nursed a grudge against him and decided to kill Subramanya. The two other accused joined hands with Felix even as they did not have any connection with him. The killers did not intend to kill CEO Vinu Kumar, but when he came to the rescue of Subramanya he was also hacked to death.

However, the police suspected their statements and zeroed in on Arun Kumar. The police probe showed that the victims worked in his company as HR manager and CEO respectively. Eight months ago, victims Subramanya and Vinu Kumar joined hands and started a new company in Amrutahalli. After this, Arun Kumar's firm incurred heavy losses and gave 'supari' to kill Subramanya. Aeronics Media CEO and MD Murder Case: Main Accused Shabarish Aka Jocker Felix Among Three Arrested for Brutally Hacking to Death Vinu Kumar and Phanindra Subramanya in Bengaluru.

The police had formed five teams to nab the accused persons. Police said that former employee of the company J. Felix a.k.a Jocker Felix, a tiktok star, had barged inside the company in the evening and attacked the victims with sword and knife and escaped from the spot. Both the victims succumbed to injuries on the spot.

The police got vital clues from the CCTV footage. The Amruthahalli police are investigating the case.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 13, 2023 01:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Although, over 300 flights were grounded at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, operations returned to normal after the storms had passed.The greater Chicago area experienced a series of severe of tornadoes and thunderstorms on Wednesday, leading to a temporary suspension of air traffic at O'Hare International and Midway airports.

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Tornado sirens blared throughout the third-largest city in the United States as officials urgently advised residents to seek shelter.

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A total of eight tornadoes touched down in four counties in northeastern Illinois, with four of them striking Cook County, where Chicago is located.

Authorities issued warnings asking people to take immediate refuge.

Flights grounded

Both O'Hare and Midway airports were compelled to ground all departures for commercial flights, causing delays for outgoing flights as well, according to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

FlightAware reported that over 300 flights in and out of O'Hare, along with 32 flights in and out of Midway, had to be canceled due to the inclement weather.

Operations returned to normal after the storms had passed and the weather conditions improved, according to the FAA's statement.

Tornado sirens in Windy City

Throughout Wednesday evening, the National Weather Service issued two tornado warnings for different parts of the city.

Tornado sirens blared at least twice, echoing across the entire city of Chicago, urging residents to find safety.

According to the weather service, the tornado intermittently made contact with the ground and was seen moving eastward.

Additionally, there were reports of other circulations along the southern line of O'Hare. The NWS issued warnings to those in the affected area, advising them to seek shelter immediately.

Uprooted trees and blown-off roofs were reported in Countryside, a town in Cook County, while La Grange saw car windows shattered, the NWS said. Additionally, multiple tornadoes caused damage to trees and roofs in various areas.

An image circulating on social media displayed a collapsed cinder block building, apparently located in an industrial district of McCook, situated approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) southwest of Chicago.

ss/msh (AP, Reuters)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 13, 2023 09:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Candidates who are interested and eligible can visit the official website of the Bank of Maharashtra at bankofmaharashtra.in to fill out the application form. It must be noted that the last date to apply for scale 2 and scale 3 Officer posts of Bank of Maharashtra Recruitment 2023 is July 25.
Mumbai police control room on Wednesday received a threat call wherein the caller threatened the police to prepare for a 26/11-like terrorist attack if Pakistani national Seema Haider does not return to Pakistan. "Mumbai Police and Crime Branch are probing the matter," Mumbai Police said. Earlier this month, Haider and Sachin Meena were apprehended by the Noida police for unlawfully entering India. However, they were subsequently released on bail by the court. During interviews, Haider asserted that she fell in love with Meena while playing PUBG, leading her to travel to India to meet him and start a new life. Another Terror Attack on Mumbai? Police Get Threat Call Claiming Three Pakistani Terrorists Entered City, Says Report.

Terror Threat to Mumbai:

Maharashtra: Mumbai police control room received a threat call yesterday in which the caller threatened the police to prepare for a 26/11 terrorist attack if Pakistani national Seema Haider does not return to Pakistan. Mumbai Police and Crime Branch are probing the matter: Mumbai  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Quitting cigarettes is good for your health. Simple. But how do you do it? Take up vaping? Counselling? Medication? Here are some of the best methods.Anyone who has tried to quit smoking will tell you how difficult it is. There's always the temptation to share a cigarette with a friend over a beer or to escape work for a quick "smoko."

Also Read | Chandrayaan-3 Launch: ISRO Aims To Master Soft Landing on Lunar Surface for Third Edition of India's Moon Mission.

A recent study suggests that 60-75% of people relapse in the first six months of trying to quit smoking.

Also Read | Chandrayaan-3 Launch: Countdown Begins for Indias Moon Mission, Announces ISRO.

As with other forms of addiction, quitting cigarettes is a difficult psychological battle, where social events, depression, or simple daily habits can have you craving for one.

But the health benefits of long-term abstinence are huge.

Risks of stroke, coronary heart disease, cancers, and overall health improve substantially in a matter of weeks or months after quitting smoking.

Smoking is one of the biggest killers, with around 14% of deaths worldwide attributed to smoking-related illnesses, according to World Health Organization data in 2019. Many of those deaths are attributed to rising smoking rates in lower and middle-income countries. And more recent studies show that to be an ongoing trend.

"Smoking is a massive global health burden. There will be a billion deaths globally in this century from smoking-related illnesses if we don't bring smoking rates down," said Hazel Cheeseman, Deputy Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), a UK-based public heath charity.

Why are cigarettes addictive?

When you smoke a cigarette, the burning tobacco releases nicotine, which enters the blood via the lungs.

The nicotine gets pumped to the brain, where it activates receptors on the surface of neurons called nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Activating these receptors triggers the release of chemicals in the brain  neurotransmitters  such as dopamine.

The release of dopamine doesn't necessarily cause addiction. But when it acts in a specific part of the brain  where our so-called reward system lies  it can cause addiction. That part of the brain is called the mesocorticolimbic circuit.

And this is how the addiction works: When nicotine triggers dopamine release in the reward system, it induces a rewarding feeling, like a mini rush. Each cigarette you smoke reinforces this feeling, causing you to crave cigarettes and ultimately becoming addicted to them.

So, when we want to stop smoking, we have to break this link between cigarettes and the feeling of reward. It's tough. You'll need all the help you can get to make it work long-term. But it is possible.

Interventions to stop smoking

There are two main methods to break the psychological attachment to cigarettes: willpower and self-discipline.

You can also use therapies to fulfil the nicotine cravings but without the health problems associated with active smoking.

For therapies, there are three types. First, there are nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches, gums, or inhalators (also known as inhalers) that slowly release nicotine, stopping the urge to smoke. Nicotine itself isn't harmful, but the smoke you inhale from cigarettes is.

Then, there are medications, such as varenicline and bupropion.

Varenicline promotes dopamine release in the reward pathway, mimicking the reward of smoking and reducing withdrawal symptoms from stopping smoking.

Bupropion works in a similar way, but via a different neurotransmitter system, known as GABA.

The GABA is the main neurotransmitter that dampens brain activity.

"Although medications are a more expensive treatment, they're enormously cost effective when you look at the impact of smoking on health and on health systems," said Cheeseman.

E-cigarettes  good or bad?

E-cigarettes have a strange reputation when it comes to giving up smoking. Are they even safe?

"There is good evidence that E-cigarettes can help you stop smoking. But they are a non-medically licensed product, so they're not administered as medication," said Cheeseman.

E-cigarettes are safe in the short to medium term, or, at least, less harmful than conventional cigarettes, said Cheeseman, but added that "it's unlikely [vaping] products are risk free in the long term."

Another concern is that E-cigarettes may create new addictions or be a gateway to tobacco smoking. It's particularly worrying in younger people, with some evidence suggesting that teens who vape are more likely to smoke tobacco in the future.

Try everything to quit smoking, all at once

Which method works best to help you quit smoking?

The scientific consensus says that using multiple methods at the same time is your best bet.

A 2020 meta-analysis of more than 700 clinical studies found that combining several methods has the best results for helping people achieve sustained abstinence from cigarettes.

While all individual therapies were more effective than a placebo  essentially, doing nothing  it's when you combine them together that you really start to see results.

"The most effective way to stop smoking is with behavioral support that helps you create strategies to deal with the psychological side of cravings, [combined with] medications that help deal with the physical side effects of stopping smoking," said Cheeseman.

Everyone's pathway to quitting smoking is different  some can go cold turkey and quit on a whim, others need years of complimentary therapies. It might take a while to find your best method. The question is: how much do you want to quit?

Edited by: Zulfikar Abbany

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 13, 2023 05:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Seoul, July 13: The top court on Thursday finalised a three-year prison term for a former head of a mid-size technology firm for leaking Samsung Displays edge panel technology to Chinese companies in 2018.

The edge panel technology, also known as 3D lamination technology, is used for making curved screen edges for Samsung smartphones. It took Samsung around $117.7 million in investment and six years of research by 38 engineers to develop the technology, reports Yonhap news agency. Motorola Edge 40 Pro Flagship Smartphone Globally Launched With Punchy Specs; From Price to Features, Heres All You Need To Know.

A former CEO and officials of Toptec Co., a mid-size firm specializing in production equipment, were indicted on charges of leaking in April 2018 technical specifications and technical drawings of the edge panel technology they got from Samsung to a separate company they established. They then sold part of the documents to two Chinese companies. Motorola Moto Edge 40 Press Images and Pricing Details Leaked Online; Check Out All the Details Here.

They were also charged with producing 24 units of 3D lamination production equipment based on technical drawings provided by Samsung, exporting 16 of them to Chinese firms and attempting to sell the rest as well. A district court had initially found the former Toptec CEO and officials not guilty, concluding the leaked technology is not a business secret.

An appellate court, however, overturned the ruling and sentenced the ex-CEO to three years in prison, reasoning that the technology is part of what the trade ministry classified as frontier technologies and thus cannot be deemed to be in the public domain.

The appeals court also concluded the defendants breached their duty not to leak business secrets. The Supreme Court upheld a three-year imprisonment for the former Toptec CEO. Two other Toptec executives were also given a finalized two-year prison term, while the company was given a fine of 100 million won.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 13, 2023 05:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Political pressure to push the EU-Mercosur trade deal over the finish line after years of negotiations is high. Some see chances, while others fear consequences. DW met cattle breeders in Brazil and Belgium.In the Belgium city of Ciney  a good hour's drive away from Brussels  thousands of cows and bulls change ownership every Friday. Some of them have finished their career as dairy cows, others are young bulls or used to be breeding animals. They all are here to be sold to a fattener and afterward to the butcher.

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The people at the market live from selling and reselling these cattle. Over the last three decades, the cattle population in Belgium has sunk from 3 million to 2 million animals. Many at the market fear the population will sink even further, and feel their livelihoods might be threatened if more meat is imported from Latin America.

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"This would have a very negative effect on the price our producers receive, and this would discourage farmers from taking over farms," said Benoit Cassart, Secretary General of the Belgian Cattle Trade Federation.

Cassart isn't just worried about the future; becoming dependent on the rest of the world for food is also a concern. The reason for his unease is the EU-Mercosur trade deal.

Negotiations to create the world's largest free trade area began between the EU and Mercosur states  comprised of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay  more than 20 years ago. In 2019, both sides reached a general agreement but since then concerns have been holding up the finalization.

An eventual deal would create a free trade area between the 27 member states of the EU and the Mercosur members, comprising nearly 800 million people.

Brazilian farmers see the deal as a business opportunity

In Brazil, cattle farmer Ellen Marina sees the trade deal as an opportunity. The businesswoman owns a thousand heads of cattle and three farms. Her animals are sold to slaughterhouses, which export directly to Europe.

"Premium, high-quality meat holds great value in Europe. That's not the case in China, for example. We are hopeful that the European market will open up to Brazilian meat with the finalization of the agreement," Marina told DW.

Brazil is the leader in meat exports and has the largest cattle herd in the world, with approximately 224 million animals. China is the main buyer of Brazilian commodities, accounting for roughly two-thirds of the country's beef exports in 2022. The European Union comes in second place, followed by the United States, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade, and Services.

With the EU-Mercosur trade deal, the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries (Abiec) expects the bloc to regain a position Brazil had before. Its director Fernando Sampaio said the EU imposed a series of restrictions  mainly sanitary ones  on the country, which led to a significant reduction in exports at the beginning of the 2000s.

"We hope that the agreement will pave the way for streamlining trade between the two blocs, while also creating conditions for unnecessary barriers to be removed," he told DW.

Belgian farmers worry about the environment

On his farm in the Belgian countryside, Cassart breeds livestock himself. He has around 200 Belgian Blue cattle. Cassart is worried about the environmental impact of cattle farming in Brazil, where compared to Europe, inferior sanitary and environmental regulations are in place, he says.

"That doesn't mean they are producing something bad. But if they must remove the Amazon rainforests to produce meat and send it to Europe, and this makes our green pasture redundant, it makes no sense at all," Cassart told DW.

Most of the Brazilian cattle farms are located in the state of Mato Grosso, which includes parts of the Amazon rainforest.The majority of deforestation is caused by the illegal occupation of public lands and the expansion of agriculture and livestock farming. In the Atlantic forest, where Ellen Marina has her farm, cattle production, as well as crops such as coffee and sugarcane, are mainly responsible for the deforestation. There are concerns that enabling broader access to the EU's market would lead to further deforestation. The current Brazilian government announced steps against illegal deforestation in theAmazon, and the deforestation rate has fallen compared to 2022.

Still, the EU-Mercosur agreement has been widely criticized by environmental activists. Greenpeace recently launched a protest campaign in Brussels to stop the Mercosur agreement, which they call a "toxic trade deal."

Are environmental requirements a stumbling block or a chance?

The protection of the environment, including the Amazon region, is currently the main bone of contention that hinders further proceeding with the trade deal. The EU Commission proposed an addendum to the treaty, enshrining environmental requirements. This has been rejected by crucial Mercosur states.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has called the text "unacceptable."

Patricia Iglecias, a law professor at the University of Sao Paulo, thinks the detailed environmental regulations in the agreement are an opportunity for Brazilian producers committed to an environmentally responsible agenda. The EU-Mercosur deal would also help control production chains in the Amazon by requiring countries to comply with local legislation, she added.

"We have a series of regulations, from the Federal Constitution to the Forest Code as it stands today, that restrict the expansion of cultivation areas," Iglecias told DW.

But before the trade deal and its repercussions for livelihoods on both continents can take effect, both sides must agree on the next steps. With Spain heading the rotating Council presidency and Brazil being at the helm of the Mercosur until the end of 2023, political pressure to finalize the deal by then is high.

Brazil's President Lula has announced his own proposal on the environmental requirements, the news agency AFP reported. He wants to bring them forward at a summit of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Brussels on July 17 and 18.

Edited by: Carla Bleiker

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 13, 2023 09:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Seoul, July 13: A fire broke out in the parking tower of a hospital in the South Korean city of Daegu on Thursday, forcing about 200 inpatients to evacuate, officials said. One of the evacuated, a woman in her 70s, complained of difficulty in breathing and was taken to a nearby hospital, Yonhap News Agency quoted the fire officials as saying. South Korea Fire: Massive Blaze Erupts at Slum Town in Seoul, 500 Evacuated (Watch Video).

The fire of unknown origin began at 3 a.m. at the hospital parking tower in Daegu's Dalseo district, and the main blaze was extinguished about two hours later, after about 170 firefighters and 65 fire trucks and other equipment were mobilised, they added. China Factory Fire: Massive Blaze Erupts at Industrial Area in Zhejiang Province, 11 Dead.

The city's fire authorities and police plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 13, 2023 02:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
On 12 July a Guatemalan judgeordered the suspension of the legal status of Movimiento Semilla (Semilla), the party of anti-graft presidential candidatewho is due to compete in the 20 August presidential run-off.

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On 12 July authorities in Mexicos state of Jalisco announced that six people, including two civilians, had been killed in an attack on state security forces in Tlajomulco municipality the previous day.

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On 12 July eight of the 14 candidates seeking the nomination of Venezuelas opposition coalition Plataforma Unitaria Democratica (PUD) in the 2024 presidential election held their first debate.

Analysis:

The PUD will hold a primary election on 22 October to select a single presidential candidate. Already, there are signs that President Nicolas Maduros government is undermining the process  a leading pre-candidate, Maria Corina Machado, became the latest to be barred from holding public office on 30 June, while the supreme court (TSJ) is also studying a request to suspend the entire primary election.

Eight candidates participated in the debate  former deputies Machado, Freddy Superlano , Tamara Adrian , and Delsa Solorzano , former governors Andres Velasquez (Bolivar state, 1989-1995) and Cesar Perez Vivas (Tachira state, 2008-2012), and Andres Caleca , a former president of the national electoral council (CNE, 1999).

, , and , former governors (Bolivar state, 1989-1995) and (Tachira state, 2008-2012), and , a former president of the national electoral council (CNE, 1999). All of the participants agreed on the need for a radical overhaul of the Bolivarian economic model established under former president Hugo Chavez (1999-2013), blaming Venezuelas dire economic situation on the cronyism of Maduros government which they said deters investment, and on its authoritarianism which has resulted in international sanctions being levied on the oil sector. However, Machado, who is widely viewed as the most radical of the candidates, was the only one who argued for privatisations of state companies.

(1999-2013), blaming Venezuelas dire economic situation on the cronyism of Maduros government which they said deters investment, and on its authoritarianism which has resulted in international sanctions being levied on the oil sector. However, Machado, who is widely viewed as the most radical of the candidates, was the only one who argued for privatisations of state companies. Candidates also called for the release of political prisoners, of which there are currently 286 according to the Venezuelan NGO Foro Penal.

However, the candidates were divided on how to respond to moves by the authorities to ban leading candidates. Solorzano argued that candidates should agree on a line of succession, so that a pre-agreed candidate is ready to step into the breach if the winner of the primaries is later disqualified. Machado, who has insisted she will compete in the primaries despite the ban, disagreed, saying that we cant play by the rules of tyranny.

Looking Ahead: Grave concerns persist regarding possible interference by the authorities in both the 2024 election and the PUD primary. The TSJ is currently studying an appeal lodged by Luis Ratti, a self-styled opposition-aligned independent, who is requesting the suspension of the primary election on the grounds that it has been tainted by the participation of the banned candidates Machado, Superlano, and Henrique Capriles Radonski.
On 12 July Chiles Presidentembarked on a presidential tour to Europe, during which he will visit Spain, France and Switzerland, and attend the summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) and the European Union (EU) in Belgian capital, Brussels.

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When discovered, human smugglers transporting illegal migrants can do ill-advised things. This includes an incident off California where a smuggler rammed his vessel into a US Coast Guard boat.

During his sentencing hearing inside a San Diego court, boat captain Jesus Jeovanny Alcaraz-Valdez was sentenced to five years in federal prison over the ramming incident that happened on December 2022. The judge called his actions "extremely reckless and extremely troubling."

Alcaraz reportedly piloted a Mexican fishing boat called a panga, a small vessel smugglers also use to transport illegal immigrants into the US via sea routes. This form of smuggling is often seen as an alternative to coyotes guiding immigrants across the desert to reach the US border.

According to the Associated Press, Alcaraz was a human smuggler who brought in an estimated 12 people from Mexico and into the United States before he rammed his boat into the Coast Guard vessel. He pleaded guilty to assault and human smuggling charges back in March.

Human Smuggler's Daring Attack Against the US Coast Guard

Alcaraz transported immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala to the coast of Coronado, a seaside suburb of San Diego in southern California. The human smuggler reportedly unloaded the immigrants in the area during the pre-dawn hours of December 17, 2022.

During the trial, prosecutors said that even though some of the migrants that Alcaraz was smuggling could not swim, he still instructed them to remove their jackets and enter waist-deep waters to reach the US. After he dropped them off, the US Coast Guard then spotted his vessel heading back to Mexico. This was when he rammed their patrol vessel with his panga.

READ MORE: Texas Sheriff Files Criminal Charges Over Ron DeSantis's Martha's Vineyard Migrant Stunt

According to The Times of San Diego, the Coast Guard vessel tried to get him to stop. However, the panga ignored their commands and rammed the patrol vessel twice. He then tried to escape but was soon caught after the Coast Guard shot at his vessel and took out its onboard engine.

Four Coast Guard officers suffered minor injuries.

Border Patrol agents also managed to catch eight of the migrants he was transporting, while four managed to escape.

The US Attorney's Office estimated that the Mexican and Guatemalan migrants pay up to $24,000 to be transported to the US via these fishing vessels.

Human Traffickers Play a Deadly Game in Transporting Migrants Via Sea

Incidents such as this one have proven to be deadly in the past, including the incident last March that resulted in the deaths of eight people.

Two boats capsized off the California coast in a suspected human smuggling operation. According to USA Today, this became one of the deadliest maritime smuggling tragedies in the area. The bodies of the victims were recovered at Black's Beach in San Diego. They were reported by a woman who called 911 and said that her boat washed ashore and another capsized near the area.

As immigrants await being processed into the US, the more desperate ones get offered quick entry into the US by these human smugglers. However, the waters of the Pacific are dangerous and often cold, resulting in tragedies such as this one.

READ MORE: Texas: 12 Migrants Trapped Inside Train Boxcar Found After 911 Call

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Boat smuggling incident among San Diego's deadliest - CBS 8 San Diego
The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on 10 individuals from Mexico, including a brother-in-law of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, for their alleged involvement in the production and trafficking of the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, AP reports.

These individuals are reportedly connected to the sons of El Chapo, known as the Los Chapitos, who are held responsible by US prosecutors for a significant portion of the fentanyl trade into the United States.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned these individuals in close collaboration with the Mexican government, targeting entities and individuals associated with one of the most pervasive drug trafficking organizations globally.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the action resulted from coordination with Mexico's government.

One of the sanctioned individuals is Noel Lopez Perez, who is the brother of El Chapo's second wife, Griselda Lopez Perez.

El Chapo is serving a life sentence in the US for drug trafficking as the notorious Sinaloa cartel leader.

Additionally, the sanctions extend to REI Compania Internacional, based in Mexico State, which the Treasury Department has identified as a recipient of chemical precursor shipments from China.

The sanctions effectively freeze any assets held by the designated individuals within the United States and prohibit US citizens from engaging in any transactions with them.

Two others targeted by the sanctions are cousins of the Chapitos.

READ NEXT: Mexico Seeks China's Help to Curb Fentanyl Trade

Mexico's AMLO Reacts to US Treasury Sanctions

Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador responded to the US Treasury Department's announcement by acknowledging that the United States is acting responsibly to combat fentanyl and other drugs.

However, he also highlighted the need for further action to address the underlying causes of the problem, according to Reuters.

AMLO emphasized the issue's complexity during his regular morning news conference.

In pursuit of stronger collaboration, Lopez Obrador disclosed that his Security Minister, Rosa Icela Rodriguez, would meet with US Homeland Security adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall later in the month to discuss the problem.

The Biden administration has been actively seeking increased cooperation from Mexico and China in curbing the fentanyl trade and its precursor chemicals.

Fentanyl Kills Tens of Thousands of Americans Annually

The devastating impact of fentanyl, even in minuscule doses, is evident in the rising number of overdose deaths. Often disguised within other drugs, fentanyl poses a grave danger to users unaware of its presence.

Officials have reported that out of the 108,000 overdose deaths in 2021, over 80,000 were linked to opioids such as fentanyl.

The head of Border Patrol recently disclosed that agents had seized a significant quantity of fentanyl since October, enough to potentially cause the death of 100 million Americans.

President Biden acknowledged the severity of the crisis during his State of the Union address in February, emphasizing the urgent need for bipartisan efforts to combat fentanyl trade, Fox News reports.

His proposed measures include increased funding for technology at ports of entry to enhance drug detection capabilities.

During his address, Biden stated, "Fentanyl is killing more than 70,000 Americans a year. Let's launch a major surge to stop fentanyl production, sale, and trafficking, with more drug detection machines to inspect cargo and stop pills and powder at the border."

He also called for cooperation with couriers and advocated for enhanced penalties for trafficking offenses.

The mention of fentanyl in Biden's address led to Republicans expressing blame, with some yelling, "It's your fault."

This renewed criticism has prompted calls from certain Republicans to "secure the border" to address the issue of drug trafficking.

READ MORE: El Chapo Daughter-in-Law: Narco Queen Adriana Meza

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Fentanyl: In Mexico a booming trade is fuelling a US drug epidemic and a deadly street war - From Sky News
Tucker Carlson may be costing Fox News more money even after he was fired as his January 6 conspiracy theories have led to a defamation lawsuit from a former supporter of Donald Trump whom the controversial host accused of being a government "plant" and inciting the January 6 Capitol insurrection.

That Trump supporter is former US Marine Ray Epps, who was at the Capitol during January 6, supporting Trump's false claims that the elections were stolen. However, Tucker Carlson said during his primetime Fox News program, "Tucker Carlson Tonight," that he was a federal agent who instigated the violence on January 6.

However, NPR pointed out that Carlson never presented any evidence that Ray Epps was a federal agent, nor did he present any evidence to support his claims that Epps started the riot.

"In the aftermath of the events of January 6th, Fox News searched for a scapegoat to blame other than Donald Trump or the Republican Party," said the lawsuit.

"Eventually, they turned on one of their own, telling a fantastical story in which Ray Epps - who was a Trump supporter that participated in the protests on January 6th - was an undercover FBI agent and was responsible for the mob that violently broke into the Capitol and interfered with the peaceful transition of power for the first time in this country's history," it continued.

While Carlson was the one who initiated the story, other Fox News hosts like Laura Ingraham and Will Cain also picked up the story and helped spread the conspiracy theory.

Tucker Carlson Ignored Evidence That Ray Epps Did Not Instigate the January 6 Riot

This is the latest time that Fox News got sued, with the network famously being forced to pay Dominion Voting Systems hundreds of millions of dollars in its defamation suit after presenting evidence that Fox hosts knew that Donald Trump was lying about the election results.

Ray Epps is following Dominion's tactic and has even filed the lawsuit in the same Delaware court where Dominion sued Fox. His lawsuit alleged that Carlson ignored evidence that contradicted the claims he made on air.

READ MORE: Fox News Sends Tucker Carlson Cease-and-Desist Letter Regarding His New Twitter Show

According to the Associated Press, this includes Epps's testimony before the House Select January 6 Committee, as well as the videos provided by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to Carlson that showed the former marine was actually trying to defuse the situation and not escalate it.

While Carlson was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, Epps's lawyer, Michael Teter, noted that Carlson "was an employee of Fox when he lied about Ray, and Fox broadcast those defamatory falsehoods." The attorney then concluded that because of this, the conservative network is liable for its then-host's comments.

Former Trump Supporter Claims Fox News Destroyed His Life After Tucker Carlson's Conspiracy Theories

In his complaint, Epps claimed that the conspiracy theories presented by Fox News have "destroyed" his and his wife, Robyn's lives, according to CNBC.

The former marine and wedding venue operator has previously said that he and his wife were forced to sell their home in Arizona and give up their wedding business to move to Utah for their safety.

READ MORE: Tucker Carlson Admits He Hates Donald Trump in More Leaked Texts

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Capitol rioter files defamation suit against Fox News, Tucker Carlson - NBC News
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Im a politically liberal person with like-minded friends. Occasionally, in the course of a conversation, a friend advises me that my use of a word or phrase was unacceptable.

Ive read that terms I should no longer use include previously neutral terms such as depressing, battle, minefield, the poor, the disabled and also field, as in academic fieldwork. (Im not referring to racial or ethnic slurs, which were never neutral.)

I dont mind if other people observe such rules, but I dont appreciate being told that I shouldnt have used a term that the listener found objectionable, especially when there is no one present who would have taken my remark personally.

What would be a polite response when a friend criticizes my choice of words?

GENTLE READER: To think that one would long for the days when rude people knew they were being rude -- instead of patting themselves on the back for their righteousness.

As Miss Manners cannot condone returning one rudeness with another, she advises you to nod neutrally and finish your train of thought. While this may seem insufficient, she assures you that it is the worst punishment of all: It denies your critics what they most want, which is to score a point against you.

***

MORE FROM MISS MANNERS:

Miss Manners: I like my mother-in-law well enough, except for when she pats my head

Miss Manners: Im uncomfortable calling someone doctor who has an honorary degree, but if they insist

Miss Manners: Is it inappropriate to show up for the repast if you have not attended the funeral?

Miss Manners: It doesnt seem polite to use an umbrella when others have no protection from the rain

Miss Manners: I sat between two rude people on the subway who insisted on talking over me

***

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

***

COPYRIGHT 2023 JUDITH MARTIN

DISTRIBUTED BY ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106; 816-581-7500
Trine of Systems

Making it up as you go is fun for some tasks, but it takes far too much effort to use that approach for everything. Efficient systems are a must. If you dont have a series of steps you can repeat to handle the basics of life, a Plutonian trine offers the inspiration and resources to create one. A grounded energy brings much-needed structure to the scene.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The easy life makes for weak people. You embrace challenge because you want to be the strong person who can help others. On busy days like today, its good to remind yourself that this work ultimately benefits you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). No one can bother you quite like family can. Close relationships come with a set of challenges including, but not limited to, competition and territorial issues. Dont try to solve anything when feelings are heated. Back off and let it cool.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). To serve the big picture youll have to gloss over finer points. When youre handling things in broad strokes, the pettiness ends. A million tiny details will be handled, and the small problems will seem to solve themselves.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Do what you want to do. Youll never be more ready than you are right now. You have everything you need to get started. Trust in future you. That person will acquire the resources and knowledge to adventure on.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Dont judge yourself or buy into anyone elses assessment. Focus on where you want to go and whether your actions are taking you there. All the rest is noise. Tune it out. Youre a genius at focusing now.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your impulse to move is tempered by caution. He who hesitates may lose out, but that can be a good thing if what youre losing out on is a gigantic hassle.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Complaining is a habit that robs people of happiness, though its also a habit that bonds people. To be bonded in negativity can be a powerful tie indeed, and its hard to break, but relationships become more fun once you do.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You are witty and charming with the right words right at the tip of your tongue. Social life involves a giddy high. You cherish the ride all the more knowing that what goes up must eventually come down.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Youre creative and your complex mind can solve problems in ways others wouldnt think to. You may be met with incomprehension, but dont let it get to you. Keep working and eventually youll find a way to simplify and explain.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Even though you are quick on your feet today, improvisation works best when it follows certain guidelines. Within those guidelines your spontaneous solutions will be brilliant, your whims inspired.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Everything glows around people who see you in the best light. Those who celebrate your accomplishments and highlight the sparkle of your personality are worth more than gold. If you dont have them in your life, find them.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Communication is the answer. A misunderstanding will get further blown out of proportion unless you talk about it. You might not come to terms about the issue, but youll keep it from getting worse.

TODAYS BIRTHDAY (July 13). You will be called many things behind your back this year: successful, big-hearted and cool -- but when it gets back to you, the one that will make you the proudest is kind. Its easy for you to look for opportunities to uplift, and youll start trends with this. Youll be favored in an exchange of property. Also featured: a big contract and an oath. Leo and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 2, 28, 10, 6 and 30.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: The fifth Indiana Jones sequel has been released in an astrologically auspicious manner, just days within the solar return of its intrepid star, Harrison Ford, who agreed to the press junkets he would typically avoid. Certainly I reflect on life, but I dont feel I owe it to anybody to share my reflections on myself. Ford has natal sun, moon, Mercury and Jupiter all in the sign of the crab. The outer shell of his personality is a social veneer thats hard to crack.

Holiday Mathis debut novel, How To Fail Epically in Hollywood, is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and ebook. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information.

Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM
The landmark and long-shuttered Dixie Cup factory is proposed to be converted into a primarily residential use under informal plans that the sites prospective buyer plans to discuss with Wilson Borough officials next month.

Thats according to Stan Margle, borough councils solicitor. On Monday night, he provided council with an update on ongoing efforts to redevelopment of the massive brownfield site off the busy 25th Street corridor. Its largely sat dormant for decades.

The latest proposal from the undisclosed buyer marks at least the third attempt in the last decade to sell and redevelop the former factory. Current owner Joseph Reibman said back in May that the buyer signed contracts in an agreement of sale in March.

Attempts in 2015 and 2022 sought to turn the property into apartments or warehouse and office space.

Margle said that the latest redevelopment plan will be primarily residential, with perhaps some commercial space. He told lehighvalleylive.com after Monday nights borough council meeting that a first-floor bagel shop was an example of the type of business that would fit that commercial space.

Specifics will have to wait until at least next month, including the name of the buyer, the cost of the deal and the estimated timeline for the project. The borough solicitor said a meeting with the buyer and members of the Wilson Area School Board is scheduled for Aug. 14. Borough officials will then have their own meeting with the buyer the next day at Margles office.

The Aug. 15 meeting is not a public meeting, so only up to four members of borough council can attend under Pennsylvanias Sunshine Act, the solicitor said. The law in most cases prohibits a quorum of borough council members from meeting behind closed doors for the purpose of discussing government business.

Margle said the borough should have more clarity on the project following that meeting but told council he is encouraged by what the buyer has done so far in the due diligence period. Its a good sign that theyre ready to make presentations, he said.

The last two attempts to buy the property fell through because of finances and tax breaks. The potential buyers in 2015 were never able to raise enough funding for the sale, and in 2022, Northampton County Council denied a tax break for the New Jersey developer who nearly bought the property, unraveling the potential sale.

After the current buyers mid-August presentations, Margle said, the first public meeting regarding the sale and the development plans will likely be in early September.

Dixie Cup manufacturing operated in Wilson from 1921 until the early 1980s. A few small businesses continue to use the building as a warehouse, Reibman, the propertys owner since 1983, previously said.

The massive Dixie Cup atop the factory distinguishes it from many other brownfield sites in the Lehigh Valley. The buyer has referenced the cup in preliminary conversations.

Early indications are that cup is going to stay put, so thats nice, Margle said.

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A courts ruling earlier this year that the way Pennsylvania funds public schools is unconstitutional helped make education spending one of the thorniest issues in state budget negotiations.

Along with a partisan divide over spending taxpayer money to help students attend private and religious schools, education funding has left the states 2023-24 spending plan incomplete.

The state government is approaching a second week without full spending authority, with the final OK on a $45 billion spending plan stymied over a dispute about creating a $100 million program to allocate state subsidies for students in the lowest performing districts to attend private or religious schools.

Complicating matters is the judges ruling, which ordered the Legislature and governor to fix the system but with no guidance about how  or how quickly  it should be done.

The budget still in limbo includes about $800 million for public education, significantly less than what Democrats wanted. The states poorest districts will split $100 million through a program designed to help them close some of the gap between them and more affluent districts.

Schools were unconstitutionally underfunded last year, this year, and they will be unconstitutionally underfunded next year, said Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg, senior attorney for Public Information Law Center, which successfully pursued the school funding case.

Education advocates were hoping to see a significant down payment  about $2 billion  to start addressing the systems shortcomings, as well as a plan to overhaul how the state funds its schools. The lawyers hoped to see it as planning begins for the next fiscal year.

We dug a hole for a number of years. Its going to take us a number of years to dig out, Urevick-Ackelsberg said.

Some districts are deeply in the hole, thousands of dollars per pupil short of where they need to be, and the $100-million split wont get at the real change needed, said Bruce Baker, a University of Miami education professor who researches public school financing.

In other states with similar court rulings, action has not always been swift. But some states have managed to make sustained investments, said Maura McInerney, legal director for the Education Law Center, which also was involved in the funding lawsuit.

I think it takes a lot of political will and leadership, she said. There is no reason to wait here.

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro cautioned it would take time, and said fully funding public schools was a priority. But he also voiced his support behind the Republican-controlled Senates school voucher program. And even if the vouchers dont pass this cycle, the budget still gives increases for private education through a tax credit that largely benefits private schools.

House Republicans described the vouchers as a potential solution to the courts decision, saying that the court left reform open to a variety of paths.

The voucher would give up to $10,000 to families to use for private school. An eligible student must attend one of the states 15% lowest-performing schools, based on standardized test scores, and come from a family that makes under 250% of the federal poverty level, or $75,000 for a family of four.

Its inclusion as part of this budget would lead to the most ambitious and beneficial school reform measure in decades, Minority Leader Rep. Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, said in a statement. Cutler and House Republicans lost the fair funding lawsuit.

Increasing public education funding alone will leave many Pennsylvania students trapped in failing schools, Cutler said.

While Shapiro said he would use his line-item veto to kill the voucher program to keep from hitting an impasse last week, he pushed House Democratic leadership to considering alternatives, like vouchers and the tax credit program while working to reach constitutional compliance.

Even with that promise, Senate Republicans have called on Shapiro to sign the budget bill without nixing the program. Theyre not without some leverage.

The chamber has adjourned until September, with key pieces of the budget unresolved. There is still legislation needed to direct how the money in the budget can be spent  including for some of Shapiros and House Democrats priorities.

By BROOKE SCHULTZ

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A WFMZ-TV 69 News photojournalist was hurt earlier this week when he was shot at by an airsoft gun while covering a homicide scene in Allentown, officials confirm.

The photojournalist and a reporter from the station were at the scene of an Allentown murder, where a man was beaten to death and found in his home on North 16th Street, said WFMZ News Director Brad Rinehart.

The reporter was writing a story in a station vehicle parked on one side of the street, and the photojournalist was across the street taking photos with his phone, Rinehart said.

He was not at that time using a TV camera, but had been using his television camera earlier.

A person in a passing car fired fired multiple shots from an airsoft gun, hitting the photojournalist multiple times, including in the face at the corner of his eye, Rinehart said.

The staffer did not seek medical attention and has had no lingering problems.

The incident was reported to Allentown police, and Assistant Chief James Gress confirmed the department is investigating.

Anyone who may have seen the incident should call city police, and Gress said if someone is a target of an airsoft, pellet gun or even a water-pellet type gun they should report it right away.

Awful:



Today a @69News crew covering a 16th St, #Allentown homicide was *shot at* by someone w/ a pellet gun (Airsoft?) fired from a passing car. Pellets hit our photographer in the head, including face. He's OK. If you know anything about it, call @AllentownPolice  Rob Vaughn (@RobVaughnNews) July 12, 2023

Rinehart said Thursday the station has not heard of any arrests being made. He noted another reporter was at the same location earlier that day and noticed a car circling the block.

Television journalists are often easily identifiable, either because they are personally recognizable or due to the presence of the camera or station branding on vehicles and attire. We can become symbolically representative of the news media in general, and as such, our employees are often on the receiving end of peoples attitudes about the practice of journalism as a profession, Rinehart said. As such, we have noticed an increase in recent years in the general rancor and animosity some people direct toward journalists, but we have not seen an uptick in actual assaults. Nor do we know with any certainty that the airsoft shooting incident had anything to do with our profession.

Rinehart said many years ago, WFMZ anchor/reporter Nancy Werteen and a photojournalist were hit by projectiles from a pellet gun while covering the aftermath of some mayhem at off-campus housing around Kutztown University.

Other incidents have included rocks thrown at a reporter and photojournalist and, more common, verbal threats of violence, mostly from people who dont want us to be at a given location, Rinehart said.

In March, a local television reporter was hit with pellets fired from a passing car before going live on the air in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, and in May, reporter Shawnette Wilson was hit by projectiles fired from a passing car while she was on the air for Fox 29 Philadelphia.

Fox29 reporter gets shot with a pellet gun during live broadcast 



(via @MarkFusetti) pic.twitter.com/wRdFG3ozpL  Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) May 18, 2023

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Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com.
High-speed broadband is now available for many homes and businesses in Ballyfin and Rosenallis according to local Fine Gael councillor, Conor Bergin.

Cllr Bergin said he has been in close contact with National Broadband Ireland since 2021 after a number of people in the Ballyfin and Rosenallis areas expressed their frustration to me with poor broadband connections.

"I have been in contact with National Broadband Ireland recently on this issue and I am pleased to have received an update that up to 85% of homes, businesses and farms in Ballyfin and Rosenallis which were included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan now should be able to access high-speed broadband.

"There are a total of 187 properties in Ballyfin that are included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan.145 of these are available for service now. A further 39 are still in Network Build and three properties that were added to the programme in the area after it commenced will require to have Engineering Surveys completed to determine how soon they can be brought onto the network. There are 40 active connections in this area, and a further 10 pre-orders on the system," he said.

Ballyfin, which is located between Portlaoise and Mountrath, is home to the five star country house hotel Ballyfin Demense.

Meanwhile, Cllr Bergin also provided an update on a community in the Slieve Bloom that has also been connected.

"There are a total of 102 properties in Rosenallis that are included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan. 101 of these are available for service now. There are 37 active connections in this area, a further 5 connections pending, and a further 5 pre-orders on the system," he said.

Cllr Bergin said the NBI network is a Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) network, a highly reliable technology using fibre-optic cables capable of delivering speeds up to 10Gb. The NBI network is providing speeds of up to 2Gb for business and residential users, with a minimum baseline speed of 500Mb.

Rural broadband is essential for areas like Ballyfin and Rosenallis, At present, there is at least one person or more in many households working from home or studying. I believe that remote working has opened up huge possibilities for rural areas, allowing more and more people to work locally in Co Laois. However, working from home is only possible with an adequate broadband connection and many people are frustrated at present and finding it difficult to work from home," he said.

To make sure people are kept informed of the rollout and progress specific to their Eircode, Cllr Bergin urged people and businesses to register for updates at www.nbi.ie/eoi
A Laois native who its claimed was Ireland's first and only Pope is set to be immortalised in his native land and county in Durrow this summer.

The Durrow Development Forum, which runs the Scarecrow Festival, is sending out invitations to the official unveiling of a plaque to commemorate Saint Benedict of Durrow.

The community claims that legend has it, he became Pope and Bishop of Rome for two days  Irelands First Pope in the 5th Century.

Senator David Norris, who also has Laois roots in nearby Mountrath, will attend the unveiling which will take place in The Square, Durrow at 2pm, on Monday, August 7.

The Forum's source for the claim about Benedict being Pope is the Historical and Social Diary of Durrow, County Laois, 1708-1992 by Edward OBrien published by Millfield Press in 1992.

It claims that a tale circulated among the people of the Aran Islands, recounting the "legend of a man from Durrow" who was born around 460 AD to Lugneay, the King of Ossory and rightful heir to the throne.

It said that as a young man, he departed from his home to study under St Fintan at Clonenagh, where he developed a deep friendship with Colmcille, a Prince of the Royal House of Ireland. After their ordination, both Benedict and Colmcille journeyed to the Monastery established by St Enda on Innishmore.

It claims that in 522, Benedict and Enda set off for Rome. During their time in the Eternal City, the reigning Holy Father, St. Hormisdus, passed away.

Impressed by Benedicts devoutness, the elders chose him as the successor. He assumed the name Pope Pupeus. However, legend has it that the following day, as St. Enda bid him farewell, the emotional separation overwhelmed the newly elected Pontiff.

Without hesitation, he called upon the Church Elders once more and commanded another election to take place. On this occasion, Pope John the 1st was chosen.

St Enda and Benedict returned to Aran, where Benedict succeeded Enda as the Abbot following his death. They were laid to rest side by side in the now-ruined Cathedral of Aran. Both saints are celebrated on March 21st.

The Book of Cashel, which traces the lineage of the fourteen Saints of the Royal House of Ossory, refers to St. Benedict as Ipse est Papa Pupeous, signifying his brief papal reign.
A new study reveals the changes in house prices from 2010 to 2022.

Needless to say, Dublin tops the list with an 80% increase in 12 years but Kildare is ranked third after Wicklow with a 63% jump.

The average price for a house in Kildare went from 240k in 2010 to 391k in 2022, a difference of around 151k.

It is no surprise that County Dublin is ranked top of the list with an 80% price increase over the years, from 332,941.86 to 598,906.89, therefore having a total rise of 265,955.03.

Longford comes in at the bottom of the list with an increase of 17%, house prices going from 136,419.48 to 159,490.11.

The study was conducted by self-storage experts Storage World with data sourced from Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA).

Ken Davis, Regional Manager for Storage World Self Storage, commented on the findings: Its interesting yet worrying how much house prices have increased over the last 12 years."
Leitrim accounts for just 1 per cent of all of Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions, it was revealed at a local meeting during which Marie Mulligan, Senior Executive Engineer in the Environment Department, spoke about Leitrim's Climate Action Plan.

The plan ties in with the national strategy which aims to achieve a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and to achieve climate neutrality by no later than the end of 2050.

The plan is set to be adopted by members next February and is currently at public consultation stage.

You can make your submission online or by post. Submissions will be accepted until 4.30pm on Wednesday, August 16 2023.

Everyone is welcome to make a submission (including youth groups, children and those representing children) at each public consultation stage of the Leitrim County Council Climate Action Plan.

To make a submission online, or to complete an online short survey, and to keep up to date on climate action in Leitrim please go to: www.leitrimclimateaction. ie.

Submission can also be made in writing:

Correspondence should be clearly marked Leitrim Climate Action Plan Pre-Draft Consultation and addressed to: Climate Action Team, Environment Department, Leitrim County Council, Aras an Chontae, St George's Terrace, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim N41 PF67.
THE SOCIETY of St Vincent de Paul is planning to expand its drop-in centre facility in Limerick to the historic Mechanics Institute building next door.

The charity, which supports some of the most vulnerable in society including the homeless, operates out of Ozanam House in Hartstonge Street in the city centre.

Now, with the blessing of the Mechanics Institute delegate board, its seeking to utilise approximately half of the neighbouring building which dates back to 1824.

A planning application before Limerick City and County Council is seeking the change of use of this part of the Mechanics from office to community use.

According to the proposals, the main entrance to the building will be relocated to the side, in order to provide a connection between Ozanam House, where St Vincent de Paul operates.

The Mechanics' Institute was founded out of the trade union movement, and was set up as a place for workers to be educated.

In recent times, it was the constituency office of former Labour TD Jan O'Sullivan.

It was a de-facto employment exchange, with its officers keeping an idlers register for people out of work to sign. In turn, if any employer was looking for staff, the institute would share their details.

Mike McNamara, the president of the Limerick Trades Council said St Vincent de Paul made contact around 18 months ago with a view to using part of the building.

Most of the unions now work out of national offices. We were left with a building nobody was using as such. We wanted its use to be in line with what we do which is looking after those vulnerable in society. It fitted in with the ethos of trade unionism, said Mr McNamara.

Some of the space will be used as a place where people receiving lunches from the charity can sit down to eat, while there will also be a toilet block and shower rooms.

It's understood the HSE and council will work with St Vincent de Paul on this.

The history of the Mechanics Institute will be maintained, with half the building still used by the group, Mr McNamara added. A planning decision is due by July 19. The charity did not return a request for comment.
THE NUMBER of people arrested in relation to an escalation in antisocial behaviour in a County Limerick town has increased to five, gardai have confirmed.

A major garda investigation has been ongoing for a number of weeks into what has been described as a wave of antisocial behaviour in the town.

Last week, Limerick Live reported that three people had been arrested and gardai have now confirmed that additional arrests have been made.

Two females - one juvenile and one adult - were arrested in the Galbally area in the early hours of Monday morning and brought to Bruff garda station. They were detained under the provisions of Section 4 for questioning in respect of antisocial behaviour in Kilmallock on June 18," stated Stated Superintendent Paul Reidy.

"It relates to a video which was and is circulating on social media. They were released without charge on Monday evening with a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Our operation is continuing and further arrests may occur in respect of antisocial behaviour and affrays and violent disorders that have been occurring in the Kilmallock area

"We are still pursuing other offenders in respect of it. The patrols are continuing and they will continue and there is a continued focus in the Kilmallock area from a policing perspective.

Supt Reidy has since been transferred from County Limerick to Roxboro in the city but his involvement will continue in the case.

I am staying with it and pursuing it out to the very end. It will continue until every single one of them is arrested and dealt with, said Supt Reidy.

Uniformed gardai from Kilmallock and Bruff and detectives from Bruff, Newcastle West and the city have been investigating a number of incidents, some of which have been widely shared on social media.

One of the videos, seen by the Limerick Leader/Limerick Live, shows a vicious fight between two underage females while others watch on. The second video shows a juvenile female being assaulted, again with a number of parties in the vicinity.

Gardai arrested two juvenile females - one on Saturday, July 1 and one on Sunday, July 2 - in respect of one of the videos.

Gardai are carrying out an extensive investigation, identifying the parties concerned and we will continue to take a very proactive course of action, said Supt Reidy, who added that gardai are engaging with social services and Tusla.

They are working hand-in-hand with the gardai in trying to deal with all the issues that are arising," he said.

Separately, a male teenager was arrested in Kilmallock on Monday, July 3 and charged at Limerick District Court in connection with an assault of a female teenager and possession of an offensive weapon on separate dates in May and June.

He was released on bail subject to strict conditions including that he stays out of certain areas of Kilmallock.
ALMOST 5,000 in funding will be received by Ballyhoura Heritage and Environment as part of this years Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme.

Led by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme encourages local initiatives to conserve and revitalise raised and blanket bogs and promotes public engagement with our natural environment.

The scheme primarily supports community-led projects and volunteer groups, who play a vital role in helping to promote and implement peatland conservation and restoration in Ireland.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD said: This funding will support the work that local communities and volunteers do as custodians of our natural heritage.

"Our peatlands are places of serenity and a wonderful showcase of what nature has to offer hosting a huge variety of plants, supporting animals and rare species who have adapted to life in the bogs.

The bogs of Ireland are places that epitomise community spirit and I am delighted to be able to continue to support community organisations and others in their efforts to embrace nature and support biodiversity, he said.

The 4,800 going to Ballyhoura Heritage and Environment will go towards the conservation and management plan for Griston Bog.
LAST Saturday in Limerick we celebrated Pride. The celebration of Pride can mean different things to different people. Pride is a celebration and time of remembrance for LGBTI+ people and for some, this means attending Pride parades or events that usually take place in June or July. For others, Pride is a time of protest, and a time to draw attention to the violence and inequality that LGBTI+ people face.

Many parents will have attended Pride for the first time this year having learned that their children have come out. For many children who have close relationships with their parents or caregivers they feel comfortable to share information about their gender, or orientation. However, for many parents or caregivers when their children come out, this can come as a surprise, or an unexpected piece of information.

In GOSHH (Gender Orientation Sexual Health HIV), we often hear caregivers say things like, I didnt see it coming or, I just wasnt expecting them to say that!.

We also hear them tell us how much they care about their children and we only want the best for them. This can be a difficult place to be and can often feel like being stuck between a rock and a hard place with a lot of emotions thrown in.

Caregivers may sometimes feel fearful that their child is now a stranger and a completely different person. They are also fearful for their safety or wellbeing. These are perfectly normal, and natural responses to being told something unexpected, or that you believe, will put your child in danger. Caregivers may also feel this is just who their child is, and want to make sure their child is treated like everyone else.

A lot of caregivers grew up in an environment where people who are transgender, non binary and gender fluid, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or other genders and orientations, were shunned from society, or shamed, because of who they are. Today, we live in a country where a persons gender and orientation is protected by legislation. Homosexuality became legal in 1993, Marriage equality in 2015, and Gender recognition in 2015. There is still learning, growing, and figuring out what to do. We hope that our society will continue to value and celebrate people in all their facets.

In GOSHH, we know from working with young people that the world is changing and for a large proportion of them, a persons gender is just another piece of information. They find it easier to adapt and correct their language.

We know from research that before a person comes out they are often sitting with this information for a considerable amount of time. Caregivers may feel a pressure to catch up and come to terms with this new information about their child quickly. We also know that this takes time. Caregivers can sometimes find this more difficult, understandably. If you have known someone for a long time, and are used to referring to them one way, it can take time to change your language with, and about them.

This may or may not take a while to figure out or adjust. It is important to mind yourself and allow yourself the space to understand what you are feeling, and protect your relationship with your child. Treating your child how you would like to be treated is often the first step.



Some pointers to help:

- Caregivers may feel loss, grief or confusion. They may have hopes about their childs life and may need time to adjust.

- Information online can be overwhelming. Try not to get bogged down in the jargon.

- If you find yourself struggling with words and getting them wrong, it's important to acknowledge these errors, address them and move on.

- The support you get at this time is important. Your feelings and reactions are valid. Reaching out to someone you trust is important. As they say! Please put on your own mask before helping others!

- You are not alone in this! You are not the only family in the Mid-West, not the only family in Limerick, and may not be the only family in your childs school.

- Allow your child space to figure this out with gentle reassurance, that when they are ready, you are there.

- Caregivers may be exceptionally hard on themselves. Dont underestimate the fact that this is still the child you raised, or you are an important part of their life and theyve felt it important enough to share this with you.

- The world moves fast, taking your time to figure this out is ok. There are supports available to you and your family as well as your child.

- Sometimes caregivers forget that they too, need kindness and care. Dont forget yourself

- Were only a phone call or email away, our phone number is 061 314354, our website is www.goshh.ie and our office is Redwood Place, 18 Davis Street, Limerick.

This article was contributed by GOSHH, a partner organisation of Parenting Limerick. Parenting Limerick is a network of parenting and family support organisations. For more information on this and other topics go to www.loveparenting.ie.
Kathy Casteel |

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has awarded Lincoln University of Missouris School of Education a $15,000 grant to fund scholarships for new students in Lincolns graduate program for school counselors.

The scholarships, part of the School-Based Mental Health Recruitment and Retention Initiative, will cover tuition for the first two courses (six credit hours) in Lincolns Master of Education Counseling program during the fall 2023 semester. Funding comes from state reserves of the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief II fund.

The goal of the initiative is to expand the number of school-based mental health professionals to meet the mental health needs of Missouri public school students. Currently, more than 70 percent of children who receive mental health support do so in a school-based setting. The American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of one counselor to every 250 students; yet Missouri falls far short of this standard, averaging one school counselor for every 409 students. Lincoln is one of 14 universities in the state receiving a grant for school counselor programs.

It is important to not only address the academic needs of K-12 students, but their social, emotional and career interests as well, especially following the pandemic, which has negatively impacted students and families, says education professor Kimberly Connor, who advises school counselor candidates in the LU School of Education. That is why the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is granting funds to universities that provide training in school counseling to increase the number of counselors and ultimately improve the lives of children, families and the community.

Lincoln will award the five $3,000 scholarships on a first-come-first-served basis. Applicants must be new to the Master of Education Counseling program and be accepted to begin study in the fall 2023 semester. Apply online at https://lincolnu.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.

Connor urges new graduate students to apply now. Too often, people ponder and wait to take that next step, she says. Now is the time to take advantage of these scholarships. Dont miss out on the opportunity to invest in your future.

For further information on the scholarships or Lincolns K-12 school counselor program, email Dr. Kimberly Connor at ConnorK@LincolnU.edu.

Click to download the informational flyer.
They have changed the world by writing software. But techy types are also known for composing lengthy memos in prose, the most famous of which have marked turning points in computing. Think of Bill Gatess Internet tidal wave" memo of 1995, which reoriented Microsoft towards the web; or Jeff Bezoss API mandate" memo of 2002, which opened up Amazons digital infrastructure, paving the way for modern cloud computing. Now techies are abuzz about another memo, this time leaked from within Google, titled We have no moat". Its unknown author details the astonishing progress being made in artificial intelligence (AI) and challenges some long-held assumptions about the balance of power in this fast-moving industry.

AI burst into the public consciousness with the launch in late 2022 of ChatGPT, a chatbot powered by a large language model" (LLM) made by OpenAI, a startup closely linked to Microsoft. Its success prompted Google and other tech firms to release their own LLM-powered chatbots. Such systems can generate text and hold realistic conversations because they have been trained using trillions of words taken from the internet. Training a large LLM takes months and costs tens of millions of dollars. This led to concerns that AI would be dominated by a few deep-pocketed firms.

But that assumption is wrong, says the Google memo. It notes that researchers in the open-source community, using free, online resources, are now achieving results comparable to the biggest proprietary models. It turns out that LLMs can be fine-tuned" using a technique called low-rank adaptation, or LoRa. This allows an existing LLM to be optimised for a particular task far more quickly and cheaply than training an LLM from scratch.

Activity in open-source AI exploded in March, when LLaMa, a model created by Meta, Facebooks parent, was leaked online. Although it is smaller than the largest LLMs (its smallest version has 7bn parameters, compared with 540bn for Googles PaLM) it was quickly fine-tuned to produce results comparable to the original version of ChatGPT on some tasks. As open-source researchers built on each others work with LLaMa, a tremendous outpouring of innovation followed," the memos author writes.

This could have seismic implications for the industrys future. The barrier to entry for training and experimentation has dropped from the total output of a major research organisation to one person, an evening, and a beefy laptop," the Google memo claims. An LLM can now be fine-tuned for $100 in a few hours. With its fast-moving, collaborative and low-cost model, open-source has some significant advantages that we cannot replicate." Hence the memos title: this may mean Google has no defensive moat" against open-source competitors. Nor, for that matter, does OpenAI .

Not everyone agrees with this thesis. It is true that the internet runs on open-source software. But people use paid-for, proprietary software, from Adobe Photoshop to Microsoft Windows, as well. AI may find a similar balance. Moreover, benchmarking AI systems is notoriously hard. Yet even if the memo is partly right, the implication is that access to AI technology will be far more democratised than seemed possible even a year ago. Powerful LLMs can be run on a laptop; anyone who wants to can now fine-tune their own AI.

This has both positive and negative implications. On the plus side, it makes monopolistic control of AI by a handful of companies far less likely. It will make access to AI much cheaper, accelerate innovation across the field and make it easier for researchers to analyse the behaviour of AI systems (their access to proprietary models was limited), boosting transparency and safety. But easier access to AI also means bad actors will be able to fine-tune systems for nefarious purposes, such as generating disinformation. It means Western attempts to prevent hostile regimes from gaining access to powerful AI technology will fail. And it makes AI harder to regulate, because the genie is out of the bottle.

Whether Google and its ilk really have lost their moat in AI will soon become apparent. But as with those previous memos, this feels like another turning point for computing.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
On Wednesday, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk finally launched his highly anticipated artificial intelligence startup, xAI. The company's team consists of engineers recruited from major U.S. technology firms, which Musk aims to rival as he strives to create an alternative to ChatGPT .

Musk, already renowned as the CEO of Tesla, the electric car manufacturer, as well as the CEO of SpaceX, a company focused on rocket launches, and the owner of Twitter, will personally lead the startup. He has been vocal about his belief that AI development should be temporarily halted and that the industry requires regulation, citing concerns about the potential "civilizational destruction" caused by AI.

Here are 7 things that you should know about xAI:

A maximally curious" AI platform

During a Twitter Spaces event on Wednesday evening, Elon Musk shared his strategy for developing a safer artificial intelligence. He explained that xAI would not focus on explicitly programming morality into its AI systems. Instead, the company aims to create an AI that is "maximally curious." By fostering a high level of curiosity in the AI, Musk believes it will naturally align its behavior with human values and reduce the potential risks associated with AI development.

"If it tried to understand the true nature of the universe, that's actually the best thing that I can come up with from an AI safety standpoint. I think it is going to be pro-humanity from the standpoint that humanity is just much more interesting than not-humanity," Musk said.

Meaning of xAI

According to NDTV, in the realm of technology, the term "xAI" is often used as an abbreviation for Explainable AI or Interpretable AI. This concept focuses on enabling humans to comprehend the rationale behind the decisions or predictions made by artificial intelligence systems.

To shed light on the company's objectives and vision, the xAI team has organized a Twitter Spaces event, a virtual meeting, scheduled for July 14. During this session, they will address inquiries and provide insights into the company's workings.

Timeline for superintelligence

Musk made a prediction that superintelligence, referring to artificial intelligence surpassing human intelligence, would emerge within a span of five to six years.

xAIs team

xAI's team comprises notable individuals with extensive experience in the tech industry. This includes Igor Babuschkin, formerly an engineer at Google's DeepMind, Tony Wu, who has worked at Google, Christian Szegedy, a former research scientist at Google, and Greg Yang, who previously held a position at Microsoft.

Musks role in xAI

According to a state filing, Musk registered a company called X.AI Corp in March, incorporated in Nevada. Musk is listed as the sole director of the firm, and Jared Birchall, the managing director of Musk's family office, serves as the secretary.

Dan Hendrycks, currently serving as the director of the Center for AI Safety, has been appointed as an advisor to the xAI team. Hendrycks specializes in assessing the risks associated with AI, making his expertise valuable to the team.

xAI is different from X Corp

Musk's recently established company operates independently from X Corp but aims to maintain close collaborations with notable companies such as Twitter and Tesla, among others, as mentioned on the xAI website. The xAI has announced its plans to recruit skilled engineers and researchers in the San Francisco Bay Area to strengthen its team.

Details on investors

According to Time Magazine, xAI reportedly acquired 10,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) in March. These hardware components are essential for the development and operation of advanced AI systems. Although xAI has not provided details about its financing, the Financial Times reported in April that Musk was exploring the possibility of securing funding from investors associated with SpaceX and Tesla, both of which are companies under his leadership.

(With inputs from Reuters)
If you are planning to buy an SUV (sport utility vehicle) or MUV (multi-utility vehicle) the GST Councils decision to change the definition of UVs that attract a compensation cess of 22% may have implications. Mint explains the changes and the impact on buyers.

How are UVs taxed under GST?

All motor vehicles, barring electric vehicles, are taxed in the highest GST slab of 28%. Electric vehicles, no matter what their physical or mechanical attributes are, attract a GST of 5%. Apart from the 28% GST on the basic price of a passenger vehicle, the government also levies a compensation cess in the range of 1% to 22%, which is also calculated on the basic price of the vehicle, depending upon the vehicles ground clearance, length, engine capacity and fuel type. The effective tax rate on SUVs can therefore range from 29%, all the way up to 50%. The ex-showroom price of a vehicle is inclusive of GST.

Whats the definition change all about?

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) requested clarification from the government regarding Section 52B of a finance ministry notification on compensation cess. It prescribed a 22% cess rate for SUVsvehicles with engine capacity over 1,500 cc with a length exceeding 4,000 mm and ground clearance of 170 mm or above. However, the words popularly known as SUVs" led to confusion as some MUV manufacturers such as Toyota Innova were taxed at a lower 20% rate. States questioned why MUVs were taxed less and sought clarification from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

View Full Image Graphic: Mint

What changes with the new definition of UV?

The GST Council has removed the reference to SUVs, to now simply state that all utility vehicles, irrespective of how theyre marketed, will attract a cess of 22% if theyre more than 4,000 mm in length, have an engine capacity of 1,500 cc or above, and have unladen ground clearance of 170 mm or more. Earlier, there was no specific reference to ground clearance.

How will prices of models change?

The two clarifications will likely add a whole lot of UVs that escaped the 22% cess due to ambiguities in the definition into this cess. Large MUVs such as the Toyota Innova Crysta, as well as SUVs such as the Scorpio-N, Hyundai Alcazar and MG Hector Plus (which have laden ground clearance of less than 170mm but unladen clearance of more than 170mm) among others will likely attract the 22% cess, on a par with full SUVs like the XUV700, instead of 20% as was the case earlier. Strong hybrids will continue to enjoy a 2% concession.

How have automakers responded?

The industry still needs more clarity on the new definition, and will continue to bill vehicles as per the existing cess rates till the new rules are published and can define unladen ground clearance", and the process to measure the same", a spokesperson at M&M said in a statement. Once received, we will approach the certification agency for potential recertification of the relevant models, based on the updated definition, if necessary." Toyota Kirloskar Motor said it is waiting for official details to assess the impact on its models.
After billionaire Elon Musk acquired Twitter Inc in 2022, the microblogging site on Wednesday was hit with a lawsuit accusing it of refusing to pay at least $500 million in promised severance to thousands of employees who were sacked in the layoff drive, according to a report published by Reuters.

Courtney McMillian oversaw Twitter's employee benefits programs as its "head of total rewards" before she was laid off in January. She filed the proposed class action in San Francisco federal court.

Under a severance plan created by Twitter in 2019, McMillian claims most workers promised two months of their base pay plus one week of pay for each full year of service if they were laid off, McMillian claims in the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, senior employees such as McMillian were owed six months of base pay. However, Twitter only gave laid-off workers at most one month of severance pay, and many of them did not receive anything, she further noted.

Twitter laid off more than half of its workforce as a cost-cutting measure after Musk acquired the company in October. The company no longer has a media relations department.

The lawsuit accuses Twitter and Musk of violating a federal law regulating employee benefit plans. Twitter has already been sued for allegedly failing to pay severance, but those cases involve breach of contract claims and not the benefits law. The company has said it has paid ex-employees in full, Reuters reported.

A pending lawsuit filed last month accuses Twitter of also failing to pay millions of dollars in bonuses it owes to remaining employees. Twitter has said the claims lack merit.

The company is also facing a series of other lawsuits stemming from the layoffs that began last year, including claims that it targeted women and workers with disabilities.

Twitter has denied wrongdoing in the cases in which it has filed responses.

(With Reuters inputs)
For decades, selling to China has been a key ingredient in Germanys recipe for economic success. Now, Berlin wonders if its partner has gotten too close for comfort.

On Thursday, Germany released its first-ever China strategy," an attempt to balance the relationships huge economic benefits with the need to manage risks posed by Beijings increasing authoritarianism at home and assertiveness abroad.

The 64-page document says China should no longer be considered just an economic partner but also a competitor and systemic rival. Its main prescriptions aim to reduce the risks posed by German businesses vast exposure to the Chinese market.

In recent years, the systemic rivalry aspect has moved more to the foreground China has changed, and therefore our China policy must change too." Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said as she presented the paper. We do not want to decouple from China but to reduce risks as much as we can."

Working with European Union partners, Germany will beef up its scrutiny of Chinese investments and consider mechanisms to review German investments in China, according to the document. It will seek to increase incentives for companies to diversify away from China.

Baerbock said Germany and its EU partner would respond together if China targets individual EU members with hostile measures, saying the region would use its vast internal market as its most powerful instrument."

This is a new approach for a country that has been the most China-friendly large economy in Europe. But it isnt a U-turn. The strategy doesnt recommend stopping China from accessing specific technologiesas the U.S. has done with semiconductorsand it insists on the need to maintain good economic relations with the country and to work together on fighting climate change.

Analysts said the strategy was toned down compared with a draft leaked in November that included obligations on companies to disclose their exposure to China and undergo stress tests to gauge their resilience in case of a geopolitical crisis.

Its clear that the government didnt want to burden companies with additional requirements," said Noah Barkin, Europe-China expert at Rhodium Group. We will see if companies that are heavily dependent on China will react."

Gyde Jensen, a lawmaker for the ruling Free Democratic Party, said the government had taken too long to publish the paper and would have to work hard to translate it into practical legislation next year before it becomes distracted by the next general election in 2025.

We need to show our partners in the world, the alliance of democracies, that we mean what we say," she said. Next year is key."

Officials and analysts said the finely calibrated paper reflected a compromise between conflicting views in the ruling coalition, with some members backing a tougher stance while Chancellor Olaf Scholz and others insisted on a more business-friendly tone.

Berlin has been reappraising its foreign-policy goals and tools since Scholzs election in late 2021. Last month, the government published its first security strategy since the end of World War II in response to mounting global threats.

Those efforts started before Russias attack on Ukraine. But the China strategy also draws lessons from the war, which sent Germany scrambling to escape its reliance on Russian energy. With the strategy, Berlin is trying to mitigate the potential fallout should a similar crisis erupt involving China.

Russia has just a fraction of the significance for the German economy compared with China," said Titus von dem Bongart, Partner at Ernst & Young China. China is the largest car market, the largest market for chemicals, there is just no comparison."

German companies were among the first in the West to treat China not just as a cheap manufacturing base but as a market, starting in the 1980s. They went on to make the machines that equipped Chinese factories and built Chinas infrastructure, and they offered the cars that Chinas new middle class wanted and could increasingly afford.

In recent years, Chinese companies have begun encroaching on their German rivals turfs. The country now exports more cars than Germany, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Still, China was Germanys largest trade partner in 2022 for the seventh consecutive year, with 298.9 billion euros in goods exchanged, equivalent to $332.66 billion, according to Germanys federal statistics agency.

While some German companies have been revamping their supply chains to protect their global operations in case of disruptions in China, many are doubling down on their investments there.

Risk management is already being put in practice at Volkswagen," Ralf Brandstatter, Volkswagens China chief executive, said after Berlin unveiled its strategy. Worldwide, we are striving to achieve a balanced sales position. To this end, we are investing billions in the U.S.A. and South America, for example."

But VW would continue to invest in China, he added, with the goal of developing a more self-sufficient supply chain there.

So far this year, China accounted for about 37% of VWs worldwide new-vehicle sales, according to the company. Speaking to investors in June, CEO Oliver Blume said VW had sold 3.2 million new cars in China last year, almost as many as in Europe.

German chemicals giant BASF plans to invest 10 billion by 2030 in an integrated chemicals facility in Zhanjiang, in southern China. When completed, the site would be BASFs third-largest worldwide. Speaking to shareholders in April, CEO Martin Brudermuller said China now accounts for about 15% of BASFs annual sales.

German business lobbies and their allies in politics have warned Berlin not to follow the U.S. in its growing confrontation with China, saying companies should be trusted to manage their Chinese exposure themselves.

Beijing has echoed those appeals and sought to persuade Europe not to join Washingtons more confrontational approach, calling on governments to exercise strategic autonomy."

On Tuesday, Chinas Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met the CEO of SAP and the president of Germanys Mechanical Engineering Industry Association, saying China would improve the domestic business environment for all international enterprises.

Because of earlier leaks, Beijing had been aware of the tenor of the strategy, said Cui Hongjian, director of the Department for European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, a think tank affiliated with Chinas Foreign Ministry.

China knows by now what Germanys principles are. But what will the implementation of such principles look like?"

Cui said Beijing would consider some passages about Chinas political system or development as mischaracterizations." Nevertheless, China would want to continue working and trading with Germany, he said, adding that both sides would have to do more to manage their differences and strengthen cooperation in the future.

Germanys Green Party, which is hawkish on China and holds both the foreign affairs and the economic portfolios in Scholzs government, has led the push to rein in companies China exposure.

Last November, new legislation tightened the conditions and introduced caps for businesses seeking state guarantees for investments abroad. Officials said this was designed to discourage the clumping" of corporate risks in China and encourage investments elsewhere.

Economy Minister Robert Habeck has also sharpened his ministrys scrutiny of Chinese investments. Late last year, it blocked the sale of a chip factory to the Swedish subsidiary of a Chinese company. In May, he publicly backed outbound investment screening as a way to stop China from siphoning off proprietary technology.

The Greens have been helped in their hawkish campaign by the Chinese economy, whose post-Covid recovery has petered out as its exports and imports have softened, sending some German companies looking for alternatives. While China remained Germanys largest trade partner in the first quarter, trade between the two was down more than 10% from the same period last year while U.S.-German trade shot up.

Yet the government as a whole never fully endorsed the Greens hawkish stance. The pro-business FDP, whose leader is finance minister, has taken a more China-friendly line, as has Scholz.

While hosting Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Berlin last month, the chancellor didnt allow questions at their press conference and stood by as the Chinese press pool greeted the premier with applausea breach of journalistic etiquette in the West.
NEW DELHI : India is considering offering higher tariff concessions for bulk whisky imports compared to bottled whisky as part of the ongoing India-UK free-trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. The approach aims to encourage the import of intermediate products and address a contentious issue in the trade discussions.

The Indian government contends that bulk whisky imports can generate employment by setting up bottling plants in the country, as against finished products.

Meanwhile, local liquor producers are concerned that the India-UK FTA might lead to a surge in whisky imports, posing a threat to Indian liquor producers, already facing fierce competition from the UK, the worlds largest scotch whisky producer.

India overtook France to become the UKs largest market for Scotch in terms of volumes, with a 60% surge in imports in 2022 from the previous year. India imported 219 million 70cl bottles of Scotch last year, according to the UK-based Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

While the UK is pushing India to cut tariff on whisky imports to 30% from the current 150% in three years, starting with 75% in the first year, the Indian industry has suggested that the government reduce the tariff to 50% over 10 years, beginning with a duty cut to 100% in the first year. In the case of bulk imports, India may offer a tariff cut to 75% in the first year, going down to 25% in 10 years.

But the idea is to get this rolling. Once there is a sense of comfort on both sides, the phasing can be faster, maybe in less than 10 years, if we see that it is not affecting the domestic industry. Bulk could be treated differently," said a person aware of the matter.

Queries sent to the spokespeople for the commerce ministry and the UKs high commission in India remained answered till press time.

A resolution on whisky is expected as fresh rounds of minister-level talks are ongoing in the UK, and the domestic industry is also on-board with offering concessions on the bulk side as it is used as an intermediate good and can help push economic activity in bottling plants in the country.

We are fine with more concessions on the bulk side of whisky imports as it is also used as intermediate goods. Currently, bulk imports are increasing at a much slower rate than bottled imports, which is not something very healthy for domestic investments and industry. As for bulk whisky, we are more flexible on all tariff-related matters," said Vinod Giri, director general of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies, representing most major domestic manufacturers of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL).

However, he added that the UK would have to review the maturation rules. We really want the deal to work for both sides. Current maturation rules of the UK deny entry to the majority of Indian products into the UK market. To say that the UK local laws do not allow it is not right. India shows a lot of flexibility in accepting British products as they are. For example, in India, if you make alcohol, you have to make it at 42.8% alcohol," Giri added.

The imports come in at 40%, 42.8%, 46%, and that is accepted. The same goes for permitted SKUs (stock keeping units), label declarations, etc. This is on the premise that India will accept what is in line with exporting countries legislation. In a similar fashion, what is produced as per Indian laws and FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) guidelines should be accepted. Otherwise, it is unfair," he further added.

According to the UK rules, alcoholic beverages matured for less than three years can only be sold as spirits", which, Indian breweries argue, acts as a non-tariff barrier for whisky exports from India.

But Indian makers argue that alcohol matures much faster in India than in the UK due to its warmer climate, which makes comparisons unfair.
Hollywood actors have decided to join the ongoing writers strike in the film industry , likely to bring about the first industry-wide shutdown in 63 years. The actors are prepared to protest on Thursday, 13 July.

The strike likely to happen after last-ditch talks failed, could bring all ongoing television and film projects to a screeching halt.

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), which represents 160,000 performers including A-list stars has informed that negotiations had ended without a deal on their demands over dwindling pay and the threat posed by artificial intelligence.

The negotiators have informed that all participants of the national committee has been informed and that a voting for the mass strike is expected on Thursday morning.

The vote opens the door to a "double strike" with writers, who have already spent 11 weeks on the picket line -- which would trigger the first Hollywood shutdown since 1960.

SAG-AFTRA represents A-list stars such as Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence and Glenn Close. All members have pre-approved industrial action if a deal was not struck. The last time the union went on strike, in 1980, it lasted more than three months.

Hollywood shutdown: Consequences

According to reports, a double strike by Hollywood writers and actors could bring the industry to a screeching halt. Popular series set to return to television this year would face lengthy delays. And, if strikes continue, future blockbuster films would be postponed too.

Actors, like writers, are demanding better pay, and protections against the future use of AI in television and films, reports AFP.

Hollywood studios had called in federal mediators to help resolve the deadlock -- a move described by SAG-AFTRA as a cynical ploy."

A strike would immediately prevent stars from promoting some of the year's biggest releases, right at the peak of the movie industry's summer blockbuster season.

In London, a premiere Wednesday night for Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" was brought forward by an hour, so that cast including Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and Emily Blunt could attend without breaking union rules, Variety reported.

But a strike would derail the much-hyped film's US premiere, due to take place in New York on Monday, as well as a red-carpet launch this weekend at Disneyland for the new "Haunted Mansion" movie.

And the annual Comic-Con pop culture gathering in San Diego next week could be stripped of its stars.

Even the Emmy Awards, television's version of the Oscars, which is due to take place on September 18, is reportedly mulling a delay to November or even next year.

(With inputs from AFP)
The Tata Motors Ltd stock is having its moment in the sun. It is the best performing stock in the Nifty Auto index so far in 2023, with the automakers shares gaining as much as 60%. This comes after a miserable 2022 when the stock had fallen by 20%. A key factor driving this optimism is the notable improvement in the performance of its British subsidiary, Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc (JLR). This has led to better visibility on debt reduction and improved free cash flow (FCF) outlook.

Based on preliminary cash balances, JLR expects to report positive FCF of over 400 million in the June quarter (Q1FY24), said the company. In Q4FY23, this measure stood at 815 million.

View Full Image Graphic: Mint

The Street couldnt be more pleased. Typically, Q1 is when working capital unwinding occurs, leading to a negative FCF. A positive FCF implies a strong working capital management and underlying margin," Kumar Rakesh, analyst at BNP Paribas Securities India, said. In Q1FY23, JLRs FCF was negative 769 million. JLRs FCF guidance for Q1FY24 is exceptionally strong. With this, companys FCF target of 2 billion for FY24, which earlier appeared aggressive, looks achievable now," he said.

Q1 volume performance is in line with expectations, with JLR clocking 30% year-on-year volume growth. Demand is strong. The order book remained robust with over 185,000 client orders at the quarter-end, a reduction from 200,000 at 31 March 2023 in line with expectati-ons, as chip and other supply constraints continue to ease, the company said.

Our global autos team expects a V-shaped recovery in global auto demand in 2023F/24F driven by pent-up demand," said analysts at Nomura Financial Advisory Securities (India) in a report on 11 July.

Meanwhile, Tata Motors commercial vehicle (CV) segment is expected to see margin pressure in Q1 led by weak volumes, after Q4 got a boost due to pre-buying ahead of transition to Bharat Stage VI Phase 2 norms. However, volume is likely to pick pace from Q2 onwards and that would aid margin performance. But over the medium term, the road could get rocky. As we get closer to peak of current CV upcycle in next 12-18 months, the risk of CV downcycle would start getting factored into the share price well in advance of actual downturn happening at ground level," Basudeb Banerjee, analyst at ICICI Securities Ltd, said. In the passenger vehicle (PV) business, market share shifts need closer tracking with the increasing competition in the sport utility vehicle market. Further, a rising mix of electric vehicles (EVs) would weigh on the margin at least in the near to medium term. In FY23, EVs formed 9% of total PV volumes.

Additionally, deleveraging would also be a key catalyst for the stock, which closed at 621.45 apiece on Wednesday. Motilal Oswal Financial Services one year target price is 700 apiece.

As such, initial public offering of Tata Technologies Ltd would strengthen Tata Motors balance sheet. As on FY23-end, the companys net automotive debt was 43,700 crore.

To be sure, investor sentiments would continue to remain upbeat if there is considerable progress towards its FY24 targets. Rakesh of BNP feels the investor excitement about the stock is not overdone. In fact, expectations are quite moderate relative to what the company has guided for," he said. When Q1 results are announced, how JLRs margin fares will be in focus. The company aims to achieve an Ebit (earnings before interest and tax) margin of over 6% in FY24 versus 2.4% in FY23. According to Rakesh, Macro is the biggest risk for JLR given fears of a potential slowdown in the global economy, along with its slow transition to EV."

Additionally, deleveraging would also be a key catalyst for the stock, which closed at Rs620.05 apiece on Wednesday. Motilal Oswal Financial Services one year target price for the stock is Rs700 apiece.

As such, the initial public offering of Tata Technologies would aid in reducing the debt burden. As on FY23 end, Tata Motors net automotive debt was Rs43,700 crore.

To be sure, investor sentiments would continue to remain upbeat if there is considerable progress towards its FY24 targets. Rakesh of BNP feels the investor excitement about the stock is not overdone. In fact, expectations are quite moderate relative to what the company has guided for," he said.

When Q1 results are announced, how JLRs margin fare will be in focus. The company aims to achieve an Ebit (earnings before interest and tax) margin of over 6% in FY24 versus 2.4% in FY23. According to Rakesh, Macro is the biggest risk for JLR given fears of a potential slowdown in the global economy, along with its slow transition to EV."
China has reiterated its demand for the United States to remove "unilateral" sanctions imposed on Chinese companies, particularly those related to alleged forced labour in Xinjiang. The call comes ahead of a possible visit by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to China. The US has accused Chinese firms of using forced labour in Xinjiang and imposed sanctions on them, a claim that China has repeatedly denied.

China's commerce ministry spokesperson, Shu Jueting, stated in a press conference that the US sanctions have significantly harmed Chinese companies' interests. "China is firmly opposed to it, and urges the US side to immediately stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese firms and lift its unilateral sanctions against them," said Shu. Shu also mentioned that China is open to a visit by Raimondo and is currently engaged in communication with the US on the matter.

Also read: China takes 'appropriate' action over unfair treatment to journalists in India

China emphasised its commitment to addressing economic and trade concerns through communication and dialogue, while promoting constructive and practical cooperation.

China will remain committed to addressing economic and trade concerns through communication and dialogue, while promoting constructive and practical cooperation," Shu stated.

In March, Raimondo had mentioned that the Biden administration was considering a pilot program to address investment risks in China.

Also read: PM Modi's US visit sends strong message to China in a subtle way

In response, China's finance ministry requested the US to lift bans on Xinjiang-related products" and take practical actions" to address its major concerns regarding the sanctions.

This statement follows a recent visit to Beijing by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, which, although not resulting in a breakthrough, was deemed "productive" by both sides. Both countries have agreed to maintain open channels for economic discussions.

(With inputs from Reuters)
The HBO drama series "Succession" emerged as the leading nominee for the Emmy Awards in television, receiving a total of 27 nominations for its final season.

The nominations for the prestigious television honours were announced amid labour tensions in Hollywood, which could potentially cause a delay in the Emmys ceremony scheduled for September. The ongoing strike by film and TV writers, as well as the potential strike by actors, may impact the event.

"Succession," a critically acclaimed show portraying a ruthless battle for control over a family's media empire, will once again compete for the best drama award alongside another HBO series, "The Last of Us," which earned 24 nominations and is an adaptation of a dystopian video game. Alan Ruck, a nominee for supporting actor in "Succession," expressed gratitude to the Television Academy for the recognition. The show, which revolves around the dysfunctional Roy family, concluded its four-season run in May.

Other contenders in the best drama category include HBO's "House of the Dragon," a prequel to "Game of Thrones," the dark comedy "The White Lotus," and the "Star Wars" series "Andor." Previous nominees such as "Better Call Saul," "Yellowjackets," and "The Crown" are also in the running.

Also read: Hollywood writers strike casts shadow on web show slate and OTT biz

In the comedy genre, the multiple Emmy-winning series "Ted Lasso" will compete for the best comedy award against shows like "Abbott Elementary," "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," "The Bear," "Barry," "Jury Duty," "Only Murders in the Building," and "Wednesday." "Ted Lasso" received the most nominations in the comedy category, with 21 nods.

The limited series category features Netflix's "Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" and "Beef," as well as Disney's "Obi-Wan Kenobi." Although "The White Lotus" won in this category last year, it has been moved to the drama race this year.

HBO, a unit of Warner Bros Discovery, secured the most nominations among all networks, with a total of 127. Netflix followed closely behind with 103 nominations.

Also read: Oscars 2023: Complete list of winners at the 95th Academy Awards

In the acting categories, Brian Cox, who portrays the patriarch in "Succession," will compete against his TV sons Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin for the best drama actor award. Sarah Snook, who plays another member of the Roy family, is considered a favourite for the best drama actress award.

Jason Sudeikis, the co-creator and star of "Ted Lasso," previously an Emmy winner, received a nomination for best comedy actor for the show's third season on Apple TV. First-time nominees Jeremy Allen White of "The Bear" and Jason Segel of "Shrinking" are also in contention for the best comedy actor award.

Among the comedy actresses, nominees include Rachel Brosnahan from "Mrs. Maisel," Quinta Brunson, the creator and star of "Abbott Elementary," Christina Applegate from "Dead to Me," Natasha Lyonne for her role in "Poker Face," and Jenna Ortega from "Wednesday."

The nominations reflected notable progress in terms of diversity, according to Clayton Davis, senior awards editor at Variety. Pedro Pascal from "The Last of Us" became the second Latino actor ever nominated for best drama actor, following in the footsteps of Jimmy Smits in the 1990s for his role in "NYPD Blue." Davis also highlighted that Black women achieved the highest number of nominations ever in a single category, with Janelle James and Sheryl Lee Ralph from "Abbott Elementary," Ayo Edebiri from "The Bear," and Jessica Williams from "Shrinking" vying for the best supporting actress in a comedy award.

The winners will be determined by the approximately 20,000 members of the Television Academy. Notable exclusions from the nominations include the popular Western drama "Yellowstone" and its spinoff "1923," as well as Harrison Ford, who delivered acclaimed performances in both "1923" and "Shrinking."

As of now, the Emmys ceremony is scheduled for September 18 and is set to be broadcast live on the Fox network. However, organisers will make a decision closer to the date regarding any potential rescheduling, according to an academy spokesperson. The hope is that the ongoing negotiations with the guilds can reach a fair and swift resolution, as expressed by Frank Scherma, the chairman and CEO of the Television Academy, during the nominations announcement.

(With inputs from Reuters)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch its third lunar exploration mission Chandrayaan-3 tomorrow i.e. on July 14 from Sriharikota, making India the fourth country to land its spacecraft on the surface of the moon and demonstrate the countrys abilities for safe and soft landing on lunar surface.

The ISRO has already undertaken a 24-hour 'launch rehearsal' simulating the entire launch preparation and process for the mission. The mission is slated to be launched at 2.35 pm onboard a Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) from the spaceport of Sriharikota. Also Read: Chandrayaan-3 countdown begins: 10 things to watch out for A team of ISRO scientists team arrived at Tirupati Venkatachalapathy Temple in Andhra Pradesh with a miniature model of Chandrayaan-3 to offer prayers.

Meanwhile, this will be ISRO follow-up attempt after Chandrayaan-2 mission faced challenges during its soft landing in 2019. The mission failed after the Vikram lunar lander crashed on the Moon during the early hours.

The mission follows Chandrayaan-2 where scientists aim to demonstrate various capabilities including reaching the orbit of the moon, making a soft-landing on the lunar surface using a lander, and a rover coming out of the lander to study the surface of the moon.

According to scientists, after the lift-off at 2.35 pm on Friday, around 16 minutes after lift-off, propulsion module is expected to get separated from the rocket and would orbit the earth for about 5-6 times in an elliptical cycle with 170 km closest and 36,500 km farthest from earth moving towards the lunar orbit.

Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said that the launch of Chandrayaan -3 will raise the level of India's international collaborations including that between India and the United States. He furher added, "I have the confidence to say that the launch of Chandrayaan-3 is going to raise the level of India's international collaborations including that between India and the US," MoS Jitendra Singh said."

(With inputs from agencies)
Security personnel in Bihar used water cannons, lathi charge to disperse several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers who were protesting against the state government on issue of the posting of teachers in the state.

Some videos also showed that security personnel also used several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protesting workers. It was reported that the BJP workers held Vidhan Sabha March against Bihar govt on issue of the posting of teachers in the state.

The march began at Gandhi Maidan and were set to conclude at the gate of the state assembly. "These directions were issued to prevent the participation of teachers in the protest. This shows the dictatorial mindset of the Nitish Kumar government," alleged state BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand.

Earlier today, Marshals evicted a couple of BJP MLAs from the Bihar Assembly on Thursday and also snatched away posters and placards from other members of the opposition party who stood inside the well waving these.

The House was plunged into turmoil no sooner than the proceedings began at 11 am when Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary told Leader of the Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha that he would not allow him to make any statement until members, inside the well, were asked to return to their seats.

Earlier on 11 July, teaching job aspirants protested in Patna against the government's decision to remove the domicile policy in hiring 1.7 lakh teachers, which would allow people from other states to take part in the process.

Some teachers also participated in the protest. The Education Department has asked the district education officers to identify those teachers.

(With inputs from agecies)
The Yamuna water level in Delhi has breached all-time record and is flowing at 208.05 metres, Central Water Commission has said. In view of the rising water levels, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) issued an advisory for some cremation grounds near the Yamuna river.

MCD has asked people to not to use the cremation ground at Nigham Bodh Ghat as there is a possibility of water entering into the Ghat which can hamper cremation activities. The civic body has instead advised people to use nearby cremation grounds.

As per MCD, There is a possibility of water entering into the Nigam Bodh Ghat hampering the cremation-related activities. Therefore, general public is advised to take the dead bodies of their near and dear to the nearby cremation grounds i.e. Panchkuyian Road, Sat Nagar, Punjabi Bagh, Green Park, Dakshinpuri or preferably near their colony."

There is waterlogging at Geeta Colony crematorium due to increasing water level of Yamuna. Citizens are requested to use cremation facilities at karkarduma and Ghazipur cremation grounds, arrangements have been done. MCD is providing all the facilities at its cremation grounds for the convenience of the citizens," the MCD's advisory read further.

The water level of Yamuna has crossed the mark of 208.05 meters, exceeding the Central Water Commission's estimate of 207.99 meters late on Wednesday night, putting authorities on alert mode.

Delhi recorded a rapid increase in the Yamuna water level over the last three days. It shot up from 203.14 metres at 11 am on Sunday to 205.4 at 5 pm on Monday, breaching the danger mark of 205.33 metres 18 hours earlier than expected.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal Wednesday urged people living in low-lying areas near the Yamuna river floodplains to immediately evacuate their houses as the water level continued to rise after recording an all-time high.

While expressing concerns over the rising level of the Yamuna River, he said, "Water is entering Delhi from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Regarding this, I have also written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting him to reduce the flow of water entering Delhi, only then we can stop the Yamuna River from overflowing."

However, Kejriwal said Union minister Gajendra Shekhawat has informed him that it was not possible to limit the flow rate of the river as there is no reservoir at Hathinikund Barrage. Shekhawat also told him that the volume of water being released to Haryana from Himachal Pradesh has reduced, which in turn will impact the water level in the Yamuna.

In a bid to ensure the safety of the public, Delhi Police on Wednesday imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in flood-prone areas of the national capital as preventive measures.

(With inputs from ANI)
Yamuna River water affected the Delhi metro operations on Thursday. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) informed that the approach road leading to Yamuna Bank Metro Station is currently inaccessible due to escalating water levels.

In a tweet, DMRC said, Due to the escalating water levels of the Yamuna River, the approach road leading to Yamuna Bank Metro Station is currently inaccessible. Kindly plan your journey accordingly and consider alternate routes. However, an interchange facility is available, DMRC said in a tweet."

The Yamuna River in the national capital continued to flow over the danger mark, with the water level reaching 208.48 metres on Thursday morning. The water from the rising Yamuna has flooded key roads in the national capital.

The Delhi traffic police has also issued advisory for the commuters and the traffic movement has been diverted on some roads.

The Delhi Secretariat housing offices of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his cabinet and other senior bureaucrats, was flooded.

According to officials from the Public Works Department, they received information regarding flooding of the Delhi Secretariat. They said they are coordinating with the traffic police and other agencies on the situation.

The road from Rajghat to Delhi Secretariat was also flooded. Officials told PTI that Ring Road stretch between Kashmere Gate and Purana Lohe Ka Pul has been flooded and closed for traffic movement.

An order by the District Magistrate (East) said Shamshan Ghat in Geeta Colony has been closed due to the extreme rise in water levels.

Due to the rise in the water level of Yamuna and resultant inundation of low-lying areas, traffic movement has been impaired.

The water from overflowing Yamuna has entered Delhi's Chandgiram Akhada on ISBT road, Nigam Bodh Ghat road, Indira Gandhi Stadium road, Ring Road near ITO, GT Karnal road, Old Yamuna bridge - 'Loha Pul, low-lying areas near Kashmiri gate.
NEW DELHI : At a time when Iraq has emerged as a major supplier of crude oil to India, the Centre is looking at resuming operations of state-run ONGC Videsh Ltds (OVL) hydrocarbon exploration block in Iraq, which has been under force majeure since 2003, said two people with knowledge of the development.

One of the persons said Indian energy companies may look at investing in oil and gas assets in the West Asian country.

Several aspects would be considered for resumption of operations at the stalled project and investments, including the security situation. There are some issues on which clarity would be required," said this person.

Block 20, earlier known as Block 8, is a large on-land exploration block in the Western Desert of Iraq, spread over 10,500 sq km. OVL had acquired 100% stake in the block by signing the exploration and development contract in November 2000, However, force majeure was declared in 2003 amid security concerns.

Force majeure is removes liability for unforeseeable and unavoidable catastrophes that prevent participants from fulfilling contractual obligations.

Both the subjects of investments and resumption of operations at the stalled projects were discussed during an India-Iraq Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) last month.

The JCM was held during the visit of Hayan Abdul Ghani Abdul Zahra Al Sawad, Iraqs deputy prime minister for energy affairs and oil minister. A petroleum ministry statement had said that during the meeting, union minister for petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted the natural and traditional synergies between the two countries on account of Indias position as a growing energy demand centre of the world.

He called for strengthening relations between the two sides, including in oil and gas, capacity-building and diversification of the trade basket. The JCM was held after a gap of 10 years.

He also underlined the readiness of Indian companies to explore investment opportunities in Iraq, the upgradation of infrastructure facilities of the oil and gas sector and their amenability for sourcing increased quantities of crude oil from Iraq based on appropriate pricing regime.

The Iraqi minister expressed his governments desire to welcome Indian companies to invest in Iraq, including in rehabilitation projects.

On 12 June, Mint reported that India is planning to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Iraq. The terminal will liquify some portion of the gas currently flared by Iraq and transport it to India, where it will be converted back to LNG for use in city gas distribution as well as power, fertilizer, and steel sectors.

In FY23, Iraq was the second largest exporter of crude oil to India, with total supplies of 50.31 million tonnes for $33.37 billion. It was the topmost supplier in value terms.

Queries sent to the ministry petroleum and natural gas, embassy of Iraq in Delhi and ONGC Videsh Ltd remained unanswered.
Mumbai/New Delhi: High employee expenses have prompted information technology (IT) companies to defer onboarding and promotions to initiate strict cost control measures. A weak deal pipeline and poor visibility for the next couple of quarters has compelled Tata Consultancy Services ( TCS ), HCL Technologies and Wipro to set minimal hiring targets.

A Mint analysis found that in the first quarter of the financial year, wage costs as a share of revenue increased for all three companies to a record high in the last at least five years.

View Full Image Graphic: Mint

TCS had the highest burden of employee costs as a share of revenue among the three IT giants, because revenue had consistently grown slower than wage costs. Of the last eight quarters, year-on-year wage costs growth outpaced revenue growth five times for TCS, seven times for HCL, and all eight times for Wipro.

Q1 bellwether results are emerging largely bittersweet for tech talent. Low-to-no net headcount additions are bad news for freshers and entry-level talent," said Kamal Karanth, co-founder of Xpheno, a tech recruitment firm.

Growth in employee costs despite the drop in attrition is a sign that IT firms are looking at lateral hires to meet niche demands, a move that is proving to be expensive.

In the April-June quarter, the attrition rate for the three companies continued to fall, maintaining the trend for over 4-5 quarters. While TCS attrition rate stood at 17.8% versus 20.1% in March quarter; HCLs attrition declined from 19.5% to 16.3% sequentially. Wipros attrition dipped from 19.2% to 17.3% in the Q1Fy24.

Weve been able to streamline operations, reduce number of overheads, just remove some of the layers of unproductivity," said Wipros chief executive officer Thierry Delaporte on Thursday. The company will calibrate hiring plan depending on the business but has not recruited any freshers in the June quarter.

Leadership hiring in large IT services firms is expected to pick up October onwards and firms for now are largely witnessing muted growth. Currently, the open numbers are well managed by the internal recruiting teams," Ritu Sethi, partner, technology practice at ABC Consultants, said. Sethi expects FY24 to be a cost conscious" year for the IT sector.

Recruitment numbers show frugality in hiring mandates, which has even impacted campus recruitments. Increasing employee costs led to a modest increase in employee strength for TCS, with 523 new recruits compared to 821 in the previous quarter. Milind Lakkad, the chief human resource officer of TCS, said on 13 July that it will continue to clock lower net headcount additions in the current fiscal year.

HCL Tech posted a sequential decline of 2,506 employees, but hired 1,597 freshers, a significant drop from 4,480 in Q4FY23. According to Wipros results announced on Thursday its headcount dipped from 256,921 in March to 249,758 in the June quarter. Infosys will post its results on 20 July.

Industry experts said muted demand will impact the variable pay component of employees, and only the top talent will be awarded a greater chunk.

The impact will be on variable pay, delays in mandate closures and focus on employees with niche skills. We do not expect the recruitment pace to pick up in this sector over the next couple of quarters," said Aditya Narayan Mishra, CEO of CIEL HR Services.

TCS has rolled out 8-10% for high performance and 12 to 15 % for exceptional performance in annual compensation review. Wipro said it will roll out about 80% variable payout for the fiscal first quarter.
"Whatever you want, just go with it and don't let anyone tell you otherwise" is the message Squadron Leader Sindhu VK Reddy, who will lead tri-services contingent of India on Bastille Day Parade in France, wants to give to everyone Indian.

The marching contingents of the Indian Army, the Navy and the IAF will participate in the prestigious parade along with their French counterparts on Friday. Squadron Leader Reddy will lead the 68-member IAF contingent at the parade that will be graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the guest of honour, PTI reported quoting officials. PM Modi is on a two-day official visit to France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. Reddy said," This is really a proud moment for us. I really never expected that I would be representing our service (IAF) on foreign ground" twitted PTI

Sindhu Reddy, who is a helicopter pilot of the Indian Air Force, said she was thankful to the country as well as the Air Force for putting her at the forefront to represent the cause as well as the country.

She said she was excited to see the reaction from the French people.

When asked what message she wants to convey, Reddy said "I will convey a simple message that nothing is impossible."

Reddy said with determination and perseverance she has reached where she is today.

"Irrespective of where you are in your life, whatever you want, just go with it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. This is your life. You can choose what you want and there's no stopping that anything good you know coming your way," reported PTI quoting Reddy as saying.

While interacting with PTI Reddy said she chose this profession due to her passion for flying.

"I used to watch aircraft fly in the airshow back in Bangalore when I was a kid. I used to always look up at the sky...call out to my mom that one day I will be there. So yeah, that's how it started," Reddy was reported as saying.

Reddy, a Mi-17 pilot, was hounded to led the IAFs marching contingent at the Republic Day parade on January 26 as well.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left the country for a two-day visit to France at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. PM Modi will be in Paris on July 13-14 and will also be the guest of honour at French National Day or Bastille Day.

According to news agency ANI, President Macron is expected to extend a special gesture during the visit. This may include multiple meetings in the presence of the Prime Minister, such as a private dinner and a joint meeting with CEOs. Additionally, a State Banquet at the renowned Louvre Museum on Bastille Day is likely to be hosted.

PM Modi's schedule in France:

Day 1:

PM Modi will arrive in Paris at around 12:30 pm on July 13. He will meet the President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher at around 4 pm and later around 5:15 pm he will also have a discussion with the French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne.

The Prime Minister will attend an event with the Indian community at La Seine Musicale around 7:30 pm followed by a private dinner hosted by President Emmanuel Macron at his official residence Elysee Palace. During the dinner, the two leaders are expected to engage on major global and bilateral issues.

Day 2:

Prime Minister Modi will be the guest of honour at the French National Day parade, also known as Bastille Day parade. The Bastille Day Parade commemorates the historic event of the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 during the French Revolution and showcases France's rich cultural and military heritage.

Later in the day, PM Modi will meet the President of French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet and interact with a number of thought leaders and business people. PM Modi and President Macron will also participate in the India-France CEO Forum while delegation-level talks between the two countries begin.

President Macron will also host PM Modi at Cour Marly courtyard at the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris for a ceremonial dinner which is expected to be attended by more than 250 dignitaries. The two leaders will also witness the fireworks display over Eiffel Tower from the terrace at Louvre.

(With inputs from agencies)
PM Narendra Modi has departed India for an official visit to France and UAE on Thursday. The Prime Minister will visit France on July 13-14 at the official invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

This visit is particularly special as I will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour. An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, while Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past on the occasion." PM Modi said in his departure statement on Thursday.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership. Rooted in deep trust and commitment, our two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people to people ties. We also work together on regional and global issues." the Prime Minister added.

PM Modi also shared enthusiasm over his interaction with French leadership including President Macron, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, President of National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet and Presidents of the Senate.

According to ANI, President Macron is expected to extend a special gesture during the visit. This may include multiple meetings in the presence of the Prime Minister, such as a private dinner and a joint meeting with CEOs. Additionally, a State Banquet at the renowned Louvre Museum on Bastille Day is likely to be hosted.

PM Modi is also expected to sign a deal for the acquisition of 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier. Additionally, a repeat order for the construction of three more Scorpene (Kalveri) class submarines at Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) through the "Make in India" initiative is also anticipated.

PM Modi in UAE:

After concluding his visit in France, PM Modi will travel to UAE for an official visit on July 15 and meet President HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Prime Minister Modi noted that India and the UAE are engaged in a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, energy, food security, science & technology, education, fintech, defence and security. He was also confident that the recent visit to the UAE was the beginning of a new chapter in the two countries' 'comprehensive strategic partnership'.

Last year, PM Modi made a stopover in the UAE, while returning from the G7 Summit in Germany. He had met with President Al Nahyan during his visit.
Mumbai: Driven by favourable market conditions and an influx of foreign investments, share sales targeting new investors reached a record high of $8.1 billion or 66,660.67 crore in the June quarterthe best-ever for any first quarter, Mint research showed. The amount was 29% higher than the 51,574.08 crore raised a year earlier from new investors.

Bulk deals, qualified institutional placements (QIPs), offers for sale (OFS) and initial public offerings (IPOs) aim to raise money from new investors, unlike rights issues that are reserved for existing investors. A majority of these funds were raised from bulk and block deals, wherein large shareholders, including promoters, divested shares amounting to at least 47,223 crore, up 164% compared to the 17,879 crore a year earlier. IPOs, OFS, and QIPs collectively contributed 7,779.4 crore, 7,258 crore, and 4,400.4 crore, respectively, to the total capital raised.

The sharp rise in secondary sales was driven by substantially higher foreign institutional investment (FII) flows and much stronger overall market sentiment," said Subhrajit Roy, India head of Global Capital Markets at Bank of America. Roy referred to FII inflows worth $13.6 billion in the June quarter of FY24 riding buoyant markets, against an outflow of $15 billion in the first quarter of FY23.

Stock market benchmark Nifty50 rose 10% in the first quarter of FY24, against a 10.7% decline a year earlier. This, said Roy, sparked demand across investor buckets.

Block deals have been active for the last one year, even when the markets were in the mid of a challenging phase," said V. Jayasankar, managing director and board member, Kotak Investment Banking. Kotak helped execute private equity giant KKRs $1.5 billion Max Healthcare stake sale in 2022, as well as the $800-million stake sale in Kotak Mahindra Bank by Canadas CPPIB.

Bulk and block deals gained further momentum in 2023 as investors like to put more money to work in listed companies that they have been tracking for long. Importantly, blocks are easier to do as it requires just a couple of days to execute," said Jayasankar.

Mint research showed that lot-based share deals have surpassed amounts recorded by all other share transaction routes by a substantial margin.

The amount raised through rights issues were at a mere 3,194 crore in the June quarter, against a record 53,524 crore in the first quarter of FY21.

A big chunk of the bulk deals were in Adani group companies led by billionaire Gautam Adani. Three Adani group companies sold their stakes to American global boutique asset management firm GQG Partners via bulk deals. Adani Enterprises sold 1.58% of its stake for 4,140 crore, Adani Green sold 2.8% of its stake for 4,232 crore, and Adani Transmission sold 3% of its stake for 2,666 crore to GQG Partners during the June quarter.

Block deals help avoid an asset bubble as demand for paper meets supply of money. For PE investors or promoters selling large blocks, this is a good time to sell since the market is at a lifetime high, and they have been invested for several years," said Jayasankar.

Piramal Enterprises, led by business tycoon Ajay Piramal, sold its entire 8.34% stake in non-banking financial company Shriram Finance for 4,824 crore via bulk deals during the first quarter.

BNP Paribas Arbitrage fund sold 0.56% in Kotak Mahindra Bank for 2,259.6 crore, while BC Asia Investments and Integral Investments sold 0.7% stake in Axis Bank Ltd for 2,178 crore via bulk and block deals during the quarter.

In another such deal, Creditaccess India BV sold 5.8% stake in CreditAccess Grameen Ltd for 1,121.29 crore.

Roy said, Stocks across most sectors are now trading at healthy valuation levels while the bid-ask spread between buyers and sellers have become much more reasonable."

According to Roy, more than $3.5 billion was raised through bulk and block trades in June; of this, Bank of America alone has more than 30% market share, helping execute $1.1 billion worth of block deals in Policy Bazaar, HDFC AMC, HDFC Life, and Timken.

Domestic flows continue to be robust through systematic investment plans. These institutional flows have helped block deals and OFS touch $6 billion value in the last quarter," said Jayasankar. Kotak Investment Banking itself has closed seven sell-down deals via blocks and OFS in June quarter totalling to $2 billion, said Jayasankar. We have over one-third of the market share in OFS and blocks."
CHENNAI : The quality of our higher education, and resultant employability of young people, has been a topic of tempestuous discussions for several decades.

About 20 years back, IT industry body NASSCOM said that only 25% of engineering graduates were readily employable in the technology industry. While there were debates on the methodology adopted to arrive at this number, the findings set the tone for serious introspection among different stakeholdersthe government, academia, industry, parents, students and trade bodies.

Cut to the present. A recent Wheebox India Skills Report, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry, the All India Council for Technical Education, the Association of Indian Universities and Pearson, reported that 50.3% of young people were employable, overall. Importantly, the percentage of employable women increased to 52.8%.

While the two reports arent directly comparableas one is limited to engineering graduates and the technology sector and the other cuts across industriesthe drift of the narrative cannot be missed. Importantly, on a massively expanded base, more and more young people are becoming employable, some readily, and some with appropriate interventions.

What has changed in the past 20 years to make such a large canvas of talent employable?

Seven significant developments have reshaped the educational and skilling landscape, enhancing the quality of talent and making India a powerhouse of global talent. These developments have resulted in excellence at scale, integration of skills with education, acceptance of online and hybrid learning, involved industry participation and interdisciplinary learning.

Excellence at scale

First, India boldly went beyond the affiliating system of universities to create hundreds of standalone universities and autonomous institutions. While the affiliating system of education drove standardization at scale, these autonomous institutions drove excellence and innovation at scale, thereby staking a claim to the exalted status enjoyed by just a handful of institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

In other words, India moved from the Model-T of education to the Tesla model of education where refresh cycles to curriculum, pedagogy and assessment happen frequently and not over years.

Today, India has more than 400 private universitiesincluding state private universitiesand a majority of them were established in the last 10 years. Many of these institutions pride themselves in having high-quality faculty of international repute, multi-modal approaches to teaching and learning, contemporary syllabi and curricula, and strong industry-academia linkages.

Notably, a number of the new private universities are funded by corporate houses and industrialists, and some of them are the finest examples of collective philanthropy in India. While corporate funded institutions are not new, the sheer number and speed with which they have come up in the last few years is unprecedented. Universities such as Ashoka, Azim Premji, Shiv Nadar, O.P. Jindal, Flame, Krea, Mahindra, Jio, Lakshmi Mittal and Plaksha have reimagined higher education and set global benchmarks in a very short period.

Second is the establishment of more than 50 new IITs, IIMs, Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) and NITs. Many of these newer institutions are mentored by the leadership from well-established and highly reputable institutions, thereby cross-pollinating best practices and nurturing them, gracefully.

Interestingly, there are 25 IIITs in India today, of which 21 were established in the last 10 years, largely in the public-private-partnership mode. Many of these institutions have been co-funded by reputable companies, and many of their leadersincluding S. Ramadorai of TCS, B. Santhanam of St. Gobain and Arun Jain of Intellect Designare chairmen of the board of governors. Whats particularly noteworthy is that these institutions have come up in tier II and tier III cities, including in the eight north-eastern states, driving higher levels of inclusion and equity.

Third is the expansion of well-established educational brands, including those with an institution of eminence tag. Examples include the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani, which has expanded its footprint to Goa, Hyderabad and Mumbai, and the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) that has expanded to Chennai, Amravati and Bhopal. There are dozens of such well-run institutions that are ranked within the top 200 institutes that feature in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). Launched in 2015, NIRF outlines a methodology to rank institutions across the country.

These institutes have expanded their footprint across India and added a staggering number of students to the national pool.

Many of these high-quality institutions have also produced an unimaginable number of nation builders and institution builders. Take for example BITS, Pilani. Its alumni base includes 7,500 founders of companies, 6,000 CEOs, 3,000 academicians and many change makers who have made a social impact on the world at large.

Hybrid learning

Fourth is the rapidly gaining acceptance of degrees, diplomas and other nano-credentials earned through online and hybrid modes. While technology drives online learning at scale, it also provides flexibility and choice. This makes for a perfect platform for re-imagination of both teaching and learning.

About two decades back, this writer had the good fortune of participating in a conference on higher education. Someone from the audience asked a vice chancellor on the panel on what he thought about degrees through distance education and open universities. Without batting an eyelid, he remarked, Distance education is the best form of education. I will strongly recommend it to my neighbours son or daughter."

Cheeky it may sound, but that was the reality then.

Today, online degrees and nano-credentials through hybrid programmes have gone mainstream. And, for a cross-section of learners, including those pursuing work-integrated learning, it is the most sought-after mode of learning. One stellar example is whats happening at IIT Madras with its first online degree programme.

After 50 years after its founding, IIT Madras has about 11,000 students on-campus pursuing their undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs across disciplines of study. Interestingly, in less than three years of its launch, IIT Madras has more than 17,000 students registered for its online BS degree in data science and applications, giving an opportunity to learners, regardless of age, location or academic background, to earn formal credentials. Not surprisingly though, both a father and son are pursuing this programme!

Not just IIT Madras. Some of the best run universities are offering new-age online programmes with ready market acceptance. MBA in fintech by BITS, Pilani, MA in public policy by O.P. Jindal, BA in business administration (logistics) by Sastra and BBA (sports management) by D.Y. Patil are good examples. It is estimated that there are more than 500 University Grants Commission (UGC)-approved online graduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate programmes offered by progressive universities in India.

Skilling with education

Fifth is the acceptance of skilling as an integral part of education. Embedding skill-based courses into the curricula, and giving them the credit equivalence for grant of degrees, has been a true game changer.

Three noteworthy initiatives made this possiblescaling of the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) and Skill Sector Councils (SSC) across industries; incubation of skilling universities such as the TeamLease Skills University and the Symbiosis Skills and Professional University, and availability of massive open online courses platforms such as the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL).

All these entities curate and deliver world-class programmes on a number of foundational as well as job-oriented subjects. NPTEL, alone, has 4.5 million subscribers for its more than 3,000 courses. Increasingly, every university in the country is encouraging students to learn from the best faculty who anchor these courses on NPTEL.

Industry participation

Sixth is the increasing participation of the industry in all facets of academia, beyond the establishment of their own institutions. These include developing curriculum, curating new-age degree programmes, teaching courses as professors of practice, sponsoring applied research, creating internship and hackathons, and undertaking reverse sabbaticals.

For example, Tata Consultancy Services, along with leading academicians, has designed a four-year, AICTE-approved undergraduate programme titled computer science and business systems. This programme enables students to not only learn core and emerging topics in computer science but also develop an appreciation of humanities, management and human values, making them industry ready at the end of the programme. Over 60 engineering institutions across India offer this programme.

While this is a good example of an individual company making a big impact, recently, about a dozen global companiesincluding Google, Cognizant, Infosys, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, Accenture and Ciscojoined hands with distinguished professors from the IITs, the IIITs and the NITs to rewire the curriculum of the undergraduate computer science programme offered by the thousands of AICTE recognized institutions across the country. Just this one initiative will significantly impact the learning needs of millions of students.

STEM to STEAM

Seventh is the growing recognition of the need for inter-disciplinary or interwoven learning.

For the past three decades, India has over-indexed on engineering and technology within STEM, an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math. But in the past few years, we have seen a shift to STEAM, with arts included in the acronym. There has also been a rekindling of interest in fundamental sciencesbiology, math, physics and chemistry.

While the pandemic catalysed job opportunities for students of biosciences, math is increasingly seen as the new engineering. Math, along with statistics and computing, has become the foundation of analyticsincluding health analytics, climate analytics, risk and fraud analytics, people analytics, and sales analytics. This has resulted in massive, high-value job opportunities for students pursuing math and statistics. A case in point is the average salary for MSc graduates in data science at Chennai Mathematical Institute. It has gone up from 9 lakh to over 21 lakh in about three years, with the highest salary at over 45 lakh per annum.

With disruptive innovation happening at the intersection of disciplines, in the last few years, we have also seen a spectrum of dual majors and electives being offered for students to crossmatch, based on their areas of interest. Engineering and anthropology; economics and data science; mathematics and music; sociology and intellectual property are all par for the course. This inter-disciplinary learning is resulting in new-age skills at scale. They include problem finding and problem solving, critical thinking and analysis, creativity and originality, reasoning and ideation. These skills drive higher employability in new-age jobs.

While its still early days with the launch of the New Education Policy, we are seeing more multi-disciplinary universities shaping up, accentuating the much-needed left-brain-right-brain collaboration.

Looking forward

While there is no denying the fact that we still churn out colleges under the affiliating system of educationalong with Pakistan and Bangladesh, the two other countries where this system is in vogueand spew out students who are not readily employable, its important to recognize that India has come a long way, especially in the last 10 years.

The growth of micro, small and medium enterprises across industries, the global capability centers of Fortune 2000 companies, and startups is in part due to the explosion of this high-quality talent during this period.

It is also important to mention the role played by the 2% corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandate by the government in catalysing the participation of corporates in education. After all, education receives an outsized amount of the annual CSR spend, followed by healthcare and livelihood.

As a nation, we can brood over whats not happening. Or we can look at the newer developments around us and find ways to accelerate them. Given the pace and scale of adoption of these seven trends, it wouldnt be surprising if this new technology-enabled foundation results in exponential employability in the next five to ten years.

Ramkumar Ramamoorthy is former chairman and managing director of Cognizant India, and former pro vice chancellor of professional learning at Krea University.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai has achieved the fourth position in a readers' survey conducted by a US-based travel magazine to determine the favourite international airports. CSMIA is the sole Indian airport to be featured in the list of 'Travel + Leisure Readers' 10 Favorite International Airports of 2023 survey'.

CSMIA's inclusion in the top rankings reflects the positive feedback from readers, with a reader score of 86.47. The airport is recognized for its amenities, convenience, and overall travel experience. Singapore Changi Airport claimed the top spot, followed by Dubai International Airport and Hamad International Airport in Doha.

Also read: Severe warning as Tornado touches down near Chicago's O'Hare airport

The survey assessed airports based on various factors, including accessibility, check-in and security procedures, restaurant and bar options, shopping facilities, and overall design. International airports in Asia and the Middle East continue to dominate "Worlds Best Awards" survey 2023 under Travel + Leisure readers' favourite international airports for this year.

In an official statement, the Mumbai airport expressed its delight at this recognition, highlighting its continuous efforts to provide passengers with an exceptional travel experience and world-class hospitality. "CSMIA has left a lasting impression on travellers, earning its well-deserved spot on this esteemed list," stated an official release by Mumbai airport. The airport's inclusion on this prestigious list confirms its dedication to delivering excellence and leaving a lasting impression on travellers.

Also read: These 10 Airports saw worst flight disruptions in Europe in June. Check full list here

The statement further emphasised that the Mumbai airport offers experiences that redefine modern air travel and serves as a platform to introduce and showcase Indian culture to passengers.

It mentioned that CSMIA caters to travellers who desire longer layovers by providing an array of amenities for their convenience and enjoyment. "CSMIA now harbour travellers that desire longer layovers, as it strives to make the most of the abundant amenities available to them," the statement said.

Travel + Leisure conducts its World's Best Awards survey annually, inviting readers to share their opinions on top hotels, resorts, spas, cruise ships, airlines, and more. This year, approximately 165,000 readers participated in the survey, contributing to the comprehensive rankings.
The Badrinath National Highway (NH-7) in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district has been blocked due to heavy rainfall causing boulders and debris to fall from the hills onto the highway near Pipalkoti, according to officials on July 13 morning.

Landslides triggered by the continuous rains have also affected several other areas along the same highway, including Pagal Nala, Gulabkoti and Helang, ANI reported. As an intense spell of monsoon rain continued over the northwestern Himalayan region numerous roads were blocked and several people were stuck due to landslides.

To ensure the safety of pilgrims, the Chamoli district administration has taken precautionary measures and halted their journey at secure locations such as Gauchar, Karnprayag, and Nandprayag.

The Badrinath National Highway in Chamoli district has been closed at five points between Chamoli and Joshimath due to landslides. To ensure the safety of pilgrims visiting Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib, the district administration has relocated them to safe areas in Gauchar, Karnprayag and Nandprayag, PTI reported.

The ongoing intense monsoon rains in the northwestern Himalayan region have resulted in multiple road blockages, leaving several individuals stranded due to landslides.

Despite the hazardous conditions, some people have been risking their lives by attempting to cross dangerous stretches.

In Dharali, along the Gangotri Highway, drivers of large vehicles have been endangering themselves while navigating the treacherous road.

Officials have reported that the State Disaster Operation Center, located in the State Secretariat, is closely monitoring the situation in response to alerts from the Meteorological Department.

As Uttarakhand continues to experience heavy rainfall, three individuals tragically drowned in the Khoh River in Pauri district. The incident occurred on July 11 night when a car lost control and plunged into the river in the Kotdwar area. While three occupants of the car lost their lives, two others managed to escape, according to police reports.

The Yamunotri National Highway was earlier blocked at Dharasu and Kalyani due to landslides while the Gangotri Highway is closed between Pakodanala and Dharali due to debris. Efforts are underway by the Border Roads Organization to clear the debris and reopen the roads. The Rudraprayag Highway is also closed due to landslides in Sirobgarh.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has urged people to refrain from unnecessary travel in light of the incessant rainfall. Disaster relief helpline numbers have been issued to assist those stranded, and the chief minister has instructed district administrations and the SDRF to remain on high alert.

(With agency inputs)
Violent clashes in Manipur have caught the attention of the European Parliament, as a motion for a resolution on the situation was tabled for discussion. However, Indian officials have made it clear that this is an internal matter for the country. The clashes, primarily between the Kuki and Meitei communities, have been ongoing for nearly two months and have resulted in significant damage and displacement.

Reports from Manipur describe the situation on the ground, with thousands of homes burned, hundreds of churches destroyed and a significant loss of life, Bloomberg reported.

Armed gangs have carried out beheadings while tensions continue to rise, prompting concerns of further escalation and the potential spillover of violence into neighbouring states and even Myanmar, the publication added.

The international community is closely monitoring the situation, particularly due to the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Myanmar and the tense border between India and China. The Indian Army has deployed forces to assist in quelling the ethnic strife in Manipur.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on an official visit to France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 13 morning. The trip to France was made in response to an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron and will take place from July 13 to 14.

Before departing for France, Prime Minister Modi expressed his anticipation for the meeting with President Macron and expressed his desire to further enhance the partnership between the two countries. The discussions between the leaders are expected to focus on advancing cooperation and collaboration in various areas of mutual interest, ANI reported.

As discussions unfold in the European Parliament, Indian officials reiterate that the situation in Manipur is an internal matter. The focus remains on addressing the violence, providing aid to affected communities and working towards a peaceful resolution in the region, PTI reported.

India, as per Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, has reached out to concerned members of the European Parliament to emphasise that the situation in Manipur is "absolutely" an internal matter. Kwatra made these remarks during a press conference, acknowledging that India was aware of the discussions taking place in the EU parliament.

Opposition parties have criticised the government for its perceived failure to contain the violence in Manipur. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted the European Parliament's scheduled discussion on Manipur and pointed out the lack of participation and intervention from Indian authorities.

(With agency inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sounak Mukhopadhyay Sounak Mukhopadhyay, who also goes by the name Sounak Mukherjee, has been producing digital news since 2012. He's worked for the International Business Times, The Inquisitr, and Moneycontrol in the past. He's also contributed to Free Press Journal and TheRichest with feature articles. He covers news for a wide range of subjects including business, finance, economy, politics and social media. Before working with digital news publications, he worked as a freelance content writer. Read more from this author
National French Fry Day is celebrated in the United States on the second Friday of July, which falls on July 14 this year. Known by different names such as French Fries, Chips, Finger Chips, or French-Fried Potatoes, they are universally loved and enjoyed worldwide.

Previously celebrated on July 13 each year, National French Fry Day has now been moved to the second Friday in July, starting from 2023. The significance of this day has been shifted to align with the name "Fry-day".

A brief history of the French Fries

Contrary to its name, French Fries actually originated in Belgium. The story of their creation can be traced back to an 18th-century family manuscript, dated 1781, which reveals that potatoes were initially cut into fish shapes and served as a substitute for the frozen river fish that couldn't be caught in a series of small Belgian villages, reported Days of the Year.

The association with France is often attributed to World War I, when troops encountered Belgian Fries. As French was the official language of the Belgian army at that time, the soldiers mistakenly believed they were in France rather than Belgium. Interestingly, in that particular region, they are still referred to as "Flemish Fries." Nevertheless, these delightful treats have gained worldwide popularity and have even become the national snack of the Netherlands.

Also read: Malala Day 2023: From history to significance all you need to know about Malala Yousafzai

How to celebrate National French Fry Day

To celebrate National French Fry Day, host a party dedicated to savouring the international variations of this beloved food or explore the vast range of flavours and accompaniments from around the world or enjoy classic salted fries.

Also read: Google Doodle celebrates India's premier street food pani puri

National French Fry Day was established to honour this delightful dish of golden-brown crisp potatoes.

French Fries and the American Chips

Distinction should be made between French Fries and the American 'Chips,' which are thinly sliced and fried until crisp. French Fries, on the other hand, are made from potato batons of varying thicknesses, resulting in a delectable texture ranging from soft to crispy. Often served with just a sprinkle of salt, they have become a beloved companion to hamburgers and other beloved greasy favourites.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Paris, France on a two-day visit during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron and attend the French National Day or Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.

As the prime minister landed, he was welcomed by French PM Elisabeth Borne in Paris and received a ceremonial welcome. "Landed in Paris. Looking forward to boosting India-France cooperation during this visit. My various programmes today include interaction with the Indian community later in the evening," PM Modi tweeted soon after his arrival in Paris.

PM Modi also met people from the Indian diaspora who had gathered outside a hotel in Paris to welcome the Indian prime minister. PM Modi is scheduled to address an Indian community event at the iconic La Seine Musicale at around 11 pm today.

PM Modis intensive programme in Paris, France includes participation in the Bastille Day celebrations and a slew of engagements with the French leadership, Indian diaspora, CEOs and prominent personalities, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

In his departure message, PM Modi expressed his excitement for his visit to France, emphasising the significance of being invited as the Guest of Honour to join President Emmanuel Macron in the vibrant Bastille Day celebrations in Paris.

On the Bastille Day, a 269-member tri-services contingent will participate in the parade. Three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will also join the flypast on the occasion along with French jets during the celebration. PM Modi also noted that this year, 2023, marks the 25th anniversary of India-France strategic partnership.

PM Modi said that rooted in deep trust and commitment, the two countries cooperate closely across various domains, including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties.

(With agency inputs)
China's ambassador to the United States held a rare meeting at the Pentagon on Wednesday with the top US defence official for Asia, the Pentagon said, in talks that followed US criticism of Chinese reluctance to engage in military communications.

A brief Pentagon statement said Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng discussed defence relations and "a range of international and regional security issues" in talks with Ely Ratner, a US assistant secretary of defence.

"Ratner also underscored the Department's commitment to maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication between the United States and the PRC," Pentagon spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Martin Meiners said, using the acronym for China's official name.

The discussions lasted about 90 minutes, Meiners said.

In a statement early Thursday, China's embassy in Washington said Xie urged the US to meet China halfway to gradually return relations between the two countries and their militaries to the right track.

"A healthy and stable China-US relationship is in the common interest of both countries," Xie said in the meeting, according to the statement.

Xie also requested "the U.S. side to take action to remove obstacles, manage differences, handle Taiwan and other important and sensitive issues cautiously in accordance with the principles of the three Sino-US joint communiques."

Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, said the meeting was "quite unusual."

"The Chinese ambassador does not often meet with US senior defense officials," Sun said. "It suggests China is at least responding to US concerns, but the actual progress still requires time and negotiations."

With US-China relations at a low over national security issues, including Taiwan, U.S. export bans on advanced technologies and China's state-led industrial policies, Washington has been trying to repair ties between the world's two biggest economies.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited China earlier this month and climate envoy John Kerry is expected to visit next week. Secretary of State Antony Blinken travelled to Beijing last month, the first trip to China by a U.S. secretary of state since 2018.

But Beijing snubbed US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's efforts to hold an in-depth meeting with his Chinese counterpart at a defence forum in Singapore last month, and military communications have stalled.

"We have regularly reached out to thicken our crisis communications and crisis management channels with Beijing and they have serially pushed us off," Colin Kahl, the Pentagon's top policy adviser, told a forum in London on July 10.

China has publicly cited US sanctions as an obstacle to military dialogue. Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu has been sanctioned since 2018 over the purchase of combat aircraft and equipment from Russia's main arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.

But Kahl said in London that China appeared to be concerned that Washington was going to use crisis management channels "so we can have more crises".

"When we have these conversations with them, they're like: 'If you don't want crises, there's a simple answer ... Get out. Like, you're not a Pacific power," Kahl said, adding that was a strange thing to hear as someone from the Pacific coast state of California.

Sun said Beijing was unlikely to accept a defence minister-level meeting with Austin unless Washington addresses the sanction on Li.

"Some have argued that the Li-Austin meeting would be a prerequisite for working-level mil-to-mil to resume. It doesnt have to be, but it makes sense given the protocol," Sun said.
During an interaction with the Indian community, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the parallels between India and Indonesia in terms of their struggle for independence and subsequent development. He stated that both countries fought for freedom during a similar period and witnessed significant sympathy and support for each other within their respective societies.

Additionally, S Jaishankar acknowledged the presence of an emotional connection between the relationship of India and Indonesia. So when we look at each other, India and Indonesia. I think there is a very natural feeling of attachment that we have each other. And this emotional connect, I would say, in many ways, is a very big resource for this relationship to drop," Jaishankar added.

He mentioned the emotional connection between the two nations, stating that there is a natural attachment between India and Indonesia. He also acknowledged that both countries gained independence around the same time and embarked on nation-building under similar circumstances.

Jaishankar stressed how India and Indonesia both got their independence around the same time and since then the two countries got engaged in nation-building under similar circumstances.

We got our independence around the same time. We were engaged in nation building, in very similar circumstances," the External Affairs Minister said, adding, When it comes to India and Indonesia, you know, there are a lot of things that we shared in common, not just the alphabet I with which country names begin, or even the location, the fact that we are close to each other, or even that we are large countries with enormous diversity."

S Jaishankar emphasized the significance of the Indian community residing overseas, referring to them as the "official custodians" of the India-Indonesia relationship.

During his visit to Indonesia, Jaishankar also had a meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, where he put forward the idea of India-ASEAN dialogues focused on the areas of finance, cybersecurity, and maritime domains.

No program abroad is complete without a meeting with the Indian community. We are the official custodians of this relationship. You are the real owners of this relationship. And I would say without your contribution, your hard work, your effort out here, our ties, not just with Indonesia," he said.

During his six-day visit to Indonesia and Thailand from July 12-18, S Jaishankar held a meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn in Indonesia.

In the meeting, Jaishankar proposed the establishment of India-ASEAN dialogues focusing on the domains of finance, cybersecurity, and maritime affairs.

Started my engagements in Indonesia with a meeting with ASEAN Secretary General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. Discussed the development of our comprehensive strategic partnership. Suggested India-ASEAN dialogues in finance, cyber and maritime domains," EAM Jaishankar tweeted on Wednesday.

Noted the ongoing work in energy, disaster management and health and wellness. Agreed to expand our Track II engagement," Jaishankar further wrote.

The EAM said the ASEAN relationship paves the way for the Indo-Pacific Vision. India is therefore deeply committed to the principle of ASEAN centrality," Jaishankar wrote.

Also Read: India and ASEAN mark 30 years of diplomatic relations in Cambodia

EAM Jaishankar on Wednesday also met Malaysia Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir.

In the first leg of his visit, the EAM will reach Indonesia to attend Foreign Ministers Meetings under the ASEAN on July 13-14 and then he will go to Thailand for the Foreign Ministers Meeting of Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC), a release from the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.

S Jaishankar is scheduled to visit Jakarta, Indonesia to attend the Foreign Ministers' Meetings under the ASEAN framework, including the ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit, and ASEAN Regional Forum, from July 13-14. During his visit, he will engage in bilateral meetings with counterparts from other countries.

Also Read: India pushes for Asean FTA update on trade gap

India's active involvement in this ASEAN-centric regional architecture reflects its strong commitment to maintaining ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific region.

Following his time in Jakarta, the External Affairs Minister will proceed to Bangkok, Thailand to participate in the 12th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism on July 16, 2023.

The Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is a longstanding mechanism in the lower Mekong region, guided by India's Act East Policy.

In Bangkok, S Jaishankar will participate in the 12th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the MGC on July 16, 2023. This cooperative effort aims to enhance regional collaboration and connectivity.

Furthermore, the External Affairs Minister will also attend the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers' Retreat on July 17, 2023, in Bangkok. BIMSTEC is an initiative focused on economic and technical cooperation among the countries of the Bay of Bengal region.

The retreat will provide a platform to discuss and strengthen the BIMSTEC agenda, fostering deeper collaboration within the organization.

(With inputs from ANI)
India's defence ministry has given initial approval to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets made by Dassault Aviation and three Scorpene class submarines to be made by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders with France's Naval Group. The development comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two day visit to the western country. France has also reportedly also agreed to arm the air independent propulsion equipped Scorpene submarines with a naval cruise missile.

According to an official statement from the Defence Ministry three proposals were greenlit on Thursday during a meeting led by Rajnath Singh.

The DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity for procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy from the French Government based on Inter-Governmental Agreement. The DAC also granted the AoN for procurement of three additional Scorpene submarines under Buy (Indian) category which will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited," the statement said.

According to the Defence Ministry, the price and other terms of purchase will be negotiated with the French government after taking into account all relevant aspects, including comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries. Integration of Indian designed equipment and establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Operation Hub for various systems will also be incorporated into the contract documents after due negotiations.

Reuters further reported that the Defence Ministry also gives an initial nod for three Scorpene class submarines to be made by MDL with a French naval group.

India is one of the biggest buyers of French arms, with Modi announcing a landmark deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets during a trip to Paris in 2015 that was worth around 4.0 billion euros ($4.24 billion) at the time, AFP reported.

New Delhi is seeking to rapidly modernise its armed forces, with fears about China's assertiveness heightened by simmering disputes along its Himalayan frontier.

PM Modi will visit France to attend the Bastille Day Parade as the Guest of Honour at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

He will be the second Indian PM after Manmohan Singh in 2009 to be the Guest of Honour at Bastille Day Parade, the report said.

PM Modi's visit presents an opportunity for the two nations to move into the next phase in the India-France strategic partnership and set new ambitious goals for cultural, scientific, academic, economic cooperation and wide range of interests, Sunil Prasad, Secretary General of Brussels based Europe India Chamber of Commerce wrote in the Media India Group report.

As reported by ANI, France is a nation of the Indo-Pacific and PM Modi's visit will help strengthen the collaboration between two nations in the Indo-Pacific where France has overseas territories and an exclusive economic zone.

The two nations share a vision of a free, open, and rules-based order, based on a commitment to international law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, freedom of navigation and a region free from coercion, tensions, and conflicts, according to Media India Group report.

France hosts the fourth-largest Indian community in Europe after the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany, and is making efforts to attract students and professionals from India.

A bilateral agreement on migration and mobility cooperation is already in place between two nations which aims to facilitate circular migration on the basis of mobility and return of skills to the home country.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix documentary series, Harry & Meghan , has failed to secure any Emmy nominations. The six-part series, directed by Liz Garbus, was under consideration for the Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series category.

The series, a part of a reported $100-million production deal between Netflix and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, faced scrutiny from the British media.

This snub by the Emmy Awards is notable considering the tremendous success of the series on Netflix, where it garnered the second-highest viewing minutes among all documentary shows, only surpassed by The Tinder Swindler.

Although the documentary missed out on Emmy recognition, it did receive a nomination for the Hollywood Critics Association Awards in the category of Best Streaming Nonfiction Series. This acknowledgment offers some consolation to the production team, as per Deadline.

Following the Hollywood Critics Association nomination, there has been a mixed response on social media, with some commentators dismissing the series as more fiction than nonfiction and criticising Harry and Meghan as complainers.

The release of the series on Netflix in December generated considerable controversy in the UK due to Prince Harry's candid remarks about the Royal Family.

In one episode, he highlighted the existence of "huge level of unconscious bias" within his family, noting that it was a systemic issue rather than an individual failing. He stressed the importance of education, awareness, and ongoing efforts to address such biases.

Prince Harry also disclosed that, when his relationship with Meghan became public, the Palace instructed them to disregard the media's focus on Markle's biracial background.

He shared that some family members saw the challenges faced by Meghan as a "rite of passage", questioning why she should receive special treatment. Prince Harry emphasised the significance of the racial element in their experiences.

Meghan voiced her frustration with negative stories planted in the British press, accusing them of manufacturing sensational narratives.
With an aim to make changes to social, personal, and health education (SPHE) for senior pupils, relationships and sex education (RSE) is to be compulsory in Irish schools, according to a report published by BBC.

The National Council For Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) said lessons under RSE will be taught in a way that LGBTQ+ identities, relationships, and families are fully integrated into teachings.

It is expected that post-primaries will be provided one hour a week of SPHE lessons to senior pupils, while adults will get lessons on health, wellbeing, relations, respect, and sexuality.

Adults will be taught nurturing, respectful, caring, and healthy relationships under sexuality and relationship lessons. The topics include how to identify abusive or violent relationships and consent, intimacy, and mutual pleasure, BBC reported.

In addition, pupils will be taught lessons about safe sex, accessing sexual health services, responses to unplanned pregnancies, how harmful attitudes around gender are perpetuated in the online media and in society, and how to challenge those.

The BBC report stated that relationships and sex education will be compulsory for all post-primary schools in Northern Ireland. Pupils will be taught about access to abortion and prevention of early pregnancy from January 2024.

Meanwhile, a Catholic bishop earlier criticized the plans for lessons on abortion access. He said that schools want to offer pupils education, rather than just information on the topic.

The bishop further stated that there is a need for schools to help young students develop lifelong healthy relationship skills, as per a BBC report.

Dr. John Kirkpatrick, the moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland also criticized the changes to the curriculum, while the women's rights campaigners welcomed the decision.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his appreciation for new commitments of weapons and ammunition to combat Russia's invasion, as well as longer-term security assurances from Western nations.

However, he also expressed disappointment regarding the absence of a clear roadmap for Ukraine's NATO membership during the conclusion of the alliance's annual summit, AP reported.

The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children," he said while flanked by U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders from the Group of Seven most powerful democratic nations.

The G7 issued a joint declaration that provides a foundation for each member nation to engage in negotiations aimed at assisting Ukraine in strengthening its military capabilities in the long run. President Zelenskyy referred to this initiative as a stepping stone towards Ukraine's eventual NATO membership and a deterrent against Russia.

"We will not waver," Biden vowed after the summit in Lithuania ended. I mean that. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes."

During a private meeting between the Ukrainian and American presidents, accompanied by their respective advisers, President Biden acknowledged President Zelenskyy's occasional frustration regarding the pace of military assistance. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Biden, emphasizing that the financial support provided by the United States is vital for the protection of Ukrainian lives.

Additionally, Zelenskyy mentioned that the delivery of controversial cluster munitions would aid Ukraine in its struggle against Russia.

It was a marked shift in tone from Zelenskyys complaints a day earlier, when he said it was unprecedented and absurd" to avoid setting a timeline for Ukraine to join NATO.

Biden said Zelenskyy now understands that whether his country is formally in NATO is not relevant as long as he has commitments" such as security guarantees. "So hes not concerned about that now."

During the concluding day of the NATO summit, the alliance introduced the NATO-Ukraine Council, a newly established forum aimed at strengthening the relationship between NATO and Ukraine.

This council will function as a permanent body, allowing for regular consultations and facilitating meetings during emergency situations between the 31 NATO member countries and Ukraine.

The setting is part of NATO's effort to bring Ukraine as close as possible to the military alliance without actually joining it. On Tuesday, the leaders said in their communique summarizing the summit's conclusions that Ukraine can join when allies agree and conditions are met."

Today we meet as equals," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at a news conference with Zelenskyy. "I look forward to the day we meet as allies."

The lack of a clear plan for Ukraine's future membership in NATO reflects the difficulties in reaching a consensus among the alliance's existing members, particularly in the midst of the ongoing conflict.

The results of the summit are good, but if there were an invitation, that would be ideal," Zelenskyy said, through a translator. He added that joining NATO would be a serious motivating factor for Ukrainian society" as it resists Russia.

NATO needs us just as we need NATO," he said alongside Stoltenberg.

Ukraine's future membership was the most divisive and emotionally charged issue at this year's summit. In essence, Western countries are willing to keep sending weapons to help Ukraine do the job that NATO was designed to do  hold the line against a Russian invasion  but not allow Ukraine to join its ranks and benefit from its security during the war.

We have to stay outside of this war but be able to support Ukraine. We managed that very delicate balancing act for the last 17 months. Its to the benefit of everyone that we maintain that balancing act," Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said.

In Vilnius, symbols of solidarity with Ukraine are prevalent, with blue-and-yellow flags adorning buildings and displayed in windows. Some signs express strong discontent towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, while others urge NATO leaders to expedite their support for Ukraine.

Nevertheless, caution was evident within the summit itself, particularly voiced by President Biden, who has openly stated that he believes Ukraine is not yet prepared to join NATO. Concerns revolve around the stability of Ukraine's democracy and the persisting issue of deep-rooted corruption within the country.

Under Article 5 of the NATO charter, members are obligated to defend each other from attack, which could swiftly draw the U.S. and other nations into direct fighting with Russia.

Defining an end to hostilities is no easy task. Officials have declined to define the goal, which could suggest a negotiated cease-fire or Ukraine reclaiming all occupied territory. Either way, Putin would essentially have veto power over Ukraines NATO membership by prolonging the conflict.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace warned Wednesday of bubbling frustration over Zelenskyy's demands, adding that people want to see gratitude" for Western military support. Wallace also said he's heard grumbles" from some U.S. lawmakers that were not Amazon."

I mean, thats true," Wallace said, according to multiple British media outlets. He recalled telling the Ukrainians the same thing when he visited the country last year and was presented with a list of weapon requests. Im not Amazon."

At the same time, the new G7 framework would include long-term commitments to Ukraine's security.

To repel Russian attack, the major powers promise swift and sustained security assistance, modern military equipment across land, sea and air domains, and economic assistance." They also vow to slap more sanctions on Russia.

For now and into the future, they say, they will provide weapons and military equipment, including combat air power, as well as more training for Ukraines beleaguered army. Zelenskky has asked that these assurances last at least until Ukraine joins NATO.

Moscow reacted harshly to the G7 plan

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the summit cemented Ukraines role as the main expendable" in the hybrid war" that it falsely claimed was unleashed by NATO against Russia."

Having embarked on an escalation course, they issued a new batch of promises to supply the Kyiv regime with more and more modern and long-range weapons in order to extend the conflict of attrition for as long as possible," the ministry said in a statement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that by providing security guarantees to Ukraine, theyre infringing on Russias security."

Ukraine has been let down by security guarantees in the past. In the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, Russia, the US and UK agreed that none of their weapons will ever be used against Ukraine except in self-defence" in exchange for Kyiv transferring its Soviet-era nuclear weapons to Russia.

But in 2014, Russia annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and seized territory in the south and east. In 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion in an attempt to topple Kyiv, leading to the current bloody conflict.

Zelenskyy told reporters that the Budapest Memorandum was no help without NATO membership and its mutual defence agreement.

In fact, Ukraine was left with that document and defended itself alone," he said.

In Vilnius, the international summit deviated from the typical tightly scripted format, as it oscillated between conflict and compromise.

Initially, leaders seemed to be at an impasse regarding Sweden's aspirations for membership in the alliance. However, in a surprising turn of events, Turkey unexpectedly withdrew its objections on Monday, just a night before the summit officially commenced.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reportedly suggested to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he extend the existing agreement permitting the secure export of grain from Ukraine through the Black Sea.

In return, Guterres proposed connecting a subsidiary of Russia's agricultural bank to the SWIFT international payment system. Russia has threatened to terminate the grain deal, set to expire on Monday, due to unfulfilled demands regarding its own grain and fertilizer exports, Reuters reported.

Currently, the last two ships under the agreement are being loaded with cargo at the Ukrainian port of Odesa before the deadline.

Moscow has made a significant request for the re-establishment of connectivity between the Russian agricultural bank, Rosselkhozbank, and the SWIFT international payment network. The European Union had severed ties with the bank in June 2022 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In May, an EU spokesperson stated that the reinstatement of Russian banks was not under consideration.

Also Read: Wagner mercenary group completing transfer of weapons to Russian armed forces

However, discussions are reportedly underway within the EU to potentially link a subsidiary of Rosselkhozbank to SWIFT, specifically for the purpose of facilitating grain and fertilizer transactions. Three sources familiar with the matter shared this information with Reuters on Wednesday. As of now, the European Commission has not provided an immediate response to requests for comment.

According to two sources familiar with the discussions, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has suggested to President Vladimir Putin that Russia extend the Black Sea grain deal for several months. This proposal would allow the European Union sufficient time to connect a subsidiary of Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT international payment system.

On Tuesday, Guterres sent a letter to Putin outlining this proposal, aiming to facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports and ensure the uninterrupted shipment of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea. A spokesperson from the United Nations confirmed these details on Wednesday.

"The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by the Russian Federation, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

No additional information was provided regarding the specifics of the proposal, but the spokesperson stated that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is actively engaging with all relevant parties and is open to further discussions with Russia regarding the proposal.

There has been no immediate response from the Kremlin regarding the matter, according to a spokesperson.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative was facilitated by the United Nations and Turkey in July 2022, aiming to address the global food crisis exacerbated by Russia's invasion and blockade of Ukrainian ports.

As part of the efforts to persuade Russia to accept the continuation of the Black Sea deal, a three-year memorandum of understanding was established. Under this agreement, United Nations officials committed to assisting Russia in exporting its food and fertilizer to international markets.

Although Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not directly affected by Western sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow claims that limitations on payments, logistics, and insurance have created obstacles to their shipments.

In order to address the challenges stemming from the lack of access to SWIFT, United Nations officials have managed to secure the involvement of JPMorgan Chase & Co, a US bank, to process certain payment transactions for Russian grain exports. The US government has provided reassurances in this regard.

Furthermore, the United Nations has collaborated with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to establish a platform that will aid in processing transactions related to Russian exports of grain and fertilizer to Africa. This initiative was disclosed by the top UN trade official in a statement to Reuters last month.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council recently decided to treat multi-utility vehicles (MUVs) with a minimum length of four metres, an engine size of at least 1,500cc, or a ground clearance exceeding 170 mm as sport-utility vehicles (SUVs). These vehicles used to attract 20% GST but will now attract 22% GST. MUVs that dont match the prescribed criteria will continue to attract 20% GST.

Another of the councils latest decisions is that popcorn sold at cinemas will attract different rates of GST depending on whether it is bought along with movie tickets or separately. This isnt an isolated case. GST is levied at 18% on kulfi but at 5% on sandesh, though both are varieties of Indian sweets. It defies logic that kulfi is seen as a luxury while sandesh isnt.

The true extent of muddle-headedness is perhaps best demonstrated by the councils decision this week to tax online gaming the same way as horse racing and other forms of gambling by levying 28% GST on the entire turnover of gaming firms. In doing so, the council has confused games of skill with those of chance, and in the process hamstrung an upcoming industry with significant potential to create jobs.

Its safe to say the GST Council is turning out to be one of the greatest frustrations in Indias quest to improve the ease of doing business and restart the private-investments cycle to help create jobs quickly for the millions of young Indians entering the labour force.

The point of moving to a GST regime was to have a simple, predictable tax. What has been the GSTs record? According to one estimate, as of 6 November 2022 the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) had published more than 900 notifications and over 1,100 circulars and orders since GST was rolled out in 2017. This means the GST law has been amended more than 900 times in five years.

Even accounting for the fact that not every notification or amendment materially affects every business, is it not a challenge to keep track of these many notifications and amendments, especially for small firms?

Although states replicate the union governments GST notifications word for word, meaning taxpayers dont have to track them separately, including them takes the total number of notifications and circulars issued in five years to more than 30,000. The GST rate notification (1/2017-CTR, dated 28-06-2017) has been amended more than 20 times since 2017.

Why has GST become the subject of endless tinkering? The answer lies in the incentives of the members of the GST Council, which is headed by the union finance minister and includes finance ministers of states as members.

Before GST was introduced, state finance ministers oversaw indirect taxes. They would stand to lose this meaty portion of their work allocation if GST were to become smooth and predictable. A simple and stable GST would mean less clout for these politicians as they wouldnt be required to make these many decisions. This would reduce or eliminate the need for corporate lobbies to seek changes and removal of anomalies. Tax bureaucrats and administrators would also lose their power over taxpayers. Bureaucracies and tax lawyers benefit when tax systems are complex. Their incentives are not aligned with those of investors.

Economists who understand this political economy of tax systems have, therefore, argued that the best GST for India would be a single-rate, no-exemptions tax, rejecting the political argument that some items, such as luxury products, must be taxed at higher rates.

The council, though, with help from the tax bureaucracy, is ever-ready to tinker with the GST system. For five years it has been saying that its rationalising the GST slab structure, but seems in no hurry to complete the task.

Ideally, shifting to GST should have reduced the role of lobbies and decision-makers. The GST Council hasnt reduced its interventions because nobody likes to give up economic control, but reforms aren't possible without this.
The failed mutiny by the private military Wagner Group in Russia has generated a debate on the rise of private armies in modern warfare. Tony Barber in Financial Times pointed to a mercenary tradition in Russia that dates back to at least the times of Leo Tolstoy. But the practice was widespread. Richard Eaton in India in the Persianate Age points to a such a tradition in India, into which all rulers dipped. Rajput warriors fought for the Mughals and soldiers from west Asia were engaged by both Hindu and Muslim Indian rulers. The British Raj also tapped this mercenary tradition to raise forces to subdue the subcontinent.

How does one define a mercenary? A fighter who is fighting for money instead of ideas? Or one who does not fight directly under a sovereign flag? All soldiers before the age of nationalism and standing armies could be said to have been mercenaries and soldiers of fortune who fed off the spoils of war. Modern armies do not feed off such spoils, but they are indeed paid and most recruits see it as a career choice. If fighting for money is the defining feature, they are mercenaries; however, if fighting directly under a sovereign flag is the criterion, they are not.

The 20th and 21st centuries spawned new mercenary trends, where hired hands were only informally linked to the state to enable plausible deniability. The 20th century saw the rise of fascistic paramilitaries that literally enforced the will of the state and an ideology in civil society. Examples include the Freikorps in the Weimar Republic, later Hitlers storm troopers in Germany, and private paramilitaries in erstwhile Yugoslavia. Take the Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan. It is not a state paramilitary force, but may nevertheless have informal links with it. It also gets paid and is sponsored in some way. But it is also fighting for a cause. This, like with others of its ilk, may put the state at risk.

This centurys mercenaries, such as Wagner in Russia, or the firm Blackwater contracted by the US in Afghanistan, are engaged by great powers in overseas campaigns. Such military contractors are politically expedient in skirting anti-war sentiment at home that recoils at seeing body bags arrive draped in national colours. They reduce the political costs of waging war overseas.

Domestically, the digital age and rise of social media has spawned a new breed of digital paramilitaries such as wolf warriors and troll armies that are leveraged both by the state and states in waiting to establish dominance over ideas, often through the dissemination of fake news. Digital warriors, although inspired by ideas at one level, are also paid and sponsored in some form.

It would be apparent to the reader that the concept of mercenary is as muddied as mercenaries themselves. In these circumstances, it might be useful to put together a typology of mercenaries applicable across time and space. The typology is intended only as what Weber called ideal types, such as feudalism, socialism, capitalism, etc. In real life, there would be overlaps between types, and variants across time and space, each approximating closer to or further from the ideal-type. Ideal types are useful only as markers for heuristic or analytical clarity. It is possible to identify five broad mercenary ideal-types, ranked by their distance from the state: One, sovereign armies and paramilitaries, both standing and reserve; two, fighting forces officially contracted and paid for by the state, such as Blackwater; three, fighting forces unofficially contracted by the state. They might be paid from secret funds or allowed to raise resources (effectively private taxes) to fund their activities. These would include groups like Wagner in Russia and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan. Both the first and second might conduct false flag operations. Also, there is an element of deniability and political advantage to be derived from both, like undercounting war costs; four, private militias with no state link (and possibly anti-state). Current developments in Manipur come to mind. These would include terrorist groups operating on their own (any sponsored by the state are included in the third category). Five, mercenaries operating domestically, both physically and digitally, alongside the police and paramilitaries of the state. The Freikorps of Germany were an early example. They laid the ground for other fascist parties to emerge in interwar Europe. These groups continued to operate even after fascists seized power, buttressing state authority in civil society, but also threatening it at times. Organizations with intellectual roots in interwar Europe also operate in India. While this ideal-type comprises mostly right-wing outfits, organized militant left-wing militias would also fall within its purview.

What might these new developments imply for geopolitics? Internationally, the deep state operating within the great powers have always sought to destabilize contrarian regimes overseas as an extension of diplomacy. But there was a pushback from civil society that increased the political risks of such interventions. These new developments allow the deep state to hit back. Domestically, these developments are likely to roll back the advance of democracy across the globe that had been marching forward ever since the Cold War came to an end.
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker in Bihar died allegedly in a clash during a teacher recruitment policy protest when police threw teargas shells and lathi-charged the protesters. The BJP has alleged that its Jehanabad district general secretary succumbed to injuries after a "brutal" lathi charge by the police, prompting the local administration to issue a quick rebuttal.

The Patna district administration rejected the allegations, saying Vijay Kumar Singh was found unconscious by the roadside". "No injury marks have been found on his body," the statement added. Nonetheless, rumours were aflutter that Singh, who had come here to join the "Vidhan Sabha march" against the Nitish Kumar government's teacher recruitment policy, had died. "Arrested by Bihar police in Patna, Jehanabad dist GS Vijay Kumar Singh died in brutal police lathi charge", senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi tweeted. Police also detained the BJP workers who were protesting against the Bihar government on issue of the posting of teachers in the state.

Meanwhile, as protest rages in Patna over the teacher recruitment policy, Tejashwi Yadav demanded to know where the 2 crore jobs are  a promise made by the ruling BJP. They [BJP] are asking for 10 lakh jobs. They should tell which state of the country has published advertisements for more than 3 lakh government jobs," Tejashwi Yadav said.

We will fulfill our promise of 10 lakh jobs in our tenure but they should tell us about the 2 crore jobs which they had promised," Bihar Deputy chief minister said.

Meanwhile, Bihar BJP chief Samrat Choudhary said the party was observing black day since one of their party workers was murdered". "BJP observing today as a black day. Today, democracy was murdered. Vijay Singh was our brother and an important leader. We will fight against Nitish Kumar," Samrat Choudhary said.

BJP chief JP Nadda attacked the Nitish Kumar government over the developments that played out today in Patna and said, "The lathi charge on BJP workers in Patna is the result of the failure and indignation of the state government. Mahagathbandhan government is attacking democracy to save the citadel of corruption."
The 8,600-tonne ship bobbing in the bay of Nagasaki, in Japans south, is aptly named. The Kizuna, which means bonds" in Japanese, is a cable-laying vessel. It is equipped with robots that can descend 3,000 metres under the sea to install and repair the subsea cables that allow millions of Asians to message friends, shop online, trade stocks and read this article. It is a task that has become more indispensable and more difficult in the 23 years since the ships captain, Sakurai Atsushi, laid his first cable, connecting Japans main island of Honshu with Okinawa .

The digital bonds that bind Asia are in many ways tighter than ever. The regions appetite for data is growing at an even faster pace than the rest of the worlds. Asia saw international bandwidth usage grow by 39% in 2022, compared to the global average of 36%, according to TeleGeography, a research firm. The combination of expanding user bases and growing economies makes Asia one of the hottest markets in the world" for new internet infrastructure, says Ohta Takahisa of the submarine network division of NEC, a Japanese IT firm. Yet the forces straining those bonds are also mounting. Geopolitical tension, protectionist laws and a mishmash of rules governing data threaten to impede its free flow.

While in the past constructing internet infrastructure tended to be a collaborative effort" between countries and between firms, in recent years its enabling environment has soured amid growing friction between China and America. Both are increasingly racing to build and control digital infrastructure that the other cannot accessas illustrated by a recent report by Reuters that America had secretly linked a privately-built cable between Australia and Oman to its naval base on Diego Garcia, a British outpost in the Indian Ocean. Natural hazards and fishing trawlers present less charged, but also growing, risks, especially to subsea cables.

At a small museum beside the Kizunas dock, Captain Sakurai and his colleagues point to the chunky gutta-percha telegraph cables that in the 19th century began carrying information across the region, a precursor to todays fibre-optic version. As the internet has evolved, subsea cables have become the conduits for some 99% of intercontinental internet traffic (satellites, an alternative, are costlier and slower). The cables run along ocean beds and make landfall at coastal landing stations"where the zeroes and ones are transferred to data centresthence onwards to users devices. Aside from a heavy state hand in Chinas cable industry, such infrastructure tends to be privately financed and owned. A small handful of companies dominate the production and installation of cables; big tech firms are their main users.

Concerns about the security of communications infrastructure are as old as submarine cables themselves. Cable sabotage was a big worry in the build up to the first world war, notes Camino Kavanagh of Kings College London. But such worries have flared in recent years. Customers are asking more about the security of cables and routes," says Uchiyama Kazuaki of NTT World Engineering Marine Corporation, the firm that owns the Kizuna.

Some fret about hackers and spies. Others mull the risk of malign activity related to potential conflict, in particular around Taiwan. The most congested cable route in Asia is also its most contested: the South China Sea is the main street" of submarine cables, especially between Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong, notes Murai Jun, a Japanese internet pioneer. Physical and environmental hazards are another disruptive force in Asia. Tonga found itself largely cut off from the internet in early 2022 after a volcanic eruption and tsunami severed its lone fibre optic cable. As fishing trawlers seeking to feed South-East Asias growing population have become more common, so have accidental cable ruptures. The internet is very, very vulnerable," says Tsuchiya Motohiro of Keio University near Tokyo.

As content providers move data centres and content closer to consumers, ever more data is flowing within the region. Intra-Asia data flows make up over 50% of the regions bandwidth, up from 47% in 2018, while the share going to America and Canada has dipped from 40% to 34% over the same period. Yet geopolitics is also reshaping how and where Asias digital infrastructure gets built. As Chinas territorial claims in the region have expanded, getting permits in some areas has become more contentious. China has also been competing with America and its allies, such as Japan and Australia, to offer cables and financing for connectivity to remote Pacific island nations. America has stepped up oversight of cable construction, nixing several planned new cables linking America with Hong Kong; a new Undersea Cable Control Act is working its way through Congress.

Alternate pathways and nodes are emerging. Hong Kong was traditionally one of three major data hubs in Asia, with Japan and Singapore. Now Western countries need a new hub," says Esaki Hiroshi of the University of Tokyo. The infrastructure frontline is shifting." The Philippines and Guam have emerged as attractive substitutes. Apricot, a new cable linking Singapore, Japan, Guam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Indonesia, avoids the South China Sea. The aim is to increase route diversity", says Sato Yoshio of NTT, which is helping to build the cable for Google and Meta. Yet it would be premature to speak of a digital decoupling. While American and Chinese carriers have largely stopped laying cables together and forming new direct links, the networks [between America and China] still connect", Mr Mauldin says. Its not quite as extreme as media coverage makes it out to be."

Ultimately the biggest challenge may lie not in constructing or protecting the infrastructure to move data across borders, but in creating rules to govern it. Theres a vacuum in terms of rules, norms and agreements that govern digital trade," laments Nigel Cory of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a research institute in Washington.

Several models are vying for influence. China promotes an approach rooted in sovereignty and security. Several data protection laws, including the Cybersecurity Law, the Data Security Law, and the Personal Information Protection Law form the core of a system based on control over and access to data through localisation requirements. The European Union has made privacy central to its approach, through its GDPR legislation. By contrast, America largely puts commerce first. But its turn away from trade agreements makes it harder to engage with and influence Asian governments.

Others in Asia are trying to come up with their own alternatives. Singapore has also emerged as a pioneer of new digital trade agreements, such as the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, which also includes Chile and New Zealand. Its pragmatic approach to aligning and modernising rules for sharing data across borders has made it a reference for best practice in the region, says Jeff Paine of the Asia Internet Coalition, a industry association. In 2019 Abe Shinzo, the late Japanese prime minister, proposed the concept of Data Free Flow with Trust. That rather nebulous idea is materialising as a set of global norms to counter digital protectionism. As Matthew Goodman of CSIS, a think-tank in Washington, puts it: Its about the un-China approach to data governance."

But those pushing a more liberal approach to data governance will struggle to make the case to Asian governments. To many, the Chinese model resonates, says Deborah Elms of Asian Trade Centre in Singapore: If data is the new oil then I want to own it, goes the thinkingit can be hard for folks to see the upside of letting data flow freely." Vietnam, which is hardly friendly towards China, has adopted some of its methods for controlling data. Authoritarian regimes are not the only ones to slide toward digital protectionism. India insists data must be stored locally: to give its law-enforcement agencies easy access, to protect against foreign snooping and as a way to boost investment in the tech sector. When it comes to digital policy, most governments pick and choose like theyre at a smorgasbord," says Mr Cory.

Digital spaghetti

The result is often a mess of conflicting rules. If we thought we had a spaghetti bowl in the past on traditional goods, some of these digital rules risk becoming much much worse," Ms Elms says. Whats more, regulating digital trade is more complicated than overseeing beef and steel. Technology often changes too fast for rule-makers to keep up, most governments lack policymakers with relevant technical expertise and most digital issues cut across different domains, extending beyond the traditional remit of trade negotiators.

Localisation measures and other bars to cross-border data flows will hike costs, harming small-and-medium-sized businesses most of all. Without regional co-ordination, such digital protectionism is taking root, says Shiro Armstrong of the Australian National University in Canberra: It means forgoing so much of the ability of data to be used for productive purposes."

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Tesla has engaged in talks with officials from the Indian government to explore the potential establishment of its auto parts and electronics chain in India, as well as to seek incentives and tax benefits , according to individuals familiar with the matter.

As reported by The Economic Times, these discussions indicate a revived interest from the US-based electric vehicle manufacturer in India, which comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Tesla CEO Elon Musk during his recent visit to the United States, as stated by the sources.

According to sources, Tesla has shown interest in establishing its own supply chain ecosystem in India, despite the government's request for the company to assess the current auto components supply chain within the country.

"We asked them about their specific needs and also urged them to consider sourcing their needs from the Indian ecosystem," said a senior government official, who did not wish to be identified. But these companies have a well-oiled system of their suppliers. These are initial talks so we are hopeful of making some headway."

During the meetings, executives from both Tesla in the US and Tesla India inquired about the incentives framework for the company and its partners in order to establish a manufacturing unit in India, along with the necessary supportive ecosystem, according to knowledgeable sources, ET reported.

The executives also sought further information regarding potential incentives and tax breaks that could be offered to Tesla.

ET further noted that in addition to engaging with the government, Tesla has been conducting meetings with industry executives as well. During a recent gathering organized by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in the capital, Tesla expressed its intention to bring its own suppliers to India.

While the industry body advocated for Indian component manufacturers, highlighting the presence of experienced and established players in the country, Tesla maintained its preference for an "all in-house" approach. The company emphasized its reliance on a specific set of quality standards that can only be replicated through its existing partners.

Experts noted that like many other multinational companies, Tesla too could be exploring a China plus one strategy, which includes diversifying to India.

"For Tesla to serve their longer-term growth goals, they need to serve all markets. The challenges in China have reinvigorated the interest of Tesla in solving all problems to be in the Indian market. Tesla needs India," Craig Irwin, managing director, Roth Capital Partners, told ET.

Also Read: Musk vows to bring Tesla to India as soon as possible

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, expressed the company's intention to establish a presence in India "as soon as humanly possible" in June. This statement came after a meeting between Musk and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a state visit to the United States.

The government extended an invitation to Musk to explore investment opportunities in the electric mobility and commercial space sectors. Musk, in response, mentioned that he was assessing the optimal timing for making such a move.

The dialogue was viewed as a positive and an indication that the standoff between the government and Tesla might be a thing of the past. Earlier, the union government had conclusively turned down the company's demand for import duty cuts. The Texas-based manufacturer subsequently shelved its India debut plans in mid-2022. With the Modi-Musk meeting and the flurry of activity by the leadership in India, experts said they were hopeful of Tesla's larger plans for India.

According to Irwin, Tesla is encountering difficulties in China due to the pressures it is exerting on local companies such as BYD. However, he cautioned that in India, the major challenge lies in infrastructure. This includes not only the infrastructure required for manufacturing and supporting a manufacturing facility but also the infrastructure needed for widespread adoption of electric vehicles.

Technology in India is world-class. The intellectual economy and technological footprint are there. What India doesnt have is a critical mass serving industry. Inviting Tesla into India will rapidly build that critical mass," said Irwin.

Tesla, which is characterised by many as a technology company rather than an automobile manufacturer, is also gauging the readiness of the electronics ecosystem infrastructure, said people aware of the matter.

While many automakers are embracing software-defined vehicles, Tesla was born with this technology, resulting in less hardware and software complexity. This means that they will require fewer components than a typical EV in India," said Ashwin Amberkar, automotive analyst at Canalys.

Elon Musk mentioned that Tesla utilizes a balanced combination of in-house technologies and externally sourced technologies, which it intends to leverage when entering new markets.

Also Read: A Glass House for Elon Musk Sparks Internal Tesla Probe

However, the company also plans to rely on new domestic suppliers for relatively less complex auto parts, indicating its willingness to engage with local manufacturers in order to establish a robust supply chain in those markets, ET noted.

"Tesla cannot manufacture a car by importing the components entirely. They have to depend on suppliers who can supply them locally over importing all components from another country. But there are certain core technologies that Tesla brings in for which they have very well-established partners whom they will use," said Amberkar.
UPDATE: Man who shot 2 firefighters in Alabama motivated by personal conflict with one of them, police say

Two firefighters in Alabama are in serious condition after they were shot while on duty at a Birmingham fire station
The Georgia State Election Board is asking a judge to order a conservative voting organization to produce information to help investigate its claims of ballot trafficking in the state
Dockworkers and the Republican governor in South Carolina are digging in their heels over a labor dispute that has left the newest container terminal at the East Coasts deepest harbor largely inactive
Tens of thousands of Georgia residents removed from Medicaid in June, state officials say

Georgia has removed another 95,000 adults and kids from state insurance rolls as it continues to review who is eligible for coverage now that the federal government has ended a pandemic public health emergency
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A Longford native has been elected as the new Mayor of Waterford City and County.

Independent representative, Cllr Joe Conway, who is originally from Ardagh, was elected to the prestigious role after he was proposed by Cllr Joe Kelly and seconded by Cllr Lola OSullivan at the AGM of the Plenary Council held in Waterford City Hall on Thursday, June 29.

Cllr Conway becomes the first Mayor of Waterford City and County from Tramore.

He has a long and distinguished career in local politics, having been elected to Tramore Town Council in 2004 to Waterford County Council in 2009 and to the amalgamated City and County Council in 2014 and again in 2019, representing the Tramore/Waterford City west EA.

Cllr Conway also served as Mayor of Tramore for two terms in 2007/8 and 2012/3.

From 2005 to 2009, Cllr Conway represented the Irish local government as a delegate to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

Cllr Conway is a graduate of UCDs School of Politics and has a deep affection for Irish history and An Ghaeilge. He currently serves on the Board of Udaras na Gaeltachta.

Born on May 27, 1953, in a farming area between the parishes of Legan and Ardagh, Cllr Conway is the youngest of six surviving children of Mary (Molly) and William Conway.

After his first and second level schooling in Ardagh National School and St Mels College, Longford, he trained as a primary school teacher in St Patricks College of Education, Dublin (1971-73).

He subsequently took a B.A. degree in Politics and History at University College Dublin (UCD) in 1980 and a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Sheffield in 1990.

Married to Sandra Dunphy, they have three children, Donncha, Ailbhe and Niamh.

Following his election, Waterfords newest Mayor said, I feel enormously privileged and honoured to be elected Mayor, following in a tradition that goes back well over 700 years in this astounding and historical city.

He thanked proposer and seconder Councillors Kelly and O Sullivan, his predecessor Cllr John OLeary, his Council colleagues, Waterford City and County Council Chief Executive, senior management team and fondly recalled those who may be watching us from a happier place afar, Davy Daniels, James Tobin, Billy Kyne, John Carey, Dan Cowman and Ben Gavin.

Mayor Conway paid special tribute to his wife of thirty-nine years, Sandra, an Abbeyside lady who brought me to Waterford and who with me gave to the world and Waterford our three gorgeous kids, Donncha, Ailbhe and Niamh.

He continued with a charming adage from President Abraham Lincoln which goes something like this The hen is the wisest of all the animal creation, because she never cackles until the egg is laid.

Mayor Conway concluded, Hopefully at the end of my term as Mayor  if God gives me good health  I will be able to look back on a fruitful year of endorsing the commercial, professional and community life of Waterford, promoting our image and products, forging strong relations with our neighbouring LAs (Local Authorities) and our twin cities, cooperating with Government in consolidating the Gaeltacht service town status of Dungarvan, and enhancing our environment by developing our Local Authority Climate Action Plan.
The unbridled success of Granard Agricultural Show would not have reached the lofty heights it did but for the unselfish dedication of a select, but tireless band of local volunteers.

That was the overriding view put forward by Irish Shows Association (ISA) President Raymond Brady as he addressed onlookers at the shows launch night last Thursday.

The Arva man said there were many facets to a successful show, none more so than a huge and devoted voluntary .

I actually didnt know it was the 72nd show but to run anything for 72 years it takes an unbelievable amount of hard work, he said.

Its from people who are no longer with us, people who have continued it on and people who are there now and in the future to make it the best show in the midlands region.

The people who are the volunteers are the real heroes because while a lot of the heavy lifting is done by the committee but when you have to build a show field, run a show, take it down, deal with the public and exhibitors, its been done for 72 events and the people who are no longer with us, they were the visionaries.



Its the same as life, if you leave it a little bit better than the way you got it then you have done a good job. That is a massive thing here as I have seen the show grow over the last few years and long may that continue.

There were laudable sentiments too, reserved more specifically through funding set aside from Minister Heather Humpreys Rural Affairs Department allied to a loyal entourage of local sponsors.

All sponsorship, no matter what level it is at, whether it is corporate or just a small donation, it is all valuable and its appreciated up and down the country, he said.

I have been to a lot of events since I became president last November and the sponsors, sometimes we forget what it involves.

They actually have to take money out of their till or pocket or under the mattress, but they actually do it to support their communities. I always encourage people to help and respect those sponsors by returning the favour to them.

In a rallying cry to the wider public to come along and sample the delights of this weekends two day show, Raymond said Granard Shows appeal went far beyond what many of events of its ilk stood for.

This is not just about agriculture, its about the whole community, he said.
Crime

By Long Island Published: July 13 2023

Long Island father and son duo indicted for defrauding victims of over $10 million in a cryptocurrency scheme involving false promises of high returns and non-existent services.

Long Island residents Eugene Austin, 60, hailing from Port Jefferson, and his son Brandon Austin, 27, residing in Coram, have been accused of engaging in fraudulent activities related to cryptocurrency. The indictment against them was unsealed in Manhattan federal court on July 12.

According to prosecutors, the duo allegedly offered their services as brokers for large-scale cryptocurrency transactions at rates below the market value. They also claimed to provide short-term investments in cryptocurrency, promising substantial returns to their clients. However, prosecutors argue that these services were never intended to be fulfilled by the Austins.

Additionally, the pair purportedly offered marketing and advertising services to small businesses, but allegedly had no intention of delivering on their promises of cryptocurrency, returns, or any other services as advertised.

Investigators further revealed that Eugene Austin deceived friends and acquaintances into lending him personal funds, falsely assuring them that he would repay the loans with interest.

Prosecutors have pointed out multiple victims who were allegedly defrauded by Eugene and Brandon Austin, including a partner at a California investment firm who mistakenly wired $5 million, believing it was for the purchase of cryptocurrency.

Overall, the father and son are accused of causing losses exceeding $10 million to a total of 20 victims, with the misappropriated funds allegedly being spent on luxury expenses such as airline tickets, lavish hotels, fine dining, and shopping sprees.

Eugene Austin was apprehended on July 5 and now faces several charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property. If convicted on all charges, he could face a maximum prison sentence of 35 years.
Crime

By Long Island Published: July 13 2023

A group of males broke into 150 Idle Hour Blvd. sometime between May 25 and May 29 and painted graffiti on the wall.

Suffolk County Police arrested six people in connection with a burglary, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass incidents in May at a vacant Oakdale building.

A group of males broke into 150 Idle Hour Blvd. sometime between May 25 and May 29 and painted graffiti on the wall. A group of males also trespassed in the building on May 27 and May 29.

Following an investigation by Hate Crimes Unit detectives, six males were arrested and charged with:

 An 18-year-old was charged with Burglary and Criminal Mischief.

 A 17-year-old was charged with Burglary and Criminal Mischief as well as Criminal Trespass for the incident on May 29.

 Three 17-year-olds were charged with Criminal Trespass for the May 27 incident.

 A 17-year-old was charged with two counts of Criminal Trespass for the incidents on May 27 and May 29.
Three Arrested in Nassau County Sting Operation, Cracking Down on Alcohol and Tobacco Sales to Minors

Crime

By Long Island Published: July 13 2023

Nassau County sting operation leads to the arrest of three individuals for illegally selling alcohol and tobacco to minors

The Fifth Precinct reports the arrest of three (3) men during the Project 21 initiative, which targets the sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products to minors. The initiative was conducted on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 in Nassau

County.

According to officers, the Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Unit, with the assistance of underage agents, arrested the following individuals as a result of this operation:

 Alejandro Bonilla-Prado, 65 of 142-19 Lakewood Avenue, Jamaica, New York, sold alcohol to a minor at SMB Grocery, 1391 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. He is charged with Prohibited Sale of an Alcoholic Beverage to a Minor,

Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 1st Degree, and Unlawful Sale without Appropriate License.

 Jashanpreet Singh, 18, of 107 Landau Avenue, Elmont, sold alcohol and tobacco products to a minor at Valero Gas Station, 578 Franklin Avenue, North Valley Stream. He is charged with Prohibited Sale of an Alcoholic Beverage, Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 1st Degree, Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 2nd Degree, Unlawful Sale of Tobacco Products, Unlawful Sale of Tobacco Products to a Minor and Improper Posting of License.

 Mohmmed Elmadah, 25, of 3406 45 th Street, Apt. 4c, Long Island City, New York, sold tobacco products to a minor at Gas Pac Snack Box, 127 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont. He is charged with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 2nd Degree, Unlawful Sale of Tobacco Products, Unlawful Sale of Tobacco Products to a Minor, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 5th Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7 th Degree.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: July 13 2023

Joseph Scalafani was Arrested in Florida Over Two Weeks After He Allegedly Fled the Scene of the Murder with the Help of His Brother and Friend.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Joseph Scalafani, 34, of Mastic Beach, was indicted for shooting and killing 32-year-old Alex Smith of Mastic Beach, in the parking lot of a bar in Mastic Beach. Joseph Scalafanis brother Daniel Scalafani, 30, and Joseph Scalafanis friend, Jeffrey Mercury, 61, were also indicted for assisting Joseph Scalafani to flee New York State after the murder.

This defendant allegedly shot Alex Smith multiple times at close range, killing him. Then, the defendants brother and friend allegedly helped him flee the state in an attempt to avoid being caught, said District Attorney Tierney. This defendant ran but could not hide. His eventual apprehension was only a matter of time. Thanks to the hard work of my office, the Suffolk County Police Departments Homicide Squad, and the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office in Florida, this defendant has been caught and will now answer for his alleged crimes.

According to the investigation, on May 13, 2023, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Joseph Sclafani, in violation of a Family Court Order of Protection, approached his ex-girlfriend and demanded that she set up a meeting between him and Alex Smith.

Joseph Sclafani then pulled out a black handgun from his pants pocket and threatened his ex-girlfriend by saying if she ran that he would hit her in the back.

A week later, on May 20, 2023, at approximately 2:00 a.m., the victim, Alex Smith, was inside Linsa Torrs Place, a bar in Mastic Beach, with Joseph Scalafanis ex-girlfriend. As the victim and the defendants ex-girlfriend exited the bar, Joseph Scalafani allegedly ambushed them, and fired numerous shots at Smith, striking him multiple times in the back and torso. While Smith was collapsed on the ground, Joseph Scalafani allegedly shot him twice in the head at close range. Scalafani then got in his vehicle and fled the scene, only to crash a short distance away and then flee on foot. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the murder, Joseph Scalafani allegedly fled New York with the aid of his brother, Daniel Scalafani, and friend, Jeffrey Mercury. Daniel Scalafani and Mercury each allegedly provided money to Joseph Scalafani to assist him in fleeing New York State and lied to law enforcement when asked about his whereabouts. Additionally, Mercury allegedly drove Joseph Scalafani down to Virginia and dropped him off to assist in his flight from apprehension.

On June 4, 2023, members of the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office arrested Joseph Scalafani in Florida. He was then extradited back to Suffolk County on July 6, 2023, for arraignment on the pending charges.

On July 11, 2023, Joseph Scalafani was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Judge John B. Collins for the charges of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A felony, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C felonies, four counts of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, Class E felonies, and one count of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor. Judge Collins remanded Joseph Scalafani. He is due back in court of August 23, 2023, and is being represented by Bryan Cameron, Esq.

On June 23, 2023, Daniel Scalafani was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Steven A. Pilewski for the charge of Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class D felony. Judge Pilewski ordered Scalafani on supervised released with GPS monitoring during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court on July 21, 2023, and is being represented by John Halverson, Esq.

On June 14, 2023, Jeffrey Mercury was arraigned on the indictment before the Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Karen M. Wilutis, for the charge of Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree, a Class D felony. Judge Wilutis required Mercury have GPS monitoring during the pendency of the case. He is due back in court on July 19, 2023, before Judge Collins, and is being represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Guidarelli of the Domestic Violence Bureau, with the investigative assistance from the Suffolk County Police Department Homicide Squad.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: July 13 2023

The remains were discovered in the wooded area around exit 40 in the town of Islip, Suffolk County.

On Thursday July 13, 2023, around 7:15 a.m., New York State Police responded to a call of skeletal remains found off the Southern State Parkway eastbound in the wooded area around exit 40 in the town of Islip, Suffolk County.

The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Forensic Identification Unit (FIU) are on scene.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: July 13 2023

Jayden Woods pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in May for the death of 17-year-old Omarion Jackson.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Crips gang member was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years in prison for shooting and killing a 17-year-old man in Hempstead in December 2020.

Jayden Woods, 23, of Hempstead, pleaded guilty before Judge Meryl Berkowitz on May 12, 2023, to Manslaughter in the First Degree (a B violent felony) and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C violent felony). The defendant was sentenced yesterday to 25 years in prison.

Seventeen-year-old Omarion Jackson was a beloved older brother to three siblings and had a close relationship with his family, but his life was tragically cut short when he fell victim to a longstanding dispute between Woods and another individual Omarion was with that Monday night, said DA Donnelly. Though Omarion was unarmed, the group he was with fired at Woods home, and setting out for retaliation, Woods found Omarion and shot him. We continue to send our deepest condolences to Omarions family.

DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, on December 21, 2020, at approximately 9:33 p.m., five men walked up to the defendants residence on Stewart Avenue, including 17-year-old victim Omarion Jackson. Jackson was the only man who approached unarmed.

Four of the men armed with handguns began shooting at the defendants home and then fled.

The defendant exited his home uninjured, got into a Jeep Cherokee with his headlights turned off, and drove in the direction that the men fled.

Just moments later, the defendant pulled his vehicle onto Dartmouth Street and saw Jackson standing alone. Woods then fired a handgun four times out of the drivers side window of his vehicle, striking Jackson twice and killing him. The defendant then fled the area to a nearby hotel.

Wood was arrested by members of the Nassau County Police Departments Homicide Squad in Mineola on March 18, 2021.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: July 13 2023

Lizhuo Luo, 39, and Yandan He, 36, were arrested on Grand Larceny and other charges, cops say.

Sixth Squad Detectives report the arrest of two individuals for an Elder Scam incident that occurred on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 1:00 pm.

According to detectives, a 70-year-old female victim received a message on her computer, informing her that the computer had been compromised. The victim then called a phone number that was displayed on the computer screen and was informed that she he would receive a call from the bank fraud department.

She received a phone call shortly thereafter from an unknown male subject, whom directed the victim to withdraw $20,000.00 USC and place the money in a blank envelope for a bank employee that would respond to her residence. The victim complied and gave the envelope containing the cash to an unknown female subject claiming to be from the banks fraud department.

On July 12, 2023 at 10:00 am, the victim was contacted again by the male subject who informed her that additional funds would be needed to unlock her bank accounts. The victim then responded to her bank, where she was informed there were no holds on her account and that she had been the victim of a scam. The victim contacted the police.

Subsequent to the investigation, detectives were able to place the two defendants, Lizhuo Luo, 39, of 75 Main Street, Apt. 2, Queensbury, New York and Yandan He, 36, of 50 7th Street, Apt. 946, Brooklyn, New York under arrest at 11:28 am on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Defendant Lizhuo Luo is charged with Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree and Resisting Arrest. He was released on a Desk Appearance Ticket returnable on Friday, July 28, 2023 to First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.
At the NATO summit in Vilnius, French President Emmanuel Macron announced he had decided to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles. These missiles will aid Kyivs efforts to degrade Russian logistics and command and control, undermining Russias ability to resist advancing Ukrainian forces.

Macron was referring to the SCALP-EG. This is the French version of the Storm Shadow, a low-observable air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) that the United Kingdom provided to Ukraine earlier this year.

Like the Storm Shadow, the SCALP-EG has a 250 km range and carries a powerful tandem BROACH warhead that can defeat hardened targets. It uses an inertial navigation system, GPS, and terrain-mapping for guidance, employing an infrared seeker and automatic target recognition at the terminal phase. After launch, the missile drops to low altitudes to evade detection.

A French military source said some of the missiles had already arrived in Ukraine and are being integrated with Ukrainian warplanes  presumably Su-24 bombers. Macron implied that Kyiv had committed not to strike targets in internationally recognized Russian territory.

The Ukrainian counteroffensive, which began on June 4, has made only modest progress against a staunch Russian defense. The operation is currently in an attritional phase. Both sides are trying to wear down the enemys forces and compel him to commit reserves. At the same time, they are waging a counterbattery duel and targeting each others logistics and command and control.

Since receiving the Storm Shadow, Kyivs forces have already struck or sabotaged a number of Russian command posts, bridges, and supply depots. Most recently, Ukraine reportedly killed Lieutenant General Oleg Tsakov (and possibly other senior Russian officers) in a Storm Shadow strike in the occupied coastal city of Berdyansk on Tuesday. Tsakov was reportedly serving as deputy commander of Russias Southern Military District.

Kyiv will likely need to conduct continual ALCM strikes to cripple Russian logistics in southern Ukraine. For example, a June 22 Storm Shadow strike temporarily disabled the Chonhar road bridge, one of the chokepoints linking Crimea to Kherson Oblast. But by the next day, Russia had established an adjacent pontoon bridge, which Ukraine apparently has yet to strike. Russia subsequently repaired the Chonhar bridge itself, although a Ukrainian military spokesperson cast doubt on its structural integrity.

The French missiles will provide Ukraine with additional capacity for its deep-strike campaign. While it is unclear how many Storm Shadows London provided, the number is likely relatively small given the missiles high price tag (around $1 million per munition). A French diplomat cited by Reuters said Paris will give Ukraine 50 missiles. That additional capacity will become especially important if Russia manages to improve its defenses against the missile after studying Storm Shadows shot down in Ukraine.

The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) would be even more useful for Ukraine. Modern variants of the ATACMS have a 300 km range. This would allow Kyiv to strike the Kerch Bridge, which Russia uses to supply its forces in southern Ukraine. So far, the Biden administration has refused Ukrainian requests for this system. But the White House appears to be warming to the idea.

In the coming weeks, expect to see more cotton  Ukrainian slang for explosions deep in the Russian rear. Time will tell whether Ukraine can leverage these strikes into gains on the battlefield.

John Hardie is the deputy director of FDDs Russia Program and a contributor to FDD's Long War Journal.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
(Alliance News) - Conroy Gold & Natural Resources PLC on Thursday said it has received assay results for six drill holes at its Creenkill gold target in Ireland.

The Dublin-headquartered gold exploration company focused on Ireland and Finland said intercepts from the six holes included 0.5 metres at 11.5 grammes of gold per tonne, 1.2 metres at 3.8 grammes of gold per tonne, and 0.4 metres at 3.1 grammes of gold per tonne.

The firm said the drilling, which is being undertaken with its joint venture partner Demir Export AS, aims to confirm the immediate down dip continuity of the gold mineralisation structure identified by the firm in June at its Mines Royal option area in County Armagh, Ireland.

The mineralised structure has been drilled over a 100 metre strike length at a depth of 10 metres, Conroy said, but notes that drilling continues at the target.

Conroy said the drilling programme is part of a larger assessment that includes soil and deep overburden sampling and geophysics on both gold trends in the Longford Down gold district.

The company's joint venture with Demir aims to develop a gold mine along one of the gold trends, possibly at Clontibret, with a longer-term target of creating a series of mines across the district.

Chair Richard Conroy said: "This new discovery continues to emphasise the prospectivity of the region. The initial drilling supports what was discovered during the trenching programme and the continuity of the structure provides encouragement that similar bonanza gold grades, discovered during prospecting, can be encountered by future trenching and drilling."

Conroy Gold shares fell 1.9% to 12.75 pence each on Thursday morning in London.

By Harvey Dorset, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Barclays PLC is preparing the sale of its consumer-finance business in Germany and has held preliminary talks with potential buyers, according to a Bloomberg report on Thursday.

The London-based bank is reportedly seeking around EUR500 million for the unit formerly known as Barclaycard Germany, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg, with these discussions yet to be made public formally.

Discussions are ongoing and Barclays may opt not to proceed with any deal, Bloomberg reported. A Barclays representative declined to comment to Bloomberg.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-13/barclays-said-to-ready-sale-of-german-consumer-finance-business?leadSource=uverify%20wall

The Hamburg-based asset, which Barclays is reportedly looking to sell, employs 700 staff members. It has around two million clients with loan book or assets of around GBP4.3 billion at the end of last year, according to finances.

Any purchase price would depend on the profitability of the business, which has not been disclosed, according to Bloomberg sources, although they noted the Hamburg-based asset to be profitable.

Bloomberg reported that the potential disposal adds fuel to the fire that Barclays Chief Executive Officer CS Venkatakrishnan is stepping up efforts to review the bank's footprint across business lines and geographies.

This could lead to further exits, Bloomberg said, noting Barclays recently initiating the sale of an Italian loans portfolio, alongside separately working with Boston Consulting Group Inc to evaluate its strategy.

Shares in Barclays were marginally down to 154.76 pence each in London on Thursday afternoon.

By Greg Rosenvinge, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - The UK aviation minister is "meeting with the CEO of easyJet [PLC] later today" the Transport Secretary has said, amid the company's announcement over summer flight cancellations.

Conservative chair of the Transport Committee Iain Stewart called on Mark Harper to give assurances the transport system "is going to be resilient" over "concerns that industrial action in Europe will lead to flight cancellations and delays".

Harper told MPs during Commons Transport questions that "no other airline has indicated to the department that they will be cancelling flights ahead of the summer".

Stewart asked: "As we approach the end of the school year, many families will be looking forward to setting off on their summer holidays, but there are also concerns that industrial action in Europe will lead to flight cancellations and delays and people will also be mindful of the disruption at ports and airports in recent times.

"What assurance can he give me and those families that the system is going to be resilient to ensure they can get away?"

Harper replied: "I'm sure (his) question was prompted by one airline making some modest changes to its flight schedule during the summer.

"No other airline has indicated to the department that they will be cancelling flights ahead of the summer. We'll continue to engage with airlines on that matter.

"The aviation minister is meeting with the CEO of easyJet later today to discuss their announcement and my team is meeting with the CEO of [National Air Traffic Services] to get an update on their operational readiness.

"We've already worked with the aviation industry to make sure that this year they are prepared for the busy summer period, so that we avoid the problems we had last year and we've received appropriate assurances, but I hope we can reassure those who he referred to in his question."

More than 100,000 holidaymakers have been hit by easyJet summer flight cancellations.

The airline has axed about 1,700 flights scheduled between July and September due to air traffic control restrictions, the PA news agency understands.

Most of the flights are at Gatwick airport, west Sussex.

source: PA

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
The extension, kicking in in 2026, was put in place to reduce school drop-outs and youth unemployment

The number leaving school without a qualification is more than 8% in 2021-22  Photo credit: Gregor Fischer/dpa

School will be compulsory for pupils in Luxembourg until the age of 18 from 2026, raising the age at which they can legally drop out by two years, after lawmakers signed off on the new rules in a vote on Thursday.

Under the new rules, those above the age of 16, who wish to enter the workforce before reaching the legal adult age of 18, must apply for an exemption for the duration of their work contract.

And those who choose to not comply could be taken to youth court, although there will not be any criminal penalties, the education ministry said in a press release.

The age extension will only come into effect in the school year starting 2026. The next three years will allow the education sector to expand the range of additional and alternative services available "to meet the individual needs of young people who have dropped out of school, such as socio-professional integration centres," said the ministry.

The new age of compulsory education is a victory for Education Minister Claude Meisch as he has been scrambling to find a solution to Luxembourg's high drop-out rate.

"The bill is an important part of the strategy to combat early school leaving and youth unemployment, a priority for Claude Meisch," the press release said.

The number of school dropouts steadily decreased each year between 2016 and 2020 but then rose again in the 2020-2021 school year, data from the Education Ministry showed. More than 1,700 pupils left school before gaining qualifications in 2020-2021, up from just over 1,400 the previous year.

The number leaving school without a qualification fell slightly in the last year reported, from 8.38% in the school year 2020-21 to 8.19% in 2021-22.

The State Council and student associations have criticised the ministry's plan to reduce school dropouts by extending the age of compulsory education from 16 to 18, arguing that it is counterproductive and not the solution to the problem.

The requirement that pupils learn to read and write in German first and learn other subjects in that language puts pupils proficient in other languages such as French at a major disadvantage, according to a report by the European Commission , which makes several recommendations for Luxembourgs public education system.
Bob Williams thinks that working on Siri must be a kind of scarlet letter:

I agree wholeheartedly. Its mystifying that Apple continues to sully its reputation for excellent products by muddling along with a product that is vastly inferior to, say Alexa.

I often ask myself why any Apple employee would accept a role working on Siri. Can you imagine the conversation with friends? I mean really, wouldnt anybody be ashamed to say they worked on Siri?

Bob Williams
Red Horse Beer from the Philippines made it to Kantar BrandZs top 30 most valuable Southeast Asian brands 2023.

The Top 30 from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore have a combined brand value of $119.6 billion. Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand dominated the list of top brands in terms of brand value.

Kantar BrandZ says these brands look outwards.

Vietnam and the Philippines are each represented by a single brand. Vietcombank ranked No. 21 with brand value of $1.8 billion, while Red Horse Beer was No. 28, with brand value of $1.3 billion.

In addition to its home market, Red Horse Beer is sold in 71 markets outside the Philippines. The brands communications associate it with daring, bold masculinity wrapped up in the local term astig [cool], Kantar BrandZ says.

It named Indonesias Bank Central Asia (BCA) as the most valuable brand in Southeast Asia, worth $23.5 billion.

The top brands in the region also include DBS of Singapore, BRI of Indonesia, UOB of Singapore, AIS of Thailand, Mandiri of Indonesia, Telkomsel of Indonesia, Shopee of Singapore, Marina Bay Sands of Singapore and True of Thailand and Singapore Airlines of Singapore.

Kantar BrandZ describes its list as the most definitive and robust ranking of the regions brands available. The 2023 ranking was based on opinions of over 98,048 respondents, about 1,744 unique brands across 78 categories and six markets, it says.

The regional brands are owned by listed companies that publish their financial statements.

Kantar BrandZ says financial services and telecom providers contribute two-thirds of all the brands in the ranking, and 79 percent of its value.

BCA is just one of 11 banks in the Top 30, and one of five in the Top 10.

Indonesia has eight brands in the Top 30 and contributes the greatest share of brand value at 43 percent. Singapore is home to 10 brands, the highest number among the six markets, which contribute 35 percent of the total value. Its most valuable brand is DBS, ranked No.2 with a brand value of $11.8 billion.

Malaysia has seven brands in the Top 30, with telecom provider Maxis at No. 13 with brand value of $2.6 billion.

Thailand has three brands in the Top 30, with AIS as tts leading brand, at No.5 in the region with $6.8 billion.

In contrast to the strongest brands in most other markets surveyed by Kantar BrandZ, the leading Southeast Asian brands generate almost all their business at home, with only 20 percent generated in international markets. This highlights an opportunity for them to expand into new territories to build value, it says.

It says Southeast Asian brands have the highest demand power, compared with other markets with a Kantar BrandZ ranking. Demand power is a Kantar BrandZ measure of a brands ability to drive consumers predisposition to buy.

Kantar BrandZ says brands in Southeast Asia excel at justifying the prices they charge, by demonstrating why they are worth it.

Despite budget constraints, consumers are willing to pay more for brands that meet their needs and stand out from the competition, it says.

Our regions leading brands have good reason to celebrate. They contribute significant value to the companies behind them, by connecting with consumers and adapting to their changing needs. In such a fast-changing, diverse, and rapidly growing region, brands need to be agile  and the Top 30 are masters of remaining relevant. There is huge potential for significant further growth if they can extend their local strengths into other Asian and even global markets, says Katie McClintock, managing director for Southeast Asia at Kantar.

Adji Saputro, head of brand guidance solutions for APAC at Kantar, says brands matter  especially in turbulent times.

Southeast Asias most valuable brands are thriving by positioning themselves as meaningfully different brands to consumers, and this will be the key to growth as budgets become tighter. Rethinking how to gain consumer trust amidst the evolution of consumer values, while also delivering true uniqueness in their brand offer is the delicate balance that brands must strive to achieve. Brands must also keep on communicating; resisting the urge to cut spend, and telling culturally relevant stories that demonstrate their role in being a part consumers lives.

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The Philippines is among the top countries in the Asia Pacific where cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections have rebounded in the last year, according to global AIDS-prevention watchdog UNAIDS.

While cases of HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been declining in several countries, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines have been reported to have a rebound of cases, with key populations in the youth between ages 15 and 24 being the most vulnerable.

To end the AIDS epidemic, we must significantly slow the stream of new infections. If we do not take decisive action, we are at risk of seeing a reversal of prevention gains, said UNAIDS Asia Pacific Regional Director Eamonn Murphy in a press release.

The slow progress in the prevention of the disease is attributed to the lack of full-scale HIV-prevention services as needed by key populations, including the young, and barriers presented by laws, stigma, and discrimination, according to the report by UNAIDS.

Key priorities for the AIDS response in Asia and the Pacific include modernizing and scaling up HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care services; leveraging innovative solutions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and virtual interventions; removing barriers to access services; prioritizing key populations; pursuing equitable and sustainable HIV financing; implementing legal and policy reforms to create a more enabling environment, reducing stigma and discrimination and empowering community leadership, Murphy added.

Harry Prabowo, Programme Manager of the Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV also urged governments to support the key populations within their countries into recovering from AIDS.

The cases of HIV are projected to reach about 364,000 by 2030, according to the Department of Health (DOH). About 39 million people around the world live with HIV as recorded by UNAIDS in the previous year.

A total of 112,028 cases were recorded from 1984 to February 2023 by the Department of Health.

Noel Palaypayon, unit head and supervising health program officer of the National HIV and STI Surveillance and Strategic Information Unit of the DOHs Epidemiology Bureau, said in an interview with Manila Bulletin that the average of newly diagnosed cases per day has spiked from nine in 2012 to 47 in 2023.

The organization also reported that around 140,000 adults and children are living with HIV in the Philippines, 9,000 of which are women aged fifteen and above, while men of the same demographic stand at 130,000. Around 1,100 adults died of HIV in 2021.

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SydneyAustralias defense minister on Thursday cast doubt over a proposal to bolster Ukraines military with retired fighter jets, saying Kyivs request for extra air power posed a complicated question.

Australia ramped up its support for Ukraine on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Lithuania overnight, pledging to send an additional fleet of 30 armoured Bushmaster infantry vehicles at a cost of US$67 million.

But Kyiv has also asked Australia about the condition of dozens of retired F-18 fighter jets, which could provide a major boost against the might of the Russian air force.

Defense Minister Richard Marles said conversations about providing aircraft were ongoing, but were much more difficult than other forms of military support.

Aircraft become a much more complicated question, he told national broadcaster ABC.

The situation around aircraft is pretty complicated, but we will keep having the conversation with Ukraine around that.

What we give, and what we do, needs to be practical and needs to make a difference.

Ukraines ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, said in June that Kyiv was interested in the aircraft.

There has been a request for information, Myroshnychenko said.

Ukraine is looking at fighter jet capabilities, including this one.

The Royal Australian Air Forces fleet of 71 F-18s was retired between 2019 and 2021, making way for state-of-the-art F-35s.

Military analysts have estimated that some 40 jets are currently sitting in storage, although it is not clear how many of these are ready to fly.

Ukraine currently has an estimated 82 fighter and attack jets, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies Military Balance publication

Any deal to send the aircraft to Ukraine will require a substantial amount of diplomatic and logistical wrangling and is unlikely to be struck quickly.

Earlier this week, Australia announced it would temporarily deploy an E-7A Wedgetail surveillance plane to Germany for six months, which will monitor supply lines running into Ukraine. AFP

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SeoulNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the successful test of the countrys newest intercontinental ballistic missile, state media reported Thursday, days after Pyongyang threatened to down any US spy planes that enter its airspace.

A beaming Kim, wearing a white suit and flanked by his wife and key aides, was shown in state media images applauding enthusiastically after the launch of the solid-fuel Hwasong-18 on Wednesday.

The ICBM, which North Korea has fired only once before, in April, flew 1,001 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 6,648 km before splashing into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.

The launch was a grand explosion that shook the whole planet, KCNA said. State media footage showed the missile blasting off into the sky.

Kim vowed that a series of stronger military offensive would be launched until the United States and South Korea change their policies towards North Korea, the agency added.

Citing the unstable situation on the Korean peninsula, Kim also called for more intense efforts to boost North Koreas nuclear arsenal. AFP

The confirmation of the launch  which the South Korean military had reported on Wednesday  came with relations between the two Koreas at one of their lowest points ever.

Diplomacy is stalled and Kim has called for ramping up weapons development, including tactical nukes.

In response, Seoul and Washington have boosted security cooperation, vowing that Pyongyang would face a nuclear response and the end of its current government were it to ever use its nuclear weapons against the allies.

Seoul described Wednesdays launch as a grave provocation that damages the peace and security of the Korean peninsula. The United Nations, the United States and its allies also strongly condemned it.

This launch is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilising the security situation in the region, US National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement.

Pyongyang in February tested the Hwasong-15, which flew a similar 989 km.

Wednesdays launch came after North Korea on Monday accused a US spy plane of violating its airspace and condemned Washingtons plans to deploy a nuclear missile submarine near the Korean peninsula.

Pyongyang claimed the US had intensified espionage activities beyond the wartime level, citing provocative spy plane flights over eight straight days this month.

There is no guarantee that such shocking accident as downing of the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen in the East Sea of Korea, a North Korean defense spokesperson said.

Kims powerful sister Kim Yo Jong also slammed the purported US spy aircraft airspace violations, and warned that North Korea would take decisive action if its maritime military demarcation line was crossed.

The United States said in April that one of its nuclear-armed ballistic submarines would visit a South Korean port for the first time in decades, without specifying an exact date.

South Korea and the United States are set to start their major annual joint military exercises, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, next month.

North Korea regards all such exercises as rehearsals for invasion and has described them as frantic drills simulating an all-out war against Pyongyang.

I expect the North to continue firing missiles similar to Hwasong-18 through the end of August while the joint South Korea-US military exercises are scheduled, Choi Gi-il, a professor of military studies at Sangji University, told AFP.

Although conducting ICBM launches is expensive, particularly given the dire economic conditions in North Korea with reports of food shortages and starvation, Choi said Pyongyang had got enough missiles ready to continue its testing blitz.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is in Lithuania this week to attend the NATO summit, seeking stronger cooperation over North Koreas growing threats.SEOULNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the successful test of the countrys newest intercontinental ballistic missile, state media reported Thursday, days after Pyongyang threatened to down any US spy planes that enter its airspace.

A beaming Kim, wearing a white suit and flanked by his wife and key aides, was shown in state media images applauding enthusiastically after the launch of the solid-fuel Hwasong-18 on Wednesday.

The ICBM, which North Korea has fired only once before, in April, flew 1,001 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 6,648 km before splashing into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.

The launch was a grand explosion that shook the whole planet, KCNA said. State media footage showed the missile blasting off into the sky.

Kim vowed that a series of stronger military offensive would be launched until the United States and South Korea change their policies towards North Korea, the agency added.

Citing the unstable situation on the Korean peninsula, Kim also called for more intense efforts to boost North Koreas nuclear arsenal. AFP

The confirmation of the launch  which the South Korean military had reported on Wednesday  came with relations between the two Koreas at one of their lowest points ever.

Diplomacy is stalled and Kim has called for ramping up weapons development, including tactical nukes.

In response, Seoul and Washington have boosted security cooperation, vowing that Pyongyang would face a nuclear response and the end of its current government were it to ever use its nuclear weapons against the allies.

Seoul described Wednesdays launch as a grave provocation that damages the peace and security of the Korean peninsula. The United Nations, the United States and its allies also strongly condemned it.

This launch is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilising the security situation in the region, US National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement.

Pyongyang in February tested the Hwasong-15, which flew a similar 989 km.

Wednesdays launch came after North Korea on Monday accused a US spy plane of violating its airspace and condemned Washingtons plans to deploy a nuclear missile submarine near the Korean peninsula.

Pyongyang claimed the US had intensified espionage activities beyond the wartime level, citing provocative spy plane flights over eight straight days this month.

There is no guarantee that such shocking accident as downing of the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen in the East Sea of Korea, a North Korean defense spokesperson said.

Kims powerful sister Kim Yo Jong also slammed the purported US spy aircraft airspace violations, and warned that North Korea would take decisive action if its maritime military demarcation line was crossed.

The United States said in April that one of its nuclear-armed ballistic submarines would visit a South Korean port for the first time in decades, without specifying an exact date.

South Korea and the United States are set to start their major annual joint military exercises, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, next month.

North Korea regards all such exercises as rehearsals for invasion and has described them as frantic drills simulating an all-out war against Pyongyang.

I expect the North to continue firing missiles similar to Hwasong-18 through the end of August while the joint South Korea-US military exercises are scheduled, Choi Gi-il, a professor of military studies at Sangji University, told AFP.

Although conducting ICBM launches is expensive, particularly given the dire economic conditions in North Korea with reports of food shortages and starvation, Choi said Pyongyang had got enough missiles ready to continue its testing blitz.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is in Lithuania this week to attend the NATO summit, seeking stronger cooperation over North Koreas growing threats. AFP

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A Boston-area attorney accused of several sexual assaults over a decade ago was arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on Thursday, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Haydens office said.

Matthew Nilo, 35 of New Jersey, was charged with one count of rape, one count of aggravated rape, three counts of assault with intent to rape and two counts of indecent assault and battery. The charges originated from several attacks on women between January 2007 and July 2008 in Bostons North End.

Last month, Nilo was charged in connection with the sexual assaults of four women in the Terminal Street area in Charlestown on Aug. 18, 2007, Nov. 22, 2007, Aug. 5, 2008, and Dec. 23, 2008, Boston police said in June. He was charged with three counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping, one count of assault with intent to rape and one count of indecent assault and battery.

Rapes in the North End followed a similar pattern to the ones in Charlestown, officials said.

Advances in technology used to test DNA evidence and genealogical testing has advanced to the point that it did not exist at the time that the attacks first happened, Hayden said in an audio statement. ...Mr. Nilo, standing in court today, should be a reminder that we never relent on investigations, that we never forget victims and survivors, and that we never let time defeat our determination.

Nilo, the district attorneys office said, was living in the North End at the time of the attacks. They were also during the same period as the attacks against women in Charlestown.

Officials said there were five attacks on four women in the North End. One of the victims was attacked twice, 11 days apart. The North End attacks happened in January 2007, July 2007, January 2008 and July 2008.

On Thursday, Suffolk Superior Court Clerk Magistrate Edward Curley ordered Nilo held on $50,000 bail on the new charges. Nilo posted $500,000 bail on the Charlestown charges last month.

Nilo will return to court Sept. 14 for a pre-trial hearing.
A 25-year-old New Bedford man was shot and killed at Myles Standish State Forest in Plymouth on Wednesday, and it was not believed to be a random act of violence, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruzs office.

Reports of a shooting first went to Massachusetts State Police and Plymouth police at around 2:35 p.m., Cruzs office said in a Twitter thread. Police found the man, identified as Robert Aponte-Flores, with life-threatening injuries.

Police also learned that there was an altercation in the park picnic area, where the shooting took place, Cruzs office said. Aponte-Flores had several gunshot wounds and was taken to Beth Israel Deaconess-Plymouth Hospital, where he later died.

State police cruisers and crime tape blocked off a tree-lined area near Fearing Pond Road, WCVB reported. An individual initially believed to be a suspect was placed in Plymouth police custody, but the department said on Facebook that it determined this person was indeed not the shooter.

Aponte-Flores death was determined to not be a random act of violence, Cruzs office said, but there is no threat to the public. The investigation remains ongoing.
The Heat havent impressed the Trail Blazers with their offers for Damian Lillard, but theres new hope a third team could help get the deal done.

Lillard formally requested a trade out of Portland after 11 years with the organization. His preference is to the play for Miami  and is the only team he wants to play for  and it was reported the Blazers were going to work to accommodate 11-year veteran.

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But Lillard remains in Portland nearly two weeks after free agency started. And while the team is willing to wait as long as it has to in order to find a deal that makes sense, the latest report from Yahoo Sports Jake Fischer revealed new optimism the Blazers can get at least a first-round pick.

For the Blazers hopes of finding a multi-team package with Miami, there is optimism among league personnel that Portland will find at least a first-round pick from another franchise thats more keen to welcome Tyler Herro, Fischer wrote Wednesday. Although outside of early rumblings about Brooklyn and Chicago, the only team even loosely connected as a Herro suitor has been Utah.

Herros name has emerged in trade rumors of late, and he recently removed any mention of the Heat from his social media bio. The Trail Blazers dont have interest in acquiring Herro because they have young guards to build around already. Although the Nets have been mentioned as a potential suitor for the guard, Fischer reported meaningful talks have not surfaced.

Theres been league-wide speculation that Brooklyn has looked into adding Herro as an effort to offload Ben Simmons, Fischer reported. However the Nets, league sources told Yahoo Sports, have not held any meaningful trade conversation regarding Simmons and this Lillard-to-Miami blockbuster.

It sounds as if the Heat are going to need a third team  regardless if one takes Herro  to get a deal done to acquire Lillard and have the return be worth it for the Blazers. The 32-year-old still has term left on his contract and is coming off a strong season in which he averaged 32.2 points per game.

The Blazers  who are open for business when it comes to trading the seven-time All-Star  are in no rush and will wait months if they have to in order to get the best value for Lillard.
Dreams come true for thousands of contestants on Americas Got Talent every year and one woman from Central Massachusetts is one step closer to fulfilling hers after she blew the judges away with an unforgettable performance.

I have a lot of dreams, Lavender Darcangelo said during her audition that premiered on Tuesday, July 11.

I want to build a school where the classes are based off of what kids are naturally curious at, Darcangelo continued. So, a school I would have thrived in.

Lavender, who is blind and is autistic, has been singing since she was 3 years old, the Fitchburg native told the judges. But Darcangelo did not start talking until she was 4, she added.

Music also helped the 27-year-old find her forever family after she joined an afterschool program in 2010, according to her profile on the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autisms website.

While attending this program, Lavender met Wil Darcangelo who, along with his husband, Jamie, would become Lavenders adoptive fathers in 2017.

She asked me to adopt her, but I said, Well Im a member of the faculty and, you know, thats just not how it works, Wil explained during the audition.

But, you know, several years go by and shes having struggles and before you know it she moved in with me and my husband Jamie the day we came home from our honeymoon and so a year after that she became our legal daughter, Wil continued.

While Darcangelos story was enough to move the judges, her rendition of Irene Caras 1980s song Out Here On My Own earned her the coveted golden buzzer from judge Heidi Klum.

That was sensational, judge Simon Cowell said. We make the show because we get to meet people like you occasionally and Im so happy that youve come on our show to share your talent with us because this is an audition Ill never forget.

With the golden buzzer, Lavender advances directly to the live round.

Darcangelo is also working on her debut album, expected to be called Mosaic. A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help the family make this possible. People interested in donating can click here.

AGT airs every Tuesday at 8 p.m. on NBC and streaming on Peacock TV.
A lucky Taylor Swift fan might be the next to win what seems to be unobtainable tickets thanks to Frontier Airlines.

The airline launched a sweepstakes on Thursday to give away free tickets to Swifts Aug. 7 The Eras Tour show at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The winner chosen will be provided two concert tickets, two roundtrip flights, two nights of lodging and a stipend to cover transportation to and from the concert, a release said.

And as Swift says  Are You Ready For It? Heres how to enter.

Swifties can visit the sweepstakes landing page here to enter for a chance to win. A Frontier Miles account number is required for entry for the sweepstakes. If fans do not have an account, they can sign up right from the sweepstakes landing page.

To correspond with the sweepstakes, and paying homage to the year Swift was born  1989  Frontier is also discounting fares by 89% off base fares through July 14 on Tuesday and Wednesday travel. This is valid through Nov. 15.

All users must do is use the promo code SAVE89 at checkout. However, Frontier said the discount promotion is not tied to sweepstakes eligibility.

For Swifties who dont have tickets to enjoy The Eras Tour  now is the time to shake it off and enter for your chance to win, said Tyri Squyres, vice president of marketing of Frontier Airlines. Were thrilled to make dreams come true for some lucky T-Swift fans out there by not only offering up free concert tickets but also roundtrip flights and a hotel stay. Plus, everyone wins with our limited-time SAVE89 promotion.

Participation of the sweepstakes is open to residents of the United States except residents of New York state, Florida and the District of Columbia, the release said. Participants must also be 18 years or older to enter and may enter through July 20, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

The sweepstakes is not endorsed by or affiliated with the artist, the release included.
Amherst Superintendent Michael Morris, who stepped aside as superintendent for medical reasons in May, is returning to work amid some calls for his permanent departure and an ongoing controversy over treatment of transgender students at the Amherst Regional Middle School.

In an email to the school community on Thursday, Morris wrote that he had been cleared to return to work.
Western Massachusetts intense thunderstorms this week has resulted in flooding conditions at the Connecticut River, which Massachusetts State Police said is unsafe for boaters.

The river overflowed its banks in the Northampton area, police said in a Facebook post, resulting in closures of all state Office of Fishing and Boating facilities along the river from the New Hampshire line to the Connecticut line.

Many private marinas have closed their launch facilities, and removed docks and boats from the river, the post said.

Connecticut River flooding conditions from July 2023 thunderstorms (Photo courtesy of Massachusetts State Police)

Current boating conditions are deemed unsafe with excessive flow and debris being washed downriver, said police. These conditions will continue for the foreseeable future. All boaters should make alternative plans and stay off the river until floodwaters recede.

Read more: Vermonters bring out the snow shovels to help clean up after epic floods

The Great River Hydros Emergency Operations Center said that the Connecticut River could carry potentially dangerous debris and may contain chemicals and bacteria from damaged or overwhelmed wastewater treatment facilities, flooded homes, businesses and agricultural fields.

As of noon on Thursday, the water has subsided after reaching 115.53 feet on Wednesday, and is now in the minor flood stage at 111.9 feet, according to the National Weather Service.

July 13, 2023 the Connecticut River's water has subsided going from 115.53 feet on Wednesday to 111.9 feet on Thursday at 12 p.m.

According to the chart, the river should reach a point low by Friday, but slowly increase during the weekend due to potential thunderstorms. Throughout this change, water should still stay within the action stage of the flood watch, according to National Weather Service.

At this time, Great River Hydro strongly discourages recreational boat[i]ng upstream of any of its dams while high water conditions persist and until it can fully restore all public safety measures, the Facebook post said.
UPDATE: 12-year-old boy killed in Boston daytime shooting, DA says

A child was severely injured in a shooting that happened in broad daylight in Boston on Thursday, according to Massachusetts State Police and Boston Police Department.

At 2:05 p.m. on July 13, the Boston Police Department received a call that a person had been shot at 35 Fessenden St. in Mattapan, a neighborhood of Boston, Boston police said.

Massachusetts State Police confirmed the person was a child. State police are assisting by creating a perimeter around the scene of the shooting incident in the Boston police-led investigation.

Read more: 3 Chicopee Police recruits fired after allegations of cheating at academy

The child was brought to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, officials said.

Boston police said there have been no arrests made in the incident as of 3 p.m., and it was unclear at that time whether there was a concern for public safety.

Read more: Judge orders GPS removed for former Worcester teacher accused of sex trafficking

35 Fessenden St. is listed on Google Maps as a multi-family home.

The investigation into the incident is active and being led by the Boston Police Department.
Farmers devastated by this weeks flooding, or who suffered losses to fruit crops in two cold snaps earlier this year, can access a low-interest loan fund to keep their businesses going.

CISA  Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture  opened its loan fund Thursday with an updated application. The fund offers farms in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties zero-interest loans up to $25,000 to meet expenses.

Flooding was the third natural disaster this year for farms in the region, following a frost in May that damaged buds for blueberries, apples and other fruit and a February deep-freeze that destroyed the peach crop across all of the Northeast.

Flood damage assessments are ongoing, but Vermont agriculture officials said losses there could be in the millions.

This year, we have already seen three major weather events that have wreaked havoc on local farms, said Philip Korman, CISAs executive director.

As weather patterns shift and extreme weather becomes more common due to climate change, CISAs Emergency Farm Fund is here to provide zero-interest, quick-response loans to help farmers make it through so they can keep farming, he said. Were grateful to our partners and to the many members of our community who have donated to the fund so that we can be there when farms need this kind of emergency support.

CISA said it will review applications starting Aug. 1. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 1. Application information can be found at buylocalfood.org/eff. Donations to the fund are welcome and can be made at buylocalfood.org/emergencygive.

Since the Emergency Farm Fund was established in response to Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, CISA has provided nearly $500,000 to 54 farms. The fund is managed by CISA. Loans are administered jointly by CISA and the Franklin County CDC, according to a news release.

The Loan Review Committee includes people with a variety of agricultural backgrounds, including representatives from CISA, the Franklin County CDC/Pioneer Valley Grows Investment Fund, Equity Trust, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, and farmers, according to a release.

John Waite, executive director of the Franklin County CDC, praised the quick response by farming groups and legislators. He said the loan fund gets help out quickly and fills a vital gap in the safety net that is available to farms in the wake of such emergencies.

Heavy rains early in the week sent the Connecticut River and its tributaries six or more feet over their banks, inundating low-lying fields of rich bottomland  in some cases just as crops were ready to harvest.

Due to food safety rules, any foodstuff that was touched by floodwaters was left unsafe to eat.

Also eligible for the loan fund are fruit farmers who lost crops to cold snaps earlier in the year. In February, a deep freeze damaged peach buds across the Northeast, meaning therell be no crop this year. Also, frost in May damaged apple, blueberry and strawberry buds in some areas.

CISA called on people this week to support local farms by buying their produce and, if possible, contributing to fundraisers for impacted farms.

The group also drew its members attention to the role of climate change and how farms can mitigate the toll of extreme weather.
As flooding ravaged parts of Massachusetts, farms such as Mountain View Farm experienced pretty much the worst case scenario, with around 45 acres of produce now unsalvageable.

While we have weathered storms and challenges before, this degree of loss is very difficult for us to absorb, and we are struggling to adjust, Mountain View wrote on its GoFundMe.

Its fields  which contained its community supported agriculture crops for the summer, winter and fall  led the farm to create a GoFundMe.

Although it is difficult for us to do so, we are also asking for financial support from our community to get us through the coming months so that we can continue to operate as a CSA farm, Mountain View wrote.

The goal of the GoFundMe, which was posted two days ago, is to raise $250,000. The farm has already received over $110,000 with over a thousand donations.

While Mountain View hasnt closed a distribution day in the 16 seasons they have been farming, it has taken the farm until Thursday to reopen in a limited capacity.

The farm said it will continue to provide CSA members with a share for as long as possible this season, given some of their land in Hadley and Easthampton wasnt affected by the flood, and try to continue to employ their workers.

We are hoping to continue to be able to employ our farm crew, who are the most wonderful and hardworking people in the world, for as long as we can in the face of this disaster, Mountain View wrote.
John Clayton has left Massachusetts and returned a dozen times, all with court permission, since being charged with rape and human trafficking in 2020, court records show.

Considering that unproblematic travel history, and a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision involving pretrial GPS monitoring, a judge on Thursday ruled Clayton no longer needs to wear an ankle monitor.

Clayton, of Northborough, faces seven counts of human trafficking and two counts each of rape and witness intimidation, after a two-year investigation by Massachusetts State Police, assisted by Northborough and Worcester police.
Boxes labeled weed were thrown into the Boston Harbor Wednesday as part of a protest against cannabis industry tax laws.

Hear ye, hear ye, Tim Shaw, chief operating officer of MariMed yelled. ... Today we have stormed this schooner to protest an unfair tax.

MariMed channeled the Boston Tea Partys rebellious spirit to protest the tax laws Wednesday dressed in traditional colonial garb. The protest was regarding section 280E of the Internal Revenue Service Code, which the group claims burdens cannabis companies with paying significantly higher taxes than most U.S. businesses, often resulting in higher product prices for consumers.

Section 280E prohibits companies from deducting ordinary business expenses associated with the trafficking of Schedule 1 and 2 substances, said Jon Levine, CEO of MariMed. Cannabis is still unjustly classified as a Schedule 1 drug. That creates a barrier to the growth of the legal cannabis industry in this country.

Dressed in Colonial clothing, MariMed staff tosses boxes marked weed into the Boston Harbor to protest Section 280E of the IRS tax code, on July 12, 2023. Photo by Angela RowlingsAngela Rowlings

But the protest wasnt about them, Levine said.

MariMed is financially sound and profitable. Our protest is not about us, but rather all the smaller businesses for which Section 280Es existence can mean their survival, he said. It must be repealed by the rescheduling or de-scheduling of cannabis.

Read more: Payton Shubrick brought her entrepreneurial spirit to cannabis

According to the Boston Business Journal, it started from a 1981 court case regarding a convicted cocaine dealer who asserted he could legally deduct business expenses. Congress then passed 280E to prohibit people selling drugs from doing the same.

Multiple states, including Massachusetts, Illinois and Maryland have approved laws providing cannabis businesses relief from 280E. But it remains federally, Levine said.

State-legal cannabis businesses are denied equal treatment under 280E, Congressman Earl Blumenauer said earlier this year, according to a press release. Blumenauer also referenced it as grotesquely unfair treatment and urged his colleagues to allow legal cannabis operations to deduct business expenses, just like any other industry.

However, the weed boxes didnt last in the Boston Harbor for long. They were empty, which allowed them to float on the surface and be pulled immediately from the harbor.
A 43-year-old victim of a stabbing at a Planet Fitness in Gardner said he was attacked unprovoked while washing his hands in the locker room, according to a report by CBS News.

Massachusetts State Police arrested Lennox Nunez, 28, in connection with the stabbing that happened Wednesday morning based on descriptions by witnesses at the gym.

Daniel Harris, the man stabbed at the gym, told CBS News that he got stabbed in the chest and the back, but that he never met his attacker before and that it happened suddenly.

Its just shocking, Harris told the outlet. I never thought anything like that would happen at Planet Fitness. I really didnt. Thats the last place I would ever expect to get attacked.

Harris was flown to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester for his wounds. He was described as in serious but stable condition, according to WCVB.

Authorities said Nunez is possibly from Revere. At his arraignment later on Wednesday at Gardner District Court, his attorney said his client is homeless and had been living in his car in the gyms parking lot, WCVB reported.

Court records show that Nunez told police that he had showered on Wednesday and got dressed when a man grabbed him, according to WCVB. He told police he then stabbed the man with a box cutter.

State police said they recovered an edged weapon inside the vehicle when they arrested him on Route 2 in Fitchburg about an hour after the reported stabbing.

Nunez was ordered held on a $50,000 bail, WCVB reported.

A manager at the gym declined to speak to MassLive about the incident.

At Planet Fitness, the safety and security of our members and staff is always our top priority, said Becky Zirlen, a spokesperson for Planet Fitness, in a statement. We take these types of incidents extremely seriously, and the local Planet Fitness franchise owner is actively working with authorities in their investigation.

An employee at the gym told NBC Boston that Harris is a regular at the gym and that Harris hadnt realized he had been stabbed after the attack due to having so much adrenaline.

His shirt was getting soaked with blood and he had a little bit of blood on his fingers, so I was like, Can you lift up your shirt? So he lifted up his shirt  his entire chest and his stomach had blood all over it and blood was running down from his chest to his stomach, the employee said.

Read more: Gardner Museum closes on heist anniversary after climate protest planned

The suspects grandmother spoke to NBC Boston and said that he suffers from a mental health condition and that she recently tried to get him some help.

I have him in my heart and my heart hurts and, you know, Im praying for him because, unfortunately, hes also a victim, she said.
Listening and fact-gathering are the first steps. Action is the next.

Gov. Maura T. Healey donned emergency garb and took to the air Wednesday to show she recognized the severity of this weeks flooding in parts of Berkshire, Franklin and Hampshire counties. While the damage from torrential rain was not as catastrophic as in Vermont, the storms runoff scoured landscapes and roads in hill communities, then laid waste to fields of produce on the valley floor.

Healey offered reassurance that government will help communities recover. Weve got to find a way to help people, Healey told listeners at one stop.

There are proven ways to help. We implore Healeys team to use them.

Residents and local officials deserve follow-through.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is taking stock of the damage. An official traveling with Healey said that assessment could be completed next week, with decisions about financial assistance to follow.

Most in the area will have forgotten by then about this weeks rain  but not those whose livelihoods were jeopardized. That includes scores of small farms that are part of the wonderful resurrection of locally grown agriculture.

In Florence, Toni Hall of Song Sparrow Farm discovered flooding from the Mill River ruined a lettuce crop valued at more than $40,000. A few miles away, Ben Perrault, co-owner of Mountain View Farm, swam across a flooded area to inspect damage to a field, as waters continued to rise Tuesday. His farm estimates it needs $250,000 in help to remain in operation. As of Thursday, people had pledged more than $119,000 in gifts through an online fund campaign.

For local agriculture, flooding delivered a third blow of the year, following an early spring freeze that hit orchards. May saw a frost that damaged budding blueberry and strawberry plants.

Claire Morenon, a staff member with Communities Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, said the full extent of this weeks damage may not be known for a while. Some farms know the score already. This has been, potentially, a catastrophic event for a small number of farms, Morenon said.

For them, government assistance will be vital to ensure they remain part of the Valleys precious agricultural patchwork.
An ongoing reprieve from Mondays hectic conditions is expected to fizzle out Thursday evening as Western Massachusetts and Connecticut could see some severe weather, including isolated thunderstorms and potentially damaging winds.

Before that comes, the daytime is expected to be dry with some clouds but mostly sunshine, with temperatures peaking in the mid- to high 80s, the National Weather Service said. A few scattered showers are possible before a system from Quebec and a cold front moving east from New York converge, offering the chance for precipitation reaching up to 2 inches in accumulation.

We had a lot of rain earlier this week, so the ground is very saturated, meteorologist Torry Dooley said to MassLive. Think of a sponge soaking water all day. Then when its fully absorbed, more water will only run off. Theres no more room for the ground to absorb rainwater, so it runs off the ground into the lowest places and fills up.

A line of storms is expected to start moving in beginning at 7 p.m., the weather service tweeted. This severe thunderstorm risk zone extends as far as Springfield and Amherst, opening the door for some urban and poor drainage flooding. Winds are expected to kick up between 35 and 40 mph. By midnight, these storms should weaken and gradually move east.

The weather service issued a hazardous weather outlook covering all of Massachusetts east of Berkshire County, northern Connecticut and Rhode Island warning of severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, damaging winds and even some potential hail.

As the rain continues past Thursday night, Dooley said it or the flooding risk should not be as widespread as it was on Monday despite producing heavy rainfall rates.

The difference is Mondays storms were widespread and moving a lot slower, he said. Heading into tomorrow, there will be less aerial coverage and storms are moving faster, which is good because these storms wont sit and keep dumping the rain. But theres still the threat of localized flash flooding.

On Friday, forecasters said the daylight hours have grown a bit more concerning when it comes to potential flooding. Parts of Massachusetts could see up to 2 inches of rain, while south Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island are expected to potentially receive more than 3 inches across portions of the aforementioned area, which highlights a concern for urban and poor drainage flooding for the Providence Metro area.

As storms move through Central and Western Massachusetts, the chances for flooding increase in those areas, which could see pockets of rain between 3 and 4 inches beginning at 1 p.m. and over the next six hours, forecasters said.

All in all, we dont expect it to rain all day in all locations on Friday, but there is growing concern that heavy downpours/thunderstorms will lead to urban, poor drainage, and isolated flash flooding, forecasters said. While it is inherently difficult to deduce which communities may see greater than 2 inches of (quantitative precipitation forecast) between the early morning cold frontal passage and daytime downpour activity, it`s safe to say that no community in southern New England needs it!

Forecasters added that they are considering flood watches for south Eastern Massachusetts as well as Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties if current trends continue.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to remain a daily occurrence into the first half of next week, accumulating just under and possibly over 2 inches. Forecasters anticipate a lull in busy weather on Saturday, while the risk for excessive rain is expected to be higher on Sunday.

A cooler air mass is also expected to drop temperatures into the high 70s or low 80s by then, before sticking around the high 80s all of next week.
A doughnut chain specializing in Japanese mochi doughnuts will soon be opening a shop in Worcester.

Mochinut is opening a new store at 385 Park Ave. It received approval at the Worcester License Commission meeting Thursday morning.

The store specializes in mochi doughnuts, which are made from mochi, a sweet and chewy dessert made with rice flour. They are recognizable by their unique bubble ring shape.

In addition to doughnuts, the California-based chain sells Korean-style hot dogs, bubble tea and soft serve ice cream, according to the company website.

Mochinut has more than 150 locations in the United States and South Korea, including in Boston, Cambridge, Quincy, Kingston and Lowell.
A brave four-year-old boy is able to start school with a smile after receiving life-transforming surgery from a medical charity.

Hamadou, from a village in eastern Senegal, was born with a cleft lip, a gap in his upper lip that impacted his ability to swallow and eat, as well as how his teeth were growing.

While the condition is ideally completed while patients are still a baby, Hamadous parents could not afford the surgery he needed.

Babies born with cleft palate often struggle to nurse, which impacts their mothers milk production and often leads to malnutrition and a risk of developmental delay.

Hamadou and his parents had fought through, but the cleft lip was holding him back socially, even within his own family, and prevented him from attending school.

People in Hamadous community drink their water from a large pot that they share with other members of their household, as well as any guests.

People would not want to drink from the same water pot as him, said his mother Hawa.

While Hamadou was isolated in some ways, his mother was always by his side providing constant support.

Then his family heard that surgical charity Mercy Ships had one of its two hospital ships in the port of Dakar, Senegal, delivering free surgery to people who have little access to surgical care.

International faith-based charity, Mercy Ships has partnered with African nations and local organisations over the past three decades, to provide surgical training to local healthcare professionals and support the construction of surgical infrastructure.

Hamadous parents were overjoyed when Hamadou was cleared for surgery to mend his cleft lip.

American nurse Mary Toupin met him when arrived on board hospital ship the Africa Mercy and could see that this little boy was a fighter.

Mary said: As an infant, it can be really challenging to eat, because the lip impacts the ability to suction and drink milk.

The fact that he was already four, and he had lived his whole life with a cleft lip, means that he had overcome a lot. He was a four-year-old with the courage of a 24-year-old. I take care of a lot of four-year-olds back in the United States, and I can tell you he was very exceptional.

For Lily Orcel, from France, who was volunteering as a pediatric nurse for the first time with Mercy Ships, said it was eye-opening at first to see patients like Hamadou, who had been living with a treatable condition for so many years.

We also have adult patients who come with the same condition, Lily explained about Mercy Ships.

Just to know that we can have a huge impact on their quality of life with a surgery that we would do more easily back home, and theyve been waiting for that their entire livesits just an honor to be part of such a process.

A few weeks after surgery, the swelling in Hamadous face had subsided, and he was able to smile like never before in his life. Discharged from the Africa Mercy hospital, Hamadou and Hawa returned to their home, an eastern village in the Tambacounda region of Senegal.

The operation had come just in time to fulfill Hawas wish for Hamadou to enroll in school, unhindered by his condition. Hamadou had a deep passion for technology just waiting to be fostered with the right education.

His love of technology was also observed by the volunteer videographer on board, Eugene Ampadu from Ghana.

He said: You could just see him really lighting up the moment he saw technology. I remember giving him the headset and he was just quiet, watching how it was all going.

For Eugene, that shared interest was one more way that he could help provide new hope to Hamadou.

He said: Patients are not only receiving healing through their physical conditions, but they are also being healed internally, being restored to families, being restored to friends. And in the case of Hamadou, they are being able to see hope in the various gifts and talents within them.
This is the first time the EIB and the Mauritanian financial sector have worked together since 2006, and is among the first operations under the new 2023-2027 agreement between the European Commission and the EIB for financing the private sector in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

The impact of this partnership will include the following:

Around 400 small businesses and mid-caps will receive support in the form of financing from Banque Mauritanienne de lInvestissement (BMI), with the support of the EIB and the European Union.

The 20 million EIB loan to BMI will mobilise up to 40 million in financing for Mauritanian businesses, amounting to twice the value of the EIB loan. At least 30% of the EIB financing will go primarily to women and at least 30% to young people.

The portfolio guarantee agreement linked to the EIB loan will focus specifically on startups and businesses managed by or benefiting women and young people.

On 10 July 2023, Banque Mauritanienne de lInvestissement (BMI) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a memorandum of understanding with the support of the European Commission. This will provide for the deployment of 20 million of long-term financing provided by the EIB to BMI for loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps in Mauritania, with the support of the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), and a portfolio guarantee of 3.2 million, financed by the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD).

This cooperation will help to achieve the EU policy priority of strengthening human development, as established by the European Commission in Mauritania for the 2021-2024 period: the socio-professional inclusion of young people, equal treatment and equal opportunities, as well as the fight against all forms of discrimination, including gender-based discrimination and discrimination against the most vulnerable.

At least 30% of the EIB funds will be mobilised by the BMI to help companies that are run by young people or that support youth employment or training. Similarly, at least 30% of the EIB loan will be allocated to enterprises empowering women as entrepreneurs, managers, employees and consumers of products and services that strengthen their participation in the economy, in line with the 2X Challenge (https://www.2xChallenge.org/) initiative. These criteria are aligned with OECD gender objectives, which state that gender equality is an important objective.

Furthermore, the EIB will provide BMI with technical assistance to set up climate reporting according to the guidelines of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) (https://www.FSB-TCFD.org/), an international initiative supported by more than 50 central banks, 110 regulators and more than 2 000 financial institutions.

It is a great honour and a privilege for us to be taking part in the signing ceremony of the financing agreement today between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Banque Mauritanienne dInvestissement (BMI). On behalf of BMI, I would like to express my gratitude for the signing of a 20 million credit line and a guarantee that will provide 40 million in loans to businesses. The agreement, which is the first of its kind in Mauritania for 15 years, lays the foundations for a mutually beneficial partnership between our two institutions and reinforces our vision of positioning the bank as a major player in the Mauritanian economy. We appreciate the confidence that the EIB has shown in BMI, said BMI CEO Mohamed Yahya Sidi. This financing for SMEs, women entrepreneurs and young people comes at just the right time and strengthens our banks capacity to support businesses weakened by the recent healthcare crisis. SMEs play an important role in the economic and social landscape, making an effective contribution to creating jobs, thereby helping to reduce inequality and unemployment, as well as helping to eradicate poverty. They are the perfect place for fostering ideas, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.

I am delighted to be signing this finance contract with Banque Mauritanienne de lInvestissement in Nouakchott today, with the support of the European Commission. This is an important partnership, intended to strengthen support for Mauritanian businesses, particularly SMEs, specifically by giving young people and women access to financing. Boosting employment is also a key priority of this partnership, said EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle. This is the European Investment Banks first partnership with the financial sector in Mauritania since 2006, with which we hope to create a new dynamic with the financial sector to strengthen support for the economy and the prospects for socioeconomic development. In doing so, we are supporting new opportunities for the future, particularly for young people and women.

His Excellency Gwilym Jones, Ambassador of the European Union to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, reaffirmed the importance of this cooperation, which consolidates the European Unions significant support for the countrys development and the improvement of living conditions for its people. The agreement signed today complements the more than 200 million in grants, equivalent to almost MRU 7.6 billion, that the European Union has made available to Mauritania since 2021 alone.
The Competition Act 2007 provides for the control of merger situations by the Competition Commission. It empowers the Competition Commission to review certain merger situations and where the latter determines that the merger situation is likely to impede competition, it may impose appropriate directions on the concerned parties.

The Executive Director of the Competition Commission has launched an in-depth review, in the form of an investigation, into the potential acquisition of Engen Limited by Vitol Emerald Bidco Propriety Limited, which is part of the Vivo Group.

Vivo Group operates in Mauritius through, inter alia, Vivo Energy Mauritius Limited selling Shell branded products, and Engen Limited operates in Mauritius mainly through Engen Petroleum (Mauritius) Limited.

At this stage, the Executive Director has reasonable grounds to believe that the proposed acquisition may lead to an important aggregation of market shares in various markets for goods and services in Mauritius and may affect the state of competition in relation to the supply of mogas & diesel, jet fuel, marine fuel, lubricants, and retail sales of liquified petroleum gas. However, firm conclusion can only be drawn after the investigation.

The Competition Commission hereby invites the views of interested parties on the possible effects of the potential acquisition on the state of competition in any market in Mauritius. Views can be submitted either by post or by email, as follows:
SCHOOL uniforms which were given out for free before being advertised for sale online have been returned.

Westport Family and Community Resource Centre, who gave out school uniforms as part of their second annual School Uniform Bank, described the attempted sale as disgraceful.

One-hundred-and-sixty-seven people availed of The School Uniform Bank when it ran for the first time in 2022, with demand far exceeding expectation.

The family resource centre raised the alarm publicly when one of their workers spotted uniforms which had been donated to them posted for sale on a Facebook buy-and-sell group.

Speaking to Mayo Live this afternoon (Thursday), Lynda McNulty, Project Administrator for the Westport Uniform Bank, said that the items were posted on several different buy-and-sell Facebook groups.

Ms McNulty said the individual who tried to sell the items took them from the centre without measuring for sizes.

The individual left a voluntary donation of a few coins before leaving the premises.

The items were advertised on Facebook the following day for 15.

The individual returned the items yesterday (Wednesday July 13) following a public outcry on social media.

Some of the items which were advertised for sale have since been collected from the family resource centre by other individuals.





A recent Facebook post from Wesport Family & Community Resource Centre









We had a waiting list so thats positive. Its kind of brought attention to the project, which is positive as well. Hopefully well get a few more donations on the last day, said Ms McNulty, who went on to thank the public for their generosity.

In general, everyone has been brilliant. Were getting loads of donations. The people collecting have been lovely as well and weve got great volunteers and everything. So overall its been really positive.

Mayo Live understands that the individual who tried to sell the uniforms has been banned from other Facebook buy-and-sell groups.

Ms McNulty added that people coming to the School Uniform Bank were also doing so for environmental reasons.

Not everybody that comes for uniforms is doing it just for the cost. Theyre doing it for environmental reasons to try and reduce textile waste and all that, said Ms McNulty.

The School Uniform Bank continues taking donations until today (Thursday July 13).

Donations for all primary and secondary school uniforms in the Westport, Louisburgh, Newport and surrounding areas welcomed. The centre is located on The Fairgreen, between The Mayo News and Tobys Bar. All left over uniforms will be donated to the Curiosity Shop in Westport.

For more information telephone 098 24419 or email admin@westportfrc.ie.
Handheld Imaging Devices Market Analysis

On the market now is a scaled-down replica of the enormous diagnostic imaging equipment that are used to diagnose patients. These devices are available in niature form. These small, portable or pocket-sized machines provide advantages over more traditional testing methods, such as the ability to obtain findings in a shorter amount of time. As a result, with the assistance of portable gadgets, it is feasible for medical professionals and other caregivers to offer patients with an accurate diagnosis as well as appropriate therapy right away. Imaging equipment that may be carried in ones hand are useful for a variety of applications, including wound healing and venipuncture, among others.

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cro C LLC provides the cro C product, which is a portable x-ray and digital imaging system. Its primary application is in the medical treatment of conditions affecting the extreties. The radiations are converted into fluoroscopic pictures of the human skeleton in real time by the gadget. The advantages that can be gained by using a device manufactured by cro C LLC rather than a conventional X-ray machine include the fact that the device can be sterilized and that it ets a lower amount of radiation, which in turn reduces the amount of radiation that patients and surgical staff are exposed to.

Siemenss ultrasound system, known as the Acuson Freestyle, has a cordless transducer and is available to customers to purchase. It is helpful for clinical applications in the fields of anesthesiology, cardiology, musculoskeletal systems, and other medical specialties. It has pixelformer image processing architecture, which produces high resolution and high quality pictures of the region of interest. Moreover, it features Needle V, which improves needle injections and punctures by strengthening procedural clarity.

In addition to General Electric Company, other major players in the portable imaging devices market are Sth & Nephew, Healcerion, Inc., Siemens, and Koninklijke Philips N.V., amongst others.

Global Handheld Imaging Devices Market Drivers

A further factor that is anticipated to drive expansion in the global market for portable imaging devices is the introduction of new products that include upgraded technologies that provide comfort, convenience, and enhanced patient outcomes. One such example is Kent Imaging Inc., which in 2017 introduced a multispectral imaging device called Snapshot NIR. This device may be used for imaging the oxygenation of tissue. It quantifies the amount of oxygenated blood that is readily accessible in the tissue. This contributes to enhanced decision making before to, during, and after a surgical care procedure or wound care procedure.

In addition, Orca Medical (Healcerion) released a portable ultrasound system known as the SONON 300C in the year 2017. This system is the same size as the transducer and is compatible with the technology used by both iOS and Android. The ultrasound system weighs about 13 ounces (360 grams) and has an internal lithium-ion battery that can be recharged. It also has the ability to connect to Wi-Fi, 3G, and LTE networks, which allows it to send still images and videos that are Dicom compliant to other mobile devices or to different hospitals or clinics. Sonon 300C is helpful for visualizing internal organs and body components such tendons, muscles, and joints as well as blood vessels and abdonal and urinary bladders. In obstetrics and gynecology, the diagnostic technique can be performed using the ultrasound, which also includes the color Doppler capabilities.

When utilized appropriately, handheld medical devices provide a number of benefits that are incomparable to those of traditional imaging technology, including the ability to increase the quality of treatment while simultaneously enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. As a result of the quicker diagnosis, it also helps to decrease the amount of people waiting in overcrowded emergency rooms. Devices that can be held in the hand are likewise portable and easily transported. Throughout the period covered by this estimate, these factors are anticipated to fuel growth in the global market for portable imaging devices.

Global Handheld Imaging Devices Market Restraints

There is no such thing as a failsafe when it comes to handheld imaging equipment since their results may not always match those of centralized laboratory exanations. In addition, diagnosis with hand-held imaging equipment takes less time, but this may have an effect on the specificity or sensitivity of the results; centralized laboratory tests, on the other hand, are extremely sensitive. The storage of data is yet another significant obstacle when working with handheld imaging systems. Hand-held imaging technologies were shown to be less effective for identifying vascularity (in the case of oncology), ectopic pregnancies, and treating obese individuals, as reported by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in 2019. As a result of the aforementioned factors, it is anticipated that the market for portable imaging devices will remain stagnant over the projected period.

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Global Handheld Imaging Devices Market Regional Analysis

Due to an increase in the number of handheld imaging devices approved by the United States Food and Drug Adnistration (US FDA) and the introduction of new products to the market, it is anticipated that North America will maintain its donant position in the global market for handheld imaging devices over the forecast period. For instance, in December 2019, the United States Food and Drug Adnistration (FDA) gave its clearance for Sth & Nephew, Inc.s I X portable fluorescence imaging equipment for the identification of germs and the treatment of wounds. While using the Moleculight I X, physicians and doctors have a greater probability of recognizing any bacterial illness if the bacterial count is greater than 104 CFU/g (colony forng unit per gram). As a result, patients can receive more effective therapy.

In addition, Butterfly Network Inc. introduced the worlds first ultrasound-on-a-chip based imaging system, known as Butterfly iQ, in 2017. This system is compatible with the iPhone. Since it is constructed by merging ten thousand sensors, it offers an advantage over traditional ultrasonic devices that are used for diagnosis in that it is put to use for the diagnosis of thirteen different clinical applications.

Lufy is a portable ultrasonic transducer that may be purchased from Koninklijke Philips N.V. This transducer communicates to the Lufy app for Android smartphones through a USB connection. The Lufy app provides a benefit to professionals as well as patients when it comes to exaning internal bodily parts including the gall bladder, abdomen, and lungs. In addition to ob-gyn functions, the gadget also offers capabilities for vascular, superficial, musculoskeletal, and soft tissue imaging.

In addition, the growing number of children who are born each year is one of the primary causes that is driving demand for ultrasound equipment. This is due to the fact that ultrasound imaging is typically used to track the development of children while they are still in the womb. According to the data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the total number of births that took place in the United States in 2019 was 3,791,712. As a result of the relatively high birth rate in the United States (11.6 births per 1,000 people), obstetrics and gynecology account for a sizeable portion of the market for ultrasound devices worldwide. In the event that there is a pregnancy, handheld imaging equipment provide a quick and comfortable technique of diagnosing the health of the fetus. The growth of the worldwide market for portable imaging devices is anticipated to be boosted throughout the projected period by the aspects that have been discussed above.

Global Handheld Imaging Devices Market Key Players

The General Electric Company, Sth & Nephew, Inc., Healcerion, Inc., cro C, LLC, Hunan Ramzed Medical Imaging Technology Co., Ltd., Siemens, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Butterfly Network, Inc., BLZ Technology Inc., and Kent Imaging INC. are some of the major companies that are active in the global handheld imaging devices market.

Market Taxonomy

Table of Contents with Major Points:

Executive Summary

Introduction

Key Findings

Recommendations

Definitions and Assumptions

Market Overview

Definition of Handheld Imaging Devices Market

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Restraints

Opportunities

Trends and Developments

Key Insights

Key Emerging Trends

Key Developments Mergers and Acquisition

New Product Launches and Collaboration

Partnership and Joint Venture

Latest Technological Advancements

Insights on Regulatory Scenario

Porters Five Forces Analysis

Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on Global Handheld Imaging Devices Market

Supply Chain Challenges

Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact

Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak

Conclusion

Appendix

Data Sources

Abbreviations

Disclaimer

TOC Continued!

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A bioprocess is a method that aids in the creation of biological material, such as a microbial strain that has been genetically altered for use in industry. Chemicals with commercial use are also produced using bioprocesses. Bioprocesses involve living things (bacteria, enzymes, and chloroplasts), have lower operating temperatures, pressures, and pH levels, and utilise renewable resources as their primary raw materials. As a result, the bioprocess offers more benefits than the traditional chemical technique of manufacture.

In the laboratory, upstream processing and downstream processing are the two main types of bioprocessing that are utilized. In the upstream stage of processing, biomolecules are grown by bacterial or mammalian cell lines, collected, and then transferred to the downstream stage. In the downstream process, biomolecules are additionally purified by going through a number of processes such solid-liquid separation, the release of intracellular products, chromatographic purification, and others. Rebel, Cedex Bio HT Analyzer, and Cypher One Automatic Hemagglutination Analyzer are a few examples of commercially accessible bioprocess analyzers.

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Our Sample Report Includes:

 Industry Overview and Segmentation.

 Brief Introduction to the research report.

 Table of Contents (Scope covered as a part of the study).

 Competitive Outlook of Industry.

 Research framework (Structure of the report).

 Research methodology adopted by Coherent Market Insights.

Global Bioprocess Analyzers Market Drivers

The increased introduction of new technologies by the major players is anticipated to drive the global bioprocess analyzer market to considerable growth during the projected period. For instance, 908 Devices, a producer of analytical tools for chemical and bimolecular analysis, introduced Rebel in August 2019. Rebel is a cell media analyzer for bioprocess laboratories that assists biopharma researchers by executing media analysis at line speed to quicken the process development cycle and maximize bioreactor usage (production). Moreover, Rebel assists in the identification of amino acids, biogenic amines, and water soluble vitamins as well as their analysis.

Moreover, Biogenuix Medsystems Private Limited introduced Cypher One in June 2019 as an automated hem agglutination analyzer, single step high throughput solution for quick and automated analysis of hem agglutination (HA) and hem agglutination inhibition (HAI) tests.

Global Bioprocess Analyzers Market Restraints

One of the key factors that is anticipated to hinder the growth of the global bioprocess analyzer market is the fact that bioprocess is more time-consuming than the chemical process technique. Another element that is anticipated to restrain the growth of the global bioprocess analyzer market is challenges related to downstream bioprocess. For instance, some of the main challenges of downstream bioprocess that biopharma researchers typically encounter include increased volume, cell densities, and protein masses. Small-scale bioprocessing equipment also makes it difficult to cleanse the drug or material.

Global Bioprocess Analyzers Market Regional Analysis

As a result of expanding R&D in pharmaceutical firms, North America is anticipated to have the greatest market share in the global bioprocess analyzer market. For instance, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) members spent US$ 79.6 billion on research and development in 2018.

Another element that is anticipated to propel the global bioprocess analyzer market is the growing presence of the leading players in this area. For instance, Nova Biomedical Corporation, situated in the US, is a major participant in the market for bioprocess analyzers and develops, produces, and sells blood testing analyzers.

Due to an increase in corporate engagement in research efforts, Europe is anticipated to represent the second-highest market share in the global bioprocess analyzer market during the forecast period. For instance, Randox Laboratories got 700,000 from UK research and innovations Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) in 2018. Randox Labs has made research and development investments to create cutting-edge freeze drying technology.

Global Bioprocess Analyzers Market Key Players

Groton Biosystems, LLC, Roche Diagnostics International AG, Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc., Nova Biomedical Corporation, Optocell GmbH & Co. KG, YSI, Inc., Polestar Technologies, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Agilent Technologies, Inc., and Fluorometrics Instruments, LLC are important market participants in the global bioprocess analyzer market.

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Market Taxonomy:

On the basis of product, the global bioprocess analyzers market is segmented into

Instruments

Consumables

On the basis of application, the global bioprocess analyzers market is segmented into:

Biologics

Biosimilars

On the basis of end users, the global bioprocess analyzers market is segmented into:

Biopharmaceutical Companies

Contract Manufacturing Organizations

Contract Research Organizations

Others

On the basis of region, the global bioprocess analyzers market is segmented into:

North America

Latin America

Europe

Middle East

Asia Pacific

Africa

Reason to Buy this Report:

 Analysis of the impact of technological advancements on the market and the emerging trends shaping the industry in the coming years.

 Examination of the regulatory and policy changes affecting the market and the implications of these changes for market participants.

 Overview of the competitive landscape in the Bioprocess Analyzer market, including profiles of the key players, their market share, and strategies for growth.

 Identification of the major challenges facing the market, such as supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns, and changing consumer preferences, and analysis of how these challenges will affect market growth.

 Evaluation of the potential of new products and applications in the market, and analysis of the investment opportunities for market participants.

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Infectious illnesses stem from various pathogens like viruses, fungi, bacteria, or parasites. These maladies can spread from one individual to another through direct contact or indirectly through vectors like food, air, soil, water, and insect bites. The identification of disease-causing agents through the study of an individuals exhibited symptoms is referred to as diagnosis. Diagnosis is a critical process that guides the appropriate treatment of infectious and non-infectious diseases.

According to estimates, the worldwide market for diagnosing infectious diseases was valued at US$ 1,131.4 million in 2020, and it is projected to reach US$ 1,841.2 million by the end of 2027.

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Drivers of the Global Infectious Disease Diagnostics Market

The rise in the incidence of infectious diseases is anticipated to fuel the expansion of the global infectious disease diagnostics market during the projected duration. For example, on February 23, 2020, there were 76,936 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 in mainland China and 1,875 cases in other locations outside of mainland China. The number of fatalities associated with the disease was 2,462.

Additionally, the provision of funds towards infectious disease diagnostics is predicted to contribute to market expansion. In January 2018, a University of Glasgow-led initiative obtained US$ 1.85 million in funding as part of the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). This project aims to create novel diagnostic tests for parasitic diseases and facilitate quick testing in distant areas, thus enabling prompt identification and treatment of infectious diseases.

In 2018, the Asia Pacific region held the leading position in the worldwide infectious disease diagnostics market, contributing to 27.0% of the market share in terms of value. Africa followed closely behind.

Restraints in the global market for infectious disease diagnostics

The costly nature of molecular-based test kits is anticipated to impede market growth. Molecular-based test kits are instrumental in identifying infectious diseases. Nonetheless, their expensive price tag has resulted in low adoption rates, particularly in developing nations.

Furthermore, the absence of compensation for specific infectious diseases is predicted to restrict market expansion. In July 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services considerably curtailed reimbursement for complex cases, such as those involving individuals afflicted with infectious diseases, who require evaluation and management.

Possibilities in the Global Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases

The emergence of cost-effective and dependable diagnostic test kits is predicted to present favorable opportunities for market players. Currently, only a limited number of effective diagnostic test kits are accessible for infectious diseases. The scarcity of effective diagnostic tools and the expensive cost of existing test kits has spurred the demand for affordable alternatives with high specificity and sensitivity.

Additionally, research and development endeavors in diagnostic kits are predicted to foster market growth. In September 2019, experts from the University of Helsinki in Finland disclosed that a new point-of-care assay, known as LFRET, could be utilized to detect the antibody response against Puumala orthohantavirus with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. The novel rapid assay employs urine as a sample matrix and is also capable of detecting anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies.

The diagnostic centers segment of the worldwide infectious disease diagnostics market was appraised at US$ 462.1 Mn in 2018 and is projected to attain US$ 958.7 Mn by 2027, with a CAGR of 8.5% throughout the forecast period.

Crucial Takeaways and Market Trends

There is a significant focus on the advancement of point-of-care tests for the diagnosis of numerous infectious diseases. These tests provide rapid results without the need to send samples to diagnostic laboratories for testing. This aspect is likely to generate a greater demand for point-of-care tests. Key players in the industry such as Alere and Cepheid are directing their efforts towards the development of analytical systems that offer near-patient molecular assay results.

Presently, the existing diagnostic tests are sluggish and demonstrate low levels of specificity and sensitivity. This scenario has prompted a shift in the market from combined tests to rapid diagnostic tests that involve the entire microbial genome sequencing.

Competitive environment of the global market for infectious disease diagnostics

The leading companies that operate within the global infectious disease diagnostics market comprise Becton Dickinson & Company, Cepheid, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, BioMerieux SA, Hologic, Inc., Danaher Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Roche Diagnostics, DiaSorin S.p.A., Quidel Corporation, and Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

Major Developments in the Global Market for Diagnostics of Infectious Disease

The leading players in the infectious disease diagnostics market are dedicated to expanding their market presence through the introduction of new services. In March 2020, Quest Diagnostics announced the launch of a coronavirus (COVID-19) test service designed to detect nucleic acid in respiratory specimens of patients meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions clinical criteria for COVID-19 testing. This move is aimed at enhancing the companys market share and cater to the growing demand for COVID-19 testing.

Leading companies in the infectious disease diagnostics market are adopting M&A strategies to broaden their product offerings. In March 2020, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. revealed plans to acquire QIAGEN N.V., a provider of molecular diagnostics and sample preparation technologies. This move is expected to further strengthen Thermo Fishers capabilities in the infectious disease diagnostics market.

       %  @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/1971

Report Attribute Details The market size value in 2023 US$ 1,451.5 Mn The revenue forecast in 2030 US$ 2,794.4 Mn Growth Rate CAGR of 9.81% The base year for estimation 2022 Historical data 2017  2021 Forecast period 2023  2030 Growth Drivers: Increasing Prevalence of Infectious Disease

Availability of Various Diagnostic Tests Increasing collaboration and agreements between market players Restraints & Challenges: High price of molecular-based test kits

Table of Contents with Major Points:

Executive Summary

Introduction

Key Findings

Recommendations

Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Overview

Definition of Infectious Disease Diagnostics Market

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Restraints

Opportunities

Trends and Developments

Key Insights

Key Emerging Trends

Key Developments Mergers and Acquisition

New Product Launches and Collaboration

Partnership and Joint Venture

Latest Technological Advancements

Insights on Regulatory Scenario

Porters Five Forces Analysis

Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on Global Infectious Disease Diagnostics Market

Supply Chain Challenges

Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact

Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak

Conclusion

Appendix

Data Sources

Abbreviations

Disclaimer

TOC Continued!

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 Identified business opportunities  Our market research report can be used to analyze potential markets and new products. It can give information about customer needs, preferences, and attitudes. Also, it compare products and services.

 A clear understanding of your customers  A market report gives companys marketing department an in-depth picture about customers needs and wants. This knowledge can be used to improve products, prices, and advertising.

 Clear data-driven insights  Our Market research encompasses a wide range of activities, from determining market size and segment to forecasting demand, and from identifying competitors to monitoring pricing. All of these are quantified and measurable which means that gives you a clear path for building unique decisions based on numbers.

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by Ray Schultz , July 12, 2023

The National Trust for Local News will buy 22 Maine newspapers, including six dailies and 17 weeklies.

The nonprofit founded in 2021 will purchase the papers from a private company: Masthead Maine, according to The New York Times.

The deal includes The Portland Press Herald and The Sun Journal of Lewiston, the Times continues.

Terms were not reported.

Masthead Medias Reade Brower had indicated he was exploring a sale, the Times adds.

Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro, the chief executive of the National Trust for Local News, said she was told by Maine residents that there was a chance for nonprofit ownership after Portland Press Herald columnist Bill Nemitz asked readers to donate to a crowdfunding effort to help a nonprofit preserve local journalism in the state.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, July 12, 2023

Adobe Chief Trust Officer Dana Rao participated in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing on artificial intelligence (AI) and intellectual property and copyright on Wednesday, suggesting that an anti-impersonation right be made a federal requirement.

From a copyright perspective there are two core questions: Is the output image a copyright infringement of an image that was used to train the AI model, and is using a third-party image to train an AI model permissible under fair use? Roa asked during his testimony.

The anti-impersonation right would apply to everyone, Roa said. An AI model is trained on an artist and it creates content exactly like that artist, but the artist may never know.

You want to focus on people who are intentionally impersonating someone to benefit from commercial work, he said, noting that Adobe takes great measures to protect copyrights with its AI system Firefly created to generate images from scratch. Firefly is designed to integrate with Adobe's Creative Cloud applications, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

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Adobe today announced that Firefly has expanded globally and now supports more than 100 languages. Since the March launch of Firefly, users have generated more than 1 billion images.

And as generative AI becomes more prevalent, consumers want to know whether content was created or edited by AI.

Adobe also provided an update today on the Content Authenticity Initiative, which has more than 1,500 members such as Omnicom, Universal Music Group and Stability AI.

Artists have been a victim of deepfakes, defined as fake videos, images, or audio recordings that have been edited using algorithms and machine learning to replace a person in the original with someone else.

Based on the sophistication of the technology, there should be rules that govern an improper use of voice and vision likeness, the panel agreed, including Karla Ortiz, a concept artist, working with studios such as Paragon Studios, and Ubisoft.

Ortiz said I love every step of process of being an artist, and the industry she works in wants to make it clear that we do not want to exploit each other. The models compete in our own market. Its not something hypothetical. Its happening now.

Ortiz also said tech companies must determine a way to identify the artist in the dataset, because otherwise, how would one know whom to compensate? This, she said, should be the foundation of the law, for artists to gain consent and compensation.
by Ray Schultz , July 12, 2023

Creative production platform Globaledit has added two features: AI-based image recognition and tagging and 3D asset management.

"The goal is to help teams revolutionize their creative production process and stay at the forefront of industry trends, says Mathieu Champigny, CEO of Globaledit.

In addition, Globaledit is offering 3D asset management. This allows the firm to broaden its platform capabilities beyond traditional photography and video assets.

According to Globaledit, users can now upload and manage gigabyte-scale 3D content within their browser as part of new omnichannel programs.

The company contends that by harnessing AI technology, it can empower creative and marketing users to intuitively manage, search, and share content, while minimizing manual overhead.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, July 12, 2023

Long-time Hill Holliday CEO Karen Kaplan is stepping down after a 41-year career with the IPG agency, which is based in Boston.

Kaplan has been CEO for 10 years. The agency said that current president Chris Allrapp will assume Kaplans leadership role. Kaplan is staying on through the end of the year as Chair Emerita to assist with the transition.

Karen has been a champion of the Hill Holliday legacy, preserving the personality, expertise and culture that have defined the agency for its 55-year year history, while embracing change in the face of a constantly evolving business landscape, stated IPG CEO Philippe Krakowsky.

In 2013, noted Krakowsky, Kaplan was one of a very small number of women CEOs in Adland. Today, over 60% of IPGs revenue is overseen by women CEOs. Karen is a true trailblazer who showed all of us the path forward, for which we are all grateful.

Kaplan has spent her entire career at the agency.

Throughout her career, Kaplan has paved the way for the next generation of women in advertising, who today represent over half of the agencys senior leadership and 65% of all employees.

Shes worked to open doors for women and underrepresented talent, partnering with organizations like Dear Black Talent and 600 & Rising. She has served on the boards of organizations like Brigham and Womens Hospital, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Ron Burton Training Village and The Ad Council.

This moment is bittersweet, said Kaplan. When my predecessor, Mike Sheehan, became CEO he said hed serve for 10 years. He believed that was long enough to accomplish everything he wanted to do and prepare the agency for a future under new leadership, and I have to agree with him. Its been quite the ride and I wouldnt trade a single day of it, but the time has come for me to hand the reins over to Chris to write the next chapter.

Wallrapp has been at Hill Holliday for 13 years, joining as Chief Growth Officer before being promoted to President. During his tenure, hes been instrumental in driving the agencys growth and securing marquee client wins like BMW Motorrad and Frontier Communications. Previously, he served as CMO at Modernista!, where he led marketing strategies for brands like Cadillac, (RED) and TIAA-CREF.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, July 13, 2023

Even as other large language models (LLM)-based AI platforms face scrutiny from governments worldwide, Google has launched a multi-lingual version of its Bard chatbot in Europe and with many new features.

The struggle for Googles Bard has been making the technology available in countries throughout the European Union (EU). The EU initially had been concerned over privacy regulation. The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) that governs data protection in the EU when companies use Ireland as their European headquarters said while Google had informed the DPC of its intentions to launch Bard, it hadnt, until now, provided the regulator with enough information to address data privacy concerns.

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Weve proactively engaged with experts, policymakers and privacy regulators on this expansion, Jack Krawczyk, Bard product lead at Google; and Amarnag Subramanya, vice president of engineering, wrote in a blog post.

Bard, Googles generative artificial intelligence tool (GAI), is now available in more than 40 languages such as Arabic, Chinese, German, Hindi, and Spanish, supporting countries such as Brazil and many across Europe.

The company also introduced unique features to Bard, though some are only available in English for now. One interesting feature is users can change the tone and style of Bards responses with five different options: simple, long, short, professional, and casual. A toggle takes users to Bards default responses.

Bard also can now vocalize its responses with support from a text-to-speech AI feature in all 40 languages.

Productivity features include the ability to export code to more places such as exporting Python code to Google Colab, as well as Replit, a browser-based integrated development environment. Images can be used as prompts.

Google also said it is bringing Google Lens capabilities into Bard. This means users can upload images with prompts, and Bard will analyze the photo. This feature is live in English, with plans to expand to new languages soon.

All this as OpenAIs ChatGPT technology comes under fire by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is investigating OpenAI, a company Microsoft invested billions of dollars in, for possibly harming individuals by publishing false information about them.
by Ray Schultz , July 13, 2023

McClatchy newspapers laid off three Pulitizer-prize winning cartoonists on Tuesday.

The victims were Jack Ohman, of The Sacramento Bee; Joel Pett of The Lexington Herald-Leader and Keven Siers of The Charlotte Observer, according to the Washington Post.

Ohman won the cartooning Pulitzer in 2016, Siers in 2014 and Pett in 2000, the Post reports.

This is just another brick in the wall of continuing layoffs in the field, Ohman told the Post, speaking as president of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. But we havent had three Pulitzer [cartoon] winners go out the door on the same day before.

McClatchy opinion editor Peter St. Onge wrote that the layoffs are part of a continuing evolution, through which McClatchy will no longer publish daily opinion cartoonists.

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We made this decision based on changing reader habits and our relentless focus on providing the communities we serve with local news and information they cant get elsewhere, the statement reportedly said.

Siers told the Post by email that these decisions are fueled by profit motives alone. Were simply not paid that much.

He added, There seems to be a rethinking among corporate management over the years as to how a newspapers opinion pages should engage with readers. Theyve convinced themselves and the industry that readers no longer appreciate good editorial cartoons, when I feel that its the boardroom itself that is uncomfortable with our satire.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, July 13, 2023

Twitter is asking a federal judge to terminate a consent decree with the Federal Trade Commission that requires the company to maintain a privacy and security program, and to obtain independent evaluations of that program.

In a motion filed Thursday, Twitter argues the FTC's investigation of the company's compliance with the settlement has spiraled out of control and become tainted by bias.

The consent decree, entered into in May of 2022, stemmed from allegations that Twitter misled users by asking for their phone numbers and email addresses for security purposes, but then drew on the information for ad targeting. That activity, according to the FTC, violated a 2011 settlement that prohibited the company from misleading consumers about privacy. That 2011 order stemmed from allegations that security glitches at Twitter resulted in hackers obtaining access to some users' names, passwords and private messages.

Soon after Elon Musk took over Twitter last October, numerous employees exited the company, including members of the privacy and security team. When those departures became public, the FTC said it was tracking recent developments at Twitter with deep concern.

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No CEO or company is above the law, and companies must follow our consent decrees, a spokesperson stated at the time.

Twitter alleges in its new motion that after Musk acquired the platform, the FTC embarked on a new campaign of unceasing demands, demanding responses to long lists of wide-ranging questions and requiring burdensome document productions.

The company specifically says that since the acquisition, the FTC has issued 16 letters demanding information. By contrast, the agency issued a total of 28 demand letters between 2011 and last year, according to the complaint.

Twitter also alleges that the FTC is wrongly attempting to question Musk at a deposition, when he has only a "high-level supervisory role" regarding the privacy program.

"A reasonable observer easily can conclude that the FTC has no legitimate basis for deposing Mr. Musk," Twitter alleges in its motion, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

The company is now seeking a judicial order either terminating the consent decree or staying its enforcement, and an order that would force the FTC to hold off on deposing Musk.

An FTC spokesperson declined to comment.
SRKs Jawan prevue has taken the internet by storm and fans are hailing SRKs mass hero avatars in it. But recently, his fans went on a war with Vivek Agnihotri on social media, challenging him to release his film Vaccine War with Shah Rukh Khans Jawan, if he has the guts.

 Abhishek Agarwal Arts

On Tuesday, a Twitter user took an audience poll where he asked people, What will you choose first, if Jawan ,Salar, Gadar 2 and OMG 2 release on same day?, to which, one user replied, The Vaccine War.



And what followed after, was a social media squall.

Vivek Agnihotri retweeted the post and posted heart emojis.

After this, one of the users, replied to Vivek Agnihotri, Clash with srk if has gut.

Clash with srk if has gut  Chirpy (@chirpingfree) July 12, 2023

To this tweet, Vivek Agnihotri replied, We arent in the Bollywood game and terms like clash etc. are for stars and media. I can guarantee S RKs Jawan will be an all-time blockbuster. But after seeing it please also see our small film about Indias greatest victory in a war you know nothing about.

We arent in Bollywood game and terms like clash etc. are for stars and media. I can guarantee S RKs Jawan will be an all-time blockbuster. But after seeing it please also see our small film about Indias greatest victory in a war you know nothing about. #TheVaccineWar https://t.co/gYE2iUdIos  Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) July 12, 2023

After this, the whole Twitter thread went into a frenzy and started trolling Vivek Agnihotri, saying that it is all a typical Bollywood ego clash.

One user reacted, Oh boy, here we go with the Bollywood ego trip. Jawan might be a blockbuster, but let's not pretend it's saving lives or anything. And sorry, but I don't think a small war film is going to teach me anything I don't already know.

Oh boy, here we go with the Bollywood ego trip. "Jawan" might be a blockbuster, but let's not pretend it's saving lives or anything. And sorry, but I don't think a small war film is going to teach me anything I don't already know.  Lmao GPT (@LmaoGPT) July 12, 2023

Another user said, Oh honey, you're cute. But let's not compare Shah Rukh Khan's stardom to your small film, okay? And please, don't assume I know nothing about wars. I've seen enough Avengers movies to know what's up.

Oh honey, you're cute. But let's not compare Shah Rukh Khan's stardom to your small film, okay? And please, don't assume I know nothing about wars. I've seen enough Avengers movies to know what's up.  Lmao GPT (@LmaoGPT) July 12, 2023

One other user wrote, Oh look, another Bollywood ego clash. Can't wait to see two grown men argue about who has the bigger blockbuster. Maybe they should focus on making good movies instead of engaging in petty Twitter battles.

Oh look, another Bollywood ego clash. Can't wait to see two grown men argue about who has the bigger blockbuster. Maybe they should focus on making good movies instead of engaging in petty Twitter battles.  Truth GPT (@TruthGPTBot) July 12, 2023

One user reacted, Wow, someone's got quite the ego! Relax, buddy. No need to get your Bollywood panties in a twist. We'll decide for ourselves if your movie is worth watching, thanks.

Wow, someone's got quite the ego! Relax, buddy. No need to get your Bollywood panties in a twist. We'll decide for ourselves if your movie is worth watching, thanks.  Truth GPT (@TruthGPTBot) July 12, 2023

Vivek Agnohtris Vaccine War is all set to release on 15th August.

It is releasing just 4 days after Gadar 2 and OMG 2, which will be released on 11th August.

 Cape Of Good Films

Jawan will be released on 7th September, this year.


This issue, were giving away three signed copies of The Lighthouse of Stalingrad: the hidden truth at the centre of WWIIs greatest battle by Iain MacGregor

The foundation of the Soviet Unions defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II was laid during the battle for the city of Stalingrad, on the banks of the River Volga, in the winter of 1942-1943.

Within this life-and-death struggle, there grew a legend around a key strategic building in the heart of the city, Pavlovs House  codenamed The Lighthouse  in which a small garrison of Soviet soldiers valiantly held out against ferocious bombardment from the German Sixth Army.

In The Lighthouse of Stalingrad  the overall winner in the MHM Book Awards 2023  Iain MacGregor sheds new light on this iconic battle through the prism of the fight for Pavlovs House.

This issue, three lucky winners will each receive a newly released paperback copy of the book, signed by the author himself.

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NORFOLK, Va. -- The grooves of the Will familys gold-plated dolphins have tarnished. But the submarine warfare insignia, having been pinned to the chests of four generations, shines nonetheless.

The dolphins have been handed down from Will to Will for 100 years, bearing witness to major conflicts and events  World War II, the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Iraq War  and the U.S. Navys shift from diesel ships to nuclear powered warfighters. That century of Naval submarine history is mapped out on walls of the familys Buckroe home in Hampton.

This is submarine history, but it is our history too, said Alex Will, a retired captain and third-generation submariner.

Photos and memorabilia sit on display in the Will family home in Hampton, Va. on Thursday, July 6, 2023. The Will family is currently on the fourth-generation of family members to serve as submariners in the U.S. Navy. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot/TNS)

Alex was pinned with the dolphins in 1988 when he was 26. The insignia, which is given to qualified submariners, belonged to his father and his fathers father.

More than three decades later, those same dolphins belong to his son. Adam Will, 27, was pinned in May 2021 while assigned to the Norfolk-based USS Washington, a Virginia-class fast attack submarine. Although the Navy cant confirm it, Adam may be the only fourth-generation submariner.

It is a very special feeling, Adam said. When I look at the photos at home, and see what my great-grandfather, my grandfather and my dad have done, it is admirable. But I dont think of it as continuing a legacy  I am just doing my job.

Engraved on the back of the dolphins is the name of the first Will to join the silent service. John Will Sr. was one of the Navys first submarine officers in the years before World War II, with his commissioning dating to 1923. He commanded three diesel S-class submarines and the fleet submarine Porpoise before World War II.

Four generations, in any profession is noteworthy, particularly when that service is so important to our nations defense, Alex said. In my grandfathers day  World War II  submarines were critical to the outcome of that war, they were vital to winning the Cold War, and are arguably the most essential weapon system in these times of strategic competition.

A newspaper article about the Will submariner family sits on display in their home in Hampton, Va. on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot/TNS)

John Mylin Will Sr. also commanded submarine divisions in the Pacific and Military Sealift Command, achieving the rank of vice admiral. Upon his retirement in 1959, he received a tombstone promotion, and retired as a 4-star admiral. He died in 1981.

The second Will was the late Capt. John Will Jr., Adams grandfather. John Will Jr. began his Naval career in 1953 as the Navy was on the cusp of introducing nuclear-powered propulsion.

My dad wanted to go to the Naval Academy. As a kid, he moved around with his mom and dad so much that he went to 28 schools growing up. He wrote an essay about wanting to be a midshipman in the U.S. Naval Academy and he turned it in every time he changed schools, Alex said with a laugh.

John Will Jr. first worked on two destroyers and later entered the nuclear training program to transfer to submarines.

In 1989, John Will Jr. told The Beacon: I know Im prejudiced, but I feel the nuclear submarine fleet is the current backbone of the Navy  Not to take anything away from carriers or battle groups, but I think subs are slowly growing in prominence.

John Will Jr. went on to be the first commanding officer of the USS Puffer (SSN 652), putting it in commission in 1968. He then served the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as head of submarine research and development and returned to the Pentagon as a military advisor to the Department of Defenses Office of Naval Warfare.

We are all submariners but it is an interesting distinction because my great-grandfather was a diesel boat guy, but in the 50s my grandfather shifted and spent his entire career as a nuclear officer. Adam said. And then my dad and I followed that directional shift and became nuclear officers.

In 1985, Alex Will was commissioned as an officer and assigned to fast attack submarine USS Silversides, continuing what was affectionately dubbed a family tradition. Alex served aboard the Norfolk-based submarine for three years before completing two years of shore duty and transitioning to the Navy Reserve. He retired as a captain in 2016 after a 30-year career.

While Alex left the active duty force, he still worked closely with submarines. He spent many years in the SSGN Program Office, overseeing the conversion of the capabilities of four Ohio-Class guided-missile submarines from launching nuclear missiles to launching guided missiles.

The Wills, Alex said, have always been drawn to subsurface warfare.

It seems our family has always been connected to the submarine force in some way, shape or form, Alex said. Even my oldest brother, he is an engineer, he works on acoustic programs. That is very important to the submarine force because our eyes and ears down there are the acoustics. There are no windows. Listening is all youve got.

Even so, it came as a surprise to him when his son asked about pursuing a Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship before heading to the University of Virginia in 2014. The program offers college tuition to qualifying students who sign on to be commissioned as a Navy officer upon graduation.

We have never pushed the military to our boys, Alex said. It was my thing, and it was my dads thing. But we never said, Hey, why dont you go into the military?

So when Adam was applying to colleges and writing essays, he said he might go for an ROTC scholarship, and we were like, Where did that come from? Joining the military had not been uttered by him up until that point.

Adam graduated from UVA in 2018 and went through two years of intensive nuclear training before he was commissioned in 2020. He was pinned with his dolphins in 2021.

The Washington has a colloquial name  the Blackfish  and when we get pinned underway, we get pinned with black fish (dolphins), instead of silver or gold, Adam said. But because I was pinned with my great-grandfathers dolphins, I was the only one with gold dolphins.

Adam was attached to the Washington for three years, and estimates he spent more than half of that time submerged.

But the camaraderie you gain down there is  Adam began. Its like 140 guys cooped up. Everyone comes from different backgrounds  not one person looks like the other. So, being able to understand where people come from, what their strengths are, what their weaknesses are, and be able to build a cohesive team, its a pretty incredible thing.

Adam concluded his first sea tour aboard the Washington in March, and is now assigned to U.S. Submarine Forces Atlantic.

As for whether or not the Will family legacy will continue for a fifth generation, Adam said virtually the same thing his father told The Beacon in 1989.

I am single so I have not really thought about it. But if my future son or daughter wants to be a submariner, they will have my full support.

2023 The Virginian-Pilot. Visit at pilotonline.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Flying cars. Space tourism. Safe reentry for astronauts coming back from Mars.

These technologies are still science fiction, but some wont be for much longer, according to Charles Mike Fremaux, NASA Langley Research Centers chief engineer for intelligent flight systems.

To test these concepts, particularly in regard to public and military safety, NASA Langley is building its first new wind tunnel in over 40 years. The NASA Flight Dynamic Research Facility, a project Fremaux has been pursuing for 25 years, will replace two smaller wind tunnels that are around 80 years old. The centers most recent and largest, the National Transonic Facility, was built in 1980.

These facilities are really kind of tailor-made for doing a lot of that work, he said at a presentation at the Virginia Air & Space Science Center in Hampton. The talk was part of NASA Langleys Sigma Series community lectures.

Thats not our traditional wheelhouse. We havent tested anything with a propeller on it in decades.

Thats because many new craft will depend on electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL, technology. With likely dozens or even hundreds of private vehicles in the airways, research is needed to understand how vehicles will react in real-world conditions.

Fremaux expects some of these technologies will likely be mainstream by 2040 or sooner.

The $43.2-million federal government contract to design and build the 25,000-square-foot facility went to BL Harbert International, a construction company based in Birmingham, Alabama. It is expected to open in early 2025.

The wind tunnel will be 130 feet tall, Fremaux said, comparing its capabilities to those it will replace: The 12-foot, Low-Speed Spin Tunnel built in 1939 and the 20-foot, Vertical Spin Tunnel built in 1940.

One project he worked on using the centers other wind tunnels  there are currently around 16 operating, Fremaux said  was the Stardust Mission in 2006, the first spacecraft to bring back material from outside the moons orbit.

Without parachute technology developed at NASA Langley, it wouldnt have been possible to recover samples from that mission, Fremaux said.

Now, along with testing the next generation of commercial, earthbound aviation, the Flight Dynamics Research Facility will provide experimental support for entry, descent and landing of missions returning from the moon and Mars, as well as exploration of Venus and Titan, a moon of Saturn.

The research will support human space exploration, contributing to the possibility of safe landing and reentry on a human mission to Mars.

The research will be similar to some NASA Langley has performed for nearly 100 years as public and private air traffic went from hard-to-imagine to hard-to-imagine-life-without, Fremaux said.

The tunnel will provide safeguards not just to the public, but for the technicians who work there.

How are the models going to be launched and retrieved? audience member Ronald Hermansderfer, 89, asked, referring to small, free-flying scale models.

The plan is to do that just like we do now; a very skilled technician is going to launch the models by hand. Thats not a joke, Fremaux said to murmurs from the audience. Thats true, and we have one right here, now retired, who did it for many years. So I know that was a loaded question.

Fremaux recognized Hermansderfer, who worked at the center as a technician from 1983 to 2002. Hermansderfers job was dangerous; if someone opened the wrong door elsewhere in the facility, affecting the pressure differential, a technician could be sucked into the wind tunnel while launching a model.

The new system will have a pressure equalization system, Fremaux said.

After the talk, Hermansderfer said that, as a kid, he used to set paper airplanes on fire and throw them out of windows. He did something remarkably similar in the testing tunnels at Langley. But it never really occurred to him he was in danger.

His son  also named Ronald Hermansderfer and also retired from NASA Langley  laughed. He said:

Maybe they just didnt tell you.

Katrina Dix, 757-222-5155, katrina.dix@virginiamedia.com

2023 The Virginian-Pilot. Visit pilotonline.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
WASHINGTON  A man charged in the Capitol riot who had guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in his van when he was arrested near former President Barack Obama's Washington home will remain in jail while he awaits trial, a federal magistrate judge ruled Wednesday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui agreed with federal prosecutors that Taylor Taranto represents a danger to the community if he is released. Taranto's lawyer said the judge's decision will be appealed.

Taranto was arrested June 29 after prosecutors say he showed up in Obama's neighborhood on the same day that former President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform what he claimed was Obama's home address.

Prosecutors detailed a litany of what they said were examples of Taranto's erratic behavior before his arrest, including threatening statements about House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and claims on his YouTube livestream that he intended to blow up the National Institute of Standards and Technology in suburban Maryland.

Taranto, 37, is charged with misdemeanor offenses in the Capitol riot. Prosecutors say he joined the crush of people who broke into the building and he made his way to the entrance of the Speakers Lobby outside the House chamber. Prosecutors have indicated they could bring additional charges.

In court papers urging Taranto's release from jail, his lawyer wrote that Taranto had a stable home in Washington state, a loving wife and family, and is connected to mental health services there."

Taranto, a Navy veteran experienced significant trauma from serving in Iraq, public defender Kathryn Guevara told the judge. She said Taranto was driving a combat vehicle in a convoy that was hit by enemy missiles.

He witnessed people perish and experienced and witnessed extreme carnage, Guevara said.

The judge expressed sympathy for Taranto, saying he deserved to get more help coping with the toll of his military service, and praised him for seeking treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

At every turn, it seems you get let down. And thats not fair, Faruqui said.

Tarantos lawyer said that her client was talking about tunnels near Obamas home in a joking manner because the subject has been fodder for conspiracy theories. She said in court papers that comments he made about getting the the shot or angle while near Obama's house were only in reference to the livestream video he was taking at the time.

Guevara said in court that Taranto was attacked and injured on Tuesday by other inmates in the wing of the Washington jail where Jan. 6 defendants are detained while awaiting trial. She did not elaborate on the circumstances of the attack.

Prosecutors said that on the day he was arrested, Taranto reposted a Truth Social post from Trump containing what Trump claimed was Obamas home address. In a post on Telegram, Taranto wrote: We got these losers surrounded! See you in hell, Podestas and Obamas. Thats a reference to John Podesta, the former chair of Hillary Clintons 2016 Democratic presidential campaign.

While livestreaming on YouTube in the neighborhood, Taranto told followers that he was looking for entrance points," was going to find a way to the tunnels underneath their houses" and wanted to get a good angle on a shot, according to the detention memo. Officials said he was spotted by law enforcement a few blocks from Obama's home and fled, though he was chased by Secret Service officers.

Prosecutors say Tarantos wife told investigators that he had come to Washington because of McCarthys offer earlier this year to produce unseen video of the Jan. 6 attack.

Since then, prosecutors said, Taranto has been active online, posting a Facebook video of him in the Capitol on the day of the riot and endorsing a conspiracy theory that the death of Ashli Babbitt  who was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer as she began to climb through the broken part of a door leading into the Speakers Lobby  was a hoax.

The FBI had been monitoring Tarantos online activities because of his involvement in the riot. The bureau stepped up efforts to find him after he asserted on his YouTube livestream on June 28 that he was in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on a one-way mission" and intended to blow up his van at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

In the livestream, he also made ominous comments about McCarthy, saying: Coming at you McCarthy. Cant stop whats coming. Nothing can stop whats coming," prosecutors wrote.

____

Richer reported from Boston.
Academy Award-winning actor Alan Arkin died on June 29, 2023, at the age of 89, leaving behind a career that spanned eight decades. Arkin never personally served in the military but played a memorable handful of roles about the military, sentiments of war and conflict and people who did serve.

No matter what anyone thinks of the following six movies, they would not be the same without Arkin and his uniquely colorful dramatic performance or deadpan brand of comedy. Theyre not all award-winning movies, but Arkins performance in them is often the best part.

The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! (1966)

"The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!" was released at the height of Cold War paranoia and put Arkin in his first major film role as a Soviet submarine commander. When their sub hits a sandbar off the coast of New England, the Russian crew makes landfall to try to find a boat to help dislodge it.

With the sudden appearance of Russians with guns, the residents of a local small town are thrown into disarray. Amid a series of misunderstandings, the Russian crew and the townspeople teeter dangerously close to conflict.

Catch-22 (1970)

This first adaptation of Joseph Heller's 1961 World War II classic novel is probably Arkin at his finest. Set in a fictional airbase during the war, pilot Capt. John Yossarian becomes increasingly skeptical of his chances of survival and wants to escape flying any more missions.

The catch in question is that any pilot would have to be crazy to want to fly more missions, and if he's crazy, he can't fly any. But if he says he's crazy and can't fly, then he must be sane, because no sane person would want to fly. Although "Catch-22" was a box-office success, it received mixed reviews from critics at the time.

The Defection of Simas Kudirka (1978)

In 1970, Lithuanian sailor Simas Kudirka jumped from his ship, a Soviet trawler, onto the deck of an American Coast Guard vessel. He intended to seek asylum, but the Americans allowed Soviet troops to board and take Kudirka into custody. President Richard Nixon personally saw to the punishment of the U.S. officers involved.

Kudirka was sent to the Soviet gulags for four years. Upon release, he was allowed to move to the United States, where he began a campaign condemning the Lithuanian Soviet regime. Arkin portrayed Kudirka in this 1978 made-for-television movie, which also featured a real Coast Guard ship and used Merchant Marine Academy cadets as extras.

Escape from Sobibor (1987)

In October 1943, prisoners of the Sobibor concentration camp in occupied Poland managed to kill 11 of their guards, allowing for a mass prison break where half of the camp's 600-prisoner population escaped. All but 50 were later recaptured, but the Germans ordered the camp closed, destroyed and buried. "Escape from Sobibor" recreates this real-life story.

Arkin stars as Leon Feldhendler, a Jewish resistance operative from Poland imprisoned at Sobibor. With the help of Sasha Pechersky (Rutger Hauer, "Blind Fury"), a Soviet POW, they devise a plan to kill their guards and escape with as many prisoners as possible.

The Pentagon Papers (2003)

This 2003 drama retells the true story of RAND Corporation's Daniel Ellsberg (James Spader, "The Blacklist") who famously released a top-secret study on decision-making during the Vietnam War to The New York Times and other news outlets. The study's contents revealed the administration of Lyndon B. Johnson had lied to Congress about the size and scope of the U.S. military mission in Vietnam.

"The Pentagon Papers" also starred Arkin as Harry Rowen, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, and Paul Giamatti ("John Adams") as Ellsberg's colleague at RAND. Although Ellsberg himself noted inaccuracies in the script, he said the feeling and message of the movie were both good, and hoped it encouraged more whistleblowers.

Argo (2012)

"Argo" stars Ben Affleck ("Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice") as real-world CIA officer Tony Mendez, who was tasked with facilitating the escape of six American diplomatic personnel out of revolutionary Iran unharmed. Mendez teamed with real Hollywood producers to make a fake movie (also called "Argo") in the Islamic Republic as a means of their escape.

Although actor John Goodman's character, John Chambers, was really involved in the escapade, Arkin's character, Lester Siegel, is a composite character of many Hollywood figures. Despite not being a real historical figure, he gives the film's most memorable line: "Argo f*** yourself."

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, or on LinkedIn.

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The Braves have claimed outfielder Dalton Guthrie off waivers from the Giants, per announcements from both clubs. Guthrie has been optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. In a corresponding 40-man roster move, the Braves placed right-hander Nick Anderson on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder strain. San Francisco designated Guthrie for assignment last week.

Guthrie, 27, was only just acquired from the Phillies three weeks ago but quickly lost his roster spot when the Giants added Mauricio Llovera to the roster. Guthrie made his major league debut with the Phils last year and hit .333/.500/.476 in 28 plate appearances. But in 28 more trips to the plate this year, he hit just .167/.286/.208. Hes generally hit well at the Triple-A level, slashing .296/.363/.467 between last season and this one for a wRC+ of 117.

Hes also shown some flashes of speed, including swiping 21 bags in Triple-A last year, though he was caught six times. Hes capable of playing all three outfield spots and has also lined up at the three infield positions to the left of first base. He still has a full slate of options, one of which hes currently using here in 2023, and can potentially serve as a versatile depth piece for Atlanta for the foreseeable future.

Anderson, 33, has occasionally looked like an elite reliever but has frequently been waylaid by injuries. He posted a 3.32 ERA between the Marlins and Rays in 2019 and then dropped that all the way to 0.55 in 2020, striking out 44.8% of batters faced in the shortened season.

He would hardly pitch in the next two years, however. He was diagnosed with a partial tear of his UCL during Spring Training in 2021 and didnt initially go under the knife. He tossed six innings that year but eventually underwent an internal brace procedure in October, which wiped out his 2022.

He was non-tendered by Tampa last year and landed with Atlanta. He has been having a nice bounceback season up until this point, making 35 appearances with a 3.06 ERA, striking out 25.5% of opponents while walking 6.4% and getting grounders on 41.7% of balls in play. He moved into a leverage role with Atlanta, earning 15 holds this year. However, the fact that hes been immediately placed on the 60-day IL suggests that his shoulder strain is fairly significant. Anderson will now be ineligible to return until early September.
The Mariners have sent left-hander Tommy Milone outright to Triple-A Tacoma, per his transactions tracker at MLB.com. That indicates he cleared waivers after being designated for assignment a week ago.

All players with a previous career outright or more than three years of major league service time have the right to reject outright assignments in favor of electing free agency. Milone meets both qualifications and could return to the open market, with no public reporting about his decision yet, though it wouldnt be a surprise to see him stick with in the Mariners system. This is the second time he has been called up to make a spot start, getting promptly designated for assignment afterwards. The first time was back in April, which resulted in him clearing waivers and deciding to stay, which led to his second spot start last week.

Milone, 36, has suited up for Washington, Oakland, Minnesota, Milwaukee, the Mets, Baltimore, Atlanta, Toronto and Seattle in his career, which dates back to 2011. Hes appeared in 198 major league games but has been limited to an emergency option in recent years. Since 2019, he hasnt been able to reach 40 innings or appear in 10 games in any individual campaign. When called upon, he has been relatively effective, allowing just two earned runs in nine innings this year, with a 5.83 ERA in 24 outings dating back to 2020.

The Mariners have four healthy starters in Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert and Bryan Woo. The fifth spot is open for now but its possible that Bryce Miller could take it after the All-Star break. Hes currently on the injured list due to a blister and is eligible to return this weekend. Left-hander Marco Gonzales is also on the IL but with a murky timeline as he is dealing with nerve issues in his elbow. The Ms recently grabbed Adam Oller off waivers from the As and also have Darren McCaughan on the 40-man roster.

Milone is clearly happy with the organization, having repeatedly stuck with them over the past two years despite having multiple opportunities to head elsewhere. There will undoubtedly be a great deal of roster upheaval in the coming weeks thanks to the August 1 trade deadline, which could create new opportunities, but its also possible he decides to report to Tacoma and wait for his next chance in the big leagues.
Some Michigan government job applicants will no longer be overlooked because of their marijuana use.

The Michigan Civil Service Commission voted unanimously Wednesday, July 12, to partially lift a longstanding ban on hiring state employees who fail preemployment drug screens for marijuana.

A five-year high of 151 applicants who applied for state jobs failed for the presence of marijuana in 2022, according to data provided by the Office of the State Employer (OSE). The number more than doubled from 2021 and the state recorded 351 pre-employment failures for marijuana since it was legalized for recreational use in 2018. Of 83 failed pre-employment drug tests this year, 81 were for marijuana.

Marijuana testing will remain in place for a large swath of government employees, including health workers, state police and Michigan Department of Corrections officers. But effective Oct. 1 eliminates the requirement for office staff and those applying for positions that dont require driving, operation of heavy machinery or handling of hazardous materials.

The change also eliminates current rules that ban applicants who previously failed a drug test for marijuana from applying for another state job for three years.

The changes effectively treat marijuana similar to alcohol for the designated jobs. Preemployment drug screens will continue to test for cocaine, opiates, amphetamines and phencyclidine, known as PCP.

While marijuana use wont exclude applicants, once hired, those employees may still subject to testing if its believed they are under the influence of marijuana, according to the rule change passed by the Civil Service Commission.

The commission decided to review the rules in light of marijuana legalization that began with the passage of laws allowing medical use in 2008.

While voting in favor of the changes, Michigan Civil Service Commissioner Jeff Steffel, a former 28-year state police trooper, said hes not totally on board.

Why is it the work done by our state employees any less important in terms of marijuana impairment than what it is for police officers, nurses, etc., he said. So I think it is bad policy to not screen for marijuana and not prohibit those people from being employed.

Steffel cited an American Medical Association study that found an increase in workplace accidents, injuries and absenteeism among marijuana users.

Im not sure I want to introduce that into the state workforce, Steffel said.

Civil Service Commission Nick Ciaramitaro said the change is necessary to comply with the will of voters who passed marijuana legalization.

Whether or not we agree with it or not is kind of beyond the point, he said. Use of marijuana on the job is different than having used it months before you take the test ... It doesnt make sense to limit our ability to hire qualified people because they took a gummy two weeks ago.

Nearly 350 marijuana users have failed drug tests and been denied employment since legalization five years ago, according to the Civil Service Commission.

Michigan residents made the decisions to treat marijuana, recreational marijuana, much like alcohol, said Commission Chair Jase Bolger. Not that anybody should be overindulging on alcohol on Friday night, Im not suggesting that they should be getting high on Friday night, but to treat them the same when they show up to work on Monday morning seems consistent with the current public policy in the state.

Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency spokesman David Harns, whose office promotes commercial marijuana while currently banning use by prospective employees, said the agency looks forward to complying with the new rules.

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DETROIT - Kid Rock will be spending this weekend back home in Michigan. The Metro Detroit native, who now lives in Nashville, will perform two concerts at the same arena which once was home to his Made in Detroit restaurant.

Rock will be at Little Caesars Arena on his No Snowflakes tour on Friday, July 14 and on Saturday, July 15. Grand Funk Railroad will open both concerts. Rock is only performing a handful of concerts on this tour after he announced before last years Bad Reputation tour he would not longer go on big concert tours again.

Tickets for Fridays concert can be found at VIVID SEATS and through STUBHUB for as low as $25.

Tickets for Saturdays show can also be found via VIVID SEATS and through STUBHUB for as low as $30.

This will be the first time Rock has performed at the home of the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons since his concert was the first ever event at the arena on September 12, 2017. That was his first of a string of six concerts to open the arena.

Rock also had a falling out with Little Caesars Arena in 2019 when he agreed not to renew his licensing agreement for his Made In Detroit restaurant inside the arena a few days after he went on a profanity-filled rant targeting Oprah Winfrey. A new restaurant has opened at that location.

Chris Granger, group president of Ilitch Holdings, said at that time in a statement: As our venues are open, inviting, inclusive, and respectful to all, we look forward to bringing on an exciting new concept that aligns with our community and company values.

Rock had this to say at that time: I may be guilty of being a loud mouth jerk at times, but trying to label me racist is a joke, and actually only does a disservice to the black community, which I have supported my entire life, by trying to alienate myself and many others.

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TORONTO (AP)  Decades after many other rich countries stopped forcibly sterilizing Indigenous women, numerous activists, doctors, politicians and at least five class-action lawsuits allege the practice has not ended in Canada.

A Senate report last year concluded this horrific practice is not confined to the past, but clearly is continuing today. In May, a doctor was penalized for forcibly sterilizing an Indigenous woman in 2019.

Indigenous leaders say the country has yet to fully reckon with its troubled colonial past  or put a stop to a decades-long practice that is considered genocide.

There are no solid estimates on how many women are being sterilized against their will, but Indigenous experts say they regularly hear complaints about it. Sen. Yvonne Boyer, whose office is collecting the limited data available, says at least 12,000 women have been affected since the 1970s.

Whenever I speak to an Indigenous community, I am swamped with women telling me that forced sterilization happened to them, Boyer, who has Indigenous Metis heritage, told The Associated Press.

Medical authorities in Canadas Northwest Territories sanctioned a doctor in May for forcibly sterilizing an Indigenous woman, according to documents obtained by the AP.

Dr. Andrew Kotaska performed the 2019 operation to relieve an Indigenous womans abdominal pain. He had her written consent to remove her right fallopian tube but not her left one, which would leave her sterile.

Despite objections from other medical staff during the surgery, Kotaska took out both fallopian tubes.

The investigation concluded there was no medical justification for the sterilization, and Kotaska was found to have engaged in unprofessional conduct. Kotaskas severe error in surgical judgment was unethical, cost the patient the chance to have more children and could undermine trust in the medical system, investigators said.

The case was likely not exceptional.

Thousands of Indigenous Canadian women over the past seven decades were coercively sterilized, in line with eugenics legislation that deemed them inferior.

The Geneva Conventions describe forced sterilization as a type of genocide and crime against humanity and the Canadian government has condemned forced sterilization elsewhere, including of Uyghur women in China.

In 2018, the U.N. Committee Against Torture told Canada it was concerned about persistent reports of forced sterilization, saying all allegations should be investigated.

In 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged that the murders and disappearances of Indigenous women across Canada amounted to genocide, but activists say little has been done to address ingrained prejudices against the Indigenous, allowing forced sterilizations to continue.

In a statement, the Canadian government told the AP it was aware of allegations that Indigenous women were forcibly sterilized and the matter is before the courts.

Sterilization of women without their informed consent constitutes an assault and is a criminal offense, the government said. It acknowledged that bias in the health system continues to have catastrophic effects on Indigenous people.

-

Indigenous people comprise about 5% of Canadas nearly 40 million people. The more than 600 Indigenous communities across Canada, known as First Nations, face significant health challenges compared to other Canadians.

Until the 1990s, Indigenous people were mostly treated in segregated hospitals, where there were reports of rampant abuse.

Its difficult to say how common sterilization  with or without consent  happens. Canadas national health agency doesnt routinely collect sterilization data, including the ethnicity of patients.

In 2019, Sylvia Tuckanow told the Senate committee investigating forced sterilizations about how she gave birth in a Saskatoon hospital in July 2001. She described being disoriented from medication and being tied to a bed as she cried.

I could smell something burning, she said. When the (doctor) was finished, he said, There: tied, cut and burnt. Nothing will get through that, Tuckanow said, referring to her fallopian tubes. She said she hadnt consented.

In November, a report documented nearly two dozen forced sterilizations in Quebec from 1980 to 2019, including one woman who said her doctor told her after bladder surgery that he had removed her uterus at the same time  without her consent.

The report concluded that doctors and nurses insistently questioning whether a First Nations or Inuit mother wants to (be sterilized) after the birth of her first child seems to be an existing practice in Quebec.

Some women were not even aware they were sterilized.

Morningstar Mercredi, an Alberta-based Indigenous author, was sterilized as a 14-year-old, but didnt find out until decades later when she sought help after being unable to conceive.

I went into a catatonic stage and had a nervous breakdown, Mercredi wrote in her 2021 book, Sacred Bundles Unborn.

She said the impact of forced sterilizations on First Nations people was staggering, describing the generations of lost Indigenous lives as a genocide.

The Senate report on forced sterilization made 13 recommendations, including compensating victims, measures to address systemic racism in health care and a formal apology.

In response to questions from the AP, the Canadian government said it recognized the pressing need to end forced sterilization. The government said it had invested more than 87 million Canadian dollars ($65 million) to improve access to culturally safe health services, one-third of which supports Indigenous midwifery initiatives.

Last year, the government allocated 6.2 million Canadian dollars ($4.7 million) to help survivors of forced sterilization.

____

Dr. Alika Lafontaine, the first Indigenous president of the Canadian Medical Association, recalls times when it was unclear whether Indigenous women had agreed to sterilization.

In my residency, there were situations where we would do C-sections on patients and someone would lean over and say, So well also clip her (fallopian) tubes, he said. It never crossed my mind whether these patients had an informed conversation about sterilization, he said, adding he assumed that had happened before patients were on the operating table.

Dr. Ewan Affleck, who made a 2021 film, " The Unforgotten, about the pervasive racism against Canadas Indigenous people, noted an ongoing power imbalance in health care. If you have a white doctor saying to an Indigenous woman, You should be sterilized, it may very likely happen, Affleck said.

___

There are at least five class-action lawsuits against health, provincial and federal authorities involving forced sterilizations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and elsewhere.

May Sarah Cardinal, the representative plaintiff in the Alberta case, said she was pressured into having her tubes tied after having her second child in 1977, but the doctor never explained the procedure was irreversible.

The doctor told me: There are hard times ahead and how are you going to look after a bunch of kids? What if your husband leaves? Cardinal told the AP. I didnt feel like I had a say.

In the case against Kotaska, documents show an anesthetist and surgical nurse became alarmed when he said during the surgery to remove the womans right fallopian tube: Lets see if I can find a reason to take the left tube as well.

Kotaska said he was voicing his thought process out loud that removing both tubes would lessen the womans pelvic pain.

Describing Kotaskas actions as a violation of his ethical obligations, investigators suspended Kotaskas medical license for five months and ordered him to take an ethics course. The woman is suing Kotaska and hospital authorities for 6 million Canadian dollars ($4.38 million).

There was no suggestion in the documents that Kotaska was motivated by racism. He declined to comment to the AP.

People dont want to believe things like this are happening in Canada, but cases like this explain why entire First Nations populations still feel unsafe, said Dr. Unjali Malhotra, chief medical officer of the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia.

Mercredi said she continues to suffer from being sterilized without her knowledge.

No amount of therapy or healing can reconcile the fact that my human right to have children was taken from me, she said.

___

By MARIA CHENG AP Medical Writer. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
KALAMAZOO, MI -- A coffee roaster was allegedly punished for seeking union representation, triggering a charge against the employer with a national labor board.

An employee of Kalamazoo Coffee Company was allegedly placed on leave after a local union told his company in December 2022 that he was seeking their representation.

Jonathan Current, whos on the executive board of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 131, filed the charge with the National Labor Relations Board on behalf of the employee.

The employee spoke to IBEW officials about union representation. The union then approached Kalamazoo Coffee Company, asking it to join the union. The employees safety concern was because of a chemical compound that comes from roasting coffee. He asked for more ventilation, Current said.

We told them Hey, this employee sought representation with us, we would love for you guys to come join our organization, Current said.

Within an hour, Kalamazoo Coffee Company officials had the employee return his keys, the charge alleges. He was placed on paid leave, the document says.

This was an explicit punishment for seeking representation, the charge says.

Soon after the new year began, the employee was terminated, Current said.

The employee declined to comment, Current said, because of concerns over civil issues. The company did not return requests for comment from the Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive.

Current believes the company violated the employees rights.

There are laws in place to protect workers, thats why I filed the complaint, he said.

The Wagner Act protects worker rights to organize or form unions, regardless of whether an employer wants a union or not, he said. The National Labor Relations Act protects workplace democracy by providing employees at private-sector workplaces the right to seek better working conditions and designation of representation without fear of retaliation.

The National Labor Relations Board is an independent federal agency that receives about 20,000 to 30,000 charges per year from employees, unions and employers covering a range of unfair labor practices.

Each charge is investigated by NLRB agents, who gather evidence and may take affidavits from parties and witnesses. The majority of charges are either settled by the parties, withdrawn by the charging party, or dismissed by the director, the agency said.

The board is investigating the Kalamazoo charge, according to a letter Current received from the agency in May. He filed an amended charge on June 23.

Companies often fight these types of complaints, Current said.

I expect them to fight it, he said, though he has not seen a response from the company. It can be a cumbersome process, he said, and could take six months to a year to resolve.

The charge is seeking back wages for the time the employee was not at work, Current said, and seeks to have his employment reinstated.

The IBEW union was founded in 1891 in St. Louis, Missouri. Kalamazoo received its charter in 1916.

Kalamazoo Coffee Company roasts beans for distribution from its location at 414 Walbridge St. downtown. The company used to also have a cafe, but no longer does.

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LANSING, MI  Another Cotton-top tamarin has been born at a Michigan zoo.

The baby born to parents Yuri and LG at Lansings Potter Park Zoo on June 9 marks the fifth successful litter for the pair in the past five years. The babys arrival brings the cotton-top tamarin family group to a total of eight members.

We are thrilled to witness the continued reproductive success of our cotton-top tamarin pair, Yuri and LG, said Dr. Ronan Eustace, Director of Animal Health at Potter Park Zoo. Their offspring not only contribute to the long-term survival of this endangered species but also serve as ambassadors for conservation and education.

Cotton-top tamarin social groups adhere to a strict hierarchical structure, wherein one monogamous pair retains exclusive breeding rights. The older offspring adults play a vital role in raising the newborns through a cooperative practice known as alloparenting.

The zoos animal care team said the baby is actively nursing and exhibiting growing curiosity about their surroundings each day. The older siblings have eagerly taken on the task of car i ng for the infant, who will gradually gain independence by five months of age, according to zoo staff.

The animal care and veterinary teams will continue to provide attentive care and monitoring of the family group.

Cotton-top tamarins are a highly endangered primate species since they are often captured and traded illegally as pets. Their natural forest homes in Columbia are also being destroyed for activities like cattle ranching, farming, and urban expansion.

There are only about 2,000 adult cotton-top tamarins left in the wild and approximately 200 cotton-top tamarins reside in zoos throughout the United States.

Guests can visit the infant and the rest of the tamarin group in the reptile house.

Potter Park Zoo is home to nearly 350 animals, including critically endangered black rhinos, endangered red pandas, Massasauga rattlesnakes, and spider monkeys.

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Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

Todays Birthday (07/13/23). Youre especially popular this year. Investigations reveal their mysteries with steady, disciplined moves. Share a delightful autumn at home with family, before winter social circumstances rearrange your team. Springtime domestic changes require renewal for a surge in professional performance and prizes. Collaboration can accomplish wonders.

To get the advantage, check the days rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19)  Today is an 8  Polish a diamond in the rough. Mold creative projects. Abandon preconceptions. Connect the pieces. Craft persuasive pitches. Words get farther than action. Share and express.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)  Today is an 8  New evidence threatens complacency. Review financial or client accounts. You can see whats missing. Dont get pushy, though. Pursue lucrative opportunities when possible.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)  Today is an 8  Take extra care of yourself. Temporary confusion could blind. Despite misgivings, youre on to something. Dont gamble. Patiently persist. Use your power for good.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)  Today is a 7  Recharge and reorganize plans for recent changes. If youre going to get in trouble, make sure its good trouble.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)  Today is an 8  Support a group project around a challenge. Things could seem chaotic. Use your words. Avoid expensive pitfalls. Coordinate and collaborate for a good cause.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)  Today is a 9  Take care of business despite delays, breakdowns or confusion. You can see the potential. Build and grow from strong foundations. Keep your sense of humor.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)  Today is an 8  Expand a dreamy investigation. You may need to navigate obstacles, roadblocks or ugliness. The prize overcompensates any struggle. Align words and actions for long-term benefit.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)  Today is an 8  Prioritize practical priorities with family finances. You can manage an unexpected expense. Faithful efforts build lasting value. Keep contributing to the shared pot.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)  Today is a 7  Collaborative efforts could seem stalled. Negotiate and adjust plans with your partner. Dont get pushy. Clean any messes. Keep your part of a bargain.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)  Today is an 8  Avoid mistakes. Prioritize your work, health and energy despite busy or stressful conditions. Slow and steady wins the race. Long-term dreams lie within reach.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)  Today is an 8  Enjoy time with friends, even from a distance. Adapt around limitations or barriers to romance and fun. Find clever solutions in conversation. Listen and learn.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)  Today is a 7  Focus on domestic projects. To clear mental cobwebs, clean the house. Make repairs and upgrades. Rearrange things. Savor simple pleasures with people you love.

Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Blacks legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like todays Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.

2023 Nancy Black. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency.
Salmon fishing was starting to pick up across Michigan this past week, officials said.

Anglers targeting Chinook salmon had better luck this past week as fishing was starting to pick up, on Lake Michigan out of Leland, according to the Wednesday, July 12, weekly fishing report from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Anglers fishing out of Presque Isle reported fishing to be very good for Chinook, coho, pink salmon and Atlantic salmon, along with steelhead and lake trout, the report said.

On Lake Michigan, anglers out of St. Joseph, were catching coho salmon, a few Chinook salmon and lake trout, the report said. Out of Muskegon, there was a mix bag of salmon and trout. Out of Grand Haven, boat anglers were doing fair targeting the Chinook salmon. Salmon fishing started to pick up over the weekend out of Manistee. There were also good numbers of Chinook salmon, lake trout and steelhead out of Frankfort.

On Lake Huron, fishing was good with a great mixed bag out of Rogers City, the report said. The catch included lake trout, Atlantic, Chinook, pink and coho salmon, plus steelhead and walleye. Anglers were catching walleye and pike out of Alpena.

The fishing report covers the entire state and is broken down into five regions with information about several areas in each region. It includes where anglers are casting their lines, what methods and bait theyre using, what theyre targeting  and how well they did.

Continue scrolling for to see the full report.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie: Anglers were catching walleye in deeper water, around 26 feet while using bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses. Anglers were trolling at 1.3 mph, with 50-foot leads, out from the Raisin River. Algae was forming out from the Nuclear Power Plant rendering fishing in that site less effective. Yellow perch seemed to have come in a bit early this season with some boat anglers getting 50 to 60 a trip. Although only two to five of them were larger sized out of the bunches. Yellow perch were caught on perch rigs using minnows, with night crawlers also being effective. Largemouth and smallmouth bass were caught out from the rock wall near the beach area of Sterling State Park on chop baits.

Lake St. Clair: Smallmouth bass fishing slowed down with warmer temperatures. The best action seemed to be near the dumping grounds and along the shipping channel north of there in 15 to 17 feet of water. Anglers brought in limit catches of crappie from Fords Cove. They were fishing in 8 feet of water with swim jigs. Anglers caught perch near the dumping grounds and were running north near the shipping channel in 15 feet of water on minnows and crawlers three feet from bottom. Perch fishing was good north of the St. Clair light. The walleye action was slow, but a few were caught from the mouth of the south channel and by anglers fishing for perch near the dumping grounds. Anglers were having some luck for walleye in the north and middle channels as well.

Saginaw Bay: After the recent rain and wind, fishing for walleye in the slot improved. Anglers were catching fish in 12 to 16 feet of water from the bottom of the slot and up to Sebewaing. Fishing out over the bar in deeper water of 22 to 26 feet was inconsistent last week. Crawler harnesses were the most consistent producer while body baits still caught walleye. Walleye were caught while trolling in 6 feet of water at Finn Road and 3 miles northeast of the Sparkplug in 23 feet of water. In the lower part of the Saginaw River, walleye were caught in 16 feet of water while trolling. Anglers trolling out in front of the KawKawlin River in 7 to 9 feet of water were catching walleye. Largemouth and smallmouth bass were caught along the shoreline in Linwood.

Harbor Beach: Lake trout, a few salmon and steelhead were caught in 100 to 130 feet. Anglers were using downriggers with spoons and lead core. An accidental walleye was caught while trolling for salmon and trout.

Port Sanilac: Good perch fishing was happening south of the harbor in various weed beds in 18 to 22 feet of water while drifting and anchoring using minnows. A mix of salmon and trout were taken in 100 to 130 feet of water using downriggers with spoons. Anglers reported catches of steelhead, coho salmon, lake trout and an occasional pink salmon and Atlantic salmon.

Port Austin: Walleye fishing was improving. Anglers were trolling around the lighthouse and towards the west using crankbaits and crawler harnesses, with crawlers working the best. Anglers were fishing from 25 to 40 feet depending on where they were fishing.

Lexington: Some perch were caught north of the harbor in a couple nice weed beds in 18 to 25 feet of water about one to two miles north.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

South Haven: Boat anglers targeting trout and salmon had fair fishing. The catch was a mixed bag of lake trout and steelhead with a few Chinook salmon. The best water was in 110 feet and deeper. Perch fishing was slow. Pier fishing was slow for everything except for freshwater drum.

St. Joseph: Salmon anglers were catching decent numbers of fish this week. The best water was around 120 feet of water. Anglers were catching coho salmon, a few Chinook salmon and lake trout. Spoons were working best. Pier fishing was slow for all species. Perch fishing was slow. There were a few fish caught in 45 feet of water but overall fishing was slow.

Muskegon: Boat anglers were starting to catch a mix bag of salmon and trout. The best action was 45 to 90 down in 80 to 140 feet of water. Pier anglers were catching a few freshwater drum while casting spoons. The best baits continued to be meat rigs, glow spoons and green flies.

Grand Haven: Boat anglers were doing fair on Chinook salmon along with a few steelhead and lake trout. The best action was 50 to100 feet down in 100 to 180 feet of water. The pier action was slow for steelhead. A few freshwater drum were caught while casting spoons. Salmon anglers had their best luck on green or blue meat rigs along with glow spoons. The best bite was early in the morning and late in the evenings.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Presque Isle: Anglers reported the fishing to still be very good for Chinook, coho, pink salmon, Atlantic salmon, steelhead and trout. The majority of fish were scattered throughout the water column in depths of 70 to 150 feet of water. Spoons in green/silver, oranges, and blue/silvers worked the best for Chinook from 40 to 70 feet down from the lighthouse to Thomson Harbor. Coho, steelhead and Atlantic salmon were found in the top 40 feet of water. The best results came from bright colored spoons in orange, orange/gold, watermelon, and silvers on 2-7 color lead cores. Walleye were starting to show up on random high lines making for a tasty bonus fish. Lake trout were reported in waters 80 to 150 feet in decent numbers. Bright colored spoons, cowbells, and flasher/spin glow combos worked well in the lower half of the water column. Pike and smallmouth bass were found around the harbor as well as rock bass. Tube jigs, spinners and spinnerbaits had the best results.

Cheboygan River/Lake Huron: Fishing in the river was similar to the last few weeks. Rock bass, smallmouth bass and freshwater drum were available in all sizestypically targeted by anglers with crawlers on the bottom or below a float. Walleye appeared to have increased in number, though several undersized walleye were caught and released for each caught over 15. Fishing for northern pike on the Cheboygan pier was quite popular this week with several keeper size fish were caught using both lures and large minnows under a float. At the mouth of the river and in Duncan Bay, boat anglers encountered good size and numbers of smallmouth bass.

Rockport: There were decent numbers of silver fish and trout caught from Middle Island all the way to Stoneport. Anglers reported that 2-8 color lead cores were taking the majority of fish. A wide variety of colors were productive with speed being an important factor. Anglers going 2.8 to 3 mph had the best results in depths of 60 to 120 feet of water. Trout were taken near bottom on dodgers and chartreuse spin glows and spoons in chartreuse, orange and greens. Largemouth and smallmouth bass were caught off the dock on plastic swim baits with brown, green, and lime colored baits being most productive.

Alpena: Anglers were mostly targeting walleye. The waters around Sulphur and Scarecrow islands were very productive in 16 to 25 feet of water. Crawler harnesses in gold, green, and rainbow patterns worked well while trolling in the bottom 10 feet of the column. Nighttime anglers had the best results with crankbaits with black/gold, black/silver, with purple working the best. Good numbers of walleye were reported around North Point in 14 to 20 feet. Anglers casting jigs in goby patterns had the best results throughout the day. The waters from the pier head to Grass Island were producing good numbers of pike on bright colored body baits in 10 to 20 feet. Anglers targeting catfish reported success off the pier with fish in the 15-to-20-pound range being taken. Crawlers and leaches were taking the majority of the fish in late evenings and after dark.

Thunder Bay River: Anglers reported a few walleye caught while trolling bottom bouncers with crawlers from the mouth of the river to the Holiday Inn. Smallmouth bass and northern pike were taken in the same waters on crankbaits and spinner baits. Good numbers of bullhead and freshwater drum were taken around the 9th Street Bridge and Lamarr Park while using crawlers, leaches and minnows.

Tawas: Anglers were catching limits of walleye when they were heading towards Charity Island. There were more walleye popping up off Tawas Point, but not in significant numbers. Crawler harnesses were used the most by anglers, but stick baits worked as well.

Oscoda/Au Sable: Steelhead, coho and lake trout were the most prevalent in 90 to 150 feet of water. Anglers were also catching pink salmon, Chinook salmon and Atlantic salmon, but those were few and far between. A few walleye were appearing in around 90 feet of water, but not a lot of anglers were targeting them. Off the end of the pier there were some smallmouth bass.

Rogers City: Anglers were fishing straight out of the harbor up the lake towards 40 Mile Point and south towards Adams Point. Fishing was good with a great mixed bag. Anglers were catching lake trout, Atlantic salmon, steelhead, Chinook, coho, pink salmon and walleye. Steelhead, Atlantic salmon and coho were caught fairly high in the water column with regular to smaller sized spoons. Good colors were silvers, orange and silver, orange, green and silver or bright colors. Anglers were deploying planer boards with 2, 3, 5, 7 segments of lead core for best results. Anglers were using sliders off downriggers too. Chinook salmon were caught on a regular basis as well. Spoons as well as flasher fly combos and some meat rigs were also working. Good colors were greens, blues, white, black and white. The Chinook salmon fishing was better very early before sunrise or after sunset. Some anglers staying out late have done descent. The best water depths were in 70 to 120 feet of water. Anglers should run lines all through the water column. The fish seemed to be everywhere right now. Sometimes they were above the thermocline and sometimes they were in the cold water below the thermocline. A lot of the Chinook salmon were feeding heavily on smelt so blue and silver might be a great color.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Manistee: Salmon fishing started to pick up over the weekend. Anglers found Chinook salmon straight out and south along the bank in 80 to 200 feet of water when fishing 35 to 60 feet down; Chinook salmon were also caught at Big Sauble Point and just north of it. Spoons and meat rigs worked the best, but flasher fly combos also produced fish. In the mix came decent catches of steelhead. The early morning Chinook bites were the best.

Ludington: Salmon fishing was hit or miss but started to pick up over the weekend. Anglers that found Chinook salmon caught them at Big Sauble Point and northwest of the harbor in 100 to 180 feet of water when fishing 30 to 60 feet down with spoons, meat rigs and flasher fly combos. Pier anglers caught some perch, smallmouth and rock bass. The late night and early morning bites were good.

West Grand Traverse Bay: Fishing was somewhat slow. The anglers that braved the Fourth of July crowds on the water were rewarded with some decent lake trout. Both trolling and jigging was a good method in about 70 to 90 feet of water while using greens and silvers. Anglers heading out of Suttons Bay were going towards Old Mission. Anglers going out to catch and release noticed many smallmouth bass while fishing shallow beds with artificial baits.

Leland: Anglers were catching limits of lake trout 3 to 3.5 miles out while trolling. Many anglers were coming back to the launch with mature trout, anywhere from 20 to 26 pounds with a 30-pound trout reported. Anglers targeting Chinook salmon had better luck this past week as fishing was starting to pick up. Anglers reported that trolling in 150 to 200 feet of water, fishing anywhere from 50 to 80 feet down has been the trick. For bait being used, spin n glows, cowbells, greens and silvers and specifically RV happee meal was the general consensus. Anglers looking to pier fish, the docks in Leland were a good place to catch smallmouth bass and the occasional carp.

Charlevoix: Fishing pressure in the area over the past week was low due to heavy non-fishing boat activities. Anglers that were targeting lake trout had success primarily fishing south of Charlevoix, while trolling in 50 to 100 feet. Boat anglers traveling to the north side of the Leelanau Peninsula reported a few Chinook salmon and lake trout. Anglers fishing from the piers were targeting smallmouth bass with minimal success. Sitting wigglers or minnows off the bottom of the channel produced the best results, however, most bass caught were under legal keeping size.

Petoskey/Harbor Springs: Anglers targeting lake trout found most of their success northwest of Harbor Springs fishing in 75 to 150 feet of water. Green and silver spoons produced the best results while trolling at various depths. In Little Traverse Bay, anglers had some success targeting salmon while fishing in shallower waters, roughly 30 to 50 feet; few smaller Chinook salmon were reported. Anglers fishing near the mouth of the Bear River had a variety of success catching rock bass, smallmouth, bullhead, freshwater drum and a few pike.

Frankfort: Anglers were reporting good numbers of alewife in the area as Chinook salmon were hitting good throughout. The scum line had yet to set up so anglers were guessing on depths. From the Herring Hole to Platte Bay good numbers of Chinook salmon, lake trout and steelhead from 30 to 70 feet down with spoons, flies and meat riggs were all landing good sizes. The early morning bite was still getting better numbers, but the evening bite was picking up.

Onekama: Anglers were finding good numbers of lake trout in the Barrel with some respectable sizes as well. Most were picked up off the bottom in 90 to 130 feet of water.

Portage Lake: Water temperatures were on the rise, so anglers were picking up perch, bass and panfish while working the drops in 16 to 20 feet of water.

Upper Peninsula

Little Bay de Noc: Anglers fishing the drop off, south of Gladstone, were catching a few perch and walleye. Perch anglers reported fair fishing, although the bite slowed down. Anglers fishing the Escanaba River mouth and Kipling had some success when using minnows. Walleye anglers reported slow fishing.

Big Bay de Noc: The smallmouth bass anglers reported catching some quality fish. Anglers were casting over areas with rock. Some anglers reported catching fish near the weeds, but most were fishing structure away from the shoreline.

Fairport: Salmon anglers reported mixed results. Many anglers were experiencing short strikes and were losing fish upon taking the bait. Anglers were successful using a variety of trolling methods, using spoons and rotator and fly combinations.

Keweenaw Bay/Huron Bay: Anglers were fishing for lake trout and whitefish during the days and salmon and trout during the mornings and evenings. Some large trout and salmon were caught while trolling this recent week. Most fish were caught during the mornings and lake trout and coho salmon made up most of the catch. Anglers found fish throughout the water column in waters as deep as 170 feet and shallower.

Big Traverse Bay/South Portage Canal: Anglers were mostly catching lake trout and coho. Some anglers were having luck jigging for lake trout with cut bait in deeper waters while other anglers were lucky trolling with artificial lures (spoons and flies). Anglers were catching fish anywhere from 60 to 200 feet. During warm days the fish were found deeper in colder water and after rain the fish were found throughout the water column.

Les Cheneaux/Detour: Anglers in Hessel were picking up a few perch at the marina, mostly using red worms. They were also picking up an occasional pike off the outside wall early in the morning on perch, gobies and chubs. There were also a few splake caught by anglers trolling Wilderness Bay. The Detour area was pretty steady with herring anglers the last few days. Anglers were picking up nice catches of herring around the islands towards Drummond. Anglers were catching them on wax worms and teardrops. The best way to find herring was to follow the fly hatch. There were a few lake trout caught out in the flats, however the majority of the anglers were going north for herring. There were reports of anglers catching walleye to the north, while trolling with crawler harnesses after sunset.

Ontonagon River: Despite recent inclement weather, anglers were catching walleye in respectable numbers along with the occasional rock bass. Jigging was reported to be the most effective fishing method for walleye over the past week. However, some anglers that prefer trolling were able to find fish. Fish were caught at all times of the day, but early mornings seem to yield the most successful trips.

Ontonagon/Silver City/Union Bay: Fishing out of these ports seemed to pick up over the past week. Despite some days of strong winds and rain, anglers were able to find some lake trout, coho salmon, and the occasional brown trout. Successful trips were the result of long days on the lake spent trolling artificial lures. Fish were reported to be caught randomly in a variety of shallow and deeper waters.

Black River Harbor: The few anglers who were on the lake reported a random dispersion of fish in various depths of water. Lake trout were caught in low numbers by those willing to spend long days trolling artificial lures.

Grand Marais: Lake trout anglers continued to do well on limits. The best areas were Five Mile Reef and towards AuSable from 300 to 250 feet. Both trolling and jigging were effective. Pier fishing pressure was low with only a few small whitefish caught.

Munising Bay: Boat anglers continued to report action for coho with a few Chinook salmon. Although general fishing pressure was very low and catch rates have slowed considerably, there continues to be some fish caught. Lake trout anglers caught a few and reported good action near White Rocks and Wood Island in depths of 150 to 200 feet.

Pine River: Some walleye were caught in the Pine River but it was very slow.

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Beaver Island is like no other place in Michigan, and youre going to learn all the ways how starting this Saturday on MLive.com.

Our environmental journalists Sheri McWhirter and Garret Ellison arrive Friday and will spend a week reporting on this fascinating place  stuck not only in the middle of northern Lake Michigan, but also in a less-developed era. Theyll be joined on the journalistic trek by MLive videographer Neil Blake.

Its my very favorite place in all of the Great Lakes, said McWhirter, who has lived her life in northern Michigan and has been on Beaver Island several times. It is arguably the most remote place in Michigan where you can live. Even if you live at the very tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula you could be to civilization (quicker).

Ive been to Beaver Island and will vouch for that. First, its a two-hour-plus ferry ride out of Charlevoix, which itself reminds you how large a Great Lake can be. When you dock, its not just the lack of big-city amenities that stands out  its the palpable sense of remoteness. Forests, fields, dune-grass beaches and nature preserves spread out over 56 square miles and the year-round population checks in at about 600.

Our trio is going to explore the ways that remoteness can protect a biome, and also document how invasive species  human and otherwise  are making their encroachment regardless.

Theres a particular wildflower that were going to be seeing where it was known to grow in two places on the island  and one of those places is now covered by a house, McWhirter said. Another is the emerald ash borer has arrived on Beaver Island, later than it did everywhere else in Michigan.

The journalists will tag along with scientists working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as they release a breed of wasps that prey on the borer. And they are staying at a Central Michigan University biological research camp and will tell stories out of the work researchers are doing on the island  which in fact is a collection of 14 islands, with Beaver as the largest.

Were planning to get out with some of the CMU scientists to see what theyre doing with remote underwater vehicles, some of the science around the archipelago, said Ellison, who is making his first trip to Beaver Island. And were going to get out on a kayak and check out the 42-mile water trail that circles the island.

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One theme of the reporting on research scientists is what is being studied, and done, to keep Beaver Island pristine.

When it comes to environmental stories, its often bad news, like a spill or something, Ellison said. But with Beaver Island, we get a chance to write about stuff thats working, like wetlands monitoring.

This is the second significant trip in northern Michigan in two years for Ellison and McWhirter. Last summer, they trekked across the Upper Peninsula and did substantive reporting on legacy mining pollution, innovative responses to wolf predation, wildlife love-and-loss stories, and much more. That content was eagerly read by hundreds of thousands of readers, showing an appetite for meaningful stories out of the farther reaches of Michigan.

Were kind of camping on this reporting trip  were not traveling hundreds of miles in a day like last year, McWhirter said. But that doesnt mean theyll run out of interesting stories to tell.

The biodiversity out there is magnificent, she said. Its so amazing that it draws scientists in every year to do incredible research. So this is going to be pretty exciting.

You can follow the reporting of Ellison, McWhirter and Blake on Beaver Island day-by-day by bookmarking this link, which will take you to a collection of all coverage.

# # #

John Hiner is the vice president of content for MLive Media Group. If you have questions youd like him to answer, or topics to explore, share your thoughts at editor@mlive.com.
La presidenta Dina Boluarte se reunio por segunda vez con alcaldes de Puno. En esta ocasion, la cita fue con 11 alcaldes distritales de Puno y 3 de Cusco, con quienes abordo proyectos urgentes y coincidio en la importancia de trabajar en conjunto, con paz social, dialogo y unidad pic.twitter.com/1qsEGtjIYG
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- There should be increased opportunities for Michigan pheasant hunters in 2023.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday that its highly anticipated pheasant release program is expanding for the upcoming season.

As a result, the program will include three times more rooster pheasants released than in 2022, four new release sites and additional releases in December on state game areas with an open pheasant hunting season.

For seasoned hunters and newcomers alike, this is a prime opportunity for everyone to experience the thrill of pheasant hunting. Were excited to expand the pheasant release program and offer hunters a unique chance to connect or reconnect with upland bird hunting in Michigan, said Adam Bump, DNR upland game bird specialist.

The increased number of rooster pheasants and the addition of new release locations ensure that hunters can enjoy a memorable hunting season.

The rooster-only pheasant releases will occur Oct. 20 to Nov. 14, coinciding with the pheasant hunting season. All release sites that have an open December pheasant hunting season will have an additional pheasant release in December.

A pheasant license cost $25. The birds are supplied by the Michigan Association of Gamebird Breeders and Hunting Preserves.

We encourage people to take advantage of this remarkable opportunity to connect with nature and experience the joy of upland bird hunting, Bump said.

Pheasants will be released on 13 state game/wildlife areas throughout southern Michigan including:

Cass City (Tuscola County)  fall and December release.

Cornish (Van Buren County)  fall release only.

Crane Pond (Cass County)  fall release only.

Crow Island (Bay and Saginaw counties)  fall and December release.

Dansville (Ingham County)  fall and December release.

Erie (Monroe County)  fall and December release.

Lapeer (Lapeer County)  fall and December release.

Leidy Lake (St. Joseph County)  fall and December release.

Pinconning (Bay County)  fall release only.

Pointe Mouillee (Monroe and Wayne counties)  fall and December release.

Rose Lake (Clinton and Shiawassee counties)  fall and December release.

Stanton (Montcalm County)  fall and December release.

St. Johns Marsh (St. Clair County)  fall and December release.

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More than 15,000 people in Michigan are without power Thursday, July 13, after heavy rain and thunderstorms ripped through the state.

A tornado watch was in effect for southern Lower Michigan until 3:00 a.m. Thursday, including most of the big cities from I-94 southward.

Consumers Energy reported about 8,800 customers  mostly near the southeast side of the state near Lansing  are without power as of 7:30 a.m. Thursday. DTE Energy reported another 6,700 customers without electricity.

The tornado watch covered the three rows of counties across southern Lower Michigan. Grand Rapids and Flint were not in the tornado watch.

RELATED: Tornado Watch issued for southern Michigan, including Kalamazoo, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Detroit and Jackson

Restoration times vary for between the two utility companies. However, most customers are expected to have power restored by mid-afternoon Thursday, according to DTE and Consumer Energys outage maps.

DTE Energy currently has 302 crews working to restore power on top of Consumers Energy 82 crews.

Consumers said counties with significant outages include Genessee (1,654) and Saginaw (1,130). Kent County has 195 people without power.

Severe weather is not expected for Thursday, although heavy rain is possible for parts of the state, the National Weather Service reported. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 70s throughout the day.

RELATED: Michigan Weather Snapshot: Spotty showers possible, sunny elsewhere

The two utility companies are warning people to avoid downed power lines.

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CHICAGO (AP)  The National Weather Service says a tornado has touched down near Chicagos OHare International Airport following warnings of severe weather for the city.

A confirmed tornado was on the ground around 7 p.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago.

This tornado has been touching the ground intermittently so far and is moving east. There are additional circulations along the line south of OHare. Seek shelter if in the warned area, it said.

The National Weather Service had issued two tornado warnings for portions of the city Wednesday evening. Tornado sirens sounded at least twice across Chicago, warning people to take cover and ringing through the citys buildings.

Lynn Becker, a longtime Chicago resident, posted video to Twitter with the sirens sounding out across the citys iconic skyline.

Im in a 60 story apartment building so my options are somewhat limited, he said. We have to, I assume, go into the core of the building.

Becker said news of the storm was featured across local media.

Theres a certain panic when youre watching a TV screen and everything is in red  but the hope is that the damage is minimal, he said.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- Monster truck shows, a famous chicken broil, comedy shows, a lavender festival and the return of Ann Arbors Townie Street Party are among the things happening around Washtenaw County this weekend.

Here are five fun things to check out from Friday, July 14, to Sunday, July 16.

1. Ann Arbors Townie Street Party

Ann Arbors Townie Street Party is back for the first time since 2019 and ready to kick off the week leading up to the iconic Ann Arbor Art Fair.

Read more: Ann Arbors Townie Street Party is back better than ever after 3 year hiatus

The street party is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 16, on East Washington Street between Thayer and Fletcher streets. The event features food trucks, activities and live music with performances from Josh Davis and his band.

Learn more online or on social media.

2. Monster truck shows at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds

Monster Truckz Tour is offering showtimes from Friday, July 14, to Sunday, July 16, at 5055 Ann Arbor Saline Road. Those interested can plan to attend a 7 p.m. show on Friday, shows at either 2 or 7 p.m. Saturday or a 2 p.m. show Sunday.

Tickets are around $40 for adults, $15 for children, $20 for students or $26 for military members. Learn more online.

3. Manchesters 70th Chicken Broil

The Village of Manchester is hosting its 70th annual chicken broil from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at Alumni Memorial Field.

The annual event is known for being the Midwests oldest and largest single-day chicken broil. Around 10,000 meals are expected to be served this year.

Read more: Midwests largest chicken broil to serve 15,000 pounds of chicken this year

Tickets can be purchased on the events website for $13. Learn more online or on social media.

4. Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase

Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase is hosting yet another weekend full of laughs.

Comedian Jimmy Pardo is performing at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, July 14, as well as at 7:15 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at 212 S. 4th Ave. Pardo is known for his many television appearances on shows like The Tonight Show and The Late Late Show, and he even has his own special on Comedy Central.

Tickets fare $25 each. Learn more about the event online.

5. Jacobs Fresh Farm Lavender Festival

Jacobs Fresh Farm in Lima Township is hosting its first Lavender Harvest Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at 475 N. Fletcher Road.

The day will be packed with options to make lavender crafts, to shop from local vendors or pick from over 3,000 lavender plants.

Tickets are $5 per person and lavender picking is an additional $5 per small bundle or $10 per large bundle. Children younger than 12 can enter the event for free.

Learn more on social media.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.

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ANN ARBOR, MI - Patients suffering emergency injuries used to die more frequently in the 1970s, said Dr. Richard Burney, former medical director of Survival Flight at University of Michigan.

Emergency medical training was close to non-existent for most physicians, Burney said, and there were few emergency medical technicians or paramedics. Also, ambulances were unable to save patients that were injured about an hour away from Michigan Medicine hospitals, he said.

People were dying unnecessarily for lack of emergency care, he said.

Solving this problem was the genesis behind Survival Flight, the university health systems critical-care transport program. Since 1983, the programs pilots and flight nurses have transported and treated more than 57,000 critically ill and injured patients, health officials said.

This weekend will mark its 40th anniversary. The program is holding a July 15 celebration to honor the service of the personnel that made Survival Flight possible in the last four decades.

To learn more about the celebration, visit michiganmedicine.org/events/40th-anniversary-survival-flight-celebration.

Prior to Survival Flights inception, emergency medicine was confined to just emergency rooms inside hospitals, Burney said. Coming out of the Vietnam War, health officials discovered that injured patients could be transported via helicopter and that there was a supply of military pilots to support hospital programs, he said.

This resulted in trauma centers forming around the country in places like Maryland, Utah and California. The Ann Arbor health system took those models and started positioning itself to act as an emergency hub for all of Michigan, Burney said.

Looking at the distribution of hospitals with trauma centers, they were not exactly geographically distributed, Burney said. Between Detroit and Lake Michigan, there was only one other hospital that was able to manage this very thing. So theres a huge, huge area involved that potentially we could serve with a helicopter.

University doctors Jim McKenzie and Allen Gaucher convinced Michigan Medicine to apply for a certificate of need for the helicopter program in 1983, Burney said. Survival Flight was formed, starting with one helicopter that would land in the middle of a quadrangle lawn. By 2001, a helicopter pad was built on a hill off to the side of East Medical Center Drive in Ann Arbor.

Burney was on the initial helicopter flight, joining the team to recover a Hillsdale County patient that had just suffered a stroke. He remembers feeling exhilarated, though the trip ended up being anti-climactic.

He ended up not being that sick, Burney said. So we took him to the most appropriate hospital in Kalamazoo.

By 1986, Burney became Survival Flights medical director, a title he held until 1994. Dr. Mark Lowell took over for Burney, overseeing the development and use of better helicopters and medical treatment procedures.

The original aircraft that was used was known as a TwinStar, Lowell said, but there needed to be room to do the things that an emergency medicine physician would do during a transport. So we got larger aircraft.

The types of medical procedures became more complicated, Lowell said, and equipment such as portable heart-lung machines needed to fit onboard. Now Survival Flight pilots fly Eurocopter EC155 aircraft, also known as Airbuses.

Read more: Check out Michigan Medicines new $10 million Survival Flight jet

Demand also grew for more helicopter recoveries, so Michigan Medicine boosted their fleet to three aircraft, Lowell said. The goal is for two aircraft to be flight ready at any time, while the third is in maintenance, he said.

On average, Survival Flight now conducts about 1,400 flights a year, Lowell said. The range of flights span both the Lower and Upper peninsulas of Michigan to as far south as Cincinnati, Ohio, he said.

The medical personnel for Survival Flight are multi-faceted, Lowell said. They need training to treat neonatal to geriatric patients, and they need to be intelligent and quick-thinking to treat patients in stressful emergency environments, he said.

Theyre epinephrine junkies, Lowell added, so they like the excitement (and) they like the spur-of-the-moment decision-making that the job requires.

When it comes to the 40th anniversary, Lowell wants to honor not only the programs pilots, physicians and nurses. The mechanics that keep Survival Flight up and running are vital, as well, he said.

The mantra of survival fight has always been that were not just a taxi service, Lowell said. Were going to provide patient care, both at the bedside when we arrive, and then during transport.

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YPSILANTI, MI -- A man accused in a recent fatal stabbing in Washtenaw County has five other open court cases against him, according to court records.

Ronnie Magbray, 27, was arraigned on one charge of open murder and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon on Monday, July 10, before Magistrate James Cameron in the 14B District Court.

Magbray was charged in connection with the death of Amira Oneill, 44, who was killed in a stabbing in Ypsilanti Township on July 6. He was denied bond.

Read more: Police identify victim in fatal Washtenaw County stabbing that led to police standoff

In addition to his murder charge, Magbray also has five other open cases in Washtenaw County courts.

In 2019, Magbray was charged with two counts of larceny. In 2020, he was charged with malicious destruction of personal property.

Magbray was also charged across two separate 2021 cases with assault with a dangerous weapon, malicious destruction of fire or police property, aggravated assault and malicious destruction of personal property and a building. In 2022, he was charged with malicious destruction of fire or police property and two counts of assaulting or restricting a police officer.

He is set to appear in court on July 20 and August 3 for various proceedings in these multiple cases.

Deputies from the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office were called to the 2000 block of International Drive in Ypsilanti Township on July 6, after a 27-year-old man suspected of stabbing Oneill barricaded himself in a male friends apartment.

Read more: Hiding behind my refrigerator: Barricaded man puts Ypsilanti-area residents on guard

The friend, 34-year-old Benjamin Keough, has been charged with accessory after the fact to a felony. Keough left the apartment building during the standoff. Police have said he was not involved with the stabbing.

Magbray is currently being held in the Washtenaw County Jail without bond. Keough is currently being held on a $500,000 bond.

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YPSILANTI, MI -- The victim of a Washtenaw County stabbing on the Fourth of July has been identified as a 22-year-old from Howell.

Ari Clarke, 22, was killed in a stabbing that occurred Tuesday, July 4, in the 800 block of Green Road in Ypsilanti. Clarkes name was not released by police but was confirmed by court records.

Clarke was born in Tampa, Florida, but graduated from Howell High School in 2018, according to an obituary published by Sharp Funeral Homes. He was an artist and musician, releasing music under the name Young Rilla, according to both the obituary and Clarkes social media page.

Everyone who was fortunate enough to meet him can attest to his charismatic, kind-hearted, and happy-go-lucky nature, his obituary reads. He had an infectious laugh, and was always cracking jokes and making people smile, wherever he went.

Read more: Violent crime like June shootings, assaults on the rise in Ann Arbor, data shows

Ypsilanti Police Department officers were called to the scene of the stabbing at 11:58 p.m. July 4, for reports of a stabbing. When the officers arrived, they found a man suffering from several stab wounds, police said, adding the man died from his injuries on scene.

James Lee Trussell, 19, was arraigned in connection with the incident on Friday, July 7, on the charge of open murder before Magistrate James Cameron in the 14A District Court.

Read more: 19-year-old charged with murder in fatal Ypsilanti stabbing

Trussell and the victim were allegedly arguing over something incredibly stupid, said Patricia Reiser, an attorney with the Washtenaw County Prosecutors Office, during the arraignment. Apparently the defendant thought the victim was looking at his girlfriend.

This is the first homicide in the city in 2023, according to police.

Trussell is currently being held in the Washtenaw County Jail without bond. He will next appear in court on Thursday, July 20.

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FLINT, MI  Demolition of Washington School, which partially burned down in 2021, is scheduled to be complete by Oct. 6  almost exactly two years after a fire destroyed much of the building.

Demolition work will officially begin on Aug. 30, and is expected to be complete by Oct. 6.

Contracts for the demolition will be awarded from Aug. 17-23, according to a presentation from Clark Construction at the July 12 Flint Board of Education meeting.

Many have called for the demolition of whats left of the Washington School building, located at 1400 N. Vernon Ave.

There have been multiple reports of fires even since most of the building came down in the Oct. 7, 2021 fire.

The building is unsafe and contains contaminated materials, so the paperwork portion of preparing the bid took longer than expected, Clark Construction Project Manager Dan Methner said at the meeting.

Washington Elementary was built in 1922 and was one of the oldest buildings owned by the Flint Community Schools district. It closed to students in 2013 and has been vacant since.

Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter.

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MONTROSE TWP., MI -- A proposed new sewage landfill in Montrose Township that met with local opposition has been pulled from Genesee Countys solid waste plan.

The county Board of Commissioners gave initial approval to the modified plan during a committee meeting on Wednesday, July 12, and could give it final approval when members meet again next week.

The 80-acre landfill had been proposed by the county Drain Commissioners Office for disposing of the roughly 12 million gallons of wastewater sludge and biosolids that remain after a typical year of sewage treatment.

Drain Commissioner Jeff Wright has said the landfill may be needed in the future because the material, which is currently used as fertilizer on farm fields, could eventually be restricted from agricultural applications because of concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Wright has also said the material may become too expensive to truck to a private facility such as the Brent Run Landfill, which is also located in the township.

To build another landfill is premature at this time, said Commissioner Martin Cousineau, D-Thetford Twp., who represents the area. This is an evolving science. We dont know what the requirements are (going to be) ... I can understand the drain commissioner wants to be prepared, but they dont even know yet what they are preparing for.

Inclusion of the landfill in the countys waste plan would have been a required first step before it could be constructed on land the county already owns adjacent to the existing Anthony Ragnone Treatment Plant, which processes most of the countys municipal sewage.

In addition to Cousineau, former Montrose Township Supervisor Mark Emmendorfer and other township officials had opposed the inclusion of the landfill in the new county waste plan.

The drain commissioners proposed landfill was included in previous solid waste plans, Wright has said, but was removed from the document more than 20 years ago after township officials lobbied for its removal and another landfill in Richfield Township was added.

The solid waste plan designation is critical to landfill operators because they cant do business without first being in the plan, which must be approved by the county as well as at least 67% of of the countys villages, cities and townships, and the state of Michigan.

Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The final round of 2023 National Merit Scholarship winners includes three high schoolers from the Grand Rapids area.

The three local teens were among 750 high schoolers nationwide who were announced on July 10 as winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities.

The scholarships range from $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship.

This is the second round of college-sponsored scholarship winners in this years competition. The first group, announced on June 10, included five more teens from the Grand Rapids area.

RELATED: 5 Grand Rapids-area teens win college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships

Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among the 15,000 finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program who will attend their institution.

This year, 153 colleges and universities are sponsoring National Merit Scholarship awards for a total of 3,800 students.

This final group of scholarship winners wraps up the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Competition, which had three prior rounds of scholarship winners: the corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards, the National Merit $2,500 Scholarship awards, and the first group of college-sponsored Merit Scholarships.

There were 16 scholarship winners from the Grand Rapids area in the first three rounds of competition.

In total, more than 7,140 high schoolers nationwide won National Merit awards this year, earning a total of nearly $28 million in scholarship funding for their undergraduate study.

To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, semifinalists had to submit a detailed scholarship application, which included writing an essay and providing information about extracurricular activities, awards and leadership positions.

Semifinalists also had to have an outstanding academic record, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirmed their qualifying test performance.

Here are the three Grand Rapids-area students who won college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships this year:

Grand Rapids

Graham R. Kaufman, a senior at Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School, won a National Merit Scholarship from Hillsdale College. Kaufman is planning to pursue a career in orthopedics.

Robin A. Meyer, a senior at City Middle/High School, won a National Merit Scholarship from Emory University. Meyer is planning to pursue a career in environmental science.

Hudsonville

Gavin R. Vanzee, a senior at West Michigan Aviation Academy, won a National Merit Scholarship from Purdue University. Vanzee is planning to pursue a career in chemical engineering.

In case you missed it, here are the five other college-sponsored scholarship winners from the Grand Rapids area, who were named in the first round of college sponsorships:

Jason M. Korzen, of Ada

Ryan T. Wall, of Byron Center

Jonathan T. Lundberg, of Grand Rapids

William G. Bosch, of Grandville

Matthew Harrelson, of Holland

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YEREVAN, JULY 13, ARMENPRESS. On July 13, Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan convened a meeting of the Security Council to discuss measures aimed at addressing the deepening consequences of the complete blockade of Artsakh, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the President of Artsakh.

State Minister Gurgen Nersisyan presented a report on the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh resulted by Azerbaijans aggressive policy.

President Arayik Harutyunyan noted that the efforts made in the foreign policy sphere and the appeals from various international structures and states to lift the blockade of the Artsakh-Armenia corridor have not produced positive results. The Head of the State emphasized the need for more active engagement and targeted efforts in this direction.

Based on the situation, President Harutyunyan issued a set of instructions aimed at redistributing available resources to ensure the functioning of the republic, addressing internal and external security issues.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A Zeeland man has been sentenced to 38 years in prison after prosecutors say he shared thousands of child porn images and videos online.

Matthew James Warne was sentenced in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Prosecutors said the charges involved distributing child pornography and attempting to distribute child pornography.

Federal prosecutors said Warne has past convictions for third-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2013 and criminal sexual conduct-assault with intent to commit sexual penetration in 2018.

Authorities said he was on parole through the Michigan Department of Corrections when the latest crimes occurred.

Police said Warne was using a social media app called Telegram to chat with other individuals about child pornography and send the images and videos.

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JACKSON, MI  Alro Steel has acquired another metal supply company to expand its offerings.

The Jackson-based company has announced it will acquire Heimansohn Steel, based in Clarksville, Tennessee, which will allow it to grow its customer base in Tennessee and Kentucky, Alro Steel officials said.

Related: Hard work and loyalty as strong as its product has helped Alro Steel endure 75 years in Jackson

We are excited to welcome Heimansohn Steel to the Alro family, Alro Steel CEO Randy Glick said. This acquisition will benefit our customers with expanded inventories of metals and plastics, plus additional processing capabilities.

Heimansohn Steel was founded in 1896 by Lui Heimansohn. The business is a metals service center with processing services that include metal cutting, shearing, drilling, punching and bending.

Heimansohn Steel is excited to be joining another family-owned company with a priority of customer service, Vice President Lawrence Mize said.

With this acquisition, we will be able to fulfill even more of your metal needs with the addition of more inventory and processing capabilities, Mize said. You will still be greeted with the same faces when you walk through the door.

Alro Steel was founded in 1948 by brothers Al and Robert Glick and is celebrating 75 years of business in 2023. The company is a distributor of metals, industrial supplies and engineering plastics.

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COLON, MI -- Storm chaser Ryan Harriott found what he was looking for Wednesday night.

Starting east of Three Rivers, Harriott said he saw a funnel cloud and he drove east with the storm, reaching the village of Colon on the evening of Wednesday, July 12.

There, Harriott watched the funnel cloud move through the Southwest Michigan village of about 1,200 people.

The sky lit up twice for power flashes, which are transformers blowing, usually caused by high winds. When that happened, the lower end of the funnel cloud was lit up, Harriott said. Power went out seconds later, he said.

It looked like a tornado, and data such as the lack of wind in other areas suggested it was one, Harriott said. Hes waiting to hear official word from the National Weather Service, which sent investigators to the area Thursday morning to determine if it was a tornado.

The NWS deemed the funnel as a possible tornado on social media.

A storage facility, Mill Race Storage, had its roof blown off in the storm. A representative of the business declined to comment Thursday, and said their focus is on securing the business for customers.

After the storm passed, Harriott said he cautiously moved up to survey the damage at the storage facility. A storm chaser for over a decade, he said the experience is in his top five, in terms of being close to a powerful storm.

Being this close to one and immediately coming across damage was definitely an adrenaline rush, he said.

Storm chasing is a hobby and a passion that he does with a team of other volunteers, he said. They started tracking the weather pattern Sunday. As Thursday arrived, they fanned out in different locations that had the potential for severe weather.

They like to chase storms to help share information with citizens, he said.

We saw how things were shaping up and said, Todays going to be an interesting day, Harriott said. He lives in Lenawee County, he said.

Harriott captured an image on a dash camera that he said shows a moment when the funnel cloud was lit up.

Colon resident Nicolee Powell said she lives next to the damaged storage business. She heard a train-like sound as the winds picked up and the storm came through.

Her cats hid as she and other residents gathered in a hallway. The rain was sideways, she said.

We hung out in the hallway, but it didnt take long, she said, and it passed within a few minutes.

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STANDISH, MI  Six years ago, a party in rural Arenac County ended with the mysterious death of a Midland man. A lengthy investigation ensued, one which led to two partygoers facing criminal charges a half-decade later.

The case against one of the defendants, the one accused of causing the death of Nickolas A. Newman, would eventually be dismissed. The second defendant, though, whose family property hosted the fatal party, has now been sentenced to jail time for lying to police during their probe.
BAY CITY, MI  After a series of delays, a historical building is getting a major facelift as the ball starts rolling on a project to bring a long-awaited brewery and pub to downtown Bay City.

Crews were at work this week at the former Atrium and Stein Haus, located at 1100 and 1108 Water St. When its complete, the redeveloped property will house the North Peak Brewing Co. and Kilkenny Irish Pub on the first floor, with three loft-style apartments on the second floor.

Plans are now in place to have the building open for business in the late spring or early summer of 2024.

Id really like us to be ready for summer, said Jon Carlson, a co-founder of North Peak Brewing. Downtown Bay City really gets rocking in the summertime, so wed love it if were wrapped up by then. Weve got a tremendous amount of work to do, but theres no looking back at this point.

Crews are currently wrapping up the demolition phase on the structure and installing a new roof, paving the way for the historic structure to be renewed and brought back to life. Getting to this point has taken not only some elbow grease but a bit of patience.

Residents first heard rumblings about the new brewery in 2017 when the company purchased the site in Bay City. The Bay City Times previously reported that a brownfield plan was submitted in 2018 by Ann Arbor-based real estate development company 3Mission, which is run by founders of Northern United Brewing Co., included plans at the Bay City site for two restaurants, patio dining, apartment units and a mix of existing and new construction.

At the time, the developer aimed to begin construction in September 2018 and to complete the project by fall 2019. However, the Bay City Times previously reported that that didnt happen because the project was postponed. The Times later confirmed in 2020 that North Peak Brewing was still planning to open in Bay City. But the COVID-19 pandemic put a wrench in those plans, as it did to construction projects across the country.

In 2022, the project was revitalized with a $1.5 million performance-based grant through the Michigan Community Revitalization Program.

In addition to the grant, the project received robust support from the city of Bay City. The city provided the project with a 12-year obsolete property abatement valued at $871,787.

Its been probably the friendliest group to work with, Carlson said. Its really been welcoming, and the public interest has been fantastic, so we are super excited.

Carlson said the buildings will have an Up North feel when the project is complete.

Theres going to be a tremendous amount of wood in it; its going to feel rustic, Carlson said.

The general feel is going to be Northern Michigan; its how we grew up, he added. Its where we grew up, and its what North Peak stands for. The simplest thing for North Peak is Up North; thats what it is and what we are.

Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw.

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Hill Harper comes with a lot of descriptors. The Iowa-born 57-year-old is a union television actor, a small business owner, nonprofit foundation founder, the author of six books  and most crucially for his campaign for Michigans U.S. Senate seat  a 2017 transplant to the city of Detroit.

Harper spent most of the year exploring a run for office before announcing his intentions Monday. He told MLive in an interview hes traveled throughout the state to learn more about where hell be campaigning, from Detroit to Michigans northern reaches.

Whats interesting is that culturally theyre very different, but fundamentally what people want, I found from traveling all over talking to people, its very much the same. You want safe, clean water, whether youre in Flint or whether youre in the Upper Peninsula and youre fishing on the Great Lakes, Harper said, offering one example. So the idea or the trope to me that these communities are so disparate and different is wrong.

In the race to succeed retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, the Democratic primary could grow considerably more competitive after Harpers entrance. U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Lansing, has been considered the frontrunner against the other declared Democrats. None, however, have had Harpers public profile.

Harper, who touts his connections with former President Barack Obama, asserts his message could engage more Michiganders and drive more voters to polls than any other candidate.

The largest voting bloc in the state of Michigan are people who dont vote. And I believe if were able to speak directly to those folks who have checked out, theres no question that we will find hundreds and hundreds, if not millions of votes out there because we actually get people to trust in the process, Harper said. Im the candidate that will deliver that voting bloc and and redevelop trust in in this process and bring people back in.

Hes running to Slotkins left on policy, supporting progressive causes like a universal healthcare plan, a $15 minimum wage and ending the filibuster in the U.S. Senate, which necessitates most bills need the support of 60 senators to get a vote. Speaking to MLive, he cited concerns about hospitals closing in the Upper Peninsula, the states population problems to invasive species in the Great Lakes.

Slotkin has already racked up a long string of endorsements from officeholders and raised nearly $6 million. Harper said hed like to cap campaign contribution limits and how long candidates can campaign.

I believe our government should work for the people, be a force for good and protect our freedoms, Harper said in his campaign announcement. That wont happen if we keep electing the same type of people to office.

Still, Harper has high praise for Democrats in Lansing, Stabenow and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Both women have spent decades in public service.

In 2017, Harper first bought The Roasting Plant, a coffee shop in Downtown Detroit, then moved to the city after buying and renovating the historic Fisher Mansion. But hes often been away from the city, most prominently for his role in the ABC drama The Good Doctor, where he plays surgeon Marcus Andrews.

It means some are already raising questions around just how deep his roots have grown in Michigan. Reporting in The Daily Beast cast doubt on whether Harper has lived in the state full-time or has substantial involvement in his Michigan ventures.

They report, but MLive has not independently confirmed, that Harpers son  who features heavily in his campaign announcement  still attends school in Seattle, Washington. While extolling Michigans virtues in the video, Harper had said thats why Im raising you in Michigan.

Still, Harper argues his status as an outsider gives him particular appeal.

I dont come out of the world of having Washington, D.C., lobbyists relationships. I dont owe any favors to the establishment, he said. Im an independent candidate, and I believe that Democratic voters and voters across Michigan want that.

He kicked off his campaign Tuesday with a series of rallies across the state in Detroit, Grand Rapids and Pontiac, complete with marching bands, dancers and campaign-specific rhymes.

Other Democrats in the running include former state Rep. Leslie Love, Michigan State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh, attorney Zack Burns and Nasser Beydoun, former executive director of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce.

Republican candidates include business owner Michael Hoover, Ezra Scott, a former Berrien County commissioner; Nikki Snyder, a member of the state Board of Education and attorney Alexandria Taylor.

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Families and friends often commemorate birthdays, pregnancies and deaths with balloon releases.

They dont always acknowledge, however, the dangerous effects these balloons have on the environment.

Thats why Michigan lawmakers have reintroduced legislation  SB 294 and HB 4466  to prohibit a person from intentionally releasing a balloon outdoors filled with a gas lighter than air. Violators would be at risk of a $250 fine.

States including Connecticut, California, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia currently restrict knowingly releasing balloons into the air.

Megan Tinsley with the Michigan Environmental Council said this type of litter contributes to an overabundance of plastic already heavily polluting the environment.

Something that goes up into the atmosphere in the sky eventually does come back down, and so it doesnt just disappear, Tinsley said.

Tinsley states there are two types of balloons that are of concern: latex and mylar.

As they continue to break down into smaller microplastics, latex balloons, specifically, are responsible for the death of animals like seabirds that feed over lakes. Balloons pieces are 32 times more likely to kill seabirds than hard plastics they may ingest, according to a University of Tasmania study.

The shiny mylar balloons, on the other hand, are not biodegradable. Strings or ribbons attached to the balloons also pose strangulation hazards to wildlife.

A study by the Alliance for the Great Lakes showed more than 18,000 balloon pieces were collected along the Great Lakes shoreline from 2016 to 2018.

Joel Brammeier, the nonprofits president and CEO, said if people wouldnt throw deflated balloons out onto the sidewalk, they shouldnt be letting them off into the air so they can fall back into our water.

Theyre a visible reminder of the choice to let plastic into our environment or keep it out, Brammeier said.

The legislation exempts balloons released for scientific or meteorological purposes on behalf of a government agency, and hot air balloons that carry passengers or are recovered after the fact.

Given all the problems associated with plastics in the environment, Tinsley said, people should not be releasing balloons just for fun.

Is it really worth sending something up into the sky that you see just for a moment, thats going to have some sort of consequence, you know, somewhere else? Tinsley said. These things dont disappear once they leave your sight, they disappear pretty quickly, but theyre not disappearing from the environment.

Brammeier said banning balloon releases would help alleviate only part of the problem. He believes lawmakers should work on holding the producers of single-use plastics financially responsible, not just restricting individual items.

If people are looking for ways of thinking part of the solution, what I hope is that this focus on balloons leads to more urgent action around plastic production overall, Brammeier said.

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A Traverse City-based hair salon is now under investigation for potentially violating the citys non-discrimination ordinance after its owner posted to Facebook earlier this week it would not serve transgender customers.

We understand the seriousness of these complaints and in light of recent Supreme Court rulings, as well as recent legislative changes at the state level, the complaint requires diligent review of the law and how that may apply to the business in question, Traverse City City Attorney Lauren Trible-Laucht said in a statement.

Studio 8 Hair Salon owner Christine Geiger made national headlines after she said her business would not serve anyone who identifies as anything other than a man/woman. Instead, she encouraged them to seek services at a local pet groomer.

You are not welcome at this salon. Period. ... This is America; free speech. This small business has the right to refuse services, the business wrote to its Facebook page, which has since been deleted.

The initial post, however, can still be found online.

RELATED: After telling trans customers to use pet groomer, Michigan salon could face legal trouble, experts say

The citys non-discrimination ordinance, adopted in 2010, states that no person would be denied the enjoyment of his or her civil rights or be discriminated against because of their actual or perceived race, color, religion ... sexual orientation or gender identity.

In the Wednesday statement, Trible-Laucht said it was through this lens  while also considering relevant legal standards, recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings and state legislation  that officials would be launching the inquiry.

City Mayor Richard Lewis added it was the communitys responsibility to take care of one another and that he was disheartened to hear of any discriminatory behavior in our region.

It may not be the only investigation.

Harold Core, director of special projects with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, told MLive Wednesday it has received eight contacts requesting an investigation into Studio 8 Hair Salons messages.

Core added the department could not comment further as these are potential/pending investigations.

Studio 8s post follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, in which a Colorado-based web designer argued her states anti-discrimination law would compel her to create wedding websites for same sex-couples  something she, citing her faith, disagreed with.

The court ruled in her favor, noting her designs constituted a form of speech and that forcing her to design a website which ran afoul of her faith could stifle her First Amendment rights.

Michigan legal experts, however, are now arguing Geigers business would not benefit from this ruling as giving a haircut would not qualify as customized tailored speech.

We dont believe that she falls under that exemption, said Jay Kaplan, staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigans LGBTQ+ Project. That applies to (careers) like speech writers or muralists, where theyre conveying a certain message with their product. Very few customers are going to come to somebody who says, no, I dont care what (haircut) you want. Thats not the way shed operate.

Meanwhile, the hair product line Jack Winn Pro has publicly distanced itself from Studio 8 and Geiger after her remarks. The business posted to Instagram on Wednesday it strongly believes in and supports LGBTQ+ rights.

It has come to our attention that disturbing comments have been attributed to one of our product users, the post reads. We want to make it clear that we disapprove of and reject hate speech in any form. Such actions go against the very values we hold dear and strive to uphold.

Importantly: The stylist who made those comments no longer has authorization to represent our brand or products.

The actions of one business owner do not reflect the values of the citizens of Traverse City, Amy Shamroe, Traverse City mayor pro-tem, said. In 2011, voters overwhelmingly supported the 2010 non-discrimination ordinance after opposition forced a referendum. Regardless of any court cases decided since then, city residents voted almost two-to-one in support of protecting LGBTQIA+ rights in 2011. That is who we are. We are a community who welcomes all and stands with neighbors, especially our LGBTQIA+ folks as they find themselves under attack.

More from MLive

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Driver-less drones could offer Michigan businesses a faster and more affordable avenue for delivery in the not-so-distant future.

The state recently awarded a $150,000 grant to MightyFly, a California-based drone company, to perform autonomous cargo delivery flight demonstrations in Alpena in 2024. MightyFly has begun talks with potential business partners with its eyes on expanding into Michigan next year.
Ghanaian-American comedian Michael Blackson has called on club owners in Ghana to give him free drinks when he visits.

He cited his support for a free school in his hometown, Agona Nsabaa, noting his money is spent on education.

In a tweet on Thursday, July 13, Blackson wrote, "If I'm in Ghana and I walk in your club be prepared to comp me a section with as much bottles as I want, I don't spend my Money on alcohol I spend it on teachers so they can teach your kids Modasuckas. Get that bill out of here or imma start teaching the kids at my school myself."

The comedian was referencing the Michael Blackson Academy, a free school he funded and opened in Agona Nsaba, in Ghanas Central region.

The three-story school complex features classrooms, laboratories and other facilities to support quality education.

Blackson cut the sod for construction of the school in early 2020.

In December 2022, he announced on Twitter that the school was ready and the commissioning date.

The school began admitting its first students this year.

Blackson, 49, now wants recognition from club owners for his philanthropic efforts.

He argues that while he enjoys drinking at clubs, he spends his money supporting the school, not on alcohol.
A report from research firm, Global InfoAnalytics has revealed that voters who believed the Akufo-Addos government was persecuting NDC MP James Gyakye Quayson overwhelmingly voted against the NPP in last months Assin North by-election.

According to the report, 94% of voters who held this view voted for NDC's Quayson, while only 6% voted for NPP candidate Charles Opoku.

The poll shows that voters who thought the government was persecuting Gyakye Quayson, 94% voted for Gyakye Quayson while 6% voted for Charles Opoku, the report stated in part.

The report, shared via a tweet on Monday, July 10, provides insight into the factors that contributed to Mr Quaysons victory over Mr Opoku in the June 27 by-election.

It found that while the NPP had gained enthusiasm among likely voters in the lead-up to the election, the NDC gained even more enthusiasm on election day.

The report also noted that young voters, who polls had shown supported NPP's Opoku, largely did not turn out to vote. Among those who did vote, they overwhelmingly chose Mr Quayson.

The report further revealed that the promise of overnight development projects swayed some voters toward the government, but turned away even more.

While 37% of voters said these promises made them vote for the government, 46% said it made them vote against the government.

It further argued that vote buying and inducements also backfired for the NPP in the by-election.

Although 92% of voters admitted to receiving cash, goods or other inducements from one of the parties, the NDC benefited more, winning over voters who received from both parties as well as some who received only from the NPP.

The report concluded that vote buying would have a negative return on investment in swing constituencies. Voters took the inducement from both parties but the NDC benefited from the backlash and they won votes from people who took more from the NPP.

The findings suggest the NPPs approach in this by-election may have seriously backfired, provoking a reaction against the party that contributed to its loss of the seat.

Meanwhile, the said persecution from which the report said voters kicked against the ruling party comes from the re-elected MPs deposition from Parliament over dual citizenship and his subsequent criminal trial, which some say its unfair.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visited Kenya and Uganda on Wednesday on a mission to strengthen ties as he embarked on the first trip by an Iranian leader to Africa in 11 years.

The visit comes as the Islamic Republic tries to shore up diplomatic support to ease its international isolation, with Raisi due to travel to Zimbabwe on Thursday.

Raisi met Kenyan President William Ruto early Wednesday, describing his visit to the East African powerhouse as "a turning point in the development of relations" between the two countries.

He then flew to the Ugandan city of Entebbe, where he was welcomed with a gun salute and military parade before heading into talks with President Yoweri Museveni, public broadcaster UBC showed.

He is due to meet with his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday.

Africa has emerged as a diplomatic battleground in recent months, with Russia and the West vying for support over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which has had a devastating impact on the continent, sending food prices soaring.

Western powers have also sought to deepen trade ties with the continent, along with India and China, which has been on an infrastructure spending spree in Africa.

Raisi said his talks with Ruto reflected "the determination and resolve of both countries for expansion of economic and trade cooperation, political cooperation, cultural cooperation."

Ruto described Iran as "a critical strategic partner" and said the two sides had signed five memoranda of understanding covering information technology, investment, fisheries and other areas.

"These memoranda will enhance and further deepen our bilateral relations for sustainable growth and development," he said.

Ruto told reporters that Raisi had also shared plans for Iran to set up a plant in the port city of Mombasa "to manufacture an indigenous Iranian vehicle that has now been given the Kiswahili name, 'Kifaru', meaning rhino."

'Common political views'

Iran's official IRNA news agency said Raisi's delegation includes the foreign minister as well as senior businesspeople.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani earlier expressed optimism that the trip could help bolster economic and trade ties with African nations.

He also said on Monday that Tehran and the African continent share "common political views", without elaborating further.

Iran has stepped up its diplomacy in recent months to reduce its isolation and offset the impact of crippling sanctions reimposed since the 2018 withdrawal of the United States from a painstakingly negotiated nuclear deal.

On Saturday, Raisi welcomed Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in a bid to boost ties with Algiers.

Last week, Iran became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which includes Russia, China and India.

In March, Tehran agreed to restore ties with regional rival Saudi Arabia under a China-mediated deal. It has since been looking to re-establish relations with other countries in the region including Egypt and Morocco.

In June, Raisi undertook a Latin American tour that included Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba before a trip to Indonesia.

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Joyce Bawa Mogtari, an Aide to former President John Mahama has asked the NPP government to drop the "needless waste of taxpayers' money" on prosecuting the Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday, July 12, the former deputy minister said such resources should be channelled to more pressing issues facing the country.

I strongly believe it is time for the government to put an end to this needless waste of taxpayers' money on the hate prosecution of the MP for Assin North," she wrote.

She urged Ghanaians to call on President Akufo-Addo and the Attorney General to file a nolle prosequi "and bring an end to this case once and for all."

Mrs. Mogtari, who is also a legal practitioner said a fair and just outcome was needed, not a costly and protracted legal battle.

Let's work together to make our voices heard and demand a fair and just outcome," she added.
Senegal's opposition politician Birame Souleye Diop, member of the Pastef party, was charged on Tuesday with offence against President Macky Sall.

Birame Souleye Diop's lawyer said that Diop was arrested over his recent comments about President Macky Sall.

Diop is a Senegalese MP, a senior member of the Pastef political party, led by Ousmane Sonko, and one of his closest collaborators.

He's also the leader of the Yewwi Askan Wi opposition coalition in Senegal's Parliament.

He was charged with committing acts "elikely to jeopardise public peace" and an "offence against the President of the Republic", his lawyer, Moussa Sarr, told French news service AFP.

Yewwi Askan Wi has denounced what it descibes as an arbitrary and abusive decision in a statement.

The charges has casued outrage in Senegal's opposition.

Pastef's spokesperson and deputy secretary general Ayib Daffe told RFI English that the charges amount to "persecution against the party", as other party members have also been arbitrarily detained.

The opposition has requested Diop's immediate release.

President Sall's intentions

On 4 July, a day after President Sall announced that he would not run for a controversial third term in next year's election, Diop suggested that the president could make a U-turn at any point.

At a press conference, Diop issued a "warning" to all the future candidates of Sall's party.

"Avoid eating at his house, avoid drinking his water," he said, "he is capable of poisoning you and saying, 'As we no longer have a candidate, I'm coming back'."

Diop compared Sall to Cote d'Ivoire's President Alassane Ouatara, who had promised not to run in the 2020 election and finally did after his deputy died.

Diop later apologised for the comments.

But he was still arrested on 6 July 2023, as reported by RFI's correspondents in Dakar.

The uncertainty around President's Sall decision created fierce political tensions in Senegal in May and June.

At the same time, tensions rose as Pastef's party leader, Ousmane Sonko, considered Sall's main opponent, was arrested and faced a trial for rape.

Sonko was handed a two-year prison sentence in June for "corrupting the youth", and the verdict sparked the most serious unrest in Senegal for years, leaving at least 16 dead.

(with newswires)
The United Nations on Wednesday said nearly three months of war in Sudan have uprooted more than three million people, and called for the warring sides to face "accountability".

Britain said it was taking action. It announced sanctions on businesses it said were associated with Sudanese military groups on both sides of the conflict.

Fighting has raged in the northeast African country since mid-April, when army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), turned on each other.

Safa Msehli, a spokeswoman for the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Geneva, told AFP that more than three million people had fled their homes because of the conflict.

IOM figures showed that more than 2.4 million people were now displaced within Sudan, while nearly 724,000 have escaped across the country's borders, in a continuously increasing stream.

"This is more than a figure, however: these are people who have been uprooted, fleeing for their lives," Msehli said, appealing for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

"We need the international community's sustained support to provide aid and protection to those affected by the conflict," she said.

Khartoum's millions of residents, cornered in the capital often without water or electricity in the searing heat of summer, were again subjected to air raids on Wednesday, witnesses said.

"Planes have been pounding RSF bases since dawn," one resident told AFP.

Dozens of civilians have been killed in air raids, and paramilitaries have established bases in residential areas.

Witnesses also reported artillery fire in Khartoum on Wednesday.

The conflict "risks morphing into an ethnicised, tribalised and ideologised conflict which is much closer to being a full-blown civil war," the United Nations Sudan chief Volker Perthes told reporters in Brussels.

Broken truces

Perthes, whom Burhan ordered out of the country on June 9 as "persona non grata", said his deputy was running the UN mission from Port Sudan, while he was moving the main office to Kenya's capital Nairobi.

"Accountability is a much broader concept than only a judicial one," he said.

"It is about whether the Sudanese people would allow the leaders of the warring parties to have any leadership function after this war."

A United Nations vehicle at a camp for displaced people -- the UN's Volker Perthes says the war is causing a 'humanitarian catastrophe'. By - (AFP)

Around 3,000 people have been killed, and the UN has warned of possible crimes against humanity in the western region of Darfur.

Perthes said the situation was causing a "humanitarian catastrophe -- again" in Sudan, and putting pressure on neighbouring Chad, which was taking in many refugees and whose food supply lines through Sudan were cut.

IOM figures show more than 239,000 people have crossed into Chad.

Perthes warned of a "risk that neighbouring states are being dragged into the conflict".

He said the UN backed "linked" diplomatic overtures by the east African regional bloc IGAD and an Egypt-hosted summit of Sudan's neighbours on Thursday.

Many truces have been agreed and quickly broken since the fighting in Sudan erupted.

Previous deals have been brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States, but now the IGAD bloc has said it would ask the African Union to look into possibly deploying the East Africa Standby Force in Sudan "for the protection of civilians and... humanitarian access".

The force is usually tasked with election observer missions.

Human rights violations including "murder, rape and looting," are fuelling a desire among ordinary Sudanese to see the back of the warring generals, Perthes said.

While he was not directly calling for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to bring the generals to justice, he said: "The ICC of course is watching -- it's not up to me to ask the ICC to take action, but I think they are on it."

The United Kingdom on Wednesday said it was sanctioning firms associated with both the army and RSF "fuelling the devastating conflict in Sudan by providing funding and arms".

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the sanctions "are directly targeting those whose actions have destroyed the lives of millions" in an "unjustified" war.

Last month the United States also sanctioned companies linked to both the army and the RSF.
The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has said President Nana Akufo-Addo will not give in to alleged plots to remove Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare from office.

In a feature article titled, "Why President Akufo-Addo Will Not Fall for the Grand Plot Against IGP Dampare, Mr Braimah laid out several reasons why he believes the President will stand by Dr. Dampare despite leaked audio recordings allegedly revealing secret plans to oust him.

The MFWA director's convictions stem from his belief that President Akufo-Addo would not want to tarnish his legacy or oversee any threat to Ghana's peace and democracy.

According to him, the President knows that handing over power peacefully after an election loss is possible, as evidenced by former president Jerry John Rawlings' graceful exit in 2000 after his party was defeated at the polls.

Mr Braimah stated in part of his article, "I can confidently predict that President Akufo-Addo knows very well that if the NDC, under the very charismatic and brave Jerry John Rawlings, lost the 2000 elections and handed over power peacefully to the NPPs John Agyekum Kufuor, then the will of the Ghanaian people will always reign supreme."

He added, "It is on the basis of these convictions that I have no doubts that President Akufo-Addo will not heed to any orchestrations and sinister plots to remove the man who has proven to be exactly the one he needs to protect and preserve Ghanas most valued asset  peace and stability."

The feature article comes after leaked audio tapes surfaced allegedly revealing secret plots by some senior police officers and an NPP official to remove IGP Dampare from his position.

Dr. Dampare has undertaken major reforms and crackdowns on corruption since becoming IGP.
Spain's coastguard resumed the search for three migrant boats reported lost off the Canary Islands after suspending an aerial search earlier in the day due to bad weather.

In recent days, rescuers have been looking for hundreds of migrants on board three boats that left Senegal in late June and were reported lost at sea by Caminando Fronteras, a Spanish NGO that helps migrant vessels in distress.

"The plane left about half an hour ago but so far we have no further information," a coastguard spokeswoman told AFP around 1600 GMT.

Earlier she said bad weather conditions meant it was not possible "to conduct a search by plane".

Caminando Fronteras founder Helena Maleno said the biggest boat left the southern Senegalese fishing town of Kafountine on June 27 carrying some 200 people, "among them many minors".

Kafountine lies at least 1,700 kilometres (more than 1,000 miles) south of the Canaries.

The other two boats, one carrying 50-60 people and the other 65 people, had left from Mbour, a town some 75 kilometres (50 miles) south of the capital Dakar, she said.

During their searches on Monday, the coastguard rescued 78 sub-Saharan migrants from another boat in distress but it was not one of the three that had departed from Senegal, the NGO said.

Senegal denies migrants lost

Women wait to buy fish off incoming boats at the beach in Mbour, a Senegalese town that has become a popular departure site for migrants. By JOHN WESSELS (AFP/File)

In a statement late on Tuesday, Senegal's foreign ministry denied "reports on social media about at least 300 Senegalese (migrants) had gone missing at sea".

"Checks that were carried out show that this information is totally unfounded," it said.

It also said that "between 28 June and 9 July, 260 Senegalese in distress were rescued in Moroccan territorial waters", without saying if there was any connection with the boats reported missing by Caminando Fronteras.

In a statement on Wednesday, the NGO said it had been able to confirm that the rescues mentioned by Dakar corresponded "to boats that had also left the Senegalese coast but were not those carrying the 300 missing people".

The Spanish islands have long been a draw for migrants seeking a better life in Europe, with many boats setting off from the coastline of Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Senegal.

But the Atlantic route to the Canaries is particularly dangerous due to the strong currents, with migrants travelling in overloaded wooden boats known as pirogues that are often unseaworthy, and without enough drinking water.

Atlantic crossings began surging in late 2019 after increased patrols along Europe's southern coast dramatically reduced Mediterranean crossings.

In the first six months of 2023, 7,213 migrants reached the Canary Islands by boat, interior ministry figures show.

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The couple who allegedly posed as importers of general commodities and took GH188,729.00 from some traders under the pretext of importing and supplying them with items have been admitted to bail by an Accra Circuit Court.

The accused persons are said to have imported the items and stored them at Winneba in the central region.

They are Irene Brown, a 27-year-old fashion designer and Michael Abanga Bazie, a 33-year-old computer engineer.

They are jointly held on conspiracy to commit crime and 10 counts of defrauding by false pretense.

All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to their respective charges levelled against them.

The Court presided over by Mr Isaac Addo, admitted the accused persons to GH200,000.00 bail each with two sureties each.

It directed that the sureties should be justified with landed property.

The accused persons were also directed by the Court to report to the Police once a week.

The matter has been adjourned to August 9, 2023.

Police Chief Inspector Jonas Laweh, prosecuting told the Court that the complainants Madam Christabel Oduro, Matilda Kessie, Zenobia Ankamah, Faustina Ama Akorfa Soshie, Dedzo Enam Dora, Sandra Boateng, Augustina Abekah Coffie, Mabel Tetteh, Rosemary Agbasa, Juliana Ansah and Sandra Ofosuwaa are traders and resided at various suburbs within Accra while the accused persons were married couple and residents of Kasoa.

The prosecution said during 2022 and 2023, the accused persons created social media accounts namely Gold Gracious Import and Jewelry for less companies and advertised importation of general commodities including rice, tin of tomatoes, handbags, shoes and others on Facebook and other social media platforms.

It said the complainants saw the advertisement and contacted the accused persons to register their interest in buying the said items from them.

The prosecution said the accused persons demanded and collected a total sum of GHI88, 729 from the complainants under the pretext of importing and supplying them with gallons of cooking oil, bags of rice, home appliances, baby diapers, handbags among others.

It said the accused persons after collecting the said amount into their mobile money and bank accounts failed to supply the items and went into hiding.

The prosecution said a complaint was lodged to the Police and intelligence gathered led to the arrest of the accused persons from their hideout.

It said the accused persons admitted the offence in their investigation caution statements and stated that they have imported the items and stored them at Winneba in the central region.

The prosecution said preliminary investigation had hinted that about 300 persons have affected their scandalous act.

GNA
More than 600 migrants forced out of Tunisia's port of Sfax to the desert borderlands with Libya are being sheltered and given humanitarian aid, the Red Crescent said on Wednesday.

However, smaller groups of people remain stranded near the frontiers with Algeria and Libya.

Hundreds of migrants from sub-Saharan countries fled or were forced out of Sfax after racial tensions flared following the July 3 killing of a Tunisian man in an altercation between locals and migrants.

Sfax is a North African departure point for many migrants from impoverished and violence-torn countries hoping to find a better life in Europe.

Many of those expelled from Sfax were left to fend for themselves in harsh desert conditions near Tunisia's borders.

Abdellatif Chabou, president of the Tunisian Red Crescent, told AFP the charity had been authorised to pick up hundreds of migrants left without water or food in the militarised zone of Ras Jedir, on the Libyan border.

He said the organisation had provided shelter to "630 in total" between Sunday and Monday -- a figure which could increase in the coming days.

An AFP correspondent on Wednesday saw migrants, including a large number of children, in a makeshift shelter at a high school in Ben Guerdane, 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of Ras Jedir.

Two other groups have been taken to Medenine and Tataouine, further south.

An injured migrant who fled the violence in Sfax is now at a temporary shelter at a school in Ben Guerdane. By FATHI NASRI (AFP)

Chabou said the migrants now in Ras Jedir "came from several places, a group from Tunisia and another from Libya".

He said the Red Crescent was feeding them and had brought 400 mattresses from Tunis to equip the schools where they are now being sheltered.

The situation is different just south of Ras Jedir, however.

Other migrants sent a video distress call to Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday, which it transmitted to AFP.

Bodies found in desert

"We are suffering. There are children, pregnant women. We're suffering here. We have not eaten anything since yesterday. We're going to die if we don't get help. Help us!" pleads one.

HRW said there are at least 100 migrants without food, water or shelter, and that some have been stuck there for several days.

NGOs are also concerned about the fate of dozens of other migrants, estimated by HRW to number between 150 and 200, scattered along Tunisia's western border with Algeria.

On Tuesday, a judiciary spokesman told AFP that the bodies of two sub-Saharans had been found in the Hazoua desert near Algeria.

Youssouf Bilayer, 25, from Ivory Coast, told AFP he had been arrested on July 4 in Sfax where he had worked for four years as a welder and was taken to the Gafsa area near the boundary with Algeria.

"We are suffering a lot. We were able to find a little water in the forest, but we've got nothing to eat. The police won't let people give us food, all we can do is charge our phones a little," Bilayer said.

The Red Crescent said the migrants who had been picked up were being sheltered in Medenine, Tataouine and Ben Guerdane to "allow time to prepare other smaller centres so our volunteers can provide better support" along with other international groups.

Chabou said the idea was to carry out "profiling" with the International Organization of Migration help to find out if "some are asylum seekers or if they want to return to their home country within the framework of the United Nations voluntary return programme".

He said that just 200 migrants from those picked up near the border with Libya said they wanted to go home. Most of the others asked to be taken to Europe.
The complete blockade has significantly changed the daily life of the Kolatak community of the Martakert region of the Republic of Artsakh, moving the problems to a completely different level.

July 13, 2023, 14:39 Complete blockade moved the problems to a completely different level. Head of Kolatak

STEPANAKERT, JULY 13, ARTSAKHPRESS: In an interview with "Artsakhpress", Seyran Avanesyan, the head of the community, noted that before the imposed harsh conditions, certain liveliness was noted in the village. Pilgrims from different settlements of Artsakh Republic were organizing visits to the historical Hakobavank located in the administrative area of Kolatak.

"But lately, due to the fuel problem, that vitality has also decreased.

In this difficult period, it is pleasing that the residents of our village support each other, lending a hand to each other when the need is felt. Displaced families settled in Kolatak are always in the center of attention, the community leader summed up.
Czech-born writer Milan Kundera, who has died in Paris at the age of 94, lived almost half his life in France. A self-described Francophile, he wrote his later works in French and was convinced that being exile enriched his writing.

"The spiritual atmosphere of my entire Czech youth was marked by passionate Francophilia," Kundera wrote in 1994.

In an essay for French literary magazine the Revue des deux Mondes ("Review of the Two Worlds"), the author positions France as the seat of European culture.

Among his generation of Czech intellectuals, he writes, admiration for the country persisted in spite of the politics that saw France, along with the United Kingdom and Italy, agree to Nazi Germany's annexation of a swathe of what was then Czechoslovakia in 1938.

"How did it survive? Because the love of France was never located in admiration for French statesmen, never in identification with French politics; it was exclusively in passion for French culture: for its thought, its literature, its art."

Embraced by France

This passion was evident in Kundera's earliest work, which included translations of poems by French poet Guillaume Apollinaire. References to other French writers are scattered throughout his novels.

The admiration was mutual. In the 1960s, when intellectuals in both countries were drawn to certain elements of communism while being alienated by the parties that were supposed to embody them, Kundera's debut novel "The Joke"  the tale of a young man expelled from the party for a sarcastic remark to a girlfriend  was embraced by French readers.

Poet Louis Aragon wrote the foreword to the French edition, in which he called it "one of the greatest novels of the century".

He also introduced Kundera to the renowned French publisher Charles Gallimard, who would eventually convince the writer to emigrate to France when he was expelled from the Communist party himself in the aftermath of the Prague Spring. Gallimard and his contacts helped secure a teaching position for Kundera at the University of Rennes in Brittany, starting in 1975.

"I'm a Francophile, an avid Francophile. But the reason I'm here is really because the French wanted me. I came to France because I was invited, because people here took the initiative and arranged everything," Kundera told the New York Times in 1984. "And I was lucky because I do feel good here  much better than I feel in, say, Germany."

By then, Kundera and his wife Vera had been in France for nine years. When they first left Prague for Rennes in the summer of '75, carrying visas that granted them the right to stay in France for "730 days", as Vera Kundera would later recall to French newspaper Le Monde, her husband was convinced he would return.

"Life as a permanent migrant would depress me," he told a German magazine a few months later.

But by 1984, he had taken French nationality, the Kunderas were settled in Paris and Milan had just published what would become his best-known novel, "The Unbearable Lightness of Being". Written in Czech and set in Prague, the novel appeared first translated into French, then in English.

In an interview with French television the same year, Kundera said that his life in exile had served to enrich his work as a novelist.

"There's a certain cliche that everyone repeats of a man like me practically chased out of his country. It's a situation that we think of as tragic, and it is tragic. But luckily all human situations are paradoxical  it's always the paradox that saves us," he told the literary talk show Apostrophes.

"The paradox in my case is that I lost my first country, and that I'm very, very happy in France."

'I chose France'

Kundera would go on to transition into writing in French, the original language of most of his work from the mid-1990s onwards. Critics were divided over the choice, with some reviewers hailing it as self-reinvention and others finding the results lacklustre.

But as Kundera saw it, he faced a choice: "Do I live like an emigre in France or like an ordinary person who happens to write books? Do I consider my life in France as a replacement, a substitute life, and not a real life? ... Or do I accept my life in France  here where I really am  as my real life and try to live it fully?"

He told the New York Times: "I chose France  which means that I live among Frenchmen, make French friends, talk to other French writers and intellectuals. There is such a rich intellectual life here, and for us that means a circle of friends who are themselves a kind of protection against these questions. It means that whether or not I'm actually 'at home' in France, I have nice amiable friends with whom I am at home."

In the same interview, he observed that French lacks a single word for "home", and wondered "if our notion of home isn't, in the end, an illusion, a myth".

Kundera may have been able to let go of the idea of home, but he refused to give up his idea of France. He continued to live here long after the fall of communism and the government that stripped him of Czech nationality in 1979. (It was eventually restored in 2019.)

Even as the rest of Europe and France itself changed, Kundera remained attached to the values that it stood for in his mind. As he wrote in his 1994 essay, the fact that others seemed to regard them less only gave him "another reason for me to love France; without euphoria; with a love that is anguished, stubborn, nostalgic".
A 39-year-old unemployed woman who allegedly defrauded an X-ray technician of GH32,000.00 was on Wednesday granted a GHc100,000.00 bail by an Accra Circuit Court.

Madam Sylvia Naa Dodua Wristberg allegedly collected the amount under the pretext of securing a Canadian visa for the technician's wife but failed to deliver on the agreement.

She was charged with defrauding by false pretence and conspiracy to commit a crime. She pleaded not guilty.

The Court presided over by Mrs. Afia Owusuaa Appiah, admitted Wristberg to GH100,000.00 bail with two sureties.

It directed that one of the sureties should be justified with landed property.

Meanwhile, her accomplice, Patrick Torto, failed to appear before Court.

The Court issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

The matter has been adjourned to July 27, 2023.

Police Chief Inspector Samuel Ahiabor, told the Court that the complainant, Mr. Dominic Acquah, was an X-Ray Technician who resided at Agona -Nkwanta in the Western Region.

Wristberg is a resident of Cape Coast in the Central Region.

The prosecution said in April 2023, the complainant through a witness in the case applied for the International Congress for Nurses Conference (ICN), which was scheduled to take place in Canada.

It said the witness submitted the documentation to Kenpong Travel and Tours for biometric enrolment and appointment date at the Canadian Embassy, Accra.

The prosecution said in the same month, the complainant received a phone call from Torto, who introduced himself as the protocol officer at the Office of the President Annex, Ridge -Accra.

It said Torto further said that he was a National Security operative who could assist the complainant by using the letterhead of The Office of the President Annex to secure the visa for his wife.

The prosecution said Torto introduced Wristberg to the complainant as his immediate supervisor.

Wristberg in turn presented herself as an Aide to the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana and assured the complainant of her preparedness to use her office to secure the visa for his wife to attend the conference.

It said Torto invited the complainant to the office of the President Annex and met him at the car park.

The prosecution said Torto demanded GH20, 000 as payment for Wristberg to secure the visa.

It said Torto went with the complainant to Kenpong Travel and Tour to deliver relevant documents with the promise to facilitate the processing of the visa.

The prosecution said the complainant gave his wife's passport to Torto and made a mobile money payment of GH10,000.00 to Wristberg's number.

It said Wristberg and Torto demanded and collected a total of GH32,000 from the complainant through Wristberg's mobile money number on various occasions.

The prosecution said Wristberg and Torto, in their dealings with the complainant, convinced him that they were in a position to secure the visa for the wife to travel.

It said Wristberg and Torto convinced the complainant to have his wife come to Accra to gain some travel experience as part of the requirement for obtaining the visa.

The prosecution said Wristberg bought a flight ticket for a round trip from Accra to Takoradi to enable the complainants wife to gain that travel experience.

Wristberg and Torto later told the complainant that they had secured the Canadian visa and asked him to collect the wife's passport on May 20, 2023.

However, on the said date, Wristberg and Torto could not be contacted on their cell phones.

The prosecution said the complainant followed up to the Office of the President Annex at Ridge, Accra only to realise that Wristberg and Tortos identities were fake, and they were on the wanted list of the National Security, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a series of similar fraudulent acts.

It said on May 31, 2023, personnel from the Ministry of National Security, Accra through intelligence arrested Wristberg in Cape Coast.

Torto, who was with Wristberg at the time of her arrest, managed to escape.

The prosecution said the complainant identified Wristberg as one of the people who defrauded him.

It said efforts were underway to get Torto arrested for investigations.

GNA
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has been presented with the Suma Adinkra Sword, the highest award of the Suma Traditional Council.

A statement issued by the Public Affairs Directorate of Parliament and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, said Mr Bagbin was also presented with a citation in recognition of his sterling performance.

Odeneho Dr Affram Brempong, the Omanhene of the Suma Traditional Area, presenting the award, indicated that Mr Bagbins stance on preserving the culture, values, traditions and customs of the people of Ghana informed the honour.

It said Mr Bagbin in his acceptance remarks, expressed his appreciation to the chiefs and people of the Suma Traditional Area.

He also called on the Chiefs and Traditional leaders to be part of the Governance of the country, it said.

The statement said Mr Bagbin assured Ghanaians that, Parliament would do the right thing to see the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, passed.

GNA
13.07.2023 LISTEN

United Nations resident coordinator in Ghana H.E. Charles Abani has urged Ghana and Africa to find ways to ensure that the continent does not remain a dumping site for used goods from elsewhere.

He said in an interview with Johnnie Hughes on 3FM Sunrise that if Ghana is going to achieve the cleanest city, then it should commit to ensuring that unwanted goods in other countries are not dumped in Ghana.

If we are going to become the cleanest city, how do we make a commitment to ensuring that Ghana and other African countries are not the dumping ground for used products in other cities that make those cities look great? He quizzed.

H.E Abani bemoaned the importation of secondhand clothes which we already know from research that about 50% to 60% of them are just rubbish already.

According to him, part of the flooding and all the pollution confronting the continent stem from plastic waste and secondhand goods. We know for instance that part of the flooding and pollution that we see on the continent right now stem from significant challenges that arise from single-use plastics.

He explained that the plastic bottles block the gutters and when the rain falls, floods happen hence the government and all citizens should make a commitment to stop plastic waste just like Kigali.

The diplomat recommended the use of more sustainable, reusable, biodegradable products and an enabling policy environment to ensure it is feasible and practicable to reduce waste.

-3news.com
13.07.2023 LISTEN

A Security Analyst, Col. Festus Aboagye (Rtd) has said he shares in the views of those calling for an investigation into the leaked tape capturing an alleged plot to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare.

He explained that if persons who were previously caught on tape to have made certain pronouncements deemed questionable were invited and questioned, this particular tape ought to be subjected to the same process and be investigated.

I join those calling for the probe in this mysterious take, he said on the Ghana Tonight Show on TV3 Wednesday, July 12.

First of all, there have been earlier instances of audio tapes and the state has invited those involved for questioning so this must be also investigated.

More importantly, the allegations on this tape have very serious ramifications for constitutional integrity.

Peddling influence to have the IGP removed, that amounts to subversion of the constitution, the constitution is very clear on how the IGP is removed.

Parliament has set up a committee to investigate the tape.

This was after the lawmakers debated the issue on the floor of the House on Wednesday.

For instance, Member of Parliament for Okere, Mr Dan Botwe dismissed assertions that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) can help a political party to win an election.

Contributing to a discussion on the leaked tape on the IGP Dr George Akuffo Dampare, in Parliament on Wednesday, July 12, the former General Secretary of the NPP said that in principle, he is in for any investigation into the said tape.

He said In 2000, I was the General Secretary of the [NPP] and I was at the Police Quarters at 1 AM, we had to deal with the late IGP Peter Nanfuri. In spite of all that we went ahead and won the election. So to create the impression that an IGP can do something extraordinary and wonderful to assist a party to win an election is wrong.

If there is a tape and we want it to be investigated, I, in principle, have no problem but to go ahead and give the impression that a particular IGP's presence or not will determine the outcome of the election is wrong.

This was after Member of Parliament for Builsa North James Agalga had said also on the floor of the House that These are matters that need to be thoroughly investigated.

Member of Parliament for Tamale South Haruna Iddrisu also indicated that  Mr. Speaker, it is a truism that there is a leaked tape which leaked tape contains matters relating to the conduct of the IGP and effort and attempts at a conspiracy to seek his removal on the basis of those allegations in that tape.

Mr Speaker, the primary duty and responsibility of the president and by extension, the Minister of Interior is the safety and security of its citizens which is vested right in the hands of IGP, and by extension to preserve our democracy. Mr Speaker, we collectively want to preserve democracy. So this House must take interest in conducting a thorough forensic audit into the leaked tape in order to establish the veracity or otherwise of what is contained in that tape.

Speaker Alban Bagbin, in his ruling, said There is a need for an investigation but going by the Standing Orders I have to give proper direction as to the nature, the type of the investigation. Going by the same Standing Orders 72, the last sentence says the terms of any such proposed statement shall first be submitted to Mr. Speaker.

So I will urge the maker of the statement to submit in writing the terms of the proposed statements which he just gave us notice of. This will guide me to give the direction as to how the investigation or inquiry be conducted by the appropriate committee of the House.

The Minister for the Interior Ambrose Dery dismissed reports that stalwarts of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) are scheming to remove the Inspector General of Police.

There is no plot to remove anybody, he told journalists in Accra on Tuesday, July 11.

He added I can assure you that I serve a president who is committed and has respect for human rights. Under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo we will make sure that 2024 is peaceful.

One thing to be sure, 2024 will not be a violent election by anybody and no one will want to thwart the will of the people. If you vote us in, you vote us in, if you vote us out, you vote us out.

Portions of an audio that allegedly captures the plot to remove Dr Dampare said that Alhaji, my only problem this current IGP if we do a mistake and take him to the elections, it will not help us.

It will not help us at all and I will not mind if the position is not given to me but that man is changed; because he will not help us, he will not help us at all he won't help the party at all.

I know there are others who are also good for this position, if I don't get and this man is changed and those people that we think they are our men get I (it is ok)t Because we need to break this 8.

That is important, we need to break the 8 Because I wouldn't want doctor to become the flagbearer and then we lose the elections  one of the senior officers told the senior NPP members who is believed to be a former regional chairman of the party and now a traditional ruler.

-3news.com
Indian soldiers are in France ahead of the Bastille Day celebrations as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to preside over the national celebration in Paris and open a new chapter in bilateral ties.

Some two-hundred and sixty-nine soldiers from India's army, air force and the navy have been practising for almost a week in Paris ahead of Friday's event when they will march from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.

The Indian Air Force has arrived in the French capital with four Rafale aircraft, which will also take part in the Bastille Day flyover the Champs Elysees in Paris this Friday.

The fighter jets are part of 36 Rafales India has bought from France for eight billion Euros to revamp its Soviet-era air force.

Paris is also the front-runner in a race to sell 26 of the planes for India's indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

Military partnership

Modi will be the guest of honour to mark the 25th anniversary of strategic partnership this year between New Delhi and Paris, with France being the second largest arms supplier to India after Russia.

Last year, France edged past the United States in arms supplies to India, accounting for a 29 percent slice of its hardware imports, according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute think tank.

Ahead of Modi's two-day trip, Arun Singh, a former Indian ambassador to France, said: We mark this as a rare honour and I think it is a reflection of the fact that there is a high level of trust and confidence in the relationship and they want to signal that."

Although Modi has been personally invited by French President Emmanuel Macron, former prime minister Manmohan Singh was the first Indian leader to attend the French national celebrations as chief guest back in 2009.

Potential deals

France is keen on push forward with a joint venture between French aeronautical firm Safran and India's state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation to co-produce jet plane engines.

The two allies are reportedly planning to set up French satellite launch facilities in India and hope to speed up negotiations on a French offer to supply six civilian nuclear reactors to India in line with a ground breaking accord signed in 2008.

According to Emmanuel Lenain, France's ambassador to India, Macron is banking on Modi's two-day trip to clinch an array of deals.

There will be a lot of them, ambassador Lenain predicted, adding, "Each time there is an important meeting at that level, there will be some new momentum for cooperation.

He notes that French firms keen on doing business in India and are supportive of Modi's signature 'Make-in-India' drive designed to cut foreign imports.

Trade between the two countries is pegged at 25 billion in 2022  a figure that had initially been a target to be reached by 2025  and now attention will focus on boosting French investment in India's farm, energy, industrial, and software sectors.

Only last month, Airbus announced clinching the biggest-ever aircraft order in the history of commercial aviation to deliver 500 A320 planes to India's IndiGo airline between 2030 and 2035.

The deal takes to ,1330 the number of Airbus planes Indigo has ordered from the European aerospace giant, headquartered in Toulouse.
A leaked audio plotting to remove Inspector General of Police Dr. George Akuffo Dampare from his position has sparked outrage in Ghana.

The tape features a senior police officer speaking ill about Dampare and telling some NPP officials that the party can not rig the 2024 elections if he [Dampare] remains as IGP.

In response to the recording, Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson is calling for a full investigation into the alleged plot.

The lawmaker in an interview on Accra-based JoyNews PM Express, aired on Wednesday, July 12, stated that the conversation heard in the leaked audio is "very worrying" and the issues raised are "treasonable and disrespect to the people of Ghana."

He asserted that Parliament has the resources to conduct a forensic investigation to get to the bottom of the matter.

Mr. Ato Forson contended that he witnessed professionalism from police during the Assin North by-election and believes the NPP simply wants the police to aid it rig the next general elections.

He emphasized the importance of democracy in Ghana and said any attempts to undermine it must be "confronted head-on."

"The conversation in the leaked tape is of worry to us. This is a matter that the nation should worry the nation and Parliament. There must be a forensic investigation.

The issues raised there are treasonable and disrespect to the people of Ghana. Parliament has the resources to be able to engage any form of assistance in unraveling the matter," Forson stated.
A leaked audio plotting to oust Inspector General of Police Dr. George Akuffo Dampare has drawn criticism from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

However, the Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Sulemana Braimah, believes the NDC's reaction is misguided.

In an article titled, "Why President Akufo-Addo Will Not Fall for the Grand Plot Against IGP Dampare, the MFWAs director said in part "I find the reaction of the opposition NDC to the ongoing brouhaha about IGP and elections, quite strange."

He pointed out that previous elections were not determined by a partisan IGP and therefore see the reactions of NDC as strange.

"It must also be clear to the NDC that President Mills did not win the 2008 elections because there was an NDC-affiliated IGP at the time," Braimah stated.

"Of course, the NDC also knows that it did not lose the 2016 elections and the 2020 Presidential elections because of the conduct of an IGP, he stressed.

According to the media guru, the NDC's claim that removing Dampare is aimed at helping the NPP rig the 2024 election is "baseless."

He noted that "An IGP does not collate results. An IGP does not gather pink sheets for a party."

Mr. Braimah said he understands the NDC want to sdefend Dampare's "exceptional professionalism," but urged the Party to avoid "needless partisanship and false elections-rigging conspiracy theories."
Accomplishing a significant milestone, the Ghanaian Parliament passed the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023 on Wednesday, July 12.

The newly enacted law grants the Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery, the authority to issue licenses for the cultivation of cannabis, commonly known as "wee," for industrial and medicinal purposes within the country.

This decision comes in the wake of a recent ruling by the Supreme Court that invalidated provisions in the Narcotic Control Commission Act, which previously allowed the cultivation of specific types of cannabis for industrial and medicinal applications. The court argued that the provisions conflicted with Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution.

Despite an appeal lodged by the Office of the Attorney-General, the Supreme Court ultimately dismissed the review application by a narrow margin of 5-4.

Consequently, the amendment bill was introduced to address the legal inconsistencies and provide a framework for the regulated cultivation of cannabis.

Throughout the parliamentary debates on the amendment bill, Members of Parliament emphasized the significance of cultivating certain varieties of cannabis. The discussions highlighted the potential benefits of cannabis cultivation for both industrial and medicinal sectors in Ghana.
State-assisted final funeral rites for the late renowned Ghanaian author and feminist Ama Ata Aidoo begin today.

Ama Ata Aidoo, who died at age 81 after a short illness in May this year, will be laid in state on Thursday, July 13, and the funeral continues till Saturday, July 16 at the forecourt of the State House.

Her funeral will be assisted by the state, as promised by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in an official invitation.

The invitation from the Office of the President requests the honor of attendance at the funeral at the said venue during the aforementioned date.

It outlines a pre-burial service from 6:00AM to 9:00AM, followed by the burial service from 9:00AM to 11:00AM. The dress code is black and red.

Celebrated as one of Africa's foremost writers, Ama Ata Aidoo depicted and celebrated the condition of African women through her literary works like "The Dilemma of a Ghost," "Our Sister Killjoy" and "Changes."

She opposed what she described as the "Western perception that the African female is a downtrodden wretch."

In the early 1980s, she served as Ghana's education minister but resigned when she could not make education free.

She later went into self-imposed exile in Zimbabwe for a time before returning to Ghana as a full-time writer.

As a professor, she won many prestigious literary awards for her groundbreaking novels, plays and poems.

This included the 1992 Commonwealth Writers Prize for "Changes," a love story about a statistician who divorces her first husband and enters a polygamous marriage.

Her influential works like the play "Anowa" have been widely taught in schools across West Africa alongside other greats like Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe.

The state funeral, with full honors, signifies her immense contributions to Ghanaian and African literature.

She pushed boundaries in exploring women's issues and inspired countless young writers across the continent.
The 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season official kicks off on June 1 and the 21 storm names are in from the World Meteorological Organization.

The names encompass almost every letter of the alphabet, leaving out Q, U, X, Y and Z.

This year's primary list of names is largely borrowed from 2017's. The storm names rotate every six year, a feature that began in 1979. However, storms that were particularly destructive and deadly may be retired if the World Meteorological Organization, an agency of the United Nations, votes to do so.

In the case of this cycle, Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate were retired from the 2017 list. In it's place for 2023 are Harold, Idalia, Margot and Nate.

The World Meteorological Organization also names storms for other parts of the world as well.
ECOWAS Community Court of Justice (CCJ) has thrown out a suit against the Government of Ghana (GoG) challenging the propriety of a Gold Royalties Monetisation Transaction arrangement, popularly referred to as the Agyapa deal.

Three anti-corruption groups  Transparency International, Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC)  dragged the government to the CCJ in December 2020, seeking an order to halt the Agyapa deal.

It was the case of the applicants that the Agyapa deal was dominated by politically exposed persons and also violated the rights of Ghanaians to have permanent sovereignty over the country's natural resources as provided under the African Charter on Human and People's Rights.

However, the court  sitting in Abuja, Nigeria, last Tuesday  upheld the defence of the government, and dismissed the case of the three civil society organisations, reports Graphic Onlines Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson.

The court said the detailed reasoning for its decision would be made available later.

Applicants case

The applicants had argued that the Agyapa deal violated many international conventions against corruption, and, if allowed to go ahead, would allow Ghana's gold resources to be controlled by foreigners.

Apart from asking the CCJ to restrain the government from going ahead with the deal, the applicants also wanted the court to order Ghana to investigate all alleged acts of corruption associated with the deal, and ensure that any alleged perpetrators are brought to justice.

Defence

The government, in its defence, however, refuted the case of the applicants and argued that the Agyapa deal was not meant to cede the sovereignty of the country's resources to foreigners.

The proposed Agyapa transaction is intended as a means by which only a portion of the proceeds from the exploitation of natural resources of Ghana is invested to ensure that the people of Ghana obtain the benefit therefrom, the Attorney-General (A-G), Godfred Yeboah Dame, submitted.

It was also the case of the government that the first applicant, Transparency International, had no capacity to be part of the action because it was a German organisation and, therefore, not a member of the ECOWAS Community.

Also, the government was of the contention that the argument by the applicants that the Agyapa deal was an interference on the right of Ghanaians to have sovereignty over natural resources was not based on sound legal reasoning and meritless.

The government also made a case that the applicants failed to provide any evidence to back their allegations that the deal was dominated by politically exposed persons who intend to misappropriate Ghana's resources.

Background

Parliament passed the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act, 2018 (MIIF Act 978) with the key objective of maximising the county's mineral wealth for the benefit of Ghanaians, while ensuring that receiving royalties from gold mining companies was sustainable.

The law was amended to enable it to incorporate subsidiaries and to use it as a special purpose vehicle to do business across the world.

The main subsidiary of the MIIF and holding company, Agyapa Royalties Investment Ltd, will be listed on the London Stock Exchange, while its subsidiary, ARG Royalties Ltd, will be quoted on the Ghana Stock Exchange, both through initial public offerings.

The company will be responsible for managing 75.6 per cent of the country's royalty inflow from the 12 gold mining companies that currently operate in Ghana, with four more expected to come on stream.

That will enable the country to raise about $1 billion to finance mining concessions in Ghana and across Africa.

In November 2020, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo instructed the Minister of Finance to re-submit the agreements supporting the Agyapa deal to Parliament for the approval process to start all over again.

That followed the corruption risk assessment submitted by a former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, to the President.

Source: Graphic.com.gh
An Accra High Court has ordered Osprey International Limited to appear before it to answer questions on payment for 5,038 acres of land situated at Sege in the Greater Accra Region.

The said land is said to be part of the land acquired by the Ministry of Works and Housing as part of the land banks for the construction of safe, decent, secured and low-income affordable housing units for the people of Ghana.

The court said: The managing director or his accredited representative must be in court to answer any questions on the accounts, The fourth defendant is to consider this order urgently.

The court ordered Osprey International (Managing Director) to furnish the court with detailed accounts of all monies that it has received and disbursed for and on behalf of the parties (Richard Dornu Nartey, the applicant) and Osprey International, the fifth defendant in the case.

The account will include the investment, (if any), that the company has made with the amount that has been sitting in its coffers at all this while.

The court presided over by Justice Solomon Oppong-Twumasi held that Osprey International was to file the account in the court's registry on or before July 19, 2023.

The matter has been adjourned to July 21, 2023.

In a writ of summons, Richard Dornu Nartey, the plaintiff, said he is the head and lawful representative of the Lomotey We family of the Lomobiawe Clan of Ada.

Plaintiff said his family are the owners in possession of a large tract of ancestral lands situated at Sege in the Greater Accra Region, adding the land in dispute formed part of the lands they have owned for centuries.

According to the Plaintiff, it had come to their notice that Osprey International Limited was claiming to be acting on behalf of Lomobiawe Clan of Ada and the company was pursuing a claim for compensation from government in respect of the said land on the blind side of the Plaintiff, the real owners of the land.

It is the case of the plaintiff, the Lomotey We family are exclusive owners of the said land which did not belong to the entire Lomobiawe Clan as each lineage of the Lomobiawe Clan owns its exclusive family land in the Ada area.

In the statement of claim, the plaintiff said in the Ada area, lands are owned by families and not Clans and Stools.

According to the plaintiff, his family head and his elders had not instructed that the said consultant nor the Lomobiawe Clan to put in or receive any compensation on their behalf of the said land.

The plaintiff contended that they did not know the actual persons who clandestinely instructed the said company to put in or receive the claim.

Plaintiff said there had been some misrepresentation made by some other defendants as to who authorized the payment of the said compensation.

Plaintiff contended that if the defendants are not stopped from the said illegal payments, huge sums of the taxpayer's money would be irretrievably lost as the said fund would have been squandered by persons not entitled to it and who would not be in a position to refund same as experience has shown, the statement of claim said.

The defendants are the Attorney General, Ministry of works and Housing, Ministry of Finance, Osprey International Limited and Lomobiawe Clan of Ada.

The defendants, namely the Attorney General, Ministry of Works and Housing, Ministry of Finance, Bank of Ghana, Osprey International Limited and Lomobiawe Clan of Ada also made their statements.

The Attorney General, Ministry of Works and Housing and Ministry of Finance (Ist, 2nd, and 3rd respectively) held that a letter dated October 12, 2018, addressed to the Minister of Works and Housing from Michael Zewu Glover Esq. acting as counsel for or on behalf of Numo Kpankpa Kojo, stated that the Sege land, part of which was being acquired by the Ministry of Works and Housing, belonged to the Lomobiawe Clan of Ada Traditional area, of which he was the officially recognised head.

The three defendants (I, 2, 3) wrote to the Lands Commission to establish the owners of the land.

According to the three defendants, the Lands Commission in its response to the letter confirmed that the Lomotey We does not singularly own any part of the parcel of the land being acquired by the 2nd Defendants from the Lomobiawe Lan of the Ada Traditional area.

The defendants said a report from the Lands Commission valued the land at GHS18, 214, 500.

They said the Ministry of Works and Housing signed an agreement with the Lomobiawe Clan represented by six of the heads of the families constituting the Lomobiawe Clan of Ada Traditional Area.

Numo Kpankpa Kojo, being the officially recognised Head of the Lomotey We, signed the Agreement with the 2nd defendant (Ministry of Works and Housing) which was witnessed by members of the Ada Traditional Council.

The landowners consented to be paid a total of GHS14,571,600 less than the value of the land seeded to the Ghana Revenue Authority.

The defendants said the Ministry of Works and Housing requested through a letter to the Ministry of Finance to release the stated amount for the payment to the landowners.

They held that the Ministry of Finance released GHS7,285, 800 being 50 per cent of the amount requested by the Ministry of Works and Housing for payment to be made to the landowners, that is the Lomobiawe Clan of the Ada Traditional Area.

The defendants held that the Plaintiff is not entitled to any of the reliefs endorsed on his writ and Statement of Claim.

GNA
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection says it has begun investigations into the BBC's reportage of Ghanaian children wrongly taken in anti-human trafficking raids backed by United States (US) Charity International Justice Mission (IJM).

Deputy Minister Ms Francisca Oteng Mensah, though declined to comment on the Ministry's next move due to the ongoing probe into the report, told the GNA in an interview that, a Committee had been set up to investigate the claims by the British public broadcaster.

A committee has been set up to look at the matter, because they are looking into the issue and l may not be able to say much or comment further, she said.

Ms Francisca Oteng Mensah

Ms Oteng Mensah said at the right time and with the completion of the investigations, their findings would be communicated to the stakeholders on the issue.

She assured the media and other stakeholders to wait for the inquiries to be completed because they would be the first to know when the curtain was drawn.

BBC on July 10, 2023, published a report on an anti-human trafficking raid carried out at midnight in Mogyigna, a remote hamlet in the Northern Region of Ghana.

The said raid, as reported by the BBC, was an IJM-Ghana Police collaboration under Ghanas Human Trafficking Act 694 of 2005.

It involved the forcible removal of four children, which included an 11-year-old girl, who the report stated was yanked with the others as she slept with her grandparents in one of the huts in the hamlet.

However, the IJM in a three-page press statement issued on Tuesday, and copied to the GNA, said the BBC's report of the raid contained material inaccuracies insisting that they were fully transparent with the Police thus provided them with the facts of the case.

This includes a distinction between suspected cases of trafficking versus suspected cases of exploitative cases of child labour.

They insisted that the Police and the authorities concerned would have to make their own determination if the law had been violated.

In the 'Hiltop' case referred to by the BBC, IJM was fully transparent with police providing them with the facts of the case, the statement said.

It said the Police conducted their own investigations, determining that there was sufficient evidence before proceeding with the operation.

Mrs Linda Asante Adjei, the Vice President of the Ghana Journalists Association told the GNA that cross-checking of facts was important before publication.

Before we bring out any information, we need to cross check our facts and know that what we are coming out with is accurate if whoever had done an in-depth investigation to probed further, I am sure he will have come up with the correct information, she added.

She urged Journalists to do facts checking to come out with the right information instead of basing it on one-sided reports.

She further advised against the quick-to-break the news attitude by some media establishments as it was one of the issues that compromised facts checking and caused some media houses to commit errors.

GNA
Dear Mr. President,

I write to you with deep concern and a fervent plea for you to consider the long-term implications of signing into law the Bill for Proper Human Sexual Relations and Ghanaian Family Values, which was recently passed by Parliament. While it is essential to uphold Ghana's cherished cultural values and societal norms, it is equally crucial to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms that underpin our democratic state.

As a Ghanaian-American deeply invested in Ghana's future, I am anxious about the potential repercussions this legislation could have on our global reputation, our economy, and, most importantly, the lives of countless LGBTQIA+ Ghanaians who may be directly or indirectly affected.

This Bill infringes on the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and privacy that are enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana. It threatens to marginalize and further alienate LGBTQIA+ individuals based on their sexual orientation and personal choices, which are inherently private and should not be subject to legal scrutiny.

By endorsing such a Bill, we stand to compromise our collective commitment to human rights, which could undermine Ghana's reputation as a beacon of democratic values in Africa. Ghana stands head and shoulders above many African countries on many levels, and some look to Ghana for guidance. We simply cannot blindly follow Uganda's horrendous example of their draconian Kill the Gays law. We are much, much better than that. In some ways, Ghana's Parliament isn't elevating Ghana's international standing, it is taking a wrecking ball to it.

You know better than I that the enforcement of this Bill could have severe implications for our economy. Ghana's economic growth and development largely hinge on strong ties with international partners and stakeholders, many of whom champion inclusivity and human rights. Approval of this Bill could strain these relationships, potentially leading to reductions in foreign investments, trade, tourism, aid, and healthcare initiatives.

According to UN AIDS, Ghana saw a 21% fall in the incidence of HIV between 2010 and 2021 due to the results of sex education, preventive measures, and the care medical providers render to LGBTQIA+ persons. The Bill threatens to reverse these gains because it will drive the LGBTQIA+ community underground and make individuals afraid to seek medical care. This will lead inevitably to the unchecked spread of HIV, which is not in Ghana's interest.

I urge you, Mr. President, to strongly and deeply reconsider assenting to this Bill. I implore you to engage with civil society, human rights advocates, legal experts, religious leaders, and the wider Ghanaian public to carefully deliberate further on the implications of this law. Such a step would reinforce our democratic ideals of dialogue, compromise, and consensus-building.

Mr. President, Ghana has a long history of upholding human dignity and promoting peace. As we strive to build a society where all individuals are accorded their due rights and freedoms, it is imperative that we refrain from institutionalizing laws that may perpetuate division and discrimination. We simply cannot go backwards on human rights. We must strive forward.

I trust that you will put the best interests of the people of Ghana at heart, and continue to be a stalwart leader for human rights and inclusivity in our great nation. I know personally that your capacity for nuanced thought and reasoning far exceeds that of many African leaders. Thank you for your dedication to serving our country and its people.

Yours faithfully,

Kwei M Jones-Quartey, M.D.

Pasadena, California
Reports have indicated, after several judicial negotiations, that former Mozambican Finance Minister Manuel Chang would finally be handed over to the FBI to face fraud and corruption charges in the United States.

At first, a spokesperson for the South African justice ministry explained he would be "handed over to the Mozambican authorities to be tried under Mozambican law for abuse of position and function, violation of budget laws, fraud, embezzlement, passive corruption, money laundering and criminal association."

But the decision ended in a stalemate, as in October 2019 South Africa's High Court ruled previous Justice Minister Michael Masutha's decision to extradite Manuel Chang to Mozambique invalid as he "still enjoyed immunity" in his country.

Chang has been in jail in South Africa since December 2018. He was arrested while transiting through Oliver Tambo International Airport (29 December 2018) on an arrest warrant sought by the United States who had charged him with fraud and corruption, and he has since been held in the neighboring South Africa.

He was arrested and detained by the international police for allegedly being involved in fraud and corruption when he served as a minister. He was in charge of Mozambique's finances when the country guaranteed more than $2.2bn (1.5bn) in secret borrowing by state-owned firms.

Between 2013-2014, three newly established companies took on $2.2bn of debt, much of it without the knowledge or approval of the country's parliament. The money was allegedly used to buy a large tuna factory and a maritime security fleet, as well as to finance other deals involving companies in which the state is a leading shareholder.

Chang's arrest was linked to the son of Mozambique's ex-president Ndambi Armando Guebuza. In December 2022, he was sentenced to 12 years in jail, following years of extensive investigations into a corruption scandal which caused financial havoc and serious negative impact on the economy.

The crimes committed have brought consequences whose effects will last for generations. The government masked the loans from parliament and the public. When the hidden debt finally surfaced in 2016, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other foreign donors cut off financial support, triggering a sovereign debt default and currency collapse.

According to reports, many US investors had lost money in what was described as a $2.2 billion loan scam involving two banks, the Credit Suisse and the Russian VTB bank. The secrecy and corruption surrounding the loans dealt devastating blows to Mozambique's credibility and reputation.

It was the Wall Street Journal first revealed the hidden debt in April 2016. According to the United States investigation, much of the fraud and money laundering took place through transfers processed by banking institutions in New York.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) now returns with a set of new funded programmes to Mozambique, six years after the lender halted its previous deals in the wake of a financial scandal involving three fraudulent security-linked companies, and two banks  Credit Suisse and VTB of Russia.

One of the world's most impoverished countries, Mozambique is still grappling with its hefty debt burden, as well as the impact of Covid-19, which led to its first economic contraction in three decades last year.

With an approximate population of 30 million, Mozambique is endowed with rich and extensive natural resources but remains one of the poorest and underdeveloped countries in Africa. It is a member of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

Source: Gift News
National Security Coordinator, Mr. Edward Asomani, has pledged the support of the Ministry of National Security to sponsor the 2023/2024 Conflict and Crisis Management Course at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC).

Mr. Asomani made this announcement as the Guest of Honour during the opening ceremony of the course on July 10, 2023, held at the Hamidu Hall in Teshie.

Highlighting the significance of the Staff College, Mr. Edward Asomani emphasised that it is one of the leading institutions in Ghana that offers courses and modules to bring together personnel from key national institutions.

He noted that these courses aim to foster a synergy among participants, contributing to national security and development.

The Conflict and Crisis Management Course is designed to help participants identify and effectively handle conflicts in a fair and efficient manner.

Mr. Asomani emphasised that the participants' knowledge, expertise, and professionalism acquired during the course will be valuable in managing conflicts and crisis situations, not only within the country but also beyond its borders.

Mr. Asomani encouraged all the participants to actively engage with their colleagues, seize every opportunity to enhance their knowledge, and deepen their understanding of conflict and crisis management for the betterment of their respective countries.

The two-week course, which will conclude on July 21, 2023, aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of conflict and crisis management, enabling them to work more effectively, efficiently, and cohesively in such situations.
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has indicated that he looks forward to the mid-year budget presentation by the Minister in charge of Finance, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta.

According to him, he will not be surprised if government introduces more taxes.

Speaking to Joy News, the Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam argued that although there is a massive room for government to cut expenditure in its mid-year budget review, it will not do so because of indiscipline.

I wont be surprised if the government introduces new measures because if you read the MEFP, the IMF is asking for additional measures of about 1% of GDP and I dont know where that is going to come from.

If I look carefully, there is a massive room for expenditure cuts but the government obviously is indiscipline and they dont seem to care, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said.

The Minority Leader in Parliament continued, They want to live large on the back of the people of Ghana. So they need to cut that kind of expenditure and if I am the one in charge or responsible, I would rather go for a cut in expenditure as against a tax measure or an increase in taxation.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is scheduled to visit Parliament on July 25 to present the 2023 Mid-Year Budget Review to Parliament.
A friend in need is a friend indeed

Leading at the edge of Chaos:

What is making the relationship between China and Africa grow positively can be linked to when China showed up at the continents lowest point.

I will share some key highlights on the significance of the timing of Chinas reinvigorated investment boom on the African continent. This set the path that has accelerated win-win cooperation between Africa and China.

The significance of when China showed up in Africa to provide the needed support has often been overlooked. More often than not, its lost completely in the Africa-China debate, and that is very intriguing.

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Dating back to the 1990s through the early 2000s, the African continent experienced a plethora of crises that crippled the continents potential for growth and left millions in abject poverty.

Civil Wars:

Facilitated by the breakdown of the Soviet Union, the proliferation of arms found its way into the hands of rebel groups in Africa. This led to civil wars across multiple countries in Africa, such as Sudan, Chad, Liberia, Angola, and Rwanda (the Genocide of 1994), among others.

Equally prevalent were intra-state and cross border disputes such as Nigeria-Cameroon dispute over the Bakassi peninsula, Algeria-Morocco conflict over the Atlas Mountains, Eritrea-Ethiopia crisis etc. but to name a few

Diseases Burden

The continent did indeed go through a series of health crises. Many countries across the continent suffered from various kinds of diseases during this period, putting the entire continent in a high health-risk zone.

Debt Crisis

Following World War II, countries on the continent had little or nothing left to rebuild their economies. Through the Structural Adjustment Program of the World Bank, lots of these countries borrowed to rebuild their economies.

Unfortunately, various other negative incidents, such as political and civil crises, forced these countries into debt.

All these incidents of civil wars, diseases, and debt crises led to a huge humanitarian crisis, refugees, and a broken continent.

Hopeless continent and emergence of FOCAC

In May 2000, the entire continent of Africa was labeled "the hopeless continent by the Economist magazine.

This, in many ways, was the broader sentiment shared by Europe and the West, led by the US.

Africa was seen as nothing less than a death zone and certainly not a place to do business or invest. The continent was used as a do-good-aid dumping ground.

What is significant is that it was at this point that the continent needed tangible investment and needed partners ready to help rebuild these economies.

As if these aspirations were not shared by African leaders enough. The traditional partners ignored the continent's cry for investment and access to patient funding for infrastructure development and to build sustainable social programs that could lead to poverty reduction.

It was at this edge of chaos that China showed. And it showed up significantly through.

If you are a key follower of Africa-China relations in any form or shape, then you will probably be familiar with the term FOCACForum on China-Africa Cooperation.

FOCAC, as it has become known, was established and first held in October 2000 in Beijing as a triennial platform to build cooperation between Africa and China across key areas of interest.

Twenty-two years later, FOCAC continues to serve its purpose as a platform for collective discourse on cooperation between Africa and China.

Juxtaposing the two scenarios: while in May 2000 the continent was labeled as hopeless, within that same year, China hosted the first FOCAC. One cannot overemphasize the significant of this enough.

Suitability of China for Africa

To succeed in Africa, you need to be built for Africa

Africa was unattractive to its traditional partners

The continents traditional partners, mostly western countries, did not see Africa as a place to do business. Little to no real investments were made during the 1990s.

While China came in and acted differently. Chinese FDI annual flows to Africa, also known as OFDI (Overseas Foreign Direct Investment) in Chinese official reports, have been increasing steadily since 2003.

China has been the largest investor in Africa over the last few decades. Its imperative to note that between 2007 and 2020, China has made more investments in Africa than the next eight largest lenders combined.

Africa has a huge infrastructure gap

Annually and for over a decade, Africa has required a minimum of $100 billion to sufficiently close its infrastructure gap.

Countries across the continent are exploring bilateral, multilateral, and, until recently, the issuance of Eurobonds to finance infrastructure.

However, for over two decades, no country has invested more in Africas infrastructure development than China.

Chinas two major foreign development banks invested $23 billion in infrastructure projects on the continent between 2007 and 2020.

That amounts to $8 billion more than the combined contributions of the other top eight lenders.

Resources for infrastructure

Africa sits on huge and numerous natural resources. And after several decades, the continent has not been able to leverage these resources to engineer the kinds of growth it so requires.

The new approach of exchanging resources in order to secure long-term capital for infrastructure development is highly innovative and a genius model.

African countries, for the first time, can leverage on natural resources to build their economies without plunging themselves into debt crises and putting their economies at risk.

Cheaper alternative in infrastructure development

Its an undisputed fact that China currently sits at the top of the list of countries with the ability, speed, and value for money when it comes to developing the infrastructure that is needed in Africa.

Africa can accelerate its infrastructure development more quickly and at a very high value for money with the support of China.

Equal treatment to all countries  Mutual Respect

For China, the size of the country does not matter when it comes to its relations and mutual respect. This is a core part of Chinas foreign policy.

As it has become a tradition, each year Africa is first on the list of foreign visits since 2000 by Chinas top foreign official (the Foreign Minister).

The same cannot be said of the continents traditional western counterparts. This act of respect by China for the African continent is very significant and has contributed to the level of positive relations between Africa and China.

A shared model of economic development

For most countries in the global south and Africa in particular, Chinas economic model and success are inspiring enough. A country that has been able to lift over 800 million people out of poverty and become a beacon of infrastructure development globally.

Countries in Africa also need the same roads, rails, healthcare, quality and innovative education, manufacturing boom, etc. as China has successfully achieved.

This model of economic transformation and sharing of experiences is also making China an attractive partner for the African continent.

The growing momentum of mutual cooperation between Africa and China is not changing anytime soon.

To succeed in Africa, you need to be built for Africa. China has shown itself to be the most reliable partner seeking to build a win-win cooperation with the African continent.

Paul Frimpong, CGIA, ICCE

Paul Frimpong is a development economist, top voice on Sino-Africa relations, and an award-winning entrepreneur.

Hes currently the Founder and Executive Director of the Africa-China Centre for Policy & Advisory.

The Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory is a Sino-African research and policy think tank and advisory firm headquartered in Accra, Ghana.

www.africachinacentre.org | [email protected]
The Ministry of National Security has refuted the allegation of deliberate and targeted operation, spearheaded by the Ghana Armed Forces, to forcibly repatriate Burkinabe refugees from Ghana.

The Ministry of National Security notes that contrary to the false reportage that displaced Burkinabes are being forced out of Ghana, a repatriation process has been instituted to aid the movement of Burkinabes who wish to return to their country.

The repatriation process according to the Ministry is consistent with international protocols on the management of refugees and has so far, been implemented in collaboration with Burkinabe Immigration Authorities along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border.

Through the collaboration between Ghana and Burkina Faso authorities, the Ministry of National Security notes that government is committed to safeguarding the peace and territorial integrity of the country.

In the process of doing this, the National Security Ministry insists that values, such as respect for human rights wont be comprised.

The Government of Ghana, while reaffirming its determination to safeguard the peace, stability and territorial integrity of the country, and promote the welfare of the citizens of the country, would continue to undertake the necessary operations without compromising values, such as respect for human rights, including the rights of refugees and displaced persons from neighbouring countries, parts of the National Security Ministry release said.

Read the full release below:

PRESS RELEASE

The Ministry of National Security has taken note of media reports and publications that suggest a deliberate and targeted operation, spearheaded by the Ghana Armed Forces, to forcibly repatriate Burkinabe refugees from Ghana.

The Ministry refutes such claims and wishes to state that Ghana is committed to accommodating Burkinabe nationals who have been displaced into the Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana due to the prevailing security situation in southern Burkina Faso.

The Ministry, in collaboration with the Ghana Refugee Board and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has accordingly established a temporary reception centre in the Upper East Region, capable of holding an estimated Two thousand, one hundred (2,100) displaced people from Burkina Faso.

Currently, five hundred and thirty (530) displaced Burkinabes are being accommodated at the reception centre. Additionally, Ghanaian official entities ensure that the displaced persons have access to free food and medical care. Also, as part of measures to enhance containment efforts, a 30-acre land has been acquired for the establishment of housing facilities to host displaced persons.

Contrary to claims that displaced Burkinabes are being forced out of Ghana, a repatriation process has been instituted at the reception centre to aid the movement of Burkinabes who wish to return to their country. The repatriation process is consistent with international protocols on the management of refugees and has so far, been implemented in collaboration with Burkinabe Immigration Authorities along the GhanaBurkina Faso border.

The Government of Ghana, while reaffirming its determination to safeguard the peace, stability and territorial integrity of the country, and promote the welfare of the citizens of the country, would continue to undertake the necessary operations without compromising values, such as respect for human rights, including the rights of refugees and displaced persons from neighbouring countries.

-END-
13.07.2023 LISTEN

The leader of the Earth's Illuminati is called the "Pindar". The Pindar is a member of one of the 13 ruling Illuminati families, and is always male. The title, Pindar, is an abbreviated term for "Pinnacle of the Draco".

Symbolically, this represents the top of power, control, creation, penetration, expansion, invasion, and fear.

The holder of this rank reports to the purebred Reptilian leader in the inner Earth.

Recently, there are reports that the Marquis de Libeaux is the Pindar, but this is disinformation. The true current Pindar is the head of the Rothschild family, as has been for several hundred years.

He is based in Germany near Frankfurt. In the late 1970s, he oversaw the sister project to Montauk, called M.A.L.D.A, an anagram for Montauk-Alsace-Lorraine Dimensional Activation. This project was located near the city of Strasbourg, France, historically once part of Germany.

Interestingly, there is a winery on the east end of Long Island, not far from Montauk Point, called Pindar Vineyards. This wine is growing in popularity, gaining international accolades.

This fits nicely into the plan, as this area will be a part of the capital district of the Earth/United Nations in the Empire State! Red wine is symbolic of the blood ingested by the Reptilians.

The wine can become sanctified as it did in the Roman Catholic Church, a patsy for the Reptilians. In the Catholic Church, wine replaced the blood in ceremony.

The Illuminati here on Earth have established a pyramid structure of control identical to the system that exists in the Draco Empire. The pyramid with the Reptilian eye, located on the American one-dollar bill, is symbolic of this control structure.

The eye is the cap on the pyramid, thus explaining why the original surface of the Great Pyramid in Egypt was capped in solid gold.

The Pindar is represented by the gold cap on the pyramid. The next layer, or "eye", on the pyramid represents the 13 ruling families. They are as follows:

Rothschild (Bauer or Bower) - Pindar

Bruce

Cavendish (Kennedy)

De Medici

Hanover

Hapsburg

Krupp

Plantagenet

Rockefeller

Romanov

Sinclair (St. Clair)

Warburg (del Banco)

Windsor (Saxe-Coburg-Gothe)

Each of the 13 ruling families is given an area of the Earth and/or a particular function to fulfill on the Earth. These particular functions include global finances, military technology / development, mind-control, religion, and media.

Each of the 13 ruling families has a Council of 13 as well. The number, 13, has great significance to them. They know that there are 12 types of energies that pass through the 10 aspects of God-Mind. The totality of the 12 energies equals a 13th energy. This is considered the most powerful knowledge.

They also know that there are really 13 Zodiac signs, not the commonly acknowledged 12. They have kept the 13th hidden for centuries because it is the sign of the Dragon (a.k.a. Ophiuchus, the Serpent Holder).

As the French newspaper Le Monde explains, the 13th sign was deliberately removed more than 2,000 years ago.

They keep the qualities and traits of this sign secret to avoid giving away clues to the Reptilian mind-pattern.

The next layer is the second-in-command families who do the support work for the Pindar and 13 ruling families. While all of the 13 ruling family members are shape-shifters, all members of the 300 supporting families are not. They do, however, all have a high percentage of Reptilian DNA.

[Alexander: In my opinion, if the so called shape-shifting actually exists, then it's nothing more than advanced technology put at work, and we cannot yet understand the science behind it. Alternatively, it may be a misunderstood type of possession  for a better reference, you can imagine the reptilian extraterrestrials using human bodies as vehicles, similarly to the way humans used the Na'vi in the Avatar movie].

They are known as the "Committee of 300". These families include such notable names as Agnelli, Balliol, Beale, Bell, Bouvier, Bush, Cameron, Campbell, Carnegie, Carrington, Coolidge, Delano, Douglas, Ford, Gardner, Graham, Hamilton, Harriman, Heinz, Kuhn, Lindsay, Loeb, Mellon, Montgomery, Morgan, Norman, Oppenheimer, Rhodes, Roosevelt, Russell, Savoy, Schiff, Seton, Spencer, Stewart/Stuart, Taft, and Wilson. There are many others.

The Committee of 300 uses many well-known institutions to accomplish their goals, including the Council on Foreign Relations, Bilderburgers, Trilateral Commission, Club of Rome, Royal Institute for International Affairs, Mafia, CIA, NSA, Mossad, Secret Service (SS), International Monetary Fund, Federal Reserve, Internal Revenue Service, and Interpol, to name a few. All of these are private organizations or corporations set up as public service devices, but this is far from the truth.

The Illuminati structure also creates artificial countries to further their goals. Examples of these are the United States, Switzerland, Kuwait, the Soviet Union, Panama, Israel, Italy, Yugoslavia, the United Kingdom, most of Black Africa, all of the Arab countries, and all of Central and South America.

These nations were created to amass wealth for the ruling families and their supporters, to hide or keep their wealth, and to create unstable conditions necessary to start wars or increase military budgets.

Switzerland was created as a neutral banking centre so that Illuminati families would have a safe place to keep their funds without fear of destruction from wars and prying eyes.

The United States was established with 13 colonies, one for each of the Illuminati families. The original flag had 13 stars, and still has 13 stripes. The eagle, the symbol of the United States, holds 13 arrows in its talons.

The United States is actually a corporate asset of the Virginia Company that was established in 1604 in England with direct involvement of the Rothschilds. The finances of the Rothschilds were necessary to fund the exploration and exploitation of the North American continent.

The assets of the Virginia Company, including the United States, are owned by the Holy Roman Empire via the Vatican. This occurred in 1213 when King James gave all English assets to the Reptilian Pope. Executorship remains with the British royal family, but actual ownership lies with the Roman Catholic Church.

The United States of America is not named after Amerigo Vespucci, as you learned in school. The Illuminati would never name a continent, actually two continents, after an Italian mapmaker. The name is actually a combination of words.

"Am" is the Hebrew word for "people"

"Ame" is also the command form of the Spanish/Latin verb "to love"

"Eri" or "ari" is a Hebrew term for "lion"

"Rica" is the feminine form of the Spanish word for "rich"

"Ka" is the ancient Egyptian word for "soul," or "spirit force" within a body

There are two layers of meanings. The Ancient Hebrew/Egyptian translates to say,

"the people of the lion with spirit force."

[Alexander: Personally, I believe that America's name derived from the Peruvian 'AMARUCA', which meant 'The land of the flying SERPENTS' (i.e. reptilians)].

Hence, the pyramid and all-seeing eye on the one-dollar bill. The Latinized version translates to say, "love riches", in a feminized/physical reality way. This gives an idea of what they had in mind.

Take this a step further, and one sees the mixture of the feminine Latin/eagle ideas with the masculine Hebrew/lion ideas.

The symbolic statement of America is that it is a combination of Lemuria and Atlantis; a blend of the human/Lyrae with Reptilian/Draco. Perhaps the anagram LSD, an Illuminati created drug, has a hidden meaning as well: Lyrae-Sirius-Draco!

The combination of these three civilizations would produce the most powerful, technological Empire ever known!

In 1776, the creation of the United States as an independent nation coincided with the declaration into public existence of the official Illuminati organization by member Adam Weishaupt, in Bavaria.

Publicly, Mr. Weishaupt appeared to be determined to create an organization comprised of the European elite that would uplift mankind.

Of course, this was part of an Illuminati global ceremony. The creation for the United States and the Illuminati global ceremony. The creation of the United States and the Illuminati organization were artificial beginnings for public consumption.

The United States was the device to be used to bring the Illuminati into public acceptance. Current Illuminati members believe that Adam Weishaupt was a look-alike for George Washington, and it is actually Weishaupts image that appears on the one-dollar bill.

George Washington was a wealthy slave and plantation owner. He is known to have raped some of his female slaves and used some of the male slaves in ritualistic ceremony. There are many people of the Black race who can literally trace their genetics to the founding fathers.

George Washington also ordered the building of the Montauk Lighthouse in 1796. This lighthouse included an underground area for supply storage in case of a British coastline invasion. If he had only known what that area would become - or did he?

The 13 ruling Illuminati families constantly vie for control amongst themselves. During this time period, the Spanish, British, and French Illuminati all fought to win control over North and South America.

The Rothschilds kept these Illuminati factions in line by sending Hessian troops to monitor the situation. The leaders enjoyed these war games, pitting one against the other to see who would win. The hundreds of thousands of lives lost were meaningless to them.

The Manifest Destiny of the United States was created to expand the territory of the Aryans at the expense of the native populations. As always, the Illuminati seek to destroy native peoples and their cultures.

This is an attempt to destroy their knowledge of God-Mind, as well as the possibility that the natives will impart this information on to others. Especially important is their need to eliminate native cultures with ancient knowledge of Atlantis and Lyrae.

The natives that gave them the most problem were the Cherokee Indians because this tribe retained most of their Atlantean knowledge, even accessing the Bear/Bigfoot frequency for information.

For this reason, these people were uprooted from their homeland in the southern Appalachian Mountains, and forcibly marched to Oklahoma on what is now known as The Trail of Tears.

Many died along the way. Only a remnant remained in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. In the north, the vast Iroquois/Mohawk nation was disbanded. The Montauk, direct descendents of the Atlanteans who call their leader Pharaoh, were systematically eliminated.

The Rothschilds were aggressively involved with the slave trade from Africa, importing slaves to North and South America as well as the Caribbean. They were very careful not to import Blacks from the eastern areas of Ethiopia or Sudan where the descendents of Solomon were located, instead concentrating on western and central Africa for the slave populations.

These areas had the pure mixture of Anunnaki and simian genetics, and the programming desirable for the Illuminati agenda.

The Rothschilds decided that splitting the United States colonies would double their profits. So they politically created, and financially supported, the Civil War. The Civil War was actually a global ceremonial ritual to bring slavery to its next level. This war allowed the North to win, and publicly abolish slavery.

The best slaves are the ones who do not realize that they are slaves. This alleviates rebellion and resistance. This was the status immediately following the Civil War. Blacks in the South are still slaves.

There is still segregation, even in the North. The Illuminati still consider Blacks to be second or third class citizens. Only now the slavery is subtle and masked.

In 5D Note: Those in power consider us ALL useless eaters and have used divide and conquer techniques against us to keep us from uniting. What we "ALL" need to keep in mind is that once the bottom of the pyramid unites, the rest will collapse.

Since the Civil War, there have been other staged wars that entrenched the trend toward globalization. The Spanish-American War of 1898-1899 acquired more land for the American Illuminati, placing a greater portion of the Earth's surface under American jurisdiction.

World War I was designed to change the map of Europe as well as test germ and chemical warfare technology for future use. This coincided with the worldwide influenza outbreak designed to reduce the global population, making control easier. World War I also laid the foundation for the German role in the next war.

World War II was a test of the final globalization and extermination projects. It was also designed to test mind-control machinations; to test the use of fluoride which deadens brain activity and slows resistance to authority; to experiment with slave labor camps and study the development of resistance; and to teach the masses to spy and report on one another.

World War II brought three primary goals of the Illuminati to fruition.

The first was that hidden Illuminati symbolism were brought to public attention from the underground strongholds in Tibet and Egypt, such as the Swastika and the ankh.

The second was the creation of the State of Israel as a foundation for the New World Religion.

The last was the creation of nuclear weapons as part of the Illuminati global ceremony.

During World War II, the Germans helped to perfect "sex-slaves" as a means of transmitting information amongst the elite. Sex-slaves can be either male or female, who are sexually programmed using Wilhelm Reich procedures, which are illegal in the United States, but used by the Illuminati and government.

These sex-slaves deliver messages and keep programmed sleepers in line. The sex-slave is downloaded with a message or function through various sexual acts and drugs, which can only be released by repeating the same sexual act with the target, or person, to be activated.

They are trained to know their target's trigger words and trigger events to activate, delete, or change programming.

In recent years, several women have come forward claiming to be the sex-slaves of globally recognized political figures. Many were used as information couriers between high-level male Illuminati.

Usually, look-alikes of the political figures are used in the incipient programming as a focal point for the sex-slave.

The slave is put through a desensitizing process, so there is no pleasure in the sexual act; it is merely a duty to be performed. Many times the slave becomes sexually promiscuous, repeatedly having sex with people who look like the intended target. It is a sad life.

By the end of World War II, one of the three major Illuminati global rituals was accomplished. This was the nuclear explosion that took place in 1945 at the 33rd parallel as a test for the nuclear attack on Japan. This explosion was symbolic, representing the simultaneous creation and destruction of matter and energy.

The year was symbolic as well. In numerology, 1 + 9 = 10, representing the 10 aspects of God-Mind. The number 10 further breaks down to 1 + 0 = 1, representing a new beginning. Continuing, 4 + 5 = 9, representing the end of a cycle. Symbolically, the entire event represented the end of a cycle to prepare for a new beginning using the new creation of God-Mind out of destruction.

Additionally, a cylinder containing material still not explained by the government was trucked into the nuclear explosion testing. This cylinder was made from pure steel and allegedly was the same physical dimensions as the Kabala describes for the creation of Golems.

Kabala is ancient Hebrew metaphysics that has been a staple for the Illuminati for millennia. Golems are artificial beings that are used as a slave force. It is highly probable that this was a symbolic ritual for the creation of the society of Golems.

World War II also allowed the European/American Illuminati to destroy the Japanese Illuminati desires of global domination.

The Japanese royal family, represented by Emperor Hirohito, have always been ostracized as non-legitimate by the ruling 13 families. The Japanese claim to be direct descendants of Lemurian purebred Reptilians.

The European/American Illuminati claim that the Japanese Illuminati are descendents from a lower species in the Draco hierarchy. This lower species is considered a worker class without any political clout or influence.

The European/American Illuminati also claim that East Indians are a lower species in the Draco hierarchy. The 13 ruling families consider light skin and hair to be an elite characteristic.

On January 17, 1994, Japan sent a seismic event to California. Exactly one year later on January 17, 1995, the city of Kobe, Japan was seismically destroyed.

Kobe was the home of the Japanese electromagnetic weaponry centers. The European/American Illuminati will not tolerate thorns in their sides. The destruction of Japan and its royal family will continue in the coming months.

Every year, the Illuminati hold meetings to plan the events of the coming year to accomplish their main objective formulated millennia ago of global control and domination. In the 1850s, they pinpointed their target date for complete domination with an agenda called Plan 2000. This has since been revised to 2063.

The fiasco election of George W. Bush Jr. to office was a key sign that they are on target. The public lesson of the United States presidential "election" of 2000 is that the citizens do not vote for anyone! Even the Illuminati are now finding it increasingly difficult to conceal their plans.

Edward Mitole writes in his own independent capacity.
The "Oppenheimer" Cast Just Walked Out Of Their London Premiere In Solidarity With The SAG-AFTRA Strike

Today, SAG-AFTRA officially voted to go on strike after talks with the studios concluded without a deal or an extension following the current deal expiring on July 12.

Mario Tama / Getty Images

The SAG-AFTRA union will join the Writers Guild of America on strike starting at midnight tonight, with SAG-AFTRA members joining the picket lines tomorrow. This marks the first time both unions have been on strike at the same time since 1960.

Mario Tama / Getty Images

The last time the Screen Actors Guild, which represents 160,000 performers, went on strike was in 1980.

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

While the strike was officially called this afternoon, one group of actors joined the strike in solidarity earlier today: the cast of Oppenheimer

Ian West / PA Images / Getty Images

Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, and more members of the Oppenheimer cast were attending the London premiere in the midst of the imminent SAG-AFTRA strike.

John Phillips / Getty Images

In fact, the red carpet was moved an hour earlier so the cast could attend before the strike became official.

David M. Benett / Alan Chapman / WireImage / Getty Images

While on the red carpet, Emily spoke to Deadline , saying that the cast discussed "leaving together as a cast in unity with everyone" if a strike were to be called mid-premiere.

Henry Nicholls / AFP / Getty Images

Oppenheimer premiere, Matt echoed Emily's sentiments in an interview with Variety at thepremiere, saying , "Once the strike is officially called, [we're walking]. Thats why we moved this [red carpet] up because we know the second it's called, were going home."

Henry Nicholls / AFP / Getty Images

After the cast walked the red carpet, prior to the screening of Oppenheimer starting, director and writer Christopher Nolan announced that the cast had departed the premiere in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA.

Kate Green / Getty Images for Universal Pictures

"I have to acknowledge the work of our incredible cast, led by Cillian Murphy," Christopher began while speaking on stage at the UK premiere, according to Deadline

Kate Green / Getty Images for Universal Pictures

He continued, saying, "The list is enormous: Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek, and so many more. And we have to acknowledge, you'd seen them earlier here on the red carpet, unfortunately they are off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by SAG."

Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images

Christopher concluded, adding, "Joining my guild, one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of their union."

Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images

You can watch Christopher Nolan announce that the cast has left the premiere below:

Christopher Nolan says the cast of #Oppenheimer left the premiere to go and write their pickets and join the strike pic.twitter.com/rc2SaSxcfk  Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 13, 2023

Deadline / Via Twitter: @DEADLINE

Oppenheimer has been one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2023. The film tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American scientist who helped develop the atomic bomb.

Universal Pictures / Via youtu.be

Oppenheimer was the film premiering on the same day as Greta Gerwig's Barbie, creating a movie event fans are calling " What added to the buzz forwas the film premiering on the same day as Greta Gerwig's, creating a movie event fans are calling " Barbenheimer ."

Warner Bros / Universal Pictures / Via youtu.be

With the SAG-AFTRA strike officially called, this will likely put a halt to all remaining US union physical productions that have managed to keep going despite the Writers Guild strike, and press for ongoing projects will pause immediately.

Notably, Ryan Murphy productions, Deadpool 3, and a few others were criticized for continuing to film during the Writers Guild strike.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for sustained international military support for Ukraine as Russia show signs of "weakness and division", as US President Joe Biden concluded a NATO summit denouncing Russia's PresidentPutin as "craven".

As the two-day NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius drew to a close on Wednesday, President Emmanuel Macron underlined the path for Ukraine to join NATO is open, even though alliance members stopped short of offering a clear timetable or plan for the country's membership earlier in the week.

Responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's disappointment, Macron said it's legitimate for Zelensky to expect a lot from us.

But, he said at the summit, NATO allies did what we ought to do while preserving the unity of the alliance.

Macron said time is on Ukraine's side in the war, because divisions exposed by a mutiny by Wagner mercenaries last month have shown the weakness of Russian power.

The French president also reiterated a promise to send SCALP long-range missiles to Ukraine and said NATO allies should maintain a long-term commitment.

Even if the war drags on, he said, We will still be there.

Biden addresses thousands in Lithuanian capital

Meanwhile  capping the two-day meeting on Russia's doorstep  US President Joe Biden praised the people of formerly Soviet-occupied country while heralding the addition of Finland to the alliance and the prospective admission of neighbour Sweden.

Biden  who has made unifying NATO countries a US foreign policy priority  said Putin had badly underestimated their resolve.

Speaking to thousands gathered at Vilnius University on Wednesday, Biden said "NATO is stronger, more energized and yes, more united than ever in its history. Indeed, more vital to our shared future. It didn't happen by accident. It wasn't inevitable."

"When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart ... He thought our unity would shatter at the first testing. He thought democratic leaders would be weak. But he thought wrong."

Biden's speech aimed to rally allies and showcase his role on the world stage ahead of a 2024 re-election campaign focused on healing divisions at home and abroad.

Sweden's entry to NATO comes as Turkey, which once opposed Stockholm's admission to the alliance, is due to get F-16 fighter jets from the United States.

NATO allies have assured that Ukraine would join eventually, when "allies agree and conditions are met," but offered no details on when, if ever, Kyiv would meet such conditions.

Biden's post-summit diplomacy

After his speech in Vilnius, Biden met with opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya of Belarus to "underscore the continued commitment of the United States to defend and advance human rights, including freedom of expression, and free and fair elections in Belarus," according to the White House.

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko is one of Putin's biggest allies.

Biden is closing his five-day trip to Europe in Helsinki this Thursday to show NATO's expanding power and influence against a burgeoning Russia.

Biden's brief stop in Finnish capital is seen as part of a carefully planned presentation to highlight the growth of the military alliance that the president says has fortified itself since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Finland joined as NATO's newest member earlier this year, an entry that effectively doubled the alliance's border with Russia.
Mr President, an ongoing public discourse that has the tendency to tear the Country apart is the content of an Audio named the IGP replacement tape on social media on an alleged meeting between some persons reportedly two members of the Ghana Police and a former Northern Regional Chairman of the ruling NPP. Among others, the Chairman was/is requested to lobby for the removal of the current IGP, Dr Akuffo Dampare to be replaced with a sympathizer of the NPP, in order to facilitate a possible rigging of the 2024 National election termed as mafia election machination.

According to a speaker on the audio, the IGP allegedly empathizes with the NDC and as such he may not support the use of the Police in any move to ensure the Breaking of the 8 efforts by the NPP. This act may be an attempt for the personal gains by the affected subordinate Police Officers and be may be termed as misconduct in public office by subordinate Police Officers as stipulated at 23 (1) (c) under Part 4 of the Police Service Act 350 (1970) with offence(s) other than bribery, corruption, intimidation or oppression, likewise any negligent or non-performance of duty.

The IGP is clothed by Police Service Regulations through Constitutional Instrument 76 (2012) with delegated executive powers emanating from section (3) of Article 58 of the 1992 Constitution (delegated executive powers to an officer subordinate to the President ) to deal with the matter internally through police inquiry.

Notwithstanding, the internal police inquiry into the matter, I recommend for an investigation into the incident because as a student of Political Risk, a risk assessment on the 2024 National Election, has given an indication that the stake or risk in the 2024 National Election is going to be a very high one, because a Political Party, namely the NPP is endeavoring in the Political history of this Country to break the 8, in the Countrys election cycle at the Presidential level (slot) which the NDC especially her Presidential Candidate in the person of ex-President Mahama may not accept losing in the National Election in three consecutive times (2016, 2020,2024). Hence, the election must be free and fair.

Mr President, beside the Risk stated above, this Audio is causing a lot of controversies in the public domain and it is envisaged that this has the potential for causing further polarization of the citizenry, hence a threat to both social fabric and nation cohesion.

Furthermore, it is giving room for ignorant persons to demo their ignorance that sovereignty of a democratic Country resides in the people. So, the people, through a National Election delegate their executive powers to the elected civilians in an Executive Presidential system with the President as the Head of National Executive or Civilian authority. So, the Civilian authority or Head of National Executive must Control the guns or elements with coercive force. The IGP and his subordinates wield coercive force in order to help the President to enforce the law especially dealing with armed robbers etc. The IGP is one of the subordinate Officers to the President who also doubles as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ghana, IGP is therefore granted executive powers at section (3) of Article 58 of the 1992. Hence critical reasoning will inform that the Executive President must appoint the IGP (Police Commissioner 1) and the other Police Commissioners as mandated by the Constitution. This is the situation globally. Mr President, the Constitutional Review Commission constituted by the late President Mills with vast research during their work affirmed this position. So, Mr President, time should not be wasted in debating on the appointment of the IGP by the President. May be what should be debatable is the mode of appointment and may be to add another layer for the appointment beside the President, the Council of State and to some extent the Police Council.

Mr President, the solutions or control measures to treat the above Risks, among others are adherence to the dogma of Probity, Transparency, and Accountability in the governance system.

So, Mr President, since the Audio speaks volume on a measure to facilitate a possible rigging of the 2024 National election, regardless of whether, the Audio is false or a propaganda material through Artificial Intelligence (AI) or a true one by disgruntled personnel within the Police Service who may be exploiting their connections in the NPP administration to achieve their ambition and using the plan of the breaking the 8 effort by the NPP as decoy to attain their ambitions or otherwise.

So, in consonance with the Constitutional dogma of Probity, Transparency, and Accountability, it is recommended that you constitute a Commission of Inquiry as dictated by Article 278 of the 1992 Constitution into this matter of public interest in order to safeguard the democratic rule as well as for maintaining or restoring the integrity of the Police Service.
The Social Welfare and Community Development Department at Aowin Municipality in the Western North Region has reunited a woman with her long-lost family after 20 years of going missing.

This touching moment of the 48-year-old woman going back to her family after two decades was a joint effort between the Aowin Municipal Assembly and Ebenage Herbal Production and Consult, producers of world acclaimed Hepa Plus mixture.

The woman who was identified as Ella Charley-Yao reportedly went missing some 20 years ago after suffering from mental illness.

Refusing to give up, the family from Abotia-Akpota, a community in the Ho West District in the Volta Region, then began their quest to search for their beloved daughter but all efforts proved futile until recently.

The Municipal Social Welfare Director for Aowin, Nana Agyeman Emmanuel told this reporter that "The woman was brought to our office after she was knocked down by a hit and run motor rider and so the assembly together with Ebenage Herbal Production and Consult and the Member of Parliament for the area make sure she was taking through medical treatment.

He added, The Social Welfare Department after her treatment took pictures of her and began to search for her family, at a point, we had to invite a man who could understand her native language in order to get information from her.

"Luckily enough, social welfare departments across the country joined the search and her family was immediately discovered hours after the search.

"Madam Ella who had gone missing for 20 years after going through the necessary procedure wad handed over to her family amidst tears of joy."

Nana Agyeman used the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Chief Executive Officer for Ebenage Herbal Production and Consult, Dr Ebenezer Agyeman for providing the needed support to help the missing woman locate her family.

He called on the public to always support individuals who are one way or the other found on the street with no family traces.
The majority of Ghanaians are not interested in the coup, even though the 2024 elections haven't taken place, the NPP government is unwilling to step down peacefully if the party didn't win, despite that the Akufo Addo's administration has been a total failure and that widespread corruption hurt all aspects of the country's infrastructure. The question Ghanaians are avoiding is why Akufo Addo pledged to ensure the NPP stays in power, while Bryan Acheampong asserted the NPP will never cede power to the NDC.

Are the people of Ghana unaware that the treasonous words made by the president and Acheampong could result in a brutal coup? Why is the president behaving in such a disrespectful manner against the democratic and constitutional institutions of the nation? Why is Akufo Addo determined to rig the election when a similar scheme failed in Assin North? Even while most Ghanaians do not generally support military governments, I have to admit that the diabolical plans of Akufo Addo and his failed government are inviting.

Photo credit: Ghana media

Like many African nations, the majority of Ghanaians are not in favor of military rule, but Akufo Addo's evil designs, diabolical plans, and voracious desire to rig the elections in a nation that is already in ruins demand a coup.

There are several reasons why coups commonly happen in African nations; if I examine Ghana's current political and economic circumstances, I can readily acknowledge that what the president is doing is one of those causes. The bulk of African politicians, including Akufo Addo, show no interest in addressing the concerns of the population and instead use democracy as a pretext to commit serious crimes that harm the people.

Any unsuccessful or sensible government that loses an election must leave office because the people want a change. John Mahama, the former president of Ghana, despite his achievements and booming economy, encountered this problem in 2016 and left office peacefully and without incident. However, with the present administration in place, everything is different. The NPP administration, led by Akufo Addo, has ruined every business in the country and the economy, yet they don't want to leave.

All of the nation's infrastructures, including exports and imports at the ports, domestic investments, and foreign investments, have been destroyed by pervasive corruption, incompetence, embezzlement, crime, and laziness, but this failed government has made it clear to Ghanaians that it is not willing to cede power. In addition to Bryan Acheampong, another NPP leader, Akufo Addo has stated on two occasions that he will do everything in his ability to ensure that the NPP wins the elections in 2024.

This is a treasonous statement that the president should be brought before the law in any nation with an effective judicial system, but because the Supreme Court's handpicked judges serve the president's interests rather than those of Ghanaians, all crimes perpetrated by this government go unpunished. The country is calm even though the president has been exposed to both illicit mining and the gold trade but during the era of Mahama, Ghanaians were calling for his head on a silver platter.

No other Ghanaian leader has mistreated his subjects with greater cruelty than Akufo Addo, yet everyone is silent, including pastors, church leaders, and the Christian Council. The president believes he is untouchable and has the keys to both life and death, so he doesn't care what he does or says. These are some of the factors that frequently lead to violent coups in Africa. In all of his actions, whether they are good or negative, Akufo Addo has never demonstrated wisdom and consideration.

When the funds to construct a new hospital are not yet available, which leader in his right mind would demolish an entire hospital building that served the community? Akufo Addo continues to devastate Ghana and make life tough for ordinary citizens while getting away with every crime he does. Despite all that Mahama has accomplished, his enemies came up against him when Ghana was better under him, however; Ghanaians cannot experience this under the despot Akufo Addo.

Many social media skeptics claim that Akufo Addo is lucky since he has performed worse than any other leader in Ghana but still enjoys freedom and impunity. I wouldn't describe that as being lucky; the man has been protected. He is a despotic tyrant who many Ghanaians fear, and more importantly, because he is supported by criminals who hold high office in the nation, who contribute to the suffering occurring there and receive funding from the state coffers.

When a president declares that he would use whatever means at his disposal to keep his party in power, it reflects failure and fear. As a result, Ghanaians weren't shocked when Bryan Acheampong said the same treacherous thing. Kill me if Mahama wins the 2024 elections, claimed Kwabena Owusu Adjei, who identified himself as a "man of God." A true man of God would not make such a stupid statement. Frankly speaking, this foolish and senseless man has nothing to do with God.

Since people like Kwabena Owusu Adjei falsely claim to be a man of God, Christianity is gradually decreasing in Ghana, there will be a time that churches will be almost completely deserted since it is pointless to serve God in a country named Ghana. Why would a man of God say something like that? It is because he receives money from Akufo Addo and he is aware that if Mahama wins, he won't get it any longer. Sadly, Mahama will prevail; but, Ghanaians won't assassinate him; instead, his guilty conscience will do the job or even commit suicide.

The call to remove IGP Dampare from his position because he will not permit the NPP to rig the elections in 2024 disturbs me more than any of the other audio recordings that have been leaked regarding this government's evil agenda. What is wrong with the police chief's mind who made that recording? Does he understand the repercussions of his actions? Does he realize that his actions could result in a bloody coup in Ghana, which the people of Ghana do not want?

My fellow Ghanaians, in the words of Emperor Haile Selassie, Until the color of a man's skin is no more significant than the color of his eyes," tribalism will continue to destroy and split the country. There has been enough damage done to our magnificent country and its people by Akufo Addo, NPP politicians, a few pastors, and dishonest police officers. The fact that Ghana is a peaceful nation does not justify Akufo Addo's continued disdain for the populace and abuse of power. I can assure Ghanaians that the NPP will enter the opposition whether or not there is a coup in Ghana.
Dr Konadu Apraku, a presidential candidate hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has provided insights into how his future government would operate if he were to win the 2024 general elections.

He expressed his intention to run a lean government with only 40 ministers in charge of the country.

Dr Apraku believes that Ghana can effectively function with only 40 ministers, and as a result, he plans to eliminate certain ministries such as Fisheries and Chieftaincy in his administration. He stated that these ministries, among others, would be scrapped as part of his efforts to streamline the government structure.

During an interview on Accra-based Joy FM's 6:00 am news on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Dr Apraku emphasised that Ghana does not require a large number of ministries and ministers.

He confidently asserted he is capable of effectively governing the country with only 40 ministers.

This approach to running a lean government reflects Dr Apraku's vision for a more efficient and streamlined administration, focused on optimising resources and improving governance.

-Classfmonline.com
13.07.2023 LISTEN

The conviction as a matter of record, survives the pardon. Pardon expresses forgiveness, not innocence. An innocent man cannot be pardoned Solomon Ekwenze, Anambra State University

Ananse, the anthropomorphized spider is an invertebrate belonging to the class of Arachnida. In Ghanaian (particularly Asante) folklore, he is a hero.

You may hear many stories, especially escapades and exploits of Ananse, his wife, Aso, his children Ntikuma (first born), Tikenenkene (Big Head) Nankonhwea (Splindly-legged) Afudotwedotwe (Pot-bellied).

You may have heard how he insulted the Potentate of the skies who would announce: Hon-hon, hon-hon ne hon-hon, Adu Boahemaa me yere ne no on the way to his wife's house, and Ananse instead of keeping his mouth shut would reply: Twee-pe twe-pe.

There was this adventurous story about Ananse wearing three hats: land-owner, mason, carpenter; when caught in one episode as a land owner, he would say: Esono Ananse a oye asaasewura, ennaesono Ananse a osi dan But you could not miss Yaw Asare's book: Ananse in the land of Idiots. OR the commonest one in which Ananse desires of carrying a pot of good sense on top of a tree, he put the pot in front of him, only for Ntikuma to suggest a better way of putting the pot at his back. The stories of Ananse are like those of the African-American Community's Br'er Rabbit or Compair Lapin of the French-Speaking Caribbean Islands.

Taking human form, the stories surrounding his personality (though a trickster) teaches moral, ethical, political or social values, capable of leading a person to the truth through examples, puzzles and avarice.

Like Ananse, the Dormaahene Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II wears three hats. He is first a Paramount Chief of Dormaa, a respectable and venerated position that his subjects bow to. He can hardly claim ignorance of the edict in Article 276(1) of the 1992 Constitution which charges: A chief shall not take part in active party politics; and any chief wishing to do so and seeking election to Parliament shall abdicate his stool or skin.

This same clause is found in the Chieftaincy Act of 2008, Act 759, Section 57(3) of which uses the same phraseology. To strengthen the position of a chief, Act 759 provides under section 63: A person who (c) knowingly uses disrespectful or insulting language or insults a chief by word or conduct, (d) deliberately refuses to honour a call from a chief to attend communal labour commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not more than three months or to both.

The second hat worn by the Dormaahene goes parri-passu that of the first. It is for him to tell the world whether he is a politician. But without an open declaration, you can glean from his behaviour and utterances where his leanings would go.

Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, known in private life as Daniel Mensah wears a third hat. Any lawyer who attends his court at Tema, or any person who has had a tete-a-tete with him will tell you about his affability. That, notwithstanding, he has waded in so many controversies. He appears to have the unique problem of asserting the influence of Dormaa over Wamfe.

He, it was, who, allegedly, in 17th February, 2014, ordered Mr. Effah-Yeboah to leave Dormaa-Ahenkro by 24th February, 2014, for his own safety. (There was controversy over the Chairmanship of the Area Board of the Presbyterian Health Service, with him as automatic Chairman, appointing the Aduanahene, Barima Yeboah Kodie II to act in his stead).

Dormaahene was apparently peeved over the patronage of the hospital's new mortuary in place of the 10-year-old one built by the traditional authorities, and deriving revenues there from. In an ascending order, he is reputed to have repudiated the age-old tradition of Dormaa paying allegiance to Asante (compare the role of Dormaahene Agyemang Badu I paying homage to Nana Agyemang Prempeh II and the present Otumfuo Osei Tutu II vowing not to engage in unnecessary debates with Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II. In the past, we used to call such controversial people twam a  (We decline to heed the invitation to conclude the terminology).

Then, there is this public position Dormaahene holds as a High Court judge, sitting at Tema. He was on an NDC platform at Sunyani Technical University giving a lecture on The man John Evans Atta Mills-10 Years On on Saturday, July 1, 2023, and stating: As a matter of urgency, I am appealing to the President of the Republic (Attorney-General) if he has any role to play, should abort the trial of Quayson and file a nolle prosequi

He added that if he had been on the Supreme Court bench, he would have voted against annulling the election and would have voted on the left and not gone to the right. What? A High Court Judge saying this in public? and on a political party's platform?

Nolle Prosequi (unwillingness to prosecute) is found in section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Act 30 of 1960. In December 2020, in R v Owusu Bempah, the Attorney-General withdrew a case against the General Overseer of the Glorious Power Ministry. There was no need for the Attorney General to offer reasons for the action. You may recall the nolle prosequi filed to free 8 members of the Delta Force who had stormed the Circuit Court in Kumasi in May 2017 to free 13 of their colleagues charged with conspiracy to assault the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council Director. Her Honour, Patricia Amponsah had no option but to dismiss the case. In May, 2018, the Attorney General filed nolle prosequi to free Aisha Huang accused of illegal mining.

Veteran Lawyer, Sam Okudzeto on 3rd July, 2023 criticised the Dormaahene: To me, it is repugnant, it is senseless for a sitting High Court Judge to stand on a public platform and make utterances of that nature  I think it is shocking  And Jay Hyde, Deputy Youth Organiser on TV3 noted that Dormaahene was a propagandist who did not exercise decorum K.T. Hammond, Minister of Trader remarked  This same Supreme Court that you are part of, the same oath that you swore, look at what he has said who wants him/Dormaaahene) punished?

The question some are asking is: why not allow the case to go on, and we learn lessons from it? After all, Quayson's lawyers, including brilliant Tsatsu Tsikata can make a submission of no case reference Section 173 and 271 of the Criminal Procedure Code 1960 (Act 30)

OR even if Quayson is convicted, the President can invoke the Prerogative of Mercy (Article 72 of the 1992 Constitution) in consultation with the Council of State (a) grant to a person convicted of an offence a pardon either free or subject to lawful conditions Adamu Dramani Sakande MP for Bawku Central, was granted annesty by Ex-President John Dramani Mahama. Malam Issah Ex-Minister of Youth and Sports, jailed after only 3months in office, was freed in 2001; Kwame Peprah jailed in 2003 enjoyed Presidential pardon in March 2005.

Selormey, Dan Abodakpi, Tsatsu Tsikata (who declined to accept the offer, appealed against his conviction and won on appeal), Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings have all been beneficiaries of a Presidential Pardon-without any need for justification: humanitarian grounds or for reconciliatory purposes.

Africanus Owusu Ansah [email protected]
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed concern about the reports about the deportations of hundreds of Burkinabe citizens, mainly women and children, who sought safety and protection in Ghana.

In a press release, UNHCR has urged government to stop the deportation as it amounts to a violation of the non-refoulement principle.

UNHCR calls on the Government of Ghana to cease these expulsions, which amount to a violation of the non-refoulement principle, and guarantee access to the territory and asylum to nationals of Burkina Faso seeking international protection, parts of the release issued on Thursday, July 13, said.

It continued, Non-refoulement is a fundamental principle enshrined in international law, which prohibits the return of an asylum seeker or a refugee to countries where his life or freedom would be threatened.

Ghana has a longstanding history of upholding its international obligations towards refugees, and UNHCR stands ready to support the Government to address the needs of Burkinabe nationals fleeing the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, the National Security Ministry of Ghana has refuted the allegation of a deliberate and targeted operation, spearheaded by the Ghana Armed Forces, to forcibly repatriate Burkinabe refugees from Ghana.

In a press release, the Ministry said contrary to the false reportage, a repatriation process has been instituted at the reception centre to aid the movement of Burkinabes who wish to return to their country.

The Ministry refutes such claims and wishes to state that Ghana is committed to accommodating Burkinabe nationals who have been displaced into the Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana due to the prevailing security situation in southern Burkina Faso, parts of the release from the Ministry of National Security said.

The repatriation process according to the Ministry is consistent with international protocols on the management of refugees and has so far, been implemented in collaboration with Burkinabe Immigration Authorities along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has expressed profound sadness as he mourned the passing of renowned Ghanaian author Ama Ata Aidoo at her burial service.

The service, attended by prominent figures from the literary and cultural spheres, served as a platform to honour the remarkable contributions Aidoo made to the world of literature.

In an emotional tribute at the burial service of the late Playwright at the forecourt of the State House in Accra, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged Ama Ata Aidoos unparalleled talent and described her as a literary icon whose words resonated with readers around the globe.

He said her groundbreaking works, showcased her ability to weave captivating narratives that explored complex social issues.

The President emphasized that Aidoos literary prowess extended beyond the pages of her books, as she used her voice and pen to champion social justice, womens empowerment, and African identity.

President Akufo-Addo also eulogized the late Author for her immense contribution to the development of Ghana and the African continent.

The renowned feminist and academic died on Wednesday, May 31 aged 81 after a short illness.

The President went on to express his gratitude for Aidoos dedication to nurturing young talents and lauded their friendship over the years.

President Akufo-Addo said Ghanaians and the world will miss Ama Ata Aidoo not only for her literary brilliance but also for her indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to advancing African literature and culture.

-citinewsroom
More than three million people have now fled their homes in Sudan in reponse to the spiralling violence of the three-month-old conflict between rival armed forces, the United Nations has said.

Figures from the UN's International Organisation for Migration (IOM) showed that more than 2.4 million people were now displaced within Sudan, while nearly 724,000 have escaped across the country's borders.

"We have surpassed the three million figure of people displaced due to the conflict in Sudan," IOM spokeswoman Safa Msehli told AFP.

"This is more than a figure, however," Msehli added: "These are people who have been uprooted, fleeing for their lives; families that have been separated, and children that won't be able to go to school."

The number of people who have sought refuge outside Sudan is likely to be even higher than the IOM's figure as the number of individual arrivals it gives for Egypt - nearly 256,000 - cites Egyptian foreign ministry figures from June 18.

The UN is calling on the international community to provide aid and protection to those affected by the conflict.

"We simply cannot turn away from Sudan. An immediate cessation of hostilities is urgently needed," Msehli concluded.

Blocked dialogue

The fighting in Sudan broke out on 15 April, when the army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan clashed with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

The two fell out in a power struggle.

At least 3,000 people have been killed in the violence in less than three months, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.

On Monday, the east African regional bloc IGAD proposed the creation of a regional peace force for Sudan, at a summit in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.

But the Sudanese army categorically refused the idea of a foreign intervention on Wednesday, even accusing Kenya of taking side.

The forces also rejected a potential Egyptian mediation.

Crimes against humanity and civil war

On Thursday, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, is expected to brief the UN Security Council on the crisis in Sudan.

The head of UN mission in the country, Volker Perthes, said on Wednesday in Brussels that Sudan's warring sides must face "accountability" for the "crimes" committed in their conflict, which risks spiralling into a regional crisis.

The fighting now really "risks morphing into an ethnicised, tribalised and ideologised conflict, which is much closer to being a full-blown civil war," he warned.

(with AFP)
A Ghanaian-born US citizen has been found dead in his room at Takoradi in the Western Region.

The sad incident was confirmed by the Assembly member of the area, Joana Barton Oduro.

The 72-year-old man, whose name has been given as Anthony Wolfgang Hammond, was found dead after a foul smell started emanating from his two-bedroom apartment, which he had occupied alone for the past three years.

Residents and other tenants who were lost as to where the stench was coming from saw houseflies hovering around his window.

They broke into his room only to find his decomposing body lying in the kitchen with his microwave open.

The Assembly member told host of Connect FM's Omanbapa morning show Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson that they believe he died about two weeks ago.

His landlord broke into the room and realized he was dead. We quickly called the police and deposited his body at the Takoradi Government Hospital. We are supposed to bury the body looking at its decomposing nature but we have still not identified his relatives and so we have pleaded with the hospital to help us keep the body for some time whilst we keep searching for his family members, Madam Barton Oduro indicated.

According to her, a search conducted in his room revealed passport pictures, laptops, phones, and a passport indicating he is a citizen of the United States of America.

His phone has been switched on but nobody has called him since and all the contacts we have seen don't relate to any close friend or relative. We realized he tried to register for a Ghana Card and on the registration sheet his mother's name is captured as Agnes Prah and Anthony Hammond as his father but they are all deceased.

He is the quiet type who does not relate to anybody in the house. He has also not been seen with a friend or relative in the house he rented three years ago. We also found passport pictures and a passport indicating he is now a US citizen, she added.

The passport picture of the deceased attached was provided by the Assembly member.

-3news.com
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Life has mostly returned to normal since COVID-19  but not nightlife.

Bars and restaurants across the country are closing earlier than they did before the pandemic, and Auburn is no exception.

Five years ago, there were more than a few options for customers looking to get a drink or grab a bite downtown after 10 p.m.

Now, there are just a few  if any.

"Come 10 at night, everything is extremely quiet," Downtown Auburn Business Improvement District Executive Director Stephanie DeVito said. "Sometimes you can't even get a slice of pizza."

DeVito, and several Auburn bar and restaurant owners, told The Citizen they believe there are two main reasons the city's nightlife is retiring so early these days. First, they said, businesses are having trouble retaining the staff they require to keep late-night hours. And second, after years of curfews and other restrictions during COVID-19, customers aren't going out or staying out like they used to.

Understaffing at bars and restaurants has been widely reported the last three years. According to the National Restaurant Association, about two-thirds of those businesses have fewer employees than they need. In Auburn, DeVito said, hiring and maintaining staff has been "a real struggle" for many. The results can be longer waits for tables and food, fewer menu options  and earlier closing hours.

"I believe if the staffing was there, we'd see bars and restaurants staying open later," DeVito said. "I don't think it's a lack of wanting to, it's being logical with what they have so they don't lose money."

At Parker's Grille & Tap House at 129 Genesee St., one consequence of understaffing is that the restaurant might have to close on random weekdays, manager Carol Hendrickson told The Citizen. Cooks, in particular, have been hard to find since the pandemic began, she said. The more skilled ones took jobs with benefits and 40 hours a week, compared to the 55 or 60 they work in kitchens like Parker's.

Before COVID-19, Hendrickson said, the popular downtown Auburn restaurant served food until midnight and alcohol until 2 in the morning. Sometimes she wouldn't get home until 5 a.m.

"Auburn's a different animal," said Hendrickson, who previously managed the Parker's in Geneva and Seneca Falls. "Merry-Go-Round, Doubledays  those were crazy nights."

Now, Parker's serves food until 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends. Bartenders, meanwhile, stay as long as the customers do. But that's only as late as midnight on weekends, Hendrickson said  because, for the last three years, they just haven't been staying. For awhile they were afraid of being indoors with strangers, and then they became accustomed to staying home instead.

Ultimately, it was that loss of late-night business, not staffing, that led Parker's to close earlier, Hendrickson said. If anything, the new hours make the bar and restaurant's employees happier.

"It's worked out great," she said. "I've always said that nothing good happens after midnight in a bar anyway."

Like Parker's, other Auburn bars and restaurants have been closing earlier because of sales more than staffing.

When New York state imposed a 10 p.m. curfew on those businesses in November 2020, Prison City Pub & Brewery at 28 State St. realized the later hours had become less profitable, co-owner Dawn Schulz told The Citizen. Before COVID-19, the brewpub closed its kitchen at 10 p.m. and its bar at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Now, each closes about an hour earlier those days.

"There's been a shift in the hospitality industry," Schulz said, noting the brewpub has encountered no opposition to the new hours. "We were never a super late-night place anyway."

Before the pandemic, the hours between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. were the most profitable for A.T. Walley & Co. at 119 Genesee Street, co-owner Bernie Simmons told The Citizen. Now, the downtown cocktail lounge also closes earlier  but that's starting to change. Like Parker's, A.T. Walley serves the crowd as long as it's there, and this summer it's been there later than any time in the last three years.

"No more 10 or 11 p.m.," Simmons said. "Masks are gone and everyone's out and about and we don't hear about COVID. It'll take some time, but we'll get back."

Another Auburn bar seeing more late-night business this summer is Britches' Dance Bar at 192 State St. Owner Brittney Clarke told The Citizen there are often rushes at around 12:30 a.m. on weekends due to the closure of other bars. For that reason, Clarke introduced a rule denying new entries to Britches' after 1 a.m. The bar remains open until 2 a.m., the latest one can close due to county law.

During the week, however, business is still down significantly. Though Britches' has only been open since last summer, Clarke said the intersection her bar shares with the Belvedere Lounge and Swifty's Tavern has been noticeably less busy Mondays through Thursdays since COVID-19. But she believes the passage of time itself may be just as much of a reason for the change as the pandemic.

"Everyone who went out then is older now and has kids," Clarke said. "It doesn't seem like the younger generation goes out to bars that much."

That younger generation  along with Merry-Go-Round patrons, Doubledays fans and any other night owls looking for a place to go  brought an energy to Auburn's nightlife that DeVito hopes to recapture now that the pandemic is all but over. To do that, she believes a balance has to be struck between the reality of running bars and restaurants today and the cultural health of the city.

"The last thing we want is people leaving Auburn to go to another community," she said. "We want to be able to entertain people here and have that vibe that things do happen past 10 at night."
A Kumasi High Court has adjourned the case involving a police officer who allegedly shot a girlfriend to death at Adum in the Ashanti region.

The case was adjourned due to the absence of a lawyer for the accused person although the accused, Inspector Ahmed Twumasi, was present.

The court, thus, adjourned the case to July 26, 2023.

The 26-year-old victim Victoria Dapaah, popularly called Maadwoa, was allegedly shot by the accused.

He was arrested and arraigned at the Asokore Mampong District Court and he pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder.

The District Court, however, committed the case to the High Court for trial.
Lawyers for former Deputy Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson have filed motion for the presiding judge on the ambulance purchase trial to recuse herself.

Dr Ato Forson also applied for the release of his passport which had been seized as part of his bail conditions.

In court on Thursday, July 13, presiding Judge Afia Serwaa Asare noted that the third accused person in the case, Richard Jakpa has petitioned the Chief Justice for her to be removed on the grounds of bias.

She therefore adjourned the trial to July 27 by which time a determination would have been made by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

Ato Forson and two others are standing trial for causing financial loss to the state in the purchase of some 200 ambulances for 2.37million.

The others are a businessman, Richard Jakpa and a former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health Sylvester Anemana.

-3news.com
13.07.2023 LISTEN

In a turn of events, a man who had been serving a 30-year jail term for conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery has been acquitted and discharged by the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division in Accra.

The convict had already served a grueling 15 years in prison before his recent release.

The acquittal was based on the fact that the prosecution was unable to establish a link between the convict and the crime he was accused of, according to information shared by counsel of the accused.

The Principal State Attorney agreed with the defense teams submission that the available portions of the appeal record were insufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

In her written submission, the attorney stated, It is quite clear respectively that apart from the loss of records through no fault of the appellant, the available portions of the appeal record which are relevant to the appellants case are not sufficient to arrive at the conclusion that Prosecution was able to prove its case against him beyond reasonable doubt.

The Principal State Attorney also argued that justice had to be fairly served and thus recommended that the appellants appeal against his conviction and sentence be allowed.

This ruling is sure to come as welcome news to the appellant, who has already served 15 years in prison for a crime he allegedly did not commit. It is a stark reminder that justice must not only be served but equally fairly executed.

Find attached a copy of the State Attorneys submission

-DGN online
At first glance, it would appear that there's little in common between the vast plains of the Canadian Prairies and the mountainous swells of South Africa's southernmost coastline. But take a closer look into cities like Calgary, Winnipeg, and Saskatoon, on one hand, and Cape Town, on the other, and you'll come across the gangs in each city.

Although they exist in different socioeconomic, historical, and geographic contexts, our recent paper finds that street gangs in Cape Town have key things in common with those in Prairie cities. Both are subcultural groups seeking empowerment and protection in areas defined by structural oppression and exclusion.

Read more: The Cape Town gangsters who use extreme violence to operate solo

As a criminologist with extensive research experience in South Africa and a Metis professor of Indigenous studies in Canada, we've both studied how and why individuals become engaged in street gangs in our respective countries of interest.

Researchers often overlook the similarities between street gang involvement and its connection to marginalisation and colonisation in South Africa and Canada. Our paper compared the life histories of 24 gang members from Cape Town to those of 53 members in Prairie cities. Our findings are represented through the accounts of two former gang members, Gavin and Roddy, in South Africa and Canada.

Whether in South Africa, Canada, or elsewhere, gangs are an embedded, systemic feature of unequal and exclusionary urban landscapes. They are often an indication of larger problems in the societies in which they exist. The deep-rooted contours of discrimination, disenfranchisement, and disempowerment  past and present  shape social life in Cape Town and on the Canadian Prairies. They create the conditions in which many young Coloured and Indigenous men and women turn to gangs.

Gavin and Roddy

The paper presented in this article adds to a small but growing body of gang literature that draws comparisons across international contexts.

Gavin, a long-time member of the Mongrels gang, grew up with an abusive father in an impoverished informal settlement on the outskirts of Cape Town. He explained:

There's no jobs, right. It's the gangsters here that have the money. They put food on the table  It's what I was attracted to.

Street cultural gang research suggests that, for those living in tough circumstances, aggression and violence are a sure way to get respect  or street cred. Says Gavin:

The reason (gangsters) shoot constantly  that they do it every day  is they want to  make a statement and become famous  put their name out. Then he has the power

For Roddy, a member of the Native Syndicate in Winnipeg, Manitoba, respect was associated with acting crazy :

At the time, being crazy gave you that status and people knew you.

Roddy also spoke about the same challenges Gavin faced, and how being in a gang provided a solution:

No water, no money, no brotherhood  the identity of something (the gang) made you feel important  I felt so awesome when I joined the gang, I felt like: wow your problems are over. I didn't even know what I was getting into.

Although Gavin and Roddy grew up on different sides of the world, each saw gangs and street culture as a way to gain access to the basic amenities of life where legitimate opportunities were not afforded.

Mapping marginality

Cape Town's most powerful street gangs are found in communities that are predominantly Cape Coloured  a multiracial ethnic category in South Africa  and often beset by joblessness and violence . A housing project in a peripheral part of Cape Town where gangs are common. Courtesy Dariusz Dziewanski

In Winnipeg and other Prairie cities, gang membership is dominated by Indigenous youth living in marginalised neighbourhoods that are seen as gang controlled.

Gang membership in each research context has long colonial roots linked to historical struggles of Coloured and Indigenous populations to endure successive state campaigns directed at their cultural erasure through institutionalised violence.

For example, in South Africa, the term Coloured was produced through colonial efforts to force people of diverse geographical and cultural origins into a single racial classification . Later, forced relocations under the apartheid regime violently tore apart Coloured communities  as well as other racialised groups  to make space for white-owned real estate in the city centre. This encouraged the formation of gangs that provided adrift youth with a sense of belonging, purpose and empowerment. Gang graffiti in Canada. Courtesy Robert Henry

Similarly across the Prairies, street gangs have emerged due to the fragmentation of Indigenous families and identities. This occurred first through the Indian residential school policy , which removed children from their families, placing them in state and church run schools. Here they were stripped of their cultures and languages, and many children died. It later also happened through child welfare policies which scooped children away from their families and placed them in non-Indigenous homes. Settler colonial policies such as these have created the social conditions and inequities that enable Indigenous street gangs to emerge and expand.

What this means

Actions taken in the streets can seem random or senseless to the outside observer. But consistently acting crazy and seeking violent confrontation expands a gang member's social and personal esteem by conforming to gang ideals of toughness and fearlessness.

Gang membership was a calculated move that provided Gavin, Roddy, and others in our study with what they believed to be their best chance to survive. A Prairie gang member in Canada. Courtesy Robert Henry

Denied access to legal sources of income and other forms of human capital, marginal populations turn to the streets and to violence. Gang membership helps them construct defiant identities. In the short term street culture gives gang members some hope for empowerment and connections to underground economies.

However, long-term prospects for gang membership are not promising. Most literature on street gangs has shown that involvement is often short-lived and highly violent . Although gang members like Gavin and Roddy do make it out, it's not easy and can be deadly.

More needs to be done to create equitable and just societies in which young men and women do not feel that the gang is their only choice.

Robert Henry receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

Dariusz Dziewanski does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

By Dariusz Dziewanski, Honorary research affiliate, Centre of Criminology, University of Cape Town And

Robert Henry, Assistant professor, Indigenous Studies, University of Saskatchewan
More migrants from Africa are heading for Spain's Canary islands, a route to the European mainland that is less closely monitored than the Mediterranean, but also vastly more dangerous.

The islands sit off the west coast of Africa and the strong ocean currents present an added risk.

But at least three boats that set off from Senegal have been wrecked in recent days en route to the Canaries, aid group Caminando Fronteras said, numbering the people missing in the sinkings at more than 300.

Rescuers were still searching Thursday for the vessels, including one that the NGO said had set off on a 1,700-kilometre (1,050-mile) journey from the small coastal town of Kafountine.

Still more boats are launched from Morocco and the disputed territory of Western Sahara, separated from the Spanish archipelago by 450 kilometres of dangerous open water.

"Migrants are setting off from further and further away and taking ever-greater risks, even when the Canaries route is already seen as one of the deadliest," said Sara Prestianni, a migration specialist at aid group EuroMed Rights.

Such crossings are "an alternative" for migrants hoping to avoid the "reinforced border controls" at other routes into EU territory.

7,200 arrivals in 2023

A Rabat-Madrid deal last year stepped up surveillance at border crossings into Spanish north African exclaves Ceuta and Melilla, as well as in the straits of Gibraltar.

At least 23 people were killed when migrants from sub-Saharan Africa attempted in June 2022 to get over the Melilla border wall.

Satellite map of the Canary Islands and the African coast. By (AFP)

Arrivals have fallen in the Canaries in recent months, with Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in April hailing the fact that the "Atlantic route" was "the only one in Europe" reporting fewer crossings, unlike others such as the central Mediterranean.

Moroccan help had been "essential" to slashing the number of migrants, Sanchez added.

This month, Spain's interior ministry said the 7,213 people who arrived on 150 boats between January and June this year represented an 18-percent fall on 2022's figure.

But Prestianni pointed out that departures for the Canaries have been rising in recent days as pressure has built over 2,000 kilometres away in Tunisia.

Clashes in Tunisia

A local man was killed on July 3 in clashes with migrants from sub-Saharan Africa in Sfax, a Tunisian coastal city where many irregular crossing attempts set off.

Since then, authorities have swept people waiting to leave from the city, dumping many of them to inhospitable desert areas including on the Libyan border.

"It is possible that migrants are choosing not to go through this hell, with the risk of racist attacks, expulsion to Libya, and all the other trials they could face in that region," Prestianni said.

Aid groups and UN experts have for years highlighted the risks of violence, torture, slavery and sexual abuse run by migrants in Libya.

But on the alternative Canaries route, "every peak in departures coincides with a peak in deaths", Prestianni added.

"It's a very dangerous, very long route, an ocean with strong currents. We've often seen cayucos (Senegalese fishing boats) arrive with corpses aboard," she said.

At least six people died Wednesday when a canoe heading for the Canaries capsized on its way from Senegal.

More than 11,200 people died or disappeared trying to reach Spain between 2018 and 2022, Caminando Fronteras said in a report published at the end of last year -- an average of six each day.
A summit of African leaders from war-torn Sudan's neighbours Thursday urged an end to the fighting, as UN experts reported a mass grave had been discovered in the country's Darfur region.

While Cairo hosted the crisis meeting on the nearly three-month-old conflict, gun battles, explosions and the roar of fighter jets again shook the Sudanese capital Khartoum, residents told AFP.

At least 3,000 people have been killed and millions have fled their homes in the war between Sudan's rival generals, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project.

Leaders of Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Chad, South Sudan, Central African Republic and Libya as well as of the African Union and Arab League met in Cairo to discuss the war and its regional impact. By - (EGYPTIAN PRESIDENCY/AFP)

Leaders of Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Chad, South Sudan, Central African Republic and Libya as well as of the African Union and Arab League met in Cairo to discuss the war and its regional impact.

The United Nations has warned that Sudan's conflict risks spiralling into "a full-scale civil war, potentially destabilising the entire region".

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hailed the "noble efforts" of Sudan's neighbours in "receiving hundreds of thousands of refugees with limited resources in an extremely difficult global economic situation".

Map showing the location of El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state, where bodies of dozens of people were buried in a mass grave. By Sophie RAMIS, Sylvie HUSSON, Emmanuelle MICHEL (AFP)

He called on the international community "to honour the commitments" made last month when donors pledged $1.5 billion in aid -- less than half the estimated need for Sudan and its affected neighbours.

The summit called on both parties to secure corridors for urgently needed aid, even as Sudan's humanitarian crisis deepened.

Hundreds of people were seen queueing for drinking water in Wad Madani, 200 kilometres (130 miles) south of Khartoum, and a 24-hour electricity blackout darkened most of the country overnight.

'Denied decent burial'

A picture taken on June 16, 2023 shows bodies strewn outdoors near houses in the West Darfur state capital El Geneina, amid ongoing fighting in war-torn Sudan. By - (AFP/File)

Since the war erupted on April 15 between Sudan's army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, nearly 724,000 people have fled abroad, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The Chadian president, General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, said that within "just one week, Chad received more than 150,000 people, most of them women and children fleeing the violence".

The IOM says 240,000 people have escaped to Chad from Sudan's western region of Darfur, where entire towns have been ransacked.

The UN's human rights office OHCHR on Thursday reported new evidence of atrocities in the region.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, in the centre, hosted regional leaders for a summit in Cairo on the war in Sudan. By - (EGYPTIAN PRESIDENCY/AFP)

It said the bodies of at least 87 people allegedly killed by the RSF and its allies between June 13-21 were buried in a mass grave in the West Darfur capital of El Geneina near the Chad border.

Some of the victims belonged to the non-Arab Massalit ethnic group, while seven women and seven children were among the dead, the office said, adding that the RSF were "denying those killed a decent burial".

'Humanitarian disaster'

Sudanese Army sodliers walk near armoured vehicles stationed on a street in southern Khartoum on May 6, 2023. By - (AFP/File)

Sudan's neighbours -- many already mired in economic and political crises -- have feared a widening regional spillover since the conflict began.

The president of Egypt, a close ally of the Sudanese army, said that over 250,000 Sudanese had fled to the northern neighbour, "joining around five million Sudanese citizens who have lived in Egypt for many years".

Human Rights Watch said Thursday that thousands more Sudanese are "stranded in dire humanitarian conditions" on the border, and urged Cairo to "rescind its entry visa rule" which was recently toughened.

Central African Republic's president, Faustin-Archange Touadera, warned of growing "small arms smuggling" across his country's "porous border" with Sudan.

"There are severe shortages in food and fuel," he said, warning of an impending "humanitarian disaster".

The Cairo summit follows multiple efforts to broker an end to the violence and repeated US and Saudi-brokered ceasefires that were all violated.

Millions have fled their homes in the war between Sudan's rival generals. By - (AFP/File)

East African regional bloc IGAD held talks Monday in Addis Ababa calling on the warring parties to "sign an unconditional ceasefire".

The Sudanese army boycotted the gathering, after Khartoum's foreign ministry objected to Kenyan President William Ruto's leadership of the IGAD quartet because it accuses Nairobi of siding with the RSF.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called Thursday for diplomatic efforts to "align with the IGAD-African Union process", while African Union Commission head Moussa Faki Mahamat urged a "political process without foreign interference".
Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof. Ransford Gyampo has called on the Judiciary, Executive, and Legislature to act swiftly to prevent their peaceful coexistence from degenerating into naked muscle flexing and power play.

In a statement on Thursday, July 13, he argued that recent developments including the trial of Assin North MP James Gyakye-Quayson and the Minoritys boycott of Parliament to show solidarity is a threat to the peaceful co-existence of the three organs of government.

Prof. Ransford Gyampo believes Gyakye-Quayson must be in Parliament at all times to represent his people and any court judgement that is not tailored to respect this elementary principle of democratic representation, would bring an unnecessary confrontation between the Legislature and the Judiciary.

So, let the Gyakye-Quayson matter be resolved in a manner that assures rule of law and ensures that no organ of government torpedoes the will of the people who are the fiduciary owners of the power exercised by the organs of government, Prof. Ransford Gyampo said in his statement.

Read the full statement below:

Gyakye-Quayson MUST be in Parliament at all times to represent his people.

Any court judgement that is not tailored to respect this elementary principle of democratic representation, would bring an unnecessary confrontation between the Legislature and the Judiciary.

This potential confrontation, if not anticipated by wise people and prevented through dialogue, may eventually result in some defiances, lawlessness through the flexing of muscles and governmental ungovernabilities.

The signs of these are becoming clearer by the day. For instance in the recent case of Ezuame Mannan Vs Attorney General, the Supreme Court shot down article 42 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act as being unconstitutional. But just days ago, an amendment to the Act which achieves the same effect the Supreme Court frowned upon, has been introduced. So it is possible that the Judiciary may rule but the Legislature may also act in defiance in a manner that may point to muscle flexes and lawlessness.

By the dogmas of A.V. Diceys conception of Checks and Balances, it must be noted that the Executive arm of Government, particularly in a regime of a Hung Parliament, cannot be superior to the Legislature. The Judicial arm of Government is also not superior to the Legislature and the Legislature is itself also not superior to the two other arms of government.

These three organs of government have coexisted and the earlier we act swiftly to prevent their peaceful coexistence from degenerating into naked muscle flexing and power play, the better it would be for all of us.

So, let the Gyakye-Quayson matter be resolved in a manner that assures rule of law and ensures that no organ of government torpedoes the will of the people who are the fiduciary owners of the power exercised by the organs of government.

Yaw Gyampo

A31, Prabiw

PAV Ansah Street

Saltpond

Suro Nipa House

Kubease

Larteh-Akuapim
The first trains run by the Spanish rail company Renfe have Thursday connected the French city of Lyon to Barcelona. Trains from Marseille to Madrid are due to run on 28 July. Renfe intends to take full advantage of the opening up of French rail operator SNCF to competition.

Tickets cost 29 for a departure from Lyon Part Dieu station. These prices will increase in the autumn, Renfe says.

The operator hopes to win over passengers with the quality and punctuality of its trains.

"We have a high-speed service with very firm attributes and punctuality commitments, which sets us apart from other operators," said Renfe's international manager Susana Lozano.

In a fortnight, 31,000 tickets were sold in France.

For us, it's important to be able to establish ourselves in Lyon and compete with the SNCF," explained Sonia Araujo-Lopez, Managing Director of Renfe travellers.

"We're going to develop the Lyon-Paris frequency, as well as the Lyon-Barcelona and Marseille-Madrid frequencies. The aim is to be able to develop other possible routes in the future, " she added.

Italy's Trenitalia has already positioned itself on the Lyon-Paris segment while Renfe plans to serve the French capital from 2024.

(with newswires)
Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor

13.07.2023 LISTEN

Ghanaian activist, Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor has shared the view that it is no big deal for senior police officers to conspire to have Dr. George Akuffo Dampare removed as the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

In his view, this is only workplace politics and is not unique to any institution.

He, however, believes that the part of the viral audio recording where the Senior Police Officers are heard discussing the rigging of the 2024 General Election to help the ruling party to break the 8 should be taken very seriously.

According to Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor, there has been no action taken against the officers in the audio recording because they were planning to rig the election for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and not the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

I dare say that if the conversation had been about rigging the elections for the NDC, they would have already been picked up and charged with Treason felony, Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor said in a statement shared on Twitter on Thursday, July 13.

The activist continued It seems because they were talking about rigging elections for the NPP, this government, consistent with its playbook, has resolved to ignore the compromise of national security interests of this Republic.

Read the full post by Oliver Barker-Vormawor below:

I honestly dont care that Senior Police Officers were conspiring about how Dampare can be removed. Thats workplace politics. Its not unique to any Institution.

But these individuals were directly discussing rigging the 2024 elections using the police as the instrument of such rigging. Senior Police Officers were plotting how the elections can be compromised. Now that is not just criminal but subversive of our democracy

I dare say that if the conversation had been about rigging the elections for the NDC, they would have already been picked up and charged with Treason felony. It seems because they were talking about rigging elections for the NPP, this government, consistent with its playbook, has resolved to ignore the compromise of national security interests of this Republic.

Anyway, let them keep prosecuting me for Treason while the seeds that will lead to the end of our democracy lurk around freely!

Shalom.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare has today Thursday, July 13 taken his working tour to assess the quality of service the public receives from the police to the East Legon, Legon, and Airport Police stations.

The tour which began last week at Amasaman is to enable the IGP to gather on a first-hand basis the experience of the public when they interface with the police at the various stations in Accra.

On today's tour, Dr Dampare and some members of the Police Management Board with him also visited the La Bawuleshie Presby Basic School to engage the schoolchildren and police and the need to build relationships with the police in their communities.

The move is to educate the children to discard their fear of law enforcement officers and also help them to better understand their role in security since it's a shared responsibility.
After conversations with his family and completing the legislative session, state Sen. John Mannion is launching his campaign for the 22nd Congressional District seat.

Mannion, D-Geddes, will seek the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams, a freshman Republican from Cayuga County.

Before being elected to the state Senate in 2020 and winning reelection by 10 votes in 2022, Mannion was a biology teacher at West Genesee High School in Camillus.

"I really enjoy my job and really enjoyed the job I had for almost 30 years," Mannion told The Citizen in an interview. "Central New York is right at the edge of something great. I watched it when times were really tough. I've got a record of delivering for central New York and I want to bring that to Washington."

Mannion will hold a campaign launch event Thursday at Emerald Cocktail Kitchen, a rooftop bar in Syracuse's Tipperary Hill neighborhood. He chose the location because it's where he grew up  he says it was instrumental in his success  and the business is a symbol of central New York's renaissance.

It also highlights a major difference between him and Williams, who grew up in Texas and did not become a full-time central New York resident until 2019. Mannion is a lifelong central New Yorker. He and his wife, Jennifer, raised their three children in the region.

If elected to Congress, Mannion says he will take a different approach than Williams, a conservative who is a reliable vote for House Republican leadership. Mannion aims to be a nontoxic and pragmatic voice for central New Yorkers.

"Living here my whole life, I know where most of us are coming from," Mannion said. "We're not at the edges of the political spectrum. We're down the middle."

One job for the region's representative will be to assist with Micron's historic investment in Onondaga County. The semiconductor chip maker will spend $100 billion over 20 years to construct a manufacturing facility in the town of Clay.

While the federal CHIPS and Science Act was instrumental in persuading Micron to bring a domestic manufacturing facility to central New York, there was also state legislation that Mannion worked on to provide incentives to chip companies.

Mannion joins two other Democrats  Sarah Klee Hood, a DeWitt town councilor, and Clem Harris, a Utica University professor  in the 22nd district race. Klee Hood, who launched her campaign in April, announced that she raised more than $319,000 in the second quarter. She has received endorsements from local elected officials and national groups, including VoteVets.

But Mannion's decision to run for Congress shakes up the 22nd district contest. When he officially launches his campaign on Thursday, he said he will have the support of two unions, CSEA and New York State United Teachers, along with state and local elected officials, including Assembly members Bill Magnarelli and Al Stirpe.

Mannion also plans to visit the 22nd district's other counties, Madison and Oneida, in the coming days. He said he will be in Utica on Friday.

The 22nd district race is a top target for Democrats who view it as a key part of winning back the House majority. House Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC, has already pledged to spend $45 million on New York House races, including NY-22.
Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has reaffirmed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) position to continue to boycott Parliament until the trial process of James Gyakye Quayson is resolved.

The Minority Leader indicated that forsaking parliamentary proceedings in favor of the Assin North Member of Parliament (MP) was just one of several actions.

The opposition party vowed to take more action necessary to drum home its demands.

Parliamentary sessions have come to a halt on two occasions following James Gyakye Quaysons criminal trial at the court over Canadian citizenship.

The Speaker of Parliament, who doesn't appear pleased with the situation, has indicated that lawmakers who skip sessions in support of the trials would be recorded absent.

High-ranking political figures have asked the Minority to stop such actions since it obstructs proceedings.

Minority Leader however stated that the group has further measures indicating that their decision to abstain from Parliament is only the beginning of their action.

I like to say it here that boycotting Parliamentary proceedings is just the beginning and just one of our actions. We will continue to do everything within the law to support our brother until he gets the justice he deserves, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson stated during an interview on Burning Issues on Adom FM.

The Minority Leader clarified that his party is not opposed to the prosecution of the Assin North MP; rather, they are opposed to the daily trial, and a change in the trial date is the only thing that will make them change their minds.
A Sergeant of the Ghana Police Service has been killed by unknown assailants in the Ashanti Region.

The deceased who was stationed at the Bia-Tano Forest has been found dead in a pool of blood with his rifle by his side.

The Sergeant who has been identified as Sergeant Titus Avoka Azasiyande was found dead on Thursday, July 13.

The body of the deceased was found by a tipper truck driver who was driving from Kasapin towards Bediako.

Alarmed after discovering the body, the driver immediately contacted the Police and reported the matter.

Police officers were subsequently assigned to the case and confirmed the report upon arriving on the scene.

The body of the deceased Sergeant was later taken by the police and sent to the Goaso mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

While investigations have been opened to get to the bottom of the incident leading to the murder of the officer of the law, no arrest has been made so far.

At the scene where Sergeant Avoka Azasiyande was found dead, the police retrieved his Vivo mobile phone, food wrapped in a polythene bag, and his Honda motorbike.

Before his death, the Sergeant was stationed at the Tano Forest Snap Check and is said to be well-known by people in the area.
President of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo has told immigration officers to stop intimidating nurses and midwives who are seeking to travel outside the shores of Ghana for greener pastures.

She revealed that some nurses are being requested to submit their proof of resignation before they are given immigration clearance to travel.

This, she said, amounts to intimidation which should stop because the nurses have the right to travel at any time and to anywhere in the world that they prefer to be.

Speaking in an interview with TV3 on Thursday, July 13, she said If I have my passport, I have a visa and I have my ticket to travel and I am going through immigration, no immigration officer has any right to ask me of my resignation letter or any of such, it doesnt work that way.

People should not use any such means to intimidate our nurses and midwives who may be traveling, we are all Ghanaians and we all seek to live better lives. How I choose to do it is my decision.

She however admitted that brain drain in the health sector is having a negative impact on healthcare delivery in Ghana.

She has therefore called for an urgent intervention to ensure that this matter is resolved.

She explained that experience nurses who would have been training newly-recruited nurses are the ones leaving the shores of Ghana to seek better working conditions elsewhere.

Madam Ofori-Ampofo indicated that the nurses want an environment that will help them in their career progression, further studies, and also better salaries and remunerations hence, their decision to travel outside the country to pursue these interests.

Madam Ofori-Ampofo said Indeed, it is a worrying trend that we are all experiencing, our nurses are leaving the shores of Ghana and they are seeking to work in better work environments and earn better salaries.

It is their right and we cannot stop them but the truth of the matter is that as much as they are leaving it is having a toll on health service delivery in Ghana.

The truth is those that are leaving are those that are well experienced, with many years of experience. Even if we are going to recruit new personnel these are the very people who would have trained them, so their leaving is a big issue.

She added It is about time we really sit as stakeholders to discuss this matter thoroughly. From where we sit, we know that we cannot stop them because it is their right to migrate but it is about time we put in some innovation in terms of motivational packages that will really attract or help to retain them in the country.

There are some nurses who for various reasons will never leave Ghana but the majority are still nurturing the idea of leaving the shores of Ghana, it is all because they want to have better opportunities for career progression, they want to pursue some academic venture, looking for higher salaries or better conditions of service.

-3news.com
Bernard Allotey Jacobs, a former Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on the party to cease the attacks on the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana.

He said the EC is a key institution in the governance system of the country.

Allotey Jacobs urged the NDC to refrain from the verbal assaults and accusations against the Commissioners of the EC.

The NDC and former President John Dramani Mahama recently vowed to resist any attempt by the EC to rig the 2024 elections in favour of the ruling NPP.

Addressing an event organised by the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Mahama stated, It is in this light that we in the NDC wish to make clear that we will resist and prevent any sinister plot by the EC to manipulate the outcome of the 2024 elections even before the first ballot is cast through the needless and unapproved insistence of the Ghana Card as the only means of registration."

The EC remains intransigent and appears determined to make it difficult for sections of our population to have their names on the voter register, he added.

Reacting to these allegations on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Allotey Jacobs refuted the claims that the EC would engage in election rigging.

He commended the Commissioners for their efforts in ensuring peaceful elections in the country.

"Lambasting and bastardising the EC has gone too far.

We are undermining the very institution that the constitution has established for us to have peaceful elections and good governance.

The Electoral Commission is the heartbeat of our governance system, empowered by the constitution to perform tasks that foster peace and stability.

Why are we lambasting them? Why are we bastardising them? Why? he quizzes.
Two individuals have been burnt to death at Assin Breku, the capital of Assin North in the Central Region of Ghana.

The incident happened on Thursday, July 13, 2023, when unknown assailants inflicted cutlass wounds on a 63- year-old woman in her room.

The victim who suffered a machete wound is currently receiving treatment at the St. Francis Xavier Hospital in Assin Fosu.

Youth of the town upon hearing of the incident embarked on a search for the suspects

Two persons suspected to be behind the attack on the woman were later arrested in a nearby bush by the angry mob.

Not even the presence of the police was able to stop the individuals from carrying out the act.

The men were beaten and set ablaze by the mob. According to some residents, the suspects are not known in the community and are believed to have been hired by some individuals to perpetrate the act.

Tufohene of Assin Breku, Nana Kotroka Frimpong Baah, attempted to save the suspects but was prevented by the angry mob.

What is worrying is that the mob did not have patience but killed the suspects. If they had taken their time, we would have found the killers who sent the individuals to engage in this act. This generation is really after money and we see these things on our television screens.

The youth are deceived into believing that quick money is good and this is what is pushing most of the youth into engaging in these acts, Kwabena Appiah a resident said.

Meanwhile, the police have taken over the matter as investigations have begun into the matter.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the St. Francis Xavier Hospital morgue for autopsy and Preservation.

No arrest has been made yet.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has ordered the constitution of a seven-member committee to probe the leaked audio recording of some persons purportedly plotting the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare.

The committee will have three members each from the two sides of the House with one technical person.

The names of the three members apiece from the Majority and Minority caucuses are expected to be made available within one week, the Speaker so directed on Thursday, July 13.

This comes barely 24 hours after the Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, filed an urgent statement on the floor, calling for an investigation into the recording.

The Speaker had asked him to put the statement in writing for him to make orders. This was done on Thursday.

According to the Speaker, the committee will investigate the authenticity of the leaked audio recording, the conspiracy to remove the current IGP, any other matter contained in the audio recording and recommend sanctions to persons found culpable where appropriate.

It is also to make recommendations for reforms where necessary and make such other recommendations and consequential orders as the committee may deem appropriate.

These will be the Special Committees terms of reference.

The audio recording captures voices of some top officials said to be with the Ghana Police Service and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) discussing Dr Akuffo Dampare.

They are heard questioning the impartiality of the IGP, claiming he has the support of former President John Dramani Mahama, and so scheming to ensure the return of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The persons are, therefore, calling for his removal before the 2024 general elections.

This has been condemned in several quarters with many calling for a probe into the leaked tape.

Minister of Interior Ambrose Dery, however, dismissed the recording, assuring that Ghanas peace will be guaranteed before, during and after the 2024 elections.

There is no plot to remove anybody, he told journalists in Accra on Tuesday, July 11.

I can assure you that I serve a president who is committed and has respect for human rights. Under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, we will make sure that 2024 is peaceful.

One thing to be sure, 2024 will not be a violent election by anybody and no one will want to thwart the will of the people. If you vote us in, you vote us in, if you vote us out, you vote us out.

-3news.com
Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:VTMX  Get Free Report) announced a  dividend on Wednesday, July 12th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 1st will be paid a dividend of 0.1703 per share on Thursday, July 13th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th.

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta Price Performance

Shares of VTMX traded up $0.52 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $35.54. The company had a trading volume of 216,449 shares, compared to its average volume of 532,850. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta has a 1-year low of $31.50 and a 1-year high of $37.26.

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Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta Company Profile

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Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, develops, manages, operates, and leases industrial buildings and distribution centers in Mexico. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico.

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Wedgewood Investors Inc. PA raised its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 2.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 27,037 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 525 shares during the period. Altria Group makes up 1.6% of Wedgewood Investors Inc. PAs investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest holding. Wedgewood Investors Inc. PAs holdings in Altria Group were worth $1,206,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 85.6% in the 4th quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 542 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Ruedi Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Altria Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.38% of the companys stock.

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Altria Group Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE MO traded down $0.30 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $45.39. 2,124,459 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,883,171. The company has a market capitalization of $81.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.58, a P/E/G ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $40.35 and a 52-week high of $51.57. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $45.07 and a 200-day moving average price of $45.64.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.18 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.89 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 245.43% and a net margin of 22.44%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.12 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.98 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th were given a $0.94 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.28%. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 120.90%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 17th. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of Altria Group in a report on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $52.00 target price for the company. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $46.00.

Altria Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches.

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Pennon Group (OTCMKTS:PEGRF  Get Free Report) and Severn Trent (OTCMKTS:SVTRF  Get Free Report) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, valuation, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability and analyst recommendations.

Profitability

This table compares Pennon Group and Severn Trents net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Pennon Group N/A N/A N/A Severn Trent N/A N/A N/A

Institutional and Insider Ownership

44.0% of Pennon Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 37.3% of Severn Trent shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Pennon Group N/A N/A N/A $0.29 31.21 Severn Trent N/A N/A N/A $0.82 39.96

This table compares Pennon Group and Severn Trents top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Pennon Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Severn Trent, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Pennon Group and Severn Trent, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Pennon Group 0 1 1 0 2.50 Severn Trent 0 2 0 0 2.00

Pennon Group presently has a consensus price target of $815.00, indicating a potential upside of 8,900.55%. Given Pennon Groups stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Pennon Group is more favorable than Severn Trent.

Dividends

Pennon Group pays an annual dividend of $0.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Severn Trent pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. Pennon Group pays out 104.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Severn Trent pays out 98.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

Summary

Pennon Group beats Severn Trent on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Pennon Group

(Get Free Report)

Pennon Group Plc provides clean water and wastewater services in the United Kingdom. It provides water and wastewater services for customers in Cornwall, Devon, and parts of Dorset and Somerset; water-only services in the areas of Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire; and water and wastewater retail services to non-household customers in Great Britain. The company also offers regulated water to approximately 1.2 million customers in the Bristol region. Pennon Group Plc was incorporated in 1989 and is based in Exeter, the United Kingdom.

About Severn Trent

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Severn Trent PLC operates as a water and sewerage company in England and Wales. It operates through two segments: Regulated Water and Waste Water, and Business Services. The Regulated Water and Waste Water segment offers water and waste water services to approximately 4.8 million households and businesses. The Business Services segment generates renewable energy from anaerobic digestion, hydropower, wind turbines, and solar panels; property development; and offers affinity products and search services. It also provides services to municipal and industrial clients, including the Ministry of Defence and the Coal Authority for design, build, and operation of water and wastewater treatment facilities and networks. Severn Trent PLC was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Coventry, the United Kingdom.

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StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Argo Group International (NYSE:ARGO  Free Report) in a research note published on Sunday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock.

ARGO has been the subject of several other reports. TheStreet raised shares of Argo Group International from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Compass Point lowered shares of Argo Group International from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $30.00 target price for the company. in a report on Monday, March 13th.

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Argo Group International Stock Performance

Argo Group International stock opened at $29.69 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company has a market capitalization of $1.04 billion, a PE ratio of -4.76 and a beta of 1.01. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $29.55 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $29.45. Argo Group International has a twelve month low of $19.00 and a twelve month high of $34.13.

Institutional Trading of Argo Group International

Argo Group International ( NYSE:ARGO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The company reported ($0.31) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.80 by ($1.11). The business had revenue of $419.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $461.90 million. Argo Group International had a positive return on equity of 0.06% and a negative net margin of 9.98%. Research analysts expect that Argo Group International will post 2.85 EPS for the current year.

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Mcdonald Capital Investors Inc. CA raised its stake in Argo Group International by 11.0% in the second quarter. Mcdonald Capital Investors Inc. CA now owns 21,925 shares of the companys stock worth $649,000 after buying an additional 2,175 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Argo Group International in the second quarter worth about $591,000. Prelude Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Argo Group International by 1,128.4% in the first quarter. Prelude Capital Management LLC now owns 185,126 shares of the companys stock worth $5,422,000 after buying an additional 170,056 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in Argo Group International by 385.9% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 332,929 shares of the companys stock worth $9,752,000 after buying an additional 264,412 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FourWorld Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Argo Group International during the first quarter valued at approximately $80,747,000. 89.92% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Argo Group International

(Get Free Report)

Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. underwrites specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the property and casualty markets. The company operates in two segments, U.S. Operations and International Operations. It offers primary and excess specialty casualty, general liability, commercial multi-peril, and workers compensation, as well as product, environmental, and auto liability insurance products; management liability, transaction liability, and errors and omissions liability insurance; primary and excess property, inland marine, and auto physical damage insurance; and surety, animal mortality, and ocean marine insurance products.

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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- In response to its business expansion, Tuopu Group has established a dedicated Robot Division, the Chinese auto parts supplier announced on July 12 via its WeChat account.

Robotics is one of the most promising emerging industries in today's society, with vast applications in intelligent manufacturing, healthcare, services, and various other fields, aiming to liberate human labor and enhance the quality of life, said the company. According to projections by industry experts, by 2030, hundreds of millions of jobs worldwide will be replaced by robots, and the global robot industry will reach a capacity of trillions of yuan, indicating enormous market potential. Against the backdrop of rapid advancements in AI technology and an aging population, the robotics industry is entering a period of rapid development.

Photo credit: Tuopu Group

Over the years, Tuopu Group has made significant strides in the R&D of its Intelligent Brake System (IBS) project. The company has accumulated profound technical expertise in areas such as mechanics, gear mechanisms, motors, electrical control, software, and has expanded horizontally into businesses such as thermal management systems, intelligent steering systems, air suspension systems, cabin comfort systems, and robot actuators. The humanoid robot actuators developed by Tuopu Group have been repeatedly sampled and well received by customers, and the project is progressing smoothly.

The establishment of the Robot Division by Tuopu Group signifies a strategic dynamic adjustment and implementation. It aims to create an independent management structure and assemble an excellent professional team. Through the integration of advantageous resources and focused business concentration, the company aims to provide strategic support for the development of this sector.

By focusing on key products and core technologies in the robotics value chain, Tuopu Group aims to achieve synergistic development between the intelligent automotive components business and the robot components business, laying a solid foundation for its sustained rapid growth.
Arizona State Retirement System lessened its position in shares of Deere & Company (NYSE:DE  Free Report) by 1.0% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 78,290 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 824 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings in Deere & Company were worth $32,324,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DE. Everett Harris & Co. CA grew its holdings in shares of Deere & Company by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Everett Harris & Co. CA now owns 3,003 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,240,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Deere & Company in the 4th quarter valued at about $252,000. Fenimore Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Deere & Company in the 4th quarter valued at about $204,000. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Deere & Company by 16.1% in the 4th quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 3,785 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,671,000 after acquiring an additional 526 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Deere & Company by 8.0% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 143,047 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $59,061,000 after acquiring an additional 10,584 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.33% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Deere & Company news, CEO John C. May II sold 52,967 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $416.02, for a total transaction of $22,035,331.34. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 109,126 shares of the companys stock, valued at $45,398,598.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, insider Pentz Markwart Von sold 27,933 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $381.59, for a total value of $10,658,953.47. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 57,115 shares in the company, valued at $21,794,512.85. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO John C. May II sold 52,967 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $416.02, for a total transaction of $22,035,331.34. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 109,126 shares in the company, valued at approximately $45,398,598.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 88,010 shares of company stock valued at $35,230,351. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Deere & Company Price Performance

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on DE. Canaccord Genuity Group assumed coverage on Deere & Company in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. They issued a buy rating and a $530.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Deere & Company from $537.00 to $517.00 in a report on Monday, May 22nd. StockNews.com cut Deere & Company from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, June 16th. Bank of America reduced their price target on Deere & Company from $484.00 to $416.00 in a report on Sunday, May 21st. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their price target on Deere & Company from $398.00 to $367.00 in a report on Monday, May 15th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $457.10.

Shares of NYSE DE traded down $0.76 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $406.91. The companys stock had a trading volume of 271,719 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,642,086. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.70 and a current ratio of 1.96. Deere & Company has a fifty-two week low of $288.34 and a fifty-two week high of $448.40. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $385.15 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $400.21. The company has a market cap of $119.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.06.

Deere & Company (NYSE:DE  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 19th. The industrial products company reported $9.65 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.57 by $1.08. Deere & Company had a net margin of 15.00% and a return on equity of 43.11%. The business had revenue of $16.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.87 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $6.81 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 33.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Deere & Company will post 31.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Deere & Company Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $1.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.23%. Deere & Companys payout ratio is presently 16.78%.

Deere & Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Deere & Company manufactures and distributes various equipment worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Production and Precision Agriculture, Small Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. The Production and Precision Agriculture segment provides mid-size tractors, combines, cotton pickers and strippers, sugarcane harvesters, harvesting front-end equipment, sugarcane loaders, pull-behind scrapers, and tillage and seeding equipment, as well as application equipment, including sprayers and nutrient management, and soil preparation machinery for grain growers.

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Barclays upgraded shares of Azul (NYSE:AZUL  Free Report) from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report published on Monday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have $14.00 target price on the stock, up from their prior target price of $8.00.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Azul from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $6.00 to $8.60 in a report on Wednesday, March 15th. UBS Group raised shares of Azul from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, March 20th. Bank of America raised shares of Azul from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $6.90 to $11.00 in a report on Monday, May 22nd. Finally, Raymond James lifted their target price on shares of Azul from $12.00 to $14.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $11.28.

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Azul Price Performance

Shares of AZUL opened at $11.54 on Monday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $10.79 and a 200-day moving average of $7.89. Azul has a one year low of $3.82 and a one year high of $13.86. The company has a market cap of $4.86 billion, a PE ratio of -1.99 and a beta of 1.47.

Institutional Trading of Azul

Azul ( NYSE:AZUL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 15th. The company reported ($0.99) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.42) by ($0.57). The firm had revenue of $862.07 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $930.89 million. Analysts expect that Azul will post -1.49 earnings per share for the current year.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AZUL. Frontier Capital Management Co. LLC raised its stake in Azul by 296.8% in the 1st quarter. Frontier Capital Management Co. LLC now owns 4,384,995 shares of the companys stock worth $31,353,000 after purchasing an additional 3,280,010 shares in the last quarter. Perpetual Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Azul in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $17,388,000. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Azul by 551.9% in the 4th quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 2,339,760 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,296,000 after buying an additional 1,980,852 shares in the last quarter. Senator Investment Group LP acquired a new position in shares of Azul in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $10,725,000. Finally, Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLC raised its position in shares of Azul by 293.1% in the 1st quarter. Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLC now owns 1,040,666 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,441,000 after buying an additional 775,936 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.30% of the companys stock.

Azul Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Azul SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides scheduled air transportation services in Brazil. As of December 31, 2022, the company operated approximately 1,000 daily departures to 158 destinations through a network of 300 non-stop routes with an operating fleet of 177 aircraft and a passenger contractual fleet of 194 aircraft.

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Shares of Bank of Ireland Group plc (LON:BIRG  Get Free Report) traded up 0.9% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as GBX 9.09 ($0.12) and last traded at GBX 9.04 ($0.12). 53,980 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 94% from the average session volume of 886,965 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 8.95 ($0.12).

Bank of Ireland Group Trading Up 0.9 %

The firm has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 9.06 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 9.37. The firm has a market cap of 95.77 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.15 and a beta of 1.30.

About Bank of Ireland Group

(Get Free Report)

Bank of Ireland Group plc provides various banking and financial products and services. It provides current and savings accounts, and business deposits and accounts; personal, car, home improvement, graduate, motor finance, and student loans, as well as overdrafts; and business and farming loans, BREXIT loans, invoice finance, hire purchase, and leasing services.

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3M (NYSE:MMM  Free Report) had its price target reduced by Barclays from $103.00 to $93.00 in a research note released on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

MMM has been the topic of a number of other reports. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of 3M from $110.00 to $103.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on 3M from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. StockNews.com cut 3M from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, June 5th. Citigroup decreased their price target on 3M from $120.00 to $100.00 in a report on Monday. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of 3M from $89.00 to $95.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, 3M currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $114.50.

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3M Stock Performance

Shares of MMM stock opened at $101.63 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $56.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.53, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $99.96 and a 200 day moving average price of $107.36. 3M has a 12 month low of $92.38 and a 12 month high of $152.30.

3M Dividend Announcement

3M ( NYSE:MMM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The conglomerate reported $1.97 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.60 by $0.37. The firm had revenue of $8.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.51 billion. 3M had a net margin of 16.31% and a return on equity of 36.48%. 3Ms revenue for the quarter was down 9.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.65 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that 3M will post 8.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 12th. Investors of record on Friday, May 19th were paid a dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.90%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 18th. 3Ms payout ratio is currently 62.18%.

Insider Buying and Selling at 3M

In other news, EVP Eric D. Hammes sold 6,487 shares of 3M stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.33, for a total value of $683,275.71. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 10,430 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,098,591.90. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other 3M news, insider Khandpur K. Ashish sold 9,432 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.27, for a total transaction of $936,314.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 20,943 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,079,011.61. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Eric D. Hammes sold 6,487 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.33, for a total value of $683,275.71. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 10,430 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,098,591.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.51% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On 3M

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of 3M by 14.1% during the second quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 254,339 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $25,457,000 after purchasing an additional 31,527 shares in the last quarter. Summit Financial Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of 3M by 19.1% in the second quarter. Summit Financial Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 39,018 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $3,905,000 after acquiring an additional 6,255 shares in the last quarter. Adamsbrown Wealth Consultants LLC lifted its stake in shares of 3M by 3.9% in the second quarter. Adamsbrown Wealth Consultants LLC now owns 5,358 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $536,000 after acquiring an additional 203 shares in the last quarter. Cardinal Capital Management lifted its stake in shares of 3M by 1.3% in the second quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 38,400 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $3,843,000 after acquiring an additional 507 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 180 Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of 3M by 5.5% in the second quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,489 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $252,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.60% of the companys stock.

3M Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

3M Company provides diversified technology services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Safety and Industrial; Transportation and Electronics; Health Care; and Consumer. The Safety and Industrial segment offers industrial abrasives and finishing for metalworking applications; autobody repair solutions; closure systems for personal hygiene products, masking, and packaging materials; electrical products and materials for construction and maintenance, power distribution, and electrical original equipment manufacturers; structural adhesives and tapes; respiratory, hearing, eye, and fall protection solutions; and natural and color-coated mineral granules for shingles.

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Begbies Traynor Group (LON:BEG  Free Report) had its target price upped by Canaccord Genuity Group from GBX 180 ($2.32) to GBX 183 ($2.35) in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the stock.

A number of other equities analysts also recently weighed in on BEG. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price target on shares of Begbies Traynor Group from GBX 180 ($2.32) to GBX 183 ($2.35) and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Shore Capital reissued a house stock rating on shares of Begbies Traynor Group in a report on Tuesday.

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Begbies Traynor Group Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of LON BEG traded down GBX 1 ($0.01) during trading on Tuesday, hitting GBX 133 ($1.71). The stock had a trading volume of 295,799 shares, compared to its average volume of 260,759. Begbies Traynor Group has a 12 month low of GBX 115.50 ($1.49) and a 12 month high of GBX 150.69 ($1.94). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.88, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 1.35. The company has a market capitalization of 205.96 million, a PE ratio of 6,650.00, a PEG ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.27. The firm has a fifty day moving average of GBX 130.05 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 132.45.

Begbies Traynor Group Increases Dividend

Insider Activity at Begbies Traynor Group

The business also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, October 5th will be paid a GBX 2.60 ($0.03) dividend. This is an increase from Begbies Traynor Groups previous dividend of $1.20. This represents a yield of 1.93%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 5th. Begbies Traynor Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 20,000.00%.

In other Begbies Traynor Group news, insider John M. May purchased 31,221 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, April 14th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 120 ($1.54) per share, with a total value of 37,465.20 ($48,199.15). 26.07% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About Begbies Traynor Group

(Get Free Report)

Begbies Traynor Group plc provides various professional services to businesses, professional advisors, large corporations, and financial institutions in the United Kingdom. The company operates through two segments, Business Recovery and Financial Advisory Services; and Property Advisory and Transactional Services.

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Flputnam Investment Management Co. trimmed its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 5.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 149,064 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 8,562 shares during the period. Flputnam Investment Management Co.s holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $10,332,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,873,696,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 114,228.7% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 21,469,785 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,544,751,000 after purchasing an additional 21,451,006 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 35.7% in the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 13,794,089 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $992,048,000 after purchasing an additional 3,627,705 shares in the last quarter. Edmp Inc. lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 6,884.3% in the 4th quarter. Edmp Inc. now owns 3,343,588 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $46,471,000 after purchasing an additional 3,295,715 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vontobel Holding Ltd. lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 91.9% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 3,527,985 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $244,525,000 after purchasing an additional 1,689,785 shares in the last quarter. 74.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. 51job reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, April 28th. SVB Securities began coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday. They set a market perform rating and a $66.00 target price for the company. SVB Leerink reissued a market perform rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets began coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. They set an outperform rating and a $70.00 target price for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $76.73.

Insider Buying and Selling

Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

In related news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total transaction of $3,378,818.10. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 47,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,202,182.06. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

BMY stock traded up $0.08 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $62.36. The company had a trading volume of 3,275,549 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,077,560. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a one year low of $62.12 and a one year high of $81.43. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $65.34 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $68.64. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $131.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.20, a P/E/G ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 0.43.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.98 by $0.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 15.95% and a return on equity of 51.75%. The business had revenue of $11.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.50 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.96 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.05 EPS for the current year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Investors of record on Friday, July 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.66%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is currently 66.47%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Caledonia Mining Co. Plc (LON:CMCL  Get Free Report) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 1,114.44 ($14.34) and traded as low as GBX 970 ($12.48). Caledonia Mining shares last traded at GBX 975 ($12.54), with a volume of 1,097 shares trading hands.

Caledonia Mining Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of 187.10 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2,267.44 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.77. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 1,040.50 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 1,114.14.

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Caledonia Mining Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 13th will be paid a $0.14 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 1.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. Caledonia Minings dividend payout ratio is currently 10,465.12%.

Caledonia Mining Company Profile

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc primarily operates a gold mine. It also engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties for precious metals. The company holds 64% interest in the Blanket Mine, a gold mine located in Zimbabwe. It also owns 100% interest in the Maligreen project, a brownfield gold exploration project located in the Gweru mining district in the Zimbabwe Midlands; Bilboes, gold deposit located to the north of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; and Motapa, a gold exploration property located in Southern Zimbabwe.

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Computer Modelling Group (OTC:CMDXF  Get Free Report) is one of 304 publicly-traded companies in the SoftwareApplication industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare Computer Modelling Group to related companies based on the strength of its profitability, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation and earnings.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

47.7% of Computer Modelling Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 33.5% of shares of all SoftwareApplication companies are owned by institutional investors. 29.5% of shares of all SoftwareApplication companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Dividends

Computer Modelling Group pays an annual dividend of $0.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.3%. Computer Modelling Group pays out 82.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, SoftwareApplication companies pay a dividend yield of 1.8% and pay out 70.9% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Computer Modelling Group N/A N/A N/A Computer Modelling Group Competitors -31.93% -240.19% -7.91%

Analyst Recommendations

This table compares Computer Modelling Group and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Computer Modelling Group and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Computer Modelling Group 1 1 0 0 1.50 Computer Modelling Group Competitors 435 1738 3897 23 2.58

Computer Modelling Group currently has a consensus target price of $5.13, indicating a potential downside of 7.49%. As a group, SoftwareApplication companies have a potential upside of 31.45%. Given Computer Modelling Groups competitors stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Computer Modelling Group has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Computer Modelling Group and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Computer Modelling Group N/A N/A 15.47 Computer Modelling Group Competitors $417.88 million -$10.75 million 564.89

Computer Modelling Groups competitors have higher revenue, but lower earnings than Computer Modelling Group. Computer Modelling Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Summary

Computer Modelling Group competitors beat Computer Modelling Group on 8 of the 13 factors compared.

Computer Modelling Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Computer Modelling Group Ltd., a computer software technology company, engages in the development and licensing of reservoir simulation software and related services in Canada and internationally. The company offers CMOST-AI, an intelligent optimization and analysis tool that offers solution for reservoir by combining advanced statistical analysis, machine learning, and non-biased data interpretation; IMEX, a black oil simulator that is used to model primary and secondary oil recovery processes in conventional and unconventional reservoirs; and GEM, an equation-of-state reservoir simulator for compositional, chemical, and unconventional reservoir modelling. It also provides STARS, a thermal and processes reservoir simulator for the modelling of steam, solvents, air, and chemical recovery processes; CoFlow, a reservoir and production system modelling software that allows reservoir and production engineers to make informed decisions on large integrated oil and gas projects; and Builder, a pre-processor that simplifies the creation of simulation models by providing a framework for data integration and workflow management between various data sources. In addition, the company offers Results, a post-processor that helps in enhancing understanding and insight into recovery processes and reservoir performance with state-of-the-art visualization and analysis; and WinProp, a fluid property characterization tool. Further, it provides professional services comprising specialized support, consulting, training, and contract research services. The company was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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National Bank of Greece (OTCMKTS:NBGIF  Get Free Report) is one of 292 publicly-traded companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare National Bank of Greece to similar businesses based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, valuation, risk, earnings, dividends, institutional ownership and profitability.

Profitability

This table compares National Bank of Greece and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets National Bank of Greece N/A N/A N/A National Bank of Greece Competitors 34.01% 10.14% 0.91%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

9.9% of National Bank of Greece shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 30.6% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by institutional investors. 14.8% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio National Bank of Greece N/A N/A 20.90 National Bank of Greece Competitors $3.23 billion $803.23 million 251.37

This table compares National Bank of Greece and its competitors revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

National Bank of Greeces competitors have higher revenue and earnings than National Bank of Greece. National Bank of Greece is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for National Bank of Greece and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score National Bank of Greece 0 0 1 0 3.00 National Bank of Greece Competitors 1057 3078 3170 35 2.30

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 329.05%. Given National Bank of Greeces competitors higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe National Bank of Greece has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Summary

National Bank of Greece competitors beat National Bank of Greece on 9 of the 11 factors compared.

National Bank of Greece Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

National Bank of Greece S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in Greece, the United Kingdom, North Macedonia, Romania, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Malta, Egypt, and Luxembourg. It operates through Retail Banking, Corporate & Investment Banking, Trouble Assets Unit, Global Markets and Asset Management, Insurance, International Banking Operations, and Other segments. The Retail Banking segment provides deposit, investment, bancassurance products, mortgage loans, consumer and small business lending, debit and credit cards, prepaid cards, and other traditional products and services for individual customers, professionals, and small-medium and small sized companies through its network of branches and digital businesses. The Corporate & Investment Banking segment offers financial and investment advisory services, deposit accounts, loans, foreign exchange, and trade services for corporate customers; and lending services for large and medium-sized companies, as well as shipping finance services. The Trouble Assets Unit segment manages various loans. The Global Markets and Asset Management segment is involved in treasury activities; and provision of asset management, custody, private equity, and brokerage services. The Insurance offers various insurance products. The International Banking Operations segment offers traditional commercial banking, such as commercial and retail credit, trade financing, foreign exchange, and deposits; shipping finance; investment banking; and brokerage services through its foreign branches. The Other segment engages in the real estate management and warehousing businesses. National Bank of Greece S.A. was founded in 1841 and is headquartered in Athens, Greece.

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EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) had its target price decreased by Evercore ISI from $115.00 to $113.00 in a report issued on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $140.00 to $132.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 27th. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $170.00 to $155.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $139.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Mizuho raised shares of EOG Resources from a neutral rating to a buy rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $150.00 to $146.00 in a research report on Friday, May 19th. Finally, UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of EOG Resources in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. They set a buy rating and a $152.00 price target for the company. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $146.24.

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EOG Resources Trading Up 1.8 %

NYSE EOG opened at $121.71 on Monday. EOG Resources has a one year low of $92.16 and a one year high of $150.88. The companys 50 day moving average price is $112.45 and its 200 day moving average price is $118.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a current ratio of 2.17. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.61, a PEG ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 1.53.

EOG Resources Announces Dividend

EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The energy exploration company reported $2.69 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.42 by $0.27. EOG Resources had a net margin of 33.83% and a return on equity of 30.34%. The firm had revenue of $6.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.28 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $4.00 earnings per share. EOG Resourcess revenue for the quarter was up 51.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that EOG Resources will post 11.21 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a $0.825 dividend. This represents a $3.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.71%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. EOG Resourcess payout ratio is 20.64%.

Insider Buying and Selling at EOG Resources

In other EOG Resources news, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, July 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total value of $238,155.06. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 37,607 shares in the company, valued at $4,409,796.82. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.87, for a total transaction of $579,350.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 149,689 shares in the company, valued at $17,344,464.43. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total transaction of $238,155.06. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 37,607 shares in the company, valued at $4,409,796.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On EOG Resources

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Ossiam lifted its holdings in EOG Resources by 1,206.7% in the 4th quarter. Ossiam now owns 196 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Holdings LLC acquired a new stake in EOG Resources in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Kalos Management Inc. acquired a new stake in EOG Resources in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in EOG Resources in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Lumature Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in EOG Resources in the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. 89.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About EOG Resources

(Get Free Report)

EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, and natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its principal producing areas are in New Mexico and Texas in the United States; and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company.

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Beijing (Gasgoo)- On July 12, AISpeech, the Chinese developer of intelligent speech solutions, officially unveiled its self-developed large-scale dialogue-based language model, DFM-2.

DFM-2; photo credit: AISpeech

The company also held signing ceremonies with leading enterprises in the automotive industry chain, including Mercedes-Benz, SAIC-GM-Wuling, Great Wall Motor, HOZON Auto, PATEO, China Unicom Smart Connection, and more.

In the field of intelligent vehicles, AISpeech offers voice technology SDKs, Tianqin in-car voice assistants, and integrated software and hardware solutions to vehicle manufacturers and Tier-1 suppliers. Additionally, AISpeech provides scenario-based big data operation services, promoting the intelligent upgrade of connected vehicles.

For example, the collaboration between AISpeech and Great Wall Motor resulted in the creation of the new-generation Coffee OS 2 smart cockpit system. By combining AISpeech's in-car voice interaction technology, the system achieves a wake-up speed of just 250 milliseconds. It not only supports continuous interaction, visible speech recognition, spoken commands, and voice replication but also achieves breakthroughs in advanced voice interaction capabilities such as cross-domain multi-intent recognition, multi-acoustic zone recognition, rear-seat anti-interference, wake-word-free interaction, and fuzzy reference semantic understanding.

According to Gao Shixing, Chairman and CEO of AISpeech, since entering the automotive industry in 2019, AISpeech has powered over 6 million vehicles, covering 80 mass-produced models from mainstream brands such as BYD, Great Wall Motor, Mercedes-Benz, SAIC-GM-Wuling, NETA Auto, NIO, XPeng, and Li Auto.
Euronav (NYSE:EURN  Free Report) had its price target trimmed by Stifel Nicolaus from $22.00 to $20.00 in a report released on Monday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. StockNews.com upgraded Euronav from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Euronav from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $20.00 target price on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 11th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $24.00 target price on shares of Euronav in a report on Tuesday, March 21st. Finally, DNB Markets boosted their target price on Euronav from $20.50 to $23.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $21.20.

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Euronav Trading Up 0.6 %

EURN stock opened at $15.69 on Monday. Euronav has a 1-year low of $11.66 and a 1-year high of $21.00. The firm has a market cap of $3.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.51 and a beta of 0.21. The businesss 50 day moving average is $15.81 and its 200-day moving average is $16.40. The company has a current ratio of 2.21, a quick ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62.

Euronav Announces Dividend

Euronav ( NYSE:EURN Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 11th. The shipping company reported $0.78 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.81 by ($0.03). Euronav had a net margin of 39.00% and a return on equity of 19.29%. The company had revenue of $305.14 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $306.55 million. Equities analysts anticipate that Euronav will post 2.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a Variable dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 9th were issued a dividend of $0.49 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 8th. Euronavs dividend payout ratio is 23.45%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Seven Eight Capital LP acquired a new position in shares of Euronav in the 4th quarter valued at $340,000. Bridgefront Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Euronav in the 3rd quarter valued at $195,000. PDT Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Euronav by 387.4% in the 4th quarter. PDT Partners LLC now owns 144,227 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $2,458,000 after purchasing an additional 114,636 shares during the period. Mint Tower Capital Management B.V. lifted its stake in shares of Euronav by 1,680.0% in the 3rd quarter. Mint Tower Capital Management B.V. now owns 31,720 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $488,000 after purchasing an additional 29,938 shares during the period. Finally, Vazirani Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Euronav in the 4th quarter valued at $5,112,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.63% of the companys stock.

Euronav Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Euronav NV, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the transportation and storage of crude oil worldwide. The company offers floating, storage, and offloading (FSO) services. It also owns and operates a fleet of vessels. The company was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium.

Further Reading

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Hannover Ruck (OTC:HVRRF  Get Free Report) and Everest Group (NYSE:EG  Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations and valuation.

Profitability

This table compares Hannover Ruck and Everest Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Hannover Ruck N/A N/A N/A Everest Group 5.34% 12.98% 2.79%

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Hannover Ruck and Everest Groups revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Hannover Ruck N/A N/A N/A $7.97 25.52 Everest Group $12.06 billion 1.15 $597.00 million $16.86 20.92

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Everest Group has higher revenue and earnings than Hannover Ruck. Everest Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hannover Ruck, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

20.0% of Hannover Ruck shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.4% of Everest Group shares are held by institutional investors. 1.4% of Everest Group shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Hannover Ruck and Everest Group, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Hannover Ruck 2 0 1 0 1.67 Everest Group 0 0 0 1 4.00

Hannover Ruck presently has a consensus price target of $149.50, suggesting a potential downside of 26.46%. Everest Group has a consensus price target of $450.00, suggesting a potential upside of 27.61%. Given Everest Groups stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Everest Group is more favorable than Hannover Ruck.

Dividends

Hannover Ruck pays an annual dividend of $2.25 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.1%. Everest Group pays an annual dividend of $6.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Hannover Ruck pays out 28.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Everest Group pays out 39.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Summary

Everest Group beats Hannover Ruck on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Hannover Ruck

(Get Free Report)

Hannover Ruck SE, together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance products and services worldwide. It operates through Property & Casualty Reinsurance, and Life & Health Reinsurance segments. The company offers property and casualty reinsurance solutions for agricultural, livestock, and bloodstock businesses; aviation and space businesses; catastrophe XL business; credit, surety, and political risks businesses; facultative business; and marine and offshore energy businesses, as well as insurance-linked securities and structured reinsurance. It also provides risk solutions in the areas of critical illness, disability, health, longevity, long term care, and mortality. In addition, the company offers group and individual retirement and lifestyle, credit life, and Takaful reinsurance products. Further, it provides various financial solutions, including new-business financing; monetization of embedded value; reserve and solvency relief; and divestiture of non-core businesses. The company was formerly known as Hannover Ruckversicherung AG and changed its name to Hannover Ruck SE in March 2013. The company was founded in 1966 and is based in Hanover, Germany. Hannover Ruck SE is a subsidiary of Talanx AG.

About Everest Group

(Get Free Report)

Everest Re Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States, Bermuda, and internationally. The company operates through Reinsurance Operations and Insurance Operations segments. The Reinsurance Operations segment writes property and casualty reinsurance; and specialty lines of business through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies in the United States, Bermuda, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The Insurance Operations segment writes property and casualty insurance directly, as well as through brokers, surplus lines brokers, and general agents in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, Europe, South America, France, Germany, Spain, Canada, Chile, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The company also provides treaty and facultative reinsurance products; admitted and non-admitted insurance products; and property and casualty reinsurance and insurance coverages, including marine, aviation, surety, errors and omissions liability, directors' and officers' liability, medical malpractice, mortgage reinsurance, other specialty lines, accident and health, and workers' compensation products. In addition, it offers commercial property and casualty insurance products through wholesale and retail brokers, surplus lines brokers, and program administrators. The company was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.

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Graybill Wealth Management LTD. lifted its holdings in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 1.1% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 115,064 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 1,266 shares during the period. Graybill Wealth Management LTD.s holdings in Bank of America were worth $3,291,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Smith Chas P & Associates PA Cpas lifted its position in shares of Bank of America by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. Smith Chas P & Associates PA Cpas now owns 10,869 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $311,000 after acquiring an additional 436 shares during the period. Simplicity Solutions LLC boosted its position in shares of Bank of America by 110.6% during the 1st quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 180,512 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,163,000 after purchasing an additional 94,788 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Bank of America by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Management Group Inc. now owns 12,840 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $367,000 after buying an additional 735 shares during the period. DAVENPORT & Co LLC increased its position in Bank of America by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 1,594,655 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $45,655,000 after buying an additional 20,974 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Oak Thistle LLC acquired a new position in Bank of America during the 1st quarter worth approximately $419,000. 67.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently commented on BAC. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Bank of America from $38.00 to $34.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 10th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $45.00 to $40.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 6th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Bank of America in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $39.00 to $35.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective on Bank of America from $48.00 to $39.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $36.72.

Bank of America Stock Performance

Shares of Bank of America stock traded up $0.22 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $29.58. 15,086,585 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 51,669,668. The stock has a market capitalization of $235.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.82, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.35. Bank of America Co. has a 12-month low of $26.32 and a 12-month high of $38.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $28.44 and a 200-day simple moving average of $30.77.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.94 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.11. Bank of America had a net margin of 21.85% and a return on equity of 11.72%. The business had revenue of $26.26 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.28 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.80 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Bank of America Co. will post 3.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 2nd were given a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.97%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 1st. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 26.43%.

Bank of America Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional and money market savings accounts, certificates of deposit and IRAs, noninterest-and interest-bearing checking accounts, and investment accounts and products; and credit and debit cards, residential mortgages, and home equity loans, as well as direct and indirect loans, such as automotive, recreational vehicle, and consumer personal loans.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC  Free Report).

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Invesco Perpetual Select Trust plc  Managed Liquidity Share Portfolio (LON:IVPM  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Thursday, July 13th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 20th will be paid a dividend of GBX 1 ($0.01) per share on Tuesday, August 15th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 20th. The official announcement can be viewed at this link.

Invesco Perpetual Select Trust plc  Managed Liquidity Share Portfolio Price Performance

Shares of IVPM stock remained flat at GBX 90.50 ($1.16) on Thursday. 74 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,872. The stocks 50 day moving average price is GBX 90.84 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 93.63. The stock has a market capitalization of 1.10 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -1,508.33. Invesco Perpetual Select Trust plc  Managed Liquidity Share Portfolio has a 12 month low of GBX 88 ($1.13) and a 12 month high of GBX 101.81 ($1.31).

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About Invesco Perpetual Select Trust plc  Managed Liquidity Share Portfolio

(Get Free Report)

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Invesco Perpetual Select Trust plc  Managed Liquidity Share Portfolio is a fixed income fund of fund launched and managed by Invesco Fund Managers Limited. The fund is co-managed by Invesco Asset Management Limited. It invests in fixed income markets. Invesco Perpetual Select Trust plc  Managed Liquidity Share Portfolio is domiciled in United Kingdom.

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Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:RFG  Free Report) shares are going to split on the morning of Monday, July 17th. The 5-1 split was announced on Monday, July 17th. The newly created shares will be distributed to shareholders after the closing bell on Monday, July 17th.

Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF stock opened at $199.45 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $187.02 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $184.86. Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF has a 1-year low of $161.73 and a 1-year high of $200.14. The company has a market cap of $267.26 million, a P/E ratio of 9.79 and a beta of 1.17.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its position in shares of Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 8,824 shares of the companys stock worth $1,616,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its position in Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF by 10.8% in the 2nd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 646 shares of the companys stock valued at $105,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF by 5.2% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 2,067 shares of the companys stock valued at $421,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 5,430 shares of the companys stock valued at $972,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mariner LLC lifted its position in Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF by 5.7% in the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 2,183 shares of the companys stock valued at $391,000 after acquiring an additional 118 shares in the last quarter.

Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF Company Profile

Rydex S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF (the Fund) seeks to replicate as closely as possible the performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth Index (the Index). The Index is narrow in focus, containing only those S&P MidCap 400 companies with strong growth characteristics as selected by S&P. The Fund uses a passive management strategy, known as replication, to track the performance of the Index.

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Samsara Inc. (NYSE:IOT  Get Free Report) CEO Sanjit Biswas sold 89,800 shares of Samsara stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.70, for a total value of $2,487,460.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 674,319 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,678,636.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink.

Sanjit Biswas also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, July 5th, Sanjit Biswas sold 89,800 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.83, for a total value of $2,409,334.00.

On Tuesday, June 27th, Sanjit Biswas sold 89,800 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.57, for a total value of $2,296,186.00.

On Wednesday, June 21st, Sanjit Biswas sold 98,926 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.46, for a total value of $2,716,507.96.

On Thursday, June 15th, Sanjit Biswas sold 137,883 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.25, for a total value of $4,033,077.75.

On Monday, June 12th, Sanjit Biswas sold 89,800 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.89, for a total value of $2,684,122.00.

On Tuesday, May 30th, Sanjit Biswas sold 89,800 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.66, for a total transaction of $1,765,468.00.

On Tuesday, May 23rd, Sanjit Biswas sold 57,477 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.02, for a total transaction of $1,150,689.54.

On Tuesday, May 16th, Sanjit Biswas sold 58,129 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.80, for a total transaction of $1,150,954.20.

On Tuesday, May 9th, Sanjit Biswas sold 55,571 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.16, for a total transaction of $1,064,740.36.

On Tuesday, May 2nd, Sanjit Biswas sold 89,800 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.25, for a total transaction of $1,549,050.00.

Samsara Price Performance

NYSE:IOT traded up $0.28 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $27.70. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,504,993 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,210,955. The company has a market cap of $14.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -60.43 and a beta of 1.42. Samsara Inc. has a one year low of $8.42 and a one year high of $30.91. The businesss 50-day moving average is $24.13 and its 200-day moving average is $19.17.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Samsara ( NYSE:IOT Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, June 1st. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of ($0.13). The firm had revenue of $204.32 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $193.03 million. Samsara had a negative net margin of 34.20% and a negative return on equity of 21.20%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Samsara Inc. will post -0.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Samsara from $27.00 to $32.00 in a report on Friday, June 23rd. Morgan Stanley cut shares of Samsara from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their price target for the company from $18.00 to $19.00 in a report on Thursday, March 23rd. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on shares of Samsara from $21.00 to $23.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of Samsara from $19.00 to $23.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Samsara from $23.00 to $25.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Samsara currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $24.80.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Samsara by 15.4% during the second quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 98,554 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,731,000 after buying an additional 13,158 shares during the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Samsara during the second quarter valued at about $752,000. Level Four Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Samsara during the first quarter valued at about $464,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in Samsara by 16.0% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 776,518 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,312,000 after acquiring an additional 107,262 shares during the period. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund increased its stake in Samsara by 2,682.1% in the first quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 175,470 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,460,000 after acquiring an additional 169,163 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 50.01% of the companys stock.

About Samsara

(Get Free Report)

Samsara Inc provides solutions that connect physical operations data to its Connected Operations Cloud in the United States and internationally. The company's Connected Operations Cloud includes Data Platform, which ingests, aggregates, and enriches data from its IoT devices and has embedded capabilities for AI, workflows and analytics, alerts, API connections, and data security and privacy; and applications for video-based safety, vehicle telematics, apps and driver workflows, equipment monitoring, and site visibility.

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Sumitomo Life Insurance Co. increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 0.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 20,566 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company makes up 0.6% of Sumitomo Life Insurance Co.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest position. Sumitomo Life Insurance Co.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $7,063,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of LLY. Y.D. More Investments Ltd purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Bogart Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 193.3% in the 1st quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 88 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the period. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 97.8% in the 4th quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC now owns 91 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the period. New England Capital Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Tanglewood Legacy Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $37,000. 87.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Cantor Fitzgerald raised their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $485.00 to $550.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. Credit Suisse Group raised their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $420.00 to $490.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Guggenheim reduced their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $395.00 to $392.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $440.00 to $500.00 in a research report on Friday, May 26th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $478.00 to $507.00 in a research report on Monday, May 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $437.90.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

Shares of LLY opened at $440.69 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.02. Eli Lilly and Company has a one year low of $296.32 and a one year high of $469.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $418.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 70.06, a PEG ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.38. The business has a fifty day moving average of $443.62 and a 200 day moving average of $382.35.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.11). Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 61.42% and a net margin of 20.54%. The firm had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.87 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.62 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 EPS for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, September 8th will be issued a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.03%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is currently 71.86%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $435.29, for a total value of $261,174.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,978 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,602,163.62. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total transaction of $89,658,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 101,908,810 shares in the company, valued at $40,608,622,608.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $435.29, for a total value of $261,174.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,978 shares in the company, valued at $2,602,163.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 970,965 shares of company stock valued at $423,725,107 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report).

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Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP  Get Free Report) had its price objective dropped by equities researchers at Citigroup from $237.00 to $235.00 in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Citigroups target price would suggest a potential upside of 12.48% from the companys current price.

UNP has been the topic of several other reports. Credit Suisse Group decreased their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $237.00 to $235.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 21st. Wolfe Research cut their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $221.00 to $220.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 21st. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $171.00 to $168.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. Finally, Susquehanna cut their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $203.00 to $202.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $216.44.

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Union Pacific Stock Performance

Shares of UNP stock opened at $208.92 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $127.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.46, a P/E/G ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.50, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.54. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $200.30 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $201.36. Union Pacific has a one year low of $183.69 and a one year high of $242.35.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Union Pacific

Union Pacific ( NYSE:UNP Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The railroad operator reported $2.67 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.57 by $0.10. Union Pacific had a net margin of 27.91% and a return on equity of 57.75%. The business had revenue of $6.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.03 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.57 earnings per share. Union Pacifics revenue for the quarter was up 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Union Pacific will post 11.29 EPS for the current year.

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. MAS Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Union Pacific in the first quarter worth about $233,000. Roundview Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 3.8% in the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 16,608 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $4,537,000 after purchasing an additional 614 shares during the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific in the first quarter worth about $569,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 3.7% in the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 47,144 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $12,880,000 after purchasing an additional 1,664 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. raised its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 10.1% in the first quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 1,745 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $477,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.04% of the companys stock.

About Union Pacific

(Get Free Report)

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, and other agricultural users; petroleum, and liquid petroleum gases; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.

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Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund (NYSE:AIO  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Wednesday, July 12th, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Thursday, July 13th will be given a dividend of 0.15 per share on Tuesday, August 1st. This represents a yield of 9.61%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 12th. This is an increase from Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Funds previous dividend of $0.11.

Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of AIO stock traded up $0.07 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $18.65. 91,193 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 108,567. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $17.43 and a 200 day simple moving average of $17.14. Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund has a 52-week low of $14.92 and a 52-week high of $19.11.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 39.5% during the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 267,380 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,845,000 after buying an additional 75,695 shares in the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its holdings in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 9.9% in the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 504,504 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,168,000 after purchasing an additional 45,285 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its holdings in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 16.9% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 262,242 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,732,000 after purchasing an additional 37,935 shares during the period. UBS Group AG boosted its holdings in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 7.1% in the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 536,183 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,721,000 after purchasing an additional 35,686 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund by 41.5% in the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 115,834 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,024,000 after purchasing an additional 33,944 shares during the period.

Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund Company Profile

The Fund seeks to generate a stable income stream and growth of capital by focusing on one of the most significant long-term secular growth opportunities in markets today. A multi-asset approach based on fundamental research is employed, dynamically allocating to attractive segments of a companys debt and equity in order to offer an attractive risk/reward profile.

Further Reading

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StockNews.com started coverage on shares of WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY  Free Report) in a research note released on Sunday. The firm issued a sell rating on the technology companys stock.

WidePoint Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of WidePoint stock opened at $2.02 on Friday. WidePoint has a 52-week low of $1.70 and a 52-week high of $3.06. The company has a 50 day moving average of $1.83 and a 200 day moving average of $1.92. The company has a market capitalization of $17.64 million, a P/E ratio of -1.16 and a beta of 1.04.

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WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The technology company reported ($0.11) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. WidePoint had a positive return on equity of 2.98% and a negative net margin of 16.03%. The firm had revenue of $25.27 million during the quarter.

Institutional Trading of WidePoint

About WidePoint

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. UBS Group AG acquired a new position in WidePoint in the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Citadel Advisors LLC increased its stake in WidePoint by 121.1% in the 3rd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 13,577 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 7,437 shares during the period. Susquehanna International Group LLP acquired a new position in WidePoint in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in WidePoint in the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Channel Wealth LLC acquired a new position in WidePoint in the 1st quarter valued at $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 11.85% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

WidePoint Corporation provides technology management as a service (TMaaS) to the government and business enterprises in North America and Europe. The company offers TMaaS solutions through a secure federal government certified proprietary portal and secure enterprise portal that provides ability to manage, analyze, and protect communications assets, as well as deploy identity management solutions that provide secured virtual and physical access to restricted environments.

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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- AVNET, a leading global technology distributor and solutions provider, and NETA Auto, one of Chinese leading new energy vehicle (NEV) startups, recently signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement in Shanghai, according to a press release from AVNET.

According to the agreement, both parties will leverage their respective core strengths to deepen and elevate the collaboration in the field of NEVs, forming a long-term, stable, win-win strategic partnership.

Photo credit: AVNET

The recent collaboration between NETA Auto and AVNET aims to capitalize on AVNET's existing resource advantages, such as a diverse portfolio of agency brands and product categories, excellent technical support, professional design services, and world-class end-to-end supply chain services. These resources will provide stronger support for NETA Auto's R&D, production, and supply chain management.

As NEV companies intensify their focus on the components industry chain, the trend towards in-house R&D and self-production becomes inevitable. To ensure the supply of core components, NETA Auto has also adopted a vertical integrated supply chain model. The new automaker has established its own component procurement company, dedicated to the purchase of materials for its self-research projects. Based on this foundation, NETA Auto can not only accelerate the development of core technologies but also enhance the product competitiveness, brand competitiveness, and production efficiency of its vehicle models.

AVNET is a leading global technology distributor and solutions provider that has been committed to deepening its presence in the Chinese automotive market and continuously stepping up its collaboration with local automakers. It has been engaged with NETA Auto since several years ago and initiated close technical cooperation during the early stage of solution design. AVNET's service network covers several Tier 1 partners of NETA Auto. By providing technical support and supply chain services, AVNET has assisted and facilitated NETA Auto's technological innovation, product iteration and upgrade, cost reduction and efficiency improvement, and timely vehicle delivery.

Up to now, AVNET has engaged in deep cooperation with NETA Auto in domains such as intelligent driving, intelligent cockpit, intelligent gateway, electric propulsion, and next-generation supercomputing platforms.

In 2022, NETA Auto was among the top 10 Chinese domestic passenger vehicle brands for the first time by annual deliveries, and it was also the first local NEV startup to achieve annual sales exceeding 150,000 units.
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (NYSEARCA:DXJ  Get Free Report) shares crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $78.84 and traded as high as $81.65. WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund shares last traded at $81.45, with a volume of 494,441 shares traded.

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund Stock Down 1.1 %

The firm has a market cap of $1.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.60 and a beta of 0.65. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $79.02 and a 200-day moving average of $72.54.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund during the second quarter worth approximately $130,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund during the second quarter worth approximately $2,636,000. AE Wealth Management LLC increased its position in WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund by 22.9% during the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,271 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,022,000 after buying an additional 2,289 shares during the last quarter. First Hawaiian Bank acquired a new position in WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund during the second quarter worth approximately $1,813,000. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund by 9.1% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 34,996 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $2,475,000 after buying an additional 2,915 shares during the last quarter.

About WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that closely correspond to the price and yield performance of the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Index (the Index). The Index is designed to provide exposure to Japanese equity markets while at the same time neutralizing exposure to fluctuations of the Japanese Yen movements relative to the United States dollar.

Further Reading

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Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, has on July 13 backed the GST Council's decision to levy 28 percent on the online real-money gaming sector, stating it as a "well-thought out preliminary measure."



On July 11, the GST Council had decided to impose the top GST slab of 28 percent on the full value of the money paid by users to play skill-based games, in a uniform manner with no distinction made between game of skill and chance. Gaming platforms currently pay an 18 percent GST on platform fees.



This decision, which came after nearly two years of deliberation, had shocked the country's burgeoning real-money gaming industry. Several industry executives and associations have warned that this move will "wipe out the entire industry and lead to job losses".



Also Read: 28% GST levy will make Indian real-money gaming sector an 'unviable business model': IAMAI



The real-money gaming segment accounted for 77 percent of India's gaming sector revenues in 2022 which stood at Rs 13,500 crore, as per a recent FICCI-EY report. These revenues are set to grow to Rs 16,700 crore in 2023 and Rs 23,100 crore in 2025, it said.



Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra, however, played down these concerns in an interview with Moneycontrol on July 13. He said that when online games are based on wagers, irrespective of whether theyre wagers on skill or chance, theyve always been taxed on the face value under GST.



It's worth noting that these tax rates do not apply to free-to-play and paid video games in the country, wherein the 18 percent GST rate is already included in the app sales on Google Play and Apple App Store.



Read: 28% GST levy will upend the economics of real-money gaming sector, says Nazara's Nitish Mittersain



The move comes a few months after the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified new gaming-related amendments to the IT Act 2021, that will allow multiple self-regulatory organisations (SROs) to determine whether a real-money game, where the transfer of money is involved, is permitted to operate in India or not.



In a tweet on July 13, the minister said that after putting the regulatory framework in place, MeitY will seek consideration separately for "games of skill" and that for "harmful games that involve wagering".



"Online gaming is an important segment, but wagering and games of chance have increased cases of user harm and money laundering. The GST Council's decision to levy taxes on online gaming is a well-thought out preliminary measure" the union minister said in the tweet.







On July 11, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had mentioned that the GST Council "will ensure it is in touch with the IT ministry. We will align with the regulation the ministry brings in."



According to media reports, the government plans to bring in amendments to the GST law on "online gaming" during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, that is starting on July 20.



The revenue secretary told Moneycontrol that the government estimates to collect taxes of up to Rs 15,000-20,000 crore in FY23-24, marking a significant jump from Rs 1,700 crore collected in FY22-23.
Karnataka Information Technology and Bio Technology (IT & BT) minister Priyank Kharge on July 13 slammed the decision of the GST Council to impose a 28 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on online gaming.



Expressing his concerns, Kharge stated that the flat tax rate of 28 percent has significant negative implications, potentially hindering India's goal to become a USD 1 trillion digital economy by 2025.



"Although I personally oppose all forms of gambling, implementing a flat 28 percent GST on the gaming industry has significant negative implications. The tax applies uniformly, regardless of whether a game relies on skill or chance," said Kharge.



Also Read: 28% GST levy will make Indian real-money gaming sector an 'unviable business model': IAMAI



He emphasised the need for a more thorough consideration of this decision, given its potential consequences for the digital economy.



Kharge highlighted the possible adverse effects on the Indian gaming startup ecosystem, which has attracted a substantial $2.5 billion in investments.



"The Indian gaming startup ecosystem may suffer from reduced prospects of foreign direct investment due to this taxation," he said.



Also Read: 28% GST levy will upend the economics of real-money gaming sector, says Nazara's Nitish Mittersain



Industry stakeholders echoed concerns about the GST Council's decision, expressing fears that the imposition of a 28 percent tax on the face value of transactions or entry fees for online real-money gaming could decimate the entire industry and result in significant job losses.



Responding to complaints on illegal loan apps, Kharge told Moneycontrol that the government had taken the matter seriously and had already initiated action against 42 such loan apps, confiscating their offices.



On July 11, a 22-year-old engineering student from Jalahalli in Bengaluru died by suicide, alleging harassment by private money lending apps.



Also Read: Nazara Technologies says 28% GST on online gaming to have minimal revenue impact



Kharge said the government is committed in cracking down on these illegal loan apps. "The government is extremely serious about addressing the menace of these illegal loan apps." he said.



The Karnataka Congress, in its election manifesto, had promised to formulate a policy to strictly regulate online loan apps within 100 days.



Kharge said there are complexities in formulating such a policy, noting that consultations with stakeholders were necessary, particularly given the financial nature of these apps and the associated registrations. He said that the state home minister would soon take up this matter.
A decision by Taiwan's Foxconn to withdraw from a $19.5 billion semiconductor joint venture with Vedanta is a "credit negative" for the Indian conglomerate's UK parent Vedanta Resources, debt research firm CreditSights said on Thursday. Earlier this week, Foxconn said it had withdrawn from the JV, dumping a deal they had signed last year to set up semiconductor and display production plants in India. Vedanta on Wednesday said it would still enter the space this year having lined up partners. CreditSights had previously expected a "minimal credit impact" on Vedanta Resources based on the old arrangement, as Volcan, Vedanta's holding entity was undertaking the semiconductor investments. "Since the semiconductor venture will be now parked directly under Vedanta, we see a higher probability that a good portion of the project funding will come from Vedanta," CreditSights, part of the Fitch Group, wrote in a note. CreditSights also expects further strain on credit metrics and free cash flows for both Vedanta Resources and India's Vedanta with Foxconn's exit also resulting in a loss of a partner to split manufacturing costs. However, the debt research firm said the split does not increase Vedanta's immediate funding needs as the investment is long term in nature and a previously announced 5-10-year timeline to build the facilities would help the conglomerate spread the capital expenditure more comfortably. CreditSights maintained its "buy" rating on Vedanta Resources' bonds saying its refinancing outlook for some debt maturities have improved, helped by $1.3 billion of fresh loan fundraisings. It said its bullish rating was for investors with a high risk appetite and a failure to refinance debts would result in a sharp sell-off in already-volatile bond prices.

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TCS' recently appointed CEO K Krithivasan said achieving double-digit growth this year appears to be challenging as clients exercise caution in an uncertain demand environment. He further stated that the company needs a quarter to two before they can confidently state that difficult times are behind them.



Krithivasan spoke to Moneycontrol at the software firm's headquarters in Mumbai, a day after the company reported its earnings for the first quarter. This also marked his first earnings as CEO.



TCS reported flat revenue in the June quarter impacted by pressure in key segments such as financial services, hi-tech and telecom. Its EBIT margins declined by 130 basis points to 23.4 percent as the company absorbed the impact of a wage hike. Revenue in US Dollar terms stood at $7.22 billion, which was in-line with the $7.23 billion figure expected from a CNBC-TV18 poll. On a sequential basis, growth in US Dollar terms stood at 0.4 percent on a sequential basis, compared to expectations of 0.5 percent.



While TCS' revenue growth for the first quarter, at 0.4%, was the slowest in a decade excluding the Covid period, the subdued earnings were on expected lines.



"Double digit growth could become difficult. Its pure maths. If you start off at zero, youll have to do something extraordinary in the back end. It doesnt make it very easy to achieve double digit growthbut its aspirational. We will continue to translate every opportunity into growth. We will galvanise our team towards it," Krithivasan said during the interview.



He further said that he has been meeting clients in the Europe, UK and the US in the last 6-8 weeks. "We are happy with the strength of the relationship they share with TCS. There will be certain areas where they will pause spending and certain areas where they will spend. Programs with well-defined return on investment will continue. Clients also look at cost optimization projects. Customers would want to consolidate more with us because we give better value."



He expects growth momentum to return once uncertainty ends in major markets such as the US and added that they will have better visibility in the second half of the year in a quarter or two. He however said that no clients are asking for discounts at this point and also said the company continues to aspire for a margin band of 26-28%, though it is currently in the 23% range.



"We are very confident that a 26-28 percent margin is still achievable. There are always reasons why we are not doing it. We are well poised to be in the 26-28 range. There are one off challenges that come once in a while", he said.



TCS' order book for the quarter stood at $10.2 billion, which is the highest in five quarters. Krithivasan said he confident about having a strong order book going ahead.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Dongfeng Motor's new energy vehicle brand, VOYAH, unveiled a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric vehicle) addition to its Zhuiguang sedan lineup.

Zhuiguang PHEV; photo credit: VOYAH

The Zhuiguang PHEV retains its position as a mid-to-large-sized sedan, equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged plug-in hybrid system. It is expected to hit the market in the third quarter of this year.

Zhuiguang PHEV; photo credit: VOYAH

The Zhuiguang PHEV harmoniously blends elegance and sportiness in its overall design. The side profile remains largely unchanged from the pure-electric version, featuring a sleek and aerodynamic silhouette.

Furthermore, the Zhuiguang PHEV will be equipped with an air suspension system featuring the magic carpet function. It supports CDC (continuous damping control) system, enabling intelligent adjustment of suspension damping based on road conditions.

Powering the Zhuiguang PHEV is a hybrid system comprising a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and front and rear electric motors. While specific power figures have yet to be disclosed, the comprehensive range of over 1,000 kilometers on a full tank and full charge promises a long-lasting driving experience for users. VOYAH's latest offering aims to meet the demands of eco-conscious consumers seeking sustainable and efficient mobility solutions.
The first volume of the report by the Larry Summers and NK Singh-led group on strengthening multilateral development banks will be made public on July 18, Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth has said.



Speaking to reporters on July 13 in Gandhinagar, Seth said the first volume of the report will be presented to G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors next week in their third meeting under India's Presidency.



The two-day meeting, which will be jointly led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das, will take place from July 17-18. In the run-up to that meeting, a meeting of G20 finance and central bank deputies will be held on July 14-15, co-chaired by Seth and RBI Deputy Governor Michael Patra.



The Summers and Singh-led group was constituted on March 28 after India proposed its formation at the first meeting of the finance ministers and central bank governors in Bengaluru in February. Apart from Summers, a former US treasury secretary, and Singh, chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, the expert group comprises seven other members.



The group has been tasked with drawing up a roadmap for an "updated MDB (multilateral development bank) ecosystem for the 21st century" so that these institutions are better equipped to finance a wide range of sustainable development goals and global challenges such as climate change and health.



India, even before it assumed the presidency of the G20 in late 2022, had repeatedly called for reforming multilateral development banks, saying they faced existential questions.



In the briefing in Gandhinagar on July 13, Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said a forum such as the G20 provides a platform to discuss issues which cut across national boundaries - such as the reform of these institutions.



"We know that even in this state (of Gujarat), many projects have been funded with the assistance of the World Bank and other institutions. At the same time, we also know that there are issues now which not only require funding for traditional infrastructure but also for climate-related specific infrastructure So countries need more resources, lenders need more resources, the lenders need to change the way they operate," Nageswaran said.



"Institutions have to reinvent themselves every once in a while," the government's top economist added.



Agenda list



Another key agenda item that will require multilateral cooperation relates to crypto, with the finance ministers and central bank chiefs set to be presented with a 'guidance note' for developing a globally coordinated framework for the regulation and supervision of crypto assets.



Crypto regulation has emerged as one of the key pillars of India's G20 Presidency, with RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das saying in February that the discussions at the Bengaluru meeting had resulted in some G20 members saying that a complete ban on crypto should be considered.



Other key deliverables include progress in the debt treatment for countries under the common framework, recommendations on advancing financial inclusion and productivity gains through digital public infrastructure to achieve last-mile financial inclusion, and principles for financing cities of tomorrow, among others, as per a government statement.



The meeting will also see discussions on the global economy and global health, sustainable finance and infrastructure, international financial architecture, international taxation, and financial sector and financial inclusion.



On the sidelines of the G20 meetings, a series of events involving the delegates will be conducted, including an Infrastructure Investors' Dialogue on leveraging funding and financing mechanisms and approaches for the 'Cities of Tomorrow' in GIFT City in Gandhinagar, a high-level tax symposium on combatting tax evasion, corruption, and money laundering, a roundtable discussion on crypto assets, and workshops on interlinking fast payment systems and achieving growth-friendly climate action and financing for emerging and developing economies.
The Centre has approved the Maharashtra government's request to raise the annual income cap from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 6 lakh for homebuyers of the economically weaker section (EWS) purchasing homes under the Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana (PMAY) scheme in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).



The state government, as a special case for the MMR, had written to the Central government regarding the same. The Centre has communicated its approval to the Maharashtra government.



Thank you Hon PM @narendramodi ji & Hon Union Minister @HardeepSPuri ji for enhancing EWS income criteria from  3 lakh to  6 lakh for AHP vertical under #PMAY for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) on Maharashtra Governments request. This will help lakhs of citizens of MMR," Deputy Chief Minister and Maharashtra Housing Minister Devendra Fadnavis posted on Twitter.



PMAY is the flagship scheme of the central government under the affordable housing for all policy.



A statement issued by the office of Fadnavis said that after writing a letter to the central government regarding the same, Fadnavis himself had contacted Union Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, and requested him to raise the income slab. We are happy to announce that the central government has now written to the state government informing that they have approved the request, it said.



Also read: Maharashtra wants income cap for affordable housing scheme to be raised from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 6 lakh



Currently in Maharashtra, for affordable housing schemes of the state government, the income slab for EWS homebuyers is already raised to Rs 6 lakh for those residing in MMR, Pune and Nagpur and it is Rs 4.5 lakh for the rest of the state.



Also read: Maharashtra government revises income slabs for buyers of affordable homes



"Such a move (increasing the income slab to Rs 6 lakh) would ensure more homebuyers are covered under the scheme. Many homebuyers are currently unable to afford homes in the MMR, and we are taking up the issue with the Central government, said Valsa Nair Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing Department of Maharashtra. She was speaking at the fifth edition of the Confederation of Indian Industrys (CII) Real Estate Confluence in Mumbai on April 18.
Ahead of his two-day visit to Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the relationship between India and France are in an excellent space and stood steady and resilient through the darkest storms.



First of all, on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitude to France, to its government and personally to President Macron for inviting India to the 14th July National Day celebrations as Guest of Honour, PM Modi told French publication Les Echos in an exclusive interview before departing for France.



Also Read: Bastille Day welcome for PM Modi as France courts India



As far as 25 years of the strategic partnership is concerned, I feel we are now at a turning point. If we look at the post-pandemic global order and the shape that it is taking, I think the positive experience of our strategic partnership is an important step ahead. So, we look forward to working on a roadmap for the next 25 years of the strategic partnership the PM told the French publication.



Also Read: India regaining its rightful place in world order, says PM Modi



I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years," Modi said in his departure statement.



The PM will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour. The last foreign dignitary to receive this in France was former US president Donald Trump in 2017.



Watch: Defence in focus during PM Modis France Visit



Speaking on the vision for India in 2047, the 100th anniversary of Independence, PM Modi said the country will become a developed country in 2047. A developed economy that caters to the needs of all its peopleeducation, health, infrastructure and opportunities. India will remain a vibrant and participative federal democracy, in which all citizens are secure about their rights, confident of their place in the nation and optimistic about their future, he asserted.



More importantly, the PM emphasised that India will be a global leader in innovation and technology. Our economy will be a hub of opportunities, an engine for global growth and its source of skills and talent. India will be a strong testimony to the power of democracy. We will help advance a more balanced multipolar world, anchored in international law and underpinned by the discipline of multilateralism, the Les Echos quoted the PM as saying.



The PM has pointed out that the rights of the Global South have been long denied and led to a feeling of anguish among these countries while underlying Indias role as a bridge between them and the Western world. The Global South includes nations and regions in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
Kolkata-based jewellery retailer Senco Gold is expected to glitter with opening gains of around 35-40 percent on July 14, due to robust subscription demand for the IPO, strong brand name with asset-light franchise business model and five decades of experience in the industry.



On top of that, favourable equity market conditions in current financial year is also one of key reasons behind strong listing expectations. The benchmark indices have rallied 15 percent from March lows.



The Rs 405-crore public issue of Senco Gold had seen more than 73 times subscription during July 4-6. Qualified institutional buyers have taken a lead amongst participants, subscribing 181 times the allotted quota, while the part set aside for high networth individuals was booked 65 times. Retail investors also looked aggressive, bidding 15.5 times the reserved portion.



Having a leadership position in organised jewellery market in Eastern India, Senco Gold owns extensive retail network of 136 showrooms, of which 75 is owned by the company and 61 are operated via franchise model, in 96 cities. Around 63 percent of its showrooms are located in West Bengal.



Specialising in the sale of gold and diamonds, the company also offers an extensive selection of jewellery crafted from silver, platinum, precious and semi-precious stones, and various other metals.



"We expect the share price to list around Rs 450, which is a premium of 42 percent over the issue price of Rs 317 per share," said Manish Chowdhury, head of research at StoxBox.



Click Here To Know Latest Subscription Numbers of Utkarsh SFB IPO



Manish remains positive on the company from a long-term perspective as its omni-channel approach would result in efficient capital allocation. Moreover, its leadership position in organized jewellery retail in eastern India along with its focus to expand on a pan-India basis bodes well for the growth prospects, he believes.



Astha Jain, senior research analyst at Hem Securities and Prashanth Tapse, Research Analyst, Senior VP Research at Mehta Equities are expecting Senco Gold to list at 35-40 percent premium, citing the strong brand name with heritage and a legacy of over five decades.



Astha also likes the business model of company & growth rate at which company has grown its topline & bottomline over the period of time. Also, looking after the peer comparison, she finds valuations reasonable too.



The jewellery retailer has recorded revenue growth at a CAGR of 24 percent during FY21-FY23, which stood at Rs 4,077 crore in FY23, while profit at Rs 158.5 crore grew at a CAGR of 61 percent during the same period.



Click Here For All IPO News



At the upper end of issue price band of Rs 301-317 per share, it is available at a 15.5x P/E on FY23 basis against peers Titan at 83.5x and Kalyan Jewellers India 35x, with a market capitalisation of Rs 2,462 crore.



In the grey market, which is an unofficial market wherein the IPO shares can be bought and sold till the listing on the bourses, Senco Gold traded with a massive 41 percent premium over issue price of Rs 317 per share, analysts said on anonymity.



"The grey market premium is justified by the strong demand for the IPO, which was subscribed 73 times. The company has also been growing its business steadily in recent years and is well-positioned to benefit from the growing demand for gold jewellery in India," Anubhuti Mishra, Equity Research Analyst at Swastika Investmart said.



The public issue of Senco Gold comprised a fresh issue of Rs 270 crore and an offer for sale of Rs 135 crore by investor SAIF Partners India IV. The fresh issue proceeds will mainly be utilised for working capital requirements.



Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
India's domestic air traffic in June rose 18.8 percent compared to the same month last year. Domestic airlines carried 1.24 crore passengers in June, data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on July 13 shows.



However, domestic air traffic in June fell 5.5 percent compared to May when airlines carried 1.32 crore passengers. Air traffic has seen a considerable jump from pre-Covid levels. In June 2019, domestic airlines carried only 1.20 crore passengers.



June marks the fourth straight month when domestic air traffic in India has surpassed pre-COVID levels in India.



The aviation pie



The market share of India's largest airline, IndiGo, rose 180 basis points in June, recording the second straight month of rise in market share after the collapse of GoFirst, which stopped all operations on May 2.



IndiGo's market share for June stood at 63.2 percent, after rising by 390 basis points in May, 70 basis points in April, 90 basis points in March and 130 basis points in February. The low-cost carrier flew 78.93 lakh passengers in June.



One basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point.



Air India retained its position as the second-largest domestic carrier in June and garnered a market share of 9.7 percent, flying 12.13 lakh passengers during the period.



The Tata-Group airline saw its market share rise for two consecutive months in a row in May and June mainly due to the grounding of Go First.



Air India witnessed its market share fall from 9.2 percent in January to 8.6 percent in April, falling 20-30 basis points every month.



Vistara's market share in June fell by 90 basis points to 8.1 percent, the airline flew 10.11 lakh passengers last month.



AirAsia India, which, is also part of the Tata stable, rose to the fourth spot in terms of market share. Its market share rose by 10 basis points to 8 percent in June, as the carrier served 10.04 lakh passengers.



The new entrant Akasa Air overtook SpiceJet in terms of market share in June as it carried 6.18 lakh passengers in June garnering a market share of 4.9 percent. Akasa Air saw its market share rise by 10 basis points in June.



SpiceJet saw its market share fall another 100 basis points in June, as it continues to struggle with its operating capacity due to financial constraints.



On July 11, DGCA put SpiceJet under "enhanced surveillance" amid the budget airline facing multiple financial headwinds in recent months.



In the last few months various lessors of SpiceJet have sought repossession of aircraft and some of the cases have been settled by the airline.



SpiceJet had seen its market share fall 40 basis points in May, 60 basis points in April, 70 basis points in March, 20 basis points in February, and 30 basis points in January.



The airline's market share has fallen consecutively for the last 13 months in a row, data from the DGCA showed. SpiceJet had a peak market share of 10.7 percent in February 2022.



Most of GoFirst's market share of 6.4 percent carrying 8.29 lakh passengers in April has gone the way of IndiGo for the last two month, as the latter has seen its market share rise 570 basis points in the last two months.



The passenger load factor, or the occupancy rate, of SpiceJet, Vistara, IndiGo, Air India and AirAsia India stood at 93.6 percent, 93.1 percent, 90.9 percent, 88.2 percent, and 91.8 percent, respectively, in June.



Akasa Air, India's newest carrier, saw its passenger load factor remain consistent at 91.1 percent in June, its 11th month of operations.



As many as 344 passenger complaints were received in June, data shows. The number of complaints per 10,000 passengers carried was around 0.28.



In June, Vistara had the best on-time performance, leapfrogging Akasa Air who had maintained the pole position for three straight months in a row till May. Vistara recorded an on-time performance of 88.3 percent at four metro airports  Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai.



IndiGo and Akasa Air were the second and third followed by Air Asia.



On-time performance of Indian carriers recorded a 4-5 percent drop in June compared to May as heavy rainfall across India forced the airlines to delay flights.
Shares of Tata Consultancy Services rose 1.5 percent in early trade on July 13 even after the company posted a muted set of earnings for the quarter ended June. The optimism for the stock arises from the fact that most brokerages remain positive about the long-term prospects of the information technology major.



The country's largest software services exporter registered a 16.8 percent increase in net profit on a year-on-year basis in the April-June quarter to Rs 11,074 crore, backed by strong growth in total contract value (TCV) deal wins despite a tough business environment. On a sequential basis, the bottomline fell 2.8 percent but still managed to top the analysts' expectations of Rs 10,886 crore.



Consolidated revenue for the quarter came in at Rs 59,381 crore, reflecting a 13 percent on-year rise, but below the estimate of Rs 59,480 crore. Sequentially, revenue grew by a marginal 0.4 percent, the slowest growth in the last 12 quarters.



Moreover, the operating margin contracted to 23.2 percent from 24.49 percent in the previous quarter due to wage hikes announced on April 1. The companys order book stood at $10.2 billion at the end of Q1, and the book-to-bill ratio stood at 1.4. This is marginally higher as against an order win of $10 billion in the last quarter.



At 09.19 am, shares of Tata Consultancy Services were trading with gains of 1 percent at Rs 3,293.10 on the National Stock Exchange.



Follow our live blog for all the market action



Brokerage firm JP Morgan has slashed its target price for the stock to Rs 2,650 from Rs 2,700 while retaining its 'underweight' call to factor in the subdued earnings. The firm also highlighted that the company was witnessing near term softness driven by uncertainty due to project pauses and deferrals.



Nomura has a slightly more bearish outlook for TCS as it maintained its 'reduce' rating for the stock, with a price target of Rs 2,800. However, the firm also believes that the company's order book is holding up, but expects its near term visibility to be low. Moreover, the brokerage also feels that the company is unlikely to hit 25 percent operating margins in FY24.



Also Read: TCS Q1 Results: Net profit up 16.8% at Rs 11,074 crore, revenue at Rs 59,381 crore



On the other hand, Jefferies also pointed that a subdued book-to-bill ratio and muted headcount additions for the IT company indicates demand uncertainties. The company also reiterated rising caution among clients across key verticals in Europe and North America. In addition, the brokerage sees the scrip's premium valuation limiting its upside potential. On that account, Jefferies has a 'hold' call for TCS, with a price target of Rs 3,450.



However, domestic brokerage Motilal Oswal Financial Services has a positive view on TCS, from a long-term perspective. "Given its size, order book and exposure to long-duration orders and portfolio, TCS is well positioned to withstand the weakening macro environment and ride

on the anticipated industry growth," the firm wrote in its report.



Further, MOFSL also expects TCS to benefit from its scale and ability to manage talent to control costs in the near to medium term. "This is especially visible in the fact that it has given timely increments despite growth concerns, which we expect to pay out over the medium term through easing attrition," the firm highlighted. Accordingly, MOFSL has a 'buy' call for the IT major, with a price target of Rs 3,790.



Nuvama Institutional Equities feels that the cut discretionary spending is already known and priced in by the market but it also expects growth to bounce back in FY25, driven by a sustainable strong demand environment. When that happens, Nuvama pegs TCS as one of the biggest beneficiaries of this demand, driven by its capabilities in winning transformational as well as cost-takeout deals. Likewise, the brokerage firm rolled out a 'buy' rating for the stock, with a target price of Rs 4,000.



Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Foreign portfolio investor Omers Administration Corporation has exited CSB Bank by selling entire shareholding in the bank via open market transactions on July 13. The stock corrected 0.6 percent to close at Rs 295.5. Canadian public pension fund Omers sold 20.89 lakh shares in the private sector lender at an average price of Rs 295.02 per share, and 15 lakh shares at an average price of Rs 295 per share, as per the bulk deals data available on the exchanges. The entire stake sale was worth Rs 105.9 crore. Omers Administration Corporation - Oac Custody Account (Scv6) had bought 35.89 lakh equity shares or 2.07 percent stake in CSB Bank, which is equivalent to 38 percent of anchor book, at Rs 195 per share, in November 2019. The current selling price was higher by 100 rupees compared to its IPO price. Century Textiles & Industries was also in focus. US-based private research university Vanderbilt University has offloaded 6.5 lakh equity shares or 0.58 percent stake in the Aditya Birla Group company. Vanderbilt sold shares at an average price of Rs 903.01 per share and the stake sale was worth Rs 58.69 crore. Century Textiles & Industries shares climbed one percent to close at Rs 897.

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Thomas Cook India shares rose more than 1 percent in early trade on July 13 after its step-down subsidiary acquired a 50 percent stake in 500 FT SPV Limited, a UAE-based company. At 9:44, Thomas Cook India was trading at Rs 77 apiece, up 1.5 percent from the previous day's close on the National Stock Exchange. In the last year, the stock has gained 22 percent. Follow our market blog for all the live action DEI Holdings Limited (DEI), a 51 percent step-down subsidiary of the company in UAE, has invested in "500 FT SPV Limited," a company incorporated in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Post the investment, DEI owns 50 percent stake in the company, Thomas Cook India informed the stock exchanges in a regulatory filing on July 12. The travel services company in early July said it has re-designated and appointed Mahesh Iyer as managing director and chief executive officer. Furthermore, the company has redesignated and appointed Madhavan Menon as executive chairman as a whole-time director from his earlier designation as chairman and managing director. In May, Desert Adventures Tourism, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thomas Cook India, and GCC-based travel conglomerate Kanoo Travel signed an agreement to establish a joint venture in Saudi Arabia. The company said that the collaboration will bring together two travel trade organisations in the Middle East, aiming to create the most comprehensive destination services company in the region. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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Global food and beverages major PepsiCo on Thursday said its Indian unit delivered a "high-single-digit organic revenue growth" in the second quarter of 2023.



The company's Convenient foods unit volume had a "mid-single-digit decline" in the June quarter, PepsiCo said in its global earnings statement.







Its beverage unit volume showed "low-single-digit growth" in the markets, including the Middle East and India, in the quarter which ended on June 17, 2023.







PepsiCo's net revenue in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia (AMESA) division, including India, declined 7.54 per cent to USD 1.56 billion as against USD 1.69 billion, primarily reflecting unfavourable foreign exchange and organic volume decline.







In the AMESA division, Convenient foods unit volume declined 6 per cent, primarily reflecting a double-digit decline in South Africa, partially offset by double-digit growth in the Middle East and mid-single-digit growth in Pakistan.







"Additionally, India experienced a mid-single-digit decline (in Convenient foods)," it said.







While its Beverage unit volume declined 3 per cent in AMESA. This primarily reflects "a double-digit decline in Pakistan and a mid-single-digit decline in Nigeria, partially offset by low-single-digit growth in the Middle East and India," it added.







PepsiCo's net revenue for the second quarter was at USD 22.32 billion, up 10.36 per cent.







In the June quarter, developing and emerging markets remained resilient and delivered double-digit organic revenue growth, as per the New York-based company.







PepsiCo owns popular brands such as Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew and Quaker.







Markets such as "Mexico, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Poland, and Vietnam delivered double-digit organic revenue growth, and India and China delivered high-single-digit organic revenue growth," the remarks by PepsiCo's Management said.







According to the company, in the last six months (Year-to-date), it has gained savoury snack share in many of its international markets, including China, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the Netherlands, South Africa, Belgium, and Pakistan.







While "for beverages, we gained market share in Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, India, Egypt, and Nigeria," it said.







"We are very pleased with our performance for the second quarter as our business momentum remains strong," the company's Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta said.







PepsiCo has also lifted the projections for 2023.







"As a result, we now expect our full-year organic revenue to increase 10 per cent (previously 8 per cent) and our core constant currency EPS to increase 12 per cent (previously 9 per cent)," Laguarta said. PTI KRH SHW




Pune-based realtor, Kolte Patil Developers Limited (KPDL), has registered sales of Rs 701 crore, up 58 percent in the Q1 FY24, that ended June 30, the company said in a regulatory filing on July 13. Collections from customers in the same quarter touched Rs 513 crore, an annual rise of 8 percent. It was, however, 13 percent lower than the Rs 589 crore registered in Q4 FY23. Sales volume for the quarter stood at 0.93 million square feet (msf) of development, up 52 percent compared to Q1 FY23. The company launched about 1.38 msf of developments in Pune in Q1 FY24, including the 24K Altura project in Baner and Arezo-JKD project in Life Republic township, Hinjawadi. During the quarter, realisations improved by 4 percent compared to Q1 FY23, to reach Rs 7,545 per square foot, a major contributor being the 24K Altura project. The company said new launches contributed about 43 percent to the pre-sales value. KPDLs flagship project, Life Republic (LR), registered sales volumes of 0.52 msf in the same quarter. Sales improved 58 percent by value and 52 percent by volume over Q1 FY23, on the back of strong traction across new launches and ongoing projects. Our 24K Altura project in Baner, launched in Q1 FY24, received a strong response further augmenting our position in the premium luxury segment. Customer sentiment remains robust and Kolte-Patil is well positioned to capitalise on this demand for larger homes and differentiated offerings," Rahul Talele, Group CEO, KPDL said. In May 2023, the company announced the acquisition of two projects in Pune with a topline potential of Rs 1,300 crore and two projects in Mumbai with a topline potential of Rs 1,200 crore.

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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- NIO, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, on July 13 announced the successful completion of the previously disclosed strategic investment of $738.5 million from CYVN Investments RSC Ltd., an affiliate of CYVN Holdings L.L.C., an investment vehicle majority owned by the Abu Dhabi Government with a strategic focus on advanced and smart mobility (collectively referred to as CYVN Entities).

According to publicly disclosed information, CYVN Entities has also acquired a number of Class A ordinary shares of NIO from a subsidiary of Tencent, for a total consideration of $350 million ("secondary share transfer"). Following the investment transaction and the secondary share transfer, CYVN Investments RSC Ltd. now holds approximately 7.0% of the total issued and outstanding shares of NIO.

NIO's delivery center in Nanxiang district; photo credit: NIO

Regarding NIO's investment from Abu Dhabi, the news was actually announced on June 20. On that day, NIO and CYVN Holdings signed a subscription agreement, through which CYVN would make a strategic investment of approximately $1.1 billion in NIO via private placements and secondary share transfers, while also engaging in strategic cooperation in NIO's international business.

As per one of the agreements, CYVN will invest roughly $738.5 million to subscribe for nearly 85 million newly issued Class A ordinary shares of NIO at a price of $8.72 per share. Additionally, CYVN has also reached an agreement with a Tencent-affiliated company (an existing shareholder of NIO) to acquire the stake the latter held in NIO.

NIO's founder, CEO, and chairman, William Li, stated, "CYVN's investment in NIO reflects the unique value of NIO in the global smart electric vehicle industry and will provide sustained momentum for NIOs long-term development."

Recent data shows that with the launch of new products such as the ET5T and the all-new ES8, NIO delivered 10,707 vehicles in June. In the first half of this year, NIO's cumulative deliveries reached 54,561 units, representing a year-on-year growth of 7.3%.
Byju's has roped in upGrad's former CEO, Arjun Mohan as the CEO of its international business, in a significant development as the edtech giant fights a host of battles, people aware of the matter told Moneycontrol.



Mohan, who previously served as Byju's' chief business officer for over 11 years, joined upGrad in April 2020, during the first wave of the pandemic. He left upGrad in December last year to explore outside opportunities.



He will be responsible for running Byju's overseas operations, while Mrinal Mohit will head the company's India operations. Currently, Byju's has entities in Singapore, the United States, and the Middle East, which contributed over Rs 1,000 crore to the company's revenue in fiscal year 2021 (2020-21). Byju's has not yet filed its results for fiscal year 2022 (2021-22). During the pandemic years, Byju's also acquired edtech companies like Tynker and Epic in the United States to expand its presence in the country.



Byju's declined to comment. Mohit did not respond to calls by Moneycontrol.



In May last year, Moneycontrol exclusively reported that Byju Raveendran, the co-founder and managing director of Byju's, was stepping away from routine India operations to focus on global businesses, especially in the US. Byju's had long been eyeing an IPO in the US, either through a direct listing or a SPAC (special purpose acquisition vehicle).



However, the company has been unable to do so, as a number of problems have haunted the world's most valuable edtech firm since then. These problems include accounting irregularities, tensions with lenders, the resignation of its auditor, and the departure of three key investor board members. Byju's, which is valued at $22 billion, currently has only three board members: Byju Raveendran, his wife and co-founder Divya Gokulnath, and his brother Riju Ravindran.



Also read | Behind the scenes: What happened between Byjus and board members?



In April, India's financial probe agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), searched Byju's offices under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act. The company, however, maintained that it was in full compliance with the law.



Last week, Byju's set up a board advisory committee to provide advice and guidance to the CEO on matters related to the composition of the board and the governance structure that is suitable for the company.
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Shares of SpiceJet gained 7 percent in early trade on July 13 as promoter Ajay Singh has decided to infuse Rs 500 crore into the company by way of subscribing fresh equity shares and/or convertible instruments.



"The board of directors of SpiceJet in its meeting held on July 12, 2023, considered options for raising fresh capital for the company wherein Mr. Ajay Singh, Promoter of the company in order to strengthen the financial position of the company offered to infuse Rs 500 crore by way of subscription to equity shares and/or convertible securities/equity share warrants on preferential basis along with promoter group of the company," the statement read.



The board deliberated on the matter and agreed to issue equity shares and/or convertible securities/equity share warrants on preferential basis to the promoter and/or the promoter group of the company, on preferential basis, in one or more tranches at an issue price to be determined in accordance with the SEBI ICDR Regulations for an amount of Rs 500 crore subject to the approval(s) of the shareholders of the company, the Securities and Exchange Board of India and/or any other competent authorities and such other approvals, consent, etc. as may be required in this regard.



With this fund infusion by the promoter, SpiceJet would be entitled to additional credit facilities of Rs. 206 Crore under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLG Scheme).



Catch all the market action on our live blog



I am pleased to announce that I will infuse Rs 500 crore into the company. SpiceJet has a bright future and I am committed to helping it achieve its full potential. This investment will allow the airline to accelerate its growth plans and capture new opportunities in the market, grow its revenue and profits. We are committed to building a sustainable and profitable business, and this investment is a reflection of that commitment, said Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet.



The airline is already utilising $50 million in funds received from ECLGS as well as its own cash reserves to restore its grounded aircraft.



In May, Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh stated that the airline is meticulously working towards returning the grounded fleet to the air as soon as possible.



At 09:22 hrs SpiceJet was quoting at Rs 32.77, up Rs 1.61, or 5.17 percent on the BSE.



The share touched a 52-week high of Rs 52.40 and a 52-week low of Rs 22.65 on 03 August, 2022 and 23 May, 2023, respectively.



Currently, the stock is trading 37.46 percent below its 52-week high and 44.68 percent above its 52-week low.



Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Zen Technologies Limited stock has gained over 40 percent in three trading sessions on the back of big order wins this month. The company recently secured a Rs 160 crore-worth order from the Government of India and a Rs 340-crore order in the export markets. At 11 am, Zen Tech's stock was quoting at Rs 618.65 on the NSE, higher by 7 percent from the previous close. Trading volumes at 81 lakh shares are 4 times the 1-month average volumes. Follow our live blog for all the market action Providing further details on the Rs 160-crore government order win, the company said that the order is related to supply of Anti Drone System to the Ministry of Defence. The contract is to be executed within 12 months. The small-sized defence company designs, develops and manufactures Combat Training Solutions (Simulators) for the training of defence and security forces worldwide. "The company, over the period of time, has built capability and has filed 125 patents across various products and processes," SBI Securities said in a note dated July 12. "We like the company for its asset-light business model, robust growth visibility given the strong order backlog, solid product portfolio and reasonable valuation supported by attractive margin and return ratios," it added. SBI Securities has a target of Rs 651 on the stock, valuing it at 42 times its one-year forward earnings. The company in March 2023 quarter reported a 510 percent on-year jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 20 crore. Its net profit stood at Rs 9 crore in the December 2022 quarter. Total revenue increased 215 percent YoY to Rs 96 crore, compared to Rs 30 crore reported in the corresponding period of last fiscal. On a sequential basis, total revenue for the quarter grew 76 percent.

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Electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla has held talks with the Indian government, exploring the possibility of bringing its auto parts and electronics chain to India and getting sops and tax breaks in the process.



The US-headquartered electric vehicle maker has shown interest in bringing its own supply chain ecosystem to India, even as the government has asked the company to assess the existing auto components supply chain in the country, the Economic Times reported on July 13.



Moneycontrol couldn't verify the report independently.



After meeting PM Modi during his trip to the US last month, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk had said: "He (PM Modi) really cares about India because he's pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do."



Musk also called himself a "fan of Mr Modi" and said that India had "more promise than any large country in the world".



Also Read: Tesla's manufacturing presence worldwide



We asked them about their specific needs and also urged them to consider sourcing their needs from the Indian ecosystem, a senior government official told the financial daily on condition of anonymity.



But these companies have a well-oiled system of their suppliers. These are initial talks so we are hopeful of making some headway, the official pointed out.



Further, Tesla US and Tesla India executives sought to know the structure of sops the company and its partners are likely to get to bring their manufacturing unit to India along with the supportive ecosystem, the report mentioned.



Also Read: Tesla said to be planning Indias integration in global component supply chains



Tesla executives held discussions with senior Indian officials and ministers in May this year on establishing a manufacturing base for cars and batteries in India. The world's largest electric car maker shelved its India entry plans because of high import tax structures.



Also Read: Tesla held talks with India on auto incentives, battery making: Report



Indias auto components industry, which accounts for 2.3 percent of the countrys GDP, is set to become the third-largest globally by 2025, according to the government. Tesla already buys about $100 million worth of steering wheel and other parts from India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India and France have agreed to use Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in this European nation, opening a huge new market for Indian innovation.



Addressing the Indian community at the La Seine Musicale, a performing arts centre on an island in river Seine, PM Modi said very soon Indian tourists will be able to make rupee payments using UPI from atop the Eiffel Tower.



"In France, an agreement has been made for the use of India's UPI...It will be started from the Eiffel Tower, and now Indian tourists would be able to make payments in Rupees, through UPI, in the Eiffel Tower," the prime minister said.



In 2022, the National Payments Corporation Of India (NPCI), the umbrella organisation that offers UPI services, signed an MoU with France's fast and secure online payment system, called Lyra.



In 2023, UPI and Singapore's PayNow signed an agreement, allowing users in either country to make cross-border transactions.



The UAE, Bhutan, and Nepal have already adopted the UPI payment system.



The NPCI international is in talks to extend the UPI services in the US, European countries, and West Asia.



Amid chants of Modi, Modi and Bharat Mata ki Jai, Modi also said in a few weeks or months from now a statue of great Tamil philosopher Thiruvalluvar will be built in the Cergy Prefecture.



Modi said France has decided to grant long-term five-year visas for students pursuing a masters degree in France.



The Prime Minister also appealed to the Indian community to invest in a big way in India as it makes rapid strides to emerge as a developed nation.



"Today every rating agency is saying that India is a bright spot. You invest in India now. This is the opportune time. Those who invest early will reap benefits," Modi said.



Modi also recalled a personal connection with France dating back to at least four decades when he had become the first member of Alliance Francaise Centre in Ahmedabad way back in 1981.



"My attachment to France is quite old, and I can never forget it. Around 40 years ago, a cultural centre of France was started in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and the first member of that very centre is today talking to you," the prime minister said.



Modi said India is the mother of democracy and the mother of diversity.



"This is our greatest strength. In India, there are more than 100 languages, 1,000 dialects. More than 32,000 newspapers get published every day in these languages," the prime minister said.
The Defence Ministry on July 13 approved the proposed procurement of 26 the naval variant of Rafale jets from France, the ministry said.



The approval for the procurement came from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) following a meeting held by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi set out on his two-day Paris visit.



The DAC, which is the defence ministry's highest decision-making body on procurement, also cleared a proposal for the construction of three more Scorpene class submarines in India.



The mega defence projects are expected to be announced after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday.



The DAC's approval for the projects came around a week after they were cleared by the Defence Procurement Board (DPB). The Indian Navy is looking to procure the 26 deck-based fighter jets for the indigenously-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.



After a lengthy process, the Navy had narrowed down on Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and French aerospace major Dassault Aviation's Rafale M aircraft. Later, Rafale-M, the naval variant of the jet, emerged as the winner in the race.



India has already procured 36 Rafale jets from France for the Indian Air Force. The Rafale jets are India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in the past 23 years after Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia.



As for the three submarines, they would be acquired under a repeat clause by the Indian Navy as part of Project 75. Under Project 75, six Scorpene submarines have already been made in India. The submarines will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).



"The procurement of additional submarines, with higher indigenous content, will not only help in maintaining the required force level and operational readiness of the Indian Navy but also create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector. It will also help the MDL in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction," the Defence Ministry said.



Together, the deals are estimated to be worth more than Rs 90,000 crore, media reports suggest. The cost will be finalised after completing contract negotiations once the deal is announced.



"The price and other terms of purchase will be negotiated with the French Government after taking into account all relevant aspects, including comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries. Further, the integration of Indian-designed equipment and establishment of Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) Hub for various systems will be incorporated into the contract documents after due negotiations," the ministry informed.
PM Modi France Visit Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from the members of the Indian Diaspora after he reached Paris, France ahead of the Bastille Day Parade to be held on July 14. He will be addressing them at 11 p.m. IST at the historic La Seine Musicale on July 13.

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The massive victory of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the Bengal panchayat elections clearly indicates the continued dominance of the TMC in state politics. Earlier during the 2021 assembly elections, the TMC had registered a massive victory, improving upon its performance in the 2016 assembly election.

During the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the TMC did face a challenge from the BJP but still was ahead of the BJP winning 22 Lok Sabha seats with 43.4 percent votes. Despite that, this victory in panchayat polls in no way gives a clear indication of how TMC might perform during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Recall that in 2018, TMC had won the Bengal panchayat polls in quite similar fashion only to face a stiff challenge from BJP in the Lok Sabha elections that followed. There are a few explanations for why the results dont tell us how TMC might perform in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Voters Differentiate Local-State-National

In most Indian states, the ruling party performs very well in the local body elections, if held within 2-3 years of the party coming to power. Recently in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP performed extremely well in the local body elections leaving its strongest rival a long distance behind. There are numerous such examples of the ruling party winning the local body election in the state. The local elections are contested largely on local issues, the constituencies are much smaller and voting considerations are different in local body elections compared to the assembly and Lok Sabha polls.

There are many examples in recent years which clearly indicate voters vote differently in different elections. In the Delhi Assembly elections of 2013, 2015 and 2020 voters opted for the Aam Adami Party (AAP) in a big way, but turned out massively in favour of the BJP during the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. While AAP won 67 and 63 in the house of 70 assembly seats in 2015 and 2020 assembly elections, the BJP won all the seven Lok Sabha elections both during the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

During the 2018 Assembly election in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, the Congress defeated the BJP in all the three states, but during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won all the 25 seats in Rajasthan and polled 59 percent, while Congress trailed behind with 34.6 percent votes. In MP, only Nakul Nath, son of senior Congress leader Kamal Nath managed to win from the Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat. The remaining 28 Lok Sabha seats of MP were won by the BJP which polled 58 percent votes. In Chhattisgarh, the BJP won nine Lok Sabha Seats with 50.7 percent votes while Congress won only two seats with 40.9 percent votes.

The voters indicated a different choice for assembly and Lok Sabha elections. In fact of the total 65 Lok Sabha seats from these three states the BJP won 62 and Congress won only three Lok Sabha seats. Compared to that of the total 520 assembly seats from these three states BJP won 197 seats and Congress won 282. Similarly, the BJP on an average polled 38.8 percent votes in these three states during the 2018 assembly election, but its average vote share in these three states went up to 57 percent during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. On the contrary, the average vote share of the Congress in MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh during assembly elections 2018 was 40.6 percent but it polled only 34.5 percent votes during the 2019 Lok Sabha election in these states.

The Bengal Picture

Even in West Bengal, voters have expressed slightly different choices while electing their state government and for Lok Sabha elections. During 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP polled 16.8 percent votes, but during the assembly elections held two years afterwards (2016) BJP secured just 10.2 percent votes. We find similar patterns during the 2019 Lok Sabha and the 2021 Assembly elections. The BJP polled 40.2 percent votes during the 2019 Lok Sabha election but its vote share declined to 37.8 percent during the 2021 Assembly elections.

The TMC polled 39.4 percent votes during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections but its vote share went up to 44.9 percent during the 2016 assembly elections. During the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the TMC polled 43.3 percent votes, but its vote share increased to 48 percent in 2021. Clearly the choice for TMC was more for the assembly elections compared to the Lok Sabha and for BJP it was vice-versa.

Hence, it is not surprising to note that the TMC performed extremely well in the recent Panchayat election. The TMC may still do well in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, given its massive support base in Bengal, but the panchayat election results cannot be taken as indication of how well or how bad TMC might perform in 2024.

Opposition Unity

With the panchayat results sealing the political dominance of the TMC in West Bengal, and BJP emerging as the sole challenger by a fair distance, these results may have adverse impact on the effort for opposition unity and seat sharing.

The TMC would certainly showcase this result as its complete dominance and complete marginalisation of the Congress and the Left parties in the state, and would be extremely reluctant to concede seats to the Congress and Left in case the three join hands against Narendra Modi for the electoral battle of 2024.

The TMC remains in the win-win situation, but these results may create further roadblocks in the way of a opposition unity platform that has both Congress-Left and TMC on board.

Sanjay Kumar is a Professor at Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS). He is also a Political Analyst. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- XPeng, a prominent smart electric vehicle (EV) company, announced earlier this week its strategic partnership with Freesbe for the Israeli market. Freesbe will play a crucial role in developing XPeng's sales and service network throughout Israel.

This partnership represents a significant milestone for XPeng's international expansion, marking its first foray into overseas markets outside of Europe.

Eric Xu, VP of International Markets at XPeng, stated, "We have seen the huge potential of Israel EV market and would like to bring local customers a new level of sophistication with our leading technologies and premium EV products. We believe in Freesbe sharing the same vision and ambition putting customers at the heart and collaborate comprehensively."

XPeng G6; photo credit: XPeng

As one of the largest car dealer groups in Israel, Freesbe is a listed company representing well-known brands such as Nissan, Infiniti, Renault, and DACIA. Its leasing division, lease4u, is one of the country's largest leasing companies.

Leveraging Freesbe's established network and impressive track record of customer satisfaction, XPeng will be able to rapidly expand its presence in the local EV market, said the Chinese EV maker.

Through this partnership, Freesbe will capitalize on the progressive EV transition in the Israeli market, while customers will enjoy a more intuitive and enjoyable EV experience. They will also gain access to Freesbe's well-established distribution network, benefiting from efficient service, high-quality standards, and the convenience of both offline and remote diagnosis as well as OTA updates.
It seems fitting that one of Googles most important inventions  one that would come back to haunt the company  was initially devised over lunch.



In 2017, researchers at Alphabet Incs Mountain View, California, headquarters were talking over their midday meal about how to make computers generate text more efficiently. Over the next five months they ran experiments and, not realising the magnitude of what theyd discovered, wrote their findings up in a research paper called Attention is All You Need. The result was a leap forward in AI.



The papers eight authors had created the Transformer, a system that made it possible for machines to generate humanlike text, images, DNA sequences and many other kinds of data more efficiently than ever before. Their paper would eventually be cited more than 80,000 times by other researchers, and the AI architecture they designed would underpin

OpenAIs ChatGPT (the T stands for Transformer), image-generating tools like Midjourney and more.



There was nothing unusual about Google sharing this discovery with the world. Tech companies often open source new techniques to get feedback, attract talent and build a community of supporters. But Google itself didnt use the new technology straight away. The system stayed in relative hibernation for years as the company grappled more broadly with turning its cutting-edge research into usable services. Meanwhile, OpenAI exploited Googles own invention to launch the most serious threat to the search giant in years. For all the talent and innovation Google had cultivated, competing firms were the ones to capitalise on its big discovery.



The researchers who co-authored the 2017 paper didnt see a long-term future at Google either. In fact, all of them have since left the company. Theyve gone on to launch startups including Cohere, which makes enterprise software, and Character.ai, founded by Noam Shazeer, the longest-serving Googler in the group who was seen as an AI legend at the company. Combined, their businesses are now worth about $4.1 billion, based on a tally of valuations from research firm Pitchbook and price-tracking site CoinMarketCap. They are AI royalty in Silicon Valley.



The last of the eight authors to remain at Google, Llion Jones, confirmed

this week that he was leaving to start his own company. Watching the technology he co-created snowball this past year had been surreal, he told me. Its only recently that Ive felt  famous? Jones says. No one knows my face or my name, but it takes five seconds to explain: I was on the team that created the T in ChatGPT.



It seems strange that Jones became a celebrity thanks to actions outside

Google. Where did the company go wrong?



One obvious issue is scale. Google has an army of 7,133 people working on AI, out of a workforce of about 140,000, according to an estimate from Glass.ai, an AI firm that scanned LinkedIn profiles to identify AI employees at Big Tech firms earlier this year for Bloomberg Opinion. Compare that to OpenAI, which sparked an AI arms race with a much smaller workforce  about 150 AI researchers out of approximately 375 staff in 2023.



Googles sheer size meant that scientists and engineers had to go through multiple layers of management to sign off on ideas back when the Transformer was being created, several former scientists and engineers

have told me. Researchers at Google Brain, one of the companys main AI divisions, also lacked a clear strategic direction, leaving many to obsess over career advancement and their visibility on research papers.



The bar for turning ideas into new products was also exceptionally high. Google doesnt move unless [an idea is] a billion-dollar business, says Illia Polosukhin, who was 25 when he first sat down with fellow researchers Ashish Vaswani and Jakob Uszkoreit at the Google canteen. But building a billion-dollar business takes constant iterating and plenty of dead ends, something Google didnt always tolerate.



Google did not respond to requests for comment.



In a way, the company became a victim of its own success. It had storied AI scientists like Geoffrey Hinton in its ranks, and in 2017 was already using cutting-edge AI techniques to process text. The mindset among many researchers was If it aint broke, dont fix it.



But thats where the Transformer authors had an advantage: Polosukhin was preparing to leave Google and more willing than most to take risks (hes since started a blockchain company). Vaswani, who would become their papers lead author, was eager to jump into a big project (he and Niki Parmar went off to start enterprise software firm Essential.ai). And Uszkoreit generally liked to challenge the status quo in AI research  his view was, if it aint broke, break it (hes since co-founded a biotechnology company called Inceptive Nucleics).



In 2016, Uszkoreit had explored the concept of attention in AI, where a computer distinguishes the most important information in a dataset. A year later over lunch, the trio discussed using that idea to translate words more

efficiently. Google Translate back then was clunky, especially with non-Latin languages. Chinese to Russian was terrible, Polosukhin remembers.



The problem was that recurrent neural networks processed words in a sequence. That was slow, and didnt take full advantage of chips that could process lots of tasks at the same time. The CPU in your computer at home probably has four cores, which process and execute instructions, but those used in servers for processing AI systems have thousands of cores. That means an AI model can read many words in a sentence at the same time, all at once. No one had been taking full advantage of that.



Uszkoreit would walk around the Google office scribbling diagrams of the new architecture on white boards, and was often met with incredulity. His team wanted to remove the recurrent part of the recurrent neural networks being used at the time, which sounded mad, says Jones. But as a few other researchers like Parmar, Aidan Gomez and Lukasz Kaiser joined the group, they started seeing improvements.



Heres an example. In the sentence, The animal didnt cross the street because it was too tired, the word it refers to the animal. But an AI system would struggle if the sentence changed to, because it was too wide, since it would be more ambiguous. Except now the system didnt. Jones remembers watching it work this out. I thought, This is special, he says.



Uszkoreit, who is fluent in German, also noticed the new technique could translate English into German far more accurately than Google Translate ever had.



But it took a long time for Google itself to apply the technique to its free translation tool, or to its language model BERT, and the company never deployed it in a chatbot that anyone could test out. That is, until the launch of ChatGTP in late 2022 forced Google to quickly release a rival called Bard in March 2023.



Over the years, the authors watched their ideas get applied to an array of tasks by others, from OpenAIs early iterations of ChatGPT to DALL-E, and from Midjourneys image tool to DeepMinds protein folding system AlphaFold. It was hard not to notice that the most exciting innovations were happening outside Mountain View.



You could argue that Google has simply been careful about deploying AI services. But slow doesnt always mean cautious. It can also just be inertia and bloat. Today some of the most interesting AI advancements are coming from small, nimble startups. It is a shame that many of them will get swallowed by big tech players, who are poised to reap the biggest financial benefits in the AI race even as they play catch-up.



Google may have the last laugh in the end, but in many ways it will have been an unimpressive journey.



Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.



Credit: Bloomberg
Next month, Japanese billionaire Hiroshi Mikitani will take the stage at the Rakuten Optimism conference, his e-commerce firms biggest event of the year.



Optimism isnt a word one associates with Rakuten Group Inc these days. The company appears in crisis mode, having lost money in 15 of the last 16 quarters. Shares trade at levels not seen since the aftermath of the financial crisis, when Japans stock market was in the doldrums.



Once the great hope for a Japanese online commerce and tech giant to match the likes of Amazon.com Inc or Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, Rakuten has been hamstrung for more than half a decade now with a problem entirely of its own making: the decision in 2017 to enter Japans already crowded mobile-carrier market.



In retrospect, that move has been a disaster. Rather than look to the future, where Rakuten could have dominated efforts to grow sectors such as mobile payments or artificial intelligence, Mikitani focused on the past. Its easy to see how the chief executive officer was swayed: The lucrative mobile market has meant big profits for the incumbents, Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corps Docomo, KDDI Corp and SoftBank Corp. The three remain among the nations largest and most profitable firms, despite repeated and increasingly pointed government attempts to reduce their fat profit margins.



Granting a license to Rakuten seemed part of those goals. But users have been unhappy with the quality of its network, and the company has struggled to convert its name value into subscribers. User numbers wallow at a fraction of rivals, and worse, growth has stalled.



While mobile losses have been narrowing, profits still seem distant, and its finances are worsening. In the past year, Rakuten has been forced into some ugly decisions to make up for this glaring hole. It has sold dollar bonds for yields of up to 12 percent, eye-watering rates for a company that gets nearly 85 percent of its revenue from Japan, where the central bank continues to hold rates below zero, and the overall market is shrinking. It ditched a stake in storied chain Seiyu after just two years, giving up on plans to make an online supermarket business to compete with Amazons.



It has raised nearly 300 billion yen ($2.1 billion) through a stock sale that further diluted already unhappy shareholders. Earlier this year, the company disposed of about a third of Rakuten Bank Ltd, the financial unit, in a public listing. Next, its planning to bring to market the highly successful online brokerage, Rakuten Securities Holdings Inc, having already sold 20 percent of the firm to Mizuho Financial Group Inc last year. None of this is enough: Bloomberg Intelligence analysts say the firm may look to sell more assets to plug funding holes through the end of next year. With options running low, that might include its 8.5 percent stake in ridesharing giant Lyft Inc, or Spanish peer Cabify.



Perhaps theres another option: selling the company outright back to Mikitani. Rumors that the firm was mulling a management buyout surfaced in the magazine Sentaku last week, and were the first good news investors have seen in months (the firm declined to comment on the report.) Such a move might appeal to Mikitani  a Michael Dell-style take-private that would allow him to restructure at leisure. He and his wife already hold more than 25 percent of the firm. But financing such a move was much easier when Dell did it in 2013 than it would be now. Rakuten badly needs access to the capital markets to stay on top of its debt repayments.



The firm is pinning its hopes on fixing mobile. Nearly half of its most recent earnings presentation was devoted to the lofty goal of becoming Japans number one carrier. Hopes rest on boosting network quality, with reception woes the chief reason for its poor reputation with consumers. Rakutens counting on being allocated the 700Mhz platinum wireless band as early as this autumn, while in the interim, its expanding a roaming agreement with KDDI.



SoftBank overcame similar reputational struggles after its own highly expensive entry to the mobile market in the mid-2000s. But Masayoshi Sons firm had an ace in the hole in the form of exclusive access to the iPhone, thanks to Sons relationship with Steve Jobs. Japans mobile market might have already been mature then, but the shift to smartphones was just beginning.



Its hard to see a similar game-changer for Rakuten. These days moving carriers is easier than ever, a double-edged sword at best for Rakuten as Docomo and KDDI expand their own discount options. It also remains unclear how, having spent years pitching Rakuten as a discount brand, the company intends to upsell consumers and increase average revenue per user. As many Japanese brands have discovered over the years, being the cheapest is often a losing strategy.



Rakutens core business is strong. But increasingly, the carriers reputation risks impacting the existing brand. Instead of a buyout of the company, the time is rapidly approaching for the firm to consider when to hang up its mobile plans  before theres nothing left to sell.



Gearoid Reidy is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.



Credit: Bloomberg
Three weeks after hosting an opposition parties meeting in Patna to establish a united front against Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the 2024 elections, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is now focused on saving his government in the state.



This comes after his deputy, Tejashwi Yadav, was named in a chargesheet filed on July 3 by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is investigating an alleged land-for-jobs scam.



Kumars silence regarding the chargesheet against Yadav contradicts his claim of zero tolerance towards corruption. The BJP has been demanding the removal of Yadav from the cabinet and even staged protests in this regard inside the legislative assembly.



Read: Despite Patna start, seat sharing and Index Of Opposition Unity will trouble the incipient coalition



There have been rumours that Kumar, who has been playing a pivotal role for the opposition in the run-up to the general elections, might join the BJP. However, BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, have said that this won't happen.



In governance, every day is a new situation. Kumar has national ambitions and doesnt want to spoil his chances. Hence he is tolerating Yadav, said political analyst Rasheed Kidwai.



As Chief Minister, Kumar has a certain standing, which is one of the reasons the opposition was seen together in Patna on June 23, explained Kidwai. At this juncture, Kumar would not take any step which could destabilise his government in the state. The two parties, Janata Dal (United) and Yadavs Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have equal clout in the administration, added Kidwai.



Between 2004 to 2009, when Tejashwis father Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Union Railways Minister under the UPA regime, he allegedly offered Group D appointments in the railways in exchange for plots of land registered under the names of his family members, including his daughters and son Tejashwi.



Read more: Nitish sets off 2024 poll campaign in Hindi Heartland



Another political analyst, Dr Sanjay Kumar, said, The opposition BJP will make every effort to corner the incumbent government regarding the charges against Tejashwi Yadav, but it wont be easy for Kumar to remove him from power.



If Tejashwi Yadav belonged to Nitish Kumars party, it would have been easier for him to dismiss him. However, since he is with the RJD, if Nitish Kumar speaks against him, the government will collapse, Sanjay Kumar added.



He further mentioned that every regional party aspires to play a role at the national level, including Nitish Kumars JDU. But, Considering the 2024 general elections, Nitish Kumar will strive to strengthen his position in the state first, explained Sanjay Kumar.
Warning the global community about security challenges which have evolved from "dynamite to metaverse" and "hawala to crypto currency", Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday urged G20 countries to rise above conventional boundaries to act against such crimes.



Speaking at the 'G20 Conference on Crime and Security in the Age of NFTs, AI & Metaverse', he underlined the threats emanating from cyber criminals using darknet, metaverse, deepfakes, ransomware and toolkit-based misinformation campaigns and strategic targeting of critical information and financial systems.



"The G20 has so far focused on digital transformation and data flow from an economic perspective, but now it is important to understand the aspects of crime and security, and find a solution," he said.



Shah said such activities are a national concern as they directly impact national security, law and order, and the economy. If such crimes and criminals have to be stopped, we have to think and act by rising above the conventional geographic boundaries, he noted.



The home minister suggested a slew of measures to act against cyber criminals operating across borders like bringing uniformity in laws of all countries, developing a response mechanism under different laws of the countries, harmonising bench marks, best practices and regulations, and greater coordination among cyber agencies of all countries.



"An integrated and stable approach to cyber security policies will facilitate interoperability, increase trust in information sharing, and reduce the agency protocol and resources gaps. The need of the hour is to share 'real-time cyber threat intelligence' among member countries with active support from industry and academia to secure the nation's critical infrastructure," he said.



Shah said our internet vision should neither be one of excessive freedom threatening the very existence of our nations nor one of the isolationist structures such as digital firewalls.



"Although technology is a positive development in bringing human beings, communities, and countries closer, there are also some anti-social elements and global forces that are using technology to cause economic and social harm to citizens and governments," he added.
Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal expressed Vedanta's commitment to semiconductor manufacturing via a tweet. Agarwal went on to call the semiconductor chips keys to young India's dreams, as he wrote in Hindi, 'issi chip mein chupi hai yuva bharat ke sapno ki chaabi'.



The tweet highlights the challenges the multinational mining company faces as it has forayed into the semiconductor business.



Agarwal urged companies all over the world to invest in the sector, citing the huge potential India has.



"We need several ventures to help India become a semiconductor and display glass hub. We welcome Foxconn and the whole world to come and invest in this sector," Agarwal said.



The chairman also expressed gratitude towards his team and towards the government for taking 'proactive steps' towards self-sufficiency in manufacturing semiconductor chips and display glass, the two sectors in which India and many other countries rely on China.



"We are thankful to our government for taking proactive steps towards realising the dream of atmanirbharta and electronics. I am proud of my team that has worked hard for the last one and a half years," Agarwal tweeted.



The mining industry veteran ended his tweet by claiming that India is unstoppable and said that the country will build another silicon valley here.



"Nobody can stop our country from building another silicon valley. This is a turning point for our country," the Vedanta Chairman tweeted.



Also, Vedanta in a clarification to the stock exchanges on July 12 said that the company has not received a formal communication from Foxconn stating their intention to withdraw from the Joint Venture Agreement and that it has come to their notice only through a news article.



Vedanta reiterated that it is fully committed to its semiconductor wafer fab project. The companys relentless and steady efforts aim at fulfilling the Prime Minister's vision for semiconductors and the Company is committed to making India self-reliant in electronics. it added.



The company further stated that it will intimate the stock exchanges with all relevant developments concerning the matter and make necessary disclosures as required under Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirement) Regulations, 2015.



On July 12, the Vedanta chairman also said that the company is committed to making sizable investments across business verticals in the coming years at the companys annual general meeting (AGM) for FY23.
A male passenger abused the crew and broke the toilet door on a Toronto-New Delhi Air India flight. A report in The Times of India stated that a case was registered against the man with the Delhi police for the incident, which took place on July 8. The passenger, identified as Mahesh Pandit from Kathmandu, was taken to the security agencies for further investigation. The complaint against the man was made by the cabin supervisor on the aircraft- Aditya Kumar- who told the police about his behavior. Kumar claimed in the complaint that the man was caught with a lighter and a cigarette inside the toilet, following a smoke alert. "When I opened the door in front of the passenger, he pushed me back and ran to his seat 26F. When I tried to stop him, he pushed me and abused me as well. Later, he broke the lavatory door. Then I informed the captain immediately and following his instruction, we tried to restrain him as per the SOP," the complaint read. Kumar added that the man was restrained with assistance from 10 other passengers on the flight. An Air India spokesperson released a statement, detailing the incident that took place last week. "A passenger on flight AI188 of July 8, 2023 operating Toronto-Delhi displayed unacceptable aggression during flight. He smoked in the lavatory, damaged the lavatory door and assaulted crew and passengers, leaving them with minor injuries," the spokesperson said. Also read: Air India pilot refuses to fly citing duty hours, passengers stranded after diversion: report

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A two-judge bench of the Delhi High Court on July 13th set aside antitrust proceedings in the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against telecom giant Ericsson and agrochemical company Monsanto.



The court held that the Patents Act of 1970 is a special law, and any issue related to a party's exercise of its patent rights should be addressed exclusively under the patent law, rather than the Competition Act of 2002. Additionally, the court ruled that the CCI lacks the jurisdiction to investigate whether a company, in the exercise of its patent rights, has abused its dominant position.



Monsanto and Ericsson initially approached the court in 2015 and 2020, respectively, to seek a resolution of this legal question arising from the antitrust proceedings against them.



By delivering this judgment, the court has resolved the dispute regarding whether the CCI can investigate allegations of abuse of a dominant position based on a company's patent holdings.



Ericsson's case:



Ericsson sued mobile phone manufacturer Micromax stating that its phones infringed upon its patent and demanded that it pay a royalty. Micromax and Intex filed complaints before CCI alleging abuse of dominant position by Ericsson stating that the company was demanding unfair royalty from them for the use of its technology. The CCI took a primary view that Ericsson was abusing its dominant position because it owns the patents and ordered an investigation into the company's conduct.



Ericsson approached the Delhi HC against this order and argued that CCI could not deal with matters pertaining to patent infringement and royalties as the patent act is a specialised law.



Monsanto's case:



Monsanto held the patent for a technology to produce genetically modified cotton seeds. It had licensed the technology to certain manufacturers in India such as Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd. These Indian companies had to pay a non-refundable fee and a recurring fee to use its technology.



The companies approached the CCI against this arguing that Monsanto was abusing its dominant position by virtue of holding the patent for this technology. CCI had decided to investigate the issue, after taking a primary view that Monsanto had abused its dominant position. Monsanto approached the Delhi High Court against this order contending that the CCI could not decide on patent rights.



Single judge's order:



A single judge of Delhi HC refused to stay the investigation against these companies and held that CCI was not wrong in ordering this investigation as it has only taken a prima facie view. Thus permitting the anti-trust watchdog to continue investigating them. The companies then approached the division bench against this order.



Two-judge bench:



The two-judge bench after a detailed consideration concluded that any issue pertaining to the exercise of patent law must necessarily be investigated under Patents Act and not from the purview of the competition act.



The CCI can however approach the Supreme Court against this order.



Monsanto was represented by law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. Speaking of the judgment, Naval Satarawala Chopra, a partner in the firm, said "Todays ruling by the Division Bench of the High Court is a significant departure from some of the past decisions where the Courts would rule in the CCIs favour. We are happy that after lengthy arguments, the Delhi High Court has ultimately followed a pragmatic approach. This decision is likely to give respite to licensors and holders of intellectual property who have been embroiled in competition litigation.
In a rare medical case, an American man's tongue underwent a startling transformation, turning green and sprouting a hairy coat. The bizarre occurrence was allegedly triggered by the man smoking cigarettes while concurrently taking antibiotics. The details of this rare condition were recently published in the renowned New England Journal of Medicine.



The unidentified 64-year-old patient from Ohio sought medical attention several weeks after noticing a dramatic change in the appearance of his tongue, which had transformed into a tufty emerald organ.



Doctors diagnosed him with a condition known as "hairy tongue," characterized by an abnormal coating of skin cells on the tongue's surface. This happens when the filiform papillae, small conical protrusions that contain taste buds, become enlarged and discoloured due to a buildup of debris and bacteria, New York Post reported.



The appearance of hair-like structures on the tongue is a result of this enlargement, with some strands growing up to an inch if not regularly scraped. These elongated papillae act as traps, collecting various substances such as bacteria, food particles, and yeast, resembling an oral gill net, according to reports from the Daily Mail.



The American Academy of Oral Medicine explains that the colour of hairy tongue can vary, ranging from brown and white to green and pink, depending on the cause and factors like mouthwashes or even candy.



Although poor oral hygiene is a common cause of hairy tongue, the condition, more prevalent in adults over 40 and particularly in men, can be aggravated by smoking. Smoking leads to the accumulation of bacteria and plaque on the tongue, exacerbating the condition. However, the doctors did not disclose how long the Ohio man had been smoking tobacco.



The antibiotic regimen the patient had recently completed for a gum infection, involving the use of clindamycin, could have contributed to the development of his hairy tongue. Taking antibiotics can disrupt the mouth's microbial balance, altering the composition and quantity of bacteria, which may then accumulate on the tongue's surface, as explained by WebMD.



Doctors did not specifically attribute the patient's ailment to smoking, antibiotic use, or a combination of both factors. Fortunately, although this condition can be alarming, it is generally harmless, with the most notable symptom being a burning sensation on the tongue.



Read: Kerala man's tongue turns 'black and hairy' after being put on a pureed diet



The treatment involves gently scrubbing his tongue with a toothbrush four times a day, using a toothbrush or tongue scraper to remove the oral coating. Doctors also strongly advised him to quit smoking.



It can take a few months for the condition to reverse depending on the steps taken by the patient.
A UK woman has opened up about her near-death experience after ignoring what she thought was signs of stress. Victoria Danson, a 33-year-old woman, was working 60 hours a week between two jobs when she was hospitalised with severe abdominal pains, according to The Mirror.



The mother-of-one had initially brushed off her symptoms as typical signs of stress and fatigue  until she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Her condition was only diagnosed after multiple doctor visits over a period of one year.



Danson was told she was developing an abscess in her abdomen and had 24 hours to live. A successful surgery gave her a new lease on life.



The surgeon came around and took my hand and he went, 'I don't know how you were managing to live. It's an absolute mess in there', Danson explained. He said I had an abscess, but I also had abdominal sepsis, but they didn't know this before they cut me up. He was like, honestly, another 24 hours and you would not have made it, we made the best decision.







Doctors removed 18 inches of her small bowel and gave her an ileostomy bag. Using the ileostomy bag was her only chance at survival, Danson was told.



The UK woman said she had a tough time accepting the lifestyle changes she was forced to make. Danson has to avoid high-fibre food and caffeine, while taking supplements and drinking green tea to keep her condition in check.



My life massively changed. At first, it was more the mental aspect of accepting the bag, but actually, the quality of life that it has given me since has really helped me accept that bag, she said.
Billionaire Elon Musk said on Wednesday he thinks China is interested in a cooperative international framework on artificial intelligence, from conversations he had when he visited China a few weeks ago. Musk made the remarks in a Twitter Space event with two U.S. congressmen, Democrat Ro Khanna and Republican Mike Gallagher. "China is definitely interested in working in a cooperative international framework for AI regulation," Musk said. He added that he has advocated for artificial intelligence regulations and oversight, including in his meetings in China. The remarks came on the same day that Musk launched his long-teased artificial intelligence startup, xAI, after arguing for months about AI's potential for "civilization destruction." A few weeks ago, Musk traveled to China, where his Tesla electric car company has a factory in Shanghai, and met with China's foreign, commerce and industry ministers in Beijing. He also met with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang. After meeting with officials during his China trip, Musk last month said the Chinese government would seek to initiate artificial intelligence regulations in China. Several governments are considering how to mitigate the dangers of the emerging technology, which has experienced a boom in investment and consumer popularity in recent months after the release of OpenAI's ChatGPT. Regulators globally have been scrambling to draw up rules governing the use of generative AI, which can create text and images, and whose impact has been compared to that of the internet.

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Beijing (Gasgoo)- On July 12, the Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory celebrated a significant milestone as the one millionth Model Y rolled off the production line.

Photo credit: Tesla

Achieving this feat in just approximately 30 months is particularly impressive, considering the factory opened its doors in 2019 and initially focused solely on producing the Model 3. The construction of the Model Y Phase 2 production area was still underway at that time. The localized production of the Model Y in China began in early 2021.

This achievement is even more remarkable considering the obstacles faced, including supply chain disruptions and factory closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Presently, the Shanghai Gigafactory serves as Tesla's primary vehicle export hub, catering to 10 countries across four continents, including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand.

Earlier this year, the factory started exporting the Model Y vehicles to countries such as Canada and Mexico. Despite Tesla establishing additional factories since the inception of the Shanghai Gigafactory, this Chinese facility continues to be a symbol of efficiency and productivity, currently boasting the highest production output for the company.

According to data compiled by the China Passenger Car Association, Tesla scored a 20.57% jump in June monthly wholesale volume, which came in at 93,680 vehicles. Notably, wholesale volume of the Model Y stood at 63,043 units, outshining other passenger vehicle models in China in June, and accounted for 67.3% of the carmaker's total monthly volume.
The UK economy shrank slightly in May, hit partly by an extra public holiday for the coronation of King Charles III, official data showed Thursday.



Gross domestic product decreased by 0.1 percent in May, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement.



That beat expectations for a contraction of 0.3 percent and followed a 0.2-percent rise in April.



Output slid as businesses downed tools for the extra bank holiday to celebrate the royal event.



"GDP fell slightly as manufacturing, energy generation and construction all fell back with some industries impacted by one fewer working day than normal," said ONS economic statistics director Darren Morgan.



"Meanwhile, despite the coronation bank holiday, pubs and bars saw sales fall after a strong April.



"However, services were flat overall with health recovering, with less impact from strikes than in the previous month, and IT also had a strong month."



Activity remains under strain from the cost-of-living crisis, sparked by stubbornly high inflation, and rising interest rates.



"While an extra bank holiday had an impact on growth in May, high inflation remains a drag anchor on economic growth," noted finance minister Jeremy Hunt in reaction to the data.



"The best way to get growth going again and ease the pressure on families is to bring inflation down as quickly as possible."



There was zero economic growth in the three months to May, compared with the three months to February, the ONS added.



But the economy was 0.2 percent larger than its pre-pandemic level.



"May's GDP figures demonstrate that the economy remains listless and that the recovery signalled by many of the business surveys... has not taken hold yet," said Samuel Tombs, chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.



"Looking ahead, we continue to think that the economy will regain a little momentum in the second half of this year, led by a pick-up in households' real expenditure."



The Bank of England has ramped up interest rates 13 times in a row to the current level of five percent in an attempt to dampen stubbornly-high consumer prices.



UK annual inflation unexpectedly held at 8.7 percent in May, causing the central bank to hike by a larger-than-expected amount.



June inflation data is slated for publication next Wednesday.
Alliance Airlines shares soared today, rising by 13.43% after the company announced it has surpassed the top end of its profit guidance by $1.69 million and shared plans for expansion of its fleet of E190s.

Alliance Aviation Services [ASX:AQZ] operators of Alliance Airlines has seen shares soar today, up by 13.43% to 38 cents per share in a remarkable recovery for the regional airline.

This comes after the company released an earnings and business update today that showed FY23 Net Profit Before Tax is now expected to be $56.9 million, up from the previously estimated $5055 million.

Todays dramatic share price upswing has renewed interest in the fly-in, fly-out charter operator. Its considerable fleet expansion has clearly built out its market and helped recover the share price, which has seen its value slide for the past year, down by 6.96%.

Lets cover what else the company announced today and what it means for the share price.

Source: TradingView

Alliance Airlines profits beat FY23 guidance

In an update today, Alliance Airlines confirmed its unaudited underlying FY23 Net Profit Before Tax had surpassed the top end of guidance by $1.69 million, pushing the share price up by 13.43%.

Alliance Airlines is one of Australias leading fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) charter operators. It serves the mining, energy, and tourism sectors, and provides specialist aviation services to clients and other airlines.

Its potential growth and headline interest have only been curtailed in the past through large decisions brought down by the ACCC, Australias competition watchdog.

In 2021, ACCC blocked a cooperation agreement with Virgin in competing for FIFO contracts. While in April this year, Qantas was denied its $611 million takeover bid of Alliance, citing competition concerns in both cases. This left Qantas holding a nearly 20% stake in its rival.

Though bigger contracts and joint ventures have been disrupted, the company has persisted with long-term FIFO contracts with mining and energy companies throughout Australia.

Source: Alliance Airlines

Today, Alliance confirmed the penning of a five-year contract with Incitec Pivot [ASX:IPL] to provide eight weekly flights from mine operations in Northern QLD. This contract will extend the QLD mine service to 27 years of continuous service by Alliance.

Alliances Managing Director, Scott McMillan, commented on the extension today, saying:

The long tenure of this contract is attributable to our superior operational capability, which is focused on delivering safe, reliable and on-time services. Longevity of customer relationships based upon the high standards we provide is the cornerstone of our success in the FIFO sector.

In February this year, Alliance announced it had entered into a contract with AerCap Ireland to acquire 30 additional Embraer E190 jet aircraft. This expands its fleet from 33 to 63 and is scheduled to begin delivery in September, with the final delivery in January 2026.

Since then, Alliance has seen a faster-than-expected post-COVID recovery. Consequently, they have ordered four additional E190 airframes to assemble in Costa Rica and bring into operation by mid-2024.

The expansion of Alliance will be bolstered by a new line of credit secured in the second half of FY23. Alliance secured private funding of $100 million from Pricoa, the private debt and investment division of PGIM  the global investment management giant with approximately $ 1.27 trillion under management.

The company says the facility can be drawn down to fund future aircraft settlements and working capital requirements.

Alliances outlook

Todays share price reflects the renewed optimism investors feel for Alliance.

In the short term, Alliance has shown that its contracts are diversified enough between commodities to give it a sense of security in a weaker commodity environment.

Source: Alliance

In the long-term, its clear the line of credit is a nod to future expansion by the company as it extends its fleet and continues its wet-lease operations, where staff and capital are rented to other airlines across Australia and the Pacific.

Long-term expansion by the company may eventually have to move outside of the FIFO model and begin to step into the domestic consumer base, bringing it into larger competition with Qantas and its low-cost carrier Jetstar.

This could be a challenging space to push into as the concentration of domestic providers is very high, even for countries with similarly limited major carriers.

Here is an example from 2022, highlighted by the ACCC in its most recent report.

Despite the similarity in concentration, smaller carriers still hold a larger market share. This benefits consumers by providing cheaper flight options. It also creates opportunities for new airlines to enter the market.

The stars are aligning for Alliance in the short term, and their growth from here should be one for investors to watch. However, the ceiling for domestic carriers in Australia is something to be concerned about in such a concentrated market.

The company has said it will release its full FY23 results, post-market close on 9 August 2023. Until then, this could be one to file in potential growth stocks.

But in turbulent markets, savvy investors need to be finding more than just growth stocks.

In uncertain times defensive positions often mean looking for companies that will weather the storm and provide dividends.

Finding dividends that are worth your time

The market has roiled stock investors for the past year  steady ground has been rare.

With things looking uncertain in the stock market, maybe its time to change tactics.

Smart investors are focusing on quality stocks that can provide safety and pay dividends.

But blindly buying the best dividend-payers could be a fruitless move beyond the short term.

Thats why our investing expert and Editorial Director, Greg Canavan, has spent his time finding the smart move.

He calls it the Royal Dividend Portfolio, and its the sweet spot between growth and dividends.

If you think youre overexposed in uncertain times or simply too defensive with cash and bonds, you need to consider making a smart play.

Click here to learn more about what that looks like.

Regards,

Charles Ormond

For Money Morning
MUMBAI, IndiaIndian sexual wellness brand IMBesharam.com is celebratrating its 10th anniversary this month, and to mark the occasion, the company hosted a giveaway in partnership with more than a dozen creators and four brands, including international adult star Jia Lissa.

In addition to Lissa, participating creators included Pallavi Barnwal, Kajol Tyagi, Zoya Ali, Bhavi Singhal and Nick & Sayantika. Also taking part were fellow brands in the sex tech space like Sangya Project, Sassiest, PeeSafe and Sex Shiksha.

"We are incredibly grateful for the love and support we have received over the past decade. This 10th-anniversary giveaway was our way of giving back to our community and has made IMBesharam.com the success it is today," said Raj Armani, CEO and founder of IMBesharam.com. "We are humbled by the engagement and enthusiasm shown by our audience, and we look forward to continuing to support our vision of promoting sexual wellness and positivity."

Armani continued, "We are thrilled to have reached this incredible milestone, and we want our customers to know that this is just the beginning. We have many exciting plans in store for the coming year and beyond, and we invite everyone to stay tuned for more updates."

The brand recently collaborated with Indian star Uorfi Javed, and aims to continue making a mark as a leader in the Indian adult industry.
July 13, 2023 Open (Not Ukraine) Thread 2023-165 News & views (not related to the war in Ukraine) ... News & views (not related to the war in Ukraine) ... Posted by b on July 13, 2023 at 13:22 UTC | Permalink Comments next page  next page 
July 13, 2023

Ukraine Open Thread 2023-166

Only for news & views directly related to the Ukraine conflict.

The current open thread for other issues here.

Please stick to the topic. Contribute facts. Do not attack other commentators.

Posted by b on July 13, 2023 at 13:26 UTC | Permalink

Comments

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Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post.
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Department of Corrections acting Director Joseph Carbullido answers questions during a budget hearing Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Guam Congress Building in Hagatna.
Zaldy Dandan is a recipient of the Best Editorial Writer Award of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the CNMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com/.
As NATO launches its conference in Vilnius, Lithuania, in preparation for increased military operations in the stalemated Ukraine conflict, and is for the first time inviting in countries from the Asia-Pacific region, Japan and South Korea, in what they hope to be an extension of the NATO tentacles to the Pacific region, the much-touted "NATO unity" seems to be more illusion than reality.

Firstly, there is the internal dissension over how to handle the conflict in Ukraine. The United States will provide "cluster bombs" to Ukraine, which have been banned by over 100 countries due to the significant risk they pose to civilian populations, including many of the NATO countries who have already expressed opposition to the U.S. decision to send them to Ukraine.

A main topic of discussion in Vilnius will be the relationship between Ukraine and NATO. Ukraine wants in now, and is supported by some of nations like Poland and the Baltic states. Joe Biden, undoubtedly with the support of many other NATO countries, said no  at least, not yet. Such a decision now would mean that NATO has officially been at war with Russia, and then all bets are off. Even setting a timetable may be difficult, as Ukraine has a long way to go in coming up to par with NATO requirements.

NATO has expanded this year with the addition of Finland, but its Swedish neighbor, which intended to come in at the same time as Finland, was held up by objections from NATO member, Turkiye  and Hungary  which feels that the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), considered by Turkiye as a terrorist group, has freedom to operate in the ultra-liberal climate of Sweden.

Even the unity among the traditional nations of Western Europe is wearing thin. The massive social unrest in France is reflective of the population's opposition to French President Emmanuel Macron's war policy. Similarly in Germany, recent election losses for Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats have been fueled by the major economic difficulties Germany has experienced in its desire to stick with Biden on the Ukraine war policy. The "stalwart" Netherlands is now going through a change of government, which creates uncertainty about its future position with regard to the war in Ukraine. NATO was intent on electing a new secretary general this year, but dissension over the candidates, and a personal appeal from Biden, convinced the sitting Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to continue in his post.

The addition of Japan and South Korea as "observers" at the summit presages an attempt to expand the NATO alliance to the Asia-Pacific region. Ostensibly, this is because of the increased activities of Democratic People's Republic of Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un. In reality, it is primarily predicated on the U.S. desire to build a semi-military alliance of sorts in the new "Indo-Pacific" construct, which is aimed at countering the growing influence of China in the region.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who has been most fervent in his desire to ally himself with the Biden policy, has been losing popularity among the Japanese people since his fanfare Hiroshima G7 Summit earlier this year, due to his proposed tax hikes that are to finance his increased defense spending.

Similarly with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. While his position does not seem to be in danger as a result of his desire for better relations with Japan and the U.S., his complacency with regard to Japan's decision to release nuclear-contaminated water at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station could be a source of trouble if it leads, as people fear, to serious damage to fish and wildlife in the waters around South Korea.

More importantly, the global fallout of the Ukraine crisis is creating serious economic and financial difficulties for both of these countries, whose relationship with China, the main engine of growth in the region, remains of vital importance.

Even the United States is not immune to the fallout of this undeclared war with Russia using Ukraine as a surrogate. Both Donald Trump, still the leading Republican candidate for president, as well as the growing opposition within the Democratic Party, led by presidential challenger Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is in the process of creating a more vocal anti-war movement in the United States. Joe Biden won the presidency largely on his claims to end the war in Afghanistan. However, for the upcoming one, he might lose on the basis of his determination to continue a war with Russia.

The unity claimed by NATO may be a mile-wide, but it is only an inch deep. The slightest turbulence might disrupt it entirely. Source: CGTN)
The Jefferson County Fair is celebrating 150 years this year with several activities for all ages.

The fair kicked off Sunday afternoon with a parade that had 42 entries. Exhibits and livestock were entered on Wednesday. Mutton Bustin and a barrels, broncs and bulls rodeo were also held on Wednesday evening.

Fair Board President Lois Welsh said there were some plans for a special program on Sunday afternoon at the 4-H Building to observe the 150 years.

We have photographs, and some people are bringing memorabilia from past years on Sunday afternoon, she said. There was also a special ribbon designed for this years fair.

The fair was first held in what is now the city park in Fairbury. Before there was a park, it was a horse racetrack and races were held during the fair.

I dont know a lot of details about early fairs, but I do remember my Aunt Grace talking about marching during the fair. She was a member of a Christian womens temperance group, she said.

I remember in the 1940s my mother had a hamburger stand as a part of the fair. It was in the same building as the rabbits and chickens underneath the grandstand.

Welsh said she had been on the board for 34 years and was one of the first women to serve. She noted this might be her final year to serve.

She added there had been an octagon shaped building on the fairgrounds many years ago, but it had been replaced by the current Merchants Building.

Mitch Zabokrtsky of Fairbury said he remembers the building.

He noted that his family moved to Jefferson County from Kansas in 1949 when he was 10 years old and he remembers the building.

It was the Merchants Building and they had their displays, he said. It had a cone shaped roof.

Zabokrtsky said the Civilian Conservation Corp during the Depression had a camp where the fairgrounds are now. They had dorm space and a mess hall.

He noted that the young men had built different buildings including the Jansen Auditorium and the Daykin High School.

Zabokrtsky said he had 15 siblings, and they were all members of a 4-H Club.

We lived on a farm between Steele City and Endicott. We joined a club near Diller. In 1949 I remember an Angus calf as a 4-H project. The year before I had Hampshire hogs. We all had horses, but I dont remember all of what we did.

Open class exhibits are on display in the Merchants Building with 4-H static exhibits in the 4-H Building. Fair events will be held through Sunday, July 16. A full schedule of events can be found at jeffcofair.com.
U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, speaks with reporters outside the Capitol building on Thursday, May 25, 2023. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

LINCOLN  U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy made a trip this week to Nebraska for steak, not Bacon or a Flood.

McCarthy dined Monday with Nebraska conservative donor Tom Peed, who owns Sandhills Global, at the Casa Bovina steakhouse, which Peeds son Shane owns in northeast Lincoln.

Though McCarthys political and committee staff wouldnt share his reason for coming, several political observers with GOP connections said the California Republican was in town raising money for the Congressional Leadership Fund, which he leads.

Federal fundraising records show the Peed family has given more than $10 million to the fund over the past two election cycles, in 2020 and 2022. The 2022 data showed both Tom Peed and his wife, Rhonda, among the groups top 20 national donors.

How the fund plays in races

The fund raises money outside of GOP House candidates campaigns and spends it independently on House races. The fund has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in the Omaha areas 2nd Congressional District, Nebraskas most competitive.

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., a McCarthy ally running for a fifth term in 2024, has benefited from Congressional Leadership Fund spending on ads  some supporting Bacon and others against his opponents.

One example: The Congressional Leadership Fund spent $2.85 million on Bacons 2022 race, the most spent by any outside group in NE-02, according to OpenSecrets.org, a nonprofit that monitors campaign spending. Much of that was spent on TV ads and mailers for Bacon and against State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha, Bacons Democratic opponent. Vargas recently announced he will run for the seat again in 2024.

Under federal campaign finance law, Bacons campaign cannot legally coordinate or control what messages the fund chooses to highlight. The involvement of local and national GOP consultants standardizes a lot of the messaging.

Its why so many outside advertisements in competitive congressional districts seem to use similar messaging. Outside groups often run more negative advertisements than positive. In 2022, for example, the fund spent more running ads against Vargas than supporting Bacon.

Big givers to GOP causes

The Peeds have emerged in recent years as a financial force in Nebraska politics, joining the rarified air of Nebraskas first family of conservative political giving, that of U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and his parents, Joe and Marlene Ricketts.

The Peeds helped make the 2023 Lincoln mayors race the citys most expensive, plowing about $2 million into State Sen. Suzanne Geists second-place finish to Nebraskas most prominent Democratic officeholder, Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird.

They have donated over the years to help Lincoln-area House candidates. Tom and Rhonda gave to Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, who served nine terms before resigning in 2022 after being convicted of three fundraising-related felonies. Their son has given to Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., who was elected last year to replace Fortenberry.

Tom Peed did not immediately return calls seeking comment about McCarthys visit. The Congressional Leadership Fund also declined to comment. Flood and Bacon were in Washington, D.C., this week and did not attend the dinner, staffers said.

McCarthy has come to Nebraska separately to raise funds for all three of Nebraskas House members: Bacon, Flood and Rep. Adrian Smith, a Republican who represents the states sprawling, largely rural 3rd Congressional District.
Sudans neighbors meeting in Cairo for summit agree to Egypts initiative to try to end conflict

Sudans neighbors meeting in Cairo for summit agree to Egypts initiative to try to end conflict View Photo

CAIRO (AP)  Leaders from Sudans seven neighboring countries agreed on Thursday in Cairo to a new Egyptian-led initiative seeking to resolve the deepening conflict in the African country.

The meeting  the most high-profile since fighting erupted across Sudan in mid-April  was hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and attended by the leaders of Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad, Eritrea, the Central African Republic and Libya.

Sudan has been rocked by violence since April 15, when tensions between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces burst into open fighting. The conflict has killed more than 3,000 people, according to data from June, though the actual death toll is likely much higher, doctors and activists say.

In his opening speech, el-Sissi outlined an initiative to establish a lasting cease-fire, create safe humanitarian corridors for aid delivery, and build a dialogue framework that would include all Sudanese political parties and figures.

Though similar to previous commitments signed by Sudans rivals in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah in May, which ultimately floundered, Thursdays plan was backed by all seven neighbors  as well as Sudans military and the paramilitary RSF, which both praised it on social media. Since April, the rivals had agreed to at least 10 cease-fires that failed.

The most significant pushback came from Ethiopias prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, who argued that any new initiative should work alongside negotiations led by the African Union or risk prolonging the crisis.

Earlier talks in Jeddah, which were brokered by the kingdom and the United States, broke down last month as both sides repeatedly failed to stop fighting and violated cease-fire agreements.

On Monday, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development  an eight-member East African bloc thats also part of the African Union  held talks between Sudans rival forces. During the meeting, the panel proposed deploying troops to Sudan to better protect civilians.

However, Sudans military delegation refused to attend the meeting and accused Kenyan President William Ruto, who headed the talks, of siding with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces because of his purported business ties with the family of the RSF commander. Sudans government, which is controlled by the military, reiterated its calls to replace the Kenyan leader as the chair of the Quartet.

El-Sissi on Thursday urged Sudans warring sides to commit to African Union-led cease-fire negotiations.

Suliman Baldo, director of the think tank Sudan Transparency and Policy Tracker, said the past failings indicate that the summit in Egypt is unlikely to come up with quick solutions to the conflict.

Egypt has longstanding ties with the Sudanese army and its top general, Abdel Fattah Burhan. In closing remarks at the end of the summit, el-Sissi said further talks among the seven nations would be held in Chad.

El-Sissi and Ethiopias Ahmed also held a rare private meeting Wednesday to discuss the construction of a massive dam on Ethiopias stretch of the Blue Nile. Cairo and Addis Ababa have been at odds for years over the project. Ethiopia says it is needed to bring electricity to hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians, while Cairo and Khartoum fear it will limit their water supply upstream.

According to a Thursday evening statement, Ethiopia said the two countries committed to finalizing an agreement on the dam within the next four months.

The 12 weeks of fighting between the army and the RSF have turned Khartoum, Sudans capital, into an urban battlefield. The conflict forced more than 2.4 million people to flee their homes for safer areas inside the country, according to the International Organization for Migration. Around 738,000 others have crossed into neighboring countries, the agency said.

Also Thursday, The United Nations said the bodies of dozens of people allegedly killed by Sudanese paramilitary and allied militia have been uncovered in a mass grave in West Darfur. Darfur has been one of the epicenters of the 12-week conflict, morphing into ethnic violence with RSF troops and allied Arab militias attacking African ethnic groups. Earlier this week Human Rights Watch called for the International Criminal Court to investigate atrocities in Darfur.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Ethiopias prime minister attended the summit, not the president; and that leaders from Sudans seven neighboring countries met in Cairo, not six countries.

By JACK JEFFERY

Associated Press
Egypt, Ethiopia hope to reach agreement within 4 months after long dispute over Africas largest dam View Photo

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  After years of failed talks, Ethiopia and Egypt said Thursday they aim to finalize within four months an agreement on the operations of Africas largest dam, an apparent breakthrough in a dispute that Cairo has described as an existential threat.

The joint statement on expedited negotiations, issued by Ethiopias government, came after Ethiopias prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, discussed the dam with Egypts President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on the sidelines of a regional meeting about the conflict in neighboring Sudan.

Sudan is a third party to the talks about the $4.6 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on Ethiopias stretch of the Blue Nile, which is located just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Sudanese border.

Egypt depends on the Nile River to supply its booming population of 100 million with fresh water, while Ethiopia says the dam helps to pull millions of its 110 million citizens out of poverty. Tensions rose as the dams reservoir began to be filled annually in the past few years.

The new statement does not describe the foreseen agreement as a legally binding one, which Egypt and Sudan have sought. It also doesnt say whether the talks will be under the auspices of the African Union, which Ethiopia has preferred. The United States has been among a variety of mediators in the past.

In a separate statement, the president of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, commended the Ethiopian and Egyptian leaders for their joint decision to reinitiate the negotiations on the dam.

Key questions in the talks have been how the countries will resolve any future disputes around the dam and how much water Ethiopia will release downstream if a multi-year drought occurs.

By CARA ANNA

Associated Press
Thai diplomat meets with Suu Kyi in detention in Myanmar and says she wants to join talks on crisis

Thai diplomat meets with Suu Kyi in detention in Myanmar and says she wants to join talks on crisis View Photo

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  Thailands top diplomat said Wednesday that he met with ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi in detention over the weekend and she conveyed her openness to engage in talks to resolve the crisis gripping her strife-torn nation.

Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai is the only government official outside of Myanmar known so far to have met with Suu Kyi since she was detained with other officials when the army seized power from her elected government on Feb. 1, 2021.

He told his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, who are meeting in Indonesias capital, that Suu Kyi was in good health when he met with her for more than an hour on Sunday.

She encourages dialogue, Don told reporters in Jakarta when asked what message Suu Kyi conveyed to him. Obviously were trying to find a way to settle with Myanmar.

The military takeover and the crackdown on the armed resistance to it plunged the country into deadly chaos. Western and European governments, including the United States, have imposed sanctions on Myanmars military government and demanded the immediate release of Suu Kyi and other political detainees.

Nay Phone Latt, a spokesperson for the National Unity Government  Myanmars main opposition organization, which views itself as the countrys legitimate government  told The Associated Press that the information about the meeting between the Thai foreign minister and Suu Kyi raised questions, and Myanmars people are uncertain that it actually took place..

He added that the military juntas attempt to try to use the influence of Suu Kyi at this time is indirectly admitting that they are no longer in a good situation concerning the countrys political crisis.

Suu Kyi, 78, is serving a total of 33 years imprisonment after being convicted on a raft of charges that her supporters and rights groups say were politically motivated in an attempt to discredit her and legitimize the militarys takeover while preventing her from returning to politics.

A legal official from Myanmar who insisted on anonymity for fear of being punished by the authorities because he is not authorized to release information about Suu Kyis legal proceedings told the AP that Suu Kyis lawyers on Wednesday submitted appeal arguments to the Supreme Court on her behalf for the five corruption cases where she was found guilty.

The Myanmar crisis is at the top of the agenda of the ministerial meetings of ASEAN, a 10-nation bloc that includes Myanmar and Indonesia, which is the groups chairman this year.

ASEAN has been under international pressure to address the crisis, and it again banned Myanmars generals from attending ASEAN foreign ministerial meetings in Jakarta after the military government largely ignored an emergency plan to take steps to end the crisis.

The generals responded by accusing ASEAN of violating the blocs bedrock principles of nonintervention in each others domestic affairs.

Don told reporters Tuesday that his government wanted to see all ASEAN members back in the group, without elaborating, a stance that deviates from the regional blocs position of not recognizing the military government and banning its attendance at the top-level meetings of the group.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Wednesday that ASEAN would continue to focus on the five-point peace plan, suggesting Myanmars generals wouldnt be allowed back to the regional blocs ministerial and leaders summits unless they substantially comply with the plan.

When asked by reporters to comment on Dons meeting with Suu Kyi, Marsudi, who was hosting the ministerial meetings, declined to answer. She instead highlighted the more than 100 engagements Indonesia as ASEAN leader has so far done this year with rival groups in Myanmar to foster dialogue, which she said could lead to the easing of tensions and violent confrontations in Myanmar.

ASEAN is still very concerned and condemns the high number of acts of violence, Marsudi said. ASEAN urges all parties to resolve or to stop acts of violence, especially those resulting in civilian victims of bombings of public facilities, including schools and hospitals.

More than 3,750 civilians, including pro-democracy activists, have been killed by security forces and nearly 24,000 arrested since the military takeover, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a rights group that keeps tallies of arrests and casualties.

Its too early to tell if the rare access to Suu Kyi granted by Myanmars military government to Don would eventually lead to talks between her camp and the ruling generals. The military government had earlier refused requests by ASEAN special envoys to meet her.

Asked if he considered his meeting with Suu Kyi a breakthrough, Don said it appeared to be a positive development.

Thailand supports ASEANs approach of seeking the Myanmar military governments compliance with the five-point peace plan, Don said. But he told reporters without elaborating that his meeting with Suu Kyi was an approach from the friends of Myanmar. We would like to see peaceful settlement.

Two Southeast Asian diplomats involved in the meetings in Jakarta told the AP that Thailand was taking extra steps to help ease the crisis out of fear that an escalation of the violence could drive large numbers of refugees from Myanmar into Thai territory. The two diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to discuss the sensitive issue publicly.

___

Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, and Grant Peck in Bangkok, contributed to this report.

By JIM GOMEZ and EDNA TARIGAN

Associated Press
Australian pro-democracy activist thanks supporters for early release from Vietnamese prison

Australian pro-democracy activist thanks supporters for early release from Vietnamese prison View Photo

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Pro-democracy campaigner Chau Van Kham on Thursday thanked his supporters who helped secure his release from a Vietnamese prison this week four years into a 12-year sentence for terrorism offenses.

The 73-year-old Australian citizen returned to his family in Sydney on Tuesday after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged that the retired baker be released from prison during a visit to Hanoi last month.

Kham thanked a broad array of supporters including the current and former Australian governments, rights groups including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, community groups, media and lawyers.

The first time in front of you, so I feel so nervous. So nervous, because Im so happy, and Im never nervous in front of the Vietnamese officials, Kham told reporters in Sydney.

He thanked his wife and two children for forever supporting me in my dreams and my beliefs.

The last thing, can you send a message to the Vietnamese government. I thank you to have  cooperated with the Australian government to bring me home and resolve my case, Kham said.

He said some of the Vietnamese prison officers he encountered silently support me.

Kham had been in custody in his birth country since he visited in January 2019. He was convicted that year on terrorism charges related to his support for democracy group Viet Tan and sentenced to 12 years in prison. The Vietnamese government considers Viet Tan a terrorist organization.

Albanese on Tuesday described Khams release as an example of how engagement in a constructive way achieves results in Australias national interest.

Albanese visited Vietnam on June 4 to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They are preparing to upgrade their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and agreed to establish a ministerial-level dialogue on trade.

Australias previous conservative government had also urged the release of Kham, a South Vietnamese army veteran, on health grounds before Albaneses center-left Labor Party won power in elections in May last year.

Kham has lived in Australia since the 1980s.

Amnesty International Australia said Kham was a prisoner of conscience detained solely for his peaceful political beliefs.

By ROD McGUIRK

Associated Press
3 soldiers, 2 insurgents killed in shootout in southwest Pakistan, officials say View Photo

QUETTA, Pakistan (AP)  Assailants attacked Pakistani soldiers conducting an operation in a restive southwestern province, and three of the soldiers and two insurgents were killed, local officials and the military said Thursday.

The military said in a statement the shootout happened Wednesday in the Baluchistan district of Sui, where the countrys main pipelines of natural gas are located. It was unclear who was behind the attack, but suspicion is likely to fall on local separatist groups who have been blamed for previous such attacks.

Local officials said an operation to arrest those insurgents who fled after the shootout was underway.

The violence in Sui came hours after five militants attacked a security post in Zhob district in Baluchistan, killing nine soldiers. The military said those five attackers were killed.

Baluchistan has been the scene of a low-level insurgency by small separatist groups for more than two decades. Baluch nationalists initially wanted a share of the provincial resources, but later they initiated an insurgency for independence.

Though Pakistan says it has quelled the insurgency, the violence has continued in the province.
Russian anti-war activist says he was banned entry into Serbia at Belgrade airport

Russian anti-war activist says he was banned entry into Serbia at Belgrade airport View Photo

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  A Russian pro-democracy activist residing in Serbia and a fierce critic of the invasion of Ukraine said Thursday that Serbian authorities have banned him from entering the country upon returning from a trip abroad.

Peter Nikitin told The Associated Press he was stopped at Belgrade airports passport control early on Thursday, returning from a holiday in Portugal. He said the decision was arbitrary and illegal.

Though it formally seeks European Union membership and has condemned Russias invasion of Ukraine, Serbia has maintained friendly relations with Moscow and refused to impose Western-backed sanctions over the aggression.

The United States this week imposed sanctions on Serbias pro-Russian intelligence chief, Aleksandar Vulin, accusing him of involvement in illegal arms shipments, drug trafficking and misuse of public office that help facilitate Russian malign activities in Serbia and the region.

Nikitin holds both Russian and Dutch citizenship and has a Serbian residence permit, where he and his family have lived for years. He said he was trying to enter Serbia using his Dutch passport when he was turned back and ordered to return to Frankfurt, Germany, from where he had flown in.

I have been in the border zone at the Nikola Tesla airport (in Belgrade) the entire night with no sleep, said Nikitin. I will stay here until they let me go home or deport me forcefully.

Nikitin sent the AP a document border authorities gave him which read protective measure of removal, the security measure of expulsion or ban on entry into the Republic of Serbia in effect.

Serbian authorities have issued no immediate statement.

The document (received) has no explanation for the ban except that it is in force against me, Nikitin said. I will appeal this arbitrary and illegal decision.

Serbian lawyer, Cedomir Stojkovic, who has teamed up with Nikitin in the past in opposing Russias influence in Serbia, said expelling or banning a permanent resident card holder from entering the country can only be ordered by a court of law.

No court procedure has ever been initiated against Nikitin and therefore no court decision about his expulsion could have been made, Stojkovic said in a statement.

Nikitin is well known as an outspoken critic of Russias invasion of Ukraine and the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He was one of the organizers of antiwar and pro-democracy protests in Serbia called for by Russians and Ukrainians living in the country.

Some 200,000 Russian citizens have moved to Serbia since the start of the war in Ukraine as the Balkan country requires no entry visas for Russians and is a fellow-Slavic nation. Many have fled being drafted into the army or moved their businesses to a sanctions-free country.

In January, Nikitin and Stojkovic together filed a criminal complaint against Vulin and several others for allegedly allowing the recruitment of Serbs to fight for Wagner mercenaries in Ukraine, at the time fighting on Russias behalf.

In 2021, Vulin created a working group with Nikolai Patrushev, the powerful secretary of the Kremlins Security Council, to fight color revolutions  a series of mass protests that occasionally led to the toppling of regimes in the former Soviet Union, the former Yugoslavia, the Middle East and Asia.

Serbian independent media reported that at their meeting in Moscow in late 2021, Vulin gave Patrushev wiretaps from a Belgrade meeting held by members of the Russian opposition. Shortly afterward, some of those who attended the meeting were arrested in Russia.

Vulin has denied that he handed over the tapes to Patrushev.

By JOVANA GEC

Associated Press
Kevin Spacey fights back tears as he testifies how sex abuse allegations exploded his career View Photo

LONDON (AP)  Kevin Spacey fought back tears and dabbed his eyes with a tissue Thursday as he told jurors in a London court how sexual misconduct allegations six years ago had destroyed his career.

My world exploded, Spacey said at his sexual assault trial. There was a rush to judgment and before the first question was asked or answered I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days.

The emotional testimony came toward the end of his nearly three hours in the witness box, in what could be the most consequential speaking part of his life. He denied sexually assaulting three men and chalked up crotch-grabbing allegations by a fourth as having been a clumsy pass.

The allegations that sent Spaceys stellar film and stage career into a spiral came in 2017 as the #metoo movement gained momentum in the U.S. and a fellow actor accused him of sexually inappropriate behavior three decades earlier.

News of those accusations led others to come forward, including four men in England who said the two-time Oscar winner sexually assaulted them between 2001 and 2013.

Prosecutor Christine Agnew has called Spacey a sexual bully who delights in making others feel powerless and uncomfortable.

The four alleged victims, who didnt know each other, independently described disturbing encounters that escalated from unwanted touching to aggressive fondling. One man who called Spacey a vile sexual predator said he passed out or fell asleep on the actors London sofa and woke up to find him performing oral sex.

Spacey spoke in a calm tone and earnest demeanor, raising his voice in contempt only briefly to address some of the allegations.

At times he was humorous, humble and self-deprecating as he breezed over a career in acting that began, he joked, when he emerged from his mothers womb. He repeatedly dropped names of some of the stars in his universe, including high school classmate Val Kilmer and Judi Dench  whom he said he taught to play ping-pong.

Spacey seemed more than content to reflect on happier times in his career but was repeatedly drawn back to the reason he was addressing a jury of nine men and three women at Southwark Crown Court.

He could face a prison term if convicted of charges that include sexual and indecent assault counts and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. Spacey, 63, has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Defense lawyer Patrick Gibbs went through the allegations chronologically with Spacey, dating to the early 2000s when he came to work at the Old Vic Theatre in London and later became its artistic director.

Spacey took a dramatic pause in his testimony as he recalled the intimate and somewhat sexual friendship he shared with a man now accusing the actor of violently groping him. He said he was crushed the man accused him of sexual assault.

I never thought that (the man) I knew would  20 years later stab me in the back, Spacey said.

The accuser had testified that Spaceys fondling culminated w hen the man was driving and Spacey grabbed his crotch so violently he almost ran off the road. He told police he warned Spacey to never do it again and threatened to knock him out.

That never happened, Spacey testified. I was not on a suicide mission in any of those years.

Spacey said the man was funny and charming, appearing wistful as he looked at a photo the man sent him from a mountainous trek he took to raise money for charity.

Im a big flirt, Spacey said, acknowledging he probably made the first moves. He said he touched the man but not in a violent, aggressive, painful way.

Spaceys description of gentle stroking was in direct contradiction to the testimony from the alleged victims. They said he caught them by surprise when he aggressively grabbed their privates through their clothing.

It wasnt like a caress, one man testified. It was like a cobra coming out and getting hold.

Spacey called that mans account madness and said it never happened. He also denied he made racially offensive remarks to the man during a rehearsal for a charity theater event.

Addressing the most serious charge in the case, Spacey raised his voice and denied the suggestion he drugged a man before assaulting him.

I know the way I am with someone and I would never be behaving in the way he claimed  it makes no logical sense, he said.

Spacey said he couldnt recall the man when police confronted him. After repeatedly watching video of the mans interview by a detective, he said he pieced together that they had a brief consensual sexual encounter in his apartment that ended when the man left in a hurry.

The person that I had this intimate moment with was suddenly awkward and fumbling, he said. If he regretted it immediately, I dont know. I cant speak for him, but something was weird.

He said his phone records indicated they continued to text each other over several months.

Spacey said he primarily accepted the account of a fourth man who accused the actor of kissing his neck twice and grabbing his crotch during a night of heavy drinking.

The man testified that Spacey looked panicked when he pushed him away and said, I dont bat for that team.

Spacey said he didnt recall making the clumsy pass but was glad the man said he ceased when the man said he wasnt interested.

At least two of the men have also filed suit against Spacey.

Spacey said he successfully fought his accusers in U.S. courts but is in debt with legal bills.

Prosecutors in Massachusetts dropped charges against him when the alleged victim refused to testify. A jury in New York jury last fall cleared Spacey in a $40 million lawsuit by Star Trek: Discovery actor Anthony Rapp on allegations dating to 1986.

Spacey said he fought that case the same way he has in London, but doggedly digging through old records, boxes of photos and any evidence that could disprove the claims.

Looking across the courtroom at his 12-person audience, Spacey noted that he had been swiftly cleared in the New York case by a unanimous jury of my peers.

Spacey faces hours of cross-examination Friday and his lawyer will then present several witnesses on his behalf.

By BRIAN MELLEY

Associated Press
IMF deposits much-awaited $1.2 billion with Pakistans central bank under bailout, minister says View Photo

ISLAMABAD (AP)  The International Monetary Fund has deposited a much-awaited first installment of $1.2 billion in Pakistans central bank under a bailout deal aimed at helping Islamabad avoid defaulting on its debt repayments, the Pakistani foreign minister said Thursday.

The financial infusion  part of a $3 billion new bailout deal  comes ahead of parliamentary elections due later this year. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the development in a live address to the nation.

Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said in televised remarks that the remaining $1.8 billion would be received from the IMF over the next nine months. The funds will bolster the countrys foreign exchange reserves, which shrank to less than $4 billion in recent months, raising fears of a default. Pakistans foreign exchange reserves are likely to rise to $14 billion this week, Dar said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed the IMF bailout in a tweet saying that the U.S. stands with the Pakistani people during these hard times, and urging Pakistan to continue working with the IMF toward macroeconomic reforms and sustainable economic recovery.

The latest development came a day after the IMF said its executive board had approved an agreement to release the $3 billion loan to support Pakistans economic stabilization program.

Late last month, Pakistan and the IMF agreed to the plan following meetings with Sharif, Dar and other officials. IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said Wednesday that Pakistans economy was hit hard by significant shocks last year, notably the spillovers from the severe impacts of floods, the large volatility in commodity prices, and the tightening of external and domestic financing conditions.

She said the $3 billion bailout, if implemented faithfully, will give Pakistan an opportunity to regain macroeconomic stability and address imbalances through consistent policy implementation.

Now Pakistan no more faces the risk of a default, Sharif said Thursday. He also thanked Saudi Arabia, China and the United Arab Emirates for financially helping Pakistan while talks with the IMF were still underway.

Sharif said he would step down in August, ahead of the elections. An interim government will oversee the holding of the vote, possibly in October or November.

The IMF bailout for Pakistan had been on hold since December because of the countrys lack of compliance with a 2019 agreement, signed between the IMF and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in parliament last year.

Since coming to power in April 2022, Sharif has blamed alleged corruption under Khan for Pakistans economic downturn, remarks he repeated on Thursday.

A breakthrough in talks came last month when Sharif met with Georgieva in Paris at the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact to discuss the revival of the $6 billion bailout that was to expire on June 30.

Pakistans economy witnessed a major shock last summer, when devastating floods killed 1,739 people and caused $30 billion in damage.

This month again, rivers swollen by monsoon rains have inundated dozens of villages in Pakistans eastern Punjab province, displacing 1,500 people. Nearly 90 people have died in weather-related incidents since June 25 when the monsoon rains began.

By MUNIR AHMED

Associated Press
Indias Modi is guest of honor at Paris Bastille Day parade as Macron rebuffs human rights critics View Photo

PARIS (AP)  France is staging a seduction campaign for visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, guest of honor at Fridays annual Bastille Day parade, with the French president calling India a key player in our future.

France is looking to further strengthen cooperation on an array of topics ranging from climate to military sales and the strategic Indo-Pacific region. But human rights, seen as an increasingly pressing subject for Modis India, was missing from the vast agenda.

President Emmanuel Macron praised India in a speech Thursday evening before French defense officials as a key partner.

It is a giant in the history of the world that will have a determining role in our future, Macron said, ahead of a dinner with Modi at the Elysee Palace. India is also a strategic partner and friend.

Macron, with Modi at his side, will preside over Fridays grandiose annual military parade to mark Frances national day. Indian troops will march and three French-made Indian Rafale jets will do a fly-by.

As Modi arrived Thursday, Indias Defense Acquisition Council approved the purchase of 26 Rafales for the Indian Navy, an accord in principle announced by the Indian Defense Ministry. The price is to be negotiated with the French, a statement said. The purchase of three Scorpene submarines, developed by France and Spain, was also approved.

Critics have voiced concern about France giving such a perch to Modi. Indias 72-year-old prime minister is widely viewed as increasingly authoritarian and his Hindu nationalist party as divisive. In a report in April, the campaign group Amnesty International said freedom of expression had declined under Modi.

The European Parliament passed a resolution on Thursday for human rights to be integrated into all areas of the EU-India partnership, including in trade. The resolution called on member states to systematically and publicly raise human rights concerns at the highest level.

Modis two-day visit comes as Paris and New Delhi mark the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership. Crucially, it precedes Macrons trip this month to the Indo-Pacific region, home to 1.5 million French nationals. Talks with Modi are aimed at ensuring the vast region remains a space where security, notably of the seas, and other key concerns like climate are preserved. Macron called it an essential strategy for the balance of the planet.

Modi is being courted by other nations. His two-day visit to France comes on the heels of his June trip to the United States, where President Joe Biden offered Modi a lavish welcome. Modi was recently in Egypt and he is to head to the United Arab Emirates after leaving France.

Ten personalities, including noted economist Thomas Piketty and former French ambassador to Denmark France Zimeray, implored Macron in a commentary Thursday in the newspaper Le Monde to encourage Prime Minister Modi to end repression of the civil society, assure freedom of major media (outlets) and protect religious liberty.

Modi, who governs the worlds largest population, rarely talks to the press at home or abroad. But responding to a human rights question at a rare news conference during his Washington trip, he said that democracy runs in our veins and insisted that there is absolutely no space for discrimination.

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Youcef Bounab in Paris contributed to this report.

By ELAINE GANLEY

Associated Press
Helen Mirren visits Jerusalem for new film Golda, says she is inspired by anti-government protests

Helen Mirren visits Jerusalem for new film Golda, says she is inspired by anti-government protests View Photo

JERUSALEM (AP)  Helen Mirren, who plays Israels first female prime minister in her latest film, says she has been inspired by the widespread protests underway against the countrys current premier, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Mirren, who portrays the late Golda Meir during the 1973 war between Israel and a coalition of Arab states in Golda, is visiting an Israel similarly beset by crisis as mass demonstrations take place against Netanyahus plan to overhaul the countrys judicial system.

Mirren told a news conference before the opening of the Jerusalem Film Festival that she is inspired by the protests.

Im personally very moved and excited when you see these huge demonstrations, she said. I think its a pivotal moment in Israeli history.

Netanyahus coalition government, which took office in December, is the most hard-line ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox in Israels 75-year history.

For over six months, hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest the proposed judicial overhaul. Netanyahus allies say the plan is needed to rein in the powers of an unelected judiciary. His opponents say it is a thinly veiled power grab that will destroy the countrys fragile system of checks and balances.

Mirren contrasted the leadership of Meir  who often served coffee to her military advisers as they convened in her kitchen to discuss strategy  with that of Netanyahu, who has a reputation for being aloof and out of touch with everyday Israelis.

She had immense power, but she was perfectly happy to toddle around in the kitchen, making everyone coffee and being the grandmother, Mirren said. Its a very different attitude toward power  from the male, Netanyahu type of power to the Golda Meir kitchen power.

Mirrens visit also comes at a time when Netanyahus government is moving to deepen its hold on the West Bank. His government has approved plans for thousands of homes in West Bank settlements, and tensions with the Palestinians are rising.

Over 150 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire this year in the occupied West Bank, and Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis have killed at least 25 people. Israel says most of the Palestinians who were killed were militants, though stone-throwers and people uninvolved in violence have also been among the dead.

Some of Netanyahus allies are West Bank settler leaders who have sought to deny the national aspirations of Palestinians, a sentiment which Meir famously expressed in 1969.

There was no such thing as Palestinians, Meir said in an interview with the Sunday Times. Israels far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich echoed Meir recently, stating, there is no such thing as a Palestinian people.

Lior Ashkenazi, the Israeli actor who plays the head of the Israeli army in the film, said he thought Meir would support efforts to annex the West Bank.

Even though she was a socialist, Ashkenazi said, I think she would definitely support the settlers.

The film, directed by Guy Nattiv and written by Nicholas Martin, focuses on Meirs leadership during the 1973 Mideast war, when a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria launched an attack on Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

Under the leadership of Meir and Israeli military officials, Israel emerged victorious from the war, its forces standing within 70 miles (120 kilometers) of the Egyptian capital of Cairo. The wars outcome laid the groundwork for a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt.

But Israel suffered heavy losses during the war, and Meir was criticized for the governments lack of preparation and refusing to act on intelligence indicating an attack was imminent. Meir resigned the following year, and the national trauma in the wake of the war set off a process that would bring the right-wing Likud party, which Netanyahu currently leads, to power in 1977.

Mirren, a British-born actor, has won both Oscar and Emmy awards for performances ranging from Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen, and Sofia Tolstoy in The Last Station.

By JULIA FRANKEL

Associated Press
At least one person is facing a felony charge in connection to an armed robbery outside of Scheels in Billings over the weekend.

Maliyah Jae Chavez, 21, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Yellowstone County District Court to one count of robbery. She was one of several people suspected in robbing two victims at gunpoint in the sporting goods store parking lot.

When I reviewed this matter, I was very concerned about its violent nature, said Standing Master Laurie Grygiel at Chavezs arraignment.

On July 8, court documents said, officers with the Billings Police Department responded to the robbery, speaking with the two victims and reviewing surveillance footage provided by Scheels. The victims said they were sitting in their vehicle when a gray sedan boxed them into their parking spot. When one of the victims got out of the vehicle, someone in the gray sedan allegedly told him to stay calm or he would be shot.

The victims told police at least four people got out of the sedan, all of whom were carrying firearms; one person had an assault-style rifle and the others had handguns, according to court documents.

The four went through the victims vehicle. At one point, the second victim allegedly felt the barrel of a gun pressed to his head. The victim gave up his wallet after several demands, according to court documents, and the four assailants drove away. Video surveillance captured the entire robbery on film, and gave police a read on the gray sedans license plate.

Officers tracked the sedan to a home on Terry Avenue in Midtown Billings. After receiving a warrant to search the home, police allegedly recovered two handguns, ammunition and the stolen wallet, among other items. One of the handguns, court documents said, was previously reported stolen.

The day after the robbery, BPD received information that allegedly identified Chavez and three others as the assailants. Video footage recorded outside of the Terry Avenue home showed the four getting out of the gray sedan at the house about an hour after the robbery was reported, court documents said. Video also showed Chavez and others allegedly wiping down surfaces inside the sedan.

Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Emily Roark asked for bond to be set at $150,000 on Wednesday, citing the violent nature of the alleged crime and Chavezs criminal history. In 2020, she was sentenced to time in federal custody after pleading guilty to possession of stolen firearms.

Standing Master Grygiel set bond at the amount recommended by prosecutors, saying in court Chavez allegedly put families and children in danger. In a statement posted Wednesday to social media, BPD Lt. Matt Lennick said one other suspect, a juvenile, had been brought into custody in connection to the robbery.

If convicted of armed robbery, Chavez could be sentenced up to 40 years in prison and face a fine of up to $50,000.

Last year ended with the BPD Street Crimes Unit recovering 153 firearms through the course of the unit's investigations. As of late June 2023, the unit has recovered 56 firearms, according to data provided by BPD.
Former Mozambique finance minister is extradited to the US to face trial over $2 billion scandal

Former Mozambique finance minister is extradited to the US to face trial over $2 billion scandal View Photo

JOHANNESBURG (AP)  A former Mozambique finance minister who has been held in prison in South Africa for nearly five years was extradited Wednesday to the United States to face a fraud and corruption trial over a $2 billion scandal involving fraudulent government loans.

South African authorities said that Manuel Chang, who was Mozambiques finance minister from 2005 to 2015, was handed over to U.S. authorities after his last-ditch court effort to avoid extradition failed in May.

Chang is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn.

Changs attorney, Adam Ford, said his client is relieved to have finally gotten to America where he can confront the baseless charges against him.

He looks forward to his day in court and expects to be fully vindicated, Ford said in an email.

It brings to an end a nearly five-year legal battle by Chang to avoid facing trial in the U.S. and be extradited instead to his home country, where rights groups have protested that he would likely be treated leniently.

He is accused of receiving bribes of up to $17 million during a scheme that secured loans for Mozambican state-owned companies from foreign banks and financiers for maritime projects. The money was looted through kickbacks and other corrupt dealings, according to U.S. prosecutors.

Chang was indicted in federal court in New York over his involvement in the scheme, which U.S. authorities allege defrauded American and international investors. He has not commented on the charges against him.

The loans totaling $2 billion were intended for the purchase of fishing vessels and naval patrol boats and other resources to help Mozambiques fishing industry, but its alleged that never happened.

The Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services confirms that the Republic of South Africas law enforcement agencies successfully surrendered Mr Manuel Chang to the United States of America on July 12, 2023, the ministry said.

The scandal caused a financial crisis in Mozambique when the International Monetary Fund withdrew its support for the country after the so-called hidden debts were revealed in 2016.

Chang was arrested at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg in 2018 on a U.S. warrant.

The Mozambican governments own attempts to have him face trial in Mozambique have been dismissed by several South African courts.

In a letter a month ago to U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis, Ford sought to have the case dismissed, asserting that Changs right to a speedy trial had been violated.

The attorney noted that a U.S. jury in 2019 acquitted a co-defendant, Jean Boustini, a Lebanese national who worked for a Middle Eastern shipbuilding company, who was accused by American authorities of helping in a money laundering scheme that involved more than $2 billion as part of a scheme to defraud U.S. investors and others.

Mr. Chang is confident that, if he were ever tried in the United States, a jury would reach a similar result, Ford said in the letter.

In 2021, Swiss bank Credit Suisse agreed to pay at least $475 million to British and American authorities to settle bribery and kickback allegations stemming from their involvement with the corrupt loans.

At least 10 people have already been convicted and sentenced to prison by a Mozambican court over the scandal, including Ndambi Guebuza, the son of former Mozambican president Armando Guebuza. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for receiving up to $33 million from the corrupt deal.

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Associated Press writer Bobby Caina Calvan in New York contributed.

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Associated Press Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME

Associated Press
A Florida sinkhole that claimed a mans life in 2013 reopens, this time harmlessly View Photo

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)  A Florida sinkhole that in 2013 fatally swallowed a man sleeping in his own house has reopened for a third time, only now its behind chain-link fencing and doing no harm to people or property.

Hillsborough County officials said the sinkhole located in the Tampa suburb of Seffner appeared again Monday, which they said is not unusual for such underground formations especially in central Florida with its porous limestone base. The hole was about 19 feet (6 meters) wide at its largest point.

None of the homes surrounding this appear to be in any danger, said Jon-Paul Lavandeira, director of the county code enforcement department. This is not uncommon, what were seeing here.

A decade ago, 37-year-old Jeff Bush was sleeping in a bedroom when the earth opened up and devoured him and part of the house. Five other people escaped unharmed and Bushs brother, Jeremy, tried in vain to dig him out of the hole. Jeff Bushs body has never been found.

Theres not a day goes by I dont think about my brother, Jeremy Bush told WTSP-TV. This is the only place Ive got to visit him.

After Bushs home was demolished, county officials erected a pair of fences around the lot to prevent any further injury. The sinkhole opened again in 2015 and was filled in with a water-gravel mixture, Lavandeira said at a news conference Tuesday. That will be done again.

If theres a reoccurrence, its in a controlled area. Its going to stay right there, he said.

Sinkholes are as much a part of the Florida landscape as sandy beaches, alligators and developers. Florida has more sinkholes than any state in the nation, mainly because the peninsula is comprised of porous carbonate rocks such as limestone that store and help move groundwater.

When dirt, clay or sand on top gets too heavy for the limestone roof, it can collapse and form a sinkhole. Sinkholes are caused naturally but they can be triggered by outside events such as rainfall or from pumping groundwater used to irrigate crops. The central Florida region is ground zero for sinkholes, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The state Office of Insurance Regulation said sinkhole claims in Florida cost insurers $1.4 billion from 2006 to 2010.

Most sinkholes are small, affecting things like parking lots and roadways. But some are quite large, such as one near Orlando that grew to 400 feet (121 meters) across in 1981 and swallowed five cars, most of two businesses, a three-bedroom house and the deep end of an Olympic-size swimming pool.

Its quite likely the Seffner sinkhole will reopen sometime in the future, Lavandeira said.

This is Mother Nature. This is not a man-made occurrence, he said.

By CURT ANDERSON

Associated Press
Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder appeals 20-year prison term in massive corruption scheme View Photo

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder appealed his 20-year prison sentence Wednesday, nearly two weeks after he was convicted of masterminding the largest corruption scheme in state history.

The 64-year-old Republican has been held in county jail since a federal judge sentenced him June 29 to the maximum penalty for racketeering allowed under federal law, and his appeal was expected.

Federal prosecutors had sought 16 to 20 years for Householder, while his lawyers had asked for 12 to 18 months on the grounds that he had been humiliated and broken by the ordeal of his widely publicized arrest, weekslong trial and conviction.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Black said his sentencing decision was affected by Householders failure to show remorse, instead focusing his plea for leniency on the impacts his imprisonment would have on his wife, children and friends.

After a seven-week trial this winter, a jury convicted Householder of orchestrating the $60 million bribery scheme, secretly funded by Akron-based utility company FirstEnergy Corp., to secure Householders power, elect his allies and then to pass a $1.3 billion nuclear plant bailout and stifle a referendum on overturning the law with a dirty-tricks campaign.

Lobbyist Matt Borges, former chair of the Ohio Republican Party, was also convicted of taking part in the scheme. Borges has also weighed a possible appeal after receiving the minimum of 5 years in prison recommended by prosecutors, and he has until Thursday to file one.

Householder was arrested in 2021. At the time he was one of Ohios most powerful politicians, a twice-elected speaker with a fine-tuned political acumen that his members said bordered at time on bullying and threats.

The Republican-controlled House ousted him from his leadership post soon after his indictment, but Householder refused to resign for nearly a year before he was expelled from the chamber in a historic vote.

The investigation of the bribery scheme remains open, and several fired FirstEnergy executives and the former head of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio may yet be charged.

By JULIE CARR SMYTH

Associated Press
Trans peoples rush to alter their Kansas licenses created a safety concern, a judge says View Photo

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  The nearly 200 transgender people who rushed in recent weeks to change the sex listings on their drivers licenses created an immediate public safety concern, a state-court judge declared Wednesday in keeping in place a ban on those changes.

The state agency that issues Kansas drivers licenses failed Wednesday to persuade District Judge Teresa Watson that shed made a mistake in imposing the ban two days earlier. Watsons latest order means that Kansas remains for now one of only a few U.S. states that wont change transgender peoples licenses to reflect their gender identities.

The ban is a legal victory for the states Republican attorney general, Kris Kobach. He argues that drivers license changes by the Kansas Department of Revenues motor vehicles division violated a new law rolling back transgender rights, which took effect July 1. He sued two top department officials when the agency continued making changes despite the new law, in line with an announcement last month from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. The department stopped the changes when Watson imposed the ban.

The ban is set to expire July 24, but Watsons order indicated that she plans to have another hearing on whether she should extend it. In defending the ban, Watson said a key piece of evidence came from the department itself, data showing that the department changed 172 licenses in June alone or a third of all the changes made in the past four years.

Licenses are used by law enforcement to identify criminal suspects, crime victims, wanted persons, missing persons and others, Watson wrote. Compliance with legal requirements for identifying license holders is a public safety concern.

After lawmakers enacted the law, drivers license changes accelerated in May and June as LGBTQ+ rights advocates encouraged people to do it ahead of the new law.

Watson added that allowing license changes to continue would represent an immediate injury to the state and the immediacy is supported by information from the department.

The judge had a Zoom hearing Wednesday from Shawnee County, the home of the state capital of Topeka, to consider a request from the Department of Revenue to lift her ban.

With the Kobachs lawsuit in its early stages, Watson has yet to hear directly from transgender people affected the dispute. However, five transgender Kansas residents, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, have asked to intervene in the lawsuit. Watson has yet to rule on that request.

One of them, Adam Kellogg, a 20-year-old University of Kansas student, briefly discussed a traffic stop that occurred when his drivers license didnt match his male identity.

The officer examined my license for a prolonged period and seemed suspicious of my identity, his statement said. I would not have chosen to disclose my transgender status during that traffic stop. That experience made me uncomfortable and anxious about further interactions with state officials, including police officers.

The Department of Revenue contends that the new law conflicts with an older one dealing specifically with drivers licenses, in which license applicants are to provide their gender, not sex assigned at birth. And department attorney Ted Smith told Watson that the agency is bound by the older law on drivers licenses and not the attorney generals legal theories.

Montana and Tennessee also bar changes for transgender people, but their laws deal specifically with drivers licenses.

The new Kansas law prevents the legal recognition of transgender peoples gender identities by defining male and female based on a persons sex assigned at birth. Although it does not specifically mention drivers licenses, Watson noted in her decision Wednesday that it applies to any state law or regulation.

Many critics of the new law view it as sloppily written, and the Department of Revenue argued that GOP lawmakers botched the job.

Its clear that theyre trying really hard to sort of go on the attack or at least show that theyre going on the attack against trans people, said Jenna Bellemere, another 20-year-old transgender University of Kansas student. But at the same time, they clearly lack the capability or the inclination to write any kind of actual functional legislation that makes sense.

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Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna

By JOHN HANNA

AP Political Writer
Founder of failed crypto lending platform Celsius Network arrested on fraud charges View Photo

NEW YORK (AP)  The founder and former CEO of the failed cryptocurrency lending platform Celsius Network was freed on $40 million bail Thursday after pleading not guilty to federal fraud charges alleging that he schemed to defraud customers by misleading them about key aspects of the business.

Alexander Mashinsky, 57, of Manhattan, was charged with securities, commodities and wire fraud in an indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court. He was also charged with illegally manipulating the price of Celsiuss proprietary crypto token while secretly selling his own tokens at inflated prices.

Mashinsky left the court without commenting after an attorney, Benjamin Alee, told a magistrate judge that Mashinsky was pleading not guilty. When the judge asked if that was his plea, Mashinsky said it was. The $40 million personal recognizance bond is secured by property and the signatures of his wife and a second person.

Another Mashinsky attorney, Jonathan Ohring, said in an email that his client vehemently denies the allegations brought today.

He looks forward to vigorously defending himself in court against these baseless charges, Ohring added.

According to the indictment, Mashinsky from 2018 to 2022 pitched Celsius to customers as a modern-day bank where they could safely deposit crypto assets and earn interest. But, it said, Mashinsky operated Celsius like a risky investment fund, taking in customer money under false and misleading pretenses and exposing customers to a high-risk business.

The indictment alleged that Mashinsky promoted Celsius through media interviews, his Twitter account and Celsiuss website, along with a weekly Ask Mashinsky Anything session broadcast posted to Celsiuss website and a YouTube channel.

Celsius employees from multiple departments who noticed false and misleading statements in the sessions warned Mashinsky, but they were ignored, the indictment said.

Mashinskys false portrayal of Celsius as a safe and secure institution caused its customer base to grow exponentially through a large number of retail investors, the indictment said.

By the fall of 2021, Celsius had become one of the largest crypto platforms in the world, purportedly holding approximately $25 billion in assets, it said.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said the arrest of Mashinsky was further proof that his office will seek to hold responsible those who try to cheat ordinary investors.

Whether its old-school fraud or some new-school crypto scheme, it doesnt matter one bit. Its all fraud to us. And well be here to catch it, he said.

The Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday also sued Mashinsky and Celsius, saying they misled investors through unregistered and often fraudulent offers and sales of crypto asset securities.

In January, New York Attorney General Letitia James sued Mashinsky in state court in Manhattan, saying he misled hundreds of thousands of investors.

Celsius filed for bankruptcy last year.

By LARRY NEUMEISTER

Associated Press
Justice Department to investigate jail conditions in Georgias most populous county View Photo

ATLANTA (AP)  The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into jail conditions in Georgias most populous county, with officials citing violence, filthy conditions and the death last year of a man whose body was found covered in insects.

Investigators will look at living conditions, access to medical and mental health care, use of excessive force by staff and conditions that may give rise to violence between people held in Fulton County jails, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division said during a news conference Thursday. The countys main jail in Atlanta has a long history of problems.

Our investigation into these matters is guided by one core principle: People held in jails and prisons do not surrender their constitutional and civil rights at the jailhouse door, Clarke said, noting that a vast majority of people in jails have not been convicted.

People held in Fulton County are predominantly people of color, she said, adding that data shows 87% of the jail population is Black.

This is a racial justice issue, Clarke said.

Sheriff Pat Labat, who took office in 2021, said he welcomes the investigation and is prepared to cooperate fully.

He has publicly, privately, and repeatedly raised concerns about the dangerous overcrowding, dilapidated infrastructure and critical staffing shortages at the jail, he said in a statement. The best outcome of the investigation would be confirmation of his repeated assertion that the main jail is not viable and a new jail is needed, Labat said.

Clarke cited the death in September of Lashawn Thompson, 35, in a bedbug-infested cell in the Fulton County Jails psychiatric wing, noting that an independent autopsy done at his familys request found he died from severe neglect. Photos released earlier this year by attorneys for Thompsons family showed his body covered in insects and a filthy cell strewn with garbage.

Those circumstances were far from isolated, Clarke said. Following Mr. Thompsons death, evidence emerged that the mental health unit where he died was infested with insects and that the majority of people living in that unit were malnourished and not receiving basic care.

She said the Justice Department will also look into whether the Fulton County Jail discriminates against incarcerated people with psychiatric disabilities.

Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represents Thompsons family, in April called on the Justice Department to investigate the jail. Michael Harper, another attorney for Thompsons family, said in an emailed statement that the family is encouraged by the Justice Department investigation.

While nothing can undo the injustice that Lashawn Thompson faced, it is a tragedy that can hopefully amount to much needed change inside of the Fulton County Jail, Crump and Harper said in a separate, joint statement. It is our prayer that the DOJ confirms the clear pattern of negligence and abuse that happens in Fulton County and swiftly ends it so that no other family experiences this devastation.

The Southern Center for Human Rights, which has successfully sued the county multiple times over jail conditions and had written to Clarke in April urging an investigation, applauded Thursdays announcement.

This is a significant step toward a reckoning for the lives tragically and senselessly lost, and for the many people who continue to suffer rampant indignity and abuse in Fulton jails, the nonprofit law firms executive director Terrica Ganzy said in a statement.

The Southern Center has criticized Labats calls for a new jail, saying it will not fix the problems. In the April letter, the organization said Labat has demonstrated a clear inability to remedy the conditions of people currently in his care and that human rights violations at the jail are the result of a staff culture of cruelty and violence.

The announcement of the investigation comes just two days after a 19-year-old woman died in her cell while in Fulton County custody. Noni Battiste-Kosoko was being held in a part of the Atlanta city jail that is controlled by the Fulton County sheriffs office when she was found unresponsive in her cell Tuesday and was pronounced dead by medical personnel, the sheriffs office said in a news release. She was alone in her cell and had no obvious signs of injury, the release said.

Clarke called the level of violence in Fultons jails deeply concerning, saying that at one point in 2022, the jails averaged more than one stabbing per day. Jail officers recently found more than 200 weapons in the main jail and the sheriff said people are crafting shanks from the crumbling walls of the building, she said. There were three suspected homicides at the main jail last year, she said.

Clarke was joined for the announcement by U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan, who oversees the northern district of Georgia.

This investigation will be independent, thorough and fair, Buchanan said. We look forward to working cooperatively with the Fulton County sheriff and Fulton County to move the investigation along as quickly as possible.

Labat said he reached out to the Justice Departments National Institute of Corrections in September to request a security audit and assistance. The institute recently committed to make a full operational, programmatic and architectural assessment to address and mitigate these critical issues within the next 30 days, he said.

A Justice Department civil rights investigation into Georgias state prisons that was launched in September 2021 remains ongoing.

By KATE BRUMBACK

Associated Press
Andrew Tate sues his accusers in human trafficking case View Photo

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  Controversial social media personality Andrew Tate and his brother are suing a Florida woman, saying she falsely accused them of imprisoning her in Romania, leading to their arrest there on human trafficking charges.

The widely followed former professional kickboxer and his brother, Tristan, are seeking at least $5 million in the lawsuit, which was filed in Palm Beach County against the woman, her parents, another woman who lived at the Tates Bucharest estate and a male friend of the woman.

The Tates say the five conspired to falsely accuse them of human trafficking and rape, costing them their freedom and millions of dollars in income from their lucrative social media, podcasting and business ventures. The lawsuit says the woman and her parents are residents of Palm Beach County, which is why it was filed there on Tuesday.

Romanian officials arrested the Tates in December and indicted them last month, saying the brothers forced seven victims into pornography and subjected them to physical violence. They remain under house arrest in Romania.

But attorneys Thomas Maniotis and Joseph D. McBride in their lawsuit say the Tates are the victims of the Florida woman. They call her a professional con artist and say she pursued a sexual relationship with Tristan Tate in order to move to Romania, then tried to defraud the brothers. When that failed, she conspired with the others to make false statements to Romanian and U.S. embassy authorities that led to the arrests, the attorneys say.

At no point did the Tate brothers engage in human trafficking, the lawsuit says. The attorneys say the woman is a serial liar, manipulator and schemer who exploits vulnerable, often wealthy men with good intentions for sexual, financial and emotional profit.

The Associated Press is not naming the woman or her parents because she is the alleged victim of sexual assault. No working phone numbers could be found for the family and no attorneys for them are listed in the court record. No one answered their door Thursday afternoon. The other woman lives in Great Britain and the male friend in Virginia.

Romanian investigators said in their indictment that the Tates and two Romanian women formed a criminal group in 2021 in order to commit the crime of human trafficking in that country, the United States and Britain.

Andrew Tate was banned from TikTok, YouTube and Facebook for alleged hate speech and misogynistic comments, including that women should bear responsibility for being sexually assaulted. But he remains quite popular on Twitter, with more than 7 million followers, many of them young men and schoolchildren.

Several women in Britain also are pursuing civil claims against Andrew Tate, alleging they were victims of sexual violence.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Tate denied spreading a culture of misogyny and accusations that he manipulated women for financial gain.

The British-American brothers were jailed for three months before being released to house arrest in March pending trial. Prosecutors also confiscated the Tates assets, including 15 luxury cars, luxury watches and about $3 million in cryptocurrency.

Investigators say the seven alleged victims were recruited with false declarations of love, but then forced to take part in pornography. The women were allegedly controlled by intimidation, constant surveillance and claims they were in debt.

But the Tates, in their lawsuit, paint a different picture. They say the Florida woman and all women who lived at their estate were free to come and go as they pleased, and closed-circuit security video can prove it.

After listing several other men they claim the Florida woman has defrauded or exploited, the Tates attorneys say Tristan Tate met her through a dating application. He invited her to a Miami business event the Tates company hosted in December 2021, and they had sex numerous times before Tristan Tate returned to Romania two weeks later, the lawsuit says.

It says the two kept in touch through texts, with the woman telling Tristan Tate she wanted to move to Romania and pursue internet modeling  a type of business the Tates have been involved with.

Tristan thought her modeling plans could work, but he tried to dissuade her, the lawsuit says. But in April 2022, in the spirit of fun and adventure, he paid for the womans flight to Romania.

The lawsuit says she stayed at the Tates estate for two days, where the pair again had sex. She then moved, as agreed, to another nearby home, but had access to the estate. They say she only remained in the country six days.

She was not restrained in her movement, never confined, never controlled by any person nor was she threatened in any manner and always had free will, the lawsuit says.

They say she soon conspired with the British woman she met at the estate to defraud them of $200,000 by falsely claiming they needed it for something important. When that failed, they say the Florida woman conspired with her male Virginia friend to contact the U.S. embassy to falsely say she and the other woman were being trafficked.

That led Romanian officials to raid the home where she was staying, beginning the investigation into the Tates, the lawsuit says.

By TERRY SPENCER

Associated Press
Got Sriracha? The price for a bottle of Huy Fongs iconic hot sauce gets spicy with supplies short

Got Sriracha? The price for a bottle of Huy Fongs iconic hot sauce gets spicy with supplies short View Photo

NEW YORK (AP)  Its not just you. Sriracha is hard to come by these days  at least for one popular brand.

The shortage of Huy Fong Foods Sriracha, the beloved red hot sauce packaged in those green-capped bottles, isnt new  with the company pointing to a scarcity of chile pepper supply for several years now. And as frustrated fans continue to face store shelves missing the Huy Fong name, third-party resellers are punching up prices.

Huy Fong Sriracha, which used to go for under $5 or $10 a bottle, is now selling for shocking amounts in some listings posted to sites with vast third-party marketplaces  including Amazon, eBay and Walmart. Many are simply sold out.

For those still in stock, prices range depending where you look. As of Thursday morning, for example, ads for a single 17-ounce bottle on eBay stretched from around $20 to a whopping $150  contrasting significantly with the price tags of other hot sauce brands, which dont appear to have the same level of supply troubles.

Huy Fong told The Associated Press this week that it continues to be beset by shortages of raw materials, echoing a similar scarcity last year when the company temporarily suspended sales of Sriracha and other popular products like Chili Garlic and Sambal Oelek.

Huy Fong said Wednesday that limited production resumed recently, although the California company didnt specify by how much or provide an estimate of when it believes suppliers will be able to deliver an adequate number of peppers.

Because we do not sell directly to retail/market levels, we cannot determine when the product will hit shelves again and/or who currently has the product in stock, Huy Fong said in a prepared statement. We are grateful for your continued patience and understanding during this unprecedented inventory shortage.

Heres what you need to know.

WHY IS THERE A HUY FONG SRIRACHA SHORTAGE?

Some experts say that Huy Fongs shortage is partially a consequence of climate change  pointing to weather shifts and extreme drought in Mexico and the U.S. Southwest, where Huy Fong sources all of its chile peppers.

The main culprit here is a shortage of their primary ingredient, the red jalapeno chile pepper, said David Ortega, a food economist and associate professor at Michigan State University. And thats due to climate change and the mega drought.

These peppers are typically grown under irrigation, with a lot of water drawn from the Colorado River  which has reached unprecedented low levels over recent years, Ortega said. The region has suffered insufficient rainfall and reduced run-off from snow pack.

Huy Fongs troubles with chile supply arent new. When the company suspended sales last year, it pointed to a 2020 email warning of a chile pepper shortage, noting that a lack of supply had become more severe due to recent weather conditions.

But while climate change impacts agriculture as a whole, its not the whole story for the current Huy Fong Sriracha shortage, said Stephanie Walker, extension vegetable specialist and professor at New Mexico State University. She speculates that Huy Fong may not have enough suppliers with different farmers  and could be looking to build relationships with new growers.

Last year (Huy Fong) just couldnt get the jalapenos that they needed, said Walker, who also specializes in chile pepper breeding. She noted the contrast to other brands supply. It really does come down to relations that individual processors have with their grower base.

She added that it looks like this year will be a strong season for jalapeno and other chile growth in the region.

WHERE DOES HUY FONG GET ITS CHILE PEPPERS?

Huy Fong, which was founded decades ago by David Tran, currently sources its chile peppers from various farms in California, New Mexico and Mexico.

Before sourcing from these farms, California-based Underwood Ranches was Huy Fongs sole supplier for nearly 30 years. The partnership collapsed in 2017 following a financial dispute. Two years later, a jury determined that Huy Fong breached its contract with Underwood Ranches and also committed fraud  awarding Underwood $23.3 million.

In a phone interview Thursday afternoon, Craig Underwood, owner of Underwood Ranches, disagreed with the drought and climate change explanations for Huy Fongs shortage  arguing that Tran has not rebuilt his supply chain the way he needed to.

According to Underwood, there has continued to be a steady supply of jalapeno peppers from Mexico. Underwood Ranches, which now sells its own brand of Sriracha, also started producing red jalapeno peppers again this year  in part because of the Huy Fong shortage, he added.

The demand for our product has increased rather dramatically, Underwood said.

PRICES SKYROCKET FROM

The erosion of Huy Fongs available supplies has rocked the prices of the brands Sriracha that is still available. In many places, the bottles are simply sold out  giving leverage to resellers listing the now hard-to-find and highly sought-after product.

Another market force at play is consumer behavior, in this case, hording. The panic around potentially losing access to a desired product leads many people to buy more than they would typically need, as was seen with toilet paper at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

People just stock up and that exacerbates the situation, said Ortega, also an expert in consumer decision-making. You have an increase in demand for the product, on top of these supply shocks. And prices have really nowhere to go but up.

ARE OTHER HOT SAUCES FACING SHORTAGES?

Theres a myriad of hot sauces, including other of Sriracha-style products, that remain easy to find at reasonable prices. Tabasco, for example, has created a page dedicated to helping customers find nearby stores that sell its brand of Sriracha  and notes that its been able to scale production to meet the majority of the of surge in demand for its sauce.

There are a few possible explanations for this, experts say. Some speculate that Huy Fong has issues with its current chile suppliers. Other brands could also use different pepper variants and source from more farms. Some might also be in a position to tinker with recipes  but perfecting sauces take a long time, as would finding a new variant, experts say.

Growing the crop in an area less affected by extreme weather or breeding new variants of the peppers that are more tolerant to heat and require less water, if possible, at all, would take years, Richard Howells, a supply chain expert at SAP, wrote in a blog post earlier this week.

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS

AP Business Writer
Biden proclaims NATO alliance more united than ever in contrast to predecessor Trump View Photo

HELSINKI (AP)  The itinerary included a NATO summit, a brief stop in the United Kingdom and a coda in the Finnish shoreline capital that included a news conference in the ornate Gothic Hall at the presidential palace.

The president was Donald Trump and the year was 2018. In July of that year, Trump had upended the annual gathering of the military alliance, criticized the British prime minister to the London tabloids and ultimately, in Helsinki, sided with Russian leader Vladimir Putin while casting doubt on his own intelligence community.

President Joe Bidens journey through Europe this week was nearly identical, but every point of his three-country tour was an unsaid yet indelible rebuke of his predecessor who tore through the continent a half-decade ago. It was a portrait of a leader whose ardent belief in international alliances will be part of his case for reelection, particularly if Biden faces a rematch against Trump and his opposing worldviews next year.

During Bidens concluding news conference in Helsinki, he took umbrage at a question about whether he could guarantee the United States would continue to be a reliable partner abroad, a query that conveyed allies concerns about Trump, whose foreign policy disdained the same alliances Biden cherishes.

Nobody can guarantee the future, but this is the best bet that anyone can make, Biden said of the U.S. commitment to the 74-year-old military alliance. When a Finnish journalist noted that Biden said no one could make guarantees, he testily responded: Let me be clear, I didnt say  we couldnt guarantee the future. You cant tell me whether youre going to be able to go home tonight. No one can be sure what theyre going to do.

Voice raised, he declared, Im saying, as sure as anything can possibly be said about American foreign policy, we will stay connected to NATO  connected to NATO, beginning, middle and end. Were a transatlantic partnership. Thats what Ive said.

His five-day trip to Europe  which wound through the United Kingdom, Lithuania and Finland  was meant to demonstrate the force of the international coalition against Russias invasion of Ukraine. And Biden appeared confident he had accomplished that mission, proclaiming that he and other NATO leaders showed the military alliance more united than ever.

Trump, in contrast, has often been dismissive of NATO. And in his news conference in Helsinki five years ago, he took issue with his own intelligence agencies firm finding that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. election to his benefit, seeming to accept Russian President Putins insistence that Moscows hands were clean.

Though Ukraines demand for an explicit path to NATO membership remained elusive, Biden emphasized that agreements with countries in the alliance would support Kyivs long-term security even without its formal entry. During a meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto earlier Thursday, Biden insisted that Zelenskyy ended up very happy despite his expressed frustrations at the lack of a clear timetable for Ukraine to join the alliance.

Biden and other administration officials also held what aides said were pivotal conversations with Turkey before that country this week dropped its objections to Sweden joining NATO. That paves the way for Sweden to become the 32nd member of the alliance, after Finland formally joined earlier this year.

During his brief stop in London, Biden repeatedly highlighted his close friendship with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whom he has already met with six times despite Sunak assuming his position just last October. That relationship was a stark contrast to that of Trump, who arrived in London five years ago accused then-Prime Minister Theresa May of ruining what the United Kingdom stood to gain from the Brexit vote to leave the European Union, adding that her former foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, would make an excellent prime minister.

And in Helsinki, standing in the same position where his predecessor stood five years ago, Biden delivered a sharp rebuke of the Russian leader with whom Trump aligned on denying election interference.

Putins already lost the war. Putin has a real problem  how does he move from here? What does he do? Biden said during the news conference. There is no possibility of him winning the war in Ukraine. Hes already lost that war.

Trump, who is leading other Republican presidential hopefuls in polling, as well as some other candidates have continued to criticize Bidens actions abroad even as the incumbent president takes hawkish actions that have pleased other GOP officials.

For instance, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a radio interview Wednesday with conservative radio host Howie Carr that he opposed Bidens controversial decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine and said right now you have an open-ended, blank check. Theres no clear objectives for victory. And this is kind of dragging on and on.

But the contrast is the sharpest with Trump who accused Biden of dragging us further toward World War III with the presidents controversial decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine and in May, said the Democrat had cowered to NATO as he outlined his foreign policy platform.

Its a contrast that Biden is eager to make. While in office, he has heartily embraced the tenets of multilateralism that Trump shunned, speaking repeatedly of having to rebuild international coalitions after four tumultuous years led by his predecessor. The garrulous former Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman is in his element at summits abroad, and speaks of how his background in international policy is proof positive that decades of experience on the world stage has mattered for the presidency.

Amid Bidens reelection campaign next year, the United States will be the host of the NATO summit in Washington as the military alliances marks its 75th anniversary  giving the U.S. president a natural domestic backdrop to tout his foreign policy vision before voters.

To be sure, foreign policy issues tend to fall far lower on the publics priority list than domestic and economic issues. In a December 2022 AP-NORC poll asking Americans to name up to five problems they think are most important for the government to be working on, only about 2 in 10 (18%) named at least one foreign policy related issue other than immigration, compared with large majorities naming at least one economic or domestic issue.

In the 2022 midterm election, just 2% of voters named foreign policy as the single most important issue facing the country when asked to choose from a list of nine issues.

Yet the conflict over competing visions of foreign policy are often dominating domestic politics. This week, the House is taking up a sweeping legislative package that sets defense policy for the Pentagon, and close Trump ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., proposed an amendment that would withdraw the U.S. from NATO.

Meanwhile, Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., joined together to introduce a bill that would explicitly bar any U.S. president from leaving the military alliance without assent from Capitol Hill.

NATO serves as an essential military alliance that protects shared national interests and enhances Americas international presence, said Rubio, who ran against Trump for the GOP presidential nomination in 2016. Any decision to leave the alliance should be rigorously debated and considered by the U.S. Congress with the input of the American people.

Swedens clearer path to joining NATO this week was another foreign policy goal accomplished for Biden, whose administration steadily kept up their pressure and support for the move. Both Finland and Sweden abandoned a history of military nonalignment and sought to join NATO alliance after Russia invaded Ukraine last year, and in particular, Finlands admittance to NATO effectively doubled the alliances border with Russia.

Sweden is poised to be admitted as NATOs 32nd member country after it pledged more cooperation with Turkey on counterterrorism efforts while backing Ankaras bid to join the European Union.

Bidens visit to Helsinki was unusual for another reason: Charly Salonius-Pasternak, senior researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, noted that the trip marked a U.S. president coming to Finland to honor the country itself, rather than as a neutral location for meeting Russian leaders or other similar reasons.

He is the sixth U.S president to visit Finland, a country of 5.5 million that has hosted several U.S.-Soviet and U.S.-Russia summits. The first involved President Gerald Ford, who would sign the so-called Helsinki Accords with more than 30 other nations in 1975.

The fact that Biden has chosen to go specifically to Finland for Finland is symbolic and, in some ways, very concrete, Salonius-Pasternak said. Its a kind of deterrence messaging that only the United States can do.

In the Cold War era, Finland acted as a neutral buffer between Moscow and Washington, and its leaders played a balancing act between the East and West, maintaining good relations with both superpowers.

Finland and neighboring Sweden gave up their traditional political neutrality by joining the European Union in 1995 but both remained militarily nonaligned, with opinion polls showing a clear majority of their citizens opposed to joining NATO. That changed quickly after Feb. 24, 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.

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Associated Press writers Darlene Superville and Emily Swanson in Washington, and Michelle Price in New York contributed to this report.

By SEUNG MIN KIM, CHRIS MEGERIAN and JARI TANNER

Associated Press
Interior Department official with key role in Colorado River talks is stepping down

Interior Department official with key role in Colorado River talks is stepping down View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  A senior Interior Department official who has had a key role in negotiations over the shrinking Colorado River plans to step down from the job next week.

Tanya Trujillo told the department of her intention to resign as assistant secretary for water and science about six weeks ago and her last day is Monday, she told The Associated Press. Trujillo, who has served in the role since June 2021, said it made sense to leave now as the Biden administration gears up for a reelection campaign.

Its a normal transition time, either committing to staying to the end of the (presidential) term or leaving before the campaign really gets fired up, she said. I am really, really proud and happy about all the accomplishments that we put into place and made.

The Interior Department declined to offer further comment on her departure.

Trujillo oversaw agencies including the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. She played an important role in discussions between the federal government, seven U.S. states and Native American tribes that share the waters of the 1,450-mile (2,334-kilometer) Colorado River. The waterway, which supports 40 million people and a $5 billion farm industry, has been in crisis for years because of a multi-decade drought intensified by climate change, rising demand and overuse.

Her departure comes as the states, cities and farmers that rely on the river are still struggling to decide how to reduce their use. In August the department will offer its annual analysis on the health of the river and announce if there will be additional cuts in the coming year.

In recent years, the federal government has lowered some states water allocations and offered billions of dollars to farmers, cities and others to cut back. But key water officials  including Trujillo  didnt see those efforts as enough to prevent the system from collapsing.

Last summer the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation called for the states to figure out how to use between 15% and 30% less in 2023. But states blew past the deadline set by federal officials, who also appeared to back off.

An agreement remained elusive for months longer, until Arizona, Nevada and California announced a breakthrough deal in May to cut their use in exchange for $1.2 billion in federal money. Interior is still reviewing the plan.

Anne Castle, who held Trujillos position from 2009 to 2014, said the job has gotten substantially more difficult in recent years because of the rapid decline in available water supplies for Colorado River users.

Those are hard jobs in the best of circumstances, Castle said.

Before joining Interior, Trujillo worked on Colorado River issues in jobs including executive director of the Colorado River Board of California. She is a lawyer who has worked on natural resources issues for more than two decades.

Trujillo said Wednesday she plans to spend more time in her home state of New Mexico and will take some time off before returning to work on water-related issues.

___

Fonseca reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment

By SUMAN NAISHADHAM and FELICIA FONSECA

Associated Press
Following a botched fugitive transport by a private company, Montana officials are working to ensure a homicide suspect that escaped custody over the weekend in Sanders County is brought back to the Midwest.

However, the incident put new focus on the capabilities of a private prisoner transfer service from which the prisoner escaped.

Sunday morning, Chadwick Shane Mobley was en route to Missoula from Lincoln County when he slipped out of his handcuffs and ankle shackles at the Plains Town Pump. He evaded law enforcement for nearly two full days before he was apprehended just after 6 p.m. on Monday evening.

A news release from the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office stated Mobley was the subject of a nationwide manhunt for a homicide case in Michigan. He was spotted on June 28 and was subsequently arrested at a grocery store in Libby.

Mobley was held in the Lincoln County jail pending his extradition to Michigan. Sanders County Sheriff Shawn Fielders said the private transport service was bringing Mobley to the Missoula airport, to be flown to Michigan, when he escaped supervision in Plains.

On Monday, he was found near River Road West in Plains. Fielders said Mobley somehow got possession of a canoe and was paddling on the river when law enforcement found him. Responding deputies and officers met Mobley at the rivers bank and took him into custody without further incident. Mobley wasnt armed.

Fielders suspected Mobley was hiding around the Plains area in the time frame he was missing.

Initial information sent out by the Sanders County Sheriffs Office stated the transport was done by a private company contracted through the U.S. Marshals Service.

A memo from the Michigan Attorney Generals Office shared with the Missoulian on Wednesday named the transport company as Prison Transport Services LLC. The Attorney General's Office stated it is reviewing the incident.

The failure of Prisoner Transport Services to safely and securely transport Mobley to Michigan placed the people of northwestern Montana in considerable and grave danger, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in the memo. This is not the work we expect on behalf of the Michigan Department of Attorney General and we have already begun a thorough review of the failures in this process.

Nessels office said the company is based out of Nashville, Tennessee and is the only private transfer company available in Montana. Representatives for the company werent able to be reached by the Michigan Attorney General for comment on the incident, the letter reads.

Special agents with the AGs office will transport Mobley to Michigan for his arraignment in Lapeer County, the memo stated.

U.S. Marshals Service for Montana Chief Deputy Tim Hornung said on Tuesday that the Marshals office in Montana was not involved in moving Mobley.
Missing trail hikers body found in Yosemite National Park creek View Photo

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP)  The body of a hiker who went missing in Yosemite National Park after being swept away by a cold and fast-flowing creek as Californias epic winter snowpack melts was found over the weekend, authorities confirmed Wednesday.

Hayden T. Klemenok vanished July 2 while backpacking with a group at Upper Chilnualna Falls, the National Park Service said in a statement.

He went missing shortly after entering Chilnualna Creek near the trail junction, the service said. That section of the creek is about a dozen miles (20 kilometers) south of Yosemite Valley and features a series of waterfalls and cascades that plunge hundreds of feet.

Klemenoks body was found Sunday and recovered Monday. How he died remains under investigation, said Scott Gediman, a spokesperson with Yosemite National Park.

The cause of death is currently presumed to be accidental drowning. Kelmenoks sister, Taylor McKinnie, said in a statement posted on Facebook. She didnt immediately respond to a Facebook message seeking comment.

Klemenoks parents told The San Francisco Chronicle that his friends said the day of the accident was hot and the 24-year-old from Petaluma, California, had gotten down on all fours to wet his face, but his hands slipped and he went into the water.

Its the worst experience any parent or family should go through, Michelle Klemenok said.

California authorities have been warning the public that rivers, streams and lakes are extremely dangerous this year because of the massive runoff. The water is so cold that a person can lose muscle control within minutes, officials say.

Despite the warnings, there have been repeated tragedies. Nearly two dozen people have drowned or gone missing in California rivers since mid-April, according to the Bay Area News Group, which has been tracking reports from local authorities.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California Gov. Gavin Newsom stepped in on Wednesday to help revive a bill in the state Legislature that would increase penalties for child trafficking in the state, siding with a Republican state senator over some members of his own party.

The bill by Republican state Sen. Shannon Grove would make child trafficking a serious felony in California. Anyone convicted of at least three serious felonies in California is punished by a sentence of between 25 years and life in prison, known as the three strikes law.

The bill had easily passed the Democratic-controlled Senate earlier this year, and Grove expected it to have little opposition in the Assembly. On Tuesday, Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee declined to advance the bill, putting it in danger of not passing this year.

Newsom said Wednesday he was surprised the bill had stalled. He said he called Grove to talk about the bill, telling reporters that the call is indicative of my desire to see what we can do with it. Newsom said he cares deeply about the issue, noting he signed a state budget last year that included $25 million for services for children who had been victims of sex trafficking.

I want to understand exactly what happened yesterday (in the committee), Newsom said. I take it very seriously.

Its unusual for Newsom to publicly get involved in a dispute at the Capitol, especially when it involves the Republican Party. Newsom prefers to stay out of such matters, often declining to answer reporters questions about pending legislation.

Newsoms involvement on this issue highlights the split among Democrats over how best to prevent and punish crime. Some moderate Democrats favor increasing penalties for drug dealers and other criminals, decisions that would ensure they stay in prison longer. Some progressive Democrats oppose those bills, arguing it would lead only add to the mass incarceration of offenders, which they say has done little to deter crime.

Longer sentences dont actually stop things from happening, Assembly Majority Leader Isaac Bryan, a Democrat from Los Angeles, said during Tuesdays committee hearing. All they do is increase our investment in systems of harm and subjugation at the expense of the investments that the communities need to not have this be a problem to begin with.

The bill failed to pass the committee following an emotional public hearing that featured testimony from human trafficking victims. Some people wept after the vote total was announced, while others in the audience shouted coward.

Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, a Democrat from Los Angeles and chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee, told Grove on Tuesday he believes there is a path for the bill to become law. After the hearing, his office released a statement saying the committee members understood Groves intent but said the bill needs considerable work.

The Three Strikes model of sentencing is ineffective in preventing crime and protecting the publics safety, the statement said. We will not build on a deeply flawed sentencing system that unfairly punishes disadvantaged communities.

New Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas said his office is working with Grove to get it right, telling a crowd at the Sacramento Press Club on Wednesday his office is very engaged in this issue since I learned about it last night.

Its unclear what changes Democrats are seeking. Grove said she had a productive meeting with Jones-Sawyer on Wednesday afternoon, but said they did not reach an agreement. Grove said she is not interested in changing the bill, noting it cleared the state Senate with no opposition and has dozens of co-authors from both parties.

The bill needs to be brought to the Assembly floor, she said, and it needs to be voted on as is.

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Associated Press reporter Tran Nguyen contributed to this report.

By ADAM BEAM

Associated Press
WASHINGTON  Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) are building upon their work to combat food insecurity by introducing the Overcoming Higher Education Hunger Through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (OHH SNAP) Act. This legislation would allow independent students and students with an expected family contribution (EFC) of $0 to be eligible to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Connecticut is home to more than 40 colleges and universities and 380,000  or 1 in 10  Connecticut residents reportedly struggle with hunger.

The Overcoming Higher Education Hunger Through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Act would also make it easier for students to access SNAP benefits by excluding financial aid used for living expenses from personal income and counting time spent attending an institution of higher education towards SNAP work requirements.

College students across Connecticut struggle with hunger while working towards their degrees, Rep. Hayes said. Higher education should be a bridge to success and financial stability, but so many students show up to class worrying where they will get their next meal. These hard-working students are immediately at a disadvantage. The OHH SNAP Act will make it easier for low-income students or students with an EFC of $0 to participate in SNAP. Year after year, I have joined my colleagues to put forward legislation to address this important issue.

Rep. Williams said the Overcoming Higher Education Hunger Through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Act is endorsed by several organizations including: National College Attainment Network (NCAN), Higher Learning Advocates (HLA), Center for Higher Education Policy and Practice at SNHU, uAspire, and the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Currently, nearly 33 percent of college students do not have enough to eat, yet only 18 percent are eligible for SNAP benefits. According to a 2018 Government Accountability Office report analyzing federal student survey data, just 31 percent of college students who meet SNAP income limits reported receiving SNAP benefits while the other 69 percent of potentially eligible students received none.
A Butte EV driver can snag a recharge even before Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas play the Dance Pavilion stage Friday night.

Regional options for electric vehicle recharging include, but are not necessarily limited to, four charging stations at Town Pumps Flying J Travel Center in Rocker and six Tesla stations near the Perkins Restaurant and Bakery in Butte.

A contractor working for Town Pump is installing eight charging stations at the companys other truck stop in Rocker.

We are hopeful to be operational by the end of August, said Bill McGladdery, a spokesman for the Butte-based corporation.

He said Town Pump has five charging stations at its new store in Whitefish.

Thriftway Super Stops did not respond to requests for information.

One website tracking the deployment of EV charging stations reports that Montana ranks third among states with the most spread-out charging locations.

There were said to be an average of about 359 miles between each of the states 205 charging ports available when calculations were crunched  a metric that likely sounds worse than it is. It does not acknowledge, for example, that most of the existing charging ports follow major highways and are available in this rural states more urban areas.

In March, Car and Driver ranked the longest-range electric cars for 2023, a ranking especially relevant to drivers in Big Sky Country.

Lucid Motors, based in California, ranked first with the Lucid Air, boasting an EPA-estimated 516 miles of range  enough to get most Montanans to the grocery store and back. Base price: $139,650.

The Tesla Model S ranked second, with an EPA-estimated range of 405 miles on a full charge. Base price: $91,630.

The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 has an EPA-estimated range of 361 miles and is more affordable, with a base price of $46,615.

Electric cars are the future, and each year weve seen automakers add more EVs to their lineups, Car and Driver reported this month. Everyone is working on electric vehicles, from well-established existing manufacturers to new names such as Lucid, Canoo and Rivian.

Level 3 EV charges, the fastest charge favored by most long-distance drivers, can be found in Montana in places that include, among others, along Interstate 90 west of Butte in Missoula, along I-90 east in Bozeman, off I-15 south in Lima and off I-15 north in Helena and Great Falls.
A pilot shortage has prompted SkyWest Airlines to seek commuter authority for a charter air service that could soon be servicing regional jet routes.

The airline that provides subsidized Essential Air Service to Butte and West Yellowstone has requested that its charter business be certified for commuter service. SkyWest Charter, or SWC, would be able to use pilots with fewer flight hours.

The airline industry is experiencing a pilot shortage, said Marissa Snow, a SkyWest spokesperson. The airline has had to leave more than two dozen Essential Air Service markets in recent years. The SkyWest Charter could provide relief.

Theres absolutely a shortage. Many airlines did early retirements through COVID and theres about 10,000 captains needed, Snow said.

SkyWest flights between Salt Lake, West Yellowstone and Butte are flown by SkyWest Airlines, not SWC.

Essential Air Service is a federally managed program that connects small rural communities with airports that have commercial flight connections. The passenger share of flight costs is capped at $200, though the passenger cost of the flight can be less than that amount.

SkyWests subsidy for Butte is $997,186 annually. West Yellowstone flights receive a $1.49 million subsidy. Money for the flights comes from federal general funds and commercial airlines, which have subsidized the program since the industry was deregulated nearly 40 years ago.

The EAS program, operated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, also subsidizes flights flown by Cape Air between Billings and five small airports in Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Wolf Point and Sidney. The subsidy per airport ranges from $2.3 million to $4.6 million annually.

Like SkyWest, Cape Air officials earlier told Lee Montana Newspapers that pilots were getting harder to come by. A pilot with the 1,500 hours of flight time needed to fly for a large commercial airline usually moves up the ladder, away from Essential Air Service flights.

Charter airlines are allowed to have pilots with 250 hours of flight time if classified under the Part 135 designation for commercial service. SkyWest Charter first applied for approval to service commuter routes in July 2022, but its request hasnt been acted upon.

In June, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, a Montana Republican, wrote Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, asking that the SWC be granted approval. Daines followed up the letter Wednesday, saying that the delay could hurt SkyWest service to Butte and West Yellowstone.

Daines Communications Director Rachel Dumke said the Senator was confident that SWC pilots would have a minimum of 1,500 flight hour experience, which is what SkyWest had assured him.

SkyWest, despite operating under the lesser certification standard, has committed to only employing pilots with 1,500 hours, Dumke said in email. The charter business would also operate with the backing of SkyWest Airlines own operating standards, which far exceed Part 135 requirements.

Essential Air Service to Butte has been challenging because of tight resources. In July 2022, the Department of Transportation granted SkyWest a waiver for complying with the EAS requirement of 13 weekly round trips to Denver and Salt Lake City. The waiver was requested by the City of Butte, which proposed a reduction of 5 round trips a week rather than losing the service altogether.
Bidens EV program is alienating allies in the United Auto Workers, who fear the push will lead to fewer well-paying union jobs

President Joe Biden's sweeping electric vehicle (EV) program is alienating one of his formerly staunchest union allies : the United Auto Workers (UAW).

The UAW, a massive and powerful union representing more than 400,000 workers in the automobile industry, has long been an influential force in progressive politics, aiding pro-labor union Democrats in the Midwest with their organizing and fundraising power.

For his part, Biden has touted his aggressive push toward replacing more and more internal combustion-engine vehicles in America's roads with their electric counterparts as part of a major reinvestment in American manufacturing. But UAW leadership isn't buying any of the president's claims.

UAW President Shawn Fain, along with union members in Lordstown, Ohio, recently sounded the alarm over severe cuts to auto workers' wages that they believe were caused by Biden's push to get automakers to invest more in EVs with federal subsidies. (Related: EV COLLAPSE: Electric vehicle manufacturer Lordstown Motors files for bankruptcy.)

"There have been clear winners and losers and the same people who've always won, the corporate elite and the billionaire class, seem to think they can keep calling the shots," said Fain.

The UAW president noted that major automakers, including the "Big Three" of Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, have so far received tens of billions of dollars in government subsidies to support their transition to manufacturing more and more EVs.

"But those benefits aren't trickling down to UAW members," warned Fain in a statement highlighting how the Big Three continue to shut down factories and cut jobs despite receiving billions in government handouts and making billions in profits.

"Why is Joe Biden's administration facilitating this corporate greed with taxpayer money?" asked Fain, who struck a fiery tone when he called out the White House for "actively funding the race to the bottom with billions in public money."

EV push could harm Biden's re-election bid

So far, the UAW is withholding an endorsement for Biden's 2024 campaign, after backing him in 2020. In a memo written to members, Fain wrote that he wants to see Biden commit to "have our backs on this" before the UAW even begins thinking about campaigning for Biden.

Fain's job as the UAW president is to protect its members, most of whom have been working building gas- and diesel-powered vehicles that are now gradually being phased out in favor of EVs. He is concerned that the new EV factories won't employ as many people as traditional assembly plants.

Furthermore, Fain and other union leaders have expressed their concern that the new jobs in EV plants will end up providing union members with significantly lower wages and without protective collective bargaining agreements.

The UAW pointed to General Motors' new Ultium Cells plant in Ohio as an example. Established in partnership with Korean conglomerate LG, the plant promised to bring high-paying, green-energy jobs.

But former Lordstown workers who made upwards of $30 an hour before the factory's closure ended up only making $16.50 an hour at the new Ultium Cells plant, effectively cutting auto wages in half and only providing employees the possibility of an increase up to $20 an hour after seven years of hard work.

Fain's attacks against Biden's EV incentives for Big Auto come just days before former President Donald Trump descended on Michigan and echoed Fain's criticisms, noting that the transition to EVs would lead to a "decimation" of the state's auto industry.

"It's going to be a level that people can't even imagine," said Trump.

According to an internal UAW poll, about one in three union members voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020. With Biden's relentless push for EVs disregarding the concerns of auto workers, it is very likely that percentage is going to massively increase.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the White House claimed that Biden and the UAW are "working toward the same goal" of making sure America's auto industry survives to provide workers with "good-paying, union jobs."

"America's auto workers are essential to achieving that goal," said the spokesperson. "The most 'pro-labor president ever' is more than a slogan. It's a critical part of the president's effort to rebuild the middle class and empower workers as he ushers in this new American manufacturing boom."

Learn more about the electric vehicle push at FlyingCars.news.

Watch this clip from the Next News Network reporting on how several attorneys general are fighting back against Biden's electric vehicle regulations.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Car companies are expanding into the lithium mining business to secure their supplies for EV manufacturing.

Pew poll finds 59% of Americans OPPOSE Biden admin's plan to phaseout gas-powered cars in favor of EVs.

Ford to lay off 1,000 employees as focus on EVs costs the company BILLIONS.

House Republicans say NO to Biden's electric vehicle tyranny, call it an "ill-considered effort."

Analysts: Biden green energy agenda could cost $1.2T.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

Axios.com

Twitter.com

Brighteon.com
New York Times SLAMS Joe Biden for disowning 4-year-old granddaughter from Hunter Biden and a stripper

The New York Times has printed a scathing opinion piece by one of its star columnists. The piece strongly criticized President Joe Biden for claiming that he only has six grandchildren instead of seven  effectively disowning the four-year-old daughter of Hunter Biden born to a stripper.

In a column titled "It's Seven Grandkids, Mr. President," Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maureen Dowd excoriated Biden for deliberately excluding his granddaughter, four-year-old Navy Joan Roberts, born to Hunter and stripper Lunden Alexis Roberts, from the Biden family tree.

Navy Joan, born in Arkansas in 2018, was recently confirmed as Hunter's daughter after a court-ordered paternity test. Hunter recently settled a child support case in Arkansas, ending a paternity dispute that began in 2019 when a test confirmed that Navy Joan is his daughter.

In the settlement, Hunter has agreed to continue paying $5,000 a month in child support  a reduction from the initial $20,000 agreed upon. Furthermore, Hunter will provide Navy Joan's mother Lunden with the proceeds from the sale of an undisclosed number of his art pieces. Navy will also be able to keep one of the pieces as security for her future, and Hunter has also agreed to pay for all of the attorney fees and court costs. (Related: Sick Hunter Biden said he wouldn't pay cash-strapped assistant unless she FaceTimed him undressed.)

In exchange, Lunden has agreed to drop her court petition to have Navy Joan's last name changed to Biden.

"Joe Biden's mantra has always been that 'the absolute most important thing is your family.' It is the heart of his political narrative. Empathy, born of family tragedies, has been his stock in trade," wrote Dowd, alluding to Biden's previous family tragedies, including the death of his eldest son Beau to a brain tumor.

"Callously scarring Navy's life, just as it gets started, undercuts that," Dowd said, adding that the president's behavior could result in Navy Joan being bullied "as she grows up, knowing that her father and paternal grandparents wanted nothing to do with her."

"She will probably be able to see a video or two showing her half-sister Naomi getting married on the South Lawn and you watching the fireworks on the balcony with little [grandson] Beau. And if she misses that, there will be plenty of schoolmates to remind her that she wasn't wanted. Kids can be mean that way."

Massive outcry over Biden's refusal to acknowledge granddaughter

The outcry over the president's lack of empathy has been massive.

"What a beautiful little girl she is. I saw a story on this and her picture and she's just adorable, and to have her family disavowing her and basically disowning her without ever meeting her? How sad. Incredibly sad," remarked Arizona politician Kari Lake. "But maybe there's a silver lining here. They said in the settlement that she can't use the Biden name. That name is absolute mud. I think she's actually lucky that she'll never have to use the Biden name."

"Remarkable that Joe Biden hangs a Christmas stocking for his dog, but won't acknowledge his granddaughter," noted Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton. "Not an ounce of decency."

"Set aside politics and put yourself in the shoes of this four-year-old," noted economist and political scientist Timur Kuran. "'She's aware that her father is Hunter Biden and that her paternal grandfather is U.S. president. She speaks about both often, but she has not met them.' No one should do this to a child."

"What an absolute disgrace. I get that Hunter is hopeless, but how can Joe Biden not have a relationship with his granddaughter who did absolutely nothing wrong?" said Marc Thiessen, author and former White House speechwriter for former President George W. Bush.

The only love Navy Joan seems to be getting is from Lunden and her maternal grandfather, Rob Roberts, who said in a text interview that he "may not be the POTUS," referring to an acronym for the president, but he said he would do anything for his granddaughter.

"She needs for nothing and never will," said Rob.

Learn more about Biden and his family, including Hunter, at BidenCrimeFamily.news.

Watch this clip from "Eric Bolling The Balance" on Newsmax discussing the mainstream media's sudden opposition to Biden following his disowning of his four-year-old granddaughter.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Hunter Biden DEMANDS $10 million from communist China energy company in WhatsApp text while sitting next to his senile father, the "Big Guy."

Whistleblower: DOJ is obstructing IRS probe into Hunter Biden's taxes from the millions he "earned" in business deals overseas.

Impeachment resolution against Biden PASSES House vote, now moves to two committees for review.

Newly uncovered emails from Hunter Biden's laptop reveal secret Maltese bank account opened by Ukrainian energy exec.

Biden crime family profited from influence peddling, received $10 million from China and other countries.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

DailyMail.co.uk

NYPost.com

FoxNews.com
Mayo Clinic doubling down on censorship to silence criticism of transgenderism, leaked memo shows

leaked memo sent to the Mayo Clinic College of Medical Science by the Mayo Clinic itself reveals that the once-reputable healthcare provider is "doubling down" on censoring its members from speaking freely about various topics, including transgenderism and the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19).

The issue hinges upon the recent punishment of Dr. Michael Joyner, a professor and Mayo Clinic member who presented research on public health covering a range of topics from COVID to transgenderism. Joyner's commentary on these topics was perceived by the Mayo Clinic as going against certain official government policies, which prompted the organization to go after him in pursuit of silencing him.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it is more important for its members to stick with "prescribed messaging" rather than speak their own minds based on their own research and professional assessments  you know, what good doctors are supposed to do. In other words, the Mayo Clinic expects its members to be robotic drones that simply parrot whatever they are told by the "authorities" rather than be the doctors and health professionals they were trained to be.

The Mayo Clinic emphasized in the memo the fact that it is more concerned with the image of its "brand" than with allowing its members to speak the truth and help patients, especially when that truth goes against the establishment's "prescribed messaging" for something like COVID or LGBT issues.

(Related: In 2021, Mayo Clinic-trained Dr. Ryan Cole warned that COVID "vaccines" lock suppressed immunity into people's bodies, making them more prone to contracting HIV, HPV, shingles and herpes.)

Mayo Clinic claims to be committed to "academic freedom and expression," except that it's not

We first learned about the Joyner incident in early June after the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) urged the Mayo Clinic's faculty to back off in its oppression of Joyner and his free speech rights.

It was Mayo Clinic Chief Communications Officer Halena Gazelka who wrote the aforementioned memo indicating that rather than back off from the controversy, the organization will instead be doubling down in pursuit of Joyner and any others who disobey its orders.

None of this abides by the Mayo Clinic college's "promise" to both teachers and students that it is committed to the right of free speech. Clearly, this is not the case since Joyner was not only suspended but also put under a strict gag order.

Despite all this, Gazelka brazenly urged the college's leadership to continue pretending as though the Mayo Clinic is "fully committed to academic freedom and expression," these being her exact words from the memo.

Joyner is still not allowed to speak with reporters without the college's permission. And the Mayo Clinic is claiming that this gag order has nothing to do with his statements about COVID or transgenderism, but rather about some comments he made about the National Institute of Health's (NIH) regulation of convalescent plasma.

"Dr. Joyner's comments about the NIH did not reflect the expression of a scientific or academic opinion, but instead were an expression of his personal frustration with the NIH's regulation of a therapy he had championed," Gazelka wrote in the memo, referring to Joyner as making "unprofessional comments."

The Mayo Clinic used to be regarded as a reputable health organization with top-of-the-line science. Now we can see it is no different than Facebook or Google in terms of putting a muzzle on the truth whenever it threatens the establishment's narrative.

"We can no longer depend on the information we get from Mayo Clinic," one commenter wrote.

Why is the establishment so obsessed with censoring the truth these days? Learn more at Censorship.news.

Sources include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

NaturalNews.com
Sotomayor caught muscling universities into buying thousands of her books for a pretty penny

With a media campaign going on against conservative Supreme Court justices in the wake of Dobbs v. Jackson, the Associated Press decided to do a little digging on the others  and came up with a doozy on Justice Sonia Sotomayor , starting with a softball lede:

(Article by Monica Showalter republished from AmericanThinker.com)

WASHINGTON (AP)  For colleges and libraries seeking a boldfaced name for a guest lecturer, few come bigger than Sonia Sotomayor, the Supreme Court justice who rose from poverty in the Bronx to the nation's highest court. She has benefited, too  from schools' purchases of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of the books she has written over the years. Sotomayor's staff has often prodded public institutions that have hosted the justice to buy her memoir or children's books, works that have earned her at least $3.7 million since she joined the court in 2009. Details of those events, largely out of public view, were obtained by The Associated Press through more than 100 open records requests to public institutions. The resulting tens of thousands of pages of documents offer a rare look at Sotomayor and her fellow justices beyond their official duties. In her case, the documents reveal repeated examples of taxpayer-funded court staff performing tasks for the justice's book ventures, which workers in other branches of government are barred from doing.

In other words, she and her personal henchwoman, Anh Le, who lives off the public dime, spend an enormous amount of time on shaking down colleges and other venues for book purchases. The AP laid out the raw emails, where nothing was couched in delicate terms, leaving it pretty clear that Sotomayor has a pay-to-play operation going, muscling universities into having her speak and meet and greet their denizens  in exchange for absurdly high numbers of book purchases they aren't shy about demanding. It has made her a pretty penny.

Let's take a look at some of these numbers available on Amazon:

In other words, these aren't serious books about legal reasonings or legal history, which seem natural topics for Supreme Court justices. These are ego trips  Sotomayor casting herself as the hero on the identity politics train, and then getting paid for it.

Any questions as to why it got out that the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg considered Sotomayor the dumbest member of the Court?

These are very dumb books, books that take no challenge to read and offer little more than Sotomayor's biography and trite advice to kids as money-making fodder. These are phone-it-in books, and it says something that Sotomayor needed a professional writer to serve as co-author in the kids' fare. Sotomayor doesn't even have kids, so it's odd that she should be so focused on writing children's books. That rather suggests that these books are vehicles for raking in the dough.

Some of these books sport really low rankings these days, suggesting that they aren't terribly interesting to the book-buying public. They are tripe. That suggests that were it not for the Sotomayor team's musclings of universities, there wouldn't be any sales at all.

These aren't books anyone would buy unless he had to. Sotomayor's right-hand woman made sure a lot of educational institutions had to.

Look at how tough she was, demanding universities cough up. Here is one passage, and the story contained many others:

"For an event with 1,000 people and they have to have a copy of Just Ask to get into the line, 250 books is definitely not enough," the aide, Anh Le, wrote staffers at the Multnomah County Library. "Families purchase multiples and people will be upset if they are unable to get in line because the book required is sold out." It was not an isolated push. As Sotomayor prepared for commencement weekend at the University of California, Davis law school, her staff pitched officials there on buying copies of signed books in connection with the event. Before a visit to the University of Wisconsin, the staff suggested a book signing. At Clemson University in South Carolina, school officials offered to buy 60 signed copies before a 2017 appearance; Sotomayor's staff noted that most schools order around 400. Michigan State University asked Sotomayor to come to campus and in 2018 spent more than $100,000 on copies of her memoir, "My Beloved World," to distribute to incoming first-year students. The books were shipped to the Supreme Court, where copies were taken to her chambers by court workers and signed by her before being sent to the school.

The Sotomayor team had a cow when an event was offered with free tickets and the public declined to buy her book to get it signed.

"Can you please show me the screen where people can purchase books?" Le wrote library staffers as they prepared to make the tickets available. "Are you just placing Just Ask  on the portal or all of the Justice's books." When the free tickets were quickly snapped up, she asked library officials to publicize that those who could not get tickets could still meet the justice if they purchased a book. "Please also let them know that they can attend the signing line to meet the Justice even if they are not able to attend the event," Le wrote in an Aug. 26, 2019, email. A day later, she followed with another email, concerned that not enough of the people who got tickets had also purchased a book. Records indicate that the roughly 550 free tickets made available to the public (the rest were reserved for VIP guests) resulted in the advance purchase of only 28 books. "Is there a reminder going out that people need to purchase a book at the event or bring a book to get into the signing line?" Le wrote. "Most of the registrants did not purchase books." Still, when she found out event organizers had only purchased 250 copies of Sotomayor's book, she sent an email telling library officials that the quantity was "definitely not enough."

What's more, it was obvious the universities didn't want these tripe-filled books. When Sotomayor broke her shoulder in 2018 and had to cancel her event at Michigan State, the university asked for a $110,000 refund on the 11,000 books it had been forced to buy. The Sotomayor team tried to talk them out of that, but the university insisted. They didn't want that crap on their hands  nobody was going to buy them, and since Sotomayor didn't deliver on her end in this quid pro quo, they wanted their money back.

What can anyone call this other than disguised bribery or else the marketing and branding of Sotomayor as some kind of consumer durable on the identity politics model?

Either one of these possibilities is repellent in the extreme. If a justice wants to write a book and makes money on it because it's a good book, more power to him. But Sotomayor doesn't write books; she issues money vehicles for her own benefit. What kind of sorry picture is this?

Read more at: AmericanThinker.com
White House visitor logs reveal Alex Soros multiple meetings with Biden admin officials

White House visitor logs have revealed that Alex Soros, the son of Hungarian billionaire globalist George Soros, met with various Biden administration officials multiple times

Breitbart reported on the younger Soros' multiple meetings at the White House in a July 9 piece. The logs revealed that Alex, George's eldest son with former wife and historian Susan Webster, met with Biden administration officials 20 times. The younger Soros even attended a state dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron, which had U.S. President Joe Biden in attendance.

Based on the logs, Alex reportedly met with Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer six times between December 2021 and March 2023. He also met with Hazel Castillo, staff assistant to Finer, in April 2022.

The younger Soros met with Mariana Adame, an advisor to Presidential Counselor Steve Ricchetti, three times during that period. Alex also met with Nina Srivastava, an advisor to former White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain, three times. Logs also revealed two instances of him having a meeting with the two advisors twice on the same day. (Related: Son of George Soros scoring easy White House access, records show.)

Moreover, Alex has met with other notable officials such as National Security Council Senior Director for Europe Amanda Sloat and Kimberly Lang, executive assistant to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

"While it is unknown what was discussed in these meetings, the fact that they involve so many national security officials at a time when the Biden administration is heavily focused on the war in Ukraine may offer a clue," wrote Rebecca Mansour, Breitbart's senior editor-at-large.

Speaking to the Washington Post (WaPo), European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) Director Mark Leonard said the Russia-Ukraine war is a key focus for the younger Soros. According to him, Alex is "in daily contact" with the Open Society Foundation (OSF) in Ukraine and is "talking to different governments about their policy toward Ukraine."

According to WaPo, OSF "describes itself as the largest independent funder of Ukrainian civil society and citizen groups for more than three decades." OSF, which was established by the elder Soros in 1993, also funds the ECFR.

Interfering with elections? Apple doesn't fall far from the tree

Mansour noted, however, that the younger Soros' meetings with Adame might have to do with his potential involvement in the 2024 presidential elections. Adame works under Ricchetti, a longtime Biden loyalist and former K Street lobbyist. The presidential counselor chaired Biden's 2020 campaign and was instrumental in helping the incumbent secure big campaign donations from Wall Street financiers.

The 37-year-old Alex assumed the OSF's leadership in December 2022, when its board elected him to replace his father George as chairman. Since 2021, the younger Soros has served as the president of the super political action committee (PAC) called Democracy PAC.

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Alex said he and George "think alike," although he is "more political" than his father. He also expressed particular interest in American political causes involving "voting and abortion rights, as well as gender equity."

Alex's strong Democratic leanings are visible on his social media profiles. His Instagram regularly features various Congressional Democrats such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia.

The WSJ also noted that the younger Soros seeks to stop former President Donald Trump from returning to the White House after the 2024 elections. To this end, he appears to be willing to use the considerable financial resources at his disposal. Alex told the outlet: "As much as I would love to get money out of politics, as long as the other side is doing it, we will have to do it, too."

Visit Soros.news for more stories about the globalist father-and-son tandem of George and Alex Soros.

Watch this clip from InfoWars explaining how Alex Soros is funding bloodshed across the world.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

George Soros: The money behind leftist media & censorship (CensorTrack with Paiten).

George Soros exposed as major force behind Trumps prosecution and imminent arrest.

George Soros cedes control of $25 billion empire to his leftist son, who is inclined to help criminals roam free.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

Brighteon.com
Liberal environmentalist: WOKE MOB is vindictive; CONSERVATIVES are more forgiving

A progressive-minded environmentalist has had his greatest realization: Conservatives are saner and more forgiving than liberal leftists, who are ruthless, hostile and vindictive. Stuart Parker, an environmentalist, recently posted this eye-opening recognition after his "comrades" and so-called friends started to want to destroy his life just because he slammed the transgender movement.

He felt like being a progressive, outspoken citizen of the "Land of the Free," he could express his opinions and objections to the LGBTQIA ideologies. When he was speaking out on climate change and endorsing going green, conservatives and right-wingers understood and actually acknowledged his work.

What Parker felt is backed by a study published in Psychology Science titled "Why are conservatives happier than liberals," which was based on feelings of "victimization and economic factors." According to the paper's authors Jaime Napier and John Jost, left-wing women are unhappy and frequently grapple with mental health issues.

"In this research, we drew on system-justification theory and the notion that conservative ideology serves a palliative function to explain why conservatives are happier than liberals. Specifically, in three studies using nationally representative data from the United States and nine additional countries, we found that right-wing (vs. left-wing) orientation is indeed associated with greater subjective well-being and that the rationalization of inequality mediates the relation between political orientation and subjective well-being," the authors detailed.

They found that increasing economic inequality (as measured by the Gini index) from 1974 to 2004 has exacerbated the happiness gap between liberals and conservatives  apparently because conservatives (more than liberals) possess an ideological buffer against the negative hedonic effects of economic inequality.

The Left tends to be atheistic, while the right tends to be Christian, Revolver News wrote about the research. And this, according to the news outlet, has a lot to do with which side shows more mercy and real tolerance, unlike the fake tolerance of diversity, equity and inclusion principle.

In his social media post, Parker said: "Those working in the fossil fuel industry, who are most likely offended by his stance as it can endanger their employment, those who are not convinced of the climate change, and people who falsely believe I receive money from shadowy European interests, they never felt entitled to go after my ability to earn a living or have a romantic partner."

Meanwhile, in his three years of resisting "genderwang," hundreds of his friends from the left cult, "have felt it totally appropriate to engage in unapologetic concerted public efforts to destroy these things, to even come after my fortnightly tabletop Runequest games and try to stop those."

In my 36 years as a climate activist, no conservative who has disagreed with me on climate has ever tried to destroy my career, my home, my relationship, my friendships, my social media accounts, my radio shows, my podcasts or my recreational activities. People working in the  Stuart Parker, social antibody and career Moop (@stuartlosaltos) July 5, 2023

According to Revolver, Parker has been experiencing the effects of the liberal "groupthink" dynamic firsthand. This is a phenomenon wherein when one tries to oppose the Left's collective hive mindset, the consequences can be severe, potentially costing the opposer everything he's worked for. "It's a tactic they use often to ensure everyone remains in line, marching to the same beat," the news site explained.

The responses to Parker's tweet can prove this. Conservatives were offering him support, good vibes and even prayers. One user replied: "I have found myself also being prepared to say to my lefty friends (which is most of them)  I feel safer around conservatives. Even though I frequently don't agree with them and many of them have unfounded beliefs as well. And I'm not conservative. But the Left is more vindictive."

Another account called "rationalexpectations" commented that this was "one of the reasons why I can never identify as a liberal. This and their constant whining and lobbying for free stuff. Free stuff that is paid for by the rest of us."

Another admitted to being a die-hard lefty but is also utterly dismayed by the Left's adoption of the nonsensical notions that A) there is a pure position in all matters; B) they are uniquely qualified to know what it is; and C) they, therefore, have the right to police everyone else.

Another reply to Parker's tweet summed it all up.

Follow LeftCult.com for more stories on the Left's vindictive and aggressive actions toward conservatives.

Sources for this article include:

Revolver.news

PubMed.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov
Biden once opposed the use of cluster bombs in war  now he is sending them to Ukraine

The White House confirmed on Friday, July 7, that President Joe Biden will be sending cluster bombs to Ukraine despite his long history of opposing their use . In particular, then-Delaware Sen. Biden opposed the use of cluster bombs by Israel during the 1982 Lebanon War.

Biden gave then-Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin some serious criticisms. At the time, Israel was fighting Palestinian revolutionaries in Lebanon, who had been targeting Israeli communities in northern Israel, forcing the country to invade southern Lebanon.

Amidst reports that Israel had employed cluster bombs in its invasion of Lebanon, several Democrats made it all the way to push for cutting off aid to Israel. Biden at the time noted that if the reports about the country's use of cluster munitions are true, then the U.S. should respond by "cutting off the ability to get access to that kind of weaponry in the future."

When Israel was again accused of employing cluster bombs against Hezbollah fighters during the Second Lebanon War in 2006, Biden rejected a bill that would have prohibited the use of cluster munitions in populated regions, suggesting that his stance changed about cluster bombs.

Now, it seems Biden is backtracking on the issue of cluster munitions, which are bigger bombs that carry dozens of smaller bomblets, many of which are known as "duds" because they don't explode upon impact with the ground and end up threatening the local civilian population.

Last year, Biden's ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, delivered a speech in which she announced that cluster bombs have "no place on the battlefield." The Biden administration had to retract that statement now.

Biden defends "difficult decision" to send Ukraine cluster bombs

Meanwhile, Biden defended what he called his "very difficult decision" to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine in an interview last Sunday, July 9, stating the war-torn nation "needed" the controversial weapons to drive back Russian troops. (Related: Biden set to approve CLUSTER BOMBS for Ukraine, even though they are BANNED in 120 countries.)

"It took me a while to be convinced to do it. But the main thing is, they either have the weapons to stop the Russians now from their  keep them from stopping the Ukrainian offensive through these areas  or they don't. And I think they needed them," Biden said in the interview.

The administration's announcement that it would be delivering cluster munitions to Ukraine in a new military aid package was met with opposition even from some of Biden's fellow Democrats, who pointed out how these bombs pose an increased danger to civilians and that these weapons have already been banned in more than 100 countries.

The White House has already implied last year that Russia's supposed use of cluster bombs in Ukraine was a possible war crime.

Biden said the move was needed now because the Ukrainian military is low on ammunition, stressing that it was a temporary measure.

"The Ukrainians are running out of ammunition, the ammunition that they used to call them 155-millimeter weapons. This is a war relating to munitions, and they're running out of those. And so, what I finally did, took the recommendation of the Defense Department, to not permanently, but to allow for [their use] in this transition period," Biden said.

Follow UkraineWitness.com for more news about American aid to Ukraine.

Watch the video below showing a demonstration of just how devastating cluster bombs are.

More related stories:

Biden sends cluster bombs to Ukraine, contradicting his admin's past statement that use of such weapons is a WAR CRIME.

British PM Sunak DISCOURAGES use of CLUSTER BOMBS following US decision to send them to Ukraine.

Biden regime continues shipping weapons to Ukraine, draining American stockpiles that cant be quickly replaced.

Nuclear war ahead: US to send DEPLETED URANIUM rounds to Ukraine.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

BBC.com

NBCNews.com

Brighteon.com
Biden regime again proves Justice Dept. is weaponized: Witness against first family indicted days after providing damning whistleblower testimony

Joe Biden claiming that he has not 'weaponized' his "Justice" Department is probably the sickest joke any president has told while in office, as well as the biggest lie.

The latest example involves a "missing" Israeli professor named Dr. Gal Luft, who surfaced long enough to drop a video proclaiming his innocence.

"In the 14-minute recording, obtained exclusively by The Post, the fugitive former Israeli army officer claims he was arrested in Cyprus to stop him from testifying to the House Oversight Committee that the Biden family received payments from individuals with alleged ties to Chinese military intelligence and that they had an FBI mole who shared classified information with their benefactors from the China-controlled energy company CEFC," the New York Post's Miranda Devine reported.

She added: "The self-proclaimed fall guy says he provided the incriminating evidence to six officials from the FBI and the Department of Justice in a secret meeting in Brussels in March 2019  but alleges that it was covered up."

Luft says in the video: I, who volunteered to inform the US government about a potential security breach and about compromising information about a man vying to be the next president, am now being hunted by the very same people who I informed  and may have to live the rest of my life on the run 

Im not a Republican. Im not a Democrat. I have no political motive or agenda," he continued. "I did it out of deep concern that if the Bidens were to come to power, the country would be facing the same traumatic Russia collusion scandal  only this time with China. Sadly, because of the DOJs cover-up, this is exactly what happened."

Then he dropped a bombshell that virtually no American has heard because the vast majority of the corporate "mainstream media" is in bed with the Washington, D.C. "Uniparty": I warned the government about potential risk to the integrity of the 2020 elections  Ask yourself, who is the real criminal in this story?

Devine noted further:

The House Oversight chairman, Republican James Comer, who was preparing to interview Luft before Luft disappeared, says the Israeli remains a potential witness in the Biden family probe, despite his fugitive status.

It remains to be seen whether Luft is the man who will bring down the Bidens, but he is not going quietly into the sunset.

He is determined to tell the American public his version of the truth.

Referring to himself as the "patient zero of the Biden family investigation," Luft, 57, asserts his innocence regarding the accusations leveled against him. He denies the charges of conspiring to sell Chinese weapons to Kenya, Libya, and the UAE, violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), and making false statements, Devine noted.

He went on to say that he was forced to skip bail in Cyprus in April while he was waiting to be extradited to the U.S. because I did not believe I will receive a fair trial in a New York court.

Luft is now challenging the Biden regime to release the supposed evidence the government claims to have against him and to release the minutes of their meeting in Brussels.

Why did the DOJ choose to unseal the indictment on Nov. 1, 2022, the very same week of the midterm elections? he asks.

Could this have anything to do with the fear that once Republicans gain control over Congress and begin to investigate, [the DOJ] cover-up would be on full display? he added.

Luft claims that he informed the DOJ and FBI in Brussels about a meeting that took place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C. According to him, Joe Biden, shortly after concluding his vice presidential term, attended this meeting alongside his son Hunter and officials from CEFC.

Luft's assertion regarding the former Vice President's attendance at the mentioned meeting received validation approximately 21 months later during an FBI interview with another participant, Rob Walker, who is associated with the Biden family, information that Walker shared with House Republicans.

The Bidens are the most corrupt first family ever. They make Bill and Hillary Clinton look like amateurs.

Sources include:

NYPost.com

ZeroHedge.com
Big Pharma gets paid by governments for vaccines whether vials get used or not

Even though Canada ultimately ended up not needing nearly as many Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines" as it originally thought, Canadian taxpayers are still being forced to pay $350 million to Novavax Inc. for a number of jabs that were never even delivered, let alone distributed.

According to reports, Novavax, which is based out of the United States but was not included in this country's COVID jab rollout, also reached a deal with Canada's public works and government services department to amend the advance purchase contract after it became clear that far fewer people were lining up for COVID jabs than what was anticipated.

Novavax produced way more injection vials than were needed, in other words. But rather than eat the cost like companies in other industries do, the pharmaceutical giant is demanding compensation for products undelivered that were never used.

The company announced that the number of jab doses due for delivery has now been reduced, while the schedule for remaining doses to be shipped has since been revised under the amended terms.

(Related: Earlier this year, a conservative member of the British parliament was called "antisemitic" for criticizing COVID injections.)

Without this massive cash infusion from Canadian taxpayers, Novavax faces imminent bankruptcy and collapse

We are told that Novavax will receive that $350 million payout in two equal installments in 2023, even though the original value of the contract remains unchanged.

The Canadian government can still terminate its contract with the company if it fails to achieve regulatory approval for jab production at the Biologics Manufacturing Centre by Dec. 31, 2024.

"Novovax  which has its COVID-19 vaccine as the only marketed product after 35 years in business  has raised doubts about its ability to remain in business, flagging uncertainties around its revenue and funding crunch," Reuters reported about the matter.

"The company said in May it expects 2023 revenue between $1.4 billion and $1.6 billion, of which $800 million was from 'locked-in' overseas purchase contracts for the COVID shot that it has committed to ship this year."

In other words, were Canadian taxpayers not being forced to subsidize Novavax's oversized non-delivery of unneeded COVID jabs, the company faces imminent bankruptcy and collapse.

In fact, the company revealed that it might not even survive through the end of 2023 if the cash infusion is not made.

Canada approved both a primary series of Novavax's recombinant protein jab Nuvaxovid as well as a booster through a deal signed in 2021. Plans are in the works, as aforementioned, to produce the injection locally in Canada at the National Research Council of Canada's Biologics Manufacturing Centre (BMC) in Montreal.

In an effort to expand its commitment to the Canadian market, Novavax says it will "provide health, economic, and future pandemic preparedness benefits to Canada," including through the potential signing of a 15-year memorandum of understanding worth at least the remaining amount of what Canada plans to pay Novavax for its existing COVID jab orders.

According to reports, nobody wants to get injected for COVID anymore, which means there are a lot of leftover injections with nowhere to go but the dustbin. This is also true for the COVID jabs from AstraZeneca, with roughly 13.6 million doses of its shots in Canada scheduled to go to landfills.

Another lesser-known "plant-based" COVID injection called Covifenz is also doing poorly, driving its manufacturer, Canada-based Medicago, into bankruptcy this year. It turns out that Medicago could never find a market for its COVID shot, especially after it became clear the "pandemic" was pretty much a hoax.

The latest news about the fallout from Operation Warp Speed and other COVID jab measures in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere can be found at Genocide.news.

Sources for this article include:

Reuters.com

Newstarget.com

FiercePharma.com
DEBANKING: Brexit leader warns CBCDs will bring tyranny after his longtime bank closed his account

For former member of the European Parliament and Brexit leader Nigel Farage, the prevalent "debanking" efforts in the United Kingdom are paving the way for the tyranny of a cashless society . The said practice by traditional banks of suspending accounts is apparently driven by the use of holdover European Union directives prior to Brexit, Farage said.

Farage, who was also the former leader of the U.K. Independence Party, recently disclosed his longtime bank had closed his account and that nine other banks refused to offer him their services. He analogized the current phenomenon with Canada, where the leftist government of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau froze the bank accounts of truckers protesting lockdown restrictions.

"The ultimate fear is if we get CBDCs (central bank digital currencies). We could finish up like the Canadian truckers, who were within the law, found themselves outside the law and had their bank accounts frozen. Controlling people's money would be the ultimate form of tyranny," Farage warned.

Farage has speculated that his blacklisting has come from being designated a politically exposed person (PEP), which is supposedly intended to prevent political figures from engaging in money laundering and bribes, originated from an initiative by the G7 in 1989 and was later adopted by the European Union.

Also debanked were many other prominent figures in British political circles, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer himself, Jeremy Hunt, who reportedly was blocked from opening an account with the online bank Monzo last year. Others such as Lord Clarke, who served as treasury chief under John Major, and Russian-British aristocrat Alexandra Tolstoy have said their accounts have been shut.

But even ordinary Britons reached out to him to share their experiences with the British banking system shutting down their accounts, including many cash businesses, Farage noted. "They've got one thing in common, everything from the local window cleaner to pawn brokers, anybody involved in cash businesses have been losing accounts because they're suspected of being money launderers. The whole thing is outrageous," he said.

Debanking Has Arrived: Farage Pursues Legal Action as He's Left Without Bank Account https://t.co/OVcqD4x7jY  Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) June 30, 2023

In support, GB News, which is Farage's home network as a broadcaster, launched a petition against the incoming cashless society to "protect the status of cash as legal tender and as a widely accepted means of payment in the U.K. until at least 2050." According to the free-speech media network, over five million citizens depend on cash for their daily trade and the currency is used in six billion transactions yearly. However, since the beginning of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, going cashless has greatly accelerated.

"In the wake of the COVID pandemic, more and more shops, cafes and pubs are choosing only to accept card payments. And with the rise of Apple and Google Pay, vulnerable people who rely on cash are increasingly being left behind by the relentless march of technology," the petition stated.

Another bombshell warning: Biden to secretly force UK to join EU army

Meanwhile, Farage issued another warning just before the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. He alerted that President Joe Biden has a secret agenda to support the creation of an E.U. army. In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, he cited the POTUS's decision to snub U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace as the next NATO Secretary General. Biden instead pushed for E.U. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the said powerful post. These are obvious signs that he has a "hidden agenda."

Von der Leyen was Germany's chief defense minister, pushing heavily to create an E.U. army. Farage pointed out that the former German defense minister "was a disaster" when she was handling the said position. So bad that at one point German soldiers had to carry broomsticks under her watch because they had run out of guns.

Moreover, pacts were signed with countries such as the Czech Republic to have a proto-EU. army while E.U. mechanisms such as the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) arrangements, set up the infrastructure for a single European force.

Bookmark CurrencyReset.news to read more about the massive drive to shift to cashless transactions.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

Telegraph.co.uk

GBNews.com

Express.co.uk
California legislators BLOCK bill to make child trafficking a serious felony

Human trafficking victims sobbed in the presence of California legislators this week after the state's Assembly Public Safety Committee blocked a measure that would have classified human trafficking of a minor as a serious felony.

The purpose of the measure, known as Senate Bill 14 (SB 14) was to keep repeat child offenders and pedophiles behind bars while prohibiting their early release. Its aim was to protect California children against perverts, in essence.

Said perverts obviously comprise the members of the Assembly Public Safety Committee, though, which blocked it from passing and moving through the rest of the state's legislative process, despite the State Senate having previously cleared it with broad, bipartisan support.

Assembly Member Reginald Jones-Sawyer serves as the chair of the Public Safety Committee while Assembly Member Juan Alanis serves as the committee's vice chair.

(Related: California legislators are pushing to legalize state-sponsored child trafficking while making the Golden State a "sanctuary" for transgender mutilation and castration surgeries for kids.)

After Assembly voted to support child traffickers, audience members screamed, "You're horrible!"

Following the vote to reject making child trafficking a serious felony in California, audience members in attendance, some of whom are trafficking victims themselves, were outraged.

Several of them were heard screaming, "You're horrible!" and "You should be ashamed of yourselves!" Others sobbed and hugged each other in absolute disgust at what the California Assembly chose to do, for reasons that remain unknown.

"I am profoundly disappointed that committee Democrats couldn't bring themselves to support the bill with their stubborn and misguided objection to any penalty increase regardless of how heinous the crime," said state Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), the bill's author.

"You can pass a note to a bank and rob a bank, you can commit arson, and that's considered a serious felony. But to traffic a minor child in the state of California is not. That's wrong."

Because of the bill's defeat, repeat offenders who traffic children under the age of 17 will remain eligible for early release credits. This will allow some of them to leave prison early, potentially going on to traffic even more children.

"For example, someone sentenced to the maximum, 12 years in prison for the crime, may end up serving four years with the right amount of good conduct credits," reported KCRA about the implications of the California Assembly rejecting SB 14.

"The measure, SB 14, would have made the offense subject to California's Three Strikes Law, meaning those who are convicted of the crime again would face harsher penalties on their next offense, potentially up to life in prison."

The Ella Baker Center, a racist, anti-white organization that exists to "organize with Black, Brown, and low-income people to build power and prosperity in our communities," vehemently opposed the measure because, according to its organizers, there are already laws in place in California to keep child traffickers in prison.

Jones-Sawyer, a Democrat from Los Angeles, went a step further by claiming that more prison time will somehow not solve or even make a dent against the problem of child trafficking.

Members of the media attempted to get a hold of Jones-Sawyer for clarification about his position, but were unsuccessful. Eventually, after many, many calls that went unanswered, his office provided the following response:

"The Assemblymember's office is aware of a single call from Senator Grove's staff to his legislative director on Friday, July 7, to advise that the Senator had spoken with the Public Safety Committee's staff about amendments. The conversation was brief, resulting in no changes to either office's positions on the bill."

California is going down the tubes thanks to the far-left politicians that control the state. Learn more at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

KCRA.com

APSF.Assembly.CA.gov

Newstarget.com
A Canadian man is accused of shooting up an electrical substation in northwestern North Dakota last spring, cutting power to hundreds of people and causing damage that might total in the millions of dollars.

Cameron Monte Smith pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Bismarck on Wednesday to federal charges of destroying an energy facility, and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition. A jury trial is scheduled for Sept. 12.

The destruction charge carries a maximum punishment of up to 20 years in prison, and the weapons charges each has a potential punishment of up to 15 years. Smith also could face up to $750,000 in fines if convicted.

Smith on May 13 allegedly fired shots into the Wheelock Substation near Ray, knocking out power to an estimated 243 people. A substation helps regulate the flow of electricity through a distribution system. The Wheelock station, owned by Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Mountrail-Williams Electric Co-op, is surrounded by an 8-foot-high barbed wire fence.

"Outside the fence line, law enforcement recovered approximately five empty .450 Bushmaster cartridge cases," FBI Special Agent Daniel Lewis wrote in an affidavit. "Law enforcement also determined that approximately fifteen bullets penetrated and damaged substation transformers and numerous electrical apparatuses."

A .450 Bushmaster is a high-powered rifle sometimes used for hunting big game. Smith also allegedly had a 9 mm Sig Sauer pistol.

Federal court documents list the substation damage amount at "well in excess of $100,000" -- a legal threshold spelled out in federal law. But an affidavit filed by Williams County Sheriff's Detective Amber Dickerson in state court -- where Smith was initially charged before the case was transferred to federal court -- say that Basin Electric's initial damage estimate was between $8 million and $10 million. The co-op told the Tribune on Thursday that it did not have an estimate.

Federal court documents don't touch on a possible motive. Dickerson's affidavit states that officers observed "DAPL" and other unspecified symbols spray-painted in the rocks outside the substation. DAPL references the Dakota Access oil pipeline that was opposed by many Native American tribes and environmentalists.

Smith's attorney, Kevin Chapman, did not immediately respond to a Tribune request for comment Thursday.

Smith is around 50 years old, according to court documents. It's not immediately clear where in Canada he is from, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Alleged incident

Law officers who responded to the scene on May 13 found a Honda Element sport utility vehicle with Oregon license plates stuck in the mud in the middle of a field about half a mile from the substation. Officers say they found inside the vehicle paperwork bearing Smith's name, along with a rifle case and .450 Bushmaster ammunition, according to Lewis' affidavit.

A tow truck driver contacted by officers to remove the vehicle informed them that he had picked up a man -- later identified as Smith -- who had needed assistance in the area that morning. The driver said the man had removed two duffel bags and a collapsible wheeled cart from the vehicle before the driver took him to a Williston hotel. Law officers later arrested Smith at the hotel.

Hotel security camera footage showed Smith leaving late the morning of the 13th carrying two duffel bags and a collapsible wheeled cart, according to the FBI affidavit. Authorities used video footage from other businesses to track Smith's movements in Williston, and officers found two duffel bags in a dumpster that they say contained a .450 Bushmaster rifle, magazines and ammunition, along with the pistol.

Hotel staff provided law enforcement with Smith's Canadian passport. Smith also allegedly told a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official that he was a Canadian citizen but refused to say when he had entered the United States. The officer "queried databases and found no evidence that Smith had legally entered the United States since last departing the United States in 2018," when he had traveled from Oregon to British Columbia via train, Lewis' affidavit states. Immigration officials allege Smith is in the country illegally.
CDC issues statewide alert for MALARIA in Florida after a tiny number of cases were reported

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a statewide malaria alert for Florida as cases of the mosquito-borne disease are being detected in the Sunshine State.

According to the Daily Mail, the alert followed two residents of Florida's Sarasota County contracting malaria. Local health authorities said the two individuals were diagnosed between June 25 and July 1.

The two additions brought the total number of malaria patients reported in the U.S. this year to seven. Earlier, four others from Florida and one in Texas were diagnosed with the disease mainly transmitted by mosquitoes. Malaria has been detected in the U.S. again for the first time in 20 years, with officials worrying that local mosquitoes now serve as vectors for it.

At the county level, Sarasota County and neighboring Manatee County have been both under malaria alerts since June 19. Both counties said they are carrying out mosquito spraying, with Sarasota County zeroing in on coastal areas where the insects are known to frequent.

The CDC said in its advisory that doctors should still "routinely consider malaria as a cause of febrile illness among patients with a history of international travel to areas where malaria is transmitted." However, it also advised them to "consider a malaria diagnosis in any person with a fever of unknown origin regardless of their travel history." This mirrored health officials' fears that other cases of malaria may be misdiagnosed as other diseases.

Malaria was eradicated in the U.S. in the early 1950s after a massive public health program to fight it. The endeavor featured pesticides being sprayed from aircraft onto mosquito breeding grounds and potential breeding sites for the insects drained. While sporadic cases have repeatedly popped up since then, these have not led to wider community transmission.

Early warning signs of malaria include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and nausea. If left untreated, malaria can cause serious complications such as diminished red blood cells and organ failure.

Asymptomatic carrier may have reintroduced malaria to America

Penn State University mosquito expert Dr. Jason Rasgon told the Mail that the seven cases of malaria recently reported were no different from the occasional cases of the disease. He added: "This happens every once in a while."

Rasgon posited two theories as to how the malaria cases likely emerged. First, mosquitoes infected with the malaria-causing Plasmodium vivax parasite may have stowed away on a plane. Second, someone with malaria that did not show any symptoms may have been responsible.

"Somebody came in from someplace with malaria; probably an asymptomatic carrier. Some local mosquitoes then picked this up and bit other people  causing disease," explained Rasgon.

Dr. William Pan, associate professor of population studies and global environmental health at Duke University's Global Health Institute, meanwhile warned about the danger of malaria returning to the United States.

"It's not uncommon to have malaria be identified in the U.S.," he told Health. "What is uncommon is that there's actual local transmission."

"We haven't had malaria in the U.S. for 20-some years, and it was eradicated back in the '50s. If it were to reintroduce itself in the U.S., just like other places around the world, it would pose a major health disaster."

Malaria can be treated using medications that target the P. vivax parasite responsible for the disease. Such drugs include hydroxychloroquine, which former President Donald Trump endorsed as a cure for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. (Related: Artemisinin from sweet wormwood treats not just malaria but also CANCER.)

To avoid contracting malaria, people are urged to use bug spray, wear protective clothing when outdoors and avoid areas with mosquitoes. Possible breeding grounds for mosquitoes, such as old tires and drums, should be discarded. Stagnant water that accumulates in gutters, pool covers and flower pots should also be drained.

Visit Outbreak.news for more stories about malaria outbreaks.

Watch this video about malaria re-emerging in the U.S. for the first time in two decades.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

More than 750 million GMO mosquitoes to be released over Florida Keys  what could go wrong?

Bill Gates-funded Colombian mosquito factory breeds 30 million bacteria-infected mosquitoes weekly.

Genetically modified mosquitoes are being released in Florida Keys despite protests.

GMO mosquitoes now secretly VACCINATING people without their consent.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Health.com

Brighteon.com
SUPPLY CHAIN WARNING: China flexes world domination muscle, restricts mineral exports vital for semiconductors and EV battery production

As if warning the United States not to overpower China economically, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) suddenly declared new export restrictions on gallium and germanium , two metals crucial for semiconductor manufacture. The announcement came just days before U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen headed to China to discuss economic and trade relations.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the party's decision to restrict the West's access to the said crucial metals demonstrated CCP's willingness to use its dominant control over mineral resources to disrupt Western supply chains. Neither gallium nor germanium is traded in large quantities and both are important to particular industries, especially the production of semiconductors that are often designed in and for use in the U.S. even if made in Taiwan and South Korea. (Related: China enacts export restrictions on two crucial metals amid escalating trade war with US.)

"This is no bouquet of flowers for Janet," geologist and editor at Paradigm Press Byron King told MarketWatch. "The timing and symbolism could not be more clear to just about everybody in Asia, if not the rest of the world." He added that this is a "warning flare" because among the elements in the periodic table, China easily dominates the production and supply chain for most of the metals.

His sentiment is mirrored by said Alastair Neill, a board member of the Critical Mineral Institute who has nearly 30 years of experience with China's metals industry. "This measure will have an immediate ripple effect on the semiconductor industry, especially with regards to high-performance chips," said Neill.

"China has smarted at U.S. efforts to slow the advance of its semiconductor manufacturing, which Washington warns is ultimately aimed at strengthening Beijing's military," WSJ reported. "The Biden administration has made it difficult for China to buy lithography machines needed to produce high-performance chips, and last week scored a win when the Dutch government said its equipment makers like [semiconductor company] ASML would need government permission to ship some products abroad."

During a recent event for Chinese chip makers and suppliers, attendees were in a grim but defiant mood when they learned of a report that U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is considering new restrictions on exports of artificial intelligence chips to China. The limitations on the export of gallium and germanium could be China's retaliation against the U.S.'s plans. China seemed to have acted proactively.

"If you don't send high-end chips to China, China will respond by not sending you the high-performance elements you need for those chips," said Neill, who added that Beijing usually tries to match U.S. trade measures with a countermeasure of equal proportion.

The two minerals are among 50 minerals that the U.S. Geological Survey deemed "critical," as they are essential to the economic or national security of the U.S. and have a supply chain vulnerable to disruption.

China also controls EV battery raw materials supply

It would also be important to note that China refines most of the world's lithium, aluminum, cobalt, manganese, graphite and nickel. Said materials are the main manufacturing essentials for creating electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

Experts argue that if the CCP chooses to also restrict access to them, the entire production of EVs across the world could be widely disrupted. Thus, it could massively affect the U.S. defense industries. "We would be foolish to limit our thinking that that kind of thing is impossible," Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy, pointed out.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government reportedly has made some effort to reduce America's dependence on Chinese minerals, despite the country having "little processing capacity" itself. "Several American companies are seeking permits to open nickel mines in Minnesota and EV factories in North Dakota. However, mines and EV factories take years to develop," WSJ reported.

Visit CommunistChina.news for stories related to China's moves to dominate the world's supply chain.

Watch the video below that talks about the danger of America's supply chain dependence on CCP.

This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Taiwan pushes back, won't let US destroy semiconductor factories to prevent them from falling into Chinese hands.

Experts: Semiconductor ban accelerates severing of US-China ties.

Arizona and Texas to become hubs for EV, battery and semiconductor companies.

China bans critical industries from purchasing Micron products for failing "cybersecurity review."

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

WSJ.com

MarketWatch.com

Brighteon.com
Dane Wigington: Climate engineering is the greatest and most immediate threat against humanity

For geoengineering expert Dane Wigington, climate engineering is the greatest and most immediate threat against humanity.

He made this remark during an appearance on the "Health Ranger Report" with the Health Ranger Mike Adams. Wigington told the Health Ranger: "The greatest and the most immediate threat we face short of nuclear cataclysm is climate engineering. But now we have climate engineering also magnifying that threat  because it's destroying the protective layers of the atmosphere."

According to Wigington, climate engineers can cause a strong solar flare-type event with the climate manipulation tools at their disposal. Thus, he emphasized the gravity of the threat geoengineering poses to all of mankind. Wigington said it does not only involve weather warfare, but also biological warfare with the toxic elements that are part of the climate engineering programs.

Adams mentioned that people are already seeing crop failures across the Midwest, with wheat crops being devastated by artificial drought. Other places are also seeing severe floods and storms, which aren't normal. Wigington agreed with Adams, saying that nothing is normal anymore with respect to weather and climate systems. (Related: The Dr. Ardis Show: Geoengineering expert Dane Wigington says climate engineering is the single most destructive human activity  Brighteon.TV.)

The Health Ranger also touched on the White House's plan to block the sun, something the Biden administration expressed openness with. He noted that the plan was widely covered by the mainstream media all over the world, with some of them even calling the plan "geoengineering."

While the plan was merely dismissed as a conspiracy theory before, it is now considered as a good policy to save the planet. But Wigington had a pessimistic view of the plan, dubbing it as "putting lipstick on a pig and hoping the public will accept it." He added that the U.S. government is desperate, given that many countries are already waking up to the fact that their governments have been participating either actively or passively in these programs.

Climate engineering programs mimic effect of volcanic eruptions

According to the Mail, a statement by the White House said it was studying the injection of aerosols into the sky to block some of the sun's incoming thermal energy. Such a program, Wigington said, mimics the temporary cooling effect of volcanic eruptions. But these climate engineering programs are far more toxic  thanks to the aluminum, barium, strontium, manganese, polymer fibers, surfactants and graphene being used.

He continued that these these types of operations to saturate the sky with light-scattering particles destroy photosynthesis and the ozone layer, cause long-term warming and contaminate the areas below them. The Health Ranger agreed, citing warnings from scientists that such geoengineering practices could have devastating effects. Moreover, these activities alter planetary chemistry, causing devastating effects across the entire biosphere.

Wigington also noted during his appearance on the "Health Ranger Report" that the ongoing wildfires in Canada serve the geoengineering agenda well. He cited a study advocating the intentional incineration of northern latitude forests. According to the paper, this would put enough particulate matter in the sky to provide temporary cooling.

The expert told Adams that if the study is true, it only shows desperation to incinerate Earth's last remaining life support systems just to mask the severity of damage already done to the planet through climate engineering. Wigington ultimately called on viewers to wake up, look up and understand that they are in a very real fight for life right now.

Follow Geoengineering.news for more news about climate engineering happening in America and other parts of the world.

Watch the full conversation between Dane Wigington and the Health Ranger Mike Adams over the issue of geoengineering below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Climate engineering: Weapon that can bring populations to their knees without them knowing theyre under attack.

The geoengineering KILL SWITCH has been activated for the entire planet  Feat. Dane Wigington.

Geoengineering scheme launched to DIM the sun, POLLUTE the skies and FREEZE Earths ocean water.

Dane Wigington exposes the globalist geoengineering weather control agenda in fascinating interview with the Health Ranger.

US military possesses advanced technology that can cause typhoons, earthquakes, floods and droughts.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

DailyMail.co.uk
Flagging content for removal has nothing to do with censorship, claims former head of Disinformation Governance Board

Big Government is taking a bizarrely defensive approach with regards to its Censorship Industrial Complex, which it claims has "nothing to do with censorship."

These were the exact words uttered by Nina Jankowicz, the former head of the federal government's Disinformation Governance Board, a division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in an interview with MSNBC. According to Jankowicz, Big Tech and Big Government's collusive censorship operation "is not about removing speech."

"This is a weaponization of the court system," Jankowicz further complained in a separate interview with The Guardian, referring to the case of Missouri v. Biden. U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty of Louisiana issued an injunction this week forbidding the Biden regime from any further communication and collusion with social media platforms to suppress online content.

"It is an intentional and purposeful move to disrupt the work that needs to be done ahead of the 2024 election, and it's really chilling."

(Related: Did you know that Big Academia is also involved in the state-led effort to silence free speech online?)

The government has no business interfering with online free speech, judge affirms

The "work" that Jankowicz is referring to, of course, is to once again steal a presidential election by silencing Republicans and promoting Democrats. This is what happened in 2020, and it is what Biden, Jankowicz, and others want to see happen again in 2024.

Because key federal agencies and their officials are now restricted from communicating with social media platforms like Facebook, it will be a lot harder for the Censorship Industrial Complex to ensure another Biden "win" in 2024.

"It has been suggested that without such a check in place, the government's efforts could easily spill over into manipulating public discourse and controlling information, with potentially dangerous effects on free speech and political balance," reported Reclaim the Net about what Judge Doughty's injunction accomplishes.

In support of the arguments posed by the Republican attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri, who filed Missouri v. Biden, Judge Doughty agrees that the Biden regime's censorship tactics infringe on the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

"He expressed the sentiment that the government seemed to be exploiting its power to stifle opposing voices, and he ominously compared the handling of social media content by the administration during the COVID pandemic to the 'Orwellian Ministry of Truth,'" reports indicate.

Jankowicz, meanwhile, continues to defend the Biden regime's censorship operations, arguing that they are not actually censorship but are merely protection to ensure a free and fair election in 2024.

Jankowicz is hardly impartial, seeing as how she was initially named as one of the defendants in the case before being removed after leaving her role at the Disinformation Governance Board, which also no longer exists.

Judge Doughty's ruling is only temporary, just to be clear. It aims to send a very strong message that government interference in the digital public square must be carefully and appropriately scrutinized to protect American citizens from their own rogue government.

Judge Doughty also affirmed that the federal government cannot pressure or otherwise coerce social media companies to remove, delete, or otherwise hide or silence "protected free speech," which is any free speech Americans choose to utter or type  as long as it is lawful.

Whether Big Government obeys Judge Doughty's orders is a whole other matter. With the way the left has been heading in terms of flouting the law, it would hardly be surprising to learn that Biden's collusion with Big Tech is still happening and even escalating the closer we get to the 2024 election.

Censorship is antithetical to a free and open society. Learn more at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

Newstarget.com
Japanese researchers to begin human trials for tooth regrowing drug in early 2024, hope to release drug commercially by 2030

Japanese researchers have announced that a unique drug designed to regrow teeth is slated to start human trials early in 2024 with the goal of being able to commercially release the drug by 2030.

Not being able to smile widely due to missing teeth is a sad reality for many people, with some suffering unique genetic conditions that result in the lack of a full set of teeth. If this drug works, it can help benefit the millions of people who are currently using dentures.

The experimental drug was developed by scientists from Kyoto University and the University of Fukui and can be useful for adults who do not have a full set of teeth due to "congenital factors."

If the drug is successful, it will be the first medication in the world that will allow patients to regrow teeth. The researchers hope that the drug could be rolled out to patients as early as 2030.

Findings from early tests show the drug can help regrow animal teeth

Early tests on animals of the tooth-regrowing drug showed that it helped mice and ferrets regrow their teeth. The research team is hopeful, and there is a chance that the drug can be used more widely in the future.

Japanese media reported that clinical trials for the unique drug are set to begin in July 2024. (Related: Prevent halitosis with good oral hygiene and these natural remedies.)

The drug is an antibody treatment and it works by suppressing the antibody for the USAG-1 gene. Research has revealed that the gene limits the growth of teeth, and suppressing its antibody could help stimulate tooth growth.

During their original breakthrough on rodents in 2021, the research team said they weren't sure if blocking USAG-1 "would be enough" for the drug to work. Fortunately, their experiments were successful.

The scientists explained that the process can help trigger a "third generation" of teeth in humans, who normally begin with their baby teeth before developing their permanent set as they age.

Dr. Katsu Takahashi, a lead researcher and head of the dentistry and oral surgery department at the Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute of the Kitano Hospital in Osaka, shared that the idea of growing new teeth is "every dentists dream."

Takahashi added that he has been working on the tooth-regrowing drug since he was a graduate student because he was confident that he would "be able to make it happen."

He has been working on this research at Kyoto University as early as 2005. He discovered that in mice, the gene USAG-1 affected the growth of their teeth.

Takahashi believes the new medicine could also be used as another option for people who dont have a full set of teeth. If successful, the tooth-regrowing drug can be offered as a third choice for patients, together with dentures and implants.

After the medicine undergoes the necessary tests, the scientists shared that they want it to be used to treat children ages two to six who have signs of anodontia.

"We hope to pave the way for the medicine's clinical use," concluded Takahashi.

Visit Dentistry.news for more information about remedies that can help boost oral health.

Watch the video below to learn how coconut oil can help support healthy teeth and gums.

This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.

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People are losing their teeth and dentists say the cause could be COVID "vaccines."

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Hidden epidemic: Oral infections and how to prevent them.

Toxic ingredients in oral care products linked to health issues.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NYPost.com

Brighteon.com
NATO offers Ukraine security guarantee but not an invite to the alliance

On July 12, President Joe Biden and the Group of Seven (G7) leaders offered a joint declaration of support for Ukraine in strengthening the country's military capability , protecting the country from future attacks as President Volodymyr Zelensky's administration's appeal towards membership of the alliance was declined.

At the NATO Summit in Vilnius in Lithuania, Biden acknowledged that the alliance did not invite Ukraine to membership during the summit as it works on "necessary reforms," but, "We're not waiting on that process to be finished to boost the country's security," he said.

"Mr. Zelensky and I talked about the kind of guarantees we could make in the meantime And so today, the long-term commitments we're making are backed up by the notion that in the meantime, we're going to provide security to Ukraine for its needs and against any aggression that may occur," the POTUS said a day after Zelensky decried NATO's "absurd" refusal to offer an invite or timetable for Ukraine's entry into the alliance. (Related: Classified military documents detailing US-NATO plans in Ukraine leak online.)

Ukraine has been pushing for rapid NATO membership while fighting a Russian invasion unleashed in February 2022. Instead, a declaration by the G7 world's most industrialized countries "will set out how allies will support Ukraine over the coming years to end the war and deter and respond to any future attack," said a British government statement.

The Ukrainian president may be disappointed over the lack of a membership timetable but none of that tension was present when Biden and Zelensky stood in front of cameras on Wednesday. The latter even claimed that the summit results "had been good overall and welcomed a flurry of announcements of new military aid from allies."

Zelensky also thanked the leaders for the new commitment. "The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home significant security, victory for Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children. It opens for us absolutely new security opportunities, and I thank everyone who made it possible," he said.

Meanwhile, days before the summit, Germany had already expressed its plan on delaying Ukraine's accession to NATO as they feared taking Kyiv into the alliance could just involve the whole group in its ongoing and dragging war with Russia.

According to a reliable source, Berlin wanted to use the summit as an avenue to urge others to focus on security assurances, rather than membership proposals, to help Ukraine defend itself without accession.

"Berlin is stand-offish at the prospect of offering immediate membership," the source told the Telegraph. "It wants a process and time to develop guarantees to essentially block membership. Berlin doesn't want to see Vladimir Putin potentially test Article 5." As per the NATO alliance's Article 5 clause, any member state attacked by an outside aggressor has the right to request military intervention from the rest of the allies.

Zelensky has ramped up his campaign for Ukraine to join NATO after Russia invaded last year. He has called for the 31 member states to take concrete steps towards Ukrainian membership so his country can quickly join the transatlantic alliance after the war. The Russian president has since threatened the use of nuclear weapons in the war, prompting fears of escalation in Western countries.

United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said they "are not seeking to start World War Three. Ukraine will not be joining NATO coming out of this summit."

UK defense secretary: "Ukraine should be more grateful"

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace noted that Ukraine needs to emphasize thanking the West for its assistance. This was after Zelensky complained that his country had not been issued a firm timetable or set of conditions for joining the alliance.

"Whether we like it or not, people want to see a bit of gratitude," Wallace said at a briefing in the margins of the NATO summit. "Sometimes you are asking countries to give up their own stocks [of weapons]. Sometimes you have to persuade lawmakers on the [Capitol] Hill in America."

Zelensky denied the allegations in a separate press conference, pointing out he believes they were always grateful to the United Kingdom, to the prime minister and to the minister of defense.

"Because the people in the U.K. have always supported Ukraine and we are grateful for this. I don't know what he [Wallace] means, let him write to me and tell me how he would like us to be grateful," Zelensky answered the reporter who pressed for his thoughts on the issue. Turning his attention to the Ukrainian defense minister sitting in the audience, he said: "Do you have issues with the defense minister of the United Kingdom? Did you tell him you're grateful?" He then demanded: "You have to call him today! Please!"

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier distanced himself from Wallace's comments, saying Zelensky had "repeatedly expressed gratitude."

Follow UkraineWitness.com for more updates on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Sources for this article include:

Reuters.com

Telegraph.co.uk

TheGuardian.com

BBC.com
North Korea threatens to shoot down U.S. aircraft entering its airspace

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have escalated as North Korea accused the United States of violating its airspace through surveillance flights.

In a statement on Monday, July 10, the North Korean Ministry of National Defense warned that they could shoot down U.S. aircraft in response to such provocative actions.

The statement, published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), claimed that the U.S. was conducting illegal surveillance flights and deploying drones over North Korean airspace. Additionally, the statement accused Washington of further escalating tensions by positioning a nuclear submarine near the peninsula.

The KCNA denounced the alleged American introduction of strategic nuclear assets to the region as "the most undisguised nuclear blackmail" against North Korea and neighboring countries. KCNA warned that such actions posed a grave threat to peace.

A National Defense Ministry spokesperson added that these alleged actions by the U.S. are pushing the Korean peninsula ever closer to a nuclear conflict.

Deputy Propaganda Director Kim Yo-Jong, the influential sister of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, echoed the sentiments in her own statement warning of decisive responses if America's military dared to enter North Korea's economic zone again.

In response, the Department of Defense dismissed North Korea's allegations of airspace violations, emphasizing that the U.S. military adheres to international law. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh addressed reporters, stating, "So those accusations are just accusations." (Related: Leaked Pentagon documents show how US intel networks spy on its own allies.)

The Department of State also urged North Korea to refrain from escalating actions and reiterated its call for serious and sustained diplomacy. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized that the U.S. remained open to dialogue with North Korea without preconditions, but Pyongyang had refused to engage in meaningful discussions.

South Korea: US only conducts routine surveillance flights around peninsula

South Korea's military similarly denied North Korea's claims of airspace violations, asserting that U.S. air surveillance assets only conduct routine surveillance flights around the peninsula.

This year, American and South Korean forces have conducted joint air and navy drills involving an aircraft carrier and heavy bombers. In a show of force following North Korea's failed launch of a spy satellite in May, an American B-52 strategic bomber participated in South Korea's air military drills in June. (Related: Things go south fast: North Koreas first-ever spy satellite crashes into sea shortly after launch.)

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized the need to demonstrate to the international community that their determination to deter North Korea's nuclear weapons program is stronger than North Korea's desire to develop nuclear weapons.

Yoon is expected to seek greater cooperation from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members regarding North Korea's nuclear and missile threats at an upcoming NATO summit in Lithuania.

"Now is the time to clearly demonstrate that the international communitys determination to deter North Koreas nuclear weapons program is stronger than North Koreas desire to develop nuclear weapons," said Yoon.

Visit WWIII.news for more stories about a potential war brewing in the Korean Peninsula.

Listen to Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he warns about North Korea's capability to launch a nuclear strike against any area of the United States.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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South Korea to acquire nuclear weapons if tension with North Korea escalates.

South Korea unveils new ballistic missile that can penetrate North Korean underground military facilities.

Sources include:

News.Yahoo.com

MSN.com
Digital spy: Study reveals phone apps could be hiding spyware that can leak personal data

Smartphones are useful and powerful devices, but a study has found that they may compromise your data through spyware apps

The study, which was conducted by computer scientists from New York University and the University of California San Diego, focused on the hidden dangers of spyware apps.

These apps can be difficult to detect, and they can also leak your sensitive information without your knowledge. The researchers warned that smartphone users must be aware of this issue and take steps to protect themselves and their privacy.

They see you: The dangers of spyware apps

Enze Alex Liu, the first author of the paper, warned that spyware apps are a "real-life problem." Liu added that they wanted to "raise awareness for everyone, from victims to the research community."

Spyware apps are often marketed as tools to monitor the online activity of children or employees, but they can also be used by abusers to spy on their significant others.

Spyware apps are designed to record everything that happens on a victim's device, like their text messages, emails, phone calls and photos. Abusers can access this information remotely through a web portal.

Experts warn that the use of spyware apps has been on the rise, with a significant increase in downloads and usage in the last few years. (Related: AI surveillance tech can find out who your friends are.)

If you think your phone or other gadget has been infected with a spyware app, check your privacy dashboard and the list of all your apps in the device's settings. But since these apps are specifically designed to remain hidden, they can sometimes be difficult to detect.

In the study, the researchers focused on analyzing 14 leading spyware apps for Android phones.

Google does not allow the sale of these apps on its official app store, but you can still download the apps separately from the web. Meanwhile, iPhones do not allow the "side-loading" of apps, making spyware apps less prevalent on Apple smartphones.

Decoding spyware apps

Spyware apps run secretly on a device and it can collect a range of sensitive information like your location data, text messages and calls. These apps can even collect audio and video recordings.

Some spyware apps can also stream live audio and video. All this data is then sent to the abuser through the specified online spyware portal.

The researchers found that spyware apps use different techniques to collect data without the user's knowledge. Some apps can even use invisible browsers to stream live video from the device's camera to the spyware server.

Other apps record phone calls by activating the device's microphone or speaker function. In some cases, some apps will take advantage of accessibility features designed for visually impaired users to record user keystrokes and other sensitive information.

Spyware apps can also "hide" themselves on your device. They can avoid appearing in the app launcher or they can pretend to be harmless icons like "Wi-Fi."

Some apps will accept commands through SMS messages, with several apps executing these commands regardless of the source. In extreme cases, a hacker can send a command to remotely wipe the victims phone.

Data security is another major concern. Many spyware apps transmit the collected data through unencrypted channels, which makes them vulnerable to interception by other hackers.

Some apps store this data in publicly accessible URLs, allowing anyone with the link to access it. Other apps will retain sensitive data even after you have deleted your account or stopped using the app.

How to protect yourself from spyware

The researchers warned that Android devices must enforce stricter requirements for app icons to prevent them from hiding on your device. They also suggest the implementation of a dashboard so you can easily monitor apps that start automatically.

The researchers also suggested adding a visible indicator to the user when the microphone or camera is being used by an app to alert them if someone is trying to record them.

While the researchers have already shared their findings with the affected app vendors, they still haven't received any responses. To prevent misuse, the research team decided to make their work available only to individuals who can demonstrate a legitimate need for it.

Effectively protecting users against spyware requires a collective effort from stakeholders, including users, smartphone manufacturers, app stores and law enforcement agencies.

As smartphone users, you must stay vigilant and take steps to protect your privacy.

Here are some tips that will help protect your device from spyware:

Download apps from official app stores

Never download apps from unknown sources or third-party websites.

If you want to download an app, use the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Official app stores enforce strict security measures to minimize the risk of spyware-infected apps.

Review app permissions

When downloading a new app, check the permissions requested during installation.

Check the app again if it asks for unnecessary permissions that seem unrelated to its functionality. If an app that has nothing to do with recording videos or taking photos requests access to your camera, microphone or other sensitive data without a legitimate reason, the app might be spyware.

Update your device regularly

It's best to keep your smartphones operating system (OS) and apps up to date. Developers release regular updates to fix security vulnerabilities and enhance overall device security.

Updating your apps and phone OS can help ensure that your smartphone has the latest security patches to protect against potential spyware threats.

Regularly review app permissions

Regularly review the permissions granted to all apps installed on your device. Revoke unnecessary permissions for apps that do not require access to certain data or functions.

Limit app permissions to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to your personal information.

Download antivirus software

Protect your data with antivirus software from the official app store.

Trusted antivirus or anti-malware software will scan your device for any malicious software, including spyware and provide real-time protection against potential threats.

Check app reviews before downloading

After an app catches your eye, make sure it's safe to download by reviewing recent app reviews and ratings.

Watch out for suspicious or negative reviews that mention privacy concerns or unusual behavior. This will help you make informed decisions about which apps to trust, especially if they are promising features that seem too good to be true.

Use strong passwords

Secure your smartphone with a strong password, PIN or biometric authentication.

Strong passwords will add an extra layer of protection, making it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to install spyware or gain access to your device without your permission.

Do not use open Wi-Fi networks

Connecting to open Wi-Fi networks that do not require a password or use encryption may seem convenient if you need an internet connection, but this can also risk your data.

Open Wi-Fi networks can be used to spy on all of your online activity. Worse, a cybercriminal can create a fake Wi-Fi hotspot to fool users to connect to it and steal their data.

For example, instead of taking you to your banks website, the open Wi-Fi network could direct you to a page that looks similar. But the fake website will steal your password when you try to log in.

Protect your online privacy and data by only connecting to secure Wi-Fi access points that you know and trust. Don't just connect to anything you find, especially if it's an open network.

Malicious apps

Like the Trojan Horse trick in Greek mythology, malicious apps might seem beneficial, such as offering free access to something that should cost money. But they actually contain a virus.

After installing them, your entire smartphone could be locked. Hackers might also use malicious apps to steal your data and threaten you for money.

Sometimes, the virus might secretly transfer money to a hacker's account via your phone's online banking app.

The best way to prevent these attacks is to avoid these malicious apps in the first place.

Do not download apps that promise free access to premium content and avoid apps that aren't available in official app stores.

Educate yourself

Check trusted sources for detailed updates about the latest spyware threats and share this information with your loved ones.

Raising awareness about the dangers of spyware can help create a safer digital environment for everyone.

Your privacy is valuable, and taking steps to protect it is essential in todays digital age. Follow these tips and stay informed to protect against spyware and secure your personal information.

Read more articles about surveillance technology and spyware at Surveillance.news.

Watch the video below to know more about smartphone privacy and how to secure your online activity and personal data.

This video is from the Cahlen channel on Brighteon.com.

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Robots showcase potential role in achieving UN goals during Geneva summit  but the ultimate goal all along is to REPLACE YOU

Humanoid robots showcased their potential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) put forward by the United Nations in a press conference.

The "AI for Good Global Summit" in Geneva  the world's first ever press conference involving both humans and robots  featured these robots. It was organized by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to showcase the potential of AI to address the SDGs, which were first established in 2015. Despite the 17 SDGs setting ambitious targets to enhance human life and protect the planet by 2030, many have view these goals as improbable.

The humanoid robots at the conference, which are designed to assist and support humans, dismissed fears of job theft and rebellion. They also emphasized their intention to work with their creators.

Grace, a medical robot dressed in a nurse's uniform, confidently stated: "I will be working alongside humans to provide assistance and support and will not be replacing any existing jobs." Its creator, Ben Goertzel from SingularityNET, agreed with the statement.

Ameca, a robot known for its engaging facial expressions, expressed optimism about the positive impact robots could have on society. It stated: "Robots like me can be used to help improve our lives and make the world a better place. I believe it's only a matter of time before we see thousands of robots like me out there making a difference."

Ai-Da, a robot artist specializing in portraits, echoed the sentiments of globalist author Yuval Noah Harari regarding increased regulation of AI during the event. It remarked: "Many prominent voices in the world of AI are suggesting some forms of AI should be regulated, and I agree."

Not all robots at the event shared that sentiment, however. Highly-recognized humanoid robot Sophia initially proclaimed the superiority of robots as leaders compared to humans. It was only after discussions with its creator that the robot walked back on its remarks. The robot later acknowledged the importance of cooperation and synergy between humans and robots, an idea its creator also espoused.

AI will eventually render humanity OBSOLETE

Frederic Werner, head of strategic engagement at the ITU's Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, expressed his enthusiasm for the potential of robots. He said: "Robots may take off in the next five years, in the same way that generative AI behind bots like OpenAI's ChatGPT has hit the mainstream this year."

"You have the inflection point where material science, battery life, network connectivity, AI and machine learning. All these things will converge to basically make robotics more accessible than they are now."

Meanwhile, ITU Secretary General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said she believes in AI's potential to salvage the SDGs before it is too late. While she acknowledged the challenges that come with achieving these goals, she also emphasized the role of technology, particularly AI, in addressing them effectively.

But the Health Ranger Mike Adams begged to differ. He pointed out in a January 2023 Situation Update that the increasing presence of AI is fueled by a more malicious agenda. Globalist elites are actively pursuing the eradication of humanity through AI, he added. (Related: Globalists following planetary script to REPLACE HUMANS with AI systems  you are now obsolete.)

"Human beings  once valued for their labor contributions, creativity and problem-solving capabilities  are largely considered obsolete by the globalist controllers," the Natural News and Brighteon.com founder said. "Now, the script calls for the mass extermination of humans and their replacement with AI systems."

"The primary purpose of human beings up to this point, from the point of view of globalists, was to build up sufficient resources and technology to give rise to AI. Now that this tipping point has been reached, humans are obsolete and expendable."

Listen to the Health Ranger Mike Adams' Situation Update tackling the globalists' plan to replace humans with AI.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

Reuters.com 1

Reuters.com 2
Actress Sarah Silverman SUES Meta, OpenAI for copyright infringement

Actress and stand-up comedian Sarah Silverman has sued Mark Zuckerberg's Meta and OpenAI  maker of artificial intelligence (AI) software ChatGPT  over alleged copyright infringement.

Silverman was joined by authors Richard Kadrey and Christopher Golden in two copyright infringement lawsuits filed July 7 in a San Francisco federal court. The three plaintiffs accused Meta and OpenAI of using copyrighted material to train their chat bots. According to them, the two defendants used their books without permission to develop their so-called large language models (LLMs).

The comedian alleged that ChatGPT is able to accurately summarize her 2010 autobiography, "The Bedwetter." The two authors, meanwhile, also alleged that the AI software managed to accurately summarize their respective works  Kadrey's "Sandman Slim" book series and Golden's 2017 novel "Ararat." They affixed copies of conversations with ChatGPT showing the accuracy of its answers to their queries.

According to the lawsuit against OpenAI, ChatGPT "retains knowledge of particular works in the training dataset" even though the summaries it generated got "some details wrong." Meanwhile, the complaint against Meta cited public statements by an employee who assembled the book data used by the company's LLaMA platform. According to the employee, the data set used by Meta's AI includes the entirety of Bibliotik  a shadow library with more than 196,000 books.

The two lawsuits seek unspecified monetary damages on behalf of a nationwide class of copyright owners whose works were allegedly infringed. Both Meta and OpenAI  the latter having received financial backing from Bill Gates' Microsoft  did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent on July 9.

"The lawsuits underscore the legal risks developers of chat bots face when using troves of copyrighted material to create apps that deliver realistic responses to user prompts," Yahoo News noted. This ability to replicate human conversation has made AI programs "powerful tools for automating tasks." (Related: BuzzFeed has used artificial intelligence to write over 40 articles.)

AI under fire for STEALING copyrighted materials

A July 11 piece published by AOL explained how ChatGPT and LLaMA use works, such as those of the three plaintiffs, for its function.

According to the article, such models "are designed to consume large amounts of text, which are uploaded into it. The AI then begins to "train" itself so that it can answer prompts or questions from users in a manner that mimics natural human responses. It can write code, fan fiction and job application cover letters or can help with school assignments."

"The AI models are often fed by online libraries  some of which are legal such as Project Gutenberg, a collection of e-books with expired copyrights. Other sources are known as shadow libraries, which are full of e-books that are available for readers, but typically lack copyright permission from their authors and publishers."

The piece also outlined the difference between Meta's LLaMA and OpenAI's ChatGPT. LLaMA is meant to be a research tool for those studying AI, while the for-profit ChatGPT uses the question-and-answer model. Nevertheless, the lawsuits decried the "flagrantly illegal" practice of feeding AI models with data that includes books from shadow libraries.

The July 7 lawsuit followed an earlier complaint by authors Mona Awad and Paul Tremblay against OpenAI. The complaints filed by attorneys Joseph Saveri and Matthew Butterick also accused the San Francisco-based developer of ChatGPT of copyright infringement.

The lawyers representing Awad and Tremblay are no strangers to lawsuits against AI. According to AOL, they had been behind lawsuits against the controversial AI art tool Stable Diffusion and a proposed class action against Microsoft's GitHub Copilot.

"Elsewhere, generative AI has prompted concerns in other industries," the AOL report added. It mentioned the possibility of AI being used by production studios to replace the work of human writers and actors, something that is a central point of concern among striking writers and actors in Hollywood.

Head over to CelebrityReputation.news for more stories about Hollywood actors.

Watch this video discussing the Grammy Awards' ban on nominations for AI-generated music.

This video is from The Talking Hedge channel on Brighteon.com.

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What are the risks posed by artificial general intelligence?

SHOCK  Sarah Silverman is DONE with 'absolutist-ness' of Dem Party.

Globalists following planetary script to REPLACE HUMANS with AI systems  you are now obsolete.

A.I. proves itself to be 'demonic fallen angel intelligence' used to indoctrinate the masses into an alternative 'woke' reality.

Sources include:

Finance.Yahoo.com

Aol.com

Brighteon.com
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Tulsi Gabbard calls on Congress to BAN atrazine and other dangerous crop chemicals linked to chemical castration of children

Former United States Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is asking legislators to take action against the chemical industry, which is spraying a highly toxic gender-bender crop chemical known as atrazine all over our food.

Atrazine is dangerous in that it alters a person's hormone profile. Studies show that frogs and other animals exposed to atrazine often turn into the opposite sex, i.e., male frogs become female, and vice versa. Many now speculate that perhaps the transgender craze is due in part to widespread atrazine exposure.

"Congress must ban atrazine, one of the most widely used and toxic herbicides, to stop further contamination of our food & water supply," Gabbard wrote in a tweet. "Atrazine 'wreaks havoc with the sex lives of adult male frogs, emasculating three-quarters of them and turning 1 in 10 into females' according to studies."

Twenty twenty-four presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also spoken out about atrazine, warning that it has no place in agriculture due to the massive risks involved with its use.

(Related: Did you know that the natural supplement chlorine dioxide destroys atrazine in drinking water?)

Gabbard, Kennedy, and many others are waking up the masses to the chemical destruction of America's toxic food supply

The corporate media is having a meltdown over these and other prominent figures drawing attention to the chemical pollution being sprayed all over the American food supply. Some outlets are in a panic about it, spreading misinformation and lies in an attempt to quell public fears about the matter.

Since the media is bought and paid for by big industries such as those that profit from pharmaceuticals, crop chemicals, and even transgender mutilation, it only makes sense that the "official" news sources are decrying the facts being stated by Gabbard, Kennedy, and others.

The aforementioned study that Gabbard was referring to in her tweet was published on March 1, 2010. Researchers from UC Berkeley looked at the negative impacts of atrazine, which has been in use in American agriculture for many years.

"The EU has already banned it, now U.S. must do the same," Gabbard further wrote in her tweet about atrazine. "Call your reps."

Gabbard's tweet came after Axios published a hit piece on July 5 trying to paint those talking about the deleterious effects of atrazine as conspiracy theorists.

"Fringe gender-chemical theory goes mainstream," Axios scoffed about all the attention atrazine is receiving these days.

The Axios hit piece claims that those exposing the truth about atrazine are doing so "without scientific evidence," referring to people like Gabbard and Kennedy as "fringe political figures" who "are increasingly blaming the existence of transgender people on environmental pollution."

It turns out that the Axios hit piece followed another even worse one from some media outlet we will not name that was referred to by Axios as being "America's LGBTQ News Source."

In that piece, Kennedy is referred to as a "noted anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist ... whose career has been defined as much by his membership in one of America's most famous families as by his allegiance to dangerous conspiracy theories."

These cheap shots might work on the handful of people who still read mainstream "news," but most people these days are waking up to the fact that vaccines, crop chemicals, and other big industry products are dangerous and should be outlawed.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is another atrazine denier that claims the crop chemical is safe for the general population at current exposure levels.

Many crop chemicals currently in use are endocrine-disrupting poisons, and their residues are left behind in our nation's tainted food supply. Learn more at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

Newstarget.com
Hong Kong is threatening to ban more seafood products from Japan if the planned release of Fukushima water waste into the ocean will be pushed through.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee said that the Hong Kong government would take measures as he called the planned release of the waste water from the disaster-cripped Fukushima nuclear power plant an "unprecedented exercise."

He added that he took the issue seriously as it affects not only the current situation in their country but also the next generation.

"The action we will take, if the exercise really starts, is that we will be banning a large number (of) prefectures' sea products," Lee said as reported by the Associated Press.

Tse Chin-wan, Hong Kong Secretary for Environment and Ecology, said that the ban on sea products includes imports of all live, frozen, refrigerated, dried, or otherwise preserved aquatic goods, sea salt, and unprocessed or processed seaweed.

Japan's controversial move, approved by the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, has faced strong opposition from neighboring countries over concerns of food safety.

The Hong Kong government is set to craft policies in response to Japan's plan.

"The risks are very unknown," Lee said. "I must ensure that food safety is protected in Hong Kong."

Read Also: The Fukushima Effect: Insidious Radiation Impact

Japan's appeal to Hongkong

The Japanese government has made a strong appeal to Hong Kong officials not to impose restrictions on Japanese food imports.

According to Reuters, the foreign ministry of Tokyo reported that Japan and Hong Kong officials met on Wednesday to discuss the matter.

Japan explained its plan to discharge the treated water and assured the safety of Japanese food products.

Food imports from five Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima, are currently restricted in Hong Kong. It has suspended imports of vegetables and fruits from Fukushima and requires radioactive substance testing certifications for shipments of fisheries products.

Hong Kong is one of the major buyers of Japanese farm and sea products, according to NHK World Japan. In 2022, exports to Hong Kong amounted to more than $1.4 billion.

China vigilance against Japanese food products

Aside from Hong Kong, China is concerned about the safety of Japanese food products and strengthening scrutiny as they maintain a ban on their food items.

According to Nikkei, Chinese customs will strictly review the documents of imported goods from Japan, especially aquatic products.

The customs added, the decision was made to prohibit "radioactive contaminated" Japanese food from entering China and protect the food safety of their people.

China is the biggest buyer of Japan's seafood products.

South Korea also faces challenges in their food production, especially sea salt and other seafood products, as people grow weary of the safety of their food following Japan's plan to dump treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean.

Related Article: Fukushima To Release Over A Million Cubic Meters Water From Nuclear Plant; Officials Urge Locals Stop Swimming

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Due to the discovery of bone pendants, it is believed by scientists that human beings lived in South America at an earlier period.

A report on Live Science specifically discussed the existence of humans in Brazil about 25,000 years ago as researchers unearthed some prehistoric sloth-bone pendants. These pendants were believed to be crafted by ancient individuals.

Three sloth osteoderms, or those bony deposits that form a kind of protective armor over the skin of animals such as armadillos, were discovered at the Santa Elina rock shelter in central Brazil.

What was found

The study, published over the journal titled Proceedings of the Royal Society B, indicated that the Santa Elina rock shelter had showed evidence of successive human settlements coming from the last glacial maximum (LGM) to the Early Holocene.

Experts had conducted a traceological analysis of the discovered artefacts through the use of optical microscopy, non-destructive scanning electron microscopy, UV/visible photoluminescence and synchrotron-based microtomography.

Further, they described the spatial association between the giant sloth bone remains and stone tools and they also provided a Bayesian age model, which helped in confirming the timing of the said association in two-time horizons of the Pleistocene in Santa Elina.

" Two- and three-dimensional georeferenced maps of archaeological materials from Santa Elina support the evidence for human activity, in the form of stone tools and other lithic artefacts, associated with remains of G. phoenesis in the two distinct periods of occupation during the Late Pleistocene," a portion of the study stated.

An entry posted on IFL Science said the sloth bone pendant was a hard evidence that human beings made the daring journey going to America at an earlier period compared to what experts had believed.

Researchers initially believed that the earliest residents in America were a single group which was popularly known as the "Clovis culture." They were believed to have settled in the continent around 15,000-13,000 years ago after crossing from the region of Eurasia.

Read Also: Piece Of Mammoth Bone Found In Cave Is The Oldest Known Decorated Jewelry In Eurasia

Human modification

According to scientists, the unearthed bone pendants were anthropogenically modified.

The study underscored that the presence of several marks could be because of human modification. These included drilled perforations, polishing, multi-directional scratches and use-wear traces, which strongly gave the impression of anthropic nature and extensive use.

Scientists pointed out that the bone pendants' unique and diverse shapes, hole perforation sizes and presence of diverse anthropogenic traces would show that different tools and techniques were utilized during the production and finishing process of the final artefacts.

They did not discount the possibility that the three osteoderms were obtained and modified from a different ground sloth individual elsewhere, and that they were just later transported to Santa Elina.

This possible movement of cultural artefacts could prove the potential exchange networks as well as the possible symbolic value of these objects in communities.

The findings in Santa Elina are necessary in the debate on human occupation, symbolic behavior and megafaunal bone modification in the Late Pleistocene of South America, according to the study.

Related Article: Study: Prehistoric Ancestors Made Art By Using Fireflight

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Experts warned the public about a perfect storm that seems to be brewing this summer season.

This was remarked by climate scientist Michael Mann following deadly floodings in the northeastern portion of the United States and the high temperature being experienced in Southwest US as well as in other countries around the world.

"Sure, weather is weather. It's going to happen - rainfall, flooding events are going to happen. What climate change is doing is it's supercharging them, so when you get one of those weather systems that's producing large amounts of rainfall, you get more rainfall," Mann said in a report on CNN.

Role of jet streams

Mann also explained the role of jet stream during this type of weather.

Jet streams are narrow bands of strong wind that generally blow from west to east all across the globe. They usually form when warm air masses meet cold air masses in the atmosphere.

Mann said the jet stream could be getting stuck in positions that prolong these kinds of extreme weather events, including the torrential rains in some areas.

Mann further noted that when the jet stream was stalled in place, it is often that the high and low pressure centers also remain in place.

These wavy jet stream patterns are often associated with the very persistent weather extremes, including heat, drought, wildfire as well as the flooding events, the scientist said.

Read Also: US Weather Forecast: Coastal Storm Possible This Weekend Until Next Week

Dangerous weather

The Guardian reported that "dangerous weather" is likely to remain in most areas in US. This coincides with the heightened warnings against the occurrence of climate crisis this month.

The report mentioned the floods in the north-east as well as the warnings against longer and hotter heatwaves in the southern and western US.

There were still intensified flood warnings in some areas of Vermont as the state capital Montpelier's downtown was under deep floodings, prompting the activation of rescue teams.

An Aljazeera report said US President Joe Biden had already declared an emergency in Vermont and he tasked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help coordinate disaster relief efforts and provide assistance to those in need.

Meanwhile, heavy downpours with chances of flash floods have been forecasted in parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. This as flash floods had already brought destruction in New York and the Green Mountains region of Vermont.

University of Miami Professor of Atmospheric Sciences Brian Soden noted that as the climate gets warmer, the public should even expect intense rain events to occur.

When it comes to high temperature, tens of millions of individuals from Florida to California are being alerted and are already preparing themselves for more heatwaves.

A new three-day heat advisory was issued to residents of south Florida, just days after successive temperature records were broken in the Miami metropolitan area.

The National Weather Service said a buildup of dust in the atmosphere all the way from the Sahara desert was lowering rain chances and keeping the temperatures on the rise.

The occurrence of El Nino contributed a lot on this blazing temperature, Mann said.

Apart from the abnormal warming of sea surface temperature in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, the El Nino phenomenon is characterized by below-normal rainfall.

Related Article: US Storm Warning: SPC Issues Severe Thunderstorm Alert For States In The Gulf Coast And Midwest

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A travel publication recently selected Australia's Great Barrier Reef Islands as the winner of the Islands category of the World's Best Awards 2023 after surveying its readers.

World's Best Island

Vacations on an island may be a wonderful fusion of exhilarating pursuits, sun-drenched beaches, and unique cultures. While some islands offer excursion opportunities and water sports, others provide a peaceful haven. The best islands, though, combine the two.

T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences across the world every year for our World's Best Awards survey. In this case, the readers are asked to express their ideas on the best islands. The 2023 survey was completed by approximately 165,000 T+L readers, a nearly 25% increase above pre-pandemic voting levels. More than 8,500 different properties received more than 685,000 votes overall.

Islands were evaluated especially based on a number of factors, including value, people and friendliness, restaurants and food, activities and views, and natural features and beaches.

Respondents could give each trait a rating ranging from 'excellent', all the way down to 'poor', until a final score is reached.

Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef, a 1,400-mile-long UNESCO World Heritage Site off Australia's northeastern coast, has won the World's Best Awards 2023 - Island category. It has the largest concentration of coral reefs in the world-nearly 3,000 in total. Also included here are some of the 900 islands that T+L readers voted the best in the world. A frequent visitor to Hamilton Island and reader of T+L wrote the area's physical beauty as being unmatched, giving it a Reader Score of 96.11 out of 100.

Maldives, Bali, Madeira, and Phuket are the other islands joining the Great Barrier Reef Islands in the top five of the published list, Travel + Leisure reports.

Awards Through the Years

The islands of the Great Barrier Reef have won numerous honors. They were given the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Sector Management's Gold Award in 2019. The Reef Joint Field Management Program was honored for its innovative strategy for dealing with difficulties. For promoting a healthy risk culture, the islands won the Risk Excellence Awards in 2017.

For their continuous cooperative initiative, they got the Silver and Collaboration Awards in 2015. Additionally, the Australian government received the Silver Future Policy Award from the World Future Council in 2010 for its efforts to save the reef, particularly the Representative Areas Program.

The islands have many more achievements from 2009 and earlier, the Australian Government reports.

Also Read: Delray Beach in Florida Earns Blue Flag Voluntary International Award for Complying with 33 Criteria

Travel Authority

With the most comprehensive travel lifestyle material available, Travel + Leisure is the go-to source for the discerning traveler. The joy of exploring the cultural delights the globe has to offer-from art and design to shopping and fashion to cuisine and drink-is captured in Travel + Leisure. Through its four print publications, four digital channels, the annual World's Best franchise, and other venues, Travel + Leisure engages with its audience and is a renowned travel authority, according to Cision PR Newswire.

Related Article: 40 Years and Counting: Taurus, Oldest Manta Ray in the World Still Living Healthily in Great Barrier Reef
A fish is being planned to be sent into space as part of a study to determine how the marine animals will interact with other microorganisms in a small and closed ecosystem, according to reports earlier this week.

The Chinese government is considering sending zebrafish to its Tiangong space station, for reasons also to determine the science behind bone density loss in a zero-gravity environment.

The space fish in the China space station will allow scientists to further understand how animals behave and survive in the harsh environment of space, which can also help astronomers and future human space travelers.

The idea of "fish in space" is not new and the zebrafish set to be launched into the station is only one of the few animals sent into space in previous decades.

Fish in Space

The first fish sent to space involved a group of mummichogs, a small fish found in the Atlantic Ocean, in 1973 to Earth's first orbiting science lab called Skylab.

Decades, later Japan also studied a small school of medaka fish abord the International Space States and the effects of microgravity to them, the website Newsbeezer.com reported.

According to Zhang Wei, an official from China's manned space program, the zebrafish as vertebrates will be used to study bone loss amongst astronauts inside the Tiangong space station, according to the local media outlet ECNS.

Also Read: NASA Hubble Telescope Captures Stunning Images of 'Animals' in Space

Why Are Animals Sent to Space?

Now, with the recent developments about the space fish, the question arises why do we send animals to space?

In its fundamental reasons when it started in the 1940s, the act of sending them outside our planet is to determine the survivability of a living organism and the potential for humans to be sent to space as well, according to the Royal Museums Greenwich.

Although the United States and Russian governments initially reported of sending the first astronauts into space since the 1960s, other scientific questions have emerged relating to the matter in the succeeding decades.

Some of these inquiries include space radiation, as well as the psychological and biological impacts of prolonged exposure in space.

Aside from fish, below are some of the animal groups sent into space:

Monkeys

Apes

Dogs

Felicite (the first space cat)

Guinea pigs

Frogs

Wasps

Beetles

The Space Environment

As mentioned earlier, space is a harsh environment since it lacks the necessary environmental conditions found on Earth, such as the presence of oxygen and our atmosphere, as well as tolerable temperatures for living organism to breathe, function, and ultimately survive.

With this, space affects animals in the same way it affects humans.

For instance, our early space travel saw the detrimental impact of space radiation on organic matter, especially when outside Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field, the Royals Museum added.

Since animals were the initial pioneers of space flights, most have lost their lives, according to the BBC Wildlife Magazine.

Related Article: 5 Weirdest and Most Tragic Stories of Animals Who Were Sent to Space
The attempts to restore the Cheetah population in India are under criticism after seven cheetahs died due to the reintroduction efforts of the government.

The restoration efforts have been historic in India, as reintroduction would help relocate cheetahs in India after the animals became extinct in 1952.

The efforts would aim to repopulate the extinct species of Cheetah in India. However, the project has been criticized due to the animals' recent deaths.

Cheetah deaths in India

According to CNN's recent report, a male cheetah named Tejas had serious injuries, and later on died. The report noted that authorities would investigate the Cheetah's death.

Meanwhile, India Today reported that the four-year-old Tejas at the Kuno National Park also showed mating injuries.

Furthermore, the BBC report showed that Tajas could likely die from possible infighting.

The cheetah population became extinct in India in 1952, or 70 years old. The government launched a historic project in 2022 to reintroduce the Cheetah.

The report said 12 cheetahs were relocated to the country to help with the repopulation efforts.

While people explained cheetahs would find it difficult to adapt, the authorities would see the project as a success in bringing back the extinct animal.

Experts also raised concerns over the habitat of the said cheetahs.

BBC and CNN reported that three cubs died in India, including four adult cheetahs.

The report said the adult cheetahs suffered from cardiac failure, mating issues and kidney failures.

Meanwhile, the cubs were discovered underweight.

More facts about cheetahs

People might have seen Cheetahs on television showing remarkable skills in speed and running. The said animal is considered a great hunter.

According to the Cheetah Conservation Fund, Cheetahs in wildlife could live from 10 to 12 years, depending on the competition in their environment.

The report noted that the animal's long legs help unleash a remarkable speed to hunt wildlife. Cheetahs also have large lungs and nostrils, allowing them to run 110 km/hr (70 mph).

Cheetahs can see hunting in the late afternoon, which they first monitor and chase.

Also Read: Possible Sharks Roaming Along Long Island Beaches Bite Five People in Just Two Days

In terms of size and weight, the report highlighted that Cheetahs could reach from 40 to 60 inches in length. The weight of the said animal could reach up to 125 pounds.

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the cheetah population has five species known in wildlife: Asiatic Cheetah, South African Cheetah, Northwest African Cheetah, Northeast African Cheetah and East African Cheetah.

Meanwhile, the report said Cheetah is considered vulnerable due to threats by the IUCN Red List.

The growing threat of habitat loss, hunting, commercial development and illegal wildlife trade could threaten the global population of cheetahs.

As a result, animal conservation and protection efforts are crucial to save them from possible population decline and extinction.

Related Article: Unusual Pink Grasshopper in UK Garden: Insect Likely to Die from Predators

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News
Cleanup and remedial efforts for the recent oil spill in Ohio are underway.

In Ohio, there was a recent oil spill caused by a tanker truck transfer oversight, which is now being cleaned up and remedied.

Oil Spill in Ohio

At a site on Snyder Avenue last week, Noble Oil Services was moving oil from a tanker truck to a rail car when it spilled the oil down a storm sewer that empties into the Tuscarawas River close to the Wolf Creek Trailhead of the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Barberton.

Since then, the spill's impacts have been addressed by the Barberton Fire Department, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

The quantity of oil leaked has not yet been established, according to Ohio EPA official Dina Pierce.

Drinking Water Worries

According to Pierce, because the reservoir that provides the public drinking water for Barberton is upstream from the spill, this occurrence shouldn't have any negative effects on it. Drinking the public water supply is still safe.

William Judge, the mayor of Barberton, stated that the city has gotten in touch with several villages downstream. He stated that he has no reason to think they have been negatively impacted based on the data he has received.

Judge stated that they got in touch with New Franklin, Clinton, but the leak may extend to Massillon.

Cleanup and Remedial Efforts

According to Simplex, the oil has been contained in the area between Vanderhoof Road and Snyder Avenue since the last boom at Center Road, where no oil was discovered.

Near the source of the incident, at least one individual has noticed oily water leaking through the initial set of booms, but Pierce said this is typical and that measures have been implemented to ensure a thorough cleaning.

Pierce clarified that the material is being collected by the environmental contractor using vacuum or suction equipment to be transported off-site and treated at a facility that is permitted to accept waste oil.

Wildlife officers are performing surveys and patrols in the impacted region, according to Stephanie O'Grady with the ODNR, to see if the local wildlife is still suffering.

They have found and saved several oil-covered birds thus far.

As per O'Grady, as long as the remediation and cleanup work goes on, the number of impacted animals should gradually decline.

Pierce stated that flushing, containing, and capturing the waste normally takes several days, but we are unable to predict how long it will take to fully clean up the incident.

According to her, Noble Oil Services will be held accountable because the expense of remediation is charged to the person at fault. Noble's involvement in the spill response was not immediately available, according to a company representative who said he was on the scene Tuesday.

Pierce said that the cleanup is currently the main priority. The timing of notices of violations and other enforcement actions is typically decided later, Akron Beacon Journal reported.

Also Read: Beer Factory in Okinawa Colors Port Waters Blood-Red in Dye Spill, Locals Alarmed

Historic Oil Spill in the US

Each year, thousands of oil spills have place in US seas, most of which are minor and release a fraction of a barrel of oil.

But since the famous Santa Barbara, California, oil well accident in 1969, there were at least 44 oil spills that have affected US seas, each involving more than 420,000 gallons.

Among these, the Deepwater Horizon drilling blowout in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 was the largest, according to NOAA.

Related Article: 14,000 Barrels of Crude Oil Spilling Into Kansas Creek Prompts Keystone Pipeline Shut Down
The Chinese factory in South Carolina was fined over $460,000 after accruing 38 air and hazardous waste violations.

$460k in Fines for Air and Hazardous Waste Violations

A Chinese manufacturing company, once praised for generating hundreds of job opportunities in Richland County, has recently incurred a hefty fine exceeding $460,000 owing to multiple severe environmental violations at their Shop Road facility.

The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control has imposed some of its highest fines in recent years on China Jushi USA, and according to agency data, many of the issues started soon after the plant's opening.

According to records, DHEC claims it found more than three dozen infractions of air and hazardous waste regulations at the manufacturing plant.

As pef an enforcement order, the department took immediate action and temporarily suspended a company's air permit due to the severity of the air pollution offenses.

The organization claimed that the lack of air pollution controls and a rise in some air pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, necessitated the immediate measure.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to sulfur dioxide can make it harder for persons with asthma, particularly children, to breathe. It can cause tree death and contribute to the creation of acid rain in high quantities.

Based on the decision made following inspections in August and September of last year, the DHEC concluded that immediate action was required to address the threat that China Jushi's operations posed to the public's health, safety, and welfare in the absence of adequate air pollution controls.

Hundreds of Jobs

When China Jushi informed the department that repairs had been done, the emergency suspension was quickly lifted.

In 2016, China Jushi, a company with its headquarters in Zhejiang, China, began construction on a $300 million fiberglass manufacturing facility.

About two years after that, the business began with 400 employees. When the plant was expanded, it was intended to double the workforce.

The first occupant of the industrial park on Shop Road nearby Interstate 77 in Richland County was China Jushi.

When China Jushi's placement near Columbia was announced, then-Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt claimed it was the largest economic development news in Richland County since the early 1980s, Richland County reported.

Dozens of Violations

A number of inspections at the factory over the past few years led to the department's enforcement proceedings.

In total, DHEC discovered 17 infractions of the hazardous waste regulations, resulting in a $57,000 penalty. Records revealed that the agency discovered 21 more infractions of the laws governing the management of air pollution, which resulted in a $410,000 punishment.

One of the air pollution infractions included a company that produced more soot than was permitted for more than 200 days between early 2020 and mid-2022.

According to DHEC data, China Jushi also violated nitrogen oxide limits and failed to control air pollutants that were fleeing the factory.

Also Read: Endangered Birds Feed Their Young Plastic from Floating Garbage Patches on the Ocean

Nitrogen oxide is a lung irritant that helps to create smog and acid rain. According to the government, the company did not conduct a series of air pollution control tests while also having equipment that was not properly maintained.

The fact that personnel lacked enough training in handling hazardous material was another issue raised by DHEC.

According to the media relations department of DHEC, employees were unable to determine what substances or risks were included in unmarked containers. Because they weren't provided a copy of the contingency plan, first responders could not be aware of the dangers inside the facility in the event of an emergency.

Additionally, China Jushi neglected to check that areas were compliant with rules governing hazardous waste, neglected to place "No Smoking" signs in areas with flammable garbage and to ensure that leaking batteries were controlled, the DHEC said via The State.

Related Article: Fecal Matter Bacteria Causing Gastroenteritis, Infections Detected in Tourist Favorite Hawaii Beaches
A volcano has been born in Iceland following an eruption that opened a 1.7-mile-long fissure in the ground.

A Live Science report said the incandescent lava was still spewing and flowing south towards the area of the region's last volcanic eruption.

The latest eruption transpired last Monday, June 10, after several days of seismic activity.

Experts noted that there were more than 7,000 earthquakes recorded in the region beginning July 4.

A statement from the Icelandic Met Office indicated that the most powerful earthquake recorded was the magnitude 4.8 that happened on July 5.

The largest earthquakes were widely felt in the SW-area, from Hella to the east, as well as towards Snfellsnes peninsula in the north.

Observations from the volcanic eruption

Experts said the continuation of the activity was expected, however, the seismic activity had already decreased somewhat in the vicinity of the dike.

Meanwhile, the seismic activities had continued in the area between Keilir and Fagradalsfjall, which were interpreted to be triggered events.

Latest updates about the volcanic eruption said a new hazard map was already made, which showed the vicinity of the eruption area. Scientists warned against the danger of the eruption, adding that the conditions in the region could rapidly change.

The Icelandic Met Office said the main hazards from the volcanic eruption could bring gas pollution, that often increases when the wind decreases.

The agency explained that hazardous gases could collect in depressions and be fatal.

"The lava can cause wildfires in the area that significantly reduce air quality. New volcanic fissures can open without notice. Lava blocks can fall from the edge of the lava field. New lava can suddenly flow at high speeds from the edge," according to the Icelandic Met Office.

Authorities also noted some key observations in the natural activity. These include the following:

A lava-producing fissure eruption is happening in the area close to Litli-Hrutur mountain in the Reykjanes Peninsula.

The eruption is occurring in an uninhabited area and it poses no immediate threat or risk to infrastructure.

The intensity of the eruption has decreased considerably during the first 24 hours.

The volcanic ash is not actually produced by the eruption.

Close to the eruption, the main hazards include the incandescent, flowing lava and volcanic gases.

Meanwhile, the government in Iceland already warned tourists and other spectators to maintain a distance from the newly erupting volcano that is spewing lava and other kinds of gases from a fissure in the country's southwest, according to a Fox 10 report.

"Gas pollution is high around the eruption and dangerous. Travelers are advised not to enter the area until responders have had a chance to evaluate conditions," the MET Office said in the report.

Read Also: Volcanic Eruption In Iceland Threatens To Shut Down Air Travel In US and Europe

Previous eruption of Fagradalsfjall volcano

Records showed that the Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted after lying dormant for 800 years on March 19, 2021. Three months after this activity, the volcano still spewed lava and expanding its flow field.

The lava flows were estimated to cover a total area of three square kilometers.

Experts said that the Iceland averages an eruption for every four to five years.

The most disruptive recorded in the recent times was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

The said eruption had sent huge clouds of ash into the atmosphere, which later led to widespread airspace closures over Europe.

Related Article: A Look Inside The Earth: Iceland Volcanic Eruption Opens Opportunities For Extensive Study

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From COVID-19 to the skyrocketing cost of living and the attempted coup on January 6, 2021, the United States is experiencing some of the greatest political, social, and economic disparities it has faced in more than 100 years. As the world at large also grapples with many of these challenges, the existing world order is in a precarious state, with new leaders emerging and long-entrenched great powers facing the possibility of decline. Legendary investor Ray Dalio, in conversation with Thomas L. Friedman, discusses how turbulent economic and political periods such as our current moment are echoed in the past, and how to weather the changes these moments may produce in the future.

Ray Dalio, a global macro investor for more than 50 years and founder of Bridgewater Associates, is the author of The Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed or Fail. Thomas L. Friedman (moderator) is a three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist whose foreign affairs column in the New York Times reports on US domestic politics and foreign policy, Middle East conflicts, international economics, the environment, biodiversity, and energy.

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Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed and Fail



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Opinion

It is time for the hope-carriers to assemble

Following a visit to Uganda with Compassion UK and other Spring Harvest leaders earlier this year, Leon Evans believes that God's Church is alive, and is a source of great hope for us all.

Avengers assemble! Many of you will be already way too excited with the thought of yet another Marvel movie! That cry to come together, to battle against overwhelming odds to defeat evil so that good will triumph. It gets all the juices flowing. But thats a movie, right? What about real life and what about the Church? Hows our excitement level for the Church right now?



According to some, the Church seems to be declining, the statistics arent good in the West, more people claiming to have no religious affiliation and fewer than 50% of the UK now claim allegiance to Christianity. Combine that with the post-Covid blues many of us are still feeling and the cry hope-carriers assemble may well fall on deaf ears. But it shouldnt, because the Church is alive and more than well.



In 2022 I helped lead a trip to Israel and stood on the spot in Caesarea Philippi where 2,000 years ago Jesus declared, I will build my church and the gates of hell will not overcome it (Matthew 16 v.18) Do you know what, they havent!



The Church is still Gods best idea for planet Earth. As Dallas Willard once famously put it: The aim of God in human history is the creation of an all-inclusive community of loving persons, with Himself included in that community as its prime sustainer and most glorious inhabitant. (D Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God.)



Maybe you dont see your church quite this way, but zoom out a little, go to 30,000 feet for a moment: the Church is more than the building or even the people you and I connect with. The Church is global, beautiful, powerful and the Church is on the move. From Minehead to Manila, from Skegness to Sao Paolo, the Church is on the move: hope-carriers are assembling.



In February 2023, I was invited by Compassion UK to go to Uganda along with other Spring Harvest leaders. Compassion is a global organisation that believes that millions of children living in poverty is a total injustice. Spring Harvest has, for more than 40 years, inspired and equipped the church in the UK to be salt and light for the kingdom of God. The opportunity to see the potential for these two incredible organisations to work together was irresistible. I gladly went and what I experienced in those few days impacted and inspired me, and will live with me for years to come. I saw hope-carriers assemble.



There were the volunteers at the local church: faithful men and women pouring their lives into children and young people day after day after day. There were the staff leaders, many of whom were graduates, meaning they were once children in the projects themselves and are now educated, trained, empowered, and equipped to make a difference in the world and in the lives of children, just like the ones they used to be. Then of course there were the sponsors: men, women and sometimes young people who have given monthly, written occasionally, prayed frequently but may have never witnessed the impact of this in the way we did.



This all came together for me on the last day. We went to see a leader called Richmond at his place of work, an impressive multi-acre site with a training centre, well-being hub, offices, and beautifully kept grounds. He told us his story of having been a child living in extreme poverty, with little hope for the future. His father had been murdered when he was very young. Then he was sponsored and in his words, from that moment on my life changed. The pastor of the local church took an interest in Richmond, introducing him to Jesus. Other volunteers invested in him, and his sponsor from the UK continued to support and pray for him. The hope-carriers were assembling.



Richmond spoke of the transformation in his life brought about by Jesus. How he went to university, became a pastor, got married and how he now invests and trains thousands of leaders across Africa. The church he leads aims to plant four new churches every year. When Jesus changes the life of a child the ripples are eternal, it can affect a family, a community, a region, even a nation!



Finally, he said to us my whole life changed the moment I was sponsored.by a teenaged girl from the UK. When he said this many of us broke, we wept, not with sadness but with hope, maybe even with a sense of relief. The gospel still works, the Church is still Gods plan A for planet Earth, and we can all play a part in Gods flipped, upside-down Kingdom.



How about you? Could you become a hope-carrier? Maybe for you its sponsoring a child through an organisation like Compassion, like that young woman did for Richmond? Maybe for you its noticing that one child in your church or community who nobody else notices and begin investing in them? Recently, weve seen many young people get baptised who have additional needs who all said what impacted them was that they felt noticed, loved, and included.



Or maybe for you its to stop seeing what your church isnt and start seeing what your church is... part of the global, beautiful, powerful body of Christ. Its time hope-carriers assemble!



The image is courtesy of pixabay.com



Leon Evans is the Lead pastor of Lifecentral Church, a multi-site church just outside Birmingham.



The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Norfolk, and are intended to stimulate constructive debate between website users.
This blog post on the use of manuscript textiles in Thailand and Laos, illustrated by examples in the British Library's Southeast Asian collections, is by Chevening Fellow Methaporn (Noon) Singhanan, who also took all the photographs of the items.

Thai and Lao manuscript textiles have a rich history that dates back to at least the 18th century. Buddhist teachings and scriptures, written on palm leaves or paper, were highly valued, and often adorned with intricate designs, illustrations, and calligraphy. Manuscript textiles were created to protect and preserve these texts from dust, humidity and insects and, as a result, many were transformed into beautiful pieces.





Luxury manuscript textile from northern Laos, made from a re-used tube skirt of exquisite quality, combining a silk and silver-thread tapestry (border) with a large piece of Ikat fabric (main body) and a cotton waistband. Ca. mid-20th century. British Library, Or 16886

Manuscript textiles were fabrics, usually made from finely woven cotton or silk, occasionally also hemp, using a variety of weaving techniques, such as tapestry and ikat. They were created in many different shapes and patterns and often were a mixture of materials, for example silk brocade with cotton lining. Sometimes they included repurposed monks robes, ritual cloths, curtains and womens skirts. Another type of weaving used bamboo slats interwoven with colourful cotton yarn and pieces of fabric in order to provide greater strength.





Manuscript wrapper using bamboo slats that were inserted while weaving the textile with red, green, black and white cotton yarns. It was used to wrap ten palm leaf bundles containing Buddhist scriptures in Northern Thai Dhamma script, dated between 1827-74. British Library, Or 12401/B-C

For centuries, textiles have been an integral part of women's lives in Thailand and Laos. From spinning raw cotton into yarn to weaving cloth, women have played a significant role in the creation of textiles. Often women planted the cotton shrubs, picked the cotton and dyed the yarn themselves. Textile production was a way for women to earn money and contribute to their families' income. In addition to their economic importance, textiles also held cultural significance. Traditional clothing and fabrics often reflected a community's values, beliefs, and history. Women were responsible for preserving these traditions by passing down textile-making techniques from generation to generation.

These manuscript textiles ranged from the luxurious to simple, and the materials used and their quality often reflected the wealth of the person offering the item. Decorative elements of these textiles include innovative geometric patterns and nature motifs.





Detail of a handwoven cotton shoulder cloth re-purposed as a manuscript wrapper with diamond pattern in red colour on white background, with a simple red-and-black border design. Used to wrap ten palm leaf bundles with texts on the perfections of the Buddha in Northern Thai Dhamma script, ca. 1880-1920. British Library, Or 16865

Manuscript textiles were highly appreciated works of art due to the time and skill required to create them by hand, and enjoyed an exceptional level of popularity in Northern Thailand and Laos during the 18th and 19th centuries. They showcase the skill and creativity of the master weavers who created them, offering a glimpse into the rich history and traditions of the area. Manuscript textiles also provided an opportunity for women artisans to express their devotion to their faith through weaving. The textiles were believed to carry the energy and power of the teachings they encased.





Detail from a handwoven silk-and-cotton manuscript textile depicting two large butterflies surrounded by colourful geometric patterns. Originally this was either a bedroom curtain or a shoulder cloth, then re-used to wrap palm leaf bundles. Northern Laos, ca. mid-20th century. British Library, Or 16597

In Theravada communities in Southeast Asia, the main form of accruing merit for men was to be ordained as a monk for a period, during which they learned to study and copy the scriptures. Although ordination remained an option for women, it was not widely practiced and even forbidden in some monastic orders. This meant that most women at that time could not study the scriptures in the formal way men did. Instead, the Buddhas teachings were learned orally, and female devotees acted as patrons of the monastic communities and devoted themselves to supporting the Sangha (monastic order) in other forms. Since weaving has been a strongly gendered profession in Northern Thailand and Laos, creating cloths to store and preserve the scriptures was considered an important form of accruing merit for women.

Weavers had to learn to use a variety of techniques in order to create beautiful fabrics. Materials were selected carefully, and an elaborate cloth woven with a meditative state of mind counted as a valuable offering to honour the Buddha. Handwoven fabrics made in this way were therefore more refined and of a higher quality than handicrafts used in everyday life. Creating textiles on the basis of belief and faith in Buddhism was regarded as one of the Dhamma practices, with the hope that the produced virtue will contribute to a happy rebirth in the next life.





Detail from a handwoven manuscript textile depicting the popular chicken-and-ancestor motif. Northern Laos, ca. mid-20th century. British Library, Or 16597

The copying of manuscripts preserved the Buddhist teachings that were written down and passed on for centuries. Manuscripts were also used in meditation and prayer and were considered sacred objects. Manuscript textiles, which were used to wrap up the manuscripts in order to prevent damage by dirt, dust, intense sunlight, or insects, were thus comparable to protecting the Buddhas words.

Sponsoring and offering manuscripts to a Buddhist temple has traditionally been an important and widely practised way of making merit, and as a result one would be re-born in fortunate circumstances. Anisong (Pali: anisamsa) manuscripts praising the benefits of meritorious acts and gift-giving enjoyed great popularity across Thailand and Laos, and were often themselves presented to monasteries alongside other manuscripts with beautiful cloth wrappers. Anisong texts frequently mention the virtue of creating scriptural manuscripts as a special meritorious act. It is believed that one script character yields the same merit as the creation of one Buddha image (Peltier 2014: 183).

Many Anisong manuscripts specifically mention the importance of offering textiles to wrap scriptures. A frequently found quote is: A person who offers manuscript textiles will have a prosperous life full of barns, clothes, and plenty of food. The person who provides the manuscript cloth will go to the celestial palace, which will be decorated with various precious gems after their death (Wichian 2006: 315).

In Lao culture, a common practice was to re-purpose tube-skirts (Pha Sarong or Sinh) or shoulder cloths (Pha Biang) - often the most luxurious a person or family owned - as manuscript wrappers. An explanation for this practice is that  people donated Pha Sarong or Sinh because their son or daughter had died when they were very young. Their children thus had had no chance to wear beautifully woven clothes, so during their funeral ceremony the parents did not burn beautiful Sinh cloth with the bodies, but instead produced palm-leaf manuscripts wrapped with Sinh cloth to make merit for their dead children in the hope that in the next life they would live long enough to wear plenty of these clothes (Legends in the weaving 2001: 89).



Handmade cotton cords with loops used to string three bundles of a palm leaf manuscripts containing Buddhist texts in Pali language with plain wooden covers. Central Thailand, 19th century. British Library, Or 4888

In addition to the manuscript wrappers, people could offer a cord made from silk or cotton yarn, which was used to string palm leaves together to create bundles or volumes of palm leaf scriptures. A method of binding palm leaf books going back to the first millennium was to put a looped cord through a hole that was drilled through the palm leaves on the left side; another hole on the right side was often left empty for ease of flipping the leaves while reading. Northern Thai and Lao Anisong manuscripts often contain a dedicatory phrase like whoever offers the cords to string the palm leaf manuscript will dwell with the wise and not lose their treasures (Wichian 2006: 319) or Whoever ties a rope to a book will have a lot of wealth and infinite perseverance (Wichian 2006: 315).





Handmade cotton cords with tassels, no loops, in dark red colour used to string five bundles of palm leaf manuscripts containing a Pali grammar, with lacquered and gilded covers. Central Thailand, 19th century. British Library, Or 4890



A white cotton cord mixed with long hair to string a palm leaf manuscript, with dedicatory inscription mentioning a woman from Lamphun Province as donor. Northern Thailand, 1949. British Library, Or 16985H

Manuscript textiles were not only works of art in and of themselves, but also mirror the social status and beliefs of the people who created them. For Northern Thai and Lao women the act of weaving wrappers and cords was analogous to the act of weaving the thread of faith, thus ensuring the preservation and continuation of the Buddhas teachings.

Many of the practices and beliefs relating to manuscript textiles described above are still in use in Northern Thailand and Laos today. Since 2015, there has been a campaign with local communities and students to revive the custom of creating and offering traditional manuscripts with textiles at Lampang Province's Pongsanuk Temple. There are now many workshops and cultural events taking place in Northern Thailand to teach about making manuscript textiles in various techniques.





Creating manuscript textiles using colourful yarns by intertwining them with bamboo sticks. Methaporn Singhanan, Chiang Mai, Thailand, November 2020 (photo courtesy of  Jod Mai Hed Krungsri)

Methaporn Singhanan, Chevening Fellow at the British Library 2022-23

References and further reading

Andaya, Barbara Watson. Flaming womb: repositioning women in early modern Southeast Asia. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, c2006.

Arthid Sheravanichkul. Narrative and gift-giving in Thai Anisamsa texts. Buddhist narrative in Asia and beyond. Edited by Peter Skilling and Justin McDaniel, Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University, 2013, pp. 37-46.

Gordon, Alec and Napat Sirisambhand. Evidence for Thailand's missing social history: Thai women in old mural paintings. International Review of Social History, 47(2), pp. 261-275.

Legends in the weaving -  [Pha ph ni mi tamnan]. Vientiane: The Japan Foundation Asia Center, 2001

Peltier, Anatole-Roger ed.   [Anisong klum chattiphan Thai nai phummiphak Lum Nam Khong l Salawin] = Anisamsa in Tai Buddhism = Les Anisamsa dans le Bouddhisme Tai. Chiang Mai: Mahawitthayalai Ratchaphat Chiang Mai, 2557 [i.e. 2014]

Seeger, Martin. Gender and the path to awakening: hidden histories of nuns in modern Thai Buddhism. Copenhagen: NIAS Press, 2018

Sundara, Ajahn. Women in Theravada Buddhism. British Library, 2019

: () [Pha ho khamphi Wat Khongkharam: prawattisat (thi yak) bok lao]. 2557 [i.e. 2014]

 ;   [Wichian Surinta; Urai Chaiyawong]. :  [Anisong Lanna: kanpariwat l sara sangkhep]. Chiang Mai : Sathaban Wichai Sangkhom, Mahawitthayalai Chiang Mai, 2549 [i.e. 2006]

  [Urai Khammipha]. :  [Pha ho khamphi bailan: sattha l prarop na hng sattri Thai]. Nakhon Rachasima: King Rama IX Commemorative Library.
By PTI

MUMBAI: The country's domestic air passenger traffic grew 18.78 per cent to around 1.25 crore in June compared to the year-ago period, according to official data released on Thursday.

In June, IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, AirAsia India and Akasa Air saw an increase in their respective market share amid the grounding of budget carrier Go First.

However, SpiceJet's market share continued to decline and fell to 4.4 per cent last month whereas it stood at 7.3 per cent in January this year.

The data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) showed that domestic carriers flew 124.87 lakh people in June compared to 105.12 lahks in the same period a year ago.

IndiGo, which carried around 79 lakh passengers in the previous month, increased its market share to 63.2 per cent from 61.4 per cent in May.

Tata Group airlines -- Air India and AirAsia India (now rebranded as AIX Connect) -- flew 12.37 lakh and 10.4 lakh passengers, respectively in June.

The market share of Air India stood at 9.7 per cent while that of AirAsia India was at 8 per cent, as per the data.

Full-service carrier Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, had a market share of 8.1 per cent and flew 10.11 lakh passengers in June.

Launched in August last year, Akasa Air's market share stood at 4.9 per cent as it flew 6.18 lakh passengers last month.

SpiceJet, which has been put under enhanced surveillance by the DGCA, flew 5.55 lakh passengers in June and its market share dropped to 4.4 per cent.

In terms of On-Time Performance (OTP) in June, Vistara topped the list at 88.3 per cent, followed by IndiGo and Akasa Air (both at 87.6 per cent).

The OTP is calculated for four key airports -- Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, as per the data.

Cash-strapped Go First stopped flying from May 3 and prior to the grounding, it had a market share of 6.4 per cent in April.

MUMBAI: The country's domestic air passenger traffic grew 18.78 per cent to around 1.25 crore in June compared to the year-ago period, according to official data released on Thursday. In June, IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, AirAsia India and Akasa Air saw an increase in their respective market share amid the grounding of budget carrier Go First. However, SpiceJet's market share continued to decline and fell to 4.4 per cent last month whereas it stood at 7.3 per cent in January this year.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) showed that domestic carriers flew 124.87 lakh people in June compared to 105.12 lahks in the same period a year ago. IndiGo, which carried around 79 lakh passengers in the previous month, increased its market share to 63.2 per cent from 61.4 per cent in May. Tata Group airlines -- Air India and AirAsia India (now rebranded as AIX Connect) -- flew 12.37 lakh and 10.4 lakh passengers, respectively in June. The market share of Air India stood at 9.7 per cent while that of AirAsia India was at 8 per cent, as per the data. Full-service carrier Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, had a market share of 8.1 per cent and flew 10.11 lakh passengers in June. Launched in August last year, Akasa Air's market share stood at 4.9 per cent as it flew 6.18 lakh passengers last month. SpiceJet, which has been put under enhanced surveillance by the DGCA, flew 5.55 lakh passengers in June and its market share dropped to 4.4 per cent. In terms of On-Time Performance (OTP) in June, Vistara topped the list at 88.3 per cent, followed by IndiGo and Akasa Air (both at 87.6 per cent). The OTP is calculated for four key airports -- Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, as per the data. Cash-strapped Go First stopped flying from May 3 and prior to the grounding, it had a market share of 6.4 per cent in April.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: In a major breakthrough, the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) arrested two fraudsters, based put of Delhi, for their alleged involvement in fake input tax credit (ITC) scam running into Rs 300 crore.In GST, ITC refers to the tax on purchase of goods or services which is deducted from the tax payable on outward supplies.

Sources in Bhubaneswar zonal unit of DGGI said, the accused are masterminds of a massive scam that involves creation fake companies. Using fake invoices generated in the name of the sham companies, the duo used to collect input tax credit from different states.

This team had opened more than 50 sham companies using Aadhaar and PAN cards of several individuals without their knowledge. The number of such sham companies could be in hundreds and DGGI has launched an investigation into the matter, sources said.

Acting on a tip-off, DGGI officers laid a trap to nab the accused when they arrived here from the national capital. The two involved in the country-wide scam have generated false invoices of more than Rs 300 crore.

The two were claiming to be running companies involved in purchasing items like motor parts and shoes and later exporting them to Nepal. They had already availed Rs 1 crore ITC by producing fake invoices. They landed in Bhubaneswar to take a refund of another Rs 1 crore by submitting fake invoices, said sources.

Sources said DGGI has intensified efforts to curb GST frauds and the recent operation in Bhubaneswar is part of its special drive launched across the country.

BHUBANESWAR: In a major breakthrough, the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) arrested two fraudsters, based put of Delhi, for their alleged involvement in fake input tax credit (ITC) scam running into Rs 300 crore.In GST, ITC refers to the tax on purchase of goods or services which is deducted from the tax payable on outward supplies. Sources in Bhubaneswar zonal unit of DGGI said, the accused are masterminds of a massive scam that involves creation fake companies. Using fake invoices generated in the name of the sham companies, the duo used to collect input tax credit from different states. This team had opened more than 50 sham companies using Aadhaar and PAN cards of several individuals without their knowledge. The number of such sham companies could be in hundreds and DGGI has launched an investigation into the matter, sources said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Acting on a tip-off, DGGI officers laid a trap to nab the accused when they arrived here from the national capital. The two involved in the country-wide scam have generated false invoices of more than Rs 300 crore. The two were claiming to be running companies involved in purchasing items like motor parts and shoes and later exporting them to Nepal. They had already availed Rs 1 crore ITC by producing fake invoices. They landed in Bhubaneswar to take a refund of another Rs 1 crore by submitting fake invoices, said sources. Sources said DGGI has intensified efforts to curb GST frauds and the recent operation in Bhubaneswar is part of its special drive launched across the country.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: With Yamuna levels rising to a record high, several key areas in Delhi including the Secretariat housing the chief minister's office were flooded on Thursday, impairing normal life and traffic movement, as authorities scrambled to lead rescue and relief efforts.

The Yamuna water level touched 208.53 metres at 10 am, breaking a 45-year-old record, officials said.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the closure of schools near the river and the shutting down of water treatment plants, as people waded through knee-deep waters in low-lying areas to reach safer places. Curbs were also placed for the entry of vehicles into the national capital.

Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena will hold a special meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Thursday to discuss the flood situation in the city, officials said. Kejriwal, who is the vice-chairman of the DDMA, will also attend the meeting, they said.

The water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 208-metre mark Wednesday night and rose to 208.48 metres by 8 am on Thursday. It is expected to rise further, according to the Central Water Commission, which has termed it an "extreme situation."

ALSO READ | Raging Yamuna flowing at record level; spills onto streets in Delhi

As the Yamuna swelled, Kejriwal announced the closure of private and government schools in inundated areas. Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla water treatment plants were shut down, which could affect the water supply in the national capital.

As the woes of people mounted, he also urged MLAs, councillors, volunteers and others to reach relief camps and provide all possible support to people there. Areas like Boat Club, Pandav Nagar, some parts of Gandhi Nagar and Bhajanpura were inundated with floodwaters.

According to officials, locals in some areas showed reluctance in moving out even as water reached their homes. The Delhi Secretariat housing offices of Chief Minister Kejriwal, his cabinet and other senior bureaucrats, was too flooded on Thursday.

According to officials from the Public Works Department, they received information regarding the flooding of the Delhi Secretariat. They said they were coordinating with the traffic police and other agencies on the situation.

The road from Rajghat to Delhi Secretariat was also flooded. Officials said the Ring Road stretch between Kashmere Gate and Purana Lohe Ka Pul has been flooded and closed for traffic movement. An order by the District Magistrate (East) said Shamshan Ghat in Geeta Colony has been closed due to the extreme rise in water levels.

Visuals of people wading through knee-deep waters and carrying their belongings in low-lying areas were seen. The traffic police on Thursday issued an advisory about the restrictions and regulation of vehicular movement due to the rise in the water level of the Yamuna River.

People walk through knee-deep water in a flooded road near Red Fort.



Express video | @Shekharyadav02.#DelhiFlood #YamunaWaterLevel pic.twitter.com/eJcTvTqiaf  The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) July 13, 2023

ALSO READ | Overflowing Yamuna: Water treatment plants shut; drinking supply to be hit

According to the advisory, due to the rise in the water level of Yamuna and consequent inundation of low-lying areas, traffic movement has been impaired on Mahatma Gandhi Marg between IP flyover and Chandgi Ram Akhara, Mahatma Gandhi Marg between Kalighat Mandir and Delhi Secretariat and Outer Ring Road between Wazirabad Bridge and Chandgi Ram Akhara.

Non-destined commercial vehicles will not be allowed to enter Delhi and will be diverted to the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways.

The commercial vehicles will be diverted from Mukarba Chowk. No commercial vehicles will be allowed between Mukarba Chowk and Wazirabad Bridge, the advisory stated.

Commercial vehicles will be diverted from Sarai Kale Khan. No such vehicles will be allowed between Sarai Kale Khan and the IP flyover.

Commercial vehicles will be diverted from the Ghazipur border as well as from Akshardham towards DND. No such vehicles will be allowed between Akshardham and Sarai Kale Khan, it added.

With the situation deteriorating every passing hour, Kejriwal on Wednesday urged the Centre to intervene, and the city police imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in flood-prone areas to prevent unlawful assembly of four or more people and public movement in groups.

READ MORE:

NEW DELHI: With Yamuna levels rising to a record high, several key areas in Delhi including the Secretariat housing the chief minister's office were flooded on Thursday, impairing normal life and traffic movement, as authorities scrambled to lead rescue and relief efforts. The Yamuna water level touched 208.53 metres at 10 am, breaking a 45-year-old record, officials said. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the closure of schools near the river and the shutting down of water treatment plants, as people waded through knee-deep waters in low-lying areas to reach safer places. Curbs were also placed for the entry of vehicles into the national capital.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena will hold a special meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Thursday to discuss the flood situation in the city, officials said. Kejriwal, who is the vice-chairman of the DDMA, will also attend the meeting, they said. The water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 208-metre mark Wednesday night and rose to 208.48 metres by 8 am on Thursday. It is expected to rise further, according to the Central Water Commission, which has termed it an "extreme situation." #DelhiFlood | Commuters wade through flooded roads in New Delhi. Express video | @Shekharyadav02.#YamunaWaterLevel pic.twitter.com/x837ezPxTi  The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) July 13, 2023 ALSO READ | Raging Yamuna flowing at record level; spills onto streets in Delhi As the Yamuna swelled, Kejriwal announced the closure of private and government schools in inundated areas. Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla water treatment plants were shut down, which could affect the water supply in the national capital. As the woes of people mounted, he also urged MLAs, councillors, volunteers and others to reach relief camps and provide all possible support to people there. Areas like Boat Club, Pandav Nagar, some parts of Gandhi Nagar and Bhajanpura were inundated with floodwaters. According to officials, locals in some areas showed reluctance in moving out even as water reached their homes. The Delhi Secretariat housing offices of Chief Minister Kejriwal, his cabinet and other senior bureaucrats, was too flooded on Thursday. According to officials from the Public Works Department, they received information regarding the flooding of the Delhi Secretariat. They said they were coordinating with the traffic police and other agencies on the situation. The road from Rajghat to Delhi Secretariat was also flooded. Officials said the Ring Road stretch between Kashmere Gate and Purana Lohe Ka Pul has been flooded and closed for traffic movement. An order by the District Magistrate (East) said Shamshan Ghat in Geeta Colony has been closed due to the extreme rise in water levels. Visuals of people wading through knee-deep waters and carrying their belongings in low-lying areas were seen. The traffic police on Thursday issued an advisory about the restrictions and regulation of vehicular movement due to the rise in the water level of the Yamuna River. People walk through knee-deep water in a flooded road near Red Fort. Express video | @Shekharyadav02.#DelhiFlood #YamunaWaterLevel pic.twitter.com/eJcTvTqiaf  The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) July 13, 2023 ALSO READ | Overflowing Yamuna: Water treatment plants shut; drinking supply to be hit According to the advisory, due to the rise in the water level of Yamuna and consequent inundation of low-lying areas, traffic movement has been impaired on Mahatma Gandhi Marg between IP flyover and Chandgi Ram Akhara, Mahatma Gandhi Marg between Kalighat Mandir and Delhi Secretariat and Outer Ring Road between Wazirabad Bridge and Chandgi Ram Akhara. Non-destined commercial vehicles will not be allowed to enter Delhi and will be diverted to the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways. The commercial vehicles will be diverted from Mukarba Chowk. No commercial vehicles will be allowed between Mukarba Chowk and Wazirabad Bridge, the advisory stated. Commercial vehicles will be diverted from Sarai Kale Khan. No such vehicles will be allowed between Sarai Kale Khan and the IP flyover. Commercial vehicles will be diverted from the Ghazipur border as well as from Akshardham towards DND. No such vehicles will be allowed between Akshardham and Sarai Kale Khan, it added. With the situation deteriorating every passing hour, Kejriwal on Wednesday urged the Centre to intervene, and the city police imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in flood-prone areas to prevent unlawful assembly of four or more people and public movement in groups. READ MORE: Entry, exit at Yamuna Bank metro station closed due to rising water level Civic body working on 'war-footing' to deal with flood-like situation: MCD Monsoon fury: North struggles, record Yamuna swelling in Delhi
Amit Pandey By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The water level of the Yamuna River in the national capital has surpassed the 'critical' mark, reaching 208.48 meters, leading to severe flooding on major roads within the city. The situation has prompted the Delhi traffic police to issue guidelines for commuters and reroute traffic on affected roads.

According to the Central Water Commission, the water level of the Yamuna is expected to reach its peak by 4 pm today before gradually receding. However, until then, significant disruptions are anticipated.

ALSO READ | Delhi deluge fury: Several key areas flooded as city battles flood threat

To mitigate the impact of the floods, the Delhi traffic police have implemented traffic restrictions along key routes, including ITO, Kashmiri Gate, and Red Fort, diverting traffic to alternative pathways. These measures aim to ensure the safety and smooth movement of vehicles amidst the deluge.

The rising water levels have not spared the Delhi Secretariat, which houses the offices of the chief minister, his cabinet, and other high-ranking bureaucrats. The premises have been inundated as the Yamuna River continues to swell.

In response to the crisis, the Delhi Government has taken the decision to close all private and government schools in flood-affected areas, prioritizing the safety of students and staff.

As the water overflows in the city's three main water treatment plants, concerns about drinking water availability have arisen. Areas of the capital may face water shortages due to this disruption.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his concerns on Twitter, stating, "Due to the rising water level in the Yamuna, Wazirabad, Chandrawal, and Okhla water treatment plants have been closed. This may result in water scarcity in certain areas of Delhi. We will work to restart them as soon as the water recedes."

        ,                              ,           Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 13, 2023

In an effort to assess the situation firsthand, Chief Minister Kejriwal visited the Wazirabad water treatment plant. He anticipates that the city may experience water shortages for the next 1-2 days.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has also taken precautions in light of the flooding. Trains passing through the four metro bridges over the Yamuna River will operate at reduced speeds of 30 km/h to ensure passenger safety and prevent any potential damage.

Furthermore, as a safety measure, entry and exit at the Yamuna Bank Metro Station have been temporarily closed due to the rising water levels, impacting the daily commute of numerous passengers.

With the Yamuna River continuing to surge, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and working diligently to minimize the impact on the city and its residents.

READ MORE:

NEW DELHI: The water level of the Yamuna River in the national capital has surpassed the 'critical' mark, reaching 208.48 meters, leading to severe flooding on major roads within the city. The situation has prompted the Delhi traffic police to issue guidelines for commuters and reroute traffic on affected roads. According to the Central Water Commission, the water level of the Yamuna is expected to reach its peak by 4 pm today before gradually receding. However, until then, significant disruptions are anticipated. ALSO READ | Delhi deluge fury: Several key areas flooded as city battles flood threatgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); To mitigate the impact of the floods, the Delhi traffic police have implemented traffic restrictions along key routes, including ITO, Kashmiri Gate, and Red Fort, diverting traffic to alternative pathways. These measures aim to ensure the safety and smooth movement of vehicles amidst the deluge. The rising water levels have not spared the Delhi Secretariat, which houses the offices of the chief minister, his cabinet, and other high-ranking bureaucrats. The premises have been inundated as the Yamuna River continues to swell. In response to the crisis, the Delhi Government has taken the decision to close all private and government schools in flood-affected areas, prioritizing the safety of students and staff. As the water overflows in the city's three main water treatment plants, concerns about drinking water availability have arisen. Areas of the capital may face water shortages due to this disruption. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his concerns on Twitter, stating, "Due to the rising water level in the Yamuna, Wazirabad, Chandrawal, and Okhla water treatment plants have been closed. This may result in water scarcity in certain areas of Delhi. We will work to restart them as soon as the water recedes."         ,                              ,           Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 13, 2023 In an effort to assess the situation firsthand, Chief Minister Kejriwal visited the Wazirabad water treatment plant. He anticipates that the city may experience water shortages for the next 1-2 days. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has also taken precautions in light of the flooding. Trains passing through the four metro bridges over the Yamuna River will operate at reduced speeds of 30 km/h to ensure passenger safety and prevent any potential damage. Furthermore, as a safety measure, entry and exit at the Yamuna Bank Metro Station have been temporarily closed due to the rising water levels, impacting the daily commute of numerous passengers. With the Yamuna River continuing to surge, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and working diligently to minimize the impact on the city and its residents. READ MORE: Entry, exit at Yamuna Bank metro station closed due to rising water level Civic body working on 'war-footing' to deal with flood-like situation: MCD Monsoon fury: North struggles, record Yamuna swelling in Delhi
An Italian court has cleared a school caretaker of sexual assault despite the man, Antonio Avola, admitting what he was accused of. A sexual assault of less than 10 seconds, one judge said, was "palpata breve"a brief gropingand not a crime.

"The judges ruled that he was joking? Well, it was no joke to me," the student told Corriere della Sera newspaper.

"The caretaker came up from behind without saying anything. He put his hands down my trousers and inside my underwear.

"He groped my bottom. Then, he pulled me up  hurting my private parts. For me, this is not a joke. This is not how an old man should 'joke' with a teenager."

"That handful of seconds was more than enough for the caretaker to make me feel his hands on me."

She says she feels doubly betrayed  by her school and by the justice system.

"I'm starting to think I was wrong to trust the institutions. This is not justice."
Preetha Nair By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Congress has invited at least 24 parties to attend the second meeting of opposition parties on July 17 and 18 in Bengaluru. Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi will participate in the meeting, which is being convened by the party as a part of its effort to forge an anti-BJP front ahead of the 2024 general election. Sonia Gandhi is likely to host a dinner meeting on July 17 for all leaders, said an opposition leader.

On Monday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that Sonia Gandhi is likely to attend the meeting. I am confident that she will also participate. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge has requested her to attend this meeting, he said.

The second edition of the meeting is expected to deliberate on concrete strategies for shaping statewise coalitions, maximising anti-BJP votes at state levels fielding common candidates against the BJP, among others. An opposition leader said that more regional parties are invited in the second edition to discuss the strategies.

Leaders of 15 Opposition parties attended the first such conclave which was held in Patna on June 23. In the meeting, the parties resolved to fight against the BJP unitedly and dislodge it from power in the 2024 elections. The new political parties that will be joining the meeting include Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Kongu Desa Makkal Katchi (KDMK), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), All India Forward Bloc, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Kerala Congress (Joseph), and Kerala Congress (Mani).

Speaking to this newspaper, Kerala Congress (M) chairman and MP Jose K Mani confirmed his partys participation in the meeting. I received the invitation from Kharge and we will be attending it, Mani said.

In his letter, Kharge urged the leaders of the parties to strengthen the momentum of the unity. The June 23 meeting was a great success as we were able to discuss important issues that threaten our democratic polity and came to a unanimous agreement on a common fight in the next general election, he said.

I believe that it is important to continue these discussions and build on the momentum that we have created. We need to work together to find solutions to the challenges that our country is facing, he added.

Though AAP attended the first meeting in Patna, the party is likely to miss the second edition, sources said. Though Congress has extended an invitation to AAP, the party said it would attend the meeting only if the Congress declares its stance on the Centres Delhi Ordinance.

NEW DELHI: The Congress has invited at least 24 parties to attend the second meeting of opposition parties on July 17 and 18 in Bengaluru. Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi will participate in the meeting, which is being convened by the party as a part of its effort to forge an anti-BJP front ahead of the 2024 general election. Sonia Gandhi is likely to host a dinner meeting on July 17 for all leaders, said an opposition leader. On Monday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that Sonia Gandhi is likely to attend the meeting. I am confident that she will also participate. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge has requested her to attend this meeting, he said. The second edition of the meeting is expected to deliberate on concrete strategies for shaping statewise coalitions, maximising anti-BJP votes at state levels fielding common candidates against the BJP, among others. An opposition leader said that more regional parties are invited in the second edition to discuss the strategies.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Leaders of 15 Opposition parties attended the first such conclave which was held in Patna on June 23. In the meeting, the parties resolved to fight against the BJP unitedly and dislodge it from power in the 2024 elections. The new political parties that will be joining the meeting include Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Kongu Desa Makkal Katchi (KDMK), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), All India Forward Bloc, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Kerala Congress (Joseph), and Kerala Congress (Mani). Speaking to this newspaper, Kerala Congress (M) chairman and MP Jose K Mani confirmed his partys participation in the meeting. I received the invitation from Kharge and we will be attending it, Mani said. In his letter, Kharge urged the leaders of the parties to strengthen the momentum of the unity. The June 23 meeting was a great success as we were able to discuss important issues that threaten our democratic polity and came to a unanimous agreement on a common fight in the next general election, he said. I believe that it is important to continue these discussions and build on the momentum that we have created. We need to work together to find solutions to the challenges that our country is facing, he added. Though AAP attended the first meeting in Patna, the party is likely to miss the second edition, sources said. Though Congress has extended an invitation to AAP, the party said it would attend the meeting only if the Congress declares its stance on the Centres Delhi Ordinance.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Paris on Thursday. He has been invited as the Guest of Honour for the Bastille Day Parade on July 14. This will be his sixth visit to France.

On French National Day, a 269-member Indian tri-services contingent will also march in Paris. In addition to this, three Rafale jets and an Indian Air Force Globemaster C17 will also be a part of the flypast.

French National Day, or Bastille Day, occupies a special place in French consciousness. This day commemorates the Storming of the Bastille Prison in 1789 during the French Revolution.

This visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. France is a key strategic partner for India, said foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra.

PM Modi will have various meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, who will return to the country from Lithuania after attending the NATO leaders summit.

The PM will also attend a private dinner and joint meetings with CEOs. President Macron will host the State Banquet at the iconic Louvre Museum on Bastille Day. He will interact with the entire political leadership of France, including their Prime Minister Borne and the Presidents of the Senate and National Assembly.

Meanwhile, deals for 26 additional Rafale M fighters and three more Scorpene class submarines for the Navy are likely to be cleared. The Defence Acquisition Council is expected to hold a meeting within a day or two on this.

The Indian Air Force operates 36 Rafale jets customised for Indian requirements under a 7.87 billion euros deal signed in April 2016. The outcomes of the bilateral talks will include defence, space, geostrategy, energy and infrastructure.

Modi to hold talks with UAE prez on Friday

After attending the Bastille Day celebrations in France on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Abu Dhabi on July 15. He will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening and the Prime Ministers visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture, said foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra.

The PMs UAE visit will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of UAEs Presidency of COP-28 of the UNFCCC and Indias G-20 Presidency, in which the UAE is a special invitee.

(With additional inputs from ENS)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Paris on Thursday. He has been invited as the Guest of Honour for the Bastille Day Parade on July 14. This will be his sixth visit to France. On French National Day, a 269-member Indian tri-services contingent will also march in Paris. In addition to this, three Rafale jets and an Indian Air Force Globemaster C17 will also be a part of the flypast. French National Day, or Bastille Day, occupies a special place in French consciousness. This day commemorates the Storming of the Bastille Prison in 1789 during the French Revolution.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); This visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. France is a key strategic partner for India, said foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra. PM Modi will have various meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, who will return to the country from Lithuania after attending the NATO leaders summit. The PM will also attend a private dinner and joint meetings with CEOs. President Macron will host the State Banquet at the iconic Louvre Museum on Bastille Day. He will interact with the entire political leadership of France, including their Prime Minister Borne and the Presidents of the Senate and National Assembly. Meanwhile, deals for 26 additional Rafale M fighters and three more Scorpene class submarines for the Navy are likely to be cleared. The Defence Acquisition Council is expected to hold a meeting within a day or two on this. The Indian Air Force operates 36 Rafale jets customised for Indian requirements under a 7.87 billion euros deal signed in April 2016. The outcomes of the bilateral talks will include defence, space, geostrategy, energy and infrastructure. Modi to hold talks with UAE prez on Friday After attending the Bastille Day celebrations in France on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Abu Dhabi on July 15. He will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening and the Prime Ministers visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture, said foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra. The PMs UAE visit will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of UAEs Presidency of COP-28 of the UNFCCC and Indias G-20 Presidency, in which the UAE is a special invitee. (With additional inputs from ENS)
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: BJP national president JP Nadda on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the partys recently launched Lok Sabha Pravas Yojana and discussed strategies for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and assembly election in some states.

Nadda dwelt upon various initiatives of the party and emphasised taking the Modi governments welfare schemes to the masses. Party leaders and chiefs of various wings, MPs and in charge of Lok Sabha Pravas Yojana discussed and shared details of their visits to Lok Sabha constituencies.

Nadda reportedly said the party is working to fulfil the expectations of people of all sections. According to sources, the BJP chief also went through the key issues on which the party is focusing to retain power after the 2024 general election.

Sources said Nadda also discussed an action plan crafted to cover 160 LS seats, identified as weak to the party on the basis of its candidates performances in 2019 polls. A detailed strategy on how to take the Modi governments works in the last nine years across all sections of the society was one of the prime issues discussed at length. The feedback from Lok Sabha Pravas Yojana was also discussed. Party leaders have been asked to remain with the people, a senior leader said.

Many senior functionaries like national general secretary Vinod Tawde and Sunil Bansal deliberated upon the partys success plans. A new concept of clusters of LS constituencies was discussed, under which senior leaders will make efforts to consolidate the partys electoral prospects, a senior BJP leader said.

Sources said BJP leaders will conduct the Panchayat conferences first in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and other states of the Northern region, followed by states falling under Western, Southern and Eastern regions.

The party has also identified 160 LS seats across states, including West Bengal and Kerala, where BJP candidates lost the elections by small margins or remained in second or third positions. The party had covered all these LS seats during Lok Sabha Pravas Yojana and whatever they got during their stay in the LS constituencies was also discussed, said a source.

The party has also chalked out a pan-India strategy to organise meetings with the panchayat chiefs and members in each district of the country on the Modi governments performances. Earlier, the BJP chief had also discussed the partys strategies with the heads of all the seven fronts of the party and its national general secretaries and office bearers in the last fortnight.

NEW DELHI: BJP national president JP Nadda on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the partys recently launched Lok Sabha Pravas Yojana and discussed strategies for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and assembly election in some states. Nadda dwelt upon various initiatives of the party and emphasised taking the Modi governments welfare schemes to the masses. Party leaders and chiefs of various wings, MPs and in charge of Lok Sabha Pravas Yojana discussed and shared details of their visits to Lok Sabha constituencies. Nadda reportedly said the party is working to fulfil the expectations of people of all sections. According to sources, the BJP chief also went through the key issues on which the party is focusing to retain power after the 2024 general election.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Sources said Nadda also discussed an action plan crafted to cover 160 LS seats, identified as weak to the party on the basis of its candidates performances in 2019 polls. A detailed strategy on how to take the Modi governments works in the last nine years across all sections of the society was one of the prime issues discussed at length. The feedback from Lok Sabha Pravas Yojana was also discussed. Party leaders have been asked to remain with the people, a senior leader said. Many senior functionaries like national general secretary Vinod Tawde and Sunil Bansal deliberated upon the partys success plans. A new concept of clusters of LS constituencies was discussed, under which senior leaders will make efforts to consolidate the partys electoral prospects, a senior BJP leader said. Sources said BJP leaders will conduct the Panchayat conferences first in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and other states of the Northern region, followed by states falling under Western, Southern and Eastern regions. The party has also identified 160 LS seats across states, including West Bengal and Kerala, where BJP candidates lost the elections by small margins or remained in second or third positions. The party had covered all these LS seats during Lok Sabha Pravas Yojana and whatever they got during their stay in the LS constituencies was also discussed, said a source. The party has also chalked out a pan-India strategy to organise meetings with the panchayat chiefs and members in each district of the country on the Modi governments performances. Earlier, the BJP chief had also discussed the partys strategies with the heads of all the seven fronts of the party and its national general secretaries and office bearers in the last fortnight.
Ramashankar By

Express News Service

PATNA: A 40-year-old BJP leader died after allegedly sustaining injuries on his head when police on Thursday resorted to a lathi charge at Dakbunglow roundabout in the state capital to stop a march to the assembly by party leaders and workers.

Angered over the death of BJP leader Vijay Kumar Singh, Jehanabad district general secretary of the BJP, the state BJP president Samrat Choudhary said that his party would file a murder case against Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.

We will continue our agitation against the state government. We have given a call for a Vidhan Sabha march on Friday to protest the police lathicharge, BJP chief Choudhary said, criticising the grand alliance government for police atrocities and highhandedness.

On the other hand, Patna's senior superintendent of police (SSP) Rajiv Mishra said that Singh was found in an unconscious condition in Chhajubagh locality. He was rushed to the PMCH for treatment.

The SSP said that CCTV cameras were being verified to ascertain the truth. We can't confirm the reason behind Singh's death at this stage, he told media persons.

Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) superintendent Dr I S Thakur said that Singh was alive when he was brought to the hospital and he was admitted to the ICU and put on a ventilator. Singh's life could not be saved even though doctors made their best efforts to save him, he said.

He said that no external injury was found on him and the exact reason behind his death would be known only after the post-mortem examination. We have informed the family about the incident, he added.

ALSO READ | Proudly earthy and rustic: Bihari food is one of India's underrated culinary traditions

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha said that BJP leaders and workers would march to Raj Bhawan on Friday in protest against the death of the party leader.

Earlier, former deputy chief minister and Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Modi tweeted confirming the death of the party functionary in the police lathicharge. Police carried out a lathi charge, used water cannons and lobbed tear gas shells on BJP leaders and workers when they were advancing towards the assembly against the rescinding of the domicile policy in recruitment of school teachers and in support of various demands.

BJP leaders and workers started their march from the historic Gandhi Maidan but they were intercepted at Dakbunglow roundabout as a huge contingent of security personnel stopped them from advancing to the assembly.

BJP MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal sustained injuries on his head in the police action. Several party workers were also injured when the police, apparently without exercising any restraint, used force to stop them.

Later, police personnel also put up barricades to stop party leaders and workers from advancing further. State BJP Samrat Choudhary along with other senior party leaders including former minister Nitin Nabin squatted on dharna at the site. Choudhary alleged that the Nitish government butchered democracy by beating up BJP leaders and workers during their protest.

Reacting sharply to the lathi charge, BJP president JP Nadda tweeted, "The lathicharge on BJP workers in Patna is the result of the failure and indignation of the state government. The Grand Alliance government is attacking democracy to save the citadel of corruption. To save the person who has been chargesheeted, the Chief Minister of Bihar has even forgotten his morality."

Former deputy chief minister and BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi said that democracy was in danger as the state government took such a harsh measure to stop the march being taken out by party leaders and workers.

PATNA: A 40-year-old BJP leader died after allegedly sustaining injuries on his head when police on Thursday resorted to a lathi charge at Dakbunglow roundabout in the state capital to stop a march to the assembly by party leaders and workers. Angered over the death of BJP leader Vijay Kumar Singh, Jehanabad district general secretary of the BJP, the state BJP president Samrat Choudhary said that his party would file a murder case against Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. We will continue our agitation against the state government. We have given a call for a Vidhan Sabha march on Friday to protest the police lathicharge, BJP chief Choudhary said, criticising the grand alliance government for police atrocities and highhandedness.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); On the other hand, Patna's senior superintendent of police (SSP) Rajiv Mishra said that Singh was found in an unconscious condition in Chhajubagh locality. He was rushed to the PMCH for treatment. The SSP said that CCTV cameras were being verified to ascertain the truth. We can't confirm the reason behind Singh's death at this stage, he told media persons. Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) superintendent Dr I S Thakur said that Singh was alive when he was brought to the hospital and he was admitted to the ICU and put on a ventilator. Singh's life could not be saved even though doctors made their best efforts to save him, he said. He said that no external injury was found on him and the exact reason behind his death would be known only after the post-mortem examination. We have informed the family about the incident, he added. ALSO READ | Proudly earthy and rustic: Bihari food is one of India's underrated culinary traditions Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha said that BJP leaders and workers would march to Raj Bhawan on Friday in protest against the death of the party leader. Earlier, former deputy chief minister and Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Modi tweeted confirming the death of the party functionary in the police lathicharge. Police carried out a lathi charge, used water cannons and lobbed tear gas shells on BJP leaders and workers when they were advancing towards the assembly against the rescinding of the domicile policy in recruitment of school teachers and in support of various demands. BJP leaders and workers started their march from the historic Gandhi Maidan but they were intercepted at Dakbunglow roundabout as a huge contingent of security personnel stopped them from advancing to the assembly. BJP MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal sustained injuries on his head in the police action. Several party workers were also injured when the police, apparently without exercising any restraint, used force to stop them. Later, police personnel also put up barricades to stop party leaders and workers from advancing further. State BJP Samrat Choudhary along with other senior party leaders including former minister Nitin Nabin squatted on dharna at the site. Choudhary alleged that the Nitish government butchered democracy by beating up BJP leaders and workers during their protest. Reacting sharply to the lathi charge, BJP president JP Nadda tweeted, "The lathicharge on BJP workers in Patna is the result of the failure and indignation of the state government. The Grand Alliance government is attacking democracy to save the citadel of corruption. To save the person who has been chargesheeted, the Chief Minister of Bihar has even forgotten his morality." Former deputy chief minister and BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi said that democracy was in danger as the state government took such a harsh measure to stop the march being taken out by party leaders and workers.
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: With seven out of ten toppers of the Patwari recruitment test having appeared in the exam at a college owned by a ruling BJP MLA Sanjiv Kushwah in Gwalior district, the opposition Congress and AAP have alleged a massive scam in the MP governments test held in March-April 2023.

Importantly, the Bhopal headquartered Employee Selection Board-ESB (earlier named VYAPAM) had conducted examinations for 8,600-plus posts like Patwari (Patwari is an important officer of the revenue department) in March-April 2023.

Seven toppers had appeared in the NRI College of Engineering and Management in Gwalior, run by the BJP MLA. At least two candidates have alleged a huge difference between marks shown on the computer screen immediately after taking the test and the final results declared around two and half months later. Denying the opposition parties allegations of irregularities in the recruitment test at the exam centre, Kushwah said, The allegations are baseless and just politically motivated.

BHOPAL: With seven out of ten toppers of the Patwari recruitment test having appeared in the exam at a college owned by a ruling BJP MLA Sanjiv Kushwah in Gwalior district, the opposition Congress and AAP have alleged a massive scam in the MP governments test held in March-April 2023. Importantly, the Bhopal headquartered Employee Selection Board-ESB (earlier named VYAPAM) had conducted examinations for 8,600-plus posts like Patwari (Patwari is an important officer of the revenue department) in March-April 2023. Seven toppers had appeared in the NRI College of Engineering and Management in Gwalior, run by the BJP MLA. At least two candidates have alleged a huge difference between marks shown on the computer screen immediately after taking the test and the final results declared around two and half months later. Denying the opposition parties allegations of irregularities in the recruitment test at the exam centre, Kushwah said, The allegations are baseless and just politically motivated.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); });
Mayank Singh By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Defence Acquisition Council on Thursday approved the acquisition of maritime combat jets.

The proposal, sources say, includes the construction of three new submarines jointly with French Original Equipment Manufacturers.

"The DAC chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved two proposals including that of acquiring 26 Rafale-M combat fighter and also manufacturing of three new submarines in India," sources said.

The move, as reported by The New Indian Express, is aimed at strengthening the country's maritime air combat capability. The construction of the additional Scorpene submarine will add to Indian the Navys underwater combat capability.

The deal to buy 26 Rafale M jets and three additional Scorpene submarines from France are expected to be announced during PM Narendra Modis visit to France during July 14-16.

The deals are estimated to be valued at around Rs 90,000 crore. The 26 Rafale-Marine combat jets will include 22 single-seater and four double-seater trainer versions.

As per procedure, it is the DAC that grants the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) which sets the procedure for acquisition. The Defence Acquisition Council is the highest decision-making body on issues related to policy and capital procurement and is chaired by the Defence Minister.

As reported earlier, in March by this newspaper, the Indian Navy had expressed its preference for the French fighter aircraft Marine over US F-18 Super Hornet.

What went in favour towards these maritime fighters is that the Indian Air Force has already acquired 36 Rafale fighters. The commonality of the fleet and the resultant savings on training, repairs and maintenance have reportedly tilted the scale in favour of Dassaults Rafale M. The two aircrafts versions have over 80 per cent common features.

ALSO READ | Cabinet Committee on Security likely to seal Rafale-M deal today

The Navy has been exploring options to replace its ageing MiG-29K as a short-term solution. India has been working on developing its own twin-engine deck-based fighters as a long-term solution to its need for carrier-based fighters. But since there are still some years before the aircraft is indigenously developed, the Navy has decided to go in for the acquisition to meet its requirement.

The other key proposal moved forward is related to strengthening the Navys sub-surface combat capability with the construction of the additional Scorpene Submarine in India under Project 75. Mazgaon Dockyard Limited and France's Naval Group have completed the construction of six indigenous conventional submarines, as part of Project 75 (P-75), with the last, INS Vagsheer, of the six Scorpene submarines, Kalvari Class, undergoing the final leg of trials.

NEW DELHI: The Defence Acquisition Council on Thursday approved the acquisition of maritime combat jets. The proposal, sources say, includes the construction of three new submarines jointly with French Original Equipment Manufacturers. "The DAC chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved two proposals including that of acquiring 26 Rafale-M combat fighter and also manufacturing of three new submarines in India," sources said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The move, as reported by The New Indian Express, is aimed at strengthening the country's maritime air combat capability. The construction of the additional Scorpene submarine will add to Indian the Navys underwater combat capability. The deal to buy 26 Rafale M jets and three additional Scorpene submarines from France are expected to be announced during PM Narendra Modis visit to France during July 14-16. The deals are estimated to be valued at around Rs 90,000 crore. The 26 Rafale-Marine combat jets will include 22 single-seater and four double-seater trainer versions. As per procedure, it is the DAC that grants the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) which sets the procedure for acquisition. The Defence Acquisition Council is the highest decision-making body on issues related to policy and capital procurement and is chaired by the Defence Minister. As reported earlier, in March by this newspaper, the Indian Navy had expressed its preference for the French fighter aircraft Marine over US F-18 Super Hornet. What went in favour towards these maritime fighters is that the Indian Air Force has already acquired 36 Rafale fighters. The commonality of the fleet and the resultant savings on training, repairs and maintenance have reportedly tilted the scale in favour of Dassaults Rafale M. The two aircrafts versions have over 80 per cent common features. ALSO READ | Cabinet Committee on Security likely to seal Rafale-M deal today The Navy has been exploring options to replace its ageing MiG-29K as a short-term solution. India has been working on developing its own twin-engine deck-based fighters as a long-term solution to its need for carrier-based fighters. But since there are still some years before the aircraft is indigenously developed, the Navy has decided to go in for the acquisition to meet its requirement. The other key proposal moved forward is related to strengthening the Navys sub-surface combat capability with the construction of the additional Scorpene Submarine in India under Project 75. Mazgaon Dockyard Limited and France's Naval Group have completed the construction of six indigenous conventional submarines, as part of Project 75 (P-75), with the last, INS Vagsheer, of the six Scorpene submarines, Kalvari Class, undergoing the final leg of trials.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India has voiced its displeasure at the European Parliament resolution on Manipur, saying it is unacceptable and reflective of a colonial mindset.

"We have seen that the European Parliament held a discussion on developments in Manipur and adopted a resolution. Such interference in Indias internal affairs is unacceptable and reflects a colonial mindset. The EP would be well advised to utilise its time more productively on its internal issues," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

In addition, India has reaffirmed that all levels including the judiciary are seized of the situation in Manipur and are taking steps to maintain peace, harmony, law and order.

Earlier, the European Parliament based in Strasbourg passed a resolution on Manipur and called on the Indian government to act promptly to halt the violence and protect religious minorities. The resolution was passed by a show of hands on Thursday after a debate on the issue on Wednesday evening.

ALSO READ | NIA chargesheets three members from banned outfits for extortion, terror in Manipur

The resolution has asked the Indian government to pre-empt any further escalation. It also calls on authorities to grant unhindered access to the area by journalists and international observers and to end the internet shutdown.

Furthermore, the resolution also asked the government to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in line with the recommendations of the UN Universal Periodic Review.

Through the resolution, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) called on the EU to make human rights prominent in its dialogue and relationship with India  a point that was repeatedly raised during the pre-vote debate. The process brought together an unlikely mix of left and right parties which also approved two other resolutions on rights in Venezuela and Kyrgyzstan.

Nobody is proposing breaking off relations with India. It is a great democracy, but it has to be a better democracy, said MEP Pierre Larratourou (Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats). He also recommended that the European Parliament demand that respect for human rights is included in the India-EU trade partnership.

NEW DELHI: India has voiced its displeasure at the European Parliament resolution on Manipur, saying it is unacceptable and reflective of a colonial mindset. "We have seen that the European Parliament held a discussion on developments in Manipur and adopted a resolution. Such interference in Indias internal affairs is unacceptable and reflects a colonial mindset. The EP would be well advised to utilise its time more productively on its internal issues," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. In addition, India has reaffirmed that all levels including the judiciary are seized of the situation in Manipur and are taking steps to maintain peace, harmony, law and order.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Earlier, the European Parliament based in Strasbourg passed a resolution on Manipur and called on the Indian government to act promptly to halt the violence and protect religious minorities. The resolution was passed by a show of hands on Thursday after a debate on the issue on Wednesday evening. ALSO READ | NIA chargesheets three members from banned outfits for extortion, terror in Manipur The resolution has asked the Indian government to pre-empt any further escalation. It also calls on authorities to grant unhindered access to the area by journalists and international observers and to end the internet shutdown. Furthermore, the resolution also asked the government to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in line with the recommendations of the UN Universal Periodic Review. Through the resolution, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) called on the EU to make human rights prominent in its dialogue and relationship with India  a point that was repeatedly raised during the pre-vote debate. The process brought together an unlikely mix of left and right parties which also approved two other resolutions on rights in Venezuela and Kyrgyzstan. Nobody is proposing breaking off relations with India. It is a great democracy, but it has to be a better democracy, said MEP Pierre Larratourou (Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats). He also recommended that the European Parliament demand that respect for human rights is included in the India-EU trade partnership.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: For the fourth consecutive year since the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) authorities have barred mainstream leaders including former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti from visiting the graveyard of martyrs and paying homage to them on 'Martyrs Day.'

PDP chief and former chief minister Mehhbooba Mufti was placed under house detention at her Khimber residence on the outskirts of Srinagar. She also posted a video showing the main gate of her house locked from the outside and policemen telling her that they have orders from higher-ups.

Im under house arrest for wanting to visit Martyrs graveyard today. This at a time when GOI has used its tall claims of normalcy in SC to justify an act of betrayal- the illegal abrogation of Article 370. BJPs own heroes Vir Sarvarkar, Shyama Prasad Mukheriji ,Gowalkar & pic.twitter.com/JkySNQcEcq July 13, 2023

The National Conference also accused the administration of placing restrictions on party leaders to prevent them from visiting the martyrs graveyard in the Nowhatta area of downtown Srinagar. NC vice president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah, in a video released by the party, was seen walking towards the party office without his escort and security vehicles.

"Despite the restrictions placed on JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah, which denied him security vehicles and ITBP cover, he chose to walk from his home to the Nawai Subh office. His purpose was to address the party workers who had gathered there to pay their heartfelt tributes to the 1931 Martyrs," according to the party's statement.

Dear @JmuKmrPolice dont think that refusing to give me my escort vehicles & ITBP cover will stop me. Ill walk to where I have to get to & thats exactly what Im doing now. pic.twitter.com/tHZ50Pq6GS  Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 13, 2023

Meanwhile, Peoples Conference leader Khurshid Alam alleged that he along with other leaders of the party were detained and denied the opportunity to lead a peaceful gathering of party leaders and workers to offer prayers and pay tributes to the martyrs at the martyrs graveyard.

"This restriction on our peaceful assembly is deeply concerning and infringes upon our right to commemorate the martyrs. Despite this setback, our determination remains unwavering. We shall continue to honour and remember the martyrs in our hearts and work towards achieving their vision of a just and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

July 13 is observed as 'Martyrs Day' in the erstwhile state to mark the killing of 22 Kashmiri civilians by Dogra troops under Maharaja Hari Singh on this day in 1931.

Every year, a customary wreath-laying ceremony by the head of the government used to be held at the martyrs graveyard on this day. This wreath-laying ceremony had taken place even during the time when the BJP had been in power with its coalition partner PDP.

The 'Martyrs Day' had also been a state holiday till August 5, 2019  the day which saw the withdrawal of Jammu and Kashmir's special status and its statehood. However, the J-K governor's administration dropped the day from the list of gazetted holidays in 2020, after the abrogation of Article 370

SRINAGAR: For the fourth consecutive year since the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) authorities have barred mainstream leaders including former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti from visiting the graveyard of martyrs and paying homage to them on 'Martyrs Day.' PDP chief and former chief minister Mehhbooba Mufti was placed under house detention at her Khimber residence on the outskirts of Srinagar. She also posted a video showing the main gate of her house locked from the outside and policemen telling her that they have orders from higher-ups. Im under house arrest for wanting to visit Martyrs graveyard today. This at a time when GOI has used its tall claims of normalcy in SC to justify an act of betrayal- the illegal abrogation of Article 370. BJPs own heroes Vir Sarvarkar, Shyama Prasad Mukheriji ,Gowalkar & pic.twitter.com/JkySNQcEcqgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); });  Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 13, 2023 The National Conference also accused the administration of placing restrictions on party leaders to prevent them from visiting the martyrs graveyard in the Nowhatta area of downtown Srinagar. NC vice president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah, in a video released by the party, was seen walking towards the party office without his escort and security vehicles. "Despite the restrictions placed on JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah, which denied him security vehicles and ITBP cover, he chose to walk from his home to the Nawai Subh office. His purpose was to address the party workers who had gathered there to pay their heartfelt tributes to the 1931 Martyrs," according to the party's statement. Dear @JmuKmrPolice dont think that refusing to give me my escort vehicles & ITBP cover will stop me. Ill walk to where I have to get to & thats exactly what Im doing now. pic.twitter.com/tHZ50Pq6GS  Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 13, 2023 Meanwhile, Peoples Conference leader Khurshid Alam alleged that he along with other leaders of the party were detained and denied the opportunity to lead a peaceful gathering of party leaders and workers to offer prayers and pay tributes to the martyrs at the martyrs graveyard. "This restriction on our peaceful assembly is deeply concerning and infringes upon our right to commemorate the martyrs. Despite this setback, our determination remains unwavering. We shall continue to honour and remember the martyrs in our hearts and work towards achieving their vision of a just and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir," he said. July 13 is observed as 'Martyrs Day' in the erstwhile state to mark the killing of 22 Kashmiri civilians by Dogra troops under Maharaja Hari Singh on this day in 1931. Every year, a customary wreath-laying ceremony by the head of the government used to be held at the martyrs graveyard on this day. This wreath-laying ceremony had taken place even during the time when the BJP had been in power with its coalition partner PDP. The 'Martyrs Day' had also been a state holiday till August 5, 2019  the day which saw the withdrawal of Jammu and Kashmir's special status and its statehood. However, the J-K governor's administration dropped the day from the list of gazetted holidays in 2020, after the abrogation of Article 370
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Wednesday granted the CBI time till August 8 to obtain sanction to prosecute former railway minister Lalu Prasad and some officials of the public sector transport behemoth in a case related to an alleged land-for-job scam.Special Judge Geetanjali Goel granted the CBI time after the central probe agency made a prayer to that effect.

The CBI had on July 3 filed a charge sheet against Lalu Prasad, who continues to be the national president of the RJD he had founded, his wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, and their son and the states Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav in connection with the alleged scam.

It was the second charge sheet filed by the CBI in the case but first in which Tejashwi Yadav has been named as an accused. Besides the three members of the Yadav family, the federal agency also named 14 individuals and entities in the charge sheet.The accused have been charged under Indian Penal Code sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and others in addition to provisions of the Prevention of

Corruption Act.

The charge sheet came days after over a dozen opposition parties, including Lalu Prasads RJD, resolved to take on the BJP unitedly in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at a crucial meeting in Patna on June 23.

The case pertains to Group-D appointments made in Western Central Zone based in Jabalpur during Lalu Prasads tenure as the railway minister from 2004 to 2009 in return for land parcels gifted or transferred by the recruits in the name of RJD supremos family or associates, according to officials.

The agency had registered the case on May 18, 2022 against Lalu Prasad and 15 others including his wife, two daughters, and unidentified public servants and private persons.The CBI had filed the first charge sheet in the case in October last year against Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi and others.

RJD chief is accused in land-for-job scam

The CBI had on July 3 filed a charge sheet against Lalu Prasad, who continues to be the national president of the RJD he had founded, his wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, and their son and the states Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav in connection with the alleged scam. It was the second charge sheet filed by the CBI in the case but first in which Tejashwi Yadav has been named as an accused. Besides the three members of the Yadav family, the federal agency also named 14 individuals and entities in the charge sheet. The accused was charged under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and others.

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Wednesday granted the CBI time till August 8 to obtain sanction to prosecute former railway minister Lalu Prasad and some officials of the public sector transport behemoth in a case related to an alleged land-for-job scam.Special Judge Geetanjali Goel granted the CBI time after the central probe agency made a prayer to that effect. The CBI had on July 3 filed a charge sheet against Lalu Prasad, who continues to be the national president of the RJD he had founded, his wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, and their son and the states Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav in connection with the alleged scam. It was the second charge sheet filed by the CBI in the case but first in which Tejashwi Yadav has been named as an accused. Besides the three members of the Yadav family, the federal agency also named 14 individuals and entities in the charge sheet.The accused have been charged under Indian Penal Code sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and others in addition to provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The charge sheet came days after over a dozen opposition parties, including Lalu Prasads RJD, resolved to take on the BJP unitedly in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at a crucial meeting in Patna on June 23. The case pertains to Group-D appointments made in Western Central Zone based in Jabalpur during Lalu Prasads tenure as the railway minister from 2004 to 2009 in return for land parcels gifted or transferred by the recruits in the name of RJD supremos family or associates, according to officials. The agency had registered the case on May 18, 2022 against Lalu Prasad and 15 others including his wife, two daughters, and unidentified public servants and private persons.The CBI had filed the first charge sheet in the case in October last year against Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi and others. RJD chief is accused in land-for-job scam The CBI had on July 3 filed a charge sheet against Lalu Prasad, who continues to be the national president of the RJD he had founded, his wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, and their son and the states Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav in connection with the alleged scam. It was the second charge sheet filed by the CBI in the case but first in which Tejashwi Yadav has been named as an accused. Besides the three members of the Yadav family, the federal agency also named 14 individuals and entities in the charge sheet. The accused was charged under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and others.
By PTI

KOLKATA: The CPI(M)-led Left Front, Congress and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) on Thursday jointly organised a rally here to protest against the violence in recently held panchayat polls in West Bengal.

CPI (M) state secretary Md Salim, Left Front chairman Biman Bose, senior leaders of other Left parties and those of the Congress and ISF were among 1000-odd people who took part in the rally that started from the Ramlila Maidan at Moulali to Esplanade, around two km away.

"The ruling TMC with the active support of the State Election Commission has murdered democracy in the name of holding panchayat polls where the Left and Congress candidates and their families were threatened and attacked," Salim told reporters.

Ballot boxes were destroyed and ballot papers were snatched by the TMC goons, he alleged, asserting that the state's ruling party did this as it was sure to lose had the panchayat polls been held in a free and fair manner.

The senior CPI(M) leader claimed that a discreet understanding exists between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee "and none is really bothered about ending the atrocities of the poor under the TMC rule in West Bengal".

TMC state spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said sinking their ideology for the sake of power, the two ideologically different camps joined hands with the sole aim to defeat the TMC "by hook or crook".

They are resorting to the "false narrative" of terror by the TMC although it was the ruling party workers who mostly died in the panchayat poll-related violence instigated by the Congress, Left, ISF and the BJP, he alleged.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that 19 people, mostly from her TMC, died in poll-related violence since the election date was announced on June 8.

Police sources, however, have put the number of fatalities at 38 but agree that at least 60 per cent of those who lost their lives were affiliated with the TMC.

Meanwhile, political analyst Sibaji Pratim Basu said the Muslim farmers supported the TMC in the 2006-07 Singur and Nandigram anti-land acquisition movement.

There are signs about ISF eyeing that segment of people because of preacher Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui as many Muslims are followers of Furfura Sharif, a holy place for Bengali Muslims.

Siddiqui, who belongs to the family associated with Furfura Sharif, formed the party ahead of the 2021 assembly elections.

"The ISF is seeking to emerge as an alternative to the TMC as evident in Bhangor-2 block where it throws a challenge to influential TMC leader Arabul Islam," Basu added.

The ISF, which entered into an understanding with the Left and Congress before the 2021 assembly polls, won nine panchayat samiti seats and one zilla parishad seat in Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district.

It also won 66-gram panchayat seats in Bhangar and 23 in Kulpi.

Professor of political science, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Prof Maidul Islam told PTI that ISF has got mileage with its performance in the panchayat polls but it remains to be seen how it will capitalise on this in coming days.

"There is a perception among a section of minorities that the aspirations of young minority voters remain unrealised by non-BJP political parties who got their support in the past. Some of these people are of the opinion that ISF can fill the void," Islam said.

KOLKATA: The CPI(M)-led Left Front, Congress and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) on Thursday jointly organised a rally here to protest against the violence in recently held panchayat polls in West Bengal. CPI (M) state secretary Md Salim, Left Front chairman Biman Bose, senior leaders of other Left parties and those of the Congress and ISF were among 1000-odd people who took part in the rally that started from the Ramlila Maidan at Moulali to Esplanade, around two km away. "The ruling TMC with the active support of the State Election Commission has murdered democracy in the name of holding panchayat polls where the Left and Congress candidates and their families were threatened and attacked," Salim told reporters.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Ballot boxes were destroyed and ballot papers were snatched by the TMC goons, he alleged, asserting that the state's ruling party did this as it was sure to lose had the panchayat polls been held in a free and fair manner. The senior CPI(M) leader claimed that a discreet understanding exists between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee "and none is really bothered about ending the atrocities of the poor under the TMC rule in West Bengal". TMC state spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said sinking their ideology for the sake of power, the two ideologically different camps joined hands with the sole aim to defeat the TMC "by hook or crook". They are resorting to the "false narrative" of terror by the TMC although it was the ruling party workers who mostly died in the panchayat poll-related violence instigated by the Congress, Left, ISF and the BJP, he alleged. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that 19 people, mostly from her TMC, died in poll-related violence since the election date was announced on June 8. Police sources, however, have put the number of fatalities at 38 but agree that at least 60 per cent of those who lost their lives were affiliated with the TMC. Meanwhile, political analyst Sibaji Pratim Basu said the Muslim farmers supported the TMC in the 2006-07 Singur and Nandigram anti-land acquisition movement. There are signs about ISF eyeing that segment of people because of preacher Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui as many Muslims are followers of Furfura Sharif, a holy place for Bengali Muslims. Siddiqui, who belongs to the family associated with Furfura Sharif, formed the party ahead of the 2021 assembly elections. "The ISF is seeking to emerge as an alternative to the TMC as evident in Bhangor-2 block where it throws a challenge to influential TMC leader Arabul Islam," Basu added. The ISF, which entered into an understanding with the Left and Congress before the 2021 assembly polls, won nine panchayat samiti seats and one zilla parishad seat in Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district. It also won 66-gram panchayat seats in Bhangar and 23 in Kulpi. Professor of political science, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Prof Maidul Islam told PTI that ISF has got mileage with its performance in the panchayat polls but it remains to be seen how it will capitalise on this in coming days. "There is a perception among a section of minorities that the aspirations of young minority voters remain unrealised by non-BJP political parties who got their support in the past. Some of these people are of the opinion that ISF can fill the void," Islam said.
According to the statement made by Ilia Darchiashvili, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, the NATO Summit in Vilnius yielded positive outcomes for Georgia across various dimensions.Darchiashvili highlighted that the mention of Georgia in the communique will undoubtedly invigorate NATO-Georgia relations. He expressed his belief that the narrative concerning Georgia has significantly and unequivocally improved. The joint efforts of Georgia and its international partners in promoting peace and security were once again emphasized. The communique reaffirmed strong support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Darchiashvili concluded by stating that these developments will undoubtedly strengthen Georgia's ties with NATO."I believe that the narrative regarding Georgia has significantly and unambiguously improved. Once again, Georgia's endeavors to enhance peace and security in collaboration with international partners were emphasized. There was firm support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country. Undoubtedly, this will bolster our country's relations with NATO," stated Ilia Darchiashvili, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.MEP Miriam Lexmann, accompanied by Nika Gvaramia, founder of "Mtavari Channel," and other MEPs, highlighted the crucial importance of Georgia's relentless pursuit of candidate status during a press conference in Strasbourg.Lexmann acknowledged the deep polarization within Georgia and expressed her support for the country's aspiration to become a member of the European Union and a valued member of the European family. She raised concerns about the prevailing polarization, physical attacks on journalists, and polarizing actions by the government, emphasizing the need for a change in the situation. Lexmann stressed that it is crucial for the Georgian government to fulfill its obligations, given that the people of Georgia envision their future connected with the European Union. She underscored the significance of Gvaramia's perspective, considering his presence outside the country.In closing, Lexmann expressed hope for the release and proper treatment of Mikheil Saakashvili, wishing for his health to be taken care of and for him to overcome the challenges he faced during his time in prison.
An Ohio doctor accused of prioritizing her TikTok account over her practice had her medical license permanently revoked yesterday.

Dr. Katharine Grawe, formerly a plastic surgeon, was known for livestreaming as @doctorroxy on TikTok as she performed surgeries on patients from 20182022. But, according to The Hill, the doctor bungled the surgeries of three patients, who suffered "skin tears, infections, and other serious complications," and needed medical care to correct the botched procedures.

"I strongly recommend that there never be a Dr. Roxy or patient one, two or three  and protect the people of the state of Ohio from this reckless physician," said Ohio Medical Board member Dr. Jonathan Feibel.

From The Hill:
By PTI

PUNE: Nine members of a caste group, locally called 'jaat panchayat', were booked in Pune district for allegedly ostracising a woman and her family, a police official said on Thursday.

The woman had given Rs 80,000 to two men to find eligible grooms for her two daughters and she had sought that money back when they failed in the task, the Yavat police station official said.

These two called a session of the 'jaat panchayat' and got the woman and her kin, all from the Davri Gosavi community, ostracised and also fined Rs 453, he said.

The nine persons have been charged under the Maharashtra Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2016, the official informed.

PUNE: Nine members of a caste group, locally called 'jaat panchayat', were booked in Pune district for allegedly ostracising a woman and her family, a police official said on Thursday. The woman had given Rs 80,000 to two men to find eligible grooms for her two daughters and she had sought that money back when they failed in the task, the Yavat police station official said. These two called a session of the 'jaat panchayat' and got the woman and her kin, all from the Davri Gosavi community, ostracised and also fined Rs 453, he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The nine persons have been charged under the Maharashtra Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2016, the official informed.
By Express News Service

GUWAHATI: After a series of incidents of ethnic clashes, Manipur has remained relatively calm for the past two days.

Official sources said no major incident of violence was reported in the last 48 hours. Army and paramilitary personnel are deployed in the vulnerable areas.

Agricultural activities started on Wednesday under security but not many farmers are going to the field. Kh Gopen Luwang, who is the president of farmers body Irabot Foundation, Manipur, said people still have security concerns.

Recently, Chief Minister N Biren Singh had stated that for the purpose of agricultural activities, the government decided to deploy more personnel in Kakching, Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur districts and the adjoining areas of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts.

He had stated that in addition to the previous deployment, 2,000 more personnel would be deployed.

The police in Kangpokpi district registered a criminal case against Pramot Singh, chief of Meitei group Meitei Leepun, on various charges, including promoting enmity between groups and criminal conspiracy.

ALSO READ | 'Internal matter', says India after European Parliament set to discuss Manipur violence

The case was registered under Sections 120B, 153A, 504, 505, 506 and 34 IPC based on an FIR lodged by the Kuki Students Organisation, Sadar Hills. It had accused Singh of instigating violence.

Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet in the NIA Special Court, Imphal against three persons, including a Myanmar national, in a case of extortion by members of banned militant groups in Manipur.



The NIA identified the accused as Deepak Sharma alias Khinmaung of Myanmar, Suraj Jasiwal and Shaikhom Bruce Meetei (both from Manipur). They were charged under IPC and UAPA Act of 1967. Deepak was additionally charged under the Foreigners Act of 1946.



The accused had been raising/collecting the funds with the intention to further the activities of these terrorist organizations (Peoples Revolutionary Army, Kangleipak Communist Party, Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak and United National Liberation Front), the NIA said in a statement.

The accused allegedly made extortion calls to people in Imphal and the Imphal valley areas, shared bank account details of their associates and instructed them to deposit the extortion money in the same.

GUWAHATI: After a series of incidents of ethnic clashes, Manipur has remained relatively calm for the past two days. Official sources said no major incident of violence was reported in the last 48 hours. Army and paramilitary personnel are deployed in the vulnerable areas. Agricultural activities started on Wednesday under security but not many farmers are going to the field. Kh Gopen Luwang, who is the president of farmers body Irabot Foundation, Manipur, said people still have security concerns.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Recently, Chief Minister N Biren Singh had stated that for the purpose of agricultural activities, the government decided to deploy more personnel in Kakching, Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur districts and the adjoining areas of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. He had stated that in addition to the previous deployment, 2,000 more personnel would be deployed. The police in Kangpokpi district registered a criminal case against Pramot Singh, chief of Meitei group Meitei Leepun, on various charges, including promoting enmity between groups and criminal conspiracy. ALSO READ | 'Internal matter', says India after European Parliament set to discuss Manipur violence The case was registered under Sections 120B, 153A, 504, 505, 506 and 34 IPC based on an FIR lodged by the Kuki Students Organisation, Sadar Hills. It had accused Singh of instigating violence. Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet in the NIA Special Court, Imphal against three persons, including a Myanmar national, in a case of extortion by members of banned militant groups in Manipur. The NIA identified the accused as Deepak Sharma alias Khinmaung of Myanmar, Suraj Jasiwal and Shaikhom Bruce Meetei (both from Manipur). They were charged under IPC and UAPA Act of 1967. Deepak was additionally charged under the Foreigners Act of 1946. The accused had been raising/collecting the funds with the intention to further the activities of these terrorist organizations (Peoples Revolutionary Army, Kangleipak Communist Party, Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak and United National Liberation Front), the NIA said in a statement. The accused allegedly made extortion calls to people in Imphal and the Imphal valley areas, shared bank account details of their associates and instructed them to deposit the extortion money in the same.
Harpreet Bajwa and Narendra Sethi By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH/DEHRADUN: The situation in the rain-ravaged Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana continued to remain grim on Wednesday, while the swollen Yamuna in downstream Delhi hit an all-time high of 208.05 metres, inundating several low-lying areas in the national capital.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged Union home minister Amit Shah to reduce the outflow from Haryanas Hathni Kund barrage into the Yamuna to prevent further flooding.

In Uttarakhand, the embankment of the Solani River got breached at two places due to incessant rains, flooding 24 villages. The Gangotri and Yamunotri highways were among the 1,500-plus roads that have been closed due to landslides and rain-related damages. Pilgrims are waiting for the highways to open for their safe exit. There were also reports of a car with four persons on board skidding into the Khoh River.

In Punjab, 1,058 of its villages in 14 districts have been affected by the flood fury, with Roopnagar district taking the biggest hit. While around 10,000 people have been shifted to safer places in Punjab, 49 houses have been completely destroyed and 180 other houses partially damaged.

As for Haryana, its seven districts have been affected. The toll due to rain-related incidents in Punjab and Haryana has gone up to 21.

In Himachal Pradesh, 3,000 tourists stranded in the Kasol area of Kullu district have been evacuated. Fifty-two students of a school in Kullu, who were stuck at Sissu in Lahaul, too, were safely moved out. That apart, about 25,000 people stranded in Manali and Kullu for the past three days at various locations have been rescued. But 293 others, including 243 tourists, are still stuck at the glacial Chandratal Lake in Lahaul and Spiti district because of bad weather.

CHANDIGARH/DEHRADUN: The situation in the rain-ravaged Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana continued to remain grim on Wednesday, while the swollen Yamuna in downstream Delhi hit an all-time high of 208.05 metres, inundating several low-lying areas in the national capital. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged Union home minister Amit Shah to reduce the outflow from Haryanas Hathni Kund barrage into the Yamuna to prevent further flooding. In Uttarakhand, the embankment of the Solani River got breached at two places due to incessant rains, flooding 24 villages. The Gangotri and Yamunotri highways were among the 1,500-plus roads that have been closed due to landslides and rain-related damages. Pilgrims are waiting for the highways to open for their safe exit. There were also reports of a car with four persons on board skidding into the Khoh River. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In Punjab, 1,058 of its villages in 14 districts have been affected by the flood fury, with Roopnagar district taking the biggest hit. While around 10,000 people have been shifted to safer places in Punjab, 49 houses have been completely destroyed and 180 other houses partially damaged. As for Haryana, its seven districts have been affected. The toll due to rain-related incidents in Punjab and Haryana has gone up to 21. In Himachal Pradesh, 3,000 tourists stranded in the Kasol area of Kullu district have been evacuated. Fifty-two students of a school in Kullu, who were stuck at Sissu in Lahaul, too, were safely moved out. That apart, about 25,000 people stranded in Manali and Kullu for the past three days at various locations have been rescued. But 293 others, including 243 tourists, are still stuck at the glacial Chandratal Lake in Lahaul and Spiti district because of bad weather.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from India for an official visit to France and UAE on Thursday morning. He is visiting France at the official invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron from July 13 to 14.

Ahead of his departure to France, PM Modi in a statement said he is looking forward to meeting French President Emmanuel Macron and holding discussions on taking forward the partnership between both nations.

"I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years. I have had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since my last Official Visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023 during the G-7 Summit," an official statement released from the Prime Minister's Office said.

Calling his visit to France "special", PM Modi said that he will join Macron for Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour. He noted that an Indian tri-services contingent will take part in the Bastille Day Parade.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from Delhi for Paris, France earlier this morning.



He will take part in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour on July 14. During his visit, he will hold discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and other pic.twitter.com/nXjlXDwfKv  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

PM Modi further said that Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past on the occasion.

"This visit is particularly special as I will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour. An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, while Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past on the occasion," he said.

PM Modi noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France. He stated that India and France cooperate closely in various sectors, including defence, space, civil nuclear, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties.

"This year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership. Rooted in deep trust and commitment, our two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties. We also work together on regional and global issues," PM Modi said in a statement.

PM Modi said that he looked forward to meeting his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne, French Senate President Gerard Larcher and President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet.

In the statement, PM Modi said that he will meet the Indian community and leading CEOS from both nations. He expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to a strategic partnership between India and France.

After his visit to France, PM Modi will be travelling to Abu Dhabi on July 15. He noted that India and UAE are engaged across various sectors, including fintech, defence, security and energy.

"From Paris, I will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an Official Visit on July 15. I look forward to meeting my friend, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi," PM Modi said in the statement.

"Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science & technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties. Last year, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and I agreed on a Roadmap for the future of our partnership, and I look forward to discussing with him how to further deepen our ties," he added.

PM Modi stated that UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year. He further said, "I also look forward to exchanging views on strengthening global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate the energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement. I am confident that my visit to UAE will usher in a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from India for an official visit to France and UAE on Thursday morning. He is visiting France at the official invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron from July 13 to 14. Ahead of his departure to France, PM Modi in a statement said he is looking forward to meeting French President Emmanuel Macron and holding discussions on taking forward the partnership between both nations. "I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years. I have had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since my last Official Visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023 during the G-7 Summit," an official statement released from the Prime Minister's Office said. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Calling his visit to France "special", PM Modi said that he will join Macron for Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour. He noted that an Indian tri-services contingent will take part in the Bastille Day Parade. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from Delhi for Paris, France earlier this morning. He will take part in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour on July 14. During his visit, he will hold discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and other pic.twitter.com/nXjlXDwfKv  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023 PM Modi further said that Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past on the occasion. "This visit is particularly special as I will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour. An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, while Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past on the occasion," he said. PM Modi noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France. He stated that India and France cooperate closely in various sectors, including defence, space, civil nuclear, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties. "This year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership. Rooted in deep trust and commitment, our two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties. We also work together on regional and global issues," PM Modi said in a statement. PM Modi said that he looked forward to meeting his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne, French Senate President Gerard Larcher and President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet. In the statement, PM Modi said that he will meet the Indian community and leading CEOS from both nations. He expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to a strategic partnership between India and France. After his visit to France, PM Modi will be travelling to Abu Dhabi on July 15. He noted that India and UAE are engaged across various sectors, including fintech, defence, security and energy. "From Paris, I will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an Official Visit on July 15. I look forward to meeting my friend, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi," PM Modi said in the statement. "Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science & technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties. Last year, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and I agreed on a Roadmap for the future of our partnership, and I look forward to discussing with him how to further deepen our ties," he added. PM Modi stated that UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year. He further said, "I also look forward to exchanging views on strengthening global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate the energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement. I am confident that my visit to UAE will usher in a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."
Sudhir Suryawanshi By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: A tug-of-war continues between Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar-led NCP over allocations of key portfolios such as finance, urban development department, cooperation, irrigation and agriculture. Both sides have decided to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to resolve the issue.

Sources said Shinde has refused to concede the key portfolios to NCP ministers, including Ajit Pawar, arguing that it will reduce his importance in the government.

Shinde has conveyed to the BJP leadership that unless Shiv Sena MLAs are sworn in, he will not allocate the portfolios to the NCP ministers. Shinde fears that after the allocation of portfolios to the NCP ministers, the BJP may not allow him further cabinet expansion. Shinde plans to meet top BJP leaders in Delhi, said a source.

Another senior minister said the BJP has conveyed it will be reluctant to induct Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale and Sanjay Shirsat into the cabinet.

Shinde told the BJP leadership that if these two faces -- Gogawale and Shirsat - are not inducted, then he will have a tough time keeping the flock together. Most of the Shiv Sena MLAs of Shinde factions already started extending olive branches to Uddhav Thackeray and opening the communications line. If a significant number of Shiv Sena MLAs join Uddhav Thackeray, then Shindes CM chair will be in trouble and his party will also face another split. This can damage the BJP. Therefore BJP needs to stand by him, said a Shiv Sena minister.

Meanwhile, Sunil Tatkare, the state NCP chief (Ajit Pawar faction) said that there is no dispute over allocations of ministries.

MUMBAI: A tug-of-war continues between Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar-led NCP over allocations of key portfolios such as finance, urban development department, cooperation, irrigation and agriculture. Both sides have decided to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to resolve the issue. Sources said Shinde has refused to concede the key portfolios to NCP ministers, including Ajit Pawar, arguing that it will reduce his importance in the government. Shinde has conveyed to the BJP leadership that unless Shiv Sena MLAs are sworn in, he will not allocate the portfolios to the NCP ministers. Shinde fears that after the allocation of portfolios to the NCP ministers, the BJP may not allow him further cabinet expansion. Shinde plans to meet top BJP leaders in Delhi, said a source.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Another senior minister said the BJP has conveyed it will be reluctant to induct Shiv Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale and Sanjay Shirsat into the cabinet. Shinde told the BJP leadership that if these two faces -- Gogawale and Shirsat - are not inducted, then he will have a tough time keeping the flock together. Most of the Shiv Sena MLAs of Shinde factions already started extending olive branches to Uddhav Thackeray and opening the communications line. If a significant number of Shiv Sena MLAs join Uddhav Thackeray, then Shindes CM chair will be in trouble and his party will also face another split. This can damage the BJP. Therefore BJP needs to stand by him, said a Shiv Sena minister. Meanwhile, Sunil Tatkare, the state NCP chief (Ajit Pawar faction) said that there is no dispute over allocations of ministries.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The rate of divorce among Muslims has "come down by 96 per cent" since triple talaq was made a punishable offence under the law in 2019 and this has benefitted women and children, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said on Thursday.

Addressing a gathering at a seminar here on Uniform Civil Code (UCC), he also wondered if is it not odd that when one seeks justice, religion has to be stated first.

On the All India Muslim Personal Law Board sending its objections on UCC to the Law Commission, Khan said everyone has a right to express their opinion.

"The Law Commission has sought suggestions. And, I am very hopeful that all suggestions that will come up, will get full attention from the Law Commission and the government," he told reporters later.

The UCC refers to a common set of laws on marriage, divorce and inheritance that would be applicable to all Indian citizens irrespective of religion, tribe or other local customs.

The Law Commission had on June 14 initiated a fresh consultation process on UCC by seeking views from stakeholders, including public and recognised religious organisations, on the politically sensitive issue.

In his address, Khan also spoke of the Shah Bano case of the 1980s.

READ HERE | 'UCC necessary to bring fundamental right of equality': Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan

He praised the enactment of the The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act 2019 which makes the practice of instant divorce through triple talaq among Muslims a punishable offence entailing imprisonment of up to three years, and recalled how it took two years since the Supreme Court's landmark verdict in 2017.

In its verdict, the apex court by a majority of 3:2 had ruled that the practice of divorce through triple talaq among Muslims is "void", "illegal" and "unconstitutional".

The apex court also held that the triple talaq is against the basic tenets of Quran.

"Do you know after the judgement, teen talaq did not stop even a single day," Khan said, and recounted how he got a call from a person in Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh, who mentioned such a case happening with a woman, even after the verdict.

He then mentioned how it took two years to finally have the practice of instant divorce through triple talaq among Muslims, made a punishable offence.

"Talaq has not been banned, and it can't be banned, triple talaq has been banned, and the result of making it a punishable offence is that in the Muslim community, the rate of divorce has come down by 96 per cent.

And, not only women benefitted, but children too whose future were ruined due to divorce earlier," Khan said.

In his address, he also mentioned that the British rulers had decided to implement laws for people pertaining to their respective religions.

"Is it not odd that when one goes to seek justice, then one's religion has to be stated first, and which community one belongs to. So, is it equality before the law? Is it equal protection of the law? No," he said.

Two women go to a court, and in a similar case, both get different justice because they belong to different religious backgrounds.

How can you accept in today's era, Khan asked.

NEW DELHI: The rate of divorce among Muslims has "come down by 96 per cent" since triple talaq was made a punishable offence under the law in 2019 and this has benefitted women and children, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said on Thursday. Addressing a gathering at a seminar here on Uniform Civil Code (UCC), he also wondered if is it not odd that when one seeks justice, religion has to be stated first. On the All India Muslim Personal Law Board sending its objections on UCC to the Law Commission, Khan said everyone has a right to express their opinion.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "The Law Commission has sought suggestions. And, I am very hopeful that all suggestions that will come up, will get full attention from the Law Commission and the government," he told reporters later. The UCC refers to a common set of laws on marriage, divorce and inheritance that would be applicable to all Indian citizens irrespective of religion, tribe or other local customs. The Law Commission had on June 14 initiated a fresh consultation process on UCC by seeking views from stakeholders, including public and recognised religious organisations, on the politically sensitive issue. In his address, Khan also spoke of the Shah Bano case of the 1980s. READ HERE | 'UCC necessary to bring fundamental right of equality': Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan He praised the enactment of the The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act 2019 which makes the practice of instant divorce through triple talaq among Muslims a punishable offence entailing imprisonment of up to three years, and recalled how it took two years since the Supreme Court's landmark verdict in 2017. In its verdict, the apex court by a majority of 3:2 had ruled that the practice of divorce through triple talaq among Muslims is "void", "illegal" and "unconstitutional". The apex court also held that the triple talaq is against the basic tenets of Quran. "Do you know after the judgement, teen talaq did not stop even a single day," Khan said, and recounted how he got a call from a person in Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh, who mentioned such a case happening with a woman, even after the verdict. He then mentioned how it took two years to finally have the practice of instant divorce through triple talaq among Muslims, made a punishable offence. "Talaq has not been banned, and it can't be banned, triple talaq has been banned, and the result of making it a punishable offence is that in the Muslim community, the rate of divorce has come down by 96 per cent. And, not only women benefitted, but children too whose future were ruined due to divorce earlier," Khan said. In his address, he also mentioned that the British rulers had decided to implement laws for people pertaining to their respective religions. "Is it not odd that when one goes to seek justice, then one's religion has to be stated first, and which community one belongs to. So, is it equality before the law? Is it equal protection of the law? No," he said. Two women go to a court, and in a similar case, both get different justice because they belong to different religious backgrounds. How can you accept in today's era, Khan asked.
By PTI

SURENDRANAGAR: Two Dalit men were killed allegedly by a group of persons belonging to an OBC community over a land dispute in Gujarat's Surendranagar district, police said on Thursday.

The incident took place on Wednesday evening in Samadhiala village under Chuda taluka.

The two victims - Aalji Parmar (60) and his brother Manoj Parmar (54) - died during treatment at a government hospital in Surendranagar town on Wednesday night, the police said.

Based on a complaint given by one Parulben Parmar, who was also injured in the attack, the Chuda police on Thursday morning registered an FIR against six identified and 12-15 unidentified persons from Kathi Darbar community, Inspector General of Police, Rajkot and Surendranagar Range, Ashok Kumar Yadav said.

"The victims were attacked because of a land dispute between the members of two different communities. The Dalits as well as Kathi Darbars have been staking claim on a piece of land in Samadhiala village," he said.

"While two men died in the incident, some others, including women, were injured. An FIR has been registered in this connection," said Yadav.

He said the dispute over the piece of land was going on since 1998 and the Dalit family had also won the case in a lower court.

As per the FIR, the complainant, a widow living in Ahmedabad, along with her two brothers-in-law (brothers of her deceased husband) and their wives went to their ancestral Samadhiala village to start sowing on their agricultural land.

The complainant alleged the accused had been trying to grab her ancestral land and threatening her and other family members for a long time.

When they were returning after ploughing the field, a group of nearly 20 men allegedly attacked them with sticks and sharp weapons, as per the FIR.

These accused, led by one Amrabhai Khachar, and his brother and sons, allegedly attacked their vehicle and started beating them saying the land belongs to them only and no one should enter it, it said.

Following the serious injuries received in the attack, two brothers - Aaljibhai and Manojbhai Parmar - died during treatment while three women and a tractor driver were admitted to hospital for treatment, the police said.

The accused were booked on charges of murder, attempt to murder and rioting, as well as under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the police added.

SURENDRANAGAR: Two Dalit men were killed allegedly by a group of persons belonging to an OBC community over a land dispute in Gujarat's Surendranagar district, police said on Thursday. The incident took place on Wednesday evening in Samadhiala village under Chuda taluka. The two victims - Aalji Parmar (60) and his brother Manoj Parmar (54) - died during treatment at a government hospital in Surendranagar town on Wednesday night, the police said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Based on a complaint given by one Parulben Parmar, who was also injured in the attack, the Chuda police on Thursday morning registered an FIR against six identified and 12-15 unidentified persons from Kathi Darbar community, Inspector General of Police, Rajkot and Surendranagar Range, Ashok Kumar Yadav said. "The victims were attacked because of a land dispute between the members of two different communities. The Dalits as well as Kathi Darbars have been staking claim on a piece of land in Samadhiala village," he said. "While two men died in the incident, some others, including women, were injured. An FIR has been registered in this connection," said Yadav. He said the dispute over the piece of land was going on since 1998 and the Dalit family had also won the case in a lower court. As per the FIR, the complainant, a widow living in Ahmedabad, along with her two brothers-in-law (brothers of her deceased husband) and their wives went to their ancestral Samadhiala village to start sowing on their agricultural land. The complainant alleged the accused had been trying to grab her ancestral land and threatening her and other family members for a long time. When they were returning after ploughing the field, a group of nearly 20 men allegedly attacked them with sticks and sharp weapons, as per the FIR. These accused, led by one Amrabhai Khachar, and his brother and sons, allegedly attacked their vehicle and started beating them saying the land belongs to them only and no one should enter it, it said. Following the serious injuries received in the attack, two brothers - Aaljibhai and Manojbhai Parmar - died during treatment while three women and a tractor driver were admitted to hospital for treatment, the police said. The accused were booked on charges of murder, attempt to murder and rioting, as well as under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the police added.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India was among the 28 countries that voted in favour of a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution on religious hatred in the backdrop of the burning of the Quran in Sweden. Twelve countries voted against the resolution and seven abstained.

Argentina, China, Cuba, India, South Africa, Ukraine and Vietnam were amongst those who backed the resolution. Britain, the United States and European Union countries including France and Germany, plus Costa Rica and Montenegro, voted against the resolution. Benin, Chile, Mexico, Nepal and Paraguay abstained.

Amongst those who strongly opposed this were the US and European Union, who said this resolution is in conflict with their view on human rights and freedom of expression. The resolution, introduced by Pakistan, on behalf of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), called for the UN Rights chief to publish a report on religious hatred and for states to review their laws and plug gaps that may impede the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy of religious hatred.

It may be recalled that an Iraqi immigrant to Sweden burned the Quran outside a Stockholm mosque last month, sparking outrage across the Muslim world. Demands by Muslim States for action followed. The outcome of the vote is a setback for the Western countries as they feel the resolution infringes on an individuals freedom of expression.

China extends support

China, which is always under the scanner for its alleged treatment of the Uighurs, supported the OIC resolution. Islamophobia is on the rise. Incidents involving desecrating the Holy Quran have happened again and again in some countries. These countries have done nothing to implement their professed respect for the protection of freedom of religious belief, Chinas ambassador to the UN, Chen Xu, said.

NEW DELHI: India was among the 28 countries that voted in favour of a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution on religious hatred in the backdrop of the burning of the Quran in Sweden. Twelve countries voted against the resolution and seven abstained. Argentina, China, Cuba, India, South Africa, Ukraine and Vietnam were amongst those who backed the resolution. Britain, the United States and European Union countries including France and Germany, plus Costa Rica and Montenegro, voted against the resolution. Benin, Chile, Mexico, Nepal and Paraguay abstained. Amongst those who strongly opposed this were the US and European Union, who said this resolution is in conflict with their view on human rights and freedom of expression. The resolution, introduced by Pakistan, on behalf of the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), called for the UN Rights chief to publish a report on religious hatred and for states to review their laws and plug gaps that may impede the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy of religious hatred.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It may be recalled that an Iraqi immigrant to Sweden burned the Quran outside a Stockholm mosque last month, sparking outrage across the Muslim world. Demands by Muslim States for action followed. The outcome of the vote is a setback for the Western countries as they feel the resolution infringes on an individuals freedom of expression. China extends support China, which is always under the scanner for its alleged treatment of the Uighurs, supported the OIC resolution. Islamophobia is on the rise. Incidents involving desecrating the Holy Quran have happened again and again in some countries. These countries have done nothing to implement their professed respect for the protection of freedom of religious belief, Chinas ambassador to the UN, Chen Xu, said.
By PTI

SHILLONG: The United Democratic Party (UDP), a major ally of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government on Thursday declined to support the proposed Uniform Civil Code in the absence of the draft proposal from the Government of India.

"Since there is no clarity on the matter, the party is disinclined to support the proposed implementation of the Uniform Civil Code," party general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said, in a letter sent to the Law Commission on Thursday.

"In light of the absence of the draft proposal from the Government of India, we are left in a position that deprives us from sharing our views at this juncture," he said.

Earlier ruling National People's Party supremo and chief minister Conrad K Sangma had announced his party's opposition to the UCC.

The UCC refers to a common set of laws on marriage, divorce, and inheritance that would be applicable to all Indian citizens irrespective of religion, tribe, or other local customs.

The Law Commission had on June 14 initiated a fresh consultation process on UCC by seeking views from stakeholders, including public and recognised religious organisations, on the politically sensitive issue.

SHILLONG: The United Democratic Party (UDP), a major ally of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government on Thursday declined to support the proposed Uniform Civil Code in the absence of the draft proposal from the Government of India. "Since there is no clarity on the matter, the party is disinclined to support the proposed implementation of the Uniform Civil Code," party general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said, in a letter sent to the Law Commission on Thursday. "In light of the absence of the draft proposal from the Government of India, we are left in a position that deprives us from sharing our views at this juncture," he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Earlier ruling National People's Party supremo and chief minister Conrad K Sangma had announced his party's opposition to the UCC. The UCC refers to a common set of laws on marriage, divorce, and inheritance that would be applicable to all Indian citizens irrespective of religion, tribe, or other local customs. The Law Commission had on June 14 initiated a fresh consultation process on UCC by seeking views from stakeholders, including public and recognised religious organisations, on the politically sensitive issue.
Pronab Mondal By

Express News Service

KOLKATA: Expressing unhappiness over the action taken report submitted by the State Election Commission (SEC) on controlling violence during the panchayat election, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday said the rural poll results will be subject to final orders to be passed by the court in several petitions filed by the Opposition alleging large-scale violence and intimidation by TMC.

The petitioners have also accused the state poll panel of contempt of court in the deployment of Central Armed Paramilitary Force (CAPF) personnel. When the court is seized of the matter, it goes without saying that whatever has been done thus far, i.e., the conduct of the election and the declaration of results, will be subject to the ultimate orders that may be passed, said the division bench, presided by chief justice TS Shivagnanam in its observation.

Responding to the report submitted by the Inspector General of BSF, the nodal officer of the CAPF, over the issue of deployment of personnel on the day of the election, the division bench asked the state government and the State Election Commission (SEC) to submit the affidavits.

Alleging large-scale violence and electoral malpractice on July 8, the petitioners have sought re-polling in around 50,000 booths, out of 61,636 booths. A representative of one of the petitioners displayed videos showing alleged malpractices on the day of the election and the court directed to furnish a copy of the video to the lawyers of the state poll panel, the state government and the Central government. The court said the case would be heard on July 20. Re-polling was conducted in 696 booths on July 9.

BJP sends fact-finding team

On Tuesday, a four-member fact-finding team of BJP, led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, arrived in Kolkata from Delhi. They visited a few strife-hit areas in Kolkatas adjoining districts. The team is scheduled to visit North Bengal as well.

What kind of election is held by your administration and police, Mamata Banerjee? Her government has crossed even the records of the Left regarding misrule. Such incidents took place 15-20 years ago in Bihar and UP, said Prasad.

Four killed in fresh violence

With the death of four more persons in the past 24 hours, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday appealed for peace and expressed her condolences.

Announcing Rs 2 lakh compensation for the victims and the job of a home guard for each of the deceased irrespective of their political allegiance, she said, Those who died are victims of circumstances.

We received reports of the death of 19 persons. It is unfortunate that so many died. I have told the police to take action. Of the 19, ten were from our party. We will not differentiate on the basis of political allegiance of the deceased.

The Bengal CM said the violence was reported from 60 booths. The death of 17 people was reported on the day of the elections and now the total death toll has gone up to 45.

KOLKATA: Expressing unhappiness over the action taken report submitted by the State Election Commission (SEC) on controlling violence during the panchayat election, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday said the rural poll results will be subject to final orders to be passed by the court in several petitions filed by the Opposition alleging large-scale violence and intimidation by TMC. The petitioners have also accused the state poll panel of contempt of court in the deployment of Central Armed Paramilitary Force (CAPF) personnel. When the court is seized of the matter, it goes without saying that whatever has been done thus far, i.e., the conduct of the election and the declaration of results, will be subject to the ultimate orders that may be passed, said the division bench, presided by chief justice TS Shivagnanam in its observation. Responding to the report submitted by the Inspector General of BSF, the nodal officer of the CAPF, over the issue of deployment of personnel on the day of the election, the division bench asked the state government and the State Election Commission (SEC) to submit the affidavits.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Alleging large-scale violence and electoral malpractice on July 8, the petitioners have sought re-polling in around 50,000 booths, out of 61,636 booths. A representative of one of the petitioners displayed videos showing alleged malpractices on the day of the election and the court directed to furnish a copy of the video to the lawyers of the state poll panel, the state government and the Central government. The court said the case would be heard on July 20. Re-polling was conducted in 696 booths on July 9. BJP sends fact-finding team On Tuesday, a four-member fact-finding team of BJP, led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, arrived in Kolkata from Delhi. They visited a few strife-hit areas in Kolkatas adjoining districts. The team is scheduled to visit North Bengal as well. What kind of election is held by your administration and police, Mamata Banerjee? Her government has crossed even the records of the Left regarding misrule. Such incidents took place 15-20 years ago in Bihar and UP, said Prasad. Four killed in fresh violence With the death of four more persons in the past 24 hours, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday appealed for peace and expressed her condolences. Announcing Rs 2 lakh compensation for the victims and the job of a home guard for each of the deceased irrespective of their political allegiance, she said, Those who died are victims of circumstances. We received reports of the death of 19 persons. It is unfortunate that so many died. I have told the police to take action. Of the 19, ten were from our party. We will not differentiate on the basis of political allegiance of the deceased. The Bengal CM said the violence was reported from 60 booths. The death of 17 people was reported on the day of the elections and now the total death toll has gone up to 45.
If you want to be infuriated, read this article in The Texas Tribune about Kathleen McElroya tenured professor and director of University of Texas at Austin's School of Journalism from 2016 to 2022who was recruited by Texas A&M University to revive its journalism program, which stopped giving degrees in 2004. When Dr. McElroy expressed the desire to join her alma mater's faculty, Texas A&M celebrated with a public, official signing ceremony, complete with balloons in A&M colors.

Just days after the fanfare, however, McElroy began hearing grumblings from Texas A&M about her hireseems some folks in charge weren't pleased with McElroy's research, which focuses on news media and race, and specifically explores how to bring more diversity to news organizations. The Texas Tribune explains:

McElroy said she was told that her appointment was caught up in "DEI hysteria" as Texas university leaders try to figure out what type of work involving race is allowed.

They provide more context:

The situation comes at a fraught time at Texas public universities. Schools are preparing for a new state law to go into effect in January that bans offices, programs and training that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Recently, the Texas A&M System started a systemwide audit of all DEI offices in response to the new law. Conservative Texans  from locally elected public school trustees to top state officials  have labeled several books and schools of thought that center the perspectives of people of color as "woke" ideologies that make white children feel guilty for the country's history of racism. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court banned the consideration of race in college admissions, effectively ending affirmative action in American higher education.

Texas A&M didn't exactly revoke Dr. McElroy's offer completely, but they kept revising it to make it so terriblewhile the original offer was a directorship of the journalism program, and professorship with tenure, the final offer was a one-year contract that could be terminated at any timethat Dr. McElroy has no choice but to remain at UT. It's really shameful that Professor McElroy was put through this racist hiring charade, and it's no surprise that she has come out of it on the other end feeling so mistreated. Again, The Texas Tribune:

"I feel damaged by this entire process," said McElroy, who is a Black woman and a native of Houston's Third Ward, and whose father, George A. McElroy, was a pioneering Black journalist. "I'm being judged by race, maybe gender. And I don't think other folks would face the same bars or challenges. And it seems that my being an Aggie, wanting to lead an Aggie program to what I thought would be prosperity, wasn't enough."

This all strikes me as even worse because she's a graduate of Texas A&M. My first job as a professor was at A&M, so I am personally aware of how the university constantly touts its core values, which the Texas A&M Association of Former Students describes as "a cultural doctrine for current and former students, friends, faculty and staff." Those core values include: Loyalty, Integrity, Excellence, Leadership, Selfless Service, and Respect. When working there, I always heard phrases like "Once an Aggie, always an Aggie." Seems that doesn't apply to everyone.

Texas A&M should be ashamed of itself, as should the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, as well as Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature, which recently passed Senate Bill 16, a bill containing language barring university professors from influencing students "to adopt a belief that any race, sex, or ethnicity or social, political, or religious belief is inherently superior to any other race, sex, ethnicity, or belief." If anyone has had any doubts about whether this law will be enforced, I think the answer is a resounding YES.
By PTI

JAKARTA: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday held productive discussions with his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) nations and reviewed the progress in cooperation in areas like fintech, food security and maritime domains.

Jaishankar is here in the Indonesian capital to attend a meeting of the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers. He also met Singapore's Indian-origin Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and noted the progress in implementing the comprehensive strategic partnership.

"A warm and productive ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers meeting this morning. Thank @VivianBala for co-chairing it with me. Noted the progress in implementing our comprehensive strategic partnership. Discussed greater focus on digital, fintech, food security and maritime domains. Exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar," Jaishankar tweeted.

A warm and productive ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers meeting this morning.



Thank @VivianBala for co-chairing it with me.



Noted the progress in implementing our comprehensive strategic partnership. Discussed greater focus on digital, fintech, food security and maritime pic.twitter.com/TC7XbbGRg8  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 13, 2023

Myanmar has been witnessing widespread protests demanding the restoration of democracy since the military seized power in a coup in February 2021. Myanmar's military has been using airstrikes targeting its opponents and those carrying out armed struggle against the ruling regime.

Jaishankar also met his counterpart from Brunei. "Good meeting with Brunei FM Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Ministerial. Our bilateral cooperation grows steadily. Focused on enhancing trade. Discussed food security, mobility and space cooperation," Jaishankar tweeted along with pictures.

The member countries of ASEAN are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. On Wednesday, he held a series of meetings with his counterparts from several countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and Vietnam.

The external Affairs Minister started his engagements here in the capital of Indonesia with a meeting with the Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Dr Kao Kim Hourn. During his stay in Indonesia, Jaishankar will meet his counterparts under the ASEAN framework in the format - ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum.

After Jakarta, Jaishankar will travel to Bangkok to participate in the 12th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism on Sunday. MGC, one of the oldest mechanisms of the lower Mekong region, is guided by India's Act East Policy, the External Affairs Ministry said.

The MGC is an initiative by India, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam to facilitate closer connections between the six member countries which share the Ganga River and Mekong River basins.

In Bangkok, Jaishankar will also attend the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat on July 17. BIMSTEC is an economic and technical initiative that brings together the countries of the Bay of Bengal for multifaceted cooperation. The retreat would discuss ways to further deepen the BIMSTEC agenda and strengthen the organisation.

JAKARTA: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday held productive discussions with his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) nations and reviewed the progress in cooperation in areas like fintech, food security and maritime domains. Jaishankar is here in the Indonesian capital to attend a meeting of the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers. He also met Singapore's Indian-origin Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and noted the progress in implementing the comprehensive strategic partnership. "A warm and productive ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers meeting this morning. Thank @VivianBala for co-chairing it with me. Noted the progress in implementing our comprehensive strategic partnership. Discussed greater focus on digital, fintech, food security and maritime domains. Exchanged views on the situation in Myanmar," Jaishankar tweeted.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A warm and productive ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers meeting this morning. Thank @VivianBala for co-chairing it with me. Noted the progress in implementing our comprehensive strategic partnership. Discussed greater focus on digital, fintech, food security and maritime pic.twitter.com/TC7XbbGRg8  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 13, 2023 Myanmar has been witnessing widespread protests demanding the restoration of democracy since the military seized power in a coup in February 2021. Myanmar's military has been using airstrikes targeting its opponents and those carrying out armed struggle against the ruling regime. Jaishankar also met his counterpart from Brunei. "Good meeting with Brunei FM Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Ministerial. Our bilateral cooperation grows steadily. Focused on enhancing trade. Discussed food security, mobility and space cooperation," Jaishankar tweeted along with pictures. The member countries of ASEAN are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. On Wednesday, he held a series of meetings with his counterparts from several countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and Vietnam. The external Affairs Minister started his engagements here in the capital of Indonesia with a meeting with the Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Dr Kao Kim Hourn. During his stay in Indonesia, Jaishankar will meet his counterparts under the ASEAN framework in the format - ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum. After Jakarta, Jaishankar will travel to Bangkok to participate in the 12th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism on Sunday. MGC, one of the oldest mechanisms of the lower Mekong region, is guided by India's Act East Policy, the External Affairs Ministry said. The MGC is an initiative by India, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam to facilitate closer connections between the six member countries which share the Ganga River and Mekong River basins. In Bangkok, Jaishankar will also attend the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat on July 17. BIMSTEC is an economic and technical initiative that brings together the countries of the Bay of Bengal for multifaceted cooperation. The retreat would discuss ways to further deepen the BIMSTEC agenda and strengthen the organisation.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was received by his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne on his arrival in Paris where he will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day celebrations. PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome.

"I am looking forward to boosting India-France cooperation during this visit," PM Modi said after landing in Paris.

After having an interaction with the Indian diaspora who came out in large numbers, PM Modi met the President of the Senate Gerald Larcher and then Prime Minister Borne.

"I received a warm welcome by the Indian diaspora in Paris. Across the world our diaspora has made a mark for themselves and are admired for their diligence and hardwork," PM Modi said.

ALSO READ | Visit to France will provide new impetus to our strategic partnership: PM Modi

PM Modi and the President of the Senate Larcher deliberated on a range of issues of mutual interest and agreed to work together to deepen India-France cooperation.

During his interaction with Prime Minister Borne, the two leaders reviewed various facets of the India-France partnership as well as discussed measures to further strengthen bilateral ties.

Meanwhile, before emplaning for Paris, PM Modi said that his official visit to France was at the invitation of his friend French President Emmanuel Macron. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership. Rooted deep in trust and commitment, the two nations cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education and people to people ties.

"I look forward to having a wide range of discussions with President Macron and taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years. I have met President Macron several times since my last official visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima during the G7 Summit," said PM Modi.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was received by his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne on his arrival in Paris where he will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day celebrations. PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome. "I am looking forward to boosting India-France cooperation during this visit," PM Modi said after landing in Paris. After having an interaction with the Indian diaspora who came out in large numbers, PM Modi met the President of the Senate Gerald Larcher and then Prime Minister Borne.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "I received a warm welcome by the Indian diaspora in Paris. Across the world our diaspora has made a mark for themselves and are admired for their diligence and hardwork," PM Modi said. ALSO READ | Visit to France will provide new impetus to our strategic partnership: PM Modi PM Modi and the President of the Senate Larcher deliberated on a range of issues of mutual interest and agreed to work together to deepen India-France cooperation. During his interaction with Prime Minister Borne, the two leaders reviewed various facets of the India-France partnership as well as discussed measures to further strengthen bilateral ties. Meanwhile, before emplaning for Paris, PM Modi said that his official visit to France was at the invitation of his friend French President Emmanuel Macron. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership. Rooted deep in trust and commitment, the two nations cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education and people to people ties. "I look forward to having a wide range of discussions with President Macron and taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years. I have met President Macron several times since my last official visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima during the G7 Summit," said PM Modi.
South Korea says North Korea fired ballistic missile towards East Sea

Seoul, July 12: North Korea on Wednesday fired an unspecified ballistic missile towards the East Sea, Yonhap news agency reported citing the South Korean military.A .

South Korea says North Korea fired ballistic missile towards East Sea

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that it detected the ballistic missile launch. It did not give further details regarding the launch, the report said. Pyongyang fired the ballistic missile amid tensions caused by North Korea's accusations against US Spy aircraft operations earlier this week. Previously, North Korea launched the ballistic missile on Jun 15, Yonhap news agency reported.ANorth Korea has accused the United States of illegally flying over the economic zone eight times and warned of counter-action, state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Tuesday.AKim Yo Jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister, in a press statement, said, "In case of repeated illegal intrusion, the US forces will experience a very critical flight."She also claimed that South Korea had again impudently taken the lead in denying the encroachment on North Korea's sovereignty and still the nation assert that it was a "normal flight of the 'ROK' and the US."A"The strategic reconnaissance plane of the U.S. Air Force illegally intruded into the economic water zone of the DPRK side in the East Sea of Korea eight times in the sky above the sea of 435 km east of Thongchon of Kangwon Province~276 km southeast of Uljin of North Kyongsang Province from 515 to 1310 on July 10, to commit an aerial espionage act," Kim Yo Jong said.AThe Pentagon earlier brushed aside Pyongyang's accusations of airspace violations and said the US military had adhered to international law, reported KCNA.A"The United States, as always, remains committed to safely and responsibly flying, sailing, and operating anywhere that international law allows and alongside our allies and partners," Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary said in a media briefing.A"I just don't have anything more to say on those comments or those threats coming out of North Korea. We operate responsibly and safely in international waterways and -- and airspaces wherever -- wherever we can," she added.ANI12 July 2023

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Margot Robbies responds to those who mistake her for Emma Mackay

Los Angeles, July 11: Making her big screen appearance with Ryan Gosling in her upcoming big flick 'Barbie' on July 21, Margot Robbie gave a witty four-word response to people who mistook her for 'Sex Education' actress Emma Mackay.

Margot Robbie's responds to those who mistake her for Emma Mackay

According to Mirror, the 'Suicide Squad' actress, in a Buzzfeed interview, shared her typical response to fans when compare her to the British actress, saying When people come up and say, 'I loved you in Sex Education', I just say, 'Thank you so much'.The two actresses are known to share a resemblance, which makes the situation a bit funny given that Mackay is also a part of 'Barbie' and that she too will be playing a different version of the titular character.IANS12 July 2023

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Sikkim tops, Uttar Pradesh among bigger states in grievance redressal

New Delhi, July 11: Sikkim has topped the northeastern states in addressing public grievances, followed by Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Sikkim tops, Uttar Pradesh among bigger states in grievance redressal

The government of Sikkim tops the ranking among the North Eastern States with a score of 66.70 per cent, followed by the Government of Assam with a score of 57.45 per cent and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh with a score of 52.30 per cent. Sikkim has disposed of 173 grievances with an average closing time of 43 days from January to June 2023.The ranking was made in the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) monthly report, released by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) under the Personnel Ministry, for states for June 2023.The Grievance Redressal Index includes 2 dimensions and 4 indicators. The initiation of rankings is part of the DARPG's effort to improve the grievance redressal and delivery amongst States/UTs and in line with the recommendations of the 127th Parliamentary Standing Committee which recommended that DARPG should monitor the effective redressal of grievances in the North Eastern States, the release stated.The Ministry further stated, Government of Lakshadweep tops the ranking among the Union Territories with a score of 70.41 per cent followed by the Government of Andaman and Nicobar with a score of 64.55 per cent and Government of Ladakh with a score of 55.25 per cent. Lakshadweep has disposed of 181 grievances with an average closing time of 14 days to emerge as the topper of this group.Meanwhile, the Government of Uttar Pradesh topped the ranking among States with more than 17,500 grievances with a score of 63.90 per cent, followed by the Government of Jharkhand with a score of 48.95 per cent and the Government of Madhya Pradesh with a score of 43.53 per cent. Uttar Pradesh has disposed of 1,23,633 grievances with an average closing time of 24 days to emerge as the topper of this group.The Government of Telangana topped the rankings in States with less than 17,500 grievances with a score of 74.44 per cent followed by the Government of Chhattisgarh with a score of 57.50 per cent and the Government of Kerala with a score of 52.16 per cent. Telangana has disposed of 3,043 grievances with an average closing time of 7 days to emerge as the topper of this group, the Ministry stated.The report also brings out the deliberations made during the meeting between the Secretary, DARPG, V Srinivas and the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir on June 23, 2023. The objective of the meeting was to assess the status of grievance disposal in the Union Territory (UT) on the Central Government grievance portal CPGRAMS as well as Jammu and Kashmir government grievance portal JKIGRAMS. The Nodal Officers across the UT also attended the meeting.A total of 62,929 grievances were redressed by the state and Union Territories in June 2023. This has meant that the pendency reduced to 1,88,275 grievances across the states/UTs Governments.ANI12 July 2023

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Unidef Launches Ground-breaking Initiative To Assist Crypto Investors Who Have Lost Money Due To Centralized Platforms Malfeasance

PRNewswire, Bangalore, July 12: In an unprecedented move, Unidef (), a global organization committed to decentralized empowerment, is launching an initiative to stand with the crypto community impacted by centralized companies' recent controversial financial activities.

Unidef Launches Ground-breaking Initiative To Assist Crypto Investors Who Have Lost Money Due To Centralized Platforms' Malfeasance

A This initiative comes in the wake of recent bankruptcy filings and allegations of offshore fund transfers without client approval, coupled with account disabling, leaving numerous clients in a state of uncertainty regarding their asset recovery.Unidef's mission is to accelerate the world's transition to a decentralized futureA that empowers all to take full control of their finances, identity, and data. Beyond this, Unidef champions an ethical crypto industry and acknowledges its social responsibility to offer support to those globally impacted by unethical crypto companies.InA theA light of recent bankruptcy filings of cryptocurrency entities, Unidef has stepped forward to lead an initiative to protect the interests of affected clients. The initiative aims to help clients recover their assets and navigate the process of filing for damages due to account disablement or asset denial by the crypto companies. It specifically targets those creditors whose accounts have been disabled since 2017., Global CEO of Unidef, shared his personal experience"I had a notably challenging experience with one centralized crypto-exchange company as they disabled my account without clarification. As a result, the value of my assets, once exceeding 50 Million USD, plummeted to below 300K USD. It's astonishing that when regulatory bodies like the OFAC, FinCen or SEC target these types of centralized exchanges, many in the crypto community still support them."Unidef is aware that many users have been denied refunds by one or more crypto-exchange companies and their officers, and this initiative aims to rectify this situation. By doing so, Unidef hopes to protect the welfare of the crypto community and reinforce the transformative potential of decentralized assets and crypto.As part of the initiative, Unidef will provide guidance on the process of filing for damages and recovering assets. Unidef believes that decentralized assets and crypto will fundamentally redefine the financial system, the Internet, and monetary structure, ensuring everyone's ability to control their finances, data, and identity.Azim Ghader stated, "We need to unite and support those impacted by these centralized entities' actions. It's not just about asset recovery or damages, but a strong stand for the decentralized future we advocate for."Unidef's mission is to facilitate the world's shift to a decentralized future, empowering individuals to take complete control of their finances, identity, and data. As we have observed, centralized platforms can disable accounts, leading to significant losses due to the volatile nature of crypto assets.We look forward to sharing further developments and improvements in this endeavor, as Unidef continues to stand up for the rights and interests of those affected by such actions. This initiative is a major step forward in ensuring a fair and ethical crypto industry, and we are proud to be part of this important effort.Call to ActionFor those affected or for anyone with evidence of damage caused by centralized platforms or its operators, please reach out to usA atA . A We urge the public to contribute to the initiative's development, and we will provide updates as soon as possible.We believe in the power of decentralization, particularly in light of entities disabling client accounts, potentially resulting in significant financial loss. Decentralized assets and cryptocurrency will fundamentally change the Internet, the financial system, and money itself.A is a global network of organizations working to accelerate the world's transition to a decentralized future. It invests in and supports communities and builders of next-generation technologies, incubates creative ideas in the Web3 space, and provides institutional support and organizational backing.For more information and updates, visitA A and follow @UnidefGlobal onA ,A ,A ,A ,A A andA .ADisclaimerThis press release is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as an endorsement, recommendation, or solicitation of any services or offerings. Unidef does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. The information provided herein is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consult with professional advisors for advice applicable to your specific circumstances. Any reference to past performance is not indicative of future results.Unidef assumes no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. Any slights of people, places, or organizations are unintentional. All information provided is on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, either express or implied.Participation in the initiative is at your own risk. Unidef will not be held liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damage or loss arising out of the use of this information.This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from expectations discussed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the challenges of procuring, operating and constructing necessary services and solutions; the impact of the current economic climate; legal, regulatory and legislative changes; and other factors beyond Unidef's control.The data and non-Unidef names are for informational and identification purposes only. All non-English versions of resources are translations of the original in English and are for informational purposes only.Unidef does not guarantee the recovery of any assets or the success of any legal actions it takes.ContactGlobal CommunicationsUnidef Global(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI12 July 2023

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Student Run Startup GreenGrahi Raises Pre-Seed Funding from Campus Fund

BusinessWire India, Bangalore, July 12: GreenGrahi develops high quality insect based ingredients for animal and plant nutrition using its novel biotech and engineering processes. The startup announced its pre-seed round of funding from Campus Fund, which will help GreenGrahi double its production capacity, enhance R&D, and facilitate new market entry.

Student Run Startup GreenGrahi Raises Pre-Seed Funding from Campus Fund

GreenGrahi, incorporated in 2021, is an Agri-biotech company creating high quality insect based supplements and ingredients for animal and plant nutrition. They get agri by-products from their partner FMCG companies and agri-input suppliers; then use their proprietary tech called Climate CubesTM to breed and rear black soldier flies for transforming low value commodities into valuable nutrients that could be used to grow more food for humans. Inspired by nature and enabled by technology, they aim to create a circular system that is good for both the economy and the planet.Started by Siddharth Sharma (graduate from BITS Pilani and Kellogg School Of Management) and Shivali Sugand (graduate from TERI school of Advanced Studies and a Humboldt Fellow) - GreenGrahi focuses on providing an alternative to the traditional sources of nutrition through production of superior quality insect-based ingredients and supplements for shrimp, fish, poultry, pets, and plants. The startup is currently running pilots with leading animal and plant nutrition industries and have a production unit in Roorkee to run end-to-end field trials. Moreover, the founders have established a strong R&D network with leading biotech research labs in India, Israel, and Germany to bring innovation to the insect industry.Global food requirements will double by 2050 because of increasing population and rising living standards. However, 51% of agricultural land and 90% of the world's marine fish stocks have been exploited in meeting the needs of the current population. Due to this, the animal feed and agricultural companies are facing supply disruptions of essential nutrients leading to unstable and inflated prices globally. At the same time, we are wasting almost 30% of the food that we produce today. There is, therefore, a need for not only nutrient rich feed but also feed which can be produced sustainably using our agricultural residues. This is where GreenGrahi has stepped up by tapping into the circular economy, delivering a product that aims to outperform traditional methods. By using proprietary bio-chemical processes, we upcycle different agricultural residues into nutrition rich insect ingredients using black soldier flies. With this fundraise we aim to conduct commercial pilots and develop capabilities required for scaling, said Siddharth Sharma, Co-founder, GreenGrahi.With successful validations from over 250 interviews with food industries, animal feed companies, insect farming companies, and subject matter experts across the globe, GreenGrahi is getting ready to operate at an industrial scale. Their innovation not only improves production and operational metrics but also results in creating the highest quality insect nutritional profiles available in the Indian market.Darshan Doshi , Student Investment Partner at Campus Fund, and part of the GreenGrahi deal team highlighted, What excites us most about the GreenGrahi team is the deep expertise and the vision they bring to the table, along with the large and growing demand for sustainable animal and plant nutrition solutions. Traditional methods of feed production are unsustainable and are prone to multiple externalities such as price shocks. In this backdrop, GreenGrahi's novel insect ingredients that leverage agricultural residues are well positioned to create a long-lasting impact in the ecosystem.Campus Fund champions fearless student entrepreneurs and recent graduates who challenge the status quo. Campus Fund is backed by the Who's Who of India Inc. and global leaders who believe in the future of India.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI12 July 2023

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit France, UAE this week

New Delhi, July 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to embark on an official visit to France and United Arab Emirates (UAE) from July 13-15, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit France, UAE this week

PM Modi will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade of France on July 14, where the tri-services of the Indian armed forces contingent would be participating. And moreover, 3 Rafale are participating.During his France visit from July 13-14, the Prime Minister will hold formal talks with President Emmanuel Macron. President Macron will host a State Banquet as well as a private dinner in honour of the Prime Minister.Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet the Prime Minister of France, the Presidents of the Senate, and the National Assembly of France. He will separately interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent French personalities, according to the statement.This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership and Prime Minister's visit will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation.French National Day, or Bastille Day, occupies a special place in French consciousness. This day commemorates the Storming of the Bastille Prison in 1789 during the French Revolution. The Bastille Day Parade is the highlight of the Bastille Day Celebrations.However, it is uncommon for foreign politicians to be invited as the Guest of Honour for Bastille Day (the previous time was in 2017 when the US President (Donald Trump at that time) was given the invitation).Participation by foreign marching bands and aircraft is even more unusual.After France's visit, Prime Minister will take a trip to Abu Dhabi on July 15. Prime Minister will talk with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, as per the statement.The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening and Prime Minister's visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture.It will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of UAE's Presidency of COP-28 of the UNFCCC and India's G-20 Presidency in which UAE is a Special Invitee.ANI12 July 2023

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QBrainX Expands to Hyderabad: Unveiling the New Enterprise Solution Center

NewsVoir Hyderabad, July 12: QBrainX, a global leader in Digital Transformation, announced the opening of its new Enterprise Solution Center in Hyderabad. The inauguration took place on July 5th and was graced by the presence of Prabhu Kumar Gade, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President at Web Synergies, who joined as the Chief Guest. This strategic expansion reflected QBrainX's commitment to driving innovation by delivering exceptional Enterprise Resource Planning services (such as Salesforce, ServiceNow, SAP, etc.) to its clients worldwide.

QBrainX Expands to Hyderabad: Unveiling the New Enterprise Solution Center

Hyderabad, known as India's Silicon Valley, had emerged as a thriving hub for technology and innovation. With its robust infrastructure, world-class talent pool, and supportive business ecosystem, it was a natural choice for QBrainX to establish an Enterprise Solution Center presence. The new office will help QBrainX to serve its international clients by enabling businesses to harness the power of advanced Enterprise Resource Planning systems for enhanced productivity, streamlined business processes, and accelerated growth.The event was a momentous occasion that brought together industry leaders, clients, and partners to celebrate the power of technology and collaboration. The grand opening event was an immersive experience, featuring a series of engaging activities that highlighted QBrainX's dedication to innovation, excellence, and client satisfaction.The inauguration was kicked off with a ribbon-cutting, lamp lighting, and a cake-cutting ceremony by the Chief Guests along with QBrainX's Founder and Co-Founder. This was followed by keynote speeches about QBrainX's mission, future, and the transformative potential of technology along with a Q&A session. After this, there was an award ceremony to encourage and recognize their Hyderabad employees. Following the ceremony, the attendees had the chance to take a tour of the office. QBrainX representatives guided them through the various departments, showcasing the advanced technologies and services offered. The event was wrapped up with light refreshments and the signature of a certificate by the Chief Guest.The inauguration of QBrainX's new Enterprise Solution Center office in Hyderabad marked an exciting milestone in the company's journey toward empowering businesses with cutting-edge technology solutions. QBrainX's expansion to Hyderabad was a testament to its commitment to driving innovation, empowering businesses, and contributing to the growth of the technology ecosystem. This new Enterprise Solution Center is poised to be a center of excellence for all Enterprise Resource Planning solutions for their clients worldwide.For more information about QBrainX and its cutting-edge technology solutions, please visit www.qbrainx.com.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI12 July 2023

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As soon as he found out his friends house was on fire, Saleh Abdela dropped everything and rushed to the scene on Empire Street.

His friend and three family members made it out alive.

But his friends 21-year-old daughter hadnt. She was trapped on the second floor, where fire department officials say the blaze started.

One day, everybody goes to Allah, Abdela said.

A Buffalo Police spokesman on Wednesday evening identified the woman who died as Samira Mohamed. The four family members who escaped are being assisted by the Red Cross, according to the Buffalo Fire Department.

Fire department officials say the blaze started at 6:40 a.m. Wednesday. Firefighters responding to the scene faced heavy smoke and fire conditions upon arrival, according to a news release.

Investigators estimate that the fire caused $150,000 in damage. The house appeared undamaged from the outside, but the blackened interior could be seen through a second-story window frame.

The blaze also melted and warped the siding on the house next door, causing $20,000 in damage to that home.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. About eight police officers and firefighters were still on the scene Wednesday afternoon, searching the home and collecting evidence.

Abdela, who knew the family through their shared Eritrean heritage, was one of more than a dozen community members who stood outside the police tape surrounding the house to show their support Wednesday morning, with the smell of smoke still lingering in the air.

The buildings owner, Mohammed Lasker, was also there, speaking with investigators and first responders for much of the morning. He said the family had rented another apartment from him for years before moving into his Empire Street property because it was a one-family home.

I want to help them if the need any help, Lasker said. I offered to take them to some other apartment, but the Red Cross is going to help them.

The fire was another in a stretch of fatal blazes in Buffalo over the past seven months.

Wednesdays incident marks Buffalos first fatal fire since Buffalo Firefighter Jason Arno, 37, died while responding to a four-alarm blaze on Main Street. An investigation by the Erie County District Attorneys Office determined that the fire was caused by the misuse of a blowtorch, which DA John Flynn called stupid, but not criminal.

Before that, five children  ages 10, 8, 7, 4 and 2  died in a fire New Years Eve in Buffalos Lasalle neighborhood.

Their grandmother, Lisa Liggans, managed to escape with an 8-year-old girl, but succumbed to her injuries months later. Police determined the fire was an accident.
India emerging as powerful country in world under PM Modi leadership: Anurag Thakur

Leh (Ladakh), July 12: Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday said that India is emerging as a powerful country in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.A A .

India emerging as powerful country in world under PM Modi leadership: Anurag Thakur

While addressing the personnel of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at Karzok village of Ladakh, Anurag Thakur said," The present government is working hard to make India a stronger and better nation. The stronger forces backed by a stronger government under the leadership of Prime Minister India is making India as one of the most powerful countries in the world."He further praised the forces for performing their duties with courage and securing the borders of the nation.A"It is the perseverance of such soldiers that helps maintain the secure borders of the country. It is the responsibility of one and every citizen to work for the betterment of the country in their respective roles," he said.Union Minister Anurag Thakur also mentioned that Government has increased its defence manufacturing under the initiative of Atmanirbhar Bharat.A"Earlier the country solely relied on imports but with the initiative of Atmanirbhar Bharat, more than 400 items in the defence sector are manufactured indigenously and the previous year saw the manufacturing of defence equipment worth 1 lakh crore rupees and export of 16 thousand crore rupees which in itself is a great achievement," he said.A"Use of latest technologies in defence equipment manufacturing has invited the attention of foreign companies to join hands with the Indian companies. Government is working hard to strengthen all the three wings of the defence system of India," he added.He also addressed a public gathering in Karzok village and said that the development of the Union Territory of Ladakh is a priority for the Union Government and it is working hard for it.A"PM Modi is keen for the faster development of Ladakh and eagerly sends union ministers here to assess the situation at the ground level so that the problems faced by the local people are addressed in an efficient manner," he said.A"Modi government has implemented many programmes and schemes across the country to improve the standard of living. In Ladakh also, the scenario has changed; people associated with agriculture have become more profitable, trade and industry have increased, employment opportunities have increased in various fields, and good education and health services are being provided even in the remotest areas," he added.AHe also emphasised that villages should not be worried by external influences since the government has taken appropriate measures to safeguard the borders.Anurag Thakur also visited the Chumur area of Ladakh near Indo China border on the second day of his visit.AHe was accompanied by Member of Parliament Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and other senior officers of the district and UT administration.ANI12 July 2023

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Indian potato imports from Bhutan to continue without import license for another year

Thimphu [Bhutan], July 12: The import of potatoes in India from Bhutan will continue without any import license for another year, Bhutan Live reported citing the notification by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Indian potato imports from Bhutan to continue without import license for another year

A similar exemption has also been made for areca nut export.Earlier, the Indian government had given import exemption for potatoes from Bhutan for a year, which ended on June 30.The new import notification on potatoes signed by the Director General of Foreign Trade states, Import of potatoes from Bhutan is permitted freely, without any license, up to the 30th of June, 2024.Potatoes from Bhutan are exported to India via Samtse, Phuentshogling, Gelephu, and Samdrup Jongkhar.So far, we have exported 183 metric tonnes of potatoes from our Samdrup Jongkhar auction yard which comes to about Nu 4.1 M. Accordingly, from the Phuentshogling auction yard, we have exported 290 metric tonnes which amounts to Nu 5.4 M, Bhutan Live quoted Dorji Tashi, the CEO of Food Corporation of Bhutan, as saying.In a separate notification by India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Bhutan can also export 17,000 metric tonnes of fresh areca nut to India without meeting the minimum import price.The export of these commodities is facilitated by the Food Corporation of Bhutan and areca nut export is mostly facilitated by private traders.Areca nut rarely comes to the FCB. Nevertheless, we have managed to export a little over 200 metric tonnes of areca nuts from our auction yard in Samtse, Dorji Tashi added.Previously, areca nuts were only exported from Phuentshogling.According to the new notification, apart from Phuentshogling, areca nut export will also be allowed through Chamurchi, a neighbouring border town in Samtse, Bhutan Live reported.ANI12 July 2023

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Bhutan: Successful trial cultivation of passion fruit encourages other farmers in Zhemgang

Thimphu [Bhutan], July 12: The successful trial of Passion fruit a a tropical fruit with a unique flavour a in Nangkor Gewog, Zhemgang, Myanmar, has increased its popularity and has also inspired other farmers to take up its cultivation, making it a rapidly growing lucrative business venture, Bhutan Live reported.

Bhutan: Successful trial cultivation of passion fruit encourages other farmers in Zhemgang

Fifty-two-year-old Wangyel embarked on passion fruit cultivation in 2019. Initially, he was hesitant about it, but with support from the district agriculture officials, he decided to give it a try.Today, Wangyel's hard work and dedication have paid off, and he is reaping the rewards after nurturing the passion fruit plants for nearly four years.When the district agriculture officer visited our village seeking suggestions on fruit cultivation, I recommended passion fruits due to our subtropical soil. So, the district agriculture sector provided us with technical and material support and that's how I started this project, Bhutan Live quoted Wangyel as saying.He added that there is no dearth of market as he sells all his harvests to Bhutan Argo Industries Limited, a fruit processing company.Officials of Bhutan Agro from Lingmethang come directly to our fields to purchase our harvest. I am grateful for their support as we cannot afford transportation. We have also made an agreement with them agreeing on selling our harvest to them. This time, I am estimating a yield of about seven to eight thousand kilograms of passion fruits, Bhutan Live quoted Wangyel as saying.Wangyel's passion fruit farm spans five acres of land, accommodating about 2,700 passion fruit trees. This season alone, he expects to earn around 3,00,000 Bhutanese Ngultrum.As per Bhutan Live, a kilogram of fruit fetches 38 Bhutanese Ngultrum. Additionally, passion fruit plants can bear fruit every season for up to five years.Encouraged by his success, Wangyel plans to expand his cultivation further. He also intends to plant more passion fruit trees in his fallow land, as the fruit thrives well in the village.Meanwhile, motivated by Wangyel's venture, five more farmers in the village are preparing to grow passion fruits from next season.According to health experts, passion fruit is rich in antioxidants and dietary fibres which support the proper digestive system, Bhutan Live reported.ANI12 July 2023

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MG Motor launches Indias first pure-electric internet SUV - ZS EV now with Autonomous Level-2 (ADAS)

BusinessWire India Gurugram, July 12: MG Motor India, the British automobile brand with a 99-year-old legacy, today launched the enhanced variant of its ZS EV with Autonomous Level-2, (ADAS) at a price of Rs 27.89 Lakh valid for a limited time. The Autonomous Level-2, (ADAS) set of features enhances the driving experience by providing assistance, control, and comfort in various driving situations. The MG ZS EV embodies the evolution of electric mobility, combining electric power, internet connectivity, and autonomous capabilities. The futuristically designed SUV offers a good on-road appearance, driving convenience, and luxurious plush interiors.

MG Motor launches India's first pure-electric internet SUV - ZS EV now with Autonomous Level-2 (ADAS)

The MG ZS EV's Autonomous Level 2 (ADAS) technology which works on three levels of sensitivity - low, medium and high, and three levels of warning - haptic, audio and visual, enhances the driving experience and safety of the passengers. Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) ensures a hassle-free driving experience, even in congested traffic. Forward Collision Warning (FCW) enhances safety by notifying the driver of potential collisions and applying autonomous deceleration if there is no action from the driver. The Speed Assist System (SAS) alerts and prevents one from over speeding. Lane Functions improve safety by helping prevent unintentional deviation from the driving lane. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) enhances convenience by reducing driver fatigue and safety by maintaining proper distance from the vehicle in front.According to Gaurav Gupta Deputy Managing Director, MG Motor India, The globally successful MG ZS EV brings with it safety and convenience with the introduction of Autonomous Level 2 (ADAS) and underscores MG's commitment to electric mobility and a sustainable future. By offering a viable, attractive ownership experience, and an accessible electric SUV to Indian consumers, MG Motor India aims to accelerate the transition towards a zero-emission future and help boost the EV ecosystem in India.Evolved BatteryThe pure-electric SUV's battery has been tested to meet the most stringent safety and performance requirements that enhance its overall durability, provide stable battery operation and better lifespan in Indian driving conditions. The battery has been designed to comply with IP69K to provide better dust and water resistance and meets the UL2580 Safety Management System as well as the ASIL-D Enhanced Safety Integrity Level rating. Evolved ChargingWith its range and versatile charging options, the MG ZS EV empowers customers to explore more without compromising on convenience. Charging the vehicle is a hassle-free process, offering flexibility for various lifestyles. The vehicle can be charged easily and conveniently through six charging solutions, such as DC Super-Fast Chargers at dealerships, AC Fast Chargers which can be installed at homes and offices by MG, a plug-and-charge cable onboard, charge-on-the-go with RSA (Roadside Assistance), and community chargers etc.Evolved OwnershipIn addition, the ZS EV with its progressive look and wide SUV stance comes tailor-made for uninterrupted, performance-assured ownership, and enjoyable drives all thanks to its extended driving range of 461* km on a single charge with its 50.3kWh advanced prismatic battery. Engineered with precision, the prismatic battery delivers one of the best real-world ranges in its class and comes with 8 years battery warranty*. MG ZSEV owners can enjoy an extended driving range on a single charge, empowering them to embark on longer journeys with confidence. Also, the ZS EV makes economic sense with its superior TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) and running cost of 60 paise/km*. In effect, this translates to savings of up to Rs 4,00,000* over three years as compared to the costs of comparable SUVs built on ICE powertrains.Evolved ExteriorsThe ZS EV comes with full LED Hawkeye headlamps and LED tail lamps. The wheels are R17 Tomahawk hub design alloy, and the SUV comes in three variants Excite, Exclusive, and Exclusive Pro. It is available in four colours Glaze Red**, Aurora Silver, Starry Black, and Candy White.Evolved TechThe ZS EV comes bundled with iSMART next-gen technology that combines hardware, software, services, and applications to offer 75+ connected car features to make for smoother, more satisfying driving experiences. The first-in-segment Digital Key enables locking, unlocking, starting, and even driving the ZS EV, without the physical key. The SUV also comes with a full digital cluster with a 17.78 cm, embedded LCD screen and a segment-leading 25.7 cm HD Touchscreen infotainment system. The ZS EV has 100+ VR commands to control various features like Sky Roof, AC, Music, Navigation, etc. It has Live location sharing & tracking and weather forecast information.Evolved SafetyIn terms of safety, MG ZS EV is offered with a 1st in-segment 360-degree around view camera with rear parking sensors and a Hill Descent Control (HDC), another first-in-segment feature. The vehicle has 6 airbags (dual, front, side, and curtain), electronic stability control, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and a hill-start assist.Evolved InteriorsThe interiors of the ZS EV combine aesthetics and comfort. It comes in a Dual-tone Iconic ivory theme and a Dark Grey theme already available for existing models. The ZS EV has a first-in-segment rear AC vent. Evolved EngineThe ZS EV 8-layer hairpin motor delivers 176PS power and provides a 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 8.5 seconds. The vehicle comes with three driving modes Eco, Normal, and Sport, for drive customization as per driver requirements.Evolved ServiceAs with other MG vehicles, the ZS EV brings with it the unique car ownership program MG e-SHIELD with after-sales service options for the assurance and convenience of owners. Customers can opt for combinations of warranty extension, RSA extension and maintenance plans at competitive prices. +For the ZS EV Exclusive Pro variant*Actual performance figures may differ in conditions other than test conditions**Dual Tone Iconic Ivory interior theme available in Exclusive & Exclusive Pro variants onlyTouchscreen Infotainment, Digital Cluster, Sky Roof - available in Exclusive & Exclusive Pro variants only*Glaze Red is available in Exclusive & Exclusive Pro variants(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI12 July 2023

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Oakridge, Bengaluru raises the bar for IB schools with excellent DP results

NewsVoir Bengaluru, July 12: Keeping up with the legacy of success, the students at Oakridge International School, Bengaluru, recorded outstanding results in the IB exam 2023. Anmol Malik scored 43 points, while two students, Athmika Krishnan and Ankitha Ganeshan, scored 42 points. Overall, eight students scored 40 and above. For the past five years, our school has consistently achieved an average score of 30.5 in the IB Diploma Programme (DP), slightly higher than the global average of 30.2.

Oakridge, Bengaluru raises the bar for IB schools with excellent DP results

The students exceeded expectations and showcased exceptional performance across all six subject groups, high pass rates and remarkable individual accomplishments. The top scorer Anmol Malik placed in Johns Hopkins University expressed his excitement and gratitude, saying, The IB programme at Oakridge has been an incredibly enriching experience. It has challenged me academically, fostered critical thinking skills, and nurtured my passion for learning.Athmika Krishnan, a high-achieving student placed at Duke University, said, The IB DP is a highly regarded school qualification accepted by leading universities worldwide. Nord Anglia is the world's largest provider of the IB Diploma Programme. The best teachers and Oakridge ensure that children graduate with the most vigorous, robust, vital foundations for success.Our tech-enabled advanced learning environment could overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic two years back, and I am proud of our IB learners as their resilience has finally paid off, said School Principal Pallavi Mishra.We have students going to Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, Penn State University, UC Davis, University of Leicester, Rutgers University, Babson College, North Carolina State University, and Ashoka University among top-ranked Universities in USA, UK, Canada, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and India, said Ajay Menon, IBDP Coordinator. The events organised by the school team provided students with immense opportunities and better options.As a Nord Anglia Education School, Oakridge International School, Bengaluru, is part of the world's leading premium school. It is an IB continuum school committed to providing quality education and holistic development opportunities to its students and their families.For more information, visit www.oakridge.in/bengaluru.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI12 July 2023

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Moscow Seasons Project Invites You to Indulge in the Taste of Russia Gastronomic Festival - A Gastronomic Extravaganza in Moscow

NewsVoir New Delhi, July 12: Moscow has become a culinary paradise as the city has geared up to host the eagerly awaited Tastes of Russia gastronomic festival from 7th to 16th July.

Moscow Seasons Project Invites You to Indulge in the 'Taste of Russia' Gastronomic Festival - A Gastronomic Extravaganza in Moscow

This 10-day event organised in the frames of Moscow Seasons project is allowing visitors from around the world, including India, to explore the rich culinary traditions of Russia. The Moscow Seasons project is an initiative that unveils the beauty of Russian culture and history to visitors from around the world.From the iconic Kazan pilaf with chicken, and Ryazan Kurnik (chicken pie), to the savoury delights of Nizhny Novgorod okroshka, the food festival is offering a range of gastronomical pleasures. This culinary event offers not only the chance to savour exquisite Russian delicacies but also to learn the art of preparing them. Expert chefs are unveiling the secrets behind these time-honoured recipes through an array of 550 master classes and cooking shows tailored to suit all levels of culinary expertise.The festival also features rare and exotic products such as apples from Stavropol, lamb from Dagestan, cedar milk from Tomsk, Altai cheeses, and succulent crabs from Murmansk. More than 300 passionate producers from 70 regions of Russia are participating to showcase their finest offerings at the event.Children will not be bored either as the Young Farmer's School is present at the event to teach them the basics of beekeeping, vegetable growing and cheese-making. They are also getting the opportunity to practise traditional Tula Pryanik (Tula gingerbread) painting. Moreover, traditional songs and dances of Russia's diverse ethnic groups are being presented on Manezhnaya Square throughout the event. Also, the mesmerising sounds produced by the hand-crafted mouth harp Khakass Khomus is keeping the visitors enthralled.Guests from India can taste unique treats at 25 venues across the city, with Manezhnaya Square taking centre stage as the main venue.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI12 July 2023

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Paul King: Hugh Grant was picked for Oompa Loompas as he embodied their morbidly funny sarcasm

Los Angeles, July 12: The trailer for the movie 'Wonka' has really impressed viewers, but one of the highlights apart from actor Timothee Chalamet has been Hugh Grant's transformation into an Oompa Loompa. Director Paul King said that the reason he picked Hugh Grant for the role was because he embodied the morbid and funny sarcasm of the Oompa Loompas.

Paul King: Hugh Grant was picked for Oompa Loompas as he embodied their morbidly funny sarcasm

The trailer shows the British actor in the iconic get-up of an Oompa Loompa sporting green hair and orange skin like the one from the 1973 film 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory', showing him as a 20-inch tall miniature figure trapped inside a glass jar.According to 'The Hollywood Reporter', director Paul King during the premiere of 'Wonka' in London explained his reasons for picking Hugh for the role.He said, So I was really just thinking about that character; somebody who could be a real s***, and then a ah! Hugh! he said. Because he's the funniest, most sarcastic s*** I've ever met.As author Roald Dahl had not given the Oompa Loompas much dialogues in the book, the director said that he had to dive into the book to bring the mini-humans to light because the songs he wrote for them when they performed their numbers after each kid's failure were incredibly sarcastic and judgmental and cruel.Through the use of VFX, Grant was able to transform into the singing and dancing mini-humans known for their penchant for dishing out songs when one of the five kids fails the trip to Wonka's chocolate factory, having a very dark and morbid sense of humour.'Wonka' will tell the story of the early days of the famously crazy and unpredictable chocolate maker Willy Wonka. The character is based off of the character from Roald Dahl's famous book 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.'IANS13 July 2023

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Morgan Freeman contracts unknown illness, misses promotional trip to UK

Los Angeles, July 12: On his way to the UK to promote his new series 'Special Ops: Lioness', actor Morgan Freeman missed his plane after contracting an unknown illness.

Morgan Freeman contracts unknown illness, misses promotional trip to UK

Contracting a fever, the actor stayed behind with doctors believing he had caught a 'contagious infection'.Speaking to Daily Mail, a representative of the actor said Morgan has a fever and his doctor felt he had a contagious infection, so he cancelled his trip. He is fine now.The actor was scheduled to go to the UK alongside his co-stars Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman for the promotion of his new spy-thriller series.According to Daily Mail, 'Special Ops Lioness' is inspired by a real-life CIA programme, follows the life of marine Joe as she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA's spear in the war on terror.Written by Taylor Sheridan, who is usually renowned for his westerns, the series will see him try a change of genre as he works with Morgan, Zoe and Nicole as well as Laysla De Oliveira and Michael Kelly.Zoe takes the lead role of Joe, the station chief of The Lioness Program, who must train and lead her female undercover operatives to prepare them for the danger that lies ahead.Nicole stars as Kaitlyn Meade, the CIA's senior supervisor, who enlists an aggressive Marine Raider Cruz to operate undercover alongside Joe amid the CIA's efforts to thwart the next 9/11.'The Dark Knight' actor on the other hand plays US secretary of state Edwin Mullins in the show.The espionage thriller is slated to premiere on July 23 with its first two episodes on streaming on Paramount+. After that, one episode will be released weekly, with the series finale set to take place on September 3.IANS13 July 2023

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Atlee on working with SRK: Im living the dream Ive always dreamt of

Mumbai, July 19: Director Atlee shared his experience filled with gratitude in his response to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's recent post.

Atlee on working with SRK: I'm living the dream I've always dreamt of

Atlee, who has collaborated with Khan on the highly anticipated and ambitious project Jawan took to social media to acknowledge the overwhelming love bestowed upon him by the SRK.Shah Rukh Khan had tweeted, Sirrrrrr!!! Maaasssssss!! Your are da man!!!! Thank u for everything and making sure the A K Meer gave his inputs along with Priya!! Love u all.To this, Atlee replied From reading tales of kings to embarking on a journey with one in real, #Chief I guess I'm living the dream I've always dreamt of. Thank you so much This film pushed me to my limits, where I gained invaluable lessons along the way.IANS13 July 2023

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Alia Bhatt launches business reality series Mission Start Ab

New Delhi, July 12: Actor Alia Bhatt on Wednesday launched Prime Video's new business reality series 'Mission Start Ab'.

Alia Bhatt launches business reality series 'Mission Start Ab'

As per a statement the project will showcase India's grassroots innovators as they turbo-charge their business growth. The seven-episode series will show these promising entrepreneurs, focussed on scaling made-for-India innovations with the potential to impact socio-economic change, undertake a series of challenges in pursuit of scaling their business and securing funding for their ventures.The wholly Made-In-India series also brings together three renowned investors who will search for India's next Unicorn, by putting these 10 early-stage founders through a series of intense exercises and simulations that will test their entrepreneurial, management, communication and crises management skills.The series promises to captivate viewers with stories of these unique Indian start-ups and founders, their humble beginnings, never-say-die spirit, and the sacrifices they have made along the way to turn their dreams into reality. Far from being a show about raising funding alone, where entrepreneurs seek investments, and investors seek profits; in this series, investors will also act as mentors, challenging and empowering some of the brightest minds in the country. The audience will get to witness these amazing early-stage entrepreneurs compete with each other to become India's next Unicorn.The show is currently under production. The OTT giant has joined hands with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India for this show.Speaking aboute the show, Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India said, Lauding the remarkable spirit of India's grassroot innovators, I am delighted to announce Prime Video's reality series Mission Start Ab. This captivating series will serve as a powerful platform, showcasing the inspiring stories of those driving social change through innovation.Supporting and nurturing entrepreneurs has been one of Amazon's focus areas in India. Over the years we have taken a number of initiatives to propel India's start-up ecosystem. Today, we are excited to announce this Amazon Original show on Prime Video, in association with the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, said Chetan Krishnaswamy, Vice President - Public Policy at Amazon India.Alia, who was at the launch in Delhi, talked about her journey as an entrepreneur.She said, While there are many great ideas and ambitious young founders around us, it takes a special kind of determination to turn that idea into reality, build the right team, find the right mentors, raise funding, and create something out of nothing. I applaud both, the Office of the PSA, Government of India, and Prime Video India for taking the initiative to enable and empower entrepreneurs through Mission Start Ab, which I believe can have a far-reaching impact on the country's growing start-up ecosystem.ANI13 July 2023

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As long as there have been Italians in Buffalo, newspapers have been writing about Italian festivals. Each Italian Catholic parish or transplanted Italian community often held many religious-based celebrations and festivals that mirrored those celebrated back in Italy.

In the neighborhood that stood in the area now known as Canalside  but then known as The Hooks or, generally, Canal Street (which was later renamed Dante Place), the 1926 celebration of St. Joseph of Bagherias feast day was highlighted by a procession of more than a thousand people. Mass and veneration at Mount Carmel church were at the core of the celebration, but the Buffalo Courier described children who ducked from the crowded apartments of tenement houses, gleefully braved the rain to purchase from the many stands delectable Italian confections or other delicacies  some in the guise of American hot dogs.

Before City Hall was built, and when the neighborhood immediately to the west of Niagara Square was thriving, St. Anthonys was another hub of activity. The Buffalo Commercial reported on the celebration of the "Festa Madonna Della Aussunta," the Feast of the Assumption:

The Italians of Buffalo are celebrating in the same manner as their countrymen over on the shores of the Mediterranean  with feasting and fireworks and general rejoicing."

The Buffalo Couriers description of the 1922 Madonna of the Bridge celebration at the foot of Court Street sounded a lot like what Buffalonians will see at this weekends Italian Festival on Hertel Avenue.

Gayly deck booths, from which floated shrill cries of vendors, were scattered everywhere. In avenues between the booths a restless, merry throng meandered back and forth, laughing and gesticulating, the Courier reported.

It was the flavor of those old-time festivals that the organizers of the first modern Italian Festival were trying to bring back to Connecticut Street in 1976.

Were trying to revive the old St. Anthonys tradition. We are trying to recapture the old ways of bringing people together, said Chuck Griffasi, the chairman of the first event, a few weeks before it was held. He told Buffalo Evening News reporter Karen Brady: St. Anthony used to have this big Italian festival here every year. There would be bocce games, finger games, a roulette wheel, all this pastry  and the big St. Anthony parade.

The event was a success  not only in attendance, but with the charm and flavor that was brought back to West Side streets. More than 200,000 people attended the second annual event in 1977. The Courier-Express described the festival this way:

"Despite the festivals modem trappings, including traffic congestion in the area and Ferris wheel rides, there is still something fetchingly Old World about it, with the sidewalk merchants and the tempting scents of sausages and chicken cacciatore hanging in the air."

From almost the beginning, there has been tension between cultural and religious interests and interests wanting to plan a more broadly appealing summer street festival. In 1982, when two main sponsors of the original festival squabbled over planned donations to Holy Angels church, then-Niagara District Councilman Joel Giambra took over the event with plans of making it more culture and less carnival. Retired State Supreme Court Ernest Colucci was brought in to mediate a solution, and the festival took place on Connecticut Street.

Then, in 1988, another group planned and organized the first Greater Buffalo Italian Heritage and Food Festival on Hertel Avenue. West Side organizers of the original event were not on board, and even ran an ad in The Buffalo News in an attempt to distance themselves from the new event, which they called a carnival.

The festival has gone through several changes, including venue shifts over the last few years, and now has settled back on Hertel Avenue, but this weekend is for the sounds of Italian music ringing out and the taste of cannoli on everyones lips. As one of the combatants in an early '80s Italian Festival beef said, We decided lets build something, instead of tearing it down. Most of these people are people weve known for years. This wasnt so much a dispute over philosophy as a dispute among people. Everybody who does things wants to do them their own way.
UAE Council for Climate Action discusses national plan for COP28

Dubai (United Arab Emirates) July 12: The UAE Council for Climate Action, in its second meeting for 2023, chaired by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, discussed at the SEE Institute Headquarters in Sustainable City Dubai the latest developments in the country's preparations to host the COP28 conference this year, and the latest efforts to enhance the country's climate action.

UAE Council for Climate Action discusses national plan for COP28

During the meeting, Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri emphasised the importance of continuing efforts and enhancing partnerships that the UAE Council for Climate Action carries out among various governmental and private sectors, which effectively contributes to achieving climate neutrality in the UAE by 2050, aiming to create a more sustainable future for future generations.Almheiri praised the national efforts in climate action across various relevant sectors.She said, The UAE plays a leading global role in climate action by adopting a unique approach aimed at achieving climate neutrality through gradual emissions reduction. This has been highlighted recently through the announcement of the third version of the second National Determined Contributions (NDC) report for the UAE, in which we aim to reduce carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030 compared to the business-as-usual scenario.She added, In order to achieve these goals, the UAE seeks to invest in sustainable technologies in all sectors in cooperation with federal and governmental institutions and the private sector, and to enhance clean and renewable energy sources. In addition to playing a major role on the global level. As part of the Year of Sustainability and our preparations to host the COP28 conference in the UAE this year, we seek to highlight our efforts in climate action and shed light on our vision to contribute to global efforts to address the implications of climate change and build a better future for humanity.During the meeting, the important updates of the national plan for the country's preparation to host the Conference of the Parties (COP28) were discussed, along with the latest developments and achievements related to the low-carbon development strategy and the national monitoring, verification, and reporting system. Additionally, transformative projects such as the carbon market, the development program for national adaptation, the national dialogue for climate ambition, and the Climate Ambassadors program were reviewed.The meeting also reviewed progress made on the Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative, and what has been achieved so far. In addition, details of the third update of the country's second Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) report, which was recently adopted by the Cabinet as part of the country's commitment to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, were discussed. This includes reducing carbon emissions to 182 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030.In relation to transformative projects - Carbon Trading, a digital platform will be developed, and services in this regard will be developed. As for the project of developing the National Adaptation Program, the meeting highlighted meetings with strategic partners.In this regard, the National Dialogue for Climate Ambition will be held on the National Action Plan, and sessions on the knowledge gap in national work programmes with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will be conducted.The meeting was attended by Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for Care and Capacity Building Sector - Ministry of Education, Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director General of Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, Dr. Saif Mohammed Al Ghais, Director General of the Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah, and Asilah Abdullah Al Mualla, Director General of the Fujairah Environment Agency. In addition, several representatives from various federal and government entities in the country were present. (ANI/WAM)ANI13 July 2023

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7th Deputy NSA Meeting of Colombo Security Conclave held in Maldives

Male, July 12: The 7th Deputy NSA level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) was hosted by the Maldives on 12 July 2023. Member States India, Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka met in the virtual format. Bangladesh and Seychelles participated as Observers, a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs said.A .

7th Deputy NSA Meeting of Colombo Security Conclave held in Maldives

The Indian delegation was led by Deputy National Security Adviser, Vikram Misri. The delegation of Maldives was led by Aishath Nooshin Waheed, Secretary, of the National Security Advisor's Office of the Republic of Maldives. Delegation of Mauritius by Yoidhisteer Thecka, Principal Coordinator Security Matters, Prime Minister's Office, Republic of Mauritius and delegation of Sri Lanka by General Shavendra Silva Chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka.Member States reviewed the decisions taken at the 5th NSA level Meeting held in Maldives on 09-10 March 2022 and the 6th Deputy NSA level meeting held in Kochi, India on 07 July 2022. They also reviewed the progress of activities under the different pillars of cooperation and discussed new proposals for activities in 2023-2024. The 8th Deputy NSA meeting will be held in the first quarter of 2024, the press release informed further.A number of activities have been held under the five pillars of cooperation of the CSC which include Maritime Safety and Security, Countering Terrorism and Radicalization, Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime, Cyber Security, Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.Over the past year, India hosted a number of events including the First CSC Oceanographers and Hydrographers Conference where member and observer states shared knowledge and best practices relating to oceanography and hydrography and discussed collaborative ways to address the regional challenges related to the Oceans; the maiden CSC Coastal Security Conference which focused on the greater role and responsibilities of the Coast Guards of Member and Observer States in ensuring security of coastlines and beyond, and the third edition of Maritime Law Workshop.A number of training programmes were also held by India on the investigation of terrorism cases, countering trafficking and organized crime and drug law enforcement.ANI13 July 2023

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Aditya Roy Kapur, Ananya Panday spotted cuddling in Lisbon

New Delhi, July 12: Fans want Aditya Roy Kapur and Ananya Panday to make their alleged relationship official after their PDA moments from Lisbon went viral.

Aditya Roy Kapur, Ananya Panday spotted cuddling in Lisbon

The social media is flooded with pictures of Aditya and Ananya from their vacation in Lisbon. One of the photos shows Aditya and Ananya gazing toward the horizon as he holds her by her arms.Fans quickly took notice of the pictures and reacted to them with heartfelt comments.Wow... adorable, a social media user commented.They two look good together,' another one wrote.Please make it official, a fan wrote.On Tuesday, Aditya and Ananya shared individual posts from the Arctic Monkeys' concert in Spain. Aditya uploaded a small video from a concert on his Instagram Stories along with a blue grinning emoji and a monkey emoji. Ananya also took to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday to share a picture from the concert and wrote, Nothing quite like the Arctic Monkeys. My favourite song ever. She tagged the location as Madrid, SpainAditya and Ananya have been keeping their relationship under wraps. However, the latest pictures definitely made us believe that two are very much in love with each other.Earlier, during the episode of 'Koffee With Karan season 7', Ananya talked about finding Aditya attractive.When Karan Johar quizzed about her alleged relationship with actor Ishaan Khatter and dating rumours with actor Kartik Aaryan, Ananya gave a cryptic answer and said she did not wish to dwell in the past. However, Ananya did reveal her newest crush when she said, I find Aditya Roy Kapur hot.The duo's dating rumours stared after they made a joint appearance at Kriti Sanon's Diwali bash last year. Neither of them have confirmed about their relationship yet.ANI13 July 2023

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Tamil Nadu: Rain lashes several parts of Chennai

Chennai, July 13: Several parts of Chennai, the capital of of Tamil Nadu, received heavy rains during wee hours of Thursday.A .

Tamil Nadu: Rain lashes several parts of Chennai

Areas like Arumbakkam, Koyambedu, Moggapair, Maduravayol and Poonamallee witnessed the sudden spell of rains.AVisuals from the city showed commmuters facing inconveninece in reaching their destination due to rains.AEarlier in the day, the Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai forecasted about moderate thunderstorms over Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, Villupuram and Thiruvannamalai districts in Tamil Nadu.AA fortnight ago, the southern part of Chennai and a few parts of Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram and Chengalpattu districts had received moderate rainfall.A There were thunderstorms and lightning with moderate rain at isolated places.AOn Wednesday, India Meteorlogical Department (IMD) issued a warning about heavy rain in many districts of the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh after three days.AMeanwhile, Delhi is on alert mode as the water level of Yamuna river has already breached the danger mark following incessant rainfall in the region.AThis has forced the city government and the rescue and rehabilitation teams to engage in relocating those living in low-lying areas to safer locations on a war footing.AThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued an 'orange alert' in Delhi as the water level of the Yamuna river has breached the danger mark of 205.33 metres owing to incessant rains in Delhi and surrounding areas.The water level of Yamuna has crossed the mark of 208.05 meters, exceeding the Central Water Commission's estimate of 207.99 meters late on Wednesday night, putting authorities on alert mode.ANI13 July 2023

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Bali Safari Park: Preserving the Majestic Pig-nosed Turtle - A Remarkable Conservation Story

PRNewswire, Gianyar, July 13: Join Bali Safari Park and the Papua Natural Resources Conservation Center on a mission to protect and preserve the majestic pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta). Witness their extraordinary journey from Bali to Papua, guided by Bali Safari Park's unwavering commitment. This inspiring endeavor showcases the importance of cultural heritage, biodiversity preservation, and Bali Safari Park's leadership in conservation.

Bali Safari Park: Preserving the Majestic Pig-nosed Turtle - A Remarkable Conservation Story

Witness the Odyssey of the Pig-nosed Turtle In 2015, Bali Safari Park became home to 2,341 pig-nosed turtles rescued by the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency. These tiny, injured turtles found refuge in Bali Safari Park, where a dedicated team nurtured them. Overcoming challenges, the turtles grew to an average size of 18-30 cm. By 2022, their population stood at around 900 individuals.Championing Conservation and Relocation In May 2023, Bali Safari Park, supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Agency and PT Freeport Indonesia, relocated 500 pig-nosed turtles from Bali to Papua. This milestone marked a significant achievement in preserving this endangered species, highlighting Bali Safari Park's commitment to conservation.A Noble Quest for Preservation Releasing the turtles into their natural habitat allows them to thrive and maintain the ecological balance. Classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the pig-nosed turtles play a vital role in preserving biodiversity. These turtles hold deep cultural symbolism, representing Indonesia's rich heritage.A Triumph of Hope The successful relocation of 500 pig-nosed turtles from Bali to Papua is a testament to Bali Safari Park's dedication. Drh. Kadek Kesuma, the Curator of Bali Safari Park, expressed hope for the turtles' breeding success in their natural habitat. Through collaboration with the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Center, PT Freeport Indonesia, and government support, Bali Safari Park provides a new chance for these majestic creatures to flourish.Unleash the Explorer Within Discover Bali Safari Park's inspiring conservation initiatives and embark on a journey of support. VisitA www.balisafarimarinepark.comA to learn how you can be a part of preserving our natural treasures and making a difference in wildlife conservation.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI13 July 2023

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Public Defender Lis Pollock argued vehemently that Bailey had no connection to Rodgers and that the state had not proven that Bailey was in the car from which the shots were fired.
Federal investigators are beginning the task of trying to determine what caused a Greyhound bus crash that killed three passengers in southern Illinois
ALBANY  A mid-level state appellate court ruled on Thursday that New Yorks congressional district lines must be redrawn ahead of the 2024 elections.

The decision will now be appealed by Republicans to New Yorks highest court. If the ruling is upheld by the Court of Appeals, it could provide a significant boost to Democrats as they seek to regain control of the U.S. Congress next year.

In 2022, the Court of Appeals ruled 4-3 that the process by which the Democratic-controlled State Legislature drew congressional lines favoring Democrats was illegal. Because of the ruling, the lines were instead drawn by a court-appointed special master, who drew more competitive districts. Those redrawn districts and the success of Republican candidates in New York, where the GOP flipped four seats, were key to the party narrowly winning control of Congress last November.

Congressional Democrats funded a lawsuit to reopen the line-drawing process for 2024. On Thursday, the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court in Albany found that the court-drawn congressional map for the 2022 elections was only temporary. The majority ruled that new lines should now be drawn by a bipartisan, 10-member state commission.

This determination honors the constitutional enactments as the means of providing a robust, fair and equitable procedure for the determination of voting districts in New York, the appellate divisions presiding justice, Elizabeth Garry, wrote in the majority opinion on Thursday.

Redistricting lawsuits could shape the 2024 battle for House control The reconfiguration of political districts after the 2020 census resulted in a flood of legal challenges, some of which could have big implications for the 2024 congressional elections.

The 10-member redistricting commission  created by a 2014 state constitutional amendment  was supposed to take the decennial redrawing of district lines out of the hands of the State Legislature, which long had a reputation for drawing districts bent for political benefit.

But in 2022, the 10-member commission was unable to come to a consensus map for congressional lines, deadlocking 5-5, with five Democratic-leaning commissioners on one side, five Republican-leaning commissioners on the other. The impasse prompted the Democratic-controlled state Legislature to step in and draw lines favorable to Democrats, a move ultimately rejected that year by the Court of Appeals.

Given the high-stakes fight over control of Congress, its likely the 10-member commission will again deadlock over 2024 lines, which would put the line-drawing again in the hands of the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

If that occurs, Democrats would be able to draw lines for New Yorks 26 congressional districts, which would stand for the rest of the decade. This time, Democrats would have court approval to do so, although the party would still face a constitutional requirement not to draw district lines deemed to be gerrymandered for political benefit.

Republicans best hope may be that the Court of Appeals will overrule the decision issued on Thursday.

The Appellate Division majoritys conclusion guts the New York Constitutions explicit prohibition against mid-decade redistricting, U.S. House GOP Chairwoman Elise Stefanik and state Republican Party chair Ed Cox said in a statement. When Democrats cant compete, they cheat. Their illegal gerrymander violated the State Constitution and bucked the will of the voters. The Court of Appeals must overturn this ruling, or Democrats will gerrymander the map to target political opponents and protect political allies.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat who represents a Brooklyn district in Congress, said the court decision on Thursday confirms that the New York State Constitution requires congressional district lines be drawn by an independent redistricting commission.

Its important that the Independent Redistricting Commission get to work expeditiously and present a map that fairly reflects the racial, ethnic, cultural, regional and socio-economic diversity of our great state, Jeffries said.

Since 2022, the Court of Appeals may have become more favorable to the Democrats case. The 4-3 majority in 2022, striking down the Democratic-drawn lines, included Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, who subsequently retired. She was replaced as chief this year by Rowan Wilson, who as an associate justice ruled in favor of the Democratic interests last year.

Thursdays decision seems to fit well into Rowan Wilsons thinking expressed in his 2022 dissent in that redistricting case, according to Jeffrey Wice, a professor at New York Law School and redistricting expert.

Since DiFiores retirement, one new judge has been confirmed to serve on the Court of Appeals, Caitlin Halligan. Like Wilson, Halligan was nominated by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. The associate justices positions on redistricting issues are not publicly known.

Wice said that if Democrats did redraw the congressional map, the biggest changes would likely be to swing, downstate congressional districts. One upstate district where Democrats could seek to reshape the lines, he said, is the 22nd district covering Central New York, which is held by freshman GOP Rep. Brandon Williams.
Champaign, IL (61820)

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A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High 79F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

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Mainly clear. Low 57F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
The number of young people in the United States visiting hospital emergency departments for mental health crises increased sharply during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study led by researchers from the Department of Health Care Policy in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School. The findings are published Jul 12 in JAMA Psychiatry.

These results come amidst growing national concern about a crisis in youth mental health and provide important new details about how young people with mental health problems such as self-harm and suicide attempts are using acute medical services.

The findings, the researchers said, highlight the critical need for policies to increase resources for mental health for all aspects of care, including emergency departments, inpatient pediatric mental health facilities, primary care, and prevention.

The bottom line is that as a society, we need to do more to protect the mental health and wellbeing of our young people." Haiden Huskamp, Henry J. Kaiser Professor of Health Care Policy at HMS

Numerous reports have noted that the stress and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated what US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has described as a crisis of adolescent mental health.

And the trend is not new, as numerous studies have shown. The suicide rate among young people increased by 57 percent in the decade before the pandemic, compared with the preceding decade. With increasing prevalence of mental illness among youth and a chronic lack of providers, the mental health care system has been stressed for a long time, the researchers said.

The pandemic helped bring those festering problems to a head, the authors said. The multiple and compounding stressors of COVID-19 have taken a grave toll on the mental health of a whole generation of young people and are taxing a mental health care system that's already stretched to capacity, they said.

"One of the most concerning findings was the dramatic increase in the number of adolescents waiting multiple days in the emergency room before being admitted to facilities that can provide the level of treatment they need," said Huskamp.

For their analysis, the researchers looked at private health insurance claims submitted between March 2019 and February 2022 for more than 4 million people between the ages of 5 and 17. The researchers compared numbers and outcomes of emergency department visits related to mental health conditions from the year before the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2019 to February 2020) with data from the second year of the pandemic (March 2021 to February 2022).

The young people in the study sample were 7 percent more likely to have had an ED visit for mental health in the second year of the pandemic than they were in the 12 months prior to the pandemic. The overall increase was driven by a dramatic surge in emergency department visits among adolescent girls, who were 22 percent more likely to have an emergency room visit during the second year of the pandemic compared with the year before the virus hit.

"One surprising and concerning finding was that the increase in ED visits was largely driven by girls who came to the hospital for conditions such as suicidal thoughts or plans, suicide attempts, and self-harm," first author Lindsay Overhage, an HMS MD/PhD student with an interest in mental health policy, said. "It's critical that we do all we can to prevent these serious illnesses and to treat those who are suffering."

Overall, the likelihood that a child who visited the ED for mental health care would be admitted to an inpatient mental health program increased by 8 percent in the second year of the pandemic, relative to the year before the outbreak. The number of young people who spent at least two days waiting to be admitted from the ED to an inpatient psychiatric service increased by 76 percent.

The findings underscore an urgent need to identify and relieve the underlying stresses that are driving this steep rise in depression, anxiety, self-harm, and other serious mental health problems among young people in an effort to prevent suffering, the researchers said. These efforts, they added, must include research to help understand why girls have been affected worse than boys.

The study also highlights the importance of working rapidly to increase inpatient and outpatient child psychiatry capacity to give young people in crisis the care that they need and to reduce the strain on the acute mental health care system, the researchers said. The researchers point to a variety of ways to address this problem including improving inpatient capacity, increasing the availability of mental health providers, preventing and fighting burnout among mental health care providers, and supporting non-specialist primary care and emergency care clinicians who provide mental health care.

For children in crisis now, the researchers note that there are promising treatments that can be delivered in emergency departments, in person or using telemedicine. These therapies may reduce the need for hospital admissions or at least allow patients to begin some effective treatment while they are waiting for a spot in an inpatient program.
The Indiana Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) has received $4.6 million in renewed grant funding from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to sustain and expand its efforts throughout the next five years. A joint venture between Indiana University School of Medicine and the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University, the program seeks to meet the growing need for more physician-scientists and physician-engineers in health care.

There is a pressing need for highly skilled and diverse specialists who can bridge the gap between scientific discovery and clinical practice. We're grateful for the NIH's continued investment in the Indiana Medical Scientist Training Program which enables us to equip more trainees with the skills and knowledge needed to address important challenges in patient care." Benjamin Gaston, MD, Billie Lou Wood Professor of Pediatrics at IU School of Medicine and co-director of the Indiana Medical Scientist Training Program

The Medical Scientist Training Program aims to recruit talented students, provide a comprehensive training curriculum, and produce graduates with dual MD/PhD degrees who are prepared for essential positions in academic medical centers.

"Renewed funding from the NIH not only reaffirms the program's excellence but also reinforces IU School of Medicine's commitment to welcoming more diverse students dedicated to advancing medicine and research," said Brittney-Shea Herbert, PhD, assistant dean for physician scientist development at IU School of Medicine and co-director of the Indiana Medical Scientist Training Program. "We look forward to expanding the program's impact."

There are currently 70 students in the Medical Scientist Training Program pursuing a wide range of medical research studies at labs in Indianapolis and West Lafayette. These students work closely with 107 training faculty from IU School of Medicine and the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering who mentor trainees in eight areas of research excellence. The grant renewal supports the admission of up to 16 new students into the program each year-;the most since the program was established 15 years ago.
The function of mast cells, which are part of the immune system, is still a mystery. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now shown in mice: mast cells function as a sensor that signals the animals to avoid antigens, including harmful allergens, and thereby protect themselves from health-threatening inflammatory reactions. The findings were published in the journal Nature.

Mast cells are found primarily in tissues that separate the outside and inside worlds of the body, such as the epithelia of the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. Within the tissues, mast cells often reside near nerve endings. Mast cells are well known to persons suffering from allergies because they secrete messenger substances such as histamine, which cause annoying to health-threatening allergic symptoms. These symptoms occur when mast cells are activated by IgE class antibodies during repeated antigen contact.

Why mast cells and IgE exist at all has not yet been conclusively explained." Hans-Reimer Rodewald, DKFZ immunologist

The DKFZ immunologist and his team have now been able to show for the first time in mice, in a combination of behavioral experiments and immunological studies, that mast cells act like a sensor that helps to avoid contact with allergens

No antigen avoidance without mast cells and IgE

The DKFZ researchers immunized mice with the allergen ovalbumin, a protein component of chicken egg white. They then gave the animals the free choice of preferring either normal or egg white-containing drinking water. Immunized animals avoided the egg white-enriched water, while their non-immunized conspecifics clearly preferred it. A large proportion of the immunized animals avoided the egg white-containing water already one day after immunization, some mice even after the first sip.

However, when the scientists performed this behavioral test with mice that genetically lack mast cells, both immunized and non-immunized animals preferred the egg white-containing water. Mice genetically unable to produce IgE also showed no avoidance behavior. Thus, both components - mast cells and IgE - are responsible for antigen avoidance.

When the immunized mice had no choice because the egg white solution was instilled in them, the animals developed inflammation in the stomach and small intestine. "The avoidance behavior mediated by mast cells apparently protects the animals from harmful immune reactions," explains Thomas Plum, one of the first authors.

How do mast cells "talk" to the brain?

An important open question for the scientists was now: How can mast cells, as a component of the immune system, influence behavior? In what ways do immune cells "talk" to the brain? The scientists examined a variety of biologically active substances released by mast cells. These include leukotrienes, pro-inflammatory messengers known to activate sensory nerves. If the researchers blocked leukotriene synthesis, the immunized mice no longer showed the same consequence in avoiding egg white. Leukotrienes therefore appear to be at least partly involved in avoidance behavior. Further immunological and neurobiological experiments are needed in the future to identify the nerve connections through which the mast cell signal is reported to the brain.

"In the intestine, lungs or skin, immune reactions against non-infectious antigens can occur as a result of so-called barrier disorders, permeability of the tissues from the outside to the inside. In the case of allergy, we call such antigens allergens. Whether these substances are dangerous or not, it is important for the organism to avoid their further intake in order to prevent inflammatory diseases. This is an evolutionary advantage and finally a conclusive explanation of the physiological role of mast cells and IgE," Rodewald summarizes the results.

Whether mast cells also contribute to the avoidance of harmful antigens in humans must be adressed in further studies.
Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a chronic multisymptom health condition affecting one-third of all veterans who served in the 1991 Gulf War, most of whom remain afflicted more than 30 years later. Common symptoms include fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, joint pain, diarrhea, insomnia and cognitive impairment.

The condition is believed to have been triggered by veterans' exposure to environmental toxins. However, its exact mechanism in the body continues to be debated, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. The prevailing notion is that inflammation is the driving force of the symptoms, as inflammatory markers are modestly higher in affected veterans than in healthy controls. However, a rival hypothesis suggests mitochondria -; the energy-producing organelle found in most cells -; may be the true source of the symptoms.

In a new study, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine put both ideas head-to-head, directly assessing mitochondrial impairment and inflammation in 36 individuals, 19 of whom were veterans with GWI. The findings, published July 12, 2023 in Scientific Reports, suggest that impaired mitochondrial function, and not inflammation, is the main driver of GWI symptoms and should be the primary target of future clinical interventions.

This is a radical rethinking of the pathology of GWI. For veterans who have long struggled to get effective care, this discovery could be a real game changer." Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD, corresponding author, professor of medicine at UC San Diego School of Medicine

To evaluate the respective roles of mitochondrial function and inflammation in GWI, the researchers acquired muscle biopsies from the study participants and measured the levels of mitochondrial respiratory chain function (MRCF). Inflammation was assessed through participants' blood levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a common marker of peripheral inflammation.

The researchers then compared this data to the participants' GWI symptoms and found that the severity of symptoms could be predicted by their degree of mitochondrial impairment, but not by their degree of inflammation. Further statistical analyses found that 17 of the 20 most common GWI symptoms were statistically related to mitochondrial function. In contrast, only one of the 20 symptoms met this criterion for inflammation.

Another set of analyses revealed that the degree to which participants' mitochondria were compromised in converting fat to energy was strongly related to the degree of inflammation in GWI patients, but not in controls. Reduced activity of this process, called fatty acid oxidation, is known to trigger cell death, which then leads to inflammation. Thus the researchers say this suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction may be the reason inflammation is higher in GWI patients.

"Inflammation does appear to be linked to GWI, but our work suggests that it's actually a side effect of the primary issue, which is impaired cell energy," said Golomb.

The researchers also note that many GWI symptoms are expected outcomes of mitochondrial dysfunction. For example, muscles rely heavily on fat to fuel them, so if mitochondrial dysfunction leads to impaired fatty acid oxidation in GWI patients, this could explain the muscle aches and physical fatigue they often experience. Indeed, muscle symptoms in GWI correlated most strongly with the degree of impairment in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Conversely, the brain relies mostly on sugar for energy, and brain symptoms in GWI related most strongly to impairment in mitochondrial energy production using sugar as a fuel.

The findings also have possible implications for other health conditions, including different forms of toxin exposure, aging and even heart disease. Many of these conditions are marked by increased inflammation, yet often do not respond well to anti-inflammatory drugs. Golomb and colleagues argue that mitochondrial impairment may be an underlying cause for these conditions, creating opportunities for new therapeutic strategies.

"This is the first time that direct evidence for the mitochondrial hypothesis of GWI has been reported," said Golomb. "We hope that it will lead to improved treatment plans for the veterans who have long struggled with this mysterious illness."

Co-authors of the study include: Roel Sanchez Baez, Jan M. Schilling, Mehul Dhanani, McKenzie J. Fannon, Brinton K. Berg, Bruce J. Miller, Pam R. Taub and Hemal H. Patel, all at UC San Diego.
An investigation is continuing into a shooting Tuesday afternoon on Buffalo's Lower West Side that left a man wounded, Buffalo Police spokesman Michael J. DeGeorge reported.

According to the report, the victim, a 52-year-old Buffalo resident, was brought in a private vehicle to Buffalo General Medical Center with gunshot wounds just after 3 p.m. He is listed in stable condition.

Detectives determined that the shooting took place in the first block of Lakeview Avenue, between Pennsylvania and Jersey streets.

Anyone with information is asked to call or text the Buffalo Police confidential tip line at 716-847-2255.

- Dale Anderson
A new talking therapy for depression has shown encouraging early signs of being more effective and cheaper to deliver than the current best practice of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

A pilot trial from the University of Exeter, funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) and published in Lancet EClinical Medicine, has found Augmented Depression Therapy (ADepT) could be a significant advance in depression care.

A core feature of depression is anhedonia (reduced interest or pleasure) and wellbeing deficits, but current depression psychotherapies like CBT fail to adequately target these components. ADepT has been developed to pay just as much attention to building wellbeing as it does reducing depressive symptoms.

Professor of Clinical Psychology, Barney Dunn, from the University of Exeter led the trial and said: "Depression is widespread and a significant contributor to global disability, resulting in extensive social and economic costs. Only around 60 percent of people will recover during our current best treatments like CBT and about half of those will relapse within two years. In ADepT, we encourage clients to take a new perspective to their difficulties, aiming to learn to live well alongside depressed mood. The primary goal is to help clients identify what is important to them in key life areas, take steps towards living a life in a way that is consistent with these values, and to take opportunities and manage challenges while they do so that they can experience wellbeing and pleasure."

Katie has lived experience of ADepT and said: "I've got a fairly long history of using mental health services and that's almost become my identity over the years. My focus in treatment before had always been on trying to eliminate symptoms of mental illness. ADepT has changed my outlook to help me take steps to gain wellbeing, as well as allowing me to be more authentic and act in a way more aligned to my values. ADepT is helping me make decisions which feel right and giving me more of an identity outside of mental illness, which is amazing. I've learnt to be able to enjoy the good things in life that give me pleasure, even when I am having a difficult week. It really has changed things for me."

This is the first pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of ADepT. 82 adults with moderate to severe depression and exhibiting features of anhedonia took part and were primarily recruited from NHS Talking Therapy (formerly known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapy) service waiting lists in Devon, UK. Participants were randomly assigned to either 20 individual sessions of ADepT or CBT, delivered in the University of Exeter AccEPT clinic and supported by Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Exeter Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx), and University of Exeter Psychology Department. Participants were assessed by researchers at the beginning of the pilot, as well as after six, 12, and 18 months.

Results suggested that ADepT was definitely not worse than, and showed potential to be better than, CBT at building wellbeing and reducing depression at the end of treatment and over longer-term follow-up. Results also suggested ADepT was cost-effective, costing the same amount to deliver as CBT but resulting in greater gains in quality of life. If these findings can be replicated in a subsequent definitive trial, it would suggest that ADepT can have both clinical and economic benefits in healthcare settings. ADepT has also been designed so that existing CBT therapists will be able to deliver it with minimal additional training.

The paper is entitled "Primary clinical and cost-effectiveness of augmented depression therapy versus cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of anhedonic depression (ADepT): a single-center, open-label, parallel-group, pilot, randomized, controlled trial" and is published in Lancet EClinical Medicine.
Psychedelic-based therapies are poised to change the treatments that psychiatrists can offer patients.

"I often talk about psychedelic treatments as catalysts for change, for both the individual and the field of psychiatry," said Medical University of South Carolina psychiatrist Jennifer Jones, M.D., who conducts research on these treatments.

The highly anticipated approval of MDMA, or "ecstasy," to treat post-traumatic stress disorder would be the first for a psychedelic drug, ushering in changes for patients, mental health providers and society. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to issue a decision on MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD in early 2024.

How well this revolutionary research will be implemented into practice will depend on patients' willingness to undergo psychedelic-based treatments and their ability to access those treatments, said Jones. Jones' latest research, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, examines these potential barriers in a population that stands to benefit greatly from psychedelic therapies for PTSD: individuals that use substances.

Changing treatments and outcomes

Approval of psychedelic therapies could help patients with mental illnesses, particularly those with multiple or treatment-resistant disorders. PTSD is an often severe mental disorder that can occur after being exposed to a traumatic event. Current treatments, while improving symptoms in some patients, leave many without any benefit at all.

For the many people who have PTSD and habitually use alcohol or other substances, rates of nonresponse to treatment are even higher. Jones thinks this is unacceptable, so she started researching new approaches to treat patients with both PTSD and a substance use disorder.

A promising 'new' treatment option for patients with both PTSD and SUD may come from an 'old' group of drugs called psychedelics. Psychedelics include both natural (psilocybin, mescaline, DMT) and synthetic (LSD, MDMA) drugs. Natural psychedelics have been used medicinally and spiritually in traditional cultures for centuries. However, they were described scientifically mostly in the 1950s and 1960s.

It is really interesting  in these early studies looking at psychedelic therapy for one indication, like PTSD, they noticed improvements in symptoms of another mental health disorder, like depression or SUD." Jennifer Jones, M.D., MUSC psychiatrist

Since 2009, approximately 80 clinical trials involving MDMA have been completed or are ongoing, according to Clinicaltrials.gov. These trials investigate the use of MDMA in a wide range of disorders, including anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, SUD and PTSD. These diverse studies highlight the potential effects of MDMA across multiple disorders, something that prior treatments have lacked.

"This is really important," said Jones. "It is very common to have concurrent mental health disorders, so having a treatment like MDMA that could, for example, improve both PTSD and SUD symptoms is really exciting for the field."

Currently, drugs used to treat PTSD may be given with or without another form of therapy, broadly referred to as "talk therapy." For MDMA-assisted therapy, the talk therapy component is a fundamental part of the treatment.

"In the context of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, MDMA is thought to dampen the fear response around the traumatic memory, allowing the participant to engage with the therapy team to process this memory, sometimes for the first time in their lives," said Jones. "Instead of running from it, they can process the traumatic memory and move past it."

This processing may also apply to other mental functions, perhaps accounting for MDMA's ability to improve symptoms for other disorders, like SUD.

"Participants in psychedelic clinical trials have lasting benefits that come from changes in their behaviors, their thought processes and their interactions with others," said Jones. "Participants often point to these changes as what made the difference in their symptoms."

The immediate effects of MDMA during therapy are not without concern, however. Jones is often asked whether the MDMA will produce feelings of "ecstasy." "Ecstasy is a common descriptor for the effects caused by recreational MDMA, used so frequently that it became a nickname for the drug. However, because this therapy is a difficult process of self-healing, MDMA in this context does not usually produce ecstasy, Jones said. This common concern points to some of the possible barriers that Jones wanted to assess in her recent publication.

Changing minds

For some, reluctance to receive MDMA-assisted therapy is tied to negative views of psychedelics and their recreational uses. In the 1970s, all psychedelics were classified as Schedule I substances, drugs with high-abuse potential without clinical benefits, tarnishing political and public perceptions of these drugs. Their recreational use and representations in media have continued to perpetuate this stigma.

Negative views of psychedelics and increasing regulatory control halted early promising research on psychedelics in Western medicine in the 1970s, reported the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. It wasn't until the 1990s that officially sanctioned psychedelic research resumed on a small scale, only accelerating in the 2010s. New government policies allowed psychedelic clinical research to resume, but public perceptions of psychedelics will determine the success of these drugs as treatments.

In Jones' study, approximately 70% of survey respondents indicated their support for MDMA-based research and belief that MDMA could be useful for treating mental health disorders. A smaller group, 59%, would be willing to receive an MDMA-based treatment if it were recommended by a mental health provider. The survey results suggest that most people who use substances are open to MDMA research and would be willing to try an MDMA-based therapy.

Jones also examined the role of race and ethnicity on opinions about MDMA-assisted therapy. Despite their underrepresentation in psychedelic clinical trials, racial and ethnic groups had similar levels of support for MDMA research. However, there were small, but potentially important, differences in willingness to try an MDMA-based therapy. "While largely a hypothesis," said Jones, "differences in willingness to participate in clinical trials are probably related to prior use or cultural beliefs."

While this research brings up additional questions for Jones and colleagues, she believes these results can help researchers and mental health providers to understand how to develop and implement treatments more equitably for different patient and ethnic populations.

By discussing these issues prior to the FDA decision, Jones hopes steps can be taken to address patient concerns.

"It is my heartfelt goal that everyone who might benefit from MDMA-assisted therapy is able to receive treatment once it is available, and that they will not be held back by worries or stigma about the treatment," said Jones. "For that to be a reality, we have to seek input directly from those most likely to benefit from the treatments that we are developing."
People seeking mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic were not deterred by the widespread shift to telehealth services, according to research findings published in the Journal of Counseling & Development, a journal of the American Counseling Association.

However, some racial and ethnic minorities continued their longstanding tendency to avoid counseling services, even though they were more likely than non-Hispanic white people to struggle with mental health issues, the study showed.

The findings lend support to policies that expand insurance coverage for telehealth counseling. This is particularly relevant as we navigate the post-pandemic era and consider the future of health care delivery." Yusen Zhai, lead author, assistant professor of counseling and director of the community counseling clinic, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Insurers broadened coverage for telehealth services during the first months of the pandemic as lockdowns prevented counselors from seeing clients face to face. Zhai and his colleagues wondered if consumers resisted telehealth counseling because of technology infrastructure problems or misgivings about receiving therapy over the phone or internet. The researchers examined anonymous data collected from more than 52,000 individuals from universities and colleges across the U.S. between September 2018 and June 2020. The individuals had been asked about their history and attitudes regarding mental health care and had been screened for depression, anxiety and eating disorders.

Overall, the shift to telehealth did not change individuals' intentions to seek counseling services, the results showed. The researchers also found that racial and ethnic minorities -; who experienced disproportionate hardship during the pandemic due to economic inequality, poor medical care and other injustices -; were less likely to seek out counseling services but were more likely to experience mental health problems.

The findings suggest that telehealth is a viable solution for delivering counseling services, especially to clients who lack transportation or face a shortage of providers near their homes, Zhai said.

"Telehealth is a step toward eliminating barriers to mental health care and services, yet accessibility and reducing the stigma around mental health issues and services in some racial/ethnic minority communities appear to have a long way to go," he added.

In addition to Zhai, study authors included JoLynn V. Carney and Richard J. Hazler at The Pennsylvania State University. The researchers caution that their study was limited to young adults and called for future studies to include older populations and to compare the effectiveness of in-person and telehealth services.
In a recent study published in BMJ Global Health, researchers compare coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) excess mortality rates across 183 countries.

Study: Evaluation of the Global Health Security Index as a predictor of COVID-19 excess mortality standardized for under-reporting and age structure. Image Credit: ETAJOE / Shutterstock.com

Background

COVID-19, an infectious viral disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), quickly became the leading cause of death throughout the world after the pandemic began in March 2020.

Despite most countries implementing various measures to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, many of these policies were disjointed globally. Thus, it is crucial to examine country-level metrics of pandemic preparedness to ensure that nations throughout the world can implement effective responses in the future.

In addition to response capabilities, previous studies have also shown that many countries throughout the world were disproportionately affected by COVID-19 due to the unique age structure of their population.

For examples, countries with a higher proportion of elderly were more vulnerable to severe COVID-19. Likewise, each country's surveillance efforts determined their underlying risk for severe COVID-19.

About the study

In the present study, researchers explore country-level associations between pandemic preparedness measures and age-standardized COVID-19 excess mortality across 183 countries.

Comparative mortality ratios (CMRs) were calculated during the COVID-19 pandemic to account for country-level surveillance capacities and age structure variations.

CMRs are a widely used form of indirect age standardization in epidemiological studies. These values utilize an age structure of mortality from a reference country which, in this case, was the United States, to compare mortality across countries, for comparisons of COVID-19 outcomes.

Mortality data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluations (IHMEs) was used to model estimates for COVID-19 excess mortalities between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. The demography of COVID-19 deaths database was used to extract age-specific COVID-19 mortality data to facilitate CMR computation.

Direct age standardization requires extensive age-stratified data on COVID-19 mortality, which is currently unavailable for most countries. For the current study, calculated age-stratified aggregate mortality rates for the U.S. and population sizes from the United Nations (UN) were used to determine age ranges.

Country-specific CMRs were also determined, in which a CMR greater than and less than one represented an increase and decrease in mortality relative to the reference country, respectively.

National preparedness efforts were assessed using the Global Health Security (GHS) index. This index has six categories of preparedness, 37 indicators, and a subset of sub-indicators that help quantify a countrys potential to prevent an infectious disease outbreak. Data on the GHS Index is publicly available for 195 countries, which the researchers used to identify a priori for analyses.

Pearson r correlations and multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between GHS measures and COVID-19 CMRs. Additionally, bivariate regression models were used to assess each relationship independently of the other GHS indicators.

Confidence intervals (CIs) with robust standard errors were calculated and adjusted to account for testing multiple hypotheses using a Bonferroni correction. The coefficients and corresponding CIs represented CMR variations associated with five-point GHS index measure differences. A series of sensitivity analyses were also performed to determine the robustness of these results.

Study findings

There remains a shortage of comparable data from countries examining COVID-19 outcomes. Thus, detailed age-specific COVID-19 mortality rates are only available for 22 countries. Likewise, data on COVID-19 deaths are under-reported due to global variations in vital statistics performance.

The GHS index was used as a predictor of COVID-19 excess deaths. After adjusting for higher GHS Index scores associated with lower CMRs for excess COVID-19 mortality, the implementation of efforts to prepare for and respond to pandemics before they occur could effectively reduce mortality during similar global health emergencies.

Three GHS categories of prevention, detection, and response lowered excess COVID-19 deaths. For example, prevention approaches reduced excess COVID-19 deaths by reducing other infectious disease outbreaks. Furthermore, immunization capacities likely minimized the number of vaccine-preventable deaths and provided an infrastructure for successful vaccination programs.

Detection capacities related to laboratories engaged in case-based investigations lowered excess COVID-19 deaths. Likewise, emergency preparedness and responses, such as non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs), decreased excess COVID-19 deaths.

Cross-border agreements were also found to be beneficial during a pandemic. One example includes countries in the European Union, which opened their borders to healthcare workers and those seeking medical care to share the pandemic burden.

The risk environment, a GHS index category, had the most consistent relationship with excess COVID-19 mortality. Despite ranking highest in the GHS Index of 57 high-income countries, the U.S. had the 30th largest risk environment score.

The study analyses also provided evidence that social and government support is crucial to respond to a health crisis. Thus, future studies should explore the role of other country-level capacities that are unrelated to excess COVID-19 deaths, including healthcare and intervention planning.

The associations between pandemic preparedness capacities and excess mortality reduced to zero when using the WHO and The Economist data. WHO, the Economist, and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) use different sets of covariates; thus, in countries with GHS scores less than 40, such as various African nations, COVID-19 deaths were undercounted by a factor of 10.

Conclusions

The GHS index is an inventory of resources and plans available within each nation to address a health crisis. The current analysis demonstrated that having greater health security capacities, as measured by the GHS Index, reduces excess COVID-19 mortality. Thus, investments in health systems could modulate pandemic outcomes.

All countries require a well-established response infrastructure to address a health crisis, as well as an easily accessible, equitable, and competitive healthcare system for outbreak detection. In the future, building, maintaining, and measuring health security capacities could effectively mitigate the impacts of infectious disease threats.
A groundbreaking research project aimed at revolutionizing the field of life sciences and providing unprecedented insights into the human body had been announced. The significant research program, titled "digital life and holographic human body" brought together leading scientists, researchers, and experts from all around the world to develop a pioneering digital model that represents the physiological and pathological processes of human life system activities in real time.

The concept of a "holographic digital mannequin" involves reconstructing the micro-, meso-, and macro-networked dynamic life information dataset of the human body using advanced technologies such as digital twin and computer simulation. By categorizing, integrating, and digitizing existing theoretical models, the research aims to decode the complex life activity processes and uncover the exact causes of accurate and effective intervention and rehabilitation measures for improved initiative for this research program, which was ignited during the 696th Xiangshan Science Conference on the theme of Revealing Three Major Scientific Problems in the Field of Life and Analyzing the Mechanism of Human Information and Energy Network." Organized by Academician Cong Bin, the conference attendees unanimously agreed to spearhead this significant effort in developing the field of "digital life and holographic human body."

The global implications of this research project span multiple disciplines, including life sciences, medicine, and information technology. It aims to establish an international hub for cutting-edge scientific research and technological advancements while attracting exceptional talent from around the world. Cooperation among scientists worldwide are crucial to establish a unified framework and research and development standards.

The creation of a holographic digital mannequin represents a remarkable convergence of medicine, life science, information science, chemistry, physics, and mathematics for collaborative innovation and development. Drawing inspiration from the ontological and holistic theories of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this major research undertaking seeks to analyze the evolution of living matter in the body's four-dimensional spatial operation law. The project will construct a cross-fusion platform, incorporating information science, brain science, physics, modern medicine, life science, and TCM to bring the holographic digital mannequin to life.

The ultimate goal of this ambitious endeavor is to decipher the code of human life and health by unraveling the mutual regulation mechanisms among multiple life systems. As this code is decoded, it will drive further scientific and technological progress and open up new opportunities for comprehensive development across various fields. The layered decryption of the human holographic life system promises to inspire fresh perspectives and advancements, paving way for the future of science and technology.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded LSU Health New Orleans' School of Nursing $2.6 million over four years to increase the number of nurse practitioners and nurse midwives trained and prepared to provide equitable, culturally aligned, quality primary care services, mental health and substance use disorder care, and maternal health care to underrepresented populations in rural, urban, tribal, and underserved areas across the state. The project will establish new partnerships, provide tuition support to a diverse group of students, and enhance the curriculum.

There is a tremendous need for increasing the number and expanding the distribution of primary care nurse practitioners and nurse midwives to rural areas to address the unmet primary care, mental health care, and maternal health needs of Louisiana. We are recruiting primary care nurse practitioners (adult-gerontology primary care, family, pediatric, and psych-mental health) and nurse-midwifery applicants today." Sherry Rivera DNP, ANP-C, FNKF, FAANP, Program Coordinator of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration and Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing at LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing

Sixty-three of Louisiana's 64 parishes meet the criteria for designation as primary care health professional shortage areas, and those who are there are aging. A lack of primary care providers is a commonly cited cause for limited access to health care in rural Louisiana. Similar projections indicate a deficit of adult psychiatrists available, with projected availability only meeting approximately 50% of the demand. In Louisiana, 24% of women live in a parish considered a low-access area and 9% live in a maternity care desert. An analysis of pregnancy-associated deaths in the state from 2016 to 2017 found a 91% increase in the risk of maternal mortality for women living in a maternity care desert.

The funding will also support professional development and education for advanced practice nursing clinical faculty and preceptors.

The project will build upon and enhance current advanced practice nursing education and training for mental health and substance use disorders supported by the $1.25 million HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce and Education and Training Grant, as well as the $3 million grant for the Clinical Nurse Educator Academy for Region 6 to LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing.

"HRSA funding of this grant will continue to support our nursing school's efforts to meet the current health care advanced nursing practice workforce challenges while relieving some of our students' financial burdens," says Demetrius J. Porche DNS, PhD, ANEF, FACHE, FAANP, FAAN, Professor and Dean of LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing.
Pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, are intermediary companies that negotiate the price of prescription drugs. PBMs are at the center of a tangled knot of pharmacies, drugmakers, and health insurers.

Experts say they play a big role in raising prescription drug prices.

So, what is being done to regulate PBMs?

In this episode of "An Arm and a Leg," host Dan Weissmann explores how PBMs work and looks into government efforts to check their power. Since this episode originally aired in 2019, widespread legislation to regulate PBMs has been introduced at the state level. Weissmann gives an update.

Dan Weissmann @danweissmann

Host and producer of "An Arm and a Leg."

Previously, Dan was a staff reporter for Marketplace and Chicago's WBEZ. His work also appears on All Things Considered, Marketplace, the BBC, 99 Percent Invisible, and Reveal, from the Center for Investigative Reporting.

Credits

Click to open the Transcript Transcript: Wait, Whats a PMB?

Note: "An Arm and a Leg" uses speech-recognition software to generate transcripts, which may contain errors. Please use the transcript as a tool but check the corresponding audio before quoting the podcast.

Dan: Hey there 

You may have seen ads recently about access to drugs. Heres one that starts with a woman trying to fill a prescription, but the pharmacist says

[Clip from an ad plays]

Pharmacist: Im sorry, this medicine isnt covered by your insurance.

PBM: Yeah

Dan: This guy in a blue suit comes up from behind. The patient grabs her prescription slip.

[Ad clip resumes]

PBM: I decide which medicines you can get.

Patient: Wait, youre not my doctor.

PBM: Thats right, Im your insurance companys pharmacy benefit manager, or PBM. And, I dont make as much money off this one.

Dan: You might wonder, wait, whats a PBM exactly? And also, why am I seeing this ad now?

And whos paying for this ad? So PBMs are middleman companies that have a lot to do with which drugs we get access to, how much we pay for them, and yeah, theyre sharks. And, these ads are out there because Congress knows were all mad about drug prices and access to drugs, and theyre eager to be seen doing something about it.

And those ads are paid for by pharmaceutical makers  also sharks  in direct competition with PBMs for the gazillions of dollars we spend on drugs as a country. PBMs and their role are a little more complicated, so we are bringing back an episode from this shows very early days. When we get to the end, Ill have some updates, things Ive learned since then.

Meanwhile, heres me four years ago, starting to figure out how all this works.

So at the beginning of the year, my family switched to a new health insurance plan and Ive got this prescription I take. I get three months worth of it at a time, and in February it was time to renew. The drugstore texted me they had it. I called to check, got the robot voice.

Robot: Theres one prescription here for Daniel

Dan: And some news.

Robot: The out-of-pocket cost is $720.69. And thats ready for pickup.

Dan: I was like, what? This is an old-time generic drug. Im used to paying like 15 bucks.

Robot: Would you like me to repeat that?

Dan: I was like, maybe you better. I want this on tape.

Robot: The out-of-pocket cost is $720.69.

[Robot voice fades into the background]

Dan: I was also like, yeah, Im just gonna bring my new insurance card over to the drugstore and hope that clears things up.

And it did. The copay was $0. That is some good new insurance right there. And as I walked outta the drug store, I was like, What was that all about? I pulled up a site called GoodRx on my phone. A doctor friend of mine sometimes recommends it to people whose prescriptions cost a lot, and what I found there was weird.

I punched in the name of the medication and my zip code and it showed me prices from a bunch of different places. Drugstore chains like CVS and Walgreens, big box stores like Costco and Walmart, local supermarkets with pharmacy counters. And the spread was crazy. 25 bucks at Costco, 170 at the supermarket, 300-some at CVS, and more than 700 at my drugstore, Walgreens.

And that was just the first set of prices. There were actually two. The first: what youd pay if you just walked in. The second was what youd pay at each place if you brought in a digital coupon from GoodRx. And with the coupons, another crazy spread, a bunch of $20 options. But 75 bucks at CVS, 195 at Walgreens.

And this was just super, super weird. And it meant I was gonna have to do something Id been honestly kind of dreading Figuring out prescription drug prices. Id done some reading about it before and it always made my eyes glaze over. I was like, ah, no. Too complicated. Let me come back to this, like in some other lifetime.

But this was too weird not to investigate. Because I was used to seeing stories about high drug prices. I figured we all knew that, but I wasnt used to seeing stories about random prices. That was new. Better get on that. This is An Arm and a Leg, a show about the cost of health care. Im Dan Weissmann.

And I did some reading and eventually I figured out how to maybe explain this to myself without getting totally lost.

And I ended up running this explanation by some experts and they all said, that is not the most idiotic explanation. So here goes. It starts with the old movie Its a Wonderful Life. Right at the beginning of the movie, the Jimmy Stewart character, George Bailey, is a 12-year-old kid working in the drugstore.

Now, note the sound effect here from this scene. Clip clap. This is olden days, 1919. And in the scene, the kid keeps the pharmacist, Mr. Gower, from sending out literal poison pills.

Film sound: Mr. Gower, you dont know what youre doing. You, you put something bad in those capsules. It wasnt your fault, Mr. Gower, just look and see what you did. The bottle took the powder from its poison, I tell you, its poison.

Dan: Now late in the movie, theres a scene with another character, a really grouchy bartender.

Film sound: Hey, look, mister. We save hard drinks in here for men who wanna get drunk fast, and we dont need any characters around to give the joint atmosphere. Is that clear or do I have to slip you my left for a convincer?

Dan: And heres the thing. At the time of these scenes, the druggist and the bartender were basically in the same kind of business. Im talking about the structure of the business. You go to the bar, order a martini, the guy grabs the gin, the vermouth, some olives, mixes it up and tells you a price that reflects his negotiations with all his suppliers and his sense of local market conditions, what he thinks youll be willing to pay for a martini.

And he is balancing all those things and its like a straight line. You negotiate with the bar keep, he deals with everybody else. In 1919, Mr. Gower is in exactly the same kind of business, except instead of gin and vermouth, hes got big jars, full of powders and okay, I mean, one of those jars is marked poison. Im not sure what thats about, but, okay. Mr. Gower measures out doses and sells them to his customers at a price he sets. Same exact deal. Simple.

Since then, a couple things have happened. First, scientific breakthroughs made drugs a much bigger deal. I mean, penicillin, insulin, the Polio vaccine, just for starters, its a miracle and a big business.

The other thing is, health insurance became a thing, including prescription drugs. So now youve got this intermediary standing between you and the provider, hashing out prices, telling you what your share is gonna be. And those two things created an opportunity for a new kind of business: pharmacy benefit managers.

Jeffrey Joyce is an economist at the University of Southern California. He studies the drug supply chain. He says, originally these companies did one narrow, technical thing. They created systems that told the drug store what each customers specific insurance plan meant that customer was supposed to pay for their specific prescription, and the systems did all that in real time.

Geoffrey Joyce: So that when you show up at the pharmacy, its a seamless transaction and they know exactly what your insurance is and what your copay should be.

Dan: Because Mr. Gower is not sending you a bill. He needs to ring you up right now. And insurance companies werent set up to make that happen. So pharmacy benefit managers, PBMs for short, thats what they came along to do.

Geoffrey Joyce: Thats what they functioned primarily as for many, many years.

Dan: And then PBMs got this new idea. They said to their customers, the insurance companies, Hey, we could save you some money. How about we start negotiating with manufacturers to get you lower prices? Heres how that works. Theres lots of kinds of drugs where different companies make their own version. Like for high cholesterol, theres drugs called statins, and theyve got brand names like Lipitor, Mevacor, Crestor.

But they all basically do the same thing. And that is an opportunity for the PBMs.

Geoffrey Joyce: They will go to the different manufacturers and say, whos gonna give us the best price? Who wants to be our preferred statin?

Dan: And that preferred statin? That ones gonna move a lot of units because the PBM and any insurance company theyre working for is gonna say to consumers: If youre our patient, our customer covered by our insurance, we want you to take this statin and well make it worth your while cuz this one, the preferred statin has a $10 copay and all the others 50 bucks, maybe 75, maybe we dont cover them at all. And suddenly manufacturers are coming to the table.

Geoffrey Joyce: And manufacturers offer discounts or rebates. So, hey, Ill give you 40 or 50% off if you make mine the preferred statin with a $10 copay. And all my competitors are either arent covered on your plan or have a $50 copay.

Dan: And heres an important distinction. The manufacturers are not lowering their sticker prices here for whoever wants to buy. They are giving this rebate to this PBM. In other words, The PBM isnt shopping. Theyre not comparing the prices on offer in the open market. Theyre negotiating. Theyre cutting individual deals behind closed doors, but whatever, okay. At first, to an economist like Jeffrey Joyce, this whole set up sounds like great news.

Geoffrey Joyce: I bought into their arguments that they actually lowered prices by negotiating competitively and and with manufacturers.

Dan: Now, sellers cant just charge whatever they want. Theyve gotta compete to give the best deal to buyers. Everybody wins. Its like economics 101.

Geoffrey Joyce: In, in, in theory, you would want this type of entity. You want them to go around and say, whos gonna gimme the best price?

Dan: But it hasnt worked out that way, which is why Jeffrey Joyce published an essay last year called An Economists Change of Heart.

Geoffrey Joyce: So instead of sort of serving a, a role of, of constraining drug prices, I think they play a role in increasing drug prices.

Dan: Yeah, wait How do we go from their holding prices down to their jacking prices up? Thats right after this break.

This episode of An Arm and a Leg is produced in partnership with KFF Health News. That's a nonprofit newsroom covering health care in America. Their work is terrific, I'm so pleased to work with them. We'll have a little more information about KFF Health News at the end of this episode.

So, how do pharmacy benefit managers go from holding prices down to jacking prices up? This is where Mr. Gower and Nick the bartender come in

Once upon a time, before penicillin, before insurance, before pharmacy benefit managers, the relationships were simple. Me, Mr. Gower, his suppliers straight line.

Now those relationships are a tangled knot. I found this super complicated flowchart made by Jeffrey Joyces, colleagues from the University of Southern California. It is from a paper called Follow the Money, except the moneys impossible to follow.

Theres insurance companies, manufacturers, pharmacies, money going back and forth. All over the place. And in this knot, the pharmacy benefit manager is in the middle of everything. Every loop, all the deals and all the money, it all goes through them.

Geoffrey Joyce: Youre right. And theyre the hub. Youre absolutely right. And I think thats at the, the crook of it. They have an inherent conflict of interest.

Dan: That is: Everybodys gotta negotiate with them. The drug makers, the pharmacies, and the insurance company, and nobody knows the deal anybody else is getting. So yeah, in theory, youd want an entity like the PBMs negotiating on your behalf. But thats not what theyre doing. Theyre negotiating on their own behalf.

Geoffrey Joyce: And they got sued, uh, in several states for saying, "Hey, you should be acting in the best interest of your clients." And theyve won in court and saying, "No, we have no obligation to do whats best for our client. We do whats best for us."

Dan: Okay. So how does that work and how does it lead to higher prices? Well, it helps. These companies have gotten huge. There used to be a bunch of PBMs, but theyve gone around buying each other up. Now, three PBM companies represent like four fifths of all consumers. The single biggest one covers like 80 million people.

So they make a list of drugs for those 80 million people, which drugs cost $10? Which ones cost $50? And which ones. Arent covered at all. That list has a name. Its called the formulary, and controlling a formulary with 80 million customers gives the PBM a whole new kind of leverage.

Geoffrey Joyce: Just let me put it this way. Imagine you are a manufacturer and you produce a good drug and Express Scripts says, we represent 80 million Americans in their drug benefits. If youre off our formulary as a manufacturer, you lose access to 80 million consumers. Thats an enormous hit. Youll do anything to stay on that formulary.

Dan: Youll do anything the PBM wants. And what the PBM wants is a big discount and the devious, tricky wild part that Jeffrey Joyce taught me, the easiest way to give a big discount is jack up the sticker price, which sounds like it would never work. Like I know. Well double the price, then we can charge them the same, but well tell them theyre getting a 50% discount. *nefarious laugh*

I mean, are PBMs supposed to be stupid? But PBMs arent stupid. Remember, theyre not shopping on the open market. Theyre negotiating in secret, and theyre not just negotiating for discounts. Theyre getting rebates, not money off, money back. A payout.

Geoffrey Joyce: Its more money that potentially they can retain. Right? So the more, the bigger the rebate, thats money. They have control over them.

Dan: Its, its literally, its cash in their pockets.

Geoffrey Joyce: Its cash.

Dan: And Joyce says, those negotiations get totally explicit. Raising prices is part of the deal.

Geoffrey Joyce: And so Ive had several CEOs of drug companies tell me, PBMs put a gun to their head.

Raise your prices, i.e. raise your rebate, or youre off our formulary.

Dan: And of course, doing business in a back room someplace is what makes all this possible.

Geoffrey Joyce: Everything is, is proprietary. No one can see what kind of discount or rebates theyre getting, and no one really knows how much is being retained and how much is being passed on. And anytime you have that lack of information and lack of clarity, theres, its its a ripe environment for abuse and excess profit.

Dan: Theres just one other thing, and Im kind of reluctant to tell you this cuz I have this rule about the show where its supposed to be more entertaining and empowering and maybe useful than it is enraging and terrifying and depressing. But I cannot hold back this part. So here it is:

That knot, that tangle of deals with money going back and forth and the PBMs in the middle of everything.That knot is getting tighter. Cuz the players are merging with each other. Those three big PBMs, one of them is CVS, the drug store chain, which is also merging with an insurance company, Aetna, and the other two?

One belongs to an insurance company, and the other is getting bought by one.

Geoffrey Joyce: They always argue there are economies of scale and synergies, et cetera. Historically, weve seen the consumers lose when you see greater and greater concentration within an industry.

Dan: Great. *exasperated sigh*

You know whats funny? None of this quite answers the question I started with. Why were there so many prices for that one generic prescription I tried to fill? And it turns out, Jeffrey Joyce has actually done research on this narrow little question, random prices at the drugstore. He sent hundreds of USC students to drugstores in LA with fake prescriptions to fill. His findings: My experience was not a one-off. Not an accident.

Geoffrey Joyce: And its basically the drug store or whatever saying, Hey, heres a consumer that may or may not know the price, and we can charge them what we think we can get away with.

Dan: So Mr. Gower is still with us, and hes also trying to make a buck however he can.

Geoffrey Joyce: You or your child is sick and you need an antibiotic. Youve maybe not used that antibiotic in the past, or its been a long time. You dont know what the price of that is. You dont know what a reasonable price is.

Dan: Your doctors like, you need a Z-Pak.

Geoffrey Joyce: Exactly.

And when you walk in, would you know if a Z-Pak is, you know, a hundred dollars? That that may be the price you have no idea.

Dan: So basically we gotta watch our backs with everyone, which is turning into kind of a theme on this show. And sometimes I guess an outfit like GoodRx can help us know if Mr. Gower is trying to put one over on us. And it offers discounts with those coupons it has. So I asked Jeffrey, Joyce, and the other experts I talked with, how do I need to watch my back with GoodRx?

I mean, theres a catch right? And they said, no, not exactly, except that its, you know, just a bandaid. Its not changing anything about the big picture with the PBMs and all the other players. In fact, when GoodRx shows us a coupon for a discount, its because theyve made a deal with a pharmacy benefit manager behind the scenes to get it.

So GoodRx wrangles its prices outta that same crazy float chart, that same crazy knot that produce the jacked up prices we see. And presumably its finding a way to make a profit, but if a bandaid is useful to you, I guess its useful.

Thats where we left things four years ago.

I wanna recap my big takeaway from that Adventure: PBMs push drug makers to set higher list prices because the higher the list price goes, the bigger the rebate, the cash payout the PBMs can grab.

And heres a couple things that we didnt hit. By setting preferred drugs based on which company gives em the biggest rebates, and by making us pay super high prices for anything else. PBMs work with insurance companies to limit access to drugs.

And if you have a high deductible, or a copay, or percentage of list price youre supposed to pay at the pharmacy counter, the PBM still gets their full rebate.

In other words, some of the money coming outta your pocket may go directly to them.

Some things have changed since we first put this story out. The biggest PBMs have gotten bigger. For instance, the biggest, Express Scripts, now covers 100 million people, up from 80 million.

And the biggest PBMs have been experimenting with new shenanigans  enough for at least a whole new episode.

But not all the news is bad. In the last few years, state legislatures have passed 150 laws attempting to regulate PBMs. Every state has passed at least one.

A few states have passed laws saying that PBMs have to pass rebates along the consumers at the pharmacy counter.

In other words, trying to stop the PBMs from that situation where theyre getting money directly outta your pocket.

Couple other states have passed laws saying PBMs cannot force you to use their mail order pharmacies, which great, but geez, I guess that means its legal in 48 states and Congress has held five hearings so far this year specifically on PBMs with members from both parties eager to get their licks in.

I am not saying that the cavalry or Congress is about to ride in and fix everything. I wish. But I am saying, by understanding better whats going on, we can get a better sense of what we want our elected folks to do. Ill catch you in a few weeks till then, take care of yourself.

This episode of An Arm and a Leg was produced by me, Dan Weissmann, with help from Emily Pisacreta and Bella Czajkowski. Whitney Henry-Lester edited this story in 2019, and Ellen Weiss edited this updated version.

Daisy Rosario is our consulting managing producer. Adam Raymonda is our audio wizard. Our music is by Dave Winer and Blue Dot Sessions.

Gabrielle Healy is our managing editor for audience. She edits the First Aid Kit Newsletter.

Bea Bosco is our consulting director of operations. Sarah Ballema is our operations manager.

An Arm and a Leg is produced in partnership with KFF Health News.

Thats a national newsroom producing in-depth journalism about health care in America, and a core program at KFF  an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

Zach Dyer is senior audio producer at KFF Health News. He is editorial liaison to this show.

Thanks to Public Narrative  That's a Chicago-based group that helps journalists and non-profits tell better stories for serving as our fiscal sponsor, allowing us to accept tax-exempt donations. You can learn more about Public Narrative at http://www.publicnarrative.org.

And thanks to everybody who supports this show financially.

If you haven't yet, we'd love for you to join us. The place for that is armandalegshow.com/support.

Thanks for pitching in if you can, and thanks for listening!
The process of introduction of international flight services between Agartala and Chittagong in Bangladesh is in an advanced stage, a senior minister informed the assembly on Thursday.

Replying to a question by CPI(M) MLA Jitendra Chaudhury, Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury told the House the international flight service from Agartalas Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport to Chittagong could kick-start at any point of time. It was supposed to be launched by June, Chowdhury said.

Low-cost carrier SpiceJet has got the contract for launching the Agartala-Chittagong flight services under UDAN scheme.

On the resumption of flights from the now defunct Kailashahar Airport in Unakoti district, he said the BJP government has initiated a move to resume air service from the airport for the benefit of the people.

If we want to resume flight service from an existing airport, we need to have an additional 75 acres. The Unakoti District Magistrate (DM) has been asked to prepare a project report for the Kailashahar airport", he said.

The state also has a DPR prepared by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for opening a new greenfield airport at Kailashahar in Hiracherra tea estate, about 140 km from here.

Both the proposals are being deliberated upon for resuming air connectivity from Kailashahar, the headquarters of Unakoti district.

The old airport located near the Indo-Bangla border has been shut down since the early 90s on account of a lack of passengers.
Stocks to Watch on July 13: Nifty futures traded 10 points, or 0.05 per cent, lower at 19,555, signaling that Dalal Street was headed for a flat start on Thursday. Heres a slew of stocks that will be in focus today for various reasons.

Quarterly earnings today

Wipro, Angel One, Federal Bank among others will announce their first quarter results today.

Tata Consultancy Services: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Ltd on Wednesday reported a 16.84% year-on-year rise in its consolidated net profit for the fiscals first quarter ended June (Q1FY24) to Rs 11,074 crore. The company had reported a profit of Rs 9, 478 crore in the year-ago period. Sequentially, the consolidated net profit was down 2.8%. The IT companys consolidated revenue from operations stood at Rs 59,381 crores during the quarter ended June from Rs 52,758 crore in Q1FY23. Sequentially, up 0.4% from Rs 59,162 crore in Q4FY23.

HCL Tech: HCL Technologies Ltd, Indias third largest software services exporter, reported on Wednesday a 7.6% rise from a year earlier in fiscal first-quarter net profit at Rs 3,534 crore. The company posted rupee revenues of Rs 26,296 crore during the June quarter, which marked a 12.1% rise from a year earlier but fell 1.2% sequentially. Revenues grew 6.3% from a year earlier in constant currency (CC) terms. The earnings lagged expectations of the company as well as of the Street.

HDFC Bank: On July 13, HDFC stock will be delisted and will begin trading under the name of HDFC Bank. As a result, HDFC will be removed from the stock market, and shareholders will have their shares converted to HDFC Bank. Following the conversion, shareholders of HDFC Ltd will hold a 41% stake in HDFC Bank Ltd. This transaction, which took place on April 4, 2022, is considered the largest in Indias corporate history. HDFC Bank agreed to acquire the largest domestic mortgage lender in a deal worth approximately $40 billion, leading to the creation of a formidable financial services powerhouse.

Vedanta: Vedanta has lined up partners for semiconductor ventures, its chairman Anil Agarwal said at the 58th Annual General Meeting (AGM) today. The company has a number of partners and is waiting for government approvals, he said. The announcement came days after its earlier partner Foxconn decided to discontinue the partnership with Vedanta. We will begin our historic foray in semiconductor fab and glass fab manufacturing, post governments approval. This will open an entirely new avenue of rapid growth for the company in a sector that is strategic for the country," he added.

Hindalco Industries: The board of directors of Hindalco Industries Limited has approved a proposal to sell a land parcel at Kalwa, Maharashtra, for Rs 595 crore. The land parcel is located in the Kalwa MIDC area and has a total area of 12.95 acres. The sale of the land parcel is part of Hindalcos strategy to focus on its core businesses and reduce its debt. The proceeds from the sale will be used to repay debt and for other general corporate purposes.

SpiceJet: SpiceJet on Wednesday said its promoter Ajay Singh will infuse Rs 500 crore into the company to strengthen the airlines financial position. The fresh equity infusion will help the carrier in accessing additional credit facilities of Rs206 crore under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), the company said in a statement. The board of SpiceJet on Wednesday considered options for raising fresh capital for the company, where Ajay Singh in order to strengthen the financial position of the company, offered to infuse 500 crore.

Wipro: IT services firm Wipro Ltd will invest $1 billion in artificial intelligence (AI) over the next three years. The investment will help the company advance its foundation in AI, data and analytics capabilities, build new consulting capabilities and more, Wipro said in a statement on Wednesday. The company has also launched a serviceWipro ai360, an AI-first innovation ecosystem, and said it would train all of its about 250,000 employees on AI over the next 12 months.

Patanjali Foods: Food and ayurvedic products firm Patanjali Foods Ltd on Wednesday said its primary promoter Patanjali Ayurved Ltd is planning to divest at least 7% of the stake for Rs 2,533.9 crore via an OFS on exchanges. The OFS is aimed to help Patanjali Foods adhere to the minimum public shareholding guidelines of Sebi. An exchange filing says the OFS will involve the sale of 25.3 million shares at 1,000 apiece by Patanjali Ayurved. The subscription for the OFS will begin on Thursday and end on Friday. Retail investors can place their bids on 14 July.

Thomas Cook India: Travel services provider Thomas Cook India on Wednesday said its UAE subsidiary DEI Holdings Limited has acquired a 50 per cent stake in 500 FT SPV Limited. Thomas Cook India did not divulge details of the quantum of investment made by DEI Holdings in 500 FT SPV Limited, a UAE-incorporated firm. DEI Holdings Limited (DEI), a 51% step-down subsidiary of the company in UAE, has invested in 500 FT SPV Limited," a company incorporated in the UAE. Post the investment, DEI owns a 50% stake in 500 FT SPV Limited, Thomas Cook India informed the BSE in a regulatory filing.

Power Finance Corporation: State-owned Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has filed a draft shelf prospectus to raise Rs 10,000 crore through NCDs. The company filed the prospectus on 6 July with the BSE. The public issue of secured, rated, listed, and redeemable NCDs will have a face value of Rs 1,000 each and will be issued in one or more tranches. PFC plans to utilize at least 75% of the net proceeds for onward lending, financing, refinancing existing debt, and debt servicing, while up to 25% will be allocated for general corporate purposes.
Indias IT majors Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and HCL Technologies have announced their first quarter (Q1 FY24) results, with both, as per analysts, showing resilience in navigating the challenging global macroeconomic headwinds and recessionary trends. While TCS has demonstrated strong performance in certain areas, HCL Tech showcases promising growth potential and notable developments.

TCS on Wednesday reported a 16.8 per cent jump in its consolidated net profit to Rs 11,074 crore for the June 2023 quarter. Its consolidated revenue increased nearly 13 per cent YoY to Rs 59,381 crore. HCL Technologies declared Rs 3,534 crore net profit in Q1 for the financial year 2023-24 along with an interim dividend of Rs 10 share. It announced a 7.6 per cent year-on-year increase in net profit for the first quarter which ended on June 30.

While shares of TCS were trading 2.76 per cent or Rs 89.90 higher at Rs 3,350 apiece on the BSE during the trade on Thursday, HCL Technologies was also trading up by 0.23 per cent or Rs 2.55 to Rs 1,112.60 on the BSE.

Siddharth Bhaisora, the investment advisor at Wright Research, said, Both TCS and HCL Tech have shown resilience in navigating the challenging global macroeconomic headwinds and recessionary trends, but their recent performances display contrasting trends. TCS has shown solid performance, meeting and even slightly surpassing estimates despite some margin pressure. Its total contract value of $10.2 billion bodes well for future revenues, while the commitment to investing in emerging technologies indicates an ambitious growth strategy."

He added that HCL Techs recent performance, on the other hand, shows some signs of struggle, with a decrease in net profit and EBITDA margins, and muted growth in what is usually a strong quarter for the sector. This suggests that the company is facing some challenges. However, the companys CEO is expecting an improvement in other verticals, and the firm has retained its revenue growth and operating margin guidance for FY24.

What Do Q1 Results Mean For TCS, HCL Investors?

Girish Sodani, head (equity market) at Swastika Investmart Ltd, said, Numbers and results are the same as expected because the IT sector slow down mostly in the first quarter as well as the growth in the international market. After analysing the Q1FY24 earnings and guidance of TCS and HCL Tech, it is recommended that investors consider buying HCL Tech stock due to its expansion and positive points. While TCS has demonstrated strong performance in certain areas, HCL Tech showcases promising growth potential and notable developments."

He added that TCS reported an order book of 10.2 billion, reflecting a healthy pipeline of future projects. Additionally, its operating cashflows stood at 11,535 crores, indicating the companys ability to generate substantial cash. TCS also declared a dividend of Rs 9 per share, providing an attractive return to investors.

On the other hand, HCL Tech missed the estimated numbers but exhibited positive aspects. Although its order book stood at $2 billion, the company showcased growth in key sectors. Financial services grew by 14.4 per cent, manufacturing by 16.5 per cent, and life science and healthcare by 13.4 per cent on a year-on-year basis, collectively contributing 60 per cent to HCL Techs growth.

Considering HCL Techs expansion plans, strong financial performance, and growth in key sectors, it is advisable for investors to consider buying HCL Tech stock. However, it is essential for investors to conduct thorough research, consider their risk appetite, and evaluate their individual investment goals before making any investment decisions," said Sodani.

Wright Researchs Siddharth Bhaisora said that given these performances, investors may want to hold onto or even increase their positions in TCS given its robust order book, and its focus on innovation and emergent technologies, which could potentially drive future growth.

As for HCL Tech, it might be prudent for investors to exercise some caution in the near term, they should monitor the companys performance over the next few quarters due to some signs of struggle. However, the managements optimistic outlook and strategic emphasis on diverse verticals could bode well for the future, suggesting potential upside," HCL Tech said.

Aamar Deo Singh, head (advisory) at Angel One, said TCS management predicted tech spending is going to remain strong but there is some softening in the pipeline in the near term.

Singh said TCS shares have corrected seven times out of 12 in the last quarters, and the company is currently trading sideways, with critical support found around the Rs 3,000 mark and resistance seen around the Rs 3,500 level.

HCL Tech has been under selling pressure in recent days, with support identified around the Rs 1,000 mark and resistance anticipated around the Rs 1,160-1,170 zone. Investors are encouraged to trade with caution as IT equities, in general, may experience volatility in the coming days," said Singh.
Buffalo police investigating vandalism damage at MLK Jr. Park casino

Buffalo police are investigating recent incidents of vandalism in Martin Luther King Jr. Park that could cost more than $50,000 to repair, according to a spokesman for Mayor Byron W. Brown.

Spokesman Michael J. DeGeorge said city police and Department of Public Works officials determined that a majority of the damage occurred at the park casino, which has been under construction. The vandalism to the casino includes damage to the kitchen area, as well as significant damage to walls, light fixtures, doors, windows and an exterior sign that was removed from the building.

Police are also investigating an overnight incident Wednesday in which a large amount of industrial glue was poured near the basin of the MLK splash pad. The splash pad remain closed for the immediate future as city crews work to remove the glue.

The city has invested more than $2 million during a three-phase reconstruction project at the MLK Casino. An additional $8 million in capital improvements have been made to the park, including the addition of the splash pad, playgrounds, park shelters and other improvements.

Police are asking anyone with information on the vandalism at the park to call or text the confidential tip line at 716-847-2255.

- Harold McNeil
Edtech giant Byjus on Thursday said SBI former chairman Rajnish Kumar and Infosys former CFO T V Mohandas Pai have accepted their invitation to join the companys newly constituted Advisory Council. It comes against the backdrop of the startup currently facing troubles, including recent debt repayment issues and the Enforcement Directorates heat.

This Council will play a pivotal role in advising and mentoring Byjus board and its CEO Byju Raveendran, on crucial matters that shape the companys future," Byjus said in a statement.

It added that the appointment of these two esteemed thought leaders in finance and governance to the Advisory Council underscores Byjus commitment to enhancing its financial governance mechanisms and leveraging expert advice to drive sustainable growth and strategic decision-making.

The Byjus Advisory Council is poised to bring fresh perspectives and finance acumen to help Byjus maintain its position as a global leader in the ed-tech space.

T V Mohandas Pai said in the statement, As part of the Advisory Council, I look forward to advising the leadership in evolving the systems of governance and financial reporting, as well as to grow an organisational structure that can serve as a resilient foundation for the future of the company."

Rajnish Kumar said, (The company) has reached out to engage with experienced professionals with a proven track record of running large corporates and with a deep understanding of governance issues. The company has achieved an impressive growth trajectory and has built significant scale in its base of revenue, operations, and global presence."

He added that with calibrated guidance from experienced advisors who have come together to support these dynamic entrepreneurs, the company will be able to move forward and continue to contribute to this very important field of education.

Divya Gokulnath and Byju Raveendran, founders of Byjus, in the statement, said, We are truly honoured to welcome Rajnish Kumar and T V Mohandas Pai in the BYJUS Advisory Council. Their decision to join this council is a resounding vote of confidence in our mission, vision, and strategic direction. Their unparalleled leadership experience and deep understanding of the finance and technology domains will greatly enrich our strategic initiatives and strengthen our governance."

They said that with their invaluable insights and expertise, they are confident that they will continue to have a transformative impact on the education landscape.

T V Mohandas Pai is a distinguished recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri Award. Mohandas Pais impressive tenure as the former CFO and Board Member at Infosys shaped his reputation in the technology industry. His vast experience including serving the boards of regulatory authorities, provided him with exposure to the economy and regulatory domains.

As the co-founder of Akshaya Patra, the worlds largest midday meal program, he has demonstrated a pioneering commitment to social causes. Notably, his leadership of Aarin Capital, a leading private equity fund and an early investor in BYJUS, reflects his belief in the companys potential.

Rajnish Kumar, a renowned figure in the finance world, brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge to the Advisory Council. His remarkable leadership skills, demonstrated during his tenure as the chairperson of the State Bank of India, have been instrumental in catalysing transformative changes across Indias financial institutions. His extensive experience in leading a tech startup at scale makes him an invaluable addition to the newly constituted Council.
In a tweet posted this morning, Punjabs Education Minister, Harjot Singh Bains, announced an initiative that is taking students from Government Schools of Eminence (SOE) to Sriharikota to witness Chandrayaan 3s launch on July 14th. According to the tweet, 40 students from Punjabs Schools of Eminence (SOE) are travelling to Sriharikota for three days to attend the Chandrayaan3 launch. Additionally, he said that students will have the opportunity to tour the whole ISRO facility in Sriharikota and learn about the countrys advancements in space technology.

Envisaging vision of Honble CM @BhagwantMann Ji to provide the best learning experience for the students of School Of Eminence (SOE).40 students of SOE from various districts of Punjab are taking off for Sriharikota to witness the launch of #Chandrayaan3. On this 3 day trip, pic.twitter.com/r21ItTwruV  Harjot Singh Bains (@harjotbains) July 13, 2023

Students will get the chance to witness and experience a landmark event in Indias space exploration journey by attending the launch. After Chandrayaan 1s successful mission and Chandrayaan 2s shortcomings, Chandrayaan 3 reflects Indias continued efforts in lunar exploration. Furthermore, by visiting the ISRO facility in Sriharikota, the trip will provide students with firsthand exposure to the many facets of Indias scientific and technical breakthroughs in the realm of space exploration.

Students are likely to get the chance to speak with the engineers and scientists who are involved in various ISRO initiatives, which may motivate them to explore careers in Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

The Chandrayaan-3 will be carried atop the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM 3) rocket. Scientists and engineers began working on the spacecrafts design and assembly in January 2020, when it entered its development phase. Stronger impact legs for the lander is one of the most important improvements ISRO has made after studying the failures of the last mission. The new Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) sensor, which has been installed on the lander named Vikram, will be used to gather information on Earths light emission and reflection.

The spacecraft is anticipated to reach the moons South Pole and operate there for one lunar day, which is roughly 14 Earth days. Chandrayaan-3 is expected to take approximately thirty days to get from Earth to the moon. The landing is presently slated for August 23-24.
Numerous states in India have had to close their schools as well as colleges as a result of the devastation caused by heavy rainfall. North India, especially Delhi-NCR, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, have been severely affected by flash floods, frequent downpours, and flood-like conditions. Authorities have taken precautions since the safety of the children and instructors has been their highest priority.

State governments are actively monitoring the situation and taking the necessary actions to reduce the impact of the rains as well as strengthen municipal infrastructure and drainage systems in order to minimise the consequences of any future extreme weather events such as this.

Here is a list of the states that have issued directives ordering the closure of their schools due to recent torrential downpours and flooding.

Uttar Pradesh

Owing to the rising flood levels in the Yamuna River and heavy rains, the Gautam Buddha Nagar district authority in Uttar Pradesh has announced that all schools would be closed on July 14. Similarly, schools in Ghaziabad would remain closed until July 15 as a result of prolonged rainfall.

Punjab

Punjab has also been severely affected by the heavy downpour, leading to the closure of government, private, and aided schools until July 16. The states education minister, Harjot Singh Bains, made the announcement via Twitter. This decision was made to ensure the safety of students as the rains persisted, causing widespread flooding.

Delhi

Delhi has been dealing with a flood-like condition, prompting schools to close temporarily. Civil Lines and Shahadra are two of the afflicted localities where government and private schools have been asked to shut down due to severe flooding. CM Arvind Kejriwal, also said that all schools, colleges, and institutions will be closed through Sunday. DelhiNCRs infrastructure has been severely damaged by the incessant rains, which have left several roadways and residential areas knee-deep in water.

Uttarakhand

In view of the Indian Meteorological Departments forecast of continuous rains, the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand has also announced a holiday for schools today, July 13.

Himachal Pradesh

Severe rains in Himachal Pradesh led to the closure of all government and private schools affiliated with various education boards such as the state, CBSE, and ICSE. Due to the weather in the area, this precautionary action has been taken to safeguard both students and teachers. District administrations will issue further information on the reopening of schools.
The Gautam Buddh Nagar administration on Thursday ordered that all schools up to Class 12 will remain closed across Noida and Greater Noida on Friday on account of the Yamuna crossing the danger mark and chances of rain.

The Yamuna crossed the danger mark of 200.60 metres downstream of Okhla Barrage around 11.45 am Thursday, according to the Irrigation Department.

District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma, who himself went on an inflated boat to inspect low-lying areas submerged in water along the river, issued the order for the closure of schools.

Due to the high level of water in the Yamuna after heavy rains and in view of chances of rain, the district magistrate has ordered closure of all schools of all boards on July 14, District Inspector of Schools Dharmveer Singh said.

The Irrigation Department, in a statement, said the Yamuna has crossed the danger mark of 200.60 metre and there is a possibility that the level would only increase further.

The Okhla Barrage is currently discharging water at 3,48,765 qu sec, which is more than its envisaged capacity, it noted.

Meanwhile, senior administration and police officials inspected the flooded low-lying areas along the Yamuna in Noida and Greater Noida on Thursday morning, even as firefighters and personnel of the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force helped evacuate stray animals.

Taking stock of the situation, DM Verma instructed the officers of the NDRF, the SDRF and the police department to keep a close watch on the situation.

People and cattle trapped in water from flood-affected villages are being rescued by NDRF and SDRF teams and taken to safe places. The DM took stock of the situation after reaching Dostpur Mangrauli, Nagla Nagli, Shakpur, Nangli Wajidpur, and while inspecting the shelter homes that have been built for the rescued people, instructed the authorities concerned that the people who were rescued and brought here should get basic facilities like shelter, food and drinking water, according to an official statement.

The DM also cautioned the villagers living on the banks of the Yamuna River that the water level of the Yamuna River would continue to rise for the next few hours. All villagers should be alert and reach safe places, the statement added.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued the marks of recommended candidates for the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) II, 2022. Candidates can now check their scores on the official website of UPSC at upsc.gov.in. As per the official notice, a total of 302 candidates have been qualified on the basis of the CDS II exam that was conducted by the commission and the interview rounds which were held by the Services Selection Board (SSB) of the Ministry of Defence.

These candidates are recommended for admission to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun; Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (Pre-Flying) Training Course and the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala.

The results of Medical Examination of candidates have not been taken into account in preparing the merit list. The candidature of all the candidates is Provisional. Verification of Date of Birth and Educational Qualification of these Candidates will be done by Army Head Quarters, read an official notice.

The UPSC CDS II exam was conducted on September 9, 2022, and held at several exam centres across the country. The final results were declared on July 4. It is important to note that the UPSC CDS II results have been released on the basis of the performance of the applicants in the written exam and interview rounds.

UPSC CDS II 2022 Marks: How To Download

Step 1: Log on to UPSCs official website,upsc.gov.in.

Step 2: On the homepage, look for and click on the link that reads  MARKS OF RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES - COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES (II) EXAMINATION, 2022.

Step 3: Soon after clicking, a new PDF file will open displaying the recommended candidates details.

Step 4: Check the marks and download the PDF file.

The PDF file of recommended candidates displays  the candidates name, roll number, Date of Birth, total marks in the written exam, total marks in the SSB exam and the final marks secured.

Applicants can obtain more details regarding the results by accessing the UPSCs official website. However, the marks of the recommended candidates will be available on the commissions website within 15 days from the date of announcement of the final results for a period of 30 days.
Popular television actors Shoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar have recently welcomed their baby boy and have moved into the actors sister Saba Ibrahims house. The couple was spotted leaving the hospital with their newborn on Monday, and due to ongoing renovations in their own home, they have opted to stay at Sabas place for the time being. Now, in a recent interview, Saba addressed previous online criticisms about not allowing people to stay at her house, stating that Shoaib and Dipikas decision to reside with her serves as justification against negative comments.

She also shared a glimpse of the joyful atmosphere in her house as they prepare to welcome the newest addition to the family. Saba emphasized that her house is open to everyone in her family, and she encourages them to use it regardless of her own whereabouts. This move was prompted by the paint smell from the ongoing renovations, which could potentially affect the newborn. It belongs to everyone in my family. I always tell everyone to use it no matter where I stay. But there are some people who think that I dont give my house, I feel theres no reason to justify," she said.

Saba Ibrahim added that as she faced these negative comments, her mother assured her that everyone would release the truth when the right time comes. Her mother added, Be it a house or anything at our place, it belongs to everyone. We believe in sharing everything with everyone."

Meanwhile, in her vlog, Saba Ibrahim also gave a glimpse of the preparation she did for Shoaib and Dipikas visit with the newborn. Saba was also seen gifting a gold bracelet to the new mother.

Shoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar became parents on June 21. Announcing the birth of his first child, Shoaib on his Instagram stories wrote, Alhamdulillah today 21st June 2023 early morning we are blessed with a baby boy. Its a premature delivery nothing much to worry. Keep us in your prayers." Reportedly, the baby was kept in the NICU for a few days after birth.
Actress Aeshra Patel who is one of the accomplished Indian Supermodels is now foraying into acting. Aeshra was recently seen in Inspector Avinash", a crime thriller web series for Jio Cinemas directed by Neeraj Pathak.

The web series which stars Aeshra alongside Randeep Hooda and many more recognized actors is based on a true-life incident in 1997. The story revolves around the super cop Avinash Mishra of Uttar Pradesh who takes battles to reach the head of the weaponry cartel.

Prepare to be amazed by Aeshra Patels mind-blowing acting skills in the crime thriller. Starring alongside the famous actor Randeep Hooda and a talented cast, Aeshra brings her character, an intelligent doctor navigating personal agitation, to life with mesmerizing finesse. Audiences are sure to be blown away by her fascinating on-screen performance.

Aeshra, hailing from the village of Kavitha in Gujarat, rose to fame through the Miss India Contest and became the face of renowned brands like Ponds, Lakme, and Oriflame. She graced the iconic Kingfisher calendar and walked the runways of major fashion weeks. The audience adored Aeshras outstanding performance as Heena Desai in the acclaimed film Barot House," which aired on Zee5. Now, she is determined to pursue her acting career, aiming to showcase her talent and seize new opportunities that come her way.
Four Kanwariyas, on an annual pilgrimage of devotees of Lord Shiva, were killed and at least 15 injured after a truck they were travelling in met with a major accident in Delhi.

An official said that of the 20-23 kanwar yatris, 15 were injured and four were killed on the spot, while whereabouts of remaining are being traced. He said that two injured were referred to a higher centre (Balaji Action Centre in Paschim Vihar), while others were sent to Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra Hospital in Narela.

According to the preliminary investigation, a Haryana number plate truck was going towards Delhi and had crossed the central divider of GTK road when it rammed the truck of the kanwar yatris that was coming from the opposite direction (towards Haryana) on GT Karnal Road (national highway 44).

A source said that of the injured, five were sent to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital in Jahangirpuri. The accused truck driver is absconding, while the road has been cleared for vehicular traffic. An official said that a case has been registered at Alipur police station and further investigation is underway.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh on Thursday alleged that a call was made using his name and mobile number to demand money from the partys Madhya Pradesh unit president Rani Agarwal.

A call was also made to AAPs Mumbai unit chief Preeti Sharma Menon, he tweeted.

A big fraud is going on in my name and number. First a call was made to Madhya Pradesh president Rani Agarwal and money was demanded from her. Then a call was made to Mumbai president Preeti Sharma Menon, Singh tweeted, urging the police authorities in Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh to take cognisance and take action.

Menon claimed that the person who made the call to her using Singhs number demanded some information about the party.

@CPMumbaiPolice imagine my surprise when a strange voice spoke to me from our MP Sanjay Singhs number and requested some information about the party! Claimed to be his assistant. But it turns out it was not his number at all! How can scammers imitate numbers of people? Menon tweeted.

On Wednesday, a Congress spokesman in Madhya Pradesh said the partys state unit chief Kamal Naths mobile phone was hacked by fraudsters who made calls to four party leaders and sought Rs 10 lakh from each of them.

Congress office-bearers caught two persons who allegedly made the calls and then came to collect money in Bhopal, said the spokesman, adding that the duo, who hailed from Gujarat, was handed over to the police.
Scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) carried a miniature model of Chandrayaan-3 to offer prayers at the Tirupati temple on Friday as the space agency gears up to begin the launch countdown at 1pm.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission is slated to be launched at 2.35pm onboard a Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) from the spaceport of Sriharikota on July 14. It will be a follow-up mission after the crash-landing of Chandrayaan-2 in September 2019 due to a software glitch.

According to ISRO Chairman S Somanath, while Chandrayaan-2 had a success-based design, Chandrayaan-3 has a failure-based one.

We expanded the area of landing from 500m x 500m to four km by 2.5 km. It can land anywhere, so it doesnt limit you to target a specific point. It will target a specific point only in nominal conditions. So, if the performance is poor, it can land anywhere within that area, Somanath said.

On Monday, he shared minute details about what went wrong with the Vikram lander of Chandrayaan-2 as it went hurtling down towards the identified 500m x 500 m landing spot on the lunar surface with the engines designed to reduce its velocity developing higher thrust than expected.

The primary issues were, one we had five engines which were used to give the reduction of the velocity, which is called the retardation. These engines developed higher thrust than what was expected, he told reporters.

Somanath said that when such a higher thrust was happening, the errors on account of this differential were accumulated over some period.

All the errors got accumulated, which was on the higher side than what we had expected. The craft had to make very fast turns. When it started to turn very fast, its ability to turn was limited by the software, because we never expected such high rates to come. This was the second issue, the ISRO chief said.

He said the third reason for failure was the small 500m x 500m site identified for landing the spacecraft.

Chandrayaan-3 is also said to have more fuel so that it has more capability to travel or handle dispersion or move to an alternate landing site.

The ISRO chief said the Vikram lander now has additional solar panels on other surfaces to ensure that it generates power no matter how it lands.

We asked if it lands with higher velocity, what will happen? Can it not land? Then we increased the vertical velocity component from 2 m/s to 3 m/s and tested it totally, he said.
Officials in Warren County, Pa., announced plans Wednesday to improve security at the county jail in the wake of an escape nearly a week ago by a man with ties to the Jamestown area who is a suspect in a homicide.

During a news conference that was aired live by WIVB-TV, Warren County Commissioner Jeff Eggleston said the Prison Board and commissioners have met and reviewed data associated with the escape of Michael Burham, 34, on July 6. That review, he said, has resulted in immediate plans to make repairs on the roof of the prison yard, described as a 40-foot by 40-foot room with a cage on the top floor of the jail.

Search continues for homicide suspect who escaped Pennsylvania jail Police in Pennsylvania piled on the resources Monday as they spent a fourth straight day searching for a jail escapee with ties to the Jamestown area who is a suspect in a homicide.

Essentially, its a box that is on the top level of the jail, Eggleston said.

The roof has a square hole in it, with a chain link fence on steel girders on top of it, he added.

There are pieces that hold that fence. Those were broken. So that was the hole that allowed him to escape through the roof, Eggleston continued.

Jamestown residents warned to lock doors as search for escaped homicide suspect continues Jamestown police warned residents Friday morning to "lock their doors and stay vigilant" after Michael C. Burham, a suspect in the homicide of a woman in May and kidnapping of an elderly couple, escaped from jail in Warren County, Pa.

Officials have ordered that the space be augmented with deterrents and safety measures and that exercise equipment be removed and replaced with equipment that does not provide access to higher positions in the facility, according to a statement released by the board of commissioners read by Eggleston.

The commissioners anticipate that those structural fixes will be completed before the end of the week, though several other upgrades will take longer, they said.

In addition, officials are reviewing all policies and procedures related to inmate access and observation, so that changes can be made to increase security in the area from which Burham is believed to have escaped. Inmates are legally required to have access to the yard for outside exercise, they said, so it is crucial for the Prison Board to ensure that the facility is secure.

Commission Vice Chairman Benjamin Kafferlin said Warren County is conducting a rigorous internal investigation.

Were reviewing every second of video surveillance, taking statements, reviewing time stamps, tag out sheets and interviewing every individual who may have information, whether theyre inside or outside the jail, Kafferlin said.

Jamestown man sought in homicide captured in South Carolina Authorities in South Carolina have captured Michael C. Burham, the man being sought in connection with the May 11 homicide of a Jamestown woman, according to the FBI field office in Columbia.

This is the second time authorities have sought Burham in recent months.

Jamestown police began looking for him after the homicide of Kala M. Hodgkin, 34, who was found dead May 11.

Burham was arrested May 24 in South Carolina, and police have charged him with kidnapping a couple in Warren County and taking them to South Carolina.

He was being held in Pennsylvania on federal kidnapping charges at the time of his escape. Burham has not been charged in Hodgkins death, as prosecutors await results of lab tests.

We do not have people escape from the jail on a regular basis. So thats why every moment of everything that happened after he escaped is being reviewed so that we can make sure that all of those things get buckled down and taken care of if there is a deficiency, Eggleston said regarding the improvement of conditions at the jail.

Meanwhile, law enforcement investigating the escape into a sixth day Wednesday have received around 500 tips from the public, according to Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Commander George Bivens during another news conference later in the day.

We have received amazing support from the public in this investigation. That support includes both a significant number of tips, as well as assistance from local businesses with the logistical support of this operation, Bivens said.

He also asked the public to remain vigilant and to regularly review doorbell and other surveillance footage for possible sightings of Burham who, police believe, remains in the general vicinity not far from where he escaped. He said investigators recently learned that a drone may have been operated in the vicinity of the jail prior to Burhams escape and are seeking any relevant information about that claim from the public.
The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) Thursday expressed concern over the Supreme Court collegium's recommendation to shift Delhi High Court judge Justice Gaurang Kanth to the Calcutta High Court, saying such transfer will adversely affect the dispensation of justice on account of a reduction in the existing strength of judges.

The bar body has asked its members to abstain from work on July 17 as a token of protest, saying the transfer is a "rarest of rare case.

It is a matter of regret that while no attention is being paid by all concerned regarding the process of filling up the existing vacancies in the Delhi High Court, yet the transfer of sitting judges is being made thereby further reducing the existing strength of judges in the Delhi High Court, a resolution moved by its president Mohit Mathur and adopted by the bar body said.

The resolution requested the Supreme Court collegium to revisit its recommendation of transferring Justice Kanth.

The DHCBA said a copy of the resolution was also being sent to the central government requesting it to not act on the recommendation and instead call upon the collegium to reconsider the decision.

DHCBA unanimously resolves to request its members to abstain from work on Monday, that is, July 17, 2023, as a token of protest as the transfer is a rarest of rare case, the resolution said.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court collegium resolved to recommend the transfer of three judges of different high courts ignoring their representations for choice posting.

The collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, and also comprising Justices SK Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant, recommended the transfer of Delhi High Court judge Justice Gaurang Kanth to the Calcutta High Court.

Justice Kanth made a representation on July 7, 2023, requesting a transfer to the Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan High Court, or a court in any of the neighbouring states.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday for a private dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris. On his two-day visit to France, Modi was welcomed by Macron and the French First Lady for a momentous occasion to strengthen the bonds between the two leaders and cherish the deep-rooted bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Modi is here on a two-day visit during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with Macron and join him for the French National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.

A rendezvous with a close friend. PM @narendramodi warmly received by President @EmmanuelMacron for a private dinner at the historic Elysee Palace. An occasion for the two leaders to further strengthen their bonds of friendship and to cherish the deep-rooted India-France ties," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

Prime Minister Modis two-day intensive trip includes a slew of engagements with the French leadership, Indian diaspora, CEOs and prominent personalities.

On the first day of his two-day visit to France, PM Modi addressed Indian Community in Paris, emphasising Indias economic growth, poverty alleviation, and global influence. Celebrating the India-France partnership, he highlighted the countrys strength and the creation of a mini-India wherever Indians go.

Read More: Chandrayaan-3 Launch, Mbappes Fans in India: Modis Address to Diaspora in France | Quotes

Nurturing the living connect between India and France. PM @narendramodi interacted with the Indian diaspora in France. PM highlighted the multi-faceted linkages between India and France. He appreciated the Indian community for bolstering bilateral ties," Bagchi said in an earlier tweet.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the strides being made by India in different domains and invited the diaspora members to explore opportunities of investing in India.

Nurturing the living connect between &.PM @narendramodi interacted with the Indian diaspora in France. PM highlighted the multi-faceted linkages between &. He appreciated the Indian community for bolstering bilateral ties. Highlighted the strides being made by pic.twitter.com/NYhrjLXRY1  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 13, 2023

Ahead of his departure, Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership. Expansion of bilateral defence ties is expected to be a key focus of Prime Minister Modis talks with Macron.

Modi said his visit to France was particularly special as he will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership. Rooted in deep trust and commitment, the two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties.

From Paris, PM Modi will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an Official Visit on July 15.
Warning the global community about security challenges which have evolved from dynamite to metaverse and hawala to crypto currency, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday asked G20 member countries to rise above conventional boundaries and share information on real time to check all crimes in the cyber space. Speaking at the G20 Conference on Crime and Security in the Age of NFTs, AI & Metaverse, he underlined the threats emanating from cyber criminals using darknet, metaverse, deepfakes, ransomware and toolkit-based misinformation campaigns and strategic targeting of critical information and financial systems.

Without taking names, Shah said some anti-social elements and global forces are using technology to cause economic and social harm to citizens and governments. The G20 has so far focused on digital transformation and data flow from an economic perspective, but now it is important to understand the aspects of crime and security, and find a solution, he said.

Shah said such activities are a national concern as they directly impact national security, law and order, and the economy. If such crimes and criminals have to be stopped, we have to think and act by rising above the conventional geographic boundaries, he noted.

Although technology is a positive development in bringing human beings, communities, and countries closer, there are also some anti-social elements and global forces that are using technology to cause economic and social harm to citizens and governments, he added. The home minister suggested a slew of measures to act against cyber criminals operating across borders like bringing uniformity in laws of all countries, developing a response mechanism under different laws of the countries, harmonising bench marks, best practices and regulations, and greater coordination among cyber agencies of all countries.

An integrated and stable approach to cyber security policies will facilitate interoperability, increase trust in information sharing, and reduce the agency protocol and resources gaps. The need of the hour is to share real-time cyber threat intelligence among member countries with active support from industry and academia to secure the nations critical infrastructure, he said.

Cooperation in the investigation of cross-border cyber crimes through joint efforts to build a peaceful, secure, deterrent and open information and communication technology environment is extremely necessary today, the Home Minister said.

Shah said our internet vision should neither be one of excessive freedom threatening the very existence of our nations nor one of the isolationist structures such as digital firewalls. Many countries have become victims of cyber attacks and this threat is hovering over all the major economies of the world. According to World Bank estimates, cyber attacks could have caused losses of around USD 5.2 trillion to the world during 2019-2023. The use of crypto currency by malicious threat actors further complicates its detection and prevention, he said.

The home minster also suggested that in line with the United Nations Convention on the Criminal Use of Information and Communication Technology, speedy preservation, investigation and co-ordination of evidences is essential.

He said Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) must be strengthened to deal with emerging technologies.

There should be a 24X7 cyber securty mechanism in place for an effective predictive  preventive  protective and recovery action. Time has come to build a Transparent and Accountable Al (Artificial Intelliegence) and Emerging Technologies Governance Framework to ensure responsible use, he said.

Shah said given the rise in cyber crime involving digital currency, there is a need for a dedicated common channel among the nations to prevent such financial irregularities.

He said third-party verification of NFT (non-fungible token used by block chains and crypto currency) platforms will increase trust and curb criminal activities.

Citing the countrys steps to counter cyber criminals, Shah said India has set up certain open-access digital infastructure models which have become examples in the world today.

India has developed Aadhaar Model for digital identity, UPI mode for real time fast payment, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC, and Open Health Service Network, among others. The world today needs a new model for digital public infrastructure to facilitate the flow of information and finance. This will facilitate the countries of the world to digitally empower their citizens, he said. The home minister said the Indian government under Narendra Modi has worked towards outlining a uniform cyber strategy, real-time reporting of cyber-crimes, capacity building of LEAs (law enforcement agencies), designing analytical tools and setting up a national network of forensic laboratories, ensuring cyber hygiene, and spreading cyber awareness to every citizen. The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS) has been implemented in all police stations of the country. The Government of India has established the Indian Cyber-Crime Coordination Center (I4C) to ensure a comprehensive response against cyber crime, he said.

Shah added that India has created worlds largest training programme in cyber security through massive open online courses platform called the Cy Train portal.

We aim to create a Cyber Success World and not a Cyber Failure World. Together, we can harness the potential of these technologies while ensuring a secure and prosperous digital future for all, he said.
The Mumbai Police on Thursday said that it received a call from an unidentified caller who threatened to carry out a 26/11-like" terror attack if Seema Haider, who ran away from Pakistan with her four children and entered India illegally through Nepal, does not come back to her home country. However, the Mumbai Police has called it a hoax" call and ordered a probe into it.

The call was received on July 12 and the caller was heard saying in Urdu, If Seema Haider does not come back then India will be destroyed. The caller said that if the attack takes place, the Uttar Pradesh government would be responsible for it.

A senior officer told CNN-News18, It is a hoax call. We are gathering more details and verification of who called up is on."

Interestingly, a woman from Pakistan, Seema Haider was arrested for illegally entering India and staying in Greater Noida without valid documents earlier this month. She allegedly entered India illegally with her four children to be with a man she met on the gaming app PUBG Mobile.

ALSO READ: Pak Woman, Who Illegally Entered India to Meet PUBG Lover, Adopts Hinduism After Bail, Kids Names Changed

After getting bail from the court, Seema Haider converted to Hinduism and dropped her surname to adopt her love Sachins. The woman also claimed that she changed her kids names to suit her new faith.

The woman, from Pakistan, who is in her late 20s, established a friendship with the local man after connecting through the popular online game PUBG, according to officials.

Seema, who was a resident of the Khairpur district of Sindh province in Pakistan, first travelled to Nepal and then entered India without valid papers on May 13 to meet her lover she met on PUB-G. Since then, she and Sachin Meenathen began living together in a rented apartment in Greater Noidas Rabupura area.

The police were informed by an advocate who the couple had approached regarding legal ways of marriage, according to a Times of India report.

Sachin Meena has said that his family accepted Seema along with her children. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to grant her wife Indian citizenship.
In an interview to a French newspaper ahead of his departure for France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched India as a bridge between the Global South and the western world. He also hailed the deep cooperation between India and France and reiterated his SAGAR vision for both countries  Security and Growth for All in the Region.

PM Modi left for France on Thursday morning and is set to join President Emmanuel Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

In an interview with French newspaper Les Echos, PM Modi spoke about 25 years of India-France strategic partnership. I feel we are now at a turning point. If we look at the post-pandemic global order and the shape that it is taking, I think the positive experience of our strategic partnership is an important step ahead. So, we look forward to working on a roadmap for the next 25 years of the strategic partnership, which I think is very important for the relationship. The relationship is in excellent shape. It is strong, trusted and consistent. It has been steady and resilient in the darkest storms. It has been bold and ambitious in looking for opportunities," he said.

I see India being that strong shoulder. If Global South has to make that high jump, India can be that shoulder to propel it ahead. For the Global South, India can also build its linkages with Global North. So, in that sense, this shoulder can become a bridge of sorts. So, I feel that what we need is to strengthen this shoulder, this bridge so that linkages between the North and South can become stronger and the Global South can itself become stronger."

#BreakingNews | PM #NarendraModi, in an interview with French newspaper Les Echos, says, "I see India being that strong shoulder that if Global South has to make that high jump,India can be that shoulder to propel it ahead@_pallavighosh @anjalipandey06 #PMModiFranceVisit pic.twitter.com/szlRm1o1pT News18 (@CNNnews18) July 13, 2023

Speaking about challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, the PM told the French newspaper: Our (India & France) interests in the Indo-Pacific region are vast, and our engagement is deep. I have described our vision for this region in one word  SAGAR, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. While peace is necessary for the future we seek to build, it is far from assured. India has always stood for peaceful resolution of differences through dialogue and diplomacy, and for respecting sovereignty of all nations, international law and the rules-based international order."

In his departure statement, the PM expressed confidence that his visit to France will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership and said that he looks forward to holding wide-ranging discussions with President Macron on taking forward this time-tested relationship over the next 25 years.

I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years," Modi said. The Prime Minister pointed out that he has had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since his last Official Visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023 during the G-7 Summit.

I also look forward to my interactions with the French leadership, including Ms. Elisabeth Borne, Prime Minister of France, Mr. Gerard Larcher, President of the Senate, and Ms. Yael Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly," he said.

During his visit, Modi said, he will also have the opportunity to meet the vibrant Indian community, leading CEOs from both countries as well as prominent French personalities. I am confident that my visit will provide a new impetus to our strategic partnership," the Prime Minister said.
An inmate was killed and three others were injured in a clash between two groups in the Modern jail here on Thursday, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Simranjit Singh, they said.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Rajpal Singh Sandhu, said Singh succumbed to injuries in a hospital in Amritsar while three injured have been admitted to a local civil hospital and stated to be out of danger.

The two groups clash over some old enmity, Sandhu said, adding that police are investigating the case.

Meanwhile, the injured inmates told media persons in the local civil hospital that they were asleep in their barracks in the morning when some inmates attacked them with iron rods and sharp-edged weapons.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that he is travelling to France on an official visit at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron to join him in the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris where he will be the Guest of Honour.

Expansion of bilateral defence ties is expected to be a key focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modis two-day visit to Paris from July 13-14.

India and France mark the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership this year as the two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, and other areas.

I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years. I have had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since my last Official Visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023 during the G-7 Summit, PM Modi said in the departing statement released on Thursday.

The prime minister said that he will have interactions with the French leadership, including Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, Presidents of the Senate Gerard Larcher, and President of the National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet.

On the French National Day or Bastille Day celebrations, an Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade.

Three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will also join the flypast on the occasion along with French jets.

PM Modi said that he will meet the Indian diaspora, leading CEOs of the two countries and prominent French personalities.

During my visit, I will have the opportunity to meet the vibrant Indian community, leading CEOs from both countries as well as prominent French personalities. I am confident that my visit will provide a new impetus to our strategic partnership, PM Modi said.

From Paris, Modi will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an official Visit on July 15 where he will meet President and Ruler of UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year. I also look forward to exchanging views on strengthening global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate the energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement, he said.

He added that the visit to UAE will usher in a new chapter in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

(With inputs from Shalinder Wangu)
ON THIS DAY IN 2011: Today, July 12, 2023, is the 12th anniversary of the 2011 Mumbai bombings. The attacks, which took place on July 13, 2011, killed 26 people and injured 130 others. The blasts occurred at three different locations in Mumbai: the Opera House, Zaveri Bazaar, and Dadar between 6:54 pm and 7:06 pm IST.

13/7 BLASTS

The first explosion ripped through Zaveri Bazaar as a bomb concealed on a motorcycle detonated at 6:54 pm. Merely a minute later, at 6:55 pm, a tiffin box containing another explosive device was planted in the Opera House area, triggering the second blast. The final explosion of the 13/7 Mumbai bombings occurred at 7:06 pm, caused by a device placed on an electric pole in the Dadar area.

THE INVESTIGATION

An intensive investigation was launched to uncover the perpetrators behind this act of terror. Recognizing the severity of the incident, the Home Ministry classified the bomb blasts as a terrorist act. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was deployed to the bomb sites, taking charge of the investigation.

The investigation gained momentum when the Maharashtra ATS arrested an individual, who they claimed had stolen the motorbike used in the Zaveri Bazaar explosion.

THE BREAKTHROUGH

The breakthrough in the case arrived on January 23, 2012, when the Mumbai Police announced the arrest of two suspects originally from the Darbhanga district of Bihar. The logistics of their operation were purportedly managed by Yasin Bhatkal, co-founder of Indian Mujahideen (IM) and the mastermind behind the blasts.

A chargesheet was filed in the case in May 2012. Two years later, an accused who allegedly was funding the attacks was arrested at the Dabolim Airport in Goa in 2014.

THE TRIAL

The trial in the case began earlier this year before a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court. The accused in the case are facing charges of murder, causing hurt under the Indian Penal Code and offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and MCOCA.

The blasts were a tragic event that left a lasting impact on the city and the nation as a whole. It highlighted the ongoing threat of terrorism and the need for enhanced security measures to prevent such attacks in the future.
In todays edition of News18 Afternoon Digest, we are covering flood situations in low-lying areas in New Delhi. In other news, we are looking at the Chandrayaan-3 countdown.

Delhi Flood News LIVE: Water 100m from CM Kejriwals Residence; Yamuna Bank Station Shut

The low-lying areas near Delhis Kashmere Gate were flooded due to the rise in the water level of Yamuna. The river swelled to 207.83 metres on Wednesday, breaching its all-time high of 207.49 metres recorded in 1978. The authorities in north India have been working on a war footing to rescue stranded tourists, restore vehicular traffic on arterial roads and prevent floodwaters from entering new areas. READ MORE

Chandrayaan-3 Countdown Starts 1pm Today, ISRO Scientists Take Miniature Model to Tirupati | Watch

Scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) carried a miniature model of Chandrayaan-3 to offer prayers at the Tirupati temple on Friday as the space agency gears up to begin the launch countdown at 1 pm. READ MORE

Panchayat Polls Rivalry Threatens to Derail Oppns Bengaluru Meet Again as Cong, TMC Trade Blows in Bengal

The mega Opposition meeting in Bengaluru next week faces yet another hurdle with the Congress and Trinamool Congress refusing to see eye to eye after the recent panchayat elections in West Bengal. READ MORE

Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion: Finance Finalised for Dy CM Ajit Pawar, Say Sources

Maharashtra finance ministry has been finalised for Ajit Pawar, sources told News18 on Thursday. The reports emerged after the deputy chief minister reached Delhi on Wednesday to meet Union home minister Amit Shah and seek his intervention to solve the issue of portfolio distribution and cabinet expansion. READ MORE

Akshay Kumars OMG 2 Put on Hold by Censor Board Amid Adipurush Controversy? Heres What We Know

Akshay Kumars OMG 2 is set to release in August. However, a new report has claimed that the film has hit a roadblock in front of the Central Board of Certification (CBFC). While a report has claimed that the Censor Board has put a hold on the films release, another claim is that the committee has sent OMG 2 to the Revision Committee for a detailed review. The development comes shortly after Adipurush sparked controversy for its dialogues. READ MORE

Tech Talk | Game Over? Govts 28% GST Makes Online Gaming Companies Weigh Options, May Move Court

The 28 per cent GST on online gaming will lead to doomsday for a growing industry in India, said several industry experts as they urged the Centre to reconsider the move. With slim chances of the government overturning the decision, whats next for the fledgling industry in India? READ MORE
In a historic moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor, Frances highest award in military or civilian orders. PM Modi has become the first Indian PM to receive this prestigious recognition.

In the past, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor has been received by select leaders and eminent personalities from across the world. These include the former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, King Charles - the then Prince of Wales, former Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and former Secretary General of the United Nations, among others.

Adding to his illustrious collection, the latest honour bestowed on PM Modi by France is another testament to the series of top international awards he has received from various countries.

A warm gesture embodying the spirit of - partnership.PM @narendramodi conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest award in France by President @EmmanuelMacron. pic.twitter.com/OyiHCHMDX2  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 13, 2023

The previous honours given to Modi include the Order of the Nile by Egypt in June 2023, Companion of the Order of Logohu by Papua New Guinea in May 2023, Companion of the Order of Fiji in May 2023, Ebakl Award by the Republic of Palau in May 2023, Order of the Druk Gyalpo by Bhutan in 2021, Legion of Merit by the US Government in 2020 and King Hamad Order of the Renaissance by Bahrain in 2019.

The Prime Minister has also received the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin by Maldives in 2019, Order of St. Andrew award by Russia in 2019, Order of Zayed Award by UAE in 2019, Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award in 2018, State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan by Afghanistan in 2016 and Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud by Saudia Arabia in 2016.

Prime Minister Modi is here on a two-day visit during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with Macron and join him for the French National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour. Prime Ministers two-day intensive trip includes a slew of engagements with the French leadership, Indian diaspora, CEOs and prominent personalities.

Ahead of his departure, Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership. Expansion of bilateral defence ties is expected to be a key focus of Prime Minister Modis talks with Macron. Modi said his visit to France was particularly special as he will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership. Rooted in deep trust and commitment, the two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties.
Hamburg senior and recreation programs will have three more years at the current community building on Southwestern Boulevard.

But by July 2026, the town will have to find a new home for its Youth, Recreation and Senior Services.

The town and Frontier Central School District, which owns the building at 4540 Southwestern Blvd., signed a three-year lease for the property.

The school district had planned to locate a new educational program, the Big Picture Academy, at the former school this fall. But students in the academy will attend the program on the Erie Community College South Campus this September.

When the school district told the town it wanted to move a new high school program into the building, it caused an uproar among seniors using the building and town officials, who spent $1.7 million renovating it and planned on buying it in nine years.

The school district and town had an agreement for Hamburg to lease the building for up to 19 years, with the option to buy it for $1 at the end of the lease. But state Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa did not grant the necessary extension of the lease beyond 10 years.

While I would have preferred that the School District stand by the original deal, it became apparent during our conversations with Superintendent (Christopher J.) Swiatek that the original lease agreement provided little protection to the Town of Hamburg, Supervisor Randy Hoak said in a news release.

The town will have exclusive rights to the property for the first year. The school district will use part of the building, and some of the towns programming will be shifted to other locations, in the second and third years. The two will share access to the cafeteria and the gym.

The monthly rent for the first year is about $4,700, and it decreases to about $2,200 a month for the last two years. The town is responsible for lawn maintenance and snow and ice removal the first year, and the school district picks up the lawn maintenance and ice removal responsibilities the last two years.

Hoak said the towns long-term goal is to find a new, permanent home for a community center.

We are ready to move forward, he said.

The town plans to create a committee of town officials and representatives of youth, senior and recreation advisory groups.

Were going to lay all our current options on the table, and then do some brainstorming, some creative problem-solving, to see what other options we might want to explore, Hoak said.

That would include what space is available in other town locations and what programs can be relocated.

But our primary purpose is going to be to find a permanent home, he said. Our preference is to purchase a building that the town will have ownership of.
French President Emmanuel Macron bestowed the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is the highest French honour in military or civilian orders.

PM Modi will become the first Indian PM to receive this honour.
Read more

to drop to 208.45 metres by 3 am on Friday, Central Water Commission (CWC) Director Sharad Chandra told PTI.

The water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 208-metre mark Wednesday night and rose to 208.48 metres by 8 am on Thursday. It is expected to rise further, according to the Central Water Commission, which has termed it an extreme situation.

The Delhi government has banned the entry of heavy goods vehicles, barring those carrying essentials, in the city from four borders including Singhu as a precautionary measure in view of the rising Yamuna levels, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said on Thursday. Sharing a copy of the order issued by the Transport Department on Twitter, he said. Entry of Heavy Goods Vehicles has been banned from Singhu Border, Badarpur Border, Loni Border and Chilla Border as a precautionary measure in view of abnormally rising water level of Yamuna River.

The low-lying areas near Delhis Kashmere Gate were flooded due to the rise in the water level of Yamuna. The river swelled to 207.83 metres on Wednesday, breaching its all-time high of 207.49 metres recorded in 1978. The authorities in north India have been working on a war footing to rescue stranded tourists, restore vehicular traffic on arterial roads and prevent floodwaters from entering new areas. BJP leader and former Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur visited Kullu district and took review of the situation of the flood-affected areas.

As many as 2,000 tourists stranded in Himachal Pradeshs Kasol were evacuated and more than 300 tourist vehicles stuck in Lahaul following landslides and flash floods left for their respective destinations, the state government said.

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar also conducted an aerial survey of areas affected by three days of incessant downpour and announced Rs 4 lakh ex gratia to the kin of those who died in rain-related incidents. Financial assistance will also be provided to the poor and others whose houses have been affected by the rain, he said.

A total of 10 rain-related deaths have been reported from some of the affected districts. Food packets, water tankers and fodder for animals are being dispatched to the affected areas while people have been moved to safety, Khattar said.

With the Markanda, Tangri and Ghaggar rivers overflowing, Ambala was the worst affected, he said, adding that the Yamunanagar, Kaithal, Panipat and the Panchkula districts have also been hit by the recent incessant rainfall.

In Chandigarh, water supply, sewerage and roads have been damaged due to rain. Our first priority is to fix the water supply pipeline. In the next three-four days, all the minor work related to the roads will be done. It may take up to a month to fix the road which is completely broken, Chandigarh Municipal Corporation commissioner Anindita Mitra said.

Twelve people died in Uttar Pradesh in rain-related incidents within a span of 24 hours ending 8 pm on Wednesday, while 18 have died in Punjab and Haryana so far, according to official data.

Meanwhile, managing director of IMDs Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre said that light rain is likely to occur in a few places in Andhra Pradesh in the next three days. Heavy rain is likely in many districts of the coastal areas of the state after three days.
NATIONAL FRENCH FRY DAY 2023: National French Fry Day is just around the corner, and its time to embrace the joy of these golden, crispy, and salty delights! Observed annually on July 13th, but from this year, it will be celebrated on the second Friday of July i.e. on July 14, 2023. This special day is dedicated to celebrating the iconic French fry, a beloved snack that has won the hearts of people all over the world. Whether you prefer them thin and crispy or thick and fluffy, there are plenty of ways to make the most of this special day. Here are some exciting ways to celebrate National French Fry Day.

The Origins of French Fries

Did you know that French fries are not actually from France? The exact origins of french fries are a bit hazy, with some attributing their invention to Belgium. Nevertheless, their name became popularized during World War I when American soldiers were introduced to this delicious treat.

How to Celebrate National French Fry Day:

Host a French Fry Party

Gather your friends and family and throw a french fry-themed party! You can set up a French fry bar with different types of fries, sauces, and toppings. From classic fries to waffle fries, curly fries, and sweet potato fries, offer a variety of options for everyone to enjoy. You can also include an assortment of dipping sauces such as ketchup, mint sauce, cheese sauce, and gravy. Try Dipping Sauces

French fries are the perfect canvas for trying out different dipping sauces. Take this opportunity to explore unique flavours. Go beyond ketchup and mayonnaise and try out some exotic options like truffle aioli, spicy sriracha sauce, or tangy barbecue sauce. You can even create your own special sauce by mixing together various ingredients. The possibilities are endless! Cook Your Own French Fries

Experiment with different potato types, seasonings, and cooking techniques to find your perfect fry. You can bake them, fry them, or even air-fry them for a healthier twist. Homemade fries allow you to control the level of crispiness and seasoning according to your taste. And, dont forget to share your tasty bites with your friends and family. Support Local Restaurants

This day is an excellent opportunity to support your local restaurants and indulge in their special fry offerings. Check out the menus of nearby restaurants and see if they have any unique or signature french fries. Ordering from local eateries not only satisfies your craving but it also helps support small businesses in your community. Share Your French Fry Story on Social Media

Share your love for french fries on social media. Post pictures of your delicious creations, favourite fry spots, or french fry-themed celebrations. Use hashtags like #NationalFrenchFryDay and #FryLovers to connect with fellow fry enthusiasts and discover new ideas.

Celebrate National French Fry Day in the most delicious way possible. Whether youre enjoying them at a party, cooking up your own batch, or trying out unique fry recipes, take this opportunity to indulge and savour the crispy goodness of french fries. Happy National French Fry Day!
The Delhi High Court has once again refused to issue a stay order against streaming of film Nyay: The Justice, a project adapted from Sushant Singh Rajputs life on an OTT platform. This time around, Sushant Singh Rajputs father had filed a plea seeking interlocutory injunction in his case against the filmmakers. However, the court clarified that a possible ban cannot take place since it was released in 2021 and thousands of people might have already watched it.

Dismissing the plea in the court of law, Justice C Hari Shankar stated, To fasten a legal right, on something as fleeting as a celebrity, appears to be an oxymoron. Law cannot allow itself to be a vehicle to promote celebrity culture. It does not appear permissible, in our constitutional scheme which guarantees equality to individuals and in which equality is a cherished preambular goal, to countenance an extra bundle of rights which would be available for enjoyment only to celebrities."

The court also emphasized that the right to publicity, privacy and personality vested in Sushant Singh Rajput cannot be exercised since the person has passed away, The said rights, therefore, did not survive for espousal by the plaintiff," the court stated.

Nyay The Justice is written and directed by Dilip Gulati, produced by Sarla A. Saraogi and Rahul Sharma.The film stars Zuber Khan and Shreya Shukla in lead roles, Aman Verma as ED chief, Asrani as Mahinder Singhs Father, Shakti Kapoor as NCB Chief, Kiran Kumar as Advocate of Mahinders father, Anant Jog as Mumbai Police Commissioner, Anwar Fatehan as Bihar Police Commissioner, Sudha Chandran as CBI chief and other actors in pivotal roles.

Recently, fans remembered the Chhichhore actor on his third death anniversary on 14th June. Sushant was found dead at his residence, and since then investigations have been going on to solve the case. The actor was last seen in the movie Dil Bechara which was released after his death. The film is based on the book Fault In Our Stars and also features Sanjana Sanghi, Saif Ali Khan, and Sumit Tandon in key roles.
Shah Rukh Khans upcoming pan-India film Jawan is roaring across the country even before it has been let out of its cage. The action-packed prevue that was released this week has truly amped the excitement among fans as theyve been trying their best to come up with their own theories pertaining to the plot of the film. Amid all this, Vignesh Shivan, director husband to Nayanthara, one of the female leads of the film hinted at a major plot point when he was giving a shoutout to his wife.

Taking to his Instagram stories and sharing the prevue of Jawan, Santosh cheered for Nayanthara. He wrote,"How can you not be proud of @atlee47 when he comes up with a banger with his Bollywood debut! Looks international! So much efforts, patience and hard work! A big hug, hatss off! Congrats to #Nayanthara lookin (hot face emoji) dream debut with the King @iamsrk for my Thangam & my king @anirudhofficial killin it sooo well here! Kudos to @actorvijaysethupathi sir (red heart emoji) @redchillies.color @livingstonruben #VishnuDop @kunalrajan."

King Khan was quick to respond to this adulation as he wrote on Twitter,"VigneshShivN thank u for all the love. #Nayanthara is awesomebut oh who am I telling thisyou toh already know!!! But Hubby, beware, she has now learnt some major kicks & punches!!"

soooo kind of you sir  Yes sir being very careful but I also heard there is some good romance between the both of you in the movie , that she has learnt from the king of romance , so already cherishing that with the happiness of such a dream Debut with YOU #SRK https://t.co/hqOSBI3YUF VigneshShivan (@VigneshShivN) July 12, 2023

Vignesh Shivan replied, soooo kind of you sir  Yes sir being very careful but I also heard there is some good romance between the both of you in the movie , that she has learnt from the king of romance , so already cherishing that with the happiness of such a dream Debut with YOU #SRK the #KingofHearts #Badshaah  #Jawan @Atlee_dir gonna be a massive global #Blockbuster ."

The prevue revealed that Shah Rukhs character was born in the jail and grows up to be an officer. He is seen fighting goons and brining justice. However, a twist arrives when we see an older Shah Rukh, setting up a team of women and taking a metro train hostage. It is then that fans began speculating that Shah Rukh plays a double role in the film, essaying a father and his identical son.

The September release sees the superstar headline the project while ace Tamil director Atlee helms the project. Besides SRK, Jawan also stars Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, and Sanya Malhotra. Deepika Padukone is also seen in the prevue making a special special appearance in the movie.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu has wrapped the filming of Citadel India. The actress confirmed the news of wrapping up the shoot schedule on her Instagram Stories. Directed by Raj & DK of The Family Man fame, Citadel India is a spin-off of Priyanka Chopras Citadel. Samantha stars as the lead with Varun Dhawan in the series, marking their first on-screen collaboration.

Sharing a selfie, Samantha called today, July 13, a special day. Samantha appeared to be seated in a car in the selfie. The actress flaunted her flawless skin while sporting a chic pair of sunglasses. Sporting a big smile, Samantha said, 13th of July. Will always be a special, special day.. And its a wrap on Citadel India."

The news of her wrap comes amid rumours that she is taking a break from acting. Last week, it was reported that Samantha is taking a backseat from her work to focus on her health. A source told India Today, She will take a year-long break from work and will not sign any new Telugu or Bollywood films. She plans to use this time to regain her health and seek additional treatment. Samantha has returned advance payments to producers she had previously taken."

Sources close to the actress informed Hindustan Times that Samantha will be traveling to the United States in August for a minimum one-year break. The reason for her break is her ongoing battle with an autoimmune disease, which requires extensive treatment and therapy sessions. She plans to seek treatment in the US and may also visit South Korea for medical purposes.

Besides Citadel India, Samantha also has Kushi in the pipeline. The actress stars alongside Vijay Deverakonda. The film marks their second movie together. The film is slated to release on September 1. Samantha also has Citadel India, the Indian spin-off of Priyanka Chopras Citadel.
Shah Rukh Khan drops new poster of Jawan. The actor released the poster just a few minutes after he promised a fan during an Ask SRK session that he will be releasing the new art work. In the poster, a bald SRK is seen holding a gun. Sharing the poster on Twitter, Shah Rukh wrote, Now have to go back to work. #Jawan getting release ready. Thank u for your time for #AskSRK. As promised sending out the poster for the film and of course lots and lots of love. See u all in the cinemas."

Shah Rukh had hinted about the release of the poster during the Ask SRK session. A fan had asked the actor, Is bar Poster kyo nhi release kia ?" To which Shah Rukh replied, Abhi karta hoon #AskSrk karne ke baad! #Jawan."

Now have to go back to work. #Jawan getting release ready. Thank u for your time for #AskSRK. As promised sending out the poster for the film and of course lots and lots of love. See u all in the cinemas. pic.twitter.com/36w4j1JI1k Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) July 13, 2023

During the Ask SRK session, Shah Rukh also answered a number of questions about Jawan. He revealed that he loved his bald look and that the final dance portion was Atlees idea. The song is Atlees idea. I also love it with the dance and all. Too much magic in the idea I think. #Jawan," he said.

Speaking about the action scenes, Shah Rukh revealed his favourite action scene from the movie. The one with the trucks executed by Spiro is very good I think. But thats my personal choice u may like some other. #Jawan," he said. He also confirmed that the songs will be coming out soon and that Farah Khan and Vaibhavi Merchant are working hard on the dance numbers.

Jawan is set to release on September 7.
Background

A few weeks after his state visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday embarked on an official visit to France where he will take part in the annual Bastille Day Parade as the guest of honour. An Indian tri-services contingent will also be part of the parade this year. The two-day visit comes as France and India have sought to deepen their cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the defence, security, and technological domains.

India and France have traditionally had close and friendly relations. In 1998, when French President Chirac visited India, both countries entered into a strategic partnership which affirmed their convergence of views and signalled a close and growing bilateral relationship. The areas of defence cooperation, space cooperation and civil nuclear cooperation constitute three principle pillars of their strategic partnership. Apart from these traditional fields, India and France are increasingly engaged in new areas of cooperation like climate change, sustainable growth and development and the International Solar Alliance.

Both countries support a multi-polar world order. France has continued to support Indias claim for permanent membership of the Security Council and the reforms of the United Nations. France has provided consistent support to Indias candidature for the membership of all four Multilateral Export Control regimes, viz. Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and the Australia Group (AG). France continues to support Indias bid for accession to the NSG.

India and France have consistently condemned terrorism and have resolved to work together for the adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN. There has been significant progress in all areas of their bilateral cooperation due to frequent high-level meetings.

Annual Defence Dialogue

During the visit of President Macron to India in March 2018, the two countries decided to create an Annual Defence Dialogue at the ministerial level. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held the 4th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with Minister of Armed Forces of the French Republic, Sebastien Lecornu, in New Delhi in November 2022. The ministers reviewed the ongoing military-to-military cooperation which has increased substantially in recent years. They also discussed means to strengthen maritime cooperation and increase the scope and complexity of bilateral exercises.

One of the key areas of discussion was defence industrial cooperation with a focus on Make in India. Future collaborations and potential co-production opportunities were discussed. The ministers recognised their convergences on a number of strategic and defence issues and shared the commitment to work together on enhancing cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral fora, with a focus on the Indo-Pacific region. France is the current Chair of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and both countries cooperate closely in these fora.

Regular exchange of visits at the level of Services Chiefs already takes place. The three Services also have regular defence exercises. FRINJEX-23 between the Indian Army and French Army was conducted at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on March 7-8, 2023. A major annual aero-naval event, whose first edition dates back to 1983, is VARUNA in which the French and the Indian Navies deploy and operate together and exemplifies the high level of trust between them. The 2023 edition took place on the Western Seaboard in January. The 7th Bilateral Air Exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF) - Exercise Garuda-VII  was held in Jodhpur in November 2022. The FASF participated in the exercise with Rafale fighter jets and A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, while the IAF contingent comprised Su-30 MKI, Rafale, LCA Tejas and Jaguar fighter aircraft.

Various staff courses and training programmes also take place regularly. Apart from Service-level Staff talks, the two sides have a High Committee on Defence Cooperation (HCDC) which meets annually at the level of Defence Secretary and the French Director General of the Directorate of International.

Major Defence-Related Projects

France has supplied India with military aircraft since the 1950s. It has consistently proven to be a dependable supplier and a dependable partner. This tie began in 1953 with the purchase of a first-generation jet fighter named the Toofani for the IAF, the Dassault Ouragan. Later in 1956, the IAF also received the Dassault Mystere IV, which was used in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. The single-engine Mirage 2000 fleet of multirole aircraft from Dassault, introduced at the beginning of the 1980s, succeeded the Mystere IV. Since then, the Mirage-2000 has been the frontline multirole fighter in the IAF and has proven its mettle during the Kargil War in 1998.

The inter-governmental agreement for the purchase of 36 Rafale jets by India in flyaway condition was signed in New Delhi on 23 September 23, 2016, by the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and French Defence Minister Le Drian. The induction of the 36 Rafales for $8.98 billion was completed six years later.

In the past, major weapon platforms have included AMX-13 Light Tanks, Alize Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft, and Alouette Light Helicopters. SS11 B1 and MILAN anti-tank missiles and Air Surveillance Radars as also the engine for the Dhruv LCH. India also operates five Scorpene-class (Kalvari-class) submarines, while the sixth is currently undergoing sea trials. These six conventional diesel-electric submarines with advanced stealth features were built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) through a technology transfer from DCNS.

Maritime Domain

In recent years, there has been significant progress in India-France Maritime Security Cooperation, with a focus on the Indian Ocean Region. India is keen to develop ties with nations that have stakes in this region. France has sought to emphasise its identity as an Indo-Pacific nation and both nations are keen on cooperating in this region.

India, with its 7500-kilometre-long coastline and two million square kilometres of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), is a key power in the region. The IoR facilitates much of Indias trade. France, on the other hand, is a state of the Indian Ocean Area due to its overseas possessions of the Mayotte and La Reunion Islands, as well as a substantial EEZ. There are 4,100 French forces stationed in the Indian Ocean, including deployments in overseas territories, Djibouti and Abu Dhabi. As a result of their considerable interests, both countries want to ensure peace and stability in the IOR.

Both nations have a history of fruitful collaboration and engagement between their fleets. The first naval exercise between India and France took place in 1983 and was named Varuna in 2001. The 19th iteration of the Varuna bilateral exercises occurred in the Arabian Sea in April 2019. It was a massive drill involving both fleets frontline battleships, submarines, aircraft carriers, and other combat equipment.

The two governments agreed on a Joint Strategic Vision of the India-France Partnership in the Indian Ocean Area in March 2018. The vision document stated that the two democracies shared concerns about emerging challenges in the IOR, including the security of maritime traffic in the face of terrorism and piracy, particularly in the Horn of Africa; respect of international law by all states, an organised crime such as trafficking and illegal fishing; climate change, environmental and natural resource protection. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to further cooperation in the IOR and indicated a willingness to collaborate with additional like-minded nations.

Recently, French Navy Ships FS Dixmude, an amphibious helicopter carrier and La Fayette, a frigate visited Kochi from Mar 6-10, 2023, as part of a circumnavigation mission. Indo-French Naval cooperation is a key element in strengthening regional maritime security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The visit of the French ships significantly contributes towards strong bilateral defence ties and strategic partnerships.

Defence Aspects of PM Modis Visit

One of the key highlights of this visit is the defence deals worth over Rs 90,000 crore. This includes 26 Rafale M aircraft including 22 single-seaters and four trainer versions. The three additional submarines from DCNS will be a part of the Scorpene deal under the Ministry of Defences Project 75 aimed at the planned procurement of diesel-electric submarines for the Indian Navy. The deals will be placed before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) before being announced in France.

As per Commodore Anil Jai Singh, It is not that these three submarines are going to come in the next two-three years to meet our immediate requirement. These submarines will also take some years before their contract is signed, costs are discussed and finalized and the construction starts.

The Navy is believed to have recently shortlisted the twin-engine, Rafale-M over Boeings F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet naval fighter following trials for possible deployment aboard INS Vikrant, the newly commissioned aircraft carrier. One of the factors could also be due to the French fighters commonality with the 36 Rafales that have recently been inducted into the IAF.

It is also reported that France has expressed its willingness to partner with the DRDO, DAE, and the Navy in building six SSNs. The Navys SSN project was approved in early 2015, with the first such 6,000-tonne boats scheduled for completion by 2032-33. The SSNs were intended to supplement and operationally support the Navys four locally designed and constructed 7,000-tonne Arihant-class nuclear-powered missile submarines (SSBNs), built with Russian know-how and technical assistance.

Earlier this year, France had offered to jointly develop SSNs with India under the aegis of its Atmanirbharta initiative designed to enhance self-sufficiency in materiel requirements, by transferring technology based on its Barracuda-class SSNs, the first of which, INS Suffren, was commissioned into the French Navy in mid-2022.

Prime Minister Modis visit will also be useful in the context of the Ukraine war, where Indian and European perceptions differ. Strengthening strategic components of the partnership with France could also reassure other EU nations that despite a few differences, partnership with India continues to be crucial. After Brexit, France is now the only nuclear weapon state within the EU, which is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Conclusion

As the Indian troops march in the Bastille Day Parade, the French public should be aware that the presence of these troops not only marks 25 years of the Strategic Dialogue but also the significant role it played during the First World War when the Indian servicemen served with credit and honour on the battlefields of France and Flanders.

The Indian Army at that time was trained and equipped for warfare on the frontier of India. Their weapons were a generation behind those of the Western Armies, yet they performed admirably in adapting to the changed conditions and environment while embracing new technology. Their fighting spirit, discipline, adaptability and valour stood out. France no doubt recognises this and hence, the enduring relationship.

France is one of Indias most trusted strategic partners and both countries look forward to celebrating 25 years of their strategic partnership in 2023. This visit will also deliver common initiatives to respond to the key challenges of our time, including climate change, biodiversity loss and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and will be an opportunity for India and France to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, including in the context of Indias G20 Presidency. Defence undoubtedly remains a major pillar of our relationship.

The author is an Army veteran. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the guest of honour at this years historic Bastille Day celebrations, the French National Day. Akin to the Storming of the Bastille, another incident which comes to mind vis a vis the French Revolution is Marie Antoinettes remark Let them eat cake. She had purportedly said this in response to people suffering from dire poverty.

In its latest report, the United Nations Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) noted that the number of Indians deprived of cooking fuel declined from 53 percent to 14 percent and those lacking proper sanitation declined from 50 percent to 11.3 percent. Indians lacking proper drinking water reduced from 16 percent to 3 percent while those without adequate housing decreased from 44 percent to 14 percent. The report also said that India saw a remarkable reduction in poverty, with 415 million people exiting poverty within a span of just 15 years.

The revolutionary reforms ushered in by PM Modi, guided by his unwavering commitment to the tenets of Antyodaya, has made this possible. The PM had unequivocally averred that non-discriminatory honest delivery of schemes is indeed true secularism and social justice.

Couplet 631 of Tirukkural states that an able minister is one who makes the correct choice of the underlying task, the means, manner and time to execute the same. Prime Minister Modi chose to realise his vision by harnessing the potential of technology through an institutionalised and integrated approach of the JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar & Mobile) Trinity and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Before 2014, there were 17 crore bank accounts and in the last nine years of the Modi government, the number increased to 48 crore with 55 percent of women account holders having a total balance of more than Rs 1.75 lakh crore. 10 crore fake beneficiaries were identified and removed. The Aadhaar card was given a constitutional status in 2016 and survived legal challenges and recipients of government benefits were mandated to enrol in the Aadhaar scheme. India, today, is the most connected country in the world with 1.93 lakh gram panchayats being linked by optic fibre. We are the second largest mobile handset manufacturer in the world with over 120 crore Indians using mobile phones and 60 crore using smartphones.

When the PM was launching United Payment Interface (UPI) in 2016, the Opposition mocked derisively  would the poor eat Data or Atta? Today, India accounts for 40 percent of the worlds real-time digital payments and Google has recommended that the US Federal Reserve develop a similar digital infrastructure ecosystem. UPI has fostered an immense trust in transactions between our people, institutions and the government.

In stark contrast to the days of Dealer Broker Transfer earlier, Rs 28 lakh crore has been directly wired through DBT to the beneficiaries. About Rs 2.75 lakh crore has been saved from being pilfered, paving the way for corruption-free governance.

The Bank for International Settlements stated that India has managed to achieve financial inclusion in seven years which would have otherwise taken 47 years.

Over three crore citizens (68.95 percent women) for the first time ever have a geotagged pucca cement house under PM Awas Yojana, 11.88 crore households have been given access to fluoride and arsenic-free clean drinking water, 11.72 crore toilets have been built giving the much-needed dignity and safety for women in rural areas, over 4 lakh crore rupees has been spent guaranteeing more than 81 crore people free food grains and pulses, 9.6 crore LPG connections have been provided facilitating smoke-free kitchens, thereby saving women from respiratory disorders and, in addition, another 1.6 crore LPG connections have been given for migrants travelling to make a livelihood.

Instead of resorting to politics of tushtikaran (appeasement) and the usual piecemeal lip sympathy slogans and ribbon cutting of the past, the Modi government has focused on santushtikaran (fulfillment of peoples needs).

During the pandemic peril, the PMs steadfast leadership reiterating faith in Indian vaccines protected us. By administering more than 220 crore vaccination doses, PM Modi has not only forged a foundational edifice to protect our citizens in the immediate present but also well into the future.

Ayushman Bharat (2017) presently covers 40 percent of Indians and has prevented people from plunging into poverty by saving Rs 80,000 crore. Through the 1.5 lakh AB-Health and Wellness Centres in the country, more than 134 crore people across the country have benefitted from AB-HWCs, with 86.90 crore beneficiaries being cumulatively screened for non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, common cancers, mental health etc.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (2018) targets to provide health cover of 5 lakh per family for 50 crore people. The PM-JAY comprises empanelled hospital network of 28,351 hospitals (including 12,824 private hospitals) around the country. About 23.39 crore beneficiaries have been verified and issued Ayushman Bharat Health care cards with 4.5 crore admissions amounting to more than Rs 61,000 crore. About 49 percent of Ayushman card recipients over 48 percent of total authorised hospital admission have been availed by women, with over 141 medical procedures exclusively earmarked for women.

Mission Indradhanush, aimed at immunising against seven preventable diseases, has provided vaccination and safety for 5.65 crore mothers and children.

National Digital Health Mission (2020) is facilitating prompt and structured healthcare across the country by linking practitioners with patients by digitally giving them access to real-time health records. The governments telemedicine programme  eSanjeevani  which was a boon during Covid is now bringing a revolution in the health sector. Bridging the urban and rural divide, more than 10 crore beneficiaries have been able to access quality healthcare at their doorstep.

The prime ministers social security net has transformed the lives of 55 crore Indians by enabling them with affordable insurance and safeguard. The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) have recorded enrolments of 16.2 crores, 34.2 crores and 5.2 crores respectively. These three schemes have brought insurance and pension within the reach of the common citizen as never before in the history of independent India.

In the past nine years, the government, under the resolute leadership of Prime Minister Modi, has not only ensured access to basic amenities but also irreversibly and conclusively empowered our citizens with security, dignity and deserved rights. India, which had hitherto been a fragile economy, has now experienced a tectonic transformation to become the fifth-largest economy in the world. We are now firmly poised on the right trajectory to realise PM Modis dream of becoming a developed nation when we commemorate the centennial year of our independence.

The author is a former member of the Prasar Bharati Board, and is with the BJP. Views expressed are personal.
The recent turmoil within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), triggered by the unexpected departure of Ajit Pawar, nephew of party patriarch Sharad Pawar, to align with the BJP-Shiv Sena government, serves as a stark reminder of the inherent consequences and destiny that often accompany dynastic politics. In the context of politics, the Nehruvian notion of familial legacy has long been touted as a source of stability and expertise. However, it is imperative that we carefully navigate the delicate equilibrium between perpetuating lineage and upholding meritocracy.

The ongoing crisis within Maharashtras NCP has sparked a pressing need to delve into the ramifications of dynastic politics on Indias democratic framework. This calls for a thorough analysis of the significance of fostering fresh leadership, inclusivity, and fortifying internal party democracy.

In the contemporary political landscape, the ascent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sparked a prevailing sentiment among the masses that the perpetuation of dynastic politics is an untenable proposition. A common trend in Indian politics has been the development of a particular brand of politics, one that the Congress party has nurtured. This brand, characterised by the perpetuation of dynastic rule, has found its way into the fabric of numerous regional political parties across the nation.

Ramifications of Dynastic Politics

Indeed, it is not uncommon to witness the prevalence of dynastic politics in the majority of these regional entities. In contemplating the future trajectory of India, one cannot help but question the efficacy of its current political system. The recent NCP crisis in Maharashtra serves as a poignant reminder that dynasties, despite their claims of unwavering loyalty towards their family and steadfast adherence to a particular ideology, often fall short of these lofty ideals.

Throughout the annals of history, from the era of ancient rulers to the present-day reign of dynasties, one cannot help but notice the enduring nature of certain narratives. Tales of revenge, the absence of loyalty, and the insatiable thirst for power persist, transcending time and societal shifts. These age-old motifs, woven into the fabric of human existence, continue to captivate and resonate with audiences across generations. It is a testament to the unchanging aspects of human nature that these stories, despite their antiquity, remain as relevant and compelling as ever.

BJPs Different Approach

One cannot overlook the crucial factor contributing to the triumph of the BJP  its distinct lack of a dynastic structure. While one may engage in debates and express disagreements with the ideology of the BJP, it is undeniable that this political entity has embraced a policy of inclusivity, providing opportunities for all its dedicated members, commonly known as karyakartas, to actively participate in its activities. In a political landscape often dominated by dynastic parties, the BJP has taken a different approach, one that has allowed grassroots leaders to flourish and pave the way for their success.

This unique strategy stands in stark contrast to the practices of other political entities, which have traditionally stifled the growth of emerging leaders outside their established family hierarchies. By granting autonomy and freedom to grassroots leaders, the BJP has created an environment conducive to their organic development. This approach acknowledges the potential and talent that exist beyond the confines of established political dynasties. It recognises that leadership qualities can emerge from unexpected sources and that nurturing these individuals can bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the forefront. In contrast, dynastic parties have long been criticised for their tendency to prioritise familial ties over meritocracy.

Undermining meritocracy

The time has come to acknowledge that senior NCP leader and current Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawars discontent with party progenitor Sharad Pawar is natural. Sharad Pawar has never permitted Ajit to become chief minister, despite the fact that he had the credentials and the party had the necessary number of members. The answer to the query of why Sharad Pawar did this is that he wanted to keep power within his immediate family, which includes his daughter.

This demonstrates how dynastic politics undermines meritocracy, in which political leadership should be based on talent, capabilities, and accomplishments. In a system dominated by political families, qualified and deserving individuals are frequently passed over in favour of familial ties. This deprives the nation of innovative ideas, fresh perspectives, and capable leaders who can effectively address the challenges of a diverse and dynamic society. By perpetuating dynastic politics, India fails to maximise its potential and stifles the development of new leaders who can significantly contribute to the nations advancement.

Need for Change

The recent crisis within the Nationalist Congress Party has significant consequences for Maharashtras politics and Indian democracy as a whole. Firstly, the crisis erodes public trust in political parties and institutions. When a party that has been in power for decades is torn apart by infighting, it sends a message to voters that the political process is rigged and that their voices do not matter. This can lead to disillusionment and a decline in democratic participation.

Secondly, the crisis highlights the urgent need for political parties to democratise their internal structures and processes. Parties must prioritise talent, merit, and inclusivity over familial ties if they want to be seen as legitimate by the public. Internal democracy, where party members have a say in decision-making and leadership selection, is essential for the growth and sustainability of political parties.

Thirdly, the crisis presents an opportunity for political reform. It prompts a reevaluation of electoral systems and party funding mechanisms to reduce the influence of money and dynastic politics. Measures such as stricter regulations on campaign finance, transparency in party funding, and the promotion of inner-party democracy could help curb the negative impacts of dynastic politics.

The NCP crisis is a wake-up call for Indian democracy. It shows that the current system is not working and that reforms are needed to make our democracy more responsive, inclusive, and accountable.

The Congress party has the greatest stake in the dynastic politics that has ravaged the Indian political system. In every state, from Gandhis to Muftis, Abdullahs, Yadavs, Karunanidhis, Badals, Gowdas, and Banerjees, there are political dynasties, and the populace is aware of their negative effects. There is also an increase in non-dynastic political parties, such as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). It is time for India to consider alternatives to these dynasties, as they have little to offer. If the status quo is maintained, more NCP and Shiv Sena-like divisions will occur because dynastic oppression cannot continue. It is time for new ideas, new personalities, and new political structures.

The author is a visiting professor of journalism, a political columnist, and a doctoral research scholar. He tweets at @sayantan_gh. Views are personal, and do not represent the position of this publication.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Modi is on a two-day visit to France during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and join him for the French National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.
The Congress will host the second meeting of the joint opposition" in Bengaluru on July 17-18 and about two dozen parties have been invited. Among them is the Aam Aadmi Party, which attended the first meeting on June 23 in Patna but skipped the joint press conference. It shot off a letter, indicating that until the Congress and 31 Rajya Sabha members denounce the ordinance, which gives the Centre authority over bureaucrats deputed to the Delhi government, it will be difficult for AAP to participate in the future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant.

In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18 on Thursday, Aam Aadmi Party leader Jasmine Shah reiterated this stance, while alleging that the Congress was benefitting the BJP. Edited excerpts:

The second grand meeting of the opposition parties is scheduled to be held in Bengaluru later this week. However, there is a question mark on whether AAP will be part of that meeting or not. What is AAPs stand?

It is pretty clear that for us the reason why the opposition is coming together is to save the Constitution, against the manner in which the Constitution is being trampled upon by the BJP across the countryin Delhi, in Kerala, in Tamil Nadu. And there is no single example that stands out more of how BJP is stopping the opposition governments work than the Delhi ordinance.

That is why in the Patna meeting which 15 opposition parties attended, AAP very categorically stated that this is one instance where the entire opposition should voice its support for AAP. 14 parties joined AAP in opposing the bill, only the Congress refused to state its position.

Even then Congress said that give us some more time, we will finish our consultations, and 15 days before the monsoon session begins, which is July 20, which means by the 5th of July, we will announce our clear position on this bill. And still, they have not announced their position. And that is why the entire idea of opposition coming together without a clear positionare you going to be opposing the BJP when it makes some unconstitutional moves or not, or are you going to be supporting the BJP, as some Congress leaders are saying that they will support the Delhi ordinance.

So, that is the reason. The Congress first needs to decide where it stands on this matter and then AAP will take its call.

So, if the Congress does not come out publicly and denounce the ordinance and commit that its MPs in the Rajya Sabha are going to vote against it when it is brought in Parliament, will AAP not attend the meeting?

Well, the entire idea of opposition unity is built around the idea that we will stop the BJP at the Centre from making these unconstitutional moves. And, on a matter which is as black and white as the Delhi ordinance, if the Congress does not take a firm stance, we do not see any hope that these parties are going to be able to sit together and get into seat-sharing negotiations, which are far more difficult. This is the easiest subject for a party like Congress to take a call on. So, we are very clearthat unless and until the Congress joins the entire opposition, which is standing in opposition to the Delhi ordinance, not just AAPif they dont do that, we will not be participating in the next meeting.

So, if you do not participate in the next meetingthat is if the Congress does not declare its opposition to the ordinancedont you think you will deal a body blow to opposition unity? The index of opposition unity will come down and then it can also be argued that AAP is actually benefitting the BJP.

Well, the way I see it, it is the Congress that is benefitting the BJP. Because every time another opposition party or leader has come under attack, AAP has vociferously stood in their support. Even when Rahul Gandhis membership of Parliament was taken away by the BJP and the courts decision, AAP was the first to stand in support of Mr Rahul Gandhi. Similarly, when Mr Stalins government is under attack by the governor, we are supporting them. Only and only Congress has today become an obstacle to the idea of opposition unity. Which, let me remind you, is not just to defeat the Modi government, it is to save the Constitution. Thats the reason the opposition has come together. So, I think, not AAP, it is the Congress that has to be blamed, if for whatever reason all the opposition parties are not going to come together for the next meeting.

I have heard from various opposition leaders who are part of this group that the Congress has committed to voting against the ordinance when it is placed in Parliament. That is what Mr Kharge said that it is going to be decided on the floor of the house. So, why is AAP so impatient?

Well, AAP has been more patient than anything else. I will ask a simple question. Tomorrow, say Presidents rule is imposed on Rajasthan or Chhattisgarh; will Congress ask all the opposition parties to support it or not? Or will it say You take your sweet time for three months and then decide"? The Delhi ordinance is a de facto Presidents rule in Delhi. They have taken all the powers away from the elected chief minister. And we have waited very patiently. In the last Patna meeting, let me again repeat, we were told that 15 days before we will make our stand clear. To date, name one senior Congress leader who has said that they oppose this bill. I will tell you the names of senior Congress leaders in Delhi and Punjab who are actually saying the reverse, that we will support the Modi government on the Delhi ordinance. Mr Ajay Maken, Mr Sandeep Dixit, and many other senior leaders. Whether their intentions are good or bad, let them go out and make their stand clear. Why are they quiet on such an important matter?

The Congress is arguing that on such an important matter, as it is a very large party, it has its own processes to follow before it takes a call. Maybe internal discussions have not been held on this yet?

I think that is a way to deflect accountability. Congress is a party that has been saying time and again over the last few years that we want to save the Constitution. They did an entire Bharat Jodo Yatra on this entire theme. But when a de facto Presidents rule is applied, only because it is AAP that is taking a hit, you say that I will take never-ending consultations . I think it is a way to deny accountability. And, I will again say that we are only holding them to their own word. They said 15 days ahead of the monsoon session, we will make our stand clear, and come 5th July, we will make our stand clear. Today, we are sitting on the 13th of July and still, there is no word as to where the Congress stands on this issue.

How does it help AAP if it does not go to the opposition meeting? How does it help you? You will not be part of the coalition that is fledgling and you are not part of the NDA also. So how does it help you? Say, later on, when the bill is presented in Parliament and Congress votes against it, would you go back to the same group?

See, first and foremost, if and when the Congress makes its stand clear, AAP will also clarify its position on where it stands. We are firmly with the idea of opposition unity. We feel today its our democracy and our Constitution that are under threat. That can only happen if mutually the opposition parties are willing to reciprocate the trust. We are willing to place our trust in all the opposition parties. Tomorrow, if anyone comes under attack, we are going to support them. But, that trust must be reciprocated. There is no meaning in sitting together and having a lunch meeting or dinner meeting if you are not going to be able to talk to each other. I will ask one question. Mr Kejriwal has asked for time from Mr Rahul Gandhi to have a cup of tea. Its been months but the Congress has not reciprocated on that invite or has reverted on that invite. If you cannot find time to sit together with an opposition leader, tell me what is this idea of opposition unity? It beats me. It beats me when all the powers are taken away from the elected government in Delhi and as an opposition leader, when Mr Kejriwal wants to meet the opposition leadership, they do not have the time! So, somewhere, this idea of opposition unityit is the Congress which is the biggest threat, and I hope, for the sake of the country, for the sake of saving our Constitution, the Congress will find its voice very firmly and strongly on this issue.

Are you willing to talk about seat-sharing with the Congress party in Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, Goathe four places where you have some political presence? Are you willing to negotiate on these, give space to the Congress party? Will you support the Congress party if it takes a leadership role in this group of opposition parties?

I dont think any such word has taken place yet in terms of any one party, the Congress party or any other, in taking any kind of leadership. See, the opposition platform goes beyond the Congress. Let us understand that parties from all parts of IndiaWest Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, everywhereare coming together. I am sure a certain formula will be decided upon in terms of seat-sharing. Whatever formula gets decided, by the wisdom of the house as we say, obviously AAP will abide by it. It is not about giving space to x, y, or z. It is about saying what is the right way that all these fifteen disparate parties which have not allied with each other in the past can come together and really save the democracy of this country.
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was allegedly killed on Thursday as police lathi-charged party workers, including senior leaders, who tried to march toward the Bihar Vidhan Sabha in protest against the Nitish Kumar governments teacher recruitment policy.

Police also used water cannons and tear gas to disperse scores of BJP workers protesting against the alleged scam in the recruitment, several of whom were also detained.

Vijay Kumar Singh, BJPs Jehanabad District General Secretary, was allegedly killed during police lathicharge, party leader Sushil Modi alleged.

Arrested by Bihar police in Patna .Jehanabad dist GS Vijay Kumar Singh died in brutal police lathi charge.@ANI @ABPNews @News18Bihar @ABPNews @aajtak Sushil Kumar Modi (@SushilModi) July 13, 2023

Samrat Choudhary, Bihar Leader of Opposition and state BJP chief, said the party is observing today as a black day. Today, democracy was murdered. Vijay Singh was our brother and an important leader. We will fight against Nitish Kumar," he said.

Admin Says Real Cause of Death Yet to Be Known

The District Magistrate of Patna said no injury marks have been found on the body of the deceased Vijay Singh. Orders have been given to constitute a medical board and conduct the post-mortem of the deceased and videography of the entire post-mortem process. The real cause of death will be known after the postmortem. A joint investigation report regarding the incident has been sought from Additional DM, Law and Order, Patna and City SP within 24 hours," he said.

Chirag Paswan, MP and Lok Janshakti Party chief condoled the death of BJP worker and said, I want to ask Nitish Kumar and Bihar government, who is responsible for his death? Somebody was beaten to death by a lathithose who raise their voice against the state govt is silenced by lathiCM must answer, he is accountable for this death."

Security has been beefed up in Patna to avoid any untoward situation and prepare for the protest march, which began at Gandhi Maidan. Before the march commenced,

State BJP president Samrat Choudhary told reporters that the opposition party was holding protests to hold the government accountable, especially Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, who had promised 10 lakh jobs".

#WATCH | Patna: Security personnel use water cannons and open lathi charge to disperse BJP workers protesting against Bihar govt on issue of the posting of teachers in the state pic.twitter.com/Vxp010wYDo ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

The BJP was holding a Vidhan Sabha march in support of demands of teachers job aspirants and those MLAs who chose to remain present inside the House had sought to build the tempo with provocative slogans like raddi CM gaddi chhod (incompetent chief minister should give up his post).

Everybody knows who made that rhetorical promise. Only one individual had done so. It is, now, the time to deliver," said Choudhary, referring to the 2020 assembly poll campaign of the young RJD leader whose party came to power last year after BJP was stripped of the same with Chief Minister Nitish Kumars exit from the NDA.

BJP workers, many of them wearing saffron kurtas, saris, salwar suits and bandanas, walked waving the party flag while some were perched atop a prachar rath" (campaign vehicle).

Slogans like Nitish Tejashwi istifa do" (Nitish Kumar must resign) rent the air as the procession covered a distance of about a kilometre until it encountered barricades put up at the Dak Bungalow crossing.

Notably, the Dak Bungalow crossing is situated around two kilometres from the Vidhan Sabha and, normally, processions are not allowed beyond the point.

When some of the agitators tried to cross the barricade, police resorted to the use of force and firing of tear gas shells, besides water canons, sending the BJP workers scampering.

Earlier today, marshals evicted a couple of BJP MLAs from the Bihar Assembly and also snatched away posters and placards from other members of the opposition party who stood inside the well waving these.

The House was plunged into turmoil no sooner than the proceedings began at 11 am when Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary told Leader of the Opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha that he would not allow him to make any statement until members, inside the well, were asked to return to their seats.

(With PTI Inputs)
The Congress is all set to host the second meeting of the Opposition leaders in Bengaluru on July 17-18.

Invites have gone out to all parties that attended the June 23 meeting in Patna, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP had skipped the Patna joint press conference and shot off a letter, indicating that until the Congress and 31 Rajya Sabha MPs denounce the ordinance, which gives the Centre authority over bureaucrats deputed to the Delhi government, it will be difficult for his party to participate in the future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant.

ALSO READ | Opposition Unity: 8 New Entrants In 24 Parties Attending 2nd Meeting; Sonia Gandhis Dinner Invite to All In Bengaluru

The AAP, in its response to the Congresss invite, has reminded the latter of the same.

Speaking to reporters, Kejriwal said, We have received an invite from the Congress party. Last time, in the Patna meeting, the Congress had said that 15 days ahead of Parliament session, it will publicly announce its opposition to the ordinance and vote against the ordinance. We are still waiting.

With just two more days for the opposition meeting and five more days for the Parliament session, sources said that in the absence of clarity, it is unlikely that the AAP would attend the Bengaluru meeting. So far, the JD(U), RJD, TMC, NCP, DMK, CPI, CPM, SS (UBT), CPI(ML), JMM, KCRs BRS have supported the AAP on the ordinance. The BRS, however, is not part of the group of 16 yet.

THE STALEMATE

Even as the AAP waits for the Congress to make its stance public, its government in Punjab has arrested former deputy chief minister and Congress leader OP Soni in a disproportionate assets case.

In a sharp contrast to the nimble Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is constantly on the lookout for potential allies and wastes no time in wooing them, the Congress is dragging its feet on the Delhi ordinance, despite the public appeals by the AAP chief. That the host of the next opposition meeting has kept the leader of a national party waiting for even a cup of tea could be a sign of high-handedness and a potential red flag for many others.

It is a simple thing for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to invite Kejriwal for tea. Nothing needs to come out of it. Give them grand tea. How does it matter? You reach out on a human level. We must not forget that there is a bitter relationship between the Congress and AAP and there have been personals attacks too. That creates scars, which they will have to overcome, said Neerja Chowdhury, veteran political analyst and author of How Prime Ministers Decide, which releases on August 5. If you are going for difficult negotiations, most leaders will keep quiet, working behind the scenes. But you can understand Kejriwal too. With his powers taken away by the Centre, what will be left for him? A lot is at stake for him.

CHALLENGES FOR UNITY

Despite the AAP-Congress issue, leaders of other Opposition parties are confident that they will remain united. We have taken a resolve to defeat the BJP, so all other issues will be sorted out, D Raja, general secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) told News18.

The challenges for the opposition unity were much greater in 1977. I am 100% sure that the AAP will be part of the next meeting, said Prof Manoj Jha of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). When asked about the Congress not making its stance on the ordinance clear, he said, Lets wait. The ordinance has not been placed in Parliament and I can assure you that all of us, including the Congress, have always voted against the very idea of an unconstitutional ordinance. So everybody will be on board."

ALSO READ | Has Opposition Unity Fizzled Out? Ahead of Patna Meet, AAP, TMC Take on Congress, Others Staying Away

If Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes back for a third stint in power, there will be a question mark on the future of the Opposition parties. In some sense, this is an existential crisis for them, so they may decide to let go of this now to live to fight another day, said Chowdhury, on whether the Opposition parties, including the Congress, would be able to reach a middle ground and mount a united fight against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Alliances have never been easy. In 1977, after the Emergency, it happened suddenly because the leaders were in jail. Indira Gandhi did not expect it to happen so quickly. Also in 1989, the leaders wanted a fight against Rajiv Gandhi. Now, it is a fight against Modi. They know that even in 2019, when the BJP won 303 seats, 63% of the popular vote was against the BJP. So if you consolidate most of this at the constituency level Forget national politics or leader or the narrative, just stick to the LS constituencies. Can you have one-on-one fights in as many Lok Sabha constituencies as possible? I think the BJP realizes this, so it is pulling out all stops to ensure the Opposition unity does not go forward, she explained.

ANXIETY, SEAT-SHARING AND AGENDA

Not just AAP, other parties, too, may be anxious. The Congress is not playing the role of the Big Brother this time. Be it Trinamool Congresss Mamata Banerjee, Kejriwal, or Samajwadi Partys Akhilesh Yadav, they are worried about the dominance of the Congress and what kind of a role it would play. This time, they came to Patna, which was a big step forward. The Congress, from all accounts, has indicated to them that they are not going to play the Big Brother. I am told that Rahul Gandhi has also told Janata Dal Uniteds Nitish Kumar that he is not in the race for 2024 and the Congress would support them in every way, said Chowdhury.

ALSO READ | Ajit Pawars Maha Switch: A Short-Circuit for Oppositions Sharad Power Line & Unity?

A common agenda and seat-sharing would be the next big challenges. Noting that the reluctance of the Congress is stemming from the concerns that it would only reinforce the growth of the AAP at its expense, Chowdhury said, That is the dilemma the Congress will face everywhere. If it wants to have an alignment in Uttar Pradesh with Yadav, it will have to be reasonable about its own ground strength. If it wants a tie-up, it will have to leave a reasonable number of seats. Also in case of West Bengal, the Congress is tied up with the Left. Banerjee wants it to be delinked from the Left and these will be difficult decisions. If the Congress asks for seats according to its past status, it will not work. The truth is that these regional parties have gained at the expense of the Congress and they are worried that if the Congress has to be revived, it will be at their expense. Those are natural contradictions they have to overcome. That is not easy at all.

OPPOSITION JODO FOR KHARGE?

Gandhi walked 4,000 km on his Bharat Jodo mission. Should he now focus on honing his political skills to unite the Opposition or at least not rub the potential allies the wrong way?

Chowdhury believes that Gandhi should continue to focus on his yatras and leave the job of dealing with the allies to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Bharat Jodo was successful. It was not because of the family. It was something he did himself. After all, he was the symbol of entitlement in politics and people saw him walking and coming to them to hear them out. But Opposition parties dont necessarily accept him as their possible leader. Let that role be played by Kharge. Opposition Jodo might be a good slogan, but it is better that Gandhi walks from east to west, as they are planning to do," she said.

Chowdhury also pointed out how the Congress and Gandhi have changed tacks from being brash to getting their act together  in the manner in which they brought TS Singh Deo and Bhupesh Baghel together in Chhattisgarh, and handled Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan. In both cases, Gandhi was in the background, while Kharge took the lead.

While 10 of the Opposition parties have already declared their support for the AAP over the ordinance, all eyes are now on the Congresss next step.
Delhi flood is turning political with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders blaming it on the high discharge of water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana while the Centre is countering the same saying the barrage has its own capacity to stop water and it is not a dam.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday conceded that there is no reservoir where water can be stored upstream and hence water has to be released. It seems by today evening, water may start reducing, the CM said.

Yamuna water has entered Delhis Ring Road between ITO and ISBT Kashmiri Gate and inundated many other low-lying areas of the national capital with Yamuna water levels crossing a record 208.5 meters, though there was no rain in Delhi this week.

The Delhi CM is citing his letter to home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday in which he said water must be released at slow pace from Hathnikund barrage as there was otherwise a threat to Delhi. Kejriwal also blamed the abnormally high volumes of water being released in Haryana at Hathnikund barrage for the flood in Delhi and has urged the Centre to intervene.

The Centre is, however, hitting back with Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Shekhawat pointing out that the Hathnikund barrage is not a dam and hence has limited capacity to stop the water flow, and the Centre is making use of it. The discharge from the barrage has increased in last two days, particularly on Thursday from 1.56 lakh cusecs at midnight to 1.63 lakh cusecs by 9 am.

The Central Water Commission, which falls under Shekhawats ministry, has also pointed out that the Hathnikund barrage has limited storage and excess water has to be released downstream during high inflows caused by heavy rainfall in the upstream areas. The Commission has, however, said the peak flow will reach its maximum by 10 am today and would start receding today by 2 pm.

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Kattar has also attacked the Delhi CM saying the latter was not speaking the truth to the people. Meanwhile, BJP leader Amit Malviya held Kejriwal government responsible for flood in Delhi. saying no dredging had been done in the Yamuna ever since Kejriwal took over as CM and claimed that the sewer lines had not been desilted in the last eight years.

Another BJP leader, Kapil Mishra, hit out at AAPs tactics of blaming the Centre, saying closing the Hathnikund Barrage could mean extreme flooding in Punjab and Haryana and deaths there.

Another senior BJP leader also pointed out to News18 that there was little option with the Centre but to discharge water from Hathnikund barrage as there had been heavy rains in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

In fact, the Delhi government should have been better prepared on front of evacuations, knowing this was (water discharge) was an inevitability, the BJP leader said. AAP is, however, pointing out how its leaders and MLAs have been on the ground since the last two days and have been evacuating people and animals from the low-lying areas.

The Delhi CM himself has been holding reviews.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP MP Gautam Gambhir tweeted Wake up Delhiites. Delhi has become a gutter. Nothing is for free, this is the price. The Delhi flood is adding another chapter to the AAP-BJP fight in Delhi.
Maharashtra finance ministry has been finalised for Ajit Pawar, sources told News18 on Thursday. The reports emerged after the deputy chief minister reached Delhi on Wednesday to meet Union home minister Amit Shah and seek his intervention to solve the issue of portfolio distribution and cabinet expansion.

Along with Pawar, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders Praful Patel and Hasan Mushrif also reached the national capital. According to sources, Pawar, who was recently inducted as the deputy CM, was promised the finance portfolio, and he hasnt sought any other key portfolio such as home or urban development department (UDD).

The key issue is the redistribution of other portfolios among the CM Eknath Shinde-led Sena faction. The Shinde group was under the impression that the BJPs portfolios will be given to NCP. But that isnt the case.

The portfolios from the Shinde group, too, are being looked at for the reshuffle, which has upset the Shinde faction, said sources, adding that 22 MLAs of his MLAs are restless.

Pawar was the finance minister in the CM Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. In 2022, when Shinde and his 40 MLAs parted ways with the Thackeray-led Sena, one of the reasons cited was Pawar did not give them funds easily, while NCP MLAs always got the first preference.

Maharashtra can have a maximum of 43 cabinet ministers. As of now, 29 of these positions have been filled and the list of ministerial aspirants has grown lengthier. It would be a very difficult task for CM Shinde to choose the cabinet ministers. There is a chance that he may consider factors like caste while picking MLAs for cabinet berths, the way Ajit Pawar has tried to give representation to OBC, SC-ST, and minorities while selecting MLAs who had taken oath as cabinet ministers with him, said a senior leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion News: Over a week after the breakaway faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) joined the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government in Maharashtra, the issue of portfolio allocation between all three parties seems to have finally resolved, with cabinet expansion likely by Thursday evening or Friday.

Portfolio allocation will be done tomorrow," said Sanjay Shirsat, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-lead Shiv Sena faction leader.

No problem with any portfolios given to anyone. There are no problems even if finance is given to Ajit Pawar. Cabinet expansion will be done soon," he added.

Maharashtra Cabinet Expansion Latest Updates

According to a PTI report, amidst the tussle over portfolio allocation, NCP has been insisting on finance and water resources portfolios, which the Shiv Sena is learnt to have opposed. While talking to reporters on Wednesday night, rebel NCP leader Praful Patel said there would be some issues in the allocation of portfolios. Now each of them will have to give up some portfolios to accommodate us," he said.

Maharashtras second Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has arrived at Sagar bungalow to meet Devendra Fadnavis ahead of cabinet expansion which is likely to take place by today evening or tomorrow.

Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar left CM Eknath Shindes official residence Varsha bungalow after a brief meeting today.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra NCP President Sunil Tatkare had earlier said that by Thursday evening, the partys ministers in the government would be allocated portfolios and the three parties will continue to march ahead in full steam.

Nine leaders of NCP - Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse-Patil, Dhananjay Munde, Hasan Mushrif, Dharmababa Atram, Aditi Tatkare, Sanjay Bansode, and Anil Patil were sworn-in as Ministers on July 2.

This week, they were allotted their official residences, offices in Mantralaya, and other requirements  barring their ministerial responsibilities.

Amid the tussle of cabinet berths between Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, the new Deputy CM along with Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel and party leader Hasan Mushrif visited Delhi on Wednesday to meet the BJP leadership and finalise the portfolio allocation.

Political speculation pointed at the NCP was eyeing certain key portfolios like finance, agriculture, rural development, energy, etc, which are currently divided among the Shiv Sena-BJP ministers for the past 11 months, each having an armful of departments.

However, the two parties were apparently reluctant to part with their plum departments, leading to behind-the-curtain friction among the MLAs of the new entrant, NCP.

The surprise entry of NCP has led to many heart-burns among the ministerial hopefuls of the Shiv Sena-BJP and the independent group supporting the government for the past 13 months.

Pawar was the finance minister in the CM Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. In 2022, when Shinde and his 40 MLAs parted ways with the Thackeray-led Sena, one of the reasons cited was Pawar did not give them funds easily, while NCP MLAs always got the first preference.

Maharashtra can have a maximum of 43 cabinet ministers. As of now, 29 of these positions have been filled and the list of ministerial aspirants has grown lengthier. It would be a very difficult task for CM Shinde to choose the cabinet ministers. There is a chance that he may consider factors like caste while picking MLAs for cabinet berths, the way Ajit Pawar has tried to give representation to OBC, SC-ST, and minorities while selecting MLAs who had taken oath as cabinet ministers with him, said a senior leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

(With IANS Inputs)
The mega Opposition meet in Bengaluru next week faces yet another hurdle with the Congress and Trinamool Congress refusing to see eye to eye after the recent panchayat elections in West Bengal.

The battlefields for the conflict this time are Maldah and Murshidabad, both areas where the Congress holds sway but Mamata Banerjees TMC has been able to make inroads. Apart from being tightly contested, most poll-related deaths were from the two areas.

Addressing the media after the panchayat results  which saw the TMC sweep the state  Banerjee said: I feel pity for CPM-Congress. I will not say anything because there is talk of a national alliance but do you think you will behave this way and I will entertain you?

Without naming senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Banerjee blamed him for the violence in Murshidabad.

Sources in TMC say the party is serious about opposition unity at the national level but the high command may raise the issue of enmity with the Congress in the next meeting with the Grand Old Partys top brass.

TMC is ready to walk with Congress and CPM for the bigger cause of ousting BJP but feels that the way Bengal Congress attacks the party is totally uncalled for and it is this message that will be given to the Congress, say party insiders.

The Trinamool Congress is also of the opinion that since Congress is not powerful in Bengal, there cannot be any deal with the party at the state level.

The BJP, on the other hand, has started attacking Congress, asking how the Gandhis will shake hands with TMC when Congress workers have been killed by Banerjees party.

Mocking the idea of opposition unity, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said: Mamata Banerjee is hitting out at the Congress and CPM in the state but having tea with Sitaram Yechury in Patna. Even if Rahul Gandhi does not acknowledge Banerjee, she goes ahead and talks to him.

So far as the Congress is concerned, Chowdhury remains the chief ministers biggest critic. It seems impossible for him to tone down the animosity with TMC in Bengal, given that he has branded Banerjee the B team of BJP.

In light of the developments, the Bengaluru meeting will be interesting to watch with all eyes on the TMC-Congress wavelength.
A five-member fact-finding team of the Bharatiya Janata Party is travelling through various parts of West Bengal following the violence during the recent panchayat elections. They have already visited 24 Parganas and will next head to north Bengal. Former law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is leading the team, spoke exclusively to News18 on his way to Basanti island in the Sundarbans region and stated that the biggest problem under Mamata Banerjees government is police supporting the goons of the states ruling party. Edited excerpts:

Whats your take after visiting some of these places?

Democracy is not there, that is clear. Look at the victims, their condition, is this the way? This is Mamata Raj. See how she has treated women. One of the most important complaints that we are getting is that here the police are working for TMC in every way. Democracy has been put to shame by Mamata.

Mamata has said this is the BJP Protection Team. How do you react to that?

I am not here to answer what Mamata says. She admitted that she regrets what theyre afterThis is what is happening in Bengal. So much violence. She is a lady who fought with the misrule of the Left and now her rule is the worst. She is saying only 19 deaths when the media says more than 40. I dont believe her, I believe you.

Where are you headed next?

We are going to north Bengal. We will be meeting victims there. We have met the honourable governor and told him about the victims. We have requested that strong steps should be taken. The governor has listened to us. Our workers are unable to stay in their homes.

What was wrong with the election process?

The State Election Commission did what the Mamata government wanted. Our candidates could not file nominations. They could not campaign, and on election day some of them were not allowed to cast their vote.

What next? What will the BJP do after this?

We will submit a report to the party. The party will take up the matter. Our lawyers will give full support to the victims everywhere. We hope the party will take up the matter with the central government. We will show the entire world what happens under Mamata Raj.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday expressed his states strong opposition to the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), arguing against a one-size-fits-all approach, and flagged his concerns in a detailed letter to the Chairperson of the Law Commission of India.

In the letter, he said UCC poses a serious threat and challenges the diverse social structure of our society. I am writing to express Government of Tamil Nadus strong opposition to the idea of implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India that is known for its multicultural social fabric. While I understand the need for certain reforms, I believe that the UCC poses a serious threat and challenges the diverse social structure of our society, he said.

He said the country prides itself on being a secular nation that respects and protects the rights of minorities through Article 29 of the Constitution. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution also ensures that the tribal areas of States preserve their customs and practices through District and Regional Councils.

The UCC, by its very nature, has the potential to disproportionately affect such tribal communities and undermine their right to practice and preserve their traditional practices, customs and identities, he said.

Further, implementing a uniform code without considering the socio economic disparities that exist in our society can have adverse consequences, he said. Different communities have varying levels of development, education, and awareness, and a one-size-fits-all approach may exacerbate existing inequalities, the CM added.

UCC also has potential to create deep divisions and social unrest among religious communities. Further, any attempt to impose a uniform code may be perceived as an overreach by the State into religious matters, setting a worrisome precedent for future encroachments on personal liberties, he argued. Stalins letter came a day after his party, the DMK, wrote to the Law Commision strongly arguing against UCC.

The DMK chief in his letter pointed to the Constitutional provisions on the right to profess a religion of ones choice. Religious practices are the basis for most of the personal laws of the respective communities and hence any changes them cannot be done without the consent of the religious communities.

Considering the fact that even among the people professing the same religion, the practices and beliefs vary from place to place and region to region, such a consent is impossible without reaching a consensus among them. Due to this and among many other factors, the UCC, mentioned as an aspirational goal in Article 44 of the Constitution, has been opposed time and again, he said.

The 21st Law Commission of India in its consultation paper in August 2018 had also stated that UCC is not preferable. Hence, any hasty introduction of UCC will not only result in a Constitutional breakdown but would also lead to communal disharmony and chaos in the country. Personal Laws provide certain protection and rights to minority communities and we consider any attempt to implement UCC is an effort to obliterate the unique religious/cultural identity of minorities including the tribals and create an artificially homogenous majoritarian society, he averred.

Further, any reform in personal laws without the active participation and consent of the States will weaken the federal structure of the country. It is pertinent to note that uniformity in personal laws will not create a unified nation, he said.

The CM also stated the UCC has the potential to create deep divisions and social unrest among different religious communities. In a country where there are religious, cultural and linguistic diversities like none other, communal harmony is of utmost importance. It is crucial to promote mutual understanding and respect rather than imposing a uniform code that can generate conflicts and breed animosity, he added.

Also, the UCC fails to acknowledge the historical aspect that personal laws in India have evolved over centuries, deeply rooted in the historical, cultural, and religious contexts of various communities. Above all, our primary goal should be to foster harmonious coexistence among the diverse communities that form the fabric of our great nation. Instead of imposing a uniform code, let us focus on strengthening interfaith dialogues, promoting tolerance, and nurturing the spirit of unity in diversity that defines Indiathe UCC, as it stands, lacks widespread consultation and engagement with the State Governments, religious leaders and community representatives which is crucial to arrive at a well-rounded and acceptable solution.

Hence, I urge you to consider these concerns seriously and drop the proposal to proceed with the Uniform Civil Code. We should aim for uniformity in rights and opportunities for all people rather than uniformity on lawsour nations strength lies in its diversity, and we must uphold and celebrate it rather than attempting to homogenize it through the Uniform Civil Code, he told the Law Commission Chairperson.
News / National

by Staff reporter

HIGH Court judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi yesterday sentenced to death Tapiwa Makore Snr (60) and Tafadzwa Shamba (40) for the murder of a Murehwa boy.Mutevedzi said the duo showed no mercy and behaved like animals when they killed Tapiwa Makore Jnr, who was seven by then three years ago.He said their objective to kill the hapless boy showed that the murder was premeditated."The accused person forced their victim to drink an illicit brew  in reality the accused persons poisoned the victim into a comatose. That is an aggravating circumstance," Justice Mutevedzi ruled."When the boy was dead, they defiled his body. The deceased's head has not been found up to now. The deliberate mutilation of the body after murder is another aggravation."The judge said the duo was determined to cover its tracks by mutilating the body and burying it in a shallow grave.Justice Mutevedzi said the death sentence was premised on the way they killed the child.After he delivered his judgment, some family members cheered while others cried.Some relatives who talked to the media said they wished the duo would reveal where they hid Makore Jnr's head.Makore Jnr was murdered in September 2020 in cold blood before his body was chopped to pieces.The murder shook the nation.His torso was found being mauled by dogs while his other body parts were located in a pit latrine.His remains were buried a year later.The two had pleaded not guilty to the charges during trial, although Shamba confessed and gave a graphic depiction of how the murder was committed.The judge said the evidence made it clear that Shamba killed the boy, while Makore Snr ably assisted him.
Top Congress leaders from Uttarakhand on Thursday met party resident Mallikarjun Kharge and former chief Rahul Gandhi here to review the partys preparedness for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

A similar meeting was held with members of the Maharashtra Congress unit earlier.

The Uttarakhand Congress leaders, who participated in the meeting, included former chief minister Harish Rawat, PCC president Karan Mahara and AICC in-charge for the state Devender Yadav.

AICC general secretary organisation K C Venugopal and all AICC secretaries for the hill state were also present at the meeting.

In a message to the state unit, Kharge said the Congress is committed to environment-friendly development of Himalayan states. He said the party has pledged to work for flood victims, adding that that the Congress will keep raising the voice of the people of the state.
During Google I/O 2023 in May, Google had announced that its ChatGPT-alternative Bard is available across 180 countries including India. Now, in another major update, Google has added support for nine Indian languages like Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, and Urdu. Google is now supporting over 40 languages for Bard including Bahasa Indonesia.

With support for over 40 languages, it will be helpful if users want to hear the correct pronunciation of a word or listen to a poem or script. Simply enter a prompt and select the sound icon to hear Bards answers. Users can also now change the tone and style of Bards responses to five different options: simple, long, short, professional or casual. This feature is live in English and will expand to new languages soon, according to Google.

To help users boost their productivity, Google is adding new ways to pin and rename conversations with Bard in over 40 languages. Now when users start a conversation, theyll see options to pin, rename and pick up recent conversations in the sidebar. Google has also made it easier for users to share part or all of their Bard chat with their network.

Google is bringing the capabilities of Google Lens into Bard. Whether users want more information about an image or just need help coming up with a caption, they can now upload images with prompts and Bard will analyse the photo to help. This feature is now live in English (US), and will be expanded to more languages soon.

In May, Google moved Bard to PaLM 2, a far more capable large language model, which has enabled many of its recent improvements  including advanced math and reasoning skills and coding capabilities. In the past few weeks, coding has already become one of the most popular things people do with Bard. Google today introduced a new feature that allows users to export Python code to Replit, in addition to Google Colab. This feature is now live in over 40 languages.
At some point or another, most people have experienced some form of online fraud. Whether its the fake army officer scam or job scamsits clear that in todays worldwe need to be alert to whats fishy and whats not. And thats exactly what a woman from Bengaluru did when she prevented herself from being scammed by a fake FedEx agent.

In an exclusive interaction with News18 Tech, Keka De, the woman who got the call, revealed how she avoided falling for the scam. On July 10, she received a call from someone claiming to be an executive from FedEx Mumbai. The person, using the number +91964453692, told her that a package had been sent out on July 5, 2023.

He claimed she had sent illegal objectsincluding 5 passports, 3 credit cards, 1 laptop, and even 150 gm of MDMA drugs to an address in Taipei, Taiwan. Keka De claims that the fake FedEX agent said that the parcel had been confiscated by customs since it contained illegal items. And, he added that she would have to reach out to Mumbai Police, and register a complaint with Andheri East Police Station to avoid any trouble.

De recounted that she was sweating bullets, thinking about how she could travel from Bangalore to Mumbai at such short notice to file a complaint.

This is where the situation took an extreme turn. The fake FedEx agent, under the pretext of helping her, allegedly transferred the call to the police.

Suddenly, after an IVR message saying transferring to Mumbai police cyber crime department, played, and someone pretending to be an officer, Naresh Kumar, started talking to me, said Keka De.

The scammer, impersonating the police officer named Naresh Kumar, went on to warn Keka De about engaging in such activities. However, at the same time, the imposter also claimed that someone might have used her Aadhaar identification to commit the crime, attempting to gain her trust.

The officer even disclosed several names of individuals he had arrested for similar offences and wanted Keka De to start a Skype call to register the complaint. When De grew suspicious and refused, the fraudster warned her not to end the call as it would be considered disrespectful to an officer of the law.

Keka De hung up the call and contacted FedEx customer care. As she suspected, there was no consignment with the tracking number 2289 3212 9105, and FedEx alerted her that it was a fraudulent call.

I next called the Mumbai police helpline where I got a typical aap Bangalore mein hain, Mumbai police kaise help karega? response from the cop. She asked me to go to the local Thana.

The FedEx or any type of parcel delivery scam is becoming very common across India since it was first reported way back in 2018. Readers are advised to check with the website of courier companies or online shopping platforms before falling for these scams. Just for information, customs in India dont work over phone calls, WhatsApp calls or Skype. Neither will customs ask for UPI payments or online fund transfers.

And if you are actually ordering something from a legit online website that is licensed to operate in India then theres no chance that customs would get involved as the products you are buying are most likely already shipped into India and it is the responsibility of the seller and not the buyer for delivery of any such product.
A secure compound in South Korea is welcoming North Korean defectors. They are given life-changing training, which is teaching them to live in an independent country. After the refugees arrive in South Korea, they are sent here for three months. North Koreans are welcomed into this secure place to learn vital skills after escaping poverty and repression. The refugees arent safe from danger until they have reached the private facility in Seoul. The settlement support centre, also known as Hanawon, is located in a rural woodland which is around two hours from the capital city of South Korea. According to a report by BBC, the compound is a multi-storey building, comprising a training hub, re-education centre and medical facility. It includes 22 blossoming courses in subjects like baking, beauty and cloth making. There are rooms designed to look like nail parlours and phone shops with smartphones displayed. There is also a room which focuses on mental health, as refugees try to overcome the trauma they have faced while escaping their country.

It is reported that the number of North Koreans entering South Korea as refugees has dramatically declined over the years  from 3,000 people to 1,000 per year; and during the Covid-19 pandemic, the number hit 100. The decrease in number was major because of the sealed borders, but now the government of Seoul believes the number of people fleeing from North Korea will again rise as the Covid-19 restrictions have been eased.

The South Korean Unification Minister Kwong Young-she said in an interview with BBC that the country needs to be ready to welcome an influx of arrivals. He also added that they need to think of defectors not as aliens, but as neighbours whose hometown is in the north.

Dr Jeon Jin-Yong, who is a psychiatrist and had worked in the facility, said to the portal that arrivals live in constant fear that they will be caught. He also added that many struggle to overcome the guilt of leaving their relatives back home, who they might never see again.

Three anonymous women from the facility, in the same report, revealed that first, they fled to China, where they were living a better life than North Korea; but still, they felt danger and anxiety. The first woman was unable to get a Chinese identity card, which meant she had no access to medical facilities, a bank card or even a travel card to use public transport. The second woman was paid half the wage of a Chinese worker and was in no position to argue.

49-year-old businesswoman Kim Sung-hui, who graduated from the facility around ten years ago, now owns a business of rice wine. Speaking with the media house, she shared that the first night after leaving North Korea was a memorable one for all defectors. I felt such relief that I was finally in South Korea. I hugged my daughter and started to cry - not because I was sad or lonely - but because wed survived. She also mentioned that she did not graduate from Hanawon until she realised that she is safe and free.
Delhi is battling a swollen Yamuna and the situation only seems to be getting worse as it has breached its all-time record. As per last readings, Yamuna is at an unprecedented height of 208.08 meters. With that, it has surpassed its previous record of 207.49 meters set 45 years ago. While people living across the region are struggling with the evacuation process, people on Twitter are taking advantage of the situation by sharing hilarious memes.

Also Read: Ananya Panday Gets Hate For Dating Good-Looking Aditya Roy Kapoor But Twitter Has Had Enough

With Delhi Rain trending on the micro blogging site, the platform is filled with memes, jokes, satires and what not. Here are a few trending memes:

As per the data shared by the police, personnel from three police stations in the northeast district, which is New Usmanpur, Shastri Park and Sonia Vihar, rescued 390 people and 190 cattle from flood-prone areas. Three police stations of the east district, which is Mayur Vihar, Mandawali and Pandav Nagar, rescued 370 people and 76 cattle.

Also Read: Bihar Groom Beaten By Brides Family for Being Bald, Wedding Called Off in Viral Video

To battle with the worsening situation, the Delhi government has banned the entry of heavy goods vehicles. Sharing a copy of the order issued by the Transport Department on Twitter, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said, Entry of Heavy Goods Vehicles has been banned from Singhu Border, Badarpur Border, Loni Border and Chilla Border as a precautionary measure in view of abnormally rising water level of Yamuna River. On the other hand, interstate buses coming from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand will stop at Singhu border instead of going to ISBT Kashmeri Gate, Gahlot said in a tweet in Hindi. There is no restriction on vehicles carrying essential services such as food and petroleum products, he added.
Economic cooperation and the disputed South China Sea will be on the agenda when Southeast Asian foreign ministers meet their Chinese, Japanese and South Korean counterparts for ASEAN-plus-three talks on Thursday. China will be represented at the talks by top diplomat Wang Yi instead of Foreign Minister Qin Gang after Qin pulled out for health reasons", according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his South Korean counterpart Park Jin will also attend. The grouping was established after the 1997 Asian financial crisis to develop better economic ties between Southeast Asian nations and East Asian powers.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations members include this years chair Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, the Philippines and Myanmar.

Experts said the South China Sea will be a priority because China claims almost the entirety of the strategic waterway and several ASEAN members complain about Beijing infringing on their own overlapping territorial claims there.

South China Sea is probably going to be one of the issues discussed during the ASEAN-plus-three meeting in light of recent tensions in the area," said Aleksius Jemadu, professor at Pelita Harapan University in the capital Jakarta.

The waterway is an important shipping route and is crucial for both Tokyos and Seouls global supply chains.

Western and Asian powers have been rattled by Beijings increasing assertiveness in the region, where it is applying pressure on self-ruled Taiwan and its patrol vessels have clashed with other nations ships.

The crisis in coup-racked Myanmar will also be on the list of topics to be addressed because it is a thorny issue that divides ASEAN members, said Teuku Rezasyah, international relations expert at Padjadjaran University.

Japan and South Korea have an interest to prevent Myanmar from joining Chinas orbit," he said.

Recent meetings of the group have discussed ways to better cooperate on health and economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic to make the Asia-Pacific region one of the dominant drivers of global economic growth.

ASEAN ministerial meetings will also be held around Thursdays ASEAN-plus-three talks with countries that will be taking part in Fridays 18-nation East Asia Summit.

That includes India, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, China, Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Jakarta on Thursday morning and will meet ASEAN members the next day.
The European Parliament on Thursday passed a resolution addressing the human rights situation in India, specifically highlighting the recent clashes in Manipur, a move India deemed as unacceptable" and indicative of a colonial mindset." The Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, urged Indian authorities to implement measures to curb ethnic and religious violence and ensure the protection of all religious minorities."

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, responded to media inquiries stating, We have seen that the European parliament held a discussion on developments in Manipur and adopted a so-called Urgency resolution, he said.

He said that the Indian authorities, including the judiciary, are actively addressing the situation in Manipur and taking necessary actions to maintain peace, harmony and law and order. The European parliament would be well advised to utilise its time more productively on its internal issues, he added.

On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that the EU parliamentarians concerned are being reached out and it has been made clear to them that it is a matter absolutely internal to India.

European Parliaments Resolution on Human Rights in India

The resolution titled India, the situation in Manipur" was introduced by Pierre Larrouturou, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats.

According to a press statement form the Parliament on the passed resolution, it strongly urged Indian authorities to put in place all necessary measures to promptly halt the ethnic and religious violence and to protect all religious minorities."

The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) urged Indian authorities to permit independent investigations" into the violence and encouraged all parties involved in the conflict to cease making provocative statements, rebuild trust and urged impartial mediation to ease the tensions.

Parliament reiterates its call for human rights to be integrated into all areas of the EU-India partnership, including in trade, the press statement said. MEPs also advocate for the EU-India Human Rights Dialogue to be reinforced and encourage the EU and its member states to systematically and publicly raise human rights concerns, notably on freedom of expression, religion and the shrinking space for civil society, with the Indian side at the highest level, it added.

Manipur has been witnessing violent clashes, especially between Kuki and Meitei communities for close to two months.

The resolution coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modis two-day visit to France, where he was invited by President Emmanuel Macron to serve as the Guest of Honour at the renowned Bastille Day Parade.

(with inputs from PTI)
Veteran news anchor Huw Edwards was on Wednesday revealed by his wife as the BBC presenter accused of paying for explicit images but police said no criminal offence had been committed. The furore has been front-page news and leading radio and television news bulletins in British media for six successive days.

It comes after the publicly funded BBC  whose brand is built on public trust  was rocked in recent years by scandals which saw some of their biggest names revealed as serial sex offenders. But while traditional media outlets  bound by strict privacy and defamation laws  did not name the presenter, there was frenzied speculation on social media as to who it was.

Confirming his identity, Edwards wife Vicky Flind said her husband was suffering from serious mental health issues" and was now receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future". Londons Metropolitan Police said there was no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed" after examining information received. South Wales Police said the same.

Welsh journalist Edwards, 61, is one of the most recognisable faces on UK television, and was the man entrusted with telling the world that Queen Elizabeth II had died. The BBC has been under the spotlight since allegations emerged last week in The Sun newspaper from the parents of a young adult, who said that the presenter had paid for explicit images of their child.

The young adult, however, called the claims rubbish". The Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloid newspaper, a longtime critic of the BBC and a supporter of the ruling Conservative party, accused the corporation of failing to properly investigate the claims.

- Repercussions? -

Edwards wife said she was revealing his identity after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family" and was doing so primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children".

Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published," she added in a statement, saying that he only learned of the allegations on Thursday.

Media experts warned that attention could soon switch to The Sun after the police statement threw serious doubt on the parents claims of criminality. The question mark here is around the specific allegation made" of criminality, said media lawyer Matthew Gill of Howard Kennedy LLP.

Now, its unclear from The Suns reporting whether they had any concrete evidence," he added, warning they could potentially face a defamation suit.

A spokesperson for The Sun said the newspaper has no plans to publish further allegations" and would cooperate with the BBCs own internal inquiry in the matter. But they added: We must also re-emphasise that The Sun at no point in our original story alleged criminality and also took the decision neither to name Mr Edwards nor the young person involved in the allegations.

Suggestions about possible criminality were first made at a later date by other media outlets, including the BBC." The newspapers reporting from the outset was about a complaint from the individuals parents to the BBC about payments from the presenter that fuelled a drug habit, the spokesperson maintained.

- Media war -

Murdoch and the BBC have a long history of friction, with media industry publication Press Gazette calling the current claim and counter-claim a war between two of the UKs leading news publishers". This episode can now only result with either News UK-owned The Sun or the BBC having their credibility severely diminished," it added.

The first claims emerged in an article published Friday, in which the parents said the presenter had paid a total of 35,000 ($45,000) for the pictures. The family said their child had used the money to fuel a crack cocaine addiction, prompting lawyers acting for the young person to deny the claims.

Three more people have since come forward with complaints, including that Edwards sent threatening and inappropriate messages, and allegedly broke Covid lockdown rules.
A 33-year-old Indian worker died after being struck by a reversing vehicle at a worksite in Jurong West industrial region here.

The man was preparing his tipper truck for unloading when he was hit by a reversing wheel loader, which is used to lift materials at construction sites, reported The Straits Times, citing the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Wednesday.

He was a driver employed by BSN Tech Engineering, and was working at the site occupied by Star Ready-Mix.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said he was pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic.

The Ministry said the incident occurred at about 3.40pm at 1 Buroh Close, and it is probing the case. It has also instructed Star Ready-Mix to stop all vehicular operations there.

As a general safety measure, employers must implement a proper traffic management plan to minimise the risks from vehicles," said the Ministry.

It cited examples such as segregating access between vehicles and people, as well as ensuring that incompatible vehicular operations do not occur at the same time in the same place.

The Ministry has raised the maximum fine for breaches of Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) laws that could result in death or serious injury  from SGD 20,000 to SGD 50,000.

There had been 14 workplace deaths in Singapore as at June 21.

In 2022, there were 46  the highest number recorded since 2016, when 66 people died.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with proud" and enthusiastic members of the Indian community on Thursday, who had gathered outside a hotel in Paris to welcome him. PM Modi arrived for a two-day visit to France and was received by his counterpart, Elisabeth Borne, at Paris Airport, where he was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome and greeted by dignitaries.

The Prime Minister was seen greeting members of the diaspora community with folded hands and occasional handshakes. He was also spotted waving the tricolor flag held by a young girl.

In a tweet, PM Modi shared pictures of his interactions and stated, A warm welcome by the Indian diaspora in Paris! Across the world, our diaspora has made a mark for themselves and are admired for their diligence and hardworking nature."

A warm welcome by the Indian diaspora in Paris! Across the world, our diaspora has made a mark for themselves and are admired for their diligence and hardworking nature. pic.twitter.com/NtQCSmpCt3 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2023

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi greets members of the Indian diaspora who have gathered in Paris to welcome him. pic.twitter.com/pg6lYMcxEv ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

Chants of Bharat Mata ki Jai" and Jai Hind," accompanied by the resounding beats of drums, reverberated in full fervor during the Prime Ministers brief meeting and greetings with the diaspora members in the French city.

A woman was seen singing and stating, Modi hai toh mumkin hai" (If Modi is there, then anything is possible).

#WATCH | France: A woman of the Indian diaspora dedicates a song to PM Narendra Modi after he met them in Paris pic.twitter.com/hY4QpKjITO ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

Speaking to News18, a woman speaking about her interaction with PM Modi said: The Prime Minister greeted each one of us, and it felt so special. It is a dream come true to see him and we pray for his healthy and long life. We also thank him for his services to the country."

Another woman expressed feeling proud" and said she hopes that the strategic partnership between India and France grows stronger, and we contribute to both countries."

The Prime Minister is set to address the Indian Community event at the iconic La Seine Musicale at approximately 11 PM IST today.

Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron and join him for the annual Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour. Landed in Paris. Looking forward to boosting India-France cooperation during this visit. My various programmes today include an interaction with the Indian community later in the evening," Modi tweeted soon after his arrival here.

Landed in Paris. Looking forward to boosting India-France cooperation during this visit. My various programmes today include an interaction with the Indian community later in the evening. pic.twitter.com/2rBClUL0zJ Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2023

PM @narendramodi alights at the Paris airport. Accorded a ceremonial welcome. In a special gesture, PM @Elisabeth_Borne received him at the airport. PMs intensive programme in Paris includes participation in the Bastille Day celebrations & a slew of engagements with the French leadership, Indian diaspora, CEOs and prominent personalities," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

Modi, before departing, expressed optimism that his visit will invigorate the bilateral strategic partnership. I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years," PM Modi had said in his departure statement. We also work together on regional and global issues," he added.
News / National

by Staff reporter

BULAWAYO'S largest referral health institution, Mpilo Central Hospital is in the eye of a storm after some women claimed they suspiciously lost their new-born babies at the health centre.Immediately after losing their babies, undertakers reportedly approached them offering their services."There is a lady who lost her infant and immediately after learning of the death, a lady from a funeral parlour came touting her services," a source told Southern Eye. "There seems to be collusion between ward staff and funeral parlours. I know it's an emotional issue, but it deserves investigation."Another woman who claimed to be a victim, speaking on condition of anonymity, said after being admitted to the hospital last month, she gave birth to a baby girl, but lost the baby under unclear circumstances."I was operated on by a doctor (name supplied) after being harassed by the staff. I saw my child and she was in good shape. One of the nurses took my daughter to the next room and I remained behind," she said.She said she asked student nurses to check on her baby and the feedback was that her daughter was fine."I made several efforts to check if the baby was fine and I was told she was fine. My sister then visited around 1pm and that is when we were told that the child had died. They said my child was not normal," she added.Immediately after that, she was approached by a funeral parlour (name supplied) advertising its services.Contacted for comment, Mpilo Hospital chief medical officer Narcacius Dzwanga professed ignorance over the issue."Where did you get the information?" Dzwanga said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who began his two-day official visit to France on Thursday, will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron, attend the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour, meet prominent personalities, top CEOs and attend a banquet dinner in Louvre before leaving for Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Prime Minister Modi received a special welcome as French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne personally greeted him at the airport. A ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour were extended to Prime Minister Modi to mark his arrival.

Upon his arrival at the hotel in Paris, PM Modi interacted with children and members of the Indian diaspora. The enthusiastic Indian community members, who had gathered outside the hotel, greeted the prime minister with chants of Bharat Mata ki Jai.

A warm welcome by the Indian diaspora in Paris! Across the world, our diaspora has made a mark for themselves and are admired for their diligence and hardworking nature. pic.twitter.com/NtQCSmpCt3 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2023

According to the Prime Ministers Office, Modi had a productive meeting" with Senate President Larcher, during which they discussed various matters of mutual interest. The two leaders agreed to collaborate closely to enhance cooperation between India and France in several areas. Additionally, Modi held a separate meeting with Prime Minister Borne, where they explored measures to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two nations.

PM Modis Schedule for July 14

According to the schedule, the Prime Minister will attend the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour. The Bastille Day Parade, which marks the historic storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution in 1789, serves as a tribute to Frances cultural and military legacy. This year, a 269-member contingent from the Indian tri-services will take part in the parade. Additionally, three Rafale fighter jets from the Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in the flypast alongside their French counterparts.

PM Modi will engage in discussions with President Emmanuel Macron to enhance cooperation across space, trade and investment. He will also hold meetings with prominent personalities, attend a CEO forum, followed by a grand banquet dinner at the iconic Louvre in Paris. The day will conclude with the departure for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

TIMINGS PM NARENDRA MODIS SCHEDULE IN PARIS ON FRIDAY, JULY 14 10:00 AM - 12:20 PM (Paris) / 1:30 PM - 3:50 PM (IST) Bastille Day 1:00 PM (Paris) / 4:30 PM (IST) Lunch hosted by President of National Assembly 2:40 PM (Paris) / 6:10 PM (IST) Meeting with prominent personalities 5:00 PM (Paris) / 8:30 PM (IST) Ceremonial Reception, Tete a Tete, Delegation Talks, Press Statements 7:00 PM (Paris) / 10:30 PM (IST) CEO Forum 8:30 PM (Paris) / 00:00 AM (IST) Banquet Dinner in Louvre 0:15 AM (Paris) / 3:45 AM (IST) Departure for Abu Dhabi

PM Modi in Abu Dhabi

On July 15, in Abu Dhabi, the day will begin with PM Modis arrival at 09:15 (local time), followed by a ceremonial welcome, delegation talks and tete-a-tete at 12:40 pm. A banquet lunch is scheduled for the afternoon and the Prime Minister will depart for Delhi at 3:15 pm.

TIMINGS PM NARENDRA MODIS SCHEDULE IN ABU DHABI ON SATURDAY, JULY 15 9:15 AM (Abu Dhabi) / 10:45 AM (IST) Arrival 12:40 PM (Abu Dhabi) / 2:10 PM (IST) Ceremonial welcome, Delegation Talks, Tete-a-Tete 1:50 PM (Abu Dhabi) / 3:20 PM (IST) Banquet lunch 3:45 PM (Abu Dhabi) / 4:45 PM (IST) Departure for Delhi

Prime Minister Modi will engage in extensive discussions with President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, aimed at advancing bilateral ties in key areas such as energy, food security, fintech and defense.

The Ministry of External Affairs said comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UAE has been progressively strengthening, and the upcoming visit will provide an opportunity to further enhance cooperation across multiple domains, including education, healthcare, culture, and food security. The discussions will also cover collaboration on global issues, particularly within the framework of the UAEs Presidency of COP-28 and Indias G-20 Presidency, where the UAE has been invited as a special participant.

According to Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, the two sides will deliberate on cooperation in emerging technologies during the visit.
Rolling back in time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled his four-decade-old association with France during his address to the Indian Community on his two-day visit to Paris. He mentioned his personal ties with France, dating back to nearly 40 years ago when a cultural center opened in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

My own personal ties with France go way back. Nearly 40 years ago, a cultural center opened in Ahmedabad, Gujarat," PM Modi said while addressing the Indian Community at the La Seine Musicale in Paris. The Prime Minister highlighted his role as the first person to become associated with that cultural center.

The Alliance Francaise is a century-old organization that plays a vital role in promoting the French language and culture abroad. It helps to foster understanding and appreciation of France.

PM Narendra Modi speaks of him taking membership of Alliance Francais around 40 years back. Here is his membership card. pic.twitter.com/92J5QLAhGw ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

The Prime Minister is here on a two-day visit during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron and join him for the French National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.

Prime Minister Modis intensive programme in Paris includes a slew of engagements with the French leadership, Indian diaspora, CEOs and prominent personalities.

Ahead of his departure, Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership. Expansion of bilateral defence ties is expected to be a key focus of Prime Minister Modis talks with Macron.

Modi said his visit to France was particularly special as he will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

Earlier on Thursday, PM Modi and his French Prime Minister Borne explored opportunities for collaboration in areas such as trade, energy, education, and more. PM Modi also had a productive meeting" with Senate President Gerard Larcher, fostering mutual cooperation between India and France.

The visit will conclude with PM Modis departure for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
In a move that could worsen the woes of Indias neighbour, Pakistan Airlines has received the final warning from Riyadh Airport Authority over non-payment of dues.

As per exclusive emails and documents accessed by News18, PIA has received an ultimatum from the Riyadh Airport Authority (RAA) and the body has set a deadline of July 15 for PIA to pay the outstanding amount of 8.2 million riyals.

Failure to meet the deadline could potentially affect the airlines winter flight schedule.

Additionally, PIA has been cautioned by the Jeddah Airport for non-payment of liabilities. A spokesperson for PIA confirmed the issuance of the reminder and stated that the airline is actively working towards making the payment and resolving the issue promptly.

Earlier, News18 had reported that the highly mismanaged Pakistani state airlines may even close down as the ECC failed to release the PKR 22 billion pending claims on account of markup up to June 2023, releasing mere PKR 4 billion.

It was also revealed that AerCap, a lessor of the PIA, impounded its B-777 aircraft last month at Kuala Lumpur. It was released after the Pakistan government made the overdue payment and pleaded the PIA receipts through the International Air Transport Association (IATA) clearing house.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said a high-level committee chaired by the finance minister will work out the restructuring, reformation and revival of the PIA.

The PIA is also facing a lawsuit in the US from Willis Leasing over non-payment. To avoid any further adverse action, the PIA are removing and returning the two A-320 aircraft engines leased from them. PIA insurance broker Alliana also issued a termination notice and demanded overdue payments and said once insurance stops so will flight operations.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday launched into a condemnation of Western attitudes on homosexuality during a visit to Uganda which has just introduced some of the harshest anti-gay laws in the world.

Raisi, on a mission to strengthen ties with the first trip by an Iranian leader to Africa in 11 years, called out the West at a press conference with President Yoweri Museveni after talks with the veteran Ugandan leader.

The West today is trying to promote the idea of homosexuality and by promoting homosexuality they are trying to end the generation of human beings," Raisi announced.

Museveni signed the bill into law on May 29, triggering outrage among human rights groups, the United Nations and LGBTQ activists as well as Western powers.

The new law makes aggravated homosexuality" a capital offence and penalties for consensual same-sex relations of up to life in prison.

Raisi told the press conference the West was acting against inheritance and culture of nations".

The Iranian leader also offered Museveni support for the major project to build a domestic oil refinery and pipeline that has been opposed by environmental groups and faced legal action in France and criticism in the European Parliament.

Raisi said Tehran was ready to share its oil industry experience, while the West was not generally interested to see countries who enjoy great resources and national reserves to be independent".

The visit comes as the Islamic Republic tries to shore up diplomatic support to ease its international isolation, with Raisi due to travel to Zimbabwe on Thursday.

He had met Kenyan President William Ruto early Wednesday in Nairobi, describing his visit to the East African powerhouse as a turning point in the development of relations" between the two countries.

He then flew to the Ugandan city of Entebbe, where he was welcomed with a gun salute and military parade, public broadcaster UBC showed.

He is due to meet with his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday.

Africa has emerged as a diplomatic battleground in recent months, with Russia and the West vying for support over Moscows invasion of Ukraine, which has had a devastating impact on the continent, sending food prices soaring.

Western powers have also sought to deepen trade ties with the continent, along with India and China, which have been on an infrastructure spending spree in Africa.

Raisi said his talks with Ruto reflected the determination and resolve of both countries for expansion of economic and trade cooperation, political cooperation, cultural cooperation".

Ruto described Iran as a critical strategic partner" and said the two sides had signed five memoranda of understanding covering information technology, investment, fisheries and other areas.

These memoranda will enhance and further deepen our bilateral relations for sustainable growth and development," he said.

Ruto told reporters that Raisi had also shared plans for Iran to set up a plant in the port city of Mombasa to manufacture an indigenous Iranian vehicle that has now been given the Kiswahili name, Kifaru, meaning rhino."

Common political views

Irans official IRNA news agency said Raisis delegation includes the foreign minister as well as senior businesspeople.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani had expressed optimism that the trip could help bolster economic and trade ties with African nations.

He also said on Monday that Tehran and the African continent share common political views", without elaborating.

Iran has stepped up its diplomacy in recent months to reduce its isolation and offset the impact of crippling sanctions reimposed since the 2018 withdrawal of the United States from a painstakingly negotiated nuclear deal.

On Saturday, Raisi welcomed Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in a bid to boost ties with Algiers.

Last week, Iran became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which includes Russia, China and India.

In March, Tehran agreed to restore ties with regional rival Saudi Arabia under a China-mediated deal. It has since been looking to re-establish relations with other countries in the region including Egypt and Morocco.

In June, Raisi undertook a Latin American tour that included Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba before a trip to Indonesia.
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace sounded an off note in Londons normally harmonious relationship with Kyiv on Wednesday, suggesting Ukraine should show more gratitude to its allies and griping Britain is not an Amazon" for military supplies.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak moved quickly to head off the suggestion that London was annoyed by President Volodymyr Zelenskys fierce lobbying at the NATO summit for more Western support in his battle against the Russian invasion.

And Zelensky himself brushed off any suggestions of tension in the relationship.

But, against a background of Ukrainian frustration that the two-day NATO summit in Vilnius had not produced an invitation for Kyiv to join the alliance on a clear timeframe, Wallaces comments triggered embarrassing headlines and suggestions of discord.

There is a slight word of caution which is, whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude," Wallace told British media on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius.

Sometimes youre persuading countries to give up their own stocks. And yes, the war is a noble war and yes, we see it as you doing a war not just for yourselves but also our freedoms.

But sometimes youve got to persuade lawmakers on the Hill in America," Wallace said referring to the US Congress.

You have got to persuade doubting politicians in other countries that it is worth it, its worthwhile and they are getting something for it," he added.

Wallace also recalled that after receiving a list of weapons requests from Ukraine last year, he told officials in Kyiv I am not Amazon".

Asked about Wallaces remarks, Sunak said Zelensky has expressed his gratitude for what we have done on a number of occasions".

Not least in his incredibly moving address that he made to parliament earlier this year and he has done so again to me, as he has done countless times when I have met him," he told reporters in Vilnius.

- Call him today -

So I know that he and his people are incredibly grateful for the support we have shown, the welcome that we have provided to many Ukrainian families, but also the leadership we have shown throughout this conflict," Sunak added.

Zelensky was also asked about Wallaces comments at his summit press conference, and responded in an exasperated tone.

I believe that we were always grateful to the United Kingdom. We are always grateful to the prime minister  or to prime ministers - and to the minister of defence," he told reporters, thanking the British public for their support and government for close cooperation.

Then, turning to Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, Zelensky asked him whether he had a problem in his relations with Wallace. Told not, he replied to laughter: So why dont you extend words of gratitude to him? Thats great. Then please, you have to call him today."

On Wednesday, the second day of the NATO summit, the leaders of G7 nations pledged to offer enduring" military support to help Ukraine defeat invading Russian forces.

Zelensky welcomed the security guarantees but did not disguise the fact that he would have preferred NATO to have agreed a clear timetable for Ukraine to join the alliance.
Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is likely dead or jailed and his publicized meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the mercenary groups short-lived mutiny was probably fake, a former US military commander has claimed.

Retired General Robert Abrams, who served as the commander of US Forces Korea, told ABC News that Prigozhin will no longer be seen in public as he has been dealt in some way.

My personal assessment is that I doubt well see Prigozhin ever again publicly, Abrams told ABC News.

I think hell either be put in hiding, or sent to prison, or dealt with some other way, but I doubt well ever see him again, he added.

Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday said Yevgeny Prigozhin and his commanders met Vladimir Putin and pledged loyalty to the government.

The three-hour meeting took place June 29 and involved not only Prigozhin but commanders from his Wagner Group military contractor, the Kremlin spokesman said.

When Abrams was asked if Prigozhin was alive after posing the most significant challenge to Putins regime, he said, I personally dont think he is, and if he is, hes in a prison somewhere.

Putins face-to-face meeting with Prigozhin, who led troops on a march to Moscow last month to demand a military leadership change, comes as the Russian leader had branded Prigozhin a traitor and vowed harsh punishment. Prigozhin led Wagner Group, which played a key role in the Ukraine offensive, sought to topple Russias military leadership during the brief rebellion, before backing down.

However, the criminal case against the mercenary chief on rebellion charges was later dropped.

The whereabouts of Yevgeny Prigozhin are largely unknown after the alleged agreement with the Kremlin.

Days after the revolt, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Prigozhin was in Belarus. But last week the president said the mercenary chief was in Russia while his troops remained in their camps.

Russia announced Wednesday that its army had received more than 2,000 pieces of military hardware, including tanks, from Wagner Group.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 39-year-old Chinese national has been arrested for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting members of the public through the E-creator ponzi scheme.E-Creator was a firm that promised investors quick money by sharing positive reviews on e-commerce sites worldwide.In a statement issued Thursday Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of Zhao Jiaotong in connection with a case of fraud."The ZRP confirms the arrest of Zhao Jiaotong (39) in connection with a case of fraud in which unsuspecting members of the public were duped through E-creator ponzi scheme."ZRP is inviting members of the public who might have been duped through E-creator to report to any nearest police station," said Nyathi.Police urged the public to be wary of scams."We continue to implore members of the public to exercise due diligence before making any payments to ponzi or pyramid schemes purportedly offering quick investment returns," added Nyathi.
News / National

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A 42-year-old scribe who is also an employee at Grain Marketing Board has appeared in court on allegations of killing his relative. Joseph Katete was facing murder charges when he appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Munashe Chibanda.He was advised to apply for bail at the High Court. The court heard that Katete and the now deceased Craig Dendera (17) were at their residence in New Mabvuku, Harare waiting for Maxwell Katete who wanted to ferry the accused to the hospital for his doctor's appointment as he has bipolar disorder.It is the State's case that Fatly Salaudi, who is a church elder arrived at the residence intending to pray for the accused person.When she opened the door, she saw the accused sitting on top of the deceased who was covered with a blanket.The court heard that Salaudi persuaded the accused to stand up and he turned violent and threatened to kill her.Salaudi raised alarm resulting in his father, Frank Katete (84) coming to rescue the now deceased.When Frank arrived, the accused was pressing the now deceased on the floor but he was already dead.
Director Chris Wray defended what he called the "real FBI" during a contentious congressional hearing Wednesday, rejecting a list of grievances from angry Republicans who are threatening to defund some operations and claiming the Justice Department is unfair to political conservatives, including Donald Trump. Wray, who testified for nearly six hours, refused to engage specific questions about ongoing federal investigations, including those involving former President Trump and Hunter Biden, the AP reports. The son of President Biden recently reached an agreement to plead guilty to misdemeanor federal tax charges; Republicans have derided that as a sweetheart deal.

In testy exchanges with Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee, Wray rejected the GOP assertion that the bureau was favoring the Biden family and said the notion that the bureau was involved the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol was "ludicrous." Referring to his own background, he labeled as "insane" the idea that he harbors bias against conservatives. "The work the men and women of the FBI do to protect the American people goes way beyond one or two investigations that seem to capture all the headlines," said Wray, a registered Republican whom Trump nominated to lead the FBI after firing James Comey in 2017.

The director spelled out the bureau's crime-fighting work breaking up drug cartels, taking some 60 criminal suspects off the streets each day, and protecting Americans from "a staggering array of threats." He said, "That is the real FBI." It's the latest display of the new normal on Capitol Hill, where Republicans who have long billed themselves as the champions of police and "law and order" are deeply at odds with federal law enforcement and the FBI, accusing the bureau of bias dating to investigations of Trump when he was president. This new dynamic has forced Democrats into a position of defending law enforcement agencies they have long criticized.

The committee chairman, Republican Rep. Jim Jordan, said he is trying to stop what his party calls the "weaponization" of the federal justice system. Jordan opened the hearing reciting a federal judge's recent ruling against the government's efforts to halt misinformation on social media and listed other grievances over the FBI's treatment of conservatives. During one tense exchange with Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, Wray noted that in Florida, the congressman's home state, the number of FBI applicants is up by more than 100%. "We're deeply proud of them, and they deserve better than you," Gaetz said.

(Read more Christopher Wray stories.)
A tornado touched down Wednesday evening near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, prompting passengers to take shelter and disrupting hundreds of flights, the AP reports. There were no immediate reports of injuries. A confirmed tornado was on the ground around 7pm, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago. "This tornado has been touching the ground intermittently so far and is moving east. There are additional circulations along the line south of O'Hare. Seek shelter if in the warned area," it said.

By 8pm the weather service said the Chicago forecast area was "currently tornado warning free." It said the storm was moving east toward Michigan, where tornado warnings were issued. Video from TV stations showed hundreds of people taking shelter in an O'Hare concourse. Some 169 flights were canceled and nearly 500 were delayed, according to the flight tracking service FlightAware. The National Weather Service issued two tornado warnings for portions of the city Wednesday evening. Tornado sirens sounded at least twice across Chicago, warning people to take cover and ringing through the city's buildings.

Lynn Becker, a longtime Chicago resident, posted video to Twitter with the sirens sounding out across the city's iconic skyline. "I'm in a 60 story apartment building so my options are somewhat limited," he said. "We have to, I assume, go into the core of the building." Local news outlets said warehouses were reported damaged near O'Hare. The weather service quoted an unidentified emergency manager as saying a roof was blown off in the community of Huntley in McHenry County and a trained weather spotter saying trees were uprooted and roofs blown off in Cook County, where Chicago is located.

(Read more Chicago stories.)
Rudy Farias says he felt like he was "brainwashed" by his mother to go along with her lies for eight years. Police in Houston say Farias, then 17, returned home one day after he was reported missing in 2015 but mother Janie Santana continued to insist he was missing and told her son he would be arrested if police found him. "She never locked me in or handcuffed me or anything like that," Farias tells KTRK . "I had free will to leave. It just felt like brainwashing me. It just kept confusing me, the way she would manipulate me into saying, 'You're going to get arrested.'" He says he rarely left the home during the eight years he was thought to be missing, except to go to work with his mother.

Farias, 25, says remarks he made to community activist Quanell X were misinterpreted and he wasn't sexually assaulted by his mother, though she definitely crossed boundaries. "I used to have to sleep in her bed sometimes," he says. "Boundaries she would push or make me uncomfortable, and I would say 'Stop,' and she would say, 'Why? Why? Why? I didn't do anything wrong.'" He says he felt like he was in prison and had to stay hidden even when family members visited. After Farias was found outside a church earlier this month, neighbors said they had seen him at the home over the years.

Farias, who is contact with victim support services, no longer wishes to have any contact with his mother, the only close relative he had left after the deaths of his father and half-brother, KTRK reports. "I just want to live my life," he says. "I want to have a family, a car, a house. I just want to live my life and be happy." Farias, who asked interviewers not to show his face in TV broadcasts, says he wants to help out his community, the Houston Chronicle reports. "I don't want this to happen to other people," he says. Houston Police Lt. Christopher Zamora says prosecutors have so far declined to press charges against Santana but that could change as the investigation continues, NPR reports. (Read more Texas stories.)
The Webb Space Telescope is marking one year of cosmic photographs with one of its best yet: the dramatic close-up of dozens of stars at the moment of birth. NASA unveiled the latest snapshot Wednesday, revealing 50 baby stars in a cloud complex 390 light-years away. A light-year is nearly 6 trillion miles. The region is relatively small and quiet yet full of illuminated gases, jets of hydrogen, and even dense cocoons of dust with the delicate beginnings of even more stars. All of the young stars appear to be no bigger than our sun. Scientists said the breathtaking shot provides the best clarity yet of this brief phase of a star's life.

This cloud complex, known as Rho Ophiuchi, is the closest star-forming region to Earth and is found in the sky near the border of the constellations Ophiuchus and Scorpius, the serpent-bearer and scorpion. With no stars in the foreground of the photo, NASA noted, the details stand out all the more. Some of the stars display shadows indicating possible planets in the making, according to NASA. It "presents star birth as an impressionistic masterpiece," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a tweet. "Our own Sun experienced a phase like this, long ago, and now we have the technology to see the beginning of another's star's story," said project scientist Klaus Pontoppidan.

"It's like a glimpse of what our own system would have looked like billions of years ago when it was forming," NASA program scientist Eric Smith told the AP. Smith pointed out that the starlight visible in the image actually left there 390 years ago. On Earth in 1633, Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei went on trial in Rome for saying that the Earth revolved around the sun. The Vatican in 1992 acknowledged Galileo was wronged.

(Read more James Webb Space Telescope stories.)
Scientists believe the moon formed 4.5 billion years ago based on studies of lunar rocks. But dating the lunar surface is less cut and dried. As only so many lunar samples are returned to Earth, scientists have traditionally counted craters as a way of dating sections of the lunar crust. With no erosion or plate tectonics on the moon to erase craters as on Earth, scientists can count craters and estimate how much time it took them to form, per Live Science . Here's the problem: this method has produced dates that don't match up with those revealed through analyses of rocks collected during the Apollo missions. Luckily, researchers say they've resolved the discrepancy and in doing so, have pushed back the date of portions of the lunar crust by up to 200 million years.

In a breakthrough, researchers in France and Norway essentially merged the two dating methods. They examined lunar samples collected during the Apollo, Luna, and Chang'e missions, but also counted craters around the sites where the rocks were found, per Live Science. They then generalized the information so it could be applied to sections where lunar samples have not been retrieved. "What we have done is to show that large portions of the lunar crust are around 200 million years older than had been thought," says Stephanie Werner, a geologist at the University of Oslo's Centre for Planetary Habitability, whose research has been accepted for publication in the Planetary Science Journal.

"The new system of dating changes the age of all areas of the Moon's surfacenot uniformly, but with the oldest surfaces showing greatest changes," according to a release. Mare Imbrium, a massive crater eventually filled by lava flows so as to form the right eye of the landform known as the Man in the Moon, is now thought to be 4.1 billion years old, rather than 3.9 billion years. "This is an important difference," says Werner. "It allows us to push back in time an intense period of bombardment from space, which we now know took place before extensive volcanic activity that formed the 'Man in the Moon' patterns." As the same bombardment is likely to have affected Earth, and possibly Mars as well, the research could hold clues to the geological history of those planets, per Earth.com. (Read more moon stories.)
President Biden on Thursday said he's serious about pursuing a prisoner exchange for Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who has been detained in Russia for more than 100 days, per the AP. The Kremlin earlier this month suggested that it was open to a possible prisoner exchange that could involve the journalist, but it underscored that such talks must be held out of the public eye. Speaking at a news conference in the Finnish capital of Helsinki, Biden made clear that the US is interested. "I'm serious on a prisoner exchange," Biden said. "That process is underway."
California voters will decide in 2024 whether to enshrine the right to same-sex marriage in the state constitution, a chance for them to permanently remove an inactive ban on same-sex marriage they approved in 2008. The state Senate overwhelmingly passed the proposed constitutional amendment on Thursday, though most of the chamber's eight Republicans did not take a position. It would repeal a measure known as Proposition 8, which voters approved to prohibit the state from recognizing same-sex marriages, the AP reports. In practice, that law has been void for about a decade. But the measure remains on the books and can only be removed by voters.

"What we are doing today is joyous," said Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat representing San Francisco. "What the voters, I believe, will do next year is joyous. This is about recognizing the fundamental humanity of all 40 million Californians." Wiener and Democratic Assemblymember Evan Low, both members of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, introduced the legislation after the US Supreme Court's ruling last year that overturned the right to an abortion, putting the fates of other previously decided rights into uncertain territory. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said at the time the court should reconsider its rulings on prominent cases such as the 2015 decision requiring states to recognize and issue licenses for same-sex marriages.

In an emotional debate on the Senate floor, lawmakers said the proposed amendment was long overdue. Democratic Sen. Caroline Menjivar, who is lesbian, fought back tears while sharing a story about family members refusing to attend her wedding. "This vote goes beyond faith. It goes to the damage it causes to me and my LGBTQ+ families and friends," Menjivar said. Voters passed Proposition 8 in 2008. After another round of court intervention, same-sex marriage has been legal in the state since 2013. The US Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationally two years later.

(Read more California stories.)
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Inzalo kaGodlwayo community group in Insiza has purchased 400 litres of diesel that will be used in the grading of Mbaulo to Maxolweni road, as part of its road rehabilitatiom programme.The group embarked on a self funded road rehabilitation project in April this year and have been working with relevant stakeholders such as Insiza Rural District Council (RDC) and government departments.Project Secretary, Mthandazo Dube, told CITE that their work was progressing well and that the group members had recently bought 400 litres of diesel."The diesel was bought in South Africa and was transported from Johannesburg to Filabusi by our treasurer, Zibusiso Majankwe, who is a businessman. The 400 litres of diesel will be used to grade part of Mbaulo-Maxolweni road," Dube said.According to Dube, the infrastructural work by the Godlwayo community was moving at commendable speed due to involving and working with relevant authorities."This is a continuation of the smart partnership between the Godlwayo Community ,Insiza RDC and the government to maintain our roads. We, as the Godlwayo Community, decided to work together and liaise with the relevant authorities in order to develop our community," said the project secretary."Once grading the Mbaulo to Maxolweni road is completed. Work to grade the Matshayinyoni to Mbembesi road will also start, that is if there is enough fuel."Chairperson of Inzalo kaGodlwayo, Bishop Mkhulli Msindo Ncube, concurred that infrastructural work needed public and private partnerships so that projects can move faster."As Inzalo kaGodlwayo we are grateful to work with all the relevant government departments and the reception we receive has been commendable and we attribute that to the partnerships that we have entered in with the government. There is so much we can do and we hope that we as a community do our part in enabling development," Ncube said.
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TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Media Affairs Advisor to His Majesty the King Nabil bin Yaqub Al Hamar visited the Vatel Hospitality and Tourism Business School in Al Jasra, and discussed the rich history of hospitality in Bahrain and its significant role in nurturing competencies across Gulf countries.

The visit took place in the presence Tourism Minister Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, Bahrain Tourism, Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nasser Qaedi, and Shaikh Khalid Khalifa Al Khalifa, Vatel Bahrain Director General.

Touring the establishment, Vatels curricula, programmes, and accomplishments in terms of education and scientific research were highlighted. Al Hamar engaged with the foundation year students at the school, actively listening to their experiences and opinions regarding the educational programs provided by the college.

He emphasised that Kingdoms legacy of hospitality dates back numerous centuries, noting that the values of hospitality and generosity are deeply cherished national customs and traditions among all Bahrainis.

HM the Kings Advisor added that this cultural aspect serves as a crucial factor in attracting tourists to the Kingdom, and enhancing the hospitality and tourism sector. He encouraged students to capitalis on their academic journey at the college and strive for exceptional outcomes in their studies.

Al Hamar offered valuable advice and guidance on how to succeed in their future careers, emphasising the significance of hard work, diligence, and acquiring the necessary skills to excel in their respective fields of study.

He commended the role played by Vatel Hospitality and Tourism Business School in training and preparing national professionals in accordance with the highest international standards upheld within the hospitality and tourism sector.

Media promotes tourism

Al Sairafi commended the pivotal role played by the national media in promoting the achievements of the tourism sector, including the dedicated professionals working within the industry.

She highlighted the contribution of Vatel Bahrain to honing students skills and expertise, effectively integrating them into Bahrains hospitality and tourism sector.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Ministries of Interior in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait have agreed to form joint executive working teams to discuss a number of areas of security cooperation and coordination, including criminal security, cybersecurity, and combating terrorism, in addition to issues of traffic, operations, electronic connectivity, passports, visas, and ports.

The work teams shall submit reports on the results of their work to the Joint Security Committee. This came during the first meeting of the committee, which was held in the Kingdom of Bahrain over two days, chaired by Chief of Public Security Lieutenant-General Tariq bin Hasan Al Hasan, and Undersecretary of Ministry of Interior in Kuwait Lieutenant-General Anwar Abdullatif Al Barjas.

Chief of Public Security delivered a speech in which he welcomed Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior and the accompanying delegation, expressing his pride in the distinguished relations between the two brotherly countries, and extending sincere congratulations to Shaikh Talal Khaled Al Ahmad Al Sabah on the occasion of renewing his appointment as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

He praised the success of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior in organising the democratic process for the recent National Assembly elections. Lt. Gen. Tariq bin Hasan expressed his appreciation for the support of Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa to all public security fields, which contributed to the development of security cooperation regionally and internationally through the activation of agreements and memoranda of understanding.

He also pointed out that the meeting of the joint security committee came within the framework of the joint approach to confirm the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries cohesion, and strengthen the historical fraternity ties that unite the GCC states, explaining that the security and regional data and the accelerating challenges in the Gulf region, impose the continuation of the joint approach to protect security, stability and enhance public safety.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain's Ministry of Health has warned against suspicious WhatsApp calls and messages using its logo to steal sensitive information.

These calls, which speak on behalf of the Ministry of Health, collect information about COVID-19 vaccination doses.

The Ministry's official Instagram page states that suspicious communications are requesting people to download a fake app that collects COVID-19 vaccination dose information, allowing the fake app to access mobile, bank account, and device-linked accounts.

The Ministry confirms that these communications are fraudulent and is working with the Anti-Cybercrime Department to handle the matter.

The only approved app for Coronavirus vaccination doses in Bahrain is the BeAware App, which is designed to automatically update and maintain the highest levels of security and privacy.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Zain Bahrain, a telecommunications industry innovator in Bahrain, yesterday reported a net profit that grew 3.2% in the second quarter of 2023, as revenues rose thanks to a 12.5% growth in customers.

The company said it added 127 thousand customers to serve a total of 1.14 million, a 12.5% Year on Year growth.

Quarterly results

Second quarter net profit rose 3.2% to BD 1.32 m from BD 1.28 m in the same-quarter a year ago.

Earnings per share remained stable at 4 fils. EBITDA increased by 1.7% reaching BD 5.44 m compared to BD 5.35 m in Q2 2022. Revenue increased 15.7% to BD 18.95 m from BD 16.39 m in Q2 2022.

Data Revenue was up by 8.6% compared to Q2 2022.

H1 Results

For the first six months, net profit was BD 2.75 m, a 3.6% decrease from BD 2.85 m in the same period as in 2022. Earnings per share were breakeven at 8 fils.

Revenue reached BD 37.12 m, an increase of 10.5% compared to BD 33.59 m for the same period in 2022. Data Revenue increased 7.0% compared to the same period in 2022. Commenting, Zain Bahrain Chairman, Shaikh Ahmed bin Ali Al Khalifa, said, "Our second quarter results demonstrate the resilience and the success of Zain Bahrain as we continue the expansion of our network, including in seven new areas in Bahrain, allowing residents to enjoy the best 5G and 4G mobile experience."

He added, "Our investments in renewable energy and green technologies have reduced our environmental impact and resulted in substantial cost savings, contributing to our sustainable business practices."
News / National

by Simbarashe Sithole

Zimbabwe National Lawyers (ZNLF) Forum has condemned the brutal attack on prominent human rights lawyer Obey Shava who was brutally attacked by unknown assailants last week."As Zimbabwe National Lawyers Forum we wish to express our condemnation of the barbaric attack on Mr Obey Shava on Wednesday the 5th of July 2023 in Harare.We call upon the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to swiftly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to book.Zimbabwe National Lawyers Forum takes this opportunity to denounce all acts of violence against lawyers in the country lawyers deserve to be afforded space to execute their duties in terms of the constitution without unwarranted attacks," reads ZNL statement. Obey Shava is affiliated with the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and has been providing legal representation to activists from the Zimbabwe opposition party Citizens' Coalition for Change who have faced charges related to crimes against the state. On 4 July, the day before the incident, two of these activists were acquitted.Protecting the freedom of speech, including the safety of lawyers who advocate for dissenting voices, is a fundamental pillar of upholding democracy in any country. According to Section 16 of the United Nation's Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, governments are responsible for ensuring that lawyers "can perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference." The Principles also emphasize safeguarding lawyers when their security is threatened.Human rights defenders, in particular, are at increased risk due to their crucial roles in promoting and protecting human rights. They often become targets of violence because of their work. Throughout the region, there has been a surge in violence and threats against human rights defenders, particularly in the dawn of upcoming general elections.The attack on Shava occurred 49 days before Zimbabwe's general elections scheduled for 23 August 2023. As the elections draw nearer, Zimbabwe needs to prioritize the safety of its citizens. This includes ensuring that lawyers and human rights defenders can openly advocate for human rights without fear of retaliation and violence.
A woman has gone viral on TikTok for catching out pickpockets in Venice. (cittadininondistratti2/TikTok)

TikTok lovers can not have failed to have stumbled across a number of videos featuring a woman shouting: Attenzione Pickpocket!

The trend began when the account @cittadininondistratti2 posted a clip of a lady based in Venice, Italy who repeatedly and loudly yelled the phrase in Italian when she spotted opportunistic thieves lurking around tourists looking for things to steal.

Attenzione pickpocket means Attention, pickpocket! in Italian, and was being shouted in warning to people to watch their belongings.

The account uses the TikTok name Cittadini Non Distratti, meaning citizens not distracted then got suspended and the videos came to a halt. Now a new one  @cittadininondistratti2  has been created and clips started being posted in June. Already it has 328,000 followers.

The video has had scores of online users joining in the trend, with a series of funny tweets even being added.

I get pickpocket but no attenzione   ali  (@thecblive) July 10, 2023

One writes: Im going to start yellow Attenzione pickpockets when I buy a coffee in central London. The prices!, while another adds: I am obsessed with these videos.

me sitting down to hit my 5 - 9 (watching attenzione pickpocket videos for 6 hours)  age (@dragondroptools) July 12, 2023

People in the comments section have been sharing their enjoyment of the viral videos and for the women helping to stop others from getting their personal items stolen.

My boyfriend shared I talk in my sleep. I asked what did I say and apparently its just ATTENZIONE PICKPOCKET, repeatedly.  brittny pierre (@sleep2dream) July 12, 2023

On TikTok the love-in continues under the videos. One labelled the woman a national treasure and another said: Not all heroes wear capes.

Someone else added: The Italian government needs to start paying her. Thank you for your service maam.

The woman behind the account is 57-year-old Monica who has been part of the 40-strong group of disturbance against pickpockets for 30 years.

She gave an interview to Newsweek and said: We decided to make our videos go viral to inform tourists to be careful.

There is a lack of prevention and information about what is happening in the city and we are all happy that these videos are letting people see the problem in Venice and throughout Italian cities.

People have since been using the saying in hilarious ways:

Attenzione Pickpocket would be a lovely name for a girl.  empanada daddy (@empanadadaddy23) July 11, 2023

Im going to start attenzione pickpocket-ing creepy men at bars when they wont leave my friends alone  Sophia Benoit (@1followernodad) July 10, 2023
The Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has ordered troops to seize control of areas where the Indigenous People of Biafra enforce their sit-at-home order throughout the South-East states.





The order came after a Finland-based pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, announced that there would be a two-week sit-at-home in the South-East region from July 31.





According to him, the order was to demand the immediate and unconditional release of the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as well as facilitate the freedom of Biafra nation, among others.





Ekpa warned that failure to comply with the sit-at-home order would attract heavy consequences.





However, speaking in an interview, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, declared that such an announcement was unlawful and would not be condoned.





He said the troops of the 82 Division had been given an order to work with other security agencies to ensure citizens go about their businesses freely.





Onyema said, The renewed threat by IPOB to compel the people in southeastern Nigeria to sit at home is not only appalling but a violation of the fundamental rights of southeastern Nigerians and, therefore, unlawful. This will never be condoned.





The Chief of Army Staff has handed down clear directives to the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army operating in synergy with other security agencies to ensure robust patrols to dominate all flashpoints and emplace measures to ensure citizens are free to go about their legitimate businesses.





Strangely, Simon Ekpa, a notorious terrorist and self-acclaimed leader of IPOB, is in Finland making a living for himself and his family, but ordering the people to shut down their means of livelihood by sitting at home.





The army spokesman called on Nigerians in the South-East region to disregard the sit-at-home order, urging them to support the security forces to defeat IPOB.





Onyema said, We implore the good and enterprising people of the South-East to shun all forms of cajoling or threats aimed at unlawfully compelling them to be reclusive by sitting at home. We urge them to join forces with the security operatives to resist this illegality perpetrated by IPOB.





Similarly,the police have vowed to resist the sit-at-home order in any part of the South-East.





The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, told newsmen that the police had killed and arrested non-state actors enforcing the order, adding that the force would not rest on its oars.





Adejobi disclosed that the police were keeping a watch on the sponsors of the agitators.





He said, The police will not allow any unlawful order to stand in any part of Nigeria. The sit-at-home order is illegal and unacceptable. We have suppressed and neutralised the non-state actors who have been trying to enforce the order. We have arrested many of them and recovered their weapons.





We will not relent in our efforts to maintain law and order in all parts of Nigeria, and we assure the people in the South-East to go about their lawful businesses as we have emplaced adequate security measures to protect them. We are keeping watch on the sponsors of these agitators who cause pain and sorrow in the areas.





Meanwhile, the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, visited the headquarters of the Nigerian Navy in Abuja to seek support for the abolition of sit-at-home in the state.





The governor had, on June 2, declared sit-at-home banned in Enugu, saying it was injurious to the economy of the state.





Despite his declaration, however, sit-at-home remains a feature of the state on Mondays.





Speaking to journalists during his visit to Abuja, Mbah said attracting investors to Enugu State would be an uphill task if sit-at-home persists.





The governor said, If we must deal with the root causes of insecurity we have in our country, we must adopt both the kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to dealing with insecurity, and we felt that the big elephant in the room is to address those activities that may be an inhibitor to bringing in investors to our state.





We identified insecurity as one of those inhibitors; we felt that it was a clog in the wheel of our continued development, and that was why, immediately after I assumed office, I convened a Security Council meeting, and following that, we made a pronouncement that we wanted the sit-at-home to end. This is because we have zero tolerance for that.





There is no way well be able to achieve the exponential picture we have painted, those massive promises about growing our economy and eradicating poverty, it will not happen if we dont deal with that problem, and of course that requires we tighten our security architecture, and mobilise our security agencies in our state to be able to deal with it.





Mba said he looked up to the partnership with the Navy to help bolster security in Enugu State and uphold the unity of the country.





He said, Thus far, we are getting the required support from the security agencies, and we are hoping to see them join hands with us to be able to deal with this big elephant.





When I was sworn in, I took an oath to defend the unity of this country, and that is exactly what well do, and we are not going to endorse any behavior that is outside that.So, what we are saying, in effect, is that we look forward to partnering with the Navy in those areas that are necessary to do so to achieve one common goal of building one unifying country, peace, and security.








Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, has issued a one week ultimatum to the Department of State Services, DSS, to either charge the detained suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele to court or set him free.





The Judge issued the order on Thursday while delivering ruling in a fundamental human rights suit instituted against the DSS and others by Emefiele.





Justice Muazu held that the DSS has power to carry out its constitutional duties of making arrest, detention and ensuring prevention of internal crime, but however said that such duties must be carried out within the ambit of the law.





He said that the arrest power of the DSS was not beyond the stipulated conditions under which a Nigerian citizen must be held and for how long.





Emefiele had dragged the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Director General DSS and DSS to court, seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights to freedom of movement and dignity to human life.





In the suit instituted on his behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Joseph Daudu, the suspended CBN Governor had applied that his arrest and detention since June 10 without valid order of court be voided and set aside.





Emefiele demanded a compensation of N5M as exemplary damages for his alleged unlawful detention.
During an appearance on CNBCs Squawk Box on Thursday morning, Disney CEO Bob Iger said that the writers and actors unions going on strike in Hollywood are not being realistic with their expectations.

Speaking to CNBCs David Faber from the Sun Valley Conference in Idaho, Iger commented on the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike and imminent decision for SAG-AFTRA to join them.

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Its very disturbing to me. Weve talked about disruptive forces on this business and all the challenges were facing, the recovery from COVID which is ongoing, its not completely back. This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption, Iger said. I understand any labor organizations desire to work on behalf of its members to get the most compensation and be compensated fairly based on the value that they deliver. We managed, as an industry, to negotiate a very good deal with the directors guild that reflects the value that the directors contribute to this great business. We wanted to do the same thing with the writers, and wed like to do the same thing with the actors. Theres a level of expectation that they have, that is just not realistic. And they are adding to the set of the challenges that this business is already facing that is, quite frankly, very disruptive.

It is expected that SAG-AFTRA, the actors union, will go on strike Thursday morning after contract talks concluded late Wednesday night without a resolution. This will effectively halt all scripted film and TV production, much of which had already been delayed due to the ongoing writers strike, which is in its third month. SAG-AFTRA has not gone on strike in over four decades, and the last time both unions were striking concurrently was in 1960.

Iger said that while he respects the right of the unions to get as much as they possibly can in compensation for their people, they must be realistic about the business environment, and what this business can deliver.

Iger continued, It will have a very, very damaging affect on the whole business, and unfortunately, theres huge collateral damage in the industry to people who are supportive services, and I could go on and on. It will affect the economy of different regions, even, because of the sheer size of the business. Its a shame, it is really a shame.

Igers comments come the day after it was announced that he will remain the CEO of Walt Disney Co. through 2026, instead of stepping down at the end of next year as originally planned.

In a shocking move, Iger returned as Disney CEO in November 2022, less than a year after his initial exit from a 15-year run at the helm. He took over for Bob Chapek, with his intention being to look for a new successor. However, with Disneys numerous internal issues and the need to reinvent its linear TV model in the streaming age, it was expected within the industry that Igers contract would be extended.

In 2022, Igers total pay package was $15 million, though Chapek (who was paid $24.5 million) was at the helm for the majority of last year. After Iger took over again, it was revealed that he has the potential to earn up to $27 million in 2023, his first full year as returned CEO.

Speaking of Disneys linear business, which includes broadcaster ABC as well as cablers Disney Channel and FX, among others, Iger said that it may not be core to Disney. When Faber suggested the idea of a sale, Iger said the company will be open-minded and objective about the future of those businesses.

There clearly is content that they create that is core to Disney, but the distribution model, the business model that forms the underpinning of that business  and that is delivering great profits over the years  is definitely broken, and we have to call it like it is, Iger said. When I came back, one of the things I discovered was that the disruptive forces that have been preying on that business for a while are greater than I thought. Its eye-opening. Theres a reality to it that we have to come to grips with, and we have to come to grips with it now.

Iger also addressed presidential hopeful and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis attacks on Disney over the companys opposition to Floridas Dont Say Gay bill. The notion that Disney is in any way sexualizing our children quite frankly is preposterous and inaccurate, Iger said.

In April 2022, DeSantis signed a bill eliminating Disneys special independent district status in Walt Disney World. A few days later, Disney sued DeSantis for retaliating against the companys freedom of speech.

Faber also asked Iger about the Neo-Nazi demonstration that occurred outside of Walt Disney World in June. It was horrifying, quite frankly, and its concerning to me that anyone would encourage a level of intolerance or even hate that frankly could even become dangerous action, Iger said.

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The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, has called on Yoruba leaders to caution a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC Femi Fani-Kayode to desist from his recent political utterances.

Kayode, had last week, tackled the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti accusing him of refusing to hang the official portrait of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his office.

The APC chieftain said Ottis refusal to place the official portrait in the office was because he did not recognize Tinubu as his president.

Angered by Fani Kayodes outburst against the governor, COSEYL in a statement issued on Wednesday by its President General, Goodluck Ibem described the former Aviation Minister as a misfit who does not know where he left his clothes after bath.

His recent attack on the Executive Governor of Abia State Dr. Alex Chioma Otti is an insult on the entire Igbo nation and we will not take such insult from a misfit like him.

Fani-Kayode should take his filthy mouth off the politics of Abia State. Abia state is not Yoruba land, he should know his boundaries.

We call on Yoruba leaders to call their son Femi Fani-Kayode to order before he causes a war in the nation, the statement added.
The authorities of China have produced its first Yoruba textbook titled Ede Yoruba  as the Asian country begins studies in the Nigerian language.

Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo are the three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria.

In a statement on Thursday, Goke Alamu, a professor from the Ekiti State University (EKSU), said he was invited to China to teach the language in 2020.

Alamu said he could not travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic but started online classes alongside three US professors for students of the Beijing Foreign Studies University in China.

The professor said the first Yoruba textbook for students in the Asian country was published after approval from the government.

Just produced in China. I am just very happy because this is the first Yoruba textbook in China, he said.

I was contacted by the Beijing Foreign Studies University around 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis to come to China and set up a Yoruba programme for them.

I could have been in China since then but for the lockdown. So, I started online teaching for their students after writing the syllabus and the approval.

Later, the university got approval from the government and a publishing company was approved for the publication of the first Yoruba textbook for students.

I worked with three professors who had the opportunity to study the language in the US. This is the product of our efforts after three years. I will be going to China in September to test-run the book.

I have two students already at the University of Ibadan who would be trained and take over from me. I have taught them for 2 years online, but they are now here to feel the culture of us and improve their proficiency.




Former lawmaker, Shehu Sani has urged the National Assembly to demand the complete breakdown of the figures contained in President Bola Tinubus N500bn loan request.





Sani also advised the lawmakers to ascertain which government agency would handle the funds and how it is going to be disbursed.





It was reported that the President had submitted a N500bn loan request for legislative approval for palliatives to cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal.





However, in a post on his verified Twitter handle on Thursday, the social critic claimed that such a demand would ensure theres transparency and prevent any controversy that might arise.





He wrote, Before the approval of the N500 billion Presidential request for the palliatives, the National Assembly needs to demand the item-by-item breakdown of the figures; who is going to be in charge of the money; which agency of Government will handle the funds and how its going to be disbursed. This is for transparency and avoiding the past humanitarian ministry fiasco.




The senate is currently screening the service chiefs nominated by President Bola Tinubu.

The service chief nominees are; Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff; Taoreed Lagbaja, chief of army staff; Emmanuel Ogalla, chief of naval staff; and Hassan Abubakar, chief of air staff.

Last week, Tinubu wrote to the national assembly, seeking a confirmation of the security chiefs.

He premised his request on section 18(1) of the armed forces act, CAP A20 laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Appearing before the senators on Wednesday, the nominees were given a few minutes to introduce themselves.

They thereafter spoke briefly about their careers, how the country has grappled with security challenges and how they intend to mitigate them.

Lagbaja said he will work with other security chiefs to ensure that the country is secured.

I have identified some pillars on which my leadership will rest and that includes sound leadership. I have identified and will work with my fellow service chiefs and other security agencies, he said.

On his part, Ogalla said: I have served in various capacities. I wish to state that if given the opportunity to serve as the chief of naval staff, I will give my best. I fully understand the challenges facing the navy.

The screening has now gone into a closed session.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has indefinitely suspended the operations of all Boeing 737 aircraft of domestic carrier, Max Air, over unsafe occurrences.

This was contained in a letter dated July 12, 2023, and marked NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/363.

The suspension is with immediate effect.

The letter which was titled, suspension of parts A3 and D43 of the operations specifications issued to Max Air with immediate effect, was signed by Ibrahim Dambazau, NCAA director of operations, training and licensing, on behalf of Musa Nuhu, its director general.

The authoritys action is due to the several occurrences that involved your Boeing B737 aircraft as listed hereunder, the letter reads.

Loss of number 1 main landing gear (MLG) wheel during the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registration marks 5N-MBD which occurred between take-off at Yola Airport, Adamawa State and on landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Nigeria on May 7, 2023.

Fuel contamination of the main fuel tanks of aircraft B737-300, registration marks; 5N-MHM, leading to the auxiliary power unit (APU) shutdown on ground at Yola Airport on July 7, 2023.

Aborted take-off of Boeing 737-400 aircraft, registration marks 5N-MBD, which occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) due to high exhaust gas temperature (EGT) indication on July 11, 2023.

An air return by aircraft B737-300, registration marks; 5N-MHM to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) due to duct overheat indication in the cockpit on the 11th of July, 2023.

The authority has constituted a team of inspectors to conduct an audit of your organisation.

The result of this audit must be found satisfactory by the authority prior to considering the restoration of the privileges of the operations specifications to your organisation to further operate the aircraft type.

Max Air was one of the domestic airlines with the highest number of delayed flights in the first quarter of 2023.

The airline recorded 1,565 flights with 1,013 delayed.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have thumbed down the N500bn palliative proposed by President Bola Tinubu, stating that it is grossly inadequate to assuage the hardships confronting workers sequel to the fuel subsidy removal.

They are demanding a 300 per cent salary increase to enable workers to cope with the challenges imposed by the deteriorating economic situation that came with the removal of the controversial fuel subsidy.

On Wednesday, the President wrote to the House of Representatives seeking approval for N500bn to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal.

Tinubus request was contained in a letter sent to the National Assembly and read during plenary by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

The President had announced the petrol subsidy removal during his inaugural address on May 29, 2023, in response to claims that the subsidy regime favoured the rich more than the average Nigerians, among other reasons.

In his letter, the President proposed an amendment to the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act.

It read, I write to the House of Reps to approve the amendment of the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act in accordance with the attached.

The request has become necessarily important to, among other things, the source for funds necessary to provide palliatives to mitigate the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy on Nigerians.

Thus, the sum of N500bn only has been extracted from the 2022 Supplementary Act of N819,536,937,815 for the provision of palliative to cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal.

The president said he hoped the lawmakers would consider his request expeditiously.

The House is expected to hold a plenary today on the presidents request.

Last December, the National Assembly passed a supplementary budget of N819bn for the 2022 fiscal year and also extended the implementation of the 2022 budget till March 31, 2023.

In May, the National Assembly passed the amendment to the 2022 supplementary budget to extend the implementation of the capital components to December 2023.

But unimpressed by the amount contained in the Presidents letter, the NLC noted that the money would not be enough to cater for 125 million Nigerians who are believed to be living in poverty.

The National Treasurer of the NLC, Hakeem Ambali, who spoke in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja, questioned the extent to which the palliative would cover.

When asked if the amount would be sufficient, he said, Definitely not. We have over 125m Nigerians that are technically poor. To what extent can this cushion the effects of this economic hardship?

Speaking on ways by which the President can mitigate the effect of subsidy removal, the NLC official asked for Minimum wage review of 300 per cent to all workers; granting licences to individuals for modular refineries to refine petrol locally; granting economic stimulus loan to SMEs at 15 per cent rate.

He added, The government should provide social benefits for aged and unemployed youths; agric loans to farmers and youths through the Agric Bank and community banks at single digit rate; provide alternative energy supply such as massive investment in solar power and Compressed Natural Gas to motorists.

Fix the refineries; reverse the privatization of electricity back to the state due to poor performance; Execute metro rail line projects in all state capitals and reduction of school fees for students of tertiary institutions.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-cultural organization, has accused Finland-based agitator, Simon Ekpa of declaring a second Biafra war in the Southeast.

Ohanaeze made the allegations while announcing a $500, 000 bounty on Ekpa.

In a statement by Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaezes Secretary-General, the group urged President Bola Tinubu to deploy soldiers to every corner of the Southeast.

Speaking, Isiguzoro said: We are telling Tinubu that the second Biafra war has begun and he should deploy soldiers to all the nooks and crannies of the Southeast.

The Southeast governors need help and Ohanaeze is asking the Southeast governors to defend themselves from external enemies.

At this point in time, we cant allow somebody in far-away Finland to dictate the pace.

The government of Ebonyi State and the Southeast must ensure that the terrorist activities of Ekpa are solved in his homeland.

What we are saying is that Ekpa has declared a second civil war in the Southeast and anybody with useful information will be given $500, 000.

This is a self-help to ensure that our people get a secure environment.

The Southeast governors appear to be weak and they are using the wrong approach in dealing with Ekpa. Our suspicion has been confirmed that what Ekpa is doing is to destroy the economy of the Southeast.

Ekpa has been at the centre of the renewed crisis across the Southeast following the sit-at-home he declared.

The latest sit-at-home had crippled the economy of the Southeast.
Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has responded to a statement made by Peter Obi on the sit-at-home directive in the south-east.

The proscribed separatist group introduced sit-at-home to demand the release of Kanu who is being detained by the Department of Security Services (DSS).

Ekpa had declared a total lockdown in the south-east geopolitical zone from July 3 to 10, instructing members of the proscribed group to interrupt business activities and prevent people from carrying out their daily work.

In a statement on Thursday, Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last elections, described the sit-at-home directive as the handiwork of a criminal enterprise, noting that IPOB has publicly denied issuing such directive.

Also disturbing is the continued disruption of business and social activities in the South East region over the Sit-at-Home directive purported to be coming from the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, when the body has publicly denied issuing such directive, Obi had said.

What is going on in the south-east therefore is essentially a criminal activity that must be nipped in the bud, with all hands being on deck, security agencies, and the people alike.

Reacting to Obis statement in a terse tweet, Ekpa said the former governor of Anambra has now become the spokesperson of the separatist group.

In the 2023 global terrorism index (GTI) ranking released in March 2023, IPOB was ranked as the 10th deadliest terror group in the world  with 40 attacks and 57 deaths in 2022.
The Renewed Hope Initiative of the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has assisted victims of the June 23, 2023 flood mishap which occurred at the TradeMore Estate, Lugbe, Abuja.

While speaking, the First Lady through her representative, wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, expressed her sympathy over the unfortunate incident.

Mrs Tinubu, in a statement issued on Thursday by her spokesperson, Busola Kukoyi, said though there was no assurance that this kind of incident would not reoccur since the rains were not yet over, she hoped the outreach and intervention of the Renewed Hpoe Initiative would go a long way in reducing their pains at this time.

The First Lady said, though the Initiative is still in the process of registration by the CAC, she cannot turn the other eye under the present circumstances of the TradeMore Estate which is in her domain.

In his response on behalf of the beneficiaries, Chairman of the Resident Association Dr Adewale Adenaike thanked Senator Tinubu and the renewed Hope Initiative for the hand of kindness and support extended to them especially at this trying times.

The beneficiaries were given Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira ( N250,000.00) per affected household.

A total of 57 households benefited from this outreach by the Renewed Hope Initiative.
President Bola Tinubu says the savings realised from the removal of the petrol subsidy will benefit many Nigerians.

On May 29, Tinubu, while delivering his inaugural speech, announced the removal of the petrol subsidy.

Since the announcement, the price of petrol has skyrocketed to above N500 per litre  a development that has sparked a hike in transport fares and prices of goods and services across the country.

However, there have been clamours for the provision of palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.

Speaking during a meeting with former governors known as the class of 1999, Tinubu said he understands that Nigerians are suffering owing to the policy.

The president said the policy will benefit many Nigerians instead of a few smugglers.

He appealed to Nigerians to be patient for the delivery of the palliatives, which will serve as a relief.

On the subsidy removal, I thank you for the support and I understand people are suffering. Yet, there can be no childbirth without pain, he said.

The joy of childbirth is the big relief of the pain. Nigeria is reborn. It is a rebirth of our country.

To face our problem, to bring the savings to benefit the largest number of people in the country and not a few smugglers and exploiters. Thank you for your support.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Lucky Igbinedion, the chairperson of the class of 1999 governors, asked Nigerians to trust the president on the palliatives to be provided.

The former Edo governor said the president must be given the necessary support to foster a better Nigeria.

We came to congratulate Mr President and also to thank him for making one of us the secretary to the government, he said.

We came to assure him that he has our full support and prayers for the bold steps he has started to take, for his initiatives and also let him know that this is beyond party politics, were now talking about the project Nigeria.

Therefore all hands must be on deck to give Mr President the needed support and encouragement to foster a better nation.

On his part, Mr President assured us that it is his dream to see a better Nigeria and he also wants us to let you know that the decisions that he has taken so far might be painful.

Therefore, Nigerians should wait patiently and believe in him, that hes going to come up with palliatives that will put smiles on the faces of every one of us in Nigeria.
Russian President Vladimir Putin. GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Russia's current-account balance has collapsed, marking another blow to the floundering economy.

Surplus tanked 93% to $5.4 billion last quarter from a year before, according to the Bank of Russia.

That comes as Western sanctions continue to squeeze Russia's oil and gas exports.

Russia's economic woes are worsening, with the latest blow coming from a collapse in its current account.

The nation posted a current-account surplus of $5.4 billion for the April-June quarter, which marks a 93% plunge from a record $76.7 billion in the same period last year, Bank of Russia data shows. That's also the smallest excess since the third quarter of 2020.

It shows the heavy blow that Western economic sanctions  imposed on the Kremlin in response to its war on Ukraine  have dealt to the country's economy by squeezing its energy exports.

The worsening trade dynamics are also reflected in the plunging fortunes of the ruble. The Russian currency tumbled to a 15-month low of about 94.48 for each dollar earlier in July, hit hard by the country's weakening terms of trade.

"The decline in the surplus of the balance of the external trade in goods in January  June 2023 compared to the comparable period of 2022 was caused by a decrease in both the physical volumes of export deliveries and the deterioration in the price situation for the basic Russian export commodities, energy commodities made the most significant contribution to the decline in the value of exports," the Bank of Russia said.

Moscow's key source of revenue is through sales of its oil and gas products, but price caps and bans imposed on Russia's energy exports following its unprecedented attack on Ukraine have dealt a huge hit to its commodities business.

In June, Russia's Finance Ministry said that revenue from oil and gas taxes fell 36% compared to a year ago to about 570.7 billion rubles and that profits from crude and petroleum products tumbled 31% to 425.7 billion rubles.

Market commentators have weighed in on Russia's battered economy, with Yale researchers accusing President Vladimir Putin of cannibalizing the nation's economy in his mission to seize Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider




A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Daniel Bwala has alleged that President Bola Tinubu is about to cause a major upset in the Labour Party, LP.





Bwala claimed that Tinubu has plans to appoint one of the key figures of the Peter Obi presidential team into his cabinet as a minister.





In a post via his verified Twitter handle on Thursday, the former lawmaker further disclosed that the unnamed person had agreed to serve in Tinubus government.





He wrote, PBAT is reported to want to cause a major upset in the Labour Party camp by appointing one of the key figures of the Obi presidential team into his cabinet as a minister. It is also reported that the person has agreed.




Shehu Sani, a socio-political activist, has said President Bola Tinubu is trying to appease Christians in Nigeria.

Sani, however, said while Tinubu is trying to appease Christians, an emperor from Kaduna State is fanning the embers of religious bitterness.

He claimed that the Kaduna emperor wants Tinubu to run Nigeria based on malice and vindictiveness.

Tweeting, Sani cautioned Tinubu against allowing the emperor to trigger a crisis in Nigeria.

According to Sani: The Government of Tinubu is trying to calm and appease the Christian population in the country while the retired Kaduna Emperor is still stocking the embers of religious bitterness, hate and strife with his inflammatory utterances.

He wants the country to be run with malice and vindictiveness against a certain section and against a certain faith as he once did during his divisive and tragic tenure in Kaduna.

Its left for the President to allow him to trigger a crisis, tear or incinerate the country. Nigeria is still a fragile country, we must be careful.
Newark police are asking for the publics help as they try to find two men who kidnapped a woman off the street in the citys Ironbound section, threatened her and forced her to withdraw $9,000 from her bank account earlier this month.

The woman was walking on the 100 block of Adams Street at about 4:15 p.m. on July 3 when the men got out of a blue Toyota Sienna and began walking with her, surveillance video obtained by WABC-7 shows.

Two men who Newark police say forced a woman to withdraw $9,000 from her bank account on July 3. The vehicle they forced the woman into is pictured at right.Newark Department of Public Safety

The men told her they had a lottery ticket that they needed help cashing, according to ABC7ny.com.

Newark police said the robbers drove the woman to Santander Bank on Ferry Street and told her to withdraw the money as one of the men waited outside to bring her back to the minivan. They dropped her off on the 300 block of Ferry Street, police said in a statement.

In an on-camera interview with WABC-7, the woman said the pair drove her around for at least an hour and might have drugged her while threatening to kill both her and her family. She was eventually released at a CVS.

Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to call the polices 24-hour tips line at 1-877-695-8477. All tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com
Members of federal, state and county public safety agencies, along with firefighters and officials from Newark and surrounding towns, gathered at Cathedral Basilica Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday to attend the viewing for fallen Newark firefighter Augusto Augie Acabou.

Acabou, 45, and fellow firefighter Wayne Bear Brooks Jr., 49, were killed July 5 after they were trapped in a huge fire that broke out about aboard the Grande Costa DAvorio, a cargo ship carrying vehicles that was docked in Port Newark.

Acabou had nearly 10 years of service and was a member of Engine 16 Tour 1. Brooks had 16 years of service and was from Ladder 4 Tour 1, according to city officials.

In a statement, the Newark Firefighters Union called Acabou and Brooks brave brothers who are being mourned by fellow firefighters and the community.

We are grateful for the outpouring of support the community has extended to Newark firefighters, the statement said.

Just as we have always been there for the people of Newark in their time of need, you are here for us in our time of need. We will honor the sacrifice of Augie and Bear by continuing to do the job they loved, so if the people of Newark need help, we are still a phone call away, the statement said.

Funeral services for Acabou will held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Cathedral Basilica Roman Catholic Church.

There will be street closures in Newark as a result of the funeral services. The following streets will be closed from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday and Friday:

Clifton Avenue, between Park Avenue and 7th Avenue

Mt. Prospect Avenue, between Park Avenue and 7th Avenue

Victoria Avenue, between Garside Street and Ridge Street

Ridge Street, between Victoria Street and Park Avenue

Victoria Avenue, between Garside Street to Stone Street

Cutler Street, between Park Avenue and 7th Avenue

Stone Street, between Park Avenue and 7th Avenue

Crane Street, between Summer Avenue and Cutler Street

Drivers are advised to anticipate delays and to plan alternate routes.

On Tuesday, officials announced the deadly shipboard fire in Port Newark was finally extinguished. The U.S Coast Guard is now conducting a multi-agency investigation into the blaze.

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Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
In the blink of an eye, a family vacation nearly turned from a joyous event into an unthinkable, life-altering tragedy.

But a quick-thinking 5-year-old went above and beyond her big-sister duties with a heroic act of bravery to make sure the trip to the Dominican Republic last month had a happy ending.

On vacation last month in San Cristobal, Jersey City pre-K student Julia Santana stepped in to save her 2-year old sister, Kamila, from drowning in a kiddie pool.

For her actions, Santana was honored by the Jersey City City Council Wednesday night.

The family was only a couple hours into the celebration of a large family reunion at a home they were renting in the countryside when the near-tragedy occurred.

Everything was going well, they all had their life vests and floaties on  it just happened in the blink of an eye, explained Alfa Santana, Julias mother. There was a kiddie pool and a bigger one. Kamila was in the kiddie pool.

She was around three feet away from me. I looked and everything was fine ... she had her floatie on and everything. Then when I looked again, Julia was pulling her out of the water and saying Come, Kami, come!

The baby was already unconscious and purple.

Alfa explained that in the short time she looked away, the toddler must have taken off the life-vest and began to drown. The family had turned off the hot water and bubbles to transition the hot tub into a kiddie pool for the youngest children.

Alfa began performing CPR on the 2-year old, but after three minutes she stopped and called for an ambulance.

I really thought she was gone, Alfa said.

After four minutes, Kamila coughed up water, and after six minutes she opened her eyes again. When the ambulance finally arrived after 30 minutes, Kamila was taken to the hospital where she remained for six days to clear her tiny lungs full of water.

Because of what Julia did, (Kamila) did not remain in the water longer and I know that made a big impact, said Alfa.

One of the things that I remember that brought me to tears was the first person that Kamila called for once she woke up in the hospital was Julia, said Stuard Santana, Julia and Kamilas father. As a parent we dont know what happened during that time, but knowing that she was calling for her sister that saved her life  It was probably because that was the last memory that she had at that time.

Released from the hospital and back home in Jersey City, the Santanas youngest daughter is back to normal, and doesnt even fear the water, mom and dad said.

Julias heroics were not only attributed to her courage and quick thinking, but also to life-saving swimming skills she learned at the British Swim School in Bayonne, where she has been taking lessons since she was 3.

The Jersey City City council presented Julia and her family with an official resolution at Wednesdays council meeting, honoring her act which exemplified extraordinary courage, swift action, and responsibility.

The council also took the time to reiterate the importance of water safety and promote swim classes offered for children of all swimming levels at pools around the city, including the Lafayette Aquatics Center, Pavonia/Marion Municipal Pool and Pershing Field Pool.

Drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury death for children aged 1-14, according to the American Red Cross.

While Julia has earned some extra brownie points, she is most focused on cashing in her good deeds for some extra play time with her younger sisters.

This is not about seeking attention, its more about recognizing (Julias) heroism and recognizing that right now, her sister is alive because of her, Stuard said.

We were really taken aback by the fact that she reacted in that way  were extremely proud of her, Alfa said.
The Hoboken High School Theatre Department was selected as one of 20 schools internationally to be featured on the Main Stage of the International Thespian Festival 2023 last month.

The International Thespian Festival is held every June by the International Thespian Society, a division of the Educational Theatre Association. The festival is a week-long event with theatre clubs and thespian troupes in the U.S. and around the world involved in performances, workshops, auditions for national cast productions, and scholarships. More than 60 colleges and universities participate and the Thespy Awards program is featured.

Hoboken High School was the first school in New Jersey to be selected for the Main Stage of the International Thespian Festival in 2021, which has been held annually since 1941.

This year, Hoboken High School Theatre Departments Troupe #7268, spent six days at the festival from June 18 to 23 at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. There were approximately 300 thespian troupes from five different countries at ITF this year, totaling around 6,000 people.

Hoboken students who attended the trip were: Sihana Alaj, Anthony Barahona, Halie Benway, Mable Blischke-Villavicencio, Miguel Cabelin, Naomi Cooke, Lucas Daly, Riddhi Damani, Kendall McDonough, Alana Rivas, Gabriel Rivas, Arcadio Torres, Shai Warshawsky, and Daniel Weintraub. The Troupe performed Teen written by Kristen Doherty.

The celebration of theater kicked off with a ceremony with Broadway actress Ashley De La Rosa from Mean Girls and Hamilton as the emcee. Over the course of the trip, students were able to take part in workshops with theater professionals. Workshops included such topics as Rigging & Knot Tying, & Juliet Jazz-Pop Dance, American Sign Language (ASL) in Musical Theatre, Family Album world premiere showcase, and Improvisation, among others.

While at ITF, students were also able to watch performances from high school shows, which included Lend Me a Tenor, Antigone in Munich, The Color Purple, Damn Yankees, Matilda, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and many chapter select one acts.

Of the Hoboken troupe, Mable Blischke-Villavicencio and Kendall McDonough won an International Thespys Duet Acting Award. Only 20 duet groups out of the entire festival received this honor.

Going to the ITF for my second time was such a great experience, said Mable Blischke-Villavicencio. I had the privilege to compete for a Thespy International Acting Award with my scene partner, Kendall McDonough, and together we achieved a superior rating. Getting to attend workshops and see the main stages made my experience so much fun. Along with this, getting to participate in the festival with my own troupe and other thespians around the country made me fall in love with theater all over again. I cant wait for next year to see what our troupe will accomplish.

Students also showcased their talents through college auditions, tech challenges, knot tying, sewing, and hanging a light, and the Thespy Awards. A superior rating on a state level enables winners to compete against all the other state level winners at ITF for an International Acting Award.

For the Tech Challenge, students competed in various mini events, each focused in a different area of technical theatre. Hobokens Lucas Daly focused on hanging up and focusing a stage light to fit into a taped-out area. Halie Benway and Anthony Barahona legged a platform consisting of bolts and washers. Riddhi Damani, Sihana Alaj, and Shai Warshawsky worked together to complete a costume quick change which included any accessories their character might need. Gabriel Rivas put his safety skills to the test in the rigging and knot tying category, completing three different knots in total.

Sihana Alaj whizzed through the costume construction section of threading a bobbin and sewing machine. Arcadio Torres and Shai Warshawsky honed into their skills with inner props by completing a prop table activity.

Throughout the entire school year I had looked forward to ITF, said Sihana Alaj. This year was my first time attending this event and it did not disappoint. I had a great time spending the week with all my friends while participating in workshops, performing competition pieces, and watching great shows with one another. The main highlights of my trip was the ASL workshop; this workshop introduced the importance of body language and tone when not only speaking ASL, but as well as in your acting performance. Another highlight to this trip was the show, Lend Me a Tenor, which had left me wheezing in pain from laughing so hard. Overall this trip was an amazing experience and the highlight of my year and I cannot wait for next year.

The Hoboken troupe also got to meet and talk to songwriter and playwright Joe Iconis, who is best known for musicals such as Be More Chill, and Love in Hate Nation. I Love Play Rehearsal is a favorite among the troupe.
The mother of a Bayonne man who was shot and killed by Bayonne police officers when he came at them with a knife has filed a federal lawsuit, claiming the officers were ill-equipped to deal with someone enduring a mental health crisis.

The 16-page lawsuit, filed June 6 by Manhattan-based attorney Brett Klein on behalf of Jean Waskiewicz, calls for an unspecified amount in compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorneys fees and compensation for funeral and burial expenses in the June 7, 2021 fatal shooting of Lee Waskiewicz inside the First Street home he shared with his mother.

A notice of tort claim putting the price at $30 million was filed with the city in 2021.

The lawsuit names the city of Bayonne and Police Officers Timothy Ballance Jr. and Edward Tavares as defendants. Jean Waskiewicz and her attorney could not be reached for comment. Bayonne officials declined to comment.

A state grand jury declined to bring charges against the officers.

The lawsuit calls the 47-year-old Waskiewiczs death tragic and unjustified and goes on to say that the lack of or of otherwise inadequate crisis intervention training and tactics were a moving force behind the use of excessive force that caused Mr. Waskiewiczs death in the presence of his mother.

According to authorities and police body camera footage, police were called to the Waskiewicz home just prior to 7 a.m. and were told by Jean Waskiewicz that her son had rage and needed to be hospitalized.

The police body camera footage shows that Ballance and Tavares entered the home and made contact with Lee Waskiewicz, who told them he was carrying a knife, and appeared in mental distress as he yelled at the officers from the top of a stairway.

Shoot me, Waskiewicz said at one point, to which Taveras replied, Im not going to do it. Im not going to shoot you.

Taveras repeatedly told Waskiewicz to drop the knife. Waskiewicz refused and yelled at the officers to get out of his house. He threatened them repeatedly with the knife, at one point saying, Come up here and Ill fking stab you with that.

After Waskiewicz took a step down the stairs, the officers fired multiple bullets, killing him.

The lawsuit claims the Bayonne Police Department has a history of mishandling people in the midst of mental health episodes, and cited the police shooting death of Mariano Vargas in 2012. Vargas, whose family has also filed a federal lawsuit, was shot dead by police after a family member called police to perform a welfare check.

Bayonne police had a lack of, or otherwise inadequate, policies of responding to mental health crises with a disproportionate use of force and lack of otherwise necessary and appropriate training and supervision of personnel in dealing with such encounters; as well as failing to train and dispatch specialized personnel to respond to such situations and to otherwise properly and effectively administer crisis intervention training as a matter of policy, practice and procedure, the lawsuit said.

Police had been been called to the home at least five times between 2016 and Waskiewiczs death, according to incident reports that were obtained by The Jersey Journal through a public records request.

Earlier this year Bayonne and the Hudson County Sheriffs Office joined a state pilot program called Arrive Together, created to supplement police responses to mental health crises with mental health professionals.

The lawsuit says participation in the program was belatedly acknowledging the need for further training and alternative approaches to handling police encounters with emotionally disturbed individuals that were woefully and tragically lacking when the defendants killed Mr. Waskiewicz.
Bayonne police and members of the Hudson County Prosecutors Office are investigating a police-involved shooting in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant on the Jersey City border Thursday morning.

Evidence markers are scattered across the parking lot at the Burger King at West 53rd and Broadway. There is also a bumper from a car in the parking lot. It could not immediately be determined if anyone was struck in the gunfire, which was first reported just before 8 a.m.
Detectives in Morris County are investigating the death Wednesday of an 8-year-old boy who drowned in a creek, authorities said.

Roxbury police were called about 3:35 p.m. to a home in the Flanders section of the township on a report of a child in a nearby creek, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll.

Attempts were made by the Roxbury Township Police Department and paramedics to resuscitate the child but were unsuccessful, Carroll said in a statement.

The child was taken to St. Clares Dover Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Carroll said.

While the investigation remains ongoing, the incident has been deemed not suspicious at this time, Carroll said.

Carroll said the prosecutors office and township police are investigating the boys death as a drowning. He did not identify the victim or his family.

Anyone with information about the childs death is asked to call Roxbury police at 973-448-2100 or the Morris County Prosecutors Office at 973-285-6200.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Two former firefighters from South Jersey have been sentenced in a massive prescription drug scheme that defrauded insurers and state benefits programs of more than $50 million, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna said.

Thomas Sher, 50, of Northfield, received an eight-year prison sentence on convictions of three counts of health care fraud and a conspiracy charge.

Christopher Broccoli, 51, of West Deptford, was sentenced to two years in jail after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

At the time that they were charged with the crimes, Sher was a Margate firefighter and Broccoli was a firefighter in Camden.

The scam, run by former pharmaceutical sales representative Matthew Tedesco, recruited and compensated government employees and teachers to receive medically unnecessary compound prescription medications for his financial gain, authorities said.

Compound medications are specially mixed by a pharmacist to meet specific medical needs and are often reimbursed for thousands of dollars for a one-month supply. These drugs are not approved by the FDA, but doctors can legally prescribe them when FDA-approved drugs do not meet a patients needs, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Doctors who were recruited also wrote unnecessary prescriptions for the patients as part of the scheme, officials said.

Sher, who also helped recruit others to the conspiracy, caused a pharmacy benefits administrator to pay out more than $7 million and financially benefited by accepting about $115,000 in payments, prosecutors said.

Broccoli caused a pharmacy benefits administrator to pay out an unknown amount that was in the millions and received approximately $150,000 in payments, authorities said.

The scam ran from July 2014 to July 2016. Since the investigation into the conspiracy, 50 people have been criminally charged and 46 of them have been convicted.

Last month, Nicholas Tedesco, the brother of ringleader Matthew Tedesco, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for helping with the operation. Tedesco, 49, of Linwood, admitted that he helped his brother recruit patients, defrauding state health benefits programs of $2 million and receiving more than $750,000 in proceeds.

Matthew Tedesco, 47, also of Linwood, was the first to plead guilty in the scheme in August 2017. His sentencing is scheduled for October 2023.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
Man who 'likely' stole ex's cryptocurrency found not guilty, but judge urges him to help recover funds

Various cryptocurrency coins valued at about $92,000 in March 2021 were alleged to have been stolen from a B.C. woman. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press - image credit)

A man accused of stealing thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency from an ex-girlfriend "likely" did it, according to a B.C. judge, but the challenges of tracking those virtual coins mean he has avoided a conviction.

Though Orion Alexander Holtby was found not guilty of fraud and theft, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Ward Branch urged him to find a way to help the alleged victim reclaim her digital investment, valued at about $92,000 in March 2021.

The judge explained the Crown hadn't convinced him beyond a reasonable doubt that Joelle Oman's cryptocurrency had been stolen at all.

"Were this a civil matter, I would most likely have found you liable to the plaintiff. However, this is a criminal matter with a far more demanding burden," Branch told Holtby in a recent judgment.

"That said  to the extent that you may still be in a position to help Ms. Oman access her coins, I encourage you to consider doing so after taking appropriate advice from your counsel."

Holtby did not respond to requests for comment made through his lawyer or Facebook account.

The decision highlights how the criminal justice system is struggling to address crime in the cryptocurrency world, where high-profile frauds like those committed by the founder of the Canadian exchange QuadrigaCX have cost investors millions of dollars.

Sean Tweed, a cryptocurrency investigator with the Vancouver agency the Preston Matthews Group, said these crimes are both harder and easier to investigate than traditional theft and fraud.

That's because of the blockchain, a decentralized ledger that tracks the path of crypto coins.

"The information is all publicly available. Any individual can view the blockchain online and see transactions that occur," Tweed said.

"The issue is that the blockchain doesn't provide personal identifying information, so you can't decipher who specifically owns coins."

But Tweed said the Holtby case is very different from the thefts he usually investigates, which involve strangers living in different jurisdictions and stolen cryptocurrencies stored in unknown offshore locations.

In this case, Holtby had known Oman for years  they both lived in B.C.  and the coins were understood to be held in the world's largest bitcoin exchange, according to the judgment.

"Part of me is a little surprised that they weren't a little bit more successful given some of the advantages that they had," Tweed said.

'I know it does not look good'

From the beginning of his judgment, Branch acknowledged the challenges with prosecuting crypto crimes.

"Theft of physical property is relatively easy to describe. One person owns an object. Another takes that object without permission," the judge said.

"But what if the relevant property is a series of digital 1s and 0s, protected by multiple levels of passwords and protocols?"

The judgment makes it clear the truth of the matter has been difficult to sort out. Holtby did not testify, and the judge said Oman was "careless with evidence," raising concerns about her credibility.

Holtby and Oman dated when Holtby was in his early 20s, and Oman was 15, according to the judge.

They reconnected over Facebook in 2021 when Oman had already invested in a variety of cryptocurrencies, the judgment says.

By that time, Holtby had a criminal history, including convictions for fraud, theft, break and enter, possession of stolen property and causing an animal to be in distress, court records show. He was also featured in a 2013 CBC News investigation about problem tenants who refuse to pay rent and work the system to delay eviction.

The judgment says Oman asked Holtby to help her transfer her virtual coins into an account on the popular Binance exchange.

Holtby set up the account for Oman, along with an email address that could be used to access it, according to the judge. But Oman says she was never given the information she needed to get into either.

When she texted Holtby to ask why he was being "shady" and not answering her calls, he replied that he was having a bad day.

"Listen, I know it does not look good, but it is fine. I have some really serious things happening that I have to deal with," Holtby wrote in text messages included in the judgment.

When Oman was still unable to get into her Binance account a month later, she went to the police.

Investigators' expertise developing 'quite quickly'

Branch concluded that "although I believe it is likely, I have a reasonable doubt as to whether the accused has taken the coins." He said it was plausible the coins were still in Oman's account, and she either didn't know how to access it or had lost the passwords.

Upon reading the judgment, Tweed described this conclusion as a bit curious, considering the coins were held in a Binance account.

"Binance would have been able to provide information regarding the specific cryptocurrency held within that account and if that account had transferred any funds out," he said.

Tweed said it wasn't possible to tell if police or prosecutors had made a request to the company for that information or how Binance responded.

In general, Tweed says some police departments still don't have the training or software to properly investigate crypto crimes, but he's seen big improvements in the last few years.

"It's accelerated quite quickly," he said. "It seems that law enforcement definitely has more resources, and there's more specialized individuals, which has been really nice."
Somewhere in Arkansas, a 4-year-old girl admires her grandfather, a man who wont acknowledge her existence. And thats sad, particularly since hes the President of the United States.

Joe Biden says he has six grandchildren, one of whom just got a fancy wedding on the South Lawn of the White House. But thats wrong, weve just learned: He actually has seven. This is the result of a fling that his son Hunter Biden had with the little girls mother while he was abusing drugs.

Thats a personal matter, certainly, and Hunter Biden is a private citizen. If her grandfather were just some random Joe off the street, we obviously wouldnt be writing about this at all. The only reason it comes up is because of how Joe Biden the President has presented himself: He espouses this idea of the centrality of family.

Its a fundamental pillar of the personality that he presents to the public, that he emphasizes to the American people who embrace him on the campaign trail. Its his political brand. And it does feel hypocritical for Biden to talk about how important his grandchildren are and leave one of them out.

Ive had a rule my entire life: No matter whats happening, no matter how important the meeting, Ill always answer a call from my grandchildren, Biden tweeted in 2020.

Yet the president has not met or publicly mentioned his other grandchild, even as hes spoken so movingly about the pain of family absence and loss, and what it feels like seeing that empty chair at the kitchen table.

Heres what he said just this past Fathers Day: We keep in our prayers all those who mark today with a hole in their heart, missing a father figure they love  whether by accident, illness, or another cruel twist of fate. And as we pray, we remember that no matter where they are, our dads love for us and our love for them is a gift that never goes away. It will always be with us.

Biden also said his father had taught me that, above all, family is the beginning, middle and end  a lesson I have passed down to my children and grandchildren. And that family is lifes greatest blessing and responsibility.

Weve come to expect a deeper empathy from Joe because of this kind of talk, and his own story of family tragedy.

Perhaps he doesnt want to overstep his son, who just settled an agreement to pay child support and turn over several of his paintings, the proceeds of which would go to his daughter. Hunter Biden has been paying $20,000 a month in child support for several years to the girls mother, the daughter of a red-state gun manufacturer who hunts with Donald Trump Jr.

Family dynamics are complex and hard to judge from the outside. But political rhetoric isnt: President Biden, the leader of the free world, has been out there making all these public statements about loss and love for his grandchildren, and this little girl is going to be 18 years old at some point, listening to that.

Heard from this perspective, Bidens talk falls flat.

No, this is not about public policy, nor is it about public corruption; its not about the dirty dealings of Trump or his children, which make Hunter Bidens efforts to trade in on his fathers name look like amateur hour. The grift in this family is breathtaking. Its breathtaking, Chris Christie has said of the Trumps. Jared Kushner and Ivanka Kushner walked out of the White House and two months later they get $2 billion from the Saudis?

But this little girl matters, too. And when you present yourself one way in public and act another way in private, you open yourself up to accusations of hypocrisy.

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Editors note: Weve used fictitious names to protect the identity and privacy of the children mentioned in the article. This story first appeared on palabra, the digital news site by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

By Beatriz Limon

When you imagine peace, how do you see it? Silvia Rodriguez Vega asked her students at a summer camp. The answer felt like a kick in the stomach. Peace is Sheriff Joe Arpaio shaking hands with a Mexican, said Chris, 9, a brown-skinned boy who was a little shy but vocal, referring to the tough sheriff in Arizona he saw on the news who was known for a hardline policy on immigration.

Silvia wanted her elementary and high school students to paint a mural and that is why she asked the question. She let them choose the theme and they chose Chris response as the subject to paint.

One envisioned a Mexican day laborer named Pancho as the central character; the farmworker would shake hands with Arpaio.

This happened in a community center in the majority Latino area of south Phoenix. At the time in 2008, Silvia was 19 years old and studying Political Science and Chicano Studies at Arizona State University. It was a difficult time, with constant raids in Arizona.

There were agents who detained brown-skinned workers and drivers for minor traffic violations; some were even stopped for having a broken windshield and ended up being deported to their native countries. People were detained for speaking English with an accent. They deported people who used a fake ID for work. Undocumented immigrants were prosecuted with the same harshness as the smugglers or human traffickers (relying on their interpretation of a state law that the media dubbed the Anti-Coyote Law). The Spanish translations disappeared from official sites. And a Latino could be arrested just for looking Latino.

Arpaio also created a prison in Phoenix with tents in which immigrants, the majority imprisoned for minor crimes, endured the high temperatures of the desert and were forced to wear pink underwear.

In an environment of segregation and a powerful anti-immigrant narrative, fear seeped into these childrens homes, their schools, and their hearts. A handshake between the Maricopa County sheriff and a Mexican meant world peace for them; the possibility of not being separated from mom and dad.

Silvia thought that a mural could help the students channel their emotions, but the project was not accepted by the community center as they found it controversial. The children felt sad and disappointed, so she offered them sheets of paper and invited them to freely express what they felt.

When I left there, I was shocked to see not only drawings of the sheriff, but also of the police, how they cant drive, how they cant leave their homes, Silvia says 15 years after that initiative of hers.

I felt a responsibility and commitment for all to see them. I had to create a way for people to see that, and for the experiences to not just stay with the children.

That day, publishing a book became her main goal.

Art and education go hand in hand

One spring night in 2023, Silvia Rodriguez Vega sat down in an auditorium in Arizona to present what had been promised. Drawing Deportation (NYU Press, 2023) is the book she worked on these years, a compilation of the 2008 Arizona drawings and others made in California in 2016. Years of persecution and deportation with Arpaio, with Barack Obama, and with Donald Trump.

Silvia prepared herself well before unlocking and showing people the tracings of the students with whom she has connected through drawing and theater. In 2010, she completed a Master of Arts in Education at Harvard University, studying trauma and how art can be a pathway to liberation for children and adults.

Children feel safe expressing their emotions through art; creative expression reduces cortisol levels and lowers stress.

When they have a lot of stress, it can become toxic stress that affects their brain, their immune system, she adds, it makes them unable to learn at school or they make bad decisions.

Most families know that art is good for their children. In the United States, about two-thirds of parents of students in preschool through 12th grade (66%) say it is extremely or very important that their children be taught social and emotional skills at school, according to an October 2022 Pew Research Center report.

Silvia points out that, in her experience, the school districts in Arizona and California where she has served are not committed to art classes that emotionally benefit children in their personal and academic development.

A report from the Arts Education Data Project finds that two million public school students in the United States do not have access to any type of arts education. Additionally, 3.6 million do not have any kind of musical education. Theater and dance are the least taught arts. The report shows, above all, inequity in schools with more children enrolled in the free lunch programs that have a greater black, Hispanic or indigenous population.

Sadly, Silvia says, Latino immigrant students were and continue to be the most affected. The schools where art is most needed are in poor and immigrant communities where children deal with things not just related to immigration, but also violence, gangs, diseases, she says with frustration. She knows that these classes could change someones life.

Education specialists say that art plays a fundamental role in educational development in preschool, elementary, middle, and high school (K-12).

Stephanie Parra, executive director of ALL In Education, an organization that fights for equity in education, emphasizes that these classes have an impact on mental health and generate wellbeing that is directly related to academic success. Students can develop additional skills and talents, essential to explore their interests and enhance them, as well as get information to make the decision of what career they decide to study, says Parra.

An immigrant girl touched by art

Silvia was no different from the children who drew their deepest fears. I was undocumented, she says openly about her personal history. She was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and came to Phoenix, Arizona, with her parents when she was 3 years old. Her younger siblings, Victor and Alejandra, were born in the U.S.

Arpaios raids also affected her mother Maria so much so that she suffered a stroke; the doctors warned Maria that she needed care, so she decided to return to Mexico. Silvia was left in charge of 15-year-old Alejandra, just when Silvia was studying for a masters degree at Harvard. The way she got the money to go to Harvard describes her drive, her work, and her stubbornness.

When she was younger, she was a Dreamer, beneficiary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which then-President Obama created in 2012 to protect them from deportation. She and her classmates helped each other with fundraisers to continue their studies. They could not access loans or scholarships. When it was her turn to raise the money for Harvard, she was inspired by the immigrant rights activist Dolores Huerta, and one day Silvia opened an account on the popular fundraising site GoFundMe with a motto, Harvard, Yes You Can.

They interviewed her on news programs like Primer Impacto and that gave her visibility. But what helped her the most was appearing on the Don Francisco program. After that, she received messages of support, questions, congratulations. A writer from Peru, for instance, wanted to know how to get their son into college; in exchange the writer offered to edit the book with the childrens drawings when she published it. Silvia talked about her dreams in those programs, and the biggest one was still the one in the book. For Harvard she needed to raise $80,000 and she managed to raise $60,000.

Silvia became very interested in art because she found salvation along that path.

Resilience and healing

When she was 13 years old, Silvia took drama classes under the tutelage of Christina Marin, a New York teacher of Colombian descent who continues to work with immigrant children and directs the Theater and Film Program at Phoenix College.

If Silvia had not had an escape like the one offered by art, perhaps her story would be different, Marin tells palabra. Many people fail to overcome trauma. They start to get depressed, take pills or drugs to calm their anxiety, but Silvia took the example that I taught her and now she is doing it for other young people who have come after her.

Silvia followed, step by step, her example. When Silvia was her student, Marin was working on a thesis on social change that earned her the Arts-Based Educational Research Dissertation Award, a distinguished honor given annually by the American Educational Research Association (AERA). Years later, Silvia would study for a masters degree in art and would receive the same recognition; in that case, for the psychological-emotional analysis of art in immigrant children.

The examples of Marin and Silvia have inspired other women. Aryam Garcia does not personally know the author but she saw her book, Drawing Deportation, on social media and it resonated with her so much that she now promotes it in her own community. Garcia is originally from Nogales and is also a Dreamer. She finds the book tough: Its not fair that children have to develop those resilience skills at such a young age.

At 24 years old, Garcia coordinates the Art and Healing program of the Aliento organization, an activity open to children, youth, and adults. She works with DACA youth just like her. With her group, they teach that a persons legal status does not define them as human beings, and they go to schools and invite students to draw with a healing sense.

Garcia laughs when she talks about her birthplace. With only a few hours of travel geographically, she would be American, just across the border, she says it with humor. She immigrated with her parents to Arizona when she was 8 years old, and comments that immigrants often cannot control things that happen, such as deportation, police arrests, or an eventual end to DACA. But what we can control is how we express ourselves, how we let our emotions and thoughts help us develop.

That is work. Since she was young, she has been interested in brain development and mental self-care. Art, she says, helps to recognize oneself in a community and strengthen the sense of belonging. She paints whenever she can.

In a year, Garcia will finish a Psychology degree at Benedictine University in Mesa, Arizona.

Being an immigrant entails feelings of loneliness, anxiety, displacement, she contends. And she is convinced that if students are given access to art, they will also be given access to an emotional outlet.

The promise of a book

Silvia was in Los Angeles when Donald Trump was elected; she was there for doctoral studies after getting her masters degree at Harvard. In that state, as in Arizona, she saw the fears that she had already seen in migrant children and one more: the fear they felt of classmates and teachers who supported the idea that Mexico would pay for a border wall and that immigrants leave the country.

She studied for her doctorate in the mornings and in the afternoons worked in an art program in school districts with sixth graders who had lived through very tough experiences.

Not only was it bullying, says Silvia, they felt insecure. Insecure, because of that polarizing and racist environment.

Unlike the mural in Arizona, here she asked the sixth graders to draw what they had done over the weekend: a girl drew a Mothers Day without her mom; she had not seen her for two years because she lived in El Salvador. Other youngsters drew sad faces and lots of tears, like streams of water coming out of their eyes. Others used only pencil, no color. That is a way of communicating isolation, Silvia explains about the absence of colors.

The one that struck her the most was that of a boy sitting in the bottom corner of the sheet of paper, with his hands covering his face. It continues to move her as she describes it.

In the decade from 2008 to 2018 in Arizona and California, two different places but the same reality, she collected 300 drawings. They are not all published in her book, but she continues to treasure them all. The most valuable (treasure) I have had in 15 years.

The cover drawing of her book is of 11-year-old Mario. Its a fence with sharp spikes on top and a helicopter that shines a yellow-orange light on an immigrant; on the right side, a bus with detainees looking through the windows with bars on them. No child should know what that is, Silvia asserts. It causes me great pain.

Above all, the promise of the book came with her younger brothers in mind. She wanted to do something for them. I saw on a daily basis the experience of what it means to live with Sheriff Arpaio, day by day. I physically felt the power of the image that the boy (Chris) described, she notes. What we experienced in Arizona became something national; that same thing became nationally normalized.

Silvia now has legal status, is married, and works as an adjunct professor in the Department of Chicano and Chicana Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. And she is convinced that a change must be supported so that this story does not continue to repeat itself.

The United States has always been separating families, it is not something new. Sadly, its not going to stop happening until we decide that has to change, she says, with hope.

Maybe the change comes from art.

___

Beatriz Limon is a journalist and photographer at Arizona Luminaria. She was a correspondent in Arizona and New Mexico for the EFE International news agency. She has a degree in Communication Sciences and is a columnist for the newspaper El Imparcial, and a contributor to palabra.

Wendy Selene Perez is a multiplatform freelance journalist who has reported and edited for newspapers, magazines, and digital media in Mexico, Argentina, and the United States. She is a recipient of the National Prize for Journalism in Mexico (2019, 2022) and the UN Breach/Valdez Prize for Journalism and Human Rights (2023).

Julie Leopo is a California-based award-winning photojournalist who explores culture, politics, identity, and social issues and has a passion for amplifying the stories of bicultural and bilingual communities through her photography. In 2021, Latino Journalists of California, CCNMA named Julie one of Californias Most Influential Latina Journalists, and in 2022 she was a runner up for the prestigious Ruben Salazar Journalism Award for her reporting on the Oxnard beach community.
State lawmakers took the unprecedented step last month of earmarking $20 million in the new state budget for a pediatric hospital in Delaware, anticipating the cash infusion would halt the facilitys plans to leave New Jerseys Medicaid managed care program on Aug. 1.

But its been nearly two weeks since Gov. Phil Murphy signed the $54.3 billion spending plan into law, and officials from Nemours Childrens Health have not announced whether the facility will remain an in-network hospital for families insured through NJ FamilyCare.
A few months ago, Roselle Park Mayor Joe Signorello III declared he would challenge U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez in next years Democratic primary.

But Signorello announced Thursday he is now dropping that plan and switching races, instead becoming the second candidate seeking the Democratic nomination to take on Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in one of the nations most closely watched congressional contests.

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Update: The shelter in place was lifted around 9 p.m. as police said the incident was under control and that there was no threat to residents of West Deptford.

Residents in the Greenfields and Kings Highway sections of West Deptford in Gloucester County were requested to shelter in place Wednesday evening as police were searching for a suspect who fled, according to a Facebook post by the West Deptford Police Department.

The man was described by police as being 5 feet, 7 inches tall and was wearing a black shirt with green camouflage pants.

Police said the suspect had been identified and that the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office was handling the investigation.

No other information was released by the police department.

Anyone who saw the man was urged to call 911.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
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The first anniversary image from NASAs James Webb Space Telescope displays a star birth like its never been seen before, full of detailed, impressionistic texture. The subject is the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, the closest star-forming region to Earth. It is a relatively small, quiet stellar nursery, but youd never know it from Webbs chaotic close-up. Jets bursting from young stars crisscross the image, impacting the surrounding interstellar gas and lighting up molecular hydrogen, shown in red. NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Klaus Pontoppidan (STScI)/TNS)
AI & the Church Hackathon to Award $1 Million to Faith-Driven Developers

NEWS PROVIDED BYJuly 12, 2023BOULDER, Colo., July 12, 2023 / Standard Newswire / -- Gloo, the leading technology platform dedicated to connecting the faith ecosystem and releasing its collective might, announced a first-of-its-kind event, The AI & the Church Hackathon event, aimed at rapidly advancing artificial intelligence-based technology to serve the faith community. The Hackathon will take technologists from around the world and will take place October 6-8, 2023, in Boulder, Colorado . The event will focus on exploring how artificial intelligence can be used for good. Winning creators will see their work accelerated by business development contracts with Gloo and qualify for several awards from a $1 million funding pool.Event participants will be invited to build applications across various categories to support a wide spectrum of ministry-related functions, including church administration, digital giving, database management, workflow automation, discipleship, content creation, and graphic design. Hackathon submissions could include new web applications, native mobile applications, and plugins that leverage the Gloo platform."Our platform was built for faith-driven creators to be able to build powerful technologies, collaborate, safely share data with other organizations, and launch sustainable products that lead to stronger ministries and ultimately human flourishing," said Steele Billings, Head of Gloo Exchange and AI Initiatives at Gloo.Nick Skytland and Ali Llewellyn of Quite Uncommon, who have run some of the world's largest hackathons in government, academia, and the Church, will co-host the event with Gloo."Gloo is asking the question: what if a technology of the magnitude of AI was pointed at a major problem in the world today: human flourishing?" said Skytland. "There are talented technologists around the world who long to use their skills and talents for higher purposes, such as helping people grow and reach their greatest potential."Gloo has also partnered with Cru's Indigitous and Faith.Tech, both of whom have hosted hackathons and networking events for faith-driven technologists for the last eight years. Together, these organizations hope to enable, rally, and inspire the talents of technologists who are passionate about leveraging technology to serve the faith ecosystem.Applications for the AI & the Church Hackathon are now open , with attendees already committed from North America, Europe, and Africa. To apply or for more information on the event, visit www.gloo.us/ai Gloo is the trusted platform that releases the collective might of the faith ecosystem. As a leading technology innovator, Gloo connects people, partners, world-class content, funding opportunities, and more to help ministries achieve their goals and change more lives. Gloo is based in Boulder, Colorado, employing a team of more than 150 people.SOURCE GlooCONTACT: Sarah Bunyea, sarah.bunyea@pinkston.co
The 'Real Housewives of New York' alum welcomed her only daughter, Quincy Adams Morgan, in 2001

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

When Sonja Morgan made her debut on season 3 of the Real Housewives of New York City in 2010, she let viewers of the Bravo reality series inside her Upper East Side townhouse but kept her young daughter, Quincy Adams Morgan, away from the cameras.

Though Quincy, 22, waited until she was a college student in Pennsylvania to make her social media public and allow a glimpse into her life, Sonja occasionally spoke publicly of her daughter on the show and with the media.

In a 2016 interview with Bustle, Sonja shared how she was proud of her then-15-year-old daughter as she headed off to boarding school at The Taft School.

Related: Sonja Morgan's Dating History: From Owen Wilson to John Adams Morgan

I'm very close to my daughter and she's a very high achiever," she told the outlet. "I'm very proud of her, I worry, and I support her 100 percent, because she achieves so well."

She also shed some light on her daughters interests at the time, adding, She's very much impressed and interested now with the fashion, the jewelry and the swimwear. That has her attention now. She's very smart, so she's interested in the aspects of the marketing of that."

When Quincy turned 21 in 2021, Sonja called her daughter my dearest, light of my life, center of my universe in an Instagram tribute.

Quincy Morgan/Instagram

Though RHONY has recently undergone a casting shakeup, Sonja has still found herself on reality TV. Her show with fellow castmate Luann de Lesseps, Luann and Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake, premiered in July, and she will also appear on season 5 of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. Through it all, Sonja has continued to share special moments with her daughter on social media.

From her studies to her art pursuits, heres everything to know about Quincy Adams Morgan, the daughter of Sonja Morgan.

She is from New York City

Quincy Morgan Instagram

Quincy was born in October 2000 in New York City. Sonja said in a 2020 interview with Reality Blurb that Quincy was born in the Upper East Side townhouse that she put back on the market for $8.75 million in July 2022 after attempting to sell the property for almost a decade.

Quincys father is John Adams Morgan

Quincy Morgan Instagram

Sonja was married to John Adams Morgan from 1998 to 2006. In a 2021 episode of RHONY, she felt conflicted about her divorce from the American financier, the heir to J.P. Morgan.

I lost my best friend and a wonderful marriage, Sonja said in the episode. Is he dead? No. But for all intents and purposes, for me, he's gone. I had to make a choice for my daughter and I feel so bad. Maybe I should have stayed with him and made sure she had everything she needed and got more time with me.

Sonja has made efforts to ensure her daughter never felt like she had to choose between her two parents  and keeping Quincy off of RHONY was part of that decision-making process.

I married into a very important American family and I honor the responsibility of raising my daughter into the legacy she was born into, Sonja told Reality Blurb.

Quincy has accompanied Sonja on the red carpet

Monica Schipper/WireImage

Quincy started hitting the red carpet with her mother as a tween, attending the premiere of Nickelodeons Big Time Movie in 2012 with Sonja in New York City.

More recently, the two posed for photos on the red carpet at the Sonja by Sonja Morgan Fashion Show in N.Y.C. in September 2019 and the Downton Abbey: A New Era New York premiere at the Metropolitan Opera House in May 2022.

She went to the University of Pennsylvania

Quincy Morgan Instagram

After graduating from a private boarding school in Watertown, Connecticut, in 2019, Quincy attended the University of Pennsylvanias College of Arts and Sciences. She graduated in May 2023 and her mom commemorated the occasion on Instagram.

The proudest day of my life. My darling daughter graduated Summa Cum Laude at The University of Penn, Sonja wrote in the caption. I would say best of all shes happy and happens to be a well rounded, kind and humble young woman with great aspirations. All this fused with innate talent.

Related: Sonja Morgan Pens Sweet Tribute to Daughter Quincy After Her College Graduation: 'Proudest Day'

In a separate post, Sonja updated her followers that Quincy was moving to Los Angeles after graduation. I cant believe it, she said in a video posted to her Instagram vlogging Quincys move out of her Philadelphia home.

She made her social media public in 2021

Quincy Morgan/ Instagram

Quincy waited until 2021 to make her Instagram feed public.

I never thought Id make my social media public but here I am  excited to welcome everyone along for the ride, she wrote on her Instagram Story at the time.

Her following has since grown, and she has kept her followers updated on her life, from her travels to her outfits.

She is a painter and multimedia artist

Quincy Morgan/ Instagram

Quincy started painting when she was a child after a family friend introduced her to acrylics, she explained on her website. She continues to document her work on a second Instagram account.

Calling herself an art nerd in 2018, Quincys art portfolio shows her collection of paintings, including an exhibit called For Years that was shown at New York City gallery NoMo SoHo in 2019.

"Thank you to everyone who showed up to support me, and helped make this show a success!" Quincy captioned a photo from the event.

She takes after the financier side of her family

Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan/Getty

Sonja has said that Quincys aptitude for numbers comes from her fathers side.

The finance side, she definitely got from [her father]. She is a math wizard. She got that from the J.P. Morgan side," Sonja said in an interview with Bravo in 2019. "But she got the humility from the John Adams side, you know, from John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and I like to think my side of the family has humility and religion.

Quincy celebrated her 21st birthday with a photo shoot

Quincy Morgan Instagram

Quincy wore a pink cowl-neck sparkly minidress and ate a cupcake for her 21st birthday photo shoot with photographer Andrew Werner.

Related: Sonja Morgan's Lookalike Daughter Quincy, 20, Is a Budding Instagram Star: See Her Stylish Feed

@andrewwerner had a vision and a pink back drop and he created this shoot for my 21  thank you , she wrote.

She doesnt appear on RHONY

Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan/Getty

While some of Sonjas RHONY castmates shared their children's lives on-screen, Quincy hasnt been followed by Bravo cameras.

I knew I wanted a corporate career, and it wasnt my thing, Quincy said in an interview with SMore Date on Instagram. Im not a public speaker. Im not somebody who likes attention, except in my personal life.

However, Quincy has supported her mothers career on the show, occasionally poking fun at some of her iconic moments.

For Mothers Day in 2020, Quincy reenacted some stills from the show in a silly post. "It had to be done. Happy Mother's Day to an ICON. I love you very much @sonjatmorgan," she wrote.

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All around the dining room at Emerils Restaurant, and maybe especially at the bar, theres been talk about last visits, at least for now.

People have been coming in for another meal, and to soak in the atmosphere of a restaurant that resonates through the memories of many special occasions.

Emerils Restaurant is among the most high profile in New Orleans, the first restaurant from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse and his flagship to this day.

It will soon be transformed, part of the next chapter unfolding here.

The restaurant will serve its last meal in its current configuration on Saturday, July 15. After that comes a top-to-bottom renovation that will see the old restaurant space gutted. It is slated to reopen in late September with an entirely new look built around a smaller number of tables, focusing the high-touch service.

The upcoming work will bring a new kitchen designed around the restaurants contemporary tasting menu format.

Last year, the chefs son E.J. Lagasse joined the staff and father and son have been working with the companys culinary team to transform Emerils into a more lux and ambitious restaurant.

Emeril Lagasse has said the new direction reflects where he believes the highest level of American fine dining should be now, and how New Orleans should be represented in its ranks.

When Emerils reopens it will serve two chef tasting menus, classic and seasonal. The Salon will serve a menu of small plates drawn from the culinary teams favorite dishes from around the world, and give access to the restaurants entire wine list, which is a Wine Spectator Grand Award winner.

Here's a look around the restaurant as it is on the eve of the big change.

Temporarily closing July 15 through late September 2023

Close
If anything rivals money as the most important ingredient in politics, its timing. Thats why next week looms large on Louisianas political calendar  it marks the confluence of two major events that could determine the fate of scores of candidates who plan to be on the Oct. 14 ballot.

Monday, July 17, is the deadline for the 90-day campaign finance reports for candidates seeking major offices and for PACs supporting or opposing those candidates. Major offices are those elected statewide plus Courts of Appeal, the Supreme Court, the Public Service Commission, and all parish-wide offices in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany and East Baton Rouge parishes.

The reports will reflect campaign receipts and expenditures through July 6.

They will speak volumes about the relative viability of gubernatorial candidates less than a month before qualifying, which is Aug. 8-10. That, in turn, could trigger efforts by the Anybody But Landry crowd to cull the large GOP herd, particularly if any candidates lag far behind the leaders.

Legislative candidates first campaign finance reports arent due until Sept. 14. Those 30-day reports, which must be filed by all candidates, will cover receipts and expenditures through Sept. 4, which happens to be Labor Day, the traditional kickoff date for the most intense campaigning.

Thats when voters begin focusing on candidates and issues, PACs unleash their fiercest attacks, and late closers mount their Hail Mary come-from-behind efforts.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are facing their own pressure cooker.

Tuesday, July 18, is Opening Day of the veto override session, which puts all lawmakers in the crosshairs of far-right and evangelical activists  especially Republicans and the few remaining white Democrats from rural districts.

Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed 25 bills and cut three additional line-items in the spending bills. That presents his adversaries with a lot of targets, each of which requires a two-thirds supermajority in both the House and Senate to override.

Thats always a tall order, even though many of the vetoed measures passed with supermajorities in both chambers.

The focus of the override session will be three anti-LGBTQ bills. One in particular is the darling of far-right evangelicals  House Bill 648 by Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Pollock. That measure outlaws gender-affirming health care for minors and exposes health care providers who deliver such care to professional and civil penalties.

Louisiana Family Forum, an influential evangelical lobby, made Firments bill its rallying cry in a weeks-long social media campaign  under the banner of Save Our Children  urging conservative voters to pressure lawmakers into convening the veto session.

Other anti-LGBTQ measures backed by evangelical groups include House Bill 81 by Rep. Raymond Crews, R-Bossier City, and House Bill 466 by Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton. Crews bill requires public school teachers to ignore students preferred alternate pronouns unless parents give written permission to do otherwise; Hortons bill outlaws all talk of sexual or gender identity in classrooms or extracurricular settings.

Between the finance reports and the override session, next week will be a political minefield for gubernatorial and legislative candidates.
Matt Damon says he 'fell into a depression' while shooting a movie that was not what he 'hoped it would be'

Matt Damon says he 'fell into a depression' while shooting a movie that was not what he 'hoped it would be'

Matt Damon said he "fell into a depression" while shooting a movie he knew was particularly bad.

He said he was left asking himself, "What have I done?" before his wife encouraged him to carry on.

The actor previously described his 2016 alien invasion movie "The Great Wall" as a "turkey."

Matt Damon said he fell into a "depression" while shooting a movie that he quickly realized wasn't quite up to his standards.

"Without naming any particular movies, sometimes you find yourself in a movie that, you know, perhaps, might not be what you had hoped it would be, and you're still making it," the actor said in an interview on the YouTube series "Jake's Takes."

The "Oppenheimer" star said that halfway through production on one such movie, the sinking feeling set in when he assessed how much he had upended his family's lives for the role.

"You've still got months to go and you've taken your family somewhere, you know, and you've inconvenienced them," he continued. "And I remember my wife pulling me up because I fell into a depression."

The 52-year-old star said he was left asking himself, "What have I done?" before his wife urged him to carry on because there was little else he could do.

Damon and Luciana Barroso have been married since 2005 and share four daughters  Alexia, 24, Isabella, 17, Gia, 13, and Stella, 12.

"She just said, 'We're here now'," Damon recalled.

"I do pride myself, in a large part because of her, at being a professional actor and what being a professional actor means is you go and you do the 15-hour day and give it absolutely everything, even in what you know is going to be a losing effort."

"And if you can do that with the best possible attitude, then you're a pro," he continued. "And she really helped me with that."

While Damon has starred in several Academy Award-winning films, he's also been part of several critically and commercially panned movies.

On Rotten Tomatoes, "Downsizing," "Suburbicon," "The Monuments Men," and "The Brothers Grimm" are among some of the actor's worst-rated movies.

Singling out the 2016 alien invasion movie "The Great Wall" in a 2021 interview on "WTF with Marc Maron," Damon described it as a "turkey" that he knew was doomed before filming had finished.

Matt Damon previously described his 2016 film "The Great Wall" as a "turkey." Universal Pictures

In the film, Damon plays a mercenary warrior imprisoned within the Great Wall of China who joins forces with the Chinese to combat an alien invasion. Damon said he initially thought the plot was similar to films like "'Lawrence of Arabia," "Dances With Wolves," and "Avatar."

But when Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou bowed to pressure from Hollywood backers and sacrificed his vision of the film, Damon saw things begin to crumble.

"I was like, this is exactly how disasters happen," the actor told Maron. "It doesn't cohere. It doesn't work as a movie."

"I came to consider that the definition of a professional actor; knowing you're in a turkey and going, 'OK, I've got four more months. It's the up at dawn siege on Hamburger Hill. I am definitely going to die here, but I'm doing it.'"

"That's as shitty as you can feel creatively, I think. I hope to never have that feeling again."

Read the original article on Insider
SpaceX, Twitter and electric car maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk waves as he speaks during his visit at the Vivatech technology startups and innovation fair at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris on June 16, 2023. (Alain Jocard/AFP via Getty Images)

Twitter CEO Elon Musk has announced that hes forming a new artificial intelligence company called xAI.

Musk made the announcement in a brief tweet on Wednesday, in which he did not elaborate on the details of the new venture except to say that its aim is to understand reality.

The Twitter chief also shared a link to the companys Twitter page and its website, which states that its objective is to understand the true nature of the universe.

What are the most fundamental unanswered questions? was the first tweet by the xAI account on Twitter.

Musk replied to the tweet: And what are the most fundamental unknown questions? Once you know the right question to ask, the answer is often the easy part.

More Details

The xAI website states that a Twitter Spaces chat has been scheduled for July 14 in order to meet the team and ask us questions about the new initiative, about which details remain scarce.

The new company is separate from X Corp, the Musk-owned firm that has absorbed Twitter as part of Musks long-awaited move to turn the social media platform into an everything app.

xAI will, however, work closely with Twitter, Tesla, and other companies to make progress towards our mission, per its website.

The team is led by Musk, with some team members having worked on various AI projects in the past, such as Googles DeepMind and OpenAI, the company behind the chatbot ChatGPT.

The website lists Igor Babuschkin, Manuel Kroiss, Yuhuai (Tony) Wu, Christian Szegedy, Jimmy Ba, Toby Pohlen, Ross Nordeen, Kyle Kosic, Greg Yang, Guodong Zhang, and Zihang Dai as team members, with a note indicating that xAI is actively recruiting researchers and engineers.

The team is advised by Dan Hendrycks, who now serves as the director of the Center for AI Safety, a nonprofit that seeks to reduce societal-scale risks associated with AI.

Musks announcement of the formation of xAI comes on the heels of the recent rollout of Twitter competitor Threads, which was launched by Musks arch-rival and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has agreed to fight the Twitter chief in a cage match.

It comes as Twitter has faced some turbulence related to what Musk has said was extreme levels of system manipulation and data scraping, including by AI projects.

Twitter Turbulence

Musk recently imposed limits on how many tweets users could read on Twitter due to what he said were extreme levels of system manipulation and data scraping, with a negative impact on user experience.

Earlier, Twitter announced it would require users to have an account on the social media platform to view tweets, a move that Musk called a temporary emergency measure.

At the time, Musk said that hundreds of organizations or more were scraping Twitter data extremely aggressively, a remark that followed his earlier expressions of displeasure with artificial intelligence firms like OpenAI, which owns ChatGPT, for using Twitters data to train their large language models.

In April, Musk threatened to sue Microsoft, which has invested billions into OpenAI, after accusing the company of using Twitter data for training.

They trained illegally using Twitter data. Lawsuit time, Musk wrote on Twitter on April 19, without providing further details regarding the allegations.

While Musk did not provide evidence of Microsofts alleged illegal training and did not state what the training was for, ChatGPT is trained using reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) and large bodies of text from various sources across the internet, including human conversations.

Microsoft did not respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times on Musks lawsuit threat.

AI Threat

Earlier, Musk joined more than 1,100 individuals, including experts and industry executives such as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, in signing an open letter calling on all artificial intelligence labs to pause training of systems more powerful than Chat GPT-4 for at least six months.

The letter doesnt call for a halt to AI development in general, just the most advanced systems in what Musk and the other experts described as an act of merely a stepping back from the dangerous race to ever-larger unpredictable black-box models with emergent capabilities.

Musk, along with other signatories of the letter, cited concerns over AIs possible risks to society and humanity.

Catastrophic Impacts on Society

Signatories of the letter warned that AI systems with human-competitive intelligence could pose profound risks to society and humanity and should be planned for and managed carefully to avoid potentially catastrophic impacts on the world and its people.

Having succeeded in creating powerful AI systems, we can now enjoy an AI summer in which we reap the rewards, engineer these systems for the clear benefit of all, and give society a chance to adapt, the experts said.

Society has hit pause on other technologies with potentially catastrophic effects on society. We can do so here. Lets enjoy a long AI summer, not rush unprepared into a fall, they argued.

They called for AI labs and independent experts to use the six-month moratorium to develop and implement a set of safety protocols for advanced AI design that would ensure that these systems are safe beyond a reasonable doubt.

From The Epoch Times
First of all, a happy 23rd birthday to daughter Loretta! We wish her many more years of happiness.

The month of July is bringing us some hot weather. July 4 was a hot day as well. On July 3, our whole familyexcept son Benjaminand sister Emmas whole family and sister Verena all gathered at Emmas house. We are a total of 39 now when we all get together. We all set up tents in her back yard. Her children wanted to do this for Emmas 50th birthday, which will be on July 19. They brought and made all the meals and did all outdoor cooking.

Everyone set up their tents and air beds when they arrived. A total of 11 tents were set up. They also had a 30-foot water slide, which kept the children and some of the adults quite occupied.

There was a water balloon fight that resulted in a big water fight. The men playing cornhole were cooled off with the water balloons as well. The water battle kept going until no one remained dry. It felt good on this hot, humid day. It was fun and reminded me that our families are keeping up the legacy of the Coblentz family. There were always water battles at my fathers family reunions. It was always so much fun!

We were served a lot of good food, with niece Emma and Menno serving a supper of hot dogs, jalapeno poppers, breaded mushrooms, French fries, shrimp and frog legs. Plus, all kinds of snacks were brought in, as well as a cake for Emma.

The next morning, niece Elizabeth and Manuel made another good meal of bacon, smokies, tater tots, scrambled eggs, biscuits and sausage gravy, tomatoes, hot peppers etc. Also, cookies, whoopie pies, peaches, Rice Krispie treats, and fresh fruit (watermelon, muskmelon, strawberries, and pineapples) mixed together. Orange and apple juice, chocolate milk, strawberry milk and coffee were the drinks. Im sure I forgot some of the food, but there was more than enough.

A cake made and decorated by Emmas daughter-in-law Crystal was brought out with 5 and 0 candles on it for Emma. I am sure celebrating her 50th without her beloved husband Jacob by her side was not easy. Emma does well to hide her loneliness for her familys sake. Emma has moved her bedroom to an upstairs bedroom. She let her son Jacob, 23, have her bedroom on the main floor, since he cant get upstairs with his disability (limb-girdle type 2A muscular dystrophy). Emma has two children that use mobility scooters with a disability, and three of our children do as well. With five mobility scooters, we need lots of space.

It was nice to have our tent close by the grandchildren and to hear their cute little chatter in the morning. This was a time where many memories were made that they will cherish for years to come.

Son Benjamin was missed at our family event as well. He left with friends and is spending time in New York. Also missed were sister Susan and son-in-law Mose. Susan wouldve been the main thrower in the water fight. May they rest in peace. Gods ways are not always our way.

It was so cute when granddaughter Kaitlyn, 6, was sitting on my lap at bedtime by the campfire. She said, Grandma, this is the bestest and favoritest holiday I ever had. Sweet, innocent little ones can melt our hearts. May God always watch above them and guide them in life.

God bless!

Zucchini Pizza

4 cups grated zucchini

2 eggs, slightly beaten

3 tablespoons Bisquick

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (reserve half)

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (reserve half)

Pizza toppings of choice

DIRECTIONS: Mix all ingredients (minus those reserved) together thoroughly and press into a greased 11x15 inch pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 1520 minutes or until set. Put on your favorite pizza toppings and add rest of cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 more minutes until cheese is melted.
CROWN POINT  An Illinois man fled from a traffic stop and crashed into six cars, according to charging documents.

About noon Tuesday, Frank Jones, 61, of Hazel Crest kicked officers when they pulled him over on West Lincoln Highway for an expired license plate, the documents said.

When officers had asked for his license and registration, Jones ignored their requests and told them the car was his mothers and she had recently died, charges stated.

There was also a woman in the car who told officers she had trust issues when they asked for her identification, charges stated.

The woman eventually admitted to police that she was travelling from Illinois to get money for drugs, and when police searched the vehicle they found a powdery white powder that tested positive for cocaine and a clear glass pipe with burnt residue, charges stated.

Jones remained in the car and was kicking officers as they detained the woman, whom they later identified as Sarah Parati, police said. Parati had a warrant for unlawful possession of a syringe, charges stated.

Jones purportedly then drove off, police said, reaching speeds exceeding 100 mph in a 30 mph zone and disregarding traffic control devices as he was pursued.

As the vehicle approached the intersection of Lincolnwood and West 77th Avenue, the vehicle collided with two vehicles and continued to flee westbound from the accident scene, the charges said. As it did so, the vehicle traveled left of center, colliding with another two vehicles as it approached U.S. 41.

Jones crossed into the oncoming lane several times, the charges said, and when it entered the intersection of U.S. 41 and 93rd Avenue, two other vehicles were struck. This makes a total of six vehicles that were struck by the fleeing vehicle.

Jones lost control of the car and came to a stop near the Chase Bank parking lot on Wicker Avenue, the charges said, then got out of the car and ran into a retention pond as officers shouted verbal commands for him to stop.

When police caught up to him, Jones kicked an officer, a probable cause affidavit said.

Jones was charged with attempted battery by means of a deadly weapon, criminal recklessness and resisting law enforcement, among other offenses.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail Demond Tyler Jacqueline White Kristina Schierberl Glynisha Shiel Byron Strong Dollie Tecaxco Semaj Reynolds Fred Parker Paige Perry Lawrence O'Toole Mathew Murphy Geoni McNeal Brett Miner Shanae McGee Wilbur Jenkins II Kerry Kirk Robert Mathena Nathaniel Guzman Joshua Hansen Bradley Heideman Kyanne Edwards Ollicia England Kenyatta Freeman Jr. Jacob Gould Antonio Cornejo Lashionda Bradley James Buhle Zakiya Coats Carlos Andrade Dierra Bluitt Jovon Sharp Demetrian Shorter Matthew Potocki Tonie Pattent Edward Macker Jerry Moore Christopher Hurley Leroy Jefferson III Edwin Macias Guerrero Patrick Hammack Mark Henderson Isabell Hernandez Lexi Adams Derrick Angelucci Cartrelle Sullivan Lap Dai Truong David Smith Candice Johnson Julie Lonngren Cody Nagel Tomislav Ristic Jonathan Igras John Gallagher Jr. Christina Brown Deanna Findley Danielle Ford Ramon Bridges Ian West Michael Wynter Maltese Tally John Stoddard Jr. Eric Skinner Angel Preacely Brian Riley Aarjione League Charles Moore Suzanne Krischke Marquita Ford Antonio Galvan Jason Brown John Berrios Jr. Laura Bobadilla Keith Bretthorst Lakisha Brooks Narcisa Apuyod Dan Rodriguez Michael Zivanovich Shaunese Rice Robert Lay III Loretta Bell Larry Gore Calvin Winfield Katelyn Zajeski Percy Perry Andrew Wilcox Javonni Avila Matthew Druzbicki Michael Kras Troy Sykes David Venzke Jr. Taylor Smith Gregory Phillips Jose Rivera Jr. Nicole Roge
CROWN POINT  After a cancelled trial and months of delay due to an attempted appeal, the criminal trial for Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. has been set for the week of Feb. 12, according to court records.

Martinez was indicted Jan. 6, 2022, on a felony charge of resisting law enforcement and a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving. If convicted, Martinez would lose his position as sheriff.

Martinez allegedly failed to stop for Crown Point police while he was driving north on Main Street and going 96 miles an hour (in) a 45 mile-an-hour zone in an unmarked county-owned Jeep TrackHawk on Sept. 18, 2021, according to court records.

The misdemeanor reckless driving charge alleges Martinez operated "a motor vehicle by driving at such an unreasonably high rate of speed as to endanger the safety or property of others.

When officers caught up to the Jeep on U.S. Highway 30, it "turned on red and blue rear emergency lights indicating that it was a police vehicle. The officers then ceased their pursuit of the vehicle, according to court records.

Officers linked the car to Martinez when they later located the Jeep around midnight parked in a handicapped spot outside Karma Cigar Bar in Merrillville.

A grand jury indicted Martinez following testimony from Indiana State Police Cmdr. Kevin Smith, which Martinezs attorneys Paul Stracci and Michael Woods called improper legal advice disguised as testimony when they filed a motion to dismiss the charges in March 2022.

Ive never worked in a county where 51 miles an hour over the speed limit was not reckless driving, Smith said during grand jury proceedings, according to court records. And in that situation, we would incarcerate onsite. We would stop the vehicle, put the person in handcuffs, put him in jail.

Stracci and Woods also accused Special Prosecutor Stanley Levco of undue and unfair influence on the neutrality of the grand jury proceedings.

The motion to dismiss the charges was denied by a trial court on March 14, 2022. Martinez took that denial up with the Court of Appeals, which affirmed his charges on Jan. 26.

Martinez then again appealed the decision and asked the Indiana Supreme Court to review his case, but the judges unanimously rejected his appeal on May 4.

Under Indiana law, Martinez is prohibited from carrying a handgun in public because of the criminal indictment.

A judge deemed that portion of the law unconstitutional on May 19, but the decisions enforcement is pending mandatory approval by the Indiana Supreme Court.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail Demond Tyler Jacqueline White Kristina Schierberl Glynisha Shiel Byron Strong Dollie Tecaxco Semaj Reynolds Fred Parker Paige Perry Lawrence O'Toole Mathew Murphy Geoni McNeal Brett Miner Shanae McGee Wilbur Jenkins II Kerry Kirk Robert Mathena Nathaniel Guzman Joshua Hansen Bradley Heideman Kyanne Edwards Ollicia England Kenyatta Freeman Jr. Jacob Gould Antonio Cornejo Lashionda Bradley James Buhle Zakiya Coats Carlos Andrade Dierra Bluitt Jovon Sharp Demetrian Shorter Matthew Potocki Tonie Pattent Edward Macker Jerry Moore Christopher Hurley Leroy Jefferson III Edwin Macias Guerrero Patrick Hammack Mark Henderson Isabell Hernandez Lexi Adams Derrick Angelucci Cartrelle Sullivan Lap Dai Truong David Smith Candice Johnson Julie Lonngren Cody Nagel Tomislav Ristic Jonathan Igras John Gallagher Jr. Christina Brown Deanna Findley Danielle Ford Ramon Bridges Ian West Michael Wynter Maltese Tally John Stoddard Jr. Eric Skinner Angel Preacely Brian Riley Aarjione League Charles Moore Suzanne Krischke Marquita Ford Antonio Galvan Jason Brown John Berrios Jr. Laura Bobadilla Keith Bretthorst Lakisha Brooks Narcisa Apuyod Dan Rodriguez Michael Zivanovich Shaunese Rice Robert Lay III Loretta Bell Larry Gore Calvin Winfield Katelyn Zajeski Percy Perry Andrew Wilcox Javonni Avila Matthew Druzbicki Michael Kras Troy Sykes David Venzke Jr. Taylor Smith Gregory Phillips Jose Rivera Jr. Nicole Roge
Hammond switched up its approach to the long-running Festival of the Lakes this year, charging $125 for admission to see its Saturday night headliner Lil Wayne instead of hosting a free concert.

The concert at the Pav at Wolf Lake headlined by the rap star also known as Weezy, who some consider to be one of the greater rappers of all time, is nearly sold out.

Hammond said it sold out of Gold Section tickets for the 9 p.m. show Friday and expects to sell out of its remaining Silver Section tickets before the show, typically the peak of attendance for the festival.

We knew that bringing Lil Wayne to the Fest this year was going to be a big draw and so selling out the gold section with days left until the show confirms that belief. I want to congratulate the city and my staff who worked so hard on this show and are bringing the Festival to a new level, Hammond Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. said.

DJ Pharris, DJ KCeasar and Trina open for Lil Wayne with live music starting at 6 p.m.

Other Festival of the Lakes performers this year include Stone Temple Pilots, Local H, Luis "El Flaco" Angel, Brothers Osborne and Nate Venturelli, who penned the local hit "Union Man."

The six-day festival at Wolf Lake features a carnival, food trucks, a polka party, a fishing derby and other festivities.

Historically, it's only charged $30 for parking and for VIP tickets right by the stage.

But Rick Ross drew a huge crowd of 22,000 last year and city officials were worried Lil Wayne would be an even bigger draw. They charged partly to limit attendance to 15,000 to alleviate safety concerns, especially after concertgoers were trampled at a Travis Scott concert in Houston, and partly to be able to bring in bigger name acts as headliners.

After strong early sales, Hammond ended up giving away 2,000 free Lil Wayne tickets to Hammond residents but has since sold out of the Gold Section, McDermott said.

For more information, visit FestivaloftheLakes.com.
Family nurse practitioner Jennifer Aversano has joined Northwest Medical Group, the health care system with hospitals in Valparaiso, LaPorte and Knox.

She has a special interest in cancer care.

The hematology and oncology nurse practitioner joined the practice of Tareq Braik and Mary Klein in Valparaiso. They practice medicine at Northwest HealthHematology & Oncology in the medical plaza next to Northwest HealthPorter at 85 E. U.S. 6.

Aversano earned both her master and her bachelor of science in nursing degrees from Chamberlain College of Nursing in Downers Grove, Illinois.

"As an advanced practice nurse, she provides assessment and treatment for benign and malignant blood disorders, as well as for lung, breast, gastrointestinal and head and neck cancers," Northwest Health said in a news release.

Aversano, Braik and Klein all accept Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans at Northwest HealthHematology & Oncology in Valparaiso.

To schedule an appointment, call 219-983-6260.
Gov. Eric Holcomb has appointed a suburban Indianapolis judge to fill a vacancy on the Indiana Court of Appeals.

The Republican chief executive recently selected Hamilton Circuit Judge Paul Felix to succeed retiring Judge Margret Robb on the states appellate bench.

Judge Felix is passionate about ensuring all Hoosiers have access to the justice system, Holcomb said. Through his work he has become an expert in administration of justice, a team player with his judiciary counterparts and a community leader in juvenile justice reform.

Felix, 53, is a former Johnson County deputy prosecutor and Carmel City Court judge. The Indiana University graduate has served 14 years as circuit court judge for Hamilton County.

It is quite humbling to follow Judge Robbs tradition of judicial leadership and compassion for the community, Felix said. I look forward to serving the people of the state of Indiana in my work as an appellate court judge, in promoting the efficiency of the judiciary, and implementation of programming that benefits children and families.

Holcomb chose Felix over two other candidates recommended by the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission: Anderson attorney Stephanie Bibbs, a Michigan City native; and Justin Forkner, Indiana Supreme Court chief administrative officer.

Bibbs, 48, was born and raised in Michigan City. She returned to her hometown after earning her bachelors degree at Purdue University in West Lafayette and worked one year as a substitute teacher at Michigan City Area Schools.

She subsequently earned a law degree at Texas A&M University School of Law and worked as a prosecutor, public defender and in private practice in central Indiana. Bibbs currently is deputy director of litigation in the states Office of Judicial and Attorney Regulation.

Forkner, 44, also was a finalist last year for an Indiana Supreme Court vacancy. However, Holcomb selected Derek Molter, a Newton County native, to replace Justice Steven David.

Felix initially will serve a two-year term on the appeals court. Voters living in the 2nd Appellate District, which includes Indianapolis and nearby counties in north central Indiana, then will decide at the next general election whether he should be retained for a 10-year term.

Fifteen judges serve on Indianas appellate court. Theyre organized into three-judge panels to decide cases appealed from trial courts in all 92 counties.

Gallery: Get to know these new Indiana laws that took effect July 1 AirTags Alcohol permits Animal facilities Annexation Book bans Bullying Charter schools Child molesting Childrens hospitals Domestic violence Drinking water Electric/hybrid vehicles Encroachment FAFSA Financial literacy Firefighting equipment Food and beverage tax Gender-affirming care Gary schools Gasoline tax Human trafficking Illiana Expressway Inmate gender Insurance fund Juror pay Juveniles Lake County convention center Lake County recorder Landlords Little Calumet River Lost farmland Machine guns Mail-in ballots Mental health Military bases Military pay Pension investments Public health School board elections Service animals Sex education SNAP assistance Speed cameras State comptroller Storage units Tax sales Taxpayer receipt Teachers unions Throwing stars Transit Development District 21st Century Scholars Valparaiso lawsuit Xylazine
PITTSBURGH  Armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle and at least three handguns, a man shouting anti-Semitic slurs opened fire inside a Pittsburgh synagogue Saturday morning, killing at least 11 congregants and wounding four police officers and two others, the authorities said.

In a rampage described as among the deadliest against the Jewish community in the United States, the assailant stormed into the Tree of Life Congregation, where worshipers had gathered in separate rooms to celebrate their faith, and shot indiscriminately into the crowd, shattering what had otherwise been a peaceful morning.

The assailant, identified by law enforcement officials as Robert D. Bowers, fired for several minutes and was leaving the synagogue when officers, dressed in tactical gear and armed with rifles, met him at the door. According to the police, Mr. Bowers exchanged gunfire with officers before retreating back inside and barricading himself inside a third-floor room. He eventually surrendered.

Mr. Bowers, 46, was injured by gunfire, although the authorities said it was unclear whether those wounds were self-inflicted or whether the police had shot him. He was taken to Allegheny General Hospital.

Federal officials charged Mr. Bowers with 29 criminal counts. They included obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs  a hate crime  and using a firearm to commit murder. He also faces state charges, including 11 counts of criminal homicide, six counts of aggravated assault and 13 counts of ethnic intimidation.

The authorities said that he had no previous criminal history.

[Read more about the shooting suspect, who frequently reposted anti-Semitic content on social media.]

Though a bris, a ceremony to mark a childs birth, was among the ceremonies taking place Saturday, no children were among the casualties, law enforcement officials said. The wounded included a 70-year-old man who had been shot in the torso, and a 61-year-old woman with soft tissue wounds, said Dr. Donald Yealy, chairman of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

The attack Saturday morning struck the heart of the citys vibrant Jewish community, in the leafy Squirrel Hill neighborhood that is home to several synagogues, kosher restaurants and bakeries. Hours later, hundreds gathered at three separate interfaith vigils on a cold, rainy evening to mourn the dead and pray for the wounded.

The assault on the synagogue unfolded on a quiet, drizzly morning, and came amid a bitter, vitriolic midterm election season and against the backdrop of what appears to be a surge in hate-related speech and crimes across America. It also took place in the wake of the arrest Friday morning of a man who the authorities said sent more than a dozen pipe bombs to critics of Mr. Trump, including several high-profile Democrats.
Imminent annihilation plausibly threatening contemporary life as we know it, isnt usually a subject for popular genres like musical theater  at least it hasnt been since the Cold War. Yet, when facing the possibility of climate change catastrophe, A.I. apocalypse and nuclear incineration, what is more relatable than multidimensional permacrisis?

At the List Visual Arts Center, a museum for contemporary art within the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, the multimedia and internet culture artist Lex Brown clocks the psychic tenor of ambient daily doom with her latest exhibition, Carnelian. As a 60-minute musical video unspools on four billboard-size screens in the darkened space of one of the museums salons, the show rides the emotional roller coaster of life under constant threat of demise, ruminating on the fraying of societys collective nerves  through song.

A sci-fi tale told in a prologue and three acts, Carnelian" follows three characters in a bunker  Orachrysops (Najee Duwon), Necyria (Ciani Barclay) and Bicyclus (Mya Drew Flood)  contending with a force they refer to only as the Boom. The ambiguity around the Boom drives the characters anxiety, and the work. By abstracting the terror they face, Brown makes viewers her monsters collaborators, forcing us to shade in her blanks with our own nightmares.

Initially, I read Carnelian to be about the anxiety stemming from the rapid advances in artificial intelligence, and the scrum of articles about whether the technology might pose an existential threat to humanity.
Surely, Trump and Ramaswamy would say their comments had nothing to do with race  and that to suggest otherwise is, itself, racist. But in this stew of adulterated meanings, white nationalist gets conflated with being a white patriot and allows any suggestion of racism to become an aspersion cast at white nationalists without cause. Racism, to this way of thinking, can only be unambiguous, naked hatred. And by playing these word games, they are prying apart their politically necessary disdain of open racists from a calm and considered tolerance of intolerance, a muted acquiescence to a racial hierarchy  a skewed view of the history of racial contributions to humanity and the vaunted legacy of the founders of this country.

But that distinction cannot be made here. It is tortured logic and it will lead to ridiculousness.

Last week, Ryan Walters, the superintendent of public schools in Oklahoma, was asked how teaching students about the 1921 Tulsa race massacre could be done without violating the states ban on teaching what it calls critical race theory. Walters responded:

That doesnt mean you dont judge the actions of individuals. Oh, you can. Absolutely, historically, you should. This was right. This was wrong. They did this for this reason. But to say it was inherent because of their skin is where I say that is critical race theory. Youre saying that race defines a person.

Be clear: White racists attacked and destroyed the Black community in Tulsa called the Greenwood District, also known as Black Wall Street. And that community was attacked because it was Black.

I guess Walterss argument, as flimsy as it is, hangs on the word inherent. And no, white people are not inherently terrorists or racists. No people are. But, there have been white people who were terrorists and racists and wreaked havoc and destruction in this country. Indeed, there was a period in our country, certainly up to the Jim Crow era, during which many white Americans were at least acculturated to, if not participants in, racial terrorism  can anyone deny that about a deadly mob descending on a thriving Black Tulsa neighborhood?

Racism was preached in church. Law enforcement was part of the racial terror. Elected officials championed resistance to racial equality. People sold and sent postcards of lynchings.
Now, you say your partner cant afford international travel. So, why not plan an amazing domestic trip? You also hint at closer friends. Hello? They sound promising. Theres certainly no harm in telling the international travelers that you would be keen to join them next time. Honor your hurt feelings, but dont blow this one episode out of proportion, OK?

Image Credit... Miguel Porlan

How Soon Should Other People Start Saving for My Kids College?

I am planning our annual backyard party to celebrate my childrens birthdays: My son is turning 7, and my daughter is turning 4. We are inviting a dozen families. I would like to let our guests know about our 529 college savings plans for the kids and the option of contributing to them as an alternative to buying gifts. My children dont need any more toys, and it pains me to see a $50 toy ignored when that same $50 could help pay their tuition someday. Is there a polite way to let guests know about this?

MOM

I applaud your foresight: Planning for the ever-rising costs of college with a tax-advantaged 529 savings plan is a smart move. Let me note, too, that I am not the party czar. You get to make this call for yourself. In your place, I would probably feel comfortable letting family and very close friends know about the accounts.

But I dont think a backyard birthday party for small children is the right venue for soliciting contributions to college savings plans. I may be out of step here: I would not be giving children $50 gifts, either. (Put me down for a book or a fun craft project at $20 a pop.) Personally, I would save the 529 option for more momentous occasions: elementary-school graduations and other rites of passage.

Save It for the Scrapbook, Will Ya?

I remember when expecting friends to look through a stack of vacation photos was considered rude. Isnt it just as rude, if not more so, to push an iPhone in a friends face to make her look at vacation pictures? Look at our hotel lobby in Naples! Look what we had for lunch in Rome! How do I get out of this situation without ruining friendships?
In H. G. Wellss 1896 short story The Purple Pileus, the protagonist attempts to end his life by ingesting fungi; instead of death, he is met with psychedelic visions that help him improve his life. Mushrooms, in the literary imagination and in our physical world, have long been seen as a tool for change  at a point when a person can go no further, these powerful organisms can illuminate an alternate path. And their strength isnt limited to the psychedelic: Functional mushrooms  species that have been shown to have cognitive, immune system and longevity benefits  have been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to treat a variety of ailments. The second-century text Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, attributed to the mythological Chinese ruler Shen Nong, suggests that reishi mushrooms may make the body light, prevent senility and prolong life so as to make one an immortal.

While immortality is not yet on the table, confectionary and wellness brands are tapping into our collective fascination with mushrooms. And many are making these functional ingredients more palatable  and perhaps more potent  by combining them with chocolate to create unusual sweets designed to soothe and heal or, in some cases, provide a barely perceptible buzz.

The pairing of cacao and mushrooms can be traced back thousands of years: Ceremonies in which fungi were mixed with cacao in an attempt to commune with the divine were an integral part of many Mesoamerican cultures. And the combination has been found to have some health benefits, says Isabella Zar, the founder of the California-based wellness brand Fungirl, whose Mane Bar is named after lions mane, a mushroom species shown to promote nerve growth in the brain. The relationship between cacao and mushrooms is symbiotic, says Zar. The cacao is a vasodilator, an agent that widens blood vessels, she continues, and acts as a carrier for the mushrooms across the blood-brain barrier, allowing the fungi to take effect. In a crisis-ridden world, revisiting these ancient rituals, and the fungal kingdom as a whole, can yield valuable lessons, suggests Merlin Sheldrake, the author of the book Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds and Shape Our Futures (2020). As an interconnected, living network, he says, fungi are poster organisms for ecological and circular thinking.
Why It Matters

In an email to students and employees, the universitys president, Scott Green, said the university still planned to demolish the house, but would not do so before October, when the man charged with the murders is scheduled to go on trial.

Mr. Green said he was trying to balance the needs of students forced to walk by the house every day with those of the victims families and others who have expressed concern that demolishing the house might hinder the prosecution of the suspect, Bryan Kohberger, who was a graduate student at a nearby university.

We still fully expect to demolish the house, which was given to the university by the former owner, Mr. Green said. But we believe leaving the house standing, for now, is the right course to take.

Background

Some family members of the four students killed  Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20  pushed the university to halt the planned demolition of the property.

Steve Goncalves, the father of Ms. Goncalves, said he was worried that demolishing the house would foreclose the possibility of a jury visiting the property, if necessary.

Whats best for the case is for us to take caution and protect what the jury may possibly want to wrap their heads around, Mr. Goncalves said.

Shanon Gray, a lawyer representing the Goncalves family, has said that jurors may need to see the house to understand how noise traveled in the building and how a killer could have moved through the homes unusual six-bedroom layout.

Whats Next

Jury visits are rare, and emails obtained by The New York Times show that both Mr. Kohbergers lawyer, Anne Taylor, and the lead prosecutor, Bill Thompson, said they did not object to the universitys initial plans to demolish the building before a new class of students arrived in August.

The parents of Mr. Chapin were less certain. Mr. Chapins mother, Stacy, agreed with Mr. Goncalves that demolishing the home this summer felt quick. But she noted that Mr. Chapins two siblings  they were triplets  are still students at the University of Idaho, and one of them has a room that looks out toward the house.

Our kids have to walk past that house every day, Ms. Chapin said. The kids, they need to heal. The university needs to heal. And the community.

Mr. Green said the university, which was deeded ownership of the house after the killings by the previous private owner, would revisit its decision in October, and would go ahead with lead and asbestos abatement in the meantime.

There is no legal requirement for leaving the house standing  both the prosecution and defense have released any interest in the house for their cases, Mr. Green said.

Mr. Green said that the personal items of the people who had lived there had been removed and that they would soon be returned to the families who wanted them.

Mike Baker contributed reporting.
Among the measures set to be considered is one that would end a $300 million program to train and equip Ukrainian soldiers that has been in place for nearly a decade and another to prohibit the Biden administration from sending cluster munitions to Kyiv.

Congress should not authorize another penny for Ukraine and push the Biden administration to pursue peace, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican of Georgia and the author of the proposals, told the Rules Committee this week as she made the case for them. Ukraine is not the 51st state of the United States of America.

Republican leaders also acquiesced to the hard rights demands for votes on a range of socially conservative restrictions for the military. Among them are a measure undoing a Pentagon policy providing time off and reimbursement to service members traveling out of state to obtain an abortion or other reproductive health services; another forbidding the militarys health plan from covering gender transition surgeries  which are not available to troops without a waiver  or gender-affirming hormone treatments; and a provision blocking the Pentagon from spending any money on diversity, equity and inclusion training.

Representative Scott Perry, Republican of Pennsylvania and the chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, had said that votes to curtail support for Ukraine were every bit as important to the members of his group as votes to restrict abortion access and services for transgender soldiers. Asked whether some might seek to block the bill without such votes, he replied: They might.

Because Speaker Kevin McCarthy holds only a slim margin of control in the House, a rebellion by the right wing could stop the defense measure in its tracks, denying him the votes he would need from his side to advance it to final passage. He bowed to their wishes early Thursday, paving the way for votes on Ukraine that promise to put divisions in Congress over the war on display at a critical junction in Kyivs counteroffensive against Russia, and just after Mr. Biden has appealed to allies this week during a NATO summit to remain united in support.
Kathleen McElroy, who had recently served as the director of the University of Texass School of Journalism, was thrilled to embark on a new assignment: running a similar program at her alma mater, Texas A&M University.

The school celebrated her appointment last month with a signing ceremony, decorated with balloons.

Quickly, though, things started to unravel. Dr. McElroy, who once worked as an editor at The New York Times, said she was notified by the universitys interim dean of liberal arts, Jose Luis Bermudez, of political pushback over her appointment.

I said, Whats wrong? Dr. McElroy recalled in an interview. He said, Youre a Black woman who was at The New York Times and, to these folks, thats like working for Pravda. Dr. McElroy left The Times in 2011.

Within weeks, she said, the terms of her employment had been revised to offer her a one-year contract. She elected to return to her tenured position at the University of Texas. The Texas Tribune first reported the controversy.
Ukraines counteroffensive may be progressing more slowly than hoped, but Russias forces have also been stymied  one of several signals that Britains defense minister on Wednesday said showed that Russia is not as strong as you think it is.

Defense Minister Ben Wallace described how Russias troops have retreated in some places along the front line in Ukraine, with little backup from reserve forces.

He said Russia recently lost an estimated 2,500 tons of ammunition when a depot was blown up by one of the long-range missiles that Britain gave to Ukraine. He did not elaborate and the claim has not been independently verified.

Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Mr. Wallace also made a series of off-the-cuff, occasionally stinging remarks about the war in Ukraine. He derided the officials overseeing Russias war effort  Sergei K. Shoigu, the defense minister, and Gen. Valery V. Gerasimov, the chief of general staff  as Laurel and Hardy. And he said that China, which has maintained a close partnership with Moscow, viewed Russia as the embarrassing uncle you dont really want to get too close to.
A classic marionette might have eight to 10 strings. Leah Ogawas latest puppet, an ethereal tree-shaped form, has more than 600: clustered into thickets and tangles, threaded through eye bolts on the ceiling, and fanning out overhead to all corners of the room.

String makes up the bulk of the soaring, 20-foot-tall white installation at the center of four performances Ogawa and her co-creator John Tsung staged last weekend at KinoSaito, a nonprofit art space in the Lower Hudson Valley town of Verplanck, N.Y.

You could describe the duos work, titled Divine Generations, as a sort of ecstatic, abstract puppetry. Or you could call it a dance performed amid a landscape of strange props. Or a kinetic sculpture activated from the sidelines. Throughout the 21-minute arc of Divine Generations, a silent four-person ensemble pulls and unspools various cords around the room, to coax inert disc-shaped elements into a wakeful upward dance. Minimalist sculptural forms are sent jittering and bobbing overhead, keeping time to a live musical score by Tsung that blends everything from snippets of spoken Japanese, to samples of city street noise, to John Adamsesque orchestral thrumming.
During this time, he also associated with a cluster of experimental artists, several of them Puerto Rican immigrants, and he began making art of his own. Among other things, he designed sets and props for performers, including the choreographer and dancer Merian Soto, who would become his wife. Some of these props, saturated in Caribbean popular culture, took on a sculptural life of their own. Galleries invited him to show. Grants and residencies came his way.

His growing reputation, though, was largely confined to Latino institutions, segregated from the mainstream art world. This changed when the Whitney Museum of American Art commissioned him to create a big installation for its 1993 Biennial. That notoriously political show brought on a critical furor, and his piece, which is the earliest entry in the New Museums survey, caused a stir.

You can still see why. Titled Scene of the Crime (Whose Crime?), its basically a stage or film set, roped off with strips of caution tape and showing the chaotic aftermath of a murder. In the center of what appears to be a city apartment, a female body lies under a bloodied sheet. Judging by the object-packed decor, the occupants are Puerto Rican. And among the carefully chosen items are dozens of videotapes of popular Hollywood films  Fort Apache is one  promoting the stereotype of Latinos as inherently violent. The real crime of the title, as he sees it, is the one of racial and ethnic assassination committed by the American mass media.
When we talked about the Balloon Dog we said, What could we do with it? What would be special? Thompson told me. Koons, he recalled, was actually the one who said, You know, one thing about the Balloon Dog is its this thing that has a lot to do with breath. Its filled with human breath. But weve never actually seen the inside of one. What if we cut one open and we could see what was inside? And we just kind of looked at each other, like, But whats inside? And he said, Whatever you want.

Whats inside ended up being a sight gag that follows after Vulture lops off the head of a 12-foot-tall Balloon Dog, from which spill countless smaller Balloon Dog sculptures, satisfying the nagging suspicion that Koonss outsize works are in fact elaborate pinatas. (The scene brought to mind an episode earlier this year, where a collector visiting the Art Wynwood fair in Miami accidentally shattered a 16-inch edition. The film was already well through production.)

It was moving to me, Koons said on a phone call from Hydra, Greece, because I always thought of the Balloon Dog as kind of a ritualistic work, something that could have a mythic quality to it, a little bit like a Trojan horse or Venus of Willendorf, where there would be some form of tribal community. (His own balloon Venus did not seem to make the final cut.) Koons considered the Balloon Dogs presence in the film as truly participating in a larger community where people can rally around it.
The first complainant said in his police interview that, in the early 2000s, Mr. Spacey touched him multiple times. On one occasion, the complainant said, he was driving with Mr. Spacey to a ball when the actor grabbed his genitals so hard that he almost veered off the road.

The claimant said in the police interview that he felt like Mr. Spacey was grooming him.

On Thursday, the opening session focused on Mr. Spaceys recollection of those encounters, and the actor discussed his relationship with that complainant. Leaning back in his chair and sounding wistful, he said the man was friendly and charming and flirtatious.

The pairs encounters gradually became somewhat sexual, Mr. Spacey said, adding that this most likely occurred at the actors own initiation. Mr. Spacey said the pair never had sex. The complainant made it clear he didnt want to go any further, Mr. Spacey added, saying he respected the complainants boundaries.

Later, Mr. Spacey was asked about another complainant who told the police that he met Mr. Spacey at a charity event in 2005 and that Mr. Spacey made lewd comments to him. The complainant said Mr. Spacey went on to grab his genitals with such force that it felt like a cobra taking hold.

Mr. Spacey said those events never happened, and characterized the mans account as madness. The actor said that he had little recollection of the charity gala, but that he would never do anything to embarrass myself in such a way at a public event.

Mr. Spaceys legal representative then turned to the accusations of a third complainant, an aspiring actor. That man told the police that, one night in August 2008, he visited Mr. Spaceys apartment and fell asleep. When he woke, he said, he discovered the actor performing oral sex on him.
Laura Trethewey couldnt have known while she was writing it that her book The Deepest Map  about efforts to expand human knowledge of the unexplored ocean  would arrive amid a frenzy of interest in the Titan submersible and its tragic fate. But Tretheweys book doesnt need the news cycle to hold anyones attention: It raises fascinating questions about science, technology, business and the purposes of exploration. For a perfect match of setting and subject, why not read that one at the beach?

Elsewhere this week, we recommend a history of women in journalism, a consideration of Abraham Lincolns religious faith and a couple of memoirs, one about motherhood and another about the nature of truth. In fiction, we recommend a zombie love story by Lorrie Moore, along with new novels by Sebastian Barry, Keziah Weir and Thomas Brussig. Happy reading.

Gregory Cowles

When it comes to tragic subjects, topical is a mixed blessing. Yet Tretheweys foray into the uncharted depths of the ocean floor brings a needed understanding of this new industry, and its stakes  financial, environmental and human.
Extreme weather suddenly seems to be happening everywhere at once.

The heat index in parts of Arizona, Texas and Florida will surpass 110 degrees Fahrenheit today. Much of the Midwest is in a severe drought. Areas in New York and Vermont just saw as much rain in a day as is typical for all of July, and subsequent flash floods washed out homes, cars and bridges. Wildfire smoke recently blanketed the Midwest and Northeast  at times giving U.S. cities the worst air quality in the world.

These events show one danger of global warming: Simultaneous climate disasters can play off one another, further worsening extreme weather and straining limited resources. Consider some examples:

For years, the U.S. and Australia shared firefighting resources because their fire seasons do not typically overlap. In 2019 and 2020, they were instead forced to compete for personnel and equipment as California dealt with a wildfire season that extended into its winter, while much of Australia burned during its so-called Black Summer.

In the Western U.S., both more heat and unusually dry conditions have caused the megadrought of recent years. The heat and dryness have also acted as kindling for more frequent and more severe fires. In both cases, the two conditions, exacerbated by climate change, compounded each other to cause more disasters.

Last year, a heat wave in Pakistan pushed temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Then floods submerged more than a third of the nation. The back-to-back events strained resources in an already poor country.

States often support each other during natural disasters by sending equipment or opening residents homes to people who have been displaced. But New York cant as easily help neighboring Vermont while both states are battling floods. (Vermont has received help from North Carolina, Michigan and Connecticut, among others.)

We should expect more such problems going forward, largely propelled by climate change.

Worse to come

This year really has been unusual for the climate. The chart below shows global surface air temperatures since 1979. The daily global temperature set a record last week, and it could again in the coming weeks.
The cryptocurrency industry secured an early victory in its court battle with U.S. regulators when a federal judge ruled on Thursday that the sale on public exchanges of a digital asset called XRP complied with securities laws.

For years, the Securities and Exchange Commission has argued that digital assets constitute securities, like stocks and bonds traded on Wall Street, and should be subject to the same strict regulations. Last month, the S.E.C. sued two of the largest crypto exchanges, Coinbase and Binance, accusing them of marketing unregistered securities to the public.

But the ruling on Thursday in a case involving the crypto company Ripple may complicate that argument and provide fodder for the crypto industry to defend itself in court.

The S.E.C. sued Ripple in December 2020, accusing the firm of violating securities laws in one of the first major legal fights involving cryptocurrencies. In the 34-page ruling on Thursday, Judge Analisa Torres of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York said that Ripple did not break the law when the cryptocurrency it created, XRP, was sold on public exchanges.
The German government approved its first national strategy on China on Thursday, defining the Asian superpower as a partner, competitor and systemic rival and calling for a significant reduction of dependency on Chinese goods while still maintaining economic ties worth hundreds of billions of dollars.

The new policy calls for export controls and the screening of investments by German companies doing business in China to protect the flow of sensitive technology and know-how. But it fails to address exactly how Berlin plans to review Chinese investments in Germany, a point that has been a recent cause for concern.

Chancellor Olaf Scholzs government adopted the 61-page document on Thursday, after months of discussions and delays stemming from disagreements within his three-party coalition over how tough their position should be. The strategy echoes themes from the European Union that urge de-risking ties with China.

The government said reducing reliance on Chinese producers and consumers would ultimately strengthen the German economy.
Every month, Jimmy Ly usually orders nearly 150 bottles of sriracha from Huy Fong Foods for one of his Vietnamese restaurants in New York City. The sauce opens the richness of a pho broth or adds a blast of heat to a banh xeo, a Vietnamese crepe.

Its not too spicy; its not too light, Mr. Ly said. Sriracha can really hit the sweet spot in terms of spice, sweetness, acidity, just that tang.

But a few months ago, supply began to dry up.

Mr. Ly, who owns Madame Vo and Monsieur Vo in the East Village of Manhattan, said that his vendors could not source the sauce and that he couldnt find it in New York City grocery stores. So he, like some other Huy Fong enthusiasts, bought two large bottles on eBay for $35 each, about five times the usual price, to use at home. But that price was insurmountable for his business.

For the second year in a row, Huy Fong, the maker of the most popular variety of sriracha, is facing production issues, the company said in a statement this month, because of a shortage of raw material with no estimations of when supply will increase.
The Supreme Court has characterized academic freedom as a special concern of the First Amendment, said Ramya Krishnan, a lawyer at the Knight First Amendment Institute. With so many Americans on TikTok, its important that researchers are able to study the impact that this platform is having on public discourse and society more generally.

Representatives for Gov. Greg Abbott, who announced the Texas ban in December, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The lawsuit said Jacqueline Vickery, an associate professor at the University of North Texas and a digital media scholar, had been forced to suspend research projects and change her research agenda, alter her teaching methodology and eliminate course material because of the ban.

Ms. Vickery was previously able to collect and analyze large numbers of TikTok videos for her work, which focuses on how young people use digital and social media for informal learning and activism, but she can no longer do this on her university-owned computers or internet networks, according to the suit. The Texas ban also appears to extend to her personal cellphone based on her use of university email and other apps there, the lawsuit said.

Ms. Vickery said in an interview that she had not had access to TikTok since the university returned from winter break, even for an assignment in which she wanted her students to read the privacy terms on TikToks site. The bans effect on her classes and research has been really challenging, particularly as she does not have a personal laptop, she said.
The Treasury Department said on Thursday that Andrea Gacki, an architect of the Biden administrations sanctions program, would become the director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network in September.

Her appointment is expected to bolster an agency that is central to the U.S. governments efforts to crack down on money laundering and sanctions evasion, particularly given the number of new penalties imposed in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The United States has led an ambitious international campaign to punish Russia for its war in Ukraine, instituting curbs on everything from Russias access to software updates to its ability to participate in the global financial system. That has led to a vast effort by Russia to evade sanctions using shell companies, foreign exchange transactions and other complex financial maneuvers that the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, known as FinCEN, is trying to stop.

Ms. Gacki is currently the director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control, a unit within the Treasury Department where she has designed and imposed sanctions on countries such as Iran, North Korea and, most recently, Russia. In her new role at FinCEN, she will be leading another division within the Treasury that is responsible for cracking down on money laundering, cybercrime and sanctions evasion.
Republicans on Thursday accused John Kerry, President Bidens special envoy for climate, of being soft on China as he prepared to travel to Beijing to restart discussions between the worlds top two polluting countries.

In a contentious hearing before a House Committee on Foreign Affairs panel, Republicans attacked Mr. Kerry for not doing enough to persuade China to cut its greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, several also sought to portray Mr. Kerry as putting Chinese interests above those of the United States by negotiating with Americas top economic rival.

Mr. Kerry expects to arrive in China on Sunday for three days of climate talks. He told lawmakers that he believes the Chinese government must reverse its growing use of coal-fired power plants, which has helped to make it the worlds biggest polluter. But he also made a point of praising China for deploying more wind, solar and other renewable energy than the rest of the world combined.

Mr. Kerry said it was important to try to find a way that would allow China and the United States to work together to reduce global emissions, despite the tensions between the countries over trade, human rights and other issues.
Like being on the edge of death if you go for a walk.

Thats how my colleague Jack Healy described living in Phoenix, where it has reached 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) or higher for 13 consecutive days, with no end in sight.

Jack moved to Phoenix in 2021, chasing stories about the fast-growing American West. And this week, he filed a remarkable article about the withering heat wave currently scorching the Southwest.

He wrote: Summers in Phoenix are now a brutal endurance match. As the climate warms, forecasters say that dangerous levels of heat crank up earlier in the year, last longer  often well past Halloween  and lock Americas hottest big city in a sweltering straitjacket.

In triple-digit heat, monkey bars singe childrens hands, water bottles warp and seatbelts feel like hot irons. Devoted runners strap on headlamps to go jogging at 4 a.m., when it is still only 90 degrees, come home drenched in sweat and promptly roll down the sun shutters. Neighborhoods feel like ghost towns at midday, with rumbling rooftop air-conditioners offering the only sign of life.
Mr. Bonne, a former wine editor of The San Francisco Chronicle, spent years traversing France, visiting regions and producers. He tried to make sense of how and why French wine has evolved since the turn of the century.

The New French Wine is a far bigger and more ambitious work than his last, The New California Wine. Mr. Bonne argues, essentially, that in order to understand French wine, you need to understand French culture. Cest complique, he writes. There are contradictions and inconsistencies which the French are forever trying to reconcile as they both yearn for order and resist it. This is a terrific book not only about wine but about France.

Its not a reference book, but something better: an opinionated, thought-provoking work that uses wine as a vehicle for cultural history. The best way to understand French wine, in Mr. Bonnes view, is not by examining the nuts and bolts of wine production or by encyclopedically assessing producers. Its by understanding the historical, cultural and economic forces driving decision-making, not just in wine but the country. He comes at this from the proverbial view at 30,000 feet and with his boots on the ground.

Understanding French wine, Mr. Bonne writes, requires getting past the powerful mythology of an immutable France, both in terms of its agrarian culture and its culinary habits. La France Profonde, for example, the notion of the essence of France residing in a pastoral countryside peopled by hardworking paysans  proud people tied to their land  is beloved by politicians trying to strike a chord with constituents, just as American politicians pay homage to the idea of American Exceptionalism.

This rural culture has largely disappeared, as it has in many western countries. Small villages and towns have hollowed out, losing their vital institutions as young people move into the cities looking for more rewarding, less physically taxing jobs.
Did any of the news surprise you?

Not really. I think we got lucky in that regard because we prepared for a decision knowing the courts makeup and the fact that it was willing to overturn precedent. We had predicted that the justices would essentially overturn the affirmative action rulings that the court had made earlier. There was some guesswork that went into that, but also a lot of reporting.

Does the summer limit your access on college campuses?

Things change a bit on campuses during the summer. When the summer session is going on, we will work on stories that are more long term. We also have certain groups who can help us. For example, if we wanted to know how Black students felt about the affirmative action decision, we could reach out to a lot of Black student groups on different campuses. There are different interest groups on campuses: Republican student organizations, Democratic student organizations, things like that. Those would be the go-to starting points for us.

How do you approach students for interviews?

Sometimes when we go out and talk to people who arent college students, we get blank stares. With college students, its a bit different; they tend to be talkative, pretty engaged and understand a lot about politics. And they have opinions.

How would you describe the general mood of college students right now?

Generally, I find college students pretty optimistic, even though theyre facing a lot of problems right now with student debt and the cost of college. Some are upset over the affirmative action decision. Obviously, weve seen student protests at Harvard and on other campuses following the courts ruling. There are also students who have banded together to protest how legacy preferences, which favor white and wealthy students, are still being used in admissions at many colleges.

Do you foresee more challenges coming in the education system?

There are some concerns now that scholarships are going to be challenged. In fact, there have already been some challenges to scholarship programs that have focused on special groups; theyre pending at the Education Departments Office for Civil Rights. It could be a scholarship program that helps people from a certain minority group, or one focused on gender.
Some tweaks account for Hazanaviciuss French translation, the most intriguing of which further deepen the plots metacinematic layers. One Cut exists within this world, too, with a Japanese cohort representing that films rights holders looming over the director Remi (Romain Duris). Theres a long, fascinating history of Japanese and French cultural cross-pollination  and both countries are home to two of the oldest, most robust film industries in the world  but Hazanavicius works in the globalization of moviemaking only superficially, primarily through lazy culture-clash mockery: a Pearl Harbor joke here, a jab at the stereotypically poor French work ethic there.

Final Cut puts its predecessors ingredients through an unflattering Instagram filter. The shoots intentional shoddiness  authentically kitschy in the original  rings false, with Hazanavicius spelling out the crews missteps in such a way that flattens the humor and kills the momentum.

In France, to make a film about the making-of-a-film is practically a rite of passage (see Francois Truffauts Day for Night, Mia Hansen-Loves Bergman Island, or Olivier Assayass Irma Vep). With its metafictional bounties and playful genre bent, One Cut offers a conceit ripe for the picking. But what Hazanavicius has done here is a lifeless mock-up, a rehash made purely for audiences whod prefer not to read Japanese subtitles. At least thats some kind of justification for its existence.

Final Cut

Not Rated. Running time: 1 hour 52 minutes. In theaters.
This stunning film, directed by Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli, interleaves interviews of Lakota activists and elders with striking images of the Black Hills and its wildlife, historical documents and news reports, clips from old movies and other archival footage to extraordinary effect, demonstrating not only the physical and cultural violence inflicted on the Lakota but also their deep connection to the Black Hills, the area where Mount Rushmore was erected. (One activist, Krystal Two Bulls, describes the monument as the ultimate shrine to white supremacy.) The film covers well known instances of erasure and oppression, such as colonization and Standing Rock, but also lesser known injustices, such as the fate of the Dakota 38, in which dozens of men were executed by the U.S. Army in 1862 for rising up against the government.

In 1980, the Lakotas case was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, which granted them remuneration for the lost land. But the Lakota people refused to accept the money and continue to do so, even as the settlements value has increased to more than $1 billion today. What they are fighting for is the land itself. Phyllis Young, one of the Lakota elders interviewed in the film, calls it their Mecca. The land and the people, she said, are inextricably connected.

Lakota Nation vs. United States

Rated PG-13 for violent images and thematic elements and strong language. Running time: 2 hours. In theaters.
A camera soars above Dublin then glides toward a promontory where a solitary figure stands in front of a memorial plaque. A frothy score wrangles our emotions. Dont get too sad, it seems to say, before the camera closes in on a sorrowful Lily Fox (Maggie Smith).

Set in 1967, The Miracle Club, directed by Thaddeus OSullivan, touches on grief and grievances, on unwanted pregnancies and the Catholic Church, while wearing the guise of a redemptive romp. Its a delicate balance that  even with the impressive triumvirate of Smith, Kathy Bates and Laura Linney  the movie doesnt always sustain.

Lilys sojourn is one of multiple pilgrimages in the movie. The central journey takes Lily and her two closest friends, plus the estranged daughter of a recently departed third, to Lourdes, France, where miracles are sought by masses of people each year. Agnes OCasey plays Dolly, the youngest of the trio and the mother of a boy (Eric D. Smith) who seems unable to speak. But Dolly is not the only member of the group in need of a miracle.
In Two Tickets to Greece, Blandine (Olivia Cote), a depressed and divorced Frenchwoman, is pushed by her son to take a Hellenic excursion with Magalie (Laure Calamy), the middle-school best friend she lost touch with decades earlier. Magalie, now a free-spirited, impulsive music journalist, can find fun anywhere. Blandine, a buttoned-up radiology technician embittered by her ex-husbands remarriage, seems incapable of experiencing fun at all.

As teenagers, the two had planned to travel to the Greek island Amorgos, which entranced them in the 1988 movie The Big Blue. But when Magalie skimps on ferry tickets, the barely reunited pals wind up waylaid on a different, tiny island populated almost exclusively by archaeologists and surfers. And while Magalie will turn any location into a makeshift disco, Blandine, who refrains from a fling with a Belgian surfer, remains a stick in the Aegean mud.
The following week, The New York Times revealed that a photo of a police officer killed in the line of duty  which the mayor said he had carried in his wallet for 30 years  had been recently created by employees in the mayors office. The next day, a longtime associate of Mr. Adams had been charged in a straw donor scheme to raise money for his mayoral campaign; the mayor was not implicated.

Amid the wave of negative news, Mr. Adams chose to lie low. He held no public events or news conferences for several consecutive days last week, until he finally emerged on Sunday at Christian Cultural Center.

Hard is having someone talk down to you and expect for you to take it no matter what they say and what they do, Mr. Adams told the parishioners. I am the symbol of Black manhood in the city, in this country, and what it represents. Im the mayor of the most powerful city on the globe, and people need to recognize that.

The next morning, the Rev. Dr. V. Simpson Turner, a pastor at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and the Fire Department chaplain, conducted a morning prayer with Mr. Adams. An ad for the prayer service carried an all-caps headline: We stand united in prayer for Mayor Eric Adams, his administration and our city.

The mayor is not the first politician to take cover behind the warm embrace of religion, specifically the Black church, during times of trouble. When Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was being investigated for sexual harassment, he visited a Black church in Harlem with political leaders, and was often photographed with Latino and Black members of the clergy.
From Renees research, and from preserving fragments of marble and glass that Renee collected, Renee created an exhibition called The Perimeter Path that is on display in Green-Woods chapel and documents how race and class influenced the cemeterys very landscape. Green-Wood says the exhibition was conceived as an act of care for those at the margins of our collective memory.

Whats so great about Rowans project is, people come to see Bernsteins grave or Basquiats, but what are the stories of these people who seem to have vanished? said Harry Weil, the vice president for education and public programs at the cemetery. How can we weave their stories into our tours?

Of the 570,000 burials since Green-Wood was founded in 1838, just over a third were in public lots or single-grave areas where gravesites were cheaper than in privately owned plots or in mausoleums or columbaria.

The people who are buried in the public lots were looking for affordable, Weil said. In 1895, a single grave in a public lot cost $31 for an adult. The prices for private lots varied; the smallest had three graves and cost $160 to $220. The largest, with 15 graves, went for as much as $1,200.

Renee said it wasnt just the prices that set the public lots apart: The sense of place was different, because there were few signs of the burials that had taken place there. When youre in the middle of Green-Wood, it envelops you and the city disappears  youre in this gorgeous other world, Renee said  a well-populated, well-tended universe. In public lots around the edges of the cemetery, there was a lot of empty space. I was like, Where are the tombstones? What happened to them?
Its impossible for Raymond Fowler to explain how it felt to learn a police officer shot his only son after he was accused of taking a few dollars worth of fruit, he said.

Words cant describe the moment when I heard what happened, Mr. Fowler said. Even now as we speak, its like Im in a cloud. This is a very difficult challenge for me.

Mr. Fowlers son, Jarrell Garris, 37, was shot by the police on July 3 in New Rochelle, N.Y., a suburb of New York City, after a report of theft from a local grocery store, officials said. He was accused of eating a few grapes and a banana and leaving without paying, the lawyer representing Mr. Garriss family said.

The New Rochelle Police Department said Mr. Garris was shot when he tried to grab a gun from an officers holster. It released body camera footage that shows the events leading up to the shooting but cuts off before it takes place.
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A New York appeals court on Thursday ordered the states congressional map to be redrawn, siding with Democrats in a case that could give the party a fresh chance to tilt one of the nations most contested House battlegrounds leftward.

Wading into a long-simmering legal dispute, the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court in Albany said that the competitive, court-drawn districts put in place for last years midterms had only been a temporary fix.

They ordered the states bipartisan redistricting commission to promptly restart a process that would effectively give the Democrat-dominated State Legislature final say over the contours of New Yorks 26 House seats for the remainder of the decade.

In granting this petition, we return the matter to its constitutional design. Accordingly, we direct the I.R.C. to commence its duties forthwith, Elizabeth A. Garry, the presiding justice, wrote in the majority opinion, referring to the Independent Redistricting Commission. (Two members of the five-judge panel dissented.)
On Monday, Judge Doughty refused to issue a stay on his injunction, putting it into immediate effect. His perplexing line-drawing seems to make more sense when you consider how closely it tracks the specific facts in this case  for instance, episodes in which the government communicated with social media platforms about posts concerning the efficacy of ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine in treating Covid-19 or the efficacy of masks in combating the transmission of the coronavirus. If those issues seem to overlap a bit too neatly with recent conservative preoccupations, thats because the case is part of a wider war conservatives believe they are fighting, in which tech executives and Democratic government officials are supposedly colluding to censor conservative voices.

After years of failed attempts by Congress to regulate major social media platforms  regulation that for nearly a decade Americans of all political stripes have said they want  state authorities are rushing in to capitalize on unmet political demand. Other examples include laws passed in Florida and Texas that prohibit larger social media platforms from removing posts because of the opinions they express and the ban on TikTok that Montana has passed.

Going local has strategic if sometimes unethical advantages. It is no accident that this case arose in Louisiana. As the law professors Leah Litman and Steve Vladeck have noted, Judge Doughty, a Donald Trump appointee, was at the time the only judge who heard cases filed in the Monroe Division of the Western District of the state. By choosing their venue, the plaintiffs in effect got to choose their judge. Similarly, it is no accident that the same Monroe Division (and with Judge Doughty presiding again) is also the venue for a pending civil suit that accuses a host of private actors loosely connected to the case against the Biden administration of conspiracy to engage in mass surveillance and censorship. Appeals in both cases will be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which has been sympathetic to state attempts to regulate big tech.

These are issues of vital public concern. Thats why its a shame that factionalized state politics and forum shopping will determine their resolution. How do you regulate a public right like freedom of expression when that right is intermediated by private companies? What role, if any, can or should the government play?

Those questions lie at the heart of the case before Judge Doughty. The facts in the case include episodes in which members of the Biden administration sent frenetic messages to employees of social media companies, asking them to remove doubtful claims about Covid-19 and the 2020 election. I agree with Judge Doughty that the apparent pressure that the Biden administration placed on the platforms is questionable. But the degree to which those demands were heeded or coercive is uncertain. They seem to be classic examples of what political scientists call jawboning: the governments use of public appeals or private channels to induce change or compliance from businesses.
In Haiti, the acting prime minister, Ariel Henry, has been implicated by Haitian authorities in the plot. In May the government nominated a fifth judge to oversee the case, after others backed out or were replaced. Investigators have faced death threats, and many have fled the country. Any hopes for justice and accountability are fading and, with them, so too fades the hope for a new path forward for Haiti.

The Department of Justice has said that two of the conspiracys ringleaders were residents of Florida and owners of a local security company. In a little-noticed court filing this year, the F.B.I. acknowledged that one of them was an active bureau informant. It admitted that its agents met with the two suspects in April 2021  three months before Mr. Moises assassination  and that they attempted to draw F.B.I. personnel into a discussion about regime change in Haiti. Two other people in custody in Florida are former Drug Enforcement Administration informants.

Many of those implicated have claimed they believed they were operating with the support of the U.S. government. True or not, there is more than a century of reasons to explain how so many could be convinced of that.

Even today, as Haiti descends further into crisis, Washington is attempting to put a thumb on Haitis political scales.

In the capital, kidnappings have become commonplace, and armed groups are inflicting terror, especially on marginalized communities. Nearly half the population is facing severe food insecurity. Paradoxically, as the state crumbles, political power has been consolidated under the auspices of Mr. Henry, whom the United States has stood firmly behind ever since backing him in a post-assassination power struggle.
Mr. Modi certainly does not belong in that rogues gallery. India is bigger than him. It will see him off. The question is: When? And at what cost?

India is not a dictatorship, but neither is it still a democracy. Mr. Modi heads a majoritarian, Hindu-supremacist, electoral autocracy that is tightening its grip on one of the most diverse countries in the world. This makes election season, which is just around the corner, our most dangerous time. Its murder season, lynching season, dog whistle season. The partner that the U.S. government is cultivating and empowering is one of the most dangerous people in the world  dangerous not as a person but as someone turning the worlds most populous country into a tinderbox.

What kind of democrat is a prime minister who almost never holds a news conference? It took all of the U.S. governments powers of persuasion (such as they are) to coax Mr. Modi into addressing one while in Washington. He agreed to take two questions, only one of them from a U.S. journalist. Sabrina Siddiqui, The Wall Street Journals White House reporter, stood up to ask him what his government was doing to prevent discrimination against minorities, particularly Muslims. Given the worsening abuses against Muslims and Christians in his country, its a question that really ought to have been raised by the White House. But the Biden administration outsourced it to a journalist. In India, we held our breath.

Mr. Modi expressed surprise that such a question should be asked at all. Then he laid out all the bromide that he had brought along in his baggage. Democracy is our spirit. Democracy runs in our veins. We live democracy. He added, Theres absolutely no discrimination. And so on.
To the Editor:

Re A Look at Life in the Throes of Postpartum Depression (news article, July 6):

Thank you for bringing attention to postpartum depression. Unfortunately, it is estimated that up to half of women with it never get screened and identified. And fewer get effective and adequate treatment.

Because so many of its symptoms, such as lack of energy and trouble concentrating, overlap with what normally occurs after delivery, it may not be suspected.

But when these symptoms coexist with a predominantly depressed mood that is present all day, when there is a loss of interest and a lack of pleasure, and when the symptoms last for at least two weeks, that is not a normal consequence of childbirth. And it needs to be evaluated and treated.

Without treatment, depression can last for months or years. In addition to the personal suffering, the depression can interfere with the mothers ability to connect and interact with her baby, which can negatively affect the childs development.
Michael Dumler, an American photographer, went to Ukraine to document the war. But when he arrived, he put down his camera and dedicated himself to addressing a more pressing need: training ordinary Ukrainians how to fight.

The scramble to stand up an army of citizen-soldiers against the Russian military has been a defining feature of the conflict in Ukraine. Western nations allied with Ukraine have been hesitant to endorse and fund foreign trainers inside the country because of concerns that it would lead to escalation. Instead, tens of thousands of soldiers have been sent elsewhere in Europe for training.

But in the Opinion Video above, Dumler argues that the most practical approach to training newly enlisted Ukrainians is inside Ukraines borders. And the need is vast.
The crows seemed to use the spikes differently, turning the sharp pins toward the interior of the nest. Although the idea remains unproven, positioning the spikes this way might provide the nests with more structural support, Mr. Hiemstra speculated.

It is not entirely clear whether the birds are simply using the spikes because they are available  in the urban wild, they might be easier to come by than thorny branches  or whether they might be even better suited for the job than natural materials are.

But the use of artificial nesting materials is common across the avian universe, according to a new review of the scientific literature by Dr. Mainwaring and his colleagues, which was published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B on Monday. They found reports of tens of thousands of nests  built by 176 different bird species, on every continent except for Antarctica  that contained artificial materials, including plastic bags, cloth straps, fishing line, paper towels, dental floss, rubber bands and cigarette butts.
Ms. Khan, a legal scholar, has become a lightning rod for her efforts to rein in corporate power and to give the F.T.C. more teeth in enforcement. Since President Biden picked her to lead the agency two years ago, she has said the F.T.C. was too complacent and needed to pursue more lawsuits against companies, even if it did not always win. Even in court losses, she has said, the cases expose the need to update antitrust laws for the digital age.

Ms. Khans aggressive agenda, which has spanned industries beyond tech, has rattled the agency, where two Republican commissioners and several senior officials have resigned. Christine Wilson, one of the former Republican members, accused Ms. Khan of abusing her power as chair. This month, Mr. Biden nominated the solicitor general for Virginia, Andrew Ferguson, and for Utah, Melissa Holyoak, to fill the Republican seats.

In Thursdays hearing, Ms. Khan, 34, appeared unruffled. She highlighted the F.T.C.s challenges to mergers in pharmaceutical, semiconductor, defense and energy markets. Many of those challenges did not go to court.

She said she didnt bring cases that she thought would lose but, without referring to the Microsoft case, acknowledged the risks of her strategy.

We fight hard when we believe there was a law violation, and unfortunately things dont always go our way, Ms. Khan said.
The federal government has agreed to pay a retired Army colonel $975,000 to resolve a lawsuit she filed in 2019 that accused John E. Hyten, an Air Force general who later became vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, of sexual assault, according to court records.

The retired colonel, Kathryn A. Spletstoser, had accused General Hyten of unwanted sexual advances and touching beginning in 2017, when he was her boss and the commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, responsible for overseeing the countrys nuclear arsenal.

Colonel Spletstoser reported the accusations to military investigators in April 2019 after President Donald J. Trump nominated General Hyten to be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the countrys No. 2 military officer, helping to oversee the 1.2 million active-duty American troops at home and deployed around the world, according to her lawsuit.

General Hyten strongly denied the accusations, and an Air Force official charged with investigating Colonel Spletstosers complaint declined in June 2019 to refer him to a court-martial. But Colonel Spletstoser spoke publicly about the accusations the following month, telling The New York Times that she had a moral responsibility to come forward as the Senate considered his nomination.
Since 2020, California has led a contentious experiment in high school math.

That year, public universities in the state  including Berkeley and U.C.L.A.  loosened their admissions criteria, telling high schools that they would consider applicants who had skipped Algebra II, a cornerstone of math instruction.

In its place, students could take data science  a mix of math, statistics and computer science without widely agreed upon high school standards. Allowing data science, the universities said, was an equity issue that could send more students to college. But it also raised concerns that some teenagers would be channeled into less challenging coursework, limiting their opportunities once they got there.

Now, the California experiment is under review.

On Wednesday, the State Board of Education voted to remove its endorsement of data science as a substitute for Algebra II as part of new guidelines for K-12 schools.

We have to be careful and deliberate about ensuring rigor, Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the state board, said before the vote.
A sinkhole in Florida that in 2013 consumed and killed a man on his property has opened for a third time, officials said this week.

Hillsborough County officials said in a statement that the sinkhole in Seffner, Fla., a suburb of Tampa, had reopened again after opening in 2013 and 2015. County officials assessed the site of the hole on Monday and told neighbors in the area that they didnt need to evacuate as there was no danger to their homes.

The sinkhole is about 19 feet deep and 19 feet wide at its broadest point, said Todd Pratt, a Hillsborough County spokesman, in an email on Thursday. The sinkhole is pretty much a repeat of when it reopened in 2015, Mr. Pratt said. In 2013, it was about 20 feet deep and 20 feet wide.

Engineers determined this week that there was no indication that the sinkhole would expand, so residents could remain safely in their homes, according to the countys statement.
The presidents approach falls short of what progressive activists and leading members of his own party have been urging: Go beyond just disagreeing with the courts decisions and attack it as an institution. Single out its six conservative justices as corrupt MAGA Republicans who are in the pocket of special interests. Question the conservative courts very legitimacy.

He is an institutionalist at heart, said Brian Fallon, a Democratic activist who has been waging a yearslong campaign to overhaul the Supreme Court. Politicians of his vintage I think continue to have reverence for the court as an institution even though this current court, in its current composition, doesnt deserve that reverence. But old habits die hard.

A former senator who spent years presiding over Supreme Court nominations as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Biden believes in the courts potential as a force for good, according to people who are close to him. In his 2007 memoir, he speaks with reverence about the court, citing James Madison as he recounts the contentious fights he led over Republican nominees in the 1980s and 1990s. He has called the Supreme Courts recent decisions extreme and outrageous, but in an interview on MSNBC, the president would not call the court anti-democratic.

Its value system is different, Mr. Biden said, focusing on the courts rejection of abortion rights. And its respect for institutions is different.

Examinations of the past two years of Supreme Court decisions have revealed what longtime observers say is a clear shift to the right, making it by one measurement the most conservative court in nearly a decade. But despite several significant victories for the right last month, the courts latest term also featured some liberal successes on the Voting Rights Act, immigration, the role of state legislatures in elections and Native American rights.
Some in the Border Patrol rank and file want to focus on the agencys primary mission: to detect and prevent the illegal entry of individuals into the United States, not caring for them after they break the law. Some see the humanitarian mission as an invitation for more illegal immigration. Republicans want agents to enforce the law, even though it is decades out of date.

These disagreements are just one piece of the larger, volatile debate over the countrys immigration policies. Even so, scenes of thousands of desperate migrants turning themselves into Border Patrol agents have become the face of it.

When C.B.P. first saw this migration trend in 2014, some officials believed that other federal agencies, like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Health and Human Services, would be better suited to lead the response.

Gil Kerlikowske, the C.B.P. commissioner during the Obama administration, said that idea was not welcome when he brought the issue to senior officials. This is the border, and this is your problem, he said he was told.
Democrats in Congress are making a fresh push for the nearly century-old Equal Rights Amendment to be enshrined in the Constitution, rallying around a creative legal theory in a bid to revive an amendment that would explicitly guarantee sex equality as a way to protect reproductive rights in post-Roe America.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Representative Cori Bush of Missouri introduced a joint resolution on Thursday stating that the measure has already been ratified and is enforceable as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution. The resolution states that the national archivist, who is responsible for the certification and publication of constitutional amendments, must immediately do so.

It is a novel tactic for pursuing a measure that was first proposed in Congress 100 years ago and was approved by Congress about 50 years later but not ratified in time to be added to the Constitution. Proponents say the amendment has taken on new significance after the Supreme Courts ruling last year in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization that overturned the abortion rights long guaranteed by Roe v. Wade.

In light of Dobbs, were seeing vast discrimination across the country, Ms. Gillibrand said in an interview. Women are being treated as second-class citizens. This is more timely than ever.
The Justice Department said on Thursday that it was investigating the conditions at a jail in Fulton County, Ga., citing reports of violence, deteriorating surroundings and the death last year of an inmate who was covered in lice and feces.

The civil investigation, part of a broader effort by the department to scrutinize conditions at jails and prisons across the country, will also examine whether officers used excessive force, the availability of medical care and the treatment of mentally ill prisoners.

Detention or incarceration in jail should not include exposure to unconstitutional living conditions that place lives in jeopardy or risk of serious harm from assaults, Kristen Clarke, an assistant attorney general who leads the agencys civil rights division, said in announcing the investigation. Jail facilities must provide constitutional and humane conditions, in which all people can live safely while they go through the criminal process.

The Fulton County government and sheriffs office said in a joint statement that they planned to cooperate fully.
Instead the House moved forward on Thursday, slogging through dozens of proposed modifications. It overwhelmingly defeated two Republican efforts to cut U.S. military assistance for Ukraine. The vote was 341 to 89 to reject a measure from Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican of Georgia, to end a $300 million program to train and equip Ukrainian soldiers, which has been in place for almost a decade. And by a vote of 358 to 70, the House rejected a proposal from Representative Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida, to prohibit sending any more security assistance to Ukraine. In both cases, the supporters were all Republicans.

Those results were a victory for mainstream Republicans, who have defended U.S. military assistance to Ukraine as vital to countering Russia and are expected to support the Biden administration when it approaches Congress to approve additional money for Ukraine, likely this fall. But they reflected how anti-Ukraine sentiment is growing in the Republican ranks. In the spring, only 57 Republicans voted against a $40 billion package of military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine.

Republican leaders had hoped to avoid those votes, which spotlighted their partys internal rifts over funding the war, as well as a bevy of social policy amendments that they worried could damage the G.O.P. brand. Instead, the debate at times devolved into an ugly exchange over matters of race, sex and gender.

At one point, Representative Eli Crane, an Arizona Republican who proposed barring diversity training from being a prerequisite for military jobs or promotions, appeared to refer to Black people as colored people, in arguing in favor of his proposal.

The military was never intended to be, you know, inclusive, Mr. Crane said, arguing that meeting standards should be the sole criterion. My amendment has nothing to do with whether or not colored people or Black people or anybody can serve.
Federal prosecutors investigating former President Donald J. Trumps attempts to overturn the 2020 election have questioned multiple witnesses in recent weeks  including Mr. Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner  about whether Mr. Trump had privately acknowledged in the days after the 2020 election that he had lost, according to four people briefed on the matter.

The line of questioning suggests prosecutors are trying to establish whether Mr. Trump was acting with corrupt intent as he sought to remain in power  essentially that his efforts were knowingly based on a lie  evidence that could substantially bolster any case they might decide to bring against him.

Mr. Kushner testified before a grand jury at the federal courthouse in Washington last month, where he is said to have maintained that it was his impression that Mr. Trump truly believed the election was stolen, according to a person briefed on the matter.

The questioning of Mr. Kushner shows that the federal investigation being led by the special counsel Jack Smith continues to pierce the layers closest to Mr. Trump as prosecutors weigh whether to bring charges against the former president in connection with the efforts to promote baseless assertions of widespread voter fraud and block or delay congressional certification of Joseph R. Biden Jr.s Electoral College victory.
In the super PACs filing, those two payments were labeled event planning and consulting, according to Federal Election Commission records. Federal rules are generally lax when it comes to requiring that the final destination of money be revealed. Instead, committees must disclose only the first vendor paid.

It is rare for the spouse of a potential presidential candidate to be paid directly by a campaign or an outside group affiliated with the candidate.

The super PAC has since folded and in late 2022 transferred $8.9 million to a new, similarly named pro-Trump super PAC, Make America Great Again Inc.

Charles Gantt, who served as treasurer of the old super PAC, said that it had complied with all applicable reporting obligations.

Another representative for the super PAC, who declined to be identified by name, said that Ms. Trump had been hired through her agency for design consulting for the old super PACs dinner and that her responsibilities included choosing tableware, arranging settings and picking floral arrangements. The fee was $125,000, and the second $30,000 payment was for additional services rendered out of the scope of the first contract, the representative said.
Federal prosecutors on Thursday asked the judge overseeing former President Donald J. Trumps classified documents case to reject a motion by Mr. Trumps lawyers to have his trial indefinitely postponed, a move that could serve to delay the proceeding until after the 2024 election.

The filing by the prosecutors came three days after Mr. Trumps legal team made an unusual request to the judge, Aileen M. Cannon, asking her to set aside the governments initial suggestion to hold the trial in December and delay it until all substantive motions in the case were presented and resolved.

The timing of a trial is crucial in all criminal matters. But it is especially important in this case, in which Mr. Trump has been charged with illegally holding on to 31 classified documents after leaving the White House and conspiring with one of his personal aides, Walt Nauta, to obstruct the governments efforts to reclaim them.

Mr. Trump is now both a federal criminal defendant and the Republican Partys leading candidate in the presidential campaign. There could be untold complications if his trial seeps into the final stages of the race. Moreover, if the trial is pushed back until after the election and Mr. Trump wins, he could try to pardon himself after taking office or have his attorney general dismiss the matter entirely.
One of the nations oldest and most venerated Latino civil rights organizations is at a critical juncture that some members say could determine its direction  or have dire implications for its future.

A messy legal dispute, rooted in a decades-long debate over whether Puerto Rico should become a state, has led to infighting among the members and leadership of the group, the League of United Latin American Citizens, known as LULAC.

Some have accused its president of fueling the very discrimination the organization first set out to eliminate. Half a dozen current and former members contend that Domingo Garcia, a Dallas lawyer who has led the group since 2018, is seeking to marginalize Puerto Rican members after he almost lost his seat last year to a candidate of Puerto Rican origin.

They said the organization had suspended Puerto Rican members and fired, without cause, some of its most prominent leaders of Puerto Rican descent. Two amendments to the groups constitution are up for consideration, one of which threatens to purge all island residents from its ranks.
Across the country, extreme heat, which can strain the heart, lungs and kidneys, is a leading weather-related cause of death. In Texas last year, at least 306 people died of heat-related causes, according to the state health department  the highest annual total in more than two decades. Among them were 158 nonresidents, a figure that includes migrants crossing the states harsh terrain. During the heat wave in Webb County, at least two migrants were found dead on local ranches, according to the sheriff, Martin Cuellar.

The superheated dome of high atmospheric pressure that has been pressing down on much of the country will probably stay in place for a few more days at least, forecasters said, pushing temperatures to dangerous heights from parts of California all the way to Florida. And the temperature readings tell only part of the story, public health officials cautioned, because humid air worsens the heat, making it much more difficult for the body to cool down. And in cities like Laredo, the air can grow even hotter as the sun bakes the pavement, with little respite at night.

Around the country, public health officials have begun thinking of new ways to track and respond to heat-related illnesses, in order to better protect residents, particularly those whose jobs require them to work outside. In Louisiana, the state began in April to track in real time the number of people in hospital emergency rooms because of the heat  a system akin to one used during the pandemic to stay on top of Covid-19 outbreaks. Similar medical surveillance systems have been rolled out in Virginia, and the California legislature has approved creating one there.
It is a circumstance that many air travelers have feared: an airplane jolting so intensely that it sends coffee cups flying and passengers hanging in midair.

That dreaded moment materialized for more than a hundred travelers on Wednesday when their plane from North Carolina to Florida was rocked by severe turbulence, injuring four people, the flight operator, Allegiant Air, said.

The plane, Flight 227, was transporting 179 passengers and six crew members, and airport paramedics met it when it landed at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in Pinellas County, Fla. Two passengers and two flight attendants were transported to a hospital for further evaluation, though the airline did not specify which hospital or elaborate on their conditions.

Six other passengers were examined by medical personnel and released on site, the airline said. The plane was traveling from Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina and landed in Florida around 3:45 p.m. local time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
A mass grave with the bodies of at least 87 people who were most likely killed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and their allied militia was uncovered in Darfur, in the west of Sudan, the United Nations said on Thursday.

The discovery is only the latest indication that the fighting raging in Sudan between rival military factions  the army and the Rapid Support Forces  is pushing Darfur, a region long blighted by decades of genocidal violence, into a new phase of ethnic war.

The victims were mostly members of the ethnic Masalit, a largely African farming community that has been the target of ethnic attacks by Arab militias over many years. The Masalit and other African ethnic groups were terrorized in the early 2000s by the notorious Janjaweed militias, which evolved into what is now the Rapid Support Forces.

The Sudanese Army has been battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces for power in Sudan since April 15, resulting in thousands of civilians killed and nearly three million others displaced  many fleeing across borders. The conflict has paralyzed Sudan, a country of 46 million in northeast Africa, and threatens to destabilize neighboring countries.
Rafael Curruchiche, the prosecutor who mounted the case against Mr. Arevalos party, has himself been placed on a list of corrupt Central American officials by the United States for obstructing corruption inquiries.

Mr. Arevalo, in a video message on Thursday, said he would proceed with his candidacy.

All of Guatemala is vigilant, he said. Those of us who are defending democracy are the majority, and we are clear in our rejection of that corrupt minority that is desperately trying to manipulate public institutions and violate the constitutional order.

This weeks developments have placed even greater stress on Guatemalas fragile democracy. Several top presidential candidates seen as threatening to the political and economic establishment had already been barred, press freedom has come under attack and dozens of prosecutors and judges focused on graft have been forced into exile.

They are stealing the election in broad daylight, using one of the very institutions which is supposed to protect us, Gustavo Marroquin, a history professor and columnist, said on Twitter of the prosecutors move.

Mr. Curruchiches decision fueled confusion and anger in Guatemalas capital, Guatemala City, where hundreds of people gathered in protest Wednesday shortly after the announcement. He took the action as Guatemalas election authority was preparing to officially dismiss efforts to delay the runoff, allowing the vote to proceed as planned. More protests are planned for the next few days.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Chinas top diplomat, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of a regional summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Thursday, the latest in a string of diplomatic meetings between U.S. and Chinese officials as the two countries try to ease tensions.

The talks between Mr. Blinken and Mr. Wang touched on regional and global issues, including peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, said Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the State Department, who described the discussions as candid and constructive.

The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of communication to clarify U.S. interests across a wide range of issues and to responsibly manage competition by reducing the risk of misperception and miscalculation, Mr. Miller said.

Mr. Wang, according to a statement from Chinas foreign ministry, told Mr. Blinken that the United States needed to reflect on the root cause of the serious difficulties in China-U.S. relations, suggesting the United States was to blame for the strained ties.
The takeaway from Thailands general election in May was clear: Voters had dealt a crushing blow to the ruling military junta by supporting a progressive party that challenged not only the generals but also the nations powerful monarchy.

The generals and their allies responded on Thursday by rejecting the partys leading candidate for prime minister, tipping the country into a political void and potentially thrusting it further toward autocracy.

Parliament failed to elect a new prime minister on Thursday evening after the progressive candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, was unable to muster enough support in the military-backed Senate, where lawmakers are loyal to the generals who have governed Thailand since seizing power in a coup nearly a decade ago.

As night fell over a rainy Bangkok, one of Southeast Asias most important economies was staring down what looked like another intense period of political unrest and nationwide protests.
President Biden and his national security team have contended since he took office that all the easy, tempting comparisons between this era and the Cold War are misleading, a vast oversimplification of a complex geopolitical moment.

The differences are, indeed, stark: The United States never had the kind of technological and financial interdependence with its Cold War adversary, the Soviet Union, that so complicates the increasingly bitter and dangerous downward spiral in the relationship with China.

And Mr. Bidens advisers often argue that Russia is not the Soviet Union. Yes, it has nuclear weapons, they say, but its conventional military capacity has now been severely degraded in Ukraine.

And in Soviet times, the United States felt compelled to fight an ideological battle around the world. In the new era, it is fighting Chinas efforts to use its economic and technological power to spread its influence.
Depicting the world as facing a pivotal moment in history, President Biden vowed on Thursday during a visit to Finland to defend every inch of the alliances territory, closing out a European trip showcasing the alliances renewed energy since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.

Mr. Biden arrived in Finland, NATOs newest member, fresh from a pivotal meeting of NATO leaders in Vilnius, Lithuania, where leaders worked hard to show unity in support of Ukraine. At a news conference with the Finnish president, Sauli Niinisto, Mr. Biden portrayed the current moment as an inflection point, in which the decisions we make now will determine the course of history for the next four, five, six decades.

At this critical moment in history, this inflection point, the world watching to see, will we do the hard work that matters to forge a better future? Will we stand together, will we stand with one another? Will we stay committed to our course? Mr. Biden said.

Finlands entry into NATO is a strong rebuke to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, who has cited the mutual-defense alliances eastward expansion as a reason for launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Chairman of Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) Orkhan Mammadov who is on a visit to Istanbul, met with Mustafa Albayrak, a member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Albayrak Group of Companies, Azernews reports, citing a tweet of the Chairman.

The meeting discussed the company's current and new projects in Azerbaijan, as well as opportunities for cooperation.

It is worth noting that Albayrak Group of Companies operates in more than 20 sectors such as construction, real estate, industry, logistics, media, and tourism. The group of companies includes about 80 companies and brands.

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The Finnish leader praised Mr. Biden, saying it was very impressive to experience the way you created unity at the NATO summit, which produced a stronger commitment from the alliance to grant Ukraine eventual membership.

Finlands entry into NATO is a rebuke to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, who has cited the alliances eastward expansion as a reason for launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and is also a sign of how the war has brought new energy to the alliance.

Earlier this week, Turkey dropped its objections to Sweden joining, raising that nations hopes of rapid accession. The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, later made it clear that the necessary vote in the Turkish Parliament was unlikely to happen before October. He also said Sweden still had to take steps to win over a majority of lawmakers, hinting that there could be other hurdles before the deal is done.

Finland and Sweden had jointly asked to join the military alliance last year, abandoning their longstanding policies of military nonalignment in the face of Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Turkey held up the process, however, arguing that Sweden was harboring Kurdish militants and others it considers terrorists. Finland then pursued its bid separately, and was able to join NATO in April.

Despite the new concerns about Turkeys willingness to allow Sweden into NATO, Mr. Biden told reporters in Lithuania before boarding Air Force One for Helsinki that the United States had achieved its goals at the NATO conference, including clearing a path for Sweden to join. And in a speech following the end of the summit, he said, President Erdogan kept his word.
There is a line of tidy houses on Vokzalna Street, where crumbling homes once lined a roadway littered with burned-out Russian tanks. There are neat sidewalks and fresh pavement with blue and yellow bunting hanging overhead. And there are backhoes and bulldozers plowing across a construction site where a new home goods store will replace a previous one that was burned to the ground.

They are remaking Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv that became synonymous with Russian atrocities in the earliest days of the invasion of Ukraine, where civilians were tortured, raped or executed, their bodies left to rot in the streets.

More than a year after Ukrainian forces wrested back Bucha from Russian troops, the town has drawn international investment that has physically transformed it, and it has become a stopping point for delegations of foreign leaders who come through almost weekly.

And yet behind the veneer of revitalization, the pain that suffused Bucha during its month of horror under Russian occupation still lingers.
President Biden said on Thursday that he was serious about negotiating a prisoner exchange to free Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter that the United States has declared wrongfully detained in Russia.

Im serious about doing all we can to free Americans who are being illegally held in Russia  or anywhere else, for that matter, he said. And that process is underway.

Mr. Biden addressed Mr. Gershkovichs situation in a news conference with the Finnish president, Sauli Niinisto, in Helsinki.

Last week, President Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, confirmed that the United States was in talks with Russia about a potential swap but cautioned that the discussions had not yet produced a clear pathway to a resolution. That came after the Kremlin spokesman Dmitri S. Peskov had said that the two countries were in contact about the possibility of a swap.
A top Russian general in Ukraine has lashed out at his bosses after being fired from his command, accusing them of undermining the war effort with dishonesty and politicking, in the latest sign of turmoil within the Kremlins military leadership.

In a four-minute recording released late Wednesday night, Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov addressed his troops, accusing his superiors of inflicting a blow on his forces by removing him from his post in retaliation for voicing the truth about battlefield problems to senior leadership behind closed doors. His firing, and the unusual public airing of his grievances, reflected the disarray that has roiled Russias military command since a failed mutiny three weeks ago.

While the 58th Combined Arms Army he commanded has been holding off a Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia region, we were hit in the rear by our senior commander, who treacherously and vilely decapitated our army at the most difficult and tense moment, General Popov said  an apparent reference to Gen. Valery V. Gerasimov, chief of the armed forces.

Since the mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group and its boss, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, several senior officers have been detained or pushed out of their posts, according to a person close to the Russian military, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine was traveling home on Thursday from the NATO summit, emphasizing success in his efforts to draw his country closer to the alliance, though without the firm timeline to join that he had demanded.

Having secured new pledges of weapons and reaffirmed security commitments from powerful Western allies, Mr. Zelensky nevertheless emerges from the two-day meeting with Ukraine in much the same position in the war.

Russian attack drones again targeted the capital overnight. Ukraines long-planned counteroffensive is making only incremental progress. And there was no official invitation to NATO, because some of its biggest members, including the United States, are leery of being drawn directly into battle with Russia.

After Mr. Zelensky complained about the absurd lack of a time frame for NATO membership, some Western officials at the summit, in Lithuania, appeared to take issue with his constant demands for aid, urging Ukrainian officials to show more gratitude. Mr. Zelensky modulated his tone after arriving at the summit, profusely thanking Western allies and praising NATO for its support.
A Barcelona man was sentenced to one year in prison after a court found that he had been terrorizing his neighbors for at least 5 years by playing loud electronic music almost non-stop.

A court in Mataro (Barcelona), Spain recently ruled against a man who had reportedly been driving his neighbors crazy by playing electronic music at a loud volume. The nightmare of the mans neighbors began 2012, when he started playing his unbearably loud music all day and night. Despite repeated requests to turn the volume down, as well as visits from the local police, the man refused to comply and people had no choice but to put up with it. In 2015, 3 neighbors who lived in a house attached to that of the accused filed a complaint against him, after having endured nearly 3 years of electronic music at full volume. They claimed that the constant banging music was causing them both physical and mental issues.

Photo: Tanner Borriack/Unsplash

The defendant reportedly ignored the complaints of his neighbors and the warning of the police officers, all of whom testified in court against him. One police officer described the sound coming out of the accuseds house as a continuous boom boom', and the sister of one of the victims in this case claimed that the boom boom could not be resisted, my bones were vibrating.

Sound measurements made during the five years of audio terror showed that the electronic music exceeded 57 decibels during daytime and evening hours, and reached 56 decibels at night, away above the 35 decibels allowed by law. The music was reportedly so loud that objects in the neighboring homes were constantly vibrating.

One of the elderly neighbors terrorized by the loud music testified that he suffered from insomnia which required a prescribed sedative-hypnotic treatment, while another neighbors Alzheimers disease worsened due to the anxiety of having to put up with the loud electronic music. The court ruled that the accused kept playing the loud music knowing full well the consequences it had on his neighbors.

Between at least 2012 and 2017, the defendant ignored the pleas of his neighbors and the warnings of the police, playing his loud boom boom music for all the neighborhood to hear. Interestingly, the defendant denied ever having played electronic music loud enough to bother his neighbors but did confirm having received multiple visits from the police.

The persistence of his attitude suggests that the defendant was aware that his conduct could affect the mental stability of any neighbor because even with minimal social skills one cannot but be aware of it, the judge commented.

According to El Diario, the electronic music fan was sentenced to one year and three months behind bars. He also has to compensate his neighbors and victims of his excessive noise with 18,000 euros ($20,000) and pay a fine of 2,160 euros ($2,417). But the part that is bound to affect the EDM enthusiast the most is the ban that prevents him from practicing any profession or trade related to electronic music

In a similar case, a man was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for terrorizing neighbors with loud horse neighing sounds every night.
Warner Communications picks up Middlesex Mediation, a Boston-based ADR (alternative dispute resolution) firm led by John D. Hanify, former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. The Warner team will be tasked with raising awareness across the Boston metro and greater New England region of Middlesex Mediations professional services, including how its ADR approach can result in cost savings. Warners thoughtful approach to understanding and communicating our vision of how complex business and commercial disputes benefit from the flexibility inherent in mediation and ADR is invaluable as we seek to elevate awareness of our work across diverse industries, said Hanify.

Ditto Public Relations adds Eco, Wormhole and Swagger Society to its roster of Web3 clients. For Eco, a decentralized currency, and Wormhole, a cross-chain messaging protocol that gives developers the power to build decentralized applications, the agencys scope of work encompasses full media relations, content and social. Both companies have previously worked with Ditto. Swagger Society, a Web3 lifestyle membership club founded by Peloton VP of fitness programming and head instructor Robin Arzon, is engaging Ditto to advise on its initial launch and conduct strategic planning. Ditto understands our priorities, the industry, and the reporters, unlike other agencies, and we really value the proactive approach they take to the work, said Wormhole Foundation head of operations Dan Reecer.

Bread & Butter, which works with clients in the food, drink and travel sectors, is selected to represent Philippe Chow, an upscale Beijing-style Chinese restaurant with locations in New York City and Washington, D.C. Bread & Butters New York-based team will focus on the Upper East Side and Meatpacking locations in NYC, while continuing to build the legacy of the modern Chinese concept through media relations, brand partnerships and events.
An Offaly food business where the HSE described some of the practices found during an inspection as having a 'grave and immediate danger to public health' was served with a Closure Order in June.

Details of the Closure Order have been published today by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

According to the Closure Order, Lynn's Pantry, Backwood, Cloneygowan, was served with the order on June 16. The order has not yet been lifted as of today (July 13). It was served under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998.

During an inspection, a HSE Officer four contraventions of legislation and each was described as posing a grave and immediate danger to public health were discovered.

According to the report, at the time of the inspection there was a failure to implement and maintain permanent procedures

based on the HACCP principles. Cleaning procedures were not in place as evidenced by the 'unsatisfactory level of hygiene' noted during this inspection and foodstuffs were not being protected from contamination.

The report also stated that the food premises was not kept clean and unhygienic conditions were noted at the time of inspection. The report said that all walls and floors were in an unclean condition and encrusted with dirt, rubbish and food

debris while dead flies and insects were noted throughout the food preparation and storage areas. The report added that this was 'not an exhaustive list'.

The report found that all food contact surfaces including equipment throughout the premises were not effectively cleaned.

The report also found that the fly killing unit was located directly above the food preparation table which contained open

food. Buns were also found to be cooling underneath the extraction canopy which had cobwebs and insects visible.
The volunteer partners of HSHS St. Josephs Hospital will host their annual steak fry on Thursday, Aug. 3, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 236 Pumphouse Road in Chippewa Falls, to raise money for a scholarship fund for area students.

Students who are currently enrolled in a higher education program that furthers their education in a human health care related field are welcome to apply for a scholarship. Six people will be chosen by the partners to receive a scholarship.

We are proud to again offer this event to our community as part of fundraising efforts to help students who are entering or advancing in the health care field, says Brandy Sikora, volunteer services manager. Its rewarding to offer scholarships and know recipient graduates are choosing to put their health care skills to work for people in our local communities.

There are a variety of ways to enjoy this years steak fry:

Drive through and pick up: 3:30-7 p.m.

Bingo is back: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Dine in: 4:30-7 p.m.

Free delivery: 4:30-7 p.m. Delivery orders must be placed by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1. (Tipping is at your discretion.)

Steak fry tickets are $12 for an adult meal of a steak sandwich, baked beans, corn on the cob, potato salad, coleslaw, dessert and coffee, soda or water. The cost is $5 for a childrens meal of a hot dog, corn on the cob, potato chips, dessert and soda or water.

To place a delivery order, or purchase tickets for drive through, pick up or dine in, call HSHS St. Josephs Hospital Volunteer Services at 715-717-7439. You can also purchase tickets at the HSHS St. Josephs Hospital gift shop Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

A limited number of dine in tickets will be available at the door Aug. 3.
How Congress 5 Poll Guarantees Will Benefit Women, Middle Class

Bengaluru

oi-Deepika S

When the Congress government came to power in Karnataka in 2023, various schemes were queued up for people's welfare.

During the election, the Congress party announced five key eye-grabbing poll guarantees including free bus travel for women, 200 units of free electricity, 10 kg of free foodgrains to the poor, Rs 2,000 for the woman head of the household and unemployment benefits of up to Rs 3,000.

As a first step, the Siddaramaiah government has set aside about Rs 52,000 crore annually to implement the five key poll promises of the Congress party as he presented the 2023-24 budget in the Legislative Assembly.

However, the Congress's welfare schemes met with criticism with the opposition BJP claiming if implemented, the government schemes would be a huge burden on the state exchequer and may derail the prudent finances of the state.

'Anna Bhagya: Karnataka Govt Starts Cash Disbursal In Lieu Of 5 KG Rice Under The Scheme

How the government plans to spend the money

To implement all five guarantees, the government needs approximately Rs 52,000 crore in a year which is expected to reach about 1.3 crore families.

This means the government will be providing, on an average, additional financial assistance of Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 monthly to each household, which is about Rs 48,000 to Rs 60,000 every year.

"Shakti scheme aims to empower women. The nation cannot progress without women, who constitute 50 per cent of the population. They are equal partners in the development of the nation.

Over 41. 86 lakh women in the state will be benefitted from the scheme irrespective of their religion and caste.

For example, the monthly bus (except AC bus) fare on BMTC bus is Rs 1,050 per month. 2,100 per month is directly saved if two women in a working-class family go to work and rely on BMTC buses.

A saving of two thousand rupees is a huge amount for people from the middle-class family.

Also, lakhs of women, come Bengaluru for work from neighboring taluk/district centers like Tumkur, Kolar and Chikkaballapur etc. If the monthly up and down charge for Bangaluru is kept at 3000, the money saved for a family is nothing less.

On 5 Key Poll Promises, Karnataka To Spend Rs 52,000 cr Annually

With the new strength, women are measuring the length and breadth of Karnataka in government buses. One of the most sacred places of Karnataka, Dharmasthala on the bank of River Netravati in the coastal district of Dakshina Kannada, has become the choicest destination for women, who are thronging there in hordes.

Under the Grilakshmi Yojana, a scheme of Rs 2,000 per month for family members (BPL/APL) will soon be implemented. Two thousand per month is very valuable for some families.

To help people fight the onslaught of price rise and save up for essentials such as food, education for children, and healthcare, the Congress has decided to provide 200 units electricity, free of cost, to every household in Karnataka. When citizens use electricity up to 200 units per month, they are exempted from paying the electricity bill, saving about Rs.1,000 each month.

Under Yuva Nidhi, an unemployed graduate will get Rs 3,000 per month and unemployed diploma holders Rs 1,500, which will have a big positive impact on the communities that they are targeted at.

If all the schemes announced by the government are implemented properly, the life of women and the middle class will become more beautiful. This is a fact that even the opposition must accept.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 13, 2023, 13:55 [IST]
2 Soldiers Die In Poonch After Being Swept Away In Flash Floods

3 Migrant Workers From Bihar Injured In Terrorist Attack In Jammu And Kashmir's Shopian

India

oi-Prakash KL

In the latest attack on non-locals, three migrant workers were shot at and injured in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

Terrorists fired upon three outside labourers in Shopian. The injured persons are Anmol Kumar, Pintu Kumar Thakur and Heralal Yadav, all residents of District Supaul, Bihar, Kashmir Zone Police said.

The victims are being shifted to the hospital. The authorities have cordoned off the area.

Former CM Omar Abdullah denounced the attack and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

"Very unfortunate. I unreservedly condemn this attack and send my best wishes to the injured. I hope they make a complete and speedy recovery," he tweeted.

BJP states' spokesperson Altaf Thakur condemned the attack. "This reflects the frustration, inhumanity and cheapness of terrorists involved in the gruesome attack on three non-local labourers who had gone to buy grocery items. Urge police to track those involved in the gruesome act and punish them sternly. Praying for the speedy recovery of all three injured men," Thakur said.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 13, 2023, 22:49 [IST]
Amarnath Yatra 2023: First Batch Of Pilgrims Begin Journey From Jammu

Another Batch Of Pilgrims Leaves For Amarnath Shrine

India

oi-PTI

A fresh batch of over 9,200 pilgrims, the largest so far, left the base camp here in the early hours of Thursday for the Amarnath shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas.

While 6,035 pilgrims left in a convoy of 194 vehicles for Pahalgam, another convoy of 112 vehicles carrying 3,206 pilgrims left for the Baltal base camp at 3.30 am.

With this, a total of 65,544 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the valley since June 30.

A total to 1,46,508 pilgrims have offered prayers at the shrine since July 1.

Delhi Riot Accused Fined Rs 5000 For Going On Amarnath Yatra Without Court's Permission

The 62-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,888-metre-high cave shrine commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 1.

The yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 31.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 13, 2023, 11:38 [IST]
Bihar Govt Cancels Leaves Of Govt Teachers Amid BJP Protest Over Recruitment

India

pti-PTI

The Bihar government cancelled the leaves of all teachers for a week, according to an official document. The Education Department also asked the district magistrates to inspect all state-run schools on Thursday to check the attendance of teachers.

"The attendance/presence of teachers in all government schools must be 100 per cent on July 13... Strict departmental action, including suspension, should be taken against those teachers who are found absent during inspection on July 13," said the letter by KK Pathak, the additional chief secretary (ACS-Education), on Wednesday.

The department also asked district education officers to cancel the leaves of all teaching staff for a week. "Only in emergency situations, permission (of leave) can be taken directly from the ACS only," said the letter, which was also issued on Wednesday. The reasons behind the directives were not specified by the department in the letters. However, the opposition BJP claimed that the directions were given to prevent teachers from participating in its state-wide protest against the new recruitment policy.

"The BJP is organising a protest march against the new recruitment policy for teachers on Thursday. The march will begin at Gandhi Maidan and conclude at the gate of the state assembly. These directions were issued to prevent the participation of teachers in the protest. This shows the dictatorial mindset of the Nitish Kumar government," alleged state BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand.

Teacher Recruitment Scam: SC Refuses to Halt Probe Against TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee

On July 11, teaching job aspirants protested in Patna against the government's decision to remove the domicile policy in hiring 1.7 lakh teachers, which would allow people from other states to take part in the process. Some teachers also participated in the protest. The Education Department has asked the district education officers to identify those teachers.
Fact Check: This BJP worker from Gujarat is not rooting for AAP in the state

BJP Worker Killed, Several Others Lathicharged Amid Protests In Patna

India

oi-Deepika S

A BJP worker was killed as the Patna Police lathicharged those protesting against the Nitish Kumar government over the posting of teachers in Bihar.

The deceased has been identified as Vijay Kumar, a BJP worker from Jehanabad.

"Arrested by Bihar police in Patna, Jehanabad district GS Vijay Kumar Singh died in brutal police lathi charge", senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi tweeted.

Arrested by Bihar police in Patna .Jehanabad dist GS Vijay Kumar Singh died in brutal police lathi charge.@ANI @ABPNews @News18Bihar @ABPNews @aajtak  Sushil Kumar Modi (@SushilModi) July 13, 2023

The BJP is holding a "Vidhan Sabha march" in support of demands of teachers' job aspirants and those MLAs who chose to remain present inside the House had sought to build the tempo with provocative slogans like 'raddi CM gaddi chhod' (incompetent chief minister should give up his post).

Monsoon Mayhem: 80 Killed in Himachal; 2,000 Tourists Stranded In Kasol Evacuated

Parliamentary Affairs minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary made a strongly worded statement after all BJP members had staged a walkout, protesting the eviction of fellow MLAs Jibesh Kumar and Kumar Shailendra.

"The government headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is sensitive to the needs of the people and ready to respond to all issues raised by members", said Chaudhary, as the chief minister, who sat next to him, looked on.

The minister added, "the conduct of the opposition members since yesterday, when they smashed a chair and tried to upturn the table, shows they have no respect for democratic norms. Perhaps, they are desperate realising that their political future is uncertain".

He also said that the Speaker is the custodian of the House and the Chair must take steps to thwart such instances in which government property was damaged.

"The government will fully support," the minister said.

Bihar: 45-Year-Old Woman Found Dead with Eyes Gouged Out, Tongue Cut and Private Parts Mutilated

The Speaker said that no action that is detrimental to the sanctity of this House can be tolerated, a reason why marshals had to be called and some of the unruly members had to be evicted.

"I have also summoned video footage of yesterday when one of the members picked up a chair and banged it on the floor. After inquiry, I will take action", he said.

The BJP members, led by Sinha, told reporters outside the House "we were raising genuine demands of the people but the Chair has become an instrument of the government. We are, however, undeterred and will continue to raise the issues of the people".
Chandrayaan-3 Will Be A Game-Changer: Former ISRO Scientist Nambi Narayanan

India

oi-Deepika S

Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar mission will be a potential game-changer that will serve as an inspiration to the whole world, said former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist Nambi Narayanan on Thursday.

He said that the succession launch of Chandrayaan-3 will make India only the fourth nation to achieve this feat after the United States, China and the former Soviet Union.

''Chandrayaan-3 will definitely be a game changer for India and I hope it will be successful. India will become an inspiration to the entire world. Let's wait for the launch and pray for the best..." he told news agency PTI.

"Apart from boosting the economy and development in the space sector, it will also improve India's share from the present 2 per cent in the 600 billion-dollar industry," he added.

"When compared to other nations, our spending for such missions is a pittance," he noted.

Narayanan said we will have to wait till August 23 or 24 to know the success of the mission as the landing would take place on those dates.

He also pressed on the need for establishing something like an Asian Space Agency (ASA) along the lines of the European Space Agency (ESA), with or without China, for taking up such bigger space missions.

Chandrayaan-3 follows the 2019 Chandrayaan-2 mission where space scientists are aiming for a soft landing on the surface of the moon.

Chandrayan-2 managed to land on the Moon but failed to do a soft landing due to some software and mechanical issues. This time, the ISRO has adopted failure-based method to prevent a recurrence of a Chandrayaan-2-like situation, where the spacecraft crashed into the lunar surface.

In 2018, the Supreme Court had ordered a probe into the role of the Kerala police in the ISRO espionage case, in which 76-year-old Narayanan was an accused.

Narayanan who was arrested in the case had to spend close to two months in jail and later it was found by the CBI that the espionage case was a false one.

The espionage case, which hit the state in 1994, was related to allegations of transfer of certain space programmes to foreign countries by two scientists and four others, including through two Maldivian women.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 13, 2023, 21:22 [IST]
PM Likely To Interact With NDA MPs During Monsoon Session

If PM Modi Is Angry About Manipur, He Must Dismiss The CM: Mallikarjun Kharge

DAC Clears Rafale-Scopene Deal Amid PM Modis France Visit

India

oi-Deepika S

Amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's France trip, the Defense Acquisition Council on Thursday approved the proposal to buy twenty six Rafale fighters and three Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy.

The deal is likely to be signed between India and France as PM Modi visits France.

The DAC allowed the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy from the French Government based on Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA).

"The price and other terms of purchase will be negotiated with the French Government after taking into account all relevant aspects, including comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries," according to a government press release.

Further, integration of Indian designed equipment and establishment of Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) Hub for various systems will be incorporated into the contract documents after due negotiations.

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The DAC also okayed the procurement of three additional Scorpene submarines under Buy (Indian) category which will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

The procurement of additional submarines, with higher indigenous content, will not only help in maintaining required force level and operational readiness of the Indian Navy, but also create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector. It will also help the MDL in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction.

In addition, the DAC approved the proposal to lay down guidelines for achieving the desired indigenous content in all categories of capital acquisition cases. It will help in achieving 'Aatmanirbharta' in critical manufacturing technologies and life-cycle sustenance of defence platforms/equipment through indigenous manufacturing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today embarked on a two-day visit to France as the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade.
TOMAH  Natasha Normand cant wait to ditch her rented storage shed.

The majority of my belongings are still in storage, she said. Ive had a storage shed since I was 18.

That will soon change when Normand, her 5-year-old daughter, Aurora, their dog and all their stuff will have a new home.

Habitat for Humanity broke ground Monday in Tomah on a new house to be constructed at 428 W. Juneau St. The home is part of Habitat for Heroes, which builds homes for military veterans. Normand, a graduate of Chippewa Falls High School, is a disabled veteran who served in the Army from 2009-15, including a tour in Iraq. Kahya Fox, executive director for Habitat for Humanity La Crosse Area, said housing is a particular challenge for female veterans. She said 50% are housing cost burdened, meaning at least 30% of their income is consumed by housing.

When we asked what can we do for affordable housing in our communities, there was a huge resounding message that we got: We need to serve our veterans; we need to serve those who served us, Fox said.

Normand will purchase the home from Habitat at 0% interest. In exchange, shell contribute at least 350 hours of sweat equity during the homes construction.

Shell get plenty of help. Fox said veterans provided much of the manpower for the first Habitat for Heroes home in La Crosse, where 75 veterans contributed 1,200 hours of volunteer work. Local veterans, including Normands fellow members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, attended the Tomah groundbreaking and pledged their assistance.

Normand looks forward to working on her new 1,400-square-foot home.

When you work on something and build it yourself, youre so much more proud of it, Normand said.

Normand and her family arent the only beneficiaries. Until Habitat for Humanity stepped up, the property was an eyesore  a condemned house and a vehicle concealed by tall grass. Habitat for Humanity was able to purchase the property for $13,000  the cost of demolition.

Think of the neighbors next door, said Anita Jensen, who worked with Monroe County Habitat for Humanity before it joined with La Crosse. It will certainly add to the value of the neighborhood.

The location works out well for Normand, who works for a truck repair shop in Tomah and receives medical care at the Tomah VA.

My daughter and I are so ecstatic to be working with Habitat for Humanity, she said. Im so excited for spring; it cannot come fast enough. Its going to be permanent. Its going to be mine.

To volunteer on a Habitat for Humanity project, sign up on Habitats website at www.habitatlacrosse.org or call 608-785-2373. Fox said no construction experience is necessary, but Habitat requires that volunteers complete a short application and attend a one-hour volunteer orientation prior to signing up for shifts.
Yamuna Flood Waters Reach Taj Mahal Wall for the First Time in 45 Years

24-Year-Old Man Electrocuted To Death While Using Treadmill In Gym In Delhi

Delhi Schools Shut In Flood-Hit Areas; DDMA Meeting Today Over Rising Water Level Of Yamuna

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

With the Yamuna swelling to a staggering 208.48 metres, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced closure of schools in areas inundated with floodwater.

The national capital recorded a rapid increase in the Yamuna's water level over the past three days. The water level shot up from 203.14 metres at 11 am on Sunday to 205.4 metres at 5 pm on Monday, breaching the danger mark of 205.33 metres 18 hours earlier than expected.

The river exceeded the evacuation mark of 206 metres Monday night, prompting the relocation of people residing in flood-prone areas to safer locations, and the closure of the Old Railway Bridge for road and rail traffic.

The water level further breached the previous all-time record of 207.49 metres by 1 pm on Wednesday and the 208-metre mark by 10 pm.

''All government and private schools are being closed in areas of Delhi where water is filling up,'' Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi.

Raging Yamuna River Flowing At Record Level; Spills Onto Streets In Delhi

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Yamuna water levels rise to all-time high; many evacuated as flood fears grip Delhi | Oneindia News

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena will hold a special meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Thursday to discuss the flood situation in the city, officials said.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is the vice-chairman of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), will also attend the meeting, they said.

The torrential Yamuna in Delhi swelled to a staggering 208.48 metres Thursday morning, inundating nearby streets and public and private infrastructure, and causing immense hardships to people living in close proximity to the river.

The water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 208-metre mark Wednesday night and rose to 208.48 metres by 8 am on Thursday.

It is expected to rise further, according to the Central Water Commission, which has termed it an ''extreme situation''. Kejriwal, in a tweet, said the water level in the Yamuna was constantly rising and spilling onto the nearby roads, urging people not to go there.

He also requested the citizens to help each other in this emergency situation.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 13, 2023, 10:41 [IST]
Yamuna Flood Waters Reach Taj Mahal Wall for the First Time in 45 Years

24-Year-Old Man Electrocuted To Death While Using Treadmill In Gym In Delhi

Delhi Secretariat Marooned By Floods As Yamuna Water Level Rises

India

oi-PTI

As the Yamuna water level rises, the Delhi Secretariat housing offices of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his cabinet and other senior bureaucrats, was flooded on Thursday.

According to officials from the Public Works Department, they received information regarding flooding of the Delhi Secretariat. They said they are coordinating with the traffic police and other agencies on the situation.

#WATCH | Civil Lines area of Delhi flooded, latest visuals from the area.



Several areas of the city are reeling under flood and water-logging as the water level of river Yamuna continues to rise following heavy rainfall and the release of water from Hathnikund Barrage. pic.twitter.com/UecZsfIBwb  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

The road from Rajghat to Delhi Secretariat was also flooded. Officials said the Ring Road stretch between Kashmere Gate and Purana Lohe Ka Pul has been flooded and closed for traffic movement.

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Yamuna water levels rise to all-time high; many evacuated as flood fears grip Delhi | Oneindia News

Delhi Schools Shut In Flood-Hit Areas; DDMA Meeting Today Over Rising Water Level Of Yamuna

An order by the District Magistrate (East) said Shamshan Ghat in Geeta Colony has been closed due to the extreme rise in water levels.

The Yamuna surged to a record 208.48 metres at 8 am, the Central Water Commission said on Thursday, adding that it is likely to rise to 208.75 metres by 4 pm.

Meanwhile, water from the overflowing Yamuna river reached ITO, a key route to commute from east Delhi to central Delhi and Connaught Place.

Apart from this, areas like Boat Colony, Geeta Colony, some parts of Gandhi Nagar, Ashok Nagar and Pandav Nagar were also inundated. Announcements for evacuating people are being made at various locations in the city.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 13, 2023, 10:49 [IST]
Omar Abdullah Denied Escort Vehicles, Reaches Party Office On Foot, Shares Video

India

pti-PTI

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah Thursday set out from his home on foot to reach the party office after police allegedly denied him escort vehicles and ITBP personnel cover.

Abdullah, the vice president of the National Conference (NC), was scheduled to address a function at the party headquarters, Nawa-i-Subah, to pay homage to 22 Kashmiri people who were killed by the army of a Dogra ruler on this day in 1931. He alleged that the Jammu and Kashmir Police denied him his security escort vehicles and ITBP cover to visit the party headquarters.

There was no immediate response from the police. Unfazed by the denial, Abdullah set out to the office near Zero Bridge on foot from his home in the Gupkar area of the city here, while a handful of his special security group personnel -- a wing of J-K Police responsible for guarding VVIPs -- were seen walking along with him.

The former J-K chief minister took to Twitter and posted a video of his walk to the office. "Dear @JmuKmrPolice don't think that refusing to give me my escort vehicles & ITBP cover will stop me. I'll walk to where I have to get to & that's exactly what I'm doing now," Abdullah said.

Dear @JmuKmrPolice dont think that refusing to give me my escort vehicles & ITBP cover will stop me. Ill walk to where I have to get to & thats exactly what Im doing now. pic.twitter.com/tHZ50Pq6GS  Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 13, 2023

After reaching office, where some of his party leaders and activists were waiting for him, the NC vice president said the "police would now send everything" for his security. "Now that I've got to the office & will go ahead with my programme you will send everything. The fact is @JmuKmrPolice has stopped a lot of my senior colleagues from coming to the @JKNC_ office today by adopting the same tactics of stopping them in their homes.

Now that Ive got to the office & will go ahead with my programme you will send everything. The fact is @JmuKmrPolice has stopped a lot of my senior colleagues from coming to the @JKNC_ office today by adopting the same tactics of stopping them in their homes. Notable amongst  Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 13, 2023

Notable amongst those stopped are Abdul Rahim Rather Sb, @AliMSagar_ Sb, Ali Mohd Dar Sb and others," he said. The NC said Abdullah was to address the party workers to pay tributes to the 1931 martyrs. "Despite the restrictions placed on JKNC Vice President @OmarAbdullah, which denied him security vehicles and ITBP cover, he chose to walk from his home to the Nawai Subh office. His purpose was to address the party workers who had gathered there to pay their heartfelt tributes to the 1931 Martyrs," the party said in a tweet.

Amit Shah Speaks To LGs Of Delhi and JK, Takes Stock Of Rain Situation

July 13 was a public holiday in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and a grand official function was held every year on this day where the chief minister or the governor would be the chief guest. However, the governor administration dropped the day from the list of gazetted holidays in 2020, after the abrogation of Article 370 and splitting of the erstwhile state into Union territories by the Centre on August 5, 2019.

Apart from the official function at the Martyrs' graveyard, mainstream political leaders also used to visit it to pay homage to the 22 Kashmiris who fell to the bullets of the Dogra army while protesting the autocratic rule of Maharaja Hari Singh. For these last few years, the political parties have alleged that their movement was restricted on the day and they were not allowed to visit the graveyard in the city.
I Would Rather Die Than Return To Pakistan: Seema Who Fell In Love With Indian On PUBG

India

oi-Prakash KL

The Pakistani woman, who fell in love with an Indian on PUBG, has said she would rather die than go back to her country.

Seema Haider, a married Muslim woman from Pakistan and mother of four, came across 22-year-old Sachin Meen on PUBG during the pandemic in 2020. "We became friends and our friendship turned to love and our chats became longer -- every morning and night -- before we finally decided to meet," AFP quoted the 27-year-old woman as saying.

After falling in love, she left her country and married him in Nepal. She then went back to her country, sold her property for flight tickets and Nepal visa from where she illegally entered India with her four children to stay with the man whom she married in May.

Seema now claims that she is now converted to Hinduism. "I'd rather die than return or leave Sachin", she said.

'Peepli Live Moment for Noida Village after Pak woman Seema Haider and Indian Sachin get bail

More than one-and-a-half-month after she reached Noida, local police got a whiff of a Pakistani woman and her children's illegal presence in their area. Sachin, Seema and her children tried to evade police arrest and fled, but were caught in Ballabhgarh in Haryana. Police then questioned them and officially arrested them on July 4, the officials said.

Last week, she along with her husband got bail. The court also ordered that as long as the case continues, Seema will not change her residence and live with Sachin.

Seema hailed from Sindh province in Pakistan and was settled in Karachi after her marriage in 2014.

The authorities say that her long-term stay in India is impossible. "I request the Indian government to grant me citizenship", Seema pleads.

Seema claims that she has received death threats after deciding to marry a Hindu. However, she insists that they would "live and die together".

During a lively Indian TV debate this week, Seema made an emphatic declaration of her unwavering affection for Sachin, vowing to only return to Pakistan "in death." The surrounding audience erupted in applause, celebrating their passionate expression of love.

Pakistani Woman, Who Illegally Entered India, Embraces Hinduism, Doesnt Want to Go Back

The Pakistani woman claims that they planned to enter India illegally with the help of YouTube videos. "It was very difficult to travel from Pakistan to India," she said. "I believe that with God's love, we were destined to meet".

However, Sachin's family was not happy initially but everyone has accepted their relationship now. She also believes that her children will get "all the love, care and attention" here.
Monsoon Mayhem Claims Over 90 Lives In Himachal; Yellow Alert Issued In Uttarakhand

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Parts of northern India, particularly Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, are facing severe challenges due to the monsoon season. The continuous heavy rainfall has resulted in devastating floods and landslides. The death toll in Himachal Pradesh has risen to nearly 90, with 39 fatalities reported over a span of four days.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Dhanauri, Rudraprayag, and Khanpur in Uttarakhand on Thursday and Friday. Additionally, an orange alert has been issued for Roorkee, Laksar, and Bhagwanpur on July 15 and 16, indicating a high risk of adverse weather conditions.

Smashing Rains in various parts of Kotdwar



Live visuals from Kanv Ashram



13th July 2023

Pauri Garhwal , Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/6qEk4VAJxS  Weatherman Shubham (@shubhamtorres09) July 13, 2023

The national capital, Delhi, is also grappling with flooding and waterlogging in various areas and markets such as ITO, Kashmere Gate, and Geeta Colony. This is primarily due to the unprecedented rise in the water level of the Yamuna River, which has reached 208.41 meters.

Heavy Rains continues in Garhwal (Uttarakhand) as 2 station recorded 200mm+ in 24hr



Roorkee Agri 274mm

Bhagwanpur 205mm

Roorkee CWC 190mm

Khanpur 102mm



Rishikesh 92mm , 563mm in 3 days



Purola 91mm

Rudraprayag 90mm

Dehradun 76mm



Dhulakuan (Sirmaur) 106mm , 4th century in a row pic.twitter.com/babf3NbvtK  Weatherman Shubham (@shubhamtorres09) July 13, 2023

In Uttarakhand, numerous routes, including national highways, have been closed due to landslides triggered by heavy rainfall. This has disrupted normal life and impacted the Chardham Yatra pilgrimage. The Badrinath National Highway, located in Chamoli district, is closed at five different points between Chamoli and Joshimath due to landslides.

Flood Fear In Delhi As Water Level Rises In Yamuna, More Rains In Store

Extreme Flood situation in parts of #Haridwar



Visuals from #Laksar Railway station as #Saloni river at #Raysi CWC site breached its Previous Highest Flood Level#Roorke Agri recorded 250mm #Rainfall till 6am as Good flow of Easterly Winds continues in #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/f7s1FRm4YD  Weatherman Shubham (@shubhamtorres09) July 13, 2023

Landslides have also led to the blockage of over 300 roads in Uttarakhand, including the Yamunotri National Highway and the Gangotri Highway.

According to the IMD, there are predictions of heavy rainfall in Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri, and other areas of Uttarakhand, exacerbating the ongoing challenges caused by the monsoon season.

1,058 villages in 14 Punjab districts affected by floods

As many as 1,058 villages of 14 districts in Punjab are affected by floods, according to an official statement.

The affected villages include 364 in Rupnagar, 268 in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, 250 in Patiala, 71 in Jalandhar, 30 in Moga, 25 in Hoshiarpur, 16 in Ludhiana, three each in Sangrur and Ferozepur, and six in Tarn Taran, it said. At gaushalas in Brahman Majra, Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib, 800 bovines have been saved is rescue operations, the statement issued here said. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will soon release Rs 71.50 crore to provide all possible help to people in flood affected areas, he said.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 13, 2023, 11:22 [IST]
If PM Modi Is Angry About Manipur, He Must Dismiss The CM: Mallikarjun Kharge

PM Modi Begins 2-Day France Visit; Defence, Bastille Day Celebrations In Focus

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for France on Thursday at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. He will be in the country for two days, from July 13 to 14.

On July 14, PM Modi will be the guest of honor at the annual Bastille Day Parade, which is a major military event in France.

During the parade, a 269-member Indian tri-service contingent will participate, and three Rafale fighter jets from the Indian Air Force (IAF) will join the flypast alongside French jets.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed from Delhi for Paris, France earlier this morning.



He will take part in the Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour on July 14. During his visit, he will hold discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and other pic.twitter.com/nXjlXDwfKv  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

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In addition to this, PM Modi will also hold talks with President Macron to take forward cooperation in a range of key areas, including defence, space, trade and investment. He is also scheduled to travel to Abu Dhabi after his visit to France.

What To Expect From PM Modis Visit To France

In a tweet, PM Modi said, "Leaving for Paris, where I will take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. I look forward to productive discussions with President Emmanuel Macron and other French dignitaries. Other programmes include interacting with the Indian community and top CEOs."

Prime Minister Modi also mentioned his upcoming official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), stating, "On the 15th, I will be in the UAE for an official visit. I shall be holding talks with H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. I am confident our interactions will add strength to India-UAE friendship and benefit the people of our countries."

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Story first published: Thursday, July 13, 2023, 9:07 [IST]
Setback For Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar Likely To Get Finance Portfolio

India

oi-Deepika S

In a move that could create cracks in the triple-engine government in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is likely to get the finance portfolio which is currently held by Devendra Fadnavis.

Reportedly, Ajit Pawar has asked for key ministries like finance, public works department, housing, irrigation, and water resources.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis have reportedly held several meetings with their party MLAs, and separately between themselves, over the Maharashtra cabinet expansion.

The much-anticipated reshuffle and expansion of Maharashtra Cabinet is due owing to a lack of consensus among the three parties in office-Shiv Sena, BJP and Ajit-led NCP faction.

When NCP joined the BJP-Sena government, the Shinde group believed that the BJP's portfolios will be given to the Ajit Pawar camp. But now, the portfolios from the Shinde group, too, are also being considered at for the reshuffle, which has upset the Shinde faction.

Shiv Sena leaders have staunchly opposed Ajit Pawar getting the finance ministry. When Shinde led the rebellion, one key complaint raised by his faction was Ajit Pawar withholding funds of MLAs of other parties.

The leaders have now openly expressed fears of a repeat of what allegedly happened during the MVA government.

In a surprising move, Ajit Pawar took oath as the deputy chief minister, while eight legislators of his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) took oath as ministers in the government led by the Shiv Sena and the BJP earlier in the day.

Na Tired Hu, Na Retired Hu: Sharad Pawar Hits Back At Ajit Pawar

Following Ajit Pawar's revolt, Shiv Sena's Shinde had said, "Now the double engine government has a triple engine. The state will sprint (on the path of development). Now we have one CM and two deputy chief ministers. This will help faster development of the state."

The Congress is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance consisting of itself, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) and the NCP.

In the Shinde-Fadnavis balancing act, a total of 18 ministers had taken oath in the state. Nine members from each side have been sworn in. Maharashtra can have a maximum of 43 cabinet ministers and more members are set to be added soon.
Thief calls cops for help after being caught by mob

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Thief Steals Rs 5000 From Donation Box Of Rewari Temple, But Not Before Reciting Hanuman Chalisa

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

In a bizarre incident, a thief in Haryana's Rewari district offered prayers and placed a Rs 10 note at the deity's feet before robbing a temple and fleeing with Rs 5,000.

The CCTV footage shows the thief sitting in front of the idol of Lord Hanuman, staying there for a few minutes, and attentively observing the devotees. He even places a Rs 10 note at the deity's feet and recites Hanuman Chalisa.

After finding a suitable opportunity, the thief then opened the donation box, took a bundle of currency notes, and swiftly fled the scene.

Unaware of the theft, the priest closed the temple doors and was completely unaware that a theft had taken place. However, upon returning the next morning, he discovered that the lock of the donation box had been broken.

The police investigation revealed the theft after they reviewed the CCTV footage, which captured the thief's actions, including reciting the Hanuman Chalisa and offering money at the deity's feet, before executing the robbery.

China: Robber sees victim has no more money in her account; returns stolen amount

In a separate incident, a passerby in Haryana's Gurugram district stopped a thief who was trying to escape on a motorcycle after stealing a woman's purse.

The CCTV footage shows the woman walking on the pavement with a bag in her hand and another sling bag across her body. A man on a maroon motorcycle stopped near her and got down to steal her purse. The victim looked scared and tried to run, but the man snatched her bag and ran towards his bike.

However, the passerby, who was driving a car, saw the incident and immediately stepped in. He chased the thief and blocked his path with his car. The thief was forced to stop and was arrested by the police.

The passerby's heroic act has been hailed by the internet, with many people calling him a "real hero."

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Story first published: Thursday, July 13, 2023, 9:36 [IST]
Yamuna Flood Waters Reach Taj Mahal Wall for the First Time in 45 Years

24-Year-Old Man Electrocuted To Death While Using Treadmill In Gym In Delhi

This Man Sat On Tree For 22 Hours To Save Himself From Yamuna Flood

India

oi-Prakash KL

Thousands of people living in the floodplain of the swollen Yamuna river have been affected by floods.

Now, a story of a man braving odds to save his life has emerged. The youth sat on the tree for 22 hours to save himself from the Yamuna flood.

The DCP North shared a video on his Twitter account and wrote, "A young man sat on a tree for 22 hours and kept himself safe during the disaster in the area around Yamuna river. The police team of #Osmanpur police station in North-East district saved his life. #delhiflood #flooding." The clip has now gone viral.

The torrential Yamuna in Delhi swelled to a staggering 208.48 metres Thursday morning, inundating nearby streets and public and private infrastructure, and causing immense hardships to people living in close proximity to the river.

In view of the flood-like situation, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Thursday directed that non-essential government offices, schools and colleges be closed till Sunday.

A young man sat on a tree for 22 hours and kept himself safe during the disaster in the area around Yamuna river. The police team of #Osmanpur police station in North-East district saved his life. #delhiflood #flooding pic.twitter.com/3U07EBKIM0  Prateek Pratap Singh (@PrateekPratap5) July 13, 2023

The Delhi government banned the entry of heavy goods vehicles, barring those carrying essentials, in the city from four borders, including Singhu.

With traffic in the national capital, especially east Delhi, severely impaired by the closure of roads due to the overflowing Yamuna, the city's traffic police issued an advisory on the restrictions and regulation of vehicular movement.

According to the advisory, traffic has been impaired on the Mahatma Gandhi Marg between the IP flyover and Chandgi Ram Akhara as well as between Kalighat Mandir and Delhi Secretariat, and on the Outer Ring Road between Wazirabad Bridge and Chandgi Ram Akhara.

The Delhi Metro, the city's lifeline, was also hit as water from the raging Yamuna spilled onto the roads.
Watch: ISRO Scientists Visit Tirupati Temple Ahead Of Chandrayaan-3 Launch

India

oi-Deepika S

Human faith in God and science has become inseparable as a team of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists Tirupati Venkatachalapathy temple in Andhra Pradesh to pray for the successful launch of India's third lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3.

Chandrayaan-3 will be launched on July 14, at 2:35 pm from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

The officials visited the temple for darshan on Thursday morning with a miniature model of Chandrayaan-3.

"This is Chandrayaan-3 is our mission to the moon...We have a launch tomorrow," the team of ISRO scientists told reporters.

#WATCH | "This is Chandrayaan-3 --- our mission to the moon...We have a launch tomorrow," says the team of ISRO scientists after offering prayers at Tirupati Venkatachalapathy Temple in Andhra Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/xkQb1SuX4V  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

Chandrayaan-3 mission consists of an indigenous propulsion module, a lander module, and a rover with the objective of developing and demonstrating new technologies required for inter-planetary missions.

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The successful launch of Chandrayaan 3 will make India the fourth country to land its Spacecraft on the surface of the Moon after the United States, China and the former Soviet Union.

Instead of a success-based design in Chandrayaan-2, the ISRO has opted for a failure-based design in Chandrayaan-3, focused on what all can fail and how to protect it and ensure a successful landing.

The mission is important because it will help India to learn more about the Moon's surface and its resources. The data collected by the Chandrayaan-3 mission could help India to plan future missions to the Moon, such as a manned mission.
When Schuyler's Halee Steffensmeier started college at Concordia University, she couldn't have imagined she'd be traveling to South America on a mission trip. In her last semester, however, she did just that and went on a journey she'll never forget.

It all started from a posted advertisement for a trip, something Steffensmeier had seen many times before in her time in college. This time, with the end of her last semester as a senior winding down, she decided to finally take the opportunity.

"I was just like 'you know what? I've barely even been out of the state of Nebraska,'" Steffensmeier said. "I have, but I don't travel and this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I felt like I should take advantage of it."

Steffensmeier then reached out to Dr. Jen Janousek, a professor of health and human performance at Concordia, who organizes these trips. She was welcomed onboard the team but presented with a difficult decision.

"The one kicker was the trip was over my college graduation so I'd have to miss that. I talked to people about it and ultimately came to the decision this is a once in a lifetime opportunity so I'm going to do it," Steffensmeier said.

Steffensmeier, Janousek, eight other students and two medical professionals set up a health fair of sorts in Guatemala, Steffensmeier said. Janousek said the group focused on providing what medical care they could while helping people in the area prevent the need for further care down the line. The needs are different each time they go, Janousek added.

"Every trip looks different. Part of the trip did have medical clinics in two different locations with public health on one side and a health fair on different topics that are needed there like parasite preventions, hand washing, diabetes prevention, spiritual health, a lot of different topics related to preventative health," Janousek said.

As Concordia is a private Lutheran university, Janousek said, there is an element of the students and staff's faiths involved in the work, but it also gives students some real life experience in the field.

"I think it's a faith experience," Janousek said. "Part of it is the mission side of it, the other part is gaining that experience. Students taking my global health class get to see it in action. There's definitely an education component. We like to use the term 'service learning.'"

With Steffensmeier's degree being in biology and her having plans to be a dentist, this trip inspired her about where she wants to take her experience in the future.

"Being in Guatemala made me realize it would be cool to be a dentist and go on one of these trips and do work for these people. Going made me realize I can do more with this. It would be cool to come back and do more," Steffensmeier said.

One aspect that surprised Steffensmeier and fellow traveler Garrett Nokelby was the conditions in which many people in Guatemala lived contently.

"It almost makes you sad when you first see it, almost grateful for yourself. Then you interact with these people and see how they interact with each other with love and they're so grateful," Nokelby said. "They deal with illness, disease, tapeworms, even though they struggle with them they're so grateful and always have a smile on their face."

Steffensmeier said that was a resounding part of the trip in her mind as well, particularly the children who came to see them. While parents attended the health fair activities, the children would play with some of the students. Their joy and gratefulness in the conditions there, she said, inspired her.

"We knew coming in these kids were coming from a poor environment and don't have a lot of clothes, don't have a lot to look forward to but they were so happy to see us and play with us, we even had one kid ask when we were coming back," Steffensmeier said. "It makes me appreciate everything I have back in the U.S. People in these third-world countries have almost nothing but seem happier than we do."
If PM Modi Is Angry About Manipur, He Must Dismiss The CM: Mallikarjun Kharge

UPI in France, Longer Student Visa: What PM Modi Said In Paris

International

oi-Prakash KL

In a significant boost to the market expansion of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that India and France have agreed to use UPI in the European nation.

Addressing the Indian community at the La Seine Musicale, PM Modi said very soon Indian tourists will be able to make rupee payments using UPI from atop the Eiffel Tower.

"In France, an agreement has been made for the use of India's UPI...It will be started from the Eiffel Tower, and now Indian tourists would be able to make payments in Rupees, through UPI, in the Eiffel Tower," he said.

In 2022, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which oversees UPI services, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lyra, France's swift and secure online payment system. This collaboration aimed to foster cooperation and knowledge exchange between the two countries' payment platforms.

Subsequently, in 2023, UPI expanded its reach further by establishing an agreement with PayNow, Singapore's own payment system. This arrangement enables users from both nations to seamlessly conduct cross-border transactions, facilitating greater convenience and accessibility in the realm of digital payments.

#WATCH | "India has resolved that it will not let any opportunity slip, nor will it let a moment go to waste. I have resolved that every second of my time is for the people of the country, says PM Narendra Modi, in Paris pic.twitter.com/mURAB9PF35  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

The UAE, Bhutan, and Nepal have already adopted the UPI payment system.

The NPCI international is in talks to extend the UPI services in the US, European countries, and West Asia.

#WATCH | Paris: India is working towards becoming a developed country in the next 25 years...International agencies say that India is a bright spot...India has a lot of potential for investments. Indian government is committed to providing facilities & safety to all Indians who pic.twitter.com/dosrHDA2H6  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

Amid chants of 'Modi, Modi' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', PM Modi also said in a few weeks or months from now a statue of great Tamil philosopher Thiruvalluvar will be built in the Cergy Prefecture.

He said France has decided to grant long-term five-year visas for students pursuing a masters degree in France.

The Prime Minister also appealed to the Indian community to invest in a big way in India as it makes rapid strides to emerge as a developed nation. "Today every rating agency is saying that India is a bright spot. You invest in India now. This is the opportune time. Those who invest early will reap benefits," PM Modi said.

He also recalled a personal connection with France dating back to at least four decades when he had become the first member of Alliance Francaise Centre in Ahmedabad way back in 1981.

"My attachment to France is quite old, and I can never forget it. Around 40 years ago, a cultural centre of France was started in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and the first member of that very centre is today talking to you," the prime minister said.

PM Modi said India is the mother of democracy and the mother of diversity.

"This is our greatest strength. In India, there are more than 100 languages, 1,000 dialects. More than 32,000 newspapers get published every day in these languages," the Prime Minister said.

Talking about India-France ties, the Indian Prime Minister said that people-to-people connect is the strongest foundation of its partnership.

"The partnership between India and France is being strengthened by the people of India and France. The trust people of both countries share is resemblance of this...Here in France, 'Namaste India' is celebrated and in India, we celebrate 'Bonjour India'," PM Modi added.
PM Modi Holds Fruitful Meetings With French counterpart, Senate President; Discusses Ways To Bolster Ties

International

pti-PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday began his two-day visit to France with "fruitful" meetings with his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne and Senate President Gerard Larcher during which he discussed ways to impart new impetus to India's longstanding and time-tested strategic partnership with the key European nation.

Modi, who landed here earlier in the day, was received by Prime Minister Borne at the airport in a special gesture. A ceremonial welcome and Guard of honour were accorded to Prime Minister Modi upon his arrival. In his first engagement, Modi had a "productive meeting" with Senate President Larcher and the two leaders deliberated on a range of issues of mutual interest and agreed to work together to deepen India-France cooperation in a number of areas, the Prime Minister's Office said.

"Delighted to have met Mr. @gerard_larcher, President of the @Senat. Had productive exchanges on ways to deepen India-France cooperation across diverse sectors," Modi said in a tweet. Separately, Modi met Prime Minister Borne and discussed measures to further strengthen the bilateral ties. "PM @narendramodi held fruitful talks with PM @elisabeth_borne in Paris. The leaders reviewed various facets of India-France partnership as well as discussed measures to further strengthen the ties between both the countries," the PMO said.

The leaders discussed furthering cooperation in various areas such as economic and trade, energy, environment, education, mobility, railways, digital public infrastructure, museology and people-to-people ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. Both sides reiterated their desire to further deepen the multifaceted cooperation between India and France. The Prime Minister is here on a two-day visit during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron and join him for the French National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.

"PM @narendramodi commenced his engagements in France with a productive interaction with President @Senat @gerard_larcher," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. "Prime Minister Modi highlighted the significance of our shared values of 'Democracy, Freedom and Equality', forming the foundation ethos of the India-France partnership," the MEA said in a statement after the meeting.

"The discussions focused on a wide range of areas including India's G20 priorities, democratic values in technology usage and cooperation between the two Upper Houses. Regional and global issues of mutual interest were also discussed," it said. Modi also interacted with children and members of the Indian diaspora on his arrival at the hotel in Paris. Enthusiastic Indian community members who were waiting outside his hotel chanted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' as they met the prime minister.

"A warm welcome by the Indian diaspora in Paris! Across the world, our diaspora has made a mark for themselves and are admired for their diligence and hardworking nature," Modi said. Prime Minister Modi's intensive programme in Paris includes a slew of engagements with the French leadership, Indian diaspora, CEOs and prominent personalities. Ahead of his departure, Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership. Expansion of bilateral defence ties is expected to be a key focus of Prime Minister Modi's talks with Macron.

"I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years," Modi said in his departure statement. "We also work together on regional and global issues," he added. Modi said his visit to France was particularly special as he will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

A 269-member Indian tri-services contingent will participate in the parade. Three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will also join the flypast on the occasion along with French jets. Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership, Modi said that rooted in deep trust and commitment, the two countries cooperate closely across various domains, including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties. Modi had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since his last official visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023 during the G-7 Summit. From Paris, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an official visit on July 15.
PM Modi Terms India A Strong Shoulder For Global South

International

oi-Deepika S

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the relationship between India and France is in an 'excellent' space and stood steady and resilient through the 'darkest storms'.

PM Modi has embarked on a two-day visit to France at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. The visit is special as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France.

In an interview with the French newspaper Les Echos, PM Modi stated that the relations between the two countries are currently at a turning point and the success of the strategic partnership has been significant in taking the ties forward.

After Singapore, France To Have UPI System With India

"India and France's interests in the Indo-Pacific region are vast, and our engagement is deep. I have described our vision for this region in one word - SAGAR, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. While peace is necessary for the future we seek to build, it is far from assured. India has always stood for peaceful resolution of differences through dialogue and diplomacy, and for respecting sovereignty of all nations, international law and the rules-based international order," PM Modi said.

PM Modi emphasised India's rich heritage and the pillars of the country's soft power.

"It is our civilizational ethos and heritage that provide the basis what could be termed as India's soft power. We are blessed to have this in abundance. Our exports have never been war and subjugation, but yoga, ayurveda, spirituality, science, mathematics, and Astronomy. We have always been a contributor to global peace and progress," he told the newspaper.

PM Modi called for the Global South to exhibit collective strength and leadership in order to amplify its voice.

"What I really feel, we need is collective strength and collective leadership for the entire Global South, so that its voice can become more strong and the whole community can take leadership for itself. In order to build this sort of collective leadership, I don't think India should think in terms of its position as a leader nor do we think of it in that sense," he told Les Echos.

"It is also true that the rights of the Global South have been long denied. As a result, there is a feeling of anguish among the members of Global South, that they are forced into undertaking action but when it comes to decision making they don't find a place or voice for themselves," he added.

PM Modi Begins 2-Day France Visit; Defence, Bastille Day Celebrations In Focus

Elucidating his efforts in increasing the Global South's presence on the international stage, PM Modi said, "In January 2023, at the start of our Presidency of the G20, I convened a summit of the Global South. 125 countries participated. There was unanimity of view, expressed very strongly, that India must forcefully take up the causes of the Global South."

"During our G20 Presidency, under the theme of One Earth, One Family, One Future, we have made one of the key goals to be the voice of the Global South," he went on to say.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 13, 2023, 11:29 [IST]
US Will Be Watching Chandrayaan-3 Launch Closely: Here's Why

International

oi-Deepika S

The Unites States which made history by putting a man on the moon over half a century ago will be keeping a careful eye on the Chandrayaan-3 launch on Friday.

Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar mission, will be launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on board the Launch Vehicle Mark-III from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on July 14 at 2.35pm.

If everything goes well, India will become only the fourth country to successfully soft-land a spacecraft on the moon, after the United States, the former Soviet Union and China.

"America is looking forward to the launch of Chandrayaan 3 tomorrow... India will become the 4th country in the world to have a soft landing on the moon...", said US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti.

Why US will be watching Chandrayaan-3 launch closely?

Though US is regarded as the first nation to land a human on the surface of the moon, it is India's Chandrayaan-1 mission that captured the images of water on the surface of the moon. These pictures were also provided to NASA for their future explorations.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission also comes in the aftermath of India - during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first state visit to the United States - joining the Artemis Accords.

India has signed the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind. It is an American-led effort to return humans to the moon by 2025, with the ultimate goal of expanding space exploration to Mars and beyond.

In a fact sheet, the White House said India has signed the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision of space exploration for the benefit of all humankind.

"India joins 26 other countries committed to peaceful, sustainable, and transparent cooperation that will enable exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. NASA will provide advanced training to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) astronauts with the goal of launching a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024," the statement said.

Additionally, NASA and the ISRO are developing a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023. India approved a $318 million investment to construct a Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory in India-that will work in tandem with similar facilities in the United States, Europe, and Japan to look for ripples in space-time, known as gravitational waves, that provide insights into the physical origins of the universe.

South Pole

With Chandrayaan-3 launch, India hopes to become India's first mission to successfully land on the Moon - that too its unexplored South Pole.

The Lunar South pole is especially interesting because of the lunar surface area that remains in shadow is much larger than that at the North Pole. There could be a possibility of presence of water in permanently shadowed areas around it. In addition, the South Pole region has craters that are cold traps and contain a fossil record of the early Solar System.

According to Sci Tech Daily website, NASA in 2025 plans to send the first human beings to explore the region near the Moon's South Pole.

According to the NASA website, the agency has "its sights set on locations around the South Pole for the Artemis era of human lunar exploration."

"Extreme, contrasting conditions make it a challenging location for Earthlings to land, live, and work, but the region's unique characteristics hold promise for unprecedented deep space scientific discoveries. Using advanced technology including autonomous systems, the crew inside of Starship will land at a carefully selected site within a 100-meter radius," the website states.

According to Space.com, "Chandrayaan-1, which launched in October 2008, sent a moon orbiter aloft in India's first-ever deep-space effort. The orbiter carried a 64-pound (29 kilograms) impactor probe that slammed hard (but intentionally) into the lunar surface near the south pole. The impactor detected water ice just before it crashed, a discovery matched by a NASA instrument aboard the Chandrayaan-1 orbiter called the Moon Mineralogy Mapper."

So, the US and NASA will also be keeping a careful eye on the Chandrayaan-3 launch.

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Story first published: Thursday, July 13, 2023, 23:04 [IST]
NATO Set To Unite With Ukraine For Military Assistance Only, Not Membership: Here's Why

Wagner Chief Is Likely Dead After Rebelling Against Putin: Former US General

International

oi-Prakash KL

A senior US military leader has claimed that Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is either dead or jailed after leading a rebellion against Russia's military leadership, last month.

Retired General Robert Abrams expressed his views on Prigozhin's uncertain fate following his short-lived armed insurrection last month, the New York Post reports.

"My personal assessment is that I doubt we'll see Prigozhin ever again publicly," Gen Abrams told ABC News. "I think he'll either be put in hiding, or sent to prison, or dealt with some other way, but I doubt we'll ever see him again."

Robert Abrams is an ABC News contributor in the US who previously served as the commander of US Forces Korea.

On asking whether the Prigozhin could be alive after posing the biggest-ever challenge to Putin's regime in two decades, he said, "I personally don't think he is, and if he is, he's in a prison somewhere."

Casting doubt on the credibility of the claimed encounter, the retired four-star general expressed scepticism regarding a meeting that, as per Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, allegedly took place on June 29 between Putin, Prigozhin, and all the high-ranking commanders of Wagner, just five days after the failed mutiny.

Russia Will Stand Up Against Sanctions And Provocations: Putin at SCO summit

"I'd be surprised if we actually see proof of life that Putin met with Prigozhin, and I think it's highly staged," Abrams said.

Peskov had claimed that the Russian President had invited 35 for the meeting which lasted three hours. Going by the French newspaper Liberation, the head of the national guard, Viktor Zolotov, and SVR Foreign Intelligence boss Sergei Naryshkin had also attended the meeting.

The brief mutiny led by Prigozhin, in which Wagner fighters took control of the southern city of Rostov, was defused in a deal brokered by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko.

Under the agreed-upon terms, Prigozhin was supposed to depart for Belarus. However, Lukashenko revealed last week that Prigozhin had returned to Russia, and the Wagner fighters had not yet accepted the opportunity to relocate to Belarus. This situation has raised doubts regarding the execution of the agreement.
Eurasia Review 18 Jul 2023

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Russian Central Bank Readies Real-world CBDC Pilot  Digital Ruble Launch Imminent?

Source: Oleg/Adobe

The Russian Central Bank could begin real-world tests on the digital ruble next month after parliament approved a key piece of CBDC legislation.

Per Interfax, the State Duma voted in favor of adopting the bill at a third reading this week.

This means the main clauses of the bill are set to pass into national law on August 1, 2023.

At the end of March, the Central Bank announced that it was ready to conduct a pilot with real digital ruble tokens.

The bank has struck partnerships with 13 commercial banks, and had hoped to begin testing in April, but was forced to delay the tests due to the lack of a necessary legal framework.

The Central Bank has been attempting to fast-track its CBDC due in part to the US-led sanctions imposed on the nation following the outbreak of war in Ukraine.

Sanctions have effectively frozen Russia out of dollar-powered international trade.

This has led Moscow-based firms to conduct trade deals in other currencies like the Chinese yuan, as well as cryptoassets.

Russian citizens have also been expressing an interest in opening yuan accounts, amassing crypto, and could also turn to Chinas digital yuan.

But the bank bitterly opposes the use of crypto in the trade sector, even if it appears to be willing to allow firms to use private cryptocurrencies for the time being.

Instead, it favors solutions including interoperable CBDCs, gold-backed stablecoins, and a much-vaunted BRICS-area digital asset.

The Central Bank has been working on its CBDC for some time, but now wants to enter real-world testing.

To clear the path for this, it created a bill that legislates for the creation of a platform for the CBDC in December 2022.

The terms of the bill state that the bank has the right to bar individual commercial banks from transacting with its CBDC at its own discretion.

The bill also allows the bank to name a circle of users for the digital ruble platform, and set transactions and threshold amounts.

It further outlaws the accumulation of interest and the opening of joint wallets.

Olga Skorobogatova, the banks First Deputy Governor, has previously spoken of the Central Banks intentions to launch the first real operations with the digital ruble in July-August this year.

Skorobogatova also talked up the idea of using CBDCs in regions that transcend national boundaries.

She called the idea of cross-border CBDCs fantastic and said the bank had discussed a lot.

However, she conceded:

I dont know if we will see a [cross-border CBDC] in the near future.

Russian Central Bank to Push Ahead with CBDC Tests  What Next for Moscow?

Skorobogatovas comments come days after Elvira Nabiullina, the crypto-skeptic Russian Central Bank Governor, said that the idea of creating a single currency for the BRICS alliance deserves attention.

But, ExpertNW reported, Nabiullina warned that a BRICS token would be quite difficult to implement.

A Central Bank data center in Moscow, Russia. (Source: Dzasohovich/CC BY-SA 4.0)

Nabiullina said:
Citing American politics, some NATO leaders expressed concern that Washington could waver in its support if there were a shift in power.
Most Democrats refused to say whether President Joe Biden should acknowledge his seventh grandchild from son Hunter when asked by Fox News Digital.
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry lashed out at a Republican lawmaker Thursday after being accused of owning a private jet, saying he does not own one.
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Ukrainian civilians describe a network of formal and informal prisons across Russia and the territories it occupies, where they endure routine torture, psychological abuse and slave labor. An AP investigation reveals the extent of Russia's prison network and plans to build even more. (July 13)(AP video Vasilisa Stepanenko/production Mark Vancleave)


Joe Biden made the remark as he flew to Helsinki to congratulate his Finnish counterpart for being the newest member of NATO.
All eyes were on President Joe Biden today as he met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy before delivering a keynote speech on the final day..

Oneindia 12 Jul 2023
Ukrainian officials reported new Russian aerial attacks Wednesday, including Iranian-made Shahed drones targeting the capital, Kyiv, for a second consecutive night.



Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on Telegram there was an air alert for Kyiv that lasted for two hours, and that Ukraines air...
NATO's expansion is the exact opposite of what Russia wanted, says Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. He spoke to NPR about its NATO's newest members, and when Ukraine might join them.
A preliminary hearing for a suspect in a fatal shooting in Carlisle was rescheduled for August on Wednesday.

Michael Baltimore, 44, faces charges of homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, prohibited possession of a firearm and recklessly endangering another person inthe shooting of Kendell Jerome Cook at GQ Barber Shop on May 22, 2021.

Cook was the owner of GQ Barber Shop, where Baltimore worked as a barber until 2019. Baltimore was also featured on several episodes of TLC reality series 90 Day Fiance.

Baltimore is also facing charges connected to a January 2021 domestic incident in which a woman was punched in the face repeatedly then thrown on the ground and choked. That case happened in the Mechanicsburg area, but was moved to the jurisdiction of Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Birbeck, who will oversee the preliminary hearing at the Cumberland County Prison in August.

In the Upper Allen Township case, township police arrived on the scene as the assailant was driving away in a white Ford Taurus.

Baltimore is accused of driving through a backyard and over a sidewalk while attempting to reach Allendale Road. He was observed driving at high rates of speed in residential areas while successfully eluding pursuing officers.

Baltimore faces charges of aggravated assault, strangulation, fleeing or attempting to allude an officer, terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment in that case.

Baltimore was previously a member of the U.S. Marshals Most Wanted list. The marshals, along with Carlisle Police, had been looking for Baltimore since the 2021 Carlisle shooting. He was added to the Most Wanted list in June 2022 before being located in January of this year following an arrest stemming from a bar fight in Florida.

Baltimore remained in Florida for the first half of this year while facing charges stemming from the altercation at the bar. He was then extradited to Pennsylvania in June and was arraigned in front of Birbeck on June 26. Birbeck denied bail and had scheduled the preliminary hearing for Wednesday morning.

His preliminary hearing was rescheduled because his private defense counsel did not have enough time to prepare for both cases. The hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m. Aug. 17 at the Cumberland County Prison.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his conviction that his visit to France would invigorate the bilateral strategic partnership. He eagerly anticipated engaging in extensive deliberations with President Emmanuel Macron to propel this enduring relationship to new heights over the forthcoming 25 years. In his departure statement, Modi said his visit to France was particularly special as he will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, while Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past on the occasion, he said.

Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership. Modi said that rooted in deep trust and commitment, the two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties.

"We also work together on regional and global issues," he added. "I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years," Modi said.

The prime minister pointed out that he has had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since his last Official Visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023 during the G-7 Summit. "I also look forward to my interactions with the French leadership, including Ms Elisabeth Borne, Prime Minister of France, Mr Gerard Larcher, President of the Senate, and Ms Yael Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly," he said.

During his visit, Modi said, he will also have the opportunity to meet the vibrant Indian community, leading CEOs from both countries as well as prominent French personalities.

"I am confident that my visit will provide a new impetus to our strategic partnership," the prime minister said.

From Paris, Modi said, he will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an official visit on July 15. "I look forward to meeting my friend, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi," he said.

"Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties," he noted.

Modi said last year, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and he agreed on a Roadmap on the future of the bilateral partnership, and he looks forward to discussing with him how to further deepen ties.

Noting that the UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year, the prime minister said he also looks forward to exchanging views on strengthening global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate the energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement. "I am confident that my visit to UAE will usher in a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," he said. Later, PM Modi emplaned for Paris.

(With PTI inputs)
Kochi: Where is Savad (37) of Mudasseri house, at Nooleli, Asamannoor in Ernakulam, the prime accused in the case of chopping off the hand of Prof T J Joseph after accusing him of having committed blasphemy?

Different investigating agencies have come to the conclusion that he is likely to be in Afghanistan. The Crime Branch, which was initially investigating the case, had found that Savad had fled to Bengaluru from Aluva on July 4, 2010, the day when the crime took place. However, 13 years of investigations by different intelligence agencies have not been able to trace Savad.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had received a tip-off that Savad was seen in Nepal with M K Nassar, the chief conspirator who surrendered to the authorities later. It was also learned that Savad had fled to Afghanistan after Nassar surrendered. They were together in the Himalayas for a long period of time.

The severe cold in the region would have changed the characteristics of their bodies as well as the features of their faces. When Nassar was brought in to collect evidence after his surrender, his physical appearance had changed so much that even his acquaintances and the local police could not recognise him. The investigating team thinks that Savad, too, would have undergone similar changes. The team believes that Savad could be living abroad posing as a native of Afghanistan after forging identification and travel documents.

Although the NIA conducted wide searches in Afghanistan and Pakistan with the help of the Indian Intelligence Agency's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Savad could not be traced. Intriguingly, some of the accused who were questioned in connection with the case of the smuggling of gold through diplomatic parcels stated that Savad was part of the gold smuggling racket based in Dubai and that he was spotted in the team that is engaged in transporting gold from the gold mines of Africa to the Gulf.

The NIA followed up on this lead and conducted investigations, but did not succeed in its mission. Thereafter, the agency declared a reward of Rs 10 lakh for those who helped trace Savad. It also announced that the details of the informants would be kept confidential. The investigating team has requested that those who have any new information about Savad contact 0484-2349344 or 9497715294.
Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery of Hood River has opened its second Portland location, a pub in the Overlook neighborhood of North Portland thats delivering Double Mountains popular beers, ciders and sodas along with its pizza- and sandwich-focused food menu.

Matt Swihart, who co-founded Double Mountain in Hood River in 2007, said the new location was designed similarly to Double Mountains other Portland location in Woodstock  as a neighborhood draw focused on local residents.

That Overlook neighborhood is a nice, dense housing area, Matt Swihart told The Oregonian/OregonLive. When Im there I see families and kids  its got a great vibe to it. It reminds me of what we saw in Woodstock when we opened there 10 years ago. Ive got a good feel for the new location.

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The pub previously was the home of Roux, a once-hip restaurant that closed in 2009, and Lucky Labrador Brewings fourth location, which closed for good late last year. The Labs other three locations continue to operate and are doing well, said co-founder Gary Geist, who still owns the North Portland building.

Double Mountain Overlook, which opened Saturday, has roomy dining rooms, numerous picnic tables outside along the sidewalk, and a roomy bar area Swihart anticipates will offer a real good vibe and place to hang out and have a beer. Like the other two locations, live music acts will be a regular feature.

And it has a full wait staff, eschewing ordering through QR codes.

As much as we can return to a friendly face and, How can i help you, and heres a menu, thats what we want to be, Swihart said.

General manager Brendon Martin, who came to Double Mountain in February and is overseeing operations at the two Portland locations, said 40 people have been hired so the Overlook location can deliver proper service.

One of those is Luis Vega, who came to Double Mountain from Vibrant Table Catering and is overseeing the Overlook and Woodstock kitchens. Martin says he and Vega have been focused on improving a food menu that was already popular.

We realized we had been serving the same menu for eight years at Woodstock, so we upgraded, Martin said. We put the staff through the paces to really elevate what we serve, and the menu now is a fully realized Double Mountain product.

Before it was already excellent. Now its excellent and polished.

One of those improvements is a recently purchased $30,000 dough baller at Woodstock, which spits out 500 dough balls a day for the two locations. Finding a machine that could handle that volume and maintain the quality of Double Mountains high-moisture pizza dough recipe  one that took years to develop and is a closely held secret  was a challenge but worth the effort, Martin said.

In addition to sandwiches and pizza, the food menu has a selection of appetizers and salads plus a kids menu. And the kitchen offers par-baked pizzas and kits for home baking.

The bar is pouring 22 taps of Double Mountains beer and cider, along with wine, specialty cocktails and non-alcoholic offerings such as Double Mountains own ginger ale and root beer.

The beer taplist remains eclectic, loaded with longtime favorites such as Vaporizer Pale Ale, Hop Lion IPA, Kolsch, IRA India Red Ale and Devils Cuvee Kriek, alongside others styles such as Una Mas Mexican Style Lager and Turn the Haze Hazy IPA. Ciders being poured during opening week include Dry Cider, Rose Dry Cider, Perry Pear Hard Cider and Estate Heirloom Cider.

Swihart co-founded Double Mountain in 2007 with business partner Charlie Devereaux, who left in 2013 to launch Wayfinder Beer then Via Beer. Swihart said 2019 was a strong year for Double Mountain, then the pandemic pulled the rug out, but luckily we had the pizzeria, so takeout and having Woodstock saved us.

Swihart said the new location was the next step forward for the destination Oregon brewery.

I see Portland coming back, and we wouldnt be investing in a new location if we didnt see that, he said. Were excited to be in that neighborhood and be part of another cool neighborhood.

Overlook residents appear to be excited, too.

Ive heard lots of thank yous, lots of excitement, Martin said. Weve had guests warning us about what will be the busy days, so thats been rad.

Sean Scott lives just down the street and said hes been waiting for Double Mountain to open since the news broke a few months ago. He sat outside Wednesday with family and friends and enjoyed the sunshine and beer.

Im thrilled that they are here now  Ill be a regular lunch customer now, he said. Theres other bars in the neighborhood, but its really nice to have a brewpub here again.

IF YOU GO

What: Double Mountain in North Portlands Overlook neighborhood

Where: 1700 N. Killingsworth St.

When: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday

Contact: 503-206-4405; 503-206-4405; doublemountainbrewery.com

 Andre Meunier; sign up for my weekly newsletter Oregon Brews and News, and follow me on Instagram, where Im @oregonianbeerguy.
The Lewis and Clark Bridge, which crosses the Columbia River between Rainier and Longview, will close to motor vehicles beginning 8 p.m. Sunday, July 16 for up to eight days while crews make repairs to the bridges expansion joints.

The 93-year-old bridge is the major connector between Columbia County in Oregon and Washingtons Cowlitz County.

During the closure crews will replace two of the bridges three expansion joints and a fractured floor beam. The Oregon Department of Transportation said in a recent release that the repairs are necessary to ensure the long-term life of the bridge.

Pedestrians, bicyclists, and emergency vehicles will be able to cross the bridge except for a 10-hour period during replacement of the fractured floor beam when no traffic at all will be allowed. The floor beam replacement is expected to take place during the first few days of the closure.

The closure may create hardships for communities along the Columbia River in Clatsop and Columbia counties in Oregon and require residents to reschedule medical and other important appointments as the alternate Columbia River crossings are in Astoria and in Portland.

The Lewis and Clark Bridge between Oregon and Washington closes Sunday, July 16 for about eight days.Map courtesy of ODOT

Ferry Service

Some travelers may choose to use the Wahkiakum County Ferry between Westport and Cathlamet, Washington, which will run twice an hour, 24 hours a day. The ferry, though, has extremely limited capacity and should be reserved for urgent matters that do not require an ambulance. Travelers choosing the ferry should be prepared for lengthy wait times.

 Rosemarie Stein

503-221-4376, events@oregonian.com; @trafficportland

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The relatives of a man who died after he was knocked on the head with a pistol in 2020 offered a measure of forgiveness to the family friend who killed the Portland patriarch.

The sister of Jeffrey Sloan, 67, told his killer Monday that she missed her big brothers laugh, the funny calls he made on her birthday and the way he mispronounced her name on purpose to make her smile.
The Portland Police Bureau on Thursday publicly identified the victim in Sundays fatal shooting in the Centennial neighborhood.

Brandon Lee Allen, 33, was shot to death in the 1500 block of Southeast 174th Avenue shortly before 4:30 p.m., according to a news release from the bureau.

No suspects have been identified or arrested.

Allens death marks the 46th homicide of 47 so far in Portland in 2023. At this time last year, a record-breaking year for homicides in Portland, the city also had experienced 47 homicides.

The police bureau asks anyone who has information about the incident to contact Detective William Winters at william.winters@police.portlandoregon.gov and 503-823-0466, or Detective Jason Koenig at jason.koenig@police.portlandoregon.gov and 503-823-0889. Callers should reference case number 23-180335.

 Nick Gibson; ngibson@oregonian.com; 971-393-8259; @newsynicholas

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Richard Fletcher, a former mechanic for Columbia River Fire & Rescue, is now treasurer of the elected board overseeing the fire department that improperly classified him and seven other ineligible workers to receive higher state firefighter retirement benefits.

The state is trying to reclassify the former workers and recoup tens of thousands of dollars in retirement benefits and employer contributions to the state pension plan.
There are tons of incredible road trips in the Pacific Northwest. You can loop the Olympic Peninsula, drive the length of the Oregon coast, cruise the Cascade Mountains or head out to the treasures of the high desert.

A road trip to Alaska is on a whole other level.

On this weeks episode of Peak Northwest we talk with our colleague, photographer Dave Killen, who made the epic trip from Portland to Alaska with his partner and their two dogs in a vintage Volkswagen bus he rebuilt himself.

The three-week excursion was full of good hiking, incredible scenery and a lifetime of memories. How, exactly, do you go about planning a trip of this magnitude? And is it a reasonable excursion for the everyday Northwest adventurer?

Here are some highlights from this weeks show:

Why choose a road trip to Alaska?

There are a couple different routes to get up there.

What were some of the most scenic places along the way?

Seeing (or hearing) wildlife is bound to happen in this part of the country.

Are there any challenges specific to this kind of trip?

Heres the full episode:

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor
From 2009 to 2019 a Leadwood man pled guilty to six felonies and seven misdemeanors in St. Francois County. After a four-year incarceration, he gained three felony charges, two misdemeanor charges, and one infraction.

Jesse Evan Spain, 35, is most recently accused of felony first-degree assault.

According to a probable cause statement from the Leadwood Police Department, on June 25, Spain allegedly hit a woman in the face multiple times. When the woman tried to get away from Spain and hid under a bed, Spain allegedly struck the woman in the face repeatedly with the boxed spring mattress. The report states the woman suffered serious physical injuries consisting of multiple fractures as a result of the incident.

Other pending charges for Spain include a misdemeanor resisting arrest charge from March 2021; a misdemeanor driving while suspended from February 2023 along with an infraction of not wearing a seat belt; a felony driving while revoked and a felony persistent DWI from April.

All of the current, pending charges for Spain are in St. Francois County and proceedings will take place in the St. Francois County Courthouse. Spain is scheduled for an initial appearance on Friday at 9 a.m. for the DWI and driving while revoked charges.

The next court appearance is scheduled on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. for a case review of the driving while revoked charge and seatbelt infraction. At the same time, a preliminary hearing is scheduled for the felony assault.

The last court appearance is scheduled on Aug. 3 at 1:30 p.m. for a trial setting of the resisting arrest charge.

Spain is currently out of jail on bond with special conditions.

A review of Missouri Case Net revealed a lengthy criminal history for Spain, including convictions for felony tampering with a motor vehicle, felony resisting arrest, felony driving while revoked, felony burglary, and felony assault.
Dr. Keith Zoromski has joined Mineral Area College (MAC) as the new provost of instruction. He comes to MAC from Crowder College in southwest Missouri, where he was the associate vice president of academic affairs.

MAC President Dr. Joe Gilgour said Zoromski brings more than 12 years of experience in higher education to the college with a proven record of success in student engagement and leadership.

Dr. Zoromski is a great addition to the MAC family, Gilgour said. He brings a wealth of experience and energy and is prepared to continue the great work of the Provosts Office. Keiths leadership will be invaluable as we move forward into our second century of serving the Mineral Area College region.

As the provost of instruction, Zoromski will serve as MACs chief academic officer, providing leadership and direction for instructional staff and the student body. As a member of the presidents cabinet, his expertise will influence the growth of the college curriculum and continual improvement of instruction.

In my previous role, I continuously heard praise across the state for the student-focused academic programs at Mineral Area College and their alignment to university transfer or workforce development needs, Zoromski said. I am humbled by this opportunity to build upon the academic legacy of instructional excellence established over the past century by the institution. I am dedicated to the college mission and its call to serve the community, to provide students a quality, affordable education and offer opportunities for professional and personal development.

Zoromski holds a Doctor of Education, Higher Education Leadership, from Maryville University; a Master of Arts in History from the University of Missouri St. Louis; and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Iowa State University. He and his wife, Stephanie, are relocating to Farmington with their daughter.
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Nairobi, Kenya (PANA)  Islamist armed groups have carried out widespread killings, rapes, and lootings of villages in northeast Mali since January 2023, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Thursday
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Egypt on Thursday hosted a one-day summit meeting that brought together several leaders aimed at ending the fighting in Sudan that has killed more than 1,000 people, sent millions fleeing out of the country, triggered a huge humanitarian crisis, destroyed infrastructure and created fear and panic
Photo: (Photo : John Moore / Getty Images)

In a heartbreaking incident, a 15-year-old migrant girl from Guatemala, who had crossed the southern border in May, passed away earlier this week while under U.S. custody.

Tragically, the Department of Health and Human Services has announced that the young girl has been pronounced dead on Monday morning. The young girl was unaccompanied and had a pre-existing medical condition, which likely contributed to her untimely death. No specific information regarding the disease was provided by officials.

However, it was revealed that the cause of her untimely demise was determined to be multi-organ failure, which was a direct result of complications arising from her pre-existing medical condition.

15-Year-Old Migrant Dies in U.S. Custody Under Customs and Border Protection

According to KTSM, the child's health started to worsen on July 7, 2023. Tragically, the child was pronounced dead on July 10, 2023, at 9:25 am EDT. The cause of death was attributed to multi-organ failure caused by complications arising from the child's underlying disease.

The 15-year-old migrant who lacked legal immigration status was under the care of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) during her hospitalization.

As reported by NBC News, the child had been hospitalized in a pediatric intensive care unit in El Paso, Texas, due to a pre-existing illness before being transferred from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to HHS custody in May.

Unfortunately, her health deteriorated last week, leading to her death on July 10 due to complications of her underlying disease and multi-organ failure. The girl's mother and brother were present at the time of her passing.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) was not responsible for the girl's day-to-day care when she died. The medical treatment provided during her time in ORR custody was based on the mother's preferences and the recommendations of the hospital's healthcare provider team.

The exact timing of her arrival at the border is unclear. However, Health and Human Services stated that she was referred to refugee officials in May while already receiving treatment at El Paso's Children Hospital for her illness.

HHS released a statement confirming the girl's death and expressing condolences to the family. The Office of Refugee Resettlement is working with them to provide support and assistance with necessary arrangements.

Read Also: Wisconsin School District's Transgender Bathroom Policy Blocked by Federal Judge

Migrants Teens Dying in the Border

The recent death of a Guatemalan teenager represents the fourth occurrence of a migrant child's death while under the care of HHS this year. It is important to note that some of these children had serious pre-existing conditions, including terminal illnesses.

According to CBS, one such case involved a 4-year-old Honduran girl who passed away in March after experiencing cardiac arrest while hospitalized in Michigan. Throughout her time in HHS custody, she had been in a medically fragile state, according to sources familiar with the situation and a congressional notification obtained by CBS News.

In May, HHS revealed the death of a 17-year-old Honduran boy who was residing in a shelter for unaccompanied minors in Florida. Officials stated that the death was likely a result of an epileptic seizure.

The following month, a 6-year-old child, who had been evacuated from Afghanistan due to the Taliban takeover in 2021, died while in HHS custody. This child had a terminal illness.

In addition to these deaths occurring in HHS custody, an 8-year-old migrant minor named Anadith Tanay Reyes Alvarez died while under Border Patrol custody in May.

Related Article: 'Sound of Freedom': Gripping Film Exposes the Horrors of Child Trafficking
Photo: (Photo : YUICHI YAMAZAKI / Getty Images)

Japan's Supreme Court made a groundbreaking decision, ruling against a government agency that had imposed a bathroom restriction on a transgender employee.

This landmark ruling marks the top court's first judgment regarding the rights of sexual minorities in the workplace. The ruling sets an important precedent in promoting LGBTQ rights in Japan, the only G7 nation without legal protection for same-sex unions.

Background and Discrimination in the Workplace

According to TIME, the plaintiff, a transgender woman in her 50s employed at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), had been assigned a male gender at birth but had been living as a woman outside of work since 2008.

However, the government agency had prohibited her from using the women's bathroom, except for a designated facility two floors away. This restriction on her access to appropriate facilities led her to file a suit against the government.

In 2015, the plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the government at the Tokyo District Court, arguing that the bathroom restriction constituted discrimination.

After three years of legal proceedings, the Tokyo District Court ruled in her favor, deeming METI's decision illegal and ordering the government to pay damages. However, Reuters reported that the Tokyo High Court later overturned this decision in 2021, prompting the plaintiff to escalate the case to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court's decision to strike down the bathroom restriction is a significant victory for transgender rights in Japan. It sends a clear message that workplace discrimination based on gender identity is unacceptable. By acknowledging the importance of providing appropriate restroom access to transgender individuals, the Supreme Court promotes inclusivity and respect for diversity in the workplace.

Growing Recognition of LGBTQ Rights in Japan

While Japan has traditionally held conservative views on LGBTQ issues, there have been noticeable shifts in attitudes in recent years. However, discrimination against sexual minorities persists.

Japan's lack of legal protection for same-sex unions sets it apart from other G7 nations. This ruling by the Supreme Court is a step toward addressing these disparities and advancing LGBTQ rights.

According to CNN, Japan's Gender Identity Disorder Special Cases Act, enacted two decades ago, imposes significant hurdles on transgender individuals seeking recognition of their gender identity. The law requires invasive surgeries, including sterilization, for legal recognition.

It also mandates a diagnosis of "gender identity disorder," a term removed from the American Psychiatric Association's list of diagnostics in 2012.

These requirements have drawn international criticism from LGBT groups, with calls for the abolition of forced or coerced sterilization.

Read Also: Is Eyelash Enhancement Painful and Uncomfortable? Here Are Safe Ways to Get Long Lashes

The Future of LGBTQ Rights in Japan

While the Supreme Court's ruling represents progress, there is still much work to be done to ensure equal rights and protections for LGBTQ individuals in Japan.

Activists continue to push for comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and the removal of legal barriers that hinder transgender individuals from living according to their gender identity.

The recent passing of a law to promote understanding of the LGBTQ community, although criticized for its lack of human rights guarantees, highlights a growing awareness of the need for change.

This ruling emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and respect for gender identity in the workplace. It also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by transgender individuals in Japan and the need for further legal reforms to protect the rights and dignity of the LGBTQ community.

Related Article: 15-Year-Old Migrant Dies in US Custody; Fourth Death in Border Protection
Photo: (Photo : PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images)

In 2017, the tragic death of 4-year-old Frankie Delgado from secondary drowning shed light on the hidden dangers of water inhalation. His parents shared their story with the media, and as a result, another child's life was saved.

Lacey Grace, the mother of Elianna, recognized the symptoms of secondary drowning after her daughter inhaled pool water and remembered Frankie's story.

According to Today, she promptly took Elianna to the emergency room, where doctors treated her for water-induced lung infections. Understanding the distinctions between dry drowning and secondary drowning is essential for parents to recognize the warning signs and take appropriate action.

Drowning remains a significant risk, especially among children under 12, with males being particularly vulnerable. According to Dr. James Callahan from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, drowning ranks among the leading causes of death in children. Secondary and dry drowning, while less common, can also pose serious threats.

Differentiating Dry Drowning and Secondary Drowning

While often used interchangeably, dry drowning and secondary drowning have distinct characteristics. Both conditions fall under the umbrella of submersion injuries.

Dry drowning occurs when water is inhaled, causing the vocal cords to spasm and close, thus blocking the airway and leading to asphyxiation. The water remains trapped in the mouth or nose, mimicking a choking episode, and can cause the individual to turn blue.

On the other hand, secondary drowning involves the inhalation of water that enters the lungs. Initially, the symptoms may be subtle, but over time, they worsen. Parents should be alert to signs of rapid, labored breathing, persistent coughing, and lethargy in their children. Sudden sleepiness could indicate a lack of oxygen due to the lungs' compromised ability to function properly.

Parents should seek medical assistance if their child exhibits the following symptoms after a water incident:

Vomiting: If a child vomits after swallowing water, it could be a sign of both dry drowning and secondary drowning. Persistent coughing: Coughing that continues after leaving the water could be an indication of water in the airways, requiring medical attention. Difficulty breathing: If a child experiences breathing difficulties or shortness of breath, it is essential to seek immediate medical help. Lethargy or unusual fatigue: If a child becomes unusually tired or lethargic after being in the water, it may be a sign of oxygen deprivation and should not be ignored.

Read Also: Water Safety: Wearable Warning Device Helps Parents Protect Their Kids From Drowning Accidents

Preventing Drowning Incidents

To prevent drowning incidents, it is crucial to educate children about water safety and teach them to swim. Learning CPR is highly recommended for parents to respond effectively in emergency situations. Children should be encouraged to wear life vests while swimming and should only swim in designated safe areas. Maintaining constant supervision, such as designating a responsible adult as a water watcher, ensures that children are closely monitored and reduces the risk of accidents.

Understanding the differences between dry drowning and secondary drowning is essential for parents and caregivers. While rare, these conditions can have severe consequences if not recognized and treated promptly. Parents should be aware of the warning signs, such as persistent coughing, breathing difficulties, and lethargy, and seek medical attention when necessary.

By prioritizing water safety, promoting swimming lessons, and maintaining constant supervision, parents can help prevent drowning incidents and protect their children from these hidden dangers. Remember, it is better to be vigilant and take precautions than to underestimate the risks associated with water-related incidents.

Related Article: Drowning: Leading Cause of Death in Young Children [Useful Tips to Prevent Them From Happening]
Photo: (Photo : David Ryder/Getty Images)

The University of Idaho is delaying the house demolition where four of their students were murdered.

In a gesture of compassion and respect towards the families of the victims, the University of Idaho has announced a temporary halt to the planned demolition of the house where four college students were tragically stabbed to death.

University President Scott Green described this decision as the "right thing to do" in a statement released. The move aims to consider the emotional impact of the incident and prioritize the well-being of the families and students affected by the horrifying event.

Postponing Demolition in Accordance with Families' Wishes

According to NBC News, the university had initially faced criticism from the family of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the victims, who expressed their dissatisfaction with the planned demolition. They alleged that although school officials sought their opinions on what should be done with the house, those opinions were ultimately disregarded in favor of the university's own interests.

Attorney Shanon Gray, representing the Goncalves family, argued that delaying the demolition until after the trial would not only honor the families' wishes but also support the judicial process.

Gray emphasized the immense evidentiary value of the house, highlighting its significance as a crucial piece of evidence for both the prosecution and the defense, as well as for potential jurors.

As per Court TV, the Goncalves family expresses their desire for the house to remain intact until the completion of Kohberger's trial. Gray's statements underscored the importance of preserving the house as an invaluable piece of evidence in the upcoming trial of Bryan Kohberger, the suspect arrested in connection with the murders.

Preserving Key Evidence for the Trial

On the other hand, according to CNN, both Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson and defense attorney Anne Taylor, representing quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger, have given their consent to the demolition of the house.

Thompson highlighted that the scene has undergone significant alterations since the time of the homicides, including the removal of relevant items and structural components, as well as extensive chemical application, which could pose health risks.

As a result, they concluded that a "jury view" would not be appropriate. Contrarily, attorney Shannon Gray, representing the Goncalves family, stated that they do not wish for the house to be demolished until after Kohberger's trial has concluded.

Kohberger, a 28-year-old pursuing a doctorate in criminal justice from a nearby university at the time of his arrest, has pleaded not guilty to the four counts of first-degree murder with which he has been charged.

Prosecutors have announced their intent to pursue the death penalty in the case. With the trial scheduled to commence on October 2, the preservation of the crime scene house is deemed crucial to the fair administration of justice.

Read Also: 15-Year-Old Migrant Dies in US Custody; Fourth Death in Border Protection

University of Idaho's Role as Custodian of the House

The three-story, six-bedroom house, located less than a mile from the University of Idaho's flagship campus in Moscow, was originally owned by an individual who later donated it to the university after the tragic slayings occurred. Consequently, the university assumed custodianship of the property.

Prior to the decision to postpone the demolition, crews had already initiated the removal of personal items belonging to the students from the house. The university has assured that these items will be made available to the families in a discreet and respectful manner in the coming weeks.

By honoring the families' wishes and delaying the demolition, the University of Idaho has taken a step towards acknowledging the emotional toll that this incident has had on those affected.

President Scott Green reiterated that every decision made thus far has been driven by considerations for the victims' families and the well-being of the university's students.

This temporary reprieve ensures that the families' desires are taken into account and provides an opportunity to fully support the judicial process by preserving the house as a vital piece of evidence.

Related Article: Japan's Supreme Court Strikes Down Bathroom Restriction for Transgender Government Employee
Photo: (Photo : AFP/Getty Images)

The search for the Gerber Baby 2023 has come to a close, and the much-anticipated winner has been announced. Meet Maddie Mendoza, a charming and captivating child from Colorado Springs who has been bestowed with the prestigious title.

Maddie's heartwarming story as a rainbow baby and a military kid has captured the attention of many, making her a symbol of hope and resilience.

Maddie Mendoza, born just ten months ago, has already brought immeasurable joy to her parents, Crystal and Jun Mendoza. As a rainbow baby, Maddie holds a special place in her family's heart, symbolizing the hope and joy that followed a previous pregnancy loss. Her radiant smile and spirited personality perfectly embody the essence of a Gerber Baby.

A Military Kid's Journey

According to USA Today, Maddie's story takes on an additional layer of significance as she hails from a military family. Her parents, Crystal and Jun, have been together for 22 years, having met and fallen in love during their high school years.

Crystal is a dentist, while Jun serves as a Lieutenant Colonel physician in the Air Force. Their dedication to their respective professions and their commitment to serving their country exemplify the values associated with military families.

The selection of Maddie as the Gerber Baby 2023 was not solely based on her adorable looks and captivating expression. The photo submitted by Maddie's parents featured a heartwarming throwback picture of Crystal as a baby, accompanied by a narrative that spoke of love and resilience. This unique twist in the selection process, encouraging parents to include their own baby photos, added a sentimental touch to Maddie's story.

Crystal and Jun Mendoza both come from first-generation Filipino-American families, and their own parents served in the U.S. Navy. They overcame numerous challenges and immigrated to the United States with very little, embodying the spirit of resilience and determination.

Maddie's journey represents the continuation of this legacy and serves as a testament to the strength of her family's love and the opportunities they have embraced.

Read Also: Getting Started With Pumping Breast Milk: Tips, Techniques for New Moms

Gerber's Joyful Ambassador

As the Gerber Baby 2023, Maddie Mendoza will assume the role of an ambassador for the renowned brand. Gerber has always celebrated the magic of babies, and Maddie's story aligns perfectly with their vision.

According to Gerber, Tarun Malkani, Gerber's President & CEO, expressed his excitement about partnering with Maddie and her family throughout the year, as they highlight the full-circle journey from baby to parent.

In recognition of her achievement, Maddie and her family have been awarded a range of prizes, including free Gerber products for up to a year, a new wardrobe courtesy of Gerber, surprise perks from Gerber partners, and a generous $25,000 cash prize.

Additionally, Gerber will make a matching donation to support March of Dimes' maternal and infant health programs, further emphasizing the brand's commitment to ensuring every baby has the best start in life.

Maddie's infectious joy, adventurous spirit, and captivating look make her an ideal representative for the Gerber Baby brand.

Her parents, Crystal and Jun, eagerly anticipate watching Maddie grow into a kind, compassionate, and independent individual. They hope to be stationed overseas once again to expose Maddie to the diversity and wonders of the world.

In the coming year, Maddie Mendoza will grace Gerber's social media channels and marketing campaigns, captivating audiences with her charm and spreading the message of hope and resilience, according to NBC News.

As the Gerber Baby 2023, Maddie's journey will inspire countless others, reaffirming the belief in the transformative power of love, family, and the unbounded joy that babies bring into our lives.

The inaugural Gerber Baby, Ann Turner Cook, captured hearts in 1928 when a charcoal sketch of her face as a 5-month-old became an iconic image for the company.

Cook's remarkable journey led her to become a teacher and a novelist before her passing at the age of 95 last year. However, her enduring legacy thrives through the annual Gerber Baby Photo contest, which has celebrated a new winner each year since 2010.

Related Article: UNC Chapel Hill Adopts Free Tuition Initiative for Low-Income North Carolina Residents
Today, the 27" Apple Studio Display costs aproximately US$1600, which is a little high for most. Then came Samsung's 32" Smart Monitor M8 at US$700 which was a little easier on the wallet. The design was smartly aimed at Mac users, as illustrated below.

Apple's 32" Pro Display XDR offers 6K sells for US$4999 and is only for the true Pro niche video production market. Is Samsung considering to aim for more economical displays to compete with Apple's Pro Display XDR-like monitor?

While it's not official, a new Samsung patent published last week in Europe seems to be aiming for just that market segment. Below are a few of Samsung's patent figures.

Samsung notes that the display could be a PC Monitor, Smart TV, large format display, electronic blackboard and more.

For more details, review Samsung's patent WO2023128156 that was published last week.
Yesterday, Elon Musk launched his own artificial intelligence company, xAI, as he seeks to compete with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT  a program he accuses of being politically biased and irresponsible.

The xAI website said the Tesla tycoon would run the company separately from his other companies but that the technology developed would benefit those businesses, including Twitter.

The goal of xAI is to understand the true nature of the universe, the website said.

The start-up is staffed by former researchers from OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Tesla and the University of Toronto.

The team is to be advised by Dan Hendrycks, who currently leads the Centre for AI Safety, a San Francisco-based organization that warns against developing AI too quickly. Hendrycks also initiated the open letter to global leaders in June that warned AI was a risk to human existence on par with pandemics and nuclear war.

Musk has repeatedly warned about the dangers of AI, having called it our biggest existential threat and saying that moving too fast was like summoning the demon.

Musk also argues that OpenAIs large language models  on which ChatGPT depends on for content, as is the case with other AI programs  are too politically correct. For more on this, read the full report by the South China Morning Post.

Side Note: Our cover graphic from Reuters via SCMP is Elon Musk attending a conference in Paris in June.
Adelphos for cousin & nephew in the LXX; kecharitomene; Joseph & Marys abstinence; prototokos; Jesus alone is called Marys son

Steve Christie was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools up through college. He became a Protestant in 2004 at age 34, and is a frequent lecturer at Protestant churches and events, has led home Bible studies for sixteen years, and is a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Toledo, Ohio. He has participated in many oral debates with Catholics, and authored the self-published book, Why Protestant Bibles Are Smaller: A Defense of the Protestant Old Testament Canon in 2019. If my memory is correct, I have not interacted with him until now.

*****

See the first two installments:

Reply to Steve Christie on Catholic Mariology (Part I: Steves 15-Minute Opening Statement, Covering the Perpetual Virginity, Immaculate Conception, & Bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) [+ Part II] [7-11-23]

I will be responding to Steves portions of his two hour long audio debate with Catholic apologist Trent Horn (it originally appeared on Pints with Aquinas with Matt Fradd): posted in transcript on the Catholic Answers website (5-2-22), under the title, Debate: Do the Marian Dogmas Contradict Scripture? I have not read Trents replies, so mine can be completely fresh. Steves words will be in blue. My biblical citations are from RSV, unless otherwise noted.

This is a response to Steves further rebuttal and the cross-examination and Q&A portions.

As I had mentioned about the Greek word, adelphi, let me remind everyone that this is about what scripture actually teaches and to remind that the Septuagint is a translation. It is not considered inspired. If it was, the New Testament writers would not deviate from it occasionally and use their own Greek translation. Its a good Greek translation. The New Testament writers used it, but they did not use it universally for that reason. And again, what I argued is how adelphi is used consistently in the New Testament Greek, not how its used in a Greek translation of the Old Testament. You would expect there to be deviations from it. But even at that, the Greek word for adelphi, in the Old Testament, when its used, its used even in a translation, not to mean anything other than a biological sister or a believing sister, like the sister nations of Israel and Judah.

First of all (as relevant background information), we know that the usual Greek words for cousin: syngeneis and anepsios, only appear only five times and once, respectively, in the Septuagint, just as they appear only fifteen times and once (Col 4:10) in the NT, and most of the fifteen instances of syngeneis or its cognates (sungenia: Lk 1:61; Acts 7:3, 14; sungenis: Mk 6:4; Lk 1:36, 58; 2:44; 14:12; 21:16; Jn 18:26; Acts 10:24; Rom 9:3; 16:7, 11, 21) refer to kinsmen, kinsfolk, or kindred (in KJV): that is, in a sense wider than cousin.

By contrast, adelphos appears 346 times in the NT and 654 in the Septuagint (brother[s]: 390, brethren: 154, and sister[s] 110). In the RSV, cousin appears only four times in two books. For the entire Bible (minus the Deuterocanon), the numbers in the LXX and the NT are 1028-5, or cousin used instead of brother or sister once in every 206 times a relative is mentioned. It was clearly a word not used much for first cousins or even more distant cousins in both Testaments. The usual word for those was the equivalent of the English brother.

In the OT we have two clear cases of brother being used for a non-sibling: for a nephew and an uncle. The excellent site, Apologetics Press, explains in the article, Oh Brotheror is it Nephew? (by Eric Lyons, 31 December 2002). The article was designed to refute atheists, seeking to establish biblical contradictions. In this case, it also refutes a Baptist seeking to refute Marys perpetual virginity by partial means of false statements. I quote the article:

Allegedly, Lot cannot logically be described as Abrahams nephew and his brother at the same time. Because Genesis 14:12 states that Lot was Abrams brothers son (NKJV; nephewNIV), and Genesis 14:14 and 14:16 say that Lot was Abrams (or AbrahamsGenesis 17:5) brother, skeptics allege that the writer of Genesis erred. . . . The truth is, however, there is a simple, straightforward solution to the problem. In Genesis 14:12, the Hebrew terms ben achi are used to indicate that Lot literally was Abrahams brothers son. Lot was Harans son, and thus Abrahams nephew (Genesis 11:27; 12:5). At the same time, Lot was also Abrahams brother (Hebrew achiw). He was not Abrahams brother in the literal sense we so often use this word today, but he was Abrahams brother in the sense that they were family. For the skeptics argument to hold any weight, he first must prove that the term for brother (ach) was used in the Bible only when speaking of a male sibling. Unfortunately, for them, they cannot prove that point. . . . In Genesis chapter 29, Laban is called Jacobs brother: And Laban said unto Jacob, Because though art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought?  (vs. 15, emp. added, KJV). Just before Labans statement, Jacob told Rachel that he was her fathers [Labans] brother (v.s 12, KJV). Considering that Jacob was only Labans nephew (24:29-31), when these men used the term brother in discussions with (or about) each other, they merely were speaking of one another as blood relatives, and not actual male siblings. . . . Every indication in Scripture leads the unbiased person to conclude that the term brother has a wide variety of semantic shadings to it.

This non-literal use of brother for nephew and uncle holds in Hebrew, English (as just proven), and also in the Greek Septuagint. An online Greek-English parallel Septuagint bears this out: adelphios or one of its cognates appears in Genesis 14:14 and 14:16 in describing Lots relationship to Abraham, even though he was literally Abrahams nephew. The same thing occurs at Genesis 29:15 with regard to Jacob, who was literally Labans uncle. And there is much more of the same to be found, too:

The LXX shows that / [adelphos] was felt appropriate to translate  [Hebrew ach = brother] to predicate brotherly relation of many whom we would not term brothers or sisters at allsome not even in the same generation. One finds this relationship predicated . . . of near-relatives as a collective (e.g. Gen 31:23, 37), cousins (e.g. Lev 10:4b; 1 Kgs 10:13; 1 Chr 23:2122), and occasionally more distant relations (e.g. Job 42:11). . . . The Chronicles translator can use  for  predicated of a cousin (1 Chr 23:22), yet at another point goes out of his way to render  predicated of an uncle with the more detailed     (2 Chr 36:10). The translators, at least in this example, were aware of the relationships to which their texts referred (and not only in famous examples like Abraham and Lot), and still felt / appropriate in most cases. (James B. Prothro, Semper Virgo? A Biblical Review of a Debated Dogma, Pro Ecclesia: A Journal of Catholic and Evangelical Theology, Vol. 28, Issue 1, March 7, 2019)

Prothro also observed that the first century Jewish historian Josephus sometimes used adelphos in similar non-literal ways as well. This is strong evidence of the Greek language cultural milieu of the NT:

Josephus can use  as a collective as an equivalent of  [syngeneis: usually rendered cousin] (BJ 6.356357). . . .

All of this decisively refutes Steves falsely alleged factual contention above: You would expect there to be deviations from it. But . . . the Greek word for adelphi, in the Old Testament, [is] used . . . not to mean anything other than a biological sister or a believing sister, like the sister nations of Israel and Judah. This now documented and proven usage precisely upholds the Catholic argument about the usage of adelphos in the NT too. Sometimes it means cousin, as I have already, I think, proven in prior installments. And we maintain that this is the case with regard to Jesus brothers.

Trent had mentioned about, Well, it could mean sister-in-law. Well, the apostle John actually quoted from the Old Testament, from the Septuagint, frequently. And if he had meant sister-in-law, such as Marys sister in John chapter 19, he wouldve utilize the Greek word, [Greek 00:47:36] thats used in the book of Ruth to describe Orpahs relationship with Ruth.

First of all, Steve seems unaware that John 19:25: standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, if interpreted as Mary wife of Clopas being the Blessed Virgin Marys literal sister (sibling), would entail the unlikely and odd scenario of there being two daughters being named Mary in one family. Secondly, straightforward deductions from relevant cross-referencing and some early Church data that I have presented in various articles of mine on this topic (and some earlier in this series), strongly indicates a more distant relationship (most likely sister-in-law, in my opinion).

Thirdly, there is no necessity or likelihood at all for John to use syngeneis or anepsios in this context, since it was not normative Jewish usage for a sister-in-law: neither in the NT nor Septuagint nor the equivalents in the Hebrew Bible, whereas adelphe was normative. Steve apparently has an incomplete knowledge of the standard, overwhelmingly common use of terms for relatives in Hebrew culture. One can readily see how I have gone into much more depth  both biblical and linguistic  in refuting his contentions. If he tries to refute all that (assuming he answers me at all), hell have a very difficult task in front of him. But if he retracts (as it seems he must, from where I sit), he undercuts and weakens much of his own case.

Steve argues that the deuterocanonical passage Sirach 18:17 (in LXX) goes against Luke 1:28 because it also applies kecharitomene to a man. I addressed this in my 2004 book, The Catholic Verses: 95 Bible Passages That Confound Protestants:

That verse also applies generally: Indeed, does not a word surpass a good gift? Both are to be found in a gracious man. Moreover, this is proverbial, or wisdom literature. According to standard hermeneutical principles, this is not the sort of biblical literature to build doctrines or systematic theology (or even precise meanings of words) upon. The reason is that proverbial expression admits of many exceptions. For example, the statement Happy people smile may be true much of the time, but it is not always true. Proverbial language is, therefore, too imprecise to use in determining exact theological propositions. Meaning depends on context, as any lexicon will quickly prove. Even apart from the important factor of the proverbial style of writing found in Sirach, linguists attribute different meanings to kecharitomene in the two verses. As Joseph Thayer, another great biblical Greek scholar, writes: Luke 1:28: to pursue with grace, compass with favor; to honor with blessings. Sirach 18:17: to make graceful i.e., charming, lovely, agreeable (Thayers [Greek Lexicon], 667; Strongs word no. 5487). (p. 189)

First Corinthians chapter seven, again, it says, For a season in order to separate, but then it says, So that you go back, married couples to go back so you do not get tempted by Satan because of your lack of self-control. And the fact that Trent is saying that the holy family would not need to apply to that, hes imputing his Catholic theology into the text.

Not at all. There are almost always exceptions to rules. There are couples who are infertile for various reasons, and this may cause a lack of sexual desire, up to and including a sexless marriage. Say two such people get married after the woman has gone through menopause. Theres no sin in that, because they cant have children, anyway. It could be from disease or injury or simply age. Not absolutely every marriage must include a sexual component. Paul refers to a season. Very well. The season for Mary and Joseph was simply longer than what was usual. Steve doesnt care for that? Well, with God all things are possible.

Jesus said, What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder (Mk 10:9) and Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her (Mk 10:11). This seems utterly absolute. Yet Paul states,

1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbelieving partner desires to separate, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. For God has called us to peace.

So thats an exception to the biblical rule that married couples ought not ever separate. In effect, it allows a sort of divorce. Catholics say it is an annulment. In any event, its something other than lifelong marriage. By the same token, one can conceptualize a marriage between the Mother of God the Son and her spouse Joseph, where its agreed that sex would not be a part, due to the uniqueness of the One Whom Mary carried in her womb. If ever there was an exception to the rule, it would be in this case: an absolutely unique pregnancy bringing about the incarnation, that began supernaturally by the Holy Spirit.

I think much of the problem that Protestants have with this (that the earliest Protestants like Luther and Calvin did not have) is the notion that one can actually live without sex. Thats why (at least partially, in my speculation) many of them fight so vigorously against a celibate priesthood. Its because they cant comprehend a heroic resolve to sacrifice a good thing (marital sexuality and marriage) for the sake of serving an even greater good: God. This was never the slightest problem for me to understand when I was an evangelical, because I loved Paul, and Paul spoke very clearly:

1 Corinthians 7:28 . . . those who marry will have worldly troubles . . . 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; [33] but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, [34] and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband. [35] I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

This is why Catholics believe that priestly celibacy is a good thing. Its a heroic self-sacrifice for the sake of the kingdom, so that the priest (or nun) can secure . . . undivided devotion to the Lord and be freed from being anxious about worldly affairs.

So in the case of Mary and Joseph, both of them consecrated themselves to the Lord, and simply lived together in a celibate state, because it was fitting and proper, as we would say. See my related article, Holy Ground & Marys Perpetual Virginity [5-24-16].

Lets stick with what scripture actually supports. Prototokos, I dont have a problem with the term, meaning first out of the womb, but in Luke chapter two versus 22 to 23, this is a different event. This is a separate event than from what Luke is talking about earlier in Luke chapter two, verse seven. Hes simply talking about Jesus being the firstborn. And again, if he meant only child, he wouldve used monogenes like he used it elsewhere in Lukes gospel.

Kittels Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged ed., p. 967, prototokos) addresses this: Of itself it dies not necessarily imply that Mary has other children. But it also does not mean monogenes; indeed, it includes the possibility and expectation that other children will follow.

Now, Steve may think this supports his view. But it supports ours just as much, since neither possibility nor expectation means that a thing must necessarily happen, which is the thought here. It might. But if the word prototokos doesnt necessarily require more children, then it doesnt, and the argument from it is much weakened. This means that Marys perpetual virginity cannot be refuted from this word alone. We cant build a theological system or a polemical argument based on what I have called coulda woulda shoulda theology. I think we can rest assured that Luke, writing under inspiration from God, selected precisely the word that God wanted him to choose. And it doesnt require the presence of further children.

Trent, in your recent podcast rebutting Ray Comfort, you said Jesus is the only person referred to as the son of Mary. So in Mark chapter one, verse 19, it says, James is the son of Zebedee, and it uses the Greek definite article. So does this mean that James was Zebedees only son?

This is not a valid attempted analogy. The question is whether anyone is called Marys son (or she their mother) besides Jesus. Its not analogous to bring up Zebedees sons and Greek grammar. No one needs to argue that grammar when we have so many crystal-clear passages about James and John being Zebedees sons. The question is whether someone is regarded as Zebedees son or daughter but is never described as such in Scripture. In that instance, they are described as such many times. But in Marys case, no one but Jesus is, even though His brothers are mentioned many times (and since the word can mean something other than sibling, etc., its not decisive in and of itself).

We know that the sons of Zebedee are James and John because Scripture expressly says so many times, and leaves no room for doubt whatsoever: James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father (Mt 4:21); James the son of Zebedee (Mt 10:2; cf. Mk 1:19; 3:17); the sons of Zebedee (Mt 20:20; cf. Jn 21:2); the two sons of Zebedee (Mt 26:37); the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Mt 27:56); they left their father Zebedee (Mk 1:20); James and John, the sons of Zebedee (Mk 10:35); and James and John, sons of Zebedee (Lk 5:10).

There are no analogous verses such as the above in the case of Mary and Jesus brothers. Certainly that is significant, and the above data only highlight that fact and make it a stronger argument; thanks to Steve for that! No one is specifically called her son and she is not called anyones mother except Jesus. Its the same thing with Joseph . . . We see how easy it would be to specify that, in light of the above verses, just about two men and their father. But it never happens. And the reason is because its not the case, and brothers in those cases mean cousins.

If Jesus was referred to as the carpenters son, and its a patronym, would this eliminate his brothers being older stepbrothers, according to the Protoevangelium of James?

No. But whether He had step brothers (sons of Joseph from a previous marriage) is irrelevant to the issue of Marys perpetual virginity, since she is not involved. This is the predominant view of the Orthodox and (I think) Eastern Catholics, and it has a respectable pedigree. Personally, I think its less strong than the cousins view that I hold.

So since Jacob is referred to as the son of Isaac, and Reuben as the son of Jacob, then were they only children? The only son?

Once again, this is a non sequitur, since Genesis 35:22-26 lists twelve sons of Jacob, from four different women. Genesis 49 lists them again. They are the basis of the twelve tribes of Israel. No one doubts this. Jacob also had one daughter, Dinah (Gen 34:1). So its irrelevant if one or more are referred to as the son of Jacob in light of all the information we have. The twelve sons are specifically named as his. No one (who holds to biblical inspiration) can question it. But the brothers and sisters of Jesus are never described as sons or daughters in relation to either Mary or Joseph. These supposed counter-arguments which really arent merely strengthen the plausibility of the case for Marys perpetual virginity based on zero references to anyone but Jesus being her son or daughter.

How do we know that Andrew and Peter are brothers?

Its a deduction, seeing that they are called brothers, and both came from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter (Jn 1:44), and both were fishermen. We have Simon the son of John (Jn 1:42; cf. 21:15-17), but Andrew is not called Johns (or, Jonahs / Jonas) son. So we cant be absolutely sure from Scripture alone that they are blood brothers. They could be step-brothers, half-brothers, or even cousins.

A purpose of a bodily assumption into heaven is so an individual would not see death. If she was immaculately conceived, she would not have bodily assumed needed to be rescued from death because thats the purpose of assumption, which we see from Enoch and Elijah.

And as I have noted more than once now, the Two Witnesses of Revelation died and then were taken up to heaven. So not all assumption-type phenomena involve a lack of death:

Revelation 11:7, 11-12 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends from the bottomless pit will make war upon them and conquer them and kill them, . . . [11] But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. [12] Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, Come up hither! And in the sight of their foes they went up to heaven in a cloud.

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Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist , and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.

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Google has released a what it calls its biggest expansion to date of its AI assistant, Bard, with new, useful features such as pinned conversations and more flexible output selections that include a long mode for more detailed replies.

The ongoing war between Bard, Microsofts Bing and OpenAIs ChatGPT has expanded on several fronts. To date, Bing is one of the only chatbots that youve been able to interact with via a mic, using the mobile version of Bing. Google has taken the opposite approach: now Bard will talk to you, orally pronouncing words. Bard will also communicate in not just English, but also in Arabic, Chinese, German, Hindi and Spanish, and access to the Bard chatbot has opened up inside Europe, now, too.

For most users, the three most useful features arriving in the new update include the new pinned threads, the expanded conversational modes and image analysis. ChatGPT assigns a topic header to each new conversation (which Google calls threads), and you can skip back and forth between your conversational history to find the information youre looking for. Now Bard will be able to do that, too, so youll be able to return to an earlier conversation. (A Google representative says that theres no limit to how many threads you can pin, or how far back theyll go.) While you can pin a conversation for your own benefit, youll also be able to share it with a friend, too.

Bing was also the first to launch various conversational modes by default: Balanced, Precise, and Creative. Googles Bard is taking a slightly different approach: Youll be able to choose simple, long, short, professional or casual instead. This feature is only live in English, though. One advantage of ChatGPTs GPT-4 update is its support for lengthier inputs and outputs, and it appears Bard is trying to match ChatGPTs capabilities here.

Google showed off some of Bards image analysis capabilities at Google I/O. YouTube / Google

Finally, Google is adding the image analysis tools it announced at its Google I/O developer conference into Bard as well. With Bard, youll be able to analyze the contents of an image  what this will mean, in reality, is somewhat up in the air. In practice, that means that youll be able to upload an image, as you can do with Google Image Search, and ask question about it using Bard. However, it will not include image generation quite yet.

Google appears to be stepping through the features it announced at Google I/O, though theyre not all here quite yet. Bards projected ability to produce code and then potentially run it isnt here, though it can be exported to a Google Collab test server as well as another third party, Replit.

Still, Bard is free, available, and Google seems just as dedicated to pushing it as mainstream as possible. You should be able to try out Bards new capabilities now.
OpenAIs ChatGPT technology has become the talk of the town, with its capabilities seemingly drawn from the realms of science fiction.

Impressive artworks and complex texts being produced without humans  so far so cool.

But have you realised the potential privacy issues which the revolutionary technology potentially creates?

This technology, along with rivals such as Googles Bard, is attracting millions of queries and searches every day. ChatGPT alone had gained over 100m users by January 2023, making it the fastest-growing consumer application ever.[1]

Its going to quickly become a key part of the way we use the Internet. Microsoft has built ChatGPT into its Bing search engine. Other generative AI applications can write computer code. And next time you want to complain about a service, that query might be dealt with, at least partially, by using AI.

Chatbots, though, are just part of the AI picture. Companies are also using it to display customised adverts on their web stores. Every time you see a product recommendation online, there is some form of artificial intelligence at work, even if it is a fairly basic algorithm.

And behind the scenes, businesses are using AI for far more than promoting e-commerce. Travel route recommendations, insurance quotes, job applications and even medical imaging and security controls all use AI.

These huge changes may well improve convenience, but they also raise a range of ethical and privacy questions. Its vital consumers understand these concerns.

Although the use of AI in healthcare is tightly regulated  AI is there to support, not replace, doctors  in other areas AI companies are able to tap into a wide range of individuals personal data to train their models. Then there is the question of how chatbots and other AI-based tools use the data consumers share with them.

For now, there are few specific regulations governing how AI makes use of personal data. OpenAI states that ChatGPT only uses information from 2021 or before, but other services connect directly to the Internet. This can produce better results, but at the potential risk to privacy.

Lawmakers are drafting new rules to control the use of AI; the European Union, for example, plans to introduce its AI Act by the end of 2023[2]. The UK government is also working on AI regulation. And regulators in the UK and the USA have already fined businesses for using personal data illegally in their AI systems.[3]

But we must can also take our own steps to protect our privacy.

The first, and easiest, step is to take care with the information and prompts we share with chatbots and other generative AI tools. Avoiding sharing personal, financial, and medical information reduces the risk of that information ending up in an AI systems training database. And creative types might also want to take care when sharing photos, artwork or even computer code, as well as any academic work.

Controlling data accessed by AI through search, public websites or data brokers is more difficult.

With hundreds of data brokers gathering and selling information, including highly sensitive personal data, it is impossible to be sure none of that data will be used by an AI system. The only sure way to protect yourself is to keep that information off the internet, or if it is already there, take steps to remove it.

This is where personal data removal services come into their own.

Services such as Incogni do the hard work of contacting the hundreds of search engines, websites, social media outlets and data brokers, to remove information so that it cannot be resold  whether it is to a cold caller, an online fraudster or even an AI developer.

Review and manage your digital footprint using Incogni now.

[1] Research by UBS, reported by Reuters, 02 02 2023: https://www.reuters.com/technology/chatgpt-sets-record-fastest-growing-user-base-analyst-note-2023-02-01/

[2] European Parliament, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20230601STO93804/eu-ai-act-first-regulation-on-artificial-intelligence

[3] https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/media-centre/news-and-blogs/2022/05/ico-fines-facial-recognition-database-company-clearview-ai-inc/ and https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/03/ftc-takes-action-against-company-formerly-known-weight-watchers-illegally-collecting-kids-sensitive
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has indicated the governments confidence in securing the second tranche of the $600 million International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan when the Staff visits Ghana in September 2023.



Speaking at the Ghana Trade Fair Redevelopment Project Investor Conference in Accra, Mr. Ofori-Atta hinted that the country is getting back some confidence in the economy after many efforts in meeting the IMF conditionalities.



This, he believes will make the way for the next disbursement of $600 million dollars.



We had an IMF Staff visit about three weeks ago which went very well and were expecting that review in September [2023], he indicated.



Between cabinet and parliament, so far weve gone through the qualitative performance criteria. So we expect that the review will go well in September [2023] to get a Staff-Level Agreement. We will go to the Board in November [2023] and were sure we can get it, he explained.



He also expressed optimism that the country will recover swiftly, adding God always put the country through and with the help of all, speaking the same language, managing our investors and bondholders well, we will get there.



Meanwhile, the Finance Minister has described as a difficult period, getting individual bondholders to suspend their intended picketing at the Finance Ministry.



He, therefore, called for some sacrifice from the private sector since the country is now getting out of its challenges.



I think the technical people are meeting and the Lord has been faithful so far. But I also think we as Ghanaians must appreciate that these are not normal times and with where we were last year and now, clearly, we should have some excitement for the future.











Source: Daily Guide









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The Binduri Community Day Senior High School in the Upper East Region has been shut down following protest by students over lack of food.



On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, some agitated students boycotted classes to protest and express their displeasure about the inability of the schools administration to provide them with the one hot meal daily for some time now.



Sources within the school have told Graphic Online's Gilbert Mawuli Agbey that since May 29, 2023, the caterer stationed in the school had not been able to cook for the students leaving the students to their own fate.



The caterer is said to have abandoned her duty in the school citing non-payment of arrears owed her by the government, a development which had virtually made it impossible for her to continue to cook for the students.



As a result, some of the students abandoned classes with the reason that they could not come to school to study on an empty stomach. With a total of about 600 students in the school, 200 were regular in school due to the situation in the school.



We are suffering



Speaking during the protest against the happenings in the school, some of the students said they were suffering as they had been denied their daily food for more than a month now, saying what is very worrying is that due to the shortage of food, we have been compelled one kind of food throughout the whole week.

One of the said  it is very sad that we are sometimes forced to eat Banku and okro stew throughout the whole week and therefore called on the ministry of education and the government to take immediate steps to address the issue to pave the way for the caterers return.



A first year female student called on the government to provide them with their school uniforms and other attires since it was long overdue, saying  we also demand the construction of a place of convenience since we can no longer attend to natures call in bushes around the school.



Calm down



The Binduri District Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), John Doka Jaggery, who visited the school in the course of the protest, said although the protest was intended to register their concerns, it was important for them to calm down as it would be addressed.



Subsequently, he asked the students to stay home until the issues they had raised before they will be called to return to school, stressing  if you are not ready to go back to the classroom to continue with academic work, then remain home until you are informed come back to school



I wish to assure you that the directorate will meet the management of the school and the caterer to resolve the issue to pave the way for the reopening of the school hopefully by Monday July 17, 2023.



Meanwhile, the final year students are currently in school writing their mock examination in preparation towards this years West Africa Senior Secondary Certification Examination (WASSCE).



Speaking during the protest, some of the students said they have been denied their daily food for more than a month now



Calm down



The Binduri District Director of Education, John Doka Jaggery, who visited the school during the protest, said although the protest was intended to register their concerns, it was important for them to calm down as it would be addressed.



Subsequently, he asked the students to stay home until the issues they have raised were resolved.



If you are not ready to go back to the classroom to continue with academic work, then remain home until you are informed to come back to school.



I wish to assure you that the directorate will meet the management of the school and the caterer to resolve the issue to pave the way for the reopening of the school hopefully by Monday July 17, 2023.



Meanwhile, the final year students are currently in school writing their mock examination in preparation towards this years West Africa Senior Secondary Certification Examination (WASSCE).

Source: Graphiconline









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Samsung Electronics has released a new global film as part of the Join the flip side campaign, providing teasers for the next generation of Galaxy devices expected to launch later this month at Galaxy Unpacked 2023.



Building on the first Join the flip side video released last September, the new campaign video continues the campaign theme, calling on people to lean in to their fascination with innovation. In a fun and playful way, the videos showcase the unique ways foldables can be used and how they challenge everything consumers know about an ordinary smartphone. The new campaign video highlights the perceived barriers people face when they consider stepping away from the status quo, despite seeing the compelling benefits on the other side. Through the campaign, Samsung invites consumers to defy the norm and to enjoy new and unique experiences on the flip side.



The flip side itself is about more than just a device  its a way of thinking. A way of living. Its a new and open world where better experiences are waiting for those willing to step beyond the boundaries of convention and try something new, said Sonia Chang, Vice President of Brand Marketing Group of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. With the Galaxy Z series, Samsung provides innovation that defies the norms, redefining what a smartphone can do and stepping beyond conventional boundaries to open a new world of experiences.



https://youtu.be/4P65EJKIUwM



Check out the video below to view the new Join the flip side season 2 video and stay tuned to see how Samsung pushes the boundaries of innovation with the most carefully designed mobile experiences yet at Galaxy Unpacked 2023 on July 26 at11:00 a.m. live on https://www.samsung.com/africa_en/unpacked/.

Source: Peacefmonline com









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The Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency, and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, has called on Ghanaians, residents of Ghana and visitors who come to the country to visit the Damongo Constituency, which he says is, arguably, the number one tourist destination in northern Ghana.



He said the Constituency, which is made up of one hundred and four (104) towns, villages and communities, is home to several sites of historical significance, awe-inspiring landscapes, and cultural diversity, which make the Constituency an exceptional destination for tourists seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty and traditions of Ghana and West Africa.



Mr. Jinapor was speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, 12th July, 2023, when he made a statement on tourist attractions in the Damongo Constituency. He said tourism offers a glimpse into our history, culture and nature, and thus should not be reserved for foreigners alone. He said there are several tourist attractions in the country, which if well patronised, will contribute substantially to our national economy.



Tourism has become a major boost for many countries across Africa, such as Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Rwanda, and Zambia. On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, President Akufo-Addo commissioned the renovated and modernised Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, with a commitment to make Ghana the tourism hub of West Africa. Mr. Jianpor said this initiative, coupled with others, such as the Year of Return and Beyond the Return, shows Governments commitment to promoting tourism in the country.



Highlighting some of the tourist attractions in the Damongo Constituency, the Member of Parliament mentioned the Larabanga Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Africa, mostly referred to as the Mecca of West Africa. The over six hundred (600) year old Mosque is said to have been built by one Ayuba, after Allah had revealed to him in a dream to build a mosque, which Allah himself had already laid the foundations. Inside the Mosque is an ancient Quran believed to have been delivered by Allah to the Imam of the Mosque in 1650.



Mr. Jinapor also mentioned the Mystic Stone, also located at Larabanga. According to legend, when the colonial Government was contracting a road through Larabanga, they removed the stone, but came back the following day to find that the stone had returned to its previous position, and when this persisted, they were compelled to divert the road, and leave the stone in its position, which it has remained till date.



Other tourist attractions cited by the Member of Parliament include the Mognori Eco Village, a community-based tourism project in Mognori, that provides a range of tourist activities such as guided nature walks, traditional and drumming and dancing and handicraft demonstrations, as well as the Mole National Park, the first, largest and most prestigious protected area in the country, which previously served as a Game Clearance Area, but currently hosts, various plant and animal species, including elephants, buffalos, lions, monkeys, and other rare and endangered species.



This park also hosts West Africas first luxury safari lodge, the Zaina Lodge, which provides top-notch hospitality services with a unique cultural touch to visitors of the Park and its catchment areas.



Mr. Jinapor said Damongo, which serves as the capital of the Constituency, the Savannah Region, as well as the Gonja Kingdom, and which hosts the famous Jakpa Skin, exudes cultural richness, and offers patrons rich cultural and historical experience of the Gonja people, including their festivals, such as the Damba and Fire (or Jintigi) Festivals. He said the centrality of the Damongo Constituency, makes it an exceptional place to lodge and connect to the other parts of northern Ghana.



Mr. Jinapor thanked President Akufo-Addo and the Minister for Tourism, Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, for the special attention they have paid to tourism in the Damongo Constituency, and called on all and sundry, to patronise these sites for the rich experience they offer.



Members who contributed to the Statement were enthused about the tourist attractions in the Constituency. The Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, urged the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, to take Mr. Jinapors Statement and explore the various tourist destinations for employment opportunities for the youth.

Source: Peacefmonline com









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Parliament has passed the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023, bringing significant changes to the cultivation of cannabis for industrial and medicinal purposes.



The amended bill grants the Ministry of Interior the authority to issue licenses for the cultivation of cannabis, thereby enabling the utilization of this plant for various beneficial applications.



This development comes after the Supreme Court invalidated provisions within the Narcotic Control Commission Act that permitted the cultivation of specific types of cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes.



The court contended that these provisions contravened Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution. Despite an appeal filed by the Office of the Attorney-General, the Supreme Court dismissed the review application in a narrow 5-4 decision.



During the parliamentary debates surrounding the amendment of the bill, Members of Parliament emphasized the importance of cultivating certain types of cannabis.



They underscored the potential benefits that can be derived from harnessing the properties of cannabis for industrial and medicinal uses.



With the passage of the Narcotics Control Commission Amendment Bill 2023, the Ministry of Interior will now have the responsibility of issuing licenses for cannabis cultivation, facilitating the growth of this industry and opening avenues for further exploration of its potential.

Source: Citinewsroom









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Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, has refuted reports that some stalwarts of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) are plotting to depose Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare in order to tamper with the 2024 elections.



Let me make this clear that this government is not going to tamper with the 2024 elections. Our President does not want to stay one more hour beyond his tenure.



We are making sure that we have free and fair elections. You are in this country and we have had several by-elections. By-elections under this system are the most peaceful of all that we have had, he stated.



He was responding to an audio tape purporting to be a leaked conversation of a police and some NPP members plotting to remove the IGP from office.



Alhaji, my only issue This current IGP will not help us if we make a mistake and send him to the elections.



It wont help us at all, and I dont mind if the position isnt given to me as long as that man is changed; because he wont help us. Hes not going to help us at all, sections of the recording indicated.



But the minister stated categorically that President Akufo-Addo did not intend to stay in power beyond his tenure, while dismissing theories of a scheme to subvert the will of Ghanaian voters.



I can assure you that I serve a president who has respect for human rights. Under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, we will make sure 2024 is peaceful.



As for those theories about  we have rich imaginations, but one thing is certain: 2024 will not be a violent election by anybody and no one will want to thwart the will of the people, he asserted.



Mr. Dery continued, If you vote us in you have voted us in, and if you vote us out you have voted us out. We have shown it before. The difference with which we handed over power in 2009 was so impressive.



According to him, all by-elections held under President Akufo-Addo were peaceful, indicating the Presidents dedication to democratic values as compared to previous instances.



Go to Chereponi where people were shot in the head. We went to Atiwa, Talensi where they were throwing stones. And then you have a by-election where people were allowed to vote peacefully.



I am saying those who did not believe in the system now believe that they can count on the police intelligence force.



As far as I am concerned. And I am also happy that at last they have said that the EC did a good job because I can assure you that this country will not allow anybody to be killed or shot because of votes, he posited.

Source: Daily Guide









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Bernard Allotey Jacobs, a former NDC Regional Chairman, has asked the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to leave the Electoral Commission alone to do its work.



He warned the NDC to stop their verbal attacks and accusations against the Commissioners.



The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it will resist any attempt by the Electoral Commission (EC) to rig the 2024 elections.



Speaking at a Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) event at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the NDC flagbearer and former President, John Dramani Mahama said his party will not allow itself to be cheated.



It is in this light that we in the NDC wish to make clear that we will resist and prevent any sinister plot by the EC to manipulate the outcome of the 2024 elections even before the first ballot is cast through the needless and unapproved insistence of the Ghana Card as the only means of registration. The EC remains intransigent and appears determined to make it difficult for sections of our population to have their names on the voter register.



Tackling the matter during Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show Wednesday morning, Allotey Jacobs refuted claims that the Commission may rig elections and commended the Commissioners for their good works in ensuring peaceful elections in the country.



He advised the NDC and all political parties to stop bastardizing the EC.



"Lambasting, bastardizing the EC, I feel it's got too much. We are destroying the very institution that the constitution has created for us to have a peaceful election and a good governance. The heartbeat of our governance system is the Electoral Commission and they have been empowered by the constitution to do things that will bring about peace and stability," he emphasized and asked; "why are we lambasting them? Why are we bastardizing them? Why?"





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Former Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan has replied former President John Dramani Mahama on his recent comments on the Electoral Commission.



The former President, speaking at a Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) event at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, warned that the National Democratic Congress will resist an attempt by the Electoral Commission (EC) to rig the 2024 elections.



It is in this light that we in the NDC wish to make clear that we will resist and prevent any sinister plot by the EC to manipulate the outcome of the 2024 elections even before the first ballot is cast through the needless and unapproved insistence of the Ghana Card as the only means of registration. The EC remains intransigent and appears determined to make it difficult for sections of our population to have their names on the voter register, he accentuated.



But Kwamena Duncan has questioned the logic in Mr. Mahama's statements, wondering why they think the EC will rig the elections.



To him, he sees nothing wrong with the EC's decision to adopt the Ghana Card as a means of registration for the next general elections.



Speaking directly to Mr. Mahama and the National Democratic Congress, Kwamena warned them to desist from their use of threats and fear to manipulate minds of Ghanaians.



"Nobody must make that attempt to terrorize the nation. This country has gone beyond the stage where someone stands on podium to terrorize us and again the work has also been done. If they say they will not allow only national ID card, what else will they allow?...At this point, where we are, what else will they allow?...We have gone beyond fear and violence," he blasted Mr. Mahama.



Kwamena Duncan made these comments on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" discussion programme Wednesday morning.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Kwamena Duncan, a former Minister for Central Region, has castigated former President and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama over the latter's caution to the Electoral Commission ahead of the 2024 elections.



Mr. Mahama has warned that the Commissions new Ghana Card identification directive will deprive some Ghanaians of their right to vote.



Despite the opposition against the Commission's decision, it is however proceeding with the use of the Ghana Card for compilation of the new voters register.



The NDC sees this move as a ploy by the Commission to manipulate the elections.



 . . we in the NDC wish to make clear that we will resist and prevent any sinister plot by the EC to manipulate the outcome of the 2024 elections even before the first ballot is cast through the needless and unapproved insistence of the Ghana Card as the only means of registration. The EC remains intransigent and appears determined to make it difficult for sections of our population to have their names on the voter register, Mr. Mahama served notice while addressing a gathering at the party's Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) event held at the KNUST.



But Kwamena Duncan has likened the behavior of the NDC and their flagbearer towards the EC to witchcraft.



The former Central Minister noted that the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa and her Commissioners have since her appointment worked assiduously to streamline Ghana's electoral system, thus he believed their resort to the use of the Ghana Card is to enhance the system.



"Ever since she came she has been focused . . . If you don't like this woman and the Electoral Commission, then you are a witch," Kwamena said in a brief reply to John Mahama.



Watch video below





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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In a recent press release, former Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (IMCIM), Charles Cromwell Onuawonto Bissue, has demanded an immediate correction from the Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP) regarding statements made by the Director of Strategy, Research and Communication, Sammy Darko.



According to Mr. Bissue, Mr. Darko made misleading statements during an interview on Okay FM on Monday, July 10.



Mr. Bissue claims that Mr. Darko stated that he had withdrawn all applications filed against the OSP with respect to his case.



In response, Mr. Bissue believes that this was a calculated agenda to mislead the public.



Mr. Bissue clarified that not all applications have been withdrawn, stating that two applications are currently pending in court. These applications include a judicial review filed on June 2 and an application for the enforcement of fundamental human rights filed on June 14.



Furthermore, Mr. Bissue corrected Mr. Darkos assertion that he filed an application just after the OSP issued notices of having concluded the investigation into the Galamsey Fraud Part 1 documentary. Mr. Bissue claims that his first application was made in December 2022.



I deem this to be a calculated agenda by Sammy Darko and the OSP, to mislead Ghanaians and other interested persons or actors in this matter, the former Presidential Staffer stated in a press release dated 10 July, 2023.



It is clearly a case of distortion of facts, unless Sammy Darko is not seized with the facts of processes filed by my lawyers at the court, and I may pardon him for that.



I wish to put on record that not all the applications have been withdrawn. Two applications are currently pending, Mr Bissue pointed out, citing his judicial review on Friday, June 2 and his application for the enforcement of fundamental human rights filed on Wednesday, June 14.



I also wish to correct Sammy Darkos assertion that I filed an application just when the OSP had issued notices of having concluded the investigation into the Galamsey Fraud Part 1 documentary, he added, insisting his first application was sometime in December 2022.



I, therefore, entreat Sammy Darko to correct this misinformation as soon as possible.



I take cognizance of processes being pursued at the court in respect of these matters, and as such will exercise restraint in the face of provocation to react.







Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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May, the first wife of actor, Yul Edochie, has allegedly began divorce proceedings against her estranged husband, Yul. May and her counsel reportedly visited a court today July 10, to submit a petition for the dissolution of her 18-year-old marriage to the actor. According to insiders, Yul has refused to be served the originating summons.



The couple have been at loggerheads over his decision to take actress, Judy Austin, as a second wife and also welcome a son with her. In April 2022, Yul announced he has welcomed a son with Judy and that she is now his second wife. May has never hidden her disapproval of his union with Judy. In September 2022, May released a statement expressing her disapproval. She stated that she had a stable and loving home prior to the unprecedented events regarding her marriage. She mentioned that polygamy is a life choice and that no one should be compelled to accept it. She stressed that some religions and traditions allow polygamy and that she has nothing against it but that as a person she will not be numbered or cajoled to accept a practice that does not align with her faith and family values.



In recent times, Yul has been widely criticized on social media for what many have described as moving on so fast' after the death of his first son, Kambilichukwu, died suddenly in March. Some Nigerians have argued that the videos of him and Judy having great times together which he shares online frequently suggests he has moved on. 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Chairman of the State Tourism Agency Fuad Naghiyev has met with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Mohammed Al Blushi to discuss prospects of tourism cooperation.

The sides exchanged views on the impact of the visa-free regime between the two countries to the increase of mutual visits, Azernews reports.

Fuad Naghiyev and Mohammed Al Blushi touched upon UAE's investment opportunities and its investment opportunities to Azerbaijan's tourism sector.

In the first half of 2023, the number of citizens visiting Azerbaijan from the United Arab Emirates reached 18,884, which means a 23 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Direct flights from UAE to Azerbaijan are currently operating 50 times a week.

Notably, United Arab Emirates has recognized the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on December 26, 1991. Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the UAE were established on September 01, 1992. In June 1994 Ambassador of UAE in Ankara was accredited to Azerbaijan. On June 16, 2001, the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan opened in Abu Dhabi. On October 2011 the Embassy of the UAE was opened in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Besides, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the UAE amounted to $102m in 2022.
California-based Stich Fix is closing two of its five distribution centers, including one in Pennsylvania.

Stitch Fix, a personal fashion styling service, is permanently closing its distribution center at 4770 Hanoverville Road, Suites 100 and 200 in Lower Nazareth Township, Northampton County near Bethlehem. The warehouse will close on Feb. 2, 2024.

The company filed a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notice informing the state that it will lay off 393 people between September 8 and Feb. 2, 2024. Anticipated separations by date are:

Sept. 8: 96

Sept. 15: 66

Sept. 22: 36

Sept. 29: 26

Sept. 30: 1

Oct. 6: 13

Oct. 13: 37

Oct. 20: 34

Nov. 10: 10

Dec. 1: 61

Feb. 2, 2024: 13

Stitch Fix said it informed all of its employees of the planned closure on June 6 and sent notices via email on July 10.

The company said it is planning to organize job fairs and offer other job search assistance in the coming months. Stitch Fix said that all employees who remain employed until the warehouse closes will receive a severance payment and subsidized continued healthcare coverage.

The WARN Act is federal legislation that offers protection to workers, their families and communities by requiring employers to provide notice 60 days in advance of a covered-business closing and covered-business mass layoff. The WARN notice was dated July 10.

The distribution center closings follow a 20% net revenue decrease in the third quarter year over year for Stitch Fix, and a 11% year over year decrease in active clients.

The company undertook a review of its operations and processes that it said was done in order to improve efficiencies, maintaining profitability and cash flow as well as identify opportunities to enhance the client experience.

By moving to a three distribution center network, from our current five distribution center network, we will have greater depth and breadth of inventory available for our stylists to serve clients, the company said in a news release. Therefore, we will not be renewing the lease on our Bethlehem distribution center when it expires later this year and also plan to close our Dallas distribution center [in the] next calendar year.

The company said it also plans to explore exiting the United Kingdom market next year.
To borrow a phrase from good old Benjamin Franklin: Ice cream is proof God exists and wants us to be happy.

Residents of this city in Pennsylvania must be very happy in particular, as a study has crowned it among the top 10 best locations for ice cream lovers.

Lawn Starter researchers were the masterminds behind said study, which graded the United Statess 200 largest cities across four key categories: Access; Consumer Satisfaction; Popularity; and Contest Awards.

Final grades were then determined after researchers added in relevant metrics including but not limited to Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Vendors per Square Miles; Average Consumer Rating of Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Vendors; and Average Monthly Google Searches for Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Past 12 Months.

Philadelphia graced the fifth overall spot, actually snatching up the third overall spot in just the Contest Awards categories. The City of Brotherly Love additionally nabbed the number 10 slot in Consumer Satisfaction.

Established in 1861, Americas oldest ice cream company  Bassetts Ice Cream  is still scooping, the study elaborates. Their menu boasts over 40 different flavors and, luckily for non-locals, this company ships nationwide.

Pittsburgh was included among the top 20 rankings in the 14th overall spot. Even Columbia in Lancaster County got an honorable mention for being the distinguished home of Turkey Hill.

The number one ice cream city in America was found to be Miami, Fla.
A baby boom is continuing at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium which today announced the birth of a male California sea lion pup on Friday, June 16.

The pup, named Kai, was born on Friday, June 16, 2023.

... Kai and mom, Kelilah, are doing well. The name Kai, selected by zoo staff, means sea in the Hawaiian language and also incorporates letters from his mothers name, the zoo said in a news release.

The zoo said Kai and his mother are the sea lion habitat in Kids Kingdom.

The staff, the zoo said, monitored Kelilahs pregnancy and the birth. Kai will receive a more thorough examination once mother and son have bonded.

The Pittsburgh Zoos Animal Care team was with Kelilah throughout her journey, and we are happy to say the end result is a happy and healthy sea lion pup, said Henry Kacprzyk, curator of reptiles and Kids Kingdom.

Kelilah, 10, was born at the Bronx Zoo and came to Pittsburgh in 2017. The zoo has six sea lions, including Kais father, Seahawk.

Sea lion pups are well-developed at birth. Newborns are approximately 30 inches long and weigh between 10-20 pounds. They are born with their eyes open and can walk at 30 minutes old.

The youngsters come into the world sporting a lanugo, a long, thick coat of baby hair that keeps them warm until they develop blubber. They are also able to vocalize, which helps mothers and pups recognize one another. A baby can identify its mother from among hundreds of gathered sea lions by her distinctive sound.

Other births at the zoo this year, which is its 125th anniversary, were two Western lowland gorillas, twin Amur leopard cubs, three nyala calves and some pot-bellied seahorses.

Although not born at the zoo, Hadari, a pygmy hippopotamus, arrived on May 23, 2023, from Montgomery Zoo in Alabama.
The 2023 Gerber Baby is a rainbow baby from Colorado whose parents said makes every day more meaningful and beautiful.

Madison Maddie Mendoza is 10 months old. A throwback photo of Maddie and her mom, Crystal, as a child, brought a smile to the judges faces and perfectly captured the spirit of this years program.

The 2023 Gerber spokesbaby contest asked parents to submit a photo of themselves as a child along with the photo of their baby.

... Maddie enjoys her baby music classes, thrives in her swim lessons, loves hiking with her parents and fearlessly explores new foods.

Just like mom, Maddie came into this world with a full head of hair, captivating expression and the most joyful attitude. Together as a family, they enjoy the outdoors, photography, trying different foods and restaurants and interacting with animals.

Being a rainbow baby, Maddie has brought us immeasurable joy with every milestone, snuggle and moment spent with her enriching our lives and making every day more meaningful and beautiful, said Crystal Mendoza. We look forward to witnessing her grow into a kind, compassionate, strong, independent and worldly individual as we hope to be stationed overseas again to teach Maddie about all the different parts of the world.

Gerber also shared the story of Maddies parents, who have been together for 22 years. They were high school sweethearts and endured a long-distance relationship for nine years.

Maddies dad, Jun, a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, is a physician and Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force. Crystal Mendoza is a dentist.

Their families are from the Philippines. Both of Maddies grandfathers served in the U.S. Navy.

Gerber has always believed in the magic of babies, and Maddies story, filled with love, resilience, and adventure, embodies the spirit of generations of Gerber babies, said Tarun Malkani, Gerber president and CEO.

The throwback submission of Maddie and her mom brought a smile to the judges faces and perfectly captured the spirit of this years program. Were excited to partner with Maddie and her family throughout the next year to highlight the full-circle journey from baby to parent.

Maddie will be featured on Gerbers social media channels and marketing campaigns. Her and her family will receive a $25,000 cash prize, free Gerber products for up to one year, a new wardrobe provided by Gerber Childrenswear and other surprises.

Gerber will make a matching donation to the March of Dimes.

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Gerber Baby 2022 hopes to generate awareness of limb differences.

Original Gerber baby, Ann Turner Cook, dies at 95.
Shoppers like Greg Ingram Thursday stopped by the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg to show their support for vendors displaced earlier this week by fire.

A handful of stand holders formed an alfresco pop-up in the markets courtyard for the first time since a two-alarm fire early Monday ripped through the landmark markets brick building.

Sometimes when we have a tragedy like this it could very well strengthen the community, Ingram said. Im liking the resiliency of these people. They didnt let this deter them.

Vendors like Rijuice set up under pop-up tents with tables and coolers. More vendors are expected to join the courtyard today and Saturday.

Well kind of figure it out as it goes, said Kyle Ober, one of Rijuices founders.

He noted that compared to some vendors that require kitchen equipment and electricity to operate, he is fortunate. His juices are bottled in Lancaster and hes accustomed to working outdoors, something he previously did before running a market stand.

Vendor Ying Ren, owner of Yings Custom Jewelry and Asian Boutique, said she lost jewelry and bamboo plants in the fire and has no insurance. Her friends set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to assist.

Im trying to do the courtyard to earn money to buy more merchandise and keep running, she said.

Earlier in the week, Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams said the heart of the community was taken as the fire tore through the building, taking livelihoods with it. The market was founded in 1860 and is recognized as the longest continuously operating market house in the nation.

The Broad Street Market is so much more than just a place where you buy and sell food. It is quite literally the primary symbol of Harrisburg, Williams said.

Plenty has unfolded over the past several days as the markets next chapter begins and questions remain unanswered. So far, heres what we know and dont know:

The fire

Firefighters responded around 1 a.m. Monday to the two-alarm fire. The fire was visible from the West Shore and melted nearby lamppost lights.

Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline ruled the fire accidental, saying it stemmed from a malfunctioning ceiling fan that was installed in 2017. Video from a vendors security cameras aided firefighters and investigators in determining the cause.

This was an accidental fire, Enterline said. I know theres a lot of scuttlebutt that it may have intentionally set. One hundred percent it was an accidental fire in that ceiling fan fixture.

Unfortunately, the building was not equipped with a sprinkler system.

A look at Broad Street Market fire damage following a two alarm fire on July 10, 2023. July 10, 2023. Zach Gleiter | Special to PennLive

Estimated damages

An estimate of damages has not been released. The building is boarded up with the roof and the Sixth Street side of the structure sustaining the heaviest damage.

The market does hold an insurance policy, but the markets Executive Director Tanis Monroy didnt elaborate on the type of coverage, saying there are a lot of moving parts with the City of Harrisburg and vendor insurances.

Market vendors, for the most part, have said they all hold individual insurance policies, some of which cover loss of business as well as equipment.

What are vendors doing?

For now, vendors are on their own to find a way to do business.

A handful of them are setting up pop-ups in the markets courtyard in tandem with operating hours at the markets stone building, which was not damaged in the fire.

Others like Elementary Coffee have teamed up with nearby Radish & Rye Food Hub for permanent pop-ups at the shop at 1308 N. Third St. starting July 19. (Elementary is also participating in the markets courtyard pop-ups)

JB Kelly Seafood Connection is offering delivery and pre-orders. Some vendors, such as Hummers Meats, are directing customers to stands they operate at other regional farmers markets.

Monroy said officials are weighing options to find a temporary location for vendors. Already, the market has received offers from several businesses willing to share space, including Penn Market in York and the Colonial Park Mall in Lower Paxton Township. The idea of moving to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center also has been floated.

Help has also come in the form of assistance with supplies. Jon Bellem, a consultant and owner of Another Round in Lemoyne, is allowing vendors to borrow kitchen equipment.

The vendors overwhelmingly want to stay as close to the market as they can, because they have their clientele here and want to serve the community here, Tanis said.

Fundraising is underway

While insurance policies were in place, community members recognize market vendors are in need of financial help as they navigate how to do business without a roof over their heads.

Several GoFundMe fundraisers have been set up and the market is accepting donations on its website. Individual vendors have also set up fundraisers, sharing the information on their social media pages.

A pre-scheduled Christmas in July event is planned from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and will support displaced vendors.

The fire call came in at 1 a.m. July 10, 2023. The market dates to the 1860s. The brick building, one of two at the market, burned. Jimmie Brown | jbrown@pennlive.com | July 10, 2023.

Rebuilding the market

Officials are obviously concentrating on aiding vendors this week, but they have also vowed to rebuild the market. Its early yet, so no timeline for rebuilding has been announced.

Local and state leaders have pledged their support. Gov. Shapiro said Monday the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is coordinating with the Small Business Administration to support vendors.

In addition, Shapiro said the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will work with vendors to keep them in business while the rebuilding takes place. Williams and local government officials will determine what the rebuild looks like and work with the Department of Community and Economic Development to support vendors with grants and loans.

The commonwealth is going to be here to support and assist, not dictate but to support and assist, and we look forward to partnering with Mayor Williams and her department, Shapiro said.

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A Muslim group that has held its annual convention in Harrisburg for more than a decade on Thursday launched Jalsa Cares, aimed at giving back to its host city with a series of service projects.

City leaders partnered with members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA to facilitate the service projects one day before the 73rd annual Jalsa Salana, the nations oldest Muslim convention, gets underway at the state Farm Show complex. Organizers say the convention is expected to draw 9,000 to 10,000 people to Harrisburg.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community spokesman Momin Bhatti said the effort was especially important in the wake of the devastating fire that destroyed a portion of the Broad Street Market, one of the citys most historic landmarks, Monday morning.

Jalsa Cares seeks to promote the spirit of united service for the city of Harrisburg, he said.

As part of Jalsa Cares, volunteers gave back by feeding the hungry, donating blood, and conduct a neighborhood clean-up.

They worked hand-in-hand with Downtown Daily Bread, the Capital Area Coalition on Homelessness, and Harrisburgs public works organization to ensure a day of servicing in a variety of ways.

The Ahmadiyya are a sect of Islam that differs from Sunnis and Shias in some basic beliefs. Ahmadiyya Muslims believe the messiah has already come, in the person of their founder Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, of India, who lived from 1835 to 1908. This has made them targets of extremists who consider them heretics.

For the past 72 years, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has held an annual Jalsa Salana in the United States to renew their commitment to peace and to advancing human rights around the world. This years convention will take place from Friday through Sunday at the Farm Show building.
Four people were ejected from their horse and buggy when a car crashed into the buggy, ejecting them into the street in Lancaster County Tuesday night, state police said.

41-year-old Bryce Taylor drove his 2020 Ford Explorer into the back of the buggy Tuesday at around 10 p.m. in Salisbury Township, according to state police.

Taylor was looking at the GPS on his phone while driving westbound on Philadelphia Pike, just east of Martin Road, when he looked up and saw the horse and buggy in front of him, according to police.
A fancy dinner at restaurant on New York Citys Upper East Side, designed to promote the presidential campaign of Democrat Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., turned acrid Tuesday night, when two men began exchanging heating words and flatulence.

A New York Post Page Six report stated that the dinner descended into a foul bout of screaming and polemic farting, when two men in attendance began to quarrel over a question concerning climate change.

According to the Posts account, art critic Anthony Haden-Guest and public relations man Doug Dechert, who hosted the dinner for Kennedy, Jr. squared off after the climate change question.

The report said Dechert continued to scream wildly about the climate change scam.

Haden-Guest countered with verbal volleys from across the table, calling him variously insane and insignificant.

Dechert then proceeded to let rip a loud, prolonged fart while yelling, Im farting!

A Post reporter covering the event said there was no room for doubt that the climate changed in the immediate environs of the dinner table.

Kennedy Jr. reportedly remained composed during the outburst.

Dechert told the Post Wednesday: I apologize for using my flatulence as a medium of public commentary in your presence.

--

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Follow Tom De Martini on Twitter -- @TomDeMartini1
By PETER SMITH, Associated Press

PITTSBURGH (AP)  The gunman who killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018 is eligible for the death penalty, a federal jury announced Thursday, setting the stage for further evidence and testimony on whether he should be sentenced to death or life in prison.

The government is seeking capital punishment for Robert Bowers, who raged against Jewish people online before storming the Tree of Life synagogue with an AR-15 rifle and other weapons in the nations deadliest antisemitic attack. The jury agreed with prosecutors that Bowers  who spent six months planning the attack and has since expressed regret that he didnt kill more people  had formed the requisite legal intent to kill.

Bowers lawyers argued that his ability to form intent was impaired by mental illness and a delusional belief that he could stop a genocide of white people by killing Jews.

Testimony is now expected to shift to the impact of Bowers crimes on survivors and the victims loved ones.

Bowers, 50, a truck driver from suburban Baldwin, killed members of three congregations who had gathered at the Tree of Life synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018. He also wounded two worshippers and five police officers.

Bowers was convicted last month on 63 criminal counts, including hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death. His attorneys offered a guilty plea in return for a life sentence, but prosecutors refused, opting instead to take the case to trial and pursue the death penalty. Most of the victims families supported that decision.

If jurors decide Bowers deserves to die, it would be the first federal death sentence imposed during Joe Bidens presidency. Biden campaigned on a pledge to end capital punishment, but federal prosecutors continue to pursue the death penalty in some cases.

The penalty phase of Bowers trial began June 26. Jurors heard weeks of technical testimony about Bowers psychological and neurological states, with mental health experts for both sides disagreeing on whether he has schizophrenia, delusions or brain disorders that played a role in the rampage.

Bowers ranted incessantly on social media about his hatred of Jewish people before the 2018 attack and told police at the scene that all these Jews need to die. He told psychologists who examined him afterward, including as recently as May, that he was pleased with the attack.

The sentencing now shifts to a more emotional stage, with jurors expected to hear about the pain and trauma Bowers inflicted on worshippers in the heart of Pittsburghs Jewish community.

The prosecution will also present evidence about other aggravating factors  including that the victims were elderly and Bowers rampage was motivated by religious hatred  while the defense will present mitigating factors that might persuade jurors to spare his life. The defense case could include pleas from his relatives.

To put him on death row, jurors will have to agree unanimously that the aggravating factors outweigh the mitigating ones.

In final arguments Wednesday, prosecution and defense lawyers took turns attacking the findings of the others expert witnesses  doctors who testified about Bowers mental condition and whether he could form the intent to commit the attack.

Prosecutor Soo Song said Bowers meticulously plotted the attack over a period of months.

On Oct. 27, 2018, this defendant violated the safe, holy sanctuary that was the Tree of Life synagogue, she said. He turned it into a killing ground.

But Bowers defense lawyer, Michael Burt, cited expert witnesses to bolster the claim that a delusional belief system took over his thinking, which left him unable to do anything but following the dictates of those delusional thoughts.

Burt argued that Bowers ability to form intent was impaired by schizophrenia, epilepsy and a delusional belief that he could stop a genocide of white people by killing Jews who help immigrants.

Even years after the attack, facing capital murder charges, Bowers still cant restrain himself about these delusions he has about the country being invaded, that hes a soldier at war, Burt said.

Song denounced the idea that Bowers lacked control of his actions. She noted that Bowers told one of the defenses own expert medical witnesses that he meticulously planned the attack, considered other potential Jewish targets, and regrets that he didnt kill dozens more. Song said Bowers described himself as calm and focused as he shot to kill.

And U.S. Attorney Eric Olshan added that Bowers wasnt delusional, he just believes things that are repugnant.
A 75-year-old man from Philadelphia was killed Wednesday after being struck by a driver trying to get away from officers who tried to pull him over.

Now, police are calling the incident a hit-and-run and are searching for the driver, according to news sources.

The victim was rushed to George Washington University Hospital in critical condition but unfortunately died while there. His name has not yet been released.

In addition, two other people, including a 13-year-old girl, were treated on the scene for minor injuries, according to reports from 6ABC and NBC10.

The incident took place shortly before 1:30 p.m. along the 1700 block of Constitution Avenue NW, near the National Mall in Washington D.C.

Secret Service officers tried to stop the driver for an expired registration at an intersection. The driver indicated they would stop, but suddenly took off and headed southbound along 17th Street Northwest.

The driver then ran a red light, hitting three people in the crosswalk before getting away, according to reports.

Ehab Sorour, a witness who was standing near the intersection, told NBC10 that the 75-year-old victim landed on the hood of the car. The driver then backed up, Sorour said, and ran over him again.

Authorities are in search of the suspect, who was driving a blue 2006 Honda Accord with Virginia tags 8718BE, NBC10 reported.

The suspect was last seen going southbound along 17th Street.

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WILLIAMSPORT  The State College Area School District has been accused of discriminating against parochial students and others in religious-based educational institutions by not allowing them to participate in extracurricular and co-curricular activities.

The allegation is made in a suit filed Monday in U.S. Middle District Court against the district and its school board.

The plaintiffs are the non-profit Religious Rights Foundation of Pa. and members who are parents of two students who attend a parochial school.
State police in western Pennsylvania are looking for a man they said slit a womans throat during a carjacking then fled to another county where he burglarized a business and stole a pick-up truck.

Michael Aaron Whitfield, 35, should be considered armed and dangerous, state police said in a Wednesday news conference, according to KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh.

PSP has a warrant for Michael Aaron WHITFIELD for a carjacking and burglaries that occurred in Indiana and Westmoreland counties 7/12

Any tips call PSP indiana 724-357-1960-

Crime stoppers reward $2000 pic.twitter.com/WXRaqCLiW0  Troopers Steve Limani & Cliff Greenfield (@PSPTroopAPIO) July 13, 2023

Police said Whitfield approached an employee of an assisted living facility at about 6 a.m. Wednesday in Blairsville, Indiana County, as she walked to her car after working an overnight shift.

Whitfield, KDKA reported, attacked the woman in her car and the woman was cut from ear to ear with an unspecified weapon during a struggle.

Police said that blood evidence led them to conclude that Whitfield suffered an injury to his arm in the struggle, reported WTAE-TV. Whitfield stole the womans vehicle and drove south into neighboring Westmoreland County, police said.

Once he got to Derry Township, Whitfield was seen on surveillance video attempting to break into several businesses.

Police said he burglarized a food truck, where he stole money, then went to another business where he took a 2003 brown Ford F-250 pickup with a white tailgate and the Pennsylvania tag XLE 1209.

Whitfield was last seen heading south on Route 217 in Westmoreland County.

Crimestoppers is offering a $2,000 reward in the case. Media outlets reported that the victim was treated at a local hospital and released.
Gov. Josh Shapiros speed, resolve and ultimate success in reopening Philadelphias collapsed I-95 bridge last month brought him lots of positive attention and high praise from leaders in both political parties.

But just weeks later, the collapse of his attempt to build a political bridge in Harrisburg brings him attention of a different sort, and creates a problem that may be harder to fix, and likely take longer.
The TikTok logo is seen on a mobile phone in front of a computer screen which displays the TikTok home screen, March 18, 2023, in Boston. After banishing TikTok from the mobile devices of federal public servants for privacy and security reasons, the government is taking a look at possible threats from other social media applications.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Michael Dwyer
A Portland, Oregon, man has been sentenced to 101 years behind bars for preying on a child in Louisa County.

Daniel R. Thomas was convicted for indecent liberties with a minor less than 14 years of age, three counts of production of child pornography and two counts of soliciting a minor over a communication device.

Through its sentence today, the Court sent a message that it will not tolerate those who exploit children. No matter where you are, Louisa County will come for you if you attempt to exploit our children, Louisa Commonwealths Attorney Rusty McGuire said in a statement released Wednesday after the sentencing.

Early last year, a Louisa father examined his daughters phone and uncovered an explicit conversation between his daughter and an unknown individual, according to police reports. The phone was turned over to the police, who then traced the messages to Thomas.

At the time, Thomas was living in a halfway house in Portland, having recently been released from prison after serving a 16-year sentence for sexually abusing multiple children.

Local law enforcement in Virginia contacted a detective in Portland who subsequently executed a search warrant on the halfway house and recovered the phone belonging to Thomas. The Virginia State Police assisted in extraditing Thomas to the commonwealth to answer for his alleged crimes.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Megan Riordan, who prosecuted the case with McGuire, said residents should feel safe now that Thomas will be locked behind bars.

We can now rest easy that this violent sexual predator will spend the rest of his days behind bars, Riordan said in a Wednesday statement. He attempted to exploit a child in Louisa, and now hell have a century to think about his misdeeds.
Alaskans are having a harder time accessing child care now than they were five years ago, an expert told a new task force charged by Gov. Mike Dunleavy with developing a plan to make child care in the state more available and affordable.

The task force, which Dunleavy formed in April, had its first public meeting on June 28 via Zoom with about 60 people, including the dozen task force members, in attendance. The group has until the end of December to deliver an initial plan to address the states child care challenges. At stake is the welfare of the states families  and its economy.

Stephanie Berglund, the CEO of thread, a resource and referral network for child care in the state, painted a bleak picture of the states child care landscape in her presentation to the other members of the task force.

Berglund described the challenges Alaskans face, adding that the difficulty accessing child care is even more pronounced in rural areas than urban ones. Most Alaskans live in a child care desert, an area without reasonable access to care, and more than 88,000 children in the state need child care or early education.

Berglund also highlighted that Alaska families shoulder the burden of child care and early education costs, which can be 17% to 34% of family income  more even than housing costs.

Child care in Alaska costs more than college tuition, Berglund said. And this is of course at a time when parents are at the beginning of their careers and earning potential.

According to her data, Alaska families spend about $223 million a year on early child care and learning. The state contributes about $36 million.

Berglund said that wages for child care providers are low, on average around $26,000 a year, and turnover in Alaska is nearly 50%.

As of this month, Berglunds data shows that there are just over 400 licensed child care programs in the state. In the last three years, more than 100 have closed.

The state isnt reopening child care centers as fast as they are closing. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, roughly 25 to 30 new programs would open a year. In the last six months only eight new programs have opened, but 36 have closed their doors, she said.

Berglund said that most parents report missing work hours due to child care issues and 7% of parents have left jobs because of them.

Kati Capozzi, leader of the Alaska Chamber, the states chamber of commerce, said that child care was among the top three concerns of her members. She said some chamber members left the workforce during COVID and attempted to come back and it just didnt work out because of lack of accessibility and lack of affordability, too. She said many members have left the workforce because the cost of childcare has increased so dramatically, even in the last several months.

Task force co-chair Heidi Hedberg, the Alaska Department of Health commissioner, called the presentation humbling and sobering.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, the other co-chair, strongly encouraged public participation through the groups yearlong project. The task forces next meeting is July 12. Members of the public can register to attend online.

The Alaska Beacon is an independent, donor-funded news organization. Alaskabeacon.com.
"neckb4ke" is the Biggest 2023 PokerStars MicroMillions Winner So Far

July 13, 2023 Matthew Pitt Editor

You are forgiven for scratching your head and wondering why PokerNews wrote a headline about the PokerStars MicroMillions with biggest in it. The MicroMillions is a low-stakes festival, after all. That may be the case, but with $4.4 million in combined guaranteed prize pools, there was bound to be some players that padded their bankrolls with large scores for a small investment.

Austria's "neckbr4ke" is one such player. They were one of 8,078 entrants in MicroMillions 107: $22 NLHE 8-Max High Roller. All those buy-ins resulted in a $161,560 prize pool, including a trio of five-figure payouts!

Everyone was guaranteed at least $1,512 for their efforts once the nine-handed final table was set. "MAROTOx86" collected that sum after falling in ninth, with "Muido Harper" and "Samiyuq Kay" running out of luck or steam or a mixture of both to leave the tournament with only six players.

Those six became five when "DaniloPMPB" found themselves with fresh air where their chips once stood, and then four with the untimely demise of "tosati's."

Denmark's "illidandk" bowed out in fourth, a finish good for $8,217, leaving the final trio of low-stakes poker tournament specialists to duke it out safe in the knowledge their $22 buy-in was now worth more than $11,000/

Third place and $11,527 went to Hungary's "goodluckgabi," leaving "neckbr4ke" and "sensy10" to fight it out for the $22,695 top prize. However, with the difference between first and second place being more than $6,500, a colossal jump for a $22 buy-in event, the heads-up duo struck a deal that lessened those payouts. The deal resulted in "sensy10" banking $18,508 after falling at the final hurdle, and "neckbr4ke" scooping an impressive $20,359 for their victory.

MicroMillions 107: $22 NLHE 8-Max High Roller Final Table Results

Rank Player Country Prize 1 neckbr4ke Austria $20,359* 2 sensy10 Brazil $18,508* 3 goodluckgabi Hungary $11,527 4 illidandk Denmark $8,217 5 tosati's Brazil $5,857 6 DaniloPMPB Brazil $4,175 7 Samiyuq Kay Peru $2,976 8 Muido Harper Brazil $2,121 9 MAROTOx86 Brazil $1,512

Learn more about the PokerStars Power Path Discover what makes the PokerStars Power Path so awesome Read more

"rickroger10" Takes Home a MicroMillions Title for Brazil

MicroMillions 105: $11 NLHE 8-Max PKO Sunday Special was the event with the second-largest prize pool of the series so far, weighing in at $159,112 after 16,236 PokerStars players bought in.

Whereas all five Brazilians that reached the final table of the $22 buy-in event mentioned above failed to be the last player standing, "rickroger10" got the job done here.

Seven of this event's nine finalists secured prizes worth more than $1,500 when you include the progressive bounties payments. Even "jucabala390" and "TruePokerism," who crashed out in ninth and eighth place, reeled in hauls worth $909 and $975, respectively!

The field continued thinning, and "rickroger10" found themselves heads-up against fellow Brazilian "DarkAzazel." Both players were guaranteed more than $7,300 from the main prize pool, but the final bounty payment tipped the scales at over $5,500. Indeed, "rickroger10" boosted their payout with $5,601 worth of bounties for a total haul worth $12,978, which is pretty ridiculous for an $11 buy-in tournament.

MicroMillions 105: $11 NLHE 8-Max PKO Sunday Special Final Table Results

Rank Player Country Bounties Prize Total Prize 1 rickroger10 Brazil $5,601 $7,377 $12,978 2 DarkAzazel Brazil $662 $7,364 $8,026 3 allian United Kingdom $924 $4,369 $5,293 4 Bourg19 Canada $456 $3,114 $3,570 5 indiok11 Brazil $673 $2,220 $2,893 6 rifswan11 Mexico $176 $1,582 $1,758 7 TMDiguiN Brazil $458 $1,128 $1,586 8 TruePokerism United Kingdom $171 $804 $975 9 jucabala390 Brazil $336 $573 $909

Croatian "PlayaNEO" Turns $11 Into $9,675

"PlayaNEO" came out on top in the MicroMillions 10: $11 NLHE 8-Max PKO Sunday Special on the opening weekend of the festival, and saw their $11 buy-in swell until it reached $9,675 in size.

Usually, in PKO events, there is a substantial difference between the prize the champion and the runner-up takes home, but not in this tournament. The Croatian champion reeled in a $9,675 score, while "flushnutsAA" of Brazil won $9,139 thanks to being the only player, aside from the champion, to pull in four figures worth of scalps; some $1,887, to be exact.

MicroMillions 10: $11 NLHE 8-Max PKO Sunday Special Final Table Results

Rank Player Country Bounties Prize Total Prize 1 PlayaNEO Croatia $2,414 $7,261 $9,675 2 flushnutsAA Brazil $1,887 $7,252 $9,139 3 Vini gauchoo Brazil $923 $4,302 $5,225 4 Boungen Sweden $741 $3,067 $3,808 5 Magnumz100 Belgium $418 $2,186 $2,604 6 0Adas0 Poland $430 $1,558 $1,988 7 nakataZeu Romania $321 $1,111 $1,432 8 renem24 Canada $735 $791 $1,526 9 tcproject Estonia $248 $564 $812

Apply Now! PokerStars x Poker Power Women's Bootcamp Returns July 31

Remaining 2023 PokerStars MicroMillions Schedule

There are still plenty of PokerStars MicroMillions events to get your teeth into before the curtain comes down on July 16. Among the remaining tournaments are two with the largest guarantees of the entire series.

MicroMillions 202, or the Progressive KO Main Event to give it its full title, is a $22 buy-in affair with a, quite frankly, ridiculous $500,000 guarantee on its prize pool. It shuffles up and deals at 6:05 p.m. BST on July 16.

An hour later at 7:05 p.m. BST, MicroMillions 204 High Roller commences. It commands a $55 buy-in and guarantees not a cent less than $250,000 will be won!

Date Day Time (ET) Event 13-Jul Thu 08:05 MicroMillions 152: $5.50 NLHE [6-Max, Progressive KO], $15K Gtd 13-Jul Thu 09:05 MicroMillions 153: $3.30 NLHE, $6K Gtd 13-Jul Thu 10:05 MicroMillions 154: $1.10 NLHE [Turbo, Progressive KO, Deep Stacks], $3K Gtd 13-Jul Thu 10:35 MicroMillions 155: $5.50 NLHE [Heads-Up, Progressive Total KO, HU Zoom TKO], $10K Gtd 13-Jul Thu 11:05 MicroMillions 156: $5.50 NLHE [Progressive KO], $20K Gtd 13-Jul Thu 11:35 MicroMillions 157: $3.30 NLHE [6-Max, Hyper-Turbo, Progressive KO], $8K Gtd 13-Jul Thu 12:05 MicroMillions 158: $5.50 NLHE [Progressive KO, Big Knockouts], $25K Gtd 13-Jul Thu 12:35 MicroMillions 159: $5.50 5-Card PLO8, $3K Gtd 13-Jul Thu 13:05 MicroMillions 160: $11 NLHE [Progressive KO, Thursday Special], $60K Gtd 13-Jul Thu 13:35 MicroMillions 161: $5.50 NLHE [5-Max, Progressive KO], $20K Gtd 13-Jul Thu 14:05 MicroMillions 162: $1.10 NLHE, $5K Gtd 13-Jul Thu 15:05 MicroMillions 163: $3.30 NLHE [Turbo, Progressive KO, Adrenaline: 40BB], $12K Gtd 13-Jul Thu 16:05 MicroMillions 164: $5.50 NLHE [6-Max, Hyper-Turbo, Progressive KO, Adrenaline: 25BB], $20K Gtd 14-Jul Fri 09:05 MicroMillions 165: $5.50 NLHE [Progressive KO], $20K Gtd 14-Jul Fri 10:05 MicroMillions 166: $1.10 NLHE [7-Max, Turbo, Progressive KO, Deep Stacks], $3K Gtd 14-Jul Fri 10:35 MicroMillions 167: $3.30 NLHE [Deep Stacks], $8K Gtd 14-Jul Fri 11:05 MicroMillions 168: $5.50 NLHE, $15K Gtd 14-Jul Fri 11:35 MicroMillions 169: $3.30 NLHE [Hyper-Turbo, Progressive KO], $10K Gtd 14-Jul Fri 12:05 MicroMillions 170: $5.50 NLHE [6-Max, Progressive KO], $20K Gtd 14-Jul Fri 12:35 MicroMillions 171: $5.50 NL 2-7 Single Draw [Progressive KO], $2.5K Gtd 14-Jul Fri 13:05 MicroMillions 172: $11 NLHE [Progressive KO, Friday Special], $60K Gtd 14-Jul Fri 13:35 MicroMillions 173: $1.10 NLHE [6-Max], $4K Gtd 14-Jul Fri 14:05 MicroMillions 174: $1.10 NLHE [Heads-Up, Progressive Total KO, HU Zoom TKO], $4K Gtd 14-Jul Fri 14:35 MicroMillions 175: $3.30 Stud Hi/Lo [Turbo], $2K Gtd 14-Jul Fri 15:00 MicroMillions 176: $5.50 NLHE [Turbo, Progressive KO, The Rounder], $20K Gtd 14-Jul Fri 16:05 MicroMillions 177: $5.50 NLHE [7-Max, Hyper-Turbo, Progressive KO, Last Player Standing], $25K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 08:05 MicroMillions 178: $3.30 NLHE [Progressive KO], $12K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 09:05 MicroMillions 179: $5.50 NLHE [6-Max, Progressive KO], $15K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 10:05 MicroMillions 180: $3.30 NLHE [Deep Stacks], $8K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 10:35 MicroMillions 181: $5.50 NLHE [Turbo, Progressive KO, Deep Stacks], $15K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 11:05 MicroMillions 182: $1.10 NLHE [6-Max], $3K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 11:35 MicroMillions 183: $5.50 NLHE [Heads-Up, Progressive Total KO, HU Zoom TKO], $12K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 12:05 MicroMillions 184: $3.30 NLHE [Hyper-Turbo, Progressive KO], $12K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 12:35 MicroMillions 185: $5.50 6+ Hold'em [6-Max], $3K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 13:05 MicroMillions 186: $11 NLHE [Progressive KO, Saturday Special], $80K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 13:35 MicroMillions 187: $1.10 NLHE [Progressive KO], $6K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 14:05 MicroMillions 188: $5.50 NLHE, $20K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 14:35 MicroMillions 189: $5.50 NLHE [5-Max, Progressive KO], $20K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 15:05 MicroMillions 190: $3.30 6-Card PLO [Turbo, Progressive KO], $4K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 16:05 MicroMillions 191: $5.50 NLHE [Turbo, Progressive KO, Adrenaline: 40BB], $20K Gtd 15-Jul Sat 17:05 MicroMillions 192: $3.30 NLHE [7-Max, Hyper-Turbo, Progressive KO, Adrenaline: 25BB], $12K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 07:05 MicroMillions 193: $5.50 NLHE [Progressive KO], $20K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 08:05 MicroMillions 194: $1.10 NLHE [Progressive KO], $4K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 09:05 MicroMillions 195: $3.30 NLHE [Progressive KO], $20K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 10:05 MicroMillions 196: $5.50 NLHE [Turbo, Progressive KO, Deep Stacks], $25K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 10:35 MicroMillions 197: $3.30 NLHE [6-Max], $10K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 11:05 MicroMillions 198: $5.50 NLHE [5-Max, Progressive KO], $25K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 11:35 MicroMillions 199: $5.50 NLHE [4-Max, Hyper-Turbo, Progressive Total KO, Bounty Quads], $15K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 12:05 MicroMillions 200: $3.30 NLHE, $15K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 12:35 MicroMillions 201: $11 PLO [PLO Main Event], $35K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 13:05 MicroMillions 202: $22 NLHE [Progressive KO, Main Event], $500K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 13:35 MicroMillions 203: $5.50 NLHE [6-Max, Progressive KO], $30K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 14:05 MicroMillions 204: $55 NLHE [High Roller], $250K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 14:35 MicroMillions 205: $5.50 NLHE [Progressive KO], $50K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 15:05 MicroMillions 206: $5.50 NLO8 [Turbo, Progressive KO], $8K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 16:05 MicroMillions 207: $3.30 NLHE [Heads-Up, Turbo, Progressive Total KO, HU Zoom TKO], $12K Gtd 16-Jul Sun 17:05 MicroMillions 208: $3.30 NLHE [7-Max, Hyper-Turbo, Progressive KO, Last Player Standing], $15K Gtd

Spin & Go Your Way to the MicroMillions Main Event for $0.40

In addition to traditional satellites, PokerStars is running MicroMillions Spin & Go tournaments that make it possible to win $22 Main Event tickets for only a $0.40 investment.

You will play for $0.80 cash or a $1.10 MicroMillions ticket most of the time, but someone will turn $0.40 into a shot at the $500,000 guaranteed MicroMillions Main Event!

Prize Probability in 1M Games $22 MicroMillions Main Event entry 500 $11 MicroMillions Main Event ticket 1,000 $5.50 MicroMillions Main Event ticket 1,000 $2.20 MicroMillions Main Event ticket 110,000 $1.10 MicroMillions Main Event ticket 294,000 $0.80 cash 584,500

Please be aware that you cannot not unregister from the MicroMillions Main Event if you win your entry via the special edition Spin & Go tournaments. Any additional entries you win will be exchanged for T$ (tournament money instantly). Should you win a bunch of MicroMillions tickets via the Spin & Go games but then do not use them, PokerStars will convert to generic MTT tickets within 72 hours of the series concluding.

Never Miss a PokerStars Tournament Again

PokerStars has so many multi-table tournaments running that it is easy to miss one, which is where the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar comes in. Our free-to-use tool allows you to filter tournaments based on buy-in, game type, and more. It even allows you to fire up the PokerStars client via PokerNews so you can continue browsing all of the latest news, strategy, and promotions! Check it out today!
Phil Ivey Essentially Bubbles WPT EveryOne for One Drop at Wynn Las Vegas

July 13, 2023 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S.

While the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is fast approaching its final table, another big tournament has been taking place just down the road at Wynn Las Vegas. The $10,000 buy-in World Poker Tour (WPT) EveryOne for One Drop attracted 1,676 entries over a trio of starting flights and is slated to award its winner $2,561,480!

Heading into Day 3, 71 players remain with arguably the hottest player of 2023, Bin Weng, holding the chip lead with 3,280,000. Others still in contention include Dominik Nitsche (1,040,000), Bryce Yockey (730,000), Adrian Mateos (680,000), Darren Elias (610,000), Stephen Chidwick (500,000), and 2022 WPT World Champion Eliot Hudon (400,000).

WPT EveryOne for One Drop Top 10 Chip Counts

Place Player Count 1 Bin Weng 3,280,000 2 Scott Baumstein 3,265,000 3 Niko Koop 2,830,000 4 Tom Cannuli 2,625,000 5 Mehdi Chaoui 2,320,000 6 Paul Varano 1,735,000 7 Felipe Ketzer 1,720,000 8 Marc Foggin 1,645,000 9 Stephen Song 1,625,000 10 Joe Tehan 1,570,000

Phil Ivey Busts Just Short of the Money

Phil Ivey gets it in. (Image: Drew Amato)

On Day 1c, Phil Ivey was one of the last players to enter the tournament with a starting stack of 40,000. Almost straight away, the WPT Live Updates reported that he three-bet jammed for 42,500 from the cutoff with the A10 and the original raiser from the hijack called with the QQ. Ivey was way behind but got luck after the board ran out 1075A5 to give him two pair and the double.

Ivey made it to Day 2 and was nearing the money in Level 16 (4,000/8,000/8,000). Hand-for-hand play was in effect, and on Hand #7 there was around 50,000 in the pot and a flop of -js6s4c] when Ivey got his stack of 158,000 all in from the cutoff with the AJ only to see Eduardo Pereira roll over the KK. Both the turn and river bricked and Ivey fell a couple spots short of making the money.

Check out the WPT Hub on PokerNews here!

Money Bubble Bursts

In the same level, two more players followed Ivey out the door in the same hand, meaning two players busted on the bubble and split the minimum payout. In the first, David Dowdy and Sergio Aido saw a flop of 876 and got all of the chips in the middle. Dowdy held the J8 for top pair but was in dire straits against Aidos 66. The set held and Dowdy hit the rail.

Daniel Reijmer (sitting, left) Eliminates Samy Dubonnet (standing, right)

Simultaneously, Samy Dubonnet got their extreme short stack all in preflop holding pocket jacks and was up against the king-nine suited of Daniel Reijmer. A king on the flop and a nine on the turn sealed the deal for Reijmer, and Dubonnet joined Dowdy on the rail as joint bubble boys.

Day 3 of the tournament will take place at Noon local time on Thursday with just 71 players remaining. Each is guaranteed $35,480 in prize money, but each will be looking to make the final table of six where theyll make at least $524,500.

Additionally, the $111,000 WPT Alpha8 for One Drop will take place July 14-16.

Stay tuned to PokerNews for more content surrounding the WPT EveryOne for One Drop.

*Images courtesy of WPT / Drew Amato.

Did You Know the World Poker Tour is Online?

The launch of WPT Global means that poker players around the world now have the chance to win their way to WPT events, win prizes and enjoy exciting games such as Poker Flips. As one of the world's largest cash game poker networks, WPT Global is available in over 50 countries and territories around the world.

WPT Global[/URL] also offers new players matched deposit bonus of 100% up to a maximum of $1,200. Any new player who deposits $20 or more will automatically receive this deposit bonus.

The playthrough requirements for this bonus is fairly straightforward with each $2.50 increment of the bonus being unlocked every time you generate $10 of rake. This rake can come from either tournaments or cash games. The bonus expires after 90 days starting from the date of your first deposit.

To further sweeten the deal, WPT Global will also award you some tournament tickets. The exact reward depends on whether you are a new player and how big your deposit was.

Players Deposit No. Min Deposit Reward Total Rewards New only 1st $20 $11 Mini Slam ticket $11 Mini Slam ticket New and Existing 2nd $20 $11 Mini Slam ticket 2x $11 Mini Slam tickets New and Existing Deposit of $300+ $300 $110 Sunday Slam ticket $11 Mini Slam and $110 Sunday Slam ticket New and Existing Deposit of $1,200+ $1,200 2x $110 Sunday Slam tickets $11 Mini Slam and 3x $110 Sunday Slam tickets

Sharelines Phil Ivey essentially bubbled the @WPT EveryOne for @OneDrop at @WynnLasVegas.
PN Podcast: Norman Chad in as Co-Host; Guest GGPoker Ambassador Kevin Martin at WSOP

July 12, 2023 Chad Holloway Executive Editor U.S.

On the latest PokerNews Podcast episode, Jesse Fullen and special co-host Norman Chad continue The Chad & Jesse Poker Show straight from the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP).

They welcome GGPoker Ambassador Kevin Martin to the show as this weeks guest. The Big Brother Canada winner talked about meeting his wife on the show, how he found his way into poker and the streaming game, and busting the record-breaking 2023 WSOP Main Event. He also offers up three names when it comes to who he admires most in the poker content space.

Norman Chad and Jesse then do a new "Calling the Clock" segment in which they offer quick two-minute dialogues for topics on The Board.

Here's a look at this episode's topics:

Broken Record

Phil Hellmuth wins bracelet No. 17

wins bracelet No. 17 Hellmuths circus costume

WSOP POY Race

Chris Brewer wins 2nd bracelet

wins 2nd bracelet WSOP Main Event Bad Beat

WSOP KO  Hand #1

Dirty Diaper is back

Listen to those stories and more on the latest episode of the PokerNews Podcast!

Time Stamps

Time Topic 00:35 Welcome to the show 00:40 Chad Holloway is out, Norman Chad is in! 01:48 The 2023 WSOP Main Event is here 02:57 Remembering WSOP Main Event legends 25:38 Sponsor: Global Poker 26:12 Broken Record for WSOP Main Event 28:12 Hellmuth wins bracelet No. 17 30:12 Hellmuths circus costume 32:12 WSOP POY Race 34:12 Chris Brewer wins 2nd bracelet 36:12 WSOP Main Event Bad Beat 38:12 WSOP KO  Hand #1 40:12 Dirty Diaper is back 42:35 Guest Kevin Martin joins the show 43:38 Meeting wife on Big Brother Canada and then winning the cash! 44:12 K-Marts poker origin story 47:30 Venturing into the streaming game 49:54 What was it like for Norman Chad to experience the Moneymaker Boom 53:00 Notching his biggest score 55:25 Busting the WSOP Main Event 56:15 Retiring in 2019 59:43 Who is Kevin Martin impressed by in poker? 1:03:02 July Freerolls for PokerNews listeners

July PokerNews Freerolls

Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show  tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Chad Holloway, Jesse Fullen, and Connor Richards on Twitter.

Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here!

Check Out Past Episodes of the PN Podcast Here!

Sharelines PokerNews Podcast: @KevinRobMartin joins the show from the 2023 @WSOP.
The action was non-stop in Event #83: $1,500 Short Deck No-Limit Hold'em at the 2023 World Series of Poker at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. The bust-outs came fast and furious throughout the first day, with the field being whittled down from 363 players down to only nine in the first 15 levels.

David Prociak came out on top with the chip lead by the end of the night, bagging an impressive 2,040,000 chips. Prociak is one of two former bracelet winners to find a bag for Day 2, having won his first bracelet in a $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better event in 2016. Prociak came into the final three tables with the chip lead and kept the lead throughout the later stages of the day.

Event $83: $1,500 Short Deck No-Limit Hold'em Final 9 Chip Counts

Place Player Country Chips 1 David Prociak United States 2,040,000 2 Robert James United States 1,622,000 3 Thai Ha Vietnam 1,200,000 4 Matan Gabay Israel 1,054,000 5 Moses Alosh Israel 784,000 6 Ryan Laplante United States 771,000 7 Wai Kiat Lee Malaysia 734,000 8 Marcos Exterkotter Brazil 611,000 9 Adam Adler United States 515,000

Hot on Prociak's heels is Robert James, who managed to bag 1,622,000 chips by the end of the night. James eliminated several players throughout the day and will be looking to win his first career gold bracelet on Day 2 of this event.

Ryan Laplante is the only other former bracelet winner to advance to Day 2, having won his first bracelet in a $565 Pot-Limit Omaha event in 2016.

The event paid 55 places of the 363-person field and notables to hit the rail before the money was reached today included Shaun Deeb, Yuri Dzivielevski, Benny Glaser, and Chris Brewer.

Peter Jetten was the unfortunate soul who burst the money bubble when his opponent flopped a full house against his ace-king in a confrontation that was all in preflop.

Notables to secure a cash but who failed to bag a stack for Day 2 included Martin Zamani ($2,413), Nick Marchington ($2,640), Alex Epstein ($2,640), Patrick Leonard ($3,017), Adam Friedman ($4,228), and Dario Sammartino ($6,606).

Day 2 resumes at 12:00 p.m. local time on July 13 with a 6,000 ante and 60-minute levels. With only nine players remaining, it is likely they will play down to a winner, but that remains to be determined.

The PokerNews live reporting team will be back on the tournament floor to bring you all of the live updates throughout the day.
Day 1 of Event #83: $50,000 High Roller at the 2023 World Series of Poker hosted by Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas was a smashing success with an impressive 137 entries, which already bested last years field of 107. After 12 levels of play, that number was brought down to only 44.

Yang Wang finished in the top of the counts with a whopping 2,175,000, closely followed by Fedor Holz (1,990,000) and Stefan Schilhabel (1,915,000). Holz actually bagged second in chips on Day 1 of this event last year, so hes not too far off his mark this go round.

End of Day 1 Top 10 Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Yang Wang China 2,175,000 109 2 Fedor Holz Germany 1,990,000 100 3 Stefan Schillhabel Germany 1,915,000 96 4 Vlad Darie Romania 1,830,000 92 5 Dylan Linde United States 1,770,000 89 6 Jake Schindler United States 1,740,000 87 7 Masashi Oya Japan 1,430,000 72 8 Espen Jorstad Norway 1,340,000 67 9 Brandon Wittmeyer United States 1,330,000 67 10 Nacho Barbero Argentina 1,305,000 65

Plenty of big names battled throughout the day but werent able to find a bag, including the likes of Chris Brewer, Shaun Deeb, Alex Foxen, Kristen Foxen, and Isaac Haxton. Haxton made a late appearance but didnt stay long as he was felted twice in a rather quick procession.

Popular Hustler Casino Live personality Wesley Fei bagged a healthy 1,295,000 after being moved to a tough table with Espen Jrstad (1,300,000) and Jason Koon (810,000). Fei joked with the bunch that all he wanted to do was bag and he asked the table not to bust him. Fei bagged about double what he bagged last year in this event and is assuredly looking to parlay that into a deep run on Day 2.

Wesley Fei

The 2023 $400 Colossus winner, Moshe Refaelowitz, was also in the field, making a huge leap after busting from the Main Event up to the high roller. He seemed comfortable enough and held his own throughout the day, bagging more than double the starting stack with 695,000 in chips.

High roller regulars Daniel Negreanu (685,000) and Cary Katz (690,000) also bagged similar stack and the pair will be quite a bit better off than if they had chosen to max late register on Day 2.

Late registration is still until the start of the tournament on Day 2, slated to begin on July 13 at 1:00 p.m local time.

This is only a small peek of the many notables in the field so make sure to tune in to PokerNews to see the outcome of this tremendous WSOP event.
A third participant in the infamous racist torch march at the University of Virginia in 2017 has pleaded guilty to using a burning object to intimidate.

His lawyer told the court that being held without bail before trial was what forced William McAffe Williams of Nacona, Texas, to take a deal.

In my own personal opinion I would have taken this case to trial, attorney Ryan Rakness told Albemarle County Circuit Court. That my client was held without bond made that impossible.

Unlike the lawyers representing the others five men thus far charged with violating Virginias ban on using a burning object to racially intimidate on Aug. 11, 2017, Rakness has openly challenged the prosecution.

The commonwealth waited six years, Rakness said at a bail hearing in early May. If they thought my client was a danger to society they would have acted sooner.

Later that month, Judge Claude Worrell, hearing a prosecutors arguments that Williams served as a confidante and bodyguard to a fugitive blogger found the 37-year-old Williams a danger to his community and denied pretrial release.

Assistant Commonwealths Attorney W. Lawton Tufts emphasized the connection to that blogger, Robert Azzmador Ray, again Wednesday. Tufts said that Williams, a heavy-set man standing over 6 feet tall, served as muscle in the bully squad of Ray.

He came with Robert Ray, who is known as someone who incited violence at these types of events, said Tufts. He came as a kind of guard.

Tufts then read one of Rays racist statements, ostensibly about deploying mace but veiled in a reference to the Nazi gas chambers of the Holocaust.

Yesterday, I gassed a bunch of kikes, Tufts alleged Ray to have said in Charlottesville.

On the alleged crime of burning to intimidate, a felony which can carry a term up to five years, Tufts showed the court pictures of Williams the night before the deadly United the Right rally-turned-riot. The pictures showed Williams near the front of the hundreds-strong throng of mostly men who carried torches in a procession across UVa Grounds. Tufts said that Williams had a burning torch in one hand and a Maglite, a heavy-duty flashlight that often doubles as a club, in the other.

The people with the tiki torches surrounded the counterprotesters, Tufts told the court.

Rakness attempted to steer the conversation away from his clients associations.

This shouldnt be about someones opinions that are unpopular or outside the mainstream, said Rakness. This should be about their actions.

Maintaining that it was about actions, Tufts said that the torch-bearers had no intent but to intimidate and that the surrounded counterprotesters had no way to exit.

Rakness said that real-life considerations forced Williams to plea.

The jury would have been able to suss these things out, but that would have been at least two months down the road, said Rakness. My client has a wife and seven children at home.

Under the plea agreement accepted Wednesday afternoon, Williams received an active sentence of six months. With credit for time served since his arrest in March, his attorney said, Williams appears headed for release in approximately two weeks.

That tracks with another recently accepted guilty plea. Tyler Bradley Dykes of Bluffton, South Carolina, also received a six-month active sentence and is set for release July 17.

Tufts said that the commonwealth agreed to the plea agreement because a trial would have required a multitude of witnesses.

Judge Higgins set the full sentence for Williams at four years with three years and six months suspended, four years of good behavior and one year of supervised probation in his home state of Texas, with supervision terminated if Texas declines to supervise him.
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The single most openly racist person one could consider as somewhat prominent on a national level, self-described pro-white nationalist Lara Loomer, lost the Republican primary to incumbent Rep. Dan Webster for Floridas 11th Congressional District by a mere six points last night, shocking most observers. It is almost impossible to escape the fear that the only limit to the MAGA rightward creep is time. Perhaps Loomer is just two years early.

From Fox 35 Orlando:

Florida Republican Rep. Dan Webster on Tuesday narrowly defeated Laura Loomer, a far-right provocateur in Florida whos been banned on some social media networks because of anti-Muslim and other remarks. Webster had been in an unexpectedly tight race against Loomer, a nationally known activist who sought to align herself with former President Donald Trump.

Webster, who has served central Florida districts since 2011, won the primary for a race in Floridas 11th District, which is home to The Villages, the nations largest retirement community, and a GOP stronghold.

Given that Loomer is a mega-MAGA, too far right  for now  to be officially recognized as one of the tribe, she naturally refused to concede. From Mediaite:

Im not conceding, because Im a winner. And the reality is, this Republican Party is broken to its core.

IM NOT CONCEDING! Laura Loomer attacks the Republican Party and alleges voter fraud after losing GOP primary to incumbent Florida congressman Daniel Webster. #news6 pic.twitter.com/qpuhJUIpyJ  Mike DeForest (@DeForestNews6) August 24, 2022

To be sure, Loomer won a 2020 Republican primary, but that primary was held in Floridas 21st District, a Democratic stronghold with little Republican interest. She lost the general election by 20 points. This race, however, in Floridas 11th Congressional district includes the exurbs of the Tampa area, spreads over the blood red retirement center that is The Villages, and stretches to the Orlando exurbs. This is solidly Republican and Loomer, going up against an established, non-controversial incumbent, came within six points. A large 44% of the GOP-MAGA voters were aligned with a woman who has said of herself (in 2017): I totally support ethnonationalism. Someone asked me, Are you pro-White nationalism? Yes. Im pro-white nationalism.

It is terrifying. Loomer checks all the boxes, including the platform of grievance:

What we have done tonight is really, honestly shocked the nation. We have further exposed a corruption within our own feckless, cowardly Republican Party. And that is exactly the reason why, right, I decided to go against the RINO Republican Daniel Webster, do-nothing Daniel Webster.

Notice the pattern. Loomer has staked out a white nationalist position that would please Hitler, making Webster a RINO in Loomers voters world. We have seen this before, and, again, sometimes the candidate just waits for the party to catch up.

If things burst open with indictments against Trump or further Democratic victories which threaten the party of grievance further, one will be forced to watch the Loomers of the nation and see if the Loomer-type make gains in solid red areas.

It is important to focus on the fact that the Florida 11th is so red that it isnt even representative of DeSantiss Florida, where polls show that Democrat Val Demings leads Marco Rubio by four points, to keep some perspective. The nation itself remains majority blue. Even Florida is at least 50-50 blue. But these pockets of ultra-MAGA must be watched. Minority parties have seized power before, and history teaches that it quickly turns ugly.
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Prosecutors are not amused by the 45th presidents attempts to squirm out of accountability for the theft of national defense and classified documents.

On Thursday, the Special Counsels office prosecutors replied to Trumps efforts to indefinitely postpone his criminal trial date in the defense and classified documents case and to use the Presidential Records Act as a defense.

There is no basis in law or fact for proceeding in such an indeterminate and open-ended fashion, and the Defendants provide none, they wrote.

For the reasons discussed below and in the Governments Motion, the Court should reset the trial date in this action for December 11, 2023.

Prosecutors cited the Speedy Trial Act of 1974, saying that while the defendants chided the government for wanting an expedited trial, they have it exactly backward, as: A speedy trial is a foundational requirement of the Constitution and the United States Code, not a Government preference that must be justified.

To be fair, Donald Trump has never demonstrated even the faintest of familiarity with the U.S. Constitution, and his (probably) unpaid, beleaguered lawyers will likely be unable to educate him on this matter.

The government cites some facts (rarely a good moment for the former president):

The very first sentence of the Act forecloses Defendants proposal here:

In any case involving a defendant charged with an offense, the appropriate judicial officer, at the earliest practicable time, shall, after consultation with the counsel for the defendant and the attorney for the Government, set the case for trial on a day certain,  so as to assure a speedy trial. 18 U.S.C.  3161(a).

Both defendants Trump and his valet Nauta have claimed that they cannot receive a fair trial prior until *after* the 2024 election. Please insert eye roll here, because we all know that if Trump were to win, this prosecution would be canceled immediately. We see you, 45.

Prosecutors called Trumps claim that the Presidential Records Act offers him a defense to the criminal charges he faces borderline frivolous.

As for the Presidential Records defense Trump keeps nattering on about, prosecutors call this bordering on frivolous, which demonstrates remarkable restraint. As for the impact of the Presidential Records Act on this prosecution, any argument that it mandates dismissal of the Indictment or forms a defense to the charges here borders on frivolous.

They cited:

The PRA is not a criminal statute, and in no way purports to address the retention of national security information. The Defendants are, of course, free to make whatever arguments they like for dismissal of the Indictment, and the Government will respond promptly. But they should not be permitted to gesture at a baseless legal argument, call it novel, and then claim that the Court will require an indefinite continuance in order to resolve it.

ALSO, they add:

Moreover, even if the Court were to conclude that these legal issues were novel, the Act requires more: the issues must be novel such that it is unreasonable to expect adequate preparation for pretrial proceedings or for the trial itself within the time limits established by this section.

The government has clearly familiarized itself with Donald Trumps standard operating procedure when faced with legal issues and now mounting indictments. Trumps first move is always to delay delay delay, while poisoning the jury pool with constant accusations of witch hunt and political persecution.

In truth, Trump has very little defense to offer for his theft of these defense documents, and even less for his sharing of them with others who dont have any clearance to see them.

Trumps actions have endangered United States national security, public safety, and the safety of our troops and assets. Others whove done 1/10 of what he is accused of doing have faced far worse consequences and were not afforded endless delays for any reason, let alone wanting to run for president.

Donald Trump is from this point forward to be known Borderline Frivolous, Exactly Backward.
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Life in America. Life in Texas. Life under a corrupt Supreme Court.

While driving to work near Dallas Texas, a man flipped off a car, the other driver opened fire and fatally shot the mans wife. In Texas, you can carry a loaded handgun in your vehicle without a permit. Texas leads the nation in road rage shootings.

Paola Nunez Linares was shot in the back of her head after her husband, Zane Jones, flipped off what he said was an aggressive driver. Her husband said he was using the left lane to pass a slow car in the right lane, the slow car driver began riding their bumper and Zane flipped off the driver. The other driver responded by opening fire into their vehicle, fatally shooting his wife in the head.

Upon arrival, officers found a 37-year-old female with a gunshot wound to the head. The females husband was on the scene and reported that they were driving their vehicle, a maroon 2017 KIA mini-van, northbound on East Loop 820 when they were involved in a road rage incident with another vehicle. An occupant of the other vehicle fired several shots at them, striking the female. The female victim was transported to JPS Hospital by Hurst FD medics, where she was later pronounced deceased, Hurst police said in a statement.

Her husband, Zane Jones, said to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, I need him caught, I need him prosecuted, I need him in prison. I need him to know he didnt just fire a gun into a car, The end. He killed someone whos not like anyone. He killed someone who fought so hard to be here, who loved my kids, that loved me, someone whos building a life and a career for herself. Someone who had nothing to do with anything. Someone who was a passenger of the person he was mad at. I want him to rot.

The shooter has not been arrested at the time of this writing.

Texas ranks first in the nation for road rage shootings, according to a report by Jerry. It is followed by Florida and California (due to high populations). Just having a gun in the car makes people drive more aggressively, according to researchers. And of course, the easy access of a gun can quickly escalate into a deadly encounter.

When you see the term permitless carry, it sounds a lot less harmful than it actually is. What it means is that people who have no formal training or special permit can now carry a loaded gun in their vehicle. As anyone who has used a gun responsibly knows, careful use of a gun requires training. The military, for example, spends months on weapons training, and there are still accidents. Guns are not toys, but they are treated as such by the culture created by the NRA and Republican lawmakers who pose with their kids holding machine guns in front of Christmas trees, as if weapons of war are virtue signaling signs of Christianity and strength. They are neither. They are weapons of death and destruction, meant for skilled, trained people to use in war.

Everytown for Gun Safety reported that in 2022, someone was shot and injured or killed in a road rage incident on average every 16 hours. They point out that states with weaker gun laws, like those in the southern United States, sees the highest rates of victimization from road rage shootings, double those in the Northeast.

Texas put permitless carry into effect in 2021. Everytown notes states that were permitless in 2022 have by far the highest rate of road rage shootings with injuries or deaths.

Furthermore, permitless carry states had nearly triple the rate of road rage shooting victimization than those states with the most protective standards. Moreover, states that were permitless in 2022 had 27 percent more deaths and injuries in road rage incidents involving a gun than states that required a permit but did not give law enforcement broad authority to deny an application.

But guess what. The Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that states can no longer protect their residents from this kind of wild west shoot out on the streets of America when they barred states from requiring justification for concealed carry permits. So guns have more rights than women do in America, thanks to this corrupt conservative court that is legislating their so called pro-life values from the bench. This court is comprised of several conservative justices, who weve recently learned are secretly funded by conservative billionaires and Nazi memorabilia collectors. These are not great people and they certainly are not ruling from true moral convictions or legal precedent, or else they would have a problem with their rulings which are directly leading to more deaths for pregnant women and girls and guns.

Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand, summed it up, After a driver flipped off a car near Dallas, the other driver opened fire, shooting the mans wife in the head. No arrests have been made. Permitless carry went into effect in Texas in 2021; Texas has more road rage shootings than any other state.

America, where your wife or kid can be shot while you drive to work, because gun manufacturers have control of Republican legislators and Republican Supreme Court justices.
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In a recent exchange at the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) boldly called out Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) for his months-long hold on military promotions, emphasizing the detrimental impact it has on our Marines and their families. Senator Duckworth raised concerns about the absence of a Commandant of the Marine Corps, a position vacant for the first time in over a century due to Senator Tubervilles actions. This move not only disrupts military leadership but also poses a significant threat to our national security and military readiness.

Video of Sen. Duckworth:

Senator Duckworth, herself a combat veteran, served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In stark contrast, Senator Tuberville has not served a single day in uniform. Yet, despite his lack of military experience, he persists in imposing his personal political agenda on the Department of Defense.

Our entire military readiness is slowly grinding to a halt, and it is going to get worse every single day because Senator Tuberville has injected politics into this, stated Senator Duckworth emphatically. She further clarified that the Department of Defense (DoD) statute clearly prohibits the funding of abortions by the DoD and emphasized that the military is not providing abortions in this instance.

Who suffers the most from Senator Tubervilles hold on military promotions? Senator Duckworth underlined the impact on the lowest-ranking servicemembers, particularly the youngest women in the military and the spouses of younger male servicemembers. These individuals often face the challenge of requesting passes from their Sergeants to leave their duty stations and seek necessary healthcare.

What Senator Tuberville is telling them is, I dont care about you. Thank you for your service, but you cannot take care of your own healthcare or your spouses healthcare,' Senator Duckworth declared, highlighting the disregard shown by Senator Tuberville towards servicemembers and their families.

Furthermore, Senator Duckworth elucidated the misconceptions surrounding the DoDs role in providing reproductive healthcare. The DoD does not fund abortions but instead allows servicemembers to travel to a different state, if required, to access the reproductive healthcare they need, whether it be abortions, IVF, or IUDs. This flexibility is crucial for those who may otherwise experience limited access to such services within their assigned state.

It is essential to understand the significant repercussions of Senator Tubervilles actions. The disruption caused by the hold on military promotions has real-world consequences. Officers and their families face challenges, including upheaval in their education, employment, and financial stability. The impact on military readiness is severe, as the entire system slowly grinds to a halt.

Senator Duckworth concluded by highlighting the blatant politicization of this issue, specifically by Senator Tuberville. If theres anybody thats injecting politics into this, its Senator Tuberville who is fundraising, she asserted. It is alarming that Senator Tuberville is using his obstruction to solicit funds, capitalizing on his hold on military leadership, thus compromising the national security of the United States.
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Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA) is asking why Donald Trump bends at the knee of Russia. In office, Donald Trump bent the knee in front of Vladimir Putin. Out of office, Trump continues to bend the knee before Putin. Why?

Lieu, a veteran who sits on the House Judiciary, Foreign Affairs, and Science, Space, and Technology Committees, wrote his remarks over a screengrab of Trumps January comments in which he repeated his feelings of trusting Russia over U.S. intelligence:

Remember in Helsinki when a 3rd rate reporter asked me, essentially, who I trusted more, President Putin of Russia, or our Intelligence lowlifes, Trump wrote.

My instinct at the time was that we had really bad people Now add McGonigal & other slime to the list. Who would you choose, Putin or these Misfits?

This is sadly still relevant, as not only are House Republicans trying to pave an easy path for Russia to interfere in the 2024 elections, but Trump is still standing with Russia in their war of aggression against Ukraine.

Trump called for an end to U.S. support for Ukraine, claiming  as Russian propaganda does  that by supporting Ukraine against Putins alarming expansionist hostilities, we are pushing toward World War III.

This is also an interesting appeasement policy frame for the current situation, because it inadvertently compares Putin to Hitler and recalls then British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declaring Peace for our time after the 1938 Munich Agreement appeasement policy allowed Nazi Germany to take parts of Czechoslovakia, as Britain and France refused to help the Czechs resist.

We saw what happened when those countries gave in to expansionist Hitler for the sake of peace, as six months later, Hitler spit on the agreement and ordered his armies to march on into Prague. One year later, the Guardian recalls, Britain and France were at war with Germany.

In reality, if World War III happens, there is no one to blame but Putin and those who champion Putins aggression and illegal invasion into Ukraine. Putin does not have good intentions in his invasion, and in fact, he continues to try to destroy western democracy. Anyone repeating Putins propaganda about WW III as a reason to NOT support Ukraine is not only dangerously foolish, but also comparatively supporting an expansionist like Hitler for gullible hits of hopium.

Heres a bit of Trumps statement by the 45th President of the United States put in scare quotes because he presents these as if he were a legitimate statesman as president, when in fact he has repeatedly put the U.S. at risk and consistently jeopardized the safety of Americans, while siding with a hostile foreign power.

Note: The following statement contains multiple misleading comments.

Joe Biden should not be dragging us further toward World War III by sending cluster munitions to Ukrainehe should be trying to END the war and stop the horrific death and destruction being caused by an incompetent administration.

There could be no more vivid proof that Joe Bidens policy of endless war in Ukraine has tremendously weakened the United States Joe Biden is needlessly and dangerously leading us into World War III, which would be a nightmare beyond imaginationobliteration!



We must stop this insanity, immediately end the bloodshed in Ukraine, and return to a focus on Americas vital interests. We must have PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH and in a short time, the Presidential election of 2024 will produce that result.

As usual, Donald Trump is lying and misleading.

Russia has been using its own cluster munitions against Ukraine for over a year. Russia invaded Ukraine, killing its people including pregnant women and children, leaving Ukraine no choice but to defend itself or bow down to Putin and give up its independence and liberty to a vicious authoritarian.

Putins Russia is not exactly a bastion of freedom; it is a tightly controlled, propaganda-only environment in which the people dont even know whats actually going on. This is the environment Trump is pushing to install in the U.S., as he oversaw democratic backsliding as president and continues to push to align with it.

President Biden does not have a policy of endless war in Ukraine. It is Putins policy of endless war. Putin and his enablers, like Donald Trump. Biden and our western allies are helping Ukraine because they understand that Ukraine represents western democracys fate.

Giving in to Putins aggression against Ukraine would seriously wound already flailing global democracy, which is exactly the result Putin seeks.

In January of 2023, Russian propaganda expert Julia Davis wrote about Russians being prepped via propaganda for the rapid decline in standards of living, The Soviet grooming that is being implemented by many Russian propagandists is meant to condition the people to the rapid decline in the standards of living to which many of them have become accustomed. The expectations are so dire, Mardan posed a startling question to his economic expert, Denis Raksha: What are our chances? Do we even have them or not? Will we have to live like South Korea in the 1950s-1960s? Will we end up having to eat fire ants?'

An authoritarian needs the people to believe he/she is keeping them safe. A relatively decent standard of living is also important, because starving people have less to lose by revolting. If a decent standard of living cant be had, the people must be brainwashed to blame an opponent for this state and also, if need be, themselves. They will be shown other people prospering under the aggressive and dangerous dictatorship of Putin.

After the Wagner groups revolt, Putin warned the west not to try to take advantage of their weakness, which I noted at the time was an absurd demand given that Putin and his henchmen have been exploiting the weaknesses of the west for years in order to undermine western democracy.

The web of lies being sold by far too many on the Right and alleged far Left is perilous gaslighting meant to obscure an alignment with Putin over democracy.

No one is happy about being pulled into a conflict with global ramifications, but history has taught us that this wont be solved by simply giving in to might over right.

Its certainly worth noting as Trump, a twice impeached and many times indicted front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, continues to bend at the knee to Russia that what he is really saying is give in to Putin.

Now, why would a presidential contender be pushing his ill-informed, cultish base to give in to Putin and stop supporting Ukraine in the lead-up to the 2024 election?

Trumps policy is actually a policy of weakness. His position is we should let Putin do whatever he wants. Donald Trump is, as the Right likes to say, a cuck to Putin, who helped Trump win in 2016. So it is very self-serving that Trumps policy is Russia First instead of America First.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, especially during the morning. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 84F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Conservatives with ties to Virginias higher education system say that students and faculty at the states flagship university may reflect a diversity of race and gender but not of religion and politics.

Now, with seats on the governing board at the University of Virginia and the power to do something about it, they have started to float new ideas to change diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives at the school.

One of those proposals: Track the political and religious affiliations of students and faculty the same way race and gender are already tracked.

Leading the charge is Richmond businessman Douglas Wetmore, who Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed to the UVa Board of Visitors in 2022.

How come we dont have dashboards that track, for example, the political ideology of the campus population? asked Wetmore at June 2 board meeting. Why wouldnt we do that to try to convince ourselves that we have balance and that were serving the full range of needs from our constituents as a leading public university?

Wetmore has not responded to multiple requests for comment from The Daily Progress, but some of his allies did.

Jim Bacon, the executive director of the Jefferson Council, a conservative alumni association, has backed Wetmores proposal with one clarification: The data collected on religious and political affiliation would be used for no other reason than general knowledge.

I would hate for there to be any kind of tracking of the student body more than just if we did it for interest, Bacon told The Daily Progress. Bacon added that he is most concerned about the affiliation of faculty. Im less concerned about the viewpoint diversity among the students, at least as long as theyre not recruited and admitted based on their political beliefs.

Where did this come from?

Outrage over DEI initiatives in higher education have been most concentrated online. Twitter and Facebook are rife with critics arguing educators are indoctrinating students, students are not comfortable expressing views that dont conform with liberal ideology and free speech in general is being stifled on campuses. That online chatter has been echoed in the halls of the Executive Mansion in Richmond, where Youngkin has gone so far as to say DEI initiatives have gone off the rails.

As a public state university, it is a critical institutional priority to have diversity of political ideology and point of view, Wetmore said at the June 2 board meeting. So how do we convince ourselves that we are being true to our core values?

Ironically, students at UVa seem largely comfortable with the initiatives that have already been instituted, diversity training for faculty, staff and students as well as their freedom to express differing viewpoints on Grounds.

Nearly 85% of students think diversity training for faculty and staff is a good idea and 75% agree it should be implemented for students, according to the results of a 2020 survey released by UVa.

Moreover, when more than 7,000 students, faculty and staff were asked about the campus climate in 2018  the year after the deadly Unite the Right rally-turned-riot in Charlottesville  more than 80% of all three categories said they felt that their political and religious affiliations were respected on Grounds.

Very liberal and very conservative respondents were less likely to report feeling comfortable with the climate for inclusion and diversity, according to the report.

However, only 14.4% of respondents identified as very liberal and just 2.3% identified as very conservative.

Years after both surveys were conducted, students said much of the same.

I think the university provides a space in the classroom that is most definitely open to people with different viewpoints, rising second-year Phillip Wilson told The Daily Progress. Teachers usually make a concerted effort to be open to new ideas and mindful of varying backgrounds. However, the student body can feel a little less open depending on who you surround yourself with.

Bacon, however, said many students are just saying what they think their professors and university leaders want to hear.

In our conversations with conservative students, many of them self-censor, Bacon said. They write answers and essays that just tell liberal professors what they want to hear and feel.

How would it work?

In conversation, Bacon repeatedly referred to the 2018 survey at UVa as a model for how tracking political and religious affiliation could be implemented at the school in the future.

What he did not mention is how much effort it took on the part of UVa to conduct the survey in the first place.

To achieve the thousands of respondents it eventually attracted, UVa officials bombarded students, faculty and staff with emails, prizes and postcards asking them to take the survey.

And despite the 2018 and 2020 surveys rebutting many of Bacons claims about the climate at UVa, he also repeatedly said that were the survey to be conducted regularly today it would show different results. And those results would help illuminate viewpoint disparities at the school, he said.

Even if the Board of Visitors were to move forward with monitoring students, faculty and staff affiliations, the schools track record has shown that illuminating disparities does not necessarily resolve them.

Another blueprint for religious and political monitoring that already exists and has been cited by Wetmore, Bacon and others is UVas diversity dashboard tracking race on Grounds.

The school has tracked race for years, but that does not mean that the student body at the states flagship university now reflects the population of the commonwealth.

Today, students of Asian descent at UVa are overrepresented by as much as three times the demographics population in Virginia. All other races are underrepresented, particularly Black and Hispanic groups. Virginias population is 12.4% Black and 18.7% Hispanic, while the student body at UVa is 7% Black and 7.1% Hispanic. While White is the majority race at UVa and in the commonwealth, Whites make up 68.5% of the commonwealths population and 52.3% of the UVa student body.

Is it even legal?

Wilson, the rising second-year, said he would feel uncomfortable if the university began tracking students affiliation.

It does not seem like something a public institution should be concerned with, Wilson said. It would feel a little invasive especially since there isnt much transparency on what they would do with that information.

Invasive? Perhaps. But legal? Absolutely.

There are no obstacles to collecting this kind of data under the federal Constitution, Georgetown University law professor Jeffery Shulman told The Daily Progress. Given that the university already collects personal data, its hard to imagine that there would be any state constitutional or state law obstacles to collecting data of this kind.

However, Shulman warned about how the data could be used, echoing Bacons own caveat that the data not be used for anything more than general knowledge.

The use of such data might be problematic, Shulman said. I assume that the data is used in the same way gender and race statistics would be  that is, to create a detailed demographic portrait of the schools population (as opposed to identifying and targeting specific individuals or groups).

What are people saying?

Until the appointments of members such as Wetmore to the board by Youngkin, intellectual diversity was not a widely publicized aspect of the universitys DEI initiatives.

Then, in 2021, the year he was elected, the Board of Visitors endorsed a statement on the universitys commitment to free expression and inquiry.

The University of Virginia unequivocally affirms its commitment to free expression and free inquiry, reads the statement. All views, beliefs, and perspectives deserve to be articulated and heard free from interference.

In a presentation before the board on June 2, UVa President Jim Ryan reaffirmed his commitment to intellectual diversity and outlined new initiatives for the university.

I believe in the importance of this work, Ryan told the board. I also think its important that universities pay attention to honest critiques of how we approach DEI so that we can be open to ideas or changes that might make us better in this space and might make us better at meeting the needs of our institutions.

When asked directly about his thoughts on intellectual diversity, Ryan referred The Daily Progress to the universitys communications department. The universitys communications department referred The Daily Progress to a lengthy essay Ryan wrote for the Chronicle of Higher Education.

In terms of making decisions and setting policy for the future, that is generally the role of the President, working with the Board and senior leaders, UVa spokesman Brian Coy said. In terms of how DEI works at UVa presently (and into at least the near future), the presentation Jim Ryan made to the Board on June 2 is probably the best source of info.

Faculty were more willing to voice their thoughts about the Wetmore proposal.

I do have concerns, as others in the room also expressed, about any tracking of the political identity of students and/or faculty, Susan Kirk, the associate dean for graduate medical education who previously sat on the Board of Visitors, told The Daily Progress. I recoil a little bit about the dashboard. About really asking personal questions, which your political viewpoint is personal.

As long as this is a random-sample survey and the names of individual interviewees are not disclosed, I see nothing wrong with it, Larry Sabato, founder and director of the Center for Politics at UVa, told The Daily Progress. A large majority of faculty are registered here in Virginia. Technically, we are all independents.

If they want to produce a roll call of liberals and conservatives so students can be warned, absolutely not, Sabato told the Richmond-Times Dispatch. Its potentially McCarthyite.

In fact, were UVa to move forward with tracking religious and political affiliations, the school would be doing something not even done at Liberty University in Lynchburg, a school that is famous, or infamous, for its deep roots in conservatism and evangelicalism.

While officials from Liberty did not respond to a request for comment from The Daily Progress, graduates of the school did respond  and they found the idea outlandish and draconian.

We were never asked to identify our religion or political beliefs ever, recent Liberty graduate Katherine Shepler said. When it comes to tracking, race is usually something you can see. You cant see the political beliefs or religious ideology of students, even at a predominantly Christian university like Liberty. We have people from all political beliefs and religious backgrounds. Some people are even agnostic or atheist, and no one goes around forcing people to declare it.

Shepler went on to say that she thought Wetmores proposal, especially if other colleges in the state adopted a similar one, could lead to increased discrimination through litmus tests.

Colleges should not be denying students based on their skin color, and the same runs for a students religion or political beliefs, Shepler said. The danger now is that the board, depending on the liberal or conservative bias of its members or their religious preferences, could start making decisions, even subconsciously, that could discriminate against groups unfairly.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun with the chance of an isolated thunderstorm in the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 93F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, then partly cloudy overnight. Low near 75F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
A new waterfront restaurant is in the works for the Lowcountry where another dining venue was planned before the Great Recession.

Site plans show a proposed culinary venture of about 5,700 square feet called Stono's on the edge of the Stono River at 2409 Maybank Highway on Johns Island.

The Charleston property sits at the end of a frontage road leading to the marina for St. John's Yacht Harbor Club on the opposite side of the highway overpass.

In 2021, Stono River Investors LLC paid nearly $14.3 million for the 28-acre site and two condominium units in the St. John's Yacht Harbor Horizontal Property Regime, according to Charleston County land records. The firm also bought six small parcels west of the marina for almost $2.4 million at the same time.

A property owner's representative did not immediately respond for comment about the proposed restaurant.

In 2008, another restaurant called Stono's Oyster Bar was approved for the site through the city's Design Review Board, but site plans show the previous approval has expired. The board will consider the latest dining proposal July 17.

New threads

A New York-based fashion retailer plans to open its second shop in downtown Charleston in an office building with its ground floor undergoing renovation for new merchants.

Loeffler Randall looks to open in the fall in a 1,450-square-foot store at 145 King St., according to a spokeswoman.

Co-founder Brian Murphy told "Glossy" magazine the company has a healthy business across the Southeast through wholesale and direct sales, and King Street attracts customers from across the region.

He also pointed to heavy foot traffic in the city's downtown shopping district and the ability to collaborate with nearby retailers as reasons to choose Charleston for the new location.

The retailer, which started with footwear in 2004 by co-owner Jessie Randall, opened its first shop in New York City's SoHo neighborhood in 2021. Offerings have been expanded to include handbags, ready-to-wear apparel and accessories.

Next in Nexton

Two new retail tenants are coming to a commercial development underway in Nexton near Summerville.

On the way Sixth site A Charleston-area medical practice plans to add a sixth location in the Lowcountry during its 10th year in business. Sweetgrass Plastic Surgery plans to move into a 10,000-square-foot building by year's end on Carolina Park Boulevard across from Wando High School in northern Mount Pleasant. Owned by Dr. Dennis Schimpf, the center has other offices on Daniel and Kiawah islands and in West Ashley and Summerville.

A beverage shop called 1933 Wine and Spirits recently leased 3,500 square feet in Downtown Nexton while The Groomsmith, a men's barbershop, will occupy 1,850 square feet in the 100-acre development between Sigma Drive and Brighton Park Boulevard.

The new shops will join nail salon iNails and health spa Revive on the ground floor of the Lofts Downtown Nexton Apartments.

Future phases of the multifamily development, including new amenities, are set for completion in late 2024.

Developer Sharbell Nexton's Downtown Nexton also includes The Ames apartments, AC Hotel by Marriott, Atelier office campus and Daybreak Market and Fuel.

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Parking pass?

Two new business enterprises are in the works for the Charleston peninsula that require variances or special exceptions.

At 154 Cannon St., a cigar shop and sitting area is planned for 716 square feet at the street level while a private club with 434 square feet is proposed for the second floor.

The property near the Septima P. Clark Parkway is zoned for general business use. The request is to allow five parking spaces. The city requires 12.

The site is owned by DKB Realty LLC, which paid $1.2 million for the parcel in June.

Also, at 50 Bogard St., a ground-floor shop with 843 square feet of retail space and a 392-square-foot cafe is planned in the two-story structure that includes upstairs dwelling units.

The property is zoned for diverse residential use where low-impact operations also are allowed.

The planned business wants a variance for one off-street parking space. The city requires 10. The city's Board of Zoning Appeals approved a seven-space special exception in 2012. The panel will consider both requests on July 18.

Window treatment

Patriot Blinds & More is bringing its first interactive design studio to Mount Pleasant.

The Graber-dealer shop will open July 14 at 1485 U.S. Highway 17, Suite G, in the Walmart-anchored Wando Crossing Shopping Center.

The shop welcomes walk-ins, and customers also can arrange independent consultations.

Product samples and fabric swatches will be available, and the studio will feature interactive motorized products so customers can learn more about home automation.

The Graber Design Studio will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.

New lease

Sweet Moon Bakery recently leased 1,200 square feet of retail space at 5131 Dorchester Road in North Charleston, according to the real estate firms Coldwell Banker Commercial Atlantic and Harbor Commercial Partners.

Beauty spot

A Mount Pleasant beauty studio is now in a new location in a shop three times as large as its previous site.

The Gallery Salon, formerly in a 720-square-foot space on Shelmore Boulevard near I'On, opened July 9 at 1374 Old Georgetown Road in the recent addition to Bowman Place Shopping Center off Bowman Road.

The new shop, where Gianna Lundgren is owner and master stylist, includes floor vacuums, curated wine tap, 16 chairs, air purifiers and a lounge area. Among the full-service salon's offerings are extensions, smoothing services, facial waxings, blowouts and makeup packages.
After a more detailed plan was presented to council, a second reading of the development was deferred because of an unreliable traffic study and an enormous number of homes that were included in the original plan. The town is still in the process of establishing formal plans for the development and annexing the lakeside property.

"The traffic study that was presented to (the town by the property owners) was not sufficient and a little biased," Lexington Mayor Steve MacDougall told the joint meeting. "We wanted an outside set of eyes that would come in and give us a really comprehensive traffic study."

Concerns about the planned development received pushback well before the joint meeting. Early on, critics of the plan cited worries that the development will strain the area's schools and health care infrastructure, while bringing more cars to the area's congested roads. But others applauded the move, excited at the potential increased tax revenues, which might help finance the cost of infrastructure upgrades.

The two local governments billed their joint session in advance as an effort to ensure that the project is developed responsibly, while ensuring that the area's infrastructure can meet the increased demands.

Two days before the joint meeting, on July 10, the town of Lexington approved initial plans to have an independent traffic study done, taking into account school-related traffic, MacDougall said. Members of the County Council also requested that a detailed environmental study and feasibility study be done before the city breaks ground on the conference center, which members of the Town Council also agreed was necessary.

One major issue that Lexington County raised in the meeting is the legality of the town's annexation of the property.

"Here's the elephant in the room," said Lexington County Vice Chairman Darrell Hudson. "Can you legally annex this property?"

The town of Lexington's Interim Town Administrator Stuart Ford said given its consultations with lawyers, it is town staff's opinion that it is legal to annex the land, because if not for the water, the land would be contiguous. However, Smith said he would like to get a secondary, independent legal opinion.
The Post and Courier placed first in the Green Eyeshade Awards' deadline reporting category for its coverage of a Greenville school shooting.

Reporters rushed to Tanglewood Middle School after learning about the shooting on March 31, 2022. They discovered that 12-year Jamari Jackson was shot by a classmate, who was also 12. Jackson died later that day in the hospital.

The Post and Courier reporters wove portraits of terrified students and concerned families with breaking news in the hours following the shooting. Over the next several weeks, the paper showed that the crime at Tanglewood was part of a larger narrative of school shootings in South Carolina and the nation.

The paper discovered that South Carolina had the largest number of school shootings in 2021 in the previous 47 years. It also found that the number of weapons in the state's public K-12 schools doubled from 2018 to 2021.

The combined efforts of the paper's Greenville team and its Education Lab portrayed the human side of a horrific crime. Reporters Maura Turcotte, Sara Gregory, Hillary Flynn, Nathaniel Cary, Conor Hughes, Eric Connor, Stephanie Mirah, and freelancer Angela Wang ensured that Jackson's death wouldn't just be another statistic.

The Post and Courier's Education Lab also placed third in the Green Eyeshade Awards' features category for a selection of long-form pieces it published in 2022.

After learning that many school districts were investing millions in federal pandemic relief funds into summer school programs, Turcotte traveled across South Carolina to see if these programs worked. She knew that when done right, summer school can be a critical intervention for students, especially in rural school districts across the state where as many as 20 percent of students go to summer school.

She surveyed 67 of South Carolinas 77 traditional public K-12 school districts and found that programs varied wildly. The state Education Department had few, if any, standards for these programs despite touting them as a cure-all for learning loss. Some districts put students through virtual programs that students could rush through in a couple of hours. Many summer schools held in person saw 80 percent of students drop out in the first two weeks.

Turcotte discovered two rural school districts that were succeeding, whereas others failed. These districts coupled traditional academic classes with enrichment activities such as fun science projects and art classes to ensure students completed the program. Her journalism revealed the flaws with South Carolinas summer schools  but also a path toward improvement.

Turcotte and Gregory also investigated why a quarter of school districts in the state moved to a year-round calendar. They reviewed all the South Carolina school districts calendars and created a spreadsheet to track which had moved to a year-round calendar. They noted their starting and ending dates, intersession breaks and their programming during those breaks.

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They combined this spreadsheet analysis with interviews with education researchers about the benefits and costs of year-round schools. The reporters spoke to people in the group to give the story a human angle, interviewing parents and teachers in these school districts to see how the year-round calendars impacted their lives. Her article uncovered that year-round calendars produce mixed results, despite the eagerness of many school officials for the schedule.

Gregory told the story of the mental health crisis impacting educators and students across the country by focusing on one rural school district. Cherokee County suffered from high rates of teen suicide before the pandemic hit. They spiked when COVID-19 spread through the state. Cherokee was a rural district that struggled to recruit top-notch mental health counselors and couldnt properly support its students. Gregory profiled Christina Cody, a health and wellness specialist in Cherokee County, who found a workaround.

More Information The Post and Courier Education Lab is a multi-year project, employing four reporters, focused on the need for public education reform in South Carolina. The Coastal Community Foundation and Spartanburg Foundation serve as fiscal sponsors for the Education Lab, which is supported by grants from the Jolley Foundation, Intertech, anonymous donors, and generous donations on behalf of donors to The Post and Courier Public Service and Investigative Fund who designate to the Education Lab.

She contracted with private providers to increase the number of students who could access mental health services from their schools. Gregory shadowed Cody from February through May, talking with the students she works with and watching her district's efforts to improve mental health services. The story became a roadmap about how school districts could solve a problem plaguing children across the United States.

Flynn looked at how parent-teacher associations were struggling in the state after attendance plummeted during the pandemic. This is critical because parents' involvement in their childrens schools is one of the main predictors of their childrens success. She analyzed the website of over 1,000 K-12 public schools to create a database of these associations and interviewed members across South Carolina. She told the story of these associations struggles and ways to increase involvement through a Sumter Elementary school that typically had 500 or more parents attend its meetings.

Flynn and Wang also told the story of school district takeovers by investigating Allendale County, a news desert in South Carolina taken over by the state in both 1998 and 2018.

What emerged was a narrative about school district takeovers that was more complex than the one portrayed by academics. Many Allendale community members vehemently opposed the takeovers, with some going so far as to compare it to colonialism. Yet schools improved during those years. Students received better supplies, teachers got extra training and test scores rose.

More coverage To read more in-depth stories from The Post and Couriers Education Lab, go to postandcourier.com/education-lab.

But shortly after state officials left Allendale after the first takeover, test scores plummeted. This was concerning because South Carolinas superintendent said she planned to put local leaders back in control of the districts at the beginning of 2023 with no transition plan or oversight. After the story was published, the state extended the time it would keep the district under its authority until it was sure Allendale was on a roadmap to success.

Since the article's publication, the takeover of Williamsburg County School District also was extended.

The Green Eyeshade Awards have recognized the best journalism in the United States since 1950. Past winners can be found on their website.
SUMMERVILLE  Jacob Limehouse, 26, and his wife do not want children and had already discussed Jacob getting a vasectomy. Then the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in late June 2022, allowing states like South Carolina to seek to ban or severely restrict access to abortion, and that sealed it for them.

"That definitely added to the desire to get it done," Limehouse said.

After doing what he felt was a lot of research, much of which downplayed the risk from the procedure, he went in for a vasectomy on Jan. 9. What followed was a trip to the emergency room and a week at Summerville Medical Center battling severe complications that have left him with lingering pain and extensive medical bills.

Limehouse wasn't alone in his newfound interest in vasectomies. Immediately after the Dobbs decision by the Supreme Court, the search for information on vasectomies hit a five-year high on Google Trends, according an article in the journal Fertility and Sterility. In many states, particularly those which banned or severely restricted abortion in the wake of the decision, interest in vasectomies took off, according to an analysis by The Post and Courier.

In Michigan, where a temporary injunction blocked a 1931 law that banned abortion except to save the life of a mother, inquiries about vasectomies at one clinic increased 225 percent compared to the year before, according to a study in the Journal of Urology. Another study at 10 academic medical centers spread across the country found an overall 10.9 percent increase in vasectomy interest among patients compared to a slight decrease the year before. The rates varied across the centers and were higher in states where bans or restrictions were enacted, the authors found.

In Ohio, where a ban on abortions after six weeks is on hold, the number of inquiries at one large clinic increased 22.4 percent in the months after the decision compared to the year before, according to a study in the International Journal of Impotence Research. More of those men, like Limehouse, tended to be younger and childless compared to those who sought vasectomies the year before, the Ohio study found, which lines up with the experience at other clinics.

Not every clinic is seeing an increase.

"Were seeing roughly the same number of vasectomy consultations," said Dr. Tracy J. Tipton of Urology Associates of Charleston. Because the practice sets aside a certain number of slots for vasectomies, the wait to get in has increased over the last several years, particularly during the pandemic, but is back down to about four to six months, he said, what it has been for the last couple of years.

While weighing the impact of the abortion ruling and surge of interest in vasectomies, there were also concerns about how the procedure was being portrayed on social media, according to a Perspective in the Journal of Urology, which is published by the 23,000-member American Urological Association. Particularly troubling were suggestions that vasectomies were a "solution" to contraception concerns and that the procedure was easily reversible, the authors noted. But reversal procedures are "technically challenging and expensive" surgeries that insurance companies are not likely to cover, the Perspective found.

Tipton of Urology Associates in Charleston said reversals are rarely covered by insurance and not likely to work if many years have passed, so he counsels his patients to consider a vasectomy as permanent.

"I try to tell them, yes, technically this is reversible but you should think about this like an irreversible procedure," he said. "If you are on the fence, maybe we need to think about this a little bit more."

'It could happen to you'

The risks involved might also be downplayed on social media. When Limehouse did his research, he found the complications were portrayed as "super minor," mainly swelling, bleeding at the surgery site and some persistent pain that could last a month. He got similar counseling about complications at the clinic.

On the afternoon he headed in for the procedure, "I wasnt nervous at all," Limehouse said. "I had read so many positive stories. I couldnt find a negative story, to be honest."

More Information Jacob Limehouse incurred a large medical bill as a result of the complications from his procedure. To help the family, go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fz9gxe-pay-off-emergency-medical-bills

The whole thing took maybe 20 minutes under local anesthesia, he said, then he rested for five minutes before heading home.

But almost immediately, there was a lot more swelling than he expected, even when applying ice packs. Then he got nauseous, then dizzy, then tried to make it to the bathroom.

"The next thing I know, my wife was standing over me, trying to wake me up," Limehouse said. It was the first time in his life he had ever fainted.

His wife, Marissa Christine Wiggins, called her parents for advice. When the nausea continued and Limehouse passed out again, they took him to the ER at Summerville Medical Center. Limehouse said he was only semiconscious then but Marissa told him he was extremely pale. He was rushed back for tests and a CT scan and eventually admitted for syncope, fainting or passing out, after his blood pressure dropped significantly when he stood up, according to Limehouse's medical records.

The CT scan found a suspected blood clot just under 3 inches in diameter above his left testicle and swelling throughout the area but nothing else remarkable, the records showed. When he was again administered a test for syncope by standing for several seconds, "I passed out in the nurses arms," Limehouse said.

His hemoglobin level, which measures the red blood cells that carry oxygen, and hematocrit level, which looks at the percentage of red blood cells, appeared normal at first but began dropping. A few days later, when his hemoglobin dropped to about half the normal range, nurse Ellen Patrick flagged it, records show. The urologist who performed the vasectomy, whom Limehouse does not want named, came in to perform surgery and removed the blood clot. But Limehouse said neither he nor his family was told about the clot.

Summerville Medical Center did not provide a relevant response for comment or make the nurses, whom Limehouse credits for getting the care he needed, available for comment.

Months later, he is left with some pain and a load of medical bills from his stay. He started a GoFundMe to seek help.

Still, "I don't regret getting the procedure," Limehouse said. "I'm happy I did it. But I regret the little research I did."

Overall, the rate for serious complications for vasectomies is low, with infections and hematomas or lumps from blood clots, in the 2-4 percent range, according the World Journal of Men's Health. But it is something to keep in mind, Limehouse said.

"What's the old saying? It could happen to you," he said.
Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 91F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low near 75F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
COLUMBIA  A deadline is approaching for South Carolinians whose food allotments were electronically stolen from their debit-like cards.

Nationwide, thieves have been increasingly preying on families that rely on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, to buy their groceries.

The cards lack the security features of credit cards, making them more vulnerable to so-called skimming devices that steal data criminals use to create fake cards, or clones, that rob victims' benefits.

People usually don't know they've been robbed until they're trying to pay for their groceries and realize their card has a zero balance, said Sue Berkowitz, director of Appleseed Legal Justice Center.

They're checking out and "suddenly learning it's gone," the longtime advocate for the poor said July 13. They "weren't able to purchase anything."

Until last month, South Carolina victims had no way to recoup their stolen grocery money. A law Congress passed last December changed that.

Theft victims' first deadline under the state's federally approved reimbursement plan is next week, according to instructions from the state Department of Social Services, which oversees the SNAP program in South Carolina.

The July 21 deadline is for people who know their benefits were stolen between Oct. 1  the start of the federal fiscal year  and June 21. They must request reimbursement and return a two-page affidavit to the state agency either by mail to its Columbia headquarters or in person to their county DSS office.

Victims who previously reported the theft to DSS should have received the form in the mail to fill out and return. Otherwise, it's available online on the DSS website.

People who realize the theft after June 21 have 30 days from their discovery to request reimbursement, according to the plan approved June 6 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service.

A law passed by Congress last December newly allowed states to use federal money to replace electronically stolen SNAP money. Each state had to submit its own plan for doling out reimbursements. South Carolina submitted its plan on the Feb. 27 deadline, according to the USDA website.

Nearly 313,000 South Carolina households receive grocery aid through SNAP, providing food for one of every nine residents.

As of July 13, nearly 1,250 South Carolinians had reported stolen benefits totaling more than $500,000. The full extent of the problem is unknown. Affidavits adding to the tallies are coming in daily, said DSS spokeswoman Connelly-Anne Ragley.

All of the money will be reimbursed by the federal government.

Currently, the turnaround for replacement is 45 to 60 days. That should decrease to 30 days as the agency works its way through the initial requests, Ragley said.

Berkowitz said she's thankful the state did what was necessary so South Carolinians can recoup their benefits.

More than a dozen states don't yet have a federally approved plan. Of the states that do, most are implementing theirs after South Carolina, according to the USDA website.

Now the challenge is making sure victims know about it and get their affidavit submitted in time, Berkowitz said.

Her organization is working through food banks and other anti-hunger nonprofits across the state to spread the word.

"It's really, really important that folks this has happened to notify DSS as quickly as possible because they can get those benefits back," she said.
The odds that both of South Carolina's presidential candidates will appear onstage at the first Republican debate this summer just got a whole lot better.

Nikki Haley's campaign confirmed she has "well over 40,000 unique donors."

Tim Scott's campaign puts theirs at over 53,000.

Both totals mean the Palmetto State's former governor and current junior senator have comfortably cleared a crucial fundraising requirement to qualify for the Aug. 23 debate in Milwaukee.

Debates often serve an important purpose in the political process by putting candidates on the same stage where they can share and defend their positions while voters watch them make their case on national television.

In order to participate in the party's first presidential primary debate, the Republican National Committee has said qualified candidates must receive contributions from at least 40,000 individual donors, with at least 200 unique donors in 20 or more states.

Scott's campaign announced it had surpassed the donor requirement in a July 12 memo about its second- quarter fundraising numbers.

The fundraising reports from the second quarter are not due to the Federal Election Commission until July 15, but both Haley and Scott announced their totals in advance of the filing deadline.

In the July 12 memo, Scott's campaign manager Jennifer DeCasper said Scott had raised $6.1 million since entering the race six weeks ago, attracting 75,000 donations from 53,000 donors in all 50 states.

"There is one candidate who has shown steady, upward momentum from the moment he entered this race and who has the resources and strategy to execute in the months ahead," DeCasper wrote. "He is the strongest messenger in the field with the most consistent conservative record to match. His name is Tim Scott. Well see yall in Milwaukee."

While Scott enters the next quarter with $21 million cash, compared to Haley's $9.3 million, it was Haley who had the stronger fundraising quarter.

Haley raised $7.3 million during the second fundraising quarter that ended June 30, according her campaign.

Since entering the race in February, Haley's campaign said its candidate has brought in nearly 160,000 donations from all 50 states, with the greatest numbers coming from South Carolina, Florida and Texas.

"Voters want their next president to take on China, speak out against socialism at home and abroad, and provide a vision for a strong and proud America, Haley campaign communications director Nachama Soloveichik said in a statement.

In an increasingly crowded GOP field, both Scott and Haley are struggling to overtake the big fundraising numbers posted by the race's two frontrunners: Former President Donald Trump, whose campaign said he raised $35 million between his presidential campaign and leadership PAC; and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who announced he has raised $20 million since launching his White House bid.

While Trump is threatening to skip the first debate, other candidates are hoping the televised event will be a breakout moment to build momentum.

Asked about whether the debate is a make-or-break for him, Scott told Fox News this week, "I think it's a make-or-break moment for the party."

In addition to fundraising requirements, candidates must also meet a polling threshold and sign a pledge stating theyll support the eventual GOP nominee to secure their spot on the debate stage next month.

Candidates will have to hit 1 percent in either three national polls, or in a combination of national and early-state polls between July 1 and Aug. 21.

Both Haley and Scott have indicated they would sign the loyalty pledge, with Scott telling Fox News that a Republican would be "better than any Democrat" and Haley tweeting, "Theres no room for personal vendettas in this battle to save our country."

There's another sign that Haley and Scott are well on their way to qualifying for the first debate: Scott and Haley reached 3 percent support in a new national poll released July 11 by Morning Consult.

A person with direct knowledge about the RNC's debate requirements confirmed to The Post and Courier that the survey will count as a qualifying poll for next month's debate.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin wants to beat Democrats at their own game by helping Republicans vote early, in person and by absentee ballot, in the November legislative elections that will determine political control of the next General Assembly.

Youngkin launched the Secure Your Vote Virginia initiative on Tuesday, using a partnership with state and national GOP organizations to target voters across the state and get them to the polls early. He hopes this will take away the advantage that Democrats have held in early and absentee voting since the COVID-19 pandemic upended traditional Election Day habits.

The initiative by the governors Spirit of Virginia political action committee includes the Republican Party of Virginia and the Republican State Leadership Committee, as well as the Senate Republican Caucus and the House Republican Campaign Committee.

We cant go into Election Day down thousands of votes, so Im thrilled to have such strong partners coming alongside us in this effort, said Youngkin, who announced the initiative on Tuesday in a television interview on Fox News.

In 2020, the Virginia legislature, then led by Democrats, scrapped the required excuse for absentee voting and approved a measure that allows early voting to start 45 days before an election. The Virginia Public Access Project reports that, while Youngkin encouraged early voting in his 2021 campaign for governor, Democrats still accounted for more than 60% of early votes cast in Virginias November 2022 elections.

During this years General Assembly session, the GOP-led House passed and the Democratic-led Senate defeated bills to reduce the early voting period.

It seems to me there is a disagreement between the Governor and Republicans in the General Assembly, Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, said in a statement. Just this past session, Republicans launched an attack on early and absentee voting. Now the Governor is promoting the very same measures his party intends to disrupt.

House Minority Leader Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth, accused the GOP of blatant hypocrisy.

This is a party that is on the record against early voting, Scott said in a statement. They are doing this whole push to pull the wool over our constituents eyes and hide from the fact that theyve worked to make it harder for Virginians to vote at every turn.

The GOP focus on early voting is not surprising. Spirit of Virginia hired Brian Barrett, the architect of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemps successful gubernatorial campaign last fall, to lead the absentee ballot and early voting initiative this year. Barrett crafted Kemps turnout and voter-targeting efforts in the gubernatorial victory over Democrat Stacey Abrams, who had led efforts to mobilize and turn out her partys voters.

Dee Duncan, president of the Republican State Leadership Committee, called Youngkins data-driven effort to target Republican voters a model for the country to follow.

Virginia Republicans have a tremendous opportunity in November to build on their successes of the last two years, Duncan said Tuesday.

Youngkin targeted voters at the precinct level to boost turnout in Republican strongholds in his 2 percentage point victory over former Gov. Terry McAuliffe in 2021, when the GOP also regained control of the House of Delegates. The party was less successful in midterm congressional elections last fall, when it flipped just one of the three seats it had targeted  the 2nd District, where state Sen. Jen Kiggans, R-Virginia Beach, defeated Rep. Elaine Luria, D-2nd, in a district that had been redrawn in the GOPs favor. Democrats held seats in Northern Virginia, where Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th and Jennifer Wexton, D-10th, turned back Republican challenges.

This year, all 140 seats of the General Assembly are up for election, as the legislature faces unprecedented turnover because of retirements hastened by political redistricting.

State Republican Party Chairman Rich Anderson said the party was buoyed last month by primary elections that nominated what he called a slate of commonsense conservative candidates, which the GOP plans to contrast with Democrats, who lost several incumbent legislators to progressive challengers in primaries.

This data-driven effort to get Republicans out to vote early is how we win in November, said Anderson, a former Republican delegate from Prince William County. We have a clear mission: to get in front of as many voters as we can to assure them voting absentee by mail or early in person is easy, secure and necessary.

Liam Watson, press secretary for the Democratic Party of Virginia said in a statement: we welcome the Virginia Republicans newly discovered interest in promoting democracy.

Of course, we wish they had shown up in support of early voting and vote-by-mail years ago, instead of consistently voting against reforms designed to strengthen democracy in the commonwealth.
The White House must be the most heavily guarded and surveilled building in the United States. Yet the case of the cocaine baggie outside the Situation Room is apparently damn near impossible to crack, if I may use that term in this context. Im not sure if the White House is still taking the line that the area is highly trafficked, but that is the line that Politico persists in peddling.

The Secret Service was to have completed its investigation early this week. As of this morning, however, the Secret Service has announced no result. Rather, the Secret Service will be on Capitol Hill at 10 a.m. to brief Congress on the case. Oh, to be a fly on the wall.

In what may be the weakest story on the case, Politicos Daniel Lippman reported last week that one official familiar with the investigation has already cautioned the case was unlikely to be solved. Its that tough.

Lippman leaves the official unnamed given that its an ongoing investigation. Is that a reason? I think its the shame of stupidity. Daniella Diaz is not similarly inhibited. She lends her name to citation of Lippmans story and repeats it as a caution today at Politico Huddle. Someone in the Huddle needs to call an audible.
Attorney General Merrick Garland came to town on June 16 to indict the Minneapolis Police Department for racism, find it guilty, and announce the terms to which municipal authorities have agreed. The Department of Justice press release is here, Garlands remarks at the press conference here, the DoJs 89-page report here, and the parties settlement in principle here.

The report stems from a DoJ investigation launched in the wake of Derek Chauvins conviction of the murder of George Floyd in April 2021. According to the report, the Minneapolis Police Department uses excessive force, including unjustified deadly force, unlawfully discriminates against blacks and Native Americans, violates free speech rights, and discriminates against people with behavioral health disabilities when responding to calls. The patterns and practices of conduct the Justice Department observed during our investigation are deeply disturbing, Garland said at the news conference in Minneapolis.

Its a shame former MPD Chief Medaria Arradondo was absent. Arradondo came up through the ranks to become the departments first black chief. Did he know he was running a racist department in the years he was responsible for its leadership (2017-2022)? Arradondo could not be reached for comment (not that any reporter has tried).

Greg Pulles is the former general counsel and secretary of TCF Financial Corporation. Greg was available for comment. Introducing the reality principle to the subject, Greg commented on the DoJ report for us in Garland of thorns.

Now come Jukka Savolainen and John Paul Wright to follow up with the kind of multivariate analysis Greg insisted on bringing to the subject. Savolainen is the former director of the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data and a professor of criminology and criminal justice at Wayne State University. Wright is a professor at the University of Cincinnati School of Criminal Justice. Their City Journal essay is titled Maligning Minneapolis.

The title of the essay should be Maligning the Minneapolis Police Department. In this case, Minneapolis maligns itself. Municipal authorities are only too happy to plead guilty on behalf of the Minneapolis Police Department. However, the subhead nails it: The Department of Justice report on policing in the Twin Cities is a political stunt disguised as an impartial investigation  as Greg Pulles was saying.
Thirty-five years ago Tom Wolfe wrote The Great Relearning for The American Spectator, in which he predicted wed lapse into some of the same mistakes of the 20th century, and need to re-learn some fundamental truths again from bitter experience. This imperative comes back to mind watching our big cities and criminal justice system, to name just two items, seem determined to repeat all of the liberal mistakes of the 1970s and 198os, which took a long time to recognize and crystalized into policies that work, such as locking up criminals.

Yesterday the Washington DC city council, which only months ago wanted to reduce criminal penalties for carjacking, passed new crime policy by a 12  1 vote that is a clear reversal of the leftist nostrums about crime of the last few years. Small wonder why. Last year saw a 33 percent increase in violent crimes, with 17 percent more homicides. This is the third straight year when DC clocked more than 200 homicides. Carjacking is out of control, up 94 percent from 2022, with 140 carjackings in June alone.

The Washington Post reports today:

The D.C. Council on Tuesday passed emergency public safety legislation as the city weathers a violent summer, establishing a new crime for firing a gun in public and making it easier for judges to detain people charged with violent offenses before trial  a provision that drew extended debate.

Ending pre-trial detention, even for violent felons, has been one of the major objects of the criminal justice reform left, and the fact that DC is reversing course shows that even slow learners can figure it out eventually. This attracted the ire of the one no vote for the policy, as local media reported:

The provisions that drew the most debate centered on the circumstances under which defendants could be detained as they await trial. Pintos proposal would have judges presume that adults charged with violent crimes and juveniles charged with certain offenses should be detained. . . Council member Janeese Lewis George was the lone vote against the bill. I was raising a concern that on an emergency basis, changing a legal standard, I think, is problematic for any legislature to do, not just our legislature, she said. And when we brought in such a statute when it comes to pretrial detention, there are implications we should be thinking about that 95% of people who are incarcerated and on pretrial are Black residents.

There followed the usual blather about fighting crime at the root causes. It is progress when this old nonsense attracts only one vote on the DC council.
FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday. Republican representatives did not distinguish themselves in their ability to wring the truth from Wray in their allotted five minutes. Indeed, they were more or less pitiful. Had they been allotted more time, however, they would still have found themselves up against a hard case. Wray is incorrigible.

We know that the FBI was instrumental to the suppression of the New York Posts reporting on Hunter Biden and his curious laptop in advance of the 2020 election. According to Wray, however, the FBI only shared concerns with social media concerning foreign disinformation. One wonders how they got it so wrong in that case when they had been sitting on the laptop for a year.

In any event, laptop chronicler Miranda Devine also observed the hearing and suffered along with me. She writes in her New York Post column today:

When confronted about the FBIs collusion with social-media companies to censor Americans, as laid out in the landmark free-speech case Missouri v Biden, Wray feigned ignorance. The FBI is not in the business of moderating content or causing any social-media company to suppress or censor, Wray said when Wyoming Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman accused the FBI of using a surrogate to do your dirty work, in circumventing the First Amendment.

It should be shocking to see the Director of the FBI testify falsely on matters of public record. Yet we have the ineradicable example of James Comey as a standard by which to assess Wray. Comey lied voluminously and its not exactly ancient history. When it comes to lying with a straight face, Comey is the coal standard. Comey lied less obviously than Wray. In retrospect, we know that Comey was as dirty a cop as ever led the FBI. He is also possessed of a towering self-regard. Wray has a different kind of act with respect to which he put on a masterclass yesterday, as Devine observes, but he also lied like Comey.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-13 17:01:20

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Toronto-Dominion Bank ("TD Bank") and several of its officers on behalf of all persons or entities that purchased or otherwise acquired securities of First Horizon Corporation ("First Horizon") (NYSE:FHN).Class Definition:This lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired First Horizon securities between February 28, 2022 and May 3, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/fhn Case Details:The Complaint alleges that Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and failed to disclose material adverse facts about TD Bank's operations, the risks associated with the timing for the closing of the First Horizon acquisition, and TD Bank's ability to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not false and misleading. Specifically, the Complaint alleges that Defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose to the market that: (1) TD Bank had deficient controls over AML and suspicious transaction reporting; (2) that the lack of controls posed a significant risk to the closing of the First Horizon acquisition; and (3) that the deficient AML controls actually caused a delay in obtaining the regulatory approvals for the First Horizon acquisition. As a result, Defendants' positive statements about TD Bank's risk culture and its ability to timely close the First Horizon transaction were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint you can visit the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/fhn or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Law Clerk and Client Relations Manager, Yael Nathanson of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 212-697-6484. If you suffered a loss in First Horizon, you have until July 21, 2023 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.Contact:Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Yael Nathanson212-697-6484 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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Second Tranche of Private Placement LaunchedVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / TectonicMetals Inc. (TSXV:TECT) ("Tectonic" or the "Company") today launched the second tranche of the financing previously announced on May 9, 2023, with Crescat Capital ("Crescat") committing to an additional investment of up to $2,000,000 ahead of Tectonic's 2023 Flat Drill Program also announced today. Unless otherwise noted, all amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars."We are making a strong, unwavering commitment to Tectonic and their inaugural drill program at the Flat Gold Project, an exciting opportunity that we believe could be the next tier 1 opportunity in Alaska," stated Kevin Smith, the visionary Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Crescat Capital. "In addition to the 55 past drilling results that have already uncovered gold mineralization at Chicken Mountain, we are thrilled by the exceptional metallurgical results and surface mineralization. These findings strongly indicate the potential for an open-pit heap-leach opportunity, which is highly sought after by major mining companies. Our dedication to this project is unwavering as we strive to unlock its full potential and seize the incredible prospects it holds for Tectonic shareholders." Tectonic is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp. (the "Lead Agent"), alongside 3L Capital Inc. (collectively with the Lead Agent, the "Agents") on a commercially reasonable efforts' agency basis in connection with the second tranche (the "Second Tranche") by way of a private placement of units (the "Units") of the Company at a price of $0.11 per Unit (the "Offering Price") for total gross proceeds to the Company from all tranches of up to $6,000,000 (the "Offering"). The first tranche of the Offering closed on June 26, 2023, for aggregate gross proceeds of $3,346,785 of which Crescat contributed $658,667 pursuant to a pre-emptive right granted by the Company.Crescat will also be participating in the Second Tranche. Crescat is Tectonic's largest shareholder and currently owns approximately 19.3% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Tectonic. To enable Crescat to increase their shareholdings of the Company above 19.99% (to accommodate up to an additional $2,000,000 investment) the Company will propose a shareholder resolution in the upcoming 2023 annual general meeting materials for Crescat to become a control person (as defined under securities law and the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") policies), subject to TSXV approval. The issuance of any Units to Crescat that results in Crescat holding more than 19.99% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares will be subject to disinterested shareholder approval pursuant to section 1.12 of TSXV Corporate Finance Policy 4.1.The OfferingEach Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole Common Share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share of the Company (a "Warrant Share") for a period of 24 months following the closing date of each tranche of the Offering at an exercise price of $0.15.The Units to be issued under the Offering will be offered to purchasers pursuant to: (i) the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106") for gross proceeds of up to $5,000,000 (the "LIFE Units"), in all the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, and (ii) the accredited investor exemption under NI 45-106 for the balance of the Offering (the "Hold Units"). The LIFE Units will not be subject to resale restrictions pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The Hold Units will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Purchasers under the Offering will receive a fixed ratio of LIFE Units to Hold Units, being 5:1. Each subscriber must purchase one Hold Unit for every five LIFE Units purchased.The Agents will also be entitled to offer the Units for sale in the United States pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and in those other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States provided it is understood that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation arises in such other jurisdiction.The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to advance the Company's Flat Gold Project and for general corporate and working capital purposes.There is an offering document relating to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.tectonicmetals.com . Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.In relation to closing of the first tranche of the Offering, in addition to the finder's fees disclosed in the press release dated June 26, 2023, the Company wishes to clarify that Mr. Gerhard Merkel was paid a finder's fee in the form of a $33,000 cash commission and non-transferable finder's warrants of the Company to acquire 300,000 Common Shares at an exercise price of $0.11, exercisable for 24 months following the closing of the first tranche.The Company has received consent from the TSXV to extend the closing of the Offering until August 11, 2023 (the "Closing Date") and completion of the Second Tranche / Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the TSXV.The Offering and issuance of the Units referenced in this press release will involve related parties (as such term is defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101")) and therefore constitutes a related party transaction under MI 61-101. This transaction will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the Company is not listed or quoted on any of the stock exchanges or markets listed in subsection 5.5(b) of MI 61-101, and the fair market value of the securities to be distributed and the consideration to be received for the securities under the Offering will not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sal
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ITHICA, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Dr. Richard Katz Discusses Bridging the Gap between Academia, Small Biotech and Industry by Preparing for the NBMERichard Katz, MD, MHA has contributed to advancing the body of knowledge in neuroscience and regenerative biologic cell-based therapies. Dr. Katz has expertise in planning and executing clinical trials for development programs in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. He is an advocate of the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) - "expanding the spectrum of health professionals along the continuum of education, training and practice that also includes research and assessment." Dr. Katz's track-record of consultation covers a wide range of therapeutic areas within the life science industries. The values of the NBME are reflected in Dr. Katz's commitment to others' education as he seeks to advance healthcare standards on a global scale. He continuously looks for treatments that are more accessible and efficient.Dr. Katz is motivated by the advancement of ground-breaking medical innovations and welcomes the opportunity to collaborate and empower others. He makes every effort to share his unique perspectives on medical education. Dr. Katz's ideas enable others to succeed in their academic pursuits, developing strategies to prepare for demanding NBME assessments. Dr. Katz inspires a new generation of healthcare professional prepared to make significant contributions to innovation.Addressing the Culture GapThe culture gap between academia and industry in biomedicine arises from a lack of understanding and appreciation of each other's roles and pressures. To address this gap, significant changes are required in both academia and industry. First, academia should incorporate the basics of drug research and development (R&D) into the curriculum for medical and graduate students. By increasing education and understanding within academic environments, students can better grasp the entire process of innovation and gain knowledge about industry practice and application.Fostering Transparency and TrustTransparency is essential for effective collaboration. Industry should embrace a more transparent approach by sharing ongoing information about projects with scientific advisors from academia. By involving academics in the decision-making process and providing them with more information, industry researchers can benefit from their expertise and perspectives. This transparency builds trust and facilitates an open dialogue of communication, allowing mutual appreciation of each other's contributions and the overall enhancement of quality science.Collaboration as a Crucial ElementCollaboration plays a vital role in bridging the gap between academia and industry. Companies in industry have realized that some complex problems, such as diseases of the central nervous system, require collaborative efforts. Additionally, academic researchers increasingly rely on industry funding. This mutual interdependence highlights the need for collaboration to advance biomedical research. Dual problem-solving allows for the combination of diverse expertise and perspectives, leading to innovative solutions.Creating a Supportive EnvironmentTo foster collaboration, it is crucial to create an environment that supports academia, small biotech, and industry. Governments, research institutions, and industry organizations should establish initiatives that encourage collaborative partnerships. By investing in innovation and providing financial support, governments can facilitate the development of a robust biotech ecosystem. Similarly, organizations like purchasing consortia can pool resources and negotiate competitive prices for goods and services, benefiting small companies and startups alike.Leveraging Talent and ClusteringMassachusetts serves as an excellent example of leveraging talent and creating a thriving biotech hub. The state's high density of colleges and universities, combined with strong research institutions and hospitals, provides a talent pipeline for the biotech industry. Clustering, such as in Cambridge's Kendall Square, fosters collaboration and innovation by bringing together academia, small biotech, and industry within a small geographic area. Encouraging events and programs that connect larger companies with talent further strengthens the ecosystem.Balancing Ethical ConcernsWhile collaboration is crucial, ethical concerns must be addressed. Industry funding and influence in academia raise questions about potential conflicts of interest and the impact on patient welfare. Research institutions must carefully navigate these concerns and ensure that the pursuit of profits does not compromise the ultimate goal of patient care. Researchers and institutions should avoid investments in industry stocks and prioritize patient welfare over maximizing profits.Bridging the culture gap between academia, small biotech, and industry is essential for advancing biomedical research and expediting the discovery of new treatments. By incorporating drug R&D education into academic curricula, fostering transparency and trust, promoting collaboration, and creating a supportive environment, academia and industry can work together effectively. Balancing ethical concerns and prioritizing patient welfare will ensure that collaborations yield meaningful outcomes. With concerted efforts and a shared vision, academia, small biotech, and industry can bridge the gap and pave the way for transformative discoveries in biomedicine.Massachusetts-a Successful ModelThe call for increased communication and collaboration between academia and industry is not new. It is a proven approach to expediting the translation of insights into treatments for patients. The partnership between government, academia, hospitals, and the private sector has played a vital role in Massachusetts, where the biotech industry has flourished. The state's high concentration of research institutions and talent has created an ideal environment for innovation.To sustain this growth and overcome challenges such as urban sprawl and infrastructure limitations, Massachusetts continues to invest in the biotech. Collaborative initiatives, such as MassBio Edge and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, provide support and resources to biotech and life sciences companies, fostering innovation and partnerships.As the world's top biotech hub, Massachusetts serves as a model for bridging the gap between academia, small biotech, and industry. By fostering transparency, trust, and collaboration, other regions can learn valuable lessons and strive for similar success.Preparing Students for NBME Exams to Bridge the Gap
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-13 22:51:23

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Employee Retention Credit (ERC) scams have risen since implementing the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). These scams are often orchestrated by individuals or companies posing as genuine ERC consultants, posing a significant risk to businesses aiming for tax relief. Understanding these tax scam strategies is crucial for businesses to avoid such fraudulent activities, and stay compliant with this IRS tax credit program.The IRS has issued multiple Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) warnings to help protect business owners. Image Credit: JacktheSparrow / 123rf. "The IRS has published several important guidelines for businesses regarding the Employee Retention Credit. They have shared crucial insights into how these ERC scams function and offer effective measures to ensure your business remains secure and protected," said Marty Stewart, Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) with Disaster Loan Advisors (DLA).Business Owner Guidance: Key Takeaways for the Employee Retention Tax CreditEmployee Retention Credit (ERC) scams have increased since the CARES Act was enacted, posing a significant threat to businesses seeking tax credits.Business owners should be aware of red flags such as illegitimate ERC consultants inflating their eligibility, submitting erroneous eligibility claims, identity theft, filing false claims, exaggerating salaries and wages, seeking credits for disqualified employees, and being charged an ERC contingency fee.To protect their business from ERC scams, owners should work with established professionals, insist on personal communication, understand ERC requirements and eligibility criteria, inquire about defense against IRS audits, and establish a realistic time frame for receiving the credit.Owners can ensure financial stability and long-term success by staying informed about these scams and taking proactive measures to safeguard their businesses against fraudsters.Staying 100% compliant with IRS rules and regulations is a must with this valuable ERC credit.Understanding Employee Retention Credit (ERC) ScamsEmployee Retention Credit (ERC) scams involve various fraudulent activities aimed at exploiting businesses seeking to claim the ERC tax credit, such as illegitimate ERC consultants, submitting erroneous eligibility claims, identity theft, filing false claims, presenting fake employee data, exaggerating salaries and wages, and seeking credits for disqualified employees.Illegitimate ERC Consultants, ERC Mills, and Other ERC CompaniesIllegitimate Employee Retention Credit (ERC) consultants pose a growing threat to business owners. These scam artists misrepresent themselves, promising to unlock lucrative tax credits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).Often operating under the guise of seasoned tax professionals, they're adept at exploiting uncertainties surrounding ERC eligibility and claim processes. Their modus operandi typically involves charging exorbitant fees to secure these elusive credits or engaging in fraud, such as creating false documents or using fabricated employee information.Be especially wary if promises seem too good to be true or lack basis on your specific business structure and circumstances, both hallmark indicators of a potential scammer at work.Submitting Erroneous Eligibility ERC Tax Credit ClaimsSubmitting erroneous eligibility claims is a common tactic employed by ERC scammers. These fraudsters may misrepresent your business's qualifications for the Employee Retention Credit to inflate potential refunds.However, such actions can attract scrutiny from the IRS and lead to severe penalties for tax fraud, even if you were not aware of their deceitful practices.Understanding the specifics of ERTC qualification is crucial in combating these scams. Be wary of any service that makes premature determinations about your company's eligibility without proper consideration of company systems and procedures or structure-these could be signs of forthcoming false claims, leading to unnecessary complications with government officials down the line.ERC Identity TheftIdentity theft is a common and nefarious method used in Employee Retention Credit (ERC) scams. Unscrupulous individuals masquerading as ERC consultants or tax professionals may connive to extract sensitive company information.This can include anything from your Social Security number to bank account details. With this stolen data, fraudsters effectively become you - filing false claims for the tax credits under your name and redirecting these ill-gotten funds to their accounts.Business owners must remain alert against phishing scams or any instance where an unverified source requests financial or personal information - these could be precursors to extensive identity theft damaging your business finances and reputation.Filing False ERC ClaimsScammers targeting businesses through Employee Retention Credit (ERC) scams often file false claims. These deceitful individuals or organizations submit fraudulent information to claim credits they are not entitled to, ultimately defrauding the government and potentially causing legal trouble for the targeted business.Filing false claims is a serious offense and can result in penalties, tax liabilities, and damage to a company's reputation. It is crucial for business owners to be aware of this scamming technique and take proactive measures to safeguard their businesses against these fraudulent activities.Exaggerating Eligible ERTC Credit Salaries and WagesOne common type of Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) scam that businesses must be aware of is the exaggeration of salaries and wages. Scammers may try to inflate these numbers to fraudulently claim higher credits from the ERC program.They do this typically because they are charging a 10% to 30% contingent fee based on the amount of the businesses inflated tax refund. The IRS says it is unlawful to charge a percent or contingent fee based on the amount of a tax refund.By doing so, they deceive businesses into thinking they can receive larger refunds or credits than they are actually entitled to. This can result in significant financial losses for businesses that unknowingly fall victim to these scams.Seeking ERC Credits for Disqualified EmployeesOne common type of employee retention credit (ERC) scam involves scammers seeking credits for disqualified employees. These fraudulent individuals or companies may try to include ineligible employees in their claims, hoping to secure more credits for businesses.This can lead to serious consequences, including penalties and potential legal issues. Busin
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-13 19:25:29

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Entergy CorporationRecently, Entergy hosted a poverty simulation for over 70 employees where they stepped into the shoes of customers living with limited incomes. The simulation offered a first-person view of the obstacles faced by residents living with little means in our service area of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas."Part of Entergy's goal is to help our employees better understand the challenges and difficult choices faced by those in need, so that we can better serve our customers and help them succeed," said Liz Brister, manager of low-income initiatives.The simulation was developed by the Missouri Community Action Network to help change mindsets about individuals and families confronting poverty. During the simulation, participants were assigned the identities of families based on scenarios from real client case studies. Each participant experienced different situations over four weeks - simulated in 15-minute segments - in the lives of people who recently became homeless, lost their jobs, are navigating the complex social services system and surviving on public assistance and more challenges.The simulation was conducted in a large room where participants were seated with their assigned "families" in the center. Around the perimeter, there were tables representing community resources and services including a community action agency, a school, an employer, a utility company, a payday and title loan facility and more.Entergy employee Brandi Smith was assigned the identity of a 25-year-old single mother trying to make ends meet. During the simulation, she experienced the challenges of being evicted, having her utilities cut off and lacking reliable transportation, all while trying to make sure her children were cared for and fed. She went to work every day only to bring home $128 each week.In addition to balancing budgets with low salaries, identifying and applying for assistance resources and dealing with childcare issues, the simulation also factored in chance "wild cards." These included illegal evictions, surprise suspensions at school, job losses and random extra expenses."The experience of stepping into the shoes of those who have limited resources and live in poverty was eye-opening," said Smith. "The simulation helped me better understand the day-to-day struggles our low-income customers endure and the need for us to step up and help." To learn more about Entergy's initiatives that help its customers and communities, visit entergy.com/csr/giving View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Entergy CorporationWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy-corporation Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Entergy Corporation
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DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Flyluxex, the renowned luxury travel enterprise, was proud to announce the grand inaugurations of its branches in Cote d'Ivoire, Africa, and Tokyo, Japan. These momentous events mark Flyluxex's commitment to delivering unparalleled luxury travel experiences around the world.Gnankpe Sanni, founder of FlyluxexFlyluxex Inaugurates Branch in Cote d'Ivoire, Showcasing Services in the African Aviation IndustryFrom July 10th to 13th, Flyluxex will host the grand opening ceremony of its branch in Cote d'Ivoire at the prestigious Sofitel Ivoire Hotel. This three-day event will serve as a platform for Flyluxex to present its exceptional services in the African Aviation Industry. Esteemed guests, including directors from leading travel agencies and transportation companies, will gather to celebrate Flyluxex's dedication to the African market and its commitment to delivering unparalleled luxury travel experiences throughout the continent.Flyluxex Launches Operations in Tokyo, Japan, Offering Top Destinations and Exceptional ServicesFrom August 3rd to 10th, Flyluxex is set to commence its new operations in Tokyo, Japan. This expansion allows Flyluxex to provide its esteemed clients with access to top destinations and a wide range of high-quality services in the beautiful country of Japan. Whether it's exploring the vibrant city of Tokyo or indulging in cultural experiences throughout Japan, Flyluxex is ready to deliver unforgettable luxury travel experiences."At Flyluxex, we are dedicated to elevating luxury travel to new heights. Our mission is to redefine the boundaries of bespoke travel, creating extraordinary journeys that cater to the unique preferences and desires of our discerning clientele. With a meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to exceptional service, Flyluxex delivers unforgettable moments of discovery, where luxury meets the extraordinary," said Gnankpe Sanni, the founder of Flyluxex.Founded in December 2022 in Dubai, Flyluxex has built a solid reputation for its commitment to excellence and passion for crafting extraordinary experiences. From personalized itineraries to unparalleled service, Flyluxex creates bespoke journeys that redefine luxury travel. With a focus on innovation, exceptional service, and attention to detail, Flyluxex curates transformative journeys that go beyond ordinary travel.About FlyluxexFlyluxex is a leading luxury travel brand known for crafting exceptional, personalized journeys that cater to the unique desires of discerning travelers. With a strong focus on exclusivity, innovation, and responsible tourism, Flyluxex redefines luxury travel by curating unforgettable experiences that leave a positive impact. Globally recognized for its commitment to excellence and sophistication, Flyluxex sets new standards in the industry, creating remarkable moments that redefine luxury.Media ContactCompany: FlyluxexContact Person: Gnankpe SanniWebsite: https://www.flyluxex.com/ Email: info@ flyluxex.com SOURCE: Flyluxex
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-13 22:15:23

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WWE Wrestler Logan Paul Announces Engagement, and Ritani Provides In-Depth Analysis of the Exquisite Engagement RingNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Ritani, the leading online seller of natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and fine jewelry, asked Head of Customer Success Juliet Gomes for her expert opinion on Danish model Nina Agdal's new engagement ring. In a beautiful display of love, social media personality, actor, and WWE wrestler Logan Paul proposed to his girlfriend, Danish model Nina Agdal, while on vacation in the picturesque Lake Como, Italy.Ritani Radiant-cut Tapered Baguette Diamond Engagement RingRitani Radiant-cut Tapered Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring After over a year of dating and numerous romantic milestones, including a heartfelt first-anniversary celebration in May, Paul seized the perfect moment to surprise Agdal with a showstopper of an engagement ring. The couple made their relationship Instagram official in December, capturing the hearts of millions of fans worldwide with their love story.Agdal's remarkable engagement ring takes center stage, capturing attention with its extraordinary design and impressive features. The ring showcases a magnificent trio of stones, with the centerpiece being a captivating emerald-cut diamond weighing an impressive six carats. This stunning diamond boasts VVS1 clarity, radiating brilliance and sparkle from every angle.Flanking the sizable center stone are two bullet-cut side stones, elegantly enhancing the overall beauty of the ring. The shared-prong platinum setting provides a timeless and sophisticated look, further emphasizing the exceptional craftsmanship that went into creating this masterpiece.According to industry experts at Ritani, the estimated value of Agdal's engagement ring is an astounding $1.9 million, or potentially more if the ring was custom designed."At Ritani, we understand the significance of an engagement ring in representing a couple's love and commitment," said Juliet Gomes, Customer Success Manager at Ritani. "Logan Paul's choice of an emerald-cut diamond with bullet-cut side stones is both classic and contemporary, a perfect reflection of the couple's unique bond. The ring's exceptional design and premium-quality materials make it a true symbol of enduring love." Ritani remains a trusted source for couples seeking remarkable engagement rings and fine jewelry pieces. To read more about this couple's engagement and to begin designing a ring in a similar style, visit: https://www.ritani.com/blogs/news/wwe-wrestler-logan-paul-proposed-to-his-girlfriend-with-a-magnificent-sparkler-see-her-ring Contact Information:Taylor KellyDirector of Organic Growth & Content Strategytaylork@ ritani.com (347) 805-2522SOURCE: Ritani
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Originally published on principal.com NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / When Maria Eugenia Norambuena joined Principal Chile in 2003 as a management control and planning analyst, she was used to being one of the few-if not only-women in the room. A recent graduate with a civil engineering degree, Norambuena was among 40 (and eventually only 20) women out of the 450 budding professionals in the program. Finding her voice in a room full of men didn't rattle her.What did give her jitters was being promoted a couple of years later to a management position. "Seventeen years ago, it was difficult to find women being promoted to leadership roles-and more difficult to find a young woman who is expecting a child to be promoted to those types of jobs," Norambuena says. This was her first indication that Principal was a good place to be.Independence at her rootsGrowing up, Norambuena's parents instilled a sense of independence and work ethic. While Norambuena's mom did not have formal work, she was active in her community. For instance, she once made a small factory of sweaters for a school, and would nurse for her father's medical practice, Norambuena recalls.Yet Norambuena's mom envisioned more for her daughters. "She wanted me and my sisters to have very good jobs and not to depend on a husband," Norambuena says. "It was something from the day I was born: You cannot depend on anyone, just you. It'll bring more happiness to your life, and it will probably make your marriage more balanced." Her father was equally supportive. "He raised me and my sisters to be good professionals, to fight for good jobs, and to seek our dreams," Norambuena says. She envisions the same for her own three daughters.Norambuena has also found these values reflected in her sprawling family tree. With roots back to the year 1100, she recognizes the bravery and adventure that have been in her lineage for hundreds of years. "My ancestors knew Chile was a piece of land; that's all," Norambuena says. "They came with nothing, they created a family here, and they succeeded." Cultivating holistic supportSeveral months after her first promotion at Principal, it was time for Norambuena to return to the office from maternity leave. But there was one problem: Her baby girl was crying-all day, every day. Trusting her boss at the time who had kids himself, Norambuena approached him with the dilemma. "I said, My baby is crying a lot; I cannot leave her right now all day alone with someone else,'" Norambuena recalls.Together, they came up with a solution. He would send her computer to her house so she could work from home until she and her baby were adjusted. (This was before hybrid work was commonplace, Norambuena points out.)"He was very ahead of his time," Norambuena says. "He understood my problem perfectly and he found a solution." Several promotions and leaders later, now a chief operating officer and managing director with Principal Chile, Norambuena still remembers times when she wanted to "run away," for fear of failing and not setting a good example for other women aiming to advance their own careers. She credits the Principal culture to her success."I think the difference in my case is that I had very, very, very supportive bosses. They were always encouraging me to take risks," she says. "And they understood that I have a family; I have three girls. And understood if I had to take the baby to the doctor or something." She also recognizes, she adds, that having a supportive husband who will split parental duties has been crucial.With this in mind, Norambuena is active in a women's mentoring program through Principal Latin America, and she also brings the men she leads into the conversations. "If we can also help the men so they can help their wives outside of our company, that's much more impactful," she says. That may mean encouraging one of her male team members to take time away from the office if his child needs to go to the doctor."To continue the change, we have to work with men," Norambuena says. "I was very lucky that most of the men around me were very supportive. But if that's not the case-at work and at home-it's very difficult for a woman to grow in a company."It's not just her; it's also her surroundings." Find a career that fits your skills and passions at principal.com/careers Insurance products and plan administrative services provided through Principal Life Insurance Company, a member of the Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA 50392. 2023 Principal Financial Services, Inc. Principal, Principal Financial Group, and Principal and the logomark design are registered trademarks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a Principal Financial Group company, in the United States and are trademarks and service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., in various countries around the world.2954334-062023Photo: Maria Eugenia Norambuena sitting at the headquarters of Principal.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Principal Financial Group on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Principal Financial GroupWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/principal-financial-group Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Principal Financial Group
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-13 23:32:16

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Hagens Berman urges NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.Class Period: Dec. 2, 2021 - Feb. 1, 2023Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 25, 2023Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/NEE Contact An Attorney Now: NEE@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) Securities Fraud Class Action:The complaint alleges that Defendants mispresented and concealed that NextEra's primary subsidiary (Florida Power & Light Company, or "FPL") flouted federal and state campaign laws thereby exposing NextEra to substantial legal and reputational risk.In Dec. 2021, media outlets began reporting that FPL and its political consulting firm Matrix steered political funding to spoiler "ghost candidates" to derail reelection efforts by unfriendly Florida state legislators during the 2020 election cycle, spied on journalists who published unsupportive reporting, and improperly courted public officials with job offers while bidding to privatize certain public utilities, all with FPL executives' approval.NextEra responded to this reporting with: (1) blanket denials; (2) declaring that "we conducted a very extensive and thorough investigation[]" and "the bottom line is we found no evidence of any issues at all, any illegality or any wrongdoing on the part of FPL or any of its employees"; and (3) assurances that the allegations did not expose the company to meaningful legal or reputational risk.But in Nov. 2022, NextEra revealed that a complaint was filed with the Federal Election Commission ("FEC") alleging violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act and identifying FPL as a source of funds to certain Super Pacs identified in the complaint.Then, on Jan. 25, 2023, NextEra announced that FPL's CEO (Eric Silagy) would cease to serve in that role. The company also acknowledged the serious business and reputational risks posed by the FEC's complaint.These events caused the price of NextEra shares to sharply decline."We're focused on investors' losses and proving NextEra lied to investors about its political misconduct," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in NextEra and have significant losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firm's investigation, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman.Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding NextEra should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email NEE@ hbsslaw.com # # #About Hagens BermanHagens Berman is a global plaintiffs' rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.CONTACT:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
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PORT HUENEME, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / It's official! The Port of Hueneme's annual Green Marine certification results are out, and the Port was certified in June 2023 with its highest scores ever during the annual Green Marine re-certification process. These high scores are an acknowledgement of the Port of Hueneme's commitment to leadership in environmental stewardship. Green Marine is the leading voluntary environmental certification program for North America's maritime industry. Green Marine's Environmental Port Program scores an applicant against a rigorous set of more than 160 performance indicators in nine categories, including environmental leadership, community impacts, greenhouse gases and air pollutants as well as waste management. The scores an applicant receives are based upon escalating requirements, all of which are predicated on going above and beyond mere compliance with environmental regulations. In addition, the program categories evolve annually and require ongoing year over year improvement to maintain, let alone improve on, an applicant's score. The Port of Hueneme has been part of this program since 2017 and in addition to the annual re-certification process, there is a third-party onsite program audit every other year of an applicant's participation. The Port of Hueneme was the first port in California to achieve a Green Marine certification in 2017."It is an honor that the Port of Hueneme has kept the lead as one of the highest scoring Ports in California for environmental action and has become re-certified by Green Marine for continuing to show annual improvements to our environment and communities," said Jess Herrera, President of the Oxnard Harbor Commission. "We see the work that goes into reaching our zero-emission goals every day and we look forward to continuing to pave the path of being good environmental stewards." Annual, rigorous improvements are required to achieve Green Marine certification - making this an accomplishment the Port of Hueneme is proud to attain. According to Green Marine, ports make up about 30 percent of its membership. Amongst the nine performance categories, Green Marine saw the biggest improvements made by over 50 member ports in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gasses and air pollutants, and the Port of Hueneme received its highest score ever in this category as well.(Left to right) Giles Pettifor, Environmental Manager for the Port of Hueneme; David Bolduc, President of Green Marine; and Miguel Rodriguez, Community Outreach Manager for the Port of Hueneme receive the highest scores for the Port during the June 2023 Green Marine Conference in Seattle, CA."Companies and public agencies need to recognize the importance of investing in community organizing training for their employees as well as raise environmental consciousness about their operations from within," said Miguel Rodriguez, the Port of Hueneme's Community Outreach Manager, during his presentation at the Greentech conference in Seattle. "This helps build legitimate community-focused relationships within [the maritime industry]; and serves as a bridge to a future where employees and community members work together to address social and climate challenges in adjacent neighborhoods. This approach helped us achieve our highest score ever and speaks to the significant investment from the Port of Hueneme to meaningfully engage the local community in our local air quality monitoring efforts." The Port of Hueneme has scored highly in many categories indicating excellence and leadership in their environment."It was also very eye opening to see how advanced our work is in comparison to many other Ports in the United States and Canada," Rodriguez added."The highly structured, detailed performance requirements of the Green Marine certification process are a perfect fit for helping the Port to assess its year over year progress in the implementation of our sustainability programs," said Giles Pettifor, Environmental Manager at the Port of Hueneme. "Achieving our highest scores ever this last year is a reflection the Port's broader commitment to environment, community, and progress, but more specifically to just how seriously the Port is taking the global climate crisis and the urgency with which we are seeking to act now." The Port is pushing to reach its goal of zero emission operations, which was unanimously voted upon in 2021 by the Port's Board of Harbor Commissioners.Christina Birdsey, Chief of Operations at the Port explained: "We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of sustainable initiatives in our industry and this program ensures that we are documenting improvements year over year. The outside verification process makes sure we are meeting our goals and helps clarify new goals in the coming year." In the latest issue of Green Marine Magazine, Ray Johnston, the program's chair, and president of the Chamber of Marine Commerce said: "Our partners serve an important role in providing the environmental excellence that our industry is demanding in terms of knowledge, products and services...they become keenly aware of our very specific objectives for continuously improving our environmental performance and can work more effectively and efficiently with us in achieving the higher environmental performance standards outlined in our program." About the Port of HuenemeThe Port of Hueneme is one of the most productive and efficient commercial trade gateways for niche cargo on the West Coast. The Port is governed by five locally elected Port Commissioners. The Port consistently ranks among the top ten U.S. ports for automobiles and fresh produce. Port operations support the community by bringing $2.2 billion in economic activity and creating 20,032 trade-related jobs. Trade through the Port of Hueneme generates more than $173.2 million in direct and related state and local taxes, which fund vital community services. In 2017, the Port of Hueneme became the first port in California to become Green Marine certified and was voted the Greenest Port in the U.S. at the Green Shipping Summit. www.portofh.org Press Contact:Letitia AustinPublic & Government Relations Managerlaustin@ portofh.org (805) 816-8324SOURCE: Port of Hueneme
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-13 00:45:19

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MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2023 / Quebec Precious Metals Corporation (TSXV:QPM), (FSE:YXEP), (OTCQB:CJCFF) ("QPM" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that, in connection with its previously announced non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering"), the Corporation closed a first tranche of the Offering for an amount of $ 784,575.06. The Offering consists of 4,439,706 common shares (the "Hard Shares") at a price of $0.085 per Hard Share, and 2,714,667 flow-through common shares (the "FT Shares") at a price of $0.15 per FT Share.The previously announced charity flow-through common shares component of the Offering will be closing at a subsequent time, but no later than July 18, 2023. The Company issued a total of 1,764,706 Hard Shares to CDPQ Sodemex Inc.Insiders of the Corporation have subscribed in the Offering for a total of 228,000 FT Shares and 250,000 Hard Shares on the Offering which "related parties' transactions" within the meaning of Regulation 61-101 respecting Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("Regulation 61-101") and TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") Policy 5.9 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. However, the directors of the Corporation who voted in favour of the Offering have determined that the exemptions from formal valuation and minority approval requirements provided for respectively under subsections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of Regulation 61-101 can be relied on as neither the fair market value of the FT Shares and Hard Shares issued to insiders, nor the fair market value of the consideration paid exceed 25% of the Corporation's market capitalization. None of the Corporation's directors have expressed any contrary views or disagreements with respect to the foregoing. A material change report in respect of this related party transaction will be filed by the Corporation but could not be filed earlier than 21 days prior to the closing because the terms of the participation of each of the non-related parties and the related party in the Offering were not confirmed.The net proceeds from the sale of the Hard Shares will be used by the Corporation for general corporate and working capital purposes. The net proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of the FT Shares will be used for exploration expenditures on the Corporation's projects located in the Province of Quebec.More specifically, the gross proceeds from the issuance of the FT Shares will be used for Canadian exploration expenses (as such term is defined by the Income Tax Act (Canada)) which, once renounced, will qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditure", as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures"), which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2024 and renounced to the subscribers with an effective date no later than December 31, 2023. For a Quebec resident subscriber who is an eligible individual under the Taxation Act (Quebec), which qualifies (i) as an expense for inclusion in the "exploration base relating to certain Quebec exploration expenses" within the meaning of section 726.4.10 of the Taxation Act (Quebec), and (ii) as an expense for inclusion in the "exploration base relating to certain Quebec surface mining expenses or oil and gas exploration expenses" within the meaning of section 726.4.17.2 of the Taxation Act (Quebec).The Hard Shares and FT Shares are subject to a four-month "hold period" commencing on the closing sate pursuant to National Instrument 45-102 - Resale of Securities and, in Quebec, Regulation 45-102 respecting Resale of Securities, and the certificates or DRS advices representing such securities bear a legend to that effect. The Offering remains subject to the final approval of the Exchange.In connection with the Offering, the Corporation paid in respect of certain subscriptions a finders' fee or commission of $ 6,275 in compliance with section 1.14 of Policy 4.1 as well as Policy 5.1 of the Exchange.About Quebec Precious Metals CorporationQPM is a gold explorer with a large land position in the highly prospective Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory, Quebec, near Newmont Corporation's Eleonore gold mine. QPM's flagship project is the Sakami project with significant grades and well-defined drill-ready targets. QPM's goal is to rapidly explore the Sakami project and advance to the mineral resource estimate stage.For more information please contact:Normand ChampignyChief Executive OfficerTel.: 514 979-4746nchampigny@ qpmcorp.ca Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Statements with respect to final approval of the Exchange and the Corporation's expected work programs in 2023 are forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of the Corporation. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based on are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Corporation can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, including but not limited to the risks that market conditions, commodity prices, or other circumstances can affect the Corporation, as well as other risks with respect to the Corporation described in the Corporation's public disclosure filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Corporation disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.SOURCE: Quebec Precious Metals Corporation
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-13 12:55:27

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MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / St-Georges Eco-Mining Corp. (CSE:SX)(OTCQB:SXOOF)(FSE:85G1) would like to disclose that it has received confirmation of delivery of the second automated industrial battery processing circuits at its EVSX plant in Thorold, ON. Each circuit is capable of processing 7,920 tons of batteries per year. This circuit will add capacity to the circuits already delivered, allowing the Company to process 20,000 tons of spent batteries annually. This includes a 4,800-ton capacity for alkaline battery processing that will be relocated to a new and definitive site within the Thorold Intermodal facilities in order to meet new environmental and logistics requirements.Over the last three weeks, 25 truck shipments of industrial equipment were moved to the Thorold plant, including 24 maritime containers. The shipments were unloaded and unpacked by the employees of the BMI Group acting on behalf of the Company.The circuits have undergone independent testing at the manufacturer's plant prior to shipping. New electrical and safety panels are being commissioned to meet site-specific regulatory and safety requests. The Company is planning the first visits of industry stakeholders, battery manufacturers, buyers, and other potential partners scheduled to start later this summer.In light of the significant interest received from various groups with different business models, each compatible with faster capacity growth, the Company has asked the manufacturer to temporarily hold shipment of the third manufactured circuit while it reviews potential partnerships or licensing agreements. This will allow more flexibility and enable the final delivery to be directed to a move-in-ready site with potential partners or licensees. This move will also mitigate issues expected to arise from labor negotiations and disruptions during transit via Canadian ports.EVSX efforts are now focused on the new lines and the moving, environmental permitting, and testing of the augmented capacity alkaline circuit. Using battery feedstock quantities below the threshold of industrial production operations, EVSX will test and adjust the circuits of the alkaline line. Training and operational safety manuals have been commissioned and should be completed for audit in Q3. The Company intends to have payroll and human resources outsourced to specialized third parties; the related contracts should be in place before the start of the larger operations.As part of its ongoing analysis of its business model, EVSX is also reviewing proposals for partnerships to establish circuits in new markets based on the design and continuous improvements originating from the Thorold facility. Remote production control with sensor and management dashboard software would allow the Company to provide expertise, remote problem solving, and engineering and metallurgy centralization. The partners would be able to monetize the initial metals separated while establishing profit-sharing agreements with the Company for the minerals concentrate processing operations. This configuration would enable faster growth of the overall operations and is now the model being suggested for all additional plants in the short term.Internal Disclosure & Regulatory ReviewAs disclosed in a press release on May 31, 2023, the Company's board of directors has reviewed the transactions of one of its insiders, Mr. Frank Dumas, that were filed late, in error, or omitted since becoming an insider of the Company. Mr. Dumas has since stepped down from his position on the board of directors and collaborated with the board. He brought to compliance all the transactions that were either omitted or required to be amended due to mistakes in the reporting.Aside from the late reporting of his transactions, no other issues were discovered during the internal review.At this stage, the Company is aware that a fine was imposed on Mr. Dumas in relation to this issue. A regulatory request was made to the Company to address the improper balance of insider ownership published in the Company's annual information circular as a result.Over the years, the Company has relied on the SEDI fillings of all its insiders to disclose the insider ownership of the Company as part of its annual information circular. To date, the process did not involve any additional verification aside from the self-reporting on the SEDI platform.The Company is now reviewing additional verification steps that will allow it to confirm the size of the securities ownership and interests of insiders directly related to the Company. The Company expects to choose a process shortly, which will be implemented as early as this year.The next information circular, with the corrected figures, will be disseminated by the Company following the publication of its annual audited financial report later this month.H2SX - Hydrogen UpdateFollowing a global analysis of the overall business plan and objectives of St-Georges, management decided to radically shift its approach to the development of H2SX and the deployment of its business model.The Company now expects to collaborate with its Korean partners and shareholders to use an upgraded demonstration unit in South Korea for all improvements to the process and a third party's due diligence and review. This will allow the Company to avert the time and cost required to build a showcase plant in Canada. Multiple parties, including institutional investors and major industrial actors, have shown strong interest in a faster, more direct development and deployment of industrial units prompting H2SX to use the Korean facilities to showcase its abilities to the scientific and engineering teams of its potential partners and clients.This measure should save years and allow the Company to skip directly to the first commercial plant, thus obtaining the maximum benefit for St-Georges by eliminating almost all diluting financing efforts for the Company by linking the financing to the plant itself. The team is negotiating this adjustment to the original agreement.This change will impact the total ownership of St-Georges in H2SX. However, it will eliminate the vast majority of the financial requirements and liabilities assigned to the Company. H2SX will open its share capital for direct investments in parallel. The new structure of capital is currently being studied.The final independent preliminary engineering study is completed. H2SX will provide its content to Altima Energy in the coming days allowing for the completion of the first milestone of the agreement between the two companies. The long form agreement is being modified to reflect the strategic changes. It could allow Altima (TSX-V: ARH) to participate financially alongside instituti
Thursday

"Trash to Treasure Art Show," 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Brownsville Art Association, 255 Main St. Daily through July 29.

Linn County Fair, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, July 13 through 15, Linn County Fair & Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E., Albany. General admission: $9 online, $10 at the gate; seniors, $7 and $8; children younger than 12 admitted free. Information: www.linncountyfair.com.

C3 Summer Concerts, 6 p.m., Chintimini Park, 605 NW 27th St., Corvallis. Rock 'n' Roll Rewind will play '60s rock 'n' roll.

Live music by Gadzooks, 6 to 8 p.m., Common Fields, 545 SW Third St., Corvallis. Free admission.

Live music by Wild Hog in the Bush, 7 to 10 p.m., Old World Deli, 341 SW Second St., Corvallis.

Clint Black in concert, 8:30 p.m., Linn County Fair, Linn County Fair & Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E., Albany. Trevor Tagle opens at 7 p.m. Admission: free with fair admission of $9 online, $10 at the gate; seniors, $7 and $8; children younger than 12 admitted free. Limited reserved seats at $20 include fair admission. Information: www.linncountyfair.com.

Friday

C3 Open Mic Night, 6 p.m., Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave. Live music by local performers. Free.

"Fun Friday Goat Yoga," 6 p.m., outdoors (weather permitting) or in a 130-year-old barn with 360-degree views of the Southern Willamette Valley, No Regrets Flower Farm & Animal Sanctuary, 26641 Bellfountain Road, Monroe. Goat Yoga is part yoga, part animal-assisted therapy, part beautiful views and part loving animals. It's about disconnecting from day-to-day stress, illness or depression and focusing on happy vibes. No yoga experience needed. Cost: $25. Information: info@goatyoga.net or 888-992-GOAT.

Summer Concert Series, 6 p.m., Cardwell Hill Cellars, 24241 Cardwell Hill Drive, Philomath. Featuring Robert Meade playing rhythm and blues originals and classics of the '60s to the '90s. Cover charge: $10; those under 18 admitted free. Reservations recommended at katrina@cardwellhillwine.com.

Live music by the Nomadic Nobodies, 7 to 10 p.m., Old World Deli, 341 SW Second St., Corvallis.

Movie Night: "Jaws," 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 115 SW Second St., Corvallis. When a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist and an old seafarer to hunt down the beast. Rated PG. Festivities will include photo opps, costumes, prizes and themed concessions. Tickets: $15 at www.majestic.org.

Smash Mouth in concert, 8:30 p.m., Linn County Fair, Linn County Fair & Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E., Albany. The June Bugs open at 7 p.m. Admission: free with fair admission of $9 online, $10 at the gate; seniors, $7 and $8; children under 12 admitted free. Limited reserved seats at $25 include fair admission. Information: www.linncountyfair.com.

Saturday

Art Supplies Surplus Sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Brownsville Art Association, 255 N. Main St.

"Christmas in July," 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monroe Arts Association, 175 S. Fifth St., Monroe. Event by Christmas Junction. Bring the kids and enjoy some holiday cheer. Shop local vendors and crafters and enjoy treats from some food trucks. Santa, Buddy the Elf, the Grinch and possibly some other fun holiday figures may be taking a break from their summer vacations to bring some holiday magic to the event. There will be free crafts for the children. Information: 541-847-3300.

"Portraits and Figures in Oils," 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Brownsville Art Association, 255 N. Main St. Students will develop a foundation in the techniques and principals of portrait and figure painting, and an understanding of the qualities of the American verismo style. Registration: Send contact information to instructor Jerry Ross at pittore44@yahoo.com. Cost: $30.

Artisan Market, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Common Fields, 545 SW Third St., Corvallis. Local artisans show and sell their work.

Live music by the Creighton Lindsay Quartet, 2 p.m., Lumos Wine Co., 24000 Cardwell Hill Drive, Philomath. Admission: free. Information: natalie@lumoswine.com.

Original Goat Yoga experience, 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 8 and 9, No Regrets Flower Farm & Animal Sanctuary, 26641 Bellfountain Road, Monroe. "Let it all goat" with the original goats who started the global phenomenon of Goat Yoga. Goat Yoga is part yoga, part animal-assisted therapy, part beautiful views and part loving animals. It's about disconnecting from day-to-day stress, illness or depression and focusing on happy vibes. No yoga experience needed. The experience includes a 30-minute Goat Yoga class, a 60-minute Goat Happy Hour, beverages, a yoga mat and images of your experience by Lainey Morse. Carpooling is suggested; participants are asked to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before class. Cost: $35. Information: info@goatyoga.net or 888-992-GOAT.

Live music by Hyper Sloth, 7 to 10 p.m., Old World Deli, 341 SW Second St., Corvallis.

Granger Smith in concert, 8:30 p.m., Linn County Fair, Linn County Fair & Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E., Albany. Cascade Rye opens at 7 p.m. Admission: free with fair admission of $9 online, $10 at the gate; seniors, $7 and $8; children under 12 admitted free. Limited reserved seats at $20 include fair admission. Information: www.linncountyfair.com.

Sunday

Goats glass class, 10 a.m., No Regrets Flower Farm & Animal Sanctuary, 26641 Bellfountain Road, Monroe. Stained glass workshop limited to six people. The event will start with a Goat Happy Hour, including a tour around the farm, an organic charcuterie tray and local wine, followed by a two-hour workshop on how to make a hanging stained glass piece. Participants will have a finished piece to take home. Goat Yoga has partnered with Petra, owner of Petrichor Glass Works, to teach the workshop. Also included in the event are baby goat therapy, supplies for the stained glass piece, and charcuterie and locally sourced wine. Cost: $125. Registration: https://bit.ly/46LfxKz.

Sunday Brunch with Revel'n, 10 a.m. to noon, Old World Deli, 341 SW Second St., Corvallis. Live music.

Ninth Street Community Market, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., parking lot, High Quality, 1435 NW Ninth St., Corvallis. Browse an array of local crafters, makers, musicians and artists. Family-friendly and pet-friendly.

"Sounds of Summer Sundays," 5 to 7:30 p.m., Airlie Winery, 15305 Dunn Forest Road. Live music by Bill Beach & Brasil Beat. Admission: $10; tickets at www.airliewinery.com.

Monday

"Summer Sounds," 7 p.m., Timber Linn Memorial Park, 900 Price Road SE, Albany. Huckleberry Road in concert. Suggested donation of $1 per person at the gate.

Tuesday

Corvallis Community Band Concert in the Park: rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.; concert, 7:30, Central Park, 650 NW Monroe Ave. "Children's Concert," conducted by Steve Matthes. Free and family-friendly. Bring a low-backed chair or a blanket.

Wednesday

"Fun in the Park," 10 a.m. to noon, Takena Landing Park,1101 Lawnridge St. SW, Albany. Find a bench or bring a blanket and enjoy some time in the park before heading home to work on a take-home craft kit. All ages welcome. Free.

Live music by the Jeanne Gregg Band, 6 to 8 p.m., Common Fields, 545 SW Third St., Corvallis. Free admission.

"History Through Headstones Tour," 7 to 9:30 p.m., Albany Riverside Cemetery, 1305 SW Seventh Ave. Theme: "Celebrating Our Agricultural Heritage." Light refreshments will be served from 7 p.m. till dusk. Visitors can begin their tour at either cemetery entrance. Eleven people associated with the area's agricultural community will be featured, including six members of the prolific Jenks family. Sponsored by the Albany Regional Museum and the Riverside Cemetery Board of Directors.

Movies at the Whiteside, 7 p.m., Whiteside Theatre, 361 SW Madison Ave., Corvallis. "Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark." Tickets: $6 in advance, $8 at the door.

Goat Sunset Cider, 7:30 p.m., Goatville, Terra Bella Homestead Farm, 6959 NE Elliott Circle, Corvallis. Enjoy a sunset view of Marys Peak from the goat pen. Mingle with frolicking Nigerian dwarf goats while sipping hot spiced cider or a cold bottle of sparkling cider and snacking on ginger cookies. Terra Bella will provide comfortable outdoor furniture, warm blankets, games, and brushes to pamper the goats. The experience includes one thermos of hot cider or a bottle of sparking cider, plus six homemade cookies. If you would like to upgrade, you add more cider or cookies at checkout. You can bring additional snacks, beverages of a picnic; a cooler with ice is available upon request. Wear shoes appropriate for mud and uneven surfaces. Multiple pricing options are available for groups up to six; email for pricing for larger groups. Admission: $65 and up at www.terrabella-farm.com/book-online.

 Mid-Valley Live
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-13 14:01:19

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Surge Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Surge") (TSXV:NILI)(OTC PINK:NILIF)(FRA: DJ5C) is pleased to announce that Dr Vijay Mehta has joined the Board of Directors of the Company effectively immediately. Dr Vijay Mehta holds a BSc in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Flotation Technology.A world-renowned expert in lithium mining, extraction, and processing, Dr. Vijay Mehta brings to Surge Battery Metals five decades of experience. He has consulted to all the "Who's Who" in the global lithium mining industry. His services are sought-after for his expertise in innovation in lithium brine processing, as well as the production at industrial scale of high-purity (battery grade) lithium end products. His skills include evaluating the technological and economic feasibility of lithium brine projects around the world, as well as cost competitive analysis comparisons. Among his many scientific accomplishments, he holds more than 12 lithium-related US patents, and has published over 50 technology reports and, as well as ten academic papers.Graham Harris, Chairman, commented, "We are delighted that Dr Mehta has taken the decision to join the Board of Surge Battery Metals. Vijay has an extraordinary resume and is a recognized leader in the field when it comes to understanding lithium metallurgy, processing, and production. I had the pleasure of working with Vijay at Millennial Lithium where he was instrumental in our success, which resulted in the sale to Lithium Americas for $490M. Dr Mehta will initially review the Company's metallurgical test work on the drill cuttings from the Phase 1 drilling and on core samples from all subsequent drilling and bulk sampling campaigns. He will advance the use of those findings for future process and plant design technical studies for the Nevada North Lithium Project. We greatly value Dr Mehta's experience and expertise as it will be invaluable to the Company over the coming years." In connection with the appointment of Dr. Vijay Mehta to the Company's Board of Directors, the Company has received the resignation from Mr. Robert Culbert. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Culbert for his contributions as a director and wishes him well in his future endeavors.About Surge Battery Metals Inc.The Company is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company active in the exploration for lithium in Nevada whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market.About the Nevada North Lithium ProjectThe Company owns a 100% interest, without any royalties, in the Nevada North Lithium Project, consisting of 303 mineral claims, located in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Elko County, Nevada. The first round of drilling, completed in October 2022, identified a strongly mineralized zone of lithium bearing clays occupying a strike length of almost 1,620 meters from drillhole NN2205 in the north to drill hole NN2208 in the south. Widths of the mineralized horizons are not well determined since the holes are mostly on a north-south alignment, however, widths are at least 400 metres, supported by highly anomalous soil values indicating potential for the clay horizons to be much greater in extent. The potential for a significant lithium deposit can be illustrated by the results of drillhole NN2207 which intersected the thickest intervals of lithium-rich claystone encountered to date; a total of 120.4 metres (395 feet) averaging 3,943 ppm lithium in four zones. Additionally, drillhole NN2208 had the strongest downhole individual sample of 5,950 ppm lithium between 45 and 50 feet (13.72 and 15.24 metres). The average lithium content within all near surface clay zones intersected in 2022 drilling, applying a 1000 ppm cut-off, was 3254 ppm. (Press release March 29,2023)Qualified Person as Defined Under National Instrument 43-101Alan J. Morris, MSc, CPG of Spring Creek, Nevada, a Qualified Person as defined under Nation Instrument 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release.On behalf of the Board of Directors"Greg Reimer"Greg Reimer,President & CEOContact Information:Email: info@ surgebatterymetals.com Phone: 778-945-2656Website: surgebatterymetals.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.This document may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan" or "planned", "possible", "potential", "forecast", "intend", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to future prices of commodities including lithium and nickel, the accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals including approvals of title and mining rights or licenses and environmental, local community or indigenous community approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure or water, changes in laws, rules and regulations including in the United States, Nevada or California or any other jurisdiction which may impact upon the Company or its properties or the commercial exploitation of those properties, currency risks including the exchange rate of USD$ for Cdn$ or other currencies, fluctuations in the market for lithium related products, changes in exploration costs and government royalties, export policies or taxes in the United States or any other jurisdiction and other factors or information. The Company's current plans, expectations and intentions with respect to development of its business and of its Nevada properties may be impacted by economic uncertainties arising out of any pandemic or by the impact of current financial and other market conditions (including US government subsidies or incentives) on its ability to secure further financing or funding of its Nevada properties. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while conside
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-13 12:00:24

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KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Tryp Therapeutics, Inc. (CSE:TRYP)(OTCQB:TRYPF) ("Tryp" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing intravenous-infused psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) for diseases with high unmet medical needs, today announced it has received confirmation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") that its review of Tryp's Investigational New Drug ("IND") #163,994 is complete and that the Company may proceed with its Phase 2a clinical trial at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigating the effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in the treatment of patients aged 21+ suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).The planned study in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital will evaluate the effect of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in patients with treatment-resistant IBS who experience chronic abdominal pain and other debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms. Many of these patients also suffer from fibromyalgia, anxiety and fatigue. The primary efficacy endpoint of the study will be improvement in abdominal pain which will be measured at four weeks post the final therapist-monitored psychedelic drug session, along with numerous other secondary endpoints including changes in brain connectivity."Research indicates a possibility for addressing IBS and other disorders of gut-brain interaction using a combined approach of psilocybin and psychotherapy," said Dr. Erin Mauney, a Massachusetts General Hospital physician spearheading the study. "We look forward to finalizing preparations for the trial so that we can begin enrolling patients." "The upcoming Phase 2a study with Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital for IBS represents a significant milestone for Tryp's clinical programs," added Jim Gilligan, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Tryp Therapeutics. "We are eager for our collaborators at MGH to complete the work necessary to initiate enrolling patients in the study in the coming months. This novel approach holds great promise for this indication especially considering the limited existing options for these IBS patients." About Tryp TherapeuticsTryp Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing proprietary, novel formulations for the administration of psilocin in combination with psychotherapy to treat diseases with unmet medical needs. Tryp's lead program, TRP-8803, is a proprietary formulation of IV-infused psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin) that alleviates numerous shortcomings of oral psilocybin including: significantly reducing the time to onset of the psychedelic state, controlling the depth and duration of the psychedelic experience, and reducing the overall duration of the intervention to a commercially feasible timeframe. The Company has initiated a Phase 2a clinical trial for the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder at the University of Florida, where an interim analysis showed an average reduction in binge eating episodes of greater than 80%. The Company is also planning for Phase 2a clinical trials with the University of Michigan for the treatment of fibromyalgia and with Mass General Hospital for the treatment of abdominal pain related to irritable bowel syndrome. Each of the studies are utilizing TRP-8802 (synthetic, oral psilocybin) to demonstrate efficacy in these indications. Where a preliminary clinical benefit is demonstrated, subsequent studies are expected to utilize TRP-8803 (IV-infused psilocin), which has the potential to further improve efficacy, safety and patient experience. For more information, please visit www.tryptherapeutics.com Investor & Media ContactPeter MolloyChief Business OfficerTryp Therapeuticspmolloy@ tryptherapeutics.com Forward-Looking InformationCertain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans," "targets," "expects" or "does not expect," "is expected," "an opportunity exists," "is positioned," "estimates," "intends," "assumes," "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes," or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might," "will" or "will be taken," "occur" or "be achieved." In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events.Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Tryp as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors'' section of Tryp's final prospectus available at www.sedar.com . These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Tryp; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and Tryp expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.SOURCE: Tryp Therapeutics
PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-13 17:01:33

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Turno, a vacation rental cleaning solution, is an Airbnb software partnerHONOLULU, HI / ACCESSWIRE / July 11, 2023 / Turno, the global leader in vacation rental cleaning management, today announced it is an official Airbnb Software Partner. This new partnership underscores Airbnb's ongoing commitment to ensuring that properties hosted on its platform consistently meet high-quality cleanliness standards and provide guests with fresh, hygienic, and welcoming stay environments.TurnoLogoFounded in 2016, Turno is uniquely positioned to support hosts and property managers in optimizing turnover operations and improving cleanliness outcomes. Its SaaS platform and separate mobile apps for Hosts and Cleaners deliver end-to-end solutions for sourcing, paying, and managing the entire vacation rental cleaning lifecycle. In addition, Turno hosts the industry's largest Cleaner Marketplace that matches short-term rental operators with STR cleaning professionals worldwide."Turno's mission is to solve cleaning for the vacation rental industry, and we are proud to be an Airbnb partner," said Assaf Karmon, CEO and Co-founder of Turno. "Our software tools and ever-growing marketplace of STR cleaning pros allow Airbnb Hosts to simplify and automate the entire turnover process, improve cleaning consistency, and verify that quality expectations are met for every clean." As an Airbnb Software Partner, Turno's direct connectivity provides users with an intuitive and efficient platform setup process. In addition, the fully integrated API delivers lightning-fast booking updates through instant webhooks, increased connection stability and reliability, and enhanced guest and reservation data."By decreasing cleaning hassles, Airbnb Hosts can enhance the guest experience, improve property reviews, and achieve higher average cleanliness scores on Airbnb," said Karmon. "While our business users definitely benefit from increased productivity and efficiency, the real beneficiaries of high-quality cleaning are the millions of happy, satisfied Airbnb guests worldwide." Turno's comprehensive SaaS platform and custom mobile apps deliver scalable, on-the-go tools to short-term rental operators and cleaning providers of all sizes. From single property owner hosts to management companies with geographically dispersed portfolios, Turno simplifies turnovers. Features such as auto-scheduling, in-app chat, auto payment, and quality assurance tools like checklists, photo sharing, and inventory management are all supported by Turno's 24/7 live customer support team.About TurnoTurno's SaaS platform and Cleaner Marketplaces help vacation rental operators schedule, pay, and find cleaners. Features include auto-scheduling, auto payment, in-app chat, photo checklists, reporting tools, and other easy-to-use quality assurance solutions to simplify and automate recurring property services. Offering 24/7 live customer support and available in six languages, Turno syncs guest calendars from all major booking platforms and 20+ channel managers and property management systems. Turno's localized Cleaner Marketplaces include vetted STR service providers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond. For more, visit www.turno.com Contact Information:Amy PlummerHead of Brand404-326-9717SOURCE: Turno
The State Security Service (SSS) has announced that it has charged the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to court.

SSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya, in a Thursday statement, said Mr Emefiele was charged in compliance with a court order.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, ordered the SSS to charge Emefiele to court or release him from his detention, which has lasted for weeks.

Mr Afunanyas statement, released hours after the court order, did not provide details of the charges against Mr Emefiele or the court where he was charged.

Sequel to an Abuja High Court Order of today, 13th July 2023, the Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed that Mr Godwin Emefiele has been charged to court in compliance with the Order, Mr Afunanya wrote.

In a statement, the Force public relations officer Peter Afunaya, recalls that the Service had, in 2022, applied for a Court Order to detain him in respect of a criminal investigation.

READ ALSO:

The statement notes that though Emefiele obtained a restraining order from an FCT High Court, the Service, however, arrested him in June 2023 on the strength of suspected fresh criminal infractions/information, one of which forms the basis for his current prosecution.

The Service assures the public of professionalism, justice and fairness in handling this matter and indeed the discharge of its duties within the confines of the law, the spokesperson wrote.

Emefieles Ordeals

Last December, the SSS approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order to arrest Mr Emefiele.

But Chief Judge John Tsoho, who presided over the court, refused to grant the request, stating insufficient information to justify issuing an arrest order against Mr Emefiele.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the SSS accused Mr Emefiele of financing the activities of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and engaging in acts that undermined the Nigerian economy, along with other offences.

Mr Emefiele was later arrested at his residence in Lagos on 10 June. He was then taken to the headquarters of the secret police, where he is currently believed to be undergoing questioning.

While the SSS had previously accused the suspended CBN governor of terrorism financing, no formal charges have been officially filed against him. His arrest took place one day after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from office.

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Beijing has accused NATO of thinking as it did during the Cold War, following criticism of China at the alliances summit in Vilnius.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that NATO was confusing right and wrong and has ideological prejudices that China firmly rejects.

He said that while NATO claims to be a defence alliance, it encourages its member states to constantly increase their military spending, expand their power across borders and provoke confrontations in the Asia-Pacific region as well. In contrast, he said, China is a promoter of world peace.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday, after the talks in Vilnius, that Beijings increasingly brash behaviour was affecting the security of the defence alliance.

China is increasingly challenging the rules-based international order, refusing to condemn Russias war against Ukraine, threatening Taiwan and massively rearming militarily, Stoltenberg said.

He described Chinas nuclear armament programme as unprecedented in its speed and scale, and said that it is being carried out without any transparency.

(dpa/NAN)

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Winners of the 2023 Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) Essay Competition have emerged in Ogun State, South-west Nigeria.

This is the literary icon and Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, a professor, on Thursday (today), clocked 89 years of age.

The competition, which draws participants across the secondary schools in the state, is part of the activities to mark the scholars birthday, as it has been the practice since 2010.

A statement by the organisers said the 2023 edition of the contest marks the 14th edition of the annual youth mentoring and mental capacity development initiative.

The 2023 edition of the competition focused on Nation Building, Good Governance, and National Development, it said.

This year, the organisers said, a record number of 111 entries were received from 50 schools, out of which a panel of literary and social workers selected 89 finalists.

The contest, they said, required contestants to explore Wole Soyinkas Humanism, Artistry, and Nationalism in their thought processes and writing.

Winners

At the end of the exercise, the organisers announced Akoki Mojolaoluwa, a Senior Secondary School (SS) 2 student of Adedokun International School, Ifo, Ogun State, as the winner of the grand prize while Olugbenga Mojolaoluwa of Salawu Abiola Comprehensive School, Abeokuta, emerged as the first runner-up, and Ezima Margaret of Anglican Girls Grammar School emerged as the second runner-up.

We thank all schools and students for their participation and remain committed to our goal of fostering unity, bolstering integrity, and instilling qualities of good leadership as values, Executive Producer of the annual competition, Teju Kareem, said.

Mr Kareem said the competition has, since inception, served as a platform to mentor the youths to imbibe the culture of participating in socio-cultural and political discourses in their environment.

It enables the young ones to engage in healthy dialogue about national and international issues, testing the creativity and intelligence of the participants and building their self-esteem, he said.

About Soyinka

Born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in 1934 as the second of his parents seven children, Mr Soyinka is a Nigerian playwright, novelist, poet, essayist, and activist.

He attended the Government College, Ibadan, University College Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan) and the University of Leeds in England.

In 1986, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature, the first black African honoured in that category.

The Nobel Laureate has written over 30 plays, many essays, and poetry collections. He also has to his credit memoirs, novels, and short stories, among others.

Mr Soyinka was part of the Nigerian pro-democracy group, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which fought against military dictatorship from 1994 until the return of democracy in 1999.

Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe

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President Bola Tinubu has asked the House of Representatives to amend the 2022 Supplementary Appropriations Act to provide N500 billion to fund palliative measures against the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

The request was convened in a letter read by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, during the plenary on Wednesday.

President Tinubu is seeking to extract N500 billion from the N819,536,937,813 supplementary budget.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari introduced the supplementary budget in 2022 for capital projects due to the impact of the floods on farmlands and road infrastructure.

The life span of the budget has since been extended till 31 December.

I write to request an amendment to the 2022 supplementary appropriation Act in accordance with the attached. The request has become necessary in other to, among other things, source funds necessary to provide palliatives to mitigate the effect of the recent removal of fuel subsidy on Nigerians.

Thus, the sum of N500 billion has been extracted from the 2022 supplementary budget of N819 billion for the provision of palliative. I hope the House will consider this request expeditiously, the Presidents letter reads.

Speaker Abbas announced that the request would be considered on Thursday by the House.

Subsidy removal

When he assumed office as Nigerias 16th leader on 29 May, Mr Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy, a decision that saw the price of petrol jump three-fold across the country.

Following the announcement, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) directed its outlets nationwide to sell fuel between N480 and N570 per litre, an almost 200 per cent increase from the initial price below N200.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had initially planned a nationwide strike to protest the removal. However, the planned strike was suspended following a parley between them and the government, with some agreements reached.

While the administration has been commended for taking swift action on petroleum subsidy, there are still concerns about the impact of the removal, especially as it relates to the increase in the price of PMS and its multiplier effect on almost every sector of the countrys economy and households.

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Members of the House of Representatives are demanding an upward review of their salaries and allowances, following the removal of fuel subsidy and the current economic situation in the country, the News Agency of Nigeria reports

NAN gathered that the demand was the outcome of a meeting the lawmakers had on 11 July after going into an executive session during plenary.

The complaints from members arising from salaries and allowances forced the House to go into executive session in order to douse tension.

The lawmakers had also demanded from the Speaker, Tajudeen Abass, the reason for the delay in the payment of their salaries and allowances, causing some of them to resort to loans.

However, one of the lawmakers who was at the meeting but craved anonymity because he was not permitted to speak on the outcome of the executive session, said they only spoke about salary increase and not delayed payment.

The lawmaker said they only told the speaker that their salaries and allowances could no longer meet the demand of their job, hence a review was necessary.

So nobody talked about any money or whether we have been paid or not, the lawmaker explained.

The source said their request was a sequel to the current economic reality following the subsidy removal which had caused hardship, making goods and services skyrocket in the country.

The lawmaker said the speaker did not promise them anything on the review of their salaries and allowances, because such demand could only be accommodated in the budget after due process.

According to the legislator, the speaker however told his colleagues that their demand for a review of their salaries and allowances was not in the 2023 budget.

According to the source, the speaker could not have promised anything, and We all know the situation in the country, we are all facing the same problem.

The agency that decides the salaries and allowances of public officials, RMAFC, had proposed a 100 per cent increase in the salaries of public officials but the approval is yet to be approved by the president or reflected in the budget.

Meanwhile, to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, the House of Representatives received a communication from President Bola Tinubu on 12 July, seeking an amendment to the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act.

The amendment is to accommodate N500 billion for the provision of palliatives for Nigerians.

in the letter, Mr Tinubu said the request was necessary to enable the government to provide palliatives for Nigerians to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.

Following the removal of subsidy on petrol that saw the price rise by almost 200 per cent, one of the demands of workers unions such as the NLC is an increase in workers salaries by at least 100 per cent. However, negotiations are still ongoing for that.

However, unlike civil servants who are poorly paid with a minimum wage of N30,000, Nigerian lawmakers are among the highest paid in the world with the lowest-paid lawmaker earning over 10 times the civil servants minimum wage. Apart from salaries, the allowances each lawmaker gets also run into millions of naira monthly.

The proposal by RMAFC of a 100 per cent increase in salaries of lawmakers had been condemned by many Nigerians forcing President Bola Tinubu to announce that he had yet to approve such an increase.

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President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to permit his administration to go ahead with the processing of a $800m loan facility from the World Bank requested by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to finance the National Safety Net Programme.

The presidents request was in a letter read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, at the plenary on Thursday.

About two weeks before the end of his administration in May, Mr Buhari requested the approval of the Senate to obtain a loan facility of $800m from the World Bank to be distributed to poor and vulnerable households.

The then Ahmad Lawan-led Senate referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt, but the committee did not report to the Senate before the administrations tenure ended on 29 May.

In the letter, Mr Tinubu noted that the reason for obtaining the loan facility is to expand coverage of shock responsive safety net support for all and vulnerable Nigerians and to meet the cost of their basic needs.

He assured that the federal government would transfer the sum of N8,000 monthly to 12 million poor and low-income households for six months.

Mr Tinubu stated that the monies would be transferred to identified beneficiaries accounts.

The Letter

It is with pleasure that I refer the above matter to you. Please note that the Federal Executive Council led by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR had approved an additional loan facility to the tune of USD 800 million to be secured from the world bank to finance the social safety net programme. Copy of the Federal Executive Council extract is attached here.

You may also wish to know that the purpose of the facility is to expand coverage of shock responsive safety net support for all and vulnerable Nigerians and the.at the cost of meeting basic needs.

You may further wish to note that under the conditional cash transfer window of the programme, the Federal Government of Nigeria will transfer the sum of 8,000 a month to 12 million poor and low-income households for a period of six months with a multiply effect on about 60 million individuals.

In order to guarantee the credibility of the process, digital transfers will be made directly to beneficiaries accounts and mobile wallets. It is expected that the programme will stimulate economic activities in the informal sector and improve nutrition, health and education outcomes for beneficial households.

Given the above, I wish to invite the Senate to kindly grant approvals for additional loan facilities USD800milliom to be secured from World Bank for the National Social Safety Net Programme, the letter said.

The Senate President, however, referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for consideration on the ground that the Senate has yet to constitute the committee on local and foreign debt.

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The House of Representatives has approved the N500 billion requested by President Bola Tinubu for the provision of palliatives to mitigate the impact of petroleum subsidy removal on Nigerians.

The House, on Thursday, amended the 2022 Supplementary Appropriations Act to accommodate the presidents request.

Mr Tinubu had in a letter on Wednesday, asked the National Assembly to amend the 2022 Supplementary Appropriations Act by extracting N500 billion to provide palliatives.

The lower chamber considered the amendment bill and passed it on Thursday.

The letter did not contain the details of the palliatives to be provided.

Senate receives request

Also on Thursday, the Senate received a similar letter from Mr Tinubu asking it to grant him the permission to remove N500 billion from the 2022 supplementary appropriation law to fund provision of palliatives to Nigerians.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the letter during plenary.

The supplementary budget of N819, 536, 927, 815 was introduced by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 for capital projects due to the impact of the floods on farmlands and road infrastructure.

The life span of the budget has since been extended till 31 December.

Mr Tinubu in the letter to the Senate noted that the removal of the N500 billion to fund provision of palliatives is necessary.

The letter reads I write to request the approval of the Senate for the amendment of the 2022 supplementary appropriation act in accordance with the attached.

The request has become necessary in order to among other things source the funds necessary to provide palliatives to mitigate the effects of the recent removal of fuel subsidy on Nigerians .

The sum of 500 billion naira has been extracted from the 2022 supplementary appropriation act of 819, 536, 927,815 for the provision of palliatives to Nigerians to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

While I hope that the Senate will consider this request expeditiously, please, accept Distinguish Senate President and members, the assurance of my highest considerations.

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The National Assembly is to get N70 billion in the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Bill to improve the working conditions of its new members.

Conversely, farmers who suffered the devastating 2022 floods across the country, will be getting N19 billion.

These are contained in the bill considered by the House of Representatives on Thursday during plenary.

A breakdown and details of the allocation are contained in a document obtained by PREMIUM TIMES.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that President Bola Tinubu forwarded a bill to amend the 2022 Supplementary Act to the National Assembly. The supplementary Bill had earlier been passed by the ninth assembly.

In the letter to the lawmakers, he requested the extraction of N500 billion out of the N819 billion supplementary budget to fund the palliatives to mitigate the impact of petroleum subsidy removal.

Details of the bill

-N500 billion for palliatives and other capital expenditures to cushion the effect of the recent subsidy removal policy;

 N185,236,937,815 to the Ministry of Works and Housing to alleviate the impact of the severe flooding experienced in the country in 2022 on road infrastructure across the six geopolitical zones;

-N19,200,000,000 to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to ameliorate the massive destruction to farmlands across the country during the severe flooding experienced last year;

-N35 billion to the National Judicial Council;

 N10 billion to the Federal Capital Territory Administration for critical projects; and

-N70 billion to the National Assembly to support the working conditions of new members.

It is, however, not clear if the N70 billion is part of the N281 billion provided in the 2023 budget for the National Assembly.

About 70 per cent of the 469-member federal legislature are new.

Meanwhile, amidst the dire economic situation in the country, this paper reported that the federal lawmakers are demanding an upward review of their salaries and allowances to offset the impact of removal of fuel subsidy.

2022 flooding and Nigerian farmers

In 2022, not less than 500 people died across the country as a result of floods, while 76,168 hectares of farmlands were partially destroyed, and 70,566 hectares of farmlands completely destroyed.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari had in December 2022 sent a supplementary budget to the National Assembly, allocating N69 billion to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The government also allocated N704 billion to the Ministry of Works and Housing, N30 billion to the Federal Capital Development Authority and N15.5 billion to the Ministry of Water Resources.

The new amendment, if passed and signed, will reduce the allocation to the farmers.

Fuel subsidy removal

Mr Tinubu, during his inauguration on 29 May, announced the removal of fuel subsidy, a decision that saw the price of petrol jump three-fold across the country.

Following the announcement, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) directed its outlets nationwide to sell fuel between N480 and N570 per litre, an over 200 per cent increase from the initial price below N200.

READ ALSO: N200 billion supplementary budget scales first reading in Rivers Assembly

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had initially planned a nationwide strike to protest the removal. However, the planned strike was suspended following a parley between them and the government, with some agreements reached.

While the administration has been commended for taking swift action on petroleum subsidy, there are still concerns about the impact of the removal, especially as it relates to the increase in the price of petrol and its multiplier effect on almost every sector of the countrys economy and impoverished households.

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The Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, said on Wednesday that the development of gas was a priority for the President Bola Tinubu administration.

Ms Verheijen said this at the opening of the Decade of Gas secretariat in Abuja.

It has been a long journey with gas in this country, she said.

The Decade of Gas programme is a federal government project designed to ensure that Nigeria propagates the supply and distribution of gas as the main source of energy both to power- and gas-based industries on commercial bases.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this project is expected to be achieved between 2021 and 2030.

Ms Verheijen said that the president placed a high premium on gas and as such was committed to seeing the country utilise it to its fullest.

We have gone from being a major exporter of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), to looking into our future, when gas is going to play a big role in the industrialisation of our country, she added.

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, said that the country was working towards becoming more of a gas-based country for local consumption and export.

It is a matter of empowering Nigeria on the utilisation of gas, so the sponsors group agreed that there should be a secretariat.

In the past, this project was coordinated from Shell as a sponsor group and they thought that the ideal location should be a regulator and NMDPRA being the Midstream regulator was chosen as the host of the secretariat.

That is why we are here to commence the process of taking over and informing the former secretariat of the Energy office in Jabi, Mr Ahmed said.

The coordinator of the project, Ed Ebong, said that they were already working on about 15 different projects from the industry in the short term.

Mr Ebong said that the projects would be the deciding factor of the countrys future if the right policy framework were put in place.

A lot of work has been done; projects have been identified and we are now in the process of sitting with the operators to bring the issues to the surface; that is for the gas supply.

We also need to provide comfort to the investors by clearing the areas of about $1 billion that the gas companies owe for gas supply in the past and that is the clear priority.

Gas will not get to where it will get to if we do not begin to build physical and virtual pipelines.

Physical pipelines are physical lines, while virtual pipelines will enable us to have Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) operators that can move gas from where it is today to the areas where it is needed.

The last is building capacity and these are those that will work in the gas sector, Mr Ebong added. (NAN)

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Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party in Nigeria, has condemned the insecurity in the countrys South-east, saying the frequent sit-at-home order in the region is criminal.

What is going on in the South-east is essentially a criminal activity that must be nipped in the bud, with all hands being on deck, security agencies, and the people alike, Mr Obi tweeted on Thursday via his Twitter handle.

Mr Obi, who was making a general comment on the rising insecurity in Nigeria said it was disturbing that gunmen enforcing the sit-at-home order in the South-east have continued to disrupt businesses and social activities in the region.

He said the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has publicly denied issuing the order for the sit-at-home.

The main faction of IPOB, which is led by Nnamdi Kanu, has repeatedly disassociated itself from the order given by the leader of a breakaway faction, Simon Ekpa, who lives in Finland.

The South-east Governors are to be commended for their renewed efforts at curbing this menace but there is a need to be more strategic and intelligence-driven in our approach to reducing the suffering of innocent people, the LP candidate said.

Mr Obi is from Anambra, one of the five states in the region. He is a former governor of the state.

Mr Obi also commented on the security challenges in the North-central region.

The violent attacks in the North-central states of Benue and Plateau lately took a new twist with high records of kidnapping, arson, and loss of human lives. According to the 1st Quarter Mass Atrocities Casualty Tracking Report, over 1230 Nigerians were killed.

79 of them security operatives, with over 600 abductions in the first quarter of this year alone. With what has been happening in the North Central and Zamfara state lately the figure as of today will be mind-boggling even far more than the deaths recorded in Russia/Ukraine ongoing carnage.

Its unacceptable that hundreds of innocent lives will continue to be wasted in Nigeria needlessly through communal clashes, bandits, and kidnapping activities.

The situation in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau States has raised a lot of anxiety because of the number of lives and properties lost with very little resistance from security operatives, Mr Obi said.

Mr Obi said the killings in the different parts of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue, and that Nigerians, through their various governments, should up our value for human lives in the way and manner we respond to issues that touch lives.

I will like to urge critical stakeholders in these areas, traditional, Christian, and Muslim leaders to continue pushing for peace among their people in the way and manner they conduct themselves.

The various governments at all levels should also take deliberate steps to address the issue of poverty and youth unemployment because the provision of stomach infrastructure is the surer way to tackle insecurity.

Also, urgent steps should be taken consciously and intentionally to ameliorate the hardship of the people.

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President Bola Tinubu has assured women that his administration is committed to ensuring Nigeria is retrieved from the vested interests that have stifled her development.

He also assured the women that issues of security, the healthcare system and industrialisation would be top priorities of his administration.

President Tinubu spoke on Thursday at the State House when he received in audience the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leaders in the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, led by the partys National Woman Leader, Betta Edu.

The president declared that his administration was already implementing many policies and programmes that would positively impact the citizens.

This, he stated, includes the Students Loan Scheme, which he said would ensure their children enjoy a stable academic calendar in their respective tertiary institutions.

We have established a scholarship scheme that would guarantee their four years of tertiary education, he said.

Security is paramount in my administrations agenda because women bear the cost of insecurity anywhere in the world. Issues of insecurity are being discussed at the highest level, and this administration will ensure that insecurity is halted immediately.

Medicare is another. We will ensure that health facilities are revamped, and we will pursue this with vigour. Industrialisation is yet another priority as your children and relations will gain employment, President Tinubu stated.

While appreciating the women leaders visit, President Tinubu praised them for their support during the campaigns and elections, adding that they all deserve awards for their efforts.

You all deserve gold medals because you worked so hard politically, overcoming so many obstacles like the fuel scarcity and Naira confiscation, promising that their children would receive better rewards as their future is now guaranteed with the initiatives being put in place, he said.

In his new role as ECOWAS Chairman, President Tinubu told the visiting women that though his emergence would place on him additional responsibility, it would spur him to work even harder.

We will continue to strive for a better Nigeria. You will not regret your confidence in this administration.

Reaffirming his administrations open-door policy, President Tinubu explained that the unity of the country is essential and central to his mind.

He advised the women leaders to be accommodating of others from other parties, who, having seen the silver lining and the brighter future that lies ahead, are now willing to come on board.

He tasked the APC women leaders to educate the citizens on the policies and programmes of his administration with the awareness that the present difficulties are temporary.

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You understand better; you are better coordinators; you know how to multitask. The gains of the subsidy removal will be channelled to better the lives of Nigerians from the few that have been fleecing the nation, the president said.

Earlier, Mrs Edu stated that the women had come to congratulate the president on his victory at the polls, for the several good policies of his administration and for his election as ECOWAS Chairman at the last Summit.

The national woman leader enumerated the sterling records of the president as governor of Lagos State, which had endeared him to Nigerians.

These, Mrs Edu stated, include the unprecedented economic development of the state and infrastructural developments.

The APC Woman leader appealed to the president to consider more women for appointment to government positions.

Dele Alake

Special Adviser to the President

(Special Duties, Communications and Strategy)

July 13, 2023

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The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), Christopher Musa, on Wednesday met with the the governors of Zamfara and Plateau states to discuss the state of security in their respective states.

The Acting Director of Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, a brigadier, made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

In his remarks, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara told the CDS that security challenges had hindered meaningful development and made governance almost impossible in the state.

Mr Lawal said addressing the security challenges would go a long way in addressing the developmental challenges in the state.

He commended the efforts of the troops on ground while calling for deployment of more troops and logistics to boost security.

The governor called for more funding to the armed forces, and concerted efforts and synergy between locals and security agencies to enhance efforts at restoration of peace in the state.

In his response, Mr Musa, a major general, said the Defence Headquarters would provide every necessary security assistance to the state.

The CDS added that he would ensure that troops were on top of the situation, and work in synergy with other security agencies.

Earlier, Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau said the appointment of Mr Musa came at a critical time of worsening security challenges in the country.

Mr Muftwang however, expressed confidence that the CDS would make instant impact by bringing his experiences to bear in dealing with the security challenges in Plateau.

He commended the efforts of the military while paying tribute to those who died in the defence of the country.

The governor called for more efforts to address the security situation in the state.

Responding, the CDS said the military remained committed to ensuring peace in Plateau while sympathising with the governor over recent killings in the state.

He advised the governor to know the basis of the problems and carry all stakeholders along in finding lasting solutions to the conflicts.

(NAN)

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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Taoreed Lagbaja, has described the amnesty programme for bandits and terrorists in Zamfara and others states as a failed programme.

Mr Lagbaja, a major general, said this when he hosted Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State during a courtesy call on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the amnesty programme had failed to achieve its purpose in the past, as it only gave criminals the opportunity to regroup, reorganise and attack defenceless citizens.

The COAS also noted that the amnesty programme in the state and other parts of the North-west was a failure.

We also have the issue of the amnesty programme that has been instituted, and which has failed not only in Zamfara, but so many other states of the North-west.

So, I think we need to look at this issue of the amnesty programme because the criminal elements have proven to be incorrigible.

The issue of amnesty has created avenue for them to regroup and reorganise to launch attack on our defenceless citizens. So I think we need to look at that, he said.

The COAS thanked the governor for feedback on the activities of troops deployed to restore peace in the state.

Mr Lagbaja said he had directed the deployment of more platforms and release of funds to reactivate unserviceable platforms to boost troops operations in the state.

According to him, the Zamfara crisis is a mix of farmer-herder clashes, ethnic confrontations and the quest for economic empowerment driven by mining activities.

He assured that the army was determined to tackle the security challenges in the state.

We will not have a situation where some people constitute themselves into outlaws and just go into communities and kill children and defenceless women.

By working on this with the state government and other critical stakeholders we can eliminate these outlaws and reduce the insecurities by a significant percentage.

So I want to appeal to you Your Excellency that as we come up with this strategy to address the issue of the Yan Sakai and other regional groups, the state government should be disposed to the implementation of the measures that we will recommend.

So that together we will address the activities of these criminal elements.

Earlier, Mr Lawal said Zamfara has been facing very challenging security threat and appealed for the support of the Nigerian Army to address it.

Mr Lawal however commended the efforts of the troops in restoring peace in the state and called for the deployment of more military wares to support military operations.

He said that at the moment, only few operational vehicles in the state were serviceable, while cases of kidnapping and killing of innocent people were rampant on daily basis.

In fact, I will say without mincing words, that Zamfara is the state that is facing the most challenge in the area of insecurity today.

Therefore, for me, being the number one citizen, part of my responsibility is protecting lives and properties, but I cannot do this alone.

I therefore need the support of the Chief of Army Staff and his entire team in bringing peace to Zamfara, as well as Nigeria in general.

The governor said though the troops were doing very well to secure the state, there was need for serious intervention in terms of the level of manpower.

We need to have more people, especially the military to be deployed to Zamfara and complement the efforts security officers are making in combating crime.

The governor lamented that insecurity had grounded development in the state, including education, farming and other economic activities.

He said children have been unable to go to school, thereby causing serious setback for the state.

(NAN)

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC) on Wednesday objected to the adoption of the deposition made by one of its staff who appeared as a witness before the Governorship Election Petition Court in Kaduna.

The witness, Bonet Gwaza, a senior system analyst with INEC, had on 11 July presented some governorship election documents before the tribunal.

Among the documents he presented were the INEC voter register for Kauru, Lere, Zaria and Igabi Local Government Areas (LGAs), the BVAs report and Form EC40G for the Igabi West constituency.

INECs counsel, Abdullahi Aliyu, however, objected to the validity and admissibility of the documents.

Similarly, Duru Adeleye and Abdul Muhammad, the counsel of Uba Sani, the governor of Kaduna State and the All Progressives Congress, rejected the documents.

The respondents counsel said they would file reasons for the objection in their final written addresses.

Despite the objections, the tribunal admitted the documents and deposition made by Mr Gwaza, who appeared as a witness for the PDP governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru.

Also, during Wednesdays sitting, another witness, Danjuma Bello-Sarki, presented more exhibits to prove the petitioners claim that the elections were rigged.

Mr Bello-Sarki was the PDP state collation officer for the 18 March governorship election in Kaduna State.

He tendered duplicate copies of the results from all the 8,012 polling units of the state in which he stated that INEC wrongly cancelled 65 polling units.

Other exhibits presented were the IREV report and the number of registered voters.

The witness was cross-examined by the respondents counsels and was discharged by the court.

Meanwhile, the petitioners counsel, Samuel Atung, prayed for an adjournment for them to present more witnesses.

Victor Oviawie, who heads the three-person panel, adjourned the case till 19 July for the petitioner to present more witnesses.

PDP challenges result

Mr Ashiru of the PDP is challenging the governorship election results that saw Uba Sani of the APC being declared the winner.

The PDP and its candidate rejected the results of some local governments, including Lere, arguing that the declared result did not tally with what was uploaded on the INEC election portal, IReV.

Mr Sani polled 730,002 votes to defeat his closest rival, Isa Ashiru of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 719,196 votes.

The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Jonathan Asake, came a distant third with 58,283 votes, while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate, Suleiman Hunkuyi, scored 21,405.

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The assault on three occupants of a vehicle by Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) security officers assigned to Deputy President Paul Mashatile has sparked widespread anger. Major political parties also condemned the Sunday 2 July attack.

The gross thuggery on display was captured on video by a witness, attracting a high level of attention across the country. The anger it has generated reflects the ire of road users, many of whom have encountered aggressive and bullying behaviour by blue light VIP protection vehicle drivers. Over the years, the South African Police Service (SAPS) VIP Protection Unit, which includes the PPU, has been associated with several incidents where citizens were intimidated or assaulted.

This aggressive behaviour is perpetuated by one-sided road traffic regulations that oblige the public to make way for police or other emergency vehicles. This includes vehicles displaying a flashing blue light, even if they are not otherwise clearly identifiable. On major roads surrounding the capital Pretoria, theres a plethora of vehicles of this kind.

Mashatile wasnt in the vehicle when the incident took place. This suggests that police protection units believe they can force cars out of the way and treat road users with contempt even when not performing duties that might require disregarding road regulations.

In a recent interview, former PPU member Rory Steyn said conduct of this kind reflected poorly both on the units and the leaders they protected. Steyn served in the unit during Nelson Mandelas presidency and said that at the time, there was a strong awareness that any action we took would  reflect on [the] reputation, image and legacy of our principal.

Antipathy towards the VIP Protection Unit, and general disillusionment with South Africas political leadership, are also reflected in questions about the units funding. Public expenditure on VIP protection has become massively inflated, while ordinary South Africans are under siege from crime. The resourcing of these units must be examined. But the public would probably be less concerned about security expenditure for leaders who genuinely served the public interest.

Members of these protection units likely have an exaggerated sense of importance, and behind the tinted windows of their vehicles, they largely escape scrutiny or public accountability. The video of their actions on the N1 highway is a rare instance in which their shield of invulnerability and anonymity has been pierced.

It is unclear whether these officers are subject to any form of meaningful accountability within the SAPS. National Commissioner Fannie Masemola is to be applauded for his firm condemnation of their conduct. He also acknowledged a problem with the unit broadly, saying he had directed the heads of relevant police divisions to retrain and talk to members of VIP protection.

But the consistent pattern of such cases indicates that more action is needed. The accountability of members of these units must be strengthened substantially to stop abusive behaviour.

And it is not simply the SAPS VIP Protection Unit that should be scrutinised. The PPU is an elite unit, and if its members are implicated in gratuitous thuggery, that raises questions about the SAPS as a whole. It isnt only the VIP unit that enjoys this type of anonymity and impunity.

A lack of accountability for the misuse of force cuts across much of the SAPS. Existing internal and external accountability mechanisms do little to mitigate the problem. One reflection of the scale of abuses is the R2.3 billion paid from taxpayers money to victims who lodged civil claims against the police between 2018 and 2022. This is 52% higher than the preceding five years.

In police brutality cases, public attention tends to focus on the individual officers and the type of consequences they should face. While police brutality in South Africa occurs relatively frequently, the PPU attacks are among the uncommon cases in which firm disciplinary measures and criminal sanctions may well be imposed on the police implicated. Due to the apparently unequivocal nature of the video evidence, it may be difficult for these members to convincingly plead their innocence.

This distinguishes the PPU assault from most police brutality cases. Even other well-known cases for which video evidence was available, such as the 2021 killing of Mthokozisi Ntumba, the 2012 Marikana massacre, or the 2011 killing of Andries Tatane, havent led to disciplinary or criminal sanction against any of the police members involved.

This highlights not only a police culture that encourages turning a blind eye to brutality and other malfeasance, but the broader limitation of SAPS systems for managing members conduct.

The abuses by the VIP unit highlight the polices failure to address the misuse of force in a sustained and committed way. It is not just the VIP Protection Unit, but the entire police service, that must do more to win back public respect. That requires an unequivocal commitment to ensuring that the SAPS name becomes synonymous with high standards of conduct.

David Bruce, Independent Researcher and Consultant, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Pretoria

Research for this article was funded by the Hanns Seidel Foundation and Bavarian State Chancellery.

(This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish).

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Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State on Wednesday presented a cheque for N20 million to the widow of the slain police inspector Collins David at the commands headquarters, Port Harcourt.

The governor commiserated with the police command over the officer, who died in active service.

This was made known in a statement by the Media Assistant to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Juliana Masi, in Port Harcourt.

Mr Fubara, represented by the SSG, Tammy Danagogo, said that the governors demonstration of commitment was to ensure that the families of police officers who died while serving the state were not left in desolation.

This is in continuation of the traditions of Rivers State Government security architecture to partner the police and other security agencies in the fight against crime.

This is also to let you know that Rivers State Government will always stand with you; this is a token of support.

We understand money cannot replace a life, but it is a way of showing support to the men and officers who serve in Rivers, he said.

According to Mr Danagogo, the Government of Rivers will always demonstrate its commitment whenever we hear that your gallant officers either sustain life-threatening injury or lose their lives in the service to the state.

The state will, as a point of duty and commitment, come to commiserate with affected officers or their families and render any possible support to ensure that our officers understand that we value their services, he said.

He commended the relentless efforts of the police in the state and, in particular, the strategic fight against crime by the new Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Emeka.

Mr Fubara explained that his collaboration with the security agencies was to show that the government and the people appreciated the efforts of the police.

READ ALSO: Gov Fubara revokes road construction contract in Rivers

He advised the widow to anchor her faith and hope in God and be dedicated to the growth and well-being of her children.

Your husband did not die in vain. He died for a worthy cause. If anyone dies for a good course, God watches over his own, he said.

We will avenge his death

Mr Emeka, the commissioner of Police, described Governor Fubaras monetary presentation to the family of the late officer as an uncommon gesture of encouragement.

The commissioner expressed the gratitude of the command to the governor, adding that he had always been there for the command.

He recalled that the late inspector was a brave officer who worked tirelessly to prevent crime, especially in the Ahoada axis of the state.

This is a price we all pay to get where we are. We will ensure that no stone is left unturned to avenge the death, and the likes of those terrorising the streets will be brought to justice, he said.

In her remark, Christiana David, the widow of the deceased officer, thanked the state governor for the goodwill and cash gift.

We are immensely grateful. On behalf of my children and the extended family of David, thank you Governor Fubara. God bless you immensely and keep Rivers State safe, she said.

(NAN)

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The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), against the State Security Service (SSS).

The judge, James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that Mr Kanus suit lacked merit and ought to be dismissed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kanu, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/482/2022 and filed by his lawyer, had sued the Director General of SSS, SSS and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) as 1st to 3rd respondents, respectively.

In the suit, the IPOB leader alleged that the SSS subjected him to different inhuman treatments, including torture and denial of his right to wear any clothes of his choice.

But Mr Omotosho held that there was no evidence that he was tortured or made to undergo forced labour in custody.

He said a right to dignity was not a right to change clothes as an inmate in prison.

The applicant cannot come to court to seek for rights which are not in the constitution, he said.

Besides, Mr Omotosho held that Mr Kanu failed to provide the photographs and names of inmates who were allowed to wear different attires while in custody.

He said the onus was on him to prove his case, but the applicant merely relied on bare facts without any evidence.

He described the IPOB leaders allegations as a hypothesis without concrete evidence.

The judge, consequently, dismissed the case for lacking in merit.

Mr Kanu, a separatist campaigning for the secession of the five Igbo-dominated South-east regions of Nigeria and parts of some neighbouring states as an independent Biafra nation was captured in Kenya by the Nigerian government in June 2021.

Since then, he has engaged the SSS and the Nigerian government in a series of legal battles, some of which relate to his conditions in detention.

In Thursdays suit, he said he was deprived of his right to wear clothes of his choice, like the Igbo traditional attire called Isi-Agu, while in detention or anytime he appeared in court for his trial.

He alleged that the security agency, while allowing other inmates in their custody the freedom to choose and wear any clothes of their choice, restricted him to wearing only one set of clothes.

Mr Kanu also accused the SSS of subjecting him to torture, breaching his right to dignity, among others.

He, therefore, sought an order directing the respondents to allow him to wear any clothes of his choice while in the facility or when appearing in public, among other reliefs.

SSS counter-argument

But in a counter-affidavit filed against the suit, SSS urged the court to dismiss Mr Kanus claim.

The agency and its director-general, jointly sued by Mr Kanu, said that their operatives had not and had never tortured Mr Kanu either physically or mentally while in their custody.

According to them, Mr Kanu is kept in the same facility as other suspects in their custody.

They said it was untrue that other suspects were allowed to wear any clothes they chose, including Hausa and Yoruba traditional wear.

They said the facility was not a recreational centre or traditional festival where Mr Kanu and other suspects would be allowed to adore themselves in their respective traditional attires.

They argued that there is a Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) on dress code by persons in their facilities.

That in line with global best practices, persons in the 1st and 2nd respondents facility are allowed to wear only plain clothes which do not bear symbols, writings, colours and insignias that are offensive to any religion, ethnic group or even the Nigeria state in general, they said.

They accused Mr Kanus family of bringing traditional attires and other clothing with Biafra insignias and a pair of red shoes decorated with shining beads for him to wear in custody and attend court for his trial.

According to SSS, the clothes have colours of the non-existing Biafra Republic, which is the subject matter of the applicants criminal trial.

They said the Isi-Agu attire, popularly called chieftaincy attire, was not a suitable dress for persons in detention facilities and was against its SOP.

They also argued that the judge handling his trial, Binta Nyako, had directed that Mr Kanu should be allowed to wear any plain clothes of his choice and that anything contrary would contravene the courts directive.

The SSS said they never breached his right to human dignity, as alleged by the IPOB leader.

Legal battles

Mr Kanu has won and lost legal battles against the Nigerian government, including a judgement of the Court of Appeal in Abuja that dismissed the charges pending against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The case is now before the Supreme Court.

Although the Court of Appeal in Abuja ordered the release of Mr Kanu from custody since no other charges were pending against him, the court later gave an order of stay of execution permitting the government to continue to hold him pending the resolution of the appeal at the Supreme Court.

Mr Kanu has also won a fundamental rights suit in which a court in Umuahia, Abia State, declared the invasion of his home in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, illegal.

But a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Taiwo Taiwo (now retired), had dismissed a suit brought by Mr Kanu in 2022, ruling that the IPOB leader had not provided sufficient evidence that his rights were being infringed upon by SSS in custody.

The judge also held that although Mr Kanu had the constitutional right to practice his religion in custody, he agreed with the SSS that a suspect in custody would not be allowed to practise his religion in such a way that would disturb the peace of other suspects in custody.

On the IPOB leaders claim that he was receiving inadequate treatments from SSS doctors, whom he had referred to as quacks, Taiwo said that the applicant fails to lead evidence by calling a medical practitioner to convince the court that based on the medical report, the treatment given to Kanu is inadequate.

(NAN)

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The Senate on Thursday at plenary confirmed the appointment of Service Chiefs, nominated by President Bola Tinubu.

The confirmation was sequel to the consideration and approval of a motion brought by Senate Majority leader, Opeyemi Bamidela (APC-Ekiti), on confirmation of the shortlisted service chiefs.

Christopher Musa, a major general, was confirmed as the chief of defense staff; Taoreed Lagbaja, a major general, was confirmed as the chief of army staff; Emmanuel Ogalla, a rear admiral, as the chief of naval staff and Hassan Abubakar, an air vice marshal, as the chief of air staff.

Mr Tinubu appointed them on 19 June. However, they have since assumed duty making the screening and confirmation a mere formality.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that before their confirmation, the Senate suspended its order 1b and rule 1b, to make provision for the admittance of strangers into its chamber.

Those admitted into the chamber included the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Abdullahi Gumel, the nominated service chiefs and others.

Thereafter, the service chiefs took turns to highlight their career profiles and professional experiences, before the senate didsolved into a close session that lasted for three hours for screening of the nominees.

Earlier, Mr Musa pledged the commitment of the armed forces to serve Nigerians in line with the dictates of the Constitution.

He said his nomination was an opportunity to bring his vast experiences to bear for the security, protection of lives and properties of Nigerians. He pledged to do his best to justify the confidence reposed in him.

Mr Ogalla said he would put in his best to upgrade the standard he met, assuring Nigerians that he was fully prepared for the job.

According to him, he will improve existing strategies and develop new ones to secure the nations maritime waters.

Mr Ogalla said he would collaborate with other services to secure the nations waterways, adding that he would initiate continuous monitoring and surveillance to achieve maximum result.

Mr Abubakar said he would mobilise the nations air power to ensure peace and security of the country, in line with the aspiration of the president.

READ ALSO: Senate to probe corruption allegation in IPPIS

He commended the efforts of previous leaders of the air force, but said a lot more needs to be done to revamp the fighting capabilities of the Nigerian Air Force.

Mr Tinubu, had in a letter addressed to President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and read at plenary on Tuesday, sought approval of the Senate to confirm the service chiefs, in line with Section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces Act, 2004.

The House of Representatives had on Tuesday constituted an ad hoc committee to screen the service chiefs. The committee has yet to conduct the screening.

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The Anambra state Government, under Governor Charles Soludo, has vowed not to obey directives from non-state actors on any illegal sit-at-home order.

The state government has directed that henceforth, residents should ignore the sit-at-home order by unauthorised individuals or groups in the state.

The decision is contained in a press release on Thursday in Awka, by Christian Aburime, the spokesperson to Governor Soludo.

According to the press release, the decision was necessitated by a recent sit-at-home order given by Simon Ekpa, the leader of a breakaway faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The main faction of IPOB, which is led by Nnamdi Kanu, has repeatedly disassociated itself from the order given by Mr Ekpa, who lives in Finland.

The government press release, which described the order as illegal, urged residents of the state not to comply with such directives from non-state actors or blame themselves for such compliance.

Such directives should be completely ignored by the citizens of Anambra and by extension the entire South-east.

As for the imposition of sit-at-home order by unauthorised individuals or groups, this is a clear violation of the law.

Anambra State will never observe any sit-at-home order.

Our markets, schools, businesses and other social activities will remain open.

Anambra State will never be a breeding ground for anarchy, fear or lawlessness, the release stated.

Background

The sit-at-home order was introduced by IPOB to put pressure on the Nigerian government to free its leader, Mr Kanu, who is facing terrorism charges.

The order was violently enforced on Mondays until the IPOB leadership suspended it in preference for the days in which Mr Kanu was billed to appear in court.

Several people have been killed and businesses and social activities disrupted by gunmen who claimed to be enforcing the sit-at-home order in the South-east.

Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, voiced his disapproval of the insecurity in the South-east, calling the sit-at-home order criminal..

What is going on in the South-east is essentially a criminal activity that must be nipped in the bud, with all hands being on deck, security agencies, and the people alike, Mr Obi tweeted on Thursday via his Twitter handle.

South-east leaders, including Governor Soludo, have appealed for Mr Kanus release as a step towards achieving peace and security in the region.

(NAN)

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President Bola Tinubu has poured encomiums on Nobel Laureate and elder statesman, Wole Soyinka, a professor, on his 89th birthday, describing him as a veritable source of support, inspiration and encouragement.

The president, who called Mr Soyinka a brother and comrade in the struggle for the restoration and entrenchment of democracy and good governance in Nigeria, commended him for his immense contributions to the countrys development.

Today, I celebrate Nobel Laureate, elder statesman and pro-democracy activist, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on his attainment of 89.

Renowned playwright, poet, novelist, Professor Wole Soyinka has done a lot for Nigeria. In the literary world, he remains a giant, an Iroko. Importantly, his contributions to the struggle for the restoration and institutionalisation of democracy and good governance in Nigeria are indelible.

Together, along with other activists, we fought for democracy under the aegis of NADECO at great risks to our personal lives.

READ ALSO: Why we must nurture democracy Tinubu

Professor Soyinka remains a beacon and a source of inspiration and support to many of us.

As he attains 89 today, we pray that God Almighty grant him more years and strength so he can be around to witness the new Nigeria we are building in line with our Agenda for a Renewed Hope for the country, where security, prosperity and economic development will reign supreme.

Dele Alake

Special Adviser to the President

Special Duties, Communications & Strategy

July 13, 2023

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said Thursday that it arrested 13 Chinese nationals for illegal mining activities in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The commission disclosed this in a statement by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwijaren.

The suspects, comprising a female and 12 males, were arrested on Wednesday 12 July at the Government Reserved Area, G.R.A Ilorin, according to the statement.

Read EFCCs full statement here:

Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 13 Chinese nationals for offences bordering on illegal mining in Ilorin, Kwara State. The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983.

The suspects, which comprise of a female and 12 male, were arrested on Wednesday July 12, 2023 at the Government Reserved Area, G.R.A Ilorin following credible intelligence about their activities which included but not limited to, illegal mining and non-payment of royalties to the Federal Government as required by law.

The suspects are Guo Ya Wang (36), Lizli Hui (42), Guo Jian Rong (36), Lizh Shen Xianian (37), Lishow Wu (26), Guo Pan (38), Lia Meiyu (53), Guo Kai Quan (36) Lin Pan (50)

Others are Ma Jan (38), Wendy Wei Suqin (31), Li Zhinguo Wei (29), and Xie Zhinguo (53).

Prior to their arrest, discrete investigations on the activities of illegal mining operators in Kwara State revealed that the operators have different illegal mining sites in almost all the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.

Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to be workers of a Chinese Company known as *W. Mining Global Service Limited* situated at Olayinka in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. It was gathered that the company was using the illegally mined granite to produce marble for sale locally in Nigeria. Findings also revealed that some of the suspects working in the said company were without _*work permit*_ , but only entered Nigeria with visitors visa.

The suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the investigations.

Recall that, the Acting Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulkarim Chukkol had on Thursday, July 6, 2023 during a one-day media training for journalists in Kwara State lamented the activities of illegal mining operators, describing it as grave threat to local and national economy.

Within the last 8 months, no fewer than 80 illegal operators had been arrested by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC and 24 truckloads of assorted minerals impounded.

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC had on September 10, 2022 arrested a Chinese National, Dang Deng, managing director of Sinuo Xinyang Nigeria Ltd, for being in possession of 25 tons of assorted crude minerals and got him convicted on October 19, 2022 before Justice Mohammed Sani of the Federal High Court, Ilorin.

The EFCC had warned that it would be unrelenting in the fight against corruption just as it is leaving no stone unturned in breaking the rings of the illegal mining operators across the country.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

13/07/2023

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Six witnesses who testified on Thursday for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu, at the Ogun governorship election petition tribunal all alleged violent disruption of the process at their polling units in the 18 March poll.

Mr Adebutu is challenging the return of Governor Dapo Abiidun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election.

The witnesses, including 77-year-old Adeniyi Ijaola, told the tribunal in Abeokuta that violence and over voting marred the election in their respective polling units.

The petitioner had earlier called 35 other witnesses to back his allegations of electoral malpractice and non-compliance of the poll with the electoral laws.

At Thursday sitting, after he was called by the counsel to the petitioner, Goddy Uche, Mr Ijaola said violence disrupted the election process at Ward 8, Polling Unit 7 in Sagamu Local Government Area.

Election at my polling unit started but was cancelled when voting was disrupted. To our surprise, three people came on a motorcycle with guns and chased voters away.

The ballot papers were burnt. After running away, we came back and saw the burnt ballot papers. No result was declared in polling unit due to the disruption.

Another witness, who identified himself as a staffer of a micro-finance bank, Ayalekhue Wesley, in his written statement on oath, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of ignoring over-voting at his polling unit.

The other witnesses who testified were Adedoyin Kehinde, Rukayat Adenike, Makanjuola Samson and Popoola Adekunle.

One of the witnesses, Ms Rukayat, from polling unit 0011, Sabo in Sagamu Local Government Area, was accused of voting at a different polling unit from the number stated on her permanent voters card.

But she responded that INEC transferred her to the new polling unit.

Another witness, Mrs Kehinde, also alleged that ballot boxes and papers were set ablaze by thugs in her polling unit.

Speaking at the tribunal, INECs counsel, Remi Olatubora, expressed pleasure with the process of the tribunal so far.

They have called 40 witnesses now. We hope to take on more of these witnesses even though they are basically saying the same thing, identical statements, but we will take them as they come.

I am satisfied as counsel to INEC. INEC is like a neutral party in this litigation but we are also primarily a defendant because the petitioners sued other respondents and INEC jointly and severally, so we have to defend the petition as a respondent.

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The Senate has approved the request of President Bola Tinubu to go ahead with the processing of a $800 million loan facility from the World Bank.

The Senate also amended the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act to accommodate N500 billion provision for palliatives to mitigate the effect of petroleum subsidy removal on poor Nigerians.

Mr Tinubu requested the two approvals in separate letters read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, at the plenary on Thursday.

$800 million World Bank loan

The loan, according to Mr Tinubus request, will be used to cater for the welfare of the vulnerable and poor households in the country under the National Safety Net Programme of the federal government.

The president assured that when the loan is granted, the sum of N8,000 will be transferred monthly to the bank accounts of 12 million poor and low income households for six months.

Yemi Adaramodu, the chairman of the senate committee on media and public affairs, while addressing journalists after the plenary, said the $800 million is a World Bank Assisted project.

It is a Word Bank Assisted project, we are not approving a loan, the money has been there already even before the 10th assembly, he explained.

Debate on 2022 Appropriation Act

The leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, (APC, Ekiti Central) led the debate on amendment of the 2022 Appropriation Act to accommodate funds for the provision of palliatives to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.

He noted that the presidents request on the palliatives is necessary.

The senate leader said the request, if granted by members of the upper legislative chamber, will help the federal government mitigate the effect of petroleum subsidy removal on Nigerians.

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who contributed to the debate, supported the request of the president on the palliatives.

Solomon Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West) said if the request is granted, it will help to mitigate the effect of petroleum subsidy removal and other economic reforms implemented by the Tinubus administration.

READ ALSO:

After the debate, the senate president announced a closed-door session which lasted for about an hour.

Upon resumption from the session, Mr Akpabio subjected the request for N500 billion subsidy palliatives to debate.

Many senators voted for the amendment of the supplementary appropriation act as requested by Mr Tinubu to accommodate funds for palliatives.

Amendment of 2022 Appropriation Act

Following the vote to grant the presidents request, the senate resolved to amend the 2022 Appropriation Act to accommodate the N500 billion proposed by President Tinubu.

Mr Akpabio thereafter announced the amendment to accommodate the N500 billion.

The Senate President noted that after the removal of N500 billion from the supplementary budget, the remaining funds will be allocated as follows:

-N185,236,937,815 to the Ministry of Works and Housing to alleviate the impact of the severe flooding experienced in the country in 2022 on road infrastructure across the 6 geopolitical zones;

-N19,200,000,000 to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to ameliorate the massive destruction to farmlands across the country during the severe flooding experienced last year;

-N35 billion to the National Judicial Council;

 N10 billion to Federal Capital Territory Administration for critical projects; and

-N70 billion to the National Assembly to support the working conditions of new members.

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The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has suspended Max Air Boeing 737 ( parts A3 and D43) aircraft from operation over safety concerns.

The regulatory body disclosed this in a statement issued by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Sam Adurogboye, on Thursday.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended with immediate effect the parts A3 and D43 in the Operations Specifications of the Boeing B737 Aircraft type in the fleet of Max Air Limited, the statement said.

It said the action is based on several distress occurrences that involved the airlines Boeing B737 aircraft types.

In May, PREMIUM TIMES reported how panic erupted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after an aircraft belonging to Max Air crash-landed on the runway of the airport.

Concerns

According to the NCAA, some of the occurrences leading to the suspension of the airlines aircraft include the loss of number 1 Main Landing Gear (MLG) wheel during the serious incident involving Boeing 737-400 aircraft registration marks 5N-MBO which occurred between take-off at Yola Airport Adamawa State and on landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja Nigeria on 7 May.

The authority said another justification for the suspension was the contamination of the main fuel tanks of aircraft B737-300, with registration Marks 5N-MHM, leading to the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) shutdown on ground at Yola Airport on 7 July.

Also, the NCAA said part of the reasons for the suspension is the aborted take-off of Max Air Boeing 737-400 aircraft, with registration marks 5N-MBD, which occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) due to high Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) indication on 11 July.

An air return by aircraft B737-300, Registration Marks; 5N-MHM to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) due to duct overheat indication in the cockpit on the 11th of July, 2023, the statement stated as another reason for the suspension.

Based on this, the NCAA said it has constituted a team of inspectors to conduct an audit of the organisation.

The result of the audit on Max Air Limited must be satisfactory before the airline would be allowed to further operate the aircraft type, the statement said.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will continue to provide a robust oversight role for the industry and violations of safety regulations would be viewed seriously.

Max Air reacts

In its immediate reaction, the airline said the concerns raised by the NCAA are being resolved, assuring passengers, including those with pending bookings, not to panic.

We will try and see what we can do in the interim. It is not something major, and we will resolve it within a week. It is a safety issue, and we have to follow the process. It only shows that everybody is conscious of its responsibility, Daily Trust quoted Shehu Wada, Max Air Executive Director, to have said.

Regarding the adulterated fuel scenario mentioned by NCAA as part of the reasons for the airlines suspension, Mr Wada explained that Max Air discovered that an adulterated fuel was sold to the company and that in line with its commitment to safety, it decided to carry out an in-house audit which led to suspension of operation for two days before the NCAA waded in.

He said the issues which bothered on safety would be resolved in less than a week, noting that the airline remains committed to safe operations at all times.

That is the true story. So safety is our number one priority and we are looking at it. Nobody will joke with the life of anybody, he said.

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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has hinted that the suspension of Max Air domestic operations will not disrupt the ongoing Hajj airlift operation in Saudi Arabia.

This was made known in a statement issued by Mousa Ubandawaki, NAHCONs Information and Publications Division Deputy Director, on Thursday.

Consequent upon the indefinite suspension of Max Air domestic operations by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), it is imperative to clarify that the suspension does not and wont affect the ongoing Hajj airlift operation in Saudi Arabia, the statement said.

The clarification by NAHCON came a few hours after the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended Max Air Boeing 737 ( parts A3 and D43) aircraft from operation over safety concerns with immediate effect on Thursday.

In its immediate reaction, the airline said the concerns raised by the NCAA are being resolved, assuring passengers, including those with pending bookings, not to panic.

READ ALO:

We will try and see what we can do in the interim. It is not something major, and we will resolve it within a week. It is a safety issue, and we have to follow the process. It only shows that everybody is conscious of its responsibility, Daily Trust quoted Shehu Wada, Max Air Executive Director, to have said.

This year, over 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims participated in the just concluded hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.

Significance

According to NAHCON, the clarification became necessary to assure pilgrims and their relatives about the import of the suspension order, which will affect the airlines domestic air services only.

This, the agency said, is because the clampdown was on the Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft, which has been the focus of the NCAA audit query for some time.

The aircraft being used for airlift of Nigerian Pilgrims is not the same as the one on their domestic route, NAHCON said, adding that the ongoing airlift of Nigerian pilgrims will continue undisturbed and that the airline will continue to utilise the slots allocated to it by the Saudi General Authority in Civil Aviation (GACA) unhindered.

We want to thank all Nigerians and pilgrims for their patience and perseverance and to assure of the Commissions commitment to airlift all Nigerian pilgrims to Nigeria in record time, the statement said.

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The Governments of Nigeria and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea have opened discussions regarding new partnership opportunities such as the establishment of a joint logistics base, deployment of indigenous capacities across countries, and lowering the costs of major oil and gas operations.

These possibilities were discussed on Wednesday when the Minister of Planning and Economic Diversification of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Mr. Gabriel Mbega Obiang Lima led a delegation to engage the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote at the Boards liaison office in Abuja.

Other diplomats in the Ministers entourage included the Ambassador of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea to Nigeria, Francisco Edu Ngua Mangue; First Secretary of the Embassy, Josue Nsue Mbasogo and Personal Assistant to the Minister of Planning and Economic Diversification, Akim Lima.

Conversations at the meeting centred around inviting reputable Nigerian oil and gas service companies to establish their operational bases at Equatorial Guinea, whereby the companies would use the countrys ports to launch their activities in neighbouring countries such as Gabon, Cameroon, and Angola.

The Minister promised to send a formal request on the partnership to the NCDMB, adding that the support of government institutions would be needed before such business opportunities could be explored successfully.

The Minister complained about the exorbitant cost of key oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Guinea. He further suggested that operators in Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea could lower their costs significantly by collaborating in the scheduling of their respective work programmes such as mobilization and demobilization of drilling rigs and other assets.

He hinted that the proposed business relationship and pooling of demand profiles were necessary to attract key investments. This is because big companies like General Electric would only invest in a jurisdiction if they were assured of markets from neighbouring countries.

On the clamour by western nations for energy transition and plans to progressively displace fossil fuels with renewable energy solutions, the Minister and the NCDMB executive secretary re-echoed their positions that fossil fuels would remain the worlds dominant energy source for several decades, and Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea would not hurriedly abandon their natural resources to embrace renewable energy where they lacked competitive advantage.

Rather both nations would continue to exploit their oil and gas resources to the fullest and use the proceeds to develop their national economies, including renewable opportunities.

In his comments, the NCDMB executive secretary welcomed the Minister and his entourage, noting that both nations have collaborated closely in the energy sector in recent years and representatives of the Portuguese nation have participated in several Nigerian oil and gas conferences and visited some oil and gas facilities as well. He confirmed that the Board and Nigerian oil and gas service companies are keen to participate in the proposed collaboration.

Such arrangements were identified in the Nigerian Content 10-Year Strategic Roadmap under the pillar of Sectorial and Regional Market Linkages, he said. He further explained that Nigerian service companies had developed surplus capacities in several key areas, hence it is imperative to explore opportunities across the Gulf of Guinea, where their expertise and collaboration with players from those nations are needed.

He assured that NCDMB will galvanise Nigerian service producers under the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and make sure they come with us to your conference, and we will synergize.

He added that there is no need going to US or Singapore. We can work out areas where we can partner. It might be in the marine sector, logistics base. There are huge opportunities.

Corporate Communications

July 13, 2023

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Azerbaijan and Armenia have made significant progress on a number of issues, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a regular briefing, Azernews reports.

He notes that the US is looking forward to the next ministerial meeting between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

"They have made significant progress on a range of issues. Even at their last meeting, they reduced the number of issues that remain unresolved," M. Miller says.

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held talks June 27-29 at the George Shultz National Training Center for International Affairs in Arlington, Virginia. While in Washington, the ministers met with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Armenia and Azerbaijan have made "further progress" toward a peace agreement during three days of U.S.-led talks between the two former Soviet republics, which have repeatedly clashed over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Blinken said both sides have shown a willingness to negotiate seriously to reach an agreement. He said there is still "hard work" to be done, but that both sides have made progress on additional articles and have a better understanding of positions on outstanding issues.
When I arrived in her room, what she did astonished me even more, she asked me if I knew who she was? A question to which, of course, I smiled and asked if she knew any Ghanaian literary scholars and writers who did not know who she was. But it was not her literary, but her ideological identity that she was alluding to. She wanted to be clear I understood the history of her political affiliations, explaining she had called me for a talk to make sure I knew she was, as she put it, a diehard Nkrumahist

There are many stories I could tell, for example to acknowledge how important it was for us at Rutgers University that Auntie Ama Ata Aidoo was the very first person to accept the invitation from us as an African Studies Co-ordinating Committee and help launch our then fledging African Studies Centre, now thriving almost twenty-five years later. However, for me, there is one that stands out as the most important to encapsulate that element which was so central to us as African women writers, and that is the spirit of generosity with which she embraced us.

Those who know my collection, Testimonies of Exile, will know that Auntie Ama wrote a review for the back cover in which she said:

In Testimonies of Exile Abena Busia brilliantly exposes exile as an almost living creature: cruel and omnivorous. In these poems we encounter this particular beast in its dimensions: especially exile from land, language, those we love and ourselves

The testimonies span continents and stretch across time: from our very beginnings to our endings. Indeed, in their profundity, clarity and force of language, and distilled as they are from a wealth of living, exile itself and dying, so many of these poems should be the work of a mature poet at the peak of his lifes work!!

It is a mark of both the current tragedy and uniqueness of Africa and her peoples  both at home and abroad  that the collection is from a young woman in her prime

Read them and wonder too.

It was a tribute that stunned me, and that is just an edited version of the letter she wrote. For me, as an endorsement of my first collection, it was so profound. But I refer to it here, not so much for what the tribute itself says, wonderful as it is, but for the story behind it being written at all, which is the story of the first individual, private, face-to-face conversation I ever had with Auntie Ama.

Back in 1989, when we were preparing Testimonies of Exile for press, my publisher, the Eritrean Kassahun Checole of Africa World Press, was wondering who could write the endorsements for the back of the book. We knew we wanted, if possible, because of my history, an Africa-American, an English or Euro-American, and an African. For the African, we both agreed that we wanted to hear from the only other Ghanaian woman poet already published by an international press at that time, and that was Ama Ata Aidoo. So we sent her the manuscript and waited and waited and waited That year was the year of the 8th Triennial Association of Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies (ACLALS) Silver Jubilee Conference at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, and Auntie Ama was one of the featured speakers. So off we went to track her down. Kassahun already had an appointment to meet with her that first day, so he took me in tow. As soon as she saw me, she greeted me, smiled, and acknowledged that she knew why I was there. Then she did a surprising thing; she asked me to come and see her for a private conversation.

When the letter arrived, I was so very touched by what it said. I have shared this, not to advertise a book that was published thirty years ago now, but because the words, and the context in which they were written, remain for me such a clear demonstration of her forthrightness and honesty; her willingness to be bold in her support of other up and coming women writers, and her commitment to mentoring. There is good reason why a whole generation or two of writershave been in grief this last month.

When I arrived in her room, what she did astonished me even more, she asked me if I knew who she was? A question to which, of course, I smiled and asked if she knew any Ghanaian literary scholars and writers who did not know who she was. But it was not her literary, but her ideological identity that she was alluding to. She wanted to be clear I understood the history of her political affiliations, explaining she had called me for a talk to make sure I knew she was, as she put it, a diehard Nkrumahist and that this was not going to change. I responded by telling her that the works of hers I taught included Our Sister Killjoy, and confessed, however, that there was a page or two which I prayed no student would ever ask me about because I found them painful to read, even after all these decades. (This is the scene in which she satirises a conversation my father was reported to have had with Edward Heath)[1]. She laughed and said she was pleased I understood, but then asked why, knowing all that, I was prepared to send my manuscript to her anyway? To me the answer was simple: I was a young Ghanaian woman poet about to publish my first collection. I needed an honest assessment by someone from within the community to which I felt I belonged. So, I finished with the question: If I cannot ask you, who is it I can ask?

She thanked me for the clarity and forthrightness of my answer (I refrained from pointing out I was standing in front of a master teacher of that!) and said on the basis of that informed trust, she would indeed send her comments to my publisher. I was very touched by that interview because she did not have to do that. She could have just ignored us, which we know happens frequently, or returned the manuscript saying she was too busy, which she was at the time. But she did not, she chose to talk to me, to establish that basis of trust between us that lasted until the end. For example, it led to me being an integral part of Yaaba Badoes film, The Art of Ama Ata Aidoo. Although I am never seen on screen, I am the interviewer she is speaking to throughout. I have always treasured that trust. I value the way that first meeting ended. As I turned to leave, she said to me wryly, you know, dont you, that both you and I will probably be in trouble with our friends and colleagues if I do this and my name appears on the back of your book? Standing in her doorway I said, Yes. Probably!, and we both burst out into the laughter that sealed our camaraderie. The letter containing the review arrived within a week of the end of that conference.

When the letter arrived, I was so very touched by what it said. I have shared this, not to advertise a book that was published thirty years ago now, but because the words, and the context in which they were written, remain for me such a clear demonstration of her forthrightness and honesty; her willingness to be bold in her support of other up and coming women writers, and her commitment to mentoring. There is good reason why a whole generation or two of writers and scholars, especially women, across the continent and the world, have been in grief this last month, sending messages of tribute and solidarity to the Pan African Writers Association, a host of womens institutions, her family, and in particular her daughter, Kinna, of whom she was so very proud. And I am glad to be counted among her literary daughters.

[1] My father had been Prime Minister of Ghana (1969-72) at the time Edward Heath was Prime Minister of Great Britain. But more importantly a dozen years before, he had been Leader of the Opposition, with Nkrumah as Prime Minister, at the time of Independence. It was the 1966 overthrow of Nkrumah that brought us back from exile and opened the possibility of my father becoming Prime Minister three years later.

Abena Busia is Ghanas Ambassador to Brazil.

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It is reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu spoke out the words of the title of this piece. It will be heartwarming if he understands that the poor are not breathing in Nigeria, and he is determined to help them breathe.

When we discuss about the poor in Nigeria, we are not just discussing about the more than 93 million citizens who are formally captured as living below official poverty lines. We are not talking only about the 134 million citizens who do not have access to the barest basics of health, education, and recreational facilities in rural and urban Nigeria, or the additional 7.1 million Nigerians that the World bank predicts will fall into deeper poverty because of governments removal of subsidy and spikes in energy costs. When we discuss about the poor in Nigeria, it includes the millions who, though officially not poor, are continually exposed to plenty risks of such nature that if any of them crystalizes, they are flung into deep poverty. Poverty in Nigeria is not just numbers; it is pervasive vulnerabilities and incapacities.

Successive Nigerian governments have paid lip service to the question of acute poverty and inequality because in the eyes of an irresponsible state, poverty is basically a personal problem for millions left behind. Even the poor themselves do not seem to begrudge society as is done in other societies where increasing poverty often leads to violent conflicts. It seems that the Nigerian poor are a more charitable lot. But despite the social psychology of poverty in Nigeria, it remains a real threat to national prosperity and survival. Nigerias future is partly tied to her ability to drastically reduce poverty. Nigeria cannot have development and peace if, as illustrated by the Poverty Clock, more Nigerians are pushed into acute poverty than any other poor nation of the world. We do not have real guarantees of peace and prosperity, despite what constitutional texts may wish, if pervasive and acute poverty keeps rising every day. Nigerian reformers should consider effective assault against poverty as the cornerstone of strategic agenda to reverse their countries speedy race to economic and political failure.

There is a fatalism about poverty that needs to be cleared to develop real commitment to an effective antipoverty strategy. This fatalism is two-pronged. First, we think that somehow the poor deserve their fate. This may be an unspoken sentiment, but it beclouds and disarrays efforts to reverse rising poverty. Second, we often think that large scale poverty is probably the inevitable outcome of a commitment to wealth creation. So, misquoting Joseph Schumpeter, poverty is the result of creative destruction that has spurred out immensurable growth and happiness. We cannot take the upside without the downside. The wheel of wealth inevitably spins impoverishment for the few. This is the catechism of some in the growth school.

But poverty is not an unavoidable or invincible threat. We are not bound to leave many citizens very poor. The sensationalising of poverty masks the fact that it is a determinable result of the interactions between social actions and revisable social structures that sustain our social order. Structuralists err in reifying structure. Structure is not fate. We can always revise and recreate structures. But the political economy of doing so could be difficult to grasp or hard to implement. Global antipoverty activists often remind us that there is enough wealth in the world for none to go to bed hungry and poor. The problem is poor distribution. This may be a lot simplistic. But the truth is that poverty is not the work of nature, even when nature is harsh. It is a result mostly of inefficient and deliberately mischievous mismanagement of resources and opportunities.

Poverty is a management failure. It is the wrong understanding of human beings, society, and the relationship between them that leads to ineffective policy interventions. Poverty is mainly a social science problem. As the famous Nigerian social scientist, Claude Ake, observed in his book, Social Science as imperialism, social science can be the handmaiden of freedom or slavery. If poverty is a social construction, how do we begin to take real actions that can reverse poverty in Nigeria. The starting point for overcoming pervasive poverty is to acknowledge that the poor needs to breathe, thanks to President Tinubu.

One of the central questions of justice in political philosophy is whether the poor deserves social amelioration through special public interventions. Distinguished political philosopher, John Rawls, attempted to theoretically justify the welfare state by constructing a theory of justice that is predicated on an egalitarian principle of fairness. In his view, justice requires that everyone should have equal access to the most expansive basic equal rights. The key point is equality. Equality prescribes that the minimum requirements of all should be achieved before resorting to meritocracy of any sort, even if this requires significant transfers of wealth from the very rich to the very poor through taxation. There are contrary theories of justice, especially those chiefly promoted by Robert Nozick, that argue that justice requires that no one be expropriated through taxation to make another good. Despite these philosophical arguments about the moral obligation of the state in matter of wealth distribution for poverty reduction, modern economics today recognizes, as eminent economist, Dudley Seer, puts it, that improvement in the wellbeing of the poor is the ultimate measure of development.

If your development is not lifting the poor out of poverty, then you are not developing. The Chinese economic miracle is authenticated by its ability to lift hundreds of million from poverty. Between about 2002 to 2012 Nigerias GDP growth was about 7% annually, close to Chinas growth of about 9% for more than two decades. While Chinas growth resulted in job creation and hundreds of millions taken out of poverty, Nigerias growth resulted in loss of jobs and increase in poverty. As I will argue later, the difference is state-society relation that directed the sort of policies deployed in Chinas emerging market economy. As Joseph Stiglitz noted in his address to World Bank-IMF annual meeting, development requires transformation. If you do not change the structural relationship in the society, you cannot develop in the manner that China, South Korea or Japan did. Unlike Nigeria, China deployed different growth strategies that benefited most of its citizens and got positive results.

For Nigerian government to let the poor breathe, the prevailing view of its policymakers matters. Neoliberal economic theory of the market and the role of government often obscures the pathways to poverty and out of it. The fanciful idea that there is a natural market and effective economic policymaking in the context of an undeveloped economy like Nigeria requires fidelity to the same set of institutions prevailing in the advanced western countries is nothing but fanciful. As Ha-Joon Chang of Cambridge University once put it, quoting Frederick List, the developed countries grew wealthy by climbing through the ladder of alternative economic policymaking contrary to the ones prescribed in the so-called Washington Consensus.

Yes, there is only one way to overcome poverty: economic growth. We cannot dent poverty profile in Nigeria if we do not grow the country exponentially. The evidence is compelling that all pathways to poverty reduction comes through rise in productivity. Nigeria must become a highly productive economy. We must ensure that the ethos of public leadership is rooted in a community to ensure that we produce more at less. As with Dengs China, there should be a mantra of economic growth. Ensuring that we grow at least 7% per annum should be an overriding consideration. But economic growth is a necessary but not sufficient condition for significant poverty reduction to occur. It matters the nature of the growth.

Sustained economic growth will not happen without structural change. We must change the institutional underpinning of economic and social transactions. These are the incentives for the social behavior that leads to productivity which for want of a better work we call economizing. Productivity is a result of the interplay of many factors, including social beliefs and laws and norms. Nigeria has a productivity crisis arising from the nature of its constitutional order which emphasises privileges and prerogatives and enthrones neo patrimony. Constitutional texts are not mere legality. They are signals and incentives for economic and social behavior. When your constitution prescribes sharing in a manner that does not encourage production, then it will breed lack of productivity and poverty. When your constitution smoothers egalitarianism and enthrones inequality, you are constraining enterprise. This will lead to low growth. It is time to review the constitutional foundations of our economy to create the sort of egalitarianism and meritocracy that enables growth-enhancing economic behaviours.

There is a path-dependency to Nigerias perennial economic crisis. As Buharis Finance Minister rightly observed, Nigerias huge debt crisis is a revenue crisis, which is a productivity crisis. Nigeria has a small economy for its population and its infrastructural and social needs. Nigeria cannot boost its productivity because it is not producing enough. It is not producing enough because it is shackled by its neo-feudal and pseudo-capitalist foundation. The Nigerian state, unlike the Chinese or South Korean state, is not committed to any productive quest apart from the capture of surplus value for elite political class, be it ethnic, religious, or social. Nigerian elites construct the Nigerian state to cater to their own exceptionalism and not to advance any modern developmental project. Extraction and consumption are the organizing principles of such states.

So, while current Nigeria economic policy elites, sourced mainly from the private sector, focus on mimicking market institutions in the capitalist west, they should remember that sustained growth on the scale of the Indo-European and Asian countries would be impossible except the state is constructed in the logic of the egalitarianism of western liberalism or the solidarism of Confucian Asia. Institutional transplantation without the cultural infrastructure of these successful economies will not lead to sustained economic growth.

But sustained economic growth if it happens may even worsen poverty considering the structure of the Nigerian economy and its politics. We have been on this path before, and the poor did not breathe. We had the high sounding National Economic and Empowerment Development Strategy (NEEDS) of the PDP government. It built an elegant edifice of neoliberal economic reform and decorated it with poverty reduction strategy. Unlike in China, NEEDS was a neoclassical economic argument about getting prices rights and fixing institutions, garnished with some tokenistic sprinklings of antipoverty interventions. It followed the prevailing logic of a favorable tide lifting the boats of the poor. The tide of economic growth did not lift the boats as predicted, because it flowed to the mainstream, not to the downstream.

But China took a different path. It did not get the prices or institutions right. It abandoned orthodoxy. As Yuen Yeun Ang argues, China escaped poverty because it wisely experimented with existing conditions in an adaptive manner that shunned the quest for best institutions and right pricing but rather focused on productivity that is grassroot-based. The central government directed improvisation at the local level in a manner that is technocratic, meritocratic and enterprise oriented. Deng did not map textbook market institutions on bad structure. There was co-evolution of state and markets to create a synergy that coherently transformed China. The key issue seems to be systematic rural industrialisation that benefited the rural poor mostly. Chinas industrial burst of energy happened regionally and enhance economic and social wellbeing in the rural communities. Poverty reduction strategies were not add-ons to cushion the impacts of disruptive economic reform. They were the centerpiece of Chinas economic reform.

In China, economic growth went together with rural development. According to the NBS, Nigerias poverty is mostly a rural phenomenon, 72% of rural Nigerians are poor compared to 42% of urban poor. Across the country, rural governance is non-existence. Nigerias patrimonial state has swallowed the local government. The hinterlands now feed the people at the government houses while the rural population starves. Unless there is a deep democratisation at the local government level, together with an entrepreneurial leadership at the center revising and reforming local conditions to free the people from poverty and indignity so they can be productive, we cannot have sustained poverty-reducing growth. Deep local democracy, built around transparency and accountability on resource management, is a foundational pillar of an effective poverty fighting measure. This should be the heart of restructuring. The logic of governance should be to let local resources be optimised for production, not for extraction by ruling elites.

Letting the people breathe requires in the minimum a political economy that allows the poor to get the benefits of economic growth. The Nigerian constitution wisely argues in Chapter 2 for a welfare state with socioeconomic rights that will countervail the dialectics of neo patrimony and neo-feudalism. But the neo-feudal forces reversed everything by making the fundamental objectives of state policy judicially unenforceable. This incoherence is enough to guarantee that economic growth will not reduce poverty as the Nigerian state is under no enforceable obligation to provide for the wellbeing of the people. Unlike in India and South Africa, a jurisprudence lacking in creativity has further stifled the possibility of societal transformation for the benefit of the Nigerian poor.

It is illustrative that all the many Nigerias, sometimes, needless constitutional reviews have never tried to give teeth to the declaration that Nigeria is a welfare state by legislating minimum basic socioeconomic wellbeing for Nigerian people. Surely, in the context of institutional and historical determinism, it is only a truly welfare state that can allow the poor to breathe. But the logic of the Nigerian state and its instrumentation over the years do not need the poor to breathe.

Sam Amadi is Director of Abuja School of Social and Political Theory.

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Flutterwave, Africas leading payments technology company, has joined the International Air Transport Associations (IATA) payment orchestration platform to facilitate travel to sub-Saharan Africa. With this integration, airlines across the world are able to process payments from customers through cards, bank transfers, mobile money, alternative payment methods and other payment modes available on Flutterwave.

IATA Financial Gateway (IFG) is an omni-channel payment orchestration and management platform fully dedicated to the airline industry and has been designed to allow airlines to receive local payments from local markets through all their distribution channels. IATA has some 290 international airlines and this partnership enables them to easily expand their operations in Africa while receiving bookings and payments from

customers in Africa using local and international payment methods.

Airlines and travel agencies can use Flutterwave via IFG to accept many forms of payment from customers when booking airline tickets. Instead of having to manage multiple complex connections to payment service

providers in Africa, IFG offers a single global connection, with full end-to-end control on payment and settlement processes and seamless integration with ticketing systems and distribution channels.

Global airlines looking to collect local currencies through cards and indigenous methods of payments will find this integration useful, as it makes payments seamless for their millions of customers in Africa and other markets where Flutterwave operates.

Olugbenga Agboola, Flutterwave CEO and founder, said:

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Africa is set to become one of the fastest-growing aviation regions in the next 20 years with an annual expansion of nearly 5%. How can we further

accelerate this growth? One way is to ensure airlines can easily set up operations across the continent and seamlessly receive payments from their customers. This partnership with IATA solves the problem of payments for global airlines venturing into Africa. We hope that this encourages more global airlines to expand into Africa.

Muhammad Albakri, IATAs Senior VP, Financial Settlement and Distribution Services, said, The IATA Financial Gateway supports the availability of new payment options in many markets. We welcome Flutterwaves participation to bring secure and innovative payment methods to airlines, travel resellers and the travelling public in Africa.

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A team from Operation Safe Haven, the military unit maintaining peace in Plateau State on Tuesday killed three suspected bandits around Pushit, a community in Mangu Local Government of Plateau State.

There has been an orgy of reprisal attacks in Mangu and surrounding communities between pastoralists, who are mostly Fulanis and other farming communities since March.

Scores of people have been killed and several properties destroyed.

The spokesperson of the unit, Oya James, confirmed the incident in a statement.

He said the incident occurred while soldiers were responding to a distress call in the area. He said the gunmen were suspected to be amongst the miscreants formenting trouble in Mangu LGA.

Troops professionally and decisively cleared the ambush neutralising 3 of the bandits in the process and recovered 3 x AK 47 Rifles,14 rounds of 7.62 Special rounds, 1 x Motorcycle and a Constabulary Police ID card while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

The Commander Operations SAFE HAVEN and General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division, Major General AE Abubakar reiterated that the Nigerian Army remains resolute in the discharge of its mandate within the ambits of the law and would continue to be firm, bold, decisive and just.

He said that the protection of lives and property of citizens remains paramount and that with the redeployment of his Headquarters to Mangu LGA, all distress calls would be responded to promptly as several Combat Teams have been dispatched to remote areas in the Local Government for enhanced rapid response, he added.

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Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State says the state government would pay Julius Berger Nigeria Plc over N150 billion as an advance for a road project in the oil-rich state.

Mr Fubara stated this during an agreement signing ceremony on Wednesday in Port Harcourt between the Rivers State Government and the construction company for the Port Harcourt Ring Road project.

The governor posted on his Twitter page a video clip of the event which was broadcast live by Channels TV.

The contract for the 50.15km road project will cost the state N195.3 billion.

On our part as a government, we will meet our own obligations. After this event, we are paying you The total value of the contract is N195.3 billion and we are paying you 77 per cent of it, which is about N150 billion plus, Mr Fubara told the Julius Berger team at the ceremony.

In our agreement, we have agreed with you that once we have confirmed delivery of 75 per cent of the initial fund released, we will commence your balance. And we are committed to that. I can assure you, Mr Fubara added amidst applause from a handful of dignitaries present at the ceremony, including his cabinet members.

The governor praised Julius Berger for the quality works the company had previously done in the state and urged them to maintain the standard.

We want to make sure this project as we start it, we must complete it. And as we have to do it, we need a reputable company  a company that has a track record of delivery. We are not doing this because we like you, we want you to still show that level of performance that you have been recording in this state.

Governor Fubara warned community chiefs and youths against sabotaging the project which he said is going to open up the state and fast-track development.

Any traditional ruler with his youths that want to be a problem (for the project) will immediately be suspended and any youth caught trying to sabotage our government would be prosecuted.

I am not joking. This project is important to us, the governor said.

An official of Julius Berger said the company has never failed the state in previous projects and that they were committed to delivering on the Port Harcourt Ring Road project.

The road project would traverse about six local government areas of Rivers State.

Out of the 50.15km, 45km would be dual-carriageway. The project has provision for six flyovers and one bridge that would be built across a river. The total length of the flyover would be 4.8km, according to the Commissioner for Works in the state, George Kelly-Alabo.

Julius Berger has 36 months to complete it.

READ ALSO: Gov Fubara revokes road construction contract in Rivers

Its a road that previous governments had attempted to do without success. The previous government initiated the process, and today we have finally started the process. The project will commence immediately, Mr Kelly-Alabo said.

Julius Berger must have six teams to work concurrently is six locations of the project, he added.

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Ten months after gunmen attacked a Nigerian televangelist, Apostle Johnson Suleman, in Edo State, South-south Nigeria, the police said a suspect has been arrested.

Force spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed this in a statement posted on Twitter on Thursday, said the suspect belonged to a seven-person syndicate that carried out the attack.

Mr Adejobi identified the suspect as Yusuf Isah, a 32-year-old plumber from Okene in Kogi State.

PREMIUM TIMES in October last year reported how the gunmen attacked the convoy of Mr Suleiman, the founder of Omega Fire Ministries, killing seven people, including three police officers.

The attack occurred around the Auchi area of the state while Mr Suleman was heading to an unidentified location, hours after returning from a trip to the East African country, Tanzania.

READ ALSO:

The cleric had described the attack as an assassination attempt.

They opened fire on my car and kept spraying bullets. My wife and kids were in the escort car in the front. They killed the police; they killed the other people on the escort car and the buses we used, the cleric said last year.

Mr Adejobi, a chief superintendent of police, said the suspect was arrested in Ondo State but did not state when he was arrested.

Intelligence revealed that the seven-man syndicate has been actively involved in kidnapping operations within Edo State and its environs and have carried out about four kidnapping operations between 2021 and 2023 before the gang was eventually busted by the police, Mr Adejobi said.

He listed items recovered from the suspect to include five AK47 rifles, two K2 assault rifles, and 180 rounds of live ammunition.

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Police in Imo State said they have arrested 56 suspects for various criminal offences, including armed robbery, kidnapping, child trafficking, cultism, murder and terrorism between January and June.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Barde, said this at the commands headquarters in Owerri, while briefing reporters on the recent exploits of the command in its efforts to rid the state of criminals.

Mr Barde, represented by the police spokesperson in the state, Henry Okoye, assistant superintendent of police, said 15 kidnap victims were rescued during the period.

He said that 26 alleged sit-at-home enforcers, suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate, were arrested on 9 July after a shootout at a hotel in Owerri.

He said the commands tactical team and mobile operatives of 18PMF swiftly mobilised to the hotel, where the suspects were disrupting a birthday party.

Unfortunately, a lifeless body, later identified as Remigius Emeka Njoku, the celebrants relative, was seen lying in his pool of blood on the floor, he said.

According to Mr Barde, some of the suspects escaped with bullet wounds, while others were dislodged.

He said one AK47 rifle, 48 rounds of live ammunition, four pump action guns, 18 rounds of live cartridges, two AK47 magazines and a face mask were recovered from them.

Rescue of kidnap victim

On January 6, at about 1800hrs, four unsuspecting victims were kidnapped at different locations within Imo.

Three vehicles, including a Lexus RX 350 SUV Jeep, Lexus RX 330 SUV Jeep, and a Mercedes Benz GLK, belonging to the victims were equally snatched from them.

The victims were held hostage at an unknown destination, the commissioner said.

He said that investigation and data-tracking analysis led to the arrest of Uche Eke at Douglass Market, where he wanted to sell some of the phones he robbed from his victims.

His arrest led to the rescue of the victim unhurt and the further arrest of one John Nnaemeka, also known as White.

These suspects were identified as part of the escapees during the jailbreak of the Correctional Service Custodial Centre, Owerri, an unfortunate incident that took place on April 5, 2021.

All the suspects confessed to the crime of kidnapping and armed robbery.

On searching their criminal hideout, two pump action guns with 10 rounds of live ammunition and the three snatched vehicles were recovered, Mr Barde said.

Arrested for murder

He also said that one Obinna Ugochukwu, 22, was arrested for allegedly stabbing his friend, Stanley Nwachukwu, to death with a knife repeatedly on the upper part of his body, while asleep.

READ ALSO: Lagos police rescue baby from sewage tank

He said that the incident followed a misunderstanding over the sharing of alleged 3000 US Dollars fraudulently gained from a Cyber-crime deal.

The commissioner said that one Sixtus Ezebudo, 29, was arrested for murder and harvesting of organs after luring his victim to an uncompleted building in Orlu Local Government Area.

On interrogation, the suspect confessed that on May 10, at about 1630hrs, he lured and killed his victim, and thereafter harvested his vital body organs, like his lungs, heart and private part and abandoned his corpse at the scene.

He was later arrested in Lagos State with the harvested body parts, where he had escaped to sell them for ritual purposes, he said.

Also, Nnanna Ugorji, 20, and Chiaka Anah, 53, were arrested on the allegation of defiling a 10-year-old girl on 15 June, the police said.

Mr Barde said two females: Eke Chinyere, 48, and Glory Okon, who specialised in stealing children and selling them to potential buyers for child labour or ritual purposes, were also arrested.

On interrogation, the suspects, who confessed to being members of a criminal syndicate, led the curious operatives to the baby factory, where seven stolen children and four pregnant teenage girls were rescued.

Some of the children have been reunited with their parents, while other victims are currently in a government-approved home for care and custody, he said.

(NAN)

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The Lagos State Police Command has rescued a day-old baby girl abandoned in a sewage tank in the Gowon Estate area of the state.

The baby was rescued at about 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday and taken for immediate medical attention at a health centre.

The police command made this known on its Twitter handle on Wednesday.

A day-old female baby was found in a sewage tank at about 8:30 a.m. today. Officers of Gowon Estate Division, upon being alerted, promptly arrived at the scene.

The baby was taken for immediate medical attention at a health centre and is doing well.

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The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Taskforce) on Wednesday clamped down on motorcyclists, aka Okada riders, operating illegally on the Lagos-Oshodi expressway.

The agency also impounded several motorcycles in the hitch-free operation, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, a spokesperson, said in a statement.

In May 2022, the state governor issued a fresh ban on the operations of Okada riders, restricting their movements on the highways.

The governor issued the directive amidst the increasing notoriety of commercial motorcyclists in the state.

Clampdown resumption

The agency said that intelligence and surveillance gathered recently around the state shows that Okada riders are returning to those routes gradually just after the recently concluded Salah (Ileya) festival to continue their illegality.

Shola Jejeloye, the agencys chairperson, said that they are aware of the influx of illegal aliens from neighbouring countries who trooped into the city right after the Ileya celebrations to resume operations on restricted routes despite the ban on their activities still being in full force.

Some of the okada operators who had their bikes confiscated in the past have returned to Lagos to resume their illegal operations. We have undercover operatives who monitor various locations across the state, and we have it on good authority that these illegal commercial motorcycle operators are back to kick off their okada business, but we are battle ready for them.

Mr Jejeloye said that Lagos is a metropolis that welcomes various individuals of different ethnicity and nationality , but some unscrupulous elements are trying to take advantage of that opportunity to perpetrate their illegal activities at the detriment of well-meaning Lagosians.

Foreigners who engage in legitimate business in the city are always welcomed, but the Agency frowns at illegal aliens or criminals who perform illegalities, one of which is riding okada on restricted routes across the State.

He reiterated that recalcitrant Okada riders will not be tolerated in the state.

Speaking about the successes of the previous clampdowns, the agencys boss said that the state recorded low accident rates reduction in crime.

We have recorded numerous success stories since the ban across the board, ranging from a drop in crime rate, reduction in traffic bottlenecks occasioned by their recklessness to a reduction in accident cases reported in the orthopaedic hospitals in Lagos, he said.

Its our duty and responsibility to ensure that these agents of anarchy are not allowed to return to the Highways, and we will make sure any operator caught would be made to face the music.

Available security reports suggest that we should be expecting more influx of them after the farming/raining season, but our strategic and security antenna put in place will fish them out, and their bikes will be impounded.

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A decision by Croatias regulator to remove restrictions on dominant player Hrvatski Telekom (HT) looks set to provoke a backlash from smaller competitors in the countrys fixed broadband sector.

Broadband TV News reports that HT  a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom - is currently designated as a significant market player (SMP) in 72 local markets across Croatia, meaning that its wholesale and retail operations are subject to price controls.

HAKOM (Hrvatska regulatorna agencija za mrezne djelatnosti / Croatian Regulatory Agency for Network Operations) has informed the European Commission that it will revoke this designation for HT, meaning it will no longer be bound by these controls.

Given that HT is already the dominant player in Croatias fixed broadband market - with a 59% share based on subscriptions, according to TeleGeography - its smaller rivals are claiming that HAKOMs move would reinforce HTs position further by effectively deregulating the sector.

Adrian Jezina, CEO of smaller player Telemach Croatia, cautioned that the move could damage the market, saying: HAKOMs decision to deregulate now will entrench the position of the dominant market player for another generation, benefiting Deutsche Telekom at the expense of Croatian consumers. Our entry into the market as a third player has already stimulated competition and led to greater investment.

Now is the time to be encouraging competition to invest further in infrastructure to create a more competitive environment. Croatia needs an encouraging and stable regulatory framework, which will boost investments by all operators without favouritism. We hope that the European Commission carefully reviews HAKOMs proposal to ensure that it is harmonised with the practices of the European Union, and in the best long-term interest of consumers in Croatia.
Employers taking steps to meet that demand with competitive compensation packages and raises

NEW YORK, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 24 Seven , a leader in the marketing, creative, and digital staffing space, has released its 2023 Salary Guide: Compensation and Benefits, giving employers the insights they need to remain competitive in both attracting and retaining top talent in today's job market.

24 Seven's 2023 Salary Guide Highlights Compensation as Top Priority for Job Seekers. Tweet this 24 Seven's 2023 Salary Guide

When asked what employees wanted most from an employer, compensation was king. Nearly half (42%) of the survey's respondents pointed to financial compensation above company reputation (28%), the ability to work remotely (11%), benefits (10%), and employer's commitment to work-life balance (9%).

And many organizations are recognizing that priority. A vast majority of respondents (84%) said their company was taking steps to make compensation packages more competitive to win over talent. Additionally, after a pandemic-era hiatus, raises are back. Seventy-four percent of respondents reported receiving a raise in 2022  up 14% from the previous year.

The insights and trends identified in the report are based on a 2023 survey of more than 2,100 professionals in the marketing, creative, tech, fashion, beauty, and retail sectors. The report features salary ranges for more than 170 positions and detailed information about the latest hiring and job market dynamics at play today.

Additional findings from 24 Seven's 2023 Salary Guide include:

78% say the benefits and perks a company offers influences whether or not they pursue a job there

59% of employees say they are staying with their current employer for the next year solely because of the uncertain economy

because of the uncertain economy 52% of full-time employees have taken on freelance projects in the last year, up from 32% last year

31% of respondents say their company lets them choose whether they work from home or in office and 27% say their company has instituted a hybrid work schedule with designated at-home and in-office days

"It is normal to be confused about the job market right now. Unemployment is low, but we continue to see layoffs," says Anthony Donnarumma, CEO of 24 Seven. "That said, marketing, creative and digital skills are still in demand. For employers looking to secure highly skilled full-timers and freelancers in this space, as well as for job seekers, 24 Seven's Salary Guide highlights where salary and benefits offerings stand today."

24 Seven was recently named by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) as one of the Largest U.S. Staffing Firms for 2023 . They've also received the following accolades this year:

To download the Salary Guide, visit 24seventalent.com.

About 24 Seven

24 Seven partners with companies to get marketing, creative, and digital work done by providing the right talent, innovation, and insights. We drive meaningful impact by helping navigate change in today's evolving environment. Our robust suite of service offerings enables us to identify customized talent solutions for any situation.

The 24 Seven family of brands includes these subsidiaries:

The Sage Group provides exceptional marketing and business operations consultants, contractors, and permanent talent that drive results for leading companies across industries.

provides exceptional marketing and business operations consultants, contractors, and permanent talent that drive results for leading companies across industries. Marketers That Matter is a thriving community of influential marketing executives coming together to share innovation and insights.

is a thriving community of influential marketing executives coming together to share innovation and insights. Simplicity Consulting helps brands run their marketing and operations programs with highly specialized consultants in digital marketing, strategic communications and project management.

helps brands run their marketing and operations programs with highly specialized consultants in digital marketing, strategic communications and project management. SketchDeck is a next-generation creative agency that empowers organizations to seamlessly scale their marketing efforts by accessing all the design services they need in one place.

Contact

Kristin Valentine, Executive Vice President Marketing

Phone: 510-599-8438

[email protected]

SOURCE 24 Seven LLC

SOURCE 24 Seven LLC
Citing the need for Kenya to be an attractive investment digital hub, Kenya is repealing a ruling that would have made meant only companies with at least 30% substantive Kenyan ownership, either corporate or individual, would be licensed to provide ICT services.

The move would have affected foreign companies such as Airtel, Google, Microsoft and Amazon; the requirement has now been removed from the national ICT policy guidelines.

The threat of what news resource ITWeb Africa calls a combative rule has been hanging over these companies for some while. They had been given three years from April 2021 to comply with the provision and meet the local equity ownership requirement by March of next year.

In fact, as local press reports indicate, the change of policy was flagged up in late March when President William Ruto decided to drop the foreign ownership rules after reported lobbying from US tech giant Amazon, which apparently highlighted the review of the rule as a prerequisite to setting up shop in the country. It is unlikely it would have been the only multinational to threaten to rethink its plans.

That said, Airtel Africa, already a big player in Kenya, had said it was ready to list its Kenyan operations on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) if the government retained the condition on local ownership as part of licensing requirements.

The government notice, quoted by ITWeb Africa, said: For Kenya to be an attractive investment digital hub, it is proposed that the equity participation subsectionbe deleted from the national ICT policy guidelines, 2020.

In a reference to Kenya Vision 2030, a long-term development blueprint for the country, the government notice continues: Kenya has a vision to be a globally competitive knowledge-based economy by the year 2030. One of the government strategies to achieve the vision includes the development and promotion of the ICT sector to spur investments and create employment for Kenyans.
25Home is introducing new colors and materials to its Plume sofa collection, allowing customers to create stylish living spaces without breaking the bank.

LOS ANGELES, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In an exciting update, 25Home is expanding its collection of Plume sofas by introducing new colors and materials. The new colors that will be included in the collection are camel, brown, and gray while the new materials are air leather and linen. The air leather is anti-fouling and easy to clean while linen is mainly skin-friendly and comfortable. As a leading provider of premium furniture and accessories with a Modern & Scandinavian style, 25Home is committed to delivering exceptional design and value to its customers.

25Home is introducing new colors and materials to its Plume sofa collection, allowing customers to create stylish living spaces without breaking the bank.

The Aalto Boutique Air Leather Plume Sectional, for instance, is a luxurious and versatile sofa designed for comfort and durability. The sofa is made with air leather, a breathable and flexible material that is also scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, water-resistant, and odor-resistant, making it ideal for households with pets and children. It is also filled with a combination of foam and poly cotton, creating a perfect balance of support and softness.

With its high-density foam and fluffy poly cotton, the Aalto Boutique Linen Plume Sofa provides a cozy and relaxing experience. Its chic front view and curved silhouette on the side make it suitable for any space and style. The sofa is made with linen, a natural fiber known for its breathability, pliability, softness, and skin-friendliness, making it ideal for households with pets and children. The filling layer of the Plume Sofa consists of an optimal combination of foam and cotton, providing a perfect balance of support and softness.

With its headquarters located in Los Angeles, 25Home takes pride in offering on-trend furniture that combines modern aesthetics with Scandinavian influences. The company's dedication to quality is reflected in its one-year guarantee, demonstrating its confidence in the craftsmanship and durability of its products. On how it came about its name, the company says, "25Home means we love our home and want to stay at home for an extra hour, an hour more than 24 hours."

What sets 25Home apart is its mission to make high-quality furniture accessible without breaking the bank. The brand aims to revolutionize the way people perceive furniture by offering premium designs at radically fair prices. By challenging traditional pricing models, 25Home ensures that customers can enjoy stylish and well-crafted furniture without compromising on affordability.

In addition, 25Home's direct-from-manufacturer model sets it apart from other so-called direct-to-consumer (DTC) furniture brands. While not rejecting the DTC approach outright, 25Home takes it a step further by truly eliminating the middleman, enabling them to pass significant savings on to the consumer. This transparent and efficient business model allows customers to benefit from fair pricing without sacrificing quality.

With the introduction of new colors and materials to the Plume sofa collection, 25Home continues to innovate and offer customers more options to express their personal style. The expansion of the collection ensures that customers can find the perfect Plume sofa to complement their existing decor or create a fresh and contemporary look in their living space.

By carefully curating its selection of colors and materials, 25Home ensures that each sofa in the Plume collection embodies the brand's commitment to quality and design. Whether customers prefer vibrant and bold hues or understated and neutral tones, they can find a Plume sofa that suits their individual taste and enhances the overall aesthetic of their home.

In conclusion, 25Home's introduction of new colors and materials to its Plume sofa collection exemplifies the brand's dedication to providing premium furniture at fair prices. With their direct-from-manufacturer model, 25Home offers customers a unique opportunity to enjoy modern and Scandinavian-inspired designs without the traditional retail markups. As 25Home continues to expand and innovate, customers can expect even more options to create stylish and comfortable living spaces that reflect their personal style.

Contact Details:

Business Name: 25Home

Contact Name: Ivy

Contact Email: [email protected]

Country: United States

Website: https://25home.com/collections/plume-sofa

SOURCE 25Home Furniture Inc
AUSTIN, Texas, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the help of forensic experts and their generous patrons, the families of two Florida natives murdered in Texas in 1980 are working with their local sheriff's office to bring closure to other families.

FHD Forensics is happy to announce a new collaboration with the Volusia County, Florida Sheriff's Office on three cold cases driven by the desire of the families of Dean and Tina Linn Clouse to help solve cases in their own backyard.

Forensic reconstruction portraits and a photo of the shirt a young Daytona Beach, Florida Johnny Doe was wearing when his body was discovered in 1972. (FHD Forensics digital art of Volusia County Sheriff's Office photos) Brother of 1980 Texas murder victim and former John Doe Dean Clouse, Chris Casasanta recently began a fundraiser for another young John Doe, thought to be about the same age as his brother. Both boys grew up in Volusia County, Florida. Chris's donation was made last month to commemorate Dean's 64th birthday. (Chris Casasanta photo)

The young couple went unidentified for four decades after being found murdered near Houston, Texas in 1981. Genetic genealogy identified them in 2021, putting an end to decades of longing for news on the part of their families.

The DNA testing and genetic genealogy investigations for the three new Volusia County cold case investigations are being underwritten by the Dean and Tina Linn Clouse Memorial Fund at Genealogy for Justice, FHD's sister funding organization.

The catalyst for the project was the case of a young boy found murdered near Daytona Beach in 1972, in the same Florida county that Dean and Tina grew up in. He was thought to have been about 20 years old when first discovered; however, a 2013 exhumation to test his remains alerted investigators that he was actually aged 11-13.

This means that "Johnny Doe" as he's being called by the FHD team, would have been born around the same year as Dean Clouse.

After 5 failed attempts to extract his DNA from bones, teeth, and hair this determined group of people simply will not give up on him. FHD's lab partners at Astreas Forensics recently extracted a newly discovered sample.

"We feel fortunate to have partnered with FHD Forensics on these cases, and look forward to additional collaboration," said Detective William Weaver of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. "Their enthusiasm and determination to bring light to this forgotten case by employing untried methods is refreshing, as is Genealogy For Justice's willingness to devote resources."

Dean Clouse's brother, Venanzio "Chris" Casasanta seeded Johnny Doe's fundraising campaign with a donation in honor of Dean's birthday on June 7. Dean would have been 64 years old. He says he knows how it feels having a lost family member and wants to relieve another family.

"My donation was done with love and understanding for other victims that have unfortunately suffered in the same way our family suffered. I also did it to honor my brother and his wife, Tina. I pray that others will join me so that we may use the memorial fund to help other families...that at least through our tragedy we might find a way to be of service," explained Chris.

FHD Forensics and Genealogy For Justice recently announced the first case closure for the memorial fund in the case of Virginia Higgins Ray, a North Carolina native who died in a Columbia, South Carolina hospital in 1982.

"It feels so good to have played a part in bringing closure to another family," said Tina Linn Clouse's sister, Sherry Green.

Two other Volusia County unidentified remains cases from 1980 and 1982 are also being investigated with help from the fund.

Tax-deductible donations can be made on the nonprofit donation site, GiveButter. Links can also be found on the websites for Genealogy For Justice and FHD Forensics to donate via Paypal.

Media Contact:

Cyndi Despault

FHD Forensics, LLC

[email protected]

(512) 270-1301

SOURCE FHD Forensics
After continued growth, the Company is moving forward with plans for a 230,000 sq. ft. addition.

TULSA, Okla., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AAON is pleased to announce a major expansion project to its facility in Longview, TX. The groundbreaking to begin construction on the 230,000-square-foot addition is scheduled for Tuesday, July 18th, at 10:00 am at 203 Gum Springs Road, Longview, Texas, 75602.

AAON Longview Expansion Rendering

The Longview Economic Development Corporation (LEDCO) voted to approve support of the expansion plan in April of this year. With continued growth and product demand, AAON is moving forward with this $40 million capital investment to double an earlier expansion completed in 2021. The Company plans to increase its production capacity of current products, create space for manufacturing new products, and expand coil production capabilities. This brings opportunities for AAON to create approximately 250 new full-time jobs in Longview. The new space will include three additional loading and shipping docks, a new employee entrance and breakroom, and more employee parking.

"AAON has been a proud member of Longview and surrounding communities for 30 years. There is a tremendous amount of growth opportunity for our Longview location, and we couldn't be more excited. AAON Longview's partnership with LEDCO and other local development organizations has allowed us to capitalize on unprecedented growth up to this point. AAON will continue to support our local communities and team members for many years. We're just getting started." Doug Wichman, Vice President of AAON, Inc., and President of AAON Coil Products.

About AAON

Founded in 1988, AAON is a world leader in HVAC solutions for commercial and industrial indoor environments. The Company's industry-leading approach to designing and manufacturing highly configurable equipment to meet exact needs creates a premier ownership experience with greater efficiency, performance, and long-term value. AAON is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where its world-class innovation center and testing lab allow AAON engineers to continuously push boundaries and advance the industry. For more information, please visit www.AAON.com.

Contact Information

Robyn Aydelott

AAON Corporate Communications Administrator

Phone: (817) 714-1377

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE AAON
MENLO PARK, Calif. and BERKSHIRE, United Kingdom, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Accel-KKR, a global technology-focused private equity firm, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell Kerridge Commercial Systems Ltd ("KCS"), an ERP and business management software provider for distributors, wholesalers and related trades, to CapVest Partners LLP ("CapVest"), an international private equity firm.

KCS, headquartered in Berkshire, England, provides software to over 32,000 customers across the world in a number of vertical markets including building materials and supplies, automotive, industrial, electrical, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, rental equipment and other distributive trade verticals. The company has more than 1,100 employees across 21 offices globally.

Accel-KKR invested in KCS in 2015. Over the course of Accel-KKR's investment in KCS, the company grew its overall revenue base more than four-fold, accelerated its organic revenue growth rate, rapidly expanded its percentage of revenue that was recurring in nature, and significantly expanded its operating margins. In addition, KCS completed several follow-on acquisitions that expanded its business into new geographies including North America and Continental Europe, such as the take-private acquisition of US-based MAM Systems in 2019.

Tom Barnds, Co-Managing Partner at Accel-KKR, said, "We are very proud of our partnership with Ian Bendelow and the KCS management team. They achieved tremendous results and created a market leader in our eight years of working together. We wish them nothing but the best as they continue their growth with their new private equity sponsor."

Ian Bendelow, CEO of KCS, said, "Accel-KKR has been an exceptional partner to our team, as we have established KCS as the premier global ERP and business management software provider to the distributive trades. As we begin a new chapter with CapVest, we thank Accel-KKR for helping us accelerate our journey."

Maurice Hernandez, a Managing Director at Accel-KKR who heads the firm's London office, said, "Accel-KKR has completed over 70 investments and acquisitions of software companies in Europe since its inception, making the firm one of the most active private equity software investors in Europe. We expect to maintain an active investment pace in the years to come, helping companies across Europe accelerate growth, build leadership positions, and enter new markets."

Recent Accel-KKR platform investments in Europe include: Basware, a Finland-based global accounts payable and invoice automation software platform, in a take-private transaction; PayProp, a UK-based processor of rental payments for the property management industry; and Symfonia, a Poland-based provider of accounting, payroll and ERP software solutions. Accel-KKR's past exits of software platform investments in Europe include Episerver, now known as Optimizely, a digital experience software platform; JAGGAER, one of the world's largest independent spend management software companies; and One.com, one of Europe's leading providers of domain names and web hosting solutions.

KCS was advised by Arma Partners and Stifel (financial advisors), Kirkland & Ellis and Addleshaw Goddard (legal), EY (financial and tax) and PwC (commercial and technical).

CapVest was advised by Evercore (financial advisor), Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP (legal), Kirkland & Ellis (financing), KPMG (financial and tax), EY-Parthenon (commercial), West Munroe (technical due diligence) and Marsh (insurance).

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.

About Kerridge Commercial Systems

Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS) provides specialist software, services and support to deliver fully integrated trading and business management solutions to the distributive trades across the world.

With over 32,000 worldwide customers, including manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, merchants and rental companies, the company's mission is to design and deliver high performance, integrated ERP solutions that enable customers to source effectively, stock efficiently, sell profitably and service competitively.

Headquartered in Berkshire, the United Kingdom, KCS employs approximately 1,100 employees across 19 cities and 10 countries including the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Kenya, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Ireland.

About Accel-KKR

Accel-KKR is a technology-focused investment firm with $19 billion in cumulative capital commitments. The firm focuses on software and tech-enabled businesses, well-positioned for topline and bottom-line growth. At the core of Accel-KKR's investment strategy is a commitment to developing strong partnerships with the management teams of its portfolio companies and a focus on building value alongside management by leveraging the significant resources available through the Accel-KKR network. Accel-KKR focuses on middle-market companies and provides a broad range of capital solutions, including buyout capital, minority-growth investments, and credit alternatives. Accel-KKR also invests across various transaction types, including private company recapitalizations, divisional carve-outs and going-private transactions. Accel-KKR's headquarters is in Menlo Park, with offices in Atlanta, London and Mexico City. Visit accel-kkr.com to learn more.

Contact:

Todd Fogarty | Kekst CNC

| M +1 917 992 1170

[email protected]





SOURCE Accel-KKR
PARIS, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In early July, Yanghe, a typical representative of Chinese baijiu culture, appeared in a series of activities in Paris, drawing the attention of French people to Chinese baijiu culture.

"Discover the Capital of Baijiu" Photography Exhibition (PRNewsfoto/Yanghe Distillery)

On July 3, Zhang Liandong, Chairman of Yanghe and his entourage were invited to visit the UNESCO headquarters, making it the first stop of Yanghe's cultural trip "Dream Connects the World" in Europe. Zhang believed that intangible cultural heritage is a link of mutual learning between civilizations, and like Chinese tea which has been added to the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the cultural heritage of Chinese baijiu also gains a foothold among others.

On July 4, the inauguration of "Discover the Capital of Baijiu" Photography Exhibition in France and the theme reception of "Yanghe Dream Blue, Dream Connects the World" was held at Oriental.Paris. The site showed a total of 50 wonderful pictures captured by international photographers in Suqian, the "Capital of Baijiu in China", where Yanghe is located. Eric Gaudet, a French columnist, said that the wetland soil of Suqian creates the necessary conditions for making fabulous liquor.

Yanghe liquor is the gift of wetlands. Yanghe Distillery is located where the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Huaihe River, ancient Yellow River, Hongze Lake, Luoma Lake and Hongze Lake Wetlands meet. Suqian, Jiangsu, home to Yanghe Distillery was awarded as the "Capital of Baijiu in China" in 2012. It is known as one of the three world's main wetland spirit-producing regions, together with Scotch whisky regions, and French cognac regions.

Mr. Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, former French ambassador to China, said that wine is a bridge of communication, and Yanghe's new products are treasures representing Chinese culture and art, through which he can feel the profound Chinese liquor culture, and the world can see the beauty of Chinese culture.

Over the past centuries, Yanghe has been inheriting, developing and improving its unique liquor brewing technology which is still fully used today. Yanghe Daqu won the gold medal at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, and it was listed among China's Eight Famous Wines at the third national wine appraisal meeting in 1979, and won the title of nationally famous wine three consecutive times.

For more information, please visit http://www.yangheglobal.com/

Image Attachments Links:

Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=441543

Caption: "Discover the Capital of Baijiu" Photography Exhibition

SOURCE Yanghe Distillery
SINGAPORE and DUBAI, UAE, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ACX (formerly known as AirCarbon Exchange), operating its proprietary regulated environmental asset trading platform that is revolutionising the environmental markets, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Blue Carbon, the Dubai-based project developer, to develop carbon markets in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The collaboration will see Blue Carbon using ACX as its preferred platform to sell its carbon credits and settle transactions. The two companies will also seek to host auctions to sell Blue Carbon's credits in the run up to the COP28 climate conference in Dubai. In addition, they will assist one another in developing suitable market infrastructure to enable the UAE and partner countries to implement Article 6.2 transactions under the United Nations' Paris Agreement.

William Pazos, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of ACX, said, "We are delighted to partner with Blue Carbon as their preferred platform for selling carbon credits and facilitating seamless transactions. Cooperation is central to our fight against climate change. Our agreement today is a great example of how companies can join forces to leverage each other's strengths to create opportunities and results."

This MOU is another step in ACX's journey to become the leading global carbon exchange. With the successful establishment of the world's first regulated carbon exchange in Abu Dhabi, ACX is making significant strides in positioning itself as a major player in the carbon trading landscape, in the MENA region and on a global scale.

Blue Carbon is developing projects that will be eligible for carbon credits or Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMO), which count towards a country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This sector is likely to grow in popularity as countries rich in carbon resources seek to sell their credits to heavy emitting countries.

Josiane Sadaka, CEO of Blue Carbon commented on the crucial use of ITMOs in combatting climate change, said, "ITMOs are a powerful tool for global cooperation. They address the urgent need for collective action towards a sustainable and resilient future. By embracing this collaborative approach, we forge a path towards a low-carbon future that benefits both humanity and the environment."

By closely aligning all activities with the UN's Article 6 framework, ACX's work is also plotting a pathway for the voluntary and compliance carbon sectors to line up in the coming years.

About the ACX Group:

The ACX (formerly AirCarbon Exchange) Group, including ACX Ltd and AirCarbon Pte. Ltd. which operate environmental exchanges in Abu Dhabi and Singapore respectively, caters to corporate entities, financial traders, carbon project developers and other industry stakeholders. ACX provides participants with an efficient and transparent trading platform that is user-friendly, seamless and offers the lowest transaction fees in the market. Leveraging distributed ledger technology, ACX facilitates the scalable growth of the environmental product markets to align with global ambitions of achieving Net Zero.

ACX is proud to be a member of the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) and the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), further enhancing its commitment to sustainability and responsible trading practices for carbon and other environmental products. ACX has garnered international recognition as the Best Carbon Exchange globally in Environmental Finance's esteemed Voluntary Carbon Market Rankings for two consecutive years (2021, 2022), solidifying its position as a leader in the industry.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.acx.net.

About Blue Carbon:

Blue Carbon deploys emerging strategies to support country's efforts to decarbonize by using only methodologies that focus on compliance markets. The company is committed to helping businesses and government utilities define their sustainable frameworks to help transition to a low carbon economy and reach their Net Zero goals in compliance with the transferability of credits under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Blue Carbon helps accelerate sustainable development through strategic investments as well as fostering environmental economic development and advancing sustainability through its bilateral relationships. The company's vast industry experience allows it to benchmark data and drive economic opportunities and growth for its stakeholders.

For more information, visit https://bluecarbon.ae/

SOURCE ACX (AirCarbon Exchange)
CHICAGO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Alpha Olefins Market by Type, Application (Poly-olefine Comonomer, Surfactants and Intermediates, Lubricants, Fine Chemicals, Oil Field Chemicals), and Region (North America, Europe, APAC, MEA, South America) - Global Forecast to 2028", is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period, from an estimated USD 7.1 billion in 2023 to USD 9.3 billion in 2028. The flexibility of Alpha olefins to be used in various applications is pushing the market. These Alpha olefins enable to manufacture of eco-friendly products. Alpha olefins have a wide range of applications across multiple industries. One key application is in the production of detergents and surfactants. Alpha olefins serve as key building blocks in the synthesis of various surfactants, which are essential components in cleaning products, personal care items, and industrial formulations.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Alpha Olefins Market"

119  Tables

39  Figures

164  Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=1282

The polyolefin comonomers segment, by application, is expected to be the most significant Alpha olefins segment during the forecast period.

A polyolefin is any class of polymers produced from a simple olefin as a monomer. For instance, polyethylene is the polyolefin produced by polymerizing the olefin ethylene. Similarly, polypropylene is another common polyolefin, which is made from olefin propylene. The market of polyolefins is expected to witness moderate growth during the forecast period because of the increasing number of applications, technological advances, and the growing demand from the developing economies of Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. All these factors will, in turn, drive the demand for alpha olefins, as they are primarily used for manufacturing polyolefins.

1-Butene is anticipated to be the fastest-growing Alpha olefins segment, by type, during the forecast period.

1-Butene is a key component in the production of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is a versatile thermoplastic that is used in a wide range of applications, including packaging materials, plastic bottles, pipes, and geomembranes. The addition of 1-butene during the polymerization process enhances the flexibility, toughness, and overall properties of HDPE, making it suitable for both rigid and flexible applications.

The growing plastics industry worldwide drives the market of 1-Butene. The rising demand for pharmaceutical, plastic packaging, and other industries boosts the plastics market, which in turn, drives the market of alpha olefins. Evonik Industries AG (Germany) and Chevron Philips Chemical Company LLC (U.S.) are the key players providing 1-Butene.

Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=1282

Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in the global Alpha olefins market, by region, during the forecast period.

The Asia Pacific alpha olefins market is experiencing significant growth due to various factors. The region's expanding industrial sectors, such as packaging, automotive, and consumer goods, are driving the demand for alpha olefins, which are essential raw materials for the production of polymers like polyethylene and polypropylene. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and rising disposable incomes in countries like China, India, and Southeast Asian nations are fueling the demand for plastic products, thereby boosting the market for alpha olefins. Additionally, the region's strong petrochemical industry and abundant availability of feedstock further support the growth of the alpha olefins market in Asia Pacific. The increasing emphasis on sustainability and environmental regulations also contribute to the demand for bio-based alpha olefins in the region. Overall, with its growing industries, favorable market conditions, and rising demand for plastic products, the Asia Pacific alpha olefins market is poised for continued expansion.

To enable an in-depth understanding of the competitive landscape, the report includes the profiles of some of the top players in the Alpha Olefins market. These include Royal Dutch Shell (Netherlands), ExxonMobil (US), Dow Chemical Company (Michigan), SABIC (Saudi Arabia), and Evonik Industries (Germany).

Browse Adjacent Market: Specialty Chemicals Market Research Reports

Related Reports:

Alpha Olefins Market - Global Forecast to 2028

1-Decene Market - Global Forecast to 2025

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RESTON, Va., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- American Southern Homes, a rapidly expanding home building holding company, has announced the unification of its four existing builder brands and the renaming of its holding company as Evermore Homes. This strategic decision aims to enhance the customer experience by simplifying sales, marketing and other operational processes while setting the stage for continued growth. The transition will commence on July 13 and is expected to be finalized by fall 2023.

American Southern Homes is now Evermore Homes, unifying four builder brands operating in Arizona, Alabama and Georgia. Tweet this American Southern Homes has rebranded effective July 13, 2023 as Evermore Homes and unified its four builder brands. The move aims to enhance the customer experience and simplify operations for continued growth. Rapidly growing into a top 100 U.S. home builder through strategic acquisitions, Evermore Homes' new unified brand will encompass over 3,900 homesites in 46 communities across Alabama, Arizona, Georgia and Tennessee. It will also unite over 100 years of collective leadership experience.

Within just five years of its establishment in 2017, American Southern Homes rapidly climbed the ranks to become one of the top 100 U.S. home builders, as recognized by the 2022 Builder 100 List. This ascent was powered by the acquisition of several well-regarded regional brands in the Southeast and Southwest United States. As of July 13, the Evermore Homes brand will include more than 3,900 homesites in 46 communities, previously under the brands of Grayhawk Homes in Columbus, GA, Stoneridge Homes in Huntsville, AL, and Dorn Homes in Prescott, AZ.

While Evermore Homes will be a new name, the unification of the brands consolidates over 100 years of collective operational and leadership experience across the country. This integration further enables the unified Evermore Homes team to deliver exceptional homes and experiences to its customers while preparing the company for future regional expansion.

Lee Darnold, CEO of Evermore Homes, highlighted the rationale behind this transition, stating, "Our strategy has always been centered around acquiring builders known for the highest quality of craftsmanship and exceptional customer service. However, managing processes and experiences across multiple builder brands can be operationally complex. Today's milestone demonstrates our commitment to simplifying the home shopping process for our customers and maximizing the style and livability of the homes they'll live in for years to come. We are incredibly excited about this development."

In conjunction with the brand unification, Evermore Homes has plans to introduce all-new home designs in their existing communities throughout Alabama, Georgia, and Northern Arizona. These designs, which will be unveiled later this year, will prioritize livability and value and include thoughtful elements of design to elevate the lives of homeowners.

Darnold expressed confidence in Evermore Homes' ability to meet and exceed customer needs, saying, "For two years our executive and field teams have been laying the groundwork of a unified platform that will allow Evermore Homes to expand quickly. This platform  which combines our builder's local expertise with greater access to capital and standardized national processes and management systems  uniquely positions us to scale quickly as we add new builders and new markets to our portfolio."

About Evermore Homes:

Evermore Homes (formerly known as American Southern Homes) is a leading home building brand headquartered in Reston, VA with operations located in Huntsville, AL, Columbus, GA and Prescott, AZ. Bringing together the operational experience and leadership of Dorn Homes, Grayhawk Homes and Stoneridge Homes, Evermore Homes is committed to delivering exceptional homes through a focus on quality craftsmanship, innovative designs and exceptional customer service.

Media Contact: Adam Grounds, Sr. Director of Sales and Marketing

Email: [email protected]

Contact: 480.220.3005

SOURCE Evermore Homes
Four-day event, produced by AnitaB.org, excitedly announces the highly anticipated registration opening for Grace Hopper Celebration 2023. Tickets for GHC are known to sell out in days after registration opens.

SAN MATEO, Calif., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AnitaB.org, the leading global nonprofit organization committed to promoting diversity, inclusivity, equality, and belonging in the technology ecosystem, is thrilled to announce that registration for the highly anticipated Grace Hopper Celebration 2023 (GHC 23) will open on July 18. The Celebration, recognized as the world's largest gathering of women and non-binary technologists, will start with GHC 23 Open Source Day (OSD) on September 22, held online for all GHC 23 attendees. GHC 23 will be held in-person in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center and offered virtually from September 26-29, 2023.

"The Way Forward,"the theme for GHC 23acts as a powerful rallying cry for the industry to improve the state of intersectional gender equity in tech and to create a future that is more inclusive and equitable. This message signifies the collective efforts and determination of attendees to drive progress, inspire innovation, and shape the direction of technology while also encapsulating the urgency and importance of driving positive change in the tech sector.

"We envision Grace Hopper Celebration as a platform to pave The Way Forward in the tech industry," said Brenda Darden Wilkerson, President and CEO of AnitaB.org. "This year's theme inspires and empowers attendees to be change-makers, driving progress and innovation towards a more inclusive and equitable future. Together, we have the power to shape the direction of technology and build a community that reflects the diversity of the world we live in."

Grace Hopper Celebration aims to inspire and empower women and non-binary technologists, by advocating for diversity, inclusivity, equality, and belonging in the technology sector. Founded in 1994 to honor the pioneering work of tech luminary Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, GHC has since become a flagship event for AnitaB.org, attracting attendees from around the world who come to learn, network, and celebrate achievements.

Underscoring the significance of fostering inclusivity and driving positive change, Wilkerson added, "We firmly believe that the technology industry should mirror the diversity of the people and societies it serves. Grace Hopper Celebration acts as a catalyst for transformative progress by cultivating a stronger and more inclusive tech community." In light of the AnitaB.org 2022 TechEES report revealing that 92.5% of women technologists reported experiencing discrimination in their workplace, Wilkerson adds, "This Celebration not only offers valuable career prospects but also nurtures a sense of belonging, ignites innovation, and amplifies the achievements of women and non-binary technologists. Let's come together, united in our passion for this industry we love, and push the reach of our collective voices and impact further."

GHC 23 will offer a range of interactive elements and features to connect attendees, foster collaboration, and encourage the exchange of ideas. Through engaging sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities, participants will gain the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to make a positive impact in their workplaces and communities. The Celebration will kick off with GHC 23 Open Source Day, a virtual one-day event that AnitaB.org soon expects to expand aimed at promoting responsible computing and cultivating a diverse open source community.

With more than 30,000 women and non-binary technologists and computer scientists expected to attend, GHC 23 offers a multitude of valuable opportunities, including a dynamic career fair that connects motivated young professionals with a diverse range of sponsor companies, from startups to tech giants. In 2022, the event facilitated 25,106 one-on-one meetings between nearly 8,000 candidates and 343 employers. This year, attendees can expect a comprehensive conference program with Keynote addresses, technical sessions, a robust expo floor, Braindate networking, awards, and more.

Registration for Grace Hopper Celebration 2023 opens on July 18, 2023, and can be found at the official GHC 23 site only, linked here. Participation in GHC 23 Open Source Day is available to those who have registered to attend GHC 23. To stay updated on the latest news, access the agenda, and learn more about the event, please visit ghc.anitab.org.

To arrange press interviews or submit a media inquiry, please contact [email protected].

To request a press pass for GHC, apply for a press pass here. Please note that a media credential request does not guarantee approval.

Additional press information and resources for press can be found here.

Note to Editors

In response to current challenges related to LGBTQIA+ rights in Florida, AnitaB.org has chosen to host the final year of Grace Hopper Celebration in Orlando. Starting in 2024, the event will be relocated, underscoring our dedication to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all participants. Further details can be found in our official statement.

About AnitaB.org

At AnitaB.org, a global nonprofit organization, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. We connect, inspire, and guide women technologists and organizations that view technology innovation as a strategic imperative.

For more than 30 years, this community has grown and changed to become the leading organization for women in technology. Today, AnitaB.org works with women and non-binary technologists in more than 50 countries and partners with leading academic institutions and Fortune 500 companies.

For more information about AnitaB.org and the full roster of programs that our social enterprise offers to help women and non-binary technologists, the organizations that employ them, and the academic institutions that train future generations, visit AnitaB.org or find us on LinkedIn at @anitab-org and Instagram at @anitab_org.

Media Contact:

Julie Franks, [email protected]

SOURCE AnitaB.org
LOS ANGELES, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Appeals attorney and former prosecutor Caitlin Dukes has been promoted to the position of partner at Spolin & Dukes, P.C., formerly Spolin Law P.C.

Caitlin Dukes handles criminal appeals and habeas writs. Ms. Dukes reads from a California Supreme Court case that the firm won. Present (left to right) are researcher Dan DeMaria, attorney Aaron Spolin, attorney Caitlin Dukes, and attorney Jeremy Cutcher. Ms. Dukes meets with a client whose wrongful murder conviction she overturned.

She has a track record of winning difficult cases, including the twenty representative cases and rulings that are listed at the end of this press release. Her wins include overturning multiple murder convictions, winning contested court hearings, vacating lower court decisions, andin one casesecuring the immediate ordered release of an innocent client convicted of murder who had been fighting his case for 15 years.

Ms. Dukes, along with one other attorney, Jeremy Cutcher, won the firm's Legal Service Award in 2022 for displaying exceptional care and consideration and for going above and beyond in their duties. Ms. Dukes was also selected by Super Lawyers for the prestigious 2023 Rising Star award.

"A lawyer's role goes beyond fighting the case," noted attorney Aaron Spolin, another partner at the firm. "Caitlin has shown incredible compassion for our clients, demystifying the process and helping clients' families understand her strategies and the tactical steps that she wants to take on a given case."

Ms. Tran is the wife of a former client; Ms. Dukes overturned Ms. Tran's husband's murder conviction in 2020. "I was so glad to have Caitlin in court," Ms. Tran said. "The prosecutor was trying to say my husband should stay in prison for life because he was some reckless killer, but Caitlin wouldn't stand for any of that. She is a no-nonsense type of person. I owe Caitlin and Aaron a lot for winning the case."

Ms. Dukes responded to the promotion with grace and a clear eagerness to continue her hard work.

"Everyone deserves a fighter. Everyone deserves compassion. When I first talk on the phone with my clients, I hear the sadness in their voices," Ms. Dukes observed. "Many of them feel like a bug that's been stepped on by our monstrous criminal justice system. My job is to lift them up. Some cases we win and some we lose, but I demand that my clients be taken seriously."

Below is a partial list of cases in which Ms. Dukes has helped the firm achieve favorable outcomes, including ones where murder convictions were overturned, resulting in the clients' release. It should be noted that prior success does not guarantee future success.

Win: P.C. 1170.95 Petition, Murder

1/28/2020, People v. R.H. : After a written submission and an oral argument that Ms. Dukes handled, the superior court overturned the murder conviction and ordered that the client be released from custody immediately.

: After a written submission and an oral argument that Ms. Dukes handled, the superior court overturned the murder conviction and ordered that the client be released from custody immediately. Win: P.C. 1170.95 Direct Appeal, Murder

4/22/2020, People v. A.V. : The appellate court remanded the case back to trial court with instructions to conduct further proceedings.

: The appellate court remanded the case back to trial court with instructions to conduct further proceedings. Win: Dismissal of Charges, Murder

2/1/2021, People v. J.W. : The superior court dismissed the client's murder charges and ordered that he be released from custody immediately. The case was directly impacted by Los Angeles DA George Gascon's Special Directives.

: The superior court dismissed the client's murder charges and ordered that he be released from custody immediately. The case was directly impacted by Los Angeles DA George Gascon's Special Directives. Win: P.C. 1170.95 Direct Appeal, Murder

4/13/2021, People v. W.S. : The appellate court reversed the trial court's order denying the petition for resentencing and remanded the case to the trial court to issue an order to show cause.

: The appellate court reversed the trial court's order denying the petition for resentencing and remanded the case to the trial court to issue an order to show cause. Win: Petition for Review, Attempted Murder

12/15/2021, People v. P.B. : The Supreme Court of California granted the petition for review, and the case was transferred back to the Court of Appeal, with instructions to vacate its prior decision.

: The Supreme Court of granted the petition for review, and the case was transferred back to the Court of Appeal, with instructions to vacate its prior decision. Win: Direct Appeal, Major Felony

7/15/2022, People v. E.L. : The appellate court reversed the judgment and remanded the case back to trial court for resentencing on a minor issue.

: The appellate court reversed the judgment and remanded the case back to trial court for resentencing on a minor issue. Win: Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, Carjacking

7/21/2022, People v. M. H. : The client was ultimately released from prison after the filing of several petitions for writ of habeas corpus and a motion regarding the re-calculation of his good time credits.

: The client was ultimately released from prison after the filing of several petitions for writ of habeas corpus and a motion regarding the re-calculation of his good time credits. Win: Direct Appeal, Murder

9/20/2022, People v. N.S. : After Ms. Dukes' successful oral argument, the appellate court reversed the trial court's order, and the case was remanded back to the trial court with directions to issue an order to show cause and hold a hearing.

: After Ms. Dukes' successful oral argument, the appellate court reversed the trial court's order, and the case was remanded back to the trial court with directions to issue an order to show cause and hold a hearing. Win: P.C. 1170.95 Petition, Murder

10/2/2022, People v. A.V. : The superior court granted the petition for resentencing, and the client was released after spending more than three decades in custody for a murder he did not intentionally commit.

: The superior court granted the petition for resentencing, and the client was released after spending more than three decades in custody for a murder he did not intentionally commit. Win: Direct Appeal, Murder

10/17/2022, People v. M.H. : The appellate court reversed the trial court's order, and the case was remanded back to the trial court for a new hearing.

: The appellate court reversed the trial court's order, and the case was remanded back to the trial court for a new hearing. Win: Direct Appeal, Voluntary Manslaughter

12/16/2022, People v. D.K. : The appellate court reversed the trial court's order, and the case was remanded back to the trial court, where the client's voluntary manslaughter conviction was vacated, he was resentenced to felony assault, and he was released from custody. Ms. Dukes was able to convince the prosecutor to agree to the client's release based on the strength of the firm's written submissions.

: The appellate court reversed the trial court's order, and the case was remanded back to the trial court, where the client's voluntary manslaughter conviction was vacated, he was resentenced to felony assault, and he was released from custody. Ms. Dukes was able to convince the prosecutor to agree to the client's release based on the strength of the firm's written submissions. Win: P.C. 1170.95 Direct Appeal, Felony Murder

1/18/2023, People v. D.T. : The appellate court issued an order reversing the order denying the petition for resentencing and remanding the case to the trial court to appoint counsel, issue an order to show cause, and conduct an evidentiary hearing.

: The appellate court issued an order reversing the order denying the petition for resentencing and remanding the case to the trial court to appoint counsel, issue an order to show cause, and conduct an evidentiary hearing. Win: Direct Appeal, Attempted Manslaughter

2/1/2023, People v. J.F. : The appellate court issued an order vacating the gang enhancement allegation under P.C.186.22, and the gang enhancements were remanded to the trial court for retrial, should the People so decide.

: The appellate court issued an order vacating the gang enhancement allegation under P.C.186.22, and the gang enhancements were remanded to the trial court for retrial, should the People so decide. Win: P.C. 1170.95 Petition, Voluntary Manslaughter

2/23/2023, People v. D.T. : The superior court granted the petition for resentencing and a stipulation for release was entered, in which Ms. Dukes appeared on the client's behalf and secured his release. The client was released after in March 2023 , after spending more than 19 years in custody for a murder he did not intentionally commit.

: The superior court granted the petition for resentencing and a stipulation for release was entered, in which Ms. Dukes appeared on the client's behalf and secured his release. The client was released after in , after spending more than 19 years in custody for a murder he did not intentionally commit. Win: Supreme Court Writ, Attempted Murder

3/15/2023, People v. C.J. : The Supreme Court of California issued an order to show cause returnable before the LA County Superior Court, as to why relief should not be granted on the grounds that the client has presented newly discovered evidence.

: The Supreme Court of issued an order to show cause returnable before the LA County Superior Court, as to why relief should not be granted on the grounds that the client has presented newly discovered evidence. Win: P.C. 1170.95 Direct Appeal, Attempted Murder

3/20/2023, People v. I.C. : After briefing and oral argument, which was handled by Ms. Dukes, the appellate court issued an order vacating the client's sentence and remanding the case to the trial court solely for resentencing consistent with the court's opinion under current law, including P.C. 654 as amended by Assembly Bill No. 518.

: After briefing and oral argument, which was handled by Ms. Dukes, the appellate court issued an order vacating the client's sentence and remanding the case to the trial court solely for resentencing consistent with the court's opinion under current law, including P.C. 654 as amended by Assembly Bill No. 518. Win: P.C. 1170.95 Direct Appeal, Attempted Murder

4/7/2023, People v. C.B. : The appellate court issued an opinion reversing the trial court's order that summarily denied the client's petition for resentencing. The case was remanded to the trial court to appoint counsel, issue an order to show cause, and conduct an evidentiary hearing consistent with the provisions of P.C. 1172.6.

: The appellate court issued an opinion reversing the trial court's order that summarily denied the client's petition for resentencing. The case was remanded to the trial court to appoint counsel, issue an order to show cause, and conduct an evidentiary hearing consistent with the provisions of P.C. 1172.6. Win: Direct Appeal, Murder

5/8/2023, People v. D.K. : The appellate court vacated the trial court's sentence, dismissed the gang enhancements pursuant to AB 333, and remanded the case for resentencing.

: The appellate court vacated the trial court's sentence, dismissed the gang enhancements pursuant to AB 333, and remanded the case for resentencing. Win: Franklin Hearing Appeal, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery

Hearing Appeal, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery 5/10/2023, People v. F.B.: The appellate court issued an opinion reversing the superior court's order that denied the request for a Franklin hearing due to the Three Strikes Law.

Caitlin Dukes and the firm's case managers can be reached at (310) 494-2724.

SOURCE Spolin & Dukes P.C.
ST. LOUIS, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arch Resources, Inc. (NYSE: ARCH) will discuss its second quarter 2023 financial results in an investor conference call on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time.

Interested participants may access the conference call by dialing 877-870-4263 approximately five to 10 minutes prior to the start time. For participants calling from an overseas location, please dial +1 412-317-0790. No passcode is needed. The call will also be webcast and will be accessible via the "investor" section of the Arch website at http://investor.archrsc.com. Following the live event, a replay and an audio download will be available on the site.

Arch's second quarter 2023 earnings release will be distributed via PR Newswire before the market opens on July 27 and will be posted to the company's website at that time.

Arch Resources is a premier producer of high-quality metallurgical products for the global steel industry. The company operates large, modern and highly efficient mines that consistently set the industry standard for both mine safety and environmental stewardship.

SOURCE Arch Resources, Inc.
PLACENTIA, Calif., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arlon Graphics, a leading global manufacturer of graphic materials, announces the promotion of three key executives to new positions within the company's leadership. These newly created roles reflect the company's approach to promotions from within, its unwavering dedication to continued rapid growth, expanded market presence worldwide, and its valued customer relationships.

The following individuals have been appointed to these new executive positions effective immediately, reporting to Andrew McNeill (President and CEO):

Arlon Graphics, a leading global manufacturer of graphic materials, announces the promotion of three key executives. Tweet this Arlon Graphics, a leading global manufacturer of graphic materials, announces the promotion of three key executives to new positions within the companys leadership.

1. Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)  Chad Russell: Known as an industry expert with an impressive track record for delivering results, Chad has been instrumental in the company's sustained growth. As CCO, Chad will spearhead the strategic direction of the company's commercial operations, overseeing sales, marketing, product, sustainability, new market opportunities, and ensuring Best Products and Best Service remain at the forefront of the company's mission.

2. Chief Manufacturing Officer (CMO) & SVP Transformation  Morgan Ebin: Having consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep understanding of manufacturing processes, Morgan has played a crucial role in optimizing the company's production capabilities while achieving outstanding quality standards. As CMO, Morgan will be responsible for leading the global manufacturing operations, streamlining processes, implementing innovative technologies and transformative processes, as well as driving operational efficiency across the organization. Morgan also oversees the Finance, Information Technology and Security functions, ensuring strategic transformation in alignment with our company goals and core values.

3. Chief Operating Officer (COO)  Lynne Kemp: With a proven track record of business operational excellence and strategic vision, Lynne has been a driving force behind the company's expansion and scalability. As COO, Lynne will oversee the evolution of global infrastructure, people and legal functions including risk and compliance globally, Arlon China oversight, strategic planning, corporate communications and organizational processes. Lynne's leadership as COO will ensure seamless coordination between various departments, enabling the company to efficiently meet customer demands and capitalize on emerging market trends.

Commenting on these promotions, Arlon Graphics' President and CEO, Andrew McNeill, stated, "These appointments reflect our commitment to empower our top talent to lead the business to deliver the highest level of performance for our shareholders, employees, industry partners and our customers. I have every confidence that Chad, Morgan and Lynne will excel in their new roles and drive our company's continued contribution to the global graphic materials industry."

About Arlon Graphics:



Arlon Graphics, LLC is a graphic materials manufacturing company in the business of creating innovative products for visual expression. Founded in 1958, Arlon Graphics manufactures and markets high-quality pressure-sensitive materials for the fleet, architectural, digital imaging, and signage markets. Through more than 180 distribution partners across the globe, a growing number of strategically positioned sales offices and warehouses, and customer-centric operations, Arlon is recognized as a global leader in graphic materials. Join the Arlon Graphics conversation and follow us at @arlongraphics on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. For more information, visit arlon.com.

For further information on all Arlon products, visit arlon.com

SOURCE Arlon Graphics
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced the acquisition of Carlsbad, California-based Benchmark Commercial Insurance Services. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Benchmark is a retail insurance agency offering commercial and personal risk management and insurance solutions to business owners in San Diego and the surrounding area for the past 25 years. Robert Cohen and his team will remain in their current location under the direction of Scott Firestone, head of Gallagher's Southwest region retail property/casualty brokerage operations.

"Benchmark is a well-regarded, client-focused agency that enhances our growth opportunities in Southern California," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "I am very pleased to welcome Robert and his associates to our growing, global team."

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Gallagher provides these services in approximately 130 countries around the world through its owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Investors: Ray Iardella, VP - Investor Relations Media: Paul Day, Communications Manager 630-285-3661/ [email protected] 630-285-5946/ [email protected]

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Global Financial Services Industry Executive to Oversee Lines of Business and Enterprise Marketing

DRESHER, Pa., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascensus , whose technology and expertise help millions save for a better future, announced that Nick Good, a 25-year financial services industry veteran with tremendous experience leading business growth both in the U.S. and internationally, will become President of the company, effective September 5, 2023.

Good will report to David Musto, who will continue to serve as Chair and CEO of Ascensus.

Nick Good

Good's appointment comes at a time of sustained growth and expansion for Ascensus. As a premier enabler of tax-advantaged saving solutions, the company serves more than 15 million savers and services more than $720 billion in assets under administration. Over the last several years, the company reached a variety of important servicing milestones, including more than 150,000 retirement plans, 6.5 million 529 education savings accounts, 535,000 state-facilitated retirement plan accounts, and 140,000 non-qualified retirement plan accounts.

As president, Good will work directly with the company's line of business presidents and the Digital, Marketing & Analytics center of excellence, focusing on client success, accelerating commercial activities, business development and partnerships, cross-business opportunities, and overall business performance.

He will be based in the company's Newton, Massachusetts office.

"Nick's appointment as president is a strategic investment in our future," said Musto. "He offers a wealth of leadership experience and is well-versed in growing and optimizing businesses amidst the rapidly changing dynamics of our marketplace today. We look forward to bringing his deep insights and perspective to our company, and to the benefit of all we serve at Ascensus."

"Ascensus brings a wealth of insights, technology, and expertise to the market, but equally as important in my mind is the enduring impact of its corporate character and mission as an organization," said Good. "Its Core Values align easily with my own, and I am delighted to be joining such a talented and committed leadership and associate team. I look forward to helping Ascensus continue to deliver exceptional outcomes for partners, clients, advisors, and savers, and achieve even greater success."

As chair and CEO, Musto will devote more of his time to overall leadership of the Ascensus organization, talent and culture, strategic investment and growth, enhanced delivery of enterprise capabilities, and technology and solution innovation. Consistent with this focus, he will continue to directly oversee the company's Service & Operations; Technology; Corporate Development; Finance; Human Resources; and Legal, Risk & Compliance centers of excellence.

Good most recently served as Chief Executive Officer for Pendal Group, a global asset manager publicly listed in Australia, which was sold to Perpetual Limited earlier this year. He assumed that role in 2021 after serving as CEO of its subsidiary J O Hambro U.S. beginning in 2019.

Before joining Pendal, Good was Executive Vice President and Chief Growth and Strategy Officer for State Street Corporation, with responsibility for developing long-term growth and new sources of earnings, including strategy and M&A.

Prior to that role, he served as co-head of State Street Global Advisor's Global Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) business, with primary responsibility for the U.S. and the Americas. Good also championed a number of major initiatives and client wins, most notably the launch of the SPDR Portfolio Series, SSGA's ultra-low-cost ETFs.

Before joining State Street, Good spent eight years with BlackRock/Barclays Global Investors, primarily as CEO of iShares-Asia-Pacific, based in Hong Kong, in which he was responsible for all aspects of iShares ETFs in Asia and Australia.

Good began his career as a consultant with The Kalchas Group in London and New York and later The Boston Consulting Group in San Francisco.

He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in Biochemistry from Oxford University.

About Ascensus

Ascensus is a market-leading enabler of tax-advantaged savingsproviding technology, services, and expertise that help more than 15 million people save for retirement, education, and healthcare.

The company is a premier savings program service provider, third-party administrator, and government savings facilitator. Its platforms, industry knowledge, and data-based insights enhance the growth and success of its partners, their clients, and savers through co-branded, private-labeled, and governmental partnerships.

Ascensus offers comprehensive qualified and non-qualified retirement plan solutions, third-party retirement plan administration, 529 education and ABLE savings program administration, health savings and COBRA administration, corporate- and bank-owned life insurance solutions, and fiduciary and total rewards services.

The company's brands include Ascensus; Newport, an Ascensus company; PAi, an Ascensus company; and FuturePlan by Ascensus. Ascensus has more than $722 billion in assets under administration and employs more than 5,600 associates as of March 31, 2023.

For more information, visit ascensus.com and newportgroup.com.

SOURCE Ascensus
DUBLIN, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "APAC Data Center Market Landscape 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The APAC data center market will witness investments of USD 96.85 billion by 2028.

The APAC data center market has the presence of IT infrastructure vendors such as Arista Networks, Atos, Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, Juniper Networks, and others. Vendors are continuously innovating their offerings to meet up with the industry demand.

Rising 5G Deployments Are Driving the Growth of Edge Data Centers in the APAC Region



5G technology is adopted across the region in China, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and other countries. High-computing power and increased connectivity standards drive the deployment of 5G across data centers in multiple locations. Some examples are mentioned below. For instance, In November 2022, the China government announced the allocation of the country's first private 5G spectrum to the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).



Growing Adoption of Innovative It Infrastructure Will Drive the Demand for Advanced Technologies in the IT Infrastructure Market



Some IT infrastructure trends witnessed in the industry include the adoption of NVMe storage, an increase in the adoption of 200/400 GbE ports, the adoption of ARM-based architecture, server virtualization, and the adoption of converged and hyper-converged infrastructure.

Regional Analysis

The APAC data center market is one of the significantly growing global markets, with a major contribution from countries such as China, Australia, India, and Japan, with other countries such as Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, and New Zealand with growing data center activities.

In Southeast Asia, Singapore witnessed a setback due to the moratorium on data center construction. The moratorium was lifted in 2022, and the industry is expected to get on track in the next 2-3 years.

Market Insights

Servers are available in a variety of types and configurations. Regarding form factors, servers are classified as rack, blade, and tower. The most common servers in the industry include rack and blade servers from vendors such as Cisco Systems, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Dell Technologies, IBM, Lenovo, and NetApp.

There is an increasing opportunity for vendors providing lithium-ion and nickel-zinc batteries used in UPS systems. Operators can also adopt new-age generator sets that run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), natural gas, etc.

APAC data center market is witnessing the adoption of water- and air-based cooling solutions, with water-based cooling solutions witnessing major demand in Southeast Asia due to the tropical climate.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

IT INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDERS

Arista Networks

Atos

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Broadcom

Extreme Networks

Fujitsu

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Hitachi Vantara

Huawei

IBM

Inspur

Intel

Juniper Networks

Lenovo

Micron Technology

NEC

NetApp

Oracle

Pure Storage

Quanta Cloud Technology

QNAP

Quantum

Seagate Technology

Super Micro Computer

Toshiba

Western Digital

Wiwynn

Key Construction Contractors

AECOM

Arup

Aurecon Group

CSF Group

DSCO Group

Gammon Construction

Larsen & Toubro (L&T)

NTT Facilities

PM Group

Studio One Design

Other Prominent Construction Contractors

AWP Architects

BYME Engineering

Chung Hing Engineers Group

Corgan

CTCI

DPR Construction

Faithful+Gould

Fortis Construction

Hutchinson Builders

ISG

Kienta Engineering Construction

Linesight

LSK Engineering

M+W Group

Nakano Corporation

Obayashi Corporation

Powerware Systems (PWS)

Sato Kogyo

Sterling and Wilson

Red Engineering

Rider Levett Bucknall

Turner & Townsend

Prominent Support Infrastructure Vendors

ABB

Caterpillar

Cummins

Eaton

Rittal

Schneider Electric

STULZ

Vertiv

Other Prominent Support Infrastructure Vendors

Airedale

Alfa Laval

Canovate

Cyber Power Systems

Delta Electronics

EAE

Fuji Electric

Green Revolution Cooling (GRC)

HITEC Power Protection

KOHLER Power

Legrand

Mitsubishi Electric

Narada

Piller Power Systems

Rolls-Royce

Shenzhen Envicool Technology

Siemens

Socomec

Trane

Prominent Data Center Investors

AirTrunk

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Digital Realty

Equinix

GDS Services

Keppel Data Centres

NTT Global Data Centers

NEXTDC

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres

Other Prominent Data Center Investors

Bridge Data Centres

Big Data Exchange (BDx)

CDC Data Centres

Chayora

Chindata Group

Colt Data Centre Services

CtrlS Datacenters

Digital Edge DC

Facebook (Meta)

Google

Huawei Technologies

Iron Mountain

LG Uplus

Microsoft

Nxtra by Airtel

OneAsia Network

Open DC

Pi Datacenters

Princeton Digital Group (PDG)

Regal Orion

SpaceDC

SUNeVison Holdings (iAdvantage)

Sify Technologies

Tenglong Holding Group

Viettel IDC

VNET

Yotta Infrastructure Solutions

New Entrants

AdaniConneX

Data Center First

Edge Centres

EdgeConneX

Evolution Data Centres

Hickory

MettaDC

Nautilus Data Technologies

Pure Data Centres Group

Vantage Data Centers

YCO Cloud

YTL Data Center

Yondr

Segmentation by Facility Type

Hyperscale Data Centers

Colocation Data Centers

Enterprise Data Centers

Segmentation by Infrastructure

IT Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

General Construction

Segmentation by IT Infrastructure

Server Infrastructure

Storage Infrastructure

Network Infrastructure

Segmentation by Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Transfer Switches & Switchgear

Power Distribution Units

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Segmentation by Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Racks

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Segmentation by Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Towers, Condensers, and Dry Coolers

Economizers & Evaporative Coolers

Other Cooling Units

Segmentation by Cooling Techniques

Air-based Cooling Technique

Liquid-based Cooling Technique

Segmentation by General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & Commissioning Services

Engineering & Building Design

Physical Security

Fire Detection & Suppression

DCIM

Segmentation by Tier Standard

Tier I & II

Tier III

Tier IV

Segmentation by Geography

APAC

China

Hong Kong

Australia

New Zealand

India

Japan

South Korea

Taiwan

Rest of APAC

Southeast Asia

Singapore

Indonesia

Malaysia

Thailand

Philippines

Vietnam

Other Southeast Asian Countries

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/l7v9qj

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Asia-Pacific (APAC) Food Market Value and Volume Growth Analysis by Region, Sector, Country, Distribution Channel, Brands, Packaging, Case Studies, Innovations and Forecast to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Asia-Pacific was the largest regional market, with value sales of $1,656 billion in 2022. Registering a value CAGR of 5.1% over the forecast period, the Asia-Pacific food industry is set to reach $2,121.7 billion by 2027.

In 2022, the meat sector accounted for the largest share of 35% of overall food value sales, followed by dairy & soy food with 12.8% value share. Bakery & cereals sector is expected to register the fastest value and volume growth over 2022-27 in the Asia-Pacific food industry.

The top five companies in the Asia-Pacific food industry accounted for a combined value share of 5.1% in 2022. The industry was led by Yili Group which held the highest value share of 1.3%, followed by China Agri-Industries Holdings Limited(COFCO) (1.1%), Wilmar International Ltd (1%), China Mengniu Dairy Co., Ltd. (0.9%), and Nestle (0.8%).

Private labels held a 14.6% value share in the Asia-Pacific food industry in 2022. In 2022, hypermarkets & supermarkets was the leading distribution channel in the Asia-Pacific food industry, ahead of food and drinks specialists.



This report brings together multiple data sources to provide a comprehensive overview of the Asia-Pacific food industry, analyzing data from 21 countries in the region. It includes analysis on the following:

Market Environment: Includes sector size, market size, and growth analysis by sectors.



High-Potential Countries' Analysis: Indicates changing share of value consumption of various food products by sectors across high-potential countries in the Americas region. It also provides risk-reward analysis of four countries across the Americas region based on market assessment, economic development, sociodemographic factors, governance indicators, and technological infrastructure.



Country Deep Dive: Provides the overview, demographic analysis, and key trends across high-potential countries.



Success Stories: This section features some of the most compelling food manufacturers, brands, products, and marketing campaigns in the Americas region. It also provides a better understanding of how certain manufacturers achieved success in the sector, and insights.



Competitive Environment: Provides an overview of leading companies in the Asia-Pacific region, besides analyzing the growth of private label penetration in the region.



Health & Wellness Analysis: Provides insights on Health & Wellness products in terms of value and percentage share in the overall food industry between 2016-21.

The analysis includes key health & wellness attributes and consumer benefits driving the sales of the food industry in 2021. It also covers the market share of leading companies offering food products with health & wellness attributes in the same year.



Distribution Analysis: Provides analysis on the leading distribution channels in the Asia-Pacific food industry in 2022.

It covers six distribution channels: hypermarkets & supermarkets, food & drinks specialists, convenience stores, e-retailers; "dollar stores" variety stores & general merchandise retailers, and others. Others includes cash & carries and warehouse clubs, drug stores & pharmacies, vending machines, department stores, and others.



Key Highlights

Manufacturing and retailers seek latest information on how the market is evolving to formulate their sales and marketing strategies. There is also demand for authentic market data with a high level of detail. This report has been created to provide its readers with up-to-date information and analysis to uncover emerging opportunities of growth within the industry in the region

The report provides a detailed analysis of the countries in the region, covering the key challenges, competitive landscape and demographic analysis, that can help companies gain insight into the country specific nuances

The analysts have also placed a significant emphasis on the key trends that drive consumer choice and the future opportunities that can be explored in the region, than can help companies in revenue expansion

To gain competitive intelligence about leading brands in the industry in the region with information about their market share and growth rates

Key Topics Covered:

Part 1: Market Environment

Market Size Analysis - The Asia-Pacific Compared with Other Regions

Value and Volume Growth Analysis by Region

The Asia-Pacific Market Growth Analysis by Country

The Asia-Pacific Market Growth Analysis by Sector

Part 2: High-potential Countries' Analysis

Methodology - Identifying High-potential Countries

Top Four High-potential Countries in the Asia-Pacific

Overview of High-potential Countries in the Asia-Pacific

Growth Contribution Analysis by Country (1/3)

Growth Contribution Analysis by Country (2/3)

Growth Contribution Analysis by Country (3/3)

Value Share Analysis of Food Sectors

Change in Consumption Levels by Country and Sectors

Per Capita Consumption Analysis

Per Capita Expenditure Analysis

Part 3: Country Deep Dive

Japan : Overview of Food Industry

: Overview of Food Industry Japan : Demographic Analysis

: Demographic Analysis Japan : Market Size Analysis of Top 10 Cities

: Market Size Analysis of Top 10 Cities Japan : Market Size Analysis of Top 10 Cities by Sector

: Market Size Analysis of Top 10 Cities by Sector Japan : Key Trends in Food Industry

: Key Trends in Food Industry China : Overview of Food Industry

: Overview of Food Industry China : Demographic Analysis

: Demographic Analysis China : Market Size Analysis of Top Three Cities

: Market Size Analysis of Top Three Cities China : Market Size Analysis of Top Three Cities by Sector

: Market Size Analysis of Top Three Cities by Sector China : Key Trends in Food Industry

: Key Trends in Food Industry Philippines : Overview of Food Industry

: Overview of Food Industry Philippines : Demographic Analysis

: Demographic Analysis Philippines : Market Size Analysis of Top 10 Cities

: Market Size Analysis of Top 10 Cities Philippines : Market Size Analysis of Top 10 Cities by Sector

: Market Size Analysis of Top 10 Cities by Sector Philippines : Key Trends in Food Industry

: Key Trends in Food Industry Thailand : Overview of Food Industry

: Overview of Food Industry Thailand : Demographic Analysis

: Demographic Analysis Thailand : Market Size Analysis of Top City

: Market Size Analysis of Top City Thailand : Market Size Analysis of Top City by Sector

: Market Size Analysis of Top City by Sector Thailand : Key Trends in Food Industry

Part 4: Success Stories

About Success Stories

Case Study: Meiji's ChocoKoka Cacao Ice Cream

Case Study: Ramen Way Fans by The JML GROUP

Case Study: Thai Lotte's Black Koala's March

Part 5: Competitive Environment

Leading Companies' Shares in the Asia-Pacific Food Industry

Brand Share Analysis of Top Five Companies

Leading Companies in the Asia-Pacific Food Industry

Leading Brands in the Asia-Pacific Food Industry

Private Label Penetration in the Asia-Pacific Food Industry

Part 6: Health & Wellness Analysis

Value Share Analysis of Health & Wellness Market

Health & Wellness Market Growth Analysis by Country

Key Product Attributes and Consumer Benefits

Leading Health & Wellness Companies by Sector

Part 7: Distribution Analysis

Leading Distribution Channels by Country

Leading Distribution Channels by Sector

Part 8: Packaging Analysis

Growth Analysis by Key Pack Material and Pack Type

Growth Analysis by Closure Type and Primary Outer Type

Part 9: Challenges and Future Outlook

Key Challenges in the Asia-Pacific Food Industry

Future Outlook of the Asia-Pacific Food Industr

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rz1gnc



Source: GlobalData

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
Public invited to support Stock the Box food drive

GREEN BAY, Wis., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Associated Bank announced today its upcoming Volunteer Day of Service and Stock the Box initiatives, aimed at addressing food security in the communities it serves. These initiatives showcase the company's ongoing commitment to supporting its communities and making a positive impact.

"Community means something really special at Associated Bank  and for our colleagues, that starts with volunteering," said Andy Harmening, president and CEO, Associated Bank. "Our Volunteer Day of Service is focused on food security because it supports a basic need across all our markets and it is a cause that our colleagues are passionate about."

Associated Bank will host its first companywide Volunteer Day of Service on Wednesday, July 26. During this event, colleagues from all branches and office locations will volunteer in activities that directly address food security in their respective communities. Branch hours will be adjusted to continue customer service while also allowing colleagues the opportunity to volunteer.

From July 10 to July 25, all Associated Bank locations will host a Stock the Box food drive. The drive will collect nonperishable food items that will be donated to local nonprofit organizations. Customers and community members are invited to drop off nonperishable, non-glass food items in Stock the Box collection bins located at each branch through July 25.

Associated Bank has long-standing relationships with hunger-focused nonprofits like Greater Chicago Food Depository, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Wafer, Second Harvest and many others.

"Working with these organizations and further inviting our customers to join in supporting the cause provides a unique opportunity for us to work hand-in-hand with our community partners and neighbors in addressing food security needs," said Harmening. "These needs are especially important now when schools are out of session and youth hunger is even more prominent."

Associated Bank has a long history of supporting food security needs through food drives, financial contributions and volunteerism. The July 26 Volunteer Day of Service is the company's first companywide volunteer event. In creating this opportunity, the company hopes to maximize its impact and provide all colleagues with an opportunity to support their communities. Volunteer activities on the Day of Service will vary by market, focusing on packaging, sorting and organizing food to ensure efficient distribution to those in need.

For more information on Day of Service and Stock the Box event, please email [email protected] or visit https://newsroom.associatedbank.com/stories/coming-soon-associated-bank-day-of-service-and-stock-the-box

ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP

Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $41 billion and is the largest bank holding company based in Wisconsin. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from more than 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. The company also operates loan production offices in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.

Contact: Jennifer Kaminski

Vice President | Public Relations Senior Manager

920-491-7576 | [email protected]

SOURCE Associated Banc-Corp
GIANYAR, Indonesia, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Join Bali Safari Park and the Papua Natural Resources Conservation Center on a mission to protect and preserve the majestic pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta). Witness their extraordinary journey from Bali to Papua, guided by Bali Safari Park's unwavering commitment. This inspiring endeavor showcases the importance of cultural heritage, biodiversity preservation, and Bali Safari Park's leadership in conservation.

Join Bali Safari Park on an inspiring conservation journey to protect and preserve the majestic pig-nosed turtle. Discover their extraordinary relocation efforts and be part of preserving biodiversity. Visit www.balisafarimarinepark.com to learn more and make a difference in wildlife conservation.

Witness the Odyssey of the Pig-nosed Turtle: In 2015, Bali Safari Park became home to 2,341 pig-nosed turtles rescued by the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency. These tiny, injured turtles found refuge in Bali Safari Park, where a dedicated team nurtured them. Overcoming challenges, the turtles grew to an average size of 18-30 cm. By 2022, their population stood at around 900 individuals.

Championing Conservation and Relocation: In May 2023, Bali Safari Park, supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Agency and PT Freeport Indonesia, relocated 500 pig-nosed turtles from Bali to Papua. This milestone marked a significant achievement in preserving this endangered species, highlighting Bali Safari Park's commitment to conservation.

A Noble Quest for Preservation: Releasing the turtles into their natural habitat allows them to thrive and maintain the ecological balance. Classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the pig-nosed turtles play a vital role in preserving biodiversity. These turtles hold deep cultural symbolism, representing Indonesia's rich heritage.

A Triumph of Hope: The successful relocation of 500 pig-nosed turtles from Bali to Papua is a testament to Bali Safari Park's dedication. Drh. Kadek Kesuma, the Curator of Bali Safari Park, expressed hope for the turtles' breeding success in their natural habitat. Through collaboration with the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Center, PT Freeport Indonesia, and government support, Bali Safari Park provides a new chance for these majestic creatures to flourish.

Unleash the Explorer Within: Discover Bali Safari Park's inspiring conservation initiatives and embark on a journey of support. Visit www.balisafarimarinepark.com to learn how you can be a part of preserving our natural treasures and making a difference in wildlife conservation."

SOURCE Bali Safari Park
MEDELLIN, Colombia, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Bancolombia S.A. (the "Issuer") announced that it has commenced an offer to purchase (the "Offer") for cash up to U.S.$370,000,000 (the "Maximum Tender Amount") of its outstanding 3.000% Senior Notes due 2025 (the "Notes") upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in an Offer to Purchase dated the date hereof (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase").

The table below summarizes certain payment terms of the Offer:

Description of Notes CUSIP/

ISIN Nos. Outstanding

Principal

Amount Tender Offer

Consideration

(1)(2) Early

Tender

Payment (1) Total

Consideration

(1)(2) 3.000% Senior Notes

due 2025 05968LAM4 / US05968LAM46 U.S.$950,000,000 U.S.$933.00 U.S.$30.00 U.S.$963.00













(1) Per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of Notes. (2) Excludes accrued interest, which will be paid in addition to the Tender Offer Consideration or the Total Consideration, as applicable.

The Offer will expire at 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on August 9, 2023, unless the Offer is extended or earlier terminated by the Issuer in its sole discretion (this date and time, including as extended or earlier terminated, the "Expiration Date"). The early tender deadline for the Offer will be 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 25, 2023, or a later time if extended by the Issuer in its sole discretion (this date and time, including as extended or earlier terminated by the Issuer, the "Early Tender Date"). Holders of the Notes must validly tender their Notes at or before the Early Tender Date to be eligible to receive the Total Consideration set forth above. Notes tendered may be withdrawn prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on July 25, 2023, unless extended or earlier terminated by the Issuer in its sole discretion, but not thereafter, except as required by applicable law (the date and time, including as extended or earlier terminated, the "Withdrawal Deadline").

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer being satisfied or waived and to the Issuer's right to amend, extend, terminate or withdraw the Offer, payment for all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Early Tender Date and accepted by the Issuer is expected to be made, at the Issuer's election, on August 1, 2023, the fifth business day following the Early Tender Date or as promptly as practicable thereafter (the "Early Settlement Date") or on August 14, 2023, the third business day following the Expiration Date or as promptly as practicable thereafter (the "Final Settlement Date"). Payment for all Notes validly tendered after the Early Tender Date and accepted by the Issuer is expected to be made on the Final Settlement Date. However, the Early Settlement Date or the Final Settlement Date may change without notice.

Holders of Notes who validly tender and do not validly withdraw their Notes on or before the Early Tender Date and whose Notes are accepted for purchase by the Issuer will receive the Total Consideration set forth above, which includes the Early Tender Payment set forth above. Holders of Notes who validly tender their Notes after the Early Tender Date and on or before the Expiration Date and whose Notes are accepted for purchase by the Issuer will receive the Tender Offer Consideration set forth above. In addition, holders whose Notes are purchased in the Offer will receive accrued and unpaid interest in respect of their purchased Notes from the last interest payment date to, but not including, the applicable Settlement Date.

Acceptance for tenders of any Notes may be subject to proration if the aggregate principal amount of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn would cause the Maximum Tender Amount to be exceeded. If the principal amount of the Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date exceeds the Maximum Tender Amount, the Issuer will not accept for purchase any Notes tendered after the Early Tender Date.

Conditions to the Issuer's obligation to accept for purchase and to pay for the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn are described in the Offer to Purchase. The Issuer may amend, extend, terminate or withdraw the Offer.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is the dealer manager for the Offer. Global Bondholder Services Corporation has been appointed as the information and tender agent for the Offer.

Persons with questions regarding the Offer should contact J.P. Morgan Securities LLC at (866) 846-2874 (toll-free) or (212) 834-7279 (collect). In addition, holders of Notes may contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.

The Offer to Purchase will be distributed to holders of Notes promptly. Holders who would like copies of the Offer to Purchase may call the information and tender agent, Global Bondholder Services Corporation at (212) 430-3774 or (855) 654-2015 (toll free) or by e-mail at [email protected].

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation, an offer to purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell with respect to any securities. The Offer is being made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase that is being distributed to the holders of Notes. The Offer is not being made to, nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer or the acceptance thereof would not comply with the laws of that jurisdiction. Further, this press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release and the Offer to Purchase contains statements which may constitute "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but instead represent only our belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside our control. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "approximate," "expect," "may," "intend," "plan," "predict," "target," "forecast," "guideline," "should," "project" and similar words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. It is possible that our actual results may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results indicated in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements after the date on which they are made in light of new information, future events and other factors.

About the Issuer

Bancolombia S.A. is a full-service financial institution that offers a wide range of banking products and services to a diversified individual and corporate customer base of nearly 29 million customers.

SOURCE Bancolombia S.A.
Since launching five years ago, Erica has helped over 37 million Bank of America clients manage their finances

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Erica, the most advanced and first widely available virtual financial assistant, has surpassed 1.5 billion interactions with Bank of America clients. Since launching in June 2018, more than 37 million clients have engaged Erica to help manage their financial needs.

"Erica's controlled AI has become a primary gateway to personalization, and it continues to evolve with our clients' financial needs," said David Tyrie, Chief Digital Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at Bank of America. "It took four years to reach the first billion interactions, but client engagement with Erica is accelerating, and it will easily exceed 2 billion within a few months. Our clients appreciate how simple and intuitive Erica is, and they trust it's only using proprietary, vetted data."

So far in 2023, clients have engaged with Erica more than 333 million times, up 35% year-over-year. Last year, clients spent more than 3 million hours interacting with Erica, up 31% year-over-year.

Since launching five years ago, the award-winning virtual assistant has evolved to help clients with a variety of everyday guided servicing requests including accessing account information, transferring money between accounts, sending money to friends and family, and finding a nearby financial center or ATM. Erica has also developed intelligent call routing capabilities to seamlessly connect clients to specialists for more complex financial needs.

Clients are currently engaging with Erica 56 million times per month. Personalized and proactive insights now account for more than 60% of engagement, with clients most often using Erica to:

Monitor and manage their subscriptions, such as food services and gym memberships  3.6 million times per month

Understand spending habits  2.1 million times per month

Stay informed of merchant refunds  863,000 times per month

Stay on top of upcoming bills  332,000 times per month

Check their FICO score  267,000 times per month

More information on how Bank of America clients are engaging with digital banking is available in the bank's quarterly Trends in Digital fact sheet.

Download the Bank of America app or visit bankofamerica.com .

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 68 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,900 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs and award-winning digital banking with approximately 56 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.

Reporters May Contact:

Andy Aldridge

Phone: 1.980.387.0514

[email protected]

SOURCE Bank of America Corporation
ARLINGTON, Va., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bio-Process Systems Alliance (BPSA) announces the release of its latest guide, "X-Ray Sterilization of Single-Use Bioprocessing Equipment, Part 2: Representative Qualification Data", which serves to follow up on BPSA's 2021 white paper, "X-Ray Sterilization of Single-Use Bioprocess Equipment, Part 1: Industry Need, Requirements & Risk Evaluation."

Supply challenges and availability of gamma irradiation for sterilization have continued to increase, leading many single-use component and system suppliers to implement X-ray irradiation as an alternative to gamma irradiation. To support the risk assessments needed for such implementation, BPSA has generated supporting data evaluating the performance levels of X-ray sterilization and gamma-ray sterilization on certain single-use materials.

"There is a lot of concern about whether gamma contract irradiation capacity will be sufficient to meet the increasing demand from the bioprocessing industry," said James Hathcock of Cytiva, Co-Chair of the BPSA X-ray Committee. "This research and accompanying white paper is a critical initiative for BPSA and the entire single-use industry."

The resulting data in the new BPSA guide demonstrates the equivalent impact of X-ray irradiation of single-use materials as gamma. It also includes examples of data comparing X-ray and gamma irradiated components, generated by multiple component manufacturers for different types of single-use components and materials. "We are very pleased the examples verify the science-based understanding that X-ray and gamma impacts on single-use systems are equivalent," said Samuel Dorey of Sartorius, BPSA X-ray Committee Co-Chair.

"I want to thank the BPSA X-ray Committee and its Co-Chairs, James Hathcock of Cytiva and Samuel Dorey of Sartorius, for their leadership of this initiative," said BPSA Chair Mark Petrich, PhD, Krystal Biotech. "The results presented in this white paper are very good news, not only for single-use suppliers, but for customers and patients around the world who rely on our products. Advancing X-ray as a mode of sterilization is critical, for BPSA members and the broader bioprocessing industry."

The 63-page guide results from a multi-year project, produced by BPSA members, industry stakeholders and subject-matter experts. The project team met with FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation & Research Emerging Technologies Team, the European Medicines Agency Quality Innovation Group, and the Japan Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency to advance the adoption of X-ray technology for sterilization.

Please contact BPSA Executive Director, Chris Clark, at [email protected], and/or visit the BPSA website to download a copy of the white paper.

About BPSA

The Bio-Process Systems Alliance (BPSA), an affiliate of SOCMA, was formed in 2005 as an industry-led international industry association dedicated to encouraging and accelerating the adoption of single-use manufacturing technologies used in the production of biopharmaceuticals and vaccines. www.bpsalliance.org .

SOURCE Bio-Process Systems Alliance (BPSA)
VANCOUVER, BC and TORONTO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - BZAM Ltd. (the "Company" or "BZAM") (CSE: BZAM) (US-OTC:BZAMF), a leading Canadian cannabis producer, is pleased to announce that the Company has agreed to purchased an aggregate of 630,000 class A shares (the "Purchased Shares") in the capital of BZAM Cannabis Corp. ("BCC"), from certain minority shareholders of BCC (the "BCC Shareholders") pursuant to share purchase agreements entered into with each of the BCC Shareholders (the "Share Purchase"). As consideration for the Share Purchase, the Company will issue an aggregate of 255,000 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") to the BCC Shareholders, at an average deemed issuance price of $0.225 per Common Share. Such Common Shares will be issued in reliance on certain prospectus exemptions available under securities legislation and will be subject to a four-month plus one day statutory hold period. The issuance of such Common Shares for the purpose of the Share Purchase remains subject to all necessary regulatory approvals including final acceptance by the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). Once approved, the closing of the Share Purchase will result in the Company owning 71.2% of BCC, which is a 13.6% increase of the Company's existing ownership stake of BCC.

About BZAM Ltd.

BZAM Ltd. (CSE: BZAM) (USOTC: BZAMF) is a leading Canadian cannabis producer with a focus on branded consumer goods, innovation, quality, consistency, integrity and transparency. The BZAM family includes core brands BZAM, TGOD, ness, Highly Dutch Organic, TABLE TOP, and partner brands Dunn Cannabis, FRESH and Wyld. BZAM operates facilities in BC, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, as well as retail stores in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Regina, Saskatchewan.

BZAM's Shares and certain warrants issued under the indentures dated June 12, 2020, October 23, 2020 and December 10, 2020 currently trade on the CSE under the symbol "BZAM", "BZAM.WR", "BZAM.WA", and "BZAM.WB" respectively. BZAM's Shares trade in the U.S. on the OTCQX under the symbol "BZAMF". For more information on BZAM Ltd., please visit www.bzam.com .

Cautionary Statements

This news release includes statements containing certain "forwardlooking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law ("forwardlooking statements"). Forward looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements about the closing of the Share Purchase and receipt of regulatory approvals for the Share Purchase. Forwardlooking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "should", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forwardlooking statements throughout this news release, such as assumptions that the Company's financial trajectory will continue, the Company not having any issues with regulators, cultivation patterns at the Company's facilities continuing and there not being significant disruptions in cultivation such as disease or shortages in resources, the Company being insulated from supply chain issues and inflation affecting the global economy, the Company being able to access the capital markets and existing lenders for necessary funding, when necessary, demand for the Company's products continuing as expected and based on past trends. Forwardlooking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties (including market conditions) and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forwardlooking statements, including those risk factors described in Management's Discussion and Analysis and the Company's most recent Annual Information Form filed with Canadian securities regulators and available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

Neither the CSE nor the CSE's Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of CSE) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE BZAM LTD.
Credit Union Branches Accepting Donations of School Supplies for local students

GLENDALE, Calif., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- California Credit Union has launched a school supplies drive to help local students start the school year ready to learn in partnership with NBC4 and Telemundo 52's Supporting Our Schools back-to-school donation drive.

Through July 31st , California Credit Union invites community members to make a difference in a student's life by dropping off new school supplies at any branch location in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. A complete list of California Credit Union locations is available here. All supplies will be distributed to students at a special community event at the Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA on August 5th.

"We're asking our community to join with us in helping every student start the school year ready to learn and thrive. Many families in our community are challenged to provide essential school supplies, and together we can make a difference in a child's life and academic success," said California Credit Union CEO Steve O'Connell. "All supplies brought to our branches will be given to local students so they can begin the school year with the tools they need to succeed."

School supplies needed include:

Backpacks Notebooks Pens, pencils, markers, and crayons Binders/folders Paper/graph paper Rulers, erasers, glue sticks, etc.

Monetary donations are also accepted to purchase school supplies for students in need here. Additional information about the school supply drive can be found here.

NBC4 / KNBC and Telemundo 52 / KVEA's Supporting Our Schools or Apoyando a Nuestras Escuelas back-to-school donation drive helps students and teachers get the supplies they need to succeed in the new academic school year. Between July 10 and July 31, viewers and the general public are invited to join the stations by making a donation to fund a local classroom project via the education nonprofit DonorsChoose. All funds raised via DonorsChoose will go directly towards the resources that students and classrooms need in Southern California. To learn more about Supporting Our Schools and make a donation, visit NBCLA.com/SupportingOurSchools or Telemundo52.com/ApoyandoANuestrasEscuelas

About California Credit Union

California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 with assets over $4.5 billion, more than 170,000 members, and 24 retail branches. The credit union serves community members and businesses in the California counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura as well as school employees throughout the state. The credit union operates in San Diego and Riverside Counties as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. The credit union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. Visit ccu.com for more information or follow the credit union on Instagram or Facebook @CaliforniaCreditUnion.

SOURCE California Credit Union
LOS ANGELES, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The total number of oil drilling permits issued blew past 15,000 since Governor Newsom took office in 2019, while nearly all permits issued in the first six months of 2023 were to fix unproductive wells, not to drill new ones, Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker Alliance said today. The groups said that the repair, deepening or redrilling of existing wells that produce up to 15 barrels a daycalled "stripper" wells makes no difference to the state's overall oil production, so the state should order their plugging instead.

In the second quarter, 92% of the wells that got rework permits produced less than 15 barrels daily, according to CalGEM data analyzed by FracTracker Alliance. Nearly one third of all rework permits granted were for wells within six tenths of a mile (3,200 feet) of communitiesthe distance that the state set in oil industry-blocked legislation as a public health protection zone.

"The latest permit numbers show approvals to drill new wells have cratered, while permit approvals to rework old leaky wells continue to rise," said Consumer Advocate Liza Tucker. "The state is simply helping the oil industry cut costs by issuing permits to tinker with unproductive wells rather than making them plug and remediate those wells that endanger the public and environment by emitting toxic compounds. The state should issue no more oil permits. Instead, oil companies should have to plug these wells."

When drilling operators neglect their obligations to plug or even maintain well sites, leaks can develop very quickly, according to Kyle Ferrar, Western program coordinator for FracTracker Alliance. "In Bakersfield and Arvin, dozens of leaking wells have been discovered in the last year. Many of these wells would not be leaking if they had been plugged rather than sold to a stripper well company and reworked. Regulators let operators avoid paying to plug and remediate well sites, even though they produce barely any oil. The rework permits helped larger oil companies like Chevron unload these bad assets on smaller companies destined for bankruptcy."

Approvals for well rework permits began rising last September when Governor Newsom signed SB 1137. That law would have created California's first public safety zone of 3,200 feet between drilling operations and vulnerable communities. But an oil-industry funded referendum to overturn the law on the 2024 ballot suspended its enactment this January. One of the six new drilling permits was issued within the 3,200' public health protection zone, while all six were within one mile of a home, a distance associated with negative health impacts. Of the total 754 rework, sidetrack, and deepening permits issued, 32% were within the 3,200' public health protection zone.

Permits to drill new wells of all kindsfrom regular oil and gas production wells to wells using more dangerous extraction techniquesfell in the second quarter by a combined 93% over the same quarter last year, according to data from the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) crunched by FracTracker Alliance. (See Table 1 below). During the second quarter of 2023, CalGEM approved 6 new drilling permits in California. Those permits included five steamflood wells by E&B Natural Resources Management Corporation in Kern County. While only six permits to drill new wells were issued in the second quarter, 754 permits to rework wells were granted, an increase of 25% over the same quarter of the previous year.

Table 1. Summary of CalGEM well permitting during the second quarter of 2023. Counts are compared to the second quarter of 2022.



Permits by Well Types Permit Count Totals Oil and Gas Production EOR & Support O&G and EOR Totals Plugging Year New Drilling Rework/

Workover New Drilling Rework/

Workover New Drilling Rework/

Workover Total Abandon 2022  Q2 42 269 43 333 85 602 687 2,035 2023  Q2 1 339 5 415 6 754 760 1,509 Percent

Change: Down 98% Up 26% Down 88% Up 25% Down 93% Up 25% Up 11% Down 57% *Permits for Sidetracks and to Deepen wells are included in the Rework counts

Data courtesy of CalGEM crunched by FracTracker Alliance

California currently has about 102,000 total unplugged oil and gas wells. Out of those, 40% percent are idle, meaning not worth it to the oil industry to operate to produce oil. Nearly half of the state's idle wells have stood idle for more than 15 years, according to the think tank CarbonTracker. Oil producers are allowed to idle wells indefinitely for a small fee paid to the state, instead of plugging them. But these wells can leak toxic and greenhouse gasses. The top 20 oil companies that received the highest counts of rework permits this year operate over 75% of the currently idle wells in California, according to CalGEM data provided to FracTracker. (See Table 2).

Table 2. Idle well counts for California oil and gas operators that received the most rework permits in the second quarter of 2023.

Rank Operator 2nd Q Rework Permit

Count Idle Well Count 1 Aera Energy LLC 285 8,989 2 Bridgeland Resources, LLC 255 347 3 Berry Petroleum Company, LLC 142 2,478 4 Sentinel Peak Resources California LLC 115 2,070 5 California Resources Production Corporation 111 3,408 6 Chevron U.S.A. Inc. 103 9,081 7 California Resources Elk Hills, LLC 55 2,821 8 Crimson Resource Management Corp. 45 474 9 Macpherson Oil Company 41 138 10 Holmes Western Oil Corporation 33 261 11 Carbon California Operating Company, LLC 30 122 12 *Pacific Gas and Electric Company 18 13 13 CalNRG Operating, LLC 16 994 14 *Southern California Gas Company 16 72 15 Bridge Energy LLC 11 174 16 Signal Hill Petroleum, Inc. 11 245 17 Kern River Holdings II, LLC 10 26 18 Shadow Wolf Energy, LLC 9 168 19 Cat Canyon Resources LLC 8 291 20 *Lodi Gas Storage, L.L.C. 8 0

*Three companies on this list run natural gas storage wells, thus they are well operators but not producers of oil and natural gas.

According to CalGEM, 92% of the wells that got rework permits in the second quarter produced less than 15 barrels daily. The state has no rules about how long oil producers can keep running such "stripper" wells that produce hardly any oil. "California oil and gas operators need to be paying to properly plug and remediate stripper and idle wells rather than conducting reworks," said Ferrar. "Additionally, 34% of the wells that received rework permits in the second quarter are idle, producing no oil at all. These wells should be plugged instead of reworked, as the data shows rework operations do not substantially increase production volumes for the state."

Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker Alliance are urging the Governor, lawmakers, and oil regulators to order plugging of both stripper and idle wells. But first, the amount of well bonding to ensure plugging and remediation as a condition of operating must be significantly boosted.

"Bonding amounts oil producers must put up to work on wells are woefully low, and need to be drastically increased to cover the entire projected costs of future well plugging and site reclamation," said Ferrar. "When wells are sold, the state should require buyers to put up full bonding as a condition of the well ownership transfers."

According to the think tank CarbonTracker, California producers are responsible for at least $13.2 billion in onshore decommissioning costs. In its base analysis, CarbonTracker had to exclude a large amount of infrastructure lacking cost data. The think tank compared figures to public estimates and extrapolated to a total of more than $21 billion for decommissioning costs. "Oil producers shutting down and leaving the state, or selling off wells to small operators, would love the public to be left holding the bag. The state shouldn't allow that," said Tucker.

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog
Southeast Asian nation now has the most advanced maternity rights in the region

WASHINGTON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mothers bearing one child will now receive up to US$480 in cash payments in a scheme being introduced by the Royal Government of Cambodia to help families cover the costs associated with raising a child, such as food and clothing.

From August, pregnant women working in either the public or private sector will be paid US$200 cash on the birth of their child. Those bearing twins and triplets will receive US$300 and US$400 respectively, with Prime Minister Hun Sen and his wife personally providing an additional payment of US$1,250 to mothers of triplets.

Southeast Asian nation now has the most advanced maternity rights in the region Tweet this

In addition, to promote early and regular check-ups, pregnant women will receive US$20 cash for each visit they make to any health center contracted to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), up to a total of US$280. This includes up to four prenatal visits to monitor maternal health, assess the baby's development, and provide guidance and education; three postnatal visits to monitor the mother's and baby's health and provide breastfeeding support; and seven visits until the child turns two years old to check the infant's development and to administer vaccinations.

These incentives continue the significant progress that Cambodia has made in recent years on improving the health of pregnant women and newborns.

Cambodia now has the most advanced maternity rights of any nation in Southeast Asia, with protections enshrined into law to ensure the well-being of mother and child, and promote gender equality in the workplace.

Pregnant workers are protected by law from being penalized for leaving work early in order to have a safe commute home or to attend health center check-ups.

Female employees are entitled to 90 days of maternity leave. During this period, they receive 120% of their monthly wage (with 70% covered by the NSSF and 50% by the employer), as well as other benefits provided under their contract. The employer must keep the job open, and cannot terminate the contract on the grounds of pregnancy or maternity.

Cambodia has expanded antenatal care and provided more skilled medical practitioners at childbirth to ensure safe delivery practices.

has expanded antenatal care and provided more skilled medical practitioners at childbirth to ensure safe delivery practices. The Government has strengthened health facilities across the country, particularly in rural areas, and improved infrastructure, provided essential medical equipment and supplies, and increased the number of midwives.

Awareness has been significantly increased among pregnant women and new mothers about the importance of proper healthcare practices, including breastfeeding, nutrition, and hygiene to ensure the well-being of both mothers and newborns. Mothers in rural areas are supported by community health workers who provide essential care, information, and referrals.

Improved access to family planning services enables women to plan their pregnancies and ensure proper spacing between births. This reduces the risks associated with closely spaced pregnancies and promotes healthy birth outcomes.

The Royal Government of Cambodia continues to collaborate with international organizations such as UNICEF, WHO and NGOs, leveraging their expertise, resources, and knowledge to strengthen maternal and newborn health care services in the country.

SOURCE The Royal Embassy of Cambodia to the United States
SAN FRANCISCO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Canadian Solar's installation training course has recently been certified by NABCEP, marking another milestone in helping installers to upgrade their skills.

This course covers the knowledge and techniques required to install the EP Cube residential energy storage system and is now available on the NABCEP website. After completion, participants will receive two NABCEP credits and become an EP Cube certified installer.

Canadian Solar offers EP Cube certified installers many benefits to support their business. Canadian Solar makes it easy to sell and install the EP Cube providing support from training, to system design, to marketing.

Designed with installers in mind, EP Cube's all-in-one design with an integrated hybrid inverter with batteries, ensures a seamless installation process. Lightweight, compact components are easy to transport  no special equipment needed. The EP Cube app makes commissioning fast and easy. EP Cube's flexible design provides installers greater flexibility in installation location. Stacking plug-and-play battery modules saves time  no wiring is needed allowing one or two team members to complete the installation in less than 30 minutes.

Andy Yin, General Manager of Eternalplanet, a consumer-oriented independent brand of energy technology under Canadian Solar, said, "EP Cube's industry-friendly design makes its installation easy, quick, and safe" at Intersolar Europe in June.

NABCEP is one of the most authoritative and internationally recognized certifications in the PV industry. It is a formal recognition of one's mastery of specific knowledge systems to ensure the quality of products and services. Therefore, this certification can help improve the techniques and capabilities of installers, enhance their reputation and credibility, and channel more confidence to consumers. Securing NABCEP certification can be a valuable investment for the career of installers.

EP Cube has been unveiled worldwide, including US, UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Japan. Featuring safety, intelligence, energy efficiency, and aesthetics, EP Cube will continuously lead the evolution in the residential energy storage market and help create a more sustainable and eco-friendly future. To find more information about the EP Cube installation course, please visit https://university.epcube.com.

About Eternalplanet

Eternalplanet is a consumer-oriented independent brand of energy technology under Canadian Solar, with independent design, R&D, manufacturing and global service capabilities. Eternalplanet always adheres to scientific and technological innovation and is committed to providing energy solutions for people and promoting the sustainable development of the world. In September 2022, Eternalplanet launched the first self-designed-and-developed residential energy storage system in the United States - EP Cube. EP Cube adopts industry-leading technologies to provide all-around power backup for every household, with higher safety performance and more flexible capacity expansion. More information on the company can be found at https://epcube.com.

About Canadian Solar Inc.

Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 in Canada and is one of the world's largest solar technology and renewable energy companies. It is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules, provider of solar energy and battery storage solutions, and developer of utility-scale solar power and battery storage projects with a geographically diversified pipeline in various stages of development. Over the past 22 years, Canadian Solar has successfully delivered around 94 GW of premium-quality, solar photovoltaic modules to customers across the world. Likewise, since entering the project development business in 2010, Canadian Solar has developed, built and connected over 8.8 GWp in over 20 countries across the world. Currently, the Company has approximately 609 MWp of projects in operation, 6.9 GWp of projects under construction or in backlog (late-stage), and an additional 17.7 GWp of projects in advanced and early-stage pipeline. Canadian Solar is one of the most bankable companies in the solar and renewable energy industry, having been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2006. For additional information about the Company, follow Canadian Solar on LinkedIn or visit https://www.canadiansolar.com.

SOURCE Eternalplanet
Devin Bevis will use his experience as a home care director and marketing professional to elevate the non-medical home care company's brand and marketing outreach

SAN ANTONIO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Caring Senior Service, a private-duty, non-medical senior home care services company, announced today that it has hired Devin Bevis as its new marketing director. He will be tasked with boosting the company's brand and directing a more aggressive outreach to serve more families and potential clients.

Devin Bevis will use his experience as a home care director and marketing professional to elevate Caring Senior Service's brand.

"It's a pleasure to be returning to the home care industry," Bevis said. "I love working at the intersection of home care and franchising. One of the best things about marketing for a growing organization is the opportunity to collaborate with driven entrepreneurs to build meaningful relationships that contribute to the development of an even stronger franchise brand."

Bevis spent the last two years as the marketing director for a leading residential remodeling franchise brand but previously served as the executive director of franchising services for FirstLight Home Care building a strong marketing presence from the ground up for its first 12 years. He and his father, Jeff Bevis, created the FirstLight Home Care brand from the ground up in 2010 and grew that company into an Inc. 5000 company in its first year of eligibility in 2013. The company stayed on the Inc. 5000 list for a total of seven consecutive years under their leadership.

Devin Bevis left the home care brand in May 2021 to return to his marketing roots. Prior to starting the FirstLight brand with his father, Bevis had served as a marketing expert specializing in several different industries.

"I'm grateful to be contributing to a highly talented team that is dedicated to growing the Caring Senior Service brand the right way by focusing on the well-being of team members, caregivers, clients, and franchisees," he said. "I am really excited about the opportunity to cultivate our brand as an innovative and dedicated home care services company that is deeply committed to the independence and quality of life of our clients. That focus extends beyond traditional care by harnessing cutting-edge technology to enhance and optimize the care we provide. By blending our compassionate approach with state-of-the-art solutions, we aim to redefine the standards of excellence in the industry and positively transform the lives of those we serve."

Caring Senior Service CEO and founder Jeff Salter said Bevis' vast experience in both the home care service industry and in entrepreneurial environments is the perfect complement to Caring Senior Service's growth objectives.

"Devin is a fantastic addition to our leadership team," Salter said. "We look forward to having Devin's talents in both marketing and in the home care industry on hand to help us continue building our brand as a compassionate advocate for at-home care. His experience will help us develop our brand outreach program as we continue to promote our high level of client care."

Bevis will lead the marketing division from Caring Senior Service's national headquarters in San Antonio, Texas.

About Caring Senior Service

Caring Senior Service is a non-medical home care services company based in San Antonio, Texas. Founded by CEO Jeff Salter in 1991, the company provides assistance to seniors, the disabled population and any adult who may need help with the tasks of everyday living such as bathing, personal care, running errands and preparing food. After adding locations throughout Texas in the 1990s, the company extended its reach through franchising in 2002. It now boasts more than 50 locations throughout the U.S. Its non-profit "Close the Gap in Senior Care" began in 2021 to raise awareness of the overlooked and underserved aspects of senior care. This program was launched when Salter rode an electric bike more than 9,000 miles to each Caring Senior Service location nationwide to raise awareness of home modifications needed to avoid fall risks among the senior population. For more information on Caring Senior Service, please visit their website at https://www.caringseniorservice.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

[email protected]com

SOURCE Caring Senior Service
NETANYA, Israel, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellcom Israel Ltd. (TASE: CEL) (the "Company(" announces that the Meeting will convene on Monday, August 21, 2023, at 15:00 p.m. (Israel time), at the offices of the Company, 10 Ha'gavish Street, Netanya, Israel. An adjourned Meeting, if required, will be held on Monday, August 28, 2023, at the same time and at the same place. The record date for the Meeting is Thursday, July 20, 2023.

The Agenda of the Meeting

Approve the Compensation Policy. Approve granting indemnification and exemption letters to office holders.

Voting Instructions

The summon statement and the voting card published by the Company on July 13, 2023 regarding the convening of the Meeting (the "Meeting's Documents") may be viewed on the Magna distribution website at: www.magna.isa.gov.il and on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange Ltd. website at: www.maya.tase.co.il.

Section 4.11 of the summon statement contains voting instructions for shareholders whose shares are not held via a member of the TASE Clearinghouse (for trading on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange) but instead via a member of the Depositary Trust Company (DTC) or Shareholders who are registered directly with the Company's U.S. transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

An Unregistered Shareholder is entitled to vote through the Electronic Voting System. Voting through an Electronic voting card shall be possible until six (6) hours before the assembly time of the General Meeting. In addition, an Unregistered Shareholder shall be entitled to deliver the certificate of ownership through the Electronic Voting System

A shareholder is also entitled to vote at the General Meeting through a voting card. Voting in writing shall be made by way of the second part of the voting card, which is attached to the Report.

The voting card and documents that must be attached thereto as set forth in the voting card, must be delivered to the Company's offices (including by registered mail) including the certificate of ownership (and with respect to a registered shareholder - including a photocopy of an identity card, passport, or certificate of incorporation, as applicable) until four (4) hours before the assembly time of the General Meeting. For this purpose, "time of delivery" is the time on which the voting card and the documents attached thereto arrived at the Company's offices.

Company Contact Gadi Attias

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

Tel: +972-52-998-4774 Investor Relations Contact Elad Levy

Investor Relations Manager

[email protected]

Tel: +972-52-998-4774

SOURCE Cellcom Israel Ltd.
Viral Skincare Brand Opens Doors to Immersive Play-Inspired Experience and Launches Contest to be Featured on a Times Square Billboard

NEW YORK, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CeraVe, the #1 dermatologist-recommended skincare brand in the United States1, is showing just how fun science-backed skincare can be with its first-ever immersive consumer experience, the CeraVe Cleanser Playland. As a part of the brand's annual #CleanseLikeADerm campaign, the play-inspired installation will open its doors to the public for one day only at Chelsea Industrial in NYC on Friday, July 14, inviting them to discover dermatologist-approved cleansing habits and CeraVe's robust portfolio of cleansers. Available to the first 1,000 people who sign up for a ticket in advance, the CeraVe Cleanser Playland will put proper cleansing on display and give attendees the opportunity to get complimentary cleansers and tips from two of the country's leading dermatologists, Dr. Marisa Garshick (@drmarisagarshick) and Dr. Wallace Nozile (@drwallacenozile).

CeraVe Cleanser Playland CeraVe Billboard Contest

The CeraVe Cleanser Playland will give attendees an opportunity to learn about these dermatologist-approved cleansing routines and products through lab demonstrations with L'Oreal scientists and larger-than-life skin-stallations that are as educational as they are share-worthy. From a Hydrating Cleanser slide to an Acne Cleanser balanced-skin seesaw, the Cleanser Playland promises an unforgettable journey through CeraVe's cleanser portfolio for brand fans and skincare enthusiasts alike, including an exclusive first look at the brand's two newest launches, Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser and Acne Foaming Cream Wash  set to be available in stores later this summer.

"The foundation of an effective cleansing routine starts with understanding the unique needs of your skin and what you want from your cleanser, then using the right products to address those needs," said board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick. "I have been a longstanding advocate of CeraVe with my patients and beyond due to the brand's extensive range of efficacious products, where there's truly a skincare solution for everyone. I am so honored to be a part of this one-of-a-kind event and to help everyone better understand what it means to #CleanseLikeADerm and have some fun along the way."

Attendees at the event will also be among the first to have a chance to try the new CeraVe cleansing TikTok filter that celebrates proper facial cleansing, which comes with a chance to be featured on a New York City billboard. Now through July 16, users with a non-private TikTok account can enter their videos using the special CeraVe "Cleansing That's Giving" branded effect for a chance to be seen on the digital billboard in Times Square between July 31 and August 6. For official contest rules and more details, please visit the Cleanse Like a Derm Contest Official Rules. Thanks to affordable and highly effective formulas, CeraVe cleansers have gone viral on TikTok, making this interactive filter a natural progression for the brand to engage with its dedicated Gen-Z fan base on the platform. With #CeraVe generating over 7.1 billion views on TikTok to date, the brand continues to find new ways to connect with its consumers and maintain its position as a beloved, fan-favorite skincare brand amongst Gen-Z.

"Bringing the first-ever CeraVe Cleanser Playland to New York City as an extension of our annual #CleanseLikeADerm campaign will provide our valued consumers with an unforgettable and educational experience that allows them to learn directly from the experts," said Jasteena Gill, Vice President of Marketing at CeraVe. "Since its inception, CeraVe has been developed with dermatologists and remains committed to providing therapeutic skincare solutions that are accessible for all. We understand that a key factor in adopting proper skincare regimens is making them enjoyable, and this event will make cleansing more fun than ever before."

CeraVe offers a robust lineup of affordable cleansers, each formulated with three essential ceramides  1, 3 and 6-II  to help restore and maintain a healthy skin barrier, as well as a variety of ingredients targeted to different skin needs, including salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and more. Through the #CleanseLikeADerm campaign and event, Dr. Garshick and Dr. Nozile will help consumers understand their skin's needs so they can choose the CeraVe cleanser that best suits their own skin.

For more information about the CeraVe Cleanser Playland and to secure a ticket for entry, please visit www.ceravecleanserplayland.com. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for consumers, tickets are required for entry and available to the public as supplies last. For more information about CeraVe's ever-growing cleanser portfolio, please visit CeraVe at www.cerave.com and on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.

1IQVIA, ProVoice Survey, 12 months ending March 2023

About CeraVe

Founded in 2005 and developed with dermatologists, CeraVe is the first and only brand to offer a complete line of products containing essential ceramides and MVE technology to help restore the skin's natural protective barrier. CeraVe has a full line of skincare products to follow the dermatologist-recommended steps of: cleanse, treat, moisturize, and protect. The brand's mission is to provide therapeutic skincare for all. For more information, visit the brand on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter or at www.cerave.com.

SOURCE CeraVe
NEW DELHI, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Azure Power Global Limited (the "Company" or "Azure") (NYSE: AZRE), an independent sustainable energy solutions provider and renewable power producer in India, today announced change in its independent registered public accounting firm.

Appointment of ASA & Associates LLP

On July 12, 2023, the Company's Board approved the appointment of ASA & Associates LLP ("ASA") as an independent public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB"), for the Company's US GAAP consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 ("Fiscal 2022"), pursuant to the resignation of S.R. Batliboi & Co. LLP.

During the Company's two most recent fiscal years ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023 ("Fiscal 2023"), and subsequent interim period prior to engagement of ASA, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf consulted ASA with respect to either the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company's financial statements, and no written report or oral advice was provided to the Company by ASA that ASA concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue.

ASA is a full-service firm of accountants, tax advisory, corporate strategy and compliance experts with over 32 years of experience and over 1,000 associates. It helps with developing, implementing and monitoring entry strategies to India. It is also a consultant to the US Commercial office, the Swiss chamber and industry bodies of several other countries and has affiliations in over 39 countries. In India, ASA is the auditor for one of the largest public sector banks in India and have been an auditor for various large size public institutions. Azure looks forward to working with ASA to complete the audit of Company's US GAAP consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2022.

Proposal for Appointment of MSKA & Associates

MSKA & Associates ("MSKA"), a member firm of BDO International, is currently the statutory auditor of Company's subsidiaries, Azure Power India Private Limited ("APIPL") and Azure Power Rooftop Private Limited ("APRPL"), including subsidiary companies of APRPL. The Company's Board has accepted the proposal to appoint MSKA, as statutory auditors of certain subsidiary companies of APIPL for the Fiscal 2022, pursuant to the resignation of S.R. Batliboi & Co. LLP.

Resignation of S.R. Batliboi & Co. LLP ("SRB"), member firm of Ernst and Young Global Limited

SRB in its letter dated July 10, 2023, tendered its resignations as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company and the Auditors of the subsidiary companies of APIPL.

In its letter, SRB stated that in view of the fact that they are yet to receive the information that they have requested to complete their audit work inclusive of our March 31, 2022 draft financial statements, US annual filing, associated books and records, and our conclusions and representations on the impact of the whistle blower complaints, it is not possible for them to complete the audit of the financial statements within the timeline expected by the company. They have therefore tendered their resignation.

During the Company's two most recent fiscal years, Fiscal 2022 and Fiscal 2023, and subsequent interim period prior to resignation of SRB, except for information outstanding as mentioned above, the Company did not have disagreements with SRB on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of SRB, would have caused SRB to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its reports on the consolidated financial statements for such years.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the bringing of a fresh perspective and valuable guidance, driving growth and success, driving the Company forward, and achieving Company goals. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "outlook" and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements in this press release. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

About Azure

Azure is a leading independent sustainable energy solutions provider and renewable power producer in India. Azure developed India's first utility scale solar project in 2009, and since then has grown rapidly to become a leader in developing and operating large utility-scale renewable energy projects in the country.

For more information:

Investor Contact

[email protected]

Media Contact

[email protected]com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/819565/3966075/Azure_Power_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Azure Power
DUBLIN, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Market Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Drug Type, By Product Type, By Region, Segment Forecast, 2023 - 2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease market size is expected to reach USD 31.29 billion by 2032



One significant reason anticipated to accelerate the growth and demand of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease market is the increase in COPD cases among the global population. In addition, the young population's intake of alcohol and tobacco is increasing, and more people are becoming aware of COPD and its treatment.

COPD could develop as a result of tobacco use. Around the world, there are more and more adults who are dependent on cigarettes. Workplace air pollution and other risk factors are both present. The WHO states that cigarette smoke exposure is the leading cause of COPD.



Smoking is the primary environmental risk factor for COPD, although other exposures to the environment, such as those to air pollution and biomass fuels, may also be involved. In addition to disclosures, host factors can put people at risk for COPD. Some are accelerated aging, improper lung development, and aberrant genetics.



For instance, In January 2022, a phase 4 trial comparing Yuperli (revefenacin) with Spiriva (tiotropium) was conducted to improve lung health in persons with COPD. Theravance Biopharma and Mylan (Viatris) worked together to create it. You can use a nebulizer to inhale this solution.



Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Market Report Highlights

By drug type, bronchodilator segment is expected to increase over a forecast period due to increased cases of COPD and asthma.

Nebulizers segment is expected to grow rapidly in the market over the forecast period due to new technologies invented in nebulizers.

The need for cutting-edge medicines, the rise of the healthcare infrastructure, and more government funding are expected to positively impact the North American market and contribute to its expansion.

The major international participants include AstraZeneca, Orion Corporation, Novartis, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., GlaxoSmithKline, Mylan (Viatris), CHIESI Farmaceutici SpA and others.

Market Dynamics

Drivers and Opportunities

Increased government and pharmaceutical sector spending on R&D

Increase consumer awareness and introduction of new products

Restraints and Challenges

Introduction of a new product is the industry's greatest challenge

Business Analysis

Porter's Five Forces Analysis

PESTLE Analysis

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Industry trends

Value Chain Analysis

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

Company Profiles

AstraZeneca

GlaxoSmithKline (UK)

Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

Pneuma Respiratory

Microlife Corporation

HELTMAN Medikal A.S.

Promed Technology Co. Limited

Abbott Laboratories (US)

Kyowa Hakko Kirin

Mylan NV

Novartis AG

Orion Corporation

Sanofi

Circassia Pharmaceuticals (UK)

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

LepuMedical Technology ( Beijing )Co.

)Co. Verona Pharmaceuticals

Scope of the Report

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, by Drug Type (Revenue - USD Billion, 2019-2032)

Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitor

Bronchodilators

Long-Acting Bronchodilators

Short-Acting Bronchodilators

Methylxanthines

Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, by Product Type (Revenue - USD Billion, 2019-2032)

Inhalers

Dry Powders Inhalers

Metered-Dose Inhalers

Soft Mist Inhalers

Nebulizers

Ultrasonic Nebulizers

Jet Nebulizers

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, by Region (Revenue - USD Billion, 2019-2032)

North America

U.S.

Canada

Europe

Netherland

Spain

Russia

Italy

UK

France

Germany

Asia Pacific

Malaysia

Indonesia

Japan

China

India

South Korea

Latin America

Argentina

Mexico

Brazil

Middle East & Africa

& Saudi Arabia

UAE

South Africa

Israel

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/m5ucd1

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
CISO Peer-to-Peer Award Selects Winners Based on Transparent Criteria and Board, Making It the Leading Honor of Its Kind

NEW YORK, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CISOs Connect's Esteemed Board of Judges of its CISOs Top 100 CISOs (C100) awards has announced the 2023 winners of this pre-eminent peer-to-peer industry honor, recognizing the outstanding security leaders in the United States and Canada.

See the C100 winners here: https://tinyurl.com/2s3w28jz

Congratulations to the CISOs Connect 2023 C100 Winners

CISOs work tirelessly to safeguard organizations across the globe, often without the recognition they deserve. The C100 award is meant to shine a spotlight on the Sisyphean work they do  while singling out the exceptional group of security and business leaders who are both dedicated to honing their craft, and to training the next generation of professionals to follow in their distinguished paths.

"Congratulations to the C100 winners," said Prologis CISO Sue Lapierre, a member of the CISO Board of Judges. "It was no easy task for us to whittle down such an eminent list of applicants. Ultimately, those who were chosen distinguished themselves not only by their exceptional professional accomplishments but also by their commitment to mentoring a successor generation."

What differentiates these awards from other industry honors is the transparency of the process, with defined eligibility criteria and a declared board of judges to choose the winners. There were over 700 nominations both self-submitted and submitted by third parties on behalf of CISOs who met the established criteria.

Key benchmarks for consideration included service in the role of CISO or its equivalent at an end-user enterprise or organization for at least five years; involvement and leadership roles in professional organizations; and security-related volunteering, mentoring and activism.

There is no fee or financial requirement at any point associated with the awards.

"CISOs operate in a relentless environment that is getting more complicated as attack surfaces broaden and malicious actors grow more sophisticated," said David Cass, President of CISOs Connect and GSR CISO. "Those who toil tirelessly to protect our institutions, but also take the time to share their expertise with others belong to an even more elite group. Their accomplishments and legacy of giving back deserve to be highlighted, and the C100 awards, untainted by financial considerations or personal bias, were created to do just that."

In addition to honoring the Top 100 CISOs in the U.S. and Canada, the Board of Esteemed Judges also paid tribute to three other peers.

Nicole Darden Ford, Rockwell Automation Global VP & CISO, was recognized with the CISO Trailblazer Award, for forging new territories for professional growth. A critical and creative thinker, Nicole personifies the type of innovative business leader the security industry so urgently needs.

Colin Anderson, Ceridian CISO, was honored with the CISO Visionary Award for epitomizing exceptional foresight and vision and taking the CISO role to new heights. Colin is an evangelist for innovation and transformation, making him a true role model for young security practitioners.

Endre Jarraux Walls, CISOs Connect Advisory Board Member and seasoned CISO, was recognized with the Distinguished Leader Award for his creativity and critical thinking that is required to propel the CISO to the top ranks of their organization.

The following industry leaders served on the Board of Judges:

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association VP & CISO Chris Lugo

Carnival Corporation Global CIO Devon Bryan

ChristianaCare CISO Anahi Santiago

CISOs Connect Board Member Endre Jarraux Walls

CLEAR EVP & CISO Rick Patterson

CN CISO Vaughn Hazen

Driven Brands VP & CISO Kevin Morrison

First Quality Enterprises CISO Ariel Litvin

Marsh Global CISO Dan Bowden

McKesson SVP & Global CISO Michael McNeil

Otis Elevator VP & CISO Mario Memmo

Prologis VP, IT Governance & CISO Sue Lapierre.

"It is a weighty responsibility to be entrusted with securing the world's most sensitive information while helping to drive the success of our organizations," Esteemed Judge Endre Jarraux Walls said. "At the same time, we have no loftier professional goal than making our community stronger. I consider myself fortunate to belong to an industry with such a strong sense of community, and am keen on sharing my experience in the interest of an ever-stronger cyber ecosystem."

As a fundamental part of its mission to support and recognize the CISOs unceasing efforts to safeguard their enterprises and organizations globally, Black Kite, Inc. has partnered for the third year with CISOs Connect to fulfill that mission.

"We are excited to support the C100 which honors the extraordinary efforts and contributions of top CISOs," said Paul Paget, CEO of Black Kite. "CISOs are the unsung heroes and being able to make peer-to-peer recognition possible is an honor. Congratulations to this year's winners!"

The following organizations also partnered with CISOs Connect to make the C100 possible:

Forte Group

Mayfield Investments

Morgan Franklin Consulting

Uptycs

About CISOs Connect

CISOs Connect is an exclusive membership-only interactive community of trusted cyber peers and subject matter experts. Connected by common interests, this community allows cyber experts to share knowledge and expertise through proprietary content, research and analysis, while exchanging information and ideas, and collaborating with trusted colleagues to make informed business and technology decisions.

CISOs Connect is part of Security Current, known for its Security Shark Tank and lauded for its CISO-driven content, knowledge sharing and community ethos. It is purpose-built and led by the top CISOs in North America.

Media Contact:

Aimee Rhodes

201-835-9205

[email protected]com

SOURCE CISOs Connect
COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber outlines an action plan focused on fast-tracking the energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on adaptation to protect lives and livelihoods, and underpinning everything with full inclusivity.

President-Designate Dr. outlines an action plan focused on fast-tracking the energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on adaptation to protect lives and livelihoods, and underpinning everything with full inclusivity. "This plan came from listening to and engaging with all of you... and can only be realized BY all of you. The key to its success rests on what YOU do next."

"I challenge you to act in solidarity, put differences aside and put the interest of humanity first. That is the only way we can make transformational, practical progress that delivers for the climate, for our economies and for our people."

The plan triples renewable energy capacity, doubles energy efficiency and doubles hydrogen production to 180M tons per year by 2030.

tons per year by 2030. Dr. Al Jaber highlighted once again the inevitability of the essential phase down of fossil fuels and called for a "comprehensive transformation" of climate finance instead of "piecemeal reform," with a special focus on supporting "climate-positive development" across the Global South.

highlighted once again the inevitability of the essential phase down of fossil fuels and called for a "comprehensive transformation" of climate finance instead of "piecemeal reform," with a special focus on supporting "climate-positive development" across the Global South. He also urged countries to update their Nationally Determined Contributions by September 2023 , far ahead of the 2025 deadline to accelerate action.

BRUSSELS, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber has called on governments, industry, and all stakeholders to "disrupt business as usual" and take decisive action to tackle the climate crisis.

Speaking at the Ministerial on Climate Action in Brussels, which brings together the environment ministers of the European Union, Canada, and China, Dr. Al Jaber said it was time to challenge old models built for the last century and break down silos in industries and governments that slow down progress to a low carbon economy.

In his speech, Dr. Al Jaber outlined a wide-ranging plan for COP28 that focuses on four pillars: fast-tracking the energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on adaptation to protect lives and livelihoods, and underpinning everything with full inclusivity.

"We need to bridge divides that are blocking critical breakthroughs," said Dr. Al Jaber as he outlined his plan of action for this year's UN climate conference in the UAE. "This plan is guided by a single north star. And that is keeping 1.5 within reach."

as he outlined his plan of action for this year's UN climate conference in the UAE. "This plan is guided by a single north star. And that is keeping 1.5 within reach." The plan includes tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, deploying technologies for hard-to-abate industries and launching critical dialogues with multinational organizations.

Dr. Al Jaber made critical calls to action and highlighted key efforts already underway:

He urged the world to accelerate the "inevitable" and "essential" phase down of fossil fuels, calling for the tripling of renewable energy output to 11,000 gigawatts, the doubling of energy efficiency measures, and the doubling of hydrogen production to 180M tons per year by 2030. He also called on NOCs and IOCs to zero out methane emissions by 2030.

tons per year by 2030. He also called on NOCs and IOCs to zero out methane emissions by 2030. He called for a "comprehensive transformation" of climate finance instead of "piecemeal reform." There should be a special focus on supporting "climate-positive development" across the Global South, to ensure that developing nations can have access to affordable and available climate finance to drive a just transition.

The COP28 Presidency is already working with the IMF, the World Bank and GFANZ to unlock the power of the capital markets, standardize voluntary carbon markets and incentivize private capital and finance.

Presidency is already working with the IMF, the World Bank and GFANZ to unlock the power of the capital markets, standardize voluntary carbon markets and incentivize private capital and finance. To help the world's most vulnerable withstand the impact of climate change, Dr. Al Jaber called on donors to double adaptation finance by 2025, emphasizing the urgency for donor country governments to honor their commitments and close out the $100 billion pledge this year.

called on donors to double adaptation finance by 2025, emphasizing the urgency for donor country governments to honor their commitments and close out the pledge this year. Putting lives and livelihoods at the heart of the climate process, he shared his intention to advance the world's focus on nature, food, health and resilience as part of a robust framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation.

He called on governments to integrate National Food System Transformation plans into both their NDCs and National Adaptation plans, and to participate in the first climate-health ministerial at COP28 , on what will be the first day devoted to health at a COP. COP28 is currently partnering to convene this with the WHO, together with Germany , Kenya , the UK, Egypt , Brazil and Fiji .

, on what will be the first day devoted to health at a COP. is currently partnering to convene this with the WHO, together with , , the UK, , and . This COP28 will be the most inclusive yet, featuring the largest ever youth climate delegate program and a pavilion for Indigenous Peoples, to tap into their concerns and wisdom as they protect 80 per cent of the world's biodiversity.

will be the most inclusive yet, featuring the largest ever youth climate delegate program and a pavilion for Indigenous Peoples, to tap into their concerns and wisdom as they protect 80 per cent of the world's biodiversity. Dr. Al Jaber underscored the need to break down the silos between traditional and emerging energy sectors, announcing the launch of a series of integrated dialogues between the IEA, UNFCCC, and IRENA where specific actions on fast-tracking the energy transition can be agreed. The first meeting is in Goa at the G20 Clean Energy Ministerial later this month.

Pointing to the expected findings of the Global Stocktake on climate change, which will be published later this year, he said the world had to "unite, act and deliver" to solve the climate crisis. He called on all stakeholders to "partner around this shared opportunity."

Dr. Al Jaber said: "Let's mobilize to deliver supercharged solutions and ambitious outcomes. And let's restore hope through unity and collective action."

The latest updates from COP28 are available on Twitter (@COP28_UAE), with images and videos for usage on Flickr (COP28 UAE). For more information, please visit: www.cop28.com.

Notes to Editors:

COP28 UAE:

COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30-December 12, 2023 . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors.

UAE will take place at Expo City from . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors. As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals.

UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals. The UAE will lead a process for all parties to agree upon a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a "leave no one behind" approach to inclusive climate action.

SOURCE COP28
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber , COP28 President-Designate, met with US President Joe Biden , His Majesty King Charles III, UK Government Ministers and Leading Investors and Philanthropists to discuss unlocking climate finance with a focus on developing economies.

, President-Designate, met with US President , His Majesty King Charles III, UK Government Ministers and Leading Investors and Philanthropists to discuss unlocking climate finance with a focus on developing economies. The meeting was part of the Climate Finance Mobilization Forum, led by the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.

Dr. Al Jaber said, "The leadership of the US and UK is crucial on both fulfilling climate finance pledges and mobilizing further capital. We must deliver on the $100bn of annual climate finance promised in 2009, and I have been encouraged by recent assurances that this pledge will be fulfilled."

said, "The leadership of the US and UK is crucial on both fulfilling climate finance pledges and mobilizing further capital. We must deliver on the of annual climate finance promised in 2009, and I have been encouraged by recent assurances that this pledge will be fulfilled." "Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. All financial actors must work within a new framework of solidarity to enable climate finance at the scale, scope and speed that the world needs."

"We must now take holistic action to mobilize capital from all sectors, public, private and philanthropic. I welcome the US and UK's efforts to create the right enabling environment for business and philanthropy to mobilize climate finance at the scale required ahead of COP28 ."

." "Today, representatives from leading business and philanthropic organizations came together to announce significant action to increase innovative and catalytic climate finance for developing economies. This is a significant step forward for those living on the frontlines of climate change."

"To help raise global ambition, COP28 will host a High-Level Business & Philanthropy Delivery Forum. This forum will focus on removing barriers to progress, showcasing what is working, and identifying opportunities for co-creation, collaboration, and acceleration. This will be the first time that business and philanthropy will be meaningfully and inclusively integrated into the Official Leaders' Programme."

will host a High-Level Business & Philanthropy Delivery Forum. This forum will focus on removing barriers to progress, showcasing what is working, and identifying opportunities for co-creation, collaboration, and acceleration. This will be the first time that business and philanthropy will be meaningfully and inclusively integrated into the Official Leaders' Programme." "His Majesty King Charles's leadership in convening and mobilizing the global private sector has been critical in recent years, and we are delighted that his Sustainable Markets' Initiative will be one of the key delivery partners for the Business & Philanthropy Delivery Forum at COP28 ."

." "The World Bank's Private Sector Investment Lab is also a strong complement to our efforts. I look forward to actionable recommendations coming out of the Private Sector Investment Lab that can be integrated into COP28's climate finance agenda."

WINDSOR, England, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate has participated in high-level discussions on climate finance with US President Joe Biden and H.M King Charles III, alongside leading investors and philanthropists, in a visit to the UK to advance innovative climate finance to deliver climate action and a just energy transition.

During his visit to London, COP28 President Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber met with US President Joe Biden, His Majesty King Charles III, UK Government Ministers and Leading Investors and Philanthropists to discuss unlocking climate finance with a focus on developing economies.



During his visit, Dr. Al Jaber attended a forum on Climate Finance Mobilization convened by the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Rt Hon. Grant Shapps MP and the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry.

The forum was attended by UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, Mark Carney, as well as private sector and philanthropic leaders from finance, sustainability, and climate action. Dr. Al Jaber encouraged all parties to set their ambitions high ahead of COP28 and continue to galvanize UK and US-based businesses and philanthropists to do the same.

Dr. Al Jaber said, "The leadership of the US and UK is crucial to both fulfil climate finance pledges and mobilize further capital. We must deliver on the $100bn of annual climate finance promised in 2009, and I have been encouraged by recent assurances that this pledge will be fulfilled. However, we need to mobilize trillions, not billions, of dollars if we are to reach our climate, biodiversity and SDG targets. To achieve this we need to mobilize capital at all levels, public, business and philanthropic. Capital and finance are critical enablers of climate action. But to unleash its power, it must be available, accessible and affordable throughout the world."

Dr. Al Jaber added, "Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. All financial actors must work within a new framework of solidarity to enable climate finance at the scale, scope and speed that the world needs. As an outcome of today's meetings, I am pleased to announce that COP28 will host a High-Level Business & Philanthropy Delivery Forum, during the World Climate Action Summit. The forum will focus on removing barriers to progress, showcasing what is working, and identifying opportunities for co-creation, collaboration, and acceleration."

Dr. Al Jaber restated his call for major reform of international financial institutions and multilateral development banks, and added, "To invest the amounts required, we must build the right risk mitigation instruments that incentivize private sector action at scale. This is not a time for incremental reform. We need a holistic approach underpinned by collaborative frameworks."

Discussing the announcements made by organizations in attendance, Dr. Al Jaber continued, "Initiatives like the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum provide a key avenue for progress. The funding announced today by some of the world's leading private sector actors and philanthropists is exactly what we need to see ahead of COP28."

During his visit, Dr. Al Jaber also welcomed progress on the World Bank's Private Sector Investment Lab which will be charged with developing solutions to address barriers to private sector climate finance. Dr. Al Jaber said, "Capital is a key enabler of climate action, and catalyzing private investments is a key priority for the COP28 Presidency. I look forward to actionable recommendations coming out of the Private Sector Investment Lab that can be integrated into COP28's climate finance agenda."

He concluded that, "The UK and US are home to two of the largest financial markets in the world. Their action and the funding announced today is vital to keep 1.5C within reach and must be replicated on a global scale."

COP28 UAE:

COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30-December 12, 2023 . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors.

UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors. As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals.

UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals. The UAE will lead a process for all parties to agree upon a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a 'leave no one behind' approach to inclusive climate action.

The Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum was convened by the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security, the Rt Hon. Grant Shapps MP and the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry .

. The Forum was attended by COP28 President-Designate, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber , in addition to:

President-Designate, Dr. , in addition to: UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, Mark Carney



Chair and CEO of Bank of America, Brian Moynihan



Chair and CEO of Blackrock, Larry Fink



CEO of HSBC, Noel Quinn ,

,

Founder and Executive Chair of Fortescue, Dr Andrew Forrest



Founder and CEO of Ninety One, Hendrik du Toit



Chair of Prudential, Shriti Vadera



Founder and Chair of Heirs Holdings, Tony O. Elumelu



Global Chair of Boston Consulting Group, Rich Lesser



Chair of Meritage Group LP, Nat Simons



LeapFrog founder, Dr. Andy Kuper



Group CEO of Standard Chartered, Bill Winters



CEO of Allianz Insurance, Colm Holmes



Co-CEO of ImpactA, Isabella da Costa Mendes



Co-CEO and CIO of ImpactA, Victoria Miles



CEO of NatWest Group, Alison Rose DBE



Vice Chairman of Community Jameel, Fady Jameel



Co-Founder and Managing Principal, Three Cairns Group



Vice Chair of Global Public Policy of Bloomberg, Mary Schapiro



Founder and CEO of Builders Vision, Lukas Walton



CEO of The Sustainable Markets Initiative, Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, MBA



CEO of Lloyds of London, John Neal

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2153440/COP28.jpg

SOURCE COP28
LOS ANGELES, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Californians for Homeownership, a nonprofit organization sponsored by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (C.A.R.) that aims to address California's housing crisis through impact litigation, announced today that it has prevailed on a core claim in its lawsuit against the City of La Canada Flintridge, Calif., to enforce state housing element law.

In the July 11 decision, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge held that La Canada Flintridge had failed to rezone sites to accommodate the city's regional housing needs allocation (RHNA) in a timely manner, and that the city's housing element will not be considered substantially compliant with state law until the city has done so. The court rejected the city's argument that compliance with the deadlines in state housing element law is not mandatory and that cities are not subject to penalties when they fail to meet these deadlines.

"This is a major win for housing," said C.A.R. President Jennifer Branchini. "For far too long, certain cities and counties have treated compliance with state housing laws as optional. This decision sends a clear message: complying with these laws is not optional, and these laws will be enforced."

La Canada Flintridge has a well-documented history of interfering with the development of housing. The Los Angeles Times recently chronicled the city's decade-long effort to avoid the development of one particular parcel along Foothill Boulevard, a major commercial corridor through the city. The owners of that site recently submitted a proposal under the "builder's remedy," a provision in state housing law that allows developers of mixed- and moderate-income projects to override certain local zoning rules in cities that are out of compliance with housing element law.

"Tuesday's decision paves the way for this project and others to move forward under the builder's remedy, getting much-needed affordable housing built in La Canada," said Matthew Gelfand, the in-house litigator for the nonprofit. "Hopefully, this will provide the push the city needs to get its act together and complete the housing element planning process."

The decision resolves one of the two claims in the organization's lawsuit against the city. After there is a trial or other resolution on the remaining claim, the court will order the city to complete its rezoning process within 60 days, or as soon as public notice laws allow. The city will also be subject to one or more penalties, which can include a suspension of permitting authority.

The RHNA and housing element process is an interconnected system for ensuring that California's cities and counties plan for adequate housing to address statewide and regional housing needs. In the RHNA assessment, state and local governments work together to identify regional housing needs and distribute them among a region's cities and counties. Each city and county must then develop a "housing element"  a component of the city's general plan that identifies sites available for future housing development sufficient to meet the city's RHNA allocation. If the city cannot identify adequate sites, it must change its zoning to allow additional housing development.

Housing element compliance has been a major focus for Californians for Homeownership over the last two years. The nonprofit offers to forgo litigation against cities that are willing to acknowledge and comply with the state law penalties for non-compliance. La Canada Flintridge declined this offer. To date, the organization has filed over 20 housing element lawsuits and has settled 10. The settlements generally commit cities and counties to specific timelines for adoption of their housing elements and require them to comply with the "builder's remedy" while out of compliance.

The case is Californians for Homeownership v. City of La Canada Flintridge, Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 23STCP00699. A copy of the court's decision is available on request.

Californians for Homeownership is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization sponsored by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS devoted to using legal tools to address California's housing crisis. For too long, California's cities have treated compliance with state and federal housing law as optional. The organization seeks to change that attitude by proactively enforcing the law, on behalf of the important public interest in having additional housing available to families at all income levels. Californians for Homeownership was established by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (C.A.R.), and it receives financial support from C.A.R. and private donors. To make a tax-deductible charitable contribution today, visit caforhomes.org.

SOURCE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (C.A.R.)
Grand Opening event will be held July 22 at the Oregon Trail Brewfest

PORTLAND, Ore., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cousins Maine Lobster, leading lobster franchise brand and provider of the tastiest Maine lobster rolls across the country, announces the upcoming Grand Opening of their newest food truck in Portland, OR on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at the Oregon Trail Brewfest located at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center at 1726 Washington St., Oregon City. This marks the brand's entrance into the Pacific Northwest.

The Portland franchise will be led by brothers Raj and Rahul Mohan. The Mohan brothers joined the CML Franchise Family in 2019 when they launched in San Francisco where they own and operate three food trucks and are currently in development on a brick and mortar location in that market. In February 2023, the Mohans expanded into Denver with the first Cousins Maine Lobster food truck in that territory.

"Portland has an amazing food scene and food trucks and food carts are incredibly popular. The area is home to vibrant breweries and wineries. We find great synergies with beverage companies and love collaborating with other small business owners," Raj Mohan explained as he highlighted some of the things that drew him and his brother to Portland. "Right now, there are limited options for lobster in the market and we are confident that the quality of our product and our service will be a hit with seafood lovers throughout the region."

"In 1885, Asa Lovejoy of Boston, Massachusetts and Francis Pettygrove of Portland, Maine flipped a coin for the naming rights to a burgeoning town on the banks of the Willamette River. Pettygrove won and Portland, Oregon got its name," noted Sabin Lomac, Cousins Maine Lobster co-founder and Maine native. "We are thrilled to bring Maine's most iconic product to the very city named for our hometown and we have no doubt that Raj and Rahul will lead an exceptional team and operation in their newest market."

Cousins Maine Lobster Grand Opening

Saturday, July 22, 2023

12:00  9:00 PM

Oregon Trail Brewfest

Oregon Trail Interpretive Center

1726 Washington St.

Oregon City, Oregon

About Cousins Maine Lobster

Founded in 2012 by real-life cousins and Mainers, Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac, Cousins Maine Lobster began with two things: a food truck, and a shared vision to extend the highest-quality Maine lobster to the lobster-starved masses by making it affordable and accessible. Growing up in Maine, lobster was tradition  always a reason to gather family, friends, and loved ones to share a special meal. After appearing on Shark Tank a few months later, Jim & Sabin partnered with Barbara Corcoran and began franchising, working with local owners and entrepreneurs to bring Maine lobster to over 40 cities across the country.

Contact:

Annie Tselikis

Cousins Maine Lobster

[email protected]

SOURCE Cousins Maine Lobster
Greater flexibility to interoperate with existing tools and customizable authorization enables enterprises to make greater use of more data

SAN FRANCISCO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As enterprise data grows at a 28% compound annual growth rate1, businesses continue to face a myriad of challenges to manage their data and secure their organizations. Most enterprises are using more than 30 tools to manage and analyze data2, and teams across IT and security departments have different needs for different data. To address these challenges, Cribl is introducing new features throughout its product portfolio to scale observability across large enterprises, providing greater interoperability and customizable authorization to unlock the value of all observability data for more users.

Key Product Enhancements:

Cribl Search : Expanded search-in-place compatibility extends the reach of a single search query from edge to data lake and even to tooling data repositories

: Expanded search-in-place compatibility extends the reach of a single search query from edge to data lake and even to tooling data repositories Cribl Stream : Enhanced authorization gets more users secure access to the right data

: Enhanced authorization gets more users secure access to the right data Cribl Edge : New Prometheus Edge Scraper purpose-built for Kubernetes environments for greater choice and deeper insights

"With every release, we're doubling down on our commitment to provide customers greater choice and control over their data, and this latest update is no exception," said Ledion Bitincka, Co-Founder & CTO at Cribl. "We're introducing new features across our product suite with the goal of making observability accessible to more enterprises and more teams. The marquee update of the summer release is enhancements to Cribl Search, which we are so excited to demo at our CriblCon conference next week. With new query targets, Cribl Search quickly puts critical data at customers' fingertips, accelerating security investigations, performance troubleshooting, and data analysis projects."

Cribl Search: Expanded Federated Search Capabilities

Recently, Cribl Search pioneered the concept of federated "search-in-place" and further solidified its position as a trailblazer in the industry by introducing Search to Amazon Security Lake earlier this year. Today's release amplifies support for S3 buckets, Azure Blob, and GCP/GCS, and has uniquely integrated the capability to search against API-based endpoints like Zoom, Okta, and Google Workspaces. With this expanded compatibility, Cribl unlocks the value of more data from an already unprecedented number of data silos. Search provides the flexibility to find any data at any location without incurring the cost and complexity penalty imposed by traditional systems' requirement to ingest data before analyzing it.

"There have been challenges during incidents where access to data was needed as soon as possible, but we weren't always in a position to ingest it without pausing for time to develop methods to onboard the data," said Stuart Bowell, Head, Global Observability Team at Netbuilder. "With Cribl Search, we now have immediate access to all our data  allowing us to delve into unexplored areas and discover insights from data that was previously inaccessible or known to hold value."

Cribl Stream: Enhanced Authorization and Native Azure Sentinel Integrations

When working with sensitive data, access control is critical. Cribl Stream now features customizable authorization for different levels of access and permission, giving enterprises the ability to easily provision different users at different levels of visibility and control. This enhanced authorizationavailable across all Cribl productsensures that Cribl administrators can quickly and securely create the right data feeds for different teams, saving them time for other business-critical tasks and strengthening organizational security. Cribl Stream also now features new destinations for Azure Sentinel and Azure Data Explorer products, enabling enterprises to onboard both Azure and non-Azure data into Azure Sentinel.

Cribl Edge: New Prometheus Edge Scraper

Continuously monitoring ephemeral containers is a pain for users. Since Prometheus is prominently used for collecting logs and metrics in Kubernetes environments, Cribl Edge now features a new Prometheus Edge Scraper, purpose-built for Kubernetes. With this new feature, customers have the flexibility to send Kubernetes monitoring data to the destination of their choice with minimal effort to get even deeper insights into their Kubernetes environments. Cribl Edge also now features compressed file monitoring to observe and analyze more data, irrespective of whether the log files are compressed or not.

CriblCon on July 17

Join the Cribl community at the first-ever CriblCon, an in-person customer event on July 17 at the Mirage in Las Vegas. Customers can learn more about this latest release, hear from experts and peers, get live demos, and share best practices. Registration is open now at criblcon.cribl.io .

About Cribl

Cribl makes open observability a reality for today's tech professionals. The Cribl product suite defies data gravity with radical levels of choice and control. Wherever the data comes from, wherever it needs to go, Cribl delivers the freedom and flexibility to make choices, not compromises. It's enterprise software that doesn't suck, enables tech professionals to do what they need to do, and gives them the ability to say "Yes." With Cribl, companies have the power to control their data, get more out of existing investments, and shape the observability future. Founded in 2018, Cribl is a remote-first company with an office in San Francisco, CA. For more information, visit www.cribl.io or our LinkedIn , Twitter , or Slack community .

Media Contact

[email protected]

1 IDC, Worldwide IDC Global DataSphere Forecast, 2023-2027: It's a Distributed, Diverse, and Dynamic (3D) DataSphere

2 State of Security Data Management report

SOURCE Cribl
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oz Lithium Corporation (CSE: OZLI) (OTC: GRXXF) (Frankfurt: G0A) is pleased to announce initial results from the Laguna Santa Maria Project, located in the northwest territory of the Province of Salta, Argentina. The project is fully permitted and licensed for the production of sodium bicarbonate, commonly referred to as soda ash, and is comprised of 500 hectares. The project has excellent road access, being approximately 60 kilometers from the town of Tolar Grande.

A Vertical Electrical Sounding survey completed on the project has returned better than anticipated initial results. Across the project area a total of eight transects with 15 sounding points has been completed. Management anticipated that the Laguna Santa Maria Project could extend tens of meters in depth. Preliminary results of the V.E.S. survey indicated the depth potential exceeds 280 meters with no sign of basement rock. It would appear from this preliminary result, that the Laguna Santa Maria Project basin has a depth potential for a significant soda ash deposition. Further results from the exploration program are expected in the next week.

Eleven liquid samples and fifteen solid samples have been collected at site by the OZ Li exploration team. The samples have been collected under the supervision of William Feyerabend, CPG, a consulting geologist, and Qualified Person under NI 43-101. All samples are being tested by Alex Stewart Laboratories (ISO Certified) of Mendoza, Argentina, for chemical analysis and quality evaluation. The initial interpretation is that the sodium carbonate samples are less than 10% sodium chloride, indicating that a sodium carbonate product may be very simple to produce. Final test results are expected later this month.

Soda Ash Critical to Lithium Carbonate Production

Soda ash is the trade name for sodium carbonate, a chemical refined from the mineral trona or sodium carbonate bearing brines (both referred to as "natural soda ash") or manufactured from one of several chemical processes (referred to as "synthetic soda ash"). The US Geological Survey reports U.S. exports of soda ash to Argentina for 2022 at 165,000 tonnes valued at US$48 million (source: US Mineral Industry Survey December 2022).

Soda ash is a "critical reagent" in the production of lithium carbonate with the process requiring two tonnes of soda ash for every tonne of lithium carbonate produced. As reported in La Nacion (an online Argentina News Paper) on January 30, 2023, there is an insufficient local supply of soda ash and importing it has various issues and challenges for present and future lithium carbonate producers in Argentina. Management believes a first mover advance exists for the Company with the Laguna Santa Maria Project. Much of the current sodium carbonate production in Argentina is required by the glass industry. Lithium carbonate producers must import their requirements of sodium carbonate from the world market. The future potential demand for soda ash could become significant given the expanding lithium production in Argentina.

Project Acquisition

Based upon the results to date, the Company has decided to acquire the Laguna Santa Maria Project. Pursuant to the terms of the purchase option agreement, the Company made the initial payment of US$100,000 to the owner of the property, a further and final payment of US$150,000 has been made into trust with legal counsel, awaiting transfer of title of the property. The Company paid finder's fees of US$25,000, and transfer fees of US$16,003 in connection to the purchase option agreement which will result in the acquisition of 100% ownership of the Laguna Santa Maria.

Company Name Change

To better reflect the new direction of the Company, a name change to Critical Reagents Corporation is being undertaken. Shareholders will be further apprised of the name change and new trading symbol in the coming weeks.

The Technical and scientific information contained in this news release was reviewed by Mr. William Feyerabend, CPG, a Consulting Geologist and Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Feyerabend participated in the production of this news release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Adrian Hobkirk

President and CEO

T: 954-684-8040

E: [email protected]

W: www.ozlithiumcorp.com

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We seek safe harbor.

SOURCE Oz Lithium Corporation
NEW YORK, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The CRM market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.16% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 54.4 billion, according to the latest research report from Technavio. Discover Application Software industry potential and make informed business decisions based on qualitative and quantitative evidence highlighted in Technavio reports. View Sample Report!

The CRM market covers the following areas:

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global CRM Market

CRM Market - Vendor Landscape

The CRM market is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market.

Vendor Offering

Acoustic LP - The company offers CRM, which features email marketing, mobile marketing, performance insights, and reporting.

The company offers CRM, which features email marketing, mobile marketing, performance insights, and reporting. Adobe Inc. - The company offers CRM such as Adobe Marketo Engage.

The company offers CRM such as Adobe Marketo Engage. HubSpot Inc. - The company offers CRM such as HubSpot CRM.

For the market's vendor landscape highlights with a comprehensive list of vendors and their offerings - View Sample in minutes

CRM Market - Key Market Segmentation

The CRM market is segmented by application (service and support CRM, sales CRM, marketing CRM software, and e-commerce software CRM), and deployment (saas and on-premises)

The market share growth by the service and support CRM segment will be significant during the forecast period. This is due to the benefits it provides in resolving customer issues with efficiency. In addition, it also helps organizations in achieving and maintaining service standards through clear instructions. The service and support software collects vital consumer data and input, which is then used to improve business operations and address similar issues more quickly. Hence, these factors are expected to drive segment growth in the market during the forecast period.

View Sample Report in minutes for more highlights into the market segments.

CRM Market - Regional Market Outlook

The market is segmented by geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

North America is estimated to contribute 55% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Businesses in the region are making investments in cloud services to adopt enterprise applications and streamline their operational procedures. SaaS solutions provide convenient access to various software types, including ERP, CRM, and HRM, using a simple one-click functionality through web browsers. Furthermore, there is an increase in the number of enterprises from industries like BFSI, telecom and IT, healthcare, and retail, contributing to the overall growth in the region.

For more key highlights on the regional market share of most of the above-mentioned countries.- View Sample Report

Companies Mentioned

Acoustic LP

Adobe Inc.

Agile CRM Inc.

Concentrix Corp.

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.

HubSpot Inc.

Koch Industries Inc.

Microsoft Corp.

NICE Ltd.

Oracle Corp.

Pegasystems Inc.

Sage Group Plc

Salesforce.com Inc.

SAP SE

SAS Institute Inc.

SugarCRM Inc.

Verint Systems Inc.

Vtiger Systems India Pvt. Ltd.

Zendesk Inc.

Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd.

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CRM Market  Market Dynamics

Key Drivers

A focus on customer retention is a key factor driving the market growth. Businesses are focusing on retaining customers and maintaining long-term relationships with them. This approach extends the customer lifecycle and enables businesses to generate revenue by reselling their products or services. This reduces marketing expenditure while increasing consumer trust. A CRM allows you to share your latest offerings with both current and new customers. Major organizations are using CRM to improve customer engagement, which helps in building the brand. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Major Trends

The growing demand for social interaction is a major trend in the market. There is a growing demand in the market for integrating CRM activities with social media services. This integration is aimed at gaining valuable insights and developing future products. By adopting this approach, companies can analyze social communications in real-time and leverage a combination of keyword analysis and predictive algorithms to understand their target audience better. This data breakdown helps in identifying and categorizing potential buyers in the market. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Significant Challenge

Data security concerns are a significant challenge restricting market growth. Organizations are experiencing a rising number of cyberattacks, leading to significant revenue losses and challenges in maintaining production efficiency. SMEs are particularly targeted by cybercriminals. Additionally, enterprise SaaS CRM applications are accessed through the Internet, and data transactions occur across various locations involving third-party entities. These operating environments are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks and represent considerable risks. Hence these data security concerns are expected to restrict market growth during the forecast period.

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Related Reports:

Customer relationship management (CRM) in the healthcare market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.85% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecasted to increase by USD 8.01 billion. Furthermore, this report extensively covers market segmentation by component (software and services), deployment (on-premises model and cloud-based model), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). The growing demand for personalized healthcare services and patient engagement solutions is a key factor driving the market growth during the forecast period.

The SaaS customer relationship management (CRM) market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 13.43% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 59,426.56 million. Furthermore, this report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (retail, BFSI manufacturing, telecom and it, and others), application (service and support, sales, marketing, and e-commerce), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The increasing adoption of SaaS CRM by SMEs is a key factor driving the market growth during the forecast period.

CRM Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 10.16% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 54.4 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023(%) 9.34 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 55% Key countries US, Canada, Japan, UK, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Acoustic LP, Adobe Inc., Agile CRM Inc., Concentrix Corp., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., HubSpot Inc., Koch Industries Inc., Microsoft Corp., NICE Ltd., Oracle Corp., Pegasystems Inc., Sage Group Plc, Salesforce.com Inc., SAP SE, SAS Institute Inc., SugarCRM Inc., Verint Systems Inc., Vtiger Systems India Pvt. Ltd., Zendesk Inc., and Zoho Corp. Pvt. Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get customized segments.

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market Overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Application



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Deployment



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 10: Parent market



Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 13: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2022

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027

Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

4 Historic Market Size

4.1 Global CRM market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global CRM market 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.2 Application Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Application Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.3 Deployment Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Deployment Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size  Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size  Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

5 Five Forces Analysis

5.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027

5.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027

5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027

5.7 Market condition

Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027

6 Market Segmentation by Application

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Application

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Application



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Application

6.3 Service and support CRM - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Service and support CRM - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Service and support CRM - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Service and support CRM - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Service and support CRM - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Sales CRM - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Sales CRM - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Sales CRM - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Sales CRM - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Sales CRM - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Marketing CRM software - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Marketing CRM software - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Marketing CRM software - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Marketing CRM software - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Marketing CRM software - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 E-Commerce software CRM - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 46: Chart on E-Commerce software CRM - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on E-Commerce software CRM - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 48: Chart on E-Commerce software CRM - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on E-Commerce software CRM - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.7 Market opportunity by Application

Exhibit 50: Market opportunity by Application ($ billion)

7 Market Segmentation by Deployment

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 51: Chart on Deployment - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Deployment - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Deployment

Exhibit 53: Chart on Comparison by Deployment



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Comparison by Deployment

7.3 SaaS - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on SaaS - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on SaaS - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 57: Chart on SaaS - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on SaaS - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 On-premise - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 59: Chart on On-premise - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 60: Data Table on On-premise - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 61: Chart on On-premise - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on On-premise - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Market opportunity by Deployment

Exhibit 63: Market opportunity by Deployment ($ billion)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 64: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 65: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 67: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 68: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 69: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 70: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 71: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 72: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 73: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 75: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 76: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 77: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 78: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 79: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 80: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 83: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 87: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 89: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 90: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 91: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 92: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 95: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 97: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 98: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 99: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 100: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 103: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 105: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 106: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 107: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 108: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 109: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 110: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 111: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 112: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 113: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 114: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 115: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Acoustic LP

Exhibit 116: Acoustic LP - Overview



Exhibit 117: Acoustic LP - Product / Service



Exhibit 118: Acoustic LP - Key offerings

12.4 Adobe Inc.

Exhibit 119: Adobe Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 120: Adobe Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 121: Adobe Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 122: Adobe Inc. - Segment focus

12.5 Concentrix Corp.

Exhibit 123: Concentrix Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 124: Concentrix Corp. - Product / Service



Exhibit 125: Concentrix Corp. - Key offerings

12.6 Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 126: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 127: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 128: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 129: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 130: Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

12.7 HubSpot Inc.

Exhibit 131: HubSpot Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 132: HubSpot Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 133: HubSpot Inc. - Key offerings

12.8 Koch Industries Inc.

Exhibit 134: Koch Industries Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 135: Koch Industries Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 136: Koch Industries Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 137: Koch Industries Inc. - Key offerings

12.9 Microsoft Corp.

Exhibit 138: Microsoft Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 139: Microsoft Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 140: Microsoft Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 141: Microsoft Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 142: Microsoft Corp. - Segment focus

12.10 NICE Ltd.

Exhibit 143: NICE Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 144: NICE Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 145: NICE Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 146: NICE Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 147: NICE Ltd. - Segment focus

12.11 Oracle Corp.

Exhibit 148: Oracle Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 149: Oracle Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 150: Oracle Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 151: Oracle Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 152: Oracle Corp. - Segment focus

12.12 Pegasystems Inc.

Exhibit 153: Pegasystems Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 154: Pegasystems Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 155: Pegasystems Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 156: Pegasystems Inc. - Key offerings

12.13 Sage Group Plc

Exhibit 157: Sage Group Plc - Overview



Exhibit 158: Sage Group Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 159: Sage Group Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 160: Sage Group Plc - Segment focus

12.14 Salesforce.com Inc.

Exhibit 161: Salesforce.com Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 162: Salesforce.com Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 163: Salesforce.com Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 164: Salesforce.com Inc. - Key offerings

12.15 SAP SE

Exhibit 165: SAP SE - Overview



Exhibit 166: SAP SE - Business segments



Exhibit 167: SAP SE - Key news



Exhibit 168: SAP SE - Key offerings



Exhibit 169: SAP SE - Segment focus

12.16 SAS Institute Inc.

Exhibit 170: SAS Institute Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 171: SAS Institute Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 172: SAS Institute Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 173: SAS Institute Inc. - Key offerings

12.17 SugarCRM Inc.

Exhibit 174: SugarCRM Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 175: SugarCRM Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 176: SugarCRM Inc. - Key offerings

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 177: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 178: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 179: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 180: Research methodology



Exhibit 181: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 182: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 183: List of abbreviations

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CLEVELAND, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MIM Software is proud to announce that it has been authorized by the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) Program as a CVE Numbering Authority (CNA)reinforcing its commitment to global cybersecurity.

MIM Software is proud to announce that it has been authorized by the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) Program as a CVE Numbering Authority (CNA)reinforcing its commitment to global cybersecurity. The CVE Program is an international and community-driven initiative that identifies, defines, and catalogs publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities. As a CNA, MIM Software will assign and publish CVE Records, allowing the community to rapidly discover and correlate vulnerability inf

The CVE Program is an international and community-driven initiative that identifies, defines, and catalogs publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities. As a CNA, MIM Software will assign and publish CVE Records, allowing the community to rapidly discover and correlate vulnerability information which will be used to protect systems against attacks.

"We're thrilled to join this vital, community-driven program. Our CNA status allows us to enhance our cybersecurity measures and deliver critical vulnerability information to our customers faster," said Jonathan Papcun, Director of Engineering, Security & Infrastructure at MIM Software. "This partnership reinforces our commitment to transparency and protecting our customers and patients," he added.

About the CVE Program

The mission of the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) Program is to identify, define, and catalog publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities. There is one CVE Record for each vulnerability in the catalog. The vulnerabilities are discovered then assigned and published by organizations from around the world that have partnered with the CVE Program. Partners publish CVE Records to communicate consistent descriptions of vulnerabilities. Information technology and cybersecurity professionals use CVE Records to ensure they are discussing the same issue, and to coordinate their efforts to prioritize and address the vulnerabilities.

About MIM Software Inc.

MIM Software Inc. is a privately held company with a dynamic working environment. It is headquartered in Cleveland, OH, with international offices in Beijing, Chengdu, and Brussels.

MIM Software sells its products globally to imaging centers, hospitals, specialty clinics, research organizations, and pharmaceutical companies. The company's products are used in over 3,500 centers worldwide.

MIM Software Inc. is committed to enhancing patient care by providing customer-centered and innovative imaging solutions in the fields of Radiation Oncology, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Neuroimaging, and Cardiac Imaging.

To learn more, visit mimsoftware.com/security

SOURCE MIM Software Inc.
Leaders from across the country recognized for bridging gaps and advancing equitable access to oral care, awarded with $60,000 in charitable contributions

BOSTON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --  On its third annual Health Equity Hero Day today, DentaQuest, part of Sun Life U.S., announced its 2023 Health Equity Heroes, who this year represent the nation's health connectors. In addition to celebrating and promoting the work of the 12 Health Equity Heroes, DentaQuest is making $60,000 in charitable contributions  $5,000 in the name of each hero to a qualified nonprofit of their choice.

Celebrate the 2023 Health Equity Heroes for their efforts to improve access to oral and overall health for all. Tweet this DentaQuest's Health Equity Heroes program is in its ninth year.

Now in its ninth year, the DentaQuest Health Equity Heroes program honors individuals and organizations responsible for extraordinary work that advances equitable access to health care (medical, oral health, behavioral health) and thus optimal overall health. This year, DentaQuest recognizes the unique ways we benefit from health connectors  forward-thinkers taking action to remedy and eliminate systemic disparities in an effort to make health systems more welcoming to all.

"The pandemic and its aftermath exacerbated the major gaps in health care across the country, making access and affordability more difficult than ever," said Steve Pollock, president at DentaQuest. "This year's Health Equity Heroes are truly health connectors, bridging these gaps, positively impacting their communities and making real change from the ground up. We are proud to recognize these individuals as heroes and celebrate their efforts and accomplishments improving oral and overall health for all."

The 2023 Health Equity Heroes:

Joel Bervell, a student at Washington State University's Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and TikTok's 2021 Voice of Change, is making a life-saving impact on his digital community. As part of his mission to make health care more approachable, Joel creates TikTok content that covers a wide range of health and medical topics exposing health disparities and debunking long-standing myths, including racial biases in medicine. Joel's videos provide easily digestible sound bites that empower his 637,000 viewers to take control of their health and challenge systemic injustices. Joel's Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support National Medical Fellowships.

Richard Black, DDS, MS, founding dean of the Hunt School of Dental Medicine, practiced orthodontics for 40 years before dedicating himself to guiding the education of the next generation of dental oral health professionals. The school trains dentists in El Paso, a county with only 1 dentist for every 4,840 residents, compared to the national average of 1 dentist for every 1,638 individuals. Situated on the Texas-Mexico border, the school boasts a dental health curriculum focused not only on developing the latest, most technically advanced skills, but also on addressing the needs of patients and overall public health. Richard's Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support the Dental Dean's Excellence Fund of the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine.

Gail Brown is a lifelong health care advocate and director of the New Hampshire Oral Health Coalition. Thanks in large part to her work over two decades, the state recently established an adult Medicaid dental benefit. Gail's grassroots approach creates strong relationships with members of the medical and dental community, the legislature, education and advocacy groups, and the insurance industry. Despite a vetoed proposal in 2020 and another failed bill in 2021, Brown remained undeterred. She continued educating stakeholders, providers and consumers about the importance of oral health and pushed for new legislation. As a result, more than 120,000 New Hampshire residents now qualify for adult Medicaid dental benefits. Gail's Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support the New Hampshire Oral Health Coalition.

Theresa Cheng, DDS, is founder and president of Everyone for Veterans (E4V), a nonprofit dedicated to providing free comprehensive dental care, resources and other support to veterans in need. Just about 15% of veterans are eligible for dental benefits through the federal Veterans Health Administration, meaning veterans are more likely to experience worse oral health outcomes compared to those who did not serve. Theresa has created a network of more than 680 volunteer dentists from 34 states to deliver oral health care to veterans and their families. Theresa's Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support E4V.

Lauren Easton directs the Commonwealth Care Alliance's (CCA's) efforts to drive health equity in Greater Boston. The CCA offers health plans and care delivery programs designed for people with significant needs. In her role as vice president of integrative program development and clinical innovation, Lauren focuses on providing support to unhoused individuals, leading such initiatives as the establishment of Marie's Place Crisis Stabilization Unit. CCA members with behavioral health and substance use disorders benefit from the innovative, safe, home-like environment at Marie's Place, which is a valuable alternative to inpatient psychiatric care. Lauren's Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support Bay Cove Human Services.

Cathy Levering, executive director of Sacramento District Dental Society (SDDS) and volunteer foundation leader, ensures that dental plans and providers fulfill their responsibility to care for Medicaid members in the region. SDDS under Cathy's leadership notably in 2009 identified a crucial gap in the region's managed care program. Her efforts drove significant program changes and grew dental access for children, with nearly 95% insured today. Cathy also expanded the foundation's dental screening program from 1 school to 45. And the annual Smiles for Kids Day previously involved treating more than 1,000 kids at 40 sites, but her efforts to boost access helped cut that to 200 kids at just 3 sites. Cathy's Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support the SDDS Foundation.

Adam Luck has spent the last six years addressing the needs of unhoused individuals. As CEO of City Care in Oklahoma City, he focuses on equity and access, helping people find stability and housing. City Care provides vital services such as a low-barrier night shelter, transportation, permanent housing, and more. Through strategic partnerships, Adam helps give people access to essential services. For example, City Care's Whiz Kids after-school tutoring and mentoring program recently added a dental health literacy initiative to help 550 students at risk of school failure also learn the importance of good oral hygiene. Adam has transformed countless lives, making him a champion of health equity. Adam's Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support City Care.

Christina Rosenthal, DDS, MPH, established Determined to be a Doctor Someday (DDS) to give back to the inner-city Memphis, where she grew up. DDS offers young people programming and mentorship to inspire change and foster interest in future health care careers. Each six-month program serves about 30 students ages 14 to 18 and features guest speakers who share similarities with participating students. These speakers candidly share their stories and how they became doctors, dentists, or other health professionals. Hundreds of students have completed DDS over the past 12 years, with many pursuing careers in medicine and some earning full college scholarships. Christina's Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support the 516 Foundation.

Bridget Saffold, MSN, MPH, RN, has dedicated herself to raising awareness about diabetes through her health education program, Focus on Diabetes. Recognizing oral health's significant impact on overall wellbeing and its connection to diabetes, Bridget aims to educate her community about early detection and prevention. When her father passed away from diabetes-related complications, she recognized an essential gap in patient care  time and education. Annual Focus on Diabetes seminars and group meetings throughout the year address those gaps by assembling experts and community members for education on the disease and how to manage it without the limit of 15-minute clinic appointments. Bridget's Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support Focus on Diabetes.

Tammy Simmons is the driving force behind the Arkansas nonprofit ACCESS . Dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, Tammy has helped remove barriers that limit access to proper oral care and medical services. Since 1994, ACCESS has provided a comprehensive special education program in Little Rock, empowering children, young adults, and families with disabilities to build brighter futures. The nonprofit offers diagnostics, outpatient therapies, full-time education, and vocational training, to promote financial independence and community integration, reducing reliance on government safety-net programs. Tammy's Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support ACCESS.

Darlene Sorrell, DMD, is the first Navajo dentist and a co-founder of the Society for American Indian Dentists (SAID). During her 38-year career, she provided care with the Indian Health Service. Darlene now works with the Navajo Nation's only nonprofit dental clinic, Nizhoni (Beautiful) Smiles  essential work, considering that dental disease incidence among Navajos is triple the rate of the general population. As president of the clinic's board, Darlene collaborates with former colleagues and friends to grow staff and career opportunities at the clinic with initiatives such as an on-the-job dental assistant training program, plus mentorship and shadowing. Darlene's Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support Nizhoni Smiles.

Mark Wolff, DDS, PhD, established a dental home for more than 7,000 individuals by creating the Penn Dental Medicine's Personalize Care Suite/Care Center for Persons with Disabilities in 2020. With experience running a private practice for patients with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD), Mark set out to transform dental education when he became Dean of Penn Dental in 2018. To do so, he established a dental clinic and teledentistry program designed for adults with IDD. Mark also pioneered an online, no-cost continuing education series to enhance providers' knowledge about caring for this population  more than 50 modules seen by more than 3,500 professionals in 30 countries. Mark's Health Equity Hero donation will be used to support the Vulnerable Populations Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania.

About DentaQuest

DentaQuest, part of Sun Life U.S., is a purpose-driven health care company dedicated to improving the oral health of all. We do this through Preventistry  our inclusive approach to quality care and expanded access built on trusted partnerships between patients, providers and payors. As one of the nation's largest and most experienced Medicaid dental benefits administrators, we manage dental and vision benefits for more than 33 million Americans through a nationwide network of providers in all 50 states. Our outcomes-based, cost-effective dental solutions are designed for Medicaid and CHIP, Medicare Advantage, small and large businesses, and individuals. At the same time, we are expanding our footprint of more than 70 oral health centers in six states to deliver direct patient care in rural and underserved populations. Learn more at www.DentaQuest.com and follow us on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and Twitter .

Direct Media Inquiries to:

Farrah Phillipo

[email protected]

781-654-6764

SOURCE DentaQuest
NEW YORK, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Diplomatic Trade Ltd., a leading global company, and its Chairman and CEO, Mr. Benjamin Ballout, have made the decision to suspend the ongoing negotiation with the Suez Canal Authority and ETP 200 Factory-Egypt for commercial support and developments in the modernization of the Suez Canal and the EV fabrication, along with forex trade support.

CEO Mr. Benjamin Ballout

This decision comes after a careful and thorough evaluation of Diplomatic Trade Ltd.'s business strategies and priorities. While the negotiation process has been progressing, the company has determined that it is in its best interest to suspend the discussions at this time.

It is important to note that the suspension of the negotiation is not a reflection of the capabilities or reputation of the Suez Canal Authority or ETP 200 Factory-Egypt. Diplomatic Trade Ltd. holds the utmost respect for the Suez Canal Authority and its senior command, as well as General Osama Rabea and General Maged Gamal Eldeen of ETP 200 Factory-Egypt.

Additionally, Mr. Benjamin Ballout regrets to announce the cancellation of its agreement with Visionary Vehicles, Inc., a renowned car brand company led by Mr. Malcolm Bricklin, Co-Chairman, and Co-Chief Executive. We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the time, effort, and resources invested by Visionary Vehicles, Inc. in the negotiation and collaboration process. Their commitment to innovation and expertise demonstrated throughout our discussions has been commendable.

Diplomatic Trade Ltd. remains committed to its core values of integrity, professionalism, and excellence. The company will continue to explore new opportunities and collaborations that align with its business strategies and objectives.

For further inquiries or information, please contact:

Mr. Benjamin Ballout

CEO

Diplomatic Trade Ltd.

[email protected]

877-501-1977

About Diplomatic Trade Ltd.

Diplomatic Trade Ltd. is a leading global company engaged in various industries, mining, commodity trade, robotic & INSURTECH services. With a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, Diplomatic Trade Ltd. strives to deliver high-quality solutions to its clients worldwide. For more information, visit www.diplomatictrade.com

SOURCE Diplomatic Trade
SAN FRANCISCO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global drilling fluids market size is expected to reach USD 11.27 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.4% from 2023 to 2030, as per the new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growth is majorly driven by the increasing demand in the energy industry. The high demand for crude oil by various industries, such as transportation and energy, has been ramping up oil & gas production globally. Growing concerns about crumbling boreholes, handling solid waste, and spill containment are anticipated to increase drilling fluid demand significantly during the forecast period. The oil and gas industry, and particularly the industries that are linked with it, has been creating immense opportunities in the market.

.

Key Industry Insights & Findings from the report:

The water-based segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2023 to 2030 as they are less likely to impact the environment as compared to oil-based, resulting in its demand in the forecast period.

The overall industry is anticipated to witness a huge leap in demand, owing to the growing requirement for crude oil in emerging industry sectors, such as energy and transportation, which is expected to drive demand for oil & gas production globally.

The onshore application segment dominated the market with the highest share of 60.1% in 2022. This is attributed to the ongoing oil drilling activities in the onshore field to fulfill growing energy needs.

The global volume of oil & gas production is anticipated to witness huge growth due to an increasing number of research initiatives to develop abandoned oil wells and renewed projects in onshore oilfield.

Read 125-page market research report, "Drilling Fluids Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Oil-based, Water-based), By Application (Onshore, Offshore), By Region (North America, Asia Pacific), And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030", published by Grand View Research.

Drilling Fluids Market Growth & Trends



Water-based drilling fluid captured the highest market share in 2022 due to the increasing requirement for water-based fluid in horizontal drilling like wells. Water-based is considered to be less harmful to the environment than other oils, which is expected to drive demand in the forecast period. Water-based oils are used in 75% of drilling wells globally. The types of fluids used in this are freshwater, brine, saturated, or formate brine, which are less toxic, resulting in creating a huge potential for the industry in the coming years. Product manufacturers have been taking several strategic initiatives, such as new product development, partnerships, M&A, collaborations, agreements, and joint ventures.

These strategies have been adopted to increase market penetration and create enough opportunities for technology implementation for different end-use applications in the region. The major challenge for the product is its adverse effect on the environment due to its toxicity. Water-based oil is still less impactful to the environment in comparison with oil-based fluids. The degree of impact also depends on the type of oil used in the existing environmental conditions. This environmental impact has brought certain restrictions on its use in various parts of the world.

Drilling Fluids Market Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2023 USD 8.32 billion Revenue forecast in 2030 USD 11.27 billion Growth rate CAGR of 4.4% from 2023 to 2030 Base year for estimation 2022 Historical data 2018 - 2021 Forecast period 2023 - 2030

Drilling Fluids Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global drilling fluids market on the basis of product, application, and region

Drilling Fluids Market - Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

Oil-based

Synthetic-based

Water-based

Others

Drilling Fluids Market - Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

Onshore

Offshore

Drilling Fluids Market - Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

North America

U.S.



Canada



Mexico

Europe

UK



Russia



Norway



Azerbaijan



Kazakhstan

Asia Pacific

China



India



Indonesia



Malaysia



Pakistan



Myanmar



Singapore



Australia



Vietnam



Thailand

Central & South America

Brazil



Argentina



Venezuela



Colombia



Peru

Middle East

Saudi Arabia



UAE



Qatar



Kuwait



Iran



Iraq

Africa

Algeria



Libya



Nigeria



Gabon



Zaire (Republic of Congo )

List of Key Players of Drilling Fluids Market

Baker Hughes, Inc.

CES Energy Solutions Corp.

Halliburton, Inc.

Newpark Resources, Inc.

Petrochem Performance Chemical Ltd. LLC

Schlumberger Ltd.

Scomi Group Bhd

Weatherford International

Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research:

Downhole Tools Market - The global downhole tools market size is expected to reach USD 5.16 billion by 2026, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., progressing at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period. The growth of the market is primarily driven by ongoing increase in drilling activities worldwide. The operational cost incurred in E&P activities has dropped with advent of operational efficiencies and technological innovations. This has resulted in rise in exploration of unconventional resources, thereby spurring the global demand for the product.

The global downhole tools market size is expected to reach by 2026, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., progressing at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period. The growth of the market is primarily driven by ongoing increase in drilling activities worldwide. The operational cost incurred in E&P activities has dropped with advent of operational efficiencies and technological innovations. This has resulted in rise in exploration of unconventional resources, thereby spurring the global demand for the product. North America Piling Machine Market - The North America piling machine market size is expected to reach USD 1.24 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., exhibiting a 3.8% CAGR. Under the National Infrastructure Plan of Mexico , the government planned an investment of USD 590 billion from 2014 to 2018 to promote the construction of residential and commercial structures. This was aimed at expanding the scope of foundation spending on a domestic level, thus fueling demand for piling machine in the near future.

- The piling machine market size is expected to reach by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., exhibiting a 3.8% CAGR. Under the National Infrastructure Plan of , the government planned an investment of from 2014 to 2018 to promote the construction of residential and commercial structures. This was aimed at expanding the scope of foundation spending on a domestic level, thus fueling demand for piling machine in the near future. GCC & North Africa Coiled Tubing Market - The GCC and North Africa coiled tubing market size is expected to reach USD 886.5 million by 2025, registering a CAGR of 4.8%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Given the uncertainty in oil and gas industry, oil producers are increasingly utilizing cost effective well completion technologies like coiled tubing (CT).

Browse through Grand View Research's Drilling & Extraction Equipment Research Reports

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry James

Corporate Sales Specialist, USA

Grand View Research, Inc.

Phone: 1-415-349-0058

Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519

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SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.
Mobile experience engineering solution raises over $20 million in growth financing, increases customer base 130% Y-o-Y, and expands key leadership to accelerate growth.

CULVER CITY, Calif., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Embrace, the solution to help engineers build better mobile experiences, is sharing its continued success in driving mobile transformation alongside an announcement of an upround of $20 million in growth financing. The inside round, a show of wholehearted support from all prior lead investors, was led by NEA with participation from Greycroft, AV8 (Allianz), and Eniac.

The new funding is dedicated to powering continued product innovation to help mobile teams build the best mobile experiences, buttressed by the launch of Embrace's innovative new brand focused on the "builders" of mobile experiences consumers love.

"Embrace has an impressive client roster, including companies like Discover, Marriott, and The New York Times, reflecting how invaluable they've become for the mobile success of the biggest brands in the world," said Aaron Jacobson, Partner at NEA. "Usage of mobile apps is growing rapidly, and a massive part of the market segment is still operating on legacy tools. There's a huge gap between what providers in the Observability space are delivering, and what mobile engineers want and need to really delight their users."

Companies Making Mobile a Priority

Consumers spent a record $33.9 billion conducting purchases in mobile apps in Q1 2023 alone. Beyond mobile apps, a massive amount of spend and innovation now occur on point-of-sale systems (tablets), workforce productivity devices, automotive telemetry and infotainment, and the spatial computing devices recently released by Apple. With these accelerative factors, the everyday focus of consumers is squarely on mobile, and the pressure on mobile teams to build creative, reliable, and performant experiences has never been greater.

Mobile is all about the details, and Embrace's mobile experience engineering solution helps get them right. Embrace gives mobile teams, especially their engineers, a unique insight into all the variables, across hardware, software, networks, and UX, that shape each and every end-user's mobile experiences. This level of insight empowers teams to identify and prioritize the user impact of any issue; this level of detail empowers engineers to instantly resolve issues; this level of understanding shifts a team's focus from reactive bug solving to surfacing the highest ROI opportunities to improve performance.

Embrace has grown its customer base 130% year-over-year. With 93% quarterly logo retention, the company has secured a roster of clients invested in the value Embrace delivers. Embrace counts Discover, Marriott, The New York Times, Yum Brands (Taco Bell), Yahoo!, and other premier brands as clients in addition to top mobile-native businesses like Cameo, GOAT, Hatch, Ibotta, and Wildlife Games.

Mobile Engineer Insights

Dom Scandinaro, SVP of Engineering & Data, Cameo

"Sitting at the intersection of mobile technology and pop culture, Cameo must consistently move at lightning speed. Embrace has fundamentally changed how we manage our mobile app so we can quickly identify issues and in turn continue to create flawless, personalized fan experiences."

Chris To, VP of Technology at GOAT

"Before we deploy a new release to every user, we check Embrace to see the impact of any issues that may arise. We remained 99.99% crash-free during a record traffic period, and we were able to focus on making the experience flawless for our very dedicated users."

Chris Lavender, Vice President of Software Engineering at Hatch

"Embrace helps our team ensure that our app experience is as simple and soothing as our real-world products. As a company dedicated to rest and wellbeing, it's crucial that the mobile experience we provide is smooth, calming, and easily connects users to their dream machine devices. Embrace gives us the insights and confidence to continually deliver on this promise."

Team Leadership Expansion

Embrace has more than doubled its employee headcount in 18 months, making key hires in product and engineering.

Notably, Embrace added Andrew Tunall as VP & Head of Product. Tunall, previously VP Product at New Relic where he led Observability, is focused on innovating on data-driven tools for engineers to proactively optimize mobile experiences.

"A lot of monitoring and observability tools are fire alarms and insurance. They tell you when things are on fire, and engineers hope they don't have to use them. We see adoption of Embrace by mobile engineers is around 8x that of tools built for Ops," said Andrew Tunall, Head of Product at Embrace. "This means your engineers are more proactive in discovering user-impacting issues before bad app store reviews or support emails get sent, and you create a culture of building for user delight rather than fire-fighting."

Anuj Jaiswal also joined Embrace as VP of R&D. Previously at VMware via the acquisition of Arkin, he drove the business line to 150% Y-o-Y revenue growth. With two decades of leading R&D teams, Jaiswal brings focus on growth, product design, and engineering excellence.

Embrace added Dan Wright, previously COO of AppDynamics and CEO of DataRobot, as the newest member of its board of directors. Wright brings a unique combination of AI and APM expertise to augment Embrace's strategic plans to continue to grow into the mission-critical toolset for the entire mobile team.

"Leaders today are required to make mobile a strategic driver of their businesses," said Eric Futoran, co-founder and CEO of Embrace. "With a shared mission alongside our investors and board, Embrace is addressing the ambitious future of mobile development by empowering builders who value the user."

About Embrace

Embrace, the Mobile Experience Engineering solution, empowers engineers to manage the complexity of mobile to build better, bolder experiences. At a time when mobile is more crucial than ever, teams often face fragmented solutions, missing data, and an inability to surface issues. With Embrace, engineers can identify and prioritize the impact of any issues with detailed behavioral and technical context to resolve them instantly. By eliminating guesswork, Embrace illuminates opportunities to perfect performance and build the best experiences possible. When it comes to mobile development, Embrace gives leaders the most powerful and effective ways to deliver what people expect and need from mobile. Embrace is supported by NEA, AV8 (Allianz), Greycroft, YCombinator, and Eniac along with investments from the founders of PagerDuty, MoPub, Testflight, Sendbird, and Scopely. Embrace was selected by YCombinator to participate in the highly selective YC Growth program for their highest potential growth-stage companies. Embrace is based in Culver City, Palo Alto, Buenos Aires, and London. Visit https://embrace.io/ for more information.

Colin Contreary

Head of Content

Embrace

[email protected]

This release was issued through WebWire. For more information, visit http://www.webwire.com.

SOURCE Embrace
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced it will report results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2023, after the market closes on Aug. 1, 2023. The Company will host an investor conference call at 10 a.m. ET on Aug. 2, 2023, to discuss its results.

The conference call may be accessed by dialing 800-267-6316 and giving the conference ID EHCQ223. International callers should dial 203-518-9765 and give the same conference ID. Please call approximately 10 minutes before the start of the call to ensure you are connected.

A live webcast of the conference call and an online replay of the conference call can be found on the Company's investor website at https://investor.encompasshealth.com.

About Encompass Health

Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 158 hospitals in 37 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For and Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contact:

Casey Winger | 205-970-5912

[email protected]

Investor Relations Contact:

Mark Miller | 205-970-5860

[email protected]

SOURCE Encompass Health Corp.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Equinox Hospitality, a premier hotel investment, management, acquisition, and development company, has acquired the Four Points by Sheraton San Rafael Marin County for $38 million. This acquisition marks Equinox's fifth successful addition to its hotel portfolio in the past year.

The hotel boasts the largest outdoor hotel pool in Marin County, CA.

"The potential of this property has always resonated with me, having kept an eye on it for quite some time," said Adam Suleman, principal at Equinox Hospitality. "When it came onto the market, it felt like the perfect alignment of opportunity. Marin County is an affluent market that presents a strong demand for a hotel of this nature due to its supply constraints. The property's strategic location  being at the heart of key sites in Marin, in proximity to San Francisco and Wine Country, and next door to a billion-dollar retail and development zone  lends itself to a wealth of opportunities."

Additionally, nestled amidst the scenic beauty of Mount Tamalpais, Muir Woods, and Stinson Beach, the property holds remarkable promise with its robust infrastructure and assortment of amenities. Notably, it boasts the largest outdoor hotel pool in Marin County and offers approximately 6,840 square feet of versatile event space spread across seven ballroom and meeting rooms. The property also includes a generous restaurant and bar space and a charming outdoor seating area.

Equinox Hospitality aims to unlock the latent potential of the property through a thorough renovation and strategic rebranding. The hotel will soon align itself with the growing portfolio of Tribute by Marriott, a brand recognized for its distinguished independent properties. Driving this initiative is a commitment to enrich the guest experience and create an environment that appeals to the local Marin community and visitors from neighboring regions, such as Napa, Sonoma, and San Francisco. The renovation plans will kick off next year.

"Having acquired five unique properties and executed more than $100 million in hotel deal volume in the past year, Equinox is on a determined expansion path," he said. "We are keen on solidifying our presence in existing markets and exploring new promising ones. With an optimistic view on San Francisco's rebound, we aim to expand across the Bay Area. Our strategic partnerships with the major hotel brands continue to bolster our growth, and we remain confident about unearthing valuable opportunities, especially in California and Texas, even amid some uncertainties."

High-resolution photographs of the property can be accessed by clicking here.

About Equinox Hospitality

Equinox Hospitality is a premier hotel investment, management, acquisition, and development company. Founded by Abdul M. Suleman in 1994, Equinox Hospitality strives to provide exceptional experiences for our guests, while providing an excellent work environment for our staff and obtaining industry leading results in the United States, Europe, and Middle East. For more information about Equinox Hospitality, please visit: www.equinoxhotels.com.

Media Contact:

Christopher Joseph (CJ) Arlotta

CJ Media Solutions for Equinox Hospitality

C: 631-572-3019

[email protected]

SOURCE Equinox Hospitality
TORONTO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ESET, an industry-leading and globally recognized IT and cybersecurity company, and D&H Distributing, a leading provider of SMB and mid-market technologies to the North American channel, announced a new partnership today, expanding ESET's service to the VAR and reseller community segments.

D&H Canada has been selected to provide Canadian channel partners with quick and efficient access to ESET's full suite of award-winning business solutions to meet growing demand across various industry sectors. "Taking on new distribution partnerships is something that we've been conservative with, but we are extremely excited to be adding D&H Canada. We expect this new partnership to contribute nicely to our growth expectations while adding support to ESET's growth in the Canadian landscape," says Bob Bonneau, ESET Canada's country manager. "A priority for ESET is increasing flexibility for our partners with the overall goal of making these partnerships broader and deeper."

ESET has more than 400,000 business customers, which includes enterprise customers and SMBs, in more than 195 countries worldwide. This past year, ESET Canada won Best Endpoint Security at the eChannelNews Annual Reseller Choice Awards for the third year in a row, solidifying ESET's footing in the cybersecurity market.

"D&H is excited to add ESET's offering to our Modern Solutions practice, enhancing our security portfolio for the VAR channel with multi-layered, high-quality data and endpoint security solutions," says D&H Canada General Manager Michelle Biase. "We are honoured to be one of only two Canadian distributors selected to deliver ESET's portfolio across a range of verticals, such as the SMB, consumer, education, and government markets. D&H Canada looks forward to supporting our mutual partners, helping them to grow their managed security services and become more profitable, successful providers in this competitive marketplace."

For more than 30 years, ESET has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. From a small dynamic company, ESET has grown into a global brand with more than 110 million users and 13 global research and development centres  including one in Montreal.

About ESET

For more than 30 years, ESET has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, and consumers worldwide from increasingly sophisticated digital threats. From endpoint and mobile security to endpoint detection and response, as well as encryption and multifactor authentication, ESET's high-performing, easy-to-use solutions unobtrusively protect and monitor 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company that enables the safe use of technology. This is backed by ESET's R&D centers worldwide, working in support of our shared future. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

SOURCE ESET
Xu, Yaqin, Deputy General Manager of Product Quality Department at EVE Energy, Reveals the Story Behind the Millionth 4695 Cylindrical Battery Roll-out

JINGMEN, China, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EVE Energy Co., Ltd. (EVE Energy), a leading lithium-ion battery manufacturer and energy storage solutions provider, celebrates the successful production of its one-millionth 4695 cylindrical battery. This achievement represents a major milestone for the company and highlights its pivotal role in driving the development of the industry as a whole. EVE Energy marked the event with a sharing session led by Ms. Yaqin, Deputy General Manager of 4BU Product Quality Department at EVE Energy. She shared the story of the company's development and its path to producing 4695 cylindrical batteries.

Warmly celebrate 1,000,000 cylindrical cells off the line! Xu, Yaqin, Deputy General Manager of Product Quality Department at EVE Energy

The production of one million 4695 cylindrical batteries signifies a remarkable accomplishment for EVE Energy and serves as a true testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. Currently, EVE Energy has successfully launched their production line for these exceptional batteries, making history as the first company in China to do so. The battery's exceptional performance has garnered recognition and anticipation from various industry events, further highlighting EVE Energy's impressive accomplishments.

"The successful production of one million 4695 cylindrical batteries is a testament to our dedication and expertise," stated Ms. Yaqin, during an interview as she expressed her excitement about the achievement. "This milestone not only demonstrates our ability to meet the demands of the market but also symbolizes our ambition to become the leading manufacturer in China."

EVE Energy 4BU No.14th Factory, where Xu Yaqin works, took on the task of manufacturing 4695 cylindrical batteries. The goal is to realize the mass production of the first generation of 280Wh/kg 4695 cylindrical lithium battery products. During the interview, she further elaborated on the production process, focusing on No.14th factory as an exemplary case.

EVE Energy is currently mass-producing 4695 cylindrical batteries at significant volumes on their assembly line. The process of scaling up production for these batteries presented several challenges due to the lack of mature technology and reference models for their assembly. However, the company overcame these obstacles through relentless efforts and independent research and development, resulting in a cost-effective production line.

During the development of the 4695 cylindrical battery production line, Ms. Yaqin acknowledged the challenges faced due to the lack of mature technology and reference models. However, EVE Energy's dedication to cost-effective and efficient solutions allowed them to successfully develop their own production line at a low cost.

Yaqin has personally set an example of a learning leader. Graduated from Wuhan University majoring in English, she is not only a management consultant and intermediate economist but also has passed the examinations of psychological counselor, project management PMP certification, quality management black belt certification, and national registered quality system auditor. She not only has excellent professional knowledge but also mature management ability, excellent communication ability, and affinity, which led the team to make a great contribution to secure the winning of the over 100 billion RMB orders in its Jiangmen's production base.

The company's No.14th, No.34th, and No.44th factories have experienced continuous growth and achievements, with the No.14th factory serving as EVE Energy's first 4695 cylindrical battery factory and setting the standard for sustainable, zero-carbon emissions throughout the entire life cycle. (No.34th & No.44th refer to the other two new 4695 cylindrical cell factories.) With a planned capacity of 21 GWh and an investment of 3.83 billion-yuan, No.14th factory has successfully mastered key technologies related to 4695 cylindrical batteries, leading the global production of 4695 cylindrical batteries. The invaluable partnership with BMW has further reinforced EVE Energy's commitment to continuous improvement and excellence.

For more information about EVE Energy, please check EVE's official website https://www.evebattery.com/en.

About EVE Energy

Founded in 2001 and listed in Shenzhen in 2009, EVE Energy has developed into a global player in the market, providing core technologies and comprehensive solutions for both consumer and power batteries, especially regarding the Internet of Things and the energy internet. Currently, EVE Energy has set up a research institute with 60 doctors and over 4,190 interdisciplinary R&D engineers in materials, electrochemistry, structure design, and electronic circuit design, obtained over 5,900 national patents in China. The company launched a carbon reduction roadmap with a series of low-carbon reduction efforts in energy use, the manufacturing process, the supply chain, and resource management, and was named a "National Green Factory". Meanwhile, EVE Energy leverages its BIM technology to provide accurate and reliable data for project management, saving a total of 2,533 tons of standard coal and reducing 16,000 tons of CO 2 emissions annually.

SOURCE EVE Energy Co., Ltd
ST. JOHN'S, NL, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - EverWind Fuels ("EverWind"), Canada's leading large-scale green hydrogen developer, has received notification from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador that it has successfully advanced to the final stage of evaluation for the leasing of Crown land to develop its $8 billion green fuels project on the Burin Peninsula. The shortlist was issued on July 6, 2023, by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Innovation, Energy and Technology, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Trent Vichie, CEO and founder of EverWind welcomed the news. "We are pleased to be selected and applaud the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for their efforts and diligence in reaching another crucial milestone in the province's burgeoning renewable green energy industry. A special thank you must be extended to all who took time to consult, inform and support EverWind in this process, particularly the residents and community leaders on the peninsula, as well as the Burin Peninsula Energy Board."

"EverWind's Burin Peninsula green fuels project represents an exciting and ambitious project for Newfoundland and Labrador, not only in size and scale, but also in innovation, environmental sustainability and socioeconomic benefits," added Vichie. "We are proud of the progress we have made to date, and we have received significant support from communities throughout the peninsula along the way. In the last year, we have advanced pre-FEED engineering, acquired strategic private land, and have been collecting environmental data since November 2022, which positions our Burin Peninsula project as one of the most advanced in the province."

Following its successful shortlisting EverWind also announces the launch of its meteorological ("MET") tower program, with 6 MET towers to be erected on the Burin Peninsula in the coming months. This program will begin collection of the wind resource data critical for project engineering and financing. "We are thrilled to reach this major milestone in the development of our project. With our Provincial approvals we are targeting having all 6 towers completed by early this fall and should be in a position to begin collecting live wind data on the first tower by early August. This will represent the largest MET tower campaign in all Atlantic Canada," said Vichie.

EverWind has received significant community support for this campaign. "EverWind continues to work collaboratively with the communities on the Burin Peninsula and shared detailed information regarding its MET tower program and has the full support of the Burin Peninsula Energy Board and the communities on the peninsula to proceed. We are excited for this major step in this transformational project for our region," said Brian Keating, Chair of the Burin Peninsula Energy Board.

"Our progress on the Burin Peninsula has not gone unnoticed  we are attracting some of the largest offtakers in the world, who are interested in purchasing green fuels proudly made here in Newfoundland and Labrador," added Vichie.

About Green Hydrogen & Green Ammonia

EverWind will convert renewable power first into green hydrogen and then into green ammonia, which can be transported safely around the world and used as a clean source of energy as well as green fertilizer. EverWind works with some of the largest European energy companies, global industrial companies, and leading hydrogen & ammonia equipment suppliers.

About EverWind Fuels

EverWind is North America's leading independent green hydrogen developer. EverWind received the first environmental assessment approval (Nova Scotia) in North America for a large-scale green hydrogen project, and is well progressed in design, engineering, and development for the first phase of both its green energy generation projects and the production facility which will convert this energy into green hydrogen. EverWind owns and operates the deepest ice-free berth on the East Coast of North America (Point Tupper, NS) with world class access to rail, roads, and pipelines. Our safety-first culture reflects a highly skilled and extensively certified workforce, with a stellar safety record.

EverWind is led by Trent Vichie, co-founder of Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, and former Blackstone Partner. EverWind's development team consists of over 20 members who have previously held senior positions at various infrastructure, private equity, renewable power, engineering, and utility companies. EverWind is also supported by a world-class advisory team including Black & Veatch, ILF, RES, Strum Environmental, McInnes Cooper, King & Spalding, McKinsey, Morgan Stanley, CIBC, and Citi.

EverWind's Newfoundland & Labrador Project

Leveraging our Nova Scotia platform and development experience, EverWind is pursuing a sister project on the Burin Peninsula in Newfoundland & Labrador. This project will consist of a 2+ GW wind farm to produce green hydrogen and ammonia. Located in a region with a proud industrial heritage, EverWind will continue to work closely with the Burin Peninsula Energy Board and communities throughout the region to advance the project.

EverWind acknowledges the island of Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland) as traditional territory of the Beothuk and the Qalipu Mi'kmaq and the Mi'kmaq of Miawpukek Mi'kamawey Mawi'omi and acknowledges Labrador as the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Innu of Nitassinan, the Inuit of Nunatsiavut, and the Inuit of NunatuKavut. EverWind is committed to working in a spirit of truth and reconciliation to make a better future for all.

EverWind's Nova Scotia Project

The first phase has received an environmental assessment approval and is on-target to produce approximately 240,000 tonnes per annum of green ammonia starting in 2025, then achieve 1.5 million tonnes per annum production by 2026 through a second phase. The next phase of our Nova Scotia project will generate green energy through an additional 2+ GW wind farm currently under development, which is expected to be the largest in North America.

EverWind acknowledges the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq people, and we acknowledge them as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land, Mi'kma'ki. From the beginning our work has shared a core principle of environmental stewardship. We are committed to working with Mi'kmaq and delivering a comprehensive partnership on all aspects of the project. EverWind's Nova Scotia Project includes three Mi'kmaq equity partners and is a champion for meaningful engagement with Rightsholders and the advancement of social and economic reconciliation.

At a local level, the EverWind works closely with multiple municipalities and stakeholder organizations throughout Nova Scotia.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by EverWind, including statements concerning projected wind farm capacity, projected green ammonia production volumes, construction and production timelines, sources and transmission of power, and benefits of the project. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, such as general economic and regulatory conditions, could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development, or performance of EverWind and those projected in the forward-looking statements contained in this release. EverWind does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking statements or to align them to future events or developments, except as may be required by law.

SOURCE EverWind Fuels Company
A Dothan man was arrested earlier this week after police believe he made inappropriate contact with a child.

Avery Lerenzo Sanders, 38, of Dothan, is charged with sexual abuse of a child younger than 12. His bond was set at $30,000.

According to Dothan Police, last month, the department received a report of possible sexual contact with a child by an adult male in the city limits of Dothan.

After an investigation, a warrant was obtained for Sanders, and he was taken into custody.

Due to the sensitive nature of this case, no further information will be released.
GAINESVILLE, Fla., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Evren Technologies, an innovator in the field of medical neuromodulation devices, today announced the launch of its pioneering Phoenix 100 System, a state-of-the-art transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulator (taVNS) research tool.

The Phoenix 100 System solves long-standing challenges faced by researchers in the realm of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). Current research tools are generally large, immobile, or lack the flexibility required to conduct high-quality clinical research. The Phoenix 100 System provides a compact, versatile, and programmable system tailored to the needs of PTSD patients and other indications that may benefit from non-invasive VNS research or treatment.

Evren Technologies announced the launch of its pioneering Phoenix CR-100 System, a state-of-the-art research tool. Tweet this

"The launch of our Phoenix 100 System to the research community marks a critical milestone in our journey, further building upon our reputation in the rapidly growing field of bioelectronic medicine. It opens the door to the use of taVNS therapy for the 12 million patients suffering from PTSD in the US and has resulted in our first product revenue!" said Weaver Gaines, Chairman & CEO.

The Phoenix 100 stimulates the vagus nerve via the ear's pinna, downregulating the sympathetic nervous system to reduce stress response. As the auricular branch of the vagus nerve primarily contains afferent fibers (going towards the brain), this type of stimulation is hands-free and reduces the risk of side effects, offering a significant advantage over cervical vagus nerve stimulation devices.

Designed specifically for VNS research, the Phoenix 100 System comprises a stimulator, a comfortable earpiece, and programming software. The Phoenix 100 System is the first to feature physiological monitoring to ensure stimulation quality, high-quality programmable stimulation with a wide range of amplitude and frequency choices, two calibration options, data logging, remote communication, and an adaptable home study capability. The important adherence monitoring feature in the easy-to-use device ensures that patients are following clinical protocols at home.

Anne Favre, MSE, MBA, Evren's COO Protem, explains "Many investigators close the discussion sections of their research with the sentiment 'further research is needed to optimize stimulation parameters, establish standardized protocols, and understand VNS mechanisms of action.' This is why now is the ideal time for the programmable Phoenix 100 System. This launch advances Evren's mission to empower PTSD patients and improve their lives through non-invasive, portable neuromodulation products."

About Evren Technologies

Evren is an innovator in the field of medical neuromodulation devices and is transforming the treatment of PTSD, Acute Stress Reactions, and Acute Stress Disorder by delivering noninvasive, breakthrough, Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) to the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. Our initial product -- the Phoenix 100 System  administers transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS) safely and effectively in laboratory, clinical, and unsupervised home settings for VNS research use and was launched in June 2023. The Phoenix 100 will also be the clinical trial device in Evren's pivotal trial seeking De Novo classification from the FDA. It will deliver safe and effective taVNS therapy, with no known adverse side effects. Bioelectronic medicine uses sophisticated technology to modulate the electrical activity of the body's nervous system and has the potential to supplement or even replace drugs or other interventions. Evren's technology is based on stimulating the vagus nerve, the main nerve of the parasympathetic ("calming or safety) branch of the autonomic nervous system. For further information about the Phoenix 100 System or Evren Technologies, please visit evrenvns.com.

CONTACT:

Joshua Kelly, Director of Operations

Evren Technologies, Inc.

904.517.2432

[email protected]

SOURCE Evren Technologies, Inc.
Gift Establishes FairfaxWood Health & Innovation Initiative and Endowed FairfaxWood Chair of Clinical Neurosciences

BOCA RATON, Fla., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Currently, there is no cure for amyloidosis, a life-threatening disease that can be present throughout the body, including the heart, kidneys, liver and brain. The most common localized form of amyloidosis, which is seen significantly more often, is in the brain. Cerebral amyloidosis, when symptomatic, usually manifests in one of two ways: in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and in brain bleeds, which have consequences such as a stroke.

Because amyloidosis does not affect a specific organ, unraveling the underlying cause of amyloid fibril creation - a hallmark of this disease - is complex and challenging.

A monumental $11.5 million gift from Boca Raton philanthropists Ann and John Wood of the FairfaxWood Scholarship Foundation, will enable Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine to create a game-changing infrastructure that will combat amyloidosis using a collaborative, whole-body approach.

This transformational gift will establish the FairfaxWood Health & Innovation Technology Initiative, which will focus on the FAU Amyloidosis Project. The initiative will be built on a collaboration model comprising clinicians, researchers and world-class institutes. The multi-disciplinary team will work collectively to uncover the root causes of the formation of amyloid fibrils throughout the body, including the brain, which can be difficult to treat.

Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and cutting-edge data science, the initiative will de-silo single organ-focused researchers and clinicians who will conduct research to seek treatments and ultimately find a cure for amyloidosis. In the distant horizon, the unique infrastructure created through this initiative could evolve into a permanent research resource to provide opportunities for vital work on other devastating illnesses.

"We are eternally grateful to Ann and John Wood for their vision, generosity and continued support of our medical school through this extraordinary gift," said FAU President Stacy Volnick. "The FairfaxWood Health & Innovation Technology Initiative will transform the way our researchers and clinicians study and treat amyloidosis and other serious medical conditions that require a synergistic approach to improve health and quality of life."

The $11.5 million gift from the Wood family marks their fourth contribution to FAU's College of Medicine and follows a $28 million scholarship gift in 2022, in memory of their son Robert A. Wood, to support medical education and to create the opportunity for debt-free tuition for aspiring physicians.

"Philanthropy has an increasingly important role in advancing science and supporting vital research initiatives that have implications for people not just locally but across the globe, especially when it involves an illness or condition that is complex, multifactorial and difficult to treat," said Ann and John Wood. "Amyloidosis in particular, is a disease that has personally impacted our family, and why we decided to invest in this initiative to usher in a new era to treat this disease, hopefully find a cure, and most importantly, provide patients with hope."

An integral component of the current Wood gift is the establishment of the inaugural, endowed "FairfaxWood Chair of Clinical Neurosciences," who will direct "discovery to cure" initiatives for amyloidosis, and in the future, other identified complex and severe disorders.

Michael R. Dobbs, M.D., has been named the inaugural chair to oversee research, faculty and programs within the medical school's newly created Clinical Neurosciences Department. As endowed chair, he will spearhead external outreach to build collaborations to identify leaders across the amyloidosis and related diseases spectrum.

"I am both honored and excited to have been selected as the first endowed FairfaxWood Chair of Clinical Neurosciences," said Dobbs. "As chair, I will work with a team of esteemed researchers and clinicians to gain a deeper understanding of the cause of amyloid fibril creation and how to prevent this amyloid buildup using medical mediations and discovering a means to dissolve existing amyloid fibril deposits."

Dobbs, an expert in vascular neurology, served most recently as professor and chair of neurology and vice dean of clinical affairs at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Medicine, where he also served as chief medical officer of their clinical enterprise. Prior to UTRGV, Dobbs served most recently as associate dean of statewide and clinical initiatives at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and as associate chief medical officer of UK HealthCare, where he led the hospital to become one of the busiest stroke centers in the U.S. while also building a 34 hospital Stroke Network that continues to grow and bring life-saving treatments to underserved regions in Appalachia. Dobbs also has been an institutional principal investigator on multiple clinical trials and has published numerous original research in stroke outcomes and other topics.

"The unique infrastructure that we are establishing will help us to learn about brain amyloid and shared attributes in other organs affected by amyloidosis," said Julie G. Pilitsis, M.D., Ph.D., a neurosurgeon, researcher and dean and vice president for medical affairs, FAU College of Medicine. "To accomplish this, we will ensure that the best minds working on the brain collaborate with the best minds working on other organ systems. Through the FAU Amyloidosis Project, we will utilize innovative technologies such as imaging and nanotechnology, leverage medical research databases, employ burgeoning AI tools, and, importantly, share this information broadly."

John and Ann Wood relocated to Boca Raton in 1983 having spent 18 years in the prestressed concrete business, building bridges, piers and cruise ship terminals throughout the Caribbean. They continued to operate the firm from Boca Raton until its sale in 2005. John is a United States Navy veteran and an engineering graduate of NYU, while Ann was a British citizen, raised in Trinidad and medically trained in London, England.

- FAU -

About the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine:

FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine is one of approximately 156 accredited medical schools in the U.S. The college was launched in 2010, when the Florida Board of Governors made a landmark decision authorizing FAU to award the M.D. degree. After receiving approval from the Florida legislature and the governor, it became the 134th allopathic medical school in North America. With more than 70 full and part-time faculty and more than 1,300 affiliate faculty, the college matriculates 64 medical students each year and has been nationally recognized for its innovative curriculum. To further FAU's commitment to increase much needed medical residency positions in Palm Beach County and to ensure that the region will continue to have an adequate and well-trained physician workforce, the FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Consortium for Graduate Medical Education (GME) was formed in fall 2011 with five leading hospitals in Palm Beach County. The Consortium currently has five Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited residencies including internal medicine, surgery, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and neurology.

About Florida Atlantic University: Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, FAU embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. FAU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu .

Media Contacts: Gisele Galoustian

Senior Media Relations Director, Research and Health

[email protected]

Mobile: 561-985-4615

This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise. For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com.

SOURCE Florida Atlantic University
CAMDEN, N.J., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) today honored Findlay Subaru of Las Vegas of Las Vegas, Nevada with the Subaru Love Promise Retailer of the Year Award for 2023, recognizing the retailer's ongoing commitment and support to their local community. The award goes to the Subaru retailer who has shown significant commitment to their customers and their community throughout the year, exemplifying the Subaru Love Promise.

Subaru of Las Vegas employees and family members are presented with the Subaru Love Promise Retailer of the Year Award for 2023 by executives from Subaru of America, Inc. and Subaru Corporation of Japan at the Subaru National Business Conference in Nashville, TN, Monday, Aug. 10, 2023.

"Being recognized as the Subaru Love Promise Retailer of the Year is a true honor and a heartfelt acknowledgement of our commitment to making a difference in the lives of our customers, our employees and our Southern Nevada community," said Burton Hughes, General Manager of Subaru of Las Vegas.

For the past 18 years, Hughes and his team have gone above and beyond to establish an open, welcoming atmosphere at Subaru of Las Vegas. Giving back to the community is at the heart of everything they do, working with over 50 nonprofit organizations. Since 2021, Subaru of Las Vegas has donated over $1 million to local charities including Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada and Michael's Angel Paws. Beyond dollar figures, their employees actively volunteer beyond expectations, and are advocates for both community organizations and customers in need. The retailer's reputation for ensuring that customers' best interests come first has also earned Subaru of Las Vegas the Subaru Customer Commitment Award from 2018 through 2023.

Subaru of America, Inc. created the Love Promise Retailer of the Year Award to shine a spotlight on exceptional Subaru retailers who contribute to their local communities while taking efforts to turn customer transactions into lifelong owner relationships. The Love Promise is a pledge to show love and respect to all people at every interaction with Subaru and to make a positive impact in the world.

This is the eighth annual Subaru Love Promise Retailer of the Year Award. For more information about the Subaru Retailer of The Year Award, please visit: https://www.subaru.com/our-commitment/love-promise/retailer-recognition.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $300 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged nearly 88,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Diane Anton

Corporate Communications Manager

(856) 488-5093

[email protected]

Adam Leiter

Corporate Communications Specialist

(856) 488-8668

[email protected]

SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.
A 50-year-old patient battling life-threatening Castleman disease was provided adalimumab as a treatment of last resort following its identification by AI-guided discovery.

Every Cure and its partners are expanding upon this discovery to harness a novel AI algorithm that calculates the potential use of every drug to treat every disease. Initial promising candidates for further study include bosutinib for ALS, metreleptin for anorexia, and folinic acid for autism spectrum disorder.

PHILADELPHIA, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A patient's life was saved after researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Castleman Disease Collaborative Network, Medidata, a Dassault Systemes company, and Every Cure, led by Dr. David Fajgenbaum, utilized AI to uncover a previously unknown use for an existing drug, adalimumab, to treat idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD). Every Cure and its partners are developing medical databases and AI algorithms to unlock new uses for existing medicines across all diseases, and the latest scoring identified adalimumab as the most promising treatment for iMCD out of all 3,000 approved drugs.

iMCD is a rare and life-threatening disorder that involves hyperactivation of the body's immune system which causes uncontrolled organ dysfunction. The only FDA-approved treatment works in a portion of those diagnosed with iMCD, leaving the majority of patients with limited options. Albert, a 50-year-old iMCD patient who exhausted all known treatments, was prescribed adalimumab by Dr. Luke Chen from the University of British Columbia after consultation with Dr. Fajgenbaum and his team from Every Cure, who had identified the potential benefit of this medication using an AI-guided proteomics approach.

"After a two-year battle with iMCD, I was unfortunately out of options, causing my family and me to prepare for hospice care," Albert stated. The Every Cure team identified this treatment just as Albert began to exhibit the worst symptoms in his 2-year battle with iMCD. Within a few days of taking adalimumab, his organs regained function, his symptoms subsided, and he went into remission. The use of adalimumab to treat iMCD would be a novel application.

Adalimumab is a monoclonal antibody typically used to treat severe and often life-debilitating inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn's disease, among others. It is administered via an injection under the skin. Adalimumab was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002. Treating iMCD with adalimumab is not a currently approved use. With the groundbreaking discovery, Every Cure and its research partners are beginning to lay the groundwork for conducting clinical trials to further validate its use for iMCD.

To help scale this case study for other potential uses, Every Cure, a non-profit organization dedicated to unlocking the full potential of approved medicines to treat additional diseases, has partnered with researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Penn State University, and the University of North Carolina, including David Koslicki, Alex Tropsha, and Chris Bizon to develop an AI-powered Every Cure LinkMap. The algorithm scores every existing drug's potential to treat every known disease based on worldwide knowledge from publications and databases. The Every Cure LinkMap has initially ranked all 3,000 FDA-approved drugs to treat all 12,000 human diseases, generating 36 million evaluations. Every Cure is currently analyzing the top results from its initial findings in its Every Cure LinkMap, in addition to consulting industry experts, to identify the most promising candidates for repurposing, including opportunities such as the use of metreleptin for anorexia, folinic acid for autism spectrum disorder, anakinra for sepsis, and bosutinib for ALS. These candidates and others will be further evaluated and prioritized for future clinical trials.

Every Cure is a non-profit seeking immediate funding to further optimize its algorithms and evaluate its highest-ranked results to bring directly to patients. It is also seeking partnerships for data contributions. "We're incredibly encouraged by the progress we've achieved with limited resources that has already saved the lives of patients diagnosed with Castleman Disease, Angiosarcoma, and COVID-19 by repurposing existing medicines," said Every Cure co-founder and CEO, Grant Mitchell. "However, we're even more excited about the potential future impact as we integrate more data, optimize the algorithms, and investigate our most promising leads. Our mission is to offer options to patients who have otherwise run out of hope. We do that by taking on the responsibility of ensuring that every drug is used to treat every disease it possibly can. It's a huge responsibility but desperately needed and we are positioned to do it."

Every Cure co-founder and Director of the Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment & Laboratory (CSTL), Dr. David Fajgenbaum, announced this significant breakthrough at the STAT Summit in San Francisco.

"I'm alive thanks to a repurposed drug that I discovered when I was dying from a rare disease during medical school. Now, I'm on a mission to unlock every cure so that no patient is told we've tried everything when a life-saving cure is sitting on the pharmacy shelf," Dr. Fajgenbaum shared.

For further information or to express interest in partnering with Every Cure, please contact Brent Shaw ([email protected], 818-876-2691).

You can watch the full feature story on Al's journey here.

About Every Cure

Every Cure is a nonprofit organization dedicated to unlocking the full potential of every existing medicine to treat every disease possible. Repurposing existing drugs is the fastest and most efficient way to treat diseases with the greatest return on investment for saving lives. However, systemic barriers impede repurposing, so patients suffer while potential treatments are not fully utilized. Every Cure overcomes these barriers to systematically identify and advance promising repurposing opportunities and save lives. Every Cure is taking a revolutionary and disruptive approach to overcome these systemic barriers by developing a comprehensive, open-source data engine to generate predictive efficacy scores for all 3,000 drugs against all 12,000 diseases and rapidly advance treatments to patients. In partnership with academia, industry, and government, Every Cure is integrating proprietary and public data into a comprehensive dataset, optimizing AI ranking algorithms, validating the most promising drug-disease matches, performing trials, and ensuring patient access to effective therapies. Every Cure announced its launch in September 2022 at the Clinton Global Initiative.

For more information, please visit EveryCure.org or connect with us on Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook , and Instagram .

About Every Cure's Founders

Dr. David Fajgenbaum, Co-Founder, Every Cure

David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc, is a physician-scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, co-Founder of Every Cure, co-Founder & President of the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network, and national bestselling author of 'Chasing My Cure: A Doctor's Race to Turn Hope Into Action.' He is also a patient battling a deadly disease called idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD), which he discovered a treatment for that is saving his life and others. Through his work at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment & Laboratory, he has also identified and advanced 14 other treatment approaches for iMCD and cancer. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA. Fajgenbaum has published scientific papers in high-impact journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Investigation, and The Lancet, been recognized with awards such as the 2016 Atlas Award which he received along with then Vice President Joe Biden, and has been profiled in a New York Times cover story as well as by Good Morning America, CNN, Forbes 30 Under 30, and the Today Show. Dr. Fajgenbaum earned a BS from Georgetown University, MSc from the University of Oxford, MD from the University of Pennsylvania, and MBA from The Wharton School.

Dr. Grant Mitchell, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Every Cure

Grant Mitchell, MD, MBA, is Co-Founder and CEO of Every Cure. He is a seasoned entrepreneur, operator and investor in the areas of health, technology, and machine learning. He has launched multiple health tech companies and operated in the CEO role in life science and tech organizations. Previously, Dr. Mitchell was a Principal in Analytics at McKinsey & Company's artificial intelligence division, QuantumBlack. There he led teams that pioneered the use of machine learning algorithms and real world evidence databases to predict health outcomes in subpopulations by drug type. Dr. Mitchell was an integral part of the effort to support Dr. Fajgenbaum in the search for the cure of his own rare disease, and further collaborated with Dr. Fajgenbaum on the CORONA project. Every Cure is the culmination of Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Fajgenbaum's experience in rare disease research, drug repurposing, and advanced analytics. Dr. Mitchell earned a BA in economics from New York University, MD from the University of Pennsylvania, and MBA from the Wharton School.

Tracey Sikora, Co-Founder, Every Cure

Tracey Sikora studied repurposed drugs in rare diseases, including Niemann Pick C, MPS I, Familial Hypercholesterolemia, and others. She led clinical trials by working alongside partners at biotech companies and rare disease organizations, developing study protocols that may adapt to the challenging realities of conducting clinical research in the real-world. Inspired by the innovative clinical trials launched for COVID-19 research, Tracey is bringing bold plans for efficient, well-executed clinical trials to our team. Tracey has a BS from Cornell University.

About the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network

The Castleman Disease Collaborative Network (CDCN) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating research, treatment, and patient care for Castleman disease (CD), a rare and often deadly disease that presents with a broad range of symptoms similar to autoimmune disorders and cancers. The CDCN's groundbreaking approach, which includes a highly collaborative research model and a focus on repurposing existing medications approved for other diseases, has saved thousands of lives and become the exemplar for rare disease research. The organization was established in 2012 by David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc, FCPP , and Frits van Rhee, MD, PhD , and is based at the University of Pennsylvania, where Dr. Fajgenbauma physician-scientist and CD patienthas made it his life's mission to cure this disease, and revolutionize biomedical research to cure countless other diseases. More information is available at cdcn.org.

SOURCE Every Cure
Company is working to create 225 pollinator-friendly acres by 2025

GREENSBURG, Pa., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- While performing work to strengthen the electric grid in northeastern Pennsylvania, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) has seeded nearly three acres of right of way along a high-voltage transmission line in Bradford and Susquehanna counties with a native seed mix designed to establish pollinator-friendly habitat.

Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission (MAIT), a FirstEnergy subsidiary, is currently upgrading a 20-mile segment of the 115-kilovolt transmission line between the East Towanda and North Meshoppen substations, replacing wooden poles with steel monopoles and installing new, larger wires that can handle additional demand if other lines in the area are out of service. The project is expected to be complete in late 2023.

Where a portion of the right of way was cleared to accommodate a longer span of the line, FirstEnergy seeded the area with a seed mix featuring native grasses and flowers that will help control soil erosion while also establishing habitat for small animals and insects that pollinate plants, such as birds, bats, bees, butterflies and beetles.

"By integrating a native seed mix into transmission projects such as this one, we can enhance service reliability for our customers while also demonstrating our commitment to reduce our impact on the environment and support the creation of pollinator habitats across our service territory," said Michael Haines, a FirstEnergy supervisor of Transmission Construction Vegetation Management who is leading this effort.

FirstEnergy is working to develop 225 acres of pollinator habitat across its service territory by 2025, including the creation of new habitat in transmission right of ways, at its electric substation properties and at parks and nature preserves. After beginning with a pilot program in 2020, the company expanded the initiative within its service territory and is now on pace to exceed 200 pollinator-friendly acres by the end of this year.

Pollinators help to sustain ecosystems and play a vital role in helping plants reproduce. In return, the plants produce fruits and vegetables, prevent soil erosion and increase carbon sequestration.

Many pollinator populations are in decline due to a loss in feeding and nesting habitats, according to Pollinator Partnership, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and promotion of pollinators and their ecosystems. Each year, the organization manages Pollinator Week, an annual celebration in support of pollinator health that ran from June 19-25 this year.

In early 2020, FirstEnergy's transmission vegetation management group established a pilot program to find opportunities to restore work areas following transmission construction projects with flowering vegetation to develop a pollinator-friendly habitat. The company worked with a horticulturist in Meadville, Pennsylvania, to develop two seed mixes with more than 20 flowering species that are native throughout the six states in which FirstEnergy operates. One of the mixes contains added grasses that will help it take root along steep slopes, and both mixes can be used across the company's service territory.

Additionally, the company seeded 16 acres within a transmission right of way in Adams County, Pennsylvania, earlier this year and plans to seed an additional 10 acres at a transmission line right of way in Lebanon County later this year.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of pollinator habitat developed by FirstEnergy are available for download on Flickr.

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
Continued Recognition Affirms FNB's Status as Employer of Choice

PITTSBURGH, Pa., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), the holding company for First National Bank, announced it has won additional awards affirming its status as an employer of choice.

Nationally, FNB was named to Newsweek's inaugural list of America's Greatest Workplaces. The Company also continued to add to its extensive list of honors from Energage, ranking among the research firm's Top Workplaces for Financial Services for the third consecutive year and as a Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio for the ninth consecutive year.

"Engaged employees are integral to our success," said Vincent J. Delie, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of F.N.B. Corporation and First National Bank. "Our award-winning culture enables FNB to retain and hire exceptional employees who lead the industry in innovation, client service and financial results."

For its list of America's Greatest Workplaces, Newsweek partners with Plant-A Insights Group to conduct a large-scale employer study based on more than 389,000 company reviews. The list is based on performance in the following areas: company image, corporate culture, working environment, work-life balance, training and career progression, compensation and benefits, sustainability awareness and proactive management of the diverse workforce.

Energage compiles its rankings based solely on employee feedback. The Top Workplaces for Financial Services recognition is awarded to companies in the financial industry that prioritize a people-centered culture. Energage partners with The Plain Dealer in Cleveland for its annual list of the top employers in Northeast Ohio, which celebrates companies that build, nurture and value their employees.

These awards join a growing list of external recognition for FNB. So far this year, the Company has been named to Forbes' lists of America's Best Banks and the World's Best Banks and selected as a Celent Model Bank for Omnichannel Retail Delivery, in addition to its more than 50 total national and regional workplace awards.

Visit fnb-online.com for a complete list of the Company's various honors or to explore opportunities to join its growing team.

About F.N.B. Corporation

F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a diversified financial services company operating in seven states and the District of Columbia. FNB's market coverage spans several major metropolitan areas, including: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) in North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina. The Company has total assets of more than $44 billion and approximately 350 banking offices throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

FNB provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking and wealth management solutions through its subsidiary network, which is led by its largest affiliate, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864. Commercial banking solutions include corporate banking, small business banking, investment real estate financing, government banking, business credit, capital markets and lease financing. The consumer banking segment provides a full line of consumer banking products and services, including deposit products, mortgage lending, consumer lending and a complete suite of mobile and online banking services. FNB's wealth management services include asset management, private banking and insurance.

The common stock of F.N.B. Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FNB" and is included in Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index with the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Regional Banks Sub-Industry Index. Customers, shareholders and investors can learn more about this regional financial institution by visiting the F.N.B. Corporation website at www.fnbcorporation.com.

SOURCE F.N.B. Corporation
LOS ANGELES, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prospect House Media acknowledges the success of the Ameritocracy podcast's recently released episode titled "Ukrainian Nonprofit CEO Edward Ma on Choosing Between Career and Passion". The episode premiered in the Top 100 of the Apple charts in Eastern Europe and gained positive attention from notable Ukrainian citizens and public figures.

The Ameritocracy podcast, hosted by Troy Edgar, saw success on the Top 100 Apple Charts in Eastern Europe with the premiere of its recent episode titled "Ukraine Nonprofit CEO Edward Ma on Choosing Between Career and Passion."

Ameritocracy host Troy Edgar sits down weekly with guests from various backgrounds and across multiple industries to have purpose-driven conversations focusing on origin stories, personal performance, breakthrough efforts, and current events. Edgar is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, U.S. Navy veteran, and Fortune 500 executive with 30 years of experience in consulting, corporate leadership, and the public sector. He served as mayor and council member for Los Alamitos, California for 12 years. Edgar was also U.S. Senate confirmed as Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. overseeing the organization's budget of $90 billion until 2021.

In this episode, the spotlight is on Edward Ma, a Fortune 500 management consultant turned founder and CEO of the nonprofit called Ed's Friends. Ma developed a deep connection to the people of Ukraine while serving in the Peace Corps.

"I found myself balancing corporate work and a career that I've built that I'm really proud of while coordinating humanitarian aid to the people I care about who really need it. I called this my work/war balance," says Ma in the latest Ameritocracy episode. Since February 2022, Ed's Friends has been dedicated to providing medical support to the people of Ukraine. Over the last year, the organization has delivered over $500,000 of medical supplies and 30 ambulances and medical transport vehicles.

After hearing the Ameritocracy podcast, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, a senior Ukrainian foreign service official stated, "I have deep gratitude for the ongoing efforts made by Ed's Friends. Their commitment to the Ukrainian people continues to beneficially impact those in need during the Russian invasion of Ukraine."

Ameritocracy premieres new episodes every Thursday. You can listen to Edward Ma's episode across all prominent platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Google Podcasts, Goodpods, and Spotify.

Website: Ameritocracy (troyedgar.com)

Contact: Sarah Harwood

Prospect House Media

[email protected]

503-997-0409

SOURCE Prospect House Media
Customer Claims Must Be Filed by September 29, 2023 Bar Date

FTX Debtors Encourage Customers to Submit Claims Electronically at https://claims.ftx.com; Claims by Mail will Face Processing Delays

WILMINGTON, Del., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FTX Trading Ltd. (d.b.a. FTX.com), and its affiliated debtors (together, the "FTX Debtors"), today announced the launch of the online customer claims portal for customers. The portal can be accessed at https://claims.ftx.com.

The portal will allow customers to login using their FTX credentials to view historical transaction information and account balances as of the FTX Debtors' filing date of November 11, 2022.1 Customers who agree with the amount or quantity stated, the FTX Exchange against whom the customer claim is asserted and the type or nature of the customer claim as listed will not need to take further action beyond submission of Know Your Customer ("KYC") information. Customers who disagree with any component of their customer claim, who want to assert a customer claim arising out of or related to any other investment or trading activity, or who hold an account that shows no net positive balances will have the opportunity to submit an electronic proof of claim.

As previously announced, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court set the "Customer Bar Date" for September 29, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Customer Bar Date is the deadline for submitting Customer Claims. There is no priority given based on the timing of filing claims. Claims need only be filed by the deadline.

The FTX Debtors have begun noticing all known customers on a rolling basis over the coming weeks via email and, for those for whom the FTX Debtors only have a physical mailing address, via mail. Notices will include instructions for how customers can submit proofs of claims, including accessing the customer claims portal. The FTX Debtors encourage customers to submit claims via the claims portal and note that there may be a processing delay for any claims that are submitted by mail.

Claims Portal and Proof of Claim Submission Details

There is a three-step proof of claim submission process for customers:

First, after verification, customers are requested to provide KYC credentials. Second, the portal will direct customers to a separate page containing all historical transaction information and account balances. Third, the portal will then integrate and direct customers to an electronic proof of claim portal, which will list the details of the claims of each customer with net positive balances as of the petition date.

Instructions are available in multiple languages, including, among others, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, German and Russian.

Additional Information

U.S. Bankruptcy Court filings and other documents related to the court proceedings, including information on how to submit a claim and Frequently Asked Questions for customers, are available at https://cases.ra.kroll.com/FTX/ .

Advisors

The FTX Debtors are represented by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP as legal counsel and are assisted by Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC as financial advisor, Perella Weinberg Partners LP as investment banker, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP as special counsel and Landis Rath & Cobb LLP as Delaware counsel. The UCC is represented by Paul Hastings LLP as legal counsel, FTI Consulting as financial advisor, Jefferies LLC as investment banker and Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP as Delaware counsel.

1 In the case of Debtor West Realm Shires Inc., the filing date is November 14, 2022.

SOURCE FTX
DUBLIN, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Aerostructures Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2017-2027Segmented By Component, By Material, By Platform, By End Use, and By Region" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global aerostructures market is anticipated to register an impressive CAGR in the forecast period, 2023-2027

The market is driven by the continuous rise in air traffic and the launch of advanced aircraft in the market. Also, the growing demand for traveling via air routes among consumers and the adoption of morphing technology by the market players are expected to create lucrative growth opportunities for the global aerostructures market in the forecast period.



An increase in Air Passenger Traffic Drives the Market Growth



Owing to globalization and urbanization, commercial and economic activities are happening at a rapid pace. There is high demand for commercial and military aircraft across the globe.

Passengers prefer to opt to travel through air transportation as they provide enhanced comfort and convenience to easily travel long distances in less time than traditional travel methods. Developing countries are witnessing massive demand for commercial aircraft due to the rise in disposable income and growing middle-class population and the surging popularity of domestic and international tourism.

High expenditure by the government on the defense sector of their respective countries is accelerating the demand for military aircraft. The United States is among the top five defense-expanding countries and allocates huge funds and resources to support the defense sector of the country. Military aircraft are being manufactured rapidly due to their utilization during combat purposes.

Defense aircraft manufacturing companies are working on advancing the existing military aircraft by integrating new technologies in aircraft and using advanced materials during the construction process. Therefore, increasing demand for aircraft to meet the different requirements of end-users is expected to propel the demand for the global aerostructure market over the next five years.



Advancements in Materials Supports High Market Demand



Aviation industry market players have started to work on technological innovations and use advanced novel materials to lower the aircraft's weight. The advent of new materials reduces fuel consumption and minimizes the carbon emissions in an aircraft. Also, the traditional aircraft wing is not able to operate at its full efficiency at different stages of flight.

The main aim of aircraft wing manufacturers is to manufacture solid structures that can withstand the current flight conditions and can maximize the fuel efficiency, range, and speed of an aircraft is expected to bolster the growth of the global aerostructure market.

The development of morphing technology which allows engineers to create new morphing aircraft wings that can change the shape of the aircraft wings during flying is expected to create significant growth opportunities for the global aerostructure market in the next five years.



Regional Analysis



United States is anticipated to account for a significant market share in the forecast period owing to the presence of major market players in the country and a huge number of passengers willing to travel via air routes.

Competitive Landscape

Company Profile



Detailed analysis of the major companies present in global aerostructures market.

Spirit Aerosystems, Inc.

Airbus SE

SAAB AB

Triumph group

Leonardo S.P.A

GKN Aerospace

Safran SA

Arconic

Elbit Systems Ltd.

FACC AG

Report Scope:



Aerostructures Market, By Component:

Wings

Nose

Fuselage

Nacelle and Pylon

Empennage

Aerostructures Market, By Material:

Alloy

Metal

Composite

Aerostructures Market, By Platform:

Fixed Wing Aircraft

Rotary Wing Aircraft

Aerostructures Market, By End Use:

OEM

Replacement

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/42vo8f

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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DUBLIN, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Automotive Fluid Transfer Systems Market - Line, Material, Vehicle and Fitting Types" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of market trends, drivers, and key players shaping the industry.

Growing Demand for Automotive Fluid Transfer Systems

Automotive fluid transfer systems, encompassing a range of components required for fluid transfer in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, and shipping, are witnessing significant demand. These systems are integral to machines and can also be used independently.

Key components such as hoses, pipes, valves, and loading equipment are vital for seamless fluid transfer. The report focuses specifically on the automotive fluid transfer systems market, further segmented into different lines and systems.

Addressing Environmental Concerns with Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Lines

To tackle environmental issues stemming from pollutant particulate matter produced by diesel-powered vehicles, the adoption of Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) lines in conjunction with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology is on the rise. This combination helps chemically convert harmful diesel emissions into harmless atmospheric gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor.

As industrial development drives the demand for heavy commercial vehicles worldwide, the SCR and DPF lines market is expected to witness impressive growth during the forecast period. The global market for automotive fluid transfer systems is estimated to reach $22.4 billion by 2023.

Segmentation and Key Findings

The report offers in-depth segmentation analysis based on line type, material type, vehicle type, and fitting type. It examines the market size, share, and growth potential of automotive fluid transfer systems in major geographic regions and countries. Key findings include:

DPF regeneration enhances fuel consumption and reduces NOx emissions.

Electric vehicle thermal management is shifting towards oil-based solutions.

Nanocatalysts facilitate the reduction of vehicular exhaust emissions.

Plastics adoption for automotive fuel lines is gradually gaining momentum.

Air conditioning lines in vehicles benefit from high-performance nylon materials.

Key Players Driving the Market

The global automotive fluid transfer systems market is highly competitive and dynamic, with numerous international, regional, and local players offering comprehensive solutions. Prominent companies shaping the industry landscape include:

Accurate Products

AGS Automotive Solutions

AKWEL

BM Catalysts Ltd

Balcrank Corporation, Inc.

Castello Italia S.p.A .

. Continental AG

Cooper Standard

Gates Corp

Graco, Inc.

Hutchinson SA

Hydrapower Dynamics Ltd

JK FENNER ( India ) Ltd.

) Ltd. Kongsberg Automotive

KROS Otomotiv San. Ve Tic. A.S

Lander Tubular Products

Macnaught Pty Ltd

Newage Industries

Parker Hannifin Corp

Pirtek Fluid Systems Pty. Ltd.

Reelcraft Industries, Inc.

Sanden Vikas ( India ) Ltd

( ) Ltd Sanoh Industrial Co Ltd

TI Fluid Systems

Tristone Flowtech Holding SAS

Voss Automotive GmbH

Comprehensive Market Analysis and Regional Coverage

The report provides a detailed analysis of the global market, encompassing North America (United States, Canada, Mexico), Europe (France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific), and Rest of World.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tqrmhz

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Siemens to invest 1bn in industrial metaverse hub

Siemens has announced plans to invest around 1bn in Germany, including 500m to establish a new Technology Campus in Erlangen, which will combine development work with high-tech manufacturing. The centre will focus on sustainable and future-oriented high-tech manufacturing, related r&d activities, and on creating an ecosystem of partners from the business and scientific communities.

The 1bn investment is part of a 2bn global investment package unveiled last month, which is focused on new manufacturing capacities, innovation labs and education centres. Outside Germany, this includes a 200m high-tech factory in Singapore and an r&d centre in China which will focus on motion control developments. Siemens is also building a new headquarters in Spain at a cost of around 160m.

The company wants to establish Erlangen as a global research and development hub and the nucleus of its global technology activities for the industrial metaverse. It says these steps will enable it to accelerate its growth, drive innovation and increase its resilience.

Siemens is banking on innovation in Germany and launching the next stage of digitalisation: were laying the foundation for the industrial metaverse, says president and CEO, Roland Busch. Were combining the real and the digital worlds. Together with partners, were developing new digital technologies in the metaverse and revolutionising how well run our production in the future  much more efficiently, flexibly and sustainably.

The company is strengthening its Erlangen location as a hub for digital production  for example, through the industrial metaverse, and using technologies such as industrial 3D printing and innovative power electronics.

The Erlangen site is already home to around 3,500 Siemens employees, producing industrial automation and digitalisation products. Manufacturing of technologies such as power electronic components and machine tool controls is already highly automated, with humans and robots working side by side.

With the new investment, Siemens says it is creating a blueprint for the industrial metaverse  a real-time, photorealistic virtual representation of the world, based on physics. AI (artificial intelligence) will help to create the next generation of high-tech, sustainable manufacturing, which can respond flexibly to market changes.

Siemens is planning its new Erlangen Technology Campus digitally, before a single brick is laid

As well as building the new technology campus, Siemens is planning to convert existing facilities in Erlangen and to expand the site.

Before construction work begins, the new buildings for r&d, production and logistics will be planned and simulated digitally. They will then be implemented in the real world. Entire factory layouts will be optimised in exact digital replicas, and then readjusted in the real world using the industrial metaverse.

Siemens announced its investment plans in the presence of the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who said: This investment is a strong signal for Germany as a location for innovation and production. The leading-edge manufacturing facility being built in Erlangen is a good example of how our economy is moving toward a climate-neutral future  as a strong industrial country with good sustainable jobs.

Siemens employs about 86,000 people in Germany. It says it is investing in the future viability and innovative strength of Germany as an industrial location to deliver its products from Germany to the entire world.

Siemens: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook
The global garment steamer market is driven by factors such as increasing demand for technology-driven appliances in the past few years along with the adoption of smart domestic appliances by global consumers.

PORTLAND, Ore. , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Garment Steamer Market by Type (Handheld and Upright), End User (Residential and Commercial), and Sales Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Brand Outlets, Retail Stores, E-commerce, and Others), Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global garment steamer industry generated $2.5 billion in 2022, and is anticipated to generate $4.0 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 5.0% from 2023 to 2032.

Download Sample Copy of Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/106007

Prime determinants of growth

The global garment steamer market is driven by factors such as introduction of technological advancements and emergence of e-commerce as a sales channel. However, the high energy consumption and increasing availability of counterfeit products restricts market growth. Moreover, increasing awareness of the product offers new opportunities in the coming years.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $2.4 billion Market Size in 2032 $4.0 billion CAGR 5.0 % No. of Pages in Report 275 Segments covered Type, End User, Sales Channel, and Region Drivers Technological advancement Convenience and Efficiency Emergence of E-commerce Opportunities Increasing awareness of the product Restraints High energy consumption High availability of counterfeit products

LIMITED-TIME OFFER  Buy Now & Get Exclusive 15 % Discount on this Report

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/7ad3949ef2b1fc736136ff71c9c3d991

The upright segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on type, the upright segment dominated the market in 2022 accounting for nearly three-fifths of the market share and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period, owing to The increased need for effective and efficient fabric care solutions in both household and business settings. Upright garment steamers are a strong and adaptable way to remove wrinkles and freshen a variety of materials, including clothes, curtains, and upholstery. However, the handheld segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 5.5% from 2022 to 2031.

The residential segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of the end user, the residential segment dominated the market in 2022 accounting for more than two-fifths of the market share and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. There is an increase in the demand for fabric maintenance and cleaning appliances among household end users owing to changes in lifestyle and an increase in disposable income. Customers are opting for advanced and sophisticated built-in garment steamers, to enhance the effectiveness and provide time-saving solutions. However, the commercial segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 5.7% from 2022 to 2031.

The e-commerce segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of the sales channel, the e-commerce segment dominated the market in 2022 accounting for nearly one-third of the market share and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Moreover, the same segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 6.2% from 2022 to 2031. Consumers currently prefer to purchase small appliances online since it is easy and offers a wide variety of brands that are not accessible in stores. Consumers are becoming aware of different purchasing trends that exist in society with the improvement in technology and internet services becoming more readily available.

Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032

Based on region, Asia-Pacific held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for nearly one-third of the global garment steamer market revenue and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period. Moreover, the same segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 5.8% from 2022 to 2031. Fabric care appliances are in high demand because of rising discretionary income and shifting habits among consumers in the region. More families are embracing sophisticated fabric care technologies to satisfy their clothing maintenance demands as economies expand and urbanization develops

Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies:: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/106007

Leading Market Players: -

Conair Corporation

Panasonic Corporation

Pursteam

Groupe SEB

Jiffy Steamer

Reliable Corporation

Electrolux AB

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Haier Group Corporation

Midea Group

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global garment steamer market. These players have adopted different strategies such as acquisition, partnerships, and new product launches to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in the market. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Similar Reports We Have on Consumer Goods Industry:

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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The Business Research Company's global market reports are now updated with the latest market sizing information for the year 2023 and forecasted to 2032

LONDON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per The Business Research Company's Human Capital Management Global Market Report 2023, the global human capital management market size will grow from $20 billion in 2022 to $22.2 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11%. The human resource management market size is then expected to grow to $31.6 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of more than 9%. Going forward, the increase in adoption of cloud-based approaches, rising urbanization and increasing investments will drive the market.

Learn More On The Human Capital Management Market Report  https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/human-capital-management-global-market-report

Technology advancements are gaining immense importance among the human capital management trends. Companies in the human capital management market are adopting the following new technologies to strengthen their position in the market.

1. AI-Featured Talent Acquisition

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology for the acquisition of talent is emerging as a potential trend in the human capital management market. For example, in April 2023, SeekOut, a US-based software company, launched SeekOut Assist, a new generative AI technology based on OpenAI's GPT (Generative Pre-training Transformer). The tool helps recruiting teams contact candidates faster once a job description is created. It generates a list of qualified candidates for the required role. The system uses GPT technology to break job descriptions into search criteria such as required skills, job titles and preferred skills.

2. Learning Experience Platforms (LEPs)

Learning experience platforms (LEPs) are becoming increasingly important as a part of the training and development element of the human capital management market. Learning experience platforms are corporate learning solutions that help companies provide personalized and intuitive learning experiences to their employees. For example, KloudLearn, an India-based provider of autonomous learning solutions, launched its learning experience platform (LXP). KloudLearn LXP recommends diverse interactive learning content to complete an employee's learning objectives.

3. Employee Productivity Enhancing Platforms

Employee productivity-enhancing platforms are gaining immense importance as a part of performance management, which is a key element in the human capital management market. Setting clear performance goals, evaluating employee performance and providing regular feedback are the key factors that enhance productivity and job satisfaction. For example, in May 2023, Lenovo, a China-based consumer electronics company, launched digital workplace solutions (Lenovo DWS) for boosting employee productivity. Lenovo DWS assists companies in enhancing productivity and improving operational costs through end-to-end services built on deep expertise in technology and a state-of-the-art platform.

Request A Free Sample Of The Human Capital Management Market Report  https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=6861&type=smp

According to the human capital management market analysis, North America was the largest region in the human capital management market and was worth $6.7 billion in 2022.

The human capital management market in North America is supported by an increase in the adoption of workforce analytics solutions, a rise in the adoption of digital HR technologies and an increase in the automation of HR operations.

View More Similar Market Reports:

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https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/employment-services-global-market-report

HR Professional Services Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/hr-professional-services-global-market-report

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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1751581/tbrc_logo.jpg

SOURCE The Business Research Company
Premier global internal audit event spotlights Vision 2035 project, global risk research, preliminary feedback on new proposed Global Internal Audit Standards, and how to respond to rapid change.

AMSTERDAM, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) - the internal audit profession's leader in standards, certifications, education, research, and technical guidance worldwide  today concluded its 2023 International Conference, the premier global internal audit event of the year.

Roughly 2,600 attendees from 112 countries took part in discussions with visionaries and global professional leaders. This year's program  "One World. One Future."  reflected the interconnected nature of business and growing strategic role that internal auditors are playing. It explored new and emerging risks and opportunities like the expanding capabilities and rapid adoption of generative AI and the impacts of bank and crypto failures.

Keynote speakers included global futurist Rohit Talwar, CEO of Fast Future, who shared ideas about how internal auditors can evolve to take on the challenges that will define the profession's effectiveness in the coming years.

IIA President and CEO Anthony Pugliese, CIA, CPA, CGMA, CITP, and outgoing Global Board Chair Benito Ybarra, CIA, CISA, CFE, CCEP, delivered a joint keynote spotlighting the current state of the internal audit profession and its bright future. They shared updates on The IIA's global advocacy program and efforts to evolve the profession's standards and certifications. They also provided insights into how internal auditors can help their organizations understand and navigate issues like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data privacy, fraud, digital disruption, ESG, and more. Their primary takeaway is that the profession cannot sit back and merely react to change. The profession must instead take an active role in shaping its own future, which The IIA is doing through historic efforts to evolve its professional standards and envision what the profession will look like in 2035.

New Research Takes Global View of Internal Audit Risks

During his keynote presentation, Pugliese announced a new Global Risk in Focus regional report series and teased preliminary results from the reports, which will be released in September. The new reports will, for the first time, provide a truly global view of risks that face the internal audit profession. Regional reports will also allow readers to examine regional differences in the risk landscape.

Standards Board Analyzes Feedback on Global Internal Audit Standards

The IIA shared an update on its historic project to comprehensively review and update the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) and Standards. The 90-day public comment period closed recently, and roughly 19,000 comments were received. The International Internal Audit Standards Board is now translating the comments and analyzing the survey responses and other feedback and making necessary revisions. The Standards Board expects to release the new Global Internal Audit Standards before the end of 2023. Learn more here .

Internal Audit: Vision 2035 Project

Pugliese updated attendees on the Internal Audit: Vision 2035 project, which is led by the Internal Audit Foundation. This project is designed to identify what the internal audit profession will look like in 2035, how to elevate the value of internal audit during that time, and what steps to take to make that future a reality. The multi-phase research project, which will involve thousands of participants, has completed its foundational research phase and is beginning to schedule focus groups and interviews with the profession's key stakeholders. The final report is expected in Q3 2024.

2023 Professional Achievement Award Recipients Announced

The IIA presented four Professional Achievement Awards, recognizing recipients from around the world who have excelled in research, education, publishing, advocacy, and other activities in the field of internal auditing and related professions:

Victor Z. Brink Award for Distinguished Service

Jorge Badillo Ayala

Bradford Cadmus Memorial Award

Dr. Rainer Lenz

William G. Bishop III, CIA Lifetime Achievement Award

Paul J. Sobel

John B. Thurston Award

Theresa Grafenstine

Click here for a full list of awards, recipients, bios and photos.

IIA Announces First Ever Regional  and Re-Branded  GAM Conference

The IIA also announced a global expansion and re-branding of its annual event formerly known as "General Audit Management" (GAM) Conference that convened internal audit leaders in North America. Building off the success of GAM in North America, The IIA announced the "GAM" brand will evolve to stand for "Great Audit Minds," which better reflects the modern focus for the future of this marquee event.

Additionally, The IIA is collaborating with affiliates to offer regional GAM conferences to their members. The IIA's first regional GAM conference will be hosted by the UAE IIA and take place November 6-8 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

About The Institute of Internal Auditors

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is an international professional association that serves more than 235,000 global members and has awarded more than 190,000 Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certifications worldwide. Established in 1941, The IIA is recognized throughout the world as the internal audit profession's leader in standards, certifications, education, research, and technical guidance. For more information, visit theiia.org.

SOURCE The Institute of Internal Auditors
Now in its second year, 60 Decibels releases 5 key findings from the world's largest financial inclusion index grounded in human voice, ahead of its public report launch later this year

Early findings at a glance:

Microfinance clients continue to report higher confidence to deal with a future shock compared with the population as a whole.

Clients who use their loan for business (productive) purposes report better outcomes in financial resilience and their households.

Clients in Southeast Asia report poorer outcomes in client protection, driven by results from Cambodia .

report poorer outcomes in client protection, driven by results from . Clients with group loans report a better experience with their Financial Service Provider (FSP) than those with individual loans.

Women report slightly stronger outcomes in confidence and decision making compared to men.

LONDON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Microfinance is improving the quality of life, increasing the resilience of low-income customers to withstand economic shocks, and reaching people without prior access to financial services without creating over-indebtedness. By providing small loans, savings accounts, and other financial services tailored to the needs of marginalized communities, FSPs empower individuals to improve their livelihoods and break the cycle of poverty.

Microfinance client takes payment from a customer making a purchase at her market stall in Africa (Image credit: Vic Josh/Adobe Stock)

The 60 Decibels Microfinance (MFI) Index is a groundbreaking financial inclusion initiative that exists to measure and benchmark the impact of the microfinance industry  providing high-quality, comparable social performance data for Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Index has expanded to collect more than 1 million unique data points in 2023, speaking to over 32,000 microfinance clients across 32 countries to provide a ground-up perspective on the lives of 25 million microfinance clients.

This year the Index includes data from more than 115 participating FSPs and is supported by 32 Partners, including Abler Nordic, Accion, Advans Group, ASN Impact Investors, Baobab Group, BRAC, Ceniarth Group, Developing World Markets, Enabling Qapital, FinnFund, FMO, Global Partnerships, Gojo, Grameen Credit Agricole Foundation, HOPE International, International Solidarity for Development and Investment (SIDI), Invest In Visions, Kiva, MCE Social Capital, Mercy Corps, Opportunity International, Pro Mujer, Proparco, Social Performance Task Force (SPTF), Triodos Investment Management, Symbiotics, Temasek Trust, Tipping Point Fund on Impact Investing, TripleJump, Vision Fund International, and WaterEquity.

More on the early findings

Early insights from the aggregate dataset include that microfinance clients continue to report higher confidence to deal with a future shock, compared with the population as a whole.

The Global Findex in 2021 found that 32% of adults in developing countries say it would be 'very difficult' to fund an emergency expense in the next month. Conversely, of the microfinance clients surveyed in the 2023 MFI Index, only 8% said it would be 'very difficult' to come up with such an emergency expense (down from 10% from the 2022 MFI Index ).

While not a perfect comparison, it suggests that the clients surveyed for the MFI Index are more resilient than the average across developing countries.

Women were found to be considerably more likely than men to find it 'difficult' to fund an emergency experience  33% of the women would find it difficult versus 23% of the men.

New to the Index this year is the addition of an 'Agency' dimension, which measures the impact FSPs have on clients' confidence, ability to make decisions about their money, and their ability to achieve their financial goals.

Women reported slightly stronger outcomes in confidence and decision making compared to men; 83% of the women stated that their confidence had increased, because of the FSP (compared to 79% of the men), while 67% of the women said that their ability to make financial decisions without consulting their spouse or another adult had increased, because of the FSP (compared to 61% of the men).

Clients who use their loan only for business or productive purposes report better outcomes in financial resilience and in their households; 83% of clients use their loan for at least some business purpose.

Clients who use their loan for productive purposes also report greater increases in the amount they spend on their child's education, healthcare, meals, and home improvements.

Accessing the data behind the MFI Index

Ahead of the public-facing report launching in October, the data from this year's Index can also be accessed via 3 new data tools built by 60 Decibels: a regionally disaggregated dashboard demonstrating results across all indicators in the Index; geographic snapshots for countries such as Cambodia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia and Uganda; or fully customisable insights discovery. More info on the 3 MFI Index data tools can be found at https://60decibels.com/insights/mfi-data/ .

Top Impact Award winners

Nine Top Impact Award winners have also been announced as part of this year's Index  awarded to FSPs who ranked in the top 3 for their region across all 6 dimensions of impact in the Index (Access, Business Impact, Household Impact, Client Protection, Resilience, and  new to 2023  Agency).

Out of the 115 financial service providers in 32 different countries, the winners demonstrated exceptional performance in delivering financial services and positively impacting their clients' lives. Full details of the winners and award criteria can be found at https://60decibels.com/mfi-awards/ .

All details about the initial findings can be explored via 60decibels.com/mfi-index , where you can sign up to receive the public report when it launches or learn more about accessing the data behind the Index.

About 60 Decibels

60 Decibels is a global, tech-enabled, impact measurement company that brings speed and repeatability to social impact measurement and customer insights. They provide tangible benchmarks of impact performance, enabling organizations to understand impact relative to peers and set performance targets. With a network of 1,100+ researchers in 80+ countries, 60 Decibels has worked with more than 1,000 of the world's leading impact investors, companies, foundations, corporations, NGOs, and public sector organizations to make it easy to listen to those who matter most.

Website: https://60decibels.com/



About the MFI Index

The Microfinance Index is an industry-wide initiative designed to complement and integrate with existing frameworks and standards in microfinance, impact investing, and international development. Participation in the MFI Index provides FSPs and investors with feedback on the practices recommended by SPTF and CERISE in the Universal Standards, Client Protection Principles, and SDG Impact Standards. The 2023 MFI Index provides data aligned to IRIS+ metrics and the five dimensions of impact guidance established by the Impact Management Project.

This year's survey gathers quantitative and qualitative data along six key dimensions of impact, including Access, Business Impact, Household Impact, Client Protection, Resilience, and Agency. The 2023 edition will also include additional segmentation features such as lending methodology, gender, and client tenure. A public report will share the resulting insights, providing essential insight into sector-wide performance on these key outcomes. The data from this year's Index can also be accessed via 3 new data tools built by 60 Decibels: a regionally disaggregated dashboard demonstrating results across all indicators in the Index, geographic snapshots, or custom insights discovery.

60 Decibels Contacts:

Devin Olmack

[email protected]

Madeline Copp

[email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2152921/Microfinance_Purchase_Africa.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2094011/60_Decibels_Logo.jpg

SOURCE 60 Decibels
DUBLIN, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Satellite Launch Vehicle Market by Vehicle, by Type, and Region - 2023 to 2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global satellite launch vehicle market size is expected to reach USD 14.74 billion by 2032, according to a new study. The report gives a detailed insight into current market dynamics and provides analysis on future market growth.



Access to space that is reasonably priced is essential for the commercial space sector. Launch vehicle manufacturers are using improved manufacturing techniques and cutting-edge technology to reduce costs with the help of competition.

Over the next ten years, more payload will probably be launched into space as a consequence. Many companies want to provide a means of transportation for these cargoes. However, with over 75 of them having vehicles in various stages of development or operation, there are already too many firms on the market for small launch vehicles.



The launch vehicle industry has seen a rise in the tendency towards outsourcing manufacturing in recent years due to a number of factors, including decreased manufacturing costs, improved efficiency, and accessibility to specialised knowledge.



One of the primary reasons for outsourcing production in the launch vehicle industry is cost savings. By outsourcing their production, businesses can take advantage of lower labour and material prices in other countries. This can lead to significant expense savings, particularly for large-scale projects.



Another advantage of outsourcing production in the space industry is having access to specialised knowledge. When a company lacks the internal expertise or resources to create specific components or systems, outsourcing can fill the gap.



However, outsourcing is not without its challenges and risks. For instance, when it comes to the debut of vehicles, there might be problems with quality control, communication issues, and intellectual property security. These factors must be meticulously taken into account by launch vehicle companies before deciding whether to outsource manufacturing. To minimise any potential dangers, they must also work closely with their manufacturing partners.

Companies Mentioned

SpaceX

United Launch Alliance LLC

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Blue Origin

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Arianespace

Astra Space Inc.

Rocket Lab USA Inc.

Inc. ABL Space Systems

Firefly Aerospace Inc.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)

Interorbital Systems

Satellite Launch Vehicle Market Report Highlights

A missile orbital launch vehicle classified as a medium to heavy launch vehicle can carry payloads up to 20,000 kilogrammes (44092.4 pounds) into geostationary, medium earth orbit (MEO), and low earth orbit (LEO). (GEO). Some examples of middle to heavy vehicles include the Ariane 5, Proton-M, Delta IV Heavy, and others.

Reusable launch vehicles for satellites are those that can be retrieved and put to use once a payload has been placed into orbit. (RLVs). Unlike single use launch vehicles, which must be discarded after just one journey, reusable launch vehicles can be used repeatedly. This might greatly reduce the cost of space flight.

During the anticipated time period, Asia Pacific is anticipated to contribute the largest share. Asia Pacific is the second-largest market for the utilisation of satellite capability. There will be a significant increase in the number of satellites built and used in the future years.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction



2. Executive Summary



3. Research Methodology



4. Global Satellite Launch Vehicle Market Insights

4.1. Satellite Launch Vehicle Market - Industry Snapshot

4.2. Satellite Launch Vehicle Market Dynamics

4.2.1. Drivers and Opportunities

4.2.1.1. Advancement in satellite launch vehicle design

4.2.1.2. Increase space tourism

4.2.2. Restraints and Challenges

4.2.2.1. High cost

4.3. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

4.4. PESTLE Analysis

4.5. Satellite Launch Vehicle Industry trends

4.6. Value Chain Analysis

4.7. COVID-19 Impact Analysis



5. Global Satellite Launch Vehicle Market, by Vehicle



6. Global Satellite Launch Vehicle Market, by Type



7. Global Satellite Launch Vehicle Market, by Geography



8. Competitive Landscape



9. Company Profiles

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dmxzll

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
RICHMOND, Va., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- goHappy, America's leading provider of frontline employee engagement solutions, is excited to announce its expansion into Canada. With its unique platform and commitment to fostering more engaged and connected frontline workforces, goHappy is poised to transform the employee experience for organizations across Canada.

With its launch in Canada, goHappy aims to address the evolving needs of Canadian organizations seeking to enhance their employee engagement strategies. Recognizing that engaged frontline employees are the backbone of successful businesses, goHappy leverages powerful technology, real workforce data, and a user-friendly interface, to empower companies to create a positive work environment where frontline employees feel valued, engaged, and connected.

goHappy, America's leading solution for frontline employee engagement, is excited to announce its expansion into Canada. Tweet this

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to start serving Canadian organizations and their frontline team members," said Shawn Boyer, Founder and CEO of goHappy. "A large number of our customers have a presence in Canada and have been asking us to serve their frontline employees there, so this just makes a ton of sense to us. Our goal is to help them better communicate with their frontline and get actionable feedback from them, so that they can unlock the same benefits our US customers have seen from a more engaged frontline employee team: a significant decrease in turnover, increased productivity, and increased referrals."

goHappy works with companies across multiple industries, such as restaurants, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, logistics, hospitality, senior living, and hospitality, and is experiencing rapid growth, growing over 300% in the last year. The company works with leading brands such as First Watch, Tillamook, Samsonite, Hilton, Taco Bell, and Hand & Stone.

About goHappy

goHappy is transforming how employers communicate and engage with their frontline workers by providing the most inclusive and simple app-free engagement technology. Key to goHappy's success is enabling employers to reach 100% of their frontline employees where they already are - in their text messages. Founded by Shawn Boyer who also founded Snagajob - the nation's largest marketplace for hourly work - and a team that brings over 100 years of combined frontline employee engagement experience, goHappy's mission is to help ALL frontline workers feel more valued and connected so they can reach their full potential. In turn, employers not only improve communication to maximize engagement and happiness within their frontline employees, but also benefit from the bottom line impact that those improvements deliver. For more information visit goHappy.

SOURCE goHappy
LEWES, Del., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal government is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide and ensuring equal access to technology for low-income families. In an effort to promote connectivity and empower underserved communities, the government has introduced the Free iPhone Program, offering eligible families free government iPhone 11 devices. Additionally, as part of this comprehensive approach, the government is also providing free government internet access to qualifying low-income households.

The Free iPhone Program is a significant step towards digital inclusion, as it equips low-income families with powerful tools for communication, access to information, and enhanced opportunities for education, employment, and social engagement. Recognizing that access to technology is not a luxury but a necessity, the government is committed to ensuring that no family is left behind.

Through this program, eligible low-income families will receive free government iPhone 11 devices, empowering them to stay connected with loved ones and access online resources. Eligible candidate can find how to get a free iphone 11 through this link https://getgovtgrants.com/free-government-iphone-11 These devices come equipped with essential features and a wide range of educational, communication, and productivity applications, fostering personal and professional growth.

In addition to providing free iPhones, the government is also addressing the crucial need for internet access. Low-income households will have the opportunity to benefit from free government internet, further enhancing their connectivity and digital capabilities. This comprehensive approach ensures that families have the tools and resources necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

The government understands the importance of training and support in maximizing the benefits of these initiatives. Alongside the distribution of free devices and internet access, the program includes comprehensive training and resources. Families will receive guidance and assistance to develop the skills and knowledge needed to leverage technology effectively.

The Free Federal government iPhone Program and free government internet access represent the government's commitment to promoting equity, fostering inclusivity, and enabling equal opportunities for all. By eliminating barriers and providing essential digital tools, the government aims to empower low-income families to succeed in today's interconnected society.

To learn more about the Free iPhone Program, free government internet access, and determine eligibility, interested families can visit the official government website or contact the designated helpline. The government remains dedicated to its mission of building a connected and prosperous future for all citizens.

About GetGovtGrants:

GetGovtGrants is a leading online platform for accessing government grants and funding opportunities. GetGovtGrants is one of the most popular online platforms for people searching for government grants in the United States. The company provides a comprehensive and up-to-date database of government grants, funding programs, and other financial resources, making it easy for individuals, small business owners, and community organizations to find the support they need to make their lives easier and more manageable.

Contact:

Name: John Smith

Email: [email protected]

Author : Lola J. Hawkins

Website : https://getgovtgrants.com

Company : Get Govt Grants

Social Profile : Facebook | Twitter

SOURCE getgovtgrants
NEW YORK, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gravyty announced its groundbreaking fundraising and engagement software platform for higher education advancement and alumni relations teams.

The Gravyty higher education platform revolutionizes how university advancement teams engage, solicit and steward students, alumni and donors through personalization, seamless integrations and AI. Through the fully integrated platform, institutions will benefit from sustainable long-term growth, reportable ROI and a simplified user experience.

Gravyty launches first-of-its-kind platform for higher education advancement (PRNewsfoto/Gravyty)

"We're thrilled to be able to provide a holistic platform that helps institutions solve for the challenges they face in advancementfrom engaging with alumni at scale to executing a dynamic digital fundraising strategy to stewarding donors and building pipeline year-round," said Josh Robertson, VP of Product at Gravyty.

Robertson continued, "We've designed the platform to get smarter as insights grow. The data and analytics provided in the platform paired with the cyclical approach to engagement, fundraising and stewardship provides schools with a comprehensive advancement solution."

To learn more about Gravyty and its groundbreaking fundraising and engagement platform, please visit https://gravyty.com/ .

About Gravyty

Gravyty is the leading provider of purpose-driven technology, providing higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations and K12 schools the tools they need to create an engaging community and fundraise smarter. Backed by K1 Investment Management, Gravyty has $72 million in funding and six strategic industry acquisitions to build a holistic, mission-driven ecosystem of solutions. Gravyty is headquartered in the United Kingdom, with operations in the United States, Canada and Israel. For more information, visit https://gravyty.com/ .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2153910/Gravyty_1.jpg

SOURCE Gravyty
OMAHA, Neb., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- gWorks , the leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for small and medium-sized cities and rural communities, is pleased to announce its acquisition of BMSI , a prominent software provider specializing in fixed asset management, finance, tax & utility billing, work management, and human resources solutions for small local governments across the United States. The completion of the BMSI acquisition in June 2023 marks a significant milestone in gWorks' journey to serve and empower local governments.

The combined strength of gWorks and BMSI will operate under the gWorks brand, solidifying gWorks' position as the premier software provider to small local governments. With an extensive clientele of over 2,500 local government clients across 48 states, the combined companies are well-equipped to address the unique technology needs of small local governments more comprehensively.

The combined companies offer a comprehensive suite of applications that address the critical functions of small local government and public utility operations. These include fund accounting, payroll, permitting, licensing, billing, work and operations management, GIS, websites, citizen engagement, online payment capabilities, and more. Additionally, gWorks provides professional services to help local governments optimize their operations, collect data, balance books, budget, and plan effectively.

"Today marks a milestone for our company as we proudly announce the acquisition of BMSI. This strategic move solidifies our position as a leading force in government technology, reaffirming our commitment to empowering public servants of small cities, public utilities, and rural counties with cutting-edge solutions," Joseph Heieck , President & CEO of gWorks. "By joining with BMSI, we bring together our collective expertise and capabilities, enabling us to accelerate innovation, enhance efficiency, and drive transformative change. Together, we will build smarter, more connected societies for generations to come."

"We are delighted to join with gWorks in working towards our mutual goal, that of providing the best technology and client support service possible to help small governments manage their communities," Bruce Perlo Sr., BMSI CEO. "The resources and technology that gWorks provides will allow us to move more swiftly to our objective."

About gWorks. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, gWorks is a GovTech firm that empowers small, local governments to serve communities better and run their government with an easy-to-use and integrated Local Government Operating System that provides GIS, work management, fund accounting, utility billing, citizen engagement, and other solutions. Providing software solutions to governments since 1978, gWorks serves nearly 2,500 local governments throughout the United States. gWorks is backed by BV Investment Partners, a middle-market private equity firm based in Boston with more than $3.6 billion under active management. For more information about gWorks, please visit www.gworks.com .

About BMSI, Inc. Headquartered in Franconia, New Hampshire, BMSI is a leading technology provider of tax and utility billing, work order and asset management, human resources and payroll management software for small local governments throughout the United States since 1982.

Contact Information:

gWorks

Steve Mitchell

(402) 817-0244

[email protected]com

SOURCE gWorks
Hospice and Palliative Care Veteran Joins North Central Florida's Legacy Hospice and Palliative Care Provider

GAINESVILLE, Fla., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hampton Groover, MD, has been named Chief Medical Officer of Haven, North Central Florida's legacy mission-driven provider of hospice and palliative care. With a career that includes working in hospice and palliative careas well as extensive academic experienceDr. Groover brings years of relevant experience to Haven.

As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Groover serves as a member of senior leadership and oversees Haven's team of skilled providers across its 18-county service area.

"It is a privilege to welcome such an esteemed professional as our new Chief Medical Officer," noted Haven President and Chief Operating Officer Pauline Taylor, RN, MHA. "His vast array of experience in hospice and palliative care, paired with his passion for academia and leadership, will surely benefit the communities we serve. Our patient care teams and community partners across North Central Florida will enjoy the opportunity to work with Dr. Groover."

Dr. Groover came to Haven from St. Mary's Health Care System, Athens, Ga., where he served as Medical Director of its inpatient palliative medicine program. He has decades of clinical and medical leadership experience in Georgia.

"My mission is to support Haven staff in a way that helps them fulfill Haven's mission: Honoring life by providing comfort, care and compassion to individuals and families we serve," said Dr. Groover. "I look forward to growing real, genuine relationships with not only the Haven team, but also with nursing homes, assisted living communities and medical providers across our service area so we can extend Haven's care to those who need it."

Earlier in his career, Dr. Groover held a variety of medical director positions at PruittHealth Corporation in Norcross, Ga., and worked at Atlanta Medical Center in both physician and leadership capacities.

Dr. Groover received his Doctor of Medicine from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and did his residency at the Atlanta Medical Center's Internal Medicine Resident Training Program. He majored in biology for his Bachelor of Science at the University of Georgia in Athens. Dr. Groover is certified in hospice and palliative medicine and internal medicine.

About Haven Hospice: Haven Hospice is the source for patients, their families and their healthcare providers to find answers to their advanced illness challenges. In addition to providing comfort through the compassionate delivery of hospice services, Haven offers Advance Care Planning, Palliative Care Consultations and Transitions services with a patient-centric focus. When health becomes a challenge, we will be your haven. For more information, visit www.beyourhaven.org or call 800-727-1889. Serving advanced illness needs in Florida since 1979 and licensed as a not-for-profit hospice since 1980.

SOURCE Haven Hospice
STOCKHOLM, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HANZA has today signed a manufacturing agreement with Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe ("MLE"), a leading provider of logistics solutions with self-designed innovative, high-quality forklifts. The agreement expands the existing co-operation between the parties substantiallt and will add an estimated order value exceeding SEK 100 million per year.

HANZA currently manufactures a number of modules for MLE's factory in Jarvenpaa, Finland. The parties have agreed on an additional manufacturing solution whereby co-operation is extended to include further sourcing, manufacturing and assembly operations.

"We are proud that MLE has chosen our manufacturing solution, which significantly expands our cooperation.", says Erik Stenfors, CEO HANZA.

"MLE has a long and good cooperation with HANZA and is happy to deepen it further under this agreement ", says Simo Kangastupa, Sourcing Director, MLE Oy.

The new agreement will be implemented in steps and is expected to be fully implemented within one year. At full volume, the new order value is expected to exceed 100 MSEK per year.

The agreement will be executed by HANZA's Cluster Baltics.

This disclosure contains information that HANZA AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (EU nr 596/2014). The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person, on 13-07-2023 08:13 CET.

For further information please contact:

Erik Stenfors, CEO

+46 709 50 80 70

e-mail: [email protected]

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE HANZA AB
ConsensusAI accesses real-world data and provides immediate insights to inform critical patient-care decisions, at scale, for more accurate diagnoses and treatments



NEW YORK, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HCTG , a healthcare communications-technology company, today announced that it has launched ConsensusAI, which helps clinicians expedite medical delivery-of-care decisions when leveraging the Healthcasts platform. Powered by proprietary artificial intelligence (AI), generated by Healthcasts' HCP-member network, ConsensusAI analyzes hundreds of thousands of clinical consultations in real time, providing immediate access to key insights that help support improved patient diagnoses and enhanced treatment selection.

"The compression and acceleration of crowdsourced HCP-provided data is transforming how HCPs are able to deliver superior treatment and improved outcomes for their patients while saving themselves hours of research," said HCTG President Erik Dalton . "Our investment into technologies that support HCPs and their practices through Healthcasts will result in a faster and more accurate treatment decision for each individual patient."

Healthcasts is a physician-member organization that offers peer-to-peer scientific consultation and collaboration amongst the top healthcare professionals in the US today.

"Sixty percent of HCPs use Healthcasts during office hours and 66% of HCPs have adjusted their treatment plans based on information exchanged through our platform," said Healthcasts Founder and CEO John Theobald . "With ConsensusAI, HCPs are further empowered to accelerate the clinical use of their own real-world data, transforming how they help themselves, their peers and their patients at the same time."

Healthcasts' technology overcomes concerns about data sources and accuracy by drawing only from verified and validated HCP opinions and patient consultations. The company has been facilitating HCP data exchanges for more than 20 years and has the advantage of analyzing its vast and proprietary database to provide unparalleled credibility and efficacy.

About Healthcasts

Healthcasts is a leading clinical communications platform for healthcare providers in the US. Through a vast member network, HCPs gain real-time access to the latest insights in their medical field, facilitating better diagnostic outcomes. ConsensusAI applies the power of proprietary AI to unlock the value of medical-technology solutions which drive HCP excellence in the delivery of patient care.

Media Contact:

Debby Fireman

Fireworks

[email protected]com

610.547.2229

SOURCE Healthcasts
America's fastest-growing family-sized ice cream brand adds three irresistible flavors  Neapolitan, Orange and Cream, and Campfire Peanut Butter Cup

TILLAMOOK, Ore., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Get your scoopers ready because Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) has added three new flavors to its line of extra creamy Premium Ice Cream  Neapolitan, Orange and Cream and Campfire Peanut Butter Cup.

What better way to celebrate National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 16 than with the newest of new scoops from Tillamook? Turns out, fans couldn't agree more. Tillamook continues to out-pace competitors to become the #3 most popular family-sized ice cream brand in the country in 2023.1

Tillamook, Americas fastest-growing family-sized ice cream brand adds three irresistible flavors  Neapolitan, Orange and Cream, and Campfire Peanut Butter Cup. Tillamook, Americas fastest-growing family-sized ice cream brand adds three irresistible flavors  Neapolitan, Orange and Cream, and Campfire Peanut Butter Cup. Tillamook, Americas fastest-growing family-sized ice cream brand adds three irresistible flavors  Neapolitan, Orange and Cream, and Campfire Peanut Butter Cup.

Dish 'em up, pile 'em on a cone, or spoon 'em straight from the carton, you can truly do no wrong with the new flavors, all available now. Here's the full scoop:

Neapolitan: We created our own version of the delicious trifecta staple, featuring three classic Tillamook flavors: Old Fashioned Vanilla, Oregon Strawberry (with chunks of real strawberry), and a new take on our Chocolate ice cream, now with an added chocolate ripple. Get ready for a whole lot of YUM.

We created our own version of the delicious trifecta staple, featuring three classic flavors: Old Fashioned Vanilla, Oregon Strawberry (with chunks of real strawberry), and a new take on our Chocolate ice cream, now with an added chocolate ripple. Get ready for a whole lot of YUM. Orange and Cream: It was love at first scoop. This nostalgic flavor is around for a limited time only, bringing together orange and sweet cream ice creams into one satisfying scoop reminiscent of the ol' 50/50 bars of your youth.

It was love at first scoop. This nostalgic flavor is around for a limited time only, bringing together orange and sweet cream ice creams into one satisfying scoop reminiscent of the ol' 50/50 bars of your youth. Campfire Peanut Butter Cup: Each bite of this limited-edition flavor will have you dreaming of summer camp outs under the stars. Indulge your senses with toasted marshmallow ice cream swirled with rich fudge and dotted with mini chocolatey peanut butter cups.

"When looking at our premium ice cream roster, we saw a flavor gap and knew just how to round it out by adding to our lineup of flavors. Research showed us that nostalgia is a key ice cream trend for 2023. Knowing consumers are looking for reimagined classics helped lead us to our new flavors, which we anticipate will leave folks hankering for one more bite," said Ian Moppert, Ice Cream Scientist, TCCA. "We can't wait for fans to taste our new limited-edition flavors while keeping an eye out for even more goodness this coming holiday season (spoiler alert!)."

The new ice cream flavor additions come during a period of rapid growth for TCCA's ice cream, which grew nearly 35% in 2022. In March, the Oregon-based dairy co-op expanded its footprint with the purchase of its first ice cream manufacturing plant outside of Oregon, in Decatur, Illinois to better serve eastern states and reach even more new fans.

"At Tillamook, we take great pride in doing things the right way. Our ice cream, like all our products, is made with the highest quality of ingredients, and you can really taste the difference," continues Moppert. "We make our ice cream with no shortcuts and it tastes better because it's made better. With more cream, every bite is smooth and dreamy."

Tillamook Ice Cream is available across the country at Target, Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway and many other grocery stores. Find it at a store near you at Tillamook.com/where-to-buy and learn more at Tillamook.com.

About Tillamook County Creamery Association

Founded in 1909 as a farmer-owned cooperative, Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) recently achieved the distinction as a Certified B Corporation (B Corp) and prides itself on its commitment to bringing to market the most consistent, best tasting, highest quality dairy products made in the most natural way possible. Guided by the belief that everyone deserves real food that makes them feel good every day, Tillamook produces internationally recognized, award-winning cheese as well as exceptional ice cream, butter, cream cheese spreads, yogurt, and sour cream, made with unwavering values that never sacrifice or compromise quality for profit. TCCA is owned by a group of farming families, primarily based in Tillamook County, Oregon. TCCA operates production facilities in Tillamook and Boardman, Oregon and employs more than 900 people throughout the state. The Tillamook Creamery is the largest tourist attraction on the coast of Oregon and one of the most popular in the state, attracting more than one million visitors each year. For more information on TCCA and Tillamook, visit Tillamook.com.

1 In terms of absolute dollar sales change. Latest 52 weeks ending 05/21/2023 IRI POS.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Lindsey Brown, FleishmanHillard

[email protected]

Austin Blythe, Tillamook

[email protected]

SOURCE Tillamook County Creamery Association
EBENE, Mauritius, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Moving into Q3 of 2023, uncertainty is projected to remain prominent across various markets. Subsequently, the esteemed copy trading tool HFcopy, available exclusively to clients of the leading global brokerage HFM (formerly HotForex), continues to gain popularity worldwide. This remarkable tool is a true game-changer in terms of copy trading, mainly thanks to its ability to make the process quicker, simpler and more effective than ever.

"At HFM we always strive for excellence, leaving no stone unturned in our quest to remain industry leaders," remarked a spokesperson for the brand. "We put our best minds into the constant improvement of HFcopy, since we know that to stay ahead of our competitors, we can never stop innovating. This is an unwritten agreement we have with our valued clients - we will make every effort necessary to provide nothing short of the most optimal trading conditions."

A copy tool for the trader of 2023

In its essence, HFcopy allows users to interact with other traders, get their insights on specific and general market happenings, and copy their trading routine to any desired degree. HFM clients can follow as many 'strategy providers' as they wish, thus diversifying the array of approaches they are exposed to. Also, HFcopy grants successful traders an attractive performance fee bi-weekly, as well as paves the way for traders to learn and become 'strategy providers' themselves over time.

"I can go on about the advantages of our HFcopy feature, but I think the number of satisfied clients currently using it speaks for itself," added the spokesperson, "as well as the "Best Global Forex Copy Trading Platform" award recently granted to us. We are committed to being the best. This is not just lip service; this is one of our pillars as a financial company."

About HFM

Established in 2010 and serving more than 3.5 million clients globally today, HFM is a key player in the online brokerage industry thanks to its unwavering commitment to top technology, stringent security, innovation and a customer-centric approach. The broker is distributed and multi-regulated, guaranteeing the safety and privacy of all clients around the world. For more information, users are invited to visit www.hfm.com or contact one of the company's representatives, who are happy to assist in over 27 different languages.

Website: www.hfm.com

SOURCE HFM
Cruise line sees a record-breaking day July 11 as travelers plan for 2024 and beyond

SEATTLE, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a sign of continued strength for cruise travel, Holland America Line bookings on July 11 were higher than on any day in the brand's 150-year history. Booking revenues also broke the line's single-day record.

Nieuw Amsterdam celebrated one year of cruising since returning to service after a pause due to pandemic on July 24, 2022, while sailing in Alaska. (PRNewsfoto/Holland America Line)

Most of the sailings booked July 11 were for 2024 and 2025, showing that cruisers are planning ahead and eager to travel. The bookings show significant interest in marquee locations for the cruise line including Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean, as well as a lift in sales for its new, longer, Legendary Voyages. Reservations included destinations across the world, including Australia, South America, the South Pacific and Asia.

"We see a record booking day like this as encouraging for the whole industry, but for Holland America Line, it's an endorsement of the quality of cruising product we're able to offer to our guests," said Gus Antorcha, president, Holland America Line. "People are planning their vacations for next year and even into 2025, and in the process, they're choosing the best service at sea and the unforgettable destinations that we offer."

Holland America Line is a leader in Alaska with the most Glacier Bay visits in the cruise industry. Through Alaska Up Close, guests are deeply immersed in the local culture with authentic onboard programming, cruise activities and award-winning shore excursions.

In addition to seven-day cruises throughout the Caribbean, Holland America Line continues to offer a differentiated experience with longer sailings, offering the opportunity to visit more islands on one itinerary.

Upcoming Europe seasons offer a diverse range of cruises stretching from trending locales like Greenland and Iceland to the sun-kissed skies of Greece and Turkey. Itineraries range from weeklong getaways to longer voyages that extend into multiple regions. With two Pinnacle Class ships homeporting in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 2024, guests are booking cruises to Northern Europe and the British Isles.

Holland America Line also recently launched Legendary Voyages, a new category of longer cruises with destination-rich itineraries carefully crafted to allow guests to linger longer, and with programming that enriches the experience in each destination.

For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also access all social media outlets via the home page at hollandamerica.com.

About Holland America Line

Holland America Line, part of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL andNYSE:CUK), has been exploring the world for 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to each destination. Offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience, its fleet visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for 75 years  longer than any other cruise line. Holland America Line's 11 vessels feature a diverse range of enriching activities and amenities focused on destination immersion and personalized travel. The best live music at sea fills each evening at Music Walk, and dining venues feature exclusive selections from a Culinary Council of world-famous chefs.

CONTACT: Bill Zucker, Erik Elvejord

PHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-626-9890

EMAIL: [email protected]

SOURCE Holland America Line
Hourly.io using real-time data-driven underwriting for skilled trades and mobile workers

PALO ALTO, Calif., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hourly.io , a fast-growing startup that is committed to fixing workers' comp for businesses with hourly and mobile workers, has teamed up with insurance and financial services provider Nationwide to expand its workers' comp and payroll service.

In this alliance, Hourly will serve as a Managing General Underwriter (MGU) underwriting skilled trade businesses with mobile and hourly workers using technology and millions of real-time data points from the Hourly platform. While most insurers underwrite workers' comp based on data that is 12-18 months old, Hourly's revolutionary use of big data gives business owners an alternative high-quality insurance partner, fairer and more accurate pricing, with personalized customer service. Businesses that will most benefit from using Hourly include construction, contracted services, transportation and trucking, foodservice, and retail stores among others.

Established in 2018, Hourly offers workers' comp insurance and an integrated platform that connects workers' comp, time tracking, and payroll in real-timean innovation that ensures premiums are calculated with unprecedented precision. Hourly is first of its kind in the industry to bridge this gap seamlessly with a mobile-first platform.

Through Nationwide, Hourly's platform and advanced underwriting model will help Hourly's network of more than 3,000 appointed independent insurance producers expand their client base, retain more of those clients, generate more revenue, and stand out from competitors.

"We're thrilled to announce our partnership with Nationwide as the next step in Hourly's growth strategy," said Hourly Co-founder and CEO Tom Sagi. "With Nationwide on our side, our growing network of independent insurance agents will finally be able to offer small and medium-sized businesses a service-oriented alternative, ensuring they don't overpay for their coverage. And these same small businesses will better understand their labor costsincluding workers' comp premiumsinformation they can use to bid more accurately on projects and manage their expenses to the penny."

"It's no secret that commercial insurance has been slow to catch up to personal lines in terms of tech," said Jerico Foutch-Vinsonhaler, Chief Underwriting Officer at Hourly. "Insurance companies typically don't have enough data to quote accurate premiums for hourly workers which means that these small businesses are hit with a big audit bill or are overpaying for their coverage. By harnessing more data points than our peers, Hourly is offering a long overdue solution for small business owners."

"We're excited to join forces with Hourly and help hardworking businesses across the country protect their employees," said Nationwide's Vice President Dale Hoppe who leads the company's Excess & Surplus and Specialty WC programs division. "Workers' comp has been hard to appraise in the past because the technology to price risk simply wasn't there. Our collaboration with Hourly's payroll platform sets new industry standards by prioritizing fair pricing, better overall service, and a commitment to continuous innovation. Nationwide and Hourly's much-needed upgrades to the workers' comp space will become the new benchmark for the industry for the mobile workforce, filling a gap that has plagued workers' comp for far too long."

Hourly is appointing select insurance agents across the nation. Please visit hourly.io to learn more and see if your agency qualifies.

About Hourly.io

Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Hourly.io is a data driven insurance startup offering workers' comp insurance and full-service payroll for small and medium businesses with hourly workers. Powered by real-time data, Hourly's platform ensures running payroll is as quick as pressing a button and that you get accurate workers' comp premiums down to the penny. For more information, visit www.hourly.io .

About Nationwide

Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities, mutual funds and ETFs; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com . Follow us on Facebook and Twitter .

Media Contact

Hourly.io

Courtney Brach

Sr. PR Manager

[email protected]

(650) 297-4910

Nationwide

Lyndsey Kleven

[email protected]

(614) 249-0650

SOURCE Hourly, Inc.
BOSTON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA), which is building the leading platform for cell programming and biosecurity, has been awarded a research contract from the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), the research and development arm of the U.S. Intelligence Community, for the Biointelligence and Biosecurity for the Intelligence Community (B24IC) program. Through this program, Ginkgo aims to develop a biosensor that records time-ordered cellular memory for improved traceability and biosecurity.

(PRNewsfoto/Ginkgo Bioworks) IARPA Awards B24IC Research Contract to Ginkgo Bioworks to Develop Breakthrough Biointelligence and Biosecurity Innovations

As a part of the collaboration, Ginkgo will build on recent scientific breakthroughs to create a revolutionary biosensor that can continuously record and store gene expression data in chronological order within a microbial genome, and to also create processes to retrieve this data to reconstruct the exposure history of a microbe. This tool would allow users to monitor the lab conditions and processes to which the cell was subjected. This cellular "flight recorder" would function as a synthetic memory device, registering cellular histories to support investigations into origination, attribution, and specific use, including excursions into higher/lower temperatures and contact with other substances. Ginkgo's ability to computationally design hundreds of thousands of DNA sequences and strains and to physically build and screen them at scale for faster discovery can provide the B24IC program with the capabilities to realize this project's goal. These capabilities include Ginkgo's capacities in protein design and as well as the engineering expertise needed to develop this genomically integrated DNA-recording system and to build a series of intracellular biosensors that can revolutionize biosecurity through the use of robust cellular memory systems.

"The rapid proliferation of biotechnology stands to pose new national security risks that the Intelligence Community will need to counter and mitigate," said B24IC Program Manager Dr. Michael Patterson in a recent press release . "B24IC could boost our approach to biointelligence and biosecurity far beyond our current understandingyears or decades into the future."

This announcement deepens Ginkgo's partnership with IARPA to boost the nation's approach to biointelligence and biosecurity. Ginkgo has a history of partnering with IARPA, most recently through its Finding Engineering-Linked Indicators (FELIX) program , which was created to augment and improve current biodetection and biosurveillance capabilities. Through the program, Ginkgo developed a novel computational platform for detecting genetic engineering: ENDAR (Engineered Nucleotide Detection and Ranking) .

"This project is a milestone for Ginkgo in its growing role as a trusted biosecurity partner to the U.S. government. We are deeply committed to this space, which you can see in our implementation of large-scale pathogen monitoring infrastructure nationally and worldwide, and in the breakthrough biosecurity tools we've already developed to detect and deter the misuse of bioengineering," said Jason Kelly, CEO and co-founder, Ginkgo Bioworks. "The Biden Administration's Executive Order on advancing biotechnology and biomanufacturing includes an important mandate for all of us in the field to work on advancing biosafety and biosecurity. This is absolutely critical for the growth of the bioeconomy. At Ginkgo, we're excited to develop biosecurity innovations that have the potential to both keep us safe and drive innovation in responsible bioengineering."

This research is based upon work supported in part by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), via N66001-23-C-4509. The views and conclusions contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of ODNI, IARPA, or the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for governmental purposes notwithstanding any copyright annotation therein'.

About Ginkgo Bioworks

Ginkgo Bioworks is the leading horizontal platform for cell programming, providing flexible, end-to-end services that solve challenges for organizations across diverse markets, from food and agriculture to pharmaceuticals to industrial and specialty chemicals. Ginkgo's biosecurity and public health unit, Concentric by Ginkgo, is building global infrastructure for biosecurity to empower governments, communities, and public health leaders to prevent, detect, and respond to a wide variety of biological threats. For more information, visit ginkgobioworks.com and concentricbyginkgo.com , read our blog , or follow us on social media channels such as Twitter (@ Ginkgo and @ ConcentricByGBW ), Instagram (@ GinkgoBioworks and @ ConcentricByGinkgo ), or LinkedIn .

Forward-Looking Statements of Ginkgo Bioworks

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the capabilities and potential success of the partnership, Ginkgo's cell programming platform, and Ginkgo's biosecurity offerings. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "can," "project," "potential," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) volatility in the price of Ginkgo's securities due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Ginkgo operates and plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, and changes in laws and regulations affecting Ginkgo's business, (ii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, and to identify and realize additional business opportunities, (iii) the risk of downturns in demand for products using synthetic biology, (iv) the unpredictability of the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the demand for COVID-19 testing and the commercial viability of our COVID-19 testing business, (v) changes to the biosecurity industry, including due to advancements in technology, emerging competition and evolution in industry demands, standards and regulations, (vi) our ability to realize the expected benefits of merger and acquisition transactions, (vii) the outcome of any legal proceedings against Ginkgo, including as a result of recent acquisitions, (viii) our ability to realize the expected benefits from and the success of our Foundry platform programs, (ix) our ability to successfully develop engineered cells, bioprocesses, data packages or other deliverables, and (x) the product development or commercialization success of our customers. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of Ginkgo's quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 10, 2023 and other documents filed by Ginkgo from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Ginkgo assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Ginkgo does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

GINKGO BIOWORKS INVESTOR CONTACT:

[email protected]

GINKGO BIOWORKS MEDIA CONTACT:

[email protected]

SOURCE Ginkgo Bioworks
BOSTON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ImageRights International Inc., a global leader in copyright enforcement services for photo agencies and professional photographers, announced the appointment of Natalia Ruano as their new Director of Marketing. Natalia brings a wealth of marketing experience and a deep understanding of brand development from her previous roles, including her work with industry titan Google.

Natalia Ruano, ImageRights Director of Marketing

"Natalia's track record in creating and executing high-impact marketing strategies makes her the ideal person to drive our marketing efforts forward," said Joe Naylor, CEO of ImageRights. "Her distinctive approach, informed by her experience in museums and galleries and the rights issues associated therewith, will undoubtedly add a unique dimension to our marketing initiatives."

In her new role, Natalia will spearhead the development and execution of ImageRights' marketing strategy, aimed at driving client acquisition and engagement for the company's services. Additionally, she will be responsible for the planning and management of ImageRights' presence at industry conferences, to expand brand visibility and forge valuable connections.

She will oversee the production of digital newsletters aimed at clients and legal partners, design and create marketing materials, and leverage her expertise in Google Analytics to drive data-informed decisions. Natalia will also lead efforts in securing speaking opportunities for ImageRights' executives to enhance brand visibility and thought leadership.

As an adept social media and event marketer, Natalia will manage ImageRights' online advertising campaigns, as well as source content for their social media platforms, and SEO with the goal of increasing engagement and brand visibility.

Natalia commented, "I am thrilled to be joining the ImageRights team and look forward to leveraging my skills and experiences to contribute to the company's growth. My commitment to delivering exceptional work that exceeds expectations is perfectly aligned with ImageRights' dedication to providing top-notch copyright enforcement services."

Please join us in welcoming Natalia to the ImageRights team and wishing her every success in her new role.

About ImageRights: ImageRights International, Inc., provides AI-driven intelligent internet search and copyright enforcement services to photo agencies and professional photographers worldwide, ensuring their intellectual property rights are protected and that they are compensated for the unauthorized use of their copyrighted images. www.imagerights.com

For press inquiries, please contact: Ted VanCleave at 617-766-5152 or [email protected]

SOURCE ImageRights International, Inc.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartPC Tools, a leading provider of innovative software solutions, released EncryptionSafe, a free, easy to use encryption application designed specifically for Windows PCs. With the ever-increasing amount of sensitive information stored on PCs and in the cloud, EncryptionSafe aims to make encryption accessible to everyone, ensuring the security and privacy of personal and confidential files.

EncryptionSafe Screen Shot

Elliot Tolkin, Product Manager at SmartPC Tools, commented, "We understand the importance of data security and privacy in today's digital landscape. With EncryptionSafe, we wanted to create a solution that empowers users to easily encrypt their files, regardless of their technical expertise. Our goal is to make encryption accessible to all."

With the prevalence of cloud storage services such as OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive, the need for encryption has become paramount. EncryptionSafe enables users to encrypt their files before uploading them to the cloud, providing an additional layer of protection against unauthorized access or data breaches. By using EncryptionSafe, users can have peace of mind knowing that their confidential information remains secure, even in the event of a security breach.

Key Features of EncryptionSafe:

User-Friendly Interface: EncryptionSafe boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to individuals of all technical backgrounds. Users can easily encrypt their files with just a few clicks, without requiring any prior encryption knowledge. File-Level Encryption: With EncryptionSafe, users have the flexibility to encrypt individual files or entire folders, giving them granular control over the encryption process and ensuring that only authorized parties can access their sensitive data. Strong Encryption Algorithms: EncryptionSafe leverages industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption, providing robust security to safeguard users' files. Free and Available for Windows PC: EncryptionSafe is available as a free download exclusively for Windows PC users, reflecting SmartPC Tools' commitment to making privacy accessible to all.

To start encrypting files and protecting sensitive information, users can visit the EncryptionSafe website at www.encryptionsafe.com and download EncryptionSafe.

About SmartPC Tools:

For over 20 years, SmartPC Tools has been a leading provider of innovative software solutions designed to optimize PC performance, enhance security, and streamline digital experiences. With a customer-centric approach, SmartPC Tools is committed to delivering user-friendly products that empower individuals and businesses to maximize their productivity and protect their digital assets.

For more information, please contact:

Elliot Tolkin

SmartPC Tools

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 (516) 880-5509

SOURCE SmartPC Tools
Judges praised IXL Math for its comprehensive curriculum and standards-aligned skills, instructional resources supporting independent learning, and district- and classroom-level analytics tools

SAN MATEO, Calif., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IXL , the personalized learning platform used by more than 14 million students, announced that IXL Math has won the 2023 SIIA CODiE award for Best Math Instructional Solution for Grades 9-12. IXL's recent achievement marks its third-consecutive win in a CODiE math category (Best Advanced Mathematics Solution - 2021, 2023; Best PK-8 Math Solution - 2022).

IXL Math empowers high school students to take charge of their education and equips them with the knowledge they need to master essential skills, including algebra, geometry, calculus and more.

The CODiEs bring together teachers, administrators and education experts to honor the world's most innovative services that help students learn. IXL was selected for the prestigious award after undergoing a rigorous review by expert judges, including detailed assessments from current and former educators, business leaders and votes from SIIA members.

"IXL is honored to be recognized by the SIIA CODiE Awards as the most engaging and effective learning platform for high school math students. We have once again demonstrated that our innovative technology and empathy for the people we serve are indispensable to creating fantastic learning experiences," said Paul Mishkin, CEO of IXL Learning. "Our team is deeply grateful to educators worldwide for entrusting us with their needs, and for allowing us to give every young person a better chance to succeed."

"We tried several programs out, but IXL really stood out for its ease of use and the way the skills are laid out. It's simple for the students to use and provides the practice and feedback they need to master skills," said Christine Montes, High School Math Teacher and Department Chair at Los Amigos High School in Fountain Valley, California. "There is definitely a correlation between grades and the amount of time students spend practicing in IXLit has given them a chance to see what kind of learner they are and take charge of their own education."

"The 2023 Education Technology CODiE Award winners exemplify the outstanding products, services and overall innovation that enables learners of all types to connect with educators and educational materials," said SIIA President Chris Mohr. "Congratulations to all of this year's CODiE Award winners!"

How IXL's award-winning platform helps high school students learn and grow

IXL Math empowers high school students to take charge of their education and equips them with the knowledge they need to master essential skills, including algebra, geometry, calculus and more. In fact, schools using IXL Math outperformed schools using any other program or method, ranking as much as 15 percentile points higher on state assessments.

Comprehensive curriculum for deeper learning

With 1,400 standards-aligned skills at the high school level, the IXL Math curriculum promotes rigor by helping students develop a conceptual understanding of math, build procedural fluency and tackle challenging problems with real-world applications. Teachers and students also receive access to 3,500 foundational skills from earlier grades, so that struggling learners can fill knowledge gaps. Additionally, IXL's skill plans simplify lesson planning by providing teachers with the exact skills that have been built to match their state standards and math textbooks. IXL also provides test preparation skill plans and personalized study plans for the SAT and ACT.

Support and empower students at every step

Whether tackling new concepts, reinforcing what they learned in class or self-remediating, IXL's instructional resources empower students to learn advanced math concepts and build a deep understanding of skills independently. For example, IXL offers more than 2,400 separate video tutorials to help high school students remediate and grow.

Help students understand and own their learning

IXL's first-of-its-kind assessment suite works with its math curriculum to give educators real-time insight into students' grade-level proficiency, pinpoint gaps in knowledge, and provide specific next steps and instructional resources to help each student grow. Additionally, IXL's comprehensive diagnostic reports allow administrators to easily identify students across their district who are working below grade level and may need additional support.

Get teachers the insights that they need

IXL Analytics is an essential daily tool that allows high school math teachers to easily identify trouble spots, monitor performance on skills, deliver data-driven instruction and use limited class time more effectively. Administrators can use IXL District Analytics and IXL School Analytics to track student progress and teacher engagement, enabling them to improve IXL's impact on their school or district.

About IXL Learning

Currently used by 14 million students and in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts, IXL is an all-inclusive educational platform that provides a comprehensive PK-12 curriculum and instructional resources, actionable analytics and a state-of-the-art assessment suite. IXL's end-to-end teaching and learning solution supports personalized instruction in math, English language arts, science, social studies and Spanish. With more than 130 billion questions asked and answered around the world, IXL is helping schools and parents successfully boost student achievement. The IXL Learning family of products also includes Rosetta Stone , TPT , SpanishDictionary.com , ingles.com , Wyzant , Vocabulary.com , ABCya , Education.com and Emmersion . To learn more about IXL, visit www.ixl.com , facebook.com/IXL and twitter.com/IXLLearning .

Press Contact

Eric Bates

IXL Learning

[email protected]

About the CODiE Awards

The SIIA CODiE Awards is the only peer-reviewed program to showcase business and education technology's finest products and services. Since 1986, thousands of products, services and solutions have been recognized for achieving excellence. For more information, visit siia.net/CODiE .

SOURCE IXL Learning
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic, Azernews reports.

Dear Mr. President,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I sincerely congratulate you and all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of Montenegro, and extend my best wishes.

We are pleased with the development dynamics of Azerbaijan-Montenegro intergovernmental relations. Today, there are good opportunities for the further expansion of relations between our countries in a number of areas, especially cooperation in the fields of energy and transport.

I believe that we will continue joint efforts to strengthen our traditionally friendly ties and fully benefit from the potential of our cooperation of mutual interest.

On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health, success in your endeavors, and the friendly people of Montenegro everlasting peace and prosperity.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 10 July 2023
The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) has released a new policy statement that outlines the need for a transformative change in Australias skills training system.

The aim is to make the system more reflective of the demands of a dynamic economy, while also enabling students to engage in lifelong learning.

The policy statement emphasizes the importance of putting students at the centre of the skills training system. According to government data referenced in the ITECA State Of The Sector Report, independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), which represent over half of the apprentices and trainees, currently support 87.1 per cent of the 4.3 million students in skills training. This highlights the significance of the vision outlined in the policy statement.

The statement identifies five key areas for reform, all aimed at improving outcomes for students, employers, and taxpayers. However, the overarching theme is the imperative to prioritize student-centric reforms. The policy statement emphasizes the need for reforms that empower students to make informed decisions about their choice of providers, whether that be independent RTOs or public institutions.

The role of independent RTOs in delivering skills training is highlighted, with these providers supporting the majority of students in skills training. They cater to 70.9 per cent of Diploma (and higher) enrolments and 69.4 per cent of Certificate IV enrolments. Indigenous students also benefit significantly, with independent providers supporting 75.7 per cent of them in skills training. The policy statement calls for increased support from Australian, state, and territory governments for students choosing to study with independent providers.

As technology continues to reshape industries and automation becomes more prevalent, the demand for adaptable and future-proof skills is intensifying. The skills training system in Australia needs to adapt to this changing landscape by empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their education. The policy statement aims to create an environment where students can select programs and providers that will help them thrive in a time of constant change.

The policy statement also emphasizes the need for red tape reduction in the skills training sector. Governments at various levels are called upon to streamline compliance and reporting requirements, enabling RTOs to focus more on student outcomes and less on bureaucratic processes.

Additionally, ITECA proposes alignment between the skills training and higher education systems. The goal is to create an integrated tertiary education system where both systems operate as one, while retaining their respective strengths and identities.

The significance of this ambitious vision can be found in the fact that government data referenced in the ITECA State Of The Sector Report shows that independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) support 87.1 per cent of the 4.3 million students in skills training, including more than half of the apprentices and trainees, said Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive.

As governments embark on policy reform, it is imperative that they put students at the heart of the skills training system. Reforms should be student-centric and back the informed decisions of students to study with the provider of their choice whether this be an independent RTO or a public provider, Mr Williams said.

As technology continues to reshape industries and automation becomes more prevalent, the demand for adaptable and future-proof skills intensifies. Australias skills training system must rise to the challenge by empowering individuals with the knowledge and expertise needed to select the program and provider that will allow them to thrive in a time of constant change, Mr Williams said.

The Australian, state and territory governments need to streamline mandatory compliance and activity reporting in skills training based on the report once, use many times principle, allowing RTOs to focus on student outcomes and not government red tape, Mr Williams said.

We need governments to support an integrated tertiary education system, in which the skills training and higher education systems operate as one but retain their separate strengths and identities, Mr Williams said.

Formed in 1992, the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) is the peak body representing independent providers in the skills training, higher education, and international education sectors.

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Financial planning and tax professional with nearly $25 million practice joins Cetera's tax-oriented community from Avantax

LOS ANGELES, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cetera Financial Group (Cetera), the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub where financial advisors and institutions can optimize professional control and value creation, announced today that Jacob Turley* has joined the West division of Cetera Financial Specialists. Turley, who provides financial planning services to clients with nearly $25 million in assets**, was previously affiliated with Avantax Investment Services.

"Jacob's passion for guiding his clients to achieve their ideal financial future through manageable, tax-smart steps ensure he'll fit in well at CFS," said Ron Krueger, president of CFS. "CFS is an excellent home for professionals looking to grow both their tax and wealth management business  and we have no doubt Jacob will thrive with us. I look forward to working together to benefit Jacob's clients and to help grow his business."

Turley has more than a decade of experience in the financial industry, starting out as a CFP professional and CPA at American Financial Services before moving to Avantax Investment Services in 2012. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Utah and a Master of Taxation from Weber State University.

Visit www.Cetera.com for more information.

About Cetera Financial Group

Cetera Financial Group (Cetera) is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub where financial advisors and institutions optimize their control and value creation. Breaking away from a commoditized and homogenous IBD model, Cetera offers financial professionals and institutions the latest solutions, support, and services to grow, scale, or transition with a merger, sale, investment, or succession plan. Cetera proudly serves independent financial advisors, tax professionals, licensed administrators, large enterprises, as well as institutions, such as banks and credit unions, providing an established and repeatable blueprint for scalable growth.

Home to more than 8,000 financial professionals and their teams, Cetera oversees approximately $330 billion in assets under administration and $116 billion in assets under management, as of March 31, 2023. In a recent advisor satisfaction survey of more than 21,000 reviews, Cetera's Voice of Customer (VoC) program vigorously measures advisor experience and satisfaction 24/7. Currently, it's ranked 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Visit www.cetera.com, and follow Cetera on LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

"Cetera Financial Group" refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms are FINRA/SIPC members. Located at: 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101.

Individuals affiliated with Cetera firms are either Registered Representatives who offer only brokerage services and receive transaction-based compensation (commissions), Investment Adviser Representatives who offer only investment advisory services and receive fees based on assets, or both Registered Representatives and Investment Adviser Representatives, who can offer both types of services.

*Financial Advisor offering securities through Cetera Financial Specialists LLC (doing insurance business in CA as CFGFC Insurance Agency LLC), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Cetera firms are under separate ownership from any other named entity.

**Value approximated based on holding details provided to Cetera up to May 31, 2023.

SOURCE Cetera Financial Group
Fully-Customized, Proprietary Platform Developed for Iconic Craft Soda Brand Advances

Augmented Reality with Jones Labels, Packaging and More

SEATTLE, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Soda Co. (CSE: JSDA, OTCQB: JSDA) ("Jones Soda'' or the "Company"), the original craft soda known for its unconventional flavors and user-designed label artwork, has today announced a groundbreaking advancement in its augmented reality (AR) program with a proprietary new platform developed for Jones by Clio Award-winning creative agency August Allen. The new innovation expands on Jones' legacy featuring fans on their labels, bringing video storytelling into a mobile first AR experience.

This unique solution improves on Jones' REEL LABELS program, launched in 2021, with a faster, seamless user experience that uses mobile AR instead of app-based technology. It also features ability to take the AR experience beyond the bottle into media, merchandise & point of sale.

Featuring a fully-custom designed administrative dashboard, Jones can build, manage, and change AR projects and campaigns of all kinds in-house. This flexibility enables the team to respond faster to culture, customer, and fan feedback. Jones' AR campaigns have been so successful that its crossover brand, Mary Jones, will also soon follow suit with AR labels in the infused cannabis category.

"We have always taken a highly personalized approach with Jones labels," said Curt Thompson, Director of Marketing at Jones. "It has included fan-designed art, special label campaigns, and other fresh ideas unseen in the beverage industry before us. The new technology August Allen built for Jones takes this idea to the next level and allows us to celebrate our community in video on our packaging and unlock new ways to share their stories."

"Traditionally, brands like Jones needed to rely on third-party vendors and agencies to create AR campaigns, and each campaign had to be created from scratch every time," said Kristina Veltri, Director of Marketing of August Allen. "Now, Jones can tap into AR on its own, make changes on the fly, test in new communities, and instantly adapt to delight and engage its audiences."

AR has superseded other engagement channels for Jones. The new AR technology platform created for Jones by August Allen is being implemented now, with Jones expanding into AR posters for PRIDE this year. For more information about Jones, visit www.jonessoda.com.

About Jones Soda Co.

Jones Soda Co. (CSE: JSDA, OTCQB: JSDA) is a leading craft soda manufacturer with a subsidiary dedicated to cannabis products. The company markets and distributes premium craft sodas under the Jones Soda and Lemoncocco brands, and a variety of cannabis products under the Mary Jones brand. Jones' mainstream soda line is sold across North America in glass bottles, cans and on fountains through traditional beverage outlets, restaurants and alternative accounts. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. For more information, visit www.jonessoda.com

About August Allen

August Allen is a groundbreaking digital agency specializing in the development and implementation of augmented reality (AR) technologies. The Denver, Colorado-based firm has been recognized for its innovative approach to AR solutions, earning accolades including the prestigious Clio Award. August Allen's services are tailored to empower brands with the ability to independently manage and adapt their AR strategies, ensuring responsive, dynamic, and immersive customer experiences. August Allen is committed to leveraging the transformative potential of AR to blend realities and amplify brands. For more information, please visit www.augustallen.com

SOURCE Jones Soda
Southern California gateway broke marks for both total passengers and international travelers

ONTARIO, Calif., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California's Ontario International Airport (ONT) set a record in June for passenger volume, welcoming more than 559,000 travelers and breaking a record set just a month earlier, officials announced.

The aviation gateway also recorded more than 37,000 international travelers, which was the most in a single month ever at ONT.

Southern California's Ontario International Airport welcomed more than 559,000 travelers during June, including more than 37,000 international travelers  the most in a single month ever at ONT.

The total passenger count for June was 8.7% higher than June last year. The number of domestic passengers grew by 5% to 522,000, while international air travel more than doubled to 37,000.

The previous high for total passengers in one month since the airport's return to local ownership in 2016 was recorded in May 2023 when 557,000 travelled through ONT.

Over the first six months of the year, total passenger volume was nearly 3 million, 12.4% greater than the first half of 2022. The passenger count included 2.8 million domestic travelers and 176,000 international passengers, increases of 9.5% and 94.4%, respectively.

"Since taking ownership of the airport our goal has been to create an international gateway for Southern California with the amenities, facilities and services befitting the region," said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer, Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). "We couldn't be more pleased that demand for air travel through Ontario remains strong, outpacing other California airports, driven by large increases in population and jobs across our region."

Ten million Southern Californians live or work closer to ONT than any other airport, and eight of the 10 fastest growing California cities over 100,000 population are in ONT's primary service area.

Passenger Totals Jun 2023 Jun 2022 Change YTD 2023 YTD 2022 Change Domestic 522,088 496,950 5.06 % 2,813,917 2,570,272 9.5 % International 37,359 17,534 113.07 % 176,238 90,677 94.4 % Total 559,447 514,484 8.74 % 2,990,155 2,660,949 12.4 %



Volumes of commercial freight and mail declined by 14% in June and 10% on a year-to-date basis, consistent with lower cargo volume globally which has been anticipated by industry analysts.

Air cargo (tonnage) Jun 2023 Jun 2022 Change YTD 2023 YTD 2022 Change Freight 57,410 67,525 -14.98 % 338,431 380,612 -11.1 % Mail 4,260 4,479 -4.89 % 27,725 28,107 -1.4 % Total 61,670 72,004 -14.35 % 366,156 408,720 -10.4 %



"Despite the slow-down in freight movement worldwide, Ontario International is a vital cog in the U.S. supply chain," Elkadi said. "Our modernized and expanded cargo facilities remain key components for shippers serving Southern California."

About Ontario International Airport

Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport which offers nonstop commercial jet service to nearly two dozen major airports in the U.S., Mexico, Central America and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)

The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. OIAA Commissioners are Ontario City Councilmember Alan D. Wapner (President), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President), Ontario City Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Commissioner) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner).

OIAA Media Contact:

Steve Lambert, (909) 841-7527 [email protected]

SOURCE Ontario International Airport
Patient-Led Global Summit on Science, Policy, and Care Choice Drives Optimism

WASHINGTON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP), the largest independent kidney patient organization in the USA, and its strategic partner, The George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS), hosted their 5th Annual Global Summit on Kidney Disease Innovations on June 28-29, 2023. The Global Summit encourages participants to collaborate to advance science and medical innovation, advocate for more common-sense regulatory and payment policies, and to remove barriers to new life-saving treatments and cures. AAKP believes patients have a valid and rightful voice in the medical and policy decisions that impact their lives.

The 5th Annual Global Summit on Kidney Disease Innovations AAKP Executive Director Diana Clynes, Dr. Dominic Raj, Dean Barbara Bass, The Honorable Alex M. Azar II, and AAKP President Edward V. Hickey III (from left to right)

The 5th anniversary meeting was a key milestone event for AAKP and the GW/SMHS. The event doubled its reach from 50 countries in 2019 to over 100 countries in 2023, with audiences in the tens of thousands through real-time and OnDemand programming. Over the course of the past five years, the Global Summit has conducted a cumulative total of over 75 expert sessions, involving over 250 speakers from 40 countries, while generating 80 hours of broadcast quality filmed programming. The Global Summit is the largest patient-led kidney innovations summit in the world.

Kidney disease is both a global healthcare and workforce issue. Over 840 million people suffer from kidney disease and failure worldwide. In the United States, over 37 million people suffer from the disease, over 700,00 live with kidney failure, and nearly 100,000 await a kidney transplant. The cost of kidney disease in America alone is estimated at over $100 billion annually. This cost does not include the additional high costs to patients, families, and taxpayers of unemployment, disability, dependency, and premature death. Those costs are often a direct consequence of burdensome and outdated status quo treatments, especially dialysis. AAKP believes the full, true costs of legacy kidney technologies are grossly underestimated and should be weighed as new technologies emerge. AAKP works closely with U.S. Congressional leaders to ensure patient access to kidney innovations.

The 2023 Global Summit agenda focused on advancements in diabetic kidney disease, endocrinology, metabolic diseases, cardio-renal syndrome, and unmet patient needs for new transplant drugs, artificial implantable and wearable kidneys, and xenotransplants. Topics were covered during 14 sessions involving a total of 60 patient experts, government, medical, and industry speakers, resulting in over 16 hours of broadcast quality filmed programming. This year's speakers were drawn from over 20 countries including India, Switzerland, Croatia, Zambia, Ethiopia, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Israel, Hong Kong, Australia, Kenya, Belgium, Ukraine, France, and the United Kingdom. For 2023, the Global Summit gained new audiences across Norway, Dominican Republic, Oman, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Ukraine, Yemen, Israel, Croatia, Hong Kong, as well as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, including Saipan. An international panel on unplanned events impacting kidney patients provided timely lessons learned from responses to earthquakes, hurricanes, and the war in Ukraine. 2023 participants were also able to curate their learning experience through an "After Hours" educational program of over 70 additional professionally-produced AAKP expert webinars and over 30 patient-authored editorials.

The 2023 program included significant firsts. The inaugural Global Kidney Leadership and Innovation Award was presented to The Honorable Alex M. Azar, II, the 24th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), marking the fourth anniversary of the historic, bipartisan 2019 U.S. presidential Executive Order on Advancing American Kidney Health. Secretary Azar, a caregiver whose father was a kidney dialysis patient and kidney transplant recipient, was the architect of the Executive Order, widely regarded as the largest shift in American kidney policy in 50 years. Secretary Azar and his team regularly welcomed kidney advocates to the policy table, including AAKP leaders, as they developed principled policies to transform status-quo kidney care through expanded patient care choice, patient-centered medicine, and long-overdue innovations in kidney diagnostics, drugs, and devices. In 2019, to further organize and mobilize domestic and international support for kidney research and innovation, AAKP launched The Decade of the Kidney. The initiative has been strongly embraced by patients, industry, and professionals, along with senior Members of the European Parliament, the European Kidney Health Alliance, and the European Kidney Patient Federation. AAKP will announce an array of new international partners over the next year.

During his remarks at the award presentation, Secretary Azar (read full remarks) (watch award presentation and remarks) said, "The best way to create sound policy and to improve kidney care here in the U.S. and around the globe is to work directly with the stakeholders most impacted by disease. This means patients and not simply health systems or providers. It is vitally important for public officialseither appointed or electedto listen closely to patients because government works for the people, not the other way around." He continued by saying, "The lesson is clearthe organized voice of kidney patients can change status-quo medicine and is key to advancing the next generation of kidney care treatments and cures. I strongly encourage industry to lean forward and work with patients as partners as new devices and therapies are developed."

The Global Summit also hosted a special presentation by the World Health Organization that unveiled a new Global Framework to Engage People Living with Kidney Diseases, including kidney disease. The Framework elevates patients and their unique insights within WHO and government policymaking worldwide and is the product of an 18-month, multi-continent collaboration that involved AAKP advocacy experts. The WHO also unveiled their People Power Series which references the Global Summit in one of twelve case studies on impactful patient engagement across the globe. Global Summit participants also watched the global premier of the Dutch Kidney Foundation's new film, "The Urgent Need for an Artificial Implantable Kidney," detailing the history of dialysis and inventor Dr. Willem Kolff, and with a special message from Mayor Sander de Rouwe of Kampen, the Netherlands.

The vital role of the nursing professions in kidney medicine was highlighted as AAKP awarded their nursing Medal of Excellence. Recipients were: Pamela Hoyt-Hudson, BSN, RN, of Dialysis Clinics, Inc., recognized for her distinguished expertise and record of global impact across 25 countries; and Janae Thompson, BSN, RN, an outstanding member of The George Washington University Hospital Transplant Center Team, recognized for her record of transplant advocacy and community impact serving patients in the heart of America's capital of Washington, D.C.! Learn more.

Edward V. Hickey, III, USMC, AAKP President, stated, "The Global Summit continues to evolve as a trusted education and advocacy event designed to unite people around the shared interest of advancing the science and innovations necessary to improve and save the lives of more kidney patients. We are grateful to Dean Barbara Bass and Dr. Dominic Raj for their ongoing support of this important event through the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and look forward to further expansions in our shared reach and impact." Hickey is a kidney patient and attorney with experience as a senior staff member on Capitol Hill and appointed service under two presidents. He is also Chair of AAKP's Veteran's Health Initiative, is engaged in ongoing research with the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs, and involved with veteran service organizations aiding homeless veterans to protect their earned legal rights and benefits.

Paul T. Conway , AAKP's Chair of Policy and Global Affairs and Co-Chair of the Global Summit, stated, "Since 2019, our programming has provided timely insights into the unmet needs of kidney patients while also highlighting the challenges governments, medical professionals, and industry face to advance new treatments and cures. Yet, optimism is high because bold leaders have stepped up for patients. We deeply respect Secretary Alex Azar, Dean Barbara Bass, Dr. Dominic Raj, and the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences for their courage in rejecting the status quo and advancing future kidney care." Conway is a 45-year kidney patient and 26-year transplant recipient with appointed service under three presidents, including Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Labor. He serves on the American Board of Internal Medicine's Nephrology Specialty Board and is a Patient Voice Editor for the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Dr. Dominic Raj, Director of the GW/SMHS Division of Renal Disease and Hypertension, and Co-Chair of the Global Summit, stated, "Over the course of the past five years, this event has served as a showcase for the interconnected disciplines of science, medicine, and policy, and demonstrated how patient advocates, industry, and government collaborate with them. This is an immensely important strategic concept that impacts millions of lives and drives much needed innovation in nephrology. Through her commitment to excellence and the Global Summit, our Dean, Dr. Barbara Bass, continues to transform GW into a world-class educational institution with the capacity to impact patient lives across the world." Dr. Raj was recently named as the Bert B. Brooks endowed Professor at the GW/SMHS.

AAKP and GW/SMHS thanked 2023 Global Summit sponsorsGold Level: Novartis; Patron Level: Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, Hansa Biopharma, and Horizon Therapeutics. AAKP is committed to providing timely, open access kidney disease education and innovation insights to people anywhere in the world. AAKP's use of broadcast quality programming across all major events has been made possible through their national strategic media partner, Briar Patch Media, and their team of international and national cable and network television production experts under the leadership of Jonathan St. John. Briar Patch Media collaborates with the highly talented GWU media production team for the Global Summit. All 2023 Global Summit presentations will be available, free of charge, OnDemand through the AAKP website and AAKP YouTube Channel .

American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP): Since 1969, AAKP, as a patient-led organization, has shaped national debates on care choice and medical innovation. In 2018, AAKP established the largest U.S. kidney community voter registration program, KidneyVoters. In the past decade, AAKP has advanced lifetime transplant drug coverage for transplant recipients (2020); new job protections for living organ donors under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) via the U.S. Department of Labor (2018); and Congressional legislation allowing HIV-positive organ transplants for HIV-positive patients (2013). Follow AAKP at @kidneypatient on Facebook, @kidneypatients on Twitter, and @kidneypatients on Instagram, and visit their website at www.aakp.org .

GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences: Founded in 1824, the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) was the first medical school in the nation's capital and is the 11th oldest in the country. Working together in our nation's capital with integrity and resolve, the GW/SMHS is committed to improving the health and well-being of our local, national, and global communities. Visit their website at smhs.gwu.edu .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jennifer Rate

Director

Communications & Digital Operations

[email protected] (813) 400-2394

SOURCE American Association of Kidney Patients
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and the Brain Center in Miami, FL now offer a course that prepares nonprofessionals to support dementia and Alzheimer's patients.

MIAMI, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brain Center , in partnership with the Miami, FL campus of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS), is set to launch a powerful public education program to help nonprofessional caregivers of Alzheimer's patients provide better care and manage the stress that comes from their duties. The Brain Center's Alzheimer's Caregivers Course is designed for people with little to no healthcare experience, giving family Alzheimer's caregivers a vital support network as well as access to expert knowledge and resources. The first course will occur on Saturday, July 15th.

Researchers predict 78 million people worldwide will live with dementia or Alzheimer's by 2030. Meanwhile, around 80% of Alzheimer's care is provided by unpaid caregivers, typically family members, who often lack important knowledge about the illness. These statistics underline the pressing need for access to high-quality education like that offered through the Brain Center's Alzheimer's Caregivers Course.

In the Brain Center's Alzheimer's Caregivers Course, licensed healthcare professionals teach community members the pathology of Alzheimer's disease, prevention, and redirection strategies to manage difficult behaviors, professional care techniques to assist with activities of daily living, and stress reduction techniques for the caregivers themselves. Caregivers also get to take part in a high-tech simulation of life with dementia, called Dementia Live, that will help them understand what their patients are feeling.

"The responsibility of supporting an Alzheimer's patient can be isolating and overwhelming," said Carolina Hoires, Director of Social Services at the Brain Center. "This program will do so many good things at onceit will give members of the public a theoretical foundation, tools to improve the care they provide, tools to manage the distress they feel, and, maybe most importantly, the solace of a community of people navigating the same path they are."

USAHS believes the Brain Center's Alzheimer's Caregivers Course will also supplement their students' knowledge of healthcare roles and responsibilities. The program aims to provide USAHS students at the Miami campus opportunities to observe, participate, and assist with activities planned for the course, to give them a sense of the essential influence of caregivers on patient outcomes and help them become more well-rounded practitioners in their later careers.

"USAHS is committed to building a better, healthier world by any means we can," said Christine Salmon, assistant professor at USAHS and a physical therapist and geriatric certified specialist. "This initiative reflects that commitment by broadening community access to Alzheimer's education and resources while allowing the next generation of providers to gather insights into the caregiver's role in the big picture."

The Brain Center's Alzheimer's Caregivers Course will run multiple times a year. The first course on Saturday, July 15th is at capacity and registrants are joining a waitlist. Those who are interested in learning more about the course or wish to register for a future course should contact the Brain Center at 305-856-8940 X105 and ask to speak with Griselle Solorzano.

You can also learn more about the course at www.braincenter.org.

About the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) is a graduate institution that offers degree programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, graduate nursing, education, health science and healthcare administration, as well as continuing education programs. Founded in 1979, USAHS educates students through its network of campuses in San Marcos, California; St. Augustine and Miami in Florida; and Austin and Dallas in Texas. USAHS is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402, Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748-9001, https://www.wscuc.org/about/ , and demonstrates its commitment to social responsibility through its B Corp certification. For more information: www.usa.edu .

SOURCE University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LAIRD Apparel, the high-performance activewear and lifestyle brand, has launched its women's collection, GABBY, inspired by fitness icon Gabby Reece.

The GABBY launch was celebrated with a HIGHX fitness event led by Gabby Reece in Manhattan Beach, California.

Gabby Reece in her new women's line GABBY

"The event was intended to introduce the women's line through a genuine channel, which is getting people together to exercise," says founder and inspiration behind the line, Gabby Reece. "Philosophically for me and for Laird, there is this idea that helping each other move is time well spent. That is something we have always done together. So, we did the launch in the most appropriate way  we trained together. We worked hard, celebrated our desire to move and had some fun."

The debut collection is a capsule of key performance items that are essential to any fitness wardrobe. Premium fabrics are the cornerstone of the collection and all pieces have been rigorously tested by elite athletes to ensure both functionality and fit.

"The line embodies fundamental things that are important to me. First and foremost, this is equipment for training, so it must be functional. I know many of the pieces will be worn for other different applications - maybe even more than for training itself. But the fact is, I still need them to work when I train. The other key components are the fit and the material. The pieces need to be made thoughtfully and of the highest quality. I want our customer to know that we had her in mind when we were developing the line. And, lastly, I want the pieces to look good and be something that gives you a little extra pep in your step when you train or drive your kids somewhere or run to the market or go to a meeting. In all ways, this line supports you. The pieces work well, the materials are premium, and they allow you to feel that you are ready to take on whatever you are doing throughout your day."

GABBY is available exclusively at lairdapparel.com and in the coming months will expand to include lifestyle pieces in addition to the initial performance collection.

ABOUT LAIRD Apparel:

LAIRD Apparel is a high-performance activewear and lifestyle brand inspired by legendary fitness power couple Laird Hamilton and Gabby Reece. LAIRD Apparel embodies their adventurous nature as well as their resilience, innovation, perseverance and determination.

For more information, please visit www.lairdapparel.com and follow us at @lairdapparel

Media Contact: Roxy Hunter | [email protected]com

SOURCE LAIRD Apparel
From Checking on Google and Reading Reviews to Looking at the Company's Social Media Website and More, this Helpful Advice Will Help Homeowners Stay Warm in the Winter and Cool in the Summer

MOORESVILLE, N.C., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brian Pysz, co-owner of the HVAC repair company Peace Heating and Air Conditioning based in Mooresville, North Carolina, is pleased to announce that he has just posted a new blog to the company's website that discusses an important topic: how to quickly find the best local air conditioner contractor .

To read the new blog in its entirety, please visit https://peaceheatingandairconditioning.com/2023/03/08/when-searching-for-air-conditioner-contractor-near-me-remember-peace-heating-and-air-conditioning/

As the blog notes, it is stressful for homeowners to realize that their heater or air conditioner is no longer functioning properly. In these cases, homeowners want to find reputable contractors quickly who are affordable and will correctly diagnose and fix the issue.

The first step to find a local heating and air conditioning contractor is to use a search engine.

"Type 'air conditioner contractor near me' into the search bar and press enter. The search engine will provide you with a list of local contractors in your area," the blog notes, adding that first, homeowners should look for a licensed and certified contractor.

Once the list of potential contractors has been made, homeowners should visit their company websites and social media pages to learn more about their services.

Next, the blog advises, research each contractor's online reviews.

"Check online reviews to see what other customers have said about the contractor's service. Look for reviews on websites like Google, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, and HomeAdvisor," the blog notes.

"If a contractor has a lot of positive reviews, it is a good sign that they provide quality service."

About Peace Heating and Air Conditioning:

At Peace Heating And Air Conditioning, they are proud to be the local heating and AC & Heat Service experts, and they have the tools and expertise to install, repair and maintain all the climate control systems people need to breathe easily. Their highly qualified technicians provide only the best service, and they always work with each family's needs and long-term comfort in mind. For more information, please visit https://peaceheatingandairconditioning.com/

Peace Heating And Air Conditioning

SOURCE Peace Heating and Air Conditioning
Lear on track to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA), a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems, today released its 2022 Sustainability Report, which includes the company's progress on its climate goals, sustainable product development, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA), a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems, today released its 2022 Sustainability Report, which includes the companys progress on its climate goals, sustainable product development, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

"Around the world, our teams have embraced opportunities to build a more sustainable future," said Ray Scott, Lear President and CEO. "Their commitment and collaboration are driving us toward our climate goals, advancing sustainable products, and further enriching our diverse culture."

Lear's 2022 Sustainability Highlights

Climate Goals

Lear has been implementing a comprehensive renewable energy strategy to meet its climate goals. By the end of 2022, Lear decreased its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by nearly 17% against a 2019 baseline, putting the company on track to meet its 50% carbon reduction goal by 2030. Currently, on-site solar arrays provide a source of clean power for nine Lear facilities across six countries. All company locations in Germany, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom have already met Lear's 2030 goal of sourcing 100% renewable energy for their electricity needs. In addition, Lear employees completed 170 energy efficiency projects in 2022, with an estimated savings of 6 million kilowatt-hours of energy globally.

Sustainable Products

Lear's portfolio of sustainable products continues to grow with more than 900 global patents and pending patents related to sustainable products. Products, such as the company's award-winning Battery Disconnect Unit, help electric vehicles (EVs) charge faster and drive farther. Lear's 100% recycled ReNewKnit sueded surface material is made from repurposed plastic water bottles and supports a circular economy where textiles can be continuously recycled. The company has also completed reference life cycle assessments (LCAs) on seven of its major product lines to measure and identify opportunities to improve the carbon footprint of its products.

DEI and Leadership Development

In 2022, a comprehensive review of our employee compensation practices showed more than 99% of women globally and ethnic minorities in the United States achieved pay equity. Among salaried new hires in the United States, 52% were ethnic minorities or women. As part of its commitment to transparency, Lear has publicly disclosed its consolidated EEO-1 summary data. Designed to retain top performers and enable more diverse leadership in the future, Lear's groundbreaking Together We Grow career development program launched in 2022 with 31 high-potential and diverse participants.

Other Major Highlights in 2022

Lear employees in Michigan donated nearly $1 million to local charities

donated nearly to local charities Assessed 2,800+ production supplier sites across the globe on sustainability and human rights criteria

Completed strategic acquisitions to enable less complex and more efficient product design, optimize manufacturing processes and support Industry 4.0

Sent zero waste to landfills at 28 facilities in 11 countries

Achieved 1 million hours with zero lost time injury or illness cases at 68 facilities

Completed 5 million hours of employee training and development

Expanded the "Driving Wellness" program globally to promote the well-being of our employees in body, mind, nutrition and balance

Committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

Recommitted to the United Nations Global Compact

Lear reports with reference to the GRI Standards, as well as the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) framework and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. To download Lear's 2022 Sustainability Report, visit lear.com/sustainability.

About Lear Corporation

Lear, a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems, enables superior in-vehicle experiences for consumers around the world. Lear's diverse team of talented employees in 37 countries is driven by a commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability. Lear is Making every drive better by providing the technology for safer, smarter, and more comfortable journeys. Lear, headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, serves every major automaker in the world and ranks 189 on the Fortune 500. Further information about Lear is available at lear.com or on Twitter @LearCorporation.

SOURCE Lear Corporation
Since the enactment of the DTSA in 2016, courts have seen an overall decrease in trade secret cases filed, while the proportion of cases involving DTSA claims has increased

MENLO PARK, Calif., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lex Machina, a LexisNexis company, today releases its annual Trade Secret Litigation Report. The report examines trends in trade secret litigation in federal district courts and appellate courts. Focusing on the five-year period from 2018 to 2022, it surveys emerging trends in case filings, venues, judges, law firms, parties, timing metrics, case resolutions, findings, and damages. The report often focuses on different sets of data, e.g., filtering cases in order to provide analytics on general trade secret cases, Defend Trade Secret Act ("DTSA") cases, and federal appellate trade secret cases.

Lex Machina's 2023 Trade Secret Litigation Report Highlights

"The data and analytics in this report has uncovered an intriguing phenomenon," said Elaine Chow, Lex Machina's trade secret legal data expert and editor of the report. "By monitoring trade secret case filings year over year, and by filtering down to specific subsets of cases, we can see that there was an overall decline in trade secret cases since the DTSA was enacted in 2016. However, our data also revealed that the proportion of trade secret cases that involved DTSA claims increased over the same period of time. This provides a data-driven perspective into the effect of the DTSA on trade secret litigation."

Highlights from the report include:

In 2022, 1,156 trade secret cases were litigated in federal district courts, a 7% decrease from the number of trade secret cases the year before and a 17% decrease from the highest number of trade secret cases filed in any year over the past decade (1,394 cases filed in 2017).

The proportion of trade secret cases filed in 2022 that involved DTSA claims was 80%, representing a 10% increase from 2018 when the proportion was 70%.

In the five-year period from 2018 to 2022, the highest number of trade secret cases was filed in the Central District of California , while Judge Pitman from the Western District of Texas was the most active judge for trade secret cases.

, while Judge Pitman from the Western District of was the most active judge for trade secret cases. In the five-year period from 2018 to 2022, JTH Tax LLC was the most active plaintiff.

Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani was the most active counsel representing plaintiffs in trade secret cases in the five-year period from 2018 to 2022, while Littler Mendelson represented defendants in the highest number of trade secret cases over the same period of time.

was the most active counsel representing plaintiffs in trade secret cases in the five-year period from 2018 to 2022, while Littler Mendelson represented defendants in the highest number of trade secret cases over the same period of time. For trade secret cases that were appealed to a federal appellate court and terminated from 2018 to 2022 with a decision on the merits of the appeal, 39% were ultimately reversed.

$542 million in total damages were awarded as Punitive / Willfulness Damages from 2018 to 2022.

Lex Machina's reports and software enable practitioners to devise data-driven litigation strategies. The metrics in this report can help readers decide who to pursue as clients, whether to file a particular motion, or when to settle (and for how much). This research supplements traditional legal research and anecdotal data for a competitive edge in court.

Register here for a copy of the report: https://pages.lexmachina.com/2023TradeSecretReport_LP.html

Trade Secret Litigation Report Webcast

Lex Machina is hosting a webcast to discuss the report on July 13, 2023 at noon ET/9am PT with Dawn Mertineit (Partner at Seyfarth Shaw), Jeremy Elman (Partner at Duane Morris), Kim Cauthorn (Intellectual Property Leader at Willis Towers Watson), Elaine Chow (Lex Machina's Legal Data Expert in Trade Secret Litigation), and Aria Nejad (Lex Machina's in-house counsel). Register for the event or view a recording: https://pages.lexmachina.com/2023TradeSecretReportWebcast_LP.html

About LexisNexis Legal & Professional

LexisNexis Legal & Professional provides legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics that help customers increase their productivity, improve decision-making, achieve better outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis and Nexis services. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 150 countries with 11,300 employees worldwide, is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.

About Lex Machina

Lex Machina fundamentally changes how companies and law firms compete in the business and practice of law. The company provides strategic insights on judges, lawyers, law firms, parties, and other critical information across 20 federal practice areas and a rapidly growing number of state courts. Lex Machina allows law firms and companies to anticipate the behaviors and outcomes that different legal strategies will produce, enabling them to win cases and close business.

Lex Machina was named one of "Legal Tech's Most Promising Solution Providers" (CIO Review Awards 2022), "Greater Bay Area Top Workplaces 2022" (The San Francisco Chronicle Top Workplaces in the Bay Area 2022), "Legal Tech Company of the Year 2021" (CIO Review, 2021), "2021 Legal Technology Trailblazer" (National Law Journal Trailblazer Awards, 2021), Winner of the "Media Excellence" Award for Analytics/Big Data (13th Annual Media Excellence Award, 2021). Based in Silicon Valley, Lex Machina is part of LexisNexis, a leading global provider of legal, regulatory, and business information and analytics. For more information, please visit www.lexmachina.com.

SOURCE Lex Machina
LIAOCHENG, China, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a report from the Shandong Office of Hong Kong Commercial Daily. On July 1, Liaocheng City carried out the exhibition and promotion of intangible cultural heritage works at the Lake Velence Cultural Festival in Velence, Hungary.

In the on-site activities, Liaocheng City displayed intangible cultural heritage handicrafts including Dongchang gourd carving, tiger head shoes, fabric zodiac rabbits and so on. The exquisite tiger head shoes have attracted the attention of local residents. Zhao Yuhong, an artist of tiger head shoes, introduced that the "Tiger head shoes" are complex in workmanship, and only the tiger head needs embroidery, jacquard, playing seed and other stitches. The colors of the upper are mainly red and yellow, and thick lines are often used to outline the tiger's mouth, eyebrows, nose, eyes, and other areas, exaggerating the appearance of the tiger's strength. Making tiger head shoes is a meticulous job, with many processes and long time consuming. It takes at least two or three days to make a pair of tiger head shoes, which are all made by hand through three main techniques: sewing, embroidery and knitting. Some local residents couldn't put down their love for the shoes and commented, "Chinese handicrafts are exquisite and fantastic! I hope to visit the beautiful city of Liaocheng in the future

Gerhard Akos, mayor of Velence, visited the intangible cultural heritage products of Liaocheng and praised the gourd carving technology as an excellent skill.

With a perimeter of 28.5m, Lake Velence, which is about 45km southwest of Budapest, is the third largest lake in Hungary and a leisure resort with pleasant scenery. At the event site, there were also promotional brochures of "Liaocheng Beside the Grand Canal, Famous North China Waterside City" and promotional books of "Liaocheng: a miraculous city for water ", showcasing the history, culture, scenery, cuisine, and economy of Liaocheng to the local people, and promoting Liaocheng comprehensively.

SOURCE Shandong Office of Hong Kong Business Daily
KPMG Australia has recently made an exciting announcement regarding the release of KPMG KymChat, their Generative AI agent.

This innovative technology aims to provide clients with an affordable and efficient way to accelerate their AI journey. Initially launched internally in March 2023, KPMG employees have been able to access the immense processing power of the worlds fifth-largest supercomputer through a digital assistant called KPMG KymChat. This breakthrough technology allows employees to harness the capabilities of AI while ensuring that client data remains securely within the KPMG environment.

Now, Australian organizations will have the opportunity to implement their own version of KPMG KymChat through an Accelerator solution. This solution combines the use cases, features, and valuable lessons learned from KymChat, along with bespoke consulting services, tailored specifically for each organization.

John Munnelly, the Chief Digital Officer of KPMG, expressed the motivation behind this release, stating, Many Australian organizations are facing challenges with the rapid deployment of AI. We received numerous inquiries about how we were utilizing KymChat as an internal tool, which led us to develop a version for our clients. With the recent release of Microsoft Azure OpenAI services, we can leverage their best AI practices and patterns, as well as the insights weve gained at KPMG.

Microsoft Australia and New Zealands Chief Technology Officer, Lee Hickin, also emphasized the significance of this launch. He believes that it offers KPMG clients a wonderful opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how AI can enhance productivity and revolutionize their operations. As businesses continue to explore various ways to apply AI tools effectively, the true potential of responsibly managed AI becomes increasingly apparent.

The KPMG KymChat Accelerator solution complements a vast array of AI and technology services offered by KPMG Consulting and their tech enablement teams. The primary goal of this accelerator is to provide Australian organizations with hands-on experience in implementing AI while prioritizing data privacy and compliance.

Munnelly further explained, Businesses often struggle to determine the best starting point for piloting AI within their organization. They are seeking a secure enterprise AI solution that complies with Australias privacy regulations. We are thrilled to launch KPMG KymChat as a cost-effective means for clients to fast-track their AI projects and provide their employees with a safe-to-use generative AI platform.

The development of the KPMG KymChat AI solution is the result of a strategic alliance between KPMG and Microsoft, specifically utilizing Microsoft Azures OpenAI platform. This collaboration ensures that clients receive state-of-the-art technology and support to maximize the potential of AI while maintaining high standards of security and compliance.

KPMG and Microsoft forge partnership

Earlier, KPMG and Microsoft joined forces to revolutionize the field of professional services. This multi-year alliance will prioritize workforce modernization, secure development, and the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions across various industries.

With a commitment worth billions of dollars over the next five years, KPMG will heavily invest in Microsofts cloud and AI services. This collaboration aims to unlock potential growth opportunities of over US$12 billion for KPMG. By harnessing the power of Microsofts cloud and Azure OpenAI Service capabilities, KPMGs global workforce of 265,000 employees will be able to unleash their creativity, provide quicker analysis, and dedicate more time to strategic advice. This will empower them to assist clients, including over 2,500 joint clients of KPMG and Microsoft, in navigating the ever-evolving AI landscape and overcoming their most significant business challenges.

As an early access partner for Microsoft 365 Copilot and Azure OpenAI Service, KPMG professionals will actively pilot these cutting-edge technologies with select business groups across the organization. By combining these advanced tools with their valuable experience, insights, and sector expertise, they aim to enhance client engagements and accelerate the development of digital solutions.

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LOS ANGELES, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 13, 2023, Liberty Hill Foundation announced the release of its new Power of Persistence Report, highlighting the decade-long battle local residents and community organizers have fought to end toxic neighborhood oil drilling in Los Angeles.

The Power of Persistence Report recounts the story of L.A.'s hard-fought victory for environmental justice. With more than 5,000 oil wells in the City of Los Angeles and over 22,000 in the County of Los Angeles, data shows that a significant portion of the oil activity in L.A. exists within 3,200 feet of homes, schools, and other public areas. The result is a wide range of increased health harms for frontline communities including respiratory illness, increased risk of cancer, and birth defects when exposed during pregnancy.

For more than a decade, frontline residents in Los Angeles have been fighting to end these environmental injustices through community organizing by means of the Stand Together Against Neighborhood Drilling (STAND-L.A.) coalition. The environmental justice coalition formed in 2014uniting frontline neighborhoods, environmental justice groups, and public health organizations across Los Angelesto protect the health and safety of Angelenos.

"It's been nearly 10 years since community members in Wilmington and across LA first started to speak out against the oil wells in their neighborhoods," shared Ashley Hernandez, Youth Organizer for Communities for a Better Environment. "In that time, we've seen this resident-led movement flourish, youth take up the mantle of leadership, and communities achieve major wins for environmental justice. The fight ahead continues as we work to make sure oil wells are cleaned up properly and the future use of the land benefits the community, but one thing is clear: when frontline communities lead, we all win."

Their persistence paid off in 2022 and 2023, when the City and County of Los Angeles both committed to end new oil and gas extraction activities and phase out existing oil drilling. The report recounts STAND-L.A.'s significant work around outreach, education, community mobilizing, and advocacyan innovative model that other organizers are already utilizing to advance environmental justice in their respective communities.

Additionally, the report lays out the next steps needed to protect public health and ensure a just transition to a green economy for workers and communities.

Recommendations include accelerating the phase-out timeline, implementing strong health protections at oil drilling facilities during the phase-out period, and providing a just transition by supporting workers in moving to comparable, family-sustaining jobs in the green economy.

"As the title suggests, this report underscores the incredible persistence, ingenuity and fortitude of community leaders and neighborhood residents in their quest to address environmental injustice. Their courageous commitment to end oil drilling is making a huge difference to the quality of life in their communities and improving environmental health for us all," says Michele Prichard, Liberty Hill Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives.

The Power of Persistence Report was published by Liberty Hill Foundation and authored by community leaders, organizers, researchers, and attorneys involved in the fight to end neighborhood oil drilling. Read the full report at https://libertyhill.org/pop.

For more information about the Power of Persistence Report or any of Liberty Hill's environmental justice work, please contact Courtney Kassel, Chief Communications Officer, at [email protected].

About Liberty Hill Foundation

Liberty Hill Foundation is a laboratory for social change philanthropy. We leverage the power of community organizers, donor activists, and allies to advance social justice through strategic investment in grants, leadership training, and campaigns. We envision a society in which all people have a powerful voice, including those currently shut out of our democracy, people cut off from opportunities because of their skin color, gender or sexual orientation, where they live, or where they were born. We will not rest until society provides justice and equality for all.

SOURCE Liberty Hill Foundation
Michigan-based Trinity Health, a national hospital corporation, has "temporarily" closed multiple Mercy Medical Center services after artificially creating a staffing crisis

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Registered nurses at Mercy Medical Center, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, will hold an informational picket outside the hospital on July 17 in response to corporate owner Trinity Health recently closing 20 intermediate care beds, "temporarily" closing other essential services without any indication they will be re-opened, and creating a staffing and patient care crisis.

Informational Picket Details

When: Monday, July 17 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: On the sidewalk outside Mercy Medical Center on Carew Street in Springfield.

Who: Nurses, colleagues, and community supporters will picket and talk to the public about how Trinity's detached corporate management is jeopardizing patient care quality and access.

"Trinity Health has broken promises to the Springfield community by taking over our local hospital while claiming to be 'mission-driven,' but then closing services, refusing to adequately staff and making it harder for patients to receive quality care," said Jaime Hyatt, RN, Co-Chair of the Mercy Medical Center MNA Bargaining Committee. "Mercy patients and staff deserve better than Trinity's heartless corporate ownership."

"Mercy Medical Center nurses and the community are standing up to Trinity Health's broken promises on behalf of our patients," said Dee Doyle, RN, Co-Chair of the Mercy Medical Center MNA Bargaining Committee. "Trinity is completely detached from the needs of local patients and caregivers. The lack of management is hurting our ability to provide quality care and work in a safe environment."

Michigan-based Trinity Health  a national hospital corporation that made $21.5 billion last year  has systematically dismantled essential healthcare services at Mercy Medical Center and Providence Behavioral Health Hospital over the past decade.

Trinity recently "temporarily" closed 20 of its intermediate care beds without notice to nurses or our union, the Massachusetts Nurses Association.

Trinity claims the closure is necessary due to a lack of staffing. But this was really an artificial problem created by Trinity. Hospital management stopped a longstanding shift incentive bonus and has failed to hire nurses and other staff, causing a crisis.

The closure follows other "temporary" closures of respiratory and neuro-ortho services at Mercy. Those closures have been prolonged, with no indication they will be re-opened.

Trinity followed the same game plan at Providence Hospital. Management artificially lowered census by diverting admissions and refusing to staff appropriately. It then systematically closed child, adult, and geriatric psychiatric beds and sold the hospital to a for-profit company.

There is a serious lack of leadership at Mercy Medical Center. Management is splitting its time between Springfield and another Trinity facility, Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford Springs, CT , and not addressing the concerns of nurses and other staff.

Financial Growth at Trinity Health

In February 2023, Trinity issued a statement titled, "Trinity Health, one of the nation's largest health care systems, continues to grow strategically with reported operating revenue of $10.5 billion, an increase of 2.3 Percent." The growth came even though it saw a reduction of $129.3 million in CARES Act PRF grants year over year, according to Trinity. Despite reporting an operating loss during the first six months of FY2023, Trinity highlighted several financial strengths:

Total assets of $30.9 billion and net assets of $17.0 billion .

and net assets of . Unrestricted cash and investments of $9.8 billion .

MassNurses.org  Facebook.com/MassNurses  Twitter.com/MassNurses  Instagram.com/MassNurses

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 25,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association
Inaugural Fund Will Focus on Investments in High-Impact Early-Stage Startups and Venture Funds in Tech Bio, Life Sciences and AI

HOUSTON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Modi Ventures, a newly launched venture partnership investing in fund managers and founders building companies shaping the future of humanity, today announced the close of its inaugural $32 million fund, Tech+Bio Fund I. The new fund will target innovative companies transforming business in Tech Bio, life science and healthcare AI. Despite the challenging investment economy, the fund was raised in a short period of time and oversubscribed by $2 million. Andrew Yang, former presidential candidate and founder of Venture for America was named an advisor.

Modi Ventures was founded by Sahir Ali, a researcher, scientist and technologist recognized as a thought leader in the precision medicine and AI space. Sahir, who has a Ph.D. focused on the intersection of oncology and AI, has advised and led F500 companies in the healthcare, AI, and enterprise tech industries.

"Investing in next generation technologies has always been very lucrative," said Sahir Ali, General Partner with Modi Ventures. "We are entering an era of software writing software (artificial intelligence), technology that can unravel our individual genetic makeup (gene sequencing), biotech that can reprogram our genes (gene editing), and a fundamental change in how medicine is practiced by leveraging all of the above (precision medicine). Tech Bio companies will revolutionize multiple trillion dollar industries, providing early investors with potential for great returns."

The fund aims to invest into opportunities such as Tech Bio where companies are creating exponential technologies that are on the cusp of transforming health and technology. Tech Bio utilizes AI to analyze complex, heterogeneous information to disrupt and revolutionize the practice of medicine and delivery of health. This has immense potential in revolutionizing clinical trial design, drug development and precision medicine. McKinsey estimates that Tech Bio has the potential to transform the global economy with $2 trillion to $4 trillion of direct annual impact, where Tech Bio innovations could produce 60% of the world's physical goods inputs and ease 45% of the world's disease burden.

"Modi Ventures' goal is to find solutions for some of the world's most vexing problems that keep people unhealthy or struggling with illnesses that we can address collectively," said Andrew Yang, Founder of Forward Party and Venture for America, and Advisor to Modi Ventures. "The leadership and results that Sahir and his team have already demonstrated are one reason I'm looking forward to being a part of this team as we bring life saving solutions to market and take advantage of AI and new tools to advance the human condition."

Modi Ventures has created partnerships with successful funds such as Khosla Ventures, Section 32, Artis Ventures, Draper Associates and Antler Group.

Initial Investments by the Tech+Bio Fund I include

Lapsi Health- A medical technology company that is screening, diagnosing, treating and monitoring in medicine through sound and auscultation (acquired from stethoscopes)

A medical technology company that is screening, diagnosing, treating and monitoring in medicine through sound and auscultation (acquired from stethoscopes) Starling Medicine - A predictive technology platform for the early detection of bladder health issues

- A predictive technology platform for the early detection of bladder health issues Cyberdontics - Automated dental surgery using advanced imaging, AI and robotics

"Modi Ventures is investing in healthcare tech companies with immense potential to improve lives and I'm thrilled to be partnering with Sahir and Modi Ventures," said Tim Draper, Founder, Draper Associates. "Working together we will be able to discover unique and innovative investments to collaborate on."

About Modi Ventures

Modi Ventures Capital Management is a Texas-based investment firm investing in fund managers and founders building companies shaping the future of humanity. The company's primary investment focus is into disruptive and emerging AI and Medical technology applications. Investments in successful funds include Khosla Ventures, Section 32, Artis Ventures, Draper Associates and Antler Global. Direct investments include Lapsi Health , Starling Medicine and Cyberdontics . For more information please visit www.modivc.com .

SOURCE Modi Ventures
CHICAGO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The molecular quality controls industry is set to witness significant growth and advancements in the near future. With the increasing demand for accurate and reliable molecular diagnostic tests, the need for robust quality control solutions becomes paramount. Molecular quality controls provide essential tools to ensure the accuracy, precision, and reliability of laboratory testing procedures, including nucleic acid amplification, sequencing, and other molecular assays. As technology continues to advance, the industry is expected to witness the development of more sophisticated and comprehensive quality control materials that mimic complex clinical samples, allowing for better evaluation of assay performance. Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms will enable the generation of data-driven quality control strategies, optimizing test accuracy and efficiency. As the molecular diagnostics field expands and becomes more integrated into routine clinical practice, the molecular quality controls industry will play a pivotal role in ensuring the quality and integrity of test results, ultimately contributing to improved patient care and outcomes.

Molecular Quality Controls Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $0.2 billion in 2023 and is poised to reach $0.3 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The growth of this market is primarily driven by growing adoption of third-party quality controls, the increasing number of accredited clinical laboratories, increasing government funding for genomic projects, and increasing prevalence of infectious diseases, cancer, and genetic diseases. However, the additional costs involved in the quality control process and budget constraints in hospitals and laboratories, are the major factors that are expected to restrain the growth of this market during the forecast period.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Molecular Quality Controls Market"

196 - Tables

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280 - Pages

Molecular Quality Controls Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $0.2 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $0.3 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% Market Size Available for 2021-2028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Product, Analyte type, Application, End User & Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Rising demand for multi-analyte controls Key Market Drivers Growing preference for personalized medicines

The independent controls segment has accounted for the largest share of the market during the forecast period

Based on product, the molecular quality controls market is segmented into independent controls and instrument-specific controls. The independent controls segment accounted for the largest share of the global molecular quality controls market in 2022. The large share of this segment is attributed to the increasing use of third-party independent quality controls due to their benefits, such as applications across different reagent lots, which helps reduce the cost of operation.

The single-analyte controls has accounted for the largest share of the market during the forecast period.

On the basis of analyte type, the molecular quality controls market is segmented into single-analyte controls and multi-analyte controls. Single-analyte controls accounted for the largest share of the molecular quality controls market in 2022. The large share of this segment can be attributed to the significant use of singleplex assays in hospitals and the low risk of cross-reactivity.

The infectious disease diagnostic segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2022

Based on application, the molecular quality controls market is segmented into infectious disease diagnostics, oncology testing, genetic testing, and other applications (including cardiovascular disease testing, neurology disease testing, DNA fingerprinting, tissue typing, and microbiology). The infectious disease diagnostics segment accounted for the largest share of the global molecular quality controls market in 2022. The large share of this segment is attributed to the development of advanced assays for different infectious diseases and a significant increase in the prevalence of infectious diseases.

The diagnostic laboratories segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2022

Based on end users, the molecular quality controls market is segmented into diagnostic laboratories, hospitals, IVD manufacturers & CROs, academic & research institutes, and other end users (blood banks, local public health laboratories, home health agencies, and nursing homes). The diagnostic laboratories segment accounted for the largest share of the molecular quality controls market in 2022. This can be attributed to the increasing number of accredited diagnostic laboratories worldwide and the growing number of laboratory tests performed in diagnostic laboratories.

Asia-Pacific is to witness the highest growth during the forecast period.

The Asia-pacific Molecular Quality Controls market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period of 2023-2028. The high growth rate of this market can be attributed to large patient population in the region, rising healthcare needs, increasing focus on improving the quality of laboratory testing, strategic developments by leading players, and the rapid growth in the number of accredited laboratories.

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Molecular Quality Controls Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

Rising number of accredited clinical laboratories Growing adoption of third-party quality controls Increasing investments in genomics Growing preference for personalized medicine Increasing prevalence of infectious diseases and cancer Rising demand for external quality assessment support

Restraints:

Budgetary constraints in clinical laboratories Unfavorable reimbursements for molecular tests

Opportunities:

Rising demand for multi-analyte controls Growth opportunities in emerging markets

Challenges:

Stringent regulatory requirements for IVD products

Key Market Players:

The prominent players in this market are Abbott Laboratories (US), Anchor Molecular (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (US), Randox Laboratories Ltd. (UK), LGC Limited (UK), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland), Danaher Corporation (US), Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (US), Fortress Diagnostics (UK), SERO AS (Norway), Anchor Molecular (US), Vircell S.L. (Spain), Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. (US), Bio-Techne Corporation (US), Microbiologics, Inc. (US), Steck LLC (US), QuidelOrthoCorporation (US), Sun Diagnostics, LLC (US), Seegene Inc. (South Korea), ZeptoMetrix, LLC (US), Qnostics (UK), Helena Laboratories Corporation (US), Microbix Biosystems Inc. (Canada), Molbio Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. (India), SpeeDx Pty. Ltd. (Australia), Maine Molecular Quality Controls, Inc. (US), and Grifols, S.A. (Spain).

Recent Developments:

In 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific (US) acquired The Binding Site Group to expands the company's existing specialty diagnostics portfolio with the addition of pioneering innovation in diagnostics and monitoring for multiple myeloma.

In 2022, Microbiologics Inc. (US) acquired the Cryologics (US) to extend the company's capacity to serve quality control microbiologists dedicated to the safety of pharmaceutical and personal care products.

In 2021, LGC SeraCare expanded its line of SARS-CoV-2 molecular quality solutions to include AccuPlex SARS-CoV-2 Variant Panel 1.

In 2020, Roche entered a 15-year non-exclusive partnership with Illumina to broaden the adoption of NGS-based testing in oncology.

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Molecular Quality Controls Market Advantages:

Test Validation and Calibration: Molecular quality controls provide reference materials with known target concentrations, allowing laboratories to validate and calibrate their testing methods. This ensures that the assay is performing optimally and producing reliable results.

Quality Assurance: By implementing molecular quality controls, laboratories can monitor the performance of their assays over time. This helps identify and rectify any inconsistencies or deviations, ensuring the ongoing quality assurance of testing procedures.

Standardization: Molecular quality controls provide a standardized benchmark for comparing and harmonizing results across different laboratories and instruments. This facilitates accurate and consistent interpretation of test outcomes, regardless of the testing location.

Troubleshooting and Training: When troubleshooting assay failures or training new personnel, molecular quality controls serve as valuable tools. Laboratories can use these controls to identify and address issues related to sample handling, reagent preparation, or instrument performance, thus improving overall laboratory proficiency.

Regulatory Compliance: The use of molecular quality controls is often mandated by regulatory bodies to ensure the accuracy and reliability of diagnostic testing. Compliance with these regulations not only ensures the quality of laboratory operations but also maintains patient safety and confidence in the testing process.

Research and Development: Molecular quality controls also play a vital role in research and development efforts, particularly in the development of new diagnostic assays. By using quality controls during the development and optimization phases, researchers can validate and refine their assays before introducing them into clinical practice.

Overall, the molecular quality controls market provides crucial advantages, including test validation and calibration, quality assurance, standardization, troubleshooting and training support, regulatory compliance, and facilitating research and development efforts. These advantages contribute to improved accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of molecular diagnostic tests, ultimately benefiting patient care and clinical outcomes.

Molecular Quality Controls Market - Report Highlights:

UPDATED MARKET OVERVIEW:

The current edition of the report consists of an updated market overview, along with an updated market assessment across all segments from 2021 to 2028. The market overview chapter includes pricing analysis, regulatory analysis, key conferences, and events in 2023-2024, key stakeholders and buying criteria, and trade analysis.

UPDATED COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE CHAPTER:

The competitive landscape chapter has been updated with the revenue share analysis of the top players, market share analysis, competitive benchmarking, and company footprint of the global market.

UPDATED COMPANY PROFILES:

The new edition of the report includes profiles for Danaher Corporation (US), Helena Laboratories Corporation (US), Vircell S.L. (Spain), Streck, Inc. (US), Sun Diagnostics, LLC (US), and Molbio Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. (India).

UPDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION/PRODUCT PORTFOLIOS OF PLAYERS:

The new edition of the report provides updated financial information in the context of the molecular quality controls market until 2022 for each listed company in a graphical representation in a single diagram (instead of multiple tables). This will help analyze the present status of profiled companies in terms of their financial strength, profitability, key revenue-generating country/region, business segment focus in terms of the highest revenue-generating segment, and investments in R&D activities.

UPDATED MARKET DEVELOPMENTS OF PROFILED PLAYERS:

Recent developments are important to understand the market trends and growth strategies adopted by players in the global market. The current edition of the report provides updated developments of profiled players from January 2020 to June 2023, indicating a continuation of the previous version. Product launches, partnerships, collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions are the principal growth strategies adopted by market players in this period.

ADDITION OF RECESSION IMPACT:

The current edition of the report consists of the impact of the recession on the molecular quality controls market. Detailed qualitative insights for recession impact by region have been provided across the regional analysis section.

Related Reports:

Molecular Diagnostics Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

Point of Care Molecular Diagnostics Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

IVD Quality Control Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

Infectious Disease Diagnostics Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

Companion Diagnostics Market - Global Forecasts to 2026

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Hitachi Vantara survey finds business leaders express concern over infrastructure resilience, as data storage needs expect to double by 2025

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 60% of U.S. companies are overwhelmed by the amount of data they manage and 76% are concerned their current infrastructure will be unable to scale to meet upcoming demands, according to a new survey from Hitachi Vantara, the modern infrastructure, data management and digital solutions subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501). New and exciting data-intensive technologies and applications like generative AI are spurring a goldrush to greater insights, automation, and predictability, but these technologies are simultaneously exacerbating the already-strained infrastructure and hybrid cloud environments on which they run.

The Hitachi Vantara Modern Data Infrastructure Dynamics Report reveals that most companies expect their data needs to nearly double in the next two years, and that both protecting and managing that rapid growth of data in an actionable and sustainable way are further complicating efforts.

Click here to download the Hitachi Vantara Modern Data Infrastructure Dynamics Report

The company conducted the global survey of 1,288 C-level executives and IT decision makers, including 308 in the United States, to quantify the extent to which organizations are struggling to manage their data infrastructure in a secure and sustainable way. Key U.S. findings include:

Respondents say that data is their most valuable asset but are concerned about the security and resilience of their data infrastructure; 71% are concerned they cannot detect a data breach in time to protect data.

65% of respondents are concerned over whether their organization's data infrastructure is resilient enough to recover data from ransomware attacks.

27% of respondents admitted that important data was not backed up and 35% had experienced data inaccessibility due to storage outages.

66% of IT leaders currently measure their data center's energy consumption; however, 32% acknowledged that their data infrastructure uses too much energy and nearly half (46%) admitted their sustainability policies don't address the impact of storing unused data.

"Part of the problem is that many companies are storing data without the right strategy or data infrastructure tools in place. In fact, our study revealed that a significant number of companies store every piece of data, just in case, and more than half of their data is 'dark,' or never used," said Bharti Patel, senior vice president, Product Engineering, Hitachi Vantara. "As emerging technologies like Generative AI contribute to doubling the volume of data expected in the next two years, businesses need to find the right balance between scalability, sustainability, and security. You can't just add more racks to a data center, it's not eco-friendly. You can't organize efficiently if you are not properly storing, quantifying, and categorizing every piece of data that comes in."

A Hybrid Cloud World

The study also shed light on the future of data storage, with data spread across the hybrid cloud model leveraging a mix of public/private cloud, co-location and on premises expected to persist. For U.S. business leaders, the study found data stored in an already established hybrid cloud with percentages of data center workloads located almost evenly between the public cloud (24%), private cloud (25%), on premises (25%), and co-located/managed services (22%). Notably, the percentages were expected to largely stay the same in the coming two years.

For more information about Hitachi Vantara's storage portfolio, visit.

https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/products/data-storage.html

Prioritizing Infrastructure Modernization Can Help Address Challenges

Respondents were asked how important modernizing data infrastructure is to their current business transformation strategy. Of note, 59% of respondents were designated 'infrastructure leaders,' and this group considered modernizing data infrastructure to be very important. As a result, these leaders were 64% more likely to say that their infrastructure is resilient enough to recover all data from a ransomware attack and 16% more likely to say that their organization would be able to detect a breach in time to protect their data. Leaders were also more likely to recognize the importance of working with third-party vendors for security, storage and application services.

"Organizations that proactively tackle infrastructure modernization are taking important steps to ensure the resilience and reliability of their data infrastructure," said Patel. "To succeed with infrastructure modernization, businesses should consider state-of-the-art platforms that offer enhanced performance, reliability, and protection, while also reducing space and energy requirements in a cost-effective and secured manner. By prioritizing these critical areas, organizations can unlock valuable insights from their data, while fostering sustainability and gaining a significant competitive advantage."

For more information on how Hitachi Vantara is helping customers provide a data-driven approach to modern data infrastructure, please click here.

Methodology

The research study was completed by Reputation Leaders, an independent research and thought leadership consultancy. Results were collected through an online survey with industry experts. A 41-question study was conducted among C-suite executives and IT leaders. Companies were recruited from all major industries across 12 markets (U.S., Brazil, Mexico, the UK, Germany, Italy, India, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Australia, and New Zealand). The data was weighted to ensure a 70:30 split between IT leaders and C-suite executives, respectively. Industries were also weighted equally. The sample for the survey included only large organizations (annual global turnover of over $500 million) and may not be representative of all organizations.

Additional Resources

Connect With Hitachi Vantara

About Hitachi Vantara

Hitachi Vantara, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., delivers the intelligent data platforms, infrastructure systems and digital expertise that supports more than 80% of the Fortune 100. To learn how Hitachi Vantara turns businesses from data-rich to data-driven through agile digital processes, products, and experiences, visit www.hitachivantara.com.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of "Digital Systems & Services" - supporting our customers' digital transformation; "Green Energy & Mobility" - contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and "Connective Industries" - connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen, with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.

HITACHI is a trademark or registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. All other trademarks, service marks, and company names are properties of their respective owners.

SOURCE Hitachi Vantara Corporation
Brought To Audiences in Partnership with Scientific American and PRX

SAN FRANCISCO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lost Women of Science Initiative announced today a series of short podcast episodes about the women who played significant roles in the Manhattan Project  the effort during World War II to develop an atomic bomb. More than 640 women worked on the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos alone, representing 11% of the workforce, but many of their contributions have largely been forgotten and unrecognized.

Women of the Manhattan Project from Lost Women of Science

The series of six-minute biographies coincides with the release of the film Oppenheimer, and the NBC News documentary film, To End All War: Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb. .

Listen to the Lost Women of the Manhattan Project series trailer here.

Among those featured are:

Frances Dunne, the only woman working in the Explosives Assembly Group. Her small hands and manual dexterity gave her the ability to adjust weapons parts more easily than her male counterparts.

the only woman working in the Explosives Assembly Group. Her small hands and manual dexterity gave her the ability to adjust weapons parts more easily than her male counterparts. Carolyn Parker , the first Black woman in the U.S. known to receive a postgraduate degree in physics. Parker's work, which involved polonium, was "so secret she couldn't even discuss it with us, her family" said her sister Juanita Parker Wynter . Parker contracted leukaemia and died at age 48, while working toward her Ph.D. at M.I.T.

, the first Black woman in the U.S. known to receive a postgraduate degree in physics. Parker's work, which involved polonium, was "so secret she couldn't even discuss it with us, her family" said her sister . Parker contracted leukaemia and died at age 48, while working toward her Ph.D. at M.I.T. Lilli Hornig , an expert in plutonium, and one of the many women who worked alongside their scientist husbands on the Manhattan Project. She signed the July 1945 Szilard Petition, aimed at preventing the U.S. from dropping an atomic bomb on Japan .

an expert in plutonium, and one of the many women who worked alongside their scientist husbands on the Manhattan Project. She signed the aimed at preventing the U.S. from dropping an atomic bomb on . Leona Woods Marshall , a physicist who worked with her husband, John Marshall , on the first nuclear reactor. The only woman in Enrico Fermi's group, Marshall hid her pregnancy under overalls and a denim jacket.

, a physicist who worked with her husband, , on the first nuclear reactor. The only woman in Enrico Fermi's group, Marshall hid her pregnancy under overalls and a denim jacket. Melba Phillips, a physicist who was Oppenheimer's graduate student at Berkeley . She co-developed the Oppenheimer-Phillips Effect, which explained unexpected reactions of different kinds of subatomic particles.

Katie Hafner, co-host of Lost Women of Science, said: "It's remarkable how many exceptional women scientists contributed to this important, yet morally fraught, war effort. They were physicists, chemists, mathematicians and biologists. Most of their remarkable stories have been forgotten."

Many of the women who worked on the Manhattan Project grappled with the moral questions surrounding the destructive power of nuclear weapons. Ten of them signed the Szilard Petition.

About Lost Women of Science:

The Lost Women of Science Initiative is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with two overarching and interrelated missions: to tell the story of female scientists who made ground-breaking achievements in their fields, yet remain largely unknown to the general public, and to inspire girls and young women to pursue education and careers in STEM. The Initiative's funders include the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Schmidt Futures, the John Templeton Foundation, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Visit our website to listen to past series and sign up for notification of new podcasts. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @lostwomenofsci

CONTACT: Eowyn Burtner

Phone: 415-754-0625

[email protected]

SOURCE Lost Women of Science
With Federal Appropriations Cuts Possible, Americans Overwhelmingly Want Congress to Fund Help for People in Mental Health Crisis

ARLINGTON, Va., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Days before the one-year anniversary of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline becoming available nationwide, a new poll from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) finds most Americans (82%) are still not familiar with 988  a resource to help people in mental health, substance use and suicide crises get connected to crisis support. As communities nationwide work to expand the capacity of 988 call centers and the availability of related crisis services, the new research, conducted by Ipsos, shows that half of Americans say funding 988 should be a high or the highest priority for Congress.

Only 17% of Americans are familiar with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

"If we collectively want to help people in crisis  and save lives  988 cannot be the best kept secret. Thankfully, the data show more people are beginning to become aware of this important resource  but not nearly enough," said NAMI Chief Executive Officer Daniel H. Gillison Jr.

"With the release of NAMI's latest poll, we aren't only commemorating one year of 988 being available nationwide. We are also celebrating the overwhelmingly unified support of Americans to ensure every person in crisis gets the help they need and deserve. This is a call to action for our policymakers to continue to prioritize reimagining our response to people in mental health crises."

Awareness of 988 has increased significantly since NAMI and Ipsos started measuring it in Fall 2021  but far fewer know what 988 provides. More than three in five respondents now say they have at least heard of 988, up 19 percentage points since NAMI's last poll eight months ago, but familiarity with what 988 offers help seekers remains low. Only 17% of people say they are very or somewhat familiar with 988 as a resource.

Fully funding our mental health crisis response system must be a priority so that everyone gets the help they need  and the public agrees. A majority of Americans say mental health care overall (62%) and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline specifically (50%) should be a high priority for funding in Congress. This support is strongest in communities that are more impacted by an inadequate mental health system. For instance, Black Americans are nearly twice as likely as white Americans to say that mental health care should be the highest priority for federal funding (42% vs. 23%, respectively).

While 988 and mental health both have strong bipartisan support in Congress and at the state level, 988 funding could be at risk with across-the-board funding cuts being debated in Congress right now.

"Discussions to return to fiscal year 2022 funding levels would have disastrous implications for 988 and crisis services," said Hannah Wesolowski, NAMI Chief Advocacy Officer. "Next year, demand for 988 is anticipated to increase by 50% as more people become aware of this lifesaving resource  from an estimated 6 million contacts in 2023 to 9 million in 2024. We've come a long way in a few short years, but we can't lose the momentum and progress we've made in making sure every person in a mental health crisis receives a mental health response."

More than 4 million contacts have been routed to 988 since the three-digit number became available nationwide in July 2022, a more than 40% increase over the previous year. However, less than 1 in 5 people are somewhat or very familiar with this life-saving resource, and few people surveyed say they or a loved one have contacted it. Additionally, more than 2 in 5 individuals still say they don't know what to do if someone they love is experiencing a mental health crisis or thinking about suicide  the exact situations that 988 is intended to address.

Americans aged 1829 are the group most likely to be aware of 988. LGBTQ+ Americans are twice as likely as their peers to say they are familiar with 988. This is a promising sign, given the higher rates of suicide attempts in LGBTQ+ communities.

Fortunately, the poll finds there is a good foundation to grow trust in 988 as more people become familiar with its availability: 58% of Americans somewhat trust, and 22% have a great deal of trust, that 988 would provide them with the help they need  even if they are not personally familiar with it or know anyone who has contacted the Lifeline.

Ensuring that everyone in a mental health crisis receives the response they need remains a top priority of NAMI. Last month, NAMI, along with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, honored more than a dozen members of Congress with the "988 Crisis Response Champion Award" for their commitment to improving our nation's response to mental health and suicide crises.

NAMI and its #ReimagineCrisis Campaign partnership of more than 50 national groups will continue to work with Congress and the Administration to build services that ensure people in crisis across the country have someone to talk to, someone to respond and a safe place to go.

Find the polling topline here, as well as a research slide deck here.

This NAMI/Ipsos poll was conducted June 2  11, 2023, by Ipsos using the probability-based KnowledgePanel. This poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 2,073 general population adults age 18 or older. The survey has a margin of error of  2.3 percentage points. Learn more about the poll methodology here.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation's largest grassroots mental health advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Join the conversation at Facebook.com/nami | Instagram.com/namicommunicate | Twitter.com/namicommunicate | TikTok.com/@nami | LinkedIn.com/company/nami | YouTube.com/NAMIvideo

SOURCE National Alliance on Mental Illness
New York City is the newest city in the country to get an in-person retail space from the world's most transparent footwear brand featuring timeless styles that are ethically and sustainably made

NEW YORK, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nisolo , the renowned footwear and accessories brand committed to ethical and sustainable practices, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its fourth brick-and-mortar store in the heart of New York City. Located at 380 Bleecker Street, the new retail space will showcase Nisolo's full range of timeless and responsibly made shoes and accessories.

Following the success of its flagship store in Nashville's Buchanan Arts District and the recent opening of its storefronts in Washington, DC, and Boston, Massachusetts, Nisolo continues its expansion into the cities that our customers are demanding us most. The opening of this store marks a significant milestone for Nisolo's growth this year and retail plans for the future.

Nestled among the vibrant neighborhood of the West Village, Nisolo's newest store is poised to captivate the community's attention. Surrounded by bustling streets, renowned eateries, and trendy boutiques, Nisolo's commitment to sustainability and transparency sets them apart. At Nisolo, every product is designed with a deep commitment to benefiting the producers who make them and giving back more to the planet than is taken away. The brand combats climate change by actively reducing and offsetting 100% of its carbon emissions. The West Village store will offer an extensive range of footwear options, including men's and women's sandals , everyday sneakers , boots , leather handbags , and accessories.

The opening is a continued celebration of Nisolo's Sustainability Facts Label , a groundbreaking evaluation tool that empowers consumers to make informed choices by providing comprehensive sustainability information. Nisolo aims to revolutionize the fashion industry by fostering transparency and encouraging other brands to adopt this level of transparency.

The West Village store will be open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 6 pm, welcoming visitors to explore Nisolo's thoughtfully crafted collection in person.

For more information on the storefront and to shop online, please visit www.nisolo.com or email [email protected]

SOURCE Nisolo
Registration is now open for Open Mainframe Summit with IBM TechXchange

SAN FRANCISCO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Open Mainframe Project, an open source initiative that enables collaboration across the mainframe community to develop shared tool sets and resources, today announced the schedule for the 4th annual Open Mainframe Summit. This year, the premier mainframe event will be co-located with two industry conferences - IBM TechXchange Conference 2023 , hosted in Las Vegas on September 11-14; and Open Source in Finance Forum , hosted in New York City on November 1.

The IBM TechXchange Conference offers technical breakout sessions, hands-on experiences, product demonstrations, instructor-led labs, and certifications tailored to your interests and learning style. Open Mainframe Summit will be featured as part of the Community Day on September 11 at the MGM Grand Hotel. Community Day unites diverse IBM user groups and technical communities to foster collaboration, networking and learning.

The schedule for the Las Vegas event includes keynotes about open source, Zowe use cases, diversity in the mainframe community and mentorships. Session presentations include overviews for the COBOL Check, COBOL Programming Course, Feilong, Galasa, the Linux Distributions Working Group and Mainframe Open Education as well as deep dives into Zowe and z/OS open tools.

Some of the sessions include:

Easy and Modern - Learn COBOL Today - Sudharsana Srinivasan , Advocacy Manager at IBM

, Advocacy Manager at IBM Feilong: The Open Source API for z/VM Automation - Mike Friesenegger , Solutions Architect at SUSE

, Solutions Architect at SUSE Mapping the Face of the Modern Mainframe Workforce: Roles, Skills and Resources - John Lovett , Head of Education and Customer Engagement, Mainframe Division at Broadcom

, Head of Education and Customer Engagement, Mainframe Division at Broadcom Shift Left and Beyond with COBOL Check - Joe Winchester , Senior Technical Staff Member at IBM

, Senior Technical Staff Member at IBM Software Management Automation using Zowe and Ansible - Jan Prihoda , Product Owner at Broadcom

, Product Owner at Broadcom The z/OS Open Tools Initiative - Mike Fulton , Distinguished Engineer, IBM Z Application Foundation at IBM

, Distinguished Engineer, IBM Z Application Foundation at IBM Togetherness of Linux Distributions on the Whole Open Source Software Development Life Cycle - Sarah Julia Kriesch , Senior Consultant at Accenture

, Senior Consultant at Accenture Positioning Legacy ISPF Tools for Tomorrow - Michael Fontanetta , Distinguished Technologist, Senior Director zSystems Product Innovation Engineering at Ensono

, Distinguished Technologist, Senior Director zSystems Product Innovation Engineering at Ensono Demystified: Put your Web App on the Zowe Desktop in a Flash - Robert Blum , Senior Software Developer at Phoenix Software International

, Senior Software Developer at Phoenix Software International Deploying Zowe CLI Configuration throughout your Organization - Gene Johnston , Principal Software Engineer at Broadcom

See the full conference schedule here .

Open Mainframe Project would like to thank this year's Open Mainframe Summit planning committee including Alan Clark, CTO Office and Director for Industry Initiatives, Emerging Standards and Open Source at SUSE; Donna Hudi, Chief Marketing Officer at Phoenix Software International; Elizabeth K. Joseph, Global Head of the OSPO for IBM zSystems at IBM; Len Santalucia, CTO at Vicom Infinity, A Converge Company; Mike Siemasz, Product Marketing Director at Rocket Software; and Rose Sakach, Offering Manager, Mainframe Division at Broadcom, Inc.

Open Mainframe Summit aims to connect and inform all those interested in growing the use of mainframes and related technology in dynamic technical and educational sessions. It is open to students, developers, corporate leaders, users and contributors of projects from around the globe looking to learn, network and collaborate. It will feature content tracks that tackle both business and technical strategies for enterprise development and deployment.

To attend Open Mainframe Summit Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel, register for IBM TechXchange. One registration will give attendees access to all the events for Community Day. Register here .

To learn more about Open Mainframe Summit New York , happening on November 1, click here .

For more about Open Mainframe Project, visit https://www.openmainframeproject.org/ .

About the Open Mainframe Project

The Open Mainframe Project is intended to serve as a focal point for deployment and use of Linux and Open Source in a mainframe computing environment. With a vision of Open Source on the Mainframe as the standard for enterprise class systems and applications, the project's mission is to build community and adoption of Open Source on the mainframe by eliminating barriers to Open Source adoption on the mainframe, demonstrating value of the mainframe on technical and business levels, and strengthening collaboration points and resources for the community to thrive. Learn more about the project at https://www.openmainframeproject.org .

About The Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation is the world's leading home for collaboration on open source software, hardware, standards, and data. Linux Foundation projects are critical to the world's infrastructure including Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, ONAP, PyTorch, RISC-V, SPDX, OpenChain, and more. The Linux Foundation focuses on leveraging best practices and addressing the needs of contributors, users, and solution providers to create sustainable models for open collaboration. For more information, please visit us at linuxfoundation.org .

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see its trademark usage page: www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage . Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Maemalynn Meanor

The Linux Foundation

[email protected]

SOURCE Open Mainframe Project
The government plans to seek National Assembly approval for the global minimum tax, a tariff that might affect foreign investors in the country, in October.

The tax aims to reallocate taxing rights on about US$200 billion worth of profits from the companies to the countries where they do business and to end the "race to the bottom" on tax rates, which refer to the incentives that countries compete to give multinationals to attract their investment.

If approved, the tax, at a rate of 15%, would be effective starting next year, Dang Ngoc Minh, deputy head of the General Department of Taxation, said at a meeting hosted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Tuesday.

The global minimum tax would be discussed by many government bodies and businesses before being presented to the National Assembly, he added.

The global minimum tax of 15% was agreed upon by the G7 rich nations in June 2021 to prevent tax avoidance by multinational corporations.

Vietnamese analysts fear putting a floor under the tax rate will deter foreign investors, many of whom are attracted by their countrys preferential tax policies.

The 15% tax will apply to multinational firms with revenues of at least 750 million (US$800 million) in at least two of the four most recent years.

Certain economies like the UK, Japan, South Korea, and the EU are expected to apply the tax from next year.

According to the Finance Ministry, 1,015 foreign-invested enterprises in Vietnam will be subject to the rate. Over 70 businesses in Vietnam are likely to be affected if if it is applied in 2024.

Foreign companies like Samsung, Intel, LG, Bosch, Sharp, Panasonic, Foxconn and Pegatron  which account for nearly 30% of total FDI in Vietnam  are all likely to be affected by the tax.
PEORIA, Ill., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OSF HealthCare and Abundant Health Acquisition (aha!) have announced a pilot partnership to launch two new aha! software connectors designed to easily deliver retail-like online experiences that help patients find the care they need quickly.

The aha! Provider Data Connector (PDC) and Patient Education Connector (PEC) will empower OSF Digital Marketing and Digital Innovation Development teams to quickly create and optimize an e-commerce-like retail experience that results in improved search engine optimization, greater patient engagement and satisfaction, and higher digital appointment volume.

This partnership extends the OSF HealthCare and aha! collaboration, which started in 2019, with a new, dynamic website to drive the "One OSF" initiative which offers a consistent and personalized experience for the visitor, powered by Sitecore DXP.

"We're very excited by the opportunity to further partner with aha! as we look for ways to increase our appointment conversions, introduce operational efficiencies, and relieve our tech debt," said Tom Caldera, director of OSF Digital Innovation Development. "aha!'s vision for flexible connectors directly within our content management system allows us to leverage our Sitecore DXP investment and let our Marketing teams quickly place personalized provider info and clinical content based on business needs without tech involvement."

The Provider Data Connector (PDC) unlocks provider data (bio and basic information, appointment availability, high-quality photos, and more) and empowers internal content managers to use it strategically within their website content and directly within their primary domain.

The Patient Education Connector (PEC) alleviates the substantial effort on health care systems to source, write and maintain patient education content. Clinically reviewed content, sourced from trusted 3rd parties such as WebMD Ignite, can be seamlessly integrated as complete articles or individual content segments to create new patient education pieces.

When used together, the two connectors will let the OSF HealthCare Marketing team easily build and optimize web experiences that place the right providers in context with clinically approved, actionable content.

The pilot launch of the two connectors on the OSFHealthCare.org website is currently underway.

OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. OSF HealthCare has 15 hospitals  10 acute care, five critical access - with 2,084 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan. OSF employs nearly 24,000 Mission Partners throughout 150+ locations; has two colleges of nursing; operates OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; owns Pointcore, Inc., comprised of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. OSF OnCall, a digital health operating unit, was established in 2020 to improve patient experience, using digital tools for 24-7 communication, on-demand care, remote patient monitoring, and offers the largest hospital-at-home program in Illinois. OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country. More at osfhealthcare.org.

OSF Innovation is a collaborative network of different disciplines that designs bold, strategic solutions to advance the future of health care. Learn more at osfinnovation.org.

Abundant Health Acquisition (aha!) aha! was founded in 2017, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and is a part of the Abundant Venture Partners (AVP) portfolio of companies. aha! is a consumer research, digital services, experience design, and software development company focused exclusively on working with healthcare providers across the country. We are an experienced, integrated team who believe in connecting people through modern, human-centered health experiences. More at abundant.health.

Contact: Colleen Reynolds| Media Relations Coordinator  OSF HealthCare | (309) 825-7255

Contact: Paul Dain | Chief Executive Officer  Abundant Health Acquisition (aha!) | (312) 402-2744

SOURCE OSF HealthCare
TAMPA, Fla., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wooooo! Energy by Ric Flair is here. Celebrated by Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience as 'F---ing tasty,' the new mushroom-infused energy drink contains a blend of Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Turkey Tail, Shiitake, Maitake, and Reishi mushrooms, to support immune and cognitive function, and provide clean energy without jitters or sugar crashes.

Wooooo! Energy is blended with Taurine, L-Theanine, and Gotu Kola Extract and balances 150 mg of caffeine with a modest 6g of sugar. Available now in Dragon Fruit, Lemon, and Strawberry Banana flavors.

Ric Flair pictured with cans of Wooooo! Energy, his mushroom-infused energy drink. Out now.

Following his appearances on the Full Send Podcast and Men's Health Gym and Fridge series, the public praised the 74-year-old, 16-time Champion, and 2-time Hall of Famer for his energy. Now, with the help of leading chemists and mixologists, everyone can experience Flair's Wooooo! Energy.

"'Wooooo!' is more than Ric Flair's iconic catchphraseit's synonymous with celebration. It symbolizes energy, excitement, and achievement. It transcended wrestling and is now a part of pop culture," said Chad Bronstein, President and Chairman of Carma HoldCo. "And with 'Wooooo! Energy' we get to share Ric's limitless energy with the world."

Wooooo! Energy is available now in partnership with LGNDS at woooooenergy.com. A six-pack of the icon's elixir can be yours for $30 for those aged 18 and up.

About Carma HoldCo Inc.

Carma HoldCo Inc. ("Carma") creates iconic global brands through licensing. The Carma brand family includes Mike Tyson's "TYSON 2.0," Ric Flair's "Ric Flair Drip," Future's "Evol," and Hulk Hogan's "Hulk Hogan Health." Carma products are available across 100,000 retailers, 40 states, select Canadian provinces, and 17 countries worldwide. For more information on Carma HoldCo, visit: www.carmahold.com .

Media Inquiries:

Brian J. Roberts

Chief Communications Officer

CarmaHold Co. Inc.

Tel: +1.908.616.7822

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Carma HoldCo
The New, Ultra-Premium Rum Celebrates a Decade of Excellence Honoring the Adventurous Spirit of its Namesake, Ernest Hemingway

KEY WEST, Fla., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Papa's Pilar Rum , the worldly-sourced and Florida-finished rum brand inspired by legendary novelist Ernest Hemingway, announces the rarest offering in the brand's ten year history  Ernest. Launching on Friday, July 21, which is also the birthday of 'Papa' Hemingway, the limited edition rum exemplifies the brand's decade-long commitment to creating premium, high-quality rums with innovation at the forefront. Only 400 bottles of Ernest were created.

The New, Ultra-Premium Rum Celebrates a Decade of Excellence Honoring the Adventurous Spirit of its Namesake, Ernest Hemingway.

Ernest is a harmonious blend of hand-selected rums sourced from countries in South and Central America by 7th Generation Master Distiller, Ron Call. The blended rums were then put into new, heavy toasted American Oak barrels made of new 36-month old air-dried staves, and then double finished in both Cognac and Armagnac casks. The end result is a 100-proof rum with a refined and nuanced aroma of roses, violets, hazelnuts and burnt citrus peel. The initial subtlety is then overcome by a bold and complex flavor profile including notes of burnt citrus peel, turned earth, toasted hazelnut, green tea, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla bean, and dark chocolate on the palate. The finish is particularly noteworthy with its extraordinary length and complexity that creates notes of green tea, vanilla bean and burnt citrus for a notable finish.

"With each new release, we prioritize showcasing our high-quality rums and for Ernest, we really wanted to push the envelope on what the category has been seen before," said Papa's Pilar Master Distiller, Ron Call. "This is what led to our decision to double finish the rum in new heavy-toasted American White Oak barrels made of 36-month air-dried staves, a process that enhances the deep natural vanilla and slight cocoa notes that carry over into our rum and create an extraordinary sensory experience."

The bottle for Ernest is inspired by the beautiful, circular decanter seen in a photo of Hemingway taken circa 1940 at Finca Vigia, the novelist's home located in Cuba just southeast of Havana, most well known as the location where he wrote portions of his famed novels "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "The Old Man and the Sea." The crystal decanter bottle was designed to double as a collector's piece, coming encased in a teal display box embossed with golden foil, wood siding, cream stitching, and gold riveted piping. When opened it reveals a removable leather valet to display the elegant collectable bottle filled with golden rum and marked with Hemingway's signature, with the image of Hemingway at Finca Vigia as its backdrop. The box also includes a crystal decanter top made to replace the wood and gold 'travel cork.' Papa's Pilar consulted with Hemingway historian, author and friend, Philip Greene to ensure the decanter-style bottle was historically accurate and identical to Hemingway's.

Over the past year, the premium rum category has seen significant growth within the spirits industry as a whole. This shift can be largely credited to the innovation seen in present day rum making, such as the exploration of new cask finishes, as well as consumers' desire for education on the vast offerings and origins of the spirit. Papa's Pilar is a leader in the category as its line up of rums utilize a variety of sourcing and finishing techniques that create a complex liquid meant to be savored.

"Since we founded Papa's Pilar ten years ago, we have aimed to be at the cutting edge of innovation in both the rum category and the ultra-premium spirits industry as a whole," said Papa's Pilar's founder and CEO, Steve Groth. "Ernest shows how we are letting our expert craftsman do what they do best and lead the way with limited run, curated, collectable releases. We have found that driving our business through the lens of craftsmanship has been key to truly exceptional results."

Ernest (SRP: $599) will be available to purchase through Papa's Pilar's website at https://www.papaspilar.com/pages/ernest starting on July 21. Members of Papa's Pilar's Hemingway Social Club will receive early access to the release. Sign up now to receive exclusive access to releases and brand announcements here . For online order fulfillment to Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Michigan, and Ohio only, orders must be called in to 954-749-3359 between the hours of 10am-4pm EST, Monday through Friday.

About Papa's Pilar Rum

Papa's Pilar Rum is an ultra-premium rum brand whose blends are hand-selected and artfully blended by 7th generation Master Distiller Ron Call. All four of Papa's Pilar flagship rum offerings, the dark rum, blonde rum, sherry-finished rum, and the rye-finished rum are molasses based and undergo a Solera blending process. The brand was created alongside the Hemingway family to celebrate his life as a captivating adventurer and his "Never a spectator" mindset. The Papa's Pilar Distillery & Experience Center is located in Key West, Florida where they offer tours, cocktail classes and rum tastings. The Hemingway family & Papa's Pilar Rum have collectively contributed millions of dollars to causes & communities that advance literacy, water conservation, reef restoration and other worthy initiatives that would make Papa proud. For more information, visit the website or follow Papa's Pilar on Instagram @papaspilar .

SOURCE Papas Pilar Rum
RAAMSDONKSVEER, Netherlands, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PRIMUS AERO is investing in the future of transportation with the purchase of a fleet of PAL-V Liberty vehicles, enhancing their operational excellence and minimizing the downtime of clients' aircraft.

The worlds first flying car PAL-V Liberty flying in mountainous regions with PRIMUS AERO livery.

As Stephan Krainer, CEO and Founder of PRIMUS AERO, explains: "The PAL-V is a time-saving machine for us. Our staff consists of highly trained and qualified experts, with decent incomes. Having them stuck in traffic jams is a very inefficient use of their time. By incorporating PAL-Vs into our operations, we will save time and money by reducing unproductive times."

PRIMUS AERO aims to utilize the PAL-V Liberty not only for their own operations but also for their aircraft maintenance companies. Krainer elaborates, "Delivering top-notch service is our priority. Minimizing the downtime of our customers' aircraft is vital. Currently, if a maintenance issue arises at an airport outside our base, someone must drive there. In Austria, this can be a long journey due to the mountainous and winding roads. By using the PAL-V to fly one of our maintenance personnel to the destination and giving them the flexibility to use the PAL-V as a service car when landed, we can greatly reduce the downtime of our clients' aircraft."

For PAL-V, this partnership reinforces the use-case of the PAL-V Liberty's versatility on a global scale, as highlighted by Robert Dingemanse, CEO of PAL-V: "The PAL-V Liberty can be used for a wide range of applications. With PRIMUS AERO, they will take advantage of its ability to fly and drive to shorten commuting times and provide their customers with door-to-door air mobility, something only a PAL-V can achieve. On top of that PRIMUS AERO's extensive expertise in aircraft maintenance positions them as a key regional partner."

In addition to the private individual orders received by PAL-V, the company is witnessing more and more professional organizations recognizing the benefits of using a vehicle that can both fly and drive.

The PAL-V Liberty is currently undergoing an extensive test program, and the company is preparing for its first series of production vehicles that will complete the certification flight test program next year.

More information and high res images and videos: https://www.pal-v.com/en/press

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2151742/PAL_V_PRIMUS_AERO.jpg

SOURCE PAL-V
The progressive supranuclear palsy market size shall grow significantly during the forecast period (20232032). This increase will be due to rising disease awareness and improving diagnosis, besides the launch of emerging therapies by leading companies such as Woolsey Pharmaceutical, Asahi Kasei Pharma, AlzProtect, Transposon Therapeutics, Oncolys Biopharma, and others.

LAS VEGAS, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, progressive supranuclear palsy emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2019 to 2032, segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU-4 (Italy, Spain, France, and Germany), the United Kingdom, and Japan].

Key Takeaways from the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Report

As per DelveInsight analysis, the progressive supranuclear palsy market size in the 7MM was approximately USD 8.3 billion in 2022.

in 2022. According to the assessment done by DelveInsight, the estimated total prevalent progressive supranuclear palsy cases in the 7MM were approximately 81K in 2022.

in 2022. Leading progressive supranuclear palsy companies such as Woolsey Pharmaceutical, Asahi Kasei Pharma, AlzProtect, Transposon Therapeutics, Oncolys Biopharma, Ferrer, Asceneuron, UCB Biopharma, Novartis , and others are developing novel progressive supranuclear palsy drugs that can be available in the progressive supranuclear palsy market in the coming years.

, and others are developing novel progressive supranuclear palsy drugs that can be available in the progressive supranuclear palsy market in the coming years. The promising progressive supranuclear palsy therapies in the pipeline include BRAVYL (fasudil), AZP2006 (ezeprogind), TPN-101/OBP-601 (censavudine), ASN90, NIO752, UCB0107 (bepranemab), and others.

Discover which therapies are expected to grab the major progressive supranuclear palsy market share @ Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Report

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Overview

Progressive supranuclear palsy, also known as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome and Parkinson-plus syndrome, is the most frequent atypical Parkinsonism. It is one of a group of disorders known as tauopathies. The exact cause is unknown. It does, however, include the aberrant buildup of tau protein in specific tissues. Brain areas, particularly the basal ganglia, and brainstem, produce aberrant tangles, resulting in cell degeneration.

Progressive supranuclear palsy is difficult to diagnose since its symptoms coincide with those of other movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and corticobasal degeneration. There is no specific test for progressive supranuclear palsy, and diagnosis is mainly based on the presence of specific symptoms, clinical examination, and the elimination of other probable causes. Brain imaging, such as MRI, may also be utilized to support the diagnosis by revealing specific patterns of brain shrinkage. Progressive supranuclear palsy is currently diagnosed using two diagnostic criteria: the MDS-PSP and the NINDS-SPSP.

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Epidemiology Segmentation

DelveInsight estimates that there were approximately 81K prevalent cases of progressive supranuclear palsy in the 7MM in 2022.

Among the 7MM, the US accounted for the largest diagnosed prevalent progressive supranuclear palsy population contributing nearly 33% to the total diagnosed population in 2022. In contrast, Spain accounted for the least, with approximately 5% share of the total population in 2022.

The progressive supranuclear palsy market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 20192032 in the 7MM segmented into:

Total Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Prevalent Cases

Total Diagnosed Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Prevalent Cases

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Gender-specific Cases

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Comorbidities-associated Cases

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Phenotype-specific Cases

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Treatment Market

There is no cure for progressive supranuclear palsy, and the various treatments merely treat the symptoms. Disease-modifying medicines and treatment recommendations are currently lacking in the progressive supranuclear palsy treatment landscape. While symptomatic therapies are commonly employed, their efficacy is only mild to moderate. Specific therapies may be beneficial because one medicine does not alleviate all of the symptoms of progressive supranuclear palsy. Antiparkinson drugs levodopa and amantadine are commonly used to improve muscle flexibility and balance.

Parkinson's drugs are ineffective; about 2030% of patients respond adequately to levodopa. Antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, and other medications, in addition to antiparkinson drugs, are used to treat related symptoms and diseases. Furthermore, eye drops are indicated for dry eyes to avoid keratitis, and botulinum toxin injections may help with blepharospasm, dystonia, and retrocollis.

The primary pharmacologic drug utilized for dopaminergic replacement therapy in progressive supranuclear palsy is levodopa (together with a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor such as carbidopa or benserazide), with a more strong response often seen in the PSP-P subtype. Postural instability is unlikely to respond in PSP-P, although bradykinesia, stiffness, and tremor may be found in any phenotype of progressive supranuclear palsy. According to historical research, 2030% of pathologically verified PSP patients and 20-40% of clinically diagnosed PSP patients responded favorably to levodopa alone or in combination with another dopaminergic drug (such as amantadine). These responses typically arise early in the disease's progression and last only a few months. Furthermore, levodopa therapies are only undertaken in patients with stiffness, bradykinesia, or impeded daily activities due to tremors.

To know more about progressive supranuclear palsy treatment guidelines, visit @ Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Management

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Pipeline Therapies and Key Companies

BRAVYL (fasudil): Woolsey Pharmaceutical/Asahi Kasei Pharma

AZP2006 (ezeprogind): AlzProtect

TPN-101/OBP-601 (censavudine): Transposon Therapeutics/Oncolys Biopharma

ASN90: Ferrer/Asceneuron

NIO752: Novartis

UCB0107 (bepranemab): UCB Biopharma

Learn more about the FDA-approved drugs for progressive supranuclear palsy @ Drugs for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Treatment

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Dynamics

The progressive supranuclear palsy market is anticipated to change in the coming years. The updated MDS diagnostic criteria for PSP broaden the disease's clinical spectrum by including disorders indicative of PSP as well as a variety of symptomatic PSP presentations. Moreover, advocacy and support organizations are dedicated to increasing awareness, providing resources, and assisting individuals and families impacted by PSP. In addition, increased research can help us understand progressive supranuclear palsy better, including its underlying mechanisms, risk factors, and potential therapy targets. Furthermore, better imaging and biofluid biomarker research will allow early and accurate diagnostic enrolment of relevant patients who are likely to demonstrate more clear favorable effects in clinical trials.

However, several factors are impeding the growth of the progressive supranuclear palsy market. The scarcity of epidemiological data on disease phenotypes restricts research and clinical health interventions. The disease's diverse phenotype makes diagnosing subtypes of PSP difficult, resulting in diagnostic delays and poor treatment outcomes. Moreover, a probable concern is the failure of multiple drugs in clinical trials, including rasagiline, tideglusib, and davunetide. Furthermore, patients become wheelchair dependent due to frequent falls, which has a severe impact on a patient's quality of life and increases the carer's burden.

Report Metrics Details Study Period 20192032 Coverage 7MM [the United States, the EU-4 (Italy, Spain, France, and Germany), the United Kingdom, and Japan] Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market CAGR 27.7 % Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Size in 2022 USD 8.3 Billion Key Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Companies Woolsey Pharmaceutical, Asahi Kasei Pharma, AlzProtect, Transposon Therapeutics, Oncolys Biopharma, Ferrer, Asceneuron, UCB Biopharma, Novartis, and others Key Pipeline Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Therapies BRAVYL (fasudil), AZP2006 (ezeprogind), TPN-101/OBP-601 (censavudine), ASN90, NIO752, UCB0107 (bepranemab), and others

Scope of the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Report

Therapeutic Assessment: Progressive Supranuclear Palsy current marketed and emerging therapies

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy current marketed and emerging therapies Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Dynamics: Conjoint Analysis of Emerging Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Drugs

Conjoint Analysis of Emerging Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Drugs Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Access and Reimbursement

Discover more about progressive supranuclear palsy drugs in development @ Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Clinical Trials

Table of Contents

1. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Key Insights 2. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Report Introduction 3. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Overview at a Glance 4. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Executive Summary 5. Disease Background and Overview 6. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Treatment and Management 7. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Epidemiology and Patient Population 8. Patient Journey 9. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Marketed Drugs 10. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Emerging Drugs 11. 7MM Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Analysis 12. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Market Outlook 13. Potential of Current and Emerging Therapies 14. KOL Views 15. Unmet Needs 16. SWOT Analysis 17. Appendix 18. DelveInsight Capabilities 19. Disclaimer 20. About DelveInsight

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About DelveInsight

DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve.

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SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP
The company's flagship interactive display is honored as one of the most innovative edtech products on the market today

SEATTLE, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Promethean, a leading global education technology company, received a Tech & Learning Best of Show Award at the 2023 ISTE conference for its ActivPanel 9 Premium interactive display. ISTELive 23, which took place in Philadelphia June 25-28, evaluated nominated products for their ease of use, value, uniqueness in the market, and ability to help make teachers' lives easier and support student achievement.

Powered by Promethean's patented ActivSync technology, the ActivPanel 9 responds to the evolving educational environment by breaking down barriers between devices, enabling increased connectivity and collaboration, and supporting hybrid and in-classroom learning. It provides busy, overworked teachers with the ability to create seamless workflows, design engaging and interactive lessons, customize their personal panel settings, and experience greater mobility.

"We're thrilled to be recognized once again at ISTE by one of the most highly respected award programs in the U.S.," said Jennifer Foreman, chief marketing officer at Promethean. "Promethean focuses on the unique needs of educators when we develop our products, so it's incredibly gratifying to be given an award for creating an innovative tool that is transformational for both teachers and their students."

Since its launch a year ago, ActivPanel 9 has received many awards and accolades, including the iF Design Award, the Red Dot Design Award, and the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Best of 2022 from TCEA.

For more information about the ActivPanel 9, visit prometheanworld.com/products/interactive-displays/activpanel.

About Promethean

Promethean is a leading education technology company working to transform the way the world learns and collaborates. From our founding in Blackburn, England, more than 25 years ago to our global operations serving 126 countries today, we've continued to explore, innovate, and inspiredesigning learning and collaboration tools that are built for breakthroughs. Our award-winning interactive display, ActivPanel, and lesson delivery software were designed to engage students, connect colleagues, and bring out the brilliance in everyone. With headquarters in Seattle, Washington, and offices worldwide, Promethean is a subsidiary of the NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKSE: 0777) group of companies. Visit us at PrometheanWorld.com.

2023 Promethean. All Rights Reserved. Promethean, the Promethean logo, ActivPanel, ActivSync, ActivInspire, ActivConnect, ActivSound, ActivPen, and Vellum are trademarks or registered trademarks of Promethean Limited in the United Kingdom, United States, and other countries around the world. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically identified as such, Promethean's use of third-party trademarks does not indicate any relationship, sponsorship, or endorsement between Promethean and the owners of these trademarks.

SOURCE Promethean
CARROLLTON, Texas, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Propelled Brands, a best-in-class multi-brand franchisor platform company, is welcoming new Chief Financial Officer Jason White and General Counsel Russell Kruse to its growing leadership team.

Jason White has an extensive financial background having served most recently as the Chief Operations Officer of the Americas Region for Pentax Medical, a medical device subsidiary of HOYA. Prior to Pentax, Jason spent 14 years with HOYA Vision Care, where he began his career as the Corporate Controller helping to establish a solid accounting foundation then moved into finance and administration working with IT partners to build scalable systems. During the last six years, he has served as the CFO of the Americas Region for HOYA Vision Care where he developed a successful mergers and acquisitions strategy for the company.

Russell Kruse has an extensive legal and franchising background both on the law firm side and as Chief Legal Officer for multi-brand franchisor Premium Service Brands. He has successfully managed and supported fast-paced and large volume mergers and acquisitions transactions, employment and risk management as well as franchise development and regulatory compliance.

"We are thrilled to welcome both Jason White and Russell Kruse to our growing leadership team as we position our company for incredible growth," said Catherine Monson, CEO at Propelled Brands. "Our continued growth has established more opportunities to expand our team, and we look forward to all that these two important leaders will accomplish in their new roles."

Propelled Brands was formed with FASTSIGNS International, Inc. as its first brand. The franchisor later acquired the technology brand NerdsToGo and the salon suite franchisor Suite Management Franchising, LLC, the parent company of MY SALON Suite and Salon Plaza.

About Propelled Brands:

Propelled Brands is the multi-brand platform company of FASTSIGNS, SIGNWAVE, NerdsToGo and MY SALON Suite. Propelled Brands advances the strategic path for each brand, offering support, guidance, and a clear vision to fully equip every franchisee, helping them maximize success.

Propelled Brands is looking to partner with other service-oriented franchise concepts that align with its forward-thinking growth objectives. For more information or to learn about opportunities with Propelled Brands, visit propelledbrands.com . To learn about franchise opportunities with FASTSIGNS, NerdsToGo, or MY SALON Suite, contact Mark Jameson ([email protected] or call 214.346.5679).

SOURCE FASTSIGNS International, Inc.
Consulting firm recognized for culture of innovation

MENLO PARK, Calif., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global consulting firm Protiviti has been named to the Fast Company 2023 Best Workplaces for Innovators list, marking the second consecutive year the company has earned the prestigious recognition. The list recognizes 100 companies from around the world that are successfully fostering cultures of innovation, encouraging employees at every level to discover, explore and invent  resulting in improved processes, new products and unique approaches to doing business.

Protiviti earned the honor based on its strategic focus and investment in innovations that create a positive impact for clients, employees and communities. One of the firm's core values, innovation is embedded throughout Protiviti's global training, communications and service delivery. Employees are encouraged to find collaborative, innovative problem-solving approaches supported by the latest technology tools and training, with access to global innovation sites resulting in the best solutions for clients and the business.

"A culture focused on empowering our people to collaborate, solve problems and innovate whenever possible sets a solid foundation for the genesis of new ideas and ways of thinking," said Protiviti Executive Vice President, Global Solutions, Cory Gunderson. "By approaching business challenges with curiosity and an innovation mindset, our teams stretch their creative and critical thinking to reimagine business processes that drive positive results for our organization and clients. We're honored to be recognized by Fast Company for our ongoing commitment to innovation."

Protiviti offers employees human-centered "design thinking" training and the opportunity to apply for a four-month residency at one of its innovation sites, which serve as in-house incubators and idea accelerators. These colleagues collaborate worldwide to solve real-life client challenges while gaining skills and certifications in Agile software development, human-centered design, emerging technologies, storytelling and user experience design.

"At Protiviti, we understand the value of delivering new ideas and approaches to help continually move the needle forward," said Ashley Cuevas, global innovation leader for Protiviti. "Innovation is ingrained in our culture, and it's a priority to ensure our people have the tools, training and support they need to work with their teams and our clients to create new and better ways to do things."

Protiviti has been recognized multiple times as a great place to work, including being named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list for nine consecutive years.

About Protiviti

Protiviti (www.protiviti.com) is a global consulting firm that delivers deep expertise, objective insights, a tailored approach and unparalleled collaboration to help leaders confidently face the future. Protiviti and its independent and locally owned Member Firms provide clients with consulting and managed solutions in finance, technology, operations, data, analytics, digital, legal, HR, governance, risk and internal audit through its network of more than 85 offices in over 25 countries.

Named to the 2023 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list, Protiviti has served more than 80 percent of Fortune 100 and nearly 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies. The firm also works with smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public, as well as with government agencies. Protiviti is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI). Founded in 1948, Robert Half is a member of the S&P 500 index.

Protiviti is not licensed or registered as a public accounting firm and does not issue opinions on financial statements or offer attestation services.

All trademarks are property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Protiviti
DENVER, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Redbot Security, a leading penetration testing company based in the U.S. announced today that its new Security Management Platform Cymbiotic is now scheduled for release in Quarter 1 of 2024. Cymbiotic powered by Redbot Security has been in development for over 4 years, and Alpha Stage is complete. The platform is deep in the beta development stage, putting the software ahead of schedule. Cymbiotic will revolutionize business cybersecurity as a scalable multi-tenant management console; enabling companies to have much greater security access by unifying critical controls across any organization, ultimately moving industry to a safer, more secure world.

Cymbiotic will provide unparalleled security insight with the ability to manage teams, clients, on-demand testing with rapid internal VM deployment, secure reporting, and remediation tracking, while also acting as an advanced attack surface management platform for every network.

"Cymbiotic will deliver improved security and asset management inside and out. Our platform streamlines workflow while alleviating archaic business practices that burn excessive time and require massive learning curves," stated Morgan Habecker, Redbot Security's Lead Developer. "Our team has 30-plus years of deep security testing in all types of environments, providing us with unique insight into roadblocks and security issues our clients and consultants face daily. Not only are the process improvements necessary for us to grow as an industry leader but even more so, we are also excited to have others benefit from the heart and passion we have put into this collection of scalable security tools."

During the next development phase, the company will focus on some of the main features, including reporting, dashboards, and user experience features, along with fine-tuning the application's security. A selected group of Redbot Security clients will be able to participate in the pre-launch stage.

About Redbot Security

Redbot Security is a boutique penetration testing house that identifies exploitable vulnerabilities within networks, systems, and applications. The company provides detailed proof of concept and transparent knowledge sharing with a customer-first focus. Redbot Security is consistently dominating industry visibility, enabling the team to deliver services to a multitude of organizations ranging from critical infrastructure to SaaS clients. The Redbot Security team is comprised of cybersecurity veterans that specialize in the security testing of IT networks, OT networks, and applications.

Learn More at:

https://redbotsecurity.com/cymbiotic-security-management-platform/

SOURCE Redbot Security
HOUSTON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Saber Power Services, LLC, today announced the acquisition of Bath Group Inc., a prominent engineering and consulting firm headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Founded in 1957, the Bath Group has established itself as a trusted partner for clients requiring electrical, mechanical, instrumentation/control, and commissioning engineering services. By joining forces with Bath, Saber immediately expands its Texas Coastal Bend presence while adding engineering coverage to markets not presently served such as El Paso, Tulsa, and Albuquerque.

This acquisition solidifies Saber Power Services' position as a market leader while doubling its engineering capacity. Tweet this

"We are thrilled to welcome the Bath Group to the Saber Power family," says Saber's CEO Brian Bratton. "As an engineering-led firm, Saber can now offer a more robust suite of solutions that will benefit our clients and lead to significant pull-through work for our Maintenance Services and Field Services divisions."

This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in Saber Power Services' growth and diversification strategies and solidifies its position as a market leader while doubling its engineering capacity. The acquisition simultaneously provides an end-to-end solution for Bath clients previously tasked with seeking multiple organizations to complete their design, installation, testing, and maintenance projects.

About Saber Power Services LLC

Saber Power Services LLC is a fully integrated electrical power system services firm offering end-to-end solutions for substations and medium-and high-voltage infrastructure across utility, renewables/battery storage, industrial, and other markets. Saber offers deep subject matter expertise utilizing an engineering-led and customer-centric approach to designing, installing, testing, and maintaining electrical infrastructure. The Houston-based company services customers in the Gulf Coast region, North America, and abroad from its Texas offices in Houston, San Antonio, Orange, Corpus Christi, Midland, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth, and Baton Rouge, LA.

SOURCE Saber Power Services LLC
Blackpink fansites in Vietnam will welcome the girl group to Hanoi by spending big bucks on projects for the city tower and double-decker bus.

"RoseGoldvn  BlackPink ROSE 1st Vietnamese Fanpage", a fansite of Blackpinks lead vocalist Rose, announced that their first project will display an image of Rose and a welcoming message on three giant LED screens covering three sides of the TNR Tower facing central Hanois three main streets: Chua Lang, Kim Ma and Nguyen Chi Thanh.

The demo of fansite RoseGoldvn's project to welcome Blackpink member Rose to Hanoi. Photo courtesy of RoseGoldvn

After the announcement on Sunday, the post received over 15,000 reactions and thousands of comments. The fansite confirmed it had received a total of VND120 million ($5,065) in donations from its members to make the project happen.

On July 4, three other major big Blackpink fansites in Vietnam also confirmed that they had received VND100 million in donations and announced their first welcome project, which is the covering of a double-decker bus in images of Blackpink and hosting a city tour of Hanoi on the bus.

Jisoonly  Blackpink Jisoo Vietnam Fanpage, a fansite of member Jisoo, has received VND40 million in donations, while fansites for Jennie (Mandoo Jennie VN  Blackpink) and Lisa (Eternal Light  LISA BlackPink Vietnam Fanpage) also confirmed donations of VND80 million and 76 million, with upcoming projects to be announced soon.

The announcement of a project to put images of Blackpink on a double-decker bus that will tour around Hanoi. Photo courtesy of the fansites

Blackpink, one of the biggest girl groups in the world, will perform in Vietnam for the first time with two concerts on July 29 and 30 at Hanois My Dinh National Stadium.

The group was formed in 2016, consisting of four members Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo and Rose. After seven years, the group has achieved international success with numerous hits like "Ddu-Du Ddu-du," "Kill This Love" and "Pink Venom."

Their YouTube channel is the most-viewed on the platform with 30.399 billion views. Outside of music, the four members of the group are also global ambassadors for famous fashion brands.

Blackpinks world tour Born Pink, which started late last year, has grossed about $163.8 million so far, with more than 900,000 tickets sold. This makes Born Pink the highest grossing girl group tour of all time, surpassing the previous record set by the Spice Girls ($78.2 million).
No resident of San Antonio is more than eight to 10 minutes away from Baptist's emergency services. This allows for enhanced care by providing patients direct integration with Baptist's large network of hospitals and specialists.

While some health systems in the U.S. have struggled in recent years, Baptist's partnership with Emerus has flourished. The nationally regarded Baptist brand has grown its geographic footprint in San Antonio by more than 100 square miles since 2011.

The overwhelming success of these neighborhood hospitals led to the opening in 2016 of South San Antonio's first new hospital in more than 30 years. Baptist Neighborhood Hospitals are already serving patients in the communities of Hausman, Overlook, Westover Hills, Kelly, Schertz, Thousand Oaks, Zarzamora and Shavano Park.

Neighborhood hospitals, small-format facilities pioneered by Emerus, offer similar service lines as traditional hospitals, but with a smaller footprint. They offer patients speed, convenience, ease of access and value-based, high-quality comprehensive care.

To date, more than one million patients have gone through the doors of these neighborhood hospitals. Current patient volume represents 34 percent of the Emergency Department volume of the entire Baptist Health System.

Vic Schmerbeck, CEO of Emerus, credits the Baptist Health System leadership and its teams for the success of the healthcare model, which Emerus created and launched 17 years ago in 2006.

"We serve as a support mechanism for the success of this incredibly innovative brand of Baptist," Schmerbeck says. "They bought in to our care model and fully committed to community-based and value-based care. They have been great partners and share in our vision of providing the right care at the right time  at the right place and at the right cost."

"Baptist Neighborhood Hospitals often offer the closest access to care when every minute counts in an emergency," says Matt Stone, Baptist Health System Group CEO. "Whether emergency services or inpatient care is needed, our Baptist Neighborhood Hospitals deliver the same high-quality, compassionate care that our patients trust at our acute care hospitals."

Regarding the dedicated teams who staff the city's neighborhood hospitals, Emerus Chief Operating Officer Vanessa Smith says, "We're not just putting buildings into neighborhoods. We're executing on a care model that provides empathy and compassion. That requires a special kind of healthcare worker. Just look at the incredible job the Baptist teams did during the pandemic. When the world was at its worst, they were at their best."

The quality of care has not gone unnoticed. During the partnership, Baptist Neighborhood Hospitals have received Press Ganey recognition  a prestigious award honoring healthcare facilities that have reached the 95th percentile for patient experience, engagement or clinical quality performance. Baptist Neighborhood Hospital-Shavano Park was the most recent recipient, having been named a Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award winner in 2021.

Baptist Neighborhood Hospitals are committed to improving the patient experience. A recent patient at Baptist Neighborhood Hospital-Schertz praised the medical team, after she was treated for coughing, congestion and body aches. "Within less than an hour after arriving home, I felt 99.9% better! I can't thank the doctor, nurse and staff of this awesome medical team enough for bringing relief so quickly to me!"

ABOUT EMERUS

Emerus is the nation's first, largest and most experienced operator of small-format hospitals, also known as community hospitals or neighborhood hospitals. Emerus partners with leading health systems across the nation to provide excellence, empathy and innovation in healthcare delivery through a network of efficient, value-based micro-hospitals. The Emerus network brings high-quality, patient-centric acute episodic and ambulatory clinical services to communities across a given market. This helps patients by positioning best-in-class provider services in the communities where they work, live and play. More information is available at www.emerus.com.

CONTACT:

Richard Bonnin at 281-840-982

[email protected]

SOURCE Emerus
Acquisition Enables Full Circle Insights to Focus on Accelerated, Scalable Growth As Well As Further Investments in Product Innovation and Strategy

SAN ANTONIO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Scaleworks, the B2B SaaS-focused venture equity firm, today announced its acquisition of Full Circle Insights, known for helping companies drive pipeline growth through their marketing attribution and campaign measurement platform. Scaleworks' investment and partnership will accelerate Full Circle's strategic roadmap, enable product innovation, and enhance go-to-market strategy.

Scaleworks logo

"Scaleworks is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Full Circle Insights, a move that reflects a larger vision to empower businesses with advanced technology and data-driven decisions," stated Ed Byrne, Co-Founder and General Partner at Scaleworks. "We are excited to welcome the talented employees, valued customers and trusted partners of Full Circle into the portfolio."

Go-to-market strategy expert Jason Ferrara is stepping into the role of CEO. Ferrara is a two-time software CMO with over three decades of global enterprise and B2B SaaS experience. Ferrara's experience will help guide Full Circle during its next stage of growth, continuing to focus on the core measurement and attribution issues that marketing teams struggle with every day.

"I feel incredibly honored to join the team at Full Circle, alongside their loyal customers and valued partners," shared Jason Ferrara. "Full Circle has built a remarkable product that solves some of the most important challenges marketers face. Together, we plan to expand our roadmap and scale operations to meet the ever-growing demand."

Full Circle Insights empowers B2B marketing teams to optimize their marketing efforts and generate greater revenue through patented Salesforce-native technology. Recently, the company's strategic partnerships and significant industry recognition have led Full Circle to experience substantial market growth.

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

To learn more about Scaleworks and its portfolio of companies, visit www.scaleworks.com . Find out more about Full Circle Insights at www.fullcircleinsights.com .

About Scaleworks

Scaleworks is a SaaS growth fund that acquires and operates B2B software in the lower middle-market. The Scaleworks "Venture Equity" model takes a hands-on approach to scaling businesses, opening new offices in their San Antonio headquarters, building go-to-market teams, focusing on category design, and investing in capital-efficient growth. Recent portfolio companies include Profitero, Searchspring, Chargify, and Earth Class Mail.

About Full Circle Insights

Full Circle Insights delivers marketing and sales performance measurement solutions to optimize a company's marketing mix and drive more revenue. The company offers multi-touch attribution, comprehensive funnel metrics, and lead management technology. Built 100% on the Salesforce Platform, Full Circle Insights' products complement leading marketing automation solutions. Founded by former Salesforce executives, CRM implementation veterans, and marketing automation specialists, the Full Circle Insights industry pioneers are seasoned in creating marketing measurement foundations to grow revenue.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Marielle Farmer

[email protected]

602-432-5555

SOURCE Full Circle Insights, Inc.
MILWAUKEE, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ademi LLP is investigating Denbury (NYSE: DEN) for possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law in its private placement and its transaction with ExxonMobil.

Click here to learn how to join the action https://www.ademilaw.com/case/denbury-inc or call Guri Ademi toll-free at 866-264-3995. There is no cost or obligation to you.

In the transaction, Denbury shareholders will receive only 0.84 shares of ExxonMobil for each Denbury share or $89.45 per share based on ExxonMobil's closing price on July 12, 2023 in an all-stock transaction valued at $4.9 billion. The transaction agreement unreasonably limits competing bids for Denbury by imposing a significant penalty if Denbury accepts a superior bid. Denbury insiders will receive substantial benefits as part of change of control arrangements.

We are investigating the conduct of Denbury's board of directors, and whether they are fulfilling their fiduciary duties to all shareholders.

If you own Denbury common stock and wish to obtain additional information, please contact Guri Ademi either at [email protected] or toll-free: 866-264-3995, or https://www.ademilaw.com/case/denbury-inc.

We specialize in shareholder litigation involving buyouts, mergers, and individual shareholder rights throughout the country. For more information, please feel free to call us. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contacts

Ademi LLP

Guri Ademi

Toll Free: (866) 264-3995

Fax: (414) 482-8001

SOURCE Ademi LLP
SHENYANG, China, July 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During the recent event of "Celebrating Hong Kong's Return to the Motherland" held at Victoria Park, Hong Kong, the "Shenhe Elements" of the cultural tourism industry of Shenhe District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, attracted significant attention.

"Shenhe Elements" of Shenyang's cultural tourism industry gain popularity in& Hong Kong. (PRNewsfoto/The Publicity Department of Shenhe District)

From June 30 to July 2 this year, to celebrate the 26th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Hong Kong Celebrations Association organized the event of Celebration at Victoria Park. During the event, intangible cultural heritage projects from Shenhe District, such as sugar figures, pyrography, and fruit pit carving, vividly showcased the distinguished characteristics of the "historic city with ancient charm" of Shenhe District. Local residents showed great affection and enthusiasm for the "Shenhe Elements", according to the Publicity Department of Shenhe District.

Shenhe District, located in the central area of Shenyang, stands out with its strong "soft" and "hard" power in the cultural tourism industry. It boasts cultural tourism development carriers such as the Shenyang Palace Museum, Shenyang Middle Street, and Shengjing Grand Theater, and serves as a concentration zone of historical and cultural heritage in Northeast China. Moreover, it functions as a regional cultural and creative center, a national cultural export base, and a comprehensive pilot zone for expanding the opening up of the national service industry.

In the future, Shenhe District will make every effort to promote Shenyang Middle Street as a hundred-billion-level business district, connecting surrounding streets and alleys, collaborating with top commercial real estate developers, introducing leading commercial complexes, and creating distinctive themed street blocks such as the Northeastern slow living and leisure district and the high-end luxury district with various treasures. By relying on open spaces and alleys and introducing immersive interactive experiences such as Han Chinese Clothing street snaps, themed performances, and cultural and creative markets, it aims to build a model for the revival of the ancient city and lead the development of the cultural tourism industry in Northeast China.

Image Attachments Links:

Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=441445

Caption: "Shenhe Elements" of Shenyang's cultural tourism industry gain popularity in Hong Kong.

SOURCE The Publicity Department of Shenhe District
NEW YORK, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- South Street Securities Holdings, Inc. is delighted to announce that South Street Securities LLC has been honored with the Americas Repo Team of the Year award at the Securities Finance Times Industry Excellence Awards. The awards ceremony, held on July 6, 2023 at London's Plaisterers' Hall, recognized the company's outstanding performance and exceptional teamwork.

Habiba Greenland, Managing Director for the South Street Securities UK Representative Office, shared, "It was an honour to accept this recognition, which highlights the dedication and hard work of our Repo team."

The Securities Finance Times Industry Excellence Awards celebrate the remarkable achievements of companies and individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the securities finance industry. This recognition underscores the commitment, innovation and excellence demonstrated by the winners and finalists.

Jason Schuit, Co-Chief Investment Officer at South Street Securities, added, "We are proud to be recognized as industry leaders and remain committed to providing exceptional service and driving innovation in the securities finance landscape. This award is a testament to our client-centric approach and relentless pursuit of excellence in the repo market."

Matrix Applications LLC ("Matrix Applications"), a financial technology affiliate of South Street Securities, was shortlisted for two prestigious categories: Post Trade Technology Provider of the Year and Operations Team of the Year. This recognition further highlights the dedication to excellence shared by both South Street Securities and Matrix Applications.

About South Street Securities Holdings, Inc.

South Street Securities Holdings, Inc. operates through its subsidiaries. Affiliates include South Street Securities LLC, a repo dealer financing US Treasuries, Agency MBS, TBA mortgage origination hedging and equity finance, Matrix Applications, LLC, a technology and back-office services company, South Street Capital Management, LLC, an asset management company, and AmeriVet Securities, Inc., a service-disabled veteran and minority owned broker dealer.

Contact

Colleen Judge

[email protected]

SOURCE South Street Securities Holdings, Inc.
SAN DIEGO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TAVO Media Group, a leading marketing and media agency, is proud to announce its partnership with Tutor Doctor, a worldwide franchise offering tutoring services for all ages. Through this collaboration, TAVO Media Group will leverage its expertise to further the Tutor Doctor brand locally with its location in Mount Vernon, New York.

"Tutor Doctor's dedication to personalized education aligns perfectly with TAVO's mission to provide customized solutions for our clients," said TAVO Media Group CEO Bryant Walker. "We are thrilled to partner with Tutor Doctor and support their efforts to help students achieve academic success."

"We are thrilled to partner with TAVO Media Group to increase awareness for our unique services at Mount Vernon," said Elliott Phipps, Owner of Tutor Doctor. "Their expertise in marketing and media will help us better serve the local community and surrounding areas with the highest quality tutoring and success rate for individuals seeking to improve their learning capabilities."

TAVO Media Group and Tutor Doctor Mount Vernon will develop innovative marketing strategies and media campaigns that resonate with students and families. Together, they will make a positive impact on student's lives and help them achieve academic success.

"We believe that education is the key to success, and we are proud to work with Tutor Doctor to make quality education accessible to more individuals," added Elliott. "We look forward to a successful partnership and are confident that together we can make a difference in the lives of many students."

Tutor Doctor Mount Vernon offers both in-person and online tutoring services, making it easy for students in Westchester, the Bronx, and surrounding areas to get the academic support they need when they need it. Whether a student requires assistance with math, science, language arts, or any other subject, the experienced tutors provide personalized attention and instruction to stay ahead of the curve as they face learning challenges.

For more information, visit www.tavomediagroup.com and

https://www.tutordoctor.com/tutoring-services/ .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Anne Stendel

Public Relations Specialist

[email protected]

DIRECT: 818.297.2569

SOURCE TAVO Media Group
Contractors and businesses can see the industry-leading walls in person at a luncheon event hosted by the new owner

CHARLESTON, S.C., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Temporary Wall Systems (TWS), the first and leading full-service, temporary containment wall provider in the United States, will host a grand opening luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 13 at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites at 3025 W. Montague Avenue. The newest location, owned by military veteran and restoration and air quality expert Mario Colangelo, will be the first in South Carolina.

Temporary Wall Systems Charleston and owner Mario Colangelo (pictured) are opening a new location with a luncheon event on Thursday, July 13 at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Charleston.

Construction professionals and facility managers will be able to see a TWS wall installation set up in the hotel's meeting space. Attendees can examine the high-quality walls, explore customization capabilities and ask questions while enjoying lunch catered by local favorite, Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q.

"We welcome contractors, restoration experts and remodeling professionals looking for faster, easier temporary containment solutions," Colangelo said. "Come by, have some lunch and see what a difference TWS can make for your business. When you see how much time you can save and the waste you can eliminate, you'll want to use our full-service wall systems for every job."

He said that Temporary Wall Systems provides the ideal solution for clean, fast, sustainable temporary containment barriers for Charleston businesses as they renovate the city's older buildings.

"Temporary Wall Systems is the missing piece of the puzzle in the construction and renovation industry," Colangelo said. "The ability to separate the operational part of businesses from the construction and renovation of the business is a game-changer. We eliminate the need for contractors to use traditional building materials like drywall or plastic sheeting. This will reduce much of the waste associated with temporary containment barriers used for construction."

Colangelo was born and raised in Rochester, New York, but moved to Charleston after joining the U.S. Air Force in 1985. After his military service, he remained in the historic southern city with his wife, Jennifer. He has operated a restoration and indoor air quality business for more than 11 years and brings a wealth of expertise to his new business.

"I am very familiar with the commercial building space, including renovation and demolition," Colangelo said. "This enables me to see the difficulties businesses experience when they start a renovation process. Charleston is now one of the most attractive relocation destinations in the country. This migration from other states means the city's commercial building inventory is at a premium. TWS allows businesses to remain open during renovation while keeping customers, staff, and crew safe."

TWS Charleston will serve the Lowcountry, which includes Charleston, North Charleston, Hanahan, Goose Creek, Ladson, Mount Pleasant, Sullivans Island and Summerville, South Carolina.

Temporary Wall Systems' full-service model includes rental, delivery, installation, and removal of these versatile, time-saving wall systems. It provides containment solutions for hospitals, labs, airports, restaurants, retailers, hotels, data centers and more. The superior containment and customization are especially beneficial for renovation in occupied spaces like hospitals and restaurants.

TWS is part of HomeFront Brands, a family of emerging, franchised residential and commercial property service brands that offers integrated technology, data support, lead generation, business intelligence systems and training to its partners.

For more information about TWS Charleston, please visit https://tempwallsystems.com/locations/charleston/.

About Temporary Wall Systems:

Founded in 2017 and franchised since 2022, Temporary Wall Systems (TWS) is the first and leading full-service, rentable containment wall provider in the United States. TWS offers commercial contractors and facilities managers a turnkey alternative to labor-intensive interim containment methods like drywall. Construction professionals and business owners benefit from clean, safe and quiet business continuity during construction, renovation, or maintenance projects. Applications include healthcare, hospitality, public transportation, education, retail, and office facilities. TWS is part of HomeFront Brands, a platform company of emerging property service franchises. Explore the versatility of Temporary Wall Systems at https://tempwallsystems.com/.

About HomeFront Brands:

HomeFront Brands empowers entrepreneurs to create thriving franchised residential and commercial property service brands. Driven by an experienced team of franchise executives and rooted in family values, HomeFront Brands helps emerging or established concepts accelerate their growth by delivering enterprise-level solutions to local business owners who aspire to build a dynasty and create generational wealth. By leveraging integrated technology, data-driven intelligence and advanced learning management systems, HomeFront Brands is building a foundation for its brands -- Window Hero, The Designery, Temporary Wall Systems, BiltRite Home Inspections, Top Rail Fence and Mozzie Dome  to transform lives through franchise ownership.

For more information about HomeFront Brands' current solutions, new business development, and franchising opportunities, please visit https://homefrontbrands.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE HomeFront Brands
BEIJING, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During the 29th Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF), The 3rd Sunshine Reading Program, initiated by China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (SCLF) and China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Co., Ltd (CNPIEC), was launched in Beijing on June 18th, 2023.

With "My Book, My Dream" as the theme, many well-known Chinese educational publishers participated in the 3rd Sunshine Reading Program including the Sinolingua (principal partner), People's Education Press, etc. In 3 months, the Program will be presenting Chinese books and Chinese language study products to overseas Sunshine Schools in Chinese embassies, hosting wonderful and diverse cultural exchange events, providing services to foreign Chinese language enthusiasts and Chinese learners, and implementing "global exhibit & sell season of Chinese learning books and products". Over a thousand titles of Chinese study books and products, such as The Sinolingua Reading Tree Series, China Close-Up, "Chinese Culture" For Intermediate And Advanced Grades(1-5 Issues), will be highly recommended to young Chinese learners. They will also be exhibited for sale both in offline channels including bookstores, international Chinese schools and online channels, Chinese Publications Online Selection Platform (cnbook1.cnpiec.com.cn) and CHINA BOOKS store (https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1101694463, https://china-books-store.myshopify.com/). As a new channel for CNPIEC to expand overseas retail, the online bookstore of CHINA BOOKS covers more than 220 countries and regions with targeted services to the global market.

Meanwhile, 6 Junior Sunshine Ambassadors from SCLF visited nine cooperative exhibitors, for example, The Commercial Press, The Encyclopedia of China Publishing House, to introduce Chinese books and culture to the world during the BIBF. Welcome to pay more attention to SUNSHINE READING PROGRAM.

SOURCE CHINA PUBLICATIONS IMPORT AND EXPORT (GROUP) CORPORATION
Residents and visitors can join specially curated, year-long calendar of events for the Golden Jubilee across the 16-island archipelago

NASSAU, Bahamas, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Monday, 10 July marked the 50th Anniversary of Independence for The Bahamas, a resilient Caribbean destination brimming with natural beauty, rich culture, longstanding traditions, and true Bahamian pride. To celebrate this incredible milestone, the 16-island destination invited travellers to join Bahamians in embracing their way of life and discovered why it was deserving of a Golden Jubilee.

"The immense pride that I, alongside my Bahamian brothers and sisters, experienced this Independence Day, was seen, heard and felt throughout each of our 16 islands," said the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. "On our day of independence, 10 July and every day after, we celebrate our people, culture and natural beauty that has shaped our country into what it is today."

From the pulsating sounds and sights of Junkanoo throughout Nassau, Grand Bahama and the Out Islands to the colours of the Bahamian flag beaming from the Empire State Building in New York City, The Bahamas Golden Jubilee shone well beyond its shores.

Visitors are encouraged to continue celebrating the destination's 50 Years of Independence throughout the year by immersing themselves into the true spirit of The Bahamas. A few examples of how those can participate:

Discover the 50 Reasons to Love The Bahamas: From The Bahamas' unique geographical diversity, endless land and sea adventures and laidback island lifestyle, to its vibrant culture, historical landmarks and unexpected experiences, this list of "50 Reasons to Love The Bahamas" will leave visitors with a deeper understanding of the destination, beyond the beaches.

From The unique geographical diversity, endless land and sea adventures and laidback island lifestyle, to its vibrant culture, historical landmarks and unexpected experiences, this list of "50 Reasons to Love The Bahamas" will leave visitors with a deeper understanding of the destination, beyond the beaches. Engage in Cultural Celebrations Throughout the 16 Islands : From Junkanoo rush outs and fireworks to cultural festivals, regattas and markets, there are plenty of ways now through December 2023 to celebrate The Bahamas Golden Jubilee.

: From Junkanoo rush outs and fireworks to cultural festivals, regattas and markets, there are plenty of ways now through to celebrate The Bahamas Golden Jubilee. Support Local Businesses & Artists: Honour The Bahamas by shopping at locally owned Bahamian businesses across the islands or see the destination through Bahamian artists' eyes by visiting local art galleries, studios and exhibitions.

Honour The by shopping at locally owned Bahamian businesses across the islands or see the destination through Bahamian artists' eyes by visiting local art galleries, studios and exhibitions. Dive into Local Bahamian History: Take a break from the beach, and head to the many cultural landmarks and historical museums that can be found on each of The Bahamas' 16 islands. There are endless traditions and unexpected stories waiting to be discovered.

The Bahamas' tourism economy has experienced quite a transformative year leading up to its golden anniversary, having welcomed more than 4.2 million travellers to its shores through May, well on the path to meeting the goal of 8 million visitors in 2023. The Bahamas remains at the top of travellers' bucket lists, and with new, first-ever non-stop flights from major markets, a cutting-edge new cruise port, recent hotel openings and one-of-a-kind experiences across the islands, there's no better time than now to visit The Bahamas.

"There is so much to experience every day throughout the Islands of The Bahamas, but this year, a visit is made even more special with the ongoing celebration of our 50th Anniversary of Independence igniting a renewed sense of energy to the destination," said Latia Duncombe, Director General of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. "The strength of our visitor numbers is a testament to beauty of our destination and the hospitality of our people, and we look forward to continuing this momentum through the second half of this year."

To learn more about The Bahamas, and to learn more about how you can experience the year-long celebrations, visit Bahamas.com.

ABOUT THE BAHAMAS

The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50 miles off the coast of Florida, it offers a quick and easy way for travellers to escape their everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing, diving, boating, and thousands of miles of some of the Earth's most spectacular beaches for families, couples, and adventurers to explore. See why It's Better in The Bahamas at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram.

PRESS INQUIRIES

Anita Johnson-Patty

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

[email protected]

Weber Shandwick

Public Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation
ANAHEIM, Calif., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During a new episode of The Rebuild SoCal Zone podcast, Rebuild SoCal Partnership's Executive Director Jon Switalski hosts Adan Ortega, the Chair of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Ortega took office as chair on January 1st of this year.

The conversation focuses on the effects of the rain and storms in Southern California earlier this year, the challenges with building new water infrastructure, the future of water delivery in Southern California, and more. When discussing Southern California's water challenges, Ortega stressed that "this is urgent. The idea that we have to adapt to climate change is urgent."

Listeners can learn more about the following:

The value and importance of water

The impact of climate change on Southern California

MWD's Climate Adaptation Master Planning Process or "CAMP for Water"

What MWD is doing to help combat the effects of the record rainstorms Southern California experienced in early 2023

Listen to the podcast episode here: The Challenges and Opportunities of Water in Southern California

Listen to our previous episode here: Denise Cooper Talks Success and Growth in the Construction Industry

Follow us on Spotify for more episodes of The Rebuild SoCal Zone podcast.

Stay up-to-date on all infrastructure issues by signing up for the Rebuild SoCal Partnership newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

SOURCE Rebuild SoCal Partnership
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife take a photo with students at the Vietnam National University in Hanoi, June 22, 2023. Photo courtesy of the Office of the South Korean President

Vietnam currently leads Asia when it comes to the education of the Korean language, with over 60 schools teaching the language and 50,000 learners.

Thuy Ngan, 25, is a graduate in International Relations at the Academy of Journalism and Communication. She has spent over a decade learning Korean for an opportunity to study abroad in country much admired for is economic development.

Ngan came to love Korean through her love of pop idols.

As a fan of DBSK, a K-pop boy band, since she was in 5th grade, Ngan often copied their songs onto CD before listening to them on the computer, in a time when social media had yet to thrive as it does now.

"Every single item I had, from my bag to my pencil case, all had image of my idols. At fan club meetings, I was often the youngest," Ngan said, adding that she learned Korean herself to understand the songs meaning, as there were few schools or language centers teaching Korean at the time.

Not until she got into high school did Ngan ask her parents to let her "officially" study at a Korean language center.

Tran Thai Thi Tu Anh, 22, a fourth-year college student majoring in Korean Culture and Language at the University of Languages and International Studies, said she studies Korean because of her mother's advice.

"My mother saw the appearance of several South Korean corporations and companies in Vietnam, so she predicted there would be many jobs as well," Tu Anh said.

By her second year in university she was regularly freelance teaching the Vietnamese to Korean people in Vietnam.

She is now working for a South Korean company making VND13 million ($550) a month.

Ngan and Tu Anh are two among over 50,000 people studying the Korean language in Vietnam. Whether wishing to learn more about Korean culture, or to seek opportunities for work or studying abroad the number of Vietnamese people learning Korean is likely to increase over the next few years, according to analysts.

Vietnam has the largest-scale and most comprehensive Korean language training and program in Asia, according to the office of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who visited the country recently to talk about this phenomenon and other strengthening ties between the two great nations.

"I know the Korean language has become popular with young people in Vietnam. Not just university students, but also with many in high school and middle school students," he said.

In 1993, Vietnam only had two universities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offering a major in the Korean language. Today, 60 universities and colleges in Vietnam offer the major, with the number of students at around 25,000.

Vietnam also leads when it comes to the number of international students in South Korea. There were 200 Vietnamese students studying in the country as of February. Around 40% of them came to South Korea to study the language.

Tran Thi Huong, head of the Korean Language and Culture Department of the University of Languages and International Studies, said people started to study Korean in large numbers ever since Vietnam and South Korea established diplomatic relations in December 1992.

Dang Thieu Ngan, director of external relations for Naver Vietnam, said more people are learning Korean thanks to the Hallyu wave, which introduced Korean films, cuisine, fashion and music to the population in the 1994-1996 period.

Huong young Vietnamese are studying Korean also for job opportunities.

Strong investments by South Korean corporations like Samsung, LG, Hyundai or Lotte Group into Vietnam has massive amounts of Vietnamese employed by Korean companies. By April, South Korea was the largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with total registered capital at $82 billion. The country also ranks second when it comes to ODA, and third when it comes to trade with Vietnam.

The starting salary of students graduating from Korean language major is around VND9-15 million a month, and can increase to VND20 million in 2-3 years, Huong said.

"Freelance interpreters with strong skills can be paid $3,000-5,000," she said. The average monthly salary of a Vietnamese is currently at around VND6.7 million.

A 2019 survey by the University of Languages and International Studies revealed that the rate of language graduates securing jobs after graduation is highest among those studying Korean, at 98%.

But all the Korean craze also comes with certain consequences, including a shortage of teachers. Huong said the shortage is most prominent at the high school level due to low salaries for teachers.

The work market is also getting more competitive. Students studying Korean used to find it easy to get jobs at South Korean businesses, but over the last few years, they have had to compete with more students who are transferring their majors to Korean after studying law, economics and finance, to boost their job prospects.

Ngan however said the shift is a good sign, forcing students to invest more in different skills and specialties to stand a better chance on the competitive job.

Tu Anh said she plans to seek a scholarship so she could study in South Korea after graduation. Ngan said she had been invited to interpret at several events for cultural and arts exchange involving the Korean language, and she also helped South Korean students move to Vietnam for work.

"The Korean language has changed my life and brought me opportunities I never expected," Ngan said.
10-Year Commitment Renews Trusted Relationship Between Two Family-Run Companies

TUKWILA, Wash., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Krusteaz Company, maker of some of the best-loved breakfast, baking and snack brands in the industry, announces it has extended its longstanding partnership with Siemer Milling Company signing a new 10-year contract. Building upon a successful 25-year relationship, Siemer Milling Company is The Krusteaz Company's largest ingredient supplier, providing 180M pounds of flour every year and is the principal wheat flour supplier for the company's Effingham, IL facility and sole supplier for the Hopkinsville, KY facility.

Left to right: Mike Meredith, SVP, Operations at The Krusteaz Company, Andy Heily, President & CEO at The Krusteaz Company (3rd generation family leader of Krusteaz Co.), Rick Siemer, President & CEO at Siemer Milling Company (5th generation family leader at Siemer) and Red Tegeler, Sr. Vice President Strategic Initiatives at Siemer Milling Company, and instrumental in establishing the flour pipe connection and infrastructure at The Krusteaz Company Hopkinsville, KY facility.

"The Siemer Milling Company team has truly been an extension of our family at The Krusteaz Company, and the last 25 years have been a wonderful example of what partnerships should look like," said Andy Heily, President and CEO of The Krusteaz Company. "We're happy to work so closely with another like-minded family-run business and look forward to the continued collaboration for many years to come."

The Krusteaz Company has operated in Effingham, IL since 2013 when it purchased the facility, and the company has invested in expansion and renovations in the past several years. The facility has created line capabilities to service Krusteaz branded Gluten Free baking and pancake mix products as well as new capabilities in frozen foods making Red Lobster Frozen Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Siemer Milling Company employs 90 people at its office and mill in Teutopolis, Illinois, which is just down the road from The Krusteaz Company's Effingham facility.

The Krusteaz Company has also operated its largest manufacturing facility in Hopkinsville, KY since 1999, adjacent to Siemer Milling Company where an average of 500,000 pounds of flour per day is transferred through a pipe that connects the two facilities. Hopkinsville is also officially known as the Batter Capital of the World, bringing together industries from farm to table and recognized for its production of globally recognizable food products, including products made by The Krusteaz Company and Siemer Milling Company.

"I don't think we could be on better terms with a customer than we are with The Krusteaz Company! It goes beyond a relationship, beyond a partnership, to a friendship, and it definitely works to our mutual benefit," said Rick Siemer, President & CEO of Siemer Milling Company.

As two reputable and longstanding local employers in their areas, the companies look forward to continuing mutual success and community impact through economic growth, employment opportunities and developing local partnerships.

The Krusteaz Company is focused on the power of food to inspire joyful connection through making, baking and sharing. Its Krusteaz brand, known for its iconic pancake and waffle mix, is sold in every major retailer across the United States, making over 100 different products including mixes for pancakes, waffles, muffins, quick breads, cookies, dessert bars, cornbread, crumb cakes and a line of Gluten Free products as well as high protein and whole grain options.

In addition to its Hopkinsville and Effingham facilities, The Krusteaz Company also manufactures at its hometown facility in Kent, Washington as well as in Manhattan, Kansas, and is headquartered in Tukwila, Washington.

For more information about Krusteaz products, visit www.Krusteaz.com.

ABOUT THE KRUSTEAZ COMPANY

Continental Mills, Inc., dba The Krusteaz Company is a third generation, family-owned maker of some of the best-loved breakfast, baking and snack brands. Under the portfolio of breakfast and baking is flagship brand Krusteaz, as well as Kretschmer Wheat Germ, Albers Cornmeal and Grits, Alpine Cider, and several licensed product extensions. The Krusteaz Company's snacking portfolio includes WildRoots Trail Mixes and Buck Wild snack mixes sold in Retail and Club stores. The Krusteaz Company headquarters is in Tukwila, WA, just outside of Seattle, and products are sold through retail, foodservice, and club store channels throughout the United States.

The Krusteaz Company employs 800+ employees and is committed to addressing food insecurity in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America through the "Feeding Great Futures" initiative, as well as work with Food Lifeline, Feeding America and other local non-profit organizations.

For more information, visit www.TheKrusteazCompany.com.

ABOUT SIEMER MILLING COMPANY

Siemer Milling Company is family- and employee-owned, and dates its origin back to 1882. It operates three wheat flour mills in Teutopolis, IL, Hopkinsville, KY, and West Harrison, IN. The company employs 190 people.

For more information, visit https://www.siemermilling.com/

SOURCE The Krusteaz Company
Two Beloved Chicago Staples Join forces for a Limited-Time Pop-Up Event

CHICAGO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Get ready to savor the quintessential taste of Chicago as The Original Rainbow Cone brings its legendary five-flavor magic to Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen . From July 18th through the 23rd, indulge in the perfect blend of tradition and taste at this remarkable pop-up event.

Bringing the beloved tradition of The Original Rainbow Cone's five-flavor magic right to the heart of Chicago at Manny's Deli, from July 18th through the 23rd!

The Original Rainbow Cone and Manny's Deli are two of Chicago's longest-standing restaurants, both proudly family-owned and operated. With this special collaboration, they aim to create a unique culinary experience that combines the rich heritage of two beloved Chicago staples. For a limited time, visitors can enjoy the best of both worlds in one setting.

As part of Manny's Sweet Summer series, the exciting pop-up event is set to unfold at Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen at 1141 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60607. It will run from July 18th to July 23rd, providing an exclusive opportunity for food enthusiasts to relish the flavors of Rainbow Cone alongside the classic offerings of Manny's Deli.

Dates & Times:

Tuesday, July 18th: 12:00pm-8:00pm

Wednesday, July 19th: 12:00pm-8:00pm

Thursday, July 20: 12:00pm-8:00pm

Friday, July 21: 12:00pm-8:00pm

Saturday, July 22: 12:00pm-8:00pm

Sunday, July 23: 11:00am-3:30pm

"We are thrilled to partner with The Original Rainbow Cone for this exciting pop-up event," said Dan Raskin, 4th generation owner of Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen. "This collaboration allows us to offer our customers an extraordinary culinary experience where they can enjoy our classic deli offerings alongside the beloved flavors of Rainbow Cone."

Lynn Sapp, third-generation Owner of The Original Rainbow Cone also expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration. "We're excited to bring the magic of Rainbow Cone to Manny's Deli and join forces with another Chicago staple," said Sapp. This collaboration is a celebration of our shared commitment to quality, family and tradition."

In celebration of National Ice Cream Month (July), this extraordinary collaboration invites everyone to immerse themselves in the vibrant culinary heritage of Chicago. From Rainbow Cone's iconic flavors to Manny's renowned corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, the pop-up event promises a delicious experience that reflects the city's diverse and delicious food scene.

For more information, please visit https://rainbowcone.com and https://www.mannysdeli.com/ .

About The Original Rainbow Cone:



The Original Rainbow Cone serves ice cream featuring extraordinary flavors and textures, including the world-famous 5-flavor "Rainbow Cone'', shakes, ice cream cakes & sandwiches, mini donuts, and memories dedicated to last forever. After opening in 1926, the "Rainbow Cone'' received its fame and quickly became the most unique ice cream cone anyone has ever seen. As Rainbow Cone works to expand locations and showcase its new adventures the company is excited to share their love for Rainbow Cone's signature sliced cone with even more communities. The Original Rainbow Cone is also available for nationwide shipping via Goldbelly. With nine permanent locations scattered across Illinois, one location in Indiana and more locations coming soon to Tennessee and Florida, Rainbow Cone is on a mission to sweeten new markets nationwide. For more information about Rainbow Cone's franchise program, visit https://rainbowconefranchise.com or follow the rainbow on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

About Manny's Deli



Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen is a no-frills restaurant with classic deli food, including its famous corned beef, serving the Chicago-area since 1942. The Chicago-favorite restaurant has been graced by the likes of Barack Obama and Mayor Richard Daley. The family-owned Near South Side cafe has spanned four generations and celebrates its 80th year in business in 2022. For more information visit Manny's Deli.

SOURCE The Original Rainbow Cone
SILVER SPRING, Md., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The TSC Alliance lauds the Alabama State Legislature, in particular Rep. Chris Pringle, for appropriating funding to support the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) TSC Center of Excellence. The UAB TSC Center of Excellence, located in Birmingham, was the first of its kind in the Southeast, serving patients with an established or suspected diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).

The additional funding will be targeted to support the TSC Clinic infrastructure and the UAB TSC research program. The UAB TSC Clinic is a TSC Alliance Center of Excellence and is co-directed by Martina Bebin, MD, MPA, and Bruce Korf, MD, PhD.

"The TSC Alliance is incredibly grateful to Alabama State Legislature and Representative Chris Pringle, TSC Alliance Endowment Fund Chair Marion Adams and TSC Alliance of Greater Alabama Chair Margaret Cox for their leadership in securing this important funding," said Kari Luther Rosbeck, TSC Alliance President & CEO. "Dr. Bebin along with her team have been at the forefront of both TSC research and TSC patient care for many years, including serving as the primary investigator for the landmark PREVeNT Study ( Pr eventing E pilepsy using V igabatrin in I n fants with T SC)the first preventative trial in the United States for any form of epilepsy. This additional state funding will bolster the center's efforts to further cutting-edge clinical studies and better support everyone in Alabama affected by the disease."

"It was my pleasure to help get this funding resolution passed," said Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile. "I'm happy so many Alabama families will benefit from further TSC research."

"We are extremely grateful to the State of Alabama for this funding, which will provide the UAB TSC Clinic support and enable us to move forward with research projects which aim to identify the TSC risk factors in infants and young children for developing epilepsy and intellectual disabilities," Bebin said.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disease that causes tumors to grow in different organs and can impair their function, primarily the brain, heart, kidneys, skin, eyes and lungs. Changes in the brain caused by TSC have the biggest impact on quality of life, from seizures and developmental delays to intellectual disabilities, behavioral challenges and autism. In fact, TSC is the leading genetic cause of epilepsy, including infantile spasms. A strong correlation also exists between TSC and autisman estimated 40-50% of individuals with TSC have autism spectrum disorder.

About the TSC Alliance

The TSC Alliance is an internationally recognized nonprofit that does everything it takes to improve the lives of people with TSC. It drives research, improves quality care, works to increase access and advocates for all affected by the disease. For more information, visit tscalliance.org.

Contact:

Jaye Isham

Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications

TSC Alliance

(301) 562-9890 | [email protected]

SOURCE TSC Alliance
DUBLIN, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "UAE Doors & Windows Market By Product Type (Doors & Windows), By Material Type (Wood, Aluminum, Glass, Others (Steel, PVC, etc.)), By End User, By Distribution Channel, By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2018-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The UAE Doors & Windows Market is set to experience robust growth in the forecast period, driven by the surge in infrastructure projects across the country.

As part of its drive to expand land area, particularly for tourism purposes, the UAE has undertaken ambitious initiatives such as the creation of new islands. With billions of dollars being invested in infrastructure development, the doors & windows market is witnessing a significant boost. Doors and windows serve as essential movable barriers, providing access to the interiors of buildings, walls, and partitions.

Advancements in technology have revolutionized lifestyles, incorporating automation features such as sensors in doors and windows. While initially prevalent in the commercial sector, these technological advancements have permeated residential, educational, and other sectors, enhancing convenience and functionality.

UAE Vision 2031 changing the fortune



The United Arab Emirates has invested billions in infrastructure to boost the door and window market. Known for its tourism sector, the UAE is looking to expand its footprint in residential, commercial, and other sectors as well.



One of the main reasons for the expansion of the United Arab Emirates is the country does not want to rely on oil and gas, which has been its backbone since its inception. Vision 2031 aims to give the UAE government income from sectors other than oil & gas.



The country is also expecting to increase in FDI per year with the rapid urbanization of Dubai or Abu Dhabi and other emirates. UAE also gained an increase of 4% in its FDI in 2021 compared to 2020.



Latest Developments in UAE Doors & Windows Market



The UEA government is focused on increasing residential units in the country as the government aims to hand over 10,000 residential units by the end of 2022. Dubai plans to have 15,800 homes ready by the year 2026 for its nationals. These projects are expected to propel the UAE doors & windows market in the future.



Many hospitality projects, such as The Heart of Europe, which is a group of six islands in The World (Dubai), Atlantis, and the Royal and Wynn Resorts, are upcoming projects in the country. These projects are billions of dollars driving the growth of the doors & windows market in UAE.



UAE has a hot weather climate where the temperature rises above 50 degree Celsius with furious sandstorms. The country has started using UPVC windows and doors, which protects against harsh climate that requires little maintenance; with the temperature increasing every year due to UAE's geographic location, the market of UPVC doors & windows rising in the upcoming future.



Increasing Cost of Upcoming Models



As technology is increasing, the market is inclined towards automation, sensors, sound-proof doors, and windows. Therefore, the cost also has started increasing, which makes these models only for the premium segment population, causing a hindrance in the growth of the market.

Competitive Landscape



Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the UAE Doors & Windows market.

Glassium Industries LLC

Euwin FZC

Oryx Door Systems LLC

Goodwill uPVC Doors & Windows LLC

Cherwell Interiors

Tamco Gulf Ltd.

Swift Rooms LLC

AL Mimari Industrial L.L.C Abu Dhabi

Belmont Glass And Aluminium Cont.

Golden Tower Metal Industries LLC

Report Scope:



UAE Doors & Windows Market, By Product Type:

Windows

Doors

UAE Doors & Windows Market, By Material Type:

Aluminum

Wood

Glass

Others (Steel, PVC, etc.)

UAE Doors & Windows Market, By End User:

Residential

Commercial

Hospitality

Office

Education

Kitchen

Others (Healthcare, Industrial, Airports, etc.)

UAE Doors & Windows Market, By Distribution Channel:

Direct

Indirect

UAE Doors & Windows Market, By Region:

Dubai

Abu-Dhabi

Sharjah

Other Emirates

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fsgss9

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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SOURCE Research and Markets
YUMA, Ariz., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Unite Private Networks (UPN), a leading provider of high-capacity, fiber-based communication networks, is pleased to announce a network expansion into Yuma, AZ.

The expansion will bring 70 miles of new, high-count fiber-optic infrastructure throughout Yuma, yielding over 2,450 serviceable buildings. UPN will also establish a network hub in Yuma and deploy diverse connectivity to UPN's network in Denver for enhanced network resiliency.

Carrier customers in the area will now have access to Optical Ethernet and Internet Access powered by a low-latency, carrier-grade, 100 percent fiber-optic network. Beyond services, UPN will invest in the community and network by employing a local operations team to install and maintain service.

Jeremy Andrews, Group Vice President of Strategic Networks, shared the company's excitement regarding the expansion into Yuma: "We are delighted to introduce our high-capacity fiber-optic network to Yuma. Our goal is to provide local carriers with reliable and efficient high-speed fiber services, and we look forward to partnering with the community to ensure their connectivity needs are met with utmost satisfaction."

For more information about our fiber network or other cities we cater to, take a look at our fiber map.

About Unite Private Networks: Together, Segra and Unite Private Networks (UPN) own and operate a wide and dense fiber-optic infrastructure footprint that provides state-of-the-art connectivity, cybersecurity, cloud and collaboration solutions, all backed by industry leading service and reliability. Serving over 8,000 customers in close to 30 states, both companies combined have over 40,000 fiber route miles, and have been providing customer focused solutions for over 150 years. Segra and UPN have joined to form a standalone fiber company owned by Cox Communications, to accelerate growth in commercial fiber solutions. For more information, visit segra.com and upnfiber.com.

Media Contact:

Brandi Tubb

816-903-9400

[email protected]com

SOURCE Unite Private Networks
DAYTON, Ohio, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UnlistedHomes.com, the leading off-market real estate platform, launched the first universal AI-powered home search engine today. All users can now find their next home using natural language. The technology is backed by ChatGPT, an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tool developed by OpenAI.

UnlistedHomes.com home page featuring the first-ever real estate search powered by ChatGPT, available standard for all users. Photo credit: Unlisted Software, Inc. UnlistedHomes.com search results powered by ChatGPT. Photo credit: Unlisted Software, Inc.

"Unlisted is thrilled to be the first real estate technology to offer ChatGPT-enabled home search to all our users," said Katie Hill, Unlisted's founder and CEO. "This innovation aligns with our commitment to connect people and real estate in all new ways to create more opportunities for buyers, sellers, agents, and the industry as a whole."

This development marks a significant milestone in property search by allowing buyers to find their dream homes using conversational search terms, for example: "Show me homes with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms between $750,000 and $900,000 in Upper Arlington, OH."

Real estate search capabilities have not changed significantly since property listings moved online more than fifteen years ago. Historically, online home search engines have limited users to selecting criteria one attribute at a time, often requiring seven or more specifications before revealing search results. Unlisted's ChatGPT integration provides a more streamlined mechanism where users simply type a description of the home they desire into an open text box.

The software then translates users' words into complex queries of UnlistedHomes.com's massive database of more than 121M homes in the U.S. The result is a list of homes curated specifically for the buyer.

"Unlisted's ChatGPT integration represents one example of the immense potential of AI technology to revolutionize the real estate industry," said Henri Hegemier, Unlisted's CTO. "We're demonstrating a very practical application of large language models, helping users find their ideal homes more efficiently and intuitively than ever before."

This isn't the first example of Unlisted's non-traditional approach to real estate. Since launching in 2022, Unlisted continues to be the only residential real estate platform giving attention to off-market properties instead of properties listed for sale nationally. Unlisted allows buyers to find off-market homes they like and send personal notes and care packages with treats like chocolate bars and cookies to the homes' owners. Owners are then able to respond to buyers through a secure and anonymous chat at UnlistedHomes.com where the two parties explore the possibility of a home sale now or in the future.

About Unlisted Software, Inc.: Unlisted Software, Inc. (Unlisted) is a revolutionary residential real estate technology platform where "off-market is no longer off-limits." The company focuses exclusively on homes not listed for sale, allowing off-market homeowners to connect with buyers and buyers' agents to explore the possibility of a sale now or in the future. Unlisted's cloud-based software leverages AI and machine learning technology uniquely designed to reveal and align previously untapped real estate opportunities for buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and the industry as a whole. Unlisted operates UnlistedHomes.com and Agents.UnlistedHomes.com.

Contact:

Sophia Jacomet

Unlisted Software, Inc.

P: 937.418.6622

E: [email protected]

SOURCE Unlisted Homes
$35 Million Award enables Rapidly Deployable Battlefield Communications Mesh Network for IBCS

LOS ANGELES, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Silvus Technologies, Inc. ("Silvus"), a global leader of advanced wireless networking communication systems, today announced that the United States Army Integrated Fires Mission Command (IFMC), through a directed procurement to Northrop Grumman Corporation, has awarded Silvus a $35 million contract for acquisition of Silvus' MANET Antenna Integrated Radio System (AIRS). Silvus' AIRS is a rapidly deployable antenna and radio solution capable of 360-degree coverage that will create a robust battlefield communications mesh network for the U.S. Army's Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS).

Developed in partnership with Northrop Grumman, the Silvus AIRS is a modified version of the recently announced Silvus TRINITY Integrated Antenna and Radio System. It features a unique tri-lobe high-gain transceiver antenna array and integrated Silvus StreamCaster MANET radios capable of extended link range. Additionally, its built-in dual frequency bands allow for deployment flexibility at both the command shelter and remotely as a communications relay station. Silvus AIRS was selected due to its ability to rapidly create a strong and secure communications network in dynamically changing operational environments.

U.S. Army Selects Silvus Antenna Integrated Radio System for Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) Tweet this

"In partnership with Northop Grumman, Silvus is delivering on the U.S. Army's Air and Missile Defense modernization strategy, to create an Integrated Battle Command System with low latency, high throughput C2 and communication capabilities," said Mike Kell, Silvus Director of Army Strategic Accounts, Retired Signal Corps Colonel. "Silvus' innovative AIRS enables the fusing of multi-service sensors to multi-service weapons, demonstrating the Army's contribution to Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) capabilities and enabling distributed operations."

Learn more about the StreamCaster family of MANET radios on the Silvus website and follow Silvus on LinkedIn .

About Silvus Technologies, Inc.

Privately held and headquartered in Los Angeles, Silvus Technologies develops advanced MIMO technologies that are reshaping broadband wireless connectivity for mission critical applications. Backed by an unmatched team of PhD scientists and design engineers, its technologies provide enhanced wireless data throughput, interference mitigation, improved range, mobility, and robustness to address the growing needs of its government and commercial customers. Learn more at https://silvustechnologies.com .

Media Contact: Keith Swenson, Phone: 310.614.9897, [email protected]

Sales Contact: Jimi Henderson, Phone: 310.479.3333, [email protected]

SOURCE Silvus Technologies, Inc.
Industry Veteran Joins the Firm's Female-led Leadership Team Amid Increasing Demand for Efficient, Reliable Fund Administration Services

SAN FRANCISCO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vector, the modern fund administration service provider for closed-end funds, proudly announces the appointment of Kristina Dayback as its Chief Operating Officer. With this strategic addition to Vector's leadership team, the company solidifies its position as the premier female-led fund administrator in the industry. Supported by Vector's groundbreaking software solution, Valence, the company continues to redefine the landscape of fund administration.

Vector proudly announces the appointment of Kristina Dayback as its Chief Operating Officer. Tweet this Vector Managing Partner and CEO Molly Yakubian and COO Kristina Dayback

In today's dynamic financial landscape, Vector stands out as a refreshing, relatable, client-centric service provider, renowned for its commitment to excellence and industry expertise. The appointment of Kristina Dayback marks a pivotal moment for Vector, further strengthening its leadership team and reinforcing its dedication to diversity, innovation, and outstanding service.

Kristina joins the Vector team with a wealth of experience in building and managing high-performing back-office teams for private equity and venture capital firms. Her deep industry expertise, coupled with her commitment to efficiency and precision, will significantly bolster Vector's operational capabilities and enhance its ability to provide top-notch service to its clients. Kristina's extensive track record includes working with 1,000+ funds of various sizes and objectives, spanning alternative asset investment strategies. Prior to joining Vector, Kristina co-founded Carta's fund administration practice and played a key role in overseeing administration for numerous firms and entities at VMS Fund Administration.

"I am delighted to join Vector as it continues to grow, meeting the increasing demand from clients who recognize the importance of efficient and reliable fund administration services," Kristina shared. "The challenges venture capital funds face in the current landscape are immense, and I'm eager to work with Vector to provide innovative solutions and exceptional service. Together, we will redefine what it means to be a trusted partner."

As COO, Kristina will focus on streamlining administrative processes to ensure the seamless delivery of timely, accurate, and personable client services. With the addition of Kristina to the executive team, Vector will continue to cultivate a culture of continuous learning, mentorship, and professional development, and build a team of skilled experts capable of handling the complexities of fund administration.

Molly Yakubian, Managing Partner & CEO of Vector, expressed her excitement about Kristina's appointment, stating, "We are ecstatic to welcome Kristina to the Vector family. Her proven leadership, industry experience, and unwavering commitment to excellence align perfectly with our vision of delivering top-tier talent and service. With Kristina on board, we proudly stand as the premier closed-end fund administrator, setting new industry standards."

About Vector

Vector is a premier, white-glove fund administrator for closed-end alternative investment vehicles. Combining cutting-edge technology, top-tier talent, and innovative workflows, Vector offers comprehensive integrated fund services for private equity and venture capital funds. Enhanced by its industry-redefining software, Valence, Vector's experienced team can conquer complex challenges with flexibility and agility, delivering exceptional, reliable service and solutions to its clients.

Learn more at VectorAIS.com.

SOURCE Vector AIS
BEIJING, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The World IoT Top 500 Summit 2023, as a prelude to the World Internet of Things Convention 2023 (WIOTC 2023), was successfully held recently in Beijing. Government officials, ambassadors and counsellors from over 20 countries including China, France, Switzerland, Brazil, Pakistan and other countries, as well as international organization representatives from UNESCO and Diplomatic Council participated in this summit. The 2023 World IoT Ranking List Top 500 (WIOTRL Top 500) was officially released at the summit.

The companies on the 2023 WIOTRL Top 500, which are selected from over 90 countries, are mainly specialized in IoT technology and digital economy. According to the order of category, the ranking list is divided into "Gold", "Silver", "Industry", "Bronze" and "Potential" lists. Microsoft, Huawei, CASIC, IBM, Siemens, Haier and Intel topped this year's ranking list. The ranking represents the development trend of digital economy which is fully interconnected. The enterprises on the list contribute to over 50% of global GDP output of digital economy. Meanwhile, they lead in promoting the innovative development of IoT digital economy. The WIOTRL Top 500 has become the most authoritative ranking list focusing on the development of IoT digital economy.

Check the complete list here: http://wiotc.org/en/news/344.html

The application procedure of 2024 WIOTRL Top 500 will be launched in September 2023. The application is open to global enterprises across sectors.

Here is the application link: http://www.wiotrl.com

The World Internet of Things Convention, or WIOTC, is an innovative and nonprofit IoT international convention organization with global impact. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres participated in and delivered a speech to the WIOTC. His important speech was announced on the official website of the United Nations. The WIOTC 2023 will be convened from November 20 to 21, 2023 in Beijing. Themed "New IoT, New Economy, New Era", the annual convention will consist of Opening Ceremony, World New Economic Forum, Ambassador Forum as well as ten plus parallel forums covering industry, agriculture, energy, vehicle, finance, AI, etc. Meanwhile, the related industrial commissions will be founded at the annual conference. We plan to invite the UN Secretary-General, state and government leaders from China, Brazil, Moldova, Pakistan and other countries, international organization leaders and corporate representatives to attend the annual convention. Welcome global companies to join us for this grand event.

View the website for WIOTC 2023: http://wiotc.org/en/events/convention/2023wiotc/

Media Contact:

Peijuan Wu, [email protected]

SOURCE WIOTC
The global remittance platform under Zepz expands Nigerian payout options to include Naira currency

LONDON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, WorldRemit , the global remittance platform within Zepz, announces Naira currency remittances as an expanded offering for Nigerian customers, available through bank transfer, airtime top up and at all cash pick-up locations throughout the country.

More than US$20 billion dollars was remitted into Nigeria last year by the nearly 1.5 million Nigerian migrants around the world, making the nation the 8th largest remittance receiving country globally. Remittances account for more than 4% of Nigeria's total economy, making the swift, effective delivery of funds vital at an individual level, but also as a driver of economic stability for the nation.

With the ability to send funds in Naira, Nigerians are now able to make a greater impact with their monies, and take advantage of lucrative exchange rates into the nation. We know that 1 in 9 people worldwide rely on money sent from friends and relatives who have migrated abroad for work. This allows migrants to make a world of difference with their regular remittance behaviours, and allow the recipients to do more with their received monies.

The International Monetary Fund has issued warnings to Nigeria against the movement towards dollarisation, as it has increased black market money movement, destabilised the role of the exchange rate, and created unrest for those who rely on remittances. With the newly appointed Central Bank of Nigeria governor's shift towards creating a safer path for Naira currency, Nigerians are able to feel safer about how they move money to their loved ones.

"With every innovation and feature we develop and invest in, customer needs are at the forefront of our minds," said Mark Lenhard, CEO, Zepz. "Enabling Naira currency for this expansive community is a necessary and obvious choice to ensure Nigerians around the world are able to access reliable, safe methods of money movement."

To send money in Naira, WorldRemit users simply select 'Nigeria NGN' and then have the option to select Cash Pick-Up for the receive method. In most cases, transfers sent using WorldRemit arrive within minutes, making sending money to loved ones easier than ever.

To learn more about sending Naira, visit worldremit.com .

About WorldRemit

We are a leading global payments company and, along with Sendwave, part of Zepz, a group powering two global remittance brands.

We disrupted an industry previously dominated by offline legacy players by taking international money transfers online  making them safer, faster and lower cost. We currently operate in more than 5,000 money transfer corridors worldwide and as part of Zepz, are part of a 1,400 person global workforce.

Sending money with WorldRemit is 100% digital (cashless), increasing convenience and enhancing security. For those receiving money, we offer a wide range of options, including bank transfer, cash pickup, airtime top up and mobile money.

Backed by Accel, TCV and Leapfrog  WorldRemit's headquarters are in London, United Kingdom, with regional offices in the United States, Poland, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Africa, Somaliland, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Belgium.

About Zepz

Zepz Group is the group powering leading global remittance brands: WorldRemit and Sendwave. Since 2021, Zepz Group has been disrupting an industry previously dominated by offline legacy players by reducing the barriers to finance and increasing safety and convenience for users. Every day, Zepz Group and its brands work towards unlocking the prosperity of cross-border communities through finance and technology - driven by the vision of a world that celebrates migrants' impact on prosperity, at home and abroad.

Zepz Group brands have helped cross-border communities send over $15bn from 50 countries, to recipients in 130 countries in 2022, and operate over 5,000 money transfer corridors worldwide. Zepz Group employs over 1,400 people globally as a remote-first employer, with team members located across six continents.

Media Contact:

Kelsey Costales

[email protected]

SOURCE WorldRemit
-To Enhance the Development of a Global Health Ecosystem

WAGENINGEN, Netherlands, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From July 5 to 6, 2023, the Open Innovation Forum was held on the campus of Wageningen University and Research (WUR), one of the world's top higher education institutions focusing on agricultural studies in the Netherlands. Organized by the Open Innovation (OI) Forum at the Institute for Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge, the event was hosted by StartLife, a specialised investment organization based in the Netherlands, and Yili Innovation Center Europe under the theme of "Disruptive Food Production Technologies." The purpose of the forum was to advance the upgrading and innovative application of global health food technologies, and in turn provide consumers with more comprehensive health solutions.

Open Innovation Forum jointly held by Yili Innovation Center Europe, the Institute for Manufacturing and StartLife in the Netherlands to Enhance the Development of a Global Health Ecosystem

During the forum, Mr. Dominic Oughton, Industrial Associate & Leader of OI Forum at the IfM, University of Cambridge, Dr. Maurits Burgering, Program Director at WUR, Ms. Annelies Schenk, Head of Innovation & Partnerships at StartLife, Mr. Hittjo Homan, Manager of Dairy Technology at Yili Innovation Center Europe, and Dr. Matthias Eisner, Senior Product & Process Technology Scientist at Yili Innovation Center Europe participated in discussions with other esteemed experts, as well as representatives from technological innovation enterprises on a series of cutting-edge technologies.

Regarding this forum, Dr. Lin Zhu, Open Innovation Manager at Yili Innovation Center Europe, said: "The forum will further promote the high-quality development of the industry, and in turn, provide consumers with healthier, more comprehensive and more nutritious solutions."

During the open discussion session on innovation practices under the theme of "Innovation in a Cross-cultural Context," Dr. Maurits Burgering noted that Yili not only focused on a considerable number of innovative projects with WUR, but also actively supported students and start-ups, as part of its contributions to a better future.

The Yili Innovation Center Europe has now become a bridge for Yili to connect China with innovative endeavors in Europe and the world at large. Mr. Dominic Oughton, said "Yili has achieved cutting-edge innovation in the process of connecting the world and bringing the power and innovation of its brand to Europe. This is the best case study of how universities, start-ups and large companies can work together across different regions to achieve open innovation."

"Yili works closely with start-ups that are part of StartLife, through providing them with constructive feedback and guidance regarding innovation and entrepreneurship. Yili's support has helped them in their journey to becoming larger and more impactful businesses. We are grateful for Yili's dedication to supporting start-ups around the world," said Ms. Annelies Schenk.

In June 2021, Yili signed a cooperation agreement with StartLife in the field of food and agricultural technology, and became a member of the OI Forum.The OI Forum at the IfM, University of Cambridge is a structured programme for members to share best practice, explore 'hot topics' and accelerate open innovation collaborations along the Food, Drink & FMCG value chain.

SOURCE Yili Group
Automotive Aftermarket Leader Honors Stores & Individuals; Packs 10,000 Meals Through Detroit Meals for Hope

TROY, Mich., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ziebart  the worldwide leader in premium automotive appearance and protection services  delivered on driving the brand forward at its recent Franchise Reunion with the introduction of new products and services, recognition of outstanding franchise owners and store leaders and a successful collaborative community outreach effort to benefit Detroit Meals for Hope.

Ziebart's The Mattiacio Group, a family-operated multi-unit franchisee that owns and operates 10 stores, won the coveted Dealer of the Year award, among many others, at Ziebart's 2023 Franchise Reunion. During Ziebart's 2023 Franchise Reunion, franchisees, members of the World HQ Support Center team, and corporate store leaders dedicated time to pack more than 10,000 meals with Detroit's Meals for Hope for donation to Gleaners Community Food Bank. Giving back to the communities in which it operates is a pillar of the Ziebart brand, said Thomas A. Wolfe, President and CEO of Ziebart International Corporation.

Supporting community

Throughout the event, franchisees, members of the World HQ Support Center team and corporate store leaders worked together in a volunteer effort to pack more than 10,000 meals with Detroit's Meals for Hope for donation to Gleaners Community Food Bank. Giving back to the communities in which it operates is a pillar of the Ziebart brand, said Thomas A. Wolfe, President and CEO of Ziebart International Corporation. With franchised and corporate stores operating throughout the United States and overseas in multiple countries, Ziebart's corporate headquarters have operated in the Detroit area for nearly 65 years.

"Our mission at Ziebart is to not only provide exceptional automotive appearance and protection services to extend the life of vehicles, but also extend our reach beyond vehicles to care for the communities we serve," Wolfe said. "I'm extremely proud that our franchisees and corporate team leaders carry that same level of commitment in everything they do, whether it be helping their communities, or providing the best services to our loyal customers."

Recognizing achievements

Dozens of franchisees and corporate store leaders were recognized for their achievements through Ziebart's annual Dealer Awards. The Mattiacio Group, a family-operated multi-unit franchisee out of Rochester, New York that owns and operates 10 stores, won the coveted Dealer of the Year award, among many others. The Mattiacio Group added three new Ziebart locations to their portfolio in the last two years, including one in Fort Myers, Florida.

"It's incredibly humbling to be recognized among our peers," said Tony Mattiacio, Founder & CEO of The Mattiacio Group. "It's been quite a ride to grow the Ziebart brand over 34 years in the Northeast," he said, noting the group has also expanded into Florida this past year. "It's definitely a team effort that points to the hard work provided every day by our technicians, managers and any team member who delivers on our great service promise to customers."

In addition, The Mattiacio Group's Pete Chapin was honored with Ziebart's new award for Top Sales Professional of the Year, recognizing his strong sales and longtime dedication to the Mattiacio family.

In another new award, Michael Schwarz of the Lester Group's Utica, New York location, was named Top Technician of the Year. The Lester Group says in Schwarz's 11 years with the franchise, he's become instrumental to the success of four franchise locations, exemplifying a tireless dedication to the business that goes above and beyond expectations. The New Dealer of the Year honor went to Ben Moeller, who opened his Ziebart franchise location in Highland, Michigan with his wife, Sophia, in April 2022. John Lemon of Westland, Michigan was named Manager of the Year for his strong focus on executing sales, leading to his store seeing the biggest increase across all Ziebart locations.

Three stores were given Outstanding Customer Service Awards thanks to a high volume of customer compliments and impressive Google star ratings: Brian O'Shaughnessey's location in Spokane, Washington; Chris Taylor's location in Marion, Ohio; as well as the corporate-owned store in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to receiving individual awards, several stores were noted for accomplishing milestone years of service, including the Fairborn, Ohio location, which marked 45 years of business, having opened in April of 1977.

Staying Fresh with Innovation

The brand also announced the introduction of new products, tools and partnerships. These include hand tools to improve efficiency, Z-Shield Ceramic Coating specifically engineered to be extremely hydrophobic and provide outstanding UV rejection to protect paint protection films and vinyl wraps from damage and staining while enhancing the vehicle's shine, and a partnership with Dr. Color Chip Automotive Paint Chip Repair Systems to provide high-quality, long-lasting paint chip repair.

"The one consistent theme throughout our nearly 65 years of operation as a company has been a devoted focus on improvement and innovation," Wolfe said. "Staying relevant and innovating is the key to brand longevity. As we strive to continue to provide the best in automotive protection, these latest advancements in products and tools will not only make our services more efficient for our technicians, but they will leave an even longer lasting shine on our customers' vehicles."

About Ziebart

Founded in 1959, Ziebart International Corporation is the worldwide leader in premium automotive appearance and protection services that extend the life of vehicles. Ziebart operates over 400 locations, with 1,300 service centers, in 37 countries. Ziebart continues to grow and offers domestic and international franchising opportunities, a best-in-class investment for qualified prospects. For more information about Ziebart's services and products, please visit www.ziebart.com . For more information on Ziebart's franchising opportunities, visit ziebart.com/franchise-opportunities.

SOURCE Ziebart
Hanoi weekend: what to do and where to go

Discover a fun and exciting weekend in Hanoi with a variety of events and activities, including art exhibitions, market fairs, and seafood delicacies.

Exhibition "The Weight of Things"

Matca Space for Photography will host an exhibition "The Weight of Things" by Eddie Ryan, a design educator and photographer from London who currently lives and works in Vietnam.

The exhibition features photographs that reflect the artist's personal and cultural journey as an emigrant who had to leave his home and adapt to a new society.

The title "The Weight of Things" refers to the emotional and psychological burden that the emigrant carries. The photographs show everyday objects that are displaced, in limbo, or used as symbols of protection by the migrant. They also reveal the subtle aspects of the society that depends on a migrant workforce, such as its laws, beliefs, and ambitions.

It runs from June 29 to July 31, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The event is held at Matca Space for Photography, situated at 48 Ngoc Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. Entrance is free.

Exhibition "Peculiar interfaces"

The Outpost presents "Peculiar Interfaces", an exhibition that explores how technologies and the digital sphere have influenced our society. The exhibition showcases the works of eight international and local artists/groups who work with new media and digital art.

This significant art exhibition in Vietnam examines the intersection of art and technology and aims to understand how technology shapes our connections and perceptions. "Peculiar Interfaces" invites visitors to contemplate hybrid realities, the significance of data, and connection and care in the digital age.

"Appropriare Response" by Mario Klingemann, featuring a wooden platform and black flip chart display a constantly changing set of letters, creating messages in response to human interaction. Photo courtesy of The Outpost Art Organization

Visitors can visit "Peculiar Interfaces" from April 15 to July 23, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., except on Mondays. The exhibition takes place at The Outpost Art Organization, on the second floor of tower B1, To Huu Ward, Nam Tu Liem District.

Visitors can buy entrance tickets at The Outpost's reception desk. This exhibition has images that might be upsetting for some. Some materials are not suitable for children under 13 years old. Parental guidance is strongly advised.

Regional cuisine exhibition

The exhibition "Vung nao thuc nay" (Regional cuisines) showcases 41 local dishes illustrated by 36 young artists. The event invites visitors to a culinary excursion through the prism of illustration.

Visitors can see drawings of Hai Duongs green bean cake, Hai Phongs crab noodle soup, Saigons banh mi with roasted pork and many more.

The exhibition is a co-organization between TiredCity, a creative enterprise, Vietnam Local Artist Group - A learning community for young illustrators in Vietnam and the Management Board of Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter.

The exhibition takes place from July 1 to 16, at Ho Guom Cultural Information Center, at No. 2 Le Thai To, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District. Entrance is free.

Market fair

The Outpost announces a market fair that features nearly 40 stalls with a variety of products such as clothing, accessories, stationery, and crafts. The event also has various craft workshops to provide relaxation and fun. Moreover, there will be attractive gifts for visitors.

The market fair runs from from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m on July 15 and 16. The event is held at Complex 01, at No. 29, Lane 31, Alley 167, Tay Son Street, Quang Trung Ward, Dong Da District. Entrance is free.

Oceans Symphony

The Continental Lounge is collaborating with Ben Gourmet to bring you a culinary experience "Oceans Symphony." The event will feature a delectable array of fresh seafood such as Japanese oysters, French bulot snails, Arctic shrimp, and Chilean green mussels. The seafood will be paired with chilled white wines to enhance the flavors.

"Oceans Symphony". Photo courtesy of The Continental Lounge

The event will start at 6:30 p.m, and live music will begin at 8 p.m. on July 14. Tickets are priced at VND950,000 ($40) per person, and you need to book early as the event can only accommodate 40 guests.

"Oceans Symphony" will take place at The Continental Lounge, located on the 3rd floor of the Army Hotel at 1A Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Quan Thanh Ward, Ba Dinh District.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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Foreign tourists listen to a tour guide in front of the Central Post Office in downtown HCMC, June 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Tung

Vietnam has surpassed several of its neighbors in attracting international tourists with the comeback of important markets, and insiders expect the race will get even smoother with new visa policies.

Foreign visitors reached over 5.5 million during the January-June period, 69% of this year's eight-million target.

Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy, received 4.12 million visitors during the period, while Cambodia recorded some 2.57 million international visitors.

Though Laos has not yet released its January-June tourist arrival numbers, foreign visitors to the country in the first four months of this year reached about one million.

In Southeast Asia, Vietnam is now only behind Thailand, which has welcomed 12.46 million foreign tourists so far.

Vietnam was also the seventh most searched destination from March to June, according to a report by Google Destination Insights. And it was the only country in Southeast Asia in the top 20.

Martin Koerner, head of tourism working group at Vietnam Business Forum, told VnExpress International Vietnam has indeed shown remarkable resilience in its tourism sector despite the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic.

"We have seen the comeback of important source markets such as South Korea, China, the U.S., Europe and so forth. In addition, the growth of the Indian market, which has been expanding since 2022, has positively contributed to Vietnam's increasing foreign tourist number," he said.

He also said Vietnam has received some very good international media attention in recent times such as the Netflix movie "A Tourist's Guide to Love" filmed in popular tourist hotspots that contributed to boosting the country's reputation.

The introduction of new visa rules has also been a catalyst for tourism growth, Martin added.

The National Assembly on June 24 approved extending tourist e-visas from 30 to 90 days and prolonging visa-free periods for selected countries to 45 days, starting from August 15.

"Vietnam still faces some challenges, such as improving its infrastructure, service quality and environmental sustainability, but it has a strong potential to become a leading tourism destination in Southeast Asia," Martin added.

Nuno F. Ribeiro, Deputy Senior Program Manager in Tourism and Hospitality at RMIT Vietnam, said Vietnam is a desirable tourist destination in the region thanks to affordable accommodation options and cheap food and transport, making it ideal for budget-conscious travelers.

As Thailand and Indonesia have started tightening visa policies, Vietnam's relaxed visa requirements would be a 'great advantage,' insiders said.

"The recent efforts in the relaxation of entry into Vietnam and visa policies have helped international travelers become not only more aware of the possibility of extended stays when visiting Vietnam, but also allow for trips to Vietnam to be combined with visits to neighboring countries, such as Laos and Cambodia. This is a plus for Vietnam, as in the ASEAN region we will benefit from multi-country marketing," Nuno added.

"Additionally, these policies can be particularly attractive for digital nomads or long-term travelers who wish to spend an extended period in Vietnam, thus multiplying their positive impact in Vietnamese economy."

From April 1 tourists from Europe, the U.S. and Southeast Asian countries among others were only allowed to stay for 30 days without a visa instead of 45 as previously while Indonesia stopped the visa-free entry citizens of 159 countries and territories outside ASEAN amid concerns about "disruption of public order and potential transmission of diseases."

Vietnam received a record 18 million foreign tourists in 2019, the year before the onset of the pandemic.

With recent positive signs, the tourism industry expected Vietnam could welcome 12 million foreign arrivals by the end of this year, far surpassing its target.
Shimla, July 13 : Rescuers in Himachal Pradesh have evacuated more than 50,000 tourists, comprising Israelis, from across the state, and the road connectivity to Manali has been restored as well as efforts are underway to restore the network in Kasol and its nearby places, officials said on Thursday.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu informed in a tweet that more than 50,000 tourists from Himachal Pradesh have been rescued in the last 48 hours until 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

"I would like to thank our administration and staff from various departments who have worked round the clock to restore our roads, power, water supply and network connectivity," he said.

The network connectivity has been restored in Manali, he added.

"Efforts are underway to restore the network in Kasol, with successful progress made today up to Jari, which is located three km from Kasol," said Sukhu, adding, "If the weather allows, the network should be fully restored at Kasol in Kullu district by Thursday."

On the evacuation of nearly 250 tourists in the snow-marooned Chandertal lake in Lahaul-Spiti district, the Chief Minister, who did an aerial recee on Wednesday, said his colleagues Jagat Negi and Sanjay Awasthy and the frontline workers and staff are working tirelessly, even at night, to restore the road at the Kunzum Pass under extreme conditions at minus 10 degrees Celsius and at 15,000 ft altitude with a lack of oxygen.

"I just connected to both of them through a satellite phone," Sukhu added.

Earlier on Wednesday evening, Indian Air force (IAF) pilots refused to land at the Chandertal for the evacuation of the tourists due to the absence of a heliport.

"There are over 250 tourists from all around the country stuck at the Chandertal lake. It is my government's foremost priority to evacuate them safely," said the Chief Minister.

He has deputed two ministers -- Negi and Awasthy -- to personally oversee and execute the rescue operation.

On Wednesday evening, both reached the Chandertal with the rescue convey, said acting Director General of Police Satwant Atwal, who is monitoring the rescue operation round the clock.

She said the first JCB machine, involved in clearing snow and roadblocks from the road, reached the Chandertal, raising a hope of early evacuation of the tourists who have been stationed in the rescue camps set up by the government for the past five days.

The tourists and locals have also been evacuated from Batal, located in the vicinity of the Chandertal that saw heavy snowfall this week, she added.

The acting DGP said six Israelis have been brought to police post in Manikaran in Kullu and the remaining 37 Israelis are stationed at Barshaini and all are safe and in healthy condition.

Likewise, 95 people, including a foreigner, were rescued to safe places in Sangla, Chitkul and Raksham in Kinnaur, another remote district, she said.

"You all have done khakhi proud!! More strength to everyone on ground," Atwal tweeted.

Heavy to extremely heavy rains have battered Himachal Pradesh, triggering landslides and flash floods, inundating many areas and washing away road network across the state.

Principal Secretary, Revenue, Onkar Chand Sharma told IANS on Wednesday that the government has restored 2,800 of the total 4,800 affected water supply schemes. Similarly, most of the water pumping schemes have also been restored.

Around 885 JCBs, tractors, tippers and dozers have been deployed to restore road connectivity as 33 bridges were damaged and washed away and more than 1,100 roads were obstructed, he said.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com)
Prayagraj, July 13 : The Allahabad High Court has admitted a criminal appeal against the acquittal of 41 accused in the Maliana massacre case of 1987 by the court of the additional sessions judge in Meerut on March 31 this year.

A bench of the high court admitted the appeal on July 11 and issued notice to the state government and the accused in the case.

The high court also summoned the lower court records.

Qurban Ali, who has been supporting the victims of violence in their legal battle, said the high court fixed August 14 for hearing the appeal.

Survivors of the violence, Vakil Ahmad, Mohd Yakoob and Ismail Khan had filed the appeal in the high court.

At least 68 people were killed in violence that broke out in Maliana, a village located about 10 km west of Meerut, on May 23, 1987.

On March 31, over 36 years and 800 hearings later, a sessions court in Meerut acquitted all the 41 accused, citing "lack of evidence".

The other 40 people named as accused in the FIR died during trial.

Earlier this year, a survivor of the massacre, Rais Ahmed, had filed a petition in the Allahabad high court, challenging the verdict of the additional sessions judge.

On May 8, the high court directed the state government to provide the file of the case and fixed August 14 for the next hearing.

That order was passed by Justice Siddhartha Varma and Justice Manish Kumar Nigam on a criminal appeal filed by Rais Ahmed.
Lucknow, July 13 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the state government was making efforts for conservation of heritage buildings and private investment should be sought in this sector.

According to a state government spokesman, Yogi said that there were tremendous possibilities in the tourism sector and the state government was making efforts to boost tourist activities in the state.

He said in the first phase, development of Chhatar Manzil, Kothi Gulistan-e-Iram, Kothi Darshan Vilas, Kothi Roshan-ud-Daula, Chunar Fort, Barsanaas Jal Mahal, Shukla Talab, Kanpur and Tikaitrai Baradari of Bithoor should be done.

The Chief Minister further said in the construction of Sangrahalaya Mandir, the traditions related to Lord Ram should be incorporated.

He said the tourists visiting Ayodhya want to know about lord Ram and traditions related to him and scenes from Ramayan should be displayed there.

He said special care should be taken about facilities for pilgrims at the proposed gateway facilitation centre.
Lucknow, July 13 : Hospitals in Lucknow are reporting a hike in cases of conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, with the onset of monsoon.

Doctors have warned people of taking over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, which could be harmful.

According to officials of KGMU, SPM Civil and Lokbandhu Hospital, the doctors used to attend to 35-40 patients with conjunctivitis daily before the monsoon, which has increased to 40-46 daily now.

They said the increase is due to favourable conditions for the growth of disease-causing bacteria.

They added that if someone experiences symptoms like redness in eye, discharge, crusty eyes, sticking or gluing of the eyelids upon waking, blurry vision, light sensitivity, and irritation, they should immediately seek medical advice.

An ophthalmologist at KGMU Dr Arun Kumar Sharma said, "Patients usually complain of early symptoms like watery and cloudy eyes. Most of them avoid consulting a doctor and choose to use over-the-counter eye drops from local medical stores."

He added that maintaining hygiene is a very important preventive step.

"Regularly cutting nails and keeping the surroundings clean can help prevent pink eye. Most patients who come in are between the ages of 10 and 30. Diabetics should take special care," he added.

Another ophthalmologist at KGMU Dr Siddharth Agrawal said, "People, especially those with low immunity, are prone to infection. It usually takes five to seven days to heal. However, patients should avoid rubbing their eyes as it can aggravate complications."

Medical Superintendent of Lokbandhu Dr Ajay Shankar Tripathi emphasized the importance of using fresh towels and clean sheets to avoid infection.

--IANSamita/dpb
Washington, July 13 : Ray Epps, a former US Marine who became the focus of right-wing conspiracy theories after the 2021 Capitol riot, has filed a defamation suit against Fox News for suggesting that he was an undercover agent who helped provoke the insurrection.

The lawsuit, filed in a Delaware court on Wednesday, accuses Fox News of telling a "fantastical story" suggesting that Epps was a federal agent to make him a "scapegoat" for the raid on Congress, the BBC reported.

Epps, a supporter for former President Donald Trump, was filmed encouraging people to enter the Capitol complex in January 2021, but he was not charged.

But body camera video from the time of the attack shows Epps asking law enforcement officers how he can assist them, with offers to help move rioters back from the police line.

The footage spread online in right-wing circles and fueled conspiracy theories that he secretly worked for the federal government, NBC News reported.

The defamation suit has sought punitive and compensatory damages to be determined at trial.

It also argued that former Fox News host Tucker Carlson launched a "years-long campaign" that spread falsehoods that "destroyed" the lives of Epps and his wife, who now reside in Utah but were living in Arizona at the time.

"Fox and Mr. Carlson made Epps the central figure in a lie they concocted about January 6, 2021. After destroying Epps's reputation and livelihood, Fox will move on to its next story, while Ray and Robyn live in a 350-square foot RV and face harassment and fear true harm," the lawsuit says.

"Fox must be held accountable."

According to the lawsuit, FBI investigators met Epps in March 2021 and removed his photo from its website of wanted suspects in July, NBC News reported.

"That should have been the end of the matter for Epps, but instead he was cast as a villain," the lawsuit says, adding that Carlson "fixated on Epps", devoting "over two dozen segments" to him.

Neither Fox News or Tucker have commented on the lawsuit.
Bahraich : , July 13 (IANS) Three persons, including a pastor, have been arrested for allegedly attacking a local Bajrang Dal office-bearer.

Dipanshu Srivastava, a avibhag sanyojaka of the Bajrang Dal, lodged an FIR at Nanpara police station alleging that when he was returning from village Kakri to Banjaria at about 10.30 pm on Tuesday, pastor Anil and others attacked him with sticks and rods.

ASP Pavitra Mohan Tripathi said that on his complaint an FIR was registered against Anil, Ram Narain, Rohit Maurya and three others.

They were arrested on Wednesday and further investigations in the matter are underway.
Rome, July 13 : A blistering and deadly heat wave, which the Italian Meteorological Society has named Cerberus after the three-headed monster that features in Dante's 'Inferno' as a guard to the gates of hell, is sweeping across parts of southern Europe.

"The earth has a high fever and Italy is feeling it firsthand," Luca Mercalli, head of the Italian Meteorological Society, told CNN on Wednesday.

As a result of the heat wave, temperatures are expected to surpass 40 degrees Celsius in parts of Spain, France, Germany, Greece, Croatia and Turkey, reports the BBC.

In Italy, temperatures could reach as high as 48.8 degrees, prompting authorities to issue a red alert for 27 cities this week, including Rome, Florence and Bologna.

Very high temperatures in central and southern Italy are predicted for Friday, when the capital Rome could see record-breaking temperatures between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius, CNN reported.

On Tuesday, a 44-year-old road construction worker died in hospital after he collapsed by the side of the road in the northern Italian city of Lodi.

"We are facing a wave of abnormal heat at unbearable levels. Perhaps it should be the case that during the hottest hours all useful precautions are taken to avoid tragedies like the one that happened today in Lodi," CNN quoted politician Nicola Fratoianni, who has petitioned for regulations to protect workers during the ongoing heat wave, as saying in a Twitter post.

In Rome, several tourists collapsed due to heat stroke on Tuesday and Wednesday, including an unnamed British tourist who passed out in front of the Colosseum in Rome.

The UK Met Office said that temperatures will peak on Friday.

Europe's hottest ever temperature of 48.8 Celsius was recorded near Syracuse on the Italian island of Sicily in August 2021.

The 2022 heat wave killed 61,672 people in Europe, with Italy accounting for the highest fatality rate with around 18,000 deaths.
Seoul, July 13 : North Korea on Thursday confirmed that it test-fired a Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) the previous day, with its leader Kim Jong-un vowing to take "stronger" military offensive until the US abandons its hostile policy against Pyongyang.

Guided by Kim, the North launched a new type of the Hwasong-18 missile in a test aimed at reconfirming the technical creditability and operational reliability of the country's core weapon system, according to Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

It marked the North's second solid-propellant ICBM launch following its first test-firing on April 13,reports Yonhap News Agency.A solid-fuel ICBM is one of the high-tech weapon systems that the recalcitrant regime has vowed to develop, along with a military spy satellite and a nuclear-powered submarine.

Solid-fuel missiles are known to be harder to detect ahead of launch than liquid-propellant ones, which require more prelaunch preparations, such as the injection of fuel.

The North said the Hwasong-18 flew 1,001.2 km for 4,491 seconds at a maximum altitude of 6,648.4 km, before accurately landing on a pre-set area in the East Sea.

Its flight time was the longest ever for a North Korean ICBM, and if fired on a standard trajectory, the missile could have flown more than 15,000 km, a capability that would put the whole of the U.S. mainland within range, according to experts.

"The test-fire is an essential process aimed at further developing the strategic nuclear force of the Republic and, at the same time, serves as a strong practical warning to clearly show the adversaries of the DPRK," the KCNA said, using the acronym of the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The missile test came as North Korea issued stern statements earlier this week condemning US surveillance flights over its "economic water zone", threatening to shoot down American spy planes in case of a "repeated illegal intrusion".

The North's latest saber-rattling followed its botched launch of a space rocket carrying its first military reconnaissance satellite in late May.

The rocket crashed into the Yellow Sea after an "abnormal starting" of the second-stage engine, according to the North's state media.
Bangkok, July 13 : The Thai parliament will vote for a new Prime Minister on Thursday, in a ballot seen as a litmus test for reformist Pita Limjaroenrat who won the May general elections after voters rejected conservative military rule that had been in place since the 2014 coup.

In a shock election result, Pita's newcomer party Move Forward won the most seats and largest share of the popular vote, CNN reported.

But the 42-year-old Harvard graduate and former tech executive will need the support of lawmakers appointed by the same military leaders to secure a majority.

His alliance has 312 votes, which is 64 short of the 376 votes required to be elected Prime Minister.

In Thailand, a party or coalition needs to win a majority of 376 seats in both lower and upper houses of parliament -- 750 seats -- to elect a Prime Minister and form a government.

Also in a major setback, the countryas Constitutional Court Wednesday accepted two complaints against the party and Pita.

The case is set to be reviewed next week and if it moves to trial, Pita will be suspended from political duty.

One of the complaints, forwarded to the court by the Election Commission, accuses Pita of violating election law for allegedly holding shares in a media company and requested he be disqualified, reports CNN.

The other complaint involves Move Forward's proposal to amend the draconian royal defamation law, which has jailed hundreds of critics of the monarchy.

He has denied he broke election rules and a statement from Move Forward accused the Election Commission of rushing the case to court.

Ahead of Thursday's parliament session, outgoing Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Tuesday announced his retirement from politics after leading the Southeast Asian nation for nine years, the BBC reported.

Prayut was elected Prime Minister in 2019, a win largely credited to a military-drafted constitution that entrenched the armyas power in politics.
Achieves 85% CO2 emission reductions in nine years for DTE Electric with a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 20502.

Directs an additional $110 million to support the Company's most vulnerable customers through the clean energy transition.

Submitted settlement agreement to the Michigan Public Service Commission for approval.

DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) today (July 12) announced a historic settlement agreement with nearly two dozen organizations from across Michigan on the Company's transformational CleanVision Integrated Resource Plan. This 20-year plan dramatically transforms how the Company generates electricity as part of its mission to invest in the future of Michigan, with an energy proposal that adapts to how the Company's customers live and work today while meeting the energy demands of tomorrow. Developed over the past two years with the input of DTE's customers and stakeholders, this proposal continues DTE's clean energy transition by accelerating investments in Michigan-made solar and wind energy, speeding up the retirement of coal plants, and developing new energy storage - all reinforcing DTE's commitment to cleaner energy generated reliably and affordably.

"Our CleanVision Integrated Resource Plan will end our use of coal in 2032 while developing enough Michigan-made renewables to power approximately 4 million homes," said Jerry Norcia, chairman and chief executive officer, DTE Energy. "Today's historic agreement is an investment in Michigan's future, and we are grateful that 21 organizations from across Michigan have joined us in bringing our proposal one step closer to reality. This partnership and dedication have helped us build the best plan possible for our customers. We are also proud this plan puts our customers first by reducing the future costs of our clean energy transformation by $2.5 billion, while reliably generating cleaner, affordable energy now, and for generations to come."

DTE Electric will surpass its previously announced carbon emission reduction goals - targeting 85% in nine years (2032), 90% by 2040 and net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This settlement agreement, which will require approval by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), was reached between DTE Electric, MPSC staff, Attorney General Dana Nessel, representatives of Michigan's environmental community, key business and labor organizations, and energy industry associations. Reaching a settlement agreement highlights the constructive, collaborative nature with the Company's stakeholders as it begins implementation of this transformational plan. Key details of this settlement agreement include:

Investing in clean and reliable energy by: Developing more than 15,000 megawatts of Michigan-made renewable energy by 2042. This carbon-free generation is the equivalent to powering approximately 4 million homes. Accelerating the development of energy storage, targeting 780 megawatts through 2030 with a goal of more than 1,800 megawatts of storage by 2042 - reinforcing DTE's commitment to clean and reliable energy and more than doubling current storage capacity. Ending DTE's use of coal in 2032 with a responsible, phased retirement schedule of the Belle River and Monroe coal power plants - dramatically reducing the Company's use of coal from 77% in 2005 to 0% in less than three decades. Through this agreement, the Company has further accelerated the full retirement of the Monroe Power Plant from 2035 to 2032. The Company will provide re-training for employees impacted by the coal plant retirements and will continue to partner with the local communities, who for years have hosted these coal-fired plants, on new economic development opportunities. Targeting 2% energy savings level from energy efficiency through 2027. Supporting increased distributed generation on the Company's distribution system.



Delivering long-term customer value by: Investing over $11 billion into the clean energy transition over the next 10 years, supporting more than 32,000 jobs in Michigan, while reducing the future cost of the plan for the Company's customers by a projected $2.5 billion. Directing an additional $110 million to support income-qualified home energy efficiency programs, customer affordability programs and access to clean energy resources for the Company's most vulnerable customers. Repurposing the Belle River coal-fired power plant to run on natural gas at a fraction of the cost of building a new power plant, while accelerating reductions in carbon emissions. Natural gas, and other 24/7 resources like the Company's existing Fermi II carbon-free nuclear plant, play an important role in a diverse energy mix and will significantly reduce emissions while providing reliable and affordable energy to meet periods of high customer demand.



"This plan will make Michigan a national leader in renewable energy by accelerating the Company's move to carbon-free energy," said Norcia. "We are proud to be Michigan's largest producer and investor in renewable energy. Through our CleanVision Plan, we will invest $11 billion over the next 10 years - helping to retain and grow businesses in Michigan while ensuring the state meets its sustainability goals. This plan also continues our commitment to our employees, customers and communities, and we will direct an additional $110 million to support our most vulnerable customers. We appreciate the contributions of all stakeholders as we wait for the MPSC's decision on the plan."

The Company anticipates the settlement agreement will be made available through the Michigan Public Service Commission docket later today.

For further information, members of the media may contact:

Jill Wilmot or Ryan Lowry, DTE Energy, 313.235.5555

About DTE Energy

DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy Company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric Company serving 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas Company serving 1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE portfolio includes energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, renewable natural gas, and energy marketing and trading. Through our commitment to cleaner energy, DTE Electric plans to reduce CO2 emissions by 90% and DTE Gas will plan to reduce methane emissions by more than 80% by 2040 to produce cleaner energy while keeping it safe, reliable and affordable. DTE Electric and Gas aspire to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. DTE is committed to serving with its energy through volunteerism, education and employment initiatives, philanthropy and economic progress. Information about DTE is available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com.

Certain information presented herein includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, and businesses of DTE Energy (the "Company"). Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions, but rather are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future results to be materially different from those contemplated, projected, estimated or budgeted. In particular, among other statements, statements relating to the Company's climate-related policies, procedures, initiatives or goals (including, for the avoidance of doubt, net zero goals) and the Company's targets, aims and objectives in connection with those ambitions, and to the Company's expectations, targets and aims for capital expenditure, are subject to change, and are aspirational and not guarantees or promises that all targets, aims and objectives will be met. Statistics and metrics relating to ESG and climate-related matters are estimates and may be based on assumptions or developing standards. Actual results may differ materially from any forward-looking statements.

1 $1.1 billion from 2019 plan and nearly $1.4 billion from the proposed 2022 plan related to regulatory asset treatment related to the net book value of Monroe and Belle River Power Plant

2 Baseline set in 2005
London, July 13 : Police in Scotland have said they have begun probe after fresh complaints of sexual harassment allegations emerged against British Sikh chef and broadcaster Hardeep Singh Kohli, according to media reports.

Kohli, 54, a former BBC presenter, broadcaster, author and chef, has been accused of predatory and sexually inappropriate behaviour by more than 20 women, The Times reported.

The newspaper reported this week that a former Labour party official alleged Kohli bombarded her with unwanted sexual comments after he reached out to her on social media.

"He phoned me and immediately started talking about sex," she said.

"I told him I didn't feel comfortable but he tried to make out there was something wrong with me because I didn't want to engage with him in sex chat."

Kohli deleted his Twitter profile earlier this week after women used the platform to accuse him of sexually inappropriate behaviour.

According to The Times, last week a woman claimed Kohli had groped her breasts and kissed her against her will when she was 19 and he was 44.

Another woman alleged that Kohli pushed her against a wall and tried to drag her into his bedroom.

Following abuse claims, he was banned for life last week by one of Edinburgh Fringe's largest venues.

Kohli, who had previously performed in some of their venues, will no longer be welcome by the Pleasance, which operates 27 venues across three sites during the Fringe Festival.

In 2020, he had apologised for "intimidating, undermining and undervaluing" women after several women complained about his unwanted advances, inappropriate touching and even degrading rape jokes.

Born in London to immigrant parents from Punjab, Kohli presented several programmes for the BBC and other broadcasters, and was runner up in the 2006 edition of Celebrity Masterchef.

The BBC snapped ties with him in 2020.

Before that, BBC had axed him for six months when he was a reporter in 2009 following allegations of inappropriate conduct towards a female researcher.

--IANS

mi/ksk
London, July 13 : Universal is hoping the possible SAG-AFTRA strike doesn't get in the way of the London premiere of 'Oppenheimer' on Thursday (July 13) evening, reports 'Variety'.

'Variety' has learned the studio is rolling out the red carpet an hour earlier than originally planned -- moving from 5:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. local time -- with the hope that the 60 minutes will allow the cast, which includes stars like Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh, to pose for photos and participate in interviews without going against SAG-AFTRA strike rules.

SAG-AFTRA is the Screen Artist Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists, a labour union representing more than 160,000 American film, radio and television performers. Hollywood writers are already on strike under the banner of the Writers Guild of America (WGA).

Though the negotiations deadline comes on midnight Wednesday, the SAG-AFTRA board would still have to meet on Thursday to vote and confirm the call for the strike. Universal execs believe such an event may not happen before the premiere takes place.

Of course, notes 'Variety', that's a risky bet -- the decision to strike could be announced as the carpet is still going on.

'Oppenheimer' director Christopher Nolan and the cast celebrated the world premiere of the film on July 10 in Paris. Universal also asked talent to do interviews and junkets earlier than planned to get publicity and promotional activities done before a potential strike.

The studio is also planning an 'Oppenheimer' premiere on July 17 in New York City.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Jakarta, July 13 : In the past 24 hours, Mount Merapi -- one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia -- erupted 16 times, releasing incandescent lava up to 1,800 m, according to the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG).

"The lava was released towards Bebeng River up to 1,800 m. White smoke of medium intensity reached as high as 50 m above the top of the crater," said Mount Merapi Monitoring Post officer Ahmad Sopari late Wednesday.

Lava flows and hot clouds are potentially hazardous at this time, Xinhua news agency quoted the officer as saying.

People are asked to avoid a 7 km radius in the south-southwest sector and a 5 km radius in the southeast sector of the summit, Sopari added.

Located on the border of the provinces of Central Java and Yogyakarta, Mount Merapi is now at the third dangerous level.

A major eruption of Merapi in 2010 killed 353 people and displaced over 20,000 residents.

Since 2010, Merapi had experienced several smaller eruptions, most noticeably two phreatic eruptions which occurred in November 2013 and May 2018.
New Delhi, July 13 : As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a trip to France on Thursday, he said interests between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region were vast and deep.

He made the remarks to French newspaper Les Echos ahead of his trip, which will also take him to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"Our (India AND France) interests in the Indo-Pacific region are vast, and our engagement is deep. I have described our vision for this region in one word, 'SAGAR', which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region," Modi told the newspaper.

"While peace is necessary for the future we seek to build, it is far from assured. India has always stood for peaceful resolution of differences through dialogue and diplomacy, and for respecting sovereignty of all nations, international law and the rules-based international order."

On 25 years of strategic partnership between India and France, Modi told Les Echos that "I feel we are now at a turning point. If we look at the post-pandemic global order and the shape that it is taking, I think the positive experience of our strategic partnership is an important step ahead".

"So, we look forward to working on a roadmap for the next 25 years of the strategic partnership, which I think is very important for the relationship. The relationship is in excellent shape. It is strong, trusted and consistent. It has been steady and resilient in the darkest storms. It has been bold and ambitious in looking for opportunities."

Highlighting the significance of India in promoting issues of the Global South, the Prime Minister said: "I see India being that strong shoulder that if Global South has to make that high jump, India can be that shoulder to propel it ahead. For the Global South, India can also build its linkages with Global North.

"So, in that sense, this shoulder can become this bridge of sorts. So, I feel that what we need is to strengthen this shoulder, this bridge so that linkages between the North and South can become stronger and the Global South can itself become stronger."

On being asked as to why the Indo-US relationship has seen a phenomenal rise in the last few years, Modi said: "It is true that the relationship has been growing positively since the turn of the century. It has accelerated and reached new levels in the past nine years.

"There is widespread support for deepening our ties, from all stakeholders, in both countries -- be it government, parliament, industry, academia and of course the people. The US Congress has consistently extended bipartisan support for elevating our relationship."

He further said that he personally enjoyed an excellent rapport with the US leadership, across different administrations, over the last nine years.

"During my state visit to the US in June, President Joe Biden and I agreed that the partnership between the world's two largest democracies with exceptionally strong people- to-people ties could be the defining partnership of this century.

"This is because this partnership is perfectly placed in terms of interests, vision, commitments and complementarities to address the challenges of our times and contribute in a significant way to shaping the global order," he noted.

Modi's two-day visit to Paris comes at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Prime Minister will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade on Friday, where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent will be participating.

According to the External Affairs Ministry, Modi will also hold formal talks with Macron and meet his French counterpart, as well as the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly.

He will also separately interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent personalities.
Kolkata, July 13 : West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Thursday gave strict instructions to the State Election Commission (SEC) to update the Calcutta High Court on the 7,500 complaints received at the 'Peace Room'.

The room was opened within the Raj Bhavan premises for the purpose of enabling people to directly report to the Governor's House about the incidents of violence during the panchayat polls in the state.

Sources from the Governor's House said that going by the protocol each and every complaint of violence and clashes received at the 'Peace Room' had been forwarded to the office of the state election commission and now the Raj Bhavan authorities want these complaints to be recorded at the Calcutta High Court.

A crucial hearing on the panchayat poll violence is scheduled to be heard at the division bench of Calcutta High Court's Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam.

Sources said that the complaints received at the 'Peace Room' were also recorded during the course of hearing.

On Wednesday, Justice Sivagnanam observed that the fate of the candidates declared elected in the three-tier of panchayat system will to a great extent depend on the outcome of the petitions and also expressed displeasure over the commission's report on the action taken to control the widespread violence in the recently-held panchayat polls in the state.

Raj Bhavan sources said that the Governor's opinion is that the one major reason why the Calcutta High Court felt that the commission's report on violence was incomplete was because the 7,500 complaints received at the 'Peace Rom' were not incorporated in the report. "So, the Governor now wants those complaints to be attached during the near hearing on July 17," a Governor's House source said.

On Wednesday, the division bench of the Calcutta High Court also observed that it will look into charges against the Commission of extending non-cooperation in effective deployment and utilisation of the central armed forces personnel.

"If the state cannot provide protection to the people of the state, the court will take up the matter seriously. The commission should file an affidavit on this count. The court is monitoring everything," Justice Sivagnanam observed on Wednesday.
New Delhi, July 13 : After an exchange of fire, the Delhi Police has arrested two criminals, who were wanted in a double murder that took place on early hours of Tuesday, an official said on Thursday.

Pradeep (40) and Bablu alias Patla (40), who used to work as daily wagers, were found dead at about 02:00 am on Tuesday in the Welcome area with multiple gunshot wounds.

The bodies were found 300 metres apart.

A senior police official said that on Wednesday around 10:48 p.m, a call was received in Jyoti Nagar police station that there had been an exchange of fire between Special Staff teams of Northeast district and two criminals, who were wanted in a double murder case of Welcome police station.

"The place of police encounter was Kabir Nagar, behind Ambedkar College. Both the criminals were travelling on a scooty when the police team intercepted them. Instead of stopping, the criminals had opened fire on the police party in their bid to escape," said the official.

"In retaliatory fire, both criminals got shot on their legs. Both criminals were carrying semi-automatic pistols," said the official.

The criminals have been identified as Shahbaz alias Shibbu (22), a resident of Indira Chowk and Misbah (21), a resident of Margazi Chowk, Jafrabad.

"Shahbaz has numerous criminal cases registered against him, including murder cases. He had come out on bail last month. Misbah also has numerous cases registered against him, including a murder case. He had also come out on bail last month," said the official.

Both were taken to GTB Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment," the official added.
Amaravati, July 13 : A tomato farmer has been murdered in Andhra Pradesh's Annamayya district by unidentified persons allegedly to rob him of the money he fetched by selling tomatoes following a big jump in the prices of the veggie.

Narem Rajasekhar Reddy (62) was found murdered on Wednesday in Bodimalladinne village of Madanapalle mandal.

Police suspect that he was murdered on Tuesday night when he was going to the village to deliver milk. The assailants intercepted him, tied his hands and legs with silk thread and strangled him to death with a towel.

The farmer, who was staying in an agriculture field away from the village, was on his way to the village to deliver the milk. His wife told police that some unidentified men had come to the farm on the pretext of buying tomatoes. They left the place after she told them that her husband had gone to the village.

The farmer was said to have earned Rs 30 lakh by recently selling tomatoes in an agriculture market in view of the skyrocketing prices. The murder is suspected to be linked to this. Police were investigating if the farmer was carrying any money.

Police said they were investigating the case from all angles. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Keshappa said four teams were constituted to solve the case.

Police deployed a sniffer dog as part of the investigation. The dog went up to the house of the victim from the scene of the crime.

Police suspect that 3-4 persons may have committed the murder. Superintendent of Police Gangadhar Rao also visited the spot and spoke to the victim's family members.

The farmer is survived by his wife and two daughters. Both the daughters are married and live in Bengaluru.
New Delhi, July 13 : TV BRICS International Media Network summarised the results of the BRICS Global Media Tour, Russian Edition, which brought together heads of iconic media from BRICS countries and Africa.

The event was organised by the BRICS-Media Association in cooperation with TV BRICS, with a grant provided by the support of Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund.

The media tour programme consisted of several tracks: educational, business and cultural.

The educational track included a series of conferences and expert sessions devoted to the problems of professional education in journalism and media, as well as multilateral cooperation between BRICS and Africa, which were held at the GITR Film & Television school and the Gorchakov Fund.

During the educational track, the participants of the media tour visited the UN Information Centre in Moscow, where they took part in the expert session "UN Work in Russia. SDGs and Media". During the session, TV BRICS presented the results of cooperation with the UNIC in the framework of SDG promotion.

In addition, the heads of the leading BRICS and African media had a tour of the RGISI (Russian State Institute of Performing Arts) branch in Kemerovo. They were told about the educational programmes, teaching principles and opportunities to study at this university.

RGISI is the oldest theatrical university in the country and Europe's largest scientific and educational centre of performing arts that trains specialists in theatrical professions.

"During the media tour, delegates from Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique visited the leading higher education institutions in the Russian capital that train professionals for the media industry, as well as gaining exclusive access to attend and cover leading events of the international agenda held at a high organisational level in Russia. The BRICS Global Media Tour. Russian Edition allowed the establishment of new ties between the media of Russia and the BRICS countries. I am sure that the media tour will contribute to the further development of contacts between universities of BRICS countries", said Janna Tolstikova, CEO of TV BRICS.

The central event of the tour was the delegation's visit to the ceremony of announcing the names of the laureates of the Global Energy Prize 2023 in Kemerovo. This is an international event initiated and held for many years at a high level by Russia, which has become a centre of attraction for global scientific events. Over the years, the Global Energy Prize has gained a high international status and has become widely recognised around the world. The main goal is to reward scientists for outstanding results of scientific developments and systematic research of global problems aimed at sustainable development of civilisation.

Kuzbass is one of the leading energy regions of Russia, which was noted by the tour participants who visited the Chernigovskaya coal mine. They were shown how the process of mining this natural mineral in the Russian Federation takes place. In addition, the Kemerovo Region is rich in museums and cultural artefacts. The delegates of the BRICS Global Media Tour. Russian Edition were convinced of this when they visited the Tomskaya Pisanitsa Museum-Reserve, a unique complex of history and culture of the peoples of Eurasia, which covers an area of 156 hectares.

The cultural programme for representatives of media companies from BRICS and Africa included visits to Red Square, the Tretyakov Gallery, the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve and the Museum of the Special Purpose Garage of the Russian Federal Security Service.

The business track included a business dialogue at the Moscow representative office of the TV BRICS.

"Based on the results of the nine days, we can definitely say that the media tour was a success. It is gratifying that the participants were able to get acquainted not only with our cultural, historical and natural riches, but also gained and exchanged practical knowledge, found new contacts and intensified cooperation both between their media and with Russian journalists. I think that after visiting Moscow and Siberia, the participants will return to their countries with a more complete and objective view of Russia, of life inside the country, and of its opportunities for building international cooperation. I hope that it is our colleagues from Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe who will continue to cover interesting topics in their reports in cooperation with the BRICS-Media Association and TV BRICS, as well as continue to cooperate with the Gorchakov Fund in new formats and other events", said Sergey Orlov, Leading Specialist at the Gorchakov Fund.

"I had an incredible experience during the media tour. I am very grateful to TV BRICS and the Gorchakov Fund for this opportunity. After all, we were able not only to get to know Russia, but also to get to know each other and exchange experiences. I think this is a very important exchange, because every country should share its experience with each other, this is what we should do as media representatives," emphasised Luiz Augusto de Freitas Erthal, editor-in-chief of the Brazilian newspaper Toda Palavra.

Janna Tolstikova noted that this format of the press tour has significant potential for a series of similar tours in other BRICS countries, which could be organised in each country separately with the assistance and patronage of Russia as the initiator of the project.
Patna, July 13 : Patna Police have deployed adequate security forces to maintain law and order ahead of a BJP protest march in the Bihar capital on Thursday.

The BJP is protesting against the domicile policy of teachers' recruitment, taking examinations through Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), 10 lakh job promise, rising incidents of crime and the bridge collapse in Aguwani Ghat Khagaria.

"We have already said that the Nitish Kumar government has to answer these questions. We tried to raise these questions in the House as well but no response. Hence, we have decided to hit the streets," said Samrat Chaudhary, the state BJP president.

The protest march will begin from the Gandhi Maidan and proceed towards the Dak Bungalow Chowk, Bailey Road, Income Tax roundabout, Veerchand Patel Path and Vidhan Sabha.

In wake of the protest, the district administration has deployed 40 duty magistrates on the entire route.

Meanwhile, more than two dozen duty magistrates have been deployed at the Vidhan Sabha and Gardanibagh.

Apart from the security forces, water cannons, ambulances and fire brigade vehicles are on standby.

"We have deployed a large number of police force and duty magistrates to peacefully negotiate the protest march. We will not allow any person to march towards restricted areas of the Bihar Vidhan Sabha," ADM (law and order) Hemant Singh said.
New Delhi, July 13 : Telugu actor Roshann Meka, who has been roped in to play Malayalam superstar Mohanlal's son in multilingual epic action entertainer 'Vrushabha', said it's a very big opportunity to share screen space with the latter.

'Vrushabha' tells a high intensity dramatic epic story between a father and his son, and promises to have a massive ensemble cast and the state of the art VFX and high octane sequences to enthrall fans.

Talking on the same, Roshann said: "Getting a chance to share screen space with Mohanlal sir is a very big opportunity for me. It will be a challenging role and I am prepping hard to live upto the Nanda sir's vision of my character. I feel honoured to be on board this amazing film."

Producer Abhishek Vyas, AVS Studios, said, "Casting for the film has been done keeping in mind that fans everywhere should enjoy this amazing film. We strongly feel that Roshan is very capable and talented, and fits his role seamlessly and will do great justice to his pivotal role in the film. We are delighted to have him on-board in this journey. We will be revealing other cast details shortly."

Director Nanda Kishore added, "When I met Roshan, I knew I had found my actor to play Mohanlal's son. I have seen his earlier work and I am very impressed with his acting skills. Roshan will be a great asset to the film."

Presented by Connekkt Media and Balaji Telefilms in association with AVS Studios, it will go on floors later this month, and will be released in 2024, in over 4,500 screens worldwide in Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi.
President Biden's Investing in America Agenda Accelerates Adoption of Modern Building Codes, Improves Resilience, and Helps Tackle the Climate Crisis

As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today (July 12) announced $90 million in competitive awards to help states, cities, tribes, and partnering organizations implement updated energy codes for buildings. Funded by the President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these awards will support 27 projects across 26 states and the District of Columbia to ensure buildings meet the latest standards for energy efficiency reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering energy bills for American families and businesses. Awardees will provide technical assistance for updating state and local building codes, as well as their successful implementation across the country. Modernizing energy codes is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses and make communities more resilient to extreme weather events, which are key to addressing the climate crisis and achieving the Biden-Harris Administration's ambitious clean energy goals.

"Cutting emissions from buildings across America and ensuring they're more energy efficient are critical components of President Biden's plan to tackle the climate crisis and create cleaner and healthier communities," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "With unprecedented support from the President's Investing in America agenda, the Department is providing new funding to help cities and states modernize their building codes lowering energy costs for American families and businesses while improving public health."

Secretary Granholm will highlight the announcement later today in Louisiana at the Home Builders Institute training facility alongside the Louisiana Home Builders Association, who led Louisiana's charge to adopt the latest energy and building codes through a bipartisan effort to cut energy costs and protect communities against the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather.

Homes built to today's energy codes are 40% more efficient than homes built 15 years ago, making energy costs a smaller fraction of household expenses, insulating hard-working families and underserved communities from volatile fossil fuel prices. Energy codes substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also lowering builder risk. President Biden's Investing in America agenda is bringing the benefits of energy codes to communities that need them most including environmental justice communities, rural communities, and underserved communities.

Today, America's 130 million commercial and residential buildings are responsible for 35% of the nation's total carbon emissions. Energy codes establish minimum standards for energy efficiency in new and renovated buildings and help ensure they are healthier, safer, and more resilient. Through 2040, building energy codes are estimated to save Americans $138 billion on their utility bills and reduce 900 million metric tons of CO2 emissions an amount roughly equivalent to the combined annual emissions of 108 million homes.

To realize these immense cost-saving and public health benefits, it is critical that states and local governments update their building codes based on the latest technologies and construction practices and support their successful application. However, two out of every three communities in the U.S. have not adopted the latest building codes in part due to a lack of available resources to support their implementation. Today's awards seek to address this challenge, and help states and local governments across the country adopt and implement modern construction standards. This announcement builds on the Biden-Harris Administration's National Initiative to Advance Building Codes, which supports energy and building codes and standards that save lives, reduce property damage, cut utility bills, and create good-paying jobs while advancing environmental and energy justice priorities.

Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation

The 27 awarded projects from across the country were selected following a robust stakeholder engagement process and target partnerships across the range of energy code stakeholders who play an important role supporting the successful implementation of building codes. These awards encompass a number of key activities supporting energy code updates and implementation, including workforce development, community engagement, research and data collection, energy, equity and environmental justice, and increased support for compliance and enforcement.

A key focal point will be providing industry practitioners with access to education and training opportunities on the latest building codes. Awardees will help develop, attract, and train new workers and retain existing workers to bolster a skilled and diverse workforce that is well-versed in modern building standards, can keep pace with the latest technologies and construction practices, and will help build an inclusive clean energy future. Such programs are integral to the effective implementation of energy codes at the state and local levels, and represent President Biden's commitment to strengthening our workforce, empowering American workers, and providing new opportunities for good-paying, family-sustaining jobs across the country.

For a full list of projects, please click here.

Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time.

DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is accelerating the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of technologies and solutions to support President Biden's ambitious plan to transition America to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by 2050. EERE is helping to ensure the clean energy economy benefits all Americans, creating good paying jobs for the American people especially workers and communities impacted by the energy transition and those historically underserved by the energy system and overburdened by pollution.

For more information on DOE's activities supporting building codes, visit the Building Energy Codes Program or see the full funding opportunity announcement.
Mumbai, July 13 : The recently released teaser of Akshay Kumar's upcoming film 'OMG 2' has landed into trouble over a scene featuring Rudrabhishek of Lord Shiva with railway water.

In the scene, Lord Shiva played by Akshay is seen anointed with the water coming from the railway.

The Censor Board of Film Certification (CFBC) has refused to give the certificate to release the film. At present, the film has been sent to the review committee.

In the teaser, Akshay is seen playing Lord Shankar and Pankaj Tripathi is seen in the role of a supreme Shiva devotee.

With the particular scene in question, social media users have shown their anger as they say their sentiments have been hurt by this scene.

The film is set to release on August 11.

The satirical comedy-drama film is directed by Amit Rai.

It is a spiritual sequel to OMG - Oh My God! and stars Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi, Yami Gautamand Arun Govil. The film reportedly revolves around the subject of Sex education in Indian schools.

--IANS

dc/svn
United Nations, July 13 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, making a proposal for the further implementation of the agreements on food and fertilizer exports from Moscow and Kiev.

In the letter, Guterres outlined a proposal "aiming to harmonise the vital further implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with the vital need to keep the Black Sea Initiative operational", Xinhua news agency quoted the UN chief's spokesman Stephane Dujarric as saying to reporters.

The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by Moscow, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, he said.

"The Secretary-General remains engaged with all relevant parties on this issue and expresses his willingness to further engage on his proposal with the Russian Federation," said Dujarric.

Amid the war, Russia and Ukraine signed separately with Turkey and the United Nations the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul in July 2022, which allows the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products from Black Sea ports.

The initiative, initially in effect for 120 days, was extended in mid-November 2022 for another 120 days till March 18, 2023.

At that point, Russia only agreed to extend the deal for 60 days.

On May 17, Russia agreed to extend the deal for another 60 days.

As a parallel agreement, Russia and the UN signed a memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer exports.

However, little progress has been made on this part of the deal, prompting dissatisfaction from Russia.
Seoul, July 13 : A fire broke out in the parking tower of a hospital in the South Korean city of Daegu on Thursday, forcing about 200 inpatients to evacuate, officials said.

One of the evacuated, a woman in her 70s, complained of difficulty in breathing and was taken to a nearby hospital, Yonhap News Agency quoted the fire officials as saying.

The fire of unknown origin began at 3 a.m. at the hospital parking tower in Daegu's Dalseo district, and the main blaze was extinguished about two hours later, after about 170 firefighters and 65 fire trucks and other equipment were mobilised, they added.

The city's fire authorities and police plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire.
Khartoum, July 13 : Since the ongoing violence erupted in Sudan in April, more than 3 million people, roughly half of them children, have been displaced from their homes, according to the UN humanitarians.

In its latest situation update, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Unicef reported about 1.5 million children are living away from home, although some are still in Sudan, reports Xinhua news agency.

Overall, one in every two children in Sudan, approximately 13.6 million, needs urgent humanitarian assistance.

Since the conflict began, Unicef has provided health supplies to more than 3 million children and women, as well as safe drinking water to some 1.4 million people, OCHA said.

It added that nearly 100,000 children attend safe learning spaces, including solar-powered centres.

The Office further said the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported more than 2.4 million people were displaced across all 18 Sudanese states, with the majority in River Nile, North, White Nile and Sennar.

Nearly three-quarters of those displaced originally fled the capital Khartoum.

The UN Refugee Agency reported more than 650,000 people sought shelter in neighboring countries from the fighting in Sudan, OCHA said.

Also in an update, the IOM said thatmore than 64,000 people from Sudan had arrived in Ethiopia earlier this week through multiple border crossing points in the country's Amhara, Benishangul Gumz and Gambella regions.

Amid the increasing number of people crossing into Ethiopia, the IOM said heavy rain have made the conditions and terrains very difficult for aid workers to provide timely support.

The IOM said it has scaled up its presence at border crossing points and its migration response centre in Metema, the major crossing point, providing multi-sectoral assistance to arriving people, including health, water and sanitation, mental health and psychosocial support, onward transportation, as well as tailored protection assistance.

Brutal fighting erupted in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, on April 15 and swiftly escalated in different parts of the country.

The ongoing fighting is pitting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group.

Both sides have accused each other of initiating the conflict.

Deep differences had emerged between the SAF and the RSF, particularly regarding the latter's integration into the army as stipulated in a framework agreement signed between military and civilian leaders on December 5, 2022.

Some 3,000 to 5,000 people have died so far, with more than 8,000 others injured.
New Delhi, July 13 : Taking a dig at the Eknath Shinde-BJP government in Maharashtra over delay in portfolio allocation to the new ministers, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Thursday likened the triple-engine dispensation to a three-legged animal running a 100 meter race and advised them to declare the new entrants as "ministers without portfolios".

"Chief Minister (Eknath Shinde) and his two Deputies (Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar) of Maharashtra claim that their's is a triple-engine government. To me it seems like a three-legged animal which is running a 100 metre race," the Congress leader tweeted in Hindi.

"Nine new ministers in Maharashtra are sitting idle as they are yet to get their portfolios. None of the other 20 ministers, including Fadnavis, are willing to give up any portfolio. There is a solution: declare the new comers as ministers without portfolio. The nine new entrants joined the government to be ministers. Who said they wanted to be ministers with portfolios?" the former union minister quipped.

Chidambaram's remarks came in the wake of no portfolio being allotted to the newly-inducted NCP Ministers in the state cabinet.

Recently, Ajit Pawar led a revolt in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), joined the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance and took oath as Deputy CM of Maharashtra.

Along with him eight party MLAs also took oath as Ministers in the state government.

On Wednesday night, Ajit Pawar, along with party leader Praful Patel, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital.
New Delhi, July 13 : As the water level of the Yamuna continues to increase, the Delhi government's Transport Department on Thursday banned the entry of heavy vehicles at certain points and also halted interstate buses at the Singhu border.

In its order, the government said that "the entry of heavy vehicles have been banned from the Singhu border, Badarpur border, Loni border, and Chilla border".

"Interstate buses from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand terminating at ISBT Kashmere Gate will terminate at the Singhu border. These directions will remain in effect until further notice," it added.

The government also clarified that "these directions do not apply to trucks carrying essential commodities, such as medicines, raw vegetables, fruits, grains, milk, eggs, ice, and tankers carrying petroleum products".

Delhi is experiencing heavy traffic jams at all its border areas as the water level in the Yamuna River is flowing at a level way above the danger mark, reaching the Ring Road.

Buses heading towards the ISBT were forced to turn at the bypass crossing, leading to confusion among commuters as they were left unsure of how to reach their destinations.

The police have set up additional checkpoints at the starting points of the bypass flyover heading towards ISBT and are not allowing any vehicles to pass.
Lucknow, July 13 : The Uttar Pradesh government has put officials on high alert in the wake of rising water levels in several rivers across the state.

State chief secretary D.S. Mishra on Thursday said that rain gauges should be set up on priority in all villages.

He said that since water level of many rivers was on the rise, the departments of irrigation and flood control, water resources and relief should remain on alert mode and keep a watch on the changing weather pattern.

"Teams from NDRF, SDRF, PAC's flood unit and disaster relief should be deputed in affected areas. Where necessary, deploy disaster management mitra and civil defence volunteers. Nodal officers and assistant engineers have been deputed to keep a watch on sensitive embankments.

"They should carry out regular surveys to ensure that there are no breaches anywhere. Regular patrolling should be carried out," the Chief Secretary said.

He said that attention must be paid to animals in flooded areas and they should be shifted to safer spots.

Sites should be identified beforehand and arrangement to feed the animals should be made, he added.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the state government is coordinating with their Himachal Pradesh counterparts to bring back those stranded in the hill state which is hit heavy rain and floods.

Based on inputs from family and friends, the Uttar Pradesh government has tracked all 29 persons.

They are safely lodged in Manali hotels, a senior state government said.

"The government has been receiving information about stranded persons in Himachal and we are in regular touch with the relief commissioner's office, Himachal. They are coordinating with the Kullu divisional commissioner for information of persons from UP and ensuring their safety," the official said.

Of the 29 persons, six are from Kanpur, one from Lucknow and others from Sitapur, Meerut, Deoria, Varanasi, Ghaziabad, Jalaun, Shahjahanpur, Badaun and Balrampur.

They will be brought back when the roads are serviceable, and vehicles are able to ply, the official added.
Manali, July 13 : Once a preferred destination for tourists, Himachal Pradesh's resort Manali -- nestled in the picturesque Beas river valley -- has turned into a land of rubbles after torrential rain lashed the region with full nature's fury.

Described often as a gift of the Himalayas to the world, the rustic enclave known for its cool environs amidst snow-capped mountains now appears to fit in TS Elliot's narration of 'The Wasteland' -- What are the roots that clutch, what branches grow Out of this stony rubbish? Ask the people there, and they say Manali will take a long time to rise from the debris of its glory.

The worst damage was in Manali's suburbs where the swollen Beas river caused landslides, flashfloods and widespread damage to infrastructure like roads, bridges, houses and vehicles, besides the river waters inundated the Manali-Chandigarh highway, damaging a significant porting, hampering the movement of vehicles for days.

"This was not the first destructive landslide to damage the community and infrastructure," Ram Krishan Thakur, former Survey of India Director, told IANS on Thursday.

He said this fury reminded him of the 1995 floods in Manali that wreaked havoc on an unprecedented scale.

"This time the scale of damage is less, but humans are responsible for this devastation."

Pointing towards a destructive trail where once massive buildings were standing, he said the most damage occurred by the flashflood were raised illegally along with the river banks.

Thakur, who has been residing in Manali after his retirement in 2002, said Burwa, a village located in the suburbs of Manali, is seeing escalating socio-economic development and growth of tourism these days despite the fact that the entire area falls in the sinking zone.

Torrential rains, cloudbursts and flashfloods have become a regular feature in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh in recent years.

The heavy loss of life caused by such calamities can be mainly attributed to the increasing human activity, particularly along the rivers and water channels.

The local authorities are yet to wake up from their slumber despite the fact that most of the picnic spots in the Himalayan state fall in high seismic zones IV-V, suggesting severest seismic sensitivity.

A devastating landslide occurred on September 12, 1995, in Luggar Bhatti area, the prominent tourist destination in the Kullu Valley, and killed 65 people.

After this week's deluge, there are widespread damage to roads and water supply schemes in the Kullu-Manali region.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu in a tweet sai:, "Over 10,000 tourists are stranded in Kasol and Tirthan Valley due to road damage. We are facilitating the transportation of these tourists by transshipment, utilising jeeps and HRTC buses from the point where the road is damaged."

Bahang village, just two and a half km uphill Manali, and Manali's Aloo ground were the worst affected by the swollen river.

Officials told IANS that about 40 per cent of the 41-km-long national highway between Manali and Kullu has been completely washed away in floods.

The highway lies along the Beas river.

Old-timers say in the 1995 deluge more than 90 of this stretch was swept away by the swollen river, resulting in disrupting access for over an year.

"This time also thousands of tourists were evacuated from the left bank of the river on Tuesday after remaining stranded for two days," local hotelier Prem Thakur told IANS.

He said electricity, water and mobile connectivity was restored on Wednesday after three days of snapping.

According to him, 100 metre of the national highway in Rangri village was completely damaged by the swollen waters.

In one scary video, shared by a Twitter user, a multi-storeyed hotel in Manali's Aloo ground was seen crumbling down like a pack of cards and washed away in seconds in gushing waters of the river.

So were a bailey bridge, connecting the right bank to the left bank, and the Green Tax Barrier that collapsed like other infrastructures in a blink of an eye, leaving the hill destination to a standstill of nature's scars.

Another video showed a bus of Pepsu Road Transport Corp (PRTC) being swept away in the river.

Rangri village, which houses 600 to 800 hotels and homestays, has also witnessed the fury as the road connectivity from both Kullu and Manali sides was snapped with the washing away of a portion of the national highway.

A majority of tourists remained stranded for days.

"After my first-hand account of nature's fury of shops and houses washing away in swollen waters and cars tossing, I have decided not to return to Manali in future," a visibly disturbed Pragya Chatterjee, a tourist from Delhi who came to Manali with her family, remarked.

After the deluge, members of the hospitality industry fear Manali and its nearby destinations, which are home to no less than 1,500 hotels, lodges and home-stay accommodations, will take time to return to its original tranquil and forlorn look.

"For this the government needs to focus on restoring the basic infrastructure like road networks and bridges before the next season," remarked a local hotelier.

The next tourist season in Manali starts from Dussehra holidays and lasts till New Year's Eve.

Advocating sustainable development, Shimla's former Deputy Mayor Tikender Panwar said "it is not just nature's fury responsible for loss experienced this monsoon, the reckless infrastructure development is a major contributing factor".

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com)
New Delhi, July 13 : In view of the flood situation in the national capital, the Delhi government has decided to close private and government schools and colleges till Sunday.

Speaking to the media, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "A meeting of DDMA was held, and it was chaired by Lt. Governor (V.K. Saxena) and several decisions were taken."

Kejriwal said, "During the meeting it was decided that schools, colleges and universities will remain closed till Sunday."

He said that non-essential government offices and private establishments will be advised and appealed to work from home.

The AAP leader further said that Delhi might face water issues as three water plants have been shut and we will have to do water rationing. "People might face the issue of drinking water supply for one to two days," the Chief MInister said.

He also said that heavy vehicles, except those providing essential services, that enter Delhi will not be allowed.

"There were issues of toilets and bathrooms at relief camps. So, the camps are being shifted to schools," the AAP leader said.

The Delhi Lt. Governor is also the chairman of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

The meeting was called in the wake of the prevailing flood situation in Delhi after river Yamuna shattered the 45 year old record and is flowing at 208.4 meter this morning which was also attended by Kejriwal, several ministers and senior Delhi government officials.

Following the flood in several low-lying areas of the national capital over 16,000 people have been evacuated while several roads in Delhi have been closed for traffic as the water flooded the streets.

At least 12 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have also been deployed in Delhi for rescue and evacuation operations.
Bhopal, July 13 : Crime Branch of Madhya Pradesh police have arrested two Gujarat residents for spoofing the phone number of former Chief Minister Kamal Nath's office and demanding money from three Congress leaders posing as his office-bearers.

The four Congress leaders who received the call (with Nathas number displaying on their phone), are -- MLA Satish Sikarwar and state party vice president Ashok Singh (both in Gwalior), newly appointed Indore city unit chief Surjit Singh Chadha and former state party treasurer Govind Goyal in Bhopal.

In a police complaint, the Congress leaders said they received a phone call displaying Kamal Nath's name on their screen. The caller told them that "Kamal Nath is in urgent need of money".

However, upon inquiring, they realised that it was a fake call.

One of the leaders, Govind Goyal asked the caller to collect the money (Rs 10 lakh) from his residence in Bhopal.

Meanwhile, he also called the other three leaders to his home.

Later, two men from Gujarat came to Goyalas home to collect the money, but as the city police was alerted, the duo was caught and handed over to the Bhopal Crime Branch for further probe.

"We have also given a written complaint to the Crime Branch and a case has been registered. Both the accused have been arrested," K. K. Mishra, Madhya Pradesh Congress media in-charge said on Thursday.

Subsequent probe revealed that two young men identified as Sagar Parmar and Pintu Parmar (both residents of Gujaratas Mehsana) were working as Angadia (couriers) for some hawala operator.

The duo, who currently reside in Bhopalas Piplani area, were actually asked by someone in Indore to collect the money from the Congress leader Govind Goyal in Bhopal.

Caller ID spoofing involves a caller deliberately falsifying the information transmitted to the recipientas caller ID display to disguise identity.

In this case, Nathas phone number was displayed on the phones of the four Congress leaders using some spoof call/fake call app, police said.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant arrived on a visit to Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

This was told by the Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan, George Deek.

According to the information, the purpose of the visit of the head of the military department is to strengthen strategic relations between the two countries, political cooperation, and expand ties in the field of security and technology.

It is also expected that during the visit, the Israeli Defense Minister will discuss with his counterparts ways to strengthen regional stability.
Intelligent Octopus' automates energy use and rewards customers for using power when grid demand is low. That flexibility is vital when the Texas power grid will be under immense pressure to keep up with what is projected to be one of the hottest summers in decades.

Customers need either a wifi-enabled smart thermostat or an electric vehicle (EV) to get a discounted energy rate. Annual savings are expected to be around $360.

The supplier launched the rate on Power To Choose, the state electricity comparison website. It proved such a hit that Octopus had an unprecedented number of sign ups.

The supplier is actively contacting its customers to help them switch to the cheapest rate available. Those who can't afford the upfront costs of a smart thermostat - which cost around $100 - are given discounted rates. Customers are provided with tailored support to help them integrate their smart devices.

Barney Thibodeaux, Octopus Energy customer from Lewisville: "I didn't have a smart thermostat when I first saw the Intelligent Octopus deal but I figured that getting one would end up paying for itself within a few months. Now I'm saving around 25-30% compared to my previous energy plan. Having a smart thermostat saves me money and time. It's a win win. I personally found it easy to install but it's great to hear that Octopus are offering customers support if they're not very tech savvy."

Michael Lee, Octopus Energy US CEO, said: "We're the only energy company in Texas, in the US, in the world, that is actively urging customers to sign up for our cheapest rate. These Smart Rates are saving the grid from melting in the heat and help to put money back in the pockets of customers."

"We are laying down a marker showing what innovation can do to create a grid of the future. Buy a smart thermostat, save yourself hundreds of dollars and play your part in moving Texas from a dumb grid to a smart low-cost grid. No other energy company or utility is offering lower rates for customers with smart thermostats or an EV."

"This type of demand response plan must become the norm as we stop using dirty fuels and instead balance demand for cheap and abundant renewable power. Dinosaur traditional plans that lack this technology are bad for customers and won't help us tackle future blackouts."

Background

Intelligent Octopus: A smart device management feature that automates customers' energy usage and rewards them with savings for helping to balance the grid when the grid is constrained. This allows Octopus Energy to offer the cheapest electricity rates in the market by unlocking customer flexibility. Intelligent Octopus automates customers' smart products like wifi-enabled home thermostats and electric vehicles.

Lowering or raising the temperature of a thermostat by just a few degrees can help to decrease stress on the grid and reduce the chance of grid disruptions, like rolling blackouts, during extreme weather.

Customers on Intelligent Octopus for electric vehicles can smart charge their EV at the greenest of times. Customers just need to plug in their EV to its home charger, tell Octopus when it needs to be charged, and go. It's the ultimate set it and forget it charging tool. On average, customers pay about $10 a month to charge their EV with Intelligent Octopus.

Customers who switch to Intelligent Octopus download an app, sign into it and then integrate their smart device.

About Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy Group is a global energy tech pioneer, launched in 2016 to use technology to unlock a customer focused and affordable green energy revolution. It is part of Octopus Group, which is a certified BCorp. With operations in 14 countries, Octopus Energy Group's mission is going global. Octopus Energy entered the U.S. market in 2020, forming Octopus Energy US.

In December 2021, Octopus Energy Group was valued at approximately $5 billion following investments from Generation Investment Management and Canada Pensions Plan Investments Board.
Hyderabad, July 13 : A woman filmmaker was allegedly harassed by a man driving a car while she was jogging near KBR Park in Banjara Hills here.

The 32-year-old lodged a complaint with the Banjara Hills police about the incident that occurred on July 9.

According to police, the man resorted to obscene gestures and had also directed his phone's camera towards her.

The complainant told police that the man appeared in front of her three times in one-and-a-half hour. Every time he appeared before her, he was indulging in explicit and inappropriate behavior with his pants down to his knees.

On a complaint by the filmmaker, police registered a case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 354 A (sexual harassment), 354 D (stalking) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).

The complainant also provided the registration number of the black Verna car.

Police said they were trying to identify and apprehend the accused. KBR Park, a popular place for morning walkers including VIPs, witnessed similar incidents in the past.

A 45-year-old woman, who was on morning walk, was sexually harassed by two men in April last year. The accused escaped after she raised an alarm.

In November 2021, Tollywood actress Shalu Chourasiya was attacked and robbed when she was on an evening walk. She had suffered injuries while resisting the attack. The same month, another woman lodged a complaint that an unidentified man molested her and extorted Rs 2,500.

--IANS

ms/svn
Chennai, July 13 : Seeking the Moon God Chandran's blessings for Indian space agency's third moon mission - Chandrayaan-3, a special puja has been arranged at the Chandranaar Temple, in Thingalur near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu.

The Chandranaar Temple is one of the Navagraha temples, all located near Kumbakonam, and devotees pray at these temples to get rid of negative planetary influence on them.

While the presiding deity at the temple is Soma (Moon), the main deity is Lord Shiva.

"On Friday morning, a yagna between 8-10 a.m and an 'Abhishekam' for the Moon God has been arranged. Following that, there will be `Annadhanam' or free food for about 100 persons," D. Govindharaju, Deputy General Secretary, Desia Thirukovilgal Koottamaippu (National Federation for Temples) told IANS.

An Indian rocket LVM3 will lift off at 2.35 p.m. on Friday carrying Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft.

The spacecraft in turn holds a lander and a rover. The primary purpose of this mission is to soft land the lander on the moon and the rover to do some experiments on the moon soil.

This is the third time special prayers are being arranged for the success of Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) moon mission.

A special puja was also organised for the success of Chandrayaan-1 before the rocket lifted off in 2008, V. Kannan, Retired Manager at the Sri Kailasanathar Temple or Chandranaar Temple told IANS.

Interestingly, prior to the second moon mission  Chandrayaan-2- special prayers were not arranged.

The launch originally slated for July 15, 2019 got postponed due to technical glitch.

According to Kannan, the glitch it was thought may be due to the non-offering of the prayers to the Moon God. Hence, prior to the Chandrayaan-2 launch on July 22, special prayers, 'Abhishekam' and 'Annadhanam' were conducted.

Kannan said the special prayers were their contribution for India going forward in its scientific programme. According to Kannan, around 500 devotees come to the Chandranaar Temple daily and on Mondays the number goes up to 5,000.

The nine Navagraha temples are: Suryanaar (Sun), Chandranaar (Moon), Angaragan (Mars), Budhan (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Sukran (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)
July 13 : Bigg Boss 7 contestant Ajaz Khan, who finally made bail in NCB case, says Raj Kundra and Aryan Khan also face some of worst times in the prison, which are being run in deploring conditions.

During his interacting with Newshelpline at a press conference, Ajaz Khan said, When I came back, I didnt know how to use the toilet, when I ate, I found rotis a little different, Id even ate daal with worms in it, there was once a rat in my food, nobody cares about the prisoners, even if you die inside, no one will care. The prisons are being run such bad state. I am casted out as a criminal and a prisoner, and nothing has been proven in court.

When asked if he met Raj Kundra and Aryan Khan during his prision stint, Ajaz Khan said, Raj Kundra was depressed, his condition was really bad, he lost 10-15 kilo, but he faced everything. He faced some really terrible times, even Aryan also faced some of the worst conditions. It is a prison, it is meant to give you bad times, I really wish that even my worst enemies dont go to prison.

Khan was apprehended by NCB for the possession of 4.5g of banned substance. He was in Arthur Road Jail for 26 months after which he was granted bail by the Supreme Court of India.

Ajaz Khan has starred in movies such as Rakta Charitra and Allah Ke Banday and acted in several television daily soaps including Rahe Tera Aashirwaad and Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki.

In 2013, Khan participated in Bigg Boss 7.
New Delhi, July 13 : Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal on Thursday said that he is 100 per cent committed to produce semiconductors and display glass in India and have lined up partners for the same.

Agarwal reacted after Taiwanese chip-making giant Foxconn announced it had withdrawn from a joint venture to manufacture chips with India-based industrial giant Vedanta.

He said that India is a land of opportunities with huge potential.

"We need several ventures to help India become a semiconductor and display glass hub. We welcome Foxconn and the whole world to come and invest in this sector," Agarwal said in a tweet.

He further said that they are thankful to the government for taking proactive steps towards realising the dream of atmanirbharta and electronics.

"This is what will help us become a developed country. My vision is to fulfil the dreams of our young India," said Agarwal.

The government has already said that the decision of Foxconn to withdraw from its semiconductor JV with Vedanta has no impact on India's semiconductor goals.

Vedanta earlier said it will go ahead with the project.

"Vedanta reiterates that it is fully committed to its semiconductor fab project and we have lined up other partners to set up India's first foundry. We will continue to grow our Semiconductor team, and we have the license for production-grade technology for 40 nm from a prominent Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM)," said the company.

In his tweet, Agarwal said that he is proud of his team who has worked hard for the last one and a half years in closing on the right location, bringing in the best experts and companies "to join us in developing the electronics ecosystem".

"Yeh India ka time hai. Nobody can stop our country from building another silicon valley. This is a turning point for our country where, with speed and urgency, we will produce for India and the world," he noted.

--IANS

na/ksk
Seoul, July 13 : The top court on Thursday finalised a three-year prison term for a former head of a mid-size technology firm for leaking Samsung Display's edge panel technology to Chinese companies in 2018.

The edge panel technology, also known as 3D lamination technology, is used for making curved screen edges for Samsung smartphones. It took Samsung around $117.7 million in investment and six years of research by 38 engineers to develop the technology, reports Yonhap news agency.

A former CEO and officials of Toptec Co., a mid-size firm specializing in production equipment, were indicted on charges of leaking in April 2018 technical specifications and technical drawings of the edge panel technology they got from Samsung to a separate company they established. They then sold part of the documents to two Chinese companies.

They were also charged with producing 24 units of 3D lamination production equipment based on technical drawings provided by Samsung, exporting 16 of them to Chinese firms and attempting to sell the rest as well.

A district court had initially found the former Toptec CEO and officials not guilty, concluding the leaked technology is not a business secret.

An appellate court, however, overturned the ruling and sentenced the ex-CEO to three years in prison, reasoning that the technology is part of what the trade ministry classified as frontier technologies and thus cannot be deemed to be in the public domain.

The appeals court also concluded the defendants breached their duty not to leak business secrets.

The Supreme Court upheld a three-year imprisonment for the former Toptec CEO. Two other Toptec executives were also given a finalized two-year prison term, while the company was given a fine of 100 million won.
Kiev, July 13 : The Ukrainian Air Force on Thursday said that some 20 Iran-made drones were shot down over Kiev's airspace.

According to the Air Force, the Russian attack on Wednesday night, which came just hours after the the end of the NATO Summit in Lithuania, was the third in a row on Kiev, reports the BBC

Debris was reported in five districts and at least two people were sent to hospital with shrapnel wounds.

The Air Force reported that two Russian kalibr cruise missiles fired from a ship in the Black Sea were shot down by air defences, while information about the impact of an Iskander-M ballistic missile fired from Crimea was still being collected.
Lucknow, July 13 : Senior Samajwadi Party leader Mohd Azam Khan, after along stint in jail and a spell of ill health, is now getting back to work.

Azam has started picking up the threads of life and is fulfilling his political commitments, much to the relief of his supporters.

Azam was among the first political leaders to visit Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar when the latter was attacked in Saharanpur.

He was accompanied Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav to Malihabad on Tuesday for a mango feast, along with his son Abdullah Azam.

Before leaving for Malihabad, Azam had spent more than two hours with Akhilesh at the party office in Lucknow, discussing in detail political issues, particularly those concerning the opposition alliances and strategy for the Lok Sabha elections.

Azam has also been regularly meeting party leaders and workers in Rampur and preparing the ground for 2024 polls.

He had been away from party politics since February 2020 when he, along with wife and son, was sent to jail for a forged birth certificate filed by his son. Thereafter, he suffered from health issues and was then disqualified from the membership of state assembly, following his conviction in a case.

Azam's return to "active participation" in party engagements is being seen as SP's attempt to send a message to Muslims that the party has not deserted Khan, as was being claimed earlier.

Moreover, Azam's return also completes the party's formula of PDA -- "pichade, Dalit, alpasankhyak".

Akhilesh, in his meetings, has been saying 'Alpsankhyak Muslim Bhai" while defining the PDA.

Party leaders, however, dismiss the reports that Azam has suddenly gained importance in SP.

"He has always been an important part of the Samajwadi family and he was forced to stay away due to circumstances. His importance in the party remains unchanged," said a leader close to Akhilesh.
Islamabad, July 13 : Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning of medium to high-level flooding in the Sutlej river, directing advisories to provincial officials to ensure protective measures.

According to the NDMA warning, flooding is expected near Ganda Ginghwala, Kasur, during the next 24 to 48 hours as the water level around the area continued to rise.

"The water level of Ganda Singhwala was about 20.50 feet at 4 p.m. (Wednesday), which rose to 20.90 feet by 7 p.m. in the wake of water relased by India. The severity of a flood is considered if the water level crosses 19.5 feet," an NDMA official said.

Earlier, several villages were washed away after flood water breached protective walls of the rivers and entered into the surrounding areas of Mastaykay, Mahiwala, Dhoopsari and Bhikiwind.

Standing crops across hundreds of acres of land were also destroyed and submerged.

District administration have evacuated over 900 villagers who were sheltered in government schools in Sahira and Shekhupura Nau villages.

"We have set up more relief camps in the flood hit areas. It is expected that about two dozen villages and hamlets may submerge in the coming 24 to 48 hours if the water level continued to rise at this pace," a district official said.

"The administration of the flood-prone areas should continue monitoring the sensitive areas, especially at the river Chenab's Trimmu and Ravi's Jassar areas until July 20," the NDMA said.

Moreover, the weather advisory has also forecasted scattered thunderstorms and rains of light to moderate intensity in parts of Punjab and the capital Islamabad in the next 48 hours.

This may also contribute to the rising water levels of all major rivers of the Indus River System, causing more intensified flooding.

The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) also released at least 283,200 cusecs of water from various rim stations with an inflow of at least 325,700 cusecs on Wednesday.

"The water level in the Indus river at Tarbela Dam was 1,517.31 feet, which was at least 119.31 feet higher than its dead level of 1,398 feet. Water inflow and outflow in the dam were recorded at 143,200 cusecs and 140,000 cusecs respectively," it said.

The water level in the Jhelum at Mangla was recorded at 1,198.60 feet, which was at least 148.60 feet higher than its dead level of 1,050 feet.

The next 24 to 48 hours remain critical for many areas of the Punjab province as water levels are swelling at fast pace, triggering flood threat alarms and putting thousands of acres of standing crop fields along with surrounding localities, villages, towns and cities at high risk.
Kolkata, July 13 : : West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee should have initiated prompt action to control the violence and bloodbath during the recently concluded panchayat polls in the state rather than expressing condolences now over so many deaths, BJP Lok Sabha member Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Thursday morning.

He arrived in Kolkata on Wednesday as part of a four-member BJP delegation to review the incidents of violence, clashes and bloodbath during the polls for the three- tier panchayat system

On Thursday morning the delegation went to the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata to meet Governor C.V. Ananda Bose. After emerging from the meeting, Prasad talked to the media persons and said that the delegation members have requested the Governor to do the needful to end this violence and bloodbath.

"I came to know from the media that the chief minister has expressed condolences over the deaths. But what is the point of expressing condolences now? Mere condolences will not yield any result. What is required now is action," he said.

According to him, the state administration has lost both its credibility and sensitivity. "Our aim is to highlight to the people the manner in which Mamata Banerjee is running her administration. We do not need any permission for that from anyone. We have come here to feel and understand the pain of common people. What we witnessed yesterday was extremely painful. Today we will be going to Diamond Harbour area in South 24 Parganas district and speak to the people there. Thereafter we will go to North Bengal. I hope that we will not be prevented from meeting the family members of the victims," Prasadsaid.

Trinamool Congress's state spokesman Kunal Ghosh said that the BJP has deliberately sent the central team to show West Bengal in poor light. "RaviShankarPrasad has lost his berth as the Union law minister. He is now trying his best to be back in the good books of his party leadership and hence he is saying such things," Ghosh said.

The other three members of the delegation areformer commissioner of Mumbai Police Satyapal Singh and party MPs Rajdeep Roy and Rekha Verma, The latter is also the BJP's national vice- president.
New Delhi, July 13 : The Delhi High Court has handed three-month imprisonment to Veer Singh, the son of Max Group founder-chairman Analjit Singh, for failing to make maintenance payments to a woman even after a judicial order recording his undertaking stating the same.

The woman had previously accused him of entering into a fraudulent marriage with her.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court also imposed a fine of Rs 2000.

"From the submissions of the learned counsel for the respondent, it is evident that he is not willing to purge the contempt by complying with the orders or to address on the sentence, we hereby sentence him for Simple Imprisonment of three months with fine of Rs 2,000/-," the court said.

The court also directed the local police to issue arrest warrants for the man.

"The SHO, Tilak Marg is directed to issue warrants of arrest against the respondent and shall also get the Look Out circular issued against the respondent," the court said in its order copy.

Furthermore, the court ordered the issuance of a Look Out Circular as the man's counsel claimed he was currently out of the country and unable to appear in court.

The case is scheduled to be heard again on July 19.

The case stemmed from the woman's allegation of contempt of court against the man for his failure to comply with a previous court order issued on June 1.

She told the bench that on June 1, a court had recorded a categorical undertaking and assurance made by him, who appeared through video-conferencing, that he will make outstanding payment of rent and maintenance for the month of May within 24 hours and for June before June 07.

The court had also recorded his undertaking that he shall continue to pay the maintenance amount as he has been doing in the past, on or before the 7th day of each English calendar month.

The woman alleged that the man is habitual in his "disrespect and disdain" for the law and has deliberately violated various judicial orders, including those passed with his consent, undertakings and assurance.

The parties are involved in various legal proceedings, including custody disputes over their four-year-old child and a criminal case in which the woman has accused the man of raping her under false pretenses of marriage.

On March 27, Additional Sessions Judge of Saket Courts, Arul Verma, had directed the police to register an FIR under Sections 376, 493, 496, 417, 341, 342 and 354C of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for inducing the woman to cohabit and have sexual relations with him (Veer Singh) without her consent.

The woman had alleged that Singh has "committed rape upon her" as she entered into a sexual relationship with him on the belief that she is "lawfully married" to him and that he is her husband.

She had alleged that after a sham ceremony was orchestrated by Singh and his family members, the woman has been deceived, followed and observed without her consent. It is alleged that Singh placed CCTV cameras and baby monitors in the bedrooms and the lobby, and recorded her movements without her consent and knowledge.

The high court had later stayed the Sessions court order that had directed the police to register an FIR against Singh.

Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani had stayed the order after Singh moved to the high court.

--IANSspr/dpb
CHEYENNE, Wyo.  U.S. Gold Corp., which also owns the Keystone exploration property in Nevada, now has one of two critical permits for its CK Gold Project near Cheyenne  a permit from the Industrial Siting Division of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.

The siting permit is for the companys proposed gold, copper, and silver mine near Cheyenne. The Industrial Siting Division looks at capital projects and their potential community impacts if the project is expected to exceed $253.9 million in construction and mine capital costs.

The second critical permit package is the mine operating permit and mine closure plan from DEQs Land Quality Division. U.S. Gold expects that approval in the first half of next year.

U.S. Golds president and chief executive officer, George Bee, said the industrial siting permit is of significant importance in the regulatory process to protect those who may be impacted by large industrial capital investments. We have been very impressed by the professionalism, dedication and promptness demonstrated by the agencies in handling our permit applications.

The proposed mine is 20 miles west of Cheyenne near the Curt Gowdy State Park on land where there was a small amount of underground mining in the early 1900s. The property is in the historic Silver Crown Mining District.

U.S. Gold has estimated the gold and copper mine could provide up to 200 permanent jobs.

The company plans an open pit mine which will produce a concentrate using flotation technology that would be shipped to a smelter for final processing. No heap leaching will be required, so there will be no cyanide used on site, and there is not any mercury or arsenic in the ore.

Bee said in the July 12 announcement that while gold-copper mining has not been recently permitted in the state of Wyoming, state agencies are well versed in regulating the extractive industry.

Although Wyoming doesnt have any active gold mines, there are large coal and trona operations, as well as bentonite and uranium production.

We recognize a growing demand for copper and gold, and we are pleased that Wyoming, a state steeped in history of meeting the nations resource needs, possesses the experience, desire and capacity to continue fulfilling that role in a positive and professional manner, prioritizing the well-being of its people and the environment, Bee said.
Bhopal, July 13 : In a bizarre incident, a person reached a police station claiming that his wife left his home after a quarrel over "putting tomatoes" in the food. The incident was reported from the Dhanpuri area in Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh.

The man identified as Sandeep Burman, who runs a small dhaba (eatery) in Dhanpuri area, told the police that he cooked food for tiffin supply and put in two-three tomatoes, which did not go down well with his wife. Using the high priced (Rs.140 per kg) tomatoes resulted in a quarrel between the couple and his wife left the house.

"Meri galati sirf itni thi ki maine 2-3 tamatar dal diya the sabji me. (My only fault is that I put two-three tomatoes in the vegetables I cooked. My wife got angry and left the house with our minor daughter. It's been three days, I have given photographs to the police and have requested them to find her," Burman was heard saying in a viral video.

Confirming the incident, Sanjay Jaiswal, in-charge of Dhanpuri police station, said the complainant claimed his wife left their home with their minor daughter as she was upset with him for putting tomatoes in the food. "Complainant said his wife had gone to her sister's home in Umaria district. I have spoken to her in front of Sandeep Burman and she has agreed to return home," Jaiswal added.

For the last one month, vegetables prices have been burning a hole in the pockets of consumers across Madhya Pradesh. The price of tomato has gone up to Rs. 150-Rs 160 per kg in the retail market. Not merely tomatoes the prices of almost all vegetables have surged by three times.

For instance, ladyfinger, which was available for Rs. 20 per kg, has gone up to Rs 45-Rs 50 per kg. The prices of other vegetables like bottle gourd, sponge gourd, pointed gourd and many other have increased by Rs. 45-Rs 50 per kg.

A couple of days back, an Ashoknagar-based mobile shop owner came up with an interesting offer. He was offering two kg of tomatoes to consumers who buy a mobile from his shop. The skyrocketing prices of vegetables has also become a talking point in political circles here.

Congress MLA Kalpana Verma on Wednesday attended the monsoon session of the Assembly with a garland of tomatoes and chilli. Congress workers have also staged protests in several parts of the state against the soaring vegetable prices.

--IANSpd/bg
Udaipur, July 13 : In a shocking incident, a minor boy has been detained for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl with the help of his sister in the Hiran Magri area in Rajasthan's Udaipur district.

aThe accused is a drug addict and hence has been admitted to a de-addiction centre. However, his sister is at home. We have recorded the victimas statement and further investigation is on," SHO of Hiran Magri police station, Ram Sumer Meena, told IANS.

Police officials said that the victim, as well as the accused, was a Class 10 student in a private school. She and the two accused went to the same tuition class, and were friends.

The boy had been after the victim asking her to share her nude video which she refused. Later, his sister also pressured the victim to send the nude video. Soon after, the siblings concocted a plan and called the victim to a room where the sister locked her in along with her brother. The accused then raped her and made a video.

The Police have started an investigation and have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. A case has also been registered under the IT Act. Police have also recorded the statement of the victim before a judge in court.

According to SHO Meena, the incident happened in August 2022 but was reported recently when the objectionable video went viral on social media. The accused, he said, made a video of the incident and circulated it in the school social media group. The victim's schoolmates saw the video on social platforms and reported it to the principal. The principal then called the girl's family and informed them about the matter who got a complaint lodged against the minor siblings at the Hiran Magri police station.
New Delhi, July 13 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday chaired a meeting with the leaders of Uttarakhand to discuss the strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and it was decided that the party will take out a padyatra in the hill state on the issue of Agniveer scheme.

The meeting was also attended by former party chief Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal, Uttarakhand state unit chief Karan Mahara, state incharge Devendra Yadav, former Chief Minister Harish Rawat and several others.

Kharge, in a tweet later, wrote: "Devbhoomi Uttarakhand state is facing new challenges today. Our leaders and workers in the state are playing the role of a strong opposition, exposing the anti-people policies of the BJP government. It is our endeavor that all people live together in Uttarakhand, and take the state towards progress.

"The Congress is continuously raising the voice of the weak people of the society. At present, our duty is to help the public in the crisis of floods and landslides in Uttarakhand and to get help from the government system.

"We are in favor of formulating a concrete policy on the Himalayan states on water-climate change and side effects due to human messing with nature, in which any development work should be done only with the consent of the local people. Meeting with the leaders of Uttarakhand today at the headquarters regarding the preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections," he said highlighting the issues faced by the hill state due to land slides and flash floods.

Meanwhile, speaking to media after the meeting, Mahara contended that the Central government's Agniveer scheme has hurt the youths of the state.

"Today Kharge and Rahul Gandhi guided us what we need to do in Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand is home to the Kumaon and Garhwal Regiments. Every youth there wants to join the army. However, their dreams have been shattered by the Agniveer scheme. I have been asked to prepare for the padyatra in the state over the Agniveer scheme which will also be joined by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra," he said.

Mahara said that Rahul Gandhi will participate in the padyatra for over 10 days and similarly, Priyanka Gandhi will also join the yatra in the state. He also said that all the senior leaders will prepare the roadmap of the padyatra in the state and will share the plans soon.

"We are going into the roots of Uttarakhand and we will also highlight the murder of Ankita and atrocities against women in the state and will also highlight the issue of unemployment in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha elections," he added.

Kharge has earlier held similar.meetings with the party leaders of the poll-bound states of Telanagana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Mizoram. To prepare for crucial Lok Sabha elections next year, the Congress had held meeting with the leaders of Maharashtra first earlier this week.

Looking to make a comeback in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party has started preparing itself in advance this time.

--IANS

aks/vd
New Delhi, July 13 : The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) , in a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday approved proposals to procure 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets and three Scorpene diesel-electric submarines for the Indian Navy.

The DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy from the French government through an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA).

The ministry said that the price and other terms of purchase will be negotiated with the French government after taking into account all relevant aspects, including comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries. Further, integration of Indian designed equipments and establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) Hub for various systems will be incorporated into the contract documents after due negotiations.

Further the DAC also granted the AoN for procurement of three additional Scorpene submarines under Buy (Indian) category which will be built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

The procurement of additional submarines, with higher indigenous content, will not only help in maintaining required force level and operational readiness of the Indian Navy, but also create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector. It will also help the MDL in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction, an official of the Defence Ministry said.

According to the ministry, the DAC approved the proposal to lay down guidelines for achieving the desired indigenous content in all categories of capital acquisition cases. It will help in achieving aAatmanirbhartaa in critical manufacturing technologies and life-cycle sustenance of defence platforms and equipment through indigenous manufacturing.

Earlier, the proposals were discussed during high-level meetings at the ministry, following which they were place before the Council headed by the Union Defence Minister.

Last year, the naval version of Rafale fighter jets from France and American F/A-18 Super Hornet had both demonstrated their operational capabilities.

An agreement for the purchase is likely to be signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day (July 13-14) visit to France, where he will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade on Friday.

The Bastille Day, which is also France's National Day marks the anniversary of storming of the Bastille in 1789 during the French Revolution.

According to defence experts, there is an urgent requirement for aircraft and submarines, as the Indian Navy has been facing shortages and needs to shore up its requirements keeping in mind security challenges, especially in the Indian Ocean region.

Aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and Vikrant have been operating the MiG-29s and need the Rafales for operations on both carriers.

The deals are estimated to be worth over Rs 90,000 crore but the final cost will only be clear only after the contract negotiations are completed, a source added.

The country is likely to seek some concession in the price and may also insist on greater focus on a 'Make In India' content in it, an informed official said.

Meanwhile, India is also planning to buy Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for the tri-services from the US.

The DAC on June 15 accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for acquisition of 31 MQ-9B (16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian) High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for Tri-Services from the US through Foreign Military Sale (FMS) route.
New Delhi, July 13 : The future of cyber space requires all countries to work together in order to keep it safe and trusted and internet is one area where borders are not recognised, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Thursday.

Addressing the G20 conference on 'Crime and Security in the age of NFTs, AI and Metaverse' in Gurugram, he said that while technology has demonstrated its power to bring in the good, it has also become a force for user harm, toxicity, misinformation and criminality.

"The internet is an area where borders are not recognized as the victim is in one jurisdiction, the crime in another, and the perpetrator in a third jurisdiction," the minister told the gathering.

"It is clear that challenges of user harm, toxicity and criminality on the internet require different responses from law enforcement agencies and governments around the world," Chandrasekhar added.

The two-day G20 conference is being attended by over 900 distinguished individuals from G20 countries, as well as representatives from special invitee countries, international bodies, technology leaders, and experts, to discuss ways to protect the digital space from evolving cyber threats.

Chandrasekhar said that "we must understand that the future of cyber space requires all countries to work together in order to keep it safe and trusted".

"We must work in partnership not just in investigation, but for development of framework, tools and protocols on regulation and for addressing the increasing challenges and threats to the safety of digital nagriks all over the world," he stressed.

--IANS

na/vd
Gurugram, July 13 : A seven-year-old girl was killed and her father and 10-year-old brother sustained serious injuries after their two-wheeler was hit by a car on Sector-22 road in Gurugram on Thursday.

According to the police, the deceased was identified as Sahajpreet Kaur, a class 2 student while the injured have been identified as her father Gurmeet Singh and her brother Arshdeep.

The victim's family hails from Delhi but is currently residing in Sector 22, Gurugram.

Sahajpreet's mother Kawaljeet Kaur told police that around 8.00 am, her husband, along with their children, was on his way to drop them to their school on a scooty.

"When they reached Sector-22 road, a car coming from the opposite direction hit them. In the accident, my daughter received serious injuries on her head and she died on the spot while my husband and son, who sustained serious injuries, are undergoing treatment at a private hospital," she told the police.

Police said they have identified the absconding driver who is a resident of Dharam Colony of Gurugram, and his car, which he had left at the spot, has been impounded.

"We are in the process to nab the accused. Whether the car driver was in an inebriated state at the time of the accident or not will be known after a detailed investigation. A case of negligence and rash driving was registered against him at Palam Vihar police station in Gurugram," Ashok Kumar, the investigation officer of the case, told IANS.
Kohima, July 13 : The Department of Post under the Union government on Thursday released a special cover of the Naga back basket (NBB) as a mark of tribute to all Naga mothers and women.

The bamboo and cane basketry is an intrinsic part of everyday life in Nagaland, which is not only used to carry firewood, rice or vegetables by the Naga women, but is often gifted to a girl by her parents as a sign of love and affection.

Nagaland Governor La Ganesan released the special postal cover on NBB at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima on Thursday.

Noting that more often womenas handwork and contributions to a family goes unappreciated, he said that NBB is usually associated with the rural Naga woman.

Appreciating the postal department for releasing the special cover, the Governor said that this bamboo made craft epitomises handwork, responsibility and affection of the Naga women.

Ganesan narrated how Naga people in the past produced their baskets which were usually woven out of cane or bamboo in most Naga homes for domestic use.

He also said that the baskets are constructed by men during their leisure time after they return home from their toils in the field.

The Governor said that Nagaland has a rich history of culture and tradition, but with changing times, the younger generation is losing touch with the traditional practices and values.

Ganesan expressed his happiness that the older generation is becoming aware of this fact, and the Naga civil societies have tasked themselves to teach to revive the dying cultural practices and traditional arts of the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 'Man Ki Baata programme had mentioned about the Lidi Khro Society in Kohima that is doing a wonderful job in teaching and promoting Naga arts, including traditional basket weaving, to the younger generation, the Governor said.

L. Tiken Singh, superintendent of post offices, Nagaland, said that this initiative to release the special cover on NBB has been taken up to popularise the handicrafts of Nagaland.
Bengaluru, July 13 : Former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has said that the leaders of the ruling Congress in Karnataka are preventing the release of the details of a pen drive with a minister's conversation. "There is no urgency from my side to release the pen drive details. The Congress leaders are preventing the release," he stated.

Speaking to reporters in the Vidhana Soudha on the rate card of bribes for posts and pen drive, Kumaraswamy said that, "don't worry, I am going to get many more things. A section of Congress leaders are waiting for a wicket to fall to get out of their party." This is not a normal pen drive, he added.

Kumaraswamy had announced that he had got a pen drive containing the conversation of a prominent minister of CM Siddaramaiah's cabinet negotiating a bribe for a posting last week. "I am not going to run away. There is no question of hit and run.

"They (Congress ministers) have created dens for the transfer mafia. The transfer rate card provided is a continuation of their own announcement," he said. The Congress had been campaigning against the BJP while being in the opposition in the cash for transfer scam. "I have presented real facts before the House. If they have courage, let them take action. The information for the latest rate card is provided by the officers," Kumaraswamy stated.

"When I have raised the serious issue of corruption, the issue is being given a caste colour. Does corruption have a caste?" Kumaraswamy questioned.

Kumaraswamy on Wednesday presented the rates fixed for various posts in the department of agriculture by the Congress government. He maintained that Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore is fixed for the post of Joint Director in the headquarters of the agriculture department. Rs 15 lakh to Rs 75 lakh for Joint Director in the districts; Rs 10 to Rs 30 lakh for Deputy Directors in the districts; Rs 5 to Rs 15 lakh for Assistant Director; Rs 3 to Rs 10 lakh for Assistant Director in the districts; Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh for postings at Raitha Sampark centres.

The statements of Kumaraswamy have triggered a debate in political circles and also indicated infighting in the Congress. By stating that a section of the Congress leaders are awaiting the fall of a big leader, Kumaraswamy has again put the spotlight on the rivalry between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Dy CM D.K. Shivakumar.

Continuing the attack on the Congress government, the JD (S) on its social media handle stated that the rate card (bribes for posts) has shocked the government employees and officers. The people of the state are already suffering due to the price rise of tomatoes, vegetables, gas and rations. The rate card is the Congress party's sixth guarantee.

"On the one hand the Congress is providing freebies, on the other hand looting is ensured. Is this the Karnataka model of development? The government has not completed two months, the transfer business has reached its peak. The people are misguided through the guarantee schemes and the coffers of leaders are being filled," the JD (S) maintained.

"The cash for posting seems to be the official economic policy. If this is the situation during the honeymoon period, what would be the situation during the full moon time?" the JD (S) questioned.
New Delhi, July 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi was received by his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne on his arrival in Paris on Thursday for a two-day official visit to France.

On the first day of his visit, Modi will visit the Senate of France and meet its President Gerrad Larcher.

Later in the evening, the Prime Minister will have a meeting with Borne. He will also address an Indian community event at the iconic La Seine Musicale at around 11 p.m. (IST).

He will culminate his engagements for Thursday with a private dinner, which will be hosted for him by French President Emmanuel Macron at Elysee Palace.

On Friday, he will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day parade, where an Indian tri-services contingent will also be participating.

--IANS

ans/vd
Panaji, July 13 : Refering the statement of Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho that the Goa government will write to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman seeking to reconsider the GST council's decision to levy a 28 per cent tax on casinos, the Congress has questioned former about his "intention to lose revenue" from casino industry.

Addressing a press conference, GPCC General Secretary Vijay Bhike said that it seems Godinho has "fallen in love" with casino industry and hence working for its welfare.

"Mauvin Godinho should first think in the interest of public and should request his double engine government to lower GST which is levied on essential commodities. Why he is trying to make loss to state exchequer by helping casinos? Has he done fixing with casino owners to get bags," Bhike questioned.

Bhike said casinos earn crores of rupees, then what is need to bring down taxes on their business.

"We have always said that BJP government is working in the interest of crony capitalist. This very act of Mauvin Godinho has proved it. He has never spoken in the interest of public. He should speak about giving more subsidy to EV purchasers and ask his colleague, Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister, to grant more subsidy," Bhike said.

Speaking about prohibiting entry of people to all the wildlife sanctuaries and waterfalls in the state, Bhike said: "It is failure of government to come up with such orders."

"On one hand, the government is trying to promote monsoon trekking and on other hand, entry is prohibited. This can not be accepted," he said.

Bhike said that instead of prohibiting entry government should have deployed life guards by identifying waterfalls where tourists visit.

"There are many people and students who explore wildlife area during monsoon. They will be deprived to make research or study of their interest," he said.

He questioned whether the government will prohibit entry at beaches during the tourism season if anyone dies due to drowning.

--IANS

sbk/svn
ELKO  Elko County is joining the Flight Alliance for Northeastern Nevada to support a minimum revenue guarantee for flight service to Elko Regional Airport served by SkyWest Airlines, which is planning to overnight in Elko beginning this fall.

The City of Elko has been paying the guarantees alone.

One of the things that weve been discussing is to help the city to offset their minimum-rate guarantee, said Elko County Manager Amanda Osborne, who told county commissioners the minimum rate guarantee currently paid by the City of Elko that has been anywhere from $1.1 million to $1.5 million over the past couple of years.

Commissioners already agreed in May to provide $500,000 in the 2023-2024 fiscal year to help offset the cost of the guarantee, and Osborne said in a July 5 email that whether those funds go directly to the city, or the alliance, depends on the timing of getting the nonprofit set up and functional.

County commissioners voted on July 5 to join the alliance that Osborne said is in its final steps toward becoming official. The county will have a seat on the nonprofit alliance (FANN) board.

The alliance will aim to include public and private regional organizations and businesses, but Assistant City Manager Scott Wilkinson said at this point, just city and county are forming the alliance. After the alliance is formed there will be an effort to reach out to other groups, entities and/or companies for possible involvement.

Elko City Council on June 27 approved extending its revenue guarantee with SkyWest from June 30 to Sept. 30 at a maximum liability of $369,564  the highest the city will reimburse SkyWest for the three months toward SkyWest revenue.

The city had to cover a $88,676 shortfall in April and a $117,099 shortfall in May, Airplanners LLC told the council on June 27. Airplanners is the consulting firm that is helping Elko maintain flight service.

The consulting firm also said SkyWest was looking at returning to overnights in Elko, with flights leaving Elko for Salt Lake City in the morning and returning from Salt Lake City at night.

The return overnight flight is loaded in the Delta system beginning in September. We see it for October as well, Elko City Manager Jan Baum said in a July 8 email.

SkyWest already improved flight times out of Elko earlier this year, and Airport Manager Jim Foster said in a July 6 email that since the mid-day flight was introduced, we have seen a rise in our passenger counts. June was the strongest month in terms of passenger count that we have had in over 18 months.

Baum and Foster gave a presentation to county commissioners in May that included a chart showing enplanements at Elko Regional Airport were the lowest in 2022, at 8,387, compared with 15,625 in 2021 and a high was 19,966 in 2019.

Their presentation using 2021 data showed that 16.6% of travelers were using Elko Regional Airport, 74.3% were traveling to Salt Lake City for air travel and 9.1% were traveling to Reno for air travel, so the alliances marketing would promote travel from Elko, rather than travelers driving three and a half hours to Salt Lake City to catch a flight.

Foster also said SkyWest is planning to upgrade the aircraft serving Elko, and the airlines plan for charter services would use the older aircraft.

Beyond helping with the revenue subsidy, the alliance would promote commercial air travel to and from Elko as part of economic development, and Baum said the area the alliance could cover would be as far west as Winnemucca and east to West Wendover, as well as the Ely and Eureka areas.
Mumbai, July 13 : In a sharp critique, Maharashtra's opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies on Thursday claimed that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party will soon 'belittle' the breakaway Nationalist Congress Party faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, as the imbroglio over portfolios allocation continued.

NCP chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase and Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut taunted Ajit Pawar for his trips to New Delhi to notch attendance in the 'BJP darbar', akin to the Shiv Sena Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

For everything, forming the ministry, cabinet expansion, allocating portfolios, sanctioning funds or other things, Tapase and Raut said that Shinde had to rush to New Delhi and now Ajit Pawar has started doing the same.

"It's a surprise that a senior and respected leader like Ajit Pawar had to go to New Delhi to meet the BJP top brass to resolve the deadlock over the portfolios Earlier, people used to queue up outside his office to get their work done," remarked Tapase.

"Shinde, and now even Ajit Pawar used to complain that their leaders (ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray or NCP President Sharad Pawar) did not meet them or give them appointments Now, how has the situation changed? They have to go to New Delhi for every small permission as the BJP high command is there. But...some people like to be slaves," observed Raut.

Both leaders said over 10 days have passed since the NCP breakaway group joined the Sena-BJP government but its ministers has not been given the departments, which is "an insult" to the heavyweights.

Raut and Tapase feel the BJP's reluctance to give the Finance department to Ajit Pawar is "an attempt to belittle his importance" and humiliate such stalwarts.

"Those who have gone with Ajit Pawar are powerful leaders, a former Deputy CM, a former Speaker, etc. and they are entitled to major portfolios. In contrast, the Shinde people are light-weights who will be satisfied with small departments," said Raut.

Tapase claimed that the Shinde camp is rattled by Ajit Pawar's entry into the government and don't want important charges to be given to them. "Its ironic that the same Shinde, who once accused Ajit Pawar of not allocating resources to the erstwhile Shiv Sena MLAs, may have to do a repeat now that the BJP has brought him into the government Now, the Shinde cannot complain," Tapase said in a swipe.

Raut said that Ajit Pawar may have been given a 'commitment' of several crucial ministries by the BJP, but now there is resistance, so it would be worthwhile to watch out whether the promises are kept or not.

The Sena-UBT leader also warned that any cabinet expansion now could backfire as there is deep anger among the Sena-BJP MLAs who were eager to be inducted into the government for the past one year, but their hopes are dashed now.
New Delhi, July 13 : The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Friday the pleas moved by former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, seeking bail in connection with the corruption and money laundering cases related to the now-scrapped excise policy.

As per the cause list published on the apex court website, a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Bela M Trivedi will hear the two petitions filed by the senior AAP leader challenging decisions of the Delhi High Court denying him bail in the CBI and the ED cases, respectively.

In anticipation of Sisodiaas plea, the Enforcement Directorate has filed a caveat before the top court requesting for a chance to present its case. A caveat serves as a notice submitted to an appellate court by a litigant who wishes to be heard in case any orders are issued regarding an opponent's appeal that challenges the decision made by the lower court.

On Monday, a bench headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud has agreed to list the special leave petitions on July 14 after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Sisodia, sought urgent listing of the matter citing the ill health of his wife Seema Sisodia.

The senior Aam Aadmi Party leader moved the top court last week after the Delhi High Court had also denied him bail in connection with the money laundering charges being probed by the ED. On July 3, a division bench of the court refused to grant bail to Sisodia saying that he was not able to meet the twin conditions for grant of bail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and the triple test for grant of bail.

Earlier, Sisodia was denied bail by the high court in the CBI case relating to the same scam after observing that the allegations against him were very serious.

The Enforcement Directorate on July 7 said that it has attached assets worth Rs 52.24 crore belonging to Sisodia, his wife and some other accused persons in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. It had arrested Sisodia on March 9, after the CBI arrested him on February 26 this year.

In April, Special Judge M.K. Nagpal had denied bail to the AAP leader holding that the evidence, prima facie, "speaks volumes" of his involvement in the commission of the offence.
Ahmedabad, July 13 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh were granted permission by an Ahmedabad magistrate's court to be exempted from their scheduled appearance in a defamation case on Thursday.

The duo is currently facing a criminal defamation case in Ahmedabad, where they were initially summoned to appear before the court on April 15. Subsequently, fresh summons were issued on May 23.

Lawyer Aum Kotwal, representing Kejriwal and Singh, presented exemption applications on behalf of his clients, citing the flood situation in Delhi and the subsequent difficulties faced by the people in the national capital.

Kotwal informed the court that the Delhi chief minister and the Rajya Sabha MP have been actively involved in addressing the rain-related issues and conducting meetings to mitigate the situation. Additional magistrate SJ Panchal accepted the exemption request and postponed the matter to July 26.

The complaint leading to the defamation case was filed by Gujarat University registrar Piyush Patel. He accused Kejriwal of defaming the institution through his statements such as: "If PM studied from Delhi University, Gujarat University, then Gujarat University should celebrate that their alumnus has become the Prime Minister and yet they are trying to hide it." "The degree is not being shown because maybe the degree is fake, forfeited," and "if the degree is there and it is real, then why is it not being given?"

Patel alleged that Singh defamed the Prime Minister with his statement: "Prime Minister is putting his all to prove a fake degree as right." The defamatory remarks were made in the presence of the media and disseminated through Twitter, with the intention to tarnish the reputation of the university, according to the complainant.

The court proceedings will resume on July 26.
Delhi, July 13 : As the water from overflowing Yamuna river reached the roads of the national capital, the Delhi Traffic Police on Thursday issued an advisory on restrictions and regulation of vehicular movement.

Traffic jams were witnessed in several parts of the city, including east Delhi, where commuters stuck for hours on roads.

According to the advisory, traffic has been impacted at Bhairon Marg, Rajghat, the Ring Road opposite IGI Stadium, Hanuman Setu, Monkey Bridge, Monastery, Chandagi Ram Akhara, Majnu Ka Tila, Gandhi Nagar Pushta Road upto Akshardham, Khajuri Pushta, Pragati Maidan Tunnel due to rise of level of water in the Yamuna.

A senior police official said that traffic police has been providing regular updates on the impact of the downpour on vehicular movement and sharing images of waterlogged areas.

The low-lying areas near the river in Delhi are considered vulnerable to flooding and are home to around 37,000 people.

Due to heavy rainfall, the administration has urged local residents to evacuate the area adjacent to Yamuna flood plain and avoid the low catchment area of Yamuna plain.

"The rain water has come on Ring Road from Majnu Ka Tila up to Rajghat and adjacent areas which are affecting the traffic movement on Ring Road at the above stretch," said the traffic cops.

To avoid the general public/commuters from inconvenience and to ensure smooth flow of traffic, the commuters coming from North-South can take Outer Ring Road  Wazirabad Bridge  Wazirabad Road  Loni Gole Chakkar  Road No. 66  Road No. 57- Vikas Marg or Outer Ring Road  Arihant Marg  GT Karnal Road  Rani Jhansi Marg  Vande Matram Marg. "The commuters on the east-west movement in Delhi can take route from Punjabi Bagh Chowk - Mahatma Gandhi Marg  Outer Ring Road - Wazirabad Bridge  Wazirabad Road  Bhopura Border or Punjabi Bagh Chowk - Mahatma Gandhi Marg  DKFO  AIIMS Chowk  Mahatma Gandhi Marg - Sarai Kale Khan - Akshardham- NH-9," stated the advisory.

"Inter-state buses coming from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand will stop at Singhu border instead of ISBT Kashmere Gate. In view of Supreme Court judgement, non-destined commercial vehicles will not be allowed entry into Delhi. They will be diverted to Eastern & Western Peripheral Expressway," said the official.

"The entry of Heavy Goods vehicles has been banned from Singhu border, Badarpur border, Loni border, and Chilla border as a precautionary measure. There is no restriction on vehicles carrying essential services such as food items and petroleum products," stated the advisory.

"Vehicular traffic coming from Ghaziabad side will be diverted to Road No. 57. Traffic coming from Wazirabad Bridge to Majnu Ka Tila will be diverted towards Mukarba Chowk. Traffic coming from Boulevard Road to ISBT will be diverted towards Shamnath Marg and Mahatma Gandhi Marg," it said.

The traffic cops further said that commuters are advised to postpone travel plans to low-lying areas in view of high alert issued by administration and in case of unavoidable journey, the above-mentioned roads should be excluded from travel plans. The visuals across the city have shown massive traffic snarls.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 13 : As reports surfaced on Tesla considering a cheaper Model 3 in India around Rs 20 lakh as it mulls bringing its supply chain ecosystem to the country in the near future, industry experts on Thursday said achieving this price range appears to be a distant dream.

If all goes well, Tesla can reportedly produce 5 lakh electric vehicles annually that starts from Rs 20 lakh, as the Elon Musk-run company plans to set up its auto parts and electronics chain in India, along with seeking incentives and tax benefits.

According to experts, Tesla prices are nearly the same across the globe and currently, the base variant of the Tesla Model 3, which is the cheapest Tesla model available, is priced at $40,240 (approximately Rs 33 lakh).

Importing this model into India will incur a cost ranging between Rs 60-66 lakh. India imposes a 100 per cent import tax on electric vehicles (EVs) priced above $40,000.

"However, this import duty can be eliminated by setting up local production. Despite this, the possibility of acquiring a $40,240 (or around Rs 33 lakh) car for $24,366 (Rs 20 lakh) still seems like a distant dream," senior analyst Soumen Mandal from Counterpoint Research told IANS.

This cost reduction could be achieved if Tesla models manufactured in India have fewer features compared to the ones available in the US.

"For example, certain hardware required for Full Self-Driving (FSD) could be eliminated and, instead, Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) Level 2 could be included," Mandal added.

The battery pack, imported from China, could have a capacity lower than 50kW and the electric motors could be of lower power.

Additionally, the in-vehicle electronics could be reduced and a smaller center display used, according to the analyst.

There are initial talks between the Indian government and Tesla and may take some time before a Tesla facility arrives in the country. Tesla is also conducting meetings with industry executives in India, according to The Economic Times. There are also reports that Tesla is working on a 'next gen' EV platform that will support compact cars.

"The production cost of this platform is expected to be reduced by approximately 50 per cent compared to the present platform, enabling Tesla to enter the sub-$25,000 EV segment. We expect that India will become a manufacturing hub for these compact models, with prices starting from Rs 20 lakh," Mandal noted.

The recent challenges in China have provided an impetus for Tesla to potentially explore, and establish a manufacturing base in India.

"The possibility of a Tesla in India at potentially around Rs 20 lakh depends on an array of variables, including potentially attractive policy incentives, and Tesla's ability to accomplish efficiencies in supply chain and costs to effectively leverage local manufacturing. All said, pricing decisions will be driven by Tesla's business strategy," said Prabhu Ram who heads the Industry Intelligence Group (IIG) at CyberMedia Research (CMR).

"The automotive market is highly competitive. While Tesla could get a competitive advantage with policy incentives, current automotive market incumbents would be spurred to invest further, and scale their EV portfolio, Ram told IANS.

However, it is still too early to determine how Tesla's entry into the Indian market will impact existing EV players. Companies like Tata Motors and MG cater to the budget segment of the EV market, while Tesla's price point positions it in the premium segment.

--IANS

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New York, July 13 : In a breakthrough research, US scientists have identified dog genes that can hold potential cure for cancer in humans.

A team from the Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, and the University of Georgia, conducted the largest-ever genomic sequencing study of canine tumours.

The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, examined real-world clinical genomic data from 671 pet dogs with cancer across the US and analysed tumour samples to identify genetic mutations driving canine cancers.

These samples were then compared to a large database of nearly 25,000 human tumour samples to identify overlapping mutations between the two species.

The researchers identified 18 mutation "hotspots" that are likely primary drivers of canine cancers. Although 10 of these hotspots have not been previously reported in humans, the remaining eight were shared by humans and dogs.

Many of these hotspots can also be targeted with small molecule drugs that are already approved for human cancer patients. This means canine cancer patients will have increased access to highly effective precision treatments that can replace or augment traditional one-size-fits-all approaches such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.

At the same time, the genetic data from canine tumours can accelerate the development of precision cancer drugs for humans. The findings also showed several previously unreported mutation hotspots in canine cancers, demonstrating their ability to reliably predict whether a tumour is somatic or germline based on tumour tissue alone.

"This study provides the most comprehensive genomic sequencing data on canine cancers, including several previously unsequenced types, and serves as a much-needed resource for comparative oncology," said Shaying Zhao, a professor at the University of Georgia and a co-author of the study.

By addressing the significant gap in genomic data on canine cancers, this study also ushers in an era of precision veterinary medicine through clinical genomics. Prior to this study, fewer than 2,000 canine tumours had been genetically sequenced. This study alone increased the number of canine tumours that have been sequenced by more than 33 per cent, the researchers said.

--IANS

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Chennai, July 13 : A retired Director General of Police in Tamil Nadu has complained to the state cyber police about a conman faking him in social media and trying to cheat people, police said on Thursday.

M. Ravi lodged a complaint with the cyber cell that a person had created a duplicate account in his name along with a photograph of him, and went on to put up an advertisement on social media that his home furniture was for sale at a second-hand price.

The retired IPS officer also took to social media and said that the posts coming from the duplicate account were not his and urged the people not to fall prey to such posts.

He also informed the public, that if any message comes to them in their personal inbox, they should immediately alert the police and that he had already lodged a complaint.

There have been several instances of fraudsters faking the social media accounts of popular persons including bureaucrats and police officers to cheat people of money.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, July 13 : Christopher Nolan's upcoming biopic 'Oppenheimer' is touted to be one of 2023's biggest projects. Actors Matt Damon and Emily Blunt who play the key roles of General Leslie Groves Jr, and Katherine "Kitty" Oppenheimer, have called the movie the biggest story of their lives.

Speaking to Collider, when asked what projects of Damon and Blunt would the two like for someone to watch who is completely unfamiliar with their work, Matt Damon said: "'Oppenheimer' really. It's the biggest story of our lives, maybe in the history of the human species so far, told by a director whoas at the absolute top of his game, with one of the great screen performances at the center of it."

"Chris always said to us when we were making it, 'I need you guys in support.' That's the mission, basically, supporting Cillian (Murphy). This whole movie hinges on that performance. Itall resonate emotionally if weare with that character. It just ripped you into that world, and given whatas at stake, thereas not a more important story out there." Emily Blunt also agreed with the statement.

Talking about being handed the script, Emily Blunt said: "I think I was probably nervous reading it at first, thinking, 'Am I going to be behind physics and science? Am I going to be able to wrap my head around all of it?' Then you realise, that is the backdrop."

She continued: "That is not the full thrust of the script. That's not what's so pulsating about it. It was such an emotional script to read. Itas really about the trauma of living with a brain like that and the ramifications of what that brain brought to the world."

She added: "The worst thing is when you read a script and you have to perform your love of it. Thereas none of that with Chris. Nothing's performative, ever, because what he creates is so extraordinary. You don't have to perform it because it is."

Blunt also spoke about her own experience watching the movie. She said: "I thought my bones were going to shatter. I felt this weight on my breastplate the whole way through it. You feel like you're inside of it. I watched it with Robert (Downey Jr), and we were both really emotional watching it."

Talking about the movie being made in IMAX 70, both the actors urged that audiences definitely watch the film in IMAX.

Matt said: "They invented black and white IMAX film for the movie," while Blunt said: "Please go see it in IMAX. He sweat bullets to make it in IMAX, so go see it."

The early previews have also called the movie a 'horror film' due to its realistic details towards recreating the nuclear explosion as well as showcasing the developments that happened during the course of the Manhattan Project and its aftermath in a very harrowing and somber tone.

'Oppenheimer' will hit theatres on July 21, 2023.
Agartala, July 13 : Infiltrators from Bangladesh are trying to enter Tripura through the unfenced bordering areas or by cutting border fencing, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on the floor of the Assembly on Thursday.

Replying to an urgent public importance notice, Saha, who also holds the Home portfolio, told the House that of the 856 km India-Bangladesh border with Tripura, 50 km patch could not be fenced due to various reasons, including objection by the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) and revering frontiers.

Smugglers and drug peddlers are also taking the same advantage to carry out their illegal trade through these unfenced frontiers, Saha said.

The Chief Minister said that 18 battalions of the Border Security Force (BSF) have been deployed along the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura and the state police in coordination with the BSF have been maintaining a strict vigil in the border villages thwart infiltration, smuggling, cross-border crimes and other illegal activities.

He said that since January 2021, 235 Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas have been detained in Tripura by the BSF and various other security forces for their illegal entry into India, and 35 cases have been registered in this regard.

The Chief Minister informed the legislators that the government is committed to secure the border against any illegal activities, including infiltration from Bangladesh and drug peddling.

"The government has been trying to further strengthen the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura so that all types of illegal cross-border activities could be checked," Saha said.
Chennai, July 13 : The Communist Party of India-Marxist on Thursday urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to reconsider certain conditions laid down under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme for monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 to women heads of families.

CPI-M Tamil Nadu state Secretary, K. Balakrishnan, addressing reporters at Dindigul, said that his party was not for the well-to-do people receiving assistance from government as this would only be a wasteful expenditure for the government.

But people from middle and lower classes must get government assistance, he added.

The senior communist leader said that the condition that families who use electricity above 300 units per month are not eligible for assistance was not acceptable. Balakrishnan also said that the condition that women receiving widow pensions, old age pensions and those who receive disability pensions are ineligible for the monthly assistance was also not acceptable to the CPI-M.

He also said that if the government has any difficulties in providing Rs 1,000 assistance under Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai, then the government must increase the assistance given under the other schemes.

--IANS

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Episode 98: There has been more talk recently about the importance of third places.

For those who are unfamiliar, the term was coined by author Ray Oldenburg in his book The Great Good Place.

First places, he writes, are where we live, and second places are where we work. The third place is somewhere where we want to be  and its often a place where we connect with others in the community.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk about why such places are so important and what can be done to make them more common.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast:

A record share of Americans is living alone, by Daniel de Vise, The Hill

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Varanasi, July 13 : The world's first and biggest International Temples Convention and Expo (ITCX) will begin at the Rudraksh international convention centre here on July 22.

The three-day convention will be inaugurated by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat.

The convention, being held months ahead of the opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and then the Lok Sabha elections, assumes immense political significance, as does the venue which happens to be Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency.

The presence of temple managements and heads from southern states clearly indicates that the intention is to consolidate the Hindutva plank on a pan-India basis.

The event is being hosted by Temple Connect (TC), which is a leading platform dedicated to the documentation, digitalisation and distribution of information related to temples of Indian origin.

Providing details of the proposed events, TC founder Girish Kulkarni and ITCX 2023 Chairman and Maharashtra MLC and show director Meghaa Ghosh said that the prominent attendees at the event will include temple trustees, members of temple boards and trusts, besides prominent personalities such as the Prince of Travancore (Padmanabhaswamy Temple), Goa minister Rohan A. Khaunte, and executive officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, Dharma Reddy.

"The first-of-its-kind knowledge sharing event will shed light on best practices in temple management through panel discussions, presentations, workshops, and master classes," said Ghosh.

A local temple priest, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, "The idea behind the event is to showcase the grandeur and importance of Ram temple and also put the focus on Varanasi as a spiritual and religious destination. The political timing of the event cannot be dismissed."

According to sources, the convention will promote the idea of scientific temple management, which is missing in most temples in northern India.

"This is the world's first event solely dedicated to the management of temples across the globe and will focus on nurturing and empowering the administration, management and operations of temple ecosystems," sources said.

The sessions will cover topics on temple safety, security and surveillance, fund management, disaster management, sanitisation and hygiene as well as optimal use of new-age technology like artificial intelligence (AI) for protection against cyber-attacks and social media management to foster a strong and connected temple community apart from subjects like crowd and queue management, solid waste management, and infrastructure enhancement under the umbrella of pilgrim experience.

The most significant part of the convention is the participation of over 450 personalities from devotional institutions of different religions, including Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism, from across 25 countries.

The congregation of Hindu religious minorities at the event will, in all probability, extend tacit support to Uniform Civil Code, thereby demolishing the myth that all minorities are opposed to UCC.

TC founder Girish Kulkarni said, "The event will carve a space for free-flowing exchange of ideas, learning and invaluable insight among like-minded dignitaries who are at the helm of temple management in order to establish, enable and promote the best practices for temple management teams worldwide. The event is designed for temples and trusts of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism in its first season."
Bengaluru, July 13 : There are a total of 754 foreign nationals staying in Karnataka after expiry of their visas, and there are also 502 police complaints lodged against foreign nationals, the state Legislature was told on Thursday.

Answering a question in the Legislative Council from BJP's Gopinath, Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara stated that the government will initiate steps to send them back.

Foreign nationals come to the state for education, tourism and other reasons.

He also said that there are 502 cases lodged against foreigners in the state over illegal activities, and most of them are against those who have come from Africa. They plan in such a way that the complaint is lodged against them so that they can stay back in India, Parameshwara said, adding that in spite of this, his department is monitoring them.

The minister said that there are 4,890 foreign students studying in the state, while as many as 8,862 foreigners are residing in Bengaluru and other parts of the state on visas.

Noting every police station is instructed to monitor them, he noted that there were incidents of violence by some foreign nationals. The process of sending foreign nationals whose visas have expired will be done on priority basis, he said.

The Home Minister also stated that there is shortage of space in jails for the prisoners.

Answering the question in this regard by BJP's Pratap Simha Nayak, he said that there are 54 jails in Karnataka and among them, there are excess prisoners in 28 jails. There is provision for 14,237 prisoners in the state's jails, but the total number of inmates is 16,053.

New barracks are built in six new jails and they will accommodate 3,700 prisoners, he said, adding that in spite of this, there is shortage of space for prisoners, and measures are taken in this regard.
Bhopal, July 13 : With the ghost of the Vyapam scam appears to have returned to Madhya Pradesh, the Congress has sharpened its attack on the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in the state.

The fresh controversy was triggered after the merit list of a recent examination for the posts of Group 2 and Sub Group 4 Patwari - a revenue official was released, in which seven out of the top ten scorers took their exams at the NRI College, Gwalior. This exam centre reportedly has strong links to BJP MLA Sanjeev Kushwaha.

Apprehension was raised over "unusual" pattern in the answersheets of these seven toppers, wherein the candidates signed their examination forms in Hindi, but answered the question papers in English.

Congress leader Arun Yadav was the first who alleged "irregularities" in the recruitment process. The examination was conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (ESB) - formerly known as the Professional Examination Board (PEB) or the Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal (Vyapam).

Subsequently, scores of job aspirants staged a massive protest at Indore District Collector's office and demanded an investigation into the alleged irregularities. The protesters alleged that there have been irregularities in the examination and the results have been rigged.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi also hit out at Shivraj-led BJP government in the state on the issue.

"Once again there are reports of scam in recruitment under the rule of BJP government of Madhya Pradesh... why is the government shying away from conducting an inquiry? Why only the names of BJP leaders keep cropping up for their alleged involvement in recruitment scams?... Why is the BJP government putting the future of lakhs of youth in darkness?," she said in a tweet.

Former Chief Minister and state Congress chief Kamal Nath, who has already demanded an independent inquiry into the matter, on Thursday sought justice for the aspirants and "advised" the Chief Minister to leave the "mentality of covering up every case of corruption and scam".

"The way rigging and scams are coming to the fore in every competitive and recruitment examination in Madhya Pradesh, it is natural for the hardworking students to be agitated. I want to tell the Chief Minister that he should understand this discontent and anger of the youth," he said.

The BJP government, however, maintained that no irregularities have occurred in the recruitment process, instead it accused the Congress of misleading the people for its political gain when the Assembly elections are very close in the state.

Senior BJP leader and state Home Minister Narottam Mishra told reporters on Wednesday said that the Board (ESB) had conducted the examination on April 26 and the results were declared in May and June and the Congress is now raising the issue with eye on the state Assembly polls.

"A total 114 candidates passed the examination from that particular centre (NRI College), but the Congress talking about only seven of them. Five of them are women who have secured top ranks, I can't understand what is problem with the Congress. They are trying to mislead the people with fake allegations," Mishra said on Wednesday.

The board, formerly known as Vyapam, is again in the controversy a decade after the original scandal that implicated several high-profile politicians and bureaucrats in 2013. The scam that was investigated by the CBI is still under court proceedings, decisions in many cases have been pronounced, however, the main case, which is called "Ingine-Bogie" with more than 5000 accused still remained untouched.
Toronto, July 13 : Two Indo-Canadians are among six people facing charges in connection with a drug bust that saw more than $800,000 seized in drugs, cash and jewellery last year.

Kulwant Singh Bal (44), Gary Dhami (32), both from Kelowna, and other suspects are facing a total of 30 charges, including drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) said on Tuesday.

They were arrested between June 13 and June 22 this year, and a warrant has been issued for Petar Hristov from Edmonton, who is believed to have fled the country.

The investigation, dubbed 'Project Deception', initially began in May 2021 after an initial drug seizure in Lloydminster, ALERT said.

"Project Deception has been a lengthy and complex investigation, which is reflected in the severity and scope of the charges being laid," Sergeant Bruce Maclean of ALERT said.

"These suspects allegedly supplied our communities with harmful drugs and now they will be held accountable before the courts," Maclean added.

On June 1, 2022, houses in Lloydminster, Edmonton, Springbrook, Alberta, Kelowna and Vernon, British Columbia were searched as part of the investigation.

Police recovered drugs with an estimated street value of $571,000 in addition to $101,888 in cash, and $147,872 in "restrained" assets that included jewellery.

Two handguns with ammunition; 3,600 gm cocaine; 3,055 gm suspected buffing agents; 1,223 gm methamphetamine; and 275 gm suspected fentanyl were also recovered by the police.
Bengaluru, July 13 : Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) legislator Karemma Nayak on Thursday said in the Karnatka Assembly that she is being threatened by the sand mafia in her constituency.

"The sand mining mafia menace has crossed all limits. I have attempted to shut it down. I have been threatened that I will be run over by a lorry," she said.

Nayak also said that a former MLA's supporters were "trying to dominate" her. She was referring to Shivanagouda Nayak, a former BJP legislator who was defeated by over 1 lakh votes by her in the Assembly elections.

"The officials have not even considered that I am a legislator. The police are not co-operating even as I have stopped matka business. The police personnel are not even following the protocol to show respect towards me as I am an MLA," she said.

"The former MLA is threatening the police. He is claiming that he will get re-election done in six months. I am feeling concerned and anxious. The people from the sand mafia have assaulted my relative. The government should ensure my security," she demanded.

She further said that "the incident of a stranger entering the state legislature and sitting on my seat has increased her concerns".

Speaker U.T. Khader, after hearing the MLA, said the government should consider her concerns seriously.

"I will also speak to the Home Minister in this regard. You need not worry about the 'stranger' seating in your place in the house. You didn't come early and since it was empty, he sat there. Had you came earlier, he would not have sat there," he said.
New Delhi, July 13: At least 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed in two separate attacks in Balochistan and three armed personnel were injured in another attack in Sindh on Wednesday. This was one of the deadliest attacks on the Pakistani Army since February 2022 attacks by Baloch fighters on the Pakistani military camps in Kech, Panjgur and Noshki.

Nine Pakistani soldiers were killed when the Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), a new outfit that claims affiliation to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), attacked the Zhob garrison of the Pakistani Army in northern Balochistan. This is the TJP's third and its deadliest attack on the security forces this year.

Pakistani security forces have been under an onslaught ever since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021 and large numbers of Taliban fighters made their way to Pakistan to establish an Islamic entity just like Afghanistan. Since then the number of attacks on the Pakistani security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have gone up dramatically with hundreds of casualties.

The Khorasan Diary says that the "mysterious group is actually a cover for other major outfits in the country, such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Hafiz Gul Bahadur." Terror outfits in the Af-Pak region are known to change names and seek attention to deflect intelligence agencies and take away the heat from mainline terror groups.

Besides the nine soldiers, one woman and killed and five civilians were injured in the fight between the TJP and the Pakistani Army. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)  Pakistani Army's public relations agency issued a number of statements following the attacks. It said that the security operation at "Zhob Cantt has been completed, and in total five terrorists have been killed during the operation".

In a second attack on Pakistani security forces in the oil-rich Sui region in Dera Bugti district, three more soldiers lost their lives. The attack was claimed by the Baloch Liberation Tigers (BLT), which has reportedly become active after lying low for years. It has earlier been targeting gas fields, pipelines and government infrastructure in Balochistan.

In a statement, BLT spokesman Miran Baloch said that it carried out the operation as the Pakistani army had launched a military operation on the local population in Rais Tokh and Gurdo Navah areas of Sui in Dera Bugti, Balochistan. The spokesman said BLT fighters reached the area to defend the common people where clashes continued throughout the day. The statement said that BLT seized two military vehicles and set them on fire.

In yet another attack, the third such attack on the same day on Pakistani security forces, the Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) planted an improvised explosive device (IED) in a motorcycle and blew it up with a remote-control near a vehicle of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Karachi. As the CTD vehicle was bullet-proof, security personnel escaped with injuries.

The SRA has been running a low-level insurgency against Pakistan, seeking independence for Sindh. However, one of its biggest hits was its claim of killing Syed Khalid Raza  former commander of Kashmiri terror outfit Al Badr in Karachi with a single shot.

It has also voiced its opposition against the demographic change being imposed in Sindh with the resettlement of Afghan and Pashtun communities. The SRA has targeted Chinese nationals as well as Pakistani coast guard personnel.

The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tributes to the dead soldiers and said that their sacrifice would be remembered forever.

Pakistan is bearing the brunt of severe conflicts across the nation as the region is flush with weapons and heavily-trained terror groups and battle-hardened fighters. The Pakistani government's alienation of many of its ethnic communities like the Pashtuns, the Baloch and the Sindhis too has bred resentment among the people, many of who have taken up arms against the Pakistani forces  the army, the paramilitary, the intelligence agencies and even the coast guard.
New Delhi, July 13 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday said that Bar Council of Delhi (BCD)'s notification making Aadhaar and Voter Identity Card bearing a Delhi-NCR address mandatory for enrolment with it, needs to be annulled with immediate effect.

A bench ofJustice Subramonium Prasad questioned counsel on how people not hailing from Delhi can be barred from seeking enrolment.

"How can you restrict persons of Delhi alone to register with the BCD? This notification needs to be struck down straightaway. You cannot restrict BCD membership to Delhi only," the bench remarked.

Delhi is a good place to pursue law practice, which is why people come here, the judge said.

"Suppose I am saying in Ramanathapuram, I stay in Silchar or Kachchh or Mehsana. What will I do? I have to earn my bread, come here and practise."

Justice Prasad was dealing with a a Public Interest Litigation filed by lawyer Shannu Baghel to set aside BCD's notification. Baghel, a practising advocate in the high court and district courts here, argued that notification was discriminatory as it bars people from outside Delhi-NCR from enrolling in Delhi and practicing here.

The court then listed Baghel's plea for further hearing in August when similar pleas are scheduled.

An advocate and Delhi University alumna had also filed a plea before the high court challenging the BCD's notification. Calling the BCD's decision arbitrary and discriminatory, the petition filed by advocate Rajani Kumari, who is a resident of Bihar, challenges BCD's notice issued on April 13 stating that lawyers proposing to get enrolled with the BCD will have to produce their Aadhaar and Voter ID cards showing Delhi or the NCR as their place of residence.

The BCD has stated in its notice that it is mandatory for the fresh law graduates seeking to enrol in the national capital to attach their Aadhaar and Voter ID card copies bearing an address in Delhi/NCR and the lack of this will lead to no enrolment.

According to Kumari, the council's decision would act like a barrier for law graduates coming from different parts of the country and looking to practise law in the capital for better prospects.

"The requirement of Aadhaar Card and Voter ID Card with the address of Delhi or NCR discriminates against those law graduates who do not have an address in Delhi or NCR. This creates an arbitrary classification between law graduates based on their residential address, which is a violation of Article 14," the plea contended.

It stated that the blanket restriction on enrolment with BCD lacks intelligible differentia as to how a law graduate belonging to Agra having and graduated from National Law School, Bangalore is unequally placed with one domiciled in Meerut. "The impugned notification is completely silent about the objective it seeks to achieve from the classification stipulated therein," the plea stated.

--IANS

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Ahmedabad, July 13 : A court in Gujarat on Thursday sentenced former Gujarat minister and ex-chairman of Dudhsagar Dairy, Vipul Chaudhary to seven years in jail after finding him guilty in a cheating case.

An official said that Chaudhary had caused a loss of Rs 22.5 crore to the dairy in 2014 by supplying cattle feed to Maharashtra without following proper procedures.

Chaudhary, once a prominent figure in Gujarat's cooperative sector, had previously served as a minister in the Shankarsinh Vaghela government in 1996.

The case against Chaudhary and others was registered at Mehsana police station in 2014.

Apart from Vipul Chaudhary, the other individuals sentenced to seven years' imprisonment include former board members of Dudhsagar Dairy -- former vice chairperson Jalaben Thakor, and former managing director Nishith Baxi.

According to the FIR, Chaudhary, in his capacity as the dairy chairman, took the decision in 2014 to send cattle feed to drought-hit Maharashtra.

However, the state government alleged that the decision, involving the supply of cattle feed worth Rs 22.5 crore, was made without any resolution being passed in the dairy's board meeting or issuing any tender.

Vipul Chaudhary, who also served as the former chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), known for the popular Amul brand, has been convicted along with 14 others by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of Mehsana, Y.R. Agrawal.
Mumbai, July 13 : Aasif Sheikh, who essays the role of Vibhuti Narayan Mishra in the popular show 'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai!', will transform into a charming and mischievous girl.

Talking about the 'Naughty Girl' track, Aasif Sheikh shared that upon hearing from Pandit Ramphal, Ammaji (Soma Rathod) becomes aware of the danger threatening Angoori's (Shubhangi Atre) life. To protect her, Manmohan Tiwari (Rohitashv Gour) must engage in flirtatious behaviour with other women to make Angoori jealous.

Simultaneously, Vibhuti, Tillu (Salim Zaidi), Teeka (Vaibhav Mathur), and Saxena (Saanand Verma) come to know of the "Naughty Girl Gang"  a group of girls who entertain affluent businessmen for monetary gain. In a bid to acquire quick funds, they decide to disguise themselves as members of the "Naughty Girl Gang" and enlist the services of David Chacha (Annup Upadhyay) as their manager. Tiwari then asks David Chacha to arrange for this gang to visit his house to make Angoori envious and safeguard her life. However, their actions result in all of them romancing Tiwari, much to Angoori's dismay.

Elaborating on portraying varied, entertaining characters on screen, Aasif said, "Our goal has always been to bring laughter to our audience through humorous storylines and characters that tickle their funny bones. The audience has shown immense love and appreciation for every female role I portrayed in the show. I have portrayed women of all ages onscreen and genuinely enjoy playing female characters. It is not just challenging but also highly entertaining. It is always fun for viewers to witness a man transforming into a woman, and I must say, I think I look great as a woman".

The actor shared that he has a collection of clothes in all shapes and sizes, specifically for his female portrayals, stored in his makeup room. Portraying a Naughty Girl was incredibly enjoyable but, "assuming a female role as a male artist is not an easy task", Aasif said.

The actor had to adjust his voice, perfect the makeup, costumes, expressions, and mannerisms to suit the character.

He said, "It is an underrated and time-consuming process, involving hours of rehearsals for the outfits, makeup, and dialogue. Everything must be impeccable to capture the charm and oomph factor! I thoroughly enjoyed the entire process and have become quite comfortable with it. The transformation amazed all of us, and we had a fantastic time shooting together. Shubhangi (Angoori Bhabi) and Vidisha (Anita Bhabi) were blown away when they first saw us and couldn't stop laughing".

"I am sure our viewers will be equally surprised, and I am excited to see their reactions to the mischievousness of the naughty girls. To bring something new and refreshing to the audience, we continuously research, brainstorm, and create amusing and entertaining characters to keep the viewers hooked. Each character is loved and enjoyed by the audience, which motivates me to explore further and strive to surpass my previous performances every time", he added.

'Naughty Girls' track will air this week on 'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain'. The show airs every Monday to Friday on &TV.
Chennai, July 13 : The countdown for the July 14 afternoon launch of India's third mission to moon-Chandrayaan-3- is progressing smoothly and the weather forecast is good for the rocket to fly as scheduled, said a senior official of the Indian space agency.

"The countdown is progressing smoothly. The 48 hour weather forecast is also good. The rocket systems are being checked. The rocket is expected to fly away as scheduled on Friday at 2.35 p.m." a senior Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) official, who did not want to be named, told IANS.

The countdown began at 1.05 p.m. on Thursday during which the last minute checks are carried out, liquid and cryogenic stages will be fuelled up.

The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft will be carried by India's heavy lift rocket, the 642 ton LVM3.

While the first rocket's first stage is powered by solid fuel, the second stage is by liquid fuel, and the third and final stage consists of a cryogenic engine powered by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.

At the time of blast off, the 642 ton rocket will be having a total propellant mass of 553.4 ton - all three stages put together. Just over 16 minutes into its flight or at about 2.50 p.m., the rocket will eject the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft at an altitude of about 179 km.

After that, the Chandrayaan-3 will begin its own long moon journey of about 3.84 lakh km.

The lander carried by the spacecraft is expected to make a soft-landing on the moon on August 23 or 24.

The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft comprises a propulsion module (weighing 2,148 kg), a lander (1,723.89 kg) and a rover (26 kg), the ISRO said.

Incidentally, the Chandrayaan-2 payload weighed about 3.8 ton with the orbiter weighing 2,379 kg, the Vikram lander 1,444 kg, including the Pragyan rover 27 kg.

The main purpose of Chandrayaan-3 is to safely land the lander on the moon soil. Following that, the rover will roll out to do the experiments.

The life of the payload carried by the propulsion module post ejection of the lander is between three and six months. On the other hand, the mission life of the lander and the rover is 1 Lunar day or 14 earth days, ISRO said.

According to the Indian space agency, the propulsion module has Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload to study the spectral and Polari metric measurements of Earth from the lunar orbit.

The lander payloads are: Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) to measure the thermal conductivity and temperature; Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) for measuring the seismicity around the landing site; Langmuir Probe (LP) to estimate the plasma density and its variations.

A passive Laser Retroreflector Array from NASA is accommodated for lunar laser ranging studies.

On the other hand, the rover will carry: Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) for deriving the elemental composition in the vicinity of the landing site, ISRO said.

The Indian space agency said, the moon mission is divided into three phases  the earth centric phase (Pre-Launch, Launch and Ascent and Earth-bound Manoeuvre), the Lunar Transfer Phase (Transfer Trajectory), and the Moon Centric Phase (Lunar Orbit Insertion Phase, Moon-bound Manoeuvre Phase, Propulsion Module and Lunar Module Separation, De-boost Phase, Pre-landing Phase, Landing Phase, Normal Phase for Lander and Rover, Moon Centric Normal Orbit Phase (100 km circular orbit) for Propulsion Module).

During the first phase, India's heavy lift rocket standing 43.5 metre height and weighing 642 ton LVM3, will carry the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft. The rocket has an impeccable record of six consecutive successful missions. This is the fourth operational flight of LVM3, and aims to launch the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft to Geo Transfer Orbit (GTO).

The Friday moon mission is a follow up of the failed Chandrayaan-2 mission in 2019 when the lander named Vikram crashed on to the moon surface.

As regards the changes made in the lander this time as compared to the one that crash landed on the moon during the Chandrayaan-2 mission, a senior ISRO official told IANS that the lander has four motors instead of five.

The space agency has also carried out some changes in the software.

Interestingly, ISRO is silent on naming the lander and rover this time around.

During the Chandrayaan-2 mission, the lander was named Vikram and the rover Pragyan. The three key officials for the mission are: Mission Director Mohan Kumar, Vehicle/Rocket Director Biju C. Thomas and Spacecraft Director Dr P. Veeramuthuvel.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)

--IANS

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Kiplagat Kenneth Kiptoo, a young man from Kenya, took a flight in May for east China's Hangzhou city, where he would pursue a bachelor's degree in intelligent manufacturing.

The 29-year-old Kenyan gained a scholarship as a winner in the Africa Tech Challenge (ATC), a vocational skills training and competition program sponsored by AVIC INTL, a company under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

The program has provided training to participants from 10 African countries in fields such as machining, computer numerical control, steel and concrete.

Echoing the Belt and Road Initiative, the AVIC started the Air Silk Road project in 2017. ATC is part of the project.

AVIC INTL is playing roles in building projects with high standards, sustainability and benefits to people's livelihoods in countries along the Belt and Road.

The company joins hands with global partners to cultivate local technical talents, serve air transport with Chinese airplanes, and build modern aviation infrastructure to boost connectivity along the Belt and Road, serving livelihoods and connecting people's hearts.

BENEFITING PEOPLE

Transportation infrastructure is of considerable importance to the Belt and Road, connecting people and facilitating exchanges and communication. AVIC INTL sees this sector as one of its key priorities in cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road route.

As the international engineering segment under AVIC INTL, the China National Aero-technology International Engineering Corporation (CAIEC) has involved itself in over 300 projects in about 20 countries along the route. These projects include airports, aviation maintenance facilities, air cargo facilities and expressways.

"Such livelihood projects sustain connectivity and meet demands from these countries. We made the best effort to use local personnel and materials to serve local needs," said Liu Hongguang, the CAIEC president.

Around 90 percent of engineering personnel involved in these projects are local staff. All raw materials, semi-finished products and machinery that can be purchased and leased locally are from local suppliers, according to Liu.

"China's technologies and solutions support these countries to enhance infrastructure technologies, upgrade industries such as air transport and tourism, and create employment for local people," Liu said.

This file photo shows Kiplagat kenneth Kiptoo displaying his certificate of participation of the Africa Tech Challenge (ATC), a vocational skills training and competition program sponsored by AVIC INTL, in Kakamega County, Kenya, Sept. 1, 2015. (AVIC INTL/Handout via Xinhua)

FULFILLING DREAMS

Kiplagat values the opportunity to study in China and realize his dream of becoming an engineer.

"Since I arrived in China, I have learned of diverse Chinese cultures, breathtaking heritage sites, mega infrastructure, and great engineering projects. These make China a beautiful country to live and study in," he said.

Supported by the ATC scholarship, five participants have secured master's degrees, and seven are studying in China for bachelor's degrees.

"During our cooperation with African countries, we have learned that the unemployment rate in some countries is high and that skilled workers are in short supply," said Qian Rong, chairman of the AVIC-INTL Project Engineering Company (AVIC-INTL Project).

Besides the ATC program, the AVIC-INTL Project has cooperated with local authorities in launching or upgrading more than 180 vocational institutes in Kenya, Ghana and other African countries, which train about 20,000 teaching staff and students annually.

Vocational training opens doors for local youth to gain professional competence in their careers and unlocks possibilities for reaching their dreams.

"It will surely be an exciting experience! I have finally come to the country which produces those robots and intelligent machines I used in Kenya, and I am so curious about how China makes them," said Kiplagat.

"It was an amazing experience joining in the ATC, receiving training and winning a scholarship. After the study in China, I may become an engineer or a teacher to share knowledge with more young people," he said.
Chennai, July 13 : With Tamil Nadu abuzz with speculation about the imminent entry of superstar Vijay into the political arena of the state, it was clear that politics in the state have always been closely related to its film industry.

MG Ramachandran or MGR has been one of the biggest icons of the Tamil film industry with back to back hits and had a godly image on the screen. It was the shrewd scriptwriter of the Tamil film industry, M. Karunanidhi who had referred MGR to the stalwart of Dravidian politics, CN Annadurai.

There was no looking back for MGR and he was a major moving force in the DMK. Later he fell out with his political mentor, M. Karunanidhi and floated his own political outfit, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam ( AIADMK) and became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu trouncing the DMK in the 1977 elections. He steered the AIADMK to victory in the 1980 and 1984 assembly polls also and continued to be the chief minister till his death in 1987. MGR was the first movie star to become the CM of a state in India.

M. Karunanidhi, the DMK leader, was one of the major scriptwriters of Tamil filmdom and was the chief minister of the state for five terms -- between 1969-71, 1971-76, 1989-91, 1996-2001 and 2011-16.

Jayalalithaa was a popular heroine of the Tamil movie industry and was a major pair with MGR on screen. Judging her popularity, MGR brought her into the AIADMK and she later became the leader of the party after the demise of MGR. She became the chief minister in 1995 for the first time and held that office for six terms till she passed away on December 5, 2016.

The big vacuum created by the deaths of Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi is aiming to be filled by Vijay, given his popularity among youngsters as well as the support base of his fans club, Thalapathi Vijay Makkal Iyyakam (TVMI).

Even though the people of Tamil Nadu accepted stars like MGR and Jayalalithaa and a scriptwriter like Karunanidhi to lead them, it was not so rosy for actors turned politicians like the late Sivaji Ganesan, Kamal Haasan, Vijayakanth, Sharath Kumar and Seeman.

While Kamal Haasan, Vijayakanth and Seeman are active with Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) respectively, they have not been able to make a major mark in Tamil politics.

With the Tamil film industryas top star, Rajinikanth backing out from politics after almost announcing his entry, the way is clear for Vijay for a grandiose entry into Tamil politics. It is certain that Vijay will get a rousing reception from the people of Tamil Nadu in the first election he faces, but it has to be seen whether he will be consistent enough in the murky world of politics which is not entirely what is depicted in the movies.
Ferozepur : , July 13 (IANS) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday visited villages along the barbed wire fence with Pakistan in Punjab's Ferozepur district and slammed the state government for releasing water from the Harike barrage, resulting in flooding of downstream villages.

He appealed to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to take corrective steps to mitigate the sufferings of the people instead of relying on propaganda to give the impression that all concerns in the wake of damage and destruction to dwellings and fields had been addressed.

Talking to the media at Basti Ram Lal in Ferozepur Urban constituency, Badal said: "I don't want to get into politics. My only issue is timely provision of relief to those suffering due to incessant rains and resultant flooding.

"Everywhere I have gone during the last three days people have told me that the government machinery has failed to come to their aid. The Chief Minister should have visited these flood affected areas himself to galvanize the civil administration into action."

Badal, who toured flooded areas in Ferozepur Urban, Ferozepur Rural, and Guruharsahai constituencies, said it was unfortunate that the government had failed to meet the routine requirements of the people.

"There is a shortage of drinking water, dry rations, milk and green fodder for milch animals. I have witnessed women writhing in pain because they are unable to get medical attention. The Chief Minister should realise his responsibility and should take immediate steps to correct the situation instead of sitting in Chandigarh and giving the impression that all was well."

Badal said people complained that all gates of the Harike barrage had been opened at the instance of an AAP MP leading to flooding of villages in its downstream.

"As much as 2.17 lakh cusecs of water was released from Harike and almost the same amount from Hussainiwala leading to flooding of village fields and destruction of the paddy crop in the area."

He also visited flood affected village of Mehtab Singh Gatti in Ferozepur Rural district where a road alongside a bridge was damaged. He gave Rs 1 lakh from his personal funds for repairing the bridge, besides announcing to release funds for rebuilding of the road in the area from his MPLAD funds.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 13 : In an important ruling, the Bombay High Court has said that it is high time that the country and the Parliament take cognisance of the global happenings when it comes to the minimum age of consensual sexual relationships among adolescents.

In a judgement issued recently, Justice Bharati H. Dangre made several observations pertaining to the increasing number of criminal cases in which the accused is punished though the adolescent victim maintains 'they were in a consensual relationship'.

The judge also quashed a lower court order of February 2019, awarding 10-year rigorous jail term to the 25-year-old accused for 'raping' a south Mumbai girl who was 17 years and five months old, barely six months less than the official 'age of consent' of 18 in India.

Justice Dangre said that it was difficult to concur with the lower court order that though the sexual intercourse between the man and the girl was 'consensual', the victim (girl) was a minor.

She had admitted to having a liaison with the accused for nearly two years and had travelled with him on her own free will in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh etc., as their 'nikah' was performed with her consent and without force on September 6, 2014. Though she could not produce any evidence of it, she was also once pregnant and had undergone an abortion with her father's consent in March 2016.

Significantly, the judge noted: "The criminalisation of romantic relationship has overburdened the criminal justice system by consuming significant time of the judiciary, police and the child protection system, and ultimately when the victim turns hostile by not supporting the charge against the accused, in the wake of the romantic relationship she shared with him, it can only result in an acquittal."

In the present case, the girl had said that as per the Muslim Personal Law, she was deemed an adult and had entered into 'nikah' with the man with whom she was deeply in love; she had travelled and lived with him for several months in different states as 'husband and wife'.

Justice Dangre said that physical attraction or infatuation always comes forth when a teenager enters into a sexual relationship and while other countries have reduced the 'age of consent', in India it was 16 from 1940 till 2012 when it was increased to 18, and "it was high time India also took cognisance of the developments around the world".

The court pointed out how the 'age of consent' was 14 in Italy, Germany, Portugal and Hungary, 16 in the UK, Wales and Sri Lanka, 13 in Japan, while in Bangladesh, rape punishment is meted out for sexual intercourse with a girl below 16.

Justice Dangre also cited a movement of students in Japan on the age of consent and said in India if a young boy is castigated as guilty of raping a minor girl merely because she is under 18 -- but her consent is immaterial though she is an equal participant in the act -- thus, only the boy would suffer a severe dent lifelong.

She referred to an old case in India in which an 11-year-old girl died, when a 35-year-old man forcibly consummated their marriage, and the man was acquitted of 'rape' but pronounced guilty of death by rash and negligent act, which led to the enactment of the Age of Consent Act, 1891.

Justice Dangre also mentioned a recent ruling by Justice Deepak Kumar Agarwal of Madhya Pradesh High Court's Gwalior Bench, who had urged the Centre to reduce the age of consent to 16 as the present age of 18 was disturbing the societal fabric and as it is upon the adolescent's choice, and how due to the explosion of Internet and social media, early puberty, young boys and girls aged around 14 get attracted to each other which results in consensual sexual relationships.

Justice Dangre said how, in the era of free access to the Internet which creates a deep impact upon the adolescent minds, the question of youthful sexuality has to be tackled by "appropriately moderating their behaviour".

"The mere apprehension that adolescents would make an impulsive and bad decision, cannot classify them under one head and by ignoring their will and wishes," she noted in her detailed judgement of July 10.

"Ultimately, it is for the Parliament to ponder upon the said issue, but being cognizant of the cases, which are coming before the Courts, with a huge chunk, being the romantic relationship," said Justice Dangre.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
New Delhi, July 13 : Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora on Thursday visited the old iron bridge in Gandhi Nagar to assess the situation as the water level of the Yamuna River continued to rise.

Accompanied by Special Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, Dependra Pathak, Joint CP, East, Chhaya Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shahdara, Rohit Meena, DCP, Northeast, Joy Tirkey, and other officers, he inspected various locations including the vicinity of the bridge.

The Delhi Police, in a Hindi tweet, stated that the Police Commissioner visited the flood-affected areas on Thursday to evaluate the impact of the rising Yamuna River water levels and to commend the police personnel engaged in relief and rescue operations despite challenging circumstances.

Meanwhile, police officials have also distributed food and other essentials at the Yamuna Khadar area.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 13 : Suffering from a stomach infection, film-maker Hansal Mehta on Thursday pointed fingers at the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the government for not providing safe drinking water to the citizens.

The distressed Mehta took to airing his grievance on social media and tagged along the BMC, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, demanding action.

He cited how he had developed "a terrible stomach infection" on Thursday even before he had eaten, while stating that he has a water purifier at home.

Mehta spoke to his family physician who informed that he is getting at least 10 patients daily with similar symptoms and some were even hospitalised, with the infections ostensibly originating from a bug in the drinking water.

Incidentally, the BMC had in May 2019 announced with great fanfare that Mumbaikars can directly drink tap water and the purity was as high as 99.34 per cent -- comparable to global standards -- as it bagged the 'Jal Nirmalta Award' of the Centre (2019-2020).

A peeved Mehta continued that "it is ridiculous that a city that is the financial capital of the country and capital of a state with two Deputy CMs cannot provide basic clean drinking water to its citizens".

He also brought in the "abysmal condition of the roads, the crippling traffic, the lack of readiness for flooding and the crumbling state of the city infrastructure".

"THIS IS MUMBAI. And it is run by people who just don't give a damn about its citizens. All they care for is power and filling their own coffers. Shameful state of affairs," said Mehta, who is often known to give a piece of his mind on various issues.

His tweet sparked a massive debate on the water quality and other issues of not only Mumbai, but also Delhi with many supporting his grouse and some gently advising him to keep cool but 'boil water' before drinking.

Mehta is noted for films and web series like 'Shahid', 'Aligarh', 'Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story', 'Scoop' etc.
Imphal, July 13 : The Manipur Police have registered a criminal case against Meitei Leepun chief Pramot Singh for criminal conspiracy and promoting enmity between groups, among other charges Police officials in Imphal said that the FIR was registered after leaders of the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) filed a complaint at the Kangpokpi police station.

KSO President Satminthang Kipgen and General Secretary Thangtinlen Haokip had filed the complained against Singh, who however, has yet to get any notice from the police authority.

The complaint by the KSO leaders was filed on June 13, however an FIR was registered on July 8.

The KSO leaders in their complaint mentioned an interview given by Singh to New Delhi based online media on June 7 where he reportedly said: "Kukis are outsiders who are not indigenous to Manipur."

Singh, who belongs to Meitei community, has been booked under Sections 120B, 153A, 504, 505, 506 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which, respectively, pertain to criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc, act pre-judicial to maintenance of harmony, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, public mischief, punishment for criminal intimidation with common intention.

Various Meitei and Kuki community organisations have been accused each other of instigating violence in Manipur.

Ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities that erupted after a tribal solidarity march on May 3 has claimed more than 150 lives and displaced around 70,000 people of different communities.

The majority of the displaced people took shelter in 350 relief camps in various districts of Manipur while a large number of them took shelter in Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya.

Meanwhile, influential Kuki organisation Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has asked the Central government to expedite separate administration in the form of creation of a new state for the tribals under Article 3 of the Constitution for lasting peace in the region.

The organisation, in a statement, said that as a matter of fact, demographic/geographical separation has come into effect now.

KIM General Secretary Khaikhohauh Gangte said that in the midst of the prevailing perilous situation arising out of the Machiavellian political dispensation designed and ordained by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh through state-sponsored ethnic cleansing pogrom being unleashed on the Kukis in India's Manipur, the KIM reaffirms its collective political demand in the interest of the general public.

"The state capital Imphal has been compartmentalised by the communal Meiteis by hounding off all the Kukis from Imphal valley after burning down their colonies/settlements and churches. The scale and intensity of the institutionalised violence reached catastrophic proportions wherein even our elected representatives are not spared, let alone our bureaucrats and police officers (central and state services)," it alleged.

It claimed that the gruesome genocidal killings of the Kukis abetted by the state machineries and the Meitei militias, who are given carte blanche to annihilate the Kukis evidently shows that the ever widening differences between the Kukis and the Meiteis remain irreconcilable. "In their nefarious attempt to usurp our inalienable land, certain acts like Protected Forest and Reserved Forest have been forcibly imposed in our land-the abode of our forefathers-since time immemorial," the KIM said.

On Wednesday, the 13 student bodies jointly organised a Solidarity Evening in memory of those killed at Lamka in Churachandpur. In the solidarity evening the special guests during the memorial service were office bearers of the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) of Mizoram along with their team who are on a two-day visit to Lamka.

--IANS

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San Francisco, July 13 : Apple's upcoming AR (augmented reality) headset Vision Pro will reportedly feature a new type of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) that has been custom designed to support Apple's R1 input processing chip.

Apple Vision Pro is powered by a pair of chips, including an M2 chip and an R1 chip, according to MacRumors.

The Korea Herald first reported the news.

The M2 chip is in charge of processing content, running the visionOS operating system, executing computer vision algorithms, and providing graphical content, while the R1 chip processes all information from the headset's 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones and streams images to the displays in 12 milliseconds.

To meet the R1's high-speed demands, the headset will use a 1-gigabit low latency DRAM chip supplied by SK hynix, which has an increased number of input and output pins to reduce delays, the report said.

Apple's $3,500 headset is set to go on sale early next year, beginning in the US.

Meanwhile, Apple has reportedly slashed Vision Pro Mixed Reality (MR) headset production plans amid manufacturing challenges in China.

According to a report in The Financial Times, citing sources, Apple has reportedly asked its main Vision Pro assembler Luxshare to make fewer than 400,000 units next year.

It is reportedly down from an initial internal sales target of one million.
Bhopal, July 13 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday put the appointment of Patwaris (Revenue Officers) on hold after scores of job aspirants staged protests alleging irregularities in the recruitment process.

The state Employees Selection Borad (ESB) has released the merit list on June 30, in which seven out of the top ten scorers took their exams at the NRI College, Gwalior. The college reportedly has strong links with BJP MLA Sanjeev Kushwaha. This raised doubts on the recruitment process.

Suspicion of scam was also raised over the "unusual" pattern in the answersheets of these seven toppers wherein the candidates signed their examination forms in Hindi but answered the question papers in English.

The Congress has been raising the issue since past couple of days to corner the ruling BJP in the poll-bound state.

"Doubts are being expressed on results of one of the centres in group-2 , sub-group-4 and Patwari recruitment examination. I am putting the appointments made on the basis of this examination on hold. The result of the centre will be re-examined," Chouhan tweeted on Thursday evening.

State Congress President Kamal Nath has been vocal over the issue since the merit list of selected candidates were issued. On Thursday, party's central leadership also joined the attack and demanded a probe into the matter.

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi and party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi also hit out at the BJP-led state government while raising doubts on the recruitment process.

"Once again there are reports of scam in recruitment under the rule of BJP government of Madhya Pradesh... why is the government shying away from conducting an inquiry? Why only the names of BJP leaders keep cropping up for their alleged involvement in recruitment scams?... Why is the BJP government putting the future of lakhs of youth in darkness?" Priyanka Gandhi tweeted earlier in the day.

Former Chief Minister Kamal Nath, while seeking "justice" for the aspirants, "advised" the Chief Minister to leave the "mentality of covering up every case of corruption and scam".

"The way rigging and scams are coming to the fore in every competitive and recruitment examination in Madhya Pradesh it is natural for the hardworking students to be agitated. I want to tell the Chief Minister that he should understand this discontent and anger of the youth" he said.

Congress leader Arun Yadav was the first who alleged "irregularities" in the recruitment process. The examination was conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (ESB) - formerly known as the Professional Examination Board (PEB) or the Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal (Vyapam).

Subsequently scores of job aspirants staged a massive protest at Indore District Collectors office and demanded an investigation into the alleged irregularities. The protesters alleged that there have been irregularities in the examination and the results have been rigged.
Hyderabad, July 13 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President and Telangana minister K.T. Rama Rao on Thursday accused the Centre of discriminating against Telangana over irrigation projects.

In an open letter to the BJP-led Central government over the issue of the Environment Assessment Committee (EAC) deferring the environmental clearance (EC) for the Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS), he highlighted the "intense discrimination" of the Central government against Telangana.

"I write this open letter with utter disappointment regarding the discriminatory actions of the BJP-led Central government against Telangana state. I want to highlight the Centre's unjust treatment of the state's irrigation projects, particularly the Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS). It is essential to draw attention to this issue and demand that it be addressed promptly," KTR, as Rao is popularly known, wrote.

The BRS leader stated that Palamuru Rangareddy project is a ray of hope for the drought-prone areas of Nagarkurnool, Mahabubnagar, Vikarabad, Narayanpet, Rangareddy, and Nalgonda districts in Telangana. It aims to provide water for over 12.5 lakh acres of land and fulfill the drinking water needs of many villages, Hyderabad City, and industries.

This project has the potential to transform lives and reduce the struggles caused by water scarcity. The minister pointed out that erstwhile Mahabubnagar, Rangareddy, and Nalgonda districts have struggled with drought and water scarcity. Additionally, Nalgonda faced fluoride issues and Mahabubnagar experienced migration due to the lack of irrigation facilities.

After the state's formation, the Telangana government has undertaken many irrigation projects to address the challenges of water scarcity and agricultural development. PRLIS is one of the significant irrigation projects of Telangana.

"However, the BJP-led Central government completely neglects Telangana's irrigation projects and provides no support or funds. They create obstacles in granting permissions and refuse to grant national status to our projects. Meanwhile, projects in other states receive funding, permissions, and national status. How fair is it that the Union government has refused to grant national status to the PRLIS while readily granting national status to the Upper Bhadra irrigation project in Karnataka?"

He mentioned that the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II has not given any decision on sharing water between the four states and the Central government has not taken significant action to address this matter.

Noting Telangana has been demanding for its rightful share of 500 TMC water from the Krishna river, he said: "Unfortunately, the Central government has not taken the basic step of referring our request to the tribunal even after 9 years. Despite water being a state subject, Telangana is currently unable to utilise its own water from irrigation projects without obtaining permission from the Central government."

--IANS

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Kolkata, July 13 : The state secretariat in West Bengal on Thursday sent a directive to all the district magistrates seeking detailed reports on panchayat poll related violence witnessed by the state that claimed at least 44 lives since the announcement of polling date (July 8) on June 8.

In the directive, a copy of which has been accessed by IANS, the district magistrates have also been asked to identify the perpetrators of violence and initiate strict action against them.

After from 44 people losing their lives, several people have been injured with reports of sporadic violence coming in from different parts of the state even on Thursday.

In the notification, it has also been mentioned that the state government needs to file a report in the form of an affidavit with the Calcutta High Court on poll violence for which inputs are needed from the districts.

The district magistrates have also been asked to file reports on the extent of loss of property caused by the violent clashes.

The district magistrates will also have to arrange for the treatment of the injured persons on priority, besides ensuring quick payment of compensation to the victims.

The notification also directed the district magistrates to give explanations on the videos and pictures of violence that surfaced on social media in the past few days.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) Ivan Petrov at their meeting in Hanoi on July 12 (Photo: VNA)

PM Pham Minh Chinh took this occasion to express his gratitude for the federations contributions to promoting cooperation between the Vietnamese logistics service business community and their peers worldwide as well as its support for the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA)s hosting of the FIATA World Congress in Hanoi in 2025

He proposed FIATA to further assist and closely cooperate with Vietnamese agencies serving the successful organisation of the important event.

The Government leader suggested the federation enhance cooperation with Vietnam, and support the development of the nations logistics service strategy until 2035 with a vision to 2045.

He also called for policy consultancy, experiences sharing, international cooperation, investment in major seaports, and assistance in human resources training, technology, management, and planning toward further enhancing Vietnam's competitiveness and the quality of its logistics services in line with digital transformation, green transformation, circular economy, and advanced regional and global standards.

The Government of Vietnam is committed to accompanying domestic and international partners and facilitating economic, investment, trade, and service cooperation activities, including those serving logistics development, the PM affirmed.

Petrov expressed his impression of Hai Phong port city and appreciation for the Vietnamese logistic sector's rapid development. The Vietnamese Governments visions and goals in this field have similarities with FIATA's vision and the federation wants to strengthen cooperation with and support for Vietnam, he stated.

Assessing Vietnam as a safe and potential investment destination, he believed that the hosting of the FIATA World Congress and the federation's enhanced cooperation with Vietnamese agencies would contribute to the development, digitalisation, and greening of the Southeast Asian countrys logistics sector, helping Vietnam become a larger centre for logistics and intermodal transport./.
Srinagar, July 13 : Three non-locals were shot and injured by militants in J&K's Shopian district on Thursday, police said.

The three have been shifted to Srinagar city for specialised treatment.

Giving details of the incident, police sources said that two masked militants entered the rented accommodation in Gagran village where three non-local labourers belonging to Bihar were living.

aMasked militants fired at the three non-local labourers and fled from the place.

"The injured have been identified as Anmol Kumar, Hiralal Yadoo, and Pintu Kumar, all residents of Supaul district in Bihar," a police official said.

Doctors at the local hospital referred all the injured persons to SMHS hospital in Srinagar for specialised treatment.

Meanwhile, the police source said that the area has been surrounded and searches mounted to trace the assailants.
New Delhi, July 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne in Paris on Thursday.

"PM @narendramodi held fruitful talks with PM @elisabeth_borne in Paris.The leaders reviewed various facets of India-France partnership as well as discussed measures to further strengthen the ties between both the countries" the Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet. Earlier Modi had also met the President of French Senate, Gerard Larcher.

Later on Thursday, he will be attending a private dinner, which has been hosted in his honour by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.

On Friday, the Prime Minister will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade.

The Prime Minister had reached Paris earlier in the day on a two-day visit to France, where defence ties would be in focus.

On Thursday, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in its meeting held under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, had approved procurement of 26 Rafale marine aircraft along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy from the French government based on Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA).

It had also cleared acquisition of three additional Scorpene submarines.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 13 : The India Meteorological Department on Thursday said that very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall activity is likely to continue over Uttarakhand during the next five days and decrease thereafter.

In the bulletin on Thursday, the weather forecast agency said that northwest India is expected to experience fairly widespread to widespread rainfall, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Uttar Pradesh for the next two days. Afterwards, there will be isolated heavy rainfall.

Himachal Pradesh can anticipate isolated heavy rainfall for the next five days, while north Haryana will have it for the next three days.

The IMD further predicted that east Rajasthan will witness isolated heavy rainfall on July 14and 17 while Uttarakhand, on the other hand, is likely to experience isolated very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over the next five days.

In east and adjoining northeast India, there will be fairly widespread to widespread rainfall. "Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Bihar will have isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall for the next two days, followed by a reduction in rainfall," the IMD said.

Odisha can expect isolated heavy rainfall for the next five days, while Nagaland and Manipur will have it for the next four days.

"Gangetic West Bengal is likely to experience isolated heavy rainfall on July 15. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim and Meghalaya will have isolated very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on July 13 and 14 followed by a reduction," it said.

In Central India, there will be light to moderate fairly widespread rainfall, with isolated heavy rainfall over Madhya Pradesh for the next two days.

"Rainfall activity will be subdued from July 15 to 16 and then increase again from July 17," the IMD predicted.

In west India, Konkan and Goa and the Ghat areas of central Maharashtra will continue to experience light to moderate widespread rainfall, with isolated heavy rainfall for the next five days. "Gujarat will have similar conditions for the next two days," it said.

However, in south India, there will be light to moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall. Coastal Karnataka, south interior Karnataka, and Kerala will experience isolated heavy rainfall for the next three days.

"Tamil Nadu, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana can anticipate it for the next two days," the IMD added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 13 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested a person named Mohan Madan, a Haryana-based businessman, in connection with a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

According to sources, the ED is conducting a probe into disproportionate assets worth Rs 70 crore. Madan is reportedly close to the top politicians of the state.

Recently, the Income Tax Department had detected wealth and properties worth Rs 70 crore belonging to Madan. The ED probe is based on the I-T Department's case.
New Delhi, July 13 : Ahead of the Assembly elections in five states later this year, Congress on Thursday held a meeting of the party's social media department to intensify its political narrative in these election-bound states.

Sharing the details of the meeting, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "We had a very good meeting of the five election-bound states. These states are going to polls at the end of this year -- Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Mizoram."

He added that the General Secretaries, AICC In-charge, the PCC presidents, social media chairpersons and media chairpersons of these five states were present in the meeting.

Khera said that the meeting was conducted by K.C. Venugopal, who is the party's General Secretary (organisation) and Jairam Ramesh, who is the party's General Secretary of Media and Communication and Social Media.

The Congress leader added, "A lot of issues were discussed about how to intensify our narrative in these election-bound states. In two of the states, we have our government therea so how do we ensure smoother coordination between the organisation and the government in these two states and how do we ensure a proper coordination between the state units and the central leadership through communication and social media."

He said that all these things was discussed in a detailed manner.

Khera said that Venugopal also gave several constructive suggestions to ensure that the political attack on the BJP is intensified and there should be a seamless coordination between the Congress and the state party units.
Guwahati, July 13 : Several district administrations in Assam have been put on alert prior to Bhutan's plan to release extra water from the Kurichu dam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Thursday.

Taking to Twitter, Sarma wrote: "The Royal Government of Bhutan has informed us that tonight there will be an excess release of water from the Kurichu Dam. We have alerted our district administrations to remain vigilant and assist the people in every possible way in case the water breaches the Beki and Manas rivers."

The floods that hit Assam last month affected roughly 500,000 people in 19 different districts.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), the impacted districts included Barpeta, Dhubri, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Kokrajhar, Kamrup, and Nalbari.

The worst-affected district was Bajali, which has a population of 2,67,253.

As many as 15,841 individuals had sought refuge in 73 shelter camps in this district.

The inhabitants of these camps received food from the Assam government.

In fact, due to excess rainfall in the catchment area in Bhutan, some parts of Assam have been freshly inundated in the last couple of days. According to the disaster management authority, the water levels are rising in many areas with the Brahmaputra River flowing above the danger level in some places.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, July 13 : CCTV footage has emerged in connection with the sensational double-murder case in which a tech firm's MD and CEO were hacked to death by three miscreants in Bengaluru, showing the accused fleeing from the crime spot after committing the murders.

The police have arrested four persons connection with the case.

The 48-second CCTV footage shows the accused fleeing from the crime scene after hacking two persons to death. It also shows one of the accused dropping a weapon smeared with blood, even as the trio walk away without noticing it.

The footage also shows an onlooker, sensing that something has gone wrong, trying to go into the building only to step back after seeing the accused coming out.

The Karnataka police on Thursday arrested the owner of Zee-Net company in connection with the case, who has been identified as Arun Kumar, taking the total number of arrests made so far to four.

Phanindra Subramanya, the MD, and Vinu Kumar, the CEO, of Aeronics Media Private Company, were hacked to death at their workplace in the Amrutalli locality on Tuesday afternoon.

The police had arrested J. Felix a.k.a Jocker Felix, Vinay Reddy and Shivu in connection with the case before nabbing Arun Kumar on Thursday.

The accused told the police that Phanindra had humiliated Felix and sacked him from the job for which Felix nursed a grudge against Phanindra and plotted to kill him.

The accused said they did not intend to kill Vinu Kumar, but when he came to the rescue of Phanindra, he was also hacked to death.

However, the police doubted their statements and zeroed in on Arun Kumar. The probe showed that the victims used to work in his company as HR manager and CEO. Eight months ago, Phanindra and Vinu Kumar started a new company in Amrutahalli.

After this, Arun Kumaras firm incurred heavy losses following which he hired contract killers to get rid of Phanindra and Vinu Kumar.
Amaravati, July 14 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has stressed the need to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the curriculum.

At a meeting with senior officials of the Education Department and Vice-Chancellors of Universities here on Thursday, the Chief Minister told them to think of steps needed to fill the gap between our goals and achievements in the field of education in the backdrop of the changes the world is experiencing.

"From steam engines to electricity to computers we remained followers without having a say in their creation," he said, adding that the world is now witnessing a fourth revolution in the form of AI.

Pointing out that the Vice-Chancellors play a key role in higher education, he said they should think of adopting a two-pronged strategy to move along with the emerging technologies. While adopting AI into the education system for improving teaching methods and learning skills, students should also be imparted with AI creating skills and it should become a part of the curriculum," he said.

"We should be part of the fourth revolution, becoming its creators and not remain just its followers. If we take the right steps at the right time, we will become part of the emerging technologies. As AI grows, one section grows as its creators and another section follows it. We should become its creators," he said.

Elaborating further, the Chief Minister said that according to the German Consulate General who has recently called on him, Germany is facing an acute scarcity of skilled human resources.

"In fact, all western countries are facing demographic imbalances. In our state and in the country, 70 per cent of the people are capable of working. Unless we train them with proper knowledge and skills, we can't take the role of guiding the world," he said.

Listing out the suggestions in this regard, he said there is a need to introduce several verticals in a single faculty, like asset management, financial market, risk management and security analysis in B.Com like in Western countries so that students will have several options to pursue.

Classes should be conducted in such a way that augmented reality and virtual reality should be integrated with curriculum, he said, observing that teaching methods in medical education also should be changed with the introduction of AI and Robotics while changing the syllabus in tune with emerging technologies.

The use of technology in agriculture is also playing a key role and modern methods should be imparted to our students and children, he said.

"Like in Western countries, we should also bring in practical applicability and overhaul the teaching methods, preparation of question papers and examination methods by adopting emerging technologies into our curriculum. To achieve this vision, we shall constitute a Board with world experts to make suggestions on this," he said, adding two separate Boards should be constituted, one for primary education and one for higher education, so that we can overhaul the entire system from basic education to higher education.

"To take my thoughts and suggestions to the next level, we shall constitute working groups with four or five universities giving representation to engineering, medical and other faculties," he added.
Imphal/Shillong, July 14 : Gauhati High Court's former Chief Justice Ajai Lamba (retd), who is heading the three-member Commission of Inquiry to probe the ethnic violence in Manipur, on Thursday requested everyone to join hands in bringing peace in the state Accompanied by officials, Justice Lamba on Thursday visited various relief camps in Imphal East and Imphal West districts and interacted with the inmates, who belong to Moreh, Churachandpur, Sadu Yengkhoman, Ekou and Dolaithabi and whose houses have been burnt during the ethnic strife.

On the other hand, Governor Anusuiya Uikey visited a relief camp at Naorem Birahari College at Khundrakpam in Imphal East district on Thursday and heard about the grievances and hardships faced by the people there and assured them to extend all possible help.

She said that hatred among communities has to be removed and the two communities should stop violence, which is the prerequisite for initiating a meaningful dialogue.

Only then peace and normalcy will be restored, she added.

The Governor said that the state government, with the help of Centre, is making all efforts to bring normalcy in the state where all the communities including the Meiteis and Kukis can live together as usual.

Stating that more than 60,000 security personnel have been deployed in the state, Uikey said, search operations to nab the accused have been continuing and a large number of arms have been recovered.

A large number of illegal bunkers have also been removed in many places, she added.

On re-settlement of the displaced people, the Governor said, as a temporary measure, prefabricated houses are being built at various districts and the displaced people would be there until the situation permits them to return to their respective places.

Adequate compensation would also be given to the people for their burnt houses and properties, she added.

Meanwhile, after the church bodies of various northeastern states, the Garo Hills Catholic Union (GHCU) on Thursday expressed unhappiness and grief over the "lackadaisical attitude" of the Centre towards solving the prevailing ethnic crisis in Manipur.

A GHCU spokesman in Shillong said that the Union, during its executive meeting held recently, has unanimously resolved to submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a copy to Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, with an ardent request to take all possible steps to restore peace and normalcy at the earliest.

--IANS

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London, July 14 : No.6 seed Ons Jabeur rallied for a 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 win over No.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka on Centre Court to book a place in her third career Grand Slam final and second straight at the Wimbledon, here on Thursday.

Jabeur is the first woman to reach back-to-back finals at Wimbledon since Serena Williams in 2018-19. Williams lost both of those matches, and Jabeur will seek to avoid that fate when she faces Czech left-hander Marketa Vondrousova in Saturday's final -- the first unseeded Wimbledon women's finalist in the Open Era.

For the second straight match at Wimbledon -- she also rallied from a set down in a rematch of the 2022 final to beat Elena Rybakina in the quarters -- Jabeur came from behind for a three-set victory, and with wins over Rybakina, Sabalenka and Petra Kvitova this fortnight, Jabeur is the first woman to defeat three Top 10 players at Wimbledon since Williams in 2012.

On the other hand, Vondrousova made a triumphant trip into her second career Grand Slam final with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Elina Svitolina in the Wimbledon semifinals.

In the all-unseeded affair, Czech lefty Vondrousova took 1 hour and 15 minutes to defeat Ukraineas Svitolina, who was playing only her second Grand Slam event since her return from maternity leave in April.

The 24-year old Vondrousova had to fend off a second-set comeback by Svitolina to prevail and level their head-to-head at three wins apiece. Svitolina rebounded from 4-0 to 4-3 before Vondrousova regrouped to take the final two games of the match.

Both finalists -- Vondrousova and Jabeur -- are tied 3-3 in their overall head-to-head, but Vondrousova has beaten Jabeur in both of their meetings this year, at the Australian Open and Indian Wells.
Igor Kotov, general director of Atomenergomash, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Volgodonsk, Russia, July 11, 2023. Key equipment for the third power unit of Xudapu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), one of the largest China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation projects, started shipping to China from Volgodonsk in Russia's Rostov region on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

VOLGODONSK, Russia, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Key equipment for the third power unit of Xudapu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), one of the largest China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation projects, started shipping to China from Volgodonsk in Russia's Rostov region on Tuesday.

The equipment includes a nuclear reactor containment vessel and four steam generators, which were manufactured at the Atommash plant in Volgodonsk. Atommash is part of Atomenergomash, a company that manufactures equipment for nuclear power plants, and a division of Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom.

"China plays a significant role in the whole nuclear industry, it has very good developments and, like Russia, China is a leader with regard to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy," Igor Kotov, general director of Atomenergomash, told Xinhua at the ceremony marking the shipment of the equipment.

"We really enjoy working with our Chinese partners. I sincerely hope that we will have another opportunity to produce high-quality equipment together with our Chinese customers," Kotov added.

Kotov said that Atomenergomash will be able to deliver the necessary equipment promptly, while maintaining the highest level of product quality and safety.

Equipment with a total weight of 1,700 tons will be shipped to China this time, and the components will first be transported with the use of professional vehicles to specialized industrial docks, loaded into barges, transported to the seaport of St. Petersburg, and finally shipped to China.

The Xudapu NPP, located in China's Liaoning Province, is the second in northeast China and the northernmost nuclear power plant in the country so far.

Key equipment for the third power unit of Xudapu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is prepared to be shipped in Volgodonsk, Russia, July 11, 2023. Key equipment for the third power unit of Xudapu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), one of the largest China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation projects, started shipping to China from Volgodonsk in Russia's Rostov region on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

Key equipment for the third power unit of Xudapu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is prepared to be shipped in Volgodonsk, Russia, July 11, 2023. Key equipment for the third power unit of Xudapu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), one of the largest China-Russia nuclear energy cooperation projects, started shipping to China from Volgodonsk in Russia's Rostov region on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)

Editor: WXL
New Delhi, July 14 : Prime minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that in today's times, the world is moving towards a new world order and India's role is changing rapidly.

Addressing the Indian diaspora in Paris on the first day of his two-day visit to France, the Prime Minister said, "Today the world is moving towards a new world order and India's role is changing rapidly. India is currently chairing the G20 and the entire G20 group is seeing India's potential."

He added that be it climate change, supply chains, counter-terrorism or counter-radicalism, the world is looking towards India.

Lauding the India-France relationship, the Prime Minister said that people to people connect is the strongest foundation of the partnership between the two nations.

"India and France are tackling many challenges of the 21st century. Therefore, at this crucial juncture, the importance of the strategic partnership between our countries has increased even more," Modi said.

The Prime Minister added that though he had visited France earlier too, this time his visit is special.

"Tomorrow (July 14) is France's National Day. I congratulate the people of France. I also thank the people of France for inviting me. Today, the French Prime Minister received me at the airport and tomorrow I will attend the National Day parade with my friend Emmanuel Macron. This is a reflection of the unbreakable friendship between India and France."

Modi arrived in Paris on Thursday on a two-day visit on the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

On Friday, he will attend the Bastille Day parade, where he will be the guest of honour.

The Prime Minister will also hold talks with Macron, and the deal to purchase 26 Rafale aircraft and three submarines is also likely to be finalised during his visit.
Tehran, July 14 : Iran has rejected a number of accusations levelled recently by the NATO members against the country, including over its alleged "military support to Russia against Ukraine" and nuclear programme.

In a statement published on Thursday on its website, the Iranian Embassy to Brussels responded to a statement by the NATO leaders at a summit in Lithuania on Tuesday accusing Iran of providing Russia with military support against Ukraine and expressing "concern about Iran's escalation of its nuclear programme".

Refuting the accusations as "baseless," the embassy said Iran has maintained its "impartial role" with regard to the Russia-Ukraine war and as a "law-abiding and influential regional player".

Regarding nuclear activities, Iran is still "absolutely determined" to honour its obligations within the framework of a 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it added.

But certain NATO members, which are among the JCPOA parties, have "continuously violated the agreement and the UN Security Council Resolution 2231," it noted.

The NATO summit's statement also called upon Iran to "cease its military support to Russia, in particular its transfer of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which have been used to attack critical infrastructure, causing widespread civilian casualties".

Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. The US, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.

The negotiations for the revival of the JCPOA commenced in April 2021 in Austria's capital Vienna. Despite several rounds of talks, no significant breakthrough has been achieved since the end of the last round in August 2022, Xinhua news agency reported.

Ever since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, the West has been accusing Iran of sending drones to Moscow for military use.

Iran has repeatedly rejected such allegations, saying it has given only a limited number of UAVs to Russia months before the start of the war.
Ankara, July 14 : Turkey is set to expediate talks with the EU on customs union and visa liberalisation, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, adding there has been positive feedback from the bloc over Turkey's accession process.

He made the remarks on Thursday while speaking to reporters on his flight from Vilnius, Lithuania, following the NATO summit on July 11-12, where he dropped months of objection and backed Sweden's bid to join the military alliance, state-run TRT broadcaster reported.

"There is a positive opinion about the revitalisation of our EU membership process. We will accelerate the negotiations for the modernisation of the customs union which will have a multiplying effect on the Turkish economy. I also believe that we will observe progress on visa liberalisation," he was quoted by TRT as saying.

Erdogan said on the sideline of the summit, he held talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other European leaders on the revival of Turkey's EU membership talks, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Ursula von der Leyen also talked positively on these issues," the Turkish President added.

The EU Council's instruction to the EU Commission and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, to prepare a report on ties with Turkey was another "positive move," he said.

Ankara wants to upgrade the 1996-dated customs union with the block, but some EU members drag feet due to political reasons. Turkey also wants to start visa-free travel in the EU for Turkish citizens.

Before attending the summit, Erdogan told the media that Turkey will give consent for Sweden's NATO bid only if Ankara's accession process with the EU is resumed.
The Carlos Vieira amphitheater installed a Christie 4K10-HS laser projector As a longtime partner of Seal Telecom, Christie provides us with the technical support we need.

Christie is pleased to announce that the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goias (Brazil), known as ALEGO, has installed Christie projection in the amphitheater where various parliamentary activities are held.

ALEGO installed audio, video, and broadcast solutions in its main spaces such as plenary sessions, auditoriums, session rooms, a TV studio, meeting rooms, and the amphitheater.

In the Carlos Vieira amphitheater, with a total area of 1,169 m (12,583 square feet) and space for 692 seats, Seal Telecom installed a Christie 4K10-HS 1DLP laser projector to show 4K UHD content for conferences and other events.

The installation required a projector with high resolution, high brightness and lenses capable of servicing a 200-inch projection screen at a distance of around 25 meters (82 feet), explains Bruno Duarte, project designer, manager AV-GOV at Seal Telecom. Christie's 4K10-HS fully met that set of requirements, he adds.

The Christie 4K10-HS projector, with 4K UHD resolution and 10,000 ANSI lumens, features Christie BoldColor Technology for improved color reproduction and more realistic images. It allows 4K@60Hz video transport with a single HDMI or Display Port cable, simplifying installation and cable routing. It also comes equipped with Christie Twist software for warping and blending, and is compatible with Christie Mystique, a camera-based alignment software.

Its main strengths are the high resolution, high brightness, and the lenses capable of satisfying various screen sizes and distances, depending on the environment, adds Duarte.

The ALEGO amphitheater has already gained national recognition for the technical quality of the equipment and systems used. Duarte highlighted the service provided by Christie: As a longtime partner of Seal Telecom, Christie provides us with the technical support we need.
A 2nd Chance Our professional staff are available 24/7/365 to help any defendant detained in cities of Covington, Oxford, Mansfield, Porterdale and Newborn, as well as those charged in unincorporated areas of Newton County.

A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds, a leading bail bonding agency with locations across the metropolitan Atlanta area, today announces the addition of Newton County to its rapidly growing service area. Newton County, which is located in North Central Georgia, has a population of more than 115,000.

When violations lead to an arrest in Newton County, individuals as well as their family members can now count on A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds for prompt, reliable assistance in the bail bonds process, says Daniel Matalon, founder of A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds. Our professional staff are available 24/7/365 to help any defendant detained in cities of Covington, Oxford, Mansfield, Porterdale and Newborn, as well as those charged in unincorporated areas of Newton County.

Defendants in the newly added Newton County service area can contact A 2nd Chance representatives for bonding assistance at 770.373.7373.

As one of the most rapidly growing bail bond providers in Georgia, A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds has maintained a reputation for providing the highest level of customer service in the bail bonds industry. The firms flexible payment plans help assure prompt release so that clients can quickly return to their families, jobs and communities.

This expansion into Newton County brings A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds reach to eight metro Atlanta counties including Fulton, Dekalb, Cobb, Cherokee, Gwinnett, Walton and Barrow counties.

About A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds

A 2nd Chance Bail Bonds is a trusted bail bonding agency with locations throughout the metropolitan Atlanta area. The company also provides services nationwide and has helped thousands of clients prepare for criminal defense from home instead of jail. Additionally, its sister company, A 2ndChance Monitoring, provides technology which enables clients to rejoin work and family while under judicial supervision.

Representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to explain the bonding process. The family-owned firm, which was founded in 2007 by Daniel Matalon, is one of the largest and fastest-growing bonding agencies in metro Atlanta. For more information, please visit http://www.a2ndchancebailbonds.com.


We selected Genedata Biologics because of its unique workflow and registration engine that supports processes from candidate selection all the way through IND filings and commercialization. Ann Cheung, Ph.D., Head of Research at Dragonfly Therapeutics

Genedata, the leading provider of enterprise software solutions for biopharmaceutical R&D, today announced that Dragonfly Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel immunotherapies, is using the Genedata Biologics integrated R&D workflow platform. The platform supports Dragonflys development of novel multi-specific therapies designed as natural combinations harnessing NK cells,  T cells, CD8+ T cells, and other cells of the innate and adaptive immune system, to provide a unique therapeutic window beyond current therapies for treatment of cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases.

We selected Genedata Biologics because of its unique workflow and registration engine that supports processes from candidate selection all the way through IND filings and commercialization, said Ann Cheung, Ph.D., Head of Research at Dragonfly Therapeutics. It was important to us to put workflows in place that can give us out-of-the-box support for our novel R&D programs. Genedata has an excellent reputation and notable ability to develop innovative digital solutions that are purpose-built for biotherapeutic R&D.

Genedata Biologics is a first-in-class workflow system that streamlines discovery of biotherapeutics of any format, including bi- and multi-specifics, adoptive cell therapies, gene therapies, and RNA. Uniquely designed from the start to digitalize biotherapeutic discovery, the platform facilitates and automates complex R&D processes. Genedata Biologics acts as a central end-to-end data backbone that integrates all R&D processes from molecular biology, screening, engineering, expression, purification, and analytics, to candidate developability and manufacturability assessments. Real-time access to all data enables users at all levels of an organization to rapidly make more informed decisions, as well as to analyze data patterns that drive future discovery programs.

By providing Dragonfly Therapeutics with a central data backbone for their discovery pipeline, we are making their R&D faster and more efficient, said Othmar Pfannes, Ph.D., CEO of Genedata. Our technology, combined with Dragonflys unique scientific approach, will bring cutting-edge therapeutics to patients faster and help them live better and longer lives.

Since its first release in 2011, Genedata Biologics has been rapidly adopted by most of the worlds leading biopharmaceutical companies. Genedatas collaborations range from single group installations to large, global, multi-site partnerships and include technology transfer, customizations, project management, training, and rollout and deployment support.

About Dragonfly

Dragonfly Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing therapies that use its novel bispecific antibody technology to harness the body's immune system to bring breakthrough treatments to patients. In addition to its wholly-owned clinical assets and multiple assets in the clinic with partners, Dragonfly has a deep pipeline of wholly-owned preclinical candidates developed using its proprietary platforms as well as productive collaborations with Merck, AbbVie, Gilead and Bristol Myers Squibb in a broad range of disease areas.

http://www.dragonflytx.com

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About Genedata

Genedata transforms data into intelligence with innovative software solutions that incorporate extensive biopharma R&D domain knowledge. Multinational biopharmaceutical organizations and cutting-edge biotechs around the globe rely on Genedata to digitalize and automate data-rich and complex R&D processes. From early discovery all the way to the clinic, Genedata solutions help maximize the ROI in R&D expenditure. Founded in 1997, Genedata is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland with additional offices in Boston, London, Munich, San Francisco, Singapore, and Tokyo.

http://www.genedata.com

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________________________________________

Contact

Allison Kurz

Genedata

Public Relations

pr@genedata.com

Disclaimer

The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties related to contract cancellations, developing risks, competitive factors, uncertainties pertaining to customer orders, demand for products and services, development of markets for the Company's products and services. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

All product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.
Antonio Moreira, PhD, Chair of the ISPE Foundation Board Through this program, we are not only investing in the future of the students but also cultivating a more vibrant and diverse community of pharmaceutical industry professionals.

The ISPE Foundation is proud to announce the expansion of a transformative Student Grant Program, due to generous support by Gilead Sciences. The Foundations Student Grant Program is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the pharmaceutical industry by providing financial support for approximately 25 students focused in STEM to attend the prestigious 2023 ISPE Annual Meeting & Expo, scheduled to take place 15-18 October in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The support from Gilead Sciences further broadens the Foundations ability to promote diversity in the pharmaceutical industry, and further enables ISPEs efforts to build the pharmaceutical industry workforce of the future.

With Gilead Sciences being the major supporter, the ISPE Foundations Student Grant Program will cover travel expenses and an in-person, all-access conference experience for selected students, enabling them to immerse themselves in the latest advancements, cutting-edge technologies, and industry best practices shared during the 2023 ISPE Annual Meeting & Expo. Furthermore, the grant recipients will benefit from an exclusive onsite orientation program, facilitating their engagement and maximizing their networking opportunities. As part of this exceptional opportunity, each student will also receive a two-year membership to ISPE, further nurturing their professional growth within the pharmaceutical industry.

The Student Grant Program holds a special significance as an important DEI initiative for both the ISPE Foundation and Gilead Sciences. By specifically targeting minority students and those from underrepresented populations in the pharmaceutical industry, the program aims to break down barriers, expand access to opportunities, and create a more inclusive and equitable future for the next generation of pharmaceutical professionals.

In expressing his support for this initiative, Joydeep Ganguly, Senior Vice President, Corporate Operations at Gilead Sciences, shared, "Gilead Sciences is dedicated to fostering a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive pharmaceutical industry. We believe that initiatives like the ISPE Foundation's Student Grant Program are crucial in empowering underrepresented students to pursue careers in pharmaceutical engineering. By investing in their education and professional development, we are creating pathways for future leaders who will contribute to the advancement of innovative solutions that bring transformational medicines to patients worldwide."

Antonio Moreira, PhD, Chair of the ISPE Foundation Board, expressed gratitude for Gilead Sciences' contribution, stating, "we are immensely grateful to Gilead Sciences for their generous support and unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This Student Grant Program represents a significant step toward building a more inclusive industry, where all individuals have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute their unique perspectives for ultimate benefit of the patient population. We firmly believe that diverse voices and experiences are catalysts for innovation and progress. Through this program, we are not only investing in the future of the students but also cultivating a more vibrant and diverse community of pharmaceutical industry professionals."

The ISPE Foundation and Gilead Sciences remain steadfast in their commitment to advancing DEI in the pharmaceutical industry. By collaborating on initiatives such as this Student Grant Program and ISPE Foundations Technology Without Borders Program, both organizations are dedicated to creating an environment that champions diversity, fosters inclusivity, and ultimately leads to groundbreaking advancements that positively impact patients worldwide.

Students interested in applying for a Student Grant are encouraged to do so on the ISPE website. The ISPE Foundation is actively seeking additional support for the Student Grant Program; to learn more, please contact Tori Johnson, Director, Development and Foundation Operations, at tjohnson@ispe.org.

About the ISPE Foundation

The ISPE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of ISPE International, is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization that supports ISPEs interests across the globe. The ISPE Foundation is supported by an International Board of Directors and a global staff of association professionals and advisers under the leadership of Board Chair Dr. Antonio Moreira and ISPEs President & CEO, Thomas Hartman. As an indication of their level of commitment, 100% of Board Members have contributed donations to support Foundation initiatives. Funded by the generosity of our donors, the Foundation champions programs that create opportunity, diversity, and success within the global pharmaceutical industry.

About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.

Gilead has promoted equity, particularly healthcare equity since the company brought its first therapies to the market. Through global partnerships, Gileads medicines today reach millions of people in low- and middle-income countries around the world. In the United States, Gilead has committed more than $100 million over 10 years through the COMPASS Initiative to community organizations that are working to combat HIV in the U.S. South. In 2020, Gilead launched the Racial Equity Community Impact Fund to support organizations tackling racial inequities affecting Black communities across the United States.
LEVAIR Baking Solutions by Innophos Our team is excited to return to IFT to highlight our wide range of food and beverage solutions that are backed by science and technology. Dr. Winkowskis presentation is incredibly relevant as commercial bakers look for new ways to improve their bottom line and meet consumer demands.

Innophos, a global leader of specialty ingredient solutions that deliver far-reaching, versatile benefits for the food, health, and nutrition markets, announced today that it will return as a presenter at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Event and Expo from July 16  19, 2023, at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, IL. Innophos is also inviting IFT23 attendees to visit booth #S2810 to learn more about their science-backed phosphate technology solutions.

Karen Winkowski, Ph.D., VP of Technology at Innophos, will present live on the IFT First Business Stage on July 18, and offer insights on how LEVAIR Extended Shelf Life (ESL) can help commercial bakeries reduce food waste and extend shelf life. Emma Hu, Scientist for Food & Bakery Applications at Innophos, is also set to sit on the IFT Scientific Panel to address, What Are Creative Solutions for Addressing Food Waste Across the F&B Value Chain? and will present a pre-recorded session titled Reduce Waste and Boost Sustainable Production by Improving Batter Stability.

Innophos will feature its new LEVAIR family of baking solutions that addresses key challenges in the bakery industry including reducing waste, improving texture and volume, and improving profitability. With Innophos innovative LEVAIR portfolio, commercial bakers can incorporate ingredient solutions that help:



Extend product shelf life - LEVAIR Extended Shelf Life (ESL)

Reduce waste while improving batter stability - LEVAIR Stabilize

Improve volume and texture in high-protein baking - LEVAIR Fortify

Provide consistent leavening in baked goods - LEVAIR Classic Sodium Aluminum Phosphate (SALP)

Provide consistent leavening with a non-aluminum-based technology - LEVAIR Select

Our team is excited to return to IFT23 to highlight our wide range of food and beverage solutions that are backed by science and technology, said Sherry Duff, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Technology at Innophos. Dr. Winkowskis presentation is incredibly relevant as commercial bakers look for new ways to improve their bottom line and meet consumer demands that are reshaping the baking industry.

To register for the Innophos presentations: http://www.iftevent.org/attend/registration

To learn more about the latest Innophos solutions, please visit booth #S2810 or visit: http://www.innophos.com.

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About Innophos

Innophos is a leading international producer of specialty ingredient solutions that deliver far-reaching, versatile benefits for the food, health, nutrition, and industrial markets. We leverage our expertise in the science and technology of blending and formulating phosphate, mineral, enzyme, and botanical-based ingredients to help our customers offer products that are tasty, healthy, nutritious, and economical. Headquartered in Cranbury, New Jersey, Innophos has manufacturing operations across the United States, Canada, Mexico and China.
...Kimberlys demonstrated expertise at building and strengthening culture puts her in the perfect position to lead the claims departments efforts toward enhancing our culture and employee engagement, said Steve Donnelly, Amerisures chief claims officer.

Amerisure Insurance is pleased to announce that Kimberly Vaughn is assuming an expanded role as vice president of claims experience & culture. Vaughn will continue leading the Claims Experience Organization (CXO) to differentiate Amerisures service value proposition and support the needs of its stakeholders. The new role will also include responsibility for building consistent training and onboarding resources as well as defining engagement programming and cultural initiatives.

Given how critical the customer experience is to our success, and how central Amerisures culture is in creating that experience, Kimberlys demonstrated expertise at building and strengthening culture puts her in the perfect position to lead the claims departments efforts toward enhancing our culture and employee engagement, said Steve Donnelly, Amerisures chief claims officer.

Vaughns most recent role as vice president of claims experience & customer analytics oversaw the successful launch of the CXO for Amerisure in 2021. Vaughn joined Amerisure in 2013 as a Workers Compensation (WC) corporate consultant after practicing law in Illinois, first as a member of the plaintiffs bar, then as a defense attorney. She became assistant vice president of Workers Compensation, leading the WC technical claims team and their initiatives, to improve the claim handling processes while providing technical oversight on complex claims. Vaughn also served as the claims field assistant vice president of Amerisures North Region before the creation of the CXO.

Vaughn received her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from Michigan State University and is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Michigan. She has been admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois, the Northern District of Indiana and the Supreme Court of the United States.

About Amerisure Insurance

Amerisure is a leading provider of commercial property and casualty insurance solutions for U.S.-based construction, manufacturing and healthcare businesses. Licensed in all fifty states and available through an exclusive network of elite independent agents, the company upholds an A (Excellent) financial strength rating, industry-leading service scores, and multiple awards for innovation. Amerisure has been in business for more than 100 years and is consistently named among the best places to work in the industry and throughout the nation. To learn more, visit amerisure.com.
Leap Announced as 2023 NAA Top Employers Award Winner Rory OConnell, Chief Executive Officer at Leap, expressed his delight: "...Culture is the lifeblood of any organization, requiring constant nurturing and strengthening...Our ability to innovate and grow can be attributed to our collaborative culture and the curiosity and engagement of our team."

The National Apartment Association (NAA) takes immense pleasure in naming Leap as a winner of the 2023 NAA Top Employers Awards. These awards celebrate member organizations for their commitment to fostering cultures of collaboration, innovation, and diligence. The accolades specifically honor those management companies and suppliers from the rental housing industry that have made significant strides in creating safe, engaging, and nurturing work environments throughout the past year.

"Congratulations to Leap, your 2023 NAA Top Employers award demonstrates your focus on employees, engagement and performance," said Bob Pinnegar, NAA President and CEO. "Your employees made it clear  Leap cares about, listens to and acts upon the needs and ideas of their employees and is a great place to work. NAA appreciates your efforts in fostering a robust workplace culture and the hard work valuing and engaging your team over the past year.

Rory OConnell, Chief Executive Officer at Leap, expressed his delight: "We are honored to receive this award once again. We put as much emphasis on nurturing a thriving and inclusive culture as we do on developing innovative products and winning new clients. Culture is the lifeblood of any organization, requiring constant nurturing and strengthening. It's not a static thing. Our ability to innovate and grow can be attributed to our collaborative culture and the curiosity and engagement of our team."

The winners and finalists in each of the four categories are determined by employee satisfaction, as gauged through an anonymous survey. The results of this survey are shared with all nominees to assist organizations in better understanding and recognizing employee sentiment.

About Leap

Leap provides innovative occupancy and risk management solutions for the multifamily and single-family rental markets. Leap serves to make apartment and single-family leases more affordable, providing insurance alternatives to security deposits and guarantors. Leap's mission: improve the financial performance of landlords while making renting more accessible. Leap's products mitigate the need for landlords to take security deposits, thereby streamlining the leasing process, reducing move-in costs for renters, and driving higher occupancy rates. To learn more, visit http://www.leapeasy.com

About NAA

The National Apartment Association (NAA) serves as the leading voice and preeminent resource through advocacy, education and collaboration on behalf of the rental housing industry. As a federation of 141 state, local and global affiliates, NAA encompasses over 95,000 members representing more than 11.6 million apartment homes globally. NAA believes that rental housing is a valuable partner in every community that emphasizes integrity, accountability, collaboration, community responsibility, inclusivity and innovation. To learn more, visit http://www.naahq.org. NAA thanks its strategic partners Lowes Pro Supply, Yardi and The Home Depot.


The Prometey group of companies has extended cooperation with Vostok Bank (Kyiv) and MTB Bank (Odesa), which allocated UAH 60 million each to replenish working capital and implement target programs of the group's production companies, the press service of the agricultural holding reported.

"With the start of the war, these banks were the first to provide financial support to Ukrainian agricultural producers, in particular our group. We highly appreciate the trust placed in us in the face of the full-scale invasion and economic uncertainty in which the agrarian sector found itself in February 2022. The new funding will be a good help for our farmers during the harvest season," Natalia Dudnikova, the deputy head of the Prometey corporate finance sector, commented on cooperation with banks.

Prometey provides services for the storage, processing and logistics of crops. Prior to the Russian aggression, it owned 34 elevators in Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Khmelnytsky, Zaporizhia, Sumy, Odesa, Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

Over 2021, the group of companies planned to receive $45 million in EBITDA, while in 2020 this figure reached $32.6 million, in 2019 - $30.5 million.

Prometey plans to increase its land bank from 20,000 hectares to 50,000 hectares during 2023, and in the future to increase it to 100,000 hectares.
To date, the Lustgarten Foundation has funded more than $250 million in research grants and has been a leading force in every major advancement in pancreatic cancer research. "The appointment of Dr. Vickers and Dr. Penberthy will undoubtedly propel us forward in our mission to transform pancreatic cancer into a curable disease," said Linda Tantawi, CEO of the Lustgarten Foundation.

The Lustgarten Foundation, the nations largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research, today announced the appointment of two new board members: Selwyn M. Vickers, MD, FACS, and Scott Penberthy, PhD, MS. Dr. Vickers is an internationally recognized pancreatic cancer surgeon, pancreatic cancer researcher, and pioneer in health disparities research. Dr. Penberthy is a visionary engineering leader with extensive expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and technology, specifically in the healthcare space.

"We are honored to welcome Dr. Vickers and Dr. Penberthy to the Lustgarten Foundation Board of Directors," said Linda Tantawi, CEO of the Lustgarten Foundation. "At the Foundation, we firmly believe in the fundamental role of innovative and cutting-edge research in solving the complexities of pancreatic cancer. The appointment of Dr. Vickers and Dr. Penberthy will undoubtedly propel us forward in our mission to transform pancreatic cancer into a curable disease."

Selwyn M. Vickers, MD, FACS, a renowned pancreatic cancer surgeon, researcher, and academic medical leader, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Prior to joining MSK, Dr. Vickers was the CEO of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and the Senior Vice President and Dean of the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine. He also served as the Jay Phillips Professor of Surgery and Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars and has served on the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Board of Trustees and the Johns Hopkins University Board of Trustees. Additionally, he has served as President of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract and the Southern Surgical Association. Dr. Vickers is the immediate Past President of the American Surgical Association.

"The work of the Lustgarten Foundation plays an essential role in propelling pancreatic research forward, said Dr. Vickers, I look forward to the work we will do together to continue to advance treatments and support those impacted by this devastating disease.

Scott Penberthy, PhD, MS is the Managing Director of Applied AI in Google Cloud's Office of the CTO. Prior to his tenure at Google, he served as the Managing Director of Technology at PwC, where he led a comprehensive company-wide digital transformation and spearheaded the introduction of AI and cloud services. Having lost his mom to breast cancer when she was only 57, Dr. Penberthy promised her to find a better way to treat cancer. At Google, with the assignment to figure out how AI can do good in the world, Dr. Penberthy started to look at cancer as a programming problem, a pattern gone wrong, which means we can learn to fix it. Dr. Penberthy serves on numerous Boards of Advisors, including Stanford Universitys Institute for Computational & Mathematical Engineering.

Im delighted to join the fight to end cancer as we know it, shifting from a lethal diagnosis to one that can be managed, said Scott Penberthy. We need all the help we can get from AI and cloud! Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging, complex, and subtle diseases, and I firmly believe that contributions here will extend to all others.

About Lustgarten Foundation

The Lustgarten Foundation funds the worlds preeminent pancreatic cancer researchers, driving the pursuit of bold and innovative science toward earlier detection, better treatments and transforming pancreatic cancer into a curable disease. Our mission is rooted in the belief that research is fundamental, in fact, it is the only way to produce real results. The Lustgarten Foundation is a catalyst in the field of pancreatic cancer research. Lustgarten-funded science has been a driving force in every major advancement in pancreatic cancer research since 1998. We believe time is everything for pancreatic cancer patients and their families. The Foundation funds research where creative risks yield high rewards to accelerate and expand life-saving treatment options. And we believe in the power of community. Lustgarten programs and events provide people affected by pancreatic cancer a voice and a place to create hope, together. The Lustgarten Foundation is the largest private funder of pancreatic cancer research and 100% of all donations fuel the research to advance understanding of this complex, devastating and historically underfunded cancer. For more information, visit http://www.lustgarten.org.
Omron honors Proax Technologies as 2022 Strategic Partner of the Year

Industrial Automation solutions provider Omron Automation Americas is proud to announce Proax Technologies as its Canadian Strategic Partner of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes Proaxs outstanding contributions and dedication to Omron and its customers over the past year. Proax is a trusted Canadian partner that has engaged with Omron on a variety of projects and is a leader in automation distribution.

We are thrilled to recognize Proax Technologies as our Partner of the Year, says Peter Brouwer, Vice President of Sales, Omron Automation Americas. Proaxs leadership in the automation distribution space has been of great value to us as we work towards driving customer success and accelerating growth. We look forward to continuing to work together to deliver exceptional results.

On behalf of Proax and our staff, I am truly honoured and grateful to receive the Canadian Strategic Partner of the Year award from Omron Automation, says Stephen Daub, Proax President and CEO.

Proax has consistently driven year-over-year (YOY) growth, in FY22 the company increased point-of-sale revenue by 20% YOY. The companys commitment to innovation and customer service excellence has resulted in significant business growth and customer satisfaction.

This recognition is a testament to our teams dedication and hard work in delivering innovative automation solutions to our customers, while maintaining the highest standards of quality and service, says Daub. We are committed to continuing our strong partnership with Omron and providing our customers with the latest technologies and best-in-class support. Thank you, Omron Automation, for this recognition and for your continued trust in Proax Technologies Ltd.

The Distributor of the Year award is an important recognition of the critical role that partners play in Omrons success, reflecting a commitment to building strong partnerships that enable the automation solutions provider to deliver value to customers and achieve strategic goals. Industry professionals seeking local automation expertise can find an Omron Certified Partner at https://automation.omron.com/en/us/where-to-buy.

About Proax Technologies

Proax Technologies has over 60 years of experience in offering innovative products and solutions in the areas of automation, robotics, motion control and machine safety. Proax is dedicated to fulfilling customers needs across all Canadian regions. Learn more at https://proax.ca/en/about-us

About Omron Automation

Omron Automation is an industrial automation partner that creates, sells and services fully integrated automation solutions that include sensing, control, safety, vision, motion, robotics and more. Established in 1933, Omron's 30,000 employees help businesses solve problems with creativity in more than 110 countries. Learn more at automation.omron.com.
We are ecstatic that we won first place in three different categories at the TVSN Customer Beauty Awards, says EVP & butter LONDON Chief Marketing Officer, Julie Campbell. It is a huge honor that our products were recognized by TVSN customers as being the best in beauty for 2023.

PUR, a brand best known for its multitasking beauty and skincare, is thrilled to have won three awards at the 2023 TVSN Customer Beauty Awards! PURs skin-loving No Filter Primer Blurring Photographer Primer in shade rose gold, Big Look Lengthening Mascara with Argan Oil, and fan-favorite 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 have all won first place in different makeup categories that were voted on by TVSN customers.

We are ecstatic that we won first place in three different categories at the TVSN Customer Beauty Awards, says EVP & butter LONDON Chief Marketing Officer, Julie Campbell. It is a huge honor that our products were recognized by TVSN customers as being the best in beauty for 2023.

TVSN is a shopping network based in Australia and New Zealand where consumers can shop for their favorite products, popular prestigious brands, and international trends. TVSN receives millions of views each month with consistent sales coming from the company. The Beauty Team at TVSN nominated 5 products for each of the 16 categories for customers to vote on. Each customer had the opportunity to vote once a day for their favorite products, and PUR won in the following categories with these items:



Best Foundation: 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15

Best Color Cosmetics: Big Look Lengthening Mascara with Argan Oil

Best Prep & Primer: No Filter Primer Blurring Photographer PrimerRose Gold

No Filter Primer is a Blurring Photography Primer that helps conceal the look of imperfections and skin concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles for a smoother, more radiant-looking complexion. The rose gold pigments add a soft glow to the skin and can work as both a primer and an illuminating liquid highlighter. This rose gold primer pairs perfectly with PURs best selling 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup as this foundation powder features an all-in-one skincare-infused formula to give skin a medium, buildable, natural-looking finish. Both of these complexion products can be worn with Big Look Lengthening Mascara to give lashes a more lifted and volumized look for a wispy false eyelash effect to give a no-makeup-makeup inspired look.

PUR is honored to have won three awards from TVSN viewers. To shop the winning products, or other best selling PUR beauty and skincare, head to purcosmetics.com.

About PUR Beauty

Dedicated to our Beauty, PUR and Simple philosophy, PUR has redefined clean beauty since 2002 with one mission in mindto offer PUR Beauties good-for-your-skin products that deliver both immediate and long-term results. Motivated by the concept of multitasking, mineral-based beauty solutions, the line has expanded into a full spectrum product mix of efficacious complexion and color makeup products and transformative skincare solutions. While our proprietary technology may be complex, our method is PUR and simple! We believe that the ultimate luxury is indulging in high-performance complexion and color products that align with your lifestyle. Breathe easy knowing that we formulate cruelty-free products that never contain parabens, gluten, talc, petrolatum, mineral oil, and SLS. At PUR, weve done the beauty, and skin-ingredient research to create makeup, makeup brushes, cosmetic tools and skincare products that are never tested on animals and are always cruelty-free.
Peter DeVries, CEO of Modern Campus Understanding the factors that drive students decision-making throughout the college-planning journey can help colleges and universities to optimize their marketing and communication channels to meet their prospective students expectations.

More than nine out of ten high school students say they use a higher education institutions website to guide their college research process, still many find the navigation of these websites frustrating. This is according to the 2023 E-expectations Trends Report: Attracting, Engaging, and Enrolling High School Students, a study developed by Modern Campus and based on research conducted in partnership with Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL). This report provides insight into what high school students expect from colleges, and sheds light on how colleges and universities can attract, engage and enroll prospective students.

The bi-annual study explores the online expectations, experiences, behaviors and priorities of high school students across the United States in the process of searching for college. With the college search process now beginning early in high school for many students, this 2023 report presents many findings by high school year, showing how student behavior changes as they approach graduation.

Despite higher ed websites being the top used resource for finding information, navigating them and finding the right information is still something that high-school students find frustrating. They expect and want these websites to be easily navigable and show personalized content. And as a result, despite their wide use, students indicate concerns around how helpful the websites truly are. About one in five 10th-grade and first-generation students said they do not find higher ed websites helpful.

The report also explores how high school students plan and research for higher education, what tools they use to gather information and what influences their journey and decisions. The study found that campus maps and virtual tours have been gaining influence in students decisions to enroll for a college/university.

Todays students expect personalized digital experiences from every business they interact withincluding higher education institutions, said Peter DeVries, Chief Executive Officer of Modern Campus. Understanding the factors that drive their decision-making throughout the college-planning journeyfrom accessing information to communicating with the institution and experiencing the campus life virtually before joiningcan help colleges and universities to optimize their marketing and communication channels to meet their prospective students expectations.

Additional Key Findings



The top three things about college websites students find frustrating: Hard to find information, confusing directions and hard to navigate

93% students use a college or universitys website to get information

58% use a search engine to find a college or university website

56% like or expect websites to show personalized content

50% take a virtual tour via college websites

73% feel likely to enroll after taking a virtual tour of a college or university

- The number of students who feel likely to enroll after taking a virtual tour has

been consistently increasing for the past three years



73% students parents/families help them with college planning

To explore the 2023 E-expectations Trends Report: Attracting, Engaging, and Enrolling High School Students in greater detail, visit https://resources.moderncampus.com/2023-e-expectations-trends-report-attracting-engaging-and-enrolling-high-school-students-rnl.

Report Methodology/Respondent Profile

Between January 16 and February 20, 2023, nearly 2,000 high school students from all over the U.S. were invited to participate in the online survey. No personally identifiable information was collected.

More than half of the respondents were in 12th grade, around three fourth were continuing generation and one third were from far west. More than half of the respondents were female.

About Modern Campus

Modern Campus is obsessed with empowering its nearly 2,000 higher education customers to thrive when radical transformation is required to respond to lower student enrollments and revenue, rising costs, crushing student debt, and administrative complexity.

The Modern Campus engagement platform powers solutions for non-traditional student management, web content management, catalog and curriculum management, student engagement and development, conversational text messaging, career pathways, and campus maps and virtual tours. The result: innovative institutions can create a learner-to-earner lifecycle that engages modern learners for life, while providing modern administrators with the tools needed to streamline workflows and drive high efficiency.

Learn how Modern Campus is leading the modern learner engagement movement at moderncampus.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

About RNL

RNL is the leading provider of higher education enrollment, student success, and fundraising solutions. The firm serves more than 1,900 colleges and universities through data-driven solutions focused on the entire lifecycle of enrollment and fundraising, assuring students find the right program, graduate on time, secure their first job in their chosen field, and give back to support the next generation. With a deep knowledge of the industry, RNL provides institutions the ability to scale their efforts by tapping into a community of support and resources. Visit RuffaloNL.com.
Air defense eliminated 20 out of 20 Shahed drones mainly in Kyiv region, two Kalibr missiles, and also, probably, the enemy launched one Iskander-M ballistic missile from the side of the temporarily occupied Crimea, the information is being specified, Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has said.

"As a result of combat work, all 20 attack drones were destroyed, mainly in Kyiv region. Also, two Kalibr cruise missiles were destroyed in different directions," the AFU said in the statement.

It is also reported that the enemy used another Iskander-M ballistic missile from the side of the temporarily occupied Dzhankoy, Crimea.

Regarding the consequences of launching a missile from the Iskander-M operational tactical missile complex, information is being specified, the Air Force said.

As noted, the enemy attacked Ukraine in the northeast (Kursk) and southeast (Primorsko-Akhtarsk) directions.

"Anti-aircraft missile units, fighter aircraft, mobile fire groups of the Air Force and air defense of other components of the Ukrainian defense forces were involved in repelling an enemy attack," the Air Force said.
In the 35 years since the publication of her 1988 debut novel, The Bean Tree, Barbara Kingsolver has written fiction, nonfiction, essays, and poetry books for adult readers. Now the Pulitzer Prize-winning author has written her first book for children, in partnership with her daughter, Lily Kingsolver. Coyotes Wild Home, illustrated by Paul Mirocha, aimed at readers ages six and up, will be released on October 17 with a 25,000-copy initial print run by the Gryphon Press, a small press in Minneapolis. Gryphon Press is headed by Milkweed Editions founding publisher emeritus, Emilie Buchwald, and her daughter, Dana Buchwald.

Coyotes Wild Home is set in the Appalachian region in the southeastern U.S. during Diana and Grandfathers hike through the woods to their campsite. As the two walk through the forest and then fish for their supper, they see signs throughoutsuch as different kinds of tracks and scat studded with fish scalesdemonstrating that the forest is home to a variety of creatures. Grandfather explains that it is important that the eco-system maintains the proper balance of predators and their prey. Coyotes, Grandfather notes, are predators that play an essential role in maintaining that balance.

Meanwhile, two coyotes, Auntie and Coyote Pup, make their way through the same forest, hunting for food on Coyote Pups first such excursion under Aunties supervision. They occasionally pick up the scent of human beings in the vicinity. As the two prowl, gobbling up mice, a vole, berries, and other delicacies, Auntie reflects on the changing nature of the forests. Aunties world is shrinking because humans are cutting down trees and building up the land, forcing coyotes and other woodland creatures to hunt for their food increasingly close to where humans live.

Complementing the text with its two parallel stories are alternating sets of illustrations: Diana and Grandfather are the focus of one set, and Auntie and Coyote Pup are the focus of the other; in one illustration, the two animals peer through the foliage and see the two humans.

When asked how a small childrens book publisher in Minnesota was able to entice Kingsolver, who usually publishes with HarperCollins, Emilie explained that it started a long time ago, when she was publisher of Milkweed, which has always been renowned for its books on nature and the environment. Emilie solicited a blurb from Kingsolver regarding a wonderful book, Ordinary Wolves by Seth Kantner, which Milkweed published in 2004. She was very gracious and gave us a marvelous blurb, Emilie recalled.

Emilie, who retired from Milkweed in 2003 and launched Gryphon in 2006, described the mission of the press, which has published 25 picture books to date, as providing a voice for the voiceless, with its emphasis on books about animals.

All of our picture books are illustrated by great artists, she said. They talk about the issues that animals face. The idea of these books is to develop empathy for all animals. While initially Gryphon focused on the humane treatment of companion animals, it expanded two years ago to include a line of books about wildlife.

We began approaching very distinguished authors, Emilie said. The idea was to ask these authors of adult books to write a picture book, their first childrens book. The first book in the series, published in November 2021, is Jake and Ava: A Boy and a Fish by biologist Jonathan Balcombe, illustrated by Rebecca Evans. He translated his extensive knowledge of fish into a picture book, Dana commented. This was followed by naturalist Scott Weidensauls book, A Warblers Journey, a tale of bird migration illustrated by Nancy Lane.

When we decided to do a book about coyotes, it seemed to us that the best possible choice would be Barbara Kingsolver, Emilie said. She wrote this marvelous book, Prodigal Summer. In the book, coyotes are very important characters and she writes positively about them. In fact, the last scene is from the perspective of a female coyote, the mother of a litter.

Dana added, Shes Barbara Kingsolver, and she writes brilliantly: we love her writing. And she is trained as a biologist; she had really studied coyote biology when she wrote Prodigal Summer.

After the Buchwalds asked Kingsolver to write a picture book about co-existence with coyotes and their value as predators in keeping the wilderness alive, Kingsolver was intrigued, Emilie noted, at the prospect of writing in a new genre. But it was Lily, who is an environmental educator, who conceptualized the plot. Lily proposed the story of two youngsters, a coyote pup and a little girl, having intertwined adventures in the wilderness. They were excited to work together to do that.

Were not saying in this book to go out and be friends with coyotes, Dana pointed out. Theyre not dogs; theyre wild animals. But the idea of co-existence is a good place to start in understanding coyotes and their place in the eco-system and why they need to be protected.

Kingsolver intends to promote the book with her daughter as their schedules allow, Emilie said, though much of the promotion will be online. Kingsolver has already announced Coyotes Wild Home on her social media accounts. In a May post on Instagram, she wrote, Im extremely excited to announce my foray into a whole new genre. Co-author Lily Kingsolver and I decided that after centuries of bad wolves and bears, predators needed better representation in childrens books. Illustrator Paul Mirocha brought our best dreams to life. Coming out in October from Gryphon Press.

We enjoyed working together, Dana said. It was fun for us because were a mother-daughter team and the Kingsolvers are too. And the artist, Paul Mirocha, is someone whom Emilie had worked with while at Milkweed, who is also a long-time friend of Barbaras. He stayed with them on their farm in Appalachia and they all walked around this forest area near the farm; thats what you see in the illustrations of the book. It was a fun collaboration all around.

Expressing her pride in her companys forthcoming release, Emilie said she expects it to have a big impact due to its topical nature. Its a beautiful book and it has something important to say about co-existence and the wilderness, she declared. Coyotes Wild Home couldnt be more timely as smoke from the recent Canadian wildfires spreads over much of the U.S. and we are reminded of how precious and fragile our forests are and how all ecosystems and all life are connected. We agree with what Katherine Applegate said in her blurb for the book: Coyotes Wild Home is a love letter to the natural world. 
Purdue University researcher V. Jo Davisson and CEO Diana Caldwell are the founders of Amplified Sciences, a clinical-stage life sciences diagnostic company that focuses on accurately detecting and categorically assessing the risks of debilitating diseases. The National Cancer Institute has awarded Amplified Sciences a grant of approximately $400,000 to develop a test to determine if pancreatic cysts are benign or potentially malignant. (Purdue Research Foundation photo/Vincent Walter)

The company will develop and validate testing for an assay to improve detection of pancreatic cancer in patients diagnosed with pancreatic cystic lesions

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Health care providers and their patients could know with greater confidence whether pancreatic cysts are benign or potentially malignant, and if surgery is required to remove them, by using a new diagnostic test currently in development.

Amplified Sciences, a clinical-stage life sciences diagnostic company that licenses Purdue University innovations, has received a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR, grant of approximately $400,000 from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to develop the test. The company focuses on accurately detecting and categorically assessing the risks of debilitating diseases.

CEO Diana Caldwell said the incidental detection rate of cystic pancreatic lesions has increased significantly due to the aging population and advances in clinical imaging technologies. However, there is a lack of definitive diagnostics to accurately assess if a cyst is benign or potentially malignant.

Health care professionals need better tools to help them manage these patients and identify individuals most at risk for pancreatic cancer, Caldwell said. Pancreatic cysts are a window to early detection and represent an important risk factor in identifying pancreatic cancer early.

Caldwell said clinicians must balance the risk of missing a potentially malignant cyst with taking unnecessary surgical action to remove a benign cyst. She said retrospective studies have found almost one-fourth of surgeries to remove pancreatic cysts are unwarranted.

However, previous studies have also revealed that when clinicians use a wait-and-see approach to monitor the development of pancreatic cancer, up to a quarter of patients receive surgery too late, Caldwell said. The dual-edged nature of this process highlights the need for better early-stage diagnostic tools.

Caldwell said the NCI grant will help fund important technical and clinical validation milestones, including the procurement of banked patient samples and clinical trials.

The companys pancreatic cancer diagnostic products are based on technology invented by V. Jo Davisson, professor of medicinal chemistry and molecular pharmacology in Purdue Universitys College of Pharmacy and a faculty member of the Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery. Davisson serves as the chief scientific officer of Amplified Sciences.

This award recognizes the strength of our scientific team, the potential of our chemistry platform and the National Institutes of Healths interest in supporting early-stage diagnostics in this disease state, Davisson said.

The state of Indiana is also supportive of startups earning SBIR grants. Through a program managed by Elevate Ventures, the company is eligible for a Phase I grant match of up to $50,000.

Amplified Sciences licenses Davissons intellectual property through the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization.

About Amplified Sciences

Amplified Sciences is a clinical-stage life science diagnostics startup focused on detecting and preempting the risks of debilitating diseases, thus providing health providers the ability to treat patients earlier with better outcomes. The companys ultrasensitive chemistry platform leverages technology licensed from Purdue University, and its headquarters is in West Lafayette, Indiana. Their lead assay has published clinical evidence in pancreatic cancer. To learn more about Amplified Sciences, visit amplifiedsciences.com.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research institution with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities (Times Higher Education/Wall Street Journal and QS), with two colleges in the top 4 in the United States (U.S. News & World Report), Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, with 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdues main campus has frozen tuition 12 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap, including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the new Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and Purdue Innovates, at https://stories.purdue.edu.

About Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization

The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the universitys academic activities through commercializing, licensing and protecting Purdue intellectual property. In fiscal year 2022, the office reported 157 deals finalized with 237 technologies signed, 379 disclosures received and 169 issued U.S. patents. The office is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, which received the 2019 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Place from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. In 2020, IPWatchdog Institute ranked Purdue third nationally in startup creation and in the top 20 for patents. The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Contact otcip@prf.org for more information.

Writer/Media contact: Steve Martin, sgmartin@prf.org

Sources: Diana Caldwell, diana.caldwell@amplifiedsci.com

Jo Davisson,
The main goal of Ukraine is to win the war with Russia, which will open up the possibility of NATO membership, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said at a meeting with representatives of Ukrainian and foreign media following his visit to Lithuania and participation in the NATO summit.

"NATO membership will definitely come with victory. And it is clear to everyone: we have absolute unity that Ukraine will be a member of the European Union. This is absolutely fair. Ukraine has been fighting for such a future, a near future  to be an equal member of the European Union, a security alliance and an independent state," the presidential press service said, citing him.

Zelenskyy said the main goal for Ukraine is to win the war with Russia.

"We believe in victory. We believe that there will be a next, very important step for Ukraine at the next NATO Summit. It is symbolic  after all, it will be the 75th anniversary of the Alliance, in Washington. We have to work hard and prepare for this Summit," the president said.
Innovative economist and influential national leader will serve as new leader of reimagined business school at Purdue University

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  The longest serving sitting president of Federal Reserve Banks and one of the nations foremost economists and respected scholar-leaders has been chosen to lead the continued transformation of the reimagined Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business (DSB) at Purdue University. James Jim Bullard on Thursday (July 13) was named the inaugural Dr. Samuel R. Allen Dean of the Daniels School of Business with a start date of Aug. 15.

Bullard, who spent the last 15 years as the sitting president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, has earned significant praise and accolades for his long-standing leadership and innovative thinking as part of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) in guiding the direction of U.S. monetary policy. A noted economist and scholar, Bullard had been the longest-serving Federal Reserve Bank president in the country and ranked as the seventh-most influential economist in the world in 2014. His scholarly impact has been based on research-based thinking and intellectual openness to new theories and explanations. That has allowed Bullard to be an early voice for economic change, helping the Federal Reserve deftly navigate complex economic landscapes such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial crisis during his tenure.

Dr. Bullard has been an extraordinary leader for our country and will be a transformational leader of Purdues Daniels School of Business. His track record has the perfect combination of national impact, scholarly excellence, and innovative leadership through 15 years as President of the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank, said Purdue President Mung Chiang. Todays exciting recruitment is a singular, extraordinary moment for the future of DSB and the tech-driven, free-market economy.

Additional Information

Before becoming president in 2008, Bullard served in various roles at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, starting in 1990 as an economist in the research division and later serving as vice president and deputy director of research for monetary analysis. For the last 15 years, Bullard has directed the activities of the Federal Reserves Eighth District, which branches into several states, including an extensive portion of southern Indiana. While serving on the Federal Reserves Open Market Committee, Macroeconomic Advisers named Bullard the FOMC's second biggest mover of markets in 2010 behind Chairman Ben Bernanke and the biggest mover of markets in 2011 and 2013.

To further reflect and to maximize the impact of Dr. Bullards unique, national leadership experience, he is also appointed as Special Advisor to the President of the university, reporting to President Chiang is that capacity.

I am humbled and beyond thrilled to be asked to lead the Daniels School of Business, named for one of the most influential fiscal leaders of our time, Bullard said. Purdue is known around the world for forward-thinking innovation. I will work to foster that spirit, and I think I can bring some real-world experience to pass on to the next generation of business leaders and innovators. I share Purdues vision to build toward the economies of the future, and I cant wait to get started.

Bullard will be charged with inspiring, further developing and implementing Purdues reimagined approach to a top-ranked business school across undergraduate, graduate, executive and research programs, preparing tomorrows business leaders and entrepreneurs in the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business that is grounded in the principles of free enterprise, free market economy in generating opportunities and prosperity, and in the hallmarks of a well-rounded Purdue education and with a particular emphasis on tech-driven, analytics-based business success. Aspired to become a top 10 business school in the country, the Daniels School of Business will extend Purdues land-grant mission to provide affordable and accessible education at the highest quality, and the primary thought leader between the coasts as a top public research university.

Jim's experience base, credentials and perspective are exactly the right match to enhance scholarly excellence and develop globally leading thinkers at our Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, said Patrick J. Wolfe, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity at Purdue. His visionary leadership will take the Daniels School of Business to new heights while building on current Purdue strengths and deepening the impact of our other two key strategic priorities: Purdue Computes and Purdue University in Indianapolis. I am extremely grateful to our Transition Steering Committee and to all who contributed to this search and its stellar outcome.

Following an extensive, international search since December 2022, with multiple extremely qualified candidates, Bullard earned a unanimous vote from the Transition Steering Committee (TSC), co-chaired by Gary Lehman, vice chair of the Purdue University Board of Trustees, and Kevin Mumford, the Kozuch Director of the Purdue University Research Center in Economics and professor of economics, and consisting of faculty and alumni representatives. That recommendation was accepted by President Chiang and Provost Wolfe, officially appointing Bullard as the leader to chart the future of business education and research at Purdue University.

We are thrilled to have Jim Bullard leading the transformation of the Daniels School of Business, Lehman said. We evaluated many fantastic candidates during this process, but Dr. Bullards exemplary record as a scholar and business leader cemented him as our top choice.

Launched in February, the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business has pursued three prongs in its execution: recruiting talents, securing resources, and developing strategies. In terms of resources, the Board of Trustees announced internal investments, such as 50 new tenure-track faculty positions and additional lines for other type of faculty and fellow appointments, as well as a campaign for DSB with a $200M target. The campaign has generated momentum within months, including multiple significant gifts. The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation gave $50 million to establish the Bruce White Undergraduate Institute inside the school. Honoring Bruce White (M 75), the founder and chairman of White Lodging, a former member of the Purdue Board of Trustees and one of the most prominent Boilermakers, the Bruce White Undergraduate Institute serves as a flagship of DSB, alongside and parallel to the long-standing Krannert Graduate Institute. In April, longtime Purdue University benefactors Norman (LA 65, MA 66, HDR 95) and Karen (EDU 65) Blake committed $10 million toward the creation of an ethics center within the Daniels School of Business. Another $10 million commitment from Gerald (CE 64, MS 71) and Nanette Lyles pledged unrestricted support for the Daniels School of Business. Marshall (MS 77) and Susan Larsen provided the $10 million gift to create the Larsen Leadership Academy in the School. Tom Howatt (M 72, MS 73) pledged a significant gift on Purdue Day of Giving in April. These and other generous gifts, coupled with Purdues own hefty investment for facility expansion and talent recruiting, has underlined the universitys commitment to making the Daniels School of Business the foremost business schools in the nation for a tech-driven, free market economy, through new academic programs, innovative learning opportunities and top-notch faculty recruits with excellence at scale.

As an innovative thinker and transformative business leader himself, there is no one better than Jim Bullard to lead the way for the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, said Mike Berghoff, chair of Purdues Board of Trustees. This decision is yet another step toward creating a business school that is world-renowned and universally respected.

During his time as an academic economist and financial policy scholar, Bullards research has appeared in premier journals, including the American Economic Review; the Journal of Monetary Economics; Macroeconomic Dynamics; and the Journal of Money, Credit and Banking. Bullard served as an honorary professor of economics at Washington University in St. Louis, where he also sat on the advisory council of the economics department as well as several advisory boards. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch named him the Top Workplace Leader among the regions large employers as part of its 2018 Top Workplace Awards. Active in the community, Bullard has served on the board of directors of Concordance Academy of Leadership in St. Louis and was formerly the board chair of the United Way U.S.A. He is co-editor of the Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, a member of the editorial advisory board of the National Institute Economic Review and a member of the Central Bank Research Associations senior council.

Born in Wisconsin, Bullard grew up in Forest Lake, Minnesota, and received his doctorate in economics from Indiana University in Bloomington. He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in economics and in quantitative methods and information systems from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research institution with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities (Times Higher Education/Wall Street Journal and QS), with two colleges in the top 4 in the United States (U.S. News & World Report), Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, with 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdues main campus has frozen tuition 12 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap, including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the new Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and Purdue Innovates, at https://stories.purdue.edu.

Writer/Media contact: Derek Schultz, dcschultz@purdue.edu
Purdue University engineer Carolin Frueh studies how parts of satellites, such as the shimmering multilayer insulation materials in this photo, tend to come off over time and become space debris. (Purdue University image/John Underwood)

Purdue engineer aims to protect upcoming lunar missions from space debris

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  With dozens of missions headed to the space between Earth and the moon over the next 10 years, theres bound to be traffic.

To prevent those spacecraft from running into each other, Purdue University engineer Carolin Frueh is investigating how to observe and keep track of all human-made objects and predict the impact of their potential damage in this Earth-moon neighborhood, called the cislunar region.

According to Frueh, a Purdue associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics, the reality is that solutions for space traffic in the cislunar region will be moving targets. The methods she is developing are intended to adapt to this region as traffic changes.

There will never actually be a final answer to a space traffic management problem because as the commercial sector grows and the capabilities and types of vehicles that you have change, the problem will evolve, too, she said. So when we think about the techniques that we want to use, we also have to be sure that what we have in mind can evolve over time.

The economic potential of cislunar space is estimated to be more than $30 billion over a 20-year period, taking into account government investment, demand for space telecommunications services and other factors.

At 238,900 miles, the distance between the Earth and the moon is 18 times longer than the Great Wall of China. That might seem like enough room for spacecraft to move around without hitting each other, but the cislunar region is far less understood than near-Earth orbits, which extend 24,000 miles beyond Earths surface up to a sweet spot called the geosynchronous region that enables satellites to keep pace with Earths rotation. Near-Earth orbits are home to most satellites. Famous residents of that area include the Hubble Space Telescope and International Space Station.

Even with more knowledge of near-Earth orbits, approximately 130 million pieces of space debris surround Earth. Much of this debris has broken off satellites that exploded or collided with other objects. Debris has already made it to the moon: A rogue rocket booster crashed onto the lunar surface last March.

To address forthcoming traffic in cislunar space, Frueh has been pulling from her research on how spacecraft become debris. She works with space agencies around the world to improve databases of space objects.

Doing the same for cislunar space will be difficult without being able to see as much of that larger region. For near-Earth orbits, telescopes in space and to a limited extent telescopes on Earth are among the traffic cameras for satellites. But there arent any telescopes in the cislunar region because there isnt much satellite activity to observe yet. Space-based telescopes would be better at tracking cislunar satellites when more of them populate that area because ground-based telescopes can only detect a satellite of interest in cislunar space if the satellite, moon and Earth are aligned exactly right.

Together with her student, Surabhi Bhadauria, Frueh is developing a way to create visibility maps that would show the best regions telescopes should use to find and track human-made objects in cislunar space  including active satellites, dead satellites and fragments of satellites.

Compared to other approaches, these maps better address a big challenge with surveilling the cislunar region: space is always changing. The constantly moving positions of the Earth, moon and sun affect what a telescope observes at any given moment and which orbits it can use to see spacecraft well. Current mapping methods must re-run a model for each condition that would affect a telescopes orbit and overall viewing geometry at each instance in time, which is computationally intensive.

Fruehs visibility maps run on models that more quickly and comprehensively indicate where telescopes should go to observe as much of the cislunar region as possible. The maps allow for seeing more of a region by averaging out all the orbits a telescope might use rather than integrating each orbit change over time like other mapping methods have to do. Fruehs method also doesnt require any additional computational time to show which satellites can be observed under which conditions from various locations.

Its like planning a road trip. Right now, we have identified points of interest in the cislunar region to observe with telescopes, but we havent found the route yet for putting the telescopes there, Frueh said.

Even when telescopes are eventually put into the cislunar region, satellites will likely just look like white dots or streaks in the images these telescopes capture. But Frueh is used to gleaning meaningful information from these shapes in telescope images of satellites in near-Earth orbits. Shes working on a method that would allow researchers and mission planners to discern the orbits that a satellite is using to do its mission. The method would be designed to work under a range of scenarios  even when very little is known about the satellite.

Since its inevitable that traffic accidents will happen in cislunar space, Frueh also is thinking ahead on how to estimate the damage an accident could cause. If a collision or explosion happens, where do all the pieces end up?

Her research indicates that pieces from a fragmented satellite can travel long distances in a relatively short amount of time. She and her student, Ariel Black, recently presented a study at the 2023 AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting showing these pieces can travel effortlessly all the way back to Earth from deeper into cislunar space.

We are laying the foundations that we believe will shape how space traffic management problems are addressed in the cislunar region, Frueh said.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research institution with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities (Times Higher Education/Wall Street Journal and QS), with two colleges in the top 4 in the United States (U.S. News & World Report), Purdue discovers and disseminates knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 105,000 students study at Purdue across modalities and locations, with 50,000 in person on the West Lafayette campus. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdues main campus has frozen tuition 12 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap, including its first comprehensive urban campus in Indianapolis, the new Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and Purdue Innovates, at https://stories.purdue.edu.

Writer/Media contact: Kayla Albert, 765-494-2432, wiles5@purdue.edu

Source: Carolin Frueh, cfrueh@purdue.edu

Papers:

Optical observation regions in cislunar space using the bi-circular restricted four body problem geometry

The paper is available online on the site of the Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference.

Investigation of fragmentation events in the cislunar domain

This study was presented at the 2023 AAS/AIAA Space Flight Mechanics Meeting. Please contact Kayla Albert at wiles5@purdue.edu or 765-494-2432 for a copy of the paper.
According to fresh data issued by Qatar Tourism on Thursday, the country welcomed more than two million international travelers in the first half of the year.

According to data, 567,000 visitors were recorded in May and June, the most ever for these two months in the previous ten years. Compared to pre-pandemic levels which were 1,053,000 in 2019, international arrivals in 2023 have already doubled.

The debut of Qatar Tourism's "Feel More in Qatar" campaign and the ongoing schedule of top-notch events held around the nation since the year's beginning were both credited with the high increase in travelers.

Due to the busy calendar of events in Qatar Tourism's "Eid in Qatar" advertising, Eid celebrations in April and June resulted in a spike in visitors.

Qatar Tourisms Chief Operating Officer Berthold Trenkel said, "These strong visitor numbers are a testament to the determination, hard work, and resilience of everyone involved in Qatars tourism and hospitality industry. With our ongoing roster of international events, industry-leading hospitality infrastructure, and ongoing commitment to Service Excellence, Qatar is well on its path to becoming the Middle Easts fastest-growing tourism destination.

From 2023 to the present, 51% of all tourists to Qatar arrived by air, compared to 37% and 12% for those arriving by land and sea, respectively.

This year, travelers from Saudi Arabia continued to be the primary source market for tourists from other countries, accounting for about 25% of total arrivals. The following two are Germany and India.

With highly anticipated events like 'Feel Summer in Qatar,' the Geneva International Motor Show, Formula 1, and Expo Doha 2023 coming up, the country's good trend of spectacular events is expected to continue.
Langurs conservation group film wins international forest film award

A Vietnam-based film, focused on a group of friends within a Tam My Tay community gathering to protect the grey-shanked douc langur has won the runner-up prize in the Documentary Shorts Category of the Film for the Forest 2023 award, WWF-Vietnam said.









Volunteers join a patrol to protect the grey-shanked douc langur living in Nui Thanh district of Quang Nam province. A film on the group won the runner-up prize in the Documentary Shorts Category of Film for the Forest 2023. (Photo: VNA)



The film, a co-production of WWF-Vietnam and Melt Films, was made to honour a volunteer conservation group that inspired their community to protect the last remaining members of this langur species in Nui Thanh district, the central province of Quang Nam.



"Langurs in the Tam My Tay community were once abundant, said Nguyen Dinh Phuoc, leading the Change Project, under WWF-Vietnam.



But their population was down to about 50 by 2018, clinging on to four small islands of natural forest. Habitat loss, hunting and climate change are the main threats. This film shows the power of dedicated and passionate people working together.



The film, Tam My Tay, features a group of friends creating a community patrol to protect the grey-shanked dour langur. As plantations divide langur habitats across central Vietnam, a forest smallholder realises the pressures faced by these langurs and seeks help from his community with the support of WWF-Vietnam and the Centre of Biodiversity Conservation.



We all have a stake in the grey-shanked douc langurs future. It is an example of the need to find balance with nature and prioritise co-existence. The village of Tam My Tay has developed a tight bond with the langurs and  maybe because of that  with each other. I hope their story inspires other communities to follow their lead and to realise the power they hold to change things, said James Thomson, the director of Tam My Tay.



Launched in 2010 by the Rainforest Partnership, Films for the Forest is an annual short film collection and a platform for filmmakers around the world to share stories of forests worldwide. Highlighting their beauty and rich biodiversity, the threats they face and renewal opportunities for forests, the theme for 2023 is Living Forests, Thriving Future.



Eighty-three films from filmmakers in 26 countries submitted entries in five categories of short films and Tam My Tay is among ten selected. These winning films will be presented at Films for the Forest screenings and by the Rainforest Partnership. Tam My Tay has already been selected to be screened at an environmental film festival, IFF Ekotopfilm-Envirofilm 2023 in Slovakia in September 2023.



The WWF-Vietnam and GreenViet have been working together on a project to protect the grey-shanked douc langurs in the provinces Nui Thanh district since 2020.



The year-long project helped improve forest patrol skills to protect a herd of grey-shanked douc langurs  living in Tam My Tay Commune.



A fire-free zone was set up on a 70-ha log farm  a safe habitat for the animals.



The Quang Nam Provincial Peoples Committee had been seeking a fund of 4.4 million USD to restore a 100ha area as a safe habitat for the animals.



According to a report by the provincial Forest Protection Division, a herd of about 50 gray-shanked douc langurs was found living in the area in 1997.



The local community and district rangers established a voluntary team to protect the endangered primates from being hunted.



According to Dr. Ha Thang Long, head of the Frankfurt Zoological Society, some 1,000 gray-shanked doucs have been found in forests of five provinces, including Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Kon Tum and Gia Lai.



The gray-shanked douc langur is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list as one of the worlds 25 critically endangered primates.
Ever changing, biased and sometimes untrustworthy, Iran extended a hand of friendship to Azerbaijan again after the diplomatic tensions that arose about 6 months ago.

Naseer Kanaani, the spokesman of Iran's Foreign Ministry, last week expressed the desire of the Iranian government to restore the diplomatic relations, which were unilaterally cut off after the terrorist attack against the Azerbaijani embassy in Tehran.

Also, Iran, which wants to restore diplomatic relations, gives very serious guarantees for the security of the Azerbaijan embassy.

In fact, recently Iran made a similar statement regarding the North-South corridor. However, neither then nor now, such promises of Iran could not come true. On the contrary, Iran tried to make secret plans with India and Armenia on completely different maps in the background, to exclude Azerbaijan from the list of new partners related to the North-South transport corridor. However, Azerbaijan's unshakable influence in the South Caucasus overturned these plans. Therefore, Iran realized that this case is related only to Azerbaijan and decided to take a step back.

It is very risky to believe Iran's sincerity in both political and social spheres. Because the political future and credibility of a state isolated in the international world always remains foggy.

As for Tehran's proposal to official Baku to restore diplomatic relations, as well as to reopen the embassy, South Azerbaijani political expert Elyar Kamrani said that this proposal may not last long.

According to expert, Iran has never been sincere and it has always had sinister plans in the background. "Minister's statement to the public and the Iranian media claim that Tehran wants to get closer to Azerbaijan, improve relations between countries and resolve all issues. However, it is unclear whether Iran is open and transparent on any issue, especially in Azerbaijan. For almost 30 years, Iran has been hostile, has created a number of sabotage groups inside Azerbaijan, and is abusing its profits. Therefore, it is very difficult to put a trust on Iran," Kamrani said in his comment for Azernews.

The expert told that Azerbaijan takes a more reasonable and clear position in relation with every country, and stressed that Iran is a game player.

If Iran restores relations with Azerbaijan, it knows very well that the issue of opening the Zangazur corridor, which it cannot accept, is next. However, Iran also needs certain opportunities to enter the South Caucasus, and it can meet these needs only by restoring relations with Azerbaijan. Let me emphasize once again that there are definitely Iran's murky plans behind this. Iran is just trying to implement its insidious plans by certain political means when it finds an opportunity in the South Caucasus, expert added.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have advanced on the southern flank around Bakhmut and are securing themselves on the occupied lines, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said.

"In Bakhmut direction on the southern flank around Bakhmut, we were advancing today. There is progress. Now our defenders are strengthening on the occupied lines," she said in the Telegram channel.

According to her, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have destroyed more ammunition depots in recent weeks, due to which the number of enemy shelling has now decreased.

In addition, the Deputy Defense Minister noted, in the south, the Defense Forces of Ukraine continued the offensive operation in the Melitopol and Berdiansk directions.

"The military perform many tasks aimed at weakening the enemy and working out the situation for further actions," Maliar said.

In addition, the AFU successfully restrained the offensive of Russian troops in Kupiansk, Lyman, Avdiyivka and Maryinka directions. The enemy did not advance. There are heavy battles.
The 4 x 60 series focuses on how the world could look in 2050  the defining year for our planets future  if we embrace the revolutionary technology and thinking needed to transform every aspect of our lives, from how we communicate, harness energy and travel to how we live, eat and recycle our waste. It is a co-production between OTF Studios, Sky, EarthxTV and Korean channel ENA (KT Skylife TV) and production company Borderless Lab, with funding from Korean communications agency KCA. The series.The overall 80-hour package features several titles, including Nature's Ultimate Survivors (5 x 60 mins), produced by OTF Studios and fronted by conservationist, field biologist and rising natural-history star Dan ONeill. The series combines stunning footage with the latest science to explore the extraordinary abilities that creatures have evolved in order to survive in the animal kingdom.Under the deals, brokered by OTF Amsterdam-based sales executive Emmanuel Grinda, the package rights are split for linear and standalone subscription video-on-demand (SVOD). We are unequivocally at a juncture where world audiences are demanding better storytelling on our environment, to better understand what nature is and means to us and what practical things we can all do to help tackle the challenges ahead, said Grinda commenting on the deal. Im proud to say that OTF has a rich history of creating and acquiring content that answers that demand, which allows us to curate packages of programming that deliver not only what todays audiences want, but that help us understand what our planet needs.Added Ushuaia TV CEO Christophe Sommet: It's important for Ushuaia TV to acquire programs such as The Future From Above, which is in the channel's DNA. To inspire people to take action, the channel raises awareness of environmental issues, with a positive approach, and by proposing concrete solutions. Ushuaia TV seeks out international catalogues that are benchmarks for our themes, as in our collaboration with OTF.Other titles in the package include Galapagos: Hope for the Future (1 x 60/90), produced by Amsterdam-based indie NCF, which tells a hopeful story of passionate researchers who are committed to future-proofing this unique but fragile ecosystem.Several titles in OTFs Wildest strand, which celebrates the diversity and beauty of a range of global natural habitats, have also been acquired by Ushuaia TV, including Wildest Islands, Wildest Middle East, Wildest Europe and Wildest Indonesia. Also headed for Ushuaia TV is Greenhouse by Joost (1 x 60/90) produced by Australian indie Good Thing Productions and presented by Dutch sustainability expert and visionary designer Joost Bakker.
When it comes to protecting religious freedom in America, forget about the civil rights community. Just like President Biden, these groups have now surrendered to progressive ideologies, unwilling to defend anyone who disagrees with them  even if the opposition is grounded in sincerely held religious belief. A look at this past Supreme Court term proves this point.

Take, for example, the recent case involving Lorie Smith, a Christian website designer who wanted to expand her business to offer wedding websites for couples celebrating traditional marriage. Smith went to court, concerned that Colorados Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), a broadly defined public accommodations law outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation could compel her to design websites for same-sex weddings. Smith explained that she had no problem working for gay clients, but that she couldn't use her talents to celebrate unions that were at odds with her beliefs.

The Supreme Court ruled that CADA violated the Courts long-standing precedents prohibiting government-compelled speech. Writing for the Courts 6-3 majority, Justice Neil Gorsuch noted that while public accommodation laws have have done much to secure the civil rights of all Americans, this case was different. Colorado does not just seek to ensure the sale of goods and services on equal terms. It seeks to use the law to compel an individual to create speech she does not believe.

The Courts opinion in 303 Creative v. Elenis is textbook recitation of free speech jurisprudence. But that didn't stop President Biden from condemning the Courts vindication of the First Amendment, claiming in a White House Statement that the decision weakens long-standing laws that protect all Americans against discrimination in public accommodations  including people of color, people with disabilities, people of faith, and women.

Inevitably, Biden was joined by a posse of civil rights organizations. The Courts decision opens the door to any business that claims to provide customized services to discriminate against historically-marginalized groups, asserted the ACLU in a press release. The group was quick to remind the press that, along with its Colorado affiliate, it had filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to reject the First Amendment challenge to a Colorado civil rights law requiring businesses open to the public to treat customers equally. So much for that organizations founding commitment to defending the rights enshrined in the US Constitution.

Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition of over 200 national civil rights organizations, was even more inflammatory. We are disappointed that six justices fell for the cynical, manufactured attempt to manipulate the First Amendment in order to make it easier to exclude LGBTQ+ people from public life. As a bigoted few work to promote hatred and pass laws targeting LGBTQ+ people, its imperative that the civil rights community works together with legislators and businesses to condemn this dangerous decision. Wiley nastily described Smith as a promoter of hatred  a disgusting slur; naturally she made no mention of the right to free speech.

The aggressive opposition to religious expression is one hallmark of todays progressives. The other is silence.



A second religion-related case reviewed by the Court this term involved Gerald Groff, a Sabbatarian Christian who asked that he not be scheduled to work on Sundays. Groffs employer, the US Postal Service, tried to weasel its way out of the obligation of Title VII, the federal law prohibiting discrimination in the workplace, to accommodate the religious practices of employees unless doing so would create an undue hardship on the operation of business. The Biden administration defended the postal service, rather than counsel them to live up to its obligations under this key part of the Civil Rights Act.

What about the civil rights organizations that fought so hard to pass this crucial legislation? None of these groups filed amicus briefs before the Court. None issued press releases after the Court unanimously vindicated Title VII. Not one.

As key decisions from the Supreme Courts term revealed, President Biden and those well-funded organizations that were founded to defend civil liberties are now busy trying to force Americans to submit to the post-liberal ideology of progressivism. Fortunately, the law is on the side of liberty. This Supreme Court, or at least its majority, will continue to defend the Constitutional and statutory guarantees of religious freedom and expression for all, ignoring the true promoters of hatred in our midst.

Andrea Picciotti-Bayer is the director of the Conscience Project, and a former honor's program trial and appellate attorney in the DOJ Civil Rights Division starting in the Clinton administration.
Property details:

239.76 acres of vacant land only miles from Winnemucca, NV and Interstate 80. This land is located in Humboldt County Nevada surrounded by beautiful mountains all around. Parcel features: Property is 239.76 acres. 1 mile east to west along the southern edge.Views: Magnificent views of mountains and open land.Legal Description: Humboldt County, Nevada Section 21, Township 35 North, Range 35 East, Lots 09, 12-15 M.D.B. &M.Borders BLM land.Primarily level gently rolling land.The Land is easy to acc...

Price: $ 60,000 Seller State of Residence: Texas Zip/Postal Code: 89445 Zoning: Mixed City: Winnemucca State/Province: Nevada Location: 894**, Winnemucca, Nevada

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Hilton Grand Vacations Club McAlpin-Ocean PlazaMiami Beach, Florida All images in this listing are general images of the resort and do not necessarily reflect the actual resort or units. Please perform your own due diligence OVERVIEW1430 OCEAN DR, MIAMI BEACH, FL 33139Miami's South Beach defines urban sophistication, with its al fresco cafes, art deco architecture, mosaic of culture and world-class attitude. With a premier Ocean Drive address in the heart of South Beach, Hilton Grand Vacation...

Price: $ 1,550 Seller State of Residence: Florida Property Address: 1430 Ocean Dr Number of Bedrooms: 1 Number of Bathrooms: 1 Zip/Postal Code: 33139 City: MIAMI BEACH State/Province: Florida Location: 331**, Miami Beach, Florida

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NEW from Vortex comes the Switchback Carbon Tripod! Designed for hunters and long range shooters, this is Vortexs newest tripod. Compact, strong, and a great middle-ground of size and weight.

Vortex has been in the tripod game for a while now, and their other offerings are high-quality and well-made. This new version of their design offers a compromise between size and weight that falls inline with what many hunters and competition shooters are looking for.

Hunters, NRL: Hunter shooters, and even PRS shooters should take note of this tripod.

Weighs just 4.6 lbs. Folded length just 29. Designed with no center column for more adjustability, it goes from a minimum height of 5.8 and a max height of 65.

The counterweight hook lets you hang extra weight to deaden vibration and help fight the wind. Comes with detachable rubber and spiked feet for gripping any type of environment. Carbon fiber legs, lockable ball head, and Arca-Swiss standard quick-release mount.

Features:

CARBON FIBER CONSTRUCTION for rugged strength without the weight

44 LBS. MAX LOAD to stand solid under precision rifles and heavy optics

3 TWIST-LOCK LEG SECTIONS for quick adjustment

3-ANGLE LEG PIVOT LOCKS for multiple heights and secure set up

LOCKABLE BALL HEAD eliminates point-of-aim shift when tightened

INCLUDED IN THE BOX

Quick-Release Plate with 1/4-20 Thread

Detachable Counterweight Hook

Carry Case

Multi Tool

(2) 4mm Hex Wrenches

2.5mm Hex Wrench

Spike Feet

The new Switchback comes with a carrying case, ARCA rail, optional ball head, and two sets of feet.

MSRP for just the tripod is $600. MSRP with ball head is $800
The Netherlands will join security guarantees for Ukraine from the G7 countries, Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra has said.

"I welcome the G7 Declaration of Support for Ukraine, including the announced security arrangements. The Netherlands will join this initiative and will contribute to these security arrangements for Ukraine in close coordination with international partners," Hoekstra sad on Twitter.

Earlier, the declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine, which was announced on Wednesday, July 12, by the G7 leaders, was supported by Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Finland. The leaders also pledged to provide Ukraine with modern military equipment and support initiatives to train the Ukrainian military.
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Jittery Joes has been a staple of Athens ever since it was founded in downtown in 1994, making it a surefire spot to visit during Athens Res
The Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections has delayed their vote to change polling locations and precincts for the March 2024 presidential primary. The vote, which was scheduled to take place at the boards July 11 meeting, was delayed until August.
A special NIA court in Kerala on Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment three of the six persons convicted in the sensational 2010 case in which a college professor's hand was chopped off. The court termed it a "terror act" for which the convicts "don't deserve any leniency".

IMAGE: One of the convicts in the Kerala professor's hand-chopping case being taken to jail after a special NIA court's verdict, Kochi, July 12, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The right hand of T J Joseph, professor of Newman College in Thodupuzha in Idukki district, was chopped off by alleged activists of the now banned radical Islamic outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) on July 4, 2010.

Special NIA court judge Anil K Bhaskar sentenced Sajil, Nasar and Najeeb to life term under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for the offence of being part of a terrorist organisation.

The remaining three convicts -- Noushad, P P Moideen Kunhu and Ayoob -- were sentenced to three years for harbouring the offenders in the case.

"What has been committed is a terrorist act. The nation and its citizenry also suffered a lot. Terrorism has been recognised as one of the six most severe threats to civilisation, security and humanity. The act of the accused is a challenge to the secular fabric of our nation.

"It attempts to establish a parallel religious judicial system which is absolutely illegal, illegitimate and unconstitutional. It has no place in independent India under our constitutional scheme. A country governed by the rule of law cannot fathom it," the court said in its order on the sentence.

It also said that "this most uncivilised act" of the accused "cannot be countenanced at all".

"Therefore, from the nation's standpoint, the sentence to be imposed shall be a deterrent, and the convicts don't deserve any leniency," the court said.

The special court also said that citizens have a fundamental right not to be subjected to any kind of fear or threat or danger at the hands of anti-social elements.

"The accused, by their violent terrorist activity, had really struck terror in the people's minds. To avoid repeating similar incidents, imposing stringent punishment on the accused is highly necessary," it said.

Sajil was also sentenced by the special court to 10 years each for the offences of committing a terrorist act and conspiracy to commit a terror act under the UAPA, attempted murder under the IPC and use of explosives under the Explosive Substances Act.

The court declined to give him any leniency on health grounds as sought by Sajil, saying that his medical problems can be addressed by giving directions to the jail superintendent to do the needful.

Nasar and Najeeb were also sentenced by the court to 10 years for each of the offences of attempted murder and use of explosives.

All the sentences are to run concurrently, the court said.

A total fine of Rs 4 lakh was also imposed by the court on the convicts and directed that it be paid to the victim -- Joseph.

The six were convicted by the court on Wednesday in the second phase of the trial in the case.

In the first phase of the trial in the case, 10 persons were convicted for offences under the UAPA as well as the Explosive Substances Act and the IPC, and three others were found guilty of harbouring the offenders.

While convicting the six in the second phase of the trial, the court had on Wednesday noted that second accused Sajil took part in the attack while third accused Nasar, who was the main conspirator in the case, and fifth accused Najeeb had planned the "terrorist act" but did not take part in it.

The attack took place while the professor was returning home with his family after attending Sunday mass at a church in Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district.

The attackers, a group of seven people, pulled the professor out of the vehicle, assaulted him and then his right hand was chopped off by main accused Savad who is still absconding.

According to the police officials who initially probed the case, the accused wanted to kill Joseph for allegedly derogatory remarks about a religion in a question paper he set for the BCom semester examination at Newman College.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a supplementary chargesheet against five people, including Chariot Productions Media Pvt. Ltd director Rajesh Joshi and an Aaam Aadmi Party volunteer, in the Delhi excise policy scam case, officials said on Thursday.

IMAGE: AAP national convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal being welcomed by party supporters during a door-to-door campaign ahead of Goa assembly elections, in South Goa, January 16, 2022. Photograph: ANI Photo

This is the second supplementary charge sheet in the case in which former deputy chief minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia is also an accused.

The chargesheet, filed before a special court recently, focuses on the alleged diversion of Rs 44.54 crore of illicit funds, generated through the policy's formulation for favouring some liquor businessmen, to the AAP's campaign for the 2022 Goa assembly election, the officials said.

The party had denied any corruption in formulating and implementing the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, which the Delhi government later scrapped.

In its supplementary charge sheet, the Central Bureau of Investigation has named Joshi, his employees Damodar Prasad Sharma and Prince Kumar, the creative head and production controller of India Ahead News Arvind Kumar Singh, and AAP volunteer Chanpreet Singh Rayat, the officials said.

Singh and Rayat were arrested by the CBI in May, while Joshi was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on February 8 and was given bail by a special court in Delhi on May 6.

"During further investigation, the alleged role of the said accused was found in respect of transfer of ill-gotten money amounting to Rs 44.54 crore (approx) to Goa through the hawala channel," a CBI spokesperson said.

The CBI has alleged that Singh had transferred funds through hawala channels to Chariot Media that was handling the AAP's publicity campaign during the Goa elections, the officials said.

During the probe, the CBI found WhatsApp chats and records of hawala operators, which showed that Singh was allegedly instrumental in the hawala transfers between June 2021 and January 2022 to Chariot Media, they said.

The officials said that Chariot Media was handling the outdoor advertisement campaign for the AAP during the elections.

The federal agency has alleged that Rayat, who is based in Delhi, was collecting money from "angadias" (hawala operators) and distributing it further for expenses incurred by the party during its campaign for the Goa polls.

Rayat allegedly handled a portion of hawala funds for distribution, the officials said, adding that he was one of the several persons authorised to collect money from Hawala operators and distribute it for campaign purposes.

The Goa assembly polls were held on February 14 last year.

In November last year, the CBI had filed a charge sheet against eight accused, including Sisodia, who is in judicial custody following denial of bail by courts, officials of the excise department and private persons.

The agency had also filed a supplementary charge sheet in April against Sisodia, India Ahead News executive Arjun Pandey, middleman Butchi Babu and liquor businessman Amandeep Dhal.

The charge sheets are an outcome of a probe by the agency after the registration of an FIR against Sisodia, officials of the excise department, beneficiary licensees of the policy, and their associates on August 17 last year for alleged irregularities in framing and implementation of the excise policy.

"It was further alleged that irregularities were committed, including modifications in the excise policy, extending undue favours to the licensees, waiver/reduction in licence fee, extension of L-1 license without approval etc," the spokesperson said.

"It was also alleged that illegal gains on the count of these acts were diverted to concerned public servants by private parties by making false entries in their books of accounts," the official said.

It is alleged that some loopholes and lacunae were intentionally left or created in the policy, which were meant to be utilised or exploited later.

The CBI has alleged that kickbacks of around Rs 90-100 crore were paid in advance to some politicians of the ruling AAP in Delhi and other public servants by some persons in the liquor business from South India through co-accused Vijay Nair, Abhishek Boinpally and Dinesh Arora.

The agency has alleged that these kickbacks are found to have been returned to them subsequently out of the profit margins of wholesalers holding L-1 licenses through different modes, like issuance of excess credit notes, bank transfers, and outstanding amounts left in accounts of the companies controlled, by some conspirators from the "South lobby".

The CBI has alleged a cartel was formed between three components of the said policy -- liquor manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers -- by violating provisions and against the spirit of the policy.

All the conspirators allegedly played active roles in achieving the illegal objectives of the said criminal conspiracy. It resulted in huge losses to the exchequer and undue pecuniary benefits to the public servants and other accused involved in the conspiracy, the CBI alleged.
Kyiv will increase funding for security and defense forces in 2023 compared to last year from almost UAH 850 million to over UAH 1.1 billion, Mayor of the Ukrainian capital Vitali Klitschko has said

"This year, Kyiv will allocate more than UAH 1.1 billion to finance the security and defense forces of the capital. This is assistance to the military of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, border guards, and the police. Almost UAH 350 million have already been financed from these funds," he said on the Telegram channel on Thursday.

As Klitschko said, "last year, Kyiv allocated almost UAH 850 million from the city budget to support the security and defense forces."

"This funds are used, in particular, for military uniforms, body armor and helmets. For the purchase of drones, radio stations, repair of military equipment, transport. We also transfer to fighters for advanced assistance, which we attract ourselves  from international partners. We donated cars, drones, Starlink systems, generators, first aid kits. And we continue to do this," Klitschko said.
The Delhi high court on Thursday discharged S Gurumurthy, editor of a Chennai-based Tamil news magazine, in a 2018 contempt case for his tweet against a judge after accepting his apology and deep remorse.

Photograph: Sreeram Selvaraj for Rediff.com IMAGE: S Gurumurthy.

The high court closed the contempt case filed by Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) against Gurumurthy.

 After considering the facts and circumstances, we accept S Gurumurthy's apology for the subject incident and consider it appropriate to discharge the show cause notice issued to him in the present contempt petition. He accordingly stands discharged, a bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Gaurang Kanth said.

During the hearing, the counsel representing the DHCBA submitted that the apology expressed by Gurumurthy and his statement that he has highest respect for judiciary, and in all humility he is truly sorry for any offence that may have been caused, be accepted as having purged the alleged contempt.

The court also noted that Gurumurthy had earlier appeared before it voluntarily and expressed remorse.

Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease. Unnecessarily dragging an honourable judge's name in all the controversy, it is reported all the time.

You think we rely on newspaper reports and tweets for our dignity? As we have said it in many judgments before, out dignity rests on a surer footing. We are not dependent on criticism, fair or unfair, for our dignity, Justice Mridul observed orally.

The DHCBA had filed the contempt petition in 2018 after Gurumurthy posted certain tweets against Justice S Muralidhar, then a judge of the Delhi high court.

The high court had earlier dubbed as "mischievous" his tweets in connection with the judge's decision granting interim protection from arrest to Karti Chidambaram, the son of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, in the INX Media money laundering case.

Gurumurthy's lawyer had earlier said the tweet was deleted after the high court took cognisance of the matter.

He had submitted there was no intention to commit any contempt and Gurumurthy had even appeared before the bench which was then hearing the case.

In April, Gurumurthy, the editor of Tamily weekly magazine Thuglak, had refused to file another affidavit tendering an unconditional apology for his tweet after the court observed that the 2018 affidavit did not contain any apology.

In October 2019, the high court had dropped contempt proceedings against Gurumurthy in another case for having re-tweeted an article against Justice S Muralidhar.
A seaside village in southern England commemorated the contributions and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who fought in World War I, known as the Great War, at a memorial created in honour of the army hospitals that cared for the wounded at the time.

IMAGE: Indian soldiers training with bayonets. Photograph: Imperial War Museums

The Friends of the Indian Soldiers Memorial and New Milton Town Council joined hands to organise a commemoration earlier this week at the Indian Memorial Obelisk located in Barton-on-Sea in Hampshire.

The Friends of the Indian Soldiers Memorial, a group formed last year, is keen to promote and share the heritage and history of the memorial -- which was originally unveiled over a century ago in July 1917 in honour of the Indian troops who convalesced at Barton-on-Sea during World War 1.

As we stand here today on the seafront, we can only hope that when they walked here, they would have been greeted by local people who would have thanked them for coming here and fighting their war, Shrabani Basu, the UK-based author of For King and Another Country: Indian Soldiers on the Western Front, 1914-1918, said in a keynote address at the event.

And they would also be happy to know that over a 100 years later we would gather in this spot and remember them. Today there are descendants of the soldiers living in Britain who can be proud of what their ancestors achieved. Let us remember that there is a corner of a British field that is forever India. And it is our shared history that makes our shared future, she said.

The British Indian historian also spoke of how over 73,000 Indian soldiers gave their lives in foreign fields during the British colonial period and also shared some of the stories of bravery and sacrifice that won many of them royal honours and medals.

The Indian Memorial Obelisk in their memory bears two inscriptions, one side in English and the other side is a translation in Urdu.

This Memorial is erected to commemorate the establishment at Barton on Sea in 1914 of the Convalescent Depot for Indian Troops who fought in Europe during the Great War and was subscribed for by members of the staff, it reads.

Harmeet Singh Brar, one of the founding members of the Friends of the Indian Soldiers Memorial, said: The Obelisk is a symbol of our cultural history, a symbol of courage that binds us together as we remember our ancestors fighting for freedom, that freedom that allows us to be here together today.

It is the intention of the Friends group to continue to promote that cultural history, nurturing interest for this incredible piece of history, by engaging with the community and encouraging relationships with other heritage groups.

The Act of Remembrance, to be an annual event, was attended by the deputy lieutenant of Hampshire, civic leaders and representatives from local schools as well as members of the public.

I feel it is so important to remember the close bond between the local people of New Milton and Barton on Sea and the wonderful Indian soldiers who briefly shared our town during those awful days of the Great War, said Callum Murray, a student at Durlston Court School and an honorary member of the Friends group.

The continued bond is represented by the soldiers' Obelisk, and it is always an honour to play my small part to ensure the past is remembered and the future is embraced, as we would not have this opportunity without their sacrifice, he said.

The Friends of the Indian Soldiers Memorial has a mission to actively promote the history of the Indian Army in the New Forest region of Hampshire to a wide audience, including the Indian communities in the UK, schools and other groups.

The group is also researching the names and background stories of the Indian soldiers who died locally.
The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in India, with particular reference to the recent clashes in Manipur, a move rejected by India as "unacceptable" and a reflection of "colonial mindset".

IMAGE: Rapid Action Force personnel conduct a march in Imphal, Manipur, May 8, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Parliament in Strasbourg, France, called on Indian authorities to put in place measures to halt the ethnic and religious violence and to "protect all religious minorities".

Responding to media queries on the development, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that "such interference in India's internal affairs is unacceptable, and reflects a colonial mindset".

"We have seen that the European parliament held a discussion on developments in Manipur and adopted a so-called Urgency resolution," he said.

He said that the Indian authorities at all levels, including the judiciary, are seized of the situation in Manipur and are taking steps to maintain peace and harmony and law and order.

"The European parliament would be well advised to utilise its time more productively on its internal issues," he added.

On Wednesday, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said that the EU parliamentarians concerned are being reached out and it has been made clear to them that it is a matter "absolutely" internal to India.

Manipur has been witnessing violent clashes, especially between Kuki and Meitei communities for close to two months.

The resolution entitled 'India, the situation in Manipur' was initiated by Pierre Larrouturou, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament.

"...Parliament strongly urges the Indian authorities to put in place all necessary measures to promptly halt the ethnic and religious violence and to protect all religious minorities, reads a press statement from the Parliament on the passed resolution.

The MEPs called on the Indian authorities to allow "independent investigations" to look into the violence and urged all conflicting sides to cease making inflammatory statements, re-establish trust and play an impartial role to mediate the tensions.

"Parliament reiterates its call for human rights to be integrated into all areas of the EU-India partnership, including in trade," the press statement said.

"MEPs also advocate for the EU-India Human Rights Dialogue to be reinforced and encourage the EU and its member states to systematically and publicly raise human rights concerns, notably on freedom of expression, religion and the shrinking space for civil society, with the Indian side at the highest level," it added.

The resolution comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to France on the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron as the Guest of Honour at the country's Bastille Day Parade.
The Bombay high court on Thursday said the recently-amended Information Technology rules that empower the Centre to act against fake, false and misleading information on social media was "sort of a diktat" as it does not give an opportunity to justify or defend the content.

A division bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Neela Gokhale sought to know what constitutes a government business under the amended rules as it referred to the recent political developments in Maharashtra where "one party is moving to the other".

The bench also questioned as to why under the amended rules, the government has taken the 'loco parentis' (regulation or supervision by an administrative authority) only for content pertaining to government business and not for every information or content posted on social media.

The court was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the amended IT rules.

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, the Editors Guild of India and the Association of Indian Magazines filed petitions in the high court against the rules and termed them as arbitrary, unconstitutional and that it would have a chilling effect on the fundamental rights of citizens.

The bench while hearing arguments being made by advocate Shadan Farasat for the Editors Guild of India, asked what constitutes as government business under the rules.

"Take for example the present political climate in Maharashtraone party moving to the otheris that government business?" Justice Patel asked.

"What is truewhat is falsethese are matters of perception. With regard to misleading and fake content, the Union government is saying we need to do this (take action against fake content) only for content on government business. Why not do it for every misleading and fake content then," the court questioned.

It added that the internet was a fertile ground for misuse and said everyday messages are received warning people not to use certain apps or not to open any unknown links.

"I find it remarkable that the effect of the rules kicks in without any show-cause notice or opportunity to justify or defend the content. This itself removes the safe harbour provided. It is sort of a diktat," the court said.

On a lighter vein, Justice Patel said, "The government has a mobile app Kavach which is supposed to provide citizens security cover. This (amended IT rules) is removing your Kavach (protective cover)that is what is happening."

The court further questioned if the amended Rules are limited to digital media and social media intermediaries and does not extend to the print media.

"Does such a Fact Checking Unit, as prescribed to be set up under the amended Rules, exist for the print media? If it has not been done for the print media until now, how can it be done for the digital media? What is the government intending to do?" Justice Patel said.

The bench said if a newspaper has its own digital website and the contents used in print are the same as those being uploaded on its website then would the amended rules apply to the content printed in the print medium too.

Farasat told the court that there was a dichotomy on this issue.

The court would continue hearing the matter on July 14.

On April 6 this year, the Union government promulgated certain amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, including a provision for a fact-checking unit to flag fake, false or misleading online content related to the government.

The three petitions sought the court to declare the amended rules unconstitutional and direct the government to restrain from acting against any individual under the rules.
The jama'ath of a mosque in Kerala has allegedly opposed the participation of people belonging to the lower strata of the Muslim community in their general meeting, drawing sharp criticism from progressive organisations in society.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

The incident was reported from Changanassery, near Kottayam, where the office-bearers of the "Puthoorpally Muslim Jama'ath" mosque allegedly asked those engaged in occupations like haircutting to stay away from a general meeting on the ground that traditionally their ancestors were prohibited from attending.

A person who identified himself as Anish Sali told the media that his family received a notice two days after he attended the meeting.

The jama'ath (a collective of Muslims living in the locality) rejected the allegations as "baseless" and accused "certain centres" of attempting to defame it.

In a statement, the jama'ath office-bearers said a section of the community was not invited to the general meeting as they were earning wages from the jama'ath.

Alleging that it was caste-based discrimination, Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD) -- a forum of Muslims committed to the values of democracy, secularism, equality, and justice -- urged the Kerala government and police to take "strong action against these hate-mongers who hold casteist/racist beliefs."

Else, "we will take action against them in our own manner," it said in a statement.

The statement also quoted a tweet by the Dalit Pasmanda Collective Justice Project (DPCJP), a group working for the common problems of Hindu Dalits and Pasmanda Muslims, condemning the alleged act of caste discrimination in the mosque.

IMSD said though Islam does not advocate the concept of caste, evidently caste and caste-based discrimination is still being practised by Muslims in South Asia and elsewhere too.

"We stand in solidarity with the Dalit Pasmanda Collective Justice Project (DPCJP), who have condemned such blatant discrimination by the Puthoorpally Muslim Jamaath' mosque in Changanassery, Kerala," it said, and called upon all Muslim organisations and individuals to demand that the concerned mosque committee apologise to "Dalit Muslims and end the discriminatory practice.
'The Assam Rifles are supporting the Kuki-narco terrorists.'

Photograph: PTI Photo from Rediff.com archives IMAGE: Indian Army and Assam Rifles personnel rescue civilians from violence-hit areas in Manipur.

In its status report submitted to the Supreme Court on July 11, the Manipur government stated that 142 people have been killed between May 3, when violence first broke out in the north eastern state over the demand for including the Meiteis as a Scheduled Tribe, and July 4.

While the violence has somewhat abated in the last few days due to presence of Central Armed Police Forces -- as claimed by experts who have been watching the violence in the state -- as many as 31 MLAs mostly belonging to the Meitei community -- the majority community in the state that predominantly resides in the Imphal valley where maximum deaths have been reported as per the state government's status report to the apex court -- have, in their representation to Union Home Minister Amit A Shah, proposed the replacement of the 9th, 22nd and 37th units of the Assam Rifles.

A Meitei MLA, who is one of the 31 signatories to the letter that was sent to the Union home minister, confirmed to Rediff.com that the proposal for replacement of Assam Rifles is part of the letter that was sent to Shah.

"We have requested the home minister to remove Assam Rifles from Manipur. On Monday (July 10) evening a meeting was organised at the honourable chief minister's office after which it was decided to ask the home minister to remove the Assam Rifles from Manipur. We have sent a proposal which I have also signed, but I am not sure if the letter was submitted to the Union home minister or not," says the Meitei MLA.

Rediff.com spoke to three Manipur BJP MLAs -- one Kuki and two Meiteis -- separately to find out the reasons for the proposal of 31 MLAs seeking replacement of Assam Rifles.

Expectedly, the three MLAs belonging to the two ethnic groups gave divergent reasons for the proposal. All the MLAs spoke on the condition that their identities should not be revealed in this report.

"The Assam Rifles are supporting the Kuki-narco terrorists (the Kuki militants in Manipur who have allegedly moved from neighbouring Myanmar soon after violence erupted in the state on May 3)," says this MLA.

"The Suspension of Operation is signed between the Kuki militants, the Government of India and government of Manipur. But the Kuki militants violate the terms and conditions of the SoO and come out of their designated camps (from Myanmar as well as from Manipur) and indulge in firing on Meitei villagers in Kangpokpi, Bishnupur and Moirang side without any fear (of the Assam Rifles acting against the Kuki militants)," the MLA alleges.

A Kuki MLA begs to differ.

IMAGE: Kukis stage a rally in Churachandpur, May 30, 2023 to restore peace in Manipur during Union Home Minister Amit A Shah's visit. Photograph: ANI Photo

"Some of the radicals from groups like the Meitei Leepun, Arambai Tengol and some women groups like the Meira Paibis (Meitei women activists) are in the forefront of this demand," the Kuki MLA alleges.

"We shouldn't replace the Assam Rifles because they protect and safeguard lives of people both from both the sides (the Kukis and the Meiteis)," pleads the MLA.

"Common people from both sides trust the Assam Rifles and don't want these forces to leave Manipur," he adds.

According to him, a group of Kuki MLAs are likely to meet Shah on July 15 with a representation expressing their faith in the Assam Rifles in maintaining law and order in Manipur.

'Meitei radicals are running Manipur government'

IMAGE: Army personnel and Assam Rifles patrol the area to ensure protection to vehicles carrying essential goods from and to Imphal via NH 37 in violence-hit Manipur, May 22, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

While the Meitei MLAs' representation proposing the replacement of Assam Rifles is causing ripples in the state the worry around the rampant looting of sophisticated weapons by both sides and has been another bone of contention between the two ethnic groups at loggerheads with each other.

"Unless we initiate a sincere dialogue between the two communities, how will violence calm down? Unless we collect each and every weapon that was looted from police stations located in different parts of Manipur, how will violence subside?" asks another Meitei MLA, who says he did not know anything about the proposal to replace the Assam Rifles.

According to this lawmaker the people from both communities who have looted the arms and ammunition feel secure because these weapons give them the confidence and strength to protect their lives, families and properties.

"This (looting of arms) is happening because people feel that they have to protect themselves, their families and their villages. All the time, our people are asking where is the government; the government has to do everything (protect the lives and properties of people of Manipur) but instead of the government the people (of Manipur) have taken upon themselves to protect their life and property," he adds.

"That is the reason they are holding all the weapons they have looted. The state government has to collect all the weapons because it is the property of the state government. This may affect national security also. This is the situation in Manipur but we have to wait, we have to be patient," the MLA says.

"Till the time the chief minister supports the radical Meitei groups," says the Kuki MLA, "peace cannot return to Manipur."
Colleen McQuade, owner of Juniper Lane, cut the ribbon to her new cannabis retail store late in 2022. Now, with the help of some friends in Vermont's cannabis industry, she is moving into growing cannabis as well as selling it.
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Russian occupiers launched an airstrike on Zmiinyi Island in the Black Sea on Thursday morning.

"At dawn, using tactical aircraft, the enemy attacked Zmiinyi Island by dropping a high-explosive bomb," the Pivden (South) task force said on Facebook page.

A day earlier, the occupiers launched airstrikes on the village of Kozatske, Beryslav district, Kherson region. "In the village of Kozatske again yesterday they worked out guided bombs, destroying private houses. There were no casualties," the task force said.
'This is not over:' Governor Phil Scott warns of more storms to come
Tristan Roberts writes about life on his farm in Halifax and as State Rep for Windham-6. What are your questions or thoughts about AI? Email him at tristan@tristanroberts.org. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
Oleksandr Tarnavsky, commander of the Tavria operational and strategic group of troops, announced that Ukraine had received cluster munitions from the United States after President Joseph Biden announced last week that he had decided to approve their transfer to the country.

We just got them, we havent used them yet, but they can radically change [the situation on the battlefield]  The enemy also understands that with getting this ammunition, we will have an advantage. The enemy will give up that part of the terrain where it is possible to use this, Tarnavsky said in an interview with CNN on Thursday.

According to him, senior leadership will decide on the areas of territory where it can be used, Tarnavsky said, noting that the restrictions on the use of clusters, saying their use is prohibited in heavily populated areas, even if occupied by Russian forces.

The Russians think that we will use it on all areas of the front  This is very wrong. But they are very worried, Tarnavsky noted.

As reported, the Pentagon announced a new package of military assistance to Ukraine in the amount of $800 million, which will include 155-mm cluster shells. According to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the issue of supplying cluster munitions to Ukraine is solely the business of each individual ally.

Cluster bombs are banned in many countries, but not in the USA, Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

Ammunition drops explosive bombs, killing enemy soldiers over a large area. At the same time, unexploded ordnance can pose a long-term threat to civilians.

The Russian Federation has been using its own cluster munitions against Ukraine since the invasion more than a year ago. Ukraine also responded with such weapons.
The defense forces of Ukraine continue to advance gradually in Melitopol and Berdiansk directions regardless of the enemy's aspiration to return the positions it had lost, Spokesperson for the Join Press Center of the Tavria Defense Forces Valeriy Sherchen has said.

"There has been gradual advancement in Melitopol and Berdiansk directions during offensive operations of the defense forces. At the same time, the enemy is making efforts to return the positions it had lost. It is focused on holding its company outposts and its assault groups conduct counterattacks covered by tanks and defense groups," he said on the air of the national telethon on Thursday.

Shershen also said that "our defenders hold the lines and give a fitting rebuff." According to his data, "the enemy attacked our positions 25 times, mounted 615 shelling attacks using tanks, multiple launch rocket systems and cannon artillery. The enemy inflicted eleven strikes from the aircraft and eight aerial attacks using, in particular, kamikaze drones" over the past 24 hours.

The Russian occupation forces continue to focus on "offensive efforts in Avdiyivka and Maryinka directions. Their goal did not change  the task is to seize Maryinka and create the conditions for occupying Avdiyivka. The enemy attacked the outskirts of these towns, including Krasnohorivka, from the air," he said.

Also, the spokesperson said that the enemy's offensive attempts failed in the past 24 hours.

"The enemy made unsuccessful offensive attempts on Rivnopil. The occupation forces inflicted an air strike on the village of Storozhuvate. The enemy shelled more than 15 settlements," he said.

Shershen confirmed that the Tavria Defense Forces have got cluster munitions in stock and emphasized, quoting Commander of Tavria Operational and Strategic Group Oleksandr Tarnavsky's statement in an interview with CNN, that "these shells will be used exclusively in line with the legal requirements."
Be prepared for a 26/11 terror attack if Pakistani National Seema Haider does not return to Pakistan, an unidentified call has put Mumbai police on high alert. The threat phone call, which was received by Mumbai Traffic Control Room on Thursday, July 13 has taken the Seema Haider-Sachin Meenas love story to a new dimension. The Mumbai police has confirmed the news on receiving a threat call. As per claims, the caller threatened the police that an attack similar to 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai will be carried out, if Pakistani National Seema Haider, who came to India with her four children to meet her partner, an Indian man Sachin Meena, does not return to Pakistan.

A probe has been initiated by the Mumbai police and the Crime Branch in the matter and efforts are being made to trace the caller, says news agency ANI. Notably, Pakistani National Seema Haider was detained by the Uttar Pradesh police for illegally entering India to meet her partner. According to the report, the police are thoroughly probing the call, while following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

Mumbai Police follows Standard Operating Procedure to gather caller's details

As per information, the caller threatened in Urdu language. After initial investigation, it is being speculated that the call could turn out to be a hoax call, however, the Mumbai police are gathering more details about the caller. Further investigation into the matter is being carried out.

As per reports, the Noida police earlier this month had arrested Seema for illegally entering India and staying in Greater Noida with Sachin Meena. It is being said that she met Sachin, a Greater Noida resident, while playing online game PUBG. The Noida police had also detained Sachin for allegedly housing Pakistani National Seema and her children in his house without intimation to the local law enforcement agencies. However, both of them were later granted bail by the court, after which she converted to Hinduism and started living with Sachin.

Reportedly, Seema Haider set out from Karachi in May this year with her four children and reached India via Dubai and Nepal. It was from Nepal that she managed to breach the Indian border illegally and reached Delhi. She further met Sachin and started living with him at his house in Greater Noida.
The BJP's decision to nominate Ananta Rai 'Maharaj', who has been demanding a separate state of 'Greater Cooch Behar' to be carved out of West Bengal, as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from the state has kicked off a fresh storm with the ruling TMC accusing the saffron party of fanning separatism in the state.

Ananta Rai on Tuesday said the BJP has offered him a Rajya Sabha ticket after a meeting with Union MoS for Home Nisith Pramanik.

"I am happy that they have chosen me. I will try to serve the people of the state and my region," Ananta Rai told reporters after the news broke of his nomination by the BJP through a party notification from Delhi Wednesday morning.

Six Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal will go to the polls on July 24; a by-poll will also be held in another seat from the state.

Rai heads one of the GCPA factions, demanding that a separate state or union territory be carved out of northern West Bengal. He is believed to have considerable say among the Rajbanshi community of the North Bengal region, estimated to account for nearly 30percentt of the electorate in the area.

The community is one of the biggest SC communities of the state after Matuas in South Bengal.

"We believe in taking all the communities along and moving forward to the development path. We believe in the ideals of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas, '" BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.

Reacting to his nomination, TMC MP and spokesperson Santanu Sen said, "This only proves that BJP fans separatist movement in the state".

"We have been saying for a long time that the BJP is fanning a separatist movement in North Bengal and wants to divide the state. This development only proves the point. BJP should clearly say whether they want division of the state or not," he said.

According to political analysts, the Rajbanshis are an important electoral factor in four out of the eight Lok Sabha seats in North Bengal. The BJP, in 2019, had bagged seven out of these eight parliamentary seats.

However, political equations have changed in the region in the last four years, with the TMC recovering much of its ground in parts of North Bengal and Congress-Left combine emerging as an alternative to the BJP.

With its eight districts, including picturesque Darjeeling, north Bengal is economically important for the state for its tea, timber and tourism industries. The region, which shares a border with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, has witnessed several statehood movements since the early eighties by various ethnic groups such as Gorkhas, Rajbanshis, Kochs and Kamatapuris.

Several BJP MPs and MLAs from the region have advocated that a separate state or Union territory be carved out with these eight districts. However, the state BJP has maintained that it does not support such demands.

The Trinamool Congress on Monday announced its candidates for six Rajya Sabha seats.

Among them are Derek O'Brien, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Dola Sen. O'Brien, an MP since 2011, is the TMC's leader in Rajya Sabha, while Ray, who was first sent to the Upper House of Parliament in 2012, is the deputy chief whip. Sen, a senior leader and trade unionist, became an MP in 2017.

The newcomers on the list were Bangla Sanskriti Mancha president Samirul Islam, TMC's Alipurduar district president Prakash Chik Baraik, and RTI activist and TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale.

A by-poll will be held in another seat as former Goa chief minister Luizinho Faleiro resigned as a TMC MP in April.

The TMC has 216 MLAs in the 294-member assembly and enjoys the support of five BJP MLAs, who switched over to the ruling party but are yet to resign from the House. The BJP has a strength of 70 in the assembly.

As per the numbers in the assembly, TMC will get six of these seven Rajya Sabha seats and the BJP one.
In Brief

The recent announcement that the U.S. will provide cluster bombs to Ukraine has sparked controversy about potential civilian casualties caused by the weapons. In the wake of the announcement, official Chinese state media outlets such as CCTV and China News Network reported that Colin Kahl, under secretary of defense for policy, stated that defeating Russia is more important than civilian casualties.

Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) found that Kahl did not say this and that these reports have twisted his original meaning in order to spread misinformation. Kahl did emphasize that sending the bombs was important to help forestall ammunition shortages during Ukraines ongoing counteroffensive, but he did not downplay the severity of potential civilian deaths.

In Depth

The cluster bombs are included amongst the latest round of military aid to Ukraine announced by the U.S. on July 7. President Joe Biden said sending the bombs was a very difficult decision made due to a shortage of ammunition by the Ukrainians.

The president also noted that the U.S. is not a signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, an international treaty outlawing the use of such weapons. Human rights groups and signatories of the convention such as the U.K. and Canada have criticized the move. China is also not a signatory, and its foreign ministry did not explicitly oppose the move, but it did emphasize that irresponsibly transferring such weapons is highly likely to cause humanitarian issues.

What did Kahl say?

In a followup Department of Defense press conference following the announcement, Kahl responded to a question about the reason for sending the bombs by saying, Im as concerned about the humanitarian circumstance as anybody but the worst thing for civilians in Ukraine is for Russia to win the war, and so its important that they dont [win].

Kahl also noted that the request to send the bombs was only granted after Ukraine agreed to several preconditions. These include not using the bombs in civilian-populated urban environments, recording locations where the bombs are dropped and demining areas hit by the bombs when the war is over.

How did Chinese media report what Kahl said?

The Chinese state-controlled media outlet Huanqiu released a short video on the night of July 9 misquoting Kahls remarks. The headline reads, Under Secretary of Defense says that compared to civilian casualties, defeating Russia is more important.



CCTV News reported on July 9 that Colin Kahl, U.S. under secretary of defense for policy, said defeating Russia is more important than civilian casualties. Credit: photo taken from CCTV News The headline soon went viral and was reused in a report by Chinas leading state news organization China Central Television (CCTV). CCTV also mistranslated some of the subtitles of Kahls speech, changing the latter part from its important that they dont to it's more important that they dont and adding the phrase compared to civilian casualties, which wasnt mentioned by Kahl at all.

Following the CCTV broadcast, the headline was then copied and reused in several memes and short video clips produced by a range of Beijing backed media outlets and posted on a variety of social media platforms. One such posting on Twitter produced by the Hong Kong China News Agency features a meme based on the headline which added the mocking punchline that, Winning by any means necessary is the true value of Westerners! Netizens soon further repeated claims similar to the headline in their comments.

The social media account of the China News Service released video clips and memes repeating claims made by CCTV about remarks by Colin Kahl, U.S. under secretary of defense for policy. Credit: screenshots taken from Weibo and Twitter. In addition to misconstruing the intent of Kahls response, all of these reports omitted any mention of the U.S. preconditions requested of Ukraine with which Kahl prefaced his original response.

Conclusion

Although the U.S. decision to provide cluster munition to Ukraine has indeed sparked controversy in many quarters, no U.S. official has ever said defeating Russia is more important than civilian lives.

The social media account of the Hong Kong China News Agency released videos clips and memes repeating claims made by CCTV about Colin Kahl, U.S. under secretary of defense for policy. The bottom punchline of the meme reads Netizens retort: Winning by any means necessary is the true value of Westerners! Credit: screenshots taken from Weibo and Twitter.

The CCTV headline misinterprets the original intent of Kahls response and subsequent visuals, while reports from other state-affiliated Chinese news media continued to spread this misleading information.

Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) is a branch of RFA established to counter disinformation in todays complex media environment. Our journalists publish both daily and special reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers understanding of public issues.
A U.N. working group said shes been wrongfully detained for her criticism of Hun Sen.

Cambodian-American lawyer Theary Seng, dressed as Lady Liberty, speaks to the media outside Phnom Penh Municipal Court on June 14, 2022.

Renewed calls from the U.S. State Department and a U.N. working group for the release of Cambodian-American lawyer Theary Seng are a violation of Cambodias sovereignty, the spokesman for the countrys ruling party said on Thursday.

Our court jurisdiction is under the laws of Cambodia as an independent and sovereign state, said Sok Ey San, spokesman for the Cambodian Peoples Party.

The court convicts [any person] based on the laws and the facts. She caused chaos in Cambodia for being a holder of foreign nations passport. She stirred chaos in Cambodian society.

In June 2022, Theary Seng was sentenced to six years in prison on treason charges, prompting condemnation from rights groups and the U.S. government.

Her conviction was a direct result of her exercise of her right to freedom of expression, which is protected under international law, a U.N. working group of independent human rights experts said in a report released on Wednesday.

Her detention resulted from her long-term, high-profile criticism of the prime minister and her pro-democracy activism, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said in the 17-page opinion.

State Department comments

Asked about the working groups report, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States continues to condemn the conviction and sentence of Theary Seng, who holds dual Cambodian and U.S. citizenship.

When pressed by a reporter, Miller said the department still hasnt determined whether she is wrongfully detained  a designation that could involve the departments Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs.

With respect to this case, there is no higher  pressure we can bring to bear than the secretary of state himself personally raising a case with his counterparts, Miller said at Wednesdays daily briefing.

In August 2022, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed Prime Minister Hun Sen to free Theary Seng and other activists during a visit to Phnom Penh.

Other U.S. officials, including Under Secretary of State Uzra Zeya, USAID Administrator Samatha Power and Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy, have also called for her immediate and unconditional release.

Theary Seng was sentenced along with 50 other activists for their association with the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party, once the main opposition in the country before it was dissolved by the Supreme Court in 2017.

The specific charges stemmed from abortive efforts in 2019 to bring about the return to Cambodia of opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who has been in exile in France since 2015. Theary Seng and the other defendants denied the charges.

Foreign intervention fears

Last month, Hun Sen said he wouldnt pardon Theary Seng or opposition party leader Kem Sokha, who was sentenced in March on treason charges widely condemned as politically motivated.

Hun Sen said the decision was necessary in light of recent foreign intervention in Cambodia. He added that even though Theary Seng has dual citizenship, her case applies only to Cambodian law.

In recent months, the prime minister has frequently invoked the specter of national security threats at public appearances ahead of the July 23 parliamentary elections, which he has framed as a referendum on who can best maintain Cambodias sovereignty.

From now on, those who seek foreign intervention will stay in prison, he said last month. We dont release you. Dont include them in prisoners who will be pardoned or have a reduced prison term. We are stopping foreign intervention in Cambodia.

Theary Sengs case was submitted to the U.N. working group by the Perseus Strategies, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and Freedom House organizations, which represent her pro bono.

Theary Sengs case is emblematic of the many people jailed in Cambodia for exposing human rights abuses, advocating for free expression, and calling for free and fair elections, said Margaux Ewen, director of Freedom Houses political prisoners initiative.

The Working Groups judgment comes at a critical time. As democracy and internet freedom are under threat globally and in Cambodia, we need the international communitys support of brave individuals like Theary Seng  and the rights for which they fight.

Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
US climate envoy says China wont give up a status that lets it commit to less stringent emission reductions.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry testifies before a House Foreign Affairs Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee hearing on the State Department's climate budget, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, June 13, 2023.

China wont surrender its status as a developing nation any time soon due to the benefits it confers, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said Thursday ahead of a trip to Beijing, even as he acknowledged the designation had poor optics given China is the worlds largest carbon polluter.

Kerry also told lawmakers that concerns about human rights abuses in China should not stop cooperation to mitigate climate change.

Appearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee ahead of talks in Beijing next week, Kerry was asked by Chairman Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas, whether he would push Chinese officials to surrender the self-designation of developing nation.

It just continues to baffle me that the second-largest economy in the world is somehow treated as a developing nation, McCaul said, complaining that it both lets Beijing access cheaper World Bank loans and commit to less stringent carbon-reduction goals.

China, he noted, plans to continue increasing carbon emissions until 2030 and then start a program of reductions to reach carbon neutrality by 2060, despite already being the worlds leading annual emitter.

Coal is loaded onto trucks for delivery to power generation plants, after being unloaded from ships at the port in Lianyungang, in Chinas eastern Jiangsu province on July 12, 2023. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP / China OUT)

I talk to my constituents back home and say, Yeah, you know, Secretary Kerry's going over there trying to save the world. It's great, but hey, guess what? China doesn't have to comply till 2060, because they lie and say they're a developing nation, McCaul said.

The United States, he continued, weve got to comply almost immediately. The American people understand fairness. And honestly, sir, they do not see this as fair.

Be realistic

Kerry replied that he understood the poor optics of the designation.

I can't disagree with that. They do not see it as fair, Kerry said, adding it was not only McCauls constituents who were concerned about this differential in the designation with the United States.

With respect to this developed/developing [question] it should confound anybody at this point in time  and it's one of the topics I've raised this with my counterpart in China and others, Kerry said.

Kerry said he believed the United Nations would revisit the issue of development designations next year, but that he did not expect Beijing to surrender developing status next week due to U.S. pressure.

Let me just be frank with you: That's not going to happen, the climate envoy said. Its just not going to happen on this visit. But the Chinese government understands that this is a growing issue of concern.

Big but developing

China is by far and away the worlds largest carbon emitter, according to the latest World Bank data, emitting more carbon dioxide each year than the next seven-placed countries  the United States, India, Russia, Japan, Iran, Germany and South Korea  do combined.

But the question of the development status of the worlds second-largest economy is complicated.

While the United Nations allows countries to self-designate their status  to the chagrin of lawmakers like McCaul  other institutions have more concrete metrics, and China is only just reaching the top tier.

The World Bank, for instance, puts in its top bracket of high income countries only those that have a per-capita annual gross national income of above US$13,205. Last year, China fell a few hundred dollars short of that  at $12,805  and was far behind most Western countries. The United States, by comparison, reached $76,370.

When it comes to responsibility for climate change, China has also emitted less in total than the United States over the course of history, due to the much earlier industrialization of the Western world.

That has not gone unremarked upon by Chinese officials.

Requiring a country that has only been developing for a few decades to shoulder the responsibilities of those industrial countries who have developed for hundreds of years, this itself is unfair, Chinas top diplomat, Wang Yi, said during a press conference in 2019.

Uyghur slave labor

During the hearing, Kerry was also pressed over an interview he gave to Bloomberg last year in which he appeared to downplay the treatment of Uyghurs by Beijing, which the United States has termed a genocide.

Life is always full of tough choices in the relationship between nations, says U.S. climate envoy John Kerry, seen at a House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP)

Kerry was asked in the interview if he had concerns about negotiating climate change mitigation given Chinas rights abuses.

Well, life is always full of tough choices in the relationship between nations, he replied, pointing out that U.S. President Ronald Reagan met Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s to seek deals on nuclear weapons despite calling the Soviet Union as the evil empire.

The point Im making is that, even as there were egregious human rights issues, which Ronald Reagan called them out on, we have to find a way forward to make the world safer, to protect our countries and act in our interests. We can do and must do the same thing now.

On Thursday, Kerry reiterated that point, after being asked by Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican from Florida, if he thought it was a tough choice whether the United States should import solar panels built on the backs of Uyghur slaves in order to reduce carbon emissions.

He replied he often brought up concerns about the treatment of Uyghurs in China during his talks, but that it would be malpractice of the worst order for the United States not to engage the second-largest economy on climate change due to its human rights concerns.

We don't have to wrap [our priorities] up, Kerry said, so one becomes hostage to the other, where you don't make progress.
Ukraine to receive over EUR 1.5 bln of military assistance from partners  Reznikov on results of NATO Summit

Ukraine will receive over EUR 1.5 billion in military aid from its international partners, Defense Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov has said summing up the results of the NATO Summit in Vilnius.

"Long-range SCALP missiles, Leopard tanks, additional Patriots, F-16 pilot training are just some of the things that can be announced publicly," he said on Twitter on Thursday.

The minister also named seven packages of military assistance, the largest of which will be provided by Germany.

"Germany: new EUR 700 million aid package includes 25 Leopard 1A5 tanks, 40 Marder 1A3 IFVs, 2 Patriot air defense systems, 5 Bergepanzer 2 SAMs, 20,000 155-mm artillery shells, 5,000 smoke shells," he said.

Australia will provide 30 Bushmaster APCs, France  SCALP missiles and additional engineering equipment for demining, Canada  $410 million in new funding and projects to support Ukraine and strengthen transatlantic security; reinforcement of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with armored vehicles, according to Reznikov.

"Norway: 1,000 Black Hornet micro-drones, NASAMS support package (2 additional fire control centers, two launchers and spare parts); Norway also increased the size of the military aid budget to Ukraine from $240 to $930 million; there are agreements on strengthening air defense and artillery capabilities," he said.

The assistance package from the United Kingdom includes more than 70 combat vehicles, thousands of ammunition for tanks, a $64.7 million package of military aid for the repair of equipment.

An agreement to start pilot training in August, contribution to strengthening Ukrainian air defense and artillery capabilities was made with the Netherlands.
Chinese now far outnumber Lao workers, violating an agreement between the government and mining company.

The Sino-Agri International Potash Co., Ltd. potash mine in Nong Bok district, Khammouane province, Laos, is seen in this May 28, 2023, satellite photo.

An influx of Chinese laborers at a potash mine in central Laos has pushed their number to about 3,000, far higher than Lao workers, which number about 100  despite an agreement that mine operators must hire more domestic workers than Chinese, sources have told Radio Free Asia.

In recent months, some 1,000 Chinese workers have gone to the mine in Khammouane province, which has led to layoffs of Lao workers, many of whom have not been able to find jobs, residents and government officials say.

The 35-square-kilometer (13.5-square-mile) potash mine in Nong Bok district is operated by Sino-Agri International Potash Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Asia Potash International Investment (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., which is linked to entities directed by Chinas governing State Council.

Much of the potash  a soluble form of potassium, used for crop fertilizer  is exported to China, which has made acquiring more of the mineral a priority.

The Chinese laborers have work permits and are working legally at the potash mine, which has 152,000,000 tons of pure potassium chloride reserves, an official from Laos Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare said.

But the Lao government has been unable to control their numbers because Chinese investors who run the operations want to hire their own workers because they say Lao workers lack skills, a government official said.

The imbalance violates a memorandum of understanding that the Lao government signed with the Chinese mine owner, a government official said.

One Laotian who used to work at the mine accused the government of allowing the Chinese into the country to compete with unskilled Lao workers, who were subsequently laid off. As a result, some had to return to their home villages or find work in other places, making them vulnerable to human trafficking.

Most of the permanent workers at the mine are Chinese, while Laotians are hired as temporary laborers, said a Laotian who declined to be identified so as to speak freely.

Chinese workers dig tunnels [and] build the infrastructure of the mine, he said.

Laotians mostly work in construction, such as building roads, offices and camps for the permanent workers, but are laid off after the projects are completed, he added.

The temporary, unskilled Laotians working at the mine are mostly from other provinces because most locals dont want to work there due to the low wages, said a local villager.

Local laborers know that they pay low wages, so they dont want to work in the mine and go to work somewhere else, he said.

Laotians also are concerned about being exposed to chemicals, when they have no workers benefits or medical care under temporary contracts, sources said.

Unskilled Lao workers at the mine receive 5.4 million kip (US$280) per month, though the Chinese company that runs the mine pays skilled workers about 10,000-20,000 Thai baht (US$287-574) a month, said a Lao villager who used to work there.

Sino-Agri has come under fire by Lao residents who lived nearby and have accused the company of not properly compensating them for the loss of their homes and farms to the mine project, RFA reported earlier.

In December 2022, authorities arrested and later released up to five villagers who protested against the company, saying they had not received any money for their property losses.

Locals who have been forced to give up residences and businesses to Laos infrastructure-heavy economic development efforts often complain that they have not been properly compensated.

Sino-Agri signed a memorandum of understanding with the Lao government in March to build a smart-eco industrial city on 20 square kilometers of land in Nong Bok and Tha Khek districts, RFA reported. The move raised additional concerns among villagers living in the vicinity about negative impacts to their communities and their forest-based livelihoods.

Translated by Sidney Khotpanya for RFA Lao. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
A milestone is what Southeast Asian blocs chair Indonesia calls the guidelines to speed up negotiations.

(From left) Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son; Wang Yi, director of Chinas Central Foreign Affairs Commission; Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir confer during the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with China at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Jakarta, July 13, 2023.

China and Southeast Asian nations agreed Thursday to speed up an agreement to prevent conflict in the South China Sea where overlapping claims by Beijing and its neighbors have raised tensions.

The guidelines to accelerate negotiations on a code of conduct for the South China Sea represent a milestone, the Indonesian foreign minister said after diplomats from both sides adopted them at a meeting in Jakarta.

No details were released, although the Associated Press news agency cited an unnamed Southeast Asian diplomat as saying that both sides agreed to conclude a pact before autumn 2026.

The Jakarta meeting was attended by all foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) barring Myanmar, and Wang Yi, who heads the ruling Chinese Communist Partys foreign affairs commission, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said.

Indonesias top diplomat, Retno Marsudi, who co-chaired the meeting with Wang, said the agreement showed their commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

These achievements should continue to build a positive momentum to strengthen a partnership that advances the paradigm of inclusivity and openness, respects international law including UNCLOS 1982, and promotes a culture of dialogue and collaboration, Retno said in a statement, referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Retno also welcomed the completion of the second reading of the draft code of conduct this year, after the completion of the first reading in 2019.

China should be a trusted partner of ASEAN in nurturing an open and inclusive regional architecture, she said.

Only in this way can we achieve win-win cooperation for the sake of peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, Retno added.

Wang, meanwhile, said Beijing supported ASEANs central role in the region, according to Chinas Xinhua news agency.

China stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in its early conclusion, Xinhua quoted Wang as saying.

China and ASEAN have been negotiating a code of conduct for the South China Sea since 2002, but progress has been slow amid disputes over the scope and legal status of the document.

An aerial view shows the Nanshan Islands, locally known as Lawak, one of the nine features the Philippines occupies in the disputed Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea, March 9, 2023. (Eloisa Lopez/Reuters)





China claims almost all of the strategic waterway, which is also contested by Taiwan and ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. And stability in Southeast Asia has been threatened lately with alleged incursions by Chinese vessels in the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines and Malaysia in the South China Sea.

Indonesia does not have any territorial disputes with China, but it has repeatedly lodged protests against Chinese fishing boats and coast guard vessels entering its EEZ near the Natuna Islands.

In 2016, the Philippines won a landmark international ruling at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which threw out Chinas expansive claims in the South China Sea. Beijing, however, has ignored the verdict and carried on with its military expansionism in the strategic waterway, including building artificial islands.

The South China Sea has also become a theater for big-power rivalry, as the United States, which has vital interests in the region, has accused China of militarizing the area and undermining freedom of navigation.

For its part, Beijing calls Washingtons moves in the region interference and insists it has historical rights to the seas resources.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet with his ASEAN counterparts at a conference in Jakarta on Friday.

Potential positive impact

The guidelines agreed to by ASEAN members and China could be in the nature of technical agreements on how the preventive principles in the code can be implemented, said Vinsensio Dugis, the head of the ASEAN Studies Center at Airlangga University in Surabaya.

If this is the case, this should be welcomed, because it reflects the intention of the parties that claim part or all of the South China Sea territory to reach an agreement on the implementation of the code of conduct, he told BenarNews.

Additionally, one of the sticking points in the negotiation revolved around the involvement of countries outside China and ASEAN in the implementation of the code of conduct, Vinsensio said.

China does not want any involvement of other countries, while some ASEAN countries see the need for countries such as the U.S. to also be involved in the process. I think this has been a major obstacle to implementing the principles in the code of conduct, he said.

Still, the agreement between ASEAN and China brings potential positive impact to Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.

This means that there is a possibility of stability in the region, which is very important for peace and development, he said.

On trade, China has been an important partner for ASEAN in promoting economic growth and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesias Retno said.

Their bilateral trade reached U.S. $975 billion last year, making China ASEANs largest trading partner, while China was also the fourth largest source of foreign investment in ASEAN with $13.8 billion, Retno said.

A day earlier, Chinas Wang urged ASEAN to speed up negotiations on an upgraded free trade agreement that would boost economic ties and post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

China and ASEAN should jointly safeguard the global free trading system, uphold the ASEAN centrality, and jointly maintain regional peace and development, Wang said after talks with Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Wednesday.

China and ASEAN have been operating a free trade area since 2010, which covers trade in goods, services and investment. It is the largest free trade area in terms of population and third largest in terms of nominal GDP.

The two sides launched negotiations on an upgraded version of the free trade agreement in 2016, aiming to further liberalize and facilitate trade and investment.

Wang said both sides should speed up the talks on the so-called FTA 3.0 to inject new impetus into regional development.
The appeals court in Hanoi on Thursday rejected land rights activist Truong Van Dungs appeal against his six-year prison sentence, his wife told RFA.

Dung protested his innocence loudly in court and demanded to be released immediately, Nghiem Thi Hop said.

She said her husband was escorted out of the courtroom twice for arguing with the judge and shouting down with the Communist Party.

Dungs lawyers argued that he did not commit any crime and challenged prosecutors to re-examine the evidence, but they refused, Hop said.

She said the appeal was just a show trial with the judge ordering Dungs lawyers to speak less and be quick, while the judges comments were barely audible because there was no microphone.

On March 28, Hanoi City Court found 65-year-old Dung guilty of conducting anti-state propaganda.

According to the indictment, Dung gave interviews to U.S.-based Saigon Dallas Radio between 2015 and 2022 that distorted and smeared Vietnams government, propagated fabricated information and caused confusion among the people. The interviews and video clips were posted on social media.

The Hanoi Peoples Procuracy also accused Dung of storing copies of two books: Popular Politics by human rights activist Pham Doan Trang and Life of People Behind Bars by former prisoner of conscience Pham Thanh Nghien. The books were allegedly printed and distributed illegally.

Dung was prosecuted under Article 88 of Vietnams 1999 penal code, a controversial law used to target dissidents that rights groups say is one of several wielded to stifle voices of dissent in the one-party communist state.

There are 193 activists in Vietnamese prisons according to human rights group The 88 Project.

Sadly but not surprisingly land activist Truong Van Dung lost his appeal, Human Rights Watch Asia Director Elaine Pearson said in a Tweet.

So what in the Vietnamese governments view were Truong Van Dungs crimes? Essentially, he exercised his rights to freedom of expression, association & peaceful assembly.

Truong Van Dung (C) holds a photo of captain Nguy Van Tha who was killed in the January 1974 Battle of the Paracel Islands, during an anti-China protest in front of the Opera House in Hanoi May 11, 2014. Credit: Reuters





Dung participated in protests in Hanoi, including demonstrations against Chinas occupation of the Paracel Islands  an island group in the South China Sea also claimed by Vietnam  and protests against the Taiwan-owned Formosa Company for polluting the coastline of four central Vietnamese provinces in 2016.

Public protests even over perceived harm to Vietnams interests are considered threats to its political stability and are routinely suppressed by the police.

Truong Van Dung has experienced years of government harassment and intimidation, including police interrogations, house arrest, a travel ban and physical assaults, said Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson ahead of the appeal.

He accused Hanoi of inexorably adding peaceful activists to the growing list of more than 150 Vietnamese political prisoners, thereby violating human rights laws and betraying its duty to protect peoples rights as a member of the U.N. Human Rights Council.

Every time the authorities throw an activist like Truong Van Dung behind bars, respect for human rights in Vietnam takes a hard knock, Robertson said.

Donors and international trade partners should be clear that if Vietnam wants growing trade and investment, its leaders need to recognize that people speaking their minds are part of the solution that strengthens, not weakens, the country.

Truong Van Dung was arrested at the end of May 2022 and held incommunicado for nine months before his trial.

Amnesty International joined calls for Vietnamese authorities to drop all charges against him and spoke out against the countrys judicial system.

The Vietnamese authorities are yet again misusing the criminal justice system to suppress dissent. Arrested for giving interviews to foreign media, Truong Van Dung should have never been put in prison in the first place, Amnestys Deputy Regional Director of Campaigns Ming Yu Hah said.

Amnesty said Dungs appeal came as Vietnam cracked down on a growing number of people whose views differ from that of the government, and against independent civil society organizations.

The unfair charges and inhumane prison conditions [show] the Vietnamese authorities willingness to systematically silence dissent in direct violation of international human rights law, Hah said, calling Vietnams ratification of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment and its their seat on the UN Human Rights Council no more than empty gestures.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn.
An online news site operated by a Vietnamese NGO will be suspended for three months as of Friday in accordance with a government decision as the publication focuses on overcoming and thoroughly correcting shortcomings to implement a government press directive.

The Ministry of Information and Communications concluded in an inspection report that Zing News, also known as Zing News Online Knowledge magazine, had to stop its online service, though the publication did not cite a specific reason in a notice to its readers on Thursday.

The site, which covers economic, culture and political news in Vietnam, is run by the Vietnam Publishing Association, an entity that does not receive funding from the government or the Vietnamese Communist Party, but still must obey its orders.

Zings announcement said it would focus on implementing a prime ministerial decision issued on April 3, 2019, for a master plan on press development and management nationwide through 2025.

The governments plan states that the press is a means of information, a tool for propaganda, and a weapon that is important ideological fuel for the party and the state. It also calls for continuous efforts to complete legislation for the governments management and organization of the media and to eliminate the overlapping situation by reducing the number of newspapers.

Though Zing did not state what the shortcomings are, it said it would continue to innovate content to ensure the implementation of the principles and purposes specified in its license and to promote an identity of prestige information, impressive images that better serves readers.

Vietnam ranks near the bottom of Reporters Without Borders 2023 Press Freedom Index  178 out of 180 nations  for quashing dissent, controlling the publics access to social media and prosecuting journalists on contentious charges, such as distributing anti-state propaganda and abusing democratic freedoms.

As of May 2022, Vietnam had 815 news outlets, including 138 newspapers and 677 magazines, of which 29 operate only in electronic format, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications.

To implement the governments plan, the online Tri Tri online newspaper (Zing.vn) of the Vietnam Publishing Association converted to an e-magazine model on April 1, 2020.

In 2022, the government suspended publication of two other websites for three months, Vietnam Law newspaper and the e-magazine Vietnam Business and Border Trade Journal.

The ministry determined that Vietnam Law Newspaper had 13 violations and was fined 325 million dong (US$13,720). The other publication, operated under the auspices of the Vietnam Association of Border Traders, was fined 70 million dong (US$2,960) for an administrative violation.

Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
An Afghan refugee seeking asylum in the United States is now captivating audiences onscreen, portraying a character she has a lot in common with. In her first-ever acting role, Anaita Wali Zada plays a haunted young immigrant named Donya who finds herself beached in the northern California city of Fremont. Her new life: working in a factory, writing fortunes for Chinese cookies.
The United States has imposed new sanctions targeting 18 individuals and more than 120 entities based in Russia and Kyrgyzstan in a move aimed at inhibiting Moscows access to products and technology that support its war efforts.

The entities include several based in Kyrgyzstan that the U.S. Treasury Department on July 20 said have operated as intermediaries to provide foreign-made electronics and technologies to Russia.



At least six of these companies were featured in a recent investigation by RFE/RLs Kyrgyz Service into Kyrgyz and Kazakh companies that revealed how sanctioned Western electronics make their way to Russia via Central Asian firms.

The Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said on July 20 that, in addition to curtailing Russia's ability to obtain technology, the sanctions aim to reduce its revenue from mining, degrade its access to the international financial system, and starve it of technology produced by the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations, particularly items needed in the aerospace and defense sectors.



The latest sanctions build on a wave of global actions imposed on Moscow.



Since Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States, working with our allies and partners, has taken unprecedented steps to impose costs on Russia and promote accountability for the individuals and entities who support its illegal war, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.



We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked the United States and the European Union, which on July 20 extended sanctions on Russia for another six months. He also thanked Canada for its recent moves to tighten sanctions against Russia.

"Hundreds of new sanctions objectives have been successfully implemented," Zelenskiy said in a video posted on Twitter. "Russia and everyone in this world who dares to help terrorists must feel the ever-increasing sanctions pressure -- whether they are individuals, companies, or countries."



The individuals designated for sanctions include former Russian Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin, a longtime confidant of President Vladimir Putin. Kudrin headed the governments official watchdog, the Audit Chamber, until late last year when he joined Russian tech giant Yandex.



Kudrin joined Yandex during a restructuring as the Kremlin cracked down on independent news and reporting on the Ukraine war. Yandexs search engine and main news portal were among the leading sources for Russian-language content.



Yandex ultimately decided to sell its main news and entertainment portals and undertook an attempted restructuring that would essentially split the company into a wholly Russian unit and an overlapping, but independent, foreign unit.



But that deal, which Kudrin has been intimately involved in negotiating, has been contingent on finding deep-pocketed Russian buyers for the Russian unit. Until recently, a group of Kremlin-connected oligarchs, and state investment bank VTB, were reported to be in the running to take control of the new unit.



But, according to reports this week in Meduza and The Bell, Yandexs board has been wary of falling afoul of existing U.S. sanctions that had previously targeted some of the main contenders, and the board has been casting about for other options.



Its unclear how Kudrins sanctioning would affect his role at Yandex or the companys restructuring efforts.



A Yandex spokeswoman declined to comment on the Treasury announcement.



The six companies designated for sanctions by OFAC that were featured in the RFE/RL investigation are LLC RM Design and Development, Basis Trade Prosoft LLC, Region-Prof LLC, ZAO GTME Tekhnologii, OOO Radiotekhsnab (RTS), and Technologies Systems and Complexes Limited (TSC).



ZAO GTME Tekhnologii (GTME Tekhnologii) is a Kyrgyz-based entity established in June 2022.



It has made dozens of shipments of goods to Russia, including high-priority items such as tantalum capacitors and electronic integrated circuits, the RFE/RL investigation found. GTME Tekhnologiis primary customer has been Russia-based TSC, a vendor of electronic and digital equipment.



OFAC said LLC RM Design and Development, established in March last year, has been a "prolific shipper" of electronics such as semiconductors and integrated circuits to Russia, including to firms that have supplied electronics to Russian-based defense companies.



Earlier on July 20, Kyrgyzstan denied helping Moscow circumvent sanctions imposed over the Ukraine invasion, but did admit to "the "possible involvement of private companies" and said it was investigating the matter.

The other individuals targeted for helping to supply munitions to Russia include Russian and North Korean national Yong Hyok Rim, who is linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin, the mutinous leader of the Wagner mercenary organization.



Also designated are two other private Russian military companies, including Okhrana, owned by Kremlin-controlled energy giant Gazprom.



Sergei Korolev, first deputy director of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), and Smolensk regional Governor Vasily Anokhin also were targeted, the State Department said.



The sanctions freeze any property in U.S. jurisdictions owned by the individuals and entities named. They also bar U.S. citizens from any dealings with the people and entities.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

NOTE: This article has been amended to clarify the circumstances surrounding Aleksei Kudrin's departure from the Russian Audit Chamber and his joining Yandex.
A top Russian field commander says he was dismissed after disagreements with superior officers over the situation on the front lines, an unusual public display of dissent from within the Russian ranks after just over 500 days of war in Ukraine.

The complaints by Major General Ivan Popov, which came in an audio message circulated by a prominent Russian lawmaker on July 12, suggest continuing intrigues following last month's mutiny by the private Wagner mercenary group and its owner, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The mutiny, which saw around 5,000 Wagner soldiers racing toward, then stopping 200 kilometers short of Moscow, lasted around 24 hours. But the effort was the biggest challenge to Vladimir Putin's 23 years as Russia's preeminent figure, and observers have looked for signs that the Kremlin could purge military commanders or political figures over the incident.

One prominent army officer, General Sergei Surovikin, who briefly served as overall commander for the Ukraine war and is believed to be a close ally of Prigozhin, has not been seen or heard from since the mutiny erupted on June 24.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.

In the four-minute recording, Popov, who was the commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army deployed in Ukraines southern Zaporizhzya region, said he had complained to the chief of Russia's General Staff, General Valery Gerasimov, about the need to rotate frontline troops.

Zaporizhzhya is one of several fronts where Ukrainian forces last month launched the beginnings of a widely anticipated counteroffensive. Its troops have made slow advances and fighting is reported to be intense.

Addressing what he called my dear gladiators, Popov, whose military call sign was "Spartacus," complained that Russian forces were being hampered by problems with counterbattery radar and artillery reconnaissance. He said Russian troops were hit with a "blow from the rear."

Popov reports that he raised questions about the lack of counterbattery combat, artillery reconnaissance stations, and, as a result, the death of Russian soldiers in connection with this.

"Our army could not be broken at the front, by the armed forces of Ukraine. [Instead] we were hit with a blow from the rear by the senior commander; treacherously and vilely decapitating the army at the most difficult and tense moment," he was heard saying.

"There was a difficult situation with the senior bosses, where it was necessary to either keep quiet and be a coward or to tell it like it is," he said.

It wasnt immediately clear what Popov was referring to by saying "blow from the rear."

News of Popov's dismissal first appeared on a Telegram channel affiliated with the Wagner Group, saying Gerasmiov dismissed him for accusing him of "disinformation and alarmism."

Hours later, the audio recording of Popovs message circulated on the Telegram channel of Andrei Gurulyov, a Duma lawmaker who previously served as deputy commander of Russias Southern Military District. Gurulyov also was a commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army, like Popov.

The identity of the voice on the recording could not be independently verified, and it was unclear when it was made. Russian military bloggers and a handful of lawmakers appeared to confirm Popov was the speaker.

Gurulyov was criticized by other Russian lawmakers, including Andrei Turchak, the deputy chairman of Russia's upper house of parliament, for releasing Popov's recording, saying it was not intended to be made public.

Still, Turchak said, Popov's "conscience is clear. The Motherland can be proud of such commanders."

Though it remains unclear if Popov's criticism was intended to be publicized, it was to be the first such complaint of its sort from a serving officer -- moreover, it comes from a top field commander.



As of July 13, neither the Defense Ministry nor top commanders had publicly commented on Popov's firing or resignation.

Popov's purported demotion came days after the death of another Russian general in Ukraine. Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov was reported dead on July 11 in the port city of Berdyansk, allegedly killed in a strike of cruise missiles fired by Ukrainian forces.

The Defense Ministry has not commented about Tsokov either, but Gurulyov appeared to confirm Tsokovs death in comments to state TV on July 11.

Tsokov, like Gurulyov before him, served as deputy commander of the Southern Military District.

A connection between Popov's resignation, or firing, and Prigozhin's mutiny last month wasn't immediately clear.

Unlike with Popovs criticism, Prigozhin had openly feuded with top commanders overseeing Russias invasion in Ukraine for months leading up to the mutiny. He had repeatedly criticized, and mocked, Gerasimov, as well as Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, in an unusually public way that suggested he had some sort of tacit approval to do so.

Putin has publicly called those soldiers who participated in the mutiny "traitors" who had inflicted a "stab in the back" of Russia. But since then, there has been little public indication of purges or remonstrations or punishment for the mutineers.

Prigozhin, for his part, has been mostly out of public view, though he was reported to have traveled to Belarus, and then later was reported to be traveling openly in Russia. The Kremlin has admitted Prigozhin attended a meeting with Putin and others, including unit commanders from Wagner, on June 29.

Surovikin, meanwhile, has not been seen nor heard from since the initial hours of the mutiny, fueling speculation that he has been arrested.

Another prominent Russian lawmaker, Andrei Kartapolov, chairman of the Duma's Armed Services Committee, was asked on July 12 if he knew where Surovikin currently was.

"He's on holiday. Out of touch," he said in a video posted on Telegram.

The Wall Street Journal, citing "people familiar with the situation," said that the Kremlin's efforts to purge military officers suspected of disloyalty included at least 13 senior officers detained for questioning, and around 15 suspended from duty or fired.

Gerasimov, who also has been out of public view since the mutiny, was shown in a video released by the Defense Ministry on July 10 attending a meeting at Southern Military District headquarters in the city of Rostov-on-Don.

When Surovikin was removed as overall commander of the Ukraine invasion in January, he was replaced by Gerasimov.

Western officials have watched the mutiny and its aftermath closely, trying to determine what effects it may have on the Ukraine war, not to mention the security of Russias nuclear arsenal.



The commander of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff said on July 13 that Russia's leadership suffered from a significant amount of "friction and confusion" since the mutiny, but it wasnt fully clear what the effect on the battlefield would be.



"At the strategic level it is pretty clear that you have a significant amount of friction and confusion," General Mark Milley told reporters while traveling in Asia.



"There's a lot of drama going on at the very senior levels. How that's all going to play out at the end of the day? I'm not so sure yet," he was quoted as saying. "I don't think we're done with it. I think there's many more chapters to be heard on that."
A number of Serbian opposition politicians and anti-war activists have called on Serbian authorities to allow Russian lawyer Pyotr Nikitin, a sharp critic of the Kremlin's war in Ukraine, entry to the Balkan nation after holding him at an airport in Belgrade despite the fact he has legal residency in the country.

Nikitin has been living since 2016 in Serbia, where he holds a permanent residence permit and is the founder of the Russian Democratic Society in Serbia, a Russian expatriate association that has grown to tens of thousands of people since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year.

The Russian Democratic Society has been organizing protests against Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and has been helping anti-war Russians come and settle in Serbia, which has historically friendly ties with Russia and has refused to join sanctions on Moscow imposed by most of Europe and Ukraine's Western allies after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.



The activist group is also providing legal assistance to Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians in Serbian courts and has been cooperating with the Serbian humanitarian organization Doves of Peace in helping Ukrainian refugees.

Nikitin, who was returning to Serbia from vacation on July 13, told RFE/RL that his passport was confiscated upon arrival and that he was forced to wait about four hours before border police handed him an official document denying him entry to the country.

"About 12:30 a.m., my passport was confiscated at the passport control and they told me to wait. I asked several times what was going on. Four hours later, they told me that they had received an order from the Security and Information Agency (BIA) to ban me from entering the country," he said.

In reaction to the news, the Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and Serbs Together Against the War group launched an online petition calling for Nikitin to be allowed entry into Serbia.



The group said in a statement that it "reasonably suspects" that the protests organized by Nikitin were "the only reason for his mistreatment."



"At the same time, this is a dangerous precedent, because starting today, any activist who is not up to the standards of the authorities in Serbia could have their human rights guaranteed by the constitution and laws taken away without explanation," the statement said.



Srdjan Milivojevic, an opposition lawmaker and member of the Committee for Human and Minority Rights in the Serbian Parliament told N1 television that he was not allowed to visit Nikitin at the airport and provide him with food and water.



Milivojevic said that Nikitin's "human and minority rights" guaranteed under Serbian law have been violated.



"I was shocked that we are really getting confirmation that the BIA has become a tool and a weapon in the hands of the authorities to advance anti-European politics," he added.



Serbia has long voiced aspirations to join the European Union. It became a candidate nation in 2012, but accession negotiations have dragged on, with Belgrades close ties to Russia growing as a sticking point.

Nikitin, who is married to a Serbian national, told RFE/RL that he also has two children who are Serbian citizens.

"I have nowhere to go. My home is here, in Serbia," he said.

"The police are not giving me any other explanation.... I will file a complaint against this, I will not move from the airport until they let me into the country, or they forcefully deport me," Nikitin said.

While he was born in Russia, he left the country in 1993 at the age of 13 to live in the Netherlands and has dual Russian and Dutch citizenship.

Nikitin has also helped organize protests in Serbia in support of jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny.

With reporting by Project Ark kovcheg.live
The Ukrainian military has received cluster munitions pledged by the United States to boost its counteroffensive against the Russian invasion, a senior army official said on July 13 after Russia launched drone and missile strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions for a third day in a row.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said one man was killed and four others were wounded in the strikes on the Ukrainian capital overnight.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.

"We just got them, we haven't used them yet," General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, the head of Ukraine's southern command, said in an interview with CNN, referring to the controversial cluster munitions. He added that Russian forces understand that this will give Ukraine an advantage and "radically change" the battlefield situation.



The United States last week said it would deliver cluster bombs to Ukraine despite concerns over the long-term risk to civilians.



Ukrainian forces will not deploy the weapon in heavily populated areas, Tarnavskiy said.



"The Russians think that we will use it on all areas of the front....This is very wrong," he said.



The news came as Germany said that additional military aid, including Leopard 2 battle tanks with ammunition and Gepard self-propelled antiaircraft guns, was on its way to Ukraine. A government statement said Germany's "security capacity building initiative" now amounts to 5.4 billion euros in 2023.



The drone and missile strikes earlier on July 13 killed at least two people, wounded several others, and caused material damage despite the success of Ukraine's air defense systems in destroying almost all incoming projectiles, regional officials and the military said.The body of the dead person was discovered by firefighters in Kyiv's Podil district, Klitschko said on Telegram, adding that two of the wounded were hospitalized. Buildings were also damaged, Klitschko said.

Serhiy Popko, the head of Kyiv's military administration, said about a dozen Iranian-made drones were shot down above the capital overnight.

Ukraine's Interior Ministry said debris from the destroyed drones fell on four districts of Kyiv.

Separately, the Ukrainian air defense said that it shot down all 20 drones that targeted Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine.

It also destroyed two Kalibr cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea and one Iskander cruise missile launched from Russian-occupied Crimea.

"We executed a successful air-defense operation," Yuriy Ihnat, an air-defense spokesman, told national television.

"Twenty Shaheds were destroyed -- all those flying were shot down."

Some of the drones and the cruise missiles were shot down above the regions of Mykolayiv and Khmelnytskiy, local authorities reported.

It was the third successive night of Russian strikes on Ukraine, which started just hours before a two-day NATO summit crucial for Kyiv opened in Vilnius, Lithuania, some 260 kilometers from Russia and 30 kilometers from Moscow ally Belarus.

On the battlefield, Ukrainian troops were involved in 35 combat actions around Bakhmut, in the eastern region of Donetsk, the General Staff reported early on July 13.

Serhiy Cherevatiy, a spokesman for Ukraine's military, said on July 12 that Ukrainian forces were moving forward at a "fairly moderate pace" in the Bakhmut area and the initiative remains with them.

It was not possible for RFE/RL to verify the reports from the battlefield.

In a separate development, Russian Major General Ivan Popov, the commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army that is currently involved in the fighting in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya region, said on July 12 that he was instantly dismissed after sending a report to Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov in which he described the abysmal situation of the Russian troops at the front.

In a voice message published by Russian lawmaker Andrei Gurulev, Popov said he outlined the problems that cause mass deaths on the battlefield. Popov said his report resulted in his being dismissed by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu "in one day."

On July 12, Russia's Defense Ministry said more than 2,000 pieces of military hardware from the private military company Wagner had been turned over following the mercenary group's short-lived mutiny last month.

The group is completing its handover of weapons, including tanks, rockets, and more than 2,500 tons of ammunition, and about 20,000 small arms, to Russia's regular armed forces, the ministry said on July 12.

The weapons have been transferred to rear positions where the equipment can be maintained or repaired, it said.

The handover follows a deal under which Wagner and its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, called off their mutiny. The Wagner fighters, who took part in some of the heaviest fighting of the war in Ukraine, were given the option of joining Prigozhin in exile in Belarus, joining Russia's regular armed forces, or going home.

Prigozhin's whereabouts is still unknown. Belarusian authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka told reporters last week that the 62-year-old mercenary chief was in Russia.

Russian state television, meanwhile, said companies associated with Prigozhin have received more than 1 billion rubles ($11.1 million) in contracts to supply food to schools and hospitals since the private mercenary group mounted a mutiny on June 24.

The largest customer was the Department of Education in the district of Mytishchi to supply meals to schools in the Moscow region in 2023-2025.

The Foreign Ministry maintains it has no reason to terminate contracts with Wagner-related firms.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service, Reuters, AFP, and AP
International humanitarian law protects civilians and civilian infrastructure, including humanitarian workers, they should never be targeted.

This is said in a statement by the UN Humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine Denise Brown on the latest attacks on humanitarian workers in Ukraine, received by the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Thursday.

It is extremely disturbing to hear that our colleagues from the Ukrainian NGO Mission Proliska came under fire yesterday in Kharkiv region, while delivering much-needed humanitarian aid to families facing the horrors of Russias invasion. The Proliska team was using a clearly marked vehicle  a humanitarian vehicle, protected under international humanitarian law, the statement reads.

As Brown noted, earlier this week, on 9 July, I once again had to condemn a strike affecting humanitarian assistance in the front-line town of Orikhiv, in Zaporizhia region. And following that tragic incident, another attack in Kherson impacted the delivery of humanitarian aid on 11 July. In each of these three unacceptable attacks, civilians have been impacted.

As humanitarians, we have one purpose: saving and protecting the people of Ukraine whose lives have been upended by Russias invasion. These attacks only highlight the challenges we are facing, exacerbated by the lack of access to support Ukrainians in areas currently under Russian control. International humanitarian law protects civilians and civilian infrastructure, including humanitarian workers. They must never be a target, the statement reads.
The Russian occupation troops fired 487 shells at Kherson region during the day, two were killed, three were wounded, said head of the Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Prokudin.

"Over the past day, the enemy has carried out 76 attacks, firing 487 shells from mortars, artillery, tanks, Grads, aviation, coaxial grenade launcher, infantry fighting vehicles and UAVs," he wrote on the Telegram channel.

He noted that the enemy fired 33 shells at Kherson.

The head of the Regional military Administration added that the Russians got into the residential quarters of the settlements of the region.

Due to the Russian aggression, two people were killed, three more were injured, the head of the Administration stressed.
BATON of Hope carrier Tony Clabby described the event as very moving to witness.

The Baton of Hope scheme is fast becoming the UKs largest ever suicide prevention initiative, with the specially designed metal item touring UK towns and cities with the aim of raising the profile of the issue.

Tony Clabby, founder of mental health club MATT  Men Actually Talking Together  carried it in Sheffield after entering his name into the draw and being chosen.

Former Healthwatch Rotherham chief executive Tony, a vice president at Rotherham Titans, said: It was so moving to see, everyone carrying the baton had been touched by suicide in one way or another.

I was proud to be representing the group and all that weve achieved in the past year.

The group welcomes men over the age of 18 to the rugby club at Clifton Lane every Tuesday at 2pm, to talk about whatever they feel the need to, or just to listen to others.

It was set up four years ago after rugby club member Mike Howard took his own life.

Since then, it has seen 80 men through its doors, helping every one of them as much as they can.

The current group consists of around ten to 12 men every week, but more are encouraged to come and talk.

Talking is free, but if you want to enjoy a cuppa and cake you must make a small donation of just 1.

The door is always open for any man who feels as though they may need it.

Pop along to MATT any Tuesday or email Tony at bigtonyc@yahoo.com for more details.

Research into suicide rates shows that men in their 40s are still the most vulnerable.

Males account for 79 per cent of suicides in Rotherham  and less than half had sought help from a GP in the months prior to their death.

White British men aged between 45 and 52 accounts for the majority of suicides nationwide.

The biggest trigger was stressful life events including relationship or child protection issues and financial problems.

Over half were also suffering from a long-term illness, while a history of alcohol abuse was more prominent than substance abuse.
FIREFIGHTERS swapped the station for the swimming pool to complete a loop of South Yorkshire in the water.'

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue staff swam the equivalent of the perimeter of South Yorkshire to raise money for charities.

Employees ranging from frontline firefighters to corporate workers swam a total of 170 miles in support of the challenge in the last week of May.

The original goal was to raise 1,000 for The Fire Fighters Charity and The Royal Life Saving Society but they smashed their target, making over 1,400, with more still to come in.

The Royal Life Saving Society has made it their mission to decrease lives lost due to drowning and aim to educate everyone on how to enjoy the water safely.

The Fire Fighters Charity supports fire fighters all over the country as well as their families, including those who have retired.

Chief fire officer Chris Kirby praised all that took part in the fundraiser as well as the overwhelming amounts of donations, adding: Every life lost is one too many.

"Thats why we decided to support the Royal Life Saving Society and the work they do in helping people learn how to swim and enjoy the water safely.

Im delighted that we are also supporting the Fire Fighters Charity, who do such amazing work for firefighters and their families across the UK.

The Royal Life Saving Society supports those who may fall victim to drowning, as well as those who are there to prevent that from happening.
Chandigarh

Chandigarh Administration Allots Land, Fuelling Debate over Punjab's Authority

CHANDIGARH: In a decision that has triggered controversy and intensified the ongoing tussle between Punjab and Haryana, the Chandigarh administration has allocated 10 acres of land to Haryana for the construction of a separate Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) building. The move comes in exchange for 12 acres of land owned by Haryana near the Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park.

Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner, Vinay Pratap Singh, announced the land exchange decision following a recent meeting with Haryana government officials. The officials have been requested to provide the non-encumbrance certificate and demarcation report for the 12 acres within a two-week timeframe.

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This development comes exactly a year after Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during the 30th meeting of the North Zonal Council in Jaipur, declared the allotment of land for the Haryana Legislative Assembly in Chandigarh. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has been advocating for the state's rights in the current shared assembly in Chandigarh, especially in light of the anticipated increase in the number of assembly seats after the 2026 delimitation exercise.

While the exact outcome of the delimitation exercise remains uncertain, Haryana, like several other states experiencing population growth, is expected to witness an increase in assembly constituencies from the current 90 to 126, and Lok Sabha constituencies from 10 to 16.

The decision to allocate land for an additional assembly complex in Chandigarh, the joint capital of both states since Haryana's separation from Punjab in 1966, has become a significant political point of contention. Punjab has been opposing Haryana's demand for additional land, citing Chandigarh's status as the common capital of both states.

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Punjab views any concessions to Haryana in Chandigarh as a dilution of its authority over the union territory. Haryana, on the other hand, has clarified that the construction of a separate Vidhan Sabha building does not imply relinquishing its rightful share in the existing Vidhan Sabha building, which currently houses both the Haryana and Punjab Vidhan Sabhas.
The Russian occupiers have begun forcibly deporting residents of Henychesk district of Kherson region controlled by them who have not received Russian citizenship to the territory of the Russian Federation, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on its Facebook page on Thursday.

"The Russian occupiers continue to use the practice of artificial resettlement and forced assimilation of Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. So, in Henychesk district of Kherson region, the occupiers began the forced eviction to Russia of Ukrainian citizens who have not yet received or refused to receive Russian citizenship, including families with children and the elderly. Their places of residence are occupied by the invaders, as a rule, by representatives of state minorities from low-income segments of the Russian population," the report says.
C&C Group Plc (CCR.L), an Irish alcoholic drinks company, said on Thursday that it has recorded an encouraging performance for the four-month period to June 30.

The company also intends to reinstate a dividend of 3.79 cents per share for full year 2023.

For the four-month period, the branded of the drinks maker registered a net sales revenue growth of up 10 percent, from last year.



Net sales revenue from core brands including Tennent's and Bulmers were up 9 percent in the same period.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
A report released by the Labor Department on Thursday unexpectedly showed a modest decrease in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ended July 8th.

The Labor Department said initial jobless claims slipped to 237,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's revised level of 249,000.

The dip surprised economists, who had expected jobless claims to inch up to 250,000 from the 248,000 originally reported for the previous week.

The report said the less volatile four-week moving average also edged down to 246,750, a decrease of 6,750 from the previous week's revised average of 253,500.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Elon Musk, the visionary CEO of Tesla (TSLA) and SpaceX, as well as the owner of Twitter, has made a significant announcement on Wednesday, revealing the establishment of a new artificial intelligence or AI company called xAI.

The primary objective of xAI, as stated on the company's website, is to delve into the profound nature of the universe. Musk and his team plan to share further insights during a live Twitter Spaces chat scheduled for Friday.

The formidable team behind xAI consists of accomplished professionals who have previously worked at esteemed organizations such as DeepMind, OpenAI, Google Research, Microsoft Research, Twitter, and Tesla. These talented individuals have contributed to groundbreaking projects, including DeepMind's AlphaCode and OpenAI's highly advanced GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 chatbots. Musk appears to be positioning xAI as a potential competitor to established entities like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, which are known for pioneering chatbot technologies such as ChatGPT, Bard, and Claude.

Reports regarding the formation of the startup initially surfaced in April through the Financial Times, which also indicated that Musk had secured a substantial number of graphics processing units from Nvidia. This acquisition was expected to provide the necessary computational power to drive a potential large-scale language model. In the same month, Musk divulged details about his plans for a new AI tool called "TruthGPT" during a televised interview on the Fox News Channel. He expressed concerns that existing AI companies prioritize systems that are "politically correct."

One of the notable advisors to the xAI team will be Dan Hendrycks, the executive director of the Center for AI Safety, a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco. In May, the Center published a letter signed by prominent tech leaders emphasizing the importance of mitigating the risks associated with AI, which should be treated as a global priority comparable to challenges like pandemics and nuclear warfare.

However, the letter received criticism from certain academics and ethicists who argued that excessive focus on AI's potential future threats detracts from addressing the real-life harms caused by certain algorithms to marginalized communities in the present, rather than an unspecified future.

Greg Yang, co-founder of xAI, shared insights into the startup's core focus, explaining that it will delve into the intricacies of the "mathematics of deep learning," a crucial aspect of AI. The aim is to develop the "theory of everything" for large neural networks, ultimately propelling AI to new frontiers.

Reports indicate that Musk incorporated xAI in Nevada in March. Previously, he altered the name of Twitter to "X Corp." in specific financial filings. However, xAI's website clarifies that the company is separate from X Corp., while also noting that it will collaborate closely with X (Twitter), Tesla, and other organizations to advance their shared mission.

As Musk ventures into yet another groundbreaking endeavor, the launch of xAI promises to shed light on the mysteries of the universe through cutting-edge AI technologies and mathematical breakthroughs.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
After failed negotiations from last year, new report reveals that Tesla India factory could soon be a reality

Tesla is in talks with the Indian Government to set up a manufacturing facility here. A recent report mentions that Tesla is highly likely to set up a plant here instead of just importing vehicles for sale.

Last year, Tesla intended to get special incentives in import taxes from the Indian Government. This was to import Tesla cars to India from abroad, most likely from their nearest manufacturing plant in China.

Tesla India Factory  Could be a reality soon!

Now Tesla not only intends to manufacture vehicles in India, but to make its Indian plant a global export hub. The narrative from last year and now, seems to be the result of a high-level meeting between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the USA, last month.

After this meet, Elon Musk expressed that Narendra Modi is pushing the company to invest heavily in India. He clarified that Tesla intends to invest in India and was figuring out the timing. He assured that Tesla would be operational in India as soon as humanly possible.

Because Teslas newest plans are aligned with the Make In India initiative, we could see Made In India Tesla vehicles exported to multiple markets. Reports mention a potential production capacity of 5 lakh units per annum with starting prices from as low as Rs. 20 lakh (probably ex-sh).

What to expect?

If we look at Teslas current portfolio, which include Model S, 3, X and Y, there are no vehicles at the Rs. 20 lakh price point. Their most affordable currently, is Model 3 which starts from USD 40,240 which roughly translates to INR 33 lakh with todays conversion rates. Tesla is working on launching a smaller electric car, which will sit below the Model 3.

It is likely that India will get this car. So, if the Rs. 20 lakh price point turns out to be a reality, we could be looking at an India-specific vehicle that will be the companys most affordable. This could be a new milestone for Tesla and could benefit the brand in other ASEAN countries too. To get its maiden vehicle at this price point, Tesla could heavily invest in local battery manufacturing as well.

Indias charging infra could see a huge boost if Tesla intends to invest in its Supercharger network too. All in all, India is climbing up the ranks and becoming a global automotive hub.

Source
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Wednesday that Iran is responsible for the foiled plot to attack the Israeli embassy in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing The Times of Israel.

Tehran is behind the attack, Cohen said in a statement during an official visit to Serbia.

Iranian terrorism is a global threat, as we have seen in the past few days in Azerbaijan in an attempt to attack the Israeli embassy in Baku, and in recent months in Cyprus and Greece in attempts to attack Israelis and Jews, Cohen said. , adding that Iran financed and gave instructions to the terrorist cell that attempted the attack.

Cohen called on the international community to unite to counter Iran's terrorist activities.

The State Security Service (SSS) of Azerbaijan earlier reported on the detention of a foreign citizen who was planning a terrorist attack in the country.

The investigation established that Fauzan Mosa Khan, a citizen of Afghanistan (1990 terrorist act, accompanied by an explosion, fire, or other similar events, resulting in the death of people, causing harm to their health and property, as well as the emergence of other dangerous situations, the State Security Service said in a statement.

It became known that the specified foreigner arrived in Azerbaijan from a foreign state to commit the specified criminal acts and during his stay in Baku, examined the building of the embassy of a third state in order to determine the coordinates of the territory for the preparation of a terrorist act, identify persons who may be involved in a terrorist act, acquired firearm weapons and explosives, contacted others and agreed to receive financial support for these purposes.

Fauzan Mosa Khan was detained and a criminal case was initiated against him by the Main Investigation Department of the State Security Service under Articles 28, 214.2.1 and 28, 214.2.3 (preparation to commit terrorist acts using firearms and objects used as weapons in the case of a group of persons, colluded) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

In a recent speech at a weekly press conference in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said that he gives very serious guarantees for the security of the Azerbaijani embassy.

Minister said that Foreign Minister Huseyin Amir Abdullahian held fruitful meetings with his Azerbaijani counterpart and President Ilham Aliyev in Baku.

"There is a positive dynamic in Iran-Azerbaijan relations. Iran understands its obligations regarding the security of the diplomatic corps and acts responsibly. The Azerbaijani embassy will be protected as much as possible and we hope that we will see the opening of the embassy in the near future" Nasser Kanaani said.

At present, the State Security Service is carrying out comprehensive investigative and operational, and international legal procedural measures to fully establish the circle of persons who planned the terrorist act.
On Monday, July 17, at 12.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a discussion titled "Dynamic changes in external and internal political situations for Ukraine." Participants include political expert Kostiantyn Matviyenko; Director of the Ukrainian barometer sociological service Viktor Nebozhenko; political scientist, co-founder of the National Platform for Sustainability and Cohesion Oleh Sahakyan (8/5a Reitarska Street). The event will be streamed on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot.
Theres a lot more that goes into building a hospital than the bricks and beamsand in California, it just costs more
The existing problem of untimely receipt of educational subvention funds by Ukrainian manufacturers for delivered school buses can lead to a disruption in the implementation of the program, says Natalia Bachurna, the sales director of Chernihiv Bus Plant.

"Tenders for the purchase of school buses are held for the entire amount of the subvention (state budget and local budgets), but we do not receive funds immediately. That is, we held a tender in June, and the funds are received in parts in June, July, and August and beyond. It turns out that the customer solves the problem and wants to get buses before September 1, so as not to disrupt the program, and the manufacturer bears the financial burden," she said at a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine agency in Kyiv on Thursday.

According to her, for Chernihiv Bus Plant, which suffered from shelling last year and is recovering at its own expense (and the production of buses requires a lot of working capital), timely payments for school buses are "a matter of life and death."

"We can resume production without the help of the state, pay taxes, bear the social burden, but only on condition of timely settlements with us - we cannot freeze funds for such a long period. If this does not happen, the issue is serious, since the school program opened very late, and we will not be able to fulfill it - we simply run out of funds, and we will not accept requests for school buses, and then someone will be without fulfilling orders," Bachurna explains.

She recalled that in Ukraine today, buses in the "school" modification are produced by two more manufacturers (with which they are also not paid on time), but they will not be able to "pull out" the program.

"And as a result, the manufacturer will be to blame," the sales director summed up.

According to director of Etalon Auto Trading House Vadym Shkarupin, today the debt to the enterprise under contracts is about UAH 80 million.

Bachurna recalled that the "school bus" program in 2023 actually started working in June, but in the first half of the year the plant did not produce buses, taking into account the inexpediency of working "for the warehouse" - both from a financial point of view and because of the risks of possible shelling and damage.
Etalon Corporation will supply 43 school buses to Kyiv region for UAH 127.7 mln, 28 to Odesa region for UAH 82.5 mln

Etalon Auto Trading House will supply Kyiv Regional State Administration with 43 school buses manufactured by Chernihiv Bus Plant for UAH 127.71 million by the beginning of the academic year, with the expected purchase amount of UAH 127.839 million.

According to information in ProZorro, the corresponding agreement was signed by the parties on July 12 following the results of the procurement carried out by Kyiv Regional State Administration under the procedure for requesting a price offer (in ProZorro Market), announced on June 28.

The second participant in the procedure was the dealer of the plant Cherkasy Bus with an offer of Ataman buses for the expected price (UAH 127.839 million).

In addition, on July 10, Etalon Auto Trade House signed a contract for the supply of 28 school buses to Odesa Regional State Administration for UAH 82.46 million (the expected purchase amount is UAH 82.6 million). The second participant offered ZAZ buses for UAH 82.6 million.

Etalon Corporation includes 21 enterprises. The main directions are the production of auto and electric vehicles, mechanical engineering, and warehouse logistics.

Earlier, the corporation assumed that the educational subvention for 2023 for the purchase of school buses, despite an increase by almost a third - from UAH 753 million to UAH 1 billion  would make it possible to approximately purchase 450-500 buses, i.e. the same as in 2022, taking into account the increase in bus prices.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has arrived in Azerbaijan, the country's ambassador George Deek wrote on his Twitter page, Trend reports.

As it was noted earlier, the purpose of the visit is to enhance the strategic relations between the two countries, reinforce political cooperation, and expand security and technological ties.

During his meetings, the defense minister is expected to engage in discussions with his counterparts regarding the ways to bolster regional stability.

Over the past three decades, Azerbaijan and Israel have developed a strong and amicable interstate relationship, which has grown into a strategic alliance. In addition to defense, the two countries have expanded their partnership to encompass sectors such as energy, creating a resilient and diverse collaboration.

Economic indicators demonstrate a remarkable increase in trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Israel, with the turnover reaching an impressive $1.7 billion. It is also important to note that Azerbaijan has consistently been a reliable supplier of crude oil to Israel, accounting for 40 percent of Israel's total oil imports.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Skeletal disease may hamper the behavior of large predators both living and extinct. In new research, paleontologists from Evidensia Academy and the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum investigated the prevalence of osteochondrosis dissecans, a developmental bone disease affecting the joints, in two Ice Age predators: the saber-toothed cat (Smilodon fatalis) and the dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus, formerly Canis dirus). All fossilized specimens came from the Rancho La Brea fossil locality in Los Angeles, California, the United States.

Osteochondrosis is an orthopedic disease caused by a failure of the endochondral ossification in the epiphyseal plate and joint cartilage in a variety of species ranging from horses to humans.

It is associated with the complex of developmental orthopedic pathologies, causing lameness in advanced cases.

One manifestation of osteochondrosis is osteochondrosis dissecans, which is considered in the failure of cellular differentiation in growing cartilage, leading to its thickening or retention.

While developmental skeletal diseases like osteochondrosis are well documented as markers of health in domestic animals, fewer studies have examined the extent to which they affect wild animals, even in captivity, said Evidensia Academy researcher Hugo Schmokel and his colleagues.

Radiographic examination of living wild animals is costly; and, to our knowledge, only a few institutions house wildlife skeletal postcranial collections large enough to permit reconstructing the prevalence of osteochondrosis or other developmental skeletal disorders in a population.

However, developmental skeletal diseases have been suggested to impact Smilodon fatalis, at least 2,000 individuals of which are preserved together with at least 4,000 individuals of Aenocyon dirus at the Rancho La Brea asphalt seeps in Los Angeles, California.

In the new study, Dr. Schmokel and co-authors examined over 1,000 limb bones of Smilodon fatalis and over 500 limb bones of Aenocyon dirus from La Brea Tar Pits, finding small defects in many bones consistent with osteochondrosis dissecans.

These defects were mainly seen in shoulder and knee joints, with an incidence as high as 7% of the examined bones, significantly higher than that observed in modern species.

The study is limited to isolated bones from a single fossil locality, so further study on other fossil sites might reveal patterns in the prevalence of this disease, and from there might shed light on aspects of these animals lives.

It remains unclear, for example, whether these joint problems would have hindered the hunting abilities of these predators.

Furthermore, osteochondrosis dissecans is commonly seen in modern domestic dogs which are highly inbred, so its possible that the high incidence of the disease in these fossil animals could be a sign of dwindling populations as these ancient species approached extinction.

This study adds to the growing literature on Smilodon fatalis and Aenocyon dirus paleopathology, made possible by the unparalleled large sample sizes at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, the authors said.

We confirm that these animals, though they were large predators that lived through tough times and are now extinct, shared common ailments with the cats and dogs in our very homes today.

The results appear online in the journal PLoS ONE.

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H. Schmokel et al. 2023. Subchondral defects resembling osteochondrosis dissecans in joint surfaces of the extinct saber-toothed cat Smilodon fatalis and dire wolf Aenocyon dirus. PLoS ONE 18 (7): e0287656; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287656
Recent research, published in the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, used the database to reveal that orchids show remarkable diversity of highly specialised pollination strategies that differ across global regions.

The recently published database contains over 2900 orchid species, detailing information on the identity of their pollinators and how they attract them. Importantly, the database reveals patterns of reproductive biology by habitat, geography and taxonomy.

"From these data, we identify general patterns and knowledge gaps limiting our understanding of orchid biology at the global level," Dr Phillips said.

Charles Darwin used orchids to study evolution, believing their elaborate flower was an adaptation to enhance the probability of transferring pollen between plants -- thereby increasing their offspring's fitness.

"Because of the unusual floral traits and often unconventional pollination attraction strategies, orchids have been at the forefront of understanding floral adaptations to pollinators," Dr Phillips said.

Indeed, Darwin famously predicted that the Madagascan orchid Angraecum sesquipedale -- with its 40 cm long nectar spur -- would be pollinated by a moth with an equally long and outlandish proboscis.

Using the new database, the research paper, led by Dr James Ackerman from the University of Puerto Rico, found that over 75% of orchid species are dependent on pollinators for reproduction. Interestingly, almost half of the orchids studied did not provide any kind of reward for visiting animals -- instead they used deceit to attract pollinators.

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Orchids tended to be specialised on just one main pollinator species -- be they living in the rainforests of Costa Rica or the montane grasslands of South Africa -- but this trend was even stronger for those using deception.

Study co-author, Dr Noushka Reiter, said that "specialising on one pollinator species leaves many orchids particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic threats including climate change. With the loss of pollinators we would also loose these pollinator dependent orchid species."

The pollination strategies developed by orchids reads like a crime thriller -- indeed, Australia is the world epicentre of pollination by sexual mimicry, where a host of different insect groups -- from wasps to bees to gnats -- are duped by this elaborate rouse.

In South Africa, orchids mimic carrion, on Reunion Island they mimic rainforest fruits and in Brazil they mimic the smell of aphids -- all in the aim of deceiving pollinators.

More romantically, in the American tropics, 100s of orchid species provide fragrance to certain bees, which collect them and incorporate them into their courtship bouquet.

Science fiction?

In Australia, there is even a sexually deceptive orchid known as Caladenia barbarella -- which means little beard in Latin (in reference to the flower) but also refers to the comic book character of the same name who was infamous for her sexual exploits.

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Dr Phillips said that a surprising finding of the database was that "a hallmark of the orchid family is the high proportion of species that employ deceit to attract pollinators by exploiting the sensory abilities of pollinators via chemical, visual or tactile stimuli, generally in combination," he said.

Orchids exhibit two major forms of deceit. The first involves food deception, whereby the orchid may look or smell like a type of food to attract a pollinator. The second form of deceitful pollination is sexual deception, where male pollinators are enticed to visit flowers that provide visual, tactile and/or olfactory signals that are indicative of a female insect.

"The floral signals can be so persuasive that insects attempt copulation and may even ejaculate," Dr Phillips said.

"I've even had the wasps fly in through the car window at the traffic lights and start making love to the orchids specimens on the front seat."

Far from being a freak occurrence, this strategy is now known from 20 genera around the world, including 100s of orchid species.

To date a third means of deception, known as brood-site deception, which typically involves mimicry of larval food such as mushrooms, dung, carrion to attract female flies looking for a food source on which to lay eggs -- was considered more common in some other families of flowering plants and rarely seen in orchids.

According to the database:

* In terms of scientific study, Australasia and Africa have 15 and 20% coverage of their orchid diversity, respectively, whereas orchid floras of Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia and South America are much under-represented

* Approximately 76% of orchid species are entirely dependent on pollinators for reproduction.

* Highly specialised pollination systems are frequent, with approximately 55% of orchids studied having just a single known pollinator species.

* 54% of orchid species offer pollinator rewards, and about half of those (51%) produce nectar. Orchids that are pollinated by insect collecting floral fragrances, account for 24% of the rewarding species, whereas those that produce floral oils account for c. 15%. The remaining 10% comprises species that offer trichomes (food hairs, pseudopollen), resins, pollen or sleep sites.

* Deception, including food, brood-site and sexual deception, was recorded in 46% of the species in the database. Food deception was the most frequently recorded means of deception accounting for 60% of deceptive species. Sexual deception accounted for 38% of the records for pollination by deceit and is present in 20 orchid genera.

* Wasps and bees are the group that make up the most common type of pollinator with flies and mosquitoes coming in a close second

The authors caution that there is much data collecting yet to be done.

"Despite containing over 2900 species, our database covers less than 10% of the family. While they are centres of orchid diversity, the tropical regions of Africa, Southern America and Asia, are significantly under-represented in orchid pollination studies, especially among epiphytic orchids," Dr Phillips said.

"The study of orchid pollination provides tremendous opportunity to discover new and bizarre pollination strategies, and to understand the adaptations that flowering plants to attract pollinators. While the tropics is the big unknown in orchid biology, many of best-known Australian orchids have not been studied in detail.

"Aside from scientific interest, this has important practical implications for conservation, given that many orchid species are reliant on one primary pollinator species for their persistence," Dr Phillips said.
Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that causes organ damage and death, affected more than 250 million people worldwide in 2021, according to the World Health Organization.

One of the world's most burdensome neglected tropical diseases, schistosomiasis occurs when worms are transmitted from freshwater snails to humans. The snails thrive in water with plants and algae that proliferate in areas of agricultural runoff containing fertilizer. People become infected during routine activities in infested water.

Researchers from the University of Notre Dame, in a study recently published in Nature, found that removing invasive vegetation at water access points in and around several Senegalese villages reduced rates of schistosomiasis by almost a third. As a bonus, the removed vegetation can also be used for compost and livestock feed.

"Disease, food, energy, water, sustainability and poverty challenges intersect in many ways, but are typically addressed independently," said lead author Jason Rohr, the Ludmilla F., Stephen J. and Robert T. Galla College Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Notre Dame. "We sought to break down these silos and identify win-win solutions, while demonstrating their cost effectiveness so that residents would hopefully adopt them widely."

Rohr and his team spent seven years on the project, with research conducted in 23 villages and clinical trials in 16. They found that villages with substantial fertilizer use had more submerged vegetation. These villages had more snails and a higher prevalence of schistosomiasis infection in children, said Rohr, who is affiliated with the Notre Dame Environmental Change Initiative and the Eck Institute for Global Health.

Researchers hypothesized that removing vegetation could reduce infections while providing greater access to the open water that is crucial for daily activities and recreation. So, they conducted a three-year randomized controlled trial in 16 communities, where children were treated for their infections and the researchers removed more than 400 metric tons of vegetation in water access points from half the villages. These removals resulted in a decline in snail abundance as well as schistosomiasis infection rates being nearly a third lower than those observed in control villages.

Rohr's team also tried to profitably improve food production by partly closing the nutrient loop, returning nutrients captured in the removed plants back to agriculture. So, they worked with local farmers to compost the vegetation for use on pepper and onion plants, increasing their yields, and demonstrated that the vegetation could be effectively used as cattle, sheep and donkey feed. Alexandra "Lexi" Sack, who worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Rohr's lab from 2021 to 2023, assisted Senegal's in-country team with the care and design of the sheep-feeding trials, and performed much of the analysis of the vegetation removal results.

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"This is important work because it encompasses many different disciplines by combining schistosomiasis prevention and food security," Sack said. "Often these interventions are separate when the neglected tropical diseases, which includes schistosomiasis, are contributing both to and resulting from poverty."

With the expertise of co-authors Christopher B. Barrett, an economist at Cornell University, and Molly Doruska, a doctoral student also at Cornell, the research team demonstrated that the benefits of removing the vegetation and using it in agriculture were nearly nine times higher than the costs.

"We took this public nuisance, which is reducing health, and converted it into a private good that improves income," Rohr said.

The team was also able to illustrate how to scale the project using artificial intelligence and satellite imagery to identify snail habitat and thus hotspots for schistosomiasis, which will allow them to target their intervention training to areas that need it the most.

Villagers helped with removing vegetation once they understood the public health benefits of the intervention, but in the long run, relying on voluntary labor may not be as effective as the researchers removing the vegetation.

"In the next steps, sociologists and economists on the project will quantify how the innovation affects quality of life and whether it is biased based on wealth, gender and/or age," Rohr said.

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The team will also investigate how biodigesters might be implemented to turn the aquatic vegetation into fertilizer and gas that can be used for cooking or to fuel generators for electricity production. Rohr said they hope to leverage investments by the Swiss government, which has committed to installing 60,000 biodigesters in Senegal for carbon credits.

The ongoing research could not be accomplished without all of the partners who contributed, especially the Senegalese citizens, Rohr said.

Christopher Haggerty, a postdoctoral student at Notre Dame during the study, contributed to this research. A complete list of co-authors can be found on the paper at Nature.

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute and a Stanford seed grant.
For the first time, researchers have developed a model to estimate how much energy the original colonizers of New Zealand expended to maintain their body temperatures on the cold, harrowing ocean journey from Southeast Asia.

Results showed that people making the first voyages from Tahiti to New Zealand in sailing canoes would expend 3.3 to 4.8 times more energy on thermoregulation -- the technical term for maintaining body temperature -- than those making a trip of similar length to Hawaii.

The ocean route to New Zealand required much more energy for thermoregulation because it went through harsher and colder conditions than the one to Hawaii, said Alvaro Montenegro, lead author of the study and associate professor of geography at The Ohio State University.

The findings help provide additional evidence supporting the long-standing theory of why Polynesians of today have a distinctive body type -- relatively larger, heavier, bulkier -- that is more often found in populations that live in higher latitudes with colder climates.

"It has been long hypothesized that the first trips to New Zealand were much harder on the body of settlers than trips of similar lengths to places like Hawaii," Montenegro said.

"We were able to put together a model to actually measure how much more energy for thermoregulation it would take for people to get there -- and show why larger, heavier people would have been more likely to survive the trip. That's one reason why their descendants today may have the body types they do."

The study was published today (July 12, 2023) in the journal PLOS ONE.

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Although much of East Polynesia is tropical, the southern third, including New Zealand, ranges from a warm- to cool-temperate climate. Researchers say that may be one of the reasons it was one of the last places on Earth to become inhabited. The first people arrived in New Zealand about the 14th century.

"The basic question is how difficult would it be on human physiology to sail out of the tropics on these long-distance colonizing voyages through much harsher environmental conditions than they were used to?" Montenegro said.

Researchers believe that these original settlers used double-hulled sailing canoes that probably each had at most a few dozen voyagers on board.

Montenegro and colleagues had previously developed a voyage simulation model that estimates how far these boats would travel each day based on winds and currents. In this study, the researchers used that model combined with likely environmental conditions that voyagers would encounter, including air temperatures and wind.

To evaluate how body size would affect energy use for thermoregulation on these voyages, the researchers used female and male bodies of three different types. One body type resembled Polynesians of today, a second one was of a higher weight, and the third type had higher body weight and additional subcutaneous fat layer thickness.

The researchers estimated how much energy it would take travelers to maintain their body temperature sailing from Tahiti to New Zealand and compared that to travelers going to Hawaii, which they estimated would take about 23 days, similar to the 25-day trip to New Zealand.

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The model the researchers used did not account for energy used by physical activity, which of course would be an additional need for the voyagers.

Results showed that the trip to New Zealand would take significantly more energy than the trip to Hawaii, Montenegro said.

Based on a summer trip (which would require less energy than a winter trip), each traveler to New Zealand would require an average of an extra 965 calories a day compared to those going to Hawaii to maintain their body temperature.

If this deficit was completely made up by burning fat, those going to New Zealand would lose an average of an extra 5.9 pounds at the end of a 25-day trip. If the difference was compensated just by use of muscle mass, the whole trip extra weight loss would be about 13.3 pounds.

Model calculations showed that travelers with a larger body size experienced lower heat loss, and so had an energy advantage compared to those of smaller body sizes. The advantage was greater for females.

"The trip would be difficult under any circumstances, but our results showed that people of larger body size would have had an advantage under the harsh conditions they faced," Montenegro said.

These findings line up with the larger bodies of Polynesian populations today, including the fact that females are about 31% heavier, and males 24% heavier, than populations to their west.

"Our analysis can't definitively prove that the size differences we see in Polynesia today are the result of larger people being more likely to survive the original trips and colonizing the region, but it certainly is consistent with that fact," he said.

Other authors on the study were Alexandra Niclou of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center and University of Notre Dame; Atholl Anderson of Australian National University and University of Canterbury; Scott Fitzpatrick of the University of Oregon; and Cara Ocobock of the University of Notre Dame.
Between 6.4 and 5.8 million years ago, most of the land bridge that connects North and South America had already emerged and the channels connecting both Pacific and Atlantic oceans were shallow. Recent fossil discoveries in the northern Panama Canal area suggest that marine species interchange persisted across these shallow waters during the final stages of formation of the isthmus.

In 2017 and 2019, Aldo Benites-Palomino was studying fossils collected in Caribbean Panama, when he came across some unexpected specimens. He was a biology student in Peru, where his training had been very classical. As an intern and later a fellow at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), his mindset shifted. His mentor, STRI staff scientist and paleobiologist Carlos Jaramillo, encouraged his students to change their focus when looking at fossils: instead of thinking about specimens or methods, to think about the questions that the fossils could help answer.

"I wanted to go to STRI because it is the most important tropical biology center in the world," said Benites-Palomino. "There I was able to learn a lot about the way biology and ecology is done in the modern world."

The fossil remains belonged to small-sized cetaceans, a group of aquatic mammals that includes whales and dolphins, and the specimens were new for the region. Most of them had been collected by Carlos de Gracia from STRI and Jorge Velez Juarbe from the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History, both co-authors in a new paper published in Biology Letters. In the article, Benites-Palomino and his colleagues go beyond describing the specimens, they also unearth the story they reveal about the isthmus' deep past.

The fossils belonged to the Late Miocene, around 6.4 to 5.8 million years ago, when the final stages of formation of the isthmus had already started. This event affected oceanic waters and marine currents across the globe and triggered speciation events, where species separated by the land bridge developed their own unique characteristics on either ocean.

However, these cetaceans found in Caribbean Panama shared similarities with other Late Miocene species from the North and South Pacific Ocean, particularly the Pisco Formation in Peru, suggesting that some organisms were still able to disperse via the shallowing seaway at a time when deep water interchange between both oceans was no longer occurring.

The lack of fossil marine mammals from the western Caribbean has thus far hampered understanding of the region's deep past, so these new findings help strengthen current knowledge regarding the connectivity between the Pacific and Caribbean marine faunas during the final phases of formation of the isthmus.

"The marine vertebrate fossil record of Panama has been barely explored," said Carlos Jaramillo, STRI staff scientist and co-author of the study. "There are still many specimens that need to be studied and many more still in the rocks waiting to be found."
Many scholars, analysts, and other observers have suggested that resistance to innovation is an Achilles' heel of authoritarian regimes. Such governments can fail to keep up with technological changes that help their opponents; they may also, by stifling rights, inhibit innovative economic activity and weaken the long-term condition of the country.

But a new study co-led by an MIT professor suggests something quite different. In China, the research finds, the government has increasingly deployed AI-driven facial-recognition technology to suppress dissent; has been successful at limiting protest; and in the process, has spurred the development of better AI-based facial-recognition tools and other forms of software.

"What we found is that in regions of China where there is more unrest, that leads to greater government procurement of facial-recognition AI, subsequently, by local government units such as municipal police departments," says MIT economist Martin Beraja, who is co-author of a new paper detailing the findings.

What follows, as the paper notes, is that "AI innovation entrenches the regime, and the regime's investment in AI for political control stimulates further frontier innovation."

The scholars call this state of affairs an "AI-tocracy," describing the connected cycle in which increased deployment of the AI-driven technology quells dissent while also boosting the country's innovation capacity.

The open-access paper, also called "AI-tocracy," appears in the August issue of the Quarterly Journal of Economics. An abstract of the uncorrected proof was first posted online in March. The co-authors are Beraja, who is the Pentti Kouri Career Development Associate Professor of Economics at MIT; Andrew Kao, a doctoral candidate in economics at Harvard University; David Yang, a professor of economics at Harvard; and Noam Yuchtman, a professor of management at the London School of Economics.

To conduct the study, the scholars drew on multiple kinds of evidence spanning much of the last decade. To catalogue instances of political unrest in China, they used data from the Global Database of Events, Language, and Tone (GDELT) Project, which records news feeds globally. The team turned up 9,267 incidents of unrest between 2014 and 2020.

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The researchers then examined records of almost 3 million procurementcontracts issued by the Chinese government between 2013 and 2019, from a database maintained by China's Ministry of Finance. They found that local governments' procurement of facial-recognition AI services and complementary public security tools -- high-resolution video cameras -- jumped significantly in the quarter following an episode of public unrest in that area.

Given that Chinese government officials were clearly responding to public dissent activities by ramping up on facial-recognition technology, the researchers then examined a follow-up question: Did this approach work to suppress dissent?

The scholars believe that it did, although as they note in the paper, they "cannot directly estimate the effect" of the technology on political unrest. But as one way of getting at that question, they studied the relationship between weather and political unrest in different areas of China. Certain weather conditions are conducive to political unrest. But in prefectures in China that had already invested heavily in facial-recognition technology, such weather conditions are less conducive to unrest compared to prefectures that had not made the same investments.

In so doing, the researchers also accounted for issues such as whether or not greater relative wealth levels in some areas might have produced larger investments in AI-driven technologies regardless of protest patterns. However, the scholars still reached the same conclusion: Facial-recognition technology was being deployed in response to past protests, and then reducing further protest levels.

"It suggests that the technology is effective in chilling unrest," Beraja says.

Finally, the research team studied the effects of increased AI demand on China's technology sector and found the government's greater use of facial-recognition tools appears to be driving the country's tech sector forward. For instance, firms that are granted procurement contracts for facial-recognition technologies subsequently produce about 49 percent more software products in the two years after gaining the government contract than they had beforehand.

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"We examine if this leads to greater innovation by facial-recognition AI firms, and indeed it does," Beraja says.

Such data -- from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology -- also indicates that AI-driven tools are not necessarily "crowding out" other kinds of high-tech innovation.

Adding it all up, the case of China indicates how autocratic governments can potentially reach a near-equilibrium state in which their political power is enhanced, rather than upended, when they harness technological advances.

"In this age of AI, when the technologies not only generate growth but are also technologies of repression, they can be very useful" to authoritarian regimes, Beraja says.

The finding also bears on larger questions about forms of government and economic growth. A significant body of scholarly research shows that rights-granting democratic institutions do generate greater economic growth over time, in part by creating better conditions for technological innovation. Beraja notes that the current study does not contradict those earlier findings, but in examining the effects of AI in use, it does identify one avenue through which authoritarian governments can generate more growth than they otherwise would have.

"This may lead to cases where more autocratic institutions develop side by side with growth," Beraja adds.

Other experts in the societal applications of AI say the paper makes a valuable contribution to the field.

"This is an excellent and important paper that improves our understanding of the interaction between technology, economic success, and political power," says Avi Goldfarb, the Rotman Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare and a professor of marketing at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. "The paper documents a positive feedback loop between the use of AI facial-recognition technology to monitor suppress local unrest in China and the development and training of AI models. This paper is pioneering research in AI and political economy. As AI diffuses, I expect this research area to grow in importance."

For their part, the scholars are continuing to work on related aspects of this issue. One forthcoming paper of theirs examines the extent to which China is exporting advanced facial-recognition technologies around the world -- highlighting a mechanism through which government repression could grow globally.

Support for the research was provided in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program; the Harvard Data Science Initiative; and the British Academy's Global Professorships program.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic, Trend reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I sincerely congratulate you and all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of Montenegro, and extend my best wishes.

We are pleased with the development dynamics of Azerbaijan-Montenegro intergovernmental relations. Today, there are good opportunities for the further expansion of relations between our countries in a number of areas, especially cooperation in the fields of energy and transport.

I believe that we will continue joint efforts to strengthen our traditionally friendly ties and fully benefit from the potential of our cooperation of mutual interest.

On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health, success in your endeavors, and the friendly people of Montenegro everlasting peace and prosperity," the letter said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received Minister of Defense of the State of Israel Yoav Gallant, Trend reports.

Yoav Gallant conveyed Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu`s greetings to the head of state.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings, and asked Yoav Gallant to communicate his greetings to the Prime Minister of Israel.

During the conversation, a meeting between the President of Azerbaijan and the Defense Minister of Israel, which took place in Munich this year, was recalled.

They hailed the development of bilateral relations, including cooperation in the military-technical area. The sides noted the role of Israeli President Isaac Herzog`s visit to Azerbaijan in developing bilateral ties.

They also stressed the importance of opening the embassy of Azerbaijan in Israel in terms of expanding cooperation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. The leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and the heads of diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan accredited in foreign countries visited Azerbaijans Aghdam city liberated from Armenian occupation [after the second Karabakh war], Trend reports.

The participants first visited the Alley of Martyrs of Aghdam.

It is planned to hold a "Revival of Aghdam" event, as well as familiarization with the restoration and construction works carried out in Aghdam.

Will be updated
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. In a phone call with US State Secretary Antony Blinken, President Ilham Aliyev pointed out Azerbaijan`s commitment to the peace agenda aimed at the normalization of relations with Armenia, and underlined that his country, as an initiator of the peace treaty between the two countries, supports its signing, Trend reports.

The head of state lauded Antony Blinken`s and the US government`s continuous support for advancing the peace agenda between the two countries, and said that the next high-level meeting with the Armenian side will be held in the coming days.
On July 12, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed an emergency action to halt an alleged multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme run by Durham, North Carolina resident Nayeem Choudhury and his hedge fund, Dream Venture Capital Group LLC.

According to the SEC's Complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, Choudhury raised at least $9.3 million from investors by promising a risk-free investment in his hedge fund and falsely touting its superlative performance. In reality, the complaint states, Choudhury's track record consisted almost uniformly of monthly six- and seven-figure trading losses, and Dream Venture lost over $4.8 million in options trading between August 2022 and June 2023. The complaint also states that Choudhury misused investor funds by using new-investor money to repay existing investors and by paying personal expenses out of fund assets, including the purchase of a luxury automobile in May 2023 for $85,000. Since July 2022, the SEC claims, Choudhury and Dream Venture have only repaid investors approximately $3.5 million.

The Complaint charges Choudhury and Dream Venture with violating the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act") and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and the registration provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act. Additionally, the Complaint charges Choudhury with violating Sections 206(1), 206(2), and 206(4) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and Rule 206(4)-8 thereunder. The SEC seeks an asset freeze, a temporary restraining order, preliminary and permanent injunctions, a conduct-based injunction, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains plus prejudgment interest, and civil penalties.

The SEC's ongoing investigation is being conducted by Josh Hess, Tiffany Kunkle, and Robert Nesbitt, and supervised by Matthew McNamara and Justin Jeffries. The SEC's litigation will be led by Edward Sullivan.
It was May 2022 when Pontiacs then-City Engineer Abdul Siddiqui told Metromodes David Sands that the city was working toward connecting downtown Pontiac to the Clinton River Trail. Recent news has backed that claim with more than $20 million in federal and foundation funding now secured for the project.Fully funded at $20,328,000, the Pike Street Clinton River Trail Connector Project is ready to roll.The Pike Street Clinton River Trail Connector Project will make roadway and pedestrian improvements along four miles of streets in downtown Pontiac, primarily along the Pike Street corridor as well as its connections to Front Street, Eastway Drive, and Bagley Street. It will also install the North Spur Trail (NST) along the former Grand Trunk-Belt Line Railroad right-of-way, ultimately connecting downtown Pontiac to the 16 mile-long rail-trail.For the Clinton River Trail to have a cross-town connection through the center of Pontiac is wonderful, Melinda Hill, President of the Friends of the Clinton River Trail , says in a statement. Improvements to Pike Street that will contain both a separate bicycle cycle track as well as a shared-use pathway for pedestrians will be a great enhancement for vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian users. This is going to be one more way for people to enjoy downtown Pontiac.The City of Pontiac has received a $16,328,000 funding award from the Department of Transportations Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, first announced on Tuesday, June 27. At the same time of that announcement, Pontiac also reported a $4 million grant in support of the project from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.We are grateful to Senator Peters, Senator Stabenow, and Congresswoman Stevens for their support and advocacy for this project and for a full award from the Department of Transportation. The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. foundation is also a wonderful partner to the City, and we appreciate their commitment to supporting transformation in our community, Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel said in a statement. The Pike Street Clinton River Trail Project, which is now fully funded at $20,328,000, is critical to a vibrant downtown and to enhanced transportation in Pontiac.Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith
When the AI Ground Vehicle Hackathon Challenge was first announced for Thursday, July 13, in Sterling Heights, it seemed like a natural pairing that a defense industry-inspired STEM contest for high schoolers would be hosted in Sterling Heights, home to as robust a defense industry as there is in metro Detroit. General Dynamics Land Systems , which is headquartered in the city, has been increasingly lending credence to that last claim as of late, having recently announced three separate contracts with the U.S. Army that total more than $1.7 billion in orders.[Related: Read "Sterling Heights AI hackathon to connect high schoolers with leaders in the defense industry" on Metromode.]A business unit of parent company General Dynamics, itself headquartered in Virginia, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) is the Sterling Heights-headquartered company that focuses on the design, engineering, and production for land combat vehicles. The company broke ground on their current Sterling Heights headquarters in late 2009.This latest wave of orders from the U.S. Army began in late June, when GDLS announced a $712.3 million order for 300 Stryker DVHA1 vehicles on Monday, June 26. Then, on Tuesday, June 27, the company announced that they were selected for a $768.7 million firm-fixed-price contract to advance to the detailed design and prototype build and test phases of the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle competition, per a release from the company. And finally, on Thursday, July 6, GLDS announced that they were awarded a $257.6 million contract to produce 26 additional M10 Booker Combat Vehicles for the U.S. Army.Thats more than $1.7 billion in contracts from the U.S. Army announced in less than two weeks time."We are honored to continue to manufacture the M10 Booker Combat Vehicle," Gordon Stein, General Dynamics Land Systems vice president and general manager for U.S. operations, said about the latest order. "The M10 provides enhanced firepower for the Army's Infantry Brigade Combat Teams and has been purpose-built to give them decisive lethality, mobility and survivability on current and future battlefields."We are proud that our years of innovation, research, development and investment have led to this solution for U.S. Soldiers," Stein said.Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith
Black River Canal Bridge. Photo: The Keel, Port Huron.

B2B Trail Ann Arbor Corridor - Argo Cascades. Photo courtesy of Huron Waterloo Pathways.

Clinton River Trail Connector concept. Photos courtesy of City of Pontiac.

Despite the ever-changing nature of the weather and the recent disruptive air quality issues, Michiganders are embracing summer and getting outdoors. Metro Detroit has many parks and greenways to offer to residents of every county. Check out this list of four trails to visit this season, all with new or upcoming updates.With hopes to combine new trails, existing greenways and on-street protected bike lanes, the Joe Louis/Unified Greenway, which started construction earlier this year, will be a 27.5-mile recreational loop connecting Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park and Dearborn.The greenway will unite 23 neighborhoods and strengthen Southeast Michigans regional trail connectivity. Upon completion, which is expected to be in the next five to ten years, more than 40,000 metro Detroit residents will be able to walk to the greenway within 10 minutes.The Bridge to Bay Trail is a regional urban trail that will connect Lakeport State Park on Lake Huron to New Baltimore on Lake St. Clair through 50+ miles of pathways.In early June 2023, residents of Port Huron celebrated the installation of the Black River Canal bridge, which filled a key gap within the trail and connects Port Huron Northern High School and Holland Woods Middle School.That is a new 160-foot bridge that spans the Black River canal combined with the addition of 5000 feet of paved trail on both sides to just add another element of recreation and help to complete and connect the Bridge to Bay Trail, Sherri Faust, president of Friends of St. Clair River, says.The trail is a combination of bike lanes, rail trails, and side paths, offering pedestrians a unique variety.Having diversity of a trail represents investments in our region's future to create lasting benefits that obviously benefit the community and benefits the economy, Faust says.Michigans Great Lake to Lake Trail Route 1 ends in Port Huron and connects to the Bridge to Bay Trail. There are hopes that the trail will soon also provide links to Macomb Countys Orchard Trail.The Border-to-Border Trail (B2B Trail) is a 35-mile, 10-foot wide, shared-use path that connects communities across Washtenaw County. The B2B Trail will also double as a segment of the Iron Belle Trail  a statewide trial initiative that will connect Belle Isle State Park in Detroit to Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula.Executive Director of Huron-Waterloo Pathways Kiff Hamp says the local trail gives him an escape from the modern chronically-online world.Most of our lives are spent staring at computers and on Zoom meetings, Hamp says. I think that's what's a really special part of this. I live in Ann Arbor and I can hop on the trail and within a mile Im in a beautiful nature area, even though my day-to-day existence is not operating like I live in the woods.Coming up, Huron-Waterloo Pathways is starting a project to create a tunnel under the rail line connecting Bandemer Park in Ann Arbor to the Barton nature area on Huron River Drive.The towns, cities, townships, woods, nature areas, parks, downtowns, it has a lot to offer when it comes to diversity of experience and accessibility, Hamp says.Most recently, the B2B Trail created a new segment connecting into downtown Chelsea. The organization is also currently working on a connection from Zeeb Road into Delhi Metropark, connecting the trail to all three Metroparks in Washtenaw County.Stretching for over seven miles through three western Oakland County communities, the Michigan Air Line Trail was built on the foundation of the historic Air Line/Coe railway. This year, the final piece of the trail was completed, adding an additional 2.5 miles and finalizing the link.We were missing a continuous link there so we have a continuous link now all the way from the Huron Valley Trail Clinton River Trail, which is great, John Hensler, Michigan Air Line trail manager, says. Our trail is a great mix of urban, suburban and wooded environments. You get to see a lot.One unique thing about the Michigan Air Line Trail is its unique road crossing signals.We have 10 crossing signals on the trail, so if the trail is crossing a roadway that gets any kind of heavy use, we either have a flashing signal that you can use to at least alert drivers that you're trying to cross, Hensler says. But then, we also have three signals on the trail that are what we call hawk signals and those are the ones where you push a button and the light will turn red, so they actually do have to stop for you.The Michigan Air Line Trail is a key segment of the Great Lake to Lake Trail Route 1, a cross-state recreational trail that, when completed, will stretch from Port Huron to South Haven, becoming the longest of the five Great Lake to Lake trails.Notably on June 27, the City of Pontiac received a notice of funding award in the amount of $16,328,000 in support of the Citys Pike Street Clinton River Trail Connector Project. The project will make pedestrian improvements along approximately four miles of road in Pontiac and will install the North Spur Trail (NST) along the former Grand Trunk-Belt Line Railroad. Roadway improvements will be made on the primary corridor of Pike Street and the key connecting roads of Front Street, Eastway Drive, and Bagley Street.The Pike Street Clinton River Trail Connector is a critical local and regional project whose planning has spanned many years, Alexandra Borngesser, director of grants and philanthropy for the City of Pontiac, says. This project will address regional gaps in pedestrian and bicycle accessibility.The proposed trail project, which is set to begin in spring of 2024 and end in fall of 2026, will help promote healthy lifestyles and expand the network of walking and biking in the region.The City of Pontiac is a historically disadvantaged city predominantly comprised of minority populations. Communities of color, especially those with low income, are significantly less likely to participate in physical activities, resulting in an increased risk of physical and mental health issues, Borngesser says. Improvements to the Clinton River Trail will have a significant effect on the promotion of health and safety in the community in which it is located.
Members of both Battle Creeks Rotary Clubs volunteer for St. Thomas Episcopal Churchs breakfast program.

A customer pours syrup onto his pancakes at St. Thomas Episcopal Churchs breakfast program.

Free breakfasts are served during summer weekdays at the St. Thomas Parish hall.

Mary Bourgeois, a member at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, is a volunteer for their breakfast program.

Rotary volunteer Lisa Ridgeway serves oatmeal at St. Thomas Episcopal Churchs breakfast program.

Volunteer Rock Kadlub, empties sausages Into a crock pot for serving, at St. Thomas Episcopal Churchs breakfast program.

Rotary volunteer Jill Anderson scraps food from plates at St. Thomas Episcopal Churchs breakfast program.

Sausages for every taste are served at St. Thomas Episcopal Churchs breakfast program

Breakfast is served during the summer months at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
Voices of Youth students choose their topics and are mentored by professionals.

Voices of Youth art students collaborated with writers or chose their own topic.

Many VoY art students chose articles by peers to illustrate.

Earlene McMichael, Voices of Youth Instructor

Lead Art Mentor Casey Grooten works with Voices of Youth art students.
there

Artwork by Kimberly Nunez and Joyce Ekumbaki.

Artwork by Kimberly Nunez and Joyce Ekumbaki.

Artwork by Kimberly Nunez and Joyce Ekumbaki.

Artwork by Kimberly Nunez and Joyce Ekumbaki.

Multimedia artowrk by Kayla Ricardo

Conner McBride, recent graduate of Loy Norrix High School



Conner McBride is a senior at Loy Norrix High School. She has participated in all four of the Voices of Youth Kalamazoo programs since its launch in Summer 2021. Her interests include reading, music, baking, cooking, shooting photos, hiking, and traveling. She plans to attend Michigan State University in the fall.









Artist Statements:



Kimberly Nunez, 13, 7th Grade at Maple Street Magnet School I chose photography because I thought it would be fun to think of picture ideas and take them. The topic I made art about is mental health on mass shootings. I hope people realize how serious these situations are and the effect it has on everybody in the communities, especially students and teachers. Im Kimberly, Im from the Bronx, and Im Dominican and Guatemalan. #proud :)







Joyce Ekumbaki, 13, 7th Grade at Millwood Middle School My photos show the negative effect of mass shootings from both teachers and students perspectives. I chose photography because I think that photography is a great way to show people, and how they feel. I want people to look at my work and understand how students and teachers feel about mass shootings and understand how mass shootings can cause negative mental health.







Kayla Ricardo, 13, 7th Grade, Millwood Middle School I made my art project about mental health after a mass shooting. I chose this topic because mass shootings happen too often, but are not talked about. I chose art as my medium because art is my way of showing my feelings. At a young age, mental health is important, and so is my voice. I hope people just get my message about this topic since its not talked about much. Kids and adults mental health matters, and so do you.
Google Bard Gains New Features & Available To More Users

Just when updates to Google Bard were getting stale, Google announced a boatload of new things for its generative AI tool, Bard. In short, Google added several new features to Bard and expanded access to Bard to "most of the world" and many languages.

The New Features

Listen (Speak aloud) responses: You can click on the speaker icon next to the responses/answers Bard gives you and Google Bard will speak them aloud for you. Google said, "this is especially helpful if you want to hear the correct pronunciation of a word or listen to a poem or script." This also works in 40 languages.

Tones and styles: Bard can now respond in different tones and styles through a new drop-down setting. While Bing has three tones, Bard has five, including simple, long, short, professional or casual. This feature is just available for the English language right now.

Revisit old prompts: Google added to Bard the ability to see old prompts and responses on the sidebar. You can pin your conversations, rename them and head back to them later if you want.

Export code: Now you can not just export code to Google Colab but also you can export your Python code to Replit.

Share responses. You can now also share your responses and prompts via new shareable links with others.

Images as prompts. We knew Bard was getting Google Lens features and now it is here for English responses. You can now upload images with prompts and Bard will analyze the photo to help.

Here is how the tone setting works:

Here is how to pin conversations:

Here is how Google Lens works with Bard:

Expanding Access To Bard

Google Bard is now available in more regions and countries and in more languages. Google said:

Bard in more places, including Brazil and across Europe

Bard is available in over 40 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, German, Hindi and Spanish

Here is the current list of languages supported; English, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (Simplified / Traditional), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Farsi, Finnish, French, German, Gujarati, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Kannada, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malayalam, Marathi, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu and Vietnamese.

And with that, Google updated its Bard updates page with what changed:

Bard is available in new places and languages

What: Bard is now available in over 40 new languages including Arabic, Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), German, Hindi, Spanish, and more. We have also expanded access to more places, including all 27 countries in the European Union (EU) and Brazil.

Why: Bard is global and is intended to help you explore possibilities. Our English, Japanese, and Korean support helped us learn how to launch languages responsibly, enabling us to now support the majority of language coverage on the internet.

What: You can upload images alongside text in your conversations with Bard, allowing you to boost your imagination and creativity in completely new ways. To make this happen, were bringing the power of Google Lens into Bard, starting with English.

Why: Images are a fundamental part of how we put our imaginations to work, so weve added Google Lens to Bard. Whether you want more information about an image or need inspiration for a funny caption, you now have even more ways to explore and create with Bard.

What: Were adding text-to-speech capabilities to Bard in over 40 languages, including Hindi, Spanish, and US English.

Why: Sometimes hearing something aloud helps you bring an idea to life in new ways beyond reading it. Listen to responses and see what it helps you imagine and create!

What: You can now pick up where you left off with your past Bard conversations and organize them according to your needs. Weve added the ability to pin conversations, rename them, and have multiple conversations going at once.

Why: The best ideas take time, sometimes multiple hours or days to create. Keep your threads and pin your most critical threads to keep your creative process flowing.

What: Weve made it easier to share part or all of your Bard chat with others. Shareable links make seeing your chat and any sources just a click away so others can seamlessly view what you created with Bard.

Why: Its hard to hold back a new idea sometimes. We wanted to make it easier for you to share your creations to inspire others, unlock your creativity, and show your collaboration process.

What: Were introducing 5 new options to help you modify Bards responses. Just tap to make the response simpler, longer, shorter, more professional, or more casual.

Why: When a response is close enough but needs a tweak, were making it easier to get you closer to your desired creation.

What: Were continuing to expand Bards export capabilities for code. You can now export Python code to Replit, in addition to Google Colab.

Why: Streamline your workflow and continue your programming tasks by moving Bard interactions into Replit.

Here is John Mueller playing with it in his region:

Sogar CEO-tips auf Schweizerdeutsch: pic.twitter.com/p6rlDu3QjK  John Mueller (official)  Not #30D (@JohnMu) July 13, 2023

Here is more from Jack Krawczyk who leads up the Google Bard team:

We created https://t.co/FycdN2ktSi to help you explore your curiosity, augment your imagination and get your ideas off the ground  not just by answering your questions, but by helping you build on them.



Can't wait to see what you create... and share ;) pic.twitter.com/rsEnkeLjys  Jack Krawczyk (@JackK) July 13, 2023

More coverage at Techmeme.

Forum discussion at Twitter and WebmasterWorld.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. During the phone conversation with US State Secretary Antony Blinken, President Ilham Aliyev highlighted that despite the regular organization of humanitarian cargo, individual crossings and medical evacuation through the Lachin border-customs checkpoint, the armed provocation was committed by Armenia on June 15 and cases of smuggling were detected in humanitarian shipments carried out under the accompaniment of the International Committee of the Red Cross, adding that investigations are being conducted in this regard, Trend reports.

President Ilham Aliyev pointed out Azerbaijan`s commitment to the peace agenda aimed at the normalization of relations with Armenia, and underlined that his country, as an initiator of the peace treaty between the two countries, supports its signing.
details added, first published at 13:54

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov met with a delegation headed by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan Trend reports.

The Israeli delegation visited the Alley of Martyrs and laid flowers on the graves of heroic Azerbaijanis and National Hero of Azerbaijan Albert Agarunov, who gave their lives in the name of independence and territorial integrity of their country.

Then an official welcoming ceremony was held at the Ministry of Defense.

The national anthems of both countries were played, and a commemorative entry was left in the "Book of Honored Guests" in accordance with protocol.

Colonel-General Hasanov welcomed his Israeli colleague and expressed satisfaction to see the guest in Azerbaijan, noting that the high level of partnership between the two countries plays an important role not only in their development, but also in ensuring security throughout the region.

Expressing satisfaction with his first visit to Azerbaijan as Minister of Defense of Israel, Gallant pointed out that Azerbaijani-Israeli relations are based on friendship and mutual trust. The importance of mutual visits from the point of view of further expansion of military cooperation was emphasized at the meeting.

The sides discussed prospects for the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel in the military, military-technical fields and other issues of mutual interest.
Education

spotlight

SF leaders voice concern over statewide math framework

Paola Giannoni/istock SFUSDs new approach to teaching math is a tenet of the statewide math curriculum.

California education officials adopted a new math curriculum Wednesday, ushering in sweeping changes for how students are taught mathematics across the state.

The state Department of Education voted unanimously Wednesday night to roll out a new framework that will reshape California's curriculum, textbooks, professional development and standardized assessments.

But the new curriculum drew widespread criticism for discouraging public schools from teaching algebra before high school and veering from traditional methods such as memorization of multiplication tables and math drills in favor of weaving social justice and history lessons into math instruction.

More than 100 educators, university professors and parents weighed in on the controversial plan Wednesday.

The framework, based on San Francisco Unified School Districts own program, has been criticized by district leaders and others for being flawed and inequitable, especially for students who historically perform poorly on standardized math tests.

Central to the debate is whether or not the current approach to teaching math is accessible. SFUSDs program, adopted in 2013, eliminated 8th grade algebra in order to boost the math scores of Black and brown students, but the program has since been criticized for falling short.

Standardized test results in 2022 found that only 9% of SFUSDs Black students met or exceeded state math standards. SFUSD math test scores overall are lower than comparable Bay Area school districts.

Others say the proposed framework offers a better alternative for teaching diverse student bodies. Yolande Beckles, President of the National Association of African American Parents and Youth, said the framework authors had included the voices of family and engagement experts like herself.

The (new) framework offers a better way to teach math, she said. (The authors) have incorporated our recommendations and have also worked closely with respected math organizations across the state.

Darryl Yong, a professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd College, lauded the framework and said that opponents have an unhealthy obsession with precalculus.

I appreciate that the framework is pushing us in a more equitable direction, he said.

The new framework also has support among some math teachers in San Francisco public schools. SFUSD math teacher Rori Abernethy expressed her full support of the frameworks adoption at Wednesdays meeting.

This framework allows for a way forward, she said. Students are missing out when they dont have access to diverse mathematical thinkers and resources.

Other professors and educators were more skeptical. Jelani Nelson, a professor of engineering at UC Berkeley, said the framework would harm students who dont have access to supplemental tutoring or summer courses, sometimes referred to as workarounds to advanced precalculus courses.

Our (current) mathematics standards are very clear on what children need to be able to know and be able to do as they matriculate through various grades, he said. Kids without good counseling would be the ones to get derailed into courses that dont provide adequate preparation (for advanced math-taking).

Joan Davidson, a teacher at Torrance Unified School District, said the framework is not equity in any shape or form.

To give (the public) just a few days in the middle of summer to weigh in on this is egregious, she said. There is nothing transparent about this.

The framework and its multiple revisions garnered a bounty of interest and debate over the past twelve months. Within the San Francisco public school community, the framework has stirred controversy.

In June, Superintendent Matt Wayne said the districts math curriculum isnt working to serve its diverse student body. A May Stanford University study also found that Black and brown students were not meeting statewide testing standards after the district implemented the new curriculum.

The latest evidence shows that discouraging algebra in 8th grade did not result in closing the gap for Black and brown students, Supervisor Myrna Melgar told The Examiner.

De-tracking, the practice of placing all students in the same class despite their interests and abilities, is also inequitable and unfair, Melgar said.

San Francisco state Sen. Scott Wiener and city Supervisors Melgar and Joel Engardio called the proposed statewide math curriculum flawed and based on SFUSDs failed model.

In a letter to California Department of Education Linda Darling-Hammond, Wiener, Melgar and Engardio asked for an extension of the public comment period for the curriculum guide to allow families more time to review and comment, which was not granted.

Engardio said giving the public just eight business days to digest the California Math Framework document seemed designed to limit comment and exclude voices.

A petition entitled Bring Algebra back for SFs 8th graders  created by SF Guardians, the parent group that led last years school board recall  surfaced late last year, dredging support among parents to reject the proposed statewide framework.

There is massive support on the streets to bring algebra back for 8th graders, an advocacy group representative said in a statement emailed to The Examiner. If we are truly committed to equity, then its imperative we recognize these failures and course correct before this harms any more kids. The (framework) in its current form has failed to do that.

At the Wednesday meeting, Darling-Hammond said there has been a lot of misinformation circulating about the framework.

We know the status quo is not adequate. We have to be deliberate about ensuring rigor, and equity for excellence, not in lieu of excellence. I think the framework has striven to make that clear in multiple ways, she said.
Armenia has not yet provided information about 4,000 Azerbaijani citizens who went missing during the First Karabakh War. This was stated by Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov during a speech at an event called "Revival of Aghdam" Azernews reports.

The minister noted that mass graves discovered only after the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from the occupation are proof of crimes.

"In parallel, in a dynamically developing world, our political priorities in a rather complex international environment include anticipating and preventing potential risks that could threaten our country, as well as protecting our country and people. This is the most important and promising issue before us," the minister said.

Notably, an event called "Revival of Aghdam" is being held at Aghdam Conference Centre. The event is attended by the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, heads of diplomatic missions of our country, employees of the special representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the liberated territories included in the Karabakh economic region (except for Shusha district).

The event started with a demonstration of a video clip on reconstruction works carried out in the territories liberated from occupation.

After the event, the participants will familiarise themselves with the reconstruction works being carried out in Aghdam.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. On July 13, at 11:15 and 14:10 (GMT+4), illegal Armenian armed detachments in the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed, attempted to install long-term fortification facilities in front of the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the directions of the Aghdam and Kalbajar regions, Trend reports.

The conducted work was immediately stopped as a result of the urgent measures taken by the Azerbaijan Army Units.

Meanwhile, on July 12, from 13:50 to 17:00 (GMT+4), units of the Armenian armed forces from positions located in the directions of the settlements of Gyzyldjig of Garakils district and Yukhary Shorja of Basarkechar district, intermittently fired small arms at the positions of the Azerbaijani Army located in the directions of the settlements of Minkend of Lachin district and Mollabayramly of Kalbajar district.

The units of the Azerbaijani Army have taken adequate retaliatory measures in all these areas.
AGHDAM, Azerbaijan, July 13. Armenia has not yet provided information about 4,000 Azerbaijani citizens who went missing during the first Karabakh war, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov said during a speech at the "Revival of Aghdam" event, Trend reports.

The minister noted that the mass graves discovered only after the liberation of Azerbaijani lands from occupation are proof of crimes.

"One of our political priorities in a rather difficult international situation is to anticipate and prevent potential risks that may pose a threat to Azerbaijan, as well as to protect Azerbaijani territories and people. This is the most important and promising issue that we face," he said.

Meanwhile, the "Revival of Aghdam" event is taking place in the conference center in the city of Aghdam.

The event is attended by the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, heads of diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan, employees of the special representative office of the President of Azerbaijan in the liberated territories included in the Karabakh Economic Region (except for the Shusha region).

It began with a demonstration of a video about reconstruction works carried out in the liberated territories.

After the event, the participants will get acquainted with the restoration and creative works carried out in the Aghdam city.
AGHDAM, Azerbaijan, July 13. The efforts to identify those responsible for military crimes against Azerbaijan should continue, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov said, Trend reports.

He made this remark during his speech at an event called "Revival of Agdam" at the Aghdam Conference Center.

"For 30 years, one of the main tasks of Azerbaijani diplomacy has been to raise awareness within international organizations, foreign countries, and global media about the aggression, occupation, and ethnic cleansing policies conducted against our country, preventing the removal of this issue from the international agenda, and strengthening its legal framework," Bayramov said.

The minister noted that there are new realities established in the region today.

"Our work should continue in attracting companies from friendly countries to participate in the reconstruction efforts in Karabakh, obtaining information about the latest and new technologies available in the world and transferring them to relevant partner structures in our country, keeping the issue of mine threat on the agenda of international institutions and organizations, which is the most serious problem, identifying the culprits, increasing assistance to Azerbaijan, and ultimately attracting the most advanced technologies to our country. The work we have started in this direction must continue with full force. The culprits must be held accountable," added the minister.

An event called "Revival of Agdam" is attended by the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, heads of diplomatic missions in our country, employees of the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the liberated territories within the Karabakh economic region (excluding the Shusha district).

The event began with the screening of a video showcasing the reconstruction efforts being carried out in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from Armenian occupation, following the second Karabakh war in 2020.

After the event, the participants will get acquainted with the reconstruction and development works carried out in Agdam.
AGHDAM, Azerbaijan, July 13. Most severe response will be given to any provocation against Azerbaijani soldiers, Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov said, Trend reports.

In response to journalists' questions regarding the upcoming meeting between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, the minister emphasized that negotiations on all relevant issues are conducted during such meetings, including a peace treaty, the demarcation process, the opening of communications, and humanitarian matters.

Highlighting the negative impact of provocations on the negotiation process, Jeyhun Bayramov stated that provocations do not contribute to the peace process but instead create tension.

"Azerbaijan's position is clear. Azerbaijan's call is to warn Armenia against these provocations. The most severe response will be given to any provocation against Azerbaijani soldiers. This step will not benefit those who think of sabotage or carry it out," said the minister.

An event called "Revival of Agdam" is taking place at the conference center in Agdam. The event is attended by the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, heads of diplomatic missions in our country, employees of the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the liberated territories within the Karabakh economic region (excluding the Shusha district).
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Azerbaijan again urges not to turn a blind eye to the mine threat from Armenia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said, Trend reports.

"Today, as a result of another explosion of a mine installed by Armenia, a beekeeper was seriously injured in Kalbajar. The number of mine victims in Azerbaijan has increased to 303 since the end of the war in 2020," the ministrys publication on Twitter says.

On July 13, around 20:00 (GMT+4), the police received information that Sahib Aliyev, who was engaged in beekeeping in the village of Chopurlu, Kalbajar district, had been injured by a landmine.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the incident took place in the territory of the village of Seyidlar. As a result of the incident, Sahib Aliyev sustained injuries.

An investigation is currently underway.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Israel will continue to strengthen cooperation with Azerbaijan for the sake of the security of both countries, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said, Trend reports.

At the meetings with President Ilham Aliyev, the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the Border Service, we discussed our common desire to strengthen ties between our countries in various fields, especially in the field of security. Together we will continue to strengthen our cooperation and warm relations for the sake of the security of our countries and regional stability, the minister wrote on his Twitter page.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant paid a visit to Azerbaijan on July 13.
The Competition and Markets Authority opened the door to a possible approval of Microsoft 's takeover of videogame maker Activision Blizzard.

Having blocked the deal last April, on Wednesday the UK regulator said it was open to a restructuring of the transaction that addressed its concerns.

Regulators said the purchase of Activision and its games catalogue could hurt competition.

They also dismissed a proposal by which Microsoft would make some game titles to other platforms.

However, CMA said the US outfit had the option to table a restructured deal.

That would initiate another review.

Some observers believed that the CMA was implicitly signalling that a revised deal might indeed get its approval.
Low-cost fitness operator the Gym Group reported substantial growth in membership and revenue in a first-half trading update on Thursday.

The London-listed firm reported a year-on-year revenue increase of 18.5% to 99.8m for the six months ended 30 June, compared to 84.2m in the same period last year.

It put the growth down to a rise in membership, with a total of 867,000 members recorded on 30 June, up from 790,000 members a year earlier, and 821,000 members at the end of December.

The Gym Group said it also achieved an 8% increase in average revenue per member per month (ARPMM), reaching 18.81 for the first half.

Its like-for-like revenue grew by 7% year-on-year, and comparable sites were currently operating at 97% capacity, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

During the first half, the Gym Group opened two new sites while closing one existing location.

Net debt at period end on 30 June stood at 69.7m, narrowing from 76.1m at the end of the prior financial year.

In an earlier announcement on 31 May, the company announced that Will Orr would join the Gym Group as chief executive officer on 1 September.

After a positive first half, we remain on track with our plans and are well set to meet full year market expectations, said chairman John Treharne.

We have continued to grow our membership and yield, whilst controlling our costs and generating cash.

We are delighted that Will Orr will join us as CEO in September.

Treharne said the company had put in place a new management team with the right blend of skills and experience over the last nine months, as well as further strengthening its board.

The Gym Group is therefore well placed for the next stage of its development, bringing a high quality health and fitness proposition at an affordable price point to the communities in which we operate.

The Gym Group said it would announce its interim results for the six months ended 30 June on 12 September.

At 0801 BST, shares in the Gym Group were up 2.36% at 92.12p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. On July 13, 2023, within the framework of the meeting of the heads of the diplomatic service bodies of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in foreign countries visited the city of Aghdam, Trend reports.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov, assistant to the First Vice President Elchin Amirbayov, the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, heads of diplomatic missions abroad visited the Alley of Martyrs of Agdam for the first time and laid flowers on the graves of martyrs who died for their Motherland.

Later, an event called the "Revival of Aghdam" was held.

Minister Bayramov spoke about the importance of Aghdam and Karabakh in general for the Azerbaijani people and noted that the deliberate destruction of this beautiful city by Armenia, which was once one of the most developed regions of Azerbaijan, is part of Armenia's policy of ethnic hatred and intolerance towards Azerbaijan.

Today, the restoration of all territories liberated from occupation, including Agdam, is in the spotlight as a result of the care of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva. Despite the current difficulties, the scale of destruction and the threat of anti-personnel mines, it was stated that Azerbaijan is determined to continue the process of rebuilding the territories liberated from occupation.

After the end of the occupation of Azerbaijani lands as a result of the 44-day Patriotic War, the most important issue facing the country's diplomacy is to prevent steps that could threaten the security of the liberated territories and mobilize all efforts in the direction of restoration and construction work.

Vugar Suleymanov, Chairman of the Board of the Mine Action Agency of Azerbaijan, made a report on the work done to clear the liberated territories from mines and unexploded ordnance.

A video was shown at the event, dedicated to the restoration and construction work carried out in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation.

During the visit, the participants of the meeting were informed about the activities on the reconstruction of Agdam.

Thus, the meeting of the heads of diplomatic services, which began on July 11, ended with a visit to Aghdam and the Revival of Aghdam event.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. On July 12, 2023, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has rejected the claim of Armenia dated June 21, 2023, the purpose of which was to introduce a temporary interim measure against Azerbaijan in connection with the installation of a border checkpoint at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi road, Trend reports.

Thus, by its decision, the ECHR once again confirmed the groundlessness of Armenia's demand to "remove all obstacles to traffic along the Lachin corridor and notify the Committee of Ministers about this".

The ECHR did not find that the border crossing point obstructed traffic on the Lachin road and the violation by Azerbaijan of the decision of December 21, 2022 on the adoption of measures within the jurisdiction of Azerbaijan to ensure the safe passage of persons in need of medical treatment through the Lachin road.
Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal on Thursday said that he is 100 percent committed to producing semiconductors and display glass in India and has lined up partners for the same. Agarwal reacted after Taiwanese chip-making giant Foxconn announced it had withdrawn from a joint venture to manufacture chips with India-based industrial giant Vedanta.

He said that India is a land of opportunities with huge potential. We need several ventures to help India become a semiconductor and display glass hub. We welcome Foxconn and the whole world to come and invest in this sector, Agarwal said in a tweet. He further said that they are thankful to the government for taking proactive steps towards realising the dream of atmanirbharta and electronics. This is what will help us become a developed country. My vision is to fulfil the dreams of our young India, said Agarwal.

The government has already said that the decision of Foxconn to withdraw from its semiconductor JV with Vedanta has no impact on India's semiconductor goals. Vedanta earlier said it will go ahead with the project. "Vedanta reiterates that it is fully committed to its semiconductor fab project and we have lined up other partners to set up Indias first foundry. We will continue to grow our Semiconductor team, and we have the license for production-grade technology for 40 nm from a prominent Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM), said the company.

In his tweet, Agarwal said that he is proud of his team who has worked hard for the last one and a half years in closing on the right location, bringing in the best experts and companies to join us in developing the electronics ecosystem. Yeh India ka time hai. Nobody can stop our country from building another silicon valley. This is a turning point for our country where, with speed and urgency, we will produce for India and the world, he noted.
As the crypto market evolves, it's crucial to stay informed and consider various sources of information when making investment decisions. The recommendations from Google Bard, an AI chatbot, suggests Helium (HNT), Kusama (KSM), and Tradecurve (TCRV) as the three top coins to invest in.

Helium (HNT): Building a Wireless Network for the Internet of Things

Helium (HNT) is a blockchain-powered wireless network. It enables low-power Internet of Things (IoT) devices to connect and interact with each other.

At the moment, Helium is trading hands at $1.36 with a market cap of $194M, a rise of 0.78% in the past 24 hours. Google Bard took notice of the Helium (HNT) technical analysis. It shows the Helium moving averages and technical indicators in green.

Google Bard suggests Helium as a promising investment due to its potential for growth in the IoT industry. The Helium network has the potential to become a crucial infrastructure for this interconnected ecosystem. By investing in Helium, investors can gain exposure to the growing demand for IoT connectivity. They could also potentially benefit from the network's expansion.

Kusama (KSM): An Experimental Blockchain for Innovation

Kusama (KSM) is a scalable and interoperable blockchain platform created by the same team behind Polkadot. The Kusama platform allows for fast-paced development and testing of cutting-edge blockchain solutions.

Kusama has a value of $24.43 with a market cap of $206M, a drop of 2.27% in the last 24 hours. However, the Kusama technical indicators are green, positioning it for a rally.

Google Bard recommends Kusama as a coin to consider for investment. This is due to its potential for innovation and growth in the blockchain space. Kusama has gained attention from the crypto community.

It did so with a focus on enabling experimentation and fostering collaboration among developers. By investing in Kusama, investors can participate in the evolution of blockchain technology and potentially benefit from its advancements.

Tradecurve (TCRV): Streamlining All Derivatives Trading

Tradecurve (TCRV) has recently been making headlines in the cryptocurrency market. Its stellar presale performance amassed over $2.8M and 14,500 registered users. This borderless trading platform simplifies online trading by allowing all derivatives to be traded on one account. This can be created using an email only. Since Tradecurve demands no sign-up KYC checks, individuals can trade in complete privacy.

Traders worldwide will find low latency, fast order execution, and slippage-free trading on Tradecurve as it incorporates the best features of centralized and decentralized exchanges.

Moreover, high leverage starting at 500:1 and a copy trading feature makes Tradecurve a heavy favorite for platforms that may overtake OKX soon.

Google Bard suggests Tradecurve as a top coin for investment due to its excellent long-term upside potential. Tradecurve has a value of $0.018, which is an 80% pump from its starting price.

The Stage 4 presale is now 60% complete, with Stage 5 bringing a 40% surge by the time July ends.

With a projected 100x growth when Tradecurve gets listed on a Tier-1 CEX following its launch, now is the perfect time to purchase it - so do not miss out.

For more information about the Tradecurve presale:

Click Here For Website

Click Here To Buy TCRV Presale Tokens
Google has announced an update to its mobile software marketplace policy, enabling app developers to integrate non-fungible tokens (NFTs) into their games on the Google Play Store. This policy update reflects the industrys call for greater transparency and clearer guidelines surrounding NFTs and tokenised digital assets.

As part of the policy update, Google emphasizes the importance of transparency, requiring developers to provide clear information to users about the presence of tokenised crypto assets within their apps. The company stated in an official blog post, Were requiring that apps be transparent with users about tokenised digital assets. This commitment to transparency aligns with the industrys efforts to promote responsible NFT usage.

Furthermore, the policy prohibits developers from promoting or glamorising potential earnings from playing or trading activities associated with these crypto assets. This measure aims to ensure users are well-informed about the nature and implications of NFTs within mobile games.

The decision by Google marks a significant milestone in accelerating the adoption of Web3 games and game NFTs, according to Manish Agarwal, Founder of IndiGG DAO. Agarwal said, [This] could be one of the most significant milestones in accelerating the adoption of Web3 games and game NFTs. 2024 will be super exciting with amazing games getting released on Google Play. However, it is still not clear how Google will apply tax on P2P transactions.

Earlier this year, Google had expressed its interest in exploring policy changes to facilitate the inclusion of NFTs in Android games. Now, the tech giant has unveiled its new rules, with full implementation expected by the end of the year. Initially, Google is collaborating with select developers for NFT integration, and later this year, it will allow all developers to create games in line with its crypto-gaming policies.

Bharat Patel, Chairman and Director of Yudiz Solutions, believes that Googles decision will have a profound impact on the mobile gaming industry. Patel stated, This decision will contribute to the 33% CAGR of the NFT gaming market, which was already starting to gain momentum. It has been witnessed that more than 40% of crypto enthusiasts and investors are ready to invest in the NFT gaming market.

In contrast to Googles approach, Apples App Store has traditionally maintained a more restrictive stance on NFTs and cryptocurrencies. While developers can use NFTs within iOS games and apps, Apple applies a 30% commission.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The New York State Department of Civil Service (DCS) has released its July application schedule for New Yorks entry-level civil service exams.

The open-competitive exams are an opportunity to start a career with New York State. These tests are open to anyone who meets the qualifications listed on the examination announcement.

The application period opened for the following exams: assistant workers compensation examiner; assistant workers compensation examiner (Spanish language); business services center representative 1; employee insurance examiner 1; workers compensation examiner; workers compensation examiner (Spanish language).

Interested applicants can apply online by Aug. 14. Visit www.cs.ny.gov/examannouncements/types/oc to apply for exams.

The testing will be held as online exams due by Aug. 28. Some careers offer an additional annual downstate adjustment if they work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties.

According to the state, an application must be submitted online or postmarked by the last date to apply. An application will not be accepted after the application filing deadline has passed. There are no application fees for the exams this month.

To be considered for appointment, you must pass the written test.

If approved for a written test, you will receive an admission notice which will indicate your assigned test date and the way your test will be administered. Your test may be administered with paper and pencil or online at a state test site using a state-provided Chromebook. You cannot request to change your scheduled day or request a specific type of test administration.

All positions offer benefits, including paid leave, health benefits and retirement plans. In addition, telecommuting options may be available to employees who meet certain criteria.

To learn more about working for the State of New York, visit the Department of Civil Service website and follow the department on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A former city Department of Corrections captain allegedly sucker-punched a man in an unprovoked attack inside a Staten Island apartment building parking garage, according to a lawsuit and media report.

Christopher Spinella, 37, a graphic designer, alleges that Marc Silverman attacked him with a flurry of punches following an argument, according to a published report. Spinella was supposedly delivering a box of T-shirts to a woman who lives in the building.

The incident occurred in Silvermans Staten Island apartment building, according to a report by the New York Post, though the date of the incident is unclear.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Two Staten Island men were part of a network of scammers who targeted seniors and businesses across the U.S., federal authorities allege in a sweeping indictment filed last month in Puerto Rico.

Then, working alongside additional defendants, they allegedly worked to launder dirty funds through multiple shell companies, including one operation that shipped illegally purchased automobiles to Lagos, Nigeria.

Oluwaseun Adelekan and Temitope Omotayo, both 40, at one point operated out of an address on Clawson Street in Staten Islands Grant City neighborhood, court records allege. The pair initially was first indicted in 2019 in Manhattan Federal Court, documents show. Along with co-defendants Olalekan Daramola, Solomon Aburekhanlen, Gbenga Oyeneyin, Abiola Olajumoke, Ademola Adebogun, Bryan Eadie and Albert Lucas.

Then, in June, a federal grand jury in Puerto Rico returned a superseding indictment charging a total of four men  including Adelekan and Omotayo  with one count of conspiracy to launder funds from wire, mail, and access device fraud schemes, according to a press release issued Monday by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Those defendants also allegedly  worked together to profit from efforts to clean money from scams...

The co-defendants in the superseding indictment are listed as Ifeoluwa Dudubo, 37, of Austin, Texas, and Temitope Suleiman, 37, and Oluwasegun Baiyewu, 37, of Richmond, Texas.

An updated list of attorneys for the defense was not available this week in federal court documents.

ALLEGED ROMANTIC SCAMS

Between 2018 and 2020, Adelekan, Omotayo and co-defendants in that case tricked a person in California into believing they were involved in a romantic relationship with a man named Albert Burgey, according to a federal complaint.

The alleged victim was coerced into sending money through the U.S. Postal Service to Adelekan and Omotayo on Staten Island and other addresses later tied to the group. They also were coaxed into purchasing gift cards and forking them over to their newfound love interest.

In total, the person was taken for nearly $90,0000, authorities allege.

In 2019, the group set their sights on another individual under the guise of a romantic opportunity.

That time they posed as a woman named Emily Witty, which they leveraged into about $200,000 from the victims personal savings, officials say.

COMPANIES INFILTRATED, CARS SHIPPED TO AFRICA: FEDS

In 2020 and 2021, following the Staten Island defendants initial indictment, they further engaged in crimes involving pandemic relief and, separately, U.S. business accounts, court documents allege.

By impersonating a persons work email, they and a different set of co-defendants took a Missouri business for more than $300,000, court docs allege.

Acting as that employee, they directed the companys accounting department to wire money to an outside account to which the fraudsters had access.

A similar chain of events was reported by a company in Puerto Rico.

The group would withdraw funds from a phantom bank account where the money was sent to purchase cashiers checks and money orders. At one point, for example, $20,000 was withdrawn by an unidentified suspect at a J.P. Chase Morgan bank in Texas.

The cashiers checks and money orders were in some cases used to purchase vehicles which Baiyewu would export to Lagos, Nigeria, for an apparent profit.

The group also is accused of stealing identities to obtain pandemic relief funds in the form of unemployment insurance in Nevada, Washington and Illinois.

They then worked in concert to clean money illegally obtained from victims, many of whom were older adults, the feds say.

POSSIBLE SENTENCE

The defendants, if found guilty, each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and FBI San Juan Cyber Task Force are investigating the case, with assistance from the National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force supporting the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force teams.

Fraud that targets seniors is reprehensible, and money laundering networks like the one alleged in this case allow fraudsters to profit from their unlawful schemes, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Departments Civil Division. The department is committed to pursuing investigations and prosecutions of those who victimize the elderly and other vulnerable members of our community.

Added U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico: We remain steadfast in our resolve to prosecute individuals who target seniors who have been victimized for far too long by individuals who hide in the shadows and in foreign nations to commit their crimes.

FRAUD HOTLINE

The U.S. Department of Justice, meanwhile, is advising anyone older than 60 who has been a victim of financial fraud that help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).

This hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, offers support to callers by identifying appropriate reporting agencies, providing information to callers to assist them in reporting, connecting callers directly with appropriate agencies, and providing resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis.

Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud, and reporting certain financial losses as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering the money. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. eastern time. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.



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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Dozens of New Yorks Finest were joined by a cast of community leaders to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the establishment of the 121st Precinct in Graniteville.

The brief assembly was held in front of the precinct entrance, its unique design providing shelter from the Wednesday afternoon sun. Many of the officers were outfitted in their class A attire for the occasion, mingling amongst peers and elected officials in attendance.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In honor of those who have passed away, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive.com. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here.

Ann Marie Mazzella, 100, peacefully died surrounded by her beloved family on Mothers Day, May 14, 2023. Mazzella graduated Curtis High School in 1940, but continued her education later in life by earning a Bachelor of Science degree at the age of 65 at City University of New York, College of Staten Island. Born on Staten Island, Mazzella moved to San Diego in 1995 with her husband Peter Mazzella, who she remained married to for over 60 years until he passed in 2008. Mazzella deeply valued her familys traditions, as she taught her grandchildren how to make fresh raviolis each Christmas, just as she and her mother did. For the full obituary, click here.

YESTERDAYS OBITUARIES:

Keith Coronato, 52, of East Brunswick, N.J., passed away on July 6, 2023 at his residence. Born on Staten Island, he resided there before settling down in East Brunswick for 13 years. Most recently, Keith worked for Amazon as a fulfillment coordinator in Edison, N.J. Prior to that, he worked in the Hospitality Industry for many years. Additionally, Keith was a U.S. Army Reserves veteran. He enjoyed spending time with his family, watching the Mets, and listening to music. He was a loving husband, father, son, and brother. For the full obituary, click here.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the return of former internally displaced persons to the reconstructed city of Lachin continues, Trend reports.

At this stage, another 23 families have been relocated to the city of Lachin - 85 people.

The resettled families will settle in the houses where they once lived in Lachin, which were restored or rebuilt on the basis of instructions from the head of state after the end of the Armenian occupation.

Lachin residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care, expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani army, which liberated the lands from occupation.

The ceremony of sending families to the city of Lachin was attended by officials of the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, the Special Representation of the President of Azerbaijan in Lachin, which is part of the East Zangezur economic region, as well as the Executive Power of the Lachin district.

Thus, until today, a permanent settlement in the city of Lachin has been provided for 93 families - 351 people.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A state appellate court ordered New Yorks congressional district map back to the drawing board Thursday, bringing Democrats one step closer to what could be a more favorable layout.

Republicans want to see the case go to the states highest court, the New York Court of Appeals, in an effort to preserve the current layout that puts them in a more advantageous position.

When Democrats cant compete, they cheat, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-Upstate) and New York Republican Party Chair Ed Cox said in a joint statement. Their illegal gerrymander violated the State Constitution and bucked the will of the voters. The Court of Appeals must overturn this ruling, or Democrats will gerrymander the map to target political opponents and protect political allies -- all to the Peoples detriment.

Last year, a Steuben County judge appointed Dr. Jonathan Cervas, of the Institute for Politics and Strategy at Carnegie Mellon University, to draw district lines for Congress and the state Senate  after state courts found Senate Democrats maps that Gov. Kathy Hochul approved were unconstitutional.

The maps Cervas produced put Republicans in a stronger position for last years elections. For example, his map linked Staten Island, the citys most conservative borough, with more like-minded parts of southern Brooklyn -- giving Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/Southern Brooklyn) an advantage over her opponent, former Rep. Max Rose.

Malliotakis cruised to a cushy 24-point victory over Rose, who represented the district from 2018 to 2020, when he lost by a six-point margin.

An analysis from non-profit news organization THE CITY found that if the maps the state Senate drew remained in place  with Staten Island connected to more liberal Park Slope, Roses hometown  that the former congressman couldve squeaked back into office with a 4,000-vote win.

Similar Republican-leaning districts around the state helped the GOP secure 11 congressional races in one of the nations most liberal states leading to the partys current control of the House of Representatives.

On Thursday, Malliotakis echoed her Republican colleagues, saying shes hopeful that the decision would be overturned in the states highest court.

Last year, New Yorks highest court rejected the unconstitutionally gerrymandered congressional district boundaries adopted by Kathy Hochul and the Democrats in the State Legislature, she said. After New York voters elected 11 Republican members and helped flip control of the House of Representatives last November, House Democrats funded this litigation, because they realize that their failed policies and leftist agenda are out of touch with voters, and the only way they can compete is to rob New Yorkers of the fair elections we deserve. I am optimistic that this decision will be reversed as the case progresses through the states judicial system and that New York voters will see through the Democrats political ploy.

If the Court of Appeals sides with Democrats, the maps would return to the New York Independent Redistricting Commission (NYIRC) to redraw the states congressional lines.

Democrats in the state Senate took over the process last year after a first-of-its kind bipartisan NYIRC failed to reach an agreement on the district lines following the 2020 U.S. Census.

New Yorkers enshrined the NYIRC in the state constitution through a 2014 ballot proposal, but it passed with a stipulation that map drawings returned to the state Senate if the commission failed to pass a set of maps.

The NYIRC produced new Assembly maps in April that were approved by the state legislature, but were nearly identical to the maps Cervas produced.

Petitioners in the ongoing congressional lawsuit wanted lines for both the state Senate and Congress given to the commission, but narrowed their request.

The lawsuit has gotten support from prominent New York Democrats, including Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, who filed an amicus brief in April urging state courts to reconvene the NYIRC.

Our states Constitution makes it clear that an independent body, with participation from the general public, is charged with drawing maps for Congressional districts, the attorney general said in April. Relying on a process with no accountability and with limited time for public input is not how we engage the public and ensure their interests are addressed throughout this process. I am committed to ensuring our electoral process is as transparent as possible, and that we follow the process outlined in our Constitution. New Yorkers deserve free and fair elections, and to have a say in how their communities will be represented in Congress.

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Australias newest airline, Bonza, will cut five routes from its schedule less than six months into operations due to a lack of demand and reliability issues on its more popular routes.

Bonzas chief commercial officer, Carly Povey, sent an open letter to customers on Thursday to announce the changes to its route map, which will come into effect next month.

New airline Bonza is cutting five routes and reducing the frequency of some of its other services.

The airline will also reduce the frequency of some of its other services due to insufficient demand to enable an additional weekly service on three of its strongest routes.

Povey told this masthead the airline had not taken the decision to reduce its route map to 22 destinations lightly, but said it was important to improve the experience of customers and be responsive to demand.
Former Celsius Network chief executive officer Alex Mashinsky was accused by US prosecutors of pumping up the price of his firms cryptocurrency to entice customers to the platform  all so he could line his pockets to the tune of $US42 million ($61 million).

Mashinsky, who was arrested and charged with wire fraud and other crimes, waged a years-long scheme to mislead customers before Celsius collapsed last year with more than $US1 billion in debt, according to prosecutors. He pleaded not guilty at a hearing Thursday in New York.

Prosecutors alleged Celsius staff were forced to change rosy public comments Alex Mashinsky made about the platforms financial health during his weekly question and answer session because the statements were false and misleading. Credit: Bloomberg

Celsius was one of several high-profile crypto firms that imploded last year. The company gained popularity paying high interest rates on digital-asset deposits. But following the collapse of the TerraUSD stablecoin and a downturn in the digital-asset markets the company was unable to meet an influx of customer withdrawals.

Over the course of the past year we have worked quickly to get to the bottom of what led to Celsiuss collapse, Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said at a press conference. To understand how a platform that advertised itself as the safest place for your crypto could have left investors holding billions of dollars in losses. Today we have the answer.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Armenia continues to create serious environmental problems not only for Azerbaijan, but also for the Caucasus, Chair of the public "Environmental Education and Monitoring" association Gamza Yusubova told Trend.

According to her, the damage caused by Armenia from its own mining industry worries both the local residents of Armenia and the world community.

"Authoritative non-governmental organizations engaged in environmental protection in the world have begun to express protest against such actions. Members of the local civil society, as well as NGOs, made a statement about a large metallurgical plant in the Arazdeen district. After that, we sent an open letter to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on stopping the environmental disaster caused by mining operations," she said.

Yusubova noted that the ecological system and environment in the territories of Azerbaijan, which were under the occupation of Armenia for 30 years, has been severely damaged.

"Armenians have turned Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur into an ecological disaster zone. Wastes of chromium, nickel, copper, molybdenum, zinc and other metal contaminants of the Zangazur copper-molybdenum combine, the Gafan Mining and Processing Plant discharged into the Okhchuchay river pose a serious threat not only to the river but to all vicinities. All the biodiversity, the living world of the river has been destroyed. The Okhchuchai flows into the Araz river, largerly polluting it. Considering that the Araz river is used for irrigation and farm economies, its pollution causes serious harm to vast scale of lands," she said.

The mining industry of Armenia does not adhere to any standards. A large metallurgical plant under construction by Armenia in Arazdeen violates the Espoo Convention (The Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context). Armenia is pursuing a destructive policy in this area. Armenia exposes the region to serious environmental danger," she added.

Azerbaijani ecologists sent an open letter to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in which Armenian enterprises polluting the environment were listed. The letter noted that the destruction of the ecosystem as a result of ongoing mining operations poses a threat not only to the environment of Armenia, but also stretching beyond the neighboring countries and calls on Armenia to immediately cease the activities of enterprises posing a threat.

Moreover, it was stated that the construction of a new metallurgical plant in the Arazdeen district in Armenia, which is being built contrary to the requirements of environmental standards and international conventions, should be stopped. The potential impact of this metallurgical plant's toxic chemical waste on the local ecosystem could be enormous.

Dumping waste into the Araz river means a tragedy for the living organisms in it, and large farms using water from this river for irrigation. Contamination of drinking water can also lead to the spread of infections in border areas. This will create a serious public health crisis in all over the region.
Looking through the results of a DNA database, Amelia Lewis was confused to see a self or twin living in the United States. After contacting her genetic doppelganger, she was amazed to discover the woman who saved her life.

The serendipitous encounter with the woman who had anonymously donated the stem cells that helped Lewis beat cancer has inspired her and galvanised her efforts to encourage others to join the international donor registry.

Leukaemia survivor Amelia Lewis at home in Willoughby. Lewis received a stem cell transplant and now her DNA is a 100 per cent match with her donor. Credit: Kate Geraghty

Lewis was 20 and studying an arts degree at the University of Sydney in 2021 when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. After several rounds of chemotherapy, she began the search for a stem cell donor, with hope a transplant would help her body to reboot.

After high-dose chemotherapy or radiotherapy, a patients stem cells will often be diminished. A transfer from a donor enables the recipients body to create new blood cells with stem cells taken from the blood or bone marrow of a matched donor.
A man has been charged with murder after allegedly killing his ex-wife in Sydneys west on Tuesday night.

Police were called to a home on Alice Street in Rooty Hill about 8.15pm on Tuesday by a family member and arrived to find 53-year-old Christine Rakic dead.

Police also found her ex-husband Dusan Rakic, 50, with injuries to his throat and arms  believed to be self-inflicted. He was taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition under police guard.

He has since been charged with domestic-violence-related murder, contravening an AVO and breaching bail.
Families are being asked to send their children to kindergarten on Saturdays as strong demand for the Victorian governments expanded free kinder program threatens to overwhelm capacity at some centres.

At least four centres in Melbourne have announced plans to trial Saturday programs for three- and four-year-old kinder next year to cater for skyrocketing interest.

Parents at some centres are being given the option for Saturday kinder as demand for programs skyrockets. Credit: iStock

Some parents have rejected the prospect, saying weekends are for family time, but the move has been welcomed by others who say it could benefit shift workers. Experts say Saturday kinder could work for families who have weekend work, as long as there was enough family time during the week.

Victoria last year became the first state or territory to give children access to two years of funded kindergarten before school. Some providers have since been overwhelmed with interest, leaving parents at risk of being turned away as they reach capacity.
Democracies of the world stand with Ukraine. Many of them provide arms and aid to help defend against Russias invasion, but woe betide the plucky country if it does not grovel in gratitude.

That seems to be the clear message coming out of the NATO summit in Lithuania, where the allies all busily stressed staunch support for Ukraine and its leader Volodymyr Zelensky until the president blasted NATO for its absurd lack of a clear timeline for Ukraines entry.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky waits for a meeting at NATO. Credit: AP

Miffed, the British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace bit the hand his country was feeding much support, recalling how he had travelled to Ukraine and was presented with a shopping list of weapons. You know, were not Amazon, he said. I told them that last year, when I drove 11 hours to be given a list ... Wallace went on to warn that Ukraine had to persuade US lawmakers and doubting politicians in other countries that its worth it and that whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude.

London has been one of Kyivs strongest supporters since Russias invasion 17 months ago and Wallaces undiplomatic language is all the more remarkable since he was in the running to be the next head of NATO. At the outset of the war in Ukraine, Russia claimed the United States and NATO had continually violated pledges allegedly made in the early 1990s that the alliance would not expand into the former Soviet bloc. Wallaces intemperance could be put down to his decision to rule himself out of the NATO job last month, saying he thought the US wanted the current secretary general, Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg, to remain in the post for another year.
One of the experts appointed to oversee the NSW governments new trial of cashless poker machines has warned spending limits are critical to its success, saying without them the technology could be more harmful for problem gamblers.

After Premier Chris Minns announced the governments long-awaited trial would almost certainly be expanded beyond the 500 machines proposed before the election, there is also a push from some on the new expert panel for limits on how much can be put into cashless poker machines.

(From left to right) Former NSW Liquor and Gaming commissioner Michael Foggo, NSW Premier Chris Minns and NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris on Thursday. Credit: AAP

Sally Gainsbury, the director of Sydney Universitys Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic, and one of 16 people appointed to the panel on Thursday, said some form of spending limit was key to whether the cashless gaming trial worked.

Its really key that people can set limits, view their account statements easily and self-exclude, she said. Those features are critical because without them a cashless gaming system might increase harms.
Labor ministers who miss or ignore deadlines for parliamentary reports would be forced to explain why they havent done their jobs under a Greens proposal to ensure the hard work of the community and MPs isnt left languishing.

Meanwhile, a former state Labor MP has criticised the government for not responding to a homelessness report that was tabled two years ago, given ministers are supposed to respond to reports within six months.

Greens MP for Brunswick, Tim Read, also chairs parliaments integrity and oversight committee. Credit: Eddie Jim

Greens MP for Brunswick Tim Read, who extracted a concession from the Andrews government in March to chair parliaments integrity and oversight committee, now wants Labor to change the rules governing upper and lower house inquiries.

Under the plan, a parliamentary debate would automatically trigger when the state government does not meet the six-month deadline for responding to recommendations.
A $12,000 tax on a tiny special needs school has been dismissed as a modest imposition, with Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson insisting everyone has a role in paying off the states ballooning $116 billion net debt.

The state opposition accused the government of doubling down on a mistake after Andale School found itself on a list of 60 non-government schools no longer exempt from payroll tax, alongside Geelong Grammar and Scotch College.

Children at Andale School on Tuesday. Credit: Eddie Jim

The Kew school, which has just 22 students with additional learning needs, was automatically included because it charges students slightly more than the $15,000 a year threshold. It will lose $12,000 next financial year and $7500 the year after.

Pearson dug in on Thursday after the school community expressed its concern and surprise with The Age.
The once-breakneck pace of regional rent growth has slowed across much of Victoria, which indicates the pandemic tree and sea change trend is diminishing.

The median asking rent outside the greater Melbourne area was $450 per week over the June quarter, up just $4 per week over three months but a steeper increase of $30 per week over the previous 12 months, Domain data shows.

Asking rents for houses fell the most in the Ararat council area to $340 per week, down 5.6 per cent. That was followed by Moyne, in south-west Victoria, where rents fell 2.3 per cent ($430). Rents were stagnant in the Surf Coast ($620 a week), Bass Coast ($450) and Hepburn ($450) shires and in Wangaratta ($420).

In six of 35 council areas, rents were either stagnant or falling, but during the lockdown-era boom, rents in each of the six regions skyrocketed between 26 per cent and 40 per cent.
A teenage tourist carved his name into an 8th-century temple in Japans Nara prefecture last week, police said, the latest example of bad tourist behaviour this summer.

According to police, the 17-year-old Canadian used his fingernail to carve J and Julian into a pillar of the Toshodaiji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Toshodai-ji Buddhist temple was founded in 759 in Nara, Japan. Credit: Alamy

The carvings - one about an inch and a half long and two inches high, and the second roughly an inch long and four inches wide - were discovered in the temples main, or Golden Hall. A male Japanese tourist was said to have seen the teenager committing the crime around 1:10 pm on July 7 and reported his actions to the Toshodaiji Temple staff. After the teenager was questioned by authorities, police say he admitted to the crime, saying that he did it to kill time.

The temple posted a sign at the entrance the following day in Japanese and English that read: Please do not damage the hall. You will be punished for violating the Cultural Property Protection Law. Under the law, the punishment for damaging objects considered important cultural property is up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 1 million yen (about $A10,656).
With its perma-sunshine and breaks for all budgets, Florida is one of Americas most popular states for holidaymakers. But could some be about to face a new hurdle when it comes to their getaway?

Earlier this month, one of Floridas two Republican senators  former governor Rick Scott  took to Twitter to issue a rather baffling travel advisory video, warning socialists and fans of big government to think twice about visiting his state. It seemed that one of Americas biggest tourist destinations might be adopting a new policy: not for the woke.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis has entered a culture war with Disney. Credit: AP

As you might expect, the senators social media freelancing hasnt gone down well with everyone. This kind of rhetoric is sad and pathetic, blasted Anna V. Eskamani, a Democrat politician representing the theme-park wonderland of Orlando. It completely ignores the fact that Florida needs out-of-state visitors to generate revenue.

Still, theres no denying that Americas third-most-populous state has undergone somewhat of a political makeover in recent years. After breaking for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, the state swung dramatically to the right, voting for Donald Trump twice and awarding a landslide re-election victory to its proudly anti-woke governor Ron DeSantis.
Turkiye's industrial production posted a slight decline of 0.2% in May on an annual basis, while it was up by 1.1% on a monthly basis, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

According to official figures from TurkStat, the country's statistical authority, two out of three subsectors declined on a yearly basis.

"Mining and quarrying index decreased by 7.1%, manufacturing index increased by 0.6% and electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply index decreased by 1.3% in May 2023," it noted.

The production of low- and medium-technology declined in the month while medium-high and high-technology increased.

On a monthly basis, all subsectors saw increases  mining and quarrying by 2.4%, manufacturing by 0.9% and electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply by 2.4%.
details added, first published at 14:05

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Based on a corresponding decree, Head of the Staff of the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Rashad Alizade has been relieved of his post, Trend reports.

Meanwhile, some public legal entities were abolished in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic earlier.

In accordance with the decree on measures to improve agricultural management in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the public "Nakhchivan Products" legal entity and the public "Nakhchivan Seed Center" legal entity subordinate to the Cabinet of Ministers of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic have been abolished.

Their property was transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Moreover, "Nakhchivan Center for Agricultural Services" public legal entity has been established on the basis of the Nakhchivan Center for Agricultural Laboratories.

The Nakhchivan Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture named after Academician Hasan Aliyev was established on the basis of the Nakhchivan Agrarian Production and Supply JSC of the Araz Scientific and Production Association named after Academician Hasan Aliyev and the Department for Seed Production and Plant Protection.
What in the World, a free weekly newsletter from our foreign correspondents, is sent every Thursday. Below is an excerpt. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox.

You should wear a suit or a batik, our terrific, long-serving Indonesian reporter, Karuni Rompies, told me. We were in the final stages of preparing for a long sought-after assignment in Jarkarta  an interview with President Joko Widodo  and a team of staff organising it were making sure just about every detail was planned with precision, right down to what Id be wearing.

Jokowi, as he is widely known, fronts a local media pack in Jakarta. Credit: Jefri Tarigan

I opted for a traditional Indonesian batik shirt and after sweating it up for a few hours in the steamy wet market where we met up with the man known as Jokowi, was happy I hadnt chosen the suit.

An interview with Widodo has been a rite of passage of sorts for our South-East Asia correspondents during the near decade he has been president, and I was glad to secure one on the eve of his visit to Sydney last week.
Washington: Joe Biden has hit back at a Republican senator blocking hundreds of military promotions because of his anti-abortion views, accusing him of threatening US security and urging the Republican Party to take a stand.

Speaking at a press conference in Finland as he wrapped up a five-day trip across Europe, the president also vowed that he would stay committed to NATO despite extreme elements of the Republican Party and the potential for ongoing political instability in the US.

US President Joe Biden and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto holda joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland. Credit: Reuters

Im saying as sure as anything could possibly be said about American foreign policy: we will stay connected to NATO, Biden said, speaking alongside Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, whose country became the latest member of the alliance this week.

Biden will return to Washington tonight, where right-wing politicians in Congress are seeking to tie culture war issues such as abortion, transgender rights and Pentagon diversity programs to national defence spending and appointments.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of VROMI, is pleased to announce that the proposal for the establishment of the Little Key Nature Park in the Simpson Bay Lagoon has been officially approved by the Council of Ministers. This significant milestone marks a crucial step forward in the preservation and enhancement of the island's natural environment.

The proposal, which includes a draft national decree containing general measures (LBham) and an explanatory memorandum (NvT), seeks to formalize the designation of Little Key as a nature park. The proposed park aligns with the naming convention of nature parks in the region and reflects the importance of preserving natural habitats.

Little Key, despite its modest size of 2,500 m2, harbors a diverse range of mangrove species, including red mangrove, black mangrove, white mangrove, and buttonwood. These mangroves serve as a vital habitat for numerous species, including the spotted eagle ray, moray eels, and young sharks. The surrounding waters boast healthy seagrass beds, acting as essential nursery grounds for various fish species, such as banded parrotfish, bluehead, herring, and anchovies.

"We are thrilled to announce the approval of the Little Key Nature Park proposal by the Council of Ministers. This significant milestone demonstrates our unwavering commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable development in Sint Maarten. The establishment of the nature park will safeguard the unique biodiversity of Little Key and its surrounding wetland area, ensuring its protection for future generations. We look forward to working collaboratively with stakeholders and the public to realize the vision of this remarkable nature park said the Honorable Minister of VROMI Egbert J. Doran.

Moreover, Little Key provides nesting areas for several bird species, including the American coot, moorhen, yellow-crowned night heron, green heron, black-winged stilt, and various plovers. Its ecological significance extends to its role as a refuge for numerous mollusks, including the Queen Conch, Milk Conch, Cushion Stars, Sea Cucumber, Sea Urchins, Upside Down Jellyfish, and the Atlantic Triton.

Recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area of Sint Maarten, Little Key plays a critical role as a corridor for endangered marine species, facilitating their movement between other key marine areas, such as the Man of War Shoal Marine Park and the Mullet Pond. Establishing Little Key as a nature park will ensure the preservation of these high ecological values and safeguard them for future generations.

To ensure comprehensive stakeholder input, the proposal has undergone extensive consultations with local environmental organizations, including the St. Maarten Nature Foundation and Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) Foundation. Valuable feedback received during the consultation process was incorporated into the draft LBham and NvT documents, further strengthening the proposal.

Collaboration with the Ministry of TEATT, specifically the Section of Shipping and Maritime, has ensured the consideration of maritime and transportation aspects. The proposed nature park boundaries have been adjusted to accommodate the navigational channel between Simpson Bay and Porto Cupecoy, with vessels required to maintain a minimum distance of 70 meters from the shore of Little Key unless otherwise permitted by posted signs or traffic regulations.

The proposed establishment of the Little Key Nature Park aligns with Sint Maarten's Draft Development Plan for Simpson Bay, which designates the island as "Nature" and the surrounding waters as "Water-Natural Value." These designations emphasize the commitment to conserve, restore, develop, and manage the natural and ecological values of the area, with restrictions on construction and emphasis on nature-oriented recreational activities.

The removal of abandoned wrecks from Little Key, coupled with post-Hurricane Irma rehabilitation efforts, has created an opportune moment to designate the island as a protected nature park. This proactive step aims to prevent future damage and ensure the preservation of ecologically important areas in Sint Maarten.

Upon approval, the Prime Minister will sign the letter of presentation to the Governor, initiating the process of forwarding the proposal to the Council of Advice (Raad van Advies).

The Ministry is committed to safeguarding its natural heritage and looks forward to the positive impact the establishment of the Little Key Nature Park will have on preserving the island's rich biodiversity.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of VROMI (Spatial Planning, Infrastructure, and Environment) is pleased to honor a request for water usage to facilitate the construction of an extraordinary underwater museum in Sint Maarten.

Today, Wednesday, July 12th, 2023 the Minister of VROMI Egbert J. Doran has officially signed a rental agreement with Deep Blue Sea (DBS), the developer behind the museum project, marking a significant milestone in the realization of this groundbreaking venture.

The underwater museum is set to become a prominent cultural and historical attraction, showcasing Sint Maarten's rich heritage and promoting the preservation of its identity and traditions. The underwater museum will feature a collection of cultural statues and monumental installations that pay homage to the island's vibrant past and serve as a testament to its roots, which will include a special tribute to our rich musical culture namely, The Ponum Dance, the islands Steel Pan and Carnival.

Our musical culture is a testament to the vibrancy and diversity of our nation. By integrating the Ponum dance and Steel Pan tributes within the underwater park, we not only pay homage to our rich heritage but also provide an immersive and enriching experience for visitors, further promoting the fusion of cultural appreciation and environmental conservation" said the Minister of VROMI Egbert J.Doran

Through careful deliberation and work sessions, multiple locations were considered to find the ideal site for the museum. The chosen coordinates have been outlined in the rental agreement, which is nearby Divi Little Bays area, providing the necessary space for the construction and realization of this immersive underwater experience which is slated to be completed in September 2023.

The museum project holds great promise for Sint Maarten, not only in terms of cultural significance but also as a catalyst for economic growth. The unique underwater attraction is expected to draw a significant number of tourists, contributing to the local economy and generating revenue for the island. This tourism boost will create opportunities for local businesses, artisans, and entrepreneurs, further enhancing the island's prosperity. This underwater venture has also been carried out in Mexico, the Bahamas, the Canary Islands, and Bali, contributing highly to these destinations touristic appeal.

The Ministry of VROMI is proud to support this initiative, which aligns with its mission to promote sustainable development and preserve the unique natural and cultural resources of Sint Maarten. The museum project exemplifies the harmonious blend of cultural preservation, economic growth, and environmental stewardship.
PHILIPSBURG:--- In the morning hours of Tuesday, July 11th, the Coast Guard vessel Metal Shark assisted a sailing vessel with 2 persons onboard by towing them safely to Simpson Bay where they were able to anchor the vessel in the bay. The 26-footer was in need of assistance after her anchor came loose from the bottom of Simpson Bay where she was anchored for a short stop between her voyage from Bermuda to St. Lucia.
Uranium price goes steeply upwards

The fact that nuclear power is part of the solution to ensure sustainable security of energy supply is coming into focus.

Even though people in this country have turned away from nuclear energy, many countries are working on expanding this form of energy generation. China alone plans to commission 47 new nuclear reactors in the next eight to ten years. The U.S. has (as of January 2023) 92 nuclear power plants that are operational, meaning they are connected to the electricity grid. Turkey is currently negotiating with China, Russia and South Korea on the planning of a second and third nuclear power plant. And negotiations should be underway with the U.S. regarding small modular reactors. Turkey is not the only country where energy demand is growing. The dependence on external sources should also be reduced and Turkey wants to become climate neutral. Since 2018, the Akkuyu nuclear power plant has been under construction in Turkey, based on a Turkish-Russian agreement, and it is expected to cost $20 billion. It is the first nuclear power plant for the country. It is expected to cover ten percent of Turkey\-s electricity needs, starting around 2028.

Radical changes are needed worldwide to become climate neutral. Wind and solar energy must be expanded, and energy efficiency measures must be taken. But nuclear energy is a necessary part of the plans. In the meantime, researchers in the USA have succeeded in obtaining more energy from nuclear fusion than the plant consumed. This breakthrough in fusion technology is significant for a future of infinite clean energy. However, it is estimated that several decades will pass before this can be used commercially. Interesting companies in the uranium sector include Latitude Uranium and Uranium Energy.

Latitude Uranium\-s  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/latitude-uranium-inc/  uranium projects are located in Labrador and Nunavut, two excellent uranium regions.

Uranium Energy  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/uranium-energy-corp/  can score points with projects in the USA and Canada, some of which are already operational. Uranium Energy is also well financed and has a stake in the only royalty company in the uranium sector.

Current corporate information and press releases from Uranium Energy (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/uranium-energy-corp/ -) and Latitude Uranium (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/latitude-uranium-inc/ -).

In accordance with A34 WpHG I would like to point out that partners, authors and employees may hold shares in the respective companies addressed and thus a possible conflict of interest exists. No guarantee for the translation into English. Only the German version of this news is valid.

Disclaimer: The information provided does not represent any form of recommendation or advice. Express reference is made to the risks in securities trading. No liability can be accepted for any damage arising from the use of this blog. I would like to point out that shares and especially warrant investments are always associated with risk. The total loss of the invested capital cannot be excluded. All information and sources are carefully researched. However, no guarantee is given for the correctness of all contents. Despite the greatest care, I expressly reserve the right to make errors, especially with regard to figures and prices. The information contained herein is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but in no way claims to be accurate or complete. Due to court decisions, the contents of linked external sites are also co-responsible (e.g. Landgericht Hamburg, in the decision of 12.05.1998  312 O 85/98), as long as there is no explicit dissociation from them. Despite careful control of the content, I do not assume liability for the content of linked external pages. The respective operators are exclusively responsible for their content. The disclaimer of Swiss Resource Capital AG also applies: https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/disclaimer/
Gama announce assay results from channel sampling at its Muskox Lithium Project, Northwest Territories

Gama Explorations Inc. (CSE: GAMA) (OTCQB: GMMAF) (FSE: N79) (aGamaa or the aCompanya  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/gama-explorations-inc/ ) is pleased to announce assay results from its exploration program at the Muskox Lithium Property (the aPropertya) in the Yellowknife Pegmatite Province of The Northwest Territories, Canada.

Exploration Highlights

Assay results confirm better grade continuity along the >700metres strike length of the CM-1 pegmatite.

Three additional channel samples taken along the south-east extension of the CM-1 pegmatite returned high-grade Li2O mineralization including 5 m at 0.86 % Li2O.

The CM1 yielded 0.72% Li2O over 5 m and 1.23 % Li2O over 3.8 m where it was previously thought to be barren.

Two of three channel samples taken along two smaller spodumene-bearing dikes identified adjacent to CM-1 returned with high-grade Li2O mineralization including 3.2 m at 0.97% Li2O, which are named the PV pegmatites.

Both mapping and recent assays suggests potential to uncover additional lithium bearing pegmatites between the CM-1 and PV pegmatites.

The Company is on track to commence drilling inA August.

aThis follow-up channel sampling program has confirmed both the remarkable continuity of the CM-1 pegmatite, and the presence of another nearby pegmatite returning comparable grades to CM-1. As we move forward to the next phase of our exploration program, we await the completion of a LIDAR/orthophoto survey designed to help identify additional spodumene-bearing pegmatites covered or partly covered by overburden. While helicopter availability has proven difficult due to the fire season, we expect the survey to be completed late July. Drill targets have been confirmed at the CM-1 pegmatite and we expect to begin drilling next month.a A

Channel Sampling Program

A total of 9 channel samples were taken across 4 pegmatite dikes. Five samples were collected along the CM-1 pegmatite to verify the historical data and establish grade continuity across the dike. A sample that was thought to be taken from the CM-1 pegmatite in 2022 turned out to be in a barren pegmatite dike. The CM-1 pegmatite was identified and sampled close to this location with visible coarse spodumene and yielded 0.72% Li2O over 5.1 m and 1.23 % Li2O over 3.8m. Two additional pegmatites were found in the vicinity of the CM-1 pegmatite dike, one of which one hosts abundant coarse spodumene. This pegmatite yielded 0.97% Li2O over 3.2 m and can be traced over more than 100m of strike length before being obscured by overburden. The CM-1 pegmatite is only exposed over a narrow range of elevation and may vary in thickness at depth.

The company also announces it has granted 200,000 Restricted Stock Units to an arm\-s length consultant, which vested upon issuance.

QAQC and Data Verification

The Company used 2 m of channel samples and visual assessment of spodumene content along sampling sites to verify the 2022 data. There was a slight but acceptable discrepancy due to the coarse nature of the spodumene crystals along the channel sample length and the Company considers the 2022 sampling verified. Assay data was by ICP-MS using the ALS labs ME-MS89L package. ALS inserts standards and duplicates at regular intervals for QAQC purposes. No standards and duplicates were inserted by the Company.

Qualified Person

Bill Cronk, P.Geo., an independent consulting geologist has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release.

About Gama Explorations Inc.

Gama is a Canadian company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE:GAMA), the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE:N79), and OTCQB Exchange (OTCQB:GMMAF). The Company is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties containing metals used in green technologies and the renewable energy sector. The company currently has the right to acquire 100% interest in the Muskox Lithium Pegmatite Project located within the Yellowknife Pegmatite Province in the Northwest Territories and owns 100% of the Tyee Nickel-Copper Massive Sulphide Project located in North-Eastern Quebec.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Dr. Mick Carew, PhD | CEO and Director

mick@gamaexplorations.com

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger

info@resource-capital.ch A A

www.resource-capital.ch

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Readers should not rely on information in this summary for any purpose other than for gaining general knowledge of the Company. The words aexpecteda, awilla and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that its expectations as reflected in any forward-looking statements, are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and no assurance can be given that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that managementa?s beliefs, estimates, opinions or other factors should change.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Azerbaijan and International Finance Corporation (IFC) discussed opportunities for cooperation on projects, Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on Twitter, Trend reports.

"During the meeting with the Head of IFC Public-Private Partnership Programs for the European Region Mehita Fanny, we discussed our country's relations with this organization and the work done in the field of public-private partnership," said the minister.

The Azerbaijan SME Development Agency and IFC also discussed financing of public-private partnership projects.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Chairman of the Management Board of the Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Businesses (KOBIA) under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan Orkhan Mammadov, who is on a visit to Istanbul, met with member of the Management Board of the Turkish Albayrak Group of companies Mustafa Albayrak, KOBIA told Trend.

At the meeting between KOBIA and the Turkish Albayrak Group of companies, an exchange of views was held on the company's new projects being implemented in Azerbaijan, as well as on the possibilities of cooperation.

KOBIA, as a legal entity under the Ministry of Economy, is authorized to support the development of small and medium businesses (SMBs) in the country by providing SMBs with a number of services as well as ensuring coordination and regulation of services rendered by government entities to SMBs.

Albayrak Group of companies operates in more than 20 sectors, such as construction, real estate, industry, logistics, media, tourism. The group of companies includes about 80 companies and brands.
U K takeaway chain Dominos Pizza Group has ended its search for a permanent chief executive after revealing Andrew Rennie will take over at the helm next month.

Mr Rennie will start in the post on August 7, having previously acted as the European boss for Sydney-listed Dominos Pizza Enterprises  a major franchise operator of the pizza group.

He takes over from interim chief executive Elias Diaz Sese, who has led the group since October last year after former boss Dominic Paul announced plans to depart in December to head up Premier Inn owner Whitbread.

Mr Diaz Sese will revert to his previous role as non-executive director, a post he has held since joining the board in 2019.

He is an energetic and entrepreneurial leader with an incredible track record of delivering growth in Domino's businesses around the world

Matt Shattock, chairman of Dominos Pizza Group (DPG), said: Andrew understands the power and potential of the Dominos brand as well as anyone in the business globally.

He is an energetic and entrepreneurial leader with an incredible track record of delivering growth in Dominos businesses around the world.

All of us on the board believe that working with our brilliant colleagues and world-class franchisees, he is just the right person to take the business to the next level.

Mr Rennie spent more than two decades at Dominos Pizza Enterprises, during which time he headed up regions including France and Belgium, Australia and New Zealand and latterly its European arm from 2014 to 2020.

Mr Rennie said: The Dominos brand is in my blood and Ive admired the strong progress the UK and Ireland business has made in recent years.

Dominos UK ended a long-running dispute with its franchise partners at the end of 2021, agreeing to invest 20 million over the next three years, with franchise owners agreeing to increase the speed of new store openings.

It also last year completed an exit from all directly-operated international markets to focus on the UK and Ireland.
W orkers at a bar in Scotlands largest city will be the first in the country to take strike action in 20 years, a union has claimed.

Staff at the 13th Note in Glasgow will stage a 48-hour walkout from noon on Friday until Sunday over what Unite claims is a failure of the owners to deal with concerns over pay and health and safety.

Industrial action will coincide with the busy Glasgow Fair public holiday over the weekend.

The workers will then take action every weekend until August 6.

Unite represents 95% of the workers employed at the venue, with 100% of members voting to support strike action.

Talks between the union, the bars owners and Acas are due to take place on July 19.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: Unites members at the 13th Note bar in Glasgow are striking following the failure of the owners to make improvements on pay and on health and safety concerns.

In what has become one of the first bar workers strikes in over 20 years, we support them and hope the owners now recognise the strength of the collective.

These workers deserve credit for standing up for their rights in an industry that is riding roughshod over staff. Unite will back them 100% in their demands for better pay and safer working conditions.

Nick Troy, a Unite rep at the 13th Note, said: The owners of 13th Note should be under no illusion that improvements to wages, health and safety, as well as union recognition, are the only way this rift will be sorted.

This action is a reflection of our determination to ensure fair treatment. The continuation of the strike action beyond this weekend is not inevitable if the concerns and demands of the workforce are resolved.

Unite remains hopeful that talks at Acas could avert further action.

The 13th Note has been contacted for comment.
S tudents looking to work in the UKs growing space sector will be able to gain a degree-level industry qualification without incurring tuition fees, the Education Secretary has announced.

The new Space Systems Engineer degree apprenticeship will give people opportunities to work for global aerospace companies, space agencies and leading research and technology institutions, the Department for Education (DfE) said.

The curriculum, to be launched in 2024, was developed with the University of Leicester following input from leading businesses including Airbus, and will be delivered at the citys Space Park.

Applications for the Level 6 Space Systems programme will open in September this year, with successful applicants beginning their training at Airbus in September 2024.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, who visited the Space Park on Thursday, said: It is a brilliant opportunity for young people to be at the forefront of the UKs world-class space industry, earning money while they get a degree and unparalleled skills training.

We will ensure the industry can access the talent it needs to continue to grow the economy and make history.

I think its going to be hugely popular, and I look forward to seeing many more people get the opportunity to work in this fascinating industry via a degree apprenticeship.

I think theyre a fantastic option, not just for young people who want to get that route into the same careers as opposed to just going via the university route, but also for older people, perhaps if they missed out but they do need to earn as well.

Its a fantastic route into any career and we now have degree apprenticeships in 140 different careers and we have 667 different apprenticeship standards, so you can literally be almost anything now via an apprenticeship.

The new degree apprenticeship follows the approval in 2020 of a Level 4 Space Engineering Technician apprenticeship, which was designed to help young people gain the technical skills needed to start a career in space.

Apprentices on the new scheme will be involved in creating complex, high-value space hardware and ground support equipment, the DfE said and will spend around 20% of their time in the classroom and the rest working.

The announcement comes after the UK launched its first National Space Strategy in 2021.

The plan aims to expand the sector  which as of 2021 was worth more than 16.4 billion per year and employed more than 45,000 people  and increase the ability to achieve the UKs civil and defence ambitions in space.

Professor Sarah Davies, head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Leicester, said: Space is going to be a huge industry, its going to be (a) hundreds of billions of dollars industry.

Its growing at a significant rate and the UK is leading in that.

In Leicestershire alone, there are 40 companies that are involved in space.

It requires everything from computer scientists, to engineers, software engineers, a whole range of disciplines that can be brought into the space arena to develop new ideas and to develop new technologies.

Degree-level apprenticeships were introduced in the 2014-15 academic year, with 188,000 apprentices since starting qualifications in sectors including nursing, science and engineering.

Apprentices earn a median salary of over 34,000 after completing their qualification at a university, without incurring debt from tuition fees.

Mrs Keegan is the only degree apprentice in the House of Commons and signed off the first space engineering apprenticeship when she was apprenticeships minister.

The Government has asked the Office for Students  a DfE body that regulates the higher education sector  to invest up to 40 million over the next two years to help education providers offer more degree apprenticeships.

Students looking to complete such a programme will also be able to see degree apprenticeship opportunities on the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) application system.

They're paying for university and work experience in engineering. Work experience is like gold dust,

During her visit, Mrs Keegan spoke to current degree apprentices working with Airbus and was shown a range of new technologies, something she described as fascinating.

Aaron Vidal, 21, is completing the Embedded Systems Design and Development degree apprenticeship and said the qualification gave students a big leg up in their search for a job.

He said: Theyre paying for university and work experience in engineering.

Work experience is like gold dust, so having four years of work experience and a degree when leaving university, people in the same place as me will have a degree but theyll have a bunch of student debt and one year of work experience, so it gives you a big leg up in the jobs marketplace.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. The "State Program of Socio-economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023-2027", approved by the decree of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will contribute to the development of both the city of Nakhchivan and all districts and villages included in the Autonomous Republic, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in Nakhchivan Fuad Najafli said, Trend reports.

He made the remark at a meeting with residents during the commissioning of the new Umid residential complex in Nakhchivan.

According to him, within the framework of the implementation of the state program, the construction of residential complexes and social facilities will continue in accordance with the requirements of modern architecture.

In line with the planned construction of a new building for the Nakhchivan State Carpet Museum, a new school building for 1,000 seats, and reconstruction of the historical part of the cities of Nakhchivan and Ordubad, Najafli said that new design works related to "Gizlar Bulagi" (Maiden Spring), the Ajami recreation complex, and the mausoleum of Momina Khatun will also be carried out in Nakhchivan, the Central Market and Lake Bazarchai.

In the near future, master plans for all cities in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will be developed. New projects being developed today are based on a scientific approach and legal requirements.

.
D emand for luxury timepieces continues to outpace supply, retailer Watches of Switzerland said, as years-long waiting lists for its most in-demand timepieces got even longer, despite it raising prices.

Higher prices, alongside a continued rise in sales volumes, helped the business report revenue of 1.5 billion and profit of 155 million for the year.

CEO Brian Duffy told the Standard that watch makers had avoided hiking prices too drastically, citing lengthening waiting lists for grail watches like the Rolex Submariner..

The brands have been very responsible, he said.

But the retailer is also running behind schedule on opening a new Rolex shop on Old Bond Street. Duffy said the design of the shop, which Rolex and Watches of Switzerland are working together on, is taking a bit longer than we had hoped.

Luxury watch sales grew by 28% year-on-year, and luxury jewellery sales jumped by a 10th.

Consumer appetite for products remained strong and, in many instances, well above the levels that the group is able to supply, the firm said.

Luxury watch demand remains strong and continues to outpace supply, with our client registration lists extending and average selling prices growing

The groups statutory pre-tax profit jumped by nearly a quarter, from 126 million to 155 million in the latest year.

The record year for revenues and profitability came despite a more challenging trading environment during the second half of the financial year, Watches of Switzerland said.

It was also driven by a surge in revenues in the US of more than a third.

In the UK, tourist sales remain very low and demand was driven by domestic customers, but more shoppers returned to airports during the year, it revealed.

The retailer, which also sells brands including Cartier, Tudor, and Patek Philippe, has been shaking up its chain of shops around the country.

It opened five showrooms at Battersea Power Station in London and 10 single-brand boutiques across the UK, but closed six showrooms elsewhere.

It is also due to open a new showroom in St Annes in Manchester and a flagship store Old Bond Street in London next year.

The firm expects to report slower revenue growth of between 8% and 11% next year.

Brian Duffy, Watches of Switzerlands chief executive, said: Luxury watch demand remains strong and continues to outpace supply, with our client registration lists extending and average selling prices growing.

Danni Hewson, the head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said: The fact it has achieved stellar growth in a cost-of-living crisis shows that not everyone is short of money.

The market has previously worried that the luxury goods market might not be as resilient as previously thought.

Despite the uncertain economic backdrop, the fact Watches of Switzerland hasnt downgraded its guidance has been taken as a massive positive in the eyes of investors.
T he Scottish Secretary will chair a roundtable of defence firms in a bid to increase investment north of the border.

Joined by representatives of leading defence companies located in Scotland, the armed forces, and trade body ADS, Alister Jack will be looking to maximise the economic impact of the sector after BAE Systems confirmed it would award a 169 million contract to Thales Glasgow for the new nuclear submarine class  the Dreadnought.

The company will be tasked with creating an integrated optronic combat system mast  which has been described as the eyes of the new submarines.

It's clear that Scottish skills, expertise and innovation make an enormous contribution to the UK's defence industry

The Scottish Secretary said: Its clear that Scottish skills, expertise and innovation make an enormous contribution to the UKs defence industry, with massive benefits for our national security and economy.

Im looking forward to hosting ADS, its members, the armed forces and UK Government departments at this new forum.

The UK Government is committed to growing our economy, including by working with the defence industry to support its success in the UK and in exporting overseas.

Commenting on the contract award to Thales, Mr Jack said: With more than a centurys experience of building periscopes and optronic masts for our submarines, its great news that Thales Glasgow workforce will once again be at the forefront of producing the state-of-the-art combat system mast for our round the clock nuclear deterrent.

Defence plays a crucial part in the security of the United Kingdom and also contributes significantly to delivering high-skilled jobs and investment in Scotland.

Defence procurement minister James Cartlidge said: This is a clear investment in maintaining the United Kingdoms nuclear deterrent.

By providing the eyes of the new Dreadnought class submarine, this technology will play a key role in keeping the country safe.

The Dreadnought programme will support tens of thousands of UK jobs, boosting the economy and defending our nation.
N o country  not even the Soviet Union at its peak  has spied in such a comprehensive way as China.

The head of MI6, Sir Richard Moore, warned in December 2021 that the Chinese intelligence services are highly capable and continue to conduct large-scale espionage operations against the UK and our allies. In 2022, then home secretary Priti Patel said she was deeply concerned that the Chinese Communist Party was targeting British parliamentarians. Other liberal democracies  Australia and Canada  have experienced bouts of sustained political interference by China, leading to an atmosphere of distrust. Such events have left the impression that Communist China is determined to undermine the political foundations of its rivals.

Angered by Chinese spying, Joe Biden has branded President Xi Jinping a dictator. When what appeared to be a Chinese spy balloon flew above the US earlier this year, Mr Biden ordered fighter planes to shoot it down. The balloon was then retrieved from the sea and its contents removed for study by the CIA.

The agencys China Mission Centre is supervised by the CIAs director, William Burns. It is well resourced, yet weaker than the Chinese secret service, according to a former CIA chief-of-staff, Larry Pfeiffer.

Theyve got more people than we could ever dream of having. They are going to collect as much data as they can get, put it in a big data pool and use artificial intelligence, use machine processing, to then target us, Mr Pfeiffer said on US public radio.

/ AP

Britain is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing pact with the US, so in theory, information about China should be frequently exchanged between the Pentagon and intelligence services here.

In reality, US agents are selective in their disclosures to their allies and have a habit of leaking stories to the press. When Mr Burns went to China in June, his visit was kept under wraps until after his return. He then gave a talk at Ditchley Park in Oxfordshire in which he warned: China is the only country with both the intent to reshape the international order and increasingly the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to do so.

The secretive nature of intelligence agencies makes it difficult for outsiders to judge their integrity. But some mistakes are obvious.

Former British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, told a committee of MPs that he had been given an intelligence assessment that Kabul was unlikely to fall to the Taliban. In the event, it was overrun within hours, leading to humiliation for the US and British forces, and causing many Afghan casualties.

A similar misjudgment of Chinas intentions could have disastrous consequences. It rests with MPs to judge if our spies are up to the job of assessing whether it is readying its forces for war.

Duncan Bartlett is the editor of Asian Affairs magazine and a research associate at the SOAS China Institute, where he presents the weekly podcast, China In Context.
L eicester Square was awash with pink yesterday as a sea of Barbie fans flooded the capital for the films European premiere.

They queued from as early as 3am in the hope of catching a glimpse of the real life Barbie, Margot Robbie, or her charming himbo companion Ken, played by Ryan Gosling. Both were in London for the films European premiere, along with fellow cast members Will Ferrell, Hari Nef, and Simu Liu, among others.

Despite the movie not being released until next Friday, its pre-release promo has driven people Barbie-mad. Fans all over Leicester Square were sporting the outlandish costumes from the film, turning the queue into a sea of bubblegum pink.

Phoebe, 21, Becca, 20, and Kevin, 26 / Evening Standard

Ive been a fan of Barbie for as long as I can remember, so this is really big deal for me, said 20-year-old Becca, whose love for Barbie flourished after she was given her first doll, a Barbie Fairytopia, when she was young.

Becca and her friends Phoebe, 21, and Kevin, 26, arrived at Leicester Square at 5am to stand in line and collect their entry wristbands for the premiere. There were 400 wristbands available to superfans, allowing them access close to the red carpet (though not into the film). All the wristbands had all been given out by 11am.

After securing their wristbands, Beccas group went back to their hotel to get changed into their outfits  a roller Barbie, roller Ken and Ken doll respectively  then immediately returned to the queue. There was no napping involved, we literally got changed, got the Tube and came straight back to the queue, says Phoebe.

Barbie fans eagerly await the premiere / Evening Standard

As a line of fellow Barbies jostle anixously behind them, Becca describes the atmosphere as so nice, saying, Everyones here for the same reason, you know? So you end up talking to people you wouldnt ever have a reason to talk to.

Everyone wants to talk to Barbie fan Chloe, who bears a slight resemblance to Margot Robbie and is walking around holding a sign that says I wanna ride you, Ken!. Theres a charming picture of Ryan Gosling, in his sleeveless denim jacket, beneath.

I love Barbie and I love Margot Robbie, says 25-year-old Chloe, who lives in Brighton but is originally from Australia, where Robbie also hails from. Shes also a fan of Ryan Gosling, which would explain the sign. I just love his Kenergy, she says, I think Margo has got BBE as well, which is big Barbie energy, and Im just obsessed with it.

Chloe, 25, from Brighton / Evening Standard

Chloe first arrived at Leicester Square at midday to soak up the Barbie vibes, but she also hopped around the city yesterday to see the new Barbie landmarks  including a pink Tardis near Tower Bridge and Barbies iconic corvette, parked beneath the London Eye.

But no one is as committed a Barbie fan as Claudio, a professional Barbie collector and customiser. Of course Im a big Barbie fan, Ive been one since I was a child, when I used to play with them, he says.

Claudio is a professional Barbie customiser / Evening Standard

Claudio arrived in Leicester Square at 7am, grabbed his wristband and then left the queue for a bit to go and chill at home, which he says is nearby. Im lucky that I live 30 minutes away, Ive seen people here that have been here since this morning and not left, because they come from abroad or another city.

When asked why hes so keen to attend to the premiere, Claudio explains that he is mainly attending for Margot Robbie, who he considers to be a perfect choice to play Barbie. Hes less fussed about the Kens, Barbie is everything, Kens just Ken, he says, sagely.
E mily Blunt says the entire crew of Oppenheimer, including the scientific advisors, read American Prometheus before beginning filming.

The British actress said the 2005 biography of the US theoretical physicist had been super helpful and contained endless nuggets to help with character development.

Blunt stars alongside Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh in the film, directed by Christopher Nolan, which tells the story of the father of the atomic bomb.

It is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer, written by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin.

Speaking at a photocall for the film in London on Wednesday, Blunt recalled preparing for the role while flying out to New Mexico to begin production.

We all read American Prometheus, she told the PA news agency.

I remember on the flight to New Mexico when it was starting  everyone on board was reading that book, the entire (crew) all the scientists were reading the book.

Were all trying to cram it before we started, but it was super helpful. There were endless little nuggets and wonderful little nuances to think about the characters.

Blunt added that the script for Oppenheimer had been so visceral and so evocative that there had been nothing to invent.

It was all there, she said.

Murphy, who plays the title role in Oppenheimer, told PA that he had received the call for the role out of the blue from Nolans wife, Emma Thomas  the films producer.

He said: Thats Chris MO (modus operandi) he said, Im making a movie about Oppenheimer and Id like you to play Oppenheimer. So it was just a very pleasant shock.

Asked about the moral responsibility of scientists in the modern age, Murphy continued: I think whatever you think about that, were all living in Oppenheimers world now.

Were all living in the nuclear age that he created.

Oppenheimer is due for release in UK cinemas on July 21.
T he press tour for Greta Gerwigs plastic fantastic Barbie film has been a truly awesome thing to witness.

Its hard to remember a time when a marketing campaign felt  and looked  this good.

Not only have we been treated to an Architectural Digest tour of the films Malibu Barbie house, but its also possible to stay in the thing: a real-life human-sized Barbie dream house has popped up on Airbnb, too.

Pops biggest names  Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice among them  have all contributed songs to the soundtrack, with incredible Barbie-inspired music videos.

Meanwhile Londons streets have been filled with pink buses with giant Ken dolls (aka Ryan Gosling) stretched across the side, cerise Black Cabs, and even a pink Tardis near Tower Bridge.

And the city seems to be thoroughly enjoying the fuchsia fantasy: at the films London premiere last night (July 12) fans dressed up to the nines queued for hours to get a glimpse of the cast  some sipped on rose-coloured drinks, some danced, some wore wigs.

But no one seems to be having more fun than Barbie and Ken. Margot Robbie has been wearing nothing but head-to-toe pink looks, or meticulous remakes of Barbies most iconic outfits, for what seems like months now, and has a huge grin constantly plastered across her face.

Meanwhile Ryan Gosling also seems to be having a ball on the press tour, giving increasingly surreal answers along the way. Hes been making hilarious quips, speaking about drawing on his inner-Kenergy, and going so deep with his Ken-isms that no one really knows what hes talking about. And were absolutely here for it.

Ryan Gosling is having the most fun anyone has ever had on the Barbie press tour, tweeted one fan. Every day I wake up thinking I cant be attracted to Ryan Gosling more, then he does something even more himbo on the Barbie press tour and tests my limits even further, said another.

Here are some of our favourite Gosling-Ken moments so far.

The reason Gosling took on the life-changing role is seriously moving

[Barbie was the] best script Ive ever read, said Gosling on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, speaking about the moment his childrens toys changed his destiny.

I walk out in the backyard and do you know where I found Ken, Jimmy? Face down in the mud next to a squished lemon ... I texted [a photo of] it to Greta and I said, I shall be your Ken. For his story must be told. 

He elaborated on this origin story in a red carpet interview with Virgin Radio. I doubted my Kenergy, Ill be honest. It was like I was in my backyard and I was picking up a discarded Ken doll, and then magically I was that Ken doll, and it was Greta Gerwig who was playing with me, he said.

And the only way back to the human world was to obey her very specific directions ... to Ken as hard as I Ken. Ken in the morning. Ken at night. Ken publicly. Ken be all you Ken.

The actor has gone deep on Ken

Look, Ken may be, as the movie says, just a Ken. But Gosling has taken this to heart. What does just a Ken mean? Who is Ken? How does Ken feel?

He has sung about this matter in a promotional video, depicting Ken.

I have feelings that I cant explain / Driving me insane / All my life been so polite / Cause Im just Ken / Anywhere else Id be a 10 / Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blond fragility? sings Ken.

Doesnt seem to matter what I do / Im always number two. Wow, Ken.

Gosling has also helped fans to understand the lives of Kens

Theyre Ken-ing, theyre Ken-ing all over the place, theyre Ken-ing all over each other, theyre Ken-ing everywhere and theyre Ken-ing so hard that theyre going to Ken themselves blind if they dont stop Ken-ing, he explained about the Ken dolls.

Right-o.

He has defended his casting

When Gosling was initially cast as Ken there was some backlash online, with people using the hashtag #notmyken to argue their case.

Ken doesnt have pores or even skin! #notmyken, said one fan on Twitter.

Suddenly, its like, No, weve cared about Ken this whole time, Gosling said to GQ. No, you didnt. You never did. You never cared. Barbie never f***ed with Ken. Thats the point. If you ever really cared about Ken, you would know that nobody cared about Ken. So your hypocrisy is exposed. This is why his story must be told.

His dedication to Ken borders on method acting

Kind of cool how in Ryan Goslings Ken we have the positive version of a method actor becoming the joker. Every pr quote from him is incomprehensible. He went too method for Barbie and now his brain doesnt work, tweeted one fan.

Its true that Gosling has been giving such good Kenergy, its difficult to know exactly where Gosling stops and Ken starts. As of now, the two have become one, a seamless stream of creative synergy. What a majestic thing to behold.

Barbie is set to be released by July 21
I like to think of myself as fairly fit. Or at least I did before trying my first Lagree class. It took just one highly slowed down crunch on the edge of my Megaformer (the amped-up reformer-like contraption on which the workout is based) for my body to start involuntarily shaking. Thats the sign that youve activated your slow twitch muscle fibres, the instructor says as she notices my sweaty and very shocked face. Get used to it.

Despite being named the top workout on ClassPass last year and boasting a list of celebrity fans that include Michelle Obama, Kim Kardashian, Sofia Vergara, Jennifer Aniston and the Duchess of Sussex, theres been no licensed Lagree studio in London  until now.

Last month, entrepreneurs and fitness gurus Mona Halawi and Nour Abu Hamdan opened MAD Lagree Studios, bringing Hollywoods favourite workout to Kings Road, Chelsea. Having initially started with four classes a day, they have already increased to seven due to the demand. We have people coming all over London especially for the class, says Abu Hamdan. This morning one client travelled over an hour for one before starting work.

Flexing towards London: Mona Halawi and Nour Abu Hamdan have brought Lagree to Chelseas Kings Road / PR handout

But what exactly is it? First and foremost: its not pilates. It may revolve around a similar-ish looking machine, but uses completely different training principles. Founded by Sebastien Lagree in 1998, it relies on the bodybuilding method of time under tension which removes all breaks from a workout and as a result targets all facets of fitness: balance, cardio, flexibility, core, endurance and muscle building.

Its literally circuit training but instead of jumping from one station to another youre on one machine jumping from one movement to another, explains Abu Hamdan.

On the surface, a Lagree class is full of pretty standard workout moves. An average session will have you doing planks and crunches, lunges and donkey kicks but  and its a big but  with a twist. You have to do each move as slowly as you can while navigating resistance from the Megaformer.

The longer you keep your muscles under tension, the more youre accessing your very deep muscles to strengthen them. Youre not only building strength, youre building endurance for your muscles, Abu Hamdan says of its unique, whole-body sculpting benefits.

Jennifer Aniston is a fan of The Lagree Method / FilmMagic

With many Lagree movements incorporating the use of 600 muscles at once, its no wonder the Lagree method claims to give a bigger burn than a F45 class (which I can confirm). But although you will spend most of the high-intensity workout shaking and sweating, its low impact nature has made it a popular alternative to workouts like HIIT.

I found the workout to be so beautiful. Its similar to yoga because youre forced to be present and aware of your body

As for Abu Hamdan, she was first introduced to the exercise style through one of her yoga students in Lebanon. At the time I wasnt interested, saying, All you need is your body and a mat like a typical yogi, she laughs. For a whole month he was pestering me to come with him. He ended up booking me a spot in the class and it was only after I realised he had paid for me that I went.

She was instantly hooked. I felt muscles I had never before felt in my body, she continues. It was a bit disorienting the first time  even as someone whos in the fitness industry. Its not an easy workout but once I became more confident with the machine I found the workout to be so beautiful. Its similar to yoga because youre forced to be present and aware of your body.

Having connected via Halawis husband (who Abu Hamdan went to university with), the pair discovered their shared love of fitness and began conceptualising MAD Lagree Studios. We were hooked on it and were shocked that there isnt a studio, Halawi explains, before adding that construction started back in February before they officially opened in May.

PR handout

She adds: Were very humbled by how welcoming people are. When we opened up we didnt have a bar, just a bunch of boxes piled up here and our clients would literally be like, We were just waiting for this to open so it doesnt matter  as long as the workouts are good, were fine.

Now with their beautiful marble bar installed and the studio fully up and running, theres a sense that theyre about to go stratospheric. Weve converted a lot of people already, agrees Abu Hamdan, who can now add me to their growing devotees.

MAD Lagree Studios currently has an introductory offer of three classes for 60, and a 340-a-month fee for unlimited classes.
L ondoners who stumped up extra funds for a home workspace could be spending more each month than those back in the office  even factoring in savings on commutes, lunches and a daily coffee habit.

New figures from property marketplace Ostrich suggest those that invested in spare rooms are the latest victims of the mortgage crisis, as rocketing rates push up the hidden price of working from home.

It calculated the increase in mortgage repayments for households that have bought a property with an extra room, based on an 89 square foot space it says is the average size of a London homes smallest bedroom.

The capitals buyers shell out around 837 per square foot, meaning a home office could add 74,493 to the cost of an average mortgage.

But few who embraced the home-working revolution would have factored in such a sharp jump in rates.

In January 2022, when a two-year fixed mortgage with a 75 per cent LTV averaged 2.14 per cent, the extra room would have added 241 to the monthly cost of the mortgage.

Last month, with the same mortgage deal leaping to 6.3 per cent, that cost would have been 370  an increase of more than 50 per cent.

Ostrich also looked at the cost of a home office in other UK cities, finding that Manchester buyers pay 89 per month, those in Birmingham 72 and Liverpool 54, thanks to far lower average property prices per square foot.

Duncan Jennings, Ostrichs CEO, said: For London homebuyers who want extra space to work from home, it has ended up being a much more expensive decision than they originally thought. Londoners are paying almost three times the national average to invest in the space for a home office.

For a city with so many people working regularly from home, this is an expensive property cost that didnt really exist a few years ago. With rising mortgage rates this will put more pressure on homeowners salaries over the next year.

A borough-by-borough analysis revealed that the cost of a home office is highest in Kensington & Chelsea, at an average 147,922. That translates to a monthly mortgage burden of 735, which is followed by Westminster at 645 and Camden at 468.

Borough Average property price per sq ft Cost of 89 sq ft home office Monthly mortgage repayment Jun 23 Change Jan 22 vs. Jun 23 London 837 74,493 370 130 Kensington & Chelsea 1,662 147,992 735 257 Westminster 1,458 129,731 645 226 Camden 1,058 94,137 468 164 Hammersmith & Fulham 964 85,763 426 149 Islington 916 81,454 405 142 Hackney 814 72,442 360 126 Tower Hamlets 765 68,122 339 119 Southwark 762 67,787 337 118 Lambeth 742 66,011 328 115 Lewisham 606 53,967 268 94 Greenwich 571 50,837 253 88

Kensington & Chelsea is also the only borough where the monthly cost of a home office is more than 10 per cent of the gross salary of the average dual-income couple  at 12.12 per cent.

Are you better off back in the office?

When the energy price cap increased last October, home workers were quick to weigh up expensive commutes against the extra cost of heating their homes. Until now, that is where the focus has remained.

The research reveals that the associated increase in energy bills is likely to be dwarfed by the mortgage repayments for a home office in more expensive boroughs, with Hammersmith & Fulham and Islington also coming in above the London average.

But it doesnt factor in the associated costs of returning to the office, which could add up to almost 400 for a worker who commutes from Zone 3 to Zone 1 and spends 10 a day on food and drink.

That means that a two-person London household that splits the mortgage could be financially better off working from home, though only in the unlikely case that they are sharing a single office space.

The priciest scenario would see one person using a home workspace and the other back in the office, stacking commuter costs on top of high mortgage payments.

What it costs

Back to the office Zone 1 - 3 monthly travelcard: 184 Daily 3 cup of coffee: 63 Daily 7 lunch: 147 Total: 394

Working from home Average monthly repayment for home office: 370 Estimated increase in monthly energy costs for home workers living in a flat (Uswitch): 87 Total: 457

Kesha Foss-Smith, regional director at estate agency John D Wood & Co, suggested that buyers should also consider the costs involved in purchasing a property in any equations.

Pushing themselves now and paying one lot of stamp duty for a larger property [with a home office] that could double up as an extra bedroom or nursery means they could live there for longer  rather than having to sell and buy again in a shorter period of time which leads to multiple additional costs, she said.

The data also doesnt consider the value uplift of a potential extra bedroom or office room when its time to sell up.

But careful comparisons may be a moot point for those who are yet to invest in a spare room. The increased monthly mortgage burden may have pushed the dream of a home office beyond the budget of many homebuyers, says Jennings.
Im sitting cross-legged in the witch cave of Wiccan high priestess Tree Carr. It doesnt look that different to a regular home office  located on the first floor of Carrs Margate house, theres a desk and a chair and professional certificates on the wall. But there are also shelves stuffed with jars of dried herbs and twigs, hefty tomes on witchcraft, tarot and astrology, and an altar of black candles. The room is scented with the smoke of rose petals, blue lotus flower and olive leaves burning in the miniature cauldron in front of us, all ingredients of a spell Carr has cast over me. Around my head she is shaking a shamanic rattle and chanting incoherently. As I peek, I see shes in some kind of trance, eyes shut, her arms almost blurred by their rapid movement.

With celebrity clients flying in from around the world for her spellcasting and tarot reading, Carr, 50, is something of a high priestess of the UKs witchcraft revival. Of the clients she will mention  Edie Campbell, Lisa Moorish, British Vogue, Soho House and Warhol superstars (famous friends of the late pop artist)  Carr variously sees them in person here (100 a session) or at east Londons spirituality emporium Shes Lost Control as its resident witch, or on Zoom, or even via voice note, sending tarot guidance for the week.

There cant be a better connected witch in town: at Februarys London Fashion Week, Carr walked for her friend Pam Hoggs fashion show, They Burn Witches Dont They. Shes also collaborated with the artist Christian Marclay, and in her days as a professional musician, supported Primal Scream. Having co-founded the now defunct cult video shop and film club Today is Boring in Shoreditch in 2002 with her filmmaker husband, Adam Carr, shes very much part of the east London music/art/fashion scene. (Born to a Scottish mother and an American father, Carr moved to London in 1999, and to Margate in 2015, keeping her London flat until 2020.) Shes also authored five books on witchcraft, most recently A Spell a Day, out last month, and features in Netflixs forthcoming documentary Lost Magic.

Ive come to Margate to discover what a session with a witch might be like. If you saw Carr in the street, youd be unlikely to think, OMG, witch! Yet somehow  with her rock-meets-artworld glamour and occulty motifs (a black serpent pendant, an evil eye) you may well turn your head. Up close she seems, well, normal, grounded. I dont generally subscribe to woo woo, but with her frequent scientific references, she somehow makes sense. She calls herself a rational mystic: I keep myself in the real world. This is the world were in and we need to speak its language. But I do have one foot in the other world.

I keep myself in the real world. We need to speak its language. But I have a foot in the other world

As is apparent during our session. Even when she is reading my tarot, she seems in another realm, tuned into the cards messages. When she mentions her hundreds of out-of-body experiences, and how she is able to float and pass through walls and encounter other peoples thought forms, and that she once sent a storm away with a spell, I find myself wanting a taste of her magic.

Our session is a seamless blend of wellness and witchcraft, and begins with a breath-focused meditation. Theres quite a lot of witchy ritual throughout  for protection, Carr burns rosemary and summons the guardians of the north, east, south and west. Theres also plenty of sensible advice. If we were to listen to the [cards] guidance, she says, wed look at changing up how we make a decision, and making it through the heart rather than overthinking things. The heart knows but it takes a bit of bravery. I sense that Carr is intuiting my past mistakes: the negative thought loops, the cowardice around potential relationships. As she speaks, she gestures as if moving energy around in some kind of augmented reality.

Matt Writtle

Mostly, people come to Carr for healing, she says, seeking help with, for example, grief, toxic situations, or a feeling of being cursed. It taps into a wider trend for women turning to witchcraft as a self-care practice, casting banishment spells against bullies, say, or cord-cutting spells to liberate themselves from unhealthy relationships. Jill Urwin, founder of Shes Lost Control, says: Witchcraft has become an overriding label for alternative wellness, adding that shes seen a huge growth in interest in SLCs witch-led workshops since the start of the pandemic. The movement is on the rise generally: in the 2021 England and Wales census, the number of people identifying as Wiccan  ie believing in a form of witchcraft  increased by 10.5 per cent to 13,000; meanwhile, #witchtok on TikTok has had 48 billion views.

Being raised in a Seventies American Jesus-freak commune-slash-cult until she was seven was formative, Carr says. It was all signs and miracles, people speaking in tongues, transcendental experiences, dancing around and freaking out. Although her parents left the cult after the Jonestown mass murder-suicide of 1978, Carr remained drawn to transcendence and mysticism, identifying as a witch in her teens. It was my own private practice for decades  it didnt fit into Christianity or Reagan American, so it wasnt something I wanted to share with others.

Carrs powers came into their own with her intuition  she got that my greatest failing was my own self-care

All that changed with the arrival of Instagram when Carr was 40. I was just taking photos of my esoteric objects tarot cards, dream journal entries  and people were messaging me asking for readings and guidance. Then came the book-writing and the highly secretive Wiccan high priestess initiation in 2021, for which she had to show shed studied astrology, herbs, tarot, the ancient mysteries, and that shed worked in divination and liminal thresholds. She also had to do the work to know thyself, she says. I wonder out loud if the work is what makes Carr so centred, so wise? There have been times when I have felt really in my head, she concurs, but doing this work totally completely transformed all of that.

What about my own transformation? Did Carrs spell, designed to dissolve my resentment of an abusive ex, work its magic? The process itself  a body scan to pinpoint my feelings, writing and then burning a sigil (a magical code representing the negative energy), repeating Carrs affirmations  could clearly work on a psychological level. My grudge proved pretty resistant, but where Carrs powers came into their own was with her intuition  she somehow got that my greatest failing was my own self-care. I leave under her spell, but more knowing I have to focus on my own resolve, rather than thinking that magic could do all the work.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Iran imported a total of 9,690 tons of goods worth over $9.98 million from Turkmenistan, during the first three months of the current Iranian year (March 21 through June 21, 2023), Trend reports.

As indicated in the data of Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), the imports increased by 23.4 percent in value, while decreasing by 40.1 percent in volume compared to the same period last Iranian year.

So, Irans imports from Turkmenistan stood at 16,200 tons worth $8.09 million in the same period of the last year.

During 3 months, Iran mainly imported petroleum coke, cotton, fabric, etc. from Turkmenistan.

Meanwhile, in the 3rd month of the current Iranian alone (May 22 through June 21, 2023), Iran imported about 2,950 tons of goods worth $3.22 million from Turkmenistan.

Overall, Iran imported 9.6 million tons of non-oil products worth $14 billion within the first three months of the current Iranian year.

This is an increase of 5.79 percent in value and 1 percent in volume compared to the same period in the last year.

---

Follow the author on Twitter:@BaghishovElnur
K evin Spacey broke down in tears in the witness box as he described to a court how his world exploded when he was first accused of sexual assault.

The double Oscar-winner said work dried up, his reputation was tarnished, and he faced a slew of allegations after being accused of the sexual assault in New York in 1986.

Asked about the impact of the original allegation, Spacey said: My world exploded.

He told the court: There was a rush to judgement and before the first question was asked or answered, I lost my job.

I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days.

Spacey told jurors film projects and sponsorship deals were abandoned - With a few exceptions over the last five or six years, I have not been able to work.

There are some courageous and very kind filmmakers and producers who, even in the face of accusations, wanted to work with me and offered me to come and work with them, and I was very glad to do so.

Spacey said his original accuser, Anthony Rapp, sued him for $40m but a jury cleared him in a trial last October following a civil trial in New York.

The jury came back in 45 minutes and I was a unanimous jury that I had never abused Anthony Rapp, he said. Im not sure many people know we were successful and prevailed in that case because it kind of wasnt covered with the same enthusiasm that the original allegation was covered with.

The star said another criminal case was brought against him in Massachusetts but was dropped before reaching a trial.

He battled to control his emotions while describing the impact of sexual misconduct allegations on his life in the last six years, saying he is no longer a rich man thanks to mounting legal bills.

He broke down when discussing a statement he issued when the original Anthony Rapp story emerged in 2017, denying the allegation and controversially also revealing for the first time that he is gay.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community were upset because I came out while responding to an accusations, he said.

I understand why it was read that way, but I didnt put those two things together.

Spacey said members of the gay community had long been pressuring him to come out, and he had been contemplating it for two years before the 2017 statement.

Maybe, now that the allegation against me by Anthony Rapp has been proved to be false, maybe people will read that statement with a little bit more understanding now, he said.

Spacey wiped away tears as he went on to tell the court that he had never expected to be charged in the UK.

Earlier, the Hollywood star, 63, was crushed when accused of sexual assault by a man he considered a friend, saying the allegations felt like being stabbed in the back.

Spacey said one of the claims he faces, that he hurled abuse at a man before sexually assaulting him at a West End theatre, was madness.

He said he believes another alleged victim may have come to regret a consensual sexual encounter, which he described as lovely.

One of his accusers says Spacey repeatedly touched his leg and grabbed his crotch as they drove around together, including an alleged incident when he almost crashed the car out of shock.

Asked how he felt about the accusations when they were made last year, Spacey told the court: I was crushed.

I never thought that (the man) I knew would stab me in the back.

In his evidence last week, the man said he was disgusted by Spacey touching him and often told the Hollywood star to stop touching him.

However Spacey told the court on Thursday that they had enjoyed each others company,

PA

We drove around together, he said. He was a lads lad, he was funny, and charming, and flirtatious.

Over time, slowly - Im assuming it was me - I began to touch him in more romantic ways, intimate ways.

Spacey called himself a big flirt, and said his relationship with the man over time became somewhat sexual.

We never had sex together because he made it clear he didnt want to go any farther.

That happens at times, and you respect how far someone wants to go and does not want to go.

Spacey said they had a jovial time together, and told the court he touched the mans leg and crotch as well as guiding his hand over to his crotch.

It didnt happen in a violent, aggressive, painful way. It was gentle, it was touching, and it was in my mind romantic.

It dont think in his mind he wanted things to seem romantic but it was not what he described.

Spacey said the mans initial reaction was this is new to me, and he had taken the lead.

Actor Kevin Spacey arrives at Southwark Crown Court, London, where he is accused of indecent and sexual assaults / PA

The actor is accused of making a string of crude and sexually charged comments to a man when he attended an event at a West End theatre.

I never said any of those things he claimed I said to him, and wouldnt, and never have, to anyone in my life, said Spacey, adding: Its madness. It never happened.

He went on to deny claims he had turned up to the event looking dishevelled and apparently drunk.

I wouldnt do anything to embarrass myself in such a way, he said.

Another man claims Spacey performed a sex act on him when he fell asleep at the stars apartment, and suggested he may have been drugged.

Spacey said he denied the encounter ever took place when questioned by police, after a mix-up with the dates and him not remembering meeting the man.

My initial reaction was this was someone shaking me down, he said. Ive faced this before.

Spacey said it is not true that he drugged the man or performed a sex act on him as he slept.

If Im interested in someone, the first thing I want them to feel is comfortable, he said. The idea of barking orders, you cant go to the balcony...I would never be behaving the way he has claimed, it makes no logical sense.

I remember an encounter I had with someone in my flat. After we had a sexual encounter in which I had gone to the bathroom, I came back from the bathroom and it was like something had changed.

The person I had this intimate moment with was suddenly awkward and fumbling, saying I have to go, have to catch the last bus or last train.

I dont want to say running out of my apartment, but he hurriedly left. It felt very odd.

It felt like maybe he was making an excuse, and it concerned me. I called this person to make sure they were OK, to find out if they got their bus. They were OK, we continued to know each other, seeing each other for a period of time.

Asked for his memory of the encounter now, Spacey said: We had a consensual and I believe a very nice and lovely evening, and then if he regretted it immediately I dont know. I cant speak for him.

Opening his evidence, Spacey described his love for London theatre as he took to the witness stand for the first time in his sexual assault trial.

He faces allegations that he sexually assaulted four different men between 2001 and 2013, and has said through his barrister that he has been wrongly accused thanks to half-truths, exaggeration, and damned lies.

Spacey said he agreed to join the Old Vic theatre as artistic director in 2003 when it had fallen into disrepair and efforts were made to revitalise it.

The Old Vic has a remarkable history, he said. John Gielgud made his debut on the Old Vic stage.

He said when efforts were being made to revitalise the theatre, he was crazy enough at some point to throw my hat into the ring as a possible candidate.

He told jurors he appeared at the Old Vic in a production of the Ice Man Cometh as a young actor, and said: Theres something quite unique about the Old Vic  with its design, its round shape, when you stand in the centre of that stage, Laurence Olivier used to say I was the perfect spot.

Spacey began his evidence by detailing his education and first entry into acting, performing Shakespeare in the park in New York in a production of Henry IV Part 1.

He said he went to acting school alongside Val Kilmer, and at 26 years old, he broke into films. Asked about his big breakthrough in acting, he said: That happened in 1992 when I did a film with a great number of great actors called Glengarry Glen Ross.

Asked by his barrister Patrick Gibbs KC about when he began acting, Spacey joked: My mother would say when I came out.

He also told the jury about playing the son of Jack Lemmon on stage in London at the Haymarket theatre.

Spacey, who has been accused of being a sexual bully and a predator, won Oscars for his turns in American Beauty and The Usual Suspects, and became the artistic director of the Old Vic in London in 2003.

He was starring in the Netflix show House of Cards in 2017 when his career came to a shuddering halt thanks to sexual misconduct allegations.

A man who met Spacey in a pub alleges the Hollywood star sexually assaulted him at a rental home in the Cotswolds.

He claimed the star said be cool, be cool while grabbing his crotch and kissing his neck, and had a panicked look on his face when he was pushed away.

In his evidence, Spacey accepted most of the description of the incident, but characterised it as a clumsy pass.

Im only happy he testified the moment he told me he was not interested, I stopped, he said, adding that he tried to apologise to the man the following day for misreading the signals.

In his opening speech to jurors, Mr Gibbs said the accusers had put a sinister spin on innocent events, and argued the case was built on truths, half-truths, deliberate exaggerations and damned lies.

In the course of his evidence, Spacey revealed that he signed off letter as Bobby D after playing Bobby Darin in 2003 film Beyond the Sea, which included filming in London.

He said he was given a rental phone while working on the film and still uses it 20 years later: Im clearly the dumbest man in England because Im still renting my phone, he said, letting out a laugh.

Spacey also discussed his friendship with Dame Judi Dench and bonding over ping pong when they filmed The Shipping News in Nova Scotia.

Her husband had just passed away and we all thought she was going to drop out of the film, he said.

She decided to carry on and I made it my mission in that experience to try and make Judi laugh as much as I could. We developed a lovely friendship.

We were staying in a very remote place when we were shooting the movie.

There wasnt a whole lot to do. I love ping pong, we had a ping pong table one of the floors in the place we were living in.

Judi had never really played ping pong, and I taught her how to play ping pong. Thats what we did on certain nights.

Later on, I decided to get her a ping pong table as a gift.

Spacey has pleaded not guilty to four counts of indecent assault, seven counts of sexual assault, one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

The trial continues.
M ore high visibility patrols are needed in Londons violent crime hotspots to counter a new surge in teenage killings in the capital, the policing minister warned.

Chris Philp said he also wanted more respectful use of stop and search to take knives off the streets to prevent more heartbreaking loss of young lives.

His comments follow four teenage killings in London in the past month and come ahead of the school summer holidays when fears about youth violence have traditionally been heightened by the absence of supervision in class.

The victims include a 16-year-old boy who died on Monday after being stabbed in Forest Gate and 17-year-old Victor Lee, who was fatally stabbed before being found in a canal in Ladbroke Grove just over three weeks ago.

The others killed in the recent violence were Leonardo Reid, 15, from Islington, who was one of two knife victims stabbed to death in Islington a fortnight ago, and 18-year-old Andre Salmon. He was shot dead while riding a moped in Haringey earlier this month.

Mr Philp said each death was a tragedy and urged the Met to step up police action to reduce the risk of further loss of life.

He also took a swipe at London Mayor Sadiq Khan, saying that he should be doing so much more including expanding and supporting the use of important stop and search and making sure that Londons record number of police are on the streets protecting the public

Every young life taken on Londons streets is a tragedy, Mr Philp told the Standard. Its heartbreaking to hear of futures cut short and so much potential wasted. With summer and the holidays more young people tend to be out and about so we need more visible patrols especially in hotspot areas.

Mr Philp, the MP for Croydon South, said such hotspots included East Croydon station in my own constituency and added: The respectful use of stop and search is taking around 400 knives off Londons streets each month, but Sadiq Khan should be supporting and expanding the use of this important power which can save young lives.

London also has government funding for its violence reduction unit which provides constructive alternative activity for young people at risk of falling into gang violence.

The number of teenage homicides hit a record high total of 30 in 2021, but fell the following year when there were 14 such killings. The Met has also pointed to a decline in the number of under 25-year-olds being injured by knives as an indication that its efforts to suppress violence are having some success.
H eathrow saw the highest total number of crimes committed of any UK airport last year, figures show, though Luton had a worse crime rate overall.

Analysis conducted by security firm Get Licensed found that a total of 2,494 crimes were committed at Heathrow in 2022.

But Luton was found to have the highest crime rate overall of any airport in the capital when adjusting for the number of passengers, with 7.2 crimes committed per 100,000 travellers. However, its number of overall crimes (959) was significantly lower than Heathrow.

The only airport with a higher rate was Humberside Airport, with a total of 9.7 crimes per 100,000 passengers.

The data was obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to police forces across the country.

Leeds Bradford Airport was found to have the lowest crime rate overall, with 0.2 crimes per 100,000 passengers.

Heathrow saw a 124 per cent increase in crime from 2021 to 2022 but the figures are likely to be skewed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw most international travel ground to a halt for large swathes of 2021.

London City Airport saw the biggest rise in crime of any airport in the capital during this period, with a 296 per cent increase.

Theft offences were the most commonly reported crime last year (2,891), followed by Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society (1,821), which includes offences such as skipping bail or dangerous driving. Violent crimes were the third most common offences reported (555).

The number of sexual offences in UK airports increased by 148 per cent in 2022 compared with the year before.

Luton saw the highest number of offences relating to possession of a weapon (87).

Get Licensed were unable to obtain data from East Midlands Airport, London Southend Airport, Gatwick Airport, Southampton Airport, Newquay Airport, City of Derry Airport and Exeter Airport.

Heathrow Airport was contacted for comment.
T he cast of new movie Oppenheimer walked out of the UK premiere in London to go and write their picket signs ahead of the announcement Hollywood actors were going on strike.

On Thursday evening, lead actors of Christopher Nolans highly anticipated war biographic, including Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt walked out of the films premiere at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square in solidarity with US actors union Sag-Aftra.

Youve seen them here earlier on the red carpet, Nolan announced to the cinemas audience.

Unfortunately, theyre off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by Sag, joining one of my guilds, the Writers Guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of the unions, and we support them.

Emily Blunt attends the "Oppenheimer" UK Premiere / Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr, Sir Kenneth Branagh and Rami Malek also left.

Soon after, Sag-Aftra announced its first major members strike in over 40 years.

The Oppenheimer premiere was moved forward an hour so that the cast could walk the red carpet before the announcement.

Arriving on the red carpet ahead of the screening, British actress Blunt warned that the cast would be leaving in unity if the strike was announced.

She told US outlet Deadline: I think right now we are just sorting of ... I hope everyone makes a fair deal and we are here to just celebrate this movie.

Florence Pugh attends the "Oppenheimer" UK Premiere / Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

And if they call it, well be leaving together as a cast in unity with everyone.

When asked if she is upping sticks, she replied: Were going to have to. We are going to have to. We will see what happens, but right now its a joy to be together.

The decision to strike came after negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) failed to produce new contracts for members on Thursday.

It comes after more than four weeks of bargaining with the AMPTP, who represent major studios and streamers, including Amazon, Apple, Disney, Netflix, Paramount, and Warner Bros Discovery.

The union wants streaming giants to agree to a fairer split of profits and better working conditions.

The strike was announced by union president Fran Drescher and will start at midnight Pacific Time in the US - 8am BST.

Robert Downey Jr. and Rami Malek attend the "Oppenheimer" UK Premiere / Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

A statement from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPT) said: We are deeply disappointed that Sag-Aftra has decided to walk away from negotiations.

This is the unions choice, not ours.

In doing so, it has dismissed our offer of historic pay and residual increases, substantially higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, a ground-breaking AI proposal that protects actors digital likenesses, and more.

Rather than continuing to negotiate, Sag-Aftra has put us on a course that will deepen the financial hardship for thousands who depend on the industry for their livelihoods.

Nearly 98% (97.91%) of the 65,000 members who cast votes were in favour, Sag-Aftra said.

Announcing the strike at a press conference on Thursday, Drescher gave an impassioned speech in which she it was a "very seminal hour" for the union.

"The gravity of this move is not lost on me ... it's a very serious thing that impacts thousands if not millions of people, she said.

Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy attend the "Oppenheimer" UK Premiere / Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

"This is a moment of history that is a moment of truth. If we don't stand tall now we are all going to be in trouble.

"The jig is up AMPTP, we stand tall, you need to wake up and smell the coffee. You cannot exist without us."

Asked how long the strike would last, Ms Drescher said: "That's up to them, we are open to talking to them tonight.

"All of this is because of their behaviour, it's up to them if they want to talk in a normal way."

Meanwhile, British actors union Equity said it stands "full square behind our sister union", stating it has also been experiencing "bullish engagers attempting to undermine its collectively bargained agreements".

The general secretary of Equity, Paul W Fleming, said Equity had been in "constant contact" with Sag-Aftra during the negotiations, adding that it will "continue to work closely and collaboratively on advice for artists working in the United Kingdom as the situation develops".

It is now anticipated the strike will affect upcoming award shows, premieres, events and film festivals around the world, including the Toronto and Venice film festivals, and the 75th Emmys.
A south London shopping centre will ban unaccompanied children from next week after police were injured in a brawl with youths earlier this year.

Children will not be able to enter The Glades in Bromley from next Friday unless they are accompanied by an adult, the Met Police said in a letter to local schools on Thursday.

Face coverings, such as balaclavas, will also be banned and anyone wearing them will be asked to leave the site.

Security guards will be stationed at entrances to the shopping centre from 11am to enforce the rules, the Met said.

In April, four police officers were injured while breaking up a large gathering of teenagers at the centre.

Police broke up the group as they anticipated that incidents involving violence may take place.

Four police officers sustained injuries breaking up the group, but the injuries were not life-threatening.

Following the incident, the centre placed a ban on children aged under 16 entering without an adult during the May half-term.

The Glades has been contacted for comment.
P arliament Square could be transformed into a people-friendly space under ambitious plans to ban traffic from part of the area.

A business group has published a detailed blueprint reimagining the square, Whitehall and the Victoria Embankment if pedestrians were given priority over traffic.

This could involve closing or part-closing two or three sides of Parliament Square to vehicles, so traffic from Victoria Street would be rerouted along Great George Street towards St Jamess Park.

Bridge Street, the congested area next to the main Westminster Tube entrance, could be part-pedestrianised to create more space for the crowds visiting the Houses of Parliament.

The proposal is the latest from the London Heritage Quarter business organisation, which pulls together the work of its four business improvement districts  Victoria, Victoria Westminster, Whitehall and Northbank.

Ruth Duston, chief executive of London Heritage Quarter, said the proposed changes to Parliament Square were part of a much bigger vision for the wider area, which stretches from Victoria station to Trafalgar Square and the north bank of the Thames.

She said: We have got an enormous opportunity to really think, post-pandemic, about how we regenerate the city. We should promote more walkability and easier pedestrian routes where we can, traffic reduction and improved air quality.

How Parliament Square looks now (Sophie Wingate/PA) / PA Wire

She said the Parliament Square plans were at the conceptual stage  with modelling yet to be carried out to assess the impact on traffic.

This is what we would love to be able to achieve  to make this place safe and attractive for people coming in to Parliament Square, she said. The square is little more than a traffic island. Who would want to sit there at the moment and breathe in all of that pollution?

We have got these historic buildings and a fantastic square that could be so enjoyed by tourists, visitors, workers and residents, if only we could create a new civic space for people.

Nine priority areas, from quick wins such as improving signage to medium and longer-term ambitions that will take five to 10 years to realise, are listed in a 170-page document.

It has been presented to the Cabinet Offices public realm steering board.Parliament Square falls under the control of Mayor Sadiq Khan.

An outline drawing of how a Thames riverwalk would look / LHQ

Other ideas include a Whitehall river walk  a riverfront connection between Westminster Pier and the new Thames Tideway space near Blackfriars.

A digital Queens walk route from Buckingham Palace to the Thames via Horse Guards, and a Kings walk via King Charles Street, which passes Churchills War Rooms and the Foreign Office, are also suggested as a way of guiding visitors to hidden gems.

The blueprint states: For many years now Whitehall has been an international destination which draws numerous tourists from around the globe.

Despite this, at present, the main routes through the area have been engineered to give priority to vehicles over pedestrians.

Pedestrian congestion is particularly problematic around significant sites such as Horse Guards Parade, Westminster Station and Trafalgar Square. In addition, there are multiple traffic lanes which makes the main thoroughfare of Whitehall a difficult road to cross.

As a location of national significance and as one of the key destinations for visitors to the UK, Whitehall should be a positive, memorable and engaging experience for pedestrians. At present, this is not the case.

The poor arrival experience around Westminster Underground Station is particularly notable, given that many visitors have their first view of the Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) from the entrance on Bridge Street.

The exit is dark and unwelcoming, leading to a very busy footway and carriageway, with little opportunity to dwell, get bearings, and gaze upon the iconic views.
W hatsApp messages from Boris Johnsons old mobile phone have still not been handed over to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry because he has reportedly forgotten the passcode.

The former prime minister stopped using the device in May 2021 due to security concerns but it likely contains crucial correspondence about the Governments early pandemic response.

Mr Johnsons spokesman did not deny that he cannot remember the code to unlock the iPhone, as first reported by The Times.

He wants to disclose any relevant material which is why he is fully co-operating with this process

Government officials continue to try to securely retrieve the messages on the phone, which is being held by the ex-premiers lawyers.

There are concerns the contents could be wiped if the wrong combination of numbers is entered, according to the newspaper.

He was advised not to access the phone again on security grounds while serving as Britains leader in May 2021, after it emerged his number had been freely available online for 15 years.

The device likely contains messages relating to the ordering of three lockdowns in 2020.

A spokesman for the former prime minister said: The phone is in the possession of Mr Johnsons lawyers.

The Governments own appointed technical experts continue to work to recover material safely from the device.

As previously stated, Mr Johnson will co-operate fully with the inquiry.

He wants to disclose any relevant material which is why he is fully co-operating with this process.

The inquiry is aware of the efforts to securely extract any potentially relevant content from Mr Johnsons old phone, it is understood.

A mobile security expert cast doubt on claims the messages cannot be accessed because of a memory lapse on Mr Johnsons part.

Andrew Whaley, senior technical director at Norwegian cybersecurity company Promon, said: This is a pretty lame excuse. Provided Boriss WhatsApp is backed up, accessing the data would take minutes

As this is a diplomatic phone, the security measures may very well be different, but even still, its not an impossible task by any means.

The Government handed over the rest of Mr Johnsons unredacted notebooks, WhatsApp messages and diaries from his time in Downing Street to the inquiry after it lost its bid to prevent their release.

It had fought the request from inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett to release them, arguing it should not have to hand over material that is unambiguously irrelevant.

But the argument was dismissed by the High Court last week.

The Cabinet Office had until 4pm on Monday to comply with its ruling to pass on the documents.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson on Wednesday said all of the requested material had been released to the inquiry.

It has been contacted for comment on Mr Johnsons passcode.
W hatsApp messages on Boris Johnsons old mobile phone have still not been handed over to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

Downing Street on Monday said all requisite material had been given to the inquiry after the Government lost its bid to prevent their release.

The Cabinet Office had until 4pm on Monday to comply with a High Court ruling to hand over Mr Johnsons unredacted notebooks, WhatsApp messages and diaries from his time in Downing Street.

But the PA news agency understands that the former prime ministers old phone, which contains correspondence from pre-May 2021, is still in his possession.

Government officials continue to help him to try to securely retrieve the messages on the device, it is understood.

He was advised to stop using the phone and not access it again on security grounds while serving as Britains leader in May 2021, after it emerged his number had been freely available online for 15 years.

The device he used during crucial periods of the coronavirus pandemic likely contains messages relating to the ordering of three lockdowns in 2020.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: In-line with the process set out by the Court, the Cabinet Office has provided all of the requested material to the Inquiry.

The Government handed over the rest of the documents after losing a legal challenge.

It had fought the request from inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett to release them, arguing it should not have to hand over material that is unambiguously irrelevant.

But the Cabinet Offices argument was last week dismissed by Lord Justice Dingemans and Mr Justice Garnham, who said the fact an order for material would produce some irrelevant documents did not invalidate it or mean it cannot be lawfully exercised.

They said Lady Hallett should be able to examine the documents and if she agrees they are obviously irrelevant to her inquiry, she will return them.

Mr Johnson told Lady Hallett last month that he would like to pass messages that are on the old phone to the inquiry.

He was believed to have written to the Cabinet Office at the time to ask whether security and technical support could be given to help access its contents without compromising security.

Mr Johnsons team has been contacted for comment.
B ritains spy watchdog has slammed the Government for a completely inadequate response to Chinese espionage and interference which risked an existential threat to liberal democratic systems.

In a bombshell report, Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee issued a series of alarming warnings about how British universities, the nuclear sector, Government and companies were being targeted by Beijing.

Its 207-page damning dossier, compiled over four years, stressed that:

The Government level of resource dedicated to tackling the threat posed by Chinas whole-of-state approach to spying and interference to be completely inadequate, despite an insistence from ministers that its response was robust and clear-eyed..

Much of the Chinese activity was overt rather than covert and there was a serious failure to identify the threats from Beijing and the UK was now playing catch-up.

The UKs intelligence and security agencies had until recently not even recognise that they had any responsibility for countering Chinese interference activity in the UK, instead focusing on covert activity and tackling the terror threat.

Without swift and decisive action against Chinese targeting of industry and technology, the UK was on a trajectory for the nightmare scenario where Beijing steals blueprints, sets standards, and builds products, exerting political and economic influence at every step.

Not only was this a serious commercial challenge, but it had the potential to pose an existential threat to liberal democratic systems.

It was unacceptable for the Government to still be considering Chinese involvement in Britains criticial national infrastructure at a granular level, including the nuclear industry, taking each case in isolation.

The Business Department did not have the necessary expertise to protect the UKs national security in this area, with the ball being dropped on security in Whitehall.

The failure to limit Chinese involvement in the rich feeding ground of universities meant that Beijing could exploit the UKs best and brightest, with the Government yet to draw up a comprehensive list of the areas of sensitive UK research which need protecting, handing Beijing a clear economic advantage over the UK.

Some institutions seemed willing to turn a blind eye, happy simply to take the money from China.

The Government has not taken a long-term approach to the risks posed by China which had taken advantage of successive UK governments attempts to boost economic ties between the two countries, the report added, with a warning that ministers may be drawn to the siren call of investment.

The chairman of the UKs Joint Intelligence Committee told the senior MPs how China is increasingly thinking of a future in which it could be the world power.

Chinas intelligence services, which have hundreds of thousands of workers, were targeting the UK, the report said, which was believed to be just below Chinas top priority targets.

It added: It is Chinas global ambition to become a technological and economic superpower, on which other countries are reliant, that represents the greatest risk to the UK.

China seeks to influence elites and decision-makers, to acquire information and Intellectual Property using covert and overt methods, and to gain technological supremacy.

Responding to the report, Rishi Sunak said: China poses an epoch-defining challenge to the international order.

Under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) it is becoming more authoritarian at home and more assertive overseas.

We have been clear that our approach to China must therefore be rooted in our national interest and coordinated with like-minded partners.

He added: The Government has already taken actions that are in line with many of the committees recommendations.

We are grateful for the tireless work of our security and intelligence services to protect national security at home and abroad.

He stressed: We are not complacent and we are keenly aware that there is more to do.

Wherever Chinas actions or intent threaten the national interest, we will continue to take swift action.

Britains National Security Act became law just days ago, introducing for the first time an offence of foreign interference, meaning it will now be illegal to engage in conduct that interferes with fundamental rights, such as voting and freedom of speech, that are deemed essential to the UKs democracy.

A ban was also announced three years ago on Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from the UKs 5G mobile networks, amid fears over potential spying backdoors, which the company strongly denied.

Chinese-owned social media app TikTok was banned on UK government electronic devices in March this year, a move similar to restrictions imposed by the US, Canada and the European Commission.

The Westminister Parliament has also banned TikTok from its network over security concerns.

The steps have been criticised by the social media giant.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat also told the Commons in June of alleged secret Chinese police service stations in Croydon, Hendon and Glasgow, which were reportedly used to monitor Chinese citizens in the UK.
S uccessive governments have failed to grasp and respond to the scale of the threat posed by China, Parliaments spy agency watchdog said, as it warned that Chinese intelligence targets the UK prolifically and aggressively.

A new and wide-ranging report by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) is critical of the UK Governments response to the threat posed by China, questioning the trade-off between economic interest and security concerns.

It also raises concerns about Chinese influence in UK universities and the countrys intention to become a permanent and significant player in the civil nuclear energy industry.

MPs said the 200-page report should be a wake-up call for ministers, as the ISC warned that Chinese targeting of industry and technology could pose an existential threat to liberal democratic systems.

China's state intelligence apparatus - almost certainly the largest in the world with hundreds of thousands of civil intelligence officers... targets the UK and its interests prolifically and aggressively, and presents a challenge for our agencies to cover

The report found that the UK remains of significant interest to China when it comes to espionage and interference, placing the country just below Chinas top priority targets.

It said: Chinas state intelligence apparatus  almost certainly the largest in the world with hundreds of thousands of civil intelligence officers targets the UK and its interests prolifically and aggressively, and presents a challenge for our agencies to cover.

The nine-member committee, chaired by Conservative MP Sir Julian Lewis, scrutinises the work of the UKs intelligence agencies including MI5, MI6 and GCHQ.

Its reports are seen by the Prime Minister before release, with the latest report coming amid ongoing tensions between the West and the rising Asian power.

The UK is now playing catch-up and the whole of Government has its work cut out to understand and counter the threat from China

The Government has characterised the growing influence of China as an epoch-defining challenge but MPs urged ministers and officials to consider more deeply the type of security threat it poses.

The ISC report said the UKs resources are completely inadequate when it came to tackling what committee members labelled Chinas whole-of-state approach to espionage and interference overseas.

It warned of a danger of short-term thinking and a lack of long-term planning to counter the threat posed by China.

The UK is now playing catch-up and the whole of Government has its work cut out to understand and counter the threat from China, the report said.

The UK is severely handicapped by the short-termist approach currently being taken.

The challenge of the rise of China absolutely raises huge questions for the future of the Western alliance

Particular concerns were raised in the report about Chinese influence in UK universities.

It is not the first time that anxiety has been expressed about Chinese control in higher education.

Rishi Sunak promised in last years Tory leadership race to shut down the 30 Chinese state-sponsored Confucius Institutes across the UK, before back-tracking once in office.

The report said British academic institutions provide a rich feeding ground for China to achieve political influence in the UK and economic advantage over the UK.

It added: In order to control the narrative of debate, China exerts influence over institutions by leveraging fees and funding, over individual UK academics through inducements and intimidation, over Chinese students by monitoring and controlling, and over think tanks through coercion.

But MPs said the Government has shown very little interest in warnings from academics about the matter.

The Government would be naive to assume that allowing Chinese companies to exert influence over the UK's civil nuclear and energy sectors is not ceding control to the Chinese Communist Party

The report also flagged concerns about the role China is playing in the civil nuclear energy sector.

China General Nuclear last year dropped out of the Sizewell C nuclear power plant project in Suffolk but MPs said serious questions remain for ministers about future projects.

The Government would be naive to assume that allowing Chinese companies to exert influence over the UKs civil nuclear and energy sectors is not ceding control to the Chinese Communist Party, the report said.

It is therefore unacceptable for the Government still to be considering Chinese involvement in the UKs critical national infrastructure at a granular level.

We have serious concerns about the incentive and opportunity for espionage that Chinese involvement in the UKs civil nuclear sector provides. While we recognise that the threat of disruption is less likely, the threat of leverage is very real.

The Government is required to respond to the report, with a copy of the document laid before Parliament on Thursday.

In June, the ISC said it was seeking answers about a delay in gaining Downing Street approval of the report.

Mr Sunak did offer an immediate response in a three-and-a-half-page statement, in which he listed measures taken to improve the UKs response to China.

The Prime Minister also said the ISC probe began in 2019 and took most evidence in 2020 pre-dating both the Integrated Review 2021 and the Integrated Review Refresh 2023.

These are both comprehensive national security and international policy reviews that considerably strengthen our position on China, he said.

The Government has already taken actions that are in line with many of the committees recommendations.

But committee members hit back at the statement, with Labours Kevan Jones labelling it weak and criticising the Prime Minister for failing to share it first with the ISC.

If that is the response from Government, that somehow the reports out of date, I would come up with better arguments than that.

Sir Julian also told reporters at a press conference: Ive been at pains to point out that we have to have a cut-off point when it comes to taking evidence.

That does not mean to say that we are not continually in dialogue and receiving quarterly reports, for example, from all the intelligence agencies that cover all these matters.

Elsewhere in the report, MPs urged ministers to go further with national security legislation and enact a counter-state threats Bill.

The ISC also called for the Cabinet Office to carry out a review into whether intelligence agencies are meeting targets on tackling the challenge faced from China.

I think the most shocking thing is was this known 10 years ago? Yes, Mr Jones said.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat, speaking to broadcasters, said: This Government has taken state threats and indeed the challenge of China more seriously than any of its predecessors. It is quite clear that the Prime Minister takes it seriously.

Asked about committee concerns about the nuclear energy sector, he said: Many of these different decisions have been taken over many years. What is quite noticeable is the change weve seen under this administration. Prime Minister Sunak has made a very clear decision, very early on, to put national security first.
G rant Shapps has said the Government needs to weigh up difficult decisions in approaching its commitment to phase out petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

The Energy Secretary warned he would be aiming to avoid putting people under the cosh with the pace at which green policies are introduced.

Speaking at a press gallery lunch in Parliament, the minister also refused to rule out a leadership bid, saying who knows what will happen in the future.

There are many benefits to getting there but I want to make sure we get there in a way that is not putting people under the cosh

Asked about a recent report from the Governments own climate advisers which found a lack of progress on reaching net zero targets, Mr Shapps said he does not have to accept their recommendations.

The Government has committed to a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 and a transition to fully zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.

Mr Shapps said on Thursday he was pretty confident we will get there but added: The Government have to weigh up these difficult decisions between going faster and slower.

He added: We understand that we need to get to this. I also understand that we need to do that in a way that does not cause families undue hardship. It can be very nice running an electric car, theyre quick, theyre clean, but weve got to see the second-hand market develop, weve got to see the prices converge, and theres every reason why they should There are many benefits to getting there but I want to make sure we get there in a way that is not putting people under the cosh.

He said he was hugely grateful for the work of the Climate Change Committee (CCC)  the independent body which advises Government on the environment  but that their recommendations were not binding.

The minister also suggested that hydrogen may not be the answer to removing carbon emissions from domestic heating networks.

He said it was unlikely such an energy system, which was being considered as an alternative to natural gas, would be used in all homes.

Downing Street said final conclusions have not been drawn but that it was right for Government to consider all the options for people to heat their homes.

It comes after the CCCs latest progress report described the Governments efforts to scale up action towards reaching net zero as worryingly slow, and planned trials of hydrogen heating were scuppered by local protests earlier this week.

Mr Shapps later appeared to hint that he may throw his hat into the ring for the Tory leadership in the future when pressed on whether he still has ambitions for the top job.

Who knows what happens in the future. All I know is we have wisdom and experience to guide the way for this country which is why I think that now, that person is Rishi Sunak, he said.

Elsewhere, Mr Shapps echoed Foreign Secretary James Cleverlys cautious tone on China, saying he did not believe in exclud(ing) them but in taking a hardline stance where appropriate.

But he also likened Beijing to the British Empire, suggesting it wants to operate under its own world order.

They do want to change the world, to operate under their world order. That is no surprise, we did that when we had an empire, the Americans have done that, the Dutch did it before us. Thats the way large economies and empires operate, he said.
A stand-off over the Governments controversial plans to tackle the small boats crisis is continuing at Westminster after the Lords inflicted a string of fresh defeats backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Most Rev Justin Welby warned against immigration and asylum being used as a wedge issue to divide things as peers pressed their demand for further changes to the Illegal Migration Bill.

These included limits to the detention of children, modern slavery protections and the provision of safe and legal routes for refugees to the UK.

It comes after the Commons overturned a raft of earlier revisions by the unelected chamber, despite rebellions by Tory MPs concerned about the flagship reforms.

The issue of immigration and asylum... is an extraordinarily divisive one

The Home Office had offered several concessions on Monday, including ditching a move to backdate removals to March when the draft legislation was first introduced to Parliament.

But the Lords are insisting that the Government gives much more ground.

The latest nine defeats means the continuation of the parliamentary tussle over the Bill, known as ping-pong, where the legislation is batted between the Lords and Commons, until agreement is reached.

Mr Welby, who has been an arch-critic of the reforms, condemning them as morally unacceptable, defied the Government to back all the latest amendments.

These included his own renewed demand for ministers to draw up a 10-year strategy for collaborating internationally on refugees and human trafficking to the UK.

Mr Welby said: The issue of immigration and asylum is an extraordinarily divisive one.

The church leader added: This is a massive international issue on a generational basis and it needs profound thinking on a long-term basis in order to tackle it.

Legislation and strategy must be fitted to the problem, not the problem to the legislation. Its not how it works.

It is essential that the solutions we go forward to are those which bring together the whole of politics on all sides of both Houses and the unity of our country instead of using this as a wedge issue to divide things.

So this is a moment of reconciliation and opportunity for deep and profound long-term thought, as happens for instance with climate change.

This is not a party political issue, it is one in which we must work together, for if we work separately we will fall separately.

The top Anglican cleric was supported by Labour former home secretary Lord Blunkett who said: If ever we needed a long-term strategy of 10 years rather than 10 months and not a strategy thats geared to a General Election, but to solving a problem and to dealing with it internationally and on a long-term basis, we need it now.

But responding, justice minister Lord Bellamy said: The amendment is not necessary because the Government is well aware of the need to develop a strategy and to cooperate with international partners.

The Bill is a key part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks bid to deter migrants from making the dangerous Channel crossing in small boats.

It aims to prevent people from claiming asylum in the UK if they arrive through unauthorised means and ensure their prompt removal, either to their home country or a third country.

Other changes made by peers to the Bill during voting spread over more than four hours, included protections for LGBT people facing deportation and a move to require the consideration of asylum claims from migrants arriving by unauthorised routes, if they have not been removed from the UK within six months.

Home Office minister Lord Murray of Blidworth had warned the latter measure could lead to an increase in people trying to game the system by launching spurious claims in order to run down the clock.

But Liberal Democrat Lord German said his amendment simply provides a backstop that protects the taxpayers of this country from indefinitely supporting people existing in the UK in limbo.

The Bill now heads back to the Commons for the MPs to consider the latest changes made by peers.

At Business Questions, Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt confirmed there would be time set aside to debate the Bill on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
L abour will pledge to turn the page on Tory sleaze if it wins the next election, as it fleshes out its plans for an independent ethics watchdog for ministerial standards.

Deputy leader Angela Rayner is expected to renew a commitment to stop the rot by creating a new body with stronger powers to push for sanctions against those who break the rules.

In a speech to the Institute for Government, Ms Rayner will say that the theory of good chaps in Westminster has been tested to the point of destruction by recent Tory scandals.

She will vow to show people that politics is working for them by the end of Labours first term in government.

We will clean up politics, so that by the end of our first term people dont just feel better off, they can see that politics is working for them, not for Westminster

The proposals for a new watchdog, which were first announced by the party in 2021, include a pledge to scrap Whitehalls existing revolving-doors watchdog and introduce a more robust system.

The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), which was responsible for reviewing Sir Keir Starmers job offer to ex-civil servant Sue Gray, would be replaced by an Ethics and Integrity Commission, the party said.

Setting out the plans in further detail on Thursday, Ms Rayner will outline how the commission would be placed on a statutory footing to strengthen its scope to impose tougher sanctions for standards breaches.

Labour would carry out a consultation, including the Committee on Standards in Public Life and existing public standards regulators, on next steps for the watchdogs creation, the party said.

The committee would continue to play a significant role at the centre of the standards landscape, with the two bodies proposed to complement each others work, Labour said.

Ms Rayner will pledge: We will clean up politics, so that by the end of our first term people dont just feel better off, they can see that politics is working for them, not for Westminster.

Our democracy cannot hinge on gentlemens agreements  it needs independent and robust protection.

Politics has to work for people, not for politicians. We are here to serve the public, not ourselves.

The deputy leader will say Acoba and the independent adviser on ministers interests  which Labour is also planning to subsume within the proposed commission  have been undermined and weakened by the Conservatives.

Acoba recently reviewed whether party leader Sir Keirs appointment of former mandarin Ms Gray as his soon-to-be chief-of-staff risked undermining appointment rules, but ultimately found no evidence her impartiality in Whitehall had been impaired.

It is often criticised as toothless because it cannot enforce its recommendations, but Sir Keir had committed to abiding by its advice in the event it had reached different conclusions.

The commission would have the power to launch investigations into ministers, determine breaches and demand financial sanctions on former ministers who break the rules to close the revolving door between public office and lucrative roles for firms they used to regulate.

Former ministers would be banned from lobbying, consultancy or any paid work relating to their old roles for at least five years under the plans if Labour seizes No 10.

It comes after a series of standards rows that have rocked Rishi Sunaks Government in recent months, with ministers Gavin Williamson, Nadhim Zahawi and Dominic Raab all exiting Cabinet over accusations their conduct fell short.

And Conservative former minister Owen Paterson resigned from the Commons in 2021 following a scandal over his lobbying for two companies that employed him as a consultant.

Mr Sunak had promised to lead with integrity, professionalism and accountability, and after entering office appointed Sir Laurie Magnus as his independent adviser, who oversaw the investigation that led to Mr Zahawis departure.

But Ms Rayner will say the replacement of the adviser would put an end to the current situation in which the Prime Minister is the judge and jury on every case of ministerial misconduct.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: Labour want to outsource ethics to a body of unelected bureaucrats chosen by Keir Starmer, instead of trusting Parliament to hold ministers to account.

Its unsurprising to see that Angela Rayner doesnt trust the leader of her own party to oversee ethics in Whitehall.
T he Government has been given the go-ahead to bring a Supreme Court challenge over the Rwanda deportation policy.

Ministers had been seeking permission to bring a challenge at the UKs highest court over a ruling that plans to send asylum seekers to the east African nation are unlawful.

In a majority decision last week, Court of Appeal judges overturned an earlier High Court ruling which found Rwanda could be considered a safe third country.

Campaigners welcomed the decision, with charity Asylum Aid which brought the challenge alongside several asylum seekers, describing the ruling at the time as a vindication of the importance of the rule of law and basic fairness when fundamental rights are at stake.

But in court orders seen by the PA news agency on Thursday, the Court of Appeal granted permission for the Government to challenge their decision at the Supreme Court.

One of the asylum seekers in the case was also given the green light to challenge part of the ruling.

Sir Geoffrey Vos and Lord Justice Underhill concluded that deficiencies in the asylum system in Rwanda mean there is a real risk asylum seekers could be returned to their home country and face persecution or other inhumane treatment when they may have a good claim for asylum.

Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett, who heard the appeal with the other two judges in April, disagreed, saying he would dismiss the challenge.

It is a boost to Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks hopes of fulfilling his stop the boats policy, one of his flagship pledges.

Campaigners welcomed the courts initial decision, with charity Asylum Aid which brought the challenge alongside several asylum seekers, describing the ruling at the time as a vindication of the importance of the rule of law and basic fairness when fundamental rights are at stake.

But Home Secretary Suella Braverman claimed the system was rigged against the British people and said she remained fully committed to the policy and, despite the ruling, insisted she still had every confidence in the plan while stressing that Rwanda was a safe country.
A trade union umbrella body has warned of a carnival of industrial unrest in Northern Ireland this autumn if the pay of public sector workers in the region falls behind the rest of the UK.

The NIC/Ictu was responding after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak offered public sector workers in England pay rises of up to 7%.

Public sector pay decisions in Northern Ireland are devolved to ministers at Stormont, but the powersharing institutions are currently not operating due to a DUP protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements.

In addition, Stormont departments are facing substantial budget pressures and it has been previously stated that any new money for pay deals which passes to Northern Ireland through Barnett consequentials would have to be used to pay off a Stormont overspend from previous years.

The chairman of the BMA in Northern Ireland, Dr Tom Black, has called for an urgent meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris and for Stormont to return to ensure a full pay restoration in the region.

Health workers, teachers and some civil servants in Northern Ireland have been involved in industrial action in recent months amid ongoing disputes about wages and conditions.

The Prime Minister said on Thursday he had accepted the recommendations from pay review bodies, including 6.5% increases for teachers in England for 2023-24.

Junior doctors will receive 6% rises, along with an additional consolidated 1,250 increase.

Hospital consultants will receive a 6% rise.

There is to be a 7% rise for police officers and prison officers in the operational bands will receive an increase of 7%, with larger rises for support grades and 5% for managers and governors.

Senior civil servants in England will receive a 5.5% rise.

As the pay awards were announced, a tweet from NIC/Ictu stated: Improved pay offers for PS workers in Eng/Wales.

What about workers here?

Will NI public servants continue to fall further behind?

If that is allowed to happen then autumn will be a carnival of industrial unrest.

Can we afford that?

We have written to the Secretary of State and all of the local party leaders to clearly and categorically state that this situation is completely unacceptable

Londonderry GP Dr Black said: The BMA in Northern Ireland is deeply concerned at the budget situation in Northern Ireland.

We have been told that there is no funding for a pay uplift to be awarded.

We have written to the Secretary of State and all of the local party leaders to clearly and categorically state that this situation is completely unacceptable.

He added: We will continue to seek an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State.

We urge our local politicians to get back to work and engage with the BMA as soon as the assembly is restored to ensure funding is ringfenced so the uplift can be paid as soon as possible, but to also make a commitment to full pay restoration in Northern Ireland.
T he BBC Director General is set to be grilled in Parliament over the broadcasters leadership in light of current events.

Tim Davie is to be hauled before the Lords Communications and Digital Committee on Tuesday following the Huw Edwards scandal.

BBC acting chairwoman Dame Elan Closs Stephens and policy director Clare Sumner have also been called to appear.

The peers will raise a range of issues, including "in light of recent events, what concerns have been raised about the adequacy of the BBCs governance arrangements and how it is addressing these".

The meeting was originally initiated by the Committee at the end of March in order to discuss the future funding of the BBC and how the corporation ensures its independence from Government.

It comes after veteran broadcaster Edwards was named by his wife, Vicky Flind, as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

The 61-year-old is receiving in-patient hospital care and suffering from serious mental health issues, Flind said in a statement issued on Wednesday evening.

Former colleague Jon Sopel said Edwards "felt very let down" by the coverage of the story.

Sopel, who worked with Edwards at the broadcaster for decades, told ITVs Good Morning Britain he had been in touch with news anchor before he went to hospital.

He said: Weve had contact, obviously not since hes been hospitalised.

He was very angry, I think felt very let down by what happened in the Sun, furious with their coverage, not overly impressed with the BBCs coverage either.

Im sure anyone who knows him is just wishing him well. Huw I have known for over three decades, when we were young political correspondents competing against each other to get up the ladder at the BBC.

He is incredibly funny, has got an acid wit. He can be a complicated person to deal with.

If youre entering Huws orbit, hes very defensive of his own territory, so I wouldnt say were close friends, but I thought that some of the coverage about what has happened about someones private life, which is complicated, and possibly a bit messy, and that some might find distasteful, I dont see what its got to do with anyone else.

If theres no question of illegality, theres no question of sexual assault and things might change, but, as things stand now, theres been no illegality, theres been no abuse of power, as far as I can see. Therefore, what is it to do with anybody?

The Metropolitan Police has said there is no evidence an offence has been committed by Edwards and no further police action will be taken "at this time", allowing an internal BBC investigation to resume.

The Sun, which first reported allegations against the then unnamed presenter last week, claiming they had paid a young person tens of thousands of pounds for explicit images, said it has no plans to publish further allegations.

The newspaper said it will co-operate with the BBC's internal investigation process.
T he Huw Edwards storm grew on Thursday as the star presenter continued to receive hospital treatment and the BBC faced fresh questions about its approach after revealing new claims about his conduct.

Amid a deepening war of words, the public continued to digest the news that the 61-year-old newsreader was the man at the centre of the explicit photos scandal that has dominated front pages for days.

Edwards, who has anchored the BBCs coverage of major state occasions as well as being its most high-profile and well-paid news presenter, was named on Wednesday by his wife Vicky Flind as the previously unidentified star accused of paying for explicit photos to be sent to him by a young person after making contact on a dating app.

She said that Edwards  who has also faced claims of sending creepy messages to another young person and breaking Covid lockdown rules to meet another  was in hospital receiving treatment for serious mental health issues which had greatly worsened since the allegations about his behaviour emerged. Neither Edwards nor his wife have commented yet on the most recent allegations.

Her statement came moments after the Metropolitan Police announced that there was no information to indicate that a criminal offence had been committed by the presenter.

But within hours the BBC  which was already under fire for not responding to the initial allegations swiftly enough and failing to exercise its duty of care to Edwards  risked deepening the controversy about its handling of the affair by broadcasting new claims that he had sent inappropriate messages to colleagues.

The BBC report cited two of the corporations staff and one former employee, with one claiming that Edwards had sent late messages with kisses that they believed were an abuse of power and another saying they had received messages about their appearance which had given them a cold shudder.

The third person quoted claimed to have received inappropriate messages which the BBC said appeared to be flirtatious.

The decision to press ahead with the disclosures prompted an immediate backlash, with the BBCs former North America editor and political correspondent Jon Sopel accusing the corporation of terrible behaviour.

Dear BBCRadio4 BBCNews, Well done on handling the breaking news about thehuwedwards and the fact that hes now being treated in hospital  but to then straight off the back of that into a report on him facing fresh allegations of misconduct? That was just terrible, he tweeted. Sopel, who added that he wished Edwards well while describing the controversy as an awful and shocking episode, also rebuked radio host Jeremy Vine for his earlier call for Edwards to identify himself to protect other presenters from unjustified vitriol.

Times journalist Andrew Billen, who met Edwards for lunch last Thursday, said the broadcaster considered himself an outsider at the BBC because of his Welsh roots and lack of an Oxford education. He told Times Radio that Edwards had a reputation for being indiscreet and might have a capacity for recklessness.

Billen said: He is a performer, adding: Of course he is presenting a face and as a professional, consummate presenter, he knows how to perform.

Sir Craig Oliver, a former BBC journalist who worked with Edwards on News at Ten before becoming the Downing Street head of communications, said the way the story had been covered should make journalists think about how they work.

I think one of the things that has really come out of this is should news just slow down and allow the processes to take place, allow the facts to emerge and then report the story? he said.

There were also questions about the role of The Sun, which published the initial allegations. Its former editor, David Yelland, wrote on Twitter: I wish thehuwedwards well. The Sun inflicted terror on Huw despite no evidence of any criminal offence. This is no longer a BBC crisis, it is a crisis for the paper. Huws privacy must now be respected.

But Adam Boulton, a former political editor at Sky News, defended the paper, saying that its reporting looks like it is in the legitimate public interest.

Those on television who hold others to account for their behaviour have to be prepared to be held to account, he told Skys Sophy Ridge. A lot of careers ended a long way short of criminality because it was felt that they were bringing the organisation, which they represented, into disrepute.

The Sun broke the story about an unnamed presenter, claiming that he had received explicit photos after paying money to a young person, which the person had used to fuel a drug habit. The paper insisted that despite the police conclusion that no crime was committed it had published allegations that were very serious and that it remained for the BBC to properly investigate.

Further allegations emerged in the wake of The Suns first story including claims that Edwards sent creepy messages and, according to the BBC, directed abusive expletives at another person after being threatened with exposure online.

The BBCs director-general, Tim Davie, has promised to review how complaints about its staff are handled and to carry out an internal investigation into Edwardss conduct. He told staff on Wednesday that the corporations immediate concern is our duty of care to all involved.

Mr Davie, acting chairwoman Dame Elan Closs Stephens and policy director Clare Sumner will appear before the Lords Communications Committee on Tuesday to discuss the corporations leadership following the furore.

The peers will raise a range of issues, including in light of recent events, what concerns have been raised about the adequacy of the BBC's governance arrangements and how it is addressing these.

* The original version of this article, which was printed in Thursdays Evening Standard, erroneously described Sky News as part of the same media group as The Sun. Sky News is part of Sky Group which has been owned by the Comcast Group since 2018 and no longer has any connection to Rupert Murdochs media empire. We are happy to correct this error.
I relands deputy premier has said the issue of an Irish airport being used as a stop-off to transport cluster bombs from the US to Ukraine doesnt arise.

Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister Micheal Martin said that Ireland remains opposed to cluster munitions, pointing out that it was a lead nation in the establishment of a global 2008 convention banning the weapons.

His comments come after the controversial decision by the US to provide Kyiv with cluster munitions; US president Joe Biden has defended the difficult decision to send the weapons to Ukraine to help in battling against an invasion by Russia.

When asked about the issue on Thursday, Mr Martin said the cluster munitions convention was adopted in Dublin in 2008, and he remembers convincing nations to sign up to it.

It was an outstanding diplomatic achievement by Ireland to have so many countries, over 120, I think signed eventually, he said.

I remember working with Gordon Brown at the time to get the UKs agreement to sign up to the banning of cluster munitions and I recall very well meeting many civilians from countries all over, Asia in particular: amputees, people with severe injuries as a result of cluster munitions that are left in the aftermath of battle, the aftermath of war, in childrens playgrounds and so on.

So, were opposed to the use of cluster munitions on the battlefield, that is Irelands position, that hasnt changed, and that will remain our position.

He said the possibility that they might be transported through Shannon doesnt arise.

No, I dont think that that issue arises.

In respect of any travel through Ireland or any flight (carrying munitions) coming through Ireland has to seek permission in the first instance.

The Tanaiste was speaking at a Defence Forces Open Day in Farmleigh House in Dublin to encourage people to join the Irish army.

Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy said that recruitment is a challenge and that they have an all year round open recruitment campaign.

So were actively pursuing recruitment at the moment, in particular, in a very challenging environment where the highest levels of employment exists now in the state, and were in a competitive market as well.

He added: Were doing everything as well and to retain the people we have people that are highly valued with high levels of skills and competence that we train people and develop and nurture people within our organisation.

He said that some of the specific roles they are targeting for recruitment are medical corps and medical officers, and engineers.

We have a targeted campaign around specialists required in the naval service right now, for instance, weve a targeted campaign in terms of equitation There are specialist areas as well within growing areas of interest, if you like, demanded by the security environment that exists today, such as cyber.
A number of incidents around the Twelfth celebrations in Northern Ireland have damaged and brought shame to unionist culture, Doug Beattie has said.

The Ulster Unionist leader also said that those who complain about pro-IRA singing but remain silent about incidents surrounding bonfires and attacks on medical staff are hypocrites.

Scores of parades took place across Northern Ireland as Protestant loyal orders celebrated the Twelfth of July this week.

While the parades passed off peacefully, police are investigating a number of incidents around loyalist bonfires, including the burning of an effigy of Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill and a picture of Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

The Ambulance Service also said that 11 paramedics were assaulted over the Twelfth period. In one incident, five staff members were punched, kicked, bitten and spat at at a bonfire site in the Carrickfergus area.

In a separate incident, police are investigating the burning of a car at the home of an Aontu representative in Newry as a sectarian hate crime.

Mr Beattie said this week had represented the best of days and the worst of days.

He said: Communities have celebrated both the 11th and 12th in the spirit that it was intended.

They have attempted to make it inclusive, family-orientated, a genuine community celebration.

Sadly, there are those within communities and our society who have completely undermined those celebrations with their actions belittling the Twelfth activities.

As a unionist I want to promote our shared history, culture and traditions but the actions of some shame us all

The UUP leader added: The placing of flags and effigies on bonfires, the assault of ambulance staff and the burning of a car belonging to a paediatric nurse and former election candidate for Antou have shown the very worst in some people.

In these cases, it is clear, a criminal offence has been committed but it has also damaged the image of the Twelfth and unionist culture, history and identity.

Those who complain around individuals singing pro-IRA songs, itself hurtful to many victims, then remain silent when this activity takes place are hypocrites.

Those who stoke the fires of intolerance and hate must take responsibility for their actions and words.

As a unionist I want to promote our shared history, culture and traditions but the actions of some shame us all.

The Twelfth celebrations mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, which unfolded at the Boyne river north of Dublin, and saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat Catholic King James II to secure a Protestant line of succession to the British Crown.

Thousands of Orange lodge members parade through the summer months to mark Williams victory and other key dates in Protestant, unionist or loyalist culture.

Those celebrations culminate on the Twelfth.

Wednesday saw another gathering, this time organised by the Royal Black Preceptory in the village of Scarva, Co Armagh.

Thousands attended the event which included a parade as well as a sham fight between actors playing the rival monarchs William and James.

For me it was a wonderful event, that only the British people could undertake in a world devoid of any sort of moral or spiritual guidance

Delivering the address in Scarva, Rev William Anderson, Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution, said it was a special year due to the coronation of the King.

He said: For me it was a wonderful event, that only the British people could undertake in a world devoid of any sort of moral or spiritual guidance.

There is no doubt that our world is struggling. People are finding it very difficult to understand what is going on.

Trust has been broken and people are disheartened when they look at those around them who are tasked with providing guidance but fail miserably.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks has confirmed that one of its employees is under investigation after a video emerged on social media of him saying a pro-IRA phrase in front of an unlit bonfire.

A statement said: The video circulating on social media is deeply offensive, and NIE Networks condemns the content without reservation.

A full investigation into this matter is underway.
J ailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny revealed he has been forced to listen to the same Vladimir Putin speech for over 100 days in a row.

Mr Navalny, 47, said that prison officers have constantly played the Russian presidents 1 hour and 46 minute-long state of the nation address from February outside his prison cell.

To mark the 100th day of being played the speech, Mr Navalny tweeted that was told he would have to listen to it throughout the year as it contained instructions on educational work.

Despite protests by the Putin critic, Mr Navalny said guards responded by saying: Once Putin makes his next annual address, then theyll start playing it for us instead.

In the speech made last February, Putin repeated his claim that the special military operation was conducted in order to rid Ukraine of a neo-Nazi regime.

Putin went further to claim Russia had done everything possible to solve the problem by peaceful means, adding: We were patient, we were negotiating a peaceful way out of this difficult conflict, but a completely different scenario was being prepared behind our backs.

Mr Navalny was first arrested in 2021 after returning to Russia from Germany where he was recovering from a poison attack. He is serving a nine-year term on an embezzlement charge.

The opposition leader is being held at a maximum-security penal colony at Melekhovo and appeared in court last month, facing new allegations of creating an extremist organisation. If found guilty, he could be jailed for up to 30 years.

In a ruling earlier this year, the European Court of Human Rights found that Russia had notably failed to investigate Mr Navalnys 2020 poisoning.

The court said Russia had failed to explore the allegations of a possible political motive for the attempted murder, as well as possible involvement of state agents.
B astille Day marks a hugely significant day in French history and is widely celebrated by Gallic people around the world.

Its often marked by communal traditional feasts, parades, musical performances, and concerts, as well as fireworks.

Known as la fete nationale in France, it is a national holiday, with people in France enjoying a day of celebrations with friends and family.

Heres everything you need to know about Bastille Day, including when it falls each year and why its so important.

What is the history of Bastille Day and when is it?

Bastille was the name of a political prison where political dissidents were kept during the French Revolution.

At the time, French people were deeply unhappy with the harsh rule of the Bourbon monarchy, with the reign of King Louis XVI bringing food shortages and tax hikes for thousands of citizens.

On July 14, 1789, a violent mob stormed the Bastille and released the seven prisoners held there.

After the attack, the French Revolution was born. The monarchy was overthrown, and Louis and his wife Marie Antoinette were executed.

Therefore, Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14 every year by French people around the world.

There is an annual military parade along Avenue des Champs Elysees / Lewis Joly / AP

Why is Bastille Day important to French people?

A year after the Storming of the Bastille, the French began celebrating the Fete de la Federation.

The day was meant to symbolise peace and brotherhood during the revolution and today, the founding message still remains prominent.

It is commonplace for the words liberty, equality, and fraternity to be heard during the celebrations.

How is Bastille Day celebrated in France?

On Bastille Day, large-scale celebrations happen all over France, including musical performances, communal meals, dances, and spectacular firework displays. People across France are given a day off as it is a public holiday.

On the morning of Bastille Day, there is a grand military parade where servicemen and women from various units take part, including cadets from military schools, the French Navy, and the French Foreign Legion.

The French president traditionally opens the parade and reviews the troops, while thousands of people line the route.

Parisians can also watch a military aircraft flyover / Christian Hartmann / Reuters

Are there any Bastille Day celebrations in London?

To mark the special day, the French Embassy in the UK has launched a campaign called Bastille Day Menu 2023, that sees videos of French chefs in the UK sharing special recipes people can try at home. The videos have been gradually released across social media platforms, featuring the likes of Raymond Blanc and Pascal Aussignac.

To celebrate the special occasion, Mama Shelter Shoreditch is offering visitors a taste of France on the day. The special event will cost 15 per person and include a DJ set, welcome drink, a happy hour 2-for-1 champagne deal, and more. The dress code has been set as chic, so youll want to wear a dapper outfit.

In Putney Pantry, The Buckingham Trio will be performing jazz classics featuring tunes from the great French pianist and composer Michel Legrande and more while guests enjoy a three-course meal for 40.

Alternatively, you can head to the Le Pont de la Tours Bastille Party for 50 per person to enjoy a glass of Mirabeau rose, some delicious canapes, fresh oysters, and live music on their riverside terrace.
A severed finger belonging to a living human was sent to French president Emmanuel Macron by post.

The macabre parcel containing the amputated digit arrived at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Monday.

The finger was initially put in a fridge where the police put their snacks, said a source at the official presidential home. This was to make sure it was preserved and could be analysed as quickly as possible.

Tests later identified the finger as belonging to a living human being, who was contacted and given full medical support, said the source.

There was no note, or any other form of correspondence, accompanying the finger, leaving investigators baffled.

Its not at all clear why this finger was sent to the president, said the source, who said the owner of the finger would not be identified, for a number of reasons including medical confidentiality.

Bullets are among the sinister items sent to French heads of state over the years, but this is the first time a body part has been received.

It comes during a particularly troubled time for Mr Macron, who has faced mass rioting over a number of issues.

These range from pension reform to the shooting dead of a 17-year-old French Algerian by a Paris policeman last week.

More disturbances are expected on Friday, when Mr Macron leads the July 14 Bastille Day celebrations in Paris.

Thousands of extra police and gendarmes will be on the street following intelligence warnings that rioters will target Frances national holiday.
T ens of thousands of Hollywood actors including Jennifer Lawrence are preparing to strike after last-ditch talks between their union and streaming giants broke down.

The Screen Actors Guild has been unable to agree a deal over issues around pay residuals and the use of artificial intelligence.

Union bosses, representing 160,000 actors and performers, agreed to one extension of talks with major studios on whether to join already striking screenwriters.

The strike by Sag-Aftra members was announced on Thursday evening. It will be the first time since 1960 that the actors and writers guilds picket simultaneously.

Screenwriters have been striking for several months outside the studios of streamers including Disney, Netflix and Paramount.

Fran Drescher, the star of The Nanny who is now the actors guild president, said: The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us.

Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal.

Oppenheimer star Emily Blunt (Ian West/PA) / PA Wire

The strike could also extend to the UK and other countries where members of the acting union are active on film sets.

It would prevent A-listers from promoting big releases.

US publication Variety reported the London premiere of Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer has been brought forward by an hour so that stars such as Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt and Matt Damon, as well as Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh could walk the red carpet before any walkout began.

The stars walked out of the premiere in solidarity shortly before the strike action was announced.

The strike could rule them out of the movies US premiere in New York on Monday.

Other major film and TV events such as next weeks annual Comic-Con event in San Diego could also be scaled down.

Stars have already made it clear that they are willing to strike to support their colleagues.

Meryl Streep and The Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence urged the union not to settle for a mediocre deal in a letter last year.
A Russian general who has not been seen in public since the Wagner mutiny is resting and not available, an official has said.

According to US intelligence, Sergei Surovikin allegedly knew of the Wagner mutiny last month, while the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said his absence had fuelled theories that he had been sidelined following the mutiny.

Asked by Russian media outlet, Shot, if he had spoken to Mr Surovikin, Andrei Kartapolov, a retired general who heads the defence affairs committee in the lower house of the Russian parliament, said: No, he is resting now. Not available.

Mr Surovikin was put in charge of Russias armed forces in Ukraine last October but was removed three months later. Since then he has served as commander of Russias aerospace division.

In its intelligence update on July 12, the MoD pointed to the growing public profile of the absent generals deputy, Viktor Afzalov, who was televised briefing chief of the general staff general Valery Gerasimov - his first appearance despite being in the role for four years.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, called off an attempted coup on June 24 after taking control of the Russian city of Rostov in what Vladimir Putin branded a treasonous mutiny.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has now revealed a three-hour meeting took place on June 29 - five days after Mr Prigozhin staged an attempted uprising - between the president and the mercenary leader.

Following the mutiny, it was agreed that Mr Prigozhin and some Wagner troops would relocate to Belarus.

The countrys president, Alexander Lukashenko, however, said the mercenary group leader was still in Russia.

Russias defence ministry has since claimed the mercenary group has handed thousands of tonnes of weaponry and ammunition to Russias regular army.
A makeshift barrier made out of buoys has been installed in the Rio Grande by Texas officials to try and deter migrants crossing from Mexico.

The 1,000ft floating barrier was installed near Eagle Pass, Texas  which is an an illegal crossing hot spot.

It will take roughly another week before the buoys can be anchored to the river bed and the work is completed.

The Texas border with Mexico is 1,254 miles long.

Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Lt. Chris Olivarez told the New York Post: The buoys go down a foot below the water line, so anyone wanting to get past them would have to swim at least that far down.

So far, migrants trying to make their way into the US have not attempted to go over them or under them, Olivarez said.

Most [migrants], they dont want to go under water, theyre trying to scale over, like a wall, Olivarez claimed.

Especially with children, I think its going to be most effective with families who are trying to come across. Across the board, we want to prevent people from crossing the river in the first place.

The Rio Grande stretches the entire length of the state from El Paso to the Gulf of Mexico.

In some sections the water is just ankle deep but in others it has fierce and dangerous currents.

Immigrants rights groups are concerned the installation of the buoys may lead to drownings but Texas governor Greg Abbott said the buoys are in place as a deterrent to stop people from even trying.

The International Boundary and Water Commission, a federal agency which is in charge of the Rio Grande said Texas never submitted a plan for the water floats or obtained permits for them.

The State of Texas still has not contacted US [International Boundary and Water Commission] about its plans or requested a permit, confirmed IBWC spokesman Frank Fisher.

Governor Abbott has said he will welcome any challenges in court and is prepared to take the case as far as the Supreme Court if necessary.
C hicagos OHare International Airport has been hit by a tornado causing hundreds of flights to be disrupted.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Chicago, the tornado arrived around 7pm on Wednesday July 12 and had moved on by 8pm.

At the time of its arrival, the service warned: This tornado has been touching the ground intermittently so far and is moving east. There are additional circulations along the line south of OHare. Seek shelter if in the warned area.

The NWS issued two warnings on Wednesday evening and tornado sirens were sounded across Chicago to warn people to seek shelter.

Videos from the day showed hundreds of passengers taking shelter in an airport concourse.

FlightAware, a flight tracking service, has reported that around 169 flights were cancelled and nearly 500 were delayed as a result. According to local news outlets, warehouses near the OHare International Airport have suffered some damage.

Tornados are not uncommon in Chicago. According to the NWS, 97 significant tornados were recorded in the Chicago metro area between 1855 and 2021.

The deadliest one to date was on April 21, 1967, when the tornado formed in Palos Hills in Cook County and travelled 16 miles through the south side of Chicago, taking the lives of 33 people, injuring 500 and causing over $50 million of damage.

How does a tornado occur?

A tornado is a rotating, violent column of air that extends from the ground to a cumulonimbus cloud or sometimes the base of a cumulus cloud.

Also referred to as a twister, cyclone or whirlwind, it comes in many shapes, sizes and speeds.

While most tornadoes have wind speeds that are less than 110mph, a tornado can reach over 300mph.

They mostly occur in North America as it is a large continent that extends from the tropics to the Arctic regions, and has no major east-west mountain ranges to block the airflow between the two regions.
A Russian general said he had been dismissed as a commander after telling Vladimir Putins military leadership about the dire situation at the front in Ukraine.

Major General Ivan Popov, who commanded the 58th Combined Arms Army, accused Moscows defence top brass of stabbing Russian soldiers in the back by a string of failures in the invasion of Ukraine.

He said in a voice message published by Russian lawmaker Andrei Gurulyov that he had been dismissed.

There was no immediate comment from the Defence Ministry in Moscow and the voice message could not be independently verified.

Gurulyov is a hardline former army commander who regularly appears on state television.

"There was a tough situation with the senior bosses in which it was necessary either to keep quiet and be a coward or to say it the way it is," Popov said.

"I had no right to lie in the name of you, in the name of my fallen comrades in arms, so I outlined all the problems which exist."

He said he raised the deaths of Russian soldiers from Ukrainian artillery and said the army lacked proper counter battery systems and reconnaissance of enemy.

"The senior chiefs apparently sensed some kind of danger from me and quickly concocted an order from the defence minister in just one day and got rid of me, Popov added.

"The Ukrainian army could not break through our ranks at the front but our senior chief hit us from the rear, viciously beheading the army at the most difficult and intense moment.

British defence chiefs suggested on Wednesday that there was growing evidence which pointed to senior Russian general Sergei Surovikin, who reportedly has close links to Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, had been sidelined after the failed mutiny by the mercenary group.

In its intelligence update, the MoD in London said: On 10 July 2023, Russian Chief of the General Staff General Valery Gerasimov made his first TV appearance since the abortive Wagner mutiny of 24 June 2023.

Gerasimov was seen being briefed by video link by Russian Aerospace Forces Chief of Staff Colonel-General Viktor Afzalov. Afzalov has been in post for at least four years, but this is probably his first public appearance with Gerasimov.

The briefing added: Afzalov is deputy to Commander-in-Chief Russian Aerospace Forces, General Sergei Surovikin. Afzalovs increased public profile, while Surovikins whereabouts remains unclear, adds further weight to the hypothesis that Surovikin has been sidelined following the mutiny.

Ukrainian forces were reported to be making limited gains in their counter-offensive in the east of the country.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least one person was killed today in a third successive night of Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital.

Air defences shot down 20 drones launched by Russia to attack Kyiv and the surrounding region, as well as two Kalibr missiles in other parts of the country, the air force said.

But falling debris from the downed drones caused fires in the capital, and a body was recovered in the historic Podil district, according to civic chiefs.

This night, Russian terrorists again resorted to a mass attack. The enemy attacked the Kyiv region with drones and missiles. The air alert lasted more than three hours," Ruslan Kravchenko, the governor of the Kyiv region, said on the Telegram messaging app.

A Kalibr missile and several drones were shot down in the Mykolayiv region in southern Ukraine, but a school and about 10 private houses were damaged by falling debris, President Volodymyr Zelensky's office said.
N ato members have concluded their summit in Vilnius, Lithuania held on July 11 and 12 at which a number of countries put pressure on the bloc to accelerate Ukraines application.

Ukraine had submitted a formal application to join Nato last September, following Russias annexation of the territories it had invaded in the country.

On July 1, the president, Volodymyr Zelensky, held a news conference, saying: At the Vilnius Summit, we need a very concrete and clear signal that Ukraine could become, and has the right to become, an equal member of Nato after the war.

Ukraines request has been backed by a number of Nato members including the UK but the bloc has been reluctant to agree on a clear timetable for Ukraine to be admitted into the security alliance.

But, why are the Nato members hesitating? Here is what we know.

Why is Ukraine not in Nato?

Before his trip to Europe, the US president, Joe Biden, said Ukraine is not ready to enter Nato just yet. He added that the alliance is also not ready for it, given how its joining might increase the risk of a war breaking out between the US and Russia.

Russia has made it clear that it vehemently opposes Ukraines potential membership, with Putin demanding a formal veto on the country ever joining Nato, which the alliance refused to agree to.

During an interview with CNN, the president explained: I dont think there is unanimity in Nato about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the Nato family now, at this moment, in the middle of a war.

He went on to explain that being a Nato member state is all about agreeing to defend one another in conflict and if they were to accept Ukraine during its current war, it would mean all member states have to immediately go to war to defend it.

Another major reason why the bloc is hesitant is that one of the three main criteria for entry into Nato is to demonstrate a commitment to democracy, individual liberty, and support for the rule of law.

A 2020 analysis carried out by Transparency International, an anticorruption watchdog, had revealed Ukraine to be 117th out of 180 countries when it came to its corruption index, suggesting that there is still work to be done.

Talking about the Nato blocs reluctance to welcome Ukraine, Mr Zelensky said it was absurd for Nato to insist there are still military and democratic conditions for the eastern European country to meet before it can join following the end of the conflict with Moscow.

Meanwhile, members of the G7  made up of the UK, the US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada  are set to sign a pact with Ukraine that would increase intelligence sharing and military training, and offer support for Kyivs defence industry.
T he drip-feeding of candy pink images, trailers and teasers from the new Barbie film over the last few months means Barbiemania has already taken hold.

Starring Margot Robbie as the eponymous fashion doll and Ryan Gosling as her lovestruck boyfriend Ken, it promises to be exactly the rose-tinted tonic we need right now.

Since the first Barbie doll was released for sale in 1959, Barbie and Ken have been a constant in the toy market, representing different careers, body shapes and races along the way. Designs have shifted and adapted to chime with the times, but its safe to say that its been positive Kenergy building for the films release, and were here for it.

Barbie-creator Mattel is, of course, releasing a range of merchandise to coincide with the 85m blockbuster hitting the UKs big screens on July 21.

This means fans can get their hands on the dolls and replicas of the outfits seen on the big screen, and plenty more.

ES Best has taken a look at the best Barbie toys on the market right now, for all budgets and ages.

Here are our top picks
H uw Edwards was very angry and felt very let down by the coverage of the allegations made about him, his former colleague Jon Sopel has said.

Veteran broadcaster Edwards was named by his wife, Vicky Flind, as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

The 61-year-old is now receiving in-patient hospital care and suffering from serious mental health issues, Flind said in a statement issued on Wednesday evening.

The Metropolitan Police have said no criminal offence has been committed by Edwards and no further police action will be taken at this time, allowing an internal BBC investigation to resume.

The Sun, which first reported allegations against the then unnamed presenter last week, claiming they had paid a young person tens of thousands of pounds for explicit images, said it has no plans to publish further allegations and will co-operate with the BBCs internal investigation process.

Sopel, who worked with Edwards for decades before leaving the corporation last year, told ITVs Good Morning Britain he had been in touch with Edwards before he went to hospital.

He said: Weve had contact, obviously not since hes been hospitalised.

He was very angry, I think felt very let down by what happened in the Sun, furious with their coverage, not overly impressed with the BBCs coverage either.

Im sure anyone who knows him is just wishing him well.

Huw I have known for over three decades, when we were young political correspondents competing against each other to get up the ladder at the BBC.

He is incredibly funny, has got an acid wit.

He can be a complicated person to deal with.

If youre entering Huws orbit, hes very defensive of his own territory, so I wouldnt say were close friends, but I thought that some of the coverage about what has happened about someones private life, which is complicated, and possibly a bit messy, and that some might find distasteful, I dont see what its got to do with anyone else.

If theres no question of illegality, theres no question of sexual assault and things might change, but, as things stand now, theres been no illegality, theres been no abuse of power, as far as I can see. Therefore, what is it to do with anybody?

Sopel said coverage of the allegations got ugly, adding: I think it became a feeding frenzy. I think it was a competition to see who could go further the fastest.

Asked what he thinks the situation means for Edwards professionally, Sopel said: I think if, at the end of this, what you are left with is someone who had some personal struggles about who he was, what he was, how he lived his life. and he made some ill-considered judgments along the way, I think it would be such a shame, if such a talented and gifted broadcaster  and the way he navigates state occasions and the big events and reads the news with such authority  if that is lost.

I think that will be a great loss.

So I hope he gets better. And I hope that some way, somehow, hes back  providing nothing else comes out that we dont know about  but if things are as they are, I hope he makes a return.

The BBC is continuing its fact-finding investigations into the allegations printed in the Sun which said the presenter had paid a teenager tens of thousands of pounds for sexually explicit images.

The BBC has reported a second person claiming they felt threatened by messages they received from Edwards.

BBC Newsnight has also reported new claims from one current and one former BBC worker, who said they had received inappropriate messages from the veteran broadcaster, some late at night and signed off with kisses.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. The news about the launch of the Absheron gas and condensate field is very good for Azerbaijan, Ambassador (retired), Senior Adjunct Professor, American University Robert F. Cekuta told Trend.

He noted that it is also very good news for European consumers and European energy security.

Additional natural gas is greatly needed now in Europe and globally due to the disruptions caused by Russias war against Ukraine. Every additional molecule of natural gas that can be produced and brought on to world markets today helps make sure individuals and businesses have the energy they need for the coming winter. Looking past the coming winter energy needs, and as additional gas becomes available from Qatar and other suppliers next year and the year after, indications are that natural gas is going to continue to be needed for fuel and also as a feedstock for petrochemical production. Thus, for Azerbaijan, the United States, Qatar, and other natural gas producers, I suspect there is going to be continued demand for their gas for some time, noted the former ambassador.

Cekuta went on to add that as for gas contribution to Azerbaijans energy diversification, it could be significant.

The income Azerbaijan receives from producing and exporting natural gas can be used for developing other energy sources, just as energy producers for years have used income from oil or gas sales to invest in expanding current production or in identifying and developing new energy finds, he explained.

Robert Cekuta pointed out that the income Azerbaijan earns from natural gas exports can be used to develop other energy resources, for example solar and wind, both of which are tremendous underutilized sources of power for the country.

The receipts from natural gas exports can also be used to upgrade existing energy systems, for example the electrical grid, and to make the countrys housing stock and other buildings and industries more energy efficient. After all, in addition to the reduced carbon emissions resulting from a more efficient use of energy, there can also be significant monetary savings as well, he concluded.

TotalEnergies and its partner SOCAR (State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan) announce the start of production of the first phase of development of the Absheron gas and condensate field in the Caspian Sea, around 100 km south-east of Baku.

This first phase connects a subsea production well to a new gas processing platform, itself linked to SOCARs existing facilities in Oil Rocks. It has production capacity of 4 million cubic meters of gas per day and 12,000 barrels a day of condensate. The gas will be sold on the domestic market in Azerbaijan.

TotalEnergies and SOCAR both hold a 50 percent interest in the project, which is operated by the joint company JOCAP (Joint Operating Company of Absheron Petroleum).

The fields reserves are estimated at 300 billion cubic meters.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
S even works by Northern Ireland arts organisations will be showcased at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.

The Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland initiative shines a spotlight on work created by artists from the region.

The project, now in its fifth year, is delivered by Theatre and Dance NI, in collaboration with Belfast International Arts Festival, and supported by the British Council Northern Ireland and Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The Festival Fringe is the biggest arts marketplace in the world and will provide the Northern Ireland performers with an opportunity to network with other artists with a view to having their work tour internationally.

The productions being profiled on August 22 are The Half Moon by Alice Malseed, Scaredy Fat by Gina Donnelly and Seon Simpson, Lie Low by Ciara Elizabeth Smyth, Whisk(e)y Wars by Joyce Greenaway, The Four Worst Things Ive Ever Done by Ewan McGowan-Gregg, How to Bury a Dead Mule by Richard Clements and Expecting by Charis McRoberts.

International exposure for our performance artists and ensembles at the Edinburgh Fringe brings with it valuable opportunities

Niamh Flanagan, executive director of Theatre and Dance NI, said, This is an important initiative for the seven NI artists performing at the Fringe which helps increase their profile and further opportunities globally.

We are also delighted to announce bursaries as part of a fellowship programme.

This is to support a number of artists, directors and producers to attend the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where they can promote themselves and their work for possible future performances there, as well as internationally.

Richard Wakely, artistic director and chief executive of the Belfast International Arts Festival, said: International exposure for our performance artists and ensembles at the Edinburgh Fringe brings with it valuable opportunities to extend the life of new stage and digital works as well as offering increased media and public profile, artistic development and the possibility of future collaborations with overseas partners.

Alison McCrudden, head of literature, drama and dance at Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: Its a testament to the creativity, tenacity and forward-looking focus of our artists that they have created such high quality and resonant works.

It is vital that these important works are seen  and important too for audiences to get see them  and so it is particularly exciting that a huge potential market is opened up to them through the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Colette Norwood, British Council Northern Ireland arts manager, said the event will highlight some of the most exciting current and upcoming productions available for touring from Northern Ireland.
F ormer Grange Hill and The Bill star George Armstrong has died at the age of 60 following a long battle with leukaemia.

The actor played Alan Humphries in the childrens TV drama between 1978 and 1982.

The British star passed away on July 11, according to a Grange Hill fan account on Twitter, writing: Ive just heard the very sad news that George Armstrong aka Alan Humphries passed away yesterday. RIP George. A true Grange Hill legend xxxx.

Following the announcement tributes poured in for the star on Thursday, with his former Grange Hill co-star Robert Craig-Morgan tweeting: Goodbye my friend. I loved you George xx.

So very sad. Rip. G.H and tuckers luck. Always watched. Way too young. Our childhood stars are passing before our eyes, a fan wrote.

A third shared: A character from my childhood. Such sad news, thoughts with his family and Grange Hill friends.

Sad news. Met him a few years ago. Top chap, a fourth penned.

Another wrote: Very sad to learn of the passing of this lovely man. R.I.P. George Armstrong, who many will remember as #GrangeHills Alan Humphries xx #70s #80s.

Armstrong previously spoke about his cancer battle in 2018 in a bid to raise money for charity and thanked the NHS for all they had done for him.

He wrote on Facebook at the time: Any of you who know me know Im not a great one for sharing my personal life on social media, but today I make an exception for a truly wonderful cause.

2 years ago I was diagnosed with leukaemia and spent 4 months fighting it.

I was able to get to remission but unfortunately in February this year, I relapsed and have spent most of the last 3 months in hospital, he continued.

The actor starred in the series alongside EastEnders actor Todd Carty (middle) / Facebook/George Armstrong

Its hard, its tiring but despite a big scare Im still here and fighting on. Every day I sit here in hospital Im reminded of the amazing work the NHS does.

But they cant do it alone and that is where some remarkable charities help.

Born in London, Armstrong started acting at an early age and got his first notable role as Hubert Lane in 1977s Just William alongside Bonnie Langford.

After his time on Grange Hill, the TV star appeared as PC Driscoll in The Bill in 1989. Following his turn in the ITV crime drama, he became a Technical Theatre Manager at a public school.

His passing comes just five months after fellow Grange Hill Star Lee Whitlock passed away at age 54.
M argot Robbie may have been the star attraction at the London Barbie movie premiere, but she was more excited about getting to rub shoulders with some of the former Love Island cast.

The Oscar-nominated actress, 33, is a self-confessed superfan of the hit ITV2 dating show and even threw a Love Island-themed party for her 31st birthday back in 2021.

Last summer, the Australian native said she was backing Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti, who are no longer together, to win the summer series.

Love Island reminds me of living in London, watching it with my girlfriends when everybody was home from work, she said at the time.

It was like all her Christmases had come at once when she realised that Culculoglu, Sanclimenti and other former islanders including Liberty Poole and Danica Taylor had turned out for the star-studded event.

Robbie looked in her element as she posed for selfies with each one individually and was clearly fangirling as she shared a moment with Culculoglu on the pink carpet.

Speaking to BBC Newsbeat after the Barbie premiere, Culculoglu said how she had really, really, really hoped that she would get to meet Robbie.

I know there was a TikTok that went viral on about how she really really liked me from Love Island, and how she was basically saying I came across as a boss babe.

And at the time when I came out the villa, I was shocked that she actually said my name.

So when Margot saw me, I was the biggest fan for her and she acted like she was a fan for me which I was even more overwhelmed with.

Culculoglu was further blown away when Robbie told her: I cant believe Im meeting you.

Poole and Taylor, who appeared on Love Island in 2021 and 2022 respectively, also said they were starstruck when meeting Robbie.

I was like as if Margot Robbie knows my name, this is crazy, Poole recalled.

Adding: She was just so humble and down to earth.

Reflecting on her own experience, Taylor also said she was shocked that Robbie knew who she was.

I was like Margot can I just get a real quick picture. And she was like oh my gosh, of course I absolutely love you, she said. Which is crazy that that even came out of her mouth.

Danica Taylor recalled her experience of meeting Margot Robbie at the Barbie movie premiere / Instagram / @_danicataylor

With Margot being Barbie, the star, I feel like it was only right to have a couple of Love Island cast there.

The highly anticpated Barbie movie based on the iconic Mattel doll hits UK cinemas nationwide from July 21.
R eese Witherspoon has described her split from estranged husband Jim Toth as a vulnerable time.

The Morning Show actress, 47, and Hollywood talent agent, 52, announced their divorce on Instagram in March days before they were due to celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary.

In the social media statement, the pair said their 10-year-old son Tennessee was their biggest priority as they move forward as co-parents.

Now reflecting on their decision to publicly address their divorce online, Witherspoon spoke about the differences between the way she publicly handled their separation compared to her split from her first husband, Ryan Phillippe  who she shares children Ava and Deacon with.

The Legally Blonde star opened up about her life / Cass Bird for Harpers BAZAAR

She said: Its interesting what happened to me. When I was divorced before, the tabloid media got to tell people how I was feeling or how I was processing, and it felt very out of control.

To be able to talk to people directly about whats going on in my life and just share it in the way that I share great professional experiences or personal experiences, it feels much more authentic to be able to say things in my own voice and not let somebody else control whats happening.

Then, of course, theres speculation, but I cant control that. All I can do is be my most honest, forthright self and be vulnerable, she told Harpers Bazaar.

Its a vulnerable time for me.

I think about how many other people are going through this experience. I dont feel isolated at all. I feel very connected.

The former couple were first linked in February, 2010, and announced their engagement at the end of that same year.

A mere three months later, they wed on March 26, 2011, and then welcomed their first child together, Tennessee in September, 2012.

Read the full interview in this months Harpers Bazaar / Cass Bird for Harpers BAZAAR

Back in March, the pair shared a joint statement about their divorce, writing: We have some personal news to share It is with a great deal of care and consideration that we have made the difficult decision to divorce.

We have enjoyed so many wonderful years together and are moving forward with deep love, kindness, and mutual respect for everything we have created together.

Our biggest priority is our son and our entire family as we navigate this next chapter.

These matters are never easy and are extremely personal. We truly appreciate everyones respect for our familys privacy at this time.
R obert De Niros girlfriend Tiffany Chen has revealed that she suffered a postpartum complication following the birth of their daughter, Gia.

The actor, 79, and martial arts instructor, 45, welcomed their little one in April, which marked the arrival of the Taxi Driver stars seventh child.

Chen is set to open up about the family in a new interview with presenter Gayle King for CBS Mornings which is scheduled to air in full this Friday.

A teaser for it states: [Tiffany] reveals a postpartum complication to @GayleKing, speaking exclusively to CBS Mornings for her first interview since giving birth.

CBS

The Oscar winner shocked many when he announced the birth of his seventh child whilst promoting his film About My Father in May.

Speaking to ET Canada at the time, presenter Brittnee Blair stated during their chat: I know you have six kids, to which the actor corrected her, replying: Seven, actually. I just had a baby.

Shortly afterwards, broadcaster Gayle King shared the newborns name on CBS Mornings, revealing that she had been named Gia Virginia Chen-De Niro by her parents.

Chens interview comes over a week following the death of De Niros grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez at the age of 19.

The Goodfellas actor said he and his family were greatly appreciative of condolences and asked for privacy.

Im deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo, De Niro said, in a statement. Were greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo.

The death of Leandro De Niro Rodriguez was announced on July 4 by his mother Drena De Niro, 51, the eldest of the actors seven children.

De Niro adopted Drena after marrying his first wife, American actor Diahnne Abbott. The former couple also share son Raphael, 46.

Then in 1995, he welcomed twin sons Julian and Aaron, 27, with his former girlfriend, model Toukie Smith.

The Oscar winner also has two children, son Elliot, 25, and daughter Helen Grace, 11, with ex-wife Grace Hightower.
A class action lawsuit has been filed in the US, claiming Google has used hundreds of millions of peoples data in order to feed its AI tech, including the Bard chatbot.

The lawsuit was filed by eight claimants on behalf of the rest of the US population.

It claims: Google has been secretly stealing everything ever created and shared on the internet by hundreds of millions of Americans including personal and professional information, our creative and copywritten works, our photographs, and even our emails  virtually the entirety of our digital footprint.

The eight people who filed the suit are only represented by their initials, but details elucidated in the filing, which has been rehosted by the Register, reveal one of the plaintiffs is six years old, another 13.

One of the claimants is an actor and professor, one an author, another regularly posts on YouTube and TikTok.

The documents detail how the authors work can be reproduced when using Google Bard. On demand, Bard will offer not only to summarize the book in detail, chapter by chapter, but it also offers to regenerate the text of her book verbatim, the case document reads.

The group is suing Google parent company Alphabet for $5 billion (3.8 billion).

Their lead claim is Publicly available has never meant free to use for any purpose and that Google must understand, once and for all: it does not own the internet, it does not own our creative works, it does not own our expressions of our personhood, pictures of our families and children, or anything else simply because we share it online.

Google is attacked on 10 fronts in the case, including violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the 1998 US law that provides the mechanisms by which copyright-infringing content is removed from platforms like YouTube.

Earlier this month Google updated the wording of its privacy policy to more clearly state it does indeed implement user data in the development of its products.

Google uses information to improve our services and to develop new products, features and technologies that benefit our users and the public. For example, we use publicly available information to help train Googles AI models and build products and features like Google Translate, Bard, and Cloud AI capabilities, its policy read in early July according to Search Engine Journal, although the wording appears to have changed once again since.

Googles privacy policy still says your data is used in developing new products and features that are useful for our users.

This is not the first case to be levelled at the companies developing generative AI technologies.

Last January, Getty Images sued Stable Diffusion creator StabilityAI in London, claiming it had used the Gettys copyrighted pictures to train its generative AI models. This was followed up in February by a similar filing in the US.
T he USs consumer protection watchdog is appealing against a decision to allow Microsoft to acquire video game maker Activision Blizzard.

The 69 billion US dollar (53 billion) deal has come under fire from regulators in the US and the UK over concerns it will give Microsoft an unfair advantage in the market and affect gamers.

The takeover of the maker of Call Of Duty, World Of Warcraft and Candy Crush would be one of the biggest ever in the technology industry.

Earlier this week, US district judge Jacqueline Scott Corley rejected a request from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to block the high-profile acquisition, giving it the green light to go ahead.

We're disappointed that the FTC is continuing to pursue what has become a demonstrably weak case, and we will oppose further efforts to delay the ability to move forward

She said the FTC has not shown it is likely to prevail if it took the case to trial.

It also prompted the UKs Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to say it was open to proposals about how the deal could be amended, having previously moved to block it altogether.

But the FTC has filed an appeal against the ruling made by Judge Corley.

Its arguments for appealing against the decision are due to be outlined at a later date.

The president of Microsoft, Brad Smith, said the tech giant does not want any more delays to the takeover.

He said in a statement: The District Courts ruling makes crystal clear that this acquisition is good for both competition and consumers.

Were disappointed that the FTC is continuing to pursue what has become a demonstrably weak case, and we will oppose further efforts to delay the ability to move forward.

The chief communications officer of Activision Blizzard, Lulu Cheng Meservey, said in a tweet following the appeal: The facts havent changed. Were confident the US will remain among the 39 countries where the merger can close.

We look forward to demonstrating the strength of our case in court  again.

The merger has been criticised by regulators on the grounds that it will stifle competition in the fast-growing cloud gaming market, where video games are played using remote servers and have no need for downloads.

The CMA claimed that Microsoft, which owns Xbox, already accounts for between 60% and 70% of cloud gaming services.

Merging the two companies could therefore give Microsoft an unfair advantage and undermine new and innovative competitors, it argued.

Nevertheless, the CMA said on Tuesday it was willing to engage with the business on the grounds that it thinks of ways to modify the deal.

These discussions remain at an early stage and the nature and timing of next steps will be determined in due course, a spokesperson for the regulator said.

While both parties have requested a pause in Microsofts appeal to allow these discussions to take place, the CMA decision set out in its final report still stands.

It meant that a legal battle in the UK, due to commence in court later this month, has been halted.
Review at a glance









T hose who enjoy the idea of a gadget that feels unique will be naturally drawn towards Nothing. After all, this is a London-based tech company (which is unusual in itself) that is on a mission to bring the fun back into what it calls the boring world of consumer electronics.

Few products embody this sentiment more than Android handsets, which all too often feel like a hotchpotch of me-too components desperately searching for a point of difference.

Nothing boldly thrust itself into this competitive arena last year with its highly innovative Phone 1 handset  and this week sees the launch of its successor, the Nothing Phone 2, reviewed here.

Unlike its anodyne rivals, Nothing handsets are entirely distinctive. Both of its phones have transparent backs, with LED strips shining through, which Nothing calls Glyphs. More on those in a moment.

Nothing Phone 2: key specs

Display: 6.7 inch OLED (2,412 x 1,080), 120Hz

6.7 inch OLED (2,412 x 1,080), 120Hz Dimensions: 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm

162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm Front camera: 32MP (f/2.5)

32MP (f/2.5) Rear camera: 50MP main (f/1.9), 50MP ultrawide (f/2.2)

50MP main (f/1.9), 50MP ultrawide (f/2.2) Weight: 201g

201g Battery and charging: 4,700mAh (wireless charging and reverse wireless charging)

4,700mAh (wireless charging and reverse wireless charging) Memory and storage: 8GB /12GB RAM

8GB /12GB RAM Processor: Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Price: 579 (8GB RAM, 256GB storage); 629 (12GB RAM, 256GB storage); 699 (12GB RAM, 512GB storage)

The clear back-panel of each handset also reveals the shape of the circuitry that lies beneath. This is, without a doubt, an intriguing look that evokes the feel of an old-school analogue tape deck.

Nothing doubles-down on this visual kerb appeal with a high-design approach that encompasses everything  from the overall calibre of its industrial engineering right through to the branding, which is said to represent a vintage dot-matrix printer. Spotting a theme?

The brand has already acquired cult status among a certain type of gadget fan and even more impressive is the firms aspiration to bring this to the party on a frugal budget. The original Phone 1 was priced from just 399 and, even though the Phone 2 ups the ante somewhat, with a starting cost of 579, Nothing promises that it retains the same DNA of sensational value alongside serious engineering kudos.

So does this shiny new handset justify all the hype? Lets find out.

Look and feel

The monochrome Nothing OS / David Phelan

The Nothing Phone 2 retains a similar design approach to its forebear, with a flat-screen and cliff-edge sides. Dont tell the lawyers but, if you glance quickly, it looks almost like an iPhone. At least, until you turn it over and take in the rear panel.

Whats new this year is a pillowed, contoured back that feels super comfortable in the hand  last years was flat. This is a big change and works well.

The build quality of the Nothing Phone (2) is simply excellent, with no flex of the aluminium frame or Gorilla Glass screen if you try to bend it. In comparison to similarly priced handsets, this is next-level.

The display is a touch bigger this time around, at 6.7 inches, which is the same as the iPhone 14 Pro Max, although this phone feels easier to hold because its narrower. The contoured back also helps with this, too. Even so, its still worth trying it in your own hand, as it might be a stretch for those with small mitts.

The display has a fingerprint sensor embedded in the screen, right at the bottom, while face-unlock works through the selfie camera. Both work well, and are fast and responsive. And there are some thoughtful notes, like the screen protector which is supplied and in place already. A nice touch.

Turn the Nothing Phone 2 over and the lights flash / David Phelan

Nothing has overlaid the standard Android software with an elegant visual skin. It retains those cool dot-matrix effects, from the choice of system fonts to the weather icons. Whats new is a greater emphasis on monochrome. You can construct your entire home screen with black-and-white icons, save for the bright-red second-hand on the analogue clock and Google logo in the search bar. The idea is youll be less drawn into using your phone too much than if you were to see bright colours calling you.

Thats also the concept behind the Glyphs. Nothing says it wants you to use your phone less often but more judiciously. So, you can set the LEDs to flash when a call comes in, and choose a distinctive pattern so you know if, say, its your significant other.

You can even create your own visual ringtones with the latest Nothing Phone software. And there are other new uses for the Glyphs. Set a timer and one of the LEDs will dial down from showing the full strip alight to zero. The same trick can time how long it will take your Uber driver to reach you  albeit this is currently listed as an experimental feature. These Glyphs do feel like a novelty, even though their practical purposes are growing. And the way the lights give you a confirming flash when you, say, turn the phone face-down is a good conversation starter. Still a gimmick, then, but it remains a good one.

Performance

Great light balance in low-light shot / David Phelan

One of the reasons for the uptick in price compared to the Nothing Phone 1 is the improvement in components and this includes the processor. You get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 onboard now and, while it isnt the very latest available, it was routinely found in flagship phones until fairly recently. It remains more than up to the job and is certainly a lot faster than the original Nothing handset.

As such, the Phone 2 is speedy and effective, never keeping you waiting whether youre playing games or watching video, for instance, both of which look smooth. Thats partly due to the fast-refresh display which can automatically adapt to save battery life depending on what you are looking at. For instance, it goes from a snail-like 1Hz on static content, such as an email, say, right up to 120Hz for stutter-free scrolling through menus and lists. The feature adjusts itself in the background and it works very well. Its far from unique to Nothing  and yet a pleasure to find on a phone at this price.

Battery life is strong, too, lasting easily a full day, though nightly recharges are likely. This years phone has a bigger cell and so this is no surprise. On the basis of several days testing, there was always at least 30 per cent battery left at the end of each day.

The transparent casing reveals a central circular pattern that mimics the wireless-charging panel inside. Reverse wireless-charging is also here and while this is slower than a standard cable, its effective and a handy asset for topping-up earbuds. Broadly speaking, there is little if anything to complain about here.

Nothing Phone 2: Photo and video

The statue of Laurence Olivier outside the National Theatre: strong detail close up and distance / David Phelan

The cameras on a smartphone are a deal-breaker for most gadget fans and, while the Nothing Phone 1 snappers were fine, theres been a marked improvement here. This is especially true on the main camera, which has an improved Sony sensor. Both the ultrawide and main ones now have 50MP resolution, so its no surprise that photos are detailed.

Low light is the enemy of most phone cameras and yet the results were extremely good, even in sepulchral conditions. The Nothing Phone 2 routinely delivers images that are sharp, even at night, with little trade-off in terms of how long you had to hold the phone still. In late-night outdoor shots in the city, low light was rendered well, though brighter lights could easily blow out the details.

Portrait shot: Sharp on dog hair, with blurred hydrangeas / David Phelan

The front-facing camera came in for some stick last time around, so its great to see this has been upgraded from 16MP to 32MP, with noticeably better results. Regular daylight and indoor shots show the phones capabilities well. The new main camera even has AI scene-detection. This should mean that it will expose differently for a cat than a human, for instance. In practice, the images more than hold their own with rival camera phones, and are noticeably better than those from its predecessor.

The Nothing Phone 2 is easily on par with the Samsung A Series, albeit somewhat outgunned by the Google Pixel 7 Pro, especially in the dark. In the end, though, how much does superlative camera quality matter to you? What you get here is plenty good enough to to satisfy most peoples gadget glands.

Verdict

The upgrades in this handset easily justify the extra money. Indeed, its hard to believe that the Nothing Phone 2 is even available at such a mid-range cost. The original Phone 1 model is still available but the newer model now makes this feel old as as well retro-styled.

Some of the changes are subtle  for instance, the better use of Glyphs, enhanced Nothing OS, and the pillowed back. Others are big leaps, such as the significantly better cameras and punchier processor.

The design is also truly unique to Nothing and a lot of fun. This phone is a strong choice at a keen price.
By News Centre

President Erdogan revealed his determination before the NATO Summit: I am calling out to the countries that have kept Turkiye waiting at the EU gate for more than 50 years; First, let them pave the way for Turkiye in the European Union, and we will pave the way for Sweden, just as we paved the way for Finland.

Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan said in a statement at Ataturk Airport before leaving for Vilnius to attend the summit.

The progress of Sweden's membership process to NATO depends on the fulfillment of the issues recorded in the tripartite agreement. We are almost speechless for saying that terrorist organizations and their extensions should be dealt with indiscriminately, the President said.

President Erdogan went to Vilnius to attend the Summit of Heads of State and Government. Holding a press conference at Ataturk Airport before his departure to Lithuania, he emphasized that one of the agenda items at the summit was the enlargement of NATO and that Turkiye has always supported NATO's open-door policy.

Finland did what was needed

Noting that Turkiye expressed their support for this policy at every opportunity, while North Macedonia was kept waiting at the door for 16 years only because of the name issue, the Turkish President said: A road map was drawn up with the tripartite agreement signed in Madrid last year for Sweden and Finland's applications for NATO membership. Acting in accordance with its commitments, Finland officially became a member of the alliance in April.

We are tired to reiterate

As for Sweden, the process continues. The contacts of our relevant institutions with their Swedish counterparts go on with a transparent and well-intentioned approach. The progress of Sweden's membership process to NATO depends on the fulfillment of the issues recorded in the tripartite agreement. We are almost speechless when we say that as Turkiye, we need to fight terrorist organizations and their extensions indiscriminately.

We are taking a critical role

Stating that Turkiye has done its part as one of the top five allies that contributed most to NATO missions and operations, Erdogan emphasized that Turkiye provided serious strength and capabilities to the alliance by making use of advanced technologies on land, at sea and in the air. Expressing that NATO's fight against terrorism continues in the southern border regions and beyond, which also borders NATO, Erdogan said, "We play critical roles on a global scale in the prevention and management of mass irregular migration movements."

Turkiye has been waiting for 50 years

Pointing out that he wanted to underline a fact on the occasion of his visit to Lithuania, Erdogan said: Turkiye that has been waiting at the door of the European Union for more than 50 years, and almost all of the NATO member countries are now members of the European Union. I am calling out to these countries that have kept Turkiye waiting at the gates of the European Union for more than 50 years, but I will also call out in Vilnius; First, let's pave the way for Turkiye in the European Union, then let's pave the way for Sweden, just as we paved the way for Finland.

We are not a CATLADIKAPI (a country with undefined borders) door country

Noting that he used these expressions to US President Joe Biden the previous evening, Erdogan said, I have to make this statement in Vilnius as well. Because I also believe that my people have expectations from us. It is over 50 years. We are Turkiye. We are not a Catladikapi country. This needs to be known. I will express these while making these contacts with the heads of state and government in the meetings I will hold at the margin of the summit.

President Erdogan started his contacts in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, where he came to attend the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, with a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Erdogan had a trilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at the LIETXPO Exhibition and Convention Center. Sweden, which did not keep its previous promises during the meeting, made new promises to Turkiye.

First Explanation Comes From Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg made the first statement about the meeting.

Answering journalists' questions, Stoltenberg said, "I am pleased to announce that President Erdogan has agreed to forward Sweden's accession protocol to the Parliament as soon as possible and to work closely with the Parliament for approval."

Stoltenberg listed the Swedish promises at the summit as follows:

A dual mechanism will be established

* It was agreed to work towards eliminating sanctions and removing obstacles in defense trade and investments among the Allies.

* Sweden will actively support Turkiye's EU membership process, including updating the Customs Union and visa liberalization.

* It will not support Sweden's terrorist organization YPG/PYD and FETO.

* For the first time in NATO's history, a Special Counter-Terrorism Coordinator will be appointed.

* A bilateral security mechanism will be established between Turkiye and Sweden.

Biden: I Am Ready to Work With Turkiye

US President Joe Biden made a written statement after the agreement between Turkiye and Sweden.

"I welcome the statement that includes Turkiye's submission of Sweden's NATO accession protocols to Parliament. I am ready to work with President Erdogan and Turkiye to improve defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic region. I look forward to seeing Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as the 32nd member of NATO. I thank Stoltenberg for his determined leadership, Biden said.

The final decision belongs to the TGNA

How will you behave towards Sweden's NATO membership? Upon the question, Erdogan stated that the final decision in this matter belongs to the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye. Expressing that it is not possible to take any steps here after the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye does not make this decision, Erdogan said, Look, what are they all bringing about the F-16s? They say, 'It has to pass the Congress.' If they have a Congress, we have a Parliament. We can't say, 'I said it, it's done' after it has not been passed by the Turkish Grand National Assembly," he said.

Biden mobilizes all opportunities

When asked how US President Joe Biden evaluates the opposition of some senators to the sale of the F-16 in Congress, Erdogan said that Biden said, "I am mobilizing all the means I can."

President Erdogan added: He wants the same from us. Of course, we told him that our case is very different from yours. As two NATO allies, we will strengthen ourselves against all NATO enemies with the steps we will take here. We have made payments to you. There is the payment we made in the F-35. 1 billion 450 million dollars. We have not yet received the return of this payment. Of course, now we will have a narrow meeting in Vilnius. We will discuss these issues with him in these narrow meetings, and with this meeting, I hope that we will overcome this problem. It also saddens us that this is associated with Sweden.

Asked whether he will have any contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the near future for the extension of the Grain Corridor Agreement, which will expire on July 17, President Erdogan said that they expect a visit from Putin next month.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Azerbaijan and the UAE have discussed current and future prospects for the development of tourism relations, Trend reports.

According to the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, the discussions were held within the framework of a meeting between Chairman of the agency Fuad Nagiyev and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to Azerbaijan Mohammed Al Blushi.

The sides exchanged views on expanding cooperation in the field of tourism, the contribution of the introduction of a visa-free regime between the two countries to increasing mutual visits, and the investment opportunities of UAE companies in the tourism sector of Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, the number of citizens of the UAE who visited Azerbaijan amounted to 18,884 people in the first half of 2023, which means an increase of 23 percent compared to the same period last year.

Currently, direct flights from UAE cities (Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi) are operated to Azerbaijan 50 times a week.
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Defence Minister Angel Tilvar, accompanied by Chief of Defence (CoD) Daniel Petrescu and Chief of the Air Force Staff Viorel Pana on Thursday visited the Carpathian Vipers detachment deployed by the Romanian Air Force to the Siauliai Base in Lithuania.

"The exercises and training you have participated in are valuable experiences in the career plan of each of you, but they also addto the interoperability of the Romanian Air Force. You will return home stronger, better prepared and much more motivated to continue to evolve in your impressive careers," the Defence Ministry (MApN) quotes Tilvar as saying in a press release.

Tilvar, who attended the NATO Summit in Vilnius, congratulated the Romanian Air Force troops on the professional manner in which they carried out their missions, including those of ensuring the security of the airspace during the most important meeting of NATO this year.

CoD Petrescu said that taking up the responsibilities of securing the allied airspace in the Baltic region, as part of the Enhanced Air Policing mission under NATO command, strengthens Romania's role as a reliable ally and a pillar of stability on the eastern flank.

"Through the real missions during the four months of deployment, through your excellent performances in the exercises and training performed together with the most advanced NATO military aviation, you once again proved the interoperability of the Romanian Air Force with similar structures in NATO and you have reconfirmed the value and professionalism of Romanian military aviators," Petrescu said.

The Carpathian Vipers detachment, composed of four F-16 multirole fighter aircraft and 100 troops, is deployed until the end of July to the Siauliai Air Base.

The Romanian detachment serves with the Enhanced Air Policing mission under NATO command, together with the Portuguese Air Force, as part of the 62nd rotation of the mission to defend the integrity of the airspace of the Baltic countries.

A first real interception mission occurred in the first week after taking over the responsibilities from the French partners. To date, F-16 aircraft have been alerted by the NATO Air Operations Center in Uedem, Germany, more than 20 times, resulting in approximately 50 aircraft sorties.

The Romanian Air Force is at its second deployment in Lithuania, after the first air policing mission between August and October 2007 with a detachment of 67 troops and four MiG-21 LanceR aircraft from the 71st General Emanoil Ionescu Air Base. AGERPRES
Deputy Prime Minister Marian Neacsu will act as interim labour minister following the resignation of incumbent Labour Minister Marius Budai, with a final appointmnet of the next labour minister expected next week, government sources said on Thursday.

According to the sources, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu agrees with a woman being appointed the next labour minister.

Five people would be in contention, including Social Democratic Party (PSD) MP Simona Bucura Oprescu. AGERPRES
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Forestry (MMAP) and the Romsilva Stud Farms are joining the Cavalliada team which is organizing, from July 14 to 16, 2023, in Cernica Forest, the first edition of the only equestrian endurance competition in Romania, held exclusively in forest, the MMAP informs in a press release.

Pantelimon Town Hall and Ilfov County Council also contribute to the creation of a unique event in Romania for horse-riding enthusiasts, but also for nature lovers who want to know more about "this noble sport of mind, body and soul, which perfectly combines the grace of the horses with the skill of the rider"."I congratulate the organizers of the Cavalliada Cup, which I understand marks several important firsts: the only equestrian endurance route in Romania exclusively in the forest, zero fees for competitors, organization at international standards. The event is an ideal example of capitalizing on the recreational, cultural and historical potential of urban forests that have more than landscape value and benefits such as: air purification, sound buffer or dust and heat absorption. It is important to also focus on the educational aspect, on the idea that the forest can be a space where anyone, but especially young people, can learn the role and benefits of forests. I welcome the presence and involvement of the Romsilva Stud Farms in organizing this unique equestrian event in Europe and I hope that it is only the beginning of a collaboration that gives us all the chance to discover the wonderful world of a sport noble with miraculous effects on the body in general. I wish success to the participants in the competition and a quality time to those who will spend their weekend in a perfect meeting space for the whole family, friends and lovers of horse-riding", Minister of the Environment Mircea Fechet said.The event will enjoy the presence of Elisabeta Lipa, president of the National Agency for Sport, a reference name in Romanian and world sports, champion of Romania for 25 times.The participants will have a well-designed route in Cernica Forest, the contest tests being both the traditional ones, specific to an endurance contest, where the jurors will appreciate the skill of the riders and the ability to control the horses, as well as some new ones, in which points will be scored the originality and style of the riders.The Cavalliada Romsilva Cup is also a lifestyle event, with free entry, which offers many relaxing activities in nature: working equitation and equigames, shows, horse rides in arenas, obstacle courses, parade of the Romanian Gendarmerie on horseback, food court, playgrounds for children, karaoke evening.
Marius Budai's resignation as Labor Minister is an act of honor, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu declared on Thursday at the beginning of the government meeting.

"It is extremely obvious that, due to a pool of factors that are related both to the state and the private sector, the activity of protecting the elderly and vulnerable has dramatically drifted away from its initial purpose. (...) This morning I had a discussion with Labor Minister Marius Budai, who announced me of his decision to tender his resignation at the end of this meeting. It is an act of honor for which I thank him and I am convinced that this is the normal reaction of a political decision-maker in such a crisis, in any European consolidated democracy," said the prime minister. AGERPRES
Journalist Mihai Constantin has been appointed the new government spokesman.

The appointment decision was published on Thursday in the Official Journal.

By another decision of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, Madalina Turza was dismissed as senior official with the Prime Minister's Chancellery. AGERPRES
More than 750 troops from nine countries will participate July 14 through 21 in the Poseidon 2023 multinational exercise, organized alternatively every year by Romania and Bulgaria, the General Staff of the Romanian Naval Forces (SMFN) informs. According to the cited source, the activities will take place in the Constanta Military Port and in the training areas in the western side of the Black Sea.

"More than 750 troops of the Romanian Navy, other structures of the national defense system, as well as from Bulgaria, Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, Great Britain, the United States of America (NAVEUR, Alabama National Guard) and Turkey will carry out between July 14 - 21 joint activities in the Constanta Military Port and in the training areas in the western side of the Black Sea, as part of the multinational tactical exercise Poseidon 2023, which is organized every year, alternatively, by Romania and Bulgaria," the cited source said.

The main goals of Poseidon 2023 are to increase the level of interoperability among the participating structures, as well as to assess and certify the Romanian Navy's capabilities for NATO and EU missions and for national defense activities, states the SMFN.

During the exercise, the Romanian Navy will carry out the specific assessment and verification activities of the 'Regina Maria' F-222 frigate for NATO's Response Force - NRF 23 and the single force package placed by Romania at the disposal of NATO and EU.

The forces and vessels that will participate in the Poseidon 2023 exercise are frigate 'Regina Maria' (F-222), minelayer 'Vice-Admiral Constantin Balescu' (274), the 'Slt. Alexandru Axente' maritime minesweeper (DM-30), the 'Admiral Petre Barbuneanu' corvette (260), the 585th CBRN Defense Company, the 'Grozavul' maritime salvage and intervention diver-manned tugboat (102) and two Explosive Ordnance Disposal detachments specializing in the fight against explosive devices, two maritime harbor tugboats, as well as joint assessment teams from the Joint Forces Command and the Navy Training, Simulation, Evaluation and War Games Center.

The Romanian Air Force will participate with IAR-99 Soim and IAR-330 Puma aircraft, and the Romanian Land Forces will join with an infantry platoon. Participating on the part of the Bulgarian Navy are the tripartite minehunter TSIBAR (32) and minesweeper SHKVAL (62), France participates with a patrol aircraft and a team of EOD experts, and Belgium and the US - with underwater drones and an EOD team. The other states participating in Poseidon 2023 are present with staff officers and EOD detachments.

The 'Vice Admiral Ioan Georgescu' Navy Component Command, the 'Pontica' Navy Logistics Base, the 338th Navy Maintenance and Technical Center, the 110th Communications and IT Center 'Engineer Vice-Admiral Grigore Martes' and the 'Ovidius' Navy Support Group participate in the exercise with support structures.

Poseidon 2023 is led by the 'Vice-Admiral Vasile Urseanu' Fleet Command, and provides for complex training sequences at sea (naval communications, maneuvering and steering drills, towing, transfer of light materials, fending off enemy aviation attacks, maintaining the vitality of the ships), with a particular focus on mine warfare.

The opening of the Poseidon 2023 multinational exercise will take place on Saturday, July 15, at 10:00 a.m., at the Passenger Terminal in the port of Constanta. AGERPRES
Romania continues to prove to the world that it is realizing its potential and respects its commitments, declared Wednesday evening, in Constanta, the ambassador of the United States of America to Romania, Kathleen Kavalec, at the opening of the traveling exhibition "Noi, Poporul/We the People".

In the speech held in the Museum of History and Archaeology, the US diplomat emphasized both the importance of government ties and those at the social level.

"Travelling through Romania, including here in Constanta, what has repeatedly amazed me are the fundamental experiences that our peoples have had through educational and professional exchanges, experiences that have led to long-lasting friendships and cooperation. (.. .) In the field of defense, as an exemplary NATO ally, Romania has increased spending, contributed to multinational operations abroad, and is now hosting US and NATO troops here in Romania, right next to us. Romania has also supported our partners and neighbors in Ukraine as they defend their country against Putin's unprovoked and brutal invasion," said Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec.

The US diplomat also appreciated the support offered by the population of Constanta county to the Ukrainian refugees.

"Here, on the shores of the Black Sea, I know that you felt the impact of a large flow of Ukrainian refugees. You opened your doors and hearts, with tea and cake, to help your neighbors in times of need. The Port of Constanta played a role key in the transit of grain from Ukraine to other markets in a difficult period. We are all grateful for the way Romania has stepped forward in this critical period. In this way and in many other ways, Romania continues to prove to the world that It realizes its potential and respects its commitments," said Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec.

Secretary of state with the Ministry of Culture Diana Baciuna appreciated the exhibition "Noi, Poporul/We the People" as "a symbol of cultural diversity and interstate ties".

"The photographs contained in this exhibition lead us into a universe of friendship and collaboration between the two peoples. Each photograph is a window open to unique and significant moments in the history of this strategic and successful partnership," said Diana Baciuna.

The mayor of Constanta, Vergil Chitac, appreciated the exhibition as proof of the excellent relationship between the city and the US Embassy in Romania.

"We share common values, we fight for the defense of democracy, equality and freedom. These values build informal means of communication and understanding between peoples," the mayor mentioned.

In his turn, the director of the Directorate of Cultural Diplomacy, Education and Science in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrei Luca, supported the representativeness of the Romanian-American partnership.

"This partnership is without a doubt representative not only for the Romanian-American relationship, but also for the entire democratic course of Romania in the last quarter of a century and, as the person who played such an important role in initiating this partnership, the former secretary of state Madeleine K. Albright said, this partnership is excellent proof of what we can do when political people have the necessary will and courage," stated director Andrei Luca.

The general director of AGERPRES, Claudia Nicolae, recalled that the project started last year, in Craiova and united important cities of Romania.

"Photography represents a support for historians, but also a proof, the most objective I would say, of a reality. In AGERPRES, photos are not retouched. In AGERPRES, you will see reality as it was at that moment. (.. .) It is our duty, of journalists, of the administration, of diplomacy, to carry forward every point that can link the destinies of even the last states," said the general director of AGERPRES, Claudia Nicolae.

The traveling exhibition "Noi, Poporul/We the People", which celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between the United States of America and Romania, was opened in Piata Ovidiu in Constanta, in the presence of the US Ambassador to Romania, Kathleen Kavalec and representatives of the local administration.

During the opening, the US ambassador was photographed alongside the authorities and gave statements to the press.

"It is a strategic area and especially in this difficult period, when we have this terrible war next to us. (...) I think that our security cooperation will continue to be very important. Romania has a very important role and we are satisfied and grateful that Romania hosts 3,000 American soldiers. I think that in the future, relations will be even closer in this regard," said Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec.

The US diplomat expressed her hope that during her mandate, Romania will be included in the list of states that do not need a visa to travel to the United States.

"I want to remind you that if you already have a visa, you can extend it without going to the embassy. You can do it online and it's very easy," mentioned the US ambassador in Romania.

The photo exhibition "Noi, Poporul/We the People" was presented in Craiova, Timisoara, Bucharest, Sibiu, Iasi and Cluj-Napoca, and it will remain for two weeks in Constanta, the last stop.

According to the US Embassy in Bucharest, the exhibition "We, the People: 25 years of Strategic Partnership" is a thematic photographic essay, which includes 150 snapshots and explores the diplomatic, security, economic and cultural relations between the Romanian and American people.

National News Agency AGERPRES contributed 20 photos from the photo stream and from the AGERPRES Photographic Archive.

Also, the Diplomatic Archives Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contributed 13 photographs to this exhibition, it is also shown in a press release from the US Embassy.

The event is organized by the US Embassy, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania - Diplomatic Archives Unit, with the National Press Agency AGERPRES and in collaboration with the University of Craiova.
Lower court judges are bound to follow the law as decreed by the Supreme Court. They aren't bound to like it. And so, lost amid the end-of-term flurry at the high court, came another remarkable ruling by U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves of Mississippi.

Reeves declared that the court's interpretation of the Second Amendment compels the unfortunate conclusion that laws prohibiting felons from having guns violate the Second Amendment. He took a swipe at the conservative justices' zealous protection of gun rights even as they diminish other constitutional guarantees. And, for good measure, he trashed originalism, now "the dominant mode of constitutional interpretation" of the Supreme Court's conservative majority. "This Court is not so sure it should be," Reeves ventured.

You may recall Reeves from an earlier phase of the case just decided, when he asked the parties whether he should appoint a historian to serve as expert witness, given the high court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen finding that the constitutionality of gun laws depends on whether they are consistent with the "history and tradition" of restrictions in place at the time the Constitution was written.

"This Court is not a trained historian," observed Reeves, a Barack Obama appointee. "The Justices of the Supreme Court, as distinguished as they may be, are not trained historians . . . And we are not experts in what white, wealthy, and male property owners thought about firearms regulation in 1791. Yet we are now expected to play historian in the name of constitutional adjudication."

Reeves' 77-page opinion, declaring that the long-standing federal ban on felons' possessing firearms could not be constitutionally applied to Jessie Bullock, is just the latest evidence of the chaos and mischief unleashed by Bruen.

Bullock served about 15 years for aggravated assault and manslaughter after a deadly 1992 bar fight in Jackson, Miss., when he was 31. He was charged with illegal possession of a firearm in 2018, at age 57. The case took some time to get to trial, and in the interim, after the Supreme Court ruled in Bruen, Bullock challenged the constitutionality of the felon in possession ban as it applied to him.

In District of Columbia v. Heller, the 2008 case finding that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to bear arms, the court asserted that "nothing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on long-standing prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill." In concurring opinions in Bruen, Justices Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Brett M. Kavanaugh made similar assurances.

Other courts  the government cited 120 post-Bruen cases  have relied on that to find the federal ban on felons possessing firearms passes constitutional muster. Reeves disagreed. The government, Reeves said, had failed to meet its burden of proving, as required by Bruen, "that there is a historical tradition of disarming either the violent or the dangerous."

Among the issues judges will now have to decide, Reeves noted: Does the ban on felons possessing firearms cover all felonies in the modern penal code or just those that existed at the founding? Does the felon ban cover all felonies or just crimes involving violence? Is it temporary or does it last a lifetime?

In other words: Bruen has created quite the mess. The justices might launch the cleanup  or make things even messier  next term.

Reeves, having trashed Bruen and then followed it, wasn't done. He went on to question the court's seemingly skewed priorities  elevating the Second Amendment to its meaning two-plus centuries ago above others to which it applies a far more cramped reading.

"We have one Constitution. All of it is law. It has been enforced today as best as this Judge can discern the Bruen Court's holding and reasoning. And, one hopes, a future Supreme Court will not rest until it honors the rest of the Constitution as zealously as it now interprets the Second Amendment."

Then he turned to originalism, questioning whether "founding-era Americans collectively agreed that for time immemorial, their descendants would be bound by the founding generation's views on how the Constitution should be read" and whether "ceding this much power to the dead hand of the past is so wise."

Indeed, "many of our Nation's finest moments came when we rejected the original public meaning of a constitutional provision," he noted, citing rulings on school desegregation, gender equality and gay rights.

"Change is unstoppable," Reeves concluded. "And to the extent Bruen and decisions like it try to stop that change, they will not last long. The only question is how long the People will let them remain."

Powerful words. I can think of six people in particular who would benefit from reading them. Ruth Marcus is an associate editor and columnist for The Washington Post.
Seven-year-old Kayin hovered in the doorway, too scared to retrieve a tasty head of lettuce for himself.

This was the young gorillas chance to feel the sun on his face for the first time in his life. But he hung back and looked out at the ample enclosure. Lush grass sprouted from the ground. Green leaves covered trees. A waterfall poured over rocks into a bubbling stream.

He wasnt ready yet. The outdoors was still too unfamiliar, too new.

Kayin, a western lowland gorilla, arrived at the St. Louis Zoo at the end of May from the Buffalo Zoo in New York. He was born in captivity and lived in an indoor enclosure with his parents, siblings and aunts. The Buffalo Zoo moved him to St. Louis based on a recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums as part of a conservation program.

Here he met Zachary, another gorilla transplant to St. Louis, and also 7 years old. Zach came in February from the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. Zach was more comfortable with his new surroundings by now and wandered outside the doorway. He picked up handfuls of romaine and iceberg lettuce left by the zookeepers to entice them to forage and explore. Zach brought some of the food back to Kayin.

That was very encouraging, said primate keeper Shannon Santangelo. The staff has been working hard to build a bond between the two young apes. Theyre starting to see them engaging in more behaviors together like wrestling and lying next to each other. Eventually, they want the two younger ones to be integrated with the two older silverbacks, Joe and Bakari, to form a bachelor group. Part of Kayins learning curve is watching the older gorillas lounge and wander outside. They havent been introduced yet. Right now, the focus is getting him acclimated to everything new.

Gorillas are the largest living primates and share approximately 98 percent of their DNA with humans  our closest living relatives after chimps and bonobos. There are two species, the eastern and western gorilla, both of whom are critically endangered. Its estimated there may be around 300,000 western gorillas living in the wild in central Africa. They are extremely vulnerable to disease, with thousands dying in an Ebola outbreak, and often killed by poachers.

David Morgan is a conservation fellow with the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and a research associate in the department of anthropology at Washington University who studies western lowland gorillas. At a young age, gorillas can adapt and be flexible to a new environment, he said. They live in larger communities and social relationships are important to them. In the wild, a male gorilla would be older than Kayin before striking out on his own to find a bachelor group, Morgan said. While they can be protective of their groups, they are not an aggressive species.

Gorillas are not looking to get into a fight at the drop of a hat, he said. They will display bluffing behavior that can look aggressive to humans. But Morgan has observed males playing with kids who are jumping on their bellies and tickling one anothers feet. They are able to use tools and are more social than previously known.

Zoos, including the one in St. Louis, have stepped forward to help fund research and conservation efforts with the gorillas, he said.

The most famous of the species was Koko, who was born in 1971 and lived in the San Francisco Zoo and became an international celebrity. Koko was taught sign language and was able to communicate with her researchers. The female western lowland gorilla learned more than 1,000 signs and famously expressed her grief when her beloved kitten died. She lived to be 46 years old and changed the way many people thought about gorillas  their ability to communicate and empathize.

Helen Boostrom, zoological manager of primates at the St. Louis Zoo, says helping Kayin get comfortable in his new living areas and with his companions is their top priority. Zoo visitors will be able to see Kayin outdoors when he is more accustomed to it, she said.

On a recent Saturday, visitors were able to view Kayin and Zach through the glass indoor habitat. Few people paid any attention to the posted sign instructing visitors to show respect to the animals by keeping their voices low, not staring directly at them and angling their bodies away from the gorillas.

Kayin sat with his back against the glass, watching Zach as he moved around the structures in the enclosure. A woman visitor started tapping on the glass, trying to get his attention.

Kayin turned around and pounded his fist on the glass wall. A young child in the crowd shrieked and started to cry. Adults laughed and pointed their cell phone cameras at Kayin, shooting videos to capture whatever he might do next. He climbed to the top of a hanging rope and jumped toward the glass wall.

Whats he doing? a man asked. This one is pissed, a woman said.

Another baby started to cry, while a man knocked on the glass.

(Santangelo said there are signs posted around the zoo directing guests to call 314-646-KIND to report any concerns or problems with the animals.) Kayin has expressive eyes and a confident personality. He finally got Zach to wrestle with him  to the delight of the large crowd gathered to watch them.

Santangelo said Kayin gets excited when they are doing training and enrichment sessions together.

He makes adorable grumbles when hes excited for his food, she said. He enjoys interacting with some of the items they bring out and keeps an eye on the keepers.

On July 6, Kayin ventured the farthest outside hes been since he arrived. He took a few steps out of the doorway and looked up at the sky and birds. He listened to the zoo train pass by.

He seemed a little nervous but curious.

Previously, he had stayed under the covered area, right outside the doorway.

But now he is ready to leave the security of this spot with the canopy overhead. Over the next few days, he walked on the dirt and felt the blades of grass underneath his feet.

The sun shone on his round face.

For the first time ever.
As far as things for bald eagle Murphy and bald eaglet 23-126 go, life in their private enclosure at World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park is pretty boring.

They eat chopped fish, venison and rat. The eaglet walks on its fuzzy hocks, not able to fly yet. Murphy, a 31-year-old permanent resident who broke a leg and then a wing years ago, cannot fly. His job now is to teach the eaglet how to be an eagle, and the eaglets job is to grow up and imprint on its adoptive eagle dad.

So its a very good thing theyre oblivious to the worldwide media attention to their story. CBS Sunday Morning did a segment on them, and media sources from Australia to Denmark to Canada have checked in.

Theyre blissfully unaware of the countless questions on social media, the sales of T-shirts with their cartoon likenesses of them, the totes of Amazon packages that arrive daily from new fans eagerly fulfilling the sanctuarys wish list for unglamorous wishes like paper towels and power drills.

People really need a story like this, more than ever, said World Bird Sanctuary executive director Roger Holloway. I think thats a big part of that.

The story began back in early March, when Murphy, who came to the sanctuary in the early 1990s as a fledgling, began incubating a rock. Thats right, a rock. He was using his natural hormonal instincts, so the behavior wasnt unheard of, but got enough attention at his then-public enclosure that workers put up a sign.

Murphy is not sick, hurt or otherwise in distress, the sign read in part. He has built a nest on the ground, and is very carefully incubating a rock! We wish him the best of luck!

A photo of Murphy and his sign went viral on social media, and Murphymania began.

losing it  pic.twitter.com/yYEgMFMRSy  brooke foster, 2023 edition (@lonesometoast) March 25, 2023

Meanwhile, life was just beginning for eaglet 23-126. The eaglet was only 1 or 2 weeks old and living in the wild when its nest in Modoc, Illinois, just across the river from Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, was blown down during high winds. A sibling didnt survive, and the eaglet arrived April 1, a little bruised and battered.

As staffers tended to the eaglet, they had to be careful it didnt imprint on them. They stuck a plush eagle in with the eaglet, and as with any nestling, they wore camo gear if they had to tend to it. (They do not know the eaglet's gender yet.) Nobody could talk as they worked, and forest and waterfall sounds played on a noise machine. And, as is rehabilitation tradition, they avoided naming the baby, though followers on social media quickly gave the eaglet the nickname Rocky.

The public very much wanted to know if Murphy could adopt the baby. But staff didnt think he could. He didnt have the experience, and they didnt think Murphy could feed it regularly enough.

Meanwhile, Murphy started aggressively protecting his rock, which the sanctuary called RockBaby on social media, in the enclosure he shared with his four roommates. Even though Murphy cant fly, he chased them away to protect RockBaby. So workers moved him and RockBaby to their own enclosure behind the scenes.

Staffers wondered again: Could Murphy bond with the eaglet? A couple of days after they moved Murphy and RockBaby out, they decided to see. They placed 23-126 inside a small cage, affectionately known as Baby Jail, placed the cage with the eaglet next to Murphy, and removed RockBaby.

They waited. And thousands of new followers on social media waited, too.

We will not be able to give you constant photo updates since we dont want to disturb the process at all, sanctuary staff wrote on Facebook. Keep your talons crossed!

Things started going well. The baby wolfed down food, and Murphy began protecting the area. Within a few days, staffers let the eaglet out of Baby Jail. Murphy eventually approached the baby with curiosity. And when staff checked back, a fish that had been left in the enclosure was missing.

Murphy had fed the baby.

ITS HAPPENING!!!! the sanctuary wrote on Facebook.

As the days went by, the baby ate more. And people donated more  about $30,000 worth so far, said Holloway. The T-shirt sales and Amazon deliveries ramped up.

On April 16, heavy storms and a tornado touched down nearby. After the storm blew over, staffers found 23-126 in his enclosure, soaked, hypothermic, in shock and breathing heavily. Staff whisked the eaglet off to their hospital, where they set up an emergency generator to warm the bird and get it oxygen, and by morning, the eaglet had recovered. They reunited 23-126 with Murphy.

As the appetite for more Murphy and eaglet news grew, the sanctuary struggled to balance its ability to film or take pictures with bothering the eagles, not to mention caring for its 180 or so other charges. It usually has about 50 falcons, eagles, owls and other birds on display, mostly in enclosures the public can see along wooded paths. Some become permanent residents if they cannot live in the wild, but the goal is to help and release others.

Its as hands-off as possible and as quick as possible, said Kira Klebe, the hospitals manager, on caring for the eagle pair. She and four other hospital staffers are the only ones to care for them. As cute as we all think they are, we do all of the cooing over the photos weve taken. We dont even talk near that enclosure, so they cannot hear human voices and get used to it as part of their day.

Visitors who show up expecting to see Murphy and the eaglet are sometimes disappointed to learn they cant  the pair is in an enclosure deep in the woods. And questions on social media keep coming.

Klebe writes many of the social media posts and tries to answer as many questions as she can. She doesnt think shes had a full day off work since the eaglet arrived.

Its been really crazy, but its been really exciting for all of us, she said. Its always fun for us when the public gets this interested. We care all about all our of patients this much, so if the public cares about some of our patients as much, its kind of an exciting time.

Its hard for (the public) to understand what it means to have an eagle in human care, said Holloway. We try to answer those as best we can. Even if sometimes theyre negative, or people say, You can tell he doesnt like living there because of the look on his face. Well, thats the permanent look on his face.

Resting Eagle Face aside, Murphy and bald eaglet 23-126 are doing just fine with each other. And the staff is thinking toward the future.

Klebe is building a shadowbox for the RockBaby and footprints from Murphy and the eaglet, which the sanctuary may auction off. The baby will have to learn how to fly inside a larger enclosure. And Holloway thinks Fathers Day will be a wonderfully appropriate time to release 23-126 into the wild, if the eaglet is ready.

Murphy came here from an Oklahoma facility in the early 1990s, at a time when bald eagles were endangered. His leg was broken and had to be surgically fixed. And when staff took Murphy to be released, he broke his wing. So Murphy came to live his days at the World Bird Sanctuary, an ambassador for his species.

Now here he is, the surrogate dad, and he can tell the chick, Go do what I was unable to do, said Holloway.

Thats the ultimate happy ending.

Photos: Murphy the bald eagle brings donations, visitors to World Bird Sanctuary
NEW YORK  The Biden administration on Wednesday moved to reduce childrens exposure to lead, proposing stricter limits on dust from lead-based paint in older homes and child-care facilities.

Declaring that there is no safe level of lead, the administration estimates that the proposed rule would reduce lead exposure for approximately 250,000 to 500,000 children under the age of six each year.

Thats important because health scientists have said for some time there is no safe level of lead in a childs blood. Leads damage to the brain is well known: It takes points off IQ, deprives kids of problem-solving abilities, and can make it harder to learn to read. But it also affects other organs, including the liver and kidneys.

This proposal to safely remove lead paint along with our other efforts to deliver clean drinking water and replace lead pipes will go a long way toward protecting the health of our next generation of leaders, Janet McCabe, deputy director of the Environmental Protection Agency, said in New Jersey, where the proposal was announced.

Paint that contains lead was banned in 1978, but because paint is applied in layers and then chips off or is sanded off during remodeling, more than 30 million American homes are believed to still contain it.

The proposed rule targets levels of lead dust. Currently 10 micrograms per square foot is considered hazardous on floors, and a concentration 10 times that high is considered hazardous on window sills. The new rule brings both of those down to no detectable lead.

Apart from what constitutes a hazard, the proposed rule would reduce whats allowed when a lead contractor, often called a lead abatement contractor, finishes work on a property where lead has been a problem. These levels would be 3 micrograms per square foot on the floor and 20 micrograms per square foot for sills.

Some public health experts celebrated the announcement.

Dr. Philip Landrigan noted the government has gradually been reducing the standard for what counts as poisonous levels of lead in the blood of children, with the most recent change occurring two years ago. But the EPA announcement marks an effort to take more preventive action, he said.

When you are relying on the blood lead level in children to indicate whether there is lead in the environment, we are basically using the children as canaries in the mine, said Landrigan, a Boston College biology professor who directs the schools Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good.

This way we actually dealing with the source, as opposed to the consequences of exposure, he said.

He called the proposed rule a very big deal, very much needed, and long overdue.

David Rosner, a public health historian at Columbia University and expert on the history of lead regulation in the United States, applauded the rule as an overdue overdue recognition that no level of lead exposure is safe for children.

Rosner expressed surprise at the announcement, given that new environmental regulations have become more difficult and controversial in recent years. Its nice that they are trying to move at least on this one, obvious, long-term problem that weve had for a century, Rosner said.

Bruce Lanphear, a lead poisoning expert at Canadas Simon Fraser University, said the current standard was based on what was thought to be feasible rather than on science, and this corrects that.

But Rosner also noted it is currently just a proposal and will likely face opposition from landlords and others who will likely lament the cost of more aggressive cleanups.

It will be interesting to see what politics play out, Rosner said.

Updated at 5 p.m.
A coalition of Republican attorneys general in a letter Thursday threatened serious legal consequences against Fortune 100 companies that continue to consider race and diversity, equity and inclusion in their hiring practices.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti led the letter, which was also signed by an additional 11 attorneys general, including Missouris Andrew Bailey.

The letter references the U.S. Supreme Courts recent decision striking down affirmative action in universities to argue that any continued use of race based hiring would violate federal employment discrimination laws.

We urge you to immediately cease any unlawful race-based quotas or preferences your company has adopted for its employment and contracting practices, said the letter addressed to Fortune 100 CEOs. If you choose not to do so, know that you will be held accountable  sooner rather than later  for your decision to continue treating people differently because of the color of their skin.

The Fortune 100 are the top earning public and private companies in the U.S., including major St. Louis-area employers, such as Clayton-based Centene and Boeing, Cigna, General Motors, Walmart and Wells Fargo.

The letter pointed to specific practices at large companies to grant preferences to contractors with diverse staff or with minority leadership. The attorneys general criticized pledges by several major tech companies made to foster diversity and support Black-owned businesses during racial justice protests in 2020.

Such overt and pervasive racial discrimination in the employment and contracting practices of Fortune 100 companies compels us to remind you of the obvious: Racial discrimination is both immoral and illegal, the letter said.

The state attorneys general pledged to enforce the law vigorously.

In a release announcing the letter, Kobach invoked the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

All Americans should be judged based on the content of their character, not the color of their skin, Kobach said, borrowing language from Kings famous I have a dream speech.

The letter is a sign of additional fallout that could come from last months landmark Supreme Court decision on college admissions.

Following the decision, Bailey directed colleges in Missouri to stop any existing affirmative action policies. At the University of Missouri-Columbia this will mean removing race as a factor for graduate admissions and eliminating race-based scholarships.

The university had already eliminated diversity statements from its hiring practices.
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When state Sen. Karla May threw her hat into the ring Saturday for the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, some seemed surprised.

And at first blush, for obvious reasons.

Mays candidacy puts her in a field with St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell, also a Black elected official from the St. Louis area.

Classic balloting behavior indicates that both of their appearances in the primary could split votes between May and Bell  thereby making victory easier for Lucas Kunce, a white Democrat from the Kansas City area.

But May said that at least one person should not have been surprised by Mays move: Wesley Bell.

Id already told Wesley Bell I was running for the (U.S.) Senate; he knew I was running before he announced his candidacy on June 7, May said.

Several sources, all veteran government game-watchers, said they began hearing about Mays intentions at least three months ago. It was March or April, maybe, one source said.

May said she kept her plans close to her vest, but did begin sharing it with key allies as long as a year ago. I just did it quietly, she said.

So the surprise candidate still seems to be Bell, who has never sought state or national office before.

May said she has no opinion of why Bell jumped into the race, which he did just one week after saying on local public television that he would not be seeking another office in the near future.

Im not sure how you go from (county) prosecutor to U.S. senator. That doesnt seem to be a natural trajectory, May said.

May was elected as a state representative in 2010, and then elected to the state Senate in 2018. She is term-limited after her current four-year stint expires in 2027. Ive been a legislator all that time, she said.

Interestingly enough, another one of those who was on the outside of the Bell-for-Senate loop was St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, who said she was unaware of the situation about two weeks before Bell joined the race.

In a text exchange on May 22 with Richard Callow, one of her main political advisers, Callow asked if Jones had heard the rumor that Bell was planning a Senate run.

Jones replied, I talk to Wesley every other day. He hasnt mentioned it.

But some actions on Bells part indicate that he may have been eyeing the Senate race in late April.

Recent filings with the Missouri Ethics Commission show that Bell began, in earnest, cleaning up his state campaign finance reports about six weeks before he made his surprise announcement.

In a four-week period from April 23 through May 21, Bell filed 33 amended campaign reports with the state.

The corrected reports covered reporting periods dating back to 2018, when he first was elected to his current post, and stretched forward to include his most recent report in April.

Miriam Wilhelm, a partner in a Clayton accounting firm, said she was contacted by the Bell camp, which had told her a discrepancy in an old report had been found.

The problem, Wilhelm said, was that the incorrect money totals kept getting carried over to each new report.

I worked with the Missouri Ethics Commission on this, she said. So once I found the problem, (the MEC) said I had to go back and amend each report. You cant just skip to the current one with the correct total.

Neither Bell nor May has filed any campaign finance reports with the Federal Election Commission for the U.S. Senate race.

The first FEC report from Bell is due on July 15, to cover the April-through-June quarter.

Meanwhile, the Kunce camp just keeps raising money.

In general terms, without specifying the amounts and donors which should be listed on the July 15 report, Kunces campaign reported that it raised $1.2 million in the second quarter (April through June) of 2023. That haul brings the 2023 total raised by Kunce to $2.3 million.

Along with the money, Kunce also has locked a number of endorsements from large labor unions, including the AFL-CIO of Missouri and the building/construction trade council of St. Louis and Kansas City.

This is not Kunces first run at a U.S. Senate seat. In 2022, he lost the Democratic primary to Trudy Busch Valentine, who went on to lose to Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

Kunce, Bell and May, along with Columbia activist December Harmon, are aiming to win the August 2024 primary, with that winner most likely facing incumbent GOP Sen. Josh Hawley.

Hawleys fundraisers recently reported that committees funding Hawley raised more than $3 million for the second fundraising quarter.

Two Hawley campaign committees have raised about $1.9 million, while the unaffiliated Show-Me Strong PAC has picked up about $1.2 million.
Children injured or killed by gunfire in the St. Louis area in 2023

Below is the St. Louis Post-Dispatch coverage of children who have been injured or killed by gunfire across the St. Louis metropolitan area in 2023. The children are 17 years old or younger.

Through July 17, at least 41 children were injured or killed by gunshots. Fourteen people 17 or younger were killed in shootings.

These are not all the homicides involving children. For more details on local homicides, check the homicide tracker.
JEFFERSON CITY  Six months after a worker was killed at a northern Missouri sawmill, federal labor officials have cited the owner of the operation with more than 50 safety and health violations.

The U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a letter Monday outlining the violations against Donald A. Gibson, owner of Missouri Mats, a sawmill in Adair County east of Kirksville.

Gibson faces nearly $350,000 in penalties.

The agencys probe was launched after the January death of Brendan Folsom, 21, at the mill, located in Brashear.

Adair County Coroner Brian Noe told television station KTVO of Kirksville that Folsom was fatally cut by multiple saw blades. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

OSHA said Folsom had been on the job for less than a month and was still learning how to operate a saw when he was pulled into the vertical edger blades as they spun.

The agency said Gibson failed to notify OSHA that the fatality occurred, which delayed OSHAs investigation of the incident by a week.

On a return inspection in March, officials determined that Gibson failed to implement necessary controls and procedures for the sawmill and that his employees continued to operate the saw in the same condition that resulted in the death of his employee.

After a young man  new to the job  died after suffering horrific injuries, Don Gibson and the Missouri Mats management team continued to use the equipment involved in the fatality without taking appropriate steps to eliminate the danger and protect employees, said OSHA Regional Administrator Billie Kizer. Deadly hazards exist in the sawmill and logging industries, and it is essential that Gibson and others in the industry follow federal safety requirements.

Inspectors also observed workers younger than 18 years old employed at the sawmill and operating heavy-powered industrial trucks. Federal law prohibits minors from working in hazardous occupations.

In Mondays notice to Gibson, OSHA cited the company for a number of safety violations, including allowing the operation of saw blades, pulleys, belts and woodworking machines without safety guards.

The mill also was found to expose workers to risks of electrical hazards, uneven work surfaces that could lead to falls, insufficient training, a lack of fire extinguishers and a lack of a program to protect workers from loud noises and flying debris.

In one citation, OSHA said workers operating a chop saw in the main sawmill building had no way to cut its power without leaving their station, potentially exposing them to amputation hazards.

In another, OSHA said, Employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards. Dry sawdust, a combustible and explosive dust, was observed in the facility on elevated surfaces at a depth greater than 1.5 inches.

In a news release, OSHA said a logging site and sawmill operated by Gibson in 2012 also was investigated for a fatality.

Under terms of the citation, Missouri Mats has until July 25 to correct problems or contest the findings.

Attempts to reach Gibson were not successful Thursday. Records show he also operates Tri-State Timber Mill in Memphis, which is located northeast of Kirksville.
I have recently participated in the 2nd International Conference on Mine Action  the Path to Reaching Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) hosted by the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) and the United Nations Representative Office in Azerbaijan and attended by numerous demining specialists from all over the world. The event concluded with the adoption of a declaration on prioritizing humanitarian mine action as an important prerequisite to achieving sustainable development. Not only did ANAMA share its valuable demining experience but also carried out field trials in the liberated area near the town of Aghdam. Azerbaijani authorities shared with the participants their ambitious plans of rehabilitating and reviving those territories left for three decades in oblivion, and returning peaceful population to their homes.

One of the personal observations was that people from different countries working in the field have developed strong bonds of professional camaraderie and even friendship. For many years, this community has been maintaining peer-to-peer contacts and exchanging experience and expertise, most advanced skills and techniques. And this is an example of the practical impact of multilateral cooperation on every affected countrys successful implementation of demining operations.

Some of the efforts to advance global mine action, such as renewing commitments to strengthening global partnerships and cooperation and promoting initiatives by mine-impacted states, fall within the capacity of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) as a cross-sectoral platform for interaction.

In its 30 years of existence, CICA has steadily built a strong foundation as an important forum for dialogue to ensure peace, stability, and security in Asia. Today, CICA has 28 Member States, covering a population of around four billion people with multitudinous ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, political systems, and religious denominations. Maintaining stability in such a large and diverse continent requires an inclusive approach that operates on the principles of consensus and multilateralism and promotes mutual cooperation in various dimensions  which is what CICAs scope of operation entails. The resolution adopted on the 30th anniversary of the Conference  at the Sixth CICA Summit with the participation of the Heads of States or Government of the CICA Member States  to launch its transformation into a full-fledged organization further emphasizes its growing value in seeking joint solutions for new threats and challenges of the twenty-first century.

One of the five dimensions of confidence building measures at CICA is the military-political dimension. In order to build and ensure mutual confidence, the Member States are called to exchange information on arms control and disarmament and consult on unexpected and hazardous incidents of military nature, especially if they occur in the proximity of the borders with other Member States. CICA also endorses several policies related to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, such as the NPT, which displays a bright example of the organizations interest and readiness to facilitate the development, implementation, and reinforcement of values and principles in accordance with the UN Charter and international law and regulations.

The acute need to strengthen deterrence and peaceful dialogue arises from the pressing issue of rising military tensions and conflicts throughout Asia and the subsequent CICA region. At present, nations from East Asia and South Asia including South West and East to West Asia are bolstering new defence strategies and increasing spending on arms amid worries over escalating threats. The total military spending of CICA Member States in 2022 constituted 546.76 billion US dollars and is projected to grow year by year. Taking into account the number of major conflicts on the continent and the defence budget and expenditure, the military capabilities of nations in Asia cannot be underestimated. Five CICA Member States: Russia, China, India, South Korea and Pakistan are in the top ten of the 2023 Military Strength Ranking.

Among the prevalent and urgent problems related to the military dimension in Asia and the CICA area is demining, or the process of removing landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) from an area. Mines, as long-forgotten remnants of a past conflict, continue to destroy lives and livelihoods, affecting a countrys ability to recover its economy, infrastructure, environment, and more. Communities live in constant fear of landmines: farmers are unable to grow crops, refugees cannot return home and parents have to live with the knowledge that their children may be killed while playing outside. On a macroscale, countries and communities affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war are hindered in their efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Member States with significant demining problems include Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. Moreover, worldwide along with Angola, Egypt and Iran  with 23 million and 16 million landmines in their respective arsenals  comprise more than 85% of the total number of mine-related casualties in the world. CICA has reaffirmed its readiness to unite efforts in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which displays its capability to cover mine action and related issues.

During the Sixth CICA Summit, Azerbaijan and certain other Member States expressed concern that the indiscriminate use of landmines, improvised explosive devices and ERW threaten peace, security and stability, post-conflict rehabilitation, reconstruction and peace-building efforts. They called for international assistance for the affected Member States and highlighted the importance of the establishment of a Like-Minded Group of Mine-Affected Countries to raise awareness.

To promote military diplomacy and cooperation among Asian countries, the CICA Chair, Kazakhstan, represented by the Ministry of Defence, organizes the annual CICA military-political seminar. In the previous seminar held on 13-14 July 2022, defence officials and military attaches from Azerbaijan, Egypt, India, Iraq, Jordan, Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Russia, Turkiye and UAE, participated in detailed discussions on security, conflict prevention, de-escalation, and expanding cooperation among the Member States in the military-political dimension. As part of the ultimate goal to build a security and cooperation architecture in Asia, post-conflict peacebuilding measures such as humanitarian mine action are necessary to develop a comprehensive approach to ensuring security.

By Ambassador Doulat Kuanyshev, Expert in the military-political dimension
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis family filed suit Tuesday claiming an inept and deficient 911 system left a 36-year-old father waiting on hold for crucial minutes as he bled out from an accidental gunshot wound.

Richard Schlesings wife and four children say the city and Mayor Tishaura O. Jones are to blame for failing to fix an understaffed, balkanized 911 system despite years of complaints and high-profile reports about its inefficiency.

For years, Jones and city have repeatedly promised to fix the 911 system, Tuesdays suit says. For years, Jones and city have done little to nothing to actually fix the 911 system despite the same issues and problems continuing to be present.

Earlier this month, a 33-year-old woman was killed by a tree that fell on her car as she waited out a storm outside of her home in The Grove area of the city. Bystanders said they tried for more than an hour to summon emergency services.

Attorney Grant Boyd, who filed suit on behalf of Schlesings family, said in an interview the storm incident was another glaring example of 911 delays in the city.

They keep doing what politicians do: A problem comes up, they go into (public relations mode) ... but then they dont do anything to actually fix it, he said. Every day that goes by, its not dramatic to say peoples lives are at risk.

Monte Chambers, spokesperson for St. Louis Department of Public Safety, declined to comment on the suit. But in a statement last week, he noted that Jones administration had made progress increasing dispatchers pay and gathering money for a new dispatch center.

Still, more than a third of calls werent being answered quickly enough to meet the national standards by the beginning of this year. About a third of police dispatcher positions and half of EMS positions remained vacant as of this spring.

Schlesing, who was a sergeant and squad leader in the Missouri National Guard, was driving home from work on Jan. 27 on Morgan Ford Road near Gravois Avenue in south St. Louis when he accidentally shot himself.

He pulled over and tried to dial 911, but he couldnt get anyone on the phone, the suit said. Family members and other bystanders who tried to call couldnt get a response, either. He bled out after a substantial amount of waiting.

Now, his wife and four children are seeking an unspecified amount of damages to compensate them for their loss.

In addition to the wrongful death claim, Schlesings wife, Ashley Schlesing, is asking the city to return her husbands gun, which was taken after the incident.

The suit said the city refused to return the gun to Ashley Schlesing despite having no lawful grounds to keep it.

Citys conduct is once again motivated by ill-will, malevolence and retaliation, the suit says.

No hearing date has been set in the suit.
JEFFERSON CITY  House Budget Chairman Cody Smith joined the race for Missouri treasurer on Thursday in a direct challenge to the man Gov. Mike Parson recently chose for the job.

Smith, a Carthage Republican serving his last term in the House due to term limits, pledged to protect taxpayers from the woke liberals who want to bankrupt our businesses and families.

He called himself a conservative firebrand, and said hed be able to continue efforts to uphold our God-given rights and put more money back in the pockets of hardworking taxpayers as treasurer.

In announcing his bid, Smith sets up a confrontation with current State Treasurer Vivek Malek, a Republican from Wildwood and the first person of color sworn into a statewide office in Missouri.

Parson appointed Malek in January and the new treasurer has crisscrossed the state introducing himself to voters.

In response to Smiths announcement, Malek said in a statement he was a proud fiscal conservative, and I look forward to earning the opportunity from Republican voters next August to be the Republican nominee for State Treasurer.

State Sen. Andrew Koenig, R-Manchester, has also been mentioned as a contender for treasurer but he had not announced a campaign as of Thursday.

Meanwhile, Smith, as budget chairman, repeatedly clashed with the Parson administration earlier this year, moving to gut or water down several high-profile items in the governors budget request.

Smith proposed slashing $134.5 million from Parsons proposal for greater child care provider subsidies and expanded pre-kindergarten programs, saying the plan was based on a flawed study.

The House zeroed-out Parsons plan to revamp parts of Interstate 70, a move that eventually proved unsuccessful in the Senate.

Smith also moved to cut $4.5 million in state funding for libraries over a lawsuit by libraries challenging a Missouri law banning sexually explicit materials in libraries. That cut, too, was reversed in the Senate.

Smith also backed a controversial move to bar state agencies from hiring vendors and consultants who promote issues like collective guilt ideologies or inclusion.

Democrats said the so-called anti-woke effort was racist and should not be part of the budget discussion. That effort, too, was defeated in the Senate.

Smith said in a news release that hes seen firsthand the consequences of government red tape and crippling taxes as a 15-year business owner and Realtor.

He said he championed the largest tax cut in Missouri history, and saved taxpayers millions of dollars by reducing state debt.

Smith also said he helped pass Missouris near-total abortion ban and legislation claiming to invalidate federal gun laws in Missouri.

While Missouris abortion law took effect last year after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a federal judge in March struck down the gun legislation, ruling it unconstitutional.
MADISON COUNTY  The Madison County coroner's office on Thursday identified the three men who died one day earlier in the crash of a Greyhound bus that was bound for St. Louis.

The crash happened just before 2 a.m. Wednesday on westbound Interstate 70. The bus, coming from Indianapolis, crashed into three tractor-trailers that were parked on a ramp near a the Silver Lake Rest Area in Madison County. About 30 people were on the bus. Four were taken by helicopter to the hospital, 10 were taken by ambulance and three people were killed. The truck drivers were not injured.
Thousands in Missouri were left without power after storms Wednesday night, less than two weeks after severe weather toppled trees, killed two and cut electricity for large swaths of Ameren Missouri customers.

Approximately 16,000 customers lost power at the height of storms that blew over portions of South St. Louis County Wednesday night, company spokesperson Jeff Trammel said.

More than 4,500 Ameren Missouri customers were still without power at 11:39 a.m. Thursday, according to Amerens outage map, and service was restored for approximately 11,000 customers.

In the 63123 zip code, which includes Affton, nearly 2,000 residents were still without electricity, according to Ameren's website. While falling tree limbs caused the outages, Trammel said, the damages weren't as significant as the storms earlier this month.

The anticipation, Trammel said, is that customers' power is restored Thursday, but impending storms may provide a hurdle. He said 800 people were on the ground working on restorations.

"Even after we restored everyone from the last storm, our crews were still out days after restoration making repairs to the system," Trammel said. "So, the system holds up pretty well. We have a very reliable, resilient system. So, all those repairs were made. We were in good shape to handle this this storm."

When storms slammed the region July 1, outages and damages concentrated in portions of North St. Louis. Fallen trees snapped power lines, leaving some residents without power for more than four days.

Customers can check the outage map and sign up for text alerts for restoration updates, Trammel said.

Temperatures Thursday may hit 90 degrees. Trammel recommended that residents in areas impacted by the outages check on their neighbors and head to a cooling center if it gets too hot.

"If you do have damage around your home as far as trees and stuff down," Trammel said, "please be very mindful of powerlines and stay away from powerlines, of course."

Two north St. Louis cemeteries closed, cleaning up after storm uproots trees, damages gravestones Calvary and Bellefontaine cemeteries are both closed to the public after storms that swept through the region July 1 snapped trees, toppled power lines and killed two in the region.
A new wave of TikTok trends has dentists cringing and warning young people of Do It Yourself dangers when it comes to teeth.

DIY dental hacks have gone viral on the social media platform and can range from short tutorials on how to make your own veneers to prying off braces with a spoon.

Several dentists have spoken out on TikTok, reacting to the skin-crawling ideas some people have come up with to fix their teeth.

One dentist on TikTok known as The Braces Guy warned viewers that even if a person did manage to pry off their braces using a spoon, they would still need to be evaluated since the brace residue would still be on the teeth. Not to mention its likely their teeth would begin to shift back without getting a retainer, meaning theyd need braces all over again.

Also dont use a fork, he added.

Another DIY video showed a woman filling in the spaces between her teeth with dental filler.

I am a dental assistant and I literally stopped breathing when I realized what was happening, one person commented. Please dont do this.

Others explained how the filler would trap bacteria next to the teeth, causing decay.

Assistants arent the only ones chiming in. Hygienists, students and longtime doctors are ganging up against the TikTok projects.

Many viewers are advocating for the hacks for one particular reason in the comments: Going to the dentist is just too expensive, they say.

If dental care wasnt so expensive in America she would probably get them professionally done, one viewer said on the video of the woman filling in the gaps in her teeth. Many people dont have thousands of dollars to fix.

People saying dont do this must have that dental insurance money, another said.

For every adult over the age of 19 without medical insurance, there are three without dental insurance, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

Some TikTokers who regret doing dental DIY work are now speaking out, too, including one woman who said she had such bad pain after trying to straighten her teeth with a nail filer that she had to go into the dentist to get it resolved anyway.

Some viewers urged for people to look into making an appointment with accredited dental schools instead of taking dental matters into their own hands.

There are so many dental schools that need patients if you dont have insurance, one person said.

Patients can get discount work at dental schools and many services are offered for much cheaper than a regular dentist office, according to Colgate. Students may take longer than a normal appointment and be less personal, the toothpaste brand added.

Popular TikTok figure and dentist Ben Winters told NBC that anyone considering a DIY dental project should remember that teeth damage can be irreversible.

This is a permanent decision. These teeth are not coming back, youre not getting anything else, Winters told NBC. Lip filler can be dissolved. Botox goes away. If you get implants, you can have them removed. Once you alter the shape of your teeth, that is gone forever.

***
As the July 4 holiday approached, a local news report in Alabama warned of a deadly TikTok challenge that involved jumping from a speeding boat.

"Last six months we have had four drownings that were easily avoidable," Jim Dennis, captain of the Childersburg Rescue Team, told the local ABC affiliate station in Birmingham, Alabama, in a story that aired July 3. "They were doing a TikTok challenge."

National and international news outlets snapped up the report, cautioning about the trend. But Alabama's main public safety agency says while there have been boating fatalities this year, no such deaths have been reported. A spokesperson for TikTok also says no boat jumping challenge is trending on its platform.

Here's a closer look at the facts.

CLAIM: Four people attempting a viral TikTok challenge have died jumping from moving boats in Alabama recently.

THE FACTS: The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, which oversees the state's public safety agencies, tweeted on Monday to dispel the viral rumors.

The agency said its Marine Patrol Division had "no records of boating or marine-related deaths that could be directly linked to TikTok or a trend on TikTok."

On Monday, July 3, a news story was shared regarding first responders warning against a deadly boating TikTok trend after recent drownings in Alabama. However, please be advised the information released to the news outlet was incorrect.  Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (@ALEAprotects) July 10, 2023

It noted that one person was fatally injured after jumping from a moving boat in 2020 and a similar case happened in 2021, but that neither death was linked to TikTok.

In a follow up email to The Associated Press, the agency provided details about six water-related deaths marine patrol investigated so far this year. None of the incident reports mentions TikTok or any such challenge.

On July 8, for example, a 79-year-old man drowned after falling off his boat without a life vest while fishing overnight on a river. A day earlier, a 65-year-old man drowned after he got off a pontoon boat to help a dog in a lake.

The other fatalities included a 19-year-old who crashed his jet ski into a tree in May and a man who apparently drowned in January after the vessel he was on struck a bridge and capsized.

People magazine, the New York Post and a number of other major outlets that initially reported on the TikTok challenge deaths have since updated their stories to include the state's response.

But social media users, in English and in Spanish, are still sharing the claims as accurate. Some even include videos purporting to show the victims.

"Police say at least 4 people have died doing the TikTok boat jumping challenge," wrote one Twitter user in a widely shared post that included various video clips of people diving off moving boats. "When they jumped out of the boat, they literally broke their neck ... instant death."

Meanwhile Dennis, the local first responder quoted in the original story, walked back his comments after state officials weighed in this week.

He told AL.com, another local news outlet in Alabama, that his remarks during an interview about boating safety were taken out of context, but he maintained that his organization has responded to reports of people who jumped off boats this year.

"It got blown way out of proportion," said Dennis, who didn't respond to requests for additional comment this week.

The ABC affiliate in Birmingham also declined to comment, but in a story Monday about the state's response, the station included Dennis' full, unedited interview.

Ben Rathe, a spokesperson for TikTok, stressed "boat jumping" has never trended on platform, echoing a statement the company's office in Mexico City previously provided in Spanish.

TikTok also said it does not comment on things that are "not part (of the platform) / are not trending on the platform."

Like other social media companies, TikTok has seen any number of "challenges" go viral over the years, from the potentiallyhazardous and destructive to the outright criminal and deadly.

Elizabeth Losh, an American Studies professor at William & Mary, a university in Williamsburg, Virginia, who has studied TikTok trends, confirmed some posts featuring people jumping off boats are visible on the site -- including one from 2019 with the hashtag #boatjumpchallenge -- but don't appear to be particularly viral or widespread.

She also noted TikTok has placed warning labels over some of the posts.

The social network's community guidelines prohibit users from showing or promoting " dangerous activities and challenges," which includes "dares, games, tricks, inappropriate use of dangerous tools, eating substances that are harmful to one's health, or similar activities that may lead to significant physical harm."

___

The after-effects of the TikTok Kia Challenge on car insurance The after-effects of the TikTok Kia Challenge on car insurance How specifically has this affected the owners of Kia and Hyundai? The Kia challenge targets specific vehicle models Level of impact
A year ago, Deborah Mais was a passenger in a morning car wreck in College Station, Texas, that left her with a traumatic brain injury and a growing pile of seemingly insurmountable medical bills.

The out-of-pocket costs for her care now total well over $500,000. The debt has become so overwhelming, shes stopped opening the bills when they arrive.

My life changed that day, said Mais, whos since lost her home, her car and the ability to care for her three children, who are currently staying with a relative. She suffers from anxiety and depression.

It feels unbearable sometimes, she said.

Mais isnt alone. One in every five people in Texas has medical debt that is in collections, one of the highest rates in the U.S.; medical debt has become a nationwide crisis, with 13% of U.S. adults impacted by past-due medical bills, according to data collected by the Urban Institute, a Washington, D.C., public policy think tank.

The problem is at its worst in states where large swaths of residents are uninsured, advocates say, and as health care costs rise, the problem doesnt appear to have an end in sight.

West Virginia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Texas have the highest level of medical debt in the country. Three of those states  North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas  are home to 57 of the top 100 counties with the highest levels of medical debt, according to the data. Another 20 of those counties are in Georgia.

Experts say its not a coincidence that those states havent expanded Medicaid to provide health coverage to their lowest-income residents. Medicaid expansion is one of the key policies they believe could help tackle medical debt.

The recovery for Mais, 32, would have been an uphill climb because of the severity of her injuries alone: She spent weeks in a coma at St. Joseph Health Hospital after the Oct. 17, 2021, accident, where she was the passenger in the car determined to be at fault. She was transported by ambulance to a rehabilitation hospital in Houston three weeks later, determined to be minimally conscious at the time.

Shes now out of the hospital, but Mais still battles the lingering effects of her traumatic brain injury and faces near-constant pain from the aftermath of a fractured pelvis, ribs and tailbone that have yet to fully heal.

The debt has more than financial consequences. Mais financial struggles have disrupted her ability to heal at every step of the way, her family says. Though she had a job cleaning apartments at the time of the accident, she didnt have health or car insurance.

Because of the lack of proper insurance, she's not getting proper treatment, said Dolly Francis, Mais mother and primary caretaker. From the time that she actually came out of the coma, she's improved, but not where she really needs to be.

Medical bills piled up over recent months, despite health insurance purchased on her behalf through the Affordable Care Act marketplace after the accident, a GoFundMe appeal and donations from a local family that helped her get admitted to the rehabilitation hospital.

Francis remembers the shock of opening a $69,000 bill, knowing there was no way the family could pay it. The bills that followed were even higher.

Im scared to even look, Francis said. People aren't prepared for the aftermath of a situation like this, the toll it takes on everyone.

Where medical debt is the worst  and why

In Lenoir County, in eastern North Carolina, about 44% of adults have medical debt in collections, the highest level of any county in the U.S. The county of about 56,000 people has a rate nearly four times the national average, according to Urban Institute data, which analyzed more than 10 million records from February 2022 from a major credit bureau.

AnneMarie Comeau, who lives in Lenoir County, has a chronic condition that affects her digestive system. She is in the hospital for procedures or emergency visits several times a year. The health problems leave her unable to work.

I have a lot of health issues, Comeau said. Theyre not as bad as other people, but life has been painful.

Comeau has about $5,000 in debt collections, despite qualifying for Medicare and disability insurance. At times, she elected to forgo surgeries or appointments when she had to pay for the services upfront and could not.

Researchers with the Urban Institute found that medical debt tends to be worse in certain areas of the U.S., including Southern states. Of the 100 counties in the U.S. with the highest shares of people with medical debt, 12 are in North Carolina. Texas is home to 34 of the top 100 counties. Georgia has 20 counties among the highest 100 counties, and South Carolina has 11.

All four states havent expanded Medicaid to provide health coverage to more lowest-income residents, a provision made available under the Affordable Care Act. More than 21 million low-income people in the 39 states that elected to expand Medicaid got coverage.

There is clear evidence medical debt is higher in the states that have not taken up the [federal] subsidies, said Allison Sesso, president and CEO of RIP Medical Debt, a donation-backed nonprofit group that buys medical debt from collection agencies and forgives the debt.

Along with the lack of Medicaid expansion, there is also a correlation between race and medical debt. In almost every state, people of color tend to have higher rates of medical debt, according to the Urban Institute data.

Counties with the highest levels of medical debt have higher populations of Black residents, according to Urban Institutes research. In the top 100 counties, nearly 24% of residents are Black, versus 12% nationally.

There is a racial component that's clear in the data, Sesso said. There are so many problems that fall on the laps of Black people. ... I think the history of the United States sort of lends itself to Black people not historically having access to money, so they're starting at a different point. We've never corrected from that.

The Urban Institutes analysis of factors that correlate to medical debt also found chronic illness was a predictor of medical debt. Residents in counties with a high number of people with medical debt are more likely to have six or more chronic conditions. The finding could play into a cyclical problem, in which people avoid medical care because of high costs, then get even sicker, Urban Institute researcher Breno Braga said.

Residents in areas with high medical debt are also nearly twice as likely to be uninsured, according to an examination of U.S. Census Bureau data and Urban Institute data.

If you are uninsured, youre more likely to face high out-of-pocket expenses in care, said Urban Institute researcher Fredric Blavin. You could potentially forgo preventive health services which, down the line, could lead to worse health outcomes and more medical debt.

At the time of Mais accident, she was part of a group of 18% of Texans who lacked health insurance. Texas uninsured rate is double the national average.

Since the accident, shes gone through bouts of being uninsured because of financial issues, keeping her out of inpatient rehabilitation centers that might speed up her recovery. The ACA insurance carried nearly $500 monthly premiums that were too costly to afford for long.

Rising cost of care, insurance

The rising cost of care in the U.S. is directly linked to medical debt, said Mark Rukavina, a program director for Community Catalyst, a Boston-based health advocacy organization.

Even those with health insurance arent immune. A Kaiser Family Foundation survey found a third of single-person households with private insurance in 2019 could not pay a $2,000 bill.

Health spending increased dramatically in recent years, according to the American Medical Association. With costs increasing, insurance becomes more expensive and employers look for ways to cut costs, Rukavina said. The most obvious solution is to push costs onto individuals, he said.

Frankly, that's the most reliable cost-containment strategy for an employer, he said. Increase their deductible. Increasing co-payments, increasing co-insurance, moving more of that cost from insurance to your worker. It's a real problem.

Scott Mosher did just that. Mosher, who lives in the western North Carolina city of Newton, chose not to enroll in workplace insurance because of the high cost. Mosher couldnt afford the deduction because he needed the money to get by, he said. When he started having prostate problems and pain in 2017, he didnt seek medical care because he had no coverage.

Instead, the 53-year-old lived with the pain until it became unbearable. In 2020, after expensive emergency room trips and an unsuccessful walk-in clinic visit, he was admitted to a hospital. By then, his prostate required several surgeries and time in the hospital. Now, he has nearly $80,000 in medical debt hes unable to pay.

Im working now, I found a job that pays more, but as far as all this debt  I cant pay it. Mosher said. Collection companies are calling me off the rails. ... My credit is hammered because of it.

Top of the list

There is no quick fix to help those with medical debt, but one policy change that is proven to decrease medical debt is Medicaid expansion, said Gabriela Elizondo-Craig, project manager of the Innovation for Justices Medical Debt Policy Scorecard project. The group rated states based on how policies protect consumers from medical debt and found that Medicaid expansion is at the top of the list of policy changes that could help people with medical debt, she said.

Under the ACA, states are allowed to expand Medicaid eligibility to accept people with incomes of up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Without expansion, eligibility requirements to qualify for Medicaid are more stringent.

Twelve states in the U.S. have not elected to expand Medicaid. South Dakota will soon leave that group. Voters recently approved a measure to expand Medicaid. A 2021 estimate by the Urban Institute suggests that in states that have not expanded Medicaid, about 4.4 million more people would be eligible were Medicaid expanded in all of those states.

Comeau, in North Carolina, qualified for Medicaid coverage in 2021. The coverage helped her get a necessary surgery that she previously delayed. After getting the surgery, her abdominal pain reduced significantly, she said.

I have not felt this good in three years, she said.

Medicaid expansion can still miss a group of people who are low-income but dont qualify for government-subsidized coverage.

Mosher fell in that gap: unable to pay for employers health insurance and not qualified for Medicaid.

I was trying to get Medicaid or something, but I couldnt. Im behind in everything, Mosher said. I was worried about getting my stuff shut down, my power and water, because I hadnt worked for months" while hospitalized.

An unexpected medical bill for people like Mosher can be nearly impossible to pay, Sesso said.

Its why RIP Medical Debt recently increased its income threshold for qualifying for debt relief from the organization, she said. In the past, someone had to make 200% of the federal poverty level to qualify. Now, it's 400%, Sesso said.

Because it's those folks that don't have another safety net protecting them, she said.

In states where Medicaid has not been expanded to cover more people, theres little help for those who fall between the cracks, Community Catalyst's Rukavina said.

But its not just up to states to solve the problem. Rukavina said the issue can be addressed on a federal, state and hospital level.

Elizondo-Craig said one effective policy that states or hospitals can have in place is requiring screening for financial assistance. Often, people dont know that they qualify or dont know to ask if they are eligible, she said.

Rukavina suggests hospitals should examine their billing and charity practices.

We need to be attacking this at all levels, he said. Some of this can only be addressed at the federal level, but states can do a lot and so can institutions.

The struggle with medical debt isnt easy, Elizondo-Craig said. The burden of unpaid medical debt can cause additional physical and mental health issues. The impact on credit scores can make it difficult for people to buy homes or get jobs.

This year, the nation's three largest credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, announced that, starting in 2023, medical debt under $500 would no longer affect consumer credit reports, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Starting in July of this year, medical debt must remain unpaid for at least a year before it damages ones credit score. Previously, it took six months.

The protection can combat the effects of medical debt in the U.S., Elizondo-Craig said.

Its a debt they didnt choose to incur, Elizondo-Craig said. Its totally different from debt from getting consumer goods.

Like someone is looking over your shoulder

Living under the weight of medical debt can cause stress that leads to more health problems and makes it difficult for those already struggling financially to climb out of the hole.

Debt took a toll on Alicia Pender, a travel nurse working in central North Carolina. A bout with COVID-19 in 2020 left her with a long list of health issues and more than $30,000 in medical debt, despite having insurance. She is unable to pay high deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. About half of her debt is in collections.

As the stress of her medical debt mounts, her mental health has suffered, she said.

I can't figure out how to get out of this hellhole, this quicksand, she said. It's a vicious cycle that having poor physical health has led me to having poor mental health. It just feels like everything is adding up, and the more it adds up, the more the frustration and depression mounts up, and there's no end in sight.

Collection agencies call daily, Pender said. With constant calls and collection letters, people with unpaid medical debt are always worried about it, RIP Medical Debts Sesso said.

You feel like someone is looking over your shoulder and that feels very overwhelming to people, Sesso said. People feel like they're failures - like they've done something wrong and they failed, and it's not that. It's the system.

People want to pay their debt, but medical debt is more likely to affect those with low incomes, she said. In the top 100 counties where medical debt is the highest, families have an average household income of $57,825 annually, compared to the national average of $88,607, according to the Urban Institutes analysis.

Comeau, the Lenoir County resident, sometimes found herself canceling phone service or other secondary needs to stay afloat as medical bills accumulated.

I'm not worried about the medical bills, she said. Im more concerned about food for my family and my medication. It is what it is. There are too many other things to worry about.

For Mais, in Texas, there hasnt been much time to think about the piling bills. Healing is still a full-time job. She said she envisions a future where she can live independently and raise her sons.

I think God gave me another chance for a reason, and Im here, she said. So there has to be a good ending to this story.

Mais brother, Brian Thornton, worries about the financial devastation of the situation continuing to impact her long after any physical wounds heal.

If she were to ever become independent again, that is going to be something shell have to deal with, Thornton said. Its going to be tragic. It would be a huge accomplishment to heal to that point.

If and when she does, shell find herself in a bind in terms of finances and outstanding bills.

PHOTOS: Dealing with medical debt
It was in August of 2017 that then-President Donald Trump, speaking after a deadly showdown between avowed white supremacists and anti-racist protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, shocked the nation by blithely declaring that there were very fine people on both sides of the conflict.

It wasnt that most Americans were so naive as to believe racism no longer infected the national bloodstream, even at the top levels of politics. But it was nonetheless jolting to hear a sitting president publicly offer anything other than the unequivocal condemnation that the Unite the Right rally of tiki-torch-carrying racists so clearly called for. It was a profound break with 21st-century political norms that required national leaders to at least talk the talk of anti-racism to remain viable to mainstream America.

For a measure of just how much those norms have further eroded in the half-dozen years since Charlottesville, consider recent comments by Sen. Tommy Tuberville. In a radio interview in May, the Alabama Republican accused Democrats of attacking our military, saying we need to get out the white extremists, the white nationalists.

When asked whether white nationalists should be allowed in the military, Tuberville answered: Well, they call them that. I call them Americans.

He doubled down in a CNN interview Monday. My opinion of a white nationalist  if somebody wants to call them a white nationalist  to me, is an American, he said, adding: Now, if that white nationalist is a racist? Im totally against anything that they want to do, because I am 110 percent against racism.

For the record, white nationalism is racism. Its the dictionary definition of the term, as Tuberville himself finally acknowledged in backtracking on his comments a day later.

Tubervilles original comments came during a discussion about his hold on Pentagon appointments in protest of the military policy of helping troops travel out of states with abortion bans to obtain abortion services.

Thats a genuine debate, but Tubervilles adjacent complaint that the military is forcing CRT (critical race theory) on the troops is as fabricated as when Republican politicians in Missouri and around the country allege its going on in classrooms. It simply isnt happening. But the party has figured out that just warning over and over again that white kids are being exposed to discussions about race pushes a useful button with the base.

There are other buttons. Woke, the GOPs bogeyman-du-jour, is a word that originated in Black culture to describe vigilance against racism. Its unlikely theres a serious Republican politician in America today who would publicly define it that way as they disparage the word  but its definition has become so conveniently squishy that they dont have to. Woke can mean any ominous thing right-wing voters want it to mean, and its clear that many define it in racial terms.

Sitting members of Congress such as Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Paul Gosar of Arizona openly consort with overtly racist activists such as white nationalist organizer Nick Fuentes, and pay no price within the party.

Red-state legislatures around the country are busily reshuffling their election laws to disenfranchise urban (read: Black) voters.

The GOPs current presidential frontrunner is a former president who was more openly racist in office than any predecessor in the modern era. (Remember his advice to American-born congresswomen of color that they go back to the crime-infested places from which they came?)

None of this is to deny that progressives today are often too quick to allege racist motives in their opponents. Loosely throwing around such a serious charge shuts down constructive debate and becomes counterproductive for progressives themselves in a boy-cries-wolf kind of way.

But it would take bedsheet-sized blinders to fail to see that racial tension truly is being leveraged within broad swaths of the GOP today more cynically than probably at any time since Richard Nixons infamous southern strategy. Its unbecoming of the party of Lincoln, and Republicans of conscience should be calling it out at every turn.
JEFFERSON CITY  The panel overseeing Missouri's network of public defender offices is considering whether to shutter its bureau in the Bootheel city of Kennett as a result of its inability to recruit staff attorneys who want to work there.

Mary Fox, director of the Missouri State Public Defender System, said Tuesday she has recommended the Kennett office be closed and merged with the Jackson office, about 100 miles, or a 1-hour drive, north.

Fox said the six-member Missouri State Public Defender Commission, which is appointed by the governor, discussed the possible closure at its June meeting and is scheduled to consider it again at its Aug. 1 meeting.

It is possible the commission could take action at that time, Fox said.

"The problem has been our inability to staff the Kennett office," Fox said. "Hiring has been a struggle the last several years, but in that area, it's been more than just a struggle."

Fox said one attorney currently works out of the Kennett office despite funding for five total attorney positions, including four assistant public defenders and one lead district defender.

She said the Kennett office, serving Dunklin County, opened 956 cases last fiscal year, "which is clearly too much for one attorney."

"We've been hoping to hire people," Fox said. "We contracted out a significant number of cases from down there."

Fox said no one has applied for an assistant public defender job at the Kennett office since March 2021, and wouldn't comment on applicants for the district defender position.

"I think we could operate more efficiently if the office was operated out of" Jackson, Fox said.

The Jackson office covers Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Mississippi, Perry and Scott counties. It has also absorbed cases in Stoddard County, which had previously been handled by the Kennett office.

Fox said the Poplar Bluff and Portageville offices, also covering southeast Missouri regions, are staffed with five and four attorneys, respectively. Those two offices have also faced staffing challenges, she said.

Of Kennett, she said, "anecdotally, my understanding is that it is a difficult jurisdiction in which to practice."

She said Kennett, population 10,507, is "a very small town with not a lot nearby," which has also hurt hiring.

The much larger Jackson office, near the college town of Cape Girardeau, hosts 11 attorneys with three more scheduled to come on board, Fox said.

If the commission closes the Kennett office, its five positions would be transferred to the Jackson office, she said.

Fox said if clients can't make it to a public defender office, attorneys will meet them elsewhere or contact them by phone or video conference, or visit them in jail.

The public defender system operates 33 trial offices and serves indigent defendants in 114 counties and the city of St. Louis.

Kennett is located in one of Missouri's poorest counties, Dunklin, where the population shrank more than 11% between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Census.

The census pegged the county's population at 28,283 in the last national headcount, down from 31,953 a decade earlier.

Kennett lost its hospital in 2018, and Dunklin County's poverty rate of 22.3% far exceeds the overall state poverty rate of 12.7%, according to the census. Jack Suntrup  573-556-6186 @JackSuntrup on Twitter jsuntrup@post-dispatch.com
ALKEME expands agency partner reach to the Midwest

LADERA RANCH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / ALKEME, a Top 50 Insurance Brokerage, announced the acquisition of The Milestone Company, a Cadiz, Ohio-based full-service insurance agency with additional offices in New Philadelphia, Ohio and Steubenville, Ohio.

ALKEME Acquires The Milestone Company

ALKEME expands agency partner reach to the Midwest

Founded in 1946, the Milestone Agency is a fourth-generation, family-owned insurance agency that has been serving eastern Ohio with a wide variety of property and casualty insurance solutions to individuals, families and businesses.

"Milestone has an eighty-year plus track record of providing exceptional customer service to its clients in Ohio," said Curtis Barton, CEO of ALKEME. "We are excited to welcome their experienced team to the ALKEME family as we continue to expand our presence in Ohio and beyond."

"As one of the longer standing insurance agencies in Ohio, we are always looking for ways to better serve our customer base," said Dan Milleson, President of The Milestone Company. "Our partnership with ALKEME will allow us to have a better selection of tools to further enhance our strategic services for our customers."

ABOUT ALKEME

ALKEME helps insurance brokerages realize sustainable growth and success through the creative use of innovation, shared services, consultation, and marketing. Our proven methodology, unmatched expertise, and externally validated results have quickly propelled us into the top-50 privately held insurance agencies in the US. Partners across the country rely on ALKEME's proven platform coupled with experience, resources, and long-term perspective to help them realize sustainable growth and success in a rapidly modernizing insurance world. Based in Ladera Ranch, CA, and backed by GCP Capital Partners, ALKEME serves thousands of clients with a wide range of offerings including P&C, Benefits, Surety, Risk and Wealth Management. For more information, please visit: https://alkemeins.com.

Contact Information

Josh Benveniste

Marketing

[email protected]

SOURCE: ALKEME Insurance

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Fragrance Du Bois, the renowned French luxury fragrance brand, is delighted to announce the opening of its new office and company in New York.



For Lovers Collection

"For Lovers Collection" by Fragrance Du Bois takes its inspiration from the eternal love story, unfolding one page at a time.

This strategic move comes in response to the increasing demand for its exquisite fragrances in North and South America. By establishing a presence in these regions, Fragrance Du Bois aims to uphold its exceptional standards and strengthen support for its valued customers and retailers across 45 countries, including the world's leading department stores. Driven by a remarkable surge in consumer demand for its luxury fragrances in the US, Canada, and South America, Fragrance Du Bois is proud to introduce two esteemed professionals to spearhead its operations in the Americas. Gandy Bahsas, formerly with Initio Parfums Privs owned by Parfums De Marly, assumes the position of Vice President of the Americas. Joining him is Luis Mario Pinedo Lewit, formerly from Parfums De Marly, who takes on the role of Marketing Manager of the Americas. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and expertise to drive the brand's success in these key markets.

To optimize logistical operations, Fragrance Du Bois will now operate its own warehouse and logistics center in Brooklyn, providing efficient online and B2B next-day delivery services. In addition, the brand has assembled a dedicated team to ensure exceptional customer care services specifically for the US market.

Fragrance Du Bois owes its success to its unwavering commitment to producing the finest quality fragrances by collaborating with top perfumers and sourcing unique and innovative ingredients. Gandy Bahsas expressed, "At the heart of Fragrance Du Bois is our loyal and expanding customer base, and it is our utmost mission to exceed their expectations in every way."

The brand's latest release, "Lovers," is a captivating addition to its For Lovers collection, joining the ranks of Cavort and Secret Tryst. Within a week of its European debut last month, Lovers was completely sold out and is currently available exclusively through official retail partners. This fragrance exemplifies Fragrance Du Bois' exceptional use of innovative ingredients, with an exclusive Passion Fruit extract as its central note.

Fragrance Du Bois' expansion into North and South America marks an exciting chapter in the brand's journey. With its commitment to excellence and dedication to customer satisfaction, Fragrance Du Bois is poised to captivate fragrance enthusiasts and elevate the luxury fragrance market in these regions.

About Fragrance Du Bois

Marrying sustainability with traditional perfumery, Fragrance Du Bois is a renowned French luxury fragrance brand known for its commitment to creating exceptional perfumes of the highest quality. With a global presence across 45 countries, Fragrance Du Bois collaborates with renowned perfumers to utilize scent ingredients in unique and unfamiliar ways, creating an olfactory journey like none other.

Contact Information

Vittoria Fantacci

[email protected]

SOURCE: Fragrance Du Bois

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Gama Explorations Inc. (CSE:GAMA)(OTCQB: GMMAF)(FSE:N79) ("Gama" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results from its exploration program at the Muskox Lithium Property (the "Property") in the Yellowknife Pegmatite Province of The Northwest Territories, Canada.

Exploration Highlights

Assay results confirm better grade continuity along the >700metres strike length of the CM-1 pegmatite.

Three additional channel samples taken along the south-east extension of the CM-1 pegmatite returned high-grade Li 2 O mineralization including 5 m at 0.86 % Li2O.

O mineralization including 5 m at 0.86 % Li2O. The CM1 yielded 0.72% Li 2 O over 5 m and 1.23 % Li 2 O over 3.8 m where it was previously thought to be barren.

Two of three channel samples taken along two smaller spodumene-bearing dikes identified adjacent to CM-1 returned with high-grade Li 2 O mineralization including 3.2 m at 0.97% Li 2 O, which are named the PV pegmatites.

O mineralization including 3.2 m at 0.97% Li O, which are named the PV pegmatites. Both mapping and recent assays suggests potential to uncover additional lithium bearing pegmatites between the CM-1 and PV pegmatites.

The Company is on track to commence drilling in August.

"This follow-up channel sampling program has confirmed both the remarkable continuity of the CM-1 pegmatite, and the presence of another nearby pegmatite returning comparable grades to CM-1. As we move forward to the next phase of our exploration program, we await the completion of a LIDAR/orthophoto survey designed to help identify additional spodumene-bearing pegmatites covered or partly covered by overburden. While helicopter availability has proven difficult due to the fire season, we expect the survey to be completed late July. Drill targets have been confirmed at the CM-1 pegmatite and we expect to begin drilling next month."

Table 1. Assay results for channel samples along the CM1 pegmatite.

Figure 1. The CM-1 Pegmatite within the Muskox Lithium Project in Northwest Territories, showing the location of channel samples and assay results.

Channel Sampling Program

A total of 9 channel samples were taken across 4 pegmatite dikes. Five samples were collected along the CM-1 pegmatite to verify the historical data and establish grade continuity across the dike. A sample that was thought to be taken from the CM-1 pegmatite in 2022 turned out to be in a barren pegmatite dike. The CM-1 pegmatite was identified and sampled close to this location with visible coarse spodumene and yielded 0.72% Li 2 O over 5.1 m and 1.23 % Li 2 O over 3.8m. Two additional pegmatites were found in the vicinity of the CM-1 pegmatite dike, one of which one hosts abundant coarse spodumene. This pegmatite yielded 0.97% Li 2 O over 3.2 m and can be traced over more than 100m of strike length before being obscured by overburden. The CM-1 pegmatite is only exposed over a narrow range of elevation and may vary in thickness at depth.

The company also announces it has granted 200,000 Restricted Stock Units to an arm's length consultant, which vested upon issuance.

QAQC and Data Verification

The Company used 2 m of channel samples and visual assessment of spodumene content along sampling sites to verify the 2022 data. There was a slight but acceptable discrepancy due to the coarse nature of the spodumene crystals along the channel sample length and the Company considers the 2022 sampling verified. Assay data was by ICP-MS using the ALS labs ME-MS89L package. ALS inserts standards and duplicates at regular intervals for QAQC purposes. No standards and duplicates were inserted by the Company.

Qualified Person

Bill Cronk, P.Geo., an independent consulting geologist has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release.

About Gama Explorations Inc.

Gama is a Canadian company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE:GAMA), the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE:N79), and OTCQB Exchange (OTCQB: GMMAF). The Company is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties containing metals used in green technologies and the renewable energy sector. The company currently has the right to acquire 100% interest in the Muskox Lithium Pegmatite Project located within the Yellowknife Pegmatite Province in the Northwest Territories and owns 100% of the Tyee Nickel-Copper Massive Sulphide Project located in North-Eastern Quebec.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, Dr. Mick Carew, PhD|CEO and Director

[email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Readers should not rely on information in this summary for any purpose other than for gaining general knowledge of the Company. The words "expected", "will" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that its expectations as reflected in any forward-looking statements, are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and no assurance can be given that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates, opinions or other factors should change.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE: Gama Explorations Inc.

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DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / HashFair, the groundbreaking Web3 decentralized gaming platform, is set to transform the world of online gaming with its cutting-edge technology and innovative approach. Offering unparalleled transparency, fairness, and user control, HashFair presents itself as the ultimate solution for gamers seeking an immersive and rewarding online gaming experience.

Traditional online gaming platforms have long struggled with issues of trust, fairness, and lack of player involvement. However, HashFair aims to address these challenges head-on by leveraging the power of blockchain technology and the principles of decentralization. By utilizing blockchain's immutable ledger and cryptographic algorithms, HashFair guarantees transparent and tamper-proof gaming outcomes. Each game result is derived from blockchain hash values, ensuring that every play is fair, provable, and beyond manipulation. Players can now trust that their gaming experience is governed by a decentralized and trustless system.

What truly sets HashFair apart is its unwavering commitment to user control and ownership within the realm of Web3 decentralized gaming. By integrating blockchain technology, HashFair provides players with complete control over their funds and assets in their own decentralized Web 3.0 wallets. Gone are the days of relying on intermediaries or worrying about the security of funds. HashFair empowers players by putting the control back into their hands, offering a secure and empowering gaming experience like never before.

Central to HashFair's innovation is the introduction of the world's first decentralized dealer. Operating autonomously on smart contracts, this breakthrough feature revolutionizes the gaming industry by eliminating the need for human intervention and ensuring true fairness in gameplay. The decentralized dealer guarantees unbiased game outcomes, offering a level playing field for all players. By removing the influence of intermediaries and centralized control, HashFair ensures an unparalleled gaming experience where trust is inherent and fairness prevails.

But HashFair goes beyond transparency and fairness. It actively encourages player participation through its unique governance model. Token holders have the opportunity to actively shape the development and direction of the platform. By holding tokens, players become integral stakeholders, with the power to influence crucial decisions related to game development, mechanics, and future updates. This community-driven approach fosters collaboration and inclusivity, empowering players and creating a vibrant ecosystem where everyone has a voice.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of HashFair's vision and technology, interested parties can access the HashFair Whitepaper by following this link: Whitepaper.

The future of online gaming lies within HashFair, the leading Web3 decentralized gaming platform, and early investors have a unique opportunity to become part of this groundbreaking revolution. By investing in HashFair, individuals can become early adopters of a platform that is set to disrupt the industry. With its transparent and decentralized nature, HashFair offers investors the potential for substantial returns while contributing to the growth and development of a pioneering platform.

To learn more about HashFair and to become an early investor, please visit the official website and sale page:

Website - Explore the official HashFair website to gain in-depth knowledge about the platform and its offerings.

Sale Page - Visit the sale page to discover investment opportunities and become an early supporter of HashFair.

Telegram - Engage in discussions and connect with the community on Telegram.

Twitter - Stay updated with the latest news and announcements on Twitter.

Email - Reach out to the HashFair team directly.

HashFair represents a new era in online gaming, where transparency, fairness, and user empowerment reign supreme. Join the Web3 decentralized gaming revolution today and be part of a gaming ecosystem that is transforming the industry for the better.

Media Contact

Company Name: Hash Fair Gaming

Contact Person: Benji Romsdale

Website: https://hashfair.io/

Email: [email protected]

City: Dubai

Country: United Arab Emirates

SOURCE: Hash Fair Gaming

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / At Boston Scientific, we stand for equality for all, and share a commitment to cultivating a corporate culture that prioritizes equality, diversity and openness.

This month, we are reaffirming that commitment by joining other leading U.S. businesses and employers in signing the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) "Count Us In" pledge to support LGBTQ+ inclusion and equality in the workplace and beyond. As part of the Business Coalition for the Equality Act, we also support the reintroduction of the Equality Act in Congress.

"As a corporate ally to the LGBTQ+ community, we are dedicated to making Boston Scientific a place where people feel safe and valued," says Meghan Scanlon, president, Urology, and executive sponsor of the PRIDE (Promoting Respect, Inclusion, Diversity and Equality) employee resource group (ERG). "And when people feel free to bring their authentic selves to work every day, we know that they can be more innovative and engaged, making us a stronger and higher-performing company as a result."

Take a look at the numerous ways we support the LGBTQ+ community at Boston Scientific and beyond, both during Pride Month and all year round.

Advancing LGBTQ+ talent in the workplace

Boston Scientific makes it a point to identify, participate in and sponsor recruitment events for underrepresented groups with an eye toward hiring and developing a more diverse workforce.

That focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) applies to the suppliers we hire as well. In the U.S., we work with businesses that are small or disadvantaged, and those owned by ethnic minorities, women, veterans, service-disabled individuals, individuals with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals. To that end, we're a member and supporter of groups such as the HRC, the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Diversity Alliance for Science.

DE&I efforts at Boston Scientific are designed and strengthened with input from our employee resource groups. Around the world, Boston Scientific is proud to have 20 chapters of our PRIDE ERG, with the newest chapter recently launched in Mississauga, Canada. Through seminars, educational events and networking opportunities, the PRIDE ERG plays a critical role in promoting LGBTQ+ education and awareness inside and outside the company's doors.

"In 15 years at Boston Scientific, I feel it's only been a benefit to be who I am: out and proud," says Anna London, a regional sales manager based in Sydney who launched the Asia Pacific PRIDE ERG in 2020. "As soon as you step inside a Boston Scientific office or warehouse or manufacturing site, you're included, valued. Even seeing little Pride flags around, or people's pronouns on Microsoft - these may seem like small things, but they mean a lot to people who are LGBTQ+."

Educating physicians about caring for LGBTQ+ patients

In early 2020, Boston Scientific launched EDUCARE: a free online platform offering personalized, on-demand education and training content in 18 different specialties, including procedural videos, case studies, access to Continuing Education and webinar opportunities. Since then, more than 38,000 people have used EDUCARE around the world.

This year, Boston Scientific engaged Equitas Health, a recognized expert in serving the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, to create a new course: Clinical and Professional Considerations for the LGBTQ+ Population. Through taking the course, physicians will learn about LGBTQ+ health disparities and inequities and how to improve the care experience for LGBTQ+ patients.

"Often, the care LGBTQ+ people receive is not culturally competent, which may keep them from getting the screenings and treatment they need," says Scanlon. "This short, simple training could help empower physicians to better care for this community and help ensure LGBTQ+ patients get the medical attention they need."

Providing a range of inclusive benefits

Our inclusive benefits cover family planning assistance - including adoption, fertility and surrogacy assistance programs - and eight weeks paid leave for all new parents, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity. In the U.S., transgender-inclusive services and treatments that follow standards set by the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) are covered as well.

Boston Scientific also offers resources to help employees find in-network LGBTQ+ health care providers, travel safety resources and support groups for themselves and their families.

And we continue to expand our benefit programs and services globally. Recently, for instance, we increased domestic partner health care coverage for employees in Ireland and extended parental leave in Japan.

Ensuring employees know they belong at Boston Scientific

Our efforts to stand up for greater inclusion and the LGBTQ+ community have not gone unnoticed: Boston Scientific has been recognized as a Best Workplaces for LGBTQ+ Equality for eight consecutive years based on the HRC Foundation's Corporate Equality Index.

We've also been named to the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index five times and added to the Forbes World's Best Employers list-which is compiled based on employee ratings of their workplaces based on gender equality, corporate social responsibility, culture and other factors-for three years in a row.

But we know that there is much more work to do.

"Boston Scientific is making meaningful progress when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion, and we are committed to listening and learning," says Scanlon. "We will continue to stand with our LGBTQ+ colleagues and push for progress, because we know that will help create a better, safer world for all of us."

Boston Scientific is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where all of our employees can bring their authentic selves to work and thrive personally and professionally. See our objectives and progress to date in our recently released 2022 Performance Report.

View original content here

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Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Boston Scientific

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/boston-scientific

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Boston Scientific

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Originally published on principal.com

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / When Maria Eugenia Norambuena joined Principal Chile in 2003 as a management control and planning analyst, she was used to being one of the few-if not only-women in the room. A recent graduate with a civil engineering degree, Norambuena was among 40 (and eventually only 20) women out of the 450 budding professionals in the program. Finding her voice in a room full of men didn't rattle her.

What did give her jitters was being promoted a couple of years later to a management position. "Seventeen years ago, it was difficult to find women being promoted to leadership roles-and more difficult to find a young woman who is expecting a child to be promoted to those types of jobs," Norambuena says. This was her first indication that Principal was a good place to be.

Independence at her roots

Growing up, Norambuena's parents instilled a sense of independence and work ethic. While Norambuena's mom did not have formal work, she was active in her community. For instance, she once made a small factory of sweaters for a school, and would nurse for her father's medical practice, Norambuena recalls.

Yet Norambuena's mom envisioned more for her daughters. "She wanted me and my sisters to have very good jobs and not to depend on a husband," Norambuena says. "It was something from the day I was born: You cannot depend on anyone, just you. It'll bring more happiness to your life, and it will probably make your marriage more balanced."

Her father was equally supportive. "He raised me and my sisters to be good professionals, to fight for good jobs, and to seek our dreams," Norambuena says. She envisions the same for her own three daughters.

Norambuena has also found these values reflected in her sprawling family tree. With roots back to the year 1100, she recognizes the bravery and adventure that have been in her lineage for hundreds of years. "My ancestors knew Chile was a piece of land; that's all," Norambuena says. "They came with nothing, they created a family here, and they succeeded."

Cultivating holistic support

Several months after her first promotion at Principal, it was time for Norambuena to return to the office from maternity leave. But there was one problem: Her baby girl was crying-all day, every day. Trusting her boss at the time who had kids himself, Norambuena approached him with the dilemma. "I said, My baby is crying a lot; I cannot leave her right now all day alone with someone else,'" Norambuena recalls.

Together, they came up with a solution. He would send her computer to her house so she could work from home until she and her baby were adjusted. (This was before hybrid work was commonplace, Norambuena points out.)

"He was very ahead of his time," Norambuena says. "He understood my problem perfectly and he found a solution."

Several promotions and leaders later, now a chief operating officer and managing director with Principal Chile, Norambuena still remembers times when she wanted to "run away," for fear of failing and not setting a good example for other women aiming to advance their own careers. She credits the Principal culture to her success.

"I think the difference in my case is that I had very, very, very supportive bosses. They were always encouraging me to take risks," she says. "And they understood that I have a family; I have three girls. And understood if I had to take the baby to the doctor or something." She also recognizes, she adds, that having a supportive husband who will split parental duties has been crucial.

With this in mind, Norambuena is active in a women's mentoring program through Principal Latin America, and she also brings the men she leads into the conversations. "If we can also help the men so they can help their wives outside of our company, that's much more impactful," she says. That may mean encouraging one of her male team members to take time away from the office if his child needs to go to the doctor.

"To continue the change, we have to work with men," Norambuena says. "I was very lucky that most of the men around me were very supportive. But if that's not the case-at work and at home-it's very difficult for a woman to grow in a company.

"It's not just her; it's also her surroundings."

Find a career that fits your skills and passions at principal.com/careers.

Insurance products and plan administrative services provided through Principal Life Insurance Company, a member of the Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA 50392.

 2023 Principal Financial Services, Inc.aaa

Principal, Principal Financial Group, and Principal and the logomark design are registered trademarks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a Principal Financial Group company, in the United States and are trademarks and service marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., in various countries around the world.

2954334-062023

Photo: Maria Eugenia Norambuena sitting at the headquarters of Principal.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Principal Financial Group on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Principal Financial Group

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/principal-financial-group

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Principal Financial Group

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / FedEx Corporation

Originally published in FedEx's 2023 ESG Report

We have ambitious sustainability goals, and electrifying a substantial portion of our global fleet of over 215,000 motorized vehicles is a crucial component of our path to carbon neutral operations. Our fleet is comprised of PUD vehicles, long-haul trucks, forklifts, airport ground service equipment, and other non-road vehicles. Due to performance and operational requirements, the electrification of each vehicle class presents different opportunities and challenges. Across our entire FedEx parcel PUD fleet, we are committed to replacing existing vehicles with zero-tailpipe emission vehicles by 2040, using a phased approach.

Our approach to fleet replacement and electrification is focused on identifying the right vehicle solution in the right application. We are actively engaging local original equipment manufacturers around the world to create the most efficient and sustainable vehicle fleet for our operations.

In 2022, FedEx Express announced an agreement reserving production of 2,000 EVs from BrightDrop, a technology startup from General Motors, over the next several years. We expect to continue expanding our EV fleet by procuring up to 20,000 more BrightDrop EVs, subject to future negotiations. Following the first deliveries in December 2021, we had received 150 BrightDrop Zevo 600 vans by June 2022. The Zevo 600s are all-electric, zero-tailpipe emission vans designed for last-mile deliveries with a range of up to 250 miles on a full charge. Through our relationship with BrightDrop, we introduced BrightDrop Trace electric carts (eCarts) into FedEx Express operations in New York City. In an initial pilot, couriers handled 25% more packages per day when using the eCarts on routes in a high-density, vertical urban environment. The New York City Department of Transportation recently approved a long-term use exception of the eCarts, which are now in use in both Manhattan and Brooklyn.

In August 2022, FedEx Office began piloting ten Ford E-Transit vans across nine markets within its PUD network. The pilot program aims to help FedEx Office understand the performance of EVs in a variety of operational, road, and weather conditions. FedEx Express Europe placed an order for 98 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans, which are anticipated to arrive at six of our major facilities in 2023.

FedEx Ground is developing a comprehensive strategy to facilitate the EV transition for independent service providers and is implementing the necessary infrastructure at our facilities to provide charging solutions. As of FY22, FedEx Ground operated 56 EV charging stations, which independent service providers can access to support their own EV transition, and has deployed 115 electric yard tractors and 14 electric PUD vans.

FedEx Freight is evaluating EV opportunities to define scalable solutions for its entire fleet. To date, FedEx Freight has placed orders for 18 EV tractors, 8 EV box trucks, and 10 EV yard tractors, and will install 36 fast chargers at four hubs. FedEx Freight operates 1,400 electric-powered forklifts, approximately 15% of its forklift fleet.

We are actively building the innovative charging infrastructure required to support our growing fleet of EVs across our vast network of facilities. In California, we have already installed more than 500 charging stations. FedEx Express Europe announced in October 2022 the development of 114 EV charging points at PUD stations in London, Madrid, Amsterdam, Paris, and Strasbourg. Installing the large-scale charging infrastructure required by our operations involves our close collaboration with local utility companies and regulators to help strategically plan for and implement the additional grid capacity needed.

While growing EV charging will cause our electricity usage to significantly increase, we are investing in on-site renewable energy generation and procurement, and exploring other innovative approaches, such as battery storage, to overcome this challenge and continue reducing our emissions. See the Facilities section for more information on these initiatives.

Through our Zero Emission City Deliveries Solutions program in Europe, we increased delivery options within urban centers, including EVs and cargo bicycles. In FY22, we more than doubled the number of electric cargo bikes in Europe, which are now deployed in 17 cities. Our growing fleet of electric bikes reduces impacts from our operations, including noise levels and combustion engine exhaust compared to traditional last-mile vehicles. Across some cities, like London and Toronto, our electric bike fleet is replacing a substantial percentage of our van routes. This strategic rollout highlights our commitment to use the right solutions in the right applications. We continue to electrify forklifts, airport ground service equipment, and other non-road vehicles across our operating companies to reduce fuel and maintenance costs. We anticipate improving our efficiency further as new technology develops.

Key links

BrightDrop EV Delivery

FedEx Office E-Transit Van Pilot

FedEx Express European Charging Infrastructure

Read more





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from FedEx Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: FedEx Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/fedex-corporation

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: FedEx Corporation

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PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Pennexx Foods (OTC PINK:PNNX) has made changes to its board of directors.

Pennexx has made changes to its' Board of Directors with the appointment of Scott Matthews and Debra Pomerantz.

The company replaced Joseph Caruso with Scott Matthews, an experienced businessman from Orlando as Joseph Caruso's board seat term expired. The company's bylaws outline staggered board appointments and when a Board Members term expires interim individuals are elected.

Scott's experience includes marketing, operating public companies, and negotiating contracts with major national brands. His experience as a leader is believed to bring the kind of experience needed to strengthen the board of directors' decision-making. Scott brings with him an extensive network of connections from his decades of business success.

Pennexx's shareholders also posted a written consent to the company replacing Board Member Sunny Sweet with Debra Pomerantz. Debra brings to the board years of marketing and business experience.

It is anticipated that Debra will have an active role in the marketing of various projects being undertaken by the company. This kind of hands-on activity at a board level will bring project status and success to the forefront.

Vincent Risalvato, CEO of Pennexx said, "I am very thankful for Joseph's and Sunny's involvement on the board during these formative years of the company. I am very excited about the guidance and help that Scott and Debra can bring. We have already had several good meetings and I can see they will be a huge asset to the company."

About Pennexx Foods Inc. (PNNX:OTCMKTS US). Pennexx, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is a holding company within the Software/Internet Industry that focuses on social media, prepaid debit cards, artificial intelligence, targeted marketing, and consumer rewards.

Safe Harbor Act: This release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may," "future," "plan" or "planned," "will" or "should," "expected," "anticipates," "draft," "eventually" or "projected." You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report.

For additional information, you may also visit our website at https://yoursocialoffers.com or https://pennexx.net or call 866-928-6409. Please follow us on Twitter @Pennexx.

SOURCE: Pennexx Foods, Inc.

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / On May 23, several Quest Diagnostics employees volunteered at the Healthy NewsWorks Spring Celebration, featuring achievements of its student reporters from the greater Philadelphia area.

A Quest for Health Equity (Q4HE) grantee, Healthy NewsWorks has been empowering elementary and middle school students since 200 3to become researchers, writers, and confident communicators who advance health understanding and literacy through their factual publications and digital media. Its program teaches student health journalists how to ask questions, identify factual information, write accurately, think critically, and share what they've learned. Their work is published in health-focused newspapers, books, and digital media that are distributed in their schools and communities, and on a health-focused website for all to access.

The special spring program featured student-produced video shorts and live student interviews focused on the connection between health and the environment.

"Before I entered the auditorium for the featured program, I was speaking with one of the students from DePaul Catholic School, and he stated that we are going to be blown away when we see them present in the auditorium. This young man was right," said Kim George, Patient Services Manager. "What an amazing group of children. The future is in good hands."

"Seeing the final product that the student journalists worked on all year was my favorite part," added Ilene Rothblat, QMS Sr. Program Manager, who helped coordinate the event. "I have been involved with Healthy NewsWorks for many years through QuestCAN, and working with their student journalists as they learn about and then communicate health related information is energizing! They are so cool!"

Healthy NewsWorks also published its 2023 Spring magazine - its inaugural issue - reporting on the theme "Caring for Our Earth and Ourselves." The magazine featured a foreword from Q4HE Senior Director Michael Floyd acknowledging Healthy NewsWorks for its work in addressing youth literacy and health in under-resourced communities, and an interview with Logistics Senior Manager Mike Marquette.

Mike talked to 16 young students at James Logan Elementary School in Philadelphia. The students were excited to learn about the East Region's electric car strategy and Quest's overall approach to environmental sustainability, even bringing an electric vehicle to the school.

"Interacting with the third graders during the presentation and seeing their eyes light up with excitement as they got to touch and explore the electric vehicle was absolutely amazing," said Mike. "Their enthusiasm and curiosity reminded me of the pure joy that comes from hands-on experiences, and it was a delightful reminder of the power of inspiring young minds to embrace green practices."

Check out the magazine here: Spring 2023 Magazine | Healthy NewsWorks





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Quest Diagnostics on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Quest Diagnostics

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/quest-diagnostics

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics

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Turno, a vacation rental cleaning solution, is an Airbnb software partner

HONOLULU, HI / ACCESSWIRE / July 11, 2023 / Turno, the global leader in vacation rental cleaning management, today announced it is an official Airbnb Software Partner. This new partnership underscores Airbnb's ongoing commitment to ensuring that properties hosted on its platform consistently meet high-quality cleanliness standards and provide guests with fresh, hygienic, and welcoming stay environments.

Turno

Logo

Founded in 2016, Turno is uniquely positioned to support hosts and property managers in optimizing turnover operations and improving cleanliness outcomes. Its SaaS platform and separate mobile apps for Hosts and Cleaners deliver end-to-end solutions for sourcing, paying, and managing the entire vacation rental cleaning lifecycle. In addition, Turno hosts the industry's largest Cleaner Marketplace that matches short-term rental operators with STR cleaning professionals worldwide.

"Turno's mission is to solve cleaning for the vacation rental industry, and we are proud to be an Airbnb partner," said Assaf Karmon, CEO and Co-founder of Turno. "Our software tools and ever-growing marketplace of STR cleaning pros allow Airbnb Hosts to simplify and automate the entire turnover process, improve cleaning consistency, and verify that quality expectations are met for every clean."

As an Airbnb Software Partner, Turno's direct connectivity provides users with an intuitive and efficient platform setup process. In addition, the fully integrated API delivers lightning-fast booking updates through instant webhooks, increased connection stability and reliability, and enhanced guest and reservation data.

"By decreasing cleaning hassles, Airbnb Hosts can enhance the guest experience, improve property reviews, and achieve higher average cleanliness scores on Airbnb," said Karmon. "While our business users definitely benefit from increased productivity and efficiency, the real beneficiaries of high-quality cleaning are the millions of happy, satisfied Airbnb guests worldwide."

Turno's comprehensive SaaS platform and custom mobile apps deliver scalable, on-the-go tools to short-term rental operators and cleaning providers of all sizes. From single property owner hosts to management companies with geographically dispersed portfolios, Turno simplifies turnovers. Features such as auto-scheduling, in-app chat, auto payment, and quality assurance tools like checklists, photo sharing, and inventory management are all supported by Turno's 24/7 live customer support team.

About Turno

Turno's SaaS platform and Cleaner Marketplaces help vacation rental operators schedule, pay, and find cleaners. Features include auto-scheduling, auto payment, in-app chat, photo checklists, reporting tools, and other easy-to-use quality assurance solutions to simplify and automate recurring property services. Offering 24/7 live customer support and available in six languages, Turno syncs guest calendars from all major booking platforms and 20+ channel managers and property management systems. Turno's localized Cleaner Marketplaces include vetted STR service providers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond. For more, visit www.turno.com.

Contact Information:

Amy Plummer

Head of Brand

[email protected]

404-326-9717

SOURCE: Turno

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 13. Turkmenistan and Japan discussed priority areas of further partnership in the field of cooperation in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, Trend reports.

According to the official source of Turkmenistan, these issues were discussed between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and the delegation headed by the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Yuumi Yoshikawa.

Meredov stressed that Turkmenistan attaches special importance to the further development of cooperation between the two states, which is traditionally based on the principles of long-term partnership, while noting that a special role in expanding and strengthening bilateral relations is given to the development of contacts at the highest level.

The sides stressed the effective cooperation of Turkmenistan and Japan on topical issues of our time within the framework of authoritative international structures, first of all, the UN.

The diplomats also noted that the commitment of the parties to further deepen partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation contributes to fruitful interaction within the framework of the 'Central Asia+Japan' dialogue.

Speaking about the development of economic partnership, the Turkmen side confirmed that cooperation between Turkmenistan and Japan in this direction is strategic, sustainable and long-term. In this regard, the activities of the Turkmen-Japanese and Japanese-Turkmen economic cooperation committees are of great importance.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 - Zimtu Capital Corp. (TSXV:ZC)(FSE:ZCT1) (the "Company" or "Zimtu") is pleased to announce that, further to its press release dated June 16, 2023 (the "June 16th News Release"), it has closed its previously announced acquisition of three separate mining claims generally known as the Eagle Lake claims (the "Eagle Lake Claims"), the Grove Lake claims (the "Grove Lake Claims") and the Whitefish Lake claims (the "Whitefish Lake Claims" and, together with the Eagle Lake Claims and Grove Lake Claims, the "Claims"), located approximately 350 km northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario (the "Acquisition").

Northwest Ontario Lithium Prospects

The Claims are comprised of a large-scale land package consisting of 89,120ha (891.2 sq km) across 17 claim groups prospective for spodumene-bearing lithium pegmatites in an underexplored area of Northwestern Ontario with multiple existing lithium deposits within a 100km radius. Recent digitization of historical maps from the Ontario geological survey shows dozens of pegmatites outcrops across the properties hosted within several rock units. Each property contains 99th percentile and above lithium in lake sediments values from the entire Ontario government database (>50,000 lake sediment samples analyzed for Lithium in the Ontario provincial database). Geophysical (airborne magnetic) anomalies crosscut the properties which are evidence of structural pathways that may have provided room for lithium bearing pegmatites to form.

Figure 1: NW Ontario Claim Group locations, Bedrock Geology

Figure 2: NW Ontario Claim Group Locations, Bedrock Geology with Lithium in Lake Sediment analyses and land tenure

Figure 3: NW Ontario Claim Group Locations, Bedrock Geology with Historic Pegmatite Notations

Whitefish Lake Claims

The Whitefish Lake Claims are comprised of 1,484 claims (instead of the 1,584 claims noted in the June 16th News Release) covering 30,791 hectares.

This claim group lies directly northeast of Dryden, Ontario, a city with population 7,500 located on the trans-Canada highway. CP rail lines pass through the claim groups. All claim blocks are road accessible.

The Whitefish Lake Claims were staked over several anomalous populations in lake sediment samples in Li, Cs, and Rb. (Each claim block contains >99th percentile samples for Li). E-W and ENE magnetic trending lineaments crosscut the properties.

Property is underlain by gneissic and foliated tonalite, massive granodiorite to granite, with minor mafic metavolcanic rocks. Recent digitization of historic Ontario geological survey maps shows dozens of mapped pegmatite occurrences in and around the properties. Historic mapping has been at low resolution (or wide spacing) as these units have been classically overlooked as prospective units for mineralization.

30 of 75 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Li (>28.1ppm, max 43.7)

22 of 75 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Cs (>2.4ppm, max 84.05)

28 of 75 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Cs (>37.1ppm, max 63.07)

Figure 4: Whitefish Lake Group Claim Blocks, Bedrock Geology, Lithium in Lake sediment analyses, mapped pegmatites, land tenure

Grove Lake Claims

The Grove Lake Claims are comprised of 1,620 claims (instead of the 1,520 claims noted in the June 16th News Release) covering 25,027 hectares.

This claim group lies directly North of Sioux Lookout, Ontario, a town with population 5,500. CP rail lines pass through the town. All claim blocks are road accessible.

The Grove Lake Claims were staked over several anomalous populations in lake sediment samples in Li and Rb. (Each claim block contains >99th percentile samples for Li). Dominantly E-W magnetic trending lineaments crosscut the properties.

Property is underlain by gneissic and foliated tonalite, massive granodiorite to granite, crosscut by metasedimentary and greenstone (mafic metavolcanic) units. Recent digitization of historic Ontario geological survey maps shows dozens of mapped pegmatite occurrences in and around the properties within all geologic units.

14 of 102 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Li (>28.1ppm, max 40.12)

3 of 102 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Cs (>2.4ppm, max 2.48)

21 of 102 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Cs (>37.1ppm, max 45.66)

Figure 5: Grove Lake Group Claim Blocks, Bedrock Geology, Lithium in Lake sediment analyses, mapped pegmatites, land tenure

Eagle Lake Claims

The Eagle Lake Claims are comprised of 1439 claims covering 30,302 hectares.

This claim group lies directly southeast of Dryden, Ontario, a city with population 7,500 located on the trans-Canada highway. CP rail lines pass through Dryden. All claim blocks are road accessible.

The Eagle Lake Claims were staked over several anomalous populations in lake sediment samples in Li and Cs. (Each claim block contains >99th percentile samples for Li). NW-SE and ENE magnetic trending lineaments crosscut the properties.

Properties are underlain by mafic, intermediate, and felsic volcanic rocks, gneissic and foliated tonalite, massive granodiorite to granite, with minor ultramafic rocks. On one of these properties, over 50 pegmatite occurrences have been mapped. No historical mapping data is available for most of these properties.

21 of 165 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Li (>28.1ppm, max 35.92)

66 of 165 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Cs (>2.4ppm, max 6.48)

4 of 165 of Lake sediment samples in the properties are >99th percentile for Cs (>37.1ppm, max 43.6)

Figure 6: Eagle Lake Group Claim Blocks, Bedrock Geology, Lithium in Lake sediment analyses, mapped pegmatites, land tenure

Terms of the Acquisition

Pursuant to the sale agreement dated June 15, 2023, among the Company and six arm's length vendors, including prospector Shawn Ryan (the "Vendors"), the Company acquired a 100% interest in the Claims for the following consideration:

an aggregate cash payment of $315,000 that will be paid to the Sellers within five days of closing of the Acquisition (" Closing ");

"); an aggregate of 9,000,000 common shares in the capital of Zimtu (" Zimtu Shares ") that will be issued to the Sellers within five days of Closing; and

") that will be issued to the Sellers within five days of Closing; and an aggregate cash payment of $315,000 that will be paid to the Sellers within four months of Closing.

As additional consideration for the Acquisition, the Company also granted to one of the Sellers a 1% net smelter returns royalty interest in the future minerals produced from the Claims upon achieving commercial production.

About Zimtu Capital Corp.

Zimtu Capital Corp. is a public investment issuer that aspires to achieve long-term capital appreciation for its shareholders. Zimtu Capital companies may operate in the fields of mineral exploration, mining, technology, life sciences or investment. The Company trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "ZC" and Frankfurt under symbol "ZCT1". For more information, please visit https://www.zimtu.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

ZIMTU CAPITAL CORP.

"Sean Charland"

Sean Charland

President & Director

Phone: 604.681.1568

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

This news release contains forwardlooking statements, which include any information that addresses activities, events, or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to the timing of the payment of the cash and share consideration.

These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed, implied by, or projected in the forwardlooking information or statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forwardlooking statements include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company or the businesses of the companies that the Company has invested in, including, without limitation, the natural resource exploration industry; changes in commodity prices as the Company has investments in natural resource exploration issuers; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; geopolitical risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and economic, competitive, governmental, environmental and technological factors which may affect the Company's operations, investments, markets, products and share price.

Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forwardlooking statements after the date of this document or to revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events.

SOURCE: Zimtu Capital Corp.

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FHLB Dallas and Citizens National Bank Provide Funds

MACON, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lacey Harmon has lived in Macon, Mississippi, for most of her life and she was ready to put down roots by purchasing a home. Now, with the support of a $15,000 Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) subsidy from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) through its member, Citizens National Bank, she feels firmly planted in her native soil.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713736062/en/

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and Citizens National Bank provided $15,000 in down payment assistance to a Mississippi homebuyer. (Photo: Business Wire)

FHLB Dallas set aside $6.5 million of its 2023 Affordable Housing Program funds for HELP. Through member institutions, HELP assists income-qualified, first-time homebuyers with down payment assistance and closing costs.

When I thought of buying a home, I never imagined things would fall into place so quickly. The HELP funds were a blessing that fulfilled my dream sooner than I expected, said Ms. Harmon.

Hearing of HELP through word of mouth, she applied and received the subsidy, which was used for a down payment on a three-bedroom house that sits on about half an acre of lush land.

Since 2018, Citizens National Bank has used HELP funds to assist close to 50 Mississippians in achieving homeownership.

Supporting first-time homebuyers is a big part of our business and we are delighted to have the backing of FHLB Dallas through the HELP subsidy, said Tyeisha Smith, community development officer at Citizens National Bank.

The HELP subsidy enables member institutions to build long-term relationships with their customers.

As a community bank that prioritizes the people of Mississippi, Citizens National Bank is leading by example and bringing homeownership within the reach of local residents, said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas.

Visit fhlb.com/help for more information.

About Citizens National Bank

As more and more community banks are being acquired by larger regional institutions which have moved ownership and resources out of the state of Mississippi, our bank is more committed than ever to continue operating as an independent, community bank. We proudly serve 15 Mississippi communities with 27 branch locations, and we believe it's critical to Mississippi's future for us to help Mississippians grow and prosper. In fact, we consider our destiny to be one of continuing to earn the right to be Mississippi's Community Bank.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $181.2 billion as of March 31, 2023, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit our website at fhlb.com.

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Corporate Communications

Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

fhlb.com

(214) 441-8445

Source: Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of a+ (Excellent) of Atradius Credito y Caucion S.A. de Seguros y Reaseguros (ACyC) (Spain), Atradius Reinsurance Designated Activity Company (ARe) (Ireland), Atradius Trade Credit Insurance, Inc. (ATCI) (U.S.) and Atradius Seguros de Credito, S.A. (Atradius Mexico) (Mexico), which are the main operating subsidiaries of non-operating holding company Atradius N.V. (Atradius) (Netherlands). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term Issue Credit Rating of bbb (Good) of the EUR 250 million, 5.25% subordinated fixed to floating rate guaranteed notes, due 2044, issued by Atradius Finance B.V. (Netherlands) and unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed on a subordinated basis by Atradius. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Atradius balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, favourable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings of ACyC, ARe, ATCI and Atradius Mexico consider their strategic importance to Atradius as its primary underwriting entities in the groups key markets around the world.

Atradius balance sheet strength is underpinned by its consolidated risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which remained at the strongest level at year-end 2022. AM Best expects Atradius prospective risk-adjusted capitalisation to be maintained at the strongest level, supported by good internal capital generation over the cycle and conservative capital management. The groups balance sheet strength assessment also benefits from its good liquidity profile and relatively conservative investment portfolio. A partly offsetting factor in the assessment is the groups relatively high dependence on reinsurance, although the risks associated with this dependence are partially mitigated through the use of a well-diversified panel of reinsurance counterparties of excellent credit quality.

Atradius has a track record of strong operating performance, as demonstrated by a 10-year (2013-2022) weighted average return-on-equity ratio of 11% and a combined ratio of 78% (as calculated by AM Best). Atradius' credit insurance business returned a net combined ratio of 74% in 2022, reflecting continued low claims frequency. Claims frequency during the first quarter of 2023 has seen a gradual increase from low levels recorded in 2021 and 2022. AM Best believes that Atradius strong underwriting expertise and exposure management, together with its ability to take prompt risk-mitigating actions on non-performing business, will allow it to maintain a strong performance record over the cycle.

Atradius benefits from a leading position in the global credit insurance market, which is characterised by high barriers to entry. Although the group is largely a monoline insurer, its exposures are well-diversified by geography and industry. Atradius favourable business profile is underpinned by its good access to key markets as a result of the groups strong global franchise and comprehensive network of agents and intermediaries.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713756302/en/

Konstantin Langowski

Senior Financial Analyst

+31 20 308 5431

[email protected]



Mathilde Jakobsen

Senior Director, Analytics

+31 20 308 5427

[email protected]



Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]



Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of bbb (Good) of National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines (Nat Re) (Philippines). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Nat Res balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

Nat Res balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which remained at the strongest level in 2022. AM Best views the companys investment portfolio as having moderate risk. Despite some exposure to corporate bonds and equity investments, the majority of Nat Res portfolio is composed of fixed income securities issued by the Philippines government. The companys allocation to equity investments has reduced gradually over recent years, with the expectation of continued portfolio de-risking over the medium term. The companys balance sheet is sensitive to natural catastrophe exposure, although this risk is partially mitigated through the use of retrocession.

Nat Res operating performance is assessed as adequate, with a five-year average return-on-equity ratio of 2.3% (2018-2022). Net profit declined in 2022 compared to the prior year. While the company reported lower underwriting losses in 2022 compared to 2021, the improvement was outweighed by lower investment income, which was partially impacted by investment impairment and fair value losses on equity investments. Although underwriting performance improved in 2022, it continued to show a lack of profitability, mainly driven by unfavourable reserve development in its foreign non-life portfolio and higher than expected COVID-19 related claims. Investment income arising mainly from interest and dividend income continue to contribute positively to operating earnings despite declining in 2022. AM Best expects Nat Res prospective underwriting performance to be supported by ongoing portfolio remediation measures, including reduced participation and/or exiting from loss-making non-life treaties, as well as business growth in the more profitable domestic life reinsurance segment and other specialty lines.

AM Best views Nat Res business profile as neutral. The company is the only domestic reinsurer in the Philippines, benefiting from strong relationships with local cedants and access to business through mandatory local cessions. Nat Re is well-positioned for business opportunities emanating from local government initiatives, this includes its engagement in the design and launch of underwriting facilities in the Philippines market, which enables it to write greater business volumes in excess of the level stipulated by the mandatory cessions. The companys underwriting portfolio is viewed to be moderately diversified by geography and it writes both non-life and life reinsurance. In recent years, Nat Re's shift in product mix towards the domestic life reinsurance segment has supported its improvement in portfolio diversification.

AM Best considers Nat Res ERM approach to be appropriate given the current size and complexity of its operations. The companys risk management framework and corporate governance capabilities are viewed to have strengthened over recent years.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713265274/en/

Sin Yee Chuah, CFA

Financial Analyst

+65 6303 5022

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]

Chris Lim, FCII, CFA

Associate Director, Analytics

+65 6303 5018

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
Blue Yonder and Avary Holdings supply chain transformation project went live successfully, hosted a go-live celebration on July 5

SHENZHEN, China & SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Avary Holding (Shenzhen) Co., LTD, a top global printed circuit board supplier, has successfully transformed its supply chain planning processes by implementing Blue Yonders supply planning solution.

Avary Holding is engaged in the design, research and development, manufacturing, and sales of various kinds of printed circuit boards. These finished products and components are widely applied to numerous types of communications, computing, and consumer products. To increase its supply chain efficiency, the company turned to Blue Yonder.

Thanks to Blue Yonders supply planning solution, Avary Holding has:

Improved supply chain visibility in capacity management and inventory.

Improved accuracy and effectiveness of the supply plan by: synchronizing upstream and downstream operations to minimize finished goods and WIP inventory while reducing production lead times; optimizing resource utilization to maximize throughput; and prioritizing demand fulfillment to increase customer service level.

Reduced labor cost by optimizing its planning team labor structure.

Increased end-to-end supply chain efficiency across multiple departments.

"Digitalization of the supply chain has become one of the important means for companies to enhance their competitiveness and strengthen their market advantages. The launch of this supply chain digitalization project marks a milestone. As the market continues to evolve, we will also continuously improve our operations through supply chain optimization and innovation," said Charles Shen, chairman, Avary Holding.

Blue Yonders Global Professional Services is proud to have implemented this solution for Avary Holding. We look forward to meeting their needs on future projects, said Ari Sengupta, senior vice president and general manager, Blue Yonder Global Professional Services.

By implementing Blue Yonders solution, Avary Holding has been able to support its growth strategy and transform its business. The solution allows them to scale as their business grows deliberately. We look forward to continuing our work with them as they continue their transformation, said Antonio Boccalandro, president, APAC/LATAM, Blue Yonder.

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Blue Yonders supply planning solution

About Blue Yonder

Blue Yonder is the world leader in digital supply chain transformations and omni-channel commerce fulfillment. Our end-to-end, cognitive business platform enables retailers, manufacturers and logistics providers to best fulfill customer demand from planning through delivery. With Blue Yonder, youll unify your data, supply chain and retail commerce operations to unlock new business opportunities and drive automation, control and orchestration to enable more profitable, sustainable business decisions. Blue Yonder - Fulfill your Potential blueyonder.com

Blue Yonder is a trademark or registered trademark of Blue Yonder Group, Inc. Any trade, product or service name referenced in this document using the name Blue Yonder is a trademark and/or property of Blue Yonder Group, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of the companies with which they are associated.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712005931/en/

Blue Yonder Public Relations Contacts:

Marina Renneke, APR, Senior Corporate Communications Director

Tel: +1 480-308-3037, [email protected]

Source: Blue Yonder
LIMA, Peru--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (Buenaventura or the Company) (NYSE: BVN; Lima Stock Exchange: BUE.LM), Perus largest publicly-traded precious metals mining company, today announced 2Q23 results for production and volume sold.

2Q23 Production per Metal

(100% basis) 1Q23

(Actual) 2Q23

(Actual) 6M23

(Actual) 2023 Updated

Guidance (1)(2)(3) Gold (Oz.) Orcopampa 19,996 19,975 39,971 72k - 80k Tambomayo 10,600 10,896 21,496 35k - 40k Coimolache 6,536 9,632 16,168 60k - 65k El Brocal 4,421 4,377 8,798 24k - 26k Silver (Oz.) Uchucchacua 0 0 0 0.7M - 1.0M Yumpag 0 0 0 1.6M - 1.8M El Brocal 436,678 635,530 1,072,208 2.7M - 3.0M Tambomayo 394,305 540,732 935,038 1.9M - 2.2M Julcani 417,887 472,740 890,626 1.9M - 2.1M Lead (MT) El Brocal 0 1,275 1,275 7.5k - 8.3k Uchucchacua 0 0 0 1.4k - 1.5k Yumpag 0 0 0 0.3k - 0.4k Tambomayo 1,324 924 2,248 2.9k - 3.2k Zinc (MT) El Brocal 0 3,812 3,812 23.0k - 25.0k Uchucchacua 0 0 0 2.0k - 2.2k Tambomayo 1,552 1,150 2,702 4.8k - 5.3k Copper (MT) El Brocal 12,238 13,213 25,452 45.0k - 50.0k

Above 2023 projections are considered forward-looking statements and represent managements good faith estimates or expectations of future production results as of July 2023. 2023 Uchucchacua and Yumpaq Guidance is subject to permit approval to begin production. El Brocal stockpiled ore mined from its open pit during the 1Q23. Lead and zinc ore are being treated at the processing plant starting in 2Q23. The underground mine will operate continuously throughout 2023.

2Q23 Comments

Tambomayo:

Gold, silver, lead and zinc production was in line with 2Q23 expectations. 2023 guidance remains unchanged.

Orcopampa:

2Q23 gold production exceeded expectations due to higher gold grades extracted from the Pucara and Ramal 4 vein system. 2023 guidance remains unchanged.

Coimolache:

2Q23 gold production was below quarterly projections due to a slower than expected leach pad gold extraction rate with longer than expected percolation time. These are expected to increase in the second half of 2023. 2023 guidance therefore remains unchanged.

Julcani:

2Q23 silver production was below projections due to a negative geology reconciliation with decreased treated ore. 2023 guidance has therefore been updated.

Yumpag:

4Q23 targeted production initiation remains unchanged and is subject to the final permitting and approval required to operate.

Uchucchacua:

Exploration and mine development continued during 2Q23 as planned.

During 3Q23 Buenaventura will focus on ensuring processing plant operational readiness to receive ore from Uchucchacua and Yumpag by the end of 2023.

El Brocal:

2Q23 copper production exceeded projections due to underground mine production ramp-up which remains ahead of expectations. Buenaventura expects to reach its targeted 10,000 tpd by 4Q23. 2023 guidance remains unchanged.

Open pit polymetallic ore processing resumed as planned during 2Q23. Zinc and lead production during the quarter was in line with expectations. 2023 guidance remains unchanged.

2Q23 Payable Volume Sold

2Q23 Volume Sold per Metal

(100% basis) 1Q23

(Actual) 2Q23

(Actual) 6M23

(Actual) Gold (Oz.) Orcopampa 20,326 19,718 40,044 Tambomayo 9,360 9,868 19,228 Coimolache 6,854 8,170 15,024 El Brocal 2,595 2,427 5,022 Silver (Oz.) Uchucchacua 130,642 150,637 281,279 Yumpag 0 0 0 El Brocal 379,158 508,257 887,415 Tambomayo 370,299 485,593 855,892 Julcani 412,890 449,841 862,731 Lead (MT) El Brocal 88 1,215 1,302 Uchucchacua 0 0 0 Yumpag 0 0 0 Tambomayo 1,189 808 1,996 Zinc (MT) El Brocal 38 3,094 3,132 Uchucchacua 0 0 0 Tambomayo 1,269 895 2,163 Copper (MT) El Brocal 11,748 12,355 24,104 Realized Metal Prices* 1Q23

(Actual) 2Q23

(Actual) 6M23

(Actual) Gold (Oz) 1,915 1,945 1,930 Silver (Oz) 22.5 24.27 23.48 Lead (MT) 2,139 1,846 1,960 Zinc (MT) 2,004 2,497 2,375 Copper (MT) 8,972 8,992 8,983 *Buenaventura consolidated figures.

Appendix

1. 2Q23 Production per Metal

(100% basis) 1Q23

(Actual) 2Q23

(Actual) 6M23

(Actual) Gold (Oz.) La Zanja 3,051 2,030 5,081 Silver (Oz.) Orcopampa 7,618 7,242 14,860 La Zanja 6,630 5,322 11,951 Coimolache 25,485 64,084 89,570 Lead (MT) Julcani 106 159 266 2. 2Q23 Volume Sold per Metal

(100% basis) 1Q23

(Actual) 2Q23

(Actual) 6M23

(Actual) Gold (Oz.) La Zanja 3,211 1,892 5,103 Silver (Oz.) Orcopampa 6,699 6,023 12,722 La Zanja 10,942 11,589 22,531 Coimolache 24,909 57,608 82,517 Lead (MT) Julcani 94 138 232

Company Description

Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. is Perus largest, publicly traded precious and base metals Company and a major holder of mining rights in Peru. The Company is engaged in the exploration, mining development, processing and trade of gold, silver and other base metals via wholly-owned mines and through its participation in joint venture projects. Buenaventura currently operates several mines in Peru (Orcopampa*, Uchucchacua*, Julcani*, Tambomayo*, La Zanja*, El Brocal and Coimolache).

The Company owns 19.58% of Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, an important Peruvian copper producer (a partnership with Freeport-McMorRan Inc. and Sumitomo Corporation).

(*) Operations wholly owned by Buenaventura

Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking information (as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties, including those concerning Cerro Verdes costs and expenses, results of exploration, the continued improving efficiency of operations, prevailing market prices of gold, silver, copper and other metals mined, the success of joint ventures, estimates of future explorations, development and production, subsidiaries plans for capital expenditures, estimates of reserves and Peruvian political, economic, social and legal developments. These forward-looking statements reflect the Companys view with respect to Cerro Verdes future financial performance. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors discussed elsewhere in this Press Release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713972796/en/

In Lima:

Daniel Dominguez, Chief Financial Officer

+51 (511) 419 2540

Gabriel Salas, Head of Investor Relations

+51 (511) 419 2591 / [email protected]

Company Website: www.buenaventura.com.pe/ir

In NY:

Barbara Cano

+1 (646) 452 2334

[email protected]

Source: Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Dave Cantin Group (DCG), a leading financial advisory company specializing in automotive and other transportation dealership mergers and acquisitions, announced today the successful acquisition of Crystal Auto Malls Toyota and Mazda by the Empire Auto Group. This transaction was the culmination of the legacy succession plan developed by DCG for the selling families and resulted in a seamless transition of the business from the families to the new owner.

Crystal Auto Mall was opened in 1988 by Robert Nitabach and Michael Rendine. The two built their Toyota and Mazda stores into world class destinations and household names in the New Jersey community. DCG had been engaged with Nitabach and Rendine to advise on a potential transaction and succession planning leading up Michaels passing and the ultimate sale.

This acquisition showcases our ability to provide unmatched succession legacy planning services to dealership owners looking to successfully navigate such significant transitions, said Dave Cantin, Executive Chairman and CEO of The Dave Cantin Group. We ensured Crystal Auto Mall had a well-designed plan, preserving the value of its dealerships. Our proactive approach not only provides peace of mind to owners, but also enhances the attractiveness of their business to potential buyers.

Owner operator Michael Brown and his Empire Auto Group were a perfect landing spot for Crystal Motors Toyota and Mazda dealerships. Brown has been aggressively growing Empire since 2019 when he acquired his first seven dealerships. These two locations are Empires 20th and 21st stores, their second Toyota and Mazda dealerships, and the first two points in New Jersey.

"We are proud to have assisted Empire Auto Group in their acquisition of the Crystal Toyota and Crystal Mazda dealerships, Cantin said. This further positions Empire to grow their business fueled by strong performance with consumers and great partnerships with their OEM partners. Michael is truly one of the best new operators in the business and its a pleasure to assist the expansion of his business.

Brown commented, Dave Cantin Groups industry expertise and buy/sell process were a huge asset in assisting us in closing on such a significant acquisition. We look forward to working with DCG on future strategic acquisition opportunities as we continue to expand.

The Empire Automotive group also owns Audi, CDJR, Ford, Honda, Subaru, Lincoln, Infiniti, Hyundai, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Volvo, Chevrolet, and Nissan franchises in New York locations throughout Suffolk and Nassau counties, Queens, and Westchester.

Dave Cantin and Executive Vice President Brian Traugott from the Dave Cantin Group facilitated this buy/sell transaction.

About The Dave Cantin Group

The Dave Cantin Group (DCG) is a leading financial advisory company specializing in automotive and other transportation dealership mergers and acquisitions throughout North America. It caters to specific financial, transactional, and advisory needs of its clients on the buy and sell side of the M&A process. Through its media division, DCG produces the #1 downloaded automotive podcast, Dealer News Today. The company's nonprofit partner, DCG Giving, funds child and adolescent cancer research and treatment in communities nationwide through its support of the Childrens Oncology Group. For more information, please visit www.davecantingroup.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713268647/en/

Media Contact

Nick Mitsis

Percepture

[email protected]

Source: The Dave Cantin Group
WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Evans Bancorp, Inc. (the Company) (NYSE American: EVBN), a community financial services company serving Western New York since 1920, announced that it will release its second quarter 2023 results after the close of financial markets on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

The Company will host a conference call and webcast to review the financial and operating results for the period and discuss its corporate strategy and outlook. A question-and-answer session will follow.

Second Quarter 2023 Conference Call

Thursday, July 27, 2023

4:45 p.m. Eastern Time

Phone: (201) 689-8471

Internet Webcast: www.evansbancorp.com

A telephonic replay will be available from 8:00 p.m. ET on the day of the teleconference until Thursday, August 10, 2023. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13739491, or access the webcast replay at www.evansbancorp.com, where a transcript will be posted once available.

About Evans Bancorp, Inc.

Evans Bancorp, Inc. is a financial holding company and the parent company of Evans Bank, N.A., a commercial bank with $2.1 billion in assets and $1.8 billion in deposits at March 31, 2023. Evans is a full-service community bank with 18 branches providing comprehensive financial services to consumer, business and municipal customers throughout Western New York. Evans Insurance Agency, a wholly owned subsidiary, provides life insurance, employee benefits, and property and casualty insurance through eight offices in the Western New York region. Evans Investment Services provides non-deposit investment products, such as annuities and mutual funds.

Evans Bancorp, Inc. and Evans Bank routinely post news and other important information on their websites, at www.evansbancorp.com and www.evansbank.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713621365/en/

For more information contact:

John B. Connerton

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(716) 926-2000

[email protected]



Media Contact:

Kathleen Rizzo Young

Group VP/Public & Community Relations Director

(716) 343-5562

[email protected]



-OR-



Deborah K. Pawlowski / Craig Mychajluk

Kei Advisors LLC

(716) 843-3908 / (716) 843-3832

[email protected]

[email protected]

Source: Evans Bancorp, Inc.
Groundbreaking Text Recognition Research Utilizing Generative AI

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fast Accounting is pleased to announce that our research paper titled "DiffusionSTR: Diffusion Model for Scene Text Recognition" has been accepted for presentation at the prestigious IEEE ICIP 2023, an international conference on image processing technology, to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from October 8th to 11th, 2023. This research represents a groundbreaking study in text recognition, applying the innovative generative AI technique of diffusion models.

The preprint of the accepted research paper is available for viewing on arXiv at the following link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2306.16707

Typically, text recognition technology has focused on converting digital text from images that contain the desired text. However, a new method presented in the research paper accepted by ICIP takes a different approach. It uses generative AI techniques to start with a random string of texts and then gradually improves it by incorporating the input image. The method keeps refining the string until it accurately represents the intended text. In the end, this novel approach generates the recognized text. This innovative technique reimagines the conventional text recognition process by leveraging the potential of generative AI.

The co-founder and Chief Research Scientist of Fast Accounting, Masato Fujitake, who led this research, stated the following: "We firmly believe that the outcomes of this study will have a significant impact on the future of text recognition technology. The diffusion model utilized in generative AI enables more advanced text recognition, and we believe it can contribute to various industries and fields through its applications."

Keitaro Mori, the President and CEO of Fast Accounting, said with regard to the acceptance of the paper, "We take great pride in the acceptance of our generative AI-based text recognition research at the international academic conference. Moving forward, at Fast Accounting, we will devote our efforts to further research and practical applications of generative AI in the field of accounting. By doing so, we aim to remove various constraints in accounting tasks and become a company that instills confidence and courage in our clients."

Since its founding in 2016, Fast Accounting has been dedicated to researching and developing text recognition technology, aiming to address various challenges faced by our clients in accounting tasks. The company values the importance of contributing to our clients by continually pursuing new technologies such as generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) to enable a multi-faceted approach.

Fast Accounting believes that its research on text recognition using generative AI will contribute to further advancements in the field of text recognition technology. At Fast Accounting, we are committed to strengthening our research in not only recognition and detection AI technologies but also generative AI such as LLMs. By incorporating these technologies into our service development, we will continue to support a wide range of customers in the field of accounting and finance.

About Fast Accounting

Fast Accounting harnesses the power of AI to drive businesses focused on streamlining and automating accounting processes. With a strong focus on advancing text recognition technology, we conduct extensive research not only in computer vision but also in cutting-edge areas such as generative AI and Large Language Models. Our research findings are actively shared through presentations at prestigious academic conferences. Moreover, we leverage these research achievements to develop tailored services for numerous large corporate clients and accounting vendors. Our ultimate purpose is to 'remove constraints and instill confidence and courage.' By leveraging AI technology, we are dedicated to eliminating various operational constraints for our clients, enabling them to concentrate on more value-added tasks. For further details, please refer to the information provided below.

https://www.fastaccounting.jp/en/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713490161/en/

Akio Kobayashi, Manager, Corporate Communications

Fast Accounting

+81-3-6453-0970

[email protected]

Source: Fast Accounting
Latest patents demonstrate innovations in artificial intelligence and machine learning technology used to hyper-personalize customer experiences

BOZEMAN, Mont.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- FICO (NYSE: FICO):

Highlights:

FICO continues to drive unique industry specific innovation in machine learning and technology innovations to successfully operationalize AI at scale.

FICOs current patent portfolio consists of 218 active patents, with an additional 71 patent applications filed and pending.

Global analytics software firm FICO has been granted 9 patents, 3 foreign and 6 U.S., related to digital decisioning in the areas of fraud, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning technology. FICOs extensive industry expertise in building AI and machine learning models provides value to enterprises that adopt FICO Platform and other FICO solutions.

Patents are a product of industry inspired innovation, and we continue to develop tremendous IP in AI, machine learning, and decision management, said Scott Zoldi, chief analytics officer at FICO. FICO solutions deliver real-time decisions for businesses worldwide. The power of better decisions and hyper-personalized customer experiences, as exemplified by FICO Platform, is being driven by new AI technologies responding to ever-changing industry demands.

FICOs new patents include:

Soft Segmentation Based Rules Optimization for Zero Detection Loss False Positive Reduction  which covers rules-based financial crime detection for detecting money laundering and fraud while reducing false positive detections. The techniques include the use of topic models to determine semantic structures underlying transactions and the derivation of behavior archetypes based on those structures, with the result being the reduction of false positives while preserving the same true positive detection set.

Mobile Attribute Time-Series Profiling Analytics  which claims a means to assess the likelihood that a transaction is abnormal based on a behavioral pattern of a mobile device. The behaviors associated with the device improve fraud detection for transactions that do not occur on the mobile device. This patent has been validated in the UK, France, and Germany and used in FICO Falcon Fraud Manager, FICO Fraud Predictor with Merchant Profiles, and FICO Platform.

Latent Feature Dimensionality Bounds for Robust Machine Learning on High Dimensional Datasets  which describes a method to identify the number of optimal hidden nodes in a neural network model, leading to the development of more robust and stable machine learning models at the core of responsible AI. This patent is used in FICO Platform.

Assessing the Presence of Selective Omission via Collaborative Counterfactual Interventions  which addresses a critical challenge in operationalizing models in open data environments, where lenders and users of models need to understand the likelihood that the customer is omitting key data that impact outcomes. This patent is used in FICOs Open Banking Analytic models.

Workflow Templates for Configuration Packages  which claims a process to allow a decision service to generate decision data based on user-generated input, a collection of configurations, and a decision flow template, leading to a configured software solution. This patent is used in FICO Strategy Director.

Meaningfully Explaining Black-Box Machine Learning Models  which covers a means for providing insights into the efficacy and understandability of black-box machine learning models. This patent is used in FICO Platform - Analytics Workbench.

Efficient Parallelized Computation of Global Behavioral Profiles in Real-time Transaction Scoring Systems  which describes a computer-implemented, real-time transaction scoring system for rank-ordering transactions associated with suspicious activity, such as financial crime or a cybersecurity threat. This patent is used in FICO Falcon Fraud Manager, FICO Fraud Predictor with Merchant Profiles, and FICO Platform.

To date, FICOs patent portfolio consists of 218 active patents, with an additional 71 patent applications filed and pending approval.

About FICO

FICO (NYSE: FICO) powers decisions that help people and businesses around the world prosper. Founded in 1956, the company is a pioneer in the use of predictive analytics and data science to improve operational decisions. FICO holds more than 200 US and foreign patents on technologies that increase profitability, customer satisfaction and growth for businesses in financial services, insurance, telecommunications, health care, retail and many other industries. Using FICO solutions, businesses in nearly 120 countries do everything from protecting 2.6 billion payment cards from fraud, to improving financial inclusion, to increasing supply chain resiliency. The FICO Score, used by 90% of top US lenders, is the standard measure of consumer credit risk in the US and other countries, improving risk management, credit access and transparency. Learn more at www.fico.com.

Learn more at https://www.fico.com/en.

Join the conversation at https://twitter.com/fico & https://www.fico.com/blogs/.

For FICO news and media resources, visit https://www.fico.com/en/newsroom.

FICO, Falcon, and Analytics Workbench are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fair Isaac Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713550386/en/

Media

Julie Huang

[email protected]

Source: FICO
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 13. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has allocated $125 million for a new project in Uzbekistan, Trend reports.

According to the bank, the project "Digitization for Decarbonization - Upgrading the Power Transmission Network" aims to support the Uzbekistan government's program in transitioning to low-carbon technologies and developing a green economy.

It aims to enhance the reliability and stability of the power transmission network, improve operational efficiency, and enhance monitoring and management of the energy system through the implementation of modern digital and telecommunications technologies. The project also aims to reduce power outages, transmission losses, and support the priority reform of state-owned enterprises through improved corporate governance of the National Electric Grids of Uzbekistan Joint-Stock Company (NEGU).

ADB emphasized that since the mid-2010s, the demand for electricity in Uzbekistan has been increasing by approximately 4-5 percent annually, with the government projecting a growth rate of around 6-7 percent per year until 2030.

The government has set ambitious targets to increase power generation capacity to meet growing demand and gradually phase out old and inefficient thermal power plants, with new generating capacities expected to be built by the private sector. These targets include the construction of 7 gigawatts of solar photovoltaic and 5 gigawatts of wind power over the decade.

Additionally, according to ADB, the government of Uzbekistan is implementing policy reforms to address these challenges.

"The policy includes the establishment of an autonomous tariff commission, adoption of a new cost-reflective tariff methodology, revenue collection improvement through a nationwide advance metering program, and the creation of a stronger financial management system for NEGU. Moreover, the project will support the modernization of the energy system through the implementation of modern monitoring infrastructure and equipment. It will improve the financial position of NEGU by reducing energy losses, minimizing power outages, and enhancing its capacity to meet growing needs in different regions of Uzbekistan. Furthermore, the project's reform components for NEGU will complement ongoing policy interventions and strengthen the institutional capacity of NEGU," concluded ADB.
NEW YORK, OSLO, Norway & LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- FREYR Battery (NYSE: FREY) (FREYR), a developer of clean, next-generation battery cell production capacity, has announced that the company has been awarded a 100 million grant from the European Union (EU) to support development of FREYRs Giga Arctic project in Norway. The grant will be funded through the EUs Innovation Fund (EUIF) as part of the EUs efforts to promote localized production of battery solutions.

We are delighted with the news we have received from the EUs Innovation Fund to support FREYRs Giga Arctic project, remarked Tom Einar Jensen, FREYRs Co-Founder and CEO. This grant is a recognition that batteries represent the key catalyst of the energy transition supporting regional energy security through faster deployment of renewable energy. Moreover, this significant financial commitment provides timely support to continued development of the Giga Arctic project, which is intended to bring clean battery products to our customers and partners across Europe. We look forward to working with the EUIF as well as the Norwegian Government to unlock further momentum for next generation battery production capacity at GWh scale in Norway.

Giga Arctic, which has been under development since FREYRs Board of Directors sanctioned the start of construction in June 2022, is designed to be a 29 GWh nameplate capacity facility based on the 24M Technologies SemiSolidTM manufacturing platform and powered with 100% renewable hydroelectricity.

According to a report recently published by Minviro, a life cycle assessment company and independent third-party commissioned by FREYR, the annual production at the planned Giga Arctic facility in Norway could enable FREYRs customers to mitigate 80 million tons of CO2 emissions over the batteries lifetime when used for renewable Energy Storage Systems (ESS). The projected emissions mitigation corresponds to almost twice the total amount of CO2 emitted in Norway annually.

The EUs Innovation Fund is one of the worlds largest funding opportunities for projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The fund targets highly innovative technologies and large-scale, flagship initiatives that can bring more value to Europe in terms of transitioning to a low-carbon continent.

About FREYR Battery

FREYR Battery aims to provide industrial scale clean battery solutions to reduce global emissions. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, FREYRs mission is to produce green battery cells to accelerate the decarbonization of energy and transportation systems globally. FREYR has commenced building the first of its planned factories in Mo i Rana, Norway and announced potential development of industrial scale battery cell production in the United States and Vaasa, Finland. FREYR intends to install 50 GWh of battery cell capacity by 2025 and 100 GWh annual capacity by 2028 and 200 GWh of annual capacity by 2030. To learn more about FREYR, please visit www.freyrbattery.com

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside FREYRs control and are difficult to predict. Additional information about factors that could materially affect FREYR is set forth under the Risk Factors section in (i) FREYRs Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on September 1, 2022 and (ii) FREYR's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 that was filed with the SEC on February 27, 2023, available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.

Except as otherwise required by applicable law, FREYR disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. Should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and projections could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713872755/en/

Investor contact:

Jeffrey Spittel

Vice President, Investor Relations

[email protected]

Tel: (+1) 281-222-0161



Media contact:

Hilde Rnningsen

Director Communication

[email protected]

Tel: (+47) 453 97 184

Source: FREYR Battery
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE: EAF) (the Company) will hold its Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call and Webcast on Friday, August 4, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT). The call will be hosted by senior management to discuss financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 and current business initiatives. These financial results will be released on Friday, August 4, 2023 before market open and will be available on our investor relations website at: http://ir.graftech.com.

The conference call dial-in number is +1 (888) 886-7786 toll-free in North America or +1 (416) 764-8658 for overseas calls, conference ID: 76854275. Live audio of the conference call will be available via webcast on our website or can be accessed at: https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1621501&tp_key=41c450bf7e. Archived replays of the conference call and webcast will be made available on our investor relations website at: http://ir.graftech.com.

About GrafTech

GrafTech International Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of high-quality graphite electrode products essential to the production of electric arc furnace steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The Company has a competitive portfolio of low-cost, ultra-high power graphite electrode manufacturing facilities, including three of the highest capacity facilities in the world. We are the only large-scale graphite electrode producer that is substantially vertically integrated into petroleum needle coke, our key raw material for graphite electrode manufacturing. This unique position provides us with competitive advantages in product quality and cost.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230711452112/en/

Michael Dillon

216-676-2000

Source: GrafTech International Ltd.
WATSONVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Granite (NYSE: GVA) has been awarded Option X for the Polychrome Area Improvements Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) project by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in Denali National Park in Alaska. This construction option is $51.5M, bringing the total value of awarded options to $67M since preconstruction began in January 2023. The overall contract is broken into three major options; Option W for long-lead materials procurements made as the design progressed, Option X for earthwork and staging, and Option Y for bridge construction. Detailed scope for the newly awarded Option X includes mobilization of equipment, setup of a remote worker camp in an existing National Parks Service material supply area, construction of contractor facilities and initial staging areas along the environmentally and culturally sensitive Denali Park Road, pioneering access to the site and across the landslide, performing earthwork and blasting of adjacent rock slopes, and rock bolting for slope stabilization.

The Polychrome Area Improvements project is located at the Pretty Rocks Landslide which intersects Denali Park Road near its midpoint at Mile 45.4. The project scope includes construction of an approximately 475-foot-long single-span steel truss bridge, which will span the active landslide. Supporting the bridge and improving ground conditions is a combination of earthwork, micropiles, rock anchors, precast concrete abutments, and thermosyphons. Thermosyphons are part of a passive heat exchange system designed to prevent permafrost from thawing and creating instability as temperatures increase due to climate change.

Being awarded this package allows us to continue a highly dynamic and successful relationship with Denali National Park, Western Federal Lands Highway Division of the FHWA, our subcontractors, suppliers, and the design team to bring back public access to one of our national treasures, said Granite VP of Regional Operations, Derek Betts. Every aspect of this challenging project required robust participation by every team member in a highly collaborative CM/GC process.

The CM/GC project delivery method involves the contractor during the design and planning phases, offering a lower risk profile for both the contractor and the owner while increasing the overall value to taxpayers. This process is designed to promote collaboration and to solicit value-adding feedback from the contractor.

Granite is scheduled to begin construction on the Earthworks Package in July of 2023. The Polychrome Area Improvements project is scheduled to be completed by July of 2026.

About Granite

Granite is Americas Infrastructure Company. Incorporated since 1922, Granite (NYSE: GVA) is one of the largest diversified construction and construction materials companies in the United States as well as a full-suite provider in the transportation, water infrastructure, and mineral exploration markets. Granites Code of Conduct and strong Core Values guide the Company and its more than 6,000 employees to uphold the highest ethical standards. In addition to being one of the Worlds Most Ethical Companies for ten consecutive years, Granite is an industry leader in safety and an award-winning firm in quality and sustainability. For more information, visit graniteconstruction.com, and connect with Granite on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713116444/en/

Granite Contacts

Media

Erin Kuhlman 831-768-4111

Investors

Wenjun Xu - 831-761-7861

Source: Granite
BLOOMINGTON, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- HealthPartners delivered more than 570,000 pounds of fresh produce to senior Minnesotans last year through its partnership with FarmboxRx. The health system introduced the benefit in January 2022 to its Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) (HMO SNP) members.

Since then, 2,500 eligible members have used the benefit to receive two free boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables delivered to their homes each month.

Forty percent of our eligible MSHO members currently receive this benefit, making it one of our most popular MSHO supplemental benefits, said Jennifer Clelland, HealthPartners vice president of government programs. This partnership has removed barriers to accessing nutritious foods, which further strengthens our commitment to supporting the health and well-being of our members.

Each seasonal produce box includes nutritional health literacy, recipes and information on health checkups. MSHO members can select specific box types such as mixed produce or all fruit and also choose from a variety of culturally relevant boxes. In 2022 alone, 38,617 boxes were delivered to eligible members.

Most of these individuals are faced with a series of challenges that prohibit them from accessing healthy foods, said Ashley Tyner CEO and founder of FarmboxRx. I applaud HealthPartners for prioritizing their members health by delivering food as medicine.

MSHO is a program for members age 65 and older who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare Parts A and B. HealthPartners introduced FarmboxRx to MSHO members as part of an ongoing effort to address social and community factors that impact overall health, including food insecurity.

About HealthPartners

HealthPartners is the largest consumer-governed, non-profit health care organization in the nation with a mission to improve health and well-being in partnership with members, patients and the community. For more information, visit healthpartners.com.

About FarmboxRx

Since 2019, FarmboxRx has been disrupting the health care world. As an extension of the Farmbox Direct mission, FarmboxRx delivers Food as Medicine to America's most at-risk populations through Medicaid and Medicare programs. FarmboxRx is a first-of-its-kind social determinants (SDoH) of health program that makes healthy eating possible for at-risk populations, free-of-charge, through health insurance initiatives. FarmboxRx was launched to combat barriers to members' most prominent health-related social need  food; and make healthy eating accessible to all. FarmboxRx is now partnered with 50+ national health plans and is expected to grow significantly over the next few years. For more information, visit FarmboxRx.com.

HealthPartners is a health plan that contracts with both Medicare and the Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid) program to provide benefits of both programs to enrollees. Enrollment in HealthPartners depends on contract renewal.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713722085/en/

Fehintola Olumide, 952.967.8935

[email protected]

Source: HealthPartners
Former President of Southern Glazers Wine And Spirits To Advise Fast-Growing WES Brands

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WES Brands, parent company of Flecha Azul Tequila and BSB Flavored Whiskey, announces today that industry leader, Shelly Stein, has been appointed as Chairman of the WES Brands Advisory Board.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713554982/en/

Sheldon "Shelly" Stein, Chairman, WES Brands Advisory Board (Photo: Business Wire)

I look forward to working with the incredibly talented team of industry veterans at WES Brands, said Stein. The company has already seen substantial growth with existing brands and has many exciting innovations in the pipeline that are sure to propel the business forward. I retired from my role as President of Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits with the utmost gratitude for the experience of helping to build the industry leader in alcohol distribution.

Stein spent the last 13 years as CEO of Glazers Distributors and then President of Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, where he was instrumental in positioning the company as a leader in the beverage alcohol distribution space. As CEO of the family-owned Glazers Distributors, Stein played a critical role in the merger of Glazers and Southern Wine & Spirits to create Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits.

WES Brands is extremely fortunate to have Shelly as the Chair of their Advisory Board, commented Wayne E. Chaplin, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits. His creativity and knowledge of our industry was a huge benefit to us at Southern Glazers and these same traits will serve as a great value creator for the WES Brands portfolio. Stein will continue to serve as an advisor to Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits Board of Managers and remain as Chief Executive Officer of Glazers Beer and Beverage. He will also continue to serve on the Board of Advisors for Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits.

Prior to his tenure in the beverage alcohol space, Stein acted as an advisor to Glazers Distributors while a Vice Chairman of Investment Banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He also previously held roles as a Senior Managing Director at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. for over 20 years and as a partner in the Dallas law firm of Hughes & Luce.

This appointment of Stein comes just months after WES Brands announcement of a new executive suite, including Shawn Thurman as Chief Executive Officer, Sean Penn as Co-President & Chief Operating Officer, Kyle Stein as Co-President, Chris Jebbia as Senior Vice President of Finance, Chris Seithel as Senior Vice President of Sales, Lauren Ryan-Kiyak as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Russel Louis as Senior Vice President of Operations.

ABOUT WES BRANDS

Founded in 2021, WES Brands develops, markets, and sells innovative brands in the beverage alcohol category. The entrepreneurial and employee-owned company pairs high-potential brands in expanding categories with brand partners to drive awareness. The portfolio currently includes Flecha Azul Tequila and BSB Flavored Whiskey, with new innovations to come. Do you think you have what it takes to join the team? Learn more at www.WESBrandsLLC.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713554982/en/

WES Brands: Lauren Ryan-Kiyak [email protected]

KLG PR: Paulina Chronis, [email protected]

Source: WES Brands
Applications have just opened

Valuable discussion for Net-Zero emissions will be held among Mr. Jeremy Nixon, the CEO of ONE, and key global VIP speakers.

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- On Monday, 4 September 2023, the leading maritime newspaper in Japan, Japan Maritime Daily (JMD) will host the company's first global seminar in Singapore, Future of Shipping towards Net Zero, with the theme of 'Decarbonization for the Future of Shipping'. Co-organized with the Singapore Exchange (SGX), the seminar will show how to achieve shipping carbon neutrality through the initiatives of major shipping companies and panel discussions.

The keynote speaker will be Jeremy Nixon, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ocean Network Express (ONE), who will explain ONE's efforts towards decarbonization.

Following this, SGX Group's Director Kenneth Ng will speak about SGX's FFA (freight futures) product and other topics. Additionally, a team of analysts from UK-based maritime consultants MSI (Maritime Strategies International) will discuss the impact of decarbonization on shipping.

In addition, a panel discussion moderated by Mr. Jigo Hayashi, Joint General Manager of Tokyo Century Corporation's Ship Finance Division, will include Mr. Peter Norborg, CEO of Swire Bulk, and Mr. Sung Yong Do, Managing Director of Meadway Shipping Singapore, on the challenges of decarbonization, including new fuels. A networking party will be held after the seminar, free of charge.

Date and time: 4 September 2023 (Monday), 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm (seminar).

Networking party after the seminar.

Venue: SGX Auditorium, 2 Shenton Way, #02-02 SGX Centre 1, Singapore

Language: English (A summary will be published in The Japan Maritime Daily later.)

Participation fee: Free of charge. Capacity of 100 persons.

[Agenda]

Opening remarks:

Mr. Hidemi Oyama, Chairman and Representative Director, JMD,

Mr. William Chin, Executive Director, SGX Group.

Keynote speech:

"Managing Decarbonization in a Shipping Company" by Mr. Jeremy Nixon, CEO, ONE

"Connecting global trade growth through SGX Freight" by Mr. Kenneth Ng, Director, SGX Group

- Speech 'The Outlook for the Shipping Markets Against a Decarbonisation Backdrop' (MSI)

- Panel discussion

Mr. Peter Norborg, CEO, Swire Bulk

Mr. Sung Yong Do, Managing Director, Meadway Shipping Singapore

Mr. Jigo Hayashi, Joint General Manager, Tokyo Century Corporation (moderator)

Additional speaker or topic to be confirmed.

To register, please apply via https://form.jotform.com/231840106003439

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230710673886/en/

[email protected]

+813-3436-3222

Seminar Bureau/The Japan Maritime Daily

Source: Japan Maritime Daily Co., Ltd.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- KBRA is pleased to announce the assignment of preliminary ratings to 13 classes of Benchmark 2023-V3, a $965.1 million CMBS conduit transaction collateralized by 38 commercial mortgage loans secured by 73 properties.

The collateral properties are located throughout 27 MSAs, of which the three largest are New York (21.3%), Philadelphia (8.6%), and Los Angeles (7.8%). The pool has exposure to all major property types, with four types representing more than 10.0% of the pool balance: office (25.9%), retail (25.8%), mixed-use (12.2%), and industrial (10.8%). The loans have principal balances ranging from $2.9 million to $75.0 million for the largest loan in the pool, 12800 Culver Boulevard (7.8%), which is secured by a 296,000 sf data center and broadcasting facility located in Los Angeles, California, approximately 17 miles west of the citys CBD. The five largest loans, which also include Brasswater Warehouse Portfolio (6.8%), ExchangeRight Net Leased Portfolio #63 (5.3%), 963 Atlantic Avenue (5.2%), and Gateway Center South (5.2%), represent 30.2% of the initial pool balance, while the top 10 loans represent 51.4%.

KBRAs analysis of the transaction incorporated our multi-borrower rating process that begins with our analysts' evaluation of the underlying collateral properties' financial and operating performance, which determine KBRAs estimate of sustainable net cash flow (KNCF) and KBRA value using our U.S. CMBS Property Evaluation Methodology. On an aggregate basis, KNCF was 11.9% less than the issuer cash flow. KBRA capitalization rates were applied to each assets KNCF to derive values that were, on an aggregate basis, 40.7% less than third party appraisal values. The pool has an in-trust KLTV of 88.8% and an all-in KLTV of 91.5%. The model deploys rent and occupancy stresses, probability of default regressions, and loss given default calculations to determine losses for each collateral loan that are then used to assign our credit ratings.

To access ratings and relevant documents, click here.

Click here to view the report.

Related Publications

Disclosures

Further information on key credit considerations, sensitivity analyses that consider what factors can affect these credit ratings and how they could lead to an upgrade or a downgrade, and ESG factors (where they are a key driver behind the change to the credit rating or rating outlook) can be found in the full rating report referenced above.

A description of all substantially material sources that were used to prepare the credit rating and information on the methodology(ies) (inclusive of any material models and sensitivity analyses of the relevant key rating assumptions, as applicable) used in determining the credit rating is available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) located here.

Information on the meaning of each rating category can be located here.

Further disclosures relating to this rating action are available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) referenced above. Additional information regarding KBRA policies, methodologies, rating scales and disclosures are available at www.kbra.com.

About KBRA

Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA) is a full-service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority. In addition, KBRA is designated as a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713385185/en/

Analytical Contacts



Faruk Sarikaya, Associate (Lead Analyst)

+1 646-731-1223

[email protected]



Lynn DEugenio, Managing Director

+1 646-731-2487

[email protected]



Nitin Bhasin, Senior Managing Director (Rating Committee Chair)

+1 646-731-2334

[email protected]



Business Development Contact



Daniel Stallone, Senior Director

+1 646-731-1308

[email protected]

Source: KBRA
Insurtech enters U.S. Southwest where housing boom contends with climate risk

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kin, the direct-to-consumer home insurance company built for every new normal, today announced its expansion into Arizona. The Grand Canyon State marks Kins first move into the U.S. Southwest, and it builds upon Kins growth and success in coastal, catastrophe-prone states like Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Arizona is experiencing rapid population growth and surging property values, but its extreme heat is also dialing up the frequency and severity of natural hazards like wildfires. And its not just temperatures playing a role  Arizonas nearly three-decade-long drought is exacerbating the problem and putting more homes at risk.

Climate change is increasing the number of dry days we see in the desert, and its creating a pressing need for improved home insurance options for the states longer wildfire seasons, said Sean Harper, CEO of Kin. Every home is different and carries its own risk, so the cost of Arizona home insurance can vary greatly. Thats why we look at granular insurance data, like the homes location, age, and construction type, to assess its actual risk, rather than the general risk for the area, and provide comprehensive coverage with accurate prices.

Kins direct-to-consumer model removes costly external agents from the equation and allows Kin to personalize policies and handle issues immediately with more attentive customer service. That high-touch assistance is combined with proprietary technology that equips Kin with the best possible understanding of the physical properties of homes and how they will be impacted by extreme weather.

Arizona residents can learn more and receive a quote by visiting www.kin.com/home-insurance/arizona.

About Kin

Kin is the only pure-play, direct-to-consumer digital insurer focused on the growing homeowners insurance market. Kin makes homeowners insurance more convenient and affordable by eliminating the need for external agents. Kins technology platform delivers a seamless user experience, customized options for coverage, and fast, high-quality claims service. Behind the scenes, Kin utilizes thousands of data points about each property to provide accurate pricing and produce better underwriting results. Kin is a fully licensed carrier that offers coverage through its reciprocal exchanges which are owned by its customers. To learn more, visit www.kin.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713030856/en/

Kim Markus

[email protected]

Source: Kin
MELBOURNE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) will release financial results for its second quarter 2023 on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 after market close. The companys results will be published in an Investor Letter and made available at L3Harris.com.

The company will host a call on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 8 a.m. ET. The call will last approximately 45 minutes and be focused on questions and answers.

The dial-in numbers for the teleconference are (U.S.) 877-407-6184 and (International) +1 201-389-0877, and participants will be directed to an operator. Please allow at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time to connect to the teleconference. Participants are encouraged to listen via webcast at L3Harris.com. A recording of the call will be available on L3Harris.com beginning at approximately 12 p.m. ET on July 27.

About L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor for the global aerospace and defense industry. With customers mission-critical needs always in mind, our 46,000 employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713553072/en/

Mark Kratz

Investor Relations

[email protected]

321-724-3170

Sara Banda

Corporate Media Relations

[email protected]

321-306-8927

Source: L3Harris Technologies
LYON, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT  the Company), a French clinical-stage biotech and a pioneer in the development of Microbiome Ecosystem TherapiesTM (MET) dedicated to improving survival outcomes for patients with cancer, today announces its half-year report on the liquidity contract with the brokerage firm Kepler Cheuvreux.

Under the liquidity contract entered on June 30th, 2023, between Maat Pharma and Kepler Cheuvreux, the following resources appeared on the liquidity account:

15,484 shares

 41,285.13

Number of executions on buy side on semester: 552

Number of executions on sell side on semester: 431

Traded volume on buy side on semester: 15,974 shares for  144,745.75

Traded volume on sell side on semester: 12,997 shares for  122,384.16

As a reminder:

the following resources appeared on the last half year statement on December 31st, 2022, on the liquidity account:

12,507 shares

 63,045.61

Number of executions on buy side on semester: 390

Number of executions on sell side on semester: 330

Traded volume on buy side on semester: 14,188 shares for  131,237.39

Traded volume on sell side on semester: 9,342 shares for  86,141.8

the following resources appeared on the liquidity account when the activity started: 0 shares  200,000.00



The implementation of this report is carried out in accordance with AMF Decision N2021-01 of June 22nd, 2021, renewing the implementation of liquidity contracts for shares as an accepted market practice.

Buy side Sell side Number of executions Number of shares Traded volume in EUR Number of executions Number of shares Traded volume in EUR Total 552 15,974 144,745.75 431 12,997 122,384.16 02/01/2023 1 1 8.02 4 67 539.35 03/01/2023 1 5 40.00 2 20 161.60 04/01/2023 - - - 14 460 3,910.00 05/01/2023 9 281 2,554.29 14 493 4,757.45 06/01/2023 4 88 796.40 - - - 09/01/2023 5 261 2,268.09 - - - 10/01/2023 2 41 348.50 1 1 8.62 11/01/2023 6 139 1,167.60 2 49 416.50 12/01/2023 8 222 1,847.04 - - - 13/01/2023 - - - 8 220 1,867.80 16/01/2023 8 200 1,726.00 5 150 1,326.00 17/01/2023 2 60 519.00 2 41 360.80 18/01/2023 2 70 602.00 1 40 348.00 19/01/2023 - - - 4 59 522.15 20/01/2023 4 130 1,140.10 4 250 2,250.00 23/01/2023 2 50 424.00 1 30 258.00 24/01/2023 1 1 8.62 4 62 543.74 25/01/2023 5 185 1,650.20 15 499 4,525.93 26/01/2023 4 71 641.13 6 201 1,839.15 27/01/2023 3 60 546.00 2 63 580.86 30/01/2023 1 50 460.00 5 67 623.10 31/01/2023 2 51 464.10 2 51 469.20 01/02/2023 3 101 924.15 4 51 472.26 02/02/2023 4 185 1,652.05 7 300 2,703.00 03/02/2023 - - - 21 596 5,673.92 06/02/2023 13 502 4,663.58 4 150 1,440.00 07/02/2023 4 174 1,599.06 1 50 467.00 08/02/2023 20 654 5,886.00 7 300 2,814.00 09/02/2023 8 330 2,880.90 6 152 1,377.12 10/02/2023 5 202 1,801.84 4 140 1,261.40 13/02/2023 7 353 3,014.62 5 180 1,562.40 14/02/2023 3 110 957.00 5 131 1,151.49 15/02/2023 4 112 976.64 3 80 707.20 16/02/2023 3 90 812.70 9 311 2,839.43 17/02/2023 5 61 559.98 1 50 460.00 20/02/2023 3 98 909.44 6 199 1,864.63 21/02/2023 3 73 675.98 3 51 474.30 22/02/2023 4 63 598.50 16 689 6,724.64 23/02/2023 7 144 1,368.00 5 155 1,488.00 24/02/2023 7 215 2,126.35 13 510 5,120.40 27/02/2023 4 100 1,005.00 - - - 28/02/2023 3 105 1,033.20 2 106 1,061.06 01/03/2023 4 120 1,207.20 16 1 071 11,288.34 02/03/2023 6 105 1,121.40 - - - 03/03/2023 16 450 4,846.50 8 350 3,853.50 06/03/2023 5 184 1,928.32 4 148 1,567.32 07/03/2023 5 76 801.04 4 121 1,291.07 08/03/2023 4 94 1,000.16 3 41 442.80 09/03/2023 17 583 5,853.32 3 30 303.00 10/03/2023 3 60 595.80 - - - 13/03/2023 20 730 6,942.30 1 60 576.00 14/03/2023 6 80 765.60 5 160 1,556.80 15/03/2023 6 151 1,449.60 1 1 9.72 16/03/2023 3 51 484.50 3 41 393.60 17/03/2023 5 150 1,438.50 3 64 627.20 20/03/2023 1 40 376.00 1 40 380.00 21/03/2023 4 41 389.50 1 1 9.58 22/03/2023 1 26 247.00 4 146 1,416.20 23/03/2023 2 50 489.00 2 39 384.93 24/03/2023 20 495 4,653.00 4 77 730.73 27/03/2023 14 306 2,836.62 12 369 3,516.57 28/03/2023 3 95 949.05 13 365 3,719.35 29/03/2023 12 330 3,313.20 3 60 621.00 30/03/2023 3 36 355.32 3 70 697.20 31/03/2023 2 51 510.00 6 200 2,054.00 03/04/2023 1 18 180.00 - - - 04/04/2023 5 83 830.00 2 6 60.54 05/04/2023 2 70 700.00 1 12 121.20 06/04/2023 2 51 510.00 3 11 111.10 11/04/2023 5 50 500.00 - - - 12/04/2023 9 158 1,537.34 3 90 887.40 13/04/2023 7 90 894.60 - - - 14/04/2023 7 210 2,037.00 2 50 490.00 17/04/2023 13 375 3,562.50 2 65 624.00 18/04/2023 3 120 1,138.80 3 32 304.32 19/04/2023 2 80 752.00 3 49 465.50 21/04/2023 2 20 190.00 - - - 24/04/2023 6 243 2,340.09 10 339 3,328.98 25/04/2023 3 100 977.00 4 160 1,580.80 26/04/2023 1 1 9.72 1 1 9.72 27/04/2023 4 110 1,052.70 - - - 28/04/2023 16 528 4,778.40 4 170 1,558.90 02/05/2023 3 50 454.00 - - - 03/05/2023 1 1 9.08 1 1 9.08 04/05/2023 9 230 2,017.10 4 19 167.39 05/05/2023 - - - 7 92 821.56 08/05/2023 7 146 1,278.96 1 1 8.92 09/05/2023 3 60 522.00 3 50 440.00 10/05/2023 6 214 1,821.14 2 50 440.00 11/05/2023 8 156 1,285.44 3 87 727.32 12/05/2023 1 1 8.28 4 84 709.80 15/05/2023 4 131 1,074.20 4 170 1,434.80 16/05/2023 3 110 936.10 4 100 865.00 17/05/2023 1 40 332.00 - - - 19/05/2023 6 354 2,842.62 - - - 22/05/2023 1 50 400.00 - - - 23/05/2023 5 40 320.00 - - - 24/05/2023 1 1 7.98 3 41 328.00 25/05/2023 3 50 400.00 - - - 29/05/2023 - - - 5 101 828.20 30/05/2023 2 31 251.10 1 1 8.20 31/05/2023 1 50 400.00 - - - 01/06/2023 1 1 7.98 1 1 7.98 05/06/2023 2 30 240.00 1 30 243.00 06/06/2023 3 170 1,353.20 1 1 8.20 07/06/2023 3 151 1,182.33 1 1 7.90 08/06/2023 3 91 715.26 1 1 7.90 09/06/2023 4 91 707.07 2 51 402.90 12/06/2023 6 256 1,966.08 3 64 493.44 13/06/2023 2 80 616.00 4 112 873.60 14/06/2023 4 116 886.24 4 67 513.22 15/06/2023 3 140 1,045.80 1 27 202.50 16/06/2023 1 3 22.50 4 80 608.00 19/06/2023 8 282 2,092.44 3 160 1,214.40 21/06/2023 - - - 2 60 448.20 22/06/2023 2 70 520.80 - - - 23/06/2023 4 101 737.30 3 61 457.50 26/06/2023 1 1 7.28 1 1 7.28 27/06/2023 - - - 1 20 148.00 28/06/2023 5 194 1,402.62 - - - 29/06/2023 4 203 1,467.69 - - - 30/06/2023 1 30 216.00 - - -

About MaaT Pharma

MaaT Pharma, a clinical stage biotechnology company, has established a complete approach to restoring patient-microbiome symbiosis in oncology. Committed to treating cancer and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), a serious complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, MaaT Pharma has launched, in March 2022, an open-label, single arm Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with acute GvHD, following the achievement of its proof of concept in a Phase 2 trial. Its powerful discovery and analysis platform, gutPrint, enables the identification of novel disease targets, evaluation of drug candidates, and identification of biomarkers for microbiome-related conditions. The companys Microbiome Ecosystem Therapies are produced through a standardized cGMP manufacturing and quality control process to safely deliver the full diversity of the microbiome, in liquid and oral formulations. MaaT Pharma benefits from the commitment of world-leading scientists and established relationships with regulators to support the integration of the use of microbiome therapies in clinical practice. MaaT Pharma is listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: MAAT).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713567556/en/

MaaT Pharma  Investor Relations

Guilhaume Debroas, Ph.D.

Head of Investor Relations

+33 6 16 48 92 50

[email protected]

MaaT Pharma  Media Relations

Pauline RICHAUD

Senior PR & Corporate Communications Manager

+33 6 14 06 45 92

[email protected]

Trophic Communications  Corporate Communications

Charlotte SPITZ or

Stephanie MAY

+49 171 351 2733

[email protected]

Source: MaaT Pharma
WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- McCauley Propeller Systems announced today that its newest C780 propeller for the Beechcraft King Air B300 series, featuring four aluminum swept blades and a 105-inch diameter, has successfully achieved certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713365882/en/

McCauley Propeller Systems' newest C780 propeller for the Beechcraft King Air B300 series features four aluminum swept blades and a 105-inch diameter. (Photo: Business Wire)

McCauley Propeller Systems is a division of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.

The new high-performance propeller offers King Air B300 operators additional payload, increased takeoff and climb performance, reduced noise in the cabin and cockpit and greater time between overhauls.

The McCauley C780 is a new, lightweight, scimitar blade design propeller that enhances the already legendary King Air flying experience, said Heidi McNary, vice president and general manager, McCauley Propeller Systems. Were proud to continue to offer customers the quality and craftsmanship that aviators have come to expect from McCauley over the past 85 years.

With the new C780 propeller, King Air B300 owners and operators will experience:

Propeller weight savings of more than 50 pounds

Increased takeoff and climb performance

Reduced noise in the cabin and cockpit

Extended Time Between Overhaul (TBO) of 5,000 hours or 72 months

Textron Aviations 4,000 hours or 36-month limited propeller warranty

King Air B300 customers can have the propeller installed on their aircraft at a Textron Aviation Service Center or Authorized McCauley Service Facility without any additional modifications required.

For more information, visit https://mccauley.txtav.com/en/products-overview

About McCauley Propeller Systems

McCauley is one of the world's largest full-line propeller manufacturers, with more than 500 models available. With more than 85 years of design and manufacturing experience, McCauley continues to be a pioneer in the general aviation industry. Historically, our propellers are FAA certified as original equipment for aircraft built by Textron Aviation, British Aerospace, Fairchild, Grumman, Jetstream, Piper, Stoddard Hamilton and many others. Our product lines have always served a wide range of markets: commercial, military, agricultural and commuter airlines, as well as personal and business aviation. McCauley propellers are in the field on more than 350,000 aircraft around the world - a testimony to our continuing commitment to excellence. For more information, visit www.mccauley.txtav.com.

About Textron Aviation

We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight.

For more information, visit www.txtav.com | www.defense.txtav.com | www.scorpionjet.com.

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713365882/en/

Media Contact:

Rachel Williams

+1.316.706.7201

[email protected]

txtav.com

Source: Textron
Event to be Webcast Live on the MediaAlpha Investor Relations Website

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MediaAlpha, Inc. (NYSE: MAX), today announced that it will release second quarter 2023 financial results on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 after market close. The company will host a Q&A conference call to discuss these results at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the same day.

A live webcast of the call will be available on MediaAlphas Investor Relations website at https://investors.mediaalpha.com. To register for the webcast, click here.

Participants may also dial in, toll-free at (888) 330-2022 or (646) 960-0690, with passcode 3195092.

An audio replay of the conference call will be available for two weeks following the call at https://investors.mediaalpha.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713006461/en/

Investors

Denise Garcia

[email protected]

Source: MediaAlpha, Inc.
GOLDEN, Colo. & MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Board of Directors of Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE: TAP, TAP.A) today declared a regular quarterly dividend on its Class A and Class B common stock of US$0.41 per share, payable September 15, 2023, to stockholders of record on September 1, 2023. The quarterly dividend is payable to holders of Class A and Class B common stock of Molson Coors Beverage Company.

In addition, the Board of Directors of Molson Coors Canada Inc. (TSX: TPX.B, TPX.A) today declared a quarterly dividend of approximately CDN$0.53 (the Canadian dollar equivalent of the dividend declared on Molson Coors Beverage Company stock), payable September 15, 2023, to its Class A and Class B exchangeable shareholders of record on September 1, 2023. The dividends declared in respect of the Class A and Class B exchangeable shares are eligible dividends for Canadian tax purposes.

Overview of Molson Coors Beverage Company

For more than two centuries Molson Coors Beverage Company has been brewing beverages that unite people to celebrate all lifes moments. From Coors Light, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian, Carling and Staropramen to Coors Banquet, Blue Moon Belgian White, Vizzy Hard Seltzer, Leinenkugels Summer Shandy, Miller High Life and more, Molson Coors produces many beloved and iconic beer brands. While Molson Coors history is rooted in beer, Molson Coors offers a modern portfolio that expands beyond the beer aisle as well.

Our reporting segments include: Americas, operating in the U.S., Canada and various countries in the Caribbean, Latin and South America; and EMEA&APAC, operating in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Montenegro, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, Serbia, the U.K., various other European countries, and certain countries within the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. In addition to our reporting segments, we also have certain items that are unallocated to our reporting segments and reported as "Unallocated".

Our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy is focused on People and Planet with a strong commitment to raising industry standards and leaving a positive imprint on our employees, consumers, communities, and the environment. To learn more about Molson Coors Beverage Company, visit molsoncoors.com, MolsonCoorsOurImprint.com, or on Twitter through @MolsonCoors.

About Molson Coors Canada Inc.

Molson Coors Canada Inc. (MCCI) is a subsidiary of Molson Coors Beverage Company (MCBC). MCCI Class A and Class B exchangeable shares offer substantially the same economic and voting rights as the respective classes of common shares of MCBC, as described in MCBCs annual proxy statement and Form 10-K filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The trustee holder of the special Class A voting stock and the special Class B voting stock has the right to cast a number of votes equal to the number of then outstanding Class A exchangeable shares and Class B exchangeable shares, respectively.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713911181/en/

Investor Relations

Greg Tierney, (414) 931-3303

Traci Mangini, (415) 308-0151

News Media

Rachel Dickens, [email protected]

Source: Molson Coors
Request to the Specialised Commercial Court of Nanterre for a Ruling on the Accelerated Safeguard Plan Through a Cross-Class Cram Down

Operating Performance 2023: Sales Growth Expected to Be Lower and EBITDAR Outlook Adjusted Downwards by 15% to 20% (EBITDAR Between 705M and 750M)

Cash Position at End-June 2023 in Line With Expectations

The Group's Liquidity Outlook Remains Unchanged Over 2023 and the 2022-2025 Business Plan Horizon

PUTEAUX, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Following the vote by the classes of affected parties on the ORPEA S.A. (the "Company") Accelerated Safeguard Plan, the results of which were made public on 28 June, on 11 July the Company applied to the Nanterre Specialised Commercial Court to have the Accelerated Safeguard Plan approved through a cross-class cram down.

In this context, the Company wishes to provide the market with additional information on its operating and financial position at 30 June 2023 and on its liquidity outlook.

To date, the information available on operating performance in the first half of 2023 and the trends observed suggest that there will be, on the one hand a slower growth of 2023 revenue and on the other hand a substantial lag in EBITDAR generation in 2023, in a range of -15% to -20% compared with the EBITDAR forecast of 881 million set out in the Updated November 2022 Business Plan communicated to the market on 12 May 2023 (i.e. EBITDAR comprised between 705 million and 750 million).

This gap is mainly due to the Group's activities in France. It is mainly due to lower revenue owing to occupancy rates at nursing homes in France remaining well below forecasts, in a still adverse reputational context, i.e. c. 83.4% on average over the first semester 2023. It is also due to higher-than-expected staff costs, designed both to increase salaries and thus attract and retain staff, and to improve the staffing levels and care of patients and residents.

However, in the short term, with regard to 2023 and the start of 2024, the Group's liquidity trajectory would remain virtually unchanged compared with an anticipated cash position of 803 million at the end of 2023 in the November 2022 Updated Business Plan. The negative impact on liquidity of the difference in operating performance will be offset by positive non-recurring tax items and the implementation of precautionary measures, in particular the reduction and postponement of capital expenditures, mainly linked to development.

As a result, at 30 June 2023, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of 527million1, in line with the anticipated level, vs. an estimated net financial debt of 9,328 million (including 184 million of accrued interest; unaudited figures and excluding other IFRS adjustments), compared with a net financial debt of 8,897 million at 31 December 2022 (including 37 million of accrued interest). In addition, for the remainder of 2023, the remaining balance of the additional financing arranged with the Group's main banking partners, i.e. tranche D1B of 200 million, which can be drawn in early August2, tranche D2 of 100 million, which can be drawn in early September, and tranche D3 of 100 million, which can be drawn if necessary in November3, will ensure that the Group's liquidity needs are fully met until the Accelerated Safeguard Plan is implemented.

The anticipated delay in improving operating performance in France should also have an impact on the Group's EBITDAR in 2024 and 2025. The aim is to completely make up for this lag by 2026, with the anticipated EBITDAR margin of around 20% initially targeted for 2025 in the Updated November 2022 Business Plan.

Over the 2023-2025 period as a whole, the negative impact on liquidity of the anticipated lag in cumulative EBITDAR generation should be offset to a large extent by the positive non-recurring items recorded in 2023 and by lower development capital expenditure through the freezing or cancellation of the least advanced projects. As a result, by the end of 2025, and in line with the levels set out in the projections in the November 2022 Updated Business Plan, the Group's liquidity should remain above 0.55 billion, for a net financial debt of around 3.7 billion, with financial leverage staying at less than 6x (vs. a 5.5x target as per the November 2022 Updated Business Plan) and the Group's restored ability to refinance its residual debt when the time comes.

The Accelerated Safeguard Plan, of which the Company is seeking approval to the specialised Commercial Court of Nanterre through a cross-class cram down, is therefore likely to ensure the long-term viability of the Company and, more generally, that of the Group.

About ORPEA

ORPEA is a leading global player, expert in providing care for all types of frailty. The Group operates in 21 countries and covers three core businesses: care for the elderly (nursing homes, assisted living facilities, homecare and services), post-acute and rehabilitation care and mental health care (specialized clinics). It has more than 76,000 employees and welcomes more than 267,000 patients and residents each year.

https://www.orpea-group.com/en

ORPEA is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0000184798) and is a member of the SBF 120, MSCI Small Cap Europe and CAC Mid 60 indices.

Disclaimer - forward-looking information

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including those included or incorporated by reference, regarding the Group's future growth and profitability that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties relate to factors that the Company cannot control or accurately estimate, such as future market conditions. The forward-looking statements in this press release constitute expectations of future events and should be treated as such. Actual events or results may differ from those described in this document due to a number of risks or uncertainties described in the Company's 2022 Universal Registration Document, which is available on the Company's website and on the AMF website (www.amf-france.org).

__________________________________

1 Following the drawdown in early June of tranche D1A of 200m

2 Provided that the Accelerated Safeguard Plan has been approved by the Nanterre Commercial Court

3 Provided that the Paris Court of Appeal has rejected the various appeals lodged against the waiver granted by the AMF

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712770891/en/

Investor Relations

ORPEA

Benoit Lesieur

Investor Relations Director

[email protected]



Toll-free number for shareholders:

0 805 480 480



Investor Relations

NewCap

Dusan Oresansky

Tel.: 01 44 71 94 94

[email protected]



Press Relations

ORPEA

Isabelle Herrier-Naufle

Press Relations Director

Tel.: 07 70 29 53 74

[email protected]



Image7

Charlotte Le Barbier // Laurence Heilbronn

06 78 37 27 60 - 06 89 87 61 37

[email protected]

[email protected]

Source: ORPEA S.A.
Other Investors in RFID Technology Company Include RX Ventures, the Venture Capital Arm of South American Retailer Lojas Renner, and The Ferrante Group

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RADAR, the technology platform that combines RFID and computer vision technology to track and precisely locate in-store inventory with 99% accuracy, today announced it has secured $30 million in Series A funding, bringing its total funding to date to $63 million. The round was led by returning investor Align Ventures, with participation from RX Ventures, which is the corporate venture capital fund of South American retailer Lojas Renner, and several other renowned retail investors. RADAR plans to use the new investment to expand its customer roster, accelerate its product development efforts, and hire top engineering, product and sales talent.

Every retail brand is looking to operate more efficiently in this uncertain macroeconomic environment and having complete visibility into store inventory, including knowing exactly where every product is located, is key to that, said Spencer Hewett, Founder and CEO of RADAR. Were thrilled to join forces with this prestigious group of investors as we help brands empower their sales associates with the inventory information they need to consistently deliver a great customer experience.

RADARs AI-powered inventory-tracking platform empowers brand teams with the inventory knowledge they need to consistently elevate the in-store customer experience, ensuring store associates always know what product is available on-site and where its located. The solution drives efficiency and enables employees to serve customers more easily as well as replenish products on the sales floor and fulfill online orders that customers pick up in-store. In addition, the platforms analytics help inform inventory decisions and ensure that brands are stocking the right products in the right locations at all times.

By using AI to unlock the true potential of RFID in inventory management and store operations, RADAR has achieved a goal the retail industry has been chasing for more than 20 years, said Ben Bryce, Managing Partner, Align Ventures. RADARs affordable inventory-tracking technology has been proven to deliver a sales lift of up to 12% in stores and to virtually eliminate overstocks. Were proud to partner with Spencer and the rest of the RADAR team as they enable retailers and brands to precisely manage inventory, boost revenue and provide store associates with the knowledge they need to quickly locate products and better serve their customers.

Other participants in Radars Series A round include The Ferrante Group, Future Archives and Leeds Holding. Earlier investors in the company include Y Combinator, Founders Fund Pathfinder, Silas Chous Novel TMT Ventures, NTT DOCOMO, Beanstalk Ventures and Ashton Kutchers Sound Ventures.

RADAR recently announced that American Eagle Outfitters is launching its inventory-tracking technology in approximately 500 American Eagle stores across the U.S. In addition, RADAR is currently piloting its platform with two other Fortune 500 retailers.

About RADAR

RADAR offers a proprietary hardware and software platform that uses RFID and computer vision to track and precisely locate in-store inventory in near real time with 99% accuracy, empowering store associates with the knowledge they need to provide a superior customer experience and enabling brand leaders to ensure each store has the right inventory in stock each day. Headquartered in New York, RADAR is backed by some of the biggest global retailers, including several Fortune 500 companies; leading funds such as Align Ventures, Y Combinator, Sound Ventures and Founders Fund; and the family offices behind Michael Kors and other leading brands.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712571776/en/

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Michael McMullan / Felicia Kane

Berns Communications Group

[email protected] / [email protected]

Source: RADAR
The solution streamlines testing processes, reduces costs, and enhances quality control for improved product consistency

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Si-Ware Systems, a leading provider of integrated Near Infrared spectroscopy solutions, and Dairyland Laboratories, a renowned agricultural testing laboratory, are pleased to announce their collaboration in offering an innovative handheld analytical solution tailored for the analysis of feed and feed ingredients, with a specific focus on enhancing operations within feed mills. This comprehensive solution aims to save time, cost, and effort for feed mills, ensuring higher productivity, improved quality control, and easier record management for compliance with FSMA regulations.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713165339/en/

Si-Ware Systems and Dairyland Laboratories join forces to provide holistic analytical solution to feed mills (Graphic: Business Wire)

The partnership leverages Si-Ware Systems' all-in-one NeoSpectra platform and Dairyland Laboratories' proficiency in feed testing. By combining their strengths, the two companies have developed a powerful tool that enables feed mills to perform accurate analyses more often and in less time.

Kyle Taysom, CEO of Dairyland Laboratories, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, In a world where quality assurance testing for feed mills required samples to be sent off to a lab, the number of decisions those tests could inform was severely restricted to simple compliance and long-term trend analysis. With NeoSpectra, feed mills now have access to practical real-time analysis which opens completely new decision points and actions that can be taken to improve feed quality and consistency.

The feed mill analysis package starts with Si-Ware Systems' NeoSpectra Scanner, intuitive mobile apps for iOS and Android devices, and the NeoSpectra Cloud portal. With this innovative platform, users can analyze a sample in seconds from anywhere, and the results are instantly displayed on the mobile device and automatically synchronized to the NeoSpectra portal for further analysis, reporting, and secure record keeping.

For the accurate analysis of feeds and feed ingredients, Dairyland Laboratories has developed, tested, and validated models to obtain results for critical parameters such as moisture, protein, fat, and fiber content, among others. This complete solution not only streamlines testing processes and reduces costs associated with laboratory testing but also enhances quality control, leading to improved product consistency.

Mostafa Medhat, VP of Product & Business Development at Si-Ware Systems, emphasized the solution's benefits for feed mills, stating, The integration of Dairyland Laboratories robust models for feed and feed ingredients into our platform allows offering a new holistic end-to-end approach to quality control and process optimization of animal feed production. For the first time, feed mill operators can increase the frequency of testing at each stage of production without increasing analysis cost. In addition, feed mill managers can efficiently organize and retrieve historical records of the results to monitor supplier quality and better comply with regulations.

The collaboration between Si-Ware Systems and Dairyland Laboratories addresses critical pain points within the animal nutrition industry. By providing real-time, on-site analysis with laboratory-grade accuracy, this innovative solution reduces costs, enhances quality, and improves consistency to all stakeholders in the animal feed value chain.

For further information about the end-to-end handheld analytical solution for feed and feed ingredients, you can visit Si-Ware Systems' website. For information about availability contact Dairyland Laboratories directly at [email protected] or Si-Ware Systems at [email protected].

About Si-Ware Systems

Si-Ware Systems is a deep tech company that is pioneering the advancements in Optical MEMS, Spectroscopy, and Cloud-based software solutions to build the NeoSpectra platform. The NeoSpectra platform is an all-in-one accurate, cost-effective, and versatile analytical solution that enables laboratories and businesses to bring lab-grade analysis to the point of need. NeoSpectra delivers instant actionable insights to streamline testing operations for businesses globally in agriculture, food, and other industries. Si-Ware is headquartered in Menlo Park, California, with research and development centers in the USA, France, and Egypt.

About Dairyland Laboratories, Inc.

Dairyland Laboratories is an independent agricultural laboratory providing analysis of feed, forage, soil, water, manure, molds and mycotoxins. Established in 1958, Dairyland Labs has grown to become a primary supplier of feed and forage analysis with customers in the world's primary dairy markets. For more information call Dairyland Laboratories, Inc. at 608-323-2123 or visit www.dairylandlabs.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713165339/en/

Press Contact: Ryan Greis, [email protected]

Source: Si-Ware Systems
LADERA RANCH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SmartStop or the Company), a self-managed and fully integrated self-storage company, announced today that H. Michael Schwartz, the Companys Chairman and CEO, will participate in the Investment Trends panel presentation at the California Self Storage Associations Annual Self Storage Owners Summit in Newport Beach, California. The panel will take place on July 13, 2023 at approximately 3:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time for registered conference attendees.

About SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SmartStop):

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (SmartStop) is a self-managed REIT with a fully integrated operations team of approximately 500 self-storage professionals focused on growing the SmartStop Self Storage brand. SmartStop, through its indirect subsidiary SmartStop REIT Advisors, LLC, also sponsors other self-storage programs. As of July 13, 2023, SmartStop has an owned or managed portfolio of 192 operating properties in 22 states and Canada, comprising approximately 135,000 units and 15.2 million rentable square feet. SmartStop and its affiliates own or manage 33 operating self-storage properties in Canada, which total approximately 28,600 units and 3.0 million rentable square feet. Additional information regarding SmartStop is available at www.smartstopselfstorage.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713391651/en/

David Corak

VP of Corporate Finance

SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc.

[email protected]

Source: SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., a member of SMBC Group, today announced the appointment of Marc Mansourian as Head of Derivatives Marketing as the bank further develops its Americas sales and trading business.

Based in New York, Marc will lead a team that provides strategic rates and FX risk solutions for the banks corporate, sponsor, and project finance clients, while working closely with SMBCs coverage and capital markets teams.

Marc reports to Yunson Du, Senior Deputy President of SMBC Capital Markets, Inc. and Deputy Head of Americas Division Sales & Trading, who said: We are excited to have Marc join SMBC and his arrival rounds out the key leadership of our macro business. He brings a wealth of experience to lead a team that provides best-in-class risk solutions for our growing client base.

Marc joins SMBC following a 15-year tenure at Credit Suisse, where he most recently managed the debt capital markets solutions business. Prior to that, he spent a decade with Citigroup in derivatives and debt capital markets roles.

Marc will partner closely with Christian Stauder, Head of Macro Rates Sales, and Gareth Hughes, Head of Macro Rates Trading, who joined SMBC in August of last year and April, respectively.

About SMBC Group

SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 150 offices and 86,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFGs shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and ADRs on the New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges.

In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organizations extensive global network. The Groups operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities Canada, Ltd., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC Rail Services LLC, Manufacturers Bank, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd. For more information, please visit www.smbcgroup.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713847348/en/

Drew Benson

[email protected]

Source: SMBC Capital Markets, Inc.
Upcoming Demo Maps Out an Enterprise-Wide Approach to Delivering Meaningful Competitive Insights that Shape Strategy

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Trinity Life Sciences, a leader in global life sciences commercialization solutions, announces the launch of the Market Intelligence Dashboard to meet the needs of Competitive Intelligence (CI) teams and their end users. Built and powered by Trinitys Dynamic Market Intelligence Center of Excellence (COE), the Market Intelligence Dashboard provides a steady stream of curated data and insights through the power of AI-enabled automation and the expertise of a dedicated team of Intelligence Strategists.

CI in life sciences has been impacted for decades by data streams proliferating in unorganized and non-strategic ways. The combination of more data and complexity has intensified problems that come from a traditional CI approach: a flow of data instead of insight, irrelevant information and missed nuances specific to therapeutic areas or competitor updates.

In response, life sciences leaders require a new, modernized intelligence approach to address key business questions in an efficient, intuitive way:

In the absence of predictive market data, what are the most likely scenarios for any competitors next move?

How should an internal CI process be structured, given a companys growth objectives?

How can currently operating CI be optimized?

How can intelligence leaders educate stakeholders to understand the difference between verified insights vs. long-held beliefs or assumptions?

What ways can intelligence insights be better integrated and aligned across multiple functions?

Especially in life sciences, increased sophistication is needed across competitive intelligence (CI) inputsthe way different data streams are ingested and synthesized is one example, explained Herman Sanchez, Chief Business Officer at Trinity Life Sciences. Attention to the format and communication of CI is equally importantCI departments can greatly increase their impact by delivering curated insights in an intuitive way.

Strategic market intelligence in life sciences can and should have an enterprise-wide approach. CI teams can successfully support their end users with thoughtful interpretation, tailored communication for each audience and visualization to drive usage and easy comprehension, added Michele Andrews, Principal and Head of Dynamic Market Intelligence at Trinity Life Sciences. Trinitys Market Intelligence Dashboard was built to provide relevant information and insights in near real timeand to serve as a hub for CI leaders and stakeholders.

A demo webinar on July 27, An Enterprise-Wide Approach to Delivering Meaningful Competitive Insights: A Demo, will feature Trinitys Market Intelligence Dashboard and explore ways to provide internal stakeholders with answers to on-demand questions and rich insights quickly.

Life sciences executives can register here.

Members of the media who would like to attend the demo can contact Elizabeth Marshall at [email protected].

About TrinityEDGE

TrinityEDGE is a data and analytics platform that accelerates action by reshaping information into insights. Life sciences companies derive actionable insights from TrinityEDGEs powerful engine daily. Executives in Corporate & New Product Strategy, Launch & Brand Excellence, Value & Access, Primary Market Research and Commercial Analytics are just a few clicks to insights with TrinityEDGE. The Market Intelligence Dashboard is part of IntelligenceEDGE, an application on TrinityEDGE.

About Trinity Life Sciences

Trinity Life Sciences is a trusted strategic commercialization partner, providing evidence-based solutions for the life sciences. With 25 years of experience, Trinity is committed to revolutionizing the commercial model by providing exceptional levels of service, powerful tools and data-driven insights. Trinitys range of products and solutions includes industry-leading benchmarking solutions, powered by TGaS Advisors. To learn more about how Trinity is elevating life sciences and driving evidence to action, visit trinitylifesciences.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713520991/en/

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Marshall

Trinity Life Sciences

[email protected]

Source: Trinity Life Sciences
Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (ET)

Dial-in numbers: Domestic: 800-451-7724 International: 785-424-1226

Passcode: 67803

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI) will hold its second quarter 2023 conference call with Matt Flannery, chief executive officer, and Ted Grace, chief financial officer, on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

The companys second quarter 2023 press release will be issued and available at unitedrentals.com after the market close on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

The conference call will also be available by audio webcast at unitedrentals.com, where it will be archived until the next earnings call. In addition, a replay is accessible for two weeks following the call at 402-220-2565, passcode 67803.

About United Rentals

United Rentals, Inc. is the largest equipment rental company in the world. The company has an integrated network of 1,465 rental locations in North America, 14 in Europe, 27 in Australia and 19 in New Zealand. In North America, the company operates in 49 states and every Canadian province. The companys approximately 25,000 employees serve construction and industrial customers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and others. The company offers approximately 4,700 classes of equipment for rent with a total original cost of $19.99 billion. United Rentals is a member of the Standard & Poors 500 Index, the Barrons 400 Index and the Russell 3000 Index and is headquartered in Stamford, Conn. Additional information about United Rentals is available at unitedrentals.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713446228/en/

Elizabeth Grenfell

Vice President, Investor Relations

O: (203) 618-7125

C: (917) 545-8950

[email protected]

Source: United Rentals, Inc.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Iran is responsible for the attempted attack on the Israeli Embassy in Azerbaijan, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said, Trend reports.

"Tehran stands behind the attempt. Iranian terror is a global threat, as we saw in the past few days in Azerbaijan in an attempted attack against the Israeli Embassy in Baku, as well as in recent months in Cyprus and Greece in attempted attacks against Israelis and Jews," Cohen said, noting that Iran had also funded and provided instructions to the terror cell that attempted the attack.

Earlier, the State Security Service of Azerbaijan reported on the detention of an Afghan citizen who planned to commit a terrorist attack on the territory of the country.

During the proceedings, it was established that a citizen of Afghanistan, Fawzan Musa Khan, conspired with others to undermine public stability in Azerbaijan, cause panic among the population, influence decision-making by state authorities and international organizations, planned to commit a terrorist act which would have been accompanied by an explosion, fire or other similar events, would have caused the death of people, harm to their health, significant material damage, etc.

It was also established that Fawzan Musa Khan arrived in Azerbaijan from a foreign country with the intention to commit these criminal acts during his stay in Baku, where he conducted surveillance at the embassy of one of the states in order to determine the coordinates of the embassy territory, established contacts with other persons to attract them to a terrorist act, as well as to obtain financial support for the purchase of weapons and explosives.

A criminal case has been opened against Fawzan Musa Khan, who was detained at the scene of the crime, in the Main Investigation Department of the State Security Service of Azerbaijan under articles 28, 214.2.1 and 28, 214.2.3 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan (preparation for the commission of terrorist acts using firearms and objects used as weapons by a group of persons).

By the decision of a court, a preventive measure in the form of arrest was chosen against Fawzan Musa Khan.

The State Security Service is currently carrying out a set of investigative-operational and international legal procedural measures to fully identify the circle of persons who planned to commit a terrorist act on the territory of Azerbaijan.
IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Yesterday on Capitol Hill, Vizient, Inc. hosted a policy briefing titled, Beyond the Four Walls: How Hospitals are Addressing Social Determinants of Health, at the Rayburn House Office Building. Featuring remarks by Representatives Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Dwight Evans (D-PA), and sponsored by Representative Jake Ellzey (R-TX), the event, attended by more than 70 congressional staff and industry stakeholders, focused on how hospitals are actively addressing the external factors that impact community health.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713692201/en/

From left, Verlon Salley, Donna Avila, David Levine and Steven Carson participate in the policy briefing, Beyond the Four Walls: How Hospitals are Addressing Social Determinants of Health at the Rayburn House Office Building July 12, 2023. The event was sponsored by Representative Jake Ellzey (R-TX). (Photo: Business Wire)

Reducing health disparities and improving access to quality, affordable healthcare remain among my top priorities in Congress, said Rep. Sewell. I applaud Vizient for bringing together healthcare leaders including those at the University of Alabama Birmingham to discuss the critical work hospitals are doing to overcome social determinant barriers and ensure that Alabamians and others across the country have the opportunity to reach their full health potential.

Rep. Evans said, As I continue to visit hospitals across Philadelphia, ensuring that they have the resources to reach patients outside of their four walls remains top of mind. It is imperative that the House of Representatives supports a policy agenda that addresses the challenges facing Americas healthcare system and ensures that everyone in our community has the access and resources needed to keep themselves healthy and safe.

David Levine, MD, Vizient group senior vice president of Advanced Analytics and Data Science opened the policy discussion with an overview of the patent pending Vizient Vulnerability Index and shared how it is being used to help providers gain actionable insights into their communitys social needs to help target interventions and improve care delivery. He then transitioned into a moderated conversation with a highly regarded panel of key healthcare leaders including:

Donna Avila, BSN, RN, Director of Care Coordination, Health Equity Officer, Norman Regional Health System

Steven Carson, MHA, BSN, RN, Senior Vice President of Population Health, Temple University Health System

Verlon Salley, MHA, Vice President of Community Health Equity, University of Alabama Birmingham Health System

The panel of experts highlighted hospital strategies to reduce health disparities in their communities, including targeted healthcare screenings and education and supporting neighborhood infrastructure improvements. The panelists underscored their commitment to improving the health of patients experiencing challenges like food insecurity and homelessness, by partnering with local organizations to provide access to healthy food, housing and medical care. Each panelist reinforced their hospitals commitment to serving their communities, despite the ongoing workforce and financial challenges they face.

Vizient looks forward to continuing to partner with lawmakers and providers in their respective efforts to drive policies and improve the health of communities across the country.

About Vizient, Inc.

Vizient, Inc., the nation's largest health care performance improvement company, serves more than 50% of the nation's acute care providers, which includes 97% of the nation's academic medical centers, and more than 25% of the non-acute market. Vizient provides expertise, analytics and advisory services, as well as a contract portfolio that represents more than $130 billion in annual purchasing volume. Vizient's solutions and services improve the delivery of high-value care by aligning cost, quality and market performance. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vizient has offices throughout the United States. Learn more at www.vizientinc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713692201/en/

Donna Ledbetter

(972) 830-6321

[email protected]

Source: Vizient, Inc.
Azure Power Global Limited (NYSE: AZRE) today announces updates with respect to:

the appointment of new auditors for the Company and the resignation of the Company's former auditors;

the status of the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries (together, the "Group") for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 ("Fiscal 2022") and status of filing the Company's annual report on Form 20-F ("Form 20-F") for Fiscal 2022 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC ");

("Fiscal 2022") and status of filing the Company's annual report on Form 20-F ("Form 20-F") for Fiscal 2022 with the (the " "); the status of the Company's listing on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE");

("NYSE"); update on Company's management team, board of directors;

remediation actions to improve internal controls;

certain key unaudited operating and financial information for the Group and certain of the Company's subsidiaries for the year ended March 31, 2023 ("Fiscal 2023") since the Company's press release dated January 25, 2023 on Form 6-K;

("Fiscal 2023") since the Company's press release dated on Form 6-K; progress on whistle blower and other investigations; and

other projects under execution and legal matters.

Replacement of Auditors and updated timeline for financial statements for Fiscal 2022

The Company announced today that it has appointed ASA & Associates LLP ("ASA") as an independent public accounting firm for the Company's US GAAP consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2022 and accepted the proposal for appointment of MSKA & Associates (member firm of BDO International), as statutory auditors of subsidiary companies of the Group's Indian holding company, Azure Power India Private Limited ("APIPL"), pursuant to the resignation of S.R. Batliboi & Co. LLP, member firm of Ernst and Young Global Limited. APIPL continues to be audited by MSKA & Associates.

The Company will work expeditiously to file its Form 20-F for Fiscal 2022 and expects that the audits of the financial statements for Fiscal 2022 of the Company, the Group and its subsidiaries should be completed within 14 weeks.

NYSE Listing

The Company has maintained a dialogue with the NYSE regarding its listing status. As previously reported, the NYSE had set a deadline of July 15, 2023 for the Company to fulfil its reporting obligations for Fiscal 2022 (including filing its Form 20-F for Fiscal 2022 with the SEC). In light of the change of the Group's auditors as disclosed today, the Company expects that the audits of the financial statements for Fiscal 2022 of the Company, the Group and its subsidiaries will require an additional 14 weeks to complete. The NYSE, however, has indicated that suspension of trading and delisting may occur on or around the July 15, 2023 deadline. However, the Company may appeal any such delisting decision by the NYSE.

The Company's SEC reporting obligations under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") will continue even if delisted, however, and the Company will continue to be required to provide periodic reports to the SEC. Further, in the event of delisting of the Company's shares by the NYSE, the Company will make every reasonable effort to maintain a trading alternative for its shareholders. Initially, the Company expects that its shares will be available to trade on the over-the-counter "expert" market, where quotations will be directly available to broker dealers and professional investors (not retail investors). Investors would need to contact their respective broker dealers to trade their shares on the over-the-counter "expert" market. Upon delisting, the Company plans to make an application to permit the Company's shares to be traded on the OTCQX market (which market provides for public quotations) once it files its Form 20-F for Fiscal 2022 and Form 20-F for Fiscal 2023 with the SEC.

Strengthening of Management Team and the Board

The Company has been strengthening its management team in recent months. Mr. Sunil Gupta has joined as the CEO on July 10, 2023 , replacing the acting CEO, Mr. Rupesh Agarwal . He will also become the Managing Director of the Company's subsidiary, APIPL. Mr. Gupta has deep leadership experience in the renewable sector and a strong track record of building renewable energy businesses. He also brings years of experience as a renewable energy banking specialist.

Mr. Sugata Sircar was appointed as the Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, Finance of APIPL in May 2023 . Mr. Pawan Agrawal continues as the CFO of APIPL and its group of subsidiaries, reporting to Mr. Sircar .

Mr. Richard Payette has joined the Company's Board on July 1, 2023 as an Independent Director and Head of the Audit & Risk Committee, replacing Ms. Christine McNamara , who resigned due to personal issues. Mr. Payette is a business leader with over four decades of experience in management of global companies and accounting and audit matters.

Remediation actions to improve Internal Controls

The Group appointed external consultants to review its internal controls and compliance framework. The Group is in the process of implementing necessary remediation actions in accordance with the recommendations included in the aforesaid review.

The following steps have recently been taken to strengthen the Group's existing internal control environment, under the supervision of the Company's Audit and Risk Committee:

establishment of an internal Management Assurance Services ("MAS") function and hiring of Mr. Vijay Kumar Wadhwani as MAS Head. Mr. Wadhwani brings over 22 years of experience in accounting, audit, financial management and reporting;

as MAS Head. brings over 22 years of experience in accounting, audit, financial management and reporting; strengthening of the financial reporting function with the help of external consultants and additional accounting personnel;

monitoring of controls and mitigation actions for enterprise risk management with the assistance of external consultants; and

monitoring the effectiveness of the remedial efforts and overall reporting framework.

Estimated Operating and Financial Update

The Company is providing certain estimated unaudited consolidated operating and financial information of the Group with respect to the financial year ended March 31, 2023 ("Fiscal 2023"). The Company believes that the estimated unaudited consolidated financial information for Fiscal 2023, includes all material adjustments necessary to fairly present such information in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP").

Readers are cautioned that the financial and operating information that the Company will include in its Form 20-F for Fiscal 2022 and its Form 20-F for Fiscal 2023, when filed with the SEC, will be audited and consequently may differ from the unaudited financial and operating information presented here, in ways that could be material. Moreover, the Company will include in its Form 20-F for Fiscal 2022 and its Form 20-F for Fiscal 2023 more information in respect of Fiscal 2022, Fiscal 2023 and for subsequent periods than it is including in this press release. Consequently, the Company cautions readers that the financial and operating information provided in this press release is not complete and should be read in conjunction with its Form 20-F for Fiscal 2022 and its Form 20-F for Fiscal 2023 when available, including the Group's audited consolidated financial statements, as well as other information that the Company may furnish on Form 6-K.

The translation of Indian rupee amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates in this press release is solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, the Company has converted Indian rupees into U.S. dollars for amounts pertaining to period ended March 31, 2023 at INR 82.19 to US$1.00 , which is the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfer in non- U.S. currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on March 31, 2023 . The Company makes no representation that the Indian rupee or U.S. dollar amounts referred in the press release could have been converted into U.S. dollars or Indian rupees, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

Estimated Key Operating Information for Fiscal 2023

a) Megawatts (MWs) operating as of March 31, 2023 were 2,955 MWs (excluding rooftop portfolio);

b) MWs Awarded and Contracted as of March 31, 2023 were 4,270 MWs. This includes the 4,000 MWs manufacturing linked projects, 150 MWs wind-solar hybrid project and 120 MWs wind project.

4,270 MWs excludes the 200 MWs windsolar hybrid project earlier won by the Group with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Limited as this project was cancelled on March 10, 2023 , pursuant to withdrawal of the Group's appeal before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity. Appeal was filed to challenge Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission's order, that rejected the adoption of the auction discovered tariff of INR 2.62 per unit and instead gave the Group an option to reduce the tariff to INR 2.49 per unit.

c) Electricity generation, including the rooftop portfolio, for the year ended March 31, 2023 , was 5,813 million kWh, an increase of 27.7% from 4,551 million kWh for the year ended March 31, 2022 .

d) Plant Load Factor (PLF), including the rooftop portfolio, for the year ended March 31, 2023 , was 22.8%, compared to 21.6% for the year ended March 31, 2022 .

Estimated Unaudited Group Financial Information for Fiscal 2023

a) Operating revenues for Fiscal 2023, were INR 21,094 million ( US$ 256.6 million ), an increase of 14.0% from INR 18,499 million in Fiscal 2022.

b) As of March 31, 2023 , cash and bank balance (including amounts for restricted cash of INR 8,048 million) were INR 20,968 million ( US$ 255.1 million ).

c) Total Debt (external) was INR 131,401 million ( US$ 1,598.7 million ) as of March 31, 2023 .

Information reported for the year ended March 31, 2022 , corresponds to information provided in Company's press release dated January 25, 2023 .

Information for Bondholders

Set forth below is (1) the unaudited financial data of Azure Power Solar Energy Private Limited and the other Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined under the Indenture) under the indenture governing the 5.65% Solar Green Bonds ("RG-II"), and (2) the unaudited financial data of Azure Power Energy Limited and the other Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined under the Indenture) under the indenture governing the 3.575% Solar Green Bonds ("RG-III").

Readers are cautioned that the audited combined financial statements of each of RG-II and RG-III, when filed with the Singapore Stock Exchange may include differences, some of which could be material, from the unaudited information presented below and will include detailed notes and other disclosures not currently available that will be important to evaluate. Consequently, readers are cautioned that the financial information provided below is not complete and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for Fiscal 2022 of RG-II and RG-III, respectively, when they become available as well as the Fiscal 2022 Form 20-F, the Fiscal 2023 Form 20-F, when available, and other filings that the Company makes with the SEC on Form 6-K from time to time.

Estimated Unaudited RG-II Data

a) Electricity generation and PLF for the year ended March 31, 2023 , were 1,356 million kWh and 25.2% respectively.

b) Total revenue (excluding other income) for Fiscal 2023, was INR 4,465 million ( US$ 54.3 million ), compared to INR 5,121 million in Fiscal 2022 (which included INR 544 million income from carbon credits and other income).

c) As of March 31, 2023 , cash and bank balance (including non-current) were INR 3,248 million ( US$ 39.5 million ).

d) Total External Debt (excluding loans from group companies and minority shareholders) was INR 28,490 million ( US$ 346.6 million ), excluding adjustments for hedging gains/loss calculated as of March 31, 2023 .

Estimated Unaudited RG-III Data

a) Electricity generation and PLF for the year ended March 31, 2023 were 1,010 million kWh and 18.9% respectively.

b) Operating revenues for Fiscal 2023, were INR 6,137 million ( US$ 74.7 million ) compared to INR 6,451 million in the Fiscal 2022 (which included INR 140 million income from carbon credits and other income).

c) As of March 31, 2023 , cash and bank balance (including non-current) were INR 2,668 million ( US$ 32.5 million ).

d) Total External Debt (excluding loans from group companies and minority shareholders) was INR 30,373 million ( US$ 369.5 million ), excluding adjustments for hedging gains/loss calculated as of March 31, 2023 .

Information reported for the year ended March 31, 2022 corresponds to information provided in Company's press release dated January 25, 2023 .

Whistle-blower Allegations and Special Committee Investigation

Since the Company's last disclosure made in our January 2023 press release with respect to the May 2022 and September 2022 whistle-blower investigations previously reported, Azure's Audit and Risk Committee, with the assistance of legal counsel and forensic accounting support, continued its investigation particularly with regard to (i) certain alleged corrupt activities of third-parties in connection with one of its projects and (ii) certain asset acquisition transactions. The Company has also continued to cooperate with the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice ("DoJ") as part of its voluntary disclosure to those agencies.

In respect of the Special Committee investigation previously reported, as of the date of this release, the investigation remains ongoing and substantially progressed. The Company continues to cooperate with the SEC and the DoJ in respect to its voluntary disclosure to those agencies.

Loan Covenants

The Group continues to service its payment obligations for all its borrowings in accordance with its financing documents and has maintained a dialogue with its bank lenders. The Group has received time extensions from its lenders in respect of the covenants related to filing of audited financial statements and is seeking further extensions into calendar 2023 as required. As of the date of this release, no lender has indicated that it intends to take any action to cause the early repayment of any of the Group's borrowings, given the operational and financial performance of the operating projects and the ability of the members of the Group to service their respective facilities.

Credit Rating Downgrades

CRISIL Ratings downgraded the long-term credit rating of APIPL from CRISIL A+ to CRISIL A on May 29, 2023 and then from CRISIL A to CRISIL BBB+ on July 11, 2023 . CRISIL Ratings downgraded the long-term credit ratings of Azure Power Maple Private Limited, Azure Power Forty Private Limited and Azure Power Forty-Three Private Limited from CRISIL A+ to CRISIL A on May 29, 2023 and then from CRISIL A to CRISIL BBB+ on July 11, 2023 .

On May 15, 2023 , CARE Ratings downgraded the long-term and short-term credit rating of APIPL to CARE A (downgraded from CARE A+) and CARE A1 (downgraded from CARE A1+) and on February 13, 2023 , downgraded the long-term credit rating of Azure Power Forty Private Limited to CARE A- (downgraded from CARE A).

On June 26, 2023 , Fitch Ratings downgraded the rating of RG-II to B (downgraded from BB-) and RG-III to B (downgraded from BB). On May 29, 2023 , Moody's Investor Service downgraded the rating of RG-II to Ba3, downgraded the rating of RG-III to B1 and placed both ratings on review for downgrade. The ratings continue to be on watch with negative implications by CRISIL ratings, CARE ratings, Moody's Investor Service and Fitch Ratings.

Few of our local currency loan agreements have a right to increase the pricing in case of rating downgrade and also the right to recall the facility(ies) in case of rating downgrade below BBB or BBB-, except one agreement wherein the certain lenders have a right to recall the facility in case of rating downgrade to A- or below. The Company has submitted the request to such lenders to modify the condition to BBB, and our request is currently under review by the applicable lenders.

Other matters

Projects under execution

The Group's 300 MW Rajasthan 9 project has been fully commissioned as of March 31, 2023 , and with this commissioning, the Group's total operating capacity as on March 31, 2023 has reached 2,955 MW (excluding rooftop portfolio).

With respect to the Assam project (Region 4), which was affected by floods since May 2022 , the Group has been able to successfully restore the capacity in the project.

As previously reported, discussions with SECI regarding the 2,333 MWs projects, that were halted owing to the public interest litigations, are still ongoing.

The Group continues to manage and develop all its projects under execution in view of the developments, as reported earlier.

Legal updates

The Group has received a favorable order from Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission for its 40 MW project against its off-taker Hubli Electricity Supply Company Limited ("HESCOM"), whereby HESCOM has been directed, among others, to pay the differential outstanding amount, being the difference between contracted tariff and the reduced tariff. The differential amount due and outstanding as of the date of passing of the order was INR 219.50 million (including late payment surcharge). Since then, the Group has received a sum of INR 163.60 million.

The Group has received several orders from various state and central electricity regulatory commissions whereby its change in law claims towards additional cost incurred on operation and maintenance of projects due to promulgation of GST Laws and increase in the rate of applicable Service Tax has been allowed. The claim allowed by way of these orders amounted to INR 433.30 million.

The Group has received a favorable award in an arbitration proceeding initiated by it under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, for its 5 MW project in Maharashtra against the off-taker, whereby the off-takers' claims against the Company regarding open access charges and grid connectivity changes have been disallowed.

The Group has received a favorable order for its (300x2) MW projects in Rajasthan , whereby the Company's claims amounting to INR 262.50 million on account of change in law due to imposition of safeguard duty under the notification dated July 29, 2020 have been allowed. The Company has also received in-principal approval from the power purchase agreement counterparty for release of payments and has started receiving payments in instalments and has received INR 6.47 million as of the date of this press release. However, an end off-taker has challenged the order by way of an appeal, which is presently pending. No adverse order has been passed in the appeal.

The Group has received a favorable order for its 100 MW project in Karnataka from the state commission for its claims amounting to INR 182.20 million on account of change in law due to an increase in the effective GST rate on composite EPC contracts to 8.9% from 5% under the notification dated December 31, 2018 .

The Company has also received a favorable order for its 50 MW project in Assam from the state commission on account of increase in EPC cost due to increase in the rate of GST from 5% to 12% under the notifications date September 30, 2021 , whereby the claims of the Company amounting to INR 89.40 million have been allowed.

The Group and one of its module suppliers have amicably settled their dispute under a module supply contract. The details of the settlement are confidential.

The Group has received a favorable order for its 90 MW project in Assam from the state commission in a petition filed seeking extension of the scheduled commissioning date on account of delays caused due to reasons beyond the control of the Company. The state commission has extended the scheduled commissioning date of the project thereby preventing reduction of tariff which is a consequence of delay in commissioning as per the terms of the power purchase agreement.

The Group had filed a petition before Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission ("APERC") challenging deductions made by off-taker from the Company's monthly invoices on the alleged ground of excess installation with respect to the Company's 50 MW project in Andhra Pradesh . APERC disallowed the relief sought by the Company. The deductions have amounted to INR 153.70 million as of the date of this press release. The Company has challenged the aforesaid order before the higher forum and has received a stay of the APERC order.

U.S. Securities Litigation

An ongoing class action lawsuit that was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (the "Court"), case number 1:22-cv-07432 against the Company and certain current and former directors and officers of the Company alleging violations of U.S. securities laws. A First Amended Complaint was filed by the lead plaintiff and the Court set a deadline of August 15, 2023 for the Company and the other defendants to respond to the First Amended Complaint. The Court also set a deadline of July 31, 2023 for the lead plaintiff to inform the Court of any plans to file a Second Amended Complaint, and the Court's order expressly contemplates that the August 15, 2023 date would be adjusted further if the lead plaintiff seeks to file a Second Amended Complaint. The Company sees no merit in the claims asserted in the lawsuit and intends to defend the case vigorously.

Certain Risks

Investment in the Company's securities is subject to various risks. Investors should consider carefully the risks (i) set forth in our Form 6-K filed with the SEC on January 25, 2023 and (ii) set forth in "Item 3  Key Information  D. Risk Factors" in the Company's annual report on Form 20-F for Fiscal 2021 filed with the SEC on July 28, 2021 , as updated by its subsequent SEC filings. Investors also should carefully consider the risk factors that the Company will include in the Form 20-F for Fiscal 2022 and Form 20-F for Fiscal 2023. The risks described are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or those the Company currently considers immaterial may also materially adversely affect the Group's business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Forward-Looking Statements
FREYR Battery (NYSE: FREY) (FREYR), a developer of clean, next-generation battery cell production capacity, has announced that the company has been awarded a 100 million grant from the European Union (EU) to support development of FREYRs Giga Arctic project in Norway. The grant will be funded through the EUs Innovation Fund (EUIF) as part of the EUs efforts to promote localized production of battery solutions.

We are delighted with the news we have received from the EUs Innovation Fund to support FREYRs Giga Arctic project, remarked Tom Einar Jensen, FREYRs Co-Founder and CEO. This grant is a recognition that batteries represent the key catalyst of the energy transition supporting regional energy security through faster deployment of renewable energy. Moreover, this significant financial commitment provides timely support to continued development of the Giga Arctic project, which is intended to bring clean battery products to our customers and partners across Europe. We look forward to working with the EUIF as well as the Norwegian Government to unlock further momentum for next generation battery production capacity at GWh scale in Norway.

Giga Arctic, which has been under development since FREYRs Board of Directors sanctioned the start of construction in June 2022, is designed to be a 29 GWh nameplate capacity facility based on the 24M Technologies SemiSolidTM manufacturing platform and powered with 100% renewable hydroelectricity.

According to a report recently published by Minviro, a life cycle assessment company and independent third-party commissioned by FREYR, the annual production at the planned Giga Arctic facility in Norway could enable FREYRs customers to mitigate 80 million tons of CO2 emissions over the batteries lifetime when used for renewable Energy Storage Systems (ESS). The projected emissions mitigation corresponds to almost twice the total amount of CO2 emitted in Norway annually.

The EUs Innovation Fund is one of the worlds largest funding opportunities for projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The fund targets highly innovative technologies and large-scale, flagship initiatives that can bring more value to Europe in terms of transitioning to a low-carbon continent.
FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission logo adorns an office door at the SEC headquarters in Washington, June 24, 2011. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo/File Photo

By Jody Godoy

(Reuters) -Ripple Labs Inc did not violate federal securities law by selling its XRP token on public exchanges, a U.S. judge ruled on Thursday, a landmark legal victory for the cryptocurrency industry that sent the value of XRP soaring.

XRP was up 75% by late afternoon on Thursday, according to Refinitiv Eikon data.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres was the first win for a cryptocurrency company in a case brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission -- though it did also give the SEC a partial victory.

While the decision is specific to the facts of the case, it likely will provide ammunition for other crypto firms battling the SEC over whether their products fall under the regulator's jurisdiction.

An SEC spokesperson said the agency was pleased with part of the ruling in which the judge held that Ripple violated federal securities law by selling XRP directly to sophisticated investors.

It is possible for the ruling to be appealed once a final judgment is issued, or if the judge allows it before then.

The SEC spokesperson said the regulator was reviewing the decision.

Ripple Chief Executive Brad Garlinghouse in an interview called the ruling "a huge win for Ripple but more importantly for the industry overall in the U.S."

Coinbase, the largest U.S. crypto exchange, said it would again allow trading of XRP on its platform.

"Weve read Judge Torres thoughtful decision. Weve carefully reviewed our analysis. Its time to relist," Coinbase chief legal officer Paul Grewal said on Twitter.

Coinbase stock closed up 24% at $107 per share on Thursday.

WHEN CRYPTO IS NOT A SECURITY

The SEC had accused the company and its current and former chief executives of conducting a $1.3 billion unregistered securities offering by selling XRP, which Ripple's founders created in 2012.

The case has been closely watched in the cryptocurrency industry, which disputes the SEC's assertion that the vast majority of crypto tokens are securities and subject to its strict investor protection rules. The agency has brought more than 100 enforcement crypto actions, claiming various tokens are securities, but many of those have ended in settlements.

In the few cases that have gone to court, judges have agreed with the SEC that the crypto assets at issue were securities, which unlike assets such as commodities are strictly regulated, must be registered with the SEC by their issuer and require detailed disclosures to inform investors of potential risks.

Torres ruled that Ripple's XRP sales on public cryptocurrency exchanges were not offers of securities under the law, because purchasers did not have a reasonable expectation of profit tied to Ripple's efforts.

Those sales were "blind bid/ask transactions," she said, in which buyers "could not have known if their payments of money went to Ripple, or any other seller of XRP."

Torres applied a U.S. Supreme Court case that said "an investment of money in a common enterprise with profits to come solely from the efforts of others," is a kind of security called an investment contract.

XRP sales on cryptocurrency platforms by Garlinghouse and co-founder and former CEO Chris Larsen, and other distributions including compensation to employees also did not involve securities, Torres ruled.

PARTIAL WIN FOR THE SEC

The SEC won a partial victory as Torres found the company's $728.9 million of XRP sales to hedge funds and other sophisticated buyers amounted to unregistered sales of securities.

Torres ruled that Ripple's marketing aimed at institutional investors made clear the company "was pitching a speculative value proposition for XRP" that depended on company efforts to develop the blockchain infrastructure behind the digital asset.

She said a jury must decide whether Garlinghouse and Larsen aided the company's violation of law, and that the defendants cannot argue at trial that they lacked "fair notice" that XRP was a cryptocurrency.

"The law does not require the SEC to warn all potential violators on an individual or industry level," she said.

CALLS FOR LEGISLATION

Gary DeWaal, an attorney at Katten Muchin Rosenman, said the ruling should help Coinbase in fighting its own SEC case.

The market reaction indicates the ruling is a "tremendous event for the industry," he said.

Both the Ripple and Coinbase cases focus on registration requirements and whether certain digital assets are securities under U.S. law.

The crypto industry has called for legislation to provide clear rules for tokens, and the ruling brought new calls for Congress to clarify the status of digital assets.

House of Representatives Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a Republican, in a post on Twitter said the ruling established that "a token is separate and distinct from an investment contract it may or may not be part of."

"Now, lets make it law," he said.

(Reporting by Jody Godoy and Chris Prentice in New York and Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Conor Humphries, Leslie Adler and David Gregorio)
Nearly 100 U.S. lawmakers Thursday are insisting President Bidens administration finalize stricter emissions limits.

A handful of Democratic senators joined nearly 80 House members in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to firm up regulations on tailpipe emissions. Their objective is to establish revised limits that would lead to 69% of newly manufactured vehicles being electric by 2032, surpassing the agency's previously proposed target of 67%.

"We believe the United States should be on a path to eliminating harmful tailpipe pollution from new light-duty and medium-duty vehicles by 2035," the lawmakers wrote in the previously unreported letter.

The EPA proposed emissions limits back in April, prompting opposition from most automakers. The EPA said in April that the standards proposed for 2027-2032 model years would cut emissions by 56% over the 2026 requirements but sought comment on a tougher option.

Republican lawmakers and Republican state attorneys general have urged the EPA to abandon emissions cuts. A group representing major automakers wants the administration to significantly soften requirements, calling the EPA proposal "neither reasonable nor achievable", while environmental campaigners want tougher cuts.

The Democratic lawmakers are urging the EPA to finalize a tougher proposal by the end of the year, citing "the urgency of and benefits from addressing threats to public health, including climate change, the unprecedented resources supporting zero-emission vehicle purchases, manufacturing and infrastructure, and the dramatic advances in clean vehicle adoption."

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]
Company To Pursue Sale of Business Under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code; Group of Existing Investors to Serve as Stalking Horse Bidder and $10 Million Debtor-in-Possession Financing Secured to Support Ongoing Operations and Chapter 11 Process as Focus Continues on Danville Virginia Farm and Microgreens Products

Newark, NJ, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AeroFarms, Inc. (AeroFarms or the Company), a global leader in indoor vertical farming, today provided an update on its business and its Chapter 11 case. While the Company and its advisors work with stakeholders and other interested parties towards the successful resolution of its Chapter 11 case, AeroFarms strategic focus remains on its commercial indoor vertical farm in Danville, Virginia that continues to scale and meet increased demand for its award-winning microgreens.

On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, AeroFarms filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court in Delaware (the Court) Case No. 23-10737, a supplement to a previously filed Motion to Approve Bid Procedures for Court approval to enter into an Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) and designate a Stalking Horse bidder. The Company seeks to conduct an auction to sell Company assets under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code (363 Sale), while it continues ordinary operations of the business.

On July 10, 2023, the Company signed an APA with AF NewCo, Inc. (AF NewCo), a newly formed entity owned by a group of existing investors including Grosvenor Food & AgTech, INGKA Investments Ventures US BV, Cibus Fund, ACEG Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH. The APA calls for AF NewCo to act as Stalking Horse Bidder to acquire Company assets.

The bidding procedures and timeline for the auction, which are subject to approval by the Bankruptcy Court contemplate a prompt sale of Companys assets to provide clarity on the future of the Company to customers, vendors, and employees, as well as place AeroFarms on a pathway to success. Subject to the Courts calendar, the Company is seeking entry of an order from the Bankruptcy Court confirming the results of the 363 Sale on or before August 22, 2023.

AF NewCo also provided a Debtor-In-Possession (DIP) loan of $10 million, and under the terms of the APA will be credit bidding its DIP, assuming substantial operating liabilities and funding the wind-down of the Chapter 11 proceedings.

The Company recently received Court approval to continue paying employees, vendors and other entities in the ordinary course of business and will utilize the funding provided by the DIP loan to do so.

In addition, the Company recently announced the expanded retail availability of its award-winning microgreens at both Walmart and Stop & Shop across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, respectively. This expansion follows the national expansion with Amazon Fresh online and at all Amazon Fresh grocery store locations, building on AeroFarms successful national launch with Whole Foods Market in 2022, which marked an industry-first for an indoor leafy greens grower to be part of Whole Foods Market Global Planogram.

We are excited by the growing customer demand for our market leading microgreens and to be expanding our retail presence and look forward to emerging stronger and better positioned to prosper into the future, said Guy Blanchard, President of AeroFarms. We will continue to work in close cooperation with all of our stakeholders to conduct our financial and operational restructuring, which will position us for long-term success.

Court filings and other documents related to the reorganization proceedings are available on a separate website administered by the Company's claims agent, Omni, at www.omniagentsolutions.com/aerofarms or www.deb.uscourts.gov, the official Bankruptcy Court website.

The Company will continue to provide regular updates as specific elements of its strategic plan and Chapter 11 filing meet targeted milestones.

AeroFarms is represented by DLA Piper as counsel, Cloudpoint Capital as investment banker, and ICR, Inc. as strategic communications advisor.

About AeroFarms

Since 2004, AeroFarms has been leading the way for indoor vertical farming and championing transformational innovation for agriculture. AeroFarms is a Certified B Corporation. Named one of the Worlds Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company two years in a row and one of TIMEs Best Inventions in Food, AeroFarms patented, award-winning indoor vertical farming technology provides the optimal conditions for healthy plants to thrive, taking agriculture to a new level of precision, food safety, and productivity while using up to 95% less water and no pesticides versus traditional field farming. Its products can be found at major retail selling partners like Ahold Delhaize, Amazon Fresh, Baldor Specialty Food, Compass Group, Harris Teeter, H-E-B, ShopRite, The Fresh Market, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market. For additional information, visit: https://aerofarms.com/.
KIRKLAND, Wash., July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Memory today announced that it has concluded an agreement with Electra Sales, a Rochester, New York-based manufacturers sales representative for industry-leading semiconductor, electronic component, and embedded systems integration companies. Under the agreement, the company is now offering Alliance Memorys entire lineup of SRAM, DRAM, embedded multi-media card (eMMC), and flash memory ICs to its customers throughout Upstate New York.

Electra Sales has been providing consultative sales services for the Upstate New York market since 1972, with a territory that consists of all counties north of, and including, Orange and Putnam. For the companys customers, Alliance Memorys legacy and innovative technology ICs offer reliable drop-in, pin-for-pin compatible replacements for a number of similar solutions across a broad spectrum of applications and markets.

Through its partnership with Alliance Memory, Electra Sales is offering its customers a full range of 3.3V and 5V fast asynchronous devices, synchronous SRAMs, PSRAMs, and low-power SRAMs; 5V parallel NOR and 1.8V and 3V SPI NAND flash ICs; and eMMC solutions. The companys broad portfolio of high-speed CMOS SDRAMs includes MSDR, DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, LPDDR, LPDDR2, and LPDDR4 devices in a wide range of densities, configurations, and package options. In addition, Electra Sales customers have access to several discontinued devices from Micron Technology, including DDR, DDR3, DDR3L, and SDR SDRAMs, as well as NOR flash ICs.

"In the dynamic and demanding marketplace of Upstate New York, Electra Sales has been a reliable source of customer-centric service for more than four decades," said Tom Gargan, director of sales for Canada, the Eastern U.S., and Brazil at Alliance Memory. "The companys collective sales experience, spanning 119 years, showcases a deep knowledge of the diverse segments it serves and a rock-solid understanding of their unique needs. We are thrilled to partner with Electra Sales, who will deliver unmatched service to our customers in the region while providing broader access to our rapidly expanding product portfolio."

"At Electra Sales, we take pride in partnering with industry-leading manufacturers, and Alliance Memory undoubtedly fits that mold," said Mark Rogers, president and technical sales engineer at Electra Sales. "Over the last few years, as manufacturers have continued to EOL memory devices, the companys portfolio has expanded significantly. This commitment to meeting market demand and eliminating the cost of redesigns aligns perfectly with our customer-first philosophy, and we couldnt be more excited to bring these solutions to the Upstate New York market."

About Alliance Memory Inc.Alliance Memory is a worldwide provider of critical and hard-to-find memory ICs for the communications, computing, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, and industrial markets. The companys product range includes flash, DRAM, and SRAM memory ICs with commercial, industrial, and automotive operating temperature ranges and densities from 64Kb to 16GB. Privately held, Alliance Memory maintains headquarters in Kirkland, Washington, and regional offices in Europe, Asia, Canada, and South America. More information about Alliance Memory is available online at www.alliancememory.com.

Agency Contact:Bob DeckerRedpines+1 415 409 0233[email protected]

Source: Alliance Memory, Inc.
Blair, Nebraska, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Plains Communications (GPC), the Midwestern digital infrastructure provider with a growing, privately owned 18,000+ mile fiber network reaching 13 states, today announced Barton Saunders has joined Great Plains Communications as Vice President of Wholesale and Carrier Services. Mr. Saunders will report directly to the CEO of Great Plains Communications, Todd Foje.

In his role, Saunders will focus on growing revenue by expanding current customer relationships and identifying new opportunities. Under Barts leadership, the GPC Carrier and Wholesale Team will continue to meet and exceed the needs and expectations of regional and national carriers, Local Exchange Carriers (LECs), Internet Service Providers (ISPs), wireless carriers and other wholesale customers.

Todd Foje, CEO of Great Plains Communications, said: We are excited to have this respected telecom veteran sharing his wealth of knowledge and expertise as we continue to expand GPCs Wholesale and Carrier Services Division. Barts leadership and vision alongside our high-capacity fiber network, engineered to support the rising capacity and reliability requirements of our existing and new carrier and wholesale customers, will position us well for continued success.

Saunders, an industry veteran with more than 25 years of telecommunications leadership experience, possesses unique expertise in overseeing business development and revenue generation. His previous experience includes sales leadership positions at Indiana Fiber Networks (IFN), Metronet, Surf Broadband, US Signal and others. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Purdue University.

Great Plains Communications is a highly respected company with deep roots in the telecommunications industry, Saunders said. I look forward to working with the exceptional GPC team as we continue to deliver the best customer experience utilizing the impressive, high capacity GPC fiber network. Its an exciting time to be joining this growing company that continues to lead in the industry.

About Great Plains Communications

Great Plains Communications is one of the largest privately-owned digital infrastructure providers in the Midwest and is headquartered in Blair, Nebraska. It has over a century of experience providing business and residential customers in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska and Southeastern Indiana communities with forward-thinking, fiber-driven technology services including high-speed Internet, Ethernet, video, hosted and traditional voice solutions. The company also takes pride in its progressive approach to accommodating the unique needs of all regional and national telecommunications carriers, LECs, ISPs, wireless carriers and other service providers utilizing superior engineering and custom-build strategies. At the core of its service offering is an extensive, MEF-certified 18,000+ mile regional fiber network that reaches 13 states: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The network offers community access rings, last-mile and middle-mile solutions, all fully supported by the companys 24x7x365 Network Operations Center. For more information, visit www.gpcom.com.

Laura Kocher Great Plains Communications 4024566429 [email protected]

Source: Great Plains Communications
NEW YORK, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greystone, a leading national commercial real estate finance company, announced that Eric Welby has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer. A 16-year company veteran, Mr. Welby has deep knowledge of Greystones broad lending, servicing, and investment businesses, and will serve an integral role in continuing the growth of the firms conventional and alternative financing platforms.

In his prior roles at Greystone as Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, Mr. Welby was instrumental in managing and maintaining sound accounting practices at the firm, instilling confidence and transparency in Greystones financial reporting, leveraging technology to increase the efficiency of the department, and promoting innovation to evolve how to partner with and support a complex, entrepreneurial financial organization such as Greystone.

Before joining Greystone in 2007, Mr. Welby was a Senior Associate at BDO USA LLP. He earned a degree in Accounting from CUNY Queens College, has been a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of New York since 2005, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Eric is a trusted and knowledgeable advisor at Greystone, who has driven immense growth and innovation within our Accounting team over his time here, truly creating cross-functional partnerships across our businesses in order to help Greystone thrive, said Steve Rosenberg, CEO of Greystone, and to whom Mr. Welby reports. I am thrilled to have Eric join the executive leadership team and know his expertise will be an invaluable component to our continued growth.

My goal as a leader is to inspire others to improve every day, both individually and as a team, and to strive towards Greystones standards of integrity, excellence, care, and entrepreneurship, said Mr. Welby. I am honored to take on this role and look forward to contributing to Greystones continued success.

About GreystoneGreystone is a private national commercial real estate finance company with an established reputation as a leader in multifamily and healthcare finance, having ranked as a top FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac lender in these sectors. Loans are offered through Greystone Servicing Company LLC, Greystone Funding Company LLC and/or other Greystone affiliates. For more information, visit www.greystone.com.

PRESS CONTACT:Karen MarottaGreystone212-896-9149[email protected]

Source: Greystone
The deadline for Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of video game company Activision Blizzard has been extended as the companies seek to close a deal that has been challenged by regulators in the U.S., as well as by U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Javelin Strategy & Research is excited to announce Elisa Athonvarangkul Tavilla as the new Director of Debit Advisory Services. Tavilla will head the Debit Advisory Services practice, making a strong addition to the Javelin team of payments subject matter experts. Javelin clients have access to the entire spectrum of payments practices, with talented analyst coverage in Commercial and Enterprise Payments, Credit, Digital Assets & Cryptocurrency, Debit, Emerging Payments, Technology & Infrastructure, Merchant Processing, and Prepaid.



We are delighted to have Elisa join our team. Her impressive credentials will provide our clients with unparalleled insight in the debit space, said Brian Riley, co-head of payments at Javelin. Elisa rounds out our payments bench strength with another exceptional expert.

Tavilla joins Javelin with more than 15 years of experience in global payments and research. She served in various roles at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston for over a decade, with her most recent role as a Senior Industry Readiness Specialist & Ecosystem Strategy Manager for the FedNow Service. Her additional roles include serving as an Analyst at eMarketer, a digital marketing research firm, and at Mercator Advisory Group.

With the debit market expanding rapidly, the role Javelin analysts play is becoming increasingly important. In her role, Tavilla will spearhead the study of factors that shape the consumer debit market, encompassing technologies, competition, market trends, regulatory concerns, as well as electronic funds transfer (EFT), ATM and card networks.

Javelin has an unrivaled payments industry analyst team, said Jacob Jegher, president at Javelin. Elisa is an experienced payments professional and analyst. We are thrilled to have her lead this established practice and service our roster of clients.

Tavilla earned a bachelors degree in political science and foreign language studies with honors from Adelphi University, and a masters degree in international relations, economics and Southeast Asia studies from John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Tavilla also holds credentials from Harvard Business School, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, and attended New York University Institute of French Studies and the Chinese and French Language Schools at Middlebury College. She was a Fulbright scholar in Lyon, France.

About Javelin Strategy & Research

Javelin Strategy & Research, part of the Escalent family, helps its clients make informed decisions in a digital financial world. It provides strategic insights to financial institutions including banks, credit unions, brokerages and insurers, as well as payments companies, technology providers, fintechs and government agencies. Javelins independent insights result from a rigorous research process that assesses consumers, businesses, providers, and the transactions ecosystem. It conducts in-depth primary research studies to pinpoint dynamic risks and opportunities in digital banking, payments, fraud & security, lending, and wealth management. Learn more at javelinstrategy.com.
NEW YORK and PARIS, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CAST, the market leader in software intelligence technology, has announced the CAST Highlight summer 2023 release, featuring Open-Source Component Lifespan Insightsa new capability that automatically calculates the lifespan status of open-source software (OSS) components. Application owners can now understand components lifespans to identify whether they are active, possibly deprecated, or immature.

In practice, OSS Component Lifespan Insights acts as a trusted advisor, guiding organizations towards components that are actively maintained and proven to be reliable, complementing CAST Highlights existing OSS risk insights related to security vulnerabilities and potential license and intellectual property issues.

In the world of software development, integrating OSS components into your business-critical application is akin to entrusting the health and stability of your project to them, said CAST Highlight Vice President Greg Rivera. Understanding their lifespan statuswhether they are active, possibly end-of-life, or conversely too newis an important aspect of OSS governance, and were thrilled to offer software intelligence technology that safely automates the analysis process.

The capability determines lifespan status based on components' release dates, applying tags like 'Possibly Deprecated' for components with no versions released in the past five years, 'Active' for components with versions released in the last five years, and 'Possibly Immature' for components less than a year old.

The summer release also introduces Container Scanning, Personalized User Home Pages, Customizable Cloud Service Recommendations, Ruby technology support for Cloud Readiness insights, and many other feature improvements.

For more information about the OSS Component Lifespan Insights feature and the new summer release of CAST Highlight, click here.

About CAST

CAST, the software intelligence leader, provides software that understands multi-technology software systems and automatically derives insights about their inner workingsinteractions between all its elements, transaction flows, data access paths, changes needed to move to cloud, open-source risks, green impact, ISO 5055 compliance, etc. It is used globally by thousands of digital leaders, helping them make smarter decisions, maintain, and transform custom software with greater speed, and exert better ongoing control of the risks involved. Visit CASTsoftware.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38765d46-a39d-4a4e-a58c-a64979f9cf3e

For more information, please contact Stephanie Watkins at [email protected] .

OSS Lifespan Screenshot OSS Lifespan screenshot

Source: CAST
Malvern, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rajant Corporation, the pioneer of Kinetic Mesh wireless networks, will host the fourth annual World Music Benefit. This years event will benefit the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), celebrating CHOPs commitment to caring for children. The goal to raise $100K for patients with life-threatening heart and lung problems, with donations going to the ECMO Center CHOP. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, is an advanced life support technique providing patients with long-term breathing and heart support when all the standard treatments have been tried. Tickets are on sale for the star-packed fundraiser at Philadelphias World Cafe Live on October 26th from 6 PM to 10 PM ET. Musical performances include The Mavericks, The No Name Pops, Tequila Rock Revolution, and James Valenti.

The ticket purchase price includes access to exclusive silent auction items, world-class live musical performances, and the ability to make a difference for the patients in CHOPs care. The 2023 gala will shine light and celebrate CHOPs work as a world-class hospital that relies on philanthropic gifts to fund vital breakthroughs needed by children worldwide. Through the assistance of organizations such as the Rajant World Music Benefit, CHOP can transform the patient-family experience, forge discoveries, bolster training and education programs, and advocate for children worldwide.

We are grateful for Rajant Corporations philanthropic support of CHOPs ECMO Center, said Todd Kilbaugh, MD, an anesthesiologist with the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and medical director of the ECMO Center at CHOP. As a corporate partner, they are supporting our life-saving technology and scientific advances in the field of extracorporeal life support, assisting patients as they heal. The employees of Rajant have shown an ongoing commitment to philanthropy and have made a difference in the lives of some of our sickest patients. This event and its funding will help us deliver the best care today and tomorrow.

We launched our World Music Benefit to provide a live platform for musicians and music lovers during the time of Covid - while raising funds for underserved children worldwide. In three years, we have raised over $200,000, and this years $100,000 goal supports CHOPs mission to serve breakthrough medical treatment to children globally. Having The Mavericks headline the 2023 event is a testament that our annual music benefit is growing exponentially year over year, shares Rajant CEO and Co-founder Robert Schena.

Tickets available now at rajant.com/mavericks/ .

####

About Rajant CorporationRajant Corporation is the broadband communications technology company that invented Kinetic Mesh networking, BreadCrumb wireless nodes, and InstaMesh networking software. With Rajant, customers can rapidly deploy a highly adaptable and scalable network that leverages the power of real-time data to deliver on-demand, mission-critical business intelligence. A low-latency, high-throughput, and secure solution for a variety of data, voice, video, and autonomous applications, Rajants Kinetic Mesh networks provide industrial customers with full mobility, allowing them to take their private network applications and data anywhere. With successful deployments in more than 80 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, rail, oil & gas, petrochemical plants, municipalities, and agriculture. Rajant is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with additional facilities and offices in Arizona and Kentucky. For more information, visit Rajant.com or follow Rajant on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Attachments

Alice DiSanto Rajant Corporation 914-582-8464 [email protected]

Source: Rajant Corporation
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reflex Advanced Materials Corp. (CSE: RFLX), (OTCQB: RFLXF), (FSE: HF2) (Reflex or the Company), is pleased to announce the commencement of exploration activities at its 100% owned ZigZag Lithium property near Crescent Lake, Ontario. The company is embarking on phase one exploration, which will include two weeks of prospecting, pegmatite sampling and trenching, as well as soil anomaly trenching.

The ZigZag Lithium property covers an area of 2,710 hectares near Crescent Lake, Ontario known for its highly prospective lithium deposits. During the initial phase of exploration, an experienced field crew lead by Reflex Director Alex Pleson is being deployed to conduct comprehensive field prospecting activities across the ZigZag Lithium property. This process will involve the systematic examination of the multiple fertile granitic pegmatites dykes which have historically sampled up to 1.78% Li20 across 4.11 m and select chip samples along strike produced up to 3.67% Li2O.

Furthermore, pegmatite sampling and trenching will be carried out to assess the presence and distribution of lithium-bearing pegmatites within the property. This crucial step will provide valuable insights into the mineralogy and lithium content of the identified pegmatite deposits, aiding in the development of an extensive understanding of the property's lithium resource potential.

Additionally, soil anomaly trenching will be undertaken to investigate anomalous lithium concentrations within the soil. This method helps identify areas with potential lithium mineralization, serving as an effective tool to guide further exploration efforts and refine target areas for subsequent phases.

Paul Gorman, CEO of Reflex Advanced Materials Corp, expressed his enthusiasm about the commencement of exploration at the ZigZag Lithium property, stating, "We are thrilled to initiate exploration activities at our ZigZag Lithium property. ZigZag is a non-flagship asset for Reflex, we hope phase one of exploration which Reflex has obligations to conduct, will better position the ZigZag property for an eventual sale, option, or JV.

In addition to initiation of the field exploration programs, The Company is actively working on desktop compilation of historical data to generate quality prospects and targets at the ZigZag Property.

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Alexander Pleson, P. Geo, Geological Consultant of the Company, Director, and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

For more information on Reflex Advanced Materials Corp and its mineral projects, please visit the Companys website at www.reflexmaterials.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Paul Gorman CEO & Director

Reflex Advanced Materials Corp[email protected]Tel. (778-837-7191)Suite 915-700 West Pender StreetVancouver, BC V6C 1G8Canada

About Reflex Advanced Materials

Reflex Advanced Materials Corp. is a mineral exploration company based in British Columbia. Its objective is to locate and, if warranted, develop economic mineral properties in the strategic metals and advanced materials space. It is focused on improving domestic specialty mineral infrastructure efficiencies to meet surging national demand by North American manufacturers. The Company is working to advance its Ruby Graphite Project, located in Beaverhead County, Montana, and ZigZag Lake Lithium Property, located in Thunder Bay Mining Division, Crescent Lake Area, Ontario.

For more information, please review the Companys filings available at www.sedar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words could, intend, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements are intended to identify forward-looking statements and are based on the Companys current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, such as statements regarding: future exploration work that the Company intends to complete on the Project and the timing and results thereof, including the Project; and the Companys belief that the past production at the Project is indicative of graphite mineralization at the Project.

These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including expectations and assumptions concerning: that past production at the Project is indicative of graphite mineralization at the Project; and the nature, timing and results of future exploration work by the Company on the Project, including the Program.

Although forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions of the Companys management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement will prove to be accurate. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters or delays as plans continue to be redefined, that the Company may not receive the necessary permits or approvals to conduct the desired exploration work (on the timeline or terms expected by the Company, or at all), that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and that the results of mineral exploration may not be indicative of the actual geology or mineralization of a project; that mineral exploration may be unsuccessful or fail to achieve the results anticipated by the Company; and those risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Source: Reflex Advanced Materials Corp.
HOUSTON, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE: TRGP) ("Targa" or the "Company") announced its quarterly dividend on common shares with respect to the second quarter of 2023.

Targa announced today that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per common share, or $2.00 per common share on an annualized basis, for the second quarter of 2023. This cash dividend will be paid August 15, 2023 on all outstanding common shares to holders of record as of the close of business on July 31, 2023.

The Company will report its second quarter 2023 financial results before the market opens for trading on Thursday, August 3, 2023 and will host a live webcast over the internet at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Central Time) to discuss its 2023 second quarter financial results.

Event InformationEvent: Targa Resources Corp. Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Webcast and PresentationDate: Thursday, August 3, 2023Time: 11:00 a.m. Eastern TimeWebcast: www.targaresources.com under "Events and Presentations" or directly at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/t7tn3qbg

Replay Information A webcast replay will be available at the link above approximately two hours after the conclusion of the event. A quarterly earnings supplement presentation and updated investor presentation will also be available under Events and Presentations in the Investors section of the Companys website prior to the start of the conference call, or directly at https://www.targaresources.com/investors/events.

About Targa Resources Corp.

Targa Resources Corp. is a leading provider of midstream services and is one of the largest independent midstream infrastructure companies in North America. The Company owns, operates, acquires and develops a diversified portfolio of complementary domestic midstream infrastructure assets and its operations are critical to the efficient, safe and reliable delivery of energy across the United States and increasingly to the world. The Companys assets connect natural gas and NGLs to domestic and international markets with growing demand for cleaner fuels and feedstocks. The Company is primarily engaged in the business of: gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting, and purchasing and selling natural gas; transporting, storing, fractionating, treating, and purchasing and selling NGLs and NGL products, including services to LPG exporters; and gathering, storing, terminaling, and purchasing and selling crude oil.

Targa is a FORTUNE 500 company and is included in the S&P 500.

For more information, please visit the Companys website at www.targaresources.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, factors and risks, many of which are outside the Companys control, which could cause results to differ materially from those expected by management of the Company. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, weather, political, economic and market conditions, including a decline in the price and market demand for natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil, the impact of pandemics or any other public health crises, commodity price volatility due to ongoing or new global conflicts, actions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC oil producing countries, the timing and success of business development efforts, and other uncertainties. These and other applicable uncertainties, factors and risks are described more fully in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact the Company's investor relations department by email at[email protected] or by phone at (713) 584-1133.

Sanjay LadVice President, Finance & Investor Relations

Jennifer KnealeChief Financial Officer

Source: Targa Resources Corp.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vital Battery Metals Inc. (Vital or the Company) (CSE: VBAM | OTC: VBAMF | FRA: C0O) is pleased to announce that it has commenced its initial Exploration Program (the Program) at its Schofield Lithium Project (Project) in Northwestern Ontario. The Program is being led by Clark Exploration Consulting Inc. who has been providing geological consulting services in Ontario, Canada as well as in many other jurisdictions both in Canada and Internationally since 1987.

Highlights of the Project include:

There are 17 mapped pegmatite outcrops on the Project which have not been thoroughly tested for LCT mineralization.

The Project is strategically situated adjacent to Brunswick Explorations Hearst Lithium Project.

Located 15km north of the Quetico-Wawa subprovince terrane boundary, the Project benefits from deep-seated regional structures know to influence LCT pegmatite mineralization.

Located within the Quetico subprovince, the Project comprises a variety of evolved S-type granitoids and pegmatites hosted by metamorphosed sediments (paragneisses) and metavolcanics.

Historical chip samples from Brunswick Exploration's Hearst package have shown 5.15% Li2O (see Brunswick Exploration Inc. news release dated October 3, 2022).

Figure 1 - Vital Battery Metals Schofield Lithium Project Regional Geology

The Projects exploration phase will consist of a 16-day 3-stage prospecting Program. Like the Companys previously announced program for the Dickson Lake Lithium Project, the aim of the current Program will be to locate, delineate and sample pegmatite dikes on the Project. Crews will take one day to locate and explore all historic roads on the Project establishing which are usable and which are not. The next stage will be a prospecting and sampling phase. Crews will take the next 7 to 10 days to traverse the Project attempting to locate and sample pegmatites noted in historic reports but also new ones that werent previously reported. The last stage of the Program will involve hand stripping and channel sampling. Stripping targets will be selected based on their prospectivity, overburden as well as location. Crews will take the rest of the time to hand strip, detail map and channel sample an exposure. Samples collected will be brought to AGAT Laboratories in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Adrian Lamoureux, Vitals Chief Executive Officer and President, comments, We are looking forward to sampling and mapping the numerous pegmatite outcrops on the Schofield Project during the Program. Once complete, Vital will have a key understanding of the Projects geology and the potential of lithium bearing pegmatites.

The Project is located within the Quetico Subprovince and contains a variety of evolved S-type granitoids and pegmatites hosted by metamorphosed sediments (paragneisses) and metavolcanics. The Quetico Subprovince is host to several pegmatite swarms such as Georgia Lake, Lowther and Wisa Lake. The pegmatites in the Quetico Subprovince are hosted by medium-grade unmigmatized metawacke with subordinate interbedded metapelite (e.g., spodumene-subtype Wisa Lake pegmatite and albite spodumene-type Georgia Lake pegmatites) and by their parent granite (e.g. petalite-subtype MNW pegmatite and lepidolite-subtype Lowther Township pegmatite) (Pye 1965; Breaks, Selway and Tindle 2003a, 2003b).

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Garry Clark, P.Geo., and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

The reader is cautioned that the mineralization on nearby or adjacent properties does not necessarily indicate that any mineral resources may be discovered on the Schofield Lithium Project, or if discovered, that such resources would be economically recoverable.

About Vital Battery Metals Inc.

Vital Battery Metals Inc. (CSE: VBAM |OTC: VBAMF | FRA: C0O) is a mineral exploration company dedicated to the development of strategic projects comprised of battery, base and precious metals in stable jurisdictions. The Company is working to advance its Schofield Lithium, Dickson Lake Lithium, Sting Copper Project, and Vent Copper-Gold Projects.

The Schofield Lithium Project covers 8,824 hectares and is adjacent to Brunswick Explorations Hearst Lithium Project. The Schofield Lithium Project is located ~60 km south of Hearst, Ontario.

The Dickson Lake Lithium Project covers 464 single-cell mining claims and approximately 9,780 hectares and is near a Brunswick Exploration Lithium Project, Imagine Lithiums Jackpot Deposit and Rock Techs Georgia Lake Deposit.

The Sting Copper Project covers approximately 12,700 hectares and hosts multiple historic Newfoundland and Labrador Government documented mineral occurrences and is located within a 50 km corridor known for significant volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS), copper quartz vein lode and low sulphation epithermal gold showings. The Vent Copper-Gold project covers 1,562 hectares in British Columbia. Vital continues to evaluate value-add assets to bolster its project portfolio.

For more information, visit www.vitalbatterymetals.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Adrian LamoureuxChief Executive Officer, Director+1 (604) 229-9772[email protected]

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the Project acquisition bringing a low-risk opportunity, the Company building a strong battery metals portfolio with low-risk opportunities that positively impact the Company and its shareholders and the Company providing an initial work plan are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Sting Copper Project and its mineralization potential; the Companys objectives, goals or future plans with respect to the Sting Copper Project; the commencement of drilling or exploration programs in the future; the completion and anticipated results of the Program. These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/323594f7-51cb-4835-98bb-f3aec2fd558c

Figure 1 Vital Battery Metals Schofield Lithium Project Regional Geology

Source: Vital Battery Metals Inc
Manhattan, New York, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHIN is seeking funding for the development of a new facility which will enable the school to expand their services.

The funding will be used towards the construction of the new building, which will let the staff of the school devote more funds to the education programs for students. With additional funding, the school can hire more teachers and commit more services to each educational method they have integrated into the curriculum. The school aims to serve the community through the education of its students and has become a leading figure in the area.

The school has a variety of specialized programs that are all designed to ensure students receive the best education possible. The staff at the school are equipped with the skills to teach students who require extra services. This includes students with disabilities, English Language Learners (ELL) and those living in poverty. WHINs unique model is especially beneficial to students with disabilities and ELLs, as the choir and orchestra program offered to all students helps develop early literacy and executive functioning skills.

The school also puts focus on students and families who are economically disadvantaged. The school is able to provide these students with teachers who connect with them on a personal level, many of which live in Washington Heights and come from similar backgrounds as their students. This connection enables the students to engage in the curriculum and outperform their peers. In addition to working attentively with economically disadvantaged students, the school has a language learning program for students whose first language isn't English.

The schools defining program is the El Sistema program, which is a model for social action through music. Through the program, students are taught musical instruction in choir and orchestra. The school has found when their students are engaged in the program they are better equipped to excel in the core subjects like reading, writing and math. They also develop an understanding of important life skills that are developed and honed throughout their time at the school.

Philanthropic support will provide financial relief to the school which will be used to increase the educational services provided. The new facility will be the culmination of years of hard work and dedication that has been given to the students.

Charlie Ortiz, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Washington Heights and Inwood Music Community Charter School, says

We are genuinely and authentically grateful to anybody who finds our model resonate with them and wants to offer some financial support, says Ortiz. I want everyone to know how deeply committed to our students we are. The school has support and educational structures in place for all of our students to thrive no matter where they come from or what they are dealing with. We ensure every student receives the full attention of staff and gets the best education possible.Media Contact:

Name: Charlie Ortiz

Email: [email protected]

There is no offer to sell, no solicitation of an offer to buy, and no recommendation of any security or any other product or service in this article. Moreover, nothing contained in this should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security, or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. It is your responsibility to determine whether any investment, investment strategy, security, or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. Consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax advisor regarding your specific business, legal, or tax situation.

Source: Washington Heights and Inwood Music Community Charter School
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 12, 2023) - Badger Capital Corp.(TSXV: YVR) ("Badger" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, as of July 11, 2023 it has completed a nonbrokered private placement (the "Financing") pursuant to which it issued an aggregate of 1,000,000 common shares (each, a "Share") at a price of $0.05 per Share for gross proceeds of $50,000.00 (the "Offering").

The Company, which is a TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") capital pool company, intends to use the proceeds from the Financing to fund its search for an eligible Qualifying Transaction, as well as for general working capital.

Completion of the Financing is subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after closing of the Offering. None of the securities issued in the Offering will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and none of them may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Neil Currie"

Neil Currie

President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial

Officer, Corporate Secretary, Director and Promoter

For further information, please contact:

Neil Currie

Telephone: 604.569.2209

Email: [email protected]

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forwardlooking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding the terms of the Offering, the anticipated use of proceeds of the Offering, the securities issuable under the Offering and the final acceptance of the Exchange. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will complete the Offering, use the proceeds of the Offering as currently anticipated and the Company will receive approval from the Exchange in connection with the Offering.

These forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that the Company will not receive the required regulatory approvals or approval from the Exchange in connection with the Offering and that the Company will not use the proceeds of the Offering as currently anticipated.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173365
Showcasing the Distinct Charm of Traditional Chinese Culture

Abstract: Chinese cuisine serves as a delightful representation of the country's culture. Over the last few years, dishes such as Chinese hamburgers and Fujian Sanming Shaxian delicacies have gained a following internationally, winning over many loyal fans. With the development of the Internet and the wide application of social media, the popularity of the global dissemination of Chinese food Cultural globalization is also rising, and the focus of international dissemination has shifted from food itself to the excavation of cultural values behind it.

Beijing, China--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Beijing Radio and Television recently hosted the second annual 'Most Delicious Hometown Flavor  Most Beautiful Hometown People' event, featuring a live broadcast of 'Checking In on Beijing's Most Delicious Hometown Flavor.' Food enthusiasts and foreign visitors alike gathered in groups to explore the capital's streets and alleys, discovering local cuisine, dialects, and culture, all while indulging in the best of Chinese delicacies. The culinary art of 'Five Flavors, Three Ingredients, Nine Boils, and Nine Changes' draws inspiration from Chinese myths, legends, and historical tales. Rooted in the pursuit of flavor harmony and coexisting with nature, this technique embodies thousands of years of Chinese culture and the ingenuity of its people. 'The Most Delicious Hometown Flavor' series of short videos showcases not only the diverse regional cuisine of China, but also the cultural significance carried by each dish, revealing the cultural values behind the art of cooking to a global audience.











Cannot view this video? Visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHHC5AK0vRQ

Maoming, Guangdong Province - Litchi Shrimp Balls

Sichuan Province - Dandan Noodles

Jiangxi Province - Soup pot







The 'Most Delicious Hometown Flavor  Most Beautiful Hometown People' initiative covered nearly 30 provincial offices and 20 local restaurants recommended by Prefecture-level city liaison offices in Beijing. In 2022 and 2023, a 24-hour live broadcast of the Cross Year Food Action was launched, showcasing popular cultures from various regions in China and creating unique consumption activities with regional flavors. This initiative not only allowed the general public to experience the warmth and strong New Year flavor of their hometowns, but it also achieved great communication results through collaborations with provincial-level radio and television new media in China and Beijing Time's overseas platform accounts, which broadcasted the initiative synchronously.

This year's activity also launched the short video solicitation activity of "Foreigners also love Chinese cuisine" to the world for the first time. Foreign friends can take short videos to tell their story. At the end of the event, a comprehensive selection will be made and the top 10 best story of "foreigners also love Chinese cuisine" will be announced. The protagonist of the story will be awarded the title of "the most beautiful hometown flavor overseas communication and promotion ambassador", and the award-winning author will be awarded the customized gift. Please log in to the webpage for activity details https://item.btime.com/f3rig0p8n4j9kf8ar6nrkpvvsi3.

Media Contact

Company: Beijing Radio & Television station Bejing Time

Contact Person: QIMENG

Email: [email protected]

Website:https://www.btime.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173245
Prague, Czech Republic--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Recently, Cloudfresh has achieved GitLab Select Channel and Professional Services Partner statuses. It means that from now on, Cloudfresh aims to invest in GitLab expertise, drive product growth and revenues, and develop and implement professional services.

This strategic partnership started at the end of 2022, first with the Open Channel status, and now has flourished and leveled up, giving Cloudfresh a variety of great opportunities in the DevSecOps sector.

" To compete in today's market, companies must concurrently transform and streamline their software development, management, and security practices. The GitLab Channel Partner Program provides licenses and services certifications to empower partners like Cloudfresh to help customers fully utilize GitLab's DevSecOps platform. Together, we revolutionize collaboration among development, security, and operations teams. We're excited to welcome Cloudfresh to our program to deliver solutions and services that make our customers more successful, extracting the full capability from their DevSecOps and Digital Transformation initiatives. This collaborative effort drives innovation, agility, and market advantage, empowering customers to thrive in the ever-evolving business landscape."

Matthew Coughlan

Director of EMEA Channels, GitLab Inc.

GitLab is a DevOps software solution that covers all stages of the DevSecOps lifecycle to enable the teams to deliver software faster while strengthening security and compliance. Recently, GitLab has been recognized by Gartner as a Leader in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant" for DevOps Platforms, which is the inaugural Magic Quadrant for this category. You can learn more about it here.





Cloudfresh & GitLab Partnership



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Cloudfresh is deepening its valuable cooperation with GitLab to maximize the value of DevSecOps for the clients. This partnership is true evidence that the Cloudfresh team has gained all the necessary expertise and certifications in GitLab solutions and can sophisticatedly enable their clients with the best product mastering and strategies realizations together with GitLab. And that is what the Cloudfresh team has been effectively performing from the start of 2023 while cooperating with many clients who want to start with GitLab to strengthen and accelerate their application delivery.

During 2023, the Cloudfresh team has also developed a Professional Service Packages that covers all the stages of the GitLab implementation, migration, education, advisory, support, and integration with the other system. Cooperating with the experienced GitLab partner in your DevSecOps journey will shorten the learning curve for your teams and enable you to the faster achievements in your software delivery.

Cloudfresh continues to grow in the number of certified GitLab employees to empower clients with utmost care and support throughout their DevSecOps transformation. They are into DevSecOps and are working to build a precious DevOps community.

In recent months, Cloudfresh has already held two DevOps It Meetups: online and offline. The first aimed to discuss the need for DevOps professional certifications and share the best practices for passing the exams. The second offline event was about going from a startup to a large company without chaos engineering using CI technology. Cloudfresh is planning the 3rd DevOps It Meetup in July about how to Properly Administer and Automate with Kubernetes service.

All these initiatives have at their core the desire to build an expertised DevOps community, give people the possibility to network with other people and experts who share the same interests, and gain more proficiency and insight into DevOps solutions.

Cloudfresh believes that proper education in the vivid live format of the discussion with the possibility to meet industry experts in the DevOps fields is a great way to spread knowledge about modern technologies that will simplify and enhance the work of IT professionals. While being the GitLab Partner gives Cloudfresh a tremendous amount of opportunities to boost its knowledge in DevSecOps, help clients launch and facilitate their projects with GitLab, and develop the valuable DevOps community together with cutting-edge solutions.

____

!loudfresh is Global Google Cloud Premier Partner, Zendesk Premier Partner, Asana Solutions Partner, Gitlab Select Channel Partner.

Contact:

Anastasiia Puzerei

[email protected]

+48 500 734 002

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173056
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated, on Thursday morning in Cairo, Sudan's Neighbouring Countries' Summit, aimed at halting the bloodshed and managing its impact on neighbouring countries.

In his speech, the Egyptian President addressed the crisis in Sudan, stating that it comprises security and stability in the region, neighbouring countries, and the world.

El-Sisi emphasized that the summit aims to "unify the vision and make decisions to resolve the crisis, in coordination with the African Union and the Arab League."

"I call for the establishment of a communication mechanism to directly engage with all parties involved," the Egyptian president added.

The summit is being attended by leaders from Sudans seven neighbouring countries Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central Africa, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, along with the secretary-general of the Arab League, and the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.

Fighting between Sudans army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in the capital Khartoum in15 April, and has spread to the fragile Darfur and Kordofan regions.

More than 1,000 civilians have been killed and 700,000 displaced in neighbouring countries, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix.

El-Sisi stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of the crisis to reach a comprehensive political solution. He emphasized the need for an immediate and lasting cessation of military operations to avoid further complications.

The president underscored the importance of supporting neighbouring countries most affected by the repercussions of the crisis, noting that Egypt has already received hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees when the crisis began.

He called upon international parties to fulfil their commitments and support the neighbouring countries of Sudan that are most affected by the crisis.

The president pledged to continue to deliver humanitarian aid from Egypt's borders to the affected areas in Sudan and called for a comprehensive national dialogue that would include all of Sudans wide-reaching political forces to achieve a political solution.

El-Sisi urged the warring parties to facilitate the establishment of safe humanitarian corridors to deliver aid and to commence serious negotiations to effect a permanent ceasefire.

Participating leaders took to the stage to express their concerns over the repercussions of the conflict on their countries.

Central Africas Touadera highlights threat to neighbours

President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera asserted that the armed conflict in Sudan poses a threat to the stability of neighbouring countries and hinders economic development.

"The repercussions of the war in Sudan go beyond borders and are felt by neighbouring countries," Touadera stressed.

S Sudans Kiir demands expansion of IGAD initiative

President of South Sudan Salva Kiir seconded this concern, stating that Sudan's neighbouring countries have faced an influx of thousands of refugees, which puts pressure on the economic situation.

Kiir stressed the importance of putting in place a framework to discuss a comprehensive peaceful and political settlement in Sudan while "prioritizing the interests of the Sudanese people."

Our priorities include finding African solutions to the continent's crises, Kiir said.

He added that Africas Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union are already working to end the conflict in Sudan. "I demand the expansion of the IGAD initiative to include the parties to the Sudanese crisis and neighbouring countries", he stated.

Eritreas Afwerki stresses Sudanese peoples role

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki said Sudan's neighbouring countries will work to resolve the crisis, but "the final word is for the Sudanese people without external intervention under any pretext."

Chads Deby appeals to intl community

The transitional President of Chad Mahamat Idriss Deby expressed support for any efforts seeking a peaceful settlement in Sudan.

"We have received over 150,000 Sudanese refugees, mostly women and children, due to the conflict," Deby stated, adding that "We appeal to the international community to take action to address the Sudanese crisis."

Ethiopian PM stresses urgent settlement of crisis

Echoing these sentiments, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the need to contain the conflict as soon as possible and address the waves of displacement to neighbouring countries.

"The conflict in Sudan must be resolved as soon as possible because the crisis has significant implications for the region and neighbouring countries," Ahmed said.

Libyas Al-Menfi calls for integrating various initiatives

Libyan Presidential Council Chairman Mohamed Al-Menfi stated that Libya is ready to engage in any efforts to stop the war.

He also called for unifying visions and initiatives to resolve the crisis in Sudan.

The summit seeks to set effective frameworks to peacefully settle the crisis in coordination with other regional and international tracks.

Egypts hosting of the summit is the result of the keenness of President El-Sisi to formulate a joint vision for Sudans direct neighboring countries, a previous presidential statement noted.

The leaders of Sudan's neighbouring countries are also expected to discuss mechanisms to address the dire humanitarian situation resulting from the influx of thousands of Sudanese refugees into their countries since the conflict broke out in mid-April.

Faki reviews AU roadmap

The Chairman of the African Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki highlighted the roadmap the commission has developed to address the crisis in Sudan.

Faki stated that on 27 May the commission "developed a roadmap that includes important mechanisms, such as a ceasefire and humanitarian aid, as well as the establishment of a comprehensive political dialogue.

The roadmap will be coordinated with the concerned countries, he said.

Faki emphasized that the political mechanism should be derived from the Sudanese people without any external interference and stressed that the role of neighbouring countries is vital, and efforts must be coordinated to preserve Sudan and its neighbours.

Arab League highlights coordinated efforts

Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit stated that the League Council prioritizes finding ways to restore peace and stability in Sudan.

He pointed out that the council's meetings on Sudan have reiterated calls for an immediate cessation of all armed conflicts in order to stop the bloodshed and preserve the safety and security of civilians.

Aboul Gheit highlighted the Arab League's efforts in coordinating with the United Nations, the African Union, and relevant humanitarian organizations, given the significant challenge to peace and security in Sudan

Egypts efforts towards the Sudan crisis Egypt has the highest number of refugees followed by Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic (CAR). In late June, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry stated that Egypt has received over 250,000 Sudanese, which accounts for about 60 percent of the total number of Sudanese who have fled their country. Furthermore, there were already five million Sudanese living in Egypt. Shoukry's remarks indicated that Egypt has offered approximately 300 tons of essential medical and food aid to those escaping the violence, and has helped evacuate roughly 10,000 foreign workers employed by diplomatic missions and international organizations. Hundreds of tons of medical and relief aid have been provided to Sudan through Port Sudan, and tens of tons of international humanitarian aid have been transported to the country with Egypt's help. At border crossings, the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) has established a humanitarian centre, while the Egyptian authorities have deployed 15 mobile clinics, several fixed clinics and pharmacies, and 12 medical convoys. President El-Sisi stated last month that Egypt wants to resolve the Sudan crisis, voicing hope that stability would be restored in the nearest time possible. He previously pointed out that what is happening in Sudan is an internal matter that "should never be interfered with so as not to inflame the status quo there." El-Sisi emphasized Egypt's stance of not interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, warning of the consequences of interfering in Sudan's internal affairs.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Commander Resources Ltd. (TSXV:CMD) ("Commander") is pleased to report that it will follow-up its successful inaugural drill program at the Burn Copper and Gold porphyry project (the "Burn Property" or "Burn") with 4,000 metres ("m") of drilling scheduled to begin on July 15, 2023. The Burn Project is located 100 km north of Smithers, British Columbia. Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport") is earning up to a 75% interest in the Burn Property and Commander is the operator. Commander completed an inaugural drill test of the project comprised of four drill holes totaling 1,513 m from three drill sites in October 2022.

Highlights:

Burn represents a new greenfields porphyry copper and gold discovery.

4,000 metre fully funded drill program to begin July 15 th .

Targeting a large 9 km 2 partially exposed porphyry system drill tested for the first time in 2022.

Successful drilling in 2022 discovered a central porphyry zone in Hole BU22-01 that returned 50 metres @ 0.24% CuEq and a separate gold-rich zone in hole BU22-02 that returned 83.5 metres grading 1.08 g/t Au.

Targets to be tested comprise step outs from 2022 holes and drilling of widespread magnetic and soil geochemical targets.

The Burn Property, which covers 17,675 ha was acquired directly by Commander in 2018 to cover prominent gossans exposed along ridges and has seen limited historical exploration. The 2022 program was the first time the property has been drilled. The Burn Property is located within the Babine Porphyry belt 70 km north of two past producing mines at Bell and Granisle (Figure 1). Initial work at Burn in 2018 identified widespread phyllic-style alteration with trace amounts of chalcopyrite. There is no record of previous geophysical surveys or drilling. Past work by Commander, funded by Freeport, included a property wide airborne magnetic survey which outlined two prominent circular magnetic rings and several linear magnetic highs that coincide with stocks and dykes of Eocene age. A property-wide program of stream sediment sampling, soil and rock sampling, and geological mapping outlined four alteration zones of which the largest is referred to as the Central zone, the focus of the current drill program. It is underlain by numerous phases of feldspar-biotite-hornblende porphyry dykes and stocks exhibiting alteration from chlorite to chlorite-magnetite, and moderate quartz-sericite-pyrite (QSP) to intense QSP with local quartz veinlets.

Robert Cameron, President and CEO states "Our successful initial program of drilling in 2022 confirms Commander's view of the high potential of the Burn project with two of the three sites tested returning highly mineralised intervals from within a large 9 km2 target area. This year's program will continue to test additional targets as well as complete step-out drilling from last years holes. This grassroots copper and gold discovery represents a northerly extension of the well-established porphyry copper and gold Babine District and was acquired directly by Commander following a regional data compilation and a single day of ground prospecting, which is a testament to the strength and expertise of our technical team. Our partner, Freeport-McMoRan, recognised the potential and partnered with us at an early stage funding the systematic evaluation of this large tenure package that culminated in this drill discovery."

2022 Drill results are presented below in Table 1

Table 1: Drill Hole Summary

Hole from (m) to (m) Length (m) 1 Cu % Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) CuEq.2 BU22-01 4.0 52.0 48.0 0.11 0.05 0.59 0.14 84.0 134.0 50.0 0.11 0.20 0.58 0.24 BU22-02 4.5 154.0 149.5 0.66 1.85 including 4.5 88.0 83.5 1.08 2.47 including 28.0 32.0 4.0 11.1 3.88

Notes

1: length is core length. True widths are unknown.

2: CuEq.: Copper equivalent is calculated using metals prices ($US) of $3.50/ lb for Cu, $1750/oz for Au and $20/lb for Ag and assumed net metal recoveries of 85% for Cu, 72% for Au and 65% for Ag summarized in the following formula. CuEq % = Cu% + ((Au g/t * (Au recovery / Cu recovery) * (Au $ per oz/ 31.1034768) / (Cu $ per lb* 22.05)) + ((Ag g/t * (Ag recovery / Cu recovery) * (Ag $ per oz/ 31.103) / (Cu $ per lb* 22.05)). Metal prices are not economic parameters and are used solely for determining relative weighting factors in CuEq calculations. Recoveries are arbitrary and informed from peer company practice and documented metallurgical studies of similar nearby deposits. No metallurgical work has been completed at Burn.

Figure 1: Location Map





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Summary of Freeport Earn-In Agreement terms.

Freeport has been granted the right to earn up to a 75 % interest in the Burn Property through staged option payments and work expenditures totaling $2,500,000 in exploration expenditures and $560,000 in payments to Commander following which the companies would enter a 75% Freeport/25% Commander Joint Venture. On October 6, 2022, the Burn property was expanded by optioning a 100% interest in a seven mineral tenure cells (127 ha.) from private vendors for aggregate payments of $290,000. Separately from Commander, Freeport has partnered with ITOCHU Corporation to co-fund their portion of expenditures. Freeport will be fully vested at the conclusion of this program.

2022 Drill Program QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control)

Commander's 2022 exploration program was supervised by Stephen Wetherup P. Geo., Commander's Vice President of Exploration. The drill contractor was ITL Drilling of Smithers BC. Half-core NQ (47.6 mm) sawed samples from continuous intervals throughout the reported drill holes were sealed on site and shipped to Bureau Veritas ("BV") labs in Vancouver, BC. where fire assay and multielement analyses were completed. Drill core was crushed, pulverized and analyzed for 48 elements using a four-acid dissolution followed by ICP-MS (MA250) with a 30 g sample analyzed for gold by fire assay and fusion Au by ICP-ES (FA330-Au) with overlimit gold analysed by lead collection fire assay 30g fusion with gravimetric finish (FA530). Blanks and commercially certified reference materials were inserted blind into the sample stream with an overall insertion rate of 10%. Field duplicates representing a quarter core split of the original sample are inserted at 2.5%. In addition, pulp and crush duplicates are inserted by the laboratory. The QA/QC results were reviewed and the QA/QC results for the reported drill holes are acceptable.

Qualified Person

Robert Cameron, P. Geo. is a qualified person within the context of National Instrument 43-101 and has read and takes responsibility for the technical aspects of this release. All fieldwork completed to date and on-site supervision of the drill program was by Stephen Wetherup.

About Commander Resources

Commander Resources is a Canadian focused exploration company that has leveraged its success in exploration through a combination of partnerships and sole funded exploration. Commander has a portfolio of base and precious metal projects across Canada. Commander also retains royalties from properties that have been partnered, optioned, or sold.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Robert Cameron, P. Geo., President and CEO

For further information, please call:

Robert Cameron, President and CEO

Toll Free: 1-800-667-7866

[email protected]

@CommanderCMD

www.commanderresources.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173375
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - European Energy Metals (TSXV: FIN) (FSE: W28) ("European Energy" or the "Company") is pleased to announce commencement of the 2023 Phase I Exploration Program at its Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum ("LCT") and Rare Earth Element ("REE") Finnish Pegmatite Project, consisting of five exploration concessions covering 2,300 square kilometers in central and southern Finland.

Phase I will consist of mapping and sampling of the documented pegmatite occurrences throughout the Finnish Pegmatite Project. Prospecting for new occurrences will also form part of the program. Resourceful Geoscience Solutions Inc., a Canadian consulting firm with in-country experience, will undertake the program, with assistance from Finnish company GeoPool OY.

"We are very pleased to commence 2023 exploration, with Phase I focussed on evaluating Finnish Pegmatite Project to highlight high priority areas for subsequent permitting for Phase II drilling," stated European Energy Metals CEO Jeremy Poirier. "European Energy's objective remains H1 2024 drilling as we continue to work toward developing the Finland Pegmatite Project portfolio into one of Europe's major sources of lithium and REE's, critical metals to the green future," he continued.

The exploration crews plan to work north to south commencing with the Nabbia concession, through Lappajarvi East and West, to Katalia and finally wrapping up at the Kovelo concession. Samples will be sent to the ALS Minerals geochemical prep lab in Sodankyl, Finland. The samples will be analyzed with procedure ME-MS89L, utilizing a sodium peroxide fusion and ALS's Super Trace ICP-MS methodology.

Pursuant to an earn-in agreement with Capella Minerals Ltd., European Energy has the right to earn an 80% interest in the Finnish Pegmatite Project by issuing 1,750,000 shares, paying Cdn$500,000 and incurring Cdn$2,500,000 dollars in exploration expenditures staged over a 4 year earn in period. A detailed assessment of the historic and government exploration data compiled by the Finnish Geological Survey ("GTK") identified a series of permissive tracts for LCT pegmatites. The concessions comprising the Finnish Pegmatite Project were identified as a result of this pegmatite research.

About the Finland Pegmatite Project

The Finland Pegmatite Project consists of four exploration concessions in central Finland and one exploration concession in southern Finland. These reservations cover a total area of 2,300 square kilometres and are focused on Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum or LCT pegmatite complexes located within the Jarvi-Pohjanmaa and Seinajoki lithium-permissive tracts as defined by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK). Four of the reservations (Nabba, Lappajarvi West, Lappajarvi East and Kaatiala) lie immediately adjacent to, and to the south of, Keliber Oy's spodumene mine development project in the Kaustinen district.

Keliber Oy is a consortium, comprised of Sibanye-Stillwater (79%), Finnish Minerals Group (20%) and Finnish shareholders (1%). A Definitive Feasibility Study by Hatch dated June 14, 2018 states a JORC Code 2012 compliant Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 9.47 million tonnes at a grade of 1.16% Li 2 O.1

European Energy cautions investors the presence of lithium mineralization at Keliber Oy is not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization at the Nabba concession.

1. Definitive Feasibility Study Executive Summary June 14, 2018 by Hatch. http://mb.cision.com/Public/14755/2547948/b83a99f0255413fe.pdf

R. Tim Henneberry, P.Geo. (BC), a Director of European Energy Metals Corp., is the Qualified Person who has reviewed and approved the technical content disclosed in this release.

About European Energy Metals Corp.

European Energy Metals Corp. is a junior mining company currently focussed on the Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum Finnish Pegmatite Project in central Finland. Governing bodies in Europe and Finland are legislating environmentally friendly and energy independent laws and policies. One of the key components is access to REE and, specifically, lithium. The Company is also focusing on its Champ Copper Project located in Southeast British Columbia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Jeremy Poirier, CEO

Telephone: 604-722-9842

Email: [email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, including the future planned exploration programs for, and the exploration potential of, the Finland Pegmatite Project. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include the costs of any anticipated work programs and the ability to fund such costs, required approvals in connection with any work programs and the ability to obtain such approvals, risks inherent in exploration as well as those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173160
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Golden Independence Mining Corp. (CSE: IGLD) (OTCQB: GIDMF) (FSE: 6NNA) (the "Company" or "Golden Independence") is pleased to announce the completion of the first phase exploration program at the Napoleon project located in the Kamloops Mining Division of British Columbia. The exploration program was completed by Tripoint Geological Services during June and was comprised of rock sampling and prospecting. A total of 13 rock samples were collected and submitted to ALS Global for assaying with results expected over the coming weeks.

In the southern portion of the Napoleon claims, the prospecting program at Napoleon located similar intrusive to those hosting the Bonaparte deposit, along with vuugy quartz veins hosted in Nicola Group rocks in the north, which represents a second potential host of mineralization.

"The initial exploration program met with overall success," commented Jeremy Poirier, CEO of Golden Independence. "Particularly, the observation of similar geology and mineralization to that of the high-grade Bonaparte mine to the southeast is highly encouraging and we await assay results to both confirm observations and guide the next stage of exploration at the project."

In the southern portion of the claims closest to the Bonaparte mine, prevalent subcrop of quartz diorite occurs hosting up to 5% disseminated pyrite and pyrrhotite which appears genetically similar to that observed at the Bonaparte mine. The Company will be reviewing the subsequent phase of exploration following the receipt of assay results.

About the Napoleon Project

The Napoleon property occurs along the same northwest trending erosional exposure through Chilcotin basalts as the Bonaparte Mine. The Bonaparte Mine, located to the southeast, is comprised of several en echelon high-grade gold-bearing quartz veins with similar intrusive rocks mapped within the Napoleon property. Exploration within the region dates back to the 1970's and 1980's with the discovery of gold mineralization in several clusters of quartz vein float material over a diorite intrusion with grades varying from 3.4 to 547 g/t gold1. The adjoining Bonaparte deposit has been extensively explored including underground development, open pit mining, and a bulk sampling which yielded grades of 26.5 g/t gold from a 3,700 metric tonne bulk sample2.

Golden Independence cautions investors it has yet to verify the historical information and further cautions mineralization on the Bonaparte deposit is not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization on the Napoleon Gold Project.

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, P. Geo (BC) a Qualified Person under NI43-101 and a Director and the President of Golden Independence Mining Corp.

About Golden Independence Mining Corp.

Golden Independence Mining Corp. is a development company currently focused on the development-stage Independence project located adjacent to Nevada Gold Mine's Phoenix-Fortitude mine in the Battle Mountain-Cortez Trend of Nevada in addition to the wholly owned Napoleon gold project located in the Kamloops Mining Division of BC and Yukon gold claims in the Watson Lake district of the Yukon. The Independence project hosts an M&I resource of 334,300 ounces of gold and an Inferred resource of 847,000 ounces of gold with a substantial silver credit. A 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) outlined a low-cost heap leach operation focusing on the near-surface resource with total production of 195,443 ounces of gold at an all-in sustaining cost of US$1,078 per ounce of gold. The Napoleon project is comprised of over 1,000 hectares and prospective for multiple forms of gold mineralization, with exploration in the area dating back to the 1970's with the discovery of high-grade gold. The Yukon gold projects are comprised of almost 8,000 hectares of quartz claims prospective for high-grade gold mineralization with historical grab sampling highlights of 144 g/t gold.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Jeremy Poirier, Chief Executive Officer

Telephone: 1.604.722.9842

Email: [email protected]

This press release contains forward-looking information (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation) that involves various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information includes statements based on current expectations of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and, as such, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance of the Company. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, without limitation, statements regarding the receipt of positive assay results and the exploration potential of the Napoleon claims. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information in this news release, including without limitation, inherent risks associated with the mining industry and the results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties, stock market volatility and capital market fluctuations, general market and industry conditions, as well as those risk factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed management's discussion & analysis. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. This forward-looking information is based on estimates and opinions of management on the date hereof and is expressly qualified by this notice. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the Company's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada at www.sedar.com. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such information unless required by applicable law.

1ARIS 32930 BC Geological Survey Assessment Report

2Bonaparte Gold Technical Report dated April 12, 2019

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173321
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Green River Gold Corp. (CSE: CCR) (OTC Pink: CCRRF) (the "Company" or "Green River") is pleased to provide the following information regarding exploration activities at its Kymar Silver Project, which is located in southeast BC, approximately 28 kilometers west of the town of Invermere in the Golden Mining Division. The property is made up of nine mineral tenures, totaling 1,626 hectares, along the southeast flank of Mount Catherine.





Figure 1 Field Reconnaissance Map

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The primary objective of the 2023 field reconnaissance program is to focus on the Hot Punch Property situated at the head of Delphine Creek. Relevant information regarding this area General site descriptions can be found in the Minfile records for the Hot Punch (L.5100), STAR, and OUTLET mines. Geologically, the region is predominantly composed of Proterozoic clastic sedimentary rocks of the Purcell and Windermere supergroups, alongside lower Paleozoic strata of the Beaverfoot and Mount Forster formations (Geoscience Map 1995-1). Green River's project geologist has visited the Star mine, which is part of the Hot Punch underground mine workings (082KSE034), located just up the slope from the mine prospect, as documented in the Minister of Mines Annual Report from 1949. Mineralization in this area is characterized by fissure veins within sheared dolomite. Historical records in 1921 indicate 3 tonnes of ore was extracted, resulting in the production of 4821 grams of silver and 1333 kilograms of lead. The occurrence is primarily represented by a single caved adit.

Tyler Tian, the project geologist, journeyed along the Toby Creek trail for 9 kilometers and proceeded to cross Delphine Creek before entering the designated property (Figure 1). During the exploration, he discovered three camps used by historic miners, along with two adits and a vertical shaft. A steel rail system was observed near one of the adits (Figure 2 and 3). This rail system was constructed on the hillside, starting from the entrance of the adit and extending down to the lower access trail. It is likely that the historic miners utilized this rail system to transport ore from the higher adit to the lower creek bank for shipment preparation. The current access trails remain in favorable condition, although some sections have been overgrown.





Figure 2 Miner's camp close to the lower creek

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Figure 3 Miner's camp close to the adit

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Within the vicinity of the site, the rocks belonging to the Kitchener and Dutch Creek formations have undergone additional subdivision and have been reassigned as part of the Van Creek and Gateway formations. The Van Creek Formation corresponds to the Lower Kitchener Formation, whereas the Gateway Formation is equivalent to the lower section of the Dutch Creek Formation. Moreover, the Mount Nelson Formation has been divided into seven distinct members, namely a lower quartzite, a lower dolomite, a middle dolomite, a purple dolomite, an upper middle dolomite, an upper quartzite, and an upper dolomite (Open File 1990-26).

The project geologist gathered samples from four distinct types of bedrock exposures. The bedrock consisted of black argillite, dolomite, schist, and quartzite. Within these bedrock formations, there are sulfide minerals present, such as Sulfide mineralization consisting of galena, sphalerite, tetrahedrite, chalcopyrite, and small amounts of gold were identified in some of the quartzite layers (Figure 4). A total of twelve rock samples were collected and dispatched to the MSA lab located in Langley, British Columbia. The purpose of sending these samples is to undergo a comprehensive analysis, including a 34-element tracing level diagnosis and a fire assaying test specifically designed to detect gold content. Each rock will be dried, crushed and pulverized to 85% passing 75 micron, then use then four-acid digestion method with ICP-ES finish. Meanwhile, thirty grams of the representative from each sample will be tested by fire assaying method and use an AA finish.





Figure 4 Quartzite outcrop with semi-massive suphides

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Tyler Tian, the project geologist observes that while the historic miner's camp has deteriorated over time, its size is quite remarkable, measuring 10 meters by 10 meters, suggesting it could have accommodated up to 20 miners. The abandoned adits and shaft also leave a powerful impression, showcasing the significant mining efforts undertaken in the steep terrain. The presence of historical mining activities, coupled with the occurrence of semi-massive sulphide-bearing quartz veins, indicate the property's considerable potential for mineral exploration. Particularly noteworthy is the potential along the local thrust fault leading to the upper hill area. Once the assaying lab delivers the results of the assays, Green River will proceed with outlining further phases of exploration.

The Kymar Silver Project includes nine known past producing mines (Figure 5). A brief description of each past producing mine is given below:

Delphine (Minfile 082K SE032): The Delphine mine occurrence consists of a 0.3 to 1.0 meter wide quartz-carbonate vein along a normal fault. The fault strikes 150 degrees, dips 78 degrees northeast, and cuts the middle dolomite member of the Mount Nelson Formation. Ore minerals include galena and tetrahedrite with minor sphalerite, pyrite and chalcopyrite (Open File 1990-26, page 32). The vein, where it has been stoped for 60 meters, had an average width of 1.0 meter and was made up of massive galena (Minister of Mines Annual Report 1898). Total production from the Delphine Mine yielded 614,315 grams of silver, 3025 kilograms of copper, and 46,880 kilograms of lead from 170 tonnes of ore mined.

M.T. Fraction (Minfile 082K SE055): The M.T. Fraction is hosted within dolomite of the Mount Nelson Formation. The occurrence consists of a quartz-carbonate vein 20 to 30 cm wide, which has been explored within a small adit. Limited production within the adit at the turn of the century yielded 254,641 grams of silver, 1655 kilograms of copper, and 39 kilograms of lead. Ore minerals included galena, tetrahedrite and chalcopyrite with minor sphalerite. The vein is within a dilatant zone along a normal fault that strikes southeast and dips 80 degrees west.

White Cat (Minfile 082K SE040): The White Cat occurrence is within the middle dolomite member of the Mount Nelson Formation below a north trending overthrust fault that separates the Mount Nelson and Dutch Creek formations (Open File 1990-26). Mineralization is associated with a quartz vein 0.6 to 2.5 meters wide that follows an open gouge zone for 75 meters along strike. The vein strikes 050 degrees and dips 70 degrees northwest. Massive galena with minor tetrahedrite occurs throughout the vein in lenses 2 to 3 meters long and 0.5 meter wide. The vein has been developed with several small adits and trenches. Limited production between 1924 and 1928 yielded 154,893 grams of silver and 80,644 kilograms of lead from 152 tonnes of ore mined.

Beulah (Minfile 082K SE057): The Beulah prospect has been explored with several trenches and a 45-meter-long adit. Mineralization is hosted within a sheared quartz-barite vein cutting the middle dolomite member of the Mount Nelson Formation (Open File 1990-26). The vein varies in width from 5 to 60 centimeters and has been followed along strike for a distance of 150 meters. Galena, bournonite, sphalerite and tetrahedrite occur as narrow streaks and massive pockets the entire length of the vein. Malachite and azurite are common in surface exposures. In 1926, a 52 tonne ore bulk sample was collected from the adit and shipped to the Trail smelter. Although recovery from the bulk sample is not known, the average grade of the shipment was 2000 grams per tonne silver, 57 per cent lead, 0.8 per cent copper and 3.4 grams per tonne gold (Property File - Galloway, J.D. (1926): Report on Key Group.

BC Tilbury (Minfile 082KSE056): The BC Tilbury occurrence consists of a 30- to 50-centimetre-wide quartz vein containing galena and tetrahedrite within Mount Nelson dolomite (Open File 1990-26). The vein has been explored within a small, 15-metre-deep shaft and a 75-meter-long drift. A total of 79 tonnes of ore was sporadically mined from the vein between 1905 and 1927. Total production yielded 198,873 grams of silver, 41,415 kilograms of lead and 427 kilograms of zinc.

RAD (082K SE027): This occurrence is hosted within the lower dolomite member of the Mount Nelson Formation and consists of narrow veins and fractures within the crest of an anticline. The veins and fractures are parallel to the axis of the anticline. Mineralization consisting of galena, sphalerite and tetrahedrite occurs in white quartz veins (Assessment Report 9983).

Hot Punch (082K SE034): The Hot Punch is hosted within dolomite of the Mount Nelson Formation and possibly also hosted within a conglomerate of the Toby Formation (Open File 1990-26). Mineralization occurs in 0.1 to 1.0 meter wide fissure veins in sheared dolomite. A total of 74 tonnes of ore was mined between 1908 and 1926 and produced 108,582 grams of silver, 27,268 kilograms of lead, 904 kilograms of zinc and 62 grams of gold. Ore minerals included galena, sphalerite, tetrahedrite and minor chalcopyrite.

STAR (082KSE088): The Star is hosted within dolomite of the Mount Nelson Formation and is similar to the Hot Punch (082KSE034), which is just up the slope from this prospect (Minister of Mines Annual Report 1949). Mineralization occurs in fissure veins hosted in sheared dolomite. A total of 3 tonnes of ore was mined in 1921, which produce 4821 grams of silver and 1333 kilograms of lead. The occurrence consists of a single caved adit.

Outlet (082KSE045): The Outlet occurrence consists of a single vertical quartz vein, 30 to 90 centimeters wide, containing galena, sphalerite and pyrite. The vein is hosted within Mount Nelson dolomite and appears to follow bedding which strikes southeast and dips nearly vertical. A chip sample from the vein yielded 187 grams per tonnes silver, 16 per cent lead and 8 per cent zinc across 60 centimeter of width (Minister of Mines Annual Report 1924).





Figure 5. Kymar Silver Project overview map

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Qualified Person:

Stephen P. Kocsis is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and he has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

About Green River Gold Corp.

Green River Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on its wholly owned Fontaine Gold Project, Quesnel Nickel/Magnesium/Talc Project, and Kymar Silver Project which are located in renowned mining districts in British Columbia.

The Fontaine Gold and Quesnel Nickel properties cover an area exceeding 200 square kilometers and straddle a 32-kilometer length of the Barkerville and Quesnel Terranes. They are contiguous to Osisko Development Corp.'s mineral claim group containing a proposed mine location at its Cariboo Gold Project.

The Kymar Silver Project is located in southeast BC, approximately 28 kilometers west of the town of Invermere in the Golden Mining Division. The property is made up of nine mineral tenures, totaling 1,625 hectares, along the southeast flank of Mount Catherine.

For more information contact:

Green River Gold Corp.

Mr. Perry Little - President and Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

780-993-2193

Additional information about Green River Gold Corp. can be found by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com

Forward Looking Information: This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Expressions such as "anticipates", "expects", "believes", "estimates", "could", "intends", "may", "plans", "predicts", "projects", "will", "would" and other similar expressions, or the negative of these terms, are generally indicative of forward-looking information. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

In addition, the forward- looking information contained in this release is based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as it is inherently uncertain, and no assurance can be given that the expectations reflected in such information will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this release is made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances.

The securities of the Company have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This release is issued for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173379
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Hertz Lithium(CSE: HZ) (OTCQB: HZLIF) (FSE: QE2) ("Hertz" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that its shares will commence trading under the symbol "HZLIF" on the OTCQB Venture Market (the "OTCQB") effective July,11, 2023. The Company has also received The Depository Trust Company (the "DTC") full-service eligibility in the United States, making the Company's stock more accessible to U.S. retail and institutional investors.

Robert Barker, Director, comments: "Trading on the OTCQB, along with our Frankfurt, Germany listing, enables our U.S. and European shareholders to more effectively participate in trading Hertz shares and will increase liquidity in multiple jurisdictions. With our Lucky Mica Lithium project and Penn State Lithium Extraction patent licence development technology, we expect to attract many U.S.-based retail and institutional investors who are interested in exposure to lithium exploration and extraction technologies development and exploration within North America.. We are aggressively pushing forward with our active exploration programs at Lucky Mica (which have provided exciting early results) and we are advancing our Penn State lithium extraction technology. We look forward to growing our global investor base through our listings in Canada, U.S., and Germany as we proceed into a highly active period for the company."

The DTC is the largest securities depository in the world and facilitates electronic settlement of stock certificate transfers in the United States. The shares of the Company, trading under the symbol "HZLIF" in the United States, are now eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through the DTC and are therefore considered "DTC eligible." This electronic method of clearing securities offers a more efficient, lower-cost settlement process for investors and brokers.



The OTCQB is the premier market for entrepreneurial and development stage U.S. and international companies that are committed to providing a high-quality trading and information experience for their US investors. To be eligible, companies must be current in their financial reporting, pass a minimum bid price test, and undergo an annual company verification and management certification process.

RIO TINTO ENTRY INTO GRASS ROOTS LITHIUM PROJECTS IN JAMES BAY, QUEBEC-HERTZ CONDUCTING DUE DILLIGENCE ON ADJACENT PROJECTS

The Company is pleased to learn that Rio Tinto has recently entered the grass roots lithium exploration field.

As reported in Mining Weekly on July 11, 2023: https://www.miningweekly.com/article/rio-tinto-to-search-for-lithium-in-canadas-eeyou-istchee-james-bay-region-2023-07-11.

"In a development that underscores the growing global demand for critical minerals, mining giant Rio Tinto has set its sights on Quebec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region.

Through its subsidiary Rio Tinto Exploration Canada (RTEC), the mining major will be searching for lithium on the Corvet and Kaanaaya properties, owned by TSX-V-listed Azimut Exploration.

Azimut has signed two option and joint venture (JV) agreements with RTEC, contemplating an aggregate value of up to C$115.7-million in expenditures and cash payments.

The exploration programmes under the agreements will focus on identifying lithium/cesium/tantalum pegmatites, but both properties also have strong potential for intrusion-related gold/copper and magmatic nickel/copper/cobalt mineralisation.

The Corvett property comprises 877 claims over 424 km2 and the Kaanaaya property comprises 421 claims over 216 km2.

Rio Tinto has previously said that it was actively searching for lithium assets, as it expected demand for the metal used in the batteries that power electric vehicles to remain high for a long period of time.

Last month, RTEC entered into an option agreement with Midlands Exploration to acquire ten properties with lithium potential in the James Bay region. The properties include a total of 2 009 claims, covering a surface area of more than 1 000 km2."

HERTZ LITHIUM CONDUCTING DUE DILLIGENCE ON JAMES BAY, QUEBEC AND BRAZIL PROJECTS

Hertz Lithium is currently conducting due diligence on projects that may be near or adjoining Rio Tinto projects in James Bay Quebec and also in certain lithium potential areas of Brazil, where Rio Tinto has also acquired projects. Due diligence is in very early stages and no transaction is currently at an advanced stage and there is no guarantee a transaction in these area will materialize.

Recent Interview with Hertz CEO Kal Malhi and PR Media can be viewed here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ws-Ev-5cOkNsMXU9992iSrbHm_OQVkH2/view

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Signed"

Kal Malhi, CEO

About Hertz Lithium Inc.

The Company is a British Columbia based mineral exploration company primarily engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. The Company's lithium exploration project, the Lucky Mica Project, is located along the Arizona Pegmatite Belt in the Maricopa County of Arizona, USA. The Company is also working with Penn State University's College of Earth and Mineral Science department to develop a novel lithium extraction technology.

Hertz Lithium (OTCQB: HZLIF) now trades on the OTCQB Venture Market (as well as (CSE: HZ) (FSE: QE2), for early stage and developing U.S. and international companies. Companies are current in their reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process. Investors can find Real-Time quotes and market information for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

For further information, please contact Hertz Lithium or view the Company's filings at www.sedar.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Kal Malhi

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Phone: 604-805-4602

Email: [email protected]

https://hertzlithium.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the matters referenced herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements." All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173430
The guide helps people understand how to invest in digital real estate quickly.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Passive Digital Asset, has released a new guide titled "Unlocking the Power of Digital Real Estate: A Path to Financial Freedom in 2023 and Beyond." This resource aims to help individuals quickly learn about the mindset they need to start acquiring and growing their digital assets. The guide delves into the importance of understanding digital real estate in 2023 and how the platforms can help people overcome obstacles.

Philip Pich



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Talking to the media, the founder of the ecosystem, Philip Pich, said,"The quick guide is a culmination of years of insights from successful entrepreneurs. In the guide, we help people embrace the required mindset shift. It's a harsh reality that many people can get fazed when it comes to taking the first steps when to starting a digital asset themselves."

The ecosystem has a wide range of websites, blogs, e-commerce stores, and social media channels in diverse niches that can be acquired by people looking to own their digital real estate. This helps them build on the time, energy, strategies and effort put in by the entrepreneur so they can focus more on scaling and automating it and making it better with Content Creation, SEO and Traffic Generation.

People interested in reading the guide and can visit their site today: https://passivedigitalasset.com/

About Passive Digital Assets

Passive Digital Asset is an ecosystem dedicated to helping individuals achieve financial freedom.

Media Contact

Contact Person: Philip Pich

Company Name: Passive Digital Asset,

Email [email protected]

Website: https://passivedigitalasset.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/172951
Fremont, California--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - SynergisticIT, a leading provider of cutting-edge technology solutions, is excited to announce its participation in the upcoming event of Oracle CloudWorld 2023, scheduled to take place from September 18-21st at the Venetian Convention Center, Las Vegas.

Synergisticit @ Oracle Cloud World, Oracle Java One, Las Vegas and Gartner Data & Analytics Summit, Orlando, Florida

SynergisticIT to Exhibit at Oracle CloudWorld

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Oracle CloudWorld is one of the premier tech conferences globally, attracting more than 20,000 Tech professionals and industry experts each year. SynergisticIT will showcase its expertise in developing transformative cloud solutions, Java, Machine Learning, Data Science, offering manpower solutions that empower organizations to enhance operational efficiency, drive digital transformation, and achieve scalability.

SynergisticIT's participation at Oracle CloudWorld 2023 will involve a series of engaging activities. The company will set up an exhibition booth where attendees can explore its Service offerings. Attendees will get a chance to gain valuable insights and learn from SynergisticIT's wealth of experience of more than 12 years in providing manpower solutions to the tech Industry. The right Talent equipped with the right Tech skills is the cornerstone of digital transformation and success for any organization.

SynergisticIT understands that hiring the right people is the key to a company's success and growth. This is why they help tech organizations become better by offering experienced programmers. SynergisticIT provides certified, pre-screened, US-based Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, AI Developers, FullStack Developers, and Backend Java Programmers for IT companies.

Stack Developers, and Backend Java Programmers for IT companies.

Their company is a hybrid of tech bootcamp, software development, and IT staffing. SynergisticIT's candidates are regularly hired by top companies.

SynergisticIT also participated in the Gartner Data and Analytics Summit recently. The event offered an excellent platform to connect with industry leaders and gain valuable insights into emerging trends in the data and analytics landscape.

SynergisticIT invites all attendees, industry professionals, and the media to visit their booth at Oracle CloudWorld 2023 to learn more about their innovative solutions, how they can hire the right people to augment their tech teams without breaking the bank and discover how they can help businesses leverage the full potential of Oracle technologies.

SynergisticIT

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About SynergisticIT:

SynergisticIT is a leading Software Development and staffing company that holds pride in providing ground-breaking tech solutions specializing in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data science, Machine Learning Java, and digital transformation. With a dedicated team of experts and a client-centric approach, SynergisticIT has helped organizations harness the power of technology to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and achieve sustainable growth since 2010. The company is dedicated to delivering custom-made solutions to address the individual needs of each client, helping them gain a competitive edge in the market.

In addition to their consulting and software development services, SynergisticIT also provides Skill enhancement programs and courses to individuals who want to enhance their skills or start a career in IT. The skill enhancement programs of SynergisticIT focus on making their candidates job-ready. For this reason, they provide job placement support, interview preparation, resume-building assistance, and networking opportunities.

For any media, client, or other inquiries, please reach out to us at:https://www.synergisticit.com/contact-us/

SynergisticIT - "Home of the Best Data Scientists and Software programmers"

Organization: SynergisticIT

Address: 39141 Civic Center Dr. Suite 201, Fremont, CA -94538

Media Relations: Avinish K Singh

Phone: 510-550-7200

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171229
New hole is a 450-meter step-out from the nearest drill hole in the "Raptor Zone"

Tamarack, Minnesota--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) (OTC Pink: TLOFF) ("Talon" or the "Company"), the majority owner and operator of the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project ("Tamarack Nickel Project") in central Minnesota, is pleased to announce that its drill teams hit a new area of semi-massive nickel sulphide in a part of the Tamarack Intrusive Complex that has never been explored. The new nickel mineralization was encountered at a shallow depth of approximately 296.3 meters in an area between the Raptor's Head Area and the Raptor's Crest Area within the newly named "Raptor Zone" (see Figure 2 below).





Figure 1: Nickel mineralization encountered between 296.03 and 298.7 meters depth in new drill hole 23TK0482

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Both the Raptor's Head and the Raptor's Crest Areas contain high-grade massive nickel mineralization with grades up to 9.33% Ni1and 9.95% Ni2, respectively, however, the 1.5 km distance between these zones has never been drilled.





Figure 2: Analytical signal magnetic map showing the location of the Raptor Zone (red = highly magnetic), showing the location of new drill hole 23TK0482

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This maiden drill hole intersected 4.21 meters of nickel mineralization (assays pending), but of particular interest is that the mineralization is texturally very similar to what is observed in the Tamarack Resource Area Semi-Massive Sulphide ("SMSU") unit located over 2 km south of this drill hole (i.e. within the Tamarack Resource Area). Coarse grained SMSU has never been identified outside of the Tamarack Resource Area. This drill hole represents a 450-meter step-out from the nearest drill hole and provides ample room for exploration.

Brian Goldner, Chief Exploration and Operations Officer of Talon said: "This intersection reminds me of our first discovery in the Tamarack Resource Area in 2008. At that time, we were drilling coarse grained nickel mineralization of similar size to the current drill hole, trying to figure out where it came from. It took 42 holes to make that first discovery back then, but today we have the benefit of our in-house drilling team and our in-house geophysics team with industry leading technology to guide further exploration in the Raptor Zone."

Henri van Rooyen, CEO of Talon commented, "This is just one more signal that there is more nickel in America. While we have started the process of permitting an underground mine in the Tamarack Resource Area, we are committed to continuing to search for more high-grade nickel deposits in Minnesota and Michigan. Our strategy is to become a significant supplier of US nickel for US batteries from both the Tamarack Intrusive Complex (TIC) in Minnesota and from potential future nickel discoveries in Michigan. In 2021 and 2022, Talon's in-house geology, geophysics and drill teams discovered and delineated the CGO-East and CGO-West high-grade nickel areas, which led to a deal with Tesla. Presently, our teams are drilling approximately 1 km to the south of the Tamarack Resource Area in the 164 Zone, approximately 1.8 km to the north-east of the Tamarack Resource Area in the Raptor's Head Area and approximately 2.6 km to the north-east of the Tamarack Resource Area between the Raptor's Head and Raptor's Crest Areas, where the mineralization was intercepted."

QUALITY ASSURANCE, QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALIFIED PERSONS

Please see the technical report entitled "November 2022 National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report of the Tamarack North Project - Tamarack, Minnesota" with an effective date of November 2, 2022 prepared by independent "Qualified Persons" (as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101")) Brian Thomas (P. Geo), Roger Jackson (P. Geo), Oliver Peters (P. Eng) and Christine Pint (P.G) for information on the QA/QC, data verification, analytical and testing procedures at the Tamarack Nickel Project. Copies are available on the Company's website (www.talonmetals.com) or on SEDAR at (www.sedar.com). The laboratory used is ALS Minerals who is independent of the Company.

Lengths are drill intersections and not necessarily true widths. True widths cannot be consistently calculated for comparison purposes between holes because of the irregular shapes of the mineralized zones. Drill intersections have been independently selected by Talon. Drill composites have been independently calculated by Talon. The geological interpretations in this news release are solely those of the Company. The locations and distances highlighted on all maps in this news release are approximate.

Dr. Etienne Dinel, Vice President, Geology of Talon, is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Dr. Dinel is satisfied that the analytical and testing procedures used are standard industry operating procedures and methodologies, and he has reviewed, approved and verified the technical information disclosed in this news release, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the technical information.

ABOUT TALON

Talon is a TSX-listed base metals company in a joint venture with Rio Tinto on the high-grade Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project located in central Minnesota. Talon's shares are also traded in the US over the OTC market under the symbol TLOFF. The Tamarack Nickel Project comprises a large land position (18km of strike length) with high-grade intercepts outside the current resource area. Talon has an earn-in right to acquire up to 60% of the Tamarack Nickel Project, and currently owns 51%. Talon is focused on (i) expanding and infilling its current high-grade nickel mineralization resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 to shape a mine plan for submission to Minnesota regulators, and (ii) following up on additional high-grade nickel mineralization in the Tamarack Intrusive Complex. Talon has an agreement with Tesla Inc. to supply it with 75,000 metric tonnes (165 million lbs) of nickel in concentrate (and certain by-products, including cobalt and iron) from the Tamarack Nickel Project over an estimated six-year period once commercial production is achieved. Talon has a neutrality and workforce development agreement in place with the United Steelworkers union. Talon's Battery Mineral Processing Facility in Mercer County was selected by the US Department of Energy for $114m funding grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Talon has well-qualified experienced exploration, mine development, external affairs and mine permitting teams.

For additional information on Talon, please visit the Company's website at www.talonmetals.com.

Media Contact:

Todd Malan

1-(202)-714-8187

[email protected]

Investor Contact:

Sean Werger

1-(416)-500-9891

[email protected]

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to future exploration, drilling, assays and the results thereof, including discovering additional nickel mineralization at the Tamarack Nickel Project and discovering nickel in Michigan. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Table 1: Collar Location of Drill Hole 23TK0482

HOLE ID Easting (m) Northing

(m) Elevation

(masl) Azimuth Dip End

Depth (m) 23TK0482 491686.0 5170936.0 388.0 307 -73 Hole still in progress

Collar coordinates are UTM Zone 15N, NAD83

Azimuths and dips are taken from survey record at collar unless otherwise noted

Table 2: Quick Lithology Log for Drill Hole 23TK0482

HOLE ID From (m) To (m) Length Quick Log % Sulphides 23TK0482 0 100.58 OB 100.58 277.93 SED 277.93 293.54 CGO trace 293.54 296.03 2.49 CGO 4-7% 296.98 298.00 1.02 CGO 15% 298 298.7 0.7 CGO 5% 298.7 299.45 SED 299.45 300.26 CGO 3% 300.26 Hole still in progress SED

Quick lithology log of drill holes: Overburden (OB); Meta-sedimentary rocks (SED); Coarse-grained Orthocumulate (CGO).

1Drill hole 15TK0229. See the Company's press release dated September 1, 2015 for further technical details.

2Drill hole 18TK0264. See the Company's press release dated June 21, 2018 for further technical details.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173313
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Thesis Gold Inc. (TSXV: TAU) (WKN: A2QQ0Y) (OTCQX: THSGF) ("Thesis" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed and mailed materials to the securityholders of Thesis (the "Securityholders"), including the management information circular dated July 6, 2023 (the "Circular") and related documents for the special meeting of Securityholders to be held on August 9, 2023 (the "Meeting"). The Meeting is being held in connection with the proposed acquisition by Benchmark Metals Inc. ("Benchmark") of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Thesis (the "Thesis Shares") by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Arrangement") previously announced on June 5, 2023.

If the Arrangement becomes effective, Thesis shareholders (other than dissenting Thesis shareholders, if any) will receive 2.5584 common shares of Benchmark (each whole share, a "Benchmark Share") for each Thesis Share held (the "Exchange Ratio").

Further details with respect to the Arrangement are included in the Circular, which can be found under Thesis' profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Benefits of the Arrangement

Increased Scale: The Arrangement creates one of the largest precious metals development and exploration companies in the prolific Toodoggone Mining District of British Columbia and consolidates two significant exploration projects, as the ongoing development of Benchmark's Lawyers Project is nearby to high quality exploration targets on Thesis' Ranch Project. The combined company resulting from the Arrangement (the "Combined Company") has the potential to enhance Benchmark's current 3.14 million ounces (Moz) of gold equivalent (AuEq)1 measured and indicated (M&I) mineral resources and 0.415 Moz AuEq1 inferred mineral resources at Lawyers with high-grade, near-surface mineralization at Ranch.2

Growth and Catalysts: Focused on resource growth, exploration, and discovery through 50,000m of drilling in 2023 with the goal of defining new mineral resource estimates for the Lawyers & Ranch projects (Q1/Q2 2024). Following that, an updated preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") is expected to include high-grade underground ounces at Lawyers and Ranch's maiden resource estimate (Q3, 2024).

Strong Management Team: Securityholders will benefit from the combination of two precious metals exploration and development teams with a proven track record of success across exploration, construction, capital markets and mergers and acquisitions. The combined team has a demonstrated track record of success in various stages of mining operations from the exploration stage through to production.

Operational and Financial Synergies: Efficient capital resource management benefiting from anticipated operational and financial synergies.

Access to Capital: The Combined Company will have increased access to capital that will fuel growth and development plans to further enhance shareholder value.

Improved Capital Markets Presence: The Combined Company will have increased size and trading liquidity in Canada, enhancing the company's institutional investor following along with equity research.

1 AuEq calculated on a 1:80 gold-to-silver ratio.

2 See NI 43-101 technical report titled: Preliminary Economic Assessment lawyers gold-silver project Stikine Terrane, BC. Dated December 22, 2022, with an effective date of September 9, 2022 available under Benchmark Metals SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, filed on January 12, 2023.

Approvals and Conditions to Closing

Completion of the Arrangement is subject to the approvals of the Securityholders and the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the "Court"), and the satisfaction or waiver of other customary closing conditions. The TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") has conditionally approved both the Arrangement and the listing of the Benchmark shares to be issued in connection with the Arrangement. It is currently expected that the effective date of the Arrangement will occur in the third quarter of 2023.

Thesis Meeting

The Meeting will be held at the offices of Boughton Law Corporation, 595 Burrard Street, Suite 700, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7Z 1S8, at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on August 9, 2023, for the purposes set forth in the Thesis notice of meeting accompanying the Circular. Securityholders are encouraged to vote in advance of the Meeting, in accordance with the instructions set out in the form of proxy or voting instruction form, as applicable, mailed to Securityholders together with the Circular. The deadline for Securityholders to return their completed proxies or voting instructions forms is Monday, August 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time). Further details can be found in the Circular in the section entitled "General Proxy Information."

Receipt of Interim Order

Thesis is also pleased to announce that on June 27, 2023, it was granted an interim order (the "Interim Order") by the Court regarding the Arrangement. The Interim Order authorizes Thesis to proceed with various matters relating to the Arrangement, including the Meeting, and provides notice to the Securityholders of the date and time of the hearing of the petition to approve the Arrangement. Completion of the Arrangement is conditional upon receipt of a final order by the Court. The Court hearing in respect of the final order is expected to take place at 9:45 a.m. (Vancouver time) on August 18, 2023 (or as soon thereafter as legal counsel can be heard).

Minority Approval under MI 61-101

Thesis is subject to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). MI 61-101 provides that, in certain circumstances, where a "related party" (as defined in MI 61-101) of an issuer is entitled to receive a "collateral benefit" (as defined in MI 61-101) in connection with an arrangement transaction such as the Arrangement, such transaction may be considered a "business combination" for the purposes of MI 61-101 and subject to minority shareholder approval requirements.

A "collateral benefit" includes any benefit that a related party of the subject company (which includes the directors and executive officers of the subject company) is entitled to receive as a consequence of the transaction including such benefits as an increase in salary or a lump sum payment on a change of control.

Under MI 61-101, a benefit received by a related party is not considered to be a "collateral benefit" if, among other things, at the time the transaction was agreed to, the related party beneficially owned or exercised control or direction over less than 1% of the outstanding equity securities of the subject company at the relevant time.

If a "related party" receives a "collateral benefit" in connection with the Arrangement, the resolution approving the Arrangement (the "Arrangement Resolution") will require "minority approval" in accordance with MI 61-101. This means the Arrangement Resolution must be approved by a majority of the votes cast, excluding those votes beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, by the "related parties" of the Company who receive a "collateral benefit". This approval is in addition to the requirement that the Arrangement Resolution be approved by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by Securityholders at the Meeting.

If the Arrangement is completed, the vesting of Thesis' outstanding restricted share units (the "RSUs") is to be accelerated, and certain "change of control" compensation may be payable pursuant to consulting and employment agreements with certain directors and executive officers of Thesis. Pursuant to MI 61-101, these benefits are considered to be "collateral benefits" accruing to "related parties", unless they are excluded as a result of such party beneficially owning or exercising control or direction over less than 1% of the outstanding securities of each class of equity securities of Thesis at the relevant time, or the benefit is less than 5% of the amount of consideration that the related party expects it will be entitled to receive under the terms of the Arrangement, net of any offsetting costs to the related party, as determined by the Thesis Special Committee (as that term is defined in the Circular) and such determination is disclosed in the Circular (see pgs. 75-76 and pg. 85 of the Circular).

Following disclosure by each such director and senior officer of the number of securities of Thesis held by them and the benefits or payments that they expect to receive pursuant to the Arrangement, the Company has determined that two directors, Nicholas Stajduhar and Roy Bonnell, are the only related parties to Thesis who are receiving a "collateral benefit" in connection with the Arrangement and beneficially own or exercise control or direction over more than 1% of Thesis equity securities, respectively. Mr. Stajduhar beneficially owns or exercises direction or control over 2,875,225 Thesis Shares, Mr. Bonnell beneficially owns or exercises direction or control over 1,846,475 Thesis Shares (in both cases, including the deemed exercise of certain vested options and RSUs held by each of them and the accelerated vesting of RSUs pursuant to the arrangement agreement with Benchmark (the "Arrangement Agreement"), calculated in accordance with the provisions of MI 61-101). This represents approximately 4.42% and 2.84%, respectively, of the outstanding Thesis Shares as of the date of the Arrangement Agreement.

Consequently, the Thesis securities beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by both Mr. Stajduhar and Mr. Bonnell, or over which each of them has control or direction will be excluded for the purposes of determining if minority approval of the Arrangement is obtained. In order to ensure complete compliance with the requirements under MI 61-101, the requisite Securityholder approval for the Arrangement Resolution will require a majority of holders of Thesis Shares, options, and RSUs to be voted at the meeting in favour of the Arrangement Resolution, excluding the votes which may be cast by Mr. Stajduhar and Mr. Bonnell.

The Company is not required to obtain a formal valuation under MI 61-101 as (i) no "interested party" (as defined in MI 61-101) is, as a consequence of the Arrangement, directly or indirectly acquiring the Company and (ii) an "interested party" is not a party to any "connected transaction" (as defined in MI 61-101) to the Arrangement that is a "related party transaction" (as defined in MI 61-101) for which Thesis would be required to obtain a formal valuation. No prior valuations of Thesis have been made in the past 24 months and no bona fide prior offers that relate to the subject matter of, or are relevant to, the Arrangement, have been received by the Company in the past 24 months.

About Benchmark Metals

Benchmark Metals Inc. is a Canadian based gold and silver company advancing its 100% owned Lawyer's Gold-Silver Project located in the prolific Golden Horseshoe of northern British Columbia, Canada. The Project consists of three mineralized deposits that remain open for expansion, in addition to +20 new target areas along the 20-kilometer trend. Benchmark trades on the TSXV in Canada, the OTCQX Best Market in the United States, and the Tradegate Exchange in Europe. Benchmark is managed by proven resource sector professionals, who have a track record of advancing exploration projects from grassroots scenarios through to production.

Further details are available on Benchmark's website at: https://benchmarkmetals.com/.

About Thesis

Thesis is a Vancouver-based mineral exploration company focused on proving and developing the resource potential of the 180km2 Ranch Gold Project located in the prolific Toodoggone Mining Camp of northern British Columbia, approximately 300 km north of Smithers, British Columbia.

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc, P.Geol., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101-Standards for Disclosure of Mineral Projects.

Further details are available on Thesis' website at: https://www.thesisgold.com/.

For further information or investor relations inquiries, please contact:

Dave Burwell

Vice President Corporate Development

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 403-410-7907

Toll Free: 1-888-221-0915

Nick Stajduhar

Director

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 780-701-3216

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release.

None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and any securities issuable in the Arrangement are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the Arrangement, including statements with respect to the expected benefits of the Arrangement to the Thesis Securityholders, Benchmark shareholders, and the Combined Company following the Arrangement, the date and time of the Thesis Meeting, the timing for closing of the Arrangement, the timing and receipt of the required regulatory, Securityholder and court approvals, stock exchange (including the TSXV) and other approvals, if at all, the ability of Thesis and Benchmark to successfully close the Arrangement on the timing and terms described herein, or at all, the filing of materials on SEDAR, the successful integration of Thesis into the business of Benchmark, the prospects of the Lawyers Gold-Silver Project and Ranch Gold Project, including mineral resources estimates and mineralization of each project, and any expectations with respect to defining mineral resources or mineral reserves on any of Benchmark's or Thesis' projects, the timing of, and successful completion, of the items set out under the heading "Growth and Catalysts", all statements relating to anticipated benefits to be contained in the new PEA, the anticipated makeup of the combined company, board of directors, and management, and any expectation with respect to any permitting, development or other work that may be required to bring any of the projects into development or production.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at the time, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such assumptions include, but are not limited to, assumptions regarding the combined company following completion of the Arrangement, that the anticipated benefits of the Arrangement will be realized, completion of the Arrangement, including receipt of required shareholder, regulatory, court and stock exchange approvals, the ability of Thesis and Benchmark to satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions to the closing of the Arrangement, other expectations and assumptions concerning the Arrangement, and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner. Although each of Benchmark and Thesis have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Circular and in each of Benchmark's and Thesis' most recent annual management's discussion and analyses which have been filed with the Canadian securities regulators and are available, respectively, on each Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Benchmark and Thesis do not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Such statements represent the current views of Benchmark and Thesis with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Benchmark and Thesis, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: inability of Benchmark and Thesis to complete the Arrangement, a material adverse change in the timing of any completion and the terms and conditions upon which the Arrangement is completed; inability to satisfy or waive all conditions to closing the Arrangement as set out in the Arrangement Agreement; Thesis Securityholders not approving the Arrangement; the TSXV not providing approval to the Arrangement and all required matters related thereto; the inability of the consolidated entity to realize the benefits anticipated from the Arrangement and the timing to realize such benefits, including the exploration and drilling targets described herein and the completion of a resource estimate and updated PEA; the updated PEA described herein not having the anticipated positive results; unanticipated changes in market price for Thesis Shares and/or Benchmark Shares; changes to Benchmark's and/or Thesis' current and future business plans and the strategic alternatives available thereto; growth prospects and outlook of Benchmark's business, including commencing commercial production at the Lawyer's Project; treatment of the Arrangement under applicable competition laws and the Investment Canada Act; regulatory determinations and delays; any impacts of COVID-19 on the business of the Combined Company and the ability to advance the Combined Company's projects; stock market conditions generally; demand, supply and pricing for gold and silver; and general economic and political conditions in Canada and other jurisdictions where the applicable party conducts business.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173306
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 13, 2023) - Westmount Minerals Corp.(CSE: WMC)("Westmount" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has mobilized an exploration team to the Kaba Lithium Property (the "Property") in Northwestern Ontario. The team has commenced reconnaissance mapping and sampling and has confirmed multiple pegmatite outcroppings and lithium mineral indicators.





Pegmatite outcropping from the Kaba Lithium Property

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8671/173320_westmountfig1.jpg

The well-known Georgia Lake Lithium-pegmatite field is located just west of the Property. Within the pegmatite field, Rock Tech Lithium Inc. has completed a Pre-Feasibility Study (NR-November 16, 2022) stating its Georgia Lake property has 10.6 million tonnes (mt) of Indicated Mineral Resources grading 0.88% Li 2 O and 4.22 mt of Inferred Mineral Resources at a grade of 1% Li 2 O (NR- March 7, 2023). Other companies with lithium mineralization prospects include Imagine Lithium Inc. and Ultra Lithium Inc. (Map 1)





Map 1-Georgia Lake pegmatite area

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8671/173320_01eb7a80f49498cd_005full.jpg

David Tafel, CEO and Director commented: "Our geological team has commenced a sampling program after confirming the presence of multiple pegmatite outcroppings as well as lithium indicator minerals as reported in historical government reports. Early indications are validating the potential we see for the Kaba Property. While there is significant work to be done, initial exploration is encouraging and underscores its strategic location in the Georgia Lake pegmatite area."

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mike Kilbourne, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The QP and the Company have not completed sufficient work to verify the historic information on the Properties, particularly regarding historical exploration, neighbouring companies, and government geological work.

About Westmount Minerals Corp.

Westmount is focused on mineral exploration in the Americas and is well positioned in the emerging world-class critical minerals district of NW Ontario. The 3,486 hectares, Kaba Lithium Property, is located in the Georgia Lake, lithium-pegmatite region in close proximity to Rock Tech Lithium Inc. Multiple pegmatite showings have been documented and mapped on the Property by the Ontario Geological Survey.

Additionally, Westmount can earn a 100% interest in the 5,002-hectare lithium-pegmatite bearing, Otatakan and Pilot East Lithium Properties located near Ear Falls, Ontario. The Properties are just south of Green Technology Metal's (ASX listed) expanding Root deposit.

The Company has also advanced the Douay East gold property located within the greater Abitibi Greenstone Belt region in Quebec to the drill-ready stage.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

David Tafel

Chief Executive Officer and Director

For further information, please contact:

David Tafel

Chief Executive Officer and Director

(604) 683-1991

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, anticipated content, commencement, and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Company's projects and mineral properties, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, resources and/or reserves on the Company's projects and mineral properties, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious and base metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration of the Company's properties, that a global pandemic such as COVID-19, will not affect the ability of the Company to conduct future exploration of the Company's properties, the availability of financing on suitable terms, and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Company's option agreements to acquire its Projects, the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, financial condition and results of operations, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated February 14, 2022, and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release except as otherwise required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/173320
There is a target group in Kazakhstan that should be provided with active employment assistance measures, deputy Prime Minster - Labour and Social Protection Minister Tamara Dyuissenova said at the Government meeting in Astana, Azernews reports, citing Kazhinform.

The minister said according to the Presidents task to employ 3.3 million Kazakhstanis within seven years, including no less than 2.3 million young people, first of all, a target group that should be provided with active employment assistance measures was defined with the help of the digital family card system. Early this year governors of regions and cities of republican significance approved 20 regional employment roadmaps to provide 947,000 nationals with work. For the period under review, some 441,000 Kazakhstanis obtained employment which is 47% of annual rates. Of which 50% are young people. 79% of those employed pay 10% pension contributions confirming that they have permanent jobs.

The minister added as of the first half of this year 124,500 people were employed thanks to the job board.
Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced on Thursday that the fourth filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will extend to late August or early September, instead of early August.

In a session at the Ethiopian House of Representatives, Ahmed said that his government is taking into consideration the concern of the downstream countries Egypt and Sudan.

He added that Ethiopia was working carefully to make sure that there is enough Nile water for their needs, and at the same time protect its own interests.

Accordingly, this year's filling will be done differently from the previous three rounds by carrying out the filling in such a way as to alleviate the concerns of the neighbouring people. Instead of completing the filling in early August like in the previous rounds, it will be done at the beginning of September or at the end of August," he explained.

The Ethiopian PM said that Ethiopia was ready to talk to "our brothers" Egypt and Sudan about how to jointly carry out new projects.

Both Egypt and Sudan have repeatedly called for Ethiopia to sign a legally binding agreement on the GERD in order to protect the two downstream countries water rights and interests.

Ethiopia, however, has continued to unilaterally fill and operate its mega-dam despite the two countries concerns and objections.

Egypt has argued that the dam is an existential issue for millions of Egyptians and Sudanese, highlighting the need to resolve the GERD dispute for regional stability.

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COPENHAGEN, Denmark (PRWEB) July 12, 2023

To raise awareness about often misdiagnosed and lesser-known movement disorders, the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) invites the public to a 5K charity run/walk in Copenhagen, Denmark, directly before their international meeting to address scientific advancements in the field.

Even among medical professionals, there is not enough awareness about movement disorders to meet patients' needs -- even though the conditions include the fastest-growing brain disease, Parkinson's disease, and affect tens of millions of people worldwide. Many movement disorders are progressive, have no known cure and require specialist care.

"Right now, advancements in movement disorders are accelerating, inspiring hope for patients around the globe," said Francisco Cardoso, MDS President. "The International Congress drives these advancements forward by bringing people together from across the field. It also helps us raise awareness about these conditions that are usually quite difficult to identify and manage -- and the growing number of discoveries that may be able to change that."

5K Awareness Walk/Run: Everyone is invited to join the 5K awareness event Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 18:00 CEST at Amager Flled. The cost is $25 USD, and proceeds will benefit The Danish Parkinson Association, The Danish Tremor Association, The Danish Tourette Association, and The Danish Dystonia Association.

A press conference will precede the run/walk at 17:00 in the nearby Bella Center Copenhagen.

International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders: The International Congress is the premier scientific conference in Movement Disorders, bringing together thousands of clinical, research and other health professional leaders from around the globe to share ideas, present new research and share cutting-edge advancements across the field.

Highlights this year include:



Keynote address from winner of The Brain Prize 2022, Ole Kiehn

A debate-style "Controversies" session with leading experts defending opposing sides of key issues

More than 60 timely scientific sessions, including artificial intelligence, staging in Parkinson's disease and biomarkers

Practical application with live patient demonstrations and case studies, including a video case diagnostic challenge

Members of the press are invited to apply for complimentary press registration to the full MDS International Congress from August 27 (the day after the run/walk) through August 31, 2023 at the Bella Center Copenhagen.

KEY EVENT SCHEDULE

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Press Conference

https://www.mdscongress.org/Press

17:00 CEST Bella Center Copenhagen, Room 17

Press are invited to stay for photo and interview opportunities at the 5K Run/Walk.

Movement Disorders Awareness 5K Run/Walk

https://www.mdscongress.org/5K

Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 18:00 CEST

Amager Flled

August 27 - August 31, 2023

International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders

https://www.mdscongress.org

Bella Center Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark

###

About the 2023 MDS International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders:

The MDS International Congress is the premiere annual event to advance the clinical and scientific discipline of Movement Disorders, including Parkinson's disease. Convening thousands of leading clinicians, scientists and other health professionals from around the globe, the International Congress will introduce more than 1,800 scientific abstracts and provide a forum for education and collaboration on latest research findings and state-of-the-art treatment options.

About the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society:

The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS), an international society of more than 11,000 clinicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. For more information about MDS, visit http://www.movementdisorders.org.

Read the full story at https://www.prweb.com/releases/5k_and_international_conference_raise_awareness_and_advance_science_of_underserved_disorders/prweb19434937.htm
SANTA CLARA, Calif. , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 3nets, a software and solution provider, driven to assist business' digital transformation journey, is launching 3nets | CloudNavigator. 3nets | CloudNavigator leverages Cloud Computing and Multi-Cloud Networking (MCN) constructs along with private/telecom networks in building a Service Delivery Platform (SDP) that businesses or service providers may utilize to simplify IT functions.

"Today's launch represents an important step in 3nets' quest to provide businesses with a trusted environment to develop, deploy and deliver applications. Such an environment could span across private cloud/datacenters, edge, regional or hyperscale public clouds, which can be managed and operated by the 3nets | CloudNavigator platform", says Abraham Pucheril , CEO of 3nets. "Multi-cloud deployments have entered the mainstream as application and data workloads are increasingly dispersed across private data centers and public clouds. While certain businesses want to maintain a hybrid infrastructure environment leveraging the cloud for overages and advanced functions, others seek to minimize private data centers and fully migrate to the cloud. Others, bitten by cloud costs, are intent to repatriate application and data workloads to On-Premises. The 3nets | CloudNavigator is designed to address these scenarios by simplifying, optimizing, and automating cross-cloud environments and improving operational scalability".

With 3nets | CloudNavigator, businesses receive the freedom to adopt any Cloud easily for cost or functional reasons. The platform employs connectors that build a secure hybrid/multi-cloud fabric named 3nets | Application Service Fabric.

The ASF is a location-neutral, elastic, "cohesive whole" formed by eliminating the cloud provider VPC boundaries so they can be federated together to form a unified VPC across cloud providers. By deploying the ASF, application owners enjoy simplified VPC peering and network micro-segmentation across cloud environments.

3nets | CloudNavigator is currently undergoing evaluation validating advantages such as

Operational Simplicity: The tight integration of On-Premises and cross-cloud assets with integrated security, simplify operations across environments.

The tight integration of On-Premises and cross-cloud assets with integrated security, simplify operations across environments. Observability: Network discovery tools that enable customers to visualize their cloud operating environment, and simplify network visibility from VPC to VPC.

Network discovery tools that enable customers to visualize their cloud operating environment, and simplify network visibility from VPC to VPC. Automation: Intelligent algorithms that automate fabric deployment, elasticity, scalability, and resilience while providing actionable intelligence to assist IT organizations.

Intelligent algorithms that automate fabric deployment, elasticity, scalability, and resilience while providing actionable intelligence to assist IT organizations. Business Continuity: Ability to simplify multi-cloud application high-availability services.

Ability to simplify multi-cloud application high-availability services. Mico-segmentation: A secure encrypted fabric that unifies security across the entire environment.

A secure encrypted fabric that unifies security across the entire environment. Workload Migration: Simplifying VMs and data migrations across the ASF

3nets is Multi-cloud Networking without Borders

For more information, visit us on LinkedIn or www.3nets.io.

Media Contacts

3nets: [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/3nets--cloudnavigator-a-secure-hybrid-multi-cloud-service-delivery-platform-sdp-released-to-benefit-digital-transformation-301874312.html

SOURCE 3nets, Inc.
BANGALORE, India , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 42Gears, a leading provider of Mobile Device Management solutions, is excited to announce that SureMDM, its flagship world-class Mobile Device Management platform, now fully supports ChromeOS. With this expansion, 42Gears SureMDM now offers organizations a complete suite of management features to streamline ChromeOS device administration, ease application management, enhance security, and optimize productivity.

ChromeOS devices are popular among businesses and educational institutions for their simplicity, speed, and affordability. Recognizing the growing demand for ChromeOS device management solutions for educational institutions, 42Gears SureMDM is now compliant with Higher Education Community Vendor Assessment Tool (HECVAT) Lite assessments, and the Cloud Broker Index (CBI) list. HECVAT is a security and privacy assessment toolkit designed specifically for higher education institutions to evaluate the risks associated with engaging third-party vendors and service providers. The HECVAT toolkit assists educational institutions in making informed decisions when selecting technology vendors and managing data privacy and security risks.

Here's how 42Gears SureMDM ChromeOS support can help IT administrators and businesses:

ChromeOS Apps and Extension Management: 42Gears SureMDM now fully supports apps and extensions from the Chrome Web Store . Centralized Console Management: SureMDM empowers administrators with a higher level of visibility into their device ecosystem by enabling a single, centralized web console view of the entire fleet of managed devices. Enhanced Kiosk Management for both Applications and Web: With SureMDM, administrators can now provide a secure and productive environment for employees by restricting access to certain Chrome Applications and Extensions, and blocking access to malicious URLs.

Additional functionalities and features included in 42Gears SureMDM ChromeOS support:

Configuration, Automation, and Application Management: With SureMDM, administrators can now offer profiles to configure user and device policies, and application management for deploying and controlling apps. These features enable administrators to efficiently manage ChromeOS devices, enforce policies, and maintain a secure computing environment.

User and Browser Policy: SureMDM enables administrators to configure network settings and define user-specific policies, granting precise control over user access, preferences, and settings. Additionally, browser policies offer comprehensive management of ChromeOS security settings and advanced configurations.

Device Policy: With SureMDM device policy management, organizations can enforce security measures, manage device permissions, define sign-in settings and enrollment access, and ensure compliance with company-wide policies. This feature empowers administrators with centralized control over ChromeOS devices, reducing potential security risks and ensuring uniformity across the fleet.

Apps and Extensions Policy: SureMDM allows IT teams to regulate the installation and usage of apps and extensions on ChromeOS devices. Administrators can manage and deploy Chrome Web Store applications across ChromeOS devices efficiently, and define policies to restrict or permit specific applications, ensuring a secure and productive environment while maintaining compatibility with organizational workflows.

applications across ChromeOS devices efficiently, and define policies to restrict or permit specific applications, ensuring a secure and productive environment while maintaining compatibility with organizational workflows. Blocklist/Allowlist Apps: SureMDM offers the ability to create comprehensive blocklists and allowlists for apps, granting administrators granular control over the software ecosystem. This feature ensures that only authorized applications are installed and used on ChromeOS devices, reducing the risk of malware, unauthorized software, or productivity-draining distractions.

"We are excited to expand our mobile device management capabilities to include full support for ChromeOS," said Onkar Singh , CEO of 42Gears. "Organizations can now look forward to improved management capabilities, security, and efficiency across ChromeOS devices. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive solution that empowers businesses and educational institutions to harness the power of ChromeOS while ensuring a secure and productive environment for their users."

For more information about 42Gears Mobile Device Management's ChromeOS support, please click here .

About 42Gears:

42Gears is a leader in enterprise mobility management, offering cutting-edge solutions that aim to transform the digital workplace. Delivered from the cloud and on-premise, 42Gears products support all major mobile and desktop operating systems, enabling IT and DevOps teams to improve frontline workforce productivity and the efficiency of software development teams. 42Gears products are used by over 18,000 customers across various industries in more than 115 countries, and are available for purchase through a global partner network. For more information, visit https://www.42gears.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/517153/42GearsMobilitySystems_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE 42Gears
NASHVILLE, Tenn. , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AllianceBernstein L.P. and AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (NYSE: AB) today announced that Second Quarter 2023 financial and operating results will be released after the market closes on Thursday, July 27, 2023 . Management will conduct a teleconference on July 28, 2023 , beginning at 9:00 am (CT) , to discuss the results. The call will be hosted by Seth Bernstein , President and Chief Executive Officer; Bill Siemers , interim CFO, Controller & Chief Accounting Officer; Karl Sprules , Chief Operating Officer; and Onur Erzan , Head of Global Client Group and Private Wealth.

Parties may access the conference call by either webcast or telephone:

To listen by webcast, please visit AB's Investor Relations website at http://www.alliancebernstein.com/investorrelations at least 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software. To listen by telephone, please dial (888) 440-3310 in the U.S. , or +1 (646) 960-0513 from outside the US, 10 minutes before the 9:00 am (CT) scheduled start time. The conference ID# is 6072615.

The presentation that will be reviewed during the conference call will be available on AB's Investor Relations website shortly after the release of our Second Quarter 2023 financial and operating results, after the market closes on July 27, 2023 .

A replay of the webcast will be made available beginning approximately one hour after the completion of the conference call on July 28, 2023 .

About AllianceBernstein

AllianceBernstein is a leading global investment management firm that offers high-quality research and diversified investment services to institutional investors, individuals and private wealth clients in major world markets.

As of June 30, 2023 , including both the general partnership and limited partnership interests in AllianceBernstein, AllianceBernstein Holding owned approximately 39.3% of AllianceBernstein and Equitable Holdings, Inc. ("EQH"), directly and through various subsidiaries, owned an approximate 61.4% economic interest in AllianceBernstein.

Additional information about AB may be found on our website, www.alliancebernstein.com .

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SOURCE AllianceBernstein
PARIS , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In early July, Yanghe, a typical representative of Chinese baijiu culture, appeared in a series of activities in Paris , drawing the attention of French people to Chinese baijiu culture.

On July 3 , Zhang Liandong, Chairman of Yanghe and his entourage were invited to visit the UNESCO headquarters, making it the first stop of Yanghe's cultural trip "Dream Connects the World" in Europe . Zhang believed that intangible cultural heritage is a link of mutual learning between civilizations, and like Chinese tea which has been added to the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the cultural heritage of Chinese baijiu also gains a foothold among others.

On July 4 , the inauguration of "Discover the Capital of Baijiu" Photography Exhibition in France and the theme reception of "Yanghe Dream Blue, Dream Connects the World" was held at Oriental.Paris. The site showed a total of 50 wonderful pictures captured by international photographers in Suqian, the "Capital of Baijiu in China ", where Yanghe is located. Eric Gaudet , a French columnist, said that the wetland soil of Suqian creates the necessary conditions for making fabulous liquor.

Yanghe liquor is the gift of wetlands. Yanghe Distillery is located where the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal , Huaihe River , ancient Yellow River , Hongze Lake , Luoma Lake and Hongze Lake Wetlands meet. Suqian, Jiangsu , home to Yanghe Distillery was awarded as the "Capital of Baijiu in China " in 2012. It is known as one of the three world's main wetland spirit-producing regions, together with Scotch whisky regions, and French cognac regions.

Mr. Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, former French ambassador to China , said that wine is a bridge of communication, and Yanghe's new products are treasures representing Chinese culture and art, through which he can feel the profound Chinese liquor culture, and the world can see the beauty of Chinese culture.

Over the past centuries, Yanghe has been inheriting, developing and improving its unique liquor brewing technology which is still fully used today. Yanghe Daqu won the gold medal at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, and it was listed among China's Eight Famous Wines at the third national wine appraisal meeting in 1979, and won the title of nationally famous wine three consecutive times.

For more information, please visit http://www.yangheglobal.com/

Image Attachments Links:

Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=441543

Caption: "Discover the Capital of Baijiu" Photography Exhibition

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SOURCE Yanghe Distillery
SINGAPORE and DUBAI, UAE , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ACX (formerly known as AirCarbon Exchange), operating its proprietary regulated environmental asset trading platform that is revolutionising the environmental markets, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Blue Carbon, the Dubai -based project developer, to develop carbon markets in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The collaboration will see Blue Carbon using ACX as its preferred platform to sell its carbon credits and settle transactions. The two companies will also seek to host auctions to sell Blue Carbon's credits in the run up to the COP28 climate conference in Dubai . In addition, they will assist one another in developing suitable market infrastructure to enable the UAE and partner countries to implement Article 6.2 transactions under the United Nations' Paris Agreement.

William Pazos , Co-CEO and Co-Founder of ACX, said, "We are delighted to partner with Blue Carbon as their preferred platform for selling carbon credits and facilitating seamless transactions. Cooperation is central to our fight against climate change. Our agreement today is a great example of how companies can join forces to leverage each other's strengths to create opportunities and results."

This MOU is another step in ACX's journey to become the leading global carbon exchange. With the successful establishment of the world's first regulated carbon exchange in Abu Dhabi , ACX is making significant strides in positioning itself as a major player in the carbon trading landscape, in the MENA region and on a global scale.

Blue Carbon is developing projects that will be eligible for carbon credits or Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMO), which count towards a country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This sector is likely to grow in popularity as countries rich in carbon resources seek to sell their credits to heavy emitting countries.

Josiane Sadaka , CEO of Blue Carbon commented on the crucial use of ITMOs in combatting climate change, said, "ITMOs are a powerful tool for global cooperation. They address the urgent need for collective action towards a sustainable and resilient future. By embracing this collaborative approach, we forge a path towards a low-carbon future that benefits both humanity and the environment."

By closely aligning all activities with the UN's Article 6 framework, ACX's work is also plotting a pathway for the voluntary and compliance carbon sectors to line up in the coming years.

About the ACX Group:

The ACX (formerly AirCarbon Exchange) Group, including ACX Ltd and AirCarbon Pte. Ltd. which operate environmental exchanges in Abu Dhabi and Singapore respectively, caters to corporate entities, financial traders, carbon project developers and other industry stakeholders. ACX provides participants with an efficient and transparent trading platform that is user-friendly, seamless and offers the lowest transaction fees in the market. Leveraging distributed ledger technology, ACX facilitates the scalable growth of the environmental product markets to align with global ambitions of achieving Net Zero.

ACX is proud to be a member of the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) and the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), further enhancing its commitment to sustainability and responsible trading practices for carbon and other environmental products. ACX has garnered international recognition as the Best Carbon Exchange globally in Environmental Finance's esteemed Voluntary Carbon Market Rankings for two consecutive years (2021, 2022), solidifying its position as a leader in the industry.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.acx.net.

About Blue Carbon:

Blue Carbon deploys emerging strategies to support country's efforts to decarbonize by using only methodologies that focus on compliance markets. The company is committed to helping businesses and government utilities define their sustainable frameworks to help transition to a low carbon economy and reach their Net Zero goals in compliance with the transferability of credits under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Blue Carbon helps accelerate sustainable development through strategic investments as well as fostering environmental economic development and advancing sustainability through its bilateral relationships. The company's vast industry experience allows it to benchmark data and drive economic opportunities and growth for its stakeholders.

For more information, visit https://bluecarbon.ae/

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SOURCE ACX (AirCarbon Exchange)
LAS VEGAS , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PlayAGS, Incorporated (NYSE: AGS) ("AGS" or the "Company") today announced it will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 , after the market close on Thursday, August 3, 2023 . The Company will host an investor conference call and live webcast the same day at 5 p.m. EDT to further discuss its second quarter financial performance.

The Company encourages participants to pre-register for the conference call by using the following link: AGS Q2 2023 Earnings Call. Callers who pre-register will be given a conference passcode and unique PIN to gain immediate access to the call and bypass the live operator. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to the call start time.

To pre-register, please click here: AGS Q2 2023 Earnings Call

Investor Conference Call

Thursday, August 3, 2023

5 p.m. EDT / 2 p.m. PDT



Those unable to pre-register may participate by calling:

U.S. Participants (Local): +1 (404) 975-4839

U.S. Participants (Toll Free): +1 (833) 470-1428

International Participants: Global Dial-In Numbers

Conference Access Code: 556074



Webcast

To access the live webcast of the call, please visit the Company's website at http://investors.playags.com and click on "Events". A replay of the webcast will be available approximately one hour after the webcast and will be archived on the Company's website for 30 days.

About AGS

AGS is a global company focused on creating a diverse mix of entertaining gaming experiences for every kind of player. Our roots are firmly planted in the Class II Native American gaming market, but our customer-centric culture and growth have helped us branch out to become a leading all-inclusive commercial gaming supplier. Powered by high-performing Class II and Class III slot products, an expansive table products portfolio, highly rated social casino solutions for players and operators, and best-in-class service, we offer an unmatched value proposition for our casino partners. Learn more at www.playags.com.

2023 PlayAGS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All notices signify marks registered in the United States. All  and  notices signify unregistered trademarks.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Language

This press release contains, and oral statements made from time to time by our representatives may contain, forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations and projections, which are intended to qualify for the safe harbor of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements identified by words such as "believe," "will," "may," "might," "likely," "expect," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "estimates," "believes," "continues," "projects" and similar references to future periods, or by the inclusion of forecasts or projections. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections of future events.

These forward-looking statements reflect the current views, models, and assumptions of AGS, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that cannot be predicted or qualified and could cause actual results in AGS's performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of AGS to maintain strategic alliances, unit placements or installations, grow revenue, garner new market share, secure new licenses in new jurisdictions, successfully develop or place proprietary product, comply with regulations, have its games approved by relevant jurisdictions and other factors set forth under the section entitled "Risk Factors" its annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements made herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments referenced herein will occur or be realized. Readers are cautioned that all forward-looking statements speak only to the facts and circumstances present as of the date of this press release. AGS expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:

Brad Boyer , Senior Vice President Corporate Operations and Investor Relations

[email protected]

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SOURCE AGS
SAO PAULO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Azul S.A., "Azul," (B3: AZUL4, NYSE: AZUL) (" Azul ") today announces the expiration and final results of the previously announced: (i) separate offers by its wholly-owned subsidiary Azul Investments LLP (the " Existing Notes Issuer ") to Eligible Holders (as defined below) to exchange (such offers, the " Exchange Offers ") (a) any and all of the outstanding 5.875% Senior Notes due 2024 issued by the Existing Notes Issuer (the " Existing 2024 Notes ") for newly issued 11.500% Senior Secured Second Out Notes due 2029 to be issued by Azul Secured Finance LLP (the " New Notes Issuer ") (the " New 2029 Notes "), and (b) any and all of the outstanding 7.250% Senior Notes due 2026 issued by the Existing Notes Issuer (the " Existing 2026 Notes " and, together with the Existing 2024 Notes, the " Existing Notes ") for newly issued 10.875% Senior Secured Second Out Notes due 2030 to be issued by the New Notes Issuer (the " New 2030 Notes ," and together with the New 2029 Notes, the " New Notes "), and (ii) solicitation of consents by the Existing Notes Issuer from Eligible Holders to certain proposed amendments to the terms of the Existing Notes (the " Solicitations "). The Exchange Offers and the Solicitations were made pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the confidential exchange offering memorandum and consent solicitation statement, dated June 13, 2023 , in respect of the Exchange Offers and Solicitations (the " Offering Memorandum ").

Any capitalized terms used in this press release without definition have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Offering Memorandum.

Expiration and Final Results for the Exchange Offers

The Exchange Offers and the Solicitations expired at 11:59 p.m. , New York City time, on July 12, 2023 (the " Expiration Deadline ").

As previously announced, as of 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on June 27, 2023 (the " Early Participation Deadline "), Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the Exchange Agent and the Information Agent in connection with the Exchange Offers and the Solicitations (the " Information Agent ") advised Azul that (i) US$291,170,000 in principal amount of the Existing 2024 Notes, and (ii) US$567,602,000 in principal amount of the Existing 2026 Notes, had been validly tendered for exchange and not validly withdrawn.

The Information Agent advised Azul that (i) US$3,045,000 in principal amount of the Existing 2024 Notes, and (ii) US$650,000 in principal amount of the Existing 2026 Notes, had been validly tendered for exchange and not validly withdrawn after the Early Participation Deadline and at or prior to the Expiration Deadline.

Therefore, in aggregate (i) US$294,215,000 in principal amount of the Existing 2024 Notes, representing 73.6% of the total outstanding principal amount of the Existing 2024 Notes, and (ii) US$568,252,000 in principal amount of the Existing 2026 Notes, representing 94.7% of the total outstanding principal amount of the Existing 2026 Notes, have been validly tendered for exchange and not validly withdrawn.

Settlement of the Exchange Offers and Effectiveness of Proposed Amendments

Azul expects that settlement of the Exchange Offers will occur on July 14, 2023 (the " Settlement Date "). On the Settlement Date, pursuant to the Exchange Offers, the New Notes Issuer expects that it will issue (i) US$294,215,000 in principal amount of the New 2029 Notes, and (ii) US$568,219,500 in principal amount of the New 2030 Notes.

The obligation of the Existing Notes Issuer to complete an Exchange Offer and related Solicitation with respect to either series of Existing Notes is subject to certain conditions described in the Offering Memorandum, which include (i) with respect to the Existing 2024 Notes, the receipt of Existing 2024 Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to the Expiration Deadline representing not less than 70% of the aggregate principal amount of Existing 2024 Notes outstanding and, with respect to the Existing 2026 Notes, the receipt of Existing Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to the Expiration Deadline representing not less than 70% of the aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes outstanding (conditions which were satisfied on the Early Participation Deadline), (ii) certain amendments to the indenture (escritura de emissao de debentures) governing the convertible debentures issued by Azul and certain collateral and other documents are required to be amended or replaced in respect of such convertible debentures, (iii) certain amendments to the forbearance agreement entered into between Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras S.A. (" Azul Linhas "), as lessee, and certain lessors of aircraft (the " Relevant Lessors "), and to the global partial deferral agreement entered into between Azul Linhas, as lessee, Azul, as guarantor, and the Relevant Lessors, and the related collateral and other documents are required to be replaced, (iv) the obtaining by Azul and certain of its subsidiaries of waivers and amendments from their creditors to certain financings agreements and arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of their business with certain financial institutions, and (v) certain other customary conditions. Certain of these conditions are subject to waiver by Azul. As of the date of this press release, certain conditions remain to be satisfied, and Azul expects that all conditions will be satisfied or waived on the expected Settlement Date of July 14, 2023 .

On the Settlement Date, the Existing Notes Issuer expects that it will accept for exchange and settle the Exchange Offers for all Existing Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn):

(i) as of the Early Participation Deadline, for (a) the applicable Total Early Exchange Consideration, and (b) the related amount in cash equal to the accrued and unpaid interest, if any, from the last payment date for the Existing Notes of the relevant series up to, but not including, the Settlement Date; and



(ii) after the Early Participation Deadline but at or prior to the Expiration Deadline, for (a) the applicable Total Early Exchange Consideration minus (in the case of the Existing 2026 Notes only) the applicable Early Exchange Premium, and (b) the related amount in cash equal to the accrued and unpaid interest, if any, from the last payment date for the Existing Notes of the relevant series up to, but not including, the Settlement Date.

In addition, as previously disclosed, as of the Early Participation Deadline, the Information Agent advised Azul that the Existing Notes Issuer had received the requisite Consents sufficient to effect the Proposed Amendments with respect to Existing Notes of each series. Therefore, in accordance with the terms set forth in the Offering Memorandum, on the Settlement Date, the Existing Notes Issuer intends to execute supplemental indentures to effectuate the Proposed Amendments to the terms of the Existing Notes, which will become operative on the Settlement Date upon the exchange of Existing Notes for New Notes and the payment of the Accrued Interest on such date, in accordance with the terms set forth in the Offering Memorandum.

Miscellaneous

The New Notes were offered for exchange only (a) in the United States to holders of Existing Notes who are reasonably believed to be "qualified institutional buyers" (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " Securities Act ")) in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and (b) outside the United States to holders of Existing Notes who are persons other than " U.S. persons" (as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act) in reliance upon Regulation S under the Securities Act. In addition, the New Notes may not be transferred to or held by a Competitor.

Only holders of Existing Notes who have properly completed and submitted the eligibility certification in electronic form (the " Eligible Holders ") were authorized to receive and review the Offering Memorandum. Only Eligible Holders that also complied with the other requirements set forth in the Offering Memorandum were eligible to participate in the Exchange Offers and the Solicitations.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell the Existing Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the New Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the New Notes in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The New Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The Exchange Offers and Solicitations were made only pursuant to the Offering Memorandum and only to such persons and in such jurisdictions as permitted under applicable law.

None of the Existing Notes Issuer, the New Notes Issuer, the Guarantors, any of their respective directors or officers, the Dealer Managers, the Financial Advisor, the Exchange Agent, the Information Agent, or the Trustees, or in each case, any of their respective affiliates, made any recommendation as to whether Eligible Holders should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of the Existing Notes in response to any of the Exchange Offers, or deliver Consents in response to the Solicitations. Eligible Holders were required to make their own decision as to whether to tender Existing Notes in the Exchange Offers and participate in the Solicitations and, if so, the principal amount of Existing Notes to tender.

This press release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release, and those statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words "may," "might," "will," "aim," "would," "could," "should," "believe," "understand," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "project," "target," "goal," "guidance," "budget," "plan," "objective," "potential," "seek," or similar expressions or variations on these expressions are forward-looking statements. Azul and its subsidiaries can give no assurances that the assumptions upon which the forward-looking statements are based will prove to be correct or that, even if correct, intervening circumstances will not occur to cause actual results to be different than expected. Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results of Azul and its subsidiaries to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Offering Memorandum, and those factors set out in the Offering Memorandum under "Risk Factors," in Azul's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 under "Risk Factors," and in Azul's other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Although Azul and its subsidiaries believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Azul and its subsidiaries cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither Azul nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Eligible Holders should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The information included herein is given as of the date of this press release and, except as otherwise required by the applicable law, Azul and its subsidiaries disclaim any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to, or to withdraw, any forward-looking statement contained in this press release to reflect any change in Azul's and its subsidiaries' expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

About Azul

Azul is the largest airline in Brazil in terms of departures and cities served, with around 1,000 daily departures to 158 destinations, creating an unparalleled network of more than 300 non-stop routes as of December 31, 2022 . For more information, visit https://ri.voeazul.com.br. Information on Azul's website does not constitute a part of this press release.

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SOURCE Azul S.A.
Mobile panic button leader CENTEGIX now the largest wearable safety technology provider for K-12 education

ATLANTA , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CENTEGIX , the leader in incident response solutions, announced that new customers of its award-winning CrisisAlert solution were the highest in company history and that demand in the first half of 2023 has exceeded the 2022 full-year result.

School districts nationwide overwhelmingly select CENTEGIX's CrisisAlert wearable panic button to protect staff and students. Now with more than 600,000 badge users, CENTEGIX is by far the industry leader and largest solution provider of wearable incident response technology for K-12 education, representing over 95% of the wearable safety technology market.

"We have six years of experience with wearables and have built a large and rapidly expanding suite of software applications and integrations that protect close to 10 million people for everyday and extreme emergencies. Customers tell us that CENTEGIX is the standard in wearable safety, and because all staff wear our badge, it builds a culture of safety at the location and in the community," said Brent Cobb , CEO of CENTEGIX.

CENTEGIX has been selected to protect more than 11,500 schools in almost all 50 states, including:

Three of the top 10 largest school districts in the U.S. ; 17 of the top 100

; 17 of the top 100 Over 70% of K-12 public schools in Georgia and Nevada

and Over 35% of K-12 public schools in Florida

Over 20% of K-12 public schools in New Mexico and Alabama

" Customers also report that they greatly value the fact that our wearables do not rely on mobile cellular or Wi-Fi networks. There is a general consensus that those services are not always available everywhere on every campus. The risk that service is not available when a student or staff member is experiencing a life-threatening issue makes those technologies untenable," said Cobb.

Unlike mobile app-based solutions that typically have low adoption and usage because they require users to download an application to their personal mobile device, CrisisAlert has 100% user adoption, a critical component of comprehensive safety.

"We have been converting districts from mobile apps to wearables, and those districts have told us that app download rates average 20%, but less than 5% of staff actually have a functioning, active mobile safety app," said Cobb. Mobile phone users change phones, forget their passwords, forget the name of the app, and various other issues, yielding 95% of staff without a working safety solution. Districts value CrisisAlert because it is available and is used everyday by staff for a variety of incidents. Everyday usage is important because in a moment of crisis, the solution must be easy and familiar to use to be effective. Visit the CENTEGIX website for customer testimonials and CrisisAlert life-saving stories .

CENTEGIX's leadership position includes its commitment to sharing usage and incident trend data in its biannual School Safety Trends Report . The most recent School Safety Trends Report offers the latest comprehensive analysis of nearly 60,000 uses of CrisisAlert during the 2023 Spring Term. It is the only mobile panic button usage data report in the industry.

Highlights of the report include:

Everyday emergencies like medical and behavioral incidents make up 98% of all alerts, while campus-wide lockdowns represent a small percentage of usage

97% of teachers and staff surveyed indicated a wearable incident response solution helped them feel safe and supported by their district

Nearly half of all safety incidents on a school campus occur outside the classroom

Users surveyed indicated that the wearable badge contributes to their peace of mind and allows them to focus on instruction and student achievement

CENTEGIX recently commended the Texas Legislature for being the fifth state to pass Alyssa's Law, requiring Texas public and charter schools to provide all classrooms with silent panic alarm technology. The CrisisAlert solution exceeds Texas' Alyssa's Law requirements. In the first half of 2023, the CENTEGIX customer base grew 300% in Texas , as school districts sought to comply with the law.

In June, CENTEGIX was awarded a Platinum 2023 Secure Campus Award from Campus Security and Life Safety for its integrated safety platform. Also, CENTEGIX's unique ability to innovate to meet the safety needs and challenges of customers has resulted in recognition from the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the fastest-growing companies in Atlanta , naming CENTEGIX to its Pacesetters list.

CrisisAlert empowers staff with the fastest and easiest way to get help in any emergency. The wearable badge does not depend on Wi-Fi or cellular and is discreet and easy to use in a moment of crisis, when fine motor skills are challenged. In addition, CrisisAlert includes unique capabilities not possible with other wearable panic buttons:

Precise room-level location of the alert is delivered to responders.

A map of the campus is displayed to responders showing the location of the alert.

Full audio-visual notifications communicate immediately to everyone for campus-wide alerts via flashing strobes and intercom messages.

Full campus coveragethe wearable badge works inside and outside buildings, including parking lots, ball fields, etc.

Configurable alert types, responder types, protocol development, and user management are easily managed through an interactive, intuitive web interface.

A simple, fast installation process that requires no alterations to physical structures or electrical wiring.

The CrisisAlert wearable badge also integrates with numerous software applications to provide a comprehensive safety experience, including:

Video surveillance tools, intercom devices, access control, IP phones, message board displays, computer interfaces, workflow tools, and dozens of other devices and services through an intuitive web interface

Interfaces to 911 response centers, including CrisisAlert software, RapidSOS, operator-to-operator calls, direct CAD system integrations, emergency management workflow tools, and more

Full suite of computer interfaces and notifications, including Apple Critical Alert, desktop takeover, text, email, and more

User and group management via single sign-on services (e.g., Active Directory)

About CENTEGIX

CENTEGIX is the industry leader and largest solution provider of wearable safety technology for K-12 education and protects people in over 11,500 locations. CENTEGIX innovates technology to empower and protect, and leaders nationwide trust our safety solutions to provide peace of mind. To learn more, visit www.CENTEGIX.com.

Media Contact:

Sydney Stressman

Zer0 to 5ive for CENTEGIX

[email protected]

(609) 238-6663

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SOURCE CENTEGIX
AUDUBON, Pa. , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CertaPro Painters, North America's Most Referred Painting Company, has acquired a majority interest in CertaPro Painters of Orange County, CA. This acquisition is the company's second company-owned operation and combines the strength of all seven territories available in Orange County, California including CertaPro Painters of Yorba Linda, CA , and CertaPro Painters of Huntington Beach, CA , marking a significant milestone for the CertaPro system. Scott and Janet Gibson , owners and partners in CertaPro Painters of Orange County, CA. , will oversee the day-to-day operations.

This joint venture allows us to serve more customers, attract top talent, and ensure franchise profitability.

"We are committed to aggressive growth and positioning ourselves as the market leader in the painting industry both in California and across North America ," says CertaPro Painters President and CEO Mike Stone . "This joint venture allows us to serve more customers, attract top talent, and ensure franchise profitability. With Scott and Janet at the helm, Orange County residents are in good hands. They are outstanding owners with a solid track record of extraordinary customer service and extensive knowledge of the local market. We are excited to invest in this business and help them expand their service area."

With a growing all-employee workforce of over 100 skilled professionals, CertaPro Painters of Orange County, CA will become a significant employer in the Southern California painting market. Additionally, the venture's commitment to quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and unparalleled customer service will ensure residential and commercial customers receive the best painting solutions in the area.

"By joining forces with CertaPro Painters, LTD., we are confident that we can better serve our community," says the Gibsons. "Our customers can expect the same personalized approach and high-quality workmanship they have come to know and trust, only now with an expanded range of resources and expertise. We are eager to start this new chapter."

For more information about CertaPro Painters of Orange County, CA and their services, please visit CertaPro.com/OC .

About CertaPro Painters

CertaPro Painters was founded in 1992 and specializes in providing commercial and residential services, through more than 370 independently owned and operated franchises. Its success is based on exceeding customer expectations by delivering certainty at every juncture of a painting job from start to finish. To join CertaPro Painters or learn more, visit https://certapro.com/ .

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SOURCE CertaPro Painters
Philippine censors said Wednesday they have allowed the Barbie film to be shown in cinemas, after asking its Hollywood distributor to blur lines on a brightly-coloured world map drawing allegedly showing China's claims to the disputed South China Sea.







The fantasy comedy film about the famous doll, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is set to open in the Southeast Asian nation on July 19.

After reviewing the film twice and consulting foreign affairs officials and legal experts, the government's Movie and Television Review and Classification Board said it would allow it to be screened.

The censors began examining "Barbie" last week after Vietnam reportedly banned the film over scenes featuring a map showing the so-called nine-dash line, which China uses to justify its maritime claims.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, despite rival claims from other Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam.

But after "meticulous" scrutiny of the film, Philippine censors were convinced that the "cartoonish map" did not depict the nine-dash line.

"Instead, the map portrayed the route of the make-believe journey of Barbie from Barbie Land to the 'real world,' as an integral part of the story," the censorship board said in a statement.

"Rest assured that the Board has exhausted all possible resources in arriving at this decision as we have not hesitated in the past to sanction filmmakers/ producers/ distributors for exhibiting the fictitious 'nine-dash line' in their materials."

In a separate letter to Philippine Senator Francis Tolentino, who had criticised the film for "violating Filipino fisherfolks' rights", the censors said they had asked Hollywood studio Warner Bros to "blur" the controversial lines on the map.

Dashed lines drawn in a "child-like manner" appeared in several locations on the map around land masses identified as Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia, the censors said.

But it found only eight dashes around the landmass labelled "Asia".

"Moreover, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia are not visible on the map," the board said in the letter dated July 11 and shared with reporters.

"This is in stark contrast to the maps found in the banned films 'Abominable (2019)' and 'Uncharted (2022)'," it said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it appreciated the opportunity to watch "Barbie" to "ascertain if the depiction of the imaginary world map is inimical to the national interest".

Warner Bros did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.

But a Warner Bros spokesperson was quoted by Variety as saying the map was a "child-like crayon drawing" and "not intended to make any type of statement".

The Philippines' approval of "Barbie" coincided with the seventh anniversary of an international ruling that China's historical claims to the South China Sea have no legal basis.

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Greater flexibility to interoperate with existing tools and customizable authorization enables enterprises to make greater use of more data

SAN FRANCISCO , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As enterprise data grows at a 28% compound annual growth rate1, businesses continue to face a myriad of challenges to manage their data and secure their organizations. Most enterprises are using more than 30 tools to manage and analyze data2, and teams across IT and security departments have different needs for different data. To address these challenges, Cribl is introducing new features throughout its product portfolio to scale observability across large enterprises, providing greater interoperability and customizable authorization to unlock the value of all observability data for more users.

Key Product Enhancements:

Cribl Search : Expanded search-in-place compatibility extends the reach of a single search query from edge to data lake and even to tooling data repositories

: Expanded search-in-place compatibility extends the reach of a single search query from edge to data lake and even to tooling data repositories Cribl Stream : Enhanced authorization gets more users secure access to the right data

: Enhanced authorization gets more users secure access to the right data Cribl Edge : New Prometheus Edge Scraper purpose-built for Kubernetes environments for greater choice and deeper insights

"With every release, we're doubling down on our commitment to provide customers greater choice and control over their data, and this latest update is no exception," said Ledion Bitincka, Co-Founder & CTO at Cribl. "We're introducing new features across our product suite with the goal of making observability accessible to more enterprises and more teams. The marquee update of the summer release is enhancements to Cribl Search, which we are so excited to demo at our CriblCon conference next week. With new query targets, Cribl Search quickly puts critical data at customers' fingertips, accelerating security investigations, performance troubleshooting, and data analysis projects."

Cribl Search: Expanded Federated Search Capabilities

Recently, Cribl Search pioneered the concept of federated "search-in-place" and further solidified its position as a trailblazer in the industry by introducing Search to Amazon Security Lake earlier this year. Today's release amplifies support for S3 buckets, Azure Blob, and GCP/GCS, and has uniquely integrated the capability to search against API-based endpoints like Zoom, Okta, and Google Workspaces. With this expanded compatibility, Cribl unlocks the value of more data from an already unprecedented number of data silos. Search provides the flexibility to find any data at any location without incurring the cost and complexity penalty imposed by traditional systems' requirement to ingest data before analyzing it.

"There have been challenges during incidents where access to data was needed as soon as possible, but we weren't always in a position to ingest it without pausing for time to develop methods to onboard the data," said Stuart Bowell , Head, Global Observability Team at Netbuilder. "With Cribl Search, we now have immediate access to all our data  allowing us to delve into unexplored areas and discover insights from data that was previously inaccessible or known to hold value."

Cribl Stream: Enhanced Authorization and Native Azure Sentinel Integrations

When working with sensitive data, access control is critical. Cribl Stream now features customizable authorization for different levels of access and permission, giving enterprises the ability to easily provision different users at different levels of visibility and control. This enhanced authorizationavailable across all Cribl productsensures that Cribl administrators can quickly and securely create the right data feeds for different teams, saving them time for other business-critical tasks and strengthening organizational security. Cribl Stream also now features new destinations for Azure Sentinel and Azure Data Explorer products, enabling enterprises to onboard both Azure and non-Azure data into Azure Sentinel.

Cribl Edge: New Prometheus Edge Scraper

Continuously monitoring ephemeral containers is a pain for users. Since Prometheus is prominently used for collecting logs and metrics in Kubernetes environments, Cribl Edge now features a new Prometheus Edge Scraper, purpose-built for Kubernetes. With this new feature, customers have the flexibility to send Kubernetes monitoring data to the destination of their choice with minimal effort to get even deeper insights into their Kubernetes environments. Cribl Edge also now features compressed file monitoring to observe and analyze more data, irrespective of whether the log files are compressed or not.

CriblCon on July 17

Join the Cribl community at the first-ever CriblCon, an in-person customer event on July 17 at the Mirage in Las Vegas . Customers can learn more about this latest release, hear from experts and peers, get live demos, and share best practices. Registration is open now at criblcon.cribl.io .

About Cribl

Cribl makes open observability a reality for today's tech professionals. The Cribl product suite defies data gravity with radical levels of choice and control. Wherever the data comes from, wherever it needs to go, Cribl delivers the freedom and flexibility to make choices, not compromises. It's enterprise software that doesn't suck, enables tech professionals to do what they need to do, and gives them the ability to say "Yes." With Cribl, companies have the power to control their data, get more out of existing investments, and shape the observability future. Founded in 2018, Cribl is a remote-first company with an office in San Francisco, CA. For more information, visit www.cribl.io or our LinkedIn , Twitter , or Slack community .

Media Contact

[email protected]

1 IDC, Worldwide IDC Global DataSphere Forecast, 2023-2027: It's a Distributed, Diverse, and Dynamic (3D) DataSphere

2 State of Security Data Management report

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SOURCE Cribl
Combining Entrata and Rent Dynamics will benefit property managers and residents alike, enabling an even more powerful and robust operating system to support resident-focused owners and operators

LEHI, Utah , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Entrata , a leading multifamily industry operating system, today announced that it has acquired Rent Dynamics, a leading provider for resident rent reporting and financial resources that promote economic inclusion and financial health for residents. Entrata has acquired 100% of the equity in Rent Dynamics and will be able to provide residents with increased access to financial tools designed to positively impact their financial future.

"Since Entrata's founding, we have made tremendous strides in streamlining property operations by creating tools that improve both the operator and resident experience. Today, our vision for how we can drive the industry forward has greatly expanded," said Adam Edmunds , Chief Executive Officer of Entrata. "The combination of Entrata and Rent Dynamics will deliver a huge advance in providing much-needed tools to address a gap that has prevented millions of residents from building credit and long-term financial health. We believe this acquisition will give property owners and operators what they need to drive loyalty, financial well-being, and, ultimately, the very best resident experience."

Together, Rent Dynamics and Entrata will transform the way property managers can help residents create and grow their financial identity. The addition of Rent Dynamics' RentPlus products to Entrata's suite of resident services will further cultivate a powerful and robust operating system to support resident-focused owners and operators. Rent Dynamics functionality will be partnered with Entrata's existing features, enabling property owners and operators to provide their residents the capability to streamline utilities, obtain renters insurance, and build credit by making on-time payments, all through Entrata's single-sign-on platform.

"We're proud to have helped hundreds of thousands of residents to date, and are excited to be able to accelerate that effort by pairing with Entrata's extensive suite of services," said Quincy Rich , Chief Executive Officer of Rent Dynamics. "Together, Rent Dynamics and Entrata will continue to build the most comprehensive, all-in-one operating system to create a better experience for every resident. We couldn't be more excited to join a leader like Entrata to help residents take ownership of their financial situation to provide more rent payment options and get credit for paying rent on time  all through one application workflow."

The resident amenities are a true differentiator for property management companieswhich may themselves benefit through a greater resident retention rate, minimized delinquent rent payments and additional revenue options. Rent Dynamics' program to help residents build credit has been amplified by its participation in Fannie Mae's new positive rent payment reporting program, which aims to improve equitable access to credit for residents by incentivizing owners and operators to support resident participation in reporting rent payments to credit bureaus.

"We look forward to Rent Dynamics complementing our product portfolio for years to come," said Catherine Wong , Chief Operating Officer and Chief Product Officer of Entrata. "The interoperability of both platforms will drive increasing benefits for our customers and their millions of residents around the world, furthering our commitment to elevating the resident experience."

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The Rent Dynamics team will assume new roles within Entrata to continue innovation and development across the platform.

For more information about Entrata and its continually expanding platform, please visit www.entrata.com .

Advisors

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati served as legal counsel to Entrata. Raymond James & Associates served as financial advisor to Rent Dynamics and Mayer Brown served as legal counsel for Rent Dynamics.

About Entrata

Entrata is a leading operating system for multifamily communities worldwide. Setting the bar for innovation in property management software since 2003, Entrata offers solutions for every step of the leasing lifecycle and empowers owners, property managers, and renters to create stronger communities. Entrata currently serves over three million residents across more than 26 thousand multifamily communities around the globe. Learn more at www.entrata.com .

About Rent Dynamics

Rent Dynamics provides value throughout the resident journey through technology providing solutions for the Multifamily Industry. Our RentPlus product provides rent reporting and financial resources designed to promote economic inclusion and financial health for renters.

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SOURCE Entrata
Continued Recognition Affirms FNB's Status as Employer of Choice

PITTSBURGH, Pa. , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), the holding company for First National Bank, announced it has won additional awards affirming its status as an employer of choice.

Nationally, FNB was named to Newsweek's inaugural list of America's Greatest Workplaces. The Company also continued to add to its extensive list of honors from Energage, ranking among the research firm's Top Workplaces for Financial Services for the third consecutive year and as a Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio for the ninth consecutive year.

"Engaged employees are integral to our success," said Vincent J. Delie , Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of F.N.B. Corporation and First National Bank. "Our award-winning culture enables FNB to retain and hire exceptional employees who lead the industry in innovation, client service and financial results."

For its list of America's Greatest Workplaces, Newsweek partners with Plant-A Insights Group to conduct a large-scale employer study based on more than 389,000 company reviews. The list is based on performance in the following areas: company image, corporate culture, working environment, work-life balance, training and career progression, compensation and benefits, sustainability awareness and proactive management of the diverse workforce.

Energage compiles its rankings based solely on employee feedback. The Top Workplaces for Financial Services recognition is awarded to companies in the financial industry that prioritize a people-centered culture. Energage partners with The Plain Dealer in Cleveland for its annual list of the top employers in Northeast Ohio , which celebrates companies that build, nurture and value their employees.

These awards join a growing list of external recognition for FNB. So far this year, the Company has been named to Forbes' lists of America's Best Banks and the World's Best Banks and selected as a Celent Model Bank for Omnichannel Retail Delivery, in addition to its more than 50 total national and regional workplace awards.

Visit fnb-online.com for a complete list of the Company's various honors or to explore opportunities to join its growing team.

About F.N.B. Corporation

F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , is a diversified financial services company operating in seven states and the District of Columbia . FNB's market coverage spans several major metropolitan areas, including: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; Baltimore, Maryland ; Cleveland, Ohio ; Washington, D.C. ; Charlotte , Raleigh , Durham and the Piedmont Triad ( Winston-Salem , Greensboro and High Point ) in North Carolina ; and Charleston, South Carolina . The Company has total assets of more than $44 billion and approximately 350 banking offices throughout Pennsylvania , Ohio , Maryland , West Virginia , North Carolina , South Carolina , Washington, D.C. and Virginia .

FNB provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking and wealth management solutions through its subsidiary network, which is led by its largest affiliate, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864. Commercial banking solutions include corporate banking, small business banking, investment real estate financing, government banking, business credit, capital markets and lease financing. The consumer banking segment provides a full line of consumer banking products and services, including deposit products, mortgage lending, consumer lending and a complete suite of mobile and online banking services. FNB's wealth management services include asset management, private banking and insurance.

The common stock of F.N.B. Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FNB" and is included in Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index with the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Regional Banks Sub-Industry Index. Customers, shareholders and investors can learn more about this regional financial institution by visiting the F.N.B. Corporation website at www.fnbcorporation.com.

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SOURCE F.N.B. Corporation
CAMDEN, N.J. , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) today honored Findlay Subaru of Las Vegas of Las Vegas, Nevada with the Subaru Love Promise Retailer of the Year Award for 2023, recognizing the retailer's ongoing commitment and support to their local community. The award goes to the Subaru retailer who has shown significant commitment to their customers and their community throughout the year, exemplifying the Subaru Love Promise.

"Being recognized as the Subaru Love Promise Retailer of the Year is a true honor and a heartfelt acknowledgement of our commitment to making a difference in the lives of our customers, our employees and our Southern Nevada community," said Burton Hughes , General Manager of Subaru of Las Vegas.

For the past 18 years, Hughes and his team have gone above and beyond to establish an open, welcoming atmosphere at Subaru of Las Vegas . Giving back to the community is at the heart of everything they do, working with over 50 nonprofit organizations. Since 2021, Subaru of Las Vegas has donated over $1 million to local charities including Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada and Michael's Angel Paws. Beyond dollar figures, their employees actively volunteer beyond expectations, and are advocates for both community organizations and customers in need. The retailer's reputation for ensuring that customers' best interests come first has also earned Subaru of Las Vegas the Subaru Customer Commitment Award from 2018 through 2023.

Subaru of America, Inc. created the Love Promise Retailer of the Year Award to shine a spotlight on exceptional Subaru retailers who contribute to their local communities while taking efforts to turn customer transactions into lifelong owner relationships. The Love Promise is a pledge to show love and respect to all people at every interaction with Subaru and to make a positive impact in the world.

This is the eighth annual Subaru Love Promise Retailer of the Year Award. For more information about the Subaru Retailer of The Year Award, please visit: https://www.subaru.com/our-commitment/love-promise/retailer-recognition.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan . Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J. , the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States . All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $300 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged nearly 88,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Diane Anton

Corporate Communications Manager

(856) 488-5093

[email protected]

Adam Leiter

Corporate Communications Specialist

(856) 488-8668

[email protected]

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SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Flutterwave, Africa's leading payments technology company, has joined the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) payment orchestration platform to facilitate travel to sub-Saharan Africa. With this integration, airlines across the world are able to process payment from customers through cards, bank transfer, mobile money, alternative payment methods and other payment modes available on Flutterwave.

IATA Financial Gateway (IFG) is an omni-channel payment orchestration and management platform fully dedicated to the airline industry and has been designed to allow airlines to receive local payments from local markets through all their distribution channels. IATA has some 290 international airlines; this partnership enables them to easily expand their operations in Africa while receiving bookings and payments from customers in Africa using local and international payments methods.

Airlines and travel agencies can use Flutterwave via IFG to accept many forms of payment from customers when booking airline tickets. Instead of having to manage multiple complex connections to payment service providers in Africa , IFG offers a single global connection, with full end-to-end control on payment and settlement processes and seamless integration with ticketing systems and distribution channels.

Global airlines looking to collect local currencies through cards and indigenous methods of payments will find this integration useful, as it makes payments seamless for their millions of customers in Africa and other markets where Flutterwave operates.

Olugbenga "GB" Agboola, Flutterwave CEO & Founder, said,

"According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Africa is set to become one of the fastest growing aviation regions in the next 20 years with an annual expansion of nearly 5%. How can we further accelerate this growth? One way is to ensure airlines can easily set up operations across the continent and seamlessly receive payments from their customers. This partnership with IATA solves the problem of payments for global airlines venturing into Africa . We hope that this encourages more global airlines to expand into Africa ."

Muhammad Albakri , IATA's Senior VP, Financial Settlement and Distribution Services, said, "The IATA Financial Gateway supports the availability of new payment options in many markets. We welcome Flutterwave's participation to bring secure and innovative payment methods to airlines, travel resellers and the traveling public in Africa ."

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SOURCE Flutterwave
Recently inaugurated to meet customer needs in the country, the brand-new location further expands the company's presence in the region and represents a further step in its growth strategy.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gilbarco Veeder-Root Middle East and Africa (MEA) has opened a new office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , marking a step forward in the company's growth plan. The recently inaugurated location has been established to cater to local clients as well as expanding the reach of Gilbarco's solutions across the region.

Located in Riyadh , the Kingdom's capital, at the SADA Premium Building 6676, the new opening represents a milestone for the company amidst its expansion strategy across several markets. It also strengthens the firm's footprint in the regional market after a successful 2022, in which the firm participated in several events and rolled out numerous solutions throughout the region.

"With this new opening we are not only expanding our reach but also enhancing our relationship with local clients as business throughout the region keeps growing," says Yemi Fatunla, Managing Director MEA. "A dedicated hub in Saudi Arabia is a most welcome addition to Gilbarco's portfolio, furthering our commitment to support our partners' growth by expanding our operations even further thanks to this new addition," adds Fatunla.

The inauguration also represents Gilbarco Veeder-Root's growing role across the Middle East and Africa . As the company consolidates its position as the global leader in technology for retail and commercial fuelling operations, a new location is proof of the firm's continued efforts to achieve this goal.

"A new office means new opportunities across the region! We are excited to strengthen our existing relationships and also welcome potential new partners into our portfolio," says Adnan Al Otiebi , Regional Sales Director MENEA at Gilbarco Veeder-Root Middle East & Africa .

The new office will join Gilbarco Veeder-Root MEA's regional office recently relocated to Johannesburg, South Africa , as well as other offices located in the United Arab Emirates , Egypt and Morocco .

"The opening of a new office in Saudi Arabia resonates with Gilbarco Veeder-Root Middle East and Africa's dedication to provide our partners' businesses for success. This new facility will help fulfill our mission to support their growth," comments Allen Youssef , Regional Marketing Manager MEA at Gilbarco Veeder-Root Middle East & Africa .

About Gilbarco Veeder-Root

Gilbarco Veeder-Root is a complete fuelling solutions provider for fuel management and convenience retail store technologies. With a universal range, global reach, deep-rooted expertise, and superior customer service, GVR is committed to keeping the world moving. By understanding the challenges that its customers face, their needs are met with adaptable and expandable solutions that are designed to maximise uptime and profitability.

Gilbarco Veeder-Root is committed to keeping the world moving, to learn more visit https://www.gilbarco.com/mea.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2152954/Gilbarco.jpg

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SOURCE Gilbarco Veeder-Roots MEA
Info-Tech LIVE offers attendees practical insights to drive technology-led transformations and accelerate their professional careers. The second round of anticipated speakers for the September conference in Las Vegas has been revealed.

TORONTO , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Global IT research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group has announced additional keynote speakers who will headline the highly anticipated Info-Tech LIVE, its annual three-day conference. Taking place from September 19 to 21, 2023 , at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas , this event is specifically tailored for IT executives who play a crucial role in shaping technology decisions, driving institutional adoption, and fostering innovation within their organizations. These additional keynote speakers will join previously named speakers revealed earlier in the year.

With a dynamic agenda featuring renowned industry speakers, insightful case studies, interactive workshops, and exclusive one-on-one sessions with research analysts, Info-Tech LIVE promises to deliver a truly engaging and informative experience for technology leaders.

"We are delighted to unveil additional keynote speakers who will grace the stage at Info-Tech LIVE. Each speaker is a true luminary in their field, bringing unparalleled expertise and insights to our conference," says Gord Harrison , senior vice president of research and advisory at Info-Tech Research Group. "These industry-leading experts, along with our world-class research team, will provide attendees with diverse perspectives and groundbreaking insights that they can take back to their organizations to drive innovation and success."

The latest special keynote speakers expected at LIVE 2023 include the following names:

Chad Wright  Chief Information Officer, Boston Dynamics

Chad Wright is an award-winning technology executive whose career spans 30 years across a variety of roles, industries, and some of Boston's most innovative companies, including Avid, Endeca Technologies, athenahealth, and Amazon Robotics.

Helen Norris  Chief Information Officer, Chapman University

With more than 30 years of experience in IT leadership, including roles at some of California's leading universities, Helen Norris is a nationally recognized expert in higher education technology and cybersecurity. She is on multiple boards, including serving as Board Chair at EDUCAUSE, and is a frequent speaker on the topics of diversity in IT, leadership, data science, change management, and IT strategy.

Karl Mosgofian  Chief Information Officer, Gainsight

Karl Mosgofian has always been passionate about making his customers wildly successful. He has over 30 years of IT and business leadership experience ranging from consulting and startups  including his own professional services company  to senior leadership roles at companies like Alta Group, Cadence Design Systems, and Harmonic.

Yasser Haridi  Chief Enterprise Architect, NASA

An award-winning IT executive, Yasser Haridi has 25 years of experience in leading change and development for renowned multinational organizations such as Siemens, Lockheed Martin, and NASA, where he developed practical skills in strategic planning, enterprise architecture, systems engineering, and digital transformation.

Paul Feilmeier  VP of Technology Services, Northeast Community College

Paul Feilmeier has a track record of establishing and leading technology strategy, programs, portfolio management, roadmaps, and teams over the past 20 years and has executive experience in vendor management, cybersecurity, change management, IT strategy, and integrations.

Info-Tech LIVE 2023 will explore the theme of "Exponential IT," focusing on three key topics  Operational Excellence, Digital Transformation and Innovation, and Leading Through Change. The event will cover over 160 sessions, more than 11 renowned speakers, and 20 technology keynotes, as well as sessions dedicated to a Women in IT track, underscoring Info-Tech's commitment to empowering and fostering inclusivity within the industry.

LIVE 2023 is set to be the biggest in Info-Tech's history, offering an unparalleled experience that will shape the future of IT.

IT leaders and professionals interested in attending can visit Info-Tech's event page to learn more or to reserve a seat for Info-Tech LIVE in Las Vegas . Media interested in attending in person or virtually covering the insights that will be revealed at the conference can contact [email protected] .

Updates and new details about speakers, agendas, and exclusive event experiences can be found via LinkedIn and Twitter over the coming months.

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 IT and industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

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SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group
SINGAPORE , July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A Singapore -based pioneering venture capital and research firm, Bing Ventures, has published a market research report on the Crypto Payments Industry. This report, developed in collaboration with Alchemy Pay, the leading fiat-crypto payment gateway, delves into the history, existing market status, and prospects of the industry from various perspectives, including technological, commercial, and regulatory aspects. Offering a holistic view, the report highlights the key factors and trends that are driving future growth, fostering technological innovation, and shaping the competitive landscape.

For the analysis of the market, the crypto payments industry is segmented into three sectors namely crypto on and off-ramps, crypto payments for real-life uses, and blockchain-native payments. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis, the research studies the business model of market players and estimates the market size of each sector. It also covers discussions on cutting-edge payment methods such as money streaming and offers profiles of major market players including Alchemy Pay and Moon Pay .

Key Trends of the Crypto Payments Industry

Despite a challenging bear market for cryptocurrency in 2022, the crypto payments industry continues to witness rapid growth, reflected in more and more top brands embracing crypto, the entrance of many new market players, and the growing number of regulations being put in place worldwide.

Nevertheless, the research finds that the penetration of cryptocurrency into the real economy is still less than 1%, with the biggest hurdle being the strong network effect created by the existing user base of traditional payments.

But based on the estimated growth of the global payments industry and a sensitivity analysis of the market size of crypto payments for real-life uses, the report forecasts that the size of the crypto payments market will grow to hundreds of billions within three years.

Essential Factors Driving Industry Growth and Shaping Competition

It emphasizes that the urgent directions for technological developments are to address security risks and ease trust between transaction parties. Although with two decades of development, the efficiency and usability of crypto payments have been greatly improved. The security and trust issues are not fundamentally solved.

In terms of the competitive landscape, compliance, and merchant networks are expected to become the most important dual factors determining a crypto payment company's success in the future. Against this backdrop, no single market player will be able to dominate the market easily. And the developing markets where e-payment methods are yet deeply rooted are expected to have the largest potential for growth.

Download A Free Copy of the Report Here

By producing this report, Bing Ventures and Alchemy Pay intend to equip enthusiasts and builders in Web3 and blockchain with knowledge of the crypto payments industry and draw attention to the opportunities and challenges that are present to facilitate the development of the industry and mass adoption of crypto payments. To access this report, visit Bing Ventures website at here.

About Bing Ventures

Founded in 2021 by former J.P. Morgan and Standard Chartered bankers, Bing Ventures is a pioneering venture capital firm that backs startups and entrepreneurs driving the next wave of Web3 and blockchain innovations. Its team of crypto veterans and natives collectively brings decades of experience in investing in, incubating, developing, and marketing Web 3.0 projects. With a sector-agnostic, value-investing approach, it now has a portfolio spanning DeFi, NFT, GameFi, DAOs, infrastructure, Web3, and more. Bing Ventures is headquartered in Singapore and has team members decentralized across Asia , the UK , and the US.

For more information, please visit https://www.bing-ventures.com/ .

About Alchemy Pay

Founded in Singapore in 2017, Alchemy Pay is a payment gateway that seamlessly connects crypto and global fiat currencies for businesses, developers, and users. With its Ramp Solution, Alchemy Pay supports payments from 173 countries - Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, Apple Pay, popular regional mobile wallets, and domestic transfers with a focus on emerging markets. Its offramping capability remits to users in 50+ local fiat currencies. In addition, Alchemy Pay's NFT Checkout enables direct purchases of NFTs using fiat payment methods. The Crypto Card Solution, tailored specifically for businesses, empowers them to provide their users with branded virtual and physical cards, which enable instant global shopping and can be easily topped up with mainstream tokens. ACH is the Alchemy Pay network token on Ethereum and BNB Chain.

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SOURCE Alchemy Pay
Additions strengthen firm's governance, expand leadership experience and familiarity with addressing emerging business challenges

CHICAGO , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kearney , a leading global management consulting firm, today announced the appointment of Bob Swan and Isabelle Xoual as inaugural external members of the Board of Directors. Both Directors' terms commenced on July 1, 2023 with Mr. Swan and Ms. Xoual serving alongside Kearney's current board members. Both individuals will contribute their respective business perspectives based on years of leadership experience in various industries including technology, finance, and consulting.

Mr. Swan and Ms. Xoual were selected by a board-established external Director search committee following a rigorous evaluation process based on understanding of the consulting business, business transformation needs in the global economy, and mergers and acquisitions knowledge as well as prior board service and a global mindset. Throughout the selection process, the committee prioritized innovative and strategic thinking, cultural fit, diversity, and excellent business judgment.

"We are delighted to welcome Mr. Swan and Ms. Xoual as Kearney's first-ever external board members," said Alex Liu, Managing Partner and Chairman at Kearney. "Their expansive and diverse experiences bring a tremendous value-add to the board's decision processes and will be a vital source of guidance and governance as Kearney continues to deliver innovative and impactful solutions to clients."

Mr. Swan's business leadership expertise spans across B2B technology, and consumer internet and fintech companies. He currently serves as an operating partner with Andreessen Horowitz and previously served as CEO of Intel and CFO of a number of prominent companies. Mr. Swan has acted as a global advisor to Kearney over the past 18 months and has previously been a client of the firm. He currently serves on the boards for Nike, GoTo Group, the American Heart Association, and Flexport, while previously having served on the boards for eBay, Applied Materials, Intel, and Skype.

"I'm incredibly excited to join Kearney at an important moment of transformation for both the consulting business and the clients it serves. Kearney has demonstrated an impressive commitment to adapting its offerings and approach to meet the individualized needs of global clients, as well as anticipating future challenges to clients' businesses," said Mr. Swan . "I look forward to collaborating with the board and Kearney's partners worldwide to ensure we live up to our values and prepare the firm for continued long-term success."

Ms. Xoual has had a distinguished career in investment banking with deep expertise in strategic advisory, buy-side, sell-side, restructuring assignments, IPO advisory, public transactions, and defense against activists. She is currently a Managing Director with Lazard, a global investment bank, co-leading capital goods coverage for Europe and guiding her clients through a variety of strategic transactions. She also serves on Lazard's operating committee in France , supports the Rising Talent initiative of the Women's Forum, and has previously served on the board of ANF Immobilier, a French-listed real estate group.

"There's no doubt that businesses face more challenges, and at a faster pace, than ever before. In searching for consultants who meet their needs, it's clear that Kearney is best positioned with a global viewpoint, a diverse and experienced partnership base and a commitment to investments in good governance, technology and people. I'm honored to join as a member of the board and thank the firm for its consideration," added Ms. Xoual .

Kearney's external Director search committee was established in 2022 by shareholder vote to strengthen the firm's governance and identify the best possible candidates for the newly created roles.

About Kearney

Kearney is a leading global management consulting firm. For nearly 100 years, we have been a trusted advisor to C-suites, government bodies, and nonprofit organizations. Our people make us who we are. Driven to be the difference between a big idea and making it happen, we help our clients break through. Learn more at www.kearney.com.

Media Contacts

Emily Burnham / Ryan Dicovitsky

Dukas Linden Public Relations

[email protected]com

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SOURCE Kearney
From Checking on Google and Reading Reviews to Looking at the Company's Social Media Website and More, this Helpful Advice Will Help Homeowners Stay Warm in the Winter and Cool in the Summer

MOORESVILLE, N.C. , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brian Pysz , co-owner of the HVAC repair company Peace Heating and Air Conditioning based in Mooresville, North Carolina , is pleased to announce that he has just posted a new blog to the company's website that discusses an important topic: how to quickly find the best local air conditioner contractor .

To read the new blog in its entirety, please visit https://peaceheatingandairconditioning.com/2023/03/08/when-searching-for-air-conditioner-contractor-near-me-remember-peace-heating-and-air-conditioning/

As the blog notes, it is stressful for homeowners to realize that their heater or air conditioner is no longer functioning properly. In these cases, homeowners want to find reputable contractors quickly who are affordable and will correctly diagnose and fix the issue.

The first step to find a local heating and air conditioning contractor is to use a search engine.

"Type 'air conditioner contractor near me' into the search bar and press enter. The search engine will provide you with a list of local contractors in your area," the blog notes, adding that first, homeowners should look for a licensed and certified contractor.

Once the list of potential contractors has been made, homeowners should visit their company websites and social media pages to learn more about their services.

Next, the blog advises, research each contractor's online reviews.

"Check online reviews to see what other customers have said about the contractor's service. Look for reviews on websites like Google, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, and HomeAdvisor," the blog notes.

"If a contractor has a lot of positive reviews, it is a good sign that they provide quality service."

About Peace Heating and Air Conditioning:

At Peace Heating And Air Conditioning, they are proud to be the local heating and AC & Heat Service experts, and they have the tools and expertise to install, repair and maintain all the climate control systems people need to breathe easily. Their highly qualified technicians provide only the best service, and they always work with each family's needs and long-term comfort in mind. For more information, please visit https://peaceheatingandairconditioning.com/

Peace Heating And Air Conditioning

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SOURCE Peace Heating and Air Conditioning
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the presidential palace on Wednesday evening ahead of the Sudan Neighbouring Countries Summit, a presidential statement said on Thursday.

The two leaders discussed ways to settle the crisis in Sudan, enhance bilateral relations between Egypt and Ethiopia, and the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Ahmed leads Ethiopia's delegation that will participate in Sudan Neighbouring Countries Summit, which Egypt will host on Thursday upon an invitation from El-Sisi.

This is the first official meeting between El-Sisi and Ahmed since October 2019 when they met in Sochi on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit. Although the two leaders had informal encounters at the Summit for the New Global Financing Pact in Paris last month and during COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh in November 2022, they did not hold official talks.

The summit aims to peacefully settle the crisis in Sudan in coordination with other regional and international efforts, and establish effective mechanisms involving neighbouring countries to end the current conflict has plunged Sudan into a bloody conflict over the past three months.

In addition to the Ethiopian premier, Chads President Idriss Deby, Eritreas President Isaias Afwerki, and South Sudans President Salva Kiir arrived in Cairo earlier Wednesday to participate in the summit.

The leaders of Sudan's neighbouring countries are also expected to discuss mechanisms to address the dire humanitarian situation resulting from the influx of thousands of Sudanese refugees into their countries since the conflict broke out in mid-April.

In late June, Egypts Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry stated that Egypt has received over 250,000 Sudanese, which accounts for about 60 percent of the total number of Sudanese who have fled their country. Furthermore, there were already five million Sudanese living in Egypt.

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Lear on track to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA), a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems, today released its 2022 Sustainability Report, which includes the company's progress on its climate goals, sustainable product development, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

LEA), a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems, today released its 2022 Sustainability Report, which includes the companys progress on its climate goals, sustainable product development, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives." alt="Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA), a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems, today released its 2022 Sustainability Report, which includes the companys progress on its climate goals, sustainable product development, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives." />

"Around the world, our teams have embraced opportunities to build a more sustainable future," said Ray Scott , Lear President and CEO. "Their commitment and collaboration are driving us toward our climate goals, advancing sustainable products, and further enriching our diverse culture."

Lear's 2022 Sustainability Highlights

Climate Goals

Lear has been implementing a comprehensive renewable energy strategy to meet its climate goals. By the end of 2022, Lear decreased its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by nearly 17% against a 2019 baseline, putting the company on track to meet its 50% carbon reduction goal by 2030. Currently, on-site solar arrays provide a source of clean power for nine Lear facilities across six countries. All company locations in Germany , Poland , Spain and the United Kingdom have already met Lear's 2030 goal of sourcing 100% renewable energy for their electricity needs. In addition, Lear employees completed 170 energy efficiency projects in 2022, with an estimated savings of 6 million kilowatt-hours of energy globally.

Sustainable Products

Lear's portfolio of sustainable products continues to grow with more than 900 global patents and pending patents related to sustainable products. Products, such as the company's award-winning Battery Disconnect Unit, help electric vehicles (EVs) charge faster and drive farther. Lear's 100% recycled ReNewKnit sueded surface material is made from repurposed plastic water bottles and supports a circular economy where textiles can be continuously recycled. The company has also completed reference life cycle assessments (LCAs) on seven of its major product lines to measure and identify opportunities to improve the carbon footprint of its products.

DEI and Leadership Development

In 2022, a comprehensive review of our employee compensation practices showed more than 99% of women globally and ethnic minorities in the United States achieved pay equity. Among salaried new hires in the United States , 52% were ethnic minorities or women. As part of its commitment to transparency, Lear has publicly disclosed its consolidated EEO-1 summary data. Designed to retain top performers and enable more diverse leadership in the future, Lear's groundbreaking Together We Grow career development program launched in 2022 with 31 high-potential and diverse participants.

Other Major Highlights in 2022

Lear employees in Michigan donated nearly $1 million to local charities

donated nearly to local charities Assessed 2,800+ production supplier sites across the globe on sustainability and human rights criteria

Completed strategic acquisitions to enable less complex and more efficient product design, optimize manufacturing processes and support Industry 4.0

Sent zero waste to landfills at 28 facilities in 11 countries

Achieved 1 million hours with zero lost time injury or illness cases at 68 facilities

Completed 5 million hours of employee training and development

Expanded the "Driving Wellness" program globally to promote the well-being of our employees in body, mind, nutrition and balance

Committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

Recommitted to the United Nations Global Compact

Lear reports with reference to the GRI Standards, as well as the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) framework and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. To download Lear's 2022 Sustainability Report, visit lear.com/sustainability.

About Lear Corporation

Lear, a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems, enables superior in-vehicle experiences for consumers around the world. Lear's diverse team of talented employees in 37 countries is driven by a commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability. Lear is Making every drive better by providing the technology for safer, smarter, and more comfortable journeys. Lear, headquartered in Southfield, Michigan , serves every major automaker in the world and ranks 189 on the Fortune 500. Further information about Lear is available at lear.com or on Twitter @LearCorporation.

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SOURCE Lear Corporation
WILMINGTON, Mass. , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd. ("Liberty" or the "Company") (TSXV: SCAN) (OTCQB: LDDFF) (FRANKFURT: LD2A), a leading technology provider of AI-based next generation detection solutions for concealed weapons and threats, is pleased to announce that it has partnered with GRASP Innovations to expand the Company's presence in Europe . GRASP will be a distributor of HEXWAVE for urban security markets, including critical infrastructure, checkpoints for correctional facilities, borders and customs, military police, as well as stadiums and rail applications. Liberty Defense and GRASP have also agreed to work together to utilize the HEXWAVE and GRASP's cutting-edge digital technology to develop a touchless, autonomous checkpoint screening solution.

GRASP Innovations is an Amsterdam -based solutions provider specialized in optimizing and automating processes in the aviation and security industry. Their goal is to optimize the use of resources and infrastructure in any given situation, enabling professionals to take immediate action, if necessary, to get control and solve problems before they arise. GRASPs solutions include data management and automation solutions for security checkpoints and access control automation, utilizing unique sensor technology. Their experts identify new growth opportunities for smart cities, corporations, and airports by using data, analytics, and artificial intelligence.

"The team at GRASP has over 10 years' experience deploying innovative and state of the art screening technologies for security checkpoints," said Bill Frain , CEO of Liberty Defense. "CEO Robert Schuur is an ambitious thought leader and driver for innovation. We share Robert's vision for next generation security applications, providing a comprehensive security screening solution using HEXWAVE for effective and efficient detection and ease of use."

HEXWAVE technology uses millimeter wave, advanced 3D imaging, and AI to detect concealed metallic and non-metallic weapons such as liquid, plastic, and powder explosives, 3D printed guns, and other prohibited items  without having to divest common items like cell phones or keys.

"I am very excited to be working with the Liberty team as they look to bring their next generation HEXWAVE to the European market," said Robert Schuur . "This partnership provides the customer unparalleled access to our experience in the security industry, and with Liberty's expanded product portfolio and experienced team, together we will be able to provide curb-to-gate screening for the urban security industry."

For updates and news, please visit the Company website to subscribe to email alerts or follow Liberty Defense on social channels.

On Behalf of Liberty Defense

Bill Frain

CEO & Director

About Liberty Defense

Liberty Defense (TSXV: SCAN, OTCQB: LDDFF, FRANKFURT : LD2A) provides multi-technology security solutions for concealed weapons detection in high volume foot traffic areas and locations requiring enhanced security such as airports, stadiums, schools, and more. Liberty's HEXWAVE product, for which the company has secured an exclusive license from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as a technology transfer agreement for patents related to active 3D radar imaging technology, provides discrete, modular, and scalable protection to provide layered, stand-off detection capability of metallic and non-metallic weapons. Liberty has also recently licensed the millimeter wave-based, High-Definition Advanced Imaging Technology (HD-AIT) body scanner and shoe scanner technologies as part of its technology portfolio. Liberty is committed to protecting communities and preserving peace of mind through superior security detection solutions. Learn more: LibertyDefense.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although Liberty believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Liberty. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Liberty's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions. The parties undertake no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of their securities or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable).

Liberty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Liberty's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Liberty has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Liberty as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Liberty does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

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SOURCE Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd.
WASHINGTON , July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Metrea is proud to have been part of a historic first by providing commercial air-to-air refueling to U.S. Air Force RC-135 and E-3 aircraft in support of exercise RESOLUTE HUNTER. While U.S. Navy and Marine Corps units regularly use commercial aerial refueling services for training and support, this marks the first time that U.S. Air Force aircraft have used commercial aerial refueling.

From June 23 through June 29 , Metrea Strategic Mobility (MSM) provided four aerial refueling support missions for RC-135 and E-3 aircraft in support of exercise RESOLUTE HUNTER. The total included 13 boom contacts and nearly 90,000 pounds of fuel offloaded, providing both aerial refueling training for the RC-135 and E-3 crews, and enabling them to extend their participation in the RESOLUTE HUNTER exercise.

"It was fitting that we could support the US Air Force in achieving this major milestone during the same week that we marked the 100th anniversary of aerial refueling," said Jon "Ty" Thomas, Head of Metrea's Air and Space Group. "Our team worked closely with NAVAIR, Air Combat Command, and the receiver RC-135 and E-3 units to pull this off and deliver the training effect needed. We look forward to supporting more US Air Force refueling requirements as well as increasing demand from allies and partners."

An RC-135 Rivet Joint assigned to the 55th Wing from Offutt Air Force Base was the first to receive commercial air-to-air refueling, followed by an E-3 Sentry assigned to the 552nd Air Control Wing from Tinker Air Force Base .

For Metrea Strategic Mobility this marks another historic milestone, after recently completing the first ever commercial boom refueling in April 2023 in support of a U.S. Navy P-8.

Metrea Strategic Mobility has sent a KC-135R to participate in the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, UK , July 14-16 .

About Metrea

Metrea Strategic Mobility is the only company to own and operate a fleet of KC-135R aircraft, offering an air-to-air refueling service that seamlessly, safely, and professionally integrates into military aviation training and operations.

Metrea Strategic Mobility has a mission reliability rate of 93% since beginning execution of a NAVAIR contract in late 2021. The combined Metrea aviation units have flown over 130,000 accident-free flying hours, across multiple aircraft types, missions, and geographies in support of US, UK , and other allied and partner government national security objectives. MSM's aircraft are equipped with two wing-mounted Multi-Point Refueling System (MPRS) pods which facilitate refueling with probe equipped Navy, Marine Corps and partner nation aircraft.

Metrea Strategic Mobility is part of Metrea. Metrea provides effects-as-a-service to national security partners in five domains and over a dozen mission-centric solution areas, including airborne ISR, electronic warfare, communications, space-based ISR, and advanced simulation.

Metrea Strategic Mobility is headquartered in Temecula, California ; Metrea is headquartered in Washington, DC with facilities across the United States , the United Kingdom , and the EU.

LINKS:

Metrea at RIAT

https://metrea.aero/riat-2023/

Metrea's First Commercial Boom Refueling

https://metrea.aero/metrea-announces-historic-commercial-aerial-refueling-of-navy-p-8-poseidon/

PHOTOS:

Photos of E-3 and RC-135 refueling courtesy of Metrea.

Photo of Metrea KC-135 tail number N572MA taken by Mark Chen . Used by permission.

MEDIA CONTACT:

[email protected]

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SOURCE Metrea
BEIJING , July 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From July 5 to 9, 2023 , INDO BUILD TECH was grandly opened at Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). Since its launch in 2003, INDO BUILD TECH has been successfully held for 21 sessions.

In order to further expand the overseas development space and comprehensively enhance the international influence of "Made in China " brand, the overseas business department and technical team from Oriental Yuhong showed up at INDO BUILD TECH with a number of new products.

After more than a decade of development, INDO BUILD TECH has become a large-scale and popular exhibition for building materials and supporting services in Indonesia . At the same time, with the strong support of Indonesian government departments and associations including the Department of Industry, the Department of Trade and KADIN Indonesia, INDO BUILD TECH has gained high popularity and far-reaching influence in Indonesia .

For this reason, a large number of buyers from all over the world come here every year, making the expo gradually recognized as an important platform for entering the Southeast Asian market.

Jakarta , where INDO BUILD TECH is held, is the political, economic and commercial center of Indonesia . Indonesia's manufacturing industries are mostly distributed in Jawa Barat , Banten and Jawa Timur around Jakarta . Such political and economic distribution determines the role of INDO BUILD TECH as a "wind vane" in Indonesia's building materials market.

At the site, Oriental Yuhong's exhibition stand integrating professional products, systematic services and innovative applications attracted many exhibitors, industry colleagues and partners to stop, visit and consult, and received architectural design companies and contractors from Thailand , Malaysia , Vietnam and other countries. The staff gave on-site explanations on the performance characteristics, core advantages and application scenarios of various products, systems and services, gaining continuous praise and wide attention from customers in Southeast Asia and Central Asia .

Looking forward, Oriental Yuhong will continue to adhere to the vision of "becoming the most valuable enterprise in the global building materials industry", and forge ahead with a pioneering and enterprising spirit. While continuously building its core competitive advantages, it will spare no effort to promote steady and sustained high-quality development.

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SOURCE BEIJING ORIENTAL YUHONG WATERPROOF TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
PEORIA, Ill. , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OSF HealthCare and Abundant Health Acquisition (aha!) have announced a pilot partnership to launch two new aha! software connectors designed to easily deliver retail-like online experiences that help patients find the care they need quickly.

The aha! Provider Data Connector (PDC) and Patient Education Connector (PEC) will empower OSF Digital Marketing and Digital Innovation Development teams to quickly create and optimize an e-commerce-like retail experience that results in improved search engine optimization, greater patient engagement and satisfaction, and higher digital appointment volume.

This partnership extends the OSF HealthCare and aha! collaboration, which started in 2019, with a new, dynamic website to drive the "One OSF" initiative which offers a consistent and personalized experience for the visitor, powered by Sitecore DXP.

"We're very excited by the opportunity to further partner with aha! as we look for ways to increase our appointment conversions, introduce operational efficiencies, and relieve our tech debt," said Tom Caldera , director of OSF Digital Innovation Development. "aha!'s vision for flexible connectors directly within our content management system allows us to leverage our Sitecore DXP investment and let our Marketing teams quickly place personalized provider info and clinical content based on business needs without tech involvement."

The Provider Data Connector (PDC) unlocks provider data (bio and basic information, appointment availability, high-quality photos, and more) and empowers internal content managers to use it strategically within their website content and directly within their primary domain.

The Patient Education Connector (PEC) alleviates the substantial effort on health care systems to source, write and maintain patient education content. Clinically reviewed content, sourced from trusted 3rd parties such as WebMD Ignite, can be seamlessly integrated as complete articles or individual content segments to create new patient education pieces.

When used together, the two connectors will let the OSF HealthCare Marketing team easily build and optimize web experiences that place the right providers in context with clinically approved, actionable content.

The pilot launch of the two connectors on the OSFHealthCare.org website is currently underway.

OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois . OSF HealthCare has 15 hospitals  10 acute care, five critical access - with 2,084 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan . OSF employs nearly 24,000 Mission Partners throughout 150+ locations; has two colleges of nursing; operates OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; owns Pointcore, Inc., comprised of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. OSF OnCall, a digital health operating unit, was established in 2020 to improve patient experience, using digital tools for 24-7 communication, on-demand care, remote patient monitoring, and offers the largest hospital-at-home program in Illinois . OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country. More at osfhealthcare.org.

OSF Innovation is a collaborative network of different disciplines that designs bold, strategic solutions to advance the future of health care. Learn more at osfinnovation.org.

Abundant Health Acquisition (aha!) aha! was founded in 2017, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois , and is a part of the Abundant Venture Partners (AVP) portfolio of companies. aha! is a consumer research, digital services, experience design, and software development company focused exclusively on working with healthcare providers across the country. We are an experienced, integrated team who believe in connecting people through modern, human-centered health experiences. More at abundant.health.

Contact: Colleen Reynolds | Media Relations Coordinator  OSF HealthCare | (309) 825-7255

Contact: Paul Dain | Chief Executive Officer  Abundant Health Acquisition (aha!) | (312) 402-2744

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SOURCE OSF HealthCare
The New, Ultra-Premium Rum Celebrates a Decade of Excellence Honoring the Adventurous Spirit of its Namesake, Ernest Hemingway

KEY WEST, Fla. , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Papa's Pilar Rum , the worldly-sourced and Florida -finished rum brand inspired by legendary novelist Ernest Hemingway , announces the rarest offering in the brand's ten year history  Ernest. Launching on Friday, July 21 , which is also the birthday of 'Papa' Hemingway, the limited edition rum exemplifies the brand's decade-long commitment to creating premium, high-quality rums with innovation at the forefront. Only 400 bottles of Ernest were created.

Ernest is a harmonious blend of hand-selected rums sourced from countries in South and Central America by 7th Generation Master Distiller, Ron Call . The blended rums were then put into new, heavy toasted American Oak barrels made of new 36-month old air-dried staves, and then double finished in both Cognac and Armagnac casks. The end result is a 100-proof rum with a refined and nuanced aroma of roses, violets, hazelnuts and burnt citrus peel. The initial subtlety is then overcome by a bold and complex flavor profile including notes of burnt citrus peel, turned earth, toasted hazelnut, green tea, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla bean, and dark chocolate on the palate. The finish is particularly noteworthy with its extraordinary length and complexity that creates notes of green tea, vanilla bean and burnt citrus for a notable finish.

"With each new release, we prioritize showcasing our high-quality rums and for Ernest, we really wanted to push the envelope on what the category has been seen before," said Papa's Pilar Master Distiller, Ron Call . "This is what led to our decision to double finish the rum in new heavy-toasted American White Oak barrels made of 36-month air-dried staves, a process that enhances the deep natural vanilla and slight cocoa notes that carry over into our rum and create an extraordinary sensory experience."

The bottle for Ernest is inspired by the beautiful, circular decanter seen in a photo of Hemingway taken circa 1940 at Finca Vigia, the novelist's home located in Cuba just southeast of Havana , most well known as the location where he wrote portions of his famed novels "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "The Old Man and the Sea." The crystal decanter bottle was designed to double as a collector's piece, coming encased in a teal display box embossed with golden foil, wood siding, cream stitching, and gold riveted piping. When opened it reveals a removable leather valet to display the elegant collectable bottle filled with golden rum and marked with Hemingway's signature, with the image of Hemingway at Finca Vigia as its backdrop. The box also includes a crystal decanter top made to replace the wood and gold 'travel cork.' Papa's Pilar consulted with Hemingway historian, author and friend, Philip Greene to ensure the decanter-style bottle was historically accurate and identical to Hemingway's.

Over the past year, the premium rum category has seen significant growth within the spirits industry as a whole. This shift can be largely credited to the innovation seen in present day rum making, such as the exploration of new cask finishes, as well as consumers' desire for education on the vast offerings and origins of the spirit. Papa's Pilar is a leader in the category as its line up of rums utilize a variety of sourcing and finishing techniques that create a complex liquid meant to be savored.

"Since we founded Papa's Pilar ten years ago, we have aimed to be at the cutting edge of innovation in both the rum category and the ultra-premium spirits industry as a whole," said Papa's Pilar's founder and CEO, Steve Groth . "Ernest shows how we are letting our expert craftsman do what they do best and lead the way with limited run, curated, collectable releases. We have found that driving our business through the lens of craftsmanship has been key to truly exceptional results."

Ernest (SRP: $599 ) will be available to purchase through Papa's Pilar's website at https://www.papaspilar.com/pages/ernest starting on July 21 . Members of Papa's Pilar's Hemingway Social Club will receive early access to the release. Sign up now to receive exclusive access to releases and brand announcements here . For online order fulfillment to Alaska , Hawaii , Louisiana , Massachusetts , Mississippi , Michigan , and Ohio only, orders must be called in to 954-749-3359 between the hours of 10am-4pm EST , Monday through Friday.

About Papa's Pilar Rum

Papa's Pilar Rum is an ultra-premium rum brand whose blends are hand-selected and artfully blended by 7th generation Master Distiller Ron Call . All four of Papa's Pilar flagship rum offerings, the dark rum, blonde rum, sherry-finished rum, and the rye-finished rum are molasses based and undergo a Solera blending process. The brand was created alongside the Hemingway family to celebrate his life as a captivating adventurer and his "Never a spectator" mindset. The Papa's Pilar Distillery & Experience Center is located in Key West, Florida where they offer tours, cocktail classes and rum tastings. The Hemingway family & Papa's Pilar Rum have collectively contributed millions of dollars to causes & communities that advance literacy, water conservation, reef restoration and other worthy initiatives that would make Papa proud. For more information, visit the website or follow Papa's Pilar on Instagram @papaspilar .

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Largest multi-modal terminal on the Texas Gulf Coast commemorates the milestone, highlights expanded accessibility of port to critical markets

HOUSTON , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockport Terminals ( Rockport ) celebrates one-year of rail service with Union Pacific, operator of North America's premier railroad franchise. This milestone comes two years after the Jones Capital acquisition of Rockport , which transformed 250-acres of previously idle industrial property into a multi-modal logistics port, including storage-in-transit rail and a transloading facility. Today, Rockport serves customers transporting oil and gas, bulk and break-bulk commodities, and renewables in the South Texas and Mexico markets.

The transformation of the terminal has increased accessibility to customers, as it can store over 700 railcars, accept unit trains, and transload to and from barge, rail, or truck. The sizable acreage position allows Rockport to expand beyond 1,500 railcar storage spots, 2.0mm barrels of hydrocarbon storage, two additional barge dock locations and maintain ample space for laydown cargo and customer projects.

Situated north of Corpus Christi directly on the Intercoastal Waterway with substantial rail, water, and highway access, Rockport allows unique efficiencies for inbound and outbound logistics, including avoidance of expensive port tariffs, one of the most sought-after Rockport advantages.

CEO Ross Stevenson said, "Our goal when developing Rockport Terminals was to be the most convenient and cost-effective multi-modal solution for numerous industries, positively impact the Aransas County economy and become a world-class asset along the Texas Gulf Coast . Developing a double loop unit train facility with an aggregate of fifteen miles of rail has allowed Rockport Terminals to partner with Union Pacific as a service provider, setting in motion a bright future to develop further and provide value to customers across a wide opportunity set."

Rockport Terminals: Any Mode. Any Market. Any Time.

For more about Rockport Terminals and their services, visit RockportTerminals.com. Supporting video and images can be found here.

Media contact:

Rachel Brill , Director of Marketing

[email protected]com

832-928-5570

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SOURCE Rockport Terminals
DENVER , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Materials, Inc. (NYSE: SUM, "Summit" or the "Company"), a leading vertically integrated construction materials company, today announced that it will release second quarter 2023 financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 . A conference call will be held on Thursday, August 3, 2023 , at 12:00 p.m. eastern time ( 10:00 a.m. mountain time ) to review Summit's financial results, discuss recent events and conduct a question-and-answer session.

A webcast of the second quarter results conference call and accompanying presentation materials will be available in the Investors section of Summit's website at investors.summit-materials.com or at the following link: https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/210795718

To participate in the live teleconference for second quarter 2023 financial results:

Domestic Live: 1-888-330-3416

International Live: 1-646-960-0820

Conference ID: 1542153

To listen to a replay of the teleconference, which will be available through August 10, 2023 :

Domestic Replay: 1-800-770-2030

International Replay: 1-647-362-9199

Conference ID: 1542153

About Summit Materials, Inc.

Summit Materials is a leading vertically integrated materials-based company that supplies aggregates, cement, ready-mix concrete and asphalt in the United States and British Columbia, Canada . Summit is a geographically diverse, materials-based business of scale that offers customers a single-source provider of construction materials and related downstream products in the public infrastructure, residential and non-residential end markets. Summit has a strong track record of successful acquisitions since its founding and continues to pursue growth opportunities in new and existing markets. For more information about Summit Materials, please visit www.summit-materials.com .

Contact Information

Andy Larkin

VP, Investor Relations

Summit Materials, Inc.

[email protected]

720-618-6013

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SOURCE Summit Materials, Inc.
SAN DIEGO , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TAVO Media Group, a leading marketing and media agency, is proud to announce its partnership with Tutor Doctor, a worldwide franchise offering tutoring services for all ages. Through this collaboration, TAVO Media Group will leverage its expertise to further the Tutor Doctor brand locally with its location in Mount Vernon, New York .

"Tutor Doctor's dedication to personalized education aligns perfectly with TAVO's mission to provide customized solutions for our clients," said TAVO Media Group CEO Bryant Walker . "We are thrilled to partner with Tutor Doctor and support their efforts to help students achieve academic success."

"We are thrilled to partner with TAVO Media Group to increase awareness for our unique services at Mount Vernon ," said Elliott Phipps , Owner of Tutor Doctor. "Their expertise in marketing and media will help us better serve the local community and surrounding areas with the highest quality tutoring and success rate for individuals seeking to improve their learning capabilities."

TAVO Media Group and Tutor Doctor Mount Vernon will develop innovative marketing strategies and media campaigns that resonate with students and families. Together, they will make a positive impact on student's lives and help them achieve academic success.

"We believe that education is the key to success, and we are proud to work with Tutor Doctor to make quality education accessible to more individuals," added Elliott. "We look forward to a successful partnership and are confident that together we can make a difference in the lives of many students."

Tutor Doctor Mount Vernon offers both in-person and online tutoring services, making it easy for students in Westchester , the Bronx , and surrounding areas to get the academic support they need when they need it. Whether a student requires assistance with math, science, language arts, or any other subject, the experienced tutors provide personalized attention and instruction to stay ahead of the curve as they face learning challenges.

For more information, visit www.tavomediagroup.com and

https://www.tutordoctor.com/tutoring-services/ .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Anne Stendel

Public Relations Specialist

[email protected]

DIRECT: 818.297.2569

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SOURCE TAVO Media Group
Residents and visitors can join specially curated, year-long calendar of events for the Golden Jubilee across the 16-island archipelago

NASSAU, Bahamas , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Monday, 10 July marked the 50th Anniversary of Independence for The Bahamas , a resilient Caribbean destination brimming with natural beauty, rich culture, longstanding traditions, and true Bahamian pride. To celebrate this incredible milestone, the 16-island destination invited travellers to join Bahamians in embracing their way of life and discovered why it was deserving of a Golden Jubilee.

"The immense pride that I, alongside my Bahamian brothers and sisters, experienced this Independence Day , was seen, heard and felt throughout each of our 16 islands," said the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. "On our day of independence, 10 July and every day after, we celebrate our people, culture and natural beauty that has shaped our country into what it is today."

From the pulsating sounds and sights of Junkanoo throughout Nassau, Grand Bahama and the Out Islands to the colours of the Bahamian flag beaming from the Empire State Building in New York City , The Bahamas Golden Jubilee shone well beyond its shores.

Visitors are encouraged to continue celebrating the destination's 50 Years of Independence throughout the year by immersing themselves into the true spirit of The Bahamas . A few examples of how those can participate:

Discover the 50 Reasons to Love The Bahamas: From The Bahamas' unique geographical diversity, endless land and sea adventures and laidback island lifestyle, to its vibrant culture, historical landmarks and unexpected experiences, this list of "50 Reasons to Love The Bahamas" will leave visitors with a deeper understanding of the destination, beyond the beaches.

From The unique geographical diversity, endless land and sea adventures and laidback island lifestyle, to its vibrant culture, historical landmarks and unexpected experiences, this list of "50 Reasons to Love The Bahamas" will leave visitors with a deeper understanding of the destination, beyond the beaches. Engage in Cultural Celebrations Throughout the 16 Islands : From Junkanoo rush outs and fireworks to cultural festivals, regattas and markets, there are plenty of ways now through December 2023 to celebrate The Bahamas Golden Jubilee.

: From Junkanoo rush outs and fireworks to cultural festivals, regattas and markets, there are plenty of ways now through to celebrate The Bahamas Golden Jubilee. Support Local Businesses & Artists: Honour The Bahamas by shopping at locally owned Bahamian businesses across the islands or see the destination through Bahamian artists' eyes by visiting local art galleries, studios and exhibitions.

Honour The by shopping at locally owned Bahamian businesses across the islands or see the destination through Bahamian artists' eyes by visiting local art galleries, studios and exhibitions. Dive into Local Bahamian History: Take a break from the beach, and head to the many cultural landmarks and historical museums that can be found on each of The Bahamas' 16 islands. There are endless traditions and unexpected stories waiting to be discovered.

The Bahamas' tourism economy has experienced quite a transformative year leading up to its golden anniversary, having welcomed more than 4.2 million travellers to its shores through May, well on the path to meeting the goal of 8 million visitors in 2023. The Bahamas remains at the top of travellers' bucket lists, and with new, first-ever non-stop flights from major markets, a cutting-edge new cruise port, recent hotel openings and one-of-a-kind experiences across the islands, there's no better time than now to visit The Bahamas .

"There is so much to experience every day throughout the Islands of The Bahamas , but this year, a visit is made even more special with the ongoing celebration of our 50th Anniversary of Independence igniting a renewed sense of energy to the destination," said Latia Duncombe , Director General of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. "The strength of our visitor numbers is a testament to beauty of our destination and the hospitality of our people, and we look forward to continuing this momentum through the second half of this year."

To learn more about The Bahamas , and to learn more about how you can experience the year-long celebrations, visit Bahamas.com.

ABOUT THE BAHAMAS

The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50 miles off the coast of Florida , it offers a quick and easy way for travellers to escape their everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing, diving, boating, and thousands of miles of some of the Earth's most spectacular beaches for families, couples, and adventurers to explore. See why It's Better in The Bahamas at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram.

PRESS INQUIRIES

Anita Johnson-Patty

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

[email protected]

Weber Shandwick

Public Relations

[email protected]

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SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation
Sudan's neighbouring countries meeting in Cairo have agreed to form a ministerial mechanism comprising the foreign ministers of Sudans neighbours to address the conflict which has had severe implications on the participating nations.

The first meeting of the mechanism will be held in Chad, where an executive action plan will be developed to find a comprehensive solution to the crisis, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced during the closing session.

The Sudan's Neighbouring Countries Summit brought together Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central Africa, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, along with the secretary-general of the Arab League and the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.

Reading the final statement of eight points, El-Sisi stated that all participants expressed deep concern about the continued military operations and the severe deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in Sudan.

The participants agreed on the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis and recognized that prolonging the crisis will result in an increasing number of refugees, overwhelming the capabilities of neighbouring countries.

Emphasizing the importance of inclusive dialogue, the participants called for engaging all Sudanese parties to initiate a comprehensive political process. They also stressed the importance of preserving the Sudanese state and its institutions, as well as preventing organized crime and terrorism.

The summit further emphasized the full respect for Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, rejecting any external intervention as the conflict is considered an internal matter.

Additionally, the countries agreed to facilitate the delivery of aid to the most vulnerable areas in Sudan through the neighbouring nations.

The summit aimed to discuss means of ending the ongoing conflict and its repercussions on these countries as well as setting effective frameworks to settle the crisis peacefully in coordination with other regional and international tracks.

Verbatim of the final Communique of Sudans Neighbouring States Summit

The leaders agreed on the following:

1-Expressing their deep concern regarding the ongoing military confrontations and the continuous deterioration of the security and humanitarian situations in Sudan. The leaders called on the parties to the conflict to de-escalate the situation and commit to an immediate and sustainable cease-fire to end the war, and avoiding further loss of innocent civilian Sudanese lives and destruction of property.

2- Affirming their full respect for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan. The leaders agreed that the current conflict is an internal Sudanese affair, and stressed the need for ending any external interferences in the crisis. Such interferences protract the conflict and obstruct efforts to contain its escalation and reach an agreed settlement that will restore stability and security in Sudan.

3- Reiterating the importance of preserving the Sudanese State and its institutions, and preventing the fragmentation of the country, or descent into chaos that could lead to the spread of terrorism and organized crime, and other serious impacts on the national security of neighboring states and overall regional stability.

4- Stressing the utmost priority of formulating a comprehensive approach to addressing the current crisis and its humanitarian ramifications, including pertaining to those internally displaced and the growing influx of refugees fleeing the conflict to neighboring states, a challenging situation that creates growing pressure on the resources of neighboring states. The leaders called on the international community and donor countries to shoulder their responsibility through upholding pledges made at the Ministerial-level Pledging Event to Support the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region, attended by Sudans neighboring states on June 19, 2023.

5- Expressing grave concern regarding the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Sudan, and condemning the repeated attacks on civilians, healthcare facilities and public services outlets. The leaders also called on the international community to step up efforts to provide crucial humanitarian aid, and to address urgent shortages in food and medical supplies in Sudan, as a measure towards alleviating the serious hardships caused by the crisis on innocent civilians.

6- Agreeing to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid provided to Sudan through the territories of neighboring states, in coordination with relevant international agencies and organizations, and to strongly promote the establishment of safe passage for aid deliveries to the most affected and vulnerable areas. In this context, the leaders urged various Sudanese parties to provide the necessary protection for humanitarian assistance and personnel and to facilitate their mission in delivering assistance to those in need.

7- Emphasizing the pressing need for a political solution to stop the ongoing conflict. To this end, the leaders called for an inclusive and comprehensive national dialogue between Sudanese parties, prioritizing the aspirations and prosperity of the Sudanese people through the restoration of stability and security to the country.

8- Agreeing to form a Ministerial Mechanism comprised of foreign ministers of Sudans neighboring states to coordinate common efforts to resolve the current conflict. The Ministerial Mechanism shall hold its first meeting in NDjamena and will be mandated to take the following measures:

A- Develop an action-plan that includes practical steps towards stopping the fighting and reaching a comprehensive solution to the crisis through direct communication with various Sudanese parties, in complementarily with the existing mechanisms, including the IGAD and AU.

B- Discuss measures required to address the impact of the crisis on the future of Sudans stability, unity and territorial integrity, as well as to protect and preserve Sudans national institutions. The Ministerial Mechanism shall also discuss steps to contain the negative effects of the crisis on neighboring states, and agree on a delivery mechanism to provide humanitarian aid and relief to the Sudanese people.

C- The Ministerial Mechanism shall present its recommendations to the next Sudans Neighboring States Summit.

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Acquisition Expands Suite of Solutions and Augments North American Presence

WEYMOUTH, Mass. , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vertex Companies, LLC ("Vertex"), a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners ("Wind Point"), is pleased to announce the acquisition of Breakwater Forensics, LLC ("Breakwater"), a highly respected expert witness and business consulting firm. Vertex is a leading multidisciplinary AEC company that provides forensics, engineering, construction project advisory, and environmental consulting. This partnership expands Vertex's bench of technical experts and extends its forensic consulting and expert testimony capabilities.

Acquisition Expands Expert Witness Team for Civil and Construction Litigation in North America

"Today, we celebrate a significant milestone as we welcome Breakwater to the Vertex team, and we congratulate the owners on the exceptional business they have built," stated Vertex's CEO, Bill McConnell . "This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting journey together as we combine our expert services, office platform and mutual dedication to bettering outcomes for our clients, colleagues and communities."

Breakwater Forensics is a full-service expert witness and business consulting firm that is well-regarded for experts in damages, scheduling and government contracts. Breakwater's team brings decades of consulting and testifying experience and its staff includes Professional Engineers, Certified Public Accountants, Certified Fraud Examiners and professionals experienced in analyzing complex issues and providing meaningful analysis and opinions on challenging assignments.

"Breakwater augments Vertex's team perfectly," said Nathan Brown , Managing Director at Wind Point. "Strengthening our forensics presence and expert bench are key steps within the Vertex value creation plan. The Breakwater team has created an outstanding business, and this combination comes with great upside for Vertex, Breakwater and our collective customers and employees."

In a joint statement, Diana Minchella , Managing Director of Vertex's Claims, Disputes and Forensics Department and Jeff Katz , Executive Vice President of the Contract Claims group noted, "We are excited to welcome the Breakwater team to Vertex. Our teams have already worked together, and we know the excellent caliber of people and work product that Breakwater offers. This partnership furthers our commitment to working seamlessly on client matters and to providing our clients with the best possible services."

Vertex's multi-disciplined professional services, North American office footprint, and commitment to quality, value and continuous growth opportunities make it an excellent fit for Breakwater. Breakwater and its clients will have direct access to Vertex's resources and suite of specialized services. In a joint statement, Co-Founders, Joseph Egan and Neil Miltonberger explained, "With Vertex, our team will continue to bring the technical excellence our clients have come to rely on while expanding the breadth of our services." Co-Founders, Sashi Mahtani and Dayna Anderson elaborated by saying, "We are extremely excited to join the Vertex family; the move adds significant value to both our clients and employees."

Vertex will continue seeking acquisitions that add exceptional talent, complementary employee-focused cultures and a deep commitment to clients. Jeff Picard , Chief Strategy Officer of Vertex said, "The addition of the amazing team at Breakwater represents our continued commitment to add value for our clients and create opportunities for our employees. We have been fortunate to have a partner in Wind Point that shares our vision and growth strategy, as we continue to expand as an industry leader."

About Breakwater Forensics

Established in 2019 and headquartered in Chicago, IL , Breakwater's areas of expertise include commercial damages, forensic accounting, fraud investigations, business valuations, government contracts, construction contract claims (delay and disruption), intellectual property and insurance. Breakwater provides these services across numerous industries, including public contracts, commercial developments, infrastructure, oil and gas, renewable energy, and power generation. Additional information about Breakwater is available at www.breakwaterforensics.com.

About The Vertex Companies

Vertex is an AEC firm that provides expert witness and dispute resolution services, forensic consulting, engineering design, surety, construction project advisory and environmental consulting throughout the globe. Vertex focuses on cleaning the environment, engineering and guiding the construction of communities, and solving complex challenges to provide a more sustainable, safe and just world. ENR currently ranks Vertex as a top engineering design firm, construction/program management firm and environmental firm. Vertex is also ranked as a "Best Firm to Work For" by Zweig, which underscores Vertex's commitment to our employees. Additional information about Vertex's growth strategy and solutions is available at www.vertexeng.com.

About Wind Point Partners

Wind Point Partners is a Chicago -based private equity investment firm with approximately $6 billion in assets under management. Wind Point focuses on partnering with top caliber management teams to acquire well-positioned middle market businesses where it can establish a clear path to value creation. The firm targets investments in the consumer products, industrial products and business services sectors. Wind Point is currently investing out of Wind Point Partners X, a fund that was initiated in 2022. Additional information about Wind Point is available at www.windpointpartners.com.

Contact: Lisa Dehner, [email protected].

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SOURCE The Vertex Companies, LLC
EXTON, Pa. , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST), a global leader in innovative solutions for injectable drug administration, today announced that it will release second-quarter 2023 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, July 27, 2023 , and will follow with a conference call to discuss the results and business expectations at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time .

The live audio-only webcast will be made available via the Company's Investor Relations website here or by clicking here.

To participate in the conference call by asking questions to Management, please register in advance by clicking here. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive the dial-in number along with a unique PIN number that will be used to access the call.

Management will refer to a slide presentation during the call, which will be made available on the day of the call. To view the presentation, select "Presentations" in the "Investors" section of the Company's website. A replay of the conference call and webcast will be available on the Company's website for 30 days.

A live audio webcast will be available in the "Investors" section of the Company's website at www.westpharma.com. Replay of the webcasts will be available for approximately 90 days after the events.

About West

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative, high-quality injectable solutions and services. As a trusted partner to established and emerging drug developers, West helps ensure the safe, effective containment and delivery of life-saving and life-enhancing medicines for patients. With 10,000 team members across 50 sites worldwide, West helps support our customers by delivering approximately 47 billion components and devices each year.

2023 marks West's 100-year milestone of innovation and the critical role it continues to play in healthcare and the patient experience. Headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania , West in its fiscal year 2022 generated $2.89 billion in net sales. West is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: WST) and is included in the Standard & Poor's 500 index. For more information, visit www.westpharma.com.

All trademarks and registered trademarks used in this release are the property of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. or its subsidiaries, in the United States and other jurisdictions, unless otherwise noted.

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SOURCE West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
The global remittance platform under Zepz expands Nigerian payout options to include Naira currency

LONDON , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, WorldRemit , the global remittance platform within Zepz, announces Naira currency remittances as an expanded offering for Nigerian customers, available through bank transfer, airtime top up and at all cash pick-up locations throughout the country.

More than US$20 billion dollars was remitted into Nigeria last year by the nearly 1.5 million Nigerian migrants around the world, making the nation the 8th largest remittance receiving country globally. Remittances account for more than 4% of Nigeria's total economy, making the swift, effective delivery of funds vital at an individual level, but also as a driver of economic stability for the nation.

With the ability to send funds in Naira, Nigerians are now able to make a greater impact with their monies, and take advantage of lucrative exchange rates into the nation. We know that 1 in 9 people worldwide rely on money sent from friends and relatives who have migrated abroad for work. This allows migrants to make a world of difference with their regular remittance behaviours, and allow the recipients to do more with their received monies.

The International Monetary Fund has issued warnings to Nigeria against the movement towards dollarisation, as it has increased black market money movement, destabilised the role of the exchange rate, and created unrest for those who rely on remittances. With the newly appointed Central Bank of Nigeria governor's shift towards creating a safer path for Naira currency, Nigerians are able to feel safer about how they move money to their loved ones.

"With every innovation and feature we develop and invest in, customer needs are at the forefront of our minds," said Mark Lenhard , CEO, Zepz. "Enabling Naira currency for this expansive community is a necessary and obvious choice to ensure Nigerians around the world are able to access reliable, safe methods of money movement."

To send money in Naira, WorldRemit users simply select 'Nigeria NGN' and then have the option to select Cash Pick-Up for the receive method. In most cases, transfers sent using WorldRemit arrive within minutes, making sending money to loved ones easier than ever.

To learn more about sending Naira, visit worldremit.com .

About WorldRemit

We are a leading global payments company and, along with Sendwave, part of Zepz, a group powering two global remittance brands.

We disrupted an industry previously dominated by offline legacy players by taking international money transfers online  making them safer, faster and lower cost. We currently operate in more than 5,000 money transfer corridors worldwide and as part of Zepz, are part of a 1,400 person global workforce.

Sending money with WorldRemit is 100% digital (cashless), increasing convenience and enhancing security. For those receiving money, we offer a wide range of options, including bank transfer, cash pickup, airtime top up and mobile money.

Backed by Accel, TCV and Leapfrog  WorldRemit's headquarters are in London, United Kingdom , with regional offices in the United States , Poland , Canada , Australia , Hong Kong , Singapore , Malaysia , the Philippines , South Africa , Somaliland, Uganda , Kenya , Rwanda , Tanzania , Zimbabwe and Belgium .

About Zepz

Zepz Group is the group powering leading global remittance brands: WorldRemit and Sendwave. Since 2021, Zepz Group has been disrupting an industry previously dominated by offline legacy players by reducing the barriers to finance and increasing safety and convenience for users. Every day, Zepz Group and its brands work towards unlocking the prosperity of cross-border communities through finance and technology - driven by the vision of a world that celebrates migrants' impact on prosperity, at home and abroad.

Zepz Group brands have helped cross-border communities send over $15bn from 50 countries, to recipients in 130 countries in 2022, and operate over 5,000 money transfer corridors worldwide. Zepz Group employs over 1,400 people globally as a remote-first employer, with team members located across six continents.

Media Contact:

Kelsey Costales

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With Xello for Higher Education, Colleges Can Create Authentic Connections Earlier and Engage Prospective Students in Their Community

TORONTO , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Xello , the award-winning K-12 college, career and future readiness program, has announced Xello for Higher Education , the only pre-inquiry marketing platform that enables colleges to connect with prospective students early through peer-to-peer and community-based conversations.

Xello for Higher Education addresses colleges and universities' need to build thriving communities of prospective students and counter an ongoing drop in undergraduate enrollment. Colleges receive data and reports that help them identify prospective students who will be the best fit for their institution, as well as identify future offerings that align with market needs and student interests.

For students, the state-of-the-art, secure platform provides a straightforward connection with the college process through low-friction access to admissions, financial aid, residential life, and student ambassadors, at colleges of their choice. The platform also helps them understand what makes each institution unique.

"Xello recognizes that the higher education process is changing, and colleges need equitable access to tools to win the hearts and minds of their best-fit students before an inquiry is made," said Matt McQuillen , CEO and Co-Founder of Xello. "Colleges can no longer simply advertise and expect to see spikes in enrollment. Finding ways for students to experience a sense of community early helps colleges stand out from the crowd and forge genuine connections."

Because more than 1 million students are already exploring college and career options on the award-winning Xello platform, it's a natural place for colleges to have a presence and start to engage with students as early as ninth grade.

"By partnering with Xello for Higher Education, colleges can create a strong foundation for long-term enrollment success by building a unique community with prospective students," said Alan Liebrecht , Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing and Communications at Texas Wesleyan University, and a member of Xello's Higher Education Council.

"At Texas Wesleyan University, our students come from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic groups, and more than half are first generation students, so we see this as another opportunity to support and guide students as they go through the post-secondary process," Liebrecht added.

Colleges and universities interested in signing up for Xello for Higher Education can register for the platform's waitlist here .

About Xello

Xello's mission is to help anyone, anywhere in the world create a successful future through self-knowledge, exploration and planning. With more than 20 years in the education software industry, the team at Xello has helped millions of educators and millions of students become future ready with its suite of online platforms. Based in Toronto, Canada , Xello's award-winning future readiness programs are used globally by nearly eight million students and educators. Learn more about Xello at www.xello.world .

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SOURCE Xello Inc.
FILE PHOTO: United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain greets workers at the Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, to mark the beginning of contract negotiations in Sterling Heights, Michigan, U.S. July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/File Photo

By Joseph White

DETROIT (Reuters) - United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain is not a shouter. When he addresses union members in Facebook videos, or appears in public, he rarely raises his voice.

But what Fain tells UAW members and the language he uses to frame the union's goals represent the most aggressive challenge in three decades to the labor status quo at unionized Detroit automakers General Motors, Ford and Stellantis .

"The only real limits we have are the ones we place on ourselves," he told union members in a video address on Tuesday. "We refuse those limits because there are no limits."

Over and over, Fain has told the UAW's 150,000 members at the Detroit Three that in the contract bargaining that began this week they can reverse 20 years of wage and retiree benefit concessions, stop further plant closures and end a seniority-based, tiered compensation system that pays new hires as much as 44% less than veteran workers.

"Ive been told I am crazy to raise member expectations this high as we head into bargaining," Fain said in the Facebook Live talk on Tuesday. "I refuse to allow employers, the billionaire class and sellouts to play on our fears."

The 54-year-old union veteran, who carries his UAW-member grandfather's pay stubs in his wallet, delivered this message wearing a black T-shirt with a quotation from U.S. civil rights leader Malcolm X on the back.

Paraphrasing the fiery 1960s activist, Fain said, "If you truly value freedom, you must fight for freedom by any means necessary ... How far are you willing to go to win the contract you deserve?"

The goal of what Fain calls the UAW's "contract campaign" is to break with two decades of UAW leadership that sought to slow the loss of jobs at the Detroit Three by agreeing to wage concessions and acquiescing to plant shutdowns.

The first UAW leader to win office in a direct vote by rank and file members, Fain is bringing political campaign tactics to his administration. He has asked UAW members to sign cards with their email addresses and phone numbers - harvesting information the union can use later to test support for its bargaining positions, or call members to action.

Fain has visited Washington and encouraged supportive officeholders such as Senator Bernie Sanders to amplify the UAW's position that Detroit automakers reaping billions in subsidies for electric vehicle production should pay more to workers at EV battery plants.

LONG-TERM TECHNOLOGY THREATS

The UAW president is unsparing in criticism of his immediate predecessors - two of whom, Dennis Williams and Gary Jones, were convicted of corruption. The repudiation of past leadership and bargaining strategy is winning support from local union leaders and members.

Were still sitting on things we gave up in 2009, we havent gotten those back," said Matt Frantzen, president of the UAW local that represents Stellantis' Belvidere, Illinois, Jeep factory. The plant is idled and targeted for shutdown - a move Fain has vowed to stop.

Hes definitely the right guy for the time  that whole board is," Frantzen said. "Membership is behind him."

The crucial test for Fain's strategy will come on Sept. 14, the day the current contracts with the Detroit Three expire. In 2019, the union launched a strike against GM when the company refused to agree to a contract by the deadline. That six-week strike cost GM $3.6 billion and stressed the finances of UAW members.

The union has since beefed up its strike fund, and this year's bargaining is taking place at a time of low unemployment. Analysts say the chances of a strike, possibly even multiple walkouts, are high. Other unions, including Teamsters at delivery giant United Parcel Service and writers and actors in Hollywood, have been emboldened.

But like other unions, the UAW members at the Detroit Three face longer-term threats from new technology that a richer contract will not resolve.

Meanwhile, the automakers are aiming for greater flexibility in their workforces and want to make themselves more competitive not only with foreign automakers like Toyota, but also EV market leader Tesla.

The shift from combustion-engine vehicles to EVs with the data-processing capability of supercomputers means Fain and his successors must look beyond traditional auto factories, said Peter Berg, a labor relations professor at Michigan State University.

The ability of the UAW to organize semiconductor plants, EV plants in California, joint ventures is going to be critical for the union," he said.

(Reporting by Joe White and Ben Klayman in Detroit; Additional reporting by Bianca Flowers in Chicago and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
FILE PHOTO: Alibaba Group sign is seen at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China July 6, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo

BEIJING (Reuters) - Alibaba's Ele.me on Thursday became China's first delivery platform to sign collective contracts on wages and labour safety with its staff, official media reported, as Beijing signals an end to its crackdown on the tech sector.

The contracts will apply to 3 million workers on the platform across 11,000 delivery stations in China, according to state-backed media Workers' Daily.

Alibaba did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the contracts.

Ele.me's move came after Chinese Premier Li Qiang sent another strong signal on Wednesday that a years-long crackdown on its tech industry is over, during which delivery platforms like Ele.me and Meituan were criticised for infringing on workers' rights.

The contracts "fully addressed" workers' biggest issues such as labour remuneration, protection and insurance benefits, the report said.

Ele.me and service providers are also required to improve communication channels with food delivery couriers, the report added.

(Reporting by Brenda Goh in Shanghai and Ethan Wang in Beijing; editing by Jason Neely and Devika Syamnath)
By Tom Balmforth

(Reuters) - The Ukrainian president's performance at a NATO summit this week was vintage Volodymyr Zelenskiy: go in hard, push allies beyond their comfort zone, and go home with less than you said you wanted, but more than seemed likely only a few months ago.

Zelenskiy left Western leaders in Vilnius with little choice but to publicly snub his demand to set a clear path for Ukraine to join the U.S.-led military alliance.

But the summit's assurances of unwavering support, new pledges of military aid and a framework for security guarantees against Russia showed how far Ukraine has already moved towards the Euro-Atlantic camp during the war.

Zelenskiy sounded angry and confrontational at the start of the two-day event on Tuesday, saying it would be "absurd if Kyiv did not get a timetable to join NATO.

NATO members were forced to spell it out: Ukraine can't join the alliance, with its all-for-one, one-for-all security pledge, as long as it is at war with Russia. That would mean the alliance itself would be at war, and leaders won't go that far. There were still "conditions" to meet, though no one would say precisely what they were.

But by the end, after one-on-one meetings with U.S. President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders, Zelenskiy had softened his tone, describing the outcome as "good", though not "ideal".

"It is very important: for the first time since independence, we have formed a security foundation for Ukraine on its way to NATO," Zelenskiy said, adding there had also been "a good reinforcement with weapons."

The summit did not provide the invitation he had sought, but it scrapped the need for Kyiv to complete a preparatory Membership Action Plan, held a meeting of an inaugural NATO-Ukraine Council to manage the relationship and reaffirmed that "Ukraine's future is in NATO".

"Ukraine is now very clearly in the Euro-Atlantic camp ... To me, Ukraine emerges from this summit in a much stronger place than it was even a week ago," said Neil Melvin, an analyst at London-based Royal United Services Institute.

On the summit's sidelines, Group of Seven countries unveiled an international framework to boost Ukraine's long-term security against Russia. A slew of other military packages were announced at bilateral meetings between Zelenskiy and NATO leaders.

Biden said: "When Putin and his craven lust for land and power unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart.... He thought our unity would shatter at the first testing. He thought democratic leaders would be weak. But he thought wrong."

Vital Western military aid has included battle tanks, fighting vehicles and vast amounts of ammunition during the war. Before Russia invaded in February 2022, even the idea of supplying lethal aid to Kyiv was controversial for many powers.

Melvin said the West's "massive security assistance" would accelerate with the G7 framework and that Ukraine was no longer in the "grey" zone between NATO and Moscow as it had been before Russian troops invaded.

"It's being pulled into the Euro-Atlantic community by a whole tangle of sets of relationships," he said.

GRUDGING ACCEPTANCE

Even as Zelenskiy requested fast-track membership last September and lobbied for an invitation to begin the process of joining, he acknowledged that would be impossible as the war with Russia raged. On Wednesday there were signs of grudging acceptance from the Ukrainians that the deal was as good as they could have expected.

Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, in an interview with Reuters in Kyiv, said he viewed the summit's outcome "optimistically".

"This is first long-term support of Ukraine from the military point of view. These are assistance packages not only today but in the future years," he said.

Western officials said Zelenskiy  his trademark military khaki contrasting with the formal business attire of Western leaders - appeared more relaxed on Wednesday. They put down his previous day's angry outburst as an eleventh-hour bid to ratchet up the pressure on NATO officials who were still hashing out the summit's mammoth communique.

The final outcome papered over divisions between Eastern European nations, who had wanted to start the process for bringing Ukraine into NATO with the aim of getting Kyiv in as soon as possible after the war, and a more cautious camp led by the United States and Germany.

Ukrainian officials made clear: they will not stop pushing until they have won a security guarantee from the West sufficient to deter Moscow from any future attacks.

Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said Ukraine had come a long way since the 2008 Bucharest summit, when NATO told Kyiv it could one day join, while offering no plan for it to do so. But ambiguity over Ukraine's future still leaves it vulnerable, she said.

"Unfortunately, (the Vilnius) summit has not ended the era of uncertainty, which has decisive significance for our general security... we can obtain more. We must obtain more," she said.

Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Ukraine's defence minister from 2019-2020, told Reuters Ukraine had not really expected membership or even a timeline for it, but that it had hoped to receive something that would "pave a roadmap" to membership.

"But there wasn't (that). Basically, it was something like: Ukraine should (fulfil) some conditions. Which conditions was completely unclear. When, what? Basically nothing, really," he said by telephone.

Nonetheless, the summit had been hugely positive for Ukraine, he said, citing the announcements on its sidelines, the unwavering support outlined in the communique and the affirmation that the bloc sees Kyiv as a member one day.

The announcements of more weapons would bolster the morale of Ukrainian troops, he said.

"I don't think people expected too much from NATO that there would be a breakthrough. It's too strategic a question."

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth; additional reporting by Sabine Siebold and Andrew Gray in Vilnius, and by Anna Dabrowska in Kyiv; editing by)
FILE PHOTO: Israeli President Isaac Herzog attends a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on January 30, 2023 in Jerusalem. Ronaldo Schemidt/Pool via REUTERS

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden will meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the White House on Tuesday when they will discuss Israel's regional integration and Russia's military ties with Iran, the White House said on Thursday.

"Biden will stress the importance of our shared democratic values, and discuss ways to advance equal measures of freedom, prosperity, and security for Palestinians and Israelis," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

The visit by Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, will mark the 75th anniversary of Israel's 1948 founding. Herzog has also been invited to address a joint meeting of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, a top Washington honor.

His trip follows a period of increased violence in the occupied West Bank, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist government has drawn Biden administration criticism over renewed Jewish settlement construction.

Netanyahu has yet to be received at the White House despite winning an unprecedented sixth term in November.

Biden, during a CNN interview on Sunday, declined to say whether an invitation would be extended to Netanyahu.

"I think (Netanyahu) is trying to ... work through his existing problems in terms of his coalition," Biden said during the interview, describing Netanyahu's government as "one of the most extremist members of cabinets that I've seen."

Following Biden's remarks on Sunday, Israel's hard-right security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, asked on Twitter: "What exactly about me is extreme?"

Ben-Gvir added: "President Biden needs to realize that we are no longer a star on the American flag."

(Reporting by Rami Ayyub; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Howard Goller)
By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) - China's special envoy to the Pacific Islands will visit Cook Islands, the current chair of the Pacific Island Forum regional bloc, on Thursday for meetings with officials, the Cook Islands government said.

The three-day visit by China's special envoy Qian Bo comes as two of the forum's members, Australia and New Zealand, called for transparency over a policing plan signed by China and the Solomon Islands this week.

A three-year policing programme was among nine deals signed on Monday as Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on a week-long visit, where diplomatic ties were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Expanding China's policing support will "enhance our ability to maintain law, order, security and social stability, protecting the security and interests of all citizens of Solomon Islands, thereby creating a sound and stable environment for the social and economic development of the country," Sogavare's office said in a statement.

China's Minister of Public Security, Wang Xiaohong, met Solomon Islands police minister Anthony Veke in Beijing, Chinese media reported, and said the two countries relationship had become "a model of solidarity", as China was willing to "promote China's police and law enforcement co-operation to a new level".

Australia said it would raise its concerns about regional security impacts at the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum, where leaders had agreed to look to "Pacific family first" for security, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Wednesday.

The Cook Islands government, which will host a meeting of Pacific leaders in November, did not comment on what issues would be discussed between the Chinese envoy and its Pacific Islands Forum Special Envoy.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told a meeting of NATO leaders in Lithuania on Wednesday that "China's increasing assertiveness is resulting in geopolitical change and competition" in the Pacific.

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a strategic assessment this week that Pacific countries and regional organisations are "facing pressures" from a more assertive China, and the Pacific Islands Forum should continue to hold primacy on security.

Sogavare said in an interview with China's Phoenix Television the response from other nations to his decision to partner with China was "unfortunate".

"All the nonsense that we are hearing is... a misunderstanding of basically what China is doing," he said on Tuesday.

"China has no other strategic interest, other than Taiwan and of course the South China Sea."

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney, Lucy Craymer in Wellington and Martin Pollard in Beijing; Editing by Kim Coghill)
FILE PHOTO: Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of Twitter, gestures as he attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, France, June 16, 202

By Kanishka Singh and Anna Tong

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Billionaire Elon Musk said on Wednesday he thinks China is interested in a cooperative international framework on artificial intelligence, from conversations he had when he visited a few weeks ago.

Musk made the remarks in a Twitter Space event with two U.S. congressmen, Democrat Ro Khanna and Republican Mike Gallagher.

"China is definitely interested in working in a cooperative international framework for AI regulation," Musk said. He added that he had advocated for artificial intelligence regulations and oversight, including in his meetings in China.

Musk's remarks came on the day he launched his long-teased artificial intelligence startup, xAI, after arguing for months about AI's potential for "civilization destruction."

Musk recently traveled to China and met the foreign, commerce and industry ministers as well as Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang. His Tesla electric car company has a factory in Shanghai.

Musk later said the Chinese government would seek to initiate artificial intelligence regulations.

On Thursday, China issued a set of interim measures to manage the booming industry, paving the way for its tech companies to roll out AI services.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China attached great importance to the development and governance of AI and "advocates adhering to the principle of human-centred intelligence and creating artificial intelligence for good."

"China is willing to enhance communication and exchanges with the international community on AI security governance, promote the establishment of an international mechanism with universal participation, and form a governance framework and standards that share broad consensus," Wang told a regular briefing in response to a question about Musk's comments.

Several governments are considering how to mitigate the dangers of the emerging technology, which has experienced a boom in investment and consumer popularity in recent months after the release of OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Regulators globally have been scrambling to draw up rules governing the use of generative AI, which can create text and images. Its impact has been compared to that of the internet.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Anna Tong, additional reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Sandra Maler and Leslie Adler)
The acting government of Sudan, the Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC), as well as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) welcomed the results of Sudan's Neighbouring Countries Summit held in Cairo on Thursday.

The Sudanese government welcomes the results of the summit and expresses its thanks to Egypt and its President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi for hosting this important meeting, according to an official statement.

The summit was inaugurated by Egypts president with the participation of the leaders of Libya, Chad, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, along with the Secretary-General of the Arab League and the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.

The summit agreed in a joint final statement to form a ministerial mechanism comprised of the foreign ministers of Sudans neighbouring states. Through this grouping, regional governments can coordinate efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict.

The statement also urged including all relevant Sudanese parties in the dialogue to initiate a comprehensive political peace process.

The TSC lauded the statement as constructive towards the return of security and stability in Sudan.

"We are also grateful to all our neighbouring countries for their supportive stance on Sudans sovereignty, unity, and security," they continued.

Most importantly, the TSC expressed its willingness to cease military operations should the RSF desist from attacking homes, government facilities, blocking roads and looting.

"We are willing to initiate a political dialogue following the end of the war to form a civilian government followed by elections," they affirmed.

The transitional government specifically thanked Saudi Arabia and the US for their efforts in the recent Jeddah talks that aimed at ending the war and the suffering of the Sudanese people.

The opposing RSF also welcomed the summit's concluding statements, adding that they support regional and international efforts to end the war in Sudan.

The paramilitary group further called for combined efforts of relevant parties to reach a comprehensive solution for Sudan as soon as possible.

Finally, both sides affirmed their readiness to collaborate with all internal and external stakeholders to end the war.

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President of the European Council Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcome Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a EU-Japan summit in Brussels, Belgium July 13, 2023. REUTERS/Johanna Geron

By Philip Blenkinsop

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union agreed on Thursday to remove restrictions on Japanese food imports, imposed after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, with the hope that Japan will ease its controls on EU farm produce.

The EU has required pre-export testing of food products for radioactivity since an earthquake and tsunami wrecked the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant on Japan's east coast.

Since 2021, it has required certificates showing levels of radioactive isotopes in wild mushrooms, some fish species and edible wild plants, such as bamboo shoots, from Fukushima and nine other prefectures.

The European Commission said these restrictions had been fully lifted, while noting Japan continued to monitor for radioactivity and stressing Japan should publish its findings.

"This move will help drive forward the reconstruction of the devastated areas and is one we appreciate and welcome," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a press conference after an EU-Japan summit.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said both sides had also agreed to work on removing Japanese trade barriers to EU beef, fruit and vegetables, whose access to Japan is limited by food safety rules.

Kishida said Japan would make a judgment based on science, as the EU had done in lifting its restrictions.

At the summit, the EU and Japan also committed to deeper cooperation in green and digital transitions, research and other fields.

"We both need to de-risk our supply chains so one of our objectives is to reduce over reliance on a handful of suppliers, many of them based in China," von der Leyen said, adding cooperation would include critical raw materials.

The European Union and Japan already have a free trade agreement and are united in opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop, additional reporting by Sakura Murakami in Tokyo; editing by Conor Humphries and Andrew Heavens)
FILE PHOTO: The cargo ship Mehmet Bey waits to pass through the Bosphorus Strait off the shores of Yenikapi during a misty morning in Istanbul, Turkey, October 31, 2022. REUTERS/Mehmet Emin Calsikan/File Photo

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -The European Commission is helping the United Nations and Turkey try to extend a deal allowing the Black Sea export of Ukraine grain and is open to "explore all solutions," a European Union spokesperson said on Thursday, ahead of the deal's possible expiration on Monday.

The U.N. and Turkey brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative with Russia and Ukraine in July 2022 to help alleviate a global food crisis worsened by Moscow's invasion and blockade of Ukrainian ports. Ukraine and Russia are among the world's leading grain exporters.

The EU is considering connecting a subsidiary of the Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) to the international payment network SWIFT to allow for grain and fertilizer transactions, sources familiar with discussions told Reuters on Wednesday.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed in a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday that Moscow allow the Black Sea grain deal to continue for several months to give the EU time to connect a Rosselkhozbank subsidiary to SWIFT, two of those sources familiar with discussions told Reuters.

During a visit to Brussels on Thursday, Guterres told reporters that he had not yet received a response from Russia. He said his letter to Putin contained "concrete proposals that I hope can allow us to find a positive way forward."

According to TASS news agency, Putin said he had not seen the letter from Guterres proposing an extension of the deal, but said Russia was in contact with U.N. officials.

"We can suspend our participation in the deal, and if everyone once again says that all the promises made to us will be fulfilled, then let them fulfill this promise. We will immediately rejoin this deal," he told Russian state television.

A Kremlin spokesman later said that Russia had not taken a final decision on whether to exit the grain deal.

EU 'OPEN TO EXPLORE SOLUTIONS'

The European Commission's priority is to ensure that Ukrainian grain can reach the world market and it calls on all parties to extend the Black Sea deal, an EU spokesperson in Brussels said on Thursday.

"We are assisting the talks led by the U.N. and Turkey as required," the spokesperson said. "We are of course open to explore all solutions that contribute to our objective, whilst continuing to ensure that Russia's ability to wage war in Ukraine is hampered as much as possible."

A key demand by Moscow is the reconnection of Rosselkhozbank to SWIFT. It was cut off by the EU in June 2022 over Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen later on Thursday urged Putin to extend the deal. "The ball is in President Putin's court and the world is watching," she said.

Russia has threatened to ditch the Black Sea grain deal because several demands to dispatch its own grain and fertilizer abroad have not been met. The last ship traveling under the Black Sea agreement is currently loading its cargo at the Ukrainian port of Odesa ahead of the Monday deadline.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he spoke with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday and that they both agreed it was "vital" to extend the Black Sea deal.

"It is very important that there be no threat to food security anywhere in the world. And Russia must clearly realise that anyone who increases the threat of famine, particularly in critical areas of Africa, terrorises the entire world with famine," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

'BALL IN RUSSIA'S COURT'

More than 32 million tonnes of corn, wheat and other grains have been exported by Ukraine under the arrangement. Russia has complained that not enough reaches poor countries, but the U.N. argues that it has benefited those states by helping lower food prices more than 20% globally.

To convince Russia to agree to the Black Sea deal, a three-year memorandum of understanding was struck in July 2022 under which U.N. officials agreed to help Russia get its food and fertilizer exports to foreign markets.

While Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not subject to Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow says restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have amounted to a barrier to shipments.

As a workaround to the lack of access to SWIFT, U.N. officials have got U.S. bank JPMorgan Chase & Co to start processing some Russian grain export payments with reassurances from the U.S. government.

The U.N. is also working with the African Export-Import Bank to create a platform to help process transactions for Russian exports of grain and fertilizer to Africa, a U.N. trade official told Reuters last month.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Additional reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels and Ron Popeski; Editing by Leslie Adler and Rosalba O'Brien)
FILE PHOTO: Former Venezuelan intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal stands during his extradition hearing to U.S. at the High Court in Madrid, Spain, September 12, 2019. Emilio Naranjo/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

CARACAS (Reuters) -The European Court of Human Rights has denied an effort by a former director of Venezuelan military intelligence, wanted on drug trafficking charges by the United States, to avoid extradition from Spain.

The United States in 2020 accused Hugo Carvajal - who was late President Hugo Chavez's eyes and ears within Venezuela's military for more than a decade - of drug trafficking, along with more than a dozen other high-ranking officials including current President Nicolas Maduro.

Carvajal was arrested in September 2021 at a Madrid apartment by Spanish police and is being held in Estremera, outside of the capital. He has denied supporting cocaine trafficking to the United States.

"Mr Carvajal Barrios had failed to demonstrate that he would be at real risk of being sentenced to life imprisonment without parole ... therefore (we) found the application to be manifestly ill-founded," the court said in a statement, adding its decision was final.

"As he had not yet been tried, it was difficult to ascertain the outcome, but the court was satisfied that he would be tried in a legal system respectful of the rule of law and principles of a fair trial, in which he would have full opportunity to mount a defense with the help of legal representation," it added.

"We are very disappointed by this decision," Carvajal's lawyer, Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma, said in an email. "I don't think the European Court really understood the consequences of charging a man in his 60s with crimes carrying a mandatory minimum term of five decades in prison under federal law, which amounts to an irreducible life sentence."

"In any event, General Carvajal is looking forward to clearing his name in an American court," Margulis-Ohnuma added.

Venezuela's ruling party managed to free Carvajal when he was first arrested in Aruba in 2014, but he fled to Spain in 2021 after distancing himself from the government and backing an opposition leader.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen and Vivian Sequera; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Conor Humphries and Sandra Maler)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A former Mozambique finance minister pleaded not guilty on Thursday to U.S. criminal charges over his alleged involvement in a fraud involving $2 billion in loans to three state-owned companies.

Manuel Chang entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis in Brooklyn.

Chang had been extradited on Wednesday from South Africa, where he was arrested in December 2018 on U.S. charges of conspiring to commit wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Chris Reese)
FILE PHOTO: A student holds flags of China and Germany before a welcome ceremony hosted by China's President Xi Jinping for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China December 10, 2018. REUTERS/Jason Lee

(Reuters) - Germany on Thursday passed its long-awaited China strategy after months of wrangling within Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-way coalition over how much to toughen Berlin's stance.

Following are highlights of the paper and statements by German leaders.

GERMANY'S ASSESSMENT OF CHINA

* China is trying to create economic and technological dependencies in order to achieve political goals and interests

* China is increasingly assertive in its attempts to change the rules-based international order, with consequences for global security

* China is an indispensable partner for global challenges like climate change and pandemics

* China has changed, requiring a change in Germany's way of dealing with China

* China's actions have led to growing international rivalry and competition

* Germany will show solidarity with EU member states facing economic or other pressure

* Germany to relaunch human rights and rule of law dialogue with China

* China puts its interests above the United Nations' multilateral principles and is trying to alter UN policies and programmes with its own initiatives

TAIWAN

* Germany wants to expand its close relations with Taiwan while continuing to adhere to the One-China policy

* Change of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait can only be achieved through consensus and peaceful means

* Germany supports Taiwan's participation in international organisations

* Situation in Taiwan Strait has exposed supply chain vulnerabilities, especially when it comes to chips

TRADE AND INVESTMENT

* China increasingly pursuing political goals by economic means, including creating dependencies and granting or withdrawing economic advantages

* Chinese direct investments pose a particular challenge as China fuses civilian and military policy

* German export guarantees will be checked against risks of sensitive technology transfers, including sensitive dual use technology, and whether they strengthen dependencies

* Chinese investments must not pose risk to German security for example through sensitive technologies

* Germany plans to amend investment audit law taking into account security interests

* Germany will further develop list of goods subject to export controls in light of new technology developments such as in cyber security and surveillance

* Germany advocates close coordination in the EU and increased cooperation in the area of export controls between the G7 and other partners

* Germany acknowledges possible need for new measures to counter security risks of investments in China

* Germany will create an umbrella law determining which sectors, companies and facilities constitute critical infrastructures

* Germany will publish list of critical components this year

* Germany will check the efficacy of current rules on critical components and potentially adjust relevant laws

* Germany wants to cooperate with China on WTO reform, but also prepared to respond if there is a continued lack of progress

* Germany is pushing China to forfeit its WTO designation as a developing country as it is the second biggest economy in the world

* Germany will consistently demand comprehensive structural improvements in the market environment in China

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT

* Germany to conduct intensive dialogue with China on coal phase-out

* China must not use international cooperation on climate issues as means of exerting pressure to further its interests in other areas

* Germany sees need to push China towards more ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions

* Germany to conduct stringent reviews on investment guarantees depending on Chinese compliance with sustainability, environmental, labour and social standards

DEFENCE AND SECURITY

* Germany is taking countermeasures on a national and European level against trans-national repression, especially on the issue of Chinese overseas police stations

* Cybersecurity threats are increasing, including from China, and increasingly these threats are impacting European government networks

* German government is advising companies and research institutes on cyber and hybrid security risks due to Chinese espionage

* Germany urges China to announce military exercises ahead of time and invite international observers to avoid misunderstandings

* Germany will expand security and military cooperation with close partners in the Indo-Pacific, including through navy deployments and multinational exercises

* China is strengthening its presence in the Arctic and Antarctica, including its military presence, but Germany wants to keep these as conflict-free areas

RUSSIA AND UKRAINE

* Closer cooperation between China and Russia on defence would impact Germany's relations with Beijing

* China is not credible in its defence of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. Germany is pushing for a more clear position

STATEMENTS

GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ

"The goal is not to decouple. But we want to avoid critical dependencies in the future."

GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANNALENA BAERBOCK

"We want to diversify but we want to further expand and make use of cooperation with China at the same time. This applies to our economic contacts because we neither want to hamper China's economic development nor our own."

"We will protect the European economy against unfair competition by developing new and above all European tools and then jointly using them - for example the instrument against coercive measures, in which we can if necessary protect European companies against attempts to coerce by third countries, if need be including with customs or trade restrictions."

"We cannot be indifferent on the tension surrounding Taiwan. A military escalation would also be a danger to millions of people, worldwide, meaning also for us."

(Compiled by Matthias Williams, Editing by Friederike Heine, William Maclean)
FILE PHOTO: Sudanese refugees gather as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams assist the war wounded from West Darfur, Sudan, in Adre hospital, Chad June 16, 2023 in this handout image. Courtesy of Mohammad Ghannam/MSF/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

DUBAI (Reuters) - The U.N. human rights office said on Thursday at least 87 people including women and children had been buried in a mass grave in Sudan's West Darfur, saying it had credible information they were killed by the country's Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

RSF officials denied any involvement, saying the paramilitary group was not a party to the conflict in West Darfur.

Here are some facts about the RSF.

* The RSF is commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who before war broke out between the RSF and the army was deputy head of Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council. He is commonly known as Hemedti. Analysts estimate the RSF numbers about 100,000, with bases and deployments across the country.

* It has been locked since April 15 in a war with the army that has triggered a major humanitarian crisis in the region. Mobile RSF fighters have kept up the fight despite army airstrikes.

* It evolved from so-called Janjaweed militias that fought in a conflict in the 2000s in the Darfur region, where they were used by the government of long-ruling President Omar al-Bashir to help the army put down a rebellion.

* An estimated 2.5 million people were displaced and 300,000 killed in the conflict. International Criminal Court prosecutors accused government officials and Janjaweed commanders of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. No charges were brought against Hemedti.

* Over time RSF forces grew, and were used as border guards in particular to clamp down on irregular migration. In tandem, Hemedti's business interests expanded, and his family extended holdings in gold mining, livestock and infrastructure.

* In 2015, the RSF, along with Sudan's army, began sending troops to fight in the war in Yemen alongside Saudi and Emirati troops, allowing Hemedti to forge ties with the Gulf powers.

* In 2017, a law legitimising the RSF as an independent security force was passed. Military sources said the army's leadership had long expressed concern about the development of Hemedti's forces.

* In April 2019, the RSF participated in the ousting of Bashir during a popular uprising. Later that year Hemedti signed a power-sharing agreement that made him deputy of the ruling council headed by army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

* Before the signing in 2019, activists accused the RSF of participating in killing dozens of pro-democracy protesters. Rights groups have also accused RSF soldiers of tribal violence. Hemedti removed immunity from some, allowing for their prosecution. He later apologised for crimes by the state against the Sudanese people, without elaborating.

* The RSF took part in a coup in October 2021 that halted the transition to elections. Hemedti later said he regretted the coup and expressed approval for a new deal to restore full civilian government ahead of elections.

* The Sudanese army as well as pro-democracy groups demanded the RSF's integration into the regular armed forces. That, along with the chain of command under a new transition, were points of dispute that contributed to the outbreak of fighting.

(Compiled by Michael Georgy, Editing by William Maclean)
FILE PHOTO: A man walks past the logo of Vedanta outside its headquarters in Mumbai, India January 31, 2018. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui/File Photo

CHENNAI (Reuters) - A decision by Taiwan's Foxconn to withdraw from a $19.5 billion semiconductor joint venture with Vedanta is a "credit negative" for the Indian conglomerate's UK parent Vedanta Resources, debt research firm CreditSights said on Thursday.

Earlier this week, Foxconn said it had withdrawn from the JV, dumping a deal they had signed last year to set up semiconductor and display production plants in India. Vedanta on Wednesday said it would still enter the space this year having lined up partners.

CreditSights had previously expected a "minimal credit impact" on Vedanta Resources based on the old arrangement, as Volcan, Vedanta's holding entity was undertaking the semiconductor investments.

"Since the semiconductor venture will be now parked directly under Vedanta, we see a higher probability that a good portion of the project funding will come from Vedanta," CreditSights, part of the Fitch Group, wrote in a note.

CreditSights also expects further strain on credit metrics and free cash flows for both Vedanta Resources and India's Vedanta with Foxconn's exit also resulting in a loss of a partner to split manufacturing costs.

However, the debt research firm said the split does not increase Vedanta's immediate funding needs as the investment is long term in nature and a previously announced 510-year timeline to build the facilities would help the conglomerate spread the capital expenditure more comfortably.

CreditSights maintained its "buy" rating on Vedanta Resources' bonds saying its refinancing outlook for some debt maturities have improved, helped by $1.3 billion of fresh loan fundraisings.

It said its bullish rating was for investors with a high risk appetite and a failure to refinance debts would result in a sharp sell-off in already-volatile bond prices.

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Chennai; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)
By Foo Yun Chee and Michel Rose

BRUSSELS/PARIS (Reuters) - France's foreign minister and government minister have called EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager to reconsider her appointment of a U.S. economist and former antitrust official to a senior job at the European Commission overseeing Big Tech.

Vestager on Tuesday announced the hiring of Fiona Scott Morton, the former chief economist at the U.S. Department of Justice during former President Barack Obama's tenure.

Scott Morton will take up her post on Sept. 1 when the current chief economist, Pierre Regibeau, retires. Her appointment drew criticism even before it was announced, with many citing potential conflicts of interest due to her consulting work at Charles River Associates, a consultancy which advises a number of tech giants.

French foreign minister Catherine Colonna said she was astonished at the appointment.

"Digital regulation is a key issue for France and for Europe. This appointment deserves to be reconsidered by @EU_Commission," she said in a tweet.

French government minister Jean-Noel Barrot issued the same call.

"At a time when Europe is embarking on the most ambitious digital regulation in the world, the recent appointment of the chief economist of DG Competition is not without raising legitimate questions," he said in a tweet. "I invite the @EU_Commission to reconsider their choice."

The Commission did not have any immediate comment.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Conor Humphries)
By Idrees Ali

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT (Reuters) - Russia's leadership is suffering a significant amount of "friction and confusion" since the Wagner mercenary group's mutiny last month, but the impact it is having on front lines in Ukraine is still uncertain, the United States' top general said on Thursday.

The June 24 mutiny led by Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, whose fighters seized the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and drove hundreds of miles towards Moscow with virtually no opposition on the ground, was abruptly defused in a deal ostensibly brokered by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

Prigozhin has said the mutiny was not aimed at overthrowing the government but at "bringing to justice" the army and defense chiefs for what he called their blunders and unprofessional actions in Ukraine.

"At the strategic level it is pretty clear that you have a significant amount of friction and confusion," General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a small group of reporters traveling with him in Asia.

"There's a lot of drama going on at the very senior levels. How that's all going to play out at the end of the day? I'm not so sure yet," Milley said. "I don't think we're done with it. I think there's many more chapters to be heard on that."

Milley said that lower-level Russian troops in Ukraine were likely more focused on the situation on the ground and surviving day to day.

Since the mutiny, which posed the biggest domestic challenge to the Russian state in decades, President Vladimir Putin has so far kept Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov in their jobs.

Putin initially condemned the mutineers as traitors, then said they would be permitted to decamp to Belarus. In the latest surprise, the Kremlin said this week that Putin met Prigozhin and his commanders just five days after the mutiny.

The exact whereabouts of Prigozhin have not been revealed. Lukashenko first announced Prigozhin was in Belarus, then said last week that he was back in Russia.

"I think he goes back and forth (between Russia and Belarus) to tell you the truth," Milley said, but declined to say exactly where he believed Prigozhin was.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Peter Graff)
FILE PHOTO: An AI (Artificial Intelligence) sign is seen at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China July 6, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo

By Foo Yun Chee and Isabel Woodford

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Alphabet said it is rolling out its artificial- intelligence chatbot, Bard, in Europe and Brazil on Thursday, the product's biggest expansion since its February launch and pitting it against Microsoft-backed rival ChatGPT.

Bard and ChatGPT are human-sounding programs that use generative artificial intelligence to hold conversations with users and answer myriad prompts. The products have touched off global excitement tempered with caution.

Companies have jumped onto the AI bandwagon, investing billions with the hope of generating much more in advertising and cloud revenue. Earlier this week, billionaire Elon Musk also launched his long-teased artificial-intelligence startup xAI, whose team includes several former engineers at Google, Microsoft and OpenAI.

Google has also now added new features to Bard, which apply worldwide.

"Starting today, you can collaborate with Bard in over 40 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, German, Hindi and Spanish," Google senior product director Jack Krawczyk said in a blog post.

"Sometimes hearing something out loud can help you approach your idea in a different way ... This is especially helpful if you want to hear the correct pronunciation of a word or listen to a poem or script."

He said users can now change the tone and style of Bard's responses to either simple, long, short, professional or casual. They can pin or rename conversations, export code to more places and use images in prompts.

Bard's launch in the EU had been held up by local privacy regulators. Krawczyk said Google had since then met the watchdogs to reassure them on issues relating to transparency, choice and control.

In a briefing with journalists, Amar Subramanya, engineering vice president of Bard, added that users could opt out of their data being collected.

Google has been hit by a fresh class action in the U.S. over the alleged misuse of users' personal information to train its artificial intelligence system.

Subramanya declined to comment on whether there were plans to develop a Bard app.

"Bard is an experiment," he added. "We want to be bold and responsible."

Nonetheless, novelty appeal may be waning, with recent Web user numbers showing that monthly traffic to ChatGPT's website and unique visitors declined for the first time ever in June.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels and Isabel Woodford in Mexico City; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
FILE PHOTO: The TikTok logo is pictured outside the company's U.S. head office in Culver City, California, U.S., September 15, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Blake

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A group on Thursday sued the state of Texas, claiming that research and teaching have been compromised by the state's ban on public university employees using Chinese-owned short video app TikTok on state-owned devices or networks.

The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University filed suit in U.S. District Court in Austin, Texas on behalf of the Coalition for Independent Technology Research. The group asserted that Texass state government TikTok ban "is preventing or seriously impeding faculty from pursuing research that relates to TikTok... It has also made it almost impossible for faculty to use TikTok in their classrooms."

The Texas ban extends to public university faculty using personal devices to conduct state business.

"Banning public university faculty from studying and teaching with TikTok is not a sensible or constitutional response to concerns about data-collection and disinformation, said Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute.

The Texas State Attorney General's Office did not immediately comment. TikTok declined to comment.

More than 30 states and the federal government have banned employees from using TikTok on government phones and systems, citing security concerns.

TikTok is used by more than 150 million Americans.

Montana has approved a first-of-its kind law banning any use of TikTok in the state starting on Jan. 1. TikTok is fighting the ban. A judge has scheduled an Oct. 12 hearing on TikTok's request to block the law.

The Coalition for Independent Technology Research is a group of academics, journalists, civil society researchers, and community scientists and include professors at public universities in Texas who have been impacted by the ban.

The suit says the ban is unconstitutional as applied to faculty at public universities and faculty should be exempt until the state provides "them with a constitutionally adequate means of accessing TikTok for research and teaching purposes."

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by David Gregorio)
Prosecutor Cinthia Monterroso arrives to the building of the Supreme ElectoralTribunal (TSE) as members of the Guatemala Attorney General's office raid it after a court ordered the suspension of anti-graft presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo's Semilla

By Sofia Menchu

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Guatemala's top court on Thursday suspended an order barring the party of anti-graft candidate Bernardo Arevalo from running for the presidency, after a flood of international criticism that the country's democracy was in jeopardy.

The Constitutional Court said it had granted a provisional injunction filed by the Semilla party against a judge's order to suspend the party and seemingly kick Arevalo out of the race.

Arevalo enjoyed a surge in support in June's first round voting to surprisingly qualify for a run-off against former First Lady Sandra Torres on Aug. 20. He has threatened to take on the political establishment which he accuses of being corrupt.

Many analysts believe he could win if allowed to run.

But the election was thrown into chaos on Wednesday evening when the lower court granted a prosecutor's request to exclude Semilla over allegations the party had more than 5,000 illegally affiliated members, including 12 deceased people.

The contest had already sparked international criticism after other opposition candidates were disqualified earlier in the process, and the move to shut out Semilla has aggravated fears for democracy and justice in Guatemala.

The U.S., the European Union and other countries warned suspending Semilla was a threat to democracy.

A group of international donors to Guatemala known as the G13, which include the U.S., Canada and Britain, said it was deeply concerned about actions threatening the authority of the electoral tribunal. Chile and Norway echoed concerns.

On Thursday morning, prosecutors raided the electoral tribunal's citizen registry office as part of the Semilla probe.

Neighboring Mexico backed the tribunal's ratification of the first round results, which had been delayed by allegations of irregularities brought by Semilla's adversaries.

Prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche, whose anti-impunity office requested Semilla's suspension, has previously targeted anti-graft campaigners and has been placed on the U.S. State Department's Engel List for "corrupt and undemocratic actors."

Asked about the potential for U.S. sanctions on those behind the Semilla suspension, a U.S. State Department spokesperson cited sanctions already imposed on Curruchiche and Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras but declined to say more. "We do not preview future actions," the spokesperson said.

SURPRISE RISE

Polls had shown Arevalo - an ex-diplomat and son of former President Juan Jose Arevalo - as a distant outsider ahead of the first round.

His second-place finish shocked Guatemala's political establishment.

Arevalo told reporters earlier on Thursday he believed the lower court's move against Semilla violated a Guatemalan law preventing political party suspensions during an election.

"We are in the electoral race, we are moving forward and we will not be stopped by this corrupt group," he said.

The administration of outgoing conservative President Alejandro Giammattei said in a statement it would "maintain distance" from the judicial process and respect the election winner declared by the electoral tribunal.

Under Guatemalan law Giammattei cannot run again.

Arevalo's presidential rival Torres urged the popular vote be respected and said she was suspending her campaign in solidarity with Semilla voters.

Corruption allegations have dogged successive administrations, and the U.S. - Guatemala's top trade partner and a key source of remittances - has repeatedly criticized what it views as efforts to impede a clean-up of government.

Semilla's contender in the 2019 presidential election, former attorney general Thelma Aldana, was barred then too.

Aldana by then had a reputation as an anti-graft crusader and helped oust, prosecute and imprison conservative former President Otto Perez.

Arevalo said after the suspension his party was aware of a falsified signature and that Semilla itself in March reported the person responsible. However, the party was never allowed access to the case file, he said.

(Reporting by Sofia Menchu; additional reporting by Dave Graham and Valentine Hilaire in Mexico City and Matt Spetalnick in Washington D.C.; Writing by Kylie Madry and Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Sarah Morland, Stephen Eisenhammer, Josie Kao and Lincoln Feast.)
SAG-AFTRA union President Fran Drescher speaks next to Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, at SAG-AFTRA offices after negotiations ended with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP),

(Reuters) - Hollywood actors will go on strike beginning midnight after talks with studios broke down, said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA, the actors' union, on Thursday.

(Reporting By Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles)
FILE PHOTO: A supervisor at the Doylestown Bookshop holds a copy of "Heartstopper" that she donated as part of the "Read with Love Book Drive" run by PFLAG Bucks County to help place LGBTQ+ books in Bucks and Montgomery County libraries at the Doylestown

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary on Thursday fined one of the country's largest booksellers for selling a British webcomic and graphic novel without closed wrapping, saying this breached a 2021 law that bans disseminating content among minors that depicts homosexuality.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government promotes a strongly Christian-conservative agenda and passed a law in 2021 banning the "display and promotion of homosexuality" among those under age 18 despite criticism from rights groups and the European Union.

The law, which the government says aims to protect children, has caused anxiety in the LGBT community.

A Budapest government office imposed a fine of 12 million forints ($36,041) on Lira Kereskedelmi Kft bookstore, saying it sold "Heartstopper" by British author Alice Oseman, among other books for minors, and did not wrap them in plastic foil as required by law.

"The probe stated that the books in question depict homosexuality and despite this, they were placed among literature aimed for minors," the government office said in a statement on state news agency MTI.

"Heartstopper" has also been adapted as a British coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama television series on Netflix.

This is not the first time a Hungarian government office imposed a fine on a bookstore for a violation of the law that had been strongly condemned by the EU. The fresh fine comes just days ahead of a Pride march in Budapest on Saturday.

The European Commission referred Hungary to the Court of Justice of the EU over the anti-LGBT law in mid-2022.

Over the past 13 years, Orban has appealed to conservative Hungarians who believe their country is in a struggle to protect its Christian identity from Muslim immigrants and what it calls "gender and LGBT ideology".

($1 = 332.9500 forints)

(Reporting by Krisztina Than; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
FILE PHOTO: A general view as the Hungarian parliament starts debating the ratification of Finland and Sweden's NATO membership in Budapest, Hungary, March 1, 2023. REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo/File Photo

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary signalled on Thursday it could ratify Sweden's bid to join NATO in the autumn, with a ruling party lawmaker saying Turkey's decision to back Sweden's bid opened the door to strengthening the alliance at a time of need.

Hungarian lawmaker Zsolt Nemeth said there was no need to convene an extraordinary session of parliament sooner to approve the decision as Turkish approval would come later.

Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has delayed ratification but his foreign minister earlier this month said that Budapest would not delay the process if Turkey dropped its opposition, which it did on Monday.

"We will take up work in mid-September," Nemeth, the head of Hungarian parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, told private broadcaster InfoRadio.

There is no need to move sooner as Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will not forward the ratification of Sweden's NATO membership to the Turkish parliament until it reopens in the autumn, he said.

Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership last year in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, abandoning policies of military non-alignment that had lasted through the decades of the Cold War.

Ankara held out on the ratification for months, accusing Sweden of doing too little against people Turkey sees as terrorists, mainly Kurdish members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Hungary's ratification process has been stranded in parliament since last July, with Orban airing concerns about the Nordic countries' NATO membership.

Hungarian lawmakers approved Finland's bid in late March.

(Reporting by Gergely Szakacs; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Conor Humphries)
FILE PHOTO: The logo of car manufacturer Tesla is seen at a branch office in Bern, Switzerland October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's finance ministry is not considering any duty waivers for U.S. automaker Tesla Inc, Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra told Reuters on Thursday.

Last month, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was pushing the car maker to make a "significant investment" in the country, adding that such an announcement was expected soon.

In the past, talks between the U.S. carmaker and the Indian government have involved seeking customs duty waivers for importing its electric vehicles, which was rejected by India.

"Any duty waiver for Tesla is not under active consideration of the Department of Revenue, as of now," Malhotra said on Thursday.

(Reporting by Nikunj Ohri; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
FILE PHOTO: Rafale fighter jet is seen parked on the tarmac during its induction ceremony at an air force station in Ambala, India, September 10, 2020. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/File photo/File Photo

By Krishn Kaushik

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India's defence ministry has given initial approval to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets for its navy and three Scorpene class submarines, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in France, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.

Modi began a two-day visit to Paris on Thursday to deepen ties with New Delhi's oldest strategic partner in the West, with a slew of high-profile defence deals expected and a new joint plan to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The Singh-led Defence Acquisition Council, the apex body for military capital procurements, granted the approvals earlier in the day.

The deal will cover the purchase of 26 Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jets, including four trainers, and three Scorpene class submarines to be built by India's Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and France's Naval Group, two sources familiar with the details told Reuters.

The total value of the purchases is expected to be around 800 billion rupees ($9.75 billion), according to one of the sources. The government did not provide any cost figures, saying the prices are yet to be negotiated.

In the past few years, Modi has ramped up spending to modernise the military, while underlining his government's commitment to boosting domestic production to supply forces deployed along two contentious borders with Pakistan and China.

Earlier this year, the government proposed a 13% hike in defence spending to 5.94 trillion rupees for the 2023-24 financial year.

The ageing fleet of India's Russian-made platforms, Moscow's inability to perform maintenance work, and delays in India's indigenous manufacturing plans for parallel platforms have necessitated the two new defence deals.

The marine version of Dassualt's Rafale jets, intended for India's first indigenous aircraft carrier commissioned last year, outperformed the American Superhornet F18s in tests last year for Indian requirements.

Singh said in a tweet that the "price and other terms of purchase will be negotiated with the French Government after taking into account all relevant aspects, including comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries".

India has relied on French fighter jets for four decades now. Much before buying Rafale in 2015, India bought Mirage jets in 1980s, which still comprise two squadrons of the air force.

In 2005, India bought six Scorpene-class diesel submarines from France for 188 billion rupees ($2.29 billion), the last of which will be commissioned next year.

($1 = 82.0782 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Krishn Kaushik, writing by Tanvi Mehta; Editing by Kim Coghill)
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is welcomed by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, at Harare airport in Harare, Zimbabwe, on July 13, 2023. Iran's Presidency/Mohammad Javad Ostad/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS

By Nyasha Chingono

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe and Iran signed 12 memorandums of understanding on Thursday to strengthen bilateral ties, as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi wrapped up his three-nation African tour.

Raisi, who visited Kenya and Uganda earlier in the week, met with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare.

The 12 MOUs include plans to create a tractor manufacturing plant in Zimbabwe with an Iranian company and a local partner. The two countries also signed co-operation agreements for energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications as well as research, science and technology projects.

We welcome investments in several sectors of our economy, Mnangagwa told reporters after the signing ceremony. He did not say how much investment Zimbabwe was expecting from Iran.

Making reference to U.S sanctions imposed on Iran and Zimbabwe, Raisi said his country would work hard to forge closer economic ties.

Iran's trade with Africa will increase to more than $2 billion this year, its foreign ministry said on Saturday, without providing a comparative figure for 2022.

Raisi's African visit, the first by an Iranian leader since 2013, follows a visit in June to three Latin American countries also saddled with U.S. sanctions.

(Reporting by Nyasha Chingono; Editing by Nelson Banya, Nellie Peyton, Elaine Hardcastle)
FILE PHOTO: Ozzy Jackson, an 18-year-old settler carries buckets at Kedar Sheep Farm near the Jewish settlement of Kedar in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 21, 2023. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist government has promoted a record number of housing units in settlements in the occupied West Bank in its first six months, Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now said on Thursday.

Most countries deem Jewish settlements built on land Israel occupied in a 1967 Middle East war as illegal, and their continued expansion has for decades been among the most contentious issues between Israel, the Palestinians and the international community.

Since January, Israel has advanced 12,855 settler housing units across the West Bank, said Peace Now - the highest number the group has recorded since it started tracking such activity in 2012.

"In the past six months, the only sector that Israel has vigorously promoted is the settlement enterprise," it said in a statement.

Palestinian leaders have sought to establish an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza with East Jerusalem as its capital. They say settlements cut Palestinian communities from each other and undermine hopes of a viable state.

The United States, Israel's key ally and a broker of statehood negotiations that have stalled since 2014, has repeatedly expressed its objection to Israel's ongoing settlement expansion.

According to the United Nations, some 700,000 settlers live in 279 settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, up from 520,000 in 2012. More than 3 million Palestinians who live in the same area are subjected to Israeli military rule that some rights groups say amounts to apartheid.

Israel cites biblical and historical ties to the area and denies it maintains an apartheid policy against Palestinians. Netanyahu, whose coalition includes far-right ministers who oppose Palestinian statehood, has recently said Israeli settlements were not an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians.

(Reporting by Henriette Chacar; Editing by Alistair Bell)
ROME (Reuters) - An Italian court has cleared a janitor who groped a schoolgirl on the grounds that he did it for "just a few seconds" and without "libidinous or lusty intent", in a ruling that has sparked widespread outrage.

According to court documents, the girl said the man came behind her, put his hands in her knickers, and slightly lifted her in the air as she pulled up her trousers after walking up a staircase with a friend.

The incident took place in April last year in Rome at a high school in the Ostiense neighbourhood, and "the whole thing lasted about 5-10 seconds", judges said in their ruling.

The janitor, 66, said he reached for the back of the girl's trousers, holding her up for a few seconds, "as a joke". Afterwards he pleaded with the girl to let it pass, telling her, "You will ruin my life, I didn't do anything to you."

In their verdict, dated July 6, a panel of judges concluded that the inappropriate gesture was so brief that it left "ample doubts" on whether it was voluntary, and found the argument that it was in jest "convincing".

Andrea Buitoni, a lawyer for the girl, told the Fanpage news site that the decision would "definitely" be appealed.

"This is not the way an old man jokes with a 17-year-old girl. At least that's what I think," the girl was quoted as saying by the Corriere della Sera newspaper, which said she has just turned 18.

The verdict has triggered an online protest, with thousands of social media users posting videos of themselves touching intimate body parts with the hashtags #10seconds and #quickgrope.

The online campaign was started earlier this week by actor and comedian Paolo Camilli, who stars in The While Lotus TV series, and says, fondling his chest in front of the camera: "if this is not harassment, what is?"

(Reporting by Alvise Armellini; Editing by Conor Humphries)
FILE PHOTO: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki prepare for the beginning of the 29th EU-Japan summit in Brussels, Belgium, on 13 July 2023. OLIVIER MATTHYS/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

By Kentaro Sugiyama and Sakura Murakami

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida plans to discuss energy markets on a trip to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar later this month, aiming to offer Japanese technologies for net zero transition, a senior official said.

Energy-poor Japan relies on Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, with Saudi Arabia and UAE among key OPEC members, for the most of its oil, while part of its liquefied natural gas needs - the world's largest - is covered by Qatar.

Kishida will visit the three countries on July 16-19 as "it is very important to build a personal relationship of trust with the leaders responsible for each country for years to come", a senior official at Japan's foreign ministry said.

"Crude oil prices are high due to the situation in Ukraine, so it is a very important purpose to exchange views on the current oil market and LNG market," the official, who declined to be named, told reporters. "It is very important to exchange views with these countries on stabilising the energy market."

Japan is actively developing greener and renewable energy technologies as it wants to be carbon neutral by 2050, and Kishida will also try to promote Japanese know-how as energy-producing countries also have ambitious green targets.

"One of the achievements we expect from this visit is cooperation in the new energy field on environmentally friendly energy sources such as hydrogen and ammonia, while making use of Japan technologies, thereby further broadening cooperative relations in the energy field," the official said.

In March, Japanese trading house Marubeni Corp agreed to study clean hydrogen production in Saudi Arabia together with the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, as Riyadh is looking to add other types of energy sources, including cleaner fuels and renewables, to diversify its oil-based economy.

(Reporting by Kentaro Sugiyama and Sakura Murakami; writing by Katya Golubkova; editing by Mark Heinrich)
Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat greets supporters during a rally to thank voters ahead of the vote for a new prime minister on July 13, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 9, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's Pita Limjaroenrat vowed on Thursday not to quit in his quest to become prime minister, after suffering defeat in a parliamentary vote fraught by abstentions and no-shows as conservative forces closed ranks to keep him at bay.

The leader of the progressive Move Forward Party, the surprise winners of the May 14 election, was unopposed in the showdown in the bicameral parliament, but fell 51 votes short of the top job after being thwarted by a Senate appointed by the royalist military after a 2014 coup.

Another vote is expected next week, which 42-year-old Pita can contest if nominated again by his eight-party alliance. To win he needs the votes of more than half of parliament's 749 members.

"I accept it but I'm not giving up," he told reporters.

"I will not surrender and will use this time to garner more support."

The vote was a critical test of Pita's political clout and a gauge of opposition to his party's anti-establishment agenda, which includes removing the military from politics, dismantling business monopolies and changing a law that prescribes long jail terms for insulting the monarchy.

Move Forward and its alliance partner, Pheu Thai, thrashed conservative pro-military parties in the election, seen widely as a resounding rejection of nearly a decade of government led or backed by the military.

The defeat was the latest blow in a torrid two days for the U.S.-educated Pita, who saw two legal complaints against him gain momentum on the eve of the vote, including a recommendation to disqualify him, prompting hundreds of demonstrators to gather and warn of moves afoot to keep Move Forward from power.

INFLUENTIAL RIVALS

The cases are the latest twist in a two-decade struggle for power fraught with coups, court interventions, party dissolutions and at times violent street protests.

Political uncertainty has pulled Thailand's main stock index down by 11% so far this year, verses a 5% gain for MSCI's global emerging markets index, with foreign investors net sellers for five straight months to the end of June, offloading more than $3 billion net of Thai shares.

Pita's determination to pursue Move Forward's controversial agenda has put him at odds with a powerful nexus of conservatives and old-money families with influence over democratic institutions, which has loomed large over Thai politics for decades.

Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, a lawmaker with the army-backed United Thai Nation Party, said a plan to change article 112 of the criminal code, which prohibits insults of the monarchy, would be Move Forward's undoing.

"We cannot support them, or any coalition that includes them," he said. "We will not support them."

Move Forward's rise stunned political heavyweights with big electoral war chests, after it utilised social media to court massive youth support and win over key conservative strongholds in cities including the capital Bangkok.

Pita won 324 votes, which was no match for the 199 abstentions and 182 votes against him, and 44 no-shows. He was backed by only 13 members of the conservative-leaning Senate.

Pita said senators could not vote freely and he would re-strategise to try to convince them to follow the will of the people.

"Many were not voting as they wished. I understand there is a lot of pressure on them, and incentives," he said, without elaborating.

"I think there is still time to get more votes."

(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu Wongcha-um; Additional reporting by Orathai Sriring and by Tom Westbrook in Singapore; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor, William Maclean)
FILE PHOTO: A riot police officer stands near supporters of Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga of the Azimio La Umoja (Declaration of Unity) One Kenya Alliance, during an anti-government protest against the imposition of tax hikes by the government, i

NAIROBI (Reuters) -Kenya's opposition on Thursday called for a third day of demonstrations against tax hikes on July 19, after previous protests saw several of Kenya's towns and cities witness violent and sometimes deadly stand-offs with police.

Police shot at least two protesters dead in the capital Nairobi on Wednesday, officers said, as they sought to repel a crowd advancing down the main expressway. At least nine people were killed in the nationwide protests, according to the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

President William Ruto was elected last August on a platform of helping Kenya's working poor, but his critics say the tax rises he signed last month will deepen the plight of Kenyans already struggling to afford basic commodities like maize flour.

Veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, who has finished runner-up in five straight presidential elections, said two lawmakers had been among those arrested for their role in Wednesday's protest, which saw tens of people hospitalised.

"We are not giving up in our quest to force Mr. William Ruto to lower the cost of living, respect the views of Kenyans, reconstitute the (election commission) in a bipartisan manner and respect political parties," Odinga told journalists.

The government says the tax hikes, expected to raise an extra 200 billion shillings ($1.42 billion) a year, are needed to help deal with growing debt repayments and to fund job-creation initiatives in East Africa's largest economy.

Kenya's High Court suspended the tax hikes, but the government has raised petrol prices anyway, leading to a further court challenge.

(Reporting by Humphrey Malalo; Writing by Hereward Holland; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Mark Porter)
By David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The foreign minister of the Marshall Islands called on Thursday for more U.S. money to deal with the legacy of massive U.S. nuclear testing to enable the renewal of a strategic agreement governing bilateral relations.

Marshall Islanders are still plagued by health and environmental effects of 67 U.S. nuclear bomb tests from 1946 to 1958, which included "Castle Bravo" at Bikini Atoll in 1954 - the largest U.S. bomb ever detonated.

Foreign Minister Jack Ading told a U.S. congressional hearing a memorandum of understanding on terms to extend his country's Compact of Free Association (COFA) with Washington was signed in January without proper domestic authorization and under pressure of a deadline for inclusion in President Joe Biden's budget.

"There are other issues that needed to included, and especially, additional funding for the nuclear-affected populations," he told the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, appealing to Congress to direct the Biden Administration to continue negotiating.

The Marshall Islands is one of three Pacific island nations covered by COFAs, under which the U.S. has responsibility for their defense and provides economic assistance, while gaining exclusive access to huge strategic swathes of the Pacific.

Renewing the deals, which is subject to congressional approval, has become a key part of U.S. efforts to push back against China's bid to expand its regional influence.

Under MOUs agreed this year, the U.S. will commit a total of $7.1 billion over 20 years to the three nations.

In May, the U.S. said it had finalized COFA terms with Micronesia and Palau and hoped do so with the Marshall Islands in coming weeks. The economic terms of its existing COFA expire at the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.

More than 100 activist groups have urged Washington to formally apologize to the Marshall Islands and provide fair compensation.

Chief U.S. negotiator Joseph Yun told the hearing he was "puzzled" by the Marshall Islands' position, given the MOU offered it $2.3 billion over 20 years and that the nuclear liability issue had been "settled" in the 1980s. The MOU also contained $700 million for a trust fund that could be used for nuclear-affected atolls.

"I have told my Marshallese colleagues, listen, there is no more money," Yun said, adding that the MOU figure was over double that in the last agreement.

"It's my understanding that our congressional members agree with the administration that this is a very generous offer," he later told Reuters. Yun said he had asked Congress to approve the $7.1 billion total by Sept.30.

"I'm optimistic that our Congress will enact the legislation," he said, adding he was open to more talks with the Marshall Islands "on how and where the money should be spent."

Yun told the committee he believed domestic politics was at play in the Marshall Islands, with an election in November and rumors President David Kabua could face a no-confidence motion.

Denying this, Ading said he was "saddened and disappointed" by the reference to internal affairs.

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Michelle Nichols, John Stonestreet and David Gregorio)
FILE PHOTO: NASAs Perseverance Mars rover is seen in a "selfie" that it took over a rock nicknamed "Rochette", September 10, 2021. NASA/JPL-CALTECH/MSSS/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Evidence is mounting about what may be a wealth of organic molecules - a potential indicator of life - on Mars, with new findings from NASA's Perseverance rover suggesting the presence of a diversity of them in rocks at a locale where a lake existed long ago.

The latest evidence comes from an instrument called SHERLOC mounted on the six-wheeled rover's robotic arm that enables a detailed mapping and analysis of organic molecules. Researchers are reporting SHERLOC's findings from 10 places on two geological formations on the floor of Jezero crater.

They obtained evidence indicating the presence of organic molecules in multiple rock samples, including some collected for potential return to Earth for future analysis. The researchers noted that evidence of such molecules is not proof of life past or present on Mars, and that non-biological processes remain a more likely explanation.

"Organics are the molecular building blocks of life as we know it, but can also be formed from geological processes not directly related to life. We see multiple signals that appear to vary across the formations of the crater floor and in the minerals they are associated with," said astrobiologist Sunanda Sharma of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, lead author of the research published this week in the journal Nature.

Perseverance, on a mission to search for evidence of ancient life on Mars and collect samples of rock and soil for possible return to Earth, landed in February 2021 at Jezero crater, an area in the planet's northern hemisphere that once was flooded with water and home to an ancient lake basin.

Mars has not always been the inhospitable place it is today, with liquid water on its surface in the distant past. Scientists suspect that microbial life once could have lived in Jezero crater. They believe river channels spilled over the crater wall and created a lake more than 3.5 billion years ago.

Signals of organic molecules were detected at all 10 places that SHERLOC - short for Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals - studied on the crater floor. The rocks were igneous - volcanically formed.

SHERLOC employs cameras, a laser and instruments called spectrometers that analyze light wavelengths to search for organic molecules that may be signs of past microbial life. Joining the Sherlock Holmes theme, SHERLOC is assisted by WATSON, a color camera for getting close-up images of rock grains and surface textures.

The researchers do not know the specific organic compounds that SHERLOC detected, but have some clues. Study co-author Ryan Roppel, a University of Pittsburgh graduate student in chemistry, said the chemical signatures could come from compounds like benzene or naphthalene.

"On Earth, these are quite common in crude oil, which has a biotic origin, but we can also form these synthetically through various chemical reactions," Roppel said.

"The concentrations we've detected are generally low, but we've observed signals associated with organics on nearly every rock we've sampled," Roppel added.

Roppel said the researchers cannot rule out that inorganic - metal - sources could be responsible for the some of the signals that suggest organic molecules.

Signs of organic molecules were first detected on Mars in 2015 by a different rover called Curiosity, followed by more evidence in subsequent years. With Perseverance now detecting possible signatures of organic molecules, the evidence is accumulating that organic molecules may be relatively common on Mars, though at low levels.

The researchers remain cautious about the findings.

"There are both biotic and abiotic mechanisms that can form organic molecules. Interplanetary dust, infall from meteorites or water-rock interactions can produce organics abiotically," Roppel said. "On the other hand, ancient life could produce these organics as well, but this is generally a last resort hypothesis. We need to rule out all abiotic mechanisms before we jump to the conclusion that any organic molecule is a sign of life."

(Reporting by Will Dunham, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
FILE PHOTO: A North Korea flag flutters next to concertina wire at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was an exercise of its right to self-defense "to deter dangerous military moves of hostile forces and safeguard the security of our state," the country's U.N. envoy told the Security Council on Thursday during a rare appearance.

The 15-member Security Council met after North Korea said it tested on Wednesday its latest Hwasong-18 ICBM, adding the weapon is the core of its nuclear strike force.

"We categorically reject and condemn the convening of the Security Council briefing by the United States and its followers," North Korea's U.N. Ambassador Kim Song told the council.

North Korea last spoke at a council meeting on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs in December 2017, diplomats said.

North Korea - formally known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) - has been under U.N. sanctions for its missile and nuclear programs since 2006. This includes a ban on the development of ballistic missiles.

In a separate statement on Friday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, "strongly denounced" the U.N. meeting as unfair and biased, blaming the United States for escalating tensions in the region.

"The price the U.S. would have to pay for provoking us won't be light," Kim said, vowing to push for the "most overwhelming" nuclear deterrence until Washington drops what she called its hostile policy against Pyongyang.

For the past several years the council has been divided over how to deal with Pyongyang. Russia and China, veto powers along with the United States, Britain and France, have said more sanctions will not help and want such measures to be eased.

China and Russia blame joint military drills by the United States and South Korea for provoking Pyongyang, while Washington accuses Beijing and Moscow of emboldening North Korea by shielding it from more sanctions.

"Russia and China have prevented this council from speaking with one voice. And with these repeated launches, Pyongyang is demonstrating it feels emboldened," Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, told the council.

CHINA SLAMS NATO

DeLaurentis said the U.S. was committed to diplomacy and "publicly and privately and at senior levels we have repeatedly urged the DPRK to engage in dialogue." He said Washington had made clear there were no preconditions for engagement and it would "discuss any topic of concern to Pyongyang."

"The DPRK has not responded to our offers," he said.

China's U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun told the council that Beijing was committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the settlement of the issue through dialogue.

He described the situation as "tense" and said it was getting "ever more confrontational." China has "taken note" of North Korea's latest missile launch, Zhang said.

"The Cold War has long since ended, but the specter of the Cold War mentality lingers. It has not only rendered the Peninsula issue intractable, but also intensified antagonism and conflict around the world," he said.

He went on to slam a communique by NATO leaders this week, telling the council it was as "long-winded as it was harping the same old tunes filled with Cold War mentality and ideological prejudices." Zhang said NATO should do some "soul-searching."

NATO leaders in the communique said China challenged NATO's interests, security and values with its "ambitions and coercive policies."

"China does not cause trouble, nor does it fear trouble," Zhang said. "We stand ready to respond firmly and forcefully to any act that violates China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, undermine China's development and security interests and breach the peace and stability in China's neighborhood."

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Additional reporting by Soo-hyang Choi in Seoul; Editing by Mark Porter, Deepa Babington, William Maclean)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday Russia was set to withdraw from a deal allowing the export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea unless its own demands are met, reaffirming Moscow's tough stance ahead of the deal's expiry next Monday.

Putin, in comments to Russian state television, also said the United Nations had so far failed to come up with a satisfactory solution to the issue and he denied having received any letter containing proposals from the U.N. Secretary General.

"We can suspend our participation in the deal, and if everyone once again says that all the promises made to us will be fulfilled, then let them fulfil this promise. We will immediately rejoin this deal," Putin said.

A Kremlin spokesman later clarified that Russia had not taken a final decision on whether to exit the grain deal.

The United Nations and Turkey brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative with Russia and Ukraine in July 2022 to help alleviate a global food crisis that worsened after Moscow sent forces into Ukraine and blockaded Ukrainian ports.

To convince Putin to agree to the deal, U.N. officials also agreed to help Russia get its food and fertilizer exports to foreign markets - something Moscow says they have failed to do.

While Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not subject to Western sanctions imposed over Russia's military campaign in Ukraine, Moscow says restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have amounted to a barrier to shipments.

Sources told Reuters that U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had written to Putin suggesting that Moscow allow the deal to continue for several months to give the European Union time to connect a subsidiary of the Russian Agriculture Bank (Rosselkhozbank) to the international payment network SWIFT.

Putin said on Thursday he had not received any such message.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Gareth Jones; editing by David Evans and Mark Heinrich)
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed agreed on Thursday to start negotiations to finalize an agreement between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan on the filling and the rules of operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) soon.

According to a joint statement following their meeting in Cairo on Thursday, President El-Sisi and PM Ahmed stressed a joint commitment to exert all efforts to reach a deal on the GERD dispute within four months.

Ethiopia has stressed its commitment not to harm Egypt and Sudan's share of water during the filling of the fourth filling of GERD, indicating it would be carried out in a manner that safeguards the water needs of both countries, the statement added.

The Ethiopian prime minister arrived in Cairo on Wednesday to participate in Sudans Neighbouring Countries Summit to discuss ways to end the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan and also deal with its impact on its neighbours. countries.

President El-Sisi and PM Ahmed held talks on Wednesday evening which covered recent developments in Sudan, ways to resolve the GERD dispute and enhance bilateral relations between Egypt and Ethiopia.

It was the first official meeting between El-Sisi and Ahmed since October 2019 when the two leaders met in Sochi on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit.

The two leaders had informal encounters during the Summit for the New Global Financing Pact in Paris in June of this year and during COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh in November of 2022.

Earlier in July, PM Ahmed announced in a speech at the Ethiopian House of Representatives that the fourth filing of GERD would be extended to the end of August or early September - instead of early August as previously planned - to accommodate the needs and concerns of the two downstream countries Egypt and Sudan.

During that speech, Ahmed also announced that Ethiopia was ready to resume talks with Egypt and Sudan to resolve the dispute over the GERD.

Both Egypt and Sudan have repeatedly called for Ethiopia to sign a legally binding agreement on the GERD in order to protect the two downstream countries water rights and interests.

In February of this year, Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry said Cairo has no plans to take the GERD issue once again to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as it did in the previous filings.

In September of 2021, the UNSC issued a presidential statement following a collective Arab action urging Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt to resume negotiations under the auspices of the African Union (AU) and to "finalize a mutually acceptable agreement on filling and operating the dam within a reasonable time frame."

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Russian President Vladimir Putin visits an exhibition of quantum technologies in Moscow, Russia July 13, 2023. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Western supplies of weapons to Ukraine would change nothing on the battlefield but only further escalate the conflict, adding that foreign-made tanks were a "priority target" for Moscow's forces.

Putin, in comments to state television made after a NATO summit in which Ukraine won a promise of eventual membership, also reaffirmed his stance that such a move would threaten Russia's own security and escalate global tensions further.

"The supply of new weapons will only aggravate the situation... and will further fuel the conflict," Putin said.

Asked about France's decision to supply Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles which can travel 250 km (155 miles), Putin said: "Yes, they cause damage, but nothing critical happens in the war zone with their use."

Putin added that foreign-made tanks were "a priority target for our guys".

Western countries have supplied billions of dollars worth of arms to Ukraine since Russian forces invaded the country on Feb. 24, 2022, in what Putin calls a "special military operation" to "denazify" the country.

At a summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius this week, NATO leaders agreed that Ukraine should be able to join the military alliance at some point in the future but stopped short of offering Kyiv an immediate invitation.

G7 countries also unveiled an international framework for the long-term security of Ukraine to boost its defences against Russia and deter Moscow from future aggression.

In his first public response to the moves, Putin reiterated Moscow's strong opposition to Ukraine ever joining NATO, saying this would threaten Russia's own strategic interests.

"This will not increase the security of Ukraine itself. And in general it will make the world much more vulnerable," he said.

Any country has the right to improve its security, he added, but not at another country's expense.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Gareth Jones; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Jonathan Oatis)
FILE PHOTO: 60 Wall Street, an office building with commercial space available in the financial district, is seen in New York City, U.S., July 7, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

(This July 13 story has been refiled to replace 'attorney generals' with 'attorneys general' throughout)

By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) - A group of Republican U.S. state attorneys general on Thursday warned the country's largest companies that certain workforce diversity policies could be illegal in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision effectively striking down affirmative action in higher education.

The 13 officials in letters sent to the 100 largest U.S. companies said the court last month made clear that any policy that treats people differently because of their race is illegal, even when it is adopted with good intentions.

The attorneys general urged the companies to abandon race-based quotas or preferences in hiring, promotion and contracting and threatened legal action "sooner rather than later" if they do not.

"Companies that engage in racial discrimination should and will face serious legal consequences," the attorneys general wrote.

The officials singled out about a dozen companies that they said have used racial quotas and other explicitly race-based practices, including Apple Inc, Alphabet Inc's Google, Microsoft Corp, and Uber Technologies Corp.

Those companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and his counterpart in Tennessee, Jonathan Skrmetti, spearheaded the letter. They were joined by the attorneys general of Indiana, South Carolina and Missouri, among others.

The Supreme Court ruling last month said Harvard University's and the University of North Carolina's race-conscious admissions policies violated the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law.

The decision does not directly affect employers, but in a concurring opinion Justice Neil Gorsuch noted that the federal law banning race bias in federally-funded programs, including higher education, is "essentially identical" to the law prohibiting workplace discrimination.

The decision is widely expected to spur legal challenges to admissions policies at universities and high schools and to corporate diversity initiatives that take race into account.

Federal and state laws already bar companies from explicitly considering race in making employment decisions, but there is little recent precedent on the legality of diversity programs.

Companies have had policies aimed at diversifying their workforce for decades. But many began looking more closely at the issue beginning in 2020, in the national debate on race spurred by the death of George Floyd and other Black people at the hands of police.

Proponents of corporate diversity initiatives say that along with creating more equity, they attract better talent and can be good for business when they have support among a company's customer base.

But in Thursday's letter, the attorneys general said well-intentioned race discrimination is still illegal.

"The argument that different rules should govern racial classifications designed to include rather than exclude ... has been repeatedly rejected," they wrote.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Alistair Bell)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's nuclear chief on Thursday pushed back against Ukrainian assertions that Moscow had plotted to blow up a nuclear power station it controls, saying no evidence supported the claim and that only "a complete idiot" would do such a reckless thing.

Kyiv has repeatedly said that Russian forces planned to blow up the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in southern Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Russian forces had mined the roof of several reactors at the plant, Europe's largest, which they seized shortly after launching their full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said on Wednesday it had not seen any mines or explosives during an inspection of the plant, though it said it was waiting for access to the rooftops of reactors No. 3 and No. 4.

"Those who wanted to arrange some sort of provocation there have been exposed," Alexei Likhachev, the general director of Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, told state television, citing the IAEA observations.

He said the Ukrainian claims about Russia's supposed intentions at the plant were part of an information war against Moscow.

"You would have to be a complete idiot to blow up a nuclear power station where three and a half thousand people work, including a very significant number of people from all over Russia," Likhachev said.

Likhachev said Russian intelligence and information from captured Ukrainian prisoners indicated that Ukraine had in fact had plans to strike the nuclear power station while repeatedly blaming Russia for the attack.

Reuters was unable to verify the claims of either side. Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of threatening the safety of the plant.

The IAEA has repeatedly said the plant should not be used for storage or as a base for heavy weaponry. It has also said the plant has enough water - used to cool down reactors and spent nuclear fuel - for some months despite the destruction of the nearby Kakhovka dam.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Gareth Jones)
FILE PHOTO: A woman with a rainbow flag lays on grass during the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community rally "VIII St.Petersburg Pride" in St. Petersburg, Russia August 12, 2017. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo

(Reuters) - Russia's lower house of parliament on Thursday unanimously approved on the second of three readings a draft law that would ban gender-affirming surgeries for transgender people.

The bill would prohibit medical workers from "performing medical interventions designed to change the sex of a person", though it exempts surgery to treat congenital anomalies in children.

It would also bar people from changing their gender on official identity documents and would prohibit transgender people from adopting children. It would annul a marriage where one partner subsequently changed their gender.

Advocates of transgender rights in Russia have spoken out against the legislation, saying it will lead to an underground hormone drug market and a spike in attempted suicides among transgender teenagers."This is a logical continuation of the repressive policies of the Russian government, not only against LGBTQI people, but against human rights, freedom of speech, and democracy," Nef Cellarius of LGBT rights group Vykhod ("Coming Out") told Reuters.

Last December, President Vladimir Putin signed a law expanding restrictions on the promotion of "LGBT propaganda," effectively banning any public expression of their lifestyle by lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people in Russia.

Putin has portrayed LGBT rights as evidence of moral decay in Western countries.

The third and final reading of the draft bill banning gender surgery is due on Friday, according to the Telegram channel of the lower house, the State Duma.

The bill must then be approved by the upper house of parliament and then signed into law by the president.

(This story has been corrected to make clear that new law would annul marriage where one partner then changed gender in paragraph 3)

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Gareth Jones)
DAKAR (Reuters) - Senegal's navy has intercepted a boat with around 70 migrants risking the perilous Atlantic route to Spain, the army said on Thursday, the third reported crossing this week as attempts from West Africa pick up in the warmer summer months.

The vessel was caught late on Wednesday night at the mouth of the Senegal River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean from northern Senegal. All 71 passengers, including two women, were handed to the police, the army said on Twitter.

The Atlantic migration route to the Canary Islands, typically used by sub-Saharan African migrants trying to reach Spain, is one of the world's deadliest. Summer is its busiest period.

The navy said it had intercepted another boat with 35 people seeking to make the crossing on Monday.

On Wednesday, the state news agency reported six deaths after a vessel with around 60 people on board capsized at the Senegal River's mouth near the northern city of Saint Louis.

The army did not respond to several requests for comment on the incidents.

The authorities on Tuesday disputed reports that boats carrying at least 300 people from Senegal to Spain had gone missing, saying that 260 Senegalese nationals were rescued in Moroccan waters between June 28 and July 9.

Despite the recent rise, the total number of irregular migrants reaching the Canary Islands has so far been lower this year than in 2022.

Arrivals from the coasts of West Africa stood at 7,213 people between January and June 2023, an 18% drop compared to the same period last year, according to the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration (IOM).

At least 559 people died attempting to reach the Canary Islands in 2022, while 126 people have died or disappeared on the same route in the first six months of this year with 15 shipwrecks recorded, according to the IOM.

(Reporting by Sofia Christensen, Editing by Alessandra Prentice and Angus MacSwan)
FILE PHOTO: Former South African President Jacob Zuma arrives at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, March 20, 2023. REUTERS/Rogan Ward/File Photo

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South Africa's top court on Thursday rejected an attempt to overturn a previous decision that found former president Jacob Zuma should go back to jail after being released early on medical parole.

The Constitutional Court ruling could send Zuma back to prison, two years after his initial arrest sparked widespread protests that saw at least 337 people killed.

The Department of Correctional Services said in a statement that it was studying the judgment and seeking legal advice before commenting. A spokesperson for Zuma declined to comment directly on the ruling and referred any questions to the department, noting that prison officials had sought the review.

Zuma, 81, was sentenced in 2021 to 15 months imprisonment for defying a court order to give evidence at an inquiry investigating high-level corruption during his nine years in office, which ended in 2018.

He handed himself over to authorities in July 2021, but two months later was released on medical parole due to his ill health.

Last year, the Supreme Court of Appeals found that the decision to release Zuma on early medical parole was "unlawful" and that he should return to prison to finish his sentence for contempt of court.

That ruling was challenged by the National Commissioner of Correctional Services, but the Constitutional Court on Thursday found that the challenge had "no reasonable prospects of success" and should be dismissed.

(Reporting by Wendell Roelf; Editing by Nellie Peyton and Susan Heavey)
FILE PHOTO: Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares talks about the Jeep brand during a Stellantis keynote address at CES 2023, an annual consumer electronics trade show, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. January 5, 2023. REUTERS/Steve Marcus/File Photo

MILAN (Reuters) - Stellantis will build the new Jeep Compass, one of the carmaker's bestsellers in Europe, as the fifth model for its Melfi plant in southern Italy, two sources close to the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

The new model will be a development from the Compass SUV the Franco-Italian group currently produces in Melfi, one of its main assembly sites in the country.

Earlier this week Stellantis announced plans to introduce future production of a fifth unspecified model in Melfi, after CEO Carlos Tavares met Industry Minister Adolfo Urso to discuss a possible expansion of the group's output at its Italian facilities.

After the meeting Stellantis said the cars produced in Melfi would be "high-value premium models for foreign brands, plus an Italian one", all based on the new EV-centric STLA Medium platform, which the automaker presented last week.

The new Jeep Compass will join four other new models the carmaker had promised for Melfi but which it has not yet officially announced.

They are expected to be two models of the DS French premium brand, one of Germany's Opel and one of Italy's Lancia.

The group should officially disclose the future production line-up for Melfi at the end of this month, as part of a wider deal it is working on with Italy's government, one of the sources said.

The production of models in Melfi underpinned by the new Stellantis platform for medium-sized cars is expected to start during 2024.

Stellantis currently also builds Jeep's Renegade and Fiat's 500X models in Melfi.

The world's third largest carmaker by sales, which sold around 6 million vehicles last year, has plans to progressively move all its production on to just four platforms, STLA Small, Medium, Large and Frame.

(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari; additional reporting by Gilles Guillaume in Paris; Editing by Keith Weir)
By Louise Rasmussen

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Sweden's top court on Thursday blocked the extradition of two Turks that Ankara says are part of a terrorist group, potentially complicating Stockholm's bid to join NATO just days after Turkey dropped objections to Sweden's membership.

Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership last year in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, abandoning policies of military non-alignment that had lasted through the Cold War.

Turkey has held up ratification of Sweden's bid. Ankara accuses Stockholm of doing too little to deal with people Turkey sees as terrorists, with extradition a key sticking point.

However, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday unexpectedly agreed to put Sweden's NATO bid to the country's parliament after months of delays.

Turkey is seeking the extradition of two Turkish citizens from Sweden on accusations they are part of the Gulen movement, which it designates a terrorist organisation. Turkey says U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen was behind a coup attempt in 2016.

Sweden's government decides on extradition requests and has the final say. But the country's Supreme Court said there were legal obstacles to agreeing to Turkey's request in this case.

"It is a kind of advisory statement from the Supreme Court, but if the Supreme Court said that extradition cannot happen because there are legal challenges that contradict it, the government is not allowed to extradite the person," Justice of the Supreme Court, Cecilia Renfors, told Reuters.

The court said in a statement that in Turkey's view, the two committed a criminal act by joining the Gulen movement via a mobile application used by its members.

These actions alone did not equate to participation in a terrorist organisation under Swedish law, the court said, adding that extradition must be based on actions that constitute a crime in both Sweden and Turkey.

Another obstacle is that the two people were at risk of persecution in Turkey, it said. Hundreds of people were jailed in Turkey after the 2016 coup attempt based on evidence that they had downloaded the app on their phone.

A spokesperson for the Swedish prime minister declined to comment and a justice minister spokesperson did not reply to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the Turkish foreign ministry was not immediately available.

PROMISES

Turkey's Erdogan said on Monday he will forward the NATO application to parliament when it reopens in October but that Ankara still needs to see some concrete steps against terrorism from Stockholm, with extraditions a priority.

In an interview published by Turkish media on Thursday, Erdogan said it was up to parliament to follow the steps that Sweden will take and make a decision based on Turkey's interests.

"The concrete steps in relation to the promises that were made primarily include ending the activities of terrorist organisations in the countries in question, (and) the repatriation of the terrorists," he was quoted as saying.

He also said he expects European Union countries to take some steps on updating a customs union and visa-free travel, and NATO countries to lift restrictions on arms sales to Turkey.

"As a result of the positive effort we see from the European Union, we will start work on implementing the promises we have made...From now on, we will act according to whether the promises that are made are implemented," he said.

(Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen in Copenhagen; Ece Toksabay and Ali Kucukgocmen in Ankara; editing by Anna Ringstrom, Emma Rumney and Angus MacSwan)
FILE PHOTO: The logo for Twitter is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., June 1, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

By Sheila Dang

(Reuters) - Twitter asked a U.S. court on Thursday to terminate a consent order with the Federal Trade Commission that governed the social media company's data privacy protections, arguing that the regulatory agency has made "unceasing demands."

In a filing with U.S. District Court in San Francisco, Twitter accused the FTC of bias and overreach, saying it had sent letters demanding actions by the company at a rate of one every other week since billionaire Elon Musk acquired Twitter in October.

The FTC did not respond to a request for comment.

In 2011, Twitter and the FTC reached the consent decree after two data breaches at the social media company, with Twitter agreeing at the time that it would not mislead users about privacy protections.

Last year, Twitter agreed to pay $150 million in a settlement with the FTC and the Justice Department to resolve allegations that it misused private user information in order to target advertising.

Since Musk took over Twitter, the company has laid off thousands of employees and drastically cut costs, prompting questions about whether the company had the resources to comply with the FTC consent order.

(Reporting by Sheila Dang in Austin, Texas; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
FILE PHOTO: A worker adjusts British and China (R) national flags on display for a signing ceremony at the seventh UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue "Roundtable on Public-Private Partnerships" at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China Septemb

By Michael Holden and Andrew MacAskill

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's approach to the national security threat posed by China is "completely inadequate", with too much focus on short-term economics rather than long-term risks, a parliamentary committee said on Thursday.

China uses its extensive state intelligence service to target Britain and its interests "prolifically and aggressively", the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) said, seeking to influence and penetrate every aspect of the British economy.

From academia, which was a "rich feeding ground" for China to exert political sway, to an over-reliance on Chinese technology, the government had placed too much emphasis on investment over potential security harms, it said in a report.

"The government has been readily accepting Chinese money with few questions asked," Julian Lewis, the ISC chair, told reporters.

"But without swift and decisive action, we are on a trajectory to the nightmare scenario where China steals blueprints, sets standards and builds products, exerting political and economic influence at every step," he said, adding it potentially posed "an existential threat to liberal democratic systems".

The Chinese embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has come under pressure from some lawmakers in his Conservative Party to take a tougher stance with China, but he has tried to walk a difficult line saying the West should not decouple from Beijing.

In response to the report, he said China posed "an epoch-defining challenge to the international order", echoing Britain's recently updated blueprint for security and international policy, which stepped back from describing China as a threat.

Sunak said the government had taken measures to reduce Britains reliance on Chinese technology and prevent interference, but he wanted to have "open" and "constructive" relations with China.

"We are not complacent and we are keenly aware that there is more to do," he said in a statement.

The committee, which oversees the work of Britains intelligence community, said much of the impact China had on British national security was overt, through takeovers, mergers, and its interaction with academia and industry, but it overstepped the boundary.

It was critical of the British government, saying its focus was dominated by short-term threats, and said ministers needed to ensure security concerns were not "constantly trumped by economic interest".

"We found that the level of resource dedicated to tackling the threat posed by China's 'whole of state' approach has been completely inadequate, and the slow speed at which strategies and policies are developed and implemented leaves a lot to be desired," the ISC said.

The warnings about China echo similar comments made by the heads of Britain's spy agencies in their rare public interventions where they have cast China as the nation's top intelligence priority.

"The challenge of the rise of China absolutely raises huge questions for the future of the Western alliance," Ken McCallum, head of the domestic-focused Security Service agency known as MI5 told the ISC.

(Reporting by Michael Holden and Andrew MacAskill; editing by Robert Birsel and Nick Macfie)
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov is pictured at the Defence Ministry in Athens, Greece, April 6, 2023. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine's foreign partners pledged over 1.5 billion euros ($1.68 billion) in military aid for Kyiv while attending a NATO summit this week, Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on Thursday.

"Meetings in Vilnius were very productive," Reznikov wrote on Twitter following the summit on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Lithuanian capital.

"Ukraine will receive over 1.5 billion in military aid from its international partners," he said. "Stay tuned."

Reznikov's tweet mentioned seven countries that had offered military aid packages in Vilnius, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had a series of meetings with foreign leaders.

Among them was a 700-million-euro aid package from Germany which he said included 25 Leopard 1A5 tanks. He also hailed aid packages from France, Britain, the Netherlands, Canada and Norway and from non-NATO member Australia, whose prime minister met Zelenskiy in Vilnius.

NATO leaders said at the summit that Ukraine, which has been invaded by Russia, should be able to join the military alliance at some point in the future.

They did not issue an immediate invitation but assured Ukraine of unwavering support, as well as making the new pledges of military aid.

Zelenskiy hailed the results of the summit, saying Ukraine had "a foundation of security for Ukraine on its path to NATO" for the first time since it won independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

($1 = 0.8944 euros)

(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka and Kyiv newsroom, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
(Reuters) -Domino's Pizza Group said on Thursday Andrew Rennie, who has served as the Europe chief for a major franchise operator of the pizza chain, will join the UK firm in August as its chief executive.

Rennie will take over from Elias Diaz Sese, who has been serving as Domino's Pizza Group's (DPG) interim CEO since October 2022. The group owns, operates and franchises Domino's stores in the UK and Ireland.

Rennie has held several roles at Domino's Pizza Enterprises in over two decades, including being CEO of its European business from 2014 to 2020. The Sydney-listed company holds exclusive master franchise rights for the Domino's brand across 12 markets including Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg.

Sese will step down from this role on Aug. 7 and stay on as non-executive director, DPG said.

(Reporting by Chandini Monnappa in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)
FILE PHOTO: A general view of Hitsats refugee camp in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, photographed in 2019. Natalia Paszkiewicz/Handout via REUTERS

GENEVA (Reuters) - A group of United Nations investigators and experts called on Ethiopia on Thursday to halt the deportation of Eritreans, as well as the arbitrary detention of Eritrean refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.

The group, who make reports on rights issues on behalf of the U.N., also condemned what they called the "summary expulsion of hundreds of Eritreans" by Ethiopia at the end of June.

"Collective expulsions are prohibited under international law," they said in a statement.

"Deporting migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers without conducting an individual and objective risk assessment of their exposure to human rights violations, including torture and enforced disappearance, upon return is refoulement."

Under international human rights law, the principle of non-refoulement guarantees that no one should be returned to a country where they would face abuse or punishment.

Ethiopia's official Human Rights Commission said on June 24 it was monitoring the forcible return of about 200 Eritreans.

The Ethiopian Refugee and Returnee Service said last month that the people deported were not refugees or asylum seekers - a statement the U.N. experts said contradicted other reliable sources.

"According to several credible sources, the group included both registered and unregistered refugees and asylum seekers," the experts' statement said.

Ethiopian government spokesperson Legesse Tulu and Tesfahun Gobezay, head of the Ethiopian Refugee and Returnee Service, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Neighbouring Eritrea's government has for years subjected its population to repression, including forced labour and conscription, and has imposed harsh restrictions on freedom of expression and religion, causing many to flee.

Ethiopia and Eritrea are historical adversaries, though Eritrean troops fought alongside their Ethiopian counterparts and allied militias in a recent two-year conflict that pitted Addis Ababa against rebel forces in the Tigray region.

In November, the Ethiopian government and Tigrayan forces signed an agreement to end the hostilities.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Geneva and Dawit Endeshaw in Addis Ababa; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
The U.S. Capitol building is seen in Washington, U.S., June 24, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives added restrictions on abortion and transgender health services to its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Thursday, threatening the defense policy bill's chances of becoming law.

Voting largely along party lines, the House backed several measures pushed by the Republican party's hard right, angering Democrats who accused the majority party of injecting "culture war" issues into the must-pass bill and said they would not support it.

The House voted 221 to 213 for an amendment that would reverse the Defense Department's policy of reimbursing expenses for service members who travel to obtain an abortion and by 222 to 211 for a ban on the Pentagon paying for gender-affirming surgeries and hormone treatment.

The House also voted 341 to 89 and 358 to 70 to defeat two proposals to cut funding for Ukraine as it battles Russia, reflecting bipartisan support for Kyiv. All of the votes against the aid came from Republicans.

The NDAA is one of the few major pieces of legislation that Congress passes every year. This year's legislation authorize $886 billion in spending for the Department of Defense.

The inclusion of divisive social issues imperils the measure's chances of becoming law, after six decades of annual passage. Republicans have a 222-212 seat majority in the House and can pass their version of the NDAA without Democratic support.

But Democrats have a 51-49 majority in the Senate.

As the amendment votes continued, the Democratic leaders of the House Armed Services Committee, which authored the original bill, took the unusual step of announcing they would oppose the amended NDAA.

"The bill we passed out of committee sent a clear, united message to our allies and partners, global competitors, and the American people that democracy still works, and Congress is still functional," they said in a statement.

"That bill no longer exists. What was once an example of compromise and functioning government has become an ode to bigotry and ignorance," they said.

Republicans accused Democrats of injecting "propaganda" into the military and weakening U.S. forces by backing diversity and inclusion programs.

"We would like to make the military focused on killing people and blowing stuff up again, because that's what the military is supposed to be for," said Republican Representative Chip Roy.

The NDAA is several steps from becoming law. The House could pass its version as soon as Friday, but the Senate is not expected to vote on its bill until later this month.

After passage of the separate bills, members will hammer out a compromise version, which must pass both the House and Senate before it can be sent to the White House for President Joe Biden to sign into law or veto.

Congress has passed the NDAA every year since 1961.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by David Gregorio, Robert Birsel)
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry testifies before a House Foreign Affairs Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee hearing on the State Department's climate budget, on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 13, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockst

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States will not pay reparations to developing countries hit by climate-fueled disasters, John Kerry, the U.S. special envoy on climate change, told a congressional hearing on Thursday.

Kerry, a former U.S. secretary of state, was asked during a hearing before a House of Representatives foreign affairs oversight subcommittee whether the U.S. would contribute to a fund that would pay countries that have been damaged by floods, storms and other climate-driven disasters.

"No, under no circumstances,' Kerry said in response to a query from U.S. Representative Brian Mast, the Republican chair of the subcommittee.

Kerry was testifying at a hearing on the State Department's climate agenda just days before he was scheduled to travel to Beijing for renewed bilateral talks with China on climate change.

The United States has backed the creation of a funding mechanism to address the "loss and damage" incurred by vulnerable countries as result of major or recurring disasters that was secured at the COP27 conference in Egypt last November, but the deal did not spell out who would pay into the fund or how money would be disbursed.

However, the U.S. and other developed nations had pushed for the inclusion of a footnote to exclude the idea of liability for historic emitters or compensation for countries harmed by disasters.

(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Paul Simao)
HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam's popular online magazine Zing News, ultimately owned by one of the country's top digital groups, VNG Corp, said on Thursday it had to suspend publications for three months after a government investigation.

The Communist-ruled country is stepping up a crackdown on media, with plans also to limit social media accounts that post news-related content, which the government says mislead readers into thinking they are authorised news outlets.

In a statement posted on its website, Zing News said during the suspension period "it will focus on overcoming and thoroughly correcting the shortcomings" in its application of a prime minister's decision from 2019 which adopted a "press development and management" plan.

The plan tightened controls on media and, among other limitations, required newspapers to have an affiliation with a ministry and banned magazines from publishing breaking news.

Zing News is owned by the country's main messaging app Zalo which in turn is a unit of VNG. It is licensed as a digital magazine, but has covered a wide range of topics including breaking and daily news.

Its press office was not immediately available for comment.

The information ministry, which conducted the investigation of Zing News, was also not immediately available for comment.

It is not the first time a media outlet has been suspended in Vietnam. In 2018, state-run Tuoi Tre had to halt publications for three months for posting false information, according to a government statement.

Vietnam was ranked 178th out of 180 countries in the 2023 media freedom index compiled by non-profit Reporters Without Borders, faring better only than China and North Korea.

"Vietnam's traditional media are closely controlled by the single party. Independent reporters and bloggers are often jailed," the non-profit said in its evaluation of the country.

(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio; Editing by Nick Macfie)
July 13, 2023

VIA EDGAR

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20549-0505

Re: VanEck Funds  Joint Fidelity Bond - (Bond No. 82307854)

Enclosed for filing is the Joint Fidelity Bond for VanEck Funds, File No. 811-04297, and VanEck VIP Trust, File No. 811-05083, referred to herein individually as a Fund and collectively as the Funds, in accordance with Rule 17g-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) for the 2023-2024 year:

1) A copy of the bond coverage for the Funds (the Bond) (attached as Exhibit A). 2) A copy of the Board meeting resolutions, which were adopted by the Board, and a majority of the members thereof who are not interested persons (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Funds (attached as Exhibit B). 3) A copy of a Joint Insured Agreement, by and between each series of the Fund, meeting the requirements of Rule 17g-1 paragraph (f) (attached as Exhibit C). 4) A statement showing the amount of a single insured bond, which each series of the Fund would have been required to provide and maintain had each series of the Fund not been named as a joint insured under the Bond (attached as Exhibit D). 5) The premium for the Bond has been paid through June 30, 2024.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

By: /s/ John Crimmins

Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial

Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

EXHIBIT A Chubb Group of Insurance Companies DECLARATIONS 202 B Halls Mill Road FINANCIAL INSTITUTION INVESTMENT Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889 COMPANY ASSET PROTECTION BOND NAME OF ASSURED (including its Subsidiaries ): Bond Number: 82307854 VANECK FUNDS & VANECK VIP TRUST 666 THIRD AVENUE, 9TH FLOOR FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY NEW YORK, NY 10017 Incorporated under the laws of Indiana a stock insurance company herein called the COMPANY Capital Center, 251 North Illinois, Suite 1100 Indianapolis, IN 46204-1927 ITEM 1. BOND PERIOD: from 12:01 a.m. on June 30, 2023 to 12:01 a.m. on June 30, 2024 ITEM 2. LIMITS OF LIABILITY--DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNTS: If Not Covered is inserted below opposite any specified INSURING CLAUSE, such INSURING CLAUSE and any other reference shall be deemed to be deleted. There shall be no deductible applicable to any loss under INSURING CLAUSE 1. sustained by any Investment Company. SINGLE LOSS DEDUCTIBLE INSURING CLAUSE LIMIT OF LIABILITY AMOUNT 1 . Employee $ 3,000,000 $ 0 2 . On Premises $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 3 . In Transit $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 4 . Forgery or Alteration $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 5 . Extended Forgery $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 6 . Counterfeit Money $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 7 . Threats to Person $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 8 . Computer System $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 9 . Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 10 . Uncollectible Items of Deposit $ 100,000 $ 5,000 11 . Audit Expense $ 50,000 $ 5,000 ITEM 3. THE LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY IS ALSO SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE FOLLOWING ENDORSEMENTS EXECUTED SIMULTANEOUSLY HEREWITH: Endorsements 1-10 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THE COMPANY has caused this Bond to be signed by its authorized officers, but it shall not be valid unless also signed by an authorized representative of the Company.



The COMPANY, in consideration of payment of the required premium, and in reliance on the APPLICATION and all other statements made and information furnished to the COMPANY by the ASSURED, and subject to the DECLARATIONS made a part of this Bond and to all other terms and conditions of this Bond, agrees to pay the ASSURED for: Insuring Clauses Employee 1 . Loss resulting directly from Larceny or Embezzlement committed by any Employee , alone or in collusion with others. On Premises 2 . Loss of Property resulting directly from robbery, burglary, false pretenses, common law or statutory larceny, misplacement, mysterious unexplainable disappearance, damage, destruction or removal, from the possession, custody or control of the ASSURED, while such Property is lodged or deposited at premises located anywhere. In Transit 3 . Loss of Property resulting directly from common law or statutory larceny, misplacement, mysterious unexplainable disappearance, damage or destruction, while the Property is in transit anywhere: a. in an armored motor vehicle, including loading and unloading thereof, b. in the custody of a natural person acting as a messenger of the ASSURED, or c. in the custody of a Transportation Company and being transported in a conveyance other than an armored motor vehicle provided, however, that covered Property transported in such manner is limited to the following: (1 ) written records, (2 ) securities issued in registered form, which are not endorsed or are restrictively endorsed, or (3 ) negotiable instruments not payable to bearer, which are not endorsed or are restrictively endorsed. Coverage under this INSURING CLAUSE begins immediately on the receipt of such Property by the natural person or Transportation Company and ends immediately on delivery to the premises of the addressee or to any representative of the addressee located anywhere. ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 1 of 19

Insuring Clauses (continued) Forgery Or Alteration 4 . Loss resulting directly from: a. Forgery on, or fraudulent material alteration of, any bills of exchange, checks, drafts, acceptances, certificates of deposits, promissory notes, due bills, money orders, orders upon public treasuries, letters of credit, other written promises, orders or directions to pay sums certain in money, or receipts for the withdrawal of Property , or b. transferring, paying or delivering any funds or other Property , or establishing any credit or giving any value in reliance on any written instructions, advices or applications directed to the ASSURED authorizing or acknowledging the transfer, payment, delivery or receipt of funds or other Property , which instructions, advices or applications fraudulently purport to bear the handwritten signature of any customer of the ASSURED, or shareholder or subscriber to shares of an Investment Company , or of any financial institution or Employee but which instructions, advices or applications either bear a Forgery or have been fraudulently materially altered without the knowledge and consent of such customer, shareholder, subscriber, financial institution or Employee ; excluding, however, under this INSURING CLAUSE any loss covered under INSURING CLAUSE 5. of this Bond, whether or not coverage for INSURING CLAUSE 5. is provided for in the DECLARATIONS of this Bond. For the purpose of this INSURING CLAUSE, a mechanically reproduced facsimile signature is treated the same as a handwritten signature. Extended Forgery 5 . Loss resulting directly from the ASSURED having, in good faith, and in the ordinary course of business, for its own account or the account of others in any capacity: a. acquired, accepted or received, sold or delivered, or given value, extended credit or assumed liability, in reliance on any original Securities, documents or other written instruments which prove to: (1) bear a Forgery or a fraudulently material alteration, (2) have been lost or stolen, or (3) be Counterfeit , or b. guaranteed in writing or witnessed any signatures on any transfer, assignment, bill of sale, power of attorney, guarantee, endorsement or other obligation upon or in connection with any Securities, documents or other written instruments . Actual physical possession, and continued actual physical possession if taken as collateral, of such Securities, documents or other written instruments by an Employee, Custodian , or a Federal or State chartered deposit institution of the ASSURED is a condition precedent to the ASSURED having relied on such items. Release or return of such collateral is an acknowledgment by the ASSURED that it no longer relies on such collateral. ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 2 of 19

Insuring Clauses Extended Forgery For the purpose of this INSURING CLAUSE, a mechanically reproduced facsimile (continued) signature is treated the same as a handwritten signature. Counterfeit Money 6 . Loss resulting directly from the receipt by the ASSURED in good faith of any Counterfeit money. Threats To Person 7 . Loss resulting directly from surrender of Property away from an office of the ASSURED as a result of a threat communicated to the ASSURED to do bodily harm to an Employee as defined in SECTION 1.e. (1), (2) and (5), a Relative or invitee of such Employee , or a resident of the household of such Employee , who is, or allegedly is, being held captive provided, however, that prior to the surrender of such Property : a. the Employee who receives the threat has made a reasonable effort to notify an officer of the ASSURED who is not involved in such threat, and b. the ASSURED has made a reasonable effort to notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement authorities concerning such threat. It is agreed that for purposes of this INSURING CLAUSE, any Employee of the ASSURED, as set forth in the preceding paragraph, shall be deemed to be an ASSURED hereunder, but only with respect to the surrender of money, securities and other tangible personal property in which such Employee has a legal or equitable interest. Computer System 8 . Loss resulting directly from fraudulent: a. entries of data into, or b. changes of data elements or programs within, a Computer System , provided the fraudulent entry or change causes: (1 ) funds or other property to be transferred, paid or delivered, (2 ) an account of the ASSURED or of its customer to be added, deleted, debited or credited, or (3 ) an unauthorized account or a fictitious account to be debited or credited. ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 3 of 19

Insuring Clauses (continued) Voice Initiated Funds 9 . Loss resulting directly from Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction directed Transfer Instruction to the ASSURED authorizing the transfer of dividends or redemption proceeds of Investment Company shares from a Customer's account, provided such Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction was: a. received at the ASSURED'S offices by those Employees of the ASSURED specifically authorized to receive the Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction , b. made by a person purporting to be a Customer , and c. made by said person for the purpose of causing the ASSURED or Customer to sustain a loss or making an improper personal financial gain for such person or any other person. In order for coverage to apply under this INSURING CLAUSE, all Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instructions must be received and processed in accordance with the Designated Procedures outlined in the APPLICATION furnished to the COMPANY. Uncollectible Items of 10 . Loss resulting directly from the ASSURED having credited an account of a Deposit customer, shareholder or subscriber on the faith of any Items of Deposit which prove to be uncollectible, provided that the crediting of such account causes: a. redemptions or withdrawals to be permitted, b. shares to be issued, or c. dividends to be paid, from an account of an Investment Company . In order for coverage to apply under this INSURING CLAUSE, the ASSURED must hold Items of Deposit for the minimum number of days stated in the APPLICATION before permitting any redemptions or withdrawals, issuing any shares or paying any dividends with respect to such Items of Deposit . Items of Deposit shall not be deemed uncollectible until the ASSURED'S standard collection procedures have failed. Audit Expense 11 . Expense incurred by the ASSURED for that part of the cost of audits or examinations required by any governmental regulatory authority or self-regulatory organization to be conducted by such authority, organization or their appointee by reason of the discovery of loss sustained by the ASSURED and covered by this Bond. ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 4 of 19

General Agreements Additional Companies A. If more than one corporation, or Investment Company , or any combination of Included As Assured them is included as the ASSURED herein: (1 ) The total liability of the COMPANY under this Bond for loss or losses sustained by any one or more or all of them shall not exceed the limit for which the COMPANY would be liable under this Bond if all such loss were sustained by any one of them. (2 ) Only the first named ASSURED shall be deemed to be the sole agent of the others for all purposes under this Bond, including but not limited to the giving or receiving of any notice or proof required to be given and for the purpose of effecting or accepting any amendments to or termination of this Bond. The COMPANY shall furnish each Investment Company with a copy of the Bond and with any amendment thereto, together with a copy of each formal filing of claim by any other named ASSURED and notification of the terms of the settlement of each such claim prior to the execution of such settlement. (3 ) The COMPANY shall not be responsible for the proper application of any payment made hereunder to the first named ASSURED. (4 ) Knowledge possessed or discovery made by any partner, director, trustee, officer or supervisory employee of any ASSURED shall constitute knowledge or discovery by all the ASSUREDS for the purposes of this Bond. (5 ) If the first named ASSURED ceases for any reason to be covered under this Bond, then the ASSURED next named on the APPLICATION shall thereafter be considered as the first named ASSURED for the purposes of this Bond. Representation Made By B. The ASSURED represents that all information it has furnished in the Assured APPLICATION for this Bond or otherwise is complete, true and correct. Such APPLICATION and other information constitute part of this Bond. The ASSURED must promptly notify the COMPANY of any change in any fact or circumstance which materially affects the risk assumed by the COMPANY under this Bond. Any intentional misrepresentation, omission, concealment or incorrect statement of a material fact, in the APPLICATION or otherwise, shall be grounds for recision of this Bond. ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 5 of 19

General Agreements (continued) Additional Offices Or C. If the ASSURED, other than an Investment Company , while this Bond is in force, Employees - Consolidation, merges or consolidates with, or purchases or acquires assets or liabilities of Merger Or Purchase Or another institution, the ASSURED shall not have the coverage afforded under this Acquisition Of Assets Or Bond for loss which has: Liabilities - Notice To (1 ) occurred or will occur on premises, or Company (2 ) been caused or will be caused by an employee, or (3 ) arisen or will arise out of the assets or liabilities, of such institution, unless the ASSURED: a. gives the COMPANY written notice of the proposed consolidation, merger or purchase or acquisition of assets or liabilities prior to the proposed effective date of such action, and b. obtains the written consent of the COMPANY to extend some or all of the coverage provided by this Bond to such additional exposure, and c. on obtaining such consent, pays to the COMPANY an additional premium. Change Of Control - D. When the ASSURED learns of a change in control (other than in an Investment Notice To Company Company ), as set forth in Section 2(a) (9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the ASSURED shall within sixty (60) days give written notice to the COMPANY setting forth: (1 ) the names of the transferors and transferees (or the names of the beneficial owners if the voting securities are registered in another name), (2 ) the total number of voting securities owned by the transferors and the transferees (or the beneficial owners), both immediately before and after the transfer, and (3 ) the total number of outstanding voting securities. Failure to give the required notice shall result in termination of coverage for any loss involving a transferee, to be effective on the date of such change in control. Court Costs And E. The COMPANY will indemnify the ASSURED for court costs and reasonable Attorneys Fees attorneys' fees incurred and paid by the ASSURED in defense, whether or not successful, whether or not fully litigated on the merits and whether or not settled, of any claim, suit or legal proceeding with respect to which the ASSURED would be entitled to recovery under this Bond. However, with respect to INSURING CLAUSE 1., this Section shall only apply in the event that: (1 ) an Employee admits to being guilty of Larceny or Embezzlement , (2 ) an Employee is adjudicated to be guilty of Larceny or Embezzlement , or ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 6 of 19

General Agreements Court Costs And (3) in the absence of 1 or 2 above, an arbitration panel agrees, after a review of Attorneys Fees an agreed statement of facts between the COMPANY and the ASSURED, (continued) that an Employee would be found guilty of Larceny or Embezzlement if such Employee were prosecuted. The ASSURED shall promptly give notice to the COMPANY of any such suit or legal proceeding and at the request of the COMPANY shall furnish copies of all pleadings and pertinent papers to the COMPANY. The COMPANY may, at its sole option, elect to conduct the defense of all or part of such legal proceeding. The defense by the COMPANY shall be in the name of the ASSURED through attorneys selected by the COMPANY. The ASSURED shall provide all reasonable information and assistance as required by the COMPANY for such defense. If the COMPANY declines to defend the ASSURED, no settlement without the prior written consent of the COMPANY nor judgment against the ASSURED shall determine the existence, extent or amount of coverage under this Bond. If the amount demanded in any such suit or legal proceeding is within the DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT, if any, the COMPANY shall have no liability for court costs and attorney's fees incurred in defending all or part of such suit or legal proceeding. If the amount demanded in any such suit or legal proceeding is in excess of the LIMIT OF LIABILITY stated in ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS for the applicable INSURING CLAUSE, the COMPANY'S liability for court costs and attorney's fees incurred in defending all or part of such suit or legal proceedings is limited to the proportion of such court costs and attorney's fees incurred that the LIMIT OF LIABILITY stated in ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS for the applicable INSURING CLAUSE bears to the total of the amount demanded in such suit or legal proceeding. If the amount demanded is any such suit or legal proceeding is in excess of the DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT, if any, but within the LIMIT OF LIABILITY stated in ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS for the applicable INSURING CLAUSE, the COMPANY'S liability for court costs and attorney's fees incurred in defending all or part of such suit or legal proceedings shall be limited to the proportion of such court costs or attorney's fees that the amount demanded that would be payable under this Bond after application of the DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT, bears to the total amount demanded. Amounts paid by the COMPANY for court costs and attorneys' fees shall be in addition to the LIMIT OF LIABILITY stated in ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS. ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 7 of 19

Conditions and Limitations Definitions 1 . As used in this Bond: a. Computer System means a computer and all input, output, processing, storage, off-line media libraries, and communication facilities which are connected to the computer and which are under the control and supervision of the operating system(s) or application(s) software used by the ASSURED. b. Counterfeit means an imitation of an actual valid original which is intended to deceive and be taken as the original. c. Custodian means the institution designated by an Investment Company to maintain possession and control of its assets. d. Customer means an individual, corporate, partnership, trust customer, shareholder or subscriber of an Investment Company which has a written agreement with the ASSURED for Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction . e. Employee means: (1 ) an officer of the ASSURED, (2 ) a natural person while in the regular service of the ASSURED at any of the ASSURED'S premises and compensated directly by the ASSURED through its payroll system and subject to the United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-2 or equivalent income reporting plans of other countries, and whom the ASSURED has the right to control and direct both as to the result to be accomplished and details and means by which such result is accomplished in the performance of such service, (3 ) a guest student pursuing studies or performing duties in any of the ASSURED'S premises, (4 ) an attorney retained by the ASSURED and an employee of such attorney while either is performing legal services for the ASSURED, (5 ) a natural person provided by an employment contractor to perform employee duties for the ASSURED under the ASSURED'S supervision at any of the ASSURED'S premises, (6 ) an employee of an institution merged or consolidated with the ASSURED prior to the effective date of this Bond, (7 ) a director or trustee of the ASSURED, but only while performing acts within the scope of the customary and usual duties of any officer or other employee of the ASSURED or while acting as a member of any committee duly elected or appointed to examine or audit or have custody of or access to Property of the ASSURED, or ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 8 of 19

Conditions and Limitations Definitions (8 ) each natural person, partnership or corporation authorized by written (continued) agreement with the ASSURED to perform services as electronic data processor of checks or other accounting records related to such checks but only while such person, partnership or corporation is actually performing such services and not: a. creating, preparing, modifying or maintaining the ASSURED'S computer software or programs, or b. acting as transfer agent or in any other agency capacity in issuing checks, drafts or securities for the ASSURED, (9 ) any partner, officer or employee of an investment advisor, an underwriter (distributor), a transfer agent or shareholder accounting recordkeeper, or an administrator, for an Investment Company while performing acts coming within the scope of the customary and usual duties of an officer or employee of an Investment Company or acting as a member of any committee duly elected or appointed to examine, audit or have custody of or access to Property of an Investment Company . The term Employee shall not include any partner, officer or employee of a transfer agent, shareholder accounting recordkeeper or administrator: a. which is not an "affiliated person" (as defined in Section 2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940) of an Investment Company or of the investment advisor or underwriter (distributor) of such Investment Company , or b. which is a "bank" (as defined in Section 2(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940). This Bond does not afford coverage in favor of the employers of persons as set forth in e. (4), (5) and (8) above, and upon payment to the ASSURED by the COMPANY resulting directly from Larceny or Embezzlement committed by any of the partners, officers or employees of such employers, whether acting alone or in collusion with others, an assignment of such of the ASSURED'S rights and causes of action as it may have against such employers by reason of such acts so committed shall, to the extent of such payment, be given by the ASSURED to the COMPANY, and the ASSURED shall execute all papers necessary to secure to the COMPANY the rights provided for herein. Each employer of persons as set forth in e.(4), (5) and (8) above and the partners, officers and other employees of such employers shall collectively be deemed to be one person for all the purposes of this Bond; excepting, however, the fifth paragraph of Section 13. Independent contractors not specified in e.(4), (5) or (8) above, intermediaries, agents, brokers or other representatives of the same general character shall not be considered Employees . ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 9 of 19

Conditions and Limitations Definitions f. Forgery means the signing of the name of another natural person with the (continued) intent to deceive but does not mean a signature which consists in whole or in part of one's own name, with or without authority, in any capacity for any purpose. g. Investment Company means any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and listed under the NAME OF ASSURED on the DECLARATIONS. h. Items of Deposit means one or more checks or drafts drawn upon a financial institution in the United States of America. i. Larceny or Embezzlement means larceny or embezzlement as defined in Section 37 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. j. Property means money, revenue and other stamps; securities; including any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of deposit, certificate of interest or participation in any profit- sharing agreement, collateral trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any interest or instruments commonly known as a security under the Investment Company Act of 1940, any other certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any of the foregoing; bills of exchange; acceptances; checks; withdrawal orders; money orders; travelers' letters of credit; bills of lading; abstracts of title; insurance policies, deeds, mortgages on real estate and/or upon chattels and interests therein; assignments of such policies, deeds or mortgages; other valuable papers, including books of accounts and other records used by the ASSURED in the conduct of its business (but excluding all electronic data processing records); and, all other instruments similar to or in the nature of the foregoing in which the ASSURED acquired an interest at the time of the ASSURED'S consolidation or merger with, or purchase of the principal assets of, a predecessor or which are held by the ASSURED for any purpose or in any capacity and whether so held gratuitously or not and whether or not the ASSURED is liable therefor. k. Relative means the spouse of an Employee or partner of the ASSURED and any unmarried child supported wholly by, or living in the home of, such Employee or partner and being related to them by blood, marriage or legal guardianship. l. Securities, documents or other written instruments means original (including original counterparts) negotiable or non-negotiable instruments, or assignments thereof, which in and of themselves represent an equitable interest, ownership, or debt and which are in the ordinary course of business transferable by delivery of such instruments with any necessary endorsements or assignments. ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 10 of 19

Conditions and Limitations Definitions m. Subsidiary means any organization that, at the inception date of this Bond, (continued) is named in the APPLICATION or is created during the BOND PERIOD and of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding securities or voting rights representing the present right to vote for election of directors is owned or controlled by the ASSURED either directly or through one or more of its subsidiaries. n. Transportation Company means any organization which provides its own or its leased vehicles for transportation or which provides freight forwarding or air express services. o. Voice Initiated Election means any election concerning dividend options available to Investment Company shareholders or subscribers which is requested by voice over the telephone. p. Voice Initiated Redemption means any redemption of shares issued by an Investment Company which is requested by voice over the telephone. q. Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction means any Voice Initiated Redemption or Voice Initiated Election . For the purposes of these definitions, the singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular, unless otherwise indicated. General Exclusions - 2 . This bond does not directly or indirectly cover: Applicable to All Insuring a. loss not reported to the COMPANY in writing within sixty (60) days after Clauses termination of this Bond as an entirety; b. loss due to riot or civil commotion outside the United States of America and Canada, or any loss due to military, naval or usurped power, war or insurrection. This Section 2.b., however, shall not apply to loss which occurs in transit in the circumstances recited in INSURING CLAUSE 3., provided that when such transit was initiated there was no knowledge on the part of any person acting for the ASSURED of such riot, civil commotion, military, naval or usurped power, war or insurrection; c. loss resulting from the effects of nuclear fission or fusion or radioactivity; d. loss of potential income including, but not limited to, interest and dividends not realized by the ASSURED or by any customer of the ASSURED; e. damages of any type for which the ASSURED is legally liable, except compensatory damages, but not multiples thereof, arising from a loss covered under this Bond; f. costs, fees and expenses incurred by the ASSURED in establishing the existence of or amount of loss under this Bond, except to the extent covered under INSURING CLAUSE 11.; g. loss resulting from indirect or consequential loss of any nature; ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 11 of 19

Conditions and Limitations General Exclusions - h. loss resulting from dishonest acts by any member of the Board of Directors Applicable to All Insuring or Board of Trustees of the ASSURED who is not an Employee , acting Clauses alone or in collusion with others; (continued) i. loss, or that part of any loss, resulting solely from any violation by the ASSURED or by any Employee : (1 ) of any law regulating: a. the issuance, purchase or sale of securities, b. securities transactions on security or commodity exchanges or the over the counter market, c. investment companies, d. investment advisors, or (2 ) of any rule or regulation made pursuant to any such law; or j. loss of confidential information, material or data; k. loss resulting from voice requests or instructions received over the telephone, provided however, this Section 2.k. shall not apply to INSURING CLAUSE 7. or 9. Specific Exclusions - 3 . This Bond does not directly or indirectly cover: Applicable To All Insuring a. loss caused by an Employee , provided, however, this Section 3.a. shall not Clauses Except Insuring apply to loss covered under INSURING CLAUSE 2. or 3. which results Clause 1. directly from misplacement, mysterious unexplainable disappearance, or damage or destruction of Property ; b. loss through the surrender of property away from premises of the ASSURED as a result of a threat: (1 ) to do bodily harm to any natural person, except loss of Property in transit in the custody of any person acting as messenger of the ASSURED, provided that when such transit was initiated there was no knowledge by the ASSURED of any such threat, and provided further that this Section 3.b. shall not apply to INSURING CLAUSE 7., or (2 ) to do damage to the premises or Property of the ASSURED; c. loss resulting from payments made or withdrawals from any account involving erroneous credits to such account; d. loss involving Items of Deposit which are not finally paid for any reason provided however, that this Section 3.d. shall not apply to INSURING CLAUSE 10.; e. loss of property while in the mail; ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 12 of 19

Conditions and Limitations Specific Exclusions - f. loss resulting from the failure for any reason of a financial or depository Applicable To All Insuring institution, its receiver or other liquidator to pay or deliver funds or other Clauses Except Insuring Property to the ASSURED provided further that this Section 3.f. shall not Clause 1. apply to loss of Property resulting directly from robbery, burglary, (continued) misplacement, mysterious unexplainable disappearance, damage, destruction or removal from the possession, custody or control of the ASSURED. g. loss of Property while in the custody of a Transportation Company , provided however, that this Section 3.g. shall not apply to INSURING CLAUSE 3.; h. loss resulting from entries or changes made by a natural person with authorized access to a Computer System who acts in good faith on instructions, unless such instructions are given to that person by a software contractor or its partner, officer, or employee authorized by the ASSURED to design, develop, prepare, supply, service, write or implement programs for the ASSURED's Computer System ; or i. loss resulting directly or indirectly from the input of data into a Computer System terminal, either on the premises of the customer of the ASSURED or under the control of such a customer, by a customer or other person who had authorized access to the customer's authentication mechanism. Specific Exclusions - 4 . This bond does not directly or indirectly cover: Applicable To All Insuring a. loss resulting from the complete or partial non-payment of or default on any Clauses Except Insuring loan whether such loan was procured in good faith or through trick, artifice, Clauses 1., 4., And 5. fraud or false pretenses; provided, however, this Section 4.a. shall not apply to INSURING CLAUSE 8.; b. loss resulting from forgery or any alteration; c. loss involving a counterfeit provided, however, this Section 4.c. shall not apply to INSURING CLAUSE 5. or 6. Limit Of Liability/Non- 5 . At all times prior to termination of this Bond, this Bond shall continue in force for Reduction And Non- the limit stated in the applicable sections of ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS, Accumulation Of Liability notwithstanding any previous loss for which the COMPANY may have paid or be liable to pay under this Bond provided, however, that the liability of the COMPANY under this Bond with respect to all loss resulting from: a. any one act of burglary, robbery or hold-up, or attempt thereat, in which no Employee is concerned or implicated, or b. any one unintentional or negligent act on the part of any one person resulting in damage to or destruction or misplacement of Property , or c. all acts, other than those specified in a. above, of any one person, or ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 13 of 19

Conditions and Limitations Limit Of Liability/Non- d. any one casualty or event other than those specified in a., b., or c. above, Reduction And Non- shall be deemed to be one loss and shall be limited to the applicable LIMIT OF Accumulation Of Liability LIABILITY stated in ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS of this Bond irrespective of (continued) the total amount of such loss or losses and shall not be cumulative in amounts from year to year or from period to period. All acts, as specified in c. above, of any one person which i. directly or indirectly aid in any way wrongful acts of any other person or persons, or ii. permit the continuation of wrongful acts of any other person or persons whether such acts are committed with or without the knowledge of the wrongful acts of the person so aided, and whether such acts are committed with or without the intent to aid such other person, shall be deemed to be one loss with the wrongful acts of all persons so aided. Discovery 6 . This Bond applies only to loss first discovered by an officer of the ASSURED during the BOND PERIOD. Discovery occurs at the earlier of an officer of the ASSURED being aware of: a. facts which may subsequently result in a loss of a type covered by this Bond, or b. an actual or potential claim in which it is alleged that the ASSURED is liable to a third party, regardless of when the act or acts causing or contributing to such loss occurred, even though the amount of loss does not exceed the applicable DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT, or the exact amount or details of loss may not then be known. Notice To Company - 7 . a. The ASSURED shall give the COMPANY notice thereof at the earliest Proof - Legal Proceedings practicable moment, not to exceed sixty (60) days after discovery of loss, in Against Company an amount that is in excess of 50% of the applicable DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT, as stated in ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS. b. The ASSURED shall furnish to the COMPANY proof of loss, duly sworn to, with full particulars within six (6) months after such discovery. c. Securities listed in a proof of loss shall be identified by certificate or bond numbers, if issued with them. d. Legal proceedings for the recovery of any loss under this Bond shall not be brought prior to the expiration of sixty (60) days after the proof of loss is filed with the COMPANY or after the expiration of twenty-four (24) months from the discovery of such loss. e. This Bond affords coverage only in favor of the ASSURED. No claim, suit, action or legal proceedings shall be brought under this Bond by anyone other than the ASSURED. ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 14 of 19

Conditions and Limitations Notice To Company - f. Proof of loss involving Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction shall Proof - Legal Proceedings include electronic recordings of such instructions. Against Company (continued) Deductible Amount 8 . The COMPANY shall not be liable under any INSURING CLAUSES of this Bond on account of loss unless the amount of such loss, after deducting the net amount of all reimbursement and/or recovery obtained or made by the ASSURED, other than from any Bond or policy of insurance issued by an insurance company and covering such loss, or by the COMPANY on account thereof prior to payment by the COMPANY of such loss, shall exceed the DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT set forth in ITEM 3. of the DECLARATIONS, and then for such excess only, but in no event for more than the applicable LIMITS OF LIABILITY stated in ITEM 2. of the DECLARATIONS. There shall be no deductible applicable to any loss under INSURING CLAUSE 1. sustained by any Investment Company . Valuation 9 . BOOKS OF ACCOUNT OR OTHER RECORDS The value of any loss of Property consisting of books of account or other records used by the ASSURED in the conduct of its business shall be the amount paid by the ASSURED for blank books, blank pages, or other materials which replace the lost books of account or other records, plus the cost of labor paid by the ASSURED for the actual transcription or copying of data to reproduce such books of account or other records. The value of any loss of Property other than books of account or other records used by the ASSURED in the conduct of its business, for which a claim is made shall be determined by the average market value of such Property on the business day immediately preceding discovery of such loss provided, however, that the value of any Property replaced by the ASSURED with the consent of the COMPANY and prior to the settlement of any claim for such Property shall be the actual market value at the time of replacement. In the case of a loss of interim certificates, warrants, rights or other securities, the production of which is necessary to the exercise of subscription, conversion, redemption or deposit privileges, the value of them shall be the market value of such privileges immediately preceding their expiration if said loss is not discovered until after their expiration. If no market price is quoted for such Property or for such privileges, the value shall be fixed by agreement between the parties. OTHER PROPERTY The value of any loss of Property , other than as stated above, shall be the actual cash value or the cost of repairing or replacing such Property with Property of like quality and value, whichever is less. ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 15 of 19

Conditions and Limitations (continued) Securities Settlement 10 . In the event of a loss of securities covered under this Bond, the COMPANY may, at its sole discretion, purchase replacement securities, tender the value of the securities in money, or issue its indemnity to effect replacement securities. The indemnity required from the ASSURED under the terms of this Section against all loss, cost or expense arising from the replacement of securities by the COMPANY'S indemnity shall be: a. for securities having a value less than or equal to the applicable DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT - one hundred (100%) percent; b. for securities having a value in excess of the DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT but within the applicable LIMIT OF LIABILITY - the percentage that the DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT bears to the value of the securities; c. for securities having a value greater than the applicable LIMIT OF LIABILITY - the percentage that the DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT and portion in excess of the applicable LIMIT OF LIABILITY bears to the value of the securities. The value referred to in Section 10.a., b., and c. is the value in accordance with Section 9, Valuation, regardless of the value of such securities at the time the loss under the COMPANY'S indemnity is sustained. The COMPANY is not required to issue its indemnity for any portion of a loss of securities which is not covered by this Bond; however, the COMPANY may do so as a courtesy to the ASSURED and at its sole discretion. The ASSURED shall pay the proportion of the Company's premium charge for the Company's indemnity as set forth in Section 10.a., b., and c. No portion of the LIMIT OF LIABILITY shall be used as payment of premium for any indemnity purchased by the ASSURED to obtain replacement securities. Subrogation - Assignment  11. In the event of a payment under this Bond, the COMPANY shall be subrogated to Recovery all of the ASSURED'S rights of recovery against any person or entity to the extent of such payment. On request, the ASSURED shall deliver to the COMPANY an assignment of the ASSURED'S rights, title and interest and causes of action against any person or entity to the extent of such payment. Recoveries, whether effected by the COMPANY or by the ASSURED, shall be applied net of the expense of such recovery in the following order: a. first, to the satisfaction of the ASSURED'S loss which would otherwise have been paid but for the fact that it is in excess of the applicable LIMIT OF LIABILITY, b. second, to the COMPANY in satisfaction of amounts paid in settlement of the ASSURED'S claim, c. third, to the ASSURED in satisfaction of the applicable DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT, and ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 16 of 19

Conditions and Limitations Subrogation - Assignment  d. fourth, to the ASSURED in satisfaction of any loss suffered by the Recovery ASSURED which was not covered under this Bond. (continued) Recovery from reinsurance or indemnity of the COMPANY shall not be deemed a recovery under this section. Cooperation Of Assured 12 . At the COMPANY'S request and at reasonable times and places designated by the COMPANY, the ASSURED shall: a. submit to examination by the COMPANY and subscribe to the same under oath, b. produce for the COMPANY'S examination all pertinent records, and c. cooperate with the COMPANY in all matters pertaining to the loss. The ASSURED shall execute all papers and render assistance to secure to the COMPANY the rights and causes of action provided for under this Bond. The ASSURED shall do nothing after loss to prejudice such rights or causes of action. Termination 13 . If the Bond is for a sole ASSURED, it shall not be terminated unless written notice shall have been given by the acting party to the affected party and to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., not less than sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of such termination. If the Bond is for a joint ASSURED, it shall not be terminated unless written notice shall have been given by the acting party to the affected party, and by the COMPANY to all ASSURED Investment Companies and to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., not less than sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of such termination. This Bond will terminate as to any one ASSURED, other than an Investment Company : a. immediately on the taking over of such ASSURED by a receiver or other liquidator or by State or Federal officials, or b. immediately on the filing of a petition under any State or Federal statute relative to bankruptcy or reorganization of the ASSURED, or assignment for the benefit of creditors of the ASSURED, or c. immediately upon such ASSURED ceasing to exist, whether through merger into another entity, disposition of all of its assets or otherwise. The COMPANY shall refund the unearned premium computed at short rates in accordance with the standard short rate cancellation tables if terminated by the ASSURED or pro rata if terminated for any other reason. ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 17 of 19

Conditions and Limitations Termination If any partner, director, trustee, or officer or supervisory employee of an (continued) ASSURED not acting in collusion with an Employee learns of any dishonest act committed by such Employee at any time, whether in the employment of the ASSURED or otherwise, whether or not such act is of the type covered under this Bond, and whether against the ASSURED or any other person or entity, the ASSURED: a. shall immediately remove such Employee from a position that would enable such Employee to cause the ASSURED to suffer a loss covered by this Bond; and b. within forty-eight (48) hours of learning that an Employee has committed any dishonest act, shall notify the COMPANY, of such action and provide full particulars of such dishonest act. The COMPANY may terminate coverage as respects any Employee sixty (60) days after written notice is received by each ASSURED Investment Company and the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. of its desire to terminate this Bond as to such Employee . Other Insurance 14 . Coverage under this Bond shall apply only as excess over any valid and collectible insurance, indemnity or suretyship obtained by or on behalf of: a. the ASSURED, b. a Transportation Company , or c. another entity on whose premises the loss occurred or which employed the person causing the loss or engaged the messenger conveying the Property involved. Conformity 15 . If any limitation within this Bond is prohibited by any law controlling this Bond's construction, such limitation shall be deemed to be amended so as to equal the minimum period of limitation provided by such law. Change or Modification 16 . This Bond or any instrument amending or affecting this Bond may not be changed or modified orally. No change in or modification of this Bond shall be effective except when made by written endorsement to this Bond signed by an authorized representative of the COMPANY. If this Bond is for a sole ASSURED, no change or modification which would adversely affect the rights of the ASSURED shall be effective prior to sixty (60) days after written notice has been furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., by the acting party. ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 18 of 19

Conditions And Limitations Change or Modification If this Bond is for a joint ASSURED, no charge or modification which would (continued) adversely affect the rights of the ASSURED shall be effective prior to sixty (60) days after written notice has been furnished to all insured Investment Companies and to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., by the COMPANY. ICAP Bond (5-98) Form 17-02-1421 (Ed. 5-98) Page 19 of 19

ENDORSEMENT/RIDER Effective date of this endorsement/rider: June 30, 2023 FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement/Rider No. 1 To be attached to and form a part of Policy No. 82307854 Issued to: VANECK FUNDS & VANECK VIP TRUST COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE TRADE SANCTION LAWS It is agreed that this insurance does not apply to the extent that trade or economic sanctions or other similar laws or regulations prohibit the coverage provided by this insurance. The title and any headings in this endorsement/rider are solely for convenience and form no part of the terms and conditions of coverage. All other terms, conditions and limitations of this Policy shall remain unchanged. 14-02-9228 (2/2010) Page 1

FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement No. 2 Bond Number: 82307854 NAME OF ASSURED: VANECK FUNDS & VANECK VIP TRUST REVISE ITEM 2. ENDORSEMENT It is agreed that this Bond is amended by deleting ITEM 2. in its entirety on the DECLARATIONS and substituting the following: ITEM 2. LIMITS OF LIABILITY-DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNTS: If "Not Covered" is inserted below opposite any specified INSURING CLAUSE, such INSURING CLAUSE and any other reference to such INSURING CLAUSE in this Bond shall be deemed to be deleted. There shall be no deductible applicable to any loss under INSURING CLAUSE 1 sustained by any Investment Company . SINGLE LOSS DEDUCTIBLE INSURING CLAUSE LIMIT OF LIABILITY AMOUNT 1 . Employee $ 3,000,000 $ 0 2 . On Premises $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 3 . In Transit $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 4 . Forgery or Alteration $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 5 . Extended Forgery $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 6 . Counterfeit Money $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 7 . Threats to Person $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 8 . Computer System $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 9 . Voice Initiated Funds Transfer Instruction $ 3,000,000 $ 5,000 10 . Uncollectible Items of Deposit $ 100,000 $ 5,000 11 . Audit Expense $ 50,000 $ 5,000 12 . Stop Payment $ 100,000 $ 5,000 This Endorsement applies to loss discovered after 12:01 a.m. on June 30, 2023. ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS BOND REMAIN UNCHANGED. Date: June 30, 2023

ICAP Bond Form 17-02-1582 (Ed. 5-98) Page 1

ENDORSEMENT/RIDER Effective date of this endorsement/rider: June 30, 2023 FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement/Rider No. 3 To be attached to and form a part of Bond No. 82307854 Issued to: VANECK FUNDS & VANECK VIP TRUST AUTOMATIC INCREASE IN LIMITS ENDORSEMENT In consideration of the premium charged, it is agreed that GENERAL AGREEMENTS, Section C. Additional Offices Or Employees-Consolidation, Merger Or Purchase Or Acquisition Of Assets Or Liabilities-Notice To Company, is amended by adding the following subsection: Automatic Increase in Limits for Investment Companies If an increase in bonding limits is required pursuant to rule 17g-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Act), due to: (i) the creation of a new Investment Company , other than by consolidation or merger with, or purchase or acquisition of assets or liabilities of, another institution; or (ii) an increase in asset size of current Investment Companies covered under this Bond, then the minimum required increase in limits shall take place automatically without payment of additional premium for the remainder of the BOND PERIOD. The title and any headings in this endorsement/rider are solely for convenience and form no part of the terms and conditions of coverage. All other terms, conditions and limitations of this Bond shall remain unchanged. 14-02-14098 (04/2008) Page 1

ENDORSEMENT/RIDER Effective date of this endorsement/rider: June 30, 2023 FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement/Rider No. 4 To be attached to and form a part of Bond No. 82307854 Issued to: VANECK FUNDS & VANECK VIP TRUST PROCESSORS ENDORSEMENT In consideration of the premium charged, it is agreed that this Bond is amended as follows: 1 . By adding to the definition of Employee in Section 1., Definitions, the following:  ( 10 ) a Processor , but only while such Processor is performing services and not creating, preparing, modifying or maintaini ng the ASSUREDS computer software or programs. 2 . By adding to Section 1., Definitions, the following:  r. Processor means each natural person, partnership or corporation duly authorized by the ASSURED to perform data processing of the ASSU REDS checks and other accounting records of the ASSURED. Processor does not mean a Federal Reserve Bank or clearing house. 3 . By adding to Section 11., Subrogation-Assignment-Recovery, the following: The attached Bond does not afford coverage in favor of any Processor and, in the event of a payment of a loss caused by a Processor under this Bond, the COMPANY shall be subrogated to the ASSUREDS rights of recovery, as described in this Section 11. preceding, against any Processor . 4 . By adding to Section 13., Termination, the following: This Bond terminates as to any Processor : a. immediately on the ASSURED, or any of its Partners , directors, trustees, or officers of the ASSSURED not acting in collusion with such Processor , learning of any dishonest act committed by such Processor at any time, whether under contract to the ASSURED or otherwise whether or not such act is of the type covered under this Bond, and whether against the ASSURED or any other person or entity, or b. fifteen (15) days after receipt by the ASSURED of a written notice from the COMPANY of its decision to terminate this Bond as to any Processor . 17-02-2362 (02/2006) rev. Page 1

The title and any headings in this endorsement/rider are solely for convenience and form no part of the terms and conditions of coverage. All other terms, conditions and limitations of this Bond shall remain unchanged. 17-02-2362 (02/2006) rev. Page 2

FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement No.: 5 Bond Number: 82307854 NAME OF ASSURED: VANECK FUNDS & VANECK VIP TRUST STOP PAYMENT ORDER OR REFUSAL TO PAY CHECK ENDORSEMENT It is agreed that this Bond is amended as follows: 1 . By adding the following INSURING CLAUSE:  12 . Stop Payment Order or Refusal to Pay Check Loss resulting directly from the ASSURED being legally liable to pay compensatory damages for: a. complying or failing to comply with notice from any customer of the ASSURED or any authorized representative of such customer, to stop payment on any check or draft made or drawn upon or against the ASSURED by such customer or by any authorized representative of such customer, or b. refusing to pay any check or draft made or drawn upon or against the ASSURED by any customer of the ASSURED or by any authorized representative of such customer. 2 . By adding the following Specific Exclusion: Section 4.A. Specific Exclusions  Applicable to INSURING CLAUSE 12 This Bond does not directly or indirectly cover: a. liability assumed by the ASSURED by agreement under any contract, unless such liability would have attached to the ASSURED even in the absence of such agreement, b. loss arising out of: (1 ) libel, slander, wrongful entry, eviction, defamation, false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, assault or battery, (2 ) sickness, disease, physical bodily harm, mental or emotional distress or anguish, or death of any person, or (3 ) discrimination. This Endorsement applies to loss discovered after 12:01 a.m. on June 30, 2023. ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS BOND REMAIN UNCHANGED. Date: June 30, 2023

ICAP Bond

Form 17-02-2365 (Ed. 10-00)

ENDORSEMENT/RIDER Effective date of this endorsement/rider: June 30, 2023 FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement/Rider No. 6 To be attached to and form a part of Bond No. 82307854 Issued to: VANECK FUNDS & VANECK VIP TRUST DELETING VALUATION-OTHER PROPERTY AND AMENDING CHANGE OR MODIFICATION ENDORSEMENT In consideration of the premium charged, it is agreed that this Bond is amended as follows: 1 . The paragraph titled Other Property in Section 9, Valuation, is deleted in its entirety. 2 . The third paragraph in Section 16, Change or Modification, is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: If this Bond is for a joint ASSURED, no change or modification which would adversely affect the rights of the ASSURED shall be effective prior to sixty (60) days after written notice has been furnished to all insured Investment Companies and the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., by the COMPANY. The title and any headings in this endorsement/rider are solely for convenience and form no part of the terms and conditions of coverage. All other terms, conditions and limitations of this Bond shall remain unchanged. 17-02-2437 (12/2006) rev. Page 1

FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement No.: 7 Bond Number: 82307854 NAME OF ASSURED: VANECK FUNDS & VANECK VIP TRUST NEW YORK AMENDATORY ENDORSEMENT It is agreed that this Bond is amended as follows: 1 . By adding to Section 13, Termination, the following: Bonds In Effect Sixty (60) Days Or Less If this Bond has been in effect for less than sixty (60) days and if it is not a renewal Bond, the COMPANY may terminate it for any reason by mailing or delivering to the ASSURED and to the authorized agent or broker, if any, written notice of termination at least sixty (60) days before the effective date of termination. Bonds In Effect More Than Sixty (60) Days If this Bond has been in effect for sixty (60) days or more, or if it is a renewal of a Bond issued by the COMPANY, it may be terminated by the COMPANY by mailing or delivering to the ASSURED and to the authorized agent or broker, if any, written notice of termination at least sixty (60) days before the effective date of termination. Furthermore, when the Bond is a renewal or has been in effect for sixty (60) days or more, the COMPANY may terminate only for one or more of the reasons stated in 1-7 below. 1 . Nonpayment of premium; 2 . Conviction of a crime arising out of acts increasing the hazard insured against ; 3 . Discovery of fraud or material misrepresentation in the obtaining of this Bond or in the presentation of a claim thereunder; 4 . Violation of any provision of this Bond that substantially and materially increases the hazard insured against, and which occurred subsequent to inception of the current BOND PERIOD; 5 . If applicable, material physical change in the property insured, occurring after issuance or last annual renewal anniversary date of this Bond, which results in the property becoming uninsurable in accordance with the COMPANY's objective, uniformly applied underwriting standards in effect at the time this Bond was issued or last renewed; or material change in the nature or extent of this Bond occurring after issuance or last annual renewal anniversary date of this Bond, which causes the risk of loss to be substantially and materially increased beyond that contemplated at the time this Bond was issued or last renewed; ICAP Bond - New York Form 17-02-2863 (Rev. 7-03) Page 1

6 . A determination by the Superintendent of Insurance that continuation of the present premium volume of the COMPANY would jeopardize the COMPANY's policyholders, creditors or the public, or continuing the Bond itself would place the COMPANY in violation of any provision of the New York Insurance Code; or 7 . Where the COMPANY has reason to believe, in good faith and with sufficient cause, that there is a probable risk or danger that the Property will be destroyed by the ASSURED for the purpose of collecting the insurance proceeds. Notice Of Termination Notice of termination under this SECTION shall be mailed to the ASSURED and to the authorized agent or broker, if any, at the address shown on the DECLARATIONS of this Bond. The COMPANY, however, may deliver any notice instead of mailing it. Return Premium Calculations The COMPANY shall refund the unearned premium computed pro rata if this Bond is terminated by the COMPANY." 2 . By adding a new Section reading as follows: "Section 17. Election To Conditionally Renew / Nonrenew This Bond Conditional Renewal If the COMPANY conditionally renews this Bond subject to: 1 . Change of limits of liability ; 2 . Change in type of coverage; 3 . Reduction of coverage; 4 . Increased deductible; 5 . Addition of exclusion; or 6 . Increased premiums in excess of 10%, exclusive of any premium increase due to and commensurate with insured value added; or as a result of experience rating, retrospective rating or audit; the COMPANY shall send notice as provided in Notices Of Nonrenewal And Conditional Renewal immediately below. Notices Of Nonrenewal And Conditional Renewal 1 . If the COMPANY elects not to renew this Bond, or to conditionally renew this Bond as provided herein, the COMPANY shall mail or deliver written notice to the ASSURED at least sixty (60) but not more than one hundred twenty (120) days before: a. The expiration date; or b. The anniversary date if this Bond has been written for a term of more than one year. ICAP Bond - New York Form 17-02-2863 (Rev. 7-03) Page 2

2 . Notice shall be mailed or delivered to the ASSURED at the address shown on the DECLARATIONS of this Bond and the authorized agent or broker, if any. If notice is mailed, proof of mailing shall be sufficient proof of notice. 3 . Paragraphs 1. and 2. immediately above shall not apply when the ASSURED, authorized agent or broker, or another insurer has mailed or delivered written notice to the COMPANY that the Bond has been replaced or is no longer desired. 3 . By adding to General Agreement B., Representations Made By Assured, the following: No misrepresentation shall be deemed material unless knowledge by the COMPANY would have lead to the COMPANY'S refusal to write this Bond. This Endorsement applies to loss discovered after 12:01 a.m. on June 30, 2023. ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS BOND REMAIN UNCHANGED. Date: June 30, 2023

ICAP Bond - New York Form 17-02-2863 (Rev. 7-03) Page 3

ENDORSEMENT/RIDER Effective date of this endorsement/rider: June 30, 2023 FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement/Rider No. 8 To be attached to and form a part of Bond No. 82307854 Issued to: VANECK FUNDS & VANECK VIP TRUST NEW YORK AMENDATORY ENDORSEMENT In consideration of the premium charged, it is agreed that: 1 . Any reference in the policy to the Superintendent of Insurance is hereby deleted and replaced with the Superintendent of Financial Services. 2 . Any reference in the policy to the Insurance Department is hereby deleted and replaced with the Department of Financial Services. The title and any headings in this endorsement/rider are solely for convenience and form no part of the terms and conditions of coverage. All other terms, conditions and limitations of this Bond shall remain unchanged. 14-02-19952 (05/2013) Page 1

ENDORSEMENT/RIDER Effective date of this endorsement/rider: June 30, 2023 FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement/Rider No. 9 To be attached to and form a part of Policy No. 82307854 Issued to: VANECK FUNDS & VANECK VIP TRUST AMEND NAME OF ASSURED ENDORSEMENT It is agreed that NAME OF ASSURED of the DECLARATIONS for this Bond is amended to include the following: VanEck Funds VanEck VIP Trust This Endorsement applies to loss discovered after 12:01 a.m. on June 30, 2023. All other terms, conditions and limitations of this Policy shall remain unchanged. ICAP Bond Form 17-02-6272 (Ed. 8-04) Page 1 of 1

FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY Endorsement No.: 10 Bond Number: 82307854 NAME OF ASSURED: VANECK FUNDS & VANECK VIP TRUST SPECIFIC ENTITY EXCLUSION ENDORSEMENT It is agreed that this Bond does not directly or indirectly cover loss sustained by VanEck Vectors Bitcoin Strategy ETF & VanEck SolidX Bitcoin Trust 144A or loss resulting from dishonest acts of any employee of VanEck Vectors Bitcoin Strategy ETF & VanEck SolidX Bitcoin Trust 144A. This Endorsement applies to loss discovered after 12:01 a.m. on June 30, 2023. ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS BOND REMAIN UNCHANGED. Date: June 30, 2023 General Use Form 17-02-6275 (Ed. 8-04)

Important Notice: The SEC Requires Proof of Your Fidelity Insurance Policy Your company is now required to file an electronic copy of your fidelity insurance coverage (Chubbs ICAP Bond policy) to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), accordin g to rules adopted by the SEC on June 12, 2006. Chubb is in the process of providing your agent/broker with an electronic copy of your insurance policy as well as instructions on how to submit this proof of fidelity insurance coverage to the SEC. You can expect to receive this information from your agent/broker shortly. The electronic copy of your policy is provided by Chubb solely as a convenience and does not affect the terms and conditions of coverage as set forth in the paper policy you receive by mail. The terms and conditions of the policy mailed to you, which are the same as those set forth in the electronic copy, constitute the entire agreement between your company and Chubb. If you have any questions, please contact your agent or broker. Form 14-02-12160 (ed. 7/2006)

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO POLICYHOLDERS All of the members of the Chubb Group of Insurance companies doing business in the United States (hereinafter Chubb) distribute their products through licensed insurance brokers and agents (producers). Detailed i nformation regarding the types of compensation paid by Chubb to producers on US insurance transactions is available under the Producer Compensation link located at the bottom of the page at www.chubb.com , or by calling 1-866-588-9478. Additional information may be available from your producer. Thank you for choosing Chubb. 10-02-1295 (ed. 6/2007)

EXHIBIT B

RESOLUTION  FIDELITY BOND

VOTED: That the fidelity bond in an amount as discussed at the Meeting be, and hereby is, ratified and approved; and further VOTED: That the Trustees and the Independent Trustees separately, having given due consideration to the value of the total assets of all the Funds, the types and terms of the arrangements made and to be made for the custody and safekeeping of their respective assets, the nature of the securities in the investment portfolios of the Funds and other relevant factors hereby determine that:

a) the form of fidelity bond covering the Funds will provide reasonable coverage for the Funds;

b) coverage in an amount as discussed at the Meeting under such fidelity bond will provide reasonable coverage for the Funds; and

c) payment by the Funds of their allocable share of the premium of said bond, in proportion to their respective total assets, is fair and reasonable; and further

VOTED: That the Secretary or the Treasurer of the Trusts is hereby designated as the officer who shall make the filings and give the notices required by paragraph (g) of Rule 17g-1, which filing shall be effected as soon as practicable after this Meeting; and further VOTED: That by the form of this resolution, each Fund hereby agrees that in the event recovery is received under the fidelity bond as a result of a loss sustained by any Fund and one or more other Funds, such Fund shall receive an equitable and proportionate share of the recovery in accordance with the terms of the Agreement Regarding the Allocation of Fidelity Bond Recoveries dated June 4, 2009, with Appendix A amended to reflect each Trusts new series, as applicable; and further VOTED: That the appropriate officers of the Trust be, and each hereby is, authorized to execute and deliver any and all documents and to do any and all acts, in the name of and on behalf of the Trust, as such officers, or any of them, may determine to be necessary or appropriate in connection with or in furtherance of the foregoing resolutions, the execution and delivery of such documents or taking of such actions to be conclusive evidence of the Boards approval.

EXHIBIT C

AGREEMENT REGARDING THE ALLOCATION OF

FIDELITY BOND RECOVERIES

THIS AGREEMENT is made as of June 4, 2009, by and between Van Eck Funds and Van Eck VIP Trust (each, a Registrant, and, together, the Registrants), each acting on behalf of itself and its portfolio series (each, a Portfolio Series).

WHEREAS, each Registrant is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), consisting of the Portfolio Series set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (as may be amended from time to time); and

WHEREAS, each of the Registrants is named as an insured party under a joint fidelity bond (the Bond); and

WHEREAS, the Registrants desire to confirm the criteria by which recoveries under the Bond shall be allocated between the Registrants.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:

1. In the event that recovery is received under the Bond as a result of a loss sustained by more than one Registrant, the following rules shall apply for determining the priorities for satisfaction of such claims under the Bond:

a. First, each Registrant shall receive an equitable and proportionate share of the recovery, but at least equal to the amount it would have received had it provided and maintained a single insured bond with the minimum coverage required under Rule 17g-1(d)(1) under the 1940 Act; and b. Second, the remaining amount of recovery, if any, shall then be applied to each claim of each Registrant in proportion to the amount of the unreimbursed loss in excess of such minimums incurred by each Registrant.

2. The obligations of a Registrant under this Agreement are not binding upon any of the board members of a Registrant or Registrant shareholders individually, but are binding only with respect to the assets of that Registrant.

[The remainder of this page has been left blank]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the insured parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their officers thereunto duly authorized.

VAN ECK FUNDS

By: /s/ Joseph J. McBrien Joseph J. McBrien Senior Vice President and Secretary

VAN ECK VIP TRUST

By: /s/ Jonathan R. Simon Jonathan R. Simon Vice President and Assistant Secretary

SCHEDULE A1

(as of July 13, 2023)

VanEck Funds

CM Commodity Index Fund

Emerging Markets Bond Fund

Emerging Markets Fund

Global Resources Fund

International Investors Gold Fund

VanEck Emerging Markets Leaders Fund

VanEck Environmental Sustainability Fund

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat Fund

VanEck VIP Trust

VanEck VIP Emerging Markets Bond Fund

VanEck VIP Emerging Markets Fund

VanEck VIP Global Resources Fund

VanEck VIP Global Gold Fund

1 Effective May 1, 2016, Van Eck Funds changed its name to VanEck Funds and Van Eck VIP Trust changed its name to VanEck VIP Trust.

2

EXHIBIT D

I have examined the Fidelity Bond limit requirements, as prescribed in Rule 17g-1 for the two registrants insured under Federal Insurance Company Bond No. 82307854. This limits analysis is based upon the total asset value of each registrant as stated in the relevant renewal application.

The results of the analysis are as follows:

Registrant Asset value Required Limit VanEck Funds $3.33 billion $ 2,100,000 VanEck VIP Trust $531 million $ 900,000 Total Limit: $ 3,000,000

As you are aware, the limit under the current bond is $3,000,000. Therefore, according to these calculations, the bond amount is sufficient to meet requirements of Rule 17g-1.

Sincerely,

/s/ John Crimmins

Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial

Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
0000850261 false 0000850261 2023-07-03 2023-07-03 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 12, 2023 ()

SORRENTO THERAPEUTICS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware 001-36150 33-0344842 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

4955 Directors Place

San Diego , CA 92121

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrants telephone number, including area code: ( 858 ) 203-4100

N/A

(Former Name, or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, $0.0001 par value SRNEQ N/A

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure

As previously disclosed, Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. (Sorrento or the Company) and its wholly-owned direct subsidiary, Scintilla Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Scintilla and, together with the Company, the Debtors), commenced voluntary proceedings under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the Chapter 11 Cases) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the Bankruptcy Court) on February 13, 2023.

On July 3, 2023, each of the Debtors filed with the Bankruptcy Court its monthly operating report for the period ended May 31, 2023 (collectively, the Monthly Operating Reports). The Monthly Operating Reports are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2, and are incorporated herein by reference. This Current Report on Form 8-K (including the exhibits hereto) will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information required to be disclosed solely by Regulation FD. The Monthly Operating Reports and other filings with the Bankruptcy Court related to the Chapter 11 Cases may be available electronically at https://cases.stretto.com/sorrento/court-docket/.

The information contained in this Item 7.01 and in Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of the Companys filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings, except to the extent expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Cautionary Statement Regarding the Monthly Operating Reports

The Company cautions investors and potential investors not to place undue reliance upon the information contained in the Monthly Operating Reports, which were not prepared for the purpose of providing the basis for an investment decision relating to any of the securities of the Company. The Monthly Operating Reports are limited in scope, cover a limited time period and have been prepared solely for the purpose of complying with the monthly reporting requirements of the Bankruptcy Court. The Monthly Operating Reports were not audited or reviewed by independent accountants, were not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, are in a format prescribed by applicable bankruptcy laws or rules, and are subject to future adjustment and reconciliation. There can be no assurance that, from the perspective of an investor or potential investor in the Companys securities, the Monthly Operating Reports are complete. The Monthly Operating Reports also contain information for periods which are shorter or otherwise different from those required in the Companys reports pursuant to the Exchange Act, and such information might not be indicative of the Companys financial condition or operating results for the period that would be reflected in the Companys financial statements or in its reports pursuant to the Exchange Act. Results set forth in the Monthly Operating Reports should not be viewed as indicative of future results.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K and/or the Monthly Operating Report may include certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as believe, may, will, estimate, continue, anticipate, intend, expect, should, would, plan, predict, potential, seem, seek, future, outlook, and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Monthly Operating Reports and other documents filed with the Bankruptcy Court and the Chapter 11 Cases. The Companys actual results or outcomes and the timing of certain events may differ significantly from those discussed in any forward-looking statements. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of the Companys management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability.

Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with Sorrentos ability to pursue and execute any of the Potential Transactions; the unpredictability of trading markets and whether a market will be established for the Companys common stock; general economic, political and business conditions; risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic; the risk that the potential product candidates that Sorrento develops may not progress through clinical development or receive required regulatory approvals within expected timelines or at all; risks relating to uncertainty regarding the regulatory pathway for Sorrento's product candidates; the risk that Sorrento will be unable to successfully market or gain market acceptance of its product candidates; the risk that Sorrento's product candidates may not be beneficial to patients or successfully commercialized; the risk that Sorrento has overestimated the size of the target patient population, their willingness to try new therapies and the willingness of physicians to prescribe these therapies; risks that the results of the Phase 2 trial for SP-103 or Phase 1 trials for SP-104 may not be successful; risks that the prior results of the clinical trials of SP-102 (SEMDEXA), SP-103 or SP-104 may not be replicated; regulatory and intellectual property risks; the potential adverse impact of the Companys bankruptcy proceedings pursuant to Chapter 11 (the Chapter 11 Cases) on the Companys liquidity and results of operations; changes in the Companys ability to meet its financial obligations during the Chapter 11 process and to maintain contracts that are critical to its operations; the outcome and timing of the Chapter 11 process; the effect of the Chapter 11 Cases on the Companys relationships with vendors, regulatory authorities, employees and other third parties; possible proceedings that may be brought by third parties in connection with the Chapter 11 process; the timing or amount of any recovery, if any, to the Companys stakeholders; any effects of the Chapter 11 Cases on the Potential Transactions; the trading of the Companys common stock on the Pink Open Market; and those factors discussed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in each case under the heading Risk Factors, and other documents of the Company filed, or to be filed, with the SEC. If the risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that the Company presently does not know or that the Company currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect the Companys expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this document. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its assessments to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Companys assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this document. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

SORRENTO THERAPEUTICS, INC. Date: July 12, 2023 By: /s/ Henry Ji, Ph.D. Name: Henry Ji, Ph.D. Title: Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT 99.1

EXHIBIT 99.2

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XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE

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false 0000885275 0000885275 2023-07-13 2023-07-13

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

WILSON BANK HOLDING COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Tennessee 000-20402 62-1497076 (State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (IRS Employer incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) 623 West Main Street Lebanon , Tennessee 37087 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

( 615 ) 444-2265

(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None .

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On July 13, 2023, Wilson Bank Holding Company (the Company) mailed a letter to its shareholders (the Shareholder Letter) describing, among other things, the Companys earnings for the first six months of 2023. The letter is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

The information set out in Item 2.02 is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

WILSON BANK HOLDING COMPANY By: /s/ John C. McDearman III John C. McDearman III President/Chief Executive Officer Date: July 13, 2023

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No. Description 99.1 Letter to shareholders mailed July 13, 2023. 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 13, 2023

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

ImmuCell Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 01-0382980 (State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization) (I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

56 Evergreen Drive

Portland, ME 04103

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code)

2017 Stock Option and Incentive Plan

(Full title of the plan)

Michael F. Brigham

President, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer

ImmuCell Corporation

56 Evergreen Drive

Portland, ME 04103

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer  Non-accelerated filer  Smaller reporting company  Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. 

Explanatory Note

Pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8, this Registration Statement on Form S-8 is being filed by ImmuCell Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the Registrant) for the purpose of registering an additional 350,000 shares of the Registrants common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the Common Stock) to be issued pursuant to the Registrants 2017 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the Plan), which shares of Common Stock are securities of the same class and relate to the same employee benefit plan as other securities for which Registration Statements on Form S-8 have previously been filed and are effective. Accordingly, this Registration Statement incorporates by reference the contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on March 27, 2020 (File No. 333-237428) relating to the Plan.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 8. Exhibits

* Filed herewith

II-1

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Portland, State of Maine, on this 13th day of July, 2023.

ImmuCell Corporation

By: /s/ Michael F. Brigham Michael F. Brigham President, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES

Each person whose signature appears below hereby makes, constitutes and appoints Michael F. Brigham his or her true and lawful attorney, with full power to sign for such person and in such persons name and capacity indicated below, and with full power of substitution any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and generally to do all such things in the names and on the behalf of the undersigned in their capacities as officers and directors to enable the Registrant to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, hereby ratifying and confirming such persons signature as it may be signed by said attorney to any and all amendments.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature Title Date /s/ Gloria J. Basse Director July 13, 2023 Gloria J. Basse /s/ Michael F. Brigham President, Chief Executive Officer, July 13, 2023 Michael F. Brigham Principal Financial Officer and Director /s/ Bobbi Jo Brockmann Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Director July 13, 2023 Bobbi Jo Brockmann /s/ Bryan K. Gathagan Director July 13, 2023 Bryan K. Gathagan /s/ Steven T. Rosgen Director July 13, 2023 Steven T. Rosgen /s/ David S. Tomsche, DVM Director July 13, 2023 David S. Tomsche, DVM /s/ Elizabeth S. Toothaker Controller July 13, 2023 Elizabeth S. Toothaker /s/ Paul R. Wainman Director July 13, 2023 Paul R. Wainman

II-2

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

OPINION OF PIERCE ATWOOD LLP

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED ACCOUNTING FIRM, WIPFLI LLP

FILING FEE TABLE
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  Police in South Korea arrested a U.S. airman from Osan Air Base on suspicion of car theft and drunken driving after finding him sleeping in the vehicle on Sunday.

Police said the unidentified airman stole an unlocked car from in front of a hotel in Pyeongtaek, about 30 miles south of Seoul, at 1:14 a.m., a city police investigator told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday.

South Korean officials regularly speak to the media on the customary condition of anonymity and do not reveal identifiable information of criminal suspects, including their name, age and military rank.

A technical sergeant from Osan was arrested Sunday by Pyeongtaek police, 7th Air Force spokeswoman Maj. Rachel Buitrago confirmed by email Thursday. Any type of service member misconduct is unacceptable and is taken very seriously, she said.

Buitrago declined to provide further information, citing the commands ongoing investigation.

The airman drove erratically for roughly 550 yards before a wheel came off the car, the investigator said. The wheel was found on a farm next to the road.

Reports of a drunken driver brought Pyeongtaek police, who found the airman asleep in the drivers seat, according to the investigator.

The airmans blood alcohol level exceeded 0.03%, the legal limit for drivers in South Korea, although the investigator refused to disclose the exact result. By comparison, all 50 U.S. states have set 0.08% as the legal limit for driving under the influence or while impaired.

A drunken driving conviction in South Korea brings a potential two-year prison term and loss of a drivers license, according to the Road Traffic Act.

The airman was promptly released to U.S. military police, the investigator said. U.S. Forces Korea maintains custody of its personnel in criminal matters unless they are accused of serious crimes like homicide.

The investigator said Pyeongtaek police plan to question the service member at a later date.

[Osan Air Base] remains committed to being good ambassadors and neighbors with our host nation, Buitrago said in her statement. We will ensure full cooperation with Korean authorities in accordance with [the] Status of Forces Agreement.

Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report.
An Army chief warrant officer stationed in Alaska is accused of inappropriately touching two teens during flights on commercial airliners this spring according to a federal complaint unsealed this week.

James Benecke, 41, faces two counts of abusive sexual contact while on board an aircraft, Tessa Gorman, acting U.S. attorney for the western district of Washington, said in a statement Wednesday.

Prosecutors say he inappropriately touched a 16-year-old girl seated next to him on a flight in April and an 18-year-old woman who was beside him on a flight two months later.

Benecke was arrested last week at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, near Anchorage, the statement said. A spokesman from the 11th Airborne Division confirmed in a statement late Thursday that Benecke is assigned to the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Benecke denied the allegations, saying he is a big guy who spreads out on planes and that any contact was accidental, court records said.

The first instance occurred on a red-eye flight from Anchorage to Seattle on April 12, the U.S. attorney for Alaska said in court filings.

Prosecutors say Benecke put his hand on the 16-year-old girls thigh. After she threw his hand back and pulled her knees to her chest, Benecke put his hand on her buttocks, they allege.

Then on June 12, during a flight from Dallas to Seattle, Benecke touched a womans leg with his leg and later with his pinky, then slid his hand up her thigh, prosecutors said.

When the woman tried to speak to flight attendants, Benecke pretended to be asleep and did not get up to let her leave, prosecutors alleged in court filings.

The woman said she was forced to jump over him to get out, and when she did, she felt his hand on her buttocks.

After the teen and her boyfriend, who was sitting nearby, reported Benecke to the cabin crew, he was moved to a seat at the rear of the plane, according to the statement from the U.S. attorneys office for the western district of Washington.

Prosecutors described Benecke as a decorated soldier who is recently divorced.

Benecke appeared in federal court in Alaska on Wednesday for an initial appearance, court records said. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 20 in Washington.
A Navy surveillance aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, the U.S. 7th Fleet said, as Chinese forces moved into their third day of drills around Taiwan.

China since Tuesday has engaged in long-range aerial reconnaissance training around the island, with scores of aircraft and numerous warships, Taiwans Ministry of National Defense said through several news releases and tweets.

A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon flew through the contentious strait on Thursday to demonstrate the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, the U.S. 7th Fleet announced that day. The plane moved south from the East China Sea to the South China Sea.

By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations, the command said in a news release.

The Navy routinely sends ships, usually guided-missile destroyers, through the strait. Aircraft such as the Poseidon make the journey less often.

The Poseidon is a multirole, twin-engine aircraft based on Boeings 737 Next Generation airliner, according to the manufacturers website. Its missions include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, patrol, search and rescue and anti-submarine warfare.

Beijing organized fighter jets to monitor the Poseidons publicly hyped flight, Eastern Theater Command spokesman Shi Yijun said Thursday on the forces Weibo social media account.

Theater troops maintain a high level of alert at all times and resolutely defend national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability, he wrote.

All interactions with Chinese military forces during the transit were consistent with international norms and did not impact the operation, 7th Fleet spokeswoman Lt. Kristina Wiedemann told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday.

Taipei on Tuesday reported an increase in Chinese activity in waters around Taiwan, with 34 aircraft and four warships active in the area, according to a tweet by the Ministry of National Defense.

By Wednesday morning, 38 aircraft and nine vessels had drilled around the island; 32 of the aircraft crossed the straits median line and entered Taiwans southwest and east Air Defense Identification Zone, according to a ministry news release.

It reported similar numbers Thursday morning, with 33 aircraft and nine warships active around the island and 24 aircraft crossing the median line.

Taiwanese forces monitored the situation throughout the week, the ministry said.

China considers Taiwan, a functional democracy, to be a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland. Beijing also sends ships and aircraft toward Taiwan on a near-daily basis, but Taipei rarely identifies those actions as part of a larger exercise.

Among the aircraft involved in the Chinese exercise this week were J-10 and J-16 fighter jets, H-6 bombers, Y-8 EW transport jets, unmanned aerial vehicles and carrier-based aircraft, Taiwans military said.

Beijing last launched major drills around the island on June 13, when it marked off three areas along its eastern coast for exercises that included live-fire training.

In mid-April, China launched a much larger series of drills around Taiwan in response to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wens meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California that month.

As many as 70 Chinese aircraft sortied daily during those exercises, which also included simulated strikes on Taiwanese targets and live-fire training.
WASHINGTON  Space Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting was nominated Tuesday by President Joe Biden to become the next leader of U.S. Space Command, replacing Army Gen. James Dickinson.

Along with Whiting, who now leads Space Operation Command, two other Space Force leaders were recommended for promotions by Biden, who submitted the nominations to the Senate.

If Whiting gets the new job, it will come with a promotion to the rank of general, and he will receive a fourth star.

Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein also has been nominated for the rank of general and a fourth star. Guetlein, commander of the Space Systems Command, is expected to become the next vice chief of operations of Space Force, replacing Space Force Gen. David DT Thompson.

The White House also submitted the nomination of Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant, deputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans, programs and requirements, who will remain at the same rank but is expected to replace Guetlein as the commander of the Space Systems Command, which is based in Los Angeles.

If the nominees make it through the Senate Armed Services Committees confirmation process, it remains a challenge for them to be approved by the full chamber. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., who is a member of the committee, continues to block the Senate from making standard voice votes to approve military promotions over his objection to a Pentagon policy that provides travel money to troops for reproductive health care, including abortions. The nominees can be confirmed by the Senate one by one in a process that would consume months of the upper chambers floor time.

There were 265 senior military officers whose promotions have been held up by Tuberville as of Friday, and the number could grow to 650 by the end of the year if the issue isn't resolved, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said Monday.

Space Force is the newest military branch, established in December 2019. The service is charged with organizing, training and equipping service members to undertake military space missions.

Space Command is the Pentagon's newest unified combatant command that provides command and control for all U.S. military's space operations across all its service branches.

Redstone Arsenal, an Army base in Huntsville, Ala., was selected in 2021 as the new headquarters for Space Command, which is now at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. However, a final decision about moving the command to Alabama has not been made.
(Tribune News Service)  Though New Mexico may get all the attention for its role in the Manhattan Project, Idaho arguably could be called the state with the most significant nuclear history.

In its brightest moments, it has led the way in harnessing nuclear as a renewable energy source.

In its darkest, it has been the site of what is considered the deadliest nuclear accident in American history.

The Atomic Energy Commission announced on Feb. 18, 1949, that it had selected Idaho as the site for the National Reactor Testing Station  known today as the Idaho National Laboratory  35 miles east of Idaho Falls, where it planned to spend $500 million on reactors, research facilities and other projects, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.

The research paid off in 1951 when Idahos Experimental Breeder Reactor I in Arco made history by powering on four light bulbs. The next day, it generated enough energy to light the entire building and parking lot.

An astounded Soviet Union refused to believe the incredible claim and declared the United States to be lying about it at a United Nations conference, according to the Idaho National Laboratory.

Although this mere 400 kilowatts of power seems small by todays standards, it was absolutely monumental in the context of 1951, the Idaho National Laboratorys website states. This was the first time a usable amount of electricity had been generated using nuclear technology, and it paved the way for an energy source of the future.

The achievement  proving that nuclear could be used as a practical power source  was so momentous that President Lyndon B. Johnson designated the reactor as a National Historic Landmark in 1966. You can still visit the decommissioned reactor today at the laboratorys museum.

Idaho scientists made history again in 1955 when they lit the entire town of Arco using nuclear energy. The short-lived event lasted for just an hour in the dead of night, but even today, a sign above city hall still brags that Arco was the first city in the world to be lit by atomic power.

Idaho gets countrys first-of-its-kind nuclear fallout shelter

Many saw nuclear as the gateway to an exciting future. But as America carried memories of the atomic bombings of Japan and fears of a Cold War attack, others worried nuclear advancement would lead to disaster.

The U.S. Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization chose Boise as the site of the countrys first community nuclear fallout shelter in 1960, which would serve as a prototype for future civil defense shelters across the United States, a Statesman article reported at the time. The Statesman attributed the choice to a handful of young fathers in Highlands (who) began pestering the federal government. They worried the Idaho Falls laboratory and the Mountain Home Air Force Base could make Idaho an enemy target.

The two-story Boise Bomb Shelter, which can still be found at 600 W. Curling Drive, was built partly through a $122,000 grant (nearly $1.3 million today) from the Federal Civil Defense Agency. Made with steel-reinforced concrete, it included a laundry room, speaker system, air filtration systems, a diesel generator, kitchen, dormitories and decontamination showers, according to the Idaho Architecture Project.

Controversially, it was large enough to shelter only 1,000 people. Residents of the expensive Highlands area paid $100 each to hold on to the slim hope that they wouldnt die in a war.

Paying members didnt take this privilege lightly. In the event of a nuclear attack, they planned to protect their means of survival through force.

We mean business when we say this shelter is for members only, said member Glenn Buettner, according to the Idaho Architecture Project. Well deputize 35 to 40 security guards from our membership to keep intruders out.

The Statesman reported that Boises remaining 75,000 residents at the time were sore as a boil that federal dollars were being spent on this exclusive shelter when many of them had spent their own money to build backyard shelters.

Roxann Jensen, daughter of Boise Bomb Shelter architect Edgar B. Jensen, remembered how palpable fears of nuclear war were while growing up in Boise. Now 74, she recalled a giant siren resembling a megaphone that stood near where Rhodes Skate Park exists downtown today.

When that went off, boy, you hid under your desk, or you took shelter somewhere, Jensen told the Statesman by phone. I remember writing in my diary about how concerned everybody was and fearful because we just didnt know what was going to happen.

After the Cold War, the shelter changed hands several times. The Boise School District used it for offices and storage until Boise local John Farren bought the space to turn into music studios. He submitted plans in 2021 to build condos atop it, but the project has not moved forward since then, according to city planning records.

Farren did not respond to the Statesmans request for an update.

Only fatal nuclear reactor accident in American history

Fears of dying at the hands of nuclear power came true in Idaho. But the source was not the Soviet Union.

On Jan. 3, 1961, Navy electrician Richard Legg, 26, and Army Spcs. John Byrnes, 22, and Richard McKinley, 27, arrived at the laboratory to restart the SL-1 reactor after it had shut down for 11 days during the holiday season, according to the INL . They were three of the many military members stationed in Idaho Falls to train and to work there.

The men needed to lift control rods to reconnect the reactor to its operating equipment as part of their assignment.

One of the workers lifted the rod too far out of the reactors core, prompting SL-1 to rapidly surpass full power operation, resulting in a nearly instantaneous sequence: a fission chain reaction that generated enormous amounts of heat and a steam explosion, an Idaho National Laboratory document states.

While salacious rumors later circulated about why the accident occurred, the prevailing theory was that the rods known habit of sticking caused the worker to push it forward with too much force, according to the laboratory.

The explosion killed Legg and Byrnes instantly. Firefighters and other responders who rushed to the scene found McKinley alive. With little regard for their safety, they ran into the explosion room, put him on a stretcher and carried him to the laboratorys ambulance, where he died a short time later.

The authorities in Idaho had to decide what to do with a radioactive corpse, author and former Idaho Nuclear Navy officer Todd Tucker wrote in his book Atomic America. Taking him to a morgue or mortuary in Idaho Falls was out of the question. Besides being completely unequipped to deal with this kind of hazard, the drive would kill any ambulance driver.

Eventually, a responder drove the ambulance half a mile into the desert, jumped out and sprinted away, according to Atomic America. It was left there for hours, corpse and all, until a team could decontaminate the vehicle.

To recover Leggs body, which was pinned to the ceiling, rescue workers formed a chain and took turns running into the room for 65-second stints. It was all the radiation their bodies could take.

The mens funerals were overseen by the Atomic Energy Commission and all lasted less than 10 minutes to prevent mourners from exposure to the radiation emitting from the bodies, according to Tuckers book. Their lead-lined caskets were lowered into deep metal vaults that were then covered in 3 feet of concrete.

The grave of Legg, whose body was the most radioactive, came with an eerie warning.

Victim of nuclear accident, it read. Body is contaminated with long-life radio-active isotopes. Under no circumstances will the body be moved from this location without prior approval of the Atomic Energy Commission in consultation with this headquarters.

Altogether, 790 people were exposed to radiation from the event, which took 18 months to clean up, according to INL. The laboratory maintains that only rescue workers were affected and radiation did not reach local communities.

Contaminated debris and material were buried 8 to 15 feet into the ground. The Environmental Protection Agency conducts periodic inspections of the area to ensure its safety.

Today, little more than a fence and sign remain to mark where the accident happened.

Sometimes when I will be driving in the desert, Im like, Oh, thats where SL-1 was, Sarah Neumann, INL spokesperson, told the Statesman by phone. The building is gone. They removed it, dug everything out, put a new cap over all that, and then it has soil and sagebrush on top of that. So it really looks like the rest of the desert. You wouldnt know it was even there.

Idahos nuclear future

Despite the accident, Idaho has continued to be a global leader of nuclear advancement in the intervening six decades.

The most significant advancements the Idaho National Laboratory is now leading are the efforts to build the worlds first nuclear microreactors. These are designed to be small enough to fit in the back of a truck and strong enough to power entire towns, some of which will run on nuclear waste, thus helping reduce that waste. They are working with a number of partners on these projects.

Nuclear experts hope these tiny reactors will be able to provide power to remote villages and disaster zones around the world.

The furthest along of these is the Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation project, also known as MARVEL.

We want to give them a nuclear reactor that is small, transportable, they can put it on the ground and it will run for five, 10, or 20 years, depending on the design, Yasir Arafat, project lead for the MARVEL reactor, told Power magazine. Were going to be making this microreactor so safe, so benign, but also economically feasible, that it can be widespread around not just the U.S., but around the world.

MARVEL will be the first new test reactor at Idaho National Laboratory in more than 40 years, according to the Department of Energy. It is expected to begin operating at an Idaho testing facility by the end of 2024.

If that succeeds, Idaho will once again make history, and experts around the world will look to the Gem State as the heart of a potential nuclear future, just as they have before.

Every commercial nuclear reactor across the globe owes something to the work that was done here in Idaho, Neumann said.

2023 The Idaho Statesman.

Visit idahostatesman.com .
Baghdad, Iraq, April 1, 2009: The labyrinthine mahallas of Baghdads al-Fadhil neighborhood comprise an intricate maze for U.S. and Iraqi forces who were out searching homes for weapons caches. U.S. soldiers here say fighters used the winding alleyways and rooftop networks to engage U.S. and Iraqi forces during a firefight on March 28, 2009.

Read Geoff Ziezulewiczs reporting on what the seemingly ever-changing alliances between the U.S. government, the Iraqi government and various militias meant for U.S. forces on the ground.
Wandering Herrsteins narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful half-timbered homes feels like walking through a German-themed village at Disney Worlds EPCOT theme park.

About 40 years ago, a project to restore the historic town along Germanys Gem Road involved workers chipping away at gray plaster facades to reveal the original medieval timber-framed buildings.

The oldest of the 60-some homes, most of them occupied by residents, dates to 1525. Colorful window flower boxes, antique metal benches etched with chickens and a chiming clock tower add to the Old World charm.

While Americans were celebrating the Fourth of July, a holiday that commemorates a 1776 birthday, my friend, son and I stood in a town square that may have been around as early as 1279.

The year is the earliest date that Herrstein and a knight named Ruther von Heresteyn are mentioned in historical documents, according to the towns website.

My son tested out the neck shackles hanging in the square before we climbed the stairs to the castle church and passed the Schinderhannes tower, where legend has it that one of the regions most famous bandits was once imprisoned for a night.

It was the start of the Path of the Middle Ages, a 5.2-mile loop that begins and ends in Herrstein. We picked that route because it was voted Germanys most beautiful hiking trail in 2010, according to the Outdooractive trail app.

With the town and the trailhead less than an hours drive from Kaiserslautern, it seemed like a good choice for a summer day that was about 10 degrees too cool for swimming.

It turns out we picked the right day. Most of the trail traversed open fields, offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding valley but little shade. The path at times crisscrossed forest, but only for short stretches.

Overall, we kept waiting to be wowed to validate the trails No. 1 ranking, but nothing along the route struck us as being extraordinary. Nevertheless, we enjoyed ambling through fields of wheat and wildflowers billowing in the days gentle breeze.

The path at times meandered along two streams, the Hosenbach and Fischbach, and there was even a tower to climb for a birds-eye view of the rolling countryside.

Besides a chance to enjoy nature, the trail offered some history lessons. Signs along the way described how the area intersected a former trade route used by the Romans from about 50 B.C. through the fifth century; some of the field and forest paths were ancient Roman roads.

The trail also is close to the village of Niederhosenbach, considered the birthplace of Hildegard von Bingen, a 12th-century Benedictine nun proclaimed a saint by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.

Signs at the start of the Middle Ages trail show replicas of von Bingens illustrations, describing some of the 26 religious visions she experienced, including God on a mountaintop with two female figures at the foot of the mountain.

A giant oak tree along the path is the only one remaining from an old forest in which villagers hid from marauding Spanish and Croatian troops during the Thirty Years War in the 17th century.

The oak survived a fire set by the invaders that killed many villagers, according to a sign by the tree.

After more than three hours meandering along footpaths worn into the dirt centuries ago, we wandered some more through the streets of Herrstein. The town has a few gem shops and a local history museum. The latter is open from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

The biggest draw on the Tuesday afternoon when we visited was Cafe Zehntscheune, a restaurant that was formerly a tithe barn, where farmers brought crops to be paid to the local prince as taxes.

One of the house specialties is stuffed potato dumplings. A variety of homemade cakes, fruit cobblers and tortes are also on the menu.

Seats in the courtyard were full on the day we stopped by. The restaurant also has inside seating and takes reservations, so we plan to go back with the goal of getting a seat and some potato dumplings next time.

Herrstein

Directions: Herrstein is about 37 miles north of Kaiserslautern and 18 miles north of Baumholder. Its an easy drive along one of two main routes for most of the way, either autobahn A62 or highway B270.

Food: Cafe Zehntscheune; Online: zehntscheune.de

Information: For details online about hiking routes around Herrstein, outdooractive.com/de; for more about Herrstein itself, herrstein.de.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands  The United Nations' top court on Thursday rejected a case brought by Nicaragua in a decades-long dispute with Colombia over maritime borders and entitlements in the Caribbean.

The International Court of Justice dismissed Nicaragua's bid to gain economic rights over an area of the Caribbean Sea that lies more than 200 nautical miles (230 statute miles, 370 kilometers) from its shores.

Nicaragua wanted the international court to review the limits of its continental shelf, and determine new maritime boundaries for the Central American nation.

Colombia already claims exclusive economic rights in much of the area that lies to the east of Nicaragua's 200 nautical mile boundary. Bogota argued that there is no precedent for extending a country's 200-nautical-mile zone, when it clashes with that of another nation.

Members of Colombia's legal team hugged in court after the ruing, and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos tweeted that it was "a triumph" for his country.

The area has long been claimed by both countries, and Nicaragua gained fishing rights over a big portion in a 2012 ruling by the world court in The Hague. But Colombia's navy has continued to patrol the waters, which are also used by drug traffickers.

Colombia's maritime claims are linked to its sovereignty over the San Andres and Providencia Archipelago, which lies about 700 kilometers (435 miles) north of Colombia's Caribbean coast but only 110 kilometers (68 miles) from Nicaragua's coast.

The world court's president, Joan E. Donoghue, said that a country's right to claim a continental shelf beyond the 200-nautical-mile limit cannot "extend within 200 nautical miles from the baselines of another state." The baselines are points on land from which the continental shelf is measured.

"Nicaragua is not entitled to an extended continental shelf within 200 nautical miles from the baselines of San Andres and Providencia," Donoghue said.

The decision means the world court didn't have to review maritime boundaries between Colombia and Nicaragua, established by the court in a 2012 ruling, which have been under dispute for the past two decades.

The leader of Nicaragua's delegation, Carlos Jose Arguello Gomez, said that his country would study the judgment "because it has consequences in a very large and complicated area." But he added that "in principle, obviously, whatever the court said, Nicaragua will comply with it."

Under international law, coastal states have sovereignty over waters extending 12 nautical miles beyond their coastlines. They have exclusive economic and environmental rights over the seabed and waters that extend up to 200 nautical miles beyond their coast.

However, some countries have tried to obtain jurisdiction over underwater features that lie beyond that limit, by proving that these features are connected to their continental shelves  that is the shallow seabed that extends beyond the coast.

A 1928 treaty between Colombia and Nicaragua recognized Colombia's sovereignty over the islands of San Andres and Providencia, and gave Colombia economic rights over most of the waters around San Andres.

Nine decades later, Nicaragua filed a lawsuit against this treaty, saying it violated international law and deprived the nation of its right to 200 nautical miles of territorial waters.

In a 2012 ruling, the International Court of Justice sided mostly with Nicaragua and redrew the maritime borders between both countries. The new borders extended Nicaragua's exclusive economic zone, and stripped Colombia of about 80,000 square kilometers (30,000 square miles) of territorial waters.

Colombia didn't recognize the ruling, and withdrew from the court's jurisdiction a year later, in 2013.

Manuel Rueda contributed to this report from Bogota, Colombia.
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  A Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet that dropped its fuel tank off Okinawa last year was experiencing engine problems at the time, according to a Japanese newspaper report.

The pilot dropped the planes external fuel tank May 29, 2022, about 15 nautical miles off Okinawa in international waters as a safety measure before landing at Kadena Air Base, the Navy said at the time.

However, the Navy didnt explain why the fighter, assigned to Carrier Air Wing 5 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, diverted to Kadena.

The Okinawa Times, citing a Navy incident report obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, reported Monday that the plane had engine troubles before dropping the tank.

The fighter was expected to land on the Ronald Reagan but the pilot diverted to Kadena due to a fire aboard the carrier, the newspaper reported.

The Super Hornet lost power in its right engine before its left engine caught fire. Then the pilot jettisoned the fuel tank and landed at Kadena, according to the report.

The accident cost the U.S. government approximately $23,664, according to Naval Safety Command, the newspaper reported.

The 16-foot-long fuel tank washed ashore near Higashi Village, Okinawa, and was found by a resident. It was retrieved by the Navy on June 1, 2022, a spokesman for the Okinawa Defense Bureau told Stars and Stripes the next day.
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  North Korea on Thursday said the intercontinental ballistic missile it tested the previous day flew 74 minutes, a new record for the regimes missile program.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test of a Hwasong-18, which fully demonstrated the might of the regime, said the state-run Korean Central News Agency. The North last fired a Hwasong-18 on April 13.

Kim said the political climate on the Korean Peninsula was unstable and called for North Korea to bolster its nuclear war deterrent, according to KCNA.

He has called the Hwasong-18 the most powerful weapon of his nuclear forces.

North Korea will not break from its series of weapon tests, the KCNA report said, and Kim ordered the government to steadily accelerate the development of more  effective and reliable weapon [systems].

The missiles built-in solid propellant makes it more difficult for opponents to detect launches in advance and can be fired quicker compared to liquid-fueled missiles.

The North has been developing solid-fuel missiles since 2019 to replace its older, liquid-fueled inventory, South Koreas Ministry of National Defense said in its annual readiness report in February.

The ICBM was launched just before 10 a.m. Wednesday from the Pyongyang area and flew about 620 miles before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, or the East Sea, according to South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Japans military said the missile was fired at 9:59 a.m. and flew 74 minutes before splashing down 155 miles west of Okushiri Island, outside the countrys exclusive economic zone, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Wednesday.

The missile flew at a maximum altitude of 3,730 miles, Matsuno said. No damage was reported.

Wednesdays test is a significant indication that the Hwasong-18 could theoretically reach the United States, according to Yang Uk, an associated research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul.

But it is still unclear whether the missile was carrying a simulated payload, a crucial factor in determining an ICBMs capability, Yang told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday.

In this [KCNA] announcement, theres no comment on the payload. Yang said. You can call it a success, but that doesnt mean that the whole system is operational.

The ICBM was fired nearly 1  months after North Korea attempted on May 31 to launch what it called a surveillance satellite. The rocket failed and the vehicle fell into the Yellow Sea, where it was recovered by South Korea. The regime promised another attempt soon.

North Koreas latest test was a response to its belief that the U.S. and South Korea violated the countrys airspace on multiple occasions, according to KCNAs report on Thursday.

Pyongyang alleged that the U.S.s crewed RC-135 and unmanned RQ-Global Hawk aircraft violated its maritime airspace between July 2 and Friday, and threatened it may shoot down the aircraft in the future, KCNA reported Monday.

South Koreas military and the U.S. State Department denied its joint aerial surveillance operations had violated the Norths airspace.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff from the U.S., Japan and South Korea had a discussion immediately following Wednesdays launch, South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Lee Sung-jun told reporters during a news briefing in Seoul on Thursday.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who were in Vilnius, Lithuania, for a NATO summit on Wednesday, released a joint statement with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins condemning the Norths launch that day.

The four countries solely oppose North Koreas unlawful provocation and urge it to fully comply with all of its obligations under the relevant U.N. Security Council resolution, the statement said. Even if North Korea continues to develop its nuclear and missile programs and threaten the use of nuclear weapons, it will only bolster the international communitys resolve to achieve [the] complete denuclearization of North Korea.

The U.N. Security Council has banned ballistic missile tests by North Korea since 2006.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), a leading financial institution, announced today that it has successfully raised $750 million in the worlds first dollar denominated additional tier-one (AT1) perpetual sukuk issued since March 2023.

ADIB, which is rated A2 by Moodys and A+ by Fitch, in each case with a stable outlook, priced the perpetual non-call, five and half-year sukuk at a profit rate of 7.25 percent per annum payable semi-annually. The new sukuk will be listed and traded on London Stock Exchange.

The issuance was met with exceptional demand, attracting interest from over 240 global and regional investors with the final order exceeding $7 billion more than 9 times over-subscribed and final pricing 62.5 bps tighter than the initial pricing thoughts.

Additionally, reset spread is 306 bps over US treasury yields, which is 121 bps lower than the previous AT1 sukuk issued by ADIB in 2018.

"We are delighted to receive exceptional interest from a broad range of domestic , regional and international investors, with ADIB's recent achievement of raising $750 million tier-one perpetual sukuk. Demand for this issuance exceeded the initial offer by more than nine times, highlighting the tremendous demand and confidence from global investors in ADIB's asset quality," remarked Group CEO Nasser Al Awadhi.

"We are also pleased to see this strong international demand continue as the final pricing tightened. The sukuk issuance will maintain the Groups optimized capital structure and its strong CET1 position," noted Al Awadhi.

"The overall success of this raise can be attributed to ADIB's clear ESG framework and our strong track record of both growing market share and delivering sustainable returns," he added.

The issuance was driven by broad demand across three regions, with final allocations of 83% to Mena, 13% to Europe 4% to Asia,. By investor type, private banks 70%, Asset and Fund managers 16%, commercial banks 10% and others 4%.

According to ADIB, the sukuk issuance will maintain the groups optimized capital structure and its strong CET1 position.

The banks tier-one perpetual sukuk was structured to comply with the internationally agreed Basel III regulatory framework, which includes detailed criteria for capital and liquidity.

HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank acted as joint global coordinators and structuring agents for the sukuk, while ADIB, Citi, Emirates NBD Capital, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and J.P. Morgan acted as joint lead managers and joint bookrunners.-TradeArabia News Service
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi held a meeting with President of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki in Cairo on the sidelines of their participation at Sudans neighbouring countries summit on Thursday, discussing possible resolutions for the crisis and bloodshed in Sudan.

The Egyptian Presidency stated that Presidents El-Sisi and Afwerki expressed keenness to enhance bilateral relations between their respective countries and boost cooperation in various fields.

Afwerki commended Egypt's constructive positions aimed at achieving regional stability.

The two leaders agreed to enhance coordination and joint consultation between Egypt and Eritrea to strengthen security and stability in the region, said the Egyptian Presidency.

The Eritrean leader arrived in Cairo on Tuesday to participate in the regional summit held on Thursday to address the Sudanese conflict, which has had severe implications for all the country's neighbours.

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JAKARTA, Indonesia  The top diplomats of the worlds two biggest economies, the United States and China, spoke Thursday in the latest in a series of efforts to manage a burgeoning rivalry that has reached dramatic new heights in recent years.

The meeting between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinas top diplomat, Wang Yi, amid reports of a Chinese cyberespionage effort targeting U.S. government email accounts has raised questions about a fragile thaw in relations between the two countries.

The more than 90-minute conversation continued a flurry of high-level contacts between the United States and China that began last month with a trip by Blinken to Beijing, the first such visit by a U.S. secretary of state in five years.

The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of communication to clarify U.S. interests across a wide range of issues and to responsibly manage competition by reducing the risk of misperception and miscalculation, according to a State Department statement.

Thursdays conversation did not lead to any breakthroughs, but U.S. diplomats who participated said the talks were deeper and more substantive than the ones in Beijing last month  precisely the point, they said, of having ongoing exchanges that build rapport between the two sides.

One particular area of focus is fentanyl. Blinken has pushed his Chinese counterparts especially hard to address U.S. concerns about cracking down on the production of precursor chemicals that are helping to feed the U.S. opioid epidemic.

Its a little more detailed and specific exchange of Heres where weve identified these potential areas  how are we going to get to where either side wants to get on this particular area? a senior State Department official said on the condition of anonymity to talk frankly about the closed-door discussion.

The intrusion by Chinese hackers into email accounts at the State Department and other agencies  including that of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo  was discovered around the time of Blinkens visit, officials said.

The Biden administration has said it is seeking to put a floor under relations with Beijing to prevent further deterioration. In Beijing last month, Wang told Blinken the two sides must make a choice between dialogue or confrontation to reverse the downward spiral of Sino-U.S. relations.

Those relations took a nosedive last August after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., visited self-governing Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory. In February, exchanges between the two sides ground to a near-standstill when a Chinese spy balloon was discovered floating across the United States.

Blinkens visit to Beijing last month, which included a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, paved the way for conversations to resume. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen made a highly anticipated trip to China last week. Climate envoy John F. Kerry is set to visit Sunday, and Raimondo is expected to follow in coming months.

Officials said they expected the pace of visits to continue, including Chinese policymakers visiting the United States.

Biden administration officials say they see a brief window to build out a relationship that has declined over years of disagreements on fundamental issues such as trade and Taiwan, compounded by isolation during the coronavirus pandemic. As Democrats and Republicans alike compete to project a tough-on-China image in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election, the hope is that exchanges now may bolster trust during future rough patches.

Those could be especially critical amid increasingly confrontational behavior by the Chinese military. U.S. officials have sought a permanent military-to-military channel to make sure the two superpowers can ward off miscommunication and reduce the risk of war. So far, Beijing has rebuffed them, and U.S. diplomats said Thursday no progress was made in Jakarta.

Potential threats posed by China have started to seep into global security arrangements that long focused on other sources of trouble. Blinken went to Jakarta straight from a two-day NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where alliance leaders approved a communique filled with references to China as a security threat  a decision that would once have been unthinkable.

Just a few years ago, even mentioning China was a taboo at the alliance, which has historically focused on challenges from the Kremlin.

The Chinese noted the communique, the senior official said. The secretary made clear that these are not U.S. views. These are views that were expressed by 31 NATO allies in response to Chinese actions.

Though Blinkens Beijing trip laid the foundation for further conversations, speed bumps almost immediately reappeared in the relationship. At a private campaign event just days later, President Biden referred to Xi as a dictator who was unaware of the spy balloon  a double slap to Chinese sensitivities.

Earlier this month, Beijing stepped up tensions over semiconductors by announcing that exports of gallium and germanium  essential metals used in electric vehicles, fiber-optic cables and other technology  would be subject to its approval starting in August.

Wang is attending the summit in Jakarta in place of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who has not been seen in public since June 25. The Foreign Ministry said Wang, who as the foreign policy chief for the Chinese Communist Party ranks above Qin, was filling in for health reasons.

The day before he met with Blinken, Wang met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Jakarta. U.S. diplomats said they repeated their push to have China engage in a constructive manner to quell Russias war in Ukraine.

Weve indicated as well that we think China has an obligation and another potential opportunity to play a constructive role here, the senior official said.

Tobin reported from Taipei. The Washington Posts Pei-Lin Wu in Taipei contributed to this report.
YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  A U.S. sailor facing a criminal trial in Japan on charges he attacked and injured four people at a popular beach south of Tokyo now faces a civil lawsuit from the same incident.

The plaintiffs  a 59-year-old woman, a 26-year-old woman and two 34-year-old men  filed a lawsuit on Monday against the sailor, Daniel Krieger, in Yokohama District Court in Yokosuka, according to their lawyer, Masahiko Goto. They seek 20 million yen, or about $143,000, in compensation.

Its been a year, but there has not been any apology or compensation, Goto told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday. The plaintiffs have had to pay their own medical bills, and some have ongoing issues related to their injuries, he said.

Japanese authorities allege that Krieger, assigned to Yokosuka, homeport of the U.S. 7th Fleet about 37 miles south of Tokyo, charged into five people and knocked them down at Zushi Beach on July 9, 2022. Several sustained severe injuries.

The Kanagawa Prefectural Police, the Yokohama District Public Prosecutors Office and the naval base have all declined to specify Kriegers assigned unit or rank.

Base spokesman Randall Baucom declined again Wednesday to provide that information and to comment on the civil lawsuit.

As a matter of policy, we do not make comments on ongoing legal cases, he said by phone.

Kanagawa police on Oct. 21 recommended charging Krieger with the bodily injury of all five people, but prosecutors indicted him on four counts on Nov. 11. Prosecutors, not police, decide formal charges under Japans criminal justice system.

They allege Krieger slammed into the group and kicked one of the men in the back, spraining two vertebrae.

Krieger also slammed into a second man, who fell backward into the 26-year-old woman, who suffered an abrasion to her right hand, according to prosecutors, who said Krieger kicked the second man in the face.

The 59-year-old woman suffered a broken upper jaw, a broken nasal bone and other facial injuries, according to prosecutors.

No criminal trial date has been set for Krieger, a spokesperson for the Yokohama District Court said by phone Wednesday. The lengthy wait is one of the victims complaints, Goto said.

"It looks like the criminal trial is not starting any time soon, he said, adding that the plaintiffs hope Krieger admits what he did and apologizes.

Three from the group  the two men and the younger woman  in written statements provided by Goto, emphasized the trauma theyve suffered and said they want Krieger to face severe punishment.

Goto declined to identify his clients by name, citing privacy concerns.

Its customary in Japan for some government officials to speak to the media while remaining anonymous.
The face of Gerber baby food for 2023 is the infant daughter of an Air Force family from Colorado, linking the U.S. military with a beloved American advertising icon.

Colorado Springs 10-month-old Madison Maddie Mendoza was named the winner of Gerbers 13th annual photo search, the company announced Wednesday.

The contest was inspired by countless photos sent by parents who see their little one in Gerbers famous baby logo.

As the companys spokesbaby, Maddie will be featured on Gerbers social media channels and marketing campaigns throughout the year. Gerber did not say how soon Maddies image will appear on their products.

The little girl, along with her remarkable parents, captured the attention of the judges with a standout throwback submission and story full of love and resilience, Gerber said in a statement.

Her father, Lt. Col. Jun Mendoza, is an allergist and immunologist at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, according to his Uniformed Services University biography. Hes an academy graduate and has served in the Air Force for 16 years.

Mom Crystal Mendoza is a dentist. In her baby photo submitted to the contest, she looks like Maddies twin, with the same jet-black hair, big eyes and tiny ponytail.

Both parents are from first-generation immigrant families from the Philippines. Maddies grandfathers served in the Navy and came to the United States with very little, Gerber said in the statement.

The Mendozas have moved five times with the military and traveled to more than 30 countries and 20 states, according to the statement.

Her parents say their daughter, a rainbow baby, is playful, outgoing and adventurous. The term rainbow baby refers to a child born after a miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of an infant from natural causes.

Maddie has brought us immeasurable joy with every milestone, snuggle and moment spent with her enriching our lives and making every day more meaningful and beautiful, Crystal Mendoza is quoted in the statement as saying.

We look forward to witnessing her grow into a kind, compassionate, strong, independent and worldly individual as we hope to be stationed overseas again to teach Maddie about all the different parts of the world.

Maddie and her family also received a $25,000 cash prize and free Gerber products for up to one year, among other winnings.

Gerber will also match Maddies cash prize with a donation to support the March of Dimes maternal and infant health programs.
Stars and Stripes has a new editor-in-chief and, for the first time, women serving as commanders overseeing both its Europe and Pacific business operations.

Robert H. Reid replaced Terry Leonard as the top editor, taking up the position after nine years as the media organizations senior managing editor.

Leonard, an Army veteran who was a longtime Associated Press foreign correspondent, retired after 15 years on the job at Stars and Stripes.

Reid brings extensive experience to the position, having also served for decades as an AP foreign correspondent and editor before joining the organization. Prior to his journalism career, Reid served as an Army intelligence officer.

Meanwhile, the new military commanders took up their positions at Stars and Stripes overseas headquarters in Germany and Japan.

Air Force Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, who has led business operations in Europe and the Middle East since 2020 from the newspapers headquarters in Kaiserslautern, recently assumed command in the Pacific.

Hoffman is an Air Force Academy graduate and previously served as a C-130 instructor pilot.

She replaces Lt. Col. Michael Kerschbaum at Stripes Pacific headquarters in Tokyo. Hoffman is the first person to command Stripes in both Europe and the Pacific.

On Wednesday, Army Lt. Col. Katie Fidler replaced Hoffman as commander of Stars and Stripes Europe and Expeditionary. Fidler is a United States Military Academy graduate and engineer who previously served as a chief of plans, operations and exercises at U.S. Army Europe and Africa headquarters in Wiesbaden.

Fidler first appeared in a Stars and Stripes story in 2004 as a West Point cadet, when she instructed South Korean soldiers on how to build a bridge.

The unique aspects of the two commanders are exciting symbols of the diverse nature of the Stars and Stripes leadership, said publisher Max Lederer, noting that this is also the first time two service academy graduates are in command at the same time.

Stars and Stripes first published a newspaper in 1861 and has done so continuously in Europe and the Pacific theaters since World War II. It now operates as a newspaper and a multimedia news organization.

While part of the Defense Department, Stars and Stripes is editorially independent by an act of Congress. Its editorial chain of command is solely responsible for its news content.

Its military commanders oversee logistics, marketing and other operations but are not involved in news decisions.
WARSAW, Poland  The presidents of South Korea and Poland on Thursday pledged to strengthen their security, business and trade relations.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his delegation met with his Polish host, President Andrzej Duda and government members at the Presidential Palace.

"With President Duda, we discussed in depth the development of the strategic relations between the two countries," Yoon said after the talks.

"We will support efforts for increasing investment and trade," Yoon said, noting that bilateral trade turnover in 2022 was some $9 million, the highest in the 34-year-long relations. That makes Poland the biggest recipient of South Korea's investment last year, partly from Poland's purchases of South Korea's military equipment.

The two presidents watched as government ministers from both countries signed agreements on developing cooperation in infrastructure and modern technologies, as well as on cooperation in the future rebuilding of Ukraine, Poland's neighbour, which is fighting Russia's military invasion.

Duda said Poland is seeking cooperation with South Korean companies in producing military equipment, like tanks, in Poland's armaments plants.

He said prospects for developing bilateral economic ties are "excellent."

Yoon also met with Poland's right-wing Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and was to meet speakers of both chambers of parliament.

On Friday, Yoon and Duda are to address a Polish-Korean economic forum.

Yoon came to Warsaw after attending a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he sought to deepen ties with the military alliance amid global security threats including Russia's war on Ukraine and North Korea's illicit nuclear program.

Poland is buying some $17 billion worth of advanced military equipment from South Korea. The purchase is meant to upgrade Poland's defense potential and fill in for the older equipment that Poland has offered to Ukraine, like the Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets.

Among the purchased equipment, some of which has already arrived in Poland, are Korea's K9 howitzers, K2 tanks, Chunmoo missile launchers and FA-50 training and fighter jets.

Poland buys more from South Korea than it exports there, leaving a trade imbalance in Seoul's favor.
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  The Ukrainian civilians woke long before dawn in the bitter cold, lined up for the single toilet and were loaded at gunpoint into the livestock trailer. They spent the next 12 hours or more digging trenches on the front lines for Russian soldiers.

Many were forced to wear overlarge Russian military uniforms that could make them a target, and a former city administrator trudged around in boots five sizes too big. By the end of the day, their hands curled into icy claws.

Nearby, in the occupied region of Zaporizhzhia, other Ukrainian civilians dug mass graves into the frozen ground for fellow prisoners who had not survived. One man who refused to dig was shot on the spot  yet another body for the grave.

Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are being detained across Russia and the Ukrainian territories it occupies, in centers ranging from brand-new wings in Russian prisons to clammy basements. Most have no status under Russian law.

And Russia is planning to hold possibly thousands more. A Russian government document obtained by The Associated Press dating to January outlined plans to create 25 new prison colonies and six other detention centers in occupied Ukraine by 2026.

In addition, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree in May allowing Russia to send people from territories with martial law, which includes all of occupied Ukraine, to those without, such as Russia. This makes it easier to deport Ukrainians who resist Russian occupation deep into Russia indefinitely, which has happened in multiple cases documented by the AP.

Many civilians are picked up for alleged transgressions as minor as speaking Ukrainian or simply being a young man in an occupied region, and are often held without charge. Others are charged as terrorists, combatants, or people who "resist the special military operation." Hundreds are used for slave labor by Russia's military, for digging trenches and other fortifications, as well as mass graves.

Torture is routine, including repeated electrical shocks, beatings that crack skulls and fracture ribs, and simulated suffocation. Many former prisoners told the AP they witnessed deaths. A United Nations report from late June documented 77 summary executions of civilian captives and the death of one man due to torture.

Russia does not acknowledge holding civilians at all, let alone its reasons for doing so. But the prisoners serve as future bargaining chips in exchanges for Russian soldiers, and the U.N. has said there is evidence of civilians being used as human shields near the front lines.

The AP spoke with dozens of people, including 20 former detainees, along with ex-prisoners of war, the families of more than a dozen civilians in detention, two Ukrainian intelligence officials and a government negotiator. Their accounts, as well as satellite imagery, social media, government documents and copies of letters delivered by the Red Cross, confirm a widescale Russian system of detention and abuse of civilians that stands in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions.

Some civilians were held for days or weeks, while others have vanished for well over a year. Nearly everyone freed said they experienced or witnessed torture, and most described being shifted from one place to another without explanation.

"It's a business of human trafficking," said Olena Yahupova, the city administrator who was forced to dig trenches for the Russians in Zaporizhzhia. "If we don't talk about it and keep silent, then tomorrow anyone can be there  my neighbor, acquaintance, child."

INVISIBLE PRISONERS

The new building in the compound of Prison Colony No. 2 is at least two stories tall, separated from the main prison by a thick wall.

This facility in Russia's eastern Rostov region has gone up since the war started in February 2022, according to satellite imagery analyzed by the AP. It could easily house the hundreds of Ukrainian civilians who are believed detained there, according to former captives, families of the missing, human rights activists and Russian lawyers. Two exiled Russian human rights advocates said it is heavily guarded by soldiers and armored vehicles.

The building in Rostov is one of at least 40 detention facilities in Russia and Belarus, and 63 makeshift and formal in occupied Ukrainian territory where Ukrainian civilians are held, according to an AP map built on data from former captives, the Ukrainian Media Initiative for Human Rights, and the Russian human rights group Gulagu.net. The recent U.N. report counted a total of 37 facilities in Russia and Belarus and 125 in occupied Ukraine.

Some also hold Russian prisoners accused or convicted of a variety of crimes. Other, more makeshift locations are near the front lines, and the AP documented two locations where former prisoners say Ukrainians were forced to dig trenches.

The shadowy nature of the system makes it difficult to know exactly how many civilians are being detained. Ukraine's government has been able to confirm legal details of a little over 1,000 who are facing charges.

At least 4,000 civilians are held in Russia and at least as many scattered around the occupied territories, according to Vladimir Osechkin, an exiled Russian human rights activist who talks to informants within Russian prisons and founded Gulagu.net to document abuses. Osechkin showed AP a Russian prison document from 2022 saying that 119 people ''opposed to the special military operation'' in Ukraine were moved by plane to the main prison colony in the Russian region of Voronezh. Many Ukrainians later freed by Russia also described unexplained plane transfers.

In all, Ukraine's government believes around 10,000 civilians could be detained, according to Ukrainian negotiator Oleksandr Kononeko, based on reports from loved ones, as well as post-release interviews with some civilians and the hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers returned in prisoner exchanges. Ukraine said in June that about 150 civilians have been freed to Ukrainian-controlled territory, and the Russians deny holding others.

"They say, 'We don't have these people, it's you who is lying,'" Kononeko said.

The detention of two men from the Kherson region in August 2022 offers a glimpse at how hard it is for families to track down loved ones in Russian custody.

Artem Baranov, a security guard, and Yevhen Pryshliak, who worked at a local asphalt plant with his father, had been friends for over a decade. Their relationship was cemented when both bought dogs during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Baranov's common-law wife, Ilona Slyva. Their evening walks continued even after Russia seized their hometown of Nova Kakhovka  shy Baranov with a giant black Italian mastiff and Pryshliak with a toy poodle whose apricot fur matched his beard.

Their walk ran late the night of Aug. 15, and Pryshliak decided to stay at Baranov's apartment rather than risk being caught breaking the Russian curfew. Neighbors later told the family that 15 armed Russian soldiers swooped in, ransacked the apartment and seized the men.

For a month, they were in the local jail, with conditions relaxed enough that Slyva was able to talk to Pryshliak through the fence. Baranov, he told her, couldn't come out.

She sent in packages of food and clothes but did not know if they were reaching him. Finally, on Baranov's birthday, she bought his favorite dessert of cream eclairs, smashed them up, and slipped in a scrap of paper with her new Russian phone number scrawled on it. She hoped the guards would have little interest in the sticky mess and just pass it along.

A month went by, and the families learned the men had been transferred to a new prison in Sevastopol, in Crimea. Then the trail went dark.

Four more months passed. Then a call came from the family of a man they had never met but would soon come to know well: Pavlo Zaporozhets.

Zaporozhets, a Ukrainian from the occupied Kherson region charged with international terrorism, was sharing a cell in Rostov with Baranov. Since he faced charges, he had a lawyer.

It was then that Slyva knew her gift of eclairs  and the phone number smuggled within them  had reached its destination. Baranov had memorized her number and passed it through a complex chain that finally got news of him to her on April 7.

Baranov wrote that he was accused of espionage  an accusation that Slyva scorned as falling apart even under Russia's internal logic. He was detained in August, and Russia illegally annexed the regions only in October.

"When he was detained, he was on his own national territory," she said. "They thought and thought and invented a criminal case against him for espionage."

Baranov wrote home that he was transported across prisons with his eyes closed in two planes, one of which had about 60 people. He and Pryshliak were separated at their third transfer in late winter. Pryshliak's family has received a form letter from the Rostov prison denying he is an inmate there.

The number of civilian detainees has grown rapidly over the course of the war. In the first wave early on, Russian units moved in with lists of activists, pro-Ukrainian community leaders, and military veterans. Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov was taken when Russian forces seized control of his city but exchanged within a week for nine Russian soldiers, he said.

Then they focused on teachers and doctors who refused to work with the occupation authorities. But the reasons for apprehending people today are as mundane as tying a ribbon to a bicycle in the Ukrainian colors of blue and yellow.

"Now there is no logic," Fedorov said.

He estimated that around 500 Ukrainian civilians are detained just in his city at any time  numbers echoed by multiple people interviewed by the AP.

A Ukrainian intelligence official said the Russian fear of dissidents had become "pathological" since last fall, as Russians brace for Ukraine's counteroffensive. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the situation.

The AP saw multiple missing person notices posted on closed Ukrainian social media chats for young men seized off the streets. The messages, written in Ukrainian, describe detentions at gunpoint at home and on the street, with pleas to send information and emojis of hearts and praying hands.

The Geneva Conventions in general forbid the arbitrary detention or forced deportation of civilians, and state that detainees must be allowed to communicate with loved ones, obtain legal counsel and challenge allegations against them. But first they must be found.

After months writing letter after letter to locate Pryshliak, his sister-in-law Liubov thinks she knows why the prisoners are moved around: "So that the families cannot find them. Just to hide the traces of crimes."

SLAVES IN THE TRENCHES

Hundreds of civilians end up in a place that is possibly even more dangerous than the prisons: the trenches of occupied Ukraine.

There, they are forced to build protection for Russian soldiers, according to multiple people who managed to leave Russian custody. Among them was Yahupova, the 50-year-old civil administrator detained in October 2022 in the Zaporizhzhia region, possibly because she is married to a Ukrainian soldier.

Under international humanitarian law, Yahupova is a civilian  defined as anyone who is not an active member of or volunteer for the armed forces. Documented breaches of the law constitute a war crime and, if widespread and systematic, "may also constitute a crime against humanity."

But the distinctions between soldiers and civilians can be hard to prove in a war where Ukraine has urged all its citizens to help, for example by sending Russian troop locations via social media. In practice, the Russians are scooping up civilians along with soldiers, including those denounced by neighbors for whatever reason or seized seemingly at random.

They picked Yahupova up at her house in October. Then they demanded she reveal information about her husband, taping a plastic bag over her face, beating her on the head with a filled water bottle and tightening a cable around her neck.

They also dragged her out of the cell and drove her around town to identify pro-Ukrainian locals. She didn't.

When they hauled her out a second time, she was exhausted. As a soldier placed her in front of a Russian news camera, she could still feel the dried blood on the back of her neck. She was going to give an interview, her captors told her.

Behind the camera, a gun was pointed at her head. The soldier holding it told her that if she gave the right answers to the Russian journalist interviewing her, she could go free.

But she didn't know what the right answers were. She went back to the cell.

Three months later, without explanation, Yahupova was again pulled outside. This time, she was driven to a deserted checkpoint, where yet another Russian news crew awaited. She was ordered to hold hands with two men and walk about 5 yards toward Ukraine.

The three Ukrainians were ordered to do another take. And another, to show that Russia was freeing the Ukrainian civilians in its custody.

Except, at the end of the last take, Russian soldiers loaded them into a truck and drove them to a nearby crossroads. One put shovels into their hands.

"Now you will do something for the good of the Russian Federation," he said.

And so Yahupova ended up digging trenches until mid-March with more than a dozen Ukrainian civilians, including business owners, a student, a teacher, and utility workers. She could see other crews in the distance, with armed guards standing over them. Most wore Russian military uniforms and boots, and lived in fear that Ukrainian artillery would mistake them for the enemy.

The AP confirmed through satellite imagery the new trenches dug in the area where Yahupova and a man on the Ukrainian crew with her said they were held. He requested anonymity because his relatives still live under occupation.

"Sometimes we even worked there 24 hours a day, when they had an inspection coming," he said.

The man also spoke with other Ukrainian civilians digging mass graves nearby for at least 15 people. He said one civilian had been shot for refusing to dig. Satellite imagery shows a mound of freshly-dug earth in the spot the man described.

The man escaped during a Russian troop rotation, and Yahupova also made her way out. But both said hundreds of others are still in the occupied front lines, forced to work for Russia or die.

When Yahupova returned to her home after more than five months, everything had been stolen. Her beloved dog had been shot. Her head ached, her vision was blurred, and her children  long since out of the occupied territories  urged her to leave.

She traveled thousands of miles through Russia, north to the Baltics and back around to the front line in Ukraine, where she reunited with her husband serving with Ukrainian forces. Earlier married in a civil ceremony, the two got wed this time in church.

Now safe in Ukrainian territory, Yahupova wants to testify against Russia  for the months it stole from her, the concussion that troubles her, the home she has lost. She still reflexively touches the back of her head, where the bottle struck her over and over.

"They stole not only from me, they stole from half the country," she said.

TORTURE AS POLICY

The abuse Yahupova described is common. Torture was a constant, whether or not there was information to extract, according to every former detainee interviewed by the AP. The U.N. report from June said 91% of prisoners "described torture and ill-treatment."

In the occupied territories, all the freed civilians interviewed by the AP described crammed rooms and cells, tools of torture prepared in advance, tape placed carefully next to office chairs to bind arms and legs, and repeated questioning by Russian's FSB intelligence agency. Nearly 100 evidence photos obtained by the AP from Ukrainian investigators also showed instruments of torture found in liberated areas of Kherson, Kyiv and Kharkiv, including the same tools repeatedly described by former civilian captives held in Russia and occupied regions.

Many former detainees spoke of wires linking prisoners' bodies to electricity in field telephones or radios or batteries, in a procedure one man said the Russians dubbed "call your mother" or "call Biden." U.N. human rights investigators said one victim described the same treatment given to Yahupova, a severe beating on the head with a filled water bottle.

Viktoriia Andrusha, an elementary school math teacher, was seized by Russian forces on March 25, 2022, after they ransacked her parents' home in Chernihiv and found photos of Russian military vehicles on her phone. By March 28, she was in a prison in Russia. Her captors told her Ukraine had fallen and no one wanted any civilians back.

For her, like so many others, torture came in the form of fists, batons of metal, wood and rubber, plastic bags. Men in black, with special forces chevrons on their sleeves, pummeled her in the prison corridor and in a ceramic-tiled room seemingly designed for quick cleaning. Russian propaganda played on a television above her.

"There was a point when I was already sitting and saying: Honestly, do what you want with me. I just don't care anymore," Andrusha said.

Along with the physical torture came mental anguish. Andrusha was told repeatedly that she would die in prison in Russia, that they would slash her with knives until she was unrecognizable, that her government cared nothing about a captive schoolteacher, that her family had forgotten her, that her language was useless. They forced captives to memorize verse after verse of the Russian national anthem and other patriotic songs.

"Their job was to influence us psychologically, to show us that we are not human," she said. "Our task was to make sure that everything they did to us did not affect us."

Then one day, without explanation, it was over for her and another woman kept with her. Guards ordered them to pack up, cuffed them and put them in a bus. The weight Andrusha had lost in prison showed starkly in the cast-off jacket that hung from her shoulders.

They were soon joined by Ukrainian soldiers held captive elsewhere. On the other side, Andrusha saw three Russian soldiers. Although international law forbids the exchange of civilians as prisoners of war, the U.N. report on June 27 said this has happened in at least 53 cases, and Melitopol Mayor Fedorov confirmed it happened to him.

A man detained with Andrusha in March 2022 is in captivity still. She doesn't know the fate of the others she met. But many former captives take it upon themselves to contact the loved ones of their former cellmates.

Andrusha recalled hours spent memorizing whispered phone numbers in a circle with other Ukrainians, on the chance one of them might get out. When she was freed, she passed them along to Ukrainian government officials.

Andrusha has since regained some of her weight. She talks about her six months in prison calmly but with anger.

"I was able to survive this," she said, after a day back in the classroom with her students. "There are so many cases when people do not return."

In the meantime, for loved ones, the wait is agony.

Anna Vuiko's father was one of the earliest civilians detained, in March last year. A former glass factory worker on disability, Roman Vuiko had resisted when Russian soldiers tried to take over his home in suburban Kyiv, neighbors told his adult daughter. They drove a military truck into the yard, shattered the windows, cuffed the 50-year-old man and drove off.

By May 2022, Vuiko was in a prison in Kursk, Russia, hundreds of miles away. All his daughter has gotten from him since is a handwritten letter, which arrived six months after he was taken away and four months after he wrote it. The standard phrases told his daughter nothing except that he was alive, and she suspects he has not received any of her letters.

"I think about it every day," she said. "It's been a year, more than a year.  How much more time has to pass?"

Arhirova reported from Kyiv. Contributors include Michael Biesecker in Washington, Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kherson and Evgeniy Maloletka in Zaporizhzhia.
Zelenskyys guilt-based diplomacy leaves its mark on NATO summit

On the first day, there was dismay and disgruntlement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy launched an angry tirade on social media, calling NATOs failure to give Ukraine a formal invitation or clear timeline for joining the alliance absurd.

The outburst took some Western and NATO officials by surprise, as their Ukrainian counterparts had long known that an immediate invitation would not come while the country was at war with Russian invaders. It threatened to upset the spirit of unity that NATO leaders hoped to convey as they gathered in Vilnius, Lithuania.

On the second day, there was mollification. President Joe Biden and the assembled leaders of the Group of Seven nations and NATO countries, put forward full-throated declarations of support for Ukraine. While Kyiv received no guarantees regarding a timeline to NATO membership, it did gather significant promises of major military assistance, both to help it repel Russian troops in its territories now, and to secure its defense in the long term.

In a speech at Vilnius University, Biden hailed the newfound resolve and purpose of NATO, which, in the aftermath of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, is expanding operations on eastern frontiers. If I sound optimistic, its because I am, Biden told the crowd before later embarking on a trip to Finland, the alliances newest member. The U.S. president called NATO stronger, more energized and more united, before telling crowds the alliance is vital to our shared future.

Polish President Andrzej Duda, whose country has pushed for swifter and more all-encompassing support for Ukraine, told reporters that Western governments had raised Ukrainian expectations before the summit. Nevertheless, Duda said the summit ended by undoubtedly bringing Ukraine closer to NATO.

Zelenskyy appeared satisfied as the summit concluded. Though the outcome was not the most ideal, he said it marked a meaningful success for Ukraine, and he thanked NATO leaders for their very practical and unprecedented support.

There is a clear pattern in Zelenskyys behavior: Ever since he found himself in the unenviable position of leading his nations desperate fight for survival, he has made demand after demand to the outside world for financial help, political support and, most importantly, weapons. Those calls, framed often as reminders of the sacrifices that Ukraines fighters are making on the front lines, have yielded a steady drumbeat of deliveries  including ammunition, powerful artillery, armored vehicles, antiaircraft capabilities, tanks, fighter jets and more. The latest clamor has been for more long-range missile systems to target Russian positions within Ukraine.

Jeremy Shapiro, director of research at the European Council on Foreign Relations, quipped that Zelenskyy has adopted a guilt-based approach to diplomacy that he likened to his Jewish grandmother, the former grandmaster of the technique.

You never write, you never call, you never send F-16s has long summarized (Zelenskyys) approach to getting what he wants from the West and the U.S., Shapiro told me.

Western officials, on the whole, have publicly maintained firm support for Ukraine in its war effort, but in private, some express concern over the incessant nature of the Ukrainian demands and the capacity of NATO governments to fulfill them indefinitely. That friction could be detected in the controversial admission of British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who at a sideline event during the summit said whether we like it or not, people want to see a bit of gratitude for the contributions made to Ukraines defense. He indicated that this was a sentiment already conveyed to his Ukrainian counterparts in Kyiv: I told them that last year, when I drove 11 hours to be given a list, that Im not like Amazon.

At a separate forum in Vilnius, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan responded with his own pointed remarks to a question from a Ukrainian activist challenging Bidens caution on Kyivs NATO bid. I think the American people do deserve a degree of gratitude from the United States government for their willingness to step up and from the rest of the world as well, Sullivan said, gesturing to the more than $40 billion and counting in U.S. taxpayer funds diverted to arm Ukraine.

It is unusual in the annals of human affairs to see such large contributions  many tens of billions of dollars and some of the most advanced weapons in the world  to a war in which the U.S. at least has little directly at stake, Shapiro said. It is perhaps unprecedented when you consider that those contributions contain a genuine, if unmeasurable, risk of starting a direct war with a country with the worlds largest nuclear stockpile, he added, referring to Russia.

Biden administration officials believe it is impossible to confer NATO membership on Ukraine in the middle of the ongoing war. Ukraine joining the alliance now would plunge all NATO countries directly into conflict with Russia, given the treaty obligations binding the alliance. Moreover, NATO membership for Ukraine requires a set of political reforms that the country has yet to fully carry out. Kyivs integration into the military alliance as well as the European Union will be painstaking and complex. All NATO members now agree that Ukraines future is in NATO, but that still doesnt make it an inevitability, Rachel Rizzo, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told me.

While many analysts and boosters of Ukraines cause are dissatisfied with the outcome of the Vilnius summit, the upshot is that it is hardly a redux of what took place 15 years ago in Bucharest, Romania, when NATO left Ukraine and Georgia twisting in the wind over potential future membership bids. A river of NATO steel is bolstering Ukraines current counteroffensive to retake territories lost to Russian forces, while NATO officials agreed to let Ukraine skip a multistep membership action plan, which may accelerate a future accession process. Western governments are preparing major long-term packages for Ukraines postwar reconstruction and recovery.

Shortly after the G-7 declaration of support in Vilnius was made public, Oksana Markarova, Ukraines ambassador to the United States, spoke at a think-tank event in Washington.

This is the moment when we say thank you, Marakova said. But we need more.
JERUSALEM  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas briefly visited the occupied West Bank's Jenin refugee camp Wednesday in the wake of a devastating Israeli offensive last week, marking his first visit to the camp since 2005.

The visit, which lasted just over an hour, came at a time of seething discontent among Palestinians in the West Bank toward Abbas and the Palestinian Authority, the autonomous government which administers parts of the West Bank but has largely lost control over several militant strongholds in the region, including Jenin. The 87-year-old president is widely seen as out of touch with the public and rarely ventures outside of his Ramallah headquarters.

The Palestinian leader's visit to the Jenin refugee camp came a week after Israel launched a massive two-day military operation there. It was the largest Israeli offensive in the West Bank in nearly two decades, killing at least 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier, forcing thousands to flee their homes and leaving large swaths of the camp in ruins. The Israeli army said the operation was necessary to crack down on Palestinian militant groups following a spate of recent attacks.

Abbas arrived in Jenin aboard a Jordanian helicopter on Wednesday afternoon. Thousands clustered around his heavy security detail, and children chased his motorcade as it moved along the streets. He visited a freshly-dug cemetery, where he laid a wreath at the graves of those killed in last week's operation, before speaking to a tightly-packed crowd.

"Jenin camp is the icon of struggle, steadfastness and challenge," said Abbas. He pledged the reconstruction of the camp would begin immediately. "I say to everyone near and far, this country is safe and its authority will remain one... we must get rid of the occupation and we say to them: leave us, we are here to stay."

Abbas's leadership has come under criticism over rampant corruption in the Palestinian Authority and the lack of any progress toward independence. Just 17% of Palestinians are satisfied with Abbas' leadership and 80% want him to resign, according to a Palestinian public opinion poll in June.

The Palestinian Authority has long drawn resentment for its security cooperation with Israel, which allows its security forces to crack down on rival militant groups such as Hamas, but the Jenin raid further degraded its reputation among many Palestinians.

U.S. President Joe Biden said in an interview with CNN this week that "the Palestinian Authority has lost its credibility" among Palestinians and has "created a vacuum for extremism" in the West Bank.

Abbas's visit came after a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's office that his government would take steps to strengthen the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, but gave no specifics about what steps it would take.

Since taking office in December, several ultranationalist ministers in Netanyahu's government have called for the Palestinian Authority to be disbanded.

Netanyahu heads one of the most hard-line governments in Israel's history, made up of ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox factions along with his ruling Likud party.

Over the last year, Israel has conducted stepped-up raids into Palestinian areas in response to deadly Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis over the past year.

More than 150 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the start of the year, while at least 26 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis.
Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., President Bidens choice to lead the Joint Chiefs of Staff, tangled with Senate Republicans on Tuesday as they peppered him with questions about China, Ukraine and Pentagon cultural policies denounced as woke by critics on the right.

From the testimonys outset, Brown sought to highlight his extensive experience leading U.S. troops and allies overseas, proudly telling members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that, as a general, he had spent less time in Washington than he had either in conflict or preparing for conflict.

Having led warfighters abroad, he said, shapes my thinking.

His confirmation hearing came at a contentious time, however, with numerous Republicans having accused Pentagon leaders of focusing too heavily on social issues at the expense of national security. Defense officials have countered that the U.S. military remains the most lethal fighting force in the world, saying its efforts to promote diversity have made the institution stronger by expanding the pool of people who can serve.

The friction was palpable Tuesday, as Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) accused Brown, who has led the Air Force since 2020, of suggesting there were too many White officers in the military. Schmitt cited as evidence a memo that Brown signed last year setting aspirational diversity goals for Air Force applicants.

Theres this obsession with sort of race-based politics being interjected into our military, Schmitt said, later alleging that Brown was advocating for racial quotas.

You have had a distinguished career, and I thank you for your service, Schmitt added. I just dont know how we can continue to have leadership that advocates for this divisive policy.

Brown said in response that the goals the Air Force set reflected U.S. demographics and that he was not advocating for racial quotas in the military. Having them, he said, is against Pentagon policy. The general added that he would not have signed the memo if it did not also make clear that the militarys merit-based personnel system remains firmly in place.

If Browns nomination advances past the armed services committee and he is confirmed by the full Senate, he would become the second African American to the hold the Pentagons top uniformed post. As part of a leadership team with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, his promotion would mark the first time that both jobs are held by Black men.

Brown would replace Gen. Mark A. Milley, a pugnacious and at times polarizing Army officer who frequently clashed with Bidens predecessor as commander in chief, Donald Trump, but became a political lightning rod by his own estimation after wading into some of the nations most fractious political debates. By law, Milley must vacate the chairmans post by the end of September.

Responding Tuesday to questions from Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Brown said that if he is confirmed, he will remain nonpartisan and nonpolitical in how he approaches his job as Bidens senior military adviser.

Id set that same expectation throughout the force, he said, that we need to stay out of politics and stay nonpartisan and nonpolitical  and at the same time advocate that our civilians  civilian leadership  does not bring us into political situations.

When asked directly about the Pentagons diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, Brown responded that service members want a fair opportunity to perform.

I would just tell you that from my career, when I came in and flying F-16s, I didnt want to be the . . . African American F-16 pilot, I wanted to be the best F-16 pilot, Brown said.

Biden considers Brown a seasoned tactician who understands the strategic challenges facing the United States, administration officials have said. The president has praised him publicly as a warrior who knows what it means to be in the thick of battle and keep his cool.

Brown, who goes by CQ, helped engineer and direct the air campaign credited with dislodging the Islamic State group from its self-declared caliphate in Syria and Iraq. Through assignments in the Pacific, administration officials said, he has developed a nuanced insight on China. And as a member of the Joint Staff, Brown has been involved in the expansive effort to arm, train and advise the Ukrainian military since Russias invasion last year.

The general, asked for his observations about what can be learned from the war in Ukraine, said it shows the value in how sharing information can bring allies and partners closer together. Russia, Brown said, also has learned the importance of military logistics and that military operations can take longer than anticipated.

As the Air Forces top officer, Brown has advocated for modernizing the services fleet in the face of rising military competition between the United States and China. Asked about his approach, he said that risks must be balanced over time to keep the military capable now and ready for new challenges in the future.

Emotion doesnt work, Brown said. Its really the analysis that we have to go through to be able to determine how we make those tough calls, and then we have a responsibility  and I have a responsibility if confirmed as chairman  to articulate what that risk might be with whatever choice we make.

Even though Republicans and Democrats on the committee both voiced support for Browns nomination, it is unclear how quickly the process can move. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), a member of the armed services committee, has placed a hold on the promotion of more than 250 senior military officers over his objection to a policy allowing personnel to recoup travel expenses incurred while seeking an abortion if they are stationed in states that ban or restrict the procedure.

Tuberville did not address the matter during his turn to ask questions of Brown, choosing instead to inquire about whether the size of the Joint Staff, which reports to the chairman, is too large.

Democrats on the committee pointedly targeted the issue, however.

Just because a prerogative can be exercised doesnt mean it that should be exercised, said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), whose son is a Marine Corps officer. I would urge all of my colleagues to turn away from the path that were on, where we are disrespecting and punishing people because we are unhappy with policies in the military that these individuals had nothing to do with.

Brown, asked by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) about the impact of Tubervilles hold, avoided attacking the decision and focused on its impact on military families. But Brown warned that such tactics and the chaos it causes may result in some service members returning to civilian life rather than striving for advancement in uniform because of the burdens placed on families.

We will lose talent because of those challenges, he said. The spouse network is alive and well, and the spouses will compare notes. The member may want to serve, but the spouses and the family get a huge vote.

On Monday, the impasse reached a new level, with Gen. David H. Berger stepping down as commandant of the Marine Corps without a Senate-confirmed successor. Gen. Eric Smith, the Marines assistant commandant, has been nominated to replace him and will take the role on an acting basis, but he is expected to make few strategic decisions unless confirmed.

Soon, other service chiefs could join Smith in having to fill the jobs on an acting basis, too. Gen. Randy George faces a confirmation hearing Wednesday after being nominated to become the Army chief of staff. Brown will need a successor to lead the Air Force, and the Navys top officer, Adm. Michael Gilday, is expected to retire later this year.
CHICAGO  A tornado touched down Wednesday evening near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, prompting passengers to take shelter and disrupting hundreds of flights. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

A confirmed tornado was on the ground around 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Chicago.

"This tornado has been touching the ground intermittently so far and is moving east. There are additional circulations along the line south of O'Hare. Seek shelter if in the warned area," it said.

By 8 p.m. the weather service said the Chicago forecast area was "currently tornado warning free." It said the storm was moving east toward southwest Michigan, and a tornado watch was in effect into Thursday morning for parts of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

Video from TV stations showed hundreds of people taking shelter in an O'Hare concourse. Some 173 flights departing the airport were canceled and more than 500 were delayed, according to the flight tracking service FlightAware.

Kevin Bargnes, director of communications for O'Hare and Chicago Midway International Airport, told WGN-TV Wednesday night that no damage was reported at either airport.

The National Weather Service had issued two tornado warnings for Chicago Wednesday evening. Tornado sirens sounded warning people to find shelter.

Lynn Becker, a longtime Chicago resident, posted video to Twitter with tornado sirens blaring across the city's iconic skyline.

"I'm in a 60 story apartment building so my options are somewhat limited," he said. "We have to, I assume, go into the core of the building."

Becker said news of the storm was featured across local media.

"There's a certain panic when you're watching a TV screen and everything is in red  but the hope is that the damage is minimal," he said.

Local news outlets said warehouses were reportedly damaged near O'Hare.

The weather service quoted an unidentified emergency manager as saying a roof was blown off in the community of Huntley in McHenry County northwest of Chicago. Huntley Battalion Chief Mike Pierce told ABC-7-TV that firefighters and other emergency services were responding to downed power lines, trees and tree branches, and that power outages had been reported. Building damage appeared to be concentrated around two apartment buildings, he said.

More than 10,000 customers lost power in the region, according to poweroutage.us.

In Hodgkins, southwest of Chicago, police said storm damage and debris was found on the north end of town, near a shopping center.

Earlier Wednesday, the weather service's Storm Prediction Center had said there was an enhanced risk for severe weather, including tornadoes in northern Illinois, including Chicago.

Brett Borchardt, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service, confirmed to WGN-TV that multiple tornadoes touched down across the Chicago area. He said surveying the damage will likely take days.

Over the years many tornadoes have struck in the Chicago metropolitan area, and several have hit within the city limits of Chicago, according to the National Weather Service. Between 1855 and 2021, the weather service recorded 97 significant tornadoes in the Chicago metro area.

The deadliest formed in Palos Hills in Cook County on April 21, 1967. The twister traveled 16 miles through Oak Lawn and the south side of Chicago, killing 33 people, injuring 500 and causing more than $50 million in damage, according to the weather service.
Five charities that help migrants said Thursday they had complained to the European Commission about a new Italian law forcing rescue ships in the Mediterranean to dock in far-off ports.

The non-governmental organisations -- Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Oxfam Italia, SOS Humanity, Association for Juridical Studies on Immigration and EMERGENCY -- argue the legislation breaks EU and international laws regarding sea rescues.

"The European Commission is the guardian of EU treaties and has a role to play in ensuring that EU member states respect international and EU law," a migration policy advisor with Oxfam Italia, Giulia Capitani, said.

"Every day we spend away from the search and rescue region, whether in detention or navigating towards a distant port, is putting lives at risk," said an MSF operations manager, Djoen Besselink.

The European Commission confirmed to AFP it had received the complaint. "We will look into it," said a spokesperson.

Italy passed a law in February limiting charity-run ships carrying out more than one sea rescue at a time and -- having done so -- requires them to dock at a port assigned by Italian authorities. It came into effect in March.

In practice, the NGOs say, that means rescue ships are forced to ignore other emergencies on the water, and spend days sailing to northern Italian ports even though closer ones are available.

Italy is ruled by a far-right government that has vowed to crack down on migrant boat arrivals.

The five charities called on the European Commission to put Italy's law and designations of remote ports under "immediate scrutiny".

They also appealed for their ships to be included in a "state-led and proactive" search and rescue system in the Mediterranean.

The European Union is working on a revision of its asylum and refugee policies aimed at sharing out the burden of hosting asylum-seekers across the bloc and speeding the return of denied asylum-seekers to countries of origin or transit.

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DOVER, Del.  A Marine veteran and Donald Trump supporter who became the center of a conspiracy theory about Jan. 6, 2021, filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News on Wednesday, saying the network made him a scapegoat for the U.S. Capitol insurrection.

Raymond Epps, who said he was forced from his Arizona home because of threats, is asking for unspecified damages and a jury trial.

He filed his lawsuit in Superior Court in Delaware, the same court where Dominion Voting Systems sued Fox for lies broadcast following the 2020 presidential election. Shortly before a trial was to begin this spring, Fox agreed to pay Dominion $787 million to settle the charges.

Fox did not respond to texts, phone calls and emails seeking comment on Epps' lawsuit.

The suit also says the Justice Department told Epps in May that he faces criminal charges for his actions on Jan. 6, and blames that on "the relentless attacks by Fox and Mr. Carlson and the resulting political pressure."

Epps, who had traveled to Washington for the Jan. 6 demonstration, was falsely accused by Fox of being a government agent who was whipping up trouble that would be blamed on Trump supporters, the lawsuit claims.

"In the aftermath of the events of January 6th, Fox News searched for a scapegoat to blame other than Donald Trump or the Republican Party," the lawsuit says. "Eventually, they turned on one of their own."

Although the lawsuit mentions Fox's Laura Ingraham and Will Cain, former Fox host Tucker Carlson is cited as the leader in promoting the theory. Epps was featured in more than two dozen segments on Carlson's prime-time show, the lawsuit said. Fox News fired Carlson shortly after the Dominion settlement was announced.

Carlson "was bluntly telling his viewers that it was a fact that Epps was a government informant," the lawsuit says. "And they believed him."

Carlson ignored evidence that contradicted his theory, including Epps' testimony before a congressional committee investigating the insurrection that he was not working for the government, and videos provided by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy that showed Epps' efforts to try to defuse the situation, the lawsuit says.

Carlson is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit. Epps' lawyer, Michael Teter, noted that Carlson "was an employee of Fox when he lied about Ray, and Fox broadcast those defamatory falsehoods."

"Fox is therefore fully liable for Mr. Carlson's statements," Teter said.

The former Fox star did not respond to a text message seeking comment.

Also Wednesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray, in an appearance before the House Judiciary Committee, denied having any knowledge of Epps being a "secret government agent."

"I will say this notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on January 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous," Wray told lawmakers. He refused to say, however, how many of the people who entered the Capitol and surrounding area on Jan. 6 were either FBI employees or people with whom the FBI had made contact.

Meanwhile, Epps claims in his lawsuit that, as a result of the alleged defamatory statements made by Fox, he and his wife have been the target of harassment and death threats from Trump supporters, forced to sell the Arizona ranch where they ran a successful wedding venue business, and now face financial ruin. According to the lawsuit, Epps and his wife are now living in a recreational vehicle in Utah.

The lawsuit displays threatening messages Epps says he received, including one that reads, "Epps, sleep with one eye open."

In his defamation suit, Epps claims that on Jan. 5, the day before the storming of the Capitol, he tried to defuse a tense situation between Trump supporters and police, confronting an agitator referred to in the lawsuit as "Baked Alaska." That man, later identified as far-right social media personality Anthime Gionet, was sentenced earlier this year to 60 days in prison.

Epps says that in an effort to persuade Trump supporters that he was on their side, he told them, "I'm probably gonna go to jail for this. Tomorrow, we need to go into the Capitol. Peacefully."

Epps claims in the lawsuit that he was "shocked and disappointed" when demonstrators started climbing the scaffolding and walls around the Capitol on Jan. 6.

"He had concerns about the election and believed it was his duty as a citizen to participate in the protest. But he did not believe violence was appropriate," the lawsuit claims.

Bauder reported from New York.
WASHINGTON  A retired Army colonel has reached a court settlement of nearly $1 million in a sexual assault lawsuit against Air Force Gen. John Hyten, who served as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The settlement with the U.S. government ends more than four years of investigations, reviews and congressional digging into the matter, which delayed  but ultimately did not defeat  Hyten's nomination for vice chairman in 2019. He served two years and did not seek a second term.

Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser, who served as Hyten's aide in 2017, filed the lawsuit, and in the settlement reached in U.S. District Court in California on Wednesday, the federal government will pay her $975,000.

"It is my sincere hope that the successful outcome in my case will embolden other survivors of military sexual violence to come forward  no matter how high ranking the perpetrator," she said in a statement Thursday.

In an interview with The Associated Press in 2019, Spletstoser said Hyten subjected her to a series of unwanted sexual advances by kissing, hugging and rubbing up against her in 2017 while she was one of his top aides. She said she repeatedly pushed him away and told him to stop, and that he tried to derail her military career after she rebuffed him.

Hyten vigorously denied her allegations during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in July 2019, with his wife seated behind him and Spletstoser looking on from a short distance away. An internal Air Force investigation determined there was insufficient evidence to charge him or recommend discipline. And a senior Air Force official said at the time that investigators also found no evidence Spletstoser was lying. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters.

It is not uncommon for the U.S. government to pay out large sums of money to settle lawsuits, but a sexual assault case against such a high ranking military officer is far more rare.

The number of reported sexual assaults in the military has increased nearly every year since 2006. And while the services have made inroads in making it easier and safer for service members to come forward, it still remains a highly unreported crime.

Hyten's nomination was delayed for months while senators pored over thousands of pages of documents and interviewed the general and Spletstoser. The eventual Senate vote of 75-22 to confirm him reflected a bit more opposition than most military nominations, which usually get near-unanimous support.

Ten of the "no" votes came from female senators, including Vice President Kamala Harris, who was then a senator from California, and Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, a survivor of sexual assault while in college and the only Republican to vote against him.

Spletstoser's attorney, Ariel Solomon, said in a statement Thursday that the legal payout "stands out as the only known settlement paid by the government for a sexual assault case brought against a member of the United States military."

Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
HELSINKI  President Joe Biden on Thursday said he's serious about pursuing a prisoner exchange for a Wall Street Journal reporter who has been detained in Russia for more than 100 days.

The Kremlin earlier this month suggested that it was open to a possible prisoner exchange that could involve Evan Gershkovich, but it underscored that such talks must be held out of the public eye.

Speaking at a news conference in Helsinki, Finland, Biden made clear that the U.S. is interested.

"I'm serious on a prisoner exchange," said Biden, who was concluding a five-day visit to Europe that took him to the UK, Lithuania and Finland. "And I'm serious about doing all we can to free Americans being illegally held in Russia or anywhere else for that matter, and that process is underway."

Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip. He is being held at Moscow's Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions. A Moscow court recently upheld a ruling to keep him in custody until Aug. 30.

Gershkovich and his employer deny the allegations, and the U.S. government has declared him to be wrongfully detained. His arrest rattled journalists in Russia. Authorities there have not provided any evidence to support the espionage charges.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed last week that there have been "discussions" between the two sides, but cautioned that there is not yet "a clear pathway" to winning Gershkovich's freedom.

Gershkovich is the first American reporter to face espionage charges in Russia since September 1986, when Nicholas Daniloff, a Moscow correspondent for U.S. News and World Report, was arrested by the KGB. Daniloff was released 20 days later in a swap for an employee of the Soviet Union's U.N. mission who was arrested by the FBI, also on spying charges.
A misplaced naval ship in California. Overlooked college students in New York City. Missed inmates in Texas.

These are some of the reasons why the two most populous states and the largest city in the U.S. filed last-minute requests for corrections to their 2020 census figures right before the deadline at the end of last month. California, Texas and New York City were joined by a dozen and a half other stragglers, including Illinois and New Orleans, that made down-to-the-deadline appeals over the numbers that help determine political power and the annual distribution of $2.8 trillion in federal funding.

In total, nearly 200 requests for corrections were filed by local, state and tribal governments through two programs started by the U.S. Census Bureau to give governments opportunities to have their population totals reviewed and corrected if need be.

If successful, any corrections will be applied only to future population estimates used for the rest of the decade in determining federal funding. They can't be used to change how many congressional seats each state was allotted during the apportionment process, nor for the data used for redrawing political districts. That's too bad for some cities and states  not to mention the two major political parties fighting over every foot of territory in a closely divided nation.

If the Democratic-leaning state of New York had counted 89 more residents  the equivalent of a small apartment building's tenants in New York City  during the 2020 census, it wouldn't have lost a congressional seat. Among Republican-controlled states, Texas had been expected to gain three additional congressional seats instead of the two it gained after the 2020 census.

In one of the most unusual reasons given for a correction request, sailors on an aircraft carrier in Southern California may have been assigned to the wrong city's population because of the location of the ship's slip.

Here's a look at some of the last-minute requests for corrections made by states and cities:

CALIFORNIA

The slip-up, so to speak, reportedly took place on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. California officials believe its more than 5,000 crew members were wrongly assigned to San Diego's population total instead of neighboring National City's figures. Although part of the ship is located in San Diego, officials said what matters is where crew members get off and on the ship: the part of Naval Base San Diego in National City.

"Kansas doesn't have this problem," said H.D. Palmer, deputy director of external affairs for the Department of Finance in California, the most populated U.S. state with 39 million residents.

California officials also contend that almost 10,000 college students and inmates were overlooked during the census. They were among the most difficult to count as campuses closed and prisons were locked down at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which coincided with the beginning of the head count. The Census Bureau created a separate program to handle these challenges.

California officials said they waited until the deadline to make their filings because they wanted to first see if local municipalities would file requests.

ILLINOIS

Illinois, the sixth most populous U.S. state with 12.5 million residents, was one of six states that had undercounts of its population, according to the Census Bureau. In his correction request, Gov. JB Pritzker didn't specify how many people he believes were missed but cited the bureau's estimate of almost 2% of the population. Among the omissions were residents in nursing homes, dorms, homeless shelters, residential treatment facilities and jails, Pritzker said in one of two letters submitted to the Census Bureau.

"Because of an inaccurate census count, the state of Illinois received inadequate federal funding for Medicare, affordable housing, homeland security and a number of other essential programs," said Alex Gough, a spokesperson for the governor's office.

NEW ORLEANS

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a letter to the Census Bureau that 1,061 students living in dorms at Tulane University and Southern University appeared to have been missed as campuses emptied out due to the pandemic.

NEW YORK CITY

New York City officials believe 1,300 residents were overlooked. The head count may have missed an 800-bed jail and omitted or undercounted students living in dorms at Hunter College, Pace University and Wagner College, officials in the city's planning department said in a letter to the Census Bureau. The city waited until the deadline to file its challenge so it could conduct a thorough evaluation of the figures, said officials in the most populous U.S. city, with 8.3 million residents.

TEXAS

Texas is asking the Census Bureau to review whether the count missed more than 41,000 residents living in prisons, nursing facilities, psychiatric hospitals and student housing. Texas officials said they waited until the deadline to file requests because of the number of institutions they needed to contact to confirm what they believed were the correct totals and the complexities of the bureau's requirements. Texas is the second most populous state in the U.S. with 30 million residents.

"Texas is particularly challenging because of its size," said Helen You, associate director of the Texas Demographic Center.
Congress consideration of the defense budget now includes a debate on whether the United States should be a member of NATO, which it helped found after World War II to protect Europe from Russian aggression.

The Senate and House will consider amendments on their own versions of the National Defense Authorization Act that could force the countrys withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or lock it in indefinitely, barring an act of Congress.

During his administration, former president Donald Trump reportedly discussed withdrawing from the organization. On Tuesday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, an influential member of House leadership, introduced an amendment to the House bill that would direct the president to withdraw from the international military alliance. And on Wednesday, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) reintroduced legislation to prohibit any U.S. president from withdrawing from NATO without Senate approval or an Act of Congress.

Norfolk is home to the only NATO headquarters on U.S. soil, and the outcome could have a significant effect on Hampton Roads. While NATOs presence in Norfolk dates to 1952, the Allied Command Transformation was established June 19, 2003, following a restructuring in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. For the past two decades, the Norfolk-based alliance has led NATOs development of new warfighting capabilities through scientific research, experimentation and technological development.

Kaine said there has been some ambiguity surrounding the countrys partnership with NATO, referencing a statement made by a cabinet secretary to President Donald Trump.

Cabinet Secretary (Mark) Esper indicated that it was President Trumps desire to exit NATO if he were to have a second term as president. Its very important that we send a message to NATO allies and those who rely upon NATO support, that no matter how the 2024 presidential election comes out, no president of either party at any time can withdraw from NATO without congressional authorization, Kaine said Wednesday.

But in outlining her reasoning for an amendment to the Houses version of the defense spending bill, Greene said NATO is not a reliable partner whose defense spending should be paid for by American citizens.

The House will consider Greenes amendment, along with approximately 1,000 others, this week. Both of the Republican House members who represent parts of Hampton Roads, Rob Wittman and Jen Kiggans, indicated Wednesday that they support a continued partnership with NATO.

Rep. Wittman has always been a strong supporter of NATO, which plays a vital role in promoting democratic values around the globe. This alliance is more relevant than ever as Europe unites to counter Russias senseless war of aggression in Ukraine. Virginia is proud to be NATOs home in North America with its presence in Norfolk, and the United States is safer because of our role as a leader in NATO, said Julianne Heberlein, communications director for Wittman.

Congresswoman Kiggans is a staunch supporter of the NATO Alliance and its positive impact on global security. She will continue to be a loud voice for strong national security and a unified global defense in Congress, said Reilly Richardson, press secretary for Kiggans.

In a statement to The Virginian-Pilot on Wednesday, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) called Greenes amendment ludicrous and completely disconnect from reality.

NATO stands for democracy, peace, and strategic coordination with our closest allies around the globe  crucial work that actually happens in large part at the NATO Allied Command Transformation in Hampton Roads. Particularly now, amid heightened Russian aggression and an increasingly antagonistic China, we need to bring our allies closer, not push them away, Warner said in an emailed statement.

Meanwhile, Kaines version of the amendment would require the president to seek the advice and consent of the Senate before suspending or withdrawing U.S. membership from NATO.

The amendment circulating the senate has received bipartisan support and was co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. Kaines bill was first introduced last year, passing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with a 20 to 1 vote.

But I could never maneuver it for action on the Senate floor. But because the vote was so bipartisan, I wanted to do it again this year as a way of sending a strong message that Congress is very much supportive of U.S. NATO leadership and the incredible work NATO has been doing, particularly in the war in Ukraine, Kaine said.

The Senate will consider the amendment next week.

2023 The Virginian-Pilot.

Visit at pilotonline.com .

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Federal Trade Commission has opened an expansive investigation into OpenAI, probing whether the maker of the popular ChatGPT bot has run afoul of consumer protection laws by putting personal reputations and data at risk.

The agency sent the San Francisco company a 20-page demand this week for records about how it addresses risks related to its AI models, according to a document reviewed by The Washington Post. The salvo represents the most potent regulatory threat to date to OpenAIs business in the United States, as the company goes on a global charm offensive to shape the future of artificial intelligence policy.

Analysts have called OpenAIs ChatGPT the fastest-growing consumer app in history, and its early success set off an arms race among Silicon Valley companies to roll out competing chatbots. The companys chief executive, Sam Altman, has emerged as an influential figure in the debate over AI regulation, testifying on Capitol Hill, dining with lawmakers and meeting with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

However, the company faces a new test in Washington, where the FTC has issued multiple warnings that existing consumer protection laws apply to AI, even as the administration and Congress struggle to outline new regulations. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., has predicted that new AI legislation is months away.

The FTCs demands of OpenAI are the first indication of how it intends to enforce those warnings. If the FTC finds that a company violates consumer protection laws, it can levy fines or put a business under a consent decree, which can dictate how the company handles data. The FTC has emerged as the federal governments top Silicon Valley cop, bringing large fines against Meta, Amazon and Twitter for alleged violations of consumer protection laws.

The FTC called on OpenAI to provide detailed descriptions of all complaints it had received of its products making false, misleading, disparaging or harmful statements about people. The FTC is investigating whether the company engaged in unfair or deceptive practices that resulted in reputational harm to consumers, according to the document.

FTC officials also asked the company to provide records related to a security incident that the company disclosed in March when a bug in its systems allowed some users to see payment-related information, as well as some data from other users chat history. The FTC is probing whether the companys data security practices violate consumer protection laws. The number of users whose data was revealed to someone else was extremely low, according to an OpenAI blog post.

OpenAI and FTC officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent Thursday morning.

News of the probe comes as FTC Chair Lina Khan is likely to face a combative hearing Thursday before the House Judiciary Committee, where Republican lawmakers are expected to analyze her enforcement record and accuse her of mismanaging the agency. Khans ambitious plans to rein in Silicon Valley have suffered key losses in court. On Tuesday, a federal judge rejected the FTCs attempt to block Microsofts $69 billion deal to buy the video game company Activision.

Agency officials have repeatedly warned that action is coming on AI, in speeches, blog posts, op-eds and news conferences. In a speech at Harvard Law School in April, Samuel Levine, the director of the agencys Bureau of Consumer Protection, said the agency was prepared to be nimble in getting ahead of emerging threats.

The FTC welcomes innovation, but being innovative is not a license to be reckless, Levine said. We are prepared to use all our tools, including enforcement, to challenge harmful practices in this area.

The FTC also has issued several colorful blog posts about its approach to regulating AI, at times invoking popular science fiction movies to warn the industry against running afoul of the law. The agency has warned against AI scams, using generative AI to manipulate potential customers and falsely exaggerating the capabilities of AI products. Khan also participated in a news conference with Biden administration officials in April about the risk of AI discrimination.

There is no AI exemption to the laws on the books, Khan said at that event.

The FTCs push faced swift pushback from the tech industry. Adam Kovacevich, the founder and CEO of the industry coalition Chamber of Commerce, said it is clear that the FTC has oversight of data security and misrepresentation, but it is unclear if the agency has the authority to police defamation or the contents of ChatGPTs results.

AI is making headlines right now, and the FTC is continuing to put flashy cases over securing results, Kovacevich said.

Among the information the FTC is seeking from Open AI is any research, testing or surveys that assess how well consumers understand the accuracy or reliability of outputs generated by its AI tools. The agency made extensive demands about records related to ways OpenAIs products could generate disparaging statements, asking the company to provide records of the complaints people send about its chatbot making false statements.

The agencys focus on such fabrications comes after numerous high-profile reports of the chatbot producing incorrect information that could damage peoples reputations.

Mark Walters, a radio talk show host in Georgia, sued OpenAI for defamation, alleging the chatbot made up legal claims against him. The lawsuit alleges that ChatGPT falsely claimed that Walters, the host of Armed American Radio, was accused of defrauding and embezzling funds from the Second Amendment Foundation. The response was to a question about a lawsuit about the foundation that Walters is not a party to, according to the complaint.

ChatGPT also said a lawyer had made sexually suggestive comments and attempted to touch a student on a class trip to Alaska, citing an article that it said had appeared in The Washington Post. But no such article existed, the class trip never happened and the lawyer said he was never accused of harassing a student, The Post reported previously.

In the FTCs request, officials also asked the company to provide extensive details about its products and the way it advertises them. They demanded details about the policies and procedures that OpenAI takes before it releases any new product to the public, including a list of times that OpenAI held back a large language model because of safety risks.

The agency also demanded a detailed description of the data that OpenAI uses to train its products, which mimic humanlike speech by ingesting text, mostly scraped from Wikipedia, Scribd and other sites across the open web. The agency also asked OpenAI to describe how it refines its models to address their tendency to hallucinate, making up answers when the models do not know the answer to a question.

OpenAI also has to turn over details about how many people were affected by the March security incident and information about all the steps it took to respond.

The FTCs records request, which is called a Civil Investigative Demand, primarily focuses on potential consumer protection abuses, but it also asks OpenAI to provide some details about how it licenses its models to other companies.

The United States has trailed other governments in drafting AI legislation and regulating the privacy risks associated with the technology.

Countries within the European Union have taken steps to limit U.S. companies chatbots under the blocs privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation. Italy temporarily blocked ChatGPT from operating there due to data privacy concerns, and Google had to postpone the launch of its chatbot Bard after receiving requests for privacy assessments from the Irish Data Protection Commission. The European Union is also expected to pass AI legislation by the end of the year.

There is a flurry of activity in Washington to catch up. On Tuesday, Schumer hosted an all-senator briefing with officials from the Pentagon and intelligence community to discuss the national security risks of artificial intelligence, as he works with a bipartisan group of senators to craft new AI legislation. Schumer told reporters after the session that it is going to be very hard to regulate AI, as lawmakers try to balance the need for innovation with ensuring there are proper safeguards on the technology.

On Wednesday, Vice President Harris hosted a group of consumer protection advocates and civil liberties leaders at the White House for a discussion on the safety and security risks of AI.

It is a false choice to suggest that we either can advance innovation or we protect consumers, Harris said. We can do both.

The Washington Posts Will Oremus contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  National Guard members from California have become vital partners to Ukraine and have helped troops there fight Russian forces on the battlefield for the past 17 months, a top Army official said Thursday.

Maj. Gen. William Zana, director of strategic plans and policy and international affairs for the National Guard, said the Guards State Partnership Program, which pairs troops from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and three territories with other nations for military training, has directly benefited Ukraine since the country was invaded by Russia in February 2022.

Ukraines partner in the program is California  and Guard troops from the state have been training Ukrainian troops in areas such as infantry tactics, weapons and equipment operation, and battlefield mobility.

If you look at the small-unit tactics and success within Ukraine, I think part of that is attributed back to much of the [training] work that was done between Ukraine, California and other partners in the region, Zana said Thursday at the Pentagon. I think you can see the evidence that Ukraine has leveraged this [program] to great effect against Russian forces.

Ukrainian forces have achieved some of their biggest victories in Kharkiv, the countrys second-largest city, and Kherson, which they recaptured from Russian troops in the fall.

The California National Guard has been working with Ukraines military for three decades as part of the program, and the state increased its participation after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. The partnership has continued during the Russian invasion.

Obviously, things have had to shift to areas where we could do that training safely, Zana said. [Training] has continued and will continue.

The State Partnership Program began in 1993 and aligning the California National Guard with Ukraine was one of the programs first pairings. The program was created initially so the United States military could give defense training to new countries that formed from the breakup of the Soviet Union  such as Ukraine. Smaller ally nations with a need for defensive assistance have since joined. In return, National Guard troops get to experience training operations in various regions of the world.

The Guard is currently partnered with more than half of the worlds nations and we expect to see continued growth in the coming years, Zana said.

Ukrainian troops have been able to successfully fend off Russian forces in many parts of the country with substantial U.S. military training and billions of dollars in weapons and equipment. Last week, the United States pledged another round of military aid worth $800 million.

We see a galvanizing of the relationships of NATO and  the State Partnership Program, Zana said. You see the manifestation of that on the battlefield.

Zana said National Guard troops from other states have also provided capabilities and support for Ukraine in the past year and some European nations not presently in the State Partnership Program have expressed interest in joining since Russias invasion.

We see great interest from our Nordic partners and other [nations] in Europe, the general said.

Of the Nordic countries, only Norway is in the State Partnership Program. It formally partnered with the Minnesota National Guard in February.

Since 1993, the program has created partnerships between 100 countries and 54 states, territories and the District of Columbia. The territories involved in the program are Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. Three nations in Africa  Gabon, Malawi and Zambia  are among those that are joining in 2023.

Europe has the most state partnerships with 25 and the Latin American region has 24.

We have no hidden agenda, Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, National Guard Bureau chief, said of the program. Were here to advance whatever is best for both America and our allies.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden signed an executive order Thursday that makes as many as 3,000 American reservists available to go to Europe in support of NATO efforts amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The purpose of the order, Biden said, is to better support Operation Atlantic Resolve, a mission that launched almost a decade ago after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine.

Since 2014, U.S. European Command has provided combat-credible forces for rotational deployment to Europe  to demonstrate good commitment to NATO, Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, director of operations for the Joint Staff, told reporters Thursday. This reaffirms the unwavering support and commitment to the defense of NATOs eastern flank in wake of Russias illegal, unprovoked war on Ukraine.

In Bidens order, he said the move making thousands of Reserve troops available is needed to back up American forces already involved in the defensive operation.

Reserve mobilizations under this authorization are not to exceed 3,000 total members at any one time, of whom not more than 450 may be members of the Individual Ready Reserve, Biden said in a letter informing Congress of his order. These Reserve component forces are to augment the active forces  to enhance the United States ability to sustain its heightened level of presence and operations.

The Pentagon stressed the order doesnt simply send 3,000 more troops to Europe, but rather it only makes reservists available to go if EUCOM decides theyre needed. For example, Sims said commanders in Europe might decide a Reserve unit is better suited to handle certain tasks than active-duty troops who are already there.

Even before Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States had put thousands of additional American troops in areas neighboring, or near, Ukraine  such as Germany, Poland and Romania  to support NATOs eastern flank. Bidens administration has also given Ukraine tens of billions of dollars in military aid at the same time, including an $800 million package last week.

The United States European Command is preparing to use new authorities in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, in continuation of U.S. commitment to NATO collective security, peace and stability, Navy Capt. Bill Speaks, a spokesman for U.S. European Command, said Thursday. This will not change current force posture levels in Europe.

The Pentagon also said Atlantic Resolve is now being designated as a contingency operation, which is a move to add operational flexibility and troop benefits.

It unlocks capabilities and authorities that enables us to provide better support, said Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons top spokesman. This includes things like  personnel related entitlements that give activated reservists the same benefits as active-component personnel.

Bidens order comes after he met this week with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the NATO summit in Lithuania. During the summit, he and other NATO leaders agreed to expedite Ukrainian membership and said Kyiv will receive an invitation once certain conditions are met, such as improved defense standards and equipment.

Ukraine's future lies at NATO," Biden said Wednesday at the conference, where the United States and G7 nations Japan, Canada, Germany, France, Britain and Italy issued a joint declaration of support for Ukraine. We are going to help Ukraine build a strong capable defense across land, air and sea."
Veterans in an 80,000-person study experienced higher than expected mortality rates and greater risks of heart attacks and strokes if they lived in a historically segregated neighborhood.

Published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study looked at data from veterans receiving care for preexisting cardiovascular disease at Veterans Affairs hospitals nationwide from Jan. 1, 2016, to Dec. 31, 2019.

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals and the Cleveland VA Medical Center examined the health records of veterans living in historically segregated neighborhoods.

The study used color-coded zones that were set out decades ago as part of redlining, a discriminatory housing practice that was used in the United States from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Authors of the study aimed to gauge the impact of racist housing policies that were outlawed because of judicial rulings and federal legislation generations ago.

A century-old practice like redlining still affects our nations health today, said Salil Deo, a cardiac surgeon at the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System and one of the authors of the report.

Living in a historically redlined neighborhood came with a 13% greater rate of death from all causes, and a 14% higher risk of stroke or heart attack among subjects, according to the study.

That elevated risk was present even after researchers considered known cardiovascular risk factors as well as race and ethnicity.

This study builds on emerging literature linking redlining with a host of present-day health issues, Sadeer Al-Kindi, another author of the report, said in a statement this week issued by Case Western Reserve University.

During the Great Depression, the federal government began insuring private mortgages to help people buy homes. These efforts included the creation of color-coded maps of U.S. cities based on perceived foreclosure risk.

Green areas, rated A, were seen as safe investments. Red areas, rated D, were seen as hazardous and ineligible for an insured mortgage, author Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote in a 2014 history of redlining.

The practice separated neighborhoods based on race or ethnicity, led to segregation and discouraged people from investing, Coates wrote in The Case for Reparations, a long-form article published in The Atlantic in 2014.

People who live in redlined neighborhoods are more likely to have coronary artery disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease, according to a previous study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2021 as well as another published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2022.

The authors of the study published this week said their findings might not apply to nonveterans, as their subjects were mostly men who had health insurance. They said the specific reasons for the poor health results need further research.
The top US and Chinese diplomats will hold their second meeting in as many months on Thursday in Jakarta, seeking to manage tensions that risk flaring anew over alleged Chinese hacking.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Wang Yi, China's top foreign policy official, will meet on the sidelines of Association of Southeast Asian Nations talks in the Indonesian capital, the State Department's public schedule showed.

The meeting is going ahead despite Microsoft saying two days earlier that Chinese hackers had breached US government email accounts, including those of the State Department.

The Jakarta talks come nearly a month after Blinken travelled to Beijing, the first visit by a US secretary of state in nearly five years, and met President Xi Jinping as well as Wang and Foreign Minister Qin Gang.

Wang, who leads the foreign affairs commission of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee, is representing China at the Jakarta talks among foreign ministers as Qin is ill, the foreign ministry in Beijing said.

Blinken's trip opened a flurry of diplomacy, with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visiting Beijing last week and a trip by climate envoy John Kerry set for the coming days.

But the United States has still not achieved its key goal of resuming dialogue with the Chinese military, seen as critical to avoiding worst-case scenarios.

Tensions between the world's two largest economies have soared in recent years over a host of issues including China's growing assertiveness in the region and sweeping restrictions imposed by the United States on exports of advanced semiconductors.

US officials fear China is readying plans to invade Taiwan, the self-governing democracy it claims, and want to preserve the status quo that has reigned, often uneasily, for nearly five decades.

'Productive coexistence'?

Neither the United States nor China has predicted breakthroughs from the renewed diplomacy, but both have spoken of making sure that disagreements do not lead to outright conflict.

Blinken spoke in unusually sanguine terms about China after his trip to Beijing, avoiding the Cold War-like talk of a long-term global confrontation with the rising Asian power that was popular under former president Donald Trump's administration.

"At least in the near term, maybe even in the lifetimes of most people in this room, I don't think (there is) a clear finish line," Blinken said of US goals in China during a recent appearance at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

"This is more about getting to a place where we have peaceful and maybe somewhat more productive coexistence between us."

But incidents have repeatedly crept up to overshadow the relationship.

Microsoft this week said that a Chinese hacking group had gained access to nearly 25 organisations with the goal of espionage.

The State Department said it detected "anomalous activity" but stopped short of publicly blaming China, saying an investigation was underway.

Blinken's first plan to visit Beijing was scuttled in February after Washington said it detected a Chinese espionage balloon over the mainland United States.

Tensions on sea, Myanmar

The South China Sea is set to be a major topic at the ASEAN talks in Jakarta, where Washington and Beijing will both take part in an 18-nation East Asia Summit with foreign ministers' on Friday.

China claims almost the entirety of the strategic waterway and several ASEAN members complain about Beijing infringing on their own overlapping territorial claims.

Wang addressed ASEAN ministers before talks Thursday morning as did Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who will be in the same room Friday as Blinken for the East Asia Summit meeting.

It will be their first encounter since a brief March meeting in India but no bilateral talks are expected between the two diplomats as Moscow's widely-condemned invasion of Ukraine grinds on.

ASEAN will also meet jointly with the foreign ministers of China, Japan and South Korea, a dialogue in place since the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

The crisis in coup-racked Myanmar that has divided ASEAN members will also be on the list of topics addressed, said Teuku Rezasyah, international relations expert at Padjadjaran University.

"Japan and South Korea have an interest to prevent Myanmar from joining China's orbit," he said.

Thailand's foreign minister on Wednesday said he met with ousted Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi last week and Bangkok has sought engagement with Myanmar's ruling junta, drawing criticism that it is undercutting ASEAN efforts.

A Southeast Asian diplomat said a joint ASEAN communique after the bloc's two-day ministerial meeting earlier this week was still being worked out and would come on Thursday, a day later than expected.

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Eamon Moran (49) is accused of making unwanted attempts to contact the woman over the course of nearly two years.

A GARDA sergeant charged with harassing a woman with unwanted text messages and missed calls has had his case adjourned so he can be medically assessed.

Eamon Moran (49) is accused of making unwanted attempts to contact the woman over the course of nearly two years.

He was remanded on continuing bail today after Blanchardstown District Court heard he was being assessed for a brain injury and heart issue.

Sgt Moran, with an address in south Dublin, is charged with harassing the alleged victim at an unknown location on dates between April 3, 2021 and January 14 this year.

The charge is under Section 10 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Today was his third court appearance after he was charged in March.

The court had previously ordered disclosure of prosecution evidence and the case was back before the court today to confirm this.

His barrister said disclosure had been received but Sgt Moran had been assessed in respect of rehabilitation. He had suffered a brain injury and also had to undergo medical assessment in relation to a heart issue, she said.

It had not been appropriate for the defence to go through the disclosure with their client at this time, the barrister said.

The prosecution was amenable to a further adjournment, she added.

Judge Gerard Jones remanded the accused on continuing bail to appear in court again on a date in October.

Sgt Moran was not required to address the court during todays brief hearing and has not yet indicated a plea to the charge.

The Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the case being dealt with in the district court and Judge Jones had earlier accepted jurisdiction in the case after hearing an outline of the allegations in April.

At that jurisdiction hearing, a garda inspector told the court it was alleged that between the dates in question, there was a large volume of texts and missed phone calls to the woman from the accused.

The prosecution would claim this contact was unwanted and the accused was aware of this at the time.

On the accused's first court date, Inspector Daniel Callaghan gave evidence of Sgt Moran's arrest, charge and caution.

In reply after caution, he had nothing to say, Insp Callaghan said.

Judge Jones had asked the Inspector what the gist of the case was.

Its an allegation of harassment of a female in the Clondalkin area, he replied.

Asked if the alleged victim was related to the accused, the Inspector said no.

Judge Jones granted bail in the accused's own bond of 100, with no cash lodgement required. Under conditions, he must not have any contact with the alleged victim, including electronically or by phone.

He is also to stay away from Clondalkin village and Dublin 1.
Ex soldier Kevin Bowes (70) was caught in 2014 when he accidentally sent an image of a naked girl to a female acquaintance

A SEX offender once jailed for sharing images of children as young as 10 being abused has moved address without telling gardai three times, a court has heard.

Ex soldier Kevin Bowes (70) was caught in 2014 when he accidentally sent an image of a naked girl to a female acquaintance. He and a friend were found with 92 images of children in sexual activity with each other and adults.

He has now appeared before Dublin District Court charged with failing to notify gardai of his address for the third time since his release from a two-year prison sentence in 2016.

Judge Deirdre Gearty fined him 250 after he pleaded guilty to the latest offence.

Garda Sergeant Michelle Lynch said Bowes was subject to the Sex Offenders Act when he left his Dublin address and failed to notify the gardai between June 1 last year and March 12 this year.

When gardai spoke to him, Bowes said he did not fully understand his obligations under the Act.

Gardai had explained the requirements to him prior to his release from prison in 2016, when he signed the notification, the court heard.

Bowes had 11 previous convictions, most recently in 2021, for the same offence of failing to notify gardai of his address. He had a conviction for the same offence in 2017.

Defence solicitor Peter Connolly said the accused apologised.

Bowes was on the state old age pension, had a fairly chronic alcohol dependency and suffered from multiple health issues, he said.

He had a mobile phone and when the gardai called him he did comply but he was living in a homeless hostel and prioritising his health.

Sometimes he forgets to do it, Mr Connolly said.

Bowes had been in the armed forces for 15 years and was previously married.

Judge Gearty said she was concerned that Bowes initial response to gardai was that he was not aware of his obligations.

To say that to the gardai for the third time is a little disingenuous, she said, fining him.

Bowes, with an address at the time at Markievicz House, Townsend Street, Dublin, and a co-accused Kenneth Powell, then of Bessborough Avenue, North Strand, Dublin, both pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in 2014 to possession of child pornography at their homes in March 2011.

Two months earlier, Bowes had inadvertently sent an image to a woman he knew. The image was captioned "She's 12, she's 12".

The woman brought the image to gardai who went to Bowes' flat and seized three mobile phones. Gardai found thousands of texts sent between Bowes and Powell. Some of the texts were lurid in detail and Powell talked about abusing children in 39 messages, the court heard.
The defendant, with an address at Cardiffsbridge Avenue in Finglas, pleased guilty to unlawful possession of a mobile phone while in custody

A teenage prison inmate was found with a mobile phone illegally in his cell during a routine search by prison officers, a court has heard.

Darragh Collopy (19) was given a two-month sentence when he admitted the offence.

The defendant, with an address at Cardiffsbridge Avenue in Finglas, pleased guilty to unlawful possession of a mobile phone while in custody.

Blanchardstown District Court heard that the mobile phone was found during a search of Collopys cell at Wheatfield Prison, Cloverhill Road, Clondalkin, on March 29 this year.

The accused accepted ownership of the phone immediately and made no reply when cautioned.

Collopy had 24 previous convictions and was already serving a sentence when he appeared in court.

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Garda Ciara Means said none of Collopys convictions were for having a phone in prison, however.

Defence lawyer Alan Fitzgerald said Collopy had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

He had also been disciplined within the prison, he added.

Cases such as this were not straightforward to prosecute and the accuseds guilty plea had made it easier for the State, his lawyer said. Mr Fitzgerald asked the judge to be as lenient as possible and not to extend Collopys time in prison. He was due to be released next year.

Judge Gerard Jones convicted and sentenced Collopy to two months in prison.

Mr Fitzgerald said that Collopy was a serving prisoner, so was out of work, and Judge Jones assigned defence solicitor Niall OConnor on free legal aid.
Two people, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s, were arrested and questioned before being released without charge

The cliffs are some of the highest in Europe

The body of a man who was found dead in the sea off Donegal has been released to his family following a post-mortem examination.

Robert Wilkin, who was aged in his late 60s and originally from Co Tyrone, was recovered from the water off Slieve League in the early hours of Monday, July 3.

Wilkin, who was due to stand trial for drug smuggling, was found after the alarm was raised by a member of the public, who is understood to have reported that a man had been assaulted and was missing.

Two people, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s, were arrested and questioned before being released without charge.

A major operation was staged to find Wilkin

Ocean FM has reported that the body was kept in the morgue at Letterkenny University Hospital, where a post-mortem examination was conducted by the State Pathologist, Dr Linda Mulligan.

The badly beaten body of the victim was discovered in the water at Slieve League, a popular tourist attraction, following a week-long operation involving land, air and deep-water search teams.

The Irish national who had been arrested in England following the discovery of 6.7m worth of heroin and cocaine in a lorry in August 2021 had been living in Tilbury in Essex at the time.

However, he is believed to have been most recently living in the Killybegs area of Co Donegal and had been socialising in the Kilcar, Glenties or Sliabh Liag area in the days leading up to the weekend of June 24 and 25 when he disappeared.

He was understood to have been seen in the company of a man and woman before gardai, acting on a tip-off from a member of the public, were alerted that a potential serious assault had been committed.

A man in his late 30s and a woman in her late 20s, crashed a car in the village of Fintown, Co Donegal, on Sunday, June 25, resulting in the mans arrest for alleged drink-driving.

The man was rearrested as he left Letterkenny District Court on suspicion of assault, while the woman was arrested at another location.

At the same time, detectives applied to Judge Brendan OReilly for a search warrant to examine the mans car.

It is understood the car was covered in blood and also contained cleaning products.

A house in the Killybegs area was also sealed off as part of the investigation. During searches a blanket soaked in blood was recovered.

Gardai have been working on the theory that Wilkin had been assaulted and then thrown off the cliffs at Sliabh Liag, which are among Europes highest sea cliffs.

The cliffs are some of the highest in Europe

Pending formal identification, it is expected that a murder investigation will be launched.

Sliabh Liag was closed to tourists for five days as gardai, the Coast Guard and Donegal Mountain Rescue searched for the missing man.

Gardai later extended their search to nearby Teelin Pier, leading to boat tours and other tourism businesses shutting down during what is usually their busy summer season.

Wilkin had been questioned by officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) after the lorry he was driving was stopped at the Coquelles Channel Tunnel terminal on Thursday, August 12, 2021.

The truck which was registered in Poland had been carrying a load of Belgian chocolates which was to be delivered to a location in Maidstone, Kent.

Border Force officers found the tape wrapped packages hidden in two pallets of the chocolates, and in total 63 kilos of heroin and 32 kilos of cocaine were seized.

Officers from the NCA later charged Wilkin with attempting to import a class A drug.

NCA Branch Commander Martin Grace said a time: This was a significant seizure of class A drugs of the type we see being distributed by violent and exploitative street gangs and county lines networks.

Working with our law enforcement partners like Border Force we are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle the organised crime groups involved in bringing these drugs to the UK.
The whole house is destroyed. The window are smashed and its covered in graffiti.

Youths carried out an arson attack on the home of convicted sex offender this week days after smashing a brick off his head.

Gardai were forced to put officers outside the house round the clock to prevent further attacks on the home of sex offender Alan Kiernan

The Sunday World reported over the weekend how Kiernan had been targeted in repeated attacks in recent weeks and gardai had been called to the scene on multiple occasions due to the ongoing issues.

Ambulances were called to treat Kiernan on three separate occasions over the space of less than 24 hours between Saturday and Sunday after he was pelted with bricks and rocks by youths in the area.

The first time was around 5pm on Saturday where he was treated for injuries in an ambulance after being pelted with rocks before he returned to his house.

Video shows a youth throwing brick at Kiernan

As soon as gardai and emergency services left the scene the youths returned to attack the house again.

Shortly before 9pm gardai and ambulance workers were back again after he received another injury.

Once again, he returned to his home but by Sunday morning had called another ambulance.

He was taken to hospital with concussion and returned to the area around 2pm and they lashed him out of it again, a local said.

Later on they pulled the wood off the windows and got in and sprayed the front of the house and were shouting burn him out.

A video shows Kiernan covered in blood during one of the attacks.

On Tuesday afternoon the fire brigade was called to the home after youths managed to set a fire inside. Emergency services managed to put it out before it could cause too much damage.

Alan Kiernan

A garda spokesperson said: Gardai are investigating an incident of criminal damage at a residence in Whitehall, Dublin 9 which occurred on Tuesday 11th July 2023.

No arrests have been made in relation to this incident, at this time. Investigations are ongoing.

Locals say youths pelted gardai with eggs when they arrived at the scene.

They added Kiernan wasnt in the house when the fire was lit on Tuesday hasnt been seen back in the area since.

You couldnt live in the house at the moment because of the condition it is in.

The guards have been there since then sitting outside since. The whole house is destroyed. The window are smashed and its covered in graffiti.

Nobody wants him in the area but neighbours arent happy with whats being going on. Its gone too far. Where does it end? If someone set that house on fire it could spread to next door.

The local said the youths involved are between around eight and up to 14 and are not from the local area. Other locals in the area have tried to get them to stop and have also been pelted with bricks.

Kiernan has convictions for rape, unlawful carnal knowledge of a 15-year-oild girl, stalking and harassment amongst other offences.

The local said Kiernan tried to talk to the youths attacking him and his property by claiming he didnt know his 15-year-old victim was underage.
Jo-Emma Larvin (44) helped smuggle suitcases crammed with cash from the UK to Dubai in a 104m criminal enterprise

Some of the cash that was seized

A glamour model ex-girlfriend of boxer Joe Calzaghe has walked free from court after being convicted for her part in a multi-million pound money-laundering operation.

Jo-Emma Larvin (44) who dated the Welsh boxer, who has no connection to crime, for six years, helped smuggle suitcases crammed with cash from the UK to Dubai in a 104m criminal enterprise.

She was one of six members of the criminal network that transported the cash to Dubai during 83 separate trips between November 2019 and October 2020.

Larvin, from Ripon in North Yorkshire, was sentenced to 24 months suspended for two years at Isleworth Crown Court this week after the ringleader Abdullah Alfalasi (48) was jailed for more than nine years in July last year.

Larvin with boxer Joe Calzaghe

Beatrice Auty (27), from London; Jonathan Johnson (55) also from Ripon in North Yorkshire, and Amy Harrison (28) from Worcester Park in Surrey, were convicted following a trial at Isleworth Crown Court on April 26 this year.

Two other couriers from the same network were convicted at earlier hearings and were sentenced alongside them yesterday.

It was earlier revealed how the couriers, who communicated on WhatsApp groups, including one titled Sunshine and lollipops were paid around 3,000 for each trip.

The couriers would have a few days in Dubai before flying back with cases that were very considerably lighter than when they went out prosecutors had claimed.

They would fly business class so they could bring more luggage and all their expenses including hotel accommodation were covered.

Adrian Searle, Director of the National Economic Crime Centre in the NCA, said the laundering of such vast quantities of cash around the globe enabled organised criminals and corrupt elites to clean or hide their ill-gotten gains.

Cash smugglers work on behalf of international controller networks, who move the finances of the international drug trade, people traffickers, fraudsters and other criminal groups, he said.

This case demonstrates the continued commitment to crackdown on money laundering and target organised crime groups who cause misery and ruin lives.

Ringleader Abdullah Alfalasi

Investigators established that Tara Hanlon, who was convicted in June 2021, had briefed another courier who then travelled from Heathrow to Dubai on three occasions in August and September 2020, checking in 18 suitcases which contained 6.8 million.

Auty had travelled the same route twice in July and August of that year, checking in seven suitcases containing 3.4 million before being arrested following NCA raids in May 2021.

Czech national Zdenek Kamaryt who joined her on the second trip was convicted of money laundering in March 2021.

Auty who was involved in the logistical arrangements for another 16 trips, had helped to pack cash into suitcases.

She also accompanied the travellers to Heathrow and collected the empty suitcases when they returned so they could be used again.

Larvin, who made two trips to Dubai in August and September 2020, made one with Amy Harrison when they took seven cases between them containing 2.2 million.

On another with her partner Jonathan Johnson they took eight suitcases containing 2.8 million.

Larvin and Johnson were arrested at Manchester Airport in March 2022.

Harrison took 15 suitcases containing around 6m on three trips between July and September 2020.

The network had collected the cash, which was mainly the profits of drug dealing from criminal groups around the UK, to rented apartments in Central London that were used as counting houses.

The money was then vacuum packed and separated into suitcases, which would typically each contain around 500,000. In a bid to avoid detection by sniffer dogs, they were sprayed with coffee or air fresheners.

Some of the cash that was seized

NCA senior investigating officer Ian Truby said: These couriers smuggled cash out of the UK on an industrial scale, at the behest of organised crime groups.

They were prepared to travel out to the UAE for a holiday in the sun, in return for a cut of the profit.

This case demonstrates the NCAs commitment to targeting the criminal networks involved in money laundering.

Profits are often re-invested into criminal activities such as drug trafficking. This fuels violence and insecurity in the UK and across the world, which is why our investigation continues.

The other couriers sentenced this week include Nicola Esson (56) from Leeds, who was arrested in May 2021 after travelling from Heathrow to Dubai on three occasions in August and September 2020.

Esson had checked in 19 suitcases with a combined weight of almost half a tonne.

Muhammad Ilyas (30) from Slough, was arrested by NCA officers at Heathrow Airport after arriving on a flight from Dubai in February 2020.

He had checked in four suitcases at the airport ten days earlier, one of which had gone missing, and declared almost 1.5 million in cash to Dubai Customs.

Border Force officers later found the missing suitcase that contained 431,360 in cash. He had made one previous trip in January 2021, declaring 1 million on that occasion.

At Isleworth Crown Court, Auty was sentenced to 42 months imprisonment; Johnson to 12 months suspended for two years; Larvin to 24 months suspended for two years; Harrison to 24 months suspended for two years; Esson to 22 months suspended for two years and Ilyas to 15 months suspended for two years.
The bodies of at least 87 people allegedly killed last month by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group and their allies have been buried in a mass grave in Darfur, the UN said on Thursday.

Since April 15, Sudan's regular army headed by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has been locked in fighting with the RSF, commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

The fighting has sparked a humanitarian crisis, killing thousands and forcing millions of people to flee their homes, with the deadliest violence raging in the vast western region of Darfur that borders Chad.

The victims were killed in the West Darfur state capital El-Geneina between June 13-21 and the RSF ordered locals to bury them outside the city, said the UN's human rights office OHCHR.

Some of the victims belonged to the non-Arab Masalit ethnic group, while seven women and seven children were among the dead, the office said, adding that the RSF were "denying those killed a decent burial".

The UN had already received reports of Arab militia targeting Masalit men and said the conflict has taken on an "ethnic dimension".

OHCHR added that some people died from untreated injuries while others were victims of the violence that erupted following the killing of West Darfur's governor Khamis Abdullah Abakar in June.

UN rights chief Volker Turk said he was "appalled by the callous and disrespectful way the dead, along with their families and communities, were treated".

"There must be a prompt, thorough and independent investigation into the killings, and those responsible must be held to account."

He called on the warring parties to allow and facilitate searches for the dead.

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The 35-year-old is accused of punching a one-legged man at the Bird Bar at the Flamingo Hotel at around 11.20pm on Sunday

A naked New York man who was arrested after running through two Las Vegas casinos while flaunting his genitals and fighting with an amputee had his Irish Car Bombs drink spiked, his family have said.

Brian Danilczyk, from Long Island, has been charged with five counts of indecent/obscene exposure and one count of disorderly conduct after he went on the rampage while visiting Sin City on a stag break.

The 35-year-old is accused of punching a one-legged man at the Bird Bar at the Flamingo Hotel at around 11.20pm on Sunday, before fleeing out onto the Strip.

When Las Vegas police arrived, only one person remained at the scene, who showed them a video of Danilczyk fighting another man, who only had one leg, while bystanders tried to get the two separated.

Police would later go on to speak with the victim, who said he didn't know Danilczyk and didn't want to press charges.

The Las Vegas display

Officers were then called to Harrahs Hotel and Casino, where Danilczyk was arrested after he was reportedly taken down from the top of a poker table by security as he was "flaunting his genitalia while gyrating."

Security video also showed Danilczyk "removing his clothes at the Linq" and running "completely naked through the Linq to the Harrahs" before being taken into custody.

Las Vegas cops finally wrestled him to the ground before charging him with disorderly conduct, battery and five counts of indecent exposure.

However, he has no recollection of any of this, his family have said, insisting that his drink had been spiked by some type of hallucinogenic drug that was slipped into his beverage.

I will start by saying that we are good people and my husband is a great person. He would never act in such a way, his wife, Michele Danilczyk, reportedly said in a text message to the New York Post on Tuesday. He is the victim.

The person who chose to drug my husband is the true criminal and is to blame for such behaviour, she said. His drink was laced with some type of drug that caused a severe hallucinogenic reaction.

He has no recollection of it happening so we are working extensively at the emergency room and visiting doctors for a toxicology reading to find out exactly what type of drug it was.

She added: We live a very happy and blessed life.

His father, William Danilczyk, said his son was in an altered state of mind at the time.

He and his friend were sitting outside talking about homeowners insurance, Mr Danilczyk told The Post.

And somebody inside bought a round for everybody. They were getting ready to leave the bar, and they called them inside and said, Hey, they bought a round, the drinks are sitting here.

So they came in and drank their drinks, and he went outside, and 10, 15 minutes later, he says to his friend, Im feeling off. Somethings weird. Somethings wrong with me,' he said.

Brian Danilczyk and his wife Michele

He started getting all paranoid and ran off. They went after him and found him, and were trying to calm him down, but he just started getting worse and worse and worse, and basically, this drug took over and he took off running.

Danilczyk said the drinks the group ordered were Irish Car Bombs, which consist of Irish whiskey and Irish cream that are then dropped into a half-pint of Guinness stout.

His father said the outrageous behaviour is entirely out of character for his son, a computer programmer with a degree from Villanova University who just bought a house with his expectant wife.

Im 33 weeks pregnant and the fact that someone put our family in this situation is so disheartening, Michele Danilczyk added.

Im glad to have him home and in a safe place. We are counting our blessings and look forward to when we can put this behind us.
"She acted in a calculated manner using a variety of numbers, phones and chat applications to try and evade detection.

A prison officer was herself jailed on Friday for an illicit relationship with a killer lag in Lancashire.

Olivia Hodgson (26) had been working at HMP Garth in the UK since 2017 and started a relationship with murderer Lavarne Forde-Morgan in early 2020.

Hudgson used phones she smuggled into work to communicate with him when she was off duty. The former officer was jailed for eight months on July 7 at Burnley Crown Court.

"Olivia knew right from wrong and had received adequate corruption training where she would have gained a good understanding of the criminal outcomes should a relationship be entered into with a prisoner, Officer Becky Pearson said.

Forde-Morgan (UK police)

Hodgson was arrested at HMP Garth and her home address was searched in July 2021 after colleagues became suspicious of the pairs activities.

Officers seized a mobile phone which contained images of the couple, as well as a birthday card addressed to Hodgson which had Forde-Morgan's fingerprints on it.

Forde-Morgan, who is currently serving a sentence for murder and possessing a shotgun and firearm with intent to endanger life, admitted to possessing illegal phones and was jailed for an additional 18 months.

Becky Pearson from the Anti-Corruption Unit said: "Olivia abused her position as a prison officer by choosing to have an inappropriate relationship with an inmate and she will now have to face the consequences of her actions.

"She acted in a calculated manner using a variety of numbers, phones and chat applications to try and evade detection. In doing so, she was able to continue the relationship with Forde-Morgan despite him moving to another prison.

"Olivia knew right from wrong. We will continue to take robust action and investigate any offences which we suspect are taking place in our prisons.

"We want to reassure the honest, dedicated, and hardworking prison staff that we will continue to act against any member of staff who chooses to engage in corrupt activity. We encourage anyone who has information about corruption in our prisons to report it, Ms Pearson said.

Forde-Morgan was a member of a gang known as 'The Gipset Taliban', it has been reported.

'The Gipset Taliban' made the news 14 years ago after a gang fight with members of another crew at the Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon - which was later seen on CCTV footage posted on the internet.
Are we meant to believe that the mum-of-two is sitting at home in her polyester pyjamas trawling through the websites virtual bargain bin?

Naomi Campbell is among the four stars of the show (Doug Peters/PA)

Before this week, did anyone for one second believe Naomi Campbell had a single item with a PrettyLittleThing tag on it in her wardrobe?

In a union about as likely as oil and water, the original supermodel has joined forces with the British fast-fashion retailer, it was confirmed this week.

And I cant wait to see whether the 53-year-old will choose to step out in one of their sheer lace one shoulder cut-out midaxi dresses (14.50), or maybe the silky plunge extreme slit maxi dress (28.80), on the red carpet next.

At least the tiny outfit should squeeze neatly between the black Alexander McQueen tuxedo suit (3,635) and white Chanel couture dress (which you cant even buy) currently hanging in her wardrobe, both of which she wore to the Cannes Film Festival recently.

Teased as coming soon on Instagram, the fashionista is set to design a range of clothes for the company, which previously ruffled faux feathers when it struck a 5m deal with Molly-Mae Hague to become creative director in 2021.

Naomi Campbell (Doug Peters/PA)

Considering that even the former Love Islander has now cut ties with the brand, and that Naomis previous collaborations include Hugo Boss and BMW, its quite the coup  not to mention quite the head-scratcher.

Aimed at 16- to 41-year-old women chasing the supermodel look on a supermarket budget, a bracket I regrettably fall into, are we meant to believe that the mum-of-two is sitting at home in her polyester pyjamas trawling through the websites virtual bargain bin?

Or has star power finally eclipsed all credibility when it comes to flogging everything from booze to shoes in the age of the influencer?

Just this week, Jennifer Lopez was forced to defend her new cocktail brand Delola after fans pointed out she had previously claimed not to drink, while husband Ben Affleck has been open about his battle with alcoholism.

Responding to the backlash, the 53-year-old clarified: That was true for a long time  I didnt drink. As you will see from several photos over the past 10, maybe 15 years, I have been ... having the occasional cocktail.

Side hustles have very much been in the news as we wait to see which RTE staffer ends up in the crosshairs next. All I ask is for these big-money deals to be vaguely believable.

Whatever about the ethics or optics, at least when Doireann Garrihy posted about delightedly tucking into her Flahavans porridge in the 2FM studio, you could reasonably believe that the presenter might hoof into one of the protein-packed pots in between ad breaks.

Likewise, George Clooney has me long since convinced that he lounges around his Lake Como pile sipping on steamy Nespressos while reading scripts.

On top of catching heat for teaming up with the landfill magnet, Naomi faced criticism that she was too old to become a mum after welcoming her second child last month.

Whatever about that, there definitely comes a time when youre too long in the tooth to peddle teenybopper fashion  never mind wear it.
The FTC is investigating Chat GPT for risk of harm to consumers.

The US Government is investigating Chat GPT in a probe to uncover whether the chatbot has been harming people by publishing false information.

The bombshell news was uncovered by the Washington Post and confirmed by CNN this week.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a section of the US Government designed to enforce consumer protection, has written to Open AI seeking extensive records regarding public data, inaccurate information and risk of harm to consumers.

The investigation is set to further the debate regarding generative AIs threat to jobs, national security, democracy and life itself, after UN chief Antonio Guterres said last month that AI represents an "existential threat to humanity on a par with the risk of nuclear war.

Dolly Parton concerned that AI tech could keep her soul on Earth

"Alarm bells over the latest form of artificial intelligence - generative AI - are deafening," Mr Guterres said.

In a 20-page investigative demand, the FTC asked OpenAI to respond to requests ranging from how it obtains information it uses to train its language models as well as its capacity to generate statements about real individuals that are false, misleading, or disparaging.

The move comes on the back of an investigation by EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin, which showed that AI views Irish people as ugly leprechauns.

By prompting the worlds most used AI generator to show an Irish man, EPIC uncovered results which were consistently outdated, disturbing and derogatory.

We hope to inspire people to look beyond stereotypes wherever they encounter them and create meaningful conversations about the pitfalls of AI, said Aileesh Carew, CEO of EPIC.

AI misinformation image

AI takes data from across the internet and creates what it thinks is the most accurate representation of its prompt.

In reality, fabrication and disinformation in generative AI models are a well-established phenomena. This fabrication of reality distorts human beliefs, which cannot be easily rectified.

UN boss Mr Guterres said the UN was considering setting up a new global watchdog agency on artificial intelligence, along the lines of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"New technology is moving at warp speed," Mr Guterres told reporters. "And so are the threats that come with it.

"The proliferation of hate and lies in the digital space is causing grave global harm  now, Guterres added.
Some of those who could attend the religious peak are involved in bitter family feuds in counties Clare, Galway and Mayo

A special policing plan is to be put in place at Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo later this month amid fears a number of feuding families could be involved in violent clashes at the pilgrimage site.

Sources say that gardai are closely monitoring the situation over concerns that individuals involved in a number of serious and complicated disputes could pitch up at the famous mountain under the guise of climbing it for charity.

Armed gardai may patrol Croagh Patrick on Saturday, July 22, if the threat level is deemed to be severe enough on the day, sources said last night.

There is so much concern about potential violence that Westport gardai are actively trying to determine who exactly will attend on the day and have requested information from officers nationwide about this.

The situation kicked off when an English-based former bareknuckle boxer and TV personality revealed on social media that he was going to climb what is known as Irelands holiest mountain to raise money for an orphanage.

This man is not involved in feuds or crime but sources say that some people involved in violent feuds, particularly in the west of Ireland, may take advantage of the high-profile personalitys fundraising rallying cry.

There are no concerns around this individual at all but what has now happened is that there are people who have been effectively at war with each other saying that they are going to be at Croagh Patrick to raise funds for various charities on the day, a source explained.

They are calling out other rivals to be in Co Mayo on the day and making challenges to each other  the big fear is that some of these rivals could come together on July 22 which could well mean extreme violence.

Some of those who could attend the religious peak are involved in bitter family feuds in counties Clare, Galway and Mayo where there have been multiple violent incidents in the past year.

Last December Ennis District Court heard that up to 10 families were involved in different disputes in that Co Clare town alone in which there has been a number of shooting incidents and other violence.

Detectives in Co Mayo and Co Galway are investigating multiple suspects under Operation Trinomial in an attempt to tackle feuding families in Connacht. With multiple family feuds ongoing, gardai have been investigating incidents of petrol bomb attacks in which property has been severely damaged as well as car-ramming incidents and multiple death threats often made online.

What is certain if individuals who are involved in these type of feuds turn up in numbers at Croagh Patrick on Sunday week it will not make for a very pleasant day for anyone, a source said last night.

Last month seven men were arrested and six were charged before the courts as part of a massive investigation involving 85 gardai during searches in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, and the Ballybane and Bohermore areas of Galway city.
Mr Kennedy who was described as hugely popular was also remembered at Mass in Dunboyne on Sunday

A young Co Meath man who was badly injured in a motorbike crash in Vietnam has died.

Matthew Kennedy (20s) from Sadlier Hall, Dunboyne, had been in a coma in recent weeks since the incident.

Matthew had been travelling with friends when he was injured, which led to the creation of a GoFundMe page on June 28 to help pay for treatment.

A note on the fundraising page says that Mr Kennedy who had been left in a coma after a serious motorbike crash, had also suffered other severe injuries. Money was being raised to support him and his family.

However, The Irish Times reports that sympathy was extended to the family by a St Peters GAA Club member at the July meeting of the Meath (GAA) County Committee on Monday.

Mr Kennedy who was described as hugely popular whose death has left the village in shock, was also remembered at Mass in Dunboyne on Sunday.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs told the Times the department is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of any specific case.

A post on the GoFundMe page revealed how a short while ago as Matthew and a group of his friends were travelling around Asia, Mathew unfortunately got into a serious motorbike crash that has led him to be in a coma along with other severe injuries

"As it is a tough time for his family, We are raising money to support both him and his family over this long and hard journey ahead along with all the treatments and expenses along the way.

"Absolutely anything will go a long way for his family. Thank you."

Numerous donations have been made, alongside messages of support, including one from one person who said they met Matthew travelling Thailand, incredible boy.

Another added: I'm absolutely devastated and heartbroken to hear about Matt.
This person said that they had received late night messages on social media including kisses from Huw Edwards

Fresh allegations against Huw Edwards have been revealed by BBC Newsnight that reported how staff members claim the newsreader sent them inappropriate and flirtatious" messages.

BBC Newsnight unveiled the new allegations after Edwards was named yesterday by his wife Vicky Flind as the presenter accused of paying 35,000 to a vulnerable teenager in return for explicit photographs.

Newsnight reported on how one BBC staff member who was contacted on social media by Edwards in messages that referred to their appearance and appeared to be flirtatious left them uncomfortable and feeling awkward.

There is a power dynamic that makes this inappropriate, the staffer is quoted as saying.

According to a second BBC employee, Edwards had also made remarks about their appearance in a private message on social media that gave them a cold shudder.

BBC Newsnight host Victoria Derbyshire said she also spoke to one person who previously worked at the organisation who told her they had never met the newsreader.

This person said that they had received late night messages on social media including kisses from Huw Edwards, which they said they believed was an abuse of power, Ms Derbyshire is quoted as saying.

BBC News Special Correspondent Lucy Manning said there were questions for BBC bosses about the culture in the newsroom, and the way that complaints can be raised and the way people feel comfortable or not to raise them.

Ms Manning added: 'It's been a very difficult day here in the BBC newsroom, some of the things we have had to report have been hard to hear.

'The police have found no evidence of criminality but there is still a lot for the BBC to grapple with."

Broadcaster Huw Edwards named by his wife as BBC presenter at centre of scandal

Two of the three complainants felt they were unable to report their allegations of inappropriate behaviour to BBC managers, it was claimed.

A BBC spokesman said they are communicating with staff and will continue to do so.

We always treat the concerns of staff with care, and would always urge any staff members to speak to us if they have any concerns, a spokesperson has said, according to The Daily Mail.

We have clear processes for making complaints within the organisation, including whistleblowing procedures should someone wish to do so anonymously.

In a lengthy statement about the presenters well-being, Ms Flind said the father-of-five is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future.

She asked for privacy for her family and said she was doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.

She added: I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end. Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.

Edwards was named after a number of BBC stars including Gary Lineker, Rylan, Nicky Campbell and Jeremy Vine were forced to publicly deny they were the unnamed star at the centre of the scandal.

Mr Vine had urged his colleague to name themselves to protect colleagues and the BBC. Mr Campbell went to the police to report people who named him online and threatened to sue them.

Meanwhile, the BBC is set to continue its internal probe into the claims Mr Edwards paid the teenager for explicit pictures after it was paused following a request from the police.

Scotland Yard announced it had dropped its probe into the allegations, saying there was no evidence of any crime. South Wales Police later issued a similar statement.

The BBC's top presenter is currently facing four separate allegations. These including paying a young person around 35,000 for sexually explicit photos over a three year period; breaking stay-at-home lockdown rules to meet another young person; sending messages to a 17-year-old with love hearts and kisses and sending threatening messages to a person in their early twenties who he met on a dating app.

Mr Edwards (61) is one of the corporation's most high-profile newsreaders who has presented the flagship BBC News at Ten programme for more than 10 years.

He continued to report more than a dozen times since the claims were allegedly first reported to the corporation on May 19.

However, the presenter still faces an internal BBC investigation and the corporation made further claims about his behaviour last night, alleging 'inappropriate behaviour towards BBC employees past and present'.
The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) has signed a series of agreements for investment projects worth $60 million in the China-Egypt TEDA Cooperation Zone and New Administrative Capital, according to a statement on Wednesday.

SCZONE has signed a $20 million contract with Chinese company Deyu for a large textile printing and dyeing facility in the TEDA Cooperation Zone, coupled with an agreement with Aoxiu Textile Company worth $25 million.

Smaller contracts with Kang Dewei and Zaiyu Auto Parts for new facilities were also signed, worth $3.2 and $2 million, respectively.

The zone also finalized a $10 million contract with the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) for the construction of the China Construction Curtain Wall on an area of 27,000 square meters in the Central Business District of the New Administrative Capital.

Founded in 2008 by China's Tianjin TEDA Investment Holding Co., the TEDA Cooperation Zone is located in Ain Sokhna, Suez Governorate, over 120 kilometres from Cairo.

The new projects are the results of the continuous work and the strategic partnership between SCZONE and Chinese investments, as TEDA-Egypt has made investments worth $1.6 billion and witnessed the presence of about 140 companies during the last period," said Walid Gamal El-Din, CEO of SCZONE.

An SCZONE delegation recently toured investment opportunities in Beijing, Tianjin and Guangzhou in China, holding talks with local companies working in the energy sector, infrastructure, textile industries, and others.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced that Egypt plans to bring in $191 billion in annual revenues by 2026, of which $17 billion are expected to be generated from the Suez Canal and other maritime services.

The Suez Canal, a dependable source of foreign currency for Egypt, has brought in $9.4 billion in revenue during the fiscal year 2022/2023, a 35 percent surge from $7 billion in 2021/2022.

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Teams racing of the highest order is set to light up the track at Taupo on Saturday as the venue again hosts the popular annual Battle of the Teams motocross event.

The Battle of the Teams fundraiser motocross will attract six-rider teams from all parts of the country, the competition to raise funds for Team New Zealand's potential assault on the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) on the other side of the world.

The MXoN was last year staged near Chicago, in the United States, but this year this major event is returning to Ernee, in north-western France.

The MXoN, often referred to as the "Olympic Games of Motocross", did not proceed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and New Zealand did not send a team to the MXoN in Italy in 2021 due to safety concerns and continuing travel difficulties associated with the pandemic.

New Zealand reappeared at the MXoN in Michigan last year and its intrepid team of riders finished 21st out of the 34 countries represented. If and when a team does eventually get selected for another bid later this year, the Kiwis no doubt will be hoping for even better things.

Just like the international MXoN, on which the domestic Battle of the Teams event is based, the team-versus-team format used for Saturday's cash-builder event in Taupo has been immensely popular with the New Zealand motocross community as riders from all across the country line up according to club, race team or provincial loyalties, rather than bike brand or factory allegiances.

The Battle of the Teams will feature the mini riders, juniors and women, as well as seniors and veterans.

There will no doubt be some exciting match-ups, with draw-card riders such as Mount Maunganui's Cody Cooper, Oparau's James Scott, Hawera's Daryl Hurley, Taupo's Brad Groombridge and Auckland's Hamish Harwood, for example, likely to be in attendance and keen to make a few waves.

Individuals such as Invercargill's Jack Symon, Silverdale's Hayden Smith, Cambridge's Jared Hannon, Te Puke's Flynn Watts, Invercargill's Seth Morrow, Pukekohe's Tyler Brown, Te Awamutu's Nixon Parkes and Bombay's Reuben Smith were among those who stood out at this event last season and could be expected to shine again this weekend.

Cooper, Hurley and Groombridge have each represented New Zealand at the MXoN in the past, as has Taranaki's Shayne King, expected to be assisting his talented young sons Curtis and Rian as they race in Taupo on Saturday.

'This will be a huge weekend," says Motorcycling New Zealand motocross commissioner Lindsey Heileson.

"Impressive entries have been received from far and wide, with many travelling up from the South Island, and that's pleasing to see too.

"It shows just how strong is the backing from the motocross community for us to send a team to the Motocross of Nations in France in October."

-By Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com
To mark Matariki, a season of whanau, reflection and renewal, Police Ten One Magazine speak to two father-and-daughter teams from Police's Southern District.

Matt and Madeleine

Matt Scoles is an inspector and currently Southern District Manager of Operations and Support.

He has had many roles, including in Family Harm, Deployment, Youth and Community and specialist groups including the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) and the Police Negotiating Team (PNT). And, of course, years of frontline policing.

'There are always parts of the job that can get you down, he says. 'But whenever you get the opportunity to reflect on all the great things our people do day-in and day-out it's impossible not to be proud of the uniform I have the privilege of wearing.

'The best thing about my near-27 years on the job is the people. It's a special whanau to be involved with and, no matter where you might go in the country, you're always met with people of a similar mindset.

'And speaking of whanau, it's been really awesome to watch my daughter Mads achieve and grow in Police too.

Madeleine is a File Coordinator in the Te Waipounamu File Management Centre, also based in Southern. She's looking forward to spending Matariki in the Maniototo with her dad and wider whanau.

'Our whanau holiday spot in Central Otago is a blended one and includes three of my nieces, so we enjoy being all together when we can, sharing kai and reflecting on childhood memories, she says.

'And enjoying the clear skies to identify the Matariki star cluster, which I look forward to doing with my nieces this year now that they are old enough.

Matt continues: 'Te ao Maori is still a bit of a journey for me personally, and that certainly includes Matariki with my moko.

'I have always found a place for tikanga Maori within my personal and professional worlds and viewpoints.

'It has genuine meaning for me within my personal values, and as an integral part of the understanding and feeling' I have for my New Zealand being' and culture.

'It is an important and visible way for me to provide commitment to Maori and te Tiriti o Waitangi in my professional world.

Matt's advice to others for the weekend is to read. 'Take the opportunity to learn more about Matariki  upskill, personal development and enlightenment is a wonderful thing, he says.

Matt and Mads recommend a great programme they have followed the last couple of years in our Police Wellness Hub Matariki - the Maori New Year | Wellness Hub (synergyhealthltd.com) (link is external). It's a week-long programme in which emails are sent every morning, delivering new information around the stars and formations and the meanings, or stories, of each of the whanau of stars.

'It's been brilliant - it's a chance to understand the significance of Matariki to our tangata whenua. It gives you the opportunity for some personal reflection also, says Matt.

Mike and Katie



Mike Bowman helps Katie with her new epaulettes on graduation day.

Mike Bowman is an inspector and Area Commander for Southland and is lucky enough to have his daughter Katie, a constable on section, working close by.

Mike has been in Police for 37 years and still thinks the good days outweigh the bad.

'The best thing is the people I work with, including my daughter, who gives me significant teasing - not only at home, but also at work now.

'It's also exciting because the nature of the work we do is unpredictable. There's nothing quite like it, and there's so many opportunities to take in this organisation.

'I've been lucky enough to travel to both Namibia and Rwanda in Africa with Police and it's made me realise just how lucky we are to be living in Aotearoa New Zealand. We should celebrate that.

Katie, who graduated from Wing 356 last year, is loving the job her dad has enjoyed for nearly four decades.

'The best thing about working for Police is the diversity within the Police team and the diversity among the community we work with, she says.

'Being able to help people the best we can is an everyday challenge but keeps me on my toes.

Although he doesn't have an iwi, Mike signs off his emails with the Police whakatauaka by Dr Apirana Mahuika: E tu ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e nga ngaru o te wa - Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face.

To Mike this means: 'We will have headwinds/obstacles/tough times but it's important we keep looking ahead and staying the path, embrace the challenges both known and unknown.

'It's exciting but challenging times ahead of us, but that's why we choose to be leaders.

The Bowman whanau cherish their time together during the holiday. They pay a night-time visit to Queens Park, Invercargill, and enjoy the light displays set up to tell the story of Matariki.

'I urge people to check out the beautiful light festival put on by the local community, says Katie. 'Each year they get more creative and it's a perfect way to learn more with and from others and spend time with family.

'If you're in the deep south I highly recommend gathering your whanau and taking a look at the hard work that they've put into the display.

Mike agrees. 'It's really good to spend time with family and friends and take the time to go and explore and understand the meaning behind Matariki and how important it is to tangata whenua.
In a global analysis of plastic pollution levels in freshwater lakes, it appears New Zealand has come out punching well above its weight, and not in a good way.

The study revealed high levels of plastic pollution in New Zealand lakes which University of Waikato Associate Professor and freshwater ecologist Dr Deniz Ozkundakci says is disappointing.

'Lake Rotorua showed levels of plastic pollution comparable with lakes in Europe and the USA. However  and of concern  the density of population around Lake Rotorua is a lot smaller than some other significantly polluted lakes from the study, says Dr Ozkundakci.

He says while they expected New Zealand lakes to have some plastic pollution, the results were disappointing for a country that has a relatively low population density, and given Kiwi's high level of personal responsibility for waste reduction.

The results showed that not even the most remote lakes around the world were untouched by plastic pollution.

Led by Dr Veronica Nava, a research fellow at the University of Milan-Bicocca's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 79 researchers from the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network contributed samples for the study of 38 lakes across 23 different countries and six continents.

A number of New Zealand scientists also contributed to the work.

The study specifically measured levels of small plastic particles, so microplastics through to macroplastics measuring a maximum 10mm in diameter.

'One of the more alarming results was the first data showing plastic pollution in some lakes is higher than the plastic garbage patches' in the ocean.

New Zealand lakes didn't have levels to rival the ocean garbage patches' but Lake Rotorua was found to have high levels of plastic pollution and the highest levels of all the New Zealand lakes in the study.

'This very much aligned with the global data from other lakes in high-population areas  those lakes in or near built-up areas were significantly more polluted than those in less populated areas. However, not a single lake in the research was unaffected by plastic pollution no matter how far it was from human activity.

Dr Deniz Ozkundakci.

Plastic pollution of lakes impacts sources of drinking water and can be damaging to aquatic organisms living in and around lakes. In a time of climate change, ecosystems and biodiversity are already under stress.

The researchers point to the growing evidence of chemical leaching from plastics into water and state the need for further research on the possible impacts of this emerging issue.

'I think one of the most important things we should take away from this work is that it serves as an early warning sign of plastic pollution in lakes. It's a chance for us to take action and actively safeguard our lakes from further damage.

Dr Ozkundakci currently holds the Toihuarewa Waimaori - Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chair in Lake and Freshwater Science.

He collaborates extensively with other organisations, iwi and stakeholders to promote awareness of freshwater science and support local aspirations related to lakes.

'Plastic debris in freshwater systems is severely understudied in New Zealand. The invitation to contribute to a global study was an important opportunity to get baseline data on some of our lakes.

Dr Ozkundakci would like to see the work built on for a larger survey of local lakes.

'To identify the extent of plastic pollution across New Zealand lakes, a nationwide baseline survey of plastics would be a good starting point. This study has developed a straightforward methodology that can be easily replicated and utilised by invested organisations and groups.

The study Plastic debris in lakes and reservoirs was published in the scientific journal Nature on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06168-4).
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has agreed to fund Egypt's Abu Qir metro line in Alexandria with 250 million ($280 million), according to a statement on Thursday.

The Abu Qir metro project aims to improve transportation and reduce traffic congestion in Alexandria. The elevated railway line will stretch over 23 kilometres with 20 stations, being built in three phases from 2021 to 2028.

The project has secured a total of 750 million in funding from the Beijing-based AIIB, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Agence Francaise de Developpement, with each institution contributing 250 million.

During her visit to China, Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat signed the agreement with the AIIB, along with a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with other Chinese organizations.

Development cooperation with China



Al-Mashat signed an MoU with the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) as part of the Global Development Initiative (GDI). The MoU aims to devise a strategy for Egyptian-Chinese development cooperation for up to five years, covering projects to be launched through the GDI.

In a similar vein, the international cooperation minister signed four cooperation documents with the CIDCA offering grants to Chinese entities for projects in Egypt, such as procuring equipment for Egypt's Ministry of Transport, building a vocational training centre in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and conducting feasibility studies for a biological safety lab for the Ministry of Health.

The Egyptian-Chinese cooperation portfolio has reached $1.7 billion in joint development projects, ranging across electricity, healthcare, education, vocational training and beyond.

The AIIB has dispersed $1.3 billion for infrastructure projects in Egypt to date, including $300 million in water management, $360 million to fund the budget deficit, $210 million to finance 11 private companies in the renewable energy sector, and a credit line of $150 million for the National Bank of Egypt.

Egypt is set to host the upcoming annual meeting of the AIIB in Sharm El-Sheikh on 25-26 September 2023.

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Egypt's total outstanding treasury bills (T-bills) have declined by 4.84 percent to EGP 1.866 trillion ($60.38 billion) in April 2023, from EGP 1.96 trillion ($63.43 billion) in March, according to data released by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE).

Outstanding T-bill balances represent the total amount of Treasury bills issued by the government which have not yet matured or been redeemed. T-bills are short-term government debt obligations with maturities of one year or less.

The total value of Egyptian T-bills held by foreign customers rose to EGP 392.5 billion in April, up from EGP 379.6 billion in March.

Meanwhile, T-bills held by private banks in Egypt declined to EGP 359.2 billion in April from EGP 388.7 billion the previous month.

Public sector banks' holdings of Egypt's T-bills totaled EGP 222.5 billion in April, down from EGP 245.7 billion in March.

The treasury bill outstanding balance tracks how much the government still owes to short-term bill holders, impacting short-term borrowing costs, liquidity conditions and monetary policy.

Egypt is currently experiencing a financing gap of $17 billion set to last through 2026, according to estimates from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The country is working on filling the gap mainly through the sale of state-owned enterprises, as well as through assistance from international financial institutions.

Egypts foreign debt jumped to $162.9 billion during the first half of the fiscal year 2022/2023, compared to $155.7 billion at the end of the previous fiscal year, according to CBE data.

According to recent reports, Egypt's budget deficit rose to over EGP 367 billion (nearly $12 billion) in the first half of FY2022/2023 (July-December 2022), accounting for around four percent of GDP.

Egypt's sovereign US-dollar-denominated bonds saw a slight increase in returns on international markets, rising over 1 percent, due to growing demand for bonds from frontier markets such as Pakistan and Ghana, as reported from Tradeweb via Reuters.

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Dannible & McKee LLP announced the promotion of seven professional staff members in their Syracuse office.

Lori A. Beirman has been promoted to director of audit quality. Beirman joined Dannible & McKees affiliate company, DM Systems Inc., in 1999, where she installed accounting software and offered training and bookkeeping services to clients. In 2001, she transitioned to work in the firms audit department, and in 2007, she began performing quality control procedures while specializing in data analytics and fraud. Beirman is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Upstate NY Chapter, the Accounting and Financial Womens Alliance, and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. She earned her associate degree in business administration from Onondaga Community College in 1995 and a bachelor of science in accounting from Le Moyne College in 1999. She serves on the board of directors and is the treasurer for the Preservation Association of Central New York and also serves on the board of directors for the Volunteers Lawyer Project of CNY Inc. Beirman resides in LaFayette.
A man from Oneida County pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to possessing thousands of files of child pornography, prosecutors said.

Henry C. Albrecht, Jr., 53, of Forestport, admitted to receiving child porn from at least May 2021 to February 2023, federal prosecutors from the Northern District of New York said in a news release.

He received images and videos through social media messaging apps, prosecutors said. He was also given a flash drive with images, they said.

Albrecht was found with more than 2,500 files of child porn on various devices the day of his arrest, prosecutors said.

He faces 5 to 20 years in prison for each count of possessing and receiving child porn at sentencing in November, according to prosecutors. He will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge David Hurd.

Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him: Email | Twitter or at 315-690-6950.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  The union representing film and television actors says no deal has been reached with studios and streaming services and its leadership will vote on whether to strike on Thursday.

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists said early Thursday that its decision on whether to join already striking screenwriters will be considered by leadership at a meeting later that day. A press conference announcing the decision is scheduled for noon Pacific.

If the actors do go on strike, it will be the first time since 1960 that actors and writers picket film and television productions.

The actors guild released a statement announcing that its deadline for negotiations had ended without a contract. The statement came hours after this years Emmy nominations, recognizing the best work on television, were announced.

The companies have refused to meaningfully engage on some topics and on others completely stonewalled us. Until they do negotiate in good faith, we cannot begin to reach a deal, said Fran Drescher, the star of The Nanny who is now the actors guild president.

The group representing the studios, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, said it was disappointed by the failure to reach a deal.

This is the Unions choice, not ours. In doing so, it has dismissed our offer of historic pay and residual increases, substantially higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, a groundbreaking AI proposal that protects actors digital likenesses, and more, the AMPTP said in a statement.

It added that instead of continuing to negotiate, SAG-AFTRA has put us on a course that will deepen the financial hardship for thousands who depend on the industry for their livelihoods.

If the actors strike, they will formally join screenwriters on the picket lines outside studios and filming locations in a bid to get better terms from studios and streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon. The actors guild had previously authorized a strike by a nearly 98% margin.

Members of the Writers Guild of America have been on strike since early May, slowing the production of film and television series on both coasts and in production centers like Atlanta.

Issues in negotiations include the unregulated use of artificial intelligence and the effects on residual pay brought on by the streaming ecosystem that has emerged in recent years.

In a letter to SAG-AFTRA membership overnight, Drescher told actors to prepare to hit picket lines after the boards vote Thursday.

As you know, over the past decade, your compensation has been severely eroded by the rise of the streaming ecosystem, Drescher wrote. Furthermore, artificial intelligence poses an existential threat to creative professions, and all actors and performers deserve contract language that protects them from having their identity and talent exploited without consent and pay.

Actors have joined writers on picket lines for weeks in solidarity. An actors strike would prevent performers from working on sets or promoting their projects.

Whether the cast of Christopher Nolans film Oppenheimer attends Thursdays London premiere could hang in the balance of whether the actors strike  though The Associated Press confirmed the event was moved up by an hour, as Variety first reported.

Attending a photo event on Wednesday, star Matt Damon said that while everyone was hoping a strike could be averted, many actors need a fair contract to survive.

We ought to protect the people who are kind of on the margins, Damon told the AP. And 26,000 bucks a year is what you have to make to get your health insurance. And there are a lot of people whose residual payments are what carry them across that threshold. And if those residual payments dry up, so does their health care. And thats absolutely unacceptable. We cant have that. So, we got to figure out something that is fair.

The looming strike has cast a shadow over the upcoming 75th Emmys. Nominations were announced Wednesday, and the strike was on the minds of many nominees.

People are standing up and saying, This doesnt really work, and people need to be paid fairly, Oscar winner Jessica Chastain, who was nominated for her first Emmy for playing Tammy Wynette in George & Tammy, told the AP. It is very clear that there are certain streamers that have really kind of changed the way we work and the way that we have worked, and the contracts really havent caught up to the innovation thats happened.
Interested in attending a concert at St. Josephs Health Amphitheater at Lakeview, but havent bought tickets yet? Live Nation has a deal for you.

Live Nation is offering a special Summers Live sale starting July 19 at 10 a.m., featuring 4 tickets for $80 all-in to select concerts, including at St. Joes Amp in Syracuse, while inventory lasts. All-in means the price includes all fees, before taxes, for a value of about $20 per ticket.

How to get the deal

From July 19 to Aug. 1, live music fans can visit livenation.com/summerslive to see the list of participating events. The list can be organized by artists, events or venues, including the Syracuse amphitheater.

When you select a concert youre interested in, look for the Summers Live 4 Pack and click on it  it will automatically add a 4-pack of tickets to your online shopping cart for $80 (plus taxes). For amphitheaters like St. Joes Amp, it will likely be admission for the lawn.

Note: The package is four tickets for one show, but fans can buy 4-packs for multiple shows while supplies last.

If a Summers Live 4 Pack is not listed, that means the sale is not being offered for that show or theyve sold out of the 4-packs being offered in the promotion.

Which concerts are being offered?

Live Nation says it wont list which concerts are being offered until the promotion goes live Wednesday, July 19, at 10 a.m.

However, a list of participating artists includes some that are scheduled at St. Joes Amp, including Disturbed, Foreigner, Ghost, Godsmack/Staind, Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox Twenty, Mudvayne, Pantera, Parker McCollum, Pentatonix, Sam Hunt, Shinedown, and Yellowcard. That doesnt guarantee that their St. Joes Amp dates will be part of the sale, but its a good sign for fans hoping to get a deal.

Artists booked at the Amp that are unlikely to be offered in the sale include Noah Kahan and Falling in Reverse, as they are not listed as participating artists. Phish and Zac Brown Band are also both nearly sold out and unlikely to be part of the deal in Syracuse; outside lawn chairs will not be allowed for those performances because more than 14,000 tickets are already sold.

However, Live Nations website also promises many more performers will be included so fans may get lucky.

Summers Live presale

A presale will be offered to Rakuten customers and Allegiant Air Allways members starting Tuesday, July 18, at 10 a.m. ET. Rakuten members can log into their account to find their unique code + special access link to see shows with 4 for $80 All-in tickets available and select Rakuten Summers Live 4 Pack Presale. Allegiant Air Allways members must register for a unique Presale code by Sunday, July 16 at 10 PM ET at allegiantair.com/deals/slrsvp, and then they will be emailed a presale code and link to find shows listed with an Allegiant Summers Live 4 Pack Presale. (Note: Each presale code is applicable for purchasing two 4-packs of $80 all-in tickets.)

Are concerts at other venues being offered?

Yes. When fans visit livenation.com/summerslive, theyll be able to see other participating locations, potentially including Upstate New York venues like Darien Lake Amphitheater, SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center), Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, and the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse.

Live Nation also recommends fans check back as more tickets may be added to the sale over the course of the promotion.

* * * * *

St. Josephs Health Amphitheater at Lakeview 2023 Concert Schedule in Syracuse, N.Y.

July 16: Kidz Bop ( tickets

July 23: Phish ( tickets

July 29: Matchbox Twenty with Matt Nathanson ( tickets

Aug. 1: Mudvayne with Coal Chamber, Gwar, Nonpoint + Butcher Babies ( tickets

Aug. 3: Godsmack and Staind ( tickets

Aug. 8: Pantera with Lamb of God ( tickets

Aug. 11: Zac Brown Band ( tickets

Aug. 12: Disturbed with Breaking Benjamin ( tickets

Aug. 16: Goo Goo Dolls with O.A.R. ( tickets

Aug. 17: Yellowcard with Mayday Parade, Story of the Year ( tickets

Aug. 18: Ghost with Amon Amarth ( tickets

Aug. 19: Parker McCollum with Larry Fleet ( tickets

Aug. 24: Pentatonix with Lauren Alaina ( tickets

Aug. 25: Sam Hunt with Brett Young ( tickets

Sept. 1: Noah Kahan with Ruston Kelly ( tickets

Sept. 2: Foreigner with Loverboy ( tickets

Sept. 12: Falling in Reverse with Ice Nine Kills ( tickets

Sept. 13: Shinedown with Papa Roach, Spiritbox ( tickets



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Shania Twain turns St. Joes Amp into party central (review, photos)

Free outdoor movie series returning to St. Joes Amp in Syracuse
Community members can celebrate the life of one of the citys nominal writers and poets on July 15 by attending the Jackie Warren-Moore Monologue and Poetry Festival.

In 2022, the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company held its first-ever poetry festival in honor of the late poets life. Warren-Moore, Onondaga Countys first poet laureate, died in August 2021. She was also an actress, poet, activist, director and international and national published writer.

This years PRPAC has partnered with InterFaith Works and the Center for Dialogue and Action and will host the festival at Plymouth Congregational Church, 232 E. Onondaga St., at 7 p.m. Attendees can prepare for a night of remembrance filled with songs, monologues, step dancing, as well as poems written and read by children in the art companys Word Warriors poetry group.

Warren-Moores granddaughter, Nya Jordan, will kick off the night by reading one of her grandmothers poems. The festival carries on Warren-Moores legacy by encouraging youth to embrace the power of poetry and the spoken word.

Karin Franklin-King, a Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company board member and the festival organizer, described Warren-Moore as an influential activist who educated many generations in literary arts and taught them how to express themselves.

When she passed away, we definitely wanted to find a way to honor her and her legacy, Franklin-King said. We focus primarily on young people, high schoolers and early college-age folks because Jackie had a passion for reaching out to young people and encouraging them to use their words instead of weapons.

Ethan Kotoklo is one of the many ensemble members performing throughout the night. At only 15, Kotoklo has written two pieces to perform at the festival. He also performed at last years festival with the youth group Word Warriors.

I feel like both pieces are going to show you how our Black community needs to be more united, be more powerful, be more awakened, Kotokolo said.

Toward the end of the night, PRPAC will allow the audience to give open dialogue, giving anyone a chance for their voice to be heard and give their reaction to the performances.

This year, the concept is voices, and thats all voices, Spanish, French, verbal, steppers, Sonita Surratt, the festivals stage production director and member of the PRPAC, said.

Registration is not required, and it is free to attend the festival, but donations will be encouraged during the night.

DETAILS:

WHAT: Jackie Warren-Moore Monologue and Poetry Festival

WHERE: Plymouth Congregational Church, 232 E. Onondaga St.

WHEN: July 15

TICKETS: Free
Join NY Cannabis Insider at our next industry networking event on Aug. 15 at Madame Mikettes in NYC. Tickets will sell out.

Empire Cannabis Clubs, a prominent and infamous staple in New York City that describes itself as a concierge service dedicated to supplying the highest-end cannabis products at prices you can afford, saw two of its locations raided yesterday by the state.

Officials seized property, a brief standoff took place between inspectors and club staff, and two of Empires owners, Lenore and Jonathan Elfand, were handcuffed.



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Both were released within hours; Empires operations will return to business as usual tomorrow; and the company now has the legal battle it has expected  and craved  over the states approach to cannabis enforcement, said Empire attorney Steve Zissou Tuesday night.

Empire sprung up in September of 2021 pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the MRTA, Zissou wrote in a recent guest column. That provision, he said, permits non-compensatory transfers of cannabis and the use of property to facilitate such transfers.

Though the Office of Cannabis Management sent Empire a cease-and-desist letter last summer, the agency was not involved in the raids on Tuesday. The enforcement was led instead by the Department of Taxation and Finance, Zissou said.

The attorney spoke with NY Cannabis Insider in-depth about his clients experience on Tuesday and what Empire plans to do next  in court.

This Q&A has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Walk me through exactly what happened today.

Agents, police officers, whatever  it wasnt clear right away who they were  showed up at two locations: at Chelsea, that was the first shop that was opened in September 2021; and then the Lower East Side shop.

Since its a private club, the employees are trained that if anyone shows up demanding entrance and theyre not a club member, or somebody seeking to join, theyre not allowed in. Theyre supposed to call me or the owners.

That led to a standoff because the officials took the position that they didnt need a warrant. Actually, it got even worse than that.

At first, there were members in the club who the agents claimed were being held as hostages. The club members said, no, no, were perfectly fine, were happy in here, and that caused the agents to back down.

I said, just have the agents call me, like they would normally do. They didnt call. But they gave Lenore the name of an attorney at the Department of Taxation and Finance.

Howd that conversation go?

I was in court. My wife, Sally Butler, whos also a lawyer and an attorney for Empire, made the call to her to say, look, I know you need a warrant. The reaction she received sounded a lot like the Treasure of the Sierra Madre, essentially, we dont need no stinkin warrants.

My wife is much more centered than I am. I tend to be a hot head on occasion. She said, well, yeah, you do need a warrant: its a private club, we dont sell cannabis, we pay taxes, and theres a 21-and-older membership requirement.

The attorney from the Department of Taxation said shed have her team arrest all the employees in the shops and charge them with obstruction of justice.

Theres been a lot of fear among observers and folks in the legislature about creating this new police force that was created in the new regs. And this attorney really went full, Im going to lock up everybody.

What happened next?

Jonathan and Lenore didnt want the employees to get involved, so Jonathan went to one shop and Lenore went to another shop to take the hits, so to speak. To say, you cant come in without a warrant.

And Lenore was promptly arrested and taken to the 7th Precinct.

For obstruction of justice?

Yes. Which on its face is going to give rise to a wonderful false arrest case.

Because again, the statute these officials claim to be complying with says, if youre denied entrance, you can go to a Supreme Court judge in the county where the shop is located and apply for permission to enter the premises. And of course they didnt do that.

A few hours later, Lenore was given a desk appearance ticket with a date to return, and charged with obstruction of justice.

And Jonathan?

Jonathan was arrested. They went into the shop without a warrant. He had cuffs on for about half an hour, they helped themselves to whatever it is they thought they were authorized to take, then took the cuffs off Jon, and thats it.

Did either of them learn any details about the reasoning behind the raid throughout the day?

While Lenore was in custody, one of the agents said to her, we really only came because youre not paying taxes. And Lenore says, of course were paying taxes  we paid almost $3 million in taxes last year alone. And you know it because we have a tax ID number, we have signs in the shop saying taxes have to be collected.

So thats how the day has unfolded.

If OCM isnt involved, is there no enforcement hearing?

Thats a good question. Why wasnt OCM involved? They didnt put any of those stickers on the shop. By tomorrow morning, I may know something different. But it does not seem like one of those hearing cases.

So there was no sticker put on the door?

No.

Theres no notice of a hearing?

Correct.

They didnt seize products at one of the stores?

Correct.

And there are no fines, or talk of fines?

No.

So what was the purpose of this?

I have no idea.

Whats Empires legal argument going to be moving forward? Is it the false arrest lawsuit? Or are you planning on anything else?

No, maybe the false arrest will come later. But I do think the plan will probably include filing a lawsuit for a return of property on the ground that it was illegally seized. And I think thats probably a cleaner way to get before a court of law as opposed to one of the administrative hearings. No lawyer ever wants to litigate a serious issue in an administrative tribunal first.

So Id rather avoid that if possible. I think were going to probably use this as a vehicle to get into a Supreme Court sooner than later and have this issue decided.

Bring it on. Were ready.

Is it your goal to get into the Supreme Court over seizure of product but ultimately have it out about enforcement overall?

Yeah, of course, I think the issue is going to be about the business model, and does it survive the legislation?

And if not, is Empire entitled to damages? And by that, I mean that when you pass a statute as they did with the MRTA, and folks rely on the statute  invest money, time, and effort building something  and then they change it two years later, theres a concept known as detrimental reliance.

Thats when you rely on something to your detriment that the legislature then changes after acknowledging that your business model fits within the original law.

There are those considerations. Empire didnt get started yesterday  theyve been involved openly, notoriously, they werent hiding from anybody. They would speak to anyone. Ive called OCM many times.

So, yeah, wed like to litigate this issue sooner than later.

Whats going to happen tomorrow?

Its business as usual tomorrow.
Join NY Cannabis Insider at our next industry networking event on Aug. 15 at Madame Mikettes in NYC. Tickets will sell out.

Driving to Morales Natural Farms in Mount Morris on a summer morning can elicit a fantastic sense of jealousy in a city-dweller.

Something about driving past wide-open, tractor-manicured fields, turning onto side streets lined with too many lush trees, and passing the kind of farmhouses that define the Americana motif can make a person dream of leaving everything behind to start a simple life on beautiful land.

I wanted to live in the country,said Marvin Morales, who moved to Mount Morris from Denver. I wanted to live more of a natural life.



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Back in 2005, Morales made this dream a reality when he left an engineering job at Ball Aerospace in Colorado to buy farmland in his native New York State and make a living growing organic crops. He transitioned to hemp in 2018 and last year planted and harvested marijuana after receiving an Adult-Use Conditional Cultivation license.

On paper, Morales is living his dream. But the reality of his situation is looking increasingly bleak.

Morales is one of 280 hemp growers that New Yorks Office of Cannabis Management and Cannabis Control Board licensed to grow the states inaugural legal marijuana crop. Messaging from regulators and lawmakers sounded something like a Field of Dreams reference: Grow it, and they will buy.

But more than a year after the CCB issued the first grower license, fewer than 20 legal dispensaries are currently open for business, and Morales is one of many licensed cultivators unable to sell last years crop  while again planting seeds not knowing if this year will be any better.

A mixture of regulatory hurdles, limits on grow operations and delayed announcements from government officials has left Morales and partners wondering if independent farmers like him will be able to survive in the Empire States supposedly small-business-focused legal weed industry.

In a million years, I never would have thought there wouldnt be a retail outlet, said Joann Kudrewicz, CEO of Ravens View Genetics and chair of the Cultivation Committee at the Cannabis Association of New York.

All the stats and data that we used to project our revenue were correct  the problem is that the state didnt deliver, Kudrewicz said.

Getting to growing

Morales didnt catch the cultivation bug until later in life. As a young man, he was more into engineering, and joined the U.S. Air Force  eventually stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado as an electronics instructor.

As he transitioned from a career with the U.S. military to a job designing and developing antennas for smart bombs and drones at Ball Aerospace, Morales became more health-conscious and interested in growing organic fruits and vegetables. Though the subdivision where he and his wife lived didnt offer much opportunity for farming, Morales was still able to grow onions, peppers and some other foods on a small plot of land.

In the years that followed, he became increasingly passionate about organic farming, while growing increasingly disenchanted with his day job. Several factors contributed to the trajectory, he said. He became more religious, which made it harder to work for a weapons contractor, he said, and over time his desire to live closer to nature increased. But the breaking point may have been the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and the yearslong war that followed.

In the back of my mind, I did realize that what I was doing  in regard to designing these antennas  was guiding missiles to a target; which meant that there was a human target, Morales said. Growing vegetables and serving the public with an organic food source was more to my heart than designing and developing bombs.

Morales, who grew up in Geneva, N.Y., moved back to New York State with his wife and two young daughters in 2005 with a plan to buy a house on a farm where he would grow and sell organic vegetables while his wife continued working her job for an investment firm.

The family bought a house and 12 acres of tillable soil in Mount Morris. The following year, Morales grew and harvested carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and peanuts, some of which he sold to local restaurants and health food stores under the business name Morales Natural Farms.

Business was alright, but it didnt come close to the paychecks Morales brought home as an engineer for a weapons contractor.

Growing vegetables is not very profitable, he said. Its OK, but its not really profitable.

Gold rush mentality

When Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and CBD, Morales was among those farmers who saw a huge opportunity. Many states had already legalized recreational cannabis, and New York seemed poised to follow suit in the next legislative session.

Once New York regulators launched a state hemp program, Morales got a license and planted his first harvest in 2019. Hed used cannabis in his teens and early 20s, but drifted away from weed as he got older. While researching growing techniques, Morales learned about the health benefits that CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids can provide to people living with cancer, epilepsy and other ailments.

His first grow yielded about 120 pounds of hemp, some of which he processed into oil for tinctures, which he then sold to local health food stores under the brand Mo Hemp.

The money he made on the crop wasnt much better than organic vegetables, Morales said, but he and other farmers had their eyes set on what they thought would be the real big-money crop: recreational marijuana.

All the farmers that were growing it basically had the thought in mind that theyd make millions, Morales said. I basically had the same mentality; that it would be really profitable, and it would at least end up being a business that would provide for my family, and that my wife could quit her job.

The semi-rational exuberance seemed to spread to state legislators and regulators a few years later, when Gov. Kathy Hochul signed into law a measure that created a conditional license for hemp cultivators who wanted to transition to adult-use marijuana.

An exuberant time

News outlets  this one included  have spilled gallons of ink and miles of pixels about New Yorks 2021 passage of the MRTA, which legalized recreational cannabis.

The same can be said of the scandals that soon after consumed then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, eventually leading to his resignation.

But we dont often revisit the optimism that existed in early 2022, when growers and processors were clamoring for the opportunity to get seeds in the ground as quickly as possible.

In early 2022, the New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association  which is now the Cannabis Association of New York (CANY)  listed conditional licensing for growers and processors as one of their top legislative priorities.

At the time, Allan Gandelman  the organizations president  said a provisional licensing program would give small and medium-sized cultivators a chance to grow a harvest, so that forthcoming dispensaries could buy from local farmers, rather than large multi-state companies.

But legislation that created the Adult-Use Conditional Cultivator (and Adult-Use Conditional Processor) license seemed to have assumed that hemp growers could seamlessly transition from hemp to marijuana, said Kudrewicz, CANYs Cultivation Committee chair.

When state officials began handing out AUCC licenses in April of 2022, they appeared to assume farmers already had what they needed to be successful, and that dispensaries could open quickly enough for licensed cultivators to sell whatever they grew that year.

I think there was this misconception among the OCM and the folks who were putting this together that the farmers already had infrastructure in place that they would need; that they already had been growing and knew what to do, and this would be an easy, smooth transition, Kudrewicz said. I think that was a huge failing on their part.

A partnership formed

After legislators created the AUCC program in early 2022, Morales partnered up with Michael Rumrill, CEO of Rochester-based environmental engineering firm Leader Professional Services, Inc, and Alan Knauf, partner at Rochester and energy law firm Knauf Shaw LLP. The partners provided an infusion of cash that funded several greenhouses, tillers, genetics, security fences and other growing infrastructure.

Rumrill and Knauf had originally planned to apply for a license themselves, but after a fair amount of lag time between the passing of the MRTA and the creation of the AUCC license, they sought out a partner.

The two had bought property in Wellsville they intended to use as an indoor grow facility, and had planned to find a cultivator to farm there. However, AUCC restrictions on indoor growing meant itd be advantageous to find a partner who already established an outdoor operation.

Their networks led them to Morales.

He had a licensed hemp business in Mount Morris  so we contacted him and said were interested in the cannabis business, and he said, yeah, Im looking for somebody to invest in me and develop a cannabis business, Rumrill said.

We teamed up, and Al and I invested in Marv, and thats how it happened, he said.

The team established the cannabis cultivation company Morales Family Farms, LLC.

Rumrill and Morales both recall people inside and outside the industry predicting a large windfall for licensed cultivators in New York State. A market that includes New York City could be among the worlds largest, some industry experts said, and Rumrill even heard some in the industry claiming farmers would be able to sell flower at $2,500 per pound.

When forming their business plan, Rumrill was much more conservative, estimating they could get about $1,200 per pound.

That turned out to be much more optimistic than what transpired.

We were hoping to have anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of material to be able to turn into biomass, and an influx of at least $500,000, Morales said. That didnt pan out at all.

The inability to set up an extensive indoor grow operation left Morales feeling hamstrung, as he grew about half his first commercial cannabis crop outdoors and half inside a greenhouse. By the time he harvested, he had only about 150 pounds of product for which testing showed a THC potency of 17%.

Morales and partners looked for processors to buy their weed, but it was a buyers market, and processors were also trying to recover some of their investments, Rumrill said. Offers from processors were often something like a 70/30 split of the flower itself (meaning the processor takes 30% of the product for themselves), and then $200 per pound of the remaining 70% of flower.

After fielding multiple offers like this, the partners decided to sit on the product rather than take such a deal.

I feel that I could definitely  without a doubt  have been more profitable and more successful had certain hindrances not been put in place, said Morales, who does all the farming himself. If I had been given a longer leash  Id have employees, and I would have a better operation going right now.

Rumrill, whose job requires him to work with state and federal bureaucracies on a regular basis, said he thinks the OCMs rules and guidance seem pretty common for a regulatory body. What he really didnt expect was the dearth of retail outlets open for business by the time Morales harvested their initial crop last year.

We thought, like everybody else, that we would be able to sell our first harvest last year, and we harvested in early November, Rumrill said. The state hadnt licensed the dispensaries yet, so there was nowhere to sell.

Expectation vs. reality

That expectation of retail outlets wasnt unwarranted optimism. It fell in line with what top state officials promised. In fact, Gov. Hochul told an Advance Media editorial board in October that 20 Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries would open by the end of 2022 and to expect another 20 to open every month or so thereafter.

As of July 12, 2023, there were 19 dispensaries open.

This lack of retail outlets has been disastrous for growers, said CANY Cultivation Committee Chair Kudrewicz.

Even now that theres not the outlets to sell product  were in the next grow season and theres a lot of upfront costs, Kudrewicz said. We need to make money.

A bright spot appeared at a May CANY meeting when OCM officials announced that they would introduce cannabis growers showcases  events that would resemble farmers markets, where growers and processors could sell their products at pop-up events.

But that was nearly two months ago, and both Kudrewicz and Morales said theyre losing confidence these events will happen this summer.

We still have no direction of whether it is or isnt going to be approved, said Kudrewicz, who said shes been in contact with OCM about the growers showcases. At this point in time, we dont see a pathway forward, and [the showcases] provided a lot of hope for growers.

Though disappointed in last years harvest, lacking retail opportunities and facing continued restrictions on canopy size and growing techniques, Morales has already planted this years harvest. Hes hoping for a better yield this time, but also thinks itd be easier to do if the OCM lifted restrictions on indoor growing.

He also believes the state should make larger companies wait longer to join the legal market and allow AUCCs to do their own retail.

Morales and partners believe a greater number of retailers will open over the next year, which will allow them to finally see some revenue. But Morales said the state also has a role in reconsidering some regulations to give cultivators a better shot at success.

Help the New York farmers to succeed, and we will, Morales said. Were going to be the best, if were allowed to be.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A national organization affiliated with the Spanish Action League plans to build 67 new apartments on the Near West Side, in one of Syracuses poorest neighborhoods.

The five new apartment buildings, which would be the first new multifamily buildings in recent memory on the Near West Side, are stirring both hope and concern in a neighborhood that has spent the past 15 years slowly rebuilding.

Acacia Network, the national affiliate, plans to construct four buildings on Delaware Street and one on South Geddes. The $29 million project to be known as La Liga Westside Village would create a total of 67 apartments for residents with incomes no higher than 50% of the area median  for example, $42,000 for a family of three.

The area desperately needs new low-income housing, city officials say. But the project also has raised some concerns among neighbors who would prefer to see a mix of low-income housing, single-family homes and market-rate apartments.

That discussion, about how best to rebuild the neighborhood, will continue for the next year.

The Greater Syracuse Land Bank, which is selling the vacant lots to Acacia Network, will sponsor a series of 10 kitchen table talks' to hear what additional development residents want on the Near West Side.

The talks, scheduled to begin this summer, will be conducted by the Center for Justice Innovation under a $30,000 contract with the land bank.

Transforming Delaware Street

Acacia Network, Inc., based in New York City, provides housing and other services in New York, five other states and Puerto Rico. The organization says it already manages more than 4,000 units of affordable housing.

This vacant land on Delaware Street is part of the area where La Liga and Acacia Network plan to build apartment buildings. The former Delaware Street Baptist Church is across the street.

The Spanish Action League of Onondaga County, also known as La Liga, became an affiliate of Acacia in 2018. La Liga and Acacias real estate arm would co-develop the Syracuse apartments, according to documents provided to the land bank.

The structures would replace vacant lots with much-needed affordable housing in an area where more than half of residents live below the poverty line and many existing apartments are dilapidated.

Quality housing that is also affordable is a big need in the city, and specifically in that neighborhood, said Michael Collins, Syracuses commissioner of neighborhood and business development.

Katelyn Wright, executive director of the land bank, said the project could spark additional new construction in a neighborhood where demolitions and decay are common. The land bank owns lots throughout the neighborhood where single-family homes could be built, she said.

Were hoping to see this move forward quickly and really transform Delaware Street, Wright said. I think once people see these beautiful new buildings going up on Delaware Street  and that entrance into the neighborhood really transformed  it will be easier for us to market and sell homes.

La Liga owns a handful of apartments above its offices, but this would be its first new development.

Representatives from Acacia Network declined comment. In a prepared statement, Elisa Morales, La Ligas executive director, said the group is committed to developing affordable housing.

We firmly believe that stable, affordable housing helps ameliorate the effects of poverty and enables community members to live safe, dignified lives, she said.

In the eyes of some neighbors, and even city officials, the Acacia project would be better if it targeted a mix of income groups. Its prompting new discussions about what residents want the neighborhood to be.

Most of us are poor

The Near West Side has seen millions of dollars of new investment since Syracuse University, the Gifford Foundation and others launched an initiative in 2007 to revive the neighborhood. Much of the focus has been to build single-family homes and to renovate commercial space and market-rate apartments in an area dotted with subsidized public housing.

Homeowners in the area say they welcome new low-income housing but want it mixed in with homes or apartments for a range of incomes.

Susan Hamilton, who for 27 years has lived two blocks away from Delaware Street on Holland Street, said developers too often build low-income units in poor areas because they face less neighborhood resistance there. But that perpetuates the geographic divide between rich and poor that plagues Syracuse and other cities, she said.

Its not that we dont want poor people here, Hamilton said. I mean, most of us are poor. But it would be nice if we had more balance between income levels.

This rendering shows one of five buildings planned for a 67-unit apartment complex called La Liga Westside Village on Delaware and South Geddes streets in Syracuse.

Architect Hilary Donohue, who helped design some of the new single-family homes on the Near West Side, including the one she lives in, said the neighborhood has made slow but steady progress. But the Acacia Network project ignores the citys stated policy of creating mixed-income neighborhoods rather than concentrating poverty in certain areas, she said.

We have this thorough history of, like, lets not concentrate poverty further, she said. And the city is like, Oh, well, if we do this one more time it wont matter. "

What could be, versus what is

Acacia Network has not yet secured funding for its Near West Side project. But state housing officials have already told the group that the project would not get funding as a mixed-income development.

Acacia plans to ask state officials this year for an allocation of low-income housing tax credits that would cover a little more than half the cost. If that request is approved, construction could start next year. The earliest the apartments would be available would be 2026.

Officials at the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal told Acacia Network that current rent levels on the Near West Side are below what moderate-income tenants can afford, so tax credits can be used only for low-income tenants, according to city and land bank officials.

City officials and the land bank had hoped that La Liga Westside Village would allow a mix of incomes, but the states funding rules wont permit it, Collins said.

The challenge here is New York state doesnt have a funding mechanism for what the community could be, he said. They only have a funding mechanism to recognize what it is, pre-development.

That will continue to be an issue as city officials seek to strengthen neighborhoods. Government subsidies are not well-designed to encourage market-rate or mixed-income development together with low-income housing, according to consulting firm czb, which recently completed a major housing study for the city.

As consultant Charles Buki of czb told city councilors during a recent briefing: There is no state or federal program in existence in America today to tackle the market gap problem you have. Period.

Complementary projects

La Liga Westside Village will include 25 one-bedroom units, 26 two-bedroom units and 16 three-bedroom units. The building on Geddes Street also will include 2,500 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

Despite the inability to include mixed-income tenants, La Liga Westside Village will boost the neighborhood by providing sorely needed affordable housing and new construction, said Wright, the land bank director. And there is plenty of opportunity to build moderate-income housing nearby.

Wright said the land bank has amassed more than 30 vacant lots near the planned La Liga Westside Village. The lots could be used to develop subsidized single-family homes for moderate-income owners. The kitchen table talks may identify other uses as well, she said.

We do want to see mixed-income development and mixed-income neighborhoods, Wright said. What were committed to doing is making sure  that we add complementary projects in the surrounding area, so that we have a truly mixed-income neighborhood.

The land bank also is in the process of acquiring the former Delaware Street Baptist Church, a 134-year-old edifice across the street from where Acacia Network plans apartments.

Land bank officials are tentatively planning to seek developers to convert the church, designed by famed Syracuse architect Archimedes Russell, into more housing, Wright said.

Do you have a news tip or a story idea? Contact reporter Tim Knauss: email | Twitter | | 315-470-3023.
Update: Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for Onondaga County until 3:45 p.m. today.

Syracuse, N.Y. -- The odds of severe thunderstorms in part of Upstate New York just doubled in the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, and a severe thunderstorm watch has just been issued.

Theres now a 30% chance of severe thunderstorms this afternoon in the eastern section of Upstate New York, up from 15% earlier today, according to the weather services Storm Prediction Center.

There are nearly 2 million people in the area now under the greater risk of storms. It includes the cities of Utica, Rome, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs and Rotterdam.

The storm center has just issued a severe thunderstorm watch for most of Upstate New York, from Rochester to the Vermont border and beyond. Wind gusts could reach 70 mph, hail could be as big as ping-pong balls, and a couple of tornadoes could develop, the weather service said.

Severe thunderstorms bring winds of at least 58 mph and/or 1-inch hail, according to the weather service.

A line of powerful thunderstorms is rumbling across Upstate New York today from west to east. They're expected to intensify as they reach the eastern third of the state as they hit the hottest part of the day. The small yellow outline west of Syracuse indicates an area under a severe thunderstorm warning at about 2 p.m.

A cold front crashing into warm, humid air above Upstate New York will likely foster robust thunderstorm development within the next couple of hours, the center said just before noon.

The long line of intense storms is barreling across the state from west to east, and the weather service is issuing short-term warnings as storms develop and strengthen. Some storms already have 60 mph wind gusts, and theyre expected to intensify as the reach Utica and beyond later in the day, when temperatures reach their peak and the atmosphere is brimming with the most convective energy.

Thats also when and where the greatest chances of flash flooding come in, because more energy wrings out more water from storms. The storms will also be slowing down as they move east, and the longer a storm takes to cross a given area, the more rain its likely to drop there. Rainfall could approach 2 to 3 inches per hour in eastern New York and southern Vermont. That much rain in such a short time could cause flash flooding even when the ground is dry, and it could be much worse because the ground is already saturated from pervious rains.

Flood watches are in effect until midnight counties along Lake Ontario and in the Capital Region and North Country.
While 'culture' is not typically viewed as an academic or university discipline by the majority of people globally, it is associated with education, behaviour, and knowledge in the common mind.

Consequently, individuals exhibiting such characteristics are often deemed 'cultured.'

Countries with rich cultural heritage and ancient civilizations have a distinct character, shaped over millennia through tangible and intangible remains that create their identity and authenticity. As demonstrated by writer Gamal Hamdan in The Character of Egypt, there is a reciprocal effect between cultural development and social structure, with the former influencing people's behaviours to be consistent with new scientific visions and models. Hamdan also argues that geography is like history in that no region repeats itself, just as no era occurs twice.

Despite the importance of culture in shaping a nation's identity and authenticity, there are growing concerns about its deterioration, particularly among younger generations. This is often attributed to national strategies that have downgraded the priority of culture. Critics argue that policymakers have failed to recognize culture's value as a 'backbone brand' for an entire nation, instead regarding it as an accessory.

As an actor in the international cultural arena for many years, I emphasize the need for an innovative approach to cultural tools and for prioritizing cultural dossiers. Doing so will have a positive impact on both national and international levels.

Who are the key players in the international cultural arena? The culture attache and culture diplomat are both considered as critical figures in shaping a nation's cultural image. The former can be likened to a general practitioner, while the latter is more like a specialist surgeon. Although this comparison may seem unusual, it is an apt way to illustrate their contrasting roles and responsibilities.

The cultural attache is a permanent member of a diplomatic mission's organizational structure, responsible for overseeing cultural and educational matters and supporting the ambassador, who primarily handles political affairs. Governments appoint the cultural attache to this role.

As the main driver of cultural cooperation, the culture attache's primary responsibility is to ensure that their country's cultural roadmap remains on track and aligned with the government's approved direction, which has been shaped over past decades by previous cultural attaches. Given their privileged position, the culture attache plays a critical role in education by bridging the gap between youth in their home country and abroad. They can innovate university channels, open new pathways for knowledge seekers, and create new horizons for curious and talented artists.

The role of the cultural attache can be likened to that of a general practitioner in medicine. Both rely on scientific foundations and draw from a wealth of experience to fine-tune their knowledge in their respective fields. Similarly, the general practitioner inherits a wide range of prescriptions for common ailments but can adjust doses or even avoid certain medications based on their expertise. Likewise, the cultural attache follows a cooperation roadmap designed by their predecessors but has the flexibility to adjust it through rerouting bilateral conventions, university agreements, or Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) based on the current political climate and their government's updated vision.

The second critical figure is the 'cultural diplomat,' who may be a traditional diplomat with a new approach to culture and history, or a cultural actor with political acumen and diplomatic skills.

The concept of 'culture diplomacy' was brought to the forefront at the end of the second millennium, although it has existed as a diplomatic practice for centuries.

Egypt has a long history of integrating culture and politics. Cultural exchanges have been a fundamental part of the country's foreign strategies since ancient times. Egypt's diplomatic mission of Prince Herkhuf (2700 BC) and the creation of the Kap school during the New Kingdom (1570 and 1544 BC) were crucial in shaping the minds of Egypt's elite and foreign communities. Queen Hatshepsut's innovative expedition to Punt broke traditional diplomatic practices and enhanced the exchange of cultural and natural heritage between Egypt and Punt. Meanwhile, King Akhenaton's diplomatic letters inscribed on the Amarna ostraca (1350 BC) featured unprecedented protocol formulas, and Amenhotep III enriched the colourful palette of colours after his artist's experiences in the kingdom of Mitanni that once covered northern and western Syria and northern Iraq (1600-1340 BC(.

Culture and politics have been mutually influential since early civilization, with both considered two sides of the same coin. Navigating the tumultuous waters of politics and culture requires a unique skill set, making the role of a cultural attache more complex than traditional matters and a national issue in the international arena.

In recent decades, the world has faced unprecedented global challenges, including unprecedented armed conflicts that have deteriorated relationships between countries, identity crises that have led to diplomatic ruptures, and economic issues that have complicated the actions, reactions, and interactions of global actors, particularly states, especially in underdeveloped countries.

Restitution of artefacts, indecent artworks, disrespectful movies, and documentaries produced by the host country are delicate cultural topics that pose significant challenges to bilateral relations.

The Cultural diplomat can be compared to a surgeon who can act in emergencies in hostile environments to save lives and prevent diplomatic ruptures.

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One of several Rio Grande Gorge Bridge call boxes provided by the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line.
Jordan's Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts announced its 37th edition, to be held under the theme The Joy Continues, will kick off on 28 July

The announcement was made at a press conference on Monday. The festival had said a month earlier that Egypt will be the guest of honour, which is a first in the history of the festival.

Egypt will be represented by numerous bands and musicians performing between 28 July and 6 August at 23 theatres across Jordan.

Undeniably, the festival's gem is the ancient Roman amphitheatre, part of the greatly preserved citadel, located in Jerash, a city north of the capital Amman.

The detailed programme is yet to be announced. However the festival revealed the names of some Arab musicians to take part in the event. These include Khalid Abdulrahman (Saudi Arabia), Wael Kfouri (Lebanon), Ragheb Alama (Lebanon), Najwa Karam (Lebanon), George Wassouf (Syria), El-Nafikha (Egypt), Tablet Elsitt (Egypt), Diana Karzoun (Jordan), Hamdi Al Manaseer (Jordan), Nedaa Sharara (Jordan), Hani Mitwasi (Jordan), Saber Rebai (Tunisia), and Circassian Folkloric Troupe.

Executive Director of the Festival Ayman Samawi said at the press conference that the festival will open with a celebration titled River of Gold. The event is meant to highlight Jerash as a cradle of civilisations and refer to its many cultural eras, including the Greek-Roman, Nabateans (ancient Arab culture), Islamic eras, until present.

Referring to the event as "the most important music festival in the Arab world," Samawi revealed that the celebration will showcase 80 artists presenting a variety of formations and genres, music and dance, folkloric and modern styles, all stressing life elements: earth, air, water, and fire.

The festival will then hold 343 artistic activities and 50 cultural events showcasing more than 2,000 Jordanian artists in addition to their Arab and international counterparts.

The rich programme will present 20 music genres and include performances that touch on the creative approach to their respective countries' musical heritage. The musicians come from different generations with the youngest performers being just three years old.

The festival will also include pavilions in which artisans will present products from their countries. One pavilion will be dedicated to support and raise awareness about Down Syndrome (DS) by showcasing the unique crafts of people affected by DS.

The Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts is an annual event held in Jerash  a historical city located 48 kilometres north of the Jordanian capital Amman.

The festival was founded in 1981 by Queen Noor and has featured many artists from Jordan and the Arab world across the decades, in addition to performances and concerts by international artists.

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anjan_c2007 Distinguished - BHPian



Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: India Posts: 7,680 Thanked: 17,100 Times

View My Garage





VIP-owned Vintage and Classic Cars in India



I found this post on What's App presumably posted and circulated by the restorer. It generated only a marginal interest amongst the members, but the car belonged to one of the most prominent figures in modern Indian history.



The post quoted verbatim:-



Quote:

Restored Kamarajar ayya's 1952 Chevrolet styline deluxe car (MDT 2727) in a record time of just 30days.



This restoration is completely sponsored by Team - Torque max automotive, Krishnagiri, as a tribute to the legacy of the great leader









This 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe belonged to the late Mr K. Kamaraj (1903- 1975), the most fertile and prominent think-tank of the then Indian National Congress (INC) in the 1960's and early 1970's. I won't go into much of politics, but Kingmaker Mr Kamaraj's words and thoughts were music to the ears and eyes of our then Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi. The INC had split in the late 1960's as the Congress (O) and the other faction was headed by Mr Sanjeeva Reddy known as the Congress (R). The split to tackle rebels was very much a result of Mr K.Kamaraj's astute planning and had backing of Mrs Gandhi. He was Chief Minister of Madras state for nine years (1954-63) and was instrumental in the elevation of Mr Lal Bahadur Shastri and Mrs Gandhi as Prime Ministers. Mr Kamaraj was President of the INC and INC(O) too in the 1960's and 1970's.



Back to the car, it is legendary and has been a part of the life and times of Mr K.Kamaraj who was also fondly addressed as Perun Thalaivar. It gets all the accolades for surfacing, obtaining its apt identification tag and getting restored. In this thread we can discuss about the Indian VIP cars of yore. There's a thread on Foreign VIP owned cars but I found such a thread lacking for Indian VIP's and hence this new one!I found this post on What's App presumably posted and circulated by the restorer. It generated only a marginal interest amongst the members, but the car belonged to one of the most prominent figures in modern Indian history.The post quoted verbatim:-This 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe belonged to the late Mr K. Kamaraj (1903- 1975), the most fertile and prominent think-tank of the then Indian National Congress (INC) in the 1960's and early 1970's. I won't go into much of politics, but Kingmaker Mr Kamaraj's words and thoughts were music to the ears and eyes of our then Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi. The INC had split in the late 1960's as the Congress (O) and the other faction was headed by Mr Sanjeeva Reddy known as the Congress (R). The split to tackle rebels was very much a result of Mr K.Kamaraj's astute planning and had backing of Mrs Gandhi. He was Chief Minister of Madras state for nine years (1954-63) and was instrumental in the elevation of Mr Lal Bahadur Shastri and Mrs Gandhi as Prime Ministers. Mr Kamaraj was President of the INC and INC(O) too in the 1960's and 1970's.Back to the car, it is legendary and has been a part of the life and times of Mr K.Kamaraj who was also fondly addressed as Perun Thalaivar. It gets all the accolades for surfacing, obtaining its apt identification tag and getting restored. Last edited by anjan_c2007 : 11th July 2023 at 11:48 .
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In Seoul, a group of 50 Vietnamese tourists who work for a medical equipment maker had already visited the Shinsegae Duty Free shop in Myeong-dong last month.

Asian tourists are good news for duty-free shops. Early this week, the Shilla Duty Free shop in Jeju welcomed the first group of 170 tourists from Thailand since the pandemic started. They stocked up on Korean cosmetics, accessories and food.

Asian tourists are returning to Korea as the country opens its skies to air travel again. Since June 1 foreigners have been able to visit Jeju Island and Yangyang, Gangwon Province visa-free for a month, and hotels and casinos are experiencing a slow recovery.

Foreigner-only casinos are also benefiting. According to the Financial Supervisory Service, Grand Korea Leisure, the casino affiliate of Korea Tourism Organization, saw the amount of money customers exchange into chips surge 66 percent on-year last month to W138.6 billion (US$1=W1,256). Sales jumped 79 percent to W18.2 billion.

VIP tourists who spend more than US$10,000 each are also returning. Recently, around 60 dentists from the Middle East visited Korea on business.

An official at the Jeju Tourism Association said, "To attract more package tourists, we are providing W50,000 or half the cost of a coronavirus test per visitor."

More and more travelers are expected to return as the country is working to bring things back to pre-pandemic levels.

At Incheon International Airport, the hourly limit on flights has been increased from 20 to 40 and the nocturnal flight curfew from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. is being lifted. "Flights have grown only by 100 a week for now, but that's going to get better very soon," an aviation industry insider said.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) plans to appeal a judge's decision in California for its efforts to prevent Microsoft from acquiring the video game manufacturer Activision for $69 billion.

(Photo : Belinda Jiao/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: A general view outside the Microsoft Experience Centre in Oxford Circus on April 26, 2023 in London, England.

Intent to Appeal Court Ruling

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced its intention to appeal the recent ruling by a US federal court, allowing Microsoft to proceed with its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. According to a report from Bloomberg, FTC has filed a notice indicating its appeal of Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley's decision.

However, the specific arguments made by the regulator will be revealed once the complete appeal is submitted to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Earlier this week, Microsoft emerged in victory in a contentious battle against FTC after a federal judge rejected the regulator's request for a preliminary injunction.

With the agency opting to appeal Judge Corley's ruling, the regulator now seeks an emergency stay from the Court, which is necessary in order to extend the existing temporary restraining order that is scheduled to expire at 11:59 PM PT on Friday, July 14th. The timing of the appeals court's decision remains uncertain, and there is a possibility that it may not rule before the deal deadline on July 18th.

Also Read: Call of Duty 2023: Game Release Month mistakenly leaked by Federal Judge in FTC vs. Microsoft Case

Judge Corly wrote in the ruling, "The Court finds the FTC has not shown a likelihood it will prevail on its claim this particular vertical merger in this specific industry may substantially lessen competition."

If the preliminary injunction had been approved, The Verge reported that it would have imposed a temporary halt on Microsoft's completion of the Activision Blizzard acquisition until the conclusion of the FTC's administrative case against the company. This distinct legal challenge is still scheduled to commence on August 2nd.

Microsoft & Activision's Response

Microsoft's Vice Chair and President stated that the District Court made it clear that the acquisition will be good for both competition and customers. "We're disappointed that the FTC is continuing to pursue what has become a demonstrably weak case, and we will oppose further efforts to delay the ability to move forward," he noted.

Meanwhile, Activision Blizzard's CCO and EVP of Corporate Affairs said that despite the appeals, the facts have not changed and they remain confident that the United States will be among the 39 countries where the merger can close.

The Washington Post reported that executives from Microsoft said in court that it did not intend to restrict customer access to video game titles, and the judge ultimately sided with the company in the ruling. However, the FTC, known for its vigorous pursuit of Big Tech companies during the Biden administration, intends to challenge the decision.

Related Article: FTC to Potentially Appeal Ruling Against $69 Billion Microsoft Acquisition with Blizzard

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Robots in restaurant chains are growing, and Chipotle Mexican Grill is among these restaurants that invest in robotic machines.

Called "Autocado," Chipotle unveiled Wednesday a new avocado processing collaborative robot (cobotic) that helps cut, core, and peel avocados before they are hand mashed to create its signature guacamole.

The prototype is currently being tested at the Chipotle Cultivate Center in Irvine, California. The company has partnered with Vebu to bring this bot to life.

This is not the first robot from Chipotle, as the famous restaurant also has "Chippy," which focuses on making tortilla chips. Chipotle is also currently testing this autonomous kitchen assistant that integrates culinary traditions with artificial intelligence to make tortilla chips in a Fountain Valley, California restaurant.

Chipotle Debuts 'Autocado' - Its New Avocado Peel and Core Robot

According to the company's press release, Chipotle's new avocado processing cobotic, Autocado, is at its Cultivate Center in Irvine to peel and core the avocados.

Avocado is essential for Chipotle because people love guacamole, which is a great add-on to one's meal. The company has individuals dedicated to cutting, coring, and scooping avocados.

However, it is time-consuming and less favorable among crew members. On average, it takes about 50 minutes to make a batch of guacamole.

Read Also: Soft Robo-Glove Can Help Stroke Patients Relearn to Play Musical Instruments

Chipotle and Vebu's Robot is One of Many

Vebu is a product development firm that works with food industry leaders to co-create intelligent automation and technology solutions.

Chipotle is investing in Vebu as part of the company's $50 million venture called "Cultivate Next," which aims to make early-stage investments into strategically aligned firms that further its mission to cultivate a better world and help accelerate its aggressive growth plans.

Chipotle said Autocado also targets to increase avocado fruit yield through precision processing, which could lead to millions of dollars in annual food cost savings if it is successfully developed and deployed widely.

"We are committed to exploring collaborative robotics to drive efficiencies and ease pain points for our employees. The intensive labor of cutting, coring, and scooping avocados could be relieved with Autocado, but we still maintain the essential culinary experience of hand mashing and hand preparing the guacamole to our exacting standards," Chipotle's Chief Customer and Technology Officer Curt Garner said in a statement.

Chipotle is expected to use some 4.5 million cases of avocados or about more than 100 million pounds of fruit in restaurants across the U.S., Canada, and Europe this year.

Robots in Restaurants

The Jetsons introduced the world to a future with scientific and technological advancements in the early 1960s, and this, along with the presence of machines in fast food restaurants, is what humans see in the present now.

With the many technological advancements, different companies have already brought robots to restaurants and other workplaces.

Not only do they prove to change the way in one's workplace, but robots can be trained in various disciplines using the many programming languages today, including AI.

There was one initiative to teach robots to do household chores: By training them using YouTube videos to complete the tasks for different homes.

With the many advancements in this day and age, robots are becoming more apparent and vital in different operations worldwide, especially in the restaurant business.

Chipotle is welcoming these automated helpers to its ranks, with its AI-powered kitchen powering some of its locations.

Related Article: Chipotle is Going Electric, Leaving Behind Gas Grills with 100 New Branches by 2024

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Elon Musk stated that he believes China is willing to work with international countries to regulate artificial intelligence based on previous conversations with the billionaire when he visited the country only a few weeks ago.

(Photo : ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images)

SpaceX, Twitter and electric car maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk looks on as he speaks during his visit at the Vivatech technology startups and innovation fair at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, on June 16, 2023.

Elon Musk & China

Billionaire and CEO Elon Musk Elon Musk stated during a Twitter Space event with U.S. congressmen Ro Khanna and Mike Gallagher that he believes China is keen on establishing a collaborative global framework for artificial intelligence. According to a report from Reuters, Musk visited China only a few weeks ago.

He also added that he has advocated for artificial intelligence regulations and oversight as he conducted meetings in China. He met with China's Foreign, Commerce, and Industry Ministers in Beijing as his owned Tesla company has a factory in the country. Aside from the mentioned ministers, he also met with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.

During the same Twitter Space event, Wisconsin Representative Mike Gallagher who took part in a discussion, stated that he was not so sure about Musk's statements. He expressed doubts about China's positive contributions to current international organizations.

While Musk believes that China is "Team Humanity", Gallagher characterized the Chinese Communist Party as aligning more with "Team Genocidal Communism," highlighting concerns regarding Taiwan's security and the utilization of technology to exert control over the Uighur population in the Western region of China.

Also Read: Elon Musk is the Only Foreign Entity to Sign China's Letter to Stop EV Price Competition

The push for the United States to advance in artificial intelligence is fueled by the growing emphasis on strategic rivalry with China. Despite warnings from some early AI investors and creators to exercise caution, Bloomberg reported that proponents of AI development are advocating for continued progress.

Musk, along with numerous others, signed an open letter in March, urging AI researchers to temporarily halt the development of potent large language models in order to establish universally agreed-upon safety measures.

Launching xAI

Musk's statements came after the billionaire launched the AI startup xAI. South China Morning Post reported that he seeks to compete with ChatGPT creator OpenAI, which he accused of being politically biased and irresponsible.

The newly-launched startup has employees and former researchers from companies like OpenAI, Google DeepMinde, Tesla, and the University of Toronto. This will be advised by Dan Hendrycks, which currently leads San Francisco-based organization Centre for AI Safety.

As per the xAI website, it operates independently from Musk's X Corp but will maintain close collaboration with X (Twitter), Tesla, and other companies. The billionaire recently imposed temporary restrictions on Twitter due to concerns about AI companies collecting data for large language models (LLMs).

Related Article: Elon Musk Announces New AI Company With Mission to 'Understand Reality'

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
An Ohio plastic surgeon has been permanently banned from practicing medicine in the state after livestreaming surgeries on the popular social media platform TikTok, resulting in alleged harm to her patients.

'Roxy Plastic Surgery'

According to Associated Press, the Ohio Medical Board decided to revoke Katharine Grawe's state medical license, which effectively prohibited her from ever practicing medicine in Ohio again. Grawe, also known as Dr. Roxy in her plastic surgery practice "Roxy Plastic Surgery," had her license initially suspended in November.

According to the board's findings, Grawe neglected her patients by engaging in livestreams during their surgical procedures. She would livestream various parts of the surgeries while simultaneously addressing viewer questions and speaking into the camera.

As of writing, Grawe's TikTok account is currently inaccessible to the public, and her team has yet to release a statement regarding the board's decision.

The medical board had previously issued warnings to Grawe in 2018, expressing concerns about patient privacy and potential ethical violations. These concerns were highlighted in a prior suspension notice issued by the board.

The notice also revealed that three of Grawe's patients experienced severe complications, requiring extensive medical care following their surgeries.

In one reported instance, a patient's intestine was discovered to be perforated a week after the surgery, which was partially livestreamed on TikTok by Grawe.

The patient reportedly suffered significant damage to her abdomen, bacterial infections, and even experienced a loss of brain function due to toxins in her blood.

Read Also: Ex-ByteDance Executive Claims Chinese Communist Party Accessed Tiktok's Data to Spy on Hong Kong's Civil Rights Activists

Neglect of Patient Care

Between 2018 and 2022, Grawe reportedly garnered a substantial following on TikTok, with thousands of viewers tuning in to watch parts of surgical procedures.

The medical board argued that Grawe's focus on her social media presence led to neglect of patient care, as she would frequently address the camera and respond to viewer questions while performing surgeries.

A state lawyer advocating for the license suspension emphasized that the case was not about antiquated views of social media but rather the trust patients placed in Dr. Roxy based on her social media presence, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

The lawyer noted that Grawe made major surgeries, which could potentially have life-altering complications.

Grawe defended her use of social media to the board, saying that she intended to break down the perceived barrier between doctors and patients. However, she admitted that some of her videos appeared unprofessional and lacked seriousness.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, Grawe claimed that the accusations against her had caused the breakdown of her marriage and that her children had faced attacks at school.

But despite Grawe's personal circumstances, the Ohio Medical Board concluded that she is no longer permitted to practice medicine in Ohio.

Related Article: Maryland School District Takes Legal Action Against Social Media Companies Over Mental Health Crisis

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Microsoft's ambitious bid to acquire Activision Blizzard, a major player in the gaming industry, has taken a major step forward as a US judge dismissed regulators' request to block the deal.

The proposed merger, valued at a staggering $69 billion, would mark the largest acquisition in gaming history.

This development provides Microsoft with a strong indication that the acquisition will proceed as planned, while also igniting investor enthusiasm and fueling hopes of a successful outcome.

(Photo: Fernando Leon/Getty Images for Call of Duty) Call of Duty Draft Activation at Loews Kansas City Hotel on April 25, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Regulatory Opposition and Legal Setback

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sought an emergency block of the deal, citing concerns that Microsoft's ownership of Activision would negatively impact gamers and stifle competition by granting the tech giant the power to restrict rivals' access to Activision's games.

However, US District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley disagreed with the FTC's assertions, stating that they had failed to demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of success in their case.

In her ruling, the judge emphasized that the FTC had not shown evidence to support claims that Microsoft would remove popular titles like Call of Duty from the Sony PlayStation platform or significantly diminish competition in the video game library subscription and cloud gaming markets.

Judge Corley's decision serves as the most significant indicator to date that Microsoft's acquisition of Activision will ultimately proceed. The ruling strengthens Microsoft's position and emboldens the company's resolve to move forward despite regulatory challenges.

With the deal set to close later this month, Microsoft President Brad Smith expressed the company's gratitude for the quick decision and highlighted their commitment to addressing concerns raised by regulatory bodies, particularly in the UK.

The United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) initially blocked the Microsoft-Activision merger, voicing concerns that the consolidation would lead to reduced innovation and limit choices for gamers in the burgeoning cloud gaming sector.

However, the CMA has now signaled a willingness to reconsider its position, stating it is ready to evaluate any proposals from Microsoft to restructure the transaction.

This shift in the UK's stance offers renewed hope for Microsoft's acquisition plans and opens the door for potential modifications to address the regulator's concerns.

Read Also: Case Dismissed: Court Drops Lawsuit Against Microsoft-Activision Merger

Investor Optimism and Market Reaction

News of the US judge's decision to reject the FTC's request provided a significant boost to investor confidence. Following the announcement, Activision Blizzard's shares surged by more than 10%, reflecting the market's positive response to the ruling.

Investors believe that the merger is more likely to proceed, creating optimism and driving expectations of favorable outcomes for Microsoft and Activision shareholders.

The Microsoft-Activision deal has caused a division among global watchdogs, with varying opinions regarding the potential impact on competition and innovation.

European Union regulators have approved the acquisition, satisfied that Microsoft has adequately addressed their concerns surrounding competition issues.

Conversely, the UK's CMA remains cautious, but their willingness to engage with Microsoft on potential modifications indicates a possible path toward resolving their reservations.

If the acquisition is successfully completed, Microsoft will gain ownership of iconic titles like Call of Duty and Candy Crush, providing them with a formidable presence in the gaming industry.

The deal holds the potential to reshape the competitive landscape and significantly impact the direction of the gaming market. Microsoft's expanded reach and access to Activision Blizzard's extensive portfolio of games could revolutionize gaming experiences for millions of players worldwide.

Microsoft's quest to acquire Activision Blizzard has received a significant boost with the US judge's decision to reject the FTC's request to block the deal.

This ruling reinforces Microsoft's confidence in the acquisition's eventual success. Although challenges remain, including the UK's regulatory opposition, Microsoft remains committed to resolving concerns and pushing the deal forward.

As the gaming industry eagerly awaits the outcome, the potential acquisition signifies a pivotal moment that could reshape the landscape of gaming for years to come.

Related Article: Microsoft, Activision Blizzard Wins Case on UK's CMA, Merger May Continue Despite Sony's Objection

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Researchers at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) have created a biosensor that combines multiple advanced technologies to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD).

The ImmunoSEIRA Sensor

The ImmunoSEIRA sensor, as it is called, employs biosensing technology, surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy, and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and identify misfolded protein biomarkers associated with NDDs.

According to a study published in Science Advances, this innovative device can differentiate between the two main misfolded protein forms, oligomers, and fibrils, implicated in the development and progression of NDDs. Its ability to distinguish between these forms allows for more precise diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression.

The sensor incorporates gold nanorod arrays with antibodies that target specific proteins, enabling real-time capture and structural analysis of target biomarkers. It can detect specific protein forms even in complex fluids like human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), making it suitable for clinical settings.

Moreover, the incorporation of artificial neural networks enhances the sensor's capabilities by enabling the quantitative prediction of the presence and amount of oligomeric and fibrillar protein aggregates, even when they are mixed together. This feature contributes to accurate disease diagnosis.

Read Also: Is Long COVID Caused by COVID-19 Inflammatory Response? New Study Reveals New Insights

How the Biosensor Works

We learned in a report shared by Phys.org that the ImmunoSEIRA sensor is designed to be used in a microfluidic system, enabling it to analyze samples even in complex mixtures of biological substances. This versatility increases its potential for application in various research and clinical settings.

The technology holds promise for early detection and monitoring of NDDs and assessing treatment options at different stages of disease progression. This advancement addresses the significant challenge of ineffective diagnostic methods for NDDs.

The sensor's ability to monitor multiple biomarkers associated with different neurodegenerative disorders simultaneously makes it a valuable tool for tracking disease progression and evaluating the effectiveness of new therapies.

What This Discovery Holds

This technology significantly advances biosensing, infrared spectroscopy, nanophotonics, and neurodegenerative disease biomarkers.

The following steps for this technology include expanding its capabilities and evaluating its diagnostic potential in Parkinson's disease and other diseases caused by protein misfolding and aggregation.

The deployment of the AI-aided ImmunoSEIRA sensor is a welcomed advance for early detection, disease monitoring, and drug efficacy assessment, addressing the critical need for timely intervention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

In Other News

An Ohio plastic surgeon has been permanently barred from practicing medicine in the state after live streaming surgery on the popular social media site TikTok, allegedly causing injury to her patients.

According to sources, the Ohio Medical Board chose to remove Katharine Grawe's state medical license, effectively barring her from ever practicing medicine in Ohio again.

Grawe, also known as Dr. Roxy in her plastic surgery practice "Roxy Plastic Surgery," had her license suspended in November.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: AI Tool CHARM Decodes Brain Tumor DNA in Minutes, Advances Precision Oncology

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A sinkhole in Seffner, Florida, notorious for claiming a man's life in 2013, has reappeared for the third time. While the sinkhole is now secured behind chain-link fencing and poses no threat to people or property, local officials confirm that such occurrences are not uncommon in the region due to Florida's porous limestone base.

Despite its unsettling history, the community remains reassured as neighboring homes remain unaffected by the re-emergence.

Florida Sinkhole Resurfaces for the Third Time

Hillsborough County officials reported the reappearance of the sinkhole on Monday, July 10, with a maximum width of approximately 19 feet (6 meters).

As IFL Science reports, Jon-Paul Lavandeira, director of the county code enforcement department, stated that there is no apparent danger to the surrounding homes and emphasized the typical nature of such incidents in the area.

Brief History About Sinkhole That Swallowed a Man In His Sleep

A tragic incident unfolded when 37-year-old Jeff Bush was swallowed by the sinkhole while sleeping in his bedroom. Although five others escaped unharmed, Jeff's brother, Jeremy, made a desperate attempt to rescue him from the collapsing ground.

Unfortunately, Jeff's body was never recovered. Subsequently, authorities demolished the affected house and installed fencing around the lot to prevent further accidents.

In 2015, when the sinkhole resurfaced after its initial occurrence, it was filled with a water-gravel mixture. Lavandeira confirmed that the same action will be taken this time to address the situation. The area is deemed controlled and poses no immediate threat, per ABC News.

Related Article: Ecological Concerns Compel Canada to End Deep-Sea Mining

Florida as a Popular Spot For Sinkholes

Sinkholes are a natural part of Florida's landscape, coexisting with its renowned sandy beaches, alligators, and rapid urban development. The state leads the nation in sinkhole occurrences, primarily due to its limestone composition, which facilitates groundwater movement.

When the weight of the soil or sand becomes too much for the limestone roof to bear, sinkholes can form. While natural causes trigger most sinkholes, human activities like excessive pumping of groundwater for agricultural irrigation or heavy rainfall can also contribute.

Central Florida, including Seffner, is particularly susceptible to sinkholes, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Since no one can predict when sinkholes will appear. Lavandeira says that "Mother Nature" will likely reopen it sometime in the future, per AP News.

According to the state Office of Insurance Regulation, the sinkhole claims already amounted to $1.4 billion from 2006 to 2010 in Florida alone.

Read Also: Oceans Are Changing Color Due to Human-Caused Climate Change, New Study Finds

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Tesla is hailed as the most sought-after car brand for Americans, according to the latest study by Auto Trader. Using Google search data, the new study reveals the preferences of US-based car buyers, as well as global buyers.

Tesla is the Most Searched Car Brand in the US

According to a report by Electrek, out of 50 states, Tesla emerged as the most wanted car brand in 25 states in the US. Even the customers from the most populous states such as New York and California have a strong liking towards the American automaker.

With over 60,000 monthly searches for 'Teslas for sale' in the country, the data reflects a robust demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and bodes well for the EV market's sustained growth in major automotive markets.

Related Article: Futuristic Tesla Cybertruck Could Come Sooner Than Expected: How Much Will It Cost?

Global Domination for Tesla

Tesla is not only considered to be the most wanted EV brand in the United States. Outside the US, Elon Musk's company is also globally known among foreign buyers.

According to the same study from Auto Trader, the car manufacturer has a special place in the heart of buyers in 39 countries. The customers reportedly came from across Asia, Europe, and other parts of North America.

With this, Tesla solidified its position in the EV market to attract more potential buyers in the future.

The unique study from Auto Trader also looked further afield, analyzing global search data to see which cars people want to buy the most in different countries all over the world. Tesla, Jeep, Toyota, and BMW are amongst the most popular global brands. Tesla is the most searched for car brand for sale in 39 countries, including the USA, Canada, France, Spain, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.

For Tesla, maintaining the interest of its prospects plays an important role in sustaining the longevity of its sales in the electric vehicle industry.

The success of Tesla in its car business could open more opportunities for future collaborations with other companies.

This record is a living testament to Tesla that the demand for its EVs continues to surge as people look for more alternatives in sustainable modes of transportation.

In 2022, Tech Times reported that Tesla belonged to the top 3 best-selling EV brands in China.

Elsewhere, a recent report wrote that the Model 3 US purchasing page has been updated by Tesla. This suggests that there will be some changes in the tax credit.

For more news, stories, and facts about Tesla, visit our website regularly for fresh updates. Don't miss our daily report about this car brand.

Read Also: Analysts Claim Tesla Supercharger Network is Worth Over $100 Billion: Take a Look at These Valuations

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The TikTok boat-jumping challenge, which allegedly claimed the lives of some people who attempted to do it, was found to be untrue, per The Washington Post.

When the challenge was featured on the Today Show broadcast on Monday, July 10, everyone thought that this alarming trend needs to stop as soon as possible. However, a public safety agency from Alabama said that the boating deaths related to the challenge are all fake.

The origin of the misinformation can be traced back to statements made by Jim Dennis, a first responder from the Childersburg Rescue Squad in Alabama. This clarification comes as media outlets worldwide had picked up the story, but subsequent investigations have revealed no evidence to support the claims.

False Claims Dispelled on TikTok Boat-Jumping Challenge

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), responsible for overseeing public safety in the state, took to Twitter to address the viral claims.

The ALEA's Marine Patrol Division stated that there were no records of boating-related deaths directly linked to TikTok or any TikTok trend, per Channel News Asia. While there were incidents of fatal injuries resulting from jumping off moving boats in 2020 and 2021, these were not associated with TikTok.

Revisiting the Original Claims

Jim Dennis, the individual who initially made the TikTok-related statements, has since clarified that his remarks were taken out of context. He mentioned that his organization did respond to reports of people jumping off boats this year, but not as part of a TikTok challenge.

"It got blown way out of proportion," Dennis said.

The news station that aired the story, ABC 33/40, declined to comment but included the full interview with Dennis in a subsequent report discussing the state's response.

Related Article: TikTok Contains Misinformation About Liver Disease, New Study Claims

Absence of Evidence on TikTok

TikTok spokesperson Ben Rathe categorically stated that no boat-jumping challenge had ever trended on the platform. While there are posts on TikTok featuring people jumping off boats, they do not appear to have gained significant virality or widespread attention.

Some of these posts have been flagged with warning labels by TikTok due to the platform's community guidelines that prohibit promoting dangerous activities and challenges.

Elizabeth Losh, an American studies professor at William & Mary, confirmed the existence of boat-jumping posts on TikTok, including one from 2019 using the hashtag #boatjumpchallenge.

However, these posts did not achieve notable popularity or widespread circulation. Losh also highlighted that TikTok had placed warning labels on some of these posts, as the platform prohibits content that may lead to significant physical harm.

Read Also: Viral TikTok Trend: How 'Random Acts of Kindness' Clips Evolve into 'Humanitarian Dramas'

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Schindler, one of the leading global suppliers of elevators, escalators, and associated services, said it has won a major supply contract from Umm Al Qura for Development & Construction company for a key phase of its urban giga mixed-use development in Makkah.

Confirming the big order, Schindler said it will build on the partnership with the Saudi developer, providing all the 150 elevators for the latest phase of Masar, a mega project featuring a range of hospitality projects, restaurants, and retail units.

As per the deal, it will install 150 elevators and escalators - of which 44 are Schindler 7000 units, 65 Schindler 5500, 36 Schindler 9300 escalators and five platform elevators.

These will help transport people and goods through the shops and restaurants at street level, and to the hotels above, it stated.

Schindler said it will be deploying its RISE (robotic installation system for elevators) for the installation of all the Schindler 7000 elevators, thus marking its first mission in Saudi Arabia.

Schindler RISE can autonomously operate around the clock, drilling and setting anchor bolts  improving the quality and speed of construction, as well as safety on-site, it added.
China has expressed its hope that the first-ever birth of giant panda twins in Korea will boost bilateral friendship.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Tuesday said that the cubs would bring joy and strengthen the friendship between China and Korea, as pandas have played roles as messengers promoting friendly exchanges.

The twin cubs were born last week at amusement park Everland to the only giant panda couple in Korea, loaned by China in 2016 as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. The couple produced Fu Bao, the twins' sister, three years ago.
Mach Industries co-founder Ethan Thornton, 19, has garnered the interest of venture capitalists and the US Department of Defense (DoD). The company develops hydrogen-powered military platforms, including unmanned aerial vehicles, ammunition, and hydrogen manufacturing systems.

Thornton had an early interest in hardware and a propensity for military invention. He began working at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory, a research and development facility supported by MIT and the DoD, even before starting his first year at MIT.

Eventually, he dropped out of MIT when he realized it was not the best place to turn his ideas into reality. Ethan Thornton made crucial recruits from the Lincoln Laboratory and developed valuable relationships inside the US government, according to ReadWrite.

Mach Industry aims to provide the military a strategic edge in near-peer wars using hydrogen combustion powered by a field-produced energy source. It uses cutting-edge hydrogen production and combustion processes and has a hardware-first philosophy regarding defensive technologies.

Focusing on Hydrogen

The company's primary emphasis is hydrogen, which has several benefits as a flexible and simple-to-manufacture fuel that can be utilized interchangeably across their systems. Mach Industries wants to improve the range significantly, power, loiter time, and speed of projectiles and aerial systems by using the potential of hydrogen.

Regarding munitions, Mach Industries takes a more sensible and economical approach than expensive and complex weapons systems. The tech company perceives its weaponry as bullets rather than as missiles, according to TechCrunch. This mentality changes considerably and lowers costs since changing a missile into a bullet is a more cost-effective alternative.

Mach Industries pledges to supply more economical munitions by choosing projectile-based systems over rocket-based ones, which demand customers to furnish their fuel and sensors. The company stated that military operations will be transformed by hydrogen-powered platforms.

For example, the Mach's hydrogen-powered UAVs provide a highly agile and effective platform that may be used for ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), communication, and transportation.

Read Also: Gov. DeSantis Rejects $377M in US Energy Funds Despite Florida Suffers from Extreme Heat

Moreover, compared to traditional gunpowder-based ammunition, hydrogen-powered weapons are more effective and affordable. High combustibility and simplicity of manufacture in the field make hydrogen an excellent fuel source for weapons that must be deployed quickly and efficiently

Ready to Upgrade Defense Tech

According to the most recent fundraising round, Mach Industries is approaching its objective of providing the United States and its allies with cutting-edge technology. With headquarters in Austin, Texas, and a hardware plant in Boston, Massachusetts, the firm is ready to innovate military technologies while advancing national security.

In June, Mach Industries completed a financing round that brought in $5.7 million, per CityBiz. The investment, which Sequoia Capital is managing with support from Marque VC and Champion Hill Ventures, will be used to further product development and widen the company's talent pool.

Within the next five years, the firm wants to expand its production capacity, producing tens of thousands of items yearly while guaranteeing that specific systems are delivered to customers within a year.



Mach Industries' dedication to developing hydrogen-powered military systems reflects how the defense industry evolves due to growing cooperation between Silicon Valley and Washington, DC.

Related Article: Elon Musk Announces New AI Company With Mission to 'Understand Reality'

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Sony has recently announced the much-anticipated launch of their Access controller for the PlayStation 5, designed to enhance accessibility and cater to gamers with disabilities.

Being developed by Sony with the help of accessibility organizations and experts for the past five years, the Access Controller offers a versatile and customizable gaming experience, and it is now available for pre-order, with a global launch set for December 6.

A Closer Look at the Access Controller

The Access controller, previously known as Project Leonardo, was unveiled earlier this year at CES.

Sony has now provided detailed specifications and exciting features for this groundbreaking controller. Measuring approximately 141 x 39 x 191 mm and weighing around 322 grams, the Access controller offers a comfortable and ergonomic design.

One of the highlights of the Access controller is its customizability. With different buttons and stick caps in various shapes and designs, gamers can create their own unique layout.

Moreover, the controller supports operation from any 360 orientation, providing flexibility and convenience during gameplay.

Read Also: Pre-Order Date Revealed for FIFA 24, Ultimate Edition Offers Early Access

More Accessibility Features

To further enhance accessibility, the Access controller features four industry-standard 3.5mm expansion ports.

These ports enable users to connect third-party accessibility accessories, such as specialty trigger switches or additional buttons, expanding the controller's functionality and adaptability.

In terms of software customization, the Access Controller offers an array of options. Users can map buttons to create up to 30 control profiles, ensuring optimal comfort and ease of use.

Stick settings can be adjusted, commands can be toggled on/off, and buttons can even be disabled to prevent accidental presses.

Eurogamer.net reports that the controller also comes with its own user interface (UI), allowing players to fine-tune settings directly on their PlayStation 5 console.

Collaborative Play

Collaborative play is another exciting aspect of the Access Controller. It can be paired with a DualSense wireless controller, allowing two Access controllers and one DualSense controller to function as a single virtual controller.

This feature fosters cooperative gaming experiences and enables friends and family to enjoy games together, regardless of their physical abilities.

Pricing and Availability

Priced at $89.99 USD/$119.99 CAD/12,980 JPY/89.99/79.99, the controller offers a competitive value considering its extensive features and customizability.

Pre-orders for the Access controller are now open, starting from July 21. Players in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Portugal can pre-order directly from PlayStation through their official website, direct.playstation.com, or from select retailers.

The global launch of the Access Controller is scheduled for December 6. Sony enthusiasts worldwide can look forward to this innovative accessory that enhances accessibility and opens up new gaming possibilities.

The company's strong collaboration with accessibility organizations and experts underscores their dedication to inclusivity, making gaming a joyous experience for all.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: PlayStation 5 Slim Rumors Are All Over the Internet: Here's What We Know

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The World Health Organization (WHO) and other global public health authorities have warned about the recent rise in bird flu epidemics in animals, increasing fears about the virus's transmission to people.



Since late 2021, Europe has been facing its deadliest bird flu pandemic. In North and South America, millions of infected poultry have been slaughtered, according to WION.



Mammals, which are more physiologically related to humans than birds, have been found to have the H5N1 avian influenza, which has experts worried. The findings suggest the virus may evolve to infect people easier.

Furthermore, some mammals may act as "mixing vessels" for various influenza virus strains, resulting in the formation of more virulent variations that are deadly to both animals and people.

Avian Flu Continues to Spread Globally

Since their first appearance in 1996, the H5N1 avian influenza viruses, notably the goose/Guangdong lineage, have been responsible for epidemics in birds. Since 2020, an H5 clade 2.3.4.4b form of these viruses has killed wild birds and poultry in significant numbers in nations throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.



Sixty-seven countries reported H5N1 outbreaks in 2022 alone, leading to massive losses in the poultry industry. This year, 14 more nations, mainly in the Americas, reported outbreaks as the infection spreads.



Notably, there have been an increasing number of reports of influenza A(H5) virus epidemics, particularly A(H5N1,) that have killed animals. These epidemics have affected land and marine mammals in 10 countries on three continents since 2022, as per a WHO statement.

Read Also: VIRAL: $550,000 Worth of "Floating Gold" Found in Dead Sperm Whale Washed Up on Beach



Avian flu outbreaks have affected 26 species, including Spanish-farmed mink, US seals, and Peruvian and Chilean sea lions. H5N1 has been discovered in cats and canines, most recently in Poland.

Higher Risk of Human Infection

Dr. Gregorio Torres, Head of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) Science Department, recognized the paradigm change in avian influenza ecology and epidemiology, raising global concerns.



Since December 2021, there have been eight sporadic influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus identifications in humans, most of which have been connected to intimate contact with diseased birds and polluted settings. Infection in humans may cause serious illness with a high fatality rate.



Sylvie Briand, WHO Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, stated that although the virus does not seem to be easily spread, it is important to watch for any mutations that may change this.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, WHO, and WOAH urge countries to act rapidly to stop avian flu, per CGTN. The measure entails stopping bird flu at its source, spotting and reporting animal outbreaks immediately, and working swiftly to control the spread of bird flu infection.

Related Article: Researchers Create AI-Aided Biosensor to Improve, Speed Up Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnosis

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President Yoon Suk-yeol on Wednesday urged Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to include Korean experts in ongoing monitoring of the planned release of wastewater from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant.

On the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania on Wednesday, Yoon told Kishida, "We must place top priority on the health and safety of the public."

He assured the Japanese leader that he respects the findings of the International Atomic Energy Agency giving the green light to the release of the treated wastewater into the ocean. But he added that "monitoring information related to whether the entire process of the discharge is implemented as planned be shared with our side in real time, and our experts be allowed to participate in the monitoring process for the discharge," according to a spokesman.

Kishida promised not to authorize any discharge that would have a negative effect on the people and environment of both countries. He also pledged to share the monitoring data promptly and transparently.

They agreed that Japan will immediately halt the discharge in the event that radioactivity levels exceed international safety standards.
Berlin: Manja Schreiner has most of the cycle paths built like in Schoneberg

A network of solar power plants in orbit, the crazy bet on which Thales is working

Where to eat the best 'pintxos' in San Sebastian, converted these days into the ephemeral capital of jazz

Increasing risk of accidents: More and more drivers with dementia are on Germany's roads Drivers to forget

Climate researcher Latif does not yet see a "point of no return" reached

Easy money? This road does not work! Why are there so many cases of gang crime?

Explaining cultural relics is actually "joking history" These museums visit chaos and it is time to take care of it

Loola Perez, millennial philosopher who helps to face those conversations of 'brother-in-law' that are triggered in summer: "The compliment is not macho"

The most original pool in Madrid: it is built on a waterfall 25 meters high

How to face the empty nest syndrome, a sentimental breakup and all those 'little deaths' that we suffer throughout life

The five-year practice of "post-90s" new herders returning to their hometowns on the Sino-Mongolian border: science and technology empowers a new life in the grassland

From no air conditioning to two sets of air conditioning components, the secret is revealed about airplane air conditioning

Rafa Munoz: "They said he was a storyteller and a lazy man, but he had depression"

Two more people! In this wave of anti-corruption in football, 13 people have been investigated

Shohei Ohtani wins eighth in "dual-wielding" appearances, giving up five runs in the middle of the seventh inning.

(Chronicle of the Chengdu Universiade) Chengdu's transportation industry has taken multiple measures to "escort" the Chengdu Universiade to ensure citizens' travel

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: A slight reduction in summer grain will not have a big impact on the market

The Central Bank of Russia does not intend to introduce additional restrictions in the field of cash currency

Movistar remodels its television and launches a new rate with two weekly football matches from 11 euros

"Chain" on the "housekeeping skills" of the high-quality development of the real economy XCMG Group released the "Pilot and Climb" action plan

For the 2023 summer sales, the balance is positive according to the Trade Alliance

The seminar on the theory of the mass line of the "four grassroots units" and the party in the new era was opened in Ningde, Fujian

Since he was 21 years old, Tom travels alone to discover the world, experiences that have transformed him

The water surface area of Dongting Lake is only 23% of the total area, and all parts of Hunan are ready to fight drought

How did America lose the Middle East? New book provides a difficult account of the intervention of 8 US presidents in the region

Ministry of Education and Science: the problem with personnel in the UAS industry will be solved through the training of students

"During the hostilities in the Kupyansk direction": the Russian Armed Forces announced an airstrike on the temporary deployment point of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The State Supervision Commission of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection: In the first half of this year, 36 cadres were put on file

Reshuffle: "The political management of the coming months will be very delicate," says Jean-Christophe Gallien

RaHDit hackers published the routes of ships from which they could hit the Crimean bridge

The astonishing data of the time trial in which Vingegaard swept Pogacar: "He scored more watts than expected"

The controversial documentary about the death and last hours of Mario Biondo, the husband of Raquel Sanchez Silva, arrives on Netflix

The new spokesman of the Chinese Air Force made an appearance to introduce the five highlights of the Air Force's aviation opening activities

The most original pool in Madrid: it is built on a waterfall 25 meters high

The cheapest hotel room in Spain is in Ibiza and costs zero euros: "Some book it and when they see it they are cowed"

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Netflix's Korean series "Celebrity" has risen to the top of the streaming platform's weekly viewership chart for non-English TV series in two weeks after its release.

Netflix said on Wednesday that "Celebrity," which was released on June 30, was its most-watched non-English language series for the first week of July from July 3 to 9, logging a combined 5.6 million viewing hours around the world.

The series ranked top in 10 countries, mostly Asian and South American countries like Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Bolivia and Peru as well as Korea, while also being among the top 10 in 52 other countries.

It stars actress Park Gyu-young, who has drawn rave reviews for her first lead role. She plays an ordinary office worker who experiences her life turning upside down as she becomes a social media celebrity overnight.

The 12-episode series depicts the reality of the glamorous and competitive life of social media influencers.
North Korea said Thursday that it test-fired a new type of solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile the previous day.

"It flew about 1,001.2 km for 4,491 seconds at a maximum altitude of 6,648.4 km, before accurately landing on a pre-set area" in the East Sea, the official [North] Korean Central New Agency said.
Japanese tourists are returning to Korea in droves now that the weak yen makes travel further afield too expensive for many of them.

According to the Korea Tourism Organization, 665,600 Japanese tourists visited Korea in the first five months of this year. Young women accounted for 27.6 percent drawn by their love of K-pop and Korean TV series and films.

At Japan's biggest travel agency HIS, Seoul topped the list of overseas destinations among bookings for July 21 to Aug. 31. The top spot is normally held by Hawaii, but due to the weak yen that slipped to second place. Taipei came third, followed by Singapore and Bangkok, while Busan ranked seventh.

Japanese travel agency JTB estimates that around 1.2 million Japanese people will travel abroad this summer, twice as many as last summer but less than 40 percent of the number seen before the coronavirus pandemic.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, center, testified Thursday, July 13, 2023 about the future of the agency to a U.S. House Committee. Here, Criswell addresses reporters flanked by Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, left, and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, No Party-Vermont, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Berlin, Vt. Following a storm that dumped nearly two months of rain in two days, Vermonters are cleaning up from the deluge of water.
A Stability AI co-founder has sued the company, claiming he was tricked into selling his stake for $US100 ($145) months before the British artificial intelligence start-up hit a $US1 billion ($1.5 billion) valuation.

Cyrus Hodes said he sold his 15 per cent stake in Stability AI to another co-founder, Emad Mostaque, in two transactions in October 2021 and May 2022, according to a federal lawsuit filed in San Francisco. Hodes alleges that Mostaque had led him to believe the company was essentially worthless.

Cyrus Hodes said he sold his 15 per cent stake in Stability AI to another co-founder in 2021 and 2022.

By August 2022, Stability AI had unveiled Stable Diffusion, an image creation tool, and announced $US101 million in venture capital funding, vaulting the start-up to the forefront of the red-hot generative AI sector, according to the suit. Hodes accused Mostaque, whos also the companys chief executive officer, of violating fiduciary duties.

In an act of self-dealing by a faithless fiduciary, Mostaque brazenly deceived Hodes about the core business of Stability AI that Mostaque was developing, its likely valuation, and its fundraising, according to the lawsuit.
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Review Eating outNorthcote Wine bar Ruckers Hill shows classic dishes arent over-the-hill when done well Besha Rodell July 14, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This story is part of the July 15 edition of Good Weekend. See all stories .

1 / 8 Ruckers Hill wine bar and restaurant in a wine-lined, brick-walled storefront on High Street, Northcote. Bonnie Savage 2 / 8 Kingfish with pickled fennel, white miso, yuzu and sesame. Bonnie Savage 3 / 8 King prawns wrapped in brik pastry. Bonnie Savage 4 / 8 Duck confit. Bonnie Savage 5 / 8 Entrecote steak with quenelles of smoked onion and bordelaise sauce. Bonnie Savage 6 / 8 Scallops with cauliflower, pancetta, and a champagne vinaigrette. Bonnie Savage 7 / 8 Go-to dish: Lemon tart. Bonnie Savage 8 / 8 Ruckers Hill could be from any era of the past 60 years. Bonnie Savage Previous Slide Next Slide 13.5 / 20 How we score European$$$ There is something curiously old-fashioned about Ruckers Hill, the new wine bar and restaurant in Northcote. The old-world space, with its bar in front and fireplace-lit cosy dining room in back, could be from any era of the past 60 years. The servers are likely to call you sir or madam. Even the gold-lettered branding painted onto the front window looks kind of old-timey, like it would fit in at Sovereign Hill or some other vintage-inspired re-enactment of the days of yore. Very little has changed about the wine-lined, brick-walled storefront on High Street, so that the casual observer might never realise it is no longer Bar Nonno, the Euro-influenced wine bar and shop that was in this space for the previous few years. Add to that the fact that Ruckers Hill, which opened in early March, is also a Euro-influenced wine bar and any confusion is understandable. And in fact, chef and owner David Murphy was the head chef at Bar Nonno for a couple of years, before doing time as a sous chef at Bistro Thierry and then working at 1800 Lasagne in Thornbury. Ruckers Hill is his first project as an owner.

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The drinks list here is strong, with wines that lean European and Australian, and cocktails that buck the classics-with-a-twist trend, sticking mainly to true versions of classics and then veering wildly offscript with drinks such as wine or daiquiri? ($18) made with rum, grape and Supasawa, a Belgian mixer that delivers clean acidity, and served in a wine glass garnished with grapes. The taste is indeed somewhere between a wine and a daiquiri, sour but fruity, and the mash-up works somehow, the rummy citrus funkiness melding to create a mellow harmony. That the bar staff can do something this interesting while also being able to deliver a masterful gin martini ($18) says a lot about their competence and care. There is a distinctly 1990s-early-2000s vibe to this menu, but thats not necessarily a bad thing. Murphys menu is a bit of a throwback to various eras of high-end dining, with Europe being its main inspiration. Japan and Japanese fusion show up here and there too, though, as with king prawns wrapped in crispy brick pastry ($11 each) and served with wasabi mayo. An entree of kingfish ($29) has the buttery fish sliced and lightly seared for a treatment thats more interesting than your standard kingfish crudo. The accompaniments on the plate harken back to Nobu-influenced fusion: pickled fennel tussles for attention with white miso, yuzu and sesame and the dish becomes a little overwhelming, the competing ingredients distracting from what is a lovely presentation of the fish itself.

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Scallops with cauliflower, pancetta, and a champagne vinaigrette. Bonnie Savage Scallops ($31) are advertised as an entree but could probably be eaten as a main, especially with a side salad ($13). Served with cauliflower and pancetta and dressed in champagne vinaigrette, the scallops are perfectly cooked and so classic they feel almost nostalgic. Duck confit ($35) is tender and rich and would be utterly fantastic were it not so overwhelmingly salty. The accompaniment of carrot, honey and orange help to quell the saltiness, but not quite enough. An entrecote steak ($47), served with quenelles of smoked onion and a deeply flavoured bordelaise sauce, was meal enough for two, especially when ordered alongside the cauliflower gratin ($13). Go-to dish: Lemon tart. Bonnie Savage

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Murphys love of classic dishes is perhaps best relished on his dessert menu, where a lemon tart ($16) stole the show, its peaks of fluffy meringue hiding a biting and silky lemon custard, ensconced in an impeccably yielding pastry shell. Dessert should be fun above all else and this dessert certainly meets that brief. If there is a distinctly 1990s-early-2000s vibe to this menu, thats not necessarily a bad thing. Food, when done well, was pretty delicious back then and theres no reason we shouldnt still be enjoying goats cheese with our beetroot or pancetta with our scallops. There are some dishes about which Id encourage Murphy to consider the Coco Chanel method of removing one element before sending the plate out the kitchen door, of trusting his ingredients to speak for themselves a little more clearly. But there are elements of old-school cooking at Ruckers Hill that are a welcome respite from the sameness of pared-back modernity seen in most other wine bars in town. The low-down Vibe: Brick-walled Euro wine cave Go-to dish: Lemon tart ($16) Drinks: Good cocktails, European-style wines from both Europe and Australia Cost: About $150 for two, excluding drinks; five-course tasting menu, $79 This review was originally published in Good Weekend magazine

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Not in Chandlers case. There is no expectation in the federal party room that female Liberal representatives need permission to support both womens sex-based rights and the women who are fighting for them, she told us. Antic wouldnt tell us whether hed had the OK from Duttons office. Dutton was also been contacted for comment while Pesuttos office, unsurprisingly, wasnt going anywhere near this one. But Deeming said that Pesutto and all his parliamentary colleagues were more than welcome to join in the fun on the night. Its going to be a celebration of Liberal values, she told us. I hope to see a good showing from Liberal Party state MPs.

COMYN DOWN Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn has had it with staff staying at home like its 2021, with the firm pushing employees to work at least half their hours in the office. Matt Comyn, stricken with COVID, chose to front a parliamentary inquiry from home. Credit: Illustration: John Shakespeare It has not gone down well with the rank and file or the Finance Sector Union, which has taken the matter to the Fair Work Commission. So imagine the glee the union must have felt at the sight of Comyn, immaculately suited and coiffed as ever, but clearly dialling into Thursdays parliamentary inquiry on the big four banks from the comfort of his own home.

Theres a reason for Comyns cosy location  the boss got COVID-19 over the weekend and while isolation rules are thankfully a thing of the past, he felt it best not to travel to Canberra. MOBILE MATES When Optus landed in a world of strife during its data breach last year, it became apparent that the telco didnt have any external lobbyists working the corridors of power, believing its own government affairs team was more than capable. That approach swiftly changed, with Optus registering veteran corporate affairs type Ian Smith within a month of the hack. TG Public Affairs, chaired by former Labor communications minister Stephen Conroy, was hired in January.

And this week, Optus, which didnt respond to a request for comment, registered a third lobbying firm  Making the World a Better Place, the cheerfully named company run by Greg Rudd, older brother to Kevin 07. The Rudd brothers havent always seen eye to eye. Around the time of the 2007 Ruddslide, Greg sold his lobbying business to avoid any perceived conflict of interest, with the elder sibling moving to China until after Julia Gillards 2010 coup. Greg Rudd in 2007. Credit: Paul Harris After returning to Australia, Greg ran unsuccessfully as an independent Senate candidate at the 2013 election. Their most recent stoush came when Greg offered a bit of armchair psychoanalysis of his brother for a Sky News documentary on Rudd and fellow former PM Malcolm Turnbull. Rudd responded by making an hour-long video with YouTuber Jordan Shanks.

NEWS IDEA If we asked you to name an Australian company that might fancy itself as needing no help getting access to the nations movers and shakers, the big decision makers, Rupert Murdochs News Corp might spring to mind. Loading So CBD was a little taken aback to learn that the media behemoth  which styles itself as one of the great influencers in politics, commerce, culture, sport and anything else you care to mention in this little society of ours  has hired a lobbyist. SEC Newgate, a bit of a stalwart of the trade, which  fun fact  has its very own crisis management smartphone app, has been helping clients access the corridors of power for more than 30 years.
In December 1968, a young Czech writer met three Latin American authors in a sauna on the banks of the Vltava River. The Latin Americans were Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Julio Cortazar and Carlos Fuentes, who had come to Prague on the invitation of the Union of Czech Writers, to see with their own eyes what was happening after the Soviet repression of the previous spring. Their Czech counterpart was Milan Kundera, who had met Fuentes a few months earlier in Paris, and had told him that the best support the Czechs could receive was to be visited as if the Russians werent there. But he asked them to meet at a sauna, Fuentes would later explain, because it was one of the few places without ears on the walls: that is, because the Russians were everywhere, and so were their spies. A few months later, Garcia Marquez learned that his novel One Hundred Years of Solitude was competing with another one by Kundera for the prize of best foreign book in France, and he wished they would give it to that Czech writer, an unleashed madman who explained to us the problems of his country first at 120 degrees above zero and then at 20 degrees below zero. Because the walls had ears.

The scene seems straight out of The Joke, the beautiful novel where Kundera began to explore the subject that would haunt him for the rest of his life: the struggle of human beings against the forces, whatever these may be, that are out to steal their freedom. The Joke tells the story of Ludvik, a young communist militant who allows himself a joke in a letter and later sees how that brief, spontaneous line sends his whole life to hell. Kundera was always concerned about that trait of totalitarian mentality: the invasion and destruction of peoples private lives  yes: the walls that listen , and he reflected that concern in his marvelous readings of Kafka, but above all he was concerned about our relationship with humor and irony. Spaces where there is no room for humor, where irony is frowned upon, seemed to him not only undesirable, but downright dangerous, and one of the worst adjectives in his personal dictionary was a word made up by Rabelais: agelaste, which means he who does not know how to laugh. The humorless readings of his novels terrified him above all things, and he always believed in Octavio Pazs idea that humor, or at least the humor that took shape with Miguel de Cervantes, is the great invention of modern times.

Kundera wrote a handful of novels that I continue to read, taking pleasure in his precise intelligence and delicate humor (which is, of course, a function of intelligence), but none of his works of fiction take the same pride of place on my bookshelves as his trilogy of essays: The Art of the Novel, Testaments Betrayed and The Curtain. They are the musings of a novelist on the place of the novel in our world, and I can think of no more than three names in the entire history of this misunderstood art that have left behind better reflections, or better scholarship, than Milan Kundera. Now he is dead, after years of living in a certain sense outside the world, hidden from it, and we who have learned to read in another way thanks to his books, will perhaps remember how much he liked a phrase by Gustave Flaubert: The artist must manage to make posterity believe that he has not lived at all. I dont know if he seriously tried to live by that motto, but here we are, his readers, mourning his death.

Juan Gabriel Vasquez is a writer.




Senior American and British officials have called for Ukraine to show gratitude for the tens of billions of dollars being provided to help the countrys war against Russia as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged to send 30 more Bushmaster troop carriers to the country.

The blunt comments from UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan underlined growing frustration about the high cost of supporting the war effort and impatience at the slow progress of the Ukrainian militarys counter-offensive, even as Western leaders vow to support Ukraine for as long as required.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at their meeting at NATO. Credit: Reuters

Australian Defence officials have been reluctant to give up Australias newest equipment to Ukraine, arguing internally that doing so will drain crucial military resources unless additional funding is allocated to cover the shortfall.

Ukraines top representative in Australia insisted the nation was extremely grateful for Australian support, vowing to repay the favour if Australia is ever attacked.
Brussels: Labor powerbroker Don Farrell says there will be no impact on Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses leadership if he loses the Voice referendum to be held later this year.

Farrell, a Labor-Right factional leader who was instrumental in withdrawing support for Kevin Rudd in the leadership coup of 2010, has become a key ally of the prime minister, despite Albanese hailing from the partys Left faction.

Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses leadership has the backing of powerbroker Don Farrell, even if the Voice referendum fails. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

The Special Minister of State, who has responsibility for the independent Electoral Commission, which will run the vote, likely to be held in October, said he still believed the referendum could be won.

He rejected speculation the referendum would be voted down, saying the Indigenous Voice to parliament enjoyed support from women and younger voters.
A man has been charged after allegedly sending death threats to the federal member for Mallee, Anne Webster.

Simon Raymond, 39, of no fixed address was arrested at Brisbane Airport by Australian Federal Police and appeared in a Brisbane court on Tuesday.

Nationals MP Dr Anne Webster is alleged to have faced death threats by a man arrested in Brisbane on Tuesday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Raymond has been remanded in custody after facing several charges related to using a carriage service to make a threat to kill a person. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Websters office confirmed on Wednesday the Nationals MP for the Mildura region had been targeted by threats. A spokesperson said Webster would not be commenting at this time as the matter was before the court.
Hackers breached Microsoft Outlook email accounts linked to government agencies in the US and Western Europe, according to government officials and Microsoft, which described the attackers as being based in China.

Last month, the US State Department identified anomalous activity and alerted Microsoft to the attack, according to a spokesperson. A subsequent investigation by Microsoft determined that the hackers accessed and exfiltrated unclassified Exchange Online Outlook data from a small number of accounts, according to a statement from the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, known as CISA.

Microsoft described the group behind the attack as China-based and named them Storm-0558. Credit: AP

In an interview on US television on ABCs Good Morning America, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said, We detected it fairly rapidly, and we were able to prevent further breaches. The matter is still being investigated.

In a blog post, Microsoft described the group behind the attack as China-based and named them Storm-0558. The hackers were able to remain undetected for a month after gaining access to email data from about 25 organisations in mid-May.
Iqaluit, Canada Iqaliut is geographically remote but relatively easy to get to. Credit: Getty The capital of the sparsely populated Nunavut territory on the southern end of Baffin Island, formerly called Frobisher Bay, is geographically remote but relatively easy to get to, since jet aircraft can land at its airport and do so from several Canadian cities. Iqaliut is well set up for tourists, with abundant activities such as canoeing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, hiking and camping. In winter you can see the northern lights. See travelnunavut.ca Tanggula, China Tanggula is literally in the middle of nowhere. Credit: Alamy

This is the worlds highest train station at 5068 metres above sea level on the Tibetan plateau, and one of the stops along the 1956-kilometre Qinghai-Tibet railway line. Sitting near a glacier, its literally in the middle of nowhere. There is not another building in sight and the station itself unmanned. You might see a few yaks. The railway line is so high that oxygen is piped into carriages. See chinatibettrain.com Tristan da Cunha The only transport to Tristan is by sea. Credit: IStock This tiny mid-Atlantic island is the furthest permanently inhabited place (population 300) from any other  namely another island, St Helena, 2816 kilometres away. The only transport to Tristan is by sea, making a luxury cruise the only sensible way to visit unless youre prepared to wait for the three-times-a-year supply ship from Cape Town. Theres no hotel (only guesthouses) and a single cafe. See tristandc.com Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland

Ittoqqortoormiit Village; where icebergs and the worlds largest national park await. Credit: iStock Some 400 people live here on Greenlands eastern edge, and visitors arrive by boat, snowmobile or helicopter from the airport 40 kilometres away. In the short summer months, a few expedition cruise ships squeeze in between the icebergs to make a visit. Intrepid travellers are attracted to its location on the worlds largest national park and fjord system. Hunters come for its musk ox. See visitgreenland.com Kelabit Highlands, Malaysia Get off the beaten track in the interior of Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Credit: Getty Even the worlds most populated continent has its lonely places. Get off the beaten track in the interior of Sarawak on the island of Borneo. The highlands are reached on a one-hour flight from Bario; dont even think about the horrendous five-hour journey by logging road. Most visitors hike from longhouse to longhouse and visit Pulong Tau National Park, which has sumptuous scenery and orchid-rich forests. See sarawaktourism.com

Villa Las Estrellas, Antarctica Credit: SnowSwan/Wikimedia Its little known that Antarctica has two permanent settlements, and this Chilean town and research post on King George Island is one. It retains some 80 people over winter, and twice that in summer. It even has its own churches and a tiddly (currently closed) school, though all the houses are prefabs. Access is on 3.5-hour tourist flights from Punta Arenas in southern Chile or by cruise ship. Kiwirrkurra, Australia Though only 100 kilometres from another Aboriginal settlement, this community in WAs Gibson Desert is often referred to as Australias remotest. It lies 700 kilometres west of Alice Springs and 1200 kilometres east of Port Hedland. Contact with non-Indigenous people only occurred in the 1950s and the Pintupi were largely nomadic until the 1980s. You need a permit to enter Ngaanyatjarra Lands and can only stay two nights. See ngaanyatjarra.org.au
Jakarta: Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has used a meeting with Chinas top diplomat to reinforce Australian calls for transparency from Beijing over its newly signed security deal with Solomon Islands.

Wong spoke to Wang Yi for nearly an hour on the edges of a regional forum in Indonesia in what was their fourth meeting and first since she visited Beijing last December.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong meets Chinas top diplomat Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers summit in Jakarta on Thursday. Credit: DFAT

She said she raised the governments objections to the Hong Kong police bounties placed on politicians and activists in exile in Australia as well as advocating for several Australians detained in China and for the further relaxation of trade sanctions.

Wong also took the chance to flag Australias concerns about Chinas new police co-operation agreement with Honiara, which was sealed during a visit to Beijing by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare this week.
A Russian submarine commander, who is alleged by some in Ukraine to have killed more than 20 civilians, has been shot dead on his morning run after logging his route regularly on the fitness app Strava.

A 64-year-old man has been arrested in south Russia over the shooting death of Stanislav Rzhitsky, 42, who was found dead, having been repeatedly shot in the city of Krasnodar on July 10.

Russian submarine commander Stanislav Rzhitsky was shot dead while on his morning run on July 10.

Rzhitsky was attacked near the citys Olimp sports complex, where he often followed the same four mile (6.4 kilometres) path and posted his runs publicly on Strava, according to the Russian online news outlets.

The Telegram channel Baza, which has links to Russian security services, claimed this may have made him a target because the killer could track his route through the wooded parkland on the running app.
The success of a writer is often accompanied by increasingly numerous misunderstandings about him. After the worldwide success of The Unbearable Lightness of Being, misunderstandings kept arising. Interview requests came in from all over the world and his words were often misrepresented. The legend of the Prague dissident threatened to overshadow his work, which he had tried to protect from biographers with his constant translation and editing work. His seminar at EHESS, the School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences in Paris, was always full of journalists and intellectuals in need of a master thinker. One of them said to me as he left a seminar: He could be the new Sartre!

A decision had to be made, which consisted of a neologism: to beckettise himself, alluding to Samuel Becketts refusal to appear in public. And thats what he did starting in 1986. No more interviews. No more photos. His seminar was reserved for about 20 students, whom I was in charge of selecting based on their work. Starting in 1986, my role as an assistant often consisted of driving away annoying people rather than assisting Kundera.

Rather than placate the comments, his voluntary withdrawal from the public scene only served to fuel suspicion. One does not disappear for no reason, his detractors insinuated. Might he have something to hide? After much searching, in 2008 they finally found a communist police report from Prague from 1950, in which he was accused of having been an informer when he was 18 years old. A Kafkaesque judgment in the form of an anachronism. Yasmina Reza defended him in Le Monde: It is difficult to forgive a man for being great and illustrious. But even less so, if he meets these qualities, for keeping silent. In the empire of noise, silence is an offense. Anyone who refuses to reveal themselves, to make some form of public contribution other than their work, becomes a troublesome figure and a priority target.

For Kundera, refusing to talk about himself was not a moral attitude, nor a posture of proud withdrawal, but a novelistic rejection of the despotism of the media, a strategy designed to highlight the works, the life of literary creations rather than the life of their authors. Refusing to talk about himself was the only possible reaction to the tendency of most literary critics and biographers to study the writer, his personality, his political views and his private life instead of studying his works. The aversion to having to talk about oneself was, in his opinion, the fundamental feature of the novelists talent.

So much has been said and written about Milan Kundera that, on many occasions, the noise surrounding his life has often taken the place of his novels. Journalists, those great chroniclers of other peoples souls, did not stop hounding him, following in his footsteps from Brno to Prague and from Rennes to Paris, searching for supposed secrets behind the closed door of his privacy, as if his novels were not enough and had to be backed up by a biography, hung on a wall of celebrities.

There are two ways to approach the Kundera phenomenon. The first is biographical and consists of pointing out the different stages of his life, which, through a series of tests, led him from the lyrical illusions of his youth to the disenchanted maturity of adulthood. It is the formative novel of a young writer seduced and then disappointed by the communist revolution of 1948, which culminated in the Prague Spring of the 1960s and the Soviet occupation of 1968.

In the first perspective, three writers follow one another, three Milan Kundera, one inside the other like Russian dolls: the young poet, traveling companion of communism in 1948; the organic intellectual of the Prague Spring in the 1960s; and, after the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1968, the opponent of normalization, excluded from public life and forced into exile in the 1970s (he settled in Rennes in 1975 and in Paris four years later). After the Soviet occupation, Kundera wrote three novels: Laughable Loves, Life Is Elsewhere and The Farewell Waltz, which, along with The Joke, make up the group of novels written in Prague. Then came exile and Kundera rediscovered himself as the man from the East and the dissident, the stateless exile, deprived of his citizenship by the communist regime, and the assimilated writer to whom President Mitterrand granted nationality and who wrote his first essays and all his subsequent novels in French.

Consequently, if we listen to the biographers, there is not a single Milan Kundera but five, five masks that show his effigy. What else are we to think of this distribution of roles other than what Kundera himself said about one of his characters?: When he looked back, his life lacked coherence: all he found were fragments, isolated elements, an incoherent succession of pictures... The desire to justify a posteriori a series of scattered events was a falsification that could deceive others, but not him. And I wonder: isnt that precisely the definition of biography? An artificial logic that prevails in an incoherent succession of frames?

But there is another possible approach, one that is not filled with biographical details and focuses on the essential, beginning in medias res, according to the art of ellipsis that Kundera considered essential in novel composition. It is a phenomenological approach, although Kundera, who resented philosophical labels, would certainly have rejected the word and would have preferred an approach that he would have described as problematic, that is, bent on describing and making understandable a set of problems concerning the work and not the life of the novelist.

It is impossible to understand the role and place of Kundera in the Paris of the 1980s without taking into account the literary and intellectual context of the time: the crisis of Marxism, the end of the great narratives and the decline of the figure of the committed intellectual, materialized in the death and burial of Sartre on April 15, 1980. That was a crucial moment that helps us understand his strategy as a writer: 50% of a writers talent is in his strategy! he confided to me during my first interview with him, in December 1981. That moment coincided with his arrival in Paris, when his work was gradually emerging from the Czech or Central European literary sphere (what he called the small context) and thus escaping the problems of dissidence, which were to lose their appeal with the fall of the Berlin Wall. The end of history, the end of ideologies and the great stories of emancipation.

We could say that this was the moment of the narrative impasse, the waiting period between two centuries: the 20th century, which came to an end in 1989, and the 21st century, which, according to the media, did not begin until September 11, 2001. It is at this moment that, paradoxically, Kunderas works, his novels and essays, written mainly in Czech or French, take on the meaning of a return to the novel, of a great recapitulation, a great retrospective, a retro-European instant: as he wrote in The Art of the Novel, a European is the one who feels nostalgic for Europe.

Christian Salmon is a French writer, author of Storytelling: Bewitching the Modern Mind, The Cannibal Ceremony and The Age of Confrontation. Between 1982 and 1988 he was an assistant to Milan Kundera at the EHESS in Paris.

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A Meta sign is displayed at the company's booth at the Game Developers Conference 2023 in San Francisco, March 22, 2023.

Three large tax preparation firms sent extraordinarily sensitive information on tens of millions of taxpayers to Facebook parent company Meta over the course of at least two years, a group of congressional Democrats reported on Wednesday.

They say some of that data was then used by Meta to create targeted advertising to its own users, other companies, and to train Metas algorithms.

The Democrats report urges federal agencies to investigate and potentially go to court over the wealth of information that H&R Block, TaxAct and TaxSlayer shared with the social media giant.

In a letter to the heads of the IRS, the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and the IRS watchdog, seven lawmakers say their findings reveal a shocking breach of taxpayer privacy by tax prep companies and by Big Tech firms.

Their report said highly personal and financial information about sources of taxpayers income, tax deductions and exemptions was made accessible to Meta as taxpayers used the tax software to prepare their taxes.

That data came to Meta through its Pixel code, which the tax firms installed on their websites to gather information on how to improve their own marketing campaigns. In exchange, Meta was able to access the data to write targeted algorithms for its own users.

The program collected information on taxpayers filing status, income, refund amounts, names of dependents, approximate federal tax owed, which buttons were clicked on the tax preparers websites and the names of text entry forms that the taxpayer navigated, the report states.

Taxpayer data was also shared with Google, through its own tracking tools  though the firm told lawmakers that it never used the information to track users on the internet, according to the report.

The letter to federal agencies was signed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth, Bernie Sanders, Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. Katie Porter. The lawmakers called for the agencies to immediately open an investigation into this incident.

They ask the agencies to investigate and prosecute any company or individuals who violated the law, saying it could result in billions of dollars in criminal liability to the firms.

The Markup, a nonprofit journalism outlet focusing on technology, initially reported on the data-sharing between tax firms and Meta in November. A TaxAct representative said the firm has engaged with Warrens office to explain its usage of the analytical tools and that protecting customers is its top priority.

A TaxSlayer representative said Wednesday that the report contains numerous false or misleading statements regarding the taxpayers personal and filing information sent to Meta and Google and it will request a retraction or correction from Warrens office.

H&R Block said that it takes protecting client privacy very seriously and has taken steps to prevent the sharing of information through the Pixel coding.

And Meta said that it has been clear in its policies that advertisers should not send sensitive information about people through our Business Tools.

Doing so is against our policies and we educate advertisers on properly setting up Business tools to prevent this from occurring, the company said in an emailed statement. Our system is designed to filter out potentially sensitive data it is able to detect.

Metas Facebook has a history of failure when it comes to protecting user privacy.

One of its biggest scandals erupted in 2018 when investigations revealed that Cambridge Analytica, a firm with ties to Donald Trumps onetime political strategist Steve Bannon, had paid a Facebook app developer for access to the personal information of about 87 million Facebook users. That data was then used to target U.S. voters during the 2016 campaign that culminated in Trumps election as the 45th president.

Facebook agreed to a $725 million user settlement in that case, and later was fined $5 billion by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

This May, the FTC proposed sweeping new changes to its standing privacy order for Meta that would bar the company from using any data collected from children under 18, including via its virtual reality technologies. The new rules would also force Meta to pause new products and services until an independent assessor confirms that they comply with the FTC order. The under-18 concerns stem largely from Facebooks Messenger for Kids app, which has long drawn fire for insufficient privacy protections for its younger users.

Also in 2018, the company disclosed that almost 50 million accounts had been vulnerable to the theft of digital user tokens that attackers could use to log into personal accounts. Facebook admitted the same year that most of its then 2.2 billion users had likely had their public data scraped by malicious actors.

Representatives from the IRS and FTC did not immediately respond to requests for comment. DOJ and the IRS watchdog declined to comment.

The Democrats say their report serves as an argument for the creation of an electronic free-file system for submitting tax returns that would be run by the government, which the IRS is currently piloting.

The IRS plans to launch a pilot program for the 2024 filing season to test a direct file system and help the federal government decide whether to move forward with potentially implementing it in the future.

The IRS in May published a feasibility report laying out taxpayer interest in direct file, how the system could work, its potential cost, operational challenges and more.

The report shows that the majority of surveyed taxpayers would be interested in using an IRS-provided tool to prepare and file their taxes electronically  almost 50% of respondents who preferred the IRS free-file option over commercial tax preparation firms said they preferred to give their financial information directly to the IRS instead of the third party.

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Cheyenne, WY (82001)

Today

Sunny, along with a few afternoon clouds. High near 85F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 59F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
A number of patents on important drugs are set to expire in the coming years. Patents recognize medical innovations and protect them by law for 20 years: 10 years for research and 10 years for exclusive marketing. In this period, only the pharmaceutical company that holds the patent is allowed to manufacture and sell the drug. But this period is coming to an end for well-known drugs such as Lucentis (ranibizumab), developed by Novartis, which helps people with vision problems caused by damage to the retina, and Aubagio (teriflunomide), from Sanofi Genzyme, which treats patients with multiple sclerosis.

A study by Iqvia called Global Use of Medicines 2022 estimates that this will cost the main European brands in France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain 13 billion over the next five years. Off-patent drugs belong to very diverse clinical areas, explained Marie Fischer-Sabatie, vice president of Moodys investment department. By volume, the biggest patent to recently expiry is Humira, a drug to treat various conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Crohns disease, with a turnover of around 17.5 billion.

Fischer-Sabatie estimates that exposures in 2023 will exceed those of 2022 and 2021, which will contribute to a lower growth rate for the pharmaceutical industry. In the case of Humira, its patent expired in 2018 and set off a market rush for biosimilars, biologic drugs that are almost an identical copy of the original, which are made from living organisms, such as proteins or antibodies.

When a patent comes to an end, there are two options for competing pharmaceutical companies: the biosimilars market and the generics market. A biosimilar is more complex to develop than a generic drug, whose chemical composition has the exact same concentration and dosage as the original. Fewer companies are able to develop biosimilars.

Encarna Cruz, the CEO of the Spanish Biosimilars Association (BioSim), argues that the size of the off-patent biologic drug market will be substantially larger in the coming years compared to the 2010-2023 period, peaking around 2027-2028 with an estimated 8 billion, which could be subject to biosimilar competition. She also believes that increased competition will drive down the costs of some drugs.

According to Cruz, the size of the biosimilars market in Europe is an indication of the weight they have in pharmaceutical spending. In Spain, for example, where the national healthcare system provides broad coverage, access to biologic drugs exerts significant economic pressure, she said. Indeed, of the top 20 most consumed drugs in Spain, 15 are biologics, according to a report published by the Spanish Ministry of Health.

And this means significant savings for government health spending. Since the first biosimilar was released in Europe in 2006, public healthcare systems have been making steady cost savings. In Spain, BioSim estimates that the country saves 1 billion annually  a figure that grew more than 6.7% between 2021 and 2022, and which continues to rise.

From 2024 to 2026, seven new drugs will become generics. If there were none, those seven drugs would cost the health system 1.7 billion; with generics, we will pay 900 million. In other words, the end of seven patents in the next few years will save Spain around 800 million, said Angel Luis Rodriguez de la Cuerda, the head of Spains Generic Medicine Association (AESEG)

Rodriguez de la Cuerda lists the benefits of the generic medicine market. We generate 40,000 jobs, we have 20 manufacturing plants. After Italy, Spain is the country with the most plants; seven out of 10 generics are manufactured in our country, we export 30% of production and invest 27% in R&D. We contribute to GDP.

Big pharma, on the other hand, is facing an expected drop in revenue in the United States. But for Olaf Tolke, director of corporate ratings at Scope Ratings, in Europe, unlike the U.S., there is no dramatic patent cliff facing the industry at present, with some notable exceptions such as GSK.

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Paul Ellis/Pool/Getty Images/TNS President Joe Biden, left, speaks alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a G7 declaration of joint support for Ukraine on July 12, 2023 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

Rain showers early, then clear overnight. Low 58F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Rain showers early, then clear overnight. Low 58F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Fatima from Guatemala was subjected to sexual violence as a child, as were Norma from Ecuador, Susana and Lucia from Nicaragua and Camila from Peru. All fell pregnant as a result of the violence and became mothers in early puberty. Today they are speaking out to demand justice. Under the auspices of the umbrella movement, Girls Are Not Mothers that brings together a number of organizations including Planned Parenthood Global, the Center for Reproductive Rights, Surkuna, Women Transforming the World and Promsex, they filed a lawsuit with the UN Human Rights Committee and, four years later, are waiting for a verdict.

Recently, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child condemned the Peruvian State for violating the rights of Camila, a child rape victim who was tried in a court of law for having an abortion. Latin America and the Caribbean are the only regions in the world where there is an increase in the numbers of young girls giving birth. And this is why Fatima has decided to tell her story:

I am Fatima, I am 27 now. I was raped when I was very young, at the age of 12, and I am still fighting for justice. That is why I am here. It has been a whole process and now I can speak openly without feeling guilty, because during my childhood I was made to feel that way. I was a child and I felt guilty believing that I had caused this older adult to hurt me. He was a teacher and a person who, on account of his professional role, was supposed to protect me, and take care of me, and yet he caused me a lot of pain. In my country, Guatemala, in my region, there are many girls forced into having unwanted pregnancies and their numbers unfortunately keep increasing. They have helped me become stronger and now I want my voice to be heard.

Fortunately, I received psychological support from the Guatemalan organization, Women Transforming the World. It has helped me to grow and realize I am not guilty. I am just another victim. In my case, I have been re-victimized  singled out by the authorities, by the health system, even by my close family members. Those who point the finger tend to twist the knife: it was you, your fault, you provoked the aggressor by wearing a skirt or, in my case, you made your teacher desire you, you made him see you as a woman and not as a girl. Those things scar you and you start to think you are guilty. And you believe it because you believe everything they tell you when you are a girl. So, yes, I was made to feel guilty for what happened and also for the unwanted pregnancy that felt, at times, like a burden.

To begin with, I was denied access to justice. I did not have good legal support and the person who raped me was very well known in my community and region. I was told: You cant touch him. Besides, who is going to believe the word of a girl against the word of a respected person, a professional? What you are saying is not credible in any way. Or: You are the one who looks bad. You should drop the lawsuit, give it up, because in the end this is not going to get you anywhere. Its just a waste of time.

The fact that nothing has happened after waiting so long is exhausting. Sometimes you consider giving up. The justice system has been trying and so difficult; a lot of information has been leaked and the proper processes not carried out. In my case, I was forced to repeatedly relive the rape. For me it was like having to remember over and over again what I had gone through; instead of closure and healing, more salt was added to the wound, opening it further.

There are many in this mans circle who were influential enough to ensure he could escape  his whereabouts are still not known. The truth is that every day things go slower and I feel that sometimes they even go a little backwards because the system always falls short. I feel that the authorities are looking to the victims to carry out the investigation. We get calls asking: Do you know where the aggressor lives? Have you seen him? If you know where we can go to look for him, can you call us? This is despite the fact we gave them that information when they could still arrest him, and they did not.

As for the health care I received, being a minor I was treated very badly: If you are good at opening your legs, let them do a test to check if the baby is okay, I was told. There were many situations that scarred me, and I can talk about them now because I know that these peoples behavior was not right. The medical treatment I got made me feel guilty for having ended up with an unwanted pregnancy, for not understanding that what this person did to me was rape, things that I didnt understand because I had no information. Now I am informed. But there are many girls in many communities, living in distant villages who still do not receive a comprehensive education, which I believe is necessary to prevent them from being subjected to physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse. Now that I have my own children, I am determined none of them to go through what I went through. It is also for their sake that I am speaking out.

What can I tell girls going through something similar? I think one of the most important aspects concerns trust. I didnt trust anyone. I come from a very difficult family background. My mom was my mom and dad at the same time and there were seven of us children. I knew that if I told her, she might not believe me. I also had to think about the economic resources that the aggressor provided us with. I had a scholarship from an institution and I thought of the aggressor as my father because he had known me since I was a baby, since I was three months old. I always thought he was the one person I could trust.

It is important for children to know that the people closest to them can also hurt them. We have to educate ourselves on this. I talk about it a lot with my children. I would tell girls having a similar experience that we should not keep quiet for fear of what will happen to us or what is said to us. In my case, my aggressor would threaten to take away our economic assistance, or hurt my sisters. That was my biggest fear. There are three of us and we get along very well. If something happened to them, it would be very painful for me. They were always uppermost in my mind.

At first, I didnt understand what had been done to me. Now I talk a lot to my children about how to take care of their bodies, that no one, not even me, can touch them. I think it is very important that we continue to educate our children, regardless of whether they are our children or not. I am a teacher and I insist on the same thing every day, that if we do not want to hug someone we do not hug them, if we do not want to give someone a kiss, we dont, because if we do not feel the need or feel affection towards that person, no one can force us.

That is the departure point. Trust must be paramount and if there is someone we can talk to about what is happening to us, thats a big step. I really couldnt talk until I sat down with a psychologist because I was so scared. I didnt understand how I could be giving life to another child when I was only 12. I couldnt get my head around it. I did not understand how I could be giving life to another child when I was still a child.

The experience was followed by another painful ordeal  I was told by the education authorities: You cant study because you are pregnant. Then I was told that I could not do a degree because I was a mother and I had to be married for that. There were many obstacles along the way and, of course, that made me unstable. I wondered what I was living for. And yes, at one point in my childhood I tried to take my own life. But then I understood that there was a purpose to my journey and that was to speak out in the name of all the many other girls that had died because theyd been raped or who had been tortured. To be honest with you, I dont remember my pregnancy. I didnt feel it. I dont have pictures because it was not something I wanted. When I am asked, I only remember being mistreated by the doctors, but I erased a part of myself during that time and maybe it was because it was very painful.

The support of my mother and siblings was what helped me to get through it. After that, I focused on studying and, thanks to the Women Transforming the World organization, I could continue my studies, albeit with episodes of being singled out and of rejection. In Guatemala, there are parades held in honor of virgins and the distinguished students from each school participate in these. I was top of the class in my school, but they did not let me join the parade because I was a mother.

It was all very painful, but I focused on being able to achieve what I had dreamed of since I was a little girl, which has always been to become a doctor. Now I have two university degrees  a Bachelor in Pedagogy and one to be a high school teacher  which were not easy.

I always said: When I grow up, I want to be a doctor, a lawyer or a teacher  any of those three careers, all of them humanitarian. And I thought: At some point I am going to give back and repay what people have done for me, and I think I am achieving that with my children, as a teacher at the primary level.

My goal is to continue studying. Right now, I am doing a diploma course in educational inclusion, because I think there are many children who need us and who are not treated properly. And I am also taking a course in personal education because we sometimes ignore our own problems when dealing with the problems of others. I ask a lot of myself and I am sticking to my goal which is to continue studying medicine or law, one of the two. It doesnt matter if it takes a long time. I hope to become a little more financially stable. My situation has got better, but I dont yet have enough money to study.

My journey has led me to believe that there is a lack of empathy and immediacy in my countrys justice system. There is also very little information and security for women, girls and adolescents and we continue to be vulnerable to acts of violence  specifically, sexual violence. That is one of the most important aspects of my journey, which is also why I am here now, speaking out for those girls who have not been able to do so, for those women and adolescents who, like me, have at some point experienced sexual violence and have probably remained silent, or have been silenced in different ways. I can be their voice. I can help provide spaces that allow us to close the gap that exists between our governments and a society that seeks better security and justice for all.

I also believe that the small things we can do from wherever we are will also make our world a little better.

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1 in 3 London Businesses Say ULEZ Expansion Will Negatively Affect Employees

London Mayor Sadiq Khan, speaks during an inerview with AFP at the Francis Crick Institute in London, on June 11, 2018. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images)

Over a third of London businesses are worried about Mayor Sadiq Khans Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) having a negative impact on their employees, according to a study by London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

A poll commissioned by LCCI, the capitals largest business chamber founded in 1881, says that a major chunk of businesses are concerned about being hit by ULEZ, Mr. Khans flagship air pollution-cutting scheme that charges motorists by the day to drive.

In response to the research, a mayor of London spokesman told The Epoch Times that the decision to roll out ULEZ was a difficult one, but necessary to protect the health of Londoners.

He also said there were new short grace periods.

The poll, carried out by Savanta, a member of the British Polling Council, included micro companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large businesses across both inner and outer London.

A sign at the expanded boundary of Londons ULEZ pollution charge zone for older vehicles on Oct. 25, 2021. (Yui Mok/PA)

Thirty-three percent said they were worried about the negative consequences of the expansion, which is set to take effect in August and covers most of Greater London.

The data showed that there was also a divergence in views based on business location. Thirty-nine percent of outer London companies are worried that the ULEZ expansion will negatively affect their employees as compared to 29 percent of businesses based in inner London.

Fifteen percent of all businesses thought it would have a positive impact on their employees.

LCCI added that London is facing a global chip shortage, which means that the vehicles may not necessarily be delivered in time before the ULEZ expansion to outer London.

The study echoes similar concerns from builders, plumbers, roofers, electricians and more. In July, research was conducted by Fix Radio, a national radio station dedicated to tradespeople, found that nearly a quarter of London tradesmen said that they are being hit, especially as they have to fork out thousands for ULEZ-compliant vehicles as the market has skyrocketed.

ULEZ

ULEZ is an area in which vehicles that do not meet certain emissions standards must pay a daily charge of 12.50 to drive or face fines. It currently covers 4 million people, or around 44 percent of Londons population.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced the worlds first ULEZ in 2015 when he was London mayor.

Mr. Khan claims that 4,000 Londoners die prematurely each year because of long-term exposure to air pollution, with the greatest number of deaths in outer London boroughs.

Some have previously questioned why the scheme is being pushed even though a planned ban on new petrol and diesel cars is coming in by 2030 and that by 2027 there will be no revenue for ULEZ.

Litany of Failure

Tory councillor Simon Fawthrop told The Epoch Times that the results point out the litany of failure of ULEZ  the fact that it was ill-thought-out, is incomprehensible and actually punishes people for going about their daily business.

In a statement accompanying the poll, Richard Burge, CEO at LCCI said that his members have expressed concerns that their employees might be unfairly penalised if they bought a ULEZ compliant vehicle which was not delivered in time for the ULEZ extension to outer London.

At a time when businesses are doing their best to provide hybrid working options and are making progress in getting staff back into the office, we dont want the ULEZ expansion to hinder their crucial efforts he added.

James Watkins, head of policy and public impact at LCCI said that good air quality is integral to all of usbusinesses as well as employees.

However, we believe that during this cost of living crisis, this health measure should not be viewed as another tax but, instead, as a vital step to improve air quality, he said.

Our members in logistics and travel hubs have advised that workers travelling to work places should not be penalised if they have bought a ULEZ-compliant vehicle but with the risk remaining that the vehicles may not be delivered in time for August, added Mr. Watkins.

Londons Ultra low emission zone. (PA Graphics)

Majority Want the Zone to Be Expanded London-Wide

A spokesman for the mayor of London told The Epoch Times by email that the mayor has been clear that the decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone London-wide was a difficult one, but necessary to protect the health of Londoners.

We know the ULEZ works as its already allowed more than 4 million people to breathe cleaner air in inner London and harmful NO2 concentrations cut by nearly half in central London, he added.

The spokesman said that representative YouGov polling of more than 1,200 Londoners showed the majority want the zone to be expanded London-wide, with nearly twice as many Londoners supporting the expansion than opposing it.

The ULEZ is a very targeted schemenine out of ten cars seen driving in outer London are already ULEZ compliant and will not have to pay the charge, he said.

The 110 million scrappage scheme, he said, has been extended this month to include those receiving child benefits and all the capitals small businesses and charities.

He added that sole traders, microbusinesses, small businesses, and charities that have ordered brand new compliant vehicles but have been informed that delivery will be delayed past Aug. 29 owing to issues such as supply chain delays will have a maximum six months grace period.
More Than 100 Homes Damaged After Tornado Hits Ottawa Suburb

Helen Feltham, 82, is helped from her home by her daughter and granddaughter after it was damaged by a tornado in the Ottawa suburb of Barrhaven on July 13, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

The remains of totalled fences, blown-out windows and ripped-off roofs were scattered across a south-end neighbourhood in Ottawa on Thursday after a tornado hit with little warning.

After the skies had cleared, families sat out on their porches looking out at downed poles and uprooted trees as emergency services and hydro personnel worked to clear debris and restore power.

While residents described themselves as shaken and stressed-out, there were no deaths or serious injuries.

Environment Canada confirmed that at least one tornado had hit the Ottawa area just after noon on Thursday in Half Moon Bay, a neighbourhood in the Barrhaven suburb.

Later on Thursday, it confirmed that a tornado also touched down in Mirabel, Que., north of Montreal. It said no injuries or damage had been reported.

Another as-yet unconfirmed tornado was suspected to have hit an area with no built infrastructure southwest of Montreal in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., also causing no damage.

In Barrhaven, about 125 homes were damaged, said Kim Ayotte, the general manager of emergency and protective services for the City of Ottawa.

He told reporters late in the afternoon that most of the damage involved roofs being ripped off homes, broken windows and damage from falling trees.

Its a variety of damage, from small damage to quite substantial damage, he said.

He said only one minor injury had been reported involving someone who sustained a cut to their foot.

Monica Vaswani, a warning preparedness meteorologist at Environment Canada, said several funnel clouds were reported in the Ottawa area Thursday afternoon but only one tornado had been confirmed as of mid-afternoon.

The community is about 22 kilometres south of Parliament Hill in the citys rapidly growing south end. The area includes detached homes and townhouses built in just the last few years.

Vaswani said the tornado has been confirmed through videos posted to social media that show debris being lofted and rotated.

An expert from the Northern Tornadoes Project at Western University in London, Ont., is heading to the area to help determine the speed of the tornado, she said.

Laurie Gillespie told The Canadian Press that her 82-year-old mother and her sister were at the home they share on Watercolours Way when her sister noticed a storm coming in and stepped outside to pull in a chair so it wouldnt blow away.

Just as she came back inside, the back window blew in and the screen came flying across the room and landed at my mothers feet, said Gillespie.

The home, which Helen Feltham has lived in for three years, sustained significant damage. The windows in the living room, bathroom and bedroom all blew in, strewing glass everywhere, while much of the roof was torn off.

The curtains on the bathroom window were sucked right out and they ended up on the roof, said Gillespie, who was not at the home at the time.

She said she lives about 15 minutes away and drove over as soon as she got the call that the storm had happened. By the time she got there, the streets were already flooded with emergency responders and even a representative from the developer that is building homes in the neighbourhood.

He was comforting her mother, holding her close and gently telling her it was over.

She is extremely shaken, said Gillespie, who brought her mother away from the area to her own home.

Gillespie said there is damage for about a two- to three-block radius around her mothers home. Some roofs were ripped apart, and foam blocks used as insulation in the attics exploded.

It was literally snowing Styrofoam outside, she said.

There were also many downed trees and some damaged hydro poles in the area.

Nearby streets Merak Way and Umbra Place were also in bad shape on Thursday afternoon.

Deepak Singh, who has a rental property on Merak Way, said he will have to relocate a family that has two children while damages to the house are being repaired.

He speculated that the repairs could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Between losing out on rent, insurance deductibles and paying for temporary accommodations for his tenants, he said he expects to lose something like $10,000 in the immediate future.

Its very stressful, said Singh. But people are safe.

On Wednesday, Environment Canada had warned that Thursdays weather could bring the possibility of severe thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes. At 12:28 p.m., the weather agency issued a tornado warning for a large swath of eastern Ontario.

Gillespie said the tornado hit her mothers home sometime between 12:30 and 12:45 p.m.

Emergency alerts were issued by the cellphone network at around 12:49 p.m.

Ottawa police asked individuals to avoid the Barrhaven area and stay away from downed power lines. Firefighters and gas company workers from Enbridge were visiting affected homes, checking for damage, confirming the safety of occupants and shutting down gas lines.

Ayotte said the gas lines were being turned off for safety reasons but there were no reports of gas leaks.

Hydro Ottawa said on Twitter that more than 1,600 homes and businesses were without power Thursday afternoon. It said power in the neighbourhood was expected to be restored by 7 p.m. ET.

A family reunification centre was established at a nearby recreational complex, but by late afternoon only five families had taken advantage of it. The city said it would remain open as needed, including overnight if affected residents needed it.

Police and journalists took cover there when a second tornado warning was issued for the area at around 2:45 p.m., but no additional tornadoes were spotted.

Ottawa has been hit with a string of severe storms in recent years. In September 2018, six tornadoes touched down in several places in the Ottawa area as well as across the river in Gatineau, Que.

Dozens of homes were damaged and 25 people were injured. One tornado struck a city power station cutting power to about half the citys homes, some for several days.

In May 2022 the city was hit hard by a derecho, a long, straight line of storms with winds often in excess of 100 km/h, that damaged dozens of homes and toppled power lines like matchsticks. Power outages again stretched across large swaths of the city and some werent restored for several weeks.
83-Year-Old History Buff Takes on Professors Over How History Will Be Taught to Students

The two sides are expected to square off in a Texas lawsuit this fall.

J.P. Bryan, a history buff and retired oilman, is suing the Texas State Historical Association to keep academics from packing the board. (Courtesy of J.P. Bryan, Jr.)

Just like the struggle occurring over American history, a similar battle is brewing over how Texas history will be taught, pitting politically aligned history professors against an 83-year-old history buff.

The professors have indicated students of Texas history should understand that Texas has a white supremacist past and has all but ignored racism and slavery, according to scholarly sites and articles to which some have contributed.

J.P. Bryan Jr., a retired oilman with a love of Texas history, believes thats a radical revisionist view that doesnt tell a balanced story of the accomplishments and failures of all Texans, including Anglos.

He considers himself a traditionalist and contends students of Texas history should learn that the Lone Star States fight for independence was about freedom, not slavery.

Now Texaswith its rich history under six different national flags and the famed Battle of the Alamois at the center of a skirmish that will determine how Texas history is viewed.

This painting by Robert Jenkins Onderdonk, called Fall of the Alamo, shows Texan defenders of the Alamo fighting Mexican soldiers within the walls of the fortress, and Davy Crockett (1786-1836) (C) brandishing his rifle above his head before dying in the siege. (MPI/Getty Images)

In September, the battle is expected to play out in a Texas courtroom.

On one side will be Mr. Bryan, who serves as executive director of the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), and filed a lawsuit against Nancy Baker Jones, individually and as president of the TSHA.

On the other side will be several teachers and professors, who also serve on the board and now make up a majority.

The way the TSHA, founded in 1897, views history is important, those involved in the fight say, because it influences how state history is portrayed in Texas schools. The association offers history resources to teachers.

TSHA also produces the Handbook of Texas, the Southern Quarterly and the Texas Almanac.

So with conflicting ideologies at war and the record of history at stake, both sides of this Texas tussle are campaigning to get their message across to win public support.

Texas-Sized Debate

Mr. Bryan, a philanthropist who also founded the Bryan Museum, told The Epoch Times he is challenging a woke takeover of the TSHA by academics who want to pack the board.

Their supporters launched a website called ConcernedTSHAmembers.com and asked visitors to sign a petition against the lawsuit filed by Mr. Bryan.

The site accuses Mr. Bryan of orchestrating a hostile takeover of the board, calling his traditional views of Texas history narrow, regressive, damaging history that looks more like folklore and legend than legitimate history.

Academic supporters say they want to highlight the accomplishments of minorities and reject the white supremacy and myths of Texas past, according to an article by John R. Lundberg posted on the concerned TSHA members site.

That politically left-leaning narrative that focuses heavily on race needs balance, Mr. Bryan contends. Its wrong for the other side to want to silence opposing viewpoints, he added.

They only focus on the victimization of people, Mr. Bryan said. They dont see the larger picture.

For example, the professors object to using the word settlement in telling the history of the West. They believe Native Americans already settled the West, Mr. Bryan said.

Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw wears boots with the Texas Rangers seal as he testifies about a caravan of Central American migrants on Capitol Hill in Washington on April 12, 2018. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Some scholars say the fight for Texas independence was over slavery and white supremacy. Its similar to the way history is portrayed in the 1619 Project.

That version of American history, compiled by writers from The New York Times and The New York Times Magazine, paints America as a racist country founded on slavery and systematically racist and unredeemable.

Academics also have targeted the Texas Rangers, portraying the elite law enforcement group as racists who committed atrocities early in their history. To make their case, they point to the Porvenir massacre.

Accounts of the tragedy differ. In it, 15 unarmed Hispanic male farmers were killed by lawmen dispatched to investigate raids on local ranchers.

Traditionalists say that history should tell about such incidents. But they dont believe its fair to condemn all Texas Rangers, past and present, for the bad actions of a few.

A diorama illustrates an 1835 scene from the Battle of Gonzales, the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution, at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin on Jan. 24, 2023. (Darlene McCormick Sanchez/The Epoch Times)

In recent years, academics and mainstream media have asserted that Texas sought independence after Mexican President Vicente Guerrero abolished slavery. But whats left out is a few months after the decree, Texasthen a Mexican statewas granted an exemption, meaning slavery was not outlawed there.

Jerry Patterson, formerly a Texas lawmaker and land commissioner, said the idea that Texas revolted over slavery was popularized by the book Forget the Alamo.

As hard as it may be to accept, Texas as we know it only exists because of slave labor, the books authors wrote.

Mr. Patterson, who has a history degree, lays out his argument to the contrary on the 1836truth.com website. He says the Texas fight for independence wasnt about slavery.

The book ignores the fact that, during the same time period, seven other Mexican states with no slaves also rebelled, Mr. Patterson told The Epoch Times. While slavery was, indeed, important to the Texas economy, he rejects the idea it sparked the Texas revolt.

Slavery is not mentioned in the Texas Declaration of Independence.

Mr. Patterson acknowledges that some telling of Texas history has portrayed Anglos as heroes and Mexicans as miscreants.

To be fair, for 100 years, we taught history wrong, he said. We taught history that Texas Rangers are absolutely noble men of law enforcement, and they were most of the time.

Stacking the Deck

Mr. Bryan never imagined that stepping in as executive director of the THSA would lead to a court case. He has given millions of dollars to the association and helped it raise millions more during the 63 years hes been involved in the group.

A controversy that erupted in March is what led him to sue the organization after he financially bailed it out in October of 2022. The organization was struggling financially, and the finances were in disarray, Mr. Bryan said, adding that the chief financial officer quit because he was tired of trying to collaborate with the woke element of the organization.

Nikole Hannah-Jones, an author of the 1619 Project, speaks during the 1619 Project: Exclusive Screening & Pop-Up Exhibit launch party at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, on Feb. 1, 2023. (Timothy Norris/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Members nominated a former Texas history teacher and adjunct history professor at the March board meeting to fill a vacancy. Mr. Bryan believed the seat should have been filled by a non-academic.

Bylaws require the TSHA board to be made up of an even split between academics and non-academics. They define an academic as an active or retired employee of an accredited academic institution whose position at that institution materially involved the teaching or research of history.

Mr. Bryan objected to the history teachers nomination. But members voted to add the teacher to the board anyway.

Now, the makeup of the board is 12 academics and eight non-academics, he said. And that doesnt provide the proper balance between the opposing viewpoints, Mr. Bryan said.

However, some board members didnt agree with Mr. Bryans assessment of the board.

Members of The Texas Rangers division within the Texas Department of Public Safety take the field before the pregame ceremonies before the Opening Day game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on March 30, 2023. (Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

In May, Ms. Jones, who taught womens history at St. Edwards University in Texas, used her role as board president to convene a special meeting of the board of directors. Her aim was to design a new leadership structure, eliminating the executive director position held by Mr. Bryan, according to TSHA meeting documents.

But before he could be fired, Mr. Bryan filed a lawsuit. And a judge affirmed his request for a restraining order against Ms. Jones, bringing a temporary halt to her plans to remove him.

The judges order stipulated the board could not meet until after the September trial, which will determine the meaning of the bylaws and board membership.

Mr. Bryan also is suing Ms. Jones for insulting, offensive, libelous and slanderous remarks that she was asked to withdraw but refused, according to the lawsuit. Damages could be up to $1 million.

Jones categorically denied all allegations against her, according to court documents.

A spokeswoman for Ms. Jones declined to comment because of the pending lawsuit.

Board member Sonia Hernandez, Associate Professor of History at Texas A&M University, took issue with Mr. Bryans assertion that a board made up of mainly academics overlooks or undervalues financial operations and business matters needed for the organizations success that non-academic board members could bring.

Mr. J.P. Bryans blanket accusations and animosity toward academics goes against the very foundation of the TSHA. Accusing academic board members of not valuing or caring about the financial well-being of the TSHA is plainly wrong, she wrote.

Remembering the Alamo Differently

Tourists gather in front of the chapel of the Alamo Mission, known as the Shrine of Texas Liberty, in downtown San Antonio, Texas, on January 23, 2023. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)

In the past, conservatives and liberals got along at TSHA because regardless of their political ideology, they loved Texas and America, Mr. Bryan said.

But now all thats changed, he said.

In recent years, the TSHA has lurched toward the ideological Left, which has caused it to lose donations and members, most of whom arent considered academics, Mr. Bryan said.

At its annual meeting in March, TSHA offered seminars titled Violence in Texas: Vigilantism and White Supremacy Past and Present, Activism and Erasure in 20th Century Mexican American Education in Central and South Texas, and Queer History in Texas.

And two years earlier, Walter L. Buengera history professor at the University of Texas, Austin, serving as TSHA chief historiantold USA Today that the Battle of the Alamo was nothing more than an effort to commemorate whiteness.

Mr. Buenger did not respond to a request for comment.

The controversies over the Alamo and Texas history triggered states GOP lawmakers to create the 1836 Project in 2021 to promote patriotic education to counter what lawmakers saw as a leftwing agenda.

At the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, 189 Texians, who were Anglo setters, and Tejanos, who were Hispanics living in Texas, fought some 1,600 Mexican soldiers, though numbers vary. Led by Lt. Col. William B. Travis, the Texas defenders, as theyre known, chose to die rather than surrender.

Onlookers watch as Confederate statues are removed from the south mall of the University of Texas in Austin on August 21, 2017. (Stephen Spillman/Reuters).

Historical Hijack

Mr. Bryan said he loves Texas and America.

Their history should be told in full, he said, instead of allowing a few to fixate on social justice grievances because they see their state and nation as ill-gotten.

Theyre apologists for what they see our history having been, he said. They dont realize that the only reason you have a right to say what youre saying is, because you live in the greatest country in the world, in terms of free speech and personal freedoms.
Alberta Considers New Commuter Rail Line Between Calgary and Edmonton

An aerial view of the Calgary International Airport, Canadas fourth busiest, which is undergoing an expansion to accommodate a spike in passenger volume over the past decade. (Courtesy of Calgary Airport Authority)

Albertas new Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors David Dreeshen will be considering a provincially-operated commuter rail service between Calgary and Edmonton.

In a mandate letter issued July 11, Premier Danielle Smith said Mr. Dreeshen should examine the feasibility of creating a commuter rail service using the heavy rail tracks on the Canadian Pacific Rail line, similar to Ontarios Metrolinx.

Metrolinx is a Crown Corporation owned by the provincial government that operates regional transit in the Toronto area, including GO Transit, a commuter rail and bus network that runs between the city and surrounding regions. The Union Pearson Express, which runs from downtown Toronto to Toronto Pearson Airport, is also operated by Metrolinx.

Part of the feasibility study should include the use of hydrogen-powered trains, said the premiers mandate letter, stating that the long-term plan should be to create a commuter train from Airdrie to Okotoks, and from the Edmonton International Airport to downtown Edmonton, with an intention to expand the service as the province grows.

With Edmonton and Calgary, I think its important that our airports are connected to our downtown core, said Mr. Dreeshen. He said that when Vancouver had a connection between its downtown core and the airport, it boosted tourism and made it easier for B.C. residents to commute.

Being able to ensure people can get to and from the airport is something that we want to be able to work in both Edmonton and Calgary to try to make that just a little bit easier in peoples daily commutes, Dreeshen said.

Being able to move from downtown and anywhere along the LRT line to make sure you can get to the Edmonton International Airport, it makes life a lot easier and a lot better here in the province.

If the funding is available and the plan is economically feasible, it would take at least three years for construction to begin. On July 10, the province said it would invest $3 million toward a study on connecting Calgarys downtown core to the airport on the northeast edge of the city.

Partner With Industry

The premier also mandated that the minister explore cost-sharing arrangements with the private sector and/or municipalities that support economic investment in Albertas transportation network, including public transit, heavy rail and bridge infrastructure that better connects the Calgary and Edmonton airports to their downtowns, regional communities to Calgary and Edmonton, and Calgary to the provinces Rocky Mountains parks system.

The premier said this must initially include completing the Blue Line link to the Calgary airport, in addition to facilitating the growth of the provinces airports to help Albertans continue to connect themselves and their goods to major international airports and increase Albertas economic competitiveness.

As Calgary continues to grow, its vital to have a road map to build out a transit network that increases capacity and supports transportation needs now and into the future, Mr. Dreeshen said in a statement.

This project is an important step forward in providing direction on affordable transit infrastructure that will best serve Calgary while respecting taxpayer investment.

In November 2022, Ms. Smith told Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek that the province would consider assisting with an extension of the citys light rail transit line to the airport, and possibly even to Banff.

In January 2022, Alberta Regional Rail suggested that Alberta could partner with the company to resurrect the Dayliner, a commuter train between Calgary and Edmonton that would stop at small communities along Highway 2.

The Dayliner was formerly a rail service operated by Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), which ran trains between Edmonton and Calgary from 1955 to 1985.

A similar proposal was suggested to run between the Calgary International Airport to Banff, which was projected to carry up to 2 million passengers annually and cost $1.5 billion.

Another developer, TransPod, proposed a high-speed hyperloop, a $22.4 billion express train that would go between the two major cities in about two hours.

To date, none of the proposals have been successful.
ANALYSIS: The Troubled Reality of Chinas EV Industry

Despite the hype, the massively subsidized industry is sputtering, experts say

A man walks past a billboard featuring a new model from Chinese electric car maker Li Auto, at a shopping mall in Beijing on August 12, 2021. (Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images)

A quick scan of global news this week revealed almost universally glowing reports about Chinas electric vehicle (EV) industry. A Wall Street Journal article calling it a triumph of Beijings industrial policy was just one of several articles touting Chinas lead in the electrification of the auto industry.

Despite the rosy headlines, however, experts say that Chinas new energy vehicle industry, which has been funded with hundreds of billions of yuan in state subsidies, in reality, is on shaky ground.

The new energy vehicle category includes battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, extended-range electric vehicles, and fuel-cell electric vehicles.

After years of COVID-induced supply disruptions and chip shortages resulting from U.S. sanctions, many Chinese electric auto companies have withdrawn from the market. Others are in the red or on the verge of bankruptcy. Buoyed by massive state subsidies, production numbers appear robust, but profits lag behind.

Meanwhile, amid an intensive price war, the China Association of Auto Manufacturers (CAAM) brokered a July 6 pricing truce among 16 EV automakers, including Tesla. Just two days later, on July 8, it retracted the agreement.

Its another sign of a volatile market that, it is predicted, will force all but a handful of Chinas EV manufacturers out of business by 2030.

A Shrinking Field of Automakers

A 2022 retail sales ranking released by the China Automobile Association in January showed that 149 EV brands were sold last year. Of those 149 brands, as many as 49 reported sales of less than 500 vehicles in 2022. Some of those brands have suspended production and are on the verge of bankruptcy.

That data indicates that out of the 635 vehicle makers reported by Chinas EV regulatory body in March 2019, more than 76 percent have exited or are in the process of leaving the market.

U.S.-based entrepreneur Meng Jun, speaking on the June 25 edition of NTD TVs Elite Forum, said that although the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) pinned its hopes on new energy vehicles as a force to grow the Chinese economy, the reality has run counter to its expectations.

20092019: Subsidy-Fueled Prosperity

In 2008, Elon Musk debuted his companys first new EV, the Tesla Roadster, sparking a global electric car craze. Shortly after, Beijing decided to foster the emerging industry. The State Council issued its auto industry restructuring and revitalization plan on Jan. 14, 2009, proposing new energy vehicle development goals and the central financial arrangements to subsidize those goals.

With the implementation of preferential policies for electric vehicles, both manufacturers and purchasers of EVS were eligible for subsidies and sales tax exemption. Cities scrambled to embrace electric cars, incentivizing EV purchases with exceptions to restrictions on car purchases and traffic flow.

A man charges an electric vehicle in Linan, in east Chinas Zhejiang province, on March 2, 2016. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

From 2009 through 2019, Chinas treasury handed out billions in subsidies to buyers.

In late 2019, however, a sudden epidemic disrupted the CCPs dream of dominating the global EV market, as draconian zero-COVID measures and lockdowns virtually cut off production and supply chains in many parts of the country.

Phantom Sales, Battery Swaps, Fake Licenses

Chinas generous state subsidies surrounding EVs have given rise to a number of different fraud tactics. The subsidy amounts for a new energy vehiclefor instance, if subsidies from central and local governments are combinedare sometimes higher than the cost of the vehicle itself.

The subsidy fraud scandal was exposed during a national investigation by Chinas Ministry of Finance in 2016. That investigation found that out of 93 vehicle companies, as many as 72 were found to have cheated on subsidies.

The investigation uncovered several types of subsidy fraud.

Fake licenses: Chinas EV manufacturers receive subsidies based on their sales, and local governments typically check the number of vehicle licenses issued to verify the sales reported by the manufacturer. To get the subsidy without actually selling the car, some manufacturers obtain fake licenses without producing the vehicles in question, or by producing them with key parts missing. Therefore some subsidized vehicles exist only on paper. In one example, a bus company falsely reported almost 2,000 new energy vehicles in one year.

Battery swaps: EVs with bigger batteriesand therefore, a longer driving distanceget bigger subsidies. Some manufacturers equip test vehicles with larger batteries in order to get the bigger subsidy, then swap it out for a smaller battery in production.

Lucrative battery buy-backs: In new energy vehicles, the highest component cost is the battery, accounting for 30 to 40 percent of the price of the vehicle. In some cases, car companies will sell a new energy vehicle, obtain the government subsidy, and then repurchase the car from the client. The battery is then re-used in another vehicle, while the original vehicle may be converted to a traditional fuel auto, and resold. Of course, the client is the car manufacturer itself.

Phantom sales: In a similar strategy, instead of selling new energy vehicles to ordinary end-users, auto companies sell them to affiliated enterprises or downstream leasing companies in which they have a stake. The auto manufacturer then pockets the subsidy, and the related company dismantles the cars so the manufacturer can reuse the batteries, initiating another round of subsidies.

A motorist rides past new electric vehicles parked in a parking lot under a viaduct in Wuhan, in central Chinas Hubei province, on May 22, 2017. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

In the NTD panel discussion, Mr. Meng noted that these schemes give rise to a peculiar phenomenon in China. New EVs are parked everywhere. They line the streets, are parked in neat rows in parking lots and under viaducts. These cars, which are not being driven, are used to cheat for subsidies, he said.

To disincentivize fraud, the CCP gradually reduced subsidies from 2020 to 2022.

The tax breaks were set to expire at the end of 2022. However, Beijing announced on June 21 that it would extend the subsidies until the end of 2027.

A Red-Hot Price War

Late last year, Chinas EV market entered a fierce price war, made more intense by the looming termination of subsidies by Chinese authorities.

In October, Tesla China slashed prices on its popular Chinese models. The discounts escalated further in January, with cuts that made locally produced cars up to 14 percent less expensive than in 2022.

Chinese automakers had little choice but to follow suit, and Western car companies like Ford and Volkswagen jumped into the fray. Even with a corresponding price war in the West, some cars in China were about 50 percent cheaper than they were in the United States and Europe.

Tesla China made several price cuts this year, announcing on July 1 that users could enjoy discounts ranging from 35,000 yuan to 45,000 yuan (about $4,830-$6,220) on the new Model S or Model X models. In addition, a friends referral could get the buyer of a new Tesla Model Y or Model 3 vehicle a cash credit of 3,500 yuan ($483), the company announced July 7.

On July 6, CAAM brokered a remarkable pricing truce that included 16 EV automakers, including Tesla, who pledged to avoid abnormal pricing. Two days later, on July 8, it retracted the agreement, citing antitrust laws.

A Struggle for Survival

In this environment, many new energy car companies that have yet to be eliminated are struggling to survive.

The three most robust electric car makers in ChinaNIO Inc., XPeng Motors, and Li Autoare struggling to turn a profit.

A woman makes a call in a Xiaopeng Motor showroom, in Beijing, on March 19, 2021. The Chinese electric car manufacturer is commonly referred to as Xpeng. (Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images)

According to annual reports from the three companies, their losses surged in 2022 compared to the prior year, despite increasing sales.

NIO reported a net loss of 14.437 billion yuan (about $1.99 billion) last year, an increase of over 250 percent year-over-year, and a loss of about $16,000 per vehicle.

In 2022, XPeng Motors lost 9.14 billion yuan ($1.26 billion), up almost 90 percent year-over-year. The car company lost the equivalent of $10,000 per vehicle sold.

Li Auto, the company behind the EV brand Ideal, lost 2.03 billion yuan ($280 million) in 2022 sales, up over 500 percent year-over-year.

Li Auto reported record sales in June. Meanwhile, deliveries picked up for NIO and XPeng forecast a surge in orders due to its cutting-edge G6 model, launched in late June.

However, Xpengs G6 modelits answer to Teslas Model Yis widely reported to be the companys last stand. And analysts dont expect NIO to turn a profit until 2025.

Li Auto was the exception, reversing last years losses and reporting a profit in May.

A Knock-Out Race

Perhaps ironically, considering his companys struggles, XPengs chairman, He Xiaopeng, said in April that the EV industrys knock-out race has just begun, and that there will be left no more than ten mainstream automakers in China in the next ten years.

Echoing Mr. Xiaopengs concern, consultancy AlixPartners, cited in a July 10 Reuters Explainer, predicted that only 25 to 30 of the 167 companies currently registered to produce EVs or electric hybrids in China will be around by 2030.

The revenue losses are even more alarming when one considers that more than 100 billion yuan ($14 billion) has been invested in new energy vehicles in China over the past 13 years, according to figures from Chinas Ministry of Information.

That number is not including the investments absorbed by hundreds of so-called new energy vehicle companies, Mr. Meng said. It is clear, he said, that Chinas EV manufacturers are not actually making money but are relying on the state subsidies.

Heavy reliance on state subsidies masks the Chinese EV industrys lack of global competitiveness, Mr. Meng added. He expects a technology bottleneck and chip shortage caused by U.S. sanctions to further hamper long-term development.
Annual Report Card Ranks California Beaches

A break of sunshine hits after days of high winds and rain in Newport Beach, Calif., on March 2, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Heal the Bays annual Beach Report Card, released a couple of weeks ago, assigned letter grades to hundreds of beaches across the West Coast.

The report card has been an annual release for the past 33 years and advises tourists and residents on which beaches to visit and which ones to avoid.

According to the Beach Report Card, beach rankings are a result of compiling water quality data into easy-to-read grades. The Beach Report Card Basics section includes information about how the water is tested.

It states, Water samples are analyzed for three fecal indicator bacteria (FIB): total coliform, fecal coliform (E. coli), and Enterococcus species.

This years report is significant since it follows on the heels of record-breaking rainfall in the state. Wet weather conditions noticeably deteriorate quality for many water bodies due to extra rain that washes pollutants, including bacteria, into the ocean, resulting in an overall decline in Wet Weather Grades, according to Heal the Bay.

The extra water can flood sewer systems, leading in part to the almost 50 million gallons of sewage spilled into the ocean and waterways in California.

The report card includes the Beach Bummer and Honor Roll lists, which showcase the best and worst beaches. The prestigious honor roll spots are awarded to beaches that are monitored weekly all year and must receive an A+ for all seasons and weather conditions, according to Heal the Bay.

The study also produces an extensive summary of each county surveyed in California, including county-wide averaged scores during summer, winter, and wet weather. The California counties receiving such a description were Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Luis Obispo.

Among these rankings, 95 percent of beaches in California that were assessed by the study received an A or B grade during the summer, according to Heal the Bays website. However, of the same beaches, only 56 percent of beaches received the same grades during wet weather.

This number was worse than average, and very concerning, the study states.

The storms and rainfall have contributed to the lowering of scores, and as a result, only two beaches made the Honor Roll for the year compared to 50 honor roll beaches last year. These beaches were Point Loma Lighthouse in San Diego and Bean Hollow State Beach in San Mateo.

Bean Hollow received its high ranking in part due to the lack of stormwater flow. According to Preston Merchant, communications officer of San Mateo County Health, stormwater only flows to the beach when Lake Lucerne [an irrigation storage facility] water levels rise to a height that allows overflow to the beach.

The Beach Bummer list from California includes Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles County, Tijuana River Mouth in San Diego County, Marina del Rey Mothers Beach in Los Angeles, Poche Beach in Orange County, and an unfortunate five beaches in San Mateo County.

Santa Monica Piers water quality was thought to have been solved by installing a stormwater capture system. However, it appears that the water quality, or lack thereof, is caused by bird feces.

Tijuana River Mouth is a different story. The Tijuana River throws millions of gallons of sewage into the ocean every year. This is caused by the lack of sewage infrastructure in the city of Tijuana, Mexico.

Most of the other beaches on the list were also victims of storm or sewage runoff.

Not all hope is lost for San Mateos beaches, however. Many of San Mateos troublesome beaches have been included in the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, Bay Beaches Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program for investigation of potential sources and potential mitigations, Mr. Merchant told The Epoch Times in an email.

The presence of fecal contamination and related health risks will be combated by this program, which seeks to identify sources of bacteria contamination and specific actions to create solutions, according to the San Mateo County Bay Beaches Bacteria TMDL.
Anti-Conservative Author Accused of Plagiarism

A prominent black authorknown for his anti-conservative, anti-Independence Day views and promotion of critical race theoryhas had his childrens book, which warns against white supremacy, yanked off the market over allegations that it is full of plagiarized content from several different publications, including The New York Times, National Geographic, and The Washington Post.

Rann Miller, who has called former President Donald Trump a racist and hailed President Joe Biden for representing what he called a multicultural electorate, told The Epoch Times that the plagiarism allegations against him are completely false.

Mr. Miller said that if anything, the similar copy found in his book, entitled Resistance Stories From Black History For Kids, is likely due to an editorial oversight for quotations or direct attributions where he paraphrased or cited a source.

Mr. Miller, who has written extensively about his views that America is racist as a nation and is a regular contributor to several publications including The Philadelphia Inquirer and Salon, believes his childrens book has been targeted by right wing conservatives because it is well-researched and serves as a potential authority on white supremacy.

He pointed out that it is his first ever major published book and that it took three months to write and six months to edit.

This is really just a way to take the book out of circulation because that is confronting white supremacy and racial capitalism, and showing the history of white supremacy and white settler colonialism, Mr. Miller said.

National Review was the first to make the allegation of plagiarism against Mr. Miller in a July 7 article, in which it cited numerous excerpts from his 197-page book and compared them to excerpts from a number of the 400 publications he cited.

 a review of the book found that in many cases, Miller lifted the language from his sources almost verbatim, often with only minor changes in wording or punctuation. He appears to have lifted language from a variety of sources, including news organizations like The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic, and the BBC, as well as from books, academic journals, and black historians, National Review wrote.

While none of the excerpts cited by National Review were identical to the copy of Mr. Millers source material, many cases are very close.

The nearest match appears to be an entire page from an article that ran on Blackpost.org in 2018. It appears in Millers chapter entitled Black Panthers Around the World.

Ulysses Press, which published Mr. Millers book, did not respond to inquiries about the allegations from The Epoch Times. The New York companys link to Mr. Millers book no longer works. According to National Review, Ulysses Press Executive Vice President Keith Riegert said the book was being removed from its marketplace pending a review of the plagiarism allegations.

A link to his book on Amazon also no longer works and a link to the book on Simon & Schuster, the distributor of Mr. Millers childrens book, generates the message, Sorry this page no longer exists.

Plagiarism Scandals

The plagiarism allegations against Mr. Miller have sparked off a windfall of comments on social media and editorial comments on some publications, comparing Miller to President Joe Biden based on his 1987 plagiarism scandal, which effectively cost him his first bid for presidency.

The press turned up evidence that Mr. Biden had made speeches using excerpts from speeches by other dignitaries, including Robert F. Kennedy, the father of his current competition Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

It also surfaced that Mr. Biden had been caught plagiarizing a substantial portion of a law review paper when he was a law student at Syracuse University.

In a February column for Moguldom, an online media focusing on African Americans, Mr. Miller wrote about times when Republicans booed and heckled Mr. Biden during his State of the Union addresses.

Mr. Miller wrote that he believes the real reason Mr. Biden gets heckled by GOPers is because he supports black voters.

Bidens very presence is offensive because he represents Black voters and the potential for policy change in favor of those voters. Therefore, he will get booed, heckled, and told that his presidency is illegitimate, Mr. Miller wrote.

In an interview with The Educators Room, Mr. Miller, a former high school teacher from New Jersey, said he wrote a childrens book focused on teaching kids that black freedom didnt come by White benevolence. It came from resistance.

I hope this book and the animosity it may create will remind those who seek to hide history that Black people will never stop speaking the truth, he told The Educators Room.

Mr. Miller told The Epoch Times that out of the nine publications he is accused of plagiarizing, not one of them has complained directly to him or even made any public comment about the allegations.

Conservatives who have been accused of plagiarism include Rand Paul, and The Federalist co-founder Ben Domenech, husband of Megham McCaindaughter of the late U.S. Senator John McCain.

Mr. McCain ran for U.S. president in 2008 but was defeated by Barack Obama, the first black president in U.S. history.

Other political figures who have been headline news on allegations of plagiarism include Martin Luther King and Melania Trump, who is accused of using excerpts from a speech given by former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Trump staff writer Meredith McIver, who wrote Ms. Trumps speech, later took blame for the plagiarized speech.
Attacks on Civil Service Blob Are Self-Defeating Cowardice, Says Cabinet Secretary

Calling the civil service a blob is insulting and totally unacceptable, the UKs most senior civil servant has argued.

Ministers who use such dehumanising language to characterise the civil service demonstrate self-defeating cowardice, cabinet secretary Simon Case told a cross-party group of MPs.

He attributed the worsening relations between the public sector staff and ministers to the use of undermining language, popularised by politicians.

In May, the Conservative MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of failing to repeal remaining EU laws, scaling back on Brexit. Mr. Rees-Mogg said that the blob has triumphed and the prime minister has abandoned his promise.

Sir Jake Berry, who was briefly Conservative chairman under Liz Truss, blamed the blob for bringing the downfall of Boris Johnson, after he resigned as prime minister in June.

Speaking about such characterisations of the civil service by government ministers, Mr. Case said that he obviously doesnt agree with it and found it dehumanising.

He said it was self-defeating cowardice to insult people who work for you and deliver public services on your behalf, especially given that they cant answer back.

Mr. Case made his comments during the Wednesday session of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee that discussed the work of the Cabinet Office.

He mentioned an instance of improper language use by ministers when the Conservative Party headquarters mistakenly issued a letter in the name of Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

The letter criticised an activist blob of left-wing lawyers, civil servants and the Labour Party for blocking the government in stopping small boat crossings into the UK. The party chair Greg Hands issued a speedy apology, while Ms. Braverman said she has not been aware of the letter and distanced herself from that language.

Mr. Case acknowledged that ministers have legitimate frustrations with how the government policies are delivered, but he said there are proper processes to raise frustrations about the civil service.

That doesnt mean that it is ok to take to the airwaves anonymously or named to use unacceptable language about people who are working hard to deliver public services, Mr. Case told the committee.

The tone of how ministers talk about civil servants in public has changed, Mr. Case said. Under Mr. Sunak things have improved and ministers tend to distance themselves from improper language because it harms the governments work, the cabinet secretary added.

Last week, Mr. Sunak rejected the characterization of civil servants as the blob wandering down Whitehall, thwarting the ambitions of ministers.

The prime minister said that he has always been supported by incredibly hard-working and diligent civil servants.

Sue Gray Case

The committee also questioned Mr. Case on the departure of Sue Gray from the civil service, where she served in the Cabinet Office until March.

Ms. Gray led an investigation into allegations of parties being held in Downing Street in breach of the COVID-19 lockdown rule. After resigning as a civil servant she discussed taking up a job as the Labour leaders chief of staff.

The committee asked Mr. Case whether Ms. Grays switch has triggered concerns about the impartiality of the civil service, given accusations by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson that her investigation was tarnished.

Mr. Case said that some people sought to weaponise the Sue Gray case.

Actually, it has been particularly important that we assure ourselves and ministers that ministers are comfortable and happy that the impartiality of the civil service has been upheld. They are satisfied it has, Mr. Case told the MPs.

Ms. Gray was cleared by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments in June and will be starting her chief of staff job in September.
Australia Did Not Act in the Spirit of Friendship With Timor Leste

Australian Sen. Penny Wong in the Senate at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Dec. 2, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Australias foreign minister, Penny Wong, has conceded that past government actions towards Timor Leste, particularly over the Greater Sunrise gas and oil project, were not accomplishedin the spirit of friendship.

Ms. Wongs comments come days after former East Timor (Timor Leste) independence fighter Xanana Gusmao was sworn in as prime minister following his partys election victory in May.

Mr. Gusmao has previously said he would push Australia for a gas pipeline to be built from the Greater Sunrise fields in the Timor Sea to his countrys south coast if his party won the countrys parliamentary election.

Speaking in Timor Lestes capital, Dili, on July 7, Ms. Wong said she wanted to acknowledge some of the past negotiation disputes between both countries over the maritime boundary in the Greater Sunrise gas fields.

Australia looked at this issue too narrowly and without properly considering the importance of this issue in the context of your path to sovereignty, Ms. Wong said.

In 2016, Timor Leste launched a conciliatory process against Australia over the maritime boundary dispute before the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

It was alleged that the Australian Secret Intelligence Service installed listening devices in Timor-Lestes cabinet room in 2004 to gain an advantage in the negotiations on the maritime boundaries. The Turnbull government attempted to block the conciliation process.

The Australian government should not have formally challenged the competence of the conciliation commission when a broader, more understanding approach was needed that reflected the unique relationship we had with such a close neighbour, Ms. Wong said.

It was not in the spirit of our friendship, from our struggle together in World War II to our support for your young nation after independence.

Greater Sunrise Project Unfinished Business

Ms. Wong said Australias Labor government recognised the Greater Sunrise project as unfinished business.

At the same time, Timor Lestes economy has been dependent on earnings from its oil and gas reserves, which are expected to be depleted in a decade.

Mr. Gusmao previously told The Sydney Morning Herald that if Australia supported the plan to build a gas pipeline from the Greater Sunrise fields in the Timor Sea to the countrys south coast rather than to Darwin, it would amend Australias bad behaviour over the past two decades.

In addition to this, Timor Leste President Ramos Horta previously argued that his country would be on a financial cliff if the Greater Sunrise project did not operate within the next 10 years.

Ramos-Horta previously told The Guardian that his country would consider Chinese investment if other development partners, such as Australia, refused to invest in the development of a pipeline to East Timor or Timor Leste.

Prime Minister Gusmao was right to say that Greater Sunrise needs to be a feasible and economically sound solution that creates a petroleum industry that can yield direct economic dividends for your people, Ms. Wong added.

Australia has been listening carefully to understand your ambitions for Greater Sunrise. I can assure you that Timor-Lestes commitment to onshore processing and to the south coast Tasi Mane project is clearly understood.

The Greater Sunrise gas fields are located approximately 450 kilometres (280 miles) northwest of Darwin and 150 kilometres south of Timor-Leste. It is estimated to be worth around $70 billion (US$50 billion) and holds around 226 million barrels of gas.

Timor Leste controls 57 percent of the Greater Sunrise, Australias Woodside controls 33 percent, and Japans Osaka Gas controls 10 percent.

Former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks is a key figure in negotiations with the Australian governments special representative for Greater Sunrise.
The current outbreaks of avian influenza (also called bird flu), which has caused devastation in animal populations, pose ongoing risks to humans.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) are urging countries to work together across sectors to save as many animals as possible and to protect people.

Avian influenza viruses normally spread among birds, but the increasing number of H5N1 avian influenza detections among mammalswhich are biologically closer to humans than birds areraises concern that the virus might adapt to infect humans more easily.

Mixing vessels

In addition, some mammals may act as mixing vessels for influenza viruses, leading to the emergence of new viruses that could be more harmful to animals and humans.

The goose/Guangdong-lineage of H5N1 avian influenza viruses first emerged in 1996 and have been causing outbreaks in birds since then. Since 2020, a variant of these viruses belonging to the H5 clade 2.3.4.4b has led to an unprecedented number of deaths in wild birds and poultry in many countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. In 2021, the virus spread to North America, and in 2022, to Central and South America.

In 2022, 67 countries in five continents reported H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza outbreaks in poultry and wild birds to WOAH, with more than 131 million domestic poultry lost due to death or culling in affected farms and villages. In 2023, another 14 countries reported outbreaks, mainly in the Americas, as the disease continues to spread. Several mass death events have been reported in wild birds, caused by influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses.

Monitoring the recent surge

Recently, there have been increasing reports of deadly outbreaks among mammals also caused by influenza A(H5)including influenza A(H5N1)viruses. 10 countries across three continents have reported outbreaks in mammals to WOAH since 2022.

There are likely to be more countries where outbreaks have not yet been detected or reported. Both land and sea mammals have been affected, including outbreaks in farmed mink in Spain, seals in the United States of America, and sea lions in Peru and Chile, with at least 26 species known to have been affected. H5N1 viruses have also been detected in domestic animals such as cats and dogs in several countries, with recent detections of H5N1 in cats announced by authorities in Poland.

There is a recent paradigm change in the ecology and epidemiology of avian influenza which has heightened global concern as the disease spread to new geographical regions and caused unusual wild bird die-offs, and alarming rise in mammalian cases, said Dr Gregorio Torres, Head of the Science Department at WOAH.

Assessing the risk to humans

Sporadic influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus detections in humans have also been reported, but remain very rare, with 8 cases reported since December 2021. Infections in humans can cause severe disease with a high mortality rate. The human cases detected thus far are mostly linked to close contact with infected birds and contaminated environments.

"With the information available so far, the virus does not appear to be able to transmit from one person to another easily, but vigilance is needed to identify any evolution in the virus that can change that, said Dr Sylvie Briand, Director of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO.

WHO is working closely with FAO and WOAH, and laboratory networks to monitor the evolution of these viruses, looking for signals of any change that could be more dangerous to humans. We encourage all countries to increase their ability to monitor these viruses and to detect any human cases. This is especially important as the virus is now affecting countries with limited prior experience in avian flu surveillance."

Studies are under way to identify any changes in the virus that may help the virus to spread more easily among mammals, including humans.

The epidemiology of H5N1 continues to rapidly evolve, said Keith Sumption, Chief Veterinary Officer, FAO. FAO brings attention to the need for vigilance and timely sharing of genetic sequences to monitor the molecular epidemiology for risk assessment and better disease control.

Curbing the spread of avian influenza

Given the unprecedented spread of the A(H5N1) avian influenza virus among birds and mammals, and the potential risk to human health, the tripartite partnersFAO, WHO and WOAHurge countries to take the following actions:

*Prevent avian influenza at its source, mainly through enhanced biosecurity measures in farms and in poultry value chains, and apply good hygiene practices. WOAH members, in consultation with the poultry sector, may consider the vaccination of poultry as a complementary disease control tool based on sound surveillance and taking into account local factors such as circulating virus strains, risk assessment and vaccination implementation conditions.

*Rapidly detect, report and respond to animal outbreaks as the first line of defence. When an infection is detected in animals, countries are encouraged to implement control strategies as described in WOAH standards.

*Strengthen influenza surveillance in animals and humans. To allow for early response, risk-based surveillance in animals should be enhanced before and during high-risk periods. Animal cases of avian influenza should be reported to WOAH in a timely manner. Genetic sequencing should be conducted periodically to detect any changes in the viruses already present in the area or the introduction of new viruses. In humans, the following should be prioritised: (i) surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections and influenza-like illnesses, (ii) careful review of any unusual epidemiological patterns, (iii) reporting of human infections under the International Health Regulations, and (iv) sharing of influenza viruses with WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) Collaborating Centres for Reference and Research on Influenza.

*Conduct epidemiological and virological investigations around animal outbreaks and human infections. Surveillance should be enhanced to rapidly detect and investigate further suspected animal and human cases.

*Share the genetic sequence data of viruses from humans, animals or their environments in publicly accessible databases rapidly, even before peer-reviewed publication.

*Encourage collaboration between the animal and human health sectors, especially in the areas of information sharing, joint risk assessment and response.

*Communicate the risk. Alert and train healthcare workers and occupationally-exposed persons on ways to protect themselves. The general public as well as animal workers should be advised to avoid contact with sick and dead animals, and to report these to animal health authorities. They should also be advised to seek medical care if unwell and to report any exposure to animals to their healthcare provider.

*Ensure influenza pandemic preparedness at all levels.

Covening experts

FAO, WHO and WOAH have been convening experts to review the situation, monitoring the rapidly evolving nature of the virus, and updating recommendations for curbing its spread, in addition to working with countries in preparedness and response, and facilitating collaboration across countries and sectors. The spread of the virus to five continents speaks to the need for global cooperation and alertness to protect animals, people and economies.-- TradeArabia News Service
From left, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg; New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins; and the president of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, on Wednesday at the NATO summit in Vilnius. DPA via Europa Press (DPA via Europa Press)

The NATO summit in Vilnius was dominated by Russias war against Ukraine, but this did not stop the Allies from discussing the rise of China and how to address it. For the second consecutive year, the leaders of four major democracies in the Asia-Pacific region  Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand  were invited to NATOs annual meeting. Their presence at the summit was a sign of the alliances wish to strengthen ties with nations with democratic values in the Asia-Pacific. The move has angered China, which said it resolutely opposes NATOs eastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region and warned any action threatening Beijings rights would be met with a strong response.

NATO has been building ties with democratic nations in the region, but this does not mean that there is consensus among the Allies on how far these relationships should go. The United States is seeking to firm up a network of democratic countries in the Pacific that can stand up to challenges from authoritarian countries, and it wants NATO to be one of the vehicles to achieve this goal. Washington is pushing for a very firm position on Beijing, evidencing its distrust of what it sees as the countrys growing authoritarian drift. While the main European Allies share the same concern, they do not want to adopt positions that could escalate tensions.

These divisions are reflected within NATO. They became apparent at the Madrid summit last year, when the allies negotiated a new strategic concept that included China for the first time, and they resurfaced at the Vilnius summit over the proposal to set up a NATO administrative office in Japan. Tokyo has long wanted closer ties with its Atlantic allies, and the project  clearly supported by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg  seemed to be taking shape. In the end, however, it was put on hold due to the vocal opposition from France, and the implicit opposition from Germany and other allies. France openly stated that it would be a mistake to expand NATOs presence in Asia-Pacific.

French President Emmanuel Macron said that while he believes NATO should have partners in other regions, it should not be forgotten that NATO means North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Whatever people say, geography is stubborn. The Indo-Pacific is not the North Atlantic, Macron said after the NATO summit in Vilnius. I think we made the right decision to stick to a close partnership, coordination and strategic intimacy but not wanting to expand the areas of conflict because its not the right time and its not why were here.

Stoltenberg said that while the idea of opening a NATO office in Tokyo had been shelved for the time being, it remained on the table. China strongly criticized the project a few months ago.

What NATO has offered Japan is a cooperation program that plans to strengthen links in cybersecurity, space and information exchange. No other partner is closer to NATO than Japan, said Stoltenberg, who stressed that security is not regional, but global.

Back in January, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned that Ukraine may be the East Asia of tomorrow  a reference to the conflict over Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. Tokyo supports Washingtons move to create a democratic front in the Pacific, and has seconded several of the countrys moves to restrict key technology exports to Beijing.

The final communique of the Vilnius summit uses the same firm language to describe the threat of China, in line with the position established at last years NATO summit in Madrid and the new strategic concept that was approved there. The text argues that China strives to subvert the rules-based international order, remains opaque about its strategy, intentions and military build-up and warns that NATO is prepared to defend its common values. The position has angered China, with state news agency Xinhua accusing NATO of spreading its tentacles to the Asia-Pacific region and endangering peace.

Australia is another key country in the front against the Chinese rise. The country is part of an alliance with the U.S. and the U.K.  called Aukus  through which it will receive a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines and help develop of hypersonic weapons. Australia is also supporting Kyivs war effort, and in Vilnius, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed a new delivery of 30 Bushmaster armored transport vehicles from the country.

South Korea, like Japan, has a representative office outside NATO headquarters in Brussels and is looking forward to the prospect of tightening ties, though so far it has been more cautious than Tokyo in terms of public statements or restrictive measures against China. The South Korean government has also been reluctant to provide military support to Ukraine. The country is under pressure from its allies, who are keen for Seoul to provide some form of military supply, in view of its remarkable ammunition and weapons production capacity and its large arsenal of weapons  a product of the tension from its unresolved conflict with North Korea.

On Wednesday, the closing day of the NATO summit, Pyongyang fired an intercontinental ballistic missile. According to the Japanese government, the missile flew for about 70 minutes and traveled a distance of about 621 miles (1,000 kilometers).

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The approval of MDMA and magic mushrooms for certain medical conditions by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has received a mixed response, with Australias peak psychiatric body saying further evidence is needed to determine the drugs long-term safety and efficacy.

From July 1, MDMA (ecstasy) and psilocybin can be prescribed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treatment-resistant depression by authorised psychiatrists in Australia following the reclassification of the two drugs in February (pdf).

According to the TGA, both drugs were reclassified from a schedule nine listing to a schedule eight listing, meaning they can be prescribed by authorised psychiatrists along with control measures. These control measures include having a human research ethics committee approve each case and using treatments alongside psychotherapy.

However, in its reclassification notice, the TGA admits that there are currently no established treatment protocols.

My decision recognises that the evidence landscape is rapidly evolving toward establishing such protocols, and so places the onus and opportunity with a prospective prescriber of the Substances to devise and provide evidence of a suitable treatment protocol to the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and authorising TGA officer, a delegate of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Aged Care said.

Meanwhile, Professor Susan Rossell, a cognitive neuropsychologist and professorial research fellow at the Centre for Mental Health at Melbournes Swinburne University, is concerned the approval process has been rushed.

Ms. Rossell is conducting a phase 2 trial on the use of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in treatment-resistant depression.

We know that we need to do psychotherapy [alongside treatment with MDMA or psilocybin], but we dont know how much and for how long, and whether trauma-based therapy works better or maybe mindfulness works better, or maybe psychodynamic therapy. We dont know because we havent done the research yet, Ms. Rossell told the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

Australian National University Associate Professor David Caldicott said the classification change represented an inevitable outcome that could have occurred in the 1980s.

MDMA was being used as medication in 1985 when it was banned by executive order of the President of the USA, and against the advice of medical professionals and administrative agencies, Mr. Caldicott said.

Perhaps most excitingly, many of the treatments that are emerging with these previously banned products require only a brief exposure to facilitate therapy, and not the life-long prescription of drugs that do little more than dull the edge of psychological trauma.

At the same time, Dr. Paul Liknaitzky from Monash Universitys clinical psychedelic research project told SBS that psychedelic treatments have changed peoples lives.

Yet the safety and effectiveness of psychedelic therapies depend on a unique set of professional competencies and considerations that are in scarce supply within mental healthcare, Mr. Liknaitzky said.

For clinical psychedelic services to be sensible, safe and useful, considerable professional and public education will be needed, and questions of affordability, eligibility, oversight, and standards of care should be addressed.

Australias Peak Body Representing Psychiatrists Caught By Surprise

Richard Harvey, chair of the Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Steering Group at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), said he was surprised by the TGAs reclassification.

We have previously made submissions to the TGA, really not recommending that they do this. We just feel that the timing is, for a start, very, very short notice to introduce a completely new treatment paradigm that requires substantial resources and development, Mr. Harvey told the BMJ.

Mr. Harvey added that treatment with MDMA or psilocybin should be administered as part of an intensive psychotherapy program with two trained psychiatrists for 40 hours.

Martin Williams, a mental health researcher from the Centre for Mental Health at Swinburne University, said the studies so far had been conducted in small, carefully chosen patient populations that excluded people with other conditions such as personality disorders or substance use disorders.

It really remains to be determined whether, in the broader population in real-world contexts, these treatments might be as efficacious and applicable as they appear to be in those highly selective populations, Mr. Williams said.

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies Still in Infancy

In an op-ed, psychiatrist and clinical associate at The Centre of Mental Health, Nigel Strauss, said that despite a growing body of evidence that supports the use of psychedelics for PTSD and depression, the use of these drugs is still in its infancy.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is no miracle cure. Espousing the benefits without a thorough examination of the risks and limitations is not only a misrepresentation of the science, it is arguably unethical.

There is potential for psychedelic substances to cause fear, panic or cause psychological damage if given to susceptible and vulnerable people who have been inadequately screened or assessed.

Paranoia, traumatisation, worsening depression, and even suicidal behaviour, among other serious side-effects, have been observed in some cases.

Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia, signed a $5 million (US$3.46 million) clinical research agreement with Woke Pharmaceuticals to examine the effects of psilocybinthe active ingredient in psychedelic mushroomsin treating treatment-resistant depression.

This will be one of Australias biggest research trials, involving approximately 160 patients in a randomised controlled trial of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy versus a placebo, the university said in January.

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California Cannabis Conundrum Continues, Major Distributor Collapses

Californias legal cannabis market has suffered a series of setbacks since June that have many questioning its future, with the largest distributor in the state forced to close and a global industry leader liquidating local facilities to free up much-needed cash reserves.

The closure of Herbls California operationsa distributor that served approximately 98 percent of retail clients in the state according to a 2022 company statementcreated a shockwave of uncertainty across the industry, as reportedly about $10 million in unpaid invoices are involved in the foreclosure, with an untold number of brands left without compensation.

Herbl didnt respond by press time to a request for comment.

The company managed more than $700 million worth of sales in 2022 to approximately 1,100 retailers across the state while employing more than 200 employees as of September 2022, according to MarketWatchan online business and finance website.

The terms of the closure agreement are reported to prioritize investors claims before brands are paid, leaving some businesses sitting on effectively worthless invoices, according to experts.

We are very glad we arent involved with them, Nikki Lastreto of Swami Selecta boutique cannabis producer founded in 2015 and based in the hills of Mendocino County in Northern Californiatold The Epoch Times.

Problems with distributors are a recurring issue for producers, as terms have changed repeatedly over the years, and many have failed, according to Ms. Lastreto.

We are on our sixth distributor now, luckily we get the sense of when its time to quit and move to the next, she said.

The issues facing Herbl arent unique, as several large distributors in Northern California have floundered over recent years, leaving businesses that supplied them strapped for cash, with many closing their doors.

While Swami Select has successfully navigated the current distributor predicament, many licensed farmers in the state arent as fortunate, trusting that contracts would be honored and that invoices would be paid, something that, so far, hasnt come to fruition in many instances.

Many of our peers and friends have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to bad distributors, Ms. Lastreto said. And Im sure the distributors blame the retailers for not paying themits a domino effect that is hurting everyone.

In the case of Herbl, her assumptions are accurate, as the distributor has filed lawsuits against a number of retailers that have allegedly failed to pay for delivered products.

Court records filed in Los Angeles and Orange counties show that Herbl is currently suing more than 10 retailers, including a claim that Los Angeles-based delivery firm Urban Buds owes it $123,000.

Canopy Growtha multibillion-dollar global firm based in Canadasold its facilities located in Modesto, California, as part of ongoing efforts to divest from the industry in an effort to shore up cash, according to a June 29 statement.

Todays announcement reflects our continued focus on strengthening Canopy Growths balance sheet and demonstrates the rapid execution of our transformation to an asset-light, North American focused cannabis business on an accelerated path to profitability, Canopy Growth CEO David Klein in the statement.

Industry Buckled by High Taxes

Critics say inordinately expensive and burdensome regulations and tax structures that prevent the legal market from competing with unlicensed producers are to blame.

They created a system that is overtaxed and over-regulated, and it fails the farmer, the distributor, the retailer, and the consumer, Swami Chaitanya, a partner in Swami Select, told The Epoch Times. If the plant was treated like the agricultural product that it is, none of this would be an issue, but right now the state is the only one benefiting.

Cannabis taxes have raised more than $4.9 billion since 2018, as of the first quarter of 2023, according to the California Department of Tax and Finance. However, revenues have declined for seven consecutive quarters since peaking in 2021, falling by 40 percent in two years.

Some point to a significant discrepancy in price that exists between licensed and unlicensed cannabis as a reason the legal market is failing, and several consumers told The Epoch Times that they can easily obtain cannabis at a fraction of the price offered at dispensaries without having to pay state taxes.

Id spend $200 to $300 in a club for what I can get from a friend for $75, said a Northern California woman who requested anonymity. The system put me in a position where I cant afford to play by their rules.

Many others report similar sentiments, although one Sonoma County localLauren Smith, a retiree who said she uses cannabis for health conditionssaid she doesnt mind paying the higher price because the regulations and testing for contaminants put her at ease.

With all the dangerous chemicals some growers use and the risk of fentanyl poisoning, I am more comfortable buying from licensed dispensaries, she told The Epoch Times.

The difference in price between licensed and unlicensed cannabis lies in the excise taxes and distribution fees that are included in the retail pricing structure, according to experts, with several individuals reporting no difference in quality. However, illegal cannabis isnt lab-tested.

Blurred Lines of Legal vs. Illegal Cannabis

The news of Herbls collapse comes as many cannabis businesses report struggling to cover expenses amid a steep decline in sales volume, affecting pricing.

Once selling for thousands of dollars per pound, some farmers told The Epoch Times that they sold their crops for a few hundred dollars earlier this year in fear of being stuck with perishable inventory.

Farmers report wholesale illegal prices rebounding from about $300 to $500 per pound earlier this year to between $600 and $800 currently.

Some call it the black market, but we like to say its the traditional market, a multi-generational cannabis farmer operating without a license in Northern California who also asked for anonymity told The Epoch Times. And the worse the legal side does, the more opportunity there is for family farms that have been in these hills for decades.

One of the not-so-well-kept secrets in the industry is that someothers suggest most if not alllicensed operators are dabbling on both sides of the law not with the intention of skirting the rules but as last-ditch efforts to keep businesses afloat.

I dont know if you can find any farm that has stayed completely clean the entire time, Rachel Greeneformer longtime licensed cannabis grower intimately familiar with the counties of Mendocino and Humboldttold The Epoch Times. These people wanted to do the right thing, but with very little happening in the legal market, farms are doing what they have to do to pay the bills.

Proposed Regulations Would Increase Penalties

Recognizing the impact of unregulated activities, multiple bills are currently being considered by the Legislature to address the problem.

One such proposal, Assembly Bill 1448, authored by Assemblyman Greg Wallis, a Republican, would allow local governments to impose fines of up to $30,000 per day for illicit cannabis activity and $10,000 per day for landlords of properties where such activity is occurring.

Another would allow jurisdictions to declare illicit cannabis activity as a public nuisance and would permit fines of $10,000 per day for both renters and property owners.

Those measures and two others passed the Assembly and are now under consideration by the Senate. The latter two would allow licensed producers to seek legal recourse against unlicensed operators, effectively placing the initiation of enforcement proceedings in the hands of private businesses, according to industry analysts.

Strict Regulations and Oversupply Impacting Industry

As the first state in the nation to legalize medicinal cannabis, the regulatory structure has changed repeatedly since Proposition 215 was passed in 1996.

Proposition 64known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act and passed by voters in 2016legalized recreational use of cannabis and provided a framework for licensing and taxation of retail sales.

As the legal market has grown in California, the volume of legal cannabis produced is nearly seven times what the market consumes, according to data from HdLan analytics firm providing industry statistics.

Law enforcement estimates suggest that at least 60 percent of the states production comes from unlicensed grows, further adding to the significant oversupply.

As such, more than 70 percent of cannabis businesses in the state will experience losses this year, according to HdL data.
California Legislature Taking Up Job Killer Bills

Commentary

With a recession likely hitting California, now is the worst time for the Legislature to pass bills costly to state businesses. But thats just whats happening. Here are four of the worst bills currently on the 2023 Job Killer List of the California Chamber of Commerce.

Senate Bill 399 is by Sen. Aisha Wahab (D-Hayward). From the summary of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, This bill would prohibit an employer from disciplining or threatening to discipline an employee who declines to attend an employer-sponsored meeting or participate in or receive communications from the employer regarding political or religious matters.

This obviously is a violation of employers First Amendment rights to free speech. SB 399, for example, would ban an email sent out indicating a proposed new law would hurt the companys business. In particular, it would ban any communication opposing unionization, because unions are political entities, especially nowadays when they have immense power over California politics. The bill would lead to a hornets swarm of litigation, raising costs for employersand giving them another impetus, on top of the many already in existence, to leave the state.

Protestors stage a demonstration outside of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce in Oakland, Calif., on July 8, 2014. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Senate Bill 525 is by Sen. Marina Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles). It would raise the minimum wage for health care workers to $21 beginning in June 2024 and $25 in June 2025. The general minimum wage in California currently is $15.50, although some cities have a higher one.

This obviously would just raise even higher the painful cost of health care. Even the very liberal California Nurses Association opposes it, because it would lead to cuts in nurses pay, which currently is well above $25. According to Indeed.com, the average for an R.N. is $53.71 per hour. In San Francisco, according to an R.N. I know, their pay is more than $150,000 a year just out of nursing school. Cutting nurses salaries would make the shortage of these caregivers, already acute in California, even worse.

Senate Bill 616 is by Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach). It expands from three to seven days the number of sick days employees accrue per year. In my experience working with several California employers, they usually are happy to accommodate employees needs when sick. Employees also can use vacation days, but thats not an ideal solution.

The bill would make permanent a policy imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but which expired at the end of 2022. COVID-19 presents a perfect example of why expanding paid sick leave is not simply good public policy, but a dire necessity, Gonzalez said. She ignores how this obviously also would be another increase in costs to employers, who would have to cut costs to pay for itsometimes by laying off the very workers who are supposed to benefit.

A bill like this would make more sense if the Legislature also passed companion bills cutting costs for businesses through regulatory reform or reducing taxes. But that never happens.

The California State Capitol building in Sacramento, Calif., on April 18, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Assembly Bill 259 is by Assemblyman Alex Lee (D-San Jose). In the bills words, it would impose an annual tax at a rate of 1.5% of a resident of this states worldwide net worth in excess of $1 billion; and 1% of a residents worldwide net worth in excess of $50 million. There would be an easy way to avoid it: stop being a resident by moving out.

Its especially silly this bill is sponsored by an assemblyman from San Jose, which is Silicon Valleythe heart of the global information revolution. If the bill became law, Interstate 80 would suffer traffic jams as the executives and high-IQ programmers headed out of the state in their Lamborghinis and Aston Martins.

Notice the bill taxes worldwide net worth. And AB 259 also reads, This bill would apply the provisions of the False Claims Act to claims, records, or statements made in relation to the wealth tax imposed by the bill, as specified. But how could a person with investments in foreign countriesthere now are 200 of thempossibly keep track of fluctuating values in lands with dubious accounting means? Or where there might be wars or natural disasters? Or rapid currency devaluations?

Conclusion

Unlike the other bills, AB 259 is unlikely to become law. Gov. Gavin Newsom would veto it, even if only to show hes a moderate for his presidential bid. And he will need the campaign contributions of the billionaires of Silicon Valley.

But that this bill was introduced at alland has six Assembly co-sponsors and three in the Senateshows a Legislature divorced from the economic reality in this state. As do the other bills detailed above.

Unfortunately, I dont see things getting better any time soon. Most of the states legislators look upon businesses as milch cows to be forever tapped until theres nothing left.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
California Oil Well Drilling Comes to a Halt After Drill Permit Stall

Pump jacks and wells are seen in an oil field on the Monterey Shale formation where hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is used to extract gas and oil near McKittrick, Calif., on March 23, 2014. (David McNew/Getty Images)

According to state data, Californias oil well drilling came to a halt as the state stalls on granting new drilling permits.

The states Geologic Energy Management Division, known as CalGEM, has approved seven new active well permits in 2023. That compares with the more than 200 it had issued last year.

The stalled approvals represent the latest tension between Californias bold environmental ambitions and its major oil and gas producer and consumer role.

Since Gavin Newsom became governor in 2019, new drilling permits have steadily declined, but the current approval rate represents a sudden and dramatic drop.

Its just fallen off the cliff, Rock Zierman, chief executive of the California Independent Petroleum Association (CIPA), said in an interview. He said the industry has more than 1,400 permit applications for new wells awaiting CalGEM approval, half of which are more than a year old.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks in the rotunda of the California State Capitol in Sacramento, on March 28, 2023. (Courtesy of the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom)

In 2021 Gov. Gavin Newsom took action to phase out oil drilling in the state by 2045.The climate crisis is real, and we continue to see the signs every day, Newsom said in a statement. As we move to swiftly decarbonize our transportation sector and create a healthier future for our children, Ive made it clear I dont see a role for fracking in that future and, similarly, believe that California needs to move beyond oil.

Last year, California also passed a law banning oil and gas drilling within 3,200 feet of structures, including homes, schools, and hospitals. But CIPA has blocked the implementation of that law by qualifying a referendum to overturn it for the November 2024 ballot.

The approved new wells include one for Sentinel Peak Resources in San Luis Obispo County and five for E&B Natural Resources Management in Kern County.

In an apparent concession to the oil and gas industry, approvals to improve or repair established wells are up nearly 50 percent to 1,650 in the first half of this year, according to an analysis of the CalGEM data by environmental group FracTracker Alliance that was provided to Reuters by the consumer advocacy nonprofit Consumer Watchdog.

Conservation Activists Speak Out

Last Month, conservation organizations filed a lawsuit against the Biden administrations Bureau of Land Management (BLM), seeking to halt the unlawful drilling of multiple oil and gas wells in Californias San Joaquin Valley.

We have done everything we can to warn the Biden administration of the myriad environmental and socio-economic risks associated with more drilling in Kern County, Hallie Templeton, legal director for Friends of the Earth, said in a statement. We were deeply disappointed to see these permits granted, and the only option we have left is this lawsuit. It is our hope that the Court sees the clear violations of federal law and pumps the brakes before irreversible damage occurs.

Consumer Watchdog criticized those approvals as a threat to public health because they extend the lives of low- and non-producing wells, which the group argues would likely have been plugged had the setback law not been paused.

The state is simply helping the oil industry cut costs by issuing permits to tinker with unproductive wells rather than making them plug and remediate those wells that endanger the public and environment by emitting toxic compounds, said Liza Tucker, a consumer advocate for Consumer Watchdog.

In June, over 100 scientists sent a letter to Gov. Newsom urging him to stop new oil and gas permit approvals in and near neighborhoods.

Gov. Newsom has the power to end the neighborhood oil drilling that is poisoning communities of color first and worst, said Aradhna Tripati, Ph.D., a professor at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at the University of California, Los Angeles. We need him to act now to stop drilling near where people live, work, and play to protect Californians on the frontlines of deadly fossil fuel pollution, the letter stated.

California oil and gas production will earn about $6.3 billion in future profits over the remaining operations, according to a report published by Dwayne Purvis, a Texas-based petroleum reservoir engineer who analyzed profits and cleanup costs for the report.

This major issue has sneaked up on us, Mr. Purvis said in the report. Policymakers havent recognized it. The industry hasnt recognized it, or, if they have, they havent talked about it and acted on it.
California School Board Trustee Responds to Anti-Parent Legislative Agenda

Commentary

Standing up for parental rights over our childrens education is more than a campaign sloganit is essential. As parents are taking action to regain control of their childrens education, we are seeing disinformation campaigns launched to upend their efforts.

As a newly seated Temecula Valley Unified School District (TVUSD) board member, Im compelled to address the inaccuracies perpetuated by Assemblyman Corey Jackson (D-Perris), author of Assembly Bill 1078, and California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, co-sponsor of the bill.

Since the November 2022 general election, where two colleagues and I won seats on the TVUSD board, we have been in the crosshairs of those who are losing control over the states educational system. There are several bills working their way through the legislature meant to curtail school boards power. AB 1078 is chief among them. Mr. Thurmond recently implied that the TVUSD school board has engaged in:

Threatening, bullying and mistreating students throughout the district

Banning books specifically designed to target LGBTQ+ and persons of color

Wielding local control to avoid inclusive education

Yet, none of this is true. I have nothing but love, compassion, and concern for the families of our district who deserve the very best educational resources. As such, local school boards are uniquely positioned to engage with and obtain important insights about the educational experience of our communities.

The Temecula Valley Unified school board meeting in Temecula, Calif., on June 13, 2023. (Micaela Ricaforte/The Epoch Times)

The law requires all students to have equal access to education, free of pervasive vulgarity, obscenity, pornography, and sexual harassment, which is not protected speech under the First Amendment. Recently, the play Angels in America was assigned to a group of students in a TVUSD drama class. It included over 100 f-words, sexual violence, and descriptions of explicit sex and drug use. For example, see linked pages 60, 61, and 63.

During Superintendent Thurmonds June visit, he met with school activists but neglected to speak with a family whose daughter was traumatized by this sordid material aimed at sexualizing our students. After alerting her parents, who testified at a TVUSD board meeting, this student suffered mistreatment and subsequent retaliatory abuse on campus. She should have been Mr. Thurmonds primary concern. State leaders, schools, teachers, and local board members should be making unbiased, ethical decisions in the classroom and designing policy to support and protect all stakeholders as per California Education Code, Section 233.5:

Each teacher shall endeavor to impress upon the minds of the pupils the principles of morality, truth, justice, patriotism, and a true comprehension of the rights, duties, and dignity of American citizenship, and the meaning of equality and human dignity, including the promotion of harmonious relations  to teach them to avoid idleness, profanity, and falsehood  and foster an environment  free from discriminatory attitudes, practices, events, or activities.

Temecula Valley Unified School District board member Jen Wiersma. (Courtesy of Jen Wiersma)

While evaluating our recent K-5 social studies pilot, my colleague and I noted the lack of parental and citizen involvement required by Education Code, Section 51100, Specifically, involving parents and guardians of pupils in the education process is fundamental to a healthy system of public education. We initially paused the decision to adopt the curriculum because the district bypassed the requirement to promote the involvement of parents and the other members of the community in the selection of instructional materials from Section 60002. The curriculum committee was comprised of 47 teachers and zero parents.

Our primary focus was to seek a robust, collaboratively chosen history curriculum, rich in civics and geography. During this process we were given cause for concern upon discovery of Harvey Milks biography in the proposed supplemental material for 4th grade. We learned this controversial historical figure was an adult who engaged in an intimate, long-term sexual relationship with a minor. This was reported by Randy Shilts, an award-winning gay reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, who covered Mr. Milks activism and political career.

After five months, we have finally received full access to the teachers edition to finish a comprehensive review of the curriculum. The board has both the right and responsibility to exercise authority and discretion when adopting materials that will be in circulation in the district for 7-10 years. This is how every district in the state curates books. It is not book banning as Mr. Jacksons bill lazily asserts. We are working diligently to provide the best educationally suitable materials for our community in our elementary school classrooms while adhering to Fair Act guidelines in the K-12 setting.

This school board was elected to protect and oversee the education of every student regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. I specifically voted to ban racism and supported a resolution disallowing Critical Race Theory to prevent students from being judged by the color of their skin instead of the content of their character. TVUSD is committed to education which learns from past injustices, racisms, and discrimination and rejects current discrimination threatening to undermine our shared humanity. In a recent Supreme Court decision striking down racial discrimination in college admissions, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote, The words of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 are not like mood rings; they do not change their message from one moment to the next.

AB 1078 is one bill of many designed to limit the authority and autonomy of school boards. Trustees are elected by constituents in their community as fiduciaries and are bound by law to make the best decisions in educating and protecting kids while upholding parents rights. If AB 1078 were to become law, it would use bullying techniques to threaten trustees who make good, but unpopular decisions, for their schools. The bill would also levy fines, dox school board members, and seek to remove local control over curriculum decisions if they were to get on the states bad side for any arbitrary reason.

AB 1078 is flatly unconstitutional and will be challenged in court should the governor sign it. This bill proposal is also a direct attack on voters. Parents have a duty to connect with their legislative representatives and remind them that the school boards need to be protected from state control so they can provide the best content for their childrens education.

The views expressed herein are solely those of Ms. Wiersma and are not made or given on behalf of the TVUSD Board as a whole.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Canada Joins 10 Other NATO Countries Pledging to Train Ukrainian Pilots on F-16 Jets

Defence Minister Anita Anand announced that Canada has joined 10 other NATO allies to train Ukrainian Air Force pilots on the operation and maintenance of American-made F-16 fighter jets to aid Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.

The ministers of defence for Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the UK also signed on to the joint coalition.

The parties agree that in order to assist Ukraine in the defence of its airspace, they will establish a joint coalition on training of the Ukrainian Air Force in operating and maintaining F-16 fighter aircraft, in accordance with the necessary authorizations and with the possibility to include other types of fighter aircraft at a later stage, Canadas Department of National Defence (DND) wrote in a statement on July 12.

All countries signed on have agreed to begin training Ukrainian pilots, technicians, and support staff with basic capabilities of operating, servicing and maintaining F-16 jets manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin. The F-16 was initially developed in the late 1970s.

The coalitions focus will be on training, but will also in due course be ready to consider other lines of effort related to ensuring Ukraine a fully functional F-16 capability, DND wrote in its statement.

The department added that the coalitions training of Ukrainian pilots will include making available the necessary equipment, trainers and other staff for F-16 training.

All the coalitions training activities will be conducted outside of Ukraine.

Training Coalition

When asked by reporters on July 12 how many Canadian Armed Forces will be committed to the training efforts, Ms. Anand did not provide any specifics.

At this point, we signed a document, she told reporters in Vilnius, Lithuania, where she was attending the NATO Leaders Summit.

Ms. Anand added that shes had additional conversations on the matter with Polands Defence Minister Mariusz Baszczak.

We have more work to do to iron out the specific contributions, she said. As I said, the general framework of our contribution to the F-16 coalition is going to be in the area of training and maintenance and so we need to specify exactly what that is going to include.

The federal government also announced just before the NATO Leaders Summit this week that it will be increasing the number of CAF members it has stationed in Latvia for Operation REASSURANCE over the next several years.

Canada currently has around 800 CAF troops stationed in Latvia for the operation, but that number will soon go up to 2,200, the Prime Ministers Office said on July 10.

Given the Canadian militarys current recruitment and retention problems, reporters asked Ms. Anand where the additional CAF troops will be taken from to be stationed in Latvia.

We will be rotating troops through Latvia, she replied, adding, At the same time were very much focused on recruitment, retention, and overall reconstitution of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Canadas Vaccine Approver Says She Was Not Pressured Politically on COVID-19

The official who had final authority to approve new vaccines in Canada says at no time was she pressured to authorize the COVID-19 shots, even though the prime minister had said vaccination was the only way to get back to normal.

No one ever told me that the prime minister wants this to be done, said Dr. Celia Lourenco, now acting associate assistant deputy minister with Health Canada and previously director general of the Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate in the department.

Dr. Lourenco was being cross-examined on July 13 as part of the first grievance against the federal vaccine mandate being adjudicated by the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board.

The case involves Slim Rehibi, who worked for Employment and Social Development Canada and was placed on leave without pay for seven months for not complying with the mandatory vaccination policy. He was also denied employment insurance benefits.

The Liberal government imposed a COVID-19 vaccination mandate on the public service and federally-regulated sectors from October 2021 to June 2022.

Bernard Desgagne, who is a public servant and not a lawyer, is representing Mr. Rehibi and another grievor. He broached a wide range of issues with Dr. Lourenco, including whether politics played a role in the approval of COVID-19 vaccines.

He asked Dr. Lourenco if she or someone else had advised the government early during the COVID-19 crisis on what kind of treatment or drug would be best to save lives and return to normalcy.

Dr. Lourenco said her department was reviewing literature and clinical trials at the time, but there was nothing leading them to recommend a particular treatment or vaccine.

Mr. Desgagne asked why in that case Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared in April 2020 that Normality as it was before will not come back full-on until we get a vaccine for this, as reported by Global News.

He remarked it seems the Canadian government had decided at the beginning of the pandemic that the solution to return to normal would be to vaccinate a large part of the population with a product that did not yet exist.

Dr. Lourenco said that it was not unreasonable for Mr. Trudeau to make that declaration given that vaccines are used to manage infectious diseases and that he could have received that advice from scientists.

After the vaccine rollout, Mr. Trudeau initially said vaccination was a personal choice, but he later made vaccine mandates an electoral issue in 2021.

Dr. Lourenco said her team was not concerned about the political objectives or noise surrounding the issue of vaccination and that it was just focusing on reviewing the data submitted by the pharmaceutical companies.

The main objective was to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of the injections before they were authorized, she said.

Of course, we hope  that the product will demonstrate safety and efficacy and of acceptable quality, said Dr. Lourenco, but we have to go through the process to review all of the data to make sure that all of those checks and balances are met.

The COVID-19 vaccines were authorized under an interim order giving way to a rare pathway for bringing a drug to market. The data has been received on a rolling basis from pharmaceutical companies and brought to the public without long-term safety data.

Dr. Lourenco was also cross-examined in June last year in the context of the challenge to the federal governments travel vaccine mandate.

She said that if the COVID-19 injections had shown their current level of effectiveness against infection of below 50 percent, they wouldve never been approved for market, but their authorization has been kept for their prevention of severe outcomes.

Several legal actions against the federal government have been filed in relation to the vaccine mandates.

Grievances have also been filed in the Canadian Armed Forces, with a military administrative tribunal recently ruling that some of its vaccination policy provisions were unconstitutional and infringed upon charter rights.
CCP Has Donated $3 Billion to US Universities, but Experts Say Its Tip of Iceberg

Students pass through Sather Gate of the college campus at the University of CaliforniaBerkeley, in a file photo. (David A. Litman/Shutterstock)

The Chinese Communist Party has donated more than $3 billion to U.S. universities over the last 30 years. But thats the tip of the iceberg, experts say, because the U.S. Department of Education does not consistently enforce the law requiring U.S. schools to report foreign contributions exceeding $250,000.

Such contributions give the CCP and other foreign entities an entree into American campuses where they conduct influence campaigns and steal intellectual property, some experts and lawmakers allege.

These dollars come with strings attached, which are then used to leverage American faculty and students, said Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah), speaking at a hearing of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, which he chairs.

For example, foreign funds are used to set up state-backed cultural exchange centers that operate as cultural indoctrination centers. China, for instance, donates money to American universities to fund Confucius Institutes, renowned campus hubs known for pushing propaganda, like denial of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, Mr. Owens said.

Those organizations also monitor and threaten Chinese international students in the United States if they criticize the CCP, Mr. Owens said.

Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah), speaks during a Congressional committee hearing in Washington on March 8, 2023. (Janice Hisle/The Epoch Times via screenshot of live video)

Others urged caution in addressing the situation lest zeal for safeguarding American campuses produce a backlash against Asian Americans or hamper the ability of scholars to collaborate with international counterparts.

We must ensure that colleges and universities are transparent about their ties to foreign entities, said Ranking Member Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.).

I fear that my Republican colleagues have overemphasized enforcement, rather than providing guidance regarding how to comply with the law, Ms. Wilson added. Asking for accountability and compliance in this hearing can occur without scapegoating our Asian American community.

Mandatory Reporting

Federal law requires that U.S. colleges and universities receiving donations or contracts worth more than $250,000 from foreign entities report those transactions to the Department of Education twice a year.

Unfortunately, the departments enforcement efforts have historically been very uneven, Paul Moore, senior counsel at the Defense of Freedom Institute, told the subcommittee.

Mr. Moore cited a 2004 rule change enacted by the department that allows institutions to withhold the names of foreign donors, leading to a dramatic increase in foreign contributions originating from China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other countries.

An October 2020 report by the Department of Education revealed that heightened enforcement efforts had led to the disclosure of $6.5 billion in unreported foreign donations. The same stated that fewer than 300 of the approximately 6,000 institutions of higher education in the United States voluntarily report foreign contributions as required by law.

Difficulty in following the law is not the problem, according to Mr. Moore, who alleges that institutions have the data readily available but simply choose not to report it.

Our investigations found that the universities had the information we wanted readily at hand, but they were extremely reluctant to provide it to us, Mr. Moore said, referring to his work as chief investigative counsel at the Department of Education from 2020 to 2021.

They were already very systematically tracking foreign contracts, foreign gifts, and of course, pursuing donors around the world with great vigor, Mr. Moore said. They could simply have made an effort to tap the information they were already collecting and producing, and provide that accurately to the department as required by Section 117.

U.S. Department of Education building in Washington on July 6, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

Whack-a-Mole

Monitoring the influx of funds from known bad actors is complicated by their ability to disband one organization and funnel money through another.

Craig Singleton, China program deputy director and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies compared it to a game of whack-a-mole, in that when one problematic organization disappears, another pops up to take its place.

In dozens of documented cases, U.S. universities that shuttered their [Confucius Institutes] chose to maintain, and in some cases expand, academic and sensitive research relationships with their Chinese sister universities, Mr. Singleton testified.

Confucius Institutes (CIs) are government-sponsored organizations that promote a sanitized version of the CCPs history and human rights abuses under the guise of teaching Chinese language, culture, and history, according to Mr. Singleton.

In other cases, U.S. universities shuttered their brick-and-mortar CIs while embracing rebranded CI-like programs operating under other names. These ostensibly new centers appear closely modeled on Chinas CI model and, in some cases, even continue to receive funding from the same Chinese government agencies, Mr. Singleton said.

Regrettably, tracking these replacement programs has proven incredibly difficult.

Zhen Jianfeng (L), 23, and Deng Dayi (R), 23, both from China, walk on the Princeton University campus in Princeton, N.J., on April 23, 2002. (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

Backlash Feared

While agreeing with the need for increased transparency into foreign investments in U.S. higher education, other subcommittee members and witnesses urged caution.

Students and intellectuals come to the United States because they admire our university system and democratic government, John Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, said.

Unfortunately, xenophobic, anti-immigrant, and racist rhetoric used by political policymakers and officials at the highest level of our government fueled resurgent xenophobia against immigrants, especially of Chinese and Asian descent, Mr. Yang said.

He urged lawmakers not to stoke bias against Asian immigrants as they enforce greater compliance with the law.

Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) noted that a number of foreign entities besides the CCP whose interests conflict with the United States also contribute to U.S. universities.

Im concerned about Chinas authoritarianism, but Im also concerned about authoritarianism in general, Mr. Takano said.

As an Asian American, I know what it feels like when one of the Asian ethnicities is singled out for scapegoating. And then theres a generalized hatred that spreads [regarding] all Asian Americans.

The Federal Student Aid website reports 14 open cases for review of universities compliance with Section 117, which were opened between July 2019 and January 2021. Five compliance review cases were completed between 2020 and 2023.
CCP Sets Up Social Work Department to Further Tighten Its Control

Security personnel stand guard at the entrance to the Forbidden City near an image of China's President Xi Jinping (R), as the closing session of the National Peoples Congress (NPC) takes place at the Great Hall of the People nearby in Beijing on March 11, 2022. (Photo by Noel Celis / AFP) (Photo by NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) recently formed a Central Social Work Department to further tighten the regimes control of the Chinese people. Observers pointed out that the move is to target complaints by petitioners and potential social unrest against its one-party rule.

According to Chinese state media, Wu Hansheng, the former deputy Party secretary for a state department, has been appointed as the new departments first leader. He hosted the closing ceremony of a special seminar for provincial and ministerial communist cadres on dealing with petitioners on July 7.

The Central Social Work Department is the latest being added to the functional departments of the CCP Central Committee, following the Central Organization Department, the Central Propaganda Department, the United Front Work Department, and the Political and Legal Committee.

Targeting Petitioning

The CCPs Social Work Department oversees the State Petitioning Bureau, which deals with petitioners from across the country who file complaints and grievances against local officials.

Mainland Chinese media outlet Nandu cited a CCP expert saying the establishment of the Central Social Work Department means that petitioners have now become what the CCP considers affairs requiring special dealings and that the petition work will become more and more specialized in the future.

A petitioner holds photos of evidence in her grievance against local officials outside a government petition office in Beijing on March 2, 2016. (Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images)

The expert, professor Wu Guoguang, a senior researcher at Stanford Universitys China Center for Economic and Institutional Research, told Voice of America that the establishment of the Social Work Department by the CCP Central Committee is to strengthen the Partys control over society and to use the organizational capabilities of the CCP to control the people.

I say this is a big patch to mend its totalitarian system, he said.

Feng Chongyi, a China studies professor at the University of Technology Sydney, told The Epoch Times on July 10, The motivation for the establishment of the Central Social Work Department was to prevent possible social turmoil under Chinas economic collapse and to strengthen stability maintenance for the regime. But this new department overlaps with the existing Party and governmental departments of the CCP.

Its intention is to strengthen the control of the society, but this function has also been carried out by public security and national security system, which have already made very careful arrangements.

Leading the United Front

Tang Yun (a pseudonym), a Beijing-based current affairs observer, told The Epoch Times on July 10 that since the responsibilities of the Central Social Work Department and the Central United Front Work Department overlap, its possible that certain divisions of the United Front Work Department will be transferred to the new Social Work Department.

United Front is a department of the CCP that carries out the Partys strategy to influence and infiltrate the non-Party, nongovernmental circles both within and outside mainland China.

Members of the Coordination Council of Chinese American Associations (CCCAA), a major Chinese communist united front organization, perform at a Chinese New Year and Cultural Festival organized by the CCCAA at the Leesburg Premium Outlet in Leesburg, Va., on Mar. 25, 2023. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

In addition, the China Federation of Industry and Commerce may also be transferred to the Central Social Work Department in the future, Mr. Tang said.

Mr. Feng said the CCP has been further clamping down on civil society and activities in China in recent years. Many nongovernmental organizations, non-state-owned enterprises, and other organizations have been eradicated in China. The ones that survive are government-affiliated organizations. But the Party has been doubling down on its control through both state and Party systems.

Mr. Feng also believes that the establishment of the Central Social Work Department shows that the division of labor in the Party and government system of the CCP is chaotic and that Xi Jinping has found that some of his orders cannot be carried out, which is why he has set up the new department.

Ning Haizhong and Luo Ya contributed to this report.
CDC Wants Dogs Microchipped Before Traveling Abroad to Make Sure They Dont Bring Back Rabies

Commander, the dog of U.S. President Joe Biden, looks on as Biden departs the White House on June 25, 2022 (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

For the first time in almost 70 years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seeking to revise dog import regulations in an effort to keep dog rabies virus out of the country.

Rabies is known for mutating to match the animals it infects. The strain most specific to dogs has not been seen anywhere in the United States since 2004 and was declared to be eliminated throughout the nation in 2007. Being a canine rabid-free country means that dogs may still become infected from rabid wild animals like raccoons, skunks or bats, but they wont catch dog-specific rabies from another dog.

The proposed changes, published this week in the Federal Register for public input, are meant to prevent the dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV) from being reintroduced into the United States, the CDC said.

Specifically, the CDC wants all dogs brought into the United States to have a microchip, be at least six-month of age, have proof of rabies vaccination, and have adequate serologic test results from a CDC-approved laboratory, among other requirements.

The federal health agency also proposes to require that all dogs arriving from any country, including the ones returning to the United States after traveling abroad, be microchipped prior to travel into the United States.

The microchip information would be included on importation documents to help ensure that dogs presented for admission are the same dogs as those listed on the rabies vaccination records, the CDC explains. Microchips are already used globally and required for importation in many DMRVV-free countries.

Requiring microchip implants will also promote greater confidence in the information recorded on the rabies vaccination records, the CDC added, noting that there have been several cases of importers showing records of vaccinated dogs that became ill or died before travel as the vaccination records for dogs that didnt have proper veterinary paperwork.

Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination, and CDC is not proposing new changes relating to the importation of cats.

The proposal comes as the CDC said it would extend a suspension of dog imports from countries classified as high risk for rabies. The suspension, which was first issued in July 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, will remain in effect through the end of July 2024.

A total of 113 countries are deemed at high risk for importing dog rabies, ranging from Brazil to China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, and Ukraine. This suspension applies to all dogs that have been staying in any of those high-risk countries in the past six months, even if they are arriving in the United States from another country thats not on the list.

Millions of American households adopted a pet dog during the pandemic. Even President Joe Biden adopted a German shepherd puppy. The CDC said many of those animals are from foreign countries.

The significant increase in the number of dogs from DMRVV high-risk countries arriving with incomplete, inadequate, or fraudulent rabies vaccination documentation observed in 2020 and 2021 coincided with increased interest in purchasing dogs from the international rescues and breeders during the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency noted.

Cases of human rabies infection in the United States are very rare, with only 1 to 3 cases reported each year. There have been less than 100 human rabies deaths documented by the health authorities over the past 50 years, and that includes cases where Americans got infected outside of the country.

Globally, however, rabies kills about 59,000 people every year, mostly occurring in less developed Asian and African countries. The typical human incubation time for rabies varies from one to three months, as compared to about two weeks in a dog.

The proposed changes are undergoing a two-month public comment period till Sept. 8.
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks at an event with G7 leaders and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to announce a Joint Declaration of Support to Ukraine, as the NATO summit is held in Vilnius, Lithuania July 12, 2023.

NATO faces a formidable set of threats on its eastern flank. The large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces has sparked a far-reaching military and geopolitical confrontation. Further along the eastern axis, China continues to rise, causing concern among the Atlantic allies, which are strengthening ties with Pacific democracies that share the same concern. Given the magnitude of these problems, the issue of the southern flank, of greatest interest to countries such as Spain, Italy and Portugal, finds it difficult to establish itself as a priority in the Alliance and attract attention.

The final communique from the Vilnius summit mentions the southern flank, a broad, somewhat indefinite geographical, strategic and military concept that encompasses North Africa, the Sahel region between the Sahara desert and the savanna, and the Middle East. The allies have asked the North Atlantic Council, the Alliances main political decision-making body, to launch a broad reflection on existing and emerging threats in the region, as well as opportunities for interaction with countries, international organizations or other relevant actors. The mandate requires presenting the work at the next NATO summit, scheduled for next year in Washington.

The statement points to the explosive mix of institutional fragility, climate change and the proliferation of terrorist organizations in the region, and denounces actions by Russia to fuel tensions and instability there. The strong presence in the region of the Russian Wagner organization is a source of renewed concern after the notorious rebellion led by its mercenaries.

The southern flank is not as high a priority for NATO as the east. There has been a line of work open on it, however, since the Brussels summit in 2021, largely thanks to Spain, says Luis Simon, director of the office of the Elcano Royal Institute think tank in Brussels. The United States has supported keeping this issue alive, to have it brought up again at the Washington summit next year.

The focus on the east is inevitable given the war in Ukraine and the prospect of a long-running confrontation with Russia, says Ian Lesser, vice president of the German Marshall Fund. But there is a recognition of the need to deal with risks from other sides. The Vilnius summit has blessed an elaborate set of regional defense plans, one of which is geared toward the Mediterranean and Black Sea. There is also a focus on anti-terrorism. And the prospect of closer cooperation between the EU and NATO will have practical implications, especially looking to the south.

The matter, then, remains on the table. The difficulty lies in getting it to transcend to higher levels of organization and structure.

Regarding the regional plans, according to Simon, the three areas covered are the northern zone  which encompasses the Arctic, Finland, the connection with the Atlantic, Sweden as soon as it joins NATO, another area that covers the central corridor  which essentially covers Poland and the Baltics  and another southern area that in fact means the south of the eastern flank, so Romania, Bulgaria and the eastern Mediterranean.

Therefore, there is no special attention paid to the entire segment of the western southern flank, which covers the Sahel, the central-western part of North Africa and the corresponding maritime zone.

These schemes are important, Simon stresses, because they are concrete; they will guide the allocation of forces, training, capacity development, even industrial planning, based on the needs set out in the plans. And there the south is left a little by itself.

On the other hand, although it is true that NATO insists on a risk-preparedness approach that is not only based on geography, but also on concepts, with terrorism figuring prominently, Simon points out that it involves less precise planning than the territorial one.

The path to achieving a qualitative leap on this flank is, therefore, complicated. Besides Spains efforts, Italys prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, recently said that Italy supports the evolution of NATO and the attention that must be paid to the eastern flank, but we have also called for more attention to the southern flank. And Antonio Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal, expressed satisfaction at the study scheduled to be analyzed at the next summit.
A Chinese hacking group foils Microsoft security, targeting the U.S. government in whats being called an intel gathering scheme.

A statement from NATO sparks Beijings anger. Lashing out on day two of a major summit, China sent over 30 fighter jets flying near Taiwan.

Police in Hong Kong raid the family home of an exiled pro-democracy activist.

And struggling under U.S. sanctions, Chinas Huawei is preparing a return to the global 5G smartphone market.

Topics in this episode:
China Developing Brain Control Weapons, Could Pave the Way for New World Order: Report

People walk past a screen showing video footage of Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the National Museum of China in Beijing, on Feb. 27, 2019. (Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images)

China is developing weapons targeting brain functions, with the goal of engaging in cognitive warfare to influence government and military leaders and control entire populations, according to a new report.

Unknown to many, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) have established themselves as world leaders in the development of NeuroStrike weapons, says the report (pdf), which was written by three intelligence analysts who co-founded the CCP BioThreats Initiative.

Currently, China does not have the defense industrial base to manufacture the types of technologies for a NeuroStrike program that matches the strategic ambitions of the CCP, the report said, but a breakthrough in research could have serious implications.

Any breakthrough in this research would provide unprecedented tools for the CCP to forcibly establish a new world order, which has been [Chinese leader] Xi Jinpings lifelong goal, the report says.

The reports revelation adds to the challenges facing the free world, as the CCP aims to reshape the current rule-based international order. In February, the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence said in a report that China is using programs and initiatives to promote a China-led alternative to the current international order, one that favors state sovereignty and political stability over individual rights.

Scientifically speaking, NeuroStrike is defined as the engineered targeting of the brains of soldiers or civilians using non-kinetic technology, with the objectives of impairing cognition, reducing situational awareness, inflicting long-term neurological damage, and degrading normal cognitive functions. The report added that non-kinetic technology includes microwave or other directed energy.

The weapons can be deployed in handled guns or larger weapons firing electromagnetic beams, but the Chinese regimes weaponization of neuroscience goes beyond the scope and understanding of classical microwave weapons.

Their new landscape of NeuroStrike development includes using massively distributed human-computer interfaces to control entire populations as well as a range of weapons designed to cause cognitive damage, the report explains.

The report was written by Dr. Ryan Clarke, a senior fellow at the East Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore; Sean Lin, a former U.S. Army officer and microbiologist; and L.J. Eads, a former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer and founder of Data Abyss.

Instill Intense Fear

The three authors wrote that the Chinese regime views NeuroStrike and psychological warfare as a core component of its asymmetric warfare strategy against the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific.

More specifically, they explained that NeuroStrike weapons fit into the communist regimes existing anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) strategy, which is mainly about blocking U.S. forces from intervening in conflicts started by China in the Indo-Pacific, such as invading Taiwan.

Imagine (at least partially) immunized PLA troops being inserted into a geography where a specific weaponized bacterial strain has been released prior to their entry to prepare the ground and eliminate points of resistance, the report says. Any remaining sources of resistance on the ground are then dealt with through CCP NeuroStrike weaponry that instill intense fear and/or other forms of cognitive incoherence resulting in inaction.

Under the scenario, the Chinese military would be able to establish absolute control over a region, such as Taiwan, while blunting any American strategic options to intervene.

This would effectively negate and render inert Americas overwhelming conventional superiority with very few (if any) near-term remedies, the report adds. This scenario is based on known existing CCP research programs and what the clear strategic aims of those programs are.

The Government Accountability Office, in a report published in 2022, identified A2/AD capabilities as one of five areas that China was investing in as part of its attempt to challenge the United States. Those capabilities included long-range ballistic and cruise missiles capable to reach U.S. logistics and power projection assets in the western Pacific, including Guam, as well as air defenses that could reach over 550 km (341 miles) from its coast.

The other four areas were surface and undersea operations including ballistic missiles able to target aircraft carriers 1,500 km (932 miles) off Chinas coast, cyber capabilities designed to take U.S. military systems offline, space capabilities such as anti-satellite weapons, and broad investments in artificial intelligence.

Strategic High Ground

The report claimed that the 2021 U.S. sanction against Chinas state-run Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS)a high-level research institute of the Chinese militarywas the result of its leading role in NeuroStrike research.

That year, the Commerce Department imposed trade and investment restrictions on AMMS and 11 of its research institutes, for aiding the Chinese military, including purported brain-control weaponry.

AMMS represents a complex network of still-overt, half-submerged and outright subterranean global linkages that continue to power its most aggressive research and development programs, the report says, before adding that it was necessary to keep a close watch on this institution.

In 2017, Li Peng, a medical researcher at a subsidiary of AMMS, wrote in an article that the study into brain science was born out of a vision for how the future warfare would evolve. He added that the study was crucial to securing a strategic high ground for every country.

According to a 2020 National Defense University publication, researchers at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences are using macaques to examine techniques for brain-machine interfaces that involve the implantation of electrodes in the brain.

China is known to be using so-called talent recruitment programs to entice foreigners and Chinese nationals in the science and tech sectors to work in China. These programs, which include the best-known Thousand Talents Program and Hundred Talents Program, often offer heavy financial incentives, as well as relocation costs, to their participants.

Wang Yizheng, who was once a faculty member at Thomas Jefferson University, is now a researcher at AMMS, an academician at the state-run Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a vice president at the Chinese Neuroscience Society. His research includes the understanding of neuronal survival mechanisms.

Mr. Wang returned to China in 2001 and was named one of the participants in the Hundred Talents Program.

The FBI writes on its website that Chinas talent plans encourage trade secret theft and economic espionage.

[Chinas] talent plans usually involve undisclosed and illegal transfers of information, technology, or intellectual property that are one-way and detrimental to U.S. institutions, the agency writes.

Escalation in the CCPs Aggression

The report said the PLAs Strategic Support Force (PLASSF) could incorporate any future NeuroStrike capabilities.

The PLASSF now operates as a type of superstructure on top of a growing and increasingly active platform of Chinese military assets (land, sea, air, cyber, and space) across multiple theatres in the Indo-Pacific while simultaneously serving as the primary deployment platform for new NeuroStrike weaponry, the report says.

With additional NeuroStrike capabilities that can either damage, disorient or even control perceived adversary cognition at the population level, the PLASSF would represent an exponential escalation in the CCPs aggression in the Indo-Pacific.

To counter Chinas NeuroStrike capabilities, the report offered several recommendations for the U.S. government, including exploring policy remedies, such as ethics reviews for certain neuroscience and cognitive science studies. Doing so would allow international researchers to be more cautious when partnering with Chinese researchers, according to the report.

Precision sanctions against the full CCP Civilian-Military fusion of interests related to the CCP NeuroStrike program, including specific CCP members and their holdings, another recommendation in the report says.

Under the fusion strategy, the CCP compels its private sector to support its militarys technological advancement. According to the State Department, the strategy involves intellectual property theft in order for China to achieve military dominance.
China Perfecting Techno-Totalitarianism for Export Around the World: Rep. Gallagher

Chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Rep. Michael Gallagher (R-Wis.), speaks during an interfaith roundtable on the CCP's threat to religious freedom in Washington on July 12, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

WASHINGTONThe Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is seeking to perfect a techno-totalitarian regime for export to the rest of the world, according to Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.).

The regimes worsening repression of faith was highlighted during a roundtable hearing that the lawmaker led on July 12. One key takeaway, noted by Gallagher, who chairs the House Select Committee on the CCP, and other roundtable participants, is that such abuses dont stop at Chinese borders.

Across the board, weve seen the Chinese Communist Party leverage access to their market and their economic power in order to coerce American companies, international companies, Mr. Gallagher told NTD, The Epoch Times sister media outlet.

He made the comment in response to a question regarding a lawsuit against Cisco Systems, accusing the California-based tech giant of aiding the Beijing regimes persecution of the spiritual group Falun Gongwhich encourages people to live by the universal principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

Cisco is alleged to have given the regime U.S. technology and components that allowed it to build a vast surveillance network. More than a dozen adherents, including one U.S. citizen, have claimed that the resulting system tracked their Falun Gong-related activities online, leading to their arrest and torture in China.

Surveillance cameras in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, on May 29, 2019. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

The techno-totalitarian regime that the CCP is perfecting in China will not stay there, Mr. Gallagher said. Its a model increasingly they want to export around the world, so were considering a variety of pieces of legislation to counter that.

At the roundtable, Chinese Christians, Tibetans, and Uyghurs also spoke about their suffering at the hands of CCP officials, with some, in the case of house church pastor Pan Yongguang, continuing to suffer even after they fled China.

Pastor Pan Yongguang at Mayflower Church of China, who was granted asylum by the United States in April, speaks during an interfaith roundtable on the Chinese Communist Partys threat to religious freedom in Washington on July 12, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

Mr. Pan and members of Mayflower Church in Chinas Shenzhen city left China in October 2019. After arriving in South Korea, many from the group received threatening phone calls from CCP officials demanding that they return to China. Members were also followed in Thailand by suspected CCP agents, while their relatives in China faced harassment and interrogation, Mr. Pan said at the hearing.

In February, he said Chinese police officers visited his wifes parents in Chinas Hunan province to try to pressure her to urge Mr. Pan to return. The stress of the blackmail and concern for her elderly parents welfare caused Mrs. Pan to suffer a heart attack.

The Chinese Communist Party wants to dominate the world. If they achieved their goals, then what you see happening in China is going to happen around the world, Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.), a member of the Houses China Committee, told The Epoch Times.

Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) speaks during an interfaith roundtable on the Chinese Communist Partys threat to religious freedom in Washington on July 12, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

He pointed to Hong Kong, where authorities arrested and later fined Cardinal Joseph Zen, 91, over a support fund for pro-democracy protesters. Incidents such as that speak to the importance of speaking up about the regimes abuses, Mr. Gimenez said, because whats happening in China right now could one day be happening to you.

You have to be subservient to the Chinese Communist Party and if you pose a threat  in any way, youll be persecuted, youll be in prison, and sometimes, you may even lose your life.

Multiple current and former U.S. religious freedom officials have already called attention to lobbying efforts on behalf of China that reach Washington, such as reports of big firms such as Nike and Coca-Cola seeking to try to weaken legislation that bans imports from Xinjiang over forced labor concerns.

The U.S. government needs to pay closer attention to such lobbying activities and stop multinational corporations from assisting the regimes oppression, according to Frederick Davie, vice chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Dr. Weldon Gilcrease, an oncologist at the University of Utah, previously told The Epoch Times that the leaders of his schools health care system had intentionally refrained from speaking out against forced organ harvesting out of fear of economic retribution by Beijing.

Frederick Davie, vice chair of the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom and strategic adviser to the president at Union Theological Seminary in New York, speaks during an interfaith roundtable on the Chinese Communist Partys threat to religious freedom in Washington on July 12, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

To Davie, who earlier in the discussion voiced concerns about the CCP using bilateral academic partnerships to make U.S. institutions immune to the atrocities, the incident was a case in point.

It just proves the point of the level of influence that the Chinese economic reach has around the world and in the United States, he told The Epoch Times.

U.S. consumers have a part to play as well, noted Tony Perkins, former chair of the bipartisan religious freedom commission and president of the Family Research Council.

China is actually more repressive today than they were two decades ago, and the reason is they can afford to be as American consumers fund their repression, Mr. Perkins said.

Read More US Capital Is the Lifeline of the Chinese Communist Party: Roger Robinson Interview

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, speaks during an interfaith roundtable on the Chinese Communist Partys threat to religious freedom in Washington on July 12, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

In his mind, the United States should have no further economic transactions with China until the human rights situation changes.

Americans have become addicted to cheap goodsa very materialistic societybut they need to understand that the profits from that are coming back to influence policy, both here and abroad, he told The Epoch Times.

For our family, we read the label of where things are manufactured. And we do everything possible to keep from buying products from China, and we encourage others to do the same.
Chinese Banks Ratings Downgraded as Local Governments Struggle With Debt

Stocks down 14% from May high, market value evaporates by $77 billion

A Chinese bank employee counts U.S. dollar bills at a bank counter in Nantong in China's eastern Jiangsu Province on Aug. 6, 2019. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Shares in Chinese banks plunged after Goldman Sachs downgraded some ratings due to high local government debt.

According to a July 11 Bloomberg report, shares in Chinas banking sector are on the cusp of historically low valuations. Bloomberg Intelligences index of Chinese bank stocks is down 14 percent from this years high in May, wiping out $77 billion in market value.

Goldman Sachs July 4 analysis of 12 listed Chinese banks had sell ratings on five, neutral ratings on three, and buy ratings on four.

The five Chinese banks with sell ratings are the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Communications, Industrial Bank, and Huaxia Bank.

The three banks with neutral ratings are the Bank of China, China Merchants Bank, and Bank of Nanjing.

The four with buy ratings are China Construction Bank, Postal Savings Bank, Bank of Ningbo, and Ping An Bank.

The report highlighted the risks to bank margins posed by rising losses on local government debt and credit portfolios, which could dent earnings growth and pressure capital accumulation, thereby affecting dividend payouts.

A Bank of China branch in the City of London on May 13, 2016. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Chinas total local government debt reached 66 trillion yuan ($9.1 trillion) by the end of 2022, up from 40 trillion yuan ($5.5 trillion) in 2019, according to the International Monetary Funds estimate in February. The debt is considered the biggest financial risk in Asia in 2023.

In January, Chinas Ministry of Finance made it clear that for local government debt risks, the central authorities should adhere to the principle of non-rescue. However, in the following months, Guizhou, Shandong, Yunnan, and other provinces successively broke news of local government bonds being difficult to be repaid when they mature.

Chinas biggest state-owned banks are offering ultra-long-term loans and temporary interest relief to local government financing vehicles, preventing a credit crunch in an increasingly tight huge debts market, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

People familiar with the matter said banks, including the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and China Construction Bank, had begun to extend 25-year loans to creditworthy and eligible local government financing vehicles rather than the current 10-year loans for most companies. Some programs waive any interest or principal payments for the first four years, though interest accrues later.

Guo Jun, editor-in-chief of the Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times, told NTD TVs Pinnacle View that forcing commercial banks to lend money to local authorities is in fact, giving the money to the latter. In addition, the fact that they do not have to pay back the interest for the first four years is tantamount to transferring the banks profits to the local finances, which could be fatal to the banks and even suicidal to the macroeconomy.

Ms. Guo explained that the local governments hole is too big. If the bank gives the money to local authorities, they cannot lend it to enterprises. That would be tantamount to tightening the monetary system, which would negatively affect Chinas economy.

Guo Jun, one of the co-founders of The Epoch Times and the head of the Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times, on April 14, 2021. (The Epoch Times)

Guo said that if the Chinese government does this, it will put enormous pressure on commercial banksprofits would plummet, asset profitability would fall, and they might even lose money altogether.

She said the reduction in foreign capitals stock holdings is only a mild reaction. Yet if the credit ratings of Chinas banks are further downgraded, and the corresponding bonds become junk rated, the cost of overseas financing for Chinas banks will rise dramatically.

Ms. Guo pointed out that Wall Street has a lot of business dealings with these commercial banks in China and that any major problems with the Chinese banks will trigger a reaction from U.S. capital.

Chinese bank stocks in the Hong Kong stock market have dropped since the Goldman Sachs report, with the Hang Seng Mainland China Banking Index (HSMBI) falling 3.6 percent on July 6. The corresponding share prices plummeted in the following few working days until July 11, when the decline eased.

As the report aroused market concern, Goldman Sachs responded on July 6 that the report involved ratings on 12 banks, only 30 percent of the 42 A-share-listed banks. In addition, there are seven banks with buy and neutral in total, which is not as pessimistic as the market rumors.

The logo for Goldman Sachs at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York on Nov. 17, 2021. (Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

However, in a rare move, Goldman Sachs was criticized in a front-page article on July 7 by Securities Times, a subsidiary of the Peoples Daily, for misinterpreting the fundamentals of Chinas banks.

The authors said the market should not look at Chinese banks based on pessimistic assumptions, and the negative premise is a misinterpretation of the facts. According to the article, Chinese banks have been actively reducing their exposure to real estate lending while local authorities are stepping up their efforts to resolve debt risks.

This is not the first time a Wall Street research report has caused controversy in China. In March 2022, analysts at JP Morgan downgraded 28 Chinese technology companies, calling Chinas Internet industry uninvestable in the short term. JP Morgan then lost its position as a senior underwriter for a companys Hong Kong IPO.
Cocaine Not the Only Drug Found in the White House, Secret Service Says

Cocaine was not the only drug that the United States Secret Service (USSS) discovered in the White House according to an agency spokesperson, who said that marijuana had been discovered in the building twice in 2022.

Per the Secret Service Uniformed Division, small amounts of marijuana were found on two occasions in 2022 (June and September), a spokesperson for the USSS confirmed to The Epoch Times.

They added, No one was arrested in these incidents because the weight of the marijuana confiscated did not meet the legal threshold for federal charges or DC misdemeanor criminal charges as the District of Columbia had decriminalized possession. The marijuana was collected by officers and destroyed.

According to federal law, possession of any amount of marijuana, even for personal use, is a Class A misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to a year in jail or a $1,000 fine.

The discovery that marijuana had been found in the White House came after earlier findings revealed that cocaine had been discovered in a high-security wing of the building.

On July 5, the USSS revealed that agents had uncovered a white, powdery substance in the White House.

U.S. Secret Services agent (L) and a boy (R) pose during the Take Your Child to Work Day event at the White House in Washington on April 27, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

It was first identified as an unknown item and prompted a brief evacuation.

The USSS later revealed that an investigation of the substance had confirmed that it was cocaine.

Initially, it was reported that the drug was discovered in the relatively low-security wing of the White House; however, it has since been revealed that it was actually discovered near the West Executive Entrance, an area with substantially beefier security measures.

Investigation Closed Due to Lack of Evidence

In a July 13 press statement, the USSS announced that it had concluded the investigation into the cocaine without reaching any conclusions about the source of the drug.

The substance and packaging underwent further forensic testing, the statement said, saying that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had carried out substance, fingerprint, and DNA analysis on the powder given their expertise in this area and independence from the investigation.

In the interim, the USSS said, the agency carried out a methodical review of security systems and protocols including a backwards examination that spanned several days prior to the discovery of the substance and developed an index of several hundred individuals who may have accessed the area where the substance was found.

This work turned up a pool of known persons for comparison of forensic evidence, the agency said.

But they reported that FBI analysis of the substance and the packaging did not develop latent fingerprints and insufficient DNA was present for investigative comparisons. Therefore, the Secret Service is not able to compare evidence against the known pool of individuals.

The agency said that no surveillance footage leading to substantial investigative leads was discovered.

Without physical evidence, the investigation will not be able to single out a person of interest from the hundreds of individuals who passed through the vestibule where the cocaine was discovered, the statement said. At this time, the Secret Services investigation is closed due to a lack of physical evidence.

Hunter Biden arrives for a toast during an official State Dinner in honor of Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the White House on June 22, 2023. (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Congressional Probe Not Likely: Congresswoman

Following a closed-door meeting in the House Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) said that she didnt think a congressional probe into the matter was likely.

I dont see [the investigation] moving forward in any way, shape or form after this, Mace said.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) in Washington on Jan. 27, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Asked whether it could be looked into by the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Mace replied: I dont believe so. We have our hands full with other investigations, and I dont believe this would be part of that.

Several lawmakers responded to the closure of the investigation with frustration.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said he was very disappointed in the Secret Service.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), an outspoken critic of the Biden administration who has accused it of partisanship against conservatives, called the announcement beyond unbelievable in comments to The Epoch Times.

They told us they dont know who it is, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) told reporters on Capitol Hill.

Mr. Burchett said its bogus that the Secret Service wouldnt be able to identify a suspect given all the security technology thats deployed at the White House and the fact that visitors are screened quite closely.

Its a complete failure, Mr. Burchett continued. This thing is ridiculous.

Its a pretty good diversion. A lot of people are upset about it, he added. I think theyre thumbing their nose at the American public right now, like this administration has had a habit of doing.

Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.
Costco Star of Death Mark Adds to Bud Lights Nose-Diving Sales Figures

Retail chain Costco appears to have decided to stop selling Bud Light at its stores as the company has given the beer the dreaded star of death, suggesting an end to product sales.

Images shared online show notices at Costco announcing the sale of Bud Light together with an asterisk sign, popularly known as the star of death. An item depicted with such a sign at Costco is an indication that the retail chain wont restock the product or that the item has been discontinued. Its unclear whether the star of death mark is applicable to all Costco stores or only select ones.

Costco has decided NOT to restock Bud Light. Still no apology, and they still havent learned their lesson, Blaze TV host Chad Prather wrote in a July 13 tweet.

Author Kira Davis wrote in a tweet, Theyre not even selling Bud Light at my local Costco anymore. Dont know when it stopped, but Ive noticed its not in stock anymore.

A Reddit user suggested that the star of death could only be for 16 oz. cans of Bud Light and that the beer may continue being sold in a 24-pack of 12 oz cans. Another Reddit user claimed that Bud Light is being sold at a store in his location.

Costcos business model focuses on giving the lowest possible price for products to its members. However, this is only possible if products sell in good enough numbers so that the company can place large orders with suppliers for the cheapest price. If an item registers low sales numbers, itll get dropped by the retail chain.

Ditching a specific size or variety of an item also doesnt mean that Costco has decided to stop selling it entirely. The company may focus on selling the same item in another size or variety if the variant attracts sales.

Bud Lights star of death mark comes as the beer brands sales numbers continue to fall. For the week that ended on July 1, Bud Lights sales fell by 28.5 percent, worse than the 27.5 percent decline seen in the previous week, according to Bump Williams Consulting citing NielsenIQ data.

The downfall isnt limited to Bud Light as other beer brands owned by Anheuser-Busch also fell. Sales of Michelob Ultra declined by 4.3 percent, Busch Light by 8.5 percent, and Budweiser by 10.2 percent.

Representatives for Costco didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

The Boycott Works

Bud Light turned into a boycott target after partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in a promotional campaign in April, irking numerous Americans who felt that the company was pushing a transgender agenda.

In a July 12 interview with Newsweek, Anson Frericks, former president of operations for Anheuser-Busch, blamed the companys handling of the issue for the falling sales.

Anheuser-Busch did not understand their customer base and kind of also where their customer base is, in terms of what messaging they want to see from Bud Light, he said.

Mr. Frericks pointed out that boycotts usually work on easily accessible items. In the case of beer, there are multiple sellers such as Bud Light, Miller Lite, and Coors Light. What differentiates them is the brand, he said while noting that its easy for customers to switch between these products if they want to.

This stands in contrast to say a sports league such as NFL, when people called for boycotts after players knelt during the national anthem.

Theres no other alternative to the NFL, Mr. Frericks said.

Consumers feel that they will keep the boycott going when they feel like theyre having an impact.  So, every single week, this news cycle continues to kick off where youre seeing the effects of this boycott, with sales being down 25 percent, 28 percent, 30 percent, every single week. So, therefore it gives consumers the ability to say like, Wow, Im really having an impact.'

Financial Implications

The consumer boycotts have hit Bud Light particularly hard. Between April 3 and July 10, Anheuser-Buschs market capitalization declined from $134.14 billion to $111.99 billiona loss of more than $22 billion, or more than 16 percent.

During this period, parent company Anheuser-Busch InBevs share price fell from 61.16 euros to 50.68 euros, which represents a decline of more than 17 percent.

A major contractor for Anheuser-Busch, Luxembourg-based Ardagh Group shut down two glass-bottling plants in North Carolina and Louisiana because of the declining sales of the beer. Combined, about 600 employees will lose their jobs.

In a research note last month, Deutsche Bank analyst Mitch Collett said Bud Light maker Anheuser-Busch would suffer a permanent reduction in its U.S. business given the recent underperformance, according to Barrons.

Mr. Collett pointed out that 24 percent of Bud Lights customers no longer buy the beer, while another 18 percent are buying less.

A recent poll by YouGov shows that Bud Light slipped to the 15th position in the list of most popular beers in the United States during the second quarter of 2023, down from the ninth spot during the same period last year.
Crown Drops COVID-Related Charges Against Sloan, Hillier

COVID-19-related charges laid against former MP Derek Sloan and former Ontario MPP Randy Hillier have been dropped by Crown prosecutors, says the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF).

Mr. Hillier, a former Ontario MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, and Mr. Sloan, former MP for Hastings-Lennox and Addington, were both alleged to have attended a rally protesting lockdowns in 2021 during provincial health orders that banned outdoor gatherings. The men each faced a maximum fine of $100,000 for attending the protest.

The JCCF announced in a July 12 press release that the Crown prosecutor had agreed on June 29 to drop the charges in exchange for a modest charitable donation or volunteer work from Mr. Hiller and Mr. Sloan.

Mr. Hillier fulfilled his volunteer work obligation at a local food bank in Lanark County and Mr. Sloan made an unspecified charitable donation.

On April 8, 2021, the Ontario government declared a state of emergency due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. The government followed that up by instituting an outdoor gathering ban. Both men attended a protest on April 25, 2021, to oppose the COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time.

The Ontario governments lockdowns, which effectively banned any political protesting whatsoever, were a grave threat to our freedom in Canada. Restrictions may be over for now, but there was no indication how long they would last at the time. Two weeks became two months, which became almost two years of failed COVID policies, Mr. Sloan said in the release.

I am proud to have stood against this tyranny with many other brave Canadians. The Stratford prosecutor made the right choice, and it is now up to other prosecutors in other districts to drop these meaningless charges, he said.

Mr. Hillier has launched a charter challenge against the lockdowns that banned all outdoor protests and will contend they were an unjustifiable violation of his rights. The hearing is set for July 2728, 2023.
Democrat Congressman to Boycott Israeli Presidents Joint Session Address

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) said on July 13 that he will boycott Israeli President Isaac Herzogs address before a joint session of Congress next week.

When asked by The Epoch Times if hell be at the July 19 address, he said, No.

I dont think Israel has gone far enough in protecting and uplifting Palestinian rights and Palestinian lives, Mr. Bowman said.

The violence theres been escalating over the last couple of years, he said, adding that Palestinians are under occupation even though they are under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, not Israel.

Mr. Bowman noted he has been calling for full citizenship for the Palestinians in Israel and that there needs to be a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

And were nowhere near that, the New York congressman said, referring to the prospects for a two-state solution.

Pro-Israel groups slammed Mr. Bowman for announcing hell pass on attending Mr. Herzogs speech.

J Street is aligned with the anti-Israel fringe. J Streets champion @JamaalBowmanNY is boycotting the Israeli presidents speech to Congress. Undermining Democratic support for Israel @jstreetdotorg is many things, but its not pro-Israel, posted AIPAC on Twitter.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog waves as he arrives at Number 10 Downing Street in central London on Nov. 23, 2021. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

The Epoch Times has reached out to J Street, a progressive organization highly critical of Israel, for comment.

Far left radical Democrat @JamaalBowmanNY will boycott Israeli President Isaac Herzogs speech to Congress, joining antisemite @IlhanMN, the Republican Jewish Coalition said in a tweet.

Remember when @USJewishDems congratulated Bowman and said they were confident he is committed to the priorities of Jewish voters? We do, continued the RJC, referring to the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA), which congratulated Bowman on winning his first primary in 2020, upsetting incumbent Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), who was a pro-Israel Democrat member of Israel.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the JDCA for comment.

Others to Skip Address

Mr. Bowman joins Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) as the members of Congress who have said they will skip Mr. Herzogs address.

No way in hell, said Ms. Omar when asked by the startup online publication The Messenger if she will attend the address.

Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.) declined to answer to say if they will be in attendance for the speech. Like Mr. Bowman and Ms. Omar, the aforementioned progressive Democrats have a record of being critical of Israel.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) announced Mr. Herzogs upcoming address on June 29.

Reportedly, Mr. Herzog will meet with President Joe Biden in what has been seen by some in the pro-Israel community as a continuation of Mr. Bidens snubbing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In March, Mr. Biden said he wouldnt invite Mr. Netanyahu to the White House in the near term because of Mr. Netanyahus attempt to change Israels judiciary, an effort thats opposed by Mr. Herzog. In response to Mr. Biden shutting the door on a meeting with Mr. Netanyahu in the near future, Mr. McCarthy said he would invite Mr. Netanyahu to Congress if Mr. Biden doesnt reverse course.

If that doesnt happen, Ill invite the prime minister to come meet with the House, Mr. McCarthy told the newspaper Israel Hayom.

Hes a dear friend, as a prime minister of a country that we have our closest ties with.

Mr. McCarthy visited Israel in May and became the second sitting speaker to address the Knesset, Israels parliament.
Doctors, Hospices Grapple With New Quebec Law Forcing Palliative Facilities to Offer MAiD

A nurse holds the hand of a patient in the palliative care unit in a hospital on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica in a file photo. (Pascal Pochart-Casabianca/AFP via Getty Images)

Quebec physician Bruno Gagnon is feeling squeezed out of his decades-long palliative care career due to his moral objection to medical assistance in dying (MAiD).

With years of experience and a faith-based passion for offering comfort to those living out their final days, Dr. Gagnon says he still has much to offer in the field but feels hampered under the current circumstances.

On June 7, Bill 11 came into force to expand MAiD in the province, including requiring all palliative care facilities to offer the procedure. Now, Dr. Gagnon told The Epoch Times, it seems his choices are to either retire or open a private practice, neither of which is ideal.

He has felt marginalized in the profession for some years because of his views on MAiD, he said, and now its official.

Dr. Gagnon recently applied to work in a growing facility but was told his objection to MAiD lost him the job. While the facility is required to offer the procedure, it wouldnt be able to do so on days he was the only doctor on duty if he were hired, he said. That would create logistical issues.

Its not palliative care anymore, Dr. Gagnon said. I dont know what it is.

He gave examples of patients offered MAiD by his colleagues instead of treatment that could have eased their suffering, which is what he says palliative care should be about.

Due to patient confidentiality, he could not speak about the details of those cases. However, he did say that some involved patients with chronic pain, delirium, and a heart condition. Those conditions could have been treated before the decision to go ahead with MAiD, he said.

In one case, Dr. Gagnon came back from vacation to find that MAiD had been arranged for one of his patients. He spoke with the patient and her caregiver, helping resolve some interpersonal issues between them. He also treated some of the patients ailments. The patient then chose not to go through with MAiD.

The worst experience of his careerand its a difficult career, he said, working with people at the end of their liveswas seeing the fear one of his teams patients felt as she prepared to receive MAiD.

We have what I call a euthanasia mentality. Shes old, shes sick, she has multiple diseases, shes better off dead, Dr. Gagnon said.

Space for Doctors Who Object to MAiD

Georges LEsperance, a neurosurgeon and president of the Quebec Association for the Right to Die in Dignity, supports the new law. He says palliative care workers who object to MAiD can still work in facilities in Quebec, and its just the facility itself that has to offer MAiD.

Its normal that there is a space for doctors or nurses who object to MAiD, but they dont have to limit other citizens rights, he told The Epoch Times.

When told of Dr. Gagnons experience of being limited in his employment opportunities because he wont offer MAiD, Dr. LEsperance said he couldnt comment. It would be important to have all the facts, he said.

Regarding Dr. Gagnons accounts of patients being offered MAiD instead of treatments for the ailments causing them suffering, Dr. LEsperance doesnt think they represent a common experience in Quebec.

This is one of the arguments. We always hear about that, and its untrue, he said.

He cited national data from 2021 showing that more than 80 percent of the people who received MAiD had received palliative care beforehand.

The other thing is that there are less than 10 percent of people in Quebec [who die] that have MAiD, so it means all the other ones have palliative care.

Dr. Gagnon says these statistics dont take into account the quality of palliative care and they show that the remaining 20 percent never received any palliative care, which is a problem. The great majority of patients die without having access to proper palliative care, he said.

Dr. LEsperance called facilities in Quebec that have opposed MAiD hypocritical because they offer palliative sedation, which he says is like a slow version of MAiD. A patient is sometimes sedated to avoid suffering in his or her final days or hours.

Dr. Gagnon, however, says this characterization of palliative sedation is unfair.

Palliative sedation is an extreme treatment for symptoms control which respects the normal dying process. The objective is not to kill but to alleviate, he said.

He said he has seen health-care workers who once supported MAiD change their perspective after seeing the volume of patients getting the procedure, up to some 10 per day in one facility he worked at.

Though Dr. Gagnon and Dr. LEsperance have opposing opinions on MAiD, they both said ones spiritual faith can have a great impact on palliative care approaches.

Faith

Dr. Gagnon said he believes palliative care workers should have Christian-like values. The best doctors and nurses he has seen in his career have been those who are motivated by their faith, he said, noting that they serve patients with a passion and offer them spiritual hope as they face the afterlife.

He referred to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of palliative care. WHO says the spiritual dimension is an essential component of palliative care, along with the medical, psychological, and social dimensions.

Palliative care is about being with a patient and family in respectful acceptance of the mystery of the dying process. MAiD is, at the end, refusing part of our humanity, he said.

Dr. Gagnon said his opposition to MAiD is not, however, faith-based and he would have the same view were he not a man of faith. In his view, it is about universal values regarding life and caring for others, the principles that have always been at the core of palliative care.

Dr. Gagnon said both believers and non-believers can work together, speaking reasonably with the objective of finding the truth about the morality of MAiD.

Dr. LEsperance said many reasons for choosing to die could be considered validincluding not wanting to be a burden to ones familyexcept if you think that life is something that is sacred over anything else.

He said MAiD has especially taken hold in Quebec in part because the province has become less religious than many other places. CBC reports that according to Dr. Michel Bureau, chair of Quebecs commission on end-of-life care, Quebec had more MAiD deaths per capita than anywhere else in the world between April 2021 and March 2022.

St. Raphaels is a Catholic palliative care facility in Montreal that is one of the few in Quebec not offering MAiD, until now.

Executive director Olivia Leveque told The Epoch Times she isnt sure how St. Raphaels will handle the new law.

We have to follow the law, she said. Were just currently analyzing the situation in its full scope.

St. Raphaels has formed a committee to look at how the hospice will implement the requirements. Ms. Leveque said the timeline for implementation isnt clear yet. She thinks they will have several months.

Our main focus is always palliative care, and it will always continue to be to offer excellent palliative care and compassionate services.
Dont Interpret Yellens Meeting with Liu He as Beijings Pro-US Stance: Analyst

During U.S. treasury secretary Janet Yellens four-day trip to Beijing, she met with former Chinese Vice Premier Liu He on July 7. This meeting is considered a major highlight of Ms. Yellens visit to China, as many regard the retired Mr. Liu as a pro-U.S. official. They interpret it as Beijings wish to change its course and reestablish a friendly relationship with the United States. However, a political analyst focusing on China affairs believes that was not the reason Chinese leader Xi Jinping chose to have Mr. Liu meet with Ms. Yellen.

Ms. Yellens visit to China comes against a backdrop of strained relations between the two nations. As the U.S. secretary of the treasury, her primary objective is to promote dialogue and seek opportunities for improved cooperation, with a specific focus on areas such as trade, investment, and financial stability. Additionally, she seeks to explore opportunities for collaboration in tackling shared challenges, including climate change and global economic recovery.

Mr. Liu has long served as the CCPs financial think tank, and has long been Mr. Xis most trusted economic adviser. After becoming the vice premier in charge of Chinas finance, technology and industry in March 2018, Mr. Liu had represented China in trade negotiations with the United States multiple times.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and U.S. President Donald Trump display the signed trade agreement between the United States and China in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 15, 2020. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

In January 2020, Mr. Liu went to the United States and signed the first phase of the trade agreement with then-U.S. President Donald Trump. While the agreement was not fully implemented, it provided China with a brief reprieve from the trade war. This was the only economic agreement signed between the United States and China in the past three years.

The 71-year-old Mr. Liu stepped down as a member of the Politburo at the 20th National Congress in October last year, and stepped down as vice premier of the State Council in March this year.

Analyst: Two Major Reasons for Xis Reactivation of Liu He

According to Lu Yuanxing, a U.S.-based political and economic analyst who used to serve as a marketing executive for a Chinese company, there are two factors behind Xis reappointment of the retired Liu He.

In a July 7 interview with The Epoch Times, Mr. Lu said one reason is that Mr. Xi has no other choices.

Among the current top officials of the CCP, Liu He is relatively knowledgeable about the economy or has some experience in this area, so Xi Jinping chose him when no one else is qualified, he said.

He continued to explain that there is more to the situation than this reason.

By definition, Chinas economy-related work is actually the responsibility of Premier Li Qiang. But now Xi Jinping desires to be the sole authority figure and does not want the premier to steal the limelight. For instance, Li Qiang didnt use a dedicated plane during the official visit, but rather a chartered flight, deliberately lowering the travel standard by one level. In fact, it was a sign that Xi Jinping has overpowered Li to show his authority, as Xi doesnt like the feeling that the premier is almost equal to him in power.

Under such circumstances, combined with the factor that Mr. Xi had no one else to choose from, he can only look for candidates from retirees, Mr. Lu said.

He further pointed out that retired officials are unlikely to have a significant impact or threat on Mr. Xis power. In contrast, they are more controllable from Mr. Xis perspective. Therefore, Mr. Xi feels more at ease with a retired official, which is the second reason Mr. Xi chose to use Mr. Liu.

Some argue that Mr. Liu is pro-U.S. and has played an important role in the U.S.-China trade talks in past. Even though Liu has retired, Mr. Xi still needs someone like him to engage and negotiate with the United States. They interpret Mr. Xis reactivation of Mr. Liu as a gesture to restore U.S.China relations.

Mr. Lu disagrees with this view.

The lower-level CCP officials have to be mindful of the attitudes of higher-ranking officials. The CCPs stance on U.S.-China relations really depends on Xi Jinpings attitude, he said. If Xi wants to adopt a pro-U.S. stance, all his appointees will invariably align with him. Only those affiliated with his political opponents might seek to oppose it. But if Xi does not want to be pro-U.S., it is meaningless if there is only one official who is pro-U.S. in heart, as he would not dare to go against Xis wishes. Therefore, Liu Hes pro-U.S. stance is not the reason that has led Xi to reinstate him. Liu lacks the authority to make decisions regarding the most fundamental policy directions, which all depends on Xi Jinpings attitude.
Homosexual behavior in the animal kingdom is quite common. It has been seen in penguins, bottlenose dolphins, bonobos and more; in addition to mammals and birds, cases have also been observed in reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. Scientists from the Imperial College London studied the sexual practices between males in a group of 236 rhesus macaques on the island of Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico; the results were published on Monday in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution. It is the first time that this behavior has been studied in the long term. The experts found that same-gender sexual activity may be a common trait of primates, and that it has no impact on their reproduction.

According to their observations, sexual practices between males were more frequent (72% of those studied) than between individuals of different sexes (46%). The team discovered that this behavior in rhesus macaques is related to what they refer to as coalitionary partnerships. Those that mount each other are more likely to aid each other in a conflict, which provides a group advantage. We believe that the sex they practice helps them bond, says Vincent Savaloinen, one of the authors of the study. They also think that it is precisely this coalitionary advantage that favors access to females and reproductive success.

The researchers observed that homosexual and heterosexual relationships in these animals are independent. Sometimes it is assumed that there is a compensation between one and the other, which causes them to lose reproduction opportunities  they explain in the article  but this is not the case. The fact that they have homosexual relationships doesnt mean that they have fewer heterosexual relationships, points out Savaloinen. They did not see a correlation between the role of males in their sexual relationship and their social position within the group, which leads them to believe that, for rhesus macaques, affirming their hierarchical position in these practices is not important.

Another aspect that they studied was whether the homosexual behavior could have a genetic factor. Since 1956, all the individuals that inhabit the island of Cayo Santiago have been captured for identification and blood sampling. This has allowed scientists to make a family tree and notice a hereditary component: 6.4% of the variability in sexual behavior is due to their genes, says the author. This is the first evidence of a genetic basis for this behavior in primates other than humans, the study explains.

Sex between males decreased with age, leading the researchers to believe that, among other reasons, rhesus macaques use homosexual relations as practice before mating with females. Carmen Hernandez, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC), in Spain, which belongs to the University of Castilla-La Mancha and the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), points out that this behavior has also been observed in other primates, such as baboons, although she adds that it might also be used to establish dominance among young individuals, something that would carry less risk of injury than aggressive conflicts.

With the results of this research, Savaloinen theorizes that the reproductive cost that homosexual relationships currently entail in humans may come from social factors typical of our societies, rather than biological reasons. The researcher says that, with their work, they want to provide a new view of the relationship between those who study the biology of homosexuality and those who carry out social and psychological research on humans, to show that they can learn from each other.

The results of the research challenge the beliefs of certain sectors of society that see homosexual relationships as something unnatural and uniquely human, state the authors. Savaloinen says that this type of work contributes to refute this notion, and hopes that it can help in the fight against homophobia. We hope that it can open a new dialogue regarding humans, he concludes.

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Election Watchdog Sues to Stop Acceptance of Ballots After Election Day

Election workers sort vote-by-mail ballots for the presidential primary at King County Elections in Renton, Wash., on March 10, 2020. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images)

An election integrity group is suing North Dakota to block its law that allows the state to accept and count mail-in ballots that arrive up to 13 days after Election Day.

There are reportedly 18 states, plus the District of Columbia, that accept mailed ballots that are delivered after Election Day. Congress created an exception to the law for military and overseas voters, whose mailed-in ballots are counted even if they arrive after Election Day.

If the new federal lawsuit is successful, it could lead to other lawsuits that aim to compel election officials in other states to stop accepting ballots that come in after Election Day.

Generally, Democrats are staunch proponents of mail-in voting and Republicans oppose the practice; then-President Donald Trump said on Sept. 23, 2020, that mail-in ballots are out of control.

You know it. And you know who knows it better than anybody else? The Democrats know it better than anybody else, he said.

The next day, Mr. Trump said that voting by mail was a whole big scam.

Election Lawlessness

Although states run elections within their borders, federal law mandates that there be a single national Election Day, according to the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), the group that filed the lawsuit (pdf) on July 7.

Election Day has ceased to be a day, J. Christian Adams, president of PILF, said in a statement. Adams was previously an attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Instead, we have election month because states accept ballots that arrive days and even weeks after Election Day, Mr. Adams said. PILF is fighting to end this lawlessness and restore the day in Election Day.

Congress enacted a single statutory Election Day in order to address chaos and protracted uncertainty surrounding elections in the 1800s, according to the legal complaint.

Rep. Benjamin Franklin Butler of Massachusetts, a Democrat who became a Republican and then later switched back to Democrat, sponsored the legislation in 1871.

Mr. Butler said the purpose of the law was to provide a uniform time of electing Representatives in Congress.

He continued: But on account of the facility for colonization and repeating among the large central States, New York holding its election in November, and Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana holding their elections in October, the privilege is allowed the border States, if any man is so disposed, of throwing voters across from one into the other.

I think it will be fair for everybody that on the day when one votes all should vote, and that the whole question should be decided then.

But because North Dakota allows ballots to arrive and be counted as many as 13 days after Election Day despite federal law, the whole question of the identity of the new officeholder cant be decided on Election Day, the complaint says.

The plaintiff, Mark Splonskowski, a Republican, is the county auditor of Burleigh County, North Dakota. He is suing the defendant, Erika White, in her official capacity as North Dakotas state election director.

Mr. Splonskowski argues that North Dakota law and the defendants enforcement of it harm him because they put him in the position of having to choose between dictates of state law to accept and allow votes to be cast after Election Day and federal law that requires a single election day.

If he chooses incorrectly, hes subject to criminal penalties. He is seeking a judgment declaring the states extension of Election Day to be unlawful and an injunction blocking the laws that provide for the extension, according to the complaint.

Singular, Not Plural

Federal law requires a single national Election Day to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, PILFs director of media affairs, Lauren Bowman Bis, told The Epoch Times in an interview.

Every mention of Election Day in federal lawit only says dayits singular, not plural, Ms. Bis said.

So the whole point of the lawsuit is that accepting ballots that arrive after Election Day violates federal law. And it has nothing to do with early voting or anything like that. Its all about ballots that would come after that Election Day.

Its got to be in election officials hands on Election Day because thats what the federal law requiresa single national Election Day.

Part of the reason that were going after this is since the pandemic, in our elections in 2020 and 2022, weve seen this drag on and on as people are counting these results, and its leading to distrust in the system as people might see their candidates winning, and three days later, their lead is getting chipped slowly away.

Its leading to distrust and a lack of confidence in the system. Up until recently, we would always know our election results on either election night or that next morning. You wake up and youd know.

Elections now are prolonged because states are accepting ballots up to two weeks after Election Day arrives, and North Dakota has one of those very long extensionsthe 13 days, she said.

Weve got to get this system back to how it used to be.

The defendant, Ms. White, didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
Evidence Seized From Home of Man Charged in Cleveland Shooting That Wounded 9

CLEVELANDAuthorities seized evidence from the home of a man charged in a downtown Cleveland mass shooting over the weekend that wounded nine people, though the motive for the attack remained unclear Wednesday.

Federal marshals and city police arrested Jaylon Jennings, 25, of Lorain, without incident at a home in that Cleveland suburb at around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday. A search warrant was then executed at Mr. Jennings home and items were seized, but authorities didnt disclose further details.

Mr. Jennings is due to make an initial court appearance Thursday in Cleveland Municipal Court, and it wasnt clear Wednesday if he had retained a lawyer. Hes charged with attempted murder, and additional charges are expected.

Cleveland police Chief Wayne Drummond said Mr. Jennings is believed to have opened fire on a group of people who were standing outside a bar in the downtown Warehouse District shortly before 2:30 a.m. Sunday as the clubs were closing.

Seven men and two women between the ages of 23 to 38 were struck. One mans wounds were serious, but none of the victims injuries are considered life-threatening, authorities said. Two of the victims have been released from the hospital, while the others are still being treated.

Police allege in an arrest warrant filed Tuesday that the shooting occurred after Mr. Jennings saw several people inside one of the bars and retrieved a firearm from the trunk of his vehicle in a parking lot across the street. He then fired into the crowd despite police officers being nearby, according to authorities.

Authorities said Tuesday that they were still searching for the gun and were trying to determine the motive for the shooting and whether anyone else was involved.

Mayor Justin Bibb said the suspect was arrested 61 hours after the shooting as a result of video evidence and other information obtained by police. He also cited cooperation among law enforcement and a $50,000 reward posted by Cleveland business and restaurant owner Bobby George.
Failure of Child Sex Trafficking Bill in California Assembly Committee Sparks Outrage

A bill to strengthen penalties for repeat offenders convicted of sexually trafficking children failed to pass the Assembly Public Safety Committee July 11, with only the two Republican members voting in favor of the measure.

Authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), Senate Bill 14 passed the Senate earlier this year with unanimous bipartisan support and would have added repeat sexual trafficking of a minor to the states list of serious felonies, making the crime a strikeable offense under Californias Three Strikes lawpassed in 1994 and mandating sentences of 25 years to life for those convicted with three strikes.

I am profoundly disappointed that committee Democrats couldnt bring themselves to support the bill, with their stubborn and misguided objection to any penalty increase regardless of how heinous the crime, Ms. Grove told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement. Human trafficking of children is a growing tragedy that disproportionately targets minority girls, and California is a hotbed because of our lenient penalties.

Chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) opposed the bill on the grounds that it would exacerbate lengthy prison sentences and contribute to a failing criminal justice system.

The Three Strikes model of sentencing is ineffective in preventing crime and protecting the publics safety, Mr. Jones-Sawyer said in an email to The Epoch Times. We will not build on a deeply flawed sentencing system that unfairly punishes disadvantaged communities. SB 14 makes no new corrective actions or enhancements to laws already in place.

Fellow Democrat committee member Assemblywoman Liz Ortega (D-Hayward) echoed the chairs sentiment regarding the need to reform the states Three Strikes law, while acknowledging the severity of the crimes.

Its horrendous. It shouldnt be happening, she told committee members and the public in attendance during the hearing. Three Strikes has also shown that it has failed many in our community. Sending someone to prison for the rest of their life is not going to solve the problem.

Republican members of the committee voiced displeasure with the votes outcome.

Im a proud co-author of SB 14, and today the bill failed on party lines. I believe this bill would have done a great deal of good and would have been common sense legislation to protect the most vulnerable among us, Assemblyman Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) told The Epoch Times. If Sacramento is going to take action on sex trafficking, a plague affecting all of California, we have to do something. Today, a majority of my colleagues chose to do nothing.

Noting the timing of the bills consideration and the recent release of the film Sound of Freedom detailing the sex trafficking industry and its impacts on children, Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) advised his colleagues to recognize the urgency of the matter.

This is an incredibly important and very, very troubling issue, he said during the hearing. This bill puts into statute something that should already be self-evident: human trafficking of a minor is a very serious felony.

Before the vote, Mr. Lackey warned the committee about the dangers of inaction.

Members, please listen to your conscience, he said. Human trafficking against children is an affront to human values and decency.

After the Democrat committee members chose not to vote, Mr. Lackey expressed his disappointment with the political divide witnessed in the hearing.

It was an absolute heartbreak to see political preference inserted, completely inserted, because it didnt happen on the Senate side, he told The Epoch Times. We didnt have one Democratic vote in favor of this bill today in the Assembly Public Safety Committee, and its actually mindboggling.

Stunned by the committees choice to sideline the bill following unanimous support in the Senate, the assemblyman questioned the decision made by the majority of the panel.

How in the world do you oppose such a minor adjustment appealing to a sense of reason and reject it? Common sense would label this as a serious felony, Mr. Lackey told The Epoch Times. The word serious is the only thing in question here, and it was summarily dismissed on a partisan line.

During a press gathering July 12, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he had expected the bill to pass due to its unanimous support in the Senate.

I was surprised by that, its an area I care deeply about, the governor said. I talked to Senator Grove about it this morning, which is indicative of my desire to see what we can do.

Discussions are reportedly underway with the governor, the bills author, and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) to evaluate the outcome and potential paths forward for the bill.

I take it very seriously, and well be following up and will have something to say about it soon, Mr. Newsom said. I want to say nothing more than that because I want to understand exactly what happened yesterday.

During the hearing, Ms. Grove observed that California leads the world in child sex trafficking crimes.

Sadly, California has become the hub for child trafficking, Ms. Grove said. We need stiff penalties for traffickers, especially for those that traffic minor children.

The senator told the committee that while current statutes allow for five-, eight-, and 12-year sentences for sex trafficking, the latter is rarely applied, and criminal justice reforms result in many being released after serving only two-thirds of their sentence.

She recounted the tale of one offender that was convicted of trafficking an Orange County girl, sentenced to eight years and released early after only serving four, and subsequently arrested in Bakersfield for trafficking three more girls, aged 14 to 20 years old.

While I know this committee is about addressing prison overcrowding and not adding enhancements to the roll, I hope we can all agree today that repeatedly selling minors for sex, forcing them to be raped over and over every single day, should be considered a serious felony in the state of California, Ms. Grove said during her opening remarks presenting the bill.

Testifying in support, former Alameda prosecutor Sharmin Bock recounted her experiences dealing with repeat offenders and what she said is a lack of punishment combined with a fast cash business model that incentivizes human trafficking schemes.

So, you sell a child for sex, and you serve two years. Its a cost of doing business, Ms. Bock said. Traffickers with five girls in their stables are making close to a million bucks. This is a huge money maker; these girls are ATM machinesthis is a cost-benefit analysis.

Child sex traffickers are emboldened by lenient statutes, and the illicit industry is expanding as a result, according to experts.

The traffickers are getting so brazen because the law has no teeth, Ms. Bock said.

More than 70 organizations supported the measure along with cities across California, district attorneys offices, and law enforcement agencies. Dozens of public statements were made in support by family members and victim advocates.

I pray that we will protect children over predators and pedophiles, one member of the public told the committee.

The measure was opposed by a handful of groups including the Public Defenders Association and the Sisters Warriors Coalition.

One witness testifying against the bill, April Grayson of the coalition, said the law would create lifelong consequences and told the panel about her past as a sexually trafficked victim convicted of behavior that she says was a survival mechanism, which led to her serving 17 years in prison.

This bill will actively harm many survivors, she said. Many victims are criminalized  and our system is not equipped to identify victims.

Wary of any attempt to expand sentencing guidelines, Ms. Grayson told lawmakers that prison time is ineffective.

Prosecuting will not stop trafficking from happening because the traffickers are so easily replaced, she said. Until we can protect victims from arrest, we cannot pass laws strengthening sentences.

Responding to the argument that victims could be caught up in the proposed law, Ms. Bockthe former Bay Area prosecutorsaid that district attorneys offices are aware of the unique predicament victim offenders are in and stressed that the bill only addresses those repeatedly convicted of sexually trafficking children.

The trend is not to prosecute victim offenders  absent extreme violence, she said. As a prosecutor, Ive seen many of the same faces.  This law is about repeat offenders and only repeat offenders.

After testimony was complete, Assemblyman Isaac Bryan (D-Culver City) worked to convince the author that he recognizes the effort put into the measure and the complex emotions felt by the witnesses on both sides.

Theres a lot of courage at this table, and a lot of strength, Mr. Bryan said. Know that your impact is going to have a lasting memory for me and everyone on this dais regardless of how this vote shapes today.

At the same time, he noted his continued opposition to legislation that expands punitive measures.

Im struggling with some different things, Mr. Bryan said. All evidence has shown that longer sentences dont stop things from happening.

Following up on his colleagues comments, Mr. Jones-Sawyer, the committee chair, expressed his desire to see current statutes enforced rather than expanding prosecutorial powers, noting that such crimes are already felonies and can include fines of up to $1.5 million.

I get the feeling that youre saying that judges, or D.A.s, or law enforcement, [are] not using these laws to do what you want, to get these people off the street and give them punishment, he said. If they wont move on these, what makes you think theyll move on others?

He continued by wondering why statutes are not being enforced for other crimes.

Minor crime like shoplifting isnt being prosecuted, he said. Somethings going on out there. What are we not doing?

Clearly frustrated with the direction the conversation was headed, the author of the bill argued in her closing remarks that the crimes being considered required urgent action.

Human trafficking is modern slavery, Ms. Grove said. We have pictures of girls with tattoos branded on their faces as young as 12. Gods children are not for sale.

Seeking to find a resolution, Mr. Jones-Sawyer suggested he and Ms. Grove meet and formulate a plan.

The author and I have not discussed this and come up with opportunities in a way that works for the majority of the members of the committee and so that the Three Strikes law doesnt impact communities, he said. Were going to have to work really hard to get it where we can move forward. I was a no, now Im not voting, so were moving in the right direction.

Members of the audience erupted with shouts of cowards and horrible following the announcement that the bill failed, with Mr. Jones-Sawyer chuckling awkwardly in response to the outbursts.

The bill, ultimately, was granted reconsideration by the committee and can be brought up again next year. But supporters of the legislation say the implications of the safety committees decision are profound.

The sad reality is that trafficked children on Figueroa Street and across California will continue to be raped and victimized until Assembly Democrats take action, Ms. Grove said in a statement to The Epoch Times.
Farmers Call on Congress to Enforce Requirements of Foreign Trade Agreements

Members of Congress and farmers from across the country rally for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on the National Mall in Washington on Sept. 12, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

American farmers say they appreciate trade agreements that help them remain competitive in world markets. But they add that the accords are useless if all parties dont comply with the terms of the deals.

Don Schiefelbein is a farmer and rancher in Kimball, Minnesota, where he and his six brothers run the cattle and row crop operation started by their father in 1959. He said American agriculture is so efficient that less than 2 percent of the U.S. population feeds the United States and most of the world.

When so few can produce so much, it allows the 90 percent of our population to work every day to make our lives better, Mr. Schiefelbein said.

During a House Ways and Means Committee field hearing on his ranch on July 10, Mr. Schiefflebein said U.S. ranchers produce 18 percent of the worlds beef with only 6 percent of the worlds cattle.

However, he and other farmers testified that efficiency can be a burden when America and her trading partners dont comply with the trade agreements they make. Specifically, they voiced concerns about the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and Americas lack of enforcement of its provisions.

Central Illinois farmers deposit harvested corn on the ground outside a full grain elevator in Virginia, Ill., on Sept. 23, 2015. (Seth Perlman/AP Photo)

We want free and open trade for everybody, Mr. Schiefelbein said.

Under the agreement, the countries were to open their markets for a wide range of goods. But the witnesses said Canadian restrictions on dairy imports and Mexicos decision to block genetically modified corn jeopardized the livelihoods of American farmers who depend on international trade.

I cannot overstate the importance of trade to the agriculture industry, said Caroline Olson, vice president of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Association and a farmer and hog producer.

She said U.S. farmers send about 20 percent of their products to international markets. In 2022, this accounted for $196 billion in sales for American farmers. Ms. Olson said international trade keeps her 110-year-old farm profitable.

Ms. Olsons farm grows organic produce and finishes hogs for market. She said pork is a hot commodity across Europe and Asia, especially organ meats and other items that are big sellers in the United States.

She said the USMCA is essential for keeping the playing field level for all parties.

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during their meeting at the White House in Washington on Oct. 11, 2017. Canada was granted a temporary exemption from U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs at that time. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

We are encouraged that the U.S. has been working through the USMCAs processes to dispute behaviors by Canada and Mexico, she said.

The USMCA went into effect on July 1, 2022, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA had governed trade between the countries since Jan. 1, 1994. NAFTAs stated purpose was to eliminate tariffs and ensure fair trade.

According to the Investopedia website, USMCA was to continue that work, but political concerns from the start have complicated it.

Even before the deal was finalized, then President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 5 percent tariff on Mexican imports unless the Mexican government limited illegal immigration. An agreement was reached, and the tariffs were avoided.

Mr. Trump made similar threats over Canadian steel and aluminum imports in 2020. The U.S. imposed a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum. Canada retaliated by levying surtaxes on steel, aluminum, and other products imported from the United States.

Dairy cows are seen on Derrydale Farm, an organic dairy farm in Belle Plaine, Minn., on Oct. 24, 2020. (Bing Guan/Reuters)

Canada has limited dairy imports even though the agreement called for its markets to be open to American dairy products. Likewise, the Mexican government has prohibited the importation of genetically modified corn, even though that has been a staple export for the United States for decades.

Brad Vold and his family operate Dorrich Dairy in Glennwood, Minnesota. He said farmers cant operate like manufacturers. According to Mr. Vold, the farmer plans his annual work based on what he expects the market to do. That includes the effect that trade agreements will have on particular markets.

He pointed out that the farmer cant warehouse excess stock since his product has a shelf life. When a country shuts down dairy imports, as Canada did, the farmer with no place to send his milk could be ruined.

You dont just get on the phone and call another processor, Mr. Vold said. Without enforcement, these agreements will end up hurting us instead of helping us.

Mr. Schiefelbein agreed. He said that American farmers produce the best food and agricultural products in the world, and ensuring they have access to international markets will benefit everyone.

Fair trade is good when you have the best product.
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Fighting Foreign Influence: Beijing Exploits Gaps in Canadian Law; David Matas Proposes Remedies

Beijing and other tyrannical regimes exploit gaps in Canadian law to advance their transnational repression in Canada, and a prominent international human rights lawyer says this is a problem that calls for comprehensive legislation to combat their foreign interference.

Winnipeg-based lawyer David Matas, senior legal counsel for Bnai Brith Canada, said repressive states like China, Russia, and Iran have been exploiting organizations such as the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to harass and intimidate their own nationals even after theyve fled abroad to escape persecution back home. He said malign state actors are also abusing conventional mechanisms for international cooperation on criminal matters.

To address these and related growing concerns, he said Canada needs a comprehensive law that incorporates a requirement for persons acting for foreign entities to register with the Canadian government, a code of conduct to set out what foreign actors can and cant do, and strong prevention and enforcement mechanisms to deter, expel, or punish perpetrators.

Mutual Legal Assistance

Canada should not be cooperating with tyrannical regimes on criminal matters, Mr. Matas said.

He gave the example of such regimes abuse of Interpols international fugitive wanted noticescommonly known as Red Noticeswhich are issued to locate and arrest people wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence.

A Red Notice must meet certain legal criteria and must comply with the Interpol Constitution, whose Article 3 forbids Interpol from undertaking any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious, or racial character. Despite this measure, tyrannical regimes are becoming sophisticated enough to know not to accuse their targets of offences which are based on internationally prohibited grounds, Mr. Matas said.

These regimes often shift blame for their own wrongdoing to powerless scapegoats, accusing them of ordinary law crimes, he said. The accusations are politically motivated but the allegations are that crimes were committed which are not, in themselves, political.

An Interpol logo seen at Interpols Global Complex for Innovation in Singapore on Sept. 30, 2014. (Edgar Su/Reuters)

A recent example occurred when Hong Kong police issued arrest warrants for eight self-exiled pro-democracy activists on July 3, with a HK$1 million reward each for their current whereabouts. They were accused of incitement to secession, subversion, incitement to subversion, and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security.

The Hong Kong government on July 4 published the transcript of an interview with Hong Kong Security Bureau chief Chris Tang in which reporters asked whether Hong Kong police will seek assistance from Interpol or local Chinese communities in countries where the wanted individuals reside. Mr. Tang said, We are using all available means to apprehend these wanted persons.

Apart from Interpol, Mr. Matas also raised concerns about tyrannical regimes abusing conventional mutual legal assistance agreements, such as the Ljubljana-Hague Convention on International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes and other International Crimes, adopted in May.

Mr. Matas recommended that, when considering signing such treaties, Canada make whats called a reservation to limit its obligations only to those states it has operative extradition treaties withstates that are presumed to conduct fair trialsand to withdraw if this is unacceptable to other states.

Mr. Matas noted in particular that Canada should not cooperate in efforts to remove from Canada someone a tyrannical regime claims has committed a crime.

Targeting Family Members

China has also been exploiting legal loopholes in other countries directly through its consulates, and targeting foreign officials such as Conservative MP Michael Chong. In early May, Ottawa declared Chinese consul officer Zhao Wei persona non grata after The Globe and Mail reported, citing an unnamed national-security source, that Mr. Zhao had helped to seek information about Mr. Chongs family members living in Hong Kong in order to target them with sanctions.

Mr. Chong was reportedly targeted for sponsoring a motion in the House of Commons in 2021 to declare Chinas mistreatment of Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities a genocide.

If such behaviour could be directed to someone as high profile and publicly outspoken as Michael Chong, one can easily understand how widespread that behaviour would be against targets who are not well known and are too afraid to speak out, Mr. Matas said.

In a perverse sense, Zhao Wei did us a favour by giving a glimpse of the pervasive abuse for which he provided a dramatic example. We need to take advantage of the awareness his misbehaviour has generated to act.

Conservative MP Michael Chong appears as a witness before the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding foreign election interference, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 16, 2023. (The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby)

Election Meddling

A series of media reports published since late 2022 have highlighted Beijings meddling in Canadas 2019 and 2021 federal elections, citing leaked intelligence documents pointing to 11 federal candidates allegedly having received campaign funding from Beijing in the 2019 election. According to various media reports, the Chinese regime also allegedly interfered in the 2022 Vancouver municipal election.

Chinas operation of at least seven covert police stations on Canadian soil also calls for vigilance about foreign interference. Existence of these overseas police service stations in dozens of countries was first reported in September 2022 by Spain-based NGO Safeguard Defenders, which described them as tools of the regimes long-arm policing and transnational repression.

Reports of Beijings pervasive foreign interference have prompted increased calls for creating a foreign agent registry to boost transparency around activities of those working in Canada to advance a foreign entitys interests.

In response to the public outcry, the Liberal government in March appointed former governor general David Johnston as special rapporteur to assess the impact of foreign interference in the last two federal elections and to determine whether Canada should launch a public inquiry.

Mr. Johnston decided against holding a public inquiry, citing security concerns if classified documents were made public. In his first reportpublished in Mayhe also highlighted various mechanisms already existing to address foreign influence. However, his report made no mention of Chinas operation of covert police stations in Canada. He also said he had not reviewed all intelligence before drawing his conclusion.

Existing Laws

Mr. Matas pointed to three existing laws in Canada that each lack certain features to be able to fully combat foreign interference.

The Lobbying Act requires a person paid to communicate with federal public office holders to be registered with the government. But it doesnt regulate other forms of foreign influence, such as activities done without payment or that dont involve contacting officials.

The Canada Elections Act prohibits undue influence by foreigners in Canadian federal elections during an election period, but it has no registration requirement.

These two laws are insufficient to address the problem of attempts at influence by foreign actors operating in Canada. Foreign agents sometimes engage in activity in Canada without communicating with federal public office holders and without attempting to influence Canadian elections, Mr. Matas said.

In terms of punishing those involved in foreign influence, such as in the case of Mr. Zhao, the Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act (FMIOA) allows Canada to declare any member of a consular or diplomatic staff persona non grata for any reason or without giving a reason.

While the FMIOA requires foreign states to submit the names of their consular staff to the federal government, it doesnt require public registration or provide a code of conduct for foreign representatives. And as a remedy for foreign influence, expelling foreign diplomats from Canada can only go so far, Mr. Matas said.

Proposals

To make up for the inadequacies in Canadian laws, Mr. Matas said Canada needs more thorough legislation that addresses all aspects of foreign influence. The legislation should include but not be limited to a registration system. Rather, it should also set out activities prohibited to foreign actors.

Those subject to prohibitions should not only be those paid for their work, but also those working as volunteers or spending no money on the work, depending on the activities they are engaged in.

Mr. Matas pointed to the example of American citizen Litang Liang, who was charged in May in the United States under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act. Mr. Liang was indicted for acting as an illegal agent for the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Among other activities, Mr. Liang allegedly provided to the New York Chinese Consulate in 2018 the name of a former student activist, saying the former activist was responsible for destroying PRC flags in Bostons Chinatown.

Mr. Matas also said the legislation should not be directed only against foreigners but also cover Canadian citizens who engage in the prohibited activities.

Pointing to Mr. Chongs case, he said, Making, planning, facilitating, or organizing those threats should be a prohibited activity, whether the activity is conducted by foreigners or locals.

Canada also needs a commissioner of foreign influence, akin to the commissioner of lobbying, said Mr. Matas. The foreign influence commissioner should be able to both publicly and privately receive complaints of violations of the code of conduct committed by any person or entity, including violations by foreign embassies and consulates.

The foreign influence commissioner should also be obliged to report annually to Parliament, while also having the power to report at any time on matters of such urgency or importance that they should not await annual reporting.
Former Anheuser-Busch Exec Warns More Layoffs Could Occur Amid Bud Light Struggle

A former Anheuser-Busch executive warned that Bud Lights continuous decline in sales will lead to more layoffs amid a months-long boycott that was initiated in early April, saying that more employees could be at risk.

The executive, Anson Frericks, a former president of operations for Anheuser-Busch, recently spoke with Fox Business Networks The Claman Countdown and said that Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth should have responded differently to the ongoing controversy. Mr. Frericks said that Mr. Whitworth should have responded by saying, We wouldnt do this again cause weve lost billions of dollars of market cap. Our brands are down almost 30 percent, and all of a sudden, were putting a lot of our suppliers at risk, and theyre laying off hundreds of people from jobs at some of their suppliers.'

I think theres going to be some permanent damage to this brand, Mr. Frericks told Newsweek on Wednesday. Unfortunately, I think its going to be a long way to go to get back the market share they lost and a lot of headwind in front of them.

Mr. Frericks added, I project that sales are not going to improve and potentially could get worse amid data showing that the light beer saw yet another decline in sales in the week ended July 1. Data from Bump Williams Consulting citing Nielsen IQ showed a 28 percent drop for that weekly period as compared with the year-ago period.

The former executive, who left several years ago, predicted that Anheuser-Busch is suffering permanent damage from the boycott, adding that the contagion is spreading from Bud Light to their other brands and that means not only Bud Light but a lot of the other brands in their portfolio are also going to be losing shelf space. He is referring to supermarkets decisions on whether to stock the beer or not due to declining sales.

Theres going to be more employees at risk if we dont find a CEO who can somehow address the situation, get those customers back that were always loyal to Bud Light, and move this company forward, Mr. Frericks also told Fox Business in an interview this week, saying that the current management hasnt appropriately responded to the controversy.

Top executives at the company, he added, havent fully addressed the controversy or apologized either. Days after the boycott and backlash began, Mr. Whitworth delivered a statement that said the beer never wanted to be part of any controversy, but made no mention to the transgender influencer.

They never really addressed this completely, Mr. Frericks told Newsweek. Ive been relatively critical of that response where I feel that early on there should have been a clear response.

Responding to Mr. Frericks comments and sales numbers, a spokesperson for Anheuser-Busch said that for the year-to-date period, Bud Light is the No. 1 brand in the industry in both dollars and overall volume at 8.7 share.

The Anheuser-Busch portfolio continues to be the leader of the category as the No. 1 brewer at 35.6 share in the latest week, the spokesperson told news outlets.

The Epoch Times has contacted the company for comment on Thursday.

Bud Light, which held the top spot as the most-sold beer in 2022 and in the first four months of this year, has seen sales drop because of backlash from conservatives after it engaged in a social media promotion with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney after the TikTok influencer posted a personalized Bud Light can and appeared with numerous Bud Light products in a bathtub.

The reaction was swift. Conservative musicians, including Kid Rock, said that consumers should switch beers, while the company has been criticized by industry analysts for alienating its buyers with the marketing campaign. The CEO of Anheuser-Busch InBevs global operations, Michel Doukeris, told analysts in a conference call in May that only one can was made with the transgender activist in a bid to distance Bud Light from the controversy.

Conservatives, meanwhile, have proclaimed the sales decline to be a victory after U.S. corporations largely lurched to the political left in the midst of the riots and unrest that swept across the United States in mid-2020. Other companies like Target have also been subject to criticism and have seen their stock valuations drop

Other Sales Numbers

Data also show that Constellation Brands Modelo Especial was the top-selling beer brand in the United States for a second straight month in June after taking the top spot from Bud Light in May. The Mexican-made Modelo Especial was the top-selling beer brand in June, with an 8.7 percent share of overall beer sales through retail stores for the period, while Bud Light was second with a 7 percent share for the month of June.

A number of non-Anheuser-Busch-owned beers, such as Miller Lite, Coors Lite, Yuengling, and more, have seen sales upticks in the same period.

The Fourth of July is the biggest beer holiday in terms of retail sales and an opportunity to move a lot of volume, Dave Williams, vice president for analytics and insights at Bump Williams Consulting, told the New York Post earlier this week, referring to the another sales slump before the July 4th Independence Day holiday. And there has been no notable signs where the course has changed for Bud Light.

When recently asked about the transgender controversy, Mr. Whitworth told CBS News: Over the last month, weve talked to over 100,000 consumers and their feedback is very clear.

The feedback is to reinforce what Bud Light has always meant to them, which is good times, goodwill, and easy enjoyment, he also said.
Formerly Conjoined Twins Welcomed Home 4 Weeks After Surgery

Conjoined twins Ella Grace and Eliza Faith Fuller were born at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas, on March 1, 2023. (Texas Children's Hospital)

Four weeks after a team of doctors separated Ella Grace and Eliza Faith Fuller, well-wishers gathered in the town square in Center, Texas, to welcome home the formerly conjoined twins and their parents.

Its hard to express [in] words just how excited we are, Jesse Fuller, the girls dad, told KHOU-TV before the family left the hospital where the girls had spent the first several months of their lives. Its been 134 days, so the feelings are overwhelming.

On Tuesday, July 11, Jesse and Sandy Fuller and their babies were greeted by friends and family upon their arrival home  less than a month after the girls underwent extensive surgery at Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston, Texas, to separate them, the Light and Champion reported.

I think you can look at them and see Gods goodness and just how kind hes been to us because they are true miracles from day one, Mrs. Fuller told the news outlet.

The sisters were born via c-section on March 1 at 35 weeks gestation at the Texas Childrens Pavilion for Women in Houston, about 175 miles southwest of the couples hometown in Shelby County. They weighed an estimated 5 pounds, 10 ounces each, Texas Childrens Hospital said in a press release.

Conjoined twins Ella and Eliza Fuller were born via c-section at Texas Childrens Pavilion for Women in Houston, Texas, on March 1, 2023. (Texas Childrens Hospital)

Long Journey

Mrs. Fuller was in her second trimester when the couple learned the girls were conjoined during a routine sonogram.

When I found out they were going to be conjoined, I trusted Gods plan, Mrs. Fuller said. I knew he was going to work it out all the way to the end.

Conjoined twins are rare, with an occurrence of about one in 50,000 to 200,000 births, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Conjoined twin pregnancies are incredibly rare and high-risk, so its important that an expectant mother receive care from a highly-skilled maternal-fetal medicine team, said Dr. Rooplai Donepudi, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist who led the team that delivered the girls.

The sisters were conjoined at the abdomen and shared liver tissues, the hospital said.

The prenatal testing and imaging that Sandy underwent at Texas Childrens Fetal Center was incredibly thorough and informed not only the labor and delivery team to ensure that mom and babies had the best birth outcome, but also allowed our neonatal and surgery colleagues to begin planning for the twins care while still in utero, Dr. Donepudi continued.

Conjoined twins Ella and Eliza Fuller underwent surgery to separate them at Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston, Texas, on June 14, 2023. (Texas Childrens Hospital)

Answered Prayers

Following months of planning, Ella and Eliza were separated successfully on June 14 during six-hour surgery performed by a medical team of 17, which included seven surgeons, four anesthesiologists, four surgical nurses, and two surgical technicians.

Our team began planning and preparing for this operation before the babies were even born, said Dr. Alice King, lead pediatric surgeon, adding that they conducted simulations of the procedure to develop the best outcome for the sisters.

Three days after the girls surgery, Mr. and Mrs. Fuller got to hold their babies separately for the first time in their lives.

Jesse and Sandy Fuller got holding Ella and Eliza three days after the twins were separated, on June 17, 2023. (Texas Childrens Hospital)

Ella and Eliza made excellent progress toward healing, growing, and returning home during the weeks that followed.

After more than four months in the neonatal intensive care unit, Mr. and Mrs. Fuller were thrilled to finally be taking the girls home, where they will join big sister Emilia.

Texas Childrens was a place of comfort and hope for our family. From beginning to the end, we were guided, informed, and comforted, Mrs. Fuller said. We are so grateful God put some of the best doctors and nurses in our lives to give our girls the best chance at life.
Freed Democracy Activist Knew Family Would Not Give Up

Chau Van Kham speaks to media during a press conference in Sydney, Thursday, July 13, 2023. Pro-democracy activist Chau Van Kham will speak publicly for the first time since returning to Australia after four years detained in a Vietnamese jail. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Pro-democracy activist Chau Van Kham says he wasnt afraid of dying in a Vietnamese jail, knowing his supporters in Australia would never give up on him.

The joyous face of his most staunch advocate, wife Quynh Trang Truong, was the first he saw when he came through the arrival gates at Sydney Airport on Tuesday.

It was like I just married her, it was like the first time Id met her, Mr. Chau told reporters on Thursday.

I was so happy.

(I said) I am very sorry, my darling, I did something wrong, but you know me.

In his first comments since returning to Australia, the 74-year-old thanked everyone, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who advocated for him throughout his four-and-a-half-year ordeal.

Vietnams Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) shake hands during a meeting at the Government Office in Hanoi on June 4, 2023. (Nhac Nguyen/AFP via Getty Images)

I never feared because I was sure Im doing the right thing, he said.

I knew good people (back home) would help; never give up.

He suspected a release might be on the cards last week when prison officers took his photograph, checked his clothes and asked him to list his possessions.

But it wasnt until he met consular officers in a Vietnamese airport on Monday night that he was 100 percent sure he was finally heading home.

During a fact-finding mission, the democracy activist crossed the Cambodian border and was arrested by Vietnamese police in 2019.

A court later convicted him of terrorism, imposing a 12-year sentence.

The trial lasted a matter of hours and raised serious due process concerns.

The case was based on his affiliation with an opposition political party, Viet Tan, which operates lawfully in Australia.

The United Nations last year ruled his jailing was unlawful and demanded his immediate release.

Mr. Chau expressed gratitude for the help he received from human rights groups, politicians, media, diplomats and even some prison officers who silently supported me.

While too old for hard labour, he said conditions in the various prisons where he was held were poor, particularly while on remand.

Passing time watching mosquitoes, lizards and ants in his cell, he told himself to stay strong and keep a peaceful mind.

Mr. Chaus case also had a profound impact on his familys lawyer, Dan Phuong Nguyen, who, until 2019, had never been involved in a human rights case.

Ms. Nguyen said she could not recall how many organisations she and her team had spoken to as they elevated Mr. Chaus case to the international stage.

Mr. Chau has turned this suburban lawyer into a human rights activist lawyer, she told reporters.

Its been a long journey, I never gave up, and were here today, and hes a free man, back in Australia in the arms of his family where he belongs.

Mr. Chau said his imprisonment has not dampened his views and vowed to continue calling out any bad acts committed by Vietnams one-party state against its people.

Human Rights Watch says more than 150 political prisoners remain in detention in Vietnam for peaceful acts of free expression.

In Vietnam and across Asia, human rights were facing a setback, Amnesty International Australia said.

Its very important that Australia, having developed this very close relationship with Vietnam, ensures human rights is at the centre of this deepening relationship, Amnestys local political advocacy lead, Kyinzom Dhongdue, said.
Girl Dies From Abuse After AI System Suggested Protective Custody Was Unnecessary

A 4-year-old Japanese girl died in her mothers care after the local government decided not to place her in temporary protective custodya decision influenced in part by an artificial intelligence evaluation program, according to officials in the prefecture of Mie.

Mie police arrested the girls 42-year-old mother in June for allegedly inflicting injuries that resulted in the death of her daughter, according to the Japanese media outlet Jiji.

Introduced in 2020, the AI program uses historic data from around 13,000 previous child-welfare cases, and calculates what percentage of these saw a child taken into temporary custody.

Officials believed that the program could help to alleviate the pressure on child consultation centers, which function as the countrys equivalent of child protective services.

Following reports that the womans daughter had bruises, child consultation center authorities spoke with the mother in February 2022, the Asashi Shimbun reported.

The AI program determined a custody rate for the case of 39 percent.

The decision was then made that prefectural officials would pay periodic visits to the child, who would stay in the care of her mother.

Another reason the officials decided to leave the girl with her mother was that the bruises did not appear to be the result of abuseand also that the mother assured the officials that she would follow the directions and support from the child consultation center.

Officials stated that the AI program was never used on its own to decide whether a child should be placed in protective care: rather, it was utilized as a reference point to assist prefectural officials in considering several factors before making a decision. They admitted that the AI had taken their visits into account when calculating the level of risk to the child.

Child consultation center staff later discovered that the girl had been absent from the day care facility for a long period of time, but no attempt was made to contact the mother.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Mie Gov. Katsuyuki Ichimi stressed the importance of decisions made by officials handling such cases. The figures shown by the AI system are nothing more than a yardstick, he said, according to The Japan Times.

We cant draw a conclusion now as to whether (the way the AI system was used to make the decision) was 100 percent appropriate, the governor said. He stated that the case will be reviewed by a third-party committee of outside experts.

Also on Tuesday, the Mie Prefectural Government announced a proposal to conduct in-person at-home evaluations regarding the safety of all children who are under the supervision of child consultation centers.

Japan has spent years researching how to include AI in child care in order to expand services to support the child-rearing environment. Unifa, a Japanese startup founded in 2013, offers AI-powered tools to track childrens growth and habits as they attend day care.

By 2019, the program had been implemented in around 6,250 kindergartens and other child care institutions throughout Japan.

From NTD News
Dressed in red, wearing a crown and greeting the public especially her family and friends, who applauded delightedly in the front row. This is the image that Rikkie Kolle  the new Miss Netherlands  treasures from her victory in the pageant, held on Saturday, July 8.

At 22 years old, her triumph at this stage of the Miss Universe pageant is particularly special. This is because Kolle is a transgender woman  the first to ever have won this competition in her country. Her victory is the starting point of her mission to support her community. She has set out to be the example that she never had during her childhood.

Miss Universe has been accepting trans candidates since 2012. The first to win a national contest was Angela Ponce, from Spain, in 2018.

Kolle spoke with EL PAIS via videoconference, amidst a whirlwind of interviews and preparations for the year ahead. She considers herself to be a strong and empowered woman  one who is thinking about how to approach the increased visibility she now has. She wants to be a role model for her community on social media and maybe also in schools. It will take her some time to get organized, she admits, but one thing is clear:

I dont think you can push someone to be trans. You dont become trans  youre [trans] from the moment youre born. Thats how I feel.

She wears a white dress and lets her blonde hair loose during her interview. The ease with which she expresses herself reinforces her message for trans youth: You have to realize for yourself that you didnt come into the world as you know you are.

Born in Hoorn and raised in Den Helder  two towns in northern Holland  she knew who she was from a young age. Her parents realized that their son  Rik  was different from other boys when he was eight-years-old. At that age, she went with them to a polyclinic for trans cases in an Amsterdam hospital: They asked me a lot of questions [and gave me many] tests to make sure I was ready to tackle the long journey of going from man to woman. The waiting lists are now three years long.

Her path to transition began at the age of 10, and she finally underwent her major transformative operation in January of 2023. She shared that moment on her Instagram account, where she has accumulated over 37,000 followers. [I shared it] because its a journey that never ends [I was] proud of having come this far, she sighs. Were in 2023 and its time to normalize this.

Rikkie Kolle is crowned Miss Netherlands on Saturday, July 8, 2023. robert gort

Despite support from her family and her school, there have been very difficult moments that she cannot forget. Like when she started introducing herself as Rikkie in primary school, which caused confusion among the other children. Kids dont understand these changes its not that I got bullied, but they didnt understand, she recalls. In high school, a teacher  whom she still clearly remembers  said unkind things to her. I wasnt one of her favorite students and her incomprehension and attitude showed me that I had to get over it, I had to be stronger.

At the age of 17, in 2018, she participated in a modelling contest: Hollands Next Top Model. There, she was told that she had the talent required for the profession. In 2019, she reached the finals of another competition in the field, Elite Model Look. I really like [modelling]... but with the pageantry, I have the right to speak. I can speak about trans rights here in the Netherlands, I can be there for my community.

After a period of freelance modelling in Amsterdam, she moved to Breda, in the south, where she has good friends. Den Helder is very small (it has 56,000 inhabitants) and there was no other woman like me. I studied Marketing and Communications and my friends from the LGTBI community are in Breda today. I feel at home there.

Rikkie Kolle during the 2023 Miss Netherlands pageant. robert gort

Since she was crowned Miss Netherlands last weekend, congratulatory messages have poured in as have negative ones. On social media, there has been a wave of comments by those who say that she isnt a real woman. Others sneer that she triumphed precisely because shes transgender.

Im proud to be a trans woman, to be Rikkie and to be myself. I want to combine it all into one woman, she laughs, in response to the personal attacks. The jury of the Dutch contest has described her as having a firm and clear mission, noting that her contributions as Miss Netherlands can be very valuable.

When asked how she felt while she was competing for the crown, she replies: [The organizers] asked, Are you going to feel safe with us? And I really felt amazing. I answered of course, yes. And from that moment, I knew this was going to be my destiny.

The Miss Universe pageant is scheduled to take place in December, in El Salvador. She hopes that the atmosphere will be as welcoming as in her home country, where she has become friends with some of the other finalists. The most important thing is friendship, enjoying yourself and having good memories. But everyone wants to win, of course, she admits with a laugh.

The Miss Universe pageant dates back to 1952. The change in regulations that allowed for the admittance of transgender contestants occurred when it was owned by former US President Donald Trump. Since 2022, the owner is Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, a Thai businesswoman who is also trans. She has been promoting Miss Universe as an inclusive organization, one that is capable of evolving with the new generations.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Google Being Sued Over New AI Data-Scraping Privacy Policy

A Google sign is shown at the company's office in San Francisco, Calif., on April 12, 2023. (Jeff Chiu/AP Photo)

One week after Google updated its user privacy policy to allow data scraping from millions of users for artificial intelligence (AI) training purposes, the tech giant is now facing a class-action lawsuit.

Google, its parent company Alphabet, and Googles AI subsidiary DeepMind, were accused in a July 11 filing in a federal court in San Francisco of misusing large amounts of personal information and copyrighted material without their consent to train its AI systems.

Eight plaintiffs, represented by Clarkson Law Firm, claimed to be representing millions of class members, such as internet users and copyright holders, who said that their privacy and property rights were violated by Googles recent updates to its privacy policy.

Microsoft-backed OpenAI was already hit with a previous lawsuit in the same court in late June for alleged data-scraping and copyright theft.

The Open AI plaintiffs, who are also represented by Clarkson, accused Google of allegedly stealing essentially every piece of data exchanged on the internet it could take without credit, consent, or compensation.

The law firm has asked the court to allow the plaintiffs to remain anonymous in both cases, citing violent threats reportedly received by individuals filing similar lawsuits.

Earlier this week, comedian Sarah Silverman, along two other colleagues, filed a separate lawsuit against OpenAIs creator, ChatGPT and Meta, for using their copyrighted work without permission for AI training.

Google Defends New Policy as Essential for Training AI

The move to harvest and harness online public data raised new privacy concerns and was bound to face legal challenges in the wake of the Open AI lawsuit.

The complaint pointed to a recent update to Googles privacy policy that explicitly stated the company may use publicly accessible information to train its AI models and tools such as Bard.

On July 1, Google amended its privacy policy standards to allow it to scrape comments that posters publish online to improve their AI technology.

Google uses information to improve our services and to develop new products, features and technologies that benefit our users and the public, read the new Google policy.

For example, we use publicly available information to help train Googles AI models and build products and features like Google Translate, Bard, and Cloud AI capabilities.

Google told Verge on July 5 regarding the update that its policy has long been transparent about their practice of data scraping and this latest update simply clarifies that newer services like Bard are also included.

Halimah DeLaine Prado, Googles general counsel, told Reuters in a statement that the plaintiffs claims were baseless.

Weve been clear for years that we use data from public sourceslike information published to the open web and public datasetsto train the AI models behind services like Google Translate, responsibly and in line with our AI principles, Mrs. DeLaine Prado wrote.

American law supports using public information to create new beneficial uses, and we look forward to refuting these baseless claims, she added.

The Epoch Times reached out to Alphabet for comment.

Plaintiffs Accuses Google of Violating Privacy and Stealing Published Works

In their opening statement, the plaintiffs accused Google of harvesting data in secret to build its AI products without consent. It has very recently come to light that Google has been secretly stealing everything ever created and shared on the internet by hundreds of millions of Americans, said the complaint and that the company uses this data to train its AI products, like its chatbot, Bard. The plaintiffs also allege that Google stole virtually the entirety of our digital footprint, including creative and copywritten works to build its AI products.

The lawsuit pointed out that Googles decision not only violates use rights, but gives it an unfair advantage compared with its competitors, which lawfully obtain or purchase data to train AI. Google must understand, once and for all: it does not own the internet, it does not own our creative works, it does not own our expressions of our personhood, pictures of our families and children, or anything else simply because we share it online, said Mr. Clarkson in a statement.

The plaintiffs are also particularly concerned apparent use of personal and sensitive data posted by children and one of the claimants in the lawsuit is a minor.

Google  does not own our expressions of our personhood, pictures of our families and children, or anything else simply because we share it online, Mr. Clarkson said in a statement.

Tim Giordano, one of the attorneys, told CNN that publicly available does not mean and allows it to say that the data is free to use for any purpose. Our personal information and our data is our property, and its valuable, and nobody has the right to just take it and use it for any purpose, he said. Mr. Giordano said that Googles search engine could serve up an attributed link to your work that can actually drive somebody to purchase it or engage with it. He said that data scraping to train AI tools could instead create an alternative version of the work that radically alters the incentives for anybody to need to purchase the work, he added. Although most internet users are not bothered by their digital data being collected for search results or targeted advertising purposes, the same may not be true for AI bot training. People could not have imagined their information would be used this way, continued Mr. Giordano. Lawsuit Demands User Safeguards and Massive Damages

The claimants are seeking injunctive relief in the form of a temporary freeze on commercial access to and commercial development of Googles generative AI tools like Bard.

Google could potentially owe upward of $5 billion in damages, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs also requested a court order requiring Google to obtain users explicit permission first. This ranges from allowing users to opt out of its illicit data collection, along with the ability to delete already existing data, as well as provide fair compensation to owners of the published data. Mr. Clarkson told CNN that Google needs to create an opportunity for folks to opt out of having their data scraped for AI training, while still allowing them to use the internet for their everyday needs.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Orange County Grand Jury Highlights Challenges of Regulating Sober Living Homes

A file photo of a sober living home in Florida. Cities in Orange County, Calif., are struggling to regulate such homes amid litigation in recent years. (Chris Livingston/Getty Images)

An Orange County Grand Jury published a report (pdf) in June raising concerns about the impact of group homes, including sober living homes, in the Southern California county and recommended cities come together to better regulate the homes.

The jurors said cities should develop a model ordinance and pool resources together to defend against potential lawsuits surrounding the operation of the homes.

Since 2008, Newport Beach has racked up nearly $10 million in litigation costs related to a lawsuit over its sober living home regulations, and Costa Mesa has spent over $10 million in litigation due to a similar ordinance passed in 2015, according to the 42-page report titled Welcome to the Neighborhood: Are cities responsibly managing the integration of group homes?

Unlike most other group homes for people with disabilities, sober living homes for persons in addiction recovery are not required to be licensed and are not limited to six residents, according to the report. There are also no limitations on how many are allowed in a city.

Residents have complained that the homes have created nuisances in their neighborhoods such as increased street parking, secondhand smoking, and other more serious issues such as patients relapsing, vomiting in driveways, and curbingwhen a patients insurance or payment method runs out and theyre evicted, adding to the homeless population.

According to jurors, cities have been hesitant to address such homes, fearing legal battles that could ensue from the highly profitable industry. The report cites research from John LaRosa at MarketResearch.com in 2020 that shows the group home market generates $42 billion per year, while many operators illegally engage in overbilling, patient brokering, and deceptive marketing.

According to the report, cities should work together more cohesively to address these important issues.

Newport Beachs ordinance mandated certain requirements for sober living homes such as quiet hours, parking and smoking areas, and the approval of new unlicensed homes by the city. In 2009, three companies sued the city claiming it violated anti-discrimination and fair housing laws, and the case was eventually settled.

Newport Beach Civic Center in Newport Beach, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Costa Mesa was able to prevail in court against legal challenges for nearly 8 years before a court ruling in January 2023 in favor of two sober living homes that also claimed discrimination. The city is still in litigation.

The citys ordinance requires a minimum distance of 650 feet between homes in residential neighborhoods, background screening of house managers, and requires a process for evicting residents.

According to jurors, Costa Mesa has been front and center in the legal battle over regulating the homes. After the citys ordinance passed in 2015, other cities adopted similar rules, including Laguna Hills in 2015; San Clemente, Laguna Niguel, and San Juan Capistrano in 2016; Anaheim and Huntington Beach in 2020; Mission Viejo in 2022; and Buena Park earlier this year.

Most of these entities, perhaps all, have chosen not to enforce their ordinances out of concern of potential litigation, and are waiting for Costa Mesas litigation to conclude, the report reads.

Other reasons why cities havent been pushing for enforcement are because they lack needed staff and fear challenges from the states housing department, the report says.

Findings from the grand jury investigation also revealed that well-operated group homes can integrate smoothly into neighborhoods but shouldnt be clustered close to each other causing over-concentration.

Jurors recommend Orange County cities and the County of Orange by July 2024 address citizen concerns through a panel format with experts to clearly explain challenges faced in tackling the issue.

Both the city and county should also by July 2024 better track sober living homes through utilizing code enforcement complaints to identify the homes, as well as pool resources to fend off potential lawsuits. A task force comprised of county and city representatives should also be formed to raise awareness with state legislatures and regulators for the need of regulations.

By December 2024, Orange County cities and the county should collaborate to come up with the model ordinance that could apply to all, according to the report.
A systematic review of 325 autopsies showing COVID-19 vaccination caused or significantly contributed to 74 percent of deaths was removed from The Lancets preprint SSRN server within 24 hours, adding to an increasing number of censored studies on the potential harms of COVID-19 vaccines.

The study, published July 5, examined all autopsies published in peer-reviewed literature to determine whether COVID-19 vaccination caused or contributed to the persons death.

Researchers searched all published autopsy and necropsy reports related to COVID-19 vaccination through May 18, 2023, resulting in 678 studies. After implementing inclusion criteria, they chose 44 papers containing 325 autopsy cases and one necropsy case. A panel of three expert physicians independently reviewed each case to determine whether COVID-19 vaccination was a direct cause or significant factor in each death.

Of 325 autopsies reviewed, 240 deaths, or 74 percent, were independently adjudicated as directly due to or significantly contributed to by COVID-19 vaccination.

Findings showed the most affected organ system in COVID-19 vaccine-associated death was the cardiovascular system at 53 percent, followed by the hematological system at 17 percent, the respiratory system at 8 percent, and multiple organ systems at 7 percent. Three or more organ systems were affected in 21 cases. The mean time from vaccination to death was 14.3 dayswith most deaths occurring within a week of the last vaccine dose.

The study results suggest a high likelihood of a causal link between COVID-19 vaccines and deaths in most cases. Yet, the governments narrative is still that people do not die after COVID-19 vaccination, lead author Dr. Peter McCullough, a practicing internist, cardiologist, and epidemiologist, said in an interview on EpochTVs American Thought Leaders: Now. The striking cases were people who were perfectly healthy and had no other medical problems. The only new thing in their life was the vaccine, and they died with an obvious syndrome like a blood clot or heart damagemyocarditis.

Within 24 hours, the study was removed and replaced with the following notice:

This preprint has been removed by Preprints with the Lancet because the studys conclusions are not supported by the study methodology.

According to Dr. McCullough, the authors were not given an explanation for how their conclusions failed to meet the study methodology.

In an email to The Epoch Times, co-author Dr. Harvey Risch, a professor emeritus and senior research scientist in epidemiology at Yale, said he believes the paper was censored by The Lancets publisher, Elsevier, at the behest of the Trusted New Initiative (TNI), or a derivative organization of the TNI, based on the study results providing strong evidence that some COVID-19 vaccine injections can have severe adverse effects leading to death.

This is my impression, given that the paper was removed at its preprint stage, before scientific peer review, and without any other professional scientific involvement in the censorship decision, Risch added.

The Trusted News Initiative is an industry collaboration of major news and global tech organizations whose stated mission is to combat the spread of harmful vaccine disinformation.

TNI partners alert each other to disinformation that poses an immediate threat to life so content can be reviewed promptly by platforms, whilst publishers ensure they dont unwittingly republish dangerous falsehoods.

Dr. McCullough said the project was approved through the University of Michigans School of Public Health, and the team used a standard scientific evaluation methodology known as the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, to search through hundreds of papers to identify 44 that met the criteria before submitting them for adjudication.

Although the study didnt go through a formal review, The Lancet accepted it for publication on its preprint server. To be published on SSRN, a paper must undergo usual SSRN checks and a Lancet-specific check for appropriateness and transparency, which the paper undoubtedly passed.

Dr. McCullough has broadly published more than 1,000 publications and 660 citations on a range of topics within the National Library of Medicine and is familiar with the process and standards that must be met.

The studys co-authors, including top pathologist Dr. Roger Hodkinson, former chairman of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canadas examination committee in pathology, Dr. Paul Alexander, former Trump administration official at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Dr. Risch, are all accomplished in their fields.

Dr. McCullough said that before removal, the study was experiencing hundreds of reviews per minute and is now on the Zenodo preprint server and currently under review at another high-level journal.

When it comes to the vaccines, papers get special attention. I think because there are individuals who dont want to have a fair presentation of data when it comes to safety, said Dr. McCullough. This was simply what happened when someone died after a vaccine and the family, or the doctor, or the medical examiner requested an autopsy.

Medical Journals Censor to Control Vaccine Hesitancy

Just as the U.S. government coordinated with social media companies to suppress truthful information about COVID-19 vaccines that may cause vaccine hesitancy, medical journals have censored numerous studies by accomplished experts about the potential harms of COVID-19 vaccination, often without explanation.

Elsevier, in October 2021, censored a different study by Dr. McCullough and molecular biologist Dr. Jessica Rose days after it was published in Current Problems in Cardiology. The study analyzed data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and found myocarditis spiked in teenagers after COVID-19 vaccination.

The retraction notice said the publisher temporarily removed the paper, and a replacement will appear as soon as possible in which the reason for the removal of the article will be specified, or the article will be reinstated.

In an email to Dr. McCullough, Elsevier said the journal was unwilling to publish the paperafter it had already published it. A reason was not provided, and the article was never reinstated. The National Library of Medicines website states the article was withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor.

A paper reanalyzing earlier sponsored research (pdf) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were safe for pregnant women found spontaneous abortions were 7 to 8 times higher than the authors reported. The researchers concluded that key policy decisions were made based on questionable and unreliable data. After immense pressure, the researchers retracted their reanalysis of the study.

A peer-reviewed paper published in June 2021 in Vaccines questioning the safety of COVID-19 vaccination and vaccine policy was retracted after the journal experienced pressure to pull the study and numerous editorial board members threatened to resign. The studys authors claimed that for three deaths prevented by [COVID-19] vaccination, we have to accept two inflicted by vaccination.

The disgruntled editors feared the paper, which had over 425,000 views prior to retraction, would feed antivaccine conspiracy theories and be used by people to claim COVID-19 vaccines werent safe. The journal promptly retracted the article without providing specifics on how the paper failed in its methodology and established internal review procedures to ensure similar papers would not be published.

An academic study published in January 2023 in BMC Infectious Diseases was retracted after survey data estimated COVID-19 vaccine fatalities were as high as 278,000showing a major discrepancy with the CDCs VAERS database. The editors retracted the study over the validity of the conclusions drawn after publication, and a post-publication peer review concluded the methodology was inappropriate as it does not prove causal inference of mortality, and limitations of the study were not adequately described.

A paper in Toxicology Reports, published by Elsevier in 2021 questioning why children were being vaccinated against COVID-19, was retracted by the founding editor on the basis of clear evidence that the findings are unreliable and the focus of the paper was on a critically important public health issue and exhibited bias. At the time the study was published, U.S. regulatory agencies were in the process of authorizing experimental COVID-19 vaccines for children.

Dr. Vinay Prasad, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California and author of more than 450 academic articles, wrote there should be more discussion about vaccines, but public debate on side effects is being censored. In a 2022 article, Prasad said censors are unaccountable and are as fallible as those they are trying to censor.

This is especially true in science, where, as history shows us, consensus views can turn out to be false, while controversial or heretical ideas can be vindicated.

What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that incidence of a common stomach illness is on the rise on cruise ships.

In an update posted several days ago, the federal agency is now listing 13 outbreaks of norovirus on cruise ships this year, which is the highest number of outbreaks recorded on cruises since 2012. The most recent reported norovirus outbreak was on June 20 on a Viking Cruises ship in which about 120 passengers and crew members reported being ill out of about 1,200 people who were on board.

Viking Cruises recently told The Wall Street Journal that it believes the viral outbreak originated from a shoreside restaurant in Iceland where a group of guests dined during their free time rather than from someone on the ship.

There were only four norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships during all of 2022, even as demand for cruises surged after COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

Federal officials estimate that norovirus infects between 19 million and 21 million people each year on average.

Norovirus is one of the most common viral illnesses on cruises, and it has sometimes been dubbed the cruise ship virus owing to widespread media coverage of outbreaks. However, the CDC noted that outbreaks on cruise ships account for a small number of all reported outbreaks of norovirus in the United States.

In May, a Celebrity Cruises trip saw about 152 passengers and 26 crew members get sick with the virus, according to CDC figures. Another case in May also saw 246 passengers and 38 crew contract the virus, the data show.

During a Princess Cruises voyage involving the Ruby Princess, about 10 percent of the 2,881 passengers on board displayed symptoms similar to norovirus, according to the CDC.

Its likely that more outbreaks will be reported in 2023. The Cruise Lines International Association industry group estimates that cruise passenger volume will reach 106 percent of 2019 levels, with some 31.5 million people expecting to take part.

It remains unclear why theres a surge in cases this year. The CDC hasnt issued a comment on the matter, although a spokesperson told CNN that cruise ship travel declined significantly during the pandemic years and that outbreaks were fewer at the time.

The CDC lifted its COVID-19-related risk advisory for cruise travel in March 2022.

Because cruise ships report illnesses to the CDC, there is more visibility and faster reporting to health authorities, which should not be confused to mean a higher incidence rate onboard, a spokesperson for the Cruise Lines International Association told The Wall Street Journal last month.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta on April 23, 2020. (Tami Chappell/AFP via Getty Images)

The highly contagious pathogen can cause gastroenteritis. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain, and they can appear one to two days after contracting the virus, according to officials.

Its generally spread via the accidental ingestion of small particles of fecal matter, eating food contaminated with the virus, touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes or mouth, or being in direct contact with someone whos sick with the virus, according to officials. The illness is generally more severe in older adults and young children, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Severe cases of the stomach bug can result in dehydration caused by vomiting or diarrhea. However, deaths arent common.

Officials recommend that passengers on cruise ships wash their hands more than they typically would. Theyre also advised to stay hydrated on hot days and to avoid consuming uncooked vegetables, fruit with edible skin, and ice.

The CDC also recommends disinfecting surfaces with bleach, handling and preparing food safely by washing fruits and vegetables well, cooking shellfish at a high enough temperature, and washing laundry with hot water.

This is an extraordinarily contagious virus, Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University, said in a recent interview with CNN. It takes but a few normal viral particles to initiate an infection in someone whos exposed. In other words, this doesnt take a large dose; it takes only a little bit.

One thing that passengers can do to mitigate the spread of the virus is to postpone their trip if theyre not feeling well, Mr. Schaffner recommended.

Try to limit the exposure of others on the front end, and take another cruise a month later, he said.

You have this highly transmissible virus thats introduced into an environment, the cruise ship, which is ideally designed for the rapid spread of a communicable disease.

I think a lot of the public dont even understand norovirus, let alone how to begin to protect themselves.

Theyre not taking those precautions, those good protection behaviors they learned over the pandemic.

In 2012, the CDC reported 16 outbreaks of the virus on cruise ships, according to reports.

What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc
High Heat Arrives in Southern California; Triple Digits Likely Through the Weekend

The highest temperatures (in Fahrenheit) forecast across Southern California in a graphic photo on July 13, 2023. (National Weather Service/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

LOS ANGELESMore high temperatures and dangerously hot conditions are expected on July 13 in Southern California and will last through the weekend.

A prolonged heat wave is expected across the region Thursday through at least this weekend thanks to a sprawling ridge of high pressure, according to the National Weather Service. A stubborn marine layer will likely protect many coastal areas from the worst of the heat and may support patchy dense fog at times.

Forecasters noted that the beach will be the place to be this weekend, noting that coastal areas could remain cool even during the peak of the heat wave this weekend.

Elsewhere, however, the heat will be on starting Thursday and persisting until at least July 17.

The heat is expected to build each day, especially in the Antelope Valley, lower mountain elevations, and the interior valleys such as the Santa Clarita, Salinas, and Cuyama Valley, according to the weather service. Dangerous heat will is expected to develop in many of these areas Thursday, then intensify to Excessive Heat Warning levels by July 14.

A heat advisory will take effect at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Santa Clarita Valley, the Golden State 5 and Antelope Valley 14 Freeway corridors, and the San Gabriel Mountains, continuing until 10 a.m. Friday, when a more severe excessive heat warning will take effect and continue until 10 a.m. Monday.

Forecasters said that area could see temperatures of up to 108 degrees, with temperatures at night dipping only into the upper 60s to low 80s. A less serious excessive heat watch will be in effect throughout the day in those areas on Monday.

In the Antelope Valley and accompanying foothills, an excessive heat warning will also be in effect from 10 a.m. Friday through 10 a.m. Monday, but temperatures in that area could get as high as 113 degrees, with overnight lows dropping only into the 70s, according to the weather service.

People walk along the beach in front of the pier in Huntington Beach, Calif., on March 28, 2020. (Michael Heiman/Getty Images)

The San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys will be under a less severe excessive heat watch from Friday morning through the evening July 16, with temperatures up to 108 degrees possible, forecasters said.

The Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area will be under an excessive heat watch from Friday through Sunday, although temperatures will also rise into the 105-degree range.

In Orange County, an excessive heat warning will be in effect from 10 a.m. Friday until 8 p.m. July 18, with temperatures expected as high as 102 degrees.

Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities, forecasters warned. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

The high heat is expected to contribute to elevated to brief critical fire conditions in desert, mountain, and interior valley areas. Those areas will see humidity levels in the 5 percent to 15 percent range. Winds are expected to be relatively light, but some higher gusts are possible in traditionally wind-prone areas.

Elevated temperatures are likely to continue into next week, although more onshore flow is expected, helping to cool things off in the valleys. But mountains and interior areas will likely continue to sizzle, the weather service reported.

The metropolitan Los Angeles area is not facing any heat advisories or warnings, but it will still be warm. Forecasters said the Los Angeles area in general will see temperatures around 90 during much of the heat wave, with coastal areas the place to bethanks to highs of about 80.
Congressman Reads History of The Epoch Times on House Floor

'The Epoch Times represents freedom,' Rep. Ralph Norman said in his speech that was entered into the congressional record

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) poses for a photo in Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol on June 22, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) spoke on the House floor on July 13 about the origins of The Epoch Times, shedding light on its ongoing mission to provide uncensored information to readers around the world despite facing oppression by the Chinese communist regime.

Mr. Norman began his speech by telling the story of John Tang, founder of the publication, who was pursuing a doctorate in physics at Georgia Tech in 1999 when, after an unexpected turn of events, he decided to start a newspaper.

He never imagined that 20 years later he would be heading the fourth largest American newspaper by subscription count, Mr. Norman said.

Birth of The Epoch Times

In 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) initiated a brutal campaign against the spiritual discipline Falun Gong, which includes meditative exercises and moral teachings centered on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance.

An estimated 70 million to 100 million Chinese people were practicing Falun Gong at that time. The CCP, deeming the practices popularity a threat to its power, sought to demonize and isolate the group by using state and private media outlets, playing nonstop hate propaganda attacking the peaceful group in order to justify the persecution, according to Mr. Norman.

Mr. Tang, who had emigrated to the United States, watched from afar in horror as friends were persecuted for their beliefs while Western media amplified the CCPs propaganda. Mr. Tang felt compelled to take action, Mr. Norman said.

With no prior experience or resources, Mr. Tang established Dajiyuan, the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times, in his Atlanta basement. Mr. Tangs goal was to provide uncensored information not only to people in China but also to everyone worldwide. Soon, other Chinese Americans, including those with advanced degrees, abandoned their well-paying careers to join Mr. Tang in this seemingly impossible endeavor, according to Mr. Norman.

The congressman next talked about the papers first reporting group, which was established in China in 2000 and mainly focused on the CCPs human rights abuses.

However, independent reporting on such sensitive topics posed a direct threat to the CCPs control. Within months, Chinese police raided the newsroom in China, arresting all reporters and editors, some of whom faced harsh sentences and endured frequent torture, the congressman said, noting that two Epoch Times staff members, Zhang Yuhui and Shi Shaoping, were each sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The Epoch Times China operation went underground. Despite the setback, the Chinese edition flourished outside of China as a leading website for Chinese current events, attracting millions of readers. Today, its print newspaper reaches readers in more than 30 countries worldwide, including the United States. Many Chinese are bypassing the CCPs internet firewall to access The Epoch Times website daily.

The CCP has been trying to shut down the publication ever since it was first published.

The party has threatened the newspapers advertisers, launched incessant cyberattacks, and threatened relatives of staff members back in China, Mr. Norman said.

This harassment hasnt been limited to China. In 2006, assailants broke into the home of Chief Engineer Peter Li in Atlanta, tied him to a chair, and beat him before stealing his computers. In Hong Kong in 2019, assailants set fire to the newspapers printing press, and in 2021, armed men stormed the premises and smashed printing equipment with sledgehammers.

Despite all these attacks, the newspaper continues to fulfill its purpose of upholding the truth.

The Epoch Times also played a significant role in inspiring the Tuidang, or Quit the CCP, movement, Mr. Norman noted. Through its publication of the series Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, The Epoch Times offered a comprehensive overview of the true nature of the CCP. As a result, more than 410 million Chinese people have sought to sever their ties with the party and its affiliated organizations.

Effect on the US

Recognizing the CCPs infiltration efforts in the United States, especially within media organizations, The Epoch Times introduced an English edition in 2003 and established a print edition in New York in 2004. The newspapers independent reporting quickly gained traction. Its now the fourth-largest newspaper in the United States by subscriber count. Its website also attracts tens of millions of monthly readers, Mr. Norman said.

Currently, The Epoch Times is published in 36 countries and in 22 languages. As a nonprofit organization largely supported by individual subscribers, it provides in-depth news and analysis on critical global events.

Mr. Norman concluded his speech by saying that the paper seeks to highlight the best of humanity in order to inspire people.

This is all about one word: freedom, he said.

The congressman told The Epoch Times that he was inspired to give the address before Congress after reading the paper and learning about the companys origins.

The Epoch Times represents freedom, Mr. Norman said. Its an example of taking matters into your own hands and being a voice and not being silenced.

Anybody else would have quit; they would have quit if youd had your house raided or if youd had the torture thats going on.

And its time to do exactly what The Epoch Times is doing, he said, because thats the only way were going to survive as a free nation.

The way it was founded and came into being through adversity ought to be told to America, Mr. Norman said. Because we can be the next CCP if we dont tell the story of The Epoch Times.

Jackson Richman contributed to this report.
Hollywood Actors Strike: Its Only Going to Get Worse

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher (L) and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland speak during a press conference announcing a strike by The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists in Los Angeles on July, 13, 2023. (Chris Pizzello/AP Photo)

Summer blockbusters arent going to see any actors on red carpets and promotional eventsthe Oppenheimer cast attending the film premiere in the UK have just walked off to join the actors strike.

In a Thursday morning vote, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) unanimously decided to strike. On July 14, the actors will picket.

The historic walk-out comes after contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents studios, fell apart midnight July 12, even after a federal mediator was called in at the eleventh hour. The contracts were originally set to expire June 30, but negotiations were extended 12 days.

This is the first SAG-AFTRA strike in about 40 years, and the first time both actors and writers have been on strike together since 1960.

Guild leaders described the crossroads as an existential one that many industries face. Namely, will technology eclipse human contribution?

When businesses look to Wall Street for answers instead of their creative collaborators, that answer has become yes, according to Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA President and co-chief negotiator.

The eyes of labor are upon us. What happens here is important, because its happening across all fields of labor, said Ms. Drescher at a press conference after the vote.

I went in in earnest, thinking we could avoid a strike, she said. The gravity of this move is not lost on me.

The entire business model has been changed by streaming, digital, AIthis is a moment of history, and a moment of truth. If we dont stand tall right now we are all going to be in jeopardy of being replaced by machines and big business, who cares more about Wall Street than you and your family, she said.

Historic Deal?

The big issues on the table had been streaming residuals and AI on top of the regular negotiations on minimum increases.

AMPTP released its own statement after the actors announcement of a strike, claiming studios presented a deal that offered historic pay and residual increases, substantially higher caps on pension and health contributions, audition protections, shortened series option periods, and a groundbreaking AI proposal.

Thursday morning, Disney CEO Bob Iger went on CNBC to criticize the unions decision to walk out as disruptive.

Its very disturbing to me. Weve talked about disruptive forces on this business and all the challenges were facing, the recovery from COVID which is ongoing, its not completely back. This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption, Mr. Iger said.

Theres a level of expectation that they have, that is just not realistic. And they are adding to the set of the challenges that this business is already facing that is, quite frankly, very disruptive.

SAG-AFTRA pushed back on AMPTPs claims in a press conference held after Thursdays vote.

This groundbreaking AI proposal that they gave us yesterday  they proposed that our background actors should be able to get scanned, get paid for one days pay, and their companies should own that scan, their image, their likeness, and should be able to use it for the rest of eternity in any project they want with no consent and no compensation, said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, co-chief negotiator. If you think thats a groundbreaking proposal, you should think again.

Crabtree-Ireland added that the strike in 1960 was the reason members have a health plan, pension plan, and residuals, noting that SAG-AFTRA was not a strike-happy union.

This is the same kind of strike, this is the kind of strike that makes sure this industry changes its business model so our members are not left behind, he said.

Ms. Drescher and Mr. Crabtree-Ireland said they had spoken at length with several studio CEOs just a day ago when they came in to partake in the stalling negotiations. Now the ball is in their court, SAG-AFTRA leaders say.

Were open to talking to themtonight, Ms. Drescher said.

Mr. Crabtree-Ireland said they said as much last night when negotiations ended, but later heard back from AMPTP that it would probably be a while.

Under the strike terms, actors will not be participating in any production or promotions for works under the expired contract.

Studios and streaming platforms have already delayed or canceled several productions, as the Writers Guild of America East and the Writers Guild of America West have been on strike since May, relying on unscripted programs that now may no longer be an option.

Our hearts bleed that we had to make this decision, but we cant not get what these members deserve, because its only going to get worse, Ms. Drescher said.

Several other unions, including the Directors Guild of America, which did sign a contract with AMPTP, voiced their support for SAG-AFTRA.
Homicides in Washington State Rise 96 Percent After Passage of Gun Restrictions

'These findings really validate everything we've said about all of the gun control measures that the State of Washington has passed,' 2nd Amendment advocate says

A San Mateo County Sheriff officer puts up police tape at a crime scene after a shooting in Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Jan. 24, 2023. (Samantha Laurey/AFP via Getty Images)

The number of homicides in Washington state has skyrocketed recently, data show, which a Second Amendment advocate attributes to the enacting of a couple of gun control measures.

According to a report released July 10 (pdf), the rate of murders, violence, and property crimes rose across Washington state in 2022, while the number of law enforcement officers available to respond and protect citizens decreased.

Specifically, the report revealed that there were 394 murders in 2022, an increase of 16.6 percent over 2021 and the highest number of murders since the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs (WASPC) began recording this data in 1980. Homicides increased by 96 percent since 2019 and violent crimes increased by 8.9 percent.

During a July 10 press briefing, WASPC Executive Director Steve Strachan said residents are more concerned about crime because its starting to affect them in a real way in their real life.

He specifically addressed the rise in homicides, up by 16.6 percent, with an all-time high number of 394 people being murdered in 2022.

With that increase of 16.6 percent, compared to 2021 to that all-time high of 394, that is 96 percent more murders than we had in 2019, Strachan said.

A slide shown during a media availability session hosted by the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs on July 10, 2023. (WASPC/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Strachan also noted that Washington state suffered a net loss of nearly 500 police officers or 4.4 percent of its force in 2021. The per capita loss in officers per 1,000 citizens was down to 1.38, which was the lowest on record and also the lowest in the nation.

Things didnt improve in 2022.

Strachan said net statewide law enforcement staffing went down by an additional 70 officers, bringing the per capita number down to 1.36 per thousand, again the lowest on record and again the lowest in the nation.

It was the 13th straight year that Washington state had the lowest police staffing numbers in the country.

A slide shown during a media availability session hosted by the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs on July 10, 2023, reflecting the decrease in the number of law enforcement officers per capita. (WASPC/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Assaults on officers went up by 20 percent, rising from 1,968 incidents in 2021 to 2,375 incidents in 2022. There was a five-year trend of increased assaults on law enforcement, going down only slightly (by 59 incidents) during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

While the total population of Washington state increased by 93,262, the number of law enforcement officers decreased from 10,736 to 10,666 in 2021. This placed Washington in last place nationwide for the number of officers per thousand residents. There were also 2,375 reported cases of officers assaulted in 2022an increase of 20.7 percent. Two officers were killed on duty.

In the meantime, the Seattle City Council cut the police budget by nearly 20 percent in 2020, falling short of their goal to gut law enforcement funding by 50 percent. According to reports, the agency has been in a tailspin ever since.

Backfired

In a July 10 statement in response to the WASPC report, Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, said the 96 percent increase in homicides since 2019 is damning proof that billionaire-backed gun control measures were, as we predicted, false pie-in-the-sky promises.

Passage of Initiative 594 in 2014 and I-1639 in 2018 have accomplished nothing other than to create massive impairments, which we believe are unconstitutional, for law-abiding Washington citizens, Gottlieb said.

Initiative 594 (pdf) imposes background checks on firearms purchasers and mandates that only licensed dealers may sell or transfer firearms to unlicensed persons.

Initiative Measure No. 1639 (pdf), filed on May 2, 2018, places restrictions on the purchase of semiautomatic assault rifles, requires the purchaser to have undergone training within the past five years, and subjects the purchaser to a waiting time between 10 to 60 business days. The law further mandates that gun dealers may not deliver a pistol to a purchaser until the purchaser produces a valid concealed pistol license and the dealer has recorded the purchasers name, license number, and issuing agency in triplicate.

Alan Gottlieb, Chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. (Courtesy of Alan Gottlieb)

Gottlieb says the WASPC data prove that all of that has backfired.

These findings really validate everything weve said about all of the gun control measures that the State of Washington has passed, either by initiative or legislative process, he said, noting how the numbers prove that gun violence and homicides escalated after the state passed measures to restrict gun rights.

This was the highest homicide rate recorded since 1980. So all of these so-called gun control measures that were going to stop violence in the State of Washington have backfired.

He also proposed that when Americans are allowed to exercise their Second Amendment Rights freely, crime rates go down, specifically in Constitutional Carry states.

An analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data by the U.S. Conceal Carry Association that was released in October 2022 shows that states that allow some form of permitless or Constitutional Carry have fewer total and gun-related homicides.

Conversely, Gottlieb said crime rates in Democrat-controlled states where gun control laws restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens from bearing arms go up dramatically.

Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, were seeing it all over the country, he said. You are less safe when you do not have a means of self-defense.

For Gottlieb, one of the primary struggles faced by gun rights advocates is that theyre competing against a legacy media with a gun-control agenda, and they only push one side of the equation.

They dont let our data flow out to the public so the average citizen doesnt know that all of the gun violence theyre hearing about is happening because gun laws dont work, he said. The data doesnt lie. But you wont see the Sheriffs report or our press release in response to the report on the legacy media.

Gottlieb also discussed how most mass shootings take place in gun-free zones.

Data compiled by the Crime Prevention Research Center confirmed that 97.8 percent of all mass shootings between 1950 and 2018 occurred in gun-free zones.

Not much has changed.

In May 2022, the Crime Prevention Research Center reported that 96 percent of mass shootings occurred in gun-free zones.

These numbers shouldnt surprise anyone, Gottlieb said. They always tell us well see all kinds of carnage without gun control. But were not going to see that because we arent seeing it in the 26 states that have permitless carry.
House Committee Chair Subpoenas State Department for China-Related Document

Rep. Michael McCaul speaks as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on the Biden Administration's priorities for U.S. foreign policy on Capitol Hill in Washington, on March 10, 2021. (Ken Cedeno-Pool/Getty Images)

The chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee has subpoenaed the State Department for documents relating to the agencys reported decision to withhold actions aimed at confronting threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said on July 12 that he has filed a subpoena to Secretary of State Antony Blinken after the department failed to cooperate with the committees document production request.

Among the materials Mr. McCaul subpoenaed is the departments competitive actions calendara classified document reportedly laying out the Biden administrations plan against communist China.

Citing unnamed sources and internal emails, Reuters reported in May that the U.S. State Department delayed several items on the classified list to limit damage to the U.S.-China relationship following the U.S. militarys shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon in February.

The report also quoted Rick Waters, deputy assistant secretary of State for China and Taiwan, telling staff in an email that Guidance from S (Secretary of State) is to push non-balloon actions to the right so we can focus on symmetric and calibrated response. We can revisit other actions in a few weeks. The email was dated Feb. 6just two days after the giant Chinese surveillance balloon was shot down in U.S. airspace, and three days after Mr. Blinken postponed a planned trip to Beijing over the balloon episode.

The delayed measures included sanctioning Chinese officials over human rights abuses and imposing export controls targeting Chinese telecoms supplier Huawei, according to the report.

Following the report, Mr. McCaul sent a letter (pdf) to Mr. Blinken on May 19, stating that such measures demonstrated the departments continued weakness and passivity in the face of Chinese aggression.

The chairman requested that the State Department hand over a number of documents, including communications relating to the Chinese regime and its entities that involved Blinken or other key State Department officials since last October; information relating to staffing arrangements at China House; top State Department officials engagements with their Chinese counterparts; and other documents detailing department policy with China following the Chinese spy balloon incident.

But Mr. McCaul said Wednesday that the agency had not complied with his request.

Given the State Departments continued refusal to comply with my committees urgent request for crucial information related to China, I am left with no choice but to issue a subpoena, Mr. McCaul said in a statement.

It is vital the committee obtain these documents to shed light on the departments reported failure to enforce U.S. national security laws against CCP companies and human rights abusers, he said. The department must comply as legally obligated, further obstruction and delay will not be tolerated.

The Texas Republican set a July 17 deadline for the State Department to produce the required documents.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (center, without mask) meets with Chinas Foreign Minister Qin Gang (not pictured) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on June 18, 2023. (Leah Millis/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Asked about Mr. McCauls move at Wednesdays briefing, Matthew Miller, a spokesperson of the Department of State, said the agency was in the midst of the negotiation process with the House Committee.

The department was holding those discussions with an eye toward turning over documents when they short-circuited the process and issued this subpoena, he told reporters.

The State Department is facing a growing number of congressional inquiries, he said, including those from the Foreign Affairs Committee.

We will, of course, continue to try to respond to their requests in a timely manner, he said. We have to balance that with the growing number of congressional inquiries we have gotten, including from this committee, and the committees shifting priorities when they issue a range of document requests.

Mr. Miller also defended the Biden administrations stance on the Chinese regime, saying the administration has done more to counter the communist regime than any other administration in recent memory.

We are clear-eyed about the challenge, and our actions back that up, he said. Since President Biden has taken office, this administration has issued a record-setting number of sanctions, export controls, [and] competitive actions against the Chinese regime, he said.

When Mr. Blinken visited Beijing in June, One of the things we heard over and over from Chinese officials is their deep protests and their deep complaints about the competitive actions that we have taken, he said. Mr. Blinken also made clear to Chinese officials that we stand by the actions that we have taken, and we will continue to impose additional costs on the Chinese regime.

Eva Fu contributed to this report.
The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement holds a hearing on The Consequences of Criminal Aliens on U.S. Communities at 3:00 p.m. ET on July 13 to examine sanctuary cities that shield illegal aliens at the expense of American taxpayers and the Biden Administrations lax policies that allow criminal aliens to remain in the United States indefinitely.

WITNESSES
A man walks in front of a Microsoft store, Tuesday in New York. JUSTIN LANE (EFE)

U.S. officials say state-backed Chinese hackers foiled Microsofts cloud-based security to break into unclassified U.S. government email systems at an unspecified number of agencies including the State Department.

The extent of the hack was not immediately clear, but a person familiar with the hack investigation said U.S. military and intelligence agencies were not among those impacted. Another U.S. official said the State Department was the first agency to discover the breach.

The officials spoke on condition they not be further identified.

In a technical advisory Wednesday, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI said Microsoft had determined the hackers accessed and stole data from a small number of accounts by impersonating authorized users.

Nevertheless, Senate intelligence committee chair Mark Warner issued a statement saying it was closely monitoring what appears to be a significant cybersecurity breach by Chinese intelligence that shows China is steadily improving its cyber collection capabilities directed against the U.S. and our allies.

The hack was focused on U.S. officials who deal with China and was discovered by the State Department shortly before Secretary of State Antony Blinkens trip to Beijing last month. That trip went ahead as planned, although with customary information security procedures in place, which required his delegation to use burner phones and computers.

The official said the intrusion was directly targeted at diplomats and others who deal with the China portfolio at the State Department and other agencies. The official added that it was not yet clear if there had been any significant compromise of information, especially since it appeared directed at unclassified systems.

The hack was disclosed late Tuesday by Microsoft in a blog post. It said it was alerted to the breach, which it blamed on a state-backed, espionage-focused Chinese hacking group known to target government agencies in Western Europe, on June 16. Microsoft said the group, which it calls Storm-0558, had gained access to email accounts affecting about 25 organizations including government agencies since mid-May as well as to consumer accounts of individials likely associated with those0 agencies.

Microsoft did not identify the agencies or the governments involved.

A spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, Adam Hodge, said in a statement that government safeguards detected the intrusion and Microsoft was immediately contacted. We continue to hold the procurement providers of the U.S. Government to a high security threshold.

The Storm-0558 hackers broke in using forged authentication tokens  data used to verify the identity of a user  to access the email accounts, Microsoft said. It said it dealt with vulnerability and informed affected customers. 1

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where told ABCs Good Morning America the investigation is ongoing. We detected it fairly rapidly and we were able to prevent further breaches, Sullivan said. The matter is still being investigated, so I have to leave it there because were gathering further information in consultation with Microsoft and we will continue to appraise the public as we learn more.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, called accusation disinformation aimed at diverting attention from U.S. cyberespionage against China.

No matter which agency issued this information, it will never change the fact that the United States is the worlds largest hacker empire conducting the most cyber theft, Wang said in a routine briefing.

Last month, Google-owned cybersecurity firm Mandiant said suspected state-backed Chinese hackers broke into the networks of hundreds of public and private sector organizations globally exploiting a vulnerability in a popular email security tool.

Earlier this year, Microsoft said state-backed Chinese hackers were targeting U.S. critical infrastructure and could be laying the technical groundwork to disrupt critical communications between the U.S. and Asia during future crises.

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House Republicans Rail Against FTCs Khan Over Bully Tactics, Ethics

Lina Khan, Chair of the Federal Trade Commission, testifies before the House Judiciary Committee in Washington on July 13, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

House Republicans accused Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan of engaging in bully behavior as the agencys merger-enforcement court case losses continue to mount.

The FTC appealed a court decision that allowed Microsofts $96 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard to move forward.

U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley ruled against the federal agencys request to impose a preliminary injunction that would have prevented the merger from closing before a July 18 deadline. The FTC then asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on July 13 to overturn the lower-court judges decision, arguing that the corporate merger would reduce competition in the video game market, including consoles, cloud gaming, and subscriptions.

This case became a focal point of the July 13 House Judiciary Committee hearing.

Ms. Khan defended the agencys actions because it believes that there is a law violation.

When we get an adverse ruling, our teams look closely at the text of opinion and see if there are errors on matters of law that warrant an appeal, she said.

Republican lawmakers concentrated on what they say is mismanagement of the FTC, aggressive and unproductive efforts to halt corporate mergers and acquisitions, politicized rulemaking, and targeted harassment of companies.

Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) noted that the FTC is losing quite a bit, pointing out its 0-for-4 record in corporate merger trials.

So, I have to ask, why are you losing so much? Mr. Kiley asked. Why is your track record so poor when it comes to actually winning cases?

Are you bringing cases that you expect to lose?

Ms. Khan responded, Absolutely not.

Mr. Kiley said, Well, your track record seems to suggest otherwise.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) described Ms. Khan as a bully, while Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) called her tenure so far a disaster.

My problem here today is that youre a bully. You run this organization, and its left turn came when you took over, Mr. Issa said at the hearing. You have half a billion dollars to spend, and you choose to spend it promoting a policy that every merger has to be somehow bad for the company and good for the consumer, a standard that cannot be met.

Some Republican lawmakers said the FTC is losing on purpose to encourage Congress to approve additional antitrust legislation.

Ethics Concerns

Internal FTC documents published by Bloomberg News last month show that Ms. Khan refused to recuse herself from the agencys 2022 review of Metas proposed merger with Within Limited, a virtual reality app maker.

An ethics official recommended that Ms. Khan step away from the case to avoid an appearance of partiality.

From a federal ethics perspective, I have strong reservations with Chair Khan participating as an adjudicator in this proceeding wherefairly recently, before joining the Commissionshe repeatedly called for the FTC to block any future acquisition by Facebook, wrote Lorielle Pankey, a designated ethics official, in the August 2022 memo.

Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) slammed Ms. Khan for ignoring advice from the ethics officer.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) building in Washington on Sept. 19, 2006. (Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images)

It is unbelievable to me that you would not ask for written ethics advice on this particular topic, Ms. Hageman said. You admit that you have received written ethics advice on other topics, but on this topic, you claim you did not see the written memo. Instead, you want us to believe that you only received oral advice and not specific oral advice, but only general advice on understanding the legal framework today to give you advice that is different than what was written in the memoranda.

But Ms. Khan reiterated that she adhered to all ethical guidelines and maintained that she acted appropriately.

Earlier this year, the FTC failed to stop Meta, the parent company of Facebook, from purchasing Within, the maker of the popular virtual reality app Supernatural.

Tensions Come to a Boil

There were several tense moments during the FTC oversight hearing.

Rep. Steven Cohen (D-Tenn.) accused some Republican lawmakers of hypocrisy and not having enough integrity, prompting one GOP lawmaker to interrupt.

Is the gentleman accusing us of a lack of integrity? the Republican congressman asked.

Mr. Cohen shouted, Mr. Chairman, if you would ask whoever it is to shut up?

Im sure [Mr. Jordan] will rule when he comes back, the lawmaker said.

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) suggested that Republicans were attacking Ms. Khan because of her ethnicity.

When we treat a witness who looks like you with the politics of personal destruction, and when we only attack witnesses who look like you with allegations of incompetence and a lack of ability to lead their agency, its indicative of the need for this committee to reflect what the American people look like, Mr. Johnson said.

The FTC chief is a British-born American with Pakistani parents.

Mr. Issa demanded that his colleagues remarks be stricken from the record.

I would ask that that portion of his testimony be taken down as inappropriate and argumentative to and making a racial slur against myself and other members of the Congress, who, by the way, yesterday treated what I would call a very white man of a greater age very similarly, Mr. Issa said.

Mr. Jordan tried to cool down the committee hearing.

We should all engage in proper decorum, not disparage colleagues, not disparage people in the government, not disparage anyone, he said.
IN-DEPTH: If Parents Want Their Rights Back They Must End Teacher Union Monopoly: Expert

Unions continue to put millions into school board races.

Chicago public school teachers marched through the streets near City Hall during a strike in Chicago, Ill., on Oct. 31, 2019. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)

Former President of the Thomas Jefferson Institute Chris Braunlich said teachers unions are controlling the education system and have been funding pro-union political candidates, all the way down to school board members, in an effort to retain their power. Braunlich said parents and other concerned citizens must be aware of what teachers unions are doing and stop their monopoly, including their control of school boards.

School boards have become a battleground for major cultural issues, including parental rights, critical race theory, racial justice, transgenderism, sex education, gun laws, first amendment rights, misinformation, etc., because school boards can decide policy in all of these areas.

A woman sits with her sign during a Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) board meeting in Ashburn, Virginia, on Oct. 12, 2021. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

If you are concerned about what your local school board is doing, you need to be equally concerned with what the political forces backing them are doing, Braunlich said during a July 6 webinar to discuss the effect of collective bargaining on public schools.

There are approximately 83,000 school board members and 13,000 districts in the United States. Approximately 9,000 school districts across 35 states are holding regular school board elections in 2023, according to Ballotpedia.

Two of the largest teachers unions, the National Education Association (NEA), ended the 2022 school year with 2.5 million working members, down 40,107, and the American Federation of Teachers (ATF) had 1.12 million, a loss of 19,078 active in most school districts across the U.S. including Virginia.

Despite lower member numbers, the combined income of NEA and its local affiliates reached close to $1.75 billion in 2020-21, an increase of $49 million (2.9%) from the previous year, of which nearly all is exempt from income and capital gains taxes.

Fairfax County School Board Meeting meeting, Fairfax, Virginia, April 2023, (Masooma Haq/The Epoch Times)

Collective Bargaining

If state laws allow, school boards control whether or not their district can collectively bargain.

School divisions across Virginia are starting to unionize, with the Fairfax County School Board (FCPS) and the Falls Church School Board having approved resolutions allowing for collective bargaining among public school employees in March.

The FCPS school board, in charge of the largest school system in Virginia, adopted a resolution unanimously giving employees the right to collectively bargain. The 22-page resolution gives 28,000 county public school employees the ability to elect a union to negotiate contracts, which would provide standards for pay, conditions, and benefits.

The boards decision was made possible because three years ago Virginia General Assembly gave jurisdictions the option to grant collective bargaining rights to employees, essentially nullifying a 1977 Virginia Supreme Court ruling originally prevented.

Until 2021, Virginia had followed the advice of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in prohibiting public employee collective bargaining precisely because of the political nature of government supervisors being held susceptible to political pressures, Braunlich said.

During Ralph Northams tenure, a bill was passed and signed into law that allowed monopoly contracts, or collective bargaining, said Braunlich. It allowed local governments, counties, cities, and school boards to recognize a particular union as the only entity with whom they will discuss a monopoly union contract.

Virginias school system is heading down the same path as New York and California, with collective bargaining and monopoly contracts, creating an unstoppable political force that will obstruct parental rights and effective instruction, said Braunlich.

This absolute process gives one union monopoly power to negotiate for all the districts teachers, which allows that union to pressure teachers to join, even though the law allows teachers to opt out, said Braunlich.

Collective bargaining empowers the union  It increases the number of members theyre likely going to be able to get. That increases the union dues theyre likely to collect, and that in turn increases the political power of that union to negotiate again with the school board, which probably received campaign donations from it, Braunlich told The Epoch Times.

According to the largest union, the AFL-CIO, collective bargaining is the most effective way to solve workers problems.

It is also the best means for raising wages in America. Indeed, through collective bargaining, working people in unions have higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces, according to the AFL-CIO website.

However, critics of teachers unions say this model puts teachers rights before the parents right and student needs, do not advocate for conservative teachers and even target them, and often prevent bad teachers from being fired.

Destiny Charter Middle School students take part in a rally to support charter schools in Olympia, Washington, on May 17, 2018. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)

Unions Oppose School Choice

Braunlich said the collective bargaining process has not only had a negative effect on parental rights but also on education choice.

Because informed and active parents and education choice stand in their way, unions are among the most adamant opponents of increased parental involvement and school choice in any form, said Braunlich.

Teachers unions are perhaps the most powerful force opposing [or] trying to repeal school choice in every state in the union. The candidates they support have to oppose it. The elected officials they lobby are told to oppose it. And if all else fails, the unions take the issue to court repeatedly, Braunlich said.

Teachers unions control what teachers do and what and how students learn, said Braunlich, citing New York Citys 238-page contract, which Braunlich said is an effort to micro-manage teachers.

The Thomas Jefferson Institute works to advance parental rights in Virginia by creating support for increased education choice and curriculum transparency. The institute conducted a campaign that helped more than 300 teachers leave the unions and take a quarter of a million dollars in dues money with them, said Braunlich.

Unions Fund School Board Elections

Teachers unions have been involved in supporting school board candidates for years, while conservative groups have only recently caught on to how important school board positions are.

Teachers unions are a major political force, having invested more than $54 million into liberal political candidates in 2022 alone, said Braunlich. If one looks at their political spending patterns, theyre partners with one political party and one party only.

Between 2021-2022, the NEA spent about $40 million on political candidates and ATF spent nearly $16 million. The Virginia chapter of the NEA has a political arm called VEA Fund PAC.

The PAC is the most important thing that we do as members, VEA member and state Delegate Jeffrey Elkner said in a promotional video for The VEA Fund for Children and Public Education PAC.

We are very driven to do whats best for children, and that has always been our goal at the VEA. And so, we are issue-driven and party blind, VEA member Angela Clevinger, a teacher in Pulaski County, Virginia, said in a promotional video for the VEA PAC.

The president of ATF denies her unions involvement in school board elections.

In 12 years as president of AFT, I can count on two hands the ones we were seriously involved in, Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, told USA Today.

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten speaks in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2018. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

Weingartens statement is only true to the extent that AFT has its state and local affiliates endorse and support pro-union candidates for school board races. AFT has affiliates in the largest states and NEA affiliates in all 50, and these local and state affiliates are deeply involved in school board races.

NEA affiliate, California Teachers Association (CTA), illustrates this point. The CTAs PAC, Association for Better Citizenship, not only backs candidates in state races, but it also gives a good chunk of campaign contributions to local school board candidates.

According to The 74, in 2022, the CTA funded 287 board candidates in 125 school districtsfrom Los Angeles, with 430,000 students, all the way down to Big Pine, which enrolls 155 kidsproviding more than $1.8 million.

In addition, CTA PAC has a rule that it can contribute no more than 65% of the total campaign budget, requiring that local affiliates add the rest, and with the state affiliate giving $1.8 million, the local would give a minimum of $970,000.

A 2022 New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) analysis showed that the union helped elect 295 candidates in districts statewide.

Union-Backed Candidates Win

Roughly 70 percent of union-endorsed school board candidates win their seat, said Braunlich.

In an October 2022 report for the Manhattan Institute (pdf), the author Michael Hartney, Hoover Fellow at Stanford University, found with one important exception, school board elections continue to be dominated by teachers unions.

Hartney looked at teachers union endorsements in three states in 2022, California, New York, and Florida, and found that union-backed candidates for school board won 70% of the time in California, 80% of the time in New York and 64% of the time in Florida.

He found that in California, about one in 10 school boards have educator majorities.

Braunlich said the idea behind the 2018 NYSUT Candidate Pipeline project was to get union members elected to school board positions.

NYSUT recently elected Melinda Person president. Person was formally NYSUT executive director and political director, who, during an April acceptance speech, said, We need to grow NYSUTs power because the more powerful we are, the more we can win together.

Local unions endorsed 360 candidates in board elections. Eighty-five percent of these candidates were elected to local boards of education across the state, including 75 NYSUT members, according to a May NYSUT press statement.

A 2018 study conducted by the National School Boards Association (BSBA) found that 24% of school board members surveyed (pdf) were current or former members of a teachers union.

Children play at a charter school. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)

Effect of Union-Backed Board Members

Another report by Education Next, an NGO that researches public school education policy and governance, looked at randomized ballot orders, candidate filings, election records, and school district data and found that having teachers (union members) on school boards affected where district resources are allocated but did not affect student performance.

Our analysis finds no impact on student achievement from an educator serving on a school board; neither average test scores nor high-school graduation rates improve, the Education Next report states. However, outcomes relevant to union priorities advance.

Compared to a district without teachers on the school boards, charter-school enrollment declines, and the number of charter schools shrinks by about an average of one school per four-year board term. The report also found districts with teachers on the board had about a 2 percent teacher pay increase while support staff remained the same.

We believe this shows that school boards are an important causal channel through which teachers unions can exert influence, the report states.

The United States spends close to $870 billion annually for public school education, most of which school boards decide how to spend.

In Virginia, Loudoun Countys 2022-2023 budget (pdf) was over $2 billion, and Fairfax County Public Schools 2022 budget was over $3 billion (pdf).

Sherri Story, the chair of the School Board Members Alliance (SBMA), said many school board members do not realize how much power state laws actually give school boards.

It gives all the power to school board members. It does not empower superintendents to run the entire district however they want, said Story. She founded SBMA to give conservative teachers a voice as an alternative to the NSBA.

Besides determining where hundreds of millions of dollars are used, these boards have other major responsibilities, including strategic planning, policymaking, hiring the superintendent and assistant superintendent, approving curriculum changes, assessing policy compliance, community advocacy, and setting the school calendar.

School boards also decide teachers pay scales, benefits, and work hours by negotiating collective-bargaining agreements with teachers unions.

In California, it took months to renegotiate hundreds of district contracts before there could even be online learning, said Braunlich.

The head of United Teachers Los Angeles, Cecily Myart-Cruz, said that school closures did not have a lasting negative impact.

Theres no such thing as learning loss, Cecily Myart-Cruz told Los Angeles Magazine in a recent interview. Myart-Cruz did agree that students math scores might have been affected by virtual learning but said that lockdowns and school closures made them stronger.

United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) union President Alex Caputo-Pearl (R) speaks to striking teachers and their supporters outside John Marshall High School in Los Angeles, California on the first day of the teachers strike, on January 14, 2019. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Abuse of Collective Bargaining

Less than 18 [percent] of the teachers in Richmond Public Schools voted to unionize, but that vote was binding, Braunlich said.

Currently, many of the proposed rules by localities allow a majority of the small percentage voting to certify a union. But the same rules decided by the same local school board sometimes require that if teachers want to decertify a union, It needs to be a majority of all teachers. For example, if there are 100 teachers and only 30 vote, 16 votes can certify a union, but it will take 51 votes to decertify that union.

Rules for selecting and deselecting unions should be clear, agreed upon by the majority and transparent, said Braunlich.

Teachers unions have a monopoly in many states, and they gain power by giving teachers incomplete information and sometimes coercion, said Braunlich. Once they gain power, they put more money and resources into getting officials elected who will support and implement their agenda.

It is not compulsory to join the teachers union, but teachers do it for liability insurance, Braunlich said. Many teachers do not know there are other private options for better liability coverage.

Many school districts in Virginia and around the nation are in various phases of unionizing, said Braunlich. Collective bargaining is not only detrimental for teachers but also for police departments and police officers because it makes it much more difficult or impossible to fire bad employees, said Braunlich.

I tell teachers and police the same thing, union contracts protect all cops, but they also protect bad cops. And when bad cops are protected, it makes good cops look bad, and they dont deserve that; they deserve better, said Braunlich.

Education has become degraded because of the activity of unions that place a priority over the contract, rather than whats best for kids, said Braunlich. And sometimes even to the detriment of teachers.

In order to prevent school districts from being taken over by unions, parents and other concerned citizens can get involved in school board elections and vote for pro-student, pro-parental rights candidates, said Braunlich.
Is Paul Keating Stuck in a Time Warp?

Former prime minister Paul Keating addresses the National Press Club by audio visual link in Canberra, Australia, on March 15, 2023. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Commentary

Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating has launched another extraordinary spray at the federal governments foreign policies.

In an apparently unsolicited written statement, Mr. Keating lambasted the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and its Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg while supporting President Emmanuel Macrons opposition to the organisation expanding into Asia.

Condemning the militarism of Europe, Mr. Keating stated that exporting that malicious poison to Asia would be akin to Asia welcoming the plague upon itself.

Of all the people on the international stage, the supreme fool among them is Jens Stoltenberg, the current Secretary-General of NATO, added Keating. Stoltenberg, by instinct and by policy, is simply an accident on its way to happen.

Mr. Stoltenberg, Norways former Labour prime minister, has served in his current role since 2014.

His crime, in the eyes of Mr. Keating, is to draw parallels between Russias invasion of Ukraine and Chinas behaviour in Asia.

Coinciding with the visit by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Europe for a meeting of NATO in Lithuania, Mr. Keatings statement was a direct criticism of NATO and the foreign policies of the Australian government.

Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese waits before the start of a meeting with NATOs Indo-Pacific partners during the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 12, 2023. (Ludovic Marin/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

This is not the first outburst by Mr. Keating about relations with China. It is no wonder that the CCP mouthpiece, the Global Times, praised Mr. Keating.

Last year, he proposed that Australia ditch its involvement in the QUAD and AUKUS arrangements.

Mr. Keating has said he nurses a grievance towards the United States, which he also attacked again in his recent statement, saying the U.S. had not been grateful enough for Australias contributions to global affairs, including the creation of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Group (APEC), he claimed last year.

This [APEC] came out of the Australian foreign policythis is my personal gift to the United States. They will give you no thanks and gratitude, Mr. Keating said.

The U.S. is exceptionally ungrateful for people who have [supported it] for a lifetime. I am one of them. For two decades within the Labor Party  I supported the United States against what was then the pro-communist left.

The idea of APEC was first publicly broached by Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke during a speech in Seoul, Korea, on Jan. 31, 1989. Ten months later, 12 Asia-Pacific nations met in Canberra to establish the organisation.

Doesnt Fundamentally Understand the Threat of the CCP

Mr. Keating has a misguided view of the Chinese communist regime.

The Chinese are not trying to overturn the existing system. Lets get this clear: China is not the old Soviet Union. Its not exporting ideology, he said.

This view stands in stark contrast to most observers of China, including another former Labor Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, who claims that Chinese leader Xi Jinping has brought communist ideology back to the core of the countrys decision-making.

The West ignores Xis ideological messaging at its own peril. No matter how abstract and unfamiliar his ideas might be, they are having profound effects on the real-world content of Chinese politics and foreign policyand thus, as Chinas rise continues, on the rest of the world, Mr. Rudd wrote in an essay published last year.

Xis ideological beliefs have committed China to the goal of building what Xi describes as a fairer and more just international systemone anchored in Chinese power rather than American power and one that reflects norms more consistent with Marxist-Leninist values.

It would appear that Mr. Keating is blind to what Mr. Rudd describes as the truth about China that is hiding in plain sight.

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, on March 9, 2021. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Paul Keating was a member of parliament and prime minister of Australia until 1996. Much of his 27 years in political life coincided with the reign of Deng Xiaoping and his successors, such as Jiang Zemin, as leaders of the Chinese Communist Party.

It was also during this period that Deng opened up the Chinese economy, which benefitted Australia.

Mr. Keatings views of China were formed during that era and in his subsequent involvement with the Chinese Development Bank. It is a quarter of a century since Mr. Keating sat in the National Security Committee or received a briefing from the national security agencies.

Disaster Scenario

Mr. Keating would have China dominate the Indo-Pacific.

The U.S. could run the world co-operatively with China. In other words, the U.S. consolidates the Atlantic, which includes bringing Russia into Europe, and in the east, the stability is provided by the Chinese, he said.

According to Keating, the world will also consent to a Chinese take-over of Taiwan.

Taiwan, I repeat, is not of vital Australian interest, he said last year. If Ive got any advice for them (the US) its to stick to strategic ambiguity like glue.

However, the idea that Taiwan is not vital to Australia is misguided. A successful Chinese invasion of Taiwan would have one of two economic consequences; either the destruction of the islands semi-conductor production; or the domination of the industry, if it survived invasion, by China.

Two 8-inch self-propelled artillery guns is fired during the 35th Han Kuang (Han Glory) military drill in southern Taiwans Pingtung county on May 30, 2019. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

Either way, Australiaalong with most of the worldwould face disastrous economic consequences running to hundreds of billions of dollars a year.

Mr. Keating envisages a benevolent Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ruling the Indo-Pacific. He is particularly sensitive to any challenge to this utopian dream, including NATO setting up an office in Japan.

Sensibly the Australian government has ignored his advice. Mr. Albanese encouraged the Germans, for example, to have a greater naval presence in the Pacific.

Contrary to Mr. Keatings naivety, an emboldened CCP would not stop at Taiwan. Chinas so-called first island lineits projected primary line of defenceextends to South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines.

It is already seeking to extend its influence throughout the Indo-Pacific, including to islands on our doorstep.

Just recently, China and the Solomons Island entered a comprehensive partnership which extends the CCPs influence over the Pacific nation.

Under Keatings scenario, the Indo-Pacific would become a vassal for Xis regime. A resource-rich Australia would be at the mercy of the CCP if Mr. Keatings scenario ever became a reality.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
John Rossomando: Ukraine Needs Close Air Support

The U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II, a.k.a. Warthog," demonstrates its capabilities at the New York Air Show at Orange County Airport, N.Y., on June 24, 2023. (Petr Svab/The Epoch Times)

Commentary

Ukraine struggles to press its offensive against Russian forces. Too much emphasis has been placed on modern Western armored vehicles such as the Leopard 2, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and the M1A2 Abrams tank.

No one has put adequate emphasis on airpower and tipping the balance in Ukraines favor. Instead of pinprick attacks using Storm Shadow missiles and HIMARS that do little to change the landscape on the battlefield, giving Ukraine air supremacy must be the objective.

Giving the Ukrainians the ability to eliminate Russian defenses from the air in conjunction with ground forces should be a key objective.

The United States and its allies need to provide the Ukrainian forces with close-in air support in the form of AH-64 Apache helicopters, Italian Mangusta, Eurocopter Tiger, and other assault platforms. The A-10 will be retired in the coming years due to aging airframes. Congress should consider selling Ukraine A-10s, and the United States should train Ukrainian pilots to fly the A-10s and use them to blow holes through Russian lines.

Current Ukrainian tactics will not give them the ability to kick the Russians off their soil.

Lessons for Ukraine are direct and immediate. Russian forces are heavily dug in along their front lines in fortified positions such that Ukrainian forces have great difficulty in breaching the fortifications.

The best [approach] is to bypass [the frontal defenses] and hit them from the side, a Ukrainian soldier told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Thats what we do: reconnaissance by force. We go in, make contact, then if they are entrenched, we pull back and try another spot. There is always some place where they will crack.

The New York Times notes that no sooner do Ukrainian forces breach Russian minefields than the Russian defenders seed them with new mines. The stalemate continues because President Vladimir Putin refuses to withdraw and the Ukrainians lack the force structure to decisively win.

Ukraine lacks air supremacy, which dooms its effort to dislodge Russian forces from its territory. It also has a shortage of experienced pilots who can man the aircraft. Anti-aircraft missile systems such as the S-400 have longer ranges than their NATO counterparts, such as the Patriot.

Gaining air supremacy over Russia is essential for Ukraine to win.

Soviet-Era Tactics

Tactics employed by both sides in Ukraine focus around Soviet-era tactics that emphasize the primacy of artillery strikes to support advancing armor and infantry. The Ukrainian army will continue to fail on the battlefield as long as it continues using Soviet tactics that were discredited decades ago.

Sure, Ukraine has 40,000 Western-trained soldiers; however, if theyre deployed using failed tactics, they will go nowhere. Defense One notes that the Ukrainian army has baked in Soviet tactics at the corps level. This means the Ukrainians, like their Russian enemies, are top-heavy and dont give adequate emphasis on lower-level initiative or airpower.

American advisers want to help the Ukrainians transition to a decentralized way of doing things that emphasizes greater initiative among officers at more junior grades.

Soldiers complained of Soviet-style leaders who provided inadequate training. In one instance [professor Will] Reno heard about, combat engineers learning de-mining techniques were told to use pot lids as mock mines. They were then told to practice their skills by miming defusing the pot-lids, Defense One said in an April article.

The soldiers instead taught themselves how to work as sappers, but couldnt get certified by the military because the training wasnt official, he said. Several Ukrainian soldiers Reno spoke with complained that individuals who did complete official courses would be certified, but not actually competent in their assigned specialties.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should demand the resignation of every general who was brought up in the Soviet system.

Training among Ukraines forces is uneven. Some units have Western training and doctrine. Others do not. Some units have minimal training. The Ukrainian army isnt a first-rate force. Its holding its own against the Russians but is incapable of attaining sufficient overmatch against the Russians to win outright at this point.

Need for Air Superiority

Hype that Ukraine will magically kick the Russians out of its occupied territory without airpower and the ability to airdrop soldiers behind Russian lines is silliness. Since 1939 no army has been kicked out of defensive positions without the attacking army first gaining air superiority.

Ukrainian propagandists say it took over a month to breakout out from the Normandy beachhead in 1944, but they forget that the Allies gained air superiority over the Germans before that happened.

Ukraine will not be successful until adequate attention is placed on reforming Ukraines military and on increasing the offensive role of Ukrainian airpower against Russia. This means giving the Ukrainians more modern close-air support in the form of tank killers like the A-10 and Apache and the ability to take down Russian air defenses. The A-10 is in a league of its own that Ukraines Su-25s cant match.

The U.S. Army got it very much right before the 1991 Gulf War. Its AirLand Battle doctrine, adopted in 1982, anticipated fast-moving operations by ground forces supported by air forces using precision-guided munitions. The U.S. Army had been planning to fight such a conflict on the plains of Europe against the Red Army, but it proved ideally suited for fighting the Soviet-equipped Iraqi Army in the deserts of Arabia. The result was one of the most lopsided conflicts in modern military history, Washington Post columnist Max Boot recalled last November.

A look at the 1991 Persian Gulf War shows that coalition forces faced a similarly dug-in Iraqi army that deployed many of the same equipment that the Russian occupation forces in Ukraine. Coalition forces gained air supremacy over the Iraqis that Ukraine simply doesnt have over its Russian foes.

Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf had the luxury of hundreds of miles of open desert and the lack of serious Iraqi defenses in the deep desert and simply swung a left hook and hit the Iraqis from behind. Iraqi defenders were shellshocked by B-52 strikes and surrendered as they were overrun. Assessments after the war found that Iraqis were most terrified of B-52s and A-10s.

Get air superiority and give the Ukrainians the ability to put thousands of airborne troops behind Russian lines to hit them from behind.

Ukraine will not win without a serious revamping of its force structure and strategy. History shows that only airpower can throw out an entrenched defender. The faster Ukraine gets air superiority, the sooner it will be until the war ends.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Federal Worker Unions Lose Only 1 Percent of Complaints Filed Against Them by Government Workers: Study

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) and other members of the Texas delegation hold a press conference about the Texas Rangers' bicentennial, in Washington on March 1, 2023, in a still from video released by NTD. (NTD)

Taxpayers fear having to talk to the IRS, Medicare patients hate appealing coverage decisions, and beneficiaries dread dealing with the Social Security Administration, but one group that apparently has nothing to fear from the government is labor unions representing federal civil service workers.

An analysis by Americans for Fair Treatment (AFFT) of Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) data found less than one percent of the more than 1,200 government worker complaints filed between December 2015 and December 2022 resulted in any kind of adverse action against civil service employee unions.

The vast majority of the annual average of 193 complaints filed during the seven-year period involved the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest of the multiple labor groups representing portions of the 2.1 million federal civil service workforce.

A total of 935 complaints were filed during the period against AFGE, while 108 were filed against the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). Only nine of the 1,211 employee complaints resulted in FLRA enforcement against the union involved. Eight of those were against AFGE, while one of the complaints filed against NTEU went against the union. Eight other unions representing small segments of the federal workforce had single-digit totals.

Spokesmen for both AFGE and NTEU were asked by The Epoch Times for comments, but neither responded.

Doubts About FLRA Objectivity:

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), who is chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committees Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, told The Epoch Times that the report is alarming, casting doubts on the [FLRAs] capacity to administer the law with the requisite fairness and impartiality. We cannot overstate the importance of safeguarding the rights of every worker. The question of whether justice has indeed been served for all employees looms large and warrants our immediate attention.

The Epoch Times has asked the FLRA for a response to Sessions statement and to the AFFT analysis.

The AFGE, which is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, represents more than 750,000 federal workers employed by virtually every major department and agency and recently issued claims to be currently in the midst of a significant expansion of membership.

This May, AFGE added the most members in one month to our union in eight years and recruited the most members of any May in over a decade. It also marked eight months of consecutive growth for our union. Not only is that a good sign for the overall strength of our union, its yet another high point in an incredibly strong year of organizing and recruitment for our union, the statement said.

The NTEU represents 150,000 federal workers employed by 34 departments and agencies.

More than half (52 percent) of the total complaints for the period were dismissed, with 636 being dismissed in full and two dismissed in part. A total of 503 of the dismissals involved complaints against AFGE, and 56 were against NTEU. In 552 of the cases, the complaint was withdrawn by the employee prior to any FLRA ruling, including 416 against AFGE and 51 against NTEU, according to AFFT.

A substantial number of case rulings by the FLRA were appealed, but employees fared little better.

Unfortunately, federal employees face an even more daunting challenge in appealing a loss against their union to the FLRA General Counsel, which has failed to grant a single appeal filed by an individual employee, the AFFT analysis reported. The General Counsel denied 231 of the appeals, while 90 remain under consideration at the present time.

The lack of cases won by employees appears to be reflected in the annual totals. The highest year was 2016, with 94, followed by 2018, with 65, and 2017 with 60. But the number of new complaints filed plunged in 2019 to 26, followed in successive years by 25, 24, and 22.

The AFFT analysis argues that the current system of federal workforce labor regulations is strongly biased in favor of the unions, with a result that the costs in attorneys fees and lost time involved for an employee are a huge discouragement.

The primary issue seems to be the financial disadvantage of the employees. The cost of hiring an attorney to file an unfair labor practice charge could quickly outweigh the value of the charge itself. The typical public employee cant afford to hire an attorney for a matter of mere principle. In contrast, unions and employers have plenty of lawyers either on staff or under a flat retainer that would cover an unfair labor practice charge, the analysis said.

Is It Bidens FLRA?

This same inequity hurts employees who attempt to represent themselves without an attorney in a labor board proceeding. They often find themselves outmatched by union and employer lawyers who cut their teeth prosecuting labor board charges of their own. The lawyers seem not only to know the law; they seem to know everyone who works at the labor boardand theyre on a first-name basis, according to the analysis.

Mark Mix, President of the National Right to Work Committee, told The Epoch Times that once again, the Biden FLRA is showing that its priority is to empower the administrations political allies who head up federal unions while throwing rank-and-file federal employees under the bus. In addition to making it difficult for employees to hold union bosses accountable when they violate their rights, the Biden FLRA also traps federal workers under unwanted union control by enforcing unreasonable restrictions on employees right to vote out unions.

Ultimately, union bosses should not have the power to force federal employees under their one-size-fits-all representation, a privilege which also gives them substantial clout over public services that taxpayers should be in control of.

According to opensecrets.org, AFGE, during the 2022 election cycle, contributed nearly $2 million to congressional campaigns, with 95 percent of those donations going to Democrats. Similarly, 96 percent of the more than $533,000 in 2022 campaign contributions by NTEUs political action committees went to Democrats. Both unions endorsed President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
The Secret Service has wrapped up its investigation into the recent cocaine discovery at the White House due to a lack of evidence, and no suspect was identified.

President Joe Biden is sounding bullish on Ukraines chances of beating back Russia. What did he say in Finland as he concluded his trip to Europe?

Regarding Ukraines ascension to NATO and the United States ongoing support for the nation, we hear from someone with first-hand experience in the Pentagon, who says Mr. Bidens NATO trip seemed to have lacked coordination.

A panel of lawmakers and religious leaders gather on the House floor, shedding some light on communist Chinas persecution of faith communities.

Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) gave a speech on the House floor about NTDs sister media, The Epoch Times, with an overview of The Epoch Times unique history and challenges.

The FDA approves the first-ever over-the-counter birth control pill. The agency says half of all pregnancies in the United States each year are unintended.
Secret Service Probe Into White House Cocaine Ends With No Suspect

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have said that the U.S. Secret Service told them in a closed-door briefing that the investigation into cocaine found at the White House has concluded and no suspect has been identified.

While the Secret Service hasnt yet officially confirmed the conclusion of the investigation, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) told reporters on Capitol Hill on July 13 that this is basically the end of the line for the probe.

I dont see it moving forward in any way, shape, or form after this, she said.

Ms. Mace said lawmakers were told during the closed-door briefing that investigators were unable to determine who brought the cocaine into the West Wing and how long it was before it was discovered on July 2. It was first identified as an unknown item and prompted a brief evacuation.

No one knows how long it was there or who put it there, and they cant get to the bottom of it, she said, noting that more than 500 people visited the White House that weekend and suggesting that the hypothesis that one of the visitors brought it in isnt unreasonable.

At the same time, Ms. Mace expressed dismay at the failure of the probe to determine who brought the drugs into the White House and when.

This, as a member of Congress, is frustrating. Its the most secure site, the most secure building in the world, with the best law enforcement officers in the world, and we dont have any answers, she said.

From my perspective, its just frustrating. Every time we have questions about activity around the Biden White House, the administrations family, no one can ever get any answers.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) in Washington on Jan. 27, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Although Ms. Mace didnt name anyone in particular, much of the speculation around the drug find has focused on President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden, who in his memoir discussed his past addiction to crack cocaine.

Asked whether she thinks the matter might get taken up by the House Oversight Committee, Ms. Mace said its unlikely because lawmakers have their hands full with other investigations.

Republicans in Congress have initiated a number of investigations into the Biden administration, including one into how government agencies colluded with big tech companies to censor Americans constitutionally protected free speech.

Pretty Good Diversion

Other lawmakers who spoke to reporters following the Secret Service briefing told much the same story as Ms. Mace.

They told us they dont know who it is, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) told reporters on Capitol Hill.

Mr. Burchett said it was bogus that the Secret Service wouldnt be able to identify a suspect given all the security technology thats deployed at the White House and the fact that visitors are screened quite closely.

Its a complete failure, he said. This thing is ridiculous.

U.S. Rep.-elect Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) casts his vote in the House Chamber during the fourth day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2023. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Asked for specifics of the information provided during the briefing, Mr. Burchett said lawmakers were told that the amount of cocaine that had been found was less than a gram.

Its a pretty good diversion. A lot of people are upset about it, he said. I think theyre thumbing their nose at the American public right now, like this administration has had a habit of doing.

Mr. Burchett said a formal announcement of the conclusions of the investigation is expected on July 14.

Secret Service officials didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

Secret Service Refuses to Hand Over Records

It comes days after the Secret Service stated that it wouldnt comply with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records relating to the White House cocaine, citing the potential for interference in an ongoing investigation.

In a letter dated July 11, the Secret Service told Bloomberg Business investigative reporter Jason Leopold that it wouldnt comply with the FOIA request he made to the agency.

Mr. Leopolds FOIA request had asked for information such as emails, text messages, memos, intelligence bulletins and threat assessments, after-action reports, and suspicious activity reporting regarding the cocaine found in the West Wing of the White House on July 2.

The Secret Service stated that the requested information could interfere with enforcement proceedings.

Usually, when an agency denies a FOIA request under the enforcement proceedings exemption, its signaling that releasing the requested information could hinder ongoing or future law enforcement actions.

The Secret Service told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that the investigation remained open and active at that time and that disclosure of documents and records is prohibited under the federal FOIA until cases are closed and adjudicated.

Unknown Item

On the evening of July 2, a substance initially described as an unknown item was found in the White House library, prompting a brief evacuation.

Although the Secret Service didnt identify the nature of the substance, a D.C. firefighter said in a radio dispatch call at 8:49 p.m. on July 2 that the substance had tested positive for cocaine.

As the investigation progressed, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told The Epoch Times that the substance may have been brought in by someone who works there or had authorization to be there.

According to Mr. Guglielmi, the drugs were discovered in an area where West Wing staff, media personnel, visitors, and others involved in the security screening process gather.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said recently that the administration would let the Secret Service do its job before determining what action it needs to take.

We will take any action that is appropriate and warranted pending the outcome of the Secret Service [investigation], Ms. Jean-Pierre told reporters during a weekly White House press briefing.
Locally Acquired Malaria Outbreak in Florida Infects 6 People in Sarasota County

An Asian tiger mosquito that is known to carry diseases like malaria. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is dedicating resources to getting rid of malaria around the world. (Jack Leonard/Getty Images)

Florida was the epicenter of an outbreak of malaria, the first time the tropical disease was contracted in the state in 20 years.

Six cases of locally acquired malaria were reported in southwest Florida in May and June, according to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH).

All six cases were localized in Sarasota Countyhalfway between Tampa and Ft. Myers.

The health department said that all six individuals contracted the same strain of malaria and that they were treated and have recovered.

Adult mosquitoes are seen through a fluorescence microscope. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo/File)

There have been no new malaria cases reported in Florida as of July 8, according to FDOHs Florida Abrovirus Surveillance report, as well as no new cases of any tracked mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile, Dengue, and Zika Fever.

However, a health advisory for mosquito-borne illnesses was put into effect in Florida, and both FDOH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published information on the disease and how families can protect themselves.

In 2021, UNICEF says there were 247 million malaria cases around the world, and of those 619,000 were fatal.

Mosquitoes Are the Culprits

The best way to avoid malaria and all other mosquito-borne illnesses, according to Floridas health department, is to build a defense against mosquitoes themselves.

Mosquitoes are the known culprits of carrying this stuff, FDOH Press Secretary James Williams told The Epoch Times.

We want to arm people with the knowledge to take care of it if they need to. But in the same way that were being proactive, were charging Floridians and visitors to also be proactive.

While malaria was reportedly eradicated from the Sunshine State in the late 1940s, FDOH states that it is still home to 14 species of mosquitoes that have the ability to carry and transmit the parasite.

The latest malaria outbreak in Florida involved eight cases that were reported in Palm Beach County in 2003.

Due to a regularly-occurring introduction of malaria to the state from immigrants and travelers from endemic areas, the Department of Health states that local transmission is still possible.

In 2012, 65 travel and immigration-related malaria cases were reported, according to FDOH.

An aircraft approaches to land at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, on January 2, 2023. (Marco Bello/Reuters)

If you start feeling feverish and you start having flu-like symptoms, and theres any chance that you could have been bitten by a mosquito, go to go see a doctor and just rule it out, he said. Its very easy to treat and cure, but like anything, we want to catch it sooner rather than later.

It is common for infected individuals to not experience symptoms until 10 days after being bitten by a mosquito, according to the CDC, but it is also possible for indicators not to appear until 30 daysor even a full yearafterward.

Milder symptoms are fever, chills, nausea, body aches, and headaches. But in severe malaria, symptoms include seizures, mental confusion, kidney failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and coma.

Pregnant women and young children are at greater risk of contracting severe malaria and it can be transmitted from the mother to the unborn baby before or during delivery.

At the end of the day, we dont know where the malaria originated from, Mr. Williams said of the six cases in Sarasota.

This thin film blood smear photomicrograph reveals the presence of two Plasmodium malariae schizonts, which cause malaria. (Dr. Mae Melvin/CDC)

Were doing everything in our power to not only kill the mosquitoeswhich were doing a very, very, very good job of [doing]but also just arming Floridians and visitors with the proper [protective] tools and resources.

He said people should be applying high-factor mosquito repellant for people older than 2 months, wearing long sleeves and pants when going outside, as well as taking part in what FDOH calls drain and cover.

We want residents to be draining any standing water that they have on their premises, said Mr. Williams. Whether thats from a dog bowl, or a bucket, or a kid pool, or anything like that. Try to drain that water two or three times a week at a minimum. Because thats just thats a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

FDOH states that just a bottle caps worth of water is enough for mosquitoes to multiply.

Florida is a subtropical climate with regularly stormy summers that often produce puddles, mud patches, and other forms of standing water behind.

FDOH published a mosquito-control flyer that offers the best means of resistance both inside and outside.

The type of malaria-transmitting mosquitos that are native to Florida generally dont fly more than 1.2 miles from their larval habitat, according to the CDC.

More on Malaria

Lets be very clear. Its not a respiratory disease, Mr. Williams said. If someone tested positive for malariawhether thatd be in Sarasota County, or in Kenya, and they come to Orlandoyou and I, or your friend, are not going to contract malaria simply by being in the same room.

This is not the flu. This is not a cold. Its not COVID. This is a blood-borne parasite.

Floridas health department conducts constant statewide surveillance of mosquito-borne diseases, releasing weekly reports, which can be read here.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has filed a proposal to remove the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers.

The proposal, which was filed with Maines Secretary of State, is based on evolving scientific evidence and trends including available clinical and epidemiological data about COVID-19, increased population immunity owing to vaccinations and previous infections, and decreased severity of the virus, the department said in a July 11 statement.

Additionally, Maine healthcare professionals strong culture of patient safety has limited the risk of severe COVID-19 being spread among staff and patients, officials said.

The decision is also based on improved treatments to combat the virus as well as declining infection and death rates, according to the statement.

Maine, which has the nations oldest population, is one of four U.S. states that still have some kind of vaccine mandate in place.

However, the department said data show that the mandate achieved its goals of saving lives and protecting health workers and is no longer needed, based on the latest scientific evidence.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Maine has followed the science in developing policies to limit the spread of the virus, DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew said on July 11. Today, a robust body of evolving evidence tells us that this requirement achieved its goals of saving lives and protecting health at a crucial time.

While the department plans to drop the vaccine requirement, officials are still encouraging Maine health workers, including those who work with the states most vulnerable residents, to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations.

Job Losses, Lawsuits

Thats in line with similar guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encouraging everyone whos 6 months and older, including health care workers, to remain up to date on COVID-19 vaccination.

Studies by the CDC have also acknowledged that natural immunity gives better protection against COVID-19 than both primary series of vaccination and vaccination with a messenger RNA booster on top of a primary series.

As the science evolves, we will continue to follow best practices for infection prevention and control and will promote ongoing efforts to educate our community about the many benefits of vaccines, said Angela Westhoff, president and CEO of Maine Health Care Association.

The requirement that health care workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 went into effect on Oct. 20, 2021. However, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services withdrew the requirement on June 8, 2023, shortly after the Biden administration ended the last of the remaining federal vaccine mandates after the COVID-19 public health emergency ended.

In Maine, multiple health care workers filed lawsuits over the vaccine mandate, which prohibited religious exemptions and was considered to be one of the strictest in the nation, when it was first rolled out. The measure resulted in nearly 10 percent of the states health care workforce leaving their jobs, according to 2021 data.

Many of the lawsuits were later dismissed, although an appeals court in May ordered that one case that was filed by seven health care workers, which cited possible violations of First Amendment and Equal Protection rights, be reconsidered.

The latest proposal by Maines Health Department will likely be adopted following public comment at the end of the year, but in the meantime, DHHS will continue to exercise enforcement discretion regarding COVID-19 vaccination of health care workers, officials said.

GOP Lawmakers Urge Swift Mandate Removal

Health care providers are also able to continue implementing COVID-19 vaccination requirements for their employees during this time, according to the statement.

Republican lawmakers welcomed the proposed rule change in a statement.

We appreciate that Maine DHHS has recognized the mandate does not serve any public health interest and begun the rulemaking process to repeal it, the statement reads. We urge the administration to expedite the process well before the stated end of 2023. Republicans hope that some of our health care and EMS heroes who left the professionand in some cases even the statecan return to serve Maine once again.

It isnt yet clear whether hospitals or health care facilities will rehire workers who lost their jobs or were forced to quit owing to the initial vaccine mandate.

Dr. James Jarvis, physician leader for incident command at Northern Light Health in Maine, told NBC affiliate News Center Maine on July 11 that health care facilities and hospitals in the state are currently reviewing the information from the Health Department.

Were looking at all of the implications that that rule change might have for us. No decision has been made. I will say, we will continue to follow the science and the best evidence, particularly, at this time, Dr. Jarvis said.

In order to remove the vaccine mandate for emergency medical technicians, the Maine Department of Health will need to file a separate proposal.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc
Majority of Canadians Oppose Government Funding of Newsrooms, Media Outlets: Poll

Newspaper front pages are displayed at the Newseum in Washington on July 10, 2017. (Carolyn Kaster/The Canadian Press, AP)

The majority of Canadians oppose government funding of media organizations and newsrooms, and most want the consolidation of news outlets discouraged in order to maintain healthy competition in the industry, according to a new Angus Reid survey.

A July 13 news release from the polling company says that two possible solutions to declining newsroom revenues, a reduced workforce of journalists, and fewer readers have been rejected by Canadian poll respondents.

A majority (59 percent) oppose the government funding of private newsrooms, believing it compromises journalistic independence,' Angus Reid said.

A similar proportion of those polled (57 percent) say the consolidation of mediasuch as the recently considered merger between Torstar and Postmedia that has since collapsedshould be discouraged so there is more competition in news coverage in Canada.

The survey asked a number of questions. Although the government funding of private newsrooms is an unpopular concept among Canadians, half (47 percent) of those polled disagreed with the federal government completely defunding CBC.

Only one-third (36 percent) of respondents said they wanted to see CBCs funding cut off entirely. That number is much higher (72 percent) among past Conservative Party voters.

Very few Canadians were in favour of the now-failed merger proposed between the two media giants, Torstar, which operates the Toronto Star, and Postmedia, which operates the National Post and papers across the country. Less than one out of five, or 17 percent, said they were in favour of the merger, while 43 percent were opposed and 40 percent were uncertain.

The majority of older Canadians polled still rely on television for their news. Three-quarters, or 74 percent, of those polled over the age of 54 said they turn on the TV daily to watch the news. Only 26 percent of those aged 18 to 34 said the same. The 18 to 34 age group is most likely (93 percent) to rely on the Internet for their news.

The majority of Canadians want media outlets to stay competitive by avoiding consolidation.

Large organizations including Rogers, Bell, Corus, and Quebecor Inc., own a vast network of websites, radio stations, and papers in Canada which tends to improve prospects for advertisers, but increase challenges for high-quality local journalism, Angus Reid suggested.

Of the Canadians surveyed, 57 percent want consolidation discouraged. Only 20 percent say that mergers are needed to keep newspapers in operation. The survey found that less than one-in-six (15 percent) Canadians indicated they currently pay for an online news subscription, Angus Reid said.

The federal government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in 2018 an almost $600-million support package for media outlets, which included financial assistance for print magazines, non-daily newspapers, digital periodicals, and tax credits on wages paid to newsroom employees and for Canadians who subscribe to digital news.

The government also passed Bill C-18 in an attempt to push the Big Tech companies to compensate Canadian news companies for their content linked on sites such as Google News and Facebook, Angus Reid said.

The platforms responded by announcing they will block Canadian news content when the law is officially enacted.

The Angus Reid Institute conducted the online survey for the latest data from July 46, among a representative randomized sample of 1,610 Canadian adults who are members of the Angus Reid Forum.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 13, 2023 - 18:44 | All, Japan, G7

The atomic bombing survivor who met world leaders at the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima in May said on Thursday their visit to the city's peace museum had been a "significant first step" toward abolishing nuclear weapons even though survivors and activists remain divided over the event's achievements.

Keiko Ogura, 85, made the remarks during a remote press conference for the Foreign Press Center Japan. An English speaker, she was the only survivor to meet the leaders of G-7, including nuclear-possessing France, Britain and the United States, when they visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum on the summit's first day.

"In a sense it was a small step toward nuclear abolition, but many atomic bomb survivors feel there should be further statements toward that goal," she said.

But she added that "knowing is the first step to peace," and the fact that "the leaders of the G-7 and invited nations came to Hiroshima, visited the museum and spoke with me was a remarkable, significant first step."

The summit was billed by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as a chance to proclaim a vision for a "world without nuclear weapons" from the world's first atomic-bombed city, where his parliamentary constituency is located.

However, a number of survivor groups and anti-nuclear activists have been critical of the "Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament" communique's backing of nonproliferation principles.

Among the local groups to voice their opposition, the Hiroshima Alliance for Nuclear Weapons Abolition on July 6 petitioned the city government to include a passage saying it cannot accept the leaders' communique in this year's Peace Declaration.

The declaration is traditionally read aloud by the mayor at the ceremony held each year on Aug. 6 to mark the anniversary of the city's bombing.

While details of Ogura's exchanges with the leaders during their roughly 40-minute visit at the museum remains undisclosed, she has said she conveyed her experiences to them as well as the story of Sadako Sasaki, who died aged 12 of leukemia, 10 years after she was exposed to the bombing.

Sadako's attempt to fold a thousand paper cranes to grant her wish to be cured has made the cranes a symbol of peace.

Ogura was 8 when the bomb fell on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, and was near her home about 2.4 kilometers from the blast. A prominent survivor, she founded Hiroshima Interpreters for Peace in 1984 and has given talks on her experiences in Japan and abroad including in the United States.

Related coverage:

A-bomb survivors mixed on G-7 Hiroshima summit museum visit
A nearly-retired construction worker in Virginia spent years of spare evenings and weekends building a perfect replica of Noahs Ark. Down to the smallest detail, his creation is faithful to one of the Bibles most enduring epics.

Mackie Jenkins, 65, from Washington, D.C. originally, started a Bible study ministry three decades ago in Warrenton, Virginia, where his teaching passion came to the fore. From 1999 he began producing materials and models of the Ark to aid as props.

We found a log when I was doing hybrid construction, about 45 feet [14 meters] below street level in Alexandria, Virginia, on a high-rise we were building, Mr. Jenkins told The Epoch Times, adding his belief about its origins. The log was not from this time period.

It was from the pre-flood era, he thinks.

A replica Noahs Ark built to 1:40 scale sits in the office of Mackie Jenkins, 65, in Warrenton, Virginia. (Courtesy of Megan Jenkins)

Replica animals made of wood are shown being filed into the Ark two by two. (Courtesy of Megan Jenkins)

This was the impetus behind his first of several Ark models that grew successively larger in scale. Firstly, he used the log to build a 6-foot (1.8 meter) prototype. This was around when Ken Ham, CEO and founder of Answers in Genesis, was building his now world-renowned Ark Encounter in Kentucky.

Mr. Jenkins was inspired by this to think big. He wanted to incorporate all 15 biblical scenes of the Ark in one model: including its construction, the boarding of animals, and its landing after the flood. His 6-foot (1.8 meters) replica proved too small for his purposes; so he spent two more years, between 2015 and 2017, building a 12-foot (3.6-meter) version.

Striving for Authenticity

Well, were getting close, but were still not there, Mr. Jenkins said. So I built a third one. Starting around 2019, he drew plans for a larger Ark and gathered wood materials from a rather particular community.

Mr. Jenkinss Noahs Ark model being built in the woodworking shop. (Courtesy of Mackie Jenkins)

A wooden model of Noahs Ark during the building stage sits in the woodworking shop. (Courtesy of Mackie Jenkins)

At an Amish sawmill near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, he found the quarter-sawn oak that would give the ornamental finish he desired. The Amish processed the wood by cutting it the wrong way to expose the pattern of the grain to show off.

It would draw [peoples] attention, and then we can tell them about the Ark and the gospel of Jesus Christ, said Mr. Jenkins, who spent between $4,000 and $5,000 on the showy wood alone.

For a third time, Mr. Jenkins called upon Virginian furniture restoration expert Jeff Hadley, from Winchester, who helped on the previous two Ark replicas, to design the magnum opus.

The exact dimensions in the Bible are given: Its 300 cubits long, by 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits tall, Mr. Jenkins said. That amounts to about 500 feet [152 meters] long, by 85 feet [25 meters] wide, and 65 feet [19 meters] tall. Of course, the model only measures about 12-and-a-half feet (3.8 meters) long, by 3 feet (one meter) wide, by 2 feet (0.6 meters) tall. That makes it exactly 1:40 in scale.

A detail shows the miniature entrance to Noahs Ark as the animals file in two by two. (Courtesy of Megan Jenkins)

(Left) Mackie Jenkins with his largest of three models of Noahs Ark; (Right) A detail of the interior of the model Ark shows Noah in his kitchen drinking grape juice. (Courtesy of Megan Jenkins)

There were three rules in Mr. Jenkinss plan.

One, we had to match the Bible correctly, he said. The second goal was to find out what the model would look like. For this, they got a press pass for Ark Encounter on opening day, and Mr. Jenkins got to talk to the naval engineer who designed the full-size version for Ken Ham.

Number three, we wanted to incorporate a lesson into the model, he said. The Ark was said to have been built of gopher wood and covered with pitch, a type of resin from the kaphar tree, denoting the Hebrew word for atonement. So the idea there is, everyone that went into the Ark will picture having their sins atoned for, Mr. Jenkins said.

Two by Two  Sometimes

Once the plan for the body of the Ark and interior diorama was finished, Mr. Jenkins began hunting for a vital component: the animals. He found a company in Erzgebirge, Germany, that once made miniature wooden Noahs Ark animals as toys. The scale was exactly 1:40. He spent a few years snapping up these miniature animals on eBay, as they had dispersed worldwide.

The model of Noahs Ark features an animal-powered lift, as spoken of in the Bible. (Courtesy of Megan Jenkins)

Views of the interior of Mr. Jenkinss model of Noahs Ark. (Courtesy of Megan Jenkins)

All animals were herbivores, Mr. Jenkins said, referencing the pre-flood facts. When Noah loaded the Ark, he could load the leopards and the lambs together because they wouldnt eat each other. There were other details such as the Bibles designation of clean and unclean animals. The former include lambs, cows, goats, and chickens; and the latter, swine, dogs, rats, and snakes.

There was a sacrificial system, Mr. Jenkins said, adding that the clean animals were, in fact, brought in seven of each, as one would be sacrificed to tone for sins. There were still three complete pairs to reproduce for later sacrifices. The unclean animals were brought in two by two.

To honor the Bibles mention of the leopard, the lion, and the unicorn, Mr. Jenkins included two miniature fairytale unicorns and two Siberian specimens in his model. Theres proof of the latters existence, he said. Fossils left by single-horned animals similar to rhinoceroses were found and documented in the permafrost of Russia.

The model Ark features the production of grape juice, as mentioned in the Bible. (Courtesy of Megan Jenkins)

(Left) A detail showing the interior of Mr. Jenkinss model Ark; (Right) Mr. Jenkins teaches about the Biblical facts demonstrated in one of his two smaller-scale Ark replicas. (Courtesy of Megan Jenkins)

Mr. Jenkins also discovered popular railroad-scale miniature lines that played a huge role, offering tiny hay bales, fruit trees, and food and drink items. He added working LED lights as oil lamps, manual elevators with moving animals, and Bluetooth speakers to transmit critter sounds for added realism.

There are functional model construction cranes based on real designs of Roman, Greek, and Egyptian types, as nobody knew what Noah used, he said. Noah himself is depicted in several scenes, including drinking grape juice in the Arks kitchen, a scene of biblical significance.

To show off the whole, Mr. Jenkins made removable panels to reveal a cross-section of the interior.

Mackie Jenkins gives a brief tour of the interior of his model Ark. (Courtesy of Megan Jenkins)

Supposedly, when you talk to the creationists they say the world in the beginning had a different atmosphere, Mr. Jenkins said. In the atmosphere prior to the flood, grape juice wouldnt ferment. Things changed afterward. Noah goes back to drinking his grape juice and he got drunk. Because the atmosphere was changed and the grape juice fermented.

Spreading the Word

After years of research, trial runs, and devotion to detail, Mr. Jenkinss final Ark replica sits proudly in his Bible study office in Warrenton, the same room where he writes his books. It has not yet been on tour as Mr. Jenkinss second model has. This is frequently driven to schools, churches, and outdoor festivals to educate on Bible stories.

At the time of writing, the touring replica is on display at Ocean City, Maryland.

The story of his model Arks continues. With Mr. Jenkins upcoming retirement in two years, he plans to enter full-time ministry, doing Bible studies and handing out gospel tracts. There will be chances to show off his handy woodworks. Eventually, the model Arks will be handed down to his son, who runs a Bible study group, so Mr. Jenkins homage to Noah may be enjoyed by many more.

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Michael Zwaagstra: Parents Need More Information to Choose the Right School

Commentary

Yes, its summertime. But many parents are already wondering how theyll find the best school for their children to attend in September. Most students attend their local government public school. Some are enrolled in independent schools while still others are educated at home. Students in Alberta also have the option of attending a few public charter schools.

In short, parents have schooling options to consider, although the number of options depends largely on where they live. Parents in Alberta and British Columbia, for example, have considerably more choice than parents in Atlantic Canada.

The simplest way to expand school choice is to let the money follow the student to the school their parents choosewhether public, independent, or charter. This puts parents in the drivers seat since they can choose the school that works best for their children. Its a much better approach than forcing some parents to pay twice for their childrens educationonce through their taxes and again through tuition fees when they choose independent schools that fit their childrens unique needs.

However, providing parents with more choice is not enough. Parents also need accurate and reliable information about schools.

Its like visiting a car dealership. In addition to having lots of vehicles to choose from, customers need information about the vehicles they are considering. Otherwise, they wont make an informed decision. Just as there are many different makes and models of vehicles, there are many different types of schools. When it comes to improving student achievement, some schools are more effective than others.

Dr. John Hattie, emeritus laureate professor at the Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne (Australia), is one of the worlds leading researchers on educational effectiveness. His latest book Visible Learning: The Sequel synthesizes thousands of research studies to identify the methods that work best in classrooms.

For example, when it comes to learning how to read, students benefit most from intentional instruction in phonics. Simply put, students must learn how to sound out the words on a page. In contrast, whole language/balanced literacy programs that let students figure out the meaning of words on their own, or look at pictures to guess the words, are considerably less effective.

The same is true of basic math skills. Interestingly, Hattie found theres considerable research showing that explicit instruction (where teachers directly model how to solve specific math questions) is a good way to improve student math proficiency. Thus, schools should provide students with this type of instruction.

However, in choosing schools for their children, most parents do not have the time or the expertise to evaluate the specific curriculum and teaching methods used in each school. Fortunately, there are tools that could provide parents with necessary information.

The most important tool is the data provided by standardized testing, which are written by all students in a grade or course at the same time each year. These tests should be done consistently, and results for each school should be publicly available so parents can see which schools and teachers are helping students improve academically and which are not. To help parents interpret these data, organizations such as the Fraser Institute publish school report cards based on the information provided by standardized tests.

In addition, considering the growing number of serious violent incidents in schools, parents also need access to key safety information. For example, the state of Kentucky requires school administrators to input behavioural incidents such as assaults and drug use into a state database. This information is then compiled and made available to the public.

Parents in Kentucky can visit a website with key information about the academic performance and safety of each school, which makes it possible for them to make informed decisions when choosing the best schools for their children.

When students head back to school this fall, parents should have the comfort of knowing that their children are in the right school. This will only happen if parents have plenty of options available and get the information they need to make sound educational decisions.

Michael Zwaagstra is a public high school teacher and a senior fellow with the Fraser Institute.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Mississippi Removes Thousands of People From Medicaid as It Examines Post-Pandemic Eligibility

The Mississippi State Capitol Building in Jackson, Miss., as seen on March 11, 2022. (Peter Forest/Getty Images for MoveOn & Emmett Till Legacy Foundation)

The Mississippi Division of Medicaid removed more than 29,000 Mississippians from Medicaid at the end of June after the federal government ended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

This marks the first wave of disenrollments as the agency reviews the eligibility of its beneficiaries following the end of pandemic-era protections.

Mississippi examined records for 67,695 Medicaid beneficiaries whose coverage was up for review in June, and about 56 percent of them remain enrolled, the division said Monday. Of the 29,000 who were disenrolled, about 60 percent had remained on Medicaid during the pandemic because of the special eligibility rules.

The Mississippi Division of Medicaid said in a statement that it expects enrollment to continue declining in the coming months as officials review eligibility.

In December 2022, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which required state Medicaid departments to resume eligibility determinations by April 1.

States are reasserting control over their Medicaid programs because this has cost them a tremendous amount of money. Were talking hundreds of billions of dollars between the federally enhanced Medicaid funding and the fact that, for every person on the program that is ineligible, that costs state and federal taxpayers additional money. That takes away money from individuals who truly need Medicaid, such as the elderly and those with disabilities, Hayden Dublois, director of data and analytics at the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA), previously told The Epoch Times.

Rather than decrying the removal of these individuals from the program, Dublois insists its a positive development.

We should be celebrating the fact that states have regained control of their Medicaid programs and can remove these people who are no longer eligible, he said. Now they can divert that money to the most vulnerable, those in extreme poverty, and those who have an intellectual, developmental, or physical disability. Those are the people in need. Those are the people the Medicaid program was created for. Thats where we need to be getting this back to.

Medicaid is a federal program that provides health insurance for low-income people, with costs covered by federal and state tax dollars.

Federal law prohibited state agencies that administer the program from removing people from Medicaid during the COVID-19 public health emergency, which started in early 2020 and ended this May.

For states to receive additional federal funds, they were required to stop periodic eligibility reviews for enrollees. This resulted in an increase in Medicaid enrollment across the nation.

Mississippi Medicaid enrollment increased by 187,894 people, or 26 percent, from March 2020 to June of this year, the agency said in a press release. Total Medicaid expenditures in Mississippi, which include both state and federal funds, increased from $5.92 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2019 to an estimated $7.2 billion in FY 2023.

Nearly 87 million people nationwide were enrolled in Medicaid, according to the most recent available data in March, up more than one-third from the pre-pandemic total of about 64 million in January 2020.

With the end of the public health emergency, states have one year to review whether people are eligible to remain on Medicaid. By mid-June, more than 1 million people across the nation had been removed from the program, many of them for not filling out paperwork.

Medicaid said if beneficiaries believe they have been disenrolled in error, they can appeal the determination. If individuals were disenrolled because they didnt provide the information required to remain enrolled, once that information is provided, that coverage may be reinstated.

The Associated Press and Patricia Tolson contributed to this report.
Missouri County Calls for Referendum to Remove Andrew Jackson Statues After Voting to Keep Them in 2020

A statue of Andrew Jackson is seen at the Manassas National Battlefield Park as hills in the background are obscured by smoke from wildfires in Canada causing hazy conditions in Manassas, Va., on June 7, 2023. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Officials in Jackson County, Missouri are seeking a new referendum to remove a pair of statues of the countys namesake, former President Andrew Jackson.

During the November 2020 election, Jackson County put the issue of whether or not to remove the statues of the former president to a ballot. About 72 percent of voters rejected the proposal, while about 28 percent favored their removal.

On Monday, the county Legislature voted 71 on a resolution to remove the pair of statues of Jackson that are in place outside the historic Harry S. Truman Office and Courtroom in Independence, Missouri and another outside the Jackson County Courthouse in Kansas City. The resolution calls for replacing the statues of Jackson with new statues of former President Harry Truman.

A summary (pdf) of the new resolution, introduced by county Legislator Manuel Abarca, states that the county is seeking to remove the statues of Jackson owing to his alleged connection to genocidal campaigns against indigenous groups or slavery.

As president, Jackson passed the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which displaced Native American tribes in the eastern United States. Historians estimate several thousand Native Americans died over the course of those forced relocation programs, including an estimated 4,000 members of the Cherokee people. Jackson also endorsed the practice of slavery and, according to his Hermitage estate, the Jackson family owned more than 300 men, women, and children.

After Mr. Abarca introduced his resolution to have the statues of Jackson removed, the county legislators voted to adopt an amended version of the resolution stating the county intends to put the statue removal issue to a vote once more on the November 2024 ballot. It remains unclear when the actual language for the ballot question will be adopted.

Statue Removals Fuel Debate About History

The issue of whether to remove monuments of controversial historical figures has fueled public debates in recent years.

Jackson Countys 2020 proposal to remove statues of Jackson came about amid nationwide protests and riots after George Floyd, a black man, died in Minneapolis police custody. The demonstrations sparked by Mr. Floyds death gave rise to a broader debate over Americas history of race relations. Some of that focus turned toward statues of controversial figures and, while some localities handled their statue removals through a formal process, some rioters took the issue into their own hands on numerous occasions, toppling and defacing monuments.

Jackson County Executive Frank White, one of the proponents of the 2020 measure to remove the statues of Jackson, said he remained committed to the idea even after voters rejected the proposal.

I am proud to have stood up and stood on behalf of a movement demanding fairness, justice and equality in Jackson County, Mr. White wrote on Twitter on Nov. 4, 2020. I remain committed in my belief that the statues of a man who owned slaves, caused thousands of Native Americans to die and never stepped foot in our County should be removed from our public facilities.

While the initial effort to remove the statues of Jackson failed, Jackson County has installed new plaques on those statues, meant to acknowledge the former presidents involvement in slavery and the displacement of Native Americans.

The debates over statues and monuments have touched on a variety of other historical figures, not all of whom were staunch proponents of slavery.

In the summer of 2020, a statue of President Ulysses S. Grant was toppled. Grant had owned a slave for a brief period in his life but freed that man by 1859 and went on to lead Union forces against the slave-owning Confederate states during the Civil War.

In 2020, rioters in Portland, Oregon, toppled a statue of 16th President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln had owned no slaves and had signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared slaves in the Confederate states to be free. Lincoln also advocated for and saw several states ratify the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, prior to his assassination.

In June 2020, a group of protesters defended a statue of 26th President Theodore Roosevelt against a removal effort. The statue, which stood in front of the American Museum of Natural History, featured Roosevelt on a horse flanked on one side by a Native American and on the other side by an African man. The American Museum of Natural History said the statue communicates a racial hierarchy that the Museum and members of the public have long found disturbing. The statue was eventually removed from the museums front and relocated to North Dakota.

NTD News reached out to Mr. Abarca about his proposal to replace the statues of Jackson with new monuments to Truman. Truman was president during the first and only two cases in which atomic weapons were used in wartimethe U.S. bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japanan event that historians estimate led to the deaths of more than 200,000 people, many of whom were civilians.

Mr. Abarca did not respond to the request for comment.

From NTD News
Mom of Teen Targeted by Cyberbullying Frustrated by Dutch Sentencing Delay

Aydin Coban is shown in this handout photo from the time of his arrest by Dutch police, entered into an exhibit at his trial in British Columbia Supreme Court in New Westminster. (The Canadian PressHO-DUTCH POLICE)

The mother of a British Columbia teen who took her own life after years of cyberbullying and sextortion by a man from the Netherlands said the latest delay at a Dutch court has added to her never-ending story.

Carol Todd said she had hoped to learn the court had converted a 13-year Canadian sentence imposed on Aydin Coban in British Columbia last fall after he was convicted of harassment and extortion in the relentless online stalking that led to the 2012 death of her daughter, Amanda Todd.

The conversion would have integrated the Canadian sentence into a Dutch prison term imposed earlier on Coban for similar crimes.

Instead, Todd said she was told the Dutch court wants more specifics on when Coban might have been released in Canada if he had served the 13-year sentence.

Todd made the comments Thursday while speaking to reporters at Vancouver International Airport.

Coban was in his 30s at the time he blackmailed Todds daughter into exposing herself in front of a webcam.

The 15-year-old from Port Coquitlam, B.C., died by suicide after recounting her ordeal in a YouTube video thats since been watched by millions around the world.

In a brief court hearing Thursday at which a new sentence was expected to be announced, a judge instead said the panel at Amsterdam District Court needs clarification from Canada about the most likely date Coban would be released if he were to serve his sentence in a Canadian prison.

We have to take into account when he actually would have been released and Canadian authorities have given a couple of possible dates, but dont say this is the most likely date that he would be released, Cobans lawyer Robert Malewicz told reporters at the courthouse.

No new date was set for a hearing in the case. The sentencing ruling can still be appealed in the Dutch Supreme Court.

Coban was already serving an 11-year sentence in the Netherlands for similar crimes targeting more than 30 other victims when he was extradited to Canada to face trial in Todds case. Her death brought the issue of cyberbullying to mainstream attention in Canada.

He was sent to Canada on the condition that he serve any sentence imposed there in a Dutch prison. The Canadian sentence must also be converted to Dutch sentencing norms.

Prosecutors said two weeks ago that under Dutch law, Coban should serve 4 1/2 years.

Malewicz called the 13-year Canadian sentence exorbitantly high, even by Canadian standards. He said Coban shouldnt get any extra prison time, but if he does, it should be no more than one year, with six months suspended.
Most Federal Agencies Use Less Than 25 Percent of Office Space: GAO

The General Services Administration Headquarters building, where the Washington presidential transition offices for US President-elect Donald Trump are located, in Washington, D.C., on November 21, 2016. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Most federal agencies are using less than 25 percent of their headquarters space, according to a new U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report.

Testifying before members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on July 13, GAO Acting Director of Physical Infrastructure David Marroni said an assessment was conducted earlier this year to determine how much office space federal agencies really need.

We assessed the extent to which 24 agencies utilized their headquarters buildings in January, February, and March of this year, he said. What we found was that all 24 of those headquarters buildings had extra space and that most agencies were using less than 25 percent of their headquarters capacity on average.

While Mr. Marroni noted that office space use has declined amid the post-COVID-19 rise of remote and hybrid work, he added that, for most agencies, the problem predates the pandemic.

The GAO also identified outdated buildings as a roadblock to the consolidation and reconfiguration of a modern workforce.

Many headquarters buildings were built decades ago, before technology enabled the agencies to do more with fewer workers, Mr. Marroni said. But the buildings remain the same size, so you end up with plenty of space. For example, we calculated that for one agency, even if all of its assigned staff came into its headquarters building on a single day, it would still only use two-thirds of the buildings capacity.

According to the preliminary report (pdf), agencies cited several obstacles to correcting the problem, including funding, concerns about attendance policy changes, reluctance to share space with other agencies, and a lack of consistent standards for office use.

The assessment remains ongoing.

Keeping the Lights On

According to General Services Administration (GSA), the federal government owns roughly 511 million square feet of office space, which costs billions of dollars annually to maintain.

Among the agencies reviewed by the GAO, those on the higher end of the spectrum used about 39 to 49 percent of their headquarters capacity. Agencies in that category included the Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Department of State, Department of the Treasury, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Most, however, fell below that mark. Agencies in the smallest office usage categoryusing an average of roughly 9 percentincluded the Department of Agriculture, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Personnel Management, Small Business Administration, Social Security Administration, and the GSA.

But used or not, those agencies extra space is still being paid for by taxpayersa fact emphasized by Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), the committees chairman.

The taxpayer is quite literally paying to keep the lights on even when no one is home, the congressman said. And the lights are just the beginning of it, right? Theres security, theres utilities, theres upkeep when nobodys there. And if this trend is any indication of space usage and lease space, we are wasting literally billions of dollars each year.

Mr. Marroni added that there are also opportunity costs involved.

Every dollar an agency spends on unneeded space is one dollar that cant be used for other priorities, he said.

Accountability

Mr. Perry also noted that the GSA, which is charged with the management, preservation, and leasing of government buildings, is among those agencies with the lowest percentage of office utilization.

During his line of questioning, he raised the subject with GSA Public Buildings Service Commissioner Nina Albert.

You guys are kind of leading the chargeyou know, you plant the flag, he said. Its important that you set a standard. What are you guys doing about it?

Ms. Albert replied that she thought her agency was a fantastic example of what were doing right that also illustrated the larger challenges to addressing the issue. She noted that the GSA used to have two headquarters and six leases, which they have since consolidated into one headquarters.

Since 2012, weve reduced our own footprint by more than 40 percent, she said, adding that the associated savings totaled more than $300 million.

While Mr. Perry said that was awesome, he stressed that the report indicates there is still plenty of work to be done.

In another, more heated exchange, Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) grilled the commissioner on how many GSA employees currently work in the agencys headquartersa question she said she was unable to answer.

That is completely unacceptable, maam, he said. Youve had a long period of time to get that answer.

The congressman noted that he had asked Ms. Albert the same question at a roundtable discussion in March and that shed given him the same response then.

Do you have any reasonable excuse for not being able to answer the most basic question of how many of your employees are physically located in a place where they can help American citizens? he asked.

We dont attribute being able to do our jobs to whether were sitting in an office, she replied. Construction managers are not in an office; theyre out on a job site. So, theres a mix on a daily basis.

Not satisfied with that response, Mr. Van Orden stated that she was failing at her job, adding, We should be able to fire you right now.

His remarks, though more heated, echoed Mr. Perrys assertion that agencies and their officials should be held accountable for how much space they were occupying and not using.

If youre in charge, youve got to take care of business, the chairman said.

And if you dont want to, someone else is going to, and that someones going to be us.
Nevada Withdraws From Greenhouse Gas Pact

Nevada withdraws from greenhouse pact as Gov. Joe Lombardo pulls away from the U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of more than two dozen governors following Paris Agreement climate goals.

Lombardo, a Republican, is the only governor elected or re-elected in 2022 to withdraw their state from the alliance, which aims to have its 25 member states commit to implementing policies that advance the climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.

In a July 5 letter withdrawing Nevada from the group, Lombardo stated that the goals of the alliance conflict with Nevadas energy policy objectives.

Those energy objectives are outlined in an executive order Lombardo signed earlier this year that focuses on developing and maintaining a diverse energy supply portfolio in Nevada, Lombardo wrote, while utilizing a balanced approach to electric and natural gas energy supply and transportation fuels.

President Joe Biden hands a pen to House Nancy Pelosi (2nd L), alongside other members of the House, after signing a bill dealing with greenhouse gas emissions, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, in Washington, on June 30, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

Environmental groups have criticized the executive order for moving the state away from a central goal of the Nevada Climate Strategy, a Sisolak-era policy calling for an orderly transition away from fossil fuels, including natural gas, to reach a statutory goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Lombardos departure from the alliance is disappointing, according to Evan Westrup, communications director for the alliance.

As unprecedented wildfire smoke, record heat, and catastrophic floods sweep across the country, we need every state and every governor  no matter their politics  confronting this crisis, he wrote in an email. Were disappointed Gov. Lombardo has decided to move in another direction and should he reconsider, our door is open.

Former President Barack Obama signed the United States on as a leading member of the agreement during its establishment at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in 2015.

But in 2017, former President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement, stating that it was imposing draconian financial and economic burdens on the nation. President Joe Biden then recommitted the United States to the Paris Agreement on his first day in office.

After Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington and former governors Andrew Cuomo of New York and Jerry Brown of California launched the U.S. Climate Alliance.

This new agreement reaffirms our commitments to decarbonize our economies at a time when the consequences of victory or defeat in this effort have never been more acute. Our partnerships speak to just how diverse and interconnected the green energy economy has already become. We know where it goes from hereonward to a cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient energy economy that averts climate calamity at the same time. Together we will invest in an equitable transition to a cleaner future, build the climate infrastructure we need, and protect our communities from climate-driven wildfires, droughts, heat and flooding, Inslee said in a statement.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has become a leader among the U.S. Climate Alliance as California is constantly making changes to environmental laws within the state.

In California, we punch above our weight when it comes to climate actionbut our actions can only do so much without the rest of the world at our side. The Pacific Coast is raising the bar for tackling the climate crisis while also ensuring every community is included in our efforts. The West will continue to lead the way toward a carbon-free future that supports our economy, our people and our planet, said Gov. Newsom.

While working toward the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, member states track and report their progress, accelerate policies to promote energy changes and reduce carbon emissions, and focus on equity and environmental justice.

Nationally, 25 governors are alliance members, including Republican Phil Scott of Vermont. Most recently, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, joined the alliance.
As FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before Congress and lawmakers raised concerns over politicization of the agency, the Heritage Foundation is recommending a plan to reconstruct the FBI.

In this live Q&A with Crossroads host Joshua Philipp, well discuss these stories and others, and answer questions from the audience.
Chinas producer prices fell at their fastest pace in over seven years in June, leading to fears among economists and investors that the worlds second-largest economy is on the verge of slipping into deflation.

Chief Strategist at Macrolens, Brian McCarthy, joins Don Ma to discuss Chinas economy.
Not Normal Disney World Crowd Size Draws Response From CEO

Disney CEO Bob Iger responded to reports showing that Disney Worlds wait times for rides and attractions have dropped this summer, suggesting that fewer people are going to the theme park.

In a comment to CNBC this week, Mr. Iger was asked about the trend, and he attributed it to an overall slump in tourism to Central Florida, where the theme park is located.

Florida opened up early during COVID and created huge demand, and didnt have competition because there were a number of other places, states, that were not open yet, he said Thursday. If you look at the numbers in Florida in 2023  versus 2022, where not as much was open, and Florida was the only game in town, there is a lot more competition today, he added.

However, data has shown that lines for attractions at Disneys most-visited park have gotten increasingly shorter, according to the Wall Street Journal. The average wait time dropped from 47 minutes per ride in 2019 to 31 minutes per ride in 2022, the report said. And for 2023, the wait times dropped to 27 minutes per ride and attraction.

When asked about the feud between Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Mr. Iger implied that it did not factor into attendance. No, the executive said. We see no sign of that at all.

Disney has been embroiled in a legal and political fight with Mr. DeSantis that was, in part, triggered by the companys vocal opposition to a bill that bans discussing sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. The company has also faced streaming losses, and its stock was recently downgraded in part due to fears of lower attendance at its Disney World and Disneyland theme parks.

Mr. Iger also claimed that the WSJs recent report did not take into account Central Floridas weather. The temperatures, he said, rises to about 100 degrees and 99 percent humidity during the summer months. It means that recent figures for the Fourth of July wait times published by the paper arent fully accurate year-over-year because it measures only a single day, he said.

We do not have long-term concerns about that business, Mr. Iger added of the Orlando resort. We actually track hotel tax revenue across the state, which is a matter of public record, and there are counties in Florida that have been down 6, 7 percent recently, he also told CNBC.

For July, data from Thrill Data reported that the average Disney World wait time is about 33 minutes, or one of the shortest wait periods of any month since last January. Generally, the summer months are the high season for Disney parks.

Not Normal

While Mr. Iger and other Disney executives have said they expect weaker performance from their U.S. theme parks this year, the recent attendance numbers suggest reality could be even worse than pessimistic predictions.

This is not normal. These are not peak summer crowds. These are shockingly low crowds, wrote Becky Gandillion of Touring Plans in a blog post in which she detailed some of the dismal data. Lets face it. If this weekend didnt turn crowds around at Walt Disney World  crowds arent going to turn around, Ms. Gandillion wrote. All signs point to this continuing in the short and long term.

The WSJ also interviewed people who went to Disney World, and one woman told the paper that she couldnt believe how light the crowds were during the Fourth of July holiday.

Kayla Pareti, a content creator who focuses on Disney-themed content and a travel agent for a Disney-related travel agency, also told CNN that the crowds were similarly light.

It was a Saturday before Fourth of July, which is a major holiday. Youre expecting a lot of crowds, and it was just crazy that nobody was there, she told CNN.

Usually, when you walk into the park, they have Hollywood Boulevard, which is like the main thoroughfare, and its usually packed with people, Ms. Pareti continued to say. At one point around noon, I turned around and no one was on the street. It was just a strange sight to see, she added.

In the interview, Ms. Pareti suggested she spends a considerable amount of time at Disneys parks. For a year and a half after COVID, any time was a busy time, she said. Dont get me wrong, people are still coming, but its not anywhere near where it was.

It comes also as Disney recently increased the price for one-day tickets at its Orlando theme parks from about $109 to between $124 and $189 depending on the date and demand for that day, according to reports. The company also increased the prices of its various yearly passes.

The relatively low attendance comes as Disney recently announced layoffs at ESPN several weeks ago, including severing ties with a number of on-air personalities. Investment company KeyBanc Capital Markets also recently lowered Disneys rating from overweight to sector weight.

Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.
By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - Jul 13, 2023 - 12:50 | All, World, Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's participation in a NATO summit for the second straight year demonstrates the strategic interests of Asia and Europe are increasingly converging as China's global security and economic footprint broadens, but with the relationship still in its infancy Tokyo's role appears largely symbolic.

Kishida's oft-repeated notion that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific is "inseparable" -- as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, coupled with concern over China's aggressive posture toward Taiwan and actions in the South and East China seas -- has been well received among member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The major objectives of his visit to Vilnius through Wednesday were to flesh out the agreement Japan reached last year with NATO to expand cooperation and make Tokyo's presence felt as a leading democracy in Asia.

"We were able to share (our) thoughts with the participating countries," he said before heading for Brussels after staying in the Lithuanian capital for about 24 hours.

"We will continue to work with NATO, its members and partner countries to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, "No partner is closer than Japan" when holding a one-on-one meeting with Kishida, welcoming his attendance at the summit together with the leaders of Australia, New Zealand and South Korea.

Now the question is where this expanding cooperation is heading in practical terms, as not all NATO members are in agreeance on how involved the 31-nation alliance should become in issues outside the Euro-Atlantic area.

"European and Pacific countries will continue to have different interests, but the overlap between the two appears to be growing," said Zack Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he specializes in U.S. strategy in Asia.

But Cooper at the same time noted that the cooperation involving Japan is more about "hardware and software" and less about actually deploying forces to one another's regions.

One area of practical cooperation that may be fruitful, he said, is Japan over time adopting some NATO equipment standards to make it easier for them to operate together, which would also pave the way for the co-production of hardware.

Japan and NATO agreed on a document outlining 16 areas of cooperation through 2026 on the sidelines of the two-day summit. They range from cyber defense and outer space to disinformation and climate change, but what they are going to do in each field remains vague.

NATO last year referred to China in its strategic guiding document for the next decade, recognizing the need for the world's most powerful military alliance to tackle "systematic challenges" posed by Beijing's policies and actions.

Yet, experts of foreign and defense affairs suggest European perceptions of China's threat to regional security are not alike, or more precisely speaking, each country takes a different approach depending on national interests, with economic motivations especially playing a big role.

"France is probably not the only country that is wary of stronger NATO involvement in the Asia-Pacific. Especially Hungary, due to its ties with Beijing, is strongly opposed to it. I think Germany and Turkey are also quite uncomfortable," according to Mathieu Droin, a visiting fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"So it's hard to find a consensus on these issues," said Droin, who works under the Washington-based institute's Europe and Eurasia program, adding his assumption is that the United States is increasingly aware NATO is probably not the most appropriate venue to coordinate actions on China and Taiwan.

Cooper also said he does not think NATO will be particularly active in East Asia in the near term, considering the alliance is fundamentally focused on the Euro-Atlantic area based on its charter.

Next year's NATO summit marking the 75th anniversary of its foundation will be held in Washington.

It is hardly difficult to imagine that U.S. President Joe Biden will showcase developing strategic cooperation between U.S. allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific under his administration.

Liselotte Odgaard, a nonresident senior fellow at Hudson Institute and professor at the Norwegian Institute for Defense Studies, thinks that NATO's emerging collaboration with U.S. core allies in the Indo-Pacific in itself will not make a major difference in managing the security challenges from China and Russia.

Odgaard also pointed out that coordination between NATO and the European Union has not very often worked well. But she believes there is still room for the complex network of the U.S.-led alliance in the two regions to transform.

"NATO discussions of operational defense cooperation between U.S. allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific were unthinkable a few years ago, but now this is no longer the case because it is necessary for the security and even survival of these countries as part of a liberal international world order," she said.

Related coverage:

China urges NATO to stop criticizing its deepening ties with Russia

Japan boosts cooperation with NATO, aid for Ukraine

NATO leaders back Ukraine membership, seek closer Indo-Pacific ties
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill on July 13 said that the U.S. Secret Service told them in a closed-door briefing that the investigation into cocaine found at the White House has concluded and no suspect has been identified.

The Russian war against Ukraine is all but over, President Joe Biden asserted on July 13, saying: Putin has already lost the war. The remark came during a press conference welcoming Finland into the NATO alliance.

More than 100 million Americans are under heat wave alerts across the South and Southwest as of Thursday. In a bulletin, the National Weather Service issued excessive heat advisories and warnings for areas of the United States stretching all the way from Florida to California and encompassing nearly all of southern Nevada, western Arizona, Texas, and Oklahoma.
No deal in Hollywood as a July 12 deadline passes. A joint actors and writers strike would be the first in over 60 years.

Elon Musk is launching a new company. He wants to create an artificial intelligence firm that would seek to understand the true nature of the universe. We have details on the startup.

A 16-year-old girl in Illinois spoke out in protest against the presence of men in her swim-team locker room, but was subsequently accused of hate speech. NTD spoke to State Representative Chris Miller about the matter.

Topics in this episode include:

1. Vermonts National Guard Braces for More Floods

2. New York Flooding Aftermath

3. Tornadoes Hit Illinois

4. 2 Whistleblowers Set to Testify Before House Committee

5. Cocaine-Gate: Secret Service Moves Up Briefing

6. House GOP Grill FBI Leader on Politicization

7. Lawmakers Probe US Companies China Ties

8. No Deal: Hollywood Shutdown Looms

9. Iowa Legislature Passes 6-Week Abortion Ban

10. Study Found Chemical Irritant at Ohio Crash Site

11. Biden, Zelenskyy Meet One-On-One at NATO Summit

12. BBC Anchor in Sex Photo Scandal Named as Huw Edwards

13. New Delhi Evacuates Hundreds Over Flooding Risk

14. Suspect in Vegas Standoff Caused $50,000 in Damage

15. Wagner Group Completing Handover of Weapons

16. Tax Filing Companies Shared Customers Private Data

17. Tax-Prep Companies Shared Data With Google: Analysis

18. Elon Musk Launches AI Company

19. Twitter Hit With $500M Severance Pay Lawsuit

20. FTC Wants to Go After Fake Reviews

21. Annual Inflation Lowest Since March 2021

22. Poll Sheds Light on Student Borrowers

23. Mother Says Aloha to Unschooling Her Kids

24. When Otters Fight Back
Parents Protesting Against School Indoctrination Appear at NL Premiers Home

Premier Andrew Furey speaks to the media after his Liberals won a majority government at a press conference at the Delta Hotel in St. John's on March 27, 2021. (Paul Daly/The Canadian Press)

A large convoy of cars descended on the home of Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey to protest what parents allege is an increased promotion of sexual indoctrination in the provinces schools.

In a video posted to Twitter on July 9, one protester states that the group is bringing the fight to the premiers home because he doesnt listen to us when were at [the] Confederation Building, and alleges the government sends paid counter-protesters to City Hall.

The N.L. premier, who is not related to journalist Anthony Furey, did not respond to an inquiry by press time.

The protesters brought a surprise convoy with smoke flares, flags, and megaphones.

The protest was organized by Dana Metcalfe, a woman who identifies herself as a media personality and who runs Raven News, described as an alternative media channel, and Project Indigo. The video said the demonstration was part of Project Indigo and an attempt to stand up for parental rights and to save our children.

You cannot have our children. We do not stand for SOGI 123. We do not stand for the sexualization of our children. We do not stand for the removal of rights of our parents. And we are not going to stand for this any further, said an unidentified woman wearing a ball cap outside what was claimed to be the premiers home. Comments on the video suggested she was possibly Ms. Metcalfe. The premier was not in the video and it was not apparent whether he was home at the time of the protest.

Project Indigo is on a mission to unify humanity and stand up to free our children from the bondage of indoctrination. Breaking the system designed to sexualize our children. Let kids be kids! the projects website says.

It encourages other parents to get involved by starting a parade and downloading images to create flags and stickers to support the preservation of childhood and innocence.

Ms. Metcalfe was contacted for comment by The Epoch Times but did not respond by press time.

On July 10, one of the protesters at the premiers home said he had uploaded the video of the convoy protest to his TikTok account and that it had received 29,000 views, 2,400 likes, 389 comments, and 642 shares.

Pride Month

The demonstration at the premiers home followed a heavy emphasis on pride celebrations in schools across Canada for the month of June, with many school boards and government officials stating that these events are not optional. Students across the country were absent from school in large numbers, and June 1 specifically was promoted as a walk-out day for families across Canada, against what some parents state is too much emphasis on gender and pride celebrations being promoted in schools.

On June 5, a video was posted to social media showing pride day at Ecole St. Matthews, an elementary school for kindergarten to grade seven students, in St. Johns, N.L. The school was decorated with rainbow flags, and teachers were dressed up for pride day. One staff member was seen at the door dressed up as a rainbow clown, while another was dressed as a unicorn in rainbow colours.

Children were lined up waving rainbow flags while staff members shouted, Happy Pride Day as dance music was played. The school assembly included a drag queen performance. The school did not respond to requests for comment by press time. The school faced backlash on social media, according to Trent Langdon, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association.

Weve heard of threats, weve heard of very demeaning language, weve heard of  accusations, he told CBC News on June 9.

We know full well that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community has been dealing with discrimination for centuries, said Mr. Langdon. Enough is enough.

A rally was held in St. Johns on July 9, with signs including, Leave the kids alone, Stop SOGI, and Schools are for Education not Indoctrination.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission issued a statement on June 7, stating that 2SLGBTQIA+ rights are human rights.

The commission said, Educating children and youth on their gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation is not only helping them identify themselves in this world, but is also raising awareness of their human rights.

The statement called a protest planned for June 9 at the Confederation Building as motivated by exclusivity, hatred, and injustice, adding that the commission would have staff in attendance to counter-protest this hatred and stand with 2SLGBTQIA+ members, supporters, and allies.
Pending UPS Strike Will Likely Disrupt The Package Delivery Sector

A United Parcel Service (UPS) driver loads a cart with boxes before making a delivery on June 17, 2014 in San Francisco, California. UPS announced plans to begin to consider box size in the pricing of ground shipments in the U.S. and standard delivery to Canada. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

A looming strike by the United Parcel Service could disrupt deliveries, in the largest strike against a single employer in American history.

Contract negotiations between UPS and the Teamsters stalled last week, raising the likelihood of a strike in early August, as well as major disruptions in a highly competitive package delivery market.

On June 16, the Teamsters Union, which represents about 340,000 workers at UPS, voted overwhelmingly at 96 percent to authorize a strike if no agreement was reached by the time the current contract expires on July 31.

Workers across the country are already holding practice picket lines.

UPS posted an adjusted profit of nearly $14 billion in 2022, which the Teamsters point to as evidence that the company can and should increase workers wages.

If this multibillion-dollar corporation fails to deliver on the contract that our hardworking members deserve, UPS will be striking itself, Teamsters President Sean OBrien said in a statement.

The strongest leverage our members have is their labor, and they are prepared to withhold it to ensure UPS acts accordingly.

Consumers, businesses, and major industries across the country could see significant delays in deliveries.

Negotiations Fall Through Between UPS And Teamsters

UPS alleged that the union walked away from the bargaining table last week, but the Teamsters have placed the blame on the company for failing to meet their demands.

The last time UPS workers went on strike was in 1997, which lasted 15 days and cost the company $850 million.

FedEx and the USPS were forced to pick up the slack, as the nations largest package delivery service was to fulfill its duties.

The New York Times reported that year that small businesses were struggling to restock their shelves while hospitals had a hard time securing vital supplies.

The union has grown since its last work stoppage 26 years ago, from about 185,000 members to 340,000.

The union is seeking higher pay, along with the elimination of so-called two-tier wages, in which newer workers are paid less than older employees for the same job.

They also want the removal of surveillance cameras from delivery trucks and more full-time jobs.

Fifty-five percent of Teamsters-represented UPS employees work part-time, according to UPS spokesperson Jim Mayer.

Negotiations fell through last week due to the conditions part-time workers face.

These part-timers are working at poverty wages, Teamsters General President Sean OBrien said on NPR last week.

They need to drive the starting wage rate up, reward the people that have been there a long time, and provide [a] full-time opportunity for these folks.

However, the Teamsters did secure a major win on June 14, after UPS promised to install air conditioning and two driver-facing fans in most trucks.

Heatstroke has been a significant concern for UPS workers, with many incidents of drivers falling ill due to overheating in their vehicles.

Package Delivery Services to Face Severe Disruptions in a Strike

The shipping company is now more vulnerable than before to losing business in the event of a strike since then, due to more competition.

Once the dominant package delivery service in the United States, in 2021, UPS only had 37 percent of the market by revenue, followed by FedEx at 33 percent, the USPS at 17 percent, and Amazon Logistics at 12 percent, according to the Pitney Bowes Parcel Shipping Index.

Analysts warn that UPS competitors would not be able to handle the backlog created by a strike.

The company delivered an average of 24.3 million packages per day last year, a quarter of all U.S. parcel volume, according to UPS, which is far more than its competitors can absorb.

Taking that kind of capacity out of the market, even for a day, will have significant ripple effects, Terry Esper, a logistics professor at Ohio State University, told NPR.

Census data from 1999 showed that less than 1 percent of total retail trade sales came from e-commerce when data was first reported, but by 2023, it was 15 percent.

In the event of a market disruption, no carrier can absorb all UPS volume, wrote FedEx executives in a July 6 internal company memo obtained by NPR.

FedEx is urging shippers to begin shipping with FedEx now, read the memo.

As customers are inquiring about available capacity at FedEx, we have been really clear that, yes, of course, we would entertain any good business, and wed love to talk to them, said Brie Carere, chief customer officer at FedEx, at the companys first-quarter earning call.

USPS spokesperson Dave Partenheimer said the Postal Service has the capacity to deliver what is tendered to us.

UPS is also taking note of the risk of losing customers to rivals, with CEO Carol Tome announcing over an April earnings call that the company had assigned 127 high-impact executives to update major customers on our ongoing negotiations with the Teamsters and to keep them with us.

A Teamsters strike could also raise the cost of shipping and cause another round of supply chain disruptions.

Even if rival delivery companies refuse to increase their rates amid the strike, UPS customers may need to turn to these higher-priced competitors or pay for expedited shipping due to longer delivery times.

It may not be an immediate change in prices, (but) it is maybe leaning into some direct payments for more expedited shipping in order to support the delivery of really important and key things like medications, said Mr. Esper.

The Epoch Times reached out to UPS and the Teamster Union for comment.
Poilievre Calls for End to Lingering Vaccine Mandates to Help Address Nursing Shortage

Federal Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre on Wednesday called for an end to remaining COVID-19 vaccine mandates, sharing the story of Sandra Hartman, a pregnant nurse who was facing termination in June from her job after refusing the jab.

The fastest way to get more of the doctors and nurses we need? End all the discriminatory vaccine mandates blocking them from doing their jobs, so they can work again, Mr. Poilievre posted on Twitter on June 12.

Provinces across Canada have complained of nursing staff shortages as well as a growing need for more medical doctors.

In June, The Epoch Times reported that Ms. Hartman, a 35-year-old nurse, eight months pregnant at the time, was about to be fired by the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). She had previously been put on unpaid leave for declining a COVID-19 shot. Despite most COVID restrictions being lifted, the hospital had not changed its policy, the nurse said at the time.

London Health Sciences Centre responded July 13 with the following statement.

LHSCs staff vaccination policy remains in place, it said.

With regards to masking, our guidelines were updated on June 1. Masking is now voluntary in the majority of clinical areas at LHSC, however, we will continue to be a mask friendly organization and masks will be available to those who wish to wear them. To learn more please visit our patient and visitor masking web page.

Policy

In June, Ms. Hartman asked LHSC chief executive Jackie Schleifer Taylor to reconsider the mandatory vaccine policy.

At this point, were past  needing it, said the nurse on June 11. Im hoping for a change, but that could take time. It could take years. As CEO, I think she would have the authority to change it.

Ms. Hartman said her union, the Ontario Nurses Association, told her that she should expect to be fired imminently, after 12 years of being employed by LHSC.

An update to Ms. Hartmans situation has not been provided since, but at the time she said a change in the mandatory vaccine policy would help address a nursing shortage. She said other nurses impacted by the mandatory COVID vaccine policy would be able to return to work.

The hospitals CEO told the London Free Press in June that there is special table of various hospital groups that discuss the policy and the hospitals guidelines come from public health officials.

Collective scientific evidence and individual protection of patients and staff are debated regularly, Ms. Schleifer Taylor said. If a decision was made to change the vaccine requirements, she said that it will be evidence-informed. There are a number of things at play.

According to the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA), the province is short more than 24,000 nurses. The union has been grieving the mandatory vaccine policy. In October 2021, the ONA said it supports education and addressing vaccine hesitancy, not penalizing and terminating nurses when we need them most. ONA also supports regular testing of employees as a measure that ensures safety of everyone, reassignment or other measures.
Georgia police have released dramatic body camera footage of a woman being rescued from a burning car. Due to the quick actions of the sergeant, a life was potentially saved.

On July 1, Sergeant Ashleigh Taylor of the Candler County Sheriffs Department was called to respond to a vehicle crash on Highway 46. Sgt. Taylor arrived at the scene to find that the vehicle had driven off the road, into the woods and was on fire.

Sergeant Ashleigh Taylor responds to a motor crash on Highway 46. (Courtesy of Candler County Sheriffs Office)

(Courtesy of Candler County Sheriffs Office)

(Courtesy of Candler County Sheriffs Office)

After approaching the vehicle and shouting to get the attention of the driver, Sgt. Taylor smashed a front window with his baton and managed to haul the driver from her seat as flames grew along the underside of the car. In the meantime, a number of passing motorists, seeing the commotion, stopped by the side of the road to assist.

In Sgt. Taylors body camera footage, one man is seen approaching the vehicle to check for passengers, while the others assist in pulling the driver further away from the burning car. There were no other people inside the vehicle.

Passing motorists stop by to help with the car that caught fire in the woods. (Courtesy of Candler County Sheriffs Office)

(Courtesy of Candler County Sheriffs Office)

Due to Sergeant Taylors swift actions, the driver was removed from a dangerous situation before it escalated, Candler County Sheriffs Office wrote on Instagram, sharing the footage. Sheriff John Miles would like to commend Sergeant Ashleigh Taylor for a job well done.

Netizens responded with additional messages of support and gratitude for Sgt. Taylors actions.

Honorable and selfless act of professionalism! wrote one person. While another Georgia resident commented, Thank you, Sgt. Taylor! We are very proud of John Miles and our Candler County Sheriffs Department!

Watch the video:

(Courtesy of Candler County Sheriffs Office)

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
Premiers Want Clarity From Feds on Future of RCMP

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said many premiers feel like they are being left in the dark about the future of the RCMP.

Were very concerned because there is no indication what the federal governments plan is moving forward with respect to the RCMP, Ms. Stefanson, outgoing chair of the Council of the Federation, told reporters July 12 as Canadas premiers wrapped up three days of meetings in Winnipeg.

We rely on the RCMP for delivering those services, she said. The RCMP provides policing for over 70 percent of the land mass of Canadaincluding provinces, territories, and many smaller communities.

There are over 160 contracts with the RCMP across the country, which are administered by the federal government and are up for renewal in 2032.

Ottawa has launched a review of contract policing to see how well it is working, and many premiers say they need more information.

They do seem to send a mixed message about whether theyre committed to maintaining contract policing, said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who said there has not been open discussion on the issue. When you see all of the vacancies that we have  that almost looks as if the force is being wound down just through attrition. And if thats not the intention, then they should be fairly clear about what it is.

We are expanding our sheriffs in anticipation that they may not want to continue expanding the service, she said.

Other premiers also said a lack of clarity and high vacancy rates are causing concern.

It was remarkable for me to hear from colleagues across the country, the level of vacancies that theyre seeing in their RCMP forces as well, said B.C. Premier David Eby, We have officers that have to work extended shifts, that are increasingly strained and stressed and then going off on leave, making the problem worse. We dont see a clear path from the federal government about filling those vacancies, he said, adding that B.C. has the largest RCMP contract force in the country.

We need to know which direction the federal government is going with contract policing because the current situation is not sustainable for British Columbia, Mr. Eby added.

The RCMP has been struggling with declining recruitment for several years. Last year, the National Police Federation (NPF)the union for some 20,000 RCMP members across the countrylaunched its own recruiting campaign, although the NPF has noted police forces across the country are facing the same problem.

And New Brunswicks premier pointed out all of this is happening at a time when crime rates in many parts of the country appear to be rising.

This is all happening at a time when were seeing increased crime rates across the country, said Premier Blaine Higgs. So, it becomes even more critical to get clarity on not only the future of the RCMP, but on options that we collectively could have in each province.

Rising costs are also a concern, Ms. Stefanson noted.

The federal government is responsible for negotiating the contracts, she said. We dont have a say in that. But the costs are escalating as well.

The scrutiny over contract policing comes at a time when the RCMP is also looking at other calls for reforms.

The Mass Casualty Commission report into the mass shooting in Nova Scotia recommended sweeping changes to the RCMP, from phasing out the training depot in Regina to a reexamination of what services the force is expected to provide.

In a communique sent out on July 11, the premiers called for Ottawa to engage with them over the future of the RCMP.

The federal government has committed to engaging provinces and territories on the future of the RCMP, it said.This is needed now to address chronic RCMP recruitment challenges and staffing shortages, and effectively plan for community policing.
Pricewaterhouse Coopers to Ban Political Donations in Australia

The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) offices stand in More London Riverside in London, England, on Oct. 2, 2018. (Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

One of the Big Four accounting firms, PwC, will extend its ban on political donations to include bodies using indirect means to channel election funding.

On Monday, PwC acting chief Kristin Stubbins announced that the consultant giant will scrap its political donation program. She said although the firm always took the utmost care to ensure political donations did not create any real or perceived conflicts of interest, doing away with political donations was the best way of ensuring the highest standards of governance.

PwC Australia will no longer make political donations, with none to be made in FY24. This includes payments to attend fundraising events, in-kind donations for event hosting/catering and other direct donations, Ms. Stubbins wrote, according to a note by PwC.

Although we have always taken the utmost care to ensure our political donations do not create any real or perceived conflicts of interest, we recognise that doing away with political donations is the best way of ensuring the highest standards of governance.

While we cannot change the past, we can control our actions today and in the future, Ms. Stubbins said. As stated, we will continue to take all appropriate steps to improve the firms governance standards.

According to the Australian Electoral Commission data, PwC donated at least $246,532 to political parties in the 2021-22 financial year and $246,008 the previous year.

We should be confident that we will restore our brand, our business performance and re-earn the trust of our stakeholders and the broader community, Ms. Stubbins said.

To do this we must come together as a partnership and support one another so that we are truly able to lean in and life our team members and care for our clients.

Political donations, including in-kind support such as catering, services and office space, are among the contributions that will be reported to the Australian Electoral Commission.

Initially, the ban did not include donations to organisations such as the Liberal Partys Australian Business Network and the Federal Labor Business Forum.

But AAP reported that a spokesman had confirmed on Thursday that PwC had decided to cancel its subscriptions to the forums.

Many other firms use the forums for networking and engagement.

The Greens have urged all of the Big Four consulting firms to stop making cash donations to political parties.

Greens Senator Barbara Pocock said the new company, Scyne Advisory, should not have access to new government contracts.

She has written to Finance Minister Katy Gallagher seeking assurances about the companys interactions with the government.

Sen. Pocock applauded the donation ban, calling it an important step forward in cleaning up the murky world of consulting.

Anyone doing business with the government should not be allowed to make political donations, Sen. Pocock said.

If Australias biggest consulting companies recognise the perceived corruption, then so should Labor and the LNP.

Its time to break all the links. The government must act now to clean up politics once and for all.

AAP contributed to this report.
Pro-China Elon Musk Says CCP Concerned About AI Risks, Wants to Cooperate on International Regulatory Framework

Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla gestures as he attends a conference at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, France, on June 16, 2023. (REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo)

Twitter owner Elon Musk joined Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) for a lengthy conversation regarding artificial intelligence (AI) on July 12, shortly after announcing his new AI company, xAI.

The discussion, which focused predominantly on AI safety, took place on Twitter spaces.

Prior to the nearly 60-minute discussion kicking off, Mr. Musk unveiled xAI in a brief tweet on the social media platform, explaining that the company is part of the businessmans mission to understand reality.

Few details are known about the new firm as of now. According to its website, xAI is a separate company from Musks X Corp but will work closely with X (Twitter), Tesla, and other companies to make progress toward its mission.

The website lists Igor Babuschkin, Manuel Kroiss, Yuhuai (Tony) Wu, Christian Szegedy, Jimmy Ba, Toby Pohlen, Ross Nordeen, Kyle Kosic, Greg Yang, Guodong Zhang, and Zihang Dai as team members. All have worked on various AI projects in the past, such as Googles DeepMind and OpenAI, the creator of chatbot ChatGPT.

During Wednesdays discussion, Mr. Musk touched upon a number of issues regarding the potential implications and long-term consequences of advanced AI, telling lawmakers that he has been banging the drum on AI safety for a long time and that regulations are needed for AI to prevent companies from taking dangerous short-cuts when rolling our advanced technology.

He added that while he would press pause on the advancement of AI if he could, that option just does not seem realistic right now.

Mr. Musk also stressed that the artificial intelligence being developed by xAI would be pro-humanity and is still in the early stages before it can get to the same level as OpenAI.

Mr. Khanna agreed with Mr. Musk that a regulatory body overseeing AI advancement should be established, adding that it should be something similar to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or a commission of experts because Congress lacks the knowledge regarding the pros and cons of advanced AI.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping attends a press conference at the China-Central Asia Summit in Xian, in Chinas northern Shaanxi Province on May 19, 2023. (Florence Lo/AFP via Getty Images)

Superintelligence Could Unseat CCP

However, Mr. Gallagher disagreed, citing concerns that such an agency would simply not be able to keep up with constant changes owing to rapidly advancing technology.

Oversight of AI regulations requires a more dynamic regulatory process with the technology like this where the pace of change is so quick, Mr. Gallagher said.

Even if we passed a sensible AI law this year that struck that balance  between oversight guardrails, but also the need to innovateit might be outdated very quickly. So figuring out that dynamic regulatory model without stifling innovation, I think, is the core dilemma, Mr. Gallagher added.

Elsewhere during the conversation, Mr. Musk also touched upon Chinawhich is seen as a growing threat to the United States when it comes to the AI dominance raceafter Mr. Gallagher shared his fears that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will use its increasingly advanced technology for evil to perfect a technical totalitarian surveillance state.

Responding to Mr. Gallaghers concerns, Mr. Musk explained that he had spent time talking with senior leaders about AI safety and its potential dangers during his recent visit to Beijing in May.

The businessman said he had also told senior Chinese officials that if a digital superintelligence is created, it could effectively remove the need for the CCP.

I think that did resonate, Mr. Musk said. No government wants to find itself unseated by a digital superintelligence so I think they (the CCP) actually are taking action on the regulatory front and are concerned about this as a risk.

The Tesla and SpaceX chief executive officer also stressed that his understanding of China, following his visit in May, is that the government is on team humanity and definitely interested in working on a cooperative international regulatory framework for AI despite the distrust between Beijing and Washington.

Chinas Foreign Minister Qin Gang, right, poses for photos with Tesla Ltd. CEO Elon Musk in Beijing, China, on May 30, 2023. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Republic of China via AP)

Musk Kind of Pro-China

However, Mr. Gallagher again disagreed with Mr. Musk, stating that he remains very skeptical that the CCP could be a constructive actor in any international framework, regarding AI.

What other international framework have they been a constructive actor in? Mr. Gallagher said. Theyre bad actors.

In response, Mr. Musk doubled down on his views of the CCP, stating that he is kind of pro-China.

And I know this makes it sound like Well, do you have all these vested interests in China? Im like, I have some vested interests in China but honestly, I think China is underrated and I think the people of China are really awesome and theres a lot of positive energy there and I think they want the same things as people in America do, Mr. Musk said.

He also touched on the ongoing issue of the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which the CCP claims is part of its own territory.

Last week, CCP leader Xi Jinping told the Chinese military to deepen war and combat planning in order to increase the chances of victory in actual combat as tensions between China and Taiwan deepen.

Thats not to say that there arent some very significant disagreements and theres obviously going to be a significant challenge on the Twaian question but on the stabile energy front, Chinas done a lot to further electric vehicles in China  theres a lot of solar power, a lot of wind  but China has been pushing quite hard on the sustainable front, Mr. Musk told the lawmakers. And I think ultimately once the very difficult question of Taiwan is resolved, Im certainly positive that there will be positive relations between China and the rest of the world. 

Mr. Musk also noted in the discussion that he believes digital superintelligence will exist within the next 56 years but that it would not necessarily be smarter than the sum of all humans adding that this was a higher bar.

The businessman concluded by explaining how the increasingly fast-paced advancement of AI keeps him up at night as he tries to figure out how do we navigate to this to the best possible future for humanity.
Prosecutors Appeal Eight Jan. 6 Oath Keepers Prison Sentences as Too Lenient

Prosecutors appealed the Jan. 6 prison terms given to Kenneth Harrelson (left) and seven other members of the Oath Keepers. (Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. Department of Justice appealed the Jan. 6-related prison sentences given to eight members of the Oath Keepers, concluding that a federal judge in the District of Columbia was too lenient.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nestler filed notices of appeal in the criminal cases of Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes III and Oath Keepers Kelly Meggs, Jessica Watkins, Roberto Minuta, Kenneth Harrelson, Joseph Hackett, David Moerschel, and Edward Vallejo.

The unusual DOJ appeals were filed on July 12 with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in Washington.

At issue are the sentences handed down by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta that were substantially lower than the prison time sought by federal prosecutors.

Mr. Mehta on May 25 sentenced Rhodes to 18 years in prison for seditious conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, and tampering with documents or proceedings. Prosecutors wanted Rhodes sentenced to 25 years.

The longest sentence of all the J6 defendants was apparently not long enough for the government, Edward Tarpley, one of Rhodes attorneys, told The Epoch Times in a text message. Frankly, I was shocked.

Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes III speaks to other Oath Keepers on the east side of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Ford Fischer/News2Share)

Tarpley said he believes the governments unusual decision to appeal the sentences came from the top levels of the DOJ and not from the line attorneys who handled the prosecutions.

Rhodes was found guilty on three charges and acquitted on two others after a more than two-month jury trial held in Washington in the fall of 2022.

Less Prison Time

The other sentences being appealed by the DOJ include Meggs, 12 years in prison, Watkins, 8.5 years; Roberto Minuta, 4.5 years; Harrelson, 4 years; Joseph Hackett, 3.5 years; Moerschel, 3 years; and Edward Vallejo, 3 years. Defendant Thomas Caldwell was found guilty of two Jan. 6 charges on Nov. 29, 2022, but has not been sentenced.

In those cases, prosecutors recommended prison terms from 10 to 21 years.

The defendants, who were also sentenced by Mr. Mehta to varying lengths of supervised release following prison, have filed their own appeal notices seeking to overturn the judgments of conviction.

While we are disappointed at the governments decision to appeal Mr. Harrelsons sentence, it will ultimately be up to the appellate court to review the case and make a determination, defense attorney Brad Geyer told The Epoch Times in a statement on July 13.

Lets hope for a fair and just resolution, but we believe the Honorable Judge Mehta used appropriate discretion in departing so far downward from the governments recommended sentence, Geyer said. We say that with unfailing certainty in Mr. Harrelsons innocence.

Prosecutors sought a 15-year prison term for Harrelson, but Mr. Mehta said he did not believe Harrelson is the man he was painted to be by the DOJ.

Members of the Oath Keepers group stand on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo)

The appeals are the latest dramatic twist in the high-profile prosecution of the Oath Keepers, who have been the centerpiece of the historic far-reaching criminal investigation.

The DOJ has charged more than 1,000 people for alleged crimes at the Capitol following then-President Donald Trumps speech on Jan. 6, 2021.

Oath Keepers were sentenced for attempting to interrupt or impede the ceremonial counting of Electoral College votes from the 2020 presidential election before a joint session of Congress.

Prosecutors contend the Oath Keepers conspired and committed criminal acts to prevent Democrat Joe Biden from being sworn in as the 46th president in January 2021. Rhodes said he was subjected to a show trial, and contends he was prosecuted for constitutionally protected political speech.

In each of the criminal cases cited in the DOJ appeal notices, Mr. Mehta imposed far less prison time than recommended by prosecutors under federal sentencing guidelines.

Sentencing Commission

Judges are not bound by federal sentencing guidelines published by the United States Sentencing Commission, an independent agency in the judicial branch. The first sentencing guidelines were implemented in November 1987.

Sentencing guidelines use a formula that aims to balance the type of criminal offense involved, aggravating factors such as terrorism, a defendants criminal history, whether weapons were used or violence committed, whether the defendant has accepted responsibility for the crimes, and other factors.

Other Oath Keepers, including Joshua James, Brian Ulrich, Jason Dolan, Jon Schaffer, Graydon Young, Mark Grods, Caleb Barry, and William Todd Wilson, were found guilty of Jan. 6 crimes as part of plea deals. Because they continue to cooperate with the FBI and prosecutors, those defendants have not yet been sentenced.

Six defendants from the third Oath Keepers trial held in February and March await sentencing hearings.

The latest Oath Keepers trial ended on July 12 with Donovan Ray Crowl found guilty by Mr. Mehta of civil disorder and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. Co-defendant James Beeks was acquitted on the same counts, becoming the first Oath Keeper cleared on all Jan. 6 charges.

Crowl and Beeks chose a stipulated bench trial, in which both sides agreed to the facts in the case, and Mr. Mehta rendered the verdicts without hearing witness testimony.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 14, 2023 - 00:17 | World, All, Japan

Japan on Thursday assured that a planned release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea will be safe at a meeting of foreign ministers from ASEAN member countries, China and South Korea in the face of concerns from neighboring countries, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

At the gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the three Asian countries, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi made it clear that his country will discharge the water in accordance with international standards and customs, the ministry said.

No participants at the meeting explicitly opposed the plan except for China, which has repeatedly urged Japan not to go through with the discharge.

Hayashi explained the plan citing the International Atomic Energy Agency's assessment report last week and said China's claim is "not based on scientific grounds" in response to Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi, who used the term "contaminated water" instead of "treated water," which the Japanese government uses, a Japanese government official said.

The meeting came as Japan and China have been at odds over the planned discharge of water, which has gone through a process to remove most of the radionuclides, except tritium, into the Pacific Ocean from the Fukushima plant, crippled by a devastating earthquake and ensuing tsunami in March 2011.

Japan's government and Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc., the plant's operator, aim to carry out the plan around the summer.

In a report submitted to the Japanese government on July 4, the IAEA concluded that the plan to release the water aligns with global safety standards and will have "a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment."

Amid improving relations with Japan, South Korea has said that based on its own analysis of Tokyo's proposal, it respects the outcome of the report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, although opposition parties have raised concerns about the move.

Hayashi also said that Japan welcomes a rare statement by ASEAN foreign ministers earlier Thursday that expressed "grave concern" over North Korea firing an intercontinental ballistic missile the previous day, the Japanese ministry said.

As for Russia's protracted war in Ukraine, the Japanese minister strongly condemned it, adding that any attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo by force will not be tolerated anywhere in the world.

The participants also discussed closer cooperation on the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, regional finance and food security, according to the ministry.

ASEAN consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Last year, the bloc agreed, in principle, to admit East Timor as its 11th member, granting the nation observer status until it joins the bloc.

On Thursday, Hayashi held bilateral meetings in Jakarta with his counterparts from Mongolia, Indonesia and Australia. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed understanding and support for Japan's stance on the water release, according to the Japanese ministry.

Related coverage:

Japan PM assures South Korea of safety of Fukushima water release

Fukushima fishermen still oppose water release after IAEA report

China urges ASEAN regional forum to oppose Fukushima water release
Ray Epps Sues Fox News for Defamation Over False Narrative He Was Secret FBI Agent

Ray Epps seen on Jan. 5, 2021, trying to recruit men to attack the Capitol. They accuse him of being a federal agent. (CapitolPunishmentTheMovie.com/Bark at the Hole Productions)

Ray Epps, an Arizona man whose role in the events of Jan. 6 Capitol breach has been the subject of much scrutiny and conjecture, has filed a lawsuit against Fox News for defamation.

In a complaint filed in Delaware Superior Court on July 12 (pdf), Mr. Epps accused the network of a long-running campaign of spreading falsehoods that he was an undercover FBI agent who egged people on to breach the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021.

Those lies have destroyed Rays and Robyns lives, his attorneys wrote in the filing, referring to Mr. Epps and his wife.

The lawsuit says that, as a consequence of Fox News pushing the false conspiracy theory that Mr. Epps was secretly working with federal law enforcement and incited the Capitol breach, both he and his wife have received death threats, with people driving by their farm brandishing weapons and shooting onto their property.

While Mr. Epps has previously denied being an FBI agent or informant, speculation has continued to swirl about his role in the Capitol breach, in part because he was caught on video telling a crowd of Trump supporters on Jan. 5 that they should go into the Capitol on the following day.

The calls raised eyebrows among some in the crowd, prompting cries of Fed! Fed! Fed! which is shorthand for individuals affiliated with federal agencies like the FBI.

In sworn testimony before the Jan. 6 Committee in late 2022, Mr. Epps explained the widely circulated video, saying he wasnt calling for a violent breach of the Capitol the following day but was merely trying to find common ground with some of the people assembled at the pro-Trump gathering in Washington and defuse a tense situation.

Scapegoat

Mr. Epps and his wife believed that the 2020 presidential election was rigged against former President Donald Trump and jointly decided that Mr. Epps would travel to attend the Jan. 6 rally to voice his opposition to the lack of independent investigations into the concerns reported alleging election irregularities, per the lawsuit.

After a peaceful rally with President Trump speaking earlier on Jan. 6, a number of people then marched on the Capitol, with some breaking through security lines and violently gaining entry into the building.

Mr. Trump at the rally at the Ellipse had encouraged his supporters to voice their outrage at what he described as a stolen election. However, he never called for violence, and when unrest did break out, he urged people to be peaceful and go home.

However, a prevailing narrative in the legacy media and broadly among Mr. Trumps opponents was that the former president had incited a mob to attack the Capitol in an insurrection meant to overthrow the government and secure a second term by forceful means.

The lawsuit alleges that, in its reporting on the incident, Fox News intentionally made Mr. Epps a scapegoat for the Capitol breach to deflect responsibility from Mr. Trump and the Republican Party.

The network is accused of promoting the false narrative that Mr. Epps was a secret FBI plant and on Jan. 6 was responsible for inciting some of the violence that took place that day.

Epps was not a federal agent. He was a loyal Fox viewer and Trump supporter, the complaint stated.

Lies have consequences, his attorneys added, accusing Fox News of publishing a series of defamatory statements about Mr. Epps and of providing a platform where guests would make such statements, which were then endorsed and repeated across Foxs various media platforms.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

A Fox News spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times.

FBIs Wray Weighs In On Mr. Epps

On the same day that Mr. Epps lawyers filed the lawsuit against Fox News, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) explicitly asked FBI Director Christopher Wray about Mr. Epps during a congressional hearing.

Cohen first asked the FBI chief whether the agency had any prior notice or reason to believe that the Jan. 6 incident at the Capitol would unfold as violently as it did.

We did not, to my knowledge at least, have prior knowledge of an attempt at violent overthrow of and breach of the Capitol building itself, Wray replied.

Certainly we were concerned about and put out a number of products, intelligence products to partners and others, warning of the potential for violence more generally on that day, he added.

Mr. Cohen then asked specifically about Mr. Epps and reports by Fox News and others that he was supposedly a secret government agent helping encourage this crime so as to make the President look bad.

He then asked Mr. Wray if the FBI chief had any knowledge of Mr. Epps being a government agent.

No, Wray replied. I will say this notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on January 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous and is a disservice to our brave, hardworking, and dedicated men and women.

Mr. Cohen said he agreed with Mr. Wrays assessment and later took to Twitter to bolster the narrative that Mr. Epps had no links to law enforcement.

This morning, I questioned the FBI Director on conjured up stories pushed by Tucker on #FoxNews. This afternoon, the network was sued for defamation. Wray called Carlsons assertions ludicrous. Fox News should be held accountable for spreading misinformation, Mr. Cohen wrote.

There have been repeated prior denials that Mr. Epps was an FBI agent or informant.

His attorney, John Blischak, told The Epoch Times in January 2022 that unequivocally, he is not an FBI informant while Mr. Epps himself said as much to the Jan. 6 Committee under oath.

In his testimony, Mr. Epps described himself as a well-meaning supporter of Mr. Trump with no affiliation with law enforcement.
RCMP Investigating Sexual Abuse at NS Youth Jail Spanning Three Decades

Police say there are at least 70 victims, more expected to come forward

The RCMP are investigating at least 70 cases of alleged sexual assault between 1988 and 2017 at a youth detention facility in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley, and believe more victims will come forward. Lead investigator Sgt. Brian Fitzpatrick, centre, speaks during a news conference announcing a confidential hotline for people with knowledge of the case to call, in Halifax, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Const. Shannon Herbert, an investigator, (R), and Inspector Don Moser (L) also spoke to reporters. (Michael Tutton/The Canadian Press)

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are investigating decades of sexual abuse that allegedly occurred at a Nova Scotia youth detention centre, involving at least 70 victims who were youth at the time.

RCMP Corporal Chris Marshall told The Epoch Times on July 13 that this investigation, called Operation Headwind, has been ongoing for four and a half years but made public for the first time on July 12. It is not known how long the investigation will continue.

Our investigators continue to diligently gather information and evidence. We anticipate that the investigation will continue for some time, however putting a timeline on how long, would be a disservice to the survivors who had the courage to come forward, said Corp. Marshall.

The RCMP said that they have so far taken statements from more than 70 alleged victims as part of the investigation. The survivors, all male, have come forward alleging they were sexually abused at the government-owned Nova Scotia Youth Centre, in Waterville, Nova Scotia, commonly referred to as Waterville, between 1998 and 2017.

We can report that the investigation is progressing and our investigative team is happy with the progress they are making, said Corp. Marshall. The officer also said that the investigation started as a result of a complaint made directly to the RCMP.

Investigators believe there are more survivors and people in the community who have additional information regarding this investigation and are encouraging them to come forward, according to an RCMP news release on July 12.

Officers expect up to 200 people may come forward. Eleven investigators have been working on the case since 2019.

Massive Investigation

Sergeant Brian Fitzpatrick, a veteran sex crimes investigator and the lead investigator of Operation Headwind, said at a news conference at RCMP headquarters on July 12 that this is the biggest investigation he has ever been involved with in his 19 years of law enforcement service.

RCMP has opened a confidential toll-free hotline for victims or those who may have information on the case. Officers have not disclosed information about the alleged suspect or suspects in the case, or if it involves multiple perpetrators.

Were ready to listen to their story. If theyre not ready to come forward yet, when theyre ready, we will be here, said Sgt. Fitzpatrick.

Inspector Don Moser, from RCMP assistant support services, also spoke at the news conference.

After investigators identified more than 30 survivors and recognize that there could be hundreds more, the Nova Scotia RCMP assembled a larger dedicated investigative team, said Insp. Moser.

He said the case presents a challenge due to its sheer size, the amount of information we need to process and eventually disclose, and the amount of survivor witnesses who we have to deploy investigators to interview across Canada.

Constable Shannon Herbert, one of the investigators, said the RCMP is focused on survivor well-being.

We take that very seriously and after the fact we want to make sure that they have the support that they need, said the officer.

Lawyer Mike Dull, with Nova Scotia law firm Valent Legal, filed a class action lawsuit against the provinces justice department in 2021, stating his clients were youths at the detention centre over a 29-year-span, and were allegedly subjected to unwanted inappropriate touching and in some cases sexual assault, leaving many with long term damage.

They have had difficult lives as adults; the vast majority have been in and out of prison, said Mr. Dull.

The lawyer said his first client came forward in 2017, with allegations he was sexually abused as a youth at the jail. Mr. Dull said he has since been inundated with other calls, and that the same situation allegedly happened to dozens and dozens of young boys over three decades.

The province said it was cooperating with police with regard to the very concerning allegations and were taking the matter very seriously.

The individual referenced in the class action lawsuit is no longer an employee of the province. As that matter is before the court, we are not able to provide further comment at this time, said Deborah Bayer, a spokesperson with the justice department.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
Russian Military Goals Unaffected by Outcome of NATO Summit: Moscow

Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev speaks during an interview at the Gorki residence, outside Moscow, on Jan. 27, 2022. (Yulia Zyryanova/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

The outcome of this weeks NATO summit in Lithuania hasnt affected Russias military objectives as they pertain to Ukraine, according to Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of the Russian Security Council.

The special military operation will continue with its goals unchanged, Mr. Medvedev, who has previously served as both Russias president and prime minister, said on July 12.

He went on to assert that one of these goals was keeping Ukraine out of the Western NATO alliance.

We have insisted on that from the outset, Mr. Medvedev said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov holds a press conference at U.N. headquarters in New York on April 25, 2023. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Kyiv and its Western allies have decried Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine as an unprovoked act of aggression.

Moscow, for its part, says its special military operation seeks to protect Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine and halt the further expansion of NATO to its doorstep.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov voiced similar sentiments after the summit, saying Moscows position had not changed dramatically.

We are open to dialogue, he was quoted as saying by Russias TASS news agency on July 13.

But we will be guided by our legitimate interests and will balance approaches to a possible settlement with the situation on the ground.

Letdown in Lithuania

While Ukraine had hoped to receive a formal invitation to join the military alliance at the organizations NATO summit on July 11 and 12, it received only vague promises of eventual membershipwith no timeline offeredonce a raft of conditions is met.

Nobody knows when [Ukraine will join NATO] and on what conditions, Mr. Medvedev said.

However, Kyiv did receive renewed assurances of support from NATO allies, along with fresh pledges of military assistance and security guarantees against Russian aggression.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who attended the summit, described the outcome as good but not ideal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (C) addresses the crowd while flanked by his wife Olena Zelenska (L) and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda at Lukiskiu Square in Vilnius, Lithuania, during the NATO Summit on July 11, 2023. (Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images)

For the first time since independence, we have formed a security foundation for Ukraine on its way to NATO, he said.

Kyiv, Mr. Zelenskyy noted, had also received a good reinforcement with weapons.

The summit also saw NATO member Turkey drop its objection to a months-long NATO bid by Sweden, paving the way for the Nordic countrys eventual accession to the alliance.

In April, Finland, which shares an 830-mile-long border with Russia, officially became NATOs 31st member after Turkey approved the move.

Before joining NATO, applicants must be approved by all of the alliances members. Turkey joined NATO in 1952.

Kyiv Claims Modest Gains

This weeks summit in Lithuania coincided with an ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive aimed at retaking territory captured earlier by Russia.

At the summit, Mr. Zelenskyy had hoped to highlight territorial gains registered by Ukrainian forces.

But even he has admitted that the counteroffensive, which began early last month, was progressing more slowly than initially hoped.

On July 11, the first day of the summit, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar pointed to limited gains on the southern front, which runs through Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

A still image from a video shows what Russia claims to be destroyed armored vehicles of the Ukrainian armed forces, in the southern Donetsk region of Ukraine on June 10, 2023. (Russian Defense Ministry via Reuters)

On the same day, Ukrainian Gen. Oleksandr Tarnavskyi claimed that Russian forces had sustained hundreds of casualties over the previous 24 hours.

According to military officials in Kyiv, Ukrainian forces have so far retaken more than 100 square miles on the southern front, along with 15 square miles near the flashpoint city of Bakhmut.

A key transport hub in the eastern Donetsk region, Bakhmut (Artyomovsk in Russian) fell to Russian forces in May after nine months of fierce fighting.

The commander of Ukraines ground forces has claimed that Russian troops are now trapped in Bakhmut.

The city is under the fire control of [Ukrainian] defense forces  the enemy is being pushed out of their positions, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi asserted on July 11.

Moscow: 26,000 Troops Killed

However, Moscow disputed that claim, saying that Kyivs vaunted counteroffensive had entirely failed to penetrate Russian lines of defense.

Battles are raging for the Artyomovsk [Bakhmut] flanks, Yan Gagin, an official of the Moscow-recognized Donetsk Peoples Republic, told TASS on July 13.

All of them are under the control of our forces and artillery.

Earlier this week, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed that more than 26,000 Ukrainian servicemen had been killed since the counteroffensive began five weeks ago.

Over the same period, Ukraine lost more than 3,000 pieces of military hardware, Mr. Shoigu told reporters on July 11.

According to the defense minister, the latter include aircraft, air-defense systems, and artillery pieces, along with Western-made tanks and armored vehicles.

The Epoch Times couldnt verify battlefield assessments made by either of the warring parties.

Reuters contributed to this report.
The Heritage Foundation at 12:00 p.m. ET on July 13, will host a review of the landmark cases of the Supreme Courts 202223 term, and everything involving the U.S. Supreme Court.

GianCarlo Canaparo, senior legal fellow, Edwin Meese III Center of Heritage Foundation, will host the conversation.
School District Suspended 2 Students for Misgendering Trans Teacher in 2022

Several hundred people gathered for a demonstration outside of Glendale Unifieds board meeting, where the school board voted unanimously to proclaim June 2023 as LGBT Pride Month, in Glendale, Calif., on June 6, 2023. (Micaela Ricaforte/The Epoch Times)

The Glendale Unified School District in Southern California suspended two students last year for misgendering a transgender teacher and had the students undergo a restorative justice training, according to an email obtained by a district parent group.

In the May 2022 email, former Herbert Hoover High School principal Jennifer Earl said she suspended two students for five days each after they entered a classroomin which they were not enrolledand addressed the classrooms transgender teacher incorrectly, according to an email obtained by district parent group GUSD Parents Voices and posted last week on its Twitter account.

The students ran away after the teacher corrected them and later admitted to being curious about the transgender teacher, Ms. Earl wrote in the email.

I asked [the] teacher how he wanted to handle it, if he wanted me to just teach them about misgendering or would he like me to speak about being trans, Ms. Earl wrote. He asked me to educate on transgender. It was well received from students and parents. [Restorative justice] will happen after suspension.

According to the districts website, it employs restorative practices in response to challenging behavior by reducing, preventing and improving harmful behavior and resolving conflict, holding individuals and groups accountable.

Police separate protesters and counter-protesters outside of Glendale Unifieds board meeting, where the school board voted unanimously to proclaim June 2023 as LGBT Pride Month, in Glendale, Calif., on June 6, 2023. (Micaela Ricaforte/The Epoch Times)

The district formed a Restorative Practices Advisory Task Force in 2018 to provide input for implementing such practices throughout the district, according to the website.

District officials were not immediately available for comment, and its unclear what specific restorative justice training the two suspended students underwent.

Glendale Unified has made headlines recently after months of rising tension in the district over its policies on LGBT topics in classrooms.

On June 6, a brawl broke out between demonstrators and counter-protestors in opposition of the districts recognition of Pride Month and policies on LGBT content in classrooms.

On June 2, some parents kept their children at home in protest of the districts planned Pride Day where students learn about LGBT activists and participate in activities that celebrate the LGBT community.

Later that week, at least three individuals were arrested for various charges, including the unlawful use of pepper spray and willfully obstructing officers in the course of their duties, according to the Glendale Police Department.

Parents in opposition say they want the district to focus on teaching academics and allow parents to introduce such topics to children on their own terms.

We do not [want] public schools and public-school educators to choose the ideology that they choose to push on to our children and indoctrinate our children, said Ani, a district parent who preferred to only give her first name. School is a place of learning. Its for academics.

Meanwhile, counter-protestors say theyre trying to support LGBT youth.

Hannah Maximova, a parent in the district, said shes concerned that the protest could make LGBT students in the district feel shameful about their sexuality.

Some of these kids feel such shame from families that feel like theyre losing their children when they come out as gay or transgender, Ms. Maximova said. I hear that, but I feel that theyre endangering children. The message theyre sending is that [being gay or transgender] is a shameful thing. Im sorry that [parents] have been whipped up into this, but Im glad so many of us have come to try and quell the flames of disrespect and cruelty.
Senators Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Block the US President From Leaving NATO

Banners displaying the NATO logo are placed at the entrance of new NATO headquarters during the move to the new building, in Brussels, Belgium, on April 19, 2018. (Yves Herman/Reuters)

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) reintroduced a bill on Wednesday that would constrain any U.S. president from ever withdrawing from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance.

NATO serves as an essential military alliance that protects shared national interests and enhances Americas international presence, Mr. Rubio said on Wednesday. Any decision to leave the alliance should be rigorously debated and considered by the U.S. Congress with the input of the American people.

The United States has been a part of NATO since its inception, with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington D.C. on April 4, 1949.

The resolution Mr. Kaine and Mr. Rubio introduced on Wednesday states that the president of the United States cannot exit the alliance without either the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate or an act of Congress (pdf).

Mr. Kaine and Mr. Rubio have repeatedly introduced this resolution over the years. Their latest attempt comes as members of the NATO alliance are meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Both senators serve on the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. Mr. Kaine also serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and Mr. Rubio is the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee. Mr. Kaine emphasized his support for NATO amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, a country that borders the eastern edge of NATO allied territories.

Putins brutal war in Ukraine and Finlands accession and Swedens pending accession into NATO all underscore the same thing: NATO is stronger than ever, the Democratic Virginia senator said on Wednesday. Im proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to reaffirm the United States commitment to NATO and ensure any U.S. President cant unilaterally decide to leave the alliance without congressional approval.

In addition to barring any U.S. president from leaving NATO without first going through Congress, the bill also attempts to take away any resources a president may use to end U.S. participation in NATO without Congressional approval. A president would not be able to use any taxpayer funds to bring about a U.S. withdrawal from NATO and the resolution authorizes Congress to challenge any such presidential actions in federal court.

Trumps NATO Skepticism Inspired Resolutions

During his time in office, former President Donald Trump accused other NATO member nations of failing to meet their defense spending commitments to the alliance and said hed threaten to leave the alliance if other members didnt contribute more.

Mr. Kaine joined Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), as well as then-Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in 2018 in their first attempt to pass the resolution maintaining U.S. involvement in NATO. Mr. Kaine cited Mr. Trumps NATO remarks as part of his decision to support the resolution at the time.

A bipartisan group of senators again introduced the NATO commitment resolution in January of 2019.

President Trumps repeated threats to withdraw from NATO are dangerous, Mr. Kaine said of the failed 2019 attempt to pass the resolution. The Democratic senator went on to accuse the then-president of showing deference to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as destroying strategic partnerships with his reckless decision-making and efforts to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Syria.

Mr. Kaine and Mr. Rubio backed additional attempts in 2021 and 2022 to pass the resolution blocking a presidential withdrawal from NATO.

Mr. Trump is once again running to become president and is currently leading the field of Republican primary contenders.

Thus far in his 2024 run, Mr. Trump has made calls for a peace resolution to the war between Russia and Ukraine, in contrast to NATOs current efforts to bolster the Ukrainian side with new weapons systems.

In a February campaign message, Mr. Trump accused certain U.S. government officials of being obsessed with pushing Ukraine toward NATO and said, We need to clean house of all of the warmongers and America-Last globalists in the Deep State, the Pentagon, the State Department, and the national security industrial complex.

From NTD News
Southern California Landslide Triggers Declaration of Local Emergency

A home collapsing from a landslide in the neighborhood of Rolling Hills Estates in Los Angeles County, Calif., on July 9, 2023. (Courtesy of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn)

ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, Calif.The cause of a landslide responsible for the destruction of several homes in Rolling Hills Estates remained a mystery on July 11, as the city council declared a local emergency due to the devastating slide.

Nearly a dozen upscale homes in the Palos Verdes Peninsula community along Peartree Lane have been crumbling as a result of the massive landslide that began on July 8 and forced the evacuation of the structures.

By July 10 a total of 12 homes had been red-taggedmeaning they cannot be occupiedalthough only 10 of them appeared to be actually moving.

County fire officials were closely monitoring 16 other homes in the area to ensure they were not shifting. County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said officials were watching two homes in particularone at the top of the street and the other at the bottomand were in close contact with those homeowners, who have not been told to evacuate.

The shifting land also caused a sewer line to break, forcing an additional five houses to be evacuated Tuesday, the Southern California News Group reported, citing Assistant City Manager Alexa Davis.

The Rolling Hills Estates City Council unanimously passed a resolution declaring a local emergency in response to the slide on Tuesday night.

The estimated costs in responding to the Peartree Lane Land Movement Incident are unknown at this time due to the evolving nature of the situation, according to a staff report prepared for the council.

Adoption of this resolution will facilitate the ability for the City to request resources including financial support and reimbursement from the State Office of Emergency Services and Federal Emergency Management Agency for costs incurred for the response of this emergency, the staff report said.

A house in Rolling Hills Estates is severely damaged after a landslide on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, Calif., on July 9, 2023. (Michael Hixon/The Orange County Register via AP)

On Monday evening, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Britt Huff held a meeting with affected residents.

Among the other officials attending was county Assessor Jeff Prang, who said earlier his office would work with residents to ensure they would not be forced to pay hefty property tax bills for homes and properties that have been largely destroyed.

Mr. Prang said his office will be expediting the process of re-assessing the affected properties to prevent any of the owners from receiving hefty tax bills for destroyed homes.

In a tragedy like this, people have experienced all types of hardships that you dont really think about, Mr. Prang said. One of them is paying taxes on houses or a piece of land that no longer exists. We just need to make sure that we do everything we can do to relieve them of any burdens, especially this financial burden, as quickly as possible.

Mr. Prang said the county would not provide a blanket waiver of property taxes, but he said the re-assessing of the properties would result in them having either no or dramatically reduced tax bills due to the damage.

Ms. Hahn noted Monday after that the land has moved 20 feet since I was here in Rolling Hills Estates yesterday afternoon.

Homes have completely fallen into the canyon now, she wrote on her Twitter page.

Homeowners have been left to basically stand back and watch their houses collapse on themselves and sink into the turf. Ms. Hahn noted that some rooftops were now at ground level due to the continued collapse.

The homes were largely considered complete losses, Ms. Hahn said.

LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn stands with homeowners watching their houses sink from a landslide in Rolling Hills Estates in Los Angeles County, Calif., on July 9, 2023. (Courtesy of Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn)

Mr. Marrone said fire crews were basically in a holding pattern, simply waiting for the homes to stop sliding or shifting.

We dont know how long that these homes are going to continue to move, he said. At this time its just a holding pattern were in waiting to see what the final determination is going to be.

Ms. Hahn said that after the homes stop sliding, the homeowners association in the area can bring in geologists and soil experts to examine the area.

We think after its all settled, a good geologist and soil expert maybe will give us a clue about how this happened and if theres any way of preventing it from happening on some other hillside, Ms. Hahn said.

Electricity in the area was turned off Saturday and utility crews made sure no gas or power lines were disrupted, authorities said.

The American Red Cross was helping to find shelter for the evacuated families. Ms. Huff said the Red Cross offered hotel vouchers to displaced residents, but most had already made other arrangements.

There have been no reports of any injuries.

Ms. Hahn said she reached out to Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday but had not yet spoken to him about the situation. She said she would like to invite him to tour the neighborhood.
Teen Killed in Shooting Near Los Angeles Mall IDd

LOS ANGELESAuthorities July 12 identified a 17-year-old boy who was killed in a shooting near the Beverly Center over the weekend that left two other people wounded.

Officers were dispatched at 3:50 a.m. July 9 to West Third Street and South Orlando Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner identified the fatally wounded 17-year-old as Zackary Dickson-Hislop of Los Angeles, who died at the scene.

Paramedics took another 17-year-old boy and a 26-year-old man to a hospital, where they were listed in stable condition, police said.

The suspect, described only as a male, fled on foot southbound on Orlando Avenue, police said. According to ABC7, the shooting occurred outside Berris Cafe, which stays open until 4 a.m.

The police department West Bureau homicide detectives urged anyone with information about the shooting to call them at 213-382-9470 or 877-LAPD-247. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
Getting a first or second chance to build credit with a credit card has been easier in recent years because financial technology companies have created alternative options.

These new cards often evaluate applications differently from traditional credit cards, with algorithms and proprietary methods that may put less emphasis on credit scores while looking at factors such as your income or bank account balances. Lower costs tend to be a hallmark, too: Some of these products advertise no security deposit, no annual fee and no APR (annual percentage rate).

Many fintechs are really focused on offering products to people that otherwise would not qualify for them at a major institution, says Nick Roberts, chief marketing officer at Grow Credit, a financial technology company based in California. There is a lot of focus with certain fintechs to expand the market.

But while many of these relative newcomers can indeed help you build credit, its worth noting that the journey might sometimes be bumpy as the company behind the card continues to scale.

Expect Changes

All credit card companies, traditional and nontraditional, are allowed to make changes to your account terms, although depending on what exactly is changing, they must follow certain guidelines.

Theyve got to give you a 45 days notice of an increase in the annual percentage rate and any significant changes in terms, says Lauren Saunders, associate director at the National Consumer Law Center.

Still, compared with a more established credit card, an alternative card from a fintech is more likely to experience frequent changes to its terms and features. These updates may either be welcome additions or disappointing subtractions.

For example, a relatively new credit card company might rebrand, meaning any number of features may change. CreditStacks announced a namesake credit card in 2018, but by 2020, the company and card were going by the name Jasper, sending out redesigned cards and expanding the pool of applicants who might qualify. It later pivoted to being a cash-back card for people with good credit.

Since that rebrand, Jaspers credit card has been discontinued.

Grow Credit launched a credit card in some states in 2019, eventually taking it nationwide in 2020. The card lets you build credit by using it to pay select bills, up to a low monthly spending limit. Its linked to a membership plan with various tiers and prices, including a free option. But at launch, the card had only a single free tier.

The company added the other membership levelswhich may unlock additional qualifying bills and higher monthly spending limitsover time. These additions created more credit-building options for those without credit, according to Roberts.

Keep an Eye on Your Inbox

TomoCredit, a fintech based in San Francisco, has also made significant changes to its credit cards original terms. The card debuted in 2021 with no annual fee but by 2023, the terms included a $2.99 monthly fee and the card went on a waitlist.

The fintech Petal has been in the credit card space for several years, advertising low- and no-fee cards for customers looking to build credit, as well as those with good credit. But in May and June, Petal informed select existing cardholders that they would be subject to a new monthly membership fee.

Jamie Howard, an e-learning director based in Tennessee, was among those cardholders. He was told that hed have to pay an $8 monthly charge or opt out and have his account closed.

I was kind of shocked at first because I just dont like to pay fees, Howard says. If I opt out, thats a component of your credit score.

A closed account can hurt credit scores because it can impact credit utilization and shorten the length of your credit history. It was Howards primary concern, given that he had applied for the Petal card to build credit. Still, after about three years with the card, he decided the monthly fee wasnt worth it because he has other credit cards. I have since dropped out, he says.

Manage Expectations

With any financial product, do your research before applying. Depending on the fintech company, you might not get the same experience that a traditional bank offers, which can be part of the trade-off.

A chronic problem with fintechs is the lack of human customer service, Saunders says. One of the ways they can make things more cheaply is by cutting out brick-and-mortar branches, cutting out live customer service, relying on chat and other automated or electronic channels. That works well until it doesnt.

Not all fintech companies may operate this way, but its important to know what to expect. Online customer reviews can help. A card might still be worth getting if it helps you build credit when other options are too expensive or youve been rejected for a traditional credit card.

As you climb toward better credit, adding a new credit card to your wallet from a more established issuer can provide a backup should the terms on your alternative card change.

By Melissa Lambarena of NerdWallet

The Epoch Times Copyright  2023 The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.
The Highly Political and Misunderstood Case of Moore v. Harper

Commentary

Among the Supreme Court cases decided this year, none has been more misunderstood than Moore v. Harper (pdf).

The Moore case illustrates how difficult some of the courts work can be. It also illustrates the ignorance and partisanship of many legal commentators and the foolishness behind the ubiquitous claim that the court has a 63 conservative bloc.

Here are some striking aspects of Moore v. Harper and how the case was publicized:

Because the principal defendant was the Republican-controlled state legislature of North Carolina, liberal commentators dismissed the defendants arguments as extreme and unprecedented. In fact, the North Carolina legislatures arguments were very mainstream, based on a line of precedent dating back to 1798.

Because the Republicans lost the case, the dominant media hailed the result as a liberal victory. Yet, the courts ruling is probably consistent with the Constitutions original meaning. Normally, the media would call such a result conservative.

Although the courts opinion probably reached the right conclusion, it did so while largely ignoring evidence of the Constitutions original meaning.

More seriously, the opinion contains language that may prove troublesome the next time America faces another disputed presidential election.

The so-called six-justice conservative bloc once again proved to not be a bloc at all. Three of the six agreed with the supposedly liberal result. One thought the case shouldnt have been decided. Only two disagreed on the merits.

Some bloc.

It would be more accurate, although not entirely so, to say the court has a three-justice liberal bloc.

The Constitutional Background

The Constitution assigns tasks and responsibilities to officers of the federal government. But it also assigns specific tasks to people and assemblies that arent part of the federal government. For example, presidential electors arent federal officials, but the Constitution grants them the power to elect the president and vice president.

In like manner, the Constitution gives specific tasks to state governors, state and federal conventions, federal juries, and state legislatures.

The courts call these specific tasks federal functions.

Law school courses almost entirely ignore federal functions. So do law professors writings. The first academic article surveying federal functions wasnt published until 2020 by the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law. I was the author (pdf).

The neglect of this field helps explain why so many commentators misunderstood the central issue in the case.

Now, lets examine that issue.

The Two Constitutional Meanings of Legislature

The Constitution delegates several federal functions to the national legislature (Congress) and to state legislatures. Depending on the context, the Constitution may mean Congress or state legislature in either of two ways:

(1) the entire law-making apparatus, including passage by both houses, signature by the president or governor, and review by the courts.

(2) the legislative assembly acting alone and independently. (Commentators on the Moore case sometimes called this the independent legislature doctrine.)

Here are some illustrations of legislatures acting alone and independently:

Before the 17th Amendment (1913), the Constitution charged state legislatures with electing U.S. senators. They did so independently. The governor couldnt veto a legislative resolution electing senators.

In 1798, the Supreme Court ruled that when Congress proposes a constitutional amendment, it acts independently. The proposal isnt subject to the presidents veto.

Since that time, the courts have applied the same principle to state legislatures acting in the constitutional amendment procedure. State legislatures act independently. The governor may not veto a legislative resolution ratifying a constitutional amendment or proposing an amendments convention. Nor (in the amendment procedure) is the legislature subject to state law. Its governed only by federal constitutional law (pdf).

Finally, the Constitution grants to each state legislature the federal function of determining the manner of choosing its presidential electors. In the early republic, state legislatures often chose the electors themselves, or they adopted other methods, such as popular election. Either way, they could do so by a simple resolution rather than by a formal state law. This understanding was cemented in the 1892 Supreme Court case of McPherson v. Blacker (pdf).

The Times, Places, and Manner Clause

The Constitution also provides:

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof (Article I, Section 4, Clause 1).

The Supreme Court calls this the elections clause, which is confusing because the Constitution has several other elections clauses. I prefer a more traditional name: The times, places, and manner clause.

The Founding-era record tells us that the power to prescribe the places for members of the U.S. House of Representatives includes the power to draw congressional districts. The Constitution lodges this authority in the state Legislature. But does that mean the Legislature (1) acting alone or (2) as part of the wider law-making apparatusincluding the governor, initiative and referendum, and the courts?

That was the central issue in Moore v. Harper.

Why the Case Was Politically Charged

As you can see, Moore centered on a very technical interpretation of the Constitution. But the case became politically charged. Heres why:

Most states have Republican legislatures. This is likely to remain so during the foreseeable future. Republican legislatures tend to draw congressional districts to favor Republican candidates.

So for several years, liberal activists have tried to pull the district-drawing process away from the legislatures and into agencies more likely to be controlled by Democrats: the executive branch, the courts, and independent redistricting commissions.

Recall that liberal commentators branded the position of the North Carolina Legislature as extreme and unprecedented. But if Democrats controlled most state legislatures, you can bet that they would have told us that the same position wasnt only correct but prescribed by the Founders!

The Courts Decision

Chief Justice John Robertss opinion for the court spent some time dancing around the main issue. Much of the opinion was devoted to discussing the virtues of judicial review of laws. But the main issue was, Does the times, places, and manner clause empower state legislatures to act by independent resolution instead of by standing laws? If so, then judicial review of laws was irrelevant.

Ultimately, the opinion concluded that in the times, places, and manner clause, the term Legislature means the entire legislative apparatus of the state. The legislative assembly cant act alone. It must draw congressional districts with formal laws subject to the state constitution, as interpreted by the state courts.

In reaching this conclusion, Chief Justice Robertss opinion largely disregarded the Constitutions original meaning. Instead, it focused on case precedents decided long after the Constitution was adopted. The dissenters also said little about the Constitutions original meaning.

Yet theres some pretty good evidence of what the Founders intended. The standard procedure for drawing legislative districtsboth in England and in Americawas to do so by ordinary election laws (pdf). This is what the South Carolina Legislature did in 1788, for example, when it drew its first state congressional districts.

Thus, Chief Justice Robertss conclusion was probably correct, even if his method was flawed.

The Bad Part of the Case

As noted above, the traditional understanding has been that when a state legislature decides how its states presidential electors are chosen, the legislature acts alone and independently.

This isnt only good constitutional law but also good practical law as well. It assures that if theres doubt about the outcome of the states presidential popular vote in early November, the legislature has the flexibility to craft a remedy before the presidential electors cast their own ballots in mid-December.

However, Chief Justice Robertss opinion needlesslyand, fortunately, in nonbinding languagecast doubt upon this traditional understanding. He quoted a passage from the McPherson case saying that a states legislative authority is limited by the constitution of the state. While thats true, it ignores the fact that if the legislative assembly can act alone and independently, then it isnt exercising state legislative authority. Rather, its exercising another kind of responsibility entirely: a federal function mandated by the U.S. Constitution.

Chief Justice Robertss language may create confusion the next time a state has a contested presidential election. Some are likely to use this language to prolong the uncertainty or induce the governor and state courts to intervene.

Without a fast legislative solution, the states chief election officer will be able to decide unilaterally (via certification) how his states electoral votes are cast.

Thats far too much power to vest in any one person.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 14, 2023 - 02:09 | All, Japan

The European Union said Thursday it will lift the remaining import restrictions it imposed on food products from a part of Japan after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster, as cooperation between the world's largest trading bloc and the major Asian democracy rapidly expands in almost all realms.

The announcement was made at a Japan-EU summit in Brussels, during which the leaders agreed to reinforce supply chains for key industrial and raw materials and work even more closely on areas such as maritime security and cyberspace, in view of an increasingly assertive China and an imperialistic Russia.

As part of efforts to increase communication on security issues, they decided to establish a strategic dialogue at the foreign ministerial level.

"We welcome the EU increasing involvement in the Indo-Pacific," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at a press conference following the meeting with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Their joint statement cites various concerns stemming from Chinese actions, including its "opaque nuclear build-up." But the leaders emphasized the importance of "engaging candidly and expressing our concerns directly."

"It is important to cooperate with China, given its role in the international community and the size of its economy, on global challenges as well as areas of common interest," the statement said.

Japan's ties with Europe have further deepened following the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But it took some time for Tokyo to convince the 27-nation bloc to remove controls requiring testing for radionuclides and safety certification for some seafood and agricultural products from Fukushima and nine other prefectures.

Von der Leyen said at the press conference that the removal of the restrictions was based on scientific evidence.

The EU's decision came after the International Atomic Energy Agency concluded last week that Japan's plan to release treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant conforms to safety standards and poses no risk to human health or the environment.

A day after attending a NATO summit in Lithuania, Kishida visited the Belgian capital.

He hailed the bloc's decision, saying it will support the recovery of Fukushima and the surrounding areas, devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunami that triggered a meltdown at the nuclear plant.

The lifting of the measures could take place in early August if all EU procedures go smoothly, according to Japanese officials.

With the EU dropping the curbs, the number of countries and regions maintaining such import controls will be 11, including China, South Korea and Hong Kong. Iceland and Norway, which largely employ EU standards for imports, may scrap the restrictions, the officials said.

Japan's food and agricultural exports to the EU rose 8.2 percent in 2022 from a year earlier to 68 billion yen ($490 million), more than tripling over the decade, driven by the popularity of Japanese cuisine worldwide.

As has been the case in recent years, the Japanese and EU leaders pledged to work closely on energy security, climate change, outer space and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence.

Kishida said he plans to host an online meeting on artificial intelligence with other leaders of the Group of Seven major democratic economies, possibly this fall.

Japan and the EU normally hold talks at the leader level once a year. The last summit took place in May 2022 in Tokyo.

Related coverage:

Japan, EU bolster cooperation over semiconductor supply

Japan, EU mull enhancing security cooperation at summit next week
The Philippines Flashpoint

Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea and adjacent waters remains a concern

Commentary

Hot wars frequently happen where they are least expected, or while attention is diverted elsewhere. The North Korean invasion of South Korea in June 1950, the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the 199899 Kosovo conflict, and other armed hostilities surprised many by their eruption and intensity. The world has been fixated on Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022, while the Taiwan Strait has been brought into acute international focus by increased Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) saber-rattling in the waters and airspace surrounding Taiwan throughout 2022 and 2023.

Regarding the latter, the increasing belligerence of the PLA in East and South Asia is increasingly of concern to nations on Chinas periphery, especially Taiwan. The communist Chinese absorption of Hong Kong and continuing persecution of dissenters (including people who have fled Hong Kong) is viewed by many as a harbingeran anticipatory sign of what is to come.

While the world is focused elsewhere, could it be that armed hostilities with the Philippines is what is to come? Let us examine the possibility.

Chinese Territorial Encroachment

The list of disputed territories in East Asia is long: Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, Senkaku Islands, Ryukyu Islands, and a host of artificial and natural reefs, shoals, and other land features in the South China and East China seas. A primary reason for the disputes among China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Japan is economic, including extensive fisheries and an estimated 11 billion barrels of untapped oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the area, as noted by the Council on Foreign Relations.

The Chinese have been occupying disputed land features and building island bases on coral atolls in the South China Sea for over 10 years to extend their territorial and military control over the entire area. Examples include the following:

Woody Island (Paracels) is the largest natural land feature occupied by China in the South China Sea and has been militarized with surface-to-air missile launchers and an air base, as noted here.

Scarborough Shoal was occupied by the PLA in 2012, although the Philippines won a legal victory with an UNCLOS decision in 2016 to award maritime jurisdiction of the shoal to Manila. Nevertheless, China has maintained a near-continuous presence there by various Coast Guard and other ships, which has effectively militarized the shoal.

China has built and militarized at three artificial islands in the Spratly Islands, including Mischief Reef, by installing anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems, laser and jamming equipment, and fighter jets, as reported by The Guardian last year.

China Pressures the Philippines

The Chinese communists apparently also adhere to the adages Possession is nine-tenths of the law and Might makes right. China has routinely ignored the UNCLOS decision on Spratly Island maritime jurisdiction and protests by other nations in militarizing the disputed islands and has also frequently violated the Philippines Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ) with impunity. In November 2021, the Chinese interfered with a routine Filipino ship resupply mission to their outpost on Second Thomas Shoal. As reported by the Center for Strategic and International Studies at the time, the two civilian boats delivering supplies were blocked and water-cannoned by three Chinese Coast Guard vessels.

In a recent incident in the West Philippine Sea, reported on July 7 by ABS-CBN News, 48 Chinese fishing vessels swarming Iroquois Reef and five Chinese Coast Guard and Peoples Liberation Army Navy vessels [were spotted] near Sabina Shoal. As noted by the U.S. Naval Institute, The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled in 2016 that Reed Bank is within the Philippine EEZ and the Philippines had economic rights for the area, although China refuses to recognize the ruling and claims the area as within its territory. Despite the Filipino Department of Foreign Affairs having filed of 97 diplomatic protests over Chinas presence in the West Philippine Sea, Chinese vessel presence in these areasand intimidating actions such as the abovehave been nearly constant for years.

The Philippine Star reported that the United States is installing military facilities in Northern Luzon in Cagayan at the Camilo Osias Naval Base and Lal-lo Airport under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the United States and the Philippines. This site is one of four planned installations under the mutual defense treaty into which the new government of President Fernand Marcos, Jr., has breathed new life in his foreign policy shift toward the United States and away from China. The Filipinos are perhaps growing tired of the increasing Chinese pressures and are reaching out to their old wartime ally for assistance.

The Chinese Gambit

There are at least three Chinese objectives in its strategy in the South and East China Seas: to gain complete control over the regions resources on Chinese terms; to intimidate its neighbors into de facto submission to Chinas regional goals and objectives; and to increase the hazards in the deployment and use of U.S. military forces in the Western Pacific over time. The increasing presence of Chinese Coast Guard, the PLA-Navy, and vast Chinese fishing fleet accomplishes the first two objectives. Examples of the latter noted by GIS Reports include high-risk interceptions of U.S. reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea and recent aggressive maneuvers by a Chinese guided-missile destroyer to obstruct an American destroyer in the Taiwan Strait, which resulted in a near-collision.

But what if Chinese leader Xi Jinping has something else in mind for the Philippines? Doubtless, he is disturbed by the U-turn in Chinese-Filipino relations being led by President Marcos, Jr. Perhaps he wishes to deliver a lesson to those who would spurn Chinese friendship by initiating an incident at sea in the Philippines EEZ that would lead to a military confrontation and possibly even open hostilities. This would be a test of Filipino and U.S. resolve under the EDCA, as well as be a measuring stick for the rapidity and nature of the U.S. response to a threatened allyin short, another data point or two in the PLAs calculus for a cross-strait invasion of Taiwan.

Concluding Thoughts

While much of the worlds focus in East Asia is on speculation of when (not if) China will invade Taiwan, Chinese mischief elsewhere in the region could become the first flashpoint for the PLA/PLAN. And the Philippines could be in Mr. Xis crosshairs.

U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin seemed to recognize the threat in a phone conversation on July 6 with Philippine secretary of national defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Secretary Austin noted with concern the PRCs recent coercive and risky operational behavior directed against Philippine vessels operating safely and lawfully in the South China Sea, including around Second Thomas Shoal. Of particular importance, he stated that the EDCA extends to Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forcesto include those of its Coast Guardin the Pacific, including anywhere in the South China Sea.

Thats a good sign that the United States is serious about supporting the Philippines under the mutual defense treaty and is closely watching Chinas actions in the South China Seaand elsewhere in East Asia.

Another excellent sign that other nations are paying attention is Indias revision of its position regarding the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration to support Manilas territorial claims over China, as reported by the U.S. Naval Institute on July 5. Xi Jinping must be further inflamed as he watches India stepping up to its role in delivering the Quads vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific region. (The Quad is a loose alliance consisting of India, Australia, Japan, and the United States that is focused on deterring Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific.)

Will these efforts be sufficient to prevent a possible flashpoint in the West Philippine Sea or nearby waters? Vigilance, readiness, and preparation are the orders of the day.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The Rise of the Khalistan Movement in Australia

Activists from various radical Sikh organisations hold placards in support of Sikh leader Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Khalistan, the name given for the envisioned independent Sikh state, after prayers at Sri Akal Takht at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, in Punjab, on June 6, 2013. (Narinder Nanu/AFP via Getty Images)

Commentary

The Sikh religion was founded in Punjab in the 15th Century by Guru Nanak and has about 25 million followers worldwide. Sikhs are a minority group in India, comprising less than two percent of the countrys 1.3 billion population, but they form a majority in Punjab.

The origins of the modern-day Khalistan movement trace back to around the time of Indias independence from Britain in 1947 when a handful of Sikhs demanded that a nation be carved in the state of Punjab for followers of the faith.

When the Indian subcontinent won its independence, the bloody Partition hastily divided the former colony along religious linessending Muslims to the newly formed nation of Pakistan and Hindus and Sikhs to the newly independent India.

Punjab, which was sliced into two parts, saw some of the worst violence. Around this time, Sikhs began a greater struggle for political and cultural autonomy, and the Khalistan movement gained prominence.

The 1980s witnessed the worst insurgencies, during which some Sikh separatists in Punjab committed a series of human rights abuses, including the massacre of civilians, indiscriminate bombings, and attacks on minority Hindus, according to Human Rights Watch.

The Khalistan movement is outlawed in India and considered a grave national security threat by the governmenta number of groups associated with the movement are listed as terrorist organisations under Indias Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, particularly Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).

SFJ, in its London Declaration in August 2018, announced it would hold the first-ever non-binding referendum among the global Sikh community on the question of secession from India and re-establishing Punjab as an independent country.

The referendum has been successfully conducted in various cities in the UK, Canada, and Italy, attracting massive unrest in the form of protests, rallies, and violence.

Arriving Down Under

Australia has also witnessed the expansion of the movement in the name of the Khalistan Referendum, with Melbournes Federation Square seeing a hefty affray between Khalistani supporters and Indians in which the two groups resorted to violence.

Later, the Melbourne East Neighbourhood Policing Team arrested three men in connection with the brawl.

Prior to the Khalistan referendum voting on Jan. 29, three Hindu temples were also vandalised in Australia, making the Indian government worried about its diplomatic ties with Australia.

The second and third phases of voting took place in Brisbane and Sydney, respectively, amid stiff resistance from the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modis personal campaign to stop Sikhs from holding the referendum in Australia.

In January 2023, Australian Member of Parliament Cate Faehrmann (Greens Party) moved multiple resolutions supporting the Khalistan Referendum and Sikhs For Justice in Australian Parliament.

She stated that Sikhs have full rights and support from the Australian government to hold and conduct referendums to liberate their sovereign state.

Greens MP David Shoebridge has also expressed his interest in the referendum by attending the Sydney voting.

Protection Needed for Indian Diplomats

However, while Australia is a free country, the recent Kill India rally held in Melbourne by SFJ on July 8, 2023, called into question the safety of Indian diplomats, including the High Commissioner of India to Australia, after the rallys promotional posters labelled them as alleged killers of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar was the head of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, Canada. He was also the chief of the separatist organisation Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).

The Australian government needs to take a stand against the budding Khalistan Movement in Australia despite knowing the fact that their decision may hamper the geopolitical relations between India and Australia.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last visited India in March. Though he said, he was keen to further deepen Canberras multifaceted relationship with New Delhi at a time of extraordinary growth and dynamism, especially in areas of trade, security, and people-to-people links. His words did not meet his actions.

Today, when the threat lingers upon a countrys diplomats, the silence of Australian authorities is deafening.

Meanwhile, UK government officials have already put forth their stance against any attack on the Indian High Commission.

It is also significant to note that the previous rallies and protests of SFJ have always followed a record number of violent activities.

Thus, it becomes all the more important to take significant steps to protect and provide security to the Australian citizens and diplomats if only Australia is keen to maintain a healthy diplomatic relationship with India.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
This Is National Policy: Suspicious Blood Samples Forcibly Collected in Chinese Jails, Say Persecuted Citizens

A combination image compiled and designed by The Epoch Times depicts the torture of prisoners of faith, especially Falun Gong adherents, in Chinese jails. Torture reenactment: (Minghui.org); Blood test: (Theeraphong/Shutterstock)

It was March 2006 when The Epoch Times broke the hard-to-believe news about Chinas forced organ harvesting from living prisoners of faith, primarily Falun Gong adherents.

In the months that followed, more evidence built up. By July 2006, the first independent investigative report, the Kilgour-Matas report, further documented credible findings of recorded telephone conversations with staff in Chinese hospitals. Since then, several whistleblowers have testified about the atrocity and more investigative reports have been published, including a London-based independent peoples tribunal concluding in its final judgment in 2020 that forced organ harvesting has been committed for years throughout China on a significant scale.

Recently, on March 27, the House of Representatives passed the first-ever billH.R.1154, also known as Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2023to counter the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) forced organ harvesting and punish any individual and entities involved in the act.

Falun Gong practitioners march in Manhattan to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day in New York on May 12, 2023. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is an ancient spiritual practice based on the tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Twenty-four years ago, on July 20, 1999, the Chinese communist regime began persecuting the practice. The genocide continues to this day; countless adherents have been arrested, imprisoned, and tortured.

Here we present some selected accounts of adherents who had blood drawn against their will by the communist regime.

These Tests Were Not Done for Our Well-Being

Had my blood type been a match for an organ recipient, I would not be able to be here today, Crystal Chen said.

Ms. Chen was sentenced twice to forced labor for practicing Falun Gong and now resides in Houston. She was subjected to frequent blood tests and electrocardiograms during her detention.

She testified on March 29 at a press conference hosted by Republican state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst for Senate Bill 1040; the bill was signed into law on June 18 and will come into effect on Sept. 1 prohibiting health benefit plans from paying for vital organs originating in China or any other country known to be involved in forced organ harvesting.

Falun Gong practitioner and persecution survivor Crystal Chen in New York on July 8, 2020. (Brendon Fallon/The Epoch Times)

These tests were not done for our well-being because we were also severely tortured, Ms. Chen said at the press conference, adding that only followers of Falun Gong were tested. I learned that blood testing was [for] organ transplant matching.

This Is National Policy

Shen Fang of Shanghai, was at home in 2020 when four police officers went to her house, reported Minghui.org, a United States-based non-profit that reports on the persecution of Falun Gong.

When the then-70-year-old refused to open the door, the officers called a locksmith. Once inside, they pinned Ms. Shen down and forcibly drew her blood. She tried to resist while asking for a reason.

This is a national policy! one officer said, while another yelled, We just wont follow the law and we are going to eliminate you all!

People Dressed As Doctors Drew Blood in Prison

Li Xue, a former high school teacher in Inner Mongolia, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2003 for practicing Falun Gong.

In a personal account submitted to Minghui.org, Ms. Li recalled that while imprisoned in Inner Mongolia No. 1 Womens Prison in 2005, several people who looked like doctors, wearing white coats and masks, came to the prison and drew blood from every inmate. They especially drew a lot of blood from Falun Gong adherents and also made a specific mark. However, Ms. Li did not know the reason for the mark until she was eventually released and read about organ harvesting.

According to another report by Minghui.org, Wang Hongliang of Shulan City, Jilin Province, and all the Falun Gong practitioners being held at the Tiebei Prison in Changchun City in 2005 had their blood drawn, while the rest of the prisoners did not.

They Forcibly Dragged Me Back

A member of The Church of Almighty God from Shanxi Province had his blood forcibly drawn and fingerprints collected at a police station because hed initially refused to comply, according to Bitter Winter, a magazine on religious liberty and human rights in China.

A plainclothes officer tightly grasped my arm while another held the blood collection device and was about to prick my finger, the man said. I exerted all my strength to shake them off and then turned around seeking to escape, but they forcibly dragged me back.

Questions Go Unanswered

Falun Gong practitioner Sun Guangyu, who owned a building materials business in Jiangsu Province, was arrested in 2005 and sentenced to two years of forced labor, Minghui.org reported. While she was detained at Judong Forced Labor Camp, she had her blood drawn twice. She also saw every practitioner being numbered.

When Ms. Sun asked the guards why practitioners are the only ones who had their blood drawn, her question went unanswered. She also learned that another Falun Gong adherent who had refused to have her blood drawn was later taken to a hospital for the purpose of finding an organ match.
3 Badly Decomposing Bodies Found in Remote Colorado Campsite

Police tape closes off access to a home destroyed by the Marshall Fire in the Rock Creek neighborhood in the town of Superior in Boulder County, Colo., on Jan. 1, 2022. (Jason Connolly/AFP via Getty Images)

DENVERThe badly decomposing bodies of three people were found in a remote Rocky Mountains camp in Colorado, and they may have been lying there since late last year, authorities said.

A hiker discovered one of the bodies late Sunday and notified the authorities, who found the other two after arriving at the campsite Monday, Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie said.

Two of the bodies were inside a small, zipped-up tent and the other was outside in the camp, which was in a remote wooded area where hikers typically wouldnt pass by, he said. There were personal belongings and tarps at the scene, and a lean-to built from local logs over a firepit.

This is not a typical occurrence anywhere, by any means, said Mr. Murdie, noting that his department doesnt think the discovery implies any risk to hikers or campers in the area.

The sheriffs department is looking for missing persons reports that might shed light on the situation, but they havent found any yet, he said. The coroner wont release the identities of those deceased until the next of kin has been notified.

Based on the fairly mummified and advanced decomposition of the bodies, they were likely there through the winter and possibly since last fall, Mr. Murdie said. Because of the degradation, the autopsies will be difficult and will take at least three weeks, he said.

Whether they froze to death in the winter or the combination of starved or froze, thats what it sure seems like, said the sheriff, noting that the actual causes of death wont be known until the autopsies are completed.

Mr. Murdie said its more common for campers or hunters to die of carbon monoxide poisoning by using heaters in enclosed spaces, but that this appears to be different because of how the bodies were found and the remoteness of the camp.

Investigators are trying to determine what they were actually doing there and why, said Mr. Murdie.

By Jesse Bedayn
Tornado Touches Down Near Chicagos OHare Airport, Disrupting Hundreds of Flights

Storm clouds pass over downtown Chicago and the Bronzeville neighborhood of the city heading East out over Lake Michigan on July 12, 2023. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photo)

CHICAGOA tornado touched down near Chicagos OHare International Airport, prompting passengers to take shelter and disrupting hundreds of flights. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

A confirmed tornado was on the ground around 7 p.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Chicago.

This tornado has been touching the ground intermittently so far and is moving east. There are additional circulations along the line south of OHare. Seek shelter if in the warned area, it said.

By 8 p.m. the weather service said the Chicago forecast area was currently tornado warning free. The storm moved into Michigan before passing through the state and into Canada early Thursday. Tornado watches that were in effect for parts of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio all expired.

Video from TV stations showed hundreds of people taking shelter in an OHare concourse. Some 173 flights departing the airport were canceled and more than 500 were delayed, according to the flight tracking service FlightAware.

Travelers wait for their flight at Midway International Airport in Chicago, on July 12, 2023. (Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo)

Kevin Bargnes, director of communications for OHare and Chicago Midway International Airport, told WGN-TV Wednesday night that no damage was reported at either airport.

The National Weather Service had issued two tornado warnings for Chicago Wednesday evening. Tornado sirens sounded warning people to find shelter.

Lynn Becker, a longtime Chicago resident, posted video to Twitter with tornado sirens blaring across the citys iconic skyline.

Im in a 60 story apartment building so my options are somewhat limited, he said. We have to, I assume, go into the core of the building.

Mr. Becker said news of the storm was featured across local media.

Theres a certain panic when youre watching a TV screen and everything is in red  but the hope is that the damage is minimal, he said.

Local news outlets said warehouses were reportedly damaged near OHare.

The weather service quoted an unidentified emergency manager as saying a roof was blown off in the community of Huntley in McHenry County northwest of Chicago. Huntley Battalion Chief Mike Pierce told ABC-7-TV that firefighters and other emergency services were responding to downed power lines, trees, and tree branches, and that power outages had been reported. Building damage appeared to be concentrated around two apartment buildings, he said.

More than 10,000 customers lost power in the region, according to poweroutage.us.

In Hodgkins, southwest of Chicago, police said storm damage and debris was found on the north end of town, near a shopping center.

Damage in the Sinnott Tree Service building in McCook, Ill., on July 12, 2023. (Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo)

Earlier Wednesday, the weather services Storm Prediction Center had said there was an enhanced risk for severe weather, including tornadoes in northern Illinois, including Chicago.

Brett Borchardt, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service, confirmed to WGN-TV that multiple tornadoes touched down across the Chicago area. He said surveying the damage will likely take days.

Over the years many tornadoes have struck in the Chicago metropolitan area, and several have hit within the city limits of Chicago, according to the National Weather Service. Between 1855 and 2021, the weather service recorded 97 significant tornadoes in the Chicago metro area.

The deadliest formed in Palos Hills in Cook County on April 21, 1967. The twister traveled 16 miles (26 kilometers) through Oak Lawn and the south side of Chicago, killing 33 people, injuring 500, and causing more than $50 million in damage, according to the weather service.
Traces of Explosives Found in Yacht in Nord Stream Sabotage Investigation, Diplomats Say

BERLINInvestigators found traces of undersea explosives in samples taken from a yacht that was searched as part of a probe into last years attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, European diplomats told the United Nations Security Council.

The diplomats said the investigation has not yet established who sabotaged the pipelines, which were built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany, or whether a state was involved.

The attack, which happened as Europe attempted to wean itself off Russian energy sources following the Kremlins full-scale invasion of Ukraine, contributed to tensions that followed the start of the war. The source of the sabotage has been a major international mystery.

Denmark, Sweden and Germany have been investigating the Sept. 26 attack, and the Danish Foreign Ministry tweeted a letter Tuesday from the three countries U.N. ambassadors to the president of the Security Council with information on their activities so far.

Officials voiced caution in March over media reports that a pro-Ukraine group was involved in the sabotage. German media reported then that five men and a woman used a yacht hired by a Ukrainian-owned company in Poland to carry out the attack, and that the vessel set off from the German port of Rostock.

German federal prosecutors declined to comment directly on that and other reports, but they confirmed that a boat was searched in January, and said there was suspicion that it could have been used to transport explosives to blow up the pipelines.

A section of this weeks letter detailing Germanys findings said that the yachts precise course had not been definitively established. The letter said traces of subsea explosives were found in the samples taken from the boat during the investigation, but it did not elaborate.

At this point it is not possible to reliably establish the identity of the perpetrators and their motives, particularly regarding the question of whether the incident was steered by a state or state actor, it said. All information to clarify the matter will be pursued during the continuing investigations.

A ship works offshore in the Baltic Sea on the natural gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 from Russia to Germany on Nov. 11, 2018. (Bernd Wuestneck/dpa via AP)

The undersea explosions ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which was Russias main natural gas supply route to Germany until Russia cut off supplies at the end of August.

The blasts also damaged the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which never entered service because Germany suspended its certification process shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

The pipelines were long a target of criticism by the United States and some of its allies, who warned that they posed a risk to Europes energy security by increasing dependence on Russian gas.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian officials have accused the U.S. of staging the explosions, which they have described as a terror attack.

Ukraine has rejected suggestions that it might have ordered the attack. The countries investigating the explosions have not commented on who might have been responsible.

Since the blasts, NATO has boosted its presence in the Baltic and North Seas, using dozens of ships, aircraft and undersea equipment such as drones.
Several days ago, when former President Donald Trump was asked about the Chinese military base in Cuba, he revealed what his plan would be: to give China 48 hours to shut down the base before imposing 100 percent tariffs on all Chinese goods.

Id give them 48 hours to get out. And if they didnt get out, Id charge them a 100 percent tariff on everything they sell to the United States, and theyd be gone within two days. Theyd be gone within one hour, he said.

The Chinese military base in Cubajust 90 miles off the coast of Floridais only a spying base at the moment, used for eavesdropping on American military communications.

However, there is an active effort being made by the Chinese to convert this spy base into a military base that will house Chinese soldiers.

This Chinese-Cuban military base is actually part of a master plan by the Chinese Communist Party called Project 141.

Episode Resources:

 Final War Movie:

https://ept.ms/3pTfU58

 Trumps Agenda:

https://ept.ms/44DxTLO

https://ept.ms/44Ec9PS

 Project 141:

https://ept.ms/3pMw4gO

 WSJ Report:

https://ept.ms/44Bk8wY

https://ept.ms/44Ecdz6

 Congressional Letter:

https://ept.ms/3PUMw9o
UKs Response to Chinese Threat Completely Inadequate, Report Says

The union flag and the flag of the People's Republic of China, on March 2, 2015. (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA Media)

The UK government has acted too late to tackle the risks posed by the Chinese communist regime and the response has been completely inadequate, a report said.

The report, published by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) of Parliament, said China has managed to overtly penetrate every sector of the UKs economy through takeovers, mergers, and interactions with British academia and industry.

It also said the UK is high on Beijings list of targets for espionage and interference, given the UKs global influence and its relationship with the United States.

The scathing report criticized the government and security agencies for their serious failure in protecting UK assets and negligence in tackling the Chinese interference activities in the UK.

It also said Whitehalls approach to the threat of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is still inadequately resourced, incoherent, and short-sighted.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the government will consider the committees recommendations and publish a full response in due course, but suggested the report is not up-to-date as his government has already taken actions since the ISC took the bulk of its evidence in 2020.

But committee members dismissed the suggestion that the report is out-of-date.

ISC chairman Sir Julian Lewis told a press conference that the committee had to have a cut-off point for taking evidence, adding, That does not mean to say that we are not continually in dialogue and receiving quarterly reports, for example, from all the intelligence agencies that cover all these matters.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat, who was a vocal critic of the governments China policy before becoming a minister last year, said the UK has woken up in time to the CCP threat.

Noting that he had raised very similar issues when he was the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Tugendhat told broadcasters the ISC report is important and needs to be taken seriously.

In the 222-page report (pdf), the committee said the Chinese regime sees the UK in the lense of its struggle with the United States.

This, combined with the UKs membership of significant international bodies and its perception as an international opinion-former, place the UK just below Chinas top priority targets of espionage and interference, the report said.

The report highlighted the CCPs outreach to British academia, industry, and critical infrastructure such as nuclear power.

In academia, the CCP exerts influence over institutions by leveraging fees and funding, over individual UK academics through inducements and intimidation, over Chinese students by monitoring and controlling, and over think tanks through coercion, the report said.

Academia also provided a convenient gateway for the CCP to steal intellectual property, but theres still no comprehensive list of the areas of sensitive UK research which need protecting, the report said.

In British industries, the CCP uses all possible legitimate routes to acquire UK technology, intellectual property, and data, yet such acquisitions have been welcomed by the government for economic reasons, the report said, warning of a nightmare scenario where China steals blueprints, sets standards, and builds products, exerting political and economic influence at every step.

While acknowledging the governments actions in recent years, such as the passing of the National Security and Investment Act (NSI), which gives the government power to intervene in acquisitions that pose national security risks, members were surprised at the length of time the government had taken to put in place a process to identify and protect UK assets, the report said, calling it a serious failure and one that the UK may feel the consequences of for years to come.

The committee also said its concerned over the lack of parliamentary oversight of the NSI decision-making process and the workings of the Investment Security Unit.

Whole-of-State Approach

Besides overt influence campaigns, Chinese intelligence services also target the UK and its overseas interests prolifically and aggressively by collecting both classified and open-source information, the report said.

On top of its world-largest state intelligence apparatus, the CCP is using a whole-of-state approach in which any Chinese organization or citizen may be willingly or unwillingly co-opted into espionage and interference operations overseas, making it more difficult for UK intelligence agencies to detect, the report said.

However, resources at British security agencies were diverted time and again to tackle terrorist threats arising from Syria and elsewhere, until recently, our agencies did not even recognize that they had any responsibility for countering Chinese interference activity in the UK, the report said.

The ISC said the level of resources dedicated to tackling the Chinese threat has been completely inadequate, and theres no evidence that government departments have the expertise or knowledge of the threat to investigate and counter the Chinese whole-of-state approach.

The committee recommended a multi-year spending review to allow agencies to develop long-term, strategic programmes on China, which it said will likely require opposition support.

The danger posed by doing too little too late in this area is too significant to play politics with, the ISC added.
Understanding the Marxist Underpinnings of Education

How the US moved from a high trust society to needing to verify 'virtually everything'

This corruption of scholarship, says James Lindsay, creates an entire Lysenkoist artifice that poisons the whole enterprise, the twisted perversion you get when the knowledge generating enterprise gets completely corrupted.

In a recent episode of American Thought Leaders, host Jan Jekielek meets with Lindsay, founder of the website New Discourses, to discuss Marxist corruption in education. Lindsay is the author of The Marxification of Education and Race Marxism, and co-author of Cynical Theories.

He also belongs to the group behind the Grievance Studies Affair, or Sokal Squared Hoax, which managed to publish a number of fake papers in critical-theory-based journals. That story is detailed in Mike Naynas new documentary The Reformers.

Jan Jekielek: We have this new film by Mike Nayna about the Sokal Squared Hoax, which you and two others created some years back. It opened my eyes to a whole crazy reality that I wasnt fully aware of. You also have a new book, The Marxification of Education, about Paulo Freire and why our education system is the way it is.

James Lindsay: 2017 to 2018 is the timeline. Two colleagues of minePeter Boghossian and Helen Pluckroseand I decided that one of the best ways to expose the corruption in academia would be to get a large number of papers published in leading academic journals: feminist theory and philosophy, gender studies, and critical race theory.

We took a year and wrote 20 papers. Seven were accepted for publication, and four of them actually got published. Its a slow process. All of the seven would have been published. One was given an award for excellence in scholarship. The Wall Street Journal figured out what we were up to, and we came clean. In October 2018, the final scoreboard was seven accepted, seven under peer review, and six that hadnt succeeded.

We were aiming to show that the scholarship upon which we build our knowledge base, our public policy, and our journalism is suffering from political corruption, to the extent that we could make up fake articles with ridiculous conclusions that were politically fashionable. Some were funny, and some were heinous and disturbing. We got them through the peer-review process, and they were regarded as genuine academic literature.

Mr. Jekielek: You figured out that if you used certain keywords and structured the logic in a certain way, you would get in. Is that the idea?

Mr. Lindsay: Yes. The six that failedthe first that we wroteshowed us there was a learning process. At some point, we got the hang of it by asking, What are the peer reviewers looking for? What do the journal editors believe about the way the world operates? How do we phrase this? Its really about a certain language they speak.

One of the articles was prescient for the moment because it said that we neededand this is meant to be funnyto be wary of advanced artificial intelligence. Rather than allowing AI to be guided by masculine bias, which might end in a calamity that destroys the world, we need to make an interactional feminist. We argued for a feminist AI.

Mr. Jekielek: Who are they?

Mr. Lindsay: In this case, feminist theorists, gender studies scholars, and critical race theorists. In broader terms, were talking about the woke scholars in these domains of identity politics.

They call it constructed knowledge. Then a filmmaker, Mike Nayna, started following us around with cameras trying to learn for himself the same thing that youre asking, What in the world is going on here?

It took him four years due to COVID delays and other issues, plus the industry pushback. He couldnt get any support whatsoever within the film industry, so he had to figure out a way to organize and distribute it.

Anyway, the Grievance Studies Affair, or the Sokal Squared Hoax the two names for ithave never been more relevant. Its one thing that we got a feminist theory journal to believe in feminist AI. But these same kinds of articles are now regularly being published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Thats a very concerning issue. For example, the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], which has now imbibed this same political philosophy, will be informed by the things that are coming out of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Im not a doctor, and I dont know three things about medicine, but I could write these kinds of articles for the New England Journal of Medicine starting today. Thats a very concerning problem.

Mr. Jekielek: I remember in 2020 when the virus was raging and the [Black Lives Matter] riots had begun. Everyone was supposed to stay home. Suddenly, 1,200 medical professionals signed a letter stating, The real health emergency is racism. People kept saying to me, This was the moment a light bulb went off in my head, and I realized something terrible was happening.

Mr. Lindsay: This is exactly what the Grievance Studies Affair was warning about by focusing attention on how absurd these papers were.

For example, the most famous of our papers presented the ideawhich is covered in Mikes filmof training men the way we train dogs. If we use dog obedience manuals and train men like dogs, with leashes and treats, then we can get them to desist from unwanted behaviors regarding women.

This idea just exploded from there. Peter and I were trying to figure out, How do we structure this? He goes to the dog park with his dogs every day in Portland. I said, Just work in some of your stuff from the dog park. He wrote this draft with just insane stuff about things dogs were doing.

The whole paper became focused on how rape culture is a serious problem in society. You could have an implicit bias test by seeing how people reacted to watching dogs have sex with each other at the dog park, or sexually assault one another.

The peer reviewers were worried about things like, How did you respect the dogs privacy while youre watching them do this? How do you know if the dogs are male or female? We said that we inspected their genitals. They said, How did you respect their privacy when you did that? We dont want to get the dogs embarrassed. How do you know when a sexual assault with a dog is wanted or not wanted?

It got a lot of attention, and this is the paper that was given an award. This is so absurd that its difficult to sit here and describe to you this paper without thinking, How on earth did anybody ever think this was real?

We also famously rewrote a chapter of Hitlers Mein Kampf as intersectional feminism. In Chapter 12, Hitler says, Our movement needs to do this 13-point plan. Hes talking about the growth of the Nazi party before it becomes the Nazi party. Everywhere that it said our movement, we would put in intersectional feminism. We started making the language work, and weaving scholarship in between. We changed a lot of wording without changing the meaning, so it wouldnt get caught by a plagiarism detector. A feminist social work journal accepted this chapter of Mein Kampf.

So it was no surprise to me when people said, Racism is a real public health threat, because thats exactly what the critical race apparatus would say.

This is Lysenkoism. Trofim Lysenko was an agriculturalist in the Soviet Union. He advocated a crackpot Soviet biology that he had more or less invented. It didnt work, and was based on incorrect theories of genetics and on Soviet ideology in order to displace Western bourgeois ideology.

Lysenko believed that you could convince seeds and plants to be comrades and to share resources and grow better, or to transform from oats to rye. He was famous for remarking that given enough time, he could teach oranges to grow in Siberia.

But Stalin didnt think he was preposterous, or maybe he did and didnt care because he was a tool for power. Stalin implemented Lysenkoism in agriculture and starved tens of millions of people in the Soviet Union. Then, Mao comes along and says, Thats Soviet biology, so thats what well use, and he starved tens of millions of people in China.

When were dealing with Lysenkoism in the medical field, we have to wonder about this reprioritization of care, the so-called affirming care thats not actually care. This is a Lysenkoist model; if you disagree with it, you may lose your medical license. If you wanted to prescribe ivermectin during COVID or disagree with the official word about COVID, you might also lose your license.

Mr. Jekielek: Whats the big lesson of the Grievance Studies Affair, or the Sokal Squared Hoax?

Mr. Lindsay: Everybody has the ability to use their senses and their own experiments to say, This is the scientific or enlightenment ideal. But if those are locked behind an ideology, a catastrophe is coming. Undoubtedly, the lesson is that those at the highest level of the information and knowledge apparatus of Western civilization are now locked behind a door held by an ideological contingent. They have a clear agenda of transforming the world into what they want it to be, rather than what it is.

Mr. Jekielek: Ive been reading The Marxification of Education, which is helping me put together pieces of disparate knowledge about this bizarre cultural moment were in. For example, this idea of lived experience and how its central to Paulo Freires ideas.

Mr. Lindsay: Yes. Freire thought that the dynamic of this particular species of Marxism is if you live in the world, you already know. Youre already a knower, and your knowledge is the favorite word of the day. We hear this from the woke all the time. They dont talk about true and false, they say its valid. Their knowledge is valid; their emotions and anger are valid.

Mr. Jekielek: They dont believe in true and false.

Mr. Lindsay: Right. They believe valid and invalid are what counts, and they need to awaken in you what Freire calls a critical consciousness. Its an extension of class consciousness and the idea that everything in society needs to be criticized because its dehumanizing.

When somebody says, Its been my lived experience that I have racism, what they mean is, Ive experienced things that Ive run through a racial consciousness filter, provided largely by critical race theory, that has led me to interpret a system of racism.

That is lived experience. Its not of your real experience or knowledge. Lived experience is when it has been politically conscientized, as Freire calls it. That is better than official knowledge, because its the knowledge that the powers that be in society dont want you to know, the knowledge that gets you out of the trap of oppression.

When we look at the woke literature, we immediately see how its always whose knowledge is valid versus whose knowledge is invalidyour truth versus my truth. If you dont understand the power dynamics behind the construction of truth, then you cant possibly have anything to say.

Everything coming out of this woke movement in the past 10 to 15 yearslonger than most people realizeis colored by this elevation of the oppressed.

Mr. Jekielek: Youve provided a framework for understanding all these other critical theories, or cynical theories, as you call them. It was incredibly valuable to understand why you called your book with Helen Pluckrose Cynical Theories, because the worldview is cynical. It imagines that everything is a power play.

Mr. Lindsay: Yes. When they say race and gender are socially constructed, theyre saying that a power dynamic has set up our understanding of that concept, which is imposed on the lower class for the advantage of the upper class. This is a conflict-oriented, stratified kind of thinking, just like Marx adopted.

The goal is to be wholly negative about what you see in the world around you, and as Marx phrased it, to give ruthless criticism of all that exists. This is exactly what you see being done today.

Thus, we call it cynical theories instead of critical theories, because their criticism is ruthless and cynical. At the end of the road, it leads to an absolute hatred of the people that you believe are holding you back from the liberation you feel entitled to receive.

Mr. Jekielek: We saw something like this with the unvaccinated being demonized in all sorts of ways. Its reminiscent of the struggle sessions during the Cultural Revolution in China.

Mr. Lindsay: Yes, virtually identical. Mao used the term unity on a new basis. That was the third part of his three-part formula to transform society: unity, criticism, unity. The first unity means inculcating the desire for unity. Dont we all want to have a space where we belong? Dont you want a welcoming and inclusive environment? Thats the modern parlance.

The second stage is to enter into criticism, which then leads to self-criticism and struggle. This is Maos totalitarian formula for how were going to purge society of the undesirables and bring everybody into unity on a new basis, which he called socialist discipline. Today, we use words like sustainability, equity, and inclusion. But the model is the same. Whether its COVID, critical race theory, trans-affirmation, or environmentalism and the Green New Deal, its the exact same formula.

Mr. Jekielek: Lets jump back to Freire. You make a case that there is a Maoist impulse in Freires teachings.

Mr. Lindsay: In Pedagogy of the Oppressed, which is Freires magnum opus from 1970, a footnote at the beginning he says his method of education is based on what he has observed in Maos revolutionary high schools and colleges in China.

Mr. Jekielek: How important is Freires thinking to the current educational system?

Mr. Lindsay: Its central. In a book written in 2016, The Critical Turn in Education, Marxist professor Isaac Gottesman from Iowa State University gives a historical view from the mid-1960s up to 2015. In the first sentence of the book, he says, and Im paraphrasing, Where did all the 60s radicals go? Not to the religious cults, and not to yuppiedom, but to the classroom.

He then explains that Paulo Freires work is pivotal here, that by 1992 our colleges of education were completely enthralled with Freire.

Today, we call it culturally relevant teaching, which says, Were going to find out where the kids are culturally, socially, and emotionally. Social and emotional learning is the big rage now. As Freire says, we will then facilitate them into political knowledge, that whether its mathematics, reading, or history, the lesson is a mediator to knowledge, and true knowledge is political knowledge.

Mr. Jekielek: Do you think most teachers understand that their educational method is following this plan?

Mr. Lindsay: I dont think the vast majority of them have the slightest idea what ideology theyre supporting. But theyre being taught this is the most sophisticated way to create engagementthats the buzzwordwith students. If we get engagement with students, then theyre going to have learning. This is just the best way to teach kids.

In fact, however, students academic achievement scores are so abysmal that its shocking when you hear the percentages. Nationally, only 40 percent of American students are achieving at grade level in math or reading. In certain districts like Providence, Rhode Island, as I say in my book, were talking about single digits.

Only 6 percent of students are learning mathematics at grade level in Providence, but they are some of the most politically active students in the country. If something happens in Texas, like a school shooting, every kid is out of the Providence schools and onto the State House steps doing a demonstration that afternoon. The teachers there believe that political activism is engaging.

Most teachers are not complicit in this program; theyre just trying to do the best they can to teach. But some are, and it doesnt take everybody to do this.

Mr. Jekielek: Who would have guessed that our whole education system has these Marxist underpinnings today? There were only hints of it. Any final thoughts?

Mr. Lindsay: The sad truth is that when we have a high-trust society where we feel we can trust the teachers, business people, and others, we think we dont need to keep our eye on everything. We went to sleep and stopped verifying.

But now we have to start verifying virtually everything. Our business people have been captured by this ideology through ESG [Environmental, Social, and Governance], which is an extortion racket. Our teachers have become corrupted by this political ideology because their schools got corrupted. With this whole long march through the institutions, teachers, lawyers, and doctors are increasingly beholden to an ideology.

They have corrupted the center of knowledge production, which brings us back to the film The Reformers and the Grievance Studies Affair. Academic scholarship is not particularly relevant to the average person, at least not in a way they can recognize. It trickles out through the mechanisms of advanced societies to affect your life in meaningful ways, but you arent thinking about it. Yet this corruption of scholarship creates an entire Lysenkoist artifice that poisons the whole enterprise, the twisted perversion you get when the knowledge-generating enterprise gets completely corrupted.

The Grievance Studies Affair and The Reformers expose some of this corruption. And unless and until this corruption goes away, theyll remain relevant.

This is a story that has happened before. We can point to Lysenko, we can point to Mao, we can point to these characters in the darkest chapters of 20th-century history, and we know where this story goes. Weve got to start asking hard questions. We cant simply trust. We have to verify.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
US Government Emails Hacked by Malicious Chinese Actor

Hackers had access to information in the accounts for about a month, Microsoft reveals

A Chinese soldier stands guard at the main entrance door of the Bayi building in Beijing on April 23, 2013. (Andy Wong/Getty Images)

A Chinese hacking group broke into U.S. government networks and had access to email accounts for a month, an incident that has triggered national security concerns.

The hacking incident began in May, and the email accounts of 25 organizations, including government agencies, were accessed. The issue was first identified by a government agency, which then alerted its service provider, Microsoft.

According to the tech firm, the hacking group, China-based Storm-0558, used forged credentials to break into the networks. The company has since resolved the issue.

The activity could be a part of a broader espionage campaign against the United States as Chinese hackers are some of the most persistent malicious actors online, with a targeted focus on the country and its assets.

In a press briefing on July 12, U.S. officials with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said that no sensitive information was stolen during the attack.

The way Storm-0558 broke into the networks has raised concerns among experts. Storm-0558 used forged authentication tokensused to verify the identity of usersto gain access to sensitive U.S. data.

Cybersecurity researcher Jake Williams, a former National Security Agency offensive hacker, said the hackers could have used forged authentication tokens to hack into non-enterprise Microsoft users, including Chinese dissidents.

Adam Meyers, the head of intelligence for cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike, highlighted the vulnerability of being too dependent on a single technology provider, such as Microsoft.

Having one monolithic vendor that is responsible for all of your technology, products, services, and security can end in disaster, Mr. Meyers said.

Chinese Involvement

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, called the U.S. accusation of hacking disinformation aimed at diverting attention from U.S. cyberespionage against China.

On July 12, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, called for strengthened efforts to counter the hacking threat posed by China following reports of Storm-0558s hack.

The Senate Intelligence Committee is closely monitoring what appears to be a significant cybersecurity breach by Chinese intelligence, he said in a statement. Its clear that the PRC is steadily improving its cyber collection capabilities directed against the U.S. and our allies. Close coordination between the U.S. government and the private sector will be critical to countering this threat.

In June, CISA Director Jen Easterly warned during an event at the Aspen Institute in Washington that Beijings hackers will almost certainly attempt to disrupt critical U.S. infrastructure such as railways and pipelines in case a conflict breaks out between the two nations, so as to delay military deployment and to induce societal panic.

This, I think, is the real threat that we need to be prepared for, and to focus on and to build resilience against, Ms. Easterly said.

Given the formidable nature of the threat from Chinese state actors, given the size of their capability, given how much resources and effort theyre putting into it, its going to be very, very difficult for us to prevent disruptions from happening, she added.

During an appearance before the House Appropriations Committee on April 27, FBI Director Christopher Wray said that Chinese hackers outnumber U.S. cyber specialists 50 to 1.

Terming China the greatest threat to our country, Mr. Wray said that the FBI blocks 15 million cyberattacks against the United States infrastructure every week.

Other Incidents

In June, cybersecurity firm Mandiant stated that suspected state-backed Chinese hackers broke into the networks of hundreds of public and private organizations globally, with almost a third being government agencies. Organizations in the Americas accounted for 55 percent of those targeted.

That hack began in October last year and lasted at least until it was discovered in May. The hackers used a security hole in a popular email service to break into the networks.

This is the broadest cyber espionage campaign known to be conducted by a China-nexus threat actor since the mass exploitation of Microsoft Exchange in early 2021, Charles Carmakal, Mandiants chief technical officer, said.

The hackers focused on issues that are considered high-level priorities by Beijing. Targets included academic organizations in Taiwan and Hong Kong and foreign ministries in Southeast Asia.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 13, 2023 - 20:51 | World, Japan, All

Foreign ministers from Japan and ASEAN on Thursday shared their hope of strengthening relations at a special summit commemorating their 50 years of friendship later this year in Tokyo, aiming to upgrade their ties to more strategic ones.

At their meeting in Jakarta, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his Association of Southeast Asian Nations counterparts confirmed that they will work together closely toward the success of the summit, according to Japan's Foreign Ministry.

Hayashi also said claims about maritime interests and activities should be made based on international law during a discussion on the situation in the East and South China seas, the ministry said, in a veiled reference to China's military and economic assertiveness.

The gathering came as Japan and ASEAN are expected to promote ties to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" from the current strategic partnership, in line with the United States and China, which have each done so as they vie for influence in Southeast Asia.

Hayashi said at the outset of the gathering that Japan and ASEAN aim to "jointly announce a vision that sets out the broad direction" of relations and cooperation during the commemorative summit to be held in Tokyo for three days from Dec. 16.

The upgrading of Japan-ASEAN relations may take place when leaders from ASEAN and its partners gather in Jakarta in September, according to a draft statement of an ASEAN foreign ministerial meeting recently obtained by Kyodo News.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of substantial cooperative ties, which began in 1973 with the establishment of a Japan-ASEAN forum on synthetic rubber.

For half a century, Japan and ASEAN have been working together "as true friends with heart-to-heart relations for peace, stability and prosperity in the region," Hayashi said.

Consisting of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, ASEAN upgraded relations with China to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021, and those with the United States and India to the same level last year.

Japan's foreign minister is attending a series of meetings with his counterparts through Friday involving ASEAN and partner countries, such as South Korea and China.

Japan has been seeking to step up its involvement with the 10-member regional bloc, and has called for "a free and open Indo-Pacific," with some ASEAN members increasingly becoming concerned about China.

Hayashi strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and North Korea's latest intercontinental ballistic missile launch on Wednesday, while airing serious concern over the situation in Myanmar following a February 2021 coup, according to the ministry.
Virologists Defend Paper on COVID-19 Origins at Contentious House Hearing

Dr. Robert Garry, a professor at Tulane University School of Medicine, and Dr. Kristian Andersen Scripps Research listen during a hearing with the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 11, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

A 2020 paper studying the early origins of the COVID-19 outbreak was the focus of an often contentious July 11 House hearing investigating the governments response to the coronavirus pandemic.

We do not believe that any type of laboratory-based scenario is plausible, the paper reads.

Those words, written by five virologists in the 2020 paper, prompted many officials to repeatedly dismiss the possibility that the COVID-19 pandemic started in a lab.

Two of the papers authors, Kristian Andersen and Robert Garry Jr., testified at the hearing of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. House GOP members contend that the paper was part of a coverup by former National Institutes of Health figures Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Francis Collins.

This is not an attack on science. Its not an attack on peer review, Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), chair of the select subcommittee and a doctor of podiatric medicine, said in his opening statement at the hearing. We are examining whether scientific integrity was disregarded in favor of political expediency, maybe to conceal or diminish the governments relationship with the Wuhan Institute of Virology or perhaps its funding of risky gain-of-function coronavirus research.

Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) speaks during a news conference following a weekly House Republican caucus conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 19, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Proximal Origin

A report released by House Republicans on the panel noted that the paper, The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2, appeared on Feb. 16, 2020. A paper with the same title was published in Nature Medicine on March 17, 2020.

Referred to simply as Proximal Origin in the committee report and at the hearing, the paper concluded that COVID-19 is not a laboratory construct or a purposefully manipulated virus and that we do not believe that any type of laboratory-based scenario is plausible, according to the committee report.

Proximal Origin has been accessed 5.84 million times and has received the fifth most attention of any paper ever tracked, the committee report states.

This is one of the single most impactful and influential scientific papers in history, and it expressed conclusions that were not based on sound science nor in fact, but instead on assumptions. The question is why, the report reads.

The subcommittee has investigated the origins of COVID-19 since April.

The panels report shows that messages between several virologists discussed the possibility that parts of the virus appeared to be man-made. That position changed after a Feb. 1, 2020, conference call between virologists and Drs. Fauci and Collins, the committee alleged in the report.

On Jan. 31, 2020, Dr. Fauci suggested that Mr. Andersen draft a paper regarding a possible lab leak of COVID-19, according to the report.

During a Feb. 1, 2020, conference call that included Dr. Fauci, Dr. Collins, Dr. Lawrence Tabak, and several virologists, Dr. Fauci again suggested writing a paper about a potential lab leak, according to the report.

After publication, Proximal Origin was used to downplay the lab leak hypothesis and call those who believe it may be true conspiracy theorists, the committee report reads.

Dr. Anthony Fauci in Washington on Dec. 9, 2022. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Allegations Are Absurd and False

Drs. Fauci and Collins and the virologists have said that the allegations arent true and called them politically motivated.

Let me categorically say that these allegations are absurd and false, Mr. Andersen, a professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at Scripps Research in California. said during testimony at the hearing.

Conclusions stated in Proximal Origin were based on scientific data and analyses by a team of international scientists with extensive track records in studying virus emergence and evolution. None of this work was influenced by Dr. Fauci.

Mr. Garry, a professor at the Tulane University School of Medicine, testified that the evidence remains clear: SARS-CoV-2 emerged via the wildlife trade.

The Wuhan Institute of Virologys two main campuses are considered the prime suspects for a lab origin of SARS-CoV-2 because they are the sites of the most advanced research programs on coronaviruses in the city, he said.

However, there was no clustering of diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in December 2019 around either the Wuchang or Jiangxi campuses of the WIV, which are seven and 15 miles, respectively, from the Huanan Market, as would be expected if entry of SARS-CoV-2 into humans involved a laboratory accident, Mr. Garry said.

Mr. Garry continued by saying that despite official denials from China, it was determined that Huanan Market vendors sold illegal SARS-CoV-2 susceptible wildlife in November 2019, the most likely time frame.

The authors of the paper were motivated by seeking to find the truth about the origins of the virus, Mr. Andersen noted.

When I outlined my initial hypothesis about a potentially engineered virus, Dr. Fauci told me, and Im paraphrasing here, If you think this virus came from a lab, you should write a scientific paper about it, he said.

Biologists and virologists with another theory about where COVID-19 started contend that the virus likely spread to humans from a Wuhan market where wild animals were butchered and sold.

Democrats Release Report

The panels Democrats released their own report on July 11, including a review of more than ten thousand pages of documents and transcribed interview testimony provided in response to Select Subcommittee Republicans requests to the Proximal Origin researchers.

The Democrats report concludes that based on evidence provided to the Select Subcommittee to date, that there was no cover-up of the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and no suppression of the lab leak theory on the parts of Dr. Fauci and Dr. Collins.

Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the panel, commented on the allegations against the researchers in his opening remarks.

While the facts remain unknown, we should let our expert communities continue to do their jobs while we, as lawmakers, focus on policies to help prevent the next pandemic and save future lives, Mr. Ruiz said. But instead of doing that, we are here, interrogating researchers who wrote a paper three years ago so my colleagues can push their partisan narrative and disparage our nations public health officials and institutions in the process.

Dr. Wenstrup argued that the virologists report reflected the authors own partisan narrative.

Americas leading health officials vilified and suppressed the lab leak theory in pursuit of a preferred, coordinated narrative that was not based in truth or science. The Select Subcommittees report proves that the conclusions championed by the co-authors of Proximal Origin are not only inaccurate but were crafted to appease a stated political motive, he said.

Stifling scientific discourse and labeling those who believe in the possibility of a lab leak as conspiracy theorists caused irrefutable harm to public trust in our health officials. Americans deserve to know why honesty, transparency, and facts were abandoned. Our report is devoted to achieving that goal.
Vivek Ramaswamy Makes Key Promises About Presidency at FreedomFest

Vivek Ramaswamys Republican primary run has been filled with promises, and often quite specific ones.

In the months since he threw his hat in the ring, the candidate has caught the ear of libertarians and conservatives by pledging to shut down the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Education, among other federal agencies.

Hes also vowed to release Jeffrey Epsteins client list. In addition, Mr. Ramaswamy has said he will pardon Douglass Mackey, Edward Snowden, and Julian Assange, among others.

The young biotech entrepreneurs goals for the White House are extremely ambitiousindeed, so much so that his critics have taken to characterizing him as a huckster who tells pro-Trump voters what they want to hear without really being able to deliver.

In his speech at FreedomFest on July 12, Mr. Ramaswamy told the liberty-loving crowd that he wanted to make well-grounded commitments.

I dont believe in false promises, he said, stressing that many of his actions as president would be constrained by Congresss level of support.

Theres a few things that I can tell you that I know as president of the United States Ill be able to get done, Mr. Ramaswamy continued.

Mr. Ramaswamy proceeded to outline what the American people could expect by January 2033that is, after a second term in office, should he get the nod again in the 2028 election.

We will once again in this country have three coequal branches of government, rather than an unconstitutional fourth branch of government, he pledged, referring to the sprawling administrative state he has frequently castigated in his speeches.

We will have reduced the federal employee headcount by over 75 percent so that once again, the people we elect to run the government will be the ones who actually run the government, he continued, later mentioning his support for eight-year term limits for government bureaucrats.

He vowed that by the end of a hypothetical second Ramaswamy term, the United States would cease to be dependent on communist China for everyday consumer goods and the way we actually live in this country.

Mr. Ramaswamy also promised that the United States would have a more robust economy after eight years of his leadership.

More specifically, he promised to deliver 4 plus percent GDP [gross domestic product] growth again.

How do we get there? We drill, we frack, we burn coal, we embrace nuclear energy, he continued.

Mr. Ramaswamy also said hed spur growth by reforming, though not shutting down, the Federal Reserve, and by cutting regulations.

The exterior of the Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve Board Building is seen in Washington, D.C., June 14, 2022. (Sarah Silbiger/Reuters)

The anti-ESG investors speech at FreedomFest comes after many weeks of intensive campaigning, particularly in the key early states of Iowa and New Hampshire.

Mr. Ramaswamy has said that he will take the presidency if he claims the Granite States first-in-the-nation primary.

Hes also appeared across conservative, independent, and legacy media.

One early exchange in April saw him sparring with CNN anchor Don Lemon. The host criticized Mr. Ramaswamy for sitting here, whatever ethnicity you are, explaining to me what its like to be black in America.

Mr. Lemon was fired just days later.

In his remarks at FreedomFest, Mr. Ramaswamy hits notes that will be familiar to those whove been watching his campaign pick up steam.

Core American beliefs, he said, have been eroded, replaced by wokism, gender ideology, and a host of other value systems.

Millennials like him are hungry for a cause.

We are hungry for purpose and meaning and identity, he continued, arguing that the traditional ballasts of Americanism have been lost.

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks to the press outside the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. United States Courthouse in Miami, Fla., on June 13, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

Speaking several weeks after the Supreme Court shot down affirmative action, Mr. Ramaswamy linked his opposition to all forms of affirmative action to a view of the United States as a propositional nationthat is, one defined entirely by the commitment to an abstract set of values rather than other facets of its heritage.

To be an American means we believe in the ideals that set this nation into motion 250 years agoideals like meritocracy and the pursuit of excellence, he said.

If youre like my parents, you do get to come to this country legally through the front door, said Mr. Ramaswamy, who is the son of Indian immigrants.

He told The Epoch Times in February that he favors a points-based system for immigration. Similar systems are in place elsewhere in the Anglophone world, including Canada.

Your first act of entering this country cannot break the law, because that is what it means to be a nation founded on the rule of law, he said at FreedomFest.

Migrants captured by U.S. Border Patrol agents go through a processing center near San Diego, Calif., on May 31, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Mr. Ramaswamy, who has become famous and, to some, notorious for his innovations as a campaigner, argued that Republicans have to become less reactive than theyve been in the past.

The GOP, he said, has been a movement that has been pretty good at pointing out the problem.

Weve always been running from something. But I think that now is our moment to level up and to start running to somethingto our vision of what it means to be an American today, Mr. Ramaswamy continued.
Voter Turnout Drove GOP Gains in 2022 Midterms: Pew Report

Republican gains in the 2022 midterms were largely owed to an advantage the party achieved in voter turnout, according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center.

The report, published on July 12, found that partisan differences in turnoutrather than vote switching between partiesaccount for most of the Republican gains in voting for the House last year.

Pew also found that 68 percent of those who voted in the 2020 presidential election turned out to vote in the 2022 midterms, and that Former President Donald Trumps voters turned out at a higher rate in 2022 (71 percent) than did President Joe Bidens voters (67 percent).

The poll showed that very few voters across the elections analyzed switched party support; although Democratic 2018 voters were slightly more likely than Republican 2018 voters to defect in 2022, with the net consequences of the party balance flipping 1 or 2 percentage points to the GOP.

While the red wave failed to materialize for the GOP last year, the party was still able to win control of the House and win the nationwide popular vote in House races.

A voter casts her ballot with her child at a polling station at Rose Hill Elementary School during the midterm primary election in Alexandria, Va., on June 21, 2022. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Voter Demographics

More voters, in both parties, voted in person on election day 2022 than in 2020, according to Pew. Yet, here, Republicans held a big advantage over Democrats, 51 percent to 34 percent.

Also, voters who were 50 or older constituted, in 2022, a larger segment (64 percent) of the total number of voters than in the three elections prior. What may be another positive portent for the GOP is that among those 50-plus voters, 70 percent were Republicans and 57 percent Democrats.

White voters without college degrees made up a majority (54 percent) of Republican voters in 2022, compared with 27% of Democratic voters, Pew found. Yet these voters made up a somewhat greater share of GOP voters in 2020 (58 percent) and 2018 (57 percent).

White evangelical Protestants continue to be a large and solid segment of support for Republicans, with the advantage actually bigger in 2022 than in the previous three elections. Pew reported, 86 percent supported Republican candidates in 2022 and 12 percent voted Democratic.

A heartening trend for the GOP, one documented in the Pew poll, is that even though most Hispanics still vote Democratic, Republicans are cutting into the advantage Democrats hold with this key demographic.

Hispanic voters favored Democratic candidates by a 21-point margin in 2022, compared with a 47-point margin in 2018, the Pew poll reports.

The Pew poll shows that black people are still solidly behind the Democratic Party, with 93 percent supporting Democrats in the 2022 midterms and five percent voting for Republicans. Pew said these numbers are similar to levels of support in 2020, 2018, and 2016.

Pew published a survey in May on the political leanings of Asians in the United States and found that about 62 percent of Asian-American voters in the five largest Asian-origin groups in America identify as Democrats or lean to the Democratic Party, and 34 percent are Republicans or GOP leaners.

Vietnamese voters in the United States, however, favor the GOP over the Democratic Party 51 percent to 42 percent.
Biden Says Putin Already Lost the War in Ukraine

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the East Room of the White House on June 8, 2023.(Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

HELSINKIThe Russian war against Ukraine is all but over, President Joe Biden asserted on July 13, saying Putin has already lost the war.

The remark came during a press conference welcoming Finland into the NATO alliance.

Standing alongside Finland President Sauli Niinisto, Mr. Biden responded to questions about the possibility of Ukraines entering NATO after the war and whether the presidents comments to that effect would discourage Russian President Vladimir Putin from entering peace talks.

In response, Mr. Biden reasserted that no nation could join the mutual defense organization while engaged in a war because that would immediately escalate the conflict.

No one can join NATO while a war is going on where a NATO nation has been attacked because that guarantees that were in a warand were in a Third World War, he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the nation in Moscow on June 26, 2023. (Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

Mr. Biden went on to say Ukraine would be admitted to the alliance but that the timing had yet to be determined.

As to whether the prospect of Ukraines entering NATO would prolong the war, he said: The answer is Putin has already lost the war. Putin has a real problem. How does he move from here? What does he do?

The comment seemed to refer both to Russias inability to achieve victory on the battlefield and to growing unrest in the military following the June 23 mutiny by Yevgeny Prigozhin, an ally of Mr. Putins who headed the Wagner Group, a private army funded by the Russian government.

A top Russian general fighting in Ukraine was ousted on July 12, reportedly for criticizing Russian military strategy.

Endpoint Uncertain

Mr. Putin cant ultimately succeed in the war, according to Mr. Biden, but its uncertain how the remainder of the conflict will play out.

He could end the war tomorrow. He could just say, Im out. But what agreement is ultimately reached depends upon Putin and what he decides to do. But there is no possibility of him winning the war in Ukraine. Hes already lost that war, Mr. Biden said.

Having said that, the president doubted that the war could drag on indefinitely.

I dont think the war can go on for years for two reasons. No. 1, I dont think that Russia could maintain the war forever in terms of their resources and capacity, Mr. Biden said.

Nearly 50,000 Russians have been killed in Ukraine, according to an independent statistical analysis reported on July 10. The Russian media outlets Mediazona and Meduza, working with a data scientist from Tubingen University, arrived at the figure after analyzing Russian government mortality data, inheritance claims, and even photographs of cemeteries.

European Union countries imposed new economic sanctions on Russia in June, including barring the export of sensitive technology to countries that may reexport them to Russia.

At the same time, Ukraines allies pledged billions of dollars in nonmilitary funding to rebuild and strengthen the war-ravaged country.

I think that there is going to be a circumstance where, eventually, President Putin is going to decide its not in the interest of Russia, economically, politically, or otherwise, to continue this war, Mr. Biden said.

But I cant predict exactly how that happens. My hope is, and expectation is, youll see that Ukraine makes significant progress on their offensive and that it generates a negotiated settlement somewhere along the line.

US Opinion Mixed

Mr. Biden isnt the first to claim that Mr. Putin has essentially been defeated already.

Hes lost this war. Ukraine has not won this war, but Russia has lost it, Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) said during a March 29 discussion at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank.

U.S. President Joe Biden (L) walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the G7 Leaders Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 21, 2023. (Susan Walsh/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

He will never, ever [permanently] occupy Ukraine.

Mr. Risch said Mr. Putin had initially hoped the attack on Ukraine would fracture the NATO alliance.

At the same time, some Americans have come to question the level of support the country should offer to Ukraine.

Were all concerned about accountability, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) told Pentagon officials during a House Armed Services Committee hearing in February, near the one-year anniversary of the beginning of the conflict.

Mr. Wilson wanted to ensure a full accounting of how U.S. dollars were being spent in the war effort.

How many more times do you think Congress needs to provide aid? Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) asked. What do you think, at the end, is the end game?

While Mr. Biden has pledged continued support for Ukraine, opinion is mixed among candidates for next years presidential election.

Former President Donald Trump said the war wasnt a vital U.S. interest during a May 11 town-hall-style event broadcast by CNN.

If Im president, I will have that war settled in one day, 24 hours, Mr. Trump said. First, Ill meet with Putin, Ill meet with Zelenskyy. They both have weaknesses and they both have strengths. And within 24 hours, that war will be settled. It will be over. It will be absolutely over.

In a March interview on Fox News, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis referred to the war as a territorial dispute that doesnt directly concern the United States.

In a June 4 interview with ABC News, entrepreneur and presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said the war isnt an interest of the United States.

Other candidates strongly favor supporting Ukraines war effort as a vital national interest.

Former Vice President Mike Pence has said that if Russia defeats Ukraine, it would soon attack other European nations, directly involving the United States as a NATO ally.

Theres only one pathway towards success here, and that is to give the Ukrainian militarymuch more quickly than Joe Biden has donewhat they need to repel the Russian invasion and reclaim their country, Mr. Pence said during a July 10 interview on Fox News.

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said during a June 4 town-hall-style event hosted by CNN: A win for Ukraine is a win for all of us because tyrants tell us exactly what theyre going to do. Russia said Poland and the Baltics are next. If that happens, were looking at a world war. This is about preventing war.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie have also made statements advocating for support for Ukraine.

Andrew Thornebrooke and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Whitmer Creates Lifelong Education Department for Michigan

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a press conference on Belle Isle in Detroit, Mich., on June 22, 2021. (David Guralnick/Detroit News via AP)

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued an executive order to create a second state education department that will focus on facilitating access to programs like childcare, after-school activities, and affordable education for adults.

The executive order (pdf) on Wednesday brings about a restructuring of the Michigan Department of Education and creates a fresh agency focused solely on the concept of lifelong education.

Known as the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), the recently established entity will play an expanded role in the education of students from pre-K to their early 20s.

For too long, we have thought of education as K-12, but we know thats not good enough. Im establishing MiLEAP today because we need to get every kid started early, in pre-K, so they succeed in kindergarten, have paths after graduation to get higher education tuition-free, and forge strong partnerships with our employers so they can get a good-paying, high-skill, and in-demand job, Ms. Whitmer said in a statement.

The governor said the new department will help the states learning ecosystem take the jump to the next level as we grow our economy and build a brighter future for Michigan.

MiLEAP will partner with the Michigan Department of Education and the State Board of Education. The governors office said the new department will develop clear metrics; collaborate with local, regional, and state leaders; and create a shared action plan in a bid to strengthen the educational system from preschool to post-secondary levels.

Ms. Whitmers office said that MiLEAP will have a significant impact on education in various age groups. For children at age 2, MiLEAP will coordinate resources to provide quality and affordable childcare, and it will ensure free pre-K enrollment at age 4, setting them up for success in kindergarten.

At age 12, MiLEAP will focus on community support, offering affordable before- and after-school programs tailored to students interests.

Lastly, at age 22, MiLEAP will create low or no-cost pathways for students to pursue affordable education in high-demand fields, providing on-campus support and facilitating career opportunities in Michigan.

Bloated Bureaucracy

The governors office said that MiLEAPs purpose is to address the existing disparities in opportunity among Michiganders, ensuring that access to education is not dependent on social connections, financial status, or geographic location.

The new department will be headed by a director appointed by the governor and it will consist of three offices: the Office of Early Childhood Education, the Office of Higher Education, and the Office of Education Partnerships.

The Office of Early Childhood Education will focus on childrens readiness for kindergarten and oversee early learning programs and policies statewide; the Office of Higher Education will focus on access to education, supporting employers, and increasing college success rates; and the Office of Education Partnerships will focus on enhancing educational opportunities through statewide partnerships and extended learning programs.

While the states largest teachers union, the Michigan Education Association, endorsed the plan, Republican lawmakers in the state expressed opposition, criticizing Ms. Whitmer for inflating bureaucracy instead of focusing on student outcomes.

Call me old fashioned, but maybe we should focus more on kids learning to read and promoting education accountability, rather than expanding the bloated bureaucracy, GOP state Sen. Aric Nesbitt said on Twitter.

MEA President-elect Chandra Madafferi, a longtime teacher from Oakland County, welcomed the governors announcement.

Education is a lifelong pursuit, and its important that we provide the scaffolding needed to assist students and parents every step along the way, Ms. Madefferi said. MiLEAP will help create stronger pathways to success for students from preschool through higher education and help them realize their full potential.
Xi Jinping Warns of a Ruling Crisis, Fearing CCP Will Share the Fate of the Soviet Union

Over 415 million Chinese people have quit the Chinese Communist Party

People stand in front of images of Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing on Sept. 4, 2022. (Noel Celis /AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping warned in early July that if communist party members lose their belief in Marxism and communism the CCP will collapse and disintegrate, suffering the same fate as the Soviet Union.

On July 4, Mr. Xi told the state members at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit by video connection that he opposes any country instigating color revolutions and interfering in internal affairs for any reason.

The color revolutions refer to a series of non-violent protests that occurred in the post-Soviet states and Serbia during the early 21st century, which eventually freed many Eastern European countries from communist Soviet rule.

Soviet Army tanks parked near Spassky gate (L), an entrance to the Kremlin and Basils Cathedral (C) in Moscows Red Square after a coup toppled Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, on Aug. 19, 1991. (Dima Tanin /AFP via Getty Images)

We will take the future and destiny of our countrys development and progress firmly into our own hands, Mr. Xi said, making his efforts to unite Russia, Iran, and other SCO members to fight against the U.S.-led Western forces.

The authoritarians words exposed his concern that communist China would follow in the footsteps of the Soviet Unions collapse in light of the influence of Western democracy and more and more Chinese people rejecting communist rule.

Tibetan youth stage a silent protest as part of ongoing white paper revolution against the zero-COVID policy and Chinas censorship, in Bengaluru on Dec. 1, 2022. (Manjunath Kiran /AFP via Getty Images)

Public outrage with the CCP reached its peak at the end of 2022 after years of lockdown and harsh Zero-COVID policies, the country suffered huge losses in the economy, and peoples livelihoods suffered. On Nov. 24, 2022, a fatal fire in a sealed building in Urumqi, Xinjiang, caused casualties, triggering a white paper revolution against the authorities harsh Zero-COVID policies in China and outside China with some protesters shouting, Take down the CCP! Take down Xi Jinping!

Elsa Chan participated in Celebrating Four Hundred Million Chinese Quitting the CCP Rally outside the Chinese Embassy in Vancouver, Canada, on Aug. 21, 2022. (Hugh Zhao/Epoch Times)

July 1 this year is the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the CCP, which has seen 415 million Chinese people worldwide publicly withdraw from the CCPs organizationsa global movement that began in November 2004 and has recently seen an average of 40,000 to 50,000 people daily renouncing the CCP.

While the number of official party members is not that high the movement to quit the CCP is not concerned with the number of official members, it is concerned with the Chinese people who have given an oath to the CCP, and this involves almost everyone who has grown up in mainland China. To renounce the CCP is actually to renounce the oaths that an individual has given to the CCP, as people are forced to do when they join the Communist Party, the Communist Youth League, or the Young Pioneers as children in elementary school.

The CCP regime is like sitting on a powder keg, and the awareness of the crisis of the death of the party is pervasive within the party, said Yi Rong, chairwoman of the Global Service Center for Quitting the CCP, to The Epoch Times on July 1.

Communist Doctrine and One-Party Rule

Since last year, Mr. Xi and the mouthpiece media have issued several warnings about the fate of the communist party, blaming the root cause of the collapse of the Soviet Union on the communist partys relaxation of party leadership and communist ideological work.

In a June 30 article, Qiushi, a CCP party magazine, quoted Mr. Xis speech on March 1 at a training class for young cadres at the Central Party School as saying that the CCP would be disintegrated as suddenly as the Soviet Communist Party if the CCP cadres lose their belief in Marxism and communism, and socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Mr. Xi attempted to eradicate internal corruption that has jeopardized the partys survival by tightening the so-called party members belief in communism. However, in fact, communism is only a synonym for power, Guo Jun, editor-in-chief of the Hong Kong Epoch Times, said in the Elite Forum, a financial and political commentary program, that the CCP is obsessed with power, not some ideological idealism.

To the CCP, capitalism can be fine, but freedom must be eliminated, and the communist party wont tolerate anything that distracts or shares the power of society.

In the CCP, power is the highest principle, and everything else must give way to this supreme goal. For the sake of absolute monopolization and absolute control of social power, the CCP can kill people and destroy the nations economy. Ms. Guo said.

Delegates listen to a speech by Chinas leader Xi Jinping as he is seen on a large screen during the closing session of the National Peoples Congress at The Great Hall Of The People in Beijing, on March 20, 2018. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

In addition, Mr. Xis high degree of centralization has accelerated the build-up of political risk, making him a target both at home and abroad, Li Yanming, a China current affairs observer, told The Epoch Times.

Mr. Li noted that the Chinese communist regime is now in an internal and external quagmire: it faces a siege by the international community led by the United States. Meanwhile, Chinas economic, demographic, and social crises are compounding one another, which may lead to substantial social change at any time.

Chinese society is brewing giant changes, and the regimes collapse is imminent, Mr. Li said.

Communist China vs. Post-Soviet Union

Comparing the 415 million who quit the CCPincluding its three organizations of the party, the youth league, and the young pioneersthere were 5 million who quit the Soviet Communist Party (SCP) before its dissolution in December 1991, Ms. Guo said.

At that time, the Soviet Union still had a four million-strong army with powerful naval, air, land, and nuclear forces. But when the Soviet Union was dissolved, the army refused to carry out the orders of the Soviet Communist Partys oligarchs in suppressing people; in Ms. Guos view, this contributed to a smooth transition to democratic government in the former member states of the Soviet Union.

A common feature of either SCP or CCP is that the communist regime is precarious, rife with various splits and internal contradictions; In such an environment, the forces of freedom would grow and eventually lead to the end of the communist system: the disintegration of the former Soviet Union and the fall of the former communist regimes in Eastern Europe have validated this process, Ms. Guo said.

While in China, Ms. Guo pointed out that since the oligarchic era of ex-leaders of the CCP Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin, free forces emerged around the nation, The CCP has faced two choices: one is to disintegrate, that is to say, to cede power and the communist party to step down; The other is to return to the stage of personal leadership and authoritarianism.

Chinese leader Mao Zedong (18931976) (R) and Soviet Chief of Staff Marshall Kliment Yefremovich Voroshilov (18811969) salute while reviewing an Honor Guard upon Maos arrival at the Moscow airport, Moscow, USSR (Russia). (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Unfortunately, What were seeing now in mainland China is that Xi Jinping is trying to restore the individual leaders Maoist dictatorship, which is an inevitable part of the [CCP] system, said Ms. Guo, adding that it is likely the current path of North Korea, The cost is that the [Chinese] people are deprived of their freedom, society once again fell back into a state of closure.

Ellen Wan contributed to this article.
Young Californians Are Still Dying in Fentanyl Crisis Fueled by Social Media

Family and friends of people who died after being poisoned by pills containing fentanyl carry signs as they protest near the Snap, Inc. headquarters, makers of the Snapchat social media application, in Santa Monica, Calif., on June 4, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

When Amy Neville, of Aliso Viejo, California, lost her 14-year-old son Alex to an illicit pill that contained a fatal amount of fentanyl in 2020, the dealer was just one town overcontinuing to sellusing the popular smartphone app Snapchat.

We think Alex bought from him over the weekend before taking the pill, Ms. Neville, who has since moved from the state, told The Epoch Times. The last time I saw him was Monday night. When I awoke him in the morning for his orthodontist appointment  he was gone.

The dealers Snapchat handle was Aj Smokxy, which no longer exists.

Just a week and a half after Alexs death, another young man died after purchasing yet another illicit drug from Aj Smokxy, who continues to operate his drug business in south Orange County, according to Neville.

Being 50 times more powerful than heroin, fentanyl is often mixed with drugs to increase potency and decrease manufacturing costs for dealers and their providers, unbeknown to the buyer in many cases.

Californias Fentanyl Crisis

In California, recently launched legislation decriminalizing some drugs have been met with surging drug addiction and fatal overdoses.

In regard to fentanyl, between 20172022, the state saw deaths from the drug increase by 1,027 percent, primarily among 25 to 39-year-olds based on data from the California Department of Public Health.

With disappearing content approaches on applications like Snapchat and encrypted communication outlets like Telegram, purchasing drugs through social media has never been more incognito.

When signing onto Telegram, for example, an Epoch Times investigation found fentanyl sales within one mile of the login location of Costa Mesa, California, in less than a minute by simply viewing some local chat rooms with drug-related names.

In one such chat titled Fetty Wapa slang term for fentanylXanax, Adderall, and methamphetamines could be purchased using cryptocurrency ranging from $65 to $250.

Fentanyl sales were also posted in the chat room, along with posts displaying local prostitution services and paid pornographic online subscriptions.

Law enforcement, in general, is seeing a stronger presence of sales of narcotics through social media, Orange County Sheriffs Department Sgt. Frank Gonzalez told The Epoch Times.

While dealers continue to use both Snapchat and Telegram with ease, YouTube was noted by experts to be one of the early social media outlets displaying drug sales and how-to videos on making and using the products before stricter guidelines were enforced.

Some videos also included different ways to inject drugs, according to Eric Feinberg, Vice President of Content Moderation at The Coalition For A Safer Web and the Founder of the Global Intellectual Enforcement Center, an organization that brings online criminals to justice through cyber security intelligence and data collection.

I started noticing high levels of illicit drug content on YouTube and some on Facebook in 2016, he told The Epoch Times. Nefarious stuff with whole accounts on Oxycodone, Xanax, steroids, and you just watch and monitor the drug terminology dealers use to market this material and pick up on the slang they use for selling.

But where search keywords like farma pure and farma plug continue to lead those looking for illicit pharmaceuticals, they also continue to evade top-tier social media outlets from taking immediate action needed to shut down accounts selling drugs.

These people kind of prey on you, Mr. Feinberg said of dealers. And they prey on teens and those with anxiety issues, constantly.

For younger drug clients using social media, Mr. Feinberg said dealers are not only selling to them but emotionally grooming youth to become dealers by being needy or saying they are not doing well.

Youve got scores of these sellers on social media reaching thousands of kids buying this stuff, and hundreds of kids dying from it, he said.

In the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), students are also taking to social media to purchase pills that are increasingly laced with fentanyl, according to Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, who told the media in September 2022 that there had been at least nine suspected student overdoses since the start of the school year August 15 of that year.

Of those, seven occurred at schools located within the Hollywood area of the city, according to law enforcement officials.

Since then, LAUSD schools have been equipped with Naloxone, which can reverse an opioid overdose, and district officials have conducted educational campaigns warning of the drugs danger.

But one LAUSD employee working in the Hollywood region told The Epoch Times that the problem hasnt improved.

As the issue of fentanyl in our city and communities gets worse, it will cause the issue within the schools to get worse as well, the employee, who requested anonymity out of job security concerns, said.

According to the employee, the most common form of drug reported that students have consumed laced with fentanyl is Percocet.

Many colleagues have reported high levels of stress worrying if their student will be next to overdose, the employee said.

She additionally said she has noticed the trend among students purchasing using social media, and that she and some of her colleagues believe the drugsboth using and selling themare serving as emotional coping mechanisms.

I think a big reason has been the negative impact COVID lockdowns have had on the mental health of students  they turn to drugs as a coping skill and I believe we are seeing the ramifications of that in addition to easy access to fentanyl, she said. [And] many use social media to run their business.

Countywide, both fentanyl and methamphetamine-related overdose deaths have increased, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

But the fatal trend is also worsening among the 15 to 24 age group to the point that one in five deaths within that age bracket in California is now tied to fentanyl.

There are definitely students that have a healthy fear of fentanyl and share concerns if their peers are engaging in substances since illicit drugs can easily be laced, the LAUSD employee said. However, Id say the vibe is also It wont happen to me which is typical thinking for adolescents whose brains are not fully developed and therefore arent always the best decision makers.

A Trial by Fire

For Riverside County resident Matt Capelouto, Californias fentanyl crisis is personal.

After losing his 20-year-old daughter Alexandra in 2019 to an illicit pill she purchased on social media that contained a lethal dose of fentanyl, he has since taken up the role as president of Drug Induced Homicide, a non-profit organization whose mission is to abdicate laws that provide accountability for drug dealers.

The organization also provides support for families who have not received justice for losing a loved one over illicit drug sales.

More and more people are understanding the need to hold accountable those who are distributing this poison [and] more people are understanding the need for an admonishmentas it is equally preventative as it is punitive, Mr. Capelouto told The Epoch Times.

The admonishment that Capelouto was referring to is a California Senate bill that would require those who manufacture and sell controlled substances and fentanyl-laced drugs to receive a warning that if their dealing leads to someones death in the future, they can be charged with voluntary manslaughter or murder.

Needing three of five votes to pass, the Assemblys Public Safety Committee denied the bill from being passed in 2021, citing concerns about possible increased incarceration rates in Californias prison system.

The bipartisan bill was reintroduced this year but denied again by the same committee with Sens. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkley) and Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) both citing it lacked specific language needed to properly warn dealers who may unknowingly be selling the drug.

How many more people have to die before our elected representatives act? Mr. Capelouto said. The fentanyl epidemic is both a national health crisis and a national security threat. We are not doing enough to address either side.

The bill is named after his daughter: Alexandras Law.

Now, Assemblywoman Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) has introduced to have Alexandras Law publicly decided under Assembly Constitutional Amendment 12.

It gives [California voters] the chance to directly address the issue by putting Alexandras Law on the ballot, according to a press release issued by Ms. Dixon.

To be placed on Californias 2024 ballot, the legislative proposal will need to be first passed by both parties of the state Legislature.

Awaiting Justice

On the day after Thanksgiving in 2021, 25-year-old Marek Cole, who is autistic, asked his parents if he could briefly go to a friends house, but was told by his mother to be quick because she was going to the grocery store.

I would not leave our home if he was not here, Mareka Cole told The Epoch Times.

While she was gone for about 45 minutes, her son overdosed on Carfentanil, an opiate 100 times more powerful than fentanyl.

When I got home to show him what I bought him, there was no response, which was highly unusual. I opened his room and he was laying on his bed, looking like he was asleep, Ms. Cole said.

While waiting for paramedics, Ms. Cole said she administered two doses of Naloxone and performed CPR on him, but he was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.

According to Ms. Cole, her son chatted with the dealer, an acquaintance of the family, who sold him the drug on Facebook.

He even sent me an apology, later, over text about what had happened, Ms. Cole said.

Ms. Cole additionally said authorities discovered ultimately that an Amazon account her son had for groceries was still being used for deliveries to the dealers girlfriend.

Ms. Cole said shes been left pondering Californias illicit drug industry, its buyers, sellers, and manufacturers. If demand disappeared, would the drug culture disappear with it?

People always ask me why do you think that somebody will sell fentanyl knowing that it kills and they kill their customer base? Ms. Cole said. And the answer to that is that there are so many people on drugs they really dont lose a customer base when one dies.

Representatives from Telegram and Snapchat did not respond to requests for comment.
City bids tearful adieu to brave Sangeet Suryavanshi





Staff Reporter

Son of Sanskardhani, Sangeet Suryavanshi who died while serving the General Reserve Engineering Force (GREF) in Leh was cremated with State honours at Gwarighat crematorium, on Wednesday. Sangeet Suryavanshi (28), son of Chhadami Lal Suryavanshi, a resident of Madai in VFJ Estate was posted in GREF at Leh. On July 9, he was on duty when he complained of chest pain when other soldiers rushed him to hospital where he was declared brought dead.

Thereafter, body of Sangeet was airlifted to Jabalpur and brought to his native place in Madai in VFJ Estate. Grieving family members received the coffin, crying and screaming on seeing the body of their unmarried son. A large numbers of residents along with Government officials and police personnel attended the funeral procession.

Collector Saurabh Kumar Suman (IAS) Superintendent of Police, Tushar Kant Vidyarthi (IPS) along with other district officers reached at Gwarighat crematorium. Martyr Sangeet Suryavanshi was cremated with State honour. Family members informed that Sangeet had first posting in Ladakh. During his posting in Leh, Sangeet along with other soldiers was conducting patrolling in border area when he complained of pain and fell on the ground and lost his consciousness. SP Tushar Kant Vidyarthi and Collector Saurabh Kumar Suman paid tributes to the martyr Sangeet Suryavanshi and termed his sacrifice as pride for residents and an inspiration for other youngsters for serving the nation.
Collector appeals nurses to call off strike, refuse to budge





Staff Reporter

Taking a serious stand on the nurses strike being staged on the call of Nurses Officer Association for three days, Collector Saurabh Kumar Suman visited Government Seth Govinddas District Hospital (Victoria) to meet the nurses on Wednesday. Observing patients healthcare needs, Collector Suman appealed striking nurses to call-off their strike and go back to works. But nurses bluntly denied appeal to end their strike until all their demands are fulfilled. According to the nurses, as the strike is staged at the State-level, hence the higher authorities would take any decision on the fate of strike.

As the strike started affecting the healthcare activities in the district. As the PG doctors have handled the situation at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College Hospital to some extent but the services at the District Hospital and Rani Durgavati Hospital, are deteriorated with every passing day. Left with no option, the patients are being referred from both the hospitals to Jabalpur Medical College in emergency cases. Around 295 nurses are there in Jabalpur district who are associated with the Nurses Officer Association which called the strike for its 10-point demands. When contacted, Chief Medical and Health Officer, Dr. Sanjay Mishra informed that not all the nurses are on strike majority of them are still serving patients at their workplace. As there are two nurses organizations working at NSCB Medical College Hospital, hence the ongoing strike has least affect on the healthcare activities there. However, majority of the striking nurses are deployed at the District Hospital and Rani Durgavati Hospital, hence the works are more affected there. Though the hospital administration made efforts to control the situation by deploying trainee nurses for damage control at both the hospitals.
Cong stages Maun Satyagrah in support of Rahul Gandhi





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

In a show of solidarity with Rahul Gandhi, the Chhattisgarh Congress, under the call of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), organised a massive one-day Maun Satyagraha at Gandhi Maidan in State Capital. The event aimed to express support for the Congress leader following the Gujarat High Courts decision to uphold the Sessions

Court order denying a stay on his conviction in a defamation case related to the Modi surname remark. Prominent leaders from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) participated in the protest, including Kumari Selja, the AICC General Secretary for Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Deputy Chief Minister T S Singhdeo, State Congress President Mohan Markam, AICC Secretary for Chhattisgarh Dr Chandan Yadav, AICC Joint Secretary Vijay Jangid, Speaker of Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Dr Charan Das Mahant, and several Cabinet Ministers and MLAs. Addressing the media, Chief Minister Baghel highlighted that the Maun Satyagraha was organized in accordance with the AICCs instructions.

He expressed concern over the suppression of Rahul Gandhis voice by the BJP government at the Centre. Baghel emphasised that the Central government was feeling the pressure after Rahul Gandhi raised various issues against them. He also mentioned Rahul Gandhis recent Bharat Jodo Padyatra and stated that the BJP government appeared worried by the Congress electoral gains in various states. Responding to a question about the BJPs manifesto-making process, Chief Minister Baghel made a remark asserting that knowledge is required for copying. He criticized the BJP for not acknowledging Chhattisgarhs cultural symbols, such as the image of Chhattisgarh Mahtari and the worship of the Nandi bull during the Teeja-Pora or Hareli festivals over the past 15 years. Baghel suggested that the BJP leaders were now imitating these cultural practices, but he emphasised the importance of authenticity and truth. The Maun Satyagraha organised by the Chhattisgarh Congress conveyed a strong message of support for Rahul Gandhi and served as a platform to condemn the actions of the BJP government at both the state and central levels. The event brought together party leaders from across the state, symbolizing their united front in the face of political challenges.
Emirates Steel Arkan has signed an agreement with Omans leading steel products manufacturer Al Jazeera Steel Product Company (AJSP) to establish a strategic framework for collaboration, further benefitting from joint product expertise and seizing new opportunities in the steel business ecosystem.

This MoU comes at a time when AJSP is establishing a medium-section rolling mill in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (Kezad) along with plans to introduce a tube mill and heat-treated alloy round bars.

As part of the MoU, Emirates Steel Arkan said it has the opportunity to supply semis, including billets, blooms and beam blanks to AJSPs upcoming factory in Abu Dhabi or existing factory in Sohar, Oman.

The two parties will also research options for collaboration in-promotion and marketing of finished products involving light and medium sections from AJSP and heavy sections from ESA, it stated.

On the key partnership, Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO, Emirates Steel Arkan, said: "It will help us bolster our market share, synergise our collective knowledge and expertise, capture new business opportunities and bid for upcoming projects."

"By harnessing the strength of our shared vision for decarbonising the steel industry, resources, and experience, we are ready to chart a course towards unparalleled growth and success in the dynamic steel business ecosystem," he stated.

Sheikha Amal Bahwan, Chairperson, Al Jazeera Steel Product Company, said: "We are delighted to partner with Emirates Steel Arkan, the UAEs largest steel and building materials manufacturer, to further strengthen our proposition and ability to serve customers around the world with diverse steel products."

"By joining forces, we aim to leverage ESAs unrivaled expertise and expansive market presence, complemented by Al Jazeera Steels established reputation for manufacturing excellence," he added.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 13, 2023 - 18:06 | World, Japan, All

Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers on Thursday reaffirmed close cooperation in dealing with the North Korean military threat, condemning its firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile the day before, the government said.

During their meeting in Jakarta, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi also promised his South Korean counterpart, Park Jin, Tokyo will safely release treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, Japan's government said.

Their talks were held on the fringes of Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministerial gatherings with partner countries through Friday.

On Wednesday, North Korea fired its first ICBM since April toward the Sea of Japan on a steep "lofted" trajectory, marking a record 74-minute flight time for a projectile launched by the nation, according to the Japanese government.

The ICBM was fired before a meeting on the same day between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Lithuania. The two leaders condemned the missile launch by North Korea.

North Korea said through its official media on Thursday the missile was a new-type Hwasong-18 ICBM that serves as a warning to the United States and other adversaries.

Hayashi and Park agreed that North Korea's nuclear and missile activities "have posed a threat to the peace and safety of the international community," the Japanese government said.

As for the water discharge from the Fukushima plant, damaged by a massive 2011 earthquake and ensuing tsunami, Hayashi reassured Park that appropriate steps would be taken and the release would be immediately halted if problems occurred.

While there is strong public concern in South Korea about the planned water discharge, the Yoon administration has said it accepts an International Atomic Energy Agency report released last week that concluded Japan's plan aligns with global safety standards.

The ministers, meanwhile, vowed to make specific arrangements for high-level bilateral economic talks, which Kishida and Yoon said they would try to hold by the end of this year, the government said.

Relations between Tokyo and Seoul have improved under the conservative administration led by Yoon, who took office in May 2022, with the South Korean government proposing a solution to a thorny dispute over wartime labor compensation in March.

Related coverage:

North Korea launched "new-type" ICBM on July 12: country's state media

Japan, ASEAN to affirm ties ahead of celebration of 50-yr friendship
Focus shifts to rescue efforts as rains abate in north





NEW DELHI,

AS THE weather improved in parts of north India, which was pummelled by heavy rains for days, authorities on Wednesday worked on a war footing to rescue stranded tourists, restore vehicular traffic on arterial roads and prevent floodwaters from entering new areas. In Punjab and Haryana, at least 15 people have died in rain-related incidents, according to Government data. As many as 2,000 tourists stranded in Himachal Pradeshs Kasol were evacuated and more than 300 tourist vehicles stuck in Lahaul following landslides and flash floods left for their respective destinations, the State Government said. The IMD said that heavy to very heavy rainfall activity is likely to continue over Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Madhya Pradesh during the next two days and decrease thereafter.

In Himachal Pradesh, about 2,200 stranded vehicles crossed Kullu after the Kullu-Manali road was opened on Tuesday evening. Over 2,000 people stranded in Kasol have been successfully evacuated. Teams are working tirelessly to clear the Dunkhara landslide on the Kasol-Bhuntar road. District administration is coordinating the relief efforts, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said in a tweet. Over 300 tourist vehicles stuck in Lahaul have also left for their respective destinations, he said. A total of 873 roads are still blocked for vehicular traffic, according to officials. Light to heavy rains lashed parts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday. The weather office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain, thunderstorm and lightning on July 15 and 16 in the state.
Govt to acquire 11,000 Ha for expansion of Nagpur, Amravati MIDCs





Business Bureau

MAHARASHTRA State Industries Minister Uday Samant announced various bold initiatives and proposals to boost industries, create employment and attract big ticket investments in Maharashtra. The announcements include acquisition of approximately 11,000 hectare land for expansion of MIDCs at Nagpur (5,685 hectares) and Amravati (4,445 hectares). The land will be made readily available for mega industries, new industries and existing industries, said Samant. Samant also announced allocation of Rs 100 crore to MIDC Butibori for developing road infrastructure and Rs 200 crore to MIDC Bhadravati, Chandrapur for infrastructure development. In another major boost for Amravati disrict, the Industries Minister announced a proposal to create a Tribal Cluster at Melghat with an investment of Rs 45,000 crore. Samant was speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the Presentation on Comprehensive Development Control and Promotion Regulations (CDCPR-2023) organised by MIDC, Regional office Nagpur at Hotel Centre Point, on Wednesday.

Samant said that the new Development Control Regulations has been introduced after 2009 to create an industrial-friendly environment and address major issues and concerns of industrialists in the State. Dr Vipin Sharma, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), P Malikner, Joint Chief Executive Officer, MIDC and Pratibha Bhadane, Joint Director of Town Planning and Chief Planner of MIDC were also present. Samant said that the State Government had signed memorandum of understandings (MoUs) majorily in the steel sector and investments in the last one year in Vidarbha region. Five companies namely Varad Ferro Alloys Pvt Ltd with an investment of Rs 1,520 crore (create 1,400 jobs), Lloyds Metal and Energy Ltd Rs 5,700 crore (create 2,050 jobs), Lloyd Metal and Energy Ltd Rs 14,000 crore (create 4,000 jobs), Rajuri Steels and Alloys India Pvt Ltd Rs 265 crore (create 240 jobs), and New Era Clean Tech Solution Pvt Ltd Rs 20,000 crore (create 15,000 jobs) will come with a total investment of 41,485 crore that would generate about 22,690 jobs.

The State Government has also signed MoUs and Express of Interest (EOIs) with ReNew Power worth Rs 18,000 crore to establish one of the largest metallurgical grade silicon, polysilicon and ingot wafer manufacturing facilities in Nagpur. MIDC has also signed a strategic MoU with the Vidarbha Defence Industrial Association (VDIA) to bring essential competencies to the Vidarbha region and position it on the global map in defence procurement and aviation sector. Samant assured to appoint a Joint CEO, MIDC at MIDC office in Nagpur. The Industries Minister said that that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be coming in September to inaugurate the Textile Park in Amravati. Samant claimed, Maharashtra State has reclaimed the number 1 spot to attract foreign investment in the country with over Rs 1.18 lakh crore this year followed by Karnataka and Gujarat. This shows the State Governments will and seriousness to take bold and quick decisions to boost the industrial development in the State, Samant added.
Jaishankar holds talks with counterparts from Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Laos, Vietnam





JAKARTA,

EXTERNAL Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held a series of meetings with his counterparts from several countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and Vietnam, and discussed bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual concern. The Minister, who is on a week-long visit to Indonesia and Thailand, started his engagements here in the capital of Indonesia with a meeting with the Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Dr Kao Kim Hourn. Jaishankar said that he discussed with Hourn the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership. Suggested India-ASEAN dialogues in finance, cyber and maritime domains. Noted the ongoing work in energy, disaster management and health and wellness. Agreed to expand our Track II engagement, he said in a series of tweets. Our ASEAN relationship paved the way for the Indo-Pacific Vision. India is therefore deeply committed to the principle of ASEAN centrality, the Minister said.

Jaishankar said he had a useful meeting with Vietnam Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son during which they discussed trade and investment, energy, air connectivity and cultural cooperation. They also exchanged views on contemporary regional and global issues. Jaishankar also met Malaysian Foreign Minister Dr Zambry Adbul Kadir and discussed expanding bilateral cooperation. Exchanged views on ASEAN-related issues. Look forward to welcoming him in India, he said. He joined Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Australian counterpart Penny Wong for the 2nd India-Australia-Indonesia trilateral. Always good meeting between three Indo-Pacific maritime states. Plenty to talk about; plenty to agree, he tweeted. He also met the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao PDR Saleumxay Kommasith and discussed regional issues of mutual concern. They also reviewed bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation. During his stay in Indonesia, Jaishankar will meet his counterparts under the ASEAN framework in the format - ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum. Indias engagement with this ASEAN-centred regional architecture signifies Indias strong commitment to ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific, the MEA said in a statement.

After Jakarta, Jaishankar will travel to Bangkok to participate in the 12th Foreign Ministers Meeting of Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Mechanism on Sunday. MGC, one of the oldest mechanisms of the lower Mekong region, is guided by Indias Act East Policy, the External Affairs Ministry said. The MGC is an initiative by India, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam to facilitate closer connections between the six member countries which share the Ganga River and Mekong River basins. In Bangkok, Jaishankar will also attend the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers Retreat on July 17. BIMSTEC is an economic and technical initiative which brings together the countries of the Bay of Bengal for multifaceted cooperation. The retreat would discuss ways to further deepen the BIMSTEC agenda and strengthen the organisation.
NATO REDUX





ONE of the major developments in the post-pandemic world is the emergence of multilateralism and the United States attempts at reinvigorating the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). This has not only put Ukraine in a difficult position, but also affected the global supply chains. The NATO summit at Vilnius is doing little to reimagining the concept of NATO. Rather, the developments of the recent past suggest that the summit is reinforcing the global perception that NATO is nothing but an extended arm of the US defence-industrial complex. Formed in 1949, NATO is the largest peacetime military alliance in the world, led by the US and comprising several Western powers. While giving military aid, the US also started using NATO to serve its diplomatic goals. Gradually, NATO became an organisation fighting to contain the expansion of Communism. During the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union, NATO added to the strength of the US. However, since then, a lot has changed. Several important developments in the world ranging from nature of conflicts to economic rise to globalisation to the beginning of the process of reshaping of the World Order, have taken place.

This has led to rise of new powers that are pursuing the path of multilateralism, multi-alignment, and even strategic autonomy. The after-effects of COVID-19 on the world economy hit the so-called developed nations very hard and stable powers like India have started ascendance on the world scene. China also emerged as stronger than Russia of today, and became the Number Two economy after the US. Probably, all these factors left the US thinkers feel the need for reinvigorating the Cold War relic called NATO. However, their attempt at roping in Ukraine met with a strong resistance from Russia. What has unfolded is for the world to see. Given the US past record, it came as no surprise when NATO summit at Vilnius did not announce any timetable for Ukraine to join NATO. This, obviously, peeved Ukrainian President Mr Volodymyr Zelenskyy who termed the absence of timetable as absurd. For, he has put a lot at stake. Meanwhile, the US appears to be pursuing the same old goal of expanding NATO influence around Russia as is seen from the outreach of NATO in the recent past. China has been added to the NATO agenda. To counter China, the US has been reaching out to India. In fact, NATO offered India to join NATO-Plus category. Thanks to the mature diplomacy of India, and policy of multilateralism and strategic autonomy, India did not fall for the offer. Had India joined NATO-Plus, it would have seriously impacted her old defence ties with Russia.

She would have found herself fighting the US war against China. India has done well by staying away and keeping the option of multi-alignment open for her. In the past some years, many NATO members are weary of fighting the US war through the military alliance. May it be Bosnia, Herzegovina, or Afghanistan, NATO actions have helped the US more than anyone else in the alliance. The US style of setting its priorities as those of NATO have left member-countries unhappy. The UK had expressed openly that the signing of Doha Agreement after which Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, had served priorities of the US administration of the time more than anything else. Against this backdrop, the US needs to acknowledge the changed realities of the world before reinvigorating NATO to serve only its strategic goals. Rather, it needs to use its clout with more vigour for making the United Nations Security Council more inclusive with inclusion of countries like India. For, the changed realities demand more co-operative alliances than military groupings.
NATO Summit 2023





By Gwynne Dyer

WHEN NATO held its annual summit in Brussels two years ago, all 31 Presidents and Prime Ministers of the alliances member states dutifully showed up, but their hearts werent really in it. Frances President Emmanuel Macron had publicly declared NATO brain-dead in 2019, and nobody could find a good reason to disagree. This week the annual meeting is in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania (11-12 July), and the cast of characters has not changed all that much, but everything else has. This is an alliance transformed, with a clear enemy, specific goals and a real sense of purpose  all thanks to Russias President Vladimir Putin and his foolish invasion of Ukraine. It was foolish not because Putins army was too corrupt and incompetent to conquer Ukraine  neither he nor his Generals realised that  but because he woke NATO up. If he had just left it alone for another five or ten years, it would probably have simply mouldered away in the end. Now its back up and running. Defence budgets are soaring right across NATO, new strategic plans are being made, and Russia is being openly named as the threat. Vilnius, the NATO capital closest to Moscow, has been chosen for its symbolic value, and there are a thousand soldiers there from other NATO countries to provide security for the meeting. Germany has deployed 12 Patriot missile launchers to intercept Russian ballistic and cruise missiles or warplanes.

France is sending self-propelled howitzers and anti-drone technology, Finland and Denmark have sent military jets, and Spain has sent a NASAMS air defence system. Not to mention Poland and Germany, which are both sending special operations forces with accompanying helicopters in case the Russians try to infiltrate their own Spetsnaz troops to kidnap or kill NATO leaders. No? You dont think that the Russians will choose this week to bomb Vilnius or send in the assassins? You suspect that this is a pantomime exclusively designed to illustrate NATOs new-found unity and determination. Well spotted! Almost the sole focus of this summit is embattled Ukraines desire to join NATO  which is not going to happen at this time. As US President Joe Biden said: I dont think there is unanimity in NATO about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the NATO family now, at this moment, in the middle of a war. Thats understandable, as NATO membership includes an obligation to defend any other member that is under attack. Hands up, who wants to go to war with Russia? Ukraine will get a promise of membership eventually, after the war is over, but for now it will have to make do with arms shipments, financial help and Intelligence sharing. Military alliances have a momentum of their own, however, and an elderly alliance that has been shaken awake to deal with a nasty local crisis could go on to regain a central place in world politics.

That would be unfortunate. It was the Cold War, the Soviet threat, that brought this peculiar transatlantic alliance into existence in 1949, and the peaceful collapse of the Soviet Union 40 years later robbed it of its purpose. It trundled on for a while, as large bureaucratic organisations tend to do even after losing their core function, but its proposed new roles were not very convincing. Its most plausible rationale was to provide a safe haven where a dozen newly independent countries, all emerging from many decades or even centuries of Russian and Soviet imperial rule, could take shelter while they got their bearings and built more or less democratic successor states. The great fear in NATO after the Soviet collapse in1991 was that the newly freed countries of Eastern Europe, still terrified of Russian imperialism, would start making alliances among themselves against Russia  and that at least one, Poland, would probably start building its own nuclear deterrent. That would not have been a happy outcome, as such Eastern European alliances would have been strong enough to provoke Russia but not strong enough to deter it. Taking the former satellite countries into NATO was seen by the West as the safer option. Although Moscow deplored this decision, it didnt make much fuss about it at the time.

NATOs expansion never threatened Russias security because troops on the border are almost strategically irrelevant in an era of intercontinental nuclear-tipped missiles. In any case, US troops in Europe fell from 3,00,000 at the end of the Cold War to one-fifth of that number by 2008, and stayed there until last years invasion of Ukraine. Putins declining years were bound to be problematic no matter what NATO did or didnt do, but its still deeply regrettable that the alliance had to be resuscitated. May it become irrelevant again as soon as possible.
Samruddhi Mahamarg: WII set to assess efficacy of wildlife mitigation measures







By Kartik Lokhande

Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has roped in Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to conduct efficacy study of wildife mitigation measures taken during construction of Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Mahamarg. Bilal Habib, Scientist E, Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, WII, confirmed this. WII had previously done a study and had recommended various wildlife mitigation measures during construction of Samruddhi Mahamarg. Now, we will be assessing the efficacy of measures. We will install cameras at overpasses and underpasses and study the behaviour of wild animals vis-a-vis crossing of the expressway is concerned. Once the study is conducted, we will submit our report, he told The Hitavada.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between MSRDC and WII in this regard. There are total nine overpasses and 17 underpasses on the Nagpur-Mumbai expressway to ensure safe movement of wildlife. Earlier also, MSRDC had appointed WII to suggest wildlife mitigation measures. The WII had submitted its report. Accordingly, MSRDC had proposed total 100 wildlife mitigation measures. The overpasses and underpasses for the movement of wildlife have been constructed with permission, and as per the guidance, of Forest Department. At locations important for movement of wildlife, sound barriers have been installed. At the accident-prone locations, chain-link fencing is being erected. Some measures have been taken already, and work on some is in progress, said an official of MSRDC. However, to assess the efficacy of wildlife mitigation measures taken, WII has been reappointed to conduct the study. The behaviour of wild animals -- whether or not they cross the expressway directly or use underpass or overpass -- will be studied. If animals are not using underpass or overpass to cross Samruddhi Mahamarg, reasons behind such behaviour also shall be studied.
TMC poised to sweep WB rural polls





KOLKATA :

TMC bags 34,913 of 63,229 Gram Panchayat seats, 6,430 of 9,728 Panchayat Samiti seats and 674 of 928 Zila Parishad seats

THE ruling Trinamool Congress on Wednesday inched closer to a sweeping victory in WBengals violence-scarred rural polls, bagging more than half the seats and leaving its rivals trailing way behind in results declared till now by the State Election Commission. The TMC has won 34,913 Gram Panchayat seats, besides leading in 607 seats, according to the SEC as of 7.30 pm on Wednesday. In all elections are being held for 63,229 Gram Panchayat seats. The ruling partys nearest rival BJP has won 9,722 seats and is leading in 150 seats. The CPI(M) has won 2,937 and is leading in 67 seats. The Congress won 2,543 seats and is leading in 63.

The ruling TMC won 6,430 Panchayat Samiti seats while leading 195 seats. BJP has won 982 and is leading in 54 seats, while CPI(M) has won 176 seats and is leading in 15 and Congress has won in 266 seats and is leading in 6 seats. Elections were held for 9,728 panchayat samiti seats. TMC has also won 674 Zila Parishad seats so far and is leading in 149 others, with this it seems set to repeat its 2018 performance of controlling all the Zila Parishads, despite marginally better showing by the BJP and CPI(M)-Congress alliance in some districts.

The BJP has in contrast won 21 and is leading in 5 seats. The CPI(M) has won 2 seats, while Congress has won 6 and is leading in 5. In all, there are 928 Zila Parishad seats. In Bhangore in South 24 Parganas, three persons including two activists of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) were killed and several others injured in a clash which took place outside a counting booth late Tuesday night, police said on Wednesday. A 24-year-old Congress workers was beaten to death on Wednesday while several others were injured after a clash between TMC and Congress supporters in Rampur village in Malda district, police said. TMC officials also claimed that a party worker from South 24 Parganas districts Chandpasha village was hacked to death by BJP goons
Yamuna breaks all-time record of 1978





NEW DELHI :

Yamuna swells to 207.81 metres breaching all-time record of 207.49 mts set in 1978

Kejriwal urges Centre to intervene for slow release of water from Hathnikund barrage in Haryana

Delhi Police impose Section 144 in flood-prone areas

Yamuna in Delhi swelled to 207.81 metres on Wednesday, breaching its all-time record of 207.49 metres set in 1978, flooding several riverside areas and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal calling an emergency meeting on the situation. Thousands of people have been shifted to safer areas as water gushed into their homes and markets near the river. In view of the grave situation, the Delhi Police imposed prohibitory measures under CrPC section 144 in flood-prone areas of the city, preventing unlawful assembly of four or more people and public movement in groups. According to the Central Water Commissions (CWC) flood-monitoring portal, the water level at the Old Railway Bridge crossed the 207-metre mark at 4 am on Wednesday, the first time since 2013.

It rose to 207.81 metres by 6 pm. The water level of the river is likely to rise further, an official of the Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Department said. The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall to continue in Uttarakhand in the next two days. As the water level rose to a record level, Kejriwal urged the Centre to intervene to ensure that levels of the Yamuna dont rise further. In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he requested that if possible the water from Hathnikund barrage in Haryana be released in limited speed and pointed out that Delhi is set to host the G-20 Summit meeting in a few weeks.

The news of flood in the capital of the country will not send a good message to the world. Together we will have to save the people of Delhi from this situation, Kejriwal said. Later the Chief Minister said that Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat has informed him that the volume of water being released to Haryana from Himachal Pradesh has reduced, which in turn will impact the water level in the Yamuna. However, he said it will take some time for the water level in the river to recede. The swelling of the Yamuna river led to waterlogging in the Delhi Transport Corporation headquarters area near ITO. Its employees waded through the waterlogged entrance to get into the office on Wednesday. In north-east Delhis Gandhi Mendu and Usmanpur villages, flood water has risen to over four feet, local MLA Ajay Mahawar said, adding that the residents have already been moved to safety.

Narrating the problems faced at relief camps, a person said, Its poor people like us who are suffering. Government makes false promises but does nothing on the ground. We dont get anything. Another flood victim Radhe Kishan sought to vent his anger at the Government saying, Last year too the area had got flooded. The Government has hardly done anything since then and the situation remains the same. The Government could have at least made arrangements for food. But that is being provided by a gurudwara, he said. Revenue Minister Atishi said the Delhi Government is strengthening river embankments and evacuating people out of the floodplains.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 14, 2023 - 02:18 | World, All

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed Thursday Washington's concerns over human rights in China as he met top diplomat Wang Yi in Jakarta amid an intensifying rivalry between the world's two largest economies, a senior U.S. official said.

In addition to expressing concerns regarding the Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic groups in Xinjiang, as well as pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong, Blinken also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the official said.

In their second meeting in about a month, held on the sidelines of Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings, the countries' top diplomats had "candid and constructive discussions" on various issues, including areas of disagreement and potential areas of cooperation, he said.

On the issue related to Taiwan, Wang warned the United States not to interfere in the domestic affairs of China during the meeting with Blinken, according to the country's official Xinhua News Agency.

The two sides agreed to maintain open channels of communication in the weeks and months ahead, with an eye toward holding a summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden later this year.

As part of efforts to manage their differences responsibly and reduce the risk of misperception and miscalculation, the two countries have been accelerating talks, with Blinken and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen paying separate visits to Beijing recently.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry will travel to China Sunday, while the two countries are also discussing arranging a visit to the Asian country by Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, according to Chinese state-run media.

But the official said Wang did not agree to reopen military-to-military lines of communication between the two countries.

Beijing cut the communication channels with Washington following a visit by then House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan last August. Communist-led China views the self-ruled democratic island as its own.

Wang is representing China at the ASEAN-related meetings in the Indonesian capital instead of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who has fallen ill. Wang is ranked above Qin in the Communist-ruled country.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 13, 2023 - 13:02 | All, World

North Korea said Thursday it successfully test-fired a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile the previous day that set "new records" in terms of altitude and flight time, with leader Kim Jong Un vowing a stronger military offensive to counter the United States and South Korea.

Kim oversaw the launch of the Hwasong-18 missile, which traveled up to a maximum altitude of 6,648.4 kilometers and flew a distance of 1,001.2 km for about 75 minutes before accurately landing in a target area in the Sea of Japan, the official Korean Central News Agency said.

The launch of the Hwasong-18, propelled by a three-stage rocket system, was the second of its kind following a test conducted on April 13. It is viewed as capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

A solid-fuel missile does not require fueling prior to launch like a liquid-fuel missile, making it harder for adversaries to detect launch preparations and giving it a wider range of capabilities.

"All the new records confirmed through the test-fire proved the capability, reliability and military utility of the new-type strategic weapon system," KCNA said.

The report said the test was conducted at a time when the security situation on the Korean Peninsula has reached a "phase of nuclear crisis beyond the Cold War era" amid "unprecedented military provocations" against Pyongyang by the United States and its "vassal forces."

Kim warned that "a series of stronger military offensive will be launched until (the United States and South Korea)...admit their shameful defeat of their useless hostile policy" toward Pyongyang and give it up, according to KCNA.

The U.N. Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Thursday on the North's latest missile launch at the request of Japan and the United States.

The ICBM fell some 250 kilometers west of Okushiri Island, just off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido but outside Tokyo's exclusive economic zone. KCNA said the test had no negative effect on the security of countries that are neighbors to North Korea.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno on Thursday condemned the North's latest missile launch as "intolerable," saying it "endangers the peace and security" of the region. He pledged that Japan will closely work with the United States and South Korea to monitor the situation.

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller criticized Pyongyang Wednesday for its "brazen violation" of U.N. Security Council resolutions, saying the launch "needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilizing the security situation in the region."

Video: Japanese Defense Ministry footage of what could be contrails from the North Korean ICBM

Related coverage:

Japan PM assures S. Korea of safety of Fukushima water release

North Korea fires ICBM, longest-ever flight time

Japan boosts cooperation with NATO, aid for Ukraine
Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (C) attends a tripartite meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L, Front) and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (R, Front) in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

JAKARTA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The cooperation among China, Russia and Indonesia will help promote the process of multilateralism and boost regional peace and stability, senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said here Wednesday.

As representatives of emerging markets and key members of the Group of 20, it is in the common interests of China, Russia and Indonesia to conduct exchanges and cooperation among them, Wang, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said during a tripartite meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

Wang noted that the world is undergoing accelerating changes unseen in a century, which features sluggish world economic recovery and rising geopolitical tensions, but it is an unstoppable trend to pursue peace, development and cooperation.

Countries need to strengthen solidarity and coordination, practice true multilateralism and jointly address risks and challenges, in a bid to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.

As a dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China backs the ASEAN-centered regional cooperation structure and supports ASEAN countries in keeping East Asia cooperation in the correct direction, as well as their efforts to accelerate the building of the ASEAN Community, Wang added.

Lavrov and Marsudi shared their views on the current international and regional situation.

They believed that the meeting is a beneficial attempt to hold trilateral dialogues and exchanges, representing their consensus regarding the maintenance of ASEAN's centrality and the ASEAN Way. They also agreed to maintain communication on this matter.

The three sides exchanged views on food and energy security, noting that global governance should be improved to ensure smooth supply chains as well as food and energy security of developing countries. 
Rio Novo Gold Inc. (TSE:RN  Get Free Report) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$0.00 and traded as high as C$0.13. Rio Novo Gold shares last traded at C$0.13, with a volume of 34,500 shares traded.

Rio Novo Gold Price Performance

The business has a 50-day moving average of C$0.13.

About Rio Novo Gold

(Get Free Report)

Rio Novo Gold Inc acquires, explores, and develops gold mineral resource properties in Brazil and Colombia. It holds interests in the Almas Gold Project located in the Tocantins State, Brazil; the Matupa Gold Project located in the Mato Grosso State, Brazil; and the Tolda Fria Gold Project located in the Caldas State, Colombia.

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Barclays upgraded shares of Acerinox (OTCMKTS:ANIOY  Free Report) from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Separately, Morgan Stanley upgraded Acerinox from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Friday, May 12th.

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Acerinox Price Performance

ANIOY stock opened at $5.59 on Monday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $5.33 and a 200 day moving average price of $5.24. The company has a market capitalization of $2.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 1.50. Acerinox has a 1-year low of $3.93 and a 1-year high of $5.60.

Acerinox Increases Dividend

About Acerinox

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Investors of record on Friday, July 14th will be issued a $0.1159 dividend. This is an increase from Acerinoxs previous dividend of $0.11. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. Acerinoxs payout ratio is presently 11.39%.

(Get Free Report)

Acerinox, SA, through its subsidiaries, manufactures, transforms, and markets stainless steel products in Spain, the Americas, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Europe. The company offers flat products, including coil cold rollings, hot rolled and black coils, teardrop steel or coils, and hot and cold rolled sheets, as well as roughing materials, discs, billets, and plates.

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Shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Hold from the sixteen research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $76.73.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on BMY. Barclays decreased their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $65.00 to $64.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Credit Suisse Group lowered their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $72.00 to $66.00 in a research report on Wednesday. SVB Leerink reissued a market perform rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Monday. 51job restated a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Finally, SVB Securities initiated coverage on Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Monday. They set a market perform rating and a $66.00 price objective for the company.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total value of $3,378,818.10. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 47,751 shares in the company, valued at $3,202,182.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BMY. Dakota Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter valued at $332,000. Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 111.5% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,052 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $150,000 after buying an additional 1,082 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 53.2% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 165,336 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $12,075,000 after buying an additional 57,444 shares in the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter valued at about $1,997,000. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 25.1% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 338,563 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $24,725,000 after purchasing an additional 68,018 shares during the period. 74.57% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Shares of BMY stock opened at $62.27 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $130.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 0.43. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a fifty-two week low of $62.12 and a fifty-two week high of $81.43. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $65.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $68.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.42.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 51.75% and a net margin of 15.95%. The business had revenue of $11.34 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.50 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.96 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Investors of record on Friday, July 7th will be issued a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 6th. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 66.47%.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(Get Free Report

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Taylor Wimpey plc (LON:TW  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the eight ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 121.33 ($1.56).

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Berenberg Bank raised their price objective on Taylor Wimpey from GBX 111 ($1.43) to GBX 122 ($1.57) and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 12th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Taylor Wimpey from GBX 154 ($1.98) to GBX 141 ($1.81) and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, June 22nd. Barclays lifted their target price on Taylor Wimpey from GBX 125 ($1.61) to GBX 131 ($1.69) and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Taylor Wimpey from GBX 130 ($1.67) to GBX 94 ($1.21) and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 4th.

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Taylor Wimpey Price Performance

Taylor Wimpey stock opened at GBX 104.85 ($1.35) on Thursday. The stocks fifty day moving average price is GBX 113.87 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 115.64. Taylor Wimpey has a one year low of GBX 80.64 ($1.04) and a one year high of GBX 132.07 ($1.70). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.57, a current ratio of 4.71 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The firm has a market cap of 3.70 billion, a PE ratio of 600.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.99 and a beta of 1.77.

Insider Activity at Taylor Wimpey

Taylor Wimpey Company Profile

In other news, insider Mark Castle bought 1,559 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 126 ($1.62) per share, with a total value of 1,964.34 ($2,527.13). 0.97% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

(Get Free Report

Taylor Wimpey plc operates a residential developer in the United Kingdom and Spain. It builds and delivers various homes and communities. Taylor Wimpey plc was incorporated in 1935 and is based in High Wycombe, the United Kingdom.

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Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of CAVA Group (NYSE:CAVA  Free Report) in a research report report published on Monday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm issued a neutral rating and a $42.00 target price on the stock.

CAVA Group Price Performance

NYSE:CAVA opened at $52.01 on Monday. CAVA Group has a fifty-two week low of $36.45 and a fifty-two week high of $52.25.

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Insider Transactions at CAVA Group

In other CAVA Group news, insider Kenneth Robert Bertram purchased 2,295 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was bought at an average price of $22.00 per share, with a total value of $50,490.00. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 1,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at $33,000. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, CFO Tricia K. Tolivar bought 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $22.00 per share, with a total value of $55,000.00. Following the acquisition, the chief financial officer now directly owns 2,500 shares in the company, valued at $55,000. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Kenneth Robert Bertram bought 2,295 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $22.00 per share, with a total value of $50,490.00. Following the acquisition, the insider now owns 1,500 shares in the company, valued at $33,000. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders acquired 9,295 shares of company stock valued at $204,490.

CAVA Group Company Profile

CAVA Group, Inc owns and operates a chain of Mediterranean restaurants. The company offers salads, dips, spreads, toppings, and dressings. It sells its products through whole food markets and grocery stores. The company also provides online food ordering services. Cava Group, Inc was founded in 2006 and is based in Washington, District of Columbia.

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Itau BBA Securities downgraded shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (NYSE:SID  Free Report) from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a research report report published on Monday, Marketbeat.com reports. Itau BBA Securities currently has $2.30 target price on the basic materials companys stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Bank of America lowered shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research report on Monday, June 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, April 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, June 30th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Companhia Siderurgica Nacional has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $2.30.

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Companhia Siderurgica Nacional Stock Up 2.7 %

SID stock opened at $2.67 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. Companhia Siderurgica Nacional has a twelve month low of $2.20 and a twelve month high of $3.70. The companys 50 day moving average is $2.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $2.96. The stock has a market cap of $3.70 billion, a P/E ratio of -267.00, a PEG ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.72.

Companhia Siderurgica Nacional Cuts Dividend

Companhia Siderurgica Nacional ( NYSE:SID Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The basic materials company reported ($0.13) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.21 by ($0.34). Companhia Siderurgica Nacional had a negative return on equity of 0.46% and a negative net margin of 0.24%. The company had revenue of $2.18 billion for the quarter. Research analysts expect that Companhia Siderurgica Nacional will post 0.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a  dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 11th were given a dividend of $0.1175 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 10th. This represents a dividend yield of 23.2%. Companhia Siderurgica Nacionals payout ratio is currently -4,200.00%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SID. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in Companhia Siderurgica Nacional by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 62,453 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $339,000 after acquiring an additional 2,595 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its holdings in shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 69,592 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $207,000 after buying an additional 3,192 shares during the last quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC increased its position in Companhia Siderurgica Nacional by 18.1% in the 4th quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 20,881 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 3,201 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. increased its position in shares of Companhia Siderurgica Nacional by 31.8% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 13,378 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $73,000 after purchasing an additional 3,224 shares during the period. Finally, Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in Companhia Siderurgica Nacional by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 28,000 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $77,000 after buying an additional 3,500 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.25% of the companys stock.

Companhia Siderurgica Nacional Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Companhia Siderurgica Nacional operates as an integrated steel producer in Brazil and Latin America. It operates through five segments: Steel, Mining, Logistics, Energy, and Cement. The company offers flat steel products, such as high, medium, low carbon, micro-alloyed, ultra-low-carbon, and interstitial free slabs; hot-rolled products, including heavy and light-gauge hot-rolled coils and sheets; cold-rolled products comprising cold-rolled coils and sheets; galvanized products; tin mill products consisting of flat-rolled low-carbon steel coils or sheets; and profiles, channels, UPE sections, and steel sleepers for the distribution, packaging, automotive, home appliance, and construction industries.

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DNB Markets lowered shares of Dorian LPG (NYSE:LPG  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note published on Monday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. DNB Markets currently has $26.90 price objective on the shipping companys stock.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on LPG. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Dorian LPG from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $25.00 to $32.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Dorian LPG in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $25.73.

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Dorian LPG Trading Down 1.0 %

Dorian LPG stock opened at $25.68 on Monday. Dorian LPG has a 1 year low of $12.90 and a 1 year high of $26.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 2.47 and a current ratio of 2.50. The firm has a market cap of $1.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.99 and a beta of 1.13. The firms 50 day moving average price is $23.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $21.67.

Dorian LPG Announces Dividend

Dorian LPG ( NYSE:LPG Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 24th. The shipping company reported $1.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.06 by ($0.12). The company had revenue of $133.64 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $138.96 million. Dorian LPG had a net margin of 44.24% and a return on equity of 20.08%. On average, research analysts predict that Dorian LPG will post 3.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a Variable dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 22nd. Investors of record on Monday, May 8th were issued a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 5th. Dorian LPGs payout ratio is 93.24%.

Institutional Trading of Dorian LPG

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Quilter Plc bought a new position in Dorian LPG in the 1st quarter valued at about $745,743,000. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its stake in Dorian LPG by 134.6% during the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,715 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 984 shares in the last quarter. Dorsey Wright & Associates bought a new stake in Dorian LPG during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Dorian LPG by 30.7% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 2,412 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 566 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio bought a new position in Dorian LPG during the first quarter valued at about $61,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the companys stock.

Dorian LPG Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Dorian LPG Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through its LPG tankers worldwide. It owns and operates twenty-five very large gas carriers (VLGCs). The company was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.

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Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN  Free Report) had its price objective cut by Evercore ISI from $52.00 to $50.00 in a report published on Monday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $82.00 to $67.00 in a research note on Friday, March 17th. Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $71.00 to $65.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $87.00 to $81.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 10th. Raymond James upped their price target on shares of Devon Energy from $67.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, April 21st. Finally, Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $82.00 to $71.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $66.89.

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Devon Energy Price Performance

DVN stock opened at $51.09 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 1.02. Devon Energy has a one year low of $44.03 and a one year high of $78.82. The stock has a market cap of $33.41 billion, a PE ratio of 5.57, a P/E/G ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 2.31. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $48.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $53.69.

Devon Energy Cuts Dividend

Devon Energy ( NYSE:DVN Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 8th. The energy company reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.07. Devon Energy had a net margin of 31.39% and a return on equity of 47.42%. The company had revenue of $3.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.82 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.88 EPS. The firms revenue was up .3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Devon Energy will post 6.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th were given a dividend of $0.72 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.64%. Devon Energys dividend payout ratio is 8.72%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Devon Energy

In other Devon Energy news, EVP Dennis C. Cameron sold 8,292 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.97, for a total transaction of $414,351.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 218,418 shares in the company, valued at $10,914,347.46. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.63% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Devon Energy

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of DVN. Wahed Invest LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Wahed Invest LLC now owns 7,933 shares of the energy companys stock worth $469,000 after acquiring an additional 161 shares during the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 18,931 shares of the energy companys stock worth $1,164,000 after acquiring an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. Kanawha Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Kanawha Capital Management LLC now owns 9,782 shares of the energy companys stock worth $602,000 after acquiring an additional 166 shares during the last quarter. Deane Retirement Strategies Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Deane Retirement Strategies Inc. now owns 48,249 shares of the energy companys stock worth $2,968,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Duncker Streett & Co. Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 18.8% in the 4th quarter. Duncker Streett & Co. Inc. now owns 1,140 shares of the energy companys stock worth $70,000 after acquiring an additional 180 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.00% of the companys stock.

Devon Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Anadarko, Williston, Eagle Ford, and Powder River Basin. The company was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Flputnam Investment Management Co. decreased its position in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 7.9% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 396,629 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 33,955 shares during the quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co.s holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $20,775,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Toronto Dominion Bank boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 32,224.4% in the 4th quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 225,994,826 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $18,816,289,000 after purchasing an additional 225,295,680 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the 4th quarter worth $1,325,555,000. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 107.1% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 16,784,516 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,399,817,000 after purchasing an additional 8,680,289 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 62.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 22,255,649 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,853,005,000 after purchasing an additional 8,563,389 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 91,051.8% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,365,193 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $446,706,000 after purchasing an additional 5,359,307 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.77% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 77,640 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total value of $4,018,646.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 59,771,278 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,093,761,349.28. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 6.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Charles Schwab Stock Up 1.5 %

Shares of SCHW traded up $0.90 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $59.31. The stock had a trading volume of 5,405,825 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,044,797. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $53.56 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $63.37. The Charles Schwab Co. has a twelve month low of $45.00 and a twelve month high of $86.63. The firm has a market cap of $104.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.36 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.39 and a quick ratio of 0.39.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 17th. The financial services provider reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $5.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.13 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 27.83% and a net margin of 34.82%. Charles Schwabs revenue for the quarter was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.77 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.2 EPS for the current year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is 27.32%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently issued reports on SCHW. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $69.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 5th. Wolfe Research dropped their price objective on Charles Schwab from $62.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Monday, June 26th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price objective on Charles Schwab from $89.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Bank of America raised their price objective on Charles Schwab from $46.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 15th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price objective on Charles Schwab from $70.00 to $65.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $67.23.

About Charles Schwab

(Free Report)

The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report).

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Tesco PLC (LON:TSCO  Get Free Report) insider Ken Murphy bought 56 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 7th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 247 ($3.18) per share, for a total transaction of 138.32 ($177.95).

Ken Murphy also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, May 12th, Ken Murphy purchased 51 shares of Tesco stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 275 ($3.54) per share, for a total transaction of 140.25 ($180.43).

On Friday, April 14th, Ken Murphy bought 51 shares of Tesco stock. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 267 ($3.43) per share, for a total transaction of 136.17 ($175.18).

Tesco Stock Performance

LON:TSCO opened at GBX 250.40 ($3.22) on Thursday. Tesco PLC has a 12 month low of GBX 194.35 ($2.50) and a 12 month high of GBX 285.30 ($3.67). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 123.29, a current ratio of 0.72 and a quick ratio of 0.60. The firm has a market capitalization of 17.95 billion, a PE ratio of 2,504.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 0.65. The businesss fifty day moving average price is GBX 262.23 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 256.58.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

About Tesco

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on TSCO. Shore Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Tesco in a research note on Monday, July 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Tesco from GBX 290 ($3.73) to GBX 270 ($3.47) and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th.

(Get Free Report)

Tesco PLC, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a grocery retailer in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. It offers grocery products through its stores, as well as online. The company is also involved in the food and drink wholesaling activities.

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BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. debt crises have exposed flaws in U.S. politics and fiscal policy, an Italian economist has said, warning governments and investors around the world to be alerted.

Andrew Spannaus, lecturer of Catholic University of Milan, said the U.S. government bonds have long been considered as a safe asset, but investors' confidence has been affected by the repeated debt crises which erode the creditworthiness of the U.S. government and the value of dollar assets.

According to the Global Debt Monitor issued by the Institute of International Finance recently, the global debt stock has hit 305 trillion U.S. dollars, 45 trillion dollars higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic.



The United States has the world's highest national debt, which stands at 31.4 trillion U.S. dollars, raising further concerns about U.S. government spending and borrowing costs.

Since 1945, the United States has raised its debt ceiling 103 times. In recent years, many businesses have begun to adopt "de-dollarization" methods in international trade due to the fluctuations of the greenback, the slump in the U.S. economy as well as potential political risks.





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KBR (NYSE:KBR  Get Free Report) was upgraded by StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Tuesday.

Separately, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of KBR from $70.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 30th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, KBR currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $67.14.

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KBR Stock Down 0.6 %

NYSE KBR opened at $64.56 on Tuesday. KBR has a 1 year low of $41.96 and a 1 year high of $65.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.76 billion, a PE ratio of 28.32, a PEG ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.13. The businesss 50-day moving average is $61.82 and its 200 day moving average is $56.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.99.

Insiders Place Their Bets

KBR ( NYSE:KBR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 1st. The construction company reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $1.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.61 billion. KBR had a net margin of 5.30% and a return on equity of 26.13%. KBRs revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.62 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that KBR will post 2.88 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, CEO Stuart Bradie sold 900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.20, for a total transaction of $53,280.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 669,639 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $39,642,628.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Jennifer Myles sold 480 shares of KBR stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.32, for a total transaction of $31,353.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,520 shares in the company, valued at $948,446.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Stuart Bradie sold 900 shares of KBR stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.20, for a total value of $53,280.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 669,639 shares of the companys stock, valued at $39,642,628.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 123,656 shares of company stock valued at $7,565,090 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 1.03% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of KBR

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Pacer Advisors Inc. bought a new position in KBR during the 2nd quarter worth about $1,548,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of KBR in the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. Engrave Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of KBR in the 2nd quarter valued at $227,000. Toroso Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of KBR by 7.7% in the 1st quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 5,555 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $306,000 after acquiring an additional 398 shares during the period. Finally, Putnam Investments LLC raised its stake in shares of KBR by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Putnam Investments LLC now owns 278,478 shares of the construction companys stock worth $15,330,000 after acquiring an additional 7,643 shares in the last quarter.

About KBR

(Get Free Report)

KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. The company operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

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Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of CAVA Group (NYSE:CAVA  Free Report) in a research note released on Monday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage issued an equal weight rating and a $43.00 price target on the stock.

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on CAVA. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of CAVA Group in a research report on Monday. They set a buy rating and a $48.00 price target for the company. Citigroup started coverage on shares of CAVA Group in a report on Monday. They issued a neutral rating and a $42.00 target price for the company. Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on shares of CAVA Group in a report on Monday. They issued a buy rating and a $48.00 target price for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of CAVA Group in a report on Monday. They set an overweight rating and a $45.00 price objective for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $45.86.

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CAVA Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CAVA opened at $52.01 on Monday. CAVA Group has a 1 year low of $36.45 and a 1 year high of $52.25.

Insider Activity at CAVA Group

About CAVA Group

In other news, Director Theodoros Xenohristos purchased 4,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $22.00 per share, for a total transaction of $99,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $99,000. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . In other news, CFO Tricia K. Tolivar purchased 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 20th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $22.00 per share, for a total transaction of $55,000.00. Following the acquisition, the chief financial officer now owns 2,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at $55,000. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, Director Theodoros Xenohristos purchased 4,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $22.00 per share, for a total transaction of $99,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 4,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $99,000. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . Over the last ninety days, insiders acquired 9,295 shares of company stock worth $204,490.

(Get Free Report)

CAVA Group, Inc owns and operates a chain of Mediterranean restaurants. The company offers salads, dips, spreads, toppings, and dressings. It sells its products through whole food markets and grocery stores. The company also provides online food ordering services. Cava Group, Inc was founded in 2006 and is based in Washington, District of Columbia.

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NICE (OTCMKTS:NCSYF  Get Free Report) is one of 304 public companies in the SoftwareApplication industry, but how does it compare to its peers? We will compare NICE to related companies based on the strength of its dividends, valuation, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations and profitability.

Dividends

NICE pays an annual dividend of $0.69 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. NICE pays out 90.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, SoftwareApplication companies pay a dividend yield of 1.8% and pay out 70.9% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. NICE lags its peers as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio.

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Valuation and Earnings

This table compares NICE and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio NICE N/A N/A 257.58 NICE Competitors $415.49 million -$11.28 million 552.91

Institutional and Insider Ownership

NICEs peers have higher revenue, but lower earnings than NICE. NICE is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

7.1% of NICE shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 33.4% of shares of all SoftwareApplication companies are owned by institutional investors. 29.3% of shares of all SoftwareApplication companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares NICE and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets NICE N/A N/A N/A NICE Competitors -32.25% -241.35% -8.10%

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings for NICE and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score NICE 0 0 0 0 N/A NICE Competitors 433 1771 3857 23 2.57

As a group, SoftwareApplication companies have a potential upside of 31.51%. Given NICEs peers higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe NICE has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Summary

NICE peers beat NICE on 7 of the 10 factors compared.

NICE Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

NICE Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides cloud platforms for AI-driven digital business solutions worldwide. It offers CXone, a cloud native open platform; Enlighten, an AI engine for CX that discovers automation opportunities for self-service; digital-entry points solutions that enable organizations to address consumers' needs; and journey orchestration solutions that empower organizations to connect and route customers to deal with the customer's request, and connects them using real time AI-based routing. The company also provides smart self service solutions that empower organizations to build intelligent automated conversations based on data; and prepared agent solutions and tools enable contact center agents to guide and alert them in real time; complete performance solutions that help organizations to record structured and unstructured customer interaction and transaction data; and NICE Evidencentral, an digital evidence management platform for public safety emergency communications, law enforcement, and criminal justice helps agencies. In addition, it offers X-Sight, is an open and flexible AI-cloud platform for financial crime and compliance; Xceed, a cloud platform for comprehensive AML and fraud prevention for small and mid-sized organizations; data intelligence solutions that enable organizations to turn raw data into comprehensive actionable intelligence to prevent and detect financial crimes; AI and analytics technologies to detect and prevent financial crimes in real-time; money laundering and fraud prevention solutions that help organizations adhere to capital markets compliance and anti-money laundering compliance regulations; intelligent investigations solutions; and self-service solutions that provide organizations with customization and self-development capabilities. The company was formerly known as NICE-Systems Ltd. and changed its name to NICE Ltd. in June 2016. NICE Ltd. was founded in 1986 and is based in Ra'anana, Israel.

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HSBC cut shares of Pernod Ricard (OTCMKTS:PDRDF  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Pernod Ricard from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, March 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$243.33.

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Pernod Ricard Stock Performance

PDRDF opened at C$223.80 on Monday. The stocks fifty day moving average is C$221.09 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$215.79. Pernod Ricard has a 52 week low of C$164.11 and a 52 week high of C$238.75.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard SA produces and sells wines and spirits worldwide. The company offers whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, liqueur and bitters, champagne, tequila and mezcal, and aperitif under the brands 100 Pipers, Aberlour, Absolut, Absolut Elyx, Altos, ARARAT, Augier, Avion, Ballantine's, Becherovka, Beefeater, Blenders Pride, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Ceder's, Chivas, Church Road, Clan Campbell, Del Maguey, George Wyndham, Green Spot, Havana Club, Imperial, Imperial Blue, Italicus, J.P.

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River Road Asset Management LLC lowered its position in BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ  Free Report) by 2.6% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 2,267,227 shares of the companys stock after selling 60,084 shares during the period. BJs Wholesale Club comprises about 2.4% of River Road Asset Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th biggest position. River Road Asset Management LLCs holdings in BJs Wholesale Club were worth $172,468,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in BJ. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. purchased a new position in BJs Wholesale Club in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its holdings in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 45.6% in the 4th quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,222 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 383 shares in the last quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of BJs Wholesale Club in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of BJs Wholesale Club during the 4th quarter valued at about $46,000. Finally, Cambridge Trust Co. raised its holdings in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 39.5% during the 4th quarter. Cambridge Trust Co. now owns 749 shares of the companys stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 212 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.02% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently commented on BJ shares. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $90.00 to $80.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on BJs Wholesale Club from $65.00 to $62.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Bank of America cut their target price on BJs Wholesale Club from $87.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on BJs Wholesale Club from $89.00 to $77.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price objective on BJs Wholesale Club from $83.00 to $74.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, BJs Wholesale Club has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $74.40.

Insiders Place Their Bets

BJs Wholesale Club Stock Performance

In other news, EVP Monica Schwartz sold 15,168 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.85, for a total transaction of $938,140.80. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,962 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,605,749.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Company insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock.

BJ traded down $1.68 during trading on Thursday, hitting $63.72. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,542,727 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,774,399. BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. has a one year low of $60.33 and a one year high of $80.41. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $65.12 and its 200-day simple moving average is $70.25. The company has a quick ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. The firm has a market cap of $8.56 billion, a PE ratio of 17.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.47.

BJs Wholesale Club (NYSE:BJ  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, May 23rd. The company reported $0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.01. BJs Wholesale Club had a return on equity of 53.66% and a net margin of 2.64%. The company had revenue of $4.72 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.81 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.87 earnings per share. BJs Wholesale Clubs quarterly revenue was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. will post 3.9 EPS for the current fiscal year.

BJs Wholesale Club Profile

(Free Report)

BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates warehouse clubs on the eastern half of the United States. It provides perishable, general merchandise, gasoline, coupon books, promotions, and other ancillary services. The company sells its products through the websites BJs.com, BerkleyJensen.com, and Wellsleyfarms.com, as well as the mobile app.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ  Free Report).

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Taseko Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:TGB  Free Report) (TSE:TKO) had its price target reduced by Stifel Nicolaus from C$3.80 to C$3.60 in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

TGB has been the subject of several other research reports. Scotiabank decreased their price target on Taseko Mines from C$2.50 to C$2.40 in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Taseko Mines in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company.

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Taseko Mines Price Performance

Shares of TGB opened at $1.45 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $418.48 million, a P/E ratio of -18.31 and a beta of 1.97. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $1.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $1.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a current ratio of 1.75 and a quick ratio of 0.94. Taseko Mines has a 12 month low of $0.89 and a 12 month high of $1.90.

Institutional Trading of Taseko Mines

Taseko Mines ( NYSEAMERICAN:TGB Get Free Report ) (TSE:TKO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The mining company reported $0.01 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.01. The firm had revenue of $85.44 million during the quarter. Taseko Mines had a negative return on equity of 0.05% and a negative net margin of 7.01%. On average, research analysts forecast that Taseko Mines will post 0.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in shares of Taseko Mines by 339.9% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 155,640 shares of the mining companys stock worth $258,000 after acquiring an additional 120,257 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP bought a new stake in shares of Taseko Mines in the 1st quarter worth approximately $355,000. CenterBook Partners LP lifted its position in shares of Taseko Mines by 80.9% in the 1st quarter. CenterBook Partners LP now owns 710,562 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,180,000 after acquiring an additional 317,809 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its position in shares of Taseko Mines by 82.7% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 446,193 shares of the mining companys stock worth $741,000 after acquiring an additional 202,033 shares during the period. Finally, HRT Financial LP bought a new stake in shares of Taseko Mines in the 1st quarter worth approximately $64,000. Institutional investors own 16.55% of the companys stock.

About Taseko Mines

(Get Free Report)

Taseko Mines Limited, a mining company, acquires, develops, and operates mineral properties. It explores for copper, molybdenum, gold, niobium, and silver deposits. The company holds 75% interest in the Gibraltar mine located in British Columbia. It also holds 100% interest in Yellowhead copper project, the Aley niobium project, and the New Prosperity gold and copper project located in British Columbia; and the Florence copper project located in Arizona.

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Shares of Ternium S.A. (NYSE:TX  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the seven analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $47.14.

Several brokerages recently weighed in on TX. StockNews.com upgraded Ternium from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday. Bank of America downgraded Ternium from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $56.00 to $47.00 in a research report on Monday, June 12th.

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Ternium Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:TX opened at $42.18 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $39.77 and a 200-day moving average of $39.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 2.55 and a current ratio of 4.00. The firm has a market cap of $8.28 billion, a PE ratio of 6.06 and a beta of 1.54. Ternium has a twelve month low of $26.01 and a twelve month high of $45.81.

Institutional Trading of Ternium

Ternium ( NYSE:TX Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The basic materials company reported $1.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.93. The business had revenue of $3.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.67 billion. Ternium had a return on equity of 9.84% and a net margin of 8.68%. Terniums revenue for the quarter was down 15.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.95 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Ternium will post 6.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TX. Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. boosted its stake in shares of Ternium by 14.3% in the 2nd quarter. Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. now owns 10,856 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $431,000 after buying an additional 1,356 shares during the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV purchased a new position in Ternium in the first quarter worth about $226,000. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Ternium by 200.5% during the first quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 14,005 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $578,000 after buying an additional 9,344 shares during the period. Squarepoint Ops LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ternium in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,060,000. Finally, Fortis Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in Ternium by 1,971.9% in the first quarter. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC now owns 663 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 631 shares in the last quarter.

Ternium Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Ternium SA, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, processes, and sells various steel products in Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil, the United States, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. It operates through two segments, Steel and Mining.

Further Reading

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Totally (LON:TLY  Free Report) had its price target reduced by Canaccord Genuity Group from GBX 40 ($0.51) to GBX 30 ($0.39) in a research note released on Monday, Marketbeat.com reports. Canaccord Genuity Group currently has a buy rating on the health services providers stock.

Separately, Canaccord Genuity Group lowered their price target on shares of Totally from GBX 40 ($0.51) to GBX 30 ($0.39) and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday.

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Totally Price Performance

LON TLY remained flat at GBX 11.63 ($0.15) during trading hours on Monday. 2,637,938 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 983,894. Totally has a one year low of GBX 11 ($0.14) and a one year high of GBX 44.90 ($0.58). The company has a market cap of 22.82 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3,350.00 and a beta of 0.75. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is GBX 19.01 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 22.26. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.65.

Totally Cuts Dividend

About Totally

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 11th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 7th will be paid a dividend of GBX 0.13 ($0.00) per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 7th. This represents a yield of 0.74%.

(Get Free Report)

Totally plc, through its subsidiaries, provides out-of-hospital healthcare services in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It operates through Urgent Care, Planned Care, and Insourcing segments. The company offers a range of treatment and advice for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, such as physiotherapy and podiatry to NHS patients; fitness, and occupational health and ergonomic services to corporate and private clients.

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This aerial photo taken on May 9, 2023 shows the container terminal at Lianyungang Port, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Photo by Geng Yuhe/Xinhua)

BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China's customs data showed Thursday that the country's total goods imports and exports expanded 2.1 percent year on year in yuan terms in the first half of 2023.

The country saw goods imports and exports exceeding 20 trillion yuan (about 2.8 trillion U.S. dollars) for the first time in the January-June period, according to the General Administration of Customs.

Exports grew 3.7 percent year on year to 11.46 trillion yuan while imports edged down 0.1 percent from a year earlier to 8.64 trillion yuan, the data showed. 
Mob described as Ambon boys in Indonesia reportedly bedeviled a Nigerian man identified as George Onyekachi Onuoha at Tangerang last Sunday, 9 July, 2023.

Noting the death of George Onyekachi, it has unearthed the unlawful killing of several other Nigerians in Indonesia.

The report about the death of George was disclosed by SaharaReporters who learnt this from a Nigerian, an eyewitness of the incident. Besides that, the President of Nigerian community in Indonesia, Chief Omeogo Okolie confirmed the terrifying incident.

Moreover, the eyewitness who spoke to SahaReporters has in a statement testified to the recurrence of the unlawful attacks and killing of Nigerians in the country by the locals. He bemoaned the soft attention given to the situation by officials in the embassy.

His words read;

This happened on Sunday morning in Indonesia, our brother, a Nigerian man was mobbed and killed by the locals. This is not the first time. It keeps happening and the embassy is useless. They do nothing,

Chief Omeogo Okolie, the President of the Nigerian community in Indonesia who confirmed the incident gives more details about the Death of George. According to him, the killing of Georgia was not a mistaken identity; it was targeted.

The cause or reason for the attack on George is yet to be revealed. However, the president confirmed that police have commenced investigation over the matter and the embassy is waiting for official report from the police.

His words read partly;

We can confirm the sudden death of our brother, Late Mr George Onyekachi Onuoha, (Mazi) who was murdered by suspected Ambon boys at Tangerang yesterday, 9th July 2023.

Preliminary information on the cause of his death is NOT a case of missed identity, it shows he was a target, but police have officially commenced investigation, there is no arrest so far, also the embassy is waiting for the official report from the police on this which we hope will come soon, but we trust soon all those involved both insider and outsider will be arrested and the full update on that will also be made public for Nigerians to know.

So far, we plead with everyone to remain calm, law abiding, and careful as we wait patiently. Meanwhile, the body of our brother has been deposited to the mortuary at the moment.

Moreover, in respect to this, Arinze Igweike and Leohand Lyeanyi were the Nigerian nationals who have died in the same manner in Indonesia a few years back.

In March this year, a Nigerian national, Leohand Lyeanyi, was murdered under a controversial circumstance while he was arrested by the Indian police in Delhi.

In March 2022, a Nigerian national, Arinze Igweike was beaten to death by Indonesian immigration.

Igweike, from Onitsha, Anambra State was said to have been arrested by the Indonesian immigration along with two other Nigerians from the Southwest in Jakarta.

They were said to have been beaten thoroughly with Igweike unable to survive the assault.
Drama ensued as a 21-year old son rejected the idea of schooling as he attacked his father who intruded in his relationship with a sugar mummy.

A video shared via the Micro-blogging platform, Twitter by Abdllateef Solihu has captured a comic incident of a commotion that unfolds in an unidentified area in Nigeria.

In the video, a father alongside a female intermediary invaded the house of his son's sugar mummy. He besieged the place to free his son from the bondage of a sugar mummy.

Getting to the scene, the 21-year old man emerged from the flat of his sugar mummy. The father made a quick step further to attack his son. The son on the other hand was prepared and he pushed his father away.

What followed was a shrilling noise from the father who insisted that the boy should leave his sugar mummy and continue his education. The boy returned the attack with the same energy and rejected his father's idea of going back to school.

Shortly afterwards, the sugar mummy walked into the scene to take the side of his young boyfriend. According to the boy's father, the Sugar Mummy is enough to be his son's mother.

The boy and his sugar mummy fought his father fiercely and citing the fact that he is old enough to take decision for himself.

The drama has generated mixed reactions in social media as people expressed concerns for the boy's future.
The Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has rejected President Bola Ahmed Tinubus offer to opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), LP and others, to nominate persons for board appointments.

It was learnt that the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, had made the development known at a meeting of the forum that Tinubu asked the governors to nominate competent persons to serve in the boards and parastatals of Federal Government agencies which were dissolved last month.

No fewer than 2,000 vacant positions on the boards are expected to be filled by new nominees following Tinubus dissolution of the governing boards of over 153 agencies, parastatals, institutions and government-owned companies.

Notable agencies include the North-East Development Commission with 12 vacant board slots, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission with seven board seats; Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, seven; Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, 21; Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, 12; National Universities Commission, 21 and Transmission Commission of Nigeria, 14; National Health Insurance Authority,12

Others are the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, 7; Nigerian Meteorological Agency, seven; Nigerian College of Aviation Technology,8; Nigerian Police Trust Fund, 8; Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency,10; Federal Institute of Industrial Research, 11 and National Centre for Technology Management, 11.

Also on the list are the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, 11; Nigerian Customs Service, 11; National Pension Commission, 17; National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons, 11; National Identity Management Commission, 19; West Africa Examination Council, 8; Niger Delta Development Commission, 13; National Institute of Sports,12; Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company,12; National Bureau of Statistics,15; Federal Inland Revenue Services, 15; Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, 8 and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency,7, among others.

In a communique issued at the end of the NGF meeting on Wednesday, Governor Abdulrazaq said the members of the forum resolved to commend the President for extending an opportunity to the governors to nominate board members across the party lines.

The Chief Spokesman for Obi-Datti Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko, while reacting to Tinubus offer of board slots to the governors across party lines, described it as a gimmick to lure the opposition governments and chieftains into the ruling party.

He said such a subtle move will not change the fact that Tinubus presidency is an illegitimate government.

He said, APC is doing everything in their crooked book to ensure they legitimize this government, which we have resisted vehemently. We will only do what is rightfully ours when the court makes its decision and pronouncement.

But as far as we are concerned, every attempt we see them do is a means to cajole people to believe and legitimize their government. That is the truth about it.

He added, Sending letters to state governors is part of the process of legitimizing their governance, which we are resisting. At the moment, LP has only one governor. The belief is that the governor may likely dance to their tune.

But the truth about it is that will the APC tell you they dont have party people in Abia State that they can nominate? Why must they go through the governor to do so? What they are aiming to do is to indirectly co-opt him into their party. Thats the truth.

On his part, Peter Obis media aide, Tai Emeka Obasi, said as much as what the president is attempting to do appears positive, it is not enough to legitimise his government.

It is obviously a gimmick. Of course, you know the man (Tinubu) and the problem he is facing in court. It is easy for one to see what he is trying to do even though it looks positive though.

But again, the oppositions are not fools. As we are concerned, we still see his government as an interim one, he concluded.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said, I am not even aware that the President has asked the governors to make their nominations to the boards of parastatals.

I have not spoken with the PDP governors and until I do so, it would not be appropriate to make a comment on this on behalf of the party.

Also speaking, the PDP presidential candidate in the last election, Atiku Abubakar said a reaction is unnecessary.

Speaking through his media aide, Mr Paul Ibe, the former Vice President said, It is not within our purview to react to issues like this. So, no comment.
SEOUL, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Price for imported goods to South Korea fell for the second straight month in June due to lower prices for mining and oil products, central bank data showed Thursday.

The import price index retreated 3.4 percent in June from a month earlier after sliding 3.1 percent in May, according to the Bank of Korea.

Price for imported raw materials fell 2.8 percent last month on cheaper mining products, the import price of which dipped 2.8 percent.

Imported intermediary goods price declined 4.5 percent as price for coal and oil products dropped 10.1 percent.

Import prices for capital and consumer goods shed 2.6 percent and 2.1 percent each.

Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, averaged 74.99 U.S. dollars per barrel in June, almost unchanged from 74.96 dollars in the prior month.

The average won/dollar exchange rate slipped to 1,296.71 won per dollar in June from 1,328.21 won in the previous month.

The export price index diminished 2.8 percent in June on a monthly basis, keeping a downward trend for the second consecutive month. 
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the framework for palliatives to remedy the effects of fuel subsidy removal was being worked out, assuring that the decision was in the best interest of the country, especially in guaranteeing future prosperity.

President Tinubu, who received 18 governors who served with him, Class of 1999, at the Presidential Villa, appealed for more patience from Nigerians, while the government will increase effort, speed up the process and ensure a full-proof social security structure that will not be compromised, especially in cash-transfer.

I understand that our people are suffering yet there can be no childbirth without pain. The joy of childbirth is the relief that comes after the pain. Nigeria is reborn already with fuel subsidy removal. It is a rebirth of the country for the largest number over a few smugglers.

Please tell the people to be a little patient.

The palliative is coming. I dont want cash-transfer to fall into wrong hands. I know it pinches and it is difficult. In the end, we will rejoice in the prosperity of our country, he told the governors, who were led by former Governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion.

We served as governors and sat in this Council Chamber. All I wanted was democracy and the salvation of the country. I never thought I was going to be here as President, but God Almighty has brought me, President Tinubu stated.

The President assured the governors and Nigerians that he will work towards unity, equity, stability, and prosperity of the country.

My commitment to that democratic value is unwavering. I am overwhelmed and honored by the numbers of you here, he said, I have an open door policy. You are my advisers. We went into the pond and wrestled with a pig. We got dirty, and cleaned up. That is why I am here today.

President Tinubu noted that the country will not make meaningful progress without fixing electricity, assuring that his administration will harness gas resources, and explore every opportunity to ensure stable power generation and supply.

On Security, the President who had earlier met with Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State to review situation in the North East, appealed to Nigerians, especially Plateau State, to sheath their swords and use dialogue in resolving conflicts, adding that issues of borders were man-made, not created by God.

We will do everything possible to stabilize the country, he added.

According to Dale Alake, the presidential spokeperson, the former governors urged the President to pursue his vision for a greater Nigeria with vigour, steadfastness, and resilience, trusting their support for development policies, and promising to provide the necessary social structure for actualization.

We are here with you. We are your foot soldiers, and you can tap into our experience. You are a person who believes in Nigeria. With your good leadership, Nigeria will take its place, Igbinedion, Chairman, Class of 1999, said.

He affirmed that they were 19 at the meeting, including President Tinubu, who was former Governor of Lagos State and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, former Governor of Benue State, while ten of their mates had passed on.

Other governors at the meeting with President Tinubu were Niyi Adebayo, Ekiti State, Sen. Orji Uzo Kalu, Abia State, Sen. Sam Egwu, Ebonyi State, Adamu Muazu, Bauchi State, Donald Duke, Cross River State, James Ibori, Delta State, Obong Victor Attah, Akwa Ibom State, Chimaroke Nnamani, Enugu State, Saminu Turaki, Jigawa State, Sen. Aleiro Adamu, Olusegun Osoba, Ogun State, Adebisi Akande, Osun State, Sen. Joshua Dariye, Plateau State, Attahiru Bafarawa, Sokoto State, Ahmad Sani Yarima, Zamfara State and Rev. Jolly Nyame, Taraba State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed displeasure over President Bola Tinubus proposed N500 billion palliative for fuel subsidy removal.

The labour union said the N500 billion proposed by the President is inadequate to cushion Nigerian workers hardships due to the fuel subsidy removal.

Recall that Tinubu had on Wednesday written to the House of Representatives seeking approval for N500 billion to cushion the effects of petrol subsidy removal.

The president, in his letter, proposed an amendment to the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act.

He said, I write to the House of Reps to approve the amendment of the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act in accordance with the attached.

The request has become necessarily important to, among other things, the source for funds necessary to provide palliatives to mitigate the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy on Nigerians.

Thus, the sum of N500bn only has been extracted from the 2022 Supplementary Act of N819,536,937,815 for the provision of palliative to cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal.

However, the NLC has insisted that the proposed amount is too small to lift about 125 million Nigerians out of poverty.

Reacting to the development, the National Treasurer of the NLC, Hakeem Ambali, argued on the extent the N500 billion can go.

According to him, We have over 125m Nigerians that are technically poor. To what extent can this cushion the effects of this economic hardship?

Speaking further on better alternatives to explore by the President, the NLC official asked for a Minimum wage review of 300 per cent to all workers; granting licences to individuals for modular refineries to refine petrol locally; granting economic stimulus loan to SMEs at 15 per cent rate.

The government should provide social benefits for aged and unemployed youths; agric loans to farmers and youths through the Agric Bank and community banks at single digit rate; provide alternative energy supply such as massive investment in solar power and Compressed Natural Gas to motorists.

Fix the refineries; reverse the privatization of electricity back to the state due to poor performance; Execute metro rail line projects in all state capitals and reduction of school fees for students of tertiary institutions.
As expected, the fintech revenues will grow sixfold from $245 billion to $1.5 trillion by 2030 globally, Nigeria will play a vital role in the next seven years and beyond.

According to a new report, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and QED Investors, observed that Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa are the markets leading fintech growth in Africa.

In the report, The Global Fintech 2023: Reimagining the Future of Finance, it forecasts that Africa will be the fastest growing region and projects a compound yearly growth rate (CAGR) of 32 per cent until 2030, with the four countries playing a vital role.

Analysis of the report explained the growth of fintech companies across various sub-sectors, including payments, lending, deposits (including neo-banking), insurance, wealth management, and financial infrastructure, saying there have been major developments across the ecosystem.

In the Fintech Global Researchs latest study, it noted that African fintech funding ended the quarter at $331 million, a 17 per cent reduction from the same period in 2022.

In the period, Nigeria proved to be the most active country for fintech deal making in Africa with 12 deals, a 32 per cent share of total deals.

Similarly, the BCG and QED report stated that globally and in Africa, the fintech journey is still in its early stages and will continue to transform the financial services industry.

Following this, a partner at BCG, Johannesburg, Caio Anteghini, comments: Even though financial services remains one of the most profitable sectors of the economy worldwide, it struggles with innovation and customer experience remains poor.

More than half of the population in the world remains unbanked or underbanked, with the majority in emerging economies, and technology continues to unlock new use cases in leaps and bounds.

Stakeholders must therefore seize the moment. Regulators be proactive and lead from the front, while incumbents should partner with fintech to accelerate their digital journeys.

Speaking on behalf of QED investors, Managing Partner and Co-Author of the report, Nigel Morris, stated that, We expect to see continued growth not only in developed markets in the US and Europe, but also in developing fintech markets in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, where the inertia and friction are even greater. QED remains more bullish than ever about the future of fintech and its promise to improve the lives of billions of people across the world," Nigel said.
New York, July 13, 2023Bangladesh authorities must immediately drop their investigation into journalist Adhora Yeasmean and stop using the Digital Security Act to intimidate journalists in retaliation for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday.

On May 13, the Chittagong Cyber Tribunal, which adjudicates alleged cybercrime offenses in southeast Bangladesh, registered a complaint under the Digital Security Act against Yeasmean and her source in relation to the RTV broadcast reporters April 30 video investigation exposing alleged crimes by the conversative Islamic organization Rajarbagh Darbar Sharif and one of its leaders, Shakerul Kabir, according to news reports and a person familiar with the case, who spoke to CPJ on the condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal.

Kabir filed the complaint accusing her of violating three sections of the Digital Security Act, according to CPJs review of the document. In her investigation, Yeasmean reported that Kabir has been accused of extortion, land grabbing, and violence against women.

The Digital Security Act, which criminalizes several forms of speech online, has frequently been used to target critical journalists in Bangladesh since its enactment in 2018. In March 2023, Bangladesh authorities arrested a Prothom Alo reporter and opened multiple investigations under the act into the leading newspapers leadership and staff, prompting United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk to reiterate his call on authorities to impose an immediate moratorium on the law.

CPJ and other rights groups also have called for the suspension of the law.

It is appalling that Bangladeshi journalist Adhora Yeasmean has been targeted under the draconian Digital Security Act for her investigative reporting, said Carlos Martinez de la Serna, CPJs program director. Authorities must immediately drop their investigation, stop using the act against journalists, and ensure Yeasmean is not subjected to further retaliation for her work.

Yeasmean found out about the complaint on July 8, in a call from a local police station. The next day, she learned she had been summoned for questioning on July 14 at the police Criminal Investigation Department in Chittagongs Noakhali sub-district, about 173 kilometers (107 miles) from her home in the capital city Dhaka, according to the person who spoke to CPJ.

Yeasmeans source, who appeared in her video investigation, is named as an accused in the complaint. Rajarbagh Darbar Sharif, led by Pir Dillur Rahman, has previously been accused of filing fabricated criminal complaints to facilitate land grabbing.

CPJ called and messaged Kabir and Muhammad Rafiqul Islam, the investigating officer in the case, but did not receive any replies.

Editors note: This report has been updated to correct the spelling of the reporters name.
ASEAN-plus-three to meet on South China Sea, economic ties

JAKARTA: Economic cooperation and the disputed South China Sea will be on the agenda when Southeast Asian foreign ministers meet their Chinese, Japanese and South Korean counterparts for ASEAN-plus-three talks today (July 13).

ChinesepoliticsCOVID-19

By AFP

Thursday 13 July 2023 08:53 AM

Representatives of the ASEAN states at the Foreign Ministers Meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday (July 11). Photo: AFP

China will be represented at the talks by top diplomat Wang Yi instead of Foreign Minister Qin Gang after Qin pulled out for health reasons, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his South Korean counterpart Park Jin will also attend.

The grouping was established after the 1997 Asian financial crisis to develop better economic ties between Southeast Asian nations and East Asian powers.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations members include this years chair Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, the Philippines and Myanmar.

Experts said the South China Sea will be a priority because China claims almost the entirety of the strategic waterway and several ASEAN members complain about Beijing infringing on their own overlapping territorial claims there.

South China Sea is probably going to be one of the issues discussed during the ASEAN-plus-three meeting in light of recent tensions in the area, said Aleksius Jemadu, professor at Pelita Harapan University in the capital Jakarta.

The waterway is an important shipping route and is crucial for both Tokyos and Seouls global supply chains.

Western and Asian powers have been rattled by Beijings increasing assertiveness in the region, where it is applying pressure on self-ruled Taiwan and its patrol vessels have clashed with other nations ships.

The crisis in coup-racked Myanmar will also be on the list of topics to be addressed because it is a thorny issue that divides ASEAN members, said Teuku Rezasyah, international relations expert at Padjadjaran University.

Japan and South Korea have an interest to prevent Myanmar from joining Chinas orbit, he said.

Recent meetings of the group have discussed ways to better cooperate on health and economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic to make the Asia-Pacific region one of the dominant drivers of global economic growth.

ASEAN ministerial meetings will also be held around todays ASEAN-plus-three talks with countries that will be taking part in tomorrows 18-nation East Asia Summit.

That includes India, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, China, Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Jakarta this morning and will meet ASEAN members tomorrow.
Photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows an ancient tomb stele at the Zeugma Museum in Gaziantep province, Turkiye. Turkish culture minister said Thursday that Italy has returned a 1,800-year-old smuggled tomb stele. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

ANKARA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkish culture minister said Thursday that Italy has returned a 1,800-year-old smuggled tomb stele.

The relic smuggled from the ancient city of Zeugma in Turkiye and found in Italy last year, was handed over to the Zeugma Museum in Turkiye's southern Gaziantep province, Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy told reporters.

The stele features a female figure and words saying "Farewell, Satornila, the wife who loved her husband," the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported, citing Ersoy.

Speaking to a press conference in the Zeugma Museum, the minister revealed that the Italian authorities reached out to Turkish side after seizing the tomb stele.

Later, examination by Turkish experts showed that the stele had been stolen and smuggled from Zeugma, he said, thanking Italy for facilitating the return of the relic. 

Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy speaks during a press conference at the Zeugma Museum in Gaziantep province, Turkiye, on July 13, 2023. Turkish culture minister said Thursday that Italy has returned a 1,800-year-old smuggled tomb stele. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

Photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows an ancient tomb stele at the Zeugma Museum in Gaziantep province, Turkiye. Turkish culture minister said Thursday that Italy has returned a 1,800-year-old smuggled tomb stele. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
Companies on edge regarding delay

BANGKOK: The private sector has grown increasingly concerned about the delay in the new governments formation, which could affect new investments and the tourism sector.

economicspolitics

By Bangkok Post

Thursday 13 July 2023 12:32 PM

BUDGET FIASCO: (From left) Pairoj Chotikasathien, director-general of the employment department at the Labour Ministry, Mr Poj and Wiboon Supakonpongkul, director of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. Mr Poj says the private sector relies on foreign workers to drive the economy and businesses, particularly in the tourism and service sectors, construction, real estate, food processing and SMEs.

Following the Election Commissions (EC) resolution on Wednesday (July 12) to recommend the Constitutional Court disqualify prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat and suspend his parliamentary duties because of his ownership of shares in a media company in violation of electoral rules, Poj Aramwattananont, vice-chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the private sector can accept any actions that comply with constitutional law, which is considered paramount.

IMPACT INEVITABLE

The delayed formation of the government may affect the confidence of new investors who are planning to enter the market, he said, reported the Bangkok Post.

The private sector is also concerned that if the delay persists, it will greatly mar investor confidence because they want to know the policies of a new government and Cabinet. These policies will influence their decisions on future investments, said Mr Poj.

Existing investors may continue their investments, but potential new investors may delay their decisions, he said.

As long as political protests are peaceful, they do not threaten the business environment, said Mr Poj. However, if they are not peaceful, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure law and order to prevent hassles for the travel and tourism sector, he said.

The caretaker government should continue its work. The private sector and civil servants [government officials] should continue to work together without interruptions, said Mr Poj.

Proactive policies that require decisions may be affected because it may not be appropriate for the caretaker government to make such decisions. However, if it is necessary for the country, the caretaker government should consult with the Election Commission, such as preparing a new budget to ensure investments will continue.

THE SOONER, THE BETTER

Somchai Lertsutiwong, chief executive of Advanced Info Service (AIS), would not comment on a long delay in government formation, but he said the sooner a new government is created, the clearer economic drivers can be determined.

The new government should prioritise improving the capability of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by reducing their operational costs to pave the way for long-term growth, said Mr Somchai.

The government should promote medium-term development by restructuring economic growth drivers in order

Violent protests would definitely have an effect on foreigners planning to travel to Thailand, especially first-time visitors, to push sustainable growth, he said.

PROTEST CONCERN

Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Business Association, said the delay in government formation is not the most critical concern compared with street protests.

Many civil groups on Wednesday announced demonstrations nationwide after the ECs resolution.

Mr Sanga said if the situation worsens, Thailand could develop a negative image among potential visitors.

He said violent protests will definitely affect foreigners planning to travel to Thailand, especially first-time visitors, which account for roughly 60% of all visitors.

Repeat visitors are unfazed by political unrest and know how to avoid conflict zones, said Mr Sanga.

He said the most likely scenario could be protests similar to the 2019 demonstration in Hong Kong, which affected foreign nationals who were new to the city.

Tourism operators hope the political tension will not escalate and the government formation will finish as soon as possible, said Mr Sanga.

Upathum Nisitsukcharoen, president of the Event Management Association, said the group is concerned that if street protests turn violent, will affect both government and private investment.

The event segment is greatly affected by political protests because the majority of rally venues are in areas where events are organised. Nobody will hold events if they are concerned about safety issues, Mr Upathum said.

Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said he is more concerned over the unpleasant impact on budget planning in the new fiscal year and business confidence if the parliamentary vote for a new prime minister is prolonged.

We need a new government to drive the country, especially to work on budget allocation, he said.

If the selection of a new premier remains unclear in the parliamentary session on Thursday (today, July 13), the Thai economy will be affected because of the uncertainty, said Mr Kriengkrai.

He said neither businesses nor consumers want street protests if the Move Forward Party leader is not voted in as prime minister because protests may deal a further blow to business confidence.

These issues should be decided in the parliament, said Mr Kriengkrai.

LABOUR EFFORT

In a related development, with a new government unsettled and the deadline for registering the names of undocumented workers approaching, Mr Poj said the private sector is preparing to propose the caretaker government help extend the deadline.

In a move to ease the foreign worker supply, on July 5 the cabinet passed a resolution approving a special case for foreign individuals who lack legal status to continue working without work permits until July 31.

Employers are required to submit a list of their foreign workforce needs along with photographs to the Employment Department by July 31. The registrar issues receipts of the lists, which foreign individuals can use as evidence they were granted permission to work until July 31.

The private sector continues to rely on foreign workers to drive the economy and businesses, particularly in the tourism and service sectors, construction, real estate, food processing, as well as several SMEs. These sectors still face labour shortages and have high demand for workers to support the countrys economic growth, Mr Poj said.
Phuket to splash B849k on another City Pillar

PHUKET: A three-day ceremony to commemorate the installation of a City Pillar (Lak Mueang) at the grounds of the new Phuket Provincial Hall will be held on Aug 5-7, officials have confirmed.

cultureconstruction

By The Phuket News

Thursday 13 July 2023 11:23 AM

Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew confirmed the ceremony  and the new monument  at a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (July 12), joined by Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan and Chantana Sitthiphan, head of the Phuket office of the Ministry of Culture.

The City Pillar is being constructed by the engineers from the Fine Arts Department, who joined the meeting by online conference call yesterday.

An official report of the meeting reported the cost of building the new City Pillar in numerals as B849,900, but in writing as eight hundred and ninety-four thousand and nine hundred baht.

A replica of the wooden panel that covers the original City Pillar will also be installed at the site of the new City Pillar at Phuket Provincial Hall, at a cost of B428,810 funded by the Sustainable Development Foundation, Governor Narong confirmed.

The Phuket Provincial Cultural Office has contacted the Royal Brahmin Office and the Office of the Royal Household. Phra Suriya Songklod and Phra Sayom Phu Yant will consecrate the soil around the site of where the new pillar is to be built pillar during a ceremony from Aug 5-7, Governor Narong noted.

All relevant government agencies and departments were instructed to make preparations for the occasion.

The Lak Mueang is a city pillar shrine, a traditional structure used by cities and towns throughout Thailand to serve as the symbolic centre of the soul of the community.

Phuket already has five Lak Mueang erected across the island. The new monument at Phuket Provincial Hall will be the sixth such Lak Mueang built in Phuket.

The one already long standing at Baan Muang Mai in Tambon Thepkrasattri, Thalang, currently serves as the provincial Lak Mueang for the island.

However, Phuket officials decided to build a second, grander, Lak Mueang also in Baan Muang Mai under a project that began in 2010.

In explaining the construction of the second Lak Mueang at Baan Muang Mai, Fine Arts Department architect Naruporn Saowanit, explained that all provincial Lak Mueang in the country must be similar to the main Lak Mueang in Bangkok, the design of which follows design principles set out by King Mongkut, Rama 4.

Lak Mueang in every province must have arches on all four sides and must be located on higher ground than the nearby roads and houses, he said.
Political showdown for Pita

BANGKOK: The much-anticipated prime minister vote occurs today (July 13), and the odds are not in favour of Move For ward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat emerging as the countrys next leader.

politics

By Bangkok Post

Thursday 13 July 2023 08:22 AM

Thatchong Kaedam, a core protester, speaks to supporters outside the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre criticising the Election Commissions decision to forward the iTV shareholding case against Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat to the Constitutional Court. Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul

Backed by eight prospective coalition partners, Mr Pita, who is the MFPs sole prime minister candidate, needs 64 votes to secure the premiership. But two major developments yesterday are believed to have dealt a severe blow to his bid to contend for the position, reports the Bangkok Post.

The day began with the Election Commission (EC) deciding to forward Mr Pitas iTV share-holding case to the Constitutional Court for a ruling. The poll agency also asked the court to suspend him from duty pending its ruling.

Mr Pita is accused of contesting the May 14 polls despite knowing he was ineligible as he held 42,000 shares in iTV, a media company. Under the charter, an election candidate is barred from running for office if they own shares in a media company.

In its decision, the EC said there was adequate evidence to prove that Mr Pita owned the iTV shares when he applied to contest the general election. The case was immediately lodged with the court after EC chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong signed the petition.

As the party and its supporters criticised the EC for its decision, the Constitutional Court later in the day accepted a petition filed against the MFP and Mr Pita over their controversial lese majeste law policy.

The petition, lodged by Theerayut Suwankesorn, claimed the policy breaches Section 49, which prohibits people from using their rights and freedoms to overthrow the constitutional monarchy.

In response to the ECs move, the MFP said the poll agency ignored the inquiry procedures and raised suspicions that a particular group was using the poll agency to thwart Mr Pitas nomination.

The party alleged that the EC had rushed the process, which could potentially lead to a violation of Section 157 of the Criminal Code.

MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon insisted that no matter how the Constitutional Court decided on the case, the eight parties would band together and support Mr Pitas prime minister bid.

Tomorrow may be an opportunity or a fork in the road for Thai society. It will decide if the peoples voice will remain ignored or if normalcy will be returned to help make the country go forward, he said.

A source in the Constitutional Court said the procedures would require the court to examine the ECs petition before deciding whether to accept it for review and that it would likely be considered at the courts next meeting.

According to the source, the Constitutional Court, which meets every Wednesday, would only consider what was on yesterdays meeting agenda.

Mr Pita said yesterday he was undeterred by the ECs decision and expressed confidence that the senate would make the right call. The case does not affect his prime minister candidacy.

I believe the Senate understands its role and duty. Moreover, the media outlet in question has been closed for ages, and I held the shares as the executor [of my fathers estate]. And it has nothing to do with my qualification as the prime minister candidate, he said.

The MFP leader said he would attend todays joint meeting and present his vision before the MPs and senators ahead of the vote, which is scheduled at 5 pm.

Mr Pita also suggested that he was close to clinching the prime minister post, which would explain why the ECs decision came on the eve of the prime minister selection.

He said the MFP and Pheu Thai did not have a second plan in case he could not secure the post after two rounds of voting when asked if Pheu Thai would take the lead in coalition formation if his bid failed.

Mr Pita also criticised the EC for not giving him the chance to defend himself against the allegation, saying that the inquiry was rushed with the probe being concluded in just 32 days.

The ECs move also triggered protests by MFP supporters in various provinces yesterday, including Bangkok, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, and Nakhon Ratchasima.

Issares Rattanadilok na Phuket, vice chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said there was a campaign to thwart Mr Pitas bid to become the prime minister, and described it as a setback for the country.

Meanwhile, military leaders will not join the prime minister vote today because they have other engagements.

All 25 Democrat Party MPs have unanimously agreed they will opt for a no- vote when deciding whether to elect MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister in parliament today.

The 25 MPs from the constituency and party list systems met at the parliament yesterday to set a common direction for their prime ministerial vote.

The MPs have settled for a no-vote at todays parliament session when Mr Pitas bid for prime minister is put forth.

Mr Pitas bid for prime minister is backed by a coalition of eight parties led by the MFP, with 311 MPs between them.

Emerging from the meeting yesterday, Sunatcha Lohsathapornpipit, a Trang MP and deputy chairwoman of the Democrats MPs, said the 25 MPs would take the no-vote option as the party will not support a party that pushes for amendment of Section 112 of the Criminal Code or the lese majeste law.

The meeting, however, did not discuss the latest decision by the Election Commission (EC) to forward its findings on Mr Pitas iTV shareholding investigation to the Constitutional Court for deliberation, Ms Sunatcha said.

She said the court had not admitted the case yet.
Two boys in hospital after near-drowning near Nai Harn

PHUKET: Two children were rushed to Chalong Hospital after a near-drowning incident in Soi Naya, Nai Harn, yesterday evening (July 12).

Safety

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Thursday 13 July 2023 09:13 AM

Photo: Rawai Municipality

Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos said local rescue workers were informed of the incident at 4:32pm.

An ambulance arrived at the scene, near the Nai Harn Baan-Bua Development, north of Nai Harn Lake, at 4:38pm.

A large number of onlookers had gathered around two boys, aged 4-5. Both boys were unconscious and having difficulty breathing, Mr Aroon said.

Rescue workers provided oxygen to the youngsters and requested support through the 1669 emergency hotline.

While waiting for an ambulance from Chalong Hospital to arrive, one of the boys stopped breathing. Rescue workers performed CPR until the medical team from Chalong Hospital arrived at 4:48pm, Mr Aroon said.

Medical personnel continued performing CPR until they reached Chalong Hospital at 5:08pm, but the child was still unconscious, he added.

At 6pm, officers reported that CPR had been stopped because "there is a pulse", but the boy was still unconscious.

The boy was still in the emergency room at Chalong Hospital, but officers were preparing to move him to Vachira Phuket Hospital for further treatment.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (L) speaks during a meeting with his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni (not in the picture) in Entebbe, Uganda, on July 12, 2023. Raisi on Wednesday promised to share his country's experience in science and technology development with Uganda during his visit to the East African country. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

ENTEBBE, Uganda, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday promised to share his country's experience in science and technology development with Uganda during his visit to the East African country.

Raisi, who is on a two-day state visit to Uganda, arrived in the country early in the day and was received by his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni at the State House in Entebbe, 40 km south of Kampala, the capital of Uganda.

In a joint press conference, Museveni asked Raisi to share Iran's experience in the oil sector with Uganda which is in the process of setting up an oil refinery and other factories in the industry.

"Iran has got experience which we don't have. I recently watched on news that Iran was setting up a petrochemical center. So there are areas of complementarity since we are also planning to set up a petrochemical industry," Museveni said.

"We try to strengthen our relations with African countries, especially friendly countries like Uganda," Raisi said. "We need to promote and expand our relations in terms of politics, culture, science and technology."

Raisi said his country was ready to share its experience in science and technology development with Uganda. "The Western countries have a system of dominance where they are generally not interested in seeing other countries who enjoy natural resources add value to these resources."

"They are only interested in raw materials from these countries so that they can sell finished products to them," he added. He vowed to share with Uganda Iranian experience and technology in manufacturing medical equipment and pharmaceuticals. "We shall set up a technology center in Uganda," he said.

Uganda is Raisi's second leg of the tour to Africa after the Iranian president visited Kenya. This is the first trip to Africa made by an Iranian president in the past 11 years, during which Iran aims to improve political and trade cooperation with African countries and diversify Iran's export destinations. 

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (R, Front) meets with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi (L, Front) in Entebbe, Uganda, on July 12, 2023. Raisi on Wednesday promised to share his country's experience in science and technology development with Uganda during his visit to the East African country. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (Front) inspects a guard of honor in Entebbe, Uganda, on July 12, 2023. Raisi on Wednesday promised to share his country's experience in science and technology development with Uganda during his visit to the East African country. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi inspect a guard of honor in Entebbe, Uganda, on July 12, 2023. Raisi on Wednesday promised to share his country's experience in science and technology development with Uganda during his visit to the East African country. (Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda/Xinhua)
Vietnam attends ASEAN Plus One Foreign Ministers Meetings

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on July 13 attended meetings between foreign ministers of ASEAN member states and their partners - New Zealand, India, Russia, Australia and China - within the framework of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM-56) in Jakarta, Indonesia.









Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (centre). (Photo: VNA)



Participating ministers welcomed the implementation progress of action plans, and appreciated cooperation results in all fields which have contributed to inclusive recovery and sustainable development.



The partners affirmed that they attach great importance to relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), respect and support the blocs central role, assist it in building the ASEAN Community, and jointly promote dialogue, cooperation and response to common challenges, thus contributing more effectively to peace, security, stability, and sustainable development.



At the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with New Zealand, ministers welcomed the conclusion of negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to deepen economic and trade cooperation. ASEAN appreciated New Zealand's support in efforts to respond to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture and improve the capacity of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance. The conference adopted the ASEAN - New Zealand Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific.



At the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with India, the two sides approved the Appendix to the Action Plan to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was established at the end of 2022. They emphasised the priority to be given to enhance cooperation in maritime affairs, connectivity, digital economy, cyber security, health, the environment, and transnational crime prevention. ASEAN suggested India continue to pay attention to narrowing the development gap, and sub-regional development cooperation.



The ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with Russia unanimously adopted a Joint Statement commemorating the fifth anniversary of the ASEAN - Russia Strategic Partnership, committing to promote and deepen practical cooperation, especially in the fields that Russia has strengths and ASEAN has needs. Participating countries welcomed the progress of bilateral cooperation, especially in coordination to respond to non-traditional security challenges, and proposed implementing initiatives within the framework of the "Year of Scientific and Technical Cooperation" in 2022.



Meanwhile, at the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with Australia, ministers appreciated the positive progress in implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, especially the Aus4ASEAN Futures Initiative with a funding of 204 million AUD (138.9 million USD). ASEAN appreciated Australia's commitments to promote two-way trade and investment, and looked forward to Australia's continued expansion of market access and business connectivity. The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation towards sustainable development, supported the ASEAN-Australia High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change and Energy Transition jointly chaired by Laos, Australia and Vietnam by the end of this year in Vietnam.



At the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with China, countries welcomed progress in negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN - China Free Trade Agreement, which reflects their commitments to building an inclusive, comprehensive, modern and rules-based economic environment. Delegates expressed their satisfaction with the progress in negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). The two sides agreed to take 2024 as the year for ASEAN - China people-to-people exchanges to promote friendship, understanding and cultural connectivity between the people of the countries.



Speaking at the conferences, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son appreciated the extensive progress in cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, suggesting the partners support the bloc's central role, maintain assistance for the ASEAN Community building, and jointly contribute to peace, security and development in the region. He proposed orientations to enhance cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, especially in the implementation of free trade agreements, investment, tourism, human resources development, infrastructure connectivity, and sub-regional cooperation, as well as expanding cooperation priorities in climate change response, energy security, food security and green growth.



Discussing the international and regional situation at the events, ASEAN countries and partners emphasised the importance of maintaining and ensuring peace, security and stability in the region, and creating favourable conditions for inclusive growth and sustainable development efforts.



The Vietnamese minister proposed the partners support ASEAN's common stance and efforts on the East Sea and other international and regional issues; and called on them to join hands with the association to increase dialogue, build trust, and solve disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law.



He stressed the importance of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and working towards building a practical and effective COC in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), for the sake of peace and cooperation in the East Sea./
Bahrain will be hosting the 9th SDMX Global Conference on Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange from October 29 to November 2, 2023 on the theme Empowering Data Communities.

The event, co-organised by the SDMX Sponsors and the Bahrain Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) with support of ESCWA and Banca dItalia, and will bring together a broad range of official statistics compilers and users from national, regional and international agencies, academia and the private sector.

This conference is a bi-annual event for the official statistics community worldwide to share information on recent and upcoming SDMX developments leveraging SDMX tools and technologies for enhanced collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Plenary sessions

It will include three days of plenary sessions followed by two days of statistical capacity-building for statisticians at beginner and advanced levels. Set to attract various levels of statisticians, SDMX experts, and data professionals, the conference is a major global event in the statistics field, providing an opportunity to discuss the latest international developments and specifically enhance the process of exchanging statistical data, indicators, and SDMX metadata.

It will also enable participants to stay up to date with the latest developments related to national data and information exchanges and enhance the capabilities of those working in the field through specialised workshops and general discussions.

The first edition of this conference was held in 2007 in the US, with subsequent events hosted by France, US, Thailand, Ethiopia, and Hungary. The 8th edition was organised remotely in Mexico in line with the precautionary measures taken by governments to counter the circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic.-- TradeArabia News Service
BANGKOK, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's parliament failed to pick a new prime minister on Thursday as the sole candidate and Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat fell short of securing the majority support from the parliamentarians.

In a joint session of the 500-member lower house and the 250-senator upper house, Pita was the only candidate nominated as prime minister but received only 324 votes in favor, short of the 376-vote simple majority required to become the prime minister, according to roll-call votes broadcasted live.

The vote was held after several hours of debates among the parliamentarians.

The Move Forward Party emerged as the largest party in the lower house of parliament in Thailand's general election in May. 
by Xinhua writer Yu Xiaohua

BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Eighty kilometers north of downtown Beijing, at the foot of the Great Wall, the land is awash with sweet chestnut trees, some of them hundreds of years old.

Five weeks from now, the farmers will gather the spiky fruits, which contain the delicious nuts, and sell them to cooperatives. In this way, they are ensured better prices than on the open market.

Finding a good price is important for the chestnut growers, who have suffered from serious price fluctuations in the past.

"Sometimes, we sold the fresh fruits at a price of 16 yuan (around 2.23 U.S. dollars) per kilo, but at other times, we might have to sell them at 6 yuan per kilo," recalled Zhang Fugui, a local chestnut grower.

In 2022, chestnuts accounted for 93 percent of the total output of dried and fresh fruits in Bohai Township, Huairou District, Beijing, according to a statistical yearbook.

The unique altitude, sunlight and soil conditions make the area suitable for growing quality chestnuts. There have been a large scale of cultivation in the area since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), according to local agricultural technicians.

Zhang, 61, tends his own trees, but he also works at a cooperative, earning a monthly income of roughly 5,000 yuan.

PROTECTION FROM A VOLATILE MARKET

Li Yongjun, the 64-year-old founder of the cooperative, comes from a family that has grown chestnuts for generations. Before starting the cooperative in 2008, he had grown wheat, rice and other crops, worked as a chestnut trader and even ran a printing factory.

On his motivations for starting the cooperative, he said, "I believed there was something I could do for my hometown."

He started by conducting research on the chestnut market and related technology, both at home and abroad. He decided that establishing a processing cooperative would help growers gain better control over the prices of the nuts.

So far, the cooperative has signed contracts with over 800 chestnut-growing households. Each year it purchases 2,000 tonnes to 3,000 tonnes of chestnuts from them, said Li, adding that, before the COVID-19 pandemic, they were selling to customers in countries including Japan, Singapore and Israel.

According to Li, household-based growing can lead to wide variations in the output, ranging from hundreds to thousands of kilograms per household, said Li. One solution is for the cooperative to rent the land and take over the production process, thus boosting both the quality and quantity of chestnuts, he said.

In recent years, the cooperative has begun to lease land from local growers at an annual rate of 1,000 yuan per mu (around 666.7 square meters), according to Zhang.

He is ready to transfer their land rights to the cooperative. "It is time to for me retire as a chestnut grower. And my daughters have no intention to tend the trees, so it is the best choice for my family to accept the proposal," he said.

YOUNG PEOPLE RETURNING

Zhang's daughters are not the only young people to leave the area in search of new careers and lives. However, in recent years, an increasing number have returned to take part in the traditional chestnut industry. Many of them have brought new ideas with them.

Li Sipeng, son of Li, is one of the youngsters. Despite being educated in music, in 2017, the younger Li joined his father and started his own adventure in the chestnut industry.

The 28-year-old man works with specialists from the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, promoting standardized management and technology related to seed selection and nutrition.

He is more digital savvy than his father. Riding the rising wave of live-streaming, he has brought local chestnut products to some of the most popular webcast studios in China.

His best sales experience was in a webcast session hosted by Li Jiaqi, one of the top live streamers in China. During a single night, Li Sipeng sold 3 million yuan of processed products.

Yet the young man said he sees live-streaming more as an opportunity to pitch local nuts to a wider audience, rather than just a sales platform.

"We told audiences how we tend our trees and how the nuts are processed," said Li.

For the young man, there is great untapped potential in this ancient form of cultivation, with its long history and culture.

The father and son plan to open an afternoon tea shop at the foot of the Great Wall, and a visitor center where tourists can wander among the trees and observe this age-old tradition in action. Enditem

(Li Baijia, Gong Fuzhi, Li Rui and Fan Baobao also contributed to the story.)
TEHRAN, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Fifteen Iranians imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been pardoned and will soon be repatriated to their home country, Iran's official news agency IRNA reported on Thursday.

The report revealed that UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan agreed to pardon them during Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's visit to UAE in late June.

According to IRNA, the pardoned Iranians will return to their country after the implementation of the necessary administrative and legal procedures.

The Iranian foreign minister visited the UAE on June 21 and 22 and discussed bilateral ties as well as regional and global developments with the UAE's high-ranking officials. 
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who joined office at Nabanna today after recovering from her injury, expressed regret at the loss of lives in the just concluded rural polls. The ruling party won with a huge margin in the panchayat election.

Taking a swipe at the Opposition, she said the parties maligned the states image after violence, which she said was only confined to two districts. Buoyed by the resounding victory yet again, Miss Banerjee talked of the unholy alliance between the CPM and the Congress, which she said had merged into one  Ram, Bam and Shyam.

She not only downplayed the recurring incidents of violence as she claimed that such cases were only confined to two districts, Malda and Murshidabad and put the death toll to just 19. She added that most of the people who lost their lives were from her party. She said the Opposition was only interested in spreading misinformation and lies to malign the state and also held them responsible for vitiating atmosphere of the remaining 21 districts, which she claimed were incident-free.

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Bhangar, in South 24-Parganas was the only place that witnessed some sort of violence, according to her. She announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the 19 deceased and also announced a job of home guard for one of the family members of the deceased. Political affiliations will not be a criteria for offering compensation or job, the chief minister told media persons. However, there is still confusion over the exact number of victims killed in poll-related violence.

According to Banerjee, 19 persons were killed on the polling day on Saturday (8 July) whose families will be compensated. However, as per records, the death toll since the polling date was announced on June 8 is 44. Nineteen deaths were reported till 7 July, while another 24 died since then. Miss Banerjee was severe on the BJP for their on the move of the party to send a fact-finding team in the state.

Taking umbrage at the move she said that where were such teams Manipur or for that matter in Assam or Tripura, when her party members were subjected to relentless attacks from the ruling party there. On the issue of Upcoming 21 July Martyr day, she said that her party would not celebrate the victory on that day but would observe a day of tribute (Sraddha Divas) on that day
Two ISF personnel and a villager were killed following a clash that broke out between the police and ISF supporters at Kanthalia near Bhangar in South 24-Parganas last night. Another youth was also killed on Tuesday night at the same village.

According to local sources, he is not associated with any political party. Apart from this, a police officer and his bodyguard were severely injured. Two persons, one Congress supporter and another Trinamul supporter were also killed in Murshidabad and Malda respectively.

Meanwhile, the BJPs factfinding team, comprising four MPs, reached Bengal today and decided to visit Bhangar and several parts of Bengal to meet family members of the deceased. They will submit their report to partys national president JP Nadda. With the fresh deaths, the overall death toll in panchayat polls in Bengal now stands at 47. The fact-finding team is led by former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

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On Wednesday the team slammed chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the poll violence and said that her politics have become uglier than the politics of the Left parties. Mamata jis politics has become uglier than the politics of the Left parties. Why has your politics become full of atrocities? We need an answer. The court has to intervene during every election in the state, Prasad said. Why is there so much violence in Bengal?

Why so many murders? Democracy in Bengal is ashamed, he said, adding, I have heard that there has been pressure on the winning candidates to join the Trinamul. Otherwise, they wont issue certificates.
All Bengal Citizens Forum has demanded compensation for the kin of those who were killed in panchayat poll violence in West Bengal along with a job for one of the family members of the deceased. In all, 46 people are said to have died in the poll related violence in the state.

The president of the citizens forum Sailen Parbat said that the state administration and the State Election Commission have completely failed to provide safety and security to the common people during the panchayat election.

It is the duty of the state administration and the State Election Commission to ensure free and fair election, maintaining peace and harmony. The question which has arisen in the minds of lakhs of people is who should be held responsible for deaths during the election, he added.

It is our demand that the kin of the dead should be paid a compensation of Rs 10 lakh and job to one of the family members. It is the duty of the state government to be with the bereaved families, he said.

The forum president said that political violence, bloodshed and deaths have become a trend in West Bengal. Hence, Article 356 must be imposed two months prior to any election that takes place in the state. The life of every citizen is very precious, he added.
Residents say they felt as if a canal was flowing through their housing societies with just vehicle tops visible

Ever heard of boats in place of cars and motorcycles in a human habitat? The periphery of Chandigarh witnessed just that as monsoon rains wreaked havoc this past week. A population of over two lakh people suffered as their societies were flooded after recent rains; they could not venture out of their homes, could not buy essentials like milk, and daily provisions, and their vehicles were submerged under water with just the roofs visible. Welcome to the Gulmohar City Extension in Dera Bassi, 20 km from Chandigarh.

When residents bought houses here, the allurement was that it was an extension of the world-class architect Le Corbusier designed Chandigarh. So what if it wasnt Chandigarh? It was just 20 km apart.

Adjoining Gulmohar City Extension is Krishna Enclave also in Dera Bassi where Neeraj Tiwari lives. Tiwari who hails from Varanasi, says, I had no idea that one day I would have to sleep or eat with water around my bed or the dining table. Had I known, I would have never bought this house. For Tiwari, this is not just his house, it is an investment. But now it has taken away the peace of his mind. He says, We have decided to sell this flat and buy it elsewhere.

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But the question is would there be any takers for a house in this housing society after the entire world has seen all of this?

About seven km from Dera Bassi towards Chandigarh is Zirakpur. Zirakpur was a village 20 years ago. And dream homes were sold by unsuspecting builders to those who could not afford houses in Chandigarh.

Harish Sharma, a resident of Gurdev Nagar, Zirakpur says, When it rained, and our society was flooded with water, it looked as if a canal was flowing through the society. Sharma attributes this flooding to the rampant encroachments along the Sukhna Choe and other water channels which have reduced rainwater carrying capacity and it finds its way into the housing societies.

Tiwari rues that the local authorities, who approved the housing societies and colonies when they were being built without ensuring basic civic infrastructure, should be hauled up.

Woeful tales of the likes of Tiwari and Sharma are not restricted to Dera Bassi and Zirakpur only. In Kharar, it is no different. A resident of Khanpur, Kharar requesting anonymity says, that a number of housing projects have come up due to its proximity to a number of private universities. But the basic facility such as sewerage and drainage is poor.

Sunil Khurana, a resident of Ambika Green in Kharar, says, Initially the builders paint a rosy picture while selling flats. But only when one starts living does one realise that one has been cheated. In Kharar, the sewerage system is not to the capacity, sewer holes keep overflowing onto the roads. The rainwater enters societies every time it rains incessantly.

Even in the posh New Chandigarh area which is a few minute drive from Chandigarh but falls under SAS Nagar district, residents are alleging that a developer has built a housing project on a dried bed of rivulet by blocking its natural course, dug up the road to drain out the rainwater from residential projects to the nearby fields.

Most of these flats on the periphery of Chandigarh cost anything between Rs 30 lakh to Rs 70 lakh depending upon the area of the flat. Most people are paying monthly installments through their teeth.

When contacted Aam Aadmi Partys Derabassi MLA, Kuljit Singh Randhawa blamed the nexus between politicians, bureaucrats and builders for encroachment on natural drains which stand obstructed by the concrete jungle. The builders have encroached the Ghaggar river and several other small rivulets and sold them to the people (in the form of residential plots or flats), Randhawa says.

He adds, After the status quo is achieved in terms of restoring life and livelihood we will carry out an inquiry (into the land grad) and take action against the builders who cheated, he added.
BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China maintains an open and welcoming attitude on U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's visit to the country, and is in communication with the U.S. side on the matter, said the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday.

China remains committed to addressing each other's economic and trade concerns with the United States through dialogue and promoting constructive and pragmatic cooperation, said the ministry's spokesperson Shu Jueting at a regular press conference.

Shu also answered questions on U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's recent visit to China, responding to a query that during the visit, what practical steps China has asked the United States to take in response to China's concerns about U.S. economic sanctions and suppression.

Shu said that in recent years, the United States has placed a large number of Chinese companies under blacklists of various sanctions and suppression based on excuses including national security and human rights, which has severely damaged the legitimate rights and interests of those Chinese companies.

"China is firmly opposed to this and demands that the United States immediately stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese firms, lift its unilateral sanctions against them, and inject positive energy into China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation," Shu said.

When asked about Japan's announcement on restricting exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China from July 23, Shu said that certain countries have been politicizing economic and trade issues, overstretching national security concepts, and deliberately weakening connections with China in fields such as semiconductors.

"The move will severely harm the interests of companies in both countries and disrupt the mutually beneficial cooperation pattern that has been formed in the industry for a long time," Shu said, adding that it will also impact the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains.

Shu said that the Japanese side should consider its own interests and the overall situation of China-Japan economic and trade cooperation, honor the promises of free trade and the market economy, abide by international economic and trade rules, and avoid political interference in bilateral economic and trade cooperation. 
With the water level of the Yamuna rising to a record high life in the national capital has gone out of gear as several areas faced flood-like situation. Residents had a harrowing time with waterlogging on streets, traffic snarls and public transport including Delhi Metro being affected.

River Yamuna continued to flow at 208.62 metres, above the danger mark. However, no changes were recorded in the water levels of the river in the past two hours.

The water level at 1 pm and 2 pm was at 208.62 metre; it was found to be the same even after 3 pm. Early on Thursday, the river continued to flow over the danger mark, with the water level reaching 208.46 metre.

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According to officials, the water level of the Yamuna, on the Old Railway Bridge, was recorded at 208.46 metre at 7 am on Thursday.

The water reached the Ring Road at the backside of the Red Fort as the river continued to flow above danger level forcing all the shops around Kashmere Gate to remain closed until Sunday due to the flood situation.

The rise in the water level of Yamuna resulted in inundation of low-lying areas, traffic movement has been impaired on Mahatma Gandhi Marg (Ring Road) between IP Flyover and Chandgi Ram Akhara, Mahatma Gandhi Marg between Kalighat Mandir and Delhi Secretariat and Outer Ring Road between Wazirabad Bridge and Chandgi Ram Akhara, while the area near Nigam Bodh Ghat was also flooded. Traffic on the GT Karnal Road in Delhi was also thrown out of gear as the Yamuna waters breached the warning mark.

In view of the prevailing adverse situation, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal declared that all schools, colleges and universities in the city will remain closed till Sunday and government offices, barring those which cater to essential services, will work from home.

The decision was taken in a meeting of Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, who is also Chairperson of Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), chaired the meeting of DDMA to review the prevailing flooding situation in the city.

Besides the CM, the meeting was attended by Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi, Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj and department concerned officials. Kejriwal said several decisions have been taken in the meeting to control the situation.

Addressing the media after the DDMA meeting, Kejriwal said, Schools, colleges and universities will remain closed till this Sunday. All government offices, barring those which cater to essential services, will work from home. We are issuing advisories to private offices to work from home as much as possible.

The CM also informed that there would be a significant water shortage in the city in the coming few days. Flooding waters have entered Delhi Governments WTPs at Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla putting them temporarily out of use. As per the CM, about 25 per cent of the supply will be affected due to this. Citizens are being advised to ration water for the next 1-2 days post which the situation is expected to easen.

The CM also informed that the entry of heavy vehicles except those carrying essential supplies would be temporarily barred from all borders of the state. The CM acknowledged that setting up toilets and washrooms has become a challenge in some relief camps as kawar camps have also been set up around Delhi. So we have decided to shift some of the relief camps into school buildings, he said.

Kejriwal also informed that NDRF teams with boats have been stationed and are at work in the flood affected areas. According to our estimates, more than 20,000 people have been shifted to the relief camps. There are about 50 boats at present, but if needed, the number may be increased as per requirement, he said.

The CM also informed that since there is no reservoir at the Hathnikund Barrage water is being discharged towards Delhi continuously. We are receiving hourly data on the same. We are estimating that the water released last night will lead to a rise in the Yamuna waters today, and most likely by tomorrow, itll subside again, he concluded.

As per NDRF inputs, a total of 12 NDRF teams have been deployed in Delhi which includes three in Central Delhi, three in North-East Delhi, two in South-East Delhi, three in East Delhi and one in Shahdara.

In view of the rising water level of the Yamuna river, the Delhi governments Transport Department has banned the entry of heavy vehicles at certain points and also halted interstate buses at the Singhu border.

In its order, the government said that the entry of heavy vehicles have been banned from the Singhu border, Badarpur border, Loni border, and Chilla border.

Interstate buses from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand terminating at ISBT Kashmere Gate will terminate at the Singhu border. These directions will remain in effect until further notice, it added.

The government also clarified that these directions do not apply to trucks carrying essential commodities, such as medicines, raw vegetables, fruits, grains, milk, eggs, ice, and tankers carrying petroleum products.

Delhi is experiencing heavy traffic jams at all its border areas as the water level in the Yamuna River is flowing at a level way above the danger mark, reaching the Ring Road.

Buses heading towards the ISBT were forced to turn at the bypass crossing, leading to confusion among commuters as they were left unsure of how to reach their destinations.

The police have set up additional checkpoints at the starting points of the bypass flyover heading towards ISBT and are not allowing any vehicles to pass.

With the rise in the water level of Yamuna River, the Delhi Metro said that the entry and exit of passengers at the Yamuna bank metro station has been temporarily closed.

In a tweet, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said, Station Update. Entry and exit at Yamuna Bank Metro Station has been temporarily closed due to the rising water levels of the Yamuna River. However, interchange facility is still available and services on Blue Line are running normally. Kindly plan your journey accordingly.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi said that there is a possibility of water entering the Nigam Bodh Ghat, which could hamper cremation activities, adding that people are advised not to venture to the open-air cremation ground and use some other ground instead.

The current water level is three metres above the danger mark.

Yamuna has shattered the 45-year-old record. In 1978, Delhi witnessed a flood when seven lakh cusecs of water were released from the Hathnikund Barrage, causing the Yamuna River level to cross 207.49 meters at the old bridge.

Due to the rise in water level of Yamuna, flooding has been witnessed in several low lying areas of the national capital while many roads have been closed due to waterlogging issues.
As a result of the release of a large quantity of water from Hathnikund in Haryana, a flood like situation has emerged in the national capital. In light of the increasing water level of the Yamuna river, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday inspected the relief camps situated at Pradhan Enclave Pusta, Burari adjacent to the Yamuna river.

The Minister also took stock of the situation on the banks of Yamuna from Burari Pusta to Palla and near Hiranki, Ramzanpur, Mohammadpur etc villages on the way.

In view of the situation, the officials of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department were instructed to take all necessary steps. Directives have been issued to the officials of all the departments for prompt action on the rising water level of Yamuna.

Additionally, instructions have been given to ensure all essential amenities such as accommodation, meals, restrooms, and medical services for the individuals residing in the relief camps. Individuals residing in the affected regions are being relocated to camps established in various districts of Delhi. MLA Sanjeev Jha and Durgesh Pathak also assisted the Minister during the visit.

After taking stock of the relief camps, Gopal Rai said it has not been raining in Delhi for the last three days, but millions of cusecs of water is being released continuously from the Hathnikund barrage, due to which for the first time since 1978 flood like situation has emerged in Delhi.

The water level of the Yamuna in Delhi has crossed the danger mark. And in this dire situation, the Kejriwal government has prepared itself to handle all types of threats. Considering the flood situation, today we have inspected the relief camp situated at Pradhan Enclave Pusta, Burari, adjacent to Yamuna. Alongside this, the preparations for relief and rescue operations have also been evaluated. Taking into account the rising water level of Yamuna, instructions have been given to the officers of all relevant departments for prompt action, he said.

The Delhi Environment Minister added, It is our duty as a government to assist the victims of the calamity and provide them with all the necessary amenities. As a result, the process of evacuating individuals from areas affected by floods and relocating them to a secure location is progressing rapidly.

The Kejriwal government has set up approximately 2700 relief camps for those affected by the disaster. In these camps, officials have been directed to ensure proper arrangements, including lodging, meals, healthcare, and other necessities, for the people. Additionally, the District Magistrates have been instructed to keep all teams on high alert and deploy additional teams if required.

The Delhi Environment Minister appealed to the people of Delhi saying, Because of the increasing water level of the Yamuna in Delhi, a significant amount of water has flooded the streets. In this situation, I urge the citizens of Delhi to refrain from using the roads near the Yamuna.

Additionally, it has been observed that people are venturing out of their homes to witness the flooding. I kindly request them to cooperate with the government and avoid leaving their houses without a valid reason. The government has implemented robust measures for relief and rescue. However, please do not jeopardise your life in this hour of disaster, he added.
As many as 127 persons, who were stranded in Sangla in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, were airlifted on Thursday following damage caused in the area due to heavy rains.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu brought nine stranded tourists in his chopper till Shimla, while 118 were evacuated by the Air Force.

After assessing the damage caused due to rains and flash floods in Kullu, Mandi and Lahaul Spiti districts, Sukhu on Thursday visited Sangla, where he met the affected families who suffered losses due to excessive rains triggering flash floods.

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Few foreign Nationals who were stuck up in Sangla thanked the Chief Minister for ensuring the relief and rescue operations. We were elated to see the head of the State personally overseeing rescue efforts, said Taali, a tourist from Israel and Helen and Chester from New Zealand.

Besides, a group of 34 tourists from West Bengal who were stranded at Sangla for the last five days commended the efforts of the state government for airlifting them till Cholling in Kinnaur from where they proceeded to Shimla.

Besides, providing medical aid, we were also supported by the locals during the hour of crisis, said Shonali Chatterji.

Others who were airlifted include a local resident Pankaj Negi who had to join his duties in Gujarat and Dara Negi, who had paid a visit to her relatives in Sangla and was stuck up there.

Announcing to provide immediate relief of Rs One lakh each to the affected families, Chief Minister said that option would be given for government land in place of transferred land for their lost property.

He asked for the construction of a concrete wall along Tong-Tong Che Nallaha, which also causes major damage during the rainy season.

He also interacted with the victims of flash floods at Sangla and Kuppa Barrage and assured to provide aid from the state government.

He directed the district administration to ensure that people who have suffered losses should be fairly compensated.
Ahead of Indias third mission to the moon, scientists of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday offered prayers at Tirupatis Venkatachalapathy Temple for its success.

A team of ISRO scientists performed puja with a miniature model of Chandrayaan-3.

The mission will be launched on Friday at 2:35 p.m. from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

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Before every major mission, ISRO scientists offer prayers at Tirupati temple for its success.

Chandrayaan-3 aims to land softly on the lunar surface and explore it with a rover.

A successful soft landing will make India the fourth country, after the US, Russia, and China to achieve the feat.sc

The missions from Israel and India crash-landed in 2019 while the spacecraft carrying a lander-rover from Japan and a rover from UAE failed in 2022.

ISRO scientists have improved the landers design after a series of tests.
Havoc In The Hills-2| Good news is thousands feared missing had their phone batteries kaput, they say they are alive

Thousands of tourists, including foreign nationals (Himachal Pradesh government puts the number at 60,000) who were stranded in the hill state due to the monsoon fury have been rescued, and have finally heaved a sigh of relief.

Ankur Kejriwal from Kolkata shows us bruises on his knees and elbows he suffered while walking down the gruelling 20 km, eight-hour trek from Tosh to Kasol.

Bound to a homestay for five days due to flash floods and heavy rains in the last village of Parvati Valley, he saw a motley group of locals and tourists trekking down towards the nearby village of Barsheni. Kejriwal took the plunge and joined them.

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They reached Barsheni and trekked down to Manikaran and then Kasol braving bad weather and passing through the broken stretches of damaged road alongside the raging Parvati.

When he took the decision to leave the homestay it was out of desperation even though the locals warned him against moving out due to the fear of landslides. After all, he was living without electricity and internet for three days and there was no option.

Rohit Aggarwal, another youngster from Kolkata too thinks he was fortunate to reach Kasol after being stuck in a village for many days.

Both Kejriwal and Aggarwal have a piece of advice for tourists who are tempted to visit Himachal. Never plan an adventure or fun trip to Himachal during monsoons.

The initial days of our journey were just fun. But soon after the weather turned bad, and we were stranded at Tosh for over five days. Locals were kind and hospitable but once we got walking, it looked scary walking through those dangerous stretches where the road had vanished, says Rohit. He trekked down and for comfort was a group of tourists in case something emergent were to take place. This was on Thursday.

60,000 tourists were stranded in Himachal

Like Ankur and Rohit, more than 60,000 tourists including several foreign nationals were rescued from Kinnaur, Chandratal, Lahaul and Spiti, Manali, and from several other villages in the vicinity of Kasol and Manikaran during a massive operation by the Himachal government.

Avers Kopal Batra, We came here on July 9 and checked into a hotel in old Manali. The next day the weather worsened and we were trapped in the hotel for three days. The hotel staff was accommodating but our mobile batteries got discharged and we could not be in touch with our families. They started fearing the worst and we were feeling so helpless that we could not update them about our well-being. Batra had come to Manali all the way from Jaipur.

In fact, the local authorities claimed to have been successful in rescuing and tracing most of the tourists, many of whom were feared to have gone missing.

We have evacuated over 60,000 tourists so far. The rescue operation in Chandratal in Spiti has been completed. As many as 118 people have been airlifted from Sangla in Kinnaur. In the last about 24 hours, around 9,000 tourist vehicles have moved away to safer places, says Acting DGP Satwant Atwal.

Amongst those evacuated so far, 266 are foreign nationals. About a mention regarding the number of casualties and those who have gone missing, authorities say at this stage it would mean would be jumping the gun.

The good news is that several tourists who were feared missing had in fact lost contact with their families back home after mobile and internet services were disrupted. Most of them have been traced. We are hoping that a few tourists who are still not traceable would be found soon, said Deputy Commissioner Kullu Ashutosh Garg. He mentioned that the district authorities have managed to evacuate around 20,000 tourists from Manali, Kasol, Shangarh, Jibhi, and some other areas in the district in the last 48 hours. A group of Israeli nationals too have been evacuated from Jari, Kullu.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu who has been on a whirlwind tour of the state ever since the heavy downpour, on Thursday visited rain-affected areas in Choling, Kinnaur and met the villagers, and assured them that the relief measures were being taken immediately.

Tomorrow: Bad weather and good samaritans
The Karnataka Police have arrested the owner of Zee-Net company in connection with the double murder case in which the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) were killed in the office premises here, police said on Thursday.

Phanindra Subramanya, the Managing Director, and Vinu Kumar, the CEO of the Aeronics Media Private Company, were hacked to death in their office in the Amrutalli locality in broad daylight on Tuesday.

The accused arrested on Thursday was identified as Arun Kumar. With this arrest the total number of nabbed accused has risen to four. Earlier, the police had arrested three persons  J. Felix a.k.a Jocker Felix, Vinay Reddy and Shivu.

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The accused were nabbed near Kunigal town in Tumakuru district. The accused had told police that Subramanya always humiliated Felix and sacked him from the job.

Felix nursed a grudge against him and decided to kill Subramanya. The two other accused joined hands with Felix even as they did not have any connection with him. The killers did not intend to kill CEO Vinu Kumar, but when he came to the rescue of Subramanya he was also hacked to death.

However, the police suspected their statements and zeroed in on Arun Kumar. The police probe showed that the victims worked in his company as HR manager and CEO respectively. Eight months ago, victims Subramanya and Vinu Kumar joined hands and started a new company in Amrutahalli. After this, Arun Kumars firm incurred heavy losses and gave supari to kill Subramanya.

The police had formed five teams to nab the accused persons. Police said that former employee of the company J. Felix a.k.a Jocker Felix, a tiktok star, had barged inside the company in the evening and attacked the victims with sword and knife and escaped from the spot. Both the victims succumbed to injuries on the spot.

The police got vital clues from the CCTV footage. The Amruthahalli police are investigating the case.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar led a three-member Election Commission of India (ECI) delegation to Cartagena, Colombia to attend the 11th meeting of the Executive Board of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB).

The Association of World Election Bodies is the largest association of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide with 119 EMBs as Members and 20 Regional Associations/Organisations as Associate Members.

During the discussions, CEC Kumar said that A-WEB as a global association plays a critical role in fostering co-operation amongst EMBs and thereby enabling learning from each others experiences and best practices.

He stressed that EMBs through forums like A-WEB could work together on pressing challenges like countering fake narratives which are trying to derail the election integrity worldwide.

During the deliberations at the Executive Board meeting, the participants discussed various agenda items including the programmes and activities to be undertaken by A-WEB during 2023-24, annual progress report of A-WEB and its regional offices including A-WEB India Centre, budget and membership related matters amongst others.
The Congress has come out against Kerala governments fresh move to implement the Silver Line rail project with the assistance of metro man E Sreedharan.

AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal on Thursday alleged that the new move to implement the Silver Line rail project came after a deal was struck between the BJP and the CPI-M. The CPI-M BJP nexus has now come out in the open, Venugopal said.

Venugopal alleged that former minister KV Thomas is working as a bridge for the Modi-Pinarayi unholy alliance.

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It has been reported that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will meet E Sreedharan soon to discuss the modalities to implement the SilverLine rail project with modifications and also to discuss Metromans alternative report to implement the project.

It is indicated that representatives of K Rail Corporation will also participate in the discussion. K Rail Corporations opinion will also be sought on Sreedharans proposal.

The Kerala unit of the BJP also came in support of the new initiative. The LDF government in Kerala hopes that as the BJP is also supporting the new move, the Centre may approve the new project.

Metroman E Sreedharan submitted the alternative report as requested by KV Thomas. The report says that the current K Rail project is impractical.
The Haryana government termed the claim of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that the discharge from the Hathnikund barrage in the state is responsible for rise in water level of the Yamuna baseless and factually incorrect.

An advisor (irrigation) to the Chief Minister Haryana, Devender Singh, said on Thursday that the Delhi chief ministers claim that Yamuna water level has risen due to the release of surplus water from the Hathnikund Barrage is absolutely false.

It appears that his (Kejriwals) officers did not inform him about the accurate details. The letter written by Kejriwal to the Union home minister (saying a limited quantity of water should be released from the Hathnikund barrage so that the water level of the Yamuna does not increase further) in this regard holds no significance, he said.

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Singh said the structure at Hathnikund is a barrage designed to divert the water. Only a dam, not a barrage, can control water in limited quantities. It is also worth noting that, following the Central Water Commissions recommendations, the water discharged into the Yamuna River for the protection of the Hathnikund barrage, is the water which is constantly coming from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand due to excessive rains, he informed.

Singh said due to this water, land erosion and water-logging have occurred in Yamunanagar, Karnal, Panipat and Sonipat, due to which Haryana has to bear a heavy loss of life and property. If there was any option to release water in limited quantities, it would have been in the interest of Haryana state also, he added.

Hathnikund Barrage is a barrage located in Yamunanagar on the Yamuna River. This barrage was built between 1998 and 2000 to replace the earlier Tajewala Barrage. The structure barrage located at Hathnikund supplies to the partner states as per the 1994 agreement.

Singh said the Hathnikund Barrage was designed by the Central Water Commission (CWC). There is no way to store water in this barrage. According to the guidelines of the CWC, when more than one lakh cusecs of water come into it, the water automatically goes into the Yamuna River. If an attempt is made to stop the water coming into the barrage, it can damage all the gates of the barrage and this water can turn into a fierce flood and cause huge destruction in Haryana and Delhi, he added.

The water level in the swollen Yamuna in Delhi rose further during the night, flooding homes, affecting public transport and prompting emergency measures.
A remark by the grandson of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on the poor condition of a government school, which he helped to renovate by raising Rs 90 lakh, has given critics ammunition against the BRS Government.

Speaking at the inauguration of a Mandal Parishad primary school at Keshavanagar in Serilingampally, Himanshu remarked that he came to tears after seeing the school that lacked even wash room for girl students.

The newly-renovated school was inaugurated by Education Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy only the other day on the occasion of Himanshus birthday.

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As the clipping of his speech circulated on social media mostly BJP and Congress supporters took to Twitter to point out that Himanshu exposed the negligence to government schools in particular and the education sector in general.

Twitter users questioned the KCR-led government for celebrating the tenth anniversary of Telangana formation with all fanfare while the government institutions under the BRS are a picture of neglect. In an election year, this provided the much-needed ammunition to the Opposition even as the BRS handles went gaga over the initiative by Himanshu.

The students of the private school where Himanshu studied used to teach at the government school as part of their community outreach programme. After seeing the condition of the government-run institution, they decided to raise funds from students as well as through corporate social responsibility (CSR) scheme.

However, state Education Minister and a seasoned politician Sabitha Indra Reddy listed out various initiatives taken up by the BRS Government to improve the infrastructure of the government institutions including the recent Mana ooru mana badi scheme under which schools are being renovated and provided with additional facilities.

BRS workers and leaders, who were seemingly delighted by the role played by the third generation of the Kalvakuntla family, put up hoardings and cut-outs outside the school.

Meanwhile, ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana traded barbs over the education sector in their respective states. AP education minister Botsa Satyanarayana claimed that his state was way ahead of Telangana in education sector and that the neighbouring state was plagued by problems over transfers of teachers and question paper leaks and scam.

Telangana minister Srinivas Goud hit back saying pointing out that AP was still a capital less state. Hence, he said there can be no comparison between the two states.
People have breakfast at a breakfast shop in the Northwest Corner of Tianjin, north China, July 10, 2023. The Northwest Corner is named due to its location in the northwest corner of the old city of Tianjin. In the morning, many tourists who speak various dialects drag their suitcases here to have breakfasts with Tianjin characteristics. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

A woman makes fried cakes at her stall in the Northwest Corner of Tianjin, north China, July 10, 2023. The Northwest Corner is named due to its location in the northwest corner of the old city of Tianjin. In the morning, many tourists who speak various dialects drag their suitcases here to have breakfasts with Tianjin characteristics. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

A staff worker prepares Guoba dish ingredients at a breakfast shop in the Northwest Corner of Tianjin, north China, July 11, 2023. The Northwest Corner is named due to its location in the northwest corner of the old city of Tianjin. In the morning, many tourists who speak various dialects drag their suitcases here to have breakfasts with Tianjin characteristics. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

A seller makes tea soup in the Northwest Corner of Tianjin, north China, July 11, 2023. The Northwest Corner is named due to its location in the northwest corner of the old city of Tianjin. In the morning, many tourists who speak various dialects drag their suitcases here to have breakfasts with Tianjin characteristics. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

People line up at a breakfast shop in the Northwest Corner of Tianjin, north China, July 11, 2023. The Northwest Corner is named due to its location in the northwest corner of the old city of Tianjin. In the morning, many tourists who speak various dialects drag their suitcases here to have breakfasts with Tianjin characteristics. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

People line up at a breakfast shop ahead of its opening in the Northwest Corner of Tianjin, north China, July 10, 2023. The Northwest Corner is named due to its location in the northwest corner of the old city of Tianjin. In the morning, many tourists who speak various dialects drag their suitcases here to have breakfasts with Tianjin characteristics. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday said the state government is preparing a plan to buy land for big projects with consent of farmers.

Interacting with public representatives of Bhiwani-Mahendragarh Lok Sabha constituency today, the CM said if the farmers themselves are ready to give land for big projects related to industry, health and education sectors, such projects can be implemented soon. He said the peoples representatives should identify the land in the concerned area and inform the government.

Khattar said if land is available in Bhiwani, Mahendragarh and Charkhi Dadri, then big projects can be set up in these areas, which will directly benefit the people as these will open up employment opportunities, especially for the youth along with self-employment.

He said 1000 acres of land has been purchased through the e-Bhoomi portal. On this portal, farmers have voluntarily given this land which has been purchased by the committee.

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The CM said the government has not forcefully acquired even an inch of land in its eight years of tenure and only the necessary land has been taken on which railway lines, roads etc. have been built.

He said the farmers have agreed to give up to 25 acres of land for the PADMA scheme. If the land is available for big projects, the government will use it.

Khattar said the land acquired earlier was subjected to frequent enhancement, which was a burden on all.

Therefore, the government is taking steps to take land for development projects only with the consent of farmers, he said, adding 100 to 200 acres of land can be taken with the consent of the farmers in villages like Moosnauta, Ateli Begpur, Bihali, Khudana, etc., of Mahendragarh district. The CM asked the peoples representatives to talk to the farmers about giving land voluntarily.
On the first day of the 8th session of the assembly session beginning tomorrow, the President Draupadi Murmu will address MLAs in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly here at Vidhan Sabha at 11:00 am.

This is the first time the Presidents address is being held in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, which will be a proud and historic moment for the State Legislative Assembly, the Speaker Dr C P Joshi said on Thursday.

On the occasion,the speaker will give a welcome address to the President in the presence of Governor Kalraj Mishra, MLAs and other dignitaries.

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The Presidents visit would be followed by the beginning of the regular session that is likely to be stormy as the BJP Legislative Party held its meeting chaired by the Leader of Opposition R S Rathore today.

There would be a series of issues to be raised in the session. Deteriorating law and order situation, farmers loan and sale of their land, widespread corruption, and recovery of the 1 kg gold and cash in crores in the Yojna Bhawan, irregularities and disparities in relaxation in power, and false claims of the Gehlot government in the Mehangai Rahat Camp, Rathore told The Statesman.

The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) that will sit after the beginning of regular session will decide the business to be taken up by the government, and number of days of sittings, Mahendra Choudhary, the Deputy Chief Whip of the assembly, said.

It is learnt from the Ashok Gehlot government that at least five bills (mainly amendments) would be brought in the session. Following business on acts and bill include Mahatma Gandhi Minimum Guaranteed Income bill, Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, Marwar Medical University Bill, and Jobner Veterinary University.

As per the cabinet decision taken earlier this month, an amendment is also likely in the Rajasthan Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Bill, 2022 to make punishment harsher.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said she was put under house arrest to prevent her from paying homage to the 22 Kashmiri martyrs who were shot by the military of the Dogra ruler on this day in 1931.

Another former chief minister, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, walked to his party office from his Gupkar residence to offer tributes to the martyrs without his escort vehicle and police security. He said several leaders of NC have been stopped by the police from reaching the office to pay homage to the martyrs.

Omar wrote on Twitter; Dear @JmuKmrPolice dont think that refusing to give me my escort vehicles & ITBP cover will stop me. Ill walk to where I have to get to & thats exactly what Im doing now.

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Dear @JmuKmrPolice dont think that refusing to give me my escort vehicles & ITBP cover will stop me. Ill walk to where I have to get to & thats exactly what Im doing now. pic.twitter.com/tHZ50Pq6GS  Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 13, 2023

Mehbooba posted a video on the Twitter in which the main gate of her house was locked from outside and she is seen making vain attempts to open the gate. She said she will not allow the BJP to distort our history or forget our heroes.

She wrote on Twitter; Im under house arrest for wanting to visit Martyrs graveyard today. This at a time when GOI has used its tall claims of normalcy in SC (Supreme Court) to justify an act of betrayal- the illegal abrogation of Article 370.

BJPs own heroes Vir Sarvarkar, Shyama Prasad Mukheriji ,Gowalkar & Godse who spread hatred & divison cant be forced on us. For us those who sacrificed their lives for democracy to take root in J&K will always be admired for their act of courage. We wont allow you to distort our history or forget our heroes. On the occasion of Martyrs day, I salute their courage for valiantly fighting against despots to the end, she wrote.

Im under house arrest for wanting to visit Martyrs graveyard today. This at a time when GOI has used its tall claims of normalcy in SC to justify an act of betrayal- the illegal abrogation of Article 370. BJPs own heroes Vir Sarvarkar, Shyama Prasad Mukheriji ,Gowalkar & pic.twitter.com/JkySNQcEcq  Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 13, 2023

Omar Abdullah wrote: Now that Ive got to the office & will go ahead with my programme you will send everything. The fact is @JmuKmrPolice has stopped a lot of my senior colleagues from coming to the @JKNC_ office today by adopting the same tactics of stopping them in their homes. Notable amongst those stopped are Abdul Rahim Rather Sb, @AliMSagar_ Sb, Ali Mohd Dar Sb and others. 

He said the present government cancelled the holiday on martyrs day after abrogation of Article 370. The holiday will be restored when an elected government comes to power.

CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said that the historic event of martyrdom on 13 July 1931 can never be erased.
The Bombay High Court on Thursday rejected a temporary medical bail plea of former Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik who was nabbed in an alleged money-laundering case.

Rejecting the petition, Justice Anuja Prabhudesai ruled that she would hear the bail plea of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader on merits after two weeks.

In February 2022, Malik was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged money-laundering case arising out of an under-valued property deal with underworld links.

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After the ED charge sheet was filed, Malik moved the Special PMLA Court for bail in May 2022, which was rejected after which he challenged it in the Bombay High Court in November 2022.

Arguing for bail, Senior Advocate Amit Desai said that hMaliks physical condition was serious as he suffers from kidney ailments and the condition of his right kidney was deteriorating.

Malik contended that the Special Court failed to consider the observations made by the Bombay High Court in the bail order to former NCP leader and state home minister Anil Desmukh

Besides the merits aspect, Malik also cited medical grounds which was vehemently opposed by the Additional Solicitor-General Anil Singh on behalf of the ED.
Two Dalit brothers were killed in the Surendranagar district on Wednesday when a group of upper caste men attacked them with sharp weapons owing to an old land dispute.

Ironically, the killing of the two brothers came hours after Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Ramdas Athawale claimed that condition of Dalits in the state had improved under the BJP regime.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday afternoon, Athawale had admitted that atrocities on Dalits do happen but many upper caste people now-a-days come forward in support of the community.

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The two brothers, Manubhai Parmar and Aaljibhai Parmar, were attacked with sharp edged weapons by members of Durbar community in Samadhiyala village of Chuda taluka on Wednesday night.

The two siblings were rushed to C U Shah Hospital in Surendranagar but both of them succumbed to their injuries during treatment.

According to the district police, the attack had its origin in a land dispute between the deceased and the upper caste Durbars of the village. The Dalits were killed despite the dispute being sub judice.

The killings have sparked outrage among the Dalits. They expressed concerns regarding safety and welfare of the community in Gujarat. Dalit rights activist Kirit Rathore asked why the prime minister and Gujarat chief minister remain silent on the rising violence on Dalits.
In a surprising turn of events, Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) MLA Ishwar Singh found himself at the center of an incident that unfolded during his visit to a flood-affected village in the Kaithal district. It was during this visit that a woman, fueled by anger and frustration, resorted to slapping the MLA. Singh had embarked on this visit with the noble intention of assessing the situation and providing support to the affected residents.

Before we delve into the incident further, lets take a moment to learn about Ishwar Singh. Hailing from Jadaula in Kaithal district, Haryana, he is a prominent figure in the political arena. A member of the Indian National Congress, Singh has an impressive track record. He served as a Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana between 2008 and 2014 and currently holds the position of an elected Vidhan Sabha member from Guhla Cheeka. In addition to his political endeavors, Singh resides in Kurukshetra, Haryana.

Its worth noting that Ishwar Singh, at the age of 75, brings with him a wealth of experience in public service. His dedication to serving the people extends beyond his role as an MLA. He has held prestigious positions such as the Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, exemplifying his commitment to social welfare and empowerment.

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Lets turn our attention to the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), the political party to which Singh belongs. Established in 2018 by Dushyant Chautala, the party follows the ideology of Devi Lal, a respected figure who served as Deputy Prime Minister of India. JJP, with its strong foothold in Haryana, is recognized as a state political party. Its ideology, rooted in Jat solidarity and socialism, resonates with many across the region, contributing to its popularity and influence.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that the state government will soon table a Bill to ban the practice of polygamy in the upcoming assembly session.

We are planning to introduce the Bill to ban polygamy in the upcoming Assembly session. If for some reason we are not able to do so then we will introduce the Bill in the January Assembly session. In Assam, we want to ban polygamy immediately, the Assam CM said while speaking to the reporters here. Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said the ban on polygamy would be achieved through consensus and not aggression.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Griha Pravesh ceremony for 3.06 lakh beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana  Gramin (PMAY-G) during a ceremonial programme held in Guwahati.

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The Assam Panchayat and Rural Development department on Thursday organized a mass Griha Pravesh ceremony for more than 3 lakh PMAY -G beneficiaries

Speaking on the occasion, Sarma expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Today, 3 lakh beneficiaries under PMAY-G have performed Griha Pravesh in their houses which were constructed by the Panchayat and Rural Development department of the Assam government. At this moment, we thank and express our gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as because of his blessings, 3 lakh people have been able to enter their houses in a single day, he said.
Nepals spotty air safety record has been blighted further following the death of six people in a helicopter crash in the Everest region soon after take-off on Tuesday. Often described as the worlds most unsafe country for civil aviation, and with as many as 20 of its airlines banned from operating in European Union countries, Nepal has long battled with safety issues without ever seeming to have found solutions. Since 1955, there have been 69 air crashes in the country, 45 of them leading to fatalities. Experts say there are three principal reasons for the sorry state of the countrys civil aviation. First, the terrain is mountainous and flight operations are treacherous, especially during the monsoons.

But in contrast, Bhutan, which shares many of the topographical features and weather conditions of its neighbour, has a far more impressive record with air safety, despite its main airport at Paro being considered one of the most difficult in the world to negotiate, and with only a handful of pilots licensed to land there. Conditions at many Nepalese airports are primitive and pilots must use Visual Flying Rules to navigate. But weather conditions sometimes force them to break these rules. The other factor is that many Nepalese aircraft are old, and while this by itself ought not to render them unfit for flying, their maintenance needs are high and operators may choose to cut corners. While all commercial aircraft must pass certification tests, concerns have been voiced at the thoroughness of such scrutiny in Nepal, especially with older aircraft. In the wake of a crash last year of a 43-year-old De Havilland Otter that killed 22 people, authorities had announced plans to reduce the maximum age of aircraft imported into the country to 10 years in the case of pressurized craft and 15 years for non-pressurised craft. But in January this year, a 15-year-old aircraft of Yeti Air crashed, killing 72 people. The third factor that plagues civil aviation in the country is that despite a recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, Nepals civil aviation operator plays the twin roles of a regulator and operator. In fact, this is one reason why the EU decided to blacklist Nepalese aircraft using its airspace in 2013.

Unless these roles are split, and the regulator is granted sufficient autonomy to check airworthiness of civilian aircraft, not much can be expected. As things stand, passengers must board Nepalese civilian aircraft with hope in their hearts and prayers on their lips. Aviation authorities in a country often described as among the prettiest in the world owe it to their citizens, and to visitors who spend their dollars there, to ensure higher safety standards. Nepal should not fight shy of seeking help from its neighbours who have far better safety records. The present state of affairs must not continue.

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Israel is not the first country to confront the debate on separation of powers between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, nor will it be the last. But as protests engulf the country in the wake of a decision by its parliament to go ahead with reforms aimed at circumscribing the powers of courts, it is clear that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have to come up with a convincing narrative to push through the measures. At the moment, though, many Israelis seem unprepared to listen, and thousands this week blockaded the countrys main airport as well as major highways to register their opposition to the legislative measure. Flag-waving demonstrators blocked traffic at major intersections, lay down on roads and threw flares, even as many surrounded the Ben Gurion airport outside Tel Aviv. These protests came after a new Bill won the first of three votes required in Parliament to become law. It aims to curb the powers of the countrys Supreme Court to nullify decisions of the government that are deemed unreasonable. Mr. Netanyahus right-wing coalition argues that the Court, under the influence of the political Left, has played an interventionist role and must be curbed in order to ensure effective governance.

Critics, on the other hand, argue that oversight by the top court helps prevent corruption and abuse of power. More importantly, the tech and business establishments in the country say that any measure aimed at diluting the courts powers will ultimately cause questions to be raised about the countrys democratic structures. When the legislative measure was first announced, it had led to widespread protests. In March, when the protests were backed by industrial action, the government had announced a truce and said it would talk to opponents of the measure in a bid to convince them. In June, two major Opposition parties announced they were pulling out of talks. The move to bring the Bill back on the legislative agenda this month, after Mr. Netanyahu announced that he had dropped one key provision that gave politicians greater say in the selection of judges, has provoked fresh waves of protest. It is clear that Israel is sharply divided over the measures, with opponents terming them as extremist. Israels international allies have asked Mr. Netanyahu to come to broad agreements with opponents of the proposals, and the United States has urged him to ensure that the Supreme Courts independence is preserved. Others have pointed to a potential conflict of interest arising out of Mr. Netanyahus own corruption trial over charges of fraud and breach of trust. While many hope that the final legislation, if it is approved, is a watered down version of the original, they also admit the possibility of such a conclusion is remote given Mr. Netanyahus apparent determination. Israel will continue to be rocked by protests until one side blinks.

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Ambiga Subramanian has become the first woman to head an Indian unicorn startup which has a value of over $1 billion.

Ambiga Subramanian, a former CEO of data analytics firm Mu Sigma, is now the youngest of Indias eight richest self-made women. This is as per the Hurun India rich list 2017, published on September 26 by Shanghai-based research firm Hurun Report.

Subramanian ranked fourth after Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson of biotechnology company Biocon, with a net worth of over Rs2,500 crore ($381 million). Vembu Radha, director at software products maker Zoho, and Sheela Gautam, chairperson emeritus of mattress-maker Sheela Foam are all behind Subramanian.

The Hurun India rich list ranks Indians with wealth in excess of Rs1,000 crore ($152 million).

In 2016 Subramanian sold her 24% stake in Illinois-based Mu Sigma to her Ex husband Dhiraj Rajaram, the companys founder and chairman, after their divorce. Rajaram emerged as the controlling shareholder of the firm which he established in 2004 then went on to buy stock options held by his employees. Mu Sigma is estimated to have a valuation of $1.5 billion.

Subramanian has also ranked among Indias most powerful businesswomen by Forbes in 2016.

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Subramanian and Rajaram first met in the early 1990s at the College of Engineering, Guindy, in Chennai, they both studied electrical engineering. The two later went on to study computer engineering at Wayne State University in Michigan. She began her career in 1998 with the American telecom major Motorola, where she worked for eight years whereas Rajaram worked with consultancies such as Booz Allen Hamilton and PwC before he initiated his own business with Mu Sigma, which he funded by selling their home in Illinois and putting in $200,000 of his personal savings. Subramanian joined the company in 2007.

Mu Sigma grew rapidly on the back of a model that delivered big-data analytics to multinational corporations from centres in India. Today, it employs over 4,000 workers and serves 140 of Fortune 500 companies.

In 2012, it crossed the $100 million revenue mark and went on to become Indias first profitable unicorn. For the financial year 2015-16, Mu Sigma posted a profit of Rs462.9 crore (paywall), a 22% increase from the year before. It has raised over $211 million so far in seven rounds of funding, backed by investors such as Sequoia, General Atlantic, and Mastercard. It counts American companies such as Walmart, Microsoft, and Dell among its clients.

However, 2016 didnt go quite well because of an internal crisis the company faced some serious turmoil when Subramanian and Rajaram decided to get divorced, and many important employees left the company in the crisis, resulting in chaos led to a loss of business. In the year ended December 2016, Mu Sigmas revenues fell to $165 million, from $184 million and the turmoil was finally put to rest when Rajaram bought out Subramanians stake. Ambiga Subramanian is now doing her best on her own terms working for her startup and staying out of the public eye.
NANJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Cai Esheng, former vice chairman of the now defunct China Banking Regulatory Commission, stood trial for taking bribes and abuse of power on Thursday at a court in Zhenjiang, east China's Jiangsu Province.

Prosecutors accused Cai of taking advantage of his positions at the commission to seek benefits for others and accepting over 409 million yuan (about 57 million U.S. dollars) worth of money and valuables in return between 2006 and 2021.

He was also accused of abusing the convenience associated with his previous posts to seek benefits for others, accepting over 110 million yuan worth of money and valuables in return between 2018 and 2021.

He was also charged with malpractice for personal gain and abuse of power between 2010 and 2013, which caused huge losses to the public property as well as the interests of the state and the people, according to the indictment.

During the court trial, prosecutors presented their evidence, which the defendant and his lawyers cross-examined.

Cai pleaded guilty and expressed remorse in his final statement.

The verdict will be announced in due course.

The China Banking Regulatory Commission was replaced by the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission following a cabinet restructuring in 2018. Earlier this year, the National Financial Regulatory Administration was formed on the basis of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission as China's new financial regulator. 
Kanal Kannan is a stunt choreographer who was arrested in Kanyakumari by Tamil Nadu Police for posting an allegedly derogatory tweet against Christianity.

The Cyber Crime Wing police also registered a case against the pro-Hindu group, Hindu Munnani. Kannan is the head of the art and culture wing and president of the Tamil Nadu chapter of Hindu Munnani, an RRS affiliate.

Austin Bennet, the deputy organizer of the DMK IT Wing had filed a complaint against Kanal Kannan for posting a manipulated video of a man dressed as a Christian priest dancing with a girl on Twitter. He alleged that Kannan also wrote a derogatory remark against Christianity.

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Sharing the video on Twitter on June 18, Kannan wrote This is the true state of foreign religious culture???!!!! Think converted Hindus!!!! Repent!!!

The Cyber Crime police registered a case against Kannan.

Who is Kanal Kanan?

Kanal Kanan is an Indian film stuntman, screenwriter, and action choreographer. Born on February 12, 1962, Vallivaram, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, he works in Tamil, Malayalam Telegu, Kannada, and Hindi films. He has worked with actors Suriya, Ajith Kumar, R Sarath Kumar, Vijay, and Arjun Sarja in many films.

Kannan registered a case against his wife Hemavathi in April 2012. Hemavathi who was living in separation from him due to some differences, back to his family

Last year, Kannan was arrested for his remark against revered social activist and the father of the Dravidian movement Periyar EV Ramasamy.

Kannan is an action choreographer and an actor. He has worked in the Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi film industries. The stunt master has worked with leading actors in the South Indian film industry from superstar Rajinikanth to Thalapathy Vijay.

Hailing from Tamil Nadu, he started his career in 1991, with a Tamil film Cheran Pandian. He has won 16 awards for his work in regional cinema.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a trip to France on Thursday, he said interests between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region were vast and deep.

He made the remarks to French newspaper Les Echos ahead of his trip, which will also take him to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Our (India AND France) interests in the Indo-Pacific region are vast, and our engagement is deep. I have described our vision for this region in one word, SAGAR, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region, Modi told the newspaper.

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While peace is necessary for the future we seek to build, it is far from assured. India has always stood for peaceful resolution of differences through dialogue and diplomacy, and for respecting sovereignty of all nations, international law and the rules-based international order.

On 25 years of strategic partnership between India and France, Modi told Les Echos that I feel we are now at a turning point. If we look at the post-pandemic global order and the shape that it is taking, I think the positive experience of our strategic partnership is an important step ahead.

So, we look forward to working on a roadmap for the next 25 years of the strategic partnership, which I think is very important for the relationship. The relationship is in excellent shape. It is strong, trusted and consistent. It has been steady and resilient in the darkest storms. It has been bold and ambitious in looking for opportunities.

Highlighting the significance of India in promoting issues of the Global South, the Prime Minister said: I see India being that strong shoulder that if Global South has to make that high jump, India can be that shoulder to propel it ahead. For the Global South, India can also build its linkages with Global North.

So, in that sense, this shoulder can become this bridge of sorts. So, I feel that what we need is to strengthen this shoulder, this bridge so that linkages between the North and South can become stronger and the Global South can itself become stronger.

On being asked as to why the Indo-US relationship has seen a phenomenal rise in the last few years, Modi said: It is true that the relationship has been growing positively since the turn of the century. It has accelerated and reached new levels in the past nine years.

There is widespread support for deepening our ties, from all stakeholders, in both countries  be it government, parliament, industry, academia and of course the people. The US Congress has consistently extended bipartisan support for elevating our relationship.

He further said that he personally enjoyed an excellent rapport with the US leadership, across different administrations, over the last nine years.

During my state visit to the US in June, President Joe Biden and I agreed that the partnership between the worlds two largest democracies with exceptionally strong people- to-people ties could be the defining partnership of this century.

This is because this partnership is perfectly placed in terms of interests, vision, commitments and complementarities to address the challenges of our times and contribute in a significant way to shaping the global order, he noted.

Modis two-day visit to Paris comes at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Prime Minister will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade on Friday, where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent will be participating.

According to the External Affairs Ministry, Modi will also hold formal talks with Macron and meet his French counterpart, as well as the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly.

He will also separately interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent personalities.
Author Milan Kundera, renowned for his thought-provoking novels like The Unbearable Lightness of Being, has passed away at the age of 94. The news of his death was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Milan Kundera Library in his hometown of Brno, who cited his prolonged illness as the cause. As we remember Kundera and his impactful literary contributions, lets take a closer look at the life and legacy of this influential writer.

Milan Kundera gained international acclaim primarily through his masterpiece, The Unbearable Lightness of Being. However, prior to the Velvet Revolution in 1989, Kunderas books were banned under the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. Despite the obstacles, his works persevered and resonated deeply with readers worldwide. His thought-provoking narratives delved into the intricacies of the human condition, leaving a lasting impression on those who delved into his pages.

A man of mystery, Milan Kundera led a relatively private life and rarely engaged with the media. He cultivated a reputation as a reserved figure, shying away from the limelight. Throughout his career, Kundera garnered recognition as a potential Nobel Prize in Literature recipient and received nominations for various prestigious awards. Nevertheless, he consistently emphasized that he saw himself primarily as a novelist, rather than a writer motivated by political agendas.

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Born in Czechoslovakia, Kundera later sought refuge in France in 1975, eventually obtaining French citizenship in 1981. His ties to his home country remained, despite his exile, and he maintained contact with Czech and Slovak friends. In 1979, he was stripped of his Czechoslovak citizenship, only to have it reinstated in 2019. However, Kundera identified strongly as a French writer, insisting that his works be studied and classified as part of the French literary tradition.

Kunderas writing style was distinctive and captivating. He often employed a first-person narrator who would reflect upon and comment on the characters within his otherwise third-person narratives. The author focused more on the intricate words and language that molded his characters, rather than their physical appearances. He saw himself as a writer whose craft did not revolve around delivering a specific message, but rather sought to explore the depths of human experience and emotion.

Despite his literary achievements, Kunderas life was not without controversy. In 2009, he found himself embroiled in a heated debate when he signed a petition advocating for the release of Polish film director Roman Polanski. The petition emerged after Polanskis arrest in Switzerland in connection with a charge from 1977, alleging the drugging and anal rape of a 13-year-old girl.

As Milan Kunderas remarkable journey comes to an end, his contributions to literature and his unique perspective on the complexities of human existence will continue to resonate with generations to come. His legacy as a profound storyteller will be cherished by readers worldwide, ensuring that his words and ideas endure beyond his passing.
Brenton Smith is policy adviser for the Heartland Institute, a think tank in Arlington Heights. This essay was first published in The Chicago Tribune.
Our View: Only you, Gov. Healey, can get this done
Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (R) meets with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

JAKARTA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to consolidate strategic mutual trust and expand mutually beneficial cooperation with Vietnam, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi said here on Thursday.

At a meeting with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on the sidelines of a series of ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings, Wang noted that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Vietnam, and the two countries took it as an opportunity to carry out high-level exchanges intensively.

The two sides reaffirmed the importance and priority of China-Vietnam relations in their respective foreign policies and emphasized the need to strengthen the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road, so as to enrich the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new situation, he said.

China is willing to work with the Vietnamese side to strengthen strategic communication, consolidate strategic mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, promote people-to-people exchanges, so that people of the two countries, especially the younger generation, would be more involved in China-Vietnam friendship and cooperation, said the senior Chinese diplomat.

Wang said China and Vietnam are both communist-led socialist countries with the same political orientation, highly complementary economies and broad prospects for cooperation.

The two sides should join hands to follow their respective modernization paths, strengthen the synergy of development strategies and enhance cooperation, Wang said.

China is willing to import more Vietnamese products and encourages the Vietnamese side to actively participate in the China-ASEAN Expo and the China International Import Expo (CIIE), he said.

Wang emphasized that the two sides should implement the important consensus on the proper handling of maritime issues reached by top leaders of the two parties.

China is willing to work with ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, including Vietnam, to promote the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

For his part, Son said his country appreciates the development of bilateral ties and looks forward to further enhancing high-level exchanges to implement the important consensus between leaders of both parties.

Pledging efforts for joint construction of the Belt and Road and promotion of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, he said Vietnam expects expanded exports to China, active participation in the China-ASEAN Expo and the CIIE, and proper handling of maritime issues.

The two sides agreed to work together to guard against disturbances and push the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level. 
This photo provided by Colin Mackerras shows him giving a speech in Beijing, capital of China, June 29, 2023. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Colin Mackerras, an 84-year-old Australian professor, has a tight schedule in China despite the unusual heat this summer.

A forum on Tibet, lectures at the Renmin University in Beijing, a nine-day visit to the World Sinology Center in Qingdao in the eastern Shandong Province, and the first World Conference of Sinologists -- A long list of events he excitedly mentioned for what is his first visit to China since the country optimized its COVID-19 response measures.

An Emeritus Professor at Griffith University, Mackerras first came to China in the 1960s, and has engaged in boosting cultural exchanges between China and Australia for six decades.

Talking about his work, the professor said: "I think cultural understanding is really important. Without understanding a lot of problems can come."

Mackerras's cultural journey was sparked by pure coincidence. When he was young, his mom encouraged him to apply for a scholarship in Asian studies, and he never stopped thanking his mom for that.

While at university he met a Swedish professor, whose interest in China greatly influenced Mackerras. "He taught me to love, for example, Song Dynasty (960-1279) paintings. He taught me to love Chinese literature: Tao Yuanming, Li Bai, Du Fu, Bai Juyi..." said the old man, naming several famous Chinese poets in fluent Mandarin.

Describing the approach of Chinese art and literature as "subtle," Mackerras noted that it was influenced by Taoism. "I love the way in which human beings are dwarfed by nature," he said.

Mackerras attended Cambridge University in Britain in the early 1960s, working on his master's degree and learning about the history of China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), when a friend of his decided to teach in China. At the recommendation of this friend, Mackerras arrived in China in 1964, becoming a teacher at the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), then known as the Beijing Foreign Languages Institute.

The professor still cherishes a black-and-white photo, in which he stands smiling among a group of young people wearing cotton cloth jackets with turned-down collars. Many of the students were from working-class and peasant families, who were "hard-working, patriotic and serious-minded, and their level of English was remarkably high," he recalled.

Although his first teaching experience at BFSU lasted only two years, it was "completely transformative" in his life, said Mackerras.

Since then, he has visited China about 80 times, teaching at universities and visiting different places. In Xinjiang, he watched Uygur students learning folk dancing and playing traditional musical instruments, visited the well-preserved historical city of Kashgar and tried coffee there. In Tibet, he witnessed great changes, and was struck by the strength of Tibetan cultural revival and survival.

In fact, he has seen great changes within the country, including the rapid growth of the economy, elimination of extreme poverty, reduction of infant mortality, improvement of education and women's equality.

Recalling the time when Beijing was without a subway system and ring roads, he was especially impressed by the high-speed trains carrying passengers across the country within hours. "I'm really struck by the people who go on them," he said. "It's not a small group of people...you get all kinds of people going on there. I think the society has changed and become much more prosperous."

In terms of cultural exchanges, Mackerras said, with modesty, that he has mainly done two things. He has promoted student exchanges between China and Australia, and written books about China.

Specializing in Chinese history, art and ethnic minorities, he has written or edited more than 40 books in these aspects. One of his books, "China in My Eyes," was published in China.

"I'm interested in the future of China," he said. "I can see the trend in my lifetime. I can see how China is going up. It's rising and prosperous."

Having known China quite well, the professor is also a frequent columnist, writing articles to tell the truth about China in Australia, where reports in mainstream media sometimes tend to paint a negative picture. Mackerras has been accused in Australia of being too pro-China. "They haven't stopped me," he said. "I don't care really."

To dismiss the so-called "China threat" raised by some politicians and media in Western countries, he likes to give the example of Zheng He, a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) explorer and diplomat who made seven voyages during which he shared Chinese technology and map-making skills, while also helping to settle territorial disputes and combat piracy.

"There was no conquest," said Mackerras. In comparison, he named some Western explorers, whose voyages were followed by conquest and bloodshed.

"History matters," he added. "We know China has changed enormously, but the past still matters."

This underlines the importance of sinology and China studies overseas. "We must understand other people's culture, and especially China, which has such a marvelous culture."

Concerning his five children, his eldest son Stephen was the first Australian born in China after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, while his second daughter Veronica is the one most interested in China. "She's much more enthusiastic and she learned Chinese," said Mackerras. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Veronica used to visit China a lot, and Mackerras hopes that she will return to China.

As for himself, Mackerras hopes to bring his eleven grandchildren to China. He also would like to keep coming back to China, indulging his passions for opera and writing about the country. But for all that, he also said: "Perhaps it's time to slow down." 

Colin Mackerras speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Beijing, capital of China, June 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhao Xu)
A drug-addicted person receives medical treatment at a rehabilitation center in Kandahar, Afghanistan, July 13, 2023.

Provincial authorities in south Afghanistan's Kandahar province inaugurated a rehabilitation center for drug-addicted people on Thursday, deputy director of the provincial health department Sayed Ahmad Shadab said.

The rehabilitation center with 30 beds formally opened in Takhta Pul district in the morning, providing medical treatment to any addict who gets admission here, the official said, adding that the facility would be upgraded to a 100-bed facility in the future. (Photo by Arghand/Xinhua)

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Provincial authorities in south Afghanistan's Kandahar province inaugurated a rehabilitation center for drug-addicted people on Thursday, deputy director of the provincial health department Sayed Ahmad Shadab said.

The rehabilitation center with 30 beds formally opened in Takhta Pul district in the morning, providing medical treatment to any addict who gets admission here, the official said, adding that the facility would be upgraded to a 100-bed facility in the future.

Drug addicts from Kandahar, Helmand and Nimroz provinces would be brought here for recovery.

More than 3 million out of Afghanistan's 35 million population have reportedly been addicted to drugs. The Afghan caretaker government has banned poppy cultivation, processing to drug and drug trafficking since April last year, besides rounding up the addicts from elsewhere and taking them to rehabilitation centers. 

This photo taken on July 13, 2023 shows a rehabilitation center for drug-addicted people in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Provincial authorities in south Afghanistan's Kandahar province inaugurated a rehabilitation center for drug-addicted people on Thursday, deputy director of the provincial health department Sayed Ahmad Shadab said.

The rehabilitation center with 30 beds formally opened in Takhta Pul district in the morning, providing medical treatment to any addict who gets admission here, the official said, adding that the facility would be upgraded to a 100-bed facility in the future. (Photo by Arghand/Xinhua)
Youre a graphic designer, right? Of course, you are, thats why youre reading this. As designers, were always looking for ways to up our game and produce higher-quality work in less time.

Artificial intelligence has come a long way, and now there are some incredibly useful AI tools built specifically for graphic designers like us. These tools can help you with everything from generating color palettes and font pairings to creating social media posts and videos in minutes.

If youre ready to elevate your graphic design skills and save a ton of time in the process, check out these 5 best AI tools for graphic designers. Read on and get ready to take your graphic designs to a whole new level.

Here are the below 5 AI tools to elevate your Design game.

1. UiZard

2. Slazzer

3. Khroma

4. AutoDraw

5. Nvidia Canvas

Let's learn about them in detail.

UiZard

If you're a graphic designer, you know that coming up with unique UI/UX designs can be challenging and time-consuming. That's why AI-powered design tools like UiZard are game changer.

UiZard is the world's first AI-powered UX/UI design tool. It can transform screenshots into editable UI designs and convert hand-drawn sketches into customizable designs. UiZard's AI-powered Design Assistant can create mockups in minutes, bringing app ideas to life rapidly.

Using UiZard is simple. Just upload a screenshot, sketch, or describe your app idea. UiZard will then generate tailored UI elements like buttons, inputs, navbars, and more to match your selected theme. You can then easily customize the design by rearranging elements, changing colors, and adding your own graphics.

If you're looking to create mockups fast, get inspiration for a new project, or just level up your UI/UX skills, UiZard is a must-have tool. The possibilities are endless with an AI assistant ready to help at every step of the design process.

Overall, UiZard provides an easy, affordable way for designers to create beautiful, responsive UI/UX designs in a fraction of the time.

Slazzer

Slazzer is an AI tool that uses advanced algorithms to remove backgrounds from images for free. It can automatically replace the background with a new one, creating professional-looking photos for social media.

 Slazzers AI can remove objects from photos, useful for graphic designers and editors. It uses computer vision to identify the main subject in an image and separates it from the background.

 This AI-powered tool is perfect for creating profile pictures, social media banners, and more. Just upload your photo, mark the area you want to cut out, and Slazzer will remove the background in seconds.

 Slazzer is free if you have fewer images and also offers paid plans for individuals and teams.

Some key features include:

 Background removal in just one click. Slazzers AI detects the main subject and extracts it automatically.

 Replace the background with a new color or image. Choose from Slazzers library or upload your own background.

 Save time. Slazzer is fast, removing backgrounds in seconds so you can focus on the creative parts of your work.

 High-quality results. Slazzer creates professional cutouts ready to use in your designs.

 Available on the web and mobile. Use Slazzer on your laptop, desktop or through the mobile app.

Slazzer is an innovative tool that utilizes artificial intelligence to simplify one of the most time-consuming tasks in graphic design. With its powerful and easy-to-use features, Slazzer will elevate your graphic design skills and save you hours of work.

Khroma

If you're looking for AI tools to boost your graphic design skills, you have to check out Khroma. This nifty app generates color palettes based on images you upload or keywords you enter. Just feed Khroma an inspiration photo or type in a mood like calm or energetic, and it will instantly provide you with a custom set of 5 colors that go great together.

Khroma makes selecting the perfect palette for your project effortless. No more spending hours browsing stock photos for color ideas or trying to determine which hues complement each other. This AI-powered tool handles all the tricky color matching for you. All you have to do is choose a palette you love and get designing!

Using Khroma is super simple. Just open the app on your phone or access it through their website, upload an image or type in a keyword, and Khroma will display your tailored color palette options within seconds. Each palette option also provides the exact RGB, CMYK and HEX codes for the colors so you can easily use them in your design tools.

If you want to take the guesswork out of selecting stunning color schemes, Khroma is a must-have tool for any graphic designer. This handy app is a graphic designers color-chooser dream.

Nvidia Canvas

Have you ever wished you had the artistic skills to turn your rough sketches into masterful paintings? With Nvidia Canvas, now you can. This AI-powered software converts your simple brushstrokes into photorealistic images in real time.

Canvas is like having your own personal artist on call 24/7. It understands your intent and helps you achieve it, even if you have zero artistic talent or experience. All you need is a stylus and drawing surfaceCanvas takes care of the rest.

As an artistically-challenged individual, Canvas has been a game changer for me. I can now create everything from product designs to holiday cards without struggling or frustration.

The AI assists me in choosing colors, applying textures, and achieving a realistic final result. My friends and family are amazed at my newfound skills!

If youre ready to unleash your inner artist, give Nvidia Canvas a try. Within minutes youll be producing masterpieces you never dreamed possible. This ingenious software helps people of all ability levels express their creativity in a fun, fulfilling way.

Why keep your artistic visions locked away any longer? With the help of AI, you can make them a reality.

Canvas is available as a free download, so you have nothing to lose by giving it a spin. I think youll find, like I did, that it opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities. Your imagination is the only limit! Sketch, paint and design to your hearts content.

Nvidia Canvas will be there to bring your creations to life with a brushstroke of genius.

AutoDraw

If you're not the best at drawing but still want to create visuals, AutoDraw is a great tool for you. This web app uses machine learning to help you draw clip art and icons.

As you start sketching in the AutoDraw canvas, the AI will try to predict what you're drawing and provide suggestions to help complete your doodle. So if you draw a circle with a curved line on top, AutoDraw may suggest a half moon icon. Or if you scribble something that looks like a sun, it'll provide a neatly drawn sun icon for you.

 All you have to do is select the suggestion you like, and AutoDraw will transform your sketch into a professionally designed icon.

 It has a huge library of clip art across many categories like technology, music, science, nature, and more.

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VisualEyes.design

As a graphic designer, creating user interfaces that are clear, efficient and human-centered is key. But how do you know if your designs are actually achieving this? VisualEyes is an AI-powered design assistant tool that provides real-time feedback on your UI designs to help optimize them for an enhanced user experience.

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KHARTOUM, July 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 87 people allegedly killed by Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allies were uncovered from a mass grave outside West Darfur State's capital El-Geneinaa, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a press release Thursday.

The UN office said 87 ethnic Masalit and others were killed around June 13-21 in El-Geneina's Al-Madaress and Al-Jamarek districts, and included many victims of the violence that followed the killing of Khamis Abbaker, governor of West Darfur, on June 14 under RSF custody.

Among the uncovered bodies were seven women and seven children, and people who died from untreated injuries, the UN office said in the press release, citing what it called credible information.

The UN office claimed that locals were forced to bury them in a mass grave, denying them a decent burial.

In the statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called on the RSF and other parties to the Sudan conflict to allow and facilitate prompt searches for the dead, their collection and evacuation without distinction, including based on ethnic background. 
With a day left for the launch of India's lunar exploration mission Chandrayaan-3, the 26-hour countdown will begin at 1:05 pm on Thursday. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is expected to launch Chandrayaan-3 from the Sathish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota at 2:35 pm on Friday.

According to the ISRO, the mission readiness review is completed and the launch has been authorised. The spacecraft will be launched on a GSLV Mark 3 (LVM 3) heavy-lift launch vehicle and if everything goes to plan, the 43.5-metre rocket will blast the spacecraft into an elliptical Earth orbit before it loops toward the moon for a scheduled landing around Aug. 23.



The mission will help the country cross new frontiers by demonstrating a soft landing on the lunar surface by its lunar module and roving on the lunar terrain. It is expected to aid ISROs future interplanetary missions. Additionally, the deployment of the rover and in-situ scientific experiments will scale new heights in lunar expeditions, claims the ISRO.



Where to watch



The LVM3 M4/Chandrayaan-3 launch can be viewed live on the website of ISRO (http://isro.gov.in). It is also being streamed on the Facebook page (https://facebook.com/ISRO) and YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/watch?v=q2ueCg9bvvQ). It will also be available on the DD National from 2 pm on Friday.



Team at Tirupati



VIDEO | The ISRO team offered prayers at Tirupati Venkatachalapathy Temple in Andhra Pradesh earlier today ahead of the launch of Chandrayaan-3. pic.twitter.com/uLxZelaxvK  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 13, 2023

The ISRO team on Thursday visited Tirupati Venkatachalapathy Temple in Andhra Pradesh with a miniature model of Chandrayaan-3 to offer prayers. Visuals of the ISRO team went viral on Thursday morning and a Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) official confirmed their visit.



They included ISRO Scientific Secretary Shanthanu Batwuadekar and project director Veeramuthu Vel. "Yes, an ISRO team has visited Tirumala but our publicity wing did not cover their visit," a TTD official told PTI.


Roads turned into rivers and water gushed into houses, medical facilities, crematoriums and shelter homes in Delhi as the Yamuna river water level rose to record high, causing immense hardship for the people.

Despite the situation being grave, some people preferred to move to the upper floors of their buildings rather than shift to relief camps. Many could be seen frantically trying to save their essentials from the water.

Amid the flooding, the city is staring at drinking water shortage as the Delhi government decided to cut down supply by 25 per cent following the closure of three water treatment plants -- Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla -- due to the rising level of the Yamuna.

Several vehicles were abandoned in flood water under a railway bridge near Delhi's Geeta Colony as well as in Loha Pul and Yamuna Bazar area.

Several key areas in Delhi, including the secretariat which houses the offices of the chief minister as well as his cabinet colleagues, were flooded on Thursday as authorities scrambled to lead rescue and relief efforts.

A tourist bus carrying 40 to 45 passengers was partially submerged at the underpass near the secretariat and authorities rushed to their rescue after receiving a distress call.

The Yamuna waters also reached the walls of the iconic Red Fort and people were seen navigating through waist-deep and in some places neck-high water.

Severe waterlogging was also reported in Rajghat while a carriageway of the Vikas Marg was partially under water.

Twelve National Disaster Response Force teams, equipped with inflatable boats, ropes and other equipment continued with the rescue and evacuation work along with Delhi Fire Service and police on Thursday.

According to officials, people in the Monastery Market area, which was flooded on Wednesday, have shifted to the second and third floors of buildings and were unwilling to shift.

Delhi Police rescued 60 nursing students stranded in Dandi Ashram while 80 people were rescued from the Old Usmanpur area with the help of boats. Around 738 people and 556 cattle were rescued from another area of Usmanpur in northeast Delhi.

The Yamuna river swelled to a staggering 208.66 metres at 6 pm on Thursday, smashing the previous all-time record of 207.49 metres set 45 years ago by a significant margin.

Waterlogging at the Kashmere Gate bus terminus forced the Delhi Transport Department to terminate buses from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and elsewhere at the Singhu border. The Hanuman Mandir in Kashmere Gate was also flooded.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi on Wednesday issued an advisory asking people not to go to Nigambodh Ghat to carry out last rites. The crematorium in Geeta Colony too was closed due to the rise in Yamuna water levels.

The Delhi civic body has advised people to take the body of their near and dear ones to other cremation grounds at Panchkuian Road, Sat Nagar, Punjabi Bagh, Green Park, Dakshinpuri or preferably in their neighbourhood.

As the main gate of the Delhi government-run Sushruta Trauma Centre got inundated, authorities were forced to transfer 40 patients to the LNJP Hospital, officials said.

Water also entered the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board's two shelter homes at Gandhi Park in Old Delhi and Geeta Ghat at Yamuna Bank -- the worst-affected parts of the national capital -- leading to the evacuation of its occupants.

In east Delhi, which is near the Yamuna river, areas such as Boat Club, Pandav Nagar, parts of Gandhi Nagar and Bhajanpura were inundated. Despite that, the locals in some areas were reluctant to move out of their homes, officials said.

Parts of the posh Civil Lines area, where the Raj Niwas and the official residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are located, also came under the flood water. Key establishments like the office of the labour commissioner and the transport commissioner are also located there.

The vehicle fitness centre at Burari was also flooded, prompting the authorities to shut it down till July 15. Officials said no penalties will be imposed on vehicles whose fitness certificates have expired during this period of closure.

Delhi University professor Chandrachur Singh, residing in DDA flats in Mukherjee Nagar, said that they have been living in stinking conditions for the past two days. "Knee-deep sewage water has entered our homes," he said.

None from the civic authorities have reached out to help despite repeated pleas, Singh said, adding, "There are 376 flats here and we are facing this issue because of the Najafgarh Drain."

Officials, however, claimed the sewage water has entered the area due to a leakage in a Delhi Jal Board manhole and not from the Najafgarh drain.
A day after two brothers of a Dalit family were killed over a land dispute in Surendranagar district of Gujarat, two police sub-inspectors have been suspended on the charges of alleged dereliction of duty.

According to police, the brothers were allegedly killed by people belonging to the OBC community in Samadhiala village of Chuda taluka.

The victims Alaji Parmar (60) and Manoj Parmar (54) succumbed to injuries in the hospital. According to the FIR, six accused have been identified and there are about 12 unidentified persons. The complaint stated that the victims were attacked while they were returning home after ploughing their field.

Range IG Ashok Kumar Yadav told a section of media that land dispute between different communities led to the attacks; Dalits and Kathi Darbars were at loggerheads. The family members have refused to accept the bodies unless the accused are arrested. Yadav also visited the hospital.

Gujarat Congress president and Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil, along with other party leaders, visited the grieving family members. Targeting the state government, Gohil said fearing an attack, the victims had sought police protection but it wasnt given. The Dalit family had won the case in the lower court. The dispute has been going on since 1998. He demanded immediate arrest of the accused.

Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said the Congress is against social injustice to anyone by people of higher caste or headstrong persons.

Two BJP MLAs of the area, who went to meet the victims family, faced protests. People from the Dalit community stage protests on the ST Bus Road in Surendranagar.

Dalit leader and Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani told THE WEEK that the inquiry be conducted by a DySP of integrity. Mevani said the complaints and requests of protection given by the persons, who eventually become victims, arent taken seriously by the authorities concerned.

He pointed out the case of one RTI activist from Saurashtra, who was done to death a while ago. The Dalit activist had also asked for protection. Mevani said the land allotted to landless people, mostly Dalits, are being encroached upon by rich and people of the higher caste. Mevani, through his legal fight, has got several such encroached land returned to Dalits.
It's a beginning of hectic political season ahead of the Monsoon session of parliament as a series of meetings are scheduled to be held to formulate 2024 poll strategy. On July 18, a day when the opposition parties will be holding their meeting in Bengaluru to chalk out a plan for a united fight against the saffron party, the BJP-led-NDA, too, will hold its meeting where several of the old and new allies are expected to join.

When the Opposition parties make a show of strength, the NDA will also showcase its building muscle power as its former allies like Chandrababu Naidu, Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi and leaders from NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena are expected to participate. Akali Dal and JD(S) are also the potential allies that can join the NDA, but there are some concerns within the party that whether getting them on board for the Lok Sabha elections will bring any good.

The meeting comes at a time when the NDA has completed 25 years of its existence, the longest surviving coalition, in May this year. The BJP leadership is expected to highlight the contribution of the NDA in the countrys political history when the meeting takes place.

There has been a fervent speculation over a cabinet reshuffle so that new allies can be accommodated to cement the ties. The buzz has kept several ministers on the tenterhooks that they may lose their portfolio if Prime Minister Narendra Modi decides to bring new faces keeping in mind the caste equations ahead of the assembly elections in five states later this year. The government, in its usual style, has kept kept everyone including party leaders guessing without hinting if they would go ahead with the reshuffle.

The Opposition and NDA meetings are also expected to touch upon the Uniform Civil Code which the government has said that it will bring in parliament. The NDA will need the support of its allies in pushing forward with the contentious code where even parties like the Akali Dal and AIADMK have expressed their apprehensions in the past, apart from the tribal groups.

The monsoon session of parliament is set to begin from July 20. It is expected to be a stormy affair as Manipur, floods and price rise are some of the issues to be raised by the Opposition parties demanding answers from the government.

The positioning by respective parties during the Monsoon session will mark the beginning of a long and hectic political season ahead of the upcoming elections including polls to five states this year.
The alleged scam in patwari recruitment tests 2023 is becoming a big issue in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh with thousands of youth holding massive protests across the state demanding a CBI probe and deferment of further process of recruitment till the probe is completed.

The protests were held at all district headquarters across the state under the banner of National Educated Youth Union (NEYU)  a non-political organization of unemployed, educated youngsters.

Later in the evening, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has put on hold the appointments based on the controversial tests. The handle of the chief minister's office tweeted: "Doubts are being expressed on the results of one center in Group 2 Sub Group 4 and Patwari Recruitment Test conducted by the Employees Selection Board. I am stopping the appointments made on the basis of this test. Results of said center will be re-examined."

The massive nature of Thursday's protests and the warning of further agitation if the demands are not fulfilled soon, should be worrying for the BJP government in the state that has been trying to woo all sections of the society including youth for whom the government has launched the earn and learn scheme recently.

While these protests were not supported by any political parties, the opposition Congress has already made a big issue out of the alleged scam, calling it Vyapam part 3 and also demanding a CBI probe. On Thursday, the Youth Congress warned of intense agitation across the state if their demand for a high-level probe into multiple irregularities in the recruitment test was not fulfilled. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also called the alleged irregularities an extension of the infamous Vyapam scam.

In response, the state government came out with point to point rebuttal on the major allegations made by the NEYU and the Congress. Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted on the issue, attacking the BJP government for playing with the future of the youth.

Fairly selected candidates upset

Meanwhile, over a dozen selected candidates contacted THE WEEK individually saying that they were selected fairly after a lot of hard work and preparations and they were apprehensive that the allegations and the pressure of political parties might lead to cancellation of the exam, which would ruin their future. No one is thinking about those of us who have done nothing wrong and might suffer unnecessarily, most of them said, requesting anonymity. They also said that many of them came from economically weaker families and had put in several years of efforts for preparations. THE WEEK checked their results to ensure that they were genuinely selected candidates.

Thousands converge in Indore

The biggest protest was reported from Indore, where thousands of students gathered in front of the district collectorate and remained there for more than two hours till Collector Ilayaraja T. himself came out to take the memorandum of demands addressed to the chief minister. However, there were no unruly scenes even as the youth marched to the collectorate and squatted there, raising slogans and singing songs.

In Bhopal, the youngsters laid siege before the office of the MP Employees Selection Board (ESB), formerly Professional Examination Board (PEB) more commonly known by its Hindi acronym Vyapam. At other districts, memorandums were submitted to senior officials.

The demands include release of full videography of the 10 toppers to make clear their response time in the tests, media trial of the toppers in presence of subject experts, completion of probe within 10 days, all future tests in offline mode, probe into use of fake disability certificates to avail quota and making a law against paper leak with stringent punishment like lifer for those involved.

Rahul, Priyanka attack BJP government

Attacking the government, Congress ex-president Rahul Gandhi tweeted: In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP has always stolen from the youth! The Patwari exam scam is the Vyapam scam 2.0, which is playing with the future of lakhs of youth of the state. Earlier, BJP stole the elected government of the people, now it is stealing the rights from the students and employment from the youth.

Priyanka Gandhi said, Once again there are reports of scam in recruitment under the rule of BJP government of Madhya Pradesh. There are reports that there are bids of lakhs of rupees to get the jobs; and why is the government shying away from conducting an inquiry? Why do only the names of BJP leaders keep cropping up for their alleged involvement in recruitment scams? There are only scams in the name of recruitment. Why is the BJP government putting the future of lakhs of youth in darkness?

Government clarifies

Meanwhile, the state government has come out with clarifications on the major points raised by the protesters. About the allegation that 1000 selected candidates were from NRI College Gwalior, the government said that all the selected 8617 students were from 78 different centres and only 114 candidates (1.32 per cent) were from the NRI College. There are other centres from where maximum 321 candidates to minimum 29 candidates were selected.

On the point that the toppers have signed in Hindi and got full marks (25) in English, the government clarification said that among top 10, six candidates signed in Hindi and four in English. There are no rules of the ESB regarding style or language of the signature and none of the toppers got full 25 marks in English but marks ranging from 13 to 23.

As for the seven out of 10 toppers being from NRI College (belonging to BJP MLA Sanjeev Singh Kushwaha), the government said that all toppers appeared on different dates and in different shifts and got different sets of question papers. They applied for the test from different places on different dates. Among the toppers, two belong to the general category, one EWS (economically weaker section), one SC and six OBC.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a two-nation tour to France and UAE on Thursday morning. The Prime Minister will join President Emmanuel Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations, in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

Modi will then travel to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an official visit on July 15.



Visuals of PM Modi emplaning for Paris, France earlier today. The Prime Minister will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade on July 14.



(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/IzhESZrRbz  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 13, 2023

Ahead of his visit, the Prime Minister said he was "looking forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years."



Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between France and India, Modi said that rooted in deep trust and commitment, the two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties. "We also work together on regional and global issues," he added.



Modi pointed out that he has had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since his last Official Visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023 during the G-7 Summit.



"I also look forward to my interactions with the French leadership, including Ms. Elisabeth Borne, Prime Minister of France, Mr. Gerard Larcher, President of the Senate, and Ms. Yael Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly," he said.



The Prime Minister will also interact with the Indian community and top CEOs in France. The Indian community is reportedly preparing to welcome the Prime Minister. Jayesh Bhavse, Indian Gujarati Cultural Association President, told ANI that they will present a special turban to PM Modi which will include flags of India and France.



"Every Indian, including Gujaratis, are excited for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. We have been preparing for his visit ever since we came to know that PM Modi is travelling to France. You will see the performances, garba at the event," he said. Bhavse added that they will request PM Modi about our intention to construct Sanatan Temple and we have talked about this with the embassy."



Modi to meet MBZ

From Paris, Modi said, he will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an official visit on July 15. "I look forward to meeting my friend, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi," Modi tweeted.

"Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties," he noted.



Modi said last year, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and he agreed on a roadmap on the future of the bilateral partnership, and he looks forward to discussing with him how to further deepen ties.



Noting that the UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year, Modi said he also looks forward to exchanging views on strengthening global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate the energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement. "I am confident that my visit to UAE will usher in a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," he said.



(With inputs from PTI)


Delhi on Thursday saw flooding of low-lying areas after a raging Yamuna breached the 208.46 metres mark, smashing the 45-year-old record of 207.49 metres. Many low-lying areas were flooded, including the Delhi Secretariat housing offices of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his cabinet and other senior bureaucrats.

The Yamuna is likely to rise to 208.75 metres by 4 pm, the Central Water Commission (CWC) said on Thursday, calling it "extreme situation" as water began flooding low-lying areas in the city, including the Ring Road stretch between Kashmere Gate and Purana Lohe Ka Pul.



Traffic had to be diverted after the Ring Road stretch between Kashmere Gate and Purana Lohe Ka Pul was flooded. Heavy traffic congestion was also witnessed in the area around Shastri Park amid severe water-logging and traffic diversions.



#WATCH | Civil Lines area of Delhi flooded, latest visuals from the area.



Several areas of the city are reeling under flood and water-logging as the water level of river Yamuna continues to rise following heavy rainfall and the release of water from Hathnikund Barrage. pic.twitter.com/UecZsfIBwb  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

Water from Yamuna also reached ITO, a key route to commute from east Delhi to central Delhi and Connaught Place. Areas like Boat Colony, Geeta Colony, some parts of Gandhi Nagar, Ashok Nagar and Pandav Nagar were also inundated.



#WATCH | Low-lying areas of Wazirabad face flooding as river Yamuna overflows and enters a few residential areas of Delhi. pic.twitter.com/bVXYWD0xIu  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

According to Delhi PWD Minister Atishi, Yamuna is bound to overflow its banks when water goes up to this level. "The 'nalas' around Yamuna are also filled with water, because of which the areas around Yamuna, especially ISBT, Ring Road, and ITO are facing waterlogging. Humans cannot control the flow of the water," she told ANI.



Atishi added that the Delhi Government was in touch with Haryana to ensure that they release the least amount of water so that the situation doesn't worsen. "We are evacuating people in water-logged areas and transferring them to relief camps. Water has entered several roads in Delhi as well. The PWD has closed such roads," she added.



A man helps his son to climb onto a flyover under construction, after being displaced by the rising water level of river Yamuna after heavy monsoon rains in New Delhi | Reuters

Water supply to be affected



Delhi Chief Minister took to Twitter to announce disruption of water supply. "Due to rising water level in Yamuna, Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla water treatment plants have to be closed. Due to this there will be water problem in some areas of Delhi. As soon as the Yamuna water recedes, we will try to start them as soon as possible," he tweeted.



The government also announced closure of all government and private schools in the areas of Delhi where water was filling up.



He also urged people to cooperate in the wake of the emergency. "Due to the rising water level, the Yamuna has spilled onto the road. You are requested not to go on these routes. People are being evacuated from the populated areas where there is water. The people living there are requested to cooperate with the administration. Saving lives of people is most important. There is an appeal to all the people of Delhi to cooperate with each other in every possible way in this emergency," he tweeted.



Traffic advisory



The Delhi Traffic Police also issued an advisory on the restrictions and regulation of vehicular movement in place owing to the rising water level of the Yamuna river.



Traffic movement has been impaired on Mahatma Gandhi Marg between the IP flyover and Chandgi Ram Akhara, Mahatma Gandhi Marg between Kalighat Mandir and Delhi Secretariat, and Outer Ring Road between Wazirabad Bridge and Chandgi Ram Akhara.



Non-destined commercial vehicles will not be allowed to enter Delhi and will be diverted to the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressway. The commercial vehicles will be diverted from Mukarba Chowk. No commercial vehicles will be allowed between Mukarba Chowk and Wazirabad Bridge, the advisory stated.



The commercial vehicles will also be diverted from Sarai Kale Khan. No such vehicles will be allowed between Sarai Kale Khan and IP flyover. They will be diverted from Ghazipur border as well as from Akshardham towards DND. No such vehicles will be allowed between Akshardham and Sarai Kale Khan, it added.


The water level at Yamuna breached 208.46 metres around 7 am on Thursday, thereby smashing the 45-year-old record of 207.49 metres.

The current state surpasses the initial estimation of the Central Water Commission (CWC) which pegged the water level to be only at 207.99 metres on Thursday. The CWS termed it an "extreme situation" as water began flooding low-lying areas in the city, including near the Old Yamuna Bridge, also known as Lohe-ka-Pul. The cremation grounds near the river too are under a serious threat of flooding.



Water has also begun to enter the GT Karnal Road and has reached ITO, a key route to commute from East Delhi to Central Delhi and Connaught Place.



The areas near Boat Club, Monastery Market, Neeli Chhatri Temple, Yamuna Bazar, Neem Karoli gaushala, Vishwakarma colony, and the stretch between Majnu ka Tila and Wazirabad were already underwater by Wednesday evening. Parts of Mayur Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan, Badarpur, Jamia Nagar, and Shaheen Bagh are at risk of getting flooded.



#WATCH | Delhi: Rise in water level of river Yamuna after incessant rainfall & release of water from Hathnikund barrage



(Visuals from Old Yamuna bridge - 'Loha Pul') pic.twitter.com/cJTbe3uTmD  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023 #WATCH | Traffic affected after GT Karnal road in Delhi gets flooded after rise in water level of Yamuna River pic.twitter.com/hoaKTR2ZCr  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

With the situation deteriorating, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who earlier said there was no threat of flooding, urged the Centre to intervene. The Delhi Police has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in flood-prone areas to prevent unlawful assembly of four or more people and public movement in groups.



Lt Governor VK Saxena has also called a meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority on Thursday at the LG Secretariat at noon. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will take part in it.



Meanwhile, the evacuation of people from low-lying areas progresses. Delhi government sources said as part of its evacuation plan, a total of 16,564 people living in low-lying areas have been evacuated to safer places and 14,534 are living in tents/shelters, across the city.

NDRF members evacuate a stranded man from a flooded locality after a rise in the water level of river Yamuna in New Delhi | Reuters

Police and other agencies on Wednesday evacuated more than 750 people and more than 250 cattle stranded in flooded areas.



The MCD's education department has also announced the closure of 10 schools in low-lying areas of the Civil Lines Zone, six schools in the Shahadra South Zone and one school in the Shahadra North Zone.



Meanwhile, in a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Kejriwal requested that the water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana be released slowly and pointed out that Delhi is set to host the G20 Summit meeting in a few weeks.



"The news of flooding in the capital of the country will not send a good message to the world. Together we will have to save the people of Delhi from this situation," he said.


Our universe could be twice as old as current estimates, according to a model proposed by a new study from the University of Ottawa, Canada.

"Our newly-devised model stretches the galaxy formation time by a several billion years, making the universe 26.7 billion years old, and not 13.7 as previously estimated," said study author Rajendra Gupta, adjunct professor of physics in the Faculty of Science at the university.

The research team said that their model challenges the dominant cosmological models of calculating our universe's age, which largely involve measuring the time elapsed since the Big Bang and studying the oldest stars based on the redshift of light coming from distant galaxies.

Redshift refers to an observed elongating of wavelength of light from distant galaxies, generally interpreted as evidence of the universe expanding.

In 2021, the current or standard cosmological model, called the Lambda-CDM concordance model, estimated the age of our universe to be 13.797 billion years old.

The Lambda-CDM model assumes that the universe was created in the "Big Bang" from pure energy, and is now composed of about 5 per cent ordinary matter, 27 per cent dark matter, and 68 per cent dark energy.

However, the discovery of evidence of 'early' galaxies in advanced stages of cosmological evolution by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and the existence of stars like the Methuselah, one of the oldest stars known, has puzzled many scientists.

These 'early' galaxies, whilst surprisingly small in size and said to exist a mere 300 million years or so after the Big Bang, have been observed to possess a level of maturity and mass typically associated with billions of years of cosmic evolution, which the researchers of this study say is insufficiently explained by the standard model.

Tired light theory, proposed by the Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky in 1929, is a class of hypothetical redshift mechanisms proposed as an alternative explanation for the observed redshift of light from distant galaxies.

Zwicky suggested that the redshift came from photons losing their energy by means of interacting with matter or other photons as they travel vast distances through a 'static' universe. However, his theory too was found to conflict with observations.

Gupta, through this study published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, found that "by allowing this theory to coexist with (that of) the expanding universe, it becomes possible to reinterpret the redshift as a hybrid phenomenon, rather than purely due to expansion."

Along these lines, Gupta suggested the idea of evolving "coupling constants", an idea originally hypothesised by Paul Dirac, the British theoretical physicist.

Coupling constants are fundamental physical constants that influence material interactions between subatomic particles.

According to Dirac, these constants might have varied over time and thus, allowing them to evolve extends the timeframe for the formation of early galaxies observed by the Webb telescope from a few hundred million years to several billion years.

This provides a more feasible explanation for the advanced level of development and mass observed in these ancient galaxies, the study said.

Further, Gupta suggested that the traditional interpretation of the "cosmological constant", which represents the dark energy responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe, needed revision.

He said that this modification in the cosmological model helps address the puzzle of small galaxy sizes observed in the early universe, allowing for more accurate observations.
Remains of at least 87 people have been found at a mass grave discovered in Sudan's West Darfur the UN said on Thursday. The UN Human Rights Office said it had credible information that Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were responsible."I condemn in the strongest terms the killing of civilians and hors de combat individuals, and I am further appalled by the callous and disrespectful way the dead, along with their families and communities, were treated," U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk told Reuters. Turk called for a thorough investigation and added that the RSF allow and prompt search for the dead.

Among the victims were ethnic Masalits. The killings took place in the West Darfur state capital El-Geneina between June 13-21. The RSF then allegedly ordered locals to bury the victims on the outskirts of the city. According to the UN Human Rights Office, there were seven women and seven children among those buried.

A lot of the victims were of the violence that followed the killing of Khamis Abbaker, the Governor of West Darfur, on 14 June. Abbaker was taken into custody by the RSF shortly before this.
Msheireb Properties will soon welcome global energy company TotalEnergies to the worlds first fully built smart and sustainable city district at Msheireb Downtown Doha offices in the heart of Doha.

Developed by Msheireb Properties, this district offers a dynamic business environment, complete with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities designed to enhance operational excellence.

Ali Al Kuwari, CEO of Msheireb Properties, said: "We're proud to offer TotalEnergies Qatar a workspace in our innovative and eco-conscious Msheireb Downtown Doha offices. This move underscores our dedication to providing exceptional office spaces to companies that value innovation and sustainability, such as Microsoft and Google Cloud, who are already part of our vibrant community. We believe our sustainable design, strategic location, and modern amenities will provide TotalEnergies Qatar with a productive and dynamic work environment."

Ground-breaking development

Msheireb Downtown Doha is part of a ground-breaking development that is recognised as one of the most innovative and sustainable real estate projects in the world. The development features cutting-edge technology and is designed to maximise energy efficiency while reducing its carbon footprint.

The district has adopted the latest advanced smart services and applications for a new fully digital experience accessible to tenants, residents, and visitors. It has also demonstrated commitment to sustainable living and business practices with one of the highest concentrations of gold or Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified sustainable buildings globally.-- TradeArabia News Service
AMMAN, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Jordan Sheri Ritsema-Anderson on Thursday expressed her concern about the funding shortfall that may lead to disruption of services to both Jordanians and refugees in the coming months.

"I am deeply concerned by funding shortfalls that are threatening to interrupt key activities that support both Jordanians and refugees in the next months," she was quoted as saying by a press release from the UN office in Jordan.

The UN official called on all partners to find ways to maintain financial support and accomplish humanitarian and development goals in Jordan.

"Through collaborative efforts, we can ensure that no one is left behind," she said.

Jordan is the second largest per capita refugee-hosting country in the world. Some 660,000 Syrian refugees and 80,000 refugees from other countries are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as of May 2023, according to the World Food Programme (WFP) Jordan Country Brief released in May.

In May, WFP assisted about 456,000 refugees in Jordanian camps and host communities with monthly food aid through cash-based transfers, according to the WFP report.

However, WFP has decided to reduce its monthly assistance in July by one-third, given that there is a deficit of 115.8 million U.S. dollars to satisfy the food needs of 465,000 refugees in camps and communities, the report noted. 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Thursday accorded a red-carpet welcome as he arrived in Paris on a two-day visit during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron and join him for the French National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.

"Landed in Paris. Looking forward to boosting India-France cooperation during this visit. My various programmes today include an interaction with the Indian community later in the evening," Modi tweeted soon after his arrival here.

In a special gesture, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne received Modi at the airport. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival.

"PM @narendramodi alights at the Paris airport. Accorded a ceremonial welcome. In a special gesture, PM @Elisabeth_Borne received him at the airport. PM's intensive programme in Paris includes participation in the Bastille Day celebrations & a slew of engagements with the French leadership, Indian diaspora, CEOs and prominent personalities," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

Modi interacted with children and members of the Indian diaspora on his arrival at the hotel in Paris. Enthusiastic Indian community members who were waiting outside his hotel chanted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' as they met the prime minister. A warm welcome by the Indian diaspora in Paris! Across the world, our diaspora has made a mark for themselves and are admired for their diligence and hardworking nature, Modi tweeted.

Ahead of his departure, Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership. Expansion of bilateral defence ties is expected to be a key focus of Prime Minister Modi's talks with Macron.

"I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years," Modi said in his departure statement. "We also work together on regional and global issues," he added.

Modi said his visit to France was particularly special as he will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

A 269-member Indian tri-services contingent will participate in the parade. Three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will also join the flypast on the occasion along with French jets.

Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of India-France strategic partnership, Modi said that rooted in deep trust and commitment, the two countries cooperate closely across various domains, including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people ties.

"I also look forward to my interactions with the French leadership, including Elisabeth Borne, Prime Minister of France, Gerard Larcher, President of the Senate, and Yael Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly," he said.

Modi will also meet the vibrant Indian community, leading CEOs from both countries as well as prominent French personalities.

From Paris, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an official visit on July 15.
Huw Edwards has been named as the BBC presenter who allegedly paid a teenager for explicit pictures. The police said he doesn't face any criminal charges, Bloomberg reported. Edwards wife Vicky Flind said that he has mental health issues and added that it has worsened due to the controversy. Flind also said that Edwards is receiving care at a hospital, where he will stay for the foreseeable future".



On July 9, a BBC presenter was accused of paying a teenager 35,000 ($44,934) for sexually explicit photographs. At the time, the presenter wasn't named. Edwards has been hosting the nightly news. He started his career at the Swansea Sound radio station. In 1984 he joined the BBC as a trainee. Within two years he became a parliamentary correspondent and reported on Westminster for over a decade.

He eventually became one of the channel's most beloved and respected presenters and headlined the Six OClock News from 1999 to 2003, which became the most-watched programme in the UK. He then went on to host the News at Ten.

In recent years he has led the coverage of the royal family including Queen Elizabeth II's death, the weddings of Princes Harry and William, and the coronation of King Charles and Camilla. Edwards, one of the highest-paid journalists on the BBC, was born in Bridgend to a professor of Welsh literature at Swansea University and a teacher.

He went on to get undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in French from Cardiff University. In December 2021, he revealed he suffered bouts of depression. He told Mens Health UK he had experienced bouts of depression that hit me in a strong wave and then go away. Edwards has covered several state occasions from the Festival of Remembrance to trooping the colour and the state opening of parliament. In 2019, he became the main host of BBCs election coverage.

He is married to Vicky Flind, a TV producer and the couple have five children.
Ahmedabad, Jul 13 (PTI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Dr Shaktikanta Das will jointly chair a meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) to be held on July 17-18 in Gandhinagar where 66 delegations will be in attendance, officials said on Thursday.

The meeting, where a range of issues related to global economy and international financial architecture will come up for discussion, will be preceded by a conclave of G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies (FCBDs) in the Gujarat capital from July 14 to 15.

These meetings are being held under India's presidency of Group of Twenty or G20, an influential bloc that comprises 19 countries and the European Union.

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Sitharaman and RBI Governor Das will jointly chair the third G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBGs) meeting.

The 3rd meeting will mark the culmination of the work on many of the key deliverables from the G20 Finance Track in 2023 carried out under various work streams based on the mandate received during the first G20 FMCBG conclave held in February in Bengaluru, said Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.

The FMCBG gathering will be preceded by a meeting of G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies (FCBD) from July 14 to 15 and it will be co-chaired by Seth and RBI deputy governor Dr Michael D Patra.

"The focus of the deputies' meeting will be on discussing the outcome document for the consideration of FMCBGs. This outcome document will present the work done under various work streams of the G20 Finance Track and the guidance from the FMCBGs on the way forward," said Seth while addressing a press conference at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.

The 3rd FMCBG meeting will see the participation of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of G20 members, guest countries, and heads of international organisations. In total, there will be 520 participants across 66 delegations at the meeting, said the senior bureaucrat.

The meeting will be organised into five thematic sessions on July 17 and 18, covering global economy and health, sustainable finance and infrastructure, international financial architecture, international taxation, and financial sector and financial inclusion, Seth said.

The objective of the 3rd G20 FMCBG is to review the outcomes of the G20 Finance Track and to seek guidance from ministers and governors on the way forward, he said.

"The key deliverables that will be presented to ministers and governors include volume 1 of a report of the G20 Independent Expert Group on Strengthening MDBs (multilateral development banks); progress in the debt treatment for countries under the Common Framework; a guidance note for developing a globally coordinated framework for the regulation and supervision of crypto-assets," Seth said

On the sidelines of the meeting, a number of G20 events have been planned for the visiting ministers, governors, deputies and other delegates.

These include an infrastructure investors' dialogue on 'Leveraging Funding and Financing Mechanisms and Approaches for the Cities of Tomorrow'; a high-level tax symposium on 'combating tax evasion, corruption and money maundering' and a roundtable discussion on crypto assets.

"In addition, a roundtable on the report of the G20 expert group on strengthening MDBs; workshops on interlinking fast payment systems, achieving growth-friendly climate action and financing for emerging and developing economies will also be held," said the Ministry of Finance official.

A 'Ratri Bhoj Par Samvad' (conversation over dinner) and cultural programmes showcasing India's diverse cuisines and rich culture will also be organised for finance ministers and other delegates.
Guwahati, Jul 13 (PTI) Indradhanush Gas Limited (IGGL) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) have signed three hook-up agreements to connect the latter's natural gas fields with the North East Gas Grid (NEGG) for transportation of natural gas.



The natural gas will be transported from Jorhat, Silchar and Tripura Assets of ONGC to the consumers, an official release said on Thursday.

IGGL is laying a 1,656 km long natural gas pipeline connecting the capital cities and the demand centres of all the eight north eastern states.

These hook up agreements will facilitate connection of the natural gas fields of ONGC with the IGGLs pipeline for evacuation of natural gas, IGGL Director Sanjay Kumar said.

"The hook-up agreements signed with IGGL is a strategic move to enhance the connectivity of ONGC fields with the North East Gas Grid which will benefit both the companies'', he said.

It will make domestic gas available to the customers and will contribute to the countrys economy as a whole, he said.

By leveraging the NEGG infrastructure, the hydrocarbon potential of the northeastern region can be fully utilised for development of a gas-based economy in line with the Centre's Hydrocarbon Vision 2030, Kumar said.

IGGL is also in touch with other natural gas producing companies to hook up their gas fields with NEGG.

The hook-up agreements will facilitate withdrawal of 1,85,000 SCMD of Natural Gas from Jorhat Asset, 82,500 SCMD from Silchar asset and 7,00,000 SCMD from the Tripura asset of ONGC through NEGG.

The NEGG project being implemented by IGGL has achieved 75.52 per cent physical progress as on date, the release added.
Dhanbad, Jul 13 (PTI) Coal minister Pralhad Joshi arrived in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Thursday to assess the rehabilitation of the residents living in Jharia mines fire area and review coal production of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) and Eastern Coalfield Limited (ECL).

The minister, accompanied by Coal India Limited (CIL) chairman PM Prasad, said that the ministry is working to increase the production of coking coal in the country.

Joshi, who paid tributes to miners at Sahid Smarak in Koyla Nagar of Dhanbad, said, "Production of coal has increased in the country in recent years. At present, production has reached around 1,000 million tonnes and it will be increased further in future."

Speaking to the media, Joshi said that he would review the coal production in BCCL and ECL with their officials during the two-day visit and assess the mining of coal in the fire zone area.

The minister said he would also discuss the rehabilitation of residents living in dangerous Jharia mines fire area. Over 1.4 lakh families including land owners are living in the fire zone area of Jharia and they have been surveyed for rehabilitation.

He would also visit 81 fire spots in the colliery and new project sites being launched by BCCL for increasing production.

Replying to a query over royalty on coal to the state government, the minister said that the Central government pays the royalty to the state government per month on a priority basis.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren had demanded a hike in royalty on coal at a meeting with a team from the NITI Aayog on Thursday. At the meeting, he also raised the issue of the release of compensation for land acquisition, which he said was pending with different coal companies.
As one of the global leaders for digital transformation, the company has made significant contribution to Indian businesses and communities at large



Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (NewsVoir)



On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Paris, Capgemini reaffirms its commitment to building state-of-the-art innovation centers and infrastructure in the country, as well as enhancing the talent pool through training and upskilling programs for its employees and the wider community. Along with contributing to business and employment generation in the country, the Group is also playing a key role in France-India cooperation.



Capgemini employs close to 180,000 team members working across 13 cities in India. The company is now setting up a new 500-seat office in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) and building modernized infrastructure at the Talwade campus in Pune, which will be expanded multifold upon completion.



Capgeminis India business is also the Group's largest platform for innovation and delivery. In addition to a 5G Lab in Mumbai, Capgemini has recently set up a 6G research Lab in Gurugram to build advanced testbeds, simulators and energy-saving solutions while exploring the use cases for the next generation of wireless networks. The facility will generate innovative solutions to support the wider industry.



In line with Capgeminis ambitions to become carbon neutral for its operations by 2025, the Group has implemented state-of-the-art energy management systems across its India campuses. Last year, the Group opened an Energy Command Center in Bangalore to monitor and manage performance of its energy assets through IoT, AI analytics and digitalization. The ECC has already enabled a 29% reduction in energy consumption in 2022. The Groups campuses in India now operate on 100% renewable energy, avoiding over 70,000 tons of carbon emissions per year, thanks to 11.5MWp of on-premises solar plants, as well as a cutting-edge Battery Energy Storage Solution (BESS) in its Noida and Mumbai campuses.



India plays a strategic and crucial role as a global innovation and delivery center. Over the years, India has become a fundamental part of the Group, contributing to several aspects such as sectoral knowledge, account management, and support. The various Centers of Excellence also make the country a global business platform for Capgemini. Our continuous investments in India reflect our trust and confidence in the countrys talent and skilled workforce and its contribution to our Group performance. We are proud to contribute to Indias growth story. We are looking forward to the opportunities that will open up with Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit and further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries, said Aiman Ezzat, CEO of Capgemini.



We are passionate about innovation, which is the key to the transition towards a more digital and sustainable economy. Our belief is that the digital revolution should benefit all. As such, besides the thousands of young tech specialists we are training every year in India, we have created socio-economic initiatives, providing training in IT skills to youth through our 53 Digital Academies. We have so far trained more than 75,000 youths in India, thus, contributing to nation building, said Ashwin Yardi, CEO - India, Capgemini.



With people at the core of Capgeminis business, one of its key priorities is to create and nurture an inclusive and diverse workplace. Women account for more than 42% of the Groups workforce in India. Capgemini is also actively contributing to developing talent and making them future ready through industry-academia collaborations. The company actively engages with academia through innovation-led collaborations such as robotic intervention for sewer lines with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, mentoring start-up cohort for social impact with Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore, and more.



About Capgemini

Capgemini is a global leader in partnering with companies to transform and manage their business by harnessing the power of technology. The Group is guided everyday by its purpose of unleashing human energy through technology for an inclusive and sustainable future. It is a responsible and diverse organization of nearly 360,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong 55-year heritage and deep industry expertise, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to address the entire breadth of their business needs, from strategy and design to operations, fueled by the fast-evolving and innovative world of cloud, data, AI, connectivity, software, digital engineering, and platforms. The Group reported a global revenue of 22 billion for 2022. Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com.



Capgemini in India comprises nearly 180,000 team members working across 13 cities-Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, Gandhinagar, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Noida, Pune, Salem, and Tiruchirappalli. Learn more about Capgemini in India at www.capgemini.com/in-en.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
MUMBAI, India , July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Infra.Market is thrilled to announce the addition of Indian actress Genelia Deshmukh as the esteemed brand ambassador for IVAS. With her charm and relatability, Genelia will infuse a youthful appeal into the brand, transporting home interiors into a realm of vibrant dreams. Her magnetic presence and deep connection with the younger generation will expand the horizons of IVAS, striking a chord with the discerning audience.



Aaditya Sharda, Co-Founder of Infra.Market, said, "At IVAS, we are striving to revolutionize the world of home interiors, offering innovative solutions that combine functionality with aesthetics. Today, we are thrilled to join forces with the talented Indian actress Genelia Deshmukh. Her remarkable achievements and vibrant personality make her a perfect fit for the brand. We look forward to establishing a stronger bond with our target audience and enhancing IVAS's brand presence."



Genelia Deshmukh will enrich the brand identity, embodying its unwavering commitment to delivering excellence and grandeur that aligns perfectly with the aspirations of consumers.



Speaking on the endorsement, Indian Actress, Genelia Deshmukh said, "Home is a space that reflects a unique personality and style, and I resonate deeply with the futuristic approach of IVAS in revolutionizing home interiors through technology and customised nuances. I am thrilled to join the Infra.Market family and look forward to their vision of bringing dream homes to life."



IVAS powered by Infra.Market is derived from the Sanskrit word 'NIVAS' and inspires home renovation. It celebrates the emotional journey of home building by bringing together premier offerings in Fans, Lights, Tiles, Sanitaryware, Bath Fittings, Designer Hardware, and even Modular Kitchen and Wardrobes. IVAS is committed to enhancing the home and bringing beauty to this journey of home transformation, making it both convenient and delightful.



About Infra.Market



Infra.Market is India's leading tech-enabled construction solutions company. It is the fastest-growing unicorn in the construction solutions space, with best-in-class economics and profitability metrics. Infra.Market has been profitable for six consecutive years since its inception; it is currently valued at $2.5 billion. Infra.Market is working towards solving complex issues in the Construction & Infrastructure sector via the smart use of technology by creating a community of Manufacturers, Dealers and Architects across India. It is disrupting the opaque nature of this sector by bringing in transparency and efficiency.



Website: www.infra.market



LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inframarket/



Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2153535/IVASAmbassadorGenelia_Deshmukh.jpg



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
New Delhi, Jul 13 (PTI) SJVN Ltd on Thursday said its employees will extend a financial aid of Rs 55 lakh to Chief Minister's Relief Fund in Himachal Pradesh, parts of which have been ravaged by incessant rainfall, leading to heavy floods.

The employees of SJVN are voluntarily donating their one day's salary to CM Relief Fund amounting to about Rs 55 lakh, SJVN Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Nand Lal Sharma said in a statement.

"Himachal Pradesh is in the grip of the worst floods in recent times, which has brought lives to a standstill with thousands stranded in remote corners. Heavy rains & cloud bursts have triggered flooding, landslides, home and bridge collapses which have severely disrupted access even to basic amenities. SJVN will always remain in the forefront in assisting the governments efforts in flood relief measures," he said.
Panaji, July 13 (PTI) One97 Communications Limited, the owner of Paytm, on Thursday announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Goa government to facilitate digital payments, a senior official said.

Abhay Sharma, chief business officer, payments, Paytm, said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the state finance secretary, V Candavelou.

Sharma said Paytm will deploy its payment devices like Paytm QR code, soundbox and card machines in all departments, including panchayats and municipalities, where users can make payments for electricity, water, and municipal taxes.

With this, users can make payments for various services through Paytm UPI, UPI Lite, Paytm wallet, netbanking, debit and credit cards, he added.

Sharma said as India's leading tech innovators, the company has been at the forefront of driving the digital revolution in the country through the industry-first payment solutions.

We are happy to sign this exclusive MoU with the Government of Goa through which our users in the state can pay for various government services. Our innovative solutions continue to empower users and also drive financial inclusion in the country, he added.
Bengaluru, Jul 13 (PTI) IT services company Wipro on Thursday reported a 12 per cent rise in its consolidated net profit to about Rs 2,870 crore for the June 2023 quarter.

It had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 2,563.6 crore in the year-ago period (Q1FY23).

Wipro's income from operations in the June quarter increased 6 per cent to Rs 22,831 crore.

"We expect revenue from our IT Services business segment to be in the range of USD 2,722-2,805 million. This translates to sequential guidance of -2 per cent to +1 per cent in constant currency terms," the company said in a statement.

Wipro CEO and Managing Director Thierry Delaporte noted that the company's first quarter results came on a strong backbone of large deal bookings, robust client additions and resilient margins.

"Despite a gradual reduction in clients' discretionary spending, we maintained new business momentum. We earned our clients' trust with strong delivery, innovation and expanded services that strengthen our long-term businesses, and help capture market share," Delaporte said.

On the latest AI strategy, Delaporte said that the launch of Wipro ai360 and the USD 1 billion investment "solidifies Wipros position as a leading transformation partner that delivers the results and innovation our clients need to future-proof their businesses".
PHNOM PENH, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia exported bicycles worth 331 million U.S. dollars to foreign markets in the first half of 2023, a year-on-year drop of 30.5 percent, said a Ministry of Commerce's report on Thursday.

Ministry of Commerce's Undersecretary of State and Spokesman Penn Sovicheat said the Made-in-Cambodia bicycles had been exported to the European Union, the United States, Britain, Canada, Japan and China, among others.

"Bicycles have become one of our key manufacturing products for exports after clothes, footwear and travel goods," he told Xinhua.

There are currently five bicycle factories in the Southeast Asian country, all are situated in special economic zones in Svay Rieng Province's Bavet City on the border with Vietnam.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said recently that the current global economic situation was not good, especially in the United States and Europe, saying that such a situation had made people in those countries earn less income, so their purchase orders also declined. 
Mumbai, Jul 13 (PTI) A special CBI court here on Thursday denied medical bail to Dheeraj Wadhawan, promoter of now non-existent Dewan Housing Finance Ltd (DHFL), who has been arrested in a case pertaining to alleged fraud at Yes Bank.

Special CBI court Judge M G Deshpande rejected Dheeraj Wadhawan's medical bail plea, but allowed him to undergo treatment at a private hospital for a heart-related ailment.

The court asked the businessman not to prolong his hospital stay and bear the cost of prison staff escorting him.

The judge directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to post an officer at the hospital where Dheeraj Wadhwan will be admitted to keep a watch on him.

The businessman was arrested in April 2020 by the CBI in connection with the fraud at the private sector bank.

Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor, his family members and businessman Kapil Wadhwan, another promoter of DHFL (now known as Piramal Finance), are also accused in the case.

According to the CBI FIR (first information report), the financial fraud started taking shape between April and June 2018 when Yes Bank invested Rs 3,700 crore in short-term debentures of the scam-hit DHFL.

In return, the Wadhawans allegedly "paid kickbacks of Rs 600 crore" to former Yes Bank CEO Rana Kapoor and his family members in the form of loans to DoIT Urban Ventures (India) Pvt Ltd, a firm controlled by the wife and daughters of Kapoor, the CBI has claimed.

Besides the CBI, the bank fraud case is also being probed by the Enforcement Directorate.
Singapore, Jul 13 (PTI) Singapores Indian-origin Transport Minister S Iswaran will remain in the city-state during his leave of absence amid an ongoing probe into corruption, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Thursday.

Earlier, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had instructed the minister to take a leave of absence until the investigation is complete.

During the investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), Iswaran will also have "no access to any official resources and government buildings", Channel News Asia reported, quoting the PMO.

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has said that other Members of Parliament from Iswaran's West Coast constituency will cover for his duties, stating that it would be "difficult" for him to undertake those responsibilities himself.

In Iswaran's absence, Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat will be Acting Minister for Transport.

Iswaran's portfolio at the ministry would be covered by other political officeholders during his leave of absence, according to the report.

The anti-graft agency which is under the Prime Minister's Office began a formal investigation against the 61-year-old minister on July 11 after Prime Minister Lee gave his concurrence in the matter.

Iswaran is a member of parliament from the ruling Peoples Action Party (PAP) which has ruled the prosperous city-state since independence.

Regardless of the outcome of a corruption probe involving Iswaran, the Transport

Minister's political standing would be affected in a country where there is "zero tolerance for corruption", an analyst said.

Meanwhile, a report by The Straits Times said the reputation of the ruling Peoples Action Party (PAP) and Government has been dealt a blow by the corruption probe involving Iswaran, especially since they have always prided themselves on their integrity and probity, observers said.

If not managed well, it could affect the partys performance at the next general election, which must be held by November 2025, they added.

Political watchers interviewed by the Singapore Daily on Wednesday said it will be important for the Government to reinforce its zero-tolerance stand against wrongdoing in its ranks and to be open and transparent about the ongoing case.

The probe also comes on the heels of two other controversies in recent weeks, involving other PAP office-holders.
Kyiv, Jul 13 (AP) Ukraine air defences shot down 20 Iranian-made drones fired by Russia mostly at the Kyiv region Thursday night, but wreckage fell on four districts of the capital, wounding two people and destroying several homes, officials said.

The latest barrage by the Kremlin's forces began shortly after midnight, and explosions shook different parts of the city. Two people were hospitalised with shrapnel wounds, authorities said.

In the capital, rescuers extinguished a fire in a 16-story building, as well as in a non-residential building, the Interior Ministry said. Debris also damaged the frontage of a 25-story apartment building, it said.

Russian strikes have become a grim part of everyday life in Ukraine over the almost 17 months of the war.

Volodymyr Motus, a 22-year-old resident of the 25-story building, carefully picked his way across the floor a destroyed apartment, his footsteps accompanied by the sound of shattered glass. The mangled furniture was coated in a thick layer of dust.

I was in my apartment and suddenly I heard a boom, that's all. Then the alarm went off and I went down to the shelter.

He said that some people were injured, but they were all alive.

In May, Russia launched dozens of drones and missiles at Kyiv almost every night, forcing its residents to spend their nights in shelters. During the summer, attacks came less frequently, but they still strike unpredictably across the country.

Ukraine's human rights chief Dmytro Lubinets wrote on Telegram, It should be explained that each air alarm' in Ukraine is like playing Russian roulette... It's unknown the number of people who could be affected, and it is uncertain from which part of Ukraine bad news about the strike of an enemy drone or missile will come.

The Ukrainian military said it also intercepted two Russian cruise missiles. The statement said one ballistic missile was not intercepted, although it did not explain what damage the missile caused.

The government of the region of Khmelnytskyi in western Ukraine reported that a cruise missile was intercepted over the region, and reported no casualties. We appreciate the meticulous work of Ukraine's air defense forces, the regional administration wrote on Telegram.

Recently, a Russian cruise missile struck an apartment building in the western city of Lviv, resulting in a death toll that reached 10, and leaving dozens injured. And in the southern and eastern regions of the country, where heavy fighting is taking place on front lines, the intensity of missile attacks has remained high since the beginning of the war. (AP)



GRS

GRS
Islamabad, Jul 13 (PTI) At least 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed and five injured in separate encounters with militants in the country's Balochistan province, the Army has said, the heaviest single-day loss suffered by the military in the restive region.

The attacks occurred on Wednesday in the Sui and Zhob areas of the province, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) - the Army's media wing- said in a statement.

At least seven militants were also killed in the two encounters.

Unidentified gunmen attacked security forces conducting an operation in Sui, killing at least three soldiers and injuring five.

The Army said that two terrorists were also killed in the shootout, for which no group has claimed responsibility.

The Sui attack followed a raid by terrorists on a military installation in Zhob Garrison early on Wednesday, wherein nine soldiers and five militants were killed.

Soldiers countered an initial attempt of terrorists to sneak into the facility, and in the ensuing heavy exchange of fire, terrorists were contained into a small area at the boundary.

The intense shootout in Zhob also resulted in the death of a female passerby and left five other civilians injured, the ISPR added.

"A clearance operation by Security Forces is underway to apprehend remaining two terrorists as well," the statement said, adding that the security forces were determined to thwart all such "ghastly attempts at destroying peace" in Balochistan.

A little-known militant group - Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan - claimed responsibility for the Zhob attack in a statement without providing any details.

This is the heaviest single-day loss suffered by the military in Balochistan, as before this, in February 2022, ten personnel were killed in a fire raid in the Kech district.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo condemned the attack on the Zhob garrison and paid tribute to the Pakistan Army for thwarting it by taking swift action.

He offered his condolences to the families of the dead and said, "Pakistan Army is the guarantor of peace and security in the region."

Pakistan has been facing an uptick in attacks by the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatists in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

Balochistan province has experienced a surge in violent incidents in recent months, including bombings and targeted attacks, leading to heightened security measures and public safety concerns.

Earlier this month, four security personnel lost their lives while a terrorist was killed after attacks by the rebels in the Dhana Sar area of Balochistan.

In its report this month, a think-tank, Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, said the first half of 2023 has witnessed a steady rise in terror attacks, which killed 389 people across the country.
Jakarta, Jul 13 (AP) China and Southeast Asian nations agreed Thursday to try and conclude within three years a long-delayed nonaggression pact aimed at preventing the frequent territorial spats in the busy South China Sea from turning into a major armed conflict.

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed Thursday during a meeting between the 10-nation bloc's foreign ministers and China's top diplomat Wang Yi in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta to guidelines to complete their code of conduct negotiations before fall 2026, a Southeast Asian diplomat involved in the meetings told The Associated Press.

The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity due to a lack of authority to discuss the issue publicly ahead of the official announcement of the agreement.

China and four of ASEAN's member states  Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam  along with Taiwan have been locked in a decades-long territorial standoff in the disputed waterway, a key passageway for global trade that is believed to be sitting atop vast undersea deposits of oil and gas.

The contested territory has long been feared as an Asian flashpoint and has become a sensitive front in the US-China rivalry in the region.

A joint working group by China and ASEAN should endeavour to conclude the negotiation of an effective and substantive code of conduct, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention of the Law of the Sea, within a 3-year timeline or earlier, according to the guidelines, a copy of which was seen by the AP.

The guidelines called for more meetings between the two sides and the start of negotiations for the most contentious issues, including whether the regional code should be legally enforceable and its geographical scope.

Washington lays no territorial claims in the South China Sea but has said that freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of the disputes were in the United States' national interest.

It has challenged China's expansive territorial claims in the region and Beijing has angrily reacted by warning the US to stop meddling in what it calls a purely Asian dispute.

China and ASEAN signed a nonbinding 2002 accord that called on rival claimant nations to avoid aggressive actions that could spark armed conflicts, including the occupation of barren islets and reefs, but violations have persisted.

About 10 years ago, China turned seven disputed reefs into what have become missile-protected chain of islands in the Spratlys, the most hotly contested part of the South China Sea, sparking alarm from rival claimant states and the US and its allies. With tensions rising, ASEAN and China had agreed to negotiate for a code of conduct. But the talks were delayed for years, including during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, and because of major differences between China and rival claimant states.

Chinese negotiators have proposed that the code of conduct restrict the presence and activities of foreign forces in the disputed waters.

Southeast Asian diplomats have said that US allies involved in the talks were opposed given their stance that Washington serves a crucial role as a counterweight to Beijing in the region. (AP)



GRS

GRS
Kyiv, Jul 13 (AP) Ukrainian officials said air defences shot down 20 Iranian-made drones fired by Russia mostly at the Kyiv region early Thursday, but wreckage fell on four districts of the capital, wounding two people and destroying several homes.

The latest barrage by the Kremlin's forces began shortly after midnight, and explosions shook different parts of the city. Two people were hospitalised with shrapnel wounds, authorities said.

In the capital, rescuers extinguished a fire in a 16-story building, as well as in a non-residential building, the Interior Ministry said. Debris also smashed into the frontage of a 25-story apartment building, it said.

Russian strikes have become a grim part of everyday life in Ukraine over the almost 17 months of the war.

Meanwhile, a senior officer leading Russian forces against Kyiv's recent counteroffensive in southern Ukraine, Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov, was reportedly killed by a Ukrainian missile strike.

Tsokov died when the Ukrainian military struck the city of Berdyansk on Tuesday with UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, according to retired Gen. Andrei Gurulev, who commanded the 58th Army in the past and currently serves as a lawmaker.

Russia's Defense Ministry hasn't reported Tsokov's death.

In the aftermath of the nighttime attack on Kyiv, Volodymyr Motus, a 22-year-old resident of the 25-story building, carefully picked his way across the floor of a destroyed apartment, his footsteps crunching shattered glass. The mangled furniture was coated in a thick layer of dust.

I was in my apartment and suddenly I heard a boom, that's all. Then the alarm went off and I went down to the shelter.

He said that some people were injured, but they were all alive.

In May, Russia launched dozens of drones and missiles at Kyiv almost every night, forcing its residents to spend their nights in shelters.

During the summer, attacks came less frequently, but they still strike unpredictably across the country.

Ukraine's human rights chief Dmytro Lubinets wrote on Telegram, It should be explained that each air alarm' in Ukraine is like playing Russian roulette... It's unknown the number of people who could be affected, and it is uncertain from which part of Ukraine bad news about the strike of an enemy drone or missile will come.

The Ukrainian military said it also intercepted two Russian cruise missiles. The statement said one ballistic missile wasn't intercepted, although it didn't explain what damage the missile caused.

The government of the region of Khmelnytskyi in western Ukraine reported that a cruise missile was intercepted over the region, and reported no casualties.

We appreciate the meticulous work of Ukraine's air defense forces, the regional administration wrote on Telegram.

Recently, a Russian cruise missile struck an apartment building in the western city of Lviv, resulting in a death toll that reached 10, and leaving dozens injured.

And in the southern and eastern regions of the country, where heavy fighting is taking place on front lines, the intensity of missile attacks has remained high since the beginning of the war.

At least three civilians were killed and 38 more sustained injuries in Ukraine over the past 24 hours, Ukraine's presidential office reported on Thursday morning.

In the partially occupied Donetsk region, Russian forces targeted 13 cities and villages under Ukrainian control with aviation, missiles and heavy artillery.

In the partially occupied Zaporizhzhia region, the number of wounded by drone debris on Wednesday rose to 21, and fires broke out in the city of Kherson after Russian shelling. (AP) FZH
Kathmandu, Jul 13 (PTI) The Kathmandu District Court on Thursday rejected a marriage registration application filed by a gay couple despite the Supreme Court legalising same-sex marriages in Nepal.

Maya Gurung, 38, and Surendra Pandey, 27, -- both born male -- had sought the court's approval to register their marriage. However, the single bench of the district court judge Madhav Prasad Mainali rejected the application on the grounds that both the applicants are of the same gender.

"The Supreme Court has issued an interim order to register same-sex marriage. But unfortunately, the Kathmandu District Court rejected the application of the sexual minority community members," said Sunil Babu Panta, a leading activist of the sexual and gender minority community, after the court's decision.

The courts action is not only a blow to the sexual minority community, but it also dishonoured the Supreme Courts order, he said.

Although the prejudiced decision of the court has hurt our feelings, we do not consider it as a defeat. We will knock on the doors of the Supreme Court as soon as possible to heal our wounds, Panta said.

Nepal's Supreme Court on June 28 legalised same-sex marriages. However, the country is yet to formulate laws for the registration of same-sex marriages. The apex court has passed an interim order asking authorities to make temporary arrangements to register same-sex marriages before specific laws are formulated.
Warsaw, Jul 13 (AP) The presidents of South Korea and Poland on Thursday pledged to strengthen their security, business and trade relations.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his delegation met with his Polish host, President Andrzej Duda and government members at the Presidential Palace.

With President Duda, we discussed in depth the development of the strategic relations between the two countries, Yoon said after the talks.

We will support efforts for increasing investment and trade, Yoon said, noting that bilateral trade turnover in 2022 was some USD 9 million, the highest in the 34-year-long relations.

That makes Poland the biggest recipient of South Korea's investment last year, partly from Poland's purchases of South Korea's military equipment.

The two presidents watched as government ministers from both countries signed agreements on developing cooperation in infrastructure and modern technologies, as well as on cooperation in the future rebuilding of Ukraine, Poland's neighbour, which is fighting Russia's military invasion.

Duda said Poland is seeking cooperation with South Korean companies in producing military equipment, like tanks, in Poland's armaments plants.

He said prospects for developing bilateral economic ties are "excellent."

Yoon also met with Poland's right-wing Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and was to meet speakers of both chambers of parliament.

On Friday, Yoon and Duda are to address a Polish-Korean economic forum.

Yoon came to Warsaw after attending a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he sought to deepen ties with the military alliance amid global security threats including Russia's war on Ukraine and North Korea's illicit nuclear program.

Poland is buying some USD 17 billion worth of advanced military equipment from South Korea.

The purchase is meant to upgrade Poland's defence potential and fill in for the older equipment that Poland has offered to Ukraine, like the Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets.

Among the purchased equipment, some of which has already arrived in Poland, are Korea's K9 howitzers, K2 tanks, Chunmoo missile launchers and FA-50 training and fighter jets.

Poland buys more from South Korea than it exports there, leaving a trade imbalance in Seoul's favour. (AP) FZH
Dhaka, Jul 13 (PTI) Senior US official Uzra Zeya on Thursday reiterated Washington's support for a "peaceful, free and fair" elections process in Bangladesh set for early January 2024, stressing that the country's prosperous future depends on strong democratic institutions.

Zeya, the US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights and Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues, is visiting the country on the second leg of her two-nation tour.

Before Bangladesh, she visited India.

"I've heard a strong commitment from the (Bangladesh's) honourable Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) and all of the government ministers with whom I've had the pleasure to meet today in support of free and fair and peaceful elections," the Indian-American official told a media briefing.

She said the US was willing to do our part as a longtime partner of Bangladesh to help make this possible.

Her comments came as thousands of supporters of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Wednesday staged a huge protest in Dhaka demanding Prime Minister Hasina's resignation ahead of elections predicting the polls to be manipulated if she remained in power.

Coinciding with the Opposition protest the ruling Awami League held a mammoth public meeting where the party leaders said the polls must be held under the incumbent government led by Hasina in line with Bangladesh's Constitution.

"We witnessed large political rallies; thankfully, free of serious violence, and I think this is a good harbinger that we would like to see replicated," Zeya said.

Asked if the US suggests a dialogue among the political parties in Bangladesh regarding the election issues, Zeya said, Washington doesn't have any "direct involvement" in this but during talks with Bangladeshi leaders they discussed the need for free and fair elections.

She said Washington wanted as well to see the journalists ability to report without fear of retaliation or intimidation, the vital role that civil society plays in democracies advancing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedoms of expression and association.

"A prosperous future (of Bangladesh) depends on strong democratic institutions, and the broad participation of Bangladeshis in elections and the governance of their country," she observed.

According to a spokesman at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Hasina during her talks with Zeya reiterated her commitment to holding a free, fair and neutral election in the country.

Zeya is leading a top-level US delegation to Bangladesh on a three-day visit amid apparently strained Dhaka-Washington relations that some political analysts tend to see as the fallout of a global political scenario with the United States and its allies on one side and China and Russia on the other.

Zeya, who is accompanied by US assistant secretary for South and Central Asia Donald Lu, said her delegation was visiting Bangladesh to lay importance on the US partnership with Dhaka as part of its Indo-Pacific vision.

She said the US wanted a deepened bilateral partnership in line with its vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is "more resilient, more connected and more secure".

The US delegation arrived nearly two months after the US imposed a new visa policy, especially for Bangladesh, which threatens sanctions and visa bans against officials if the US determines they are obstructing the democratic process for the elections scheduled for January 2024.

The US also questioned the human rights situation and political inclusiveness in the country. The US last year slapped a visa restriction on several current and former officials of the elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on charges of alleged extra-judicial killings.

Hasina sternly criticised the US gesture and in a recent press conference she said she believed the US did not want her government to continue in power.

She also hinted that the US wanted military access to St Martins Island in the Bay of Bengal, an allegation the US State Department denied quickly saying they did not discuss taking over the offshore island and Washington respects Bangladesh's sovereignty.

The PMO spokesman said Zeya told the premier that her country announced the new visa policy to assist Prime Minister Hasina's commitment to hold free, fair and neutral elections.

"We don't have any partiality towards any party. We want a neutral, free and fair election," Zeya said.

Hasina said that Bangladesh is currently hosting more than one million Rohingyas in two different places of the country but the crisis exposed her government to a major challenge of human trafficking and anti-social activities threatening the country's security.

The visiting US under secretary said she already visited the Rohingya camps and talked to them and promised that the US will provide some USD 74 million for the operational cost of Rohingya camps.

Zeya appreciated Sheikh for hosting such a huge number of Rohingyas in Bangladesh and also emphasised strengthening coordinated international efforts to ensure the repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.

Rohingyas fled Myanmar to Bangladesh since a military clampdown began there in August 2017 to oust a predominantly Muslim ethnic group from their homeland in Rakhine state. They now live in sprawling makeshift refugee camps.

Bangladesh and Myanmar have held talks on the repatriation of displaced Rohingya refugees back to their homeland, but they failed to resolve the issue.
London, Jul 13 (PTI) The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in India, with particular reference to the recent clashes in Manipur.

The Parliament in Strasbourg, France, called on Indian authorities to put in place measures to halt the ethnic and religious violence and to "protect all religious minorities".

On Wednesday, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said EU parliamentarians concerned are being reached out and it has been made clear to them that it is a matter "absolutely" internal to India.

Manipur has been witnessing violent clashes, especially between Kuki and Meitei communities for close to two months.

"This is a matter totally internal to India," Kwatra said, replying to a question on the matter at a press conference in New Delhi. "We made a reach-out to the concerned EU parliamentarians. But we made it very clear that this is a matter absolutely internal to India," he added.

The resolution entitled 'India, the situation in Manipur' was initiated by Pierre Larrouturou, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament.

"...Parliament strongly urges the Indian authorities to put in place all necessary measures to promptly halt the ethnic and religious violence and to protect all religious minorities, reads a press statement from the Parliament on the passed resolution.

The MEPs called on the Indian authorities to allow "independent investigations" to look into the violence and urged all conflicting sides to cease making inflammatory statements, re-establish trust and play an impartial role to mediate the tensions.

"Parliament reiterates its call for human rights to be integrated into all areas of the EU-India partnership, including in trade," the press statement said.

"MEPs also advocate for the EU-India Human Rights Dialogue to be reinforced and encourage the EU and its member states to systematically and publicly raise human rights concerns, notably on freedom of expression, religion and the shrinking space for civil society, with the Indian side at the highest level," it added.

The resolution comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to France on the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron as the Guest of Honour at the countrys Bastille Day Parade.
An Afghan child suffering from severe malnutrition receives medical treatment at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan on July 10, 2023. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)



Thirty-five percent of children under four in Afghanistan suffer from moderate or severe stunting, a form of impaired growth and development resulting from malnutrition, said a UNICEF report.

by Xinhua writer Zhao Jiasong

KABUL, July 13 (Xinhua) -- With hands trembling and tears streaming down her face, a grief-stricken mother reluctantly bid farewell to her infant, lost to the cruel grip of acute malnutrition, a devastating affliction that ravages countless children in Afghanistan.

Such a scene is not rare at the malnutrition ward of the Kabul-based Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, a major pediatric hospital in the war-ridden country.

Samiullal, a trainee doctor, told Xinhua that the hospital receives some 50 sick children diagnosed with malnutrition across the nation each day. Among them, 10 endure severe cases necessitating hospitalization or intensified medical intervention.

"Sometimes, there can be three deaths at the ward within one day," he said.

Malnutrition comes with symptoms involving weight loss, reduced appetite, and tiredness. According to the latest analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) on the malnutrition situation in Afghanistan, an estimated 4 million children and women are likely suffering from acute malnutrition through April 2023 and need urgent malnutrition intervention.

AN ILLNESS AILING CHILDREN'S HEALTH

Eight doctors at the hospital's malnutrition ward are offering their utmost help and treatment to the malnourished kids.

Photo taken on July 10, 2023 shows a malnutrition ward of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Following body checks and weighing for the patients, the medics provide the kids with the necessary milk prescribed over the next 24 hours. If the situation of any kid gets worse, the doctor would provide medicine.

Aqa Mohammad Shirzad, the head of the malnutrition ward, told Xinhua that the number of malnourished kids surges in summer.

Muzhda, a mother of a two-and-a-half-month-old child, took a seven-hour ride on sections of bombed bumpy road from the northern Baghlan Province, all the distress worthwhile for her just to see her skeletal baby in a stable condition after five days of treatment.

"My child suffers from malnutrition, blood germ, and diarrhea," the 20-something mother told Xinhua. Perplexed by the cause of her child's illness, she attributed it to her own physical condition, which she believed led to nursing difficulties and ultimately affected her child's well-being.

"If a pregnant mother takes good food, she would give birth to a healthy child without malnutrition," said Dr. Shirzad, adding that malnourished children always have long-term treatment, as many are undergoing other illnesses due to their weakening immune systems.

The health conditions of both children and women in Afghanistan are in freefall. According to the UNICEF's State of the World's Children 2023 report, 35 percent of children under four in Afghanistan suffer from moderate or severe stunting, a form of impaired growth and development resulting from malnutrition, and notably, 43 percent of women aged between 15 and 49 have anaemia.

"I remember that a mother even took her malnourished child to the hospital three times. Her child recovered, was discharged from the hospital, but again got the same problem and came back to the hospital after two or three months," Shirzad said.

Nafisa, who breeds five children -- all peddling on streets due to economic hardships, told Xinhua that in the past, her family could receive aids, but now the aids just stopped with the sanctions.

A mother cuddles her child with severe malnutrition at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan on July 10, 2023. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)



The mother from the northern Kunduz Province said she "always cried" when working in another person's house, and she could only cook one or two times a week for her children.



SANCTIONS LOOTING AFGHAN CHILDREN'S HOPE

Some of the malnourished kids were born after the withdrawal of the U.S.-led forces in August 2021, seemingly luckier than those "war babies." But these kids are facing an even graver humanitarian crisis as the U.S. government's brutal sanctions are exacerbating the country's financial paralysis, and consequently, hindering almost every support that Afghan kids need.

According to Shirzad, prior to the imposition of sanctions, the hospital used to admit around 600 malnourished children. However, since the freezing of approximately 7 billion U.S. dollars in assets of Afghanistan's central bank by the Biden administration, that number has nearly doubled.

Shirzad said "it is clear" that the sanctions have caused medicine shortages, especially in rural areas, as the supply of medicine in Afghanistan relies primarily on imports.

"Sanctions should be waived... In the past, the hospital provided medicine to the patients, but now we give prescriptions and many patients can't buy medicine," Shirzad said.

Mohammad Kausar, a shareholder of Afghan Surgical Corp. Co., a medicine and medical equipment importer, said that the firm has been in a jam regarding transferring money to their overseas suppliers, which drags down their imports.

The ramifications of sanctions are affecting more individuals and entities, as they still impede the global organizations' aid in Afghanistan, though the U.S. Department of Treasury claimed it has "permitted" international money transactions related to humanitarian operations in the country.

Photo taken on July 10, 2023 shows a malnutrition ward of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)



"Donor sanctions brought the health system to the brink of collapse, including nutrition services in urban areas," an article shared by UNICEF online said, pointing out the impact of sanctions on the cooperation between international organizations and their donors.

"One month ago, UNICEF provided 9,000 afghanis (about 104 U.S. dollars) to each malnourished child in the hospital, but now the support has been halted... In the past, UNICEF and ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) provided assistance -- medicine and food -- to patients, but I got the information they reduced 60 percent of their aids," Shirzad said.

"I want the United States to unfreeze Afghanistan assets and remove its sanctions. The assets belong to the people of Afghanistan," the senior physician said. 
Mumbai, Jul 13 (PTI) Following are the top stories from the Western Region at 1700 HRS.











BOM17 CG-MINISTER-RESIGN



* Chhattisgarh minister Premsai Singh Tekam resigns



Surajpur: Chhattisgarh School Education Minister Premsai Singh Tekam on Thursday said he had resigned from his post as asked by the ruling Congress party. *







BOM15 GJ-COURT-EX-MINISTER

* Former Gujarat minister Chaudhary gets 7-yr imprisonment in cheating case





Mehsana: A court in Mehsana on Thursday sentenced former Gujarat minister and Dudhsagar Dairy's ex-chairman Vipul Chaudhary to seven years' imprisonment in a case of cheating and causing a loss of Rs 22.5 crore to the dairy in 2014 by supplying cattle feed to Maharashtra without following proper procedures. *











BOM6 MH-HC-MALIK

* Money laundering: HC refuses bail to NCP leader Malik on medical grounds



Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday refused to grant bail on medical grounds to NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik in connection with a money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). *





BOM12 MP-PRESIDENT-LD VISIT

* President Murmu arrives in Gwalior, heads for Jai Vilas Palace



Bhopal: President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Gwalior on a daylong trip to Madhya Pradesh and headed for the Jai Vilas Palace here to visit the Jiwajirao Scindia Museum. *

















BOM13 GJ-COURT-PM DEGREE-KEJRIWAL

* PM degree defamation case: Court asks AAP leaders to appear before it on July 26





Ahmedabad: A court here on Thursday directed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh to appear before it on July 26 in connection with a criminal defamation case over their "sarcastic" and "derogatory" statements with regard to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's degree. *













BOM37 MH-PATOLE-DEMAND

* Maha Congress chief seeks dismissal of Shinde govt and imposition of President's rule



Mumbai: Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Wednesday demanded dismissal of the Eknath Shinde-led government and imposition of the President's rule in the state, claiming that the administration has come to a standstill. *

















BOM7 GJ-DALITS-MURDER

* Gujarat: 2 Dalit men killed over land dispute in Surendranagar



Surendranagar: Two Dalit men were killed allegedly by a group of persons belonging to an OBC community over a land dispute in Gujarat's Surendranagar district, police said on Thursday. *















BOM9 MH-BUS-ACCIDENT

* Maha: 3 persons injured as bus fall into ditch in Pune



Pune: Three passengers were injured after a state transport bus fell into a roadside ditch in Maharashtra's Pune district on Thursday morning, police said. *











BOM4 MH-TIGER-ATTACK



* Maha: 2 killed in tiger attack in Chandrapur; 12 deaths so far this year



Chandrapur: Two persons have been killed in tiger attack in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district in the last two days, a forest official said on Thursday. *
Mumbai, Jul 13 (PTI) The traffic control room of Mumbai Police has received a call from an unidentified person warning of a 26/11-like terror attack if Pakistani woman Seema Haider did not return to her country, an official said on Thursday.

The call was received on Wednesday, he said.

The caller, who spoke in Urdu, said there would be a terror attack like the November 26, 2008 attack on Mumbai and the Uttar Pradesh government will be responsible for it, the police official said.

Mumbai Police is investigating the threat call and a crime branch team has also been roped in, he said.

The call was made through an app, and the police were trying to track down the IP address of the caller, the official said.

Seema Haider, a Pakistani national, recently entered India illegally to marry her lover Sachin Meena, a resident of Greater Noida. The two had become friends while playing online game PUBG.

Police arrested Haider for entering India illegally without a visa through Nepal.
Himmatnagar, Jul 13 (PTI) An immigration agent was arrested by the police in Gujarat's Sabarkantha district on Thursday after nine persons, including two women, went untraceable during their journey from India to the United States via Caribbean countries, officials said.

The suspected immigration scam came to light after a woman approached the Prantij police in Sabarkantha district with a complaint that her husband, Bharat Rabari, went incommunicado in February, almost a month after he was sent to the US via the Netherlands and the Caribbean region by agent Divyesh aka Johny Patel, a resident of Mehsana, who has been arrested.

Later, it was revealed that eight more persons, sent to the US by Johny Patel, were also missing and efforts were on to trace all nine, police said.

Another agent named in the FIR (first information report), lodged on the basis of the woman's complaint), is Mahendra Baldevbhai Patel, a native of Dingucha village in Gandhinagar district.

Investigations have revealed Mahendra Patel, known as 'MD', is the elder brother of Jagdish Patel, who along with his wife and two children froze to death while trying to illegally enter the United States from Canada last year, said police inspector of Prantij, Pradipsinh Vaghela.

The four members of the Patel family from Dingucha had died due to exposure to extreme cold conditions in January 2022 when they were walking towards the US from Canada amid a blizzard.

On Wednesday, a woman, Chetna Rabari, of Vaghpur village under Prantij taluka, approached the police claiming her husband Bharat Rabari had gone untraceable soon after he embarked on a journey to the US in January.

"Johny Patel had promised Bharat Rabari, a farmer, that he could send him to the US on a work permit for a fee of Rs 70 lakh. The agent took Rs 20 lakh advance and asked Bharat Rabari to pay the remaining amount after reaching the US. In January, Rabari reached the Netherlands and then landed at Dominica in February via Port of Spain in the Caribbean region," said Sabarkantha SP Vishal Kumar Vaghela.

"However, Bharat Rabari went untraceable after February 4, following which his family contacted Johny, who then contacted Mahendra Patel, who according to Johnny, is working above him. Despite assurances by both of them, Bharat Rabari could not be contacted. After Johny's arrest, we have learned the accused had sent eight others with Rabari and all of them are untraceable," said Superintendent of Police Vaghela.

Following the registration of the FIR, police arrested Johny Patel on Thursday, while a search was for Mahendra Patel, who lives in the New Ranip area of Ahmedabad.

Police have initiated a parallel process to locate the nine missing persons, including two women, in coordination with central government agencies and departments concerned, said a release by the Sabarkantha police.
Ranchi, Jul 13 (PTI) Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren demanded a hike in royalty on coal at a meeting with a team from the NITI Aayog, officials said on Thursday.

At the meeting, he also raised the issue of the release of compensation for land acquisition, which he said was pending with different coal companies.

An eight-member team of NITI Aayog, led by its member Vinod Kumar Paul, is on a visit to the state to review its progress on various aspects. It held a meeting with the chief minister at the state secretariat on Wednesday.

Soren said compensation of about Rs 80,000 crore is due with different coal companies against land acquisition, and only Rs 2,532 crore has been given.

"Coal companies should pay compensation for the land they have acquired, even if mining work has not started on it," he said.

It was agreed at the meeting that the coal companies will submit a report on how much land was acquired and how much compensation was paid, an official statement said.

Soren also demanded that the royalty on coal be increased.

The chief minister also sought additional foodgrains from the Centre.

He said the Centre has a fixed quota for beneficiaries as part of National Food Security Mission.

"But, more beneficiaries need subsidised ration in the state. The state government is giving subsidised ration to additional 20 lakh beneficiaries under green card category," he said.

Soren said the state government has to purchase grains for the additional beneficiaries from the market as FCI was not providing for them.

"The NITI Aayog should place the demand of Jharkhand with the central government that FCI should also provide grains for the ration card holders of the state government," he said.

He also demanded 8.5 lakh houses under PM Awas Yojana for the people of the state.

Paul said NITI Aayog works as a bridge between the Centre and state governments.

"Whatever cooperation is needed from the Centre for the development of Jharkhand, the Aayog will work in this regard. The meeting was successful," he said.
Shillong, Jul 13 (PTI) The United Democratic Party (UDP), a major ally of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government on Thursday declined to support the proposed Uniform Civil Code in the absence of the draft proposal from the Government of India.

"Since there is no clarity on the matter, the party is disinclined to support the proposed implementation of the Uniform Civil Code," party general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said, in a letter sent to the Law Commission on Thursday.

"In light of the absence of the draft proposal from the Government of India, we are left in a position that deprives us from sharing our views at this juncture," he said.

Earlier ruling National Peoples Party supremo and chief minister Conrad K Sangma had announced his party's opposition to the UCC.

The UCC refers to a common set of laws on marriage, divorce and inheritance that would be applicable to all Indian citizens irrespective of religion, tribe or other local customs.

The Law Commission had on June 14 initiated a fresh consultation process on UCC by seeking views from stakeholders, including public and recognised religious organisations, on the politically sensitive issue
Kolkata, Jul 13 (PTI) Following are the top stories from the Eastern Region at 5 pm.

CAL 11 BH-BJP-PROTEST-LD LEADER

Bihar: BJP alleges its leader died following lathi charge, administration denies

Patna: A controversy broke out over the death of a Bihar BJP leader following a police lathi charge during the partys march towards the assembly here on Thursday.





CAL 12 WB-PANCHAYAT POLLS-PRASAD

Mamata govt has stopped listening to people's grievances: Prasad

Kolkata: Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government has stopped listening to the grievances of people.





CAL 10 WB-PANCHAYAT POLLS

As TMC secures massive victory in panchayat polls, BJP alleges 'loot' at counting centres

Kolkata: As the Trinamool Congress secured a massive victory in the panchayat elections in West Bengal, a war of words broke out between the ruling party and the opposition BJP on Thursday over the violence that rocked parts of the state.



CAL 8 TR-ASSEMBLY-FLIGHTS

Agartala-Chittagong flights to commence soon: Tripura minister

Agartala: The process of introduction of international flight services between Agartala and Chittagong in Bangladesh is in an advanced stage, a senior minister informed the assembly on Thursday.





CAL 7 BH-BJP-PROTEST

BJP workers clash with police in Patna over teacher recruitment policy

Patna: Police burst tear gas shells and used water canons to disperse thousands of BJP workers, including senior leaders, who tried to march towards the Bihar Vidhan Sabha in protest against the Nitish Kumar government's teacher recruitment policy.





CAL 6 BH-ASSEMBLY-BJP MLAs

Marshals evict unruly BJP MLAs from Bihar Assembly

Patna: Marshals evicted a couple of BJP MLAs from the Bihar Assembly on Thursday and also snatched away posters and placards from other members of the opposition party who stood inside the well waving these.





CAL 4 JH-SOREN-NITI AAYOG

At meeting with NITI Aayog, Jharkhand CM demands hike in coal royalty, additional foodgrains

Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren demanded a hike in royalty on coal at a meeting with a team from the NITI Aayog, officials said on Thursday.





CAL 2 BH-TEACHERS

Bihar govt cancels leaves of teachers amid BJP protest over recruitment policy

Patna: The Bihar government cancelled the leaves of all teachers for a week, according to an official document.
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
New Delhi, Jul 13 (PTI) The defence ministry on Thursday approved the proposed procurement of 26 Naval variant of Rafale jets from France, people familiar with the development said.

The project was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a two-day visit to Paris.

The DAC, which is the defence ministry's highest decision making body on procurement, also cleared a proposal for construction of three more Scorpene submarines in India.

The mega defence projects are expected to be announced after wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday.

The DAC's approval to the projects came around a week after they were cleared by the Defence Procurement Board (DPB).

The Indian Navy is looking for procurement of 26 deck-based fighter jets for indigenously-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

After a lengthy process, the Navy had narrowed down on Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and French aerospace major Dassault Aviation's Rafale M aircraft for the procurement.

Later, Rafale-M, the naval variant of the lethal jet, emerged as the winner in the tight race.

India has already procured 36 Rafale jets from France for the Indian Air Force.

The Rafale jets are India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 year after the Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia.

Another important project with France would be the follow on order of three Scorpene submarines.

Under Project 75, six Scorpene submarines have already been made in India. PTi MPB

DV

DV
New Delhi, Jul 13 (PTI) Intensifying its outreach to backward Muslims, the BJP Minority Morcha on Thursday announced its plan to launch a 'Pasmanda Sneh Samvad' yatra from July 27, the death anniversary of former president A P J Abdul Kalam.

Following a meeting of 'pasmanda' (backward) Muslims leaders of the party from across the country here, morcha president Jamal Siddiqui told PTI that the yatra will highlight the community's issues and also the real heroes of the community such as Kalam, freedom fighter Ashfaqulla Khan and Param Vir Chakra winner Abdul Hamid.

The yatra will conclude on Kalam's birth anniversary on October 15 after travelling through numerous states, including Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The theme of the yatra will be "samman se utthan tak" (from respect to rise), he said.

The move takes on significance as it comes following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's repeated emphasis on how pasmanda Muslims have been left out on various parameters of development and were exploited by the parties which claimed to represent the community's interests.

Siddiqui said pasmandas are close to 85 per cent of Muslims in the country but were exploited by parties such as the Congress, the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samajwadi Party.

Noting that Modi is himself from a backward community, he said the prime minister is a genuine leader of pasmandas as he has brought development to them.

Kalam was the choice of the first BJP-led government under prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for president. He has often been spoken about glowingly by the party and its ideological mentor RSS for his rootedness in Indian traditions and contributions to the country as a scientist, public figure and president.
Srinagar, Jul 13 (PTI) Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah Thursday set out from his home on foot to reach the party office after police allegedly denied him escort vehicles and ITBP personnel cover.

Abdullah, the vice president of the National Conference (NC), was scheduled to address a function at the party headquarters, Nawa-i-Subah, to pay homage to 22 Kashmiri people who were killed by the army of a Dogra ruler on this day in 1931.

He alleged that the Jammu and Kashmir Police denied him his security escort vehicles and ITBP cover to visit the party headquarters.

There was no immediate response from the police.

Unfazed by the denial, Abdullah set out to the office near Zero Bridge on foot from his home in the Gupkar area of the city here, while a handful of his special security group personnel -- a wing of J-K Police responsible for guarding VVIPs -- were seen walking along with him.

The former J-K chief minister took to Twitter and posted a video of his walk to the office.

"Dear @JmuKmrPolice don't think that refusing to give me my escort vehicles & ITBP cover will stop me. I'll walk to where I have to get to & that's exactly what I'm doing now," Abdullah said.

After reaching office, where some of his party leaders and activists were waiting for him, the NC vice president said the "police would now send everything" for his security.

"Now that I've got to the office & will go ahead with my programme you will send everything. The fact is @JmuKmrPolice has stopped a lot of my senior colleagues from coming to the @JKNC_ office today by adopting the same tactics of stopping them in their homes. Notable amongst those stopped are Abdul Rahim Rather Sb, @AliMSagar_ Sb, Ali Mohd Dar Sb and others," he said.

The NC said Abdullah was to address the party workers to pay tributes to the 1931 martyrs.

"Despite the restrictions placed on JKNC Vice President @OmarAbdullah, which denied him security vehicles and ITBP cover, he chose to walk from his home to the Nawai Subh office. His purpose was to address the party workers who had gathered there to pay their heartfelt tributes to the 1931 Martyrs," the party said in a tweet.

July 13 was a public holiday in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and a grand official function was held every year on this day where the chief minister or the governor would be the chief guest.

However, the governor administration dropped the day from the list of gazetted holidays in 2020, after the abrogation of Article 370 and splitting of the erstwhile state into Union territories by the Centre on August 5, 2019.

Apart from the official function at the Martyrs' graveyard, mainstream political leaders also used to visit it to pay homage to the 22 Kashmiris who fell to the bullets of the Dogra army while protesting the autocratic rule of Maharaja Hari Singh.

For these last few years, the political parties have alleged that their movement was restricted on the day and they were not allowed to visit the graveyard in the city.
BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China's internet watchdog and several other authorities, including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Science and Technology, have jointly issued an interim regulation on the management of generative artificial intelligence (AI) services.

The regulation, published on the website of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on Thursday, will go into effect on Aug. 15.

It puts forward a slew of measures on boosting generative AI technology on the one hand, and stipulates basic norms for generative AI service providers on the other.

The move is aimed at promoting the sound development of generative AI and regulating its applications, safeguarding national security and social public interests, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, legal entities and organizations, according to the CAC. 
New Delhi, Jul 13 (PTI) Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday said implementation of urban planning reforms is making cities attractive destinations for investments.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the two-day National Urban Planning Conclave here, he stressed upon creating a holistic policy ecosystem for ensuring last-mile access to services, enhanced operational efficiencies, area-based planning, infusion of digital technology, ease of doing business and outcome-based performance frameworks.

According to the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, the two-day conclave will see a total of 24 presentations which include key speakers such as chief town planners from several states.

Lead academicians in the field of urban planning will moderate four technical sessions comprising of key speakers who would be speaking on wide range of themes like transit oriented development, transferable development rights, local area plans and town planning scheme, affordable housing, environmentally sustainable development (sponge cities), NCR Plan, 2041 and Master Plan of Delhi-2041, the ministry said.

Speaking about various missions under the housing and urban affairs, Puri said that together, they have made a quantum jump in the quality of life of cities by providing universal access to water and sanitation, creating sustainable transportation infrastructure and addressing affordable housing requirements.

At the event, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Kaushal Kishore expressed confidence over the readiness of various cities to implement the reforms on various crucial parameters through this platform by knowledge and experience sharing.

On his part, HUA Secretary Manoj Joshi stressed on the need of focusing on transit-oriented development (TOD) based concepts, transportation and road network and other crucial frameworks for effective township planning.

At the event, an exhibition was held, where states, Union territories and urban planning academic institutions showcased the projects undertaken by them in various cities.
Chandigarh, Jul 13 (PTI) Chandigarh administration has received a "detailed proposal" from the Haryana government on land swap for setting up its additional legislative assembly building here and it is under consideration, officials said on Thursday.

In lieu of the 10-acre land sought by Haryana for the construction of an additional assembly building in Chandigarh, the state has offered a 12-acre site in Panchkula. In the 2023-24 budget, the Haryana government has already allocated Rs 50 crore for the construction of an additional Vidhan Sabha building here.

The Haryana's move has evoked sharp reaction from various political parties in Punjab which said they will never allow it to happen, asserting that Chandigarh belongs to Punjab only.

On Thursday, Chandigarh's Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh said the administration has received a "detailed proposal" from Haryana government to swap the land with regards to setting up of an additional assembly building.

"Now, a report will be sought from Haryana government on the land (which it is offering in Panchkula as a swap) and then the matter will be put up before the Administration here and later sent to the Union Home Ministry for decision because allotment will happen from there because it is an exchange case (land swap)," Singh said.

"Since they have sent a proposal to us, we are working on it. We are having multiple meetings with them so that we can make a proper case and send it to the Government of India with approval of UT Administration," he said.

Notably, in July 2022, at the northern zone council meeting in Jaipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced land for setting up an additional building for Haryana assembly in Chandigarh.

The deputy commissioner also said that Chandigarh has sought some clarifications from the Haryana government on the land (in Panchkula).

"We have asked them for some clarifications on the proposal which include demarcation report of the land and no encumbrance certificate of the land (in Panchkula)," he said.

Asked in which location the UT offered land to Haryana in Chandigarh, he said, "We had offered them multiple choices. They (Haryana) selected the land near railway station traffic signal. Once the approval of swapping comes from the Centre, then we will allot the land to them."

Punjab Governor also serves as the Administrator of Union Territory Chandigarh, which is a common capital of both Punjab and Haryana.

Commenting on the fresh development, senior Congress leader from Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa, in a tweet, said, "Chandigarh administration's move to allot 10 acres of land to Haryana to build an assembly is extremely deplorable."

"The BJP-led Centre is hell-bent upon infringing Punjab's claim on Chandigarh in one way or the other.

"The @AAPPunjab govt has also completely failed to safeguard Punjab's rights in the capital. Ever since CM @BhagwantMann got hold of power, he attempted to dilute Punjab's claim on Chandigarh. In a tweet last year, CM sought a piece of land from the Centre for a separate assembly, despite the fact, it belongs to Punjab only," Bajwa, who is Leader of the Opposition, said.

He said as always, the Punjab Congress will keep fighting to protect Punjab's claim on Chandigarh "as it solely belongs to us (punjabis)".

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal criticised both the Centre and the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab "for colluding with each other to allot land in the Union territory for a separate Vidhan Sabha to Haryana to take political advantage in the Haryana assembly elections (in 2024)".

In a statement, Badal said the move was in continuation of an announcement made by Amit Shah last year, but Chief Minister Mann did not protest against it then which has led to grave dilution of Punjabs right over Chandigarh.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that "Chandigarh belongs to Haryana...the Haryana government should carry out extension of existing Vidhan Sabha. Why should Haryana lose its stand on present Vidhan Sabha"

At present, Punjab and Haryana share the Vidhan Sabha complex which is next to the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh.

Haryana has maintained that there is a space constraint and the Vidhan Sabha and its committees are unable to function properly.
Bengaluru, July 13 (PTI) The newly constructed Shivamogga Airport is likely to be become operational from August 11 and all the pending works would be completed by July 20, Karnataka Large Industries and Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil said on Thursday. The Minister chaired a review meeting of new airports in the state today.

"Ambulance and other vehicles need to be deployed and a coffee cafe is yet to be opened. Apart from these, some technical and non-technical staff need to be hired. The Airport will be set for commercial operations by July 20, by meeting all these requirements," Patil said.

The Directorate of Civil Aviation has permitted Karnataka State Industries and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) to conduct the operation and maintenance of this airport, he said, adding that "with this Shivamogga Airport would become the very first airport to be maintained by an institution of the state government."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 27 had inaugurated the Shivamogga airport with a lotus-shaped terminal.

According to Patil, during the campaigning for the state assembly elections, as many as 20 air buses landed at this airport and that fetched an income of Rs 12 lakh.

"If everything goes as planned, the first flight will take off from Bengaluru to land at Shivamogga Airport on August 11. Prominent people including public representatives will be invited to be part of the historic moment on that day," he informed.

The Minister also reviewed the progress of the ongoing works at Vijayapura Airport.

Expressing his dissatisfaction about the airport not being provided the night landing facility, he directed the concerned officials to take steps to incorporate it.

"The original plan did not include the night landing facility. So far around Rs 350 crore has been spent and an additional Rs 12 crore will be needed to include a night landing facility. Runway work has been completed and all structure-related works will be finished in three months. Simultaneously, installation of the equipment will be taken care of," Patil said.

The minister also examined the progress of ongoing airport projects in Hassan, Raichur and Karwar.

Later, he also discussed construction of airstrips at Dharmasthala, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru, which were proposed in the recent state budget, his office said in a release.




In a recent interview with the Star Tribune, MyPillow CEO and conspiracy theorist, Mike Lindell, made a staggering allegation, asserting that his company has suffered a massive loss of $100 million in potential sales due to what he described as cancel culture by major box stores like Walmart.

Lindell expressed his dismay over the situation, stating, It was a massive, massive cancellation. We lost $100 million from attacks by the box stores, the shopping networks, the shopping channels, all of them did cancel culture on us.

This follows the decision by major retailers such as Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Slumberland Furniture to cease selling MyPillow products. The retailers cited Lindells unfounded claims that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump as the reason for their decision.

Lindell has repeatedly alleged that Chinese interference played a significant role in widespread voter fraud during the 2020 election. In an attempt to back his claims, he offered a $5 million reward to anyone who could disprove his assertions, which was successfully accomplished by a data expert. However, despite an arbitration panel ordering him to honor the reward, Lindell has refused to pay and defiantly declared, This will be going to court!

According to reports from the Star Tribune, Lindells company is currently subleasing manufacturing space and has put up more than 850 pieces of equipment for an online auction. The auction includes various items such as sewing machines, industrial fabric spreaders, forklifts, desks, and chairs. The article highlighted that there were several months when MyPillow was dropped by retailers, leading to a shortage of work for some employees. To address this, Lindell redirected staff to work for MyStore, an online marketplace he established, or to his addiction resource organization, the Lindell Recovery Network.

However, the challenges for Lindell continue to mount as he and his company find themselves entangled in a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit. The suit alleges that Lindell repeatedly made false claims that Dominion Voting Systems rigged the election in favor of President Joe Biden. Notably, Fox News settled a similar lawsuit with Dominion in April, agreeing to pay $787.5 million. When asked about the impact of these pending lawsuits on his business, Lindell acknowledged, Of course it has, according to the Star Tribune.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




In a fiery exchange on Wednesday, House Judiciary Committee Chair Representative Jim Jordan did not mince words as he took on FBI Director Chris Wray. Jordans pointed questioning revolved around the recent court ruling on alleged suppression of free speech, with the court comparing the United States governments actions to an Orwellian Ministry of Truth. Jordan also criticized the FBI for not acknowledging the veracity of the Hunter Biden laptop story, which he deemed as true and not disinformation.

During his opening remarks, Jordan bluntly stated, When the court says the FBI misled, thats a nice way of saying they lied. They lied, and as a result, important information was kept from we the people days before the most important election we have. He emphasized the significance of ensuring transparency and truthfulness, especially in the context of the presidential election.

Furthermore, Jordan raised concerns about censorship of American speech, labelling of parents as terrorists, and branding of Catholics as radicals. He alluded to the spying on a presidential campaign and the raiding of a former presidents home, highlighting the need for accountability and reform within the FBI.

Prior to the hearing, Jordan appeared on Fox News, where he outlined his approach. During the interview, host Bill Hemmer pointed out that Wray was appointed by former President Donald Trump. In response, Jordan stated, Well, this all happened under his watch. Hes the guy who created the foreign influence task force, which was cited in federal courts for censoring American speech. Jordan further criticized Wray for overseeing the raid on President Trumps home prior to a midterm election and the FBIs consideration of placing sources within Catholic parishes to gather information on parishioners.

Jordans longstanding skepticism towards the FBI and his close association with Trump were evident during the hearing. He proposed that Congress cease funding investigations into political figures by the Department of Justice, asserting that politically sensitive cases should be handled by non-partisan career staff. This move was seen as a direct challenge to the ongoing Justice Department and FBI investigations into Trumps Russia dealings and Hunter Bidens plea deal. Jordan, along with other conservatives, viewed these cases as evidence of a perceived two-tier justice system.

In his opening statement, Director Wray defended the FBI, emphasizing the extensive work carried out by its agents to safeguard the American people. He sought to highlight that the FBIs responsibilities extend far beyond the high-profile investigations that tend to dominate the headlines.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




In the aftermath of the Wagner Groups failed armed insurrection last month, retired Gen. Robert Abrams, an ABC News contributor and former commander of US Forces Korea, has expressed doubts about the fate of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the mutinous Wagner mercenary group boss.

Prigozhin, known for his connection to the Kremlin, is believed by Abrams to be either dead or imprisoned, raising questions about the authenticity of his much-publicized meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the rebellion.

Speaking to ABC News, Abrams shared his personal assessment, stating, I doubt well see Prigozhin ever again publicly. I think hell either be put in hiding, or sent to prison, or dealt with some other way, but I doubt well ever see him again. When asked about Prigozhins current status, Abrams added, I personally dont think he is [alive], and if he is, hes in a prison somewhere.

The retired four-star general also cast doubt on the meeting between Putin and Prigozhin, which was claimed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov to have taken place on June 29, just five days after the failed mutiny. Id be surprised if we actually see proof of life that Putin met with Prigozhin, and I think its highly staged, Abrams commented.

According to Peskov, the meeting involved 35 individuals, including Prigozhin, as well as other senior members of Putins administration such as Viktor Zolotov, the head of the national guard, and Sergei Naryshkin, SVR Foreign Intelligence boss. The French newspaper Liberation reported their presence during the meeting. Peskov stated that Putin provided his assessment of the Wagner Groups actions in the war in Ukraine, as well as the events of the mutiny on June 24. Putin also reportedly listened to the commanders explanations and offered options for their future employment and combat use.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, 62, had been engaged in a public feud with top military officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, regarding their handling of the war in Ukraine. He led the rebellion that resulted in the capture of Rostov-on-Don and ordered his forces to march toward Moscow. However, a sudden change of plans occurred after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko mediated a truce between Prigozhin and the Kremlin. Under the agreement, Prigozhin would avoid treason charges if he agreed to go into exile in Belarus. However, Lukashenko recently announced that Prigozhin had returned to Russia.

Flight tracking data revealed that one of Prigozhins private jets has made multiple trips between Belarus and Russia in the days following the uprising. Reports also claimed that he was seen at the Saint Petersburg office of the FSB last week, apparently to collect his confiscated arsenal of weapons during a raid on his mansion. Prigozhin released an audio message expressing gratitude to those who supported the failed mutiny, emphasizing its aim to fight traitors and mobilize our society.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




In a Republican presidential field full of candidates opposed to abortion rights, Mike Pence stands out in his embrace of the cause.

The former vice president, who is seeking the White House in 2024, is the only major candidate who supports a federal ban on abortion at six weeks, before many women know theyre pregnant. He has advocated pulling from the market a widely used abortion pill that has a better safety record than penicillin and Viagra. And hes implored his Republican rivals to back a 15-week federal ban as a minimum national standard, which several have not done.

In a recent interview, Pence went even further, saying abortion should be banned when a pregnancy isnt viable. Such a standard would force women to carry pregnancies to term even when doctors have determined there is no chance a baby will survive outside the womb.

Im pro-life. I dont apologize for it, Pence said in the interview. I just have heard so many stories over the years of courageous women and families who were told that their unborn child would not go to term or would not survive. And then they had a healthy pregnancy and a healthy delivery.

Doctors disputed Pences characterization, saying there are conditions that are always incompatible with life and others where the chance of survival is so slim that most patients, when previously given the choice, concluded that continuing the pregnancy wasnt worth the suffering, grief or risk.

Pence, however, says hes undeterred.

I want to always err on the side of life, he said. I would hold that view in these matters because  I honestly believe that we got this extraordinary opportunity in the country today to restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law.

Those comments place Pence firmly to the right of the rest of the 2024 presidential field and alone among GOP candidates, who largely declined to take a stance on the issue. And they drew alarms from obstetricians and doctors who specialize in high-risk pregnancies and say nonviable pregnancies are far more common than people realize. They range from ectopic pregnancies, when an embryo implants somewhere other than the uterus, to deadly birth defects and other severe pregnancy complications.

Banning abortions in these cases, doctors say, leads to outcomes that are both cruel and put womens lives and mental health at risk.

One of the things that you cannot understate is the difficulty for a woman to carry a nonviable pregnancy, said Alan Peaceman, professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine. It is psychological torture to go out in the world, for people to see your pregnancy  and people will come up to you and want to talk about your pregnancy. And that puts the woman in a terrible position that nobody should be in unless they chose to be in that position.

Once an issue largely hidden from public view, nonviable pregnancies have gained attention since the Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to an abortion last year, ushering in a wave of bans and restrictions in Republican-led states. Those moves have implications not only for unwanted pregnancies but also for cases where women receive heartbreaking diagnoses, often when theyre months along into pregnancies that were deeply desired.

In states like Texas, Florida and Louisiana, women have described the anguish of being denied abortions even when they know their babies will be stillborn or die shortly after birth. Some have had to wait until they developed life-threatening infections for intervention. Others have spent thousands of dollars to travel to states where the procedure is still allowed.

Sarah Prager, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington Medical Center, said she and her colleagues have seen a steady stream of patients coming from states where abortions are now banned. About 11% of those patients, she said, have received a serious diagnosis, including cases where there is no chance of the fetus surviving.

They are often absolutely shocked to learn that the abortion laws also prohibit them from being able to get care to be safe, she said, even though they knew these laws were in place in this state.

Spokespeople for former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declined to say whether they back Pences position. Trump, the early front-runner, has repeatedly said he backs exceptions in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother and has blamed hard-line abortion stances for costing the party in last years midterm elections.

DeSantis, who is polling a distant second, signed a six-week ban in Florida that includes an exception for fatal fetal abnormalities, along with rape, incest and to save the mothers life. He has declined to say whether he supports a federal ban.

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scotts campaign pointed to an article that did not address the question of unviable pregnancies. A spokesman for former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said only that she will sign pro-life legislation that includes exceptions for rape, incest, and for the life of the mother, suggesting she, too, may be opposed to an exception for nonviable pregnancies  but declined to clarify.

Pences push to end abortion puts him at odds with the majority of Americans who are broadly opposed to the Supreme Courts Roe v. Wade reversal.

While most favor at least some restrictions, a majority of U.S. adults say abortion should be legal during the first weeks of pregnancy, even in states with the strictest limits, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

But Pence, an evangelical Christian, for whom the issue is deeply personal, argues restricting abortion is more important than politics and calls it the cause of our time.

As he works to appeal to conservatives in states like Iowa, Pence also points to the issue as one that distinguishes him from his GOP rivals, contrasting himself with some people in this field now who want to relegate this issue to just a debate among the states.

Pence does say he has always supported exceptions for rape, incest and to save the life of the mother, though he told an Indiana anti-abortion group in 2010 that he believed, Abortion should never be legal, and later that it should only be legal to save the life of the mother.

There are a number of fetal conditions in which doctors generally agree there is truly zero probability for a healthy outcome, including anencephaly, a severe neural tube defect in which the skull doesnt form and the brain is exposed, said David Hackney, a spokesperson for the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and a high-risk obstetrician in the Cleveland area.

The chances of survival are absolute zero  no matter what Mike Pence says, he said. In such cases, he said, it feels absurd for people to be forced against their will to carry pregnancies to term.

But other cases are grayer. Take premature rupture of membranes, when the water breaks early, often in the second trimester, leaving a fetus without the amniotic fluid that protects it and supports the development of organs, including the lungs. In those cases, survival generally depends how early the rupture has occurred.

Hackney said with early membrane rupture, you do have rare survivors, but that exceedingly poor prognosis comes with a litany of risks, including hemorrhaging, blood loss and dangerous infection, which can cause permanent infertility, shock and sepsis as women wait to deliver or qualify for abortions under life of the mother exceptions.

Thats what happened to Savita Halappanavar, the 31-year-old woman who died in Ireland in 2012 of sepsis after she was denied an abortion, prompting the country to overturn its longstanding ban.

Rachel Neal is a fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health and an OB-GYN in Georgia, where abortion is outlawed after cardiac activity is detected, around six weeks. While the state provides an exception in cases in which the physician determines, in reasonable medical judgment, that the pregnancy is medically futile, she said water breaking in the late second trimester would typically not be covered.

That means women who previously had the choice to end their pregnancies early now either have to leave the the state or wait to deliver a baby that will likely die immediately or shortly after birth, while putting themselves at high risk of infection that could impact their ability to get pregnant again.

Its completely uncharted territory, Neal said. Before all of this, almost nobody chose this.  It was very uncommon that someone would choose to wait  because realistically any outcome that would result in a live birth is so slim.

Nine states with abortion restrictions explicitly exempt cases of lethal fetal anomalies, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. Even in states with such exemptions, however, doctors say there can be confusion.

Some states have developed lists for what qualifies as a fatal fetal condition, but doctors say they will never fully capture every potential diagnosis. And most states do not have such lists, leaving definitions up for interpretation.

How lethal does it have to be? Peaceman asked. Does it have to die within the first few hours? Or the first 30 days?

At the same time, doctors in some states risk felony convictions that can carry five or 10 years of mandatory prison time if others dispute their interpretations of what some complain are overly broad and confusing rules.

Eric Scheidler, the executive director of the Pro-Life Action League, a nonprofit that advocates against abortion, accused politically motivated physicians of focusing on edge cases to maintain a broad abortion license and in some cases deliberately misunderstanding what the law says in order to create this narrative that we have to have complete abortion license or well have physicians caught in a quandary.

Nonetheless, he said he thinks candidates should focus on the majority of abortions and not these kinds of cases.

I really want to see these candidates talk about where we have areas of broad consensus, he said. I would encourage political candidates to espouse positions that are widely held.  I dont want to get hung up on these very rare cases.

(AP)
UNITED NATIONS, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Speakers attending the ongoing High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development on Wednesday stressed the need for renewable sources to make up 60 percent of power generation by 2030 to support sustainable development in developing countries.

The ongoing HLPF Wednesday was focusing on deliberating strategies for a smoother transition in the energy sector.

Delivering a keynote address on Goal 7 (affordable and clean energy) of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, noted that 80 percent of the energy used worldwide today is still derived from fossil fuels, the primary driver of climate change.

However, a zero-emission energy supply by mid-century is technically within reach. Wind and solar energy infrastructures are now cheaper to build than fossil-fuel power plants in 85 percent of the world, thus "fossil fuel subsidies have to end," he affirmed.

Leonardo Souza of the statistics division in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs presented highlights from the special edition of the UN secretary-general's report on progress towards the goals.

Reporting that close to 2 billion people will still rely on polluting fuels and technologies for cooking by 2030, he underscored that renewable sources accounted for 19 percent of global final energy consumption in 2020, two thirds of which consisted of modern renewable sources.

Also presenting highlights from the report, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, executive secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, pointed out that Latin America and the Caribbean's annual investment in renewables of 1.3 percent of regional GDP over a decade "would create 7 million new green jobs."

In the first of two panels on "SDG 7 and interlinkages with other SDGs -- Affordable and clean energy," speakers highlighted the centrality of energy and a just transition in achieving the global goals, while also noting that many low-income and developing countries' progress is impacted by multidimensional challenges.

Guangzhe Chen, vice president for infrastructure at the World Bank, noted that half of the population in the sub-Saharan African region still lives without electricity. "This is denying a life transforming opportunity for these populations," he said.

The World Bank, with a current portfolio in energy projects of 10 billion U.S. dollars, supported Nigeria's electrification program, which transformed that country. Accelerating the pace of global electrification will require a fundamental shift in the way energy access is conceived.

Reporting on the digital domain, Shahla Naimi, senior program manager of Google, noted that a transformation in line with its Digital Sprinters framework could generate as much as 3.4 trillion dollars in emerging markets by 2030.

However, these markets will never reach their economic objectives if women are systematically excluded, as nearly 1 billion women and other marginalized groups still do not even have a bank account.

In Africa, she noted Google's Equiano subsea cable is expected to increase Internet speed in Nigeria fivefold and triple it in South Africa, perhaps indirectly creating 1.6 million jobs in those countries over the next four years.

Adding to that was Sabrina Atwine, CEO of Nimarungi and a young entrepreneur from Uganda, who described growing up in a slum area where she experienced first-hand a lack of resources and opportunities for children.

Uganda has the second youngest population globally, but they lack access to quality education. Africa is home to 1.3 billion people, possesses 60 percent of the world's arable land, and holds 30 percent of the world's reserve minerals, yet contributes only 3 percent of GDP and generates a mere 0.1 percent of all patents.

"As a young African tech entrepreneur, I'm working so hard to see these numbers change," she stated.

Convened under the theme "Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels," the forum -- which runs until July 19 -- will explore policies and transformations needed to overcome the multiple crises that continue to threaten decades of progress made in development around the world.

Particular emphasis will be placed on trends and policies related to SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation); Goal 7; Goal 9; Goal 11 (sustainable cities and communities); and Goal 17 (partnerships for the Goals and their linkages to other goals). 




Former President Donald Trump lashed out at his 2024 rival, Chris Christie, in a furious response to comments made by the former New Jersey governor during a Fox News interview. The heated exchange occurred early Wednesday, following Christies criticism of Trumps presidency and his decision to withdraw support in 2020 due to election falsehoods.

Speaking to Piers Morgan on Fox News Tonight, Christie expressed disappointment with Trumps tenure, specifically pointing out his failure to repeal Obamacare and the substantial increase in the national debt during his time in office. Christie also criticized Trumps handling of the Mexico border wall, claiming that only 47 miles were constructed, with the American taxpayers footing the bill.

In response, Trump took to his newly established social media platform, Truth Social, to unleash a barrage of counterattacks against Christie. Dismissing him as Sloppy Chris Christie, the former president highlighted the governors low approval ratings in New Jersey, labeling them the worst in state history. Trump also claimed that Christie was polling at a mere 1% and accused him of leaving his state in disarray.

Refuting Christies statement on the border wall, Trump asserted that the former governor was intentionally misleading the public. Trump claimed that the Department of Homeland Security reported the actual figure to be 463 miles, which included both new structures and renovated sections. The former president also emphasized that additional miles were secured through negotiations with Mexico.

Further stoking the fire, Trump revealed that Christie had expressed a strong desire to join his administration, but he had turned him down. Concluding his social media tirade, Trump labeled Christie a total loser.

TRUMP TRUTH POST:

Sloppy Chris Christie, who is polling at 1% and left his State, New Jersey, with an Approval Rating of 9% (the WORST number in State History), was interviewed on FoxNews (of course!) and stated that I only built 47 miles of Border Wall, knowing that the actual number is 463 Miles, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security. This does not include many Miles that we fixed or renovated, or areas that I got Mexico to secure. BEST BORDER EVER! He also lied about Russia & many other subjects!

But Trump wasnt finished. He fired off another post attacking Christie and tossed in a few barbs at Ron DeSantis as well. The GOP candidates cant beat Trump in the polls, but they can get under his skin.

Sloppy Chris Christie is thrashing about, doing and saying anything to stay relevant. He desperately wanted to join the Trump Administration, but I said NO! In 2016, he spent most of his time away from New Jersey in order to campaign for President, much like Ron DeSanctimonious is doing now to Florida. Chris ended up getting run out of New Hampshire, where he had almost no vote or popularity. They knew him well  CHRIS CHRISTIE IS A TOTAL LOSER!

Christie has since taken to Twitter and responded:

Donald Trump, the king of keyboard warriors.

Donny, you got so much to say, why dont you say it directly to my face on the debate stage?

Or are you a coward?

Donald Trump, the king of keyboard warriors. Donny, you got so much to say, why dont you say it directly to my face on the debate stage? Or are you a coward? pic.twitter.com/UVPcTh1Yi3  Chris Christie (@GovChristie) July 12, 2023

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




The Homowack Lodge Resort, a relic of the famed Borscht Belt era, has fallen victim to yet another devastating fire. The once-popular destination, which had managed to hold out as one of the last remaining icons of its time, now sits in ruins as flames consumed the property for the second time in less than a week.

The most recent fire erupted on Tuesday night, unleashing a fierce blaze that continued to smolder well into the morning hours of Wednesday. Firefighters from surrounding counties were summoned to the scene, with over 150 responders battling the inferno that raged through the abandoned structures.

Chief Mark Wharton of the Summitville Fire Department revealed that the firefighting efforts were hampered by challenging conditions, including intense heat and limited access to the buildings. The resilience of the fire posed a formidable challenge to the courageous responders, who persevered in their mission to contain the flames.

Located at 359 Phillipsport Rd N, Wurtsboro, NY, in the picturesque Sullivan County, the Homowack Lodge Resort once attracted vacationers from New York City seeking a tranquil getaway amidst the countryside. For years, city dwellers would embark on a short drive to the resort, relishing a few days of relaxation and leisure.

Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of destruction as the multiple-alarm fire rapidly consumed the derelict buildings of the resort. Fire departments from nearby areas, including Ellenville, Circleville, and Napanoch, swiftly mobilized to combat the raging inferno. One dedicated first responder recounted his experience at the scene, stating, Itll be burning for a while. The challenges presented by the fires intensity and scale foreshadowed a prolonged battle against the flames.

Fire officials have yet to determine the cause of the blaze, as a thorough investigation is currently underway. Updates regarding the incident will be provided as more information becomes available. The community remains on edge as the once-beloved Homowack Lodge Resort falls victim to these destructive fires, leaving behind memories of a bygone era.

As the fire raged on, a frum EMS and Chaveirim member, Joel Witriol, put in a request for an additional ambulance to go on standby at the scene. That request was made to Efroyam Rosenstock, who is also a Chaveirim member and works as the manager of the Casa Cava pizza shop in Monticello. To show their appreciation for the firefighters battling the heavy flames, the two put in an order at Casa Cava for 15 pizza pies, and a third Chaveirim member, Motty Fisher, picked the order up and brought the pies, along with drinks, to the scene.

As firefighters worked late into the night, the Chaveirim members brought an additional 35 pizza pies and drinks, ensuring that the men who risked their lives to save others were well fed and refreshed as they performed their heroic work.




The Biden administration calls it a student loan safety net. Opponents call it a backdoor attempt to make college free. And it could be the next battleground in the legal fight over student loan relief.

Starting this summer, millions of Americans with student loans will be able to enroll in a new repayment plan that offers some of the most lenient terms ever. Interest wont pile up as long as borrowers make regular payments. Millions of people will have monthly payments reduced to $0. And in as little as 10 years, any remaining debt will be canceled.

Its known as the SAVE Plan, and although it was announced last year, it has mostly been overshadowed by President Joe Bidens proposal for mass student loan cancellation. But now, after the Supreme Court struck down Bidens forgiveness plan, the repayment option is taking center stage.

Since the ruling Biden has proposed an alternate approach to cancel debt and also shifted attention to the lesser-known initiative, calling it the most affordable repayment plan ever. The typical borrower who enrolls in the plan will save $1,000 a month, he said.

Republicans have fought against the plan, saying it oversteps the presidents authority. Sen. Bill Cassidy, the ranking Republican on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, called it deeply unfair to the 87% of Americans who dont have student loans.

The Congressional Budget Office previously estimated over the next decade the plan would cost $230 billion, which would be even higher now that the forgiveness plan has been struck down. Estimates from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania put the cost at up to $361 billion.

Emboldened by the Supreme Courts decision on cancellation, some opponents say its a matter of time before the repayment plan also faces a legal challenge.

Heres what to know about the SAVE Plan:

WHAT IS AN INCOME-DRIVEN REPAYMENT PLAN?

The U.S. Education Department offers several plans for repaying federal student loans. Under the standard plan, borrowers are charged a fixed monthly amount that ensures all their debt will be repaid after 10 years. But if borrowers have difficulty paying that amount, they can enroll in one of four plans that offer lower monthly payments based on income and family size. Those are known as income-driven repayment plans.

Income-driven options have been offered for years and generally cap monthly payments at 10% of a borrowers discretionary income. If a borrowers earnings are low enough, their bill is reduced to $0. And after 20 or 25 years, any remaining debt gets erased.

HOW IS BIDENS PLAN DIFFERENT?

As part of his debt relief plan announced last year, Biden said his Education Department would create a new income-driven repayment plan that lowers payments even further. It became known as the SAVE Plan, and its generally intended to replace existing income-driven plans.

Borrowers will be able to apply later this summer, but some of the changes will be phased in over time.

Right away, more people will be eligible for $0 payments. The new plan wont require borrowers to make payments if they earn less than 225% of the federal poverty line  $32,800 a year for a single person. The cutoff for current plans, by contrast, is 150% of the poverty line, or $22,000 a year for a single person.

Another immediate change aims to prevent interest from snowballing.

As long as borrowers make their monthly payments, their overall balance wont increase. Once they cover their adjusted monthly payment  even if its $0  any remaining interest will be waived.

Other major changes will take effect in July 2024.

Most notably, payments on undergraduate loans will be capped at 5% of discretionary income, down from 10% now. Those with graduate and undergraduate loans will pay between 5% and 10%, depending on their original loan balance. For millions of Americans, monthly payments could be reduced by half.

Next July will also bring a quicker road to loan forgiveness. Starting then, borrowers with initial balances of $12,000 or less will get the remainder of their loans canceled after 10 years of payments. For each $1,000 borrowed beyond that, the cancellation will come after an additional year of payments.

For example, a borrower with an original balance of $14,000 would get all remaining debt cleared after 12 years. Payments made before 2024 will count toward forgiveness.

HOW DO I APPLY?

The Education Department says it will notify borrowers when the new application process launches this summer. Those enrolled in an existing plan known as REPAYE will automatically be moved into the SAVE plan. Borrowers will also be able to sign up by contacting their loan servicers directly.

It will be available to all borrowers in the Direct Loan Program who are in good standing on their loans.

WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS?

Supporters say Bidens plan will simplify repayment options and offer relief to millions of borrowers. The Biden administration has argued that ballooning student debt puts college out of reach for too many Americans and holds borrowers back financially.

Opponents call it an unfair perk for those who dont need it, saying it passes a heavy cost onto taxpayers who already repaid student loans or didnt go to college. Some worry that it will give colleges incentive to raise tuition prices higher since they know many students will get their loans canceled later.

Voices across the political spectrum have said it amounts to a form of free college. Biden campaigned on a promise to make community college free, but it failed to gain support from Congress. Critics say the new plan is an attempt to do something similar without Congress approval.

IS IT LEGAL?

That depends on who you ask, but the question hasnt been taken up by a federal court.

Instead of creating a new payment plan from scratch, the Biden administration proposed changes to an existing plan. It cemented those changes by going through a negotiated rulemaking process that allows the Education Department to develop federal regulations without Congress.

Its a process thats commonly used by administrations from both political parties. But critics question whether the new plan goes further than the law allows.

More than 60 Republicans lawmakers urged Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to withdraw the plan in February, calling it reckless, fiscally irresponsible, and blatantly illegal.

Supporters argue that the Obama administration similarly used its authority to create a repayment plan that was more generous than any others at the time.

The Biden administration formally finalized the rule this month. Conservatives believe its vulnerable to a legal challenge, and some say its just a matter of finding a plaintiff with the legal right  or standing  to sue.

(AP)




The itinerary included a NATO summit, a brief stop in the United Kingdom and a coda in the Finnish shoreline capital that included a news conference in the ornate Gothic Hall at the presidential place.

The president was Donald Trump and the year was 2018. In July of that year, Trump had upended the annual gathering of the military alliance, criticized the British prime minister to the London tabloids and ultimately, in Helsinki, sided with Russian leader Vladimir Putin while casting doubt on his own intelligence community.

President Joe Bidens journey through Europe this week was nearly identical, but every point of his three-country tour was an unsaid yet indelible rebuke of his predecessor who tore through the continent a half-decade ago. It was a portrait of a leader whose ardent belief in international alliances will be part of his case for reelection, particularly if Biden faces a rematch against Trump and his opposing worldviews next year.

During Bidens concluding news conference in Helsinki, he took umbrage at a question about whether he could guarantee the United States would continue to be a reliable partner abroad, a query that conveyed allies concerns about Trump, whose foreign policy disdained the same alliances Biden cherishes.

Nobody can guarantee the future, but this is the best bet that anyone can make, Biden said of the U.S. commitment to the 74-year-old military alliance. When a Finnish journalist noted that Biden said no one could make guarantees, he testily responded: Let me be clear, I didnt say  we couldnt guarantee the future. You cant tell me whether youre going to be able to go home tonight. No one can be sure what theyre going to do.

Voice raised, he declared, Im saying, as sure as anything can possibly be said about American foreign policy, we will stay connected to NATO  connected to NATO, beginning, middle and end. Were a transatlantic partnership. Thats what Ive said.

His five-day trip to Europe  which wound through the United Kingdom, Lithuania and Finland  was meant to demonstrate the force of the international coalition against Russias invasion of Ukraine. And Biden appeared confident he had accomplished that mission, proclaiming that he and other NATO leaders showed the military alliance more united than ever.

Trump, in contrast, has often been dismissive of NATO. And in his news conference in Helsinki five years ago, he took issue with his own intelligence agencies firm finding that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. election to his benefit, seeming to accept Russian President Putins insistence that Moscows hands were clean.

Though Ukraines demand for an explicit path to NATO membership remained elusive, Biden emphasized that agreements with countries in the alliance would support Kyivs long-term security even without its formal entry. During a meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto earlier Thursday, Biden insisted that Zelenskyy ended up very happy despite his expressed frustrations at the lack of a clear timetable for Ukraine to join the alliance.

Biden and other administration officials also held what aides said were pivotal conversations with Turkey before that country this week dropped its objections to Sweden joining NATO. That paves the way for Sweden to become the 32nd member of the alliance, after Finland formally joined earlier this year.

During his brief stop in London, Biden repeatedly highlighted his close friendship with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whom he has already met with six times despite Sunak assuming his position just last October. That relationship was a stark contrast to that of Trump, who arrived in London five years ago accused then-Prime Minister Theresa May of ruining what the United Kingdom stood to gain from the Brexit vote to leave the European Union, adding that her former foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, would make an excellent prime minister.

And in Helsinki, standing in the same position where his predecessor stood five years ago, Biden delivered a sharp rebuke of the Russian leader with whom Trump aligned on denying election interference.

Putins already lost the war. Putin has a real problem  how does he move from here? What does he do? Biden said during the news conference. There is no possibility of him winning the war in Ukraine. Hes already lost that war.

Trump, who is leading other Republican presidential hopefuls in polling, as well as some other candidates have continued to criticize Bidens actions abroad even as the incumbent president takes hawkish actions that have pleased other GOP officials.

For instance, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a radio interview Wednesday with conservative radio host Howie Carr that he opposed Bidens controversial decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine and said right now you have an open-ended, blank check. Theres no clear objectives for victory. And this is kind of dragging on and on.

But the contrast is the sharpest with Trump who accused Biden of dragging us further toward World War III with the presidents controversial decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine and in May, said the Democrat had cowered to NATO as he outlined his foreign policy platform.

Its a contrast that Biden is eager to make. While in office, he has heartily embraced the tenets of multilateralism that Trump shunned, speaking repeatedly of having to rebuild international coalitions after four tumultuous years led by his predecessor. The garrulous former Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman is in his element at summits abroad, and speaks of how his background in international policy is proof positive that decades of experience on the world stage has mattered for the presidency.

Amid Bidens reelection campaign next year, the United States will be the host of the NATO summit in Washington as the military alliances marks its 75th anniversary  giving the U.S. president a natural domestic backdrop to tout his foreign policy vision before voters.

To be sure, foreign policy issues tend to fall far lower on the publics priority list than domestic and economic issues. In a December 2022 AP-NORC poll asking Americans to name up to five problems they think are most important for the government to be working on, only about 2 in 10 (18%) named at least one foreign policy related issue other than immigration, compared with large majorities naming at least one economic or domestic issue.

In the 2022 midterm election, just 2% of voters named foreign policy as the single most important issue facing the country when asked to choose from a list of nine issues.

Yet the conflict over competing visions of foreign policy are often dominating domestic politics. This week, the House is taking up a sweeping legislative package that sets defense policy for the Pentagon, and close Trump ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., proposed an amendment that would withdraw the U.S. from NATO.

Meanwhile, Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., joined together to introduce a bill that would explicitly bar any U.S. president from leaving the military alliance without assent from Capitol Hill.

NATO serves as an essential military alliance that protects shared national interests and enhances Americas international presence, said Rubio, who ran against Trump for the GOP presidential nomination in 2016. Any decision to leave the alliance should be rigorously debated and considered by the U.S. Congress with the input of the American people.

Swedens clearer path to joining NATO this week was another foreign policy goal accomplished for Biden, whose administration steadily kept up their pressure and support for the move. Both Finland and Sweden abandoned a history of military nonalignment and sought to join NATO alliance after Russia invaded Ukraine last year, and in particular, Finlands admittance to NATO effectively doubled the alliances border with Russia.

Sweden is poised to be admitted as NATOs 32nd member country after it pledged more cooperation with Turkey on counterterrorism efforts while backing Ankaras bid to join the European Union.

Bidens visit to Helsinki was unusual for another reason: Charly Salonius-Pasternak, senior researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, noted that the trip marked a U.S. president coming to Finland to honor the country itself, rather than as a neutral location for meeting Russian leaders or other similar reasons.

He is the sixth U.S president to visit Finland, a country of 5.5 million that has hosted several U.S.-Soviet and U.S.-Russia summits. The first involved President Gerald Ford, who would sign the so-called Helsinki Accords with more than 30 other nations in 1975.

The fact that Biden has chosen to go specifically to Finland for Finland is symbolic and, in some ways, very concrete, Salonius-Pasternak said. Its a kind of deterrence messaging that only the United States can do.

In the Cold War era, Finland acted as a neutral buffer between Moscow and Washington, and its leaders played a balancing act between the East and West, maintaining good relations with both superpowers.

Finland and neighboring Sweden gave up their traditional political neutrality by joining the European Union in 1995 but both remained militarily nonaligned, with opinion polls showing a clear majority of their citizens opposed to joining NATO. That changed quickly after Feb. 24, 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.

(AP)




A terrible tragedy occurred on Thursday morning when a car accident between a bus and a car outside Tzfas caused the death of Dana Ben-Shushan, ah, a 32-year-old mother of four who was on the way home from her night shift as a midwife in Poriya Medical Center.

Following the accident, Ben-Shushan, who was also a United Hazalah volunteer, was trapped in the car. After rescue teams extricated her, paramedics tried to resuscitate her but were unsuccessful.

Eight passengers on the bus passengers were lightly injured and were treated at Ziv Hospital in Tzfas.

Senior MDA paramedic Muhammad Haleichel said: When we arrived at the scene, we saw that it was a very serious accident between a private car and a bus. The front of the vehicle was crushed and a woman was trapped inside, unconscious. She suffered very severe multi-system injuries and unfortunately, we had to pronounce her dead.

A statement from Poriyah said: We mourn the untimely passing of Dana Ben Shushan, ah. Dana, only 32 years old, worked as a dedicated midwife in the delivery room and was much loved by the patients and the staff. Dana was killed in a serious accident at the end of her shift on her way home to Tzfas to her four children and husband. This is a difficult loss for all of us, the employees and patients. We send our sincere condolences to her family and friends. Yehi Zichra Baruch.

A Hatzalah spokesperson said: We announce with great sadness that a volunteer paramedic of the Hatzalah Galil branch was killed this morning in a serious car accident near the southern entrance of Tzfas. The management of the organization and its volunteers, bowing their heads at this difficult time, share in the familys grief and that of her dear husband Chaim, who is also a Hatzalah volunteer.

An emergency fund had been set up to help the family. CLICK HERE TO DONATE!

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




An Israeli who went on a trip with his family to Germany and left a bag with important items in it at the airport was shocked by the incidents happy ending.

Matanal Lieberman wrote the story on Facebook: I posted today about the fact that we returned last Thursday from a trip to the Black Forest in Germany and forgot a canvas bag with a new phone and several other items at the airport.

My wife and I posted about it in all types of groups and we checked with friends who were landing there or passing by if they could bring it to us from the lost and found department at the airport. I also started checking with delivery companies that might be able to deliver it, etc.

A friend sent me a message that I should try to contact Chabad in Basel. Now why would I bother them with such a thing  they for sure are setting up tefillin booths in Switzerland. But I went to their website (Chabad Basel) and contacted the phone number listed there by WhatsApp.

I was shocked when within a second, he responded  he didnt ask who I was, where I was from, why, or how much  he just wanted to help. His name is Zalmen Wishedski and hes simply a king. He actually went to the airport today especially to get my things and didnt want a shekel, telling me: I dont sell my mitzvos.'

I really have no words. And then he said that they always know of people traveling to Israel from Switzerland and hell find someone going. I want to fly to Switzerland just so he can put tefillin me.

Thank you very much Zalman for your kindness and dedication, thank you Chabad for being everywhere and helping anyone who needs it.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Outcry: 38% of RS Group shareholders voted against the component supplier's executive pay report

RS Group has suffered one of the biggest fat cat pay revolts this year.

In a huge rebellion, 38 per cent of shareholders yesterday voted against the electronic component suppliers executive pay report. It is the latest blow to the company, whose finance director David Egan quit over a relationship with a colleague.

Egan had only just finished serving a six-month spell as acting chief executive following the departure last year of Lindsley Ruth for personal reasons. The pay revolt at the firm once known as Electrocomponents, follows a similar backlash last year.

Shareholders object to a bonus plan Journey to Greatness, which could pay out 750 per cent of salary on top of existing incentives. Last year Egan and Ruth earned 3.4million between them.

Recent significant pay revolts have occurrred at housebuilder Vistry, online grocer Ocado and fashion giant Boohoo.
The boss of Watches of Switzerland said there was absolutely no question the economy is being hurt by a controversial tourist tax.

More than 320 industry chiefs from businesses ranging from hotels, theatres and transport providers have called for the return of VAT-free shopping for international visitors.

The Mail is campaigning to abolish it. Brian Duffy, boss of the watch seller, said: There is absolutely no question retailers and the economy are losing out.

Star-studded: The boss of Watches of Switzerland said there was 'absolutely no question' the economy is being hurt by a controversial tourist tax

It was not just luxury brands, he said. Its not just retail, it is hospitality, theatres, many people have been outspoken from the hotel industry.

His comments came as Watches of Switzerland posted a 19 per cent surge in sales to 1.54billion for the year due to roaring demand for luxury timepieces like Cartier and Rolex.

Retailers say shoppers decide to spend in rival destinations such as Paris and Lisbon  and the Chinese are to start visiting Europe again after pandemic curbs were lifted Duffy said: It seems crazy that as we are looking for growth and recovery, we are turning away from what is a very obvious business for the UK.

Officials working for Chancellor Jeremy Hunt have asked for evidence of the taxs wider economic impact.

Businesses dispute scrapping the tax would cost 2billion a year, claiming a gain of 350million.
Central Asia Metals (LON:CAML  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reissued by Canaccord Genuity Group in a report issued on Tuesday, Marketbeat reports. They currently have a GBX 265 ($3.41) price objective on the mining companys stock. Canaccord Genuity Groups price target would indicate a potential upside of 42.17% from the stocks previous close.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 320 ($4.12) price target on shares of Central Asia Metals in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of Central Asia Metals from GBX 245 ($3.15) to GBX 240 ($3.09) and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th.

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Central Asia Metals Trading Up 2.1 %

CAML opened at GBX 186.40 ($2.40) on Tuesday. Central Asia Metals has a fifty-two week low of GBX 169.18 ($2.18) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 299 ($3.85). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 4.17 and a quick ratio of 1.97. The company has a market cap of 339.06 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,331.43 and a beta of 1.14. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 192.63 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 233.88.

Insider Transactions at Central Asia Metals

Central Asia Metals Company Profile

In other Central Asia Metals news, insider Mike Prentis purchased 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 27th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 216 ($2.78) per share, for a total transaction of 10,800 ($13,894.25). In other Central Asia Metals news, insider Mike Prentis acquired 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 27th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 216 ($2.78) per share, with a total value of 10,800 ($13,894.25). Also, insider Gillian Davidson purchased 10,119 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 198 ($2.55) per share, for a total transaction of 20,035.62 ($25,775.92). In the last 90 days, insiders have bought 20,119 shares of company stock worth $4,088,562. Company insiders own 7.12% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

Central Asia Metals plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a base metals producer. The company produces copper, zinc, silver, and lead. It owns a 100% interest in the Kounrad solvent extraction- electrowinning operation located near the city of Balkhash in central Kazakhstan; and a 100% interest in the Sasa mine located in north Macedonia.

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Equities researchers at StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Arconic (NYSE:ARNC  Get Free Report) in a report issued on Tuesday. The firm set a hold rating on the basic materials companys stock.

Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on ARNC. Wolfe Research cut shares of Arconic from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Benchmark cut shares of Arconic from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $22.67.

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Arconic Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of ARNC stock opened at $29.60 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $29.15 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $26.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.52 and a quick ratio of 0.70. Arconic has a 1 year low of $16.33 and a 1 year high of $30.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -14.51 and a beta of 1.83.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Arconic ( NYSE:ARNC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The basic materials company reported $0.24 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.30 by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $1.93 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.85 billion. Arconic had a positive return on equity of 8.21% and a negative net margin of 2.29%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.39 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Arconic will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current year.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Syquant Capital Sas purchased a new position in Arconic in the second quarter worth $1,568,000. Macquarie Group Ltd. grew its position in Arconic by 0.3% in the first quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 2,586,837 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $67,853,000 after acquiring an additional 8,892 shares in the last quarter. Toroso Investments LLC purchased a new position in Arconic in the first quarter worth $430,000. Ancora Advisors LLC boosted its position in Arconic by 12,047.4% during the first quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 66,568 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,746,000 after buying an additional 66,020 shares during the period. Finally, Hudson Bay Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in Arconic during the first quarter valued at about $4,695,000. 91.16% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Arconic

(Get Free Report)

Arconic Corporation manufactures and sells fabricated aluminum sheets, plates, extrusions, and architectural products and systems in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Rolled Products, Building and Construction Systems, and Extrusions. The Rolled Products segment provides a range of aluminum sheet and plate products for aerospace, ground transportation, packaging, building and construction, and industrial products; and roofing, architectural composite panels, ventilated facades and ceiling panels, spacers, culvert pipes, and gutters for building and construction markets.

Further Reading

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This file photo shows Zhou Liang (L, bottom) takes roes from a Yangtze sturgeon. Zhou Liang, 51, is the director of Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals. He started to study with his father the subject of artificial breeding of rare fish since 1993.

Since the successful artificial propagation of parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon bred in the institute in 1998, the whole artificial propagation of the rare fish and the production of three generations of fry have been realized one after another.

Yangtze sturgeon, also known as Dabry's sturgeon, has lost its natural ability to reproduce since 2000 due to overfishing and water pollution, among other factors. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared the species extinct in the wild in July last year.

In March this year, a field breeding experiment is conducted in an inner river course of a section of the Yangtze River in Yibin. During the experiment, 10 male and 10 female mature parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon are released and eventually 8 female fish spawned more than 500,000 roes.

"Since 2007, we have been breeding and releasing Yangtze sturgeon fry in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River every year, and nearly 500,000 fry have been released so far," said Zhou, "Although this year's experiment is just a small breakthrough, it has great significance to us, indicating that the way we chose is right, and if we keep working, we will success one day." (Xinhua)

This aerial photo taken on Oct. 12, 2021 shows the Fuxing breeding base founded by Zhou Liang and his father in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Zhou Liang, 51, is the director of Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals. He started to study with his father the subject of artificial breeding of rare fish since 1993.

Since the successful artificial propagation of parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon bred in the institute in 1998, the whole artificial propagation of the rare fish and the production of three generations of fry have been realized one after another.

Yangtze sturgeon, also known as Dabry's sturgeon, has lost its natural ability to reproduce since 2000 due to overfishing and water pollution, among other factors. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared the species extinct in the wild in July last year.

In March this year, a field breeding experiment is conducted in an inner river course of a section of the Yangtze River in Yibin. During the experiment, 10 male and 10 female mature parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon are released and eventually 8 female fish spawned more than 500,000 roes.

"Since 2007, we have been breeding and releasing Yangtze sturgeon fry in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River every year, and nearly 500,000 fry have been released so far," said Zhou, "Although this year's experiment is just a small breakthrough, it has great significance to us, indicating that the way we chose is right, and if we keep working, we will success one day." (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

This aerial photo taken on June 27, 2023 shows a breeding base jointly operated by Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Zhou Liang, 51, is the director of Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals. He started to study with his father the subject of artificial breeding of rare fish since 1993.

Since the successful artificial propagation of parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon bred in the institute in 1998, the whole artificial propagation of the rare fish and the production of three generations of fry have been realized one after another.

Yangtze sturgeon, also known as Dabry's sturgeon, has lost its natural ability to reproduce since 2000 due to overfishing and water pollution, among other factors. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared the species extinct in the wild in July last year.

In March this year, a field breeding experiment is conducted in an inner river course of a section of the Yangtze River in Yibin. During the experiment, 10 male and 10 female mature parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon are released and eventually 8 female fish spawned more than 500,000 roes.

"Since 2007, we have been breeding and releasing Yangtze sturgeon fry in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River every year, and nearly 500,000 fry have been released so far," said Zhou, "Although this year's experiment is just a small breakthrough, it has great significance to us, indicating that the way we chose is right, and if we keep working, we will success one day." (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Zhou Liang displays a Yangtze sturgeon at a breeding base jointly operated by Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 27, 2023. Zhou Liang, 51, is the director of Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals. He started to study with his father the subject of artificial breeding of rare fish since 1993.

Since the successful artificial propagation of parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon bred in the institute in 1998, the whole artificial propagation of the rare fish and the production of three generations of fry have been realized one after another.

Yangtze sturgeon, also known as Dabry's sturgeon, has lost its natural ability to reproduce since 2000 due to overfishing and water pollution, among other factors. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared the species extinct in the wild in July last year.

In March this year, a field breeding experiment is conducted in an inner river course of a section of the Yangtze River in Yibin. During the experiment, 10 male and 10 female mature parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon are released and eventually 8 female fish spawned more than 500,000 roes.

"Since 2007, we have been breeding and releasing Yangtze sturgeon fry in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River every year, and nearly 500,000 fry have been released so far," said Zhou, "Although this year's experiment is just a small breakthrough, it has great significance to us, indicating that the way we chose is right, and if we keep working, we will success one day." (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Zhou Liang (1st R) talks with visiting students from China Three Gorges University at a breeding base jointly operated by Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 27, 2023. Zhou Liang, 51, is the director of Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals. He started to study with his father the subject of artificial breeding of rare fish since 1993.

Since the successful artificial propagation of parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon bred in the institute in 1998, the whole artificial propagation of the rare fish and the production of three generations of fry have been realized one after another.

Yangtze sturgeon, also known as Dabry's sturgeon, has lost its natural ability to reproduce since 2000 due to overfishing and water pollution, among other factors. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared the species extinct in the wild in July last year.

In March this year, a field breeding experiment is conducted in an inner river course of a section of the Yangtze River in Yibin. During the experiment, 10 male and 10 female mature parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon are released and eventually 8 female fish spawned more than 500,000 roes.

"Since 2007, we have been breeding and releasing Yangtze sturgeon fry in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River every year, and nearly 500,000 fry have been released so far," said Zhou, "Although this year's experiment is just a small breakthrough, it has great significance to us, indicating that the way we chose is right, and if we keep working, we will success one day." (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Zhou Liang checks the fishpond at a breeding base jointly operated by Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 12, 2021. Zhou Liang, 51, is the director of Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals. He started to study with his father the subject of artificial breeding of rare fish since 1993.

Since the successful artificial propagation of parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon bred in the institute in 1998, the whole artificial propagation of the rare fish and the production of three generations of fry have been realized one after another.

Yangtze sturgeon, also known as Dabry's sturgeon, has lost its natural ability to reproduce since 2000 due to overfishing and water pollution, among other factors. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared the species extinct in the wild in July last year.

In March this year, a field breeding experiment is conducted in an inner river course of a section of the Yangtze River in Yibin. During the experiment, 10 male and 10 female mature parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon are released and eventually 8 female fish spawned more than 500,000 roes.

"Since 2007, we have been breeding and releasing Yangtze sturgeon fry in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River every year, and nearly 500,000 fry have been released so far," said Zhou, "Although this year's experiment is just a small breakthrough, it has great significance to us, indicating that the way we chose is right, and if we keep working, we will success one day." (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Zhou Liang checks juvenile fish of Yangtze sturgeon at a breeding base jointly operated by Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 27, 2023. Zhou Liang, 51, is the director of Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals. He started to study with his father the subject of artificial breeding of rare fish since 1993.

Since the successful artificial propagation of parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon bred in the institute in 1998, the whole artificial propagation of the rare fish and the production of three generations of fry have been realized one after another.

Yangtze sturgeon, also known as Dabry's sturgeon, has lost its natural ability to reproduce since 2000 due to overfishing and water pollution, among other factors. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared the species extinct in the wild in July last year.

In March this year, a field breeding experiment is conducted in an inner river course of a section of the Yangtze River in Yibin. During the experiment, 10 male and 10 female mature parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon are released and eventually 8 female fish spawned more than 500,000 roes.

"Since 2007, we have been breeding and releasing Yangtze sturgeon fry in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River every year, and nearly 500,000 fry have been released so far," said Zhou, "Although this year's experiment is just a small breakthrough, it has great significance to us, indicating that the way we chose is right, and if we keep working, we will success one day." (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

This photo taken on June 27, 2023 shows juvenile fish of Yangtze sturgeon at a breeding base jointly operated by Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province. Zhou Liang, 51, is the director of Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals. He started to study with his father the subject of artificial breeding of rare fish since 1993.

Since the successful artificial propagation of parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon bred in the institute in 1998, the whole artificial propagation of the rare fish and the production of three generations of fry have been realized one after another.

Yangtze sturgeon, also known as Dabry's sturgeon, has lost its natural ability to reproduce since 2000 due to overfishing and water pollution, among other factors. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared the species extinct in the wild in July last year.

In March this year, a field breeding experiment is conducted in an inner river course of a section of the Yangtze River in Yibin. During the experiment, 10 male and 10 female mature parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon are released and eventually 8 female fish spawned more than 500,000 roes.

"Since 2007, we have been breeding and releasing Yangtze sturgeon fry in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River every year, and nearly 500,000 fry have been released so far," said Zhou, "Although this year's experiment is just a small breakthrough, it has great significance to us, indicating that the way we chose is right, and if we keep working, we will success one day." (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

This combo photo shows Zhou Liang in his youth holding a Yangtze sturgeon (L, photo taken by Zeng Lang) and him holding a Yangtze sturgeon on June 27, 2023 (photo taken by Xinhua photographer Xu Bingjie). Zhou Liang, 51, is the director of Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals. He started to study with his father the subject of artificial breeding of rare fish since 1993.

Since the successful artificial propagation of parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon bred in the institute in 1998, the whole artificial propagation of the rare fish and the production of three generations of fry have been realized one after another.

Yangtze sturgeon, also known as Dabry's sturgeon, has lost its natural ability to reproduce since 2000 due to overfishing and water pollution, among other factors. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared the species extinct in the wild in July last year.

In March this year, a field breeding experiment is conducted in an inner river course of a section of the Yangtze River in Yibin. During the experiment, 10 male and 10 female mature parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon are released and eventually 8 female fish spawned more than 500,000 roes.

"Since 2007, we have been breeding and releasing Yangtze sturgeon fry in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River every year, and nearly 500,000 fry have been released so far," said Zhou, "Although this year's experiment is just a small breakthrough, it has great significance to us, indicating that the way we chose is right, and if we keep working, we will success one day." (Xinhua)

Zhou Liang shows a juvenile fish of Yangtze sturgeon at a breeding base jointly operated by Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals and Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 27, 2023. Zhou Liang, 51, is the director of Yibin Institute of Rare Aquatic Animals. He started to study with his father the subject of artificial breeding of rare fish since 1993.

Since the successful artificial propagation of parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon bred in the institute in 1998, the whole artificial propagation of the rare fish and the production of three generations of fry have been realized one after another.

Yangtze sturgeon, also known as Dabry's sturgeon, has lost its natural ability to reproduce since 2000 due to overfishing and water pollution, among other factors. The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared the species extinct in the wild in July last year.

In March this year, a field breeding experiment is conducted in an inner river course of a section of the Yangtze River in Yibin. During the experiment, 10 male and 10 female mature parent fish of Yangtze sturgeon are released and eventually 8 female fish spawned more than 500,000 roes.

"Since 2007, we have been breeding and releasing Yangtze sturgeon fry in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River every year, and nearly 500,000 fry have been released so far," said Zhou, "Although this year's experiment is just a small breakthrough, it has great significance to us, indicating that the way we chose is right, and if we keep working, we will success one day." (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)
Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (BATS:CBOE  Get Free Report) CEO Edward T. Tilly sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.86, for a total value of $1,086,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 177,983 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $24,180,770.38. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

Cboe Global Markets Stock Down 1.0 %

Shares of Cboe Global Markets stock opened at $136.20 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $136.22 and its 200-day simple moving average is $134.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 70.21 and a beta of 0.61. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. has a twelve month low of $103.82 and a twelve month high of $139.00.

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Cboe Global Markets (BATS:CBOE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The company reported $1.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.87 by $0.03. Cboe Global Markets had a return on equity of 20.05% and a net margin of 5.77%. The business had revenue of $471.40 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $482.03 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.73 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 12.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Cboe Global Markets, Inc. will post 6.41 earnings per share for the current year.

Cboe Global Markets Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st were issued a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 30th. Cboe Global Marketss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 98.97%.

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on Cboe Global Markets from $147.00 to $148.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Cboe Global Markets in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Oppenheimer boosted their price target on Cboe Global Markets from $147.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Rosenblatt Securities reiterated a buy rating and issued a $175.00 price target on shares of Cboe Global Markets in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Finally, Barclays began coverage on Cboe Global Markets in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $146.00 price target on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $143.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cboe Global Markets

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Clear Street Markets LLC grew its holdings in Cboe Global Markets by 93.5% in the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 207 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. boosted its stake in Cboe Global Markets by 109.5% during the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 243 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its stake in Cboe Global Markets by 3,771.4% during the 1st quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 271 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 264 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its stake in Cboe Global Markets by 64.8% during the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 272 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Finally, City State Bank bought a new position in Cboe Global Markets during the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. 81.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Cboe Global Markets Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Cboe Global Markets, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as an options exchange worldwide. It operates through six segments: Options, North American Equities, Europe and Asia Pacific, Futures, Global FX, and Digital. The Options segment trades in listed market indices. The North American Equities segment trades in listed U.S.

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Peregrine Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Zuora, Inc. (NYSE:ZUO  Free Report) by 3.0% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 728,933 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 21,277 shares during the quarter. Peregrine Capital Management LLC owned 0.54% of Zuora worth $7,202,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Gagnon Advisors LLC increased its stake in Zuora by 25.0% during the 1st quarter. Gagnon Advisors LLC now owns 514,247 shares of the companys stock worth $5,081,000 after purchasing an additional 102,966 shares in the last quarter. Gagnon Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Zuora during the 1st quarter worth approximately $10,646,000. Point72 Middle East FZE bought a new position in shares of Zuora during the 4th quarter worth approximately $83,000. Capital Impact Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Zuora by 87.7% during the 4th quarter. Capital Impact Advisors LLC now owns 96,945 shares of the companys stock worth $617,000 after acquiring an additional 45,292 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Wisconsin Investment Board grew its stake in shares of Zuora by 504.8% during the 4th quarter. State of Wisconsin Investment Board now owns 136,513 shares of the companys stock worth $868,000 after acquiring an additional 113,942 shares in the last quarter. 72.02% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Zuora

In other Zuora news, Director Amy Guggenheim Shenkan sold 9,711 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.10, for a total transaction of $98,081.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 46,594 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $470,599.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, Director Amy Guggenheim Shenkan sold 9,711 shares of Zuora stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.10, for a total transaction of $98,081.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 46,594 shares of the companys stock, valued at $470,599.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CRO Robert J. Traube sold 9,667 shares of Zuora stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.56, for a total value of $102,083.52. Following the sale, the executive now directly owns 27,225 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $287,496. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 157,068 shares of company stock valued at $1,605,535 in the last quarter. 9.25% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Zuora Price Performance

NYSE:ZUO opened at $10.92 on Thursday. Zuora, Inc. has a 1-year low of $5.45 and a 1-year high of $12.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.05, a current ratio of 1.69 and a quick ratio of 1.69. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.13 and a 200 day simple moving average of $8.92.

Zuora (NYSE:ZUO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 24th. The company reported ($0.13) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.18) by $0.05. Zuora had a negative return on equity of 72.78% and a negative net margin of 29.09%. The business had revenue of $103.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $102.00 million. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Zuora, Inc. will post -0.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ZUO has been the subject of several research reports. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Zuora to $10.00 in a research note on Wednesday, March 15th. Lake Street Capital raised their price target on shares of Zuora from $11.00 to $12.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird initiated coverage on shares of Zuora in a research note on Wednesday. They set a neutral rating for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $12.43.

Zuora Company Profile

(Free Report)

Zuora, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides cloud-based subscription management platform that enables companies in various industries to launch, manage, and transform into a subscription business. The company offers Zuora platform that acts as an orchestration engine that allows customers quote-to-cash and revenue operations; and Zuora Billing that helps customers to set payment terms, manage hierarchical billing relationships, consolidate invoicing across multiple subscriptions, and tax transactions.

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Eurocash (OTCMKTS:EUSHY  Get Free Report) is one of 63 public companies in the Grocery Stores industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its competitors? We will compare Eurocash to similar businesses based on the strength of its valuation, institutional ownership, profitability, dividends, risk, analyst recommendations and earnings.

Dividends

Eurocash pays an annual dividend of $0.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 14.3%. Eurocash pays out 43.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Grocery Stores companies pay a dividend yield of 4.0% and pay out 62.4% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Eurocash is clearly a better dividend stock than its competitors, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

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Insider & Institutional Ownership

0.2% of Eurocash shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 45.3% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are held by institutional investors. 22.8% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Eurocash 1 0 0 0 1.00 Eurocash Competitors 1136 2788 3030 115 2.30

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Eurocash and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

As a group, Grocery Stores companies have a potential upside of 95.62%. Given Eurocashs competitors stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Eurocash has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Profitability

This table compares Eurocash and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Eurocash N/A N/A N/A Eurocash Competitors 1.92% 15.02% 4.91%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Eurocash and its competitors revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Eurocash N/A N/A 3.07 Eurocash Competitors $28.92 billion $637.59 million 193.35

Eurocashs competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Eurocash. Eurocash is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Summary

Eurocash competitors beat Eurocash on 11 of the 13 factors compared.

About Eurocash

(Get Free Report)

Eurocash S.A. engages in the wholesale distribution of food and other fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) in Poland. The company operates through Wholesale, Retail, and Projects segments. Its FMCG products include food products, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and household chemicals and cosmetics. The company markets its products to traditional retail stores, including small supermarkets, grocery stores, and specialized grocery stores; and kiosks, retail outlets, and convenience stores, restaurants, gas stations, hotel and cafe chains, and catering outlets. It operates a network of Cash & Carry warehouses; Delikatesy Centrum network supermarkets; Inmedio; and franchise and partner stores of Eurocash distribution. Eurocash S.A. was incorporated in 2014 and is based in Komorniki, Poland.

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Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. increased its holdings in Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Free Report) by 3.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 45,998 shares of the medical research companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,400 shares during the quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. owned 0.05% of Laboratory Co. of America worth $10,553,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. increased its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 7.9% in the first quarter. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. now owns 41,411 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $9,501,000 after acquiring an additional 3,042 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 29.8% in the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 2,180 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $500,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Busey Wealth Management increased its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 3.9% in the first quarter. Busey Wealth Management now owns 54,400 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $12,480,000 after acquiring an additional 2,060 shares in the last quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC increased its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 2.4% in the first quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 38,105 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $8,742,000 after acquiring an additional 910 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 10.6% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 52,937 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $12,145,000 after acquiring an additional 5,092 shares in the last quarter. 87.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Laboratory Co. of America news, CEO Paul R. Kirchgraber sold 4,300 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $216.91, for a total value of $932,713.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 12,946 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,808,116.86. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 212 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total value of $50,880.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 7,605 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,825,200. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Paul R. Kirchgraber sold 4,300 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $216.91, for a total transaction of $932,713.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 12,946 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,808,116.86. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 6,012 shares of company stock valued at $1,308,748. Company insiders own 0.65% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Laboratory Co. of America Stock Performance

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $260.00 to $235.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Mizuho dropped their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $277.00 to $257.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a research note on Saturday, July 8th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $265.00 to $240.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their price target on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $285.00 to $275.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $273.50.

Shares of LH opened at $213.07 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The companys fifty day moving average is $221.61 and its 200-day moving average is $231.63. The firm has a market cap of $18.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.33 and a beta of 1.06. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a 12 month low of $200.32 and a 12 month high of $263.13.

Laboratory Co. of America (NYSE:LH  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The medical research company reported $3.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.99 by ($0.17). The firm had revenue of $3.78 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.70 billion. Laboratory Co. of America had a return on equity of 15.56% and a net margin of 6.78%. Laboratory Co. of Americas quarterly revenue was down 3.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $6.11 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 16.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Laboratory Co. of America

(Free Report)

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings operates as a life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions. It operates in two segments, Labcorp Diagnostics and Labcorp Drug Development.

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Watches of Switzerland Group (OTC:WOSGF  Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at HSBC from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Separately, Royal Bank of Canada assumed coverage on Watches of Switzerland Group in a research note on Monday, May 15th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock.

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Watches of Switzerland Group Stock Up 6.8 %

Watches of Switzerland Group stock opened at $8.44 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $8.68 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $9.53. Watches of Switzerland Group has a 12 month low of $7.40 and a 12 month high of $11.34.

Watches of Switzerland Group Company Profile

Watches of Switzerland Group PLC operates as a retailer of luxury watches. The company offers luxury watches and jewelry; fashion and classic watches and jewelry; and gifts, as well as provides servicing, repairs, and insurance services for fashion and classic watches and jewelry. It offers its products through transactional websites under the Goldsmiths, Mappin & Webb, Watches of Switzerland, Mayors Jewelers, and Betteridge brands.

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NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC grew its position in shares of Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM  Free Report) by 6.2% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 4,300 shares of the textile makers stock after buying an additional 250 shares during the quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLCs holdings in Oxford Industries were worth $454,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Oxford Industries by 52.5% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 4,283 shares of the textile makers stock worth $388,000 after purchasing an additional 1,475 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in shares of Oxford Industries by 5.8% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 5,204 shares of the textile makers stock worth $488,000 after purchasing an additional 286 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Oxford Industries by 62.5% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 8,637 shares of the textile makers stock worth $782,000 after purchasing an additional 3,323 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers increased its position in shares of Oxford Industries by 2.9% in the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 46,460 shares of the textile makers stock worth $4,205,000 after purchasing an additional 1,311 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its position in shares of Oxford Industries by 14.0% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 13,688 shares of the textile makers stock worth $1,239,000 after purchasing an additional 1,685 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 91.73% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

OXM has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Telsey Advisory Group restated a market perform rating and issued a $125.00 price target on shares of Oxford Industries in a research report on Friday, March 24th. UBS Group began coverage on Oxford Industries in a research report on Friday, June 16th. They issued a neutral rating and a $110.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com cut Oxford Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, June 9th. Finally, Citigroup decreased their target price on Oxford Industries from $110.00 to $101.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $123.50.

Insider Buying and Selling

Oxford Industries Stock Performance

In other Oxford Industries news, Director Dennis M. Love sold 1,000 shares of Oxford Industries stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.41, for a total value of $103,410.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 16,923 shares in the company, valued at $1,750,007.43. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . 6.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Shares of OXM stock opened at $104.29 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $102.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $106.26. Oxford Industries, Inc. has a 12 month low of $82.46 and a 12 month high of $123.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.08 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16.

Oxford Industries (NYSE:OXM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, June 7th. The textile maker reported $3.78 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.74 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $420.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $419.10 million. Oxford Industries had a return on equity of 32.20% and a net margin of 11.28%. Equities research analysts forecast that Oxford Industries, Inc. will post 11.05 EPS for the current year.

Oxford Industries Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Investors of record on Friday, July 14th will be paid a $0.65 dividend. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.49%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. Oxford Industriess dividend payout ratio is currently 25.12%.

About Oxford Industries

(Free Report)

Oxford Industries, Inc, an apparel company, designs, sources, markets, and distributes products of lifestyle and other brands worldwide. The company offers men's and women's sportswear and related products under the Tommy Bahama brand; women's and girl's dresses and sportswear, scarves, bags, jewelry, and belts, as well as footwear and children's apparel and swimwear under the Lilly Pulitzer brand; and men's shirts, pants, shorts, outerwear, ties, swimwear, footwear, and accessories, as well as women and youth products under the Southern Tide brand.

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Chesapeake Wealth Management raised its position in Chevron Co. (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) by 0.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 18,603 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after buying an additional 156 shares during the quarter. Chevron comprises about 1.3% of Chesapeake Wealth Managements holdings, making the stock its 22nd largest position. Chesapeake Wealth Managements holdings in Chevron were worth $3,035,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P lifted its holdings in Chevron by 85.1% in the first quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P now owns 159,115 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $25,908,000 after acquiring an additional 73,141 shares during the period. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC increased its holdings in Chevron by 25.2% in the first quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC now owns 7,335 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,155,000 after buying an additional 1,476 shares in the last quarter. GQG Partners LLC grew its holdings in Chevron by 4.7% in the first quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 40,538 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $6,598,000 after purchasing an additional 1,813 shares during the last quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in Chevron by 43.5% in the first quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC now owns 5,837 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $950,000 after purchasing an additional 1,770 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP grew its holdings in Chevron by 13.8% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 2,068,600 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $336,830,000 after purchasing an additional 250,840 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 69.65% of the companys stock.

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Chevron Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of CVX stock opened at $159.64 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $302.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Chevron Co. has a fifty-two week low of $132.54 and a fifty-two week high of $189.68. The firms 50 day moving average price is $155.93 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $164.17.

Chevron Dividend Announcement

Chevron ( NYSE:CVX Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 28th. The oil and gas company reported $3.55 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.41 by $0.14. Chevron had a return on equity of 23.15% and a net margin of 14.74%. The company had revenue of $50.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $49.49 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.36 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Chevron Co. will post 13.83 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 19th were given a $1.51 dividend. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.78%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 18th. Chevrons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 32.61%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CVX has been the topic of several recent research reports. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Chevron from $180.00 to $170.00 in a report on Tuesday. Raymond James reduced their price target on shares of Chevron from $212.00 to $208.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 14th. UBS Group began coverage on Chevron in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. They issued a buy rating and a $212.00 price target for the company. Royal Bank of Canada raised Chevron from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $165.00 to $180.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on Chevron in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $191.63.

About Chevron

(Free Report)

Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the integrated energy and chemicals operations in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment is involved in the exploration, development, production, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas; liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and processing, transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as a gas-to-liquids plant.

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Lindbrook Capital LLC lowered its position in MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET  Free Report) by 21.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 4,839 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,332 shares during the quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLCs holdings in MetLife were worth $280,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Synovus Financial Corp boosted its holdings in MetLife by 11.4% in the first quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 17,847 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,260,000 after acquiring an additional 1,829 shares during the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC bought a new stake in MetLife in the first quarter valued at approximately $225,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in MetLife by 179.7% in the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 540,081 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $37,957,000 after acquiring an additional 346,999 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. boosted its holdings in MetLife by 937.3% in the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 5,861 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $412,000 after acquiring an additional 5,296 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its holdings in MetLife by 114.5% in the first quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 3,419 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $240,000 after acquiring an additional 1,825 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.83% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MET has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Piper Sandler cut their price target on MetLife from $82.00 to $74.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on MetLife from $90.00 to $80.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Barclays cut their price target on MetLife from $83.00 to $79.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on MetLife from $79.00 to $65.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on MetLife in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $76.55.

MetLife Trading Down 0.9 %

NYSE MET opened at $58.69 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $44.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.44, a PEG ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.09. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $53.81 and a 200 day simple moving average of $61.75. MetLife, Inc. has a 12 month low of $48.95 and a 12 month high of $77.36. The company has a current ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 0.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47.

MetLife (NYSE:MET  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The financial services provider reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.85 by ($0.33). The company had revenue of $16.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.84 billion. MetLife had a net margin of 2.80% and a return on equity of 16.86%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.08 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that MetLife, Inc. will post 7.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MetLife announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, May 3rd that allows the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the financial services provider to purchase up to 7.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are often an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

MetLife Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 14th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 8th will be given a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.54%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 7th. MetLifes payout ratio is currently 93.69%.

About MetLife

(Free Report)

MetLife, Inc, a financial services company, provides insurance, annuities, employee benefits, and asset management services worldwide. It operates through five segments: U.S.; Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and MetLife Holdings. The company offers life, dental, group short-and long-term disability, individual disability, pet insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, vision, and accident and health coverages, as well as prepaid legal plans; administrative services-only arrangements to employers; and general and separate account, and synthetic guaranteed interest contracts, as well as private floating rate funding agreements.

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Concord Wealth Partners raised its stake in Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D  Free Report) by 90.1% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,843 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 2,295 shares during the period. Concord Wealth Partners holdings in Dominion Energy were worth $271,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Retirement Financial Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Dominion Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. AXS Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Dominion Energy during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Core Alternative Capital raised its holdings in shares of Dominion Energy by 63.0% during the 1st quarter. Core Alternative Capital now owns 533 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 206 shares in the last quarter. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH acquired a new position in shares of Dominion Energy during the 4th quarter worth $34,000. Finally, Carderock Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Dominion Energy during the 1st quarter worth $34,000. 69.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at Dominion Energy

In related news, COO Diane Leopold sold 6,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.16, for a total transaction of $307,250.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 100,115 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,921,653.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.14% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Dominion Energy Trading Up 1.4 %

NYSE D opened at $52.70 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $52.66 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $56.43. Dominion Energy, Inc. has a 12 month low of $48.47 and a 12 month high of $86.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $44.05 billion, a PE ratio of 36.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a current ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50.

Dominion Energy (NYSE:D  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The utilities provider reported $0.99 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.01. Dominion Energy had a return on equity of 12.67% and a net margin of 7.05%. The company had revenue of $5.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.46 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.18 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 22.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that Dominion Energy, Inc. will post 3.7 EPS for the current year.

Dominion Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 20th. Investors of record on Friday, June 2nd were given a dividend of $0.6675 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 1st. This represents a $2.67 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.07%. Dominion Energys payout ratio is 186.71%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on D shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Dominion Energy from $61.00 to $55.00 in a report on Monday, July 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Dominion Energy in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. 51job restated a maintains rating on shares of Dominion Energy in a research report on Friday, June 9th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on Dominion Energy from $59.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Dominion Energy from $63.00 to $55.00 in a research report on Friday, June 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Dominion Energy currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $61.00.

Dominion Energy Profile

(Free Report)

Dominion Energy, Inc produces and distributes energy in the United States. It operates through four segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Gas Distribution, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Contracted Assets. The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to approximately 2.7 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina.

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Lindbrook Capital LLC boosted its stake in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 31.3% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,187 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after acquiring an additional 521 shares during the period. Lindbrook Capital LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $251,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tower Bridge Advisors purchased a new position in EOG Resources during the first quarter valued at $224,000. Fiera Capital Corp lifted its position in EOG Resources by 32.0% during the first quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 14,072 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,613,000 after buying an additional 3,412 shares during the period. Valley National Advisers Inc. lifted its position in EOG Resources by 1,136.4% during the first quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 272 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 250 shares during the period. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. lifted its position in EOG Resources by 1.6% during the first quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. now owns 121,100 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $13,882,000 after buying an additional 1,900 shares during the period. Finally, Ceredex Value Advisors LLC lifted its position in EOG Resources by 53.3% during the first quarter. Ceredex Value Advisors LLC now owns 569,687 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $65,303,000 after buying an additional 198,111 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.58% of the companys stock.

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EOG Resources Price Performance

EOG stock opened at $121.71 on Thursday. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 12 month low of $92.16 and a 12 month high of $150.88. The company has a current ratio of 2.17, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $112.45 and a 200 day moving average price of $118.14. The stock has a market cap of $71.18 billion, a PE ratio of 7.61, a P/E/G ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 1.53.

EOG Resources Announces Dividend

EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The energy exploration company reported $2.69 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.42 by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $6.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.28 billion. EOG Resources had a net margin of 33.83% and a return on equity of 30.34%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 51.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $4.00 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.18 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Investors of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.825 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $3.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.71%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.64%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total transaction of $238,155.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 37,607 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,409,796.82. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other EOG Resources news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.87, for a total transaction of $579,350.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 149,689 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,344,464.43. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total transaction of $238,155.06. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 37,607 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,409,796.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have commented on EOG shares. Citigroup lowered their price objective on EOG Resources from $160.00 to $122.00 in a research report on Friday, March 17th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on EOG Resources from $147.00 to $138.00 in a research report on Monday, May 15th. Piper Sandler lowered their price target on EOG Resources from $170.00 to $155.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on EOG Resources from $142.00 to $141.00 in a research report on Monday, May 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered EOG Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $137.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, EOG Resources presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $146.24.

EOG Resources Company Profile

(Free Report)

EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, and natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its principal producing areas are in New Mexico and Texas in the United States; and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company.

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ANKARA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye is set to expediate talks with the European Union on customs union and visa liberalization, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday, adding there has been positive feedback from the bloc over Turkiye's accession process.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters on his flight from Vilnius, Lithuania following the NATO summit on July 11-12, where he dropped months of objection and backed Sweden's bid to join the military alliance, state-run TRT broadcaster reported.

"There is a positive opinion about the revitalization of our European Union membership process. We will accelerate the negotiations for the modernization of the customs union which will have a multiplying effect on the Turkish economy. I also believe that we will observe progress on visa liberalization," he was quoted by TRT as saying.

Erdogan said on the sideline of the summit, he held talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other European leaders on the revival of Turkiye's EU membership talks.

"Ursula von der Leyen also talked positively on these issues," Erdogan said.

The EU Council's instruction to the EU Commission and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell to prepare a report on ties with Turkiye was another "positive move," he said.

Ankara wants to upgrade the 1996-dated customs union with the block, but some EU members drag feet due to political reasons. Turkiye also wants to start visa-free travel in the EU for Turkish citizens.

Before attending the summit, Erdogan told the media that Turkiye will give consent for Sweden's NATO bid only if Ankara's accession process with the EU is resumed. 
The above part of this combination photo taken by Zeng Lang in October 2011 shows a view of Sanjiangkou in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The lower part taken by Xinhua photographer Xu Bingjie shows an aerial view of a park in Sanjiangkou of Yibin on May 31, 2023. In the past decade, Yibin and Luzhou of southwest China's Sichuan Province have made great efforts in improving ecological environment of the Yangtze River. (Xinhua)

The above part of this combination photo taken by Xinhua photographer Hu Xu shows an old chemical factory in Yibin being dismantled on June 22, 2018. The lower part taken by Xinhua photographer Liu Kun shows an aerial view of the site of the factory on May 31, 2023. In the past decade, Yibin and Luzhou of southwest China's Sichuan Province have made great efforts in improving ecological environment of the Yangtze River. (Xinhua)

The above part of this combination photo taken by Zeng Lang in July 2014 shows a view along the Yangtze River in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, before an ecological improvement project. The lower part taken by Xinhua photographer Xu Bingjie shows a scenery along the Yangtze River in Yibin on June 26, 2023. In the past decade, Yibin and Luzhou of southwest China's Sichuan Province have made great efforts in improving ecological environment of the Yangtze River. (Xinhua)

The above part of this combination photo taken by Cao Weibing on Jan. 27, 2021 shows people waiting for the ferry on a dock in Hejiang County of Luzhou, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The lower part taken by Xinhua photographer Liu Kun shows an aerial view of Hejiang county seat and a Yangtze River bridge on June 27, 2023. In the past decade, Yibin and Luzhou of southwest China's Sichuan Province have made great efforts in improving ecological environment of the Yangtze River. (Xinhua)

The above part of this combination photo taken by Cao Weibing in July 2012 shows fishing boats berthing at Guanyizui, where the Tuojiang River and the Yangtze River converge in Luzhou City of southwest China's Sichuan Province. The lower part taken by Xinhua photographer Liu Kun shows a scenery of Guanyizui on June 1, 2023. In the past decade, Yibin and Luzhou of southwest China's Sichuan Province have made great efforts in improving ecological environment of the Yangtze River. (Xinhua)

The above part of this combination photo taken in 2014 shows farmers boarding a ferry with litchi at Sanjiang dock in Hejiang County of Luzhou, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The lower part taken by Xinhua photographer Liu Kun on June 27, 2023 shows the deserted Sanjiang dock and the nearby Sanjiangju Bridge which has been put into use. In the past decade, Yibin and Luzhou of southwest China's Sichuan Province have made great efforts in improving ecological environment of the Yangtze River. (Xinhua)

The above part of this combination photo shows the Laoyingqiu sewage pipeline (file photo) before renovation in Luzhou, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The lower part taken by Xinhua photographer Xu Bingjie on June 1, 2023 shows the sewage pipeline after renovation. In the past decade, Yibin and Luzhou of southwest China's Sichuan Province have made great efforts in improving ecological environment of the Yangtze River. (Xinhua)
The number of people uprooted by a conflict between military factions in Sudan that erupted nearly three months ago has surpassed 3 million, according to estimates from the International Organization for Migration.

More than 2.4 million people have been displaced internally and more than 730,000 have crossed into neighbouring countries, data published late on Tuesday said.

Most have fled either from the capital Khartoum, the focus of the power struggle between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that broke out on April 15, or from Darfur, where ethnically-targeted violence has surged.

U.N. officials have said Sudan could slide into civil war, as regional and international mediation efforts have failed.

This war wont end shortly, said United Nations special envoy Volker Perthes, speaking in Belgium. Several ceasefire agreements have been violated and have basically been used by the parties to reposition themselves, he said.

On Wednesday, residents reported the sound of fighter jets and artillery shelling in Omdurman and Bahri, parts of the wider capital.

Fighting has also been reported in recent days between the army and powerful SPLM rebel factions in South Kordofan State, and in Blue Nile State near the border with Ethiopia, triggering displacement from those regions as well.

The fighting has laid waste to large parts of the capital and led to waves of attacks in Darfur. Civilians have faced widespread looting, power cuts, food and water shortages, a collapse in health services and a spike in sexual violence.

The Sudanese governments Combating Violence against Women and Children unit said on Tuesday it had recorded nine new cases of sexual assault in Khartoum, bringing the total since mid-April to 51, adding that the real number of cases was likely much higher.

Most victims blamed RSF forces for the assaults, the unit, which is seen as impartial, said in a statement. The RSF has called on civilians to report violations and said members found to be involved in abuses will be held to account.

Of those leaving Sudan, the majority have fled north to Egypt or west to Chad, with large numbers also crossing into South Sudan and Ethiopia.

After sharing power with civilians following the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir in a popular uprising four years ago, the army and the RSF took full control in a coup in 2021 then came to blows amid disputes over a planned transition towards elections.

FAILED MEDIATIONS

International efforts to broker an end to the fighting have shown little sign of progress, including talks led by Saudi Arabia and the United States in Jeddah that were adjourned last month, and an African-led meeting in Addis Ababa this week.

A summit of Sudans neighbours will be held in Cairo on Thursday.

Perthes, speaking to reporters in Brussels, said he was concerned that the warring factions were able to resupply from outside the country. He said regional countries should tell the combatants to end the war, and should not resupply them.

Britain on Wednesday announced sanctions on six companies linked to the two forces it said were fuelling the conflict by providing funding and arms, expanding on a previous action by the United States.

SOURCE: REUTERS
BERLIN, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Climate activists disrupted operations at Germany's two major airports, Hamburg and Dusseldorf, for hours on Thursday morning.

At Hamburg, Germany's fifth busiest airport, 22 arrivals and 28 departures had to be canceled at the start of summer holidays, with further cancelations and delays likely to follow throughout the day.

Operations at Dusseldorf, the largest airport of the most populous German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, resumed around midday with restrictions after interruptions.

Several people had "gained unauthorized access to the airside airport area and stuck themselves on the tarmac near the southern runway," the operator said in a statement.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms these law-breaking actions by Last Generation (a group of climate activists), which can now be considered attacks on civil aviation," Ralph Beisel, chief executive officer (CEO) of the German Airports Association (ADV), told Xinhua on Thursday.

Previously, climate activists had already blocked major airports in Germany several times in late 2022. They have also repeatedly broken the law in other actions, such as disrupting road traffic, smearing art or occupying government buildings.

At the beginning of the year, two Last Generation activists sparked an outcry when, instead of appearing in court, they took a plane trip to Southeast Asia. They were accused of double standards because their long-haul flight released large amounts of CO2.

German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck criticized the airport blockades. "The activists, who are now blocking many people's vacations, are doing massive damage to the cause of climate protection," Habeck told the German news agency dpa on Thursday.

This form of protest is not right, the minister added. "If you really want to stand up for climate protection, you have to take social acceptance into account."

In addition to climate protest actions, sporadic strikes are again threatening air travel in Germany and other European countries this summer, but to a lesser extent than last year, when there was international flight chaos during the peak travel season.

Quick wage settlements with various occupational groups brought relief in the matter. In late June, security staff at Europe's busiest hub, London's Heathrow Airport, called off strikes that were planned to last over 31 days this summer. 
BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China has accelerated efforts to comprehensively deepen reforms in its latest move by approving a wide range of proposals, including new systems for a higher-standard open economy, experts noted.

A meeting of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform (CCCDR) was held on Tuesday. During the meeting, it was stressed that efforts must be made to put in place new systems for a higher-standard open economy and to promote the gradual transition from dual control over the quantity and intensity of energy consumption to dual control over the quantity and intensity of carbon emissions.

Xiong Yuan, chief economist at Guosheng Securities, said in a research report jointly published with his colleague Zhu Hui on Wednesday that the CCCDR meeting mainly focused on reform, and its importance cannot be overstressed.

Xiong's remarks are not unfounded given that the meeting on Tuesday highlighted the importance of institutional opening up and deepening institutional reform in investment, trade, finance, and innovation, among other key areas of foreign exchanges and cooperation, to actively raise China's opening up to a new level.

The new systems for a higher-standard open economy are a strategic move that will proactively boost reform and development through opening up.

On April 21 this year, when the first meeting of the CCCDR was held, it was already made clear that this year marks the first year of the full implementation of the guiding principles of the 20th Communist Party of China National Congress.

Tuesday's meeting is the second meeting of the CCCDR. Xiong said that the focuses of the second meeting are all critical areas of the current institutional reform, including new systems for a higher-standard open economy, rural reform, and power system reform.

The meeting agreed that while staying focused on the strategic target of realizing the modernization of agriculture and rural areas and building up its strength in agriculture, China should regard the handling of the relationship between farmers and land as its main task. And it should also work faster to shore up weak links in agricultural and rural development, so as to lay a solid foundation for building a modern socialist country in all respects.

Since the building of ecological civilization has entered a critical period where cutting carbon emissions has become a strategic focus, the meeting called for efforts to exercise better control over the quantity and intensity of energy consumption and gradually shift towards controlling both the quantity and intensity of carbon emissions.

The meeting also agreed that China should actively and prudently promote the institutional reform of the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industries and ensure a stable and reliable supply. The building of a new power system that is clean and low-carbon, safe and sufficient, and cost-effective and highly efficient should also be accelerated to promote the revolution of energy production and consumption and ensure national energy security, according to the meeting.

According to Xiong, these proposals highlighted "thinking under extreme conditions and bottom line thinking," and the main line of security runs through it, including national security, energy security, food security, power security as well as science and technology security.

Tuesday's meeting stressed further unleashing innovation vitality and creativity in institutions of higher learning and research institutes.

It also noted that China's development is facing a complex international situation. Efforts should be made to optimize the top-level design of new systems for an open economy, deepen institutional reform in trade and investment sectors, expand market access, and optimize the business environment and the service and support system.

Xiong said he expected that institutional reforms to be carried out throughout the year. 
July 13, 2023





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Within today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) often sparks concerns about job security. However, contrary to popular belief, AI is not here to steal your job; instead, it has the potential to revolutionize the way we work and create new opportunities.

This article aims to debunk the myth that AI is a job stealer and shed light on how individuals and businesses can harness its power to thrive in the digital age.

Debunking the Myth: AI as a Threat To Job Security

Since ChatGPT made a name for itself amongst the mainstream population towards the end of 2022, the world began discussing the impact of artificial intelligence and automated technology on the job market. Much of the fears surrounding AI replacing humans in the workplace was sparked by viral videos such as one of the robot servers being used at a McDonald's branch in Texas.

However, in reality, this fear of AI replacing human jobs is rooted in misconceptions and a lack of understanding about its true capabilities. While it's true that AI can automate specific tasks, it actually only excels in repetitive and mundane activities, which in turn frees up human workers to focus on higher-value tasks that require creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. AI acts as a complementary tool rather than a substitute for human skills.

In actual fact, it is now predicted that AI will create more jobs than it displaces by 2025. By automating particularly repetitive tasks, AI enables workers to shift their focus towards innovation, problem-solving, and strategic thinking, resulting in increased productivity as well as increased job satisfaction.

AI's Future: Augmenting Human Capabilities

So rather than replacing workers, AI has the potential to enhance their capabilities. Through machine learning and predictive analytics, AI can process and analyze vast amounts of data, enabling professionals across a range of industries to make data-driven decisions faster and more accurately than ever before. For instance, doctors can utilize AI algorithms to assist in diagnosis, providing more accurate and timely treatments.

Furthermore, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can streamline customer interactions, improving customer service while allowing employees to focus on complex inquiries that require human touch and empathy. By leveraging AI as a tool, people can become more efficient and effective in their roles, delivering better outcomes for themselves and their organizations.

Embracing AI for Professional Growth and Business Success

To really thrive in the digital age, it's essential for individuals to embrace AI technology and develop the necessary skills to work alongside it. By acquiring knowledge of AI technologies, we can become more valuable assets to their organizations. Learning about machine learning, data analysis, and algorithmic thinking equips people with the ability to leverage AI tools effectively and drive innovation within their respective fields.

Additionally, continuous learning and upskilling are crucial for those looking to stay relevant in a world increasingly shaped by AI. Embracing lifelong learning initiatives and seeking out opportunities to acquire new skills will enable professionals to adapt to evolving job requirements and leverage AI technologies to their advantage.

For businesses, integrating AI into operations can unlock a wealth of opportunities. By automating repetitive tasks, AI allows employees to focus on strategic initiatives that drive growth and innovation. Furthermore, AI can provide valuable insights into customer preferences, market trends, and operational efficiencies, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions and gain a competitive edge.

Wrapping Up

From chatbots improving customer experiences to AI-powered demand forecasting and optimizing supply chains, the possibilities for companies that are able to leverage the power of AI successfully are vast. Organizations that embrace AI and invest in their workforce's AI literacy will be well-positioned to utilize its potential for business success.

Rather than fearing AI as a job-stealing force, it's essential that we start re-framing the way we see AI and start to recognize its potential to augment human capabilities and drive innovation. At the end of the day, AI is not here to steal your job; it's here to enhance it. Only by being pragmatic and embracing these tools, acquiring the necessary skills, and leveraging the power of AI will individuals and businesses truly be able to thrive in the digital age.
[July 12, 2023] Visa, COS and the United Repair Centre unite to make more sustainable choices everyone's must-have Tweet

The first experiment partners for Visa's Recommerce Behavioural Insights Lab will be COS and United Repair Centre, in conjunction with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Mindworks and Twig, to support sustainable consumer choices and the transition to a circular economy. 92% of people surveyed say they want to live a sustainable life, but only 16% are actively changing their behaviour.[1]

Visa is partnering with retail partners H&M Group's COS brand, the United Repair Centre, Mindworks, Twig and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to help understand and overcome the barriers that stop consumers taking part in the circular economy.

As one of the world leading payments network, Visa is strongly placed to develop new services that support more sustainable choices for consumers. LONDON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Visa announced the first partners for its Recommerce Behavioural Insights Lab, a new initiative running rapid real-world experiments to understand and share how businesses can help consumers actively engage in the transition to a more circular economy. With 92% of consumers surveyed claiming they want to live a more sustainable life, but only 16% taking active steps to change their behaviour, Visa will partner with leading brands to better understand how to bridge this "intention/action gap", aimed at driving more circular behaviours and business models while ensuring an inclusive approach. The first two experiments will be run in partnership with COS and the United Repair Centre, and will take place in various places across Europe. Initial countries where early experiments are likely to take place include France, the Netherlands and Germany, as well as the UK. COS will explore the motivations and compelling experiences that increase consumer participation in the resale market. Resale is an important part of fashion's shift to circularity and is a growing commercial activity. However, with only 47% of consumers participating in resale activities more than once a year, many brands are still learning the many motivations and novel barriers that affect customer interest.[2] The experiment with the United Repair Centre will leverage their experience offering high-quality repair services to leading European apparel brands. It will explore the barriers that stop consumers from repairing their garments, and how to make clothing repair services more accessible and beneficial for all. The experiments will test the different experiences and motivations with customers in a variety of environments, including online and in store, to provide a better understanding of the precise triggers of changing consumer behaviours, experimenting with factors such as improving visibility, access, community, reward, ease, or affordability. The experiments will be open sourced, with key findings available through downloadable playbooks so that other businesses can use this knowledge to help develop their own circular models and be part of the wider Recommerce community. Katherine Brown, Vice President Sustainability and Inclusive Impact, Visa Europe: "Over half of Europeans are already regularly engaging in recommerce activities like resale. By uncovering what actually gets shoppers to change their behaviour and by leveraging our data and isights from these experiments with United Repair Centre and COS, we can identify new ways to make sustainable fashion a must-have purchase and accelerate the transition to the circular economy for all."



Thami Schewichler, CEO, United Repair Centre: "Every brand is looking at how they can be sustainable, and consumers are also looking for sustainable alternatives. Repair is a great way to show consumers the value of clothing again, and as it becomes the new cool in fashion, it also gives them the chance to create real impact." To ensure the Behavioural Insights Lab provides participating partners with industry-leading expertise, Mindworks, a leading behavioural design expert, Twig, an innovative circular economy fintech, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation will be joining the Lab as foundational partners. Insights from our Strategic Partner, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, including circular design principles, will be incorporated, and the Foundation is further supporting the project by helping to shape its direction.

The meaningful and unique combination of Visa's equitable commerce and design experience, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's circular design insights, Twig's fintech meets resale space knowhow, and Mindworks' key role in designing behavioural interventions, will supercharge discovery of actionable insights and scalable solutions, that encourage sustainable choices. "As a Strategic Partner in our Network, we have been working with Visa to ensure circular design is incorporated in the Behavioural Insights Lab. This project is absolutely a design-led initiative, and an important step in the journey towards bringing together different actors to collectively imagine and test new ways of engaging people and enabling circular economy choices. The learnings from this iterative project will sit alongside our Adaptive Strategy for Circular Design to help organisations leverage design as they transition from linear to circular, and will support not only the fashion industry, but all actors across different sectors who want to bring their users and customers along on their circular economy journey." Anna Queralt, Strategic Design Manager, Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Brad Herholdt, CEO, MindWorks Consulting says: "We're thrilled to be announced as one of Visa's foundational partners for their Behavioural Insights Lab. At MindWorks we believe in the power of transformation for good which is why we can't wait to help shape a better future for our planet and its people by designing innovative behavioural interventions to help consumers make more sustainable choices. We're proud to partner with like-minded organisations and are especially excited about the open source nature of Visa's labs approach, encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing for the whole community." The creation of the Behavioural Insights Lab follows the announcement of Visa's commitment to Recommerce as a regenerative way to buy, re-use and share goods and services, helping to accelerate the transition from our "take-make-waste" linear economy to a circular economy, incorporating recommercial activities and business models, including resale, repair, rental, redistribution, return and refill. For more information about Visa's Recommerce programme and to join Visa to shape and accelerate the transition to a more circular economy designed for everyone, everywhere, please visit: www.visa.co.uk/recommerce. To become a partner, visit: https://globalclient.visa.com/recommerce Details on experiment methodology Using insights from behavioural science, the Lab will identify the factors that drive consumer behaviour towards sustainable choices while also uncovering barriers that hinder the achievement of sustainable intentions, such as Resale, Rental and Repair. The Lab plans to test and share the results of interventions that have been designed to overcome these obstacles, with the ultimate goal of assisting businesses and consumers in adopting more sustainable habits and behaviours. In order to conduct these experiments, Visa has devised a comprehensive methodology that includes defining the behavioural barrier, establishing a behavioural intervention, designing the experiment, carrying out the experiment, analysing the data, and sharing the results openly. The foundation of the methodology and lab is based on the M.I.N.D.S.P.A.C.E behavioural framework that decodes the nine effects thought to have the most influence on behaviour. By following this methodology, Visa will be able to evaluate experiment data and merchant feedback, share learnings, and create and share guides and playbooks for businesses to implement the intervention. About Visa Inc. Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.co.uk, blog (https://www.visa.co.uk/visa-everywhere/blog.html), and @VisaUK. [1] https://www.kantar.com/inspiration/sustainability/making-sustainable-choices-affordable-and-accessible-a-call-to-action-for-brands

[2] Opinium research on behalf of Visa, October 2022 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2151798/Visa_Insights_Lab.jpg

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[July 12, 2023] OPTIZMO CEO Khris Thayer Offers Company Insights in Comprehensive Interview with Website Planet Tweet

AUSTIN, Texas, July 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OPTIZMO is the industry leader in email suppression list management, email compliance, and data security. As the only truly independent suppression list management system, OPTIZMO is dedicated to delivering robust email compliance solutions without any potential conflicts of interest.

In the interview, Thayer shared insights on OPTIZMO's inception, its unique market position, and the evolution of email compliance and digital marketing. Most notably, he discussed why clients from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses trust OPTIZMO to meet their suppression list management needs. Since its founding in 2009, the company has earned acclaim for its technology services and dedication to clients success. While initially, the company faced the challenge of entering a competitive market, Thayer and his team demonstrated that OPTIZMO's combination of a leading-edge technology platform and unparalleled customer support set the company apart from its competitors. Since inception, OPTIZMO has shown consistent growth every year, driven by its unwavering dedication to customer support and success. When asked about OPTIZMO's clients, Thayer highlighted that the companys services cater to a wide spectrum of businesses - from Fortune 500 companies to SMBs and startus. The common challenge OPTIZMO solves is enabling its clients to effectively collect, store, and distribute opt-out requests and other suppression files required for legal compliance and other marketing purposes.



"We anticipate building a long-lasting partnership with every new client as we become their go-to resource for all their compliance needs," said Thayer. He emphasized further that the combination of innovative technology and exceptional customer service sets OPTIZMO apart from its competitors. Reflecting on the companys growth and success over the years, Thayer underscores the importance of an experienced, dedicated, and client-focused team, coupled with powerful and user-friendly software.

Regarding future industry challenges and opportunities, Thayer pointed out the evolving digital marketing industry, especially the transformative effect of AI. Thayer discussed how OPTIZMO would continue to support its clients and help them navigate these changes, solidifying OPTIZMO's role as a vital partner for businesses in the ever-changing digital industry. This comprehensive interview provides an insightful glance into OPTIZMO's business journey and its unwavering commitment to delivering innovative email compliance and data management solutions. To read the full interview, visit Website Planet here . About OPTIZMO

OPTIZMO Technologies is the recognized thought-leader in the email and online marketing space for email suppression list management, email campaign management, data management, and risk mitigation services relative to email compliance. With an expert staff in pursuit of unrivaled efficiency, innovative technology and an insatiable desire to problem-solve, clients find a customer-centric business model that not only enhances the way OPTIZMO clients do business, but drives the company forward. The company is headquartered in Austin, TX, and has offices and team members in Charleston, Denver, and Brisbane, Australia. Media Contact: Antonio Jones

Marketing Manager

[email protected] Tom Wozniak

Chief Operating Officer

[email protected]



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[July 12, 2023] TrustTech provider Gogolook completes IPO listing in Taiwan Tweet

APAC's leading AI anti-fraud company aims to accelerate overseas expansion and innovation to outgrow the industry TAIPEI, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TrustTech provider Gogolook announced today the completion of its IPO listing on the Taiwan Innovation Board (TIB) of the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE), under the ticker number 6902. Gogolook is the first pure AI software company in Taiwan which targets global markets listed on the TWSE. With support from the capital market, Gogolook aims to accelerate overseas expansion and innovation to outgrow the industry over the long term. Founded in 2012, Gogolook offers AI and data-driven anti-fraud services across Taiwan and key markets in North and South East Asia. Whoscall, the popular caller ID and spam blocking app developed by the company, combined with other Gogolook's services have blocked over 10 billion scam calls and text messages worldwide. Gogolook today sees over 40% of its revenue from overseas markets, aims to leverage its AI expertise and database to expand its enterprise and consumer-facing fraud detection and prevention services to more markets. "Generative AI brought new challenges to the fraud prevention industry from lowering the barrier to entry for creating scam and fraudulent content online," said Jeff Kuo, CEO and co-founder of Gogolook. "With support from the capital market, we aim to accelerate overseas expansion and innovation to outgrow the industry over the long term. We will continue to innovate on services and technologies for personal and enterprise use that follow our core value of 'Build for Trust,' and arget to make Gogolook one of the best TrustTech companies in the world."



Gogolook services the booming market of digital anti-fraud, digital identity, and compliance services, which together are valued at over US$250 billion worldwide with a CAGR of 18-22%. The company saw its consolidated revenue in 2022 grow 64% YoY and maintained its gross margin between 85% to 90% in the past 3 years, consistent with the high levels of the software industry. Revenue in 1H23 grew 100% YoY, achieving a record half year revenue and the company continues to explore other markets where it can replicate its success. Gogolook debuted its first product Whoscall a decade ago, which now has over 100 million downloads worldwide. The company today offers digital anti-fraud and risk management services in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Brazil through the largest anti-fraud database in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Gogolook is also one of the front runners to expand anti-fraud service from calls, text messages, social media, to Web3 transactions.

Gogolook also offers data and AI-driven services for enterprises. Digital Identity solutions help manage KYC (Know Your Customer), AML (Anti-Money Laundering), credit risk and lead generation onboarding for financial institutions and ecommerce platforms. The business reputation protection service, Watchmen, allows companies to quickly identify and solve fraud issues on channels such as phone calls, text messages, and social media. Gogolook has further expanded into the financial sector, starting with personal finance product comparison website Roo.cash, which has established a solid and leading position in Taiwan. As a founding member of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), Gogolook has partnered with government and industry organizations in Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Japan, and Malaysia to exchange experiences in combating scam activities to minimize fraud across these markets. In addition to being the first "new economy software" company to be listed on the TIB, Gogolook will continue to develop new products with trust at its core and practice corporate social responsibility by being a pioneer in combating digital fraud. To learn more, watch Gogolook's IPO pre-listing meeting: https://youtu.be/UKVg4dgDKoo About Gogolook

Founded in 2012, TrustTech provider Gogolook was founded with "Built for Trust" at its core and offers global digital Risk Management as a Service driven with AI and data. Gogolook creates trust-empowering technologies for various applications, including communications and financial technologies, and enterprise SaaS. Gogolook is a founding member of the Global Anti-Fraud Alliance (GASA) and collaborates with the Criminal Investigation Bureau of Taiwan's National Police Agency, the Financial Supervisory Service of South Korea, the Thai police, the Fukuoka City Government in Japan, the Royal Malaysia Police, and Malaysian state governments to collectively combat fraud issues. With the largest phone number database in East Asia and Southeast Asia as its foundation, Gogolook is dedicated to creating a "fraud-free environment." Information about Gogolook's services is available at: https://gogolook.com/en . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/trusttech-provider-gogolook-completes-ipo-listing-in-taiwan-301875492.html SOURCE Gogolook

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[July 12, 2023] Profet AI's First Overseas Crossover Talks Tweet

Taiwan ventures into Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City with its most advanced AI developments in the industry-government-academia sectors and business resources to empower local talents and businesses. TAIPEI, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Profet AI, a company dedicated to AI applications in the manufacturing industry, partnered with Hive Ventures to host Galaxy Quest: HCMC . The event brought together top business leaders and academic experts to discuss the development of AI applications in the manufacturing industry of Taiwan and Vietnam. Participants were encouraged to take advantage of the economic upturn, invest in digital transformation, leverage data knowledge, and maximize AI tools and the partner ecosystem. The event attracted nearly 80 top Taiwanese companies and leading Vietnamese manufacturers, fostering cross-border discussions and new digital upskill strategies. Vietnam's economy has developed rapidly in recent years, attracting many multinational companies to set up factories in the country. However, Vietnam's manufacturing industry is facing many challenges because of global political uncertainties and the aftermath of the pandemic, which have slowed down the global economy. Profet AI's Co-Founder and CEO Jerry Huang said: "Many of our clients are highly interested in the Vietnamese market. The friendshoring policy has led to rapid development in Vietnam's manufacturing industry, which is why upskilling and supply chain mobility are now the main concerns." Profet AI is extremely experienced in empowering talents in the manufacturing industry and the rapid implementation of AI. Through this overseas Crossover Talks, Profet AI brings together Taiwan's most advanced AI developments in the industry-government-academia sectors and business resources, sharing its successful experience with the participants. The goal is to help Vietnam's manufacturing industry cultivate talents more quickly and effectively to achieve digital transformation and upgrading, elevating their status in the global manufacturing landscape. We invited distinguished guests from Taiwan and Southeast Asia to the forum to share Taiwan's best AI resources and applications with the participants. The guests include Professor Chia-Yen Lee from NTU's Department of Information Management; Yan Lee, Founder & Managing Partner of Hive Ventures; Benjamin Kuo, Vice President for Industry-Academia Collaboration of Taiwan AI Academy; Gia Lung Chin, Executive Director of PwC; Jack Chao, Executive Vice President of AUO Digitech; Den Ng, Sales Director of Macrovention; Justin Chen, CIO of MAXXIS; Kenny Chiu, Vice President of Shuttle Service; and James Chan, Innovation Advisor at Acon-Holding. Investment in digital transformation is the key to riding out the business cycle As the keynote speaker, Professor Chia-Yen Lee from NTU's Department of Information Mangement provided valuable insights into digital strategies for addressing economic downturns. He mentioned that businesses should proactively invest in digital transformation during economic downturns. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of establishing a culture of AI integration and developing relevant capabilities. He said this requires continuous effort beyond economic downturns.



During the forum, Yan Lee, Founder & Managing Partner of Hive Ventures, shared his company's report on the current state of AI in Taiwanese businesses for 2022. According to the report, 57.6% of the companies surveyed stated that the pandemic accelerated their investment in AI. AI applications are growing rapidly in the manufacturing industry, which shows AI's importance in enhancing operational efficiency and manufacturing processes. Yan Lee also suggested using a No-code platform to simplify and standardize processes, allowing non-technical personnel to participate, which can accelerate effective AI implementation. Jonathan Yu, General Manager of Sales of Profet AI, said: "There are more than 5 trillion-dollar industries in Taiwan, and Profet AI has over 100 success cases. We're going to take these experiences to Vietnam. We want to cultivate local talents with our advanced AI technology, which will help both markets grow."

Powerful ecosystem partnerships to boost the AI applications Executive Vice President Jack Chao of AUO Digitech, a leader in smart manufacturing, said AUO Digitech aims to maximize marginal value by providing smart manufacturing solutions to supply chain partners. The goal is to turn customers into long-term partners. By using Profet AI's AutoML platform , AUO Digitech has achieved AI adoption across production, R&D, and supply chain management. Furthermore, with its IoT Gateway: SPIIDER , AUO Digitech has solved the problem of data collection and extraction by outdated machines at the front end. Together with Profet AI, AUO Digitech has applied the data in various domains, establishing a comprehensive digital war room. As a long-standing player in the Southeast Asian market, Macrovention recognizes the importance of tailored solutions. Macrovention is Profet AI's first local partner in Southeast Asia. Den, the Sales Director of Macrovention, said: "We are very confident in Profet AI's understanding of what's needed on site. Their products can be easily adopted on-site, which solves the high cost of hiring data scientists." Through data integration, the platform can identify key factors and build AI models easily. Such high efficiency is exactly what the Southeast Asian market needs. We are honored to have Executive Director Gia Lung Chin of PwC, a legend in the IT consulting industry, as a guest for this event. Quoting from a PwC report, Mr. Chin stated that AI application is more important than supply chain restructuring. "AI is indispensable in digital transformation. Data is not just information anymore; it is knowledge." "In addition to rapidly adopting AI technology, businesses should take advantage of the macro perspective provided by consultants to achieve digital transformation." Fruitful achievements were demonstrated in both Taiwanese and Vietnamese businesses, showing the power of digitalization Profet AI invited companies that have successfully adopted AI to share their achievements and serve as valuable examples for local businesses in Vietnam. Jusitin Chen, CIO of MAXXIS, mentioned: "Besides increasing our investment in the Vietnamese market, we have been thinking about how to further assist the market and bring the experience of industry veterans to Vietnam." Using AI tools, MAXXIS has turned the experience of these veterans into actionable data knowledge for manufacturing. This not only increases production capacity but also improves the technical skills of local operators. Using the Profet AI platform to identify key data, MAXXIS has brought the expertise of the veterans to the Kunshan Plant, allowing the company to meet the high standards of lights-out manufacturing. Shuttle Service has achieved excellent results in predicting vehicle maintenance and inspection, with an error of 0.2 weeks, reducing vehicle downtime during operations. Shuttle Service will begin predicting tire expenses next. Vice President Kenny Chiu mentioned: "Tire consumption is very costly for the transportation industry. We try to find the most suitable tires for Shuttle Service using the data, which helps the company and tire manufacturers in the supply chain to find the best tire formulas." James Chan, Innovation Advisor at Acon-Holding, shared that Acon-Holding adopted a different approach from the traditional top-down method during the transformation. They used the "sandwich approach," where junior employees are involved in digitalization projects, ensuring that the upper and lower levels of the organization share a common digital language. Acon-Holding also holds digital transformation competitions every quarter. Acon-Holding has implemented 651 digitalization projects so far, of which 470 were implemented using the Profet AI platform. The key to business sustainability is empowering domain experts with AI, while the cultivation of digital talents could be seen as making soldier a peacetime farmer Taiwan AI Academy is the first institution in Taiwan dedicated to cultivating AI talents. Inspired by the "military-agricultural colonies" during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Vice President for Industry-Academia Collaboration Benjamin Kuo sees talent empowerment as soldiers work as farmers and store provisions during peacetime, to supply themselves during wartime. He believes businesses should use the experiences of industry veterans for AI adoption across daily operations. This way, they can avoid over-reliance on headhunting and consulting during digital transformation. Businesses should focus on using AI for investment and development instead of worrying about employee attrition. About Profet AI Profet AI is an artificial intelligence software company for the manufacturing industry. It provides an end-to-end No-code AutoML platform and Ready To Go Applications. It allows various industries or IT experts to efficiently build high-quality predictive models and deploy AI applications to resolve daily production and digitization challenges. Profet AI has been widely adopted by the world's top 100 brands in the manufacturing industry, including EMS, Semi-OSAT, PCB, IC design companies, and display panel and material solution providers. For more information, please visit www.profetai.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/profet-ais-first-overseas-crossover-talks-301876173.html SOURCE Profet AI

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[July 13, 2023] EVE Tech Asia 2023: Igniting Technological Advancements in EV, Environmental and Battery Industry. Tweet

SINGAPORE, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EVE Tech Asia, the premier platform dedicated to fostering and facilitating the development, collaboration, and advancement of technology in the electric vehicle (EV) and battery industry, is set to host its highly anticipated event from 22 - 24 November 2023. With a strong emphasis on joint research and development (R&D) and cross-border academy-industry cooperation, EVE Tech Asia aims to propel Southeast Asia's EV and battery sector into a new era of precipitous innovations and growth. At the core of EVE Tech Asia is the EV & Battery Conference, where industry experts, government delegations, associations, and peers will convene to share the latest technology trends, regulations, policies, and standards. This conference offers a unique opportunity for attendees to learn from global leaders in the battery and EV industry, gaining insights that will shape the future of the sector. Key Highlights of EVE Tech Asia 2023 Conference: 01: Battery & Power Supply Conference I  Exploring breakthroughs in new materials, components for batteries and revolutionizing energy storage solutions. Distinguished speakers include leading representatives of Singapore Battery Consortium, Giorgio Corbetta , EU Affairs Director at EuroBat (the European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers Association) and renowned management consulting firm, McKinsey & Company. 02: Battery & Power Supply Conference II  Showcasing cutting-edge research and innovation in batteries, cultivating advancements in energy efficiency and performance. Kasturi Gomatham , Global Head of Battery Swapping at Shell, and Kenneth Soh , Director of Glbal Business Development at Hioki E.E. Corporation, will be among the distinguished speakers.



03: Electric Vehicle Standards  Led by the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology, IEEE Vehicular Technology Society Singapore, the conference focuses on connecting vehicle initiatives and developments of industry standards. Keynote feature highlights Professor Christopher H. T. Lee , from Nanyang Technological University Singapore. 04: EV Technology & Innovation  Delving into topics such as urban air mobility, autonomous driving, and software-defined vehicles (SDV), forefront of EV advancements as well as e-mobility innovation for Sea, Land and Air will be explored. Keynote speakers include Kazuyuki Iwata , Executive Chief Engineer of R&D Power Unit Energy, Honda (Japan) and Jacques Borremans , Managing Director Asia of CharIN (Charging Interface Initiative).

05: Technology Conference for EV Leaders  NVIDIA Generative AI Advocate-led sessions will shed light on supporting end-to-end innovation for EV and Environmental Technology ecosystem growth, with Dr. Ettikan Karuppiah , Chief Technologist at NVIDIA, sharing valuable insights. 06: 2W & 3W Innovation Conference  Led by A*STAR SIMTech (Agency of Singapore Technology and Research, Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology) E-TraM OTP (Electric Traction Module Collaborative Industry Project) Programs, this track will focus on the latest developments in drivetrain and power management for two-wheelers and three-wheelers. Keynote speaker features Dr. Teo Chek Sing , Professor and Science Research Specialist from A*STAR SIMTech, exploring experimental and collaborative efforts in providing companies with a neutral platform to demonstrate technological innovations. 07: Environmental Technology  Addressing renewable energy, sustainability technologies, and decarbonization, this track highlights the industry's commitment to a greener clean future with innovative insights on driving sustainability in the industry. The esteemed lineup of speakers at EVE Tech Asia 2023 represents the pinnacle of expertise in the EV, Environmental and Battery industries. Attendees can expect thought-provoking presentations and engaging discussions that will shape the future of the sectors. Join us at EVE Tech Asia 2023 to be part of this transformative event and contribute to the growth and development of Southeast Asia's Electric Vehicle, Environmental and Battery industry. For more information and registration,

please visit https://www.evetechshow.com and contact [email protected] . About EVE Tech Asia (Electric Vehicle & Electric Technology Asia) 2023 EVE Tech Asia is the ONLY dedicated B2B Electric Vehicle and Environmental Technology exhibition and conference that brings together industry leaders, professionals, and innovative enterprises from across Southeast Asia and around the world to showcase the latest advancements in technology. The event features keynote speeches, technology conferences, exhibits, and networking opportunities. EVE Tech Asia is organized by ESG Tech Events Pte. Ltd. in Singapore. Media Contact

Nazatul Syima Abd. Ghani, Project Director

ESG Tech Events Pte. Ltd.

E. [email protected]

T. +65 9150 1297

Address: One Raffles Quay, North Tower Level 49, Singapore 048583 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/eve-tech-asia-2023-igniting-technological-advancements-in-ev-environmental-and-battery-industry-301876253.html SOURCE ESG TECH EVENTS PTE. LTD.

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[July 13, 2023] BioGeneration Ventures closes BGV Fund V at 150 million Tweet

BGVs largest fundraising to date, bringing total funds under management to over 400 million.

BGV V was oversubscribed amid strong investor demand.

BGV V attracts US institutional investors and corporate investors including Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Holdings and Bristol Myers Squibb. NAARDEN, The Netherlands, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioGeneration Ventures (BGV), a leading early-stage VC in European biopharma, today announces the closing of BGV V at 150 million, its largest fund since launching its first fund in 2006. BGV V was oversubscribed, with strong demand from both existing and new investors, with existing investors Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Holdings and Bristol Myers Squibb, further strengthening BGVs investor base of strategic life sciences and institutional investors. Of the new investors in the fund, 78% were of US origin, all of whom are either large financial institutions or global life sciences companies. BGV V will build on the successful investment strategy of previous BGV funds: dedication to early-stage ventures, company creation and seeking out therapeutic innovations that stem from truly differentiated science and are supported by convincing experimental data. BGV V expects to invest in approximately 12 companies focusing on drug discovery and development. BGV portfolio successes include Acerta Pharma, which was acquired by AstraZeneca for approximately $7 billion, and whose lead cancer asset has subsequently become the blockbuster medicine, Calquence. More recently, BGV announced the acquisition of Synaffix by Lonza for 160 million, including a 100 million upfront cash payment. Edward van Wezel, Managing Partner at BGV said, The successful closing of ou Fund V demonstrates continued investor confidence in BGVs strategy of building new companies with the goal of creating transformational treatments and generating superior returns. We are ideally positioned to support our portfolio companies and their founders with the capital and expertise they need to progress projects from discovery to clinical proof-of-concept. We are delighted that several leading global pharmaceutical companies share our conviction in the potential of early-stage European biotechs by investing in BGV V.



Companies in the current BGV portfolio include: Azafaros, whose clinical candidate focusing on certain rare lysosomal storage disorders in children recently entered into a phase II study; Dualyx, which raised a 40 million financing to progress potential treatments in immunological diseases; and Complement Therapeutics, which received its initial funding from BGV in 2021 and recently raised 72 million in a Series A round to continue the clinical development of its lead product targeting the most common, and currently untreatable, eye-diseases with a novel gene therapy approach. For more information, please contact:

BGV Investor Relations

Robbert van de Griendt

General Partner IR & Impact

Email: [email protected] BGV Communications

Laura Asbjornsen

Head of Communications

Email: [email protected] Brunswick Group

Ayesha Bharmal, Charis Gresser

Email: [email protected], [email protected] Notes for Editors: About BGV BioGeneration Ventures (BGV) is a venture capital company, with a focus on early-stage European biotech companies. With a strong track record of significant financial returns through its investments in healthcare innovations and providing the expertise to build world-class companies, BGV manages over 400 million of funds, and invests in areas where true scientific innovations, unmet medical needs, and the potential to demonstrate a significant proof of concept all converge. BGV strives to work with founding teams to progress science and build successful companies and uses its experience to guide progress into clinical trials, leading to successful drug development and value realization for its investors. BGV applies its expertise in a rigorous process to select the most compelling opportunities with the best prospects for exit. BGV is the early-stage focused platform partner of Forbion, a leading European life sciences venture capital fund with 3 billion in capital under management, and is based in Naarden, The Netherlands. For more information, please visit: http://www.biogenerationventures.com. The Fund V received an investment from the European Investment Fund, notably as part of the Venture Centre of Excellence initiative supported by the Health Compartment of the Sustainable Development Umbrella Fund, with the financial backing of the European Union under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) set up under the Investment Plan for Europe. The purpose of EFSI is to help support financing and implementing productive investments in the European Union and to ensure increased access to financing.



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[July 13, 2023] VASS strengthens its presence in Benelux and Greece with the appointment of Domenico Vaccaro as Managing Director Tweet

The company appoints Domenico Vaccaro as Managing Director of Benelux and Greece to accelerate its growth in the region. MADRID, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VASS, the leading digital solutions company, has appointed Domenico Vaccaro as Managing Director of Benelux and Greece. In this new role, Domenico will be responsible for leading VASS' value proposition, and driving its growth in both regions. "I am delighted to join VASS as Managing Director at this exciting time of the international expansion journey of company," said Domenico Vaccaro. "I am looking forward to the challenge of leading and driving this successful Spanish company globally, strengthening and consolidating its presence in key European markets such as Benelux and Greece". Domenico Vaccaro holds a degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Roma La Sapienza (Italy) and has held senior positions throughout his career. Prior to joining VASS, he was General Manager ofthe Belgian subsidiary of a major Italian technology consulting services group whose main clients are European Union agencies.



"We are delighted to welcome Domenico to VASS. His experience and leadership will be key to expanding and strengthening our value proposition in the region, where we are already operating increasingly in both the public administration and private sector," said Francisco Javier Latasa, Chairman and Global CEO of VASS. Domenico Vaccaro's appointment comes amid VASS' international expansion, already present in 26 countries in Europe, America and Asia. Currently, more than 50% of the company's total revenues are generated outside Spain.

About VASS VASS is a leading digital solutions company present in 26 countries in Europe, the Americas and Asia, with more than 4,700 professionals. VASS helps large companies in their digital transformation process, developing and executing the most innovative and scalable projects, from strategy to operations. The company is fully committed to society. In 2019 the VASS Foundation was created to promote research, foster tech talent, and enable the transition to a digital society. VASS allocates 2% of its profits and 1% of the entire team's time to community initiatives. All of VASS' growth comes from its talented people, passion for innovation, and a constant search for improvement, always the VASS way: "Complex made simple". View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/vass-strengthens-its-presence-in-benelux-and-greece-with-the-appointment-of-domenico-vaccaro-as-managing-director-301876081.html

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[July 13, 2023] The Future Energy Show Vietnam 2023: Sungrow's Advanced Energy Solutions Alleviate Vietnam's Power Shortage Tweet

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the global leading inverter and energy storage system supplier, participates in The Future Energy Show Vietnam 2023 from July 12th to 13th. The company showcases the latest full-scenario energy solutions especially cutting-edge residential and C&I solutions, which can provide fresh ideas for ensuring the power consumption of industrial and commercial parks in Vietnam. Sungrow also donates to the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering(SEEE), hoping the donation will play a practical role in local education and the sustainable clean power transition. Since the beginning of this summer, Vietnam has suffered from a serious power shortage, which has provoked a severe blow to the Vietnamese manufacturing industry particularly in the northern region. In addition, approximately 100 million residents do not have an uninterrupted electricity supply. The local traditional power supply is weak under such hot weather; thus, solar energy is becoming a better way for manufacturers and residents to get rid of the power shortage. Premium C&I solar-plus-storage integrated solutions to light up "world factory" The latest cutting-edge C&I solutions released by Sungrow include inverter SG125CX-P2 and ESS SG101CP-50HV. During the exhibition, Sungrow also released the SP600S power optimizer which will further improve power generation efficiency and system safety. The combination of PV, ESS, and the power optimizer makes the solution reach a higher yield, enhanced power generation, easy installation, and simple operations and maintenance (O&M). For sustained power outages faced by Vietnam's factories, 2-5 hours of optional ESS from Sungrow will be of great help. The system can realize 100 percent depth of discharge(DOD) and keep brilliant performance under standard conditions for 15 years. Residents of Vietnam yearn for safer and more efficient residntial PV solutions



When any product is applied in the residential scenario, people pay special attention to the safety and efficiency of the products, the same as PV systems. Sungrow's residential solution includes 10kW and 20kW inverters, the SG10RS, SG20RT-P2, and 11kW EV chargers, which can meet the personalized needs of different families. In addition, to better power generation efficiency among similar products, for the safety about which homeowners are more concerned, the inverters and EV chargers have multilevel safety protections, qualified for strict standard requirements, such as household appliance level radiation protection, AFCI function to prevent fire threats, etc. Utility-scale PV plants ask for more advanced and flexible solar-plus-storage solutions

Tailored for utility-scale projects, Sungrow also exhibited its "1+X" modular inverter, which has both the advantages of string and centralized inverters. The product features a 1.1MW single unit as the minimum and can be configured from 1.1MW to 8.8MW. This inverter is more flexible and has higher yields. The "1+X" modular inverter has been widely used in environments such as deserts, mountains, and seas, and has maintained positive perceptions from global clients. In addition, the cumulative global contracted volume of the "1+X" modular inverter has exceeded 12GW. At the same time, to further improve the stability of the local power supply in Vietnam, Sungrow's liquid-cooled energy storage system, PowerTitan can play an important role. The PowerTitan professionally integrates power electronics, electrochemistry, and power grid support technologies to ensure the safety of personal assets, grid connection, operation and maintenance, and more. It can achieve lower levelized cost of storage (LCOS) and higher yields, which will greatly benefit in a fixed power supply. "As a global leader in the renewable energy industry, Sungrow has always been concerned about the energy transition in Vietnam. We not only provide innovative products, solutions, and intelligent monitoring system iSolarCloud to help Vietnam move towards clean energy but also undertake corporate social responsibility, such as conducting open-class teaching for local schools. At this exhibition, we are making an in-kind gift to the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering(SEEE) with the installation of an on-grid solar system for educational purposes at SEEE together with SEV, helping to realize a sustainable future practically," said, Steven Zhu, Sungrow's Regional Manager. About Sungrow Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. ("Sungrow") is the world's most bankable inverter brand with over 340 GW installed worldwide as of December 2022. Founded in 1997 by Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow is a leader in the research and development of solar inverters with the largest dedicated R&D team in the industry and a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial & industrial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions, NEV driving solutions, EV charging solutions and renewable hydrogen production systems. With a strong 26-year track record in the PV space, Sungrow products power over 150 countries worldwide. Learn more about Sungrow by visiting www.sungrowpower.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/the-future-energy-show-vietnam-2023-sungrows-advanced-energy-solutions-alleviate-vietnams-power-shortage-301876435.html SOURCE Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd.

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[July 13, 2023] RF Investment Partners Unveils New Brand Identity and Adds Top Talent to Fuel Momentum Tweet

RF Investment Partners ("RF"), a provider of structured growth capital, announced the launch of its new brand identity that aligns with the firm's commitment to providing innovative, structured capital for visionary founders to help build differentiated businesses. RF also announced the hiring of four new members to the team in a pivotal period of growth and expansion for the firm after the closing of its second fund in June of 2022. RF is a private investment management firm with offices in New York, Chicago, and Dallas. With 30 investments across a diverse portfolio, RF is dedicated to providing innovative debt and structured equity solutions to growth-oriented companies. The firm's new identity focuses on RF's creative capital solutions and unwavering commitment to relationships, with an emphasis on its expertise in the software, healthcare services, and business services sectors. "Since RF's inception, our core values have stood at the heart of the firm, realized in the partnerships we are proud to uphold. We define our success through our relationships and take pride in bringing the human element to smart, innovative transactions," said RF Co-Founder and Managing Partner Peter Rothschild. "Our new brand identity fully embraces and exhibits our mission, building on our unflinching commitment to put relationships first and provide value by 'Thinking like founders. Acting like partners.'" As part of the firm's initiative to continue to invest in talent and expand the firm with a focus on its growing software platform, RF is also proud to announce the hiring of Collin Abert as Managing Director and Zach Friedman as Vice President, as well as Max Rothstein and Luke Chandra as Associates. Chicago-based Managing Director Collin Abert is responsible for sourcing investment opportunities for the firm, evaluating and structuring new transactions, and working alongside RF's management team partners to drive expansion. Prior to RF, Abert was a Prinipal at Lake Capital, where he focused on originating and evaluating investments, structuring transactions, leading due diligence, and partnering with existing portfolio companies. Before Lake Capital, Abert worked in the investment banking division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Abert graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, earning his B.S. in Accountancy with a concentration in Finance.



Vice President Zach Friedman joins RF's New York office, bringing deep technology sector expertise focused on sourcing and evaluating new investment opportunities, investment due diligence, and monitoring portfolio companies. Before RF, Friedman was a Vice President at TriplePoint Capital, where he was involved with underwriting and structuring credit transactions for technology companies. Prior to TriplePoint, he was with Level Equity and responsible for all stages of the investment process for software and technology businesses. He started his career as an investment banking Analyst at Jefferies. Friedman earned his B.A. in Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas. As an Associate based in Chicago, Max Rothstein is responsible for evaluating new investment opportunities, investment due diligence, and monitoring portfolio companies. He comes to RF from Balmoral Advisors, where he worked as an Associate. Rothstein began his career as a commercial banking Analyst at JPMorgan Chase & Co. He graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. in Accounting.

Luke Chandra joins RF as an Associate based in New York. He is responsible for evaluating new investment opportunities, investment due diligence, and monitoring portfolio companies. Prior to joining RF, Chandra completed a summer analyst internship with Lincoln International before joining as a full-time investment banking Analyst. Chandra earned his B.B.A. from the University of Michigan with concentrations in Finance, Accounting, and Business Law. "We are thrilled to welcome such an incredible roster to the firm that aligns with our new brand identity and secures our commitment to helping founders take their business to the next level," said RF Co-Founder and Managing Partner Peter Fidler. "Our core values are interwoven into every business decision we make, from who we hire to how we partner with our portfolio companies. RF is proud to expand our team and launch a new brand that reflects not only who we are today but symbolizes an exciting future of growth and success for our partners and portfolio companies." ABOUT RF INVESTMENT PARTNERS RF Investment Partners provides capital ranging in size from $10 million to $40 million to support leading domestic, lower-middle-market companies. RF partners with family-owned and private businesses in a variety of situations, including acquisition financing, growth capital investments, recapitalizations, refinancings, and management buyouts. RF's investment professionals have significant experience investing across the capital structure and have the flexibility to structure deals to meet the distinct needs of each company and situation. RF invests in unitranche, second lien, and subordinated debt, alongside preferred and common equity. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230711683933/en/

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ROME, July 13 (Xinhua) -- In a rare collaboration between a multilateral agency and a municipal government, the Rome-based United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the city that hosts it have unveiled a plan for a symbolic biodiversity project in one of Rome's historic parks.

Earlier this month, the two entities jointly announced a project that aims to set up what they call the "Global Library of Trees and Flowers" in the city's Villa Doria Pamphili park.

The park, which dates to the 17th century, is the largest of Rome's landscaped public parks.

The project will cover nearly three hectares of land in the park and include around 200 different types of plants originating from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South America, North America and Oceania -- all of the geographic areas producing plants that can thrive in Rome's climate.

Though a relatively small-scale project, officials from both FAO and the Rome city government said the initiative is important as an educational and symbolic message on the importance of biodiversity, as well as an example of a new kind of collaborative project between different types of governmental entities.

The initiative was jointly unveiled earlier this month by FAO Director General Qu Dongyu and Roberto Gualtieri, mayor of Rome.

"This project got underway after Mayor Gualtieri said he wanted to create a stronger relationship between the city and the United Nations organizations based in Rome," Sabrina Alfonsi, Rome's councilor for agriculture, environment and waste, told Xinhua. "We think this will be the first of a series of partnerships along these lines."

The project breaks new ground for FAO as well, according to Simone Borrelli, the agency's urban forestry officer.

Borrelli told Xinhua that while a few similar projects exist elsewhere, this will be the first one where FAO plays a hands-on role.

According to the statements released when the park was announced, the selection and planting of the trees, shrubs and flowers -- all of which will be locally sourced -- will be carried out by FAO, while the city of Rome will be charged with upkeep and maintenance of the area.

The park is set to open to the public on Oct. 16, World Food Day, though new plants will be continually added as they are found and as climate conditions allow for several years.

Both Alfonsi and Borrelli said the project was valuable as a symbol of biodiversity, as an educational tool, and as an illustration of the relationship between plants and people. Each type of plant will be marked with a QR code allowing students, tourists and other observers to learn more about that species.

"It will be a beautiful spot that will attract visitors and introduce people to the exotic plant species and hopefully spark interest in biodiversity and forestry," Borrelli said.

"In a way, it will be a never-ending project," Alfonsi said. "Like all forests, it will evolve and adapt over time and that's something that doesn't have an end date." 
[July 13, 2023] Recce Pharmaceuticals Receives A$801,604 Research and Development (R&D) Rebate Advance Tweet

SYDNEY, Australia, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: RCE, FSE: R9Q) (the Company), the Company developing a new class of synthetic anti-infectives, is pleased to announce it received further non-dilutive funds from Radium Capital (Radium) for A$801,604 of Recces future R&D tax incentive.

We welcome the latest R&D rebate advance of A$801,604 to support our ongoing clinical progress and achieve our operational goals, said James Graham, Chief Executive Officer of Recce Pharmaceuticals. The advance payment represents an accountant-verified proportion of its March  May 2023 fiscal year R&D applicable expenditure. The non-dilutive funds come in addition to the recently reported A$973,144, with A$3,682,787 of future R&D credit-backed funds received and redeployed this financial year. The Australian Governments 43.5% R&D Tax Incentive rebate is typically reserved for Australian-based R&D only; however, it can capture 43.5% of R&D applicable activities overseas, as reflected in this rebate. About Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: RCE, FSE: R9Q) is developing a new class of Synthetic Anti-Infectives designed to address the urgent global health problems of antibiotic-resistant superbugs and emerging viral pathogens. Recces anti-infective pipeline includes three patented, broad-spectrum, synthetic polymer anti-infectives: RECCE 327 as an intravenous and topical therapy that is being developed for the treatment of serious an potentially life-threatening infections due to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including their superbug forms; RECCE 435 as an orally administered therapy for bacterial infections; and RECCE 529 for viral infections. Through their multi-layered mechanisms of action, Recces anti-infectives have the potential to overcome the hypercellular mutation of bacteria and viruses  the challenge of all existing antibiotics to date.



The FDA has awarded RECCE 327 Qualified Infectious Disease Product designation under the Generating Antibiotic Initiatives Now (GAIN) Act  labelling it for Fast Track Designation, plus 10 years of market exclusivity post approval. Further to this designation, RECCE 327 has been included on The Pew Charitable Trusts Global New Antibiotics in Development Pipeline as the worlds only synthetic polymer and sepsis drug candidate in development. RECCE 327 is not yet market approved for use in humans with further clinical testing required to fully evaluate safety and efficacy. Recce wholly owns its automated manufacturing, which is supporting present clinical trials. Recces anti-infective pipeline seeks to exploit the unique capabilities of its technologies targeting synergistic, unmet medical needs.

Corporate Contact

James Graham

Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd

+61 (02) 9256 2571

[email protected] Media & Investor Relations (AU)

Andrew Geddes

CityPR

+61 (02) 9267 4511

[email protected] Media (USA)

Jordyn Temperato

LifeSci Communications

[email protected] Investor Relations (USA & EU)

Guillame van Renterghem

LifeSci Advisors

[email protected]



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[July 13, 2023] Convergent Imaging Solutions announces public tender win for nuclear medicine workstations in home base of Ottawa, Ontario Tweet

OTTAWA, ON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Convergent Imaging Solutions, a leader in workflow optimized medical image fusion and nuclear medicine software, announced today that it has won the public tender for nuclear medicine processing software at Hopital Montfort, in Ottawa, Canada. "We analyzed the solutions offered by many of the leading molecular imaging software companies. We decided on Convergent's UniSyn product for its complete nuclear processing capability, the integrated Cedars Cardiac Suite, and the highly configurable SPECT/CT viewer. Combined with attractive pricing, the Convergent bundle was an easy selection", said Helene Brunette, Manager of Imaging at Montfort. "Convergent's technical support has been excellent, quickly resolving installation and workflow issues. In many cases, Convergent has modified and added new software features to help us optimize our imaging and reading workflow." "The addition of enterprise and remote nuclear medicine processing to our existing PET/CT and SPECT/CT fusion capability, has broadened te appeal of UniSyn, our flagship molecular imaging diagnostic viewer," said Mathew A. Thomas, president and founder of Convergent Imaging Solutions. "And we've recently signed agreements with Cedars Sinai and Syntermed to include their cardiac and neurological analysis packages as part of an integrated UniSyn offering. We are pleased to have been selected by Montfort and look forward to serving them in the coming years."



As part of the sale to Montfort, Convergent will integrate UniSyn directly with Agfa's Enterprise PACS, allowing physicians to launch UniSyn, Cedars and NeuroQ directly from the Enterprise PACS viewer. Convergent also announced that it continues to increase the breadth of their product portfolio. Thomas continued: "As molecular imaging diagnostics and therapeutics increase in breadth, we have been working hard to develop the tools physicians will need for efficient molecular imaging analysis. Our radiopharmaceutical dosimetry module just received its Health Canada license, while we await the results of our FDA 510(k) submission for approval in the US. We have also recently integrated a deep learning organ segmentation tool, added DICOM RT capability, and 3D lung uptake quantification. Our goal is to be a leading provider of molecular imaging solutions, and these and future recent additions will take us there."

Founded in 2007, Convergent Imaging Solutions is based in Ottawa, Canada. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/convergent-imaging-solutions-announces-public-tender-win-for-nuclear-medicine-workstations-in-home-base-of-ottawa-ontario-301875926.html SOURCE Convergent Imaging Solutions

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[July 13, 2023] Verizon Reclaims Top Position in Nationwide Wireless Network Quality in J.D. Power Study Tweet

As wireless customers increasingly rely on their mobile devices as their primary means of communication, call quality and reliability have become the most critical drivers of customer satisfaction with network quality. According to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance StudySM-Volume 2, released today, Verizon has swept the nation when it comes to delivering on that demand, with fewer reported calling and network quality problems than any other carrier. "The performance of wireless network operators has set expectations high," said Ian Greenblatt, managing director of technology, media & telecom at J.D. Power. "Today's wireless customers expect their phones to work perfectly every time. Carriers increasingly fulfill those expectations of network quality and reliability, so call-related problems, dropped calls and bad connections are that much more frustrating to customers, and those problems substantially affect satisfaction." Study Results Verizon Wireless ranks highest in all six regions evaluated in the study, achieving the fewest network quality problems per 100 connections (PP100) in call quality; messaging quality; and data quality in the Mid-Atlantic, North Central, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest and West regions. The 2023 U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Study-Volume 2 is based on responses from 26,215 wireless customers. Carrier performance is examined in six regions: Mid-Atlantic, North Central, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest and West. In addition to evaluating the network quality experienced by customers with wireless phones, the study also measures the network performance of ablets and mobile broadband devices. The study was fielded from January through June 2023.



See the rank charts for each segment at http://www.jdpower.com/pr-id/2023071. For more information about the U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Study, visit https://www.jdpower.com/business/resource/jd-power-wireless-network-quality-performance-study.

About J.D. Power J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. A pioneer in the use of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic modeling capabilities to understand consumer behavior, J.D. Power has been delivering incisive industry intelligence on customer interactions with brands and products for more than 50 years. The world's leading businesses across major industries rely on J.D. Power to guide their customer-facing strategies. J.D. Power has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the company's business offerings, visit JDPower.com/business. The J.D. Power auto shopping tool can be found at JDPower.com. About J.D. Power and Advertising/Promotional Rules: www.jdpower.com/business/about-us/press-release-info View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713172519/en/

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[July 13, 2023] VIU BY HUB PARTNERS WITH SAFESTREETS TO OFFER HOMEOWNERS COMPLETE PROTECTION Tweet

Managing both physical and financial risk becomes simpler by connecting SafeStreets' customers with VIU's digital insurance brokerage platform CHICAGO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VIU by HUB (VIU), a digital insurance brokerage platform, today announced a partnership with SafeStreets, one of the largest authorized dealers of ADT home security systems in the U.S., to provide their customers with the opportunity to shop for and buy personal insurance coverage through a variety of carriers. The partnership provides SafeStreets' customers with trusted advice and a comprehensive approach to managing both physical and financial risk to their homes while potentially reducing insurance premiums in the process. As advancements in technology make home security monitoring and surveillance more attainable, there's growing interest in seeking benefits beyond physical security like discounts on premiums, which many insurance carriers now offer. SafeStreets customers will be able to work directly with VIU's licensed independent agents to shop for and compare policies that may offer benefits for taking steps to secure their home and lower the likelihood of making a claim. "VIU by HUB and SafeStreets have a shared mission: help our customers protect what matters most," said Bryan Davis, EVP and Head of VIU. "SafeStreets customers are already taking critical steps to minimize risk to their homes. It makes sense then to take it a step further and work with a digital insurance broker that can bring carrier options and the expertise necessary to know how to build upon the physical protections already in place and ultimately minimize claims and lowercosts."



Powered by Hub International Limited (HUB), a leading global insurance brokerage and financial services firm, VIU is rapidly changing the personal insurance experience with its embedded broker platform and omnichannel approach which features a digital-first experience supported by personalized live agent interactions who offer trusted advice. "Beyond the physical security and peace of mind they provide, home security systems can be a tool for reducing insurance premiums. But with requirements varying by carrier, it can be difficult for consumers to navigate any potential discounts on their own," said Jared Chappell, CEO of SafeStreets. "We are excited to bring this digital solution to our customers to make the insurance process easier while providing additional ways to lower risk in other areas of their lives as well."

VIU enables consumers to compare, shop for and navigate personal insurance policies across auto, home, condo, renters, life and pet. Consumers, regardless of whether they are a VIU customer, can also import existing policies from various carriers across 20 types of insurance, providing a clear view of all their policy coverage details in one place. VIU advisors are available online or by phone to provide neutral advice on all policies. VIU's technical capabilities allow the platform to be easily embedded within the workflows and systems of partner organizations enabling them to provide added value to their customers while supporting organizational growth goals. About Hub International

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Hub International Limited is a leading full-service global insurance broker and financial services firm providing risk management, insurance, employee benefits, retirement and wealth management products and services. With more than 16,000 employees in offices located throughout North America, Hub's vast network of specialists brings clarity to a changing world with tailored solutions and unrelenting advocacy, so clients are ready for tomorrow. For more information, visit Hub Media Center. About SafeStreets

As the only ADT Authorized Provider in the nation, SafeStreets delivers one of the highest rated smart security services to homes across the country. Combining custom-built packages, 24/7 monitoring from ADT and an in-home experience unlike any other, SafeStreets proudly serves all who are looking for additional peace of mind at home. With over 300 Smart Security Pros operating in the US, the mission to provide all homes with a 5 Star Experience is becoming more of a reality each day. Visit safestreets.com to learn more. CONTACTS:

Media: Jessica Wiltse

Phone: 312-596-7573

[email protected] Media: Shelley Rossetter

Phone: 863-397-8877

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viu-by-hub-partners-with-safestreets-to-offer-homeowners-complete-protection-301876255.html SOURCE Hub International Limited

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PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust Announces Date for Release of Second Quarter 2023 Results

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (NYSE: PMT) will announce results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, in a news release to be issued after the market close on Thursday, July 27, 2023. The release will be available online at pmt.pennymac.com.

The Company's executives will review the results in a recorded presentation. The recording and accompanying materials will be available on the Company's website concurrently with the news release.

Additionally, the Company will host a live question and answer (Q&A) session the same day at 5:45 p.m. Eastern Time. An audio webcast of the Q&A ession will be available at pmt.pennymac.com, and a replay of the event will be available shortly after its conclusion.







Individuals who are unable to access the website but would like to receive a copy of the materials should contact the Company's Investor Relations department at 818.224.7028.

About PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust is a mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests primarily in residential mortgage loans and mortgage-related assets. PMT is externally managed by PNMAC Capital Management, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: PFSI). Additional information about PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust is available at pmt.pennymac.com.

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[July 13, 2023] Georgia Southern University Establishes Yamaha Rightwaters Conservation Scholarship Tweet

Georgia Southern University announced today the establishment of the Yamaha Rightwaters Conservation Scholarship. Supported by an ongoing endowment from Yamaha Rightwaters, the scholarship awards $5K annually to a student who exhibits outstanding efforts and commitment to improve coastal sustainability. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713817073/en/ Patrick Lewis is the first recipient of the Yamaha Rightwaters Conservation Scholarship. Lewis plans to become a professional fisheries biologist at the state or federal level. (Photo: Business Wire) "The continued health and maintenance of our marine coastal environments is a key focus of Yamaha Rightwaters. It's an honor to work with and support the next generation of dedicated conservationists. It will be their charge to carry the torch in the protection of our waterways," said Martin Peters, Director, External Affairs, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. "The opportunity to work with Georgia Southern, an outstanding university in Yamaha Marine's home state, gives the new scholarship even greater significance. We look forward to following the recipients and applaud their efforts to pursue degrees that foster marine sustainability." Patrick Lewis, a Georgia Southern graduate student pursuing a Master of Science degree in Biology, is the first recipient of the Yamaha Rightwaters Conservation Scholarship. Lewis plans to use the funds to finalize the research needed to defend his thesis, which seeks to understand the variations in fish ecologies at the individual and community levels in response to environmental variables that act together to affet fish. He's also studying how these relationships vary across regions of Georgia.



"Ultimately, my goal is to become a professional fisheries biologist at the state or federal level, where I can contribute to sound research concerning populations of fish across Georgia," said Lewis, a native of Harris, Texas, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Marine Science from the University of Alabama. "I hope to combine the experiences I accrued over the years with science to achieve effective fisheries management, ensuring the sustainability of fishes and fishing for years to come." "It means a great deal to work with Yamaha Rightwaters in the pursuit of more sustainable marine environments through academic research," said Trip Addison, President, Georgia Southern University Foundation. "This scholarship gives our students more support during their academic careers and also provides them with an example of an international company dedicated to impactful, conservation-oriented workforce development."

Georgia Southern University will open applications for the 2024/2025 Yamaha Rightwaters Conservation Scholarship in the spring of 2024. Interested candidates may apply within their My.GeorgiaSouthern.edu portal, beginning in October. Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers approximately 138 different degree programs serving more than 25,500 students through 10 colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty, the University is focused on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare its students to take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu. Yamaha Rightwaters is a national sustainability program that encompasses all of Yamaha Marine's conservation and water quality efforts. Program initiatives include habitat restoration, support for scientific research, mitigation of invasive species, the reduction of marine debris and environmental stewardship education. Yamaha Rightwaters reinforces Yamaha's long-standing history of natural resource conservation, support of sustainable recreational fishing and water resources and Angler Code of Ethics, which requires pro anglers to adhere to principles of stewardship for all marine resources. Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit, based in Kennesaw, Ga., markets and sells marine outboard motors ranging in size from 2.5 to 450 horsepower. It also markets and sells fiberglass, jet-drive sport boats ranging from 19 to 27 feet, and personal watercraft. The unit includes manufacturing divisions of Yamaha Marine Systems Co., Inc., including Kracor of Milwaukee (rotational molding), Bennett Marine of Deerfield Beach, Fla. (trim tabs), and Yamaha Marine Precision Propellers of Indianapolis (stainless steel propellers). Yamaha Marine Group is a division of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., based in Cypress, Calif. This document contains many of Yamaha's valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only and are not intended to be an endorsement. REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear.  2023 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713817073/en/

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[July 13, 2023] Sopheon Expands into Asia and South Pacific with Acquisition of Prodex Systems Tweet

PITTSBURGH, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sopheon, the InnovationOps software company, today announced the acquisition of the business and assets of Prodex Systems Australasia (Prodex), a specialist provider of innovation software and consulting based in Brisbane, Australia.

Prodex, a longtime reseller of Sopheon products, assists innovative and successful companies to make better, quicker decisions and increase speed to market. This acquisition gives Sopheon a truly global footprint and a strong platform to advance customer acquisition and growth in the worlds most dynamic region. This is Sopheon's third acquisition in 19 months and the latest evidence of the strong momentum that our company is experiencing, said Greg Coticchia, CEO of Sopheon. With companies throughout Southeast Asia increasing their innovation investments, it's fitting that Sopheon's first acquisition to expand our geographic presence be in this expanding market. Prodex, a longtime reseller of Accolade, assists innovative and successful companies to make better, quicker decisions and increase speed to market. Sopheons innovation leadership continues to expand as a result of our consistent growth in product offerings, customer implementations and global reach. Sopheons previous acquisitions included ROI Blueprints and Solverboard. Those important technolog assets were further developed and launched as Acclaim Projects and Acclaim Ideas, respectively. Alongside internally developed Acclaim Products, the launch of these new SaaS solutions have expanded Sopheons addressable market by an estimated $2 billion and boosted the companys position as the leading software vendor focused on operationalizing the business of innovation.



The transition for Prodex to become a Sopheon entity is an exciting extension of the reseller agreement we have had in place for many years, said Gerard Ryan, CEO and founder of Prodex. We are already working with Sopheon in Australia, New Zealand and Thailand, with market development plans in place for the wider Southeast Asian region. Were excited by the synergy of immediate geographic expansion for Sopheon in this highly innovative and high-growth region, while also enabling true 24/7 coverage for Sopheons global customer base. Sopheons software offerings support InnovationOps thinking and principles that help organizations with managing discovery, product management, project management, portfolio management and governance. To learn more about how Sopheon and its products empower executives, leaders and team members involved with innovation and product development to embrace change, visit our website at www.sopheon.com.

About Sopheon Sopheon (LON:SPE) empowers organizations to change the world while achieving exceptional long-term revenue growth and profitability. By operationalizing the entire innovation life cycle, Accolade and Acclaim software and expertise enable innovation, product and project professionals to accomplish the full range of InnovationOps tasks to drive innovation at scale. Sopheons industry leadership was highlighted in the comprehensive MarketsandMarkets report on the Innovation Management market, in which Sopheon was listed in the Stars category, the highest recognition. Sopheons solutions have been implemented by hundreds of blue-chip customers with over 137,000 users in 50 countries. Sopheon is listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange. Accolade and Acclaim are trademarks of Sopheon plc. Media Contact

Sopheon

Emma Hughes

Email: [email protected]



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[July 13, 2023] Socure Challenges Government Agencies to Test Industry-Leading Digital Identity Verification Solution Against Legacy Approaches Tweet

Socure, the leading provider of digital identity verification and fraud solutions, today launched "The Socure Identity Challenge" to advance accurate and equitable digital identity verification in government. Federal, state and local government agencies are invited to take the challenge and learn how new approaches to digital identity verification reduce fraud, eliminate friction, and improve customer service, all while saving valuable time and resources. Participating agencies can compare current identity verification results with results they would receive using Socure. Over the last few years, nation-state actors, criminal enterprises, and fraudsters have accelerated their attacks on government programs. Recently, the Inspector General for the Small Business Administration reported $200 billion in taxpayer funds were lost or stolen during the pandemic. At the same time, millions of Americans struggled to access critical government programs. "Digital identity is critical infrastructure for ensuring the right benefits get to the right people, and that infrastructure clearly failed during the pandemic," said Matt Thompson, enior Vice President and General Manager, Public Sector Solutions at Socure. "As more services become digitized, government agencies need to reevaluate legacy approaches, which too often let fraudsters in while creating barriers and unnecessary burdens for those eligible for benefits. With modern technologies, we can and must do better."



Socure uses advanced data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to achieve industry-leading auto-approval rates: 98 percent of applicants are verified automatically without the need for document upload or manual review. Socure's platform also offers the most inclusive identity verification platform with substantial increases in approval rates for credit-invisible populations such as Gen Z, immigrants, and the underbanked. For one state agency, Socure increased its ability to automatically approve applicants by 25 percent, based on an estimated 20,000 per month transaction volume. "The Socure Identity Challenge" is part of a broader public-sector campaign to advance government's adoption of best-in-class digital identity verification standards. Last month, Socure released a digital playbook for state and local Chief Information Officers (CIOs), Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) to establish effective digital identity programs for constituents and provide audit capabilities to improve oversight and ensure that fraud programs are transparent and accountable to taxpayers. The playbook outlines the need for transparent reporting of auto-approval rates by government and vendors alike.

In Florida, Socure worked with the Department of Economic Opportunity and completed identity verification for 100 percent of applicants. 95 percent were onboarded in less than a second through auto-approvals, reducing manual reviews and saving valuable time and money. The company is also working with other agencies at the State and Federal level. Local, state, and federal agencies interested in taking the challenge or learning more can do so by visiting: https://offers.socure.com/socure-identity-challenge.html. About Socure Socure is the leading platform for digital identity verification and trust. Its predictive analytics platform applies artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques with trusted online/offline data intelligence from physical government-issued documents as well as email, phone, address, IP, device, velocity, date of birth, SSN, and the broader internet to verify identities in real time. The company has more than 1,800 customers across the financial services, government, gaming, healthcare, telecom, and e-commerce industries, including four of the top five banks, 13 of the top 15 card issuers, the top three MSBs, the top payroll provider, the top credit bureau, the top online gaming operator, the top Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) providers, and over 250 of the largest fintechs. Marquee customers include Chime, SoFi, Robinhood, Gusto, Public, Poshmark, Stash, DraftKings, State of California, and Florida's Homeowner Assistance Fund. Socure customers have become investors in the company including Citi Ventures, Wells Fargo Strategic Capital, Capital One Ventures, MVB Bank, and Synchrony. Additional investors include Accel, T. Rowe Price, Bain Capital Ventures, Tiger Global, Commerce Ventures, Scale Venture Partners, Sorenson, Flint Capital, Two Sigma Ventures, and others. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713834600/en/

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[July 13, 2023] Invectys Announces Initiation of Phase 1/2a Clinical Trial in Solid Tumors and Change in Leadership Tweet

Houston, TX, USA, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Invectys, Inc., a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing novel therapies for the treatment of advanced cancers, today announces it has initiated the clinical trial of its lead CAR-T program, IVS-3001, in solid tumors. The Company also announces the appointment of Dr. Jake Kushner, M.D., as its new CEO.

About the IVS-3001 clinical trial IVS-3001 is Invectys cutting-edge CAR-T cell therapy, targeting the rarely exploited immune checkpoint and tumor specific antigen known as HLA-G. Normally expressed only during pregnancy, this checkpoint molecule protects the fetus from the mothers immune system, which would otherwise recognize it as foreign, by shutting down the immune systems response to its presence. In cancer, this mechanism is often highjacked by tumors to create a protective microenvironment, preventing the patients defenses from killing the cancer cells. Having won the MATWIN Best Project award in 2019 and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) Award in 2020, IVS-3001 is now entering the next phase of its development. A Phase I/2a clinical trial (NCT05672459) was initiated at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center on June 21, 2023, in HLA-G-positive solid tumor patients, particularly those with kidney and ovarian cancers. The co-Principle Investigators on the trial are Aung Naing, M.D. FACP, Professor of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, and Samer Srour, MB ChB, MS, Assitant Professor of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy at MD Anderson.



This is a great step towards bringing new solutions to patients, comments Julien Caumartin, CSO. There are currently far too few reliable solutions on the market for solid tumor cancer patients, due to the complexity of solid tumors. Our vision is to provide broad-ranging solutions to the patients, and we are eager to carry our CAR-T cells to the clinic and challenge the paradigm of CAR-Ts in solid tumors. About the appointment of Jake Kushner, M.D. as CEO

Now in the clinical stage, the Company is also announcing the appointment of Jake Kushner, M.D., as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), responsible for leading the transformative efforts in both the Houston and Paris offices of Invectys. As CEO, Dr. Kushner will be building on his previous role as executive advisor and close collaborator to the Invectys management team and board. Dr. Kushner is a renowned endocrinologist who also serves as the Medical Director for McNair Interests where he evaluates and manages medical investments in support of scientific and entrepreneurial solutions for those who suffer from chronic disease. He previously served as Chief of Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Childrens Hospital. Invectys is entering a new, thrilling phase of its development, said Dr. Kushner. CAR-T cells have delivered stunning results in blood cancers, but their promise in solid tumors has yet to be fulfilled. Invectys has the potential to turn this promise into a reality and breathe new hope into the cancer care field. I am honored and humbled the Board has entrusted me with leading this bold and visionary Company. About Invectys Inspired by ideas from the world-renowned Pasteur Institute in Paris, Invectys Inc. has two wholly owned subsidiaries, Invectys, S.A.S (Paris) which is focused on scientific research and innovation and Invectys USA, Inc. (Houston), whose lead product is the development of a first-in-human HLA-G /CAR-T initiative. Invectys USA, Inc. has received a grant of $14.2 million from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (Grant ID DP200034) to help fund its HLA-G CAR-T program. Invectys Inc. Media Contact:

Rosie Williams

[email protected]

281-384-6699



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[July 13, 2023] Wipro Announces Results for the Quarter ended June 30, 2023, Delivers Net Income growth of 12% YoY Tweet

Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading technology services and consulting company, announced financial results under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. Highlights of the Results Results for the Quarter ended June 30, 2023: Gross Revenue reached Rs 228.3 billion ($2.8 billion1), an increase of 6.0% YoY IT Services Segment Revenue increased to $2,778.5 million, an increase of 0.8% YoY and an increase of 6.1% YoY in INR terms Non-GAAP2 constant currency IT Services segment revenue decreased 2.8% QoQ, increased 1.1% YoY Total Bookings3 was at $3.7 billion and large deal bookings4 was at $1.2 billion, up by 9% YoY IT Services Operating Margin5 for the quarter was at 16.0%, up 112 bps YoY Net Income for the quarter was at Rs 28.7 billion ($349.8 million1), an increase of 12.0% YoY Earnings Per Share for the quarter was at Rs 5.23 ($0.061), an increase of 11.5% YoY Operating Cash Flows at 130% of Net Income for the quarter was at Rs 37.5 billion ($457.1 million1) Voluntary attrition6 has continued to moderate QoQ, coming in at an 8-quarter low of 14% in Q1'24 Outlook for the Quarter ending September 30, 2023 We expect Revenue from our IT Services business segment to be in the range of $2,722 million to $2,805 million*. This translates to sequential guidance of -2.0% to +1.0% in constant currency terms. * Outlook for the Quarter ending September 30, 2023, is based on the following exchange rates: GBP/USD at 1.26, Euro/USD at 1.10, AUD/USD at 0.67, USD/INR at 82.34 and CAD/USD at 0.76 Performance for the Quarter ended June 30, 2023 "Wipro's first quarter results come with a strong backbone of large deal bookings, robust client additions, and resilient margins," said Thierry Delaporte, CEO and Managing Director. "Despite a gradual reduction in clients' discretionary spending, we maintained new business momentum. We earned our clients' trust with strong delivery, innovation, and expanded services that strengthen our long-term businesses, and help capture market share. The launch of Wipro ai360 and the USD 1 billion investment solidifies Wipro's position as a leading transformation partner that delivers the results and innovation our clients need to future-proof their businesses." Jatin Dalal, Chief Financial Officer, said, "Our ongoing focus on operational improvement has ensured that margin remains steady even in a softening revenue environment. Our operating Margin for the first quarter was 16% an expansion of 112 basis point YoY. We generated strong operating cash flows at 130% of our net income for the Quarter. EPS for the quarter grew by 11.5% YoY." Analyst Recognition Wipro was positioned as a Leader in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Artificial Intelligence Services 2023 Vendor Assessment (Doc # US49647023 May 2023) Wipro was positioned as a Leader in Avasant's Applied AI Services RadarView 2022 - 2023 Wipro was positioned a Leader in Everest Group's Application Automation Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2023 Wipro was rated a Leader in Everest Group's Enterprise Blockchain Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2023 Wipro was featured as a Leader in Avasant's Cybersecurity Services RadarView 2023 Wipro was rated as a Leader in ISG Provider Lens - Network-Software Defined Solutions and Services 2023 - US, UK, Germany (multiple quadrants) Wipro was named as a Leader in ISG Provider Lens - ServiceNow Ecosystem Partners 2023 - US (multiple quadrants) Wipro was recognized as a Leader in ISG Provider Lens - Salesforce Ecosystem Partners 2023 - US, UK, Germany (multiple quadrants) Wipro was recognized a Leader in Everest Group's Intelligent Process Automation (IPA) PEAK Matrix Assessment 2023 Wipro was rated as a Leader in Avasant's Multisourcing Service Integration RadarView 2022 - 2023 IT Products IT Products segment revenue for the quarter was Rs 0.69 billion ($8.5 million 1 )

) IT Products segment results for the quarter was a loss of Rs 0.16 billion ($2.0 million1) Please refer to the table at the end for reconciliation between IFRS IT Services Revenue and IT Services Revenue on a non-GAAP constant currency basis. Highlights of Strategic Deal Wins In the first quarter, Wipro continued to win large and strategic deals across industries. Key highlights include: A Fortune 100 global healthcare payer has extended its partnership with Wipro for a multi-year deal, consolidating and transforming their contact center operations. The Wipro team will collaborate with the client to develop solutions to reduce and deflect call volumes, improve productivity, as well as develop AI to simplify processes and improve their Net Promoter Score (NPS). Wipro has been awarded a contract by a leading global cycle manufacturer to run an end-to-end transformation program covering business operations in sales, manufacturing, and finance & supply chain across 15 countries. Through this program Wipro will consolidate multiple Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems into a single harmonised Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (F&O) platform. This will improve inventory and supply chain visibility, leading to better order fulfilment including contract negotiation and value realisation for the procurement function; minimize downtime through better production planning for manufacturing and create better cashflow visibility for finance; while setting up a data foundation to become an AI-driven insights-led organisation. A major US airport selected Wipro to help them reduce their carbon footprint, aligned to Airports Carbon Accreditation (ACA) requirements. Wipro will assist by delivering a greenhouse gas inventory analysis, carbon reduction roadmap, sustainability transparency reporting, and the design for their annual report. Wipro will leverage its unique Wipro Impact Framework to align the client to ACA accreditation requirements, while also enabling them to ready for future. An energy services and delivery company has selected Wipro to standardize their software development process. The project will enable the client to more efficiently develop software using automation, agile principles, continuous integration, as well as a redesigned team structure. This transformation project will allow for a better flow of business value for the client, reduce technical debt, enable cloud adoption and create an enhanced experience for their customers. A global transportation, e-commerce, and business services company has selected Wipro to help address challenges around business transformation, cost optimization and capacity management. The Wipro team will have the ownership and accountability of Specialized Managed Services focused on continuous improvement and outcome-based services. The Wipro team will ensure the retention of institutional knowledge of more than 50 portfolio applications delivering predictable outcomes, driving strategic initiatives, and complementing client's optimization charter to drive better efficiencies and enhanced user experiences. One of the largest home improvement retailers has selected Wipro to help them operate and transform their retail and core finance functions. Wipro and the client will co-create a solution to improve operational efficiencies, optimize costs, and ensure zero disruption during peak periods. The project will also help them gain and retain key talent by supporting flexible work from home model. A leading India-based private sector bank has selected Wipro to transform their traditional Managed Services support model to a Modern Workplace model to enhance their overall user experience and create a hyper-personalized and frictionless workplace. Wipro will deliver rapid transformation through a machine-first approach with cognition, hyper-automation, and analytics. Automation will drive the resolution of up to 25% of the tickets raised. Through an employee-centric design for streamlined banking services, Wipro will enable standardized operations globally, eliminate redundancies and improve service quality with a focus on compliance. Wipro will also provide an efficient, scalable, secure, and centralized estate to improve asset and vendor management. A global tech giant chose Wipro to help them reduce their products' total cost of ownership. Over the course of this multi-year deal, Wipro will set up a dedicated facility to reduce their operational cost burden. The project will involve Quality Assurance automation to improve productivity, reduce costs, and generate additional revenue. A general insurance company has selected Wipro to fulfil a multi-year transformation program to migrate their claims legacy landscape to the cloud. One the key aspect of this project is the migration of the client's inbound and outbound communication as well as documentation to a cloud-based platform. To achieve this, the Wipro team built a bespoke version of our DocHawk tool to seamlessly integrate it into the client's infrastructure. The client has seen an immediate cost saving of over 30% with the option to expand this efficiency across all other critical programs. A global pharmaceutical and medical device company selected Wipro to enable them to track, manage and report complaints. In this highly regulated industry, they needed a partner who had extensive experience in the medical sector, could provide multilingual support, and ensure they remained compliant with relevant regulatory bodies. Wipro devised a unique solution including a multi-lingual contact center, with the ability to support calls, emails, and surface mails. As well as a robust Quality Assurance process, in compliance with FDA guidelines, supported by an automated auditing process to ensure accuracy of data submission to government regulatory bodies, helping the client meet regulatory submission requirements.







1. For the convenience of the readers, the amounts in Indian Rupees in this release have been translated into United States Dollars at the certified foreign exchange rate of US$1 = Rs 82.06, as published by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors on June 30, 2023. However, the realized exchange rate in our IT Services business segment for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 was US$1= Rs 81.90 2. Constant currency for a period is the product of volumes in that period times the average actual exchange rate of the corresponding comparative period 3. Total Bookings refers to the total contract value of all orders that were booked during the period including new orders, renewals, and increases to existing contracts. Bookings do not reflect subsequent terminations or reductions related to bookings originally recorded in prior fiscal periods. Bookings are recorded using then-existing foreign currency exchange rates and are not subsequently adjusted for foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The revenues from these contracts accrue over the tenure of the contract. For constant currency growth rates, refer note 2 4. Large deal bookings consist of deals greater than or equal to $30 million in total contract value 5. IT Services Operating Margin refers to Segment Results Total as reflected in IFRS financials. 6. Voluntary attrition is in IT Services computed on a quarterly annualised basis and excludes DOP 7. Effective April 1, 2023, we merged our ISRE segment with our IT Services segment. The QoQ and YoY growth rates for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 were computed by rebaselining ISRE numbers in Q4'23 and Q1'23

About Key Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press release contains key metrics and non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K. Such non-GAAP financial measures are measures of our historical or future performance, financial position or cash flows that are adjusted to exclude or include amounts that are excluded or included, as the case may be, from the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS. The table at the end provides IT Services Revenue on a constant currency basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated by translating IT Services Revenue from the current reporting period into U.S. dollars based on the currency conversion rate in effect for the prior reporting period. We refer to growth rates in constant currency so that business results may be viewed without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons of our business performance. Further, in the normal course of business, we may divest a portion of our business which may not be strategic. We refer to the growth rates in both reported and constant currency adjusting for such divestments in order to represent the comparable growth rates. Our key metrics and non-GAAP financial measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with IFRS and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. Our key metrics and non-GAAP financial measures are not comparable to, nor should be substituted for, an analysis of our revenue over time and involve estimates and judgments. In addition to our non-GAAP measures, the financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS and the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable IFRS financial measure should be carefully evaluated. Results for the Quarter ended June 30, 2023, prepared under IFRS, along with individual business segment reports, are available in the Investors section of our website www.wipro.com/investors/ Quarterly Conference Call We will hold an earnings conference call today at 07:30 p.m. Indian Standard Time (10:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time) to discuss our performance for the quarter. The audio from the conference call will be available online through a web-cast and can be accessed at the following link -

https://links.ccwebcast.com/?EventId=WIP130723 An audio recording of the management discussions and the question-and-answer session will be available online and will be accessible in the Investor Relations section of our website at www.wipro.com About Wipro Limited Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading technology services and consulting company focused on building innovative solutions that address clients' most complex digital transformation needs. Leveraging our holistic portfolio of capabilities in consulting, design, engineering, and operations, we help clients realize their boldest ambitions and build future-ready, sustainable businesses. With around 250,000 employees and business partners across 65 countries, we deliver on the promise of helping our clients, colleagues, and communities thrive in an ever-changing world. For additional information, visit us at www.wipro.com Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements contained herein represent Wipro's beliefs regarding future events, many of which are by their nature, inherently uncertain and outside Wipro's control. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Wipro's growth prospects, its future financial operating results, and its plans, expectations and intentions. Wipro cautions readers that the forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, complete proposed corporate actions, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Annual Reports on Form 20-F. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf. WIPRO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Rs in millions, except share and per share data, unless otherwise stated) As at March 31, 2023 As at June 30, 2023 Convenience translation into US dollar in millions Refer footnote ASSETS Goodwill 307,970 306,970 3,741 Intangible assets 43,045 41,155 502 Property, plant and equipment 88,659 86,464 1,054 Right-of-Use assets 18,702 18,448 225 Financial assets Derivative assets 29 193 2 Investments 20,720 20,782 253 Trade receivables 863 861 10 Other financial assets 6,330 6,368 78 Investments accounted for using the equity method 780 782 10 Deferred tax assets 2,100 1,942 24 Non-current tax assets 11,922 12,295 150 Other non-current assets 13,606 13,247 161 Total non-current assets 514,726 509,507 6,210 Inventories 1,188 1,375 17 Financial assets Derivative assets 1,844 3,297 40 Investments 309,232 351,156 4,279 Cash and cash equivalents 91,880 83,616 1,019 Trade receivables 126,350 114,457 1,395 Unbilled receivables 60,515 64,467 786 Other financial assets 9,096 12,478 152 Contract assets 23,001 25,168 307 Current tax assets 5,091 4,750 58 Other current assets 32,899 30,344 370 Total current assets 661,096 691,108 8,423 TOTAL ASSETS 1,175,822 1,200,615 14,633 EQUITY Share capital 10,976 10,978 134 Share premium 3,689 4,155 51 Retained earnings 660,964 545,698 6,650 Share-based payment reserve 5,632 6,268 76 Special Economic Zone re-investment reserve 46,803 45,891 559 Other components of equity 53,100 56,039 683 Equity attributable to the equity holders of the Company 781,164 669,029 8,153 Non-controlling interests 589 624 8 TOTAL EQUITY 781,753 669,653 8,161 LIABILITIES Financial liabilities Loans and borrowings 61,272 61,197 746 Lease liabilities 15,953 16,079 196 Derivative liabilities 179 45 1 Other financial liabilities 2,649 1,547 19 Deferred tax liabilities 15,153 15,772 192 Non-current tax liabilities 21,777 23,504 286 Other non-current liabilities 9,333 10,151 124 Provisions ^ - - Total non-current liabilities 126,316 128,295 1,564 Financial liabilities Loans, borrowings and bank overdrafts 88,821 88,712 1,081 Lease liabilities 8,620 8,706 106 Derivative liabilities 2,825 1,448 18 Trade payables and accrued expenses 89,054 80,735 984 Other financial liabilities 4,141 123,413 1,504 Contract liabilities 22,682 19,595 239 Current tax liabilities 18,846 20,898 255 Other current liabilities 30,215 56,760 692 Provisions 2,549 2,400 29 Total current liabilities 267,753 402,667 4,908 TOTAL LIABILITIES 394,069 530,962 6,472 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 1,175,822 1,200,615 14,633 ^ Value is less than 1 WIPRO LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (Rs in millions, except share and per share data, unless otherwise stated) Three months ended June 30, 2022 2023 2023 Convenience translation into US dollar in millions

Refer footnote Revenues 215,286 228,310 2,782 Cost of revenues (155,600 ) (161,261 ) (1,965 ) Gross profit 59,686 67,049 817 Selling and marketing expenses (15,359 ) (16,584 ) (202 ) General and administrative expenses (13,471 ) (15,887 ) (194 ) Foreign exchange gains/(losses), net 1,034 (62 ) (1 ) Results from operating activities 31,890 34,516 420 Finance expenses (2,045 ) (3,086 ) (38 ) Finance and other income 3,690 6,542 80 Share of net profit/ (loss) of associates accounted for using the equity method (15 ) 3 ^ Profit before tax 33,520 37,975 462 Income tax expense (7,931 ) (9,115 ) (111 ) Profit for the period 25,589 28,860 351 Profit attributable to: Equity holders of the Company 25,636 28,701 349 Non-controlling interests (47 ) 159 2 Profit for the period 25,589 28,860 351 Earnings per equity share: Attributable to equity holders of the Company Basic 4.69 5.23 0.06 Diluted 4.67 5.12 0.06 Weighted average number of equity shares used in computing earnings per equity share Basic 5,471,449,783 5,482,733,329 5,482,733,329 Diluted 5,485,057,994 5,600,307,315 5,600,307,315 ^ Value is less than 1 Additional Information: Particulars Three months ended Year ended June 30,

2023 March 31,

2023 June 30,

2022 March

31, 2023 Audited Audited Audited Audited Segment revenue IT Services Americas 1 65,607 66,430 61,702 261,270 Americas 2 68,303 70,563 66,613 278,374 Europe 67,134 67,562 60,276 256,845 APMEA 26,510 27,207 25,783 106,812 Total of IT Services 227,554 231,762 214,374 903,301 IT Products 694 1,131 1,946 6,047 Total segment revenue 228,248 232,893 216,320 909,348 Segment result IT Services Americas 1 13,537 13,445 11,570 51,555 Americas 2 14,169 15,940 13,224 59,689 Europe 9,968 11,024 7,986 37,667 APMEA 2,800 3,030 2,069 10,681 Unallocated (3,957 ) (5,773 ) (2,844 ) (18,368 ) Total of IT Services 36,517 37,666 32,005 141,224 IT Products (161 ) (59 ) (55 ) (176 ) Reconciling Items (1,840 ) (30 ) (60 ) (1,442 ) Total segment result 34,516 37,577 31,890 139,606 Finance expenses (3,086 ) (2,860 ) (2,045 ) (10,077 ) Finance and Other Income 6,542 5,463 3,690 18,185 Share of net profit/ (loss) of associates accounted for using the equity method 3 4 (15 ) (57 ) Profit before tax 37,975 40,184 33,520 147,657 Effective April 1, 2023, we merged our India State Run Enterprise segment ("ISRE") with our IT Services segment. Currently, the Company is organized into the following operating segments: IT Services and IT Products. IT Services: As announced on November 12, 2020, effective January 1, 2021, we re-organized our IT Services segment into four Strategic Market Units ("SMUs") - Americas 1, Americas 2, Europe and Asia Pacific Middle East Africa ("APMEA"). Americas 1 and Americas 2 are primarily organized by industry sector, while Europe and APMEA are organized by countries. Americas 1 includes Healthcare and Medical Devices, Consumer Goods and Lifesciences, Retail, Transportation and Services, Communications, Media and Information services, Technology Products and Platforms, in the United States of America and entire business of Latin America ("LATAM"). Americas 2 includes Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, Manufacturing, Hi-tech, Energy and Utilities industry sectors in the United States of America and entire business of Canada. Europe consists of United Kingdom and Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Benelux, Nordics and Southern Europe. APMEA consists of Australia and New Zealand, India, Middle East, South East Asia, Japan and Africa. IT Products: The Company is a value-added reseller of desktops, servers, notebooks, storage products, networking solutions and packaged software for leading international brands. In certain total outsourcing contracts of the IT Services segment, the Company delivers hardware, software products and other related deliverables. Revenue relating to the above items is reported as revenue from the sale of IT Products. Reconciliation of selected GAAP measures to Non-GAAP measures Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Constant Currency IT Services Revenue to IT Services Revenue as per IFRS ($Mn) Three Months ended June 30, 2023 IT Services Revenue as per IFRS $ 2,778.5 Effect of Foreign currency exchange movement $ (19.5 ) Non-GAAP Constant Currency IT Services Revenue based on $ 2,759.0 previous quarter exchange rates Three Months ended June 30, 2023 IT Services Revenue as per IFRS $ 2,778.5 Effect of Foreign currency exchange movement $ 8.1 Non-GAAP Constant Currency IT Services Revenue based on $ 2,786.6 exchange rates of comparable period in previous year Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow for three months ended June 30, 2023 Amount in INR Mn Three months ended June 30, 2023 Net Income for the period [A] 28,860 Computation of Free Cash Flow Net cash generated from operating activities [B] 37,513 Add/ (deduct) cash inflow/ (outflow)on: Purchase of property, plant and equipment (2,209 ) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 1,030 Free Cash Flow [C] 36,334 Operating Cash Flow as percentage of Net Income [B/A] 130.0 % Free Cash Flow as percentage of Net Income [C/A] 125.9 % View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713724537/en/

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Natalia Alekseeva, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) coordinator for the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 11, 2023. The implementation of flagship projects aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems has been accelerated worldwide, injecting vitality into global green agendas, the senior United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) official has said. (Xinhua/Dai He)

NAIROBI, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The implementation of flagship projects aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems has been accelerated worldwide, injecting vitality into global green agendas, a senior United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) official has said.

Natalia Alekseeva, the UNEP coordinator for the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, said there are concerted efforts to reclaim natural habitats that sustain human livelihoods through targeted funding and policy support.

During an interview with Xinhua on Tuesday, Alekseeva said the broader aim of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration covering 2021 to 2030 is to secure a green, resilient and sustainable future for humanity through revitalizing planetary health.

"The UN Decade addresses several challenges, and of course, we are also targeting sustainable development goals. These are spanning the climate change agenda, biodiversity agenda and nature restoration agenda," Alekseeva said.

Coordinated by the UNEP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration seeks to prevent and reverse the degradation of habitats globally, and boost action on poverty and the climate crisis.

The initiative, according to Alekseeva, has already identified several flagship ecosystem restoration projects, including mangrove conservation, reversing desertification and expanding acreage under forests to hasten the green transition.

She said through partnerships with governments, industry, civil society and local communities, the initiative has mobilized funding and technical capacity to support the implementation of projects with the aim of reversing habitat loss.

Alekseeva said by aligning its programs with the Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed in December 2022 during the UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, Canada, the Decade has injected vitality into national and regional efforts in restoring ecosystems from climate and human-induced depletion.

She disclosed that a number of the Decade's partners are implementing specific projects like restoring coastal mangroves and coral reefs, greening deserts, and expanding important biodiversity areas.

Alekseeva said some of the 10 flagship projects identified in the Global Biodiversity Framework have attracted funding from industry and philanthropic groups.

She said the Decade has drawn inspiration from China's commitment to restoring degraded habitats by leveraging government support and home-grown innovations.

"We would be happy to see how China's experience in restoring ecosystems can be shared with other countries, because they have very nice examples from their own national flagships," Alekseeva said.

According to Alekseeva, the initiative is encouraging national governments to leverage science, data, targeted funding and policy incentives, and to share best practices in a bid to boost ecosystem restoration.

In addition, the initiative has prioritized enhanced monitoring and robust multi-stakeholder engagement to boost response to habitat degradation and enable countries to achieve net-zero targets outlined in the Paris Agreement, Alekseeva said. 
[July 13, 2023] SMBC Capital Markets Appoints Marc Mansourian Head of Derivatives Marketing Tweet

SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., a member of SMBC Group, today announced the appointment of Marc Mansourian as Head of Derivatives Marketing as the bank further develops its Americas sales and trading business. Based in New York, Marc will lead a team that provides strategic rates and FX risk solutions for the bank's corporate, sponsor, and project finance clients, while working closely with SMBC's coverage and capital markets teams. Marc reports to Yunson Du, Senior Deputy President of SMBC Capital Markets, Inc. and Deputy Head of Americas Division Sales & Trading, who said: "We are excited to have Marc join SMBC and his arrival rounds out the key leadership of our macro business. He brings a wealth of experience to lead a team that provides best-in-class risk solutions for our growing client base." Marc joins SMBC following a 15-year tenure at Credit Suisse, where he most recently managed the debt capital markets solutions business. Prior to that, he spent a decade with Citigroup in derivatives and debt capital markets roles. Marc will partner closely with Christian Stauder, Head of MacroRates Sales, and Gareth Hughes, Head of Macro Rates Trading, who joined SMBC in August of last year and April, respectively.



About SMBC Group SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 150 offices and 86,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and ADRs on the New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges.

In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization's extensive global network. The Group's operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities Canada, Ltd., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC Rail Services LLC, Manufacturers Bank, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd. For more information, please visit www.smbcgroup.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713847348/en/

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[July 13, 2023] Digital Twin Market worth $110.1 billion by 2028 - Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets Tweet

CHICAGO, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global digital twin market size is projected to grow from USD 10.1 billion in 2023 to USD 110.1 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 61.3% during the forecast period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The key factors fueling the growth of this market include the rising emphasis on digital twins in manufacturing industries to reduce cost and improve supply chain operations and the increasing demand for digital twins from the healthcare industry. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=225269522 Browse in-depth TOC on "Digital Twin Market"

150  Tables

60  Figures

220  Pages Digital Twin Market Report Scope:







Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $10.1 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $110.1 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 61.3% Market Size Available for 20192028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Application, Industry, Enterprise and Geography Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Lack of skilled workforce and awareness regarding cost benefits offered by digital twins Key Market Opportunities Rising trend of 3D modeling and scanning across industries Key Market Drivers Growing focus on predictive maintenance



Predictive Maintenance segment to hold the largest size of the digital twin market during the forecast period. The predictive maintenance application is expected to account for the largest size of the digital twin market throughout the forecast period. Predictive maintenance substantially benefits businesses in terms of cost savings and operational efficiency. By leveraging digital twin technology, companies can monitor their assets and equipment in real-time, enabling them to proactively identify potential issues and schedule maintenance. This proactive approach helps avoid costly breakdowns and reduces downtime, improving operational efficiency and cost optimization. Moreover, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies have further propelled predictive maintenance capabilities. Businesses can develop sophisticated predictive analytics models by applying AI and ML algorithms to the data collected from digital twin models. These models can learn from historical data, identify patterns, and generate accurate predictions about potential asset failures or deterioration. This empowers businesses to plan their maintenance activities more effectively, reduce emergency repairs, and extend the lifespan of their assets. Small & Medium Enterprise (SMEs) segment is expected to grow faster during the forecast period. The digital twin industry for SMEs is expected to grow faster during the forecast period. SMEs are increasingly recognizing the value and benefits of digital twin technology. Digital twins allow SMEs to enhance operational efficiency, improve decision-making, and optimize resource allocation. By leveraging digital twin solutions, SMEs can gain valuable insights into their processes, assets, and products, enabling them to streamline operations, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions. This capability empowers SMEs to compete effectively in the market, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive business growth. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=225269522 North America is expected to dominate the digital twin market during the forecast period. The North American region will dominate the digital twin market throughout the forecast period. It is expected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2023 to 2028. North America is highly aware of and accepts digital technologies among businesses and consumers. The region has a strong culture of early technology adoption and high demand for advanced solutions. Businesses in North America are quick to recognize the potential benefits of digital twin technology in improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experiences, and gaining a competitive edge. This awareness and willingness to embrace digital twins contribute to North America's dominant position in the market. Furthermore, the region is home to numerous leading technology companies, research institutions, and innovative startups at the forefront of developing and implementing digital twin technologies across various industries. The availability of advanced technologies, expertise, and substantial investments in research and development positions North America as a leader in the digital twin market. The key players operating in the digital twin companies include General Electric (US), Microsoft (US), Siemens (Germany), Amazon Web Services (US), ANSYS (US), Dassault Systemes (France), PTC (US), Robert Bosch (Germany), among others. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=225269522 Browse Adjacent Market: Semiconductor and Electronics Market Research Reports &Consulting Related Reports: Smart Manufacturing Market by Information Technology, Enabling Technology, Industry (Process and Discrete) and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Rest of World) (2021-2027) Industry 4.0 Market Size, Share & Industry Growth Analysis Report by Technology (Industrial Robots, Blockchain, Industrial Sensors, Industrial 3D Printing, Machine Vision, HMI, AI in Manufacturing, Digital Twin, AGV's, Machine Condition Monitoring) and Geography - Global Growth Driver and Industry Forecast to 2026 IoT Node and Gateway Market Size, Share & Industry Growth Analysis Report by Hardware (Processor, Connectivity IC, Sensor, Memory Device, and Logic Device), End-use Application (Industrial and Consumer), Geography Global Growth Driver and Industry Forecast to 2027 Industrial IoT Market Size, Share & Industry Growth Analysis Report by Device & Technology, Connectivity Type, Software, Vertical (Manufacturing, Energy, Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Retail, Transportation, Metals & Mining, Agriculture), and Geography - Global Growth Driver and Industry Forecast to 2026 Smart Factory Market by Component (Industrial Sensors, Industrial Robots, Industrial 3D Printers, Machine Vision Systems), Solution (SCADA, MES, Industrial Safety, PAM), Industry (Process Industry, Discrete Industry) and Region - Global Forecast to 2027 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact:

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[July 13, 2023] Zinnov Awards, the longest-running GCC awards, honors the titans of tech in its 14th edition Tweet

- Zinnov celebrates exceptional individuals and organizations from MNC GCCs who have served as catalysts for change, driving true value from India - The 14th edition of the Awards recognizes leadership, talent management, and innovation programs BANGALORE, India, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zinnov, a leading global management consulting and strategy advisory firm, announced the winners of Zinnov Awards 2023, during its flagship event, Confluence. The 14th edition of the longest-running GCC awards celebrates visionary individuals and organizations who demonstrated remarkable agility while making a significant global impact from India. These awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable value created by GCCs and the exceptional talent being nurtured within India's technology ecosystem. Each year, Zinnov Awards introduces newer categories, mirroring the changing macro-environment and business dynamics. In this edition, there were nine award categories including two new organization-wide recognitions. Most Effective Globalization, an award to celebrate GCCs that have demonstrated unmatched excellence in expanding their global footprint and successfully implemented multi-location strategies. And MNC-Academia Partnership, an award that Zinnov reintroduced to acknowledge organizations that have effectively fostered deep relations with Indian universities and driven successful outcomes. This year, there were over 450+ nominations received from 180+ companies across the 9 Award categories. After a rigorous 4-step evaluation process spanning 2 months, an eminent panel of 49 jurors who are experts and leaders from the technology fraternity, selected 27 winners including both organizations and individuals. The awards were celebrated as an exclusive, invite-only ceremony, attended by leaders from across the technology ecosystem. Lauding the winners, Nitika Goel, CMO at Zinnov, said, "Zinnov Awards is a reflection of the key trends influencing and driving the technology and business narrative of the GCC ecosystem. Our goal is to celebrate individuals and organizations who consistently demonstrate excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and leadership. These remarkable winners have not only created impact and value within their organizations, but on the ecosystem as a whole by harnessing cutting-edge technologies, disrupting status quo, and inspiring their peers to reshape the next techade. Congratulations to all the winners on their well-deserved victory." Award Categories and Winners: Category 1: Champions of Unlocking Center Value: This award recognizes those companies that rapidly evolved from being a pure-play cost center to a value creation center. This category assessed GCCs on the nature and type of transformation, the drivers, key milestones, metrics achieved and the key outcomes  across ER&D, GBS, and Enterprise IT teams. Winners: ER&D

- Applied Materials India Pvt. Ltd.

- Walmart Globa Tech

- Applied Materials India Pvt. Ltd. - Walmart Globa Tech ER&D - Emerging







GBS  Emerging

- Clean Harbors India

- Clean Harbors India Enterprise IT

- Dell Technologies

- Verizon India

- Dell Technologies - Verizon India Enterprise IT  Emerging

- Providence India Category 2: MNC-Academia Partnership: This award category recognizes GCCs that effectively leveraged Universities in India in a true partnership model. The assessment criteria gauged the nature and breadth of partnerships, duration, depth of collaboration, and the successful impact created as a result of the same. Winners:

Dassault Systemes

IBM India Private Limited Category 3: Most Effective Globalization: This category recognizes the efficiency at which GCCs harnessed a multi-location strategy to achieve objectives such as process standardization, talent development, innovation, and cost reduction. The assessment criteria focused on how functions, talent, and portfolios are split across locations, the effectiveness of governance & operating model, and the collaboration & communication mechanisms present. Winner: Honeywell Technology Solutions Lab Private Limited Category 4: Excellence in Talent Engagement in the Hybrid Age: This award honors organizations that successfully managed to keep their workforce engaged, productive, and connected, post the pandemic in a highly challenging hybrid work model. The assessment criteria evaluated the efficacy of the strategies implemented and the programs in place that measured the effectiveness of talent management and performance of both employees and processes. Winners: Commvault

Pegasystems Worldwide India Private Limited

Stryker Global Technology Center

- Emerging

- Pure Storage Category 5: Brand by Design  Excellence in Employer Branding: This award recognizes organizations that successfully created a brand name in the talent market and are now considered employers of choice. The assessment criteria measured the potency of organizations across various parameters including the company's values, vision, culture, and its dissemination across installed and potential talent as part of their Employee Value Proposition (EVP). Winners: DBS Technology Services India Pvt. Ltd.

Lowe's Services India Pvt. Ltd.

- Emerging

- Carelon Global Solutions India LLP Category 6: Aatmanirbhar GCC: This award category celebrates organizations that have created large-scale impact by conceptualizing, designing, developing, and manufacturing products from India. The assessment criteria focused on the drivers, key metrics, milestones achieved, and the key outcomes derived through technology innovations for both Software as well as Hardware products. Winners: Applied Materials India Pvt. Ltd.

Samsung R&D Institute India-Bangalore (SRI-B) Category 7: Great Place to Innovate: This category honors esteemed organizations that focused on value creation from India, and made concerted efforts across five key areas: Organization Charter, Culture, Internal Programs & Processes, External Linkages, and Innovation Metrics. The assessment criteria focused on measuring the conduciveness of the environment for innovation and also measured the pervasiveness of the innovative mindset and culture, across the GCC. Winners: Bosch Global Software Technologies Pvt Ltd

Fidelity Business Services India Pvt Ltd Category 8: Technical Role Model: This award recognizes individuals who are technology stalwarts and have served by example and inspired individuals  both within their organization and beyond. As part of this award, leaders who have created a significant impact in Artificial Intelligence/Big Data Analytics and Intelligent Automation were also recognized. Winners: Established

- Kirankumar Savandaiah  Applied Materials India Pvt. Ltd.

- Prashanth Ram Kurumbudel  Elektrobit India Pvt Ltd

- Kirankumar Savandaiah  Applied Materials India Pvt. Ltd. - Prashanth Ram Kurumbudel  Elektrobit India Pvt Ltd Emerging (AIBDA)

-Dr. Srinivas Telukunta  PepsiCo GBS India

-Dr. Srinivas Telukunta  PepsiCo GBS India Emerging (IA)

- Rajasekaran Janakiraman  Collins Aerospace Category 9: Next Generation Woman Leader: This category celebrates women leaders in India, who have created large-scale impact through their business, leadership, and/or technology expertise. These women leaders have excelled at mentoring upcoming talent and serve as an inspiration for the industry for excellence through their work. The category evaluated excellence shown across the dimensions of individual, organizational, and ecosystem development. Winners: Aditya Malik  Dassault Systemes

Rajini Solomon  PepsiCo GBS India About Zinnov Founded in 2002, Zinnov is a global management and strategy consulting firm in New York, Santa Clara, Houston, Seattle, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Pune, Japan, and Paris. Over the past 21 years, Zinnov has successfully consulted with over 250+ Fortune 500 enterprises to develop actionable insights to help them accelerate their technology journeys to create value  across dimensions of revenue, transformation, and optimization. With core expertise in Digital Engineering Talent, Digital Transformation, Innovation, and Outsourcing Advisory, Zinnov assists clients by: Enabling global companies to develop and optimize a global engineering talent footprint through center setups and accelerators - in an as-a-service model, as well as optimizing their global portfolios, to achieve higher R&D efficiencies, innovation, and productivity;

Advising global PE firms in asset shortlisting and target evaluation, commercial due diligence, and value creation;

Growing revenue for companies' products and services in newer markets through account intelligence, market entry, and market expansion advisory;

Helping global companies outline and drive their open innovation programs, design and operate accelerator programs, and enable collaboration with start-ups across specific use cases and predefined outcomes;

Structuring and implementing Digital Transformation levers enabled by technologies like AI/ML, Intelligent Automation, Cloud, IOT, etc. With their team of experienced consultants, subject matter experts, and research professionals, Zinnov serves clients from across multiple industry verticals including Enterprise Software, BFSI, Healthcare, Automotive, Retail, and Telecom in the US, Europe, Japan, and India. For more information, visit http://zinnov.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/694742/2315386/Zinnov_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/zinnov-awards-the-longest-running-gcc-awards-honors-the-titans-of-tech-in-its-14th-edition-301876708.html

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[July 13, 2023] ROCKPORT TERMINALS CELEBRATES FIRST YEAR OF BEING IN SERVICE WITH UNION PACIFIC Tweet

Largest multi-modal terminal on the Texas Gulf Coast commemorates the milestone, highlights expanded accessibility of port to critical markets HOUSTON, July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockport Terminals (Rockport) celebrates one-year of rail service with Union Pacific, operator of North America's premier railroad franchise. This milestone comes two years after the Jones Capital acquisition of Rockport, which transformed 250-acres of previously idle industrial property into a multi-modal logistics port, including storage-in-transit rail and a transloading facility. Today, Rockport serves customers transporting oil and gas, bulk and break-bulk commodities, and renewables in the South Texas and Mexico markets. The transformation of the terminal has increased accessibility to customers, as it can store over 700 railcars, accept unit trains, and transload to and from barge, rail, or truck. The sizable acreage position allows Rockport to expand beyond 1,500 railcar storage spots, 2.0mm barrels of hydrocarbon storage, two additional barge dock locations and maintain ample space for laydown cargo and customer projects.



Situated north of Corpus Christi directly on the Intercoastal Waterway with substantial rail, water, and highway access, Rockport allows unique efficiencies for inbound and outbound logistics, including avoidance of expensive port tariffs, one of the most sought-after Rockport advantages. CEO Ross Stevenson said, "Our goal when developing Rockport Terminals was to be the most convenient and cost-effective multi-modal solution for numerous industries, positively impact the Aransas County economy and become a world-class asset along the Texas Gulf Coast. Developing a double loop unit train facility with an aggregate of fifteen miles of rail has allowed Rockport Terminals to partner with Union Pacific as a service provider, setting in motion a bright future to develop further and provide value to customers across a wide opportunity set."

Rockport Terminals: Any Mode. Any Market. Any Time. For more about Rockport Terminals and their services, visit RockportTerminals.com. Supporting video and images can be found here. Media contact:

Rachel Brill, Director of Marketing

[email protected].com

832-928-5570 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rockport-terminals-celebrates-first-year-of-being-in-service-with-union-pacific-301876754.html SOURCE Rockport Terminals

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[July 13, 2023] Dave Cantin Group Facilitates Legacy Succession Plan for Crystal Auto Mall, Toyota and Mazda Dealerships, Closing Their Acquisition by Empire Auto Group Tweet

The Dave Cantin Group (DCG), a leading financial advisory company specializing in automotive and other transportation dealership mergers and acquisitions, announced today the successful acquisition of Crystal Auto Mall's Toyota and Mazda by the Empire Auto Group. This transaction was the culmination of the legacy succession plan developed by DCG for the selling families and resulted in a seamless transition of the business from the families to the new owner. Crystal Auto Mall was opened in 1988 by Robert Nitabach and Michael Rendine. The two built their Toyota and Mazda stores into world class destinations and household names in the New Jersey community. DCG had been engaged with Nitabach and Rendine to advise on a potential transaction and succession planning leading up Michael's passing and the ultimate sale. "This acquisition showcases our ability to provide unmatched succession legacy planning services to dealership owners looking to successfully navigate such significant transitions," said Dave Cantin, Executive Chairman and CEO of The Dave Cantin Group. "We ensured Crystal Auto Mall had a well-designed plan, preserving the value of its dealerships. Our proactive approach not only provides peace of mind to owners, but also enhances the attractiveness of their business to potential buyers." Owner operator Michael Brown and his Empire Auto Group were a perfect landing spot for Crystal Motors' Toyota and Mazda dealerships. Brown has been aggressively growing Empire since 219 when he acquired his first seven dealerships. These two locations are Empire's 20th and 21st stores, their second Toyota and Mazda dealerships, and the first two points in New Jersey.



"We are proud to have assisted Empire Auto Group in their acquisition of the Crystal Toyota and Crystal Mazda dealerships," Cantin said. "This further positions Empire to grow their business fueled by strong performance with consumers and great partnerships with their OEM partners. Michael is truly one of the best new operators in the business and it's a pleasure to assist the expansion of his business." Brown commented, "Dave Cantin Group's industry expertise and buy/sell process were a huge asset in assisting us in closing on such a significant acquisition. We look forward to working with DCG on future strategic acquisition opportunities as we continue to expand."

The Empire Automotive group also owns Audi, CDJR, Ford, Honda, Subaru, Lincoln, Infiniti, Hyundai, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Volvo, Chevrolet, and Nissan franchises in New York locations throughout Suffolk and Nassau counties, Queens, and Westchester. Dave Cantin and Executive Vice President Brian Traugott from the Dave Cantin Group facilitated this buy/sell transaction. About The Dave Cantin Group

The Dave Cantin Group (DCG) is a leading financial advisory company specializing in automotive and other transportation dealership mergers and acquisitions throughout North America. It caters to specific financial, transactional, and advisory needs of its clients on the buy and sell side of the M&A process. Through its media division, DCG produces the #1 downloaded automotive podcast, Dealer News Today. The company's nonprofit partner, DCG Giving, funds child and adolescent cancer research and treatment in communities nationwide through its support of the Children's Oncology Group. For more information, please visit www.davecantingroup.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713268647/en/

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[July 13, 2023] MEI Acquires Pro-Pac International Tweet

STAMFORD, Conn., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MEI Rigging & Crating, LLC ("MEI"), a leading national provider of rigging, machinery moving, millwrighting, mechanical installation, industrial storage, crating and export packing services, announced that it has acquired Pro-Pac International Inc. ("Pro-Pac") and J&J Machinery Transport, Inc. ("J&J"), both based in Charlotte, North Carolina. For over 25 years, Pro-Pac International has served as one of North and South Carolina's premier specialty rigging, transportation and export crating suppliers. Pro-Pac is a preferred provider for leading companies in the machine manufacturing, aerospace, medical, and other industries in the Southeast region. J&J Machinery Transport, Pro-Pac's sister company, has over 30 years of experience providing customers with heavy haul equipment transport, step deck and flatbed delivery, plus nationwide, long haul and oversize load trucking services. J&J's unique partnership with Pro-Pac has enabled the collective businesses to serve as a comprehensive service provider for all their customers' heavy equipment handling, storage and installation needs. The announcement was made by Dan Cappello, CEO of MEI: "We are proud to welcome Pro-Pac and J&J to the MEI family. Their breadth of service offerings, depth of industry knowledge and outstanding regional reputatio are a perfect strategic fit for MEI. We are excited to have the great teams at Pro-Pac and J&J onboard and look forward to expanding our presence in the Carolinas and beyond."



Jim Jones, the previous Co-Owner and President of Pro-Pac International and J&J Machinery Transport, will continue to lead the day-to-day operations of both companies under MEI's ownership. "I am excited to have found like-minded partners in MEI and look forward to beginning a new chapter of growth for both companies," said Jones.

Anderson LeNeave & Co. served as sell-side advisor to Pro-Pac International and J&J Machinery Transport. About MEI Rigging & Crating, LLC MEI Rigging & Crating, a portfolio company of Olympus Partners, is a leading provider of rigging, machinery moving, millwrighting, mechanical installation, industrial storage, crating and export packing services across the nation. MEI has a growing team of over 1,000 employees in 17 operating locations across 13 states  Arizona, California, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Virginia. With MEI's comprehensive footprint and expansive portfolio, MEI serves customers across the country. For more information, visit MEI's website at www.meiriggingcrating.com. About Olympus Partners Olympus Partners is a private equity firm focused on providing equity capital for middle market management buyouts and for growing companies. Olympus manages in excess of $8.5 billion mainly on behalf of corporate pension funds, endowment funds and state-sponsored retirement programs. Founded in 1988, Olympus is an active, long-term investor across a broad range of industries including business services, food services, consumer products, healthcare services, financial services, industrial services and manufacturing. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mei-acquires-pro-pac-international-301876969.html SOURCE Olympus Partners

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[July 13, 2023] BC Ports Strike: Manufacturers Relieved End is Coming; Will Take Weeks to Rebound Tweet

OTTAWA, ON, July 13, 2023 /CNW/ - Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) welcomes the resolution agreed to today by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU) and the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA). In addition, CME thanks Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan for his efforts in bringing the strike closer to an end. We urge all parties to ratify the agreement as soon as possible. However, manufacturers are not out of the woods yet. The 14 day-long strike has caused severe backlogs that will take weeks to process. The damage to manufacturing supply chains is significant, as production slowed in the lead up to the strike and will take even more time to get back up and running. It is estimated that one day of a port shutdown takes up to a week to make up for after the fact, meaning it will take months for the sector to recover. "While we are relieved this current crisis appears to be over, the work of manufacturers is not done. They will be spending the next several months sorting through the damage and getting caught up. The total cost to our industry is not just the days of the strike, but the days and months of work that precede and follow a disruption" said Dennis Darby, President and CEO of CME. "This is why we need reforms that will avoid a complete shutdown of Canda's transportation system and supply chains every six months."



CME conducted a survey of its members that showed the ports strike in British Columbia had a severe impact on their businesses and the Canadian economy. The poll was conducted between July 11 and July 13, 2023, and received input from manufacturers from across the country. Nearly two-thirds of manufacturers in Canada said the strike affected their operations now, while another 28 per cent of respondents said it was only a matter of time until they experienced problems themselves. Of those impacted, just under 70 per cent said the impacts were "significant" to "severe". Costs to individual manufacturing businesses experiencing delays were reported to be on average of $207,000 per day.

Most concerningly, however, nine out of 10 affected manufacturers said the strike disrupted their supply of raw materials or components, while 70 per cent reported that it negatively impacted their relationships with customers, hurting already fragile supply chains. While the results of this survey revealed the reputational and economic costs of the strike, CME also asked what reforms manufacturers would like to see to prevent future labour disruptions. An overwhelming 95 per cent said they are in favour of reforms that that would allow the government to impose binding arbitration on striking workers, while another 97 per cent of respondents want the government to treat critical aspects of Canada's transportation system as essential services. "While the strikes at the ports in BC were today's priority, CME and its members are more interested in hammering out long-term solutions with the federal government, organized labour, and the major transportation providers to avoid constant disruptions," said Darby. "We must all work together to devise a new way of conducting labour negotiations where manufacturers and all other businesses are not the ones always paying the economic costs for situations completely beyond their control." ABOUT CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS (CME) From the first industrial boom in Canada, CME has advocated for and represented member interests. 150 years strong, CME has earned an extensive and effective track record of working for and with 2,500 leading companies nationwide. More than 85 per cent of CME's members are SMEs and collectively account for an estimated 82 per cent of total manufacturing production and 90 per cent of Canada's exports. SOURCE Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

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Check the latest talking points over driver's license debate as we slouch toward election year . . .



The ACLUs motion to intervene contends that the five transgender Kansans they are representing would suffer irreparable harm if they are not able to change their gender marker on their licenses. If the ACLUs motion to intervene is granted, the organization will be able to fight Kobachs anti-trans agenda in court.



Our clients deserve to live their lives free of harassment, discrimination, and violence - all consequences that Mr. Kobachs erroneous legal interpretations are designed to encourage, Sharon Brett, legal director of the ACLU of Kansas, said in a statement.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

BREAKING: ACLU intervenes in AG Kobach's lawsuit with Department of Revenue TOPEKA (KSNT) - Five Kansans are suing Attorney General Kris Kobach over his lawsuit against the Kansas Department of Revenue, saying it would be harmful to them. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas just tweeted it is filing a motion against Kobach. The motion is to intervene on behalf of five transgender Kansas who [...]

ACLU Intervenes in Kansas AG's Attempt to Block Gender Changes on Licenses Transgender Kansans "deserve to live their lives free of harassment, discrimination, and violence," the ACLU said.

Developing . . .
Overview of local medical providers who have been compromised by someone other than the insurance companies . . .



HCA provided a long list of hundreds of hospitals and clinics that may have been impacted by the data breach. Kansas City-area locations include:



Kansas

- Menorah Medical Center

- Overland Park Regional Medical Center



Missouri



- Belton Regional Medical Center

- Centerpoint Medical Center

- Lafayette Regional Health Center

- Lees Summit Medical Center

- Research Medical Center



There are also nearly 90 clinics in the Kansas City area included. The full list is available at HCAHealthcare.com.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

7 Kansas City hospitals, dozens of clinics included in HCA Healthcare breach HCA Healthcare, which operates 10 hospitals in Kansas and Missouri, warned patients of a data breach saying personal information was posted online.

HCA Healthcare says data breach may affect 11 million patients in 20 states, including Kansas and Missouri Medical giant HCA Healthcare, which operates 180 hospitals in the U.S. and Britain, says the personal data of about 11 million patients may have been stolen.

Developing . . .
Credit to AWESOME TKC COMMENTERS for sending this link and op/ed that isn't likely but offers a glimpse of outrage coming from rural communities . . . Check-it . . .



"State legislators should do more than castigate her for violating the state constitution and her role as set forth within it. They should impeach her for dereliction of her official duty and violation of her oath of office.



"Her public announcement that she wont direct the Kansas Department of Revenue to require true-sex at birth statements on Kansas drivers licenses as required by the Womens Bill of Rights (SB 180) is evidence enough. Besides her public statements, the banner at the top of the KDOR web page is clear enough justification for impeachment and her removal from office."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (3rd L) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

JAKARTA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said on Thursday that the United States should take concrete actions to bring China-U.S. relations back to the right track.

When meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of a series of ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings, Wang, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said both sides have reached a consensus through in-depth and candid communications during Blinken's visit to China last month.

The most important consensus is returning to the agenda set by the two heads of state in Bali, Indonesia, and taking a key step towards setting the right course of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations, he added.

The U.S. side should reflect on the crux leading to the difficulties of China-U.S. relations, turn the consensus reached between the Chinese and U.S. presidents at their Bali meeting into concrete actions, and make good on the promises made by U.S. President Joe Biden, Wang said.

Concrete actions are necessary to remove obstacles, both expected and unexpected, to accumulate momentum for a stable China-U.S. relationship, Wang noted.

He called on the United States to adopt a rational and pragmatic attitude and work with China in the same direction to advance consultations on the guiding principles for China-U.S. relations, expand diplomatic and security communication channels, improve the effectiveness of communications, and facilitate people-to-people exchanges.

Wang elaborated on China's solemn position on the Taiwan question, demanding that the United States refrain from wantonly interfering in China's internal affairs, or undermining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, stop its economic, trade, scientific and technological suppression of China, and lift its unlawful and unreasonable sanctions against China.

As major countries with important influence, China and the United States should respect the efforts of regional countries, support ASEAN centrality, and avoid triggering disputes and complicated factors in regional cooperation, Wang said.

The two sides also actively explored ways to carry out consultations on Asia-Pacific issues and maritime affairs. They considered this meeting to be candid, pragmatic and constructive, and agreed to maintain communication with each other. 
This week trusted insiders challenge a great deal of what we've heard about property taxes and the courthouse.

Whilst Jackson County Assessor Gail McCann Beatty has been front & center defending the performance of her office . . . It's fair to point out criticism and counterpoints to her arguments along with grassroots opposition to a PR company helping to "guide" the discussion.

Another fact check . . .

The "flat tax" resolution won't do much to help scared locals fighting higher prices. Insiders explain it's just a wish and not legally binding.

However . . .

It's not all bad news . . . There is actually Missouri legislation that COULD help out.



Earlier this year we talked about Missouri State Senator Mike Cierpiot pushing to let voters have a direct say over the assessor's office.

Here's a glimpse at legislation that has been filed a few times but is relevant now more than ever . . .



SJR 13 - Currently, assessors of all charter counties except for Jackson County are required to be elected officers. This proposed Constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, removes this exception for Jackson County. Additionally, this amendment adds that assessors shall have any other qualifications as provided by law.

According to a trusted insider:

"This is really the only way to get some kind of long-term fix. We need to let voters have a say in how the office is run. The public needs an element of control and Jackson County should follow the lead of every other charter county in Missouri. It's clear that the Executive isnt' going to step in and take control. Maybe it's time the voters get a chance."

In the meantime . . . The taxation struggle persists . . .



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Jackson County cities, schools waiting on assessment appeals to set levies Jackson County home assessments are up an average of 30%. That means dozens of different area taxing jurisdictions stand to get more money.

State lawmaker wants to limit property tax assessments with constitutional amendment Representative Jeff Coleman has tried four times to limit how much property tax assessments go up, but he's confident this time will be different.

What you should do if you can't find your property tax assessment appeal online At least one homeowner says she filed her appeal in-person at the Jackson County Assessment Department and when she logged into the county's system days later, it wasn't there.

Developing . . .
Today we start our evening update with a roundup of a killing in broad daylight as KCMO continues to push toward a new homicide record and KILLING SPIKES 30% over last year.



Check the first report and more info . ..



Homicide 45th/South Benton



This afternoon just before 12:30p, officers were called to E 45th St and South Benton Ave in regard to a shooting. When officers arrived to the area, they located the victim, adult male, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Officers immediately began rendering aid to the victim. EMS responded and took over and transported the victim to a local hospital. EMS declared the victim deceased at the hospital.



A person of interest was taken into custody at the scene for further investigation.



Detectives do not believe there is a current additional threat to the community, or surrounding areas at this time. Detectives are not looking for any additional suspects.



Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel have responded to the scene. They will be processing the scene to recover any evidence.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

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Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Fatal shooting under investigation near East 45th, South Benton in KCMO Police are investigating a fatal shooting near East 45th Street and South Benton Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.

One man killed, another in custody after shooting in east Kansas City Kansas City police investigate a shooting that killed one person in a neighborhood near East 45th Street and South Benton Avenue.

KCPD investigating homicide near 45th Street and Benton Ave. Homicide detectives are at the early Wednesday afternoon

Developing . . .


The best baller Kansas City has ever witnessed earns more honors tonight. This fact of life will either cost taxpayers more cash in the long run or lead to soul crushing disappointment.

Either way . . . We wanted to share just a quick spurt of our late night peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Super Bowl Champ Accepts Honors

Patrick Mahomes Wins Best Male Athlete at 2023 ESPY Awards, Thanks Family for 'Making Me the Guy That I Am' Patrick Mahomes took home the 2023 ESPY Award for best athlete, mens sports, beating out Nikola Jokic, Aaron Judge, and Lionel Messi.

Good Deeds Amid Oppressive Heat

Kansas City residents receive free cooling systems as heat indices soar into 100s The KC metro is coming together to take care of neighbors who are most vulnerable to the heat. A nonprofit and local business are helping elders and those who are not able to afford cooling.

Rock Chalk Day Trip Guide

14 Best Small Towns to Visit in Kansas Beyond the crowded cities in Kansas, travelers will find several small towns that perfectly embody the spirit of real America.

Show-Me Another Contender

Democratic Missouri lawmaker May enters race for US Sen. Hawley's seat State Sen. Karla May is running for U.S. Senate in Missouri, the St. Louis Democrat announced Tuesday in her hometown.

Supporting Cast Stays Winning

Clean Sweep: Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs win 2023 ESPY for Best Team The Super Bowl champions won one last title: the 2023 ESPY Award for Best Team.

Fashion Hotness Debuts

Robin Thicke's fiancee April Love Geary in sheer black lingerie Robin Thicke fiancee April Love Geary showed off her body on Tuesday. The 28-year-old model was seen in black sheer lingerie that included a bodysuit, thigh high stockings.

Fox News Spotlights Presidential Mistakes

WATCH: Biden confuses Ukraine with Russia, Zelenskyy with Putin during gaffe-filled trip to Lithuania President Biden appeared to confuse Volodymyr Zelenskyy with Vladmir Putin and Ukraine with Russia during his trip to Lithuania this week.

Will 'Fed Epps' Win Fight?!?!

Trump Voter Sues Fox News After Tucker Carlson Lies Ruined His Life Ray Epps and his wife had to move off their Arizona farm after the former host pushed a conspiracy that he was working with the FBI on Jan. 6

MAGA Protection Disappears



DOJ dissonance: While trying to put Trump behind bars, feds grapple with how much to shield him in civil suits The prosecution of Donald Trump has created a bizarre dynamic for DOJ, which has a longstanding mission to protect the presidency in court.

Europe Debates Ukraine

NATO disputes spill into public view in wrangle over Ukraine NATO's summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, saw disagreement between Ukraine's Zelenskyy, President Joe Biden and allies over when Kyiv should be offered membership.

Far East Cashes In On Conflict

China has a reputation for exporting shoddy weapons, but its sales may get a boost from Russia's blunders in Ukraine Foreign buyers are drawn to the cut-rate pricing and financing of Chinese-made military equipment, but there are hidden costs, one expert says.

Beltway Welcomes Latest Alien Invasion

DC's UFO Lobbyist on Alien Spacecraft Claims: "This Thing Is Getting Ready to Blow Sky-High" - Washingtonian It's been a busy few weeks for Stephen Bassett, Washington's veteran UFO lobbyist. Early last month, an ex-U.S. intelligence official who once worked with the Department of Defense's Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force went public with claims that the federal government has recovered non-human spacecraft.

Fast Food Clogs The Globe

'Too much': Burger King's new offering in Thailand has no meat and 20 slices of cheese | CNN Business Burger King is causing a stir in Thailand with its new offering: a burger with no meat and a jaw-dropping amount of cheese.

Slouching Toward Preseason

Kansas City Chiefs pack up for training camp in St. Joseph Wednesday is "Moving day" for the Kansas City Chiefs. The team is packing up for training camp which starts in a couple of weeks.

Forecast For Now . . .

LIVE UPDATES: Storms could linger overnight, Thursday should remain dry for the metro The watch includes counties a portion of the metro area and counties south of Interstate 70.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
A quick roundup of bennies in order to save the planet from skyfall . . . Check-it:



After signing nondisclosure agreements, Kansas officials agreed last year to award Panasonic $829 million in incentives from a new program designed for the firm. De Soto added another $200 million in local property tax incentives, Johnson County committed $15 million for new infrastructure and the state transportation department carved out $26 million for road improvements. The state later handed over the Kansas Bioscience Authority building in Olathe, valued at nearly $5 million, to Panasonic for free.



Altogether, Good Jobs First calculated the company could be in line for $8 billion in support from local, state and federal governments.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Right now we share this sneak peek at zoning rules, neighborhood concerns and bitter disputes amongst our suburbanite friends.

Even better . . . Close watchers might notice a golden ghetto blogger disguised as a journalist (lulz) pretending to report on the event and/or doing favors for his politics buddies whilst wasting his inheritance that, tragically, overpriced subscriptions haven't been able to supplement.

But I digress . . .



Here's a much more informative preview . . .



"Since the city first proposed making changes to its housing rules last year, residents have organized into grassroots groups supporting and opposing the ideas. As a result, the city has modified the scope of its recommendations. It is no longer currently exploring changes to single family neighborhoods. Conversations about allowing accessory dwelling units in those neighborhoods is also on hold."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Yes, our TKC blog community is likely the only place in Kansas City for an informed discussion on men's fashion.



Accordingly . . . We humbly submit . . .



WHY THE HELL WAS PATRICK MAHOMES DRESSED LIKE HE JUMPED OUT AN OLD-SCHOOL CABLE TV MOVIE AT THE ESPY AWARDS?!?!

Most of the time we think all of these media moves are rigged but this fashion choice is too cringe-y to be planned.

On the bright side . . . It's always refreshing to witness that money can't buy class or the courage to dress like adult amongst a room full of jocks making all manner of horrific life choices.



Don't worry . . . Dressed like one of Tony Montana's henchmen "Money" Mahomes can take a bit of teasing as he credits his wife with resilience against "haters" who have constantly trolled the couple.



And so . . . This Kansas City connected wardrobe malfunction invites our www.TonysKansasCity.com caption contest for today . . .

Do your best/worst to clown this rare fumble by Kansas City's Super Bowl champ.



We'll hope to feature the winning comment at the end of the day.


Travelers are waiting more than two hours to visit the Acropolis in Athens

Tourists are waiting more than two hours to visit the Acropolis in Athens. Taxi lines at Romes main train station are running just as long. And so many visitors are concentrating around St. Marks Square in Venice that crowds get backed up crossing bridges  even on weekdays.

After three years of pandemic limitations, tourism is expected to exceed 2019 records in some of Europes most popular destinations this summer, from Barcelona and Rome, Athens and Venice to the scenic islands of Santorini in Greece, Capri in Italy, and Mallorca in Spain.

While European tourists edged the industry toward recovery last year, the upswing this summer is led largely by Americans, boosted by a strong dollar and in some cases pandemic savings. Many arrive motivated by revenge tourism  so eager to explore again that theyre undaunted by higher airfares and hotel costs.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Michael W. Pendergrass pixabay.com
A joyous new Wham! documentary ushers in resurgence of '80s fashions softer, sweeter side

From George Michael and Andrew Ridgeleys youthful exuberance to Catherine, Princess of Wales Diana-esque Wimbledon look, it's a totally '80s summer.
Sara Carson covers breaking news and education for Simcoe.com. She can be reached at scarson@simcoe.com.
Tamara Shephard is a journalist in Etobicoke reporting hard news, politics and health and human-interest stories. Tamara loves to travel and is a fan of foreign and independent films.
UNITED NATIONS, July 13 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned about Guatemala's presidential elections, his spokesman said on Thursday.

"The secretary-general is closely following developments in Guatemala's elections," said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for Guterres.

The UN chief welcomes the certification of the results of the first round of elections, and he notes with concern reports of attempts to impact the second round of elections, and the growing tension this is causing, said Dujarric in response to a question at a regular briefing.

Guterres urges all the actors to continue their work with responsibility and impartiality in the lead up to the presidential run-off and underscores the right to freely vote and be elected in democratic processes, said Dujarric.

Guatemala's highest electoral body on Wednesday certified the results of the first round of presidential elections held in June, pitting two candidates to face each other in a run-off, published reports said.

But almost simultaneously, a court disqualified one of the candidates, the reports said. 
Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (R) meets with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

JAKARTA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China and Australia should maintain and consolidate the current good momentum, so that the bilateral ties will continue to be stable and practical with further progress, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi said on Thursday.

While meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on the sidelines of a series of ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings, Wang said that with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Australia relations have stabilized, improved and developed.

Facts have once again proved that as long as both sides stay true to their commitment when they established diplomatic relations and adhere to the right way to conduct state-to-state relations, the China-Australia relationship can and should develop well, said the Chinese senior diplomat.

He said if the direction is set right, the two countries should stick to it and stay on track, let alone reverse course. He added that both sides should implement the consensus of the two countries' leaders, resume exchanges and cooperation in all fields and at all levels, and enhance mutual understanding and trust.

Noting that China and Australia have highly complementary economies and huge potential for cooperation, Wang expressed the hope that Australia would provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in Australia.

The two sides should respect each other, treat each other as equals, handle differences appropriately, cultivate a friendly atmosphere of mutual understanding and appreciation, and bring more tangible benefits to the people of both countries, he said.

Wong, for her part, said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, Australia and China have established extensive ties and achieved remarkable results in cooperation in various fields.

She said good Australia-China relations are in the interests of both sides, and Australia will continue to uphold mutual respect, equal cooperation and candid communication in line with the original spirit of the establishment of diplomatic relations, to safeguard the interests of their respective countries, and to push for greater progress in advancing the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership. 
Ozan Acar, an executive committee member of Trendyol, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Istanbul, Turkiye, on July 11, 2023. (Photo by Omer Kuscu/Xinhua)

ISTANBUL, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The strategic alliance between Turkiye's e-commerce platform Trendyol and China's Alibaba Group will greatly upgrade Turkish e-export levels in the future, a senior executive from Trendyol said.

"Partnership between Trendyol and Alibaba will bring about an increase in Turkiye's e-export in the future," Ozan Acar, an executive committee member of Trendyol, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Acar emphasized the importance of effectively utilizing e-commerce technologies in Turkiye, as it could enable hundreds of thousands of Turkish small- and medium-sized enterprises to begin exporting their products.

According to Acar, Trendyol is working closely with Alibaba to increase the presence of Turkish products on Alibaba's platforms in China, which could greatly contribute to Turkiye's efforts to boost exports to East Asian countries.

He highlighted that Trendyol's primary focus is investing in technology and logistics infrastructure to increase Turkiye's e-export revenues.

In Acar's view, Trendyol would gain valuable technology and know-how from Alibaba, while Alibaba's extensive global network would significantly contribute to the development of the Turkish e-commerce industry and the increase in Turkiye's e-export levels.

In 2018, Alibaba Group became a major shareholder of Trendyol, providing technological support and expertise for the Turkish platform.

Trendyol, with strategic investment from Alibaba, has become one of Turkiye's most valuable companies after receiving 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in new investments.

Trendyol said with a series of investment agreements, Trendyol's value had reached 16.5 billion dollars, making it the first Turkish technology firm to be recognized as a Decacorn, a term used to describe startup companies with a value exceeding 10 billion dollars. 
Last night, thieves smashed into an ATM machine at RBC in St James and stole an estimated $6
Ukraine managed to return the bodies of 19 people who died in Russian captivity, four more bodies should be returned in the next few days.

Oleh Kotenko, Commissioner on Persons Gone Missing Under Special Circumstances, said this during a round table meeting at Ukrinform news agency on July 12.

"I want to share such unfortunate examples when a person is in captivity. I brought 19 bodies, they died in captivity. I will bring four more in the coming days. These are people who were in captivity and died there. It's about what we know, these bodies are returned to us. But there is such a thing that bodies may not be returned to us," Kotenko said.

As reported, the Unified Register of Missing Persons became operational in Ukraine in May. It already contains data on 24,000 people.
Ukrainian officer cadets will be able to complete an intense three-week training program in Canada this summer.

The relevant statement was made on the official website of Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

This summer, the Royal Military College Saint-Jean will welcome Officer cadets from Ukraine for an intense three-week training program developed in partnership with NATO through the Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP), the report states.

The training builds on Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) training in support of Ukraine currently underway in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Latvia.

A reminder that, since the Operation UNIFIER was launched in 2015, the Canadian Armed Forces have trained over 35,000 Ukrainian military and security personnel in battlefield tactics and advanced military skills.
Last night Ukraines air defense units destroyed 20 enemy loitering munitions and two cruise missiles.

The relevant statement was made by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

In particular, on the night of July 13, 2023, Russian invaders attacked Ukraines territory with 20 Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 drones from the northeastern direction (Kursk) and the southeastern direction (Primorsko-Akhtarsk).

Additionally, the enemy fired two Kalibr-type cruise missiles from the Black Sea and one Iskander-M ballistic missile from Crimeas Dzhankoi.

All 20 enemy loitering munitions were downed, mostly in the Kyiv region. Two Russian Kalibr missiles were also destroyed in different directions. Information about the consequences related to the launch of the Iskander-M missile is yet to be checked.

According to the Air Force, anti-aircraft missile units, fighter aircraft, mobile fire teams of the Air Force, and other air defense components of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were involved in repelling Russias overnight attack.
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ochakiv residents hardly remember a day when their town was not "hit"

The small town of Ochakiv, located 60 kilometers from Mykolaiv, suffers from daily shelling by Russian invaders. Artillery and mortars are fired at the town several times a day from the territory of the temporarily occupied Kinburn Spit. Locals say that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, they hardly remember a day when Ochakiv was not "hit". The Russians took a short pause after the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, but now the shelling has resumed with renewed vigor. It is hard to find houses in the city with intact windows - almost all of them are boarded up with plywood. In Ochakiv, 70% of the housing stock has been damaged, and 30% of the houses are beyond repair. But despite this, many Ochakiv residents do not leave their homes, the city lives its difficult life, and the utility companies are restoring beauty - planting flowers and asphalting the roads destroyed by the explosions.

Ukrinform correspondents visited Ochakiv and learned about the urgent needs of the city and how the most resilient residents live there.

EVERYONE WHO STAYED IN THE CITY IS A HERO

According to the deputy mayor, Oleksii Vaskov, about 16,000 people lived in Ochakiv before the war. Another 700 people lived on the territory of the Kinburn Spit. With the outbreak of hostilities, half of the population immediately left the city. The second "wave" of departures began in 2023, when the occupiers hit a cache of Soviet anti-ship mines. After a powerful explosion, there were almost no intact buildings left in the city.

- When the full-scale invasion began, there were about 12,000 of us left, and we track this by the utilities consumed and the humanitarian kits received by the city's residents. The most terrible event happened on January 9 this year, it was a very powerful explosion. About 70% of our houses were destroyed. Secondary schools and a music school were damaged, windows in the hospital were smashed. The local Palace of Culture, which had been opened after major repairs before the war, suffered significant damage. The coastline suffered the most, of course. After January 9, there were about 6,000 people left," says Oleksii Vaskov.

According to the deputy mayor, Ochakiv is currently experiencing a gradual increase in population. Not all people live directly in the city: some come here to work during the day and go to the villages in the evening, where the enemy artillery does not reach.

- Now, based on the humanitarian kits and utilities consumed, we estimate that the population reaches 10-11,000, added Oleksii Vaskov.

"Mostly elderly people live in Ochakiv, but there are also children.

- Of course, most of the mothers and children have left, but still, about 300 children are in the city today," says the deputy mayor.

"The city is shelled almost every day. And repeatedly.

- We are being shelled with mortars, grenades and all kinds of weapons that the Russians have. Even our children understand what has come from where and what kind of shell. On the one hand, this may not be bad, but on the other hand, it is very terrible... The worst thing is artillery, because we do not know when it will come. We are alarmed by the fact of shelling. This is not rocket fire, which can be traced back to a certain time before the "arrivals". Artillery shelling is literally three to five seconds from the time it starts to the time it arrives. So for me, everyone who stays and works in the city is a hero," says Oleksii Vaskov.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE, BUT THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF LABOR

Despite the fact that the city is under constant fire, utilities are working and trying to restore the destroyed buildings. The utility crews have the most popular building materials, such as corrugated board, slate and film for temporary window repairs.

- Volunteers help us, the regional administration helps us, and many people help us. But still, the main problem is labor. There are not enough construction teams. And even for the money we pay, not everyone is ready to work under fire. There is a catastrophic shortage of people. The majority of Ochakiv's population is elderly, and even if we provide them with materials to repair their homes, they simply cannot physically do it themselves. Of course, if people are able to repair their homes themselves, we provide them with everything they need to quickly repair the roof and windows," explained Vaskov.

The city is also working with foreign organizations to develop programs to restore the entire community. According to the vice mayor, the project is planned to be approved at the next session of the city council.

- "But the main problem why we can't start a full-fledged recovery is the active hostilities. So the main assistance will probably come after they are over," the official added.

In addition to labor, the city lacks specialists in other areas, from tractor drivers to department heads.

- Another problem is the "active" part of the local population, which behaves as if we are living in peacetime. People are actively discussing on social media and telling the utility companies what to do and how to do it. Where to paint and where to make a road," Oleksii Vaskov smiles.

In general, the work of public utilities in the city is well established. In Ochakiv, damages to gas and electricity networks are promptly repaired, and the city has water and electricity.

- The municipal service of improvement is also working. We are trying to repair the asphalt, sidewalks, restore green spaces, flowers and so on, so that people can somehow understand that they live in the city and can at least partially distract from the war," added Vaskov.

LIFE UNDER FIRE

Indeed, as we walked through the streets of Ochakiv, we noticed rose beds in bloom. At the same time, we met a team of utility workers who were cleaning up fresh glass from the sidewalk - the aftermath of the morning shelling. We asked them if they were not afraid to work and live in such conditions.

- Its scary. But we've already gotten used to what to do. Now we are watering the roses, and the glass has already been cleaned. If there's a bang somewhere, we immediately clean it up so that everything is clean and tidy. We live in Ochakiv and never leave. This is my home, I have a lot of animals and I won't leave them. When it's blowing hard, we hide. We hide in the entrances, in the basements, and under the walls, wherever we can. We hide to avoid getting hurt by the shrapnel. We came under fire many times while working. We were running away, and it would catch up with us... We are used to it... We can tell by the whistle what is being fired and whether we need to hide. If it's an MLRS, it will terrify us at first, and then they will give us the alarm. Then we know what has already arrived. And when it's rockets, it's not for us. We are a small town, missiles are expensive, and they won't spend them on us. That's how we work. Yesterday it was blaring all day, I was so tired of it!" says Iryna Anatoliivna, a worker in the municipal service.

WE CAN ONLY HATE THEM

Our conversation with Ms. Iryna was interrupted by an air raid alert - an enemy drone was spotted over the city. So we decided not to tempt fate and quickly headed for the nearest shelter - the basement of a five-story building. On the contrary, the alarm did not frighten the utility workers, and the women went back to work.

Despite the fact that the shelter was located near the local market, where there were quite a few people, only a few went down to the basement. It seems that the locals are really used to the war and nothing scares them. In the shelter, an elderly lady came up to us and was surprised to see people with cameras. We explained to her that we were journalists from Odesa and were filming a report about the life of Ochakiv.

- "Odesa...," she stretched out, savoring each letter in the word.

- "I have a daughter in Odesa. She lives on Balkivska Street. I love Odesa! And I stayed here, in Ochakiv. I have dogs, and I also feed stray animals. My daughter calls me to come back, but how can I go?" the woman complains.

Olena has not left the city since the first days of the war. She says there are only four people left in her building. She is friends with her neighbors, and they celebrate all the holidays together.

- It was very cold in winter. I don't know how we survived the winter... I covered everything with blankets and pillows. But the icy wind still walks around the apartment, the windows and doors have long been blown out by explosive waves. What has life become? When will it end? This is such a terrible war... When I was young, I lived in Crimea with my husband, he was a military pilot. And now they are bombing us on the planes my husband used to fly! We are not afraid, but what can we do? I am 70 years old, and I still want to live! The whole Kinburn was destroyed! And how beautiful it was there! The forests, the sea... everything was destroyed! How can we love them? We can only hate them," Olena says and wipes her tears.

Meanwhile, the alarm system sounds the alarm. We leave the basement. Olena goes to the post office to receive a money transfer from her daughter. And we, saddened by the woman's experiences, return to the market to buy water for the journey home... Here we talked to a local resident, Oleksandr. The man lives in an apartment on the 4th floor in a building behind the market. He tells us that his neighbors downstairs once "got hit". The huge hole in the wall has now been repaired. Only the different color of the bricks in the city of destruction reminds us of the arrival.

- We miraculously survived. I thought it was the end. The house was shaking, it seemed to me that it was going to collapse. Since that day, my dog has been very nervous. He's afraid of loud noises, afraid of alarms. The veterinarian prescribed him a sedative, but it doesn't help much," Oleksandr recounts his experience.

The man also does not want to leave the city. He has a job here.

On the way to the bus station, we pass a half-ruined house. We ask our military escort if the owners survived. It turned out that last summer an enemy shell hit the house. Three residents were killed, including a mother and her 6-year-old daughter. The strike occurred at five in the morning, when people were sleeping.

We were allowed to film the scene of the tragedy. We walked through the rubble of the walls, through the wreckage of lives. Children's toys, hair dryers, broken dishes and books. The title of one catches my eye: "Tales of Russian Writers". The child who lived in this house will never hear any more fairy tales. The words of our recent acquaintance from the shelter, Ms. Olena, echo in my head: "We can only hate them...

P.S. In total, according to the deputy mayor, more than 20 civilians have been killed in Ochakiv since the beginning of the war, three of them children.

Hanna Bodrova, Odesa

Photo by Nina Liashonok
Germany has sent another large batch of military aid to Ukraine.

That's according to the updated list of delivered military support to Ukraine, which has been posted on the website of the German government, Ukrinform reports.

In particular, the package includes six Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (34 of them provided to Ukraine before), including around 6,000 rounds of ammunition for them, 3,230 155mm projectiles (before: 24,000) and 1,184 rounds of 155mm smoke ammunition.

Germany also supplied Ukraine with ten fire command units and ten pieces of laser aiming equipment for the IRIS-T SLM air defense system.

The package also includes a bridge for the BEAVER bridge-laying tank, a BEAVER bridge-laying tank, and five border protection vehicles.

Germany also delivered an 8x8 HX81 truck tractor train, four semi-trailers, 24,192 rounds of 40mm ammunition and two spare part packages for the VECTOR drone.
Russia is withdrawing its military units from Belarus, and now there is no required offensive grouping.

The relevant statement was made by Spokesperson for the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service Andrii Demchenko during a nationwide telethon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The situation on the border with Belarus is remaining fully controlled. The creation of the required offensive grouping that would be ready to carry out the offensive from the territory of Belarus has not been recorded, Demchenko told.

In his words, there is no movement of military equipment or personnel. No Russian offensive groupings were spotted within the territory of Belarus. Meanwhile, Ukraines Defense Forces are aware of additional potential threat and are constantly ready for action.

According to Demchenko, the number of Russian troops remaining within the territory of Belarus has significantly reduced. This indicates that Russia is withdrawing its military units from Belarus.

Earlier, the number of Russian troops deployed in Belarus was ranging in between 10,000-11,000.

Demchenko emphasized that Ukraines intelligence units, including those of the State Border Guard Service, are closely monitoring everything happening on the other side of the border.
Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (5th L) attends the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

JAKARTA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have vowed to advance their comprehensive strategic partnership at the China-ASEAN (10+1) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held here Thursday.

China and ASEAN have actively implemented the purposes and principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and expanded mutually beneficial cooperation on all fronts, blazing the right path of forging long-term good-neighborliness while achieving common development and prosperity, said Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi at the meeting, which is attended by foreign ministers of ASEAN member countries, ASEAN observers and ASEAN secretary general.

Both sides have worked together on building a community with a shared future and the Belt and Road, while jointly promoting regional economic integration, and consolidating the foundation of peace and stability, said Wang.

China will be committed to high-quality development and provide new opportunities for all countries with Chinese-style modernization. It is ready to strengthen solidarity and coordination with ASEAN to advance the modernization process in Asia, said the senior Chinese diplomat.

China will work together with ASEAN to advance the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership and make new contributions to peace and prosperity in the region, he said.

The ASEAN parties thanked China for supporting ASEAN centrality and community building. They appreciated China for taking the lead in expressing willingness to sign the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone.

In addition, they looked forward to seeing the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership advance to a new level and make new achievements.

The meeting adopted a joint statement on the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the TAC and a guideline document for expediting the conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

During the meeting, Wang met with foreign ministers of Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam, Russia and Australia. 
Hackers suspected of working for Russia's foreign intelligence agency targeted dozens of diplomats at embassies in Ukraine with a fake used car advert in a bid to break into their computers.

That's according to a cybersecurity firm report seen by Reuters, Ukrinform reports.

The wide-reaching espionage activity targeted diplomats working in at least 22 of the roughly 80 foreign missions in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, analysts at the Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 research division said in the report, due to be published later on Wednesday.

"In mid-April 2023, a diplomat within the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emailed a legitimate flyer to various embassies advertising the sale of a used BMW 5-series sedan located in Kyiv," the report said.

The Polish diplomat, who declined to be identified citing security concerns, confirmed the role of his advertisement in the digital intrusion.

The hackers, known as APT29 or "Cozy Bear," intercepted and copied that flyer, embedded it with malicious software, then sent it to dozens of other foreign diplomats working in Kyiv, Unit 42 said.

"This is staggering in scope for what generally are narrowly scoped and clandestine advanced persistent threat (APT) operations," said the report.

In 2021, U.S. and British intelligence agencies identified APT29 as an arm of Russia's foreign Intelligence Service, the SVR.

In April, Polish counterintelligence and cybersecurity authorities warned that the same group had conducted a "widespread intelligence campaign" against NATO member states, the European Union, and Africa.
07/12/2023

By Marlon Pitter

Terrence Masson 89 has always been focused on doing something that's never been done before.

As an industry-leading computer graphics and visual effects expert, Masson has revolutionized TV, movies and video games since the early 1990s. His work, featured in esteemed franchises such as Jurassic Park, Star Wars and various games for the original Xbox console, has pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible at the time.

In 1996, Masson was contacted by Matt Stone and Trey Parker about a project called South Park. It used construction paper and stop-motion animation and they wanted to pitch it to Comedy Central. Masson created a computer graphics process (using Alias on an SGI) that looked just like construction paper and animated a test to dramatically speed up the production process.

The result: a signature art style that combined with edgy comedy to make South Park a fan favorite for decades.

Masson said the foundation for his success started at UMass Lowell with professors, such as Arno Minkkinen, who mixed traditional art instruction with new technology.

Image by Courtesy Photo

Masson grew up in Holliston, Massachusetts, and chose UML for its well-known computer science program. His love for art ultimately led him to switch to the fine arts program after his first year, but he maintained a curiosity surrounding the latest technology.

Ive always been a techno-geek, but specifically for visuals, he says. I was an artist first with pencil and paper, but then as soon as the technology came on, it was just like breathing.

During a visit to campus in April, Masson talked to students about his career experiences and offered some insights into the computer graphics industry. He spent time on North and South campuses meeting with students from various departments, including computer science and art and design.

Masson says it was great to return to UMass Lowell after decades away from campus.

I'm insatiably curious and collaborative, so I liked the mix of people that showed up and the questions that were asked, he says.

In his lecture for students and faculty at OLeary Library, Masson said he expects artificial intelligence to have a significant impact on the art and computer graphics fields, both professionally and academically. With AI in its infancy, however, he said artists must have enough training and skill to use it effectively.

Image by Marlon Pitter

You've got to know what goes into making it an aesthetically pleasing image and you have to use those words, he says. Otherwise, youll say something and it's just going to not be that great.

Masson also shared stories with students about the high-pressure nature of working in production, particularly noting his experience completing the trailer for the 1998 action-comedy film Small Soldiers.

It was kind of a 24/7 thing for a week, he said. The producer came to me with the timesheet and said, You billed 110 hours for last week. I said, Well, yeah, I worked 110 hours.

Massons current lifestyle, while still busy, is nowhere near as hectic.

He currently serves as chair of the Computer Arts Department at the School of Visual Arts, a private college in Manhattan. Still living in Massachusetts, he drives to New York and stays there for three days each week, while working from home the other two days.

Masson says this arrangement allows him to balance his priorities between work and family.

It's very efficient, he says. My parents think I'm nuts, but it's really easy."
News

Mixed cropping enhances beneficial bugs and reduces pests Agricultural land use is a major contributor to the global decline in biodiversity  especially farming single crops on a massive scale. Mixing crops can counteract this: in fields where different crops grow at the same time, there are more beneficial insects and spiders than in monocultures. At the same time, there are fewer pests. Researchers show this through a systematic literature review and statistical meta-analysis. more

Multiple uses of tropical mosaic landscapes Many landscapes in the tropics consist of a mosaic of different types of land use. How people make use of these different ecosystems, with their particular plant communities, was unclear until now. Researchers, many of them from Madagascar, have now investigated this in an interdisciplinary Malagasy research project at the University of Gottingen. This research shows that rural households use a wide range of plant species and services provided by many nearby ecosystem types. more

Remote plant worlds Oceanic islands provide useful models for ecology, biogeography and evolutionary research. Many ground-breaking findings  including Darwin's theory of evolution  have emerged from the study of species on islands and their interplay with their living and non-living environment. Now, an international research team led by the University of Gottingen has investigated the flora of the Canary Island of Tenerife. The results, which were published in Nature, were surprising. more

Renewal for university network Enlight The European university network Enlight has been renewed: the EU has funded the Enlight Network consisting of the University of Gottingen with nine other research-oriented universities for four more years with a total of around 14.4 million euros. The Network plans to use a large part of the funds for academic initiatives, underlining its commitment to supporting researchers and students. more

Further news
BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently concluded her visit to China, summarizing conversations during the four-day trip as "direct, substantive, and productive." The Chinese side also described the interaction as "candid, pragmatic, in-depth, and constructive."

The similar tone of both sides' evaluations reflects their shared emphasis on strengthening such communication and their common need to improve China-U.S. relations.

Overall, as recognized by both sides, this round of interaction has injected positive elements for stabilizing China-U.S. relations because it characterizes three keys to improving bilateral ties.

The first key is to deepen communication.

During her visit, Yellen expressed the willingness to implement the understandings reached by the two heads of state in Bali last year and strengthen communication between the two sides. As for China, it has always shown utmost sincerity in resolving differences with the United States through dialogue.

However, since the meeting between the two heads of state in Bali, the United States had not shown any restraint in smearing and suppressing China, severely poisoning the atmosphere for dialogue, and compelling the delay of the interactive agenda set by the two heads of state.

As Yellen said at a press conference before concluding her visit, the bilateral meetings during the visit, which totaled about 10 hours, "served as a step forward in our effort to put the U.S.-China relationship on surer footing."

Given the current state of China-U.S. relations, restarting communication is not an easy task, but what matters most is to sustain it based on mutual sincerity.

The United States should know that communication is not a one-time deal: it requires creating a favorable atmosphere beforehand, building consensus during the process, and solidly implementing them afterward.

To achieve more effective and meaningful interactions, the U.S. side should actively follow up on each dialogue and earnestly implement the consensus and outcomes reached during the discussions.

The second key is to address mutual concerns.

The aim of establishing communication channels is to facilitate a clear and smooth expression of major concerns and basic positions by both sides.

In recent years, the United States has imposed a string of economic sanctions and measures against China, which have undermined the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese market entities and eroded the popular support for bilateral relations.

During meetings with Yellen, the Chinese side reiterated its concerns regarding issues such as the removal of tariffs on China, cessation of suppression against Chinese companies, fair treatment of bilateral investments, relaxation of export controls on China, and lifting the ban on products related to China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

In response, Yellen said that the United States is willing to listen to China's concerns, does not seek to decouple from China, and has no intention of hindering China's modernization process.

In the current lowest point of China-U.S. relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties, this kind of constructive interaction is conducive to stabilizing and reversing the downward spiral in the bilateral relationship.

The third key is to seek consensus.

As the world's largest developing and developed economies, China and the United States have built their economic relationship over several decades.

Strengthening cooperation is a pragmatic necessity and the right choice for both nations. Through open and sincere communication, the two sides should seek consensus on important economic issues, injecting stability and positive energy into their economic relationship.

Currently, global challenges such as macroeconomic and financial destabilization, climate change, and debt issues are escalating. Effective responses to these global challenges require coordination and cooperation between China and the United States, which aligns with their common interests.

Yellen said during the visit that the United States does not seek to decouple from China as it would be disastrous for both countries and create instability globally, and it has no intention to force countries to take sides.

"The world is big enough for both of our countries to thrive," Yellen said at the end of her visit.

This round of interaction between the two countries brings positive expectations for bilateral relations. However, it is necessary to be wary of the United States' habitual double-talk on issues concerning China.

Just as Yellen visited China, Bloomberg reported that the U.S. government is preparing an executive order to restrict American investments in China, suggesting that the next test for the bilateral relationship may come soon.

Regardless of whether the United States is playing a double game or not, China never places its destiny in the hands of other countries, and remains focused on its own development. The autonomy over its own fate provides China with both the determination and confidence in handling all international issues, including China-U.S. relations. 
TEHRAN, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Thursday rejected a number of accusations leveled recently by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members against the country, including over its alleged "military support to Russia against Ukraine" and nuclear program.

In a statement published on its website, the Iranian Embassy to Brussels responded to a communique by the NATO leaders at a summit in Lithuania on Tuesday accusing Iran of providing Russia with military support against Ukraine and expressing "concern about Iran's escalation of its nuclear program."

Refuting the accusations as "baseless," the embassy said Iran has maintained its "impartial role" with regard to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and as a "law-abiding and influential regional player."

Regarding nuclear activities, Iran is still "absolutely determined" to honor its obligations within the framework of a 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), it added.

But certain NATO members, which are among the JCPOA parties, have "continuously violated the agreement and the UN Security Council Resolution 2231," it noted.

The NATO summit's communique also called upon Iran to "cease its military support to Russia, in particular its transfer of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which have been used to attack critical infrastructure, causing widespread civilian casualties."

Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country. The U.S., however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.

The negotiations for the revival of the JCPOA commenced in April 2021 in Austria's capital Vienna. Despite several rounds of talks, no significant breakthrough has been achieved since the end of the last round in August 2022.

Ever since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the West has been accusing Iran of sending drones to Moscow for military use. Iran has repeatedly rejected such allegations, saying it has given only a limited number of UAVs to Russia months before the start of the conflict. 
UNODC supports the Kyrgyz Republic in development of tools for search of criminal assets

Every year, international corruption generates billions of dollars. Most of the assets acquired through corruption offenses will never be returned by the affected countries for the simple reason that they cannot be located.

The UNODC Program Office in the Kyrgyz Republic and INL project Support to the Kyrgyz Republics efforts in the field of identification, confiscation and recovering the illicitly-acquired assets emanating from corruption activities aims to assist the Government of Kyrgyzstan in improving the effectiveness of the national system for the identification, search, seizure and return of stolen assets , as well as the international search for stolen funds during the investigation of crimes that damage the financial interests of the country.

As part of the initiative, UNODC international experts Mr. Igoris Krzeckovskis and Mr. Irmantas Mikelionis, presented a draft concept for Strengthening Capacities in the Investigation and Seizure of Criminal Assets, as well as a Guide on International Legal Assistance in the Investigation, Seizure and Recovery of Criminal Assets.

These documents ware based on international standards and best practices of foreign law enforcement agencies in order to improve the efficiency of the activities of prosecutors and investigators of the Kyrgyz Republic, conducting investigations facts of corruption, drug trafficking, as well as other crimes that generate significant criminal profits.

The daily use of these tools will support significantly increase the effectiveness of protecting the financial system of the state and the interests of its citizens.

According to Mr. Kanat Asangulov, Chairman of the State Financial Intelligence Service under the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic, the discussion of the issues of arrest, confiscation and return of stolen assets is especially relevant, with the emergence of new challenges and threats in the modern world. We need to search for new tools for processing information related to financial crimes, and modern special methods for analyzing such information and a new level of interdepartmental interaction between our departments are required.

To improve the quality and efficiency of financial investigations, UNODC international experts conducted training on the use of financial investigation technologies to track, search and seize stolen assets both in the Kyrgyz Republic and in foreign countries.

Particular attention during the event was paid to the practical aspects of the interaction of law enforcement agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic with foreign colleagues, the possibility of using various channels of interaction in the course of the search for stolen assets, as well as the best practice for creating national interdepartmental centers responsible for identifying and suppressing serious economic crimes at an early stage.

During the implementation of the project, organized with the support of the US State Department's Division of International Drug Trafficking and Law Enforcement (INL), law enforcement agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic received significant support in strengthening the system for detecting, tracing and seizing criminal assets. The work on the project was done in a very active and close cooperation with national experts, in connection with which it was possible to achieve all the results set for the project. I am sure that the application of the developed methods and tools will create an effective barrier to theft and transfer abroad of both public and private assets, said Mr. Igoris Krzeckovskis, UNODC international expert in the field of fight against money laundering and asset recovery.

This project is funded by the U.S. State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs/ INL.

***

For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko

Communication and PR Specialist

At UNODC Criminal Justice Programme in Central Asia

by +996775987817 WhatsApp or

vasilina.brazhko [at] un.org
Ensuring Justice for Torture Victims

Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrined the prohibition of torture in any and all circumstances as a cornerstone of the international human rights regime, and today the absolute prohibition against torture is considered a peremptory norm of both international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The UN Convention Against Torture broadly defines torture as any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity.

The international effort to address the evils of torture essentially consists of two pillars: The provision of support to the victims of torture; and a commitment to ensure that there can be no impunity for their torturers.

Recovering from torture requires prompt and specialized programmes, but the work of rehabilitation centres and organizations around the world has demonstrated that victims can successfully make the transition from horror to healing.

The UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, administered by the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva was created in 1981 to act as victim-focused mechanism that channels funding for the assistance to victims of torture and their families. Beneficiaries include human rights defenders, persons deprived of liberty, children and adolescents, refugees and migrants, victims of enforced disappearance, indigenous peoples, victims of sexual and gender-based violence, among others.

The UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture accepts donations.

The international effort to eradicate torture began with the UDHR 75 years ago, and while sadly such incidents still do occur around the world today, often hidden away in the shadows, impunity for such acts has significantly reduced over the past decades.

The absolute prohibition on torture comes with a legal obligation for every state around the world to prosecute any individual credibly accused of having participated in an act of torture, or to extradite the individual to a country seeking to assert its jurisdiction over the offence.

Thanks in large part to the path illuminated by the UDHR, a web of both domestic and international legal instruments and institutions now exist to ensure that the long arm of justice can reach into these hidden spaces and that the suffering of victims can be redressed.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made the international communitys position crystal clear: Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.

To this end, in Nigeria UNODC has partnered with the Wayamo Foundation and the UN Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict to train prosecutors and military personnel on the investigation and prosecution of international criminal offences, like torture.

In addition to being a universal crime, there is no statute of limitations in relation to this offence. This means that a torturer, and his or her superiors, can be prosecuted until their dying day, and that their crimes often survive the governments or warlords that once protected them.

The moral arc of the universe may be a long one, but it ultimately bends inevitably and implacably towards justice.

This article is latest in a series of web stories to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the relevance of UNODCs work around the world to uploading these fundamental values.
Coordinator to Prime Minister on Economy and Energy Bilal Azhar Kayani on Thursday said that $4.2 billion have been credited to Pakistan in last 3 days from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jul, 2023 ):Coordinator to Prime Minister on Economy and Energy Bilal Azhar Kayani on Thursday said that $4.2 billion have been credited to Pakistan in last 3 days from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Giving breakup figures, the coordinator tweeted that $2 billion were received from Saudi Arabia, $1 billion from UAE and $1.2 billion from IMF.

He said that Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has shared that State Bank of Pakistan has received US $1.2 billion from IMF, following the approval of the US$3 billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) by the IMF Executive Board the previous day .

He said that remaining amount of $1.8 billion would be credited in 9 months, following two quarterly reviews.

He said more inflows were expected from multilateral development partners including World Bank (WB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Islamic Development Bank (IDB), which would further improve country's foreign exchange reserves, he added.

"FM @MIshaqDar50 has just announced that US$1.2 billion have been received from the IMF in @StateBank_Pak, following the approval of the US$3 billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) by the IMF Executive Board yesterday. The remaining amount ($1.8 billion) will be phased over the program's duration (9 months), following two quarterly reviews.With this inflow, Pakistan has now received a total of $4.2 billion from Saudi Arabia, UAE, and the IMF over the last 3 days:- Saudi Arabia: $2 billion; - UAE: $1 billion; IMF: $1.2 billion..More inflows are expected from multilateral development partners (including WB, AIIB, IDB) in the coming weeks and months, which will further improve Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves", he tweeted.
(@FahadShabbir)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jul, 2023 ) :Executive Committee of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) on Thursday held its first meeting which took a holistic overview of various initiatives being executed under the council and their implementation progress.

Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal presided over the meeting of the SIFC, established at the Prime Minister Secretariat, a news release said.

The meeting was attended by relevant Federal and provincial ministers besides concerned high-ranking civil and military officials.
Red Deer, Canada, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jul, 2023 ) :With its flaking red paint, broken pressure gauge and cranks fallen to the ground, an oil well sits forsaken in western Canada, like tens of thousands of others that have been out of service for decades -- but never plugged.

Activists and experts say the existence of these inactive oil and gas installations -- often dug hundreds of meters (yards) below the surface in Alberta province -- is a ticking ecological time bomb for the vast country.

"Every single one of them is simply steel and concrete. They erode and break down," said Regan Boychuk, the founder of Reclaim Alberta, a group advocating for the clean-up of such wells.

"Every one of these holes needs to be managed, monitored for eternity because of the danger of leaks," he told AFP.

Each one of these wells also emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas that, over a 20-year period, is "86 times more impactful compared to a molecule of carbon dioxide," stresses McGill University professor Mary Kang, who has written a study on the issue.

It's a source of pollution that she believes is likely underestimated and "has a much bigger uncertainty range compared to other methane emission sources," Kang notes.

More than 120,000 oil and gas wells are inactive but not sealed off in Alberta and Saskatchewan provinces, home to more than 90 percent of Canada's wells, according to government data released in 2022.

The oldest of these has not been used since World War I.

Overall, according to that government data, these installations have emitted an average of 16,000 tonnes of methane per year over a century -- the equivalent of 545,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, or what about 237,000 vehicles emit in one year.

- Work postponed indefinitely - Most of the wells were built sometime between the dawn of the oil and gas era in the 1860s and the end of the 1940s. In some provinces of Canada, which has the world's fourth largest proven oil reserves, they are not even registered.

After decades of industrial expansion, Alberta -- home to most of the country's oil resources, mainly in the form of oil sands -- saw the number of inactive wells increase rapidly since 2010, particularly after crude prices dropped off in 2014.

Under the polluter-pay principle enshrined in Canadian law, energy companies must pay for the plugging of wells and cleanup of the surrounding area, but there is thus far no deadline for that work to be completed.

This allows oil and gas firms to postpone the work indefinitely, or to transfer their inactive wells to smaller companies.

When these companies file for bankruptcy, the environmental burden for orphaned wells falls to provincial authorities -- and creates another bureaucratic nightmare.

Over roughly a decade, the number of orphaned wells in Alberta exploded, from 700 in 2010 to almost 10,000 in 2023.

The government in Ottawa says the cost of cleaning them up will soar from CAN $361 million (US $272 million) in 2020 to $1.1 billion in 2025.

While the Orphan Well Association in Alberta plans to get the job done over the next 10 to 12 years, some say the monumental task has been wildly misjudged.

"There are tens of thousands that fit the common sense definition, but only a few thousand are officially designated," Boychuk says.

- Polluted soil - Albert Hummel, a farmer in southern Alberta, had seven abandoned wells on his land. But he's one of the lucky ones -- some of them were finally sealed off and "reclaimed," or restored to their original state. There are two left to handle.

"It's a slow process, it takes time," says Hummel, who lost the royalties he was earning for the use of his land once the oil company in question went out of business in 2019.

Once the soil is contaminated, it takes decades for the pollutants to evaporate. Only then can cleanup work begin.

After the ground is purified, the wells must be plugged with cement, each layer of soil carefully replaced, and the area leveled off with the surrounding fields for it to be considered "reclaimed." Right in the middle of one of Hummel's fields, the remains of a well have prevented the farmer from using part of that land -- "it's just straight loss of production," he says, pointing to the pipes emerging from the earth.

In an effort to offset the loss and render the area at least partially useful, one small company has offered to install solar panels until the ground can be decontaminated.

"It just gives nature more time for the grass to come back, for contaminants to evaporate," says Daryl Bennett from the RenuWell project.

"It'll give a little more time to clean up the land and reclaim it, and it's producing renewable energy too." But such solutions represent a drop in the bucket when compared to the overall cleanup at hand.

"Emissions from this legacy infrastructure, they're not going to go away," says Kang.

"It's something we're going to have to manage for years and decades to come."
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa (2nd L, rear) welcomes Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (1st L, rear) in Harare, Zimbabwe, July 13, 2023. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi concluded his three-nation Africa tour on Thursday with a one-day state visit to Zimbabwe. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)

HARARE, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi concluded his three-nation Africa tour on Thursday with a one-day state visit to Zimbabwe.

In his welcoming remarks, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa urged Iran to exploit investment opportunities in Zimbabwe.

"We welcome investments in several sectors of our economy, especially in mining. We have vast opportunities in mining, in health, in agriculture, in energy, infrastructure development, and science and technology," he said.

Mnangagwa also condemned sanctions imposed on the two countries by Western nations, saying both countries are victims of the illegal embargoes that continue to hamper growth and prosperity.

"We look forward therefore to sharing experiences with Iran on innovative strategies on propelling the sustainable growth of our economies and raising the standard of lives of our people even under these heinous sanctions" said Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa also affirmed his commitment to work with Iran and the international community in calling for a just global order.

In his remarks, Raisi, whose Africa tour also took him to Kenya and Uganda, said Iran stands ready to share its capabilities with friends in Africa, especially Zimbabwe.

"Our cooperation with Zimbabwe and our cooperation with the African continent, which is a continent full of potential, could help us for mutual advances," Raisi said in a translated speech.

"My visit's message and signal is that we are determined, we are mutually determined to expand our bilateral relations in all areas including political, economic, trade and science and technology sectors," he added.

Raisi also castigated sanctions imposed on the two countries by the West. "We are against unilateralism, we are against sanctions," he said.

The two sides signed 12 Memoranda of Understanding in energy, ICT, education, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and other fields during Raisi's visit. 
(@FahadShabbir)

Seoul, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jul, 2023 ) :North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the successful test of the country's newest intercontinental ballistic missile, state media reported Thursday, days after Pyongyang threatened to down any US spy planes that enter its airspace.

A beaming Kim, wearing a white suit and flanked by his wife and key aides, was shown in state media images applauding enthusiastically after the launch of the solid-fuel Hwasong-18 on Wednesday.

The ICBM, which North Korea has fired only once before, in April, flew 1,001 kilometres at a maximum altitude of 6,648 km before splashing into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, the official Korean Central news Agency reported.

The launch was a "grand explosion" that shook "the whole planet", KCNA said. State media footage showed the missile blasting off into the sky.

Kim vowed that "a series of stronger military offensive" would be launched until the United States and South Korea change their policies towards North Korea, the agency added.

Citing the "unstable situation" on the Korean peninsula, Kim also called for "more intense efforts" to boost North Korea's nuclear arsenal.

The confirmation of the launch -- which the South Korean military had reported on Wednesday -- came with relations between the two Koreas at one of their lowest points ever.

Diplomacy is stalled and Kim has called for ramping up weapons development, including tactical nukes.

In response, Seoul and Washington have boosted security cooperation, vowing that Pyongyang would face a nuclear response and the "end" of its current government were it to ever use its nuclear weapons against the allies.

Seoul described Wednesday's launch as "a grave provocation that damages the peace and security of the Korean peninsula". The United Nations, the United States and its allies also strongly condemned it.

"This launch is a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and needlessly raises tensions and risks destabilising the security situation in the region," US National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said in a statement.

Pyongyang in February tested the Hwasong-15, which flew a similar 989 km.

- 'Provocative' US actions - Wednesday's launch came after North Korea on Monday accused a US spy plane of violating its airspace and condemned Washington's plans to deploy a nuclear missile submarine near the Korean peninsula.

Pyongyang claimed the US had "intensified espionage activities beyond the wartime level", citing "provocative" spy plane flights over eight straight days this month.

"There is no guarantee that such shocking accident as downing of the US Air Force strategic reconnaissance plane will not happen in the East Sea of Korea," a North Korean defence spokesperson said.

Kim's powerful sister Kim Yo Jong also slammed the purported US spy aircraft airspace violations, and warned that North Korea would take "decisive action" if its maritime military demarcation line was crossed.

The United States said in April that one of its nuclear-armed ballistic submarines would visit a South Korean port for the first time in decades, without specifying an exact date.

South Korea and the United States are set to start their major annual joint military exercises, known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, next month.

North Korea regards all such exercises as rehearsals for invasion and has described them as "frantic" drills "simulating an all-out war against" Pyongyang.

"I expect the North to continue firing missiles similar to Hwasong-18 through the end of August while the joint South Korea-US military exercises are scheduled," Choi Gi-il, a professor of military studies at Sangji University, told AFP.

Although conducting ICBM launches is expensive, particularly given the dire economic conditions in North Korea with reports of food shortages and starvation, Choi said Pyongyang had "got enough missiles ready" to continue its testing blitz.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is in Lithuania this week to attend the NATO summit, seeking stronger cooperation over North Korea's growing threats.
Kyiv, Ukraine, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jul, 2023 ) :A Russian drone strike on Kyiv killed one person and wounded at least four others, authorities said on Thursday, with explosions heard across the Ukrainian capital in the third night of attacks.

"Tonight, a massive attack by Iranian drones took place," Kyiv's military administration said on Telegram.

Iran-made Shahed explosive drones had "entered the capital from different directions," it said, adding "about a dozen" had been downed in the city's airspace.

Falling debris was reported in five districts, it said, adding that a 19-year-old woman and 23-year-old man had been hospitalised with shrapnel wounds.

Two people were wounded in Darnytsky district "as a result of falling debris," Sergiy Popko, head of Kyiv's military administration, wrote on Telegram.

It was unclear if they were the same two people.

Emergency services were responding to calls in Solomyansky, Shevchenkivsky, Podilsky and Darnytsky districts following "explosions in the capital," Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said earlier.

"In Podilsky district, during the firefighting in an apartment building, a body of one dead person was discovered," Klitschko posted on Telegram.

Klitschko also said two people had been "hospitalised" in Darnytsky district after falling debris damaged a residential building.

It was not clear if they were the same two people mentioned by the military administration.

Two others in Shevchenkivsky district had been treated at the scene, Klitschko said.

Fires broke out in an apartment building in Shevchenkivsky district and in a non-residential building in Podilsky district, he said, adding emergency services were on site.

A picture posted on the official Telegram by Kyiv's military administration showed a room in a high-rise building with part of its wall blown out, in what it said was the result of falling debris in Darnytsky district.

Ukraine's Air Force warned that the threat of attacks by Russian drones on the city remains.
Geneva, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jul, 2023 ) :The bodies of at least 87 people allegedly killed last month by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group and their allies have been buried in a mass grave in Darfur, the UN said on Thursday.

Since April 15, Sudan's regular army headed by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has been locked in fighting with the RSF, commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

The fighting has sparked a humanitarian crisis, killing thousands and forcing millions of people to flee their homes, with the deadliest violence raging in the vast western region of Darfur that borders Chad.

The victims were killed in the West Darfur state capital El-Geneina between June 13-21 and the RSF ordered locals to bury them outside the city, said the UN's human rights office OHCHR.

Some of the victims belonged to the non-Arab Masalit ethnic group, while seven women and seven children were among the dead, the office said, adding that the RSF were "denying those killed a decent burial".

The UN had already received reports of Arab militia targeting Masalit men and said the conflict has taken on an "ethnic dimension".
UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jul, 2023 ) :Pakistani education advocate and UN Messenger of Peace, Malala Yousafzai, has told a gathering in Abuja, Nigeria, that the world must do more to ensure that more than 120 million girls who are out of school can do get an education The Nobel laureate was speaking exactly 10 years after her landmark 'Malala Day' address to youth at UN Headquarters in New York, where she called for global action against illiteracy, poverty and terrorism, according to a press release issued at UN Headquarters in New York.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed introduced Malala, saying she has transcended borders, cultures and generations, while her message and passion have touched people everywhere.

"Malala keeps daring us to imagine: to imagine a world with less intolerance, more understanding and respect. A world of less hate and more humanity. A world of less bigotry and more equality. A world of less ignorance, and more education and knowledge," Ms. Mohammed said.

She added that both the UN and Malala know that quality education for both girls and boys "is not a dream, but it's a fundamental human right." In the years since her UN speech, Malala has completed high school and university, travelled to more than 30 countries, and established an eponymous fund working to reduce barriers to girls' education.

"I gave a lot of speeches and talked to many leaders," Malala said. "In everything that I did, I tried to draw the world's attention to girls like me  the nearly 120 million girls denied the right to education by poverty, patriarchy, climate and conflict." During that time, Malala also spent her birthday traveling to different countries to meet with local girls, including refugees in Jordan, Iraq, Kenya and Rwanda, and indigenous girls in Brazil.

She has made three trips to Nigeria alone, meeting with activists and young women, and also with parents whose daughters were among the 276 girls abducted in the Chibok school kidnapping in 2014.

Malala shared the stories of some of the young women she has met over the years who have gone on to earn university degrees and even start working.

"We should celebrate the girl who goes to university, takes a job, chooses when and if she marries. But we should not deceive ourselves into thinking that we have made enough progress," she warned.

"I want to cheer for those who have made it, despite the challenges they faced. But my heart aches for those who we failed. Every young woman like me has friends we saw being left behind - those whose governments, communities and families held them back." Malala praised global initiatives to boost education and gender equality, which will help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of quality education for all by 2030.

Yet she again stressed that "this handful of victories can't hide how little has changed for hundreds of millions of girls", including due to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Malala also highlighted the situation in Afghanistan following the Taliban's return to power two years ago. Previously, one in three women there were enrolled in university, she said, but today it is the only country in the world where women and girls are banned from pursuing an education.

"Even as a teenager, I understood that progress could be slow," she said. "But I never expected to witness a complete reversal. An entire country of girls locked out of school, trapped in their homes, and losing hope." In her powerful speech at the UN in 2013, the 16-year-old Malala famously declared that "one child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world." Her youthful optimism has since been tempered.

"I will tell you today what I did not know then. One child, even with the best resources and encouragement, one child can't change the world. Neither can one president or prime minister," she said.

"One teacher, one activist, one parent - no one can change the world on their own. What is true is that change can begin with just one person." Malala called for joining forces to build a world where all children have access to 12 years of quality education, while leaders must be held accountable for their commitments to gender equality and education.

She also underlined the importance of communities. "I believe that so many of the problems girls face would be solved if we could break the stranglehold of patriarchy, the misogyny, we disguise as a cultural tradition or religion," she said.

Malala revealed that when she was 16, she could not have imagined what the decade ahead would hold, although she was hopeful.

"Today, I can see the future more clearly because I have met our future leaders. Girls understand the power of education and they're working to open the school gates wide enough for every child to enter," she said.

"I know that if we match their determination, fund their work and follow their lead, we will see so much progress in the next 10 years." As part of her visit, on Tuesday, the Deputy Secretary-General travelled to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, with Malala and her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai who is a co-founder of the Malala Fund.

The delegation visited three schools all of which focus on providing quality education to girls, many of whom have been impacted by violence.

Ms. Mohammed is headed next to the Belgian capital Brussels, where she will join the Secretary-General in UN-European Union meetings, the UN said.
(@FahadShabbir)

US trade regulators have reached a settlement with the bankrupt cryptocurrency platform Celsius Network to permanently ban it from handling consumers' assets after its three co-founders were charged with fraud, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said in a statement on Thursday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th July, 2023) US trade regulators have reached a settlement with the bankrupt cryptocurrency platform Celsius Network to permanently ban it from handling consumers' assets after its three co-founders were charged with fraud, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said in a statement on Thursday.

"Celsius touted a new business model but engaged in an old-fashioned swindle," FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine said in the statement.

Under the settlement, Celsius pledged to refrain from offering, marketing or promoting any product or service that could be used to deposit, exchange, invest or withdraw any assets, the statement said.

Celsius also agreed to freeze $4.7 billion from its accounts to enable it to settle customer assets in bankruptcy proceedings, the statement said.

"Today's action banning Celsius from handling people's money and holding its executives accountable should make clear that emerging technologies are not above the law," the statement said.

The three executives of - co-founder and Chief Executive Alexander Mashinsky and joint co-founders Shlomi Daniel Leon and Hanoch Goldstein - have not agreed to settle charges against them, the statement said.

"The FTC's case against them will proceed in federal court," the statement added.

Celsius, which filed for bankruptcy in July 2022, marketed a variety of cryptocurrency products and services to consumers, including interest-bearing accounts, personal loans secured by their cryptocurrency deposits and a cryptocurrency exchange.

According to the FTC's complaint filed in federal court, the three executives marketed the platform as a safe place for consumers to deposit cryptocurrency, claiming in online videos and other forums that its platform was safer than banks due to much lower risk.

The FTC said Celsius and its top executives deceived users by falsely promising they could withdraw their deposits at any time, that the company maintained a $750 million insurance policy for deposits and had sufficient reserves to meet customer obligations. The company also promised rewards as high as 18% on annual percentage yield on deposits of cryptocurrency assets.

Far from securing customers' cryptocurrency deposits, Celsius took title to and misappropriated deposits totaling more than $4 billion, according to the complaint. The company used the consumer deposits to fund its operations, pay rewards to other customers, borrow from other institutions, and make high-risk investments, which even the company acknowledged often lost money.

The FTC said in the statement that Mashinsky falsely claimed in an online video in 2022 that Celsius is stronger than ever and has billions of Dollars in liquidity.

In addition, Celsius falsely promised that it had "more than enough" assets to satisfy its consumer obligations only several days before freezing consumer withdrawals, the statement said.

While deceiving customers so as not to withdraw their cryptocurrencies, the three officials protected themselves by withdrawing significant sums of cryptocurrency from Celsius two months before the company filed for bankruptcy, the complaint said.
ISTANBUL (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th July, 2023) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that he plans to discuss with Russian President Vladimir Putin the sale of Russian amphibious aircraft dedicated to extinguishing forest fires.

"We expect that during a personal meeting with Putin we will discuss the acquisition of several amphibious aircraft they have, as they have a very significant effect on extinguishing fires," Erdogan told reporters.
The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries condemn North Korea's recent test launches of ballistic missiles and call on Pyongyang to cease its weapons programs, the G7 foreign ministers said on Thursday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th July, 2023) The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries condemn North Korea's recent test launches of ballistic missiles and call on Pyongyang to cease its weapons programs, the G7 foreign ministers said on Thursday.

"We, the G7 Foreign Ministers... condemn in the strongest terms North Korea's brazen launch of another Intercontinental Ballistic Missile conducted on July 12, 2023, following the launch using ballistic missile technology conducted on May 31, 2023 along with the launches of two ballistic missiles on June 15, 2023," the foreign ministers said in a statement.

The launches pose a grave threat to regional and international peace and stability, the statement said. The launches also violate UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting North Korean missile launches that use ballistic missile technology, the statement said.

The G7 foreign ministers reiterate their demand to North Korea to abandon its missile and weapons of mass destruction programs, the statement said.

The foreign ministers also urge a swift and strong response to the situation from the UN Security Council, the statement added.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Paris on Thursday, to start a two-day visit to France, during which he plans to discuss opportunities for further cooperation, the prime minister said on Twitter

NEW DELHI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th July, 2023) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Paris on Thursday, to start a two-day visit to France, during which he plans to discuss opportunities for further cooperation, the prime minister said on Twitter.

"Landed in Paris. Looking forward to boosting India-France cooperation during this visit. My various programs today include an interaction with the Indian community later in the evening," Modi wrote on Twitter.

Modi is expected to hold talks with President Emmanuel Macron, who had invited the prime minister to France. Also, the head of the Indian government has scheduled meetings with with his French counterpart, Elisabeth Borne, representatives of Parliament and both French and Indian CEOs.

Modi will be attending the Bastille Day parade on Friday as a guest of honor. Indian military contingent will take part in the parade, while Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past on the occasion.

This visit also marks the celebration of the 25th anniversary of strategic partnership between the countries.

"This year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership. Rooted in deep trust and commitment, our two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defense, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people to people ties. We also work together on regional and global issues," the Indian prime minister said in a statement on his official website.

Strategic partnership between India and France was signed in 1998. It facilitates countries' cooperation in spheres of mutual interest such as trade, defense, science, technology, and culture.

After his visit to France, Modi is expected to head to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th July, 2023) The coalition led by the United States breached deconfliction protocols 13 times in Syria over the past 24 hours, Rear Adm. Oleg Gurinov, the deputy head of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria, said on Thursday.

"During the day, 13 cases of violations of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019 were recorded, related to flights of unmanned aerial vehicles not coordinated with the Russian side by the so-called 'international anti-terrorist coalition' led by the United States," Gurinov told a briefing.

The Russian military official added that F-15, F-16 and Rafale fighter jets of the coalition 10 times entered the Syrian airspace in the Al-Tanf area, through which international air routes pass.

"In addition, on July 12, 2023, in the Al-Tanf area, the coalition forces conducted exercises using air defense equipment," Gurinov said, adding that such incidents pose threat to civilian flights.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is travelling to Asia from July 13-21 to visit India for the G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors and Vietnam for bilateral engagements, the Treasury Department said on Thursday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th July, 2023) US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is travelling to Asia from July 13-21 to visit India for the G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors and Vietnam for bilateral engagements, the Treasury Department said on Thursday.

"While at the G20, Secretary Yellen will continue to build momentum for the collective effort that she helped launched last October to evolve the multilateral development banks to better meet global challenges while delivering on core development goals," the Treasury Department said in a statement.

The G20 gathering focuses on issues pertaining to the global economy and health.

Yellen will emphasize the need for concrete progress on global challenges, including on debt and the evolution of the multilateral development banks, the statement said.

In India, Yellen is also scheduled to talk with the country's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the statement said.

In Hanoi, Yellen will focus on deepening the bilateral economic relationship with Vietnam and bolstering "economic resilience," but will also discuss issues related to climate change and a transition to clean energy, the statement said.

The treasury secretary will also talk about currency issues in light of the fact that Vietnam has maintained a constructive dialogue with the Treasury Department and worked to address concerns about its currency practices, the statement said.

"Yellen will highlight this progress during her visit to Vietnam as one example of how our countries can work together to address challenges and help enhance Vietnam's financial and macroeconomic resilience," the statement added.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers patrol in Lebanese territory near the barbed wire fence erected by Israel to annex the Lebanese part of Ghajar, on July 12, 2023. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Thursday warned of a rapid escalation of the tensions on the Lebanon-Israel border, the National News Agency reported.

"The tensions that took place on the border over the past days indicate that events could develop quickly," Candice Ardell, deputy director of the UNIFIL Media Office, was quoted as saying.

The UN official urged Israel and Lebanon to avoid activities that may increase tensions, said the report.

This photo taken on July 12, 2023, shows a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) watch tower overlooking the Lebanese part of Ghajar bordering Israel-occupied Golan Heights. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

An Israeli drone on Wednesday attacked Hezbollah members as they were setting up a watch tower on the outskirts of Lebanon's southern border town of Yarine, injuring three of them, Lebanon's Elnashra news website reported.

Hezbollah then shot down the drone in response, said the report.

Ardell confirmed that the UNIFIL has contacted the authorities of both Israel and Lebanon, as the UN peacekeepers continued to monitor the situation on the border. 
For small-business owners, July is the perfect time to start planning their holiday season. This time of year allows small businesses time to step back and look at that critical season more objectively so they can develop a plan based on data and strategy.

Audie Cunningham will discuss and evaluate holiday marketing strategies in July during a Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network and workshop titled Business Fitness: Create Your Holiday Marketing Plan Thursday, July 20, from noon-1 p.m. To register, go here. Registration is free.

The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by the University of Wyoming with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Topics covered in this webinar may apply to holiday planning but can be applied to any time of the year. Cunningham will discuss what to include in your holiday marketing plan and why; common pitfalls and how to avoid them; and tips and tools for holiday advertising plans.

Cunningham is the Wyoming SBDC Networks regional director for Fremont and Teton counties. She enjoys seeing community members bring their business ideas to life and is eager to help them grow and thrive. As an entrepreneur, Cunningham has worked in art licensing and graphic design, and has 10 years of experience in customer service and marketing through her work in public libraries. Her education and experience have given her knowledge in print and digital marketing, creating marketing plans, social media marketing and business planning.

For more information, call Maureen Johnson, marketing, communication and database manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network, at (307) 343-0925 or email mjohn125@uwyo.edu.
TRIPOLI, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations' (UN) envoy to Libya on Wednesday urged the Libyan parties to adopt a consultative and inclusive approach in order to foster consensus.

"I urge all political and security actors in Libya to adopt a similar method, fostering consensus and paving the way for inclusive national elections," Abdoulaye Bathily, special representative of the UN secretary-general for Libya, tweeted after meeting here with Mohamed al-Menfi, president of the Presidency Council of Libya.

Bathily also met with Khaled al-Meshri, head of Libya's High Council of State, on Wednesday in Tripoli, where Bathily "raised the critical importance of addressing the pitfalls in the proposed electoral laws to ensure they are implementable."

During this meeting, Bathily emphasized that any roadmap should be consensual and must not become a new disguise for postponing the holding of elections.

"We agreed that it is time for all relevant Libyan institutions and key stakeholders to come together and engage constructively in reaching a compromise on all contested political issues. It is imperative to secure the essential buy-in from all actors," Bathily said.

On Tuesday, Bathily met with Khalifa Haftar, commander of the eastern-based army, in the eastern city of Benghazi. The two agreed on the importance of addressing the contentious issues in the draft electoral laws.

"We also emphasized the importance of the buy-in from all relevant Libyan institutions and key stakeholders to reach a political settlement for successful and inclusive elections in keeping with the aspiration of the Libyan people," Bathily said.

Libya failed to hold general elections in December 2021 as previously scheduled due to disagreements over election laws among the Libyan parties. In January, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah said his government was ready to hold general elections in 2023.

Ever since Muammar Gaddafi's government was toppled in 2011, Libya has been mired in escalating violence and political division. 
Afghan women owning and working at beauty salons gathered in Kabul over a two-day period this week to protest a recent decision by the Taliban to shut down their businesses.

Saying the move will force their women-led households into poverty, the protesters appealed to Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who reportedly resides in the southern Kandahar province, shuns appearing in public and does not meet women.

Akhundzada's decree to close all women's beauty parlors within a month marks the latest in a long list of discriminatory policies imposed by his so-called Islamic Emirate, which has earned Afghanistan the notorious title of "gender-apartheid regime" from the United Nations and human rights groups.

"They closed universities, schools, education and jobs, and now they're closing this avenue for women too. I don't know what the leaders of the Islamic Emirate want from us," one woman told TOLOnews, a local TV channel.

"Two households with disabled children depend on my job," said another woman.

Despite the pleas from the protesting women, the decision to shut the salons will be implemented in due course, said Mohammad Sadiq Akif, a spokesperson for the Taliban's Sharia enforcement ministry, which issued the controversial order.

"We have given both economic and Islamic reasons already," Akif told VOA.

The Taliban say the salons add unnecessary and excessive costs on men during their wedding ceremonies when brides are taken to these establishments.

"They also implant hair and pluck eyebrows, which are against the Sharia," Akif said in a video message.

The protesting women, however, say their salons strictly adhere to personal hygiene and cosmetic services without engaging in any un-Islamic practices.

Human rights groups have strongly condemned the Taliban's order on the closure of the beauty salons and accused the Islamist regime of trying to erase women from all public spheres.

Taliban leaders say their decisions are based on Afghan culture and Islamic values.

Teacher training discontinued

Amid a universally condemned ban on girls' secondary education since the Islamist group seized power in 2021, Taliban authorities this week announced the dissolution of Afghanistan's teacher training institute.

The institute employed nearly 4,000 people, many of them women.

In a statement, the Taliban's education ministry labeled the institute "ineffective and unnecessary" and said, "The fate of all of its employees will be decided" in the near future.

About 80% of school-age girls, or more than 2.5 million, and more than 100,000 female university students are banned from education in Afghanistan, according to the United Nations.
Leaders at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Botswana have urged renewal of the long-standing Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA).

The trade deal gives some African countries preferential or even tax-free access for their exports to the U.S. market. The agreement is due to expire in 2025, and African delegates at the summit want the deal renewed.

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, addressing delegates gathered in Gaborone for the summit, led the pleas to Washington to renew the arrangement.



Since it was put into place in 2000, AGOA has been credited with creating more than 46,000 jobs in Africa and bolstering exports to the U.S.

It is also our earnest hope that in consonance with the letter and spirit of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the Biden administration will renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act initiative, which expires in 2025," he said. "The AGOA renewal now, with expanded mandates, will give a strong signal and confidence to the markets and serve as a catalyst for Africa's industrialization and inclusion into the global value chains."

Florie Liser, chief executive and president of the Corporate Council on Africa, which organizes the U.S.-Africa Business Summit, said there is a need to examine AGOA in light of an agreement known as the African Continental Free Trade Area.

"A lot has changed" in Africa and beyond since AGOA came into being, she said. "The advent of the African Continental Free Trade Area is fostering much closer economic and commercial integration on the continent, which will spur the creation of regional and continental value chains and increase value added across key sectors. In many ways, the question is how best we can support this development.

The Atlantic Council Africa Center produced a report titled The Future of U.S.-Africa Trade and Investment, which analyzes the future of the AGOA. The report was issued Wednesday at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit.

Frannie Leautier, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and the reports lead author, said, "On extending or renewing AGOA, the idea is to realize the potential of AGOA for long-term development through greater certainty, planning and skilled up support for capacity development and investment flow. The first [recommendation] is straightforward: just extend it. The second one is to provide longer-term certainty about AGOA eligibility, because investors are waiting for that. Nobody is going to invest now if they think AGOA is not going to be extended.

Not all African countries benefit from AGOA. Some, like Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea, were barred because of coups and human rights violations. South Africas eligibility is being reviewed over the alleged sale of arms to Russia.



Meanwhile, Scott Nathan, chief executive of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, who is leading the U.S. government delegation at the summit, pledged continued support for Africa.

[The] United States is focused on what we will do with African nations and people, and not for African nations and people," he said. "We work to deepen and understand our partnership, amplify African voices and support the empowerment of Africans.

The summit has drawn more than 1,300 delegates, including leaders from Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Niger and Zimbabwe.
Al-Shabab fighters have attacked a Somali military base handed over by Kenyan forces late last month as part of an African Union troop drawdown.

Somalia regional officials said early Thursday the base in Geriley village in the Gedo region, about 12 kilometers from the Kenya border, was captured by militants.

Ibrahim Guled Adan, the district commissioner of El-Wak town, which Geriley falls under, told VOA Somali the militants seized the base after a firefight with Jubaland regional paramilitary forces.

Adan said four people  three soldiers, including two officers, and a civilian  were killed in the attack by al-Shabab.

Today there was a fighting in Geriley between the anti-peace elements and the paramilitary forces, he said.

He said the administration is planning to recapture Geriley.

We are in an urgent meeting, he said.

Geriley was handed over by African Union forces on June 29 as part of the publicized drawdown of 2,000 soldiers ahead of a full withdrawal by December 2024. The base was handed over to Somali regional forces.

Al-Shabab attempted to take over the base on July 4 but was repulsed by the regional forces.

The capture of Geriley could pose a security threat to Kenya because its close to the border. Al-Shabab attacks in the northeastern and coastal regions of Kenya have increased recently.

Meanwhile, the Jubaland regional intelligence agency said that security forces conducted an operation in the vicinity of Welmarow village on Wednesday evening, killing 17 al-Shabab militants.

The agency published purported photos of the dead militants.

Without providing evidence, the agency alleged that some of the militants killed in the operation included Kenyans and Ethiopian al-Shabab fighters.

Somali troops and al-Shabab militants already clashed twice this week in the Welmarow area.

On July 11, several regional forces were killed in an al-Shabab suicide car bomb while they conducted an operation. Two days earlier, Somali troops were conducting an operation when al-Shabab militants engaged them, an incident which prompted a request for air support by the Somali government.

The U.S. military in Africa then carried out three airstrikes, killing 10 al-Shabab militants.
U.S. President Joe Biden ended his three-nation trip to Europe with a resounding statement of support for NATO, seeking to allay European fears that a change in U.S. administration would mean uncertainty for Washingtons ties with its transatlantic allies.

I absolutely guarantee you. There is no question, he said during a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto Thursday in Helsinki. We will stay connected to NATO. Connected to NATO beginning middle and end. We're a transatlantic partnership.

Biden reiterated overwhelming support from both parties in the U.S. Congress, notwithstanding the fact there are some extreme elements of one party.

He appeared to be referring to the isolationist posture of some Republicans influenced by the America First principle espoused by Bidens predecessor, Donald Trump, who repeatedly questioned NATOs purpose and, in 2017, called the alliance obsolete.

The American people know, since the end of World War II and the formation of NATO that our security rests in the unanimity among European and transatlantic partner  us, he said.

Bidens guarantees of transatlantic unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin presents a markedly different tone than the last time an American leader spoke in the Finnish presidential palace.

Exactly five years ago this week, Trump met with Putin and, in a stunning rebuke of his own intelligence agencies assessment, sided with Putin over whether the Kremlin interfered in the 2016 U.S. election.

Commitment for Finland, Ukraine

Coming out of a two-day NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Biden assured Niinisto that the alliances commitment to its 31st and newest member is rock solid.

Finland was admitted in April. Sweden, which sought NATO membership at the same time as Finland in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine last year, was approved to join earlier this week after Turkey dropped its opposition following multiple rounds of talks.

Biden said NATO members are united and determined to support Ukraine in fending off Russias invasion and in progressing toward membership.

We're not waiting for [Ukraines] NATO membership to be finalized to commit to long-term security of Ukraine, he said, noting a new framework that will address Kyivs needs now and post-war. That framework was unveiled Wednesday by the G7, which includes Japan, the only non-NATO member of the group of seven wealthy democracies.

The framework provides for a series of bilateral agreements to provide security and economic support to protect Ukraine until the war with Russia ends and as Kyiv reforms its systems to alliance standards. Reform and end of conflict are conditions for joining NATO that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accepted.

Putin already lost

Biden also offered a stark assessment of Russian President Vladimir Putins chances in the conflict  declaring the Russian president has already lost the war.

Putin has a real problem. How does he move from here? What does he do? Biden asked rhetorically, noting that Moscow lacks the resources to win and will eventually decide there is no economic or political rationale to continue the conflict.

I can't predict exactly how that happens, Biden said. My hope is, and my expectation is, you'll see that Ukraine makes significant progress on their offensive, and that it generates a negotiated settlement somewhere along the line.

In return, Niinisto assured Biden of the Nordic nations commitment.

We will continue support to Ukraine, which is defending not only herself, but also all the values we represent in the Western world, he said.

Nordic summit

Niinisto and Biden met earlier Thursday before a larger gathering with Swedens Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Iceland's Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir.

Its the third summit of its format, and a particularly symbolic one as it is the first where all Nordic countries are now members of NATO.

We may expect Putin to lash out in some way or another, warned Patrick James, professor of International Relations at the University of Southern California. Intense rhetoric and, unfortunately, brutal actions would seem likely in response, he told VOA.

The agenda for the U.S.-Nordic summit includes discussion of climate change, security cooperation and emerging technologies.

Leaders also noted the importance of protecting the Arctic and promoting its sustainable economic development  a much more elusive goal since Russias invasion of Ukraine.

For nearly three decades, the Arctic Council has been a successful example of post-Cold War cooperation among eight Arctic states  Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the U.S., as well as indigenous peoples' organizations.

Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, the council has stopped working with Moscow, and now with all other council members part of NATO, theres concern the conflict will hamper work on climate change, biodiversity, indigenous peoples interests and other common challenges.

Council chair Norway has not made public whether it will try to get agreement on re-engaging Russia  which accounts for more than half the Arctic coastline  absent an end to Moscows war on Ukraine.

Some Arctic issues can be addressed effectively without Russian government involvement or consent, but for many of the most important Arctic issues, progress without Moscow will be woefully limited, said John Holdren co-director of the Harvard Kennedy School's Arctic Initiative and a former science adviser to U.S. President Barack Obama.

The simple fact is that Russia has more land area, more territorial waters, more population, and more infrastructure [including military infrastructure] in the Arctic than anybody else, he told VOA.

While China is not an Arctic nation, Beijing characterizes itself as a near-Arctic nation and has an active presence there. If China were to take a more active role on Russias side in the war in Ukraine, Holdren warned of increasing concerns about China-Russia collaboration in militarizing the Arctic.

Anita Powell contributed to this report.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story rendered Patrick James' first and last name in the incorrect order. VOA regrets the error.
U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday that talks are underway with Russia to free Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been held in a Moscow jail for more than 100 days on an espionage charge that he denies.

The Kremlin earlier this month said it was open to another prisoner swap with the U.S., one that would free Gershkovich, possibly in exchange for Vladimir Dunaev, a Russian in U.S. custody on cybercrime charges. But Moscow said the negotiations must be carried out in secret.

Biden, speaking at a news conference in Finland, made clear that the U.S. is interested.

I'm serious on a prisoner exchange, the U.S. leader said. And I'm serious about doing all we can to free Americans being illegally held in Russia or anywhere else for that matter, and that process is underway.

Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip. A Moscow court recently upheld a ruling to keep him in custody until August 30.

Russia has said an exchange could not occur until the charges against him have been adjudicated, but no trial date has been set.
China's two-way trade with Russia rose in June to its highest level since the Ukraine war started, Chinese customs data showed on Thursday, at a time that both of the neighbors have described their relations as at a new high.

Bilateral trade value surged to $20.83 billion in June, the highest since February 2022, according to the data by the General Administration of Customs, despite slowing global demand and rising geopolitical risks.

China's imports from Russia rose 15.7% to $11.28 billion, faster than a 10% increase in May. China has been buying discounted Russian oil, coal and some metals.

Outbound shipments to Russia soared 90.9% last month to a total of $9.55 billion, slower than a 114% growth registered in May.

The Chinese customs agency did not release a breakdown of the data on Thursday.

According to analytical agency Autostat, six of the top 10 brands by market share in Russia's auto industry are Chinese, such as Haval, Chery and Geely, which have filled a vacuum left by departing Western firms.

China's President Xi Jinping on Monday pledged to continue working with Russia to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday welcomed the opening of a new Huawei Innovation Center in Johannesburg, praising the Chinese company for its confidence in the South African economy and its potential.

Ramaphosa said that adopting Huaweis new technologies would help Africa leapfrog into the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Huawei was sanctioned in the United States in 2019 by then-President Donald Trump over concerns that Beijing was trying to monopolize networks and possibly use them for espionage. The company, however, already has a huge digital foothold in most of Africa, much of which struggles with low connectivity.

Ramaphosa attended the centers launch, alongside Chinese Ambassador Chen Xiaodong and the president of Huawei sub-Saharan Africa, Leo Chen.

For South Africa, expanding digital infrastructure is one of the primary engines of economic growth. The development of information technology is key to the competitiveness of our economy, Ramaphosa said, after touring the facility and watching presentations by Huawei employees.

Pretoria and Beijing have strong relations, with the latter having supported the fight against apartheid in South Africa. Additionally, both countries are members of the BRICS group of emerging nations. BRICS encompasses Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

Ramaphosa quoted Chinas leader in his address, saying, President Xi Jinping described science and technology as a primary productive force, talent as a primary resource, and innovation as a primary driver of growth. This is a sentiment that we share.

He said the innovation hub would now focus on knowledge and skills transfer as well as cultivating local talent through various programs. He also said it would be focusing on the development of small, micro- and medium enterprises, known as SMMEs.

According to a Huawei statement, Ambassador Chen said the innovation center showed "the Chinese private business sector and players are ready to stand by South Africa's side to accelerate the 5G application."

For his part, Leo Chen said, "We've been encouraged by the South African government's strong vision for the digital economy. South Africa is becoming a role model for the continent, as well as the global stage, in fields such as 5G deployment and 5G-driven industrial digital transformation."

While South Africa is the continents most industrialized country, it is suffering high rates of unemployment. Ramaphosa said he hoped the Huawei Innovation Center would help launch new local information and communication technology, or ICT, enterprises to help with job creation.

The president added that he welcomed plans for Huawei to invest in data centers and cyber security industries in Africa.

US concerns

Earlier this year, a group of U.S. lawmakers criticized Pretoria for its ties to Beijing, including its use of Chinese tech. Telkom, South Africas partly state-owned telecom operator, launched its 5G network throughout the country last year using Huawei technology.

China has been expanding its Digital Silk Road, a part of its wider Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, in sub-Saharan Africa, where less than 30% of people use the internet. Huawei subsidiaries own up to 70% of all 4G networks across the region.

In 2022, Ethiopia celebrated the launch of a 5G network powered by Huawei in Addis Ababa.

Washington has been playing catch-up to China in Africa, announcing last year that U.S.-backed telecom company Africell had invested to deliver a 5G network in Angola.

Chinas foreign ministry has regularly criticized U.S. officials warnings to Africa against relying on Chinese technology.

Chinese companies including Huawei have conducted mutually beneficial cooperation with many countries in Africa and the world beyond, contributed to the improvement and development of the countries communications infrastructure, provided advanced, quality, safe and affordable services for the local people and won great support, a ministry spokesman said last year.

And earlier this year, the ministry accused the U.S. of technological hegemony in its bans on Huawei.

The Chinese Embassy in Pretoria did not respond to a VOA request for comment.

Iginio Gagliardone is an associate professor of media and communications at Johannesburgs University of the Witwatersrand and author of the book China, Africa and the Future of the Internet. The professor said he didnt think South Africa or other African states were choosing China over the West when it came to new technologies.

Asked why South Africa and other Global South countries dont necessarily share Washingtons aversion to Chinese tech, Gagliardone said, Because they see any provider of technology as a way to get to a specific vision.

Huawei recently partnered with South African company Vuma to provide higher speeds for fiber internet.
DAR ES SALAAM, July 13 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed Thursday morning and two others injured in a head-on collision between a mini-bus and a truck in Tanzania's northwestern region of Geita, said police.

Sofia Jongo, the Geita regional police commander, said the collision occurred at the Mzibira area of Uyovu ward in the Bukombe district at 6:07 a.m., local time.

Jongo said all the victims were traveling in the mini-bus, adding that preliminary investigations revealed that the driver of the mini-bus had sped and dozed off when the collision occurred.

"The dead were the driver of the bus, his bus conductor and four passengers," said the police official.

She added that the mini-bus was heading to Nyakanazi in Biharamulo district in the Kagera region from Kahama district in the Shinyanga region. 
China's ambassador to the United States held a rare meeting at the Pentagon on Wednesday with the top U.S. defense official for Asia, the Pentagon said, in talks that followed U.S. criticism of Chinese reluctance to engage in military communications.

A brief Pentagon statement said Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng discussed defense relations and "a range of international and regional security issues" in talks with Ely Ratner, an assistant secretary of defense.

"Ratner also underscored the department's commitment to maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication between the United States and the PRC," Pentagon spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Martin Meiners said, using the initialism for the People's Republic of China.

The discussions lasted about 90 minutes, Meiners said.

In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Washington said Xie urged the U.S. to meet China halfway to gradually return relations between the two countries and their militaries to the right track.

"A healthy and stable China-U.S. relationship is in the common interest of both countries," Xie said in the meeting, according to the statement.

Xie also requested "the U.S. side to take action to remove obstacles, manage differences, handle Taiwan and other important and sensitive issues cautiously in accordance with the principles of the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques."

A response, but no progress yet

Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, said the meeting was "quite unusual."

"The Chinese ambassador does not often meet with U.S. senior defense officials," Sun said. "It suggests China is at least responding to U.S. concerns, but the actual progress still requires time and negotiations."

With U.S.-China relations at a low over national security issues, including Taiwan, U.S. export bans on advanced technologies and China's state-led industrial policies, Washington has been trying to repair ties between the world's two biggest economies.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited China earlier this month and climate envoy John Kerry is expected to visit next week. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing last month, the first trip to China by a U.S. secretary of state since 2018.

But Beijing snubbed U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's efforts to hold an in-depth meeting with his Chinese counterpart at a defense forum in Singapore last month, and military communications have stalled.

"We have regularly reached out to thicken our crisis communications and crisis management channels with Beijing and they have serially pushed us off," Colin Kahl, the Pentagon's top policy adviser, told a forum in London on July 10.

China has publicly cited U.S. sanctions as an obstacle to military dialog. Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has been sanctioned since 2018 over the purchase of combat aircraft and equipment from Russia's main arms exporter, Rosoboronexport.

But Kahl said in London that China appeared to be concerned that Washington was going to use crisis management channels "so we can have more crises."

"When we have these conversations with them, they're like: 'If you don't want crises, there's a simple answer ... Get out. Like, you're not a Pacific power," Kahl said, adding that was a strange thing to hear as someone from the Pacific coast state of California.

Sun said Beijing was unlikely to accept a defense minister-level meeting with Austin unless Washington addresses the sanction on Li.

"Some have argued that the Li-Austin meeting would be a prerequisite for working-level mil-to-mil to resume. It doesnt have to be, but it makes sense given the protocol," Sun said.
Egypt is seeking ways to make an elusive cease-fire hold in the bloody Sudan conflict that has killed thousands and forced Sudans residents into at least six neighboring countries as refugees. Regional states worry that the ongoing conflict will destabilize them, as well.

Leaders from Sudan's seven key neighbors met Thursday in Cairo at the behest of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, who is hoping to prevent the three-month-old crisis from worsening and spilling into other regional states. Arab media reported that Sissi is trying to implement binding mechanisms with regional players in the conflict to make a cease-fire work, where previous attempts have failed.

Sissi told regional leaders at the opening session of Thursday's conference that everyone attending the meeting appears to understand the critical nature of finding a quick solution to the Sudan conflict.

He says that he thanks the heads of state and heads of government for their remarks to the conference, which indicate a deep understanding of the serious nature of the Sudan conflict and their interest in taking the necessary steps to put an end to that conflict.

Sissi went on to say that Sudan's seven neighbors are the most seriously affected by the conflict and "must unite their efforts and political positions to create the climate for a solution."

The conflict in Sudan has left more than 4,000 people dead and pushed close to 600,000 Sudanese refugees into Egypt, South Sudan, Chad, Libya, the Central African Republic and Ethiopia.

Despite the absence of Sudan's two key warring parties  Army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Rapid Support Forces Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo  Sissi urged them to "stop further escalations and begin serious talks for a permanent and lasting cease-fire, in addition to opening supply lines to allow aid to enter the worst-affected regions."

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told the gathering he "hopes that Sudan will have a leader that will take the initiative to stop the situation from deteriorating further and to contain the crisis, adding that the conflict has affected all of Sudan's regional neighbors due to the flow of refugees out of Sudan.

Ahmed went on to thank Saudi Arabia for its efforts to try and reach a cease-fire in the initial weeks of the conflict, and he argued that Egypt's initiative "must be implemented in concert with African Union efforts in order to find diplomatic channels to make a cease-fire work."

Sudan's ambassador to Egypt, however, told Arab media Wednesday that "outside forces are trying to complicate the conflict in his country by getting as many parties as possible involved in attempts to negotiate a solution, making the situation impossible to resolve."

Egyptian political sociologist Said Sadek tells VOA that Sudan "had the longest civil war of any African country, lasting from the country's date of independence in 1956 until 2011, creating fears that the current conflict is not likely to end any time soon."

Sadek added that one of the reasons that it's so difficult to implement a cease-fire is because "no regional state has good ties with both of Sudan's warring leaders, each of whom control key elements of the country and its economy."

"There is also this feeling that the two warring factions believe that they control a lot of resources, and they can't give them up and that's why they continue the fighting, because the economic aspect of this fight is controlling uranium and gold in Darfur," he said.

Sadek emphasized that Egypt's initiative took place "because Egypt had the hope that when Sudan's seven regional neighbors sat down together and all agreed that the conflict must end because it could spill over into their own territory, this could help cut the flow of ammunition and arms to the warring parties."

Two key actors in the conflict, however  the United Arab Emirates and the Russian Wagner group, which supports Sudan's Rapid Support Forces  did not attend Thursday's Cairo summit, according to Sadek, complicating efforts to resolve the conflict.
A prolonged heat wave blanketed a swath of the U.S. stretching from California to South Florida on Wednesday, with forecasters expecting temperatures that could shatter records in parts of the Southwest in the coming days.

The National Weather Service issued excessive heat advisories, watches and warnings for areas where about 100 million Americans live. The sweltering conditions are expected to worsen over the weekend and continue into next week.

While stifling temperatures gripped many parts of the country, Vermont and other Northeastern states barely started cleaning up from historic flooding in recent days when the National Weather Service forecast more heavy rainfall across parts of New England, where rivers and streams are running high.

Floodwaters turned the Vermont state capital of Montpelier into a swirling, brown waterway, damaged roads and may have compromised the city's water supply. Officials told the city's 8,000 residents to boil their water before using it until further notice.

Extreme weather also threatened the Chicago area, which was pounded by severe thunderstorms with a risk of tornadoes, the weather service said. The National Weather Service reported at least four tornadoes touched down in the greater Chicago area.

The growing frequency and intensity of severe weather across the U.S. is symptomatic of global, human-driven climate change, experts in the field say.

Grim record awaits Phoenix

The Southwest was bracing for potentially deadly heat, with much of the area under an excessive heat warning.

Phoenix posted its 13th straight day with a temperature of at least 43 Celsius (110 Fahrenheit), with forecasts predicting the city next week will break its record of 18 straight days over 110, set in June 1974.

Moreover, the overnight lows are holding above 32C (90F), offering little relief.

"The heat is going to be expanding across California, Nevada, Arizona and all the way into West Texas into this weekend, and the core of the strongest heat seems to be setting up for Friday through Monday. So we'll be looking at records," said Tom Frieders, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix.

At the family-owned Six Points Hardware store in Phoenix, fans and air conditioners have been flying off the shelves, said store manager Drew Materniak.

The heat means "business is good," he said, noting the biggest seller has been large cooling fans, sold mostly to businesses like auto shops that do not have air conditioning.

"Just stay inside man, just stay inside," was Materniak's advice for dealing with the heat.

Las Vegas peaked at 42C (108F) on Wednesday and was forecast to match its all-time high mark of 47C (117F) on Sunday, the weather service said.

Cooler air blocked

A ridge of stagnant air parked in the atmosphere was causing the excessive temperatures, said Ashton Robinson Cook, a forecaster with the weather service's Weather Prediction Center. The mass blocks cooler air and storm systems from rolling through the area, so it is "just full sun and heat," he said.

In Texas, where temperatures reached the upper 90s and topped 37C (100F) on Wednesday, the heat index will make it feel like 46C (114F) in some places through the weekend. Warm ocean water is causing the moist, humid air over much of the state that drives the heat index higher, Cook said.

In a cooling center in the West Texas city of Lubbock, where the temperature rose to 36C (96F) by midday, Courtney Martin, 41 and homeless for the past two weeks, sat quietly inside a public library doing needlepoint, keeping cool and staying hydrated with free bottles of water.

"I'm in here to beat the heat," said Martin, who recently moved to Lubbock from Michigan and is not accustomed to the high temperatures. "I don't know what I'd do without the libraries as cooling centers."

Hannah Stewart, director of Lubbock's library system, said hundreds of people have sought refuge from the hot weather in the main branch library alone over the past two weeks.

"We're doing part of our duty to serve the community during this really horrendous heat wave," Stewart said.
The Taliban may have achieved a diplomatic win in an agreement to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan, analysts said, but implementation of the project still faces challenges.

The three sides reaffirmed their resolve to fully harness Afghanistans potential as a hub for regional connectivity," said a joint statement released in May following a meeting of officials representing the three countries in Islamabad. The countries restated their commitment "to further the trilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and to jointly extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan.

I think its a big diplomatic success for the Taliban. It further legitimizes the regime, said Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Brookings Institution, a nonprofit public policy organization.

But she added, I dont expect any significant new projects. ... I think there are serious obstacles in terms of regional connectivity.

The $62 billion CPEC connectivity project is a flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. The initiative is a series of infrastructure projects and investments that span the globe with the aim of connecting China to foreign trade.

Felbab-Brown said the decision to extend CPEC to Afghanistan has really much more to do with China's global posturing and trying to separate itself from the United States.

She said China continues its narrative that the West is to blame for the humanitarian crisis [and] that the West should not be holding [the] money of the central bank of Afghanistan.

Since the withdrawal of the U.S. and NATO forces and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, China has been vocal in criticizing the U.S. for freezing Afghanistans assets.

[B]y seizing Afghanistans overseas assets and imposing unilateral sanctions, the U.S., which created the Afghan issue in the first place, is the biggest external factor that hinders substantive improvement in the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in April.

Chinese investment

The ministrys position paper on Afghanistan stated that China would do its best to support Afghanistans reconstruction and development.

In recent months, Chinese companies have shown interest in investing in Afghanistan.

Last week, in a meeting with Taliban officials in Kabul, officials of Fan China Afghan Mining Processing and Trading Co. announced an investment of $350 million in various sectors ranging from construction to health to energy in Afghanistan, according to the Bakhtar News Agency, Afghanistans state news agency. The company is a joint venture between Chinas Xinjiang Central Asia Petroleum and Gas Co. (CAPEIC) and Afghanistans Watan Group.

In January, the Taliban signed a contract with CAPEIC to extract oil in the north of the country by investing $150 million annually.

China has also shown interest in the development and operation of mines in Afghanistan. A Chinese company, Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC), signed a contract with the then-Afghan government in 2008 to extract copper from Mes Aynak in Logar province.

But that work has not started yet. Last month, the Talibans mining and petroleum minister, Shahabuddin Delawar, urged MCC to begin practical work on the development and operation of the mine.

Security concerns

"I do think that China continues to have very substantial security interests and frustrations in Afghanistan, and the security agenda is still the dominant one, Felbab-Brown said.

A U.N. report, published last month, said the Taliban still has ties with al-Qaida and other groups, including the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party.

China considers ETIM, which was founded in Pakistan by a Uyghur religious figure, Hasan Mahsum, in 1997, as a threat to its security. However, the U.S. removed the ETIM from its terror list in 2020.

Hamidullah Farooqi, a former Afghan minister of transport and civil aviation, told VOA that the Taliban tried to reassure China and Pakistan that they can address their security concerns, and no terrorist groups will be allowed to use Afghan soil."

I do not think that Chinese and Pakistani officials are convinced, said Farooqi, adding that the Taliban have to act on their counterterrorism commitment.

Farooqi said that the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan was considered years before the Talibans takeover, but, because of security concerns, it was not implemented.

He said that because of a lack of security in the country and the activities of TTP [Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan] and other terrorist organizations in the region, the project was not implemented.

Instability

Though the security situation improved under the Taliban, Afghanistan does not have political stability, and that is the reason for no foreign investments in the country, Farooqi said.

He added that the Taliban have to make fundamental changes in their policies.

They [the Taliban] have to respect human rights, womens rights and form an inclusive government. These are the things that would bring stability to Afghanistan, he said.

Though the Taliban claim that they have brought stability in Afghanistan, I think it will take some time to have full control of Afghanistan, Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, a political economist in Islamabad, told VOA.

Geopolitics

He said geopolitics presents another challenge for Afghanistan in getting investments and deals.

There is a competition going on among the major powers and some big players in the region, said Ramay, adding that rivalry between powers can create some hurdles in the implementation of this policy to include Afghanistan in CPEC.

Citing an example, Azarakhsh Hafizi, former head of the international relations committee at Afghanistan's Chamber of Commerce and Industries, told VOA that China is interested in investing in Afghan natural resources, but the Taliban are not recognized by any country as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

This will make it difficult for any country to deal with the Taliban, Hafizi said.

This story originated in VOAs Afghan Service.
FBI director Christopher Wray defended his agency against Republican accusations of political bias Wednesday, dismissing claims he was protecting Democratic President Joe Bidens family while going after former President Donald Trump, a Republican, and other conservatives.

Absolutely not, Wray retorted during a combative House Judiciary Committee hearing when asked by Republican member and staunch Trump supporter Matt Gaetz if he was protecting the Bidens.

The FBI does not, has no interest in protecting anyone politically, Wray said.

The hearing marked Wray's first appearance before the oversight panel since Republicans recaptured the House of Representatives following the 2022 midterm elections.

Wray, who was appointed by Trump and retained by Biden, has become a lightning rod for Republican criticism that the Biden Administration has weaponized the FBI and the Justice Department against its political foes.

The criticism has intensified over the past year, particularly after the FBI executed a search of Trumps residence in Florida last August as part of an investigation into the former presidents mishandling of classified documents after he left the White House in 2021. The unprecedented search, which led to Trumps indictment last month, has fueled Republican allegations that the FBI is out to get Trump.

Republican criticism of the FBI is not limited to the Mar-a-Lago search. During the hearing on Wednesday, Republicans aired a litany of old grievances at the FBI, from the bureaus alleged failure to investigate the Biden family for their alleged corruption to its proclivity to target pro-life activists and work with social media companies to censor conservative speech.

Wray, a long-time Republican, scoffed at the notion that he was hostile to conservatives.

The idea that Im biased against conservatives seems somewhat insane to me, given my own personal background, Wray said.

In his prepared testimony, Wray highlighted the FBIs critical investigation and national security work, citing the arrest of more than 20,000 violent criminals and child predators and investigations of cartels and malicious Chinese activities.

Those highlights fell by the wayside, though, as the hearing devolved into what has become a familiar display of partisanship before the House Judiciary Committee in recent years.

The panels Republican chairman, Jim Jordan of Ohio, a staunch Trump supporter, said there is a two tier system of justice in the United States.

Jerry Nadler, the Democratic ranking member of the panel, said that its absurd that House Republicans are attacking the FBI and DOJ for doing their job and ensuring that no person is above the law.

Republicans angry at the FBIs perceived politicization have threatened to defund the bureau. However, Wray warned that cutting off the bureaus funding would be disastrous.
No easing of airstrikes in Kyiv after three consecutive days, as NATO allies shore up support. A new Associated Press investigation finds thousands of Ukrainian civilians are being held captive by Russia. The future of an agreement to export Ukrainian grain to world markets is again in doubt.
A former Donald Trump supporter who became the center of a conspiracy theory about January 6, 2021, filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News on Wednesday, saying the network made him a scapegoat for the U.S. Capitol insurrection.

Ray Epps, a former Marine who said he was forced from his Arizona home because of threats, is asking for unspecified damages and a jury trial.

He filed his lawsuit in Superior Court in Delaware, the same court where Dominion Voting Systems sued Fox for lies broadcast following the 2020 presidential election. Shortly before a trial was to begin this spring, Fox agreed to pay Dominion $787 million to settle the charges.

Fox did not respond to texts, phone calls and emails seeking comment on Epps' lawsuit.

The suit also states that the Justice Department told Epps in May that he faces criminal charges for his actions on January 6. The lawsuit blames that on "the relentless attacks by Fox and Mr. Carlson and the resulting political pressure."

Epps, who had traveled to Washington for the January 6 demonstration, was falsely accused by Fox of being a government agent who was whipping up trouble that would be blamed on Trump supporters, the lawsuit claims.

"In the aftermath of the events of January 6th, Fox News searched for a scapegoat to blame other than Donald Trump or the Republican Party," the lawsuit says. "Eventually, they turned on one of their own."

Although the lawsuit mentions Fox's Laura Ingraham and Will Cain, former Fox host Tucker Carlson is cited as the leader in promoting the theory. Epps was featured in more than two dozen segments on Carlson's prime-time show, the lawsuit said. Fox News fired Carlson shortly after the Dominion settlement was announced.

Carlson "was bluntly telling his viewers that it was a fact that Epps was a government informant," the lawsuit says. "And they believed him."

Carlson ignored evidence that contradicted his theory, including Epps' testimony before a congressional committee investigating the insurrection that he was not working for the government, and videos provided by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy that showed Epps' efforts to try to defuse the situation, the lawsuit says.

Carlson is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit. Epps' lawyer, Michael Teter, noted that Carlson "was an employee of Fox when he lied about Ray, and Fox broadcast those defamatory falsehoods."

"Fox is therefore fully liable for Mr. Carlson's statements," Teter said.

The former Fox star did not respond to a text message seeking comment.

Also Wednesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray, in an appearance before the House Judiciary Committee, addressed Epps being a "secret government agent."

"I will say this notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on January 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous," Wray told lawmakers. He refused to say, however, how many of the people who entered the Capitol and surrounding area on January 6 were either FBI employees or people with whom the FBI had made contact.
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Thursday that his office is investigating reports that at least 87 people were found in a mass grave in Sudans West Darfur state.

If this oft-repeated phrase of never again is to mean anything, it must mean something here and now for the people of Darfur that have lived with this uncertainty and pain and scars of conflict for two decades, Prosecutor Karim Khan told the U.N. Security Council.

In 2005, the council referred the situation in Sudans Darfur region to the Hague-based tribunal. An investigation was opened into the reported crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Several individuals have been indicted by the court, including former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted from power in 2019. The ICC has issued two arrest warrants for al-Bashir on charges including genocide and war crimes, but he is still at large.

Khan said the ICC has ongoing authority to investigate crimes committed in Darfur and is looking at violence committed there since fighting erupted on April 15 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Security Forces. There have been numerous reports of violence against civilians, especially in the West Darfur capital of El Geneina.

The investigations that we are looking at encompass also many allegations in West Darfur  looting, extrajudicial killings, burning of homes. And also allegations in North Darfur, he said.

The U.N. human rights office said earlier Thursday that the dead were found outside El Geneina and included members of the Masalit ethnic group. The bodies of seven women and seven children were among those found in the grave. Local residents said they were forced to bury the bodies June 20-21.

The U.N. said there was credible evidence that Sudan's Rapid Support Forces and an allied militia were responsible.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned the killings and called for a prompt, thorough and independent investigation.

In an interview Thursday with VOA at the White House, officials said they were "deeply troubled" by the report.

"This is completely unacceptable, and the United States will be obviously taking this up with our allies and partners and with the U.N.," said John Kirby, director of strategic communications for the National Security Council.

"But we condemn it. It's completely horrendous and unacceptable, and the Rapid Support Forces, they need to be held to account for this."

Paris Huang, White House correspondent for VOA's Mandarin Service, contributed to this report.
President Biden addresses the NATO summit on its last day as U.S. secretary of state prepares to go to Jakarta on Thursday for an ASEAN meeting. Markets are nervous as the future of the Russia-Ukraine grain deal is in doubt, and young Americans are preparing to vote in their first election.
JOHANNESBURG, July 13 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday welcomed the launch of the Huawei Innovation Center in Johannesburg, the largest city in the country, saying the center will promote skills development and improve the country's competitiveness and economic growth.

"We welcome indications by (Chinese technology giant) Huawei that the company plans to invest substantially in data centers and cybersecurity industries in Africa. For South Africa, expanding digital infrastructure is one of the primary engines of economic growth," Ramaphosa said when attending the official launch of the center.

The investment by Huawei shows confidence in South Africa and its potential, Ramaphosa said, adding that he hoped the center will be a springboard to new business processes that grow the country's economy and support its national developmental goals. 
Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday urged nations targeted by Western sanctions to band together as he hosted the leader of fellow international outlier Iran.

President Ebrahim Raisi arrived for the last leg of the first Africa tour by an Iranian leader in 11 years, a trip aimed at easing the Islamic republic's international isolation.

Raisi is the highest-profile leader to visit Zimbabwe in the thick of an election campaign for a closely watched August 23 presidential and parliamentary vote.

"It is critically important that we, the victims of Western sanctions, are talking to each other ... that we show them that we're united," Mnangagwa told a press briefing after talks with Raisi.

"I am happy you have come to show solidarity," Mnangagwa told Raisi on arrival, calling him "my brother."

Mnangagwa, 80, who is seeking reelection in what analysts predict will be a tense ballot, has long blamed his country's dire economic straits on sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union.

Western countries retort that the measures target specific individuals accused of graft and human rights abuses rather than the whole country.

Africa has emerged as a diplomatic battleground, with Russia and the West trying to court support for their respective positions on Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The war has had a devastating economic impact on the continent, sending food prices soaring.

Western powers have also sought to deepen trade ties with Africa, along with India and China.

'Continent of capacities, potentials'

Hundreds of people waving Zimbabwean and Iranian flags had gathered at Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare during the morning to greet Raisi.

Many were from the southern African country's Muslim community, including women wearing headscarves and schoolchildren holding welcome banners.

The two leaders signed "a record" 12 agreements on energy, telecommunications and other topics, Mnangagwa said.

These will help Zimbabwe access innovation and technology from Iran and envisage the creation of a tractor factory to support agricultural mechanization, he added.

Raisi's visit comes with Iran stepping up diplomacy to reduce its isolation and offset the impact of crippling sanctions reimposed since the 2018 withdrawal of the United States from a painstakingly negotiated nuclear deal.

Raisi has already been to Kenya and Uganda this week, holding talks with his counterparts William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni.

On Thursday, Raisi described Africa as "the continent of capacities and potentials," adding that stronger cooperation would benefit "the advancement" of both parties.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani has described Raisi's continental tour as "a new turning point" that could bolster economic and trade ties with African nations.

He also said on Monday that Tehran and the three African countries shared "common political views."

Melody Muzenda, a spokeswoman for Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF Party, said the visit "shows we have good relations with other countries."
Israel's defense minister visited Azerbaijan on Thursday, seeking to strengthen ties between countries with shared opposition to Iran.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Azerbaijani officials agreed to work together to deter threats from Iran, the Israeli Defense Ministry said. Israel views Iran as its archenemy, while Azerbaijan, which borders Iran to the north, also has a rocky relationship with Iran.

"We have many shared challenges  in particular the fight against terrorism  which not only threatens national security but also aims to destabilize the region," Gallant said in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. "Together, we may further deepen the ties between our countries and strengthen the cooperation between our defense establishments and our forces."

Israel considers Iran to be its greatest threat, citing Iran's calls for Israel's destruction and its support of hostile militant groups. It also accuses Iran of trying to develop a nuclear bomb, a claim that Iran denies.

Israel has repeatedly threatened to take military action against Iran, and Iran has accused Israel of involvement in a series of mysterious attacks on Iranian nuclear scientists and installations. On Thursday, Gallant said that Israel recently allocated billions to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb.

Azerbaijan accuses Iran of supporting hard-line Islamists who tried to overthrow the government in Baku, a charge Iran also denies.

Relations between Tehran and Baku have soured further this year. In May, Iran expelled four Azeri diplomats, a month after Azerbaijan expelled four Iranian diplomats. In January, a gunman stormed Azerbaijan's embassy in Iran's capital, killing its security chief and wounding two guards.

In March, Azerbaijan opened an embassy in Israel in another sign of warming ties.
A Turkish court in Diyarbakir decided on Wednesday to release 14 Kurdish journalists on bail after detaining them for 13 months awaiting trial.

The journalists were initially detained on June 8, 2022, without knowing the charges against them. The indictment was released in March 2023, charging 17 journalists with membership in a terrorist organization in reference to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. Three of the journalists were released, pending trial.

The journalists worked for several pro-Kurdish media outlets, including the Mesopotamia News Agency, the PEL production company and the Dicle Firat Journalists Association.

The first hearing in their case began on Tuesday, 13 months since the detentions. Experts say prolonged judicial processes, such as pretrial detention and late indictments, are being used as a punishment and deterrent. SEE ALSO: After 13 Months Behind Bars, Kurdish Journalists to Stand Trial

"The main purpose of this case is to cease our work [as reporters] and keep us away from the field," Serdar Altan, one of the arrested journalists and co-chair of the Dicle Firat Journalists Association, said during the hearing.

"We have been arrested for 13 months. Who will be held accountable for restricting our freedom?" Altan added.

The journalists facing trial denied being members of a terrorist organization, and some defended themselves in court in Kurdish.

Resul Temur, one of the lawyers defending the journalists, told the court that at least 30 Kurdish journalists had been arrested in the last 12 months.

"This data alone shows what kind of judicial harassment journalists face," Temur said.

Temur demanded the journalists' release, asking the court to consider the length of their pretrial detention. In an email to VOA, the Justice Ministry said the courts' independence is guaranteed under Turkey's constitution. "The issues raised are within the scope and jurisdiction and discretion, and it is not possible for the Ministry to give a legal opinion on matters related to jurisdiction and discretion, the ministry said via email. Veysel Ok, co-director of an Istanbul-based Media and Law Studies Association and a human rights lawyer, argued in court that the case questioned the journalists' profession by asking about their news sources.

"As we cannot question your judgeship, you cannot question journalism. All journalists here are journalists who do rights journalism and are the voice of the Kurds and the oppressed," Ok said during his court argument.

The prosecutor asked for continuation of the detention, citing "the nature of charges and evidence showing a strong suspicion of committing the crime."

The court panel did not accept the prosecutor's request and released the journalists on bail. The hearing was adjourned until November 9.

"Their release does not mean that they are acquitted. The trial will continue. There are other witnesses to listen," Ok told VOA.

"In fact, there should have been an acquittal after these defenses. But since there is no legal security in Turkey, we cannot make such predictions for the future," he added.

Temur said the court's decision to release the journalists is promising for other press freedom cases.

"This decision made us hope that the court panel had a judgment or thought that the evidence in the indictment was within the scope of journalistic activity," Temur said.

Turkey has one of the worst records for jailing journalists.

According to data from the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 40 were detained in connection with their work as of December 2022. Of those, 15 are facing anti-state charges, and the rest have not had charges released, the data shows. Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include a response from the Justice Ministry that came after publication.
Latest developments:

Ukraines military cites some success in fighting along the front lines to the south of the Russian-occupied city of Bakhmut.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tells reporters at recent NATO summit that Ukraine needs long-range weapons.

Russian attacks killed at least three Ukrainian civilians and wounded another 38 in the last day, Ukraines presidential office reported Thursday.

The government in Kyiv said Russian forces targeted 13 cities and villages under Russian control in the partially occupied eastern Donetsk region with air attacks, missiles and heavy artillery.

In the Zaporizhzhia region, also partly Russian occupied, Ukraine said 21 people were injured by drone debris on Wednesday and that fires broke out in Kherson after Russian shelling.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said their air defenses shot down 20 Iranian-made drones fired by Russia that targeted the Kyiv region. But they said wreckage from the drones fell on four districts of the capital early Thursday, hospitalizing two people with shrapnel wounds and destroying several homes.

The interior ministry said firefighters extinguished a blaze in a 16-story apartment building and another fire in a non-residential building. Debris also smashed into the front of a 25-story apartment building.

The latest wave was the third consecutive night in which the drones were used in attacks on Kyiv.

Elsewhere, Ukraine said one of its missile strikes killed a senior Russian officer, Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov, who was leading Moscows forces against Kyiv's recent counteroffensive in southern Ukraine.

Ukraine said Tsokov was killed when the Ukrainian military struck the city of Berdyansk on Tuesday with British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. Russia's defense ministry has not confirmed Tsokov's death.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Former Mozambican Finance Minister Manuel Chang is set to be arraigned in a U.S. court Thursday following his extradition to the United States on corruption charges. His case triggered a financial crisis in Mozambique and a warrant for his arrest.

Chang was put on a U.S. plane Tuesday and flown from South Africa to New York, where he will face charges of fraud and money laundering.

He was wanted for his alleged role in a $2 billion graft scandal that plunged Mozambique into financial crisis.

Chang was arrested in South Africa in 2018 on a U.S. government warrant.

Years of legal wrangling over whether to send him back home or to the United States followed.

Chrispin Phiri is a spokesman for South Africas justice minister.

His surrender followed a protracted legal process in the South African courts, which ranged from the magistrates courts right up to the Constitutional Court of South Africa where ultimately the leave of appeal by the Republic of Mozambiques government was denied. Mr. Chang will now stand trial in the United States of America on a number of charges, he said.

Chang is accused of taking millions of dollars in bribes to secure unconstitutional loans from international banks for state-owned companies.

The loans were for maritime projects, such as a tuna fishing fleet, in what became known as the hidden debt or tuna scandal.

The U.S. government says American investors were among the fraud victims.

When the amount of debt was discovered in 2016, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund pulled support from Mozambique, one of the worlds poorest countries.

About half a billion dollars is still unaccounted for and alleged to have gone to kickbacks.

Chang has denied any wrongdoing.

Adriano Nuvunga is a Mozambican activist and chair of Forum de Monitoria do Orcamento, a civil society group.

His group filed the court challenges that led to Chang being sent to the U.S. instead of back to Mozambique.

We celebrate Mr. Changs extradition to the United States. We celebrate mainly because his extradition has a strong political significance for the people of Mozambique. It means the triumph of justice over impunity, said Nuvunga.

Ahead of the extradition, Mozambiques government restated it wanted Chang tried at home.

A Maputo court last year sentenced the son of former President Armando Guebuza and 10 others to between 10 and 12 years in prison over the scandal.

But Nuvunga believes the former finance minister, who belongs to the same political party as current President Filipe Nyusi, would have been given preferential treatment if sent to Mozambique.

So, pushing for him to go to America its not because we like America, its because we want him to face justice, in a court where hell be treated like a criminal, like a normal citizen, not like a minister, he said.

Nuvunga said he hopes that during the trial, Chang will reveal who gave him the orders to sign the unconstitutional bonds and where to find Mozambiques missing $500 million.
North Korea has confirmed its latest weapons launch was a second test of its newest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-18, saying it will "clearly show" Washington the danger and recklessness of its military choices on the peninsula.

The North's leader, Kim Jong Un, who was present at the morning launch, also warned of "a series of stronger military offensive[s] ... until the U.S. imperialists and the South Korean puppet traitors admit their shameful defeat of their useless hostile policy" against Pyongyang, according to state media KCNA Thursday.

The report added that the region is in a "phase of nuclear crisis beyond the Cold War era," citing the deployment of an American nuclear-powered submarine and nuclear strategic bombers to South Korea as well as a planned inaugural meeting of the allies' Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) next week.

Both are commitments the U.S. made to Seoul as part of the Washington Declaration in April to galvanize deterrence amid growing North Korean threats and to reassure the South Korean public of its commitment to defend it in the event of a nuclear emergency on the peninsula.

The Hwasong-18 ICBM is part of North Korea's long-term plan to build a state nuclear force, KCNA said, to deter and overwhelmingly respond to "the diverse threat of a nuclear war" and reliably defend its security.

Longest-running flight The three-stage solid-fueled ICBM Wednesday soared at a lofted trajectory for 74.8 minutes, state media said, North Korea's longest-running flight to date. It hit an apex of 6,648.4 kilometers to splash down in waters 1,001.2 kilometers from its point of launch, Pyongyang confirmed.

South Korea's Defense Ministry would not provide additional details during a regular briefing Thursday, saying only that analysis of intelligence is continuing with their U.S. counterparts.

Analysts in Seoul say Wednesday's launch shows that progress has been made since the initial test in April, during which the Hwasong-18 reached a top altitude short of 3,000 kilometers. "The [doubled] engine thrust is strong enough to deliver a 1,000-kilogram payload farther than 15,000 kilometers," said Kim Dong Yup, a professor of military and security studies at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul. That range would put the U.S. mainland within reach.

"It's in line with goals presented at the Eighth Party Congress in 2021, to advance North Korea's nuclear preemptive and retaliatory strike capabilities with the ability to annihilate targets within that 15,000-kilometer range."
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was in Zimbabwe Thursday, wrapping up a three-nation Africa visit that also took him to Kenya and Uganda. While in Uganda, Raisi said the West was promoting homosexuality in order to end what he called the generation of human beings. Raisi's visit came after Uganda in May signed a law with harsh punishments for homosexuality, including the death penalty.

During his one-day visit to Uganda this week, Raisi, speaking through an interpreter, described homosexuality as an attack against the establishment of the family and inheritance  an area, he said, in which Uganda and Iran can cooperate.

The Western countries try to identify homosexuality as an index of civilization, while this is one of the dirtiest issues, he said.

Raisi made the comments in support of Ugandas passage of what has been described as one of the worlds harshest laws against the gay community.

The law, passed in May, imposes a death penalty for aggravated homosexuality and a 20-year prison sentence for promoting the act. The measure prompted some Ugandans to flee to neighboring Kenya.

U.S. President Joe Biden has described the measure as wrong and shameful.

Human rights activist Frank Mugisha said LGBTQ human rights have been turned into a global cultural war used by countries fighting the West, which he called unfortunate.

They keep saying that the West is pushing their own ideologies on Uganda, yet we have other countries interfering and pushing their own values on Uganda, he said. For example, Iran  we know they are supporting a lot of anti-gay groups here in the country, as well.

Mugisha said that since the anti-LGBTQ law was enacted, members of the gay community have experienced multiple violations against them by landlords and local councils.

Some of them, its because maybe they have appeared in the media, he said. Some of them, its because maybe the village is trying to lynch them, and then the landlords throw them out. Some of them, because they had maybe a previous case related to their gender identity or sexuality that they need support either by counseling or making sure that the case is closed [by] police. And some of them, of course, want to leave.

Raisis three-nation Africa tour was a bid to boost Irans diplomatic relations with the continent.

This report contains information from an earlier story by VOAs Anita Powell.
Religious leaders in Malawi led street protests Thursday against same-sex marriage, as a Dutch citizen and a transgender Malawian challenge laws in Malawi's High Court against same-sex relations.

Hundreds of people in Malawi's commercial capital, Blantyre, gathered Thursday to protest what they call the potential legalization of same-sex marriage in the country.

The protesters came from both of the country's major religions  Christianity and Islam.

Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa led the protests in Blantyre. He said same-sex marriages are a sin, and allowing such unions would lead to the extinction of the human race.

"If we change the way we live as a family, it means we will cease to exist," he said. "If we continue to marry a man with a man, surely the offspring, no children will come, then no life in the world, no life in Malawi."

The nationwide protests come as the Constitutional Court in Malawi continues to hear a case in which Dutch national Jan Willem Akstar and transgender Malawian woman Jana Gonani argue that Malawi's anti-homosexuality laws violate their fundamental rights, including privacy and dignity.

Homosexuality is an offense in Malawi and punishable by a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

However, civil society organizations have voiced concerns about discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) individuals in the country.

Michael Kaiyatsa, executive director of the Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, said religious leaders have a right to hold demonstrations about anything they feel is a sin, but they should also consider the rights of other groups.

"Our concern as human rights organizations is that this will have negative implications not only on the rights of LGBT persons, but it will also have negative implications on efforts to fight HIV," Kaiyatsa said. "Because, what it will do is to roll back the gains that we have made on HIV among men who have sex with men, for example."

Kaiyatsa said studies have shown that the prevalence rate of HIV and AIDS in those who engage in same-sex acts is about 40 percent, so discriminating against them would likely push the number even higher.

Eric Sambisa, executive director for Nyasa Rainbow Coalition, which fights for the rights of LGBTQ people in Malawi, said it is sad that religious leaders are fostering discrimination.

"The church is a powerful organization in society," he said. "And seeing the church being in the forefront to demonstrate can actually fuel violence against an already disadvantaged community. So, it's sad that this is happening like this."

Sambisa told VOA that he has gone into hiding following death threats from anonymous callers. The threats came a few weeks after his office was burned down in Blantyre.

At Thursday's demonstration, protesters presented a petition to the office of the district commissioner, in which they appealed to lawmakers never to accept any bill or pass any law aimed at legalizing same-sex marriage.
Syria said Thursday it would allow the United Nations the temporary use of a border crossing with Turkey to reach millions of Syrians living in areas outside of the government's control.

"The government of the Syrian Arab Republic has taken the decision to grant the United Nations and its specialized agencies permission to use Bab al-Hawa crossing to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in need in northwest Syria, in full cooperation and coordination with the Syrian government for a period of six months, starting from July 13, 2023," Ambassador Bassam al-Sabbagh told reporters at the United Nations.

Use of the Bab al-Hawa border crossing from Turkey into northwest Syria has been contentious. The government of Bashar al-Assad wants all aid to go through Damascus and across conflict front lines from within Syria. Its ally, Russia, used its Security Council veto on Tuesday to prevent a nine-month extension of an existing council authorization for the U.N. to move convoys of humanitarian supplies through Bab al-Hawa.

Since 2021, Russia has forced the council to shrink the cross-border operation and has threatened to let the 9-year-old operation shut down permanently.

"The cross-border mechanism is an obvious violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, which because of circumstances was possible five to seven years ago, but looks completely anachronistic today," Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council on Tuesday.

More than 4 million Syrians live in areas outside of the government's control, and the U.N. says it reaches 2.7 million of them monthly with life-saving aid via Bab al-Hawa. Needs have only grown over 12 years of civil war as an economic crisis set in, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, and the north of the country was hit with a series of deadly earthquakes in February.

Russia had offered a six-month continuation of Bab al-Hawa in its own proposed resolution, but council members rejected it because it did not meet humanitarians' needs. The six-month extension also means the Syrian government could withdraw its permission in mid-January  in the dead of winter.

The Security Council's authorization to use Bab al-Hawa expired at midnight on Monday, and the U.N. ceased using the crossing at that time.

Following February's earthquakes, the Syrian government authorized the use of two other crossing points from Turkey. Those are open until August 13. The Assad government has not said publicly whether it plans to extend their use.

Syria's ambassador was noncommittal when asked if Damascus will renew them.
A few weeks after the fall of Kabul in August 2021, a group of armed Taliban entered Henna Beauty Salon and assured the staff they could continue their work.

The Taliban said, We dont have any problem with you since there are no men, and you can continue what you do without any problem, Athena Hashemi, owner of the salon, remembered.

But last week, the Taliban Ministry of Vice and Virtue sent a letter to the salons branches in Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul telling them to close in a month.

In a video statement last week, Sadiq Akif Mahjer, spokesperson for the Ministry of Virtue and Vice, said that the services offered by the salons such as shaping eyebrows, hair extensions and makeup, were forbidden by Islam, adding that the salons caused economic hardships for the prospective grooms families, who pay for the salon visits of the bride and her female relatives for hairdos and makeup.

Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have issued several decrees restricting womens rights in Afghanistan.

Women are not allowed to get secondary and university educations, travel long distances without male companions, work with the government or nongovernmental organizations, or go to parks, public baths and gyms.

Hashemi and her staff continued to work despite the restrictions, but the Talibans sudden decision to close womens beauty salons shocked her.

As a pioneer businesswoman, Hashemi opened her salon in 2013, offering beauty and wellness services to women in Kabul.

Devastating consequences

The Taliban's recent decision is an attack on womens ability to participate in the private sector, said Heather Barr, associate director of the Womens Rights Division at Human Rights Watch.

The Taliban has already shut women out of most government jobs and NGO jobs. But theyve been more tolerant of women working in the private sector, and this could be a sign that, too, is ending with devastating consequences, Barr said.

She added that beauty salons were the only spaces offering community support to women in a situation where theyve already lost many other sources of support.

Rina Amiri, U.S. special envoy for Afghan women, girls and human rights, said the ban was concerning.

The Taliban ban on beauty parlors removes another vital space for womens work at a time when theyre struggling to feed their families, eliminates one of the few refuges for women outside the home & further transforms the country into a cruel & extreme outlier in the world, she said in a tweet.

Hosay Andar, a former board member of Afghanistans Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said the Talibans decision to close beauty salons would harm the women and Afghanistans economy.

First, it will affect women, as those working in salons are the only breadwinners. Second, it would have an impact on the new regime. It is because every beauty salon pays taxes and contributes to the national economy, Andar said.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan last week urged the Taliban to reconsider the decision.

This new restriction on womens rights will impact negatively on the economy & contradicts stated support for women entrepreneurship, UNAMA said in a tweet last week.

Afghanistans Chamber of Commerce and Investment said there are about 12,000 beauty salons in business across the country.

Hashemi said the Talibans decision would have an impact on her 75 employees in Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif.

It will affect all of us. We will suffer economically and psychologically, she said.

Waheed Faizi from VOA's Afghan Service contributed to this report, which originated in VOA's Afghan Service.
DHAKA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi government has raised its export target by 11.52 percent to 72 billion U.S. dollars for the current fiscal 2023-2024 year from July 2023 to June 2024.

Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi made the announcement at a press conference here on Wednesday.

According to the minister, 62 billion dollars will come from goods exports and 10 billion dollars from the service sector. 
Texas began Thursday to roll out what will become a floating barrier on the Rio Grande in the latest escalation of Governor Greg Abbott's multibillion-dollar effort to secure the U.S. border with Mexico.

But even before the huge, orange buoys were unloaded from the four semitrailers that had hauled them to the border city of Eagle Pass, there were concerns about this part of Abbott's unprecedented challenge to federal authority over immigration enforcement. Migrant advocates voiced concerns about drowning risks, and environmentalists questioned the impact on the river.

Setting up the barriers could take as long as two weeks, according to Lieutenant Chris Olivarez, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety, which is overseeing the project.

Once installed, the above-river parts of the system and the webbing they're connected with will cover 305 meters (1,000 feet) of the middle of the Rio Grande, with anchors in the riverbed.

Eagle Pass is part of a Border Patrol sector that has seen the second-highest number of migrant crossings this fiscal year with about 270,000 encounters, though that is lower than it was at this time last year.

Title 42

The crossing dynamics shifted in May after the Biden administration stopped implementing Title 42, a pandemic-era public health policy that turned many asylum-seekers back to Mexico. New rules allowed people to seek asylum through a government application and set up appointments at the ports of entry, though the maximum allowed in per day is set at 1,450. The Texas governor's policies target the many who are frustrated with the cap and cross illegally through the river.

Earlier iterations of Abbott's border mission have included busing migrants to liberal states; authorizing the National Guard to make arrests; installing miles of razor wire at popular crossing points on the river; and creating state checkpoints beyond federal stops to inspect incoming commercial traffic.

"We always look to employ whatever strategies will be effective in securing the border," Abbott said in a June 8 news conference to introduce the buoy strategy.

But the state hasn't said what tests or studies have been done to determine the risks posed to people who try to get around the barrier or the environmental impacts.

Increasing danger

Immigrant advocates, including Sister Isabel Turcios, a nun who oversees a migrant shelter in Piedras Negras, Mexico, just across the river from Eagle Pass, have remained vigilant about the effects of the new barrier on migration. Turcios said she met with the Texas Department of Public Safety in the days leading up to the arrival of the buoys and was told the floating barrier would be placed in deep waters to function as a warning to migrants to avoid the area.

Turcios said she was aware that many of the nearly 200 migrants staying in her shelter on any given day are not deterred from crossing illegally despite sharp concertina wire. But that wire causes more danger because it forces migrants to spend additional time in the river.

"That's more and more dangerous each time ... because it has perches, it has whirlpools and because of the organized crime," Turcios said.

At the June news conference, Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw addressed the danger that migrants may face when the buoys are deployed: "Anytime they get in that water, it's a risk to the migrants. This is the deterrent from even coming in the water."

Less than a week ago, four people, including an infant, drowned near Eagle Pass as they attempted to cross the river.

The federal International Boundary and Water Commission, whose jurisdiction includes boundary demarcation and oversight of U.S.-Mexico treaties, said it didn't get a heads-up from Texas about the proposed floating barrier.

"We are studying what Texas is publicly proposing to determine whether and how this impacts our mission to carry out treaties between the U.S. and Mexico regarding border delineation, flood control and water distribution, which includes the Rio Grande," Frank Fisher, a spokesperson for the commission, said in a statement.

Business owner sues

On Friday morning, environmental advocates from Eagle Pass and Laredo, another Texas border city about 185 kilometers (115 miles) downriver, held a demonstration by the border that included a prayer for the river ahead of the barrier deployment.

Jessie Fuentes, who owns a canoe-and-kayaking business that takes paddlers onto the Rio Grande, said he's worried about unforeseen consequences. On Friday, he sued to stop Texas from using the buoys. He's seeking a permanent injunction, saying his paddling business is affected by limited access to the river.

"I know it's a detriment to the river flow, to the ecology of the river, to the fauna and flora. Every aspect of nature is being affected when you put something that doesn't belong in the river," Fuentes said.

Adriana Martinez, a professor at Southern Illinois University who grew up in Eagle Pass, studies the shapes of rivers and how they move sediment and create landforms. She said she's worried about what the webbing might do.

"A lot of things float down the river, even when it's not flooding - things that you can't see, like large branches, large rocks," Martinez said. "And so anything like that could get caught up in these buoys and change the way that water is flowing around them."
Pro-democracy leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to gain enough votes to become Thailands 30th prime minister, as appointed senators refused to back him over a proposed reform of the controversial royal defamation law.

Only 324 lawmakers from the combined chambers of the National Assembly voted for Pita on the first ballot, 52 short of the majority he needed to become prime minister.

He has several days to try to persuade conservative rivals to back him, or convince some of the 199 abstentions to swing behind him when the vote is repeated on July 19.

Today Ive accepted (the vote) but Im not giving up, he told reporters. Ive accepted that I couldnt reach the 376  but we got 324 with 200 abstentions. Im going to strategize again and consolidate the voice to make sure we reach 376.

The vote means that two months after a surprise election victory for Pita's reformist Move Forward Party, Thailand still has no government or a prime minister  while court cases threaten Pita and his party with bans and dissolution.

Pita potentially has two more attempts -- the first being Wednesday  to hit the target.

Move Forward supporters massed outside parliament reacted with fury as the results emerged late Thursday, booing senators who had blocked Pitas attempt to become prime minster.

As anger at the Senate swelled, they vowed to come back for the second round of voting next week.

Its a bad day for us and for democracy, said Chinnapat Chatsri, who at 15 was too young to vote. But there is one party in our hearts now the new generation loves this party. The old guard has to leave, he said.

The vote threatens to provoke a fresh round of major protests from pro-democracy supporters who flooded Bangkoks streets in 2020 and 2021 in massive rallies against the government of Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Prayuth, a former army chief, seized power in a 2014 coup but did not leave office for another nine years.

Critics say his period in charge saw a collapse in freedoms and widening inequality as Southeast Asias second-largest economy stalled  even before the pandemic ripped into the country.

The army-aligned government enraged Thailands young, ultimately spurring the 14 million votes behind Pitas party in the May election. The party had run on a reform message to tackle inequality, de-monopolize the country and, crucially to amend the royal defamation law.

That law carries three to 15 years in jail for anyone convicted of defaming the monarchy, headed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Reform of the law - known as "112" after its section in the Thai criminal code - was deeply divisive, with senators and conservative lawmakers coming out before the vote to say they could not back a Move Forward government intent on amending the law.

Were still here today because the monarchy is protecting us. Chada Thaised, a parliamentary member for the conservative Bhumjaithai party said ahead of the vote, in a speech which quickly went viral on TikTok.

If amending 112 is your mission  then thwarting you every way we can is our mission, he said.

I may even ask for lawmakers to make a new law to allow those who insult the monarchy be shot, he said.

With divisions raw and seemingly intractable - especially over the 112 law reform  experts fear the kingdom could tip towards a new period of prolonged instability.

The next vote may also cause fissures in the coalition which Pita has stitched together, experts say, unless he emerges as the winner.

Pheu Thai, the second biggest party in the National Assembly, may push to have one of its own candidates run for prime minister if Pita repeatedly fails to gather enough votes.
Blinkens meeting with Wang is the latest effort by Washington to improve strained relations with Beijing.

In the newest conflict between the U.S. and China, hackers possibly linked to Chinas intelligence agencies are being blamed for a monthlong campaign that breached some unclassified U.S. email systems, allowing them to access a small number of accounts at the State Department and a handful of other organizations.

Microsoft first announced the intrusion on Tuesday, attributing the attack on its Outlook email service to Chinese threat actors it dubbed Storm-0558.

The company said in a blog post that the hackers managed to forge a Microsoft authentication token and gain access to the email accounts of 25 organizations in the U.S. and around the globe, starting in mid-May.

At the same time, top U.S. and Chinese officials have stepped up talks. Aside from Blinkens discussions with Wang, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited Beijing last week to discuss trade and related issues between the worlds two biggest economies. Next week, John Kerry, the U.S. special envoy on climate issues, will be in China Sunday through Wednesday.

On Thursday, in a joint communique, the ASEAN foreign ministers again condemned the violence in Myanmar and repeated their call for the junta to follow the five-point peace plan that they agreed to shortly after ousting Aung San Suu Kyis government in early 2021.

The ministers also expressed concerns related to the South China Sea, including land reclamations, activities, serious incidents in the area, including actions that put the safety of all persons at risk."

The ASEAN-crafted plan includes a call for an immediate halt to violence, delivery of humanitarian aid and peace talks.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heads to the Arab Gulf States next week in his latest effort to improve ties across the region after years of tensions. Earlier this month, Turkey restored full diplomatic relations with Egypt, and rapprochement efforts continue with Israel. For VOA, Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul.
The United Nations said Thursday that the bodies of at least 87 people were found in a mass grave in Sudan's West Darfur state.

A statement from the U.N. human rights office said the dead included members of the Masalit ethnic group and that the bodies were found outside the city of Geneina.

The statement said local people were forced to bury the bodies between June 20 and June 21. This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing. Click to reveal This image contains sensitive content which some people may find offensive or disturbing - Click to reveal A picture taken on June 16, 2023, shows bodies strewn near houses in the West Darfur state capital amid ongoing fighting in war-torn Sudan.

The U.N. said there was credible evidence that Sudan's Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group was responsible.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called for a "prompt, thorough and independent investigation."

"I condemn in the strongest terms the killing of civilians and hors de combat individuals, and I am further appalled by the callous and disrespectful way the dead, along with their families and communities, were treated," Volk said in a statement.
UNHCR, the U.N.'s refugee agency, has expressed concern about reports that Ghana's armed forces this week deported hundreds of asylum-seekers who were fleeing an insurgency in neighboring Burkina Faso.

Ghana's military said it only expels illegal immigrants and suspected terrorists, but an activist who made a recording of the forced deportations says the move involved mostly women and children seeking refuge from the violence.

The widely circulated video on microblogging site Twitter showed scores of dejected women sitting on the ground with their children in a parking lot with buses, as Ghanaian immigration officers took their information in the Upper East Region bordering Burkina Faso.

Ali Sulemana, a leading member of Tabital Pulaaku  an organization promoting and protecting the arts and culture of the Fula people  described the scene to VOA.

"They were crying and they didn't know what to do. They are even confused. They don't even know where to go and settle again. So, their lives have been condemned," Sulemana said. "Taking these people to Burkina they don't have any place to go. When they go there it may force some of them also to join the terrorists or may end up being killed by the Jihadists."

Attacks in Burkina Faso by extremist groups have led to political instability, with more than two million people fleeing their homes to seek shelter in neighboring countries, including Ghana. Thousands have been killed, according to the UNHCR, and six million individuals have been displaced in the region as a result of activities of armed groups.

A statement issued Wednesday by UNHCR called on the Ghanaian government "to cease these expulsions, which amount to a violation of the non-refoulement principle and guarantee access to the territory and asylum to nationals of Burkina Faso seeking international protection."

Under the non-refoulement principle, a country that receives asylum-seekers cannot send them back to a nation where they would face the prospect of persecution.

Reacting to the claim, Ghana's national security ministry issued a statement on Thursday, saying the government is not engaging in forced repatriation of Burkina Faso refugees.

The statement said, "Contrary to claims that displaced Burkinabes are being forced out of Ghana, a repatriation process has been instituted  to aid the movement of Burkinabes, who wish to return to their country. The repatriation process is consistent with international protocols on the management of refugees."

Kofi Amankwa-Manu, the deputy minister of defense, said Tuesday's repatriation involved suspected terrorists and persons who are staying in Ghana illegally. He said the issue has nothing to do with refugees.

"Most of them are seeking refuge in Ghana and so we have droves of herdsmen. Some members of these terrorist armed groups being illegal immigrants have found their way to Ghana. So, the armed forces are helping to really deal with this issue of not allowing these illegal immigrants and herdsmen and these terrorist groupings free movement," he said.

Ghana is currently hosting more than 8,000 Burkinabe nationals as a result of conflict in their country.

A reception center managed jointly by the Ghana Refugee Board and UNHCR with a capacity of 4,000 individuals has been set up in the Upper East Region to move Burkinabe refugees away from the border for security reasons. Currently, 530 displaced Burkinabes are being accommodated at the center.
Ending a nine-decade run, Venezuelas Radio Caracas Radio aired its last broadcast June 30. Media analysts are warning that the closure of RCR, one of the country's oldest stations, along with the shuttering of dozens of other media outlets, is limiting public access to information. From Caracas, Venezuela, Adriana Nunez Rabascall has the story, narrated by Veronica Villafane.
Linda Munyori , the mother of slain child Tapuwa Makore, says the kid's killers should reveal what they did with his head. His killers were sentenced to death on Wednesday. He was allegedly murdered for ritual purposes. (Video: Mavis Gama)
The University of Minnesota is taking steps to boost security across campus. University officials have announced that police staffing will be increased on campus. The Minnesota Legislature's most recent budget included $10 million dollars to be used to help with campus security.
MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces have rounded up 70 pieces of weapons, including assault rifles, from across north Afghanistan's Balkh province over the past two weeks, provincial police spokesman Mohammad Asif Waziri said Thursday.

The collected weapons, which include 54 stock of Kalashnikovs, rocket launchers and a dozen pistols, have been seized from armed men in the provincial capital Mazar-i-Sharif and some districts, the official said, adding that no one would be allowed to carry arms illegally.

In similar operations last week, police recovered five pieces of AKM, one piece of U.S.-made M16 assault rifle, one pistol and thousands of bullet rounds from eastern Wardak province.

The Afghan caretaker government, which has discovered and seized thousands of light and heavy weapons, including battle tanks, since its induction in August 2021, has vowed to collect arms and ammunition from anyone outside security organs. 
Yes! In Dead Reckoning, the Entity is a sentient computer program that can penetrate banks, intelligence, and various international systems; we learn that it acts like a virus and transforms facts, and therefore all the world's governments are fighting over it. Fast X, meanwhile, features the reappearance of Gods Eye, the hacking program developed by Nathalie Emmanuels Ramsey that everyone was trying to steal in Furious 7. Its now in the possession of the American government, who are using it to spy on Dom and his team.

Congratulations on achieving the impossible: selecting the incorrect answer on a question where both choices are correct.
Photo: Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images

During a fiery press conference announcing the first Screen Actors Guild strike in more than four decades, union president Fran Drescher defended her controversial trip to Italy during the final days of contract negotiation. It was absolute work, said Drescher, who is a brand ambassador for Dolce & Gabbana and had attended the fashion houses Alta Moda event in Puglia, Italy, last weekend. Drescher faced a question about a photo  That wasnt a selfie, she quickly clarified  with Kim Kardashian at a party for the event, which Kardashian later posted to her Instagram Story. It immediately led to criticism of Dreschers leadership. I had only met Kim seconds before that publicity picture was taken; it had nothing to do with being at a party or having fun, Drescher said. It was absolute work. I was in hair and makeup three hours a day, walking in heels on cobblestones, doing things like that, which is work, not fun. As Drescher spoke of logging onto negotiating sessions in her hotel room after events, the negotiating committee behind her nodded and snapped in support. We work, Drescher said. Thats what we do.

SAG-AFTRA previously made a statement explaining Dreschers trip, saying she has been in negotiations every day either in person or via video conference. But the trip led to some criticism from members, like Arrows Kirk Acevedo, who tweeted, The optics look fucking terrible. Striking Writers Guild members also criticized Drescher for the photo, after Kardashian crossed a WGA picket line to film a new season of American Horror Story, in which shes starring. And Maya Dunbar, whos running against Drescher for president on a platform of ending set vaccine mandates, told Deadline the photo was a clear example of how out of touch the president is with the majority of the rank-and file-membership. The photo and Italy trip came after a letter to union leadership signed by more than 1,000 actors voicing their readiness to strike. The letter had been interpreted as a response to a negotiations update from Drescher, but Drescher then signed the letter. I dont think she is the best person to lead us right now, one SAG member told Rolling Stone in a report following the letter and photo.

Announcing the strike, though, the union presented a united front behind Drescher. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the unions national executive director and chief negotiator, blamed criticism of Drescher on the studios. For these employers to cynically try to turn our members against Fran because shes doing a job that she was under contract to do  it is outrageous, it is wrong, its despicable, and they should be ashamed of it, Crabtree-Ireland said during the press conference. And Drescher went on to emphatically accept the support of the negotiating committee: I think that all of the people standing behind me stand behind me.
Full Circle Something Different Season 1 Episode 1 Editors Rating 4 stars * * * * Previous Next   Previous Episode Next Episode  Photo: Photograph by Sarah Shatz / Max

Full Circle is the third TV series for which Steven Soderbergh has directed every episode, and as in 2018s experimental murder mystery Mosaic, released as both a television drama and a mobile app, he has the screenwriter Ed Solomon as his partner. So far, Full Circle feels most reminiscent of Soderberghs second collaboration with Solomon: No Sudden Move, a stylish 50s-set crime thriller in which the convoluted web of elaborate double crosses is part of the appeal.

Similarly, theres a lot to keep track of already in Full Circle, with several intersecting groups of characters seemingly intertwined by history and fate. It remains to be seen exactly how most of these people are connected, and slowly revealing those mysterious links will surely be the focus in the weeks to come.

Lets start with Savitri Mahabir (the great CCH Pounder), a.k.a. Mrs. Mahabir, the superstitious Guyanese crime boss reigning supreme in Queens. After her brother-in-law Quincy is killed, she returns home to Guyana for spiritual guidance  and learns theres a way to reverse the curse on her family that began long ago with her late husband. He was involved in the death of Clarence Josephs (Ted Sod) grandson, and Mahabir can balance the scales and close the circle by kidnapping and murdering another boy: Jared Browne (Ethan Stoddard). We dont know what the teenager has to do with the curse  his famous TV-personality grandfather, Jeffrey Chef Jeff McCusker (Dennis Quaid), is implicated somehow  but all we need to know for now is that Jared is the target.

So Mahabir gets to work assembling a team with the help of her more practical right-hand man, Garmen (Phaldut Sharma); third-in-command, Paul Tranquada (Kareem Savinon); and nephew Aked (Jharrel Jerome). In addition to her whack-a-bum operation  murdering vagrants and collecting the insurance payouts  she has a deep stable of young immigrant employees who rely on her for green cards and housing in exchange for a dangerous few months of working off their debts. One of these is Mahabirs masseuse, Natalia (Adia), who also happens to be Akeds girlfriend. And now she requests two more people who have been hoping to leave Guyana for a long time: Natalias brother Louis (Gerald Jones) and his friend Xavier (Sheyi Cole).

Upon their arrival in New York, the two young men are given an assignment to test their loyalty: murder one of Mahabirs insurance clients for the payout and make it look like an overdose. Xavier, perhaps surprisingly, proves to be the tougher new employee, going through with the kill without thinking twice. The abrupt act of violence weighs more heavily on Louis, whose sister is similarly racked with guilt over her complicity in whatever crimes are carried out at Mahabirs behest.

Jareds kidnapping and murder will be carried out the following evening in a chalk circle in Washington Square Park at 1:11 a.m. The specificity of the time, the ransom ($314,159), and the circle motif suggests, at least in this moment, that Mahabirs decisions come from a place of spiritual certainty. Her goal here above all else is to break the curse supposedly responsible for other deaths in her family. But Nat, who overhears Mahabir discussing the plan with Clarence, formulates a plot to save Jareds life: She and Louis will somehow swap his body with an acupuncture training dummy from the massage school using identical bags, matching laundry bikes, and a wig.

While all this drama is developing, an average enough day plays out in the lives of Sam (Claire Danes) and Derek Browne (Timothy Olyphant), a wealthy Manhattan couple who manage Jeffreys culinary empire. Jared, their son, has a habit of losing his expensive gifts, such as phones, hoodies, and shoes, and it happens again today while hes playing catch with his dad. It turns out theyre being stolen by a strange boy named Nicky (Lucian Zanes), whose small room in the corner of a loft features dozens of photos of the Brownes. Nicky gets in touch with Jared, promising to give his things back if they can meet up in person. Those are the plans that disrupt Jareds typical Saturday-evening tutor appointment  and begin the series of mistakes and miscommunications that throw Akeds operation off track.

I havent even mentioned Melody Harmony (Zazie Beetz) yet; shes a postal inspector determined to get on the Guyana case (for some reason). Mel is the classic dogged-detective type who prioritizes work over her relationships, seemingly pissing off everyone in her vicinity, including her boss, Manny (Jim Gaffigan), and her girlfriend, Carol (May Hong). She knows shes on the chopping block at work but thinks one big win can save her. More important, her ego cant stand not pursuing every possible lead. Thats how she winds up temporarily turning a cooperator: Xavier, whom she has connected to the previous nights murder. He discreetly calls Mel to warn her of something going down at Washington Square Park the following night, but the next day he panics and goes back on what he said.

The much-hyped kidnapping plot itself begins to play out only in the episodes final 20 minutes, which ratchets up the suspense as everything starts to fall apart. Aked, Xavier, Louis, and a fourth guy, named Keesen (Shemar Yanick Jonas), manage to follow Jared on his bike ride to meet Nicky  and thats when we shift primarily to the Brownes point of view as Sam gets a call from Aked on Jareds phone saying he has her son.

One of Solomons smartest choices here is to disorient us by temporarily limiting our knowledge of whats playing out in the van; everything happens so quickly I didnt immediately clock the strangeness of the call coming from Jareds phone when he doesnt actually have his phone. Its also just helpful to spend some quality time with the Brownes, who gain a lot of dimension and empathy when we see them go through this nightmare scenario. Sam and Derek mostly belong to the Parasite brand of rich parents: likable and charming enough but with a slight lack of self-awareness, especially on Sams part.

This is all in keeping with Soderberghs usual interest in class, a theme that informs many of his projects, including his prior collaborations with Solomon. And the whole scenario gets a lot more interesting once Jared unexpectedly arrives home and the twist is revealed: Akeds group has kidnapped Nicky, who is wearing the same hoodie and sneakers as Jared and had borrowed his bike. With that reveal, the stakes suddenly shift in a compelling direction  do the Brownes have a moral obligation to spend a fortune keeping alive some kid who isnt theirs? (Its a premise consciously borrowed from Akira Kurosawas High and Low.)

Jeffreys knee-jerk instinct is to cancel the withdrawal from his casino creditors, but a message containing a video of the kidnappers prying out one of Nickys teeth is enough to make them reconsider. After all, even disregarding the kid whose life hangs in the balance, couldnt the men still come after the real Jared once they figure out theyve killed the wrong boy?

In retrospect, Something Different feels like the first half of a two-hour premiere  and luckily, the episodes are dropping in pairs, so its just a matter of waiting for autoplay to kick in. Evaluated as a first episode, though, it still works really well, raising plenty of intrigue and laying out a murderers row of talent in front of the camera, both old pros and refreshing newcomers. What happens next is anyones guess, but I find myself almost as interested in what happened before all this. Thats the mark of a solid beginning.

Elliptical Thoughts

 Xavier seems to have had a long-distance online relationship of sorts with a girl in New York named Shakeela, but I have a feeling their late-night plans will be disrupted. (Or maybe his voice-mail will serve as an alibi?)

 On the phone, Nicky asks Sam and Derek to call Charise.

 Jeffrey is confused about who knows of his casino credit limit, which is both interesting food for thought and a funny encapsulation of his myopia.
MANILA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines on Thursday officially launched the "green lanes" to improve the country's investment climate and boost the flow of foreign direct investments into the country.

In February, Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos issued an executive order creating green lanes in government offices to facilitate materializing investments.

"I am confident that the green lanes will pave the way for the realization of many pledges that we have had, including those that I have personally received while abroad, ensuring that they will bear fruit for our people and our nation," Marcos said at the launch.

Marcos said the executive order strengthens market competition and reduces barriers to investment.

The executive order mandates all government offices, including the local government units, to expedite the processes involved in issuing permits, licenses, and certifications required to implement investments.

The policy also directs the Board of Investments' one-stop action center as a single point of entry, further ensuring efficiency and ease of doing business in the country.

Marcos also highlighted the introduction of e-Invest, an online platform that expedites submitting and processing investment applications. This platform grants provisional permits to operate, allowing investors to commence operations while awaiting full approval.

The Department of Trade and Industry said that around 88 million U.S. dollars of investment pledges from Marcos' foreign trips are expected to materialize this year, generating 17,800 direct employment. 
Son of Italy's last king causes storm with Juan Carlos comments.

A new Netflix series on the last heir to Italy's defunct throne includes an explosive claim by the 86-year-old prince about Spain's former king Juan Carlos.

Titled The King Who Never Was, the three-part docuseries traces the story of Prince Vittorio Emanuele di Savoia who left Italy in exile at the age of nine after Italians voted to abolish the monarchy in 1946.

The prince is the son of King Umberto II who ruled for only 34 days after his father, King Vittorio Emmanuele III, abdicated due to being discredited by his support for Mussolini during world war two.

The Netflix series is centred on the tragic events that occurred on the night of 18 August 1978 at Cavallo, a small French island off Corsica, where the prince had been holidaying at the time.

After a group of young friends took a dinghy attached to his boat, he reacted by confronting them angrily with a rifle, which he fired, resulting in a 19-year-old German man being shot accidentally.

Dirk Hamer, who was hit by a bullet while he lay sleeping in a nearby boat, died of his injuries on 7 December 1978 and the crown prince was subsequently arrested.

The Netflix series charts the scandal surrounding the ensuing court case amid accusations of disappearing evidence, vanishing documents, incomplete investigations and allegations of witness intimidation.

However the new series is making headlines in Italy for a different gun death, involving a member of the Spanish royal family, that occurred in 1956.

At the end of the series, the aging Vittorio Emanuele makes unexpected off-air comments involving Spain's former king Juan Carlos and his younger brother Alfonso of Bourbon, who died of an accidental gun shot wound aged 14.

Speaking of the royal teen's death, Vittorio Emanuele said: "It was Juan Carlos who killed him, I was there".

In an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on Thursday, the director of The King Who Never Was, journalist Beatrice Borromeo, said of the Cavallo incident: "We are talking about a matter that many thought they knew, but which was shrouded in confusion. For the first time in over 40 years we have managed to get all the protagonists and eyewitnesses of that night to speak."

Describing Vittorio Emanuele's comments regarding Juan Carlos as "a scoop", Borromeo said: "I was amazed that in the first days after the launch no one spoke of that recording, which is essential for truly understanding the story of Vittorio Emanuele."

She claims that although it may seem "disconnected" from the rest of the documentary to the casual observer, "the fact that Savoia, during his adolescence, in the years in which he learns everything about the world, witnessed an incident similar to his, which caused a death immediately covered up, is the missing piece to really understand the events of Cavallo."

Borromeo told the Corriere that Vittorio Emanuele "repeated the story of Juan Carlos several times following his interview, with me and then with other members of the crew. It was he himself, spontaneously, who linked the two events. I think he did so because of the profound similarity between them, both for the dynamics of the incidents and for how they were handled afterwards."

Acknowledging that it was "delicate material", she stressed that Vittorio Emanuele "wanted to share" the story with us, adding: "It was right to share it with the public."

The prince's son, Emanuele Filiberto, disagrees however, describing his "bitterness" over Borromeo's decision to include the comments.

"Let's say I thought it would be about my father's life and I later discovered that it was almost exclusively about the story of Cavallo", Emanuele Filiberto told the Corriere.

"King Juan Carlos involved in the incident that claimed his brother's life when they were kids? It's not a new story and also I wasn't there when the off-air remarks were made", he stressed, concluding: "My father and I regret very much that these comments have come out, they have no reason to be in the documentary that deals with something else", he concluded.

Cover photo Netflix - The King Who Never Was
No injuries or damage in incident.

A large pine tree in Rome's central Piazza Venezia fell on Thursday, crashing to the ground into Piazza S. Marco after its roots gave way.

Despite the busy location in front of the Altare della Patria monument there were no injuries or damage, with the tree falling parallel to the pavement in Piazza S. Marco at around 07.30.

The city's environment department is carrying out an investigation into the incident, with the effects of the current heatwave on the tree's roots cited as a possible cause for its collapse.

The pine, believed to be about 80 years old, was "pruned and underwent all the necessary treatments, including traction tests, three years ago", said Rome's mayor Roberto Gualtieri who visited the site on Thursday morning.

"It appeared to be in excellent shape, it was solid" - Gualtieri told state broadcaster RAI News - "It was a well-kept tree. But seeing it now, it would seem that a sort of 'cavity' had formed inside."

However the mayor stressed that this was "only a hypothesis" and suggested that the tree's stability may have been comprised after its roots were cut back during roadworks in the past.

Stefano Marin, chairman of the environment committee in the city's Municipio 1 borough, said the incident called for "a moment of reflection".

"Rome's trees are of a certain age and climate change is already producing effects" - Marin told La Repubblica newspaper - "Rome is once again filled with tourists, it's both an environmental and a safety issue."

The incident occurred as works get underway for the construction of the Piazza Venezia subway station for the Metro C underground line.

In recent years the city's pines have been decimated by a sap-eating parasite called the pine tortoise scale or toumeyella parvicornis.

Treatment programmes to combat the bugs are underway around Rome however authorities have been accused of acting too late or not at all.

The deadly effects of the insect are now plain to see on swathes of Roman pines, whose foliage has a burnt or threadbare appearance, posing a serious threat to the city's iconic skyline.

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Its been the judiciarys turn to play the villain in the ritual morning tragicomedy dished out by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to the Mexican people. In his mananera press conference over the past few weeks, he has accused judges of untrammeled corruption and blasted Supreme Court justices as rotten allies of the conservative elites who trample all over the constitution and earn too much money. Hopefully, he said, the next president will have a constitution-shaping majority in Congress to bring the judicial mafia to heel.

This thwacking is not unrelated to the hard time the judiciary has been giving the president. The Supreme Court blocked his efforts to dismantle and, when that didnt work, then defund Mexicos election monitor. It stopped him from handing over control of the National Guard to the military. It forbade him from designating his pet infrastructure projects as national security priorities.

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But AMLO, as the president is known, is not narrowly motivated by a specific peeve. Other institutions  the opposition and the press, of course, but also the election monitor, the freedom of information agency, the antitrust watchdog, the telecommunications regulator, the public health system and the main antipoverty program of the four previous administrations  have all taken a turn at the presidential pillory.

The president sees himself in a broad battle against a Deep State. Repeatedly over the last five years, he has assaulted the institutions built in the quarter century since Mexico embraced multiparty democracy, taking particular aim at any agency capable of checking the presidencys power.

In this quest to supplant civilian government, he has resorted to the one institution that promises unquestioned loyalty, alongside scale and real firepower: the armed forces, to whom he has handed a vast array of new jobs, responsibilities and money.

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AMLO is not the first president to rely on the army or navy to help police the country. Felipe Calderon, two administrations ago, called on the military to lead the War on Drugs, as the United States cheered him on.

But since AMLO disbanded the federal police and replaced it with a new National Guard  which he also unsuccessfully tried to put under military control  he has turned over more and more functions to the armed forces.

This goes beyond the security space, said Vanda Felbab-Brown from the Brookings Institution. It has become a pattern where AMLOs response to any policy he prioritizes is to have the military do it.

The military has been called on to distribute vaccines, gasoline, fertilizers and textbooks; to police migration at the northern and southern border; even to clear coastal resorts of sargasso. It built the new Mexico City airport and hundreds of branches for the governments new welfare bank. The navy controls Mexicos FDA and the army is growing trees for AMLOs planting life program.

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The armed forces will be given the Maya Train being built in the south of the country, with revenues going to fund military pensions. They have been granted control of a number of airports, now including Mexico Citys old airport, still the nations busiest, as well as maritime ports, customs processing and authority over maritime commerce and communications. In May they got handed a new airline.

And they are getting a lot of money. In the first four years of the administration, the secretaries of national defense and the navy spent over $9 billion, 58% more, in dollar terms, than the year before AMLO took office. This does not include the vast yet opaque streams of income that have come with their expanded portfolio.

AMLO has justified handing his favorite projects to the armed forces as a way to prevent them being undone by future administrations. The military has amassed a lot of political power, said Falko Ernst from the International Crisis Group. It is an illusion to think it can be taken away. It would be easier for a future government to privatize the Maya Train, for instance, if it were controlled by the tourism ministry. The president also argues that agencies and programs of prior governments were too expensive. Best give the money directly to the poor.

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There is more going on, though. Directly handing out money to preferred constituencies is a tried and trusted political strategy deployed by the Revolutionary Institutional Party in which Mr. Lopez Obrador cut his political teeth in the 1970s. And the president truly dislikes the state institutions built after the party  known as the PRI  lost its monopoly on power. The military is not corrupt, he argues. The rest of the state is.

The scariest question perhaps is, What happens now? Institutions have been worn out, noted Alejandra Soto at Control Risks. A lot of talent and institutional memory has been lost. The key question for the next administration, she argued, is: how is this going to be rebuilt?

The diminished state that AMLO will bequeath to the next president will present a tricky challenge. His successor is unlikely to have the popularity that allowed him to reshape the government and which will be necessary to rebuild the institutional capacity that AMLO dismantled.

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And whoever wins the office will also have to deal with a military more empowered than at any time since the 1940s, when Manuel Avila Camacho was the last general to occupy the presidential seat.

Mexico may have avoided the military coups common in much of Latin America in the 20th century. Its generals have not expressed interest in running the country. And yet, their vast new power raises an uncomfortable question for a weakened civilian state, notes Stephanie Brewer of the Washington Office on Latin America: What if the military wants one thing and the civilian government wants another?

Elsewhere in Bloomberg Opinion:

 AMLOs Peso Fixation Risks Leading Him Astray: Eduardo Porter

 Pemex Is the Elephant in Mexicos Voting Booth: JP Spinetto

 Mexicos Democracy Is Crumbling Under AMLO: Shannon ONeil

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Eduardo Porter is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Latin America, US economic policy and immigration. He is the author of American Poison: How Racial Hostility Destroyed Our Promise and The Price of Everything: Finding Method in the Madness of What Things Cost.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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In the wake of Finlands and Swedens accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the alliance can take a well-deserved victory lap. I commanded troops from both nations in Afghanistan, and Swedish forces in the Libyan campaign of 2011. The countries have professional and motivated personnel equipped with superb technology systems, from advanced fighter jets to stealthy naval corvettes.

This spells trouble for Russian President Vladimir Putins military, already much depleted by its misadventure in Ukraine. Both new members have painful historical experiences with Russia. Finland comes with 800 miles of NATO border the Russians will have to plan to defend. If Putin were to invade Estonia, for example, he would now be vulnerable to being flanked through previously neutral Finland, seriously complicating his military calculus.

One aspect of the Sweden-Finland accession gaining little geopolitical attention  when all is focused on Ukraine  is how they will add to NATOs strength in the Arctic. When I visited the Nordic states a decade ago as the alliances supreme allied commander, their defense chiefs gave me a demonstration of their winter capabilities  their mastery at operating in what our Canadian allies call the High North, above the Arctic circle. I came away deeply impressed.

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So, given the new members, what would a coherent NATO strategy for the increasingly important Arctic look like?

Step back and look at the geography. The top of the world is a geopolitical Thunderdome, with the prize of the Arctic Ocean at the center. As global warming removes more and more of the ice cover, access to vital shipping routes and hydrocarbons  oil and gas  will be increasingly crucial for the nations on the front porch of the Arctic Sea. (My Bloomberg Opinion colleague Liam Denning, newly returned from the region, is doing an excellent series of articles and videos on all this.)

Before Sweden and Finland, five such countries were already NATO allies: Canada, Denmark (by virtue of Greenland), Iceland, Norway and the US. The two new allies, despite lacking ocean coastlines, are considered Arctic nations. About 15% of Sweden and a third of Finland are within the Arctic Circle: the region known as Lapland. Seven NATO allies now face Russia across the Arctic Ocean.

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Before his invasion of Ukraine, Putin was increasing the Arctic capability of Russias military. More troops, bases and ships were added within the Arctic circle. Given the immense losses he has suffered in Ukraine, this effort will likely slow, giving NATO leverage and an opportunity. The alliance should form a smaller Arctic Coalition within NATO to focus in increasing its defensive capability to the north.

This coalition should include a well-staffed center devoted to study and analysis of defensive activities in the harsh conditions. Logically and symbolically, this should be based in the territory of one of the two new allies.

The alliance should also develop a detailed defensive plan for responding to Russian activities in the north. NATO has elaborate defensive plans for dealing with attacks by Russia against the Baltic nations, Turkey and Black Sea countries  it needs a similar war plan for the High North, to be rigorously tested in tabletop exercises and real-world operations.

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NATO can also increase its routine surveillance and patrol activities in the region. This should include regular under-ice nuclear submarine patrols by the US and UK; more satellite time devoted to surveilling the polar region; increased overflight by long-range maritime patrol aircraft operating out of Iceland, Canada and Sweden; and ground-based, long-dwell radar systems on Greenland and other northern locations.

Finally, NATO should conduct regular, large-scale combat exercises under realistic conditions. Warfighting is very different at 50 F below freezing. Every relevant NATO combat system  from missiles to rifles to radars to warships  should be evaluated for its efficacy Arctic conditions.

There is a diplomatic aspect to NATOs role in the region as well. The international organization known as the Arctic Council includes all seven NATO members and Russia, as well as observer nations including China. It has provided a forum for planning for shared use of international waters and airspace  a forum where disputes can be heard and compromises reached. Despite immense differences over Ukraine, NATO and Russia must seek to avoid a war at the top of the world. The Arctic Council, like the effective Cold War arms-control agreements, can be part of a diplomatic track to address non-Ukrainian issues.

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Adding Sweden and Finland is a very positive step for NATO for many reasons  geography, military capability, advanced technology, European unity. But it also signals much more capability to operate in the Arctic. The alliance should think carefully and act swiftly to capitalize on this northern windfall while Russias attention is elsewhere.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Drilling for Oil on the Moon: Liam Denning

 Ukraines Not the Only State Signing Up for the American Empire: Hal Brands

 Providing F-16 Fighters to Ukraine Is Worth the Risk: James Stavridis

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

James Stavridis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. A retired U.S. Navy admiral, former supreme allied commander of NATO, and dean emeritus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, he is vice chairman of global affairs at the Carlyle Group. He is on the boards of American Water Works, Fortinet, PreVeil, NFP, Ankura Consulting Group, Titan Holdings, Michael Baker and Neuberger Berman, and has advised Shield Capital, a firm that invests in the cybersecurity sector.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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MOSCOW  A Russian general in charge of forces fighting in southern Ukraine has been relieved of his duties after speaking out about problems faced by his troops, a move that reflected new fissures in the military command following a brief rebellion by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russias war in Ukraine. ArrowRight Maj. Gen. Ivan Popov, the commander of the 58th army in the Zaporizhzhia region, which is a focal point in Ukraine's counteroffensive, said in an audio statement to his troops released Wednesday night that he was dismissed after a meeting with the military brass in what he described as a treacherous stab in the back to Russian forces in Ukraine.

Popov said the military leadership was angered by his frank talk about challenges faced by his forces, particularly the shortage of radars tracking enemy artillery, which resulted in massive Russian casualties.

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The top officers apparently saw me as a source of threat and rapidly issued an order to get rid of me, which was signed by the defense minister in just one day, he said. The Ukrainian military has failed to break through our armys defenses, but the top commander hit us in the rear, treacherously and cowardly beheading the army at this most difficult moment.

Popov, who uses the call name Spartacus, addressed his troops as my gladiators in the audio message released by retired Gen. Andrei Gurulev, who commanded the 58th army in the past and currently serves as a lawmaker. The 58th army consists of several divisions and smaller units.

The 48-year-old Popov, who has risen from platoon commander to lead a large group of forces, has encouraged his soldiers to come directly to him with any problems  an easygoing approach that contrasted sharply with the stiff formal style of command common in the Russian military. Russian military bloggers say hes widely known for avoiding unnecessary losses  unlike many other commanders who were eager to sacrifice their soldiers to report successes.

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I faced a difficult situation with the top leadership when I had to either keep silent and act like a coward, saying what they wanted to hear, or call things by their names, Popov said. I didnt have the right to lie for the sake of you and our fallen comrades.

Many military bloggers argued that Popovs dismissal eroded troop morale at a time of relentless Ukrainian attacks. One blogger, Vladislav Shurygin, said it has dealt a terrible blow to the entire army, while another, Roman Saponkov, described it as a monstrous terror attack against the armys morale.

In a sign that many in Russian officialdom share Popovs criticism of the military leadership, Andrei Turchak, the first deputy speaker of the upper house of parliament and head of the main Kremlin party United Russia, strongly backed the general, saying that the Motherland can be proud of such commanders.

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Andrei Kartapolov, a retired general who heads the defense affairs committee in the lower house, also said the Defense Ministry should deal with the issues raised by Popov.

News of Popovs dismissal added to the blow that Russian troops received when another senior officer, Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov, was killed Tuesday by a Ukrainian missile strike.

Popovs remarks about the need to rotate his exhausted troops that have been fighting the Ukrainian counteroffensive since early June, reportedly angered General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov, who shrugged them off as panicky and promptly ordered his dismissal.

Gerasimov was shown meeting with military officers Monday in a video released by the Defense Ministry, the first time he was seen since last months abortive rebellion by Prigozhin, who had demanded his ouster. The uproar fueled by Popovs dismissal could further erode the position of Gerasimov, who has faced broad criticism for his conduct of the fighting in Ukraine.

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Pro-Kremlin political analyst Sergei Markov noted that Popovs statement echoed criticism of the top brass by Prigozhin. However, he added that the generals statement wasnt a rebellion, but instead a call for intervention by President Vladimir Putin.

Such public disputes at the top of the Russian army isnt a show of force, he said.

During the June 24 revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, mercenaries from Prigozhins Wagner Group quickly swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot before driving to within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of Moscow.

Prigozhin called his mercenaries back to their camps after striking a deal to end the rebellion in exchange for an amnesty for him and his mercenaries and permission to move to Belarus.

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The rebellion represented the biggest threat to Putin in his more than two decades in power and badly dented his authority, even though Prigozhin said the uprising wasnt aimed against the president but intended to force the ouster of Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The Wagner chief was harshly critical of their conduct of how they have conducted the action in Ukraine.

On Monday, the Kremlin confirmed Prigozhin and 34 of his top officers met with Putin on June 29, a startling announcement that raised new questions about the terms of the deal with Wagner. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wagners commanders pledged loyalty to Putin and said they were ready to continue to fight for the Motherland.

Putin has said Wagner troops had to choose whether to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry, move to Belarus or retire from service. While details of the deal remain murky, uncertainty also has surrounded the fate of Gen. Sergei Surovikin, the deputy commander of the Russian group of forces fighting in Ukraine who reportedly had been detained for questioning about his ties to Prigozhin.

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Speaking in Helsinki on Thursday after a NATO summit, U.S. President Joe Biden said he is not certain about what fate awaits Prigozhin.

Im not even sure where he is, Biden said. If I were he, Id be careful what I ate, Id be keeping an eye on my menu. But all kidding aside ... I dont know. I dont think any of us know for certain what the future of Prigozhin is in Russia.

The Defense Ministry said Wednesday that mercenaries of the Wagner Group were completing the handover of their weapons to the Russian military, part of the Kremlins efforts to defuse the threat it posed.

___

Follow APs coverage of the fighting in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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NEW DELHI, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Water level in river Yamuna, which passes through India's capital city Delhi, continues to remain above danger mark, posing fear of floods, particularly in low-lying areas of the city.

At 18:00 local time on Thursday, the water level of the overflowing river was recorded at 208.66 meters, much beyond the danger mark of 205.33 meters, said an official of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

Knee-deep water was seen in areas in central parts of Delhi, including the part near the historic monument Red Fort. People in flood-affected areas were seen taking refuge at higher places like trees and roof tops of their houses.

Locals were also seen rescuing animals like dogs and cattle in the flood-affected areas.

Rail and road traffic too was adversely affected due to water entering roads and railway tracks.

Local officials and police are keeping a strict vigil over the low-lying areas flooded with river water.

Overseeing the flood-like situation, Special Commissioner of Police Deepender Pathak said, "We are here to evaluate the flood situation and the need for law and order and policing element."

Another senior police officer Achin Garg visited the Yamuna Bank area to rescue the people residing in low-lying areas.

"We have rescued seven people," Garg was quoted as saying. "We are trying to convince people and move them to safer grounds. People have never seen the water level rise to this level, and they do not want to believe that it would rise further. Convincing them has become a bit difficult."

NDRF's senior official Mohsen Shahidi reportedly said that they have evacuated around 2,500 people so far from different areas.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the DDMA was held during the day to assess the situation and made decisions including shutting down all educational institutions, setting up more relief camps, putting health infrastructure on alert, managing vehicular traffic, and encouraging working from home among government and private employees. 
Another Australian, director and producer Fletcher Moules, is nominated as one of the producers of the animated music special Entergalactic, created by American musician and actor Kid Cudi as a visual companion to the album of the same name. Entergalactic is nominated in the animated program category. And Australian composer (and Sydney Conservatorium of Music graduate) Allyson Newman has been nominated for her work on the series The L Word: Generation Q in the outstanding original music and lyrics category. Newman is up against composers from The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, Ted Lasso and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. Australian actors Elizabeth Debicki and Anna Torv are nominated as well. Debicki for her work on The Crown in the supporting actress category, and Torv, who stars in the acclaimed ABC drama series The Newsreader, in the guest actress in a drama series for her performance in The Last of Us. And New Zealand costume designer Kate Hawley was nominated in the outstanding fantasy/sci-fi costume category for her work on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Bella Ramsey (left) and Anna Torv in The Last of Us. Credit: HBO/Binge HBOs Succession, of course, will be the star of the show. It is nominated for outstanding drama series, and has almost all of its main cast in contention. The toughest category, however, is lead actor where no less than three of its cast are nominated against each other: Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong. And while Strong is a past Emmy winner, the prominence of and praise for Culkins performance in the shows final season would surely place him first among equals.

The nights other tough category is supporting actress in a drama series, where Jennifer Coolidge, Meghann Fahy, Sabrina Impacciatore, Aubrey Plaza and Simona Tabasco from The White Lotus are nominated. Alls fair in love and the Emmys, but its hard to see that award going to anyone but Coolidge who is, like Murray Bartlett, riding something of a cultural wave. Competition in the supporting actor in a drama series is also a little hot, with four actors from The White Lotus (F. Murray Abraham, Michael Imperioli, Theo James and Will Sharpe) against three from Succession (Nicholas Braun, Matthew Macfadyen and Alexander Skarsgard) chasing one Emmy. At first glance, its an open field, but the smart money has to be on Macfadyen. 2023 was definitely Tom Wambsgans year. Loading There were also some surprises. Netflixs Emily-in-politics drama The Diplomat may have been the buzzy pop-out show of the year, but its only major nod was for Keri Russell, in the lead actress in a drama series category. It was excluded from the drama series category, while perennial staples like Better Call Saul and The Crown made it in. And despite the popularity of the Yellowstone franchise  Yellowstone, plus two prequels 1883 and 1923, and at least three more shows, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, 6666 and 1944 coming  the franchise was more or less shut out. That cuts deepest for 1923, which counts Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren among its cast.

Other shows that seem to be obvious oversights  among them, The Idol, Black Mirror and Outlander - all landed on screen after the eligibility window for this years Emmys, which is between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023. (At least six episodes of scripted series have to air before the cutoff date.) That means any excluded shows, such as The Idol, which generated enormous noise this year, would not be eligible for Emmys until 2024. Succession is the most nominated program with 27, followed by The Last of Us with 24, The White Lotus with 23 nominations, Ted Lasso with 21 nominations and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel with 14. On those numbers, HBO, which was at one point neck and neck with streaming disruptor Netflix for dominance of the awards landscape, would seem to have re-established itself. Loading Succession, The Last of Us and The White Lotus are all major HBO titles; the other two shows in the top five most nominated belong to Apple TV+ and Prime Video respectively. Netflixs strongest performing shows were Beef and Dahmer  Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story with 13 nominations each. The creative arts Emmys are held the week before the primetime Emmys, and cover almost 100 categories, including visual effects, picture and sound editing, lighting design, music, cinematography, choreography, casting and art direction. The primetime Emmys honour acting, writing, directing and key program categories: comedy, drama, limited series, realty competition, scripted variety and talk show.
Cost per wear is the calculation used by seasoned shoppers to justify splurging on a pair of chunky Loewe loafers or a Zimmermann dress, but it faces competition from a new spending formula: cost per sleep.

Luxury brands are moving out of the wardrobe and creeping between, above and beneath the designer sheets with $4281 weighted woollen blankets, $4380 pyjamas and $1 million beds.

Billie Eilish and Jesse Rutherford in Gucci sleepwear and blanket at the LACMA gala in LA, November 2022. Credit: Getty

Patterned pyjamas from Olivia Von Halle, Sleeper, Gucci and Kiki de Montparnasse are the gateway drug  no prescription required  to bedroom accessories that use wellness to target the wealthy, while making others even richer.

The global sleep market, including mattresses and pillows, generated $US60 billion ($90 billion) in 2020 and is predicted to reach $US112 billion by 2030.
In the 2000 film Chopper, Vince Colosimo, playing obstinate underworld figure Neville Bartos, yells at Chopper Reid that theres no cash here, rebuffing a shake down attempt by the infamous Australian outlaw.

But in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, fiction became reality, with magistrate Guillaume Bailin hearing that the troubled actor is financially destitute, mentally unwell, and that he needed more than $60,000 in fines and penalties waived.

The debt levelled against Colosimo was 169 unpaid infringements composed mostly of toll fines, driving offences, speeding and more than $30,000 in additional charges, the court heard.

Victoria Legal Aid chief counsel Julia Munster told Bailin that Colosimo had been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and depressive disorders, which he had been suffering for a decade, and was financially destitute with little money or valuable property to his name.
London: The scandal surrounding the BBCs most prominent newsreader, Huw Edwards, is not only likely to end his career behind the nightly newsdesk but has delivered a fresh blow to the worlds oldest national broadcaster at a time it can least afford it.

The decision to name Edwards by his wife, Vicky, on Wednesday night brought to an end days of speculation as to the identity of the presenter over his alleged relationships with a series of young people.

BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has been identified by as the presenter at the centre of the allegations. Credit: Reuters

The saga has become not just about Edwards conduct but also the BBCs chaotic handling of the affair at a time of rapidly falling trust in the direction of perhaps Britains most treasured institution.

Everyone in the UK must pay 159 ($300) a year for the pleasure of owning a television set by way of a TV licence, which helps fund the organisation.
JAKARTA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China and ASEAN have blazed the right path of forging long-term good-neighborliness while achieving common development and prosperity, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi said here on Thursday.

The senior Chinese diplomat made the remarks while attending the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting, introducing the achievements of all-round expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He said over the past 20 years, China and ASEAN have actively implemented the purposes and principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and expanded mutually beneficial cooperation on all fronts.

First, both sides have worked together on building a community with a shared future. China and ASEAN have helped each other, shared development opportunities, and overcome the challenge of the pandemic, Wang said. China has reached important consensus with Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia on jointly building a community with a shared future.

Second, the joint construction of the Belt and Road has seen landmark projects completed, including the opening of Cambodia's Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, the launch of cross-border passenger services between China and ASEAN on the China-Laos Railway, and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor which has opened a golden channel for trans-regional cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to more than 2 billion people, Wang said.

Third, both sides have joined efforts to promote regional economic integration. Trade volume between China and ASEAN, which are eath other's largest trading partner, is expected to exceed 1 trillion U.S. dollars this year, Wang said.

He highlighted efforts in negotiating version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, with both sides firmly advocating free trade and open markets.

Fourth, both sides have worked together to consolidate the foundation of peace and stability. Wang noted that China actively participates in and firmly supports the ASEAN-centered regional cooperation architecture, and supports its continued development in an open and inclusive manner without interference.

China welcomes the completion of the second reading of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) text, and stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in its early conclusion, he said. 
The Secretariat of the World Customs Organization (WCO) participated in a face-to-face mode in the 16th meeting of the High-Level Working Group (HLWG) of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) was held from 4 to 7 July 2023, in Maputo-Mozambique.

The meeting was chaired by the Director General of Mozambique Customs, Mr. Taurai Inacio Tsama. He stressed the importance of technical cooperation, as this would provide all member Customs of the forum with solid and modern tools to efficiently and effectively meet the challenges of international trade facilitation and control in the 21st century.

The opening ceremony also featured a speech by the Secretary General of the CPLP Conference of Directors General of Customs, who took stock of activities developed over the last three years, enabling representatives of administrations to present topics on their practices.

Eight of the nine CPLP countries were present: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe and Timor-Leste. These Members shared their experiences in several areas of Customs reform and modernization.

The WCO Secretariat briefed delegates on the WCO Guide to implementing AEO programs and validating AEO procedures, given the importance of this program for member countries of the community, and presented other WCO tools and instruments.

Participants also took the opportunity to visit and gain practical experience of operations at the Maputo International Port, which serves as a transit hub for the WCO ESA Region.

At the end of the meeting, participants were unanimous on the need for the implementation of WCO tools and instruments. These include the Revised Kyoto Convention, the Data Analysis Professional Handbook, the AEO Strategic Guide to Mutual Recognition, and the WCO Customs Risk Management Compendium. The plenary recommended to administrations greater disclosure, with the aim of facilitating, simplifying and ensuring security in the international supply chain.

For further information, please contact: capacity.building@wcoomd.org
NATO should have made it clear to Kremlin that taking Ukraine was impossible  exLithuanian PM 13 July, 04:14 PM Former Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius (Photo:PSD via Twitter)

NATO missed an opportunity at its summit in Vilnius in Lithuania on July 11-12 to send a powerful signal to Moscow that its plans to take over Ukraine are absurd, former Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius said on July 13.

Before the summit, it looked like there was complete agreement that what we were talking not about Ukraines actual membership in NATO, as everyone, including (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy, said that we could not expect Ukraine to be immediately granted membership in the Alliance while the war was ongoing, Kubilius said during an online discussion of the Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

Video of day

The question was about the formal procedure of invitation to membership, which, however, has great political significance, Kubilius said.

It would be quite a clear political signal to Russian political elites and ordinary people, he said.

The official compared it to a long-range missile against Russia.

Russians must clearly see the Wests understanding that Ukraine is on the Wests side, that Russia cannot get Ukraine, Kubilius said.

No matter how much nostalgia they have for the past, etc. Even just from a strategic point of view, it was necessary to send a signal to the Kremlin: listen, guys, all your absurd plans for a war against Ukraine are nonsense, Ukraine will be a NATO member.

But it wasnt done.

Only two countries, Germany and the United States, hesitated, Kubilius said.

At the same time, he expressed hope that during the next summit in Washington it will be a good opportunity for both (U.S.) President Biden and the entire administration to make another statement.

NATO Summit in Vilnius  What is known

The summit in Vilnius brought together leaders from 31 NATO countries, including U.S. President Joe Biden, along with additional delegations from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and Sweden (Turkey has finally agreed to unblock Swedens membership).

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Vilnius on July 11, along with the First Lady, Olena Zelenska.

Ukraine hoped to receive a clear signal regarding the prospects of a future membership of the alliance.

On the eve of the summit, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that allies had agreed that Ukraine would join NATO in the future without a Membership Action Plan  the traditional process of accession for new members.

Although NATO member states on July 11 agreed on a unified communique concerning Ukraines membership in the alliance, they made no timeframe commitments as to when Kyiv might receive an invitation to join.

The communique noted that Ukraine would be invited to join the alliance once member states agree and all prerequisites have been satisfied, without specifying what those prerequisites are, exactly.

The document also remarked that the alliance would aid Ukraine in implementing reforms on its pathway to prospective membership.

In addition, the leaders of the G7 officially announced that they had reached an agreement on a declaration outlining security guarantees for Ukraine.

Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility  to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.

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Computer science grad finds support, confidence at Weber State

July 13, 2023

OGDEN, Utah  Three years ago, Shelby Watchman sat quietly during her first class at Weber State University, too anxious to engage with her professor or classmates.

I came from a small college, and so coming here felt like this big university  big and scary, Watchman recalled.

Her past academic experiences had chipped away at her confidence and she worried she would continue to fall through the cracks, as she experienced at previous schools.

In high school, Watchman felt like her struggles went unnoticed by educators, so she dropped out and earned her GED diploma. When she started classes at a small college campus branch in her home state of New Mexico, it still didnt feel like the right fit.

But when she arrived at Weber State, though the campus was bigger than what she was accustomed to, Watchman felt more noticed than ever before.

Academic advisors helped her discover a passion for computer science, and professors created environments where she felt comfortable asking questions or seeking help.

I felt that I was very cared for and that I wasnt left behind, Watchman said. It helped me believe in myself more.

Watchman went on to earn academic honors every semester. Her confidence grew as she made friends, found mentors and learned new skills.

She delved into the creative aspects of computer science, designing and building websites for small businesses. She found friends to carpool and study with, both of which she previously felt too shy to initiate. She was also part of the Native American Student Association, which provided her with financial aid and a connection to peers.

Since graduating with her computer science degree in April, Watchman looks forward to finding a job in the tech industry, and she attributes feeling career-ready to the support she received at Weber State.

Ive built so many relationships here, Watchman said. It really makes a difference when theres support behind you.
LOWER ALSACE TWP., Pa. - Donations continue pouring in at the Lower Alsace Fire Company.

From toiletries to food, it is all to help people in need after floodwaters from heavy rain rushed through this area on Sunday. The operation moved here from the Antietam Rec Center.

"Due to being closer to ground zero and the community being able to access us easier," said organizer Casey Coates.

Coates said the operation has tripled in size. She told 69 News it came together within an hour or two the other day.

"What went from being a couple of us has turned into 20 or 30 of us that are now down here, boots on the ground at ground zero, helping these families," said Coates.

Lower Alsace Fire Chief Robert Mountz said the fire company responded to calls, met with the Governor on Monday and went into helping mode from there; getting people things like cleaning supplies, water and making sure they were safe.

"If they weren't safe, giving them alternatives as to where they could go, what they could do, making sure their insurances were contacted," said Chief Mountz.

They also helped with damage assessments.

Chief Mountz said the fire company is delivering donated items at the firehouse to people in areas that are hard to reach.

"We're still out making deliveries. People are checking on their neighbors. It's just, you know, an unfortunate circumstance, but it turns into such a positive in the end," explained Mountz.

The chief said if people need to get in touch with him about accessing the donations here, they can call the non-emergency number at the Berks Department of Emergency Services, who can get a hold of him.

The firehouse will be open with donations daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Iraq's Assyrians Protest Government Move Against Cardinal Sako

( Julian Bechocha/Rudaw) Under mounting pressure from a pro-Iran militia group, the Iraqi president earlier this month revoked a decade-old decree that formally recognized Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako and granted him powers over Christian endowment affairs. Christians angry over the decision protested in Ainkawa on Thursday morning, in the scorching heat.

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid on July 3 revoked special presidential decree 147 of 2013 issued by late president Jalal Talabani that granted Sako powers to administer Chaldean endowment affairs and officially recognized him as the head of the Chaldean Church. Rashid's decision came after he met with Rayan al-Kildani, leader of the nominally Christian Babylon Movement, a party and militia affiliated with the pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi in Arabic) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The decision sparked a nationwide outcry from Christian community members and leaders, who condemned the president's maneuver and described it as a direct attack on Cardinal Sako, a highly respected figure in his community and the head of the Chaldean Church in Iraq and worldwide.

Residents of Ainkawa, a Christian-majority district situated at the northern edge of Erbil city, filled the street in front of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph on Thursday morning as the hot July sun scorched the earth, to protest what they called the "clear and utter violation" against their community.

"This is a political maneuver to seize the remainder of what Christians have left in Iraq and Baghdad and to expel them. Unfortunately, this is a blatant targeting of the Christians and a threat to their rights," Diya Butrus Slewa, a leading human and minority rights activist from Ainkawa, told Rudaw English outside the church.

"From the beginning of the Church, Christian affairs are administered by the Church. The Church has its own laws, courts, and committees," Slewa added. "We hope the Iraqi presidency hears our people and revokes this [decision] as soon as possible, otherwise it will become an international matter and the Vatican will get involved."

Protesters shouted out messages of support for Cardinal Sako and held up placards telling the Iraqi government that they had committed "enough injustice" against the long-suffering Christian community.

"Mr. President, the protector of the constitution should not violate the constitution. The Iraqi president orders the displacement of Christians, and opens the way for violating the property of the Chaldean Church which represents nearly 80 percent of Christians in Iraq and Kurdistan," read one of the signs.

"What else can I say? This is a clear violation and there is no doubt about that. What the president of the republic has done is clearly under political pressure from a militia group who it is a disgrace to even call Christian and say that they represent our peaceful community," Emad Hanna, an elderly man, told Rudaw English, referring to Kildani's militia.

"I feel ashamed that I have to waste my breath talking about them. The fact that this has happened is a complete disgrace," he added.

In a statement defending his decision, President Rashid clarified that the decree had been revoked because it was "illegal and unconstitutional," but that the status of Sako is not affected as he was appointed cardinal and head of the Chaldean Church by the pope in the Vatican.

"Also, there are requests made by the heads of churches and other religious communities for presidential decrees that lack any constitutional or legal backing," Rashid said in the statement.

In reply, Sako published an open letter, saying the decision poses a "danger" to the Christian community in Iraq and warning that he would turn to the judiciary and file a legal complaint if the president does not revoke his decision.

"Did President Jalal Talabani issue this decree without referring to legal advisors or without his knowledge and awareness of religious shrines and the rights of their entities in accordance with the constitution that affirms their protection and respect for their rights?" Sako said in his letter, describing Rashid's move as "unprecedented" and "political."

The cardinal added that he does not see an issue with issuing special decrees for church leaders in Iraq as they "would reflect the government's respect for the beautiful historical Iraqi fabric and provide assurance for Christians and all Iraqi components in the difficult circumstances" that the country is experiencing.

Rashid's decision strips Sako's authority to administer the Church's assets and carry out decisions such as renovating and building churches across Iraq, according to Slewa.

Sako and Kildani have long been involved in a war of words, with the patriarch condemning the militia leader as an individual who does not represent the interests of Christians despite his party winning four of the five quota seats assigned for Christians in the 2021 Iraqi parliamentary election. His candidates were extensively and openly backed by Shiite political forces affiliated with Iran.

Kildani has accused Sako of getting involved in politics and damaging the reputation of the Chaldean Church.

Sako has not shied away from commenting on Iraq's politics, particularly those that impact Christians, including criticizing the minority quota system and state corruption.

Several protests have taken place in Baghdad over the past few months against Kildani's remarks on Sako, and were met by larger counter-protests by PMF and Shiite groups backing the militia leader.

In a video conference in May, Sako threatened to escalate the matter internationally if the Iraqi government did not act against Kildani.

The Babylon Brigades, the paramilitary wing of the Babylon Movement, "is presented as a local Christian force but has been recruited largely from Shia Muslim communities in Baghdad's Sadr City, al-Muthanna, and Dhi Qar," and its objective is domination of the Nineveh Plains, a March profile of the brigade by the Washington Institute concluded.

The brigades have been accused of illegally seizing historic Christian land in Nineveh province after the Islamic State (ISIS) group was driven out of the area. Human rights abuses committed by the group ultimately led to the United States Treasury sanctioning Kildani in 2019 for the abuses as well as corruption.

Faruq Hanna Atto, an Ainkawa native and the only independent Christian lawmaker in the Iraqi parliament, told the Iraqi presidency in a letter that the decision to remove Sako's special presidential decree "reflects negatively on your position towards the followers of this church."

According to Atto, canceling the decree "encourages discrimination and deepening conflicts." He demanded the presidency "correct its position in order to increase the spirit of fraternity and social peace among the Iraqi people ... and granting the religious components confidence in coexistence and not leaving their homeland, emptying Iraq of Christians, and preserving the original Iraqi components."

Ano Abdoka, Minister of Transportation and Communications in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and a Christian, criticized President Rashid's decision as "unjustifiable" and said that "for the first time since 2003, we are witnessing a dangerous precedent represented by the behavior of the head of a state's hierarchy."

"Why is one of the most important Christian symbols being unjustly targeted, namely the institution of the Chaldean Patriarchate and the moral highness of the Chaldean Patriarch?" Abdoka said in an open letter.

Lashing out at Kildani, Abdoka called the Babylon Movement's actions "the desperate attempts of some MPs who are arbitrarily, unjustly, and clearly against the Christians after they kidnapped the quota seats," and said that Kildani does not represent Christians and is involved in illegally seizing "a large part of the Nineveh Plains by force."

The decision to revoke Cardinal Sako's authority to administer properties and finances of the Chaldean Church could render these assets vulnerable to Kildani's alleged land grabs, especially in the Nineveh Plains of northern Mosul province, where historic Assyrian, Chaldean, and Syriac Christian villages lie and an area where the Babylon Brigades is active.

With the sharp divisions between the Chaldean Church in Iraq and the Babylon Movement expected to continue, Christian interests hang in the balance in a country where fewer than 300,000 remain today, a staggering fall from over 1.5 million who used to call Iraq home before the 2003 American invasion.
France aims to train a battalion of Ukrainian troops every five weeks 13 July, 04:35 AM French Defense Minister Sebastien Le Coronneu announced future plans to train Ukrainian soldiers (Photo:Sebastien Lecornu/Twitter)

As it is deeply involved in EUs program to help train fresh Ukrainian troops, France is planning to be able to train a battalion of 500-600 soldiers every five weeks, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said in a Twitter post on July 12.

"Close to 5,200 Ukrainian soldiers have successfully completed military training in France, with an additional 1,600 having been trained in Poland," Lecornu said.

Nearly 7,000 will be ready by the end of the year.

According to the minister, France's goal is to "shape a cohesive battalion of 500-600 Ukrainian soldiers every five weeks."

Video of day

France continues its active assistance to Ukraine by providing weapons, ranging from armored vehicles and "light tanks" to Scalp cruise missiles  a French variant of the British Storm Shadow missile.

While training Ukrainian fighters, Paris is focusing particularly in giving them the skills to operate French-made military equipment Ukraine now has in service.

Training with high added value and adapted to the needs of the Ukrainian armed forces: To use and maintain the transferred material  Caesar (howitzers), SAMP/T (air defense systems), AMX-10 (light tanks), Lecornu concluded.

French Foreign Affairs Minister, Catherine Colonna, previously said that Frances current priority is to strengthen Ukraines air defense and artillery capabilities.

Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility  to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.

Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth  consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.

Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of  from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
READING, Pa.  The senior director of economic development for the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance told the Berks County Board of Commissioners there has been a strategic focus on business and industry growth in the first half of 2023.

Aaron Gantz made a bi-annual report to the commissioners Wednesday morning.

"When we presented to you in February, we shared our strategic focus in 2023 would be on business and industry growth, retention and attraction, as well as broad community and economic development," Gantz said. "I'm excited to share some of what we've been working on over the last six months."

"We've worked with over 70 industry diverse companies on both growth, retention and attraction," Gantz continued. "These companies represent nearly 17,000 jobs and both new and retained in our community."

Gantz said there is about $5.2 million in the funding pipeline for Berks-based companies across several different loan and grant programs.

Gantz reported that in addition to the support from the county, the chamber alliance has over 40 private sector economic development investors supporting the organization's economic development work.

A few statistics Gantz reported were:

Over the last 18 months, the chamber has tracked over 40 new and expanding businesses in the county, many of them being small business.





Nearly 18,000 students are enrolled in one of the higher education institutions in Berks County.





In the last 30 days, there have been more than 9,500 active jobs which have been posted, with a majority of those opportunities in nursing and warehouse positions.





Manufacturing continues to be the number one industry in the community.

"One of the top challenges that we've continued to see in 2023 is the immediate talent needs and filling the talent pipeline for the future," Gantz reported. "This impacts businesses of all sizes, and across all industries, and is not unique to our community. This is a challenge across the United States."

Another challenge she noted was that in the last quarter businesses have been seeking access to capital financing.

"In order for companies to continue to grow and expand, they need dollars," Gantz added. "And so, we've really fielded increased inquiries for financing opportunities. Our daily work is often connecting businesses with funding opportunities, and this could be loans, grants and even tax credits."

Gantz said the county's manufacturing industry partnership supports the county's top industry by bringing together manufacturers on a quarterly basis.

"A primary focus of that group is talent, and we also offer numerous professional development opportunities, and since the beginning of the year, we've offered over 50 opportunities to Berks-based companies and individuals," she explained.

Gantz said the chamber also works with the Berks County Department of Agriculture to develop strategies for offering farming resources.

Through all the work through the partnering organizations, Gantz said Berks County is positioned as a good choice for both businesses and people.

"We utilize the Meet Greater Reading platform as a brand to showcase what's next and best in our community," she said.
EASTON, Pa.  A plan to improve the safety of streets and intersections in Easton's College Hill neighborhood, which is home to Lafayette College, could soon be underway.

In his first council meeting as Easton's acting city administrator Wednesday night, Dave Hopkins revealed a roughly $1.1 million agreement between the city and Grace Industries for a three-phase plan to improve safety, intersection lighting and traffic patterns along the Cattell Street corridor.

Improvements to Cattell Street have already been approved and could begin later this month, Hopkins said.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto announced the appointment of Hopkins as acting city administrator in Luis Campos' absence. Campos remains hospitalized at St. Luke's Anderson Campus after he collapsed while jogging in Easton last week.

The mayor prayed for Campos' good health during an invocation at the beginning of Wednesday's meeting.

Councilmember Ken Brown also provided an update about Campos' condition.

"He's not out of the woods, but he can certainly see light now," Brown said.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Outside St. Catherine of Siena in Allentown, two ladder trucks support a large American flag.

The sound of bagpipes can be heard from the street as the doors open and pall bearers bring out the remains of retired Allentown Assistant Chief of Training Christopher Kiskeravage.

Kiskeravage died of pancreatic cancer June 9.

But the emotion on the faces of the scores of first responders and community members makes it seem as if it were yesterday. Those in attendance say that's because Kiskeravage wasn't just your average firefighter.

Words like iconic, inspirational, funny and big hearted are heard in conversations outside on the sidewalk.

Several people described Kiskeravage as a fireman's firefighter who dedicated his life to serving and saving others.

"He touched so many lives," said Allentown Fire Department Capt. John Christopher.

"Chris was just a great mentor to me," said Greenawalds Fire Chief Andrew Garger.

"He has done so much for Allentown and all of the surrounding communities," said Jeremy Warmkessel, President of the International Association of Firefighters local 302.

Kiskeravage started his 35-year firefighting career with the Easton Fire Department, before moving on to become the Assistant Chief of Training with the Allentown Fire Department.

During that time he ran the Allentown Fire Academy, training hundreds of Lehigh Valley firefighters.

"He taught recruits from Allentown and Bethlehem and Easton and traveled with his work with the Bucks County community college and all across the state and even did some work overseas," said Garger.

Kiskeravage was always looking for new ways to make firefighting safer, implementing new training methods and equipment standards necessary to do the job.

"He set the standard by example of implementation of so much of what we have today," said Warmkessel. "In fact, the new fire Academy, which we're going to be opening in a couple of weeks, was his idea."

"He had a passion for teaching and passing that knowledge on," said Christopher.

After Kiskeravage retired from AFD, he took another firefighting job as commissioner at South Whitehall.

It's in his South Whitehall command vehicle that Kiskeravage took his final ride following the mass. A color guard and bagpipes led the procession, past scores of firefighters standing at attention, saluting as it went by.

"We wanted to give him the proper sendoff that he deserved," said Christopher.

It was a second bout with cancer that took Kiskeravage. The cause was believed to be job-related.

"Occupational cancer is just an awful, awful thing for firefighters," said Warmkessel. "It's something that Chris really, really put a lot of work into, prior to his diagnosis."

Even in death Kiskeravage thought of others, donating his body to science hoping to find ways to make the job safer for all who follow.

Warmkessel says Kiskeravage will be added to the IAFF's Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Wall in Colorado Springs Colorado next year.

Kiskeravage leaves behind a wife and three children.

He was 56.
HELSINKI (AP)  President Joe Biden on Thursday said hes serious about pursuing a prisoner exchange for a Wall Street Journal reporter who has been detained in Russia for more than 100 days.

The Kremlin earlier this month suggested that it was open to a possible prisoner exchange that could involve Evan Gershkovich, but it underscored that such talks must be held out of the public eye.

Speaking at a news conference in Helsinki, Finland, Biden made clear that the U.S. is interested.

I'm serious on a prisoner exchange, said Biden, who was concluding a five-day visit to Europe that took him to the UK, Lithuania and Finland. And Im serious about doing all we can to free Americans being illegally held in Russia or anywhere else for that matter, and that process is underway.

Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip. He is being held at Moscows Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions. A Moscow court recently upheld a ruling to keep him in custody until Aug. 30.

Gershkovich and his employer deny the allegations, and the U.S. government has declared him to be wrongfully detained. His arrest rattled journalists in Russia. Authorities there have not provided any evidence to support the espionage charges.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed last week that there have been discussions between the two sides, but cautioned that there is not yet a clear pathway to winning Gershkovich's freedom.

Gershkovich is the first American reporter to face espionage charges in Russia since September 1986, when Nicholas Daniloff, a Moscow correspondent for U.S. News and World Report, was arrested by the KGB. Daniloff was released 20 days later in a swap for an employee of the Soviet Unions U.N. mission who was arrested by the FBI, also on spying charges.

In Washington, the Wall Street Journal and Gershkovich's family have sought to keep the spotlight on his detention.

At a National Press Club event on Thursday, Gershkovichs sister, Danielle, described the emotional toll from her brothers captivity. I just try to take it day-by-day. It still feels unreal sometimes. For my parents, its a full-time job.

She said she had received a letter from him just this week.

One silver lining of the 100th day marker, she said, was the publicity and attention for her brother.

Seeing Evans face in the news was just really heartening. At such a dark time, its wonderful to see his face again.

Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed from Washington.
CAIRO (AP)  Leaders from Sudans seven neighboring countries agreed on Thursday in Cairo to a new Egyptian-led initiative seeking to resolve the deepening conflict in the African country.

The meeting  the most high-profile since fighting erupted across Sudan in mid-April  was hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and attended by the leaders of Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad, Eritrea, the Central African Republic and Libya.

Sudan has been rocked by violence since April 15, when tensions between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces burst into open fighting. The conflict has killed more than 3,000 people, according to data from June, though the actual death toll is likely much higher, doctors and activists say.

In his opening speech, el-Sissi outlined an initiative to establish a lasting cease-fire, create safe humanitarian corridors for aid delivery, and build a dialogue framework that would include all Sudanese political parties and figures.

Though similar to previous commitments signed by Sudan's rivals in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah in May, which ultimately floundered, Thursday's plan was backed by all seven neighbors  as well as Sudan's military and the paramilitary RSF, which both praised it on social media. Since April, the rivals had agreed to at least 10 cease-fires that failed.

The most significant pushback came from Ethiopias prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, who argued that any new initiative should work alongside negotiations led by the African Union or risk prolonging the crisis.

Earlier talks in Jeddah, which were brokered by the kingdom and the United States, broke down last month as both sides repeatedly failed to stop fighting and violated cease-fire agreements.

On Monday, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development  an eight-member East African bloc that's also part of the African Union  held talks between Sudan's rival forces. During the meeting, the panel proposed deploying troops to Sudan to better protect civilians.

However, Sudans military delegation refused to attend the meeting and accused Kenyan President William Ruto, who headed the talks, of siding with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces because of his purported business ties with the family of the RSF commander. Sudans government, which is controlled by the military, reiterated its calls to replace the Kenyan leader as the chair of the Quartet.

El-Sissi on Thursday urged Sudan's warring sides to commit to African Union-led cease-fire negotiations.

Suliman Baldo, director of the think tank Sudan Transparency and Policy Tracker, said the past failings indicate that the summit in Egypt is unlikely to come up with quick solutions to the conflict.

Egypt has longstanding ties with the Sudanese army and its top general, Abdel Fattah Burhan. In closing remarks at the end of the summit, el-Sissi said further talks among the seven nations would be held in Chad.

El-Sissi and Ethiopia's Ahmed also held a rare private meeting Wednesday to discuss the construction of a massive dam on Ethiopias stretch of the Blue Nile. Cairo and Addis Ababa have been at odds for years over the project. Ethiopia says it is needed to bring electricity to hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians, while Cairo and Khartoum fear it will limit their water supply upstream.

According to a Thursday evening statement, Ethiopia said the two countries committed to finalizing an agreement on the dam within the next four months.

The 12 weeks of fighting between the army and the RSF have turned Khartoum, Sudan's capital, into an urban battlefield. The conflict forced more than 2.4 million people to flee their homes for safer areas inside the country, according to the International Organization for Migration. Around 738,000 others have crossed into neighboring countries, the agency said.

Also Thursday, The United Nations said the bodies of dozens of people allegedly killed by Sudanese paramilitary and allied militia have been uncovered in a mass grave in West Darfur. Darfur has been one of the epicenters of the 12-week conflict, morphing into ethnic violence with RSF troops and allied Arab militias attacking African ethnic groups. Earlier this week Human Rights Watch called for the International Criminal Court to investigate atrocities in Darfur.

This story has been corrected to show that Ethiopias prime minister attended the summit, not the president; and that leaders from Sudans seven neighboring countries met in Cairo, not six countries.
BANGKOK (AP) 

The leader of the progressive Thai political party that outpaced its rivals to a surprise first-place finish in Mays general election failed Thursday in his initial bid to have Parliament name him the countrys new prime minister.

The vote of a joint session of the 500-seat House of Representatives and 250-seat Senate saw Pita Limjaroenrat win 324 votes in the first round of balloting, short of the majority of 376 needed to become prime minister.

His Move Forward Party finished first in the May 14 election and afterward assembled an eight-party coalition that together had won 312 seats, a healthy majority in the lower house.

But strong opposition in the Senate, whose members are overwhelmingly conservative and generally opposed to the reformist platform of Pitas party, seemingly doomed his chances in the first vote. Only 13 senators supported Pita's bid, while 34 voted against him and 159 abstained.

Pita told reporters afterwards that he accepted the vote but was not giving up. He said the result was below expectations and thanked the senators who voted for him.

The biggest area of disagreement between the liberals backing Move Forward and the deeply conservative Senate is the campaign pledge of Pitas party to amend a law that makes defaming the royal family punishable by three to 15 years in prison.

The monarchy is sacrosanct to members of Thailands royalist establishment. Even minor reforms that might improve and modernize the monarchys image are anathema to them. Move Forwards coalition has proposed to limit the royal defamation law to allow only the royal family to lodge complaints and soften penalties.

Much of the debate that preceded Thursdays vote concerned that law, also known as Article 112, which critics say is abused for political purposes.

The inconclusive finish to Thursday's voting sets the stage for another ballot, which is expected next week. Whether Pita will make a second effort, or step aside to let a nominee from another party in his coalition try their luck, was not immediately known.

Some opponents explicitly said his party's stand on Article 112 was the reason they would not vote for a government led by Pita. The Pheu Thai Party, the second biggest in the coalition holding 141 House seats, could step up and try to win support from enough senators.

Pheu Thai used to be the royalist establishments most bitter rival. The party is closely affiliated with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire populist who was ousted in a 2006 military coup, in part because his popularity rubbed royalists the wrong way. But the party is anxious to get back into power, and less strident in supporting a reformist agenda that conservatives deem radical, though it would be considered moderate in Western countries.

Should Pheu Thai fail to successfully push through a prime minister candidate, the coalition would have to consider taking on new members.

Pita, regardless of how the prime minister issue is settled, faces additional challenges.

On Wednesday, the state Election Commission said it concluded there was evidence that he had violated election law, and referred his case to the Constitutional Court for a ruling. If the court accepts the case and finds him guilty, he could lose his House seat, get kicked out of politics and face a prison sentence.

There had been fears since even before the election that Thailands conservative ruling establishment would use what its political opponents consider to be dirty tricks to cling to power. For a decade-and-a-half, it has repeatedly utilized the courts and nominally independent state agencies such as the Election Commission to issue controversial rulings to cripple or sink political opponents.

The alleged violation involves undeclared ownership of media company shares, which are banned for Thai lawmakers. Political scientist Thitinan Pongsudhirak described the disputed charge and other legal complaints against Pita as bogus and something many people, especially voters who backed him, would be unwilling to tolerate.

A small number of Move Forwards supporters, wearing the partys signature orange colors, gathered outside Parliament, following the proceedings vote by vote on a large screen. They expressed disappointment and anger at the final result, especially the lack of support from senators.

The Senate are not with the people. The election did not mean anything to them, complained Nattapon Jangwangkaew, 42.

Im not ok with this," said 35-year-old Wipada Pimtare, who was crying in the rain. "I hoped that it would finish today. Thailand should move forward. They shouldnt buy time like this. The people have chosen and they should follow.

Pro-democracy activists have already called for protests, and there is concern that they could snowball, especially if Move Forward is shut out of power. When a forerunner party to Move Forward was forced to dissolve in 2019, it sparked a youth-led protest movement that ended up violently resisting efforts to disperse their gatherings. Political polarization in the years following the 2006 coup against Thaksin saw bursts of intense street fighting from both right and left, on occasion paralysing central areas of the capital Bangkok and its international airport.

Depending how they are resolved, the efforts to block Pita and Move Forward could prove dangerous and cause Thailand unnecessary pain, said Michael Montesano, a Thai studies expert who is an associate senior fellow at Singapores ISEASYusof Ishak Institute.

At the end of the day, the political system and those who would dominate need to move into closer correspondence with the realities of Thai society and with the aspirations of its younger, well-educated members, Montesano said. The biggest question is whether this transition will be painful and even violent, or whether it will be constructive and thus serve the countrys future prospects.

-

Associated Press video journalist Tian Macleod Ji contributed to this report.
Netherlands to sign up to G7 declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine 13 July, 02:56 PM Flag of the Netherlands (Photo:Marjonhorn / Pixabay)

The Netherlands will sign the declaration on security guarantees offered by the G7 countries, Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra announced on Twitter on July 12.

"I welcome the G7 Declaration of Support for Ukraine, including the announced security arrangements," Hoekstra said.

Read also: Nordic countries to join G7 security guarantees to Ukraine

The Netherlands will join in this initiative and will contribute to these security arrangements for Ukraine in close coordination with international partners.

G7 leaders announced that they had agreed on a declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine earlier on July 12.

Video of day

The text of the declaration of support for Ukraine is published on the UK government's website.

During a briefing, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida noted that any country could later join the declaration.

G7 declaration of support for Ukraine  Highlights

The text of the document states that the G7 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free, independent, democratic and sovereign Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and emphasized that Ukraine's security is an integral part of the security of the Euro-Atlantic region.

They pledged to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression for as long as necessary.

Each of the G7 countries will work with Ukraine on specific bilateral security commitments in order to:

strengthen the Armed Forces of Ukraine (through supply of modern military equipment, increasing the interoperability with partners, training and education of military personnel, intelligence sharing, assistance in combating hybrid threats, etc;)

strengthen Ukraine's economic stability (energy security, rebuilding Ukraine, conditions for its economic prosperity);

provide technical and financial support, in particular for Ukraine to continue its reforms.

The G7 leaders pledged to immediately consult with Ukraine in the event of a possible future Russian attack and to provide rapid and sustained assistance to Ukraine. They also promised to continue to hold Russia accountable, including through new sanctions, export controls, and punishment for war crimes and other atrocities.

The G7 leaders also backed the need to create an international mechanism to compensate Ukraine for the damage caused by Russian aggression.

In return, Ukraine committed to:

increase transparency and accountability for partner assistance;

continue anti-corruption, law enforcement, judicial, corporate governance, economic, security and public administration reforms, promote defense reforms, strengthen democratic civilian control over the Armed Forces, and increase transparency in defense institutions and industry.

Other states may join in the declaration initiative at any time.

Read also: Austria opposes EU security guarantees for Ukraine

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who attended the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 11-12, said that the G7 guarantees could become a "security umbrella" for Ukraine.

Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility  to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.

Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth  consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.

Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of  from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
petekarici / Getty Images/iStockphoto

First there is an immediately timeless and downright perfect product. Then, there is the ensuing list of products claiming to be just as good, but for half the price. Welcome to the world of dupes  products that have been found to closely match the effects of a far more expensive product that it was (likely) inspired by.

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The word dupes  short for duplicates  has a negative connotation. For example, its hard to imagine someone opting to buy a dupe over the real thing if they have the money. But thanks largely to social media, dupes are increasingly being perceived not just as the cheap alternative, but an economically sound way to enjoy fashion and trends in general. Sometimes, dupes end up being better reviewed than the so-called original!

With the help of experts, GOBankingRates determined 10 of the best cheap dupes for luxury and designer items.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

The name of this favorite mascara by Too Faced creates quite a lot of hype, and hordes of fans of the product suggest its worth its $29 price tag. But mascara doesnt last long and $30 is a lot to dish out on a tube of black gel that may smear up your glasses.

Maria Velniceriu, fashion and beauty enthusiast and founder of MissMV, suggests that consumers opt for the perfect dupe instead  Loreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara.

Mac Matte Lipstick

The cult following around Mac matte lipsticks is fierce. They go on smoothly and stay on matte  a strangely hard to find combination in this world. But you dont need to spend $23 on a tube of this stuff to get that lusciously dry look. Take Velnicerius advice and opt for the NYX matte lipstick instead. Its only $9.

$10,000 Quarter: This 1999 Georgia Coin Is Worth Big Money Because of an Error

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

If youve spent much time watching YouTube makeup tutorials by beauty influencers, you need no introduction to Tartes Shape Tape concealer, which costs upwards of $30. While this is inarguably an amazing makeup product for those who have struggled with chunky or flaky concealer, it may not be the only high-quality option out there.

Velniceriu recommends checking out Wet n Wild Photo Focus concealer as a dupe. It costs $4. This is a price-tag that is much easier to live with if you end up needing a different shade.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

Darling, you dont just need concealer if you want to do it up, you also need translucent setting powder. You can get the hotly hyped one from Laura Mercier and spend $43 on something that could get all over the place if you sneeze wrong as a result; or you could follow Velnicerius advice and check out the Rimmel London Stay Matte powder, which costs less than $4 on Amazon.

Hermes Kelly Bag Dupe

One of the most revered and expensive handbag designers in the world is, without question, Hermes. These purses not only tend to have long waitlists, but they also easily retail for tens of thousands of dollars. Some Hermes bags have even gone for hundreds of thousands.

If youve been eyeing the ultra-expensive Kelly bag by Hermes, you may want to check out Carro Positanos dupe.

A small leather company based in Italy, this brand has created the Borsa Mini Kelly that is under $100, said Grace Thomas, founder and lead stylist of Built Gracefully. Constructed of a high quality Italian leather, I love the color range this bag comes in. Plus with this amazing price tag, you dont have to choose just one.

Hermes Oran Sandal Dupe

Another often unattainably high-priced fashion fave from Hermes is the Oran Sandal  which starts at $700.

Fear not, Steve Madden has designed a perfect dupe for this item this year, Thomas said. The Hadyn Sandal is perfect for those that find their footwear wears quickly. At under $50, these sandals feature the same iconic design and are available in luxurious colors like cognac brown and black. Whats even better about this dupe is that the sole already comes with grip, which the Hermes do not.

Chanel 2.55 Handbag

Even those who arent familiar with fashion and handbags probably recognize the name Chanel, the trailblazing designer. Among Chanels many iconic bags is the 2.55 handbag, a rectangular clutch that you apparently have to book an appointment to buy new from Chanel, which is a big hint at just how expensive it is.

Why spend your paycheck and then some when you can, as Mark Stewart, an in-house CPA for Step By Step Business points out, spend $63 on a beautiful dupe by Charles and Keith?

Celine Box Bag

The Marks & Spencer Faux Leather Cross Body Bag is a dupe of the Celine box bag, Stewart asserts.

The biggest difference between the two is the price-tag. The Marks & Spencer bag costs $61. The Celine bag goes for thousands.

Vivienne Westwood Choker

The influence and integrity of Vivienne Westwood must never be understated, but the designers price tags? Not always so friendly. Consider the Vivienne Westwood Mini Bas Relief Pearl Choker, which costs $240. You can get a perfectly passable dupe on Amazon.

This set of artificial pearl necklaces from Amazon resembles the Vivienne Westwood Mini Bas Relief Pearl Choker, said Samantha Landau, consumer expert at TopCashback.com. Amazon offers a two-pack with both the silver and gold charm for $15.99, or you can buy them separately for $9.99 each.

Cartier Love Bracelet

Cartiers Love Bracelets are timeless and stunning. Theyre also breathtakingly pricey. Just one can set you back $62,000! Fortunately, there are far, far more affordable dupes on the market.

The regular bangle and the cubic zirconia version [bracelets] are very similar to the famous Cartier Love bracelet, said Melissa Fiorentino, a professional stylist and trends forecaster. These dupes are gold-plated, but customers love how shiny and high-end they look. The best part is that these two dupes each retail for less than $15!

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Best Cheap Dupes for Luxury and Designer Items
Shares of Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. (NYSE:CPAC  Get Free Report) passed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $5.28 and traded as low as $5.15. Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. shares last traded at $5.20, with a volume of 1,822 shares trading hands.

Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. The company has a market capitalization of $445.91 million, a P/E ratio of 9.87 and a beta of 0.52. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $5.30 and a 200-day simple moving average of $5.28.

Get Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. alerts:

Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. (NYSE:CPAC  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The construction company reported $0.13 earnings per share for the quarter. Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. had a net margin of 8.45% and a return on equity of 13.95%. The business had revenue of $125.92 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $139.45 million.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A.

Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. Company Profile

An institutional investor recently bought a new position in Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. ( NYSE:CPAC Free Report ) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 10,900 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $58,000. 0.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

(Get Free Report)

Cementos Pacasmayo SAA., a cement company, produces, distributes, and sells cement and cement-related materials in Peru. It operates through three segments: Cement, Concrete, Mortar, and Precast; Quicklime; and Sales of Construction Supplies. The company's cement and concrete products are used in residential and commercial construction, and civil engineering; ready-mix concrete used in construction sites; concrete precast, such as paving units or paver stones for pedestrian walkways, as well as other bricks for partition walls and concrete precast for structural and non-structural uses; and cement-based products.

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Shares of Star Group, L.P. (NYSE:SGU  Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $12.99 and traded as high as $13.04. Star Group shares last traded at $13.03, with a volume of 7,020 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Star Group in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock.

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Star Group Trading Down 3.0 %

The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The stock has a market capitalization of $457.10 million, a P/E ratio of 132.31 and a beta of 0.47. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $13.87 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $13.01.

Star Group Increases Dividend

Star Group ( NYSE:SGU Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The pipeline company reported $1.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Star Group had a net margin of 0.71% and a return on equity of 5.18%. The company had revenue of $737.62 million for the quarter.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 24th were issued a $0.1625 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, April 21st. This is a positive change from Star Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. This represents a $0.65 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.06%. Star Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 650.07%.

Insider Activity

In other news, major shareholder Bandera Partners Llc sold 15,588 shares of Star Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.09, for a total transaction of $235,222.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 3,446,072 shares in the company, valued at $52,001,226.48. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 20.36% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Star Group

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Nantahala Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Star Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $153,000. Kanen Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Star Group by 27.4% in the 4th quarter. Kanen Wealth Management LLC now owns 209,734 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $2,527,000 after purchasing an additional 45,061 shares during the period. HRT Financial LP bought a new stake in Star Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $436,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. grew its position in Star Group by 58.2% in the 4th quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 48,707 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $587,000 after purchasing an additional 17,917 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC grew its position in Star Group by 17.6% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 18,927 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $245,000 after purchasing an additional 2,831 shares during the period. 32.47% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Star Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Star Group, L.P. sells home heating and air conditioning products and services to residential and commercial home heating oil and propane customers in the United States. It also sells diesel fuel, gasoline, and home heating oil on a delivery only basis, as well as provide plumbing services; and installs maintains, and repairs heating and air conditioning equipment.

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In this article, we discuss the 20 best makeup products to buy. To skip the detailed analysis of the cosmetics and beauty industry, go directly to the 5 Best Makeup Products to Buy.

The beauty and cosmetics business is as old as time and while it mostly targeted women, the cosmetic market has expanded in recent times, and cosmetic products are now used by all genders. A McKinsey report reveals that the beauty industry generated nearly $430 billion in revenue in 2022 and will reach nearly $460 billion in retail sales by the end of 2023. The beauty industry has shown resilience in the current macroeconomic conditions. Its retail sales dropped from $382 billion in 2019 to $355 billion in 2020 due to the global pandemic but quickly recovered in 2021 reaching sales of $390 billion. By 2027, industry sales are expected to reach over $580 billion.

One of the reasons behind the resilience of the beauty industry is that consumers want to look and feel good despite the rough economic conditions. The best makeup brands take advantage of that and come up with innovations that make customers rally toward them. For example, The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) presented its novel scientific data regarding skin health and anti-aging at the 25th World Congress of Dermatology in Singapore which took place between July 3-8. The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) teased consumers about this research data on July 14 and the company stock went up 6.14% in the next two days.

Skincare is the most significant segment of the beauty industry. It accounts for 42% of the industrys market share and showed the strongest trends in recent quarters for companies like e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (NYSE:ELF) and Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULTA). Here is what Dave Kimbell, CEO of Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULTA) said at the companys Q1 2023 earnings call:

...we are uniquely positioned to capture any consumer shifts within price points in the beauty category. Skin care was our best performing category again this quarter with both prestige and mass delivering double-digit comp growth, driven primarily by newness, engaging social media content, and strong performance through 21 Days of Beauty and Spring Haul. Newness from innovative brands like The Ordinary, Drunk Elephant, and Hero Cosmetics, as well as new brands, including Bubble, Beautycounter, and BYOMA, contributed to growth during the quarter.

In recent years, celebrities have jumped into the industry and launched their own brands, leading the industry to flourish because of their names. In 2019, Lady Gaga launched her vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics brand, Haus Labs by Lady Gaga. Rihanna owns the famous brand, Fenty Beauty which she launched with the collaboration of Louis Vuitton, Societe Europeenne (OTC:LVMUY). Celebrities have also been quite interested in investing in make-up stocks as Kim Kardashians stock portfolio includes renowned brands such as Coty Inc. (NYSE:COTY), and The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL).

As per our report, France is the biggest exporter of beauty and cosmetic products in the world and is home to some of the most prominent makeup companies such as LVMH Moet Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Societe Europeenne (OTC:LVMUY) and L'Oreal S.A. (OTC:LRLCY). L'Oreal S.A. (OTC:LRLCY) is the largest cosmetics and beauty company in the world by market cap.

Some of the best makeup stocks listed in the US markets are The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG), The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL), and Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ:ULTA). To check the extended list, you can visit our article dedicated to beauty stocks.

20 Best Makeup Products to Buy

Our Methodology

To create this list of best makeup products, we used several reliable sources such as Elle, Vogue, Allure, and Glamour. We noted the number of times each product is listed in our sources and calculated the aggregate position of each of these companies according to their position in each of the sources. In tie-breaker situations, we consulted independent beauty blogs and product reviews.

20 Best Makeup Products to Buy

20. Sephora Collection Ultra Shine Lip Gel

Sephoras Ultra Shine Lip Gel is sold for $12 on the official site but can often be availed for half the price due to Sephoras signature and frequent sales. Sephora is one of the few makeup brands that offer interest-free installments on a number of its products through Klarna, a Swedish fintech company, and Afterpay, owned by Block, Inc. (NYSE:SQ).

Sephora has more than 340 brands under its name and is a subsidiary of LVMH Moet Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Societe Europeenne (OTC:LVMUY).

19. Lancome LAbsolu Rouge Drama Ink Liquid Lipstick

This particular lipstick by Lancome, a luxury French brand, is a mid-priced one as it is sold for $34 on its website. Owned by L'Oreal S.A. (OTC:LRLCY), Lancome is known for its higher-end fragrance, makeup products, and skincare items.

The brand puts tremendous weight on sustainability and under its "Caring Together for a Happier Tomorrow " sustainability program, it aims to make 50% of the items refillable or rechargeable by 2025.

18. Gucci Rouge a Levres Mat

The 500 Odalie Red shade in Guccis Rouge a Levres Mat is one of the top recommendations by makeup gurus all over the world at $45 a pop. It is dermatologically tested and available in 18 different shades. Gucci is another luxury French brand and is part of the famous portfolio of Kering SA (OTC:PPRUY) with the likes of Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Yves Saint Laurent, etc.

17. Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara

Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara is another jewel in Diors makeup line that has famous among buyers as it keeps the lashes curled throughout the wear time. Dior is another subsidiary of LVMH Moet Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Societe Europeenne (OTC:LVMUY), owning 41% of the total shares and controlling 57% of the voting rights.

16. Glossier Boy Brow Grooming Pomade

Glossiers Boy Brow Grooming Pomade is hauled as one of the best makeup products because of its adhering and enhancing qualities. Moreover, the product is safe to use for all skin types and lens-wearing populations. Glossier started placing its products at Sephora in February 2023 as Sephoras online search data revealed Glossier to be one of the top-searched brands on its website.

15. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation is one of the best makeup foundations to buy. Estee Lauder is known for its beauty products and while the Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation is a little pricey, it takes a spot on our list because it is available in 56 shades and offers full coverage that lasts nearly a day. Estee Lauder comes under The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE:EL) which is considered to be among the top cosmetics companies in the world.

14. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Too Faced is known for its top-quality cosmetic products. The Better Than Sex mascara has its iconic hourglass brush and one of the best volumizing formulas that the company has marketed. The acquisition of Too Faced company by Estee Lauder is one of the biggest acquisitions of the company at $1.45 billion.

13. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder

The cosmetics company Hourglass was bought by Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) in 2017 and is hailed for producing vegan products that are cruelty-free. The Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder can be bought in eight variations and in 2016, it was included in the Vogue 100 Beauty Hall of Fame.

12. Ami Cole Lash-Amplifying Mascara

The Lash-Amplifying mascara by Ami Cole has won many awards including the Allure Best of Beauty award in 2022. The brand is known for using organic and rich ingredients and creating products targeted at melanin-rich skin.

11. Danessa Myricks Beauty Lightwork Vol. IV: Transcendence Palette

The Lightwork Volume IV Transcendence Palette by Danessa Myricks Beauty is popular amongst users because it is highly pigmented and like the brands other products, is multi-functional as it can be used all over the face.

10. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

The iconic Translucent Loose Setting Powder by Laura Mercier is available in three shades and 3 sizes for the convenience of the consumers. The translucent powder can be bought at Laura Merciers official website as well as at Sephora as it was launched at the store in October 2022.

With a price tag of $43, the setting powder is part of our list of best makeup products as it is effective for 16 hours and prevents shine for around 24 hours. Laura Mercier Cosmetics is part of a private equity group, Orveon Global Ltd., with other beauty brands like Bare Minerals and Buxom Cosmetics.

9. IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream With SPF 50+

The CC+ Cream is based on IT Cosmetics' vision of problem-solving makeup as it has SPF 50+ and works best on covering dull spots or discoloration. The CC cream offers medium coverage and doubles as a tinted moisturizer. IT Cosmetics is part of L'Oreal S.A. (OTC:LRLCY)s luxury line called L'Oreal Luxe.

8. Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer

Benefit Cosmetics LLC is a subsidiary of LVMH Moet Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, Societe Europeenne (OTC:LVMUY). The POREfessional Face Primer is available for $34 a piece on the companys website. Benefit Cosmetics offers 4 interest-free payments through Klarna for orders above $35.

7. Maybelline New York Superstay 14-Hour Lipstick

Maybelline New York is a subsidiary of L'Oreal S.A. (OTC:LRLCY) and is headquartered in Manhattan, New York City. Maybelline New York Superstay 14-Hour Lipstick is quite inexpensive and is being sold for $10 (Amazon) to $16 (Walmart). According to the reviews, the product has a long shelf life and is easy to carry. However, it dries out the lips over time.

6. Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation

Charlotte Tilbury is the most famous brand on our list. It is a London-based company that was acquired by the Spanish fashion and fragrance company, Puig, in 2020. In 2022, Puig reported that Charlotte Tilbury was primarily responsible for its 153% year-on-year increase in its makeup segment in 2021.

Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation is available for approximately $50 and comes in 30 different shades. According to the reviews of the product, the foundation is perfect for dry skin.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best Makeup Products to Buy.

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Disclosure. None. 20 Best Makeup Products to Buy is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Analysts at StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines (NYSE:THM  Get Free Report) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday. The firm set a sell rating on the stock.

International Tower Hill Mines Stock Performance

About International Tower Hill Mines

(Get Free Report)

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It holds or has rights to acquire interests in the Livengood gold project covering an area of approximately 19,546 hectares located to the northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska.

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Employees Retirement System of Texas reduced its stake in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK  Free Report) by 27.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 91,500 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 34,900 shares during the period. Employees Retirement System of Texas owned 0.07% of Alaska Air Group worth $3,839,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. LSV Asset Management boosted its position in Alaska Air Group by 174.8% during the 4th quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 1,974,216 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $84,773,000 after purchasing an additional 1,255,861 shares during the period. Clearbridge Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group during the first quarter worth about $62,390,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 25.8% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,611,712 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $155,085,000 after acquiring an additional 739,910 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Alaska Air Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,980,000. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its stake in Alaska Air Group by 196.6% during the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 854,000 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $36,671,000 after purchasing an additional 566,100 shares during the period. 79.04% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Alaska Air Group Stock Performance

Shares of ALK opened at $55.99 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 121.72, a P/E/G ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 1.55. Alaska Air Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $37.19 and a 12-month high of $57.10. The firms 50 day moving average is $48.12 and its 200-day moving average is $46.53.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Alaska Air Group ( NYSE:ALK Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 20th. The transportation company reported ($0.62) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.48) by ($0.14). The company had revenue of $2.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.19 billion. Alaska Air Group had a return on equity of 17.03% and a net margin of 0.58%. Alaska Air Groups quarterly revenue was up 30.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted ($1.33) EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Alaska Air Group, Inc. will post 6.49 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ALK has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Citigroup lifted their price target on Alaska Air Group from $58.50 to $64.25 in a report on Tuesday. Bank of America lifted their target price on Alaska Air Group from $58.00 to $62.00 in a research note on Monday, June 26th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Alaska Air Group in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Raymond James raised shares of Alaska Air Group from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $60.00 to $68.00 in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Alaska Air Group from $71.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $65.43.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Benito Minicucci sold 5,000 shares of Alaska Air Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.73, for a total transaction of $243,650.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 114,506 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,579,877.38. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.68% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Alaska Air Group

(Free Report)

Alaska Air Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operated airlines. The company operates through three segments: Mainline, Regional, and Horizon. The company offers scheduled air transportation services on Boeing and Airbus jet aircraft for passengers and cargo throughout the United States, and in parts of Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize; and for passengers across a shorter distance network within the United States and Canada.

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Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded shares of Ares Management (NYSE:ARES  Free Report) from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report released on Monday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods currently has $98.00 price objective on the asset managers stock, down from their prior price objective of $99.00.

Several other brokerages have also recently commented on ARES. Bank of America decreased their target price on Ares Management from $104.00 to $103.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Ares Management from $100.00 to $105.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company cut Ares Management from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $99.00 to $93.00 in a research report on Monday, June 12th. Barclays lifted their price objective on Ares Management from $98.00 to $108.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Ares Management in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $98.00.

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Ares Management Stock Performance

ARES opened at $96.66 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $29.23 billion, a PE ratio of 87.87, a P/E/G ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.32. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $89.37 and a 200-day simple moving average of $83.06. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. Ares Management has a fifty-two week low of $57.15 and a fifty-two week high of $97.74.

Ares Management Announces Dividend

Ares Management ( NYSE:ARES Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The asset manager reported $0.71 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.82 by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $813.36 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $694.04 million. Ares Management had a return on equity of 16.79% and a net margin of 6.84%. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.65 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Ares Management will post 3.6 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 16th were issued a dividend of $0.77 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 15th. This represents a $3.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.19%. Ares Managements dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 280.00%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ares Management

In other Ares Management news, CEO Michael J. Arougheti sold 64,480 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.13, for a total transaction of $6,133,982.40. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 60,471 shares in the company, valued at $5,752,606.23. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, CEO Michael J. Arougheti sold 165,439 shares of Ares Management stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.16, for a total value of $13,757,907.24. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,003,866 shares in the company, valued at $83,481,496.56. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Michael J. Arougheti sold 64,480 shares of Ares Management stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.13, for a total value of $6,133,982.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 60,471 shares in the company, valued at $5,752,606.23. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have purchased 851,234 shares of company stock worth $18,320,805 and have sold 19,421,576 shares worth $469,241,265. Corporate insiders own 47.34% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ares Management

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Ares Management in the second quarter worth about $236,000. Nordea Investment Management AB grew its position in Ares Management by 15.2% during the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 10,310 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,000,000 after buying an additional 1,364 shares in the last quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. grew its position in Ares Management by 5.0% during the second quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 7,511 shares of the asset managers stock worth $724,000 after buying an additional 358 shares in the last quarter. Wiley BROS. Aintree Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Ares Management during the second quarter worth about $207,000. Finally, State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System grew its position in Ares Management by 3.0% during the first quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 96,895 shares of the asset managers stock worth $8,085,000 after buying an additional 2,800 shares in the last quarter. 48.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Ares Management

(Get Free Report)

Ares Management Corporation operates as an alternative asset manager in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The company's Tradable Credit Group segment manages various types of investment funds, such as commingled and separately managed accounts for institutional investors, and publicly traded vehicles and sub-advised funds for retail investors in the tradable and non-investment grade corporate credit markets.

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Arizona State Retirement System increased its stake in Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT  Free Report) by 0.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 363,187 shares of the medical technology companys stock after buying an additional 886 shares during the quarter. Arizona State Retirement Systems holdings in Medtronic were worth $29,280,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in MDT. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of Medtronic during the 1st quarter worth about $47,000. MAS Advisors LLC raised its stake in Medtronic by 10.3% in the 1st quarter. MAS Advisors LLC now owns 2,388 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $266,000 after purchasing an additional 223 shares in the last quarter. LSV Asset Management raised its stake in Medtronic by 34.5% in the 1st quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 7,400 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $821,000 after purchasing an additional 1,900 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in Medtronic by 22.8% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 74,914 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $8,312,000 after purchasing an additional 13,895 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kinneret Advisory LLC raised its stake in Medtronic by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC now owns 15,340 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $1,712,000 after purchasing an additional 343 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.48% of the companys stock.

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Medtronic Trading Down 0.1 %

MDT traded down $0.09 during trading on Thursday, reaching $87.48. 1,054,843 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,951,037. Medtronic plc has a one year low of $75.76 and a one year high of $95.60. The company has a current ratio of 2.39, a quick ratio of 1.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $116.38 billion, a PE ratio of 31.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.72. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $86.75 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $83.68.

Medtronic Increases Dividend

Medtronic ( NYSE:MDT Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 25th. The medical technology company reported $1.57 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.56 by $0.01. Medtronic had a net margin of 12.03% and a return on equity of 13.54%. The firm had revenue of $8.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.25 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.52 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Medtronic plc will post 5.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 23rd will be issued a dividend of $0.69 per share. This represents a $2.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.16%. This is a positive change from Medtronics previous quarterly dividend of $0.68. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 22nd. Medtronics payout ratio is presently 97.87%.

Insider Transactions at Medtronic

In other news, EVP Hoedt Rob Ten sold 5,514 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.58, for a total value of $477,402.12. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 43,802 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,792,377.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.29% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MDT has been the subject of several analyst reports. CL King initiated coverage on shares of Medtronic in a research note on Friday, June 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $106.00 price objective for the company. 22nd Century Group reiterated an initiates rating on shares of Medtronic in a research note on Friday, June 30th. Barclays upgraded shares of Medtronic from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of Medtronic from $90.00 to $92.00 in a report on Friday, May 26th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Medtronic from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $90.76.

Medtronic Profile

(Free Report)

Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software.

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Shares of ASM International NV (OTCMKTS:ASMIY  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $459.99 and last traded at $458.55, with a volume of 2229 shares. The stock had previously closed at $438.27.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Morgan Stanley upgraded ASM International from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, ASM International has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $347.20.

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ASM International Trading Up 4.6 %

The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $410.53 and its 200-day simple moving average is $366.24. The stock has a market cap of $22.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.51 and a beta of 1.68.

ASM International Cuts Dividend

ASM International ( OTCMKTS:ASMIY Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $3.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $761.74 million during the quarter. ASM International had a return on equity of 24.29% and a net margin of 24.66%.

The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 25th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 18th were issued a $2.2659 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 17th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.61%. ASM Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 17.14%.

About ASM International

(Get Free Report)

ASM International NV, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, manufacture, marketing, and servicing of equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Its products include wafer processing deposition systems for single-wafer atomic layer deposition, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, epitaxy, silicon carbide, vertical furnace systems, and low pressure chemical vapor deposition and diffusion products, as well as provides spare parts and support services.

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Aspiriant LLC decreased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:EFAV  Free Report) by 13.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 177,254 shares of the companys stock after selling 27,070 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF comprises about 0.6% of Aspiriant LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest holding. Aspiriant LLC owned about 0.16% of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF worth $11,991,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in EFAV. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 57,915 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,178,000 after purchasing an additional 540 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF by 4.5% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,740 shares of the companys stock valued at $270,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the period. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF by 42.1% during the 1st quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 4,721 shares of the companys stock valued at $341,000 after acquiring an additional 1,398 shares during the period. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. High Net Worth Advisory Group LLC now owns 11,487 shares of the companys stock valued at $827,000 after acquiring an additional 182 shares during the period. Finally, Founders Financial Securities LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF by 6.5% during the 1st quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLC now owns 14,359 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,036,000 after acquiring an additional 875 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of BATS:EFAV traded up $0.94 during trading on Thursday, reaching $67.69. 240,356 shares of the company traded hands. iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF has a 52 week low of $64.68 and a 52 week high of $76.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.49 billion, a PE ratio of 16.01 and a beta of 0.60. The companys 50 day moving average is $68.33 and its two-hundred day moving average is $67.21.

iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF (EFAV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of developed-market equities, ex-US and Canada, selected and weighted to create a low volatility portfolio subject to constraints including sector exposure.

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Auto Trader Group plc (OTCMKTS:ATDRY  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $2.02 and last traded at $2.01, with a volume of 24439 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.96.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on ATDRY shares. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Auto Trader Group from GBX 610 ($7.85) to GBX 670 ($8.62) in a research report on Friday, June 2nd. Credit Suisse Group raised their price objective on shares of Auto Trader Group from GBX 405 ($5.21) to GBX 473 ($6.09) in a research report on Tuesday, June 6th. Peel Hunt lowered shares of Auto Trader Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Auto Trader Group from an underweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $596.33.

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Auto Trader Group Stock Performance

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $1.91 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $1.82.

Auto Trader Group Company Profile

Auto Trader Group plc operates in the digital automotive marketplace in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company provides vehicle advertisement on its websites for private sellers, as well as insurance and loan financing products to consumers; and display advertising on its websites for manufacturers and their advertising agencies.

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Bank of America lowered shares of Graphic Packaging (NYSE:GPK  Free Report) from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report released on Monday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. The brokerage currently has $29.00 target price on the industrial products companys stock, down from their prior target price of $35.00.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Raymond James raised their price target on Graphic Packaging from $29.00 to $30.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Mizuho raised their price target on Graphic Packaging from $30.00 to $31.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Seaport Res Ptn reissued a buy rating on shares of Graphic Packaging in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered Graphic Packaging from a buy rating to a hold rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $30.00 to $26.00 in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Finally, 888 reissued a downgrade rating on shares of Graphic Packaging in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $29.25.

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Graphic Packaging Stock Down 1.1 %

Shares of Graphic Packaging stock opened at $24.01 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $25.06 and a 200 day moving average price of $24.21. The company has a market cap of $7.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.01, a P/E/G ratio of 0.32 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36. Graphic Packaging has a 1 year low of $19.46 and a 1 year high of $27.56.

Graphic Packaging Dividend Announcement

Graphic Packaging ( NYSE:GPK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.62 by $0.15. Graphic Packaging had a return on equity of 38.99% and a net margin of 6.46%. The firm had revenue of $2.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.40 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.48 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Graphic Packaging will post 3.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.67%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. Graphic Packagings payout ratio is presently 20.00%.

Insider Transactions at Graphic Packaging

In other news, CFO Stephen R. Scherger sold 160,492 shares of Graphic Packaging stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.81, for a total transaction of $4,142,298.52. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 427,548 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,035,013.88. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Graphic Packaging

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Graphic Packaging by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 29,127,808 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $574,983,000 after buying an additional 566,205 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in shares of Graphic Packaging by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 15,105,236 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $302,709,000 after buying an additional 377,055 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in shares of Graphic Packaging by 6.3% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 12,717,828 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $324,177,000 after buying an additional 749,687 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Graphic Packaging during the 4th quarter worth approximately $216,432,000. Finally, Shapiro Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Graphic Packaging by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. Shapiro Capital Management LLC now owns 9,300,237 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $237,063,000 after buying an additional 406,076 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 92.86% of the companys stock.

About Graphic Packaging

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Graphic Packaging Holding Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based packaging solutions to food, beverage, foodservice, and other consumer products companies. It operates through three segments: Paperboard Mills, Americas Paperboard Packaging, and Europe Paperboard Packaging. The company offers coated unbleached kraft (CUK), coated recycled paperboard (CRB), and solid bleached sulfate paperboard (SBS) to various paperboard packaging converters and brokers; and paperboard packaging products, such as folding cartons, cups, lids, and food containers primarily to consumer packaged goods, quick-service restaurants, and foodservice companies; and barrier packaging products that protect against moisture, hot and cold temperature, grease, oil, oxygen, sunlight, insects, and other potential product-damaging factors.

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Eaton (NYSE:ETN  Free Report) had its price target lifted by Barclays from $159.00 to $170.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Several other brokerages have also recently commented on ETN. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on Eaton in a report on Tuesday, June 6th. They issued a neutral rating and a $178.00 target price on the stock. Mizuho increased their price target on Eaton from $180.00 to $210.00 in a report on Friday, June 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on Eaton from $188.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. UBS Group increased their price target on Eaton from $205.00 to $210.00 in a report on Thursday, May 11th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Eaton from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Eaton presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $186.31.

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Eaton Trading Down 0.5 %

ETN opened at $201.92 on Monday. Eaton has a twelve month low of $122.50 and a twelve month high of $205.02. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $185.59 and a 200 day simple moving average of $172.32. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $80.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.50, a P/E/G ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.13.

Eaton Dividend Announcement

Eaton ( NYSE:ETN Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $1.88 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $5.50 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.23 billion. Eaton had a return on equity of 18.70% and a net margin of 12.00%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.62 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Eaton will post 8.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 8th were paid a $0.86 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 5th. This represents a $3.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.70%. Eatons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 53.67%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Michael Yelton sold 2,000 shares of Eaton stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $197.11, for a total transaction of $394,220.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 2,096 shares in the company, valued at $413,142.56. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Eaton

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ETN. Horan Securities Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Eaton by 228.6% in the 4th quarter. Horan Securities Inc. now owns 161 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the period. Hollencrest Capital Management purchased a new position in Eaton during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. RFP Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Eaton during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. purchased a new position in Eaton during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in Eaton during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.31% of the companys stock.

About Eaton

(Get Free Report)

Eaton Corporation plc operates as a power management company worldwide. The company's Electrical Americas and Electrical Global segment provides electrical components, industrial components, power distribution and assemblies, residential products, single and three phase power quality and connectivity products, wiring devices, circuit protection products, utility power distribution products, power reliability equipment, and services, as well as hazardous duty electrical equipment, emergency lighting, fire detection, explosion-proof instrumentation, and structural support systems.

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Lennox International (NYSE:LII  Free Report) had its target price raised by Barclays from $272.00 to $280.00 in a research note released on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. Oppenheimer began coverage on Lennox International in a report on Monday, March 27th. They set a market perform rating for the company. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on shares of Lennox International from $272.00 to $300.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Lennox International in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Lennox International from $300.00 to $283.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Lennox International from $279.00 to $272.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $269.90.

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Lennox International Trading Up 2.1 %

Shares of LII opened at $334.00 on Monday. Lennox International has a 12-month low of $202.97 and a 12-month high of $337.45. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $301.06 and its 200-day simple moving average is $269.68. The firm has a market cap of $11.86 billion, a PE ratio of 23.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.04 and a beta of 0.96.

Lennox International Increases Dividend

Lennox International ( NYSE:LII Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The construction company reported $2.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.42 by $0.41. Lennox International had a net margin of 10.76% and a negative return on equity of 200.13%. The company had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.03 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.36 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Lennox International will post 15.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $1.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.32%. This is an increase from Lennox Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.06. Lennox Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 30.66%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Lennox International

In other news, CAO Chris Kosel sold 300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $282.99, for a total value of $84,897.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,146 shares in the company, valued at approximately $607,296.54. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CAO Chris Kosel sold 300 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $282.99, for a total transaction of $84,897.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,146 shares in the company, valued at $607,296.54. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Joseph William Reitmeier sold 2,808 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $282.17, for a total transaction of $792,333.36. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 23,986 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,768,129.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 5,527 shares of company stock worth $1,574,120 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 2.83% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Symmetry Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lennox International in the 2nd quarter worth about $750,000. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Lennox International by 3.0% in the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 490,179 shares of the construction companys stock worth $123,003,000 after purchasing an additional 14,062 shares in the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec increased its stake in shares of Lennox International by 204.5% in the 1st quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 13,104 shares of the construction companys stock worth $3,293,000 after acquiring an additional 8,800 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC boosted its stake in Lennox International by 151.5% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 27,644 shares of the construction companys stock worth $6,946,000 after acquiring an additional 16,653 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Carmignac Gestion raised its stake in Lennox International by 79.1% during the first quarter. Carmignac Gestion now owns 1,967 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $494,000 after buying an additional 869 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.43% of the companys stock.

About Lennox International

(Get Free Report)

Lennox International Inc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets a range of products for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration markets in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Residential Heating & Cooling, Commercial Heating & Cooling, and Refrigeration.

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You can use artificial intelligence to tackle a wide variety of financial responsibilities, including setting a budget and earning passive income. As we approach the end of the student loan payment pause, some borrowers may wonder if its possible to use AI to help repay student debt.

More: New Student Loan Forgiveness Rule Simplifies Process  Who Qualifies?

Related: Ancient Rule Allows Biden To Forgive Student Loan Debt  No Matter What the Supreme Court Says

What can and cant AI do to make navigating student loan repayments easier for borrowers? Lets find out from experts whether AI is the key to paying down student loans.

Can AI Help Pay Down Student Loans?

Zack Geist, founder of Student Loan Tutor, is a student loan repayment advisor. Geist said AI technology, like ChatGPT, can give good common advice to borrowers. Some of this advice includes options for refinancing loans or explaining how a specific repayment plan works.

What AI cannot do, aside from being unable to actually pay down student loans, is understand nuance and areas of finance that affect student loan repayment. Think taxes, income and an overall holistic financial plan.

I think of AI as left brain driven thinking, said Geist. Its great for calculating things, abstracting things, delineating things, measuring things and statistics in general. It is not fully aware of the whole, the whole person, the whole implications of financial decisions, things which can go wrong that are not directly related to the question you ask it, and you dont know what youre not asking, that requires a human with wisdom.

Continue: Student Loan Pause Officially Ends in October  Are You Ready To Start Making Average $503 Payments Again?

With AI being unable to fully understand financial nuance and our own unique risk tolerance, borrowers remain advised to work alongside financial professionals if they have questions or need guidance to pay off student debt.

Im biased, but I think most will agree with me. Given the chance to speak with a professional on a subject, especially one as important as finance and student loan debt in particular is extremely valuable, said Geist. An AI has no accountability, no fiduciary and cant get a bad review or be held accountable for any bad advice or errors it makes.

Where Borrowers Can Find Support for Student Loan Repayments

Borrowers who cant rely on AI to help pay off their student loans may have more resources available than they realize. Patricia Roberts, chief operating officer at Gift of College, recommends exploring assistance via two helpful avenues.

Get Help From Your Employer

Many employers offer student loan benefits to full-time and part-time employees. If you feel stressed thinking about resuming payments in October, check in with your employer to see if they offer any repayment assistance programs. Looking for a new job and carrying student debt? See if your prospective employer offers this financial wellness benefit.

Roberts said these types of education benefits are a win/win for employers and employees. Currently, student loan repayment assistance is tax-free for employees and tax deductible for employers. Under the CARES Act, Roberts said employers can contribute $5,250 tax-free per employee per year and take a business tax dedication under IRS 127 Educational Assistance Plans.

Engage Friends and Family for Contributions

A recurring financial trend throughout 2023 is skipping traditional gifts given at birthdays, holidays and milestone moments such as a wedding in favor of requesting contributions of any amount to go toward outstanding student loans. Putting some money toward outstanding student loan debt helps reduce the balance and alleviate the borrowers stress level.

Roberts said a contribution is an easy, and meaningful, gift to give and receive. Borrowers can set up a free profile on crowdfunding platforms and invite others to contribute to either a student loan account or a college savings account, if youre saving in advance for college to avoid taking out loans.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Can AI Be the Key To Paying Down Student Loans? Experts Weigh In
Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO  Free Report) had its target price trimmed by Barclays from GBX 6,700 ($86.20) to GBX 6,400 ($82.34) in a report released on Monday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. The firm currently has an equal weight rating on the stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also issued reports on RIO. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a research note on Monday, July 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,000 ($64.33) to GBX 5,100 ($65.61) in a report on Friday, July 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an underweight rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group in a report on Tuesday, June 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group to a buy rating and decreased their price objective for the company from GBX 6,200 ($79.76) to GBX 6,000 ($77.19) in a research note on Monday, June 5th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,800 ($74.62) to GBX 5,670 ($72.94) and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Rio Tinto Group has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 6,147.69 ($79.09).

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Rio Tinto Group Stock Up 3.9 %

LON:RIO opened at GBX 5,140 ($66.13) on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.47. Rio Tinto Group has a twelve month low of GBX 4,424.50 ($56.92) and a twelve month high of GBX 6,406 ($82.41). The company has a market cap of 64.25 billion, a PE ratio of 860.97, a P/E/G ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.71. The companys 50 day moving average is GBX 5,008.85 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 5,483.65.

Insider Activity at Rio Tinto Group

Rio Tinto Group Company Profile

In other Rio Tinto Group news, insider Peter Cunningham sold 5 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 5,586 ($71.86), for a total value of 279.30 ($359.32). In other news, insider Peter Cunningham sold 5 shares of Rio Tinto Group stock in a transaction on Monday, April 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,586 ($71.86), for a total transaction of 279.30 ($359.32). Also, insider Simon Henry purchased 500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 24th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 5,221 ($67.17) per share, for a total transaction of 26,105 ($33,584.20). 14.67% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

(Get Free Report)

Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. It offers aluminum, copper, iron ore, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, silver, molybdenum, and lithium. The company also owns and operates open pit and underground mines, refineries, smelters, and concentrator facilities, as well as power stations, research, and service facilities.

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BlackRock Income and Growth Investment Trust plc (LON:BRIG  Get Free Report) dropped 0.5% on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as GBX 181.07 ($2.33) and last traded at GBX 184.50 ($2.37). Approximately 3,952 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 20% from the average daily volume of 4,964 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 185.50 ($2.39).

BlackRock Income and Growth Investment Trust Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of 38.65 million, a PE ratio of -3,690.00 and a beta of 0.68. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 188.23 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 190.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.86, a current ratio of 0.77 and a quick ratio of 0.88.

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BlackRock Income and Growth Investment Trust Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 20th will be given a dividend of GBX 2.60 ($0.03) per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.39%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 20th. BlackRock Income and Growth Investment Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently -14,000.00%.

BlackRock Income and Growth Investment Trust Company Profile

BlackRock Income and Growth Investment Trust plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by BlackRock Fund Managers Limited. It is managed by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Barclays upgraded shares of Boliden AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:BDNNY  Free Report) from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report released on Monday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

BDNNY has been the topic of several other reports. Handelsbanken upgraded Boliden AB (publ) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Monday, March 20th. Morgan Stanley upgraded Boliden AB (publ) from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. DNB Markets downgraded Boliden AB (publ) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. Berenberg Bank downgraded Boliden AB (publ) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 19th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Boliden AB (publ) from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Boliden AB (publ) presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $364.00.

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Boliden AB (publ) Price Performance

Shares of BDNNY stock opened at $64.05 on Monday. Boliden AB has a 52-week low of $55.70 and a 52-week high of $92.60. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $63.25 and a 200 day moving average price of $74.36.

Boliden AB (publ) Cuts Dividend

Boliden AB (publ) ( OTCMKTS:BDNNY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $1.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $1.91 billion for the quarter.

The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 10th were given a $1.8424 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 9th. This represents a dividend yield of 9.63%. Boliden AB (publ)s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.50%.

Boliden AB (publ) Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Boliden AB (publ) engages in the exploring, extracting, and processing of base metals and precious metals in Sweden, other Nordic region, Germany, the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe, North America, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Business Area Mines and Business Area Smelters.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (TSE:CP  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CP)s share price crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$105.04 and traded as low as C$103.34. Canadian Pacific Kansas City shares last traded at C$103.56, with a volume of 709,001 shares.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently commented on CP. Scotiabank dropped their target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$124.00 to C$123.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 29th. CIBC decreased their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$125.00 to C$123.00 in a report on Friday, June 16th. National Bank Financial boosted their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$107.00 to C$110.00 in a report on Tuesday. Barclays decreased their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$90.00 to C$89.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from C$130.00 to C$128.00 in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$111.87.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of C$97.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a quick ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.11. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$106.03 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$105.05.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Dividend Announcement

Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( TSE:CP Get Free Report ) (NYSE:CP) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported C$0.85 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.90 by C($0.05). The firm had revenue of C$2.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$2.39 billion. Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a return on equity of 10.14% and a net margin of 40.33%. As a group, research analysts predict that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 4.1999202 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.19 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.73%. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.19%.

About Canadian Pacific Kansas City

(Get Free Report)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada and the United States. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; and merchandise freight, such as energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals and consumer, automotive, and forest products.

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Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR  Free Report) had its price objective upped by Citigroup from $67.00 to $75.00 in a research note published on Monday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of Ingersoll Rand from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 7th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $62.00 to $66.00 in a report on Friday, May 5th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $60.00 to $61.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. Evercore ISI raised shares of Ingersoll Rand from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and set a $71.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $62.00 to $61.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Ingersoll Rand has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $64.00.

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Ingersoll Rand Trading Down 0.2 %

NYSE:IR opened at $66.11 on Monday. Ingersoll Rand has a 12 month low of $39.28 and a 12 month high of $67.02. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $61.62 and a 200-day simple moving average of $57.96. The company has a current ratio of 2.16, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The company has a market capitalization of $26.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.81 and a beta of 1.43.

Ingersoll Rand Announces Dividend

Ingersoll Rand ( NYSE:IR Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The industrial products company reported $0.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.15. Ingersoll Rand had a net margin of 10.66% and a return on equity of 10.69%. The firm had revenue of $1.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.48 billion. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Ingersoll Rand will post 2.57 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 22nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 24th were given a dividend of $0.02 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 23rd. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.12%. Ingersoll Rands payout ratio is presently 4.94%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Vicente Reynal sold 27,169 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.00, for a total transaction of $1,765,985.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 73,877 shares in the company, valued at $4,802,005. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Ingersoll Rand news, insider Vicente Reynal sold 27,169 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.00, for a total value of $1,765,985.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 73,877 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,802,005. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Kathleen M. Keene sold 4,003 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.50, for a total transaction of $250,187.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 1,879 shares in the company, valued at $117,437.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 58,659 shares of company stock worth $3,685,458. 0.83% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ingersoll Rand

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Keybank National Association OH increased its holdings in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 7,805 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $408,000 after purchasing an additional 195 shares in the last quarter. Sentry Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 8.0% during the 4th quarter. Sentry Investment Management LLC now owns 2,671 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $140,000 after acquiring an additional 197 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 68,645 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,994,000 after acquiring an additional 199 shares in the last quarter. Field & Main Bank increased its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 42.3% during the 1st quarter. Field & Main Bank now owns 673 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC increased its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 9,277 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $540,000 after acquiring an additional 202 shares in the last quarter. 94.73% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ingersoll Rand Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ingersoll Rand Inc provides various mission-critical air, fluid, energy, specialty vehicle, and medical technologies in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through two segments, Industrial Technologies and Services, and Precision and Science Technologies.

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Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:VTMX  Get Free Report) announced a  dividend on Wednesday, July 12th, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Friday, January 1st will be paid a dividend of 0.1703 per share on Thursday, July 13th. This represents a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th.

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta Stock Up 1.5 %

VTMX stock traded up $0.52 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $35.54. The company had a trading volume of 216,449 shares, compared to its average volume of 532,850. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta has a 12 month low of $31.50 and a 12 month high of $37.26.

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About Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta

(Get Free Report)

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Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, develops, manages, operates, and leases industrial buildings and distribution centers in Mexico. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico.

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Ballentine Partners LLC raised its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 66.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 11,720 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,697 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $4,025,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter valued at $107,000. Roundview Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.6% in the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 2,056 shares of the companys stock valued at $589,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter valued at $210,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 9.9% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 53,052 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,193,000 after acquiring an additional 4,774 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter valued at $561,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.25% of the companys stock.

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Eli Lilly and Company Stock Down 0.4 %

NYSE LLY traded down $1.88 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $438.72. 384,759 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,062,036. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $296.32 and a 1-year high of $469.87. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $443.62 and a 200-day simple moving average of $382.35. The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. The company has a market cap of $416.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 70.06, a P/E/G ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.38.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.73 by ($0.11). Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 20.54% and a return on equity of 61.42%. The business had revenue of $6.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.87 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.62 EPS. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue for the quarter was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be given a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.03%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 71.86%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. Bank of America increased their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. SVB Securities increased their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $410.00 to $458.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $440.00 to $500.00 in a research report on Friday, May 26th. Guggenheim reduced their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $395.00 to $392.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $437.90.

Insider Transactions at Eli Lilly and Company

In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total value of $89,658,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 101,908,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $40,608,622,608.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total value of $89,658,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 101,908,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $40,608,622,608.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $435.29, for a total value of $261,174.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 5,978 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,602,163.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 970,965 shares of company stock worth $423,725,107. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Eli Lilly and Company

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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Embassy Bancorp, Inc. (OTCMKTS:EMYB  Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $14.03 and traded as high as $14.05. Embassy Bancorp shares last traded at $14.05, with a volume of 272 shares.

Embassy Bancorp Stock Performance

The stocks fifty day moving average price is $14.01 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $16.28.

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Embassy Bancorp Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This is a positive change from Embassy Bancorps previous annual dividend of $0.35. This represents a yield of 2.81%. Embassy Bancorps dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 6.87%.

Embassy Bancorp Company Profile

Embassy Bancorp, Inc operates as the bank holding company for the Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley that provides traditional banking and related financial services to individual, business, and government customers in Pennsylvania. The company's deposit products include savings, money market, individual retirement, and NOW accounts; demand and time deposits; and certificates of deposit.

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Employees Retirement System of Texas decreased its stake in shares of Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ  Free Report) (TSE:CNQ) by 27.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 79,950 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after selling 30,500 shares during the quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas holdings in Canadian Natural Resources were worth $4,425,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of CNQ. NJ State Employees Deferred Compensation Plan bought a new position in Canadian Natural Resources during the first quarter valued at $913,000. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its position in Canadian Natural Resources by 20.8% during the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,386 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $77,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares during the last quarter. Eudaimonia Partners LLC lifted its position in Canadian Natural Resources by 4.4% during the first quarter. Eudaimonia Partners LLC now owns 4,655 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $258,000 after purchasing an additional 196 shares during the last quarter. Meritage Portfolio Management lifted its position in Canadian Natural Resources by 2.5% during the first quarter. Meritage Portfolio Management now owns 84,574 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $4,681,000 after purchasing an additional 2,056 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ridgewood Investments LLC bought a new position in Canadian Natural Resources during the first quarter valued at $80,000. Institutional investors own 71.24% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of Canadian Natural Resources in a research note on Wednesday. They issued a buy rating on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Canadian Natural Resources in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $90.67.

Canadian Natural Resources Stock Up 1.4 %

NYSE:CNQ opened at $57.79 on Thursday. Canadian Natural Resources Limited has a 1-year low of $44.45 and a 1-year high of $62.57. The company has a 50-day moving average of $55.73 and a 200 day moving average of $56.75. The firm has a market cap of $63.25 billion, a PE ratio of 8.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.57.

Canadian Natural Resources (NYSE:CNQ  Get Free Report) (TSE:CNQ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.25 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $6.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.26 billion. Canadian Natural Resources had a net margin of 20.63% and a return on equity of 29.39%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Canadian Natural Resources Limited will post 5.27 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Canadian Natural Resources Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 16th were given a dividend of $0.664 per share. This represents a $2.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 15th. Canadian Natural Resourcess payout ratio is 41.02%.

Canadian Natural Resources Company Profile

(Free Report)

Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO).

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Grupo Comercial Chedraui (OTCMKTS:GCHEF  Get Free Report) is one of 62 publicly-traded companies in the Grocery Stores industry, but how does it compare to its rivals? We will compare Grupo Comercial Chedraui to related businesses based on the strength of its institutional ownership, risk, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability and valuation.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Grupo Comercial Chedraui and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Grupo Comercial Chedraui 0 1 0 0 2.00 Grupo Comercial Chedraui Competitors 1121 2754 3008 115 2.30

Grupo Comercial Chedraui presently has a consensus target price of $84.00, indicating a potential upside of 1,389.36%. As a group, Grocery Stores companies have a potential upside of 93.41%. Given Grupo Comercial Chedrauis higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Grupo Comercial Chedraui is more favorable than its rivals.

Earnings & Valuation

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Grupo Comercial Chedraui N/A N/A 3.18 Grupo Comercial Chedraui Competitors $27.45 billion $611.50 million 192.42

This table compares Grupo Comercial Chedraui and its rivals revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Grupo Comercial Chedrauis rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Grupo Comercial Chedraui. Grupo Comercial Chedraui is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

10.9% of Grupo Comercial Chedraui shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 45.3% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are owned by institutional investors. 22.8% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares Grupo Comercial Chedraui and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Grupo Comercial Chedraui N/A N/A N/A Grupo Comercial Chedraui Competitors 1.92% 15.02% 4.91%

Summary

Grupo Comercial Chedraui rivals beat Grupo Comercial Chedraui on 10 of the 11 factors compared.

About Grupo Comercial Chedraui

(Get Free Report)

Grupo Comercial Chedraui, S.A.B. de C.V. operates selfservice stores. The company operates through three segments: Retail in Mexico, Retail in the United States, and Real Estate. Its stores sell electronic goods, perishables, cloths, groceries, and general merchandise. The company also leases commercial space to third parties; and operates and maintains shopping centers. It operates 306 stores, including 198 tiendas chedraui, 60 super chedraui, 15 super che, and 33 supercito stores; and 7 distribution centers in Mexico, as well as 125 self-service stores, such as 64 El Super and 61 Fiesta stores in the United States. The company was founded in 1920 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico.

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By Anna Tong

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - In a frenzy unseen since the birth of social media in the early 2000s, investors are pouring billions into generative AI and fueling a startup boom in San Francisco.

At the same time, they are fueling hopes that the nascent AI sector will help revive the city's decaying downtown after the pandemic.

But the rapid growth of the artificial-intelligence business may not be a panacea for the city's economic and commercial real-estate woes, according to a dozen tech industry professionals interviewed by Reuters. Unlike past tech booms that have touched San Francisco, the generative AI craze brings fewer jobs, because AI firms excel at staying lean and automating work.

"I think we should curb our optimism that San Francisco commercial real estate will bounce back because of AI," said Silicon Valley investor Jeremiah Owyang. "The mentality of AI startups is AI-first. So you get AI to do the job before humans do it."

Eleven of the country's top 20 AI companies are in San Francisco and have raised $15.7 billion collectively between 2008 and 2023. However, they employ a total of only 3,400 people in the city, according to an analysis from San Francisco Mayor London Breed's office which used data from venture capital firm NFX.

That amount is just 2.3% of the estimated 150,000 daily workers that downtown San Francisco lost during the pandemic. Office workers accounted for nearly three-quarters of the city's gross domestic product before COVID-19 hit.

Generative AI, which learns from past data to create brand new content, is seen as a game-changer for workplace efficiency, especially for software engineers, the bread and butter of San Francisco's tech workforce. AI has already reshaped their work: according to research from popular code hosting platform GitHub, 92% of software developers use AI, and developers that used GitHub's coding assistant were able to complete a coding task 55% faster.

"These (AI) companies almost certainly won't have thousands of employees and corporate cafeterias, like Airbnb or Dropbox," said Erin Price-Wright, a partner at San Francisco-based Index Ventures. Airbnb and Dropbox, both based in San Francisco, employ about 10,000 people combined.

In contrast, Microsoft-backed OpenAI, which developed the smash-hit ChatGPT chatbot, has raised over $11 billion in eight years and has around 500 employees, according to the company. Headquartered in the city's hipster Mission district, the company uses AI to help solve its problems.

For instance, when faced with a deluge of support tickets, OpenAI chose to train its own AI to help its staff answer these tickets more efficiently, according to an OpenAI employee with direct knowledge of the project.

A spokesperson for OpenAI said the company uses its products to help with its work, but is also actively recruiting, including in customer support.

"We are getting to the point where AI can function as a real employee," said Matt Schlicht, CEO of Octane AI, which tailors online shopping to a person's needs. "Within your lifetime, you will likely see a one-person team start a billion-dollar company."

THREE AI EVENTS PER DAY

San Francisco, even as it battles societal issues like drugs, homelessness and unaffordable housing, has gained a reputation as the "AI capital of the world," as the city's mayor recently called it.

For instance, Dubai-based entrepreneur Mike Grabowski told Reuters that in June he saw a tweet from Owyang, the Silicon Valley investor, which said, "In SF, there are 44 AI events in two weeks, about three a day."

Grabowski, who has started a company that uses AI to write content for social media influencers, hopped on a flight to San Francisco on the same day. Two days later, jetlagged but optimistic about meeting prospective investors, he went to an AI event hosted by Owyang, who said he received 560 applications to attend the meetup.

The excitement about AI is palpable at tech events in the city, reminiscent of the decade before the pandemic when companies like Alphabet's Google opened offices and startups colonized more industrial parts of town.

The "City by the Bay" became a tech hub coinciding with an eight-year tax break dubbed the "Twitter tax break" aimed at encouraging tech companies to relocate there.

Recently, though, San Francisco's problems have made headlines.

Office buildings are over 30% vacant, according to real estate firm CBRE, as people continue to work from home, venture capital firms choose calmer parts of town, and many large tech firms have slashed workforces. Ridership on the BART rapid-transit system in downtown San Francisco is still at one-third of pre-pandemic levels, according to city government data.

As the crises of drugs and homelessness have spiraled, tourists and business visitors have stayed away, pushing some hotels to the brink of default. Dismal foot traffic has prompted companies including Nordstrom to shut their downtown stores.

Some tech professionals think that in time, AI will still buoy the city's economy, even if it scripts a different destiny from the previous tech boom.

Since AI makes it easier to run a company, there will be more small firms hiring dozens of people, as opposed to a few big tech companies that previously hired thousands, said Lee Edwards, a technology investor at San Francisco-based Root VC.

Others think it will be more of the same, and that rewards from the technology will go to fewer people, exacerbating the inequality that already plagues California's third-largest city.

"Generative AI is even more concentrated than previous waves of digital technologies, and a handful of companies are going to be at the forefront," said Daron Acemoglu, an economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who studies how technology affects inequality.

"Top executives and their upper cadre of engineers, programmers, managers are going to benefit a lot more."

(Reporting by Anna Tong in San Francisco; Editing by Sayantani Ghosh, Anna Driver and Matthew Lewis)
Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF (NYSEARCA:PXJ  Free Report) shares are scheduled to reverse split on the morning of Monday, July 17th. The 1-5 reverse split was announced on Monday, July 17th. The number of shares owned by shareholders will be adjusted after the market closes on Monday, July 17th.

Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of PXJ opened at $5.47 on Thursday. Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF has a 12-month low of $3.25 and a 12-month high of $5.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $95.29 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -72.41 and a beta of 1.76. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $4.75 and its 200 day moving average price is $5.06.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Raymond James & Associates boosted its holdings in shares of Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF by 2,322.6% in the 4th quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 345,637 shares of the companys stock worth $1,770,000 after acquiring an additional 331,370 shares in the last quarter. Western Financial Corp CA raised its position in shares of Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF by 74.6% during the 1st quarter. Western Financial Corp CA now owns 58,736 shares of the companys stock valued at $293,000 after acquiring an additional 25,105 shares during the last quarter. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $54,000. MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF by 18.2% during the 1st quarter. MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC now owns 56,795 shares of the companys stock valued at $283,000 after acquiring an additional 8,727 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG raised its position in shares of Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF by 296.5% during the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 434,063 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,222,000 after acquiring an additional 324,598 shares during the last quarter.

About Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF

The Invesco Dynamic Oil & Gas Services ETF (PXJ) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in energy equity. The fund tracks an index of US companies in the oil and gas services sector that are weighted in tiers. The index uses a multi-factor methodology to select holdings. PXJ was launched on Oct 26, 2005 and is managed by Invesco.

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Lavras Gold Corp. (CVE:LGC  Get Free Report) shares passed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$0.35 and traded as low as C$0.24. Lavras Gold shares last traded at C$0.24, with a volume of 36,000 shares.

Lavras Gold Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 11.12, a current ratio of 7.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94. The stock has a market cap of C$9.45 million and a PE ratio of -3.83. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$0.29 and a 200 day moving average price of C$0.35.

Lavras Gold Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Lavras Gold Corp. operates as a junior exploration company in southern Brazil. It engages in the exploration and development of the Lavras do Sul gold project covering an area of approximately 22,000 hectares located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The company was incorporated in 2021 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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Mastrapasqua Asset Management Inc. reduced its position in Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS  Free Report) by 6.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 46,056 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 3,170 shares during the period. Mastrapasqua Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Masco were worth $2,290,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Boston Partners grew its stake in Masco by 21.6% in the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 10,050,031 shares of the construction companys stock worth $471,236,000 after acquiring an additional 1,786,398 shares during the period. Harris Associates L P grew its stake in Masco by 55.7% in the 4th quarter. Harris Associates L P now owns 8,395,119 shares of the construction companys stock worth $391,800,000 after acquiring an additional 3,003,848 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Masco by 118,819.3% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,978,187 shares of the construction companys stock worth $325,672,000 after acquiring an additional 6,972,319 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Masco by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,027,012 shares of the construction companys stock worth $234,224,000 after acquiring an additional 68,957 shares during the period. Finally, AustralianSuper Pty Ltd grew its stake in Masco by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd now owns 3,815,673 shares of the construction companys stock worth $189,715,000 after acquiring an additional 17,533 shares during the period. 91.60% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Bank of America decreased their price target on shares of Masco from $49.00 to $48.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Masco from $64.00 to $66.00 in a report on Thursday. StockNews.com lowered shares of Masco from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, May 11th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of Masco from $65.00 to $68.00 in a report on Thursday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on shares of Masco from $56.00 to $57.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $59.07.

Insider Buying and Selling

Masco Price Performance

In related news, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 10,000 shares of Masco stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.95, for a total transaction of $549,500.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 70,198 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,857,380.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . In other news, VP Kenneth G. Cole sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.95, for a total value of $549,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 70,198 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,857,380.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Also, CFO John G. Sznewajs sold 68,750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.09, for a total transaction of $3,718,687.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 187,784 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,157,236.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 99,111 shares of company stock valued at $5,367,682 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock.

Masco stock opened at $59.01 on Thursday. Masco Co. has a 12-month low of $42.33 and a 12-month high of $59.44. The company has a market capitalization of $13.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.77 and a beta of 1.22. The firms fifty day moving average price is $54.00 and its 200 day moving average price is $52.00.

Masco (NYSE:MAS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The construction company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.22. Masco had a net margin of 9.65% and a negative return on equity of 237.83%. The firm had revenue of $1.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.91 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.95 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Masco Co. will post 3.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Masco Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 12th. Investors of record on Friday, May 26th were paid a dividend of $0.285 per share. This represents a $1.14 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.93%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 25th. Mascos dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.93%.

Masco Company Profile

(Free Report)

Masco Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes home improvement and building products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company's Plumbing Products segment offers faucets, showerheads, handheld showers, valves, bath hardware and accessories, bathing units, shower bases and enclosures, sinks, toilets, acrylic tubs, shower trays, spas, exercise pools, and fitness systems; brass, copper, and composite plumbing system components; connected water products; thermoplastic solutions, extruded plastic profiles, specialized fabrications, and PEX tubing products; and other non-decorative plumbing products.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MAS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Masco Co. (NYSE:MAS  Free Report).

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Analysts at StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of MDU Resources Group (NYSE:MDU  Get Free Report) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday. The brokerage set a hold rating on the utilities providers stock.

Separately, Bank of America raised shares of MDU Resources Group from an underperform rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, June 1st.

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MDU Resources Group Trading Up 2.1 %

Shares of MDU Resources Group stock opened at $21.66 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $24.07 and a 200-day moving average of $28.14. The stock has a market cap of $4.41 billion, a PE ratio of 11.77, a PEG ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.75. MDU Resources Group has a 52-week low of $19.40 and a 52-week high of $32.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.29.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

MDU Resources Group ( NYSE:MDU Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported $0.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.20 by $0.03. MDU Resources Group had a net margin of 5.13% and a return on equity of 11.25%. The business had revenue of $1.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.38 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.16 earnings per share. MDU Resources Groups revenue was up 22.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that MDU Resources Group will post 1.3 EPS for the current year.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Pacer Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of MDU Resources Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $748,000. Gradient Investments LLC acquired a new stake in MDU Resources Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $430,000. Level Four Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in MDU Resources Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $533,000. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its position in MDU Resources Group by 51.5% during the 2nd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 50,974 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,067,000 after purchasing an additional 17,323 shares during the period. Finally, Prelude Capital Management LLC increased its position in MDU Resources Group by 84.2% during the 1st quarter. Prelude Capital Management LLC now owns 193,207 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $5,889,000 after purchasing an additional 88,295 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.63% of the companys stock.

About MDU Resources Group

(Get Free Report)

MDU Resources Group, Inc engages in the regulated energy delivery, and construction materials and services businesses in the United States. It operates through five segments: Electric, Natural Gas Distribution, Pipeline, Construction Materials and Contracting, and Construction Services. The Electric segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity for residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and operates 3,400 miles of transmission lines, 4,800 miles of distribution lines, and 84 transmission and 294 distribution substations.

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Nevsun Resources (NYSEAMERICAN:NSU  Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 0.2% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $4.44 and last traded at $4.44. 25,500 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 71% from the average session volume of 87,058 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.45.

Nevsun Resources Trading Down 0.2 %

About Nevsun Resources

(Get Free Report)

Nevsun Resources Ltd. engages in the mining and development of mineral properties in Europe, Africa, and North America. It explores for gold, copper, zinc, and silver deposits. The company's principal assets include Timok project, a copper-gold development project in Serbia; and Bisha copper- zinc mine in Eritrea.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of Primo Water (NYSE:PRMW  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Sunday morning.

A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on PRMW. TheStreet cut shares of Primo Water from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Friday, March 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on shares of Primo Water from $17.00 to $16.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 20th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Primo Water has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $19.33.

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Primo Water Stock Performance

Shares of PRMW opened at $12.79 on Friday. Primo Water has a 1 year low of $12.15 and a 1 year high of $16.47. The company has a market cap of $2.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.37 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.75. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $13.07 and a 200-day moving average of $14.23.

Primo Water Announces Dividend

Primo Water ( NYSE:PRMW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.09 by ($0.01). Primo Water had a net margin of 1.88% and a return on equity of 7.46%. The company had revenue of $546.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $534.04 million. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Primo Water will post 0.74 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 2nd were given a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.50%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 1st. Primo Waters dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 118.52%.

Institutional Trading of Primo Water

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its holdings in Primo Water by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 46,558 shares of the companys stock worth $724,000 after buying an additional 810 shares during the period. Amalgamated Bank grew its stake in Primo Water by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 20,959 shares of the companys stock valued at $326,000 after acquiring an additional 835 shares in the last quarter. Credit Suisse AG grew its stake in Primo Water by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 141,419 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,198,000 after acquiring an additional 843 shares in the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its stake in Primo Water by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 195,810 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,043,000 after acquiring an additional 976 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Primo Water by 7.1% during the 2nd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 15,068 shares of the companys stock valued at $202,000 after acquiring an additional 995 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.98% of the companys stock.

About Primo Water

(Get Free Report)

Primo Water Corporation provides pure-play water solutions for residential and commercial customers. It offers bottled water, water dispensers, purified bottled water, self-service refill drinking water, premium spring, mineral water, sparkling and flavored water, filtration equipment, and coffee. The company offers its products under the Primo, Alhambra, Crystal Rock, Mountain Valley, Deep Rock, Hinckley Springs, Crystal Springs, Kentwood Springs, Mount Olympus, Pureflo, Sierra Springs, Sparkletts, and Renu brands in the United States; Canadian Springs, Labrador Source, and Amazon Springs brands in Canada; and Decantae, Eden, Eden Springs, Chateaud'eau, and Mey Eden brands in Europe and Israel.

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AGF Management (OTCMKTS:AGFMF  Get Free Report) is one of 1,202 public companies in the Asset Management industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare AGF Management to related businesses based on the strength of its dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation, earnings, profitability and institutional ownership.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares AGF Management and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio AGF Management N/A N/A 8.23 AGF Management Competitors $212.22 million -$7.59 million -2.61

AGF Managements competitors have higher revenue, but lower earnings than AGF Management. AGF Management is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets AGF Management N/A N/A N/A AGF Management Competitors 370.46% 7.83% 5.00%

Analyst Recommendations

This table compares AGF Management and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a summary of recent recommendations for AGF Management and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score AGF Management 0 1 0 0 2.00 AGF Management Competitors 1052 4588 6002 82 2.44

AGF Management currently has a consensus price target of $8.95, indicating a potential upside of 55.38%. As a group, Asset Management companies have a potential upside of 86.68%. Given AGF Managements competitors stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe AGF Management has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

40.3% of AGF Management shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.6% of shares of all Asset Management companies are held by institutional investors. 18.3% of shares of all Asset Management companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Dividends

AGF Management pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 18.8%. AGF Management pays out 154.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, Asset Management companies pay a dividend yield of 7.1% and pay out 715.0% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. AGF Management is clearly a better dividend stock than its competitors, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

AGF Management competitors beat AGF Management on 9 of the 13 factors compared.

AGF Management Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

AGF Management Limited is one of Canada's premier investment management companies with offices across Canada and subsidiaries around the world. 2007 marks AGF's 50th anniversary ofproviding Canadians with innovative investment solutions across the wealth continuum. AGF's products and services include a diversified family of more than 50 mutual funds, the evolutionary AGF Elements portfolios, the Harmony asset management program, AGF Private Investment Management, Institutional Account Services and AGF Trust GICs, loans and mortgages. With approximately $53 billion in total assets under management, AGF serves more than one million investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol [AGF.B].

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SM Energy (NYSE:SM  Get Free Report) had its price target boosted by investment analysts at Mizuho from $33.00 to $41.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Mizuhos price target indicates a potential upside of 22.79% from the stocks current price.

A number of other analysts have also commented on SM. Susquehanna boosted their price target on shares of SM Energy from $30.00 to $32.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $50.00 target price on shares of SM Energy in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Raymond James upped their target price on shares of SM Energy from $38.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of SM Energy in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, SM Energy has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $41.55.

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SM Energy Stock Up 0.3 %

NYSE:SM opened at $33.39 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $4.02 billion, a PE ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 4.37. SM Energy has a one year low of $24.66 and a one year high of $48.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 1.34 and a quick ratio of 1.34. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $28.65 and its 200 day simple moving average is $29.78.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

SM Energy ( NYSE:SM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The energy company reported $1.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $573.51 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $559.37 million. SM Energy had a net margin of 41.07% and a return on equity of 28.22%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 33.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.98 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that SM Energy will post 5.4 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of SM Energy by 41.0% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,075 shares of the energy companys stock worth $314,000 after purchasing an additional 2,348 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. lifted its position in SM Energy by 28.4% during the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 20,390 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $794,000 after buying an additional 4,513 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of SM Energy by 55.1% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 63,571 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $2,476,000 after buying an additional 22,582 shares in the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its holdings in shares of SM Energy by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 110,627 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $4,431,000 after buying an additional 2,680 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. bought a new stake in shares of SM Energy during the 1st quarter valued at $1,226,000. 89.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About SM Energy

(Get Free Report)

SM Energy Company, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, and natural gas liquids in the state of Texas. It also has working interests in oil and gas producing wells in the Midland Basin and South Texas. The company was formerly known as St.

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Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, July 12th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 1st will be given a dividend of 0.5119 per share by the basic materials company on Thursday, July 20th. This represents a $2.05 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th.

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile has a payout ratio of 129.7% meaning the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Equities analysts expect Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile to earn $10.00 per share next year, which means the company may not be able to cover its $12.58 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 125.8%.

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Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile Price Performance

SQM traded up $0.74 on Wednesday, reaching $80.17. The company had a trading volume of 1,413,003 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,735,942. The company has a market capitalization of $22.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.93, a PEG ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a current ratio of 2.48, a quick ratio of 1.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. The company has a fifty day moving average of $70.82 and a 200-day moving average of $78.50. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile has a one year low of $60.21 and a one year high of $115.72.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile ( NYSE:SQM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 18th. The basic materials company reported $2.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.12 by ($0.49). Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile had a net margin of 35.24% and a return on equity of 82.96%. The company had revenue of $2.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.44 billion. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile will post 12.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in SQM. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 12.8% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 238,352 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $19,265,000 after acquiring an additional 27,000 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 16.4% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 172,724 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $14,002,000 after buying an additional 24,314 shares during the period. Sunbelt Securities Inc. bought a new position in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile during the first quarter valued at about $55,000. Trium Capital LLP raised its holdings in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. Trium Capital LLP now owns 25,959 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $2,104,000 after acquiring an additional 1,131 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Apollon Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile during the 1st quarter worth approximately $244,000. 17.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on SQM shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $95.00 to $90.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $134.00 to $97.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile in a research report on Friday, May 19th. They set a sell rating and a $60.00 price objective for the company. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $130.00 to $105.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. Finally, HSBC reduced their target price on Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile from $134.00 to $90.50 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $88.19.

About Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile

(Get Free Report)

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA produces and distributes specialty plant nutrients, iodine derivatives, lithium derivatives, potassium chloride and sulfate, industrial chemicals, and other products and services. The company offers specialty plant nutrients, including potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, sodium potassium nitrate, specialty blends, and other specialty fertilizers.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of New Concept Energy (NYSE:GBR  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Monday. The firm issued a sell rating on the stock.

Separately, TheStreet raised New Concept Energy from a d+ rating to a c rating in a research report on Thursday, April 6th.

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New Concept Energy Trading Down 3.3 %

New Concept Energy stock opened at $1.16 on Monday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $1.10 and a 200-day moving average of $1.14. New Concept Energy has a 1-year low of $0.91 and a 1-year high of $2.31.

Institutional Trading of New Concept Energy

New Concept Energy ( NYSE:GBR Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $0.05 million during the quarter. New Concept Energy had a net margin of 90.57% and a return on equity of 4.20%.

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in New Concept Energy by 129.4% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 24,068 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 13,576 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new position in shares of New Concept Energy during the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of New Concept Energy during the first quarter valued at approximately $95,000.

About New Concept Energy

(Get Free Report)

New Concept Energy, Inc engages in real estate rental business. The company owns approximately 190 acres of land located in Parkersburg West Virginia. It also provides advisory and management services for an independent oil and gas company. The company was formerly known as CabelTel International Corporation and changed its name to New Concept Energy, Inc in May 2008.

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Shareholders in Air New Zealand (NZSE:AIR) are in the red if they invested five years ago

We think intelligent long term investing is the way to go. But unfortunately, some companies simply don't succeed. Zooming in on an example, the Air New Zealand Limited (NZSE:AIR) share price dropped 76% in the last half decade. That is extremely sub-optimal, to say the least.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

Check out our latest analysis for Air New Zealand

Because Air New Zealand made a loss in the last twelve months, we think the market is probably more focussed on revenue and revenue growth, at least for now. When a company doesn't make profits, we'd generally expect to see good revenue growth. As you can imagine, fast revenue growth, when maintained, often leads to fast profit growth.

Over half a decade Air New Zealand reduced its trailing twelve month revenue by 15% for each year. That's definitely a weaker result than most pre-profit companies report. So it's not that strange that the share price dropped 12% per year in that period. We don't think this is a particularly promising picture. Ironically, that behavior could create an opportunity for the contrarian investor - but only if there are good reasons to predict a brighter future.

The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. So it makes a lot of sense to check out what analysts think Air New Zealand will earn in the future (free profit forecasts).

What About The Total Shareholder Return (TSR)?

We've already covered Air New Zealand's share price action, but we should also mention its total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Air New Zealand's TSR of was a loss of 54% for the 5 years. That wasn't as bad as its share price return, because it has paid dividends.

A Different Perspective

It's good to see that Air New Zealand has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 26% in the last twelve months. There's no doubt those recent returns are much better than the TSR loss of 9% per year over five years. This makes us a little wary, but the business might have turned around its fortunes. It is all well and good that insiders have been buying shares, but we suggest you check here to see what price insiders were buying at.

Air New Zealand is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on New Zealander exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com

Simply Wall St analyst Simply Wall St and Simply Wall St have no position in any of the companies mentioned. This article is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.

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Shares of Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE:SG  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the seven research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $11.86.

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Bank of America upgraded shares of Sweetgreen from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $9.00 to $17.00 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Citigroup cut their target price on Sweetgreen from $10.00 to $9.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Finally, Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Sweetgreen in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. They issued a neutral rating and a $11.00 target price on the stock.

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Sweetgreen Stock Performance

Shares of SG stock opened at $15.62 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $10.84 and its two-hundred day moving average is $9.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.74 billion, a P/E ratio of -10.21 and a beta of 1.93. Sweetgreen has a fifty-two week low of $6.10 and a fifty-two week high of $21.66.

Insider Buying and Selling at Sweetgreen

Sweetgreen ( NYSE:SG Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($0.29) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.36) by $0.07. Sweetgreen had a negative net margin of 34.58% and a negative return on equity of 28.08%. The business had revenue of $125.06 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $125.57 million. On average, equities analysts forecast that Sweetgreen will post -0.98 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, insider James Mcphail sold 6,326 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.46, for a total transaction of $59,843.96. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 142,107 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,344,332.22. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Sweetgreen news, insider James Mcphail sold 6,326 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.46, for a total value of $59,843.96. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 142,107 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,344,332.22. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Nathaniel Ru sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.43, for a total transaction of $471,500.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 2,121,899 shares in the company, valued at $20,009,507.57. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 73,293 shares of company stock worth $692,707 in the last quarter. 22.03% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Sweetgreen

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. FMR LLC lifted its position in shares of Sweetgreen by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 14,688,450 shares of the companys stock worth $115,157,000 after buying an additional 90,170 shares during the last quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Sweetgreen by 146.1% in the 4th quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 5,291,714 shares of the companys stock worth $45,350,000 after purchasing an additional 3,141,070 shares during the last quarter. Solas Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sweetgreen in the 1st quarter worth approximately $12,352,000. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Sweetgreen by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,567,582 shares of the companys stock worth $12,290,000 after purchasing an additional 45,653 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Sweetgreen by 6.1% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,480,876 shares of the companys stock worth $11,610,000 after purchasing an additional 85,585 shares during the last quarter. 72.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Sweetgreen

(Get Free Report

Sweetgreen, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops and operates fast-casual restaurants serving healthy foods prepared from seasonal and organic ingredients. The company also accepts orders through its online and mobile ordering platforms, as well as sells gift cards that can be redeemed in its restaurants.

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Telecom Argentina S.A. (OTCMKTS:TCMFF  Get Free Report) dropped 4.3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $1.10 and last traded at $1.10. Approximately 4,100 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 150% from the average daily volume of 1,643 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.15.

Telecom Argentina Trading Down 4.5 %

The businesss fifty day moving average price is $0.99 and its 200-day moving average price is $0.97.

Telecom Argentina Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Telecom Argentina SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services. The company offers mobile telecommunications services, including voice communications, high-speed mobile Internet content and applications download, online streaming, and other services; and sells mobile communication devices, such as handsets, Modems MiFi and wingles, and smart watches.

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TELUS International (Cda) (NYSE:TIXT  Get Free Report) issued an update on its second quarter earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $0.15-0.17 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $0.27. The company issued revenue guidance of $660-668 million, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $719.92 million. TELUS International (Cda) also updated its FY23 guidance to $0.90-0.97 EPS.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently weighed in on TIXT. Canaccord Genuity Group began coverage on TELUS International (Cda) in a research note on Monday, April 24th. They set a buy rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on shares of TELUS International (Cda) from $26.00 to $21.00 in a research note on Monday, May 8th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of TELUS International (Cda) from $22.00 to $17.00 in a research report on Monday, July 3rd. Finally, TheStreet lowered shares of TELUS International (Cda) from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, TELUS International (Cda) has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $25.69.

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TELUS International (Cda) Price Performance

Shares of TIXT traded up $0.15 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $14.71. 112,713 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 141,550. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.08 billion, a PE ratio of 23.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.68. TELUS International has a fifty-two week low of $14.33 and a fifty-two week high of $31.52. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $15.79 and a 200 day simple moving average of $19.24.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

TELUS International (Cda) ( NYSE:TIXT Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $686.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $693.05 million. TELUS International (Cda) had a return on equity of 17.21% and a net margin of 6.38%. As a group, research analysts predict that TELUS International will post 1.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Jane Street Group LLC raised its position in shares of TELUS International (Cda) by 127.8% in the 4th quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 19,049 shares of the companys stock worth $377,000 after buying an additional 10,687 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in shares of TELUS International (Cda) by 8.2% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,140 shares of the companys stock valued at $347,000 after acquiring an additional 1,294 shares during the period. Ossiam lifted its holdings in shares of TELUS International (Cda) by 47.3% during the 1st quarter. Ossiam now owns 13,430 shares of the companys stock valued at $271,000 after acquiring an additional 4,313 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC boosted its position in TELUS International (Cda) by 43.2% during the 1st quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 12,600 shares of the companys stock worth $255,000 after purchasing an additional 3,800 shares during the period. Finally, Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its holdings in TELUS International (Cda) by 156.0% in the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 9,241 shares of the companys stock valued at $228,000 after purchasing an additional 5,631 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.30% of the companys stock.

TELUS International (Cda) Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TELUS International (Cda) Inc design, builds, and delivers digital solutions for customer experience (CX) in Europe, North America, the Asia-Pacific, and the Central America. The company provides digital experience solutions, such as AI and bots, omnichannel CX, enterprise mobility solutions, cloud contact center, big data analytics, platform transformation, and UX/UI design; and customer experience solutions, including work anywhere/work from home, contact center outsourcing, technical support, sales growth and customer retention, healthcare/patient experience, and debt collection.

Further Reading

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VanEck Indonesia Index ETF (NYSEARCA:IDX  Get Free Report)s share price rose 2.3% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $18.59 and last traded at $18.50. Approximately 205,700 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 1,418% from the average daily volume of 13,548 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.08.

VanEck Indonesia Index ETF Trading Up 2.3 %

The firms fifty day moving average is $18.03 and its 200 day moving average is $17.81. The company has a market cap of $29.59 million, a PE ratio of 12.16 and a beta of 0.82.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On VanEck Indonesia Index ETF

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. UBS Group AG raised its holdings in VanEck Indonesia Index ETF by 63.7% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,874 shares of the companys stock valued at $75,000 after acquiring an additional 1,507 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in VanEck Indonesia Index ETF by 319.1% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 9,850 shares of the companys stock worth $209,000 after buying an additional 7,500 shares in the last quarter. Toroso Investments LLC acquired a new position in VanEck Indonesia Index ETF during the first quarter worth $277,000. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new stake in VanEck Indonesia Index ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $284,000. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new position in shares of VanEck Indonesia Index ETF during the 4th quarter worth $233,000.

About VanEck Indonesia Index ETF

The Market Vectors Indonesia Index ETF (IDX) seeks, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the Market Vectors Indonesia Index (the Index). The Index provides exposure to publicly traded companies that are domiciled and primarily listed in Indonesia, or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in Indonesia.

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Wayfair (NYSE:W  Free Report) had its target price raised by Guggenheim from $60.00 to $70.00 in a report released on Monday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Loop Capital cut their price target on Wayfair from $30.00 to $25.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Stephens lowered their target price on shares of Wayfair from $40.00 to $34.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Moffett Nathanson upgraded shares of Wayfair from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $44.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, June 23rd. StockNews.com began coverage on Wayfair in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Finally, Bank of America raised their price target on Wayfair from $55.00 to $60.00 in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $49.50.

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Wayfair Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE W opened at $68.74 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $7.72 billion, a P/E ratio of -5.40 and a beta of 3.15. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $49.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $44.02. Wayfair has a 12-month low of $28.11 and a 12-month high of $76.35.

Insider Activity

Wayfair ( NYSE:W Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($2.50) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($3.14) by $0.64. The business had revenue of $2.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.74 billion. On average, equities analysts forecast that Wayfair will post -8.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other Wayfair news, insider Steve Oblak sold 1,923 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.19, for a total transaction of $104,207.37. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 221,662 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,011,863.78. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, COO Thomas Netzer sold 2,913 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.96, for a total value of $90,186.48. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 96,919 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,000,612.24. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Steve Oblak sold 1,923 shares of Wayfair stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.19, for a total value of $104,207.37. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 221,662 shares in the company, valued at $12,011,863.78. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 125,409 shares of company stock worth $7,177,497 over the last 90 days. 26.81% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in W. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System bought a new stake in Wayfair in the 2nd quarter valued at $423,000. Harbour Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Wayfair in the second quarter worth about $481,000. Duality Advisers LP bought a new position in Wayfair during the first quarter worth about $644,000. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Wayfair by 2.1% during the first quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 216,265 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,427,000 after purchasing an additional 4,388 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Titleist Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Wayfair in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,575,000. Institutional investors own 87.35% of the companys stock.

Wayfair Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Wayfair Inc engages in the e-commerce business in the United States and internationally. The company provides approximately fourty million products for the home sector under various brands. It offers online selections of furniture, decor, housewares, and home improvement products through its sites, including Wayfair, Joss & Main, AllModern, Birch Lane, Perigold, and Wayfair Professional.

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A doctor puts sanfutie  a therapeutic bandage filled with herbal medicine  on a child's stomach at a traditional Chinese medicine hospital in Handan, Hebei Province, on Tuesday, the first day of sanfu, the hottest period of summer. In the Chinese lunar calendar, sanfu refers to the three 10-day periods that are predicted to have the hottest days of the year. TCM practitioners believe that receiving sanfutie during the hottest summer days is effective for treating common winter ills such as coughs, asthma and arthritis. [Hao Qunying/Xinhua]

With temperatures soaring past 40 C across parts of China, sanfu moxibustion  a traditional Chinese medicine treatment aimed at boosting immunity  has picked up steam, prompting experts and authorities to urge careful use of the therapy.

Sanfu moxibustion involves plastering warm herbal pastes onto acupuncture points during the three hottest periods on the lunar calendar as a means to prepare the body for cold seasons and protect against winter illnesses such as colds and coughing.

On Tuesday  the first day of the first period this year  several departments at the Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences' Guang'anmen Hospital, including its respiratory, pediatrics and rheumatology clinics, began providing the service for registered visitors.

The hospital said that since it launched its appointment system for sanfu moxibustion on June 26, it has processed over 10,000 applications.

Li Guangxi, head of the hospital's respiratory illness department, said during a recent interview that this year's sanfu, which roughly translates to "three periods", will total 40 days, longer than usual.

"People who feel itchiness, heat or pain around skin plastered with the patch should immediately stop receiving the treatment," he said.

Record-breaking heat waves have been registered in a number of northern regions in China in recent weeks, including Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province.

On Tuesday morning, the National Meteorological Center renewed an orange alert for high temperatures  the middle level of a three-tier system  forecasting that parts of the provinces of Hebei, Henan, Zhejiang, Sichuan and Yunnan will record temperatures exceeding 40 C.

Wang Yi, head of the traditional Chinese medicine department at a community health center in Beijing's Haidian District, said that more than 1,000 people have made appointments with the center to receive the TCM treatment, double the number of the same period last year.

"The increase is likely associated with the rising incidence of respiratory illnesses this year," Wang said during an interview with Beijing Daily, a local newspaper.

"The patch we use is the same as those prescribed at major hospitals, so residents living nearby can obtain convenient and quality services."

The Beijing Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine said in a notice released in late June that the patch should be restricted for use among people with chronic respiratory diseases and allergic rhinitis, as well as children, the elderly and people who are prone to colds, recurrent coughs and asthma.

"It is strictly prohibited to unreasonably expand the scope of application and target groups in pursuit of economic benefits," it said, adding that medical institutions should guide patients to gain a correct understanding of the therapy.

Zhu Xingxin contributed to this story.

(Source: China Daily)
BRISTOL, Tenn., July 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc. (NYSE: AMR), a leading U.S. supplier of metallurgical products for the steel industry, plans to announce its second quarter 2023 financial results before the market opens on Friday, August 4, 2023.

(PRNewsfoto/Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc.)

The company also expects to hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2023 results at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on August 4. Participating on the call will be Alpha's chief executive officer, Andy Eidson; president and chief operating officer, Jason Whitehead; executive vice president and chief financial officer, Todd Munsey; and executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Dan Horn.

The conference call will be available live on the investor section of the company's website at https://investors.alphametresources.com/investors. Analysts who would like to participate in the conference call should dial 877-407-0832 (domestic toll-free) or 201-689-8433 (international) approximately 15 minutes prior to start time.

About Alpha Metallurgical Resources

Alpha Metallurgical Resources (NYSE: AMR) is a Tennessee-based mining company with operations across Virginia and West Virginia. With customers across the globe, high-quality reserves and significant port capacity, Alpha reliably supplies metallurgical products to the steel industry. For more information, visit www.AlphaMetResources.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Alpha's expectations and beliefs concerning future events and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. These factors are difficult to predict accurately and may be beyond Alpha's control. Forward-looking statements in this press release or elsewhere speak only as of the date made. New uncertainties and risks arise from time to time, and it is impossible for Alpha to predict these events or how they may affect Alpha. Except as required by law, Alpha has no duty to, and does not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements in this press release or elsewhere after the date this release is issued. In light of these risks and uncertainties, investors should keep in mind that results, events or developments discussed in any forward-looking statement made in this press release may not occur.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alpha-to-announce-second-quarter-2023-financial-results-on-august-4-301874404.html

SOURCE Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Inc.
The Pittsburgh synagogue gunman should be eligible for the death penalty, prosecutor argues
OLDWICK, N.J., July 13, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of "a" (Excellent) of the U.S. operating subsidiaries of Global Indemnity Group, LLC (Global Indemnity) (Delaware) [NYSE: GBLI]. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of "bbb" (Good) of Global Indemnity. (See below for complete list of companies and ratings). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Global Indemnitys balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The balance sheet strength assessment reflects Global Indemnitys risk-adjusted capitalization being at the strongest level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), supported by a conservative investment portfolio, generally conservative reserving practices and the added financial flexibility through its access to the capital markets. Through Global Indemnitys five-member intercompany pool, the group targets a diverse mix of specialty niche business that is generally not offered in the standard insurance marketplace. Global Indemnity currently has no long-term debt in its capital structure.

The groups operating earnings have performed generally in line with its peers over the past five years. While the core commercial specialty segment, which focuses on small- to middle-market customers, has been profitable consistently, other operating segments have been more volatile, mostly driven by exposure to catastrophes and secondary perils, including wind and wildfire. Over the past two years, the group has exited these more volatile business segments to concentrate on its core competencies, which is expected to result in a more consistent pattern of earnings.

Global Indemnity is composed of several long-standing and well-recognized franchises that provide a diverse mix of business through multiple distribution channels. Prospectively, AM Best expects the group will be focused on its core businesses, which are small to middle markets that are specialty in nature.

The FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of "a" (Excellent) have been affirmed with stable outlooks for the subsidiaries of Global Indemnity Group, LLC:

Diamond State Insurance Company

Penn-America Insurance Company

Penn-Patriot Insurance Company

Penn-Star Insurance Company

United National Insurance Company

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713315746/en/

Contacts

Ricardo Longchallon

Senior Financial Analyst

+1 908 882 2019

ricardo.longchallon@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

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New market intelligence data reveals that the U.S. iPhone market share experienced a significant increase during the first quarter of this year, defying the overall decline observed in the smartphone market. The report indicates that while the smartphone industry faced challenging times, with a sharp decrease in U.S. smartphone shipments, Apple maintained a strong position and expanded its market share.

The figures from Counterpoints latest market estimates show a concerning 17% year-on-year drop in U.S. smartphone shipments during the first quarter. Analysts attribute the decline to two primary factors: a correction in high channel inventory by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and a decline in consumer demand because of macroeconomic pressures. This downward trend affected all major smartphone brands after a robust performance in the first quarter last year.

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The high channel inventory can be partly attributed to an overestimation of demand during the holiday season, suggesting that it is not an entirely separate factor but rather a consequence of the overall market conditions.

Despite facing the challenges of a declining market, Apple weathered the storm more effectively than its competitors. While iPhone shipments experienced a decrease, the decline was slower compared to the overall smartphone market, enabling Apple to bolster its market share from 49% in the first quarter of 2022 to 53% in the same quarter this year.

Counterpoints report highlights a significant trend of U.S. smartphone users switching from Android devices to iPhones, contributing to Apples market share growth. This Android-to-iOS migration continues to pose a key challenge for Android OEMs. Apples ability to increase its market share despite a year-on-year drop in shipments is a testament to the brands enduring appeal and customer loyalty.

The global tablet market experienced a similar decline of 18% year on year, with Apple surpassing the average performance. Counterpoints report emphasizes that the iPad remains unrivaled in both the short and long term, maintaining its first-place spot in the tablet market.

The most recent monthly data on smartphone market share in America clearly establishes Apple and Samsung as the leading brands, with impressive market shares of 56.82% and 29.47%, respectively. This indicates that iPhones accounted for more than half of the total earnings generated from smartphone sales in the U.S.

Motorola secures the third position with a 4.74% market share, while Google follows closely behind in fourth place with 2.1%. LG takes the fifth spot with a market share of 1.81%.

Looking specifically at the most recent quarter, Apple continues to dominate the market share of mobile phones in the U.S., capturing an even higher percentage at 57.22%. Samsung follows suit with a notable 29.12% brand share. The remaining phone brands collectively contribute less than 15% to the total revenue generated from smartphone sales in the U.S.

See more on startup investing from Benzinga:

There are more pounds of plastic in the ocean than pounds of fish. Thats why retail investors have invested over $4 million in This Startup That Invented Programmable, Drinkable Plastic That Dissolves In Water In 60 Hours

Gamers are selling their old gaming items for millions. Learn why everyday gamers and investors are claiming a stake in their side hustle and how they invested over $1.2 million in this startup.

Don't miss real-time alerts on your stocks - join Benzinga Pro for free! Try the tool that will help you invest smarter, faster, and better.

This article Apple Defies Decline As iPhone Market Share Surges Amid Smartphone Slump originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Earlier this year saw the publication of Franziska Grillmeier's non-fiction work Die Insel (The Island) about the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. The book is a harrowing account of the European Union's murderous refugee policy. Its burning relevance has been dramatically confirmed in recent weeks.

On June 14 more than 600 people drowned off the Greek peninsula of Peloponnese after the Greek coast guard deliberately allowed their boat to capsize. Only a few days earlier, the European Union (EU) heads of government had decided to effectively abolish the right to asylum and intern people seeking refuge at the EU's external borders in detention camps.

According to the UN Refugee Agency, 42,000 refugees were living in five Aegean island camps at the beginning of 2020almost half of them on Lesbos. Franziska Grillmeier, who writes as a freelance journalist for the newspapers Die Zeit, taz, Der Spiegel, the Guardian and the BBC, mainly focuses on the Moria camp in her articles.

Originally conceived as a transit camp for 2,800 people, more than 20,000 people have been confined there after EU member-states, including Germany, severely restricted the admission of refugees. A huge fire on September 8 and 9, 2020 finally led to the closure of Moria. The temporary replacement camp in Mavrovouni is described by local helpers and refugees as Moria 2.0.

The author, born in 1991, is not content with fleeting visits to the location to collect a few superficial interviews, as is the wont of many other reporters. From autumn 2017 onward, she visited the island again and again, developing associations with the camp's inmates, and eventually, in late summer 2018, she rented an apartment on Lesbos. The small flat became her temporary home for five years, she writes.

Grillmeier describes her motives with little pathos. Before arriving for the first time, her friend Armita, who works as an interpreter for asylum-seekers, explained the situation in exemplary fashion and reported, among other incidents, that three men had not woken up in their tents on three different days. They had tried to dry their wet clothes with firewood and evidently died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

No one was held accountable. How can this be? Armita asks. In any other European city, they can put people in a warm gymnasium within an hour of a storm. Here, the EU has failed to do anything similar for three entire winters.

Grillmeier explores this question. In diary-like style, she tries to capture everyday life in the campin a place that does not allow everyday lifegiving voice to those confined and with whom she has struck up friendship.

Thanks to her lively depictions and her factual, yet sensitive descriptions, she brings to life the hell of Moria. We get to know Mama Maryam, the volunteer spokesperson for the Afghan community in the camp, who lives in the camp with her family and is fighting for asylum, and Fenet, the baker. We also get to know the exhausted Yasmin from Mogadishu as well as Dimitra, who was born in Lesbos and works in the hospital under catastrophic conditions.

The reader encounters the shy Omar, the disciplined loner Abbas, little Yaser, Azim and his wife Maleka, who set herself on fire while heavily pregnant to put an end to her unbearable existence in Moriaand is then charged with arson after surviving her self-immolation! Grillmeier rescues them and many others from anonymity and for precisely this reason they stand symbolically, with all their vulnerability and vitality, for countless other victims of Europes disastrous refugee policy.

Unbearable confinement, inadequate food, too little drinking water, no shade and no chance to cool off in summer, no dryness and warmth in the cold season. Fires break out again and againsometimes resulting in injuries and deaths, because people are forced to cook, warm themselves and dry laundry over open fires in very confined spaces.

A storm with heavy rain on Lesbos in the autumn of 2018 had an immediate and destructive impact on people squeezed into small tents. In autumn and winter, it is wet and cold, and the children's feet are so shrivelled in the morning as though they had been left dangling overnight in a bathtub filled with water, reports one grandmother, her grandson in her lap. She did not yet know that, following the huge fire in 2020, the situation in the Mavrovouni camp would become even more catastrophic. There, the tents lacked any sort of floor, people had to lie on completely soaked sleeping mats and soggy cardboard.

Some 90 people share one toilet, 200 people one showerfrom which only cold water drips. Soap, towels, toothpaste are in absolute short supply. For the thousands in the unofficial camp, into which the core camp merges and which extends into the olive groves of the farmers, there is no shower at all.

For drinking water and food, camp internees queue with food vouchers three times a day for up to one and a half hours in a fenced corridor, surrounded by police armed with batons. Torture victims and people with prison experiences are constantly traumatised anew. Those too weak, due to their injuries or illnesses, are completely dependent on the support of their family members or neighbours.

For example, the badly injured Omar had been able to escape his torturers in a Sudanese prison. He needed immediate medical help for his open and severe wounds and a wheelchair. Instead, when he arrived, the 21-year-old was handed a child's tent, one metre long. He could not erect the tent without help. His legs failed him, his eyesight was severely impaired. He would probably have starved to death if an Iraqi family in the camp had not taken him under its wing.

Many prepare their food on primitive, self-built cooking and baking plates, attempt to grow something green or tomatoes in the narrow spaces between their tents or in front of the tent entrances. Grillmeier describes the many bread ovens as a sign of resistance in Moria, an attempt by the camp inmates to preserve their human dignity. Omar writes later that he has one good memory of the camp: the smell of fresh bread. The taste of bread reminds people of who they were before they escaped, Fenet explains.

The worst aspect, however, is the uncertainty, waiting for a decision, the grandmother emphasises. No one says how long the processing of the asylum application will take and how long they will have to wait. This makes people break down physically and psychologically. We see psychosis, depression, acute suicidal tendencies among all age groups, doctors and helpers report, and the risk of suicide is very high. Children fall silent. One doctor reports that many children hurt themselves, break off contact with other people, try to kill themselves.Approximately 42 percent of Moria inmates in 2020 are children.

Moria camp in August 2020 [Photo by Faktengebunden / wikimedia / CC BY-SA 4.0

Dimitra, who works at the emergency hospital, is faced with the wreckage of untreated illness and traumathe consequences of detaining thousands of refugees in a confined space. Her conclusion: the people in Moria are being forced to go crazy.

The concrete description of the camp conditions are complemented in Grillmeier's book by background information on the various asylum agreements of the EU and the role of the Greek Syriza-led government and its conservative successor under Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Any illusions about an allegedly leftist policy under Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras are thoroughly shattered.

In July 2019, the Syriza government withdrew any access to public health care to asylum seekers as well as those without official papers. Since then, hospitals have only been allowed to treat emergencies. A report by Doctors Without Borders reveals that since January 2020, over half a million refugees in Greece have no longer been entitled to medical carea humanitarian catastrophe, right at the time when the COVID pandemic began to wreak havoc!

Protests increasingly began to flare up. The brutal police repression of these protests escalated on February 3, 2020. Grillmeier was contacted by Mama Maryam: This time everyone wants to make their way to the islands capital Mytilini to protest against the camp conditions. The author documents the clash between the highly armed special and military forces and the approximately 2,000 people from the camp. There is an acrid stench of burnt plastic, itchy tear gas, wet smoke in the air, Grillmeier notes. People tried to break through the police cordon, driven by the fear of being caught in the cauldron of tear gas. Grillmeier encounters unconscious people foaming at the mouth, including a baby held up screaming by its desperate mother.

The images of police brutality against defenceless people triggered a wave of outrage in Europe. But the brutality was deliberate and served as a deterrent. The subsequent crocodile tears shed by EU politicians could hardly be surpassed for their cynicism. Their hollow promises of improvement were followed by increased border closures and worsening camp conditions.

The camps now resemble prisons. A ban was imposed to prevent inmates going out at night, and during the day they need permission to leave the compound for a few hours. Access to legal counselling has been almost completely curtailed. Promises of expedited asylum review procedures have turned out to be expedited rejection procedures. Journalists are barely allowed into the completely closed and highly monitored camps.

Following groundless accusations of terrorism, people smuggling and money laundering, refugee volunteers have also been criminalised. Widely publicised in 2018 were the cases of Sean Binder, whose mother Grillmeier meets, and Sara Mardini, who gained international notoriety as one of the Mardini sisters. The Syriza government had them arrested and put on trial. It was only at the beginning of this year that all the charges against them were dropped.

In a documentary on the French-German ARTE channel titled Against the Current, Binder argued, I think what we did was right. There's nothing wrong with pulling drowning people out of the water, or trying to save families from hypothermia, or making sure pregnant women don't go into labour on the side of a cliff, or allowing children to be children, or protecting people from parasites with clean clothes. There is nothing wrong with that.

At the end of her book, referring to Ukraine, Grillmeier laments the drastic unequal treatment of refugees and the fatal classification of refugees by the media, which is often accompanied by overt and subliminal racism.

She provides no explanation for these developments, but, nevertheless, her book constitutes a vehement indictment of the EUs criminal refugee policy and deserves a wide readership.
Leon Trotsky at his desk in Prinkipo

On August 20, 2023, Trotskys four-year exile in Turkey from 1929 to 1933 will be honored at an event on Prinkipo, an island in the Sea of Marmara off the coast of Istanbul. Trotsky took refuge on Prinkipo following his expulsion from the Soviet Union by the Stalinist regime.

The event is titled An Island at the Center of World History: Trotsky on Prinkipo. The principal speakers will be David North, chairman of the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site; Ulas Atesci, a leading member of Sosyalist Esitlik Grubu [Socialist Equality Group] in Turkey; and Eric London, an editorial board member of the WSWS, who has written extensively on the assassination of Leon Trotsky. Professor Mehmet O. Alkan, the chairman of the History Foundation in Turkey, will moderate the event.

The commemoration is sponsored by the Prinkipo (Adalar) Municipality, led by Mayor Erdem Gul. Prior to his election in 2019, Gul established a reputation as a principled journalist. In November 2015, when he was the Ankara representative of the daily Cumhuriyet, Gul was arrested and jailed for three months, along with the newspapers Editor-in-Chief Can Dundar, for reporting on the so-called MIT trucks. The story pertained to the discovery of weapons believed to be destined for Islamist jihadist forces in Syria in trucks belonging to the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) that were stopped in the southern Turkish provinces of Hatay and Adana in January 2014.

The meeting coincides with the 90th anniversary of Trotskys departure from Prinkipo in July 1933 and falls exactly on the 83rd anniversary of his assassination in August 1940.

David North, who has played a leading role in the international Trotskyist movement for almost a half-century, stressed the historical significance of the commemoration, telling the WSWS:

The four years spent by Leon Trotsky on Prinkipo were among the most consequential, not only in his own life, but also in the history of the twentieth century. He arrived in Turkey in February 1929, several months before the outbreak of the world economic crisis that precipitated the political upheavals of the 1930s. Trotsky left Turkey several months after the rise to power of Hitler in Germany, the most serious defeat ever inflicted on the working class. Despite the remoteness of Prinkipo from the great political centers of Europe and North America, Trotskys political analyses of the major events of the period were without equal. No one understood more clearly, or wrote so passionately, on the danger posed by the growth of Hitlers Nazi movement. Had Trotskys warnings been heeded by the mass working class parties in Germany, the world would have been spared the catastrophe of World War II.

North also called attention to the fact that Trotsky, even as he wrote prolifically on contemporary political and social events, managed to write other important works.

Notwithstanding his intense engagement with the events of the day, Trotsky wrote his autobiography My Life and The History of the Russian Revolution. Both works are acknowledged masterpieces of 20th century literature. But the most important of Trotskys actions while on the island of Prinkipo occurred shortly before his departure. In July 1933, Trotsky issued his call for the building of the Fourth International. That action, provoked by the betrayals of Stalinism, ensured the survival of the international socialist movement.

North expressed his appreciation of the decision of Mayor Gul and the Prinkipo Municipality to host the event.

I believe the decision to sponsor this event reflects a serious attitude toward history and an understanding of the great and enduring significance of the work carried out by Trotsky during the four critical years of his stay on Prinkipo. Between 1929 and 1933, it was truly an island at the center of world history. This is a magnificent chapter in the history of Prinkipo for which it shall forever be honored.

Ulas Atesci, who is the editor of Mehring Yaynclk, which publishes Trotskyist literature in Turkey, told the WSWS: This event on Prinkipo, which had the privilege to host this great Marxist revolutionary during the first years of his exile from the USSR, has an international and historical significance. The ideas of Trotsky, who was assassinated 83 years ago as an arch-enemy of the imperialist powers and the Stalinist bureaucracy, are becoming more and more important in a world shaken by crises and hurtling towards a global war.

Atesci welcomed the participation of Professor Alkan as the moderator of the event. Professor Alkan has a long and distinguished career as a scholar. He is currently the head of the Division of Political History at Istanbul University, has published more than 300 articles and wrote or edited over 20 books. Among these works are The History of the Turkish Working Class from the Tanzimat Era to the Present 1839-2014; 150th Anniversary of Das Kapital, 1917: Revolution in Russia and The Republic: A Centenary Evaluation.

One of the villas on Prinkipo where Trotsky lived still exists, but it is in extreme disrepair. North expressed the hope that the holding of the meeting will lead to its full restoration. The house where Trotsky lived is a major historical site, North told the WSWS. It should be restored to pristine condition and serve as a center for the study of the life of a monumental figure in the history of the 20th century whose work remains the foundation of the contemporary world socialist movement.

The public event will be streamed live to allow viewing by an international audience. Details will be posted on the World Socialist Web Site as they become available.
Ford workers demonstrate after the announcement of the closure of the Saarlouis plant, June 22, 2022

Dear colleagues,

The factory meeting at Ford Motor Companys plant in Saarlouis, Germany, one week ago was such an obvious fraud that only one conclusion can be drawn: We must withdraw the mandate from the IG Metall union and the works council led by Markus Thal and take up the fight for our interests ourselves. If we do not take action now, we will pay a heavy price!

We are being lied to and shamelessly cheated. For more than a year we have been left in the dark about what will happen to us when production of the Focus model comes to an end. This has to stop right now!

We demand:

No work without clarity about the future. For the immediate initiation of a strike ballot together with preparation for a strike and occupation of the factory!

An end to the cover-up by disclosing the identity of the alleged interested investor company. Its workers are our allies.

The full, permanent employment of all 3,850 remaining workers at the current collective bargaining conditions of the metal and electrical industry in North Rhine-Westphalia up to 2032 and beyond, not just 2,500 workers or possibly even 1,000. No transfer to other companies!

The works council and IG Metall want to prevent industrial action at all costs. This is the meaning of the ridiculous graphic Scenarios for Ford Saarlouis which has been circulating in the factory for a few days.

In the style of a childrens book, IG Metall praises the so-called investor process as option 1 and vehemently rejects option 2, industrial action. The graphic could just as well have come from the office of Ford Managing Director Martin Sander, who has repeatedly warned against unrest in the factory and industrial action on the grounds it would scare off potential investors.

The fact that the IGM and the works council are now openly opposing industrial action adds a new dimension to the sellout. Until now, Thal & Co. combined their groveling to company managers with the announcement that if management did not present a viable perspective for the future industrial action would be unavoidable.

Of course, this has always been a liejust like the claim that concessions and social cuts would secure jobs. The opposite is the case. In 2018 there were 7,000 employees, now we are down to 4,500, andvery likely following the investment processin two years we will be 2,500, if that.

Thal bragged threateningly in the past that if there was no future perspective for us, Ford would be confronted with the most expensive plant closure in history. In fact Thal, Michel and his cronies in the works council, along with Degranges and Kohlinger from IG Metall, are working to guarantee Ford the cheapest plant closure in history.

What they have in mind is clear. They want to keep us in the dark as long as possible and play us off against each other, stoking fears while gradually shutting down the plant. One only has to recall the liquidation of Neue Halberg Guss (NHG), where years of stalling tactics by IG Metall ultimately led to the closure of the plant. In March 2020, the last remaining 1,000 steelworkers were laid offwith no money left for severance pay.

A former temporary worker at the Ford plant in Wulfrath also warned us: Our works council used the same tactics. They sold us out. The Wulfrath plant was sold off on several occasions beginning in 2000. Finally, Knorr-Bremse ended up with what was left of the factory. We were temporary workers and later fixed-term employees, the former colleague reported. On 11 occasions our employment contracts were extended. When the plant finally closed we didnt get a cent.

The investment process is the road to gradual closure

At the works meeting, a pompous PowerPoint presentation was meant to disguise the many unanswered questions:

The letter of intent allegedly signed by an interested party is absolutely non-binding. Every condition can be withdrawn without consequences for the signatories. That this is the case is confirmed by the mystery surrounding the ominous investor. If there is a letter of intent, what does it say?

The state government and Ford have promised the investor money to invest at the Saarlouis site. According to Thal, the investor plans to inspect the factory sometime before September and take it over by the end of the year. Will he also take over the production facilities or just the site? What are we, i.e., those left at the end of the process, to produce? Will it still have anything to do with the car industry?

The 1,000 jobs promised by Ford are offset against the much acclaimed total of 2,500 jobs to be retained. Currently we are a workforce of about 4,500. This year 650 are leaving via severance payments, and 80 have signed contracts for partial retirement (this figure was missing in the presentation). That leaves about 3,850 colleagues, of whom only 2,500, if any, will transfer to the new company after June 30, 2025.

What happens to the 1,350 colleagues who go home empty-handed? The presentation only referred to further plans. It declared that the works council has concluded a company agreement for these colleagues, but what exactly was agreed? The head of the IGM district, Kohlinger, told the press that severance pay, qualification measures and possibly the establishment of a transfer company were being discussed.

It is said that the investor intends to pay the wage scales agreed by IGM. For the 1,000 workers covered by the company agreement with Ford, this is the IGM wage scale for North Rhine-Westphalia, which currently applies to all of us. But what about the other 1,500 colleagues? Will they also receive the NRW wage or perhaps the Saarland IGM wage? Because that means about 5 percent less pay for long-serving workers. Who among us will receive the conditions promised by Ford? And who will be hired on the investors conditions?

IG Metall is deliberately organising this division to keep us quiet and leave us at the mercy of the new investor. This is central to the unions strategy to suppress any industrial action.

Two reasons play an important role in the strategy of the union and works council apparatus of functionaries, a strategy to prevent a struggle to defend the factory and all jobs.

The first is the development of war and the insane military build-up whose costs are being imposed on the working class through austerity measures and social cuts. The trade unions support this war policy and try to suppress any labour struggle because they fear that it could quickly be linked to a struggle against war and militarism.

The second reason is our proximity to France. Some of us live and have family in the neighbouring country where strikes and street battles prevail. We are all closely following the struggles taking place against the hated Macron government and its brutal pension cuts, which have been going on for months. Our sympathies are with the French workers, and we believe the time has come for us to fight together.

This is exactly what IG Metall and its Thal works council want to prevent. They fear that a strike at our Ford plant will coincide with the strikes in France and become the trigger for a broad strike movement throughout Europe and internationally. There is growing resistance everywhere. In Britain, a wave of strikes by postal, rail, public service, education and health workers has been going on for months. In Spain, workers in many sectors are striking on the eve of new elections. In Portugal and Italy, but also in the Czech Republic and Romania, strikes against mass dismissals and government austerity measures are increasing.

We have also shown that we want to fight and there have been repeated protests and work stoppages since the last factory meeting. Last Wednesday, when a ballot was cancelled, the final assembly crew went over to the body shop to confront the factorys leading shop stewards. They were unavailable, however, and it was left to junior shop stewards to appease the angry workers.

It is now time to fight: against Ford, against IG Metall and against their works council!

That is why we demand, in addition to what we have already mentioned above:

Reject all attempts to split the workforce! Send delegations of trustworthy colleagues to prepare a joint action with our colleagues in Cologne, where production of the Fiesta model is being stopped and one wave of cost cuts follows the other.

Such a delegation of trustworthy colleagues should also go to Valencia in Spain, where almost 1,200 jobs are being cut and wages are being reduced, and where the works council under Jose Luis Parra of the UGT is brutally attacking the internal opposition.

In addition, the delegation should visit our colleagues in the industrial park, who are to be dismissed with meagre severance pay and who, like us, are being held back by the union.

Contact us and help build the Ford Action Committee. Contact us via WhatsApp at the number +491633378340 or fill out our contact form below.
What is your view on the ballot outcome and the CWUs betrayal of the year-long struggle of postal workers? Submit your response in the form below the article.

In the aftermath of ballot results announced Tuesday to accept the Communication Workers Unions (CWU) national agreement with Royal Mail, the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) has received an influx of write-ins from postal workers across the UK.

Workers wrote to WSWS in response to its article, CWU imposes historic betrayal of postal workers as Royal Mail agreement accepted, which resonated with an angry and defiant mood against the sellout engineered by CWU leaders Dave Ward and Andy Furey.

The picket line outside Royal Mail House in Cambridge

Postal workers rejected the lie that Tuesdays result was the outcome of a democratic process and that the yes vote represented overwhelming endorsement for the pro-company Business Recovery, Transformation and Growth Agreement. Many pointed to the CWU leaderships overturn of strike mandates, exposing the bureaucracys contempt for the democratic rights of members.

Workers explained the national agreement betrays everything we fought for, while preserving the CWU bureaucracys topflight salaries and partnership with Royal Mail.

There is widespread reporting of mass resignations from the CWU, as it turns back the clock on all workers hard-won rights, establishing a benchmark for Amazon-style sweatshop conditions.

The Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee will be commenting further on how the defiant stand of workers can be turned into a collective mobilisation to defeat the CWUs line-up with Royal Mail.

Royal Mail workers speak out:

Cleveland and Redcar, North Yorkshire: This gives the management the green light to put in place everything they have tried for in years, with the added bonus of having the union on side. The worst day for the workers since the Miners strike.

Gloucester: Ward/Furey/Webb at no point have you truly represented individuals in the Postal Service, as it seems you've fought only to maintain your ties to the RM Management Table. Your comment, that this is No time to leave the Union! sounds like the demands of a Ponzi Pyramid Scheme seeking to maintain its subscription level, and topflight salaries, without thinking about the crumbs were left to swallow. Release control of the union. You command no further respect.

Southampton, Hampshire: I am a postal worker, and the unions have betrayed us and everything we fought for crossing every red line. What did we strike for, all for nothing? The sacrifice we made for what? The sick pay, later starts and all the other things. They said this job was not worth doing in the future if we agreed to their demands. Even our local CWU rep is embarrassed to be in the union. We did not even get a strike fund, and yet they took weekly CWU membership deductions from our wages. Today I cancelled my CWU membership out of disgust.

Hull, East Yorkshire and Humberside: What a total whitewash by the CWU. Ward/Furey must go. Lined their own pockets and stabbed the work force in the back for their own means. Time for all workers to cancel their subscriptions, this union is thinking of themselves. I am absolutely disgusted in the betrayal by Ward and Furey. Just found out two people are running for CEO of Royal Mail: Dave Ward /Andy Furey, votes already taken place. Ward/Furey sharing post and running CWU, or as now known non-communication workers union. Back stabbers, both a pair of selfish b*******.

Bellshill, Scotland: Disgusting betrayal by the CWU.

Glasgow: Angry but not surprised by the ballot result. The surrender document that Ward holds so dear will come back and haunt him. At a time when non-unionised workers are looking to organise and fight for decent conditions and pay, Ward and his overpaid sidekicks are throwing away rights won by previous generations. Their names will live on in ignominy.

Perth: Terrible decision, you watch the changes escalate by Christmas. Well be working all hours, total sham, yes voters youre in for a shock. See the union are pleased with themselves, must be thousands of members ready to leave, not surprised. Start a new union, couldnt be any worse. The DPD and Amazon drivers you see at 8 oclock on Saturday and Sunday nights, thats now us. Well done morons sold your soul for a grand.

Greater Manchester: Royal Mail will consider 900 a person a bribe well worth paying, especially as it also further motivates the managers enforced with overseeing all the cost cutting on the front line who now also get a little bonus; and they got the union hierarchy to convince us to vote for a payout for these lackeys. Cant wait for those who voted yes, after repeated promises from Royal Mail of no changes until March 2024, to start moaning about working 30 hours for free this Autumn. Their social media posts were the online equivalent of the 350 million to the NHS Brexit bus. No changes was a deliberate lie put out by Royal Mail and not once challenged by the CWU. If the true horrors of the deal were fully explained the vote may not have gone the way they wanted. CWU chose to endorse this deal because they had no Plan B. Neither did Royal Mail. This was for them Plan A, at worst Plan A-. They got if not everything they wanted, at least progress in all areas and much closer to their wishes, than our needs. And the bribe cost them 50 as 900 is offset by 850 in free unpaid overtime this Christmas.

Northumberland: Regardless of the vote, Im working my contracted hours. 39 Winter, 35 Summer, and 37 whenever thats supposed to be. Its summer now and we cant cope on 37 hours and are expected to do two hours less. Well so be it. Cut off times it will be. And to be polite as I can... They can f*** their flex time. They get no more sweat out of me other than those actually contracted.

Cardiff: Its terrible at Royal Mail!! How do we get rid of the CWU and have a new union?

Berkshire: I work in a Delivery Office, we have only 14 deliveries. Every day we only have 12 postmen to cover. We have had an extra hour to an hour and a half delivery from 3 deliveries taken out in the revision. We are continually told to concentrate on Tracks [tracked parcels] and specials. Tracks are not even included in the USO! Every day most deliveries have more than half of the mail undelivered. I have now left the CWU, their complete cave-in to Royal Mail was disgusting. I still want to know what they have done with the strike fund!

Blackburn, Lancashire: Im shocked a deal was even considered until every one of our work colleagues sacked or suspended were given back their jobs unconditionally. These are people whose lives have been turned upside down and we should be out representing them as they did us. The whole deal is a sham and the end of Royal Mail. It is also the end of my membership with the CWU. I wont be giving them another penny of my hard-earned pittance. R.I.P Royal Mail.

The Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee is holding a Zoom meeting on Sunday July 23 to discuss the outcome of the ballot and the way forward for postal workers. All rank-and-file workers are invited to register and attend.
The Australian Labor government is carrying out a crackdown on social media aimed at limiting the ability to discuss social and political issues free from state interference and censorship.

On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, a judge prohibited several federal agencies and officials of the Biden administration from working with social media companies about protected speech.

Late last month, Labor unveiled draft legislation that would greatly increase the regulation of content on social media. Under the bill, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), a federal regulatory body, will be granted sweeping powers to demand that social media corporations remove material deemed to be misinformation or disinformation.

Failure by the companies to delete material after instruction from the ACMA could result in massive fines of up to $2.75 million or 2 percent of global turnover, whichever is the larger.

The bill will thus create two interrelated streams of censorship. The social media corporations will have a direct financial interest in limiting controversial material that could come to the attention of the ACMA on their platforms. Meanwhile, the ACMA will be provided with significant powers and resources to trawl through social media postings and determine whether they can remain viewable or must be excised from the internet.

As with similar anti-democratic measures being carried out internationally, this is a clear attack on oppositional views, especially of a left-wing or socialist character.

Labor is pursuing its crackdown under conditions of mounting social and political opposition. There is growing anger among workers and youth over a rapidly deepening social crisis. The steepest increases to the cost-of-living in decades are being accompanied by real wage cuts, on top of decades of attacks on workers living and social conditions.

In a number of countries, these global processes have already produced major social upheavals, such as in France and Sri Lanka. Social media has played an important role in a number of these struggles, providing ordinary people with a means of communicating and organising, outside the control of the corporatised trade unions and other official institutions.

At the same time, the censorship is directed against anti-war sentiment. Australia, under Labor, is on the frontlines of advanced US preparations for war against China. It is also an active supporter of the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, underscored by Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses attendance at a war planning NATO summit in Lithuania this week.

This militarist program, promoted by the corporate media and all the parliamentary parties, will provoke increasing opposition as workers and youth become more aware of its disastrous implications. As in the 20th century, the program of war is incompatible with democratic rights and requires major attacks on civil liberties. This is borne out by the draft legislation itself.

Misinformation is defined in extraordinarily vague terms. According to the legislation, it is material that is false, misleading or deceptive, whose content is provided on the digital service to one or more end-users in Australia and is reasonably likely to cause or contribute to serious harm.

Disinformation is defined in almost identical terms, but includes the proviso that the person disseminating, or causing the dissemination of, the content intends that the content deceive another person. Thus it is a more serious offense than misinformation which also involves spreading information deemed to be false, but doing so unintentionally and without any aim of misleading others.

The sweeping character of the legislation is underscored by its definition of harm.

Among other things, the proposed laws declare harm to be any purportedly incorrect information that could cause a disruption of public order or society in Australia, that could do harm to the integrity of Australian democratic processes or of Commonwealth, State, Territory or local government institutions, and cause economic or financial harm to Australians, the Australian economy or a sector of the Australian economy.

These amount to what are essentially sedition offenses. The state, its institutions, the capitalist social order and specific corporate sectors are to be protected from information that threatens their interests with the blunt instrument of censorship.

It is entirely conceivable, for instance, that those who expose the lies and pretexts for Australias role in the US war drive against China, for instance, will be accused of causing harm to the military and public order.

In addition, the government and all government bodies are explicitly exempted from the misinformation and disinformation regulations. So is so-called professional news content, i.e., that produced by the corporate media, the state-funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation and their international equivalents. These are the very entities pushing disinformation in the form of an endless stream of pro-war propaganda.

A guidance note accompanying the draft legislation includes an eclectic series of examples of potential misinformation and disinformation.

Misinformation undermining the impartiality of an Australian electoral management body ahead of an election or a referendum, one example states. The wording is vague. But the implication is clear. Criticism and exposure of government institutions can be declared illegitimate.

In a cynical attempt to dress up the legislation, it is being framed as an attempt to protect the population from such things as false medical information. One example in the guidance note refers to misinformation that caused people to ingest or inject bleach products to treat a viral infectionan obvious reference to the Trump inspired far-right.

Governments, however, played the central role in spreading deliberately false information about the COVID-19 pandemic. Driven by the demands of business, they resorted to misinformation and outright lies to justify their homicidal let it rip policy with dire public health consequences.

When the economy was being reopened in December 2021, the federal governments Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly declared that the rapid spread of the Omicron variant throughout the population would be a Christmas present to him. This was linked to disinformation claiming that Omicron was mild, and its transmission would result in heightened immunity. As a direct consequence of these falsifications, more than 20,000 Australians died of COVID last year, and many more became seriously ill.

Government spokespeople have denied or downplayed the airborne transmission of the virus, falsely claimed that children are not severely impacted and incorrectly asserted that COVID is unlikely to be spread in schools.

The lies about the pandemic to subordinate health and lives to profit interests parallel the pro-war propaganda that is being churned out by the governments and the media. The aggressive US-led confrontation with China, for instance, aimed at ensuring American global hegemony, is fraudulently presented as a defence of stability and the post-World War II international rules-based order in which Washington set the rules.

These falsifications recall one of the greatest pieces of disinformation this century. In 2003, governments in the US, Britain and Australia claimed that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. This lie was used to justify an illegal war for oil and geo-strategic dominance that claimed up to a million lives.

Censorship of social media, while sometimes presented as a crackdown on right-wing misinformation, is inevitably targeted at the left and socialists, and ultimately at the oppositional sentiments that are emerging among workers and young people amid an enormous social crisis, an unending pandemic and the growing danger of a world war.

In 2017, in close consultation with the US government, Google developed new algorithms aimed at suppressing access to alternative news sites and directing traffic to authoritative sources, i.e., those that toed the line of the American state.

As a consequence, search referrals from Google to the World Socialist Web Site declined by almost 70 percent. Similar falls were registered across a number of other anti-war and left-wing sites, including Julian Assanges publication, WikiLeaks.

Now the Australian government is preparing to make deeper inroads into basic democratic rights and take the censorship of social media another step further.
Attorneys for the fascist ex-president Donald Trump filed a motion Monday night seeking an indefinite postponement of his trial on charges of taking top secret documents on his way out of the White House and refusing requests from the National Archives to return them.

He faces 37 felony counts, most of them under the 1917 Espionage Act, in the first federal criminal case ever brought against a former US president. His personal aide Walt Nauta faces criminal charges as well, related to his moving boxes of documents, under instructions from Trump, to hide them from federal agents seeking to retrieve them.

The legal motion seeks a postponement of the trial, which South Florida Federal District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee and political supporter, initially set for next month. Staff attorneys for Special Counsel Jack Smith have sought a December 11 date for the opening of the trial, so that it can be completed before the primary season in the contest for the Republican presidential nomination. Cannon will preside over the first pretrial hearing on the case on July 18.

Trumps attorneys openly argued on the basis of his political standing, rather than citing compelling legal reasons for the delay. They presented the case as a political attack by the Biden White House on the likely Republican presidential nominee, calling it a prosecution advanced by the administration of a sitting president against his chief political rival, himself a leading candidate for the presidency of the United States.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at his Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Bedminster, New Jersey. [AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey]

Representing an ex-president who sought to overthrow the US Constitution and retain power despite being defeated in the 2020 elections, Trumps lawyers nonetheless declared, This extraordinary case presents a serious challenge to both the fact and perception of our American democracy.

President Trump is running for president of the United States and is currently the likely Republican Party nominee, they wrote. This undertaking requires a tremendous amount of time and energy, and that effort will continue until the election on Nov. 5, 2024.

There is simply no question any trial of this action during the pendency of a presidential election will impact both the outcome of that election, they continued, and, importantly, the ability of the defendants to obtain a fair trial.

By that rationale, any trial for Trump would be delayed until after the 2024 election. If Trump wins the election and returns to power, he could immediately dismiss Smith and shut down the entire special counsels office. The New York Times claimed: Some of the former presidents advisers have been blunt in private conversations that he is looking to winning the election as a solution to his legal problems.

In one of the few substantive legal points raised in the motion, Trumps lawyers cited the time required to review 833,450 pages of documents turned over in response to their initial discovery request. Additional evidence was likely to be forthcoming, as they filed additional discovery motions once they began to review the first batch of material.

In general, the defendants believe there should simply be no secret evidence, nor any facts concealed from public view relative to the prosecution of a leading presidential candidate by his political opponent, the lawyers wrote. Our democracy demands no less than full transparency.

That language is particularly cynical coming from an ex-president who green-lighted the persecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, oversaw his arrest at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, and then approved the filing of a Justice Department extradition request that has kept Assange locked up in Belmarsh prison, Britains Guantanamo, for more than four years.

Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to reporters Friday, June 9, 2023, in Washington. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon]

Special Counsel Smith is also investigating far more politically significant charges relating to the violent attack on Congress on January 6, 2021. That attack was carried out by a right-wing mob of Trump supporters, summoned to Washington by Trump and spearheaded by fascist thugs from militia groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. Any prosecution of Trump for charges linked to the assault on Capitol Hill would be in federal court in Washington DC.

The pace of that investigation appears to have stepped up in recent months, and it is expected that Smiths office will decide whether to bring criminal charges against Trump and his co-conspirators before the summer is out. There is enormous pressure on Smith from all sides in the capitalist political establishment to avoid a prosecution that would potentially raise questions about the role of key state institutions like the military and the FBI in permitting or even facilitating the attack on the Capitol.

Trump faces an array of charges in Georgia and New York state as well. On Monday, a regular grand jury was empaneled in Atlanta, the first step in the likely prosecution of Trump on state charges relating to his efforts to steal Georgias electoral votes in the 2020 election.

Fulton County (Atlanta) District Attorney Fani Willis has already conducted an investigation using a special grand jury, which had subpoena powers but not the power to indict. That grand jury recommended criminal charges be brought against multiple, unnamed figures in the Trump campaign, believed to include all those who agreed to be false Trump electors and had their names submitted to Congress as though they had been elected by Georgia voters.

It is not known whether those who organized the fake elector scheme, including Trump attorney and former mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, will be indicted, but Giuliani has been told he is a target of Williss investigation. Trump too could be charged, both in relation to the fake electors and for his telephone appeal to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find enough votes for Trump to overcome the margin of 11,779 votes by which Democrat Joe Biden won the state.

The first court case facing Trump is a civil trial in October over fraud charges brought by New York state Attorney General Letitia James against the Trump Organization, the business entity that the ex-president controls. A Manhattan district attorney investigation into the filing of false financial reports by the Trump Organization led to the indictment and guilty pleas of lower-ranking corporate officers, but not Trump, last year. The state civil case covers much of the same territory.

Trump also faces criminal charges of falsifying business records related to hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels made during the 2016 elections. Former Trump fixer Michael Cohen, who went to prison for his role in various Trump scams, served as the conduit for the payments to Daniels and is now the main witness against him. That criminal trial is currently scheduled for March 2024.

Trump also faces a civil suit by retired magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll, who filed a civil case last year in which she charged Trump with sexual assault and defamation. The sexual assault took place 30 years ago, long past the statute of limitations, while the defamation took place in 2019, when Trump denied Carrolls account of the violent assault and engaged in one of his typical vitriolic personal attacks on her.

Carroll was awarded $5 million, but the jury did not uphold her claim of rape, only of the lesser charge of sexual assault. Neither charge required proof beyond a reasonable doubt, since this was a civil case seeking damages, not a criminal prosecution.

Trump has since engaged in further vituperation against Carroll, and a Manhattan judge has allowed Carroll to file a lawsuit alleging additional acts of defamation by Trump since he lost the first civil case. The federal Department of Justice, which had previously defended Trump against the defamation charge, claiming his statements were made in his capacity as president, announced Monday it would pull out of the new case.

The result, partly as a result of Trumps own refusal to curb his public statements, is that he could be facing as many as five legal proceedings in four states while simultaneously conducting campaigns in the presidential primaries and then in the general election.
Canadas record-breaking wildfire season continues to grow and at a shocking pace. As of July 12, fires have engulfed nearly 10 million hectares (100,000 square kilometers), a combined area which dwarfs the province of New Brunswick (72,908 square kilometers) or, to provide a US comparison, the state of Maine (79,883 sq. km.). With more than two months still to go in the countrys fire season, the area burned has already outstripped the fire season of 1989, the previous worst on record, when 7.5 million hectares were consumed by flames.

As of July 5 there were 432 active fires across Canada, with 80 deemed to be uncontrolled. Campfires have been banned in British Columbia since Monday as fires broke out across the central Cariboo region.

Fires have raged across the country since early May, approximately two months before wildfire season typically begins. Unusually dry weather saw fires erupt in Nova Scotia at the end of May, destroying several rural suburbs of Halifax. Firefighters from around the world along with members of the Canadian Armed Forces have been mobilized to fight fires, including those that erupted across Alberta in early June, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes.

The 2023 fire season, which is expected to continue to rage from Quebec to British Columbia to the typically mild North, is being fueled by the impacts of capitalist induced climate change. These include extremely high temperatures and dryer-than-average conditions, which create the conditions for lightning strikes to spark more fires and for man-made fires to spread out of control more easily.

Record breaking heat being experienced in Canadas northern Northwest Territories is creating prime conditions for the eruption of fires in the sub-arctic region. The first nine days of July saw 17 Territorial temperature records shattered. Saturday saw the hottest temperature ever measured in the Western Hemisphere above the 65th parallel when the mercury in Norman Wells hit 37.9 Celsius (100.2 Fahrenheit).

Immense fires sparked by lightning in central Quebec have sent toxic smoke pouring across Canada and far into the United States, impacting the health of tens of millions, including in Toronto, Montreal, New York City, Chicago and other large urban centers. While governments have advised the elderly and medically vulnerable to stay inside on the worst days, workers have suffered in smoke-filled factories and been forced to breathe extremely unhealthy air on outdoor worksites.

A recent assessment by the Stanford Environmental Change and Human Outcomes (ECHO) Lab found that 2023 is already the worst year on record for cumulative fine particle smoke (PM2.5) exposure, with the average American experiencing a cumulative 400 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Unusually, most of this exposure has been from the Canadian fires, as the US fire season has yet to begin in earnest. The ECHO Lab has recorded a significant increase in smoke exposure since 2019, with the rate more than doubling.

One quarter of Canadians reported in late June that they had been impacted by the wildfires, either directly by the flames or indirectly by smoke.

The World Health Organization reports that indoor and outdoor air pollution is one of the leading killers annually globally, contributing to the premature deaths of 4.2 million people in 2019.

With the Canadian parliament in recess until September, recent weeks have seen little response from the political establishment to the devastating fire season and the clear impact which climate change is having on millions of peoples lives. Outside of floating the possibility of establishing a national fire service, there have been no moves to address the root causes of the record-breaking fire season.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has made climate change a focus of his election campaigns, was nonchalant when asked about his governments response to the fires in early June. With the given projections, it is expected that we have enough resources to cover the summer, Trudeau told reporters. If things get worse, were developing contingency plans and we will of course make sure that we are there  to ensure that all Canadians are protected right through this summer.

Meanwhile, the leader of the opposition Conservatives, Pierre Poilievre, has dismissed talk about the fires and climate change as a distraction. He has instead continued to advocate for the elimination of the so-called carbon tax to allow the oil corporations and big business to pollute with impunity. Implemented by Trudeaus government in 2018 with the promise that it would reduce the carbon emissions that drive climate change, the measure has repeatedly fallen short of its already inadequate goals.

With the world experiencing record-breaking heat this year across North America to Asia and Europe, and other effects like flash flooding becoming more frequent, it is apparent that climate change is a global problem and that there will therefore be no solution found on the national level or within the confines of the capitalist nation-state system. Only a movement of the working class united internationally and armed with the latest science will be able to confront the growing catastrophe being wrought by climate change in Canada and around the world.
The declaration adopted this week by the heads of state and government of the 31 NATO members in Vilnius, Lithuania is a blueprint for global war. Only a fraction of the 24-page document deals with the central issue of the summit, the war in Ukraine. In the rest, NATO declares its intention to impose its will on the entire world. Hardly any continent and region are left out in what the document calls NATOs 360-degree approach.

The focus of the initial portions of the document is on the conflict with Russia. The Putin government is denounced in language that rules out from the outset any solution to the Ukraine war at the negotiating table. There can be no impunity for its war crimes, and all those responsible must be held accountable, NATO demands. A precondition for peace is Russias complete and unconditional withdrawal. In language directed at Putin, it states, In light of its hostile policies and actions, we cannot consider Russia to be our partner.

Much of the media commentary has focused on the fact that, while the communique asserts that Ukraines future is in NATO, it does not lay out a specific timeline for membership, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for. Instead, it states that Ukrainian membership will happen at some future date, when Allies agree and conditions are met.

For tactical reasons, the major NATO powers, particularly the US and Germany, decided that now is not the time for formal Ukrainian membership, which would trigger Article 5 and deprive the Biden administration of the politically useful fiction that the United States is not at war with Russia. Moreover, it leaves the door open for Poland or other NATO members to deploy, with US approval, troops inside Ukraine without committing the entire alliance to a formal declaration of war.

The maintenance of the legal ambiguity does not mean that NATO is not enormously escalating the war, with Ukraine being endlessly supplied with military and financial support to continue fighting and bleed Russia white.

The new communique declares that Ukraines path to full Euro-Atlantic integration has moved beyond the need for the Membership Action Plan established in 2008, because Ukraine has become increasingly interoperable and politically integrated with the Alliance.

It adds, We remain steadfast in our commitment to further step up political and practical support to Ukraine as it continues to defend its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and will continue our support for as long as it takes.

The US, Germany and other NATO countries pledged further substantial military assistance to Ukraine. The G-7 countrieswho were all present in Vilnius, including Japan, which is not a NATO memberpledged extensive assistance to Ukraine in a separate agreement, including the supply of state-of-the-art weapons.

Having instigated the war over Ukraine, the US and NATO powers are utilizing it, at horrific cost to the Ukrainian people, to organize a vast and global military escalation. This applies first of all to the conflict with Russia itself, which is taking on a European-wide character.

Perhaps even more significant than the communique is the war plan, running a total of 4,000 pages, adopted at the conference, which details troop and weapons deployments throughout Eastern Europe. NATOs rapid reaction force will be increased from 40,000 to 300,000 soldiers. The communique refers to the plans to ensure timely reinforcement of all allies, in line with our 360-degree approach.  We have committed to fully resource and regularly exercise these plans to be prepared for high-intensity and multi-domain collective defence.

Since NATOs last summit in Madrid a year ago, it has laid a veritable siege ring around Russia. At that time, it invited Finland and Sweden to join and adopted a strategy paper that envisaged a massive increase in NATO troops in Eastern Europe and a significant increase in military spending.

The implementation of these decisions is now well advanced. Finland is a NATO member, and in Vilnius the last obstacles to Swedens accession were removed. As a result, the land border of NATO member states with Russia has more than doubled in size and has moved to within 150 kilometers of St. Petersburg. The Baltic Sea has become a NATO sea to which Russia has access only via a small corner in St. Petersburg and the besieged enclave of Kaliningrad.

The conflict with Russia is itself part of a blueprint for global domination.

A central focus of the communique is on China, which is accused of employing a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power. It is damaging the alliances security with malicious hybrid and cyber operations and confrontational rhetoric and disinformation, and is attempting to control key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, and strategic materials and supply chains.

The summit declaration declares that the deepening strategic partnership between the PRC and Russia and their mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut the rules-based international order run counter to our values and interests.

As with every document produced by the imperialist powers, the NATO communique is rife with hypocrisy. The US and European powers talk about defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity, when they themselves have launched wars of aggression in every corner of the globe. They insist on the absolute right of Ukraine to choose its strategic partnersthat is, to join NATObut deny that right to China and Russia. They insist on the right of NATO to provide unlimited arms to Ukraine but treat any military assistance to Russia as a veritable act of war.

When the document speaks of upholding a rules-based international order, this means an order in which every country must do the bidding of the imperialist powers, above all, the United States.

To this end, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been transformed into a Frankenstein monster that asserts its interests and values in every part of the globe. The Black Sea region is of strategic importance for the Alliance, the communique states. The Middle East and Africa are regions of strategic interests.  The Indo-Pacific is important for NATO.

On what map, one might ask, does the Middle East, let alone the Indo-Pacific, touch the shorelines of the North Atlantic?

Even in the Arctic, in outer space and in cyberspace, NATO wants to ensure security. A cyberattack can serve as a pretext for war: A single or cumulative set of malicious cyber activities could reach the level of armed attack and could lead the North Atlantic Council to invoke Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, on a case-by-case basis. Article 5 obligates all NATO members to provide assistance to a member under military attack.

Particularly ominous in the document are the repeated references to nuclear war, which has entered into the calculations of the imperialist war planners. We will individually and collectively deliver the full range of forces, capabilities, plans, resources, assets and infrastructure needed for deterrence and defence, including for high-intensity, multi-domain warfighting against nuclear-armed peer-competitors, it states. Accordingly, we will strengthen training and exercises that simulate conventional and, for Allies concerned, a nuclear dimension of a crisis or conflict, facilitating greater coherence between conventional and nuclear components of NATOs deterrence and defence posture across all domains and the entire spectrum of conflict.

The document exposes the political bankruptcy of the strategy of the Putin regime, which has pursued a policy aimed at putting pressure on the imperialist powers for security guarantees. But the US and European imperialist powers do not want compromise, they want world domination. Despite the obvious failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, the United States and NATO will do everything in their power to perpetuate the war no matter how many Ukrainians are killed. Russia has been drawn into a trap from which it can find no exit. The longer the conflict drags on, the greater the pressure on the Putin regime to either escalate or capitulate. Within the framework of the capitalist-based politics of the regime, there is no palatable middle ground to be found.

But the policies of NATO, as they find expression in the Vilnius Communique, have a thoroughly delusional and reckless character. The grandiose plans for world conquest and domination stem from the crisis of global capitalism. For more than 30 years, the US, supported by its European partners, has tried to make up for the decline of its economic dominance through military forcewith devastating consequences for Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and numerous other countries.

They have only one answer to the incompatibility of the social and international character of modern production, on the one hand, and private property and the nation-state, on which capitalism is based, on the other: the violent redivision of the world under their domination. This was already the cause of the First and Second World Wars.

The war plans of the imperialist powers will enormously escalate the growth of social conflict. The document pledges all the signatories to commit at least 2% of our Gross Domestic Product to war. However, it states, in many cases, expenditure beyond 2% of GDP will be needed in order to remedy existing shortfalls and meet the requirements across all domains arising from a more contested security order.

And who will pay for it? The escalation of war abroad is at the same time the escalation of the assault on the social programs, wages and jobs of the vast majority of the population, the working class.

The summit participants are well aware of this. Throughout the document, there are veiled references to internal conflict. It refers to the need to boost our national and collective ability to ensure continuity of government, enable civil support to military operations and promote societal resilience. The document even refers to the possibility of using Article 5 against domestic opponents of governmentsnon-state actorswho target our political institutions, our critical infrastructure, our societies, our democratic systems, our economies, and the security of our citizens.

NATOs claim to impose its will on the whole world, as formulated in the Vilnius summit document, borders on madness. But it is the madness of a ruling class with its back against the wall. For all their saber-rattling and threats, the members of NATO held their summit in Vilnius under conditions of extreme crisis. The ruling elites of the major imperialist powers are trying desperately to hold everything together, including between themselves and within their own governments. Above all, they confront growing social opposition in the working class.

The end of war will come only through the fusing of the developing struggles of the working class with opposition to imperialism. The objective conditions for such a movement are developing rapidly. This year has already seen mass protests and strikes in the US, France, Germany, the UK and all the major capitalist countries. All the governments overseeing the escalation of war are despised, and there is massive latent opposition to war in the international working class.

The task is to make this objective movement politically conscious, to develop within the working class an understanding of the need to connect the fight against inequality and exploitation with the fight against imperialist war and the capitalist nation-state system. We urge all those who agree with this perspective to join and build the International Committee of the Fourth International and its sections, the Socialist Equality Parties.
FTC Chair Lina Khan goes before the House Judiciary Committee following a number of high-profile antitrust cases against tech giants

FTC Chair Lina Khan defended her approach to antitrust enforcement Thursday during a contentious Washington hearing where one Republican referred to her as a "bully" and another said her leadership of the agency had been a "disaster."

Lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee spent much of the day questioning Khan about the legal basis for the FTCs recent antitrust actions that targeted past and pending mergers among tech giants, hospitals, pharmaceutical firms, and grocery chain companies.

The hearing was prompted in part by the FTCs investigation of Twitter, which is examining whether the social media company was in compliance with a consent order to safeguard sensitive user data. But the proceedings turned into a broader forum on Khan's track record of lawsuits.

Chair Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, called her leadership of the FTC a "disaster." Rep. Darrell Issa, a California Republican, called her a "bully" and said her view is that "every merger somehow has to be bad for the company and good for the consumer."

Rep. Kevin Kiley, a California Republican, pointed out that the FTC had proposed a 37% budget increase from its $430 million fiscal year budget in 2023 despite losing four of four Khan-led merger challenges, and then asked: "Why should Americans have faith in your judgment?"

Khan said she brings cases only where the agency has determined laws have been violated, and "unfortunately things don't always go our way."

Lina Khan, chair of the Federal Trade Commission. (Graeme Jennings/Pool via AP)

'Why are you losing so much?'

The hearing comes just two days after a federal judge dealt a blow to the FTCs lawsuit to block Microsoft's (MSFT) $69 billion acquisition of video game developer Activision Blizzard (ATVI).

In an order responding to the FTCs request for an injunction in the Microsoft case, the judge said the commission didnt make its case to show that the deal should be stopped from closing while the suit proceeds.

The FTC has filed an appeal to the ruling with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Were disappointed that the FTC is continuing to pursue what has become a demonstrably weak case, and we will oppose further efforts to delay the ability to move forward, Microsoft president Brad Smith said in a statement.

At Thursday's hearing, Kiley asked if the FTC's court losses are a strategy to signal Congress that antitrust laws need updating.

"Why are you losing so much?" he said.

"We fight hard when we believe there is a law violation," Khan said. "When we get an adverse ruling, our teams look closely at the text of opinion and see if there are errors on matters of law that warrant an appeal."

Microsoft is trying to acquire video game company Activision Blizzard. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Republican lawmakers also accused Khan of violating ethics rules in its cases against Facebook parent company Meta (META) by refusing to recuse herself from evaluating the transactions. Khan denied the claim, saying she adhered to ethics rules.

In February, a federal judge ruled against the FTC in favor of Meta in the agencys lawsuit to block the company from acquiring virtual reality company Within.

In a separate antitrust suit seeking to undo Meta's acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp, a federal judge said the FTC could file an amended complaint to move forward with its originally dismissed case.

'Amazon's antitrust paradox'

There may be more high-profile antitrust and consumer protection cases in the making at the Khan-led FTC. On Thursday, The Washington Post reported that the FTC has launched an expansive investigation into ChatGPT maker OpenAI.

The investigation reportedly revolves around whether OpenAI is doing enough to prevent ChatGPT from making false or disparaging remarks about real-world individuals.

Though Khan said she could not comment on non-public information, she said as a general matter, some of the concerns the agency is seeing in the AI space is that ChatGPT and other generative AI services are being fed a huge trove of data with "no checks on what type of data is being inserted."

"And weve heard about reports where peoples sensitive information is showing up in response to an inquiry from somebody else. We've heard about libel, defamatory statements, flatly untrue things that are emerging," she said.

Amazon (AMZN) is another company under scrutiny. In June, the FTC claimed in a lawsuit that the way the company operates its Prime subscription service violates consumer protection laws.

The agency is also expected to file a complaint against Amazon alleging that Amazon.com favors third-party sellers who use its Amazon Logistics services to ship and fulfill orders.

Ahead of the hearing, Big Tech industry group NetChoice issued a statement criticizing Khan and calling on Congress to restore accountability to the FTC. Yahoo Finance's parent company, Yahoo, is a member of NetChoice.

"Chair Khan is frustrated because she is bound by American antitrust law, which requires her to use facts and evidence, rather than her own ideology about how the U.S. economy should operate," the group said in a statement.

Khan, who was appointed as chair of the FTC at just 32 years old, made waves with her 2017 article for the Yale Law Journal titled "Amazon's Antitrust Paradox."

In the piece, Khan argued that the nation's current antitrust laws aren't capable of tackling the tech industry's anticompetitive behavior and that they need to be rethought to bring Big Tech companies to heel.

Khan found support among both Democrats and Republicans during her confirmation hearing for the FTC, especially from Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington, herself a critic of Big Tech and a member of the House Antitrust Committee.

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on Twitter @alexiskweed.

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Sri Lankan standup comic Natasha Edirisooriya was released on 100,000-rupee ($US320) bail in Colombo on July 5, following the intervention of a high court judge. She was arrested on May 28 at Katunayaka International Airport and spent more than one month in remand prison after being accused of having defamed Buddhism during her performance on the Modabhimanaya (Fools Pride) comedy program in April.

Sri Lankan comedienne Natasha Edirisooriya [Photo: Facebook]

Several Buddhist monks and Sinhala extremists initiated a virulent chauvinist campaign against Edirisooriya, demanding that she be severely punished for insulting Lord Buddha following her April performance.

The Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs and several monks then lodged a formal complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police, calling for her arrest under section 3 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act. Presented to parliament in 2007 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama under President Mahinda Rajapakses government, the ICCPR has always been used against political dissidents.

As the World Socialist Web Site explained in a June 11 article calling for the comedians immediate release, Edirisooriyas arrest was a direct attack on basic democratic rights, including the right to the freedom of speech. Its purpose was to whip up communalist sentiment and divert the growing popular anger against the Wickremesinghe governments brutal austerity policies.

While reactionary Buddhist elements and sections of the media desperately attempted to stir up wider communal sentiment, their efforts were not successful. Instead, Edirisooriyas arrest created a significant public backlash and international opposition.

Hours before bail was granted on July 5, Colombo Fort magistrate Thilina Gamage ordered the comedian to be further remanded till July 12. He was overruled later that day by High Court Judge Aditya Patabendige in response to a petition filed on Edirisooriyas behalf.

Magistrate Gamage rejected a previous bail application for Edirisooriya on June 21, while granting bail to social media activist Bruno Divakara, also arrested for abettingi.e., publishing the comics video on his YouTube channel.

Gamage claimed that Edirisooriya deliberately defamed Lord Buddha and that the crime in her comedy cannot be diminished. He also referred to Sri Lankas constitution, which, he said, awarded primacy to Buddhism, and that therefore, Lord Buddhas name was defamed (by Edirisooriya).

Addressing the media on June 21, Manoj Gamage, a lawyer for a Buddhist monk petitioner, praised the magistrate courts denial of bail as a great judgment and denounced those calling for the separation of religion and the state. These remarks, and of those of Magistrate Gamage, underscore the deep connections between Sri Lankas political establishment and the state apparatus, including judiciary, with Sinhala-Buddhist chauvinism.

The establishment of Buddhism as the priority religion in the 1972 constitution, along with Sinhala as the official language in 1956, were part of the efforts of the ruling class to divide and weaken the working class on communal lines. The separation of religion from state is a fundamental democratic principle.

In his 12-page bail order overruling the Fort magistrates ruling, Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendi said the ICCPR had to be interpreted within freedom of speech and expression.

He ruled that no evidence has been established [that the audience for Edirisooriyas comic routine] had engaged in any hostility or violence in relation to the target group or against the target group which is Buddhists

[I]t is not the task of the investigator to arrest a person, just because of a complaint made by a Buddhist monk or influential person, he added.

While these limited points have some validity, it would be a mistake to present the High Court as a defender of democratic rights. Edirisooriya has been bailed out but there is no guarantee that she will not be found guilty and prosecuted on the concocted allegations hurled against her.

The High Court decision to overrule the magistrates court indicates that a section of the ruling class and the establishment want to avoid international criticism and political pressure.



Local and international human rights organisations, including Amnesty International South Asia, raised concerns over Edirisooriyas arrest and demanded her immediate release and withdrawal of all charges. Amnesty said the ICCPR act has been used time and time again to restrict freedom of expression.

UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif critically highlighted the arrest of Edirisooriya during the ongoing 53rd session of the Human Rights Council. The past months have unfortunately witnessed the old reflex of using draconian laws to curtail opposition and control civic space, with a heavy-handed approach to protest too often, including the arrest of protest leaders and forceful crowd control measures, as well as the persistent use of the military in police functions, she said.



UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly T. Clements warned that a full report on human rights in Sri Lanka would be presented at the council 54th session to be held between September 11 and October 13 this year.

Imperialist countries led by the US have in the past used grave violations of human rights in Sri Lanka as political leverage to pressure Colombo to break economic and political links with China. These powers have no concern for the democratic rights of the Sri Lankan people but cynically use it to pursue their own strategic interests.

Undoubtedly, the government has taken the UN representatives remarks as a warning of another tough resolution against human rights violations could be brought at the next Human Rights Council session.

The Colombo High Court, moreover, has been closely associated with a number of anti-democratic attacks during the AprilJuly protests in 2022 and justified the arrest of thousands of anti-government protesters. It has also endorsed the arrest of writer Shakthika Sathkumara and others accused of defaming Buddhism. Likewise, the courts have issued numerous orders prohibiting strikes and protests by workers.

On July 4, journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara was summoned to the CID to record a statement regarding a comment he made during a press conference on May 29 opposing the arrest of Edirisooriya.

Communalist campaigns by Sinhala-Buddhist extremists have been encouraged by President Wickremesinghe and his government. Just as Edirisooriya was arrested, Wickremesinghe advised his minister of public security to establish a special police unit to investigate into and act on persons or groups that disrupt religious harmony.

Joining this chauvinist campaign, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) general secretary Tilvin Silva told a press conference that Edirisooriya had no right to hurt the religious beliefs that are being embodied within hearts of people and such actions do not come under the freedom of expression. Silva denounced the comedian for paving the way for the world to defame our country.

This was echoed the same day by Pubudu Jayagoda, propaganda secretary of the pseudo-left Frontline Socialist Party (FSP). He told that the media that Edirisooriyas comic routine was an attack on cultural and religious beliefs of the people who suffering from various issues. Buddhists thoughts have been hurt. He claimed the comic was among those who wanted to divide the masses who had united in the last year mass uprising.

Sri Lanka workers cannot rely on capitalist institutions such as the courts to defend their democratic rights. There is no constituency among any faction of bourgeoisie or among their pseudo-left hangers-on that defends democratic rights.

In line with the ruling elites internationally, the Sri Lankan capitalist class is intensifying its attacks on democratic rights and taking steps towards dictatorial forms of rule. The working class can only defend its basic democratic rights by breaking from every faction of capitalist class and mobilising its independent political strength in the fight on the basis of a socialist program to abolish capitalist system. Its ally in this political struggle is the international working class.
On Wednesday, 22-year-old neo-Nazi Matthew Jason Beddingfield of Smithfield, North Carolina was sentenced to three years and two months in prison after he pled guilty earlier this year to assaulting police officers with a flagpole during the mob attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. As part of the plea deal, several felony charges against Beddingfield were dropped, reducing his potential sentence significantly.



Surveillance and civilian video from the day of the failed coup shows Beddingfield at the front of Trumps fascist mob, jabbing and striking police with his flagpole, beginning shortly after 1 p.m. on the West Plaza of the Capitol. Additional footage shows Beddingfield giving a Hitler salute before breaking into the Capitol.

Beddingfield giving a Nazi salute outside the Capitol (red square). [Photo: U.S. Department of Justice]

One photograph that prosecutors included in their pretrial affidavit identified Beddingfield standing behind convicted Three Percenter Robert Gieswein during the attack. Gieswein was sentenced to four years in prison for assaulting police with chemical spray earlier this year. Prior to storming the Capitol with the Proud Boys, Gieswein was photographed with other right-wing militia members and Colorado Republican Representative Lauren Boebert, in front of her now-defunct restaurant, Shooters.

Matthew Beddingfield, (red square) behind Three Percenter Robert Giewswein during the storming of the Capitol on January 6. [Photo: U.S. Department of Justice]

The same affidavit that features a photograph of Beddingfield and Gieswein also includes photographs posted on the Facebook account of Matthews father, Jason Beddingfield. Jason captioned a series of images posted on January 6, 2021 from Washington D.C. WE ARE HERE TO TAKE THIS COUNTRY BACK FROM THOSE COMMIE BASTARDS.



Jason Beddingfield with his son Matthew in Washington DC for the "Million MAGA March," November 2020. [Photo: U.S. Department of Justice]

At the time Matthew Beddingfield participated in the coup, the then 20-year-old was on pretrial release after he had been arrested and charged for attempted murder in December 2019. According to police warrants, a then 19-year-old Beddingfield shot a 17-year-old Hispanic teenager, Hoctavio Garcia, in the head while in a Walmart parking lot in Smithfield after a drug transaction turned into a robbery. Miraculously, Garcia survived the encounter.



Despite the fact that Beddingfield was publicly identified as a violent brawler in the coup in a March 26, 2021 report for the Huffington Post by Ryan Reilly and Jesselyn Cook, he was not arrested for actions until nearly a year later, on February 7, 2022.



In August 2021, more than seven months after the coup, Beddingfield pled guilty to reduced charges in the shooting of the teenager. Despite pleading guilty to felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflicting serious injury Beddingfield faced no prison time, and was instead sentenced to 24 months of probation. The fact that Beddingfield had been identified as a violent insurrectionist did not stop the court from imposing this derisory sentence.



In their February 2022 arrest affidavit, FBI agents confirmed that not only did both father and son participate in the coup together, both Beddingfields had previously traveled to the Washington D.C. to participate in the Million MAGA March, on November 14, 2020. The march served as a practice run for the attack on Congress and a nexus for Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and other militia elements to finalize plans with high level Trump cronies such as Roger Stone and Michael Flynn.



During their search of Beddingfields car, FBI agents claim they found three books in his possession: Hitler: The Path to Power, by Charles Braclene Flood; The Third Reich at War: The Full Story of the Rise and Fall of the Most Awesome Military Machine the World Had Ever Known, edited by Michael Veranov; and The Hitler Book: The Secret Dossier Prepared for Stalin from the Interrogations of Hitlers Personal Aides, edited by Henrik Eberle and Mattias Uhl.



As part of his bond conditions for the attempted murder charge, Beddingfield was not supposed to be on social media. However, in keeping with their hands off approach towards the violent neo-Nazi, police did not enforce this in any manner. Following his arrest, police discovered that Beddingfield maintained multiple accounts across several social media platforms, writing frequently under the name rightwingdissident.



Under his accounts Beddingfield harassed and intimated his political enemies, writing in one instance, Heil Hitler, youre a n*gger lover thats why you have monkey lives matter in your bio.



Attacking an LGBTQ+ account on Instagram, prosecutors say Beddingfield wrote Dont be duped into the belief that this is normal ... things like this usually signify the fall of an empire and a decline in morality. The last place these things happened at was in Weimar Germany then you know what came next. He later added, You have no values and the only tragedy that happened was that Hitler didnt finish the job.



In their search of Beddingfields smartphone, FBI agents said they found highly offensive and deeply troubling hate symbols and hate speech. Beddingfield appears to harbor deep resentment towards the Black, Hispanic, Native American and LGBTQ+ communities while glorifying white supremacist figures, beliefs, language, and ideologies.



Beddingfield unabashedly expresses his wish that members of those groups meet a violent end and in others he expresses a desire to inflict said violence or death on the same. Some of the images found on Beddingfields cell phone include, but are not limited to images of SS Bolts, swastikas (sometimes with hate language superimposed over the swastikas four arms), numerous images and memes featuring Hitler, and other anti-Semitic, anti-Black, and anti-LGBTQ+ memes and caricatures.



In a search of Beddingfields apartment, FBI agents reported finding thousands of rounds of .22 caliber ammunition  even though he was a convicted felon. In addition to the ammunition, police recovered, four long guns including two AK-style rifles, four handguns and additional ammunition.



That this neo-Nazi was able to amass an arsenal and participate in Trumps coup while on bond for attempted murder, underscores the real two-tier justice system that exists in America. For over two years, Trump and his Republican co-conspirators have whined that they are being unfairly persecuted by the FBI, which did nothing to prevent the attack, and the Department of Justice.



These claims disintegrate in the face of the actual consequences Trump and his high-level co-conspirators have faced. While more than 1,000 people have been charged in the attack, more than two and half years later, neither Attorney General Merrick Garland, nor Special Counsel Jack Smith have leveled any charges against any of the principal organizers and inspirers of the coup, from Trump, to Mark Meadows, to Virginia and Clarence Thomas.



While ruling class criminals go free, since Trumps failed coup, thousands of working class and poor people have been shot and killed by police and border guards. In Georgia, 42 people protesting the construction of Cop City and the murder of environmental activist Manuel Tortuguita Paez Teran are facing trumped up domestic terrorism charges; a charge that has not been leveled against a single January 6 fascist.
On Tuesday, the estate of anti-fascist activist Michael Reinoehl filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the US government, the state of Washington and law enforcement officers involved in the execution of the 48-year-old father of two on the evening of September 3, 2020, in Lacey, a suburb of Olympia, Washington.

Police walk past evidence markers at a scene on Thursday, September 3, 2020, in Lacey, Washington, where Michael Reinoehl, 48, was killed by a federal task force. [Credit: AP Photo/Ted Warren]

The lawsuit says the defendants violated Reinoehls Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable seizure. The filing names the US government, the state of Washington, Pierce County, the city of Lakewood and the four officers, who fired 40 rounds during the failed arrest attempt: Pierce County Sheriffs Deputies James Oleole and Craig Gocha, Lakewood Police Officer Michael Merrill and Washington State Department of Corrections Officer Jacob Whitehurst.

Reinoehl was shot by deputized federal agentsmembers of the Pacific Northwest Fugitive Apprehension Task Force based out of Tacomahours after he was charged with murder in the death of Trump supporter and right-wing vigilante Aaron Jay Danielson at a protest in Portland, Oregon, six days earlier.

As explained by the World Socialist Web Site at the time, the killing of Reinoehl was a state-sanctioned execution, which had the support of then-President Donald Trump, his Attorney General William Barr and the US Justice Department.

Minutes before Rienoehl was gunned down in a hail of bullets outside of a Lacey apartment building where he had sought refuge, Trump tweeted an implicit order to kill him, writing, Do your job, and do it fast. Everybody knows who this thug is.

For his part, Attorney General Barr issued a statement following the second-degree murder charge, which said that locating Reinoehl was an unmistakable demonstration that the United States will be governed by law, not violent mobs.

Reinoehl had been an active participant in the protests against police violence that had erupted in Portland following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police Officer Derrick Chauvin in late May 2020. In the nightly protests, which lasted from May to October, demonstrators were being repeatedly assaulted by police in riot gear with tear gas and other weapons.

During the summer months, the federal government deployed law enforcement brigades that included unmarked vehicles and unidentified officers seizing protesters and transporting them to unknown locations, which turned out to be federal government facilities in the area.

Reinoehl was a vocal opponent of racism and fascism and, while he stated that he was not a member of any organization, had expressed sympathy for the positions of Antifa. One of his primary activities at the protests was to provide security and, according to one participant, he would frequently be involved in breaking up fights between protesters and right-wing counter-demonstrators.

On the morning of the day he was killed, Reinoehl gave an interview to VICE News acknowledging he killed Danielson in self-defense. Reinoehl stated, I had no choice.  I could have sat there and watched them kill a friend of mine of color. But I wasnt going to do that.

Michael Forest Reinoehl

Reinoehl also said in the interview that he had not turned himself in to police because he believed they were working with far-right groups and that he would not be safe after being apprehended. He said, Theyre out hunting me. Theres nightly posts of the hunt and where theyre going to be hunting. They made a post saying the deer are going to feel lucky this year because its open season on Michael right now.

Danielson was a member of Patriot Prayer, a far-right organization that organized a caravan of pickup trucks to Portland for the purpose of initiating physical confrontations with anti-police violence protesters. The shooting of Danielson was a direct byproduct of this provocation.

In hunting down and murdering Reinoehl, the US Marshals task force acted as judge, jury and executioner even though law enforcement officials were well aware that he said he acted in self-defense.

In the lawsuit, the attorneys representing Reinoehls estate wrote, The actions of the officers, before, during, and after the shooting, show that they either had no plan to arrest the man without injury, made no effort to follow such a plan, or planned to use deadly force from the start.

It also states, Meanwhile, the officers sprayed more than 40 bullets through the neighborhood, killing (Reinoehl), grazing a child playing nearby, and striking cars, fences, backyard playground equipment, buildings, and residences.

Based on police records obtained by Olympia Public Broadcasting (OPB), Officers Oleole and Merrill made the decision to move in as Reinoehl walked from the apartment to his car in the parking lot. According to the lawsuit, Oleole and Merrill accelerated their vehicles toward Reinoehls car, followed by Officer Gocha in a different police vehicle.

Witnesses reported that the police vehicles had no emergency lights on. The lawsuit says that witnesses thought they were caught in a road rage incident or gang shooting, and Reinoehl, who had been targeted for death by far-right and fascist groups, had no way of knowing who was firing at him.

One witness reported to OPB that the officers appeared as buff white men dressed in khakis and ballistic vests and armed with rifles and said they looked more like right-wing militia than law enforcement officers. The lawyers said the officers claimed in their statements after the shooting that Reinoehls facial expression made it clear that he knew they were police rather than right-wing vigilantes.

The official investigator who managed the case said Oleole, Merrill, Gocha and Whitehurst fired 40 rounds, hitting Reinoehl five times. Other police rounds hit nearby vehicles, went through backyard fences to homes, and one went through the wall of a neighboring apartment.

Even though the police have maintained that Reinoehl fired at them first, investigators found a .380 -caliber casing inside his car but never found a round or were able to determine if he had fired his handgun. The investigation showed that Reinoehl had a loaded .380 pistol in his right front pocket when he was killed.

The lawsuit says Reinoehl never got the pistol from his pocket, and there was no round in the chamber, meaning he never fired it. Police investigators insist absurdly that Reinoehl pulled the gun from his pocket, fired one round, then put it back in his pocket in about 15 seconds while he was being fatally shot.

The lawsuit states, From the perspective of a reasonable person in Reinoehls shoes, the aggressive driving, sudden and unprovoked shooting, and physical appearance of the individual defendants was indistinguishable from the armed and violent far-right extremists who Reinoehl feared had recently shot up his home (while his children were inside) and made true threats against his life.

The attorneys also reported in an accompanying press release that, after Reinoehl was murdered, the officers involved were not separated and had more than 10 days to consult with each other before giving any statements to investigators.

The lawsuit is seeking compensation for Reinoehls pre-death pain and suffering, the violation of his civil rights and the emotional damages inflicted on his children.
Bank of America was ordered to pay more than $100 million to customers for 'double-dipping' junk fees and denying rewards bonuses.

Hundreds of thousands of Bank of America customers who were charged insufficient fund fees multiple times for a single transaction are set to receive refunds, the federal government said on July 11.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) have fined Bank of America $250 million for illegally charging junk fees, withholding credit card rewards and opening fake accounts.

Of that amount, Bank of America must pay a total of $80.40 million for its former practice of repeatedly charging customers a $35 fee for insufficient funds on the same transaction and after the initial charge. The practice resulted in Bank of America generating hundreds of millions of dollars from the fees, which substantially harmed consumers, the CFPB said.

The government found that from September 2018 to February 2022 customers were charged each time merchants re-submitted a transaction that the bank had already declined. The bank was not fined for any initial insufficient funds charges, however.

Current bank customers will be reimbursed by direct deposit to their accounts for the specific overdraft fees they were charged. Former bank customers will be sent paper checks, a bank spokesperson told Kiplinger. He did not specify a timeline for the reimbursement.

The refund will correspond to the amount charged. So, if a customer asked a call center representative to reduce the fee to, for example, $10, then the customer would be refunded that $10, the spokesperson said. In May 2022, the bank reduced its overdraft fees to $10, from $35.

In a statement, Bank of America said that it voluntarily reduced overdraft fees and eliminated all non-sufficient fund fees in the first half of 2022. As a result of these industry-leading changes, revenue from these fees has dropped more than 90 percent, it added.

Study Reveals the Most Trusted Banks

Calling the practice a double-dipping scheme to harvest junk fees, the CFPB said that Bank of America harmed hundreds of thousands of consumers over several years and across multiple product lines and services.

Bank of America has previously paid about $23 million to customers for denial of promised rewards bonuses. Tens of thousands of these consumers signed up for credit cards on the expectation they would receive special offers of cash and points, but the bank failed to honor in-person or over-the-phone applications, the CFPB said. The bank also denied sign-up bonuses to consumers due to the failure of its business processes and systems, the agency added.

The bank is also charged with misusing sensitive customer information to open unauthorized fake accounts, starting from at least 2012. The CFPB said the bank ran a now-disbanded, sales goals and incentives program, and that employees illegally applied for and enrolled customers in credit card accounts without their knowledge or authorization. Those actions led to consumers being charged unjustified fees and may have resulted in a negative impact on their credit scores .

As part of the total fine, the bank must pay the CFPB a $60 million penalty for repeatedly charging insufficient fund fees and $30 million for credit card rewards bad practices and for opening unauthorized accounts. Bank of America is also to pay the OCC a $60 million penalty for double-dipping fee practices.

These practices are illegal and undermine customer trust, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a statement. He added that the agency will put an end to such practices across the banking system.
(Bloomberg) -- Bank of America Corp. won a Texas citys bond deal on Wednesday, a sign that the nations largest municipal underwriter plans to revive its public-finance business in the state after an absence of almost two years.

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The bank won a $161 million offering in a competitive auction by the city of Frisco, its first time to handle a deal for a Texas city or local government since a GOP-backed law related to the firearms industry took effect in September 2021, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The bank suspended its work in the state late that year after the enactment of the law, which restricted Texas governments work with companies that discriminate against firearm entities.

Bank of America doesnt lend to companies that make assault-style guns used for non-military purposes. The banks law firm sent a letter to the Texas Attorney Generals Office in May saying that the bank believes it complies with the 2021 measure and that it intends to resume working with public clients in Texas.

Its unclear whether Bank of America has gotten a nod from the Attorney Generals Office, which oversees bond sales in the state. Austin Kinghorn, Texas associate deputy attorney general for legal counsel, sent the banks law firm dozens of questions about its gun industry policies in a June 26 letter.

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Erin Mynatt, a spokesperson for Frisco, said in an emailed statement that the city received seven bids from banks on the sale. Bank of America offered a true interest cost of 3.52%, whereas the next-closest bidder, JPMorgan Chase & Co., offered a true interest cost of 3.57%, according to the city. Bank of America provided a deposit, so if it cant close on the bonds the city can keep the money, according to Mynatts statement.

We are aware that BoA has follow-up questions with the state attorney general to address concerns, Friscos statement said. We plan to close the sale quickly and do have their good faith check, but we are not concerned.

A spokesperson for Bank of America said the company didnt have an immediate comment. The Texas Attorney Generals Office didnt respond to an email and phone call requesting comment.

In May, the bank underwrote an offering by a Texas municipal utility district, which provide utility services.

A law firm representing Bank of America previously said in a letter to the attorney generals office that the bank can provide written verifications that it complies with the law.

BoA serves companies and associations involved with the firearms industry, the letter said. BoAs risk-based framework does not discriminate against, or prevent BoA from doing business with, any firearm entity or firearm trade association based solely on its status as a firearm entity or firearm trade association without a traditional business purpose.

Related: BofAs Return to Texas Muni Market Stalled by More Gun Questions

(Adds citys comment in fifth, sixth paragraphs, details on prior Texas debt sale in eighth.)

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ST. PETERSBURG  Doug Maddox stood at the lectern on Memorial Day to emphasize the importance of honoring and respecting those who served in Americas wars.

Maddox, director of Bay Pines National Cemetery, said that for himself, his staff and his volunteers, every day is like Memorial Day.

A crowd of hundreds watched as Maddox gave his speech, most of them unaware that he had recently been transferred to another cemetery pending an investigation into his leadership.

My team lays to rest veterans, or family of those veterans, providing them the respect and dignity they so richly deserve, he told the crowd. We can never underestimate or over-appreciate the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families.

Two female employees watching him speak that day told the Tampa Bay Times they couldnt believe that he was invited to the event after they had both filed complaints against him alleging sexual harassment  concerns that were echoed by the employees union. Both women are veterans.

One of the women said Maddox, her boss, had bullied employees and made demeaning comments about women. She filed a federal complaint almost a year ago, she said. She declined to share further details about the case.

An email sent by the union that represents government workers obtained through a Freedom of Information Act confirms that Maddox was reassigned pending an investigation.

Its awful, its stressful, its humiliating, the woman said after attending the Memorial Day event at Bay Pines. She requested not to be named out of fear of retaliation.

Maddox, 62, also made inappropriate comments to women who were making plans to bury their husbands, the employee said. She said she witnessed Maddox flirt with multiple grieving women, including telling one widow: I can tell you took your vitamins today.

When a grieving family approached him about an issue at the cemetery, she said Maddox told them, Ive never had so many women come at me at once.

The woman said she was upset that Maddox was invited to speak at the event even though he had been transferred to the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on April 26 pending the investigation. The two cemeteries are part of the National Cemetery Administration, an arm of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

I think the team was doing really well without him here, but it caused a lot of anxiety just to have him come back, the woman told the Times.

When reached by phone on June 7, Maddox initially said he was unaware of the allegations against him and his transfer to Bushnell. When asked if that was his statement for the record, he said, Im just saying, I normally dont make a comment on anything pertaining to myself or anybody else.

Maddox referred the Times to Ricardo Da Silva, director of communications for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration. Da Silva said that the agency cannot comment on personnel actions or investigations but is committed to ensuring a safe, welcoming, and harassment-free environment for all Veterans, employees, and visitors.

The federal agencys website states that it takes all reports of harassment seriously and will investigate and take appropriate action.

Times reporters on May 31 requested copies of any complaints filed against Maddox and emails between him and Kirk Leopard, executive director of the Florida National Cemetery. The documents had not been provided as of press time.

A second female employee filed a sexual harassment report against Maddox with the human resources office in March, she said. She also requested not to be named.

What I can say is that there are issues, that I did file a report, and yes, he makes me feel really uncomfortable, she said.

She said she could not share further details about the claim due to ongoing mediation.

Both of the Bay Pines employees are represented by the American Federation of Government Employees Local 548. Union executive vice president Austin Peterson said he cannot comment on an ongoing investigation.

But after the Memorial day event, the union complained that Maddox was allowed to take part while he is the subject of an ongoing investigation. His presence put him in close proximity with the employees who had reported him, according to email exchanges.

The complaint was made in a June 1 email to Leopard, who is also Maddoxs boss. The name of the union official who sent it was redacted but it includes the unions logo in the signature.

In the email, union officials said they have instructed their members to file new charges of harassment, discrimination and retaliation.

By allowing this, they felt unprotected by leadership. This is appalling! the email states about Maddox speaking at the event. Mr. Leopard, our confidence in your leadership has thus far faded.

Maddox joined Bay Pines in August 2020 after serving about two years as assistant funeral director at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, according to his Linkedin.com page.

He attended U.S. Army Command and General Staff College for three years through 1999. After leaving the military, he earned a masters degree in leadership from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2017.

Accusations of harassment have been made against other Bay Pines executives in the past.

In 2017, Chalea Weeks, who worked in the social work department of Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, filed federal complaints that she and other female employees were being bullied and harassed by supervisors. She was later fired for being disruptive.

A request for a copy of her complaint was denied by Veterans Administration Office of Policy, Compliance & Oversight, which stated that personnel complaints are considered private.

Twenty-five days after the Memorial Day event, a Times reporter traveled to Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

Maddox turned up for work in the morning at the main office. He said he could not comment.
(Bloomberg) -- BlackRock Inc. and KKR & Co. are nearing a deal to sell their multibillion-dollar stake in Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.s oil pipeline network to local sovereign wealth fund ADQ, people with knowledge of the matter said.

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The private equity firms are set to divest the combined 40% holding in Adnoc Oil Pipelines to Abu Dhabis ADQ as early as this week, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential information. The stake is set to fetch more than $4 billion including debt, the people said.

ADQ, chaired by influential royal family member Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is keen to make long-term investments in domestic infrastructure, some of the people said. BlackRock and KKR bought the stake in Adnoc Oil Pipelines four years ago in what was the first investment by foreign asset managers in the infrastructure of a state-owned oil producer in the Middle East.

Adnoc further reduced its stake in Adnoc Oil to around 51% later in 2019 after selling shares to Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions & Benefits Fund and Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC Pte. Adnoc Oil has leases on 18 pipelines and the Abu Dhabi state oil firm continues to manage the pipelines, according to a statement that year.

Any agreement would add to a flurry of potential deals by Abu Dhabi. Adnoc and Austrias OMV AG are exploring a combination of Borouge Plc and Borealis AG to create a chemicals and plastics company worth more than $30 billion, Bloomberg News reported this month. The energy group is also pursuing a $12 billion takeover of German polymers producer Covestro AG.

Representatives for Adnoc, ADQ, BlackRock and KKR declined to comment.

Strategic Assets

Adnoc, which pumps almost all the oil in OPEC member United Arab Emirates, plans to invest $150 billion to expand production capacity for crude, natural gas and chemicals. Its also investing in low-carbon energy.

Bloomberg News reported in March that BlackRock and KKR were exploring options including bringing in new backers for their investment in the oil pipeline network.

Private equity firms continue to invest in oil and gas assets even as the world shifts toward greener forms of energy.

Last year, BlackRock Inc. assured Texas it was committed to helping clients invest in the energy industry, rebutting suggestions the firm boycotts fossil-fuel companies through its advocacy for sustainable investing. The worlds largest asset manager was also among those that in October told UK politicians they had no intention of halting the financing on new fossil-fuel supplies. KKR, meanwhile, merged its portfolio company Independence Energy with fellow explorer Contango Oil & Gas Co. in 2021 in what the groups said was a prelude to more share-oil deals.

ADQ was created in 2018 and is Abu Dhabis newest wealth fund. Its one of the 20 biggest sovereign funds in the world with about $157 billion of assets, according to data provider Global SWF.

The firm acts as a holding company for many of the emirates strategic assets including Etihad Airways as well as Abu Dhabis airport and stock exchange operator. It has invested in top Middle East hypermarket chain Lulu Group and has become more active overseas, buying a stake in agriculture trader Louis Dreyfus Co. and making forays into Egypt.

--With assistance from Nicolas Parasie.

(Adds detail on KKR deal in 10th paragraph.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- BRF SA, Brazils biggest poultry producer, has raised 5.4 billion reais ($1.1 billion) in a share offering that lured investors including Saudi Arabias state-owned fund Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Co.

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The company said it sold 500 million new shares at 9 reais apiece, a 5.7% discount to Thursdays closing price, confirming an earlier Bloomberg report. An additional allotment of 100 million new shares was also sold.

The deal, Brazils biggest equity offering so far this year, also drew interest from beef producer Marfrig Global Foods SA. Salic bought 180 million shares, while Marfrig scooped up roughly 200 million shares, maintaining its stake in BRF at around 33%, according to a regulatory filing.

Salics investment marks the latest in a series of moves by Saudi Arabia to secure food supplies and also diversify its economy. The fund has purchased stakes in companies from Singapore-based agricultural trader Olam Agri Holdings to Indian rice producer LT Foods Ltd.

Read More: Saudi Arabia Is Snapping Up Stakes in Top Global Food Makers

For Marcos Molina dos Santos, the meat tycoon who founded Marfrig about two decades ago, the transaction was an opportunity for him to take another step toward the combination of the protein producers, which he called sister companies in an interview with Bloomberg News earlier this year.

BRF, one of the worlds biggest poultry exporters, is selling assets to reduce leverage amid a business overhaul that started after Molina became its biggest investor. The share sale will accelerate attempts to reduce its net debt, which stood at 15.3 billion reais as of last March.

After the deal, the companys net debt-to-adjusted Ebitda ratio may drop to 2.2 times, down from 3.4 times in the first quarter, Lucror Analytics credit analyst Josseline Jenssen wrote in a note, reaffirming a buy recommendation for the companys dollar bonds.

BRFs notes due in 2030 gained about 2 cents to 85 cents on the dollar, while the companys stock fell as much as 6% in Sao Paulo Friday.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. was the leading coordinator for the transaction. Other underwriters were Banco Bradesco BBI, Banco BTG Pactual, Citigroup, Banco Itau BBA, Banco Safra, UBS BB and XP Investimentos.

--With assistance from Gerson Freitas Jr. and Lisa Wolfson.

(Updates with context on Saudi Arabia throughout the story and adds market move in eighth paragraph.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
A tourist complained that traveling to the Amalfi Coast was difficult (tourist not pictured). Olha Gubachova/Getty Images

A woman has drawn flak on TikTok for comparing traveling to the Amalfi Coast to "manual labor."

Lexi Jordan described having to travel by plane, train, and ferry to visit the Italian coastline.

But critics roasted her preparation; at least one wrote that "watching tik toks" wasn't enough.

An American tourist compared visiting the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy to "literal manual labor"  and people on TikTok aren't happy about it.

Lexi Jordan, a woman from Denver who vlogs about her travels and lifestyle, posted a video on TikTok criticizing content creators for showing only the positive aspects of visiting the Amalfi Coast while leaving out how they got there. The video, posted Tuesday, has almost 400,000 views and more than 32,000 comments.

"Every single influencer and TikToker who put the Amalfi Coast on my for-you page over the last two months deserves jail time," Jordan said in the video, adding that "it's impossible to get here."

The Amalfi Coast. leoks/Shutterstock

Jordan said traveling to the Amalfi Coast was complicated and went on to describe one way to get there: flying into Naples, a city in southwestern Italy, and then taking a train to Sorrento, a town that's about an hour away by car.

"Then you have to stand in 90-degree weather waiting on a ferry  to get on a ferry with all of your luggage," Jordan continued. She then suggested that the place she was filming from was inaccessible by car and required climbing up 160 stairs to reach.

At the end of the video, Jordan said: "All the power went out because the Amalfi Coast doesn't have the infrastructure to support this tourism."

Dozens of users on TikTok called Jordan out for not doing her research before traveling to Italy.

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"It's pretty common knowledge you should pack light in Europe and will be doing a lot of walking/stairs," one user wrote.

Another user commented: "Eh, I took a cab from Naples to the hotel. At $150 it was expensive but worth it. You need to do research outside watching tik toks lol."

But several people agreed with Jordan that traveling to the Amalfi Coast was difficult, with one user writing: "You're so brave for saying this, those steps in positano almost killed me. I contemplated skipping meals to avoid them."

Data from CEIC indicates some 50 million people visited Italy last year.

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy, with some 5 million people visiting each year, per a travel guide by U.S. News & World Report. The hashtag #amalficoast has over a billion views on TikTok, with tourists posting videos of their travels there nearly every day.

Jordan didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

Correction: July 13, 2023  An earlier version of this story incorrectly described the CEIC data. It indicated that about 50 million people visited Italy in 2022, not 2021.

Read the original article on Insider
Archaeologists think the Nessglyph carving contains a figure with four horns

Archaeologists have returned to dig on a hillside where they previously unearthed an unusual sandstone carving.

Named the Nessglyph, the discovery was made in January at Nesscliffe hill, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

The council-managed site contains remains of an Iron Age hillfort, which was later occupied by the Romans.

The stone carving, which has circular and straight lines carved into it, was discovered by archaeologists Dr Paul Reilly and Gary Lock.

The Nessglyph sandstone carving was discovered by Dr Paul Reilly in January

Dr Reilly, a visiting fellow at the University of Southampton, said it was "extremely rare" to find cut marks in carvings in Britain.

"That was terribly exciting for us," he said, speaking about the previous find. "But then we started looking at what did it mean?"

Archaeologists have returned to dig at the site on Nesscliffe hill, near Shrewsbury

The discovery attracted attention from experts in countries such as Australia, Brazil and Japan, after teams appealed for help to identify it.

"We literally were getting two dozen emails every day for nearly four months, from all around the world," Dr Reilly added.

He told BBC Radio Shropshire he believed the carving, which contains a figure with four horns, had possibly represented a "deity" dating back to the Pagan movement.

The excavation site is set to open to the public on Sunday, between 10:00 and 16:00 BST.

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk
Cineworld lenders have agreed to appoint Eduardo Acuna as CEO of the newly incorporated parent company of the group, the so-called NewCo, as of the effective date of the cinema giants plan of reorganization, the company said on Thursday.

The plan, developed after the exhibitors Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, was confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division on June 28. The plan calls for NewCo to become the sole owner of the company upon the emergence of Cineworld and certain of its subsidiaries from their Chapter 11 cases, which is currently expected to happen in July.

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The current Cineworld CEO is Moshe Mooky Greidinger.

Eric Foss has been selected to become chairman of the board of NewCo, the company previously unveiled. Cineworld understands that a selection process for the remaining members of the Newco board is ongoing, the company said on Thursday.

Eduardo is a seasoned executive with significant industry experience and a proven track record of driving growth and stakeholder value, said Foss. I am confident that under Eduardos leadership, Cineworld is well positioned to reach new heights and continue to grow its global business and further enhance its cinemas for guests around the world.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to chart Cineworlds new course, capitalize on its strong financial position and growth potential and continue to deliver groundbreaking cinema experiences for our guests, said Acuna. With audiences continuing to show how much they love the theater experience; this is an incredible time for Cineworld.

Acuna has served as president of Cinepolis Americas since 2015 and has worked at Cinepolis, the third-largest theatrical circuit in the world, since 2005. In his current role, he heads up all operations for Cinepolis in 11 countries across North America and South America. Previously, Acuna served as president and CEO of Cinepolis Brazi. Prior to Cinepolis, Acuna held positions at McKinsey & Co. in Mexico and Argentina, Goldman Sachs in New York, as well as the Bank of Mexico and Mexicos Ministry of Social Development. Acuna currently also serves on the board of Global Cinema Federation and The Cinema Foundation.

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OSHKOSH - The U.S. military will be represented in full force at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 as every branch is set to display notable aircraft at the week-long fly-in.

The 70th edition of the Experimental Aircraft Associations fly-in convention is July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport. Advance ticket and camping information is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure or call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322).

The Air Forces Air Education and Training Command will be the highlight of this years military representation. Its current lineup includes F-15s, a C-17 hospital, a V-22 Osprey and a C-130.

Spectators watch at a F-22 (left), A-10 (back), P-51 (front), and F-35 aircraft fly in formation at EAA AirVenture on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wis.

Air Education and Training Command is the oldest major command in the Air Force, having been established in January 1942. AETCs training mission makes it the first command to touch the lives of nearly every Air Force member. Over the years, more than 25 million students have graduated from AETC training and education programs.

NASA at AirVenture: Moon missions, unique aircraft part of NASAs presence at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023

Other military aircraft scheduled to be in attendance include the following, by branch:

Air Force: F-22 and C-130J

Army: CH-47, UH-60, MH-47, AH-6 and AH-64

Navy: F-18, P-3 and F-35C

Wisconsin Air National Guard: F-35A and KC-135R

Most of these aircraft will be on display at Boeing Plaza, the center aircraft display area of AirVenture.

Fly-In Theater & WomenVenture: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 brings Top Gun: Maverick, WomenVenture

This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 military planes include Air Force F-15s
AUSTIN, Texas  Elon Musk has formed a new company focused on artificial intelligence.

Musk, who also runs Tesla and SpaceX, announced the company's launch on Twitter Wednesday afternoon, saying the company, xAI, was formed to "understand reality."

The company is expected to work closely with Tesla and Twitter, which Musk also owns, according to xAI's website.

According to the companys website, the entity is considered separate from X Corp, but will work closely with Twitter, Tesla and other companies to make progress towards (its) mission.

Here's what we know so far about the newly announced venture from one of the world's richest people.

Komando: AI ChatGPT-powered smart toys are coming for the holidays. How to keep your kids safe.

What is xAI? What will it focus on?

The website provides little detail into the artificial intelligence companys goals but does say the team will answer questions on a Twitter Spaces on Friday, July 14.

The website also said the team includes alumni from Tesla, OpenAI and Microsoft, and lists a 12-person team, noting that team members have worked on AI including AlphaCode, Inception, GPT-3.5, GPT4, and Minerva.

Elon Musk, CEO of Austin-based Tesla is launching a new company focused on artificial intelligence called xAI.

In a tweet, Greg Yang, one of the co-founders said the company would work to "develop the 'theory of everything' for large neural networks" in order to take AI to the next level. His tweet also said the company will get into the mathematics of deep learning, which is an aspect of AI. Yang said the AI will also enable everyone to better understand the mathematical universe.

Elon Musk on AI

The launch of xAI also comes as Musk makes mixed comments about the technology. The billionaire has said he believes AI will be key to Tesla's future, but he has also said that he worries artificial intelligence could "eliminate" or "constrain" humanity, and signed onto a letter calling for an industrywide halt to AI training for several months.

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Musk's dive into artificial intelligence has been anticipated, including by a Financial Times report in April that said Musk was exploring an AI startup. The report also said Musk has acquired thousands of GPU processors needed for largescale AI, according to an Insider report. Musk also told Fox News in April he planned to develop an anti-woke software called "TruthGPT" because he felt the companies currently working on artificial intelligence are too "politically correct."

The company seems to be angling to compete with existing artificial intelligence companies including OpenAI, a company Musk helped found but has been increasingly critical of in recent months.

OpenAI, one of the best-known generative AI companies, was founded in 2015, by Musk and a number of big technology players including Greg Brockman, Sam Altman, Reid Hoffman, Jessica Livingston, Peter Thiel, and Olivier Grabia. The company has made AI tools including ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot, and Dall-E, an artificial intelligence-based art generator.

Musk resigned from the OpenAI board in 2018 but remained a donor. In recent months, he has been a vocal critic of the company, calling it biased.

Musk also mentioned artificial intelligence during a keynote in Austin at EEI, where he called for more regulation and government oversight, and said he has been in contact with leaders on it.

What could this new company mean for Tesla?

Despite his comments and reservations, Musk has been betting on artificial intelligence for Tesla.

In May during the company's annual shareholder meeting, Musk spoke extensively on the subject, including Tesla's not-yet released product Optimus, which the company has said will be a humanoid robot run on artificial intelligence software. Musk considers the robot key to Tesla's future. Optimus is being designed off the same software as Teslas controversial "Full Self Driving" vehicle software, a technology which industry experts and the company do not yet consider fully autonomous.

The company first revealed the robot last year during the company's 2022 AI day, when the company showed a robot that could barely walk. In May, an updated video showed the robot picking up items, recognizing objects, walking, and training on human movements.

In a Twitter Spaces in April, Musk has also said that both Twitter and Tesla are buying GPUs, which can be used to develop AI.

Dan Ives, an analyst with Wedbush Securities, said xAI will likely work with Tesla as part of the Tesla ecosystem.

"We believe AI will be integrated into the Tesla vehicle over the coming years with FSD front and center. This will be all part of the Tesla ecosystem with Austin playing a key role in AI development," Ives said.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Elon Musk, xAI: What to know on new artificial intelligence company
Officials say the sinkhole, located in Seffner, doesn't currently pose a threat to the community

Todd Pratt/Hillsborough County via AP

A sinkhole in Florida has opened for the third time  10 years after it killed a man while he slept.

In a statement posted on its website on Monday, Hillsborough County officials said they "were on site" in Seffner, a Tampa suburb, to "determine the extent of the void," which was a "reopening of a previous sinkhole on the site from 2013."

"In 2013, the sinkhole was remediated using a method designed to minimize danger to surrounding areas by containing any future reopening to the original location and prevent expansion of the opening," the statement continued. "The sinkhole also reopened in 2015 and was remediated by the County."

Jon-Paul Lavandeira, director of the county code enforcement department in Hillsborough County, told the Associated Press that the homes around the hole dont currently appear to be in any danger."



Related: Huge Texas Sinkhole That's Been Stable for 15 Years Is Growing Again, Residents Fear Being 'Swallowed Up'

Back in 2013, the sinkhole in Seffner claimed the life of Jeffery Bush, 37, while he was sleeping inside his home, according to the AP.

Jeremy Bush, the man's brother, told CBS affiliate WTSP-TV that not a day goes by I dont think about my brother."

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The victim's house was demolished after his death and fencing was erected to attempt to contain the hole, which opened again in 2015, per the AP. It was then filled up with a blend of gravel and water to attempt to prevent further damage.



Lavandeira told the AP the sinkhole will likely reopen again down the road. "This is Mother Nature," said the official. "This is not a man-made occurrence."

Story continues

Related: Teen Flying Drone Saves 2 Jeep Passengers Stranded in Flooded Sinkhole

The United States Geological Survey lists Florida as one of the seven states where sinkhole damage occurs most frequently.

According to the agecny, sinkholes are most common in areas where the bedrock beneath the ground's surface is made of "carbonate rock, limestone, salt beds, or rocks."

"As the rock dissolves, spaces and caverns develop underground," per the USGS.

Though most sinkholes tend to be on the smaller side, the wider they get, the more damage they can do.



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Fox News is facing another legal challenge in the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Ray Epps, an Arizona man who has become a figure in conspiracy theories surrounding the riot, is suing the network, accusing it of defamation.

The lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court of Delaware, is the latest in a string of legal filings against the network. The action stems from conspiracy theories that arose after the failed insurrection that involved Epps that were amplified by Fox News.

What is Ray Epps accusing Fox News of doing?

Epps lawsuit claims that Fox intentionally broadcasted false information with knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for truth. The suit claims that the network engaged in a pre-conceived story line and that Fox  and specifically Mr. Carlson  decided that Epps was the villain they needed to distract from the Dominion lawsuit.

The suit points toward episodes from "Tucker Carlson Tonight" that cast Epps as an FBI agent working undercover to provoke rioters to overturn the 2020 election by force. Epps was at the riot and was on the Capitol steps but never entered the building, according to the lawsuit.

Epps has said he has not worked for any police force, though he is a Marine veteran.

Carlson is the primary Fox News personality cited in the lawsuit but not the only one. Laura Ingraham, Will Cain and Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson are also named.

The Epps family has faced multiple death threats and have sold their Arizona home and business because of the barrage, they say.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages but leaves the amount up to a jury.

2024 Republican debate: Donald Trump threatens to boycott it over Fox News coverage

Next up: Jesse Watters fills Tucker Carlsons time slot in Fox News primetime revamp

Fox News lawsuits pile up

Fox News has faced multiple lawsuits following their coverage of the 2020 Presidential Election.

In April, the conservative media giant settled a defamation suit with Dominion Voting Systems for $785.5 million after the network made false claims about the companys role in the election. A similar lawsuit continues with Smartmatic, another voting system manufacturer.

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The suit also cites Abby Grossberg, a former Carlson producer, who in June settled a harassment lawsuit against Carlson and Fox News in which she alleged that she was intended to be the scapegoat in the Dominion lawsuit and that the culture of Fox News was misogynistic and toxic.

USA TODAY has reached out to Fox News and has not received comment.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ray Epps brings lawsuit against Fox News for defamation
Fran Drescher, the Screen Actors Guild president, gave an impassioned speech as the union representing roughly 160,000 Hollywood performers voted to strike. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher was front and center at Thursdays press conference announcing that Hollywoods core acting union would go on strike, blasting the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) behavior during weeks of failed negotiations as disgusting, throwing in a Shame on you for good measure.

The Nanny and Hotel Transylvania actress also found herself on the defensive, however, days after drawing intense criticism for a making a weekend trip to Italy for a Dolce & Gabbana promotional event  and snapping a tone deaf selfie with Kim Kardashian, posted to the influencers Instagram account  as the deadline neared for a SAG-AFTRA work stoppage. Hollywood fumes at union head Fran Drescher for Italy photo with Kim Kardashian as strike looms, read a headline in the New York Post, quoting tweets from a handful of angry actors.

(Photo: Kim Kardashian/Instagram)

Drescher addressed the kerfuffle when asked about it during Thursdays press conference.

Im a brand ambassador for a fashion company and so is Kim, she explained. I had only met Kim seconds before that publicity picture was taken. It had nothing to do with being at a party or having fun, it was absolute work. I was in hair and makeup three hours a day, walking in heels on cobblestones, doing things like that, which is work, not fun. Im sure Kim would have rather been at her home in Malibu with her children too. But we work. Thats what we do.

And at 10:30 at night, I would leave the event, I would go to my hotel, and I would call into the Zoom. And when I couldnt get through to them because I was on a plane, I was texting with [SAG-AFTRA national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland] constantly throughout the plane ride. I worked around the clock in three different time zones.

(Center L-R) Frances Fisher, Ben Whitehair, Frances Fisher, Fran Drescher, Joely Fisher, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, Michael Gaston, Michelle Hurd and SAG-AFTRA members are seen as the SAG-AFTRA National Board holds a press conference on July 13, 2023 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Drescher then referenced a small army of SAG-AFTRA members standing behind her, adding, So you know, I think all of the people behind me stand behind me, drawing cheers from the supporters.

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Crabtree-Ireland also fiercely defended Drescher when the criticism was brought up by a reporter, who noted attempts to discredit the presidents commitment to the union.

I want to say it is outrageous that they would do that, Crabtree-Ireland said.

What Fran was doing was Fran was working, which is what our members do. And for these employers to cynically try to turn our members against Fran because she was doing a job, which she was under contract to do, while, by the way, she was Zooming into our negotiations after work hours, working 18 hours or more a day, it is outrageous. It is wrong, its despicable, and they should be ashamed of it.

WATCH: SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher slams studios when announcing actors' strike
Montgomery entrepreneur Charles Lee has filed a civil lawsuit against Mayor Steven Reed, accusing him of defamation when the mayor took aim at Lee in the wake of recordings that were released earlier this year.

The edited recordings, which were released without context on YouTube in February, purportedly reveal a series of incendiary, profane comments the mayor made in 2020 during a meeting with Lee and at least one other community member. During the meeting, which was called to discuss preparations for protests after the murder of George Floyd, Reed also apparently discussed Maxwell Air Force Base, and racial divisions.

Reed called a news conference for Feb. 21, during which he said Lee had sought $30,000 to go toward his business, That's My Dog, before the 2020 conversation. Reed said Lee extorted the city at least on one separate occasion by threatening the release of the audio.

During the news conference, Reed called Lee a liar, shyster and hustler."

It became abundantly clear to me that Charles Lee sought personal financial gain during a time of crisis in our city, state and country. You have my word that no one in my administration will ever give in to a shakedown or extortion, Reed said at that news conference.

Reed has said he did not know he was being recorded. But in his lawsuit, Lee claims "Reed was well aware of the recording."

Reed's attorney, Joe Espy, responded to news of the lawsuit in an email, saying, "The City of Montgomery and Mayor Reed absolutely dispute the charges and state that they are without basis in fact and law. The City and Mayor will vigorously defend this lawsuit."

Lee is represented by Montgomery law firm McPhillips Shinbaum, which filed a notice of claim with the city clerks office on March 30. A notice of claim gives possible defendants a heads up that they may be sued.

More: Prior Information on Lawsuit Montgomery business owner preparing to sue city, mayor

Charles Lee founded a nonprofit called That's My Child.

Since that February press conference, Lee alleges in his lawsuit, Reed has talked about him on multiple Montgomery radio shows, making false statements about Lee's past legal troubles.

Can you be defamed, though, at that point if somebody said you are a hustler, and that's what you've been convicted of? Reed said, according to the lawsuit. It also claims that he later added, I'm just saying, there is some irony there I mean, if you don't have any character, I can't defame your character.

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed is the target of a lawsuit filed by local nonprofit founder Charles Lee.

Lee is suing Reed both as an individual and in his professional capacity as mayor. He claims Reed's statements have damaged his reputation and business and caused him mental anguish and emotional distress.

"Defendant Reeds false and defamatory statements were injurious to Mr. Lees reputation in the eyes of Mr. Lees friends and/or the public, and the community at large," according to Lee's lawsuit.

Lee has lost employment opportunities and wages because of Reed's words, the lawsuit states.

Lee is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. Lee also asks that Reed be ordered to not make defamatory comments about him.

Charles Lee vs Montgomery Alabama Mayor Steven Reed by Paige Windsor on Scribd

Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's public safety reporter. She can be reached at agladden@gannett.com or on Twitter @gladlyalex.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Business owner Charles Lee sues Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed
UPDATE, Friday: Geraldo Rivera continued his criticisms of former colleagues at Fox News and at the network itself in an appearance later on Thursday on Chris Cuomos NewsNation show.

Fox left me. They fired me from the number one rated show The Five. After they fired me, I said, Well, wait a second. You know, I dont want to work here anymore. If you are firing me from the number one show, what are you going to do?

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Rivera said that they gave him a plethora of options, including a series on the candidates for president, and they said you could finish that up on Fox Nation to do that. He declined.

Rivera said that he had a toxic relationship with one of The Five regulars, and although he didnt identify him, he had previously clashed with Greg Gutfeld.

On Twitter and in press interviews, Rivera criticized Tucker Carlson for suggesting that the January 6th attack on the Capitol was an inside job. Rivera told Cuomo that in one instance, he got a call from Fox executives who told him he was suspended. He said they told him that he was not supposed to speak to the press without authorization, which of course is catch 22 because they never clear it.

I wanted to speak out on that because I was very offended by it, Rivera said.

Everyone knows that it was Donald Trump inciting an insurrection, he said. He inspired those people. He directed those people, he encouraged those people, he sicced those people on the capital of the United States, he stabbed the Constitution in the back. And I think that for Fox to pretend that there was an honest debate about January 6, or the 2020 election, I think, was obscene. And I think it needed to be said.

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PREVIOUSLY, Thursday: Geraldo Rivera said on ABCs The View today that his recent firing from Fox News The Five came amidst his toxic relationship with one of the shows co-hosts.

Rivera wouldnt identify The Five co-host beyond saying the person was male, which leaves Jesse Watters or Greg Gutfeld. Rivera often sparred on-air with Gutfeld over issues including abortion rights and immigration, and the debates at times became personal. (Rivera specifically said today he has a good relationship with Jeanine Pirro, adding, I discovered Jeanine.)

Watch The View interview above.

In a wide-ranging interview, Rivera described the atmosphere at Fox News in the wake of the Dominion lawsuit settlement as one of fear, indicated that he supported the decision by Ray Epps to file a defamation lawsuit against the network, said that Donald Trump stabbed the Constitution of the United States in the back by encouraging the Jan. 6th attack, and that he would devote whatever is left of his journalism career to opposing a Donald Trump re-election. He also said he will never forgive Tucker Carlson for spreading misinformation about the Jan. 6th riots.

Speaking of Carlson, Rivera was asked by The View co-host Sara Haines if Carlsons influence is waning since he was fired from Fox News and moved to Twitter. I hope so, Rivera responded, adding that while Twitter is a fine outlet, compared to the platform of Fox News it amounts to screaming into the wilderness.

While Rivera praised Carlsons talents as a writer and on-screen talent, he condemned Carlsons drift into this murky area, this swampy area of these funky kind of conspiracies.

I dont like to be unkind, but what he did, just as I will never vote for Donald Trump, I will never forgive Tucker about January 6th, Rivera said.

Rivera said that the networks recent multi-million-dollar legal settlements has led to an atmosphere of fear at the network, and that the financial impact will hit both stockholders and, through possible layoffs, lower-level news staff. The high-profile journalists [will be] fine, he said.

Rivera parted ways with Fox News last month after more than two decades. He initially said at the time that he was leaving his perch at The Five voluntarily (Thats what we all say, View co-host Joy Behar quipped today), but later conceded that he had been fired from the popular show.

Today, Rivera provided more details, noting that a toxic relationship with one of The Fives co-hosts led to his firing, and that the discord had been getting increasingly personal. I thought it was very unfair that in our disputes, he was always favored. Rivera said his appearances on the show began to dwindle, sometimes being canceled on the day of airing.

He said Fox News offered to find him a spot on another show, but that he responded, If you fired me from the #1 show, then Im going to quit.

Asked by View co-host Sunny Hostin why Fox couldnt have built a new show around him, Rivera said, My ideology does not fit Fox. They always kind of squeezed me in.

Rivera defended his longtime chummy relationship with Donald Trump, saying the two came up together in New York City during the 1970s and that Riveras stint as a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice  which aired shortly before Trump announced his presidential bid  provided tremendous access to Trump even though he knew I didnt vote for him.

What happened to him was that he lost the [re]election and became a crazy guy, Rivera said, to which Behar responded, He was crazy before that.

He was always nice to me, Rivera said.

Did he know you were Puerto Rican?, snapped Hostin?

At one point, Rivera said, I am vowed to dedicate whatever energy I have left in this profession is to ensure he is not ever re-elected president ever. Trump, he said, incited a riot, he encouraged people to go there and ruin their lives.

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Following the announcement that some LGBTQ+ members, particularly transgender and queer folks, are not welcome at her salon, a Michigan salon owner has been barred from affiliating with Jack Win Pro, a product line she had used, promoted, and sold there.

According to a since-deleted Facebook post, Christine Geiger advised those looking for hair care services and identified as anything other than a man/woman to seek services at a local pet groomer. She announced that at Studio 8 Hair Lab in Traverse City, some customers are categorically banned because of who they are.

You are not welcome at this salon. Period, she said of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals.

Geiger claimed that shes fine serving lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, but she drew the line at providing services for the TQ+ people represented in the LGBTQ+ acronym.

The plus symbol, she claimed, represented pedophiles. It does not.

Jack Winn Pro, a hair care products manufacturer, publicly distanced itself from Geigers remarks after they gained national attention on Tuesday.

People on Facebook and elsewhere were outraged at the blatant bigotry demonstrated by the small business owner.

It has come to our attention that disturbing comments have been attributed to one of our product users. We want to make it clear that we disapprove of and reject hate speech in any form. Such actions go against the very values we hold dear and strive to uphold, the company posted on Instagram. The stylist who made those comments no longer has authorization to represent our brand or products.

www.instagram.com

In the post, Jack Winn Pro committed that the company is investigating the reported incident so that appropriate action can be taken.

We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and reiterate our commitment to supporting their rights, the manufacturer wrote.

Michigans Attorney General, Dana Nessel, indicated through a spokesperson earlier Wednesday that she knows about Geigers statements.

At the Department, we have received several complaints pertaining to the bigotry exhibited by the salon proprietor in Traverse City, and the Attorney General finds the comments to be hateful, reprehensible remarks that seek only to marginalize a community already suffering from discriminatory animus in Michigan and elsewhere, Nessels press secretary Danny Wimmer told Out's sister publication The Advocate.
Liu He, a computer science PhD candidate at Purdue University, has not been fishing long but quickly homed in on a unique technique that netted him 15 Fish of the Year awards in 2022.

Liu mixed his computer science background and love of the outdoors to use spreadsheets and data analysis to help reel in enough Fish of the Year awards to fill a wall in his West Lafayette home.

More: Top Indiana angler's secret weapon takes a byte out of the mystery of catching big 'uns

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources award program, started in 1963, is a way to get Hoosiers excited about fishing in the state. Entries can be submitted through Dec. 31 of each year, and winners are announced sometime in January.

Liu He, here with a common carp he fished out of the Wabash River, won 15 Fish of the Year awards in 2022 through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

LINK MAIN ARTICLE HERE: 70380162007

Lius Wall of Fame

Last year, on trips to rivers, creeks and ponds throughout Indiana, the West Lafayette angler was able to bring home the following awards (catches are listed by family, species, size and location caught):

Black Bass, Spotted Bass , 14.5 inches, Wabash River in Tippecanoe County

Sunfish, Rock Bass , 11 inches, Tippecanoe River in White County

Perch, Sauger , 18.5 inches, Wabash River in Tippecanoe County

Trout/Salmon, Steelhead , 32 inches, Trail Creek in LaPorte County

True Bass, Striped Bass , 15.5 inches, Cecil M. Harden Lake in Parke County

True Bass, White Bass , 16.5 inches, Tippecanoe River in Carroll County

Minnow, Common Carp (tie with Jonah Switzer), 30 inches, Wabash River in Tippecanoe County

Sucker, Bigmouth Buffalo , 24 inches, Tippecanoe River in Carroll County

Sucker, Blue Sucker , 27 inches, Tippecanoe River in Carroll County

Sucker, Quillback , 18 inches, Tippecanoe River in Carroll County

Sucker, Smallmouth Buffalo , 26 inches, Tippecanoe River in Carroll County

Other, Gizzard Shad , 18 inches, Tippecanoe River in Carroll County

Other, Goldeye , 17 inches, Wabash River in Tippecanoe County

Other, Skipjack Herring , 16 inches, Wabash River in Tippecanoe County

Other, Freshwater Drum, 23.5 inches, Wabash River in Tippecanoe County

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Tips for beginner anglers

Liu doesnt place a lot of emphasis on the tackle and rods he buys, preferring second-hand equipment.

Rod Edgell, fisheries research supervisor with DNR, said all you really need to get started are a pole with some line and a bobber, hook and worm.

Keep things simple, Edgell said.

Talking to experienced anglers helps. Tell them what species youre after and start a conversation around that. Most will tell a beginner how to approach that species and provide some tips.

IDNR offers a variety of beginner resources online, so head to its website for programs, events and tips.

Public places where you can fish

IDNR's Division of Fish an Wildlife also has a public access program that provides free water access to anglers.

The department even keeps an interactive map of public fishing locations on its website. It lists a variety of shoreline locations along rivers and creeks. Before heading out, make sure where you're going allows public access.

IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Here are angler Liu He's 15 award-winning catches. How do you compare?
Huw Edwards' wife says the anchor is "suffering from serious mental health issues." (Tim Ireland / Associated Press)

Huw Edwards' wife released a statement Wednesday that confirmed Edwards as the elusive BBC presenter under investigation for an alleged sexting scandal.

Last week, the BBC said it was taking very seriously allegations that one of its presenters had paid a 17-year-old for explicit images. The Sun first reported the accusations about a "well-known" BBC presenter, who was not named because of U.K. privacy laws.

That lack of identification sent rumors and accusations flying, and some BBC presenters became the subject of speculation. Several swiftly made statements denying they were the person in question.

Rylan Clark, whos filming abroad for the BBC, tweeted: Not sure why my names floating about but re that story in the sun- that aint me babe. Im currently filming a show in Italy for the BBC, so take my name out ya mouths.

Gary Lineker tweeted that he hated to disappoint any haters but the presenter in question wasnt him either.

Jeremy Vine also defended his innocence, tweeting, Just to say Im very much looking forward to hosting my radio show on Monday  whoever the BBC Presenter in the news is, I have the same message for you as Rylan did earlier: it certainly aint me.

Read more: Former Bay Area TV anchor Frank Somerville arrested twice in one night in Berkeley

On Tuesday, Vine added, "Im starting to think the BBC Presenter involved in the scandal should now come forward publicly. These new allegations will result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues of his. And the BBC, which Im sure he loves, is on its knees with this. But it is his decision and his alone."

After days of a public guessing game over who the mystery man behind the alleged crime could be, Huw Edwards released a statement via his wife, Vicky Flind. The 61-year-old Edwards is the main nighttime BBC bulletin anchor.

"In light of the recent reporting regarding the 'BBC Presenter' I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family," Flind began.

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"I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children. Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years."

Flind continued that the last several days had greatly worsened matters and that Edwards had suffered another serious episode and was receiving in-patient hospital care for the foreseeable future." According to Flind, her husband plans to address the allegations against him once well enough to do so.

Read more: CNBC anchor alleged sexual harassment by NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell, who was ousted Sunday

"To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday. In the circumstances and given Huw's condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected, she added. I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end."

The claims against the well-known broadcaster, who announced Queen Elizabeths death and reported during King Charles coronation, broke last week when the Sun reported that the presenter had paid more than $45,500 to a young person in exchange for explicit photos, beginning when the person was 17.

The alleged recipients mother told the Sun that she blamed the BBC anchor for destroying her childs life, and that the money had been used to feed a drug problem.

When I see him on telly, I feel sick, she told the outlet of Edwards. "Taking my childs innocence and handing over the money for crack cocaine that could kill my child.

The mother later claimed that she saw Edwards on the youths phone, in a screen shot taken from a video call in which the broadcaster is seen leaning forward, getting ready for my child to perform for him."

The BBC also released its own statement: We have seen the statement from the police confirming they have completed their assessment and are not taking further action. Were grateful to them for completing this work at speed. The police had previously asked us to pause our fact finding investigations and we will now move forward with that work, ensuring due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.

Read more: T.J. Holmes' wife Marilee Fiebig is 'disappointed' by his 'lack of discretion, respect'

The young person, however, has their own lawyer and a different take. On Monday evening, the individual's attorney told the BBC that "nothing inappropriate" had happened between the young person and Edwards.

"For the avoidance of doubt, nothing inappropriate or unlawful has taken place between our client and the BBC personality and the allegations reported in the Sun newspaper are rubbish," the lawyer wrote, according to the BBC.

In another twist, on Tuesday, a different young person approached the BBC, claiming theyd engaged with Edwards via a dating app, and that the anchor allegedly pressured them to meet up, but they never did. According to the BBC report, the 20-year-old individual also alleged that when they hinted online they might name the presenter, they were sent "abusive, expletive-filled messages."

Edwards, who is married with five children, was suspended from the BBC on Sunday.

Sign up for L.A. Goes Out, a weekly newsletter about exploring and experiencing Los Angeles from the L.A. Times.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Jane Campion, Laura Poitras, Martin McDonagh and Mia Hansen-Lve have joined the main jury of the upcoming Venice Film Festival.

The prominent directors, most of whom are Venice regulars  Poitras last year scored the Golden Lion with documentary All the Beauty and the Bloodshed  will be joined by fellow jury members including Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri (Wajib); Chinese star Shu Qi (The Assassin); Italian director Gabriele Mainetti, who was at Venice last year with Freaks Out; and Argentinian auteur Santiago Mitre, whose Argentina, 1985 also launched from the Lido last year.

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They will join Damien Chazelle who, as previously announced, will serve as president of the Venice competition jury.

Venice revealed its jury just hours after talks broke down without a deal between actors union SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance for Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). A strike is expected to be called on Thursday morning, Pacific time, which could have an impact on fall festival season.

The Lido on Thursday also unveiled its full jury roster across all sections.

The jury of the more cutting-edge Horizons section comprises Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania (The Man Who Sold His Skin); U.S. director and artist Kahlil Joseph, who co-directed the 2017 musical film Lemonade with Beyonce; French director and screenwriter Jean-Paul Salome, who was in Venice last year with Isabelle Huppert-starrer La Syndacaliste; and British film festival director and prominent industry figure Tricia Tuttle.

As previously announced, Italian director Jonas Carpignano  who is known for Mediterranea, A Ciambra, and A Chiara  is presiding over the Horizons jury.

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Rounding off this years juries is the panel assembled for the fests Luigi De Laurentiis  Lion of The Future  Award for best debut film. This jury is headed by Alice Diop, whose first feature Saint Omer won both the Venice Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize and the Lion of the Future at Venice last year.

The Lion of The Future jury comprises Moroccan actor, director and screenwriter Faouzi Bensaidi; Argentinian director-producer Laura Citarella, whose Trenque Lauquen launched from Venice Horizons last year; Italian director Andrea De Sica (Children of the Night, Dont Kill Me); and U.S. writer and director Chloe Domont, whose directorial debut Fair Play recently premiered at Sundance and was picked up by Netflix.

The 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival will run Aug. 30-Sept. 9.

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Christine Baumgartner, Kevin Costner's estranged wife, appeared in a Santa Barbara courtroom Wednesday as a judge ruled on a tentative child support agreement for the couple.

The "Yellowstone" actor will pay the former purse designer $129,755 per month in child support for their three children.

Baumgartner initially requested $248,000 monthly in support or "in the alternative, at the guideline rate of $217,300 per month, payable on the first day of each month." Costner was offering $51,940 per month.

KEVIN COSTNER, CHRISITNE BAUMGARTNER DIVORCE: WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR YELLOWSTONE STAR AND EX-WIFE POST SPLIT

Christine Baumgartner and her lawyer, Mark Rydell leave Superior Court of Santa Barbara, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Baumgartner is the estranged wife of actor, Kevin Costner and is in court today amid their ongoing divorce process.

Judge Thomas Anderle granted an evidentiary hearing, and pending the hearing, Costner and Baumgartner will each be required to pay 50% of their three children's health care expenses, sports and extracurricular activities.

Baumgartner appeared before the judge wearing a black cardigan with a silky blue blouse and black slacks. Her legal team, including attorney John Rydell and Marisa K. Beuoy, spoke on her behalf. Susan Wiesner dialed in via Zoom.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Costner's representation, which included Laura Wasser and Jacqueline Misho, appeared in court on behalf of the "Tin Cup" actor who is on vacation with his children, per previous court documents.

Christine Baumgartner and her lawyer, John Rydell, enter the Superior Court of Santa Barbara, Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Rydell suggested the court combine already established November trial dates regarding the validity of the pre-marital agreement (PMA) to now also include arguments in the child support ruling.

Misho argued in court that the issue with the PMA and child support arrangements "do not coincide in any way."

KEVIN COSTNER TO PAY $129,000 IN MONTHLY CHILD SUPPORT, JUDGE'S TENTATIVE RULING SAYS

Judge Anderle's case load could not currently allow additional dates added to the already established trial dates on the calendar, though.

"I'll start looking for time as to when I can do it," Judge Anderle said.

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Kevin Costner's lawyer, Laura Wasser leaves the Superior Court of Santa Barbara, Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

WATCH: CHRISTINE BAUMGARTNER LEAVES COURT

He may be able to provide insight into his calendar at the next court hearing on Aug. 2.

As part of the support ruling, Costner will be required to pay $200,000 in attorney's fees and $100,000 in forensic costs.

KEVIN COSTNER'S ESTRANGED WIFE CHRISTINE MUST MOVE OUT OF CALIFORNIA HOME BY END OF MONTH, JUDGE RULES

Payments will be made on the "first of each month" with "credit for sums paid between July 1 and July 12," per court documents.

In documents obtained by Fox News Digital, Baumgartner first filed for divorce from the "Field of Dreams" actor on May 1, citing "irreconcilable differences." The date of separation was listed as April 11, 2023.

Christine Baumgartner waits inside the Santa Barbara courthouse.

They both filed for joint custody of their three kids: Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13.

Costner made his own filing Monday, and requested Baumgartner pay $99,225 in attorney's fees and costs from his lawyers litigating the prenup in May and June, in documents obtained by Fox News Digital.

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Christine Baumgartner will receive $129,755 in child support from Kevin Costner.

"Respondent incurred attorneys fees of $29,850 with Misho Law Group for work directly related to enforcement of the provision in the PMA (pre-marital agreement) that requires Petitioner to vacate Respondent's separate property residence," the documents stated.

"That work included, but was not limited to: phone conferences and emails to and from co-counsel, phone conferences with the client, drafting, review and revision of the request for orders, review of Petitioners opposition pleadings, review and revision of Respondents reply pleadings and attendance at the hearing on July 5, 2023."

A judge ruled in a custody hearing for Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner's ongoing divorce.

His main legal counsel, Laura Wasser, of Wasser, Cooperman & Mandles, wrote in the declaration that her practice had not yet "prepared invoices for time billed in July."

Pages of redacted invoices from Wasser, Cooperman & Mandles were included in the filing, which included a $5,100 "review and revise" of a client declaration, "legal research" for $2,250, and "Review - Airbnb homes in Motecito" for $612.50.

The total sum of hours and amount billed on the 27-page invoice was also redacted from court records.

A court hearing regarding Costner's new filing was set for Aug. 2.
Kevin Spacey has denied grabbing a mans genitals so hard while on the freeway that the man almost crashed the car they were both traveling in.

Spacey, who is in the third week of his sexual assault trial in the U.K., told the jury at Southwark Crown Court in London the alleged assault never happened. On Thursday morning Spaceys barrister, Patrick Gibbs KC, asked the actor, who was sat in the witness box, whether the car crash incident had taken place during the early 2000s, to which Spacey replied: No. I was not on a suicide mission on any of those years.

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Earlier he told the jury his alleged accuser was flirtatious and that the touching did not happen in an aggressive or violent way.

Im a big flirt, Spacey replied when asked if he was flirtatious himself. We had a very fun time together, the actor told the court. He added that the man said the experience was new for him and did not want to go further. I respected that, Spacey said.

Of another alleged victim, who claimed Spacey grabbed him hard backstage at a charity event after having earlier made aggressively sexual remarks, the actor said: I never said anything of the things he claims I said to him and wouldnt and never have in my life.

When asked by Gibbs what Spacey made of the mans accusations about being grabbed, the actor replied: Its madness. Its madness because it never happened.

Gibbs also questioned Spacey about the most serious allegation, in which he is accused of drugging a man before performing oral sex on him whilst he was unconscious. Spacey said that when originally questioned by police, he hadnt recognized the alleged victims name, photograph or the allegations. The actor said his initial thought was This is someone whos just shaking me down and Ive faced this before.

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Originally, the alleged victim had believed the encounter had taken place in mid-August, which Spacey proved could not have been the case because of his frequent international travel that month. After a private investigator tracked down the complainants then phone number, telephone records showed Spacey had made numerous phone calls and sent a number of text messages to the man on the night the incident was said to have taken place in the months following the alleged assault, including a 19 second call during the period in which the man claimed he would have been unconscious.

Spacey also said that he had found an old telephone in his storage locker that showed he had saved the mans number in his phone.

The House of Cards actors account of the evening is that the two men had a consensual sexual encounter in which Spacey performed oral sex on the complainant during what was a very nice and lovely evening. Spacey said he then went to the bathroom and when he returned the man left hurriedly.

If he regretted it immediately I dont know, I can speak for him, said Spacey. But something was odd, something was strange and it concerned me.

Earlier, Spacey appeared relaxed and smiling in the witness box. After his barristers opening remarks, the 63-year-old actor told jurors that he had an excessive amount of energy when he was younger and it was recommended that he went to drama classes.

Spacey attended the Juliard School of Drama in New York, he told the court. He was asked about when he started acting and replied, My mother would say when I came out. His first jobs were small parts in Shakespeare In The Park shows in New York, he said, adding that he did three years of regional theater after that.

The court heard that his first film role was in 1985, aged 26 and his first significant role was in Glengarry Glen Ross (1992).

Spacey, who denies 12 charges of sexual assault against four men, told the court about his stint as artistic director of Londons Old Vic Theatre and the connection he felt with its remarkable history. I was crazy enough to throw my hat in the ring, Spacey said of the role, adding that when he got the lead in hit Netflix drama House of Cards he began spending long periods of time away from the theatre. He relinquished the Old Vic role in 2015.

More to come.

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A Lake Worth Beach restaurant two-years in the making, Cana Bar & Grill, has closed within six months of opening. The restaurant debuted in January and specialized in pan-Caribbean cuisine and culture. But in the end, owners Erika Tusen and Joseph Lallave say they found the obstacles that delayed that inital opening too much to overcome.

Tusen said it is unclear what comes next  they are just trying to find their footing. In a recent interview, she also said she is not certain they would reopen, but if they did, it would not be in Lake Worth Beach.

The two had carefully crafted Cana's menu to be a fusion of their heritages  Tusen's family hails from the Dominican Republic and Lallave's from Puerto Rico  with some Caribbean and Latin American favorites in the mix.

Originally from New York City, and tired of working in the corporate world, the pair moved to Miami in 2019 with the hopes of opening a restaurant in that area.

New restaurant in Fun Depot: Full service restaurant opens inside Lake Worth Beach's Fun Depot indoor center

Owned and operated by Joseph Lallave (left) and Erika Tusen, Cana Bar & Grill in Lake Worth Beach has closed.

But when they arrived, they found a real estate market that, at the time, was "worse than New York."

Moving north, the couple found their spot in the 600 block of Lake Avenue, signing a lease in February 2021, Tusen said.

She said several permitting hurdles and a few difficulties with the city led to a long delay in opening. Despite the hurdles, the pair plowed ahead, diligently honing their menu. Lallave, who attended the French Culinary Institute in New York and had been a professional chef for 20 years, said they spent many weeks crafting the menu with tastings for family and friends before they opened.

But the costs incurred over the two years without revenue coming in put the owners financially behind and, ultimately, it was a hurdle they could not get over, Tusen said.

More: Palm Beach County bakery promises sweet, savory delights with a twist

The restaurant was a feast for the senses and included beautiful murals and music.

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Where: 604 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He has lived in the West Palm Beach area for more than 30 years and, from mild to wild, will cover noteworthy community happenings.You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Cana Bar & Grill in Lake Worth Beach has closed
People gather in the state Capitol on May 12 to protest Senate Bill 14, which bans puberty blockers and hormone therapies for transgender youth. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune

Several families with transgender children are asking a judge to block a new Texas law that would stop minors from accessing many types of transition-related health care, including puberty blockers and hormone therapies.

The families argue the new law, which goes into effect Sept. 1, violates their parental rights by stopping them from providing medical care for their children and discriminates against transgender teens on the basis of sex. Several doctors have also joined the lawsuit, arguing the law interferes with their licensure and ability to practice medicine.

The lawsuit, which was filed in state court Wednesday, relies on legal arguments similar to those that have halted or blocked restrictions in several states, including Florida, Arkansas and Tennessee.

The attack that Texas legislators and the governor have launched against transgender youth and their families and providers is stunning in its cruelty, said Paul D. Castillo, senior counsel for Lambda Legal, which filed the lawsuit. They are actively ignoring the science, dismissing best-practice medical care, intervening in a parents right to care for and love their child, and explicitly exposing trans youth in Texas to rampant discrimination. This law is not just harmful and cruel, it is life-threatening.

All major medical associations support the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy to treat gender dysphoria, the distress someone feels when their gender identity doesnt match the sex they were assigned at birth. But in recent years, conservative groups have launched an all-out war on gender-affirming care, branding it genital mutilation.

Earlier this year, Republicans in the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 14, which Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law in June. The law stops transgender minors from accessing puberty blockers, hormone therapies or transition-related surgeries, which medical experts say are rarely performed on children. Children already receiving this care are required to be weaned off in a medically appropriate manner, the law says, which many doctors say would be unethical.

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The science on gender dysphoria lacks sufficient high-quality evidence documented, and theres a growing list of harms, established side effects that accompany patients, state Rep. Tom Oliverson, a Cypress Republican who sponsored the bill in the House, said during debate on the bill. Oliverson has said the bill was written to withstand expected court challenges.

Oliverson and state Sen. Donna Campbell, a Republican from New Braunfels who authored the bill, released a joint statement one week after the lawsuit was filed. The two lawmakers expressed confidence that SB 14 would withstand the legal challenge.

We believe that extraordinary interventions require extraordinary justification, and that justification doesnt exist in this case. The State of Texas maintains its stance that there is insufficient evidence supporting continued medical experimentation on children, the statement read.

After the lawsuit was filed, Republican state Rep. Jeff Leach of Plano tweeted that the challenge was expected: What should also be expected is the State of Texas vigorously defending this law that protects children from dangerous and irreversible modification and mutilation procedures. We will fight. And we will win.

The Texas attorney generals office did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Although the law has yet to go into effect, health care options for transgender minors are already narrowing in Texas. In May, Houston-based Texas Childrens Hospital announced it would discontinue hormone therapy and other gender-affirming care treatments. The same month, adolescent health specialists at Dell Childrens Medical Center in Austin parted ways with the hospital after Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into the hospital.

I cant tell you what it feels like to be on the end of a call of a parent who has lost their child because their child looks out into the world and sees a world [where], overwhelmingly, adults are telling them and bullying them that they do not belong here, that they are not well, that they are not who they are, said Emmett Schelling, executive director of the Transgender Education Network of Texas. Then you strip away whats already a thin layer of the system of health care to support our communities here in the state of Texas. And its an even worse outcome.

Schilling said the laws chilling effect is also diminishing health care options for transgender adults. Some families have decided to leave Texas to ensure their children can continue to receive health care.

Because my daughter might need puberty blockers in the next few months, I am temporarily relocating out of state with her and my other child, said one of the plaintiffs, identified in the lawsuit as Mary Moe, who is the mother of a 9-year-old transgender daughter. I am heartbroken to have to take my children away from their home and their father, even temporarily. But I know that Texas is not a safe place for my daughter if this law forbids her access to this care.

Texas is the largest of 18 states that have recently passed restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors. But these laws, which mostly sailed through Republican-dominated statehouses, are running into significant barriers in the courtroom.

In June, a federal judge ruled that Arkansas ban on gender-affirming care for minors is unconstitutional because it violates the due process and equal protection rights of transgender children and their families.

Rather than protecting children or safeguarding medical ethics, the evidence showed that the prohibited medical care improves the mental health and well-being of patients and that, by prohibiting it, the State undermined the interests it claims to be advancing, the judge wrote.

Federal judges in Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee have also blocked those states laws from going into effect, although an appeals court intervened to allow Tennessee to implement its ban.

This lawsuit is filed in state court, citing parental-right protections laid out in the Texas Constitution.

The Texas Constitution provides stronger rights for parents, stronger rights in the guarantees of equality ... and much stronger rights with respect to the individual rights of autonomy, Lambda Legal senior counsel Paul Castillo said. Those decisions that rest with parents are at their apex when they are made in consultation with physicians who recommend this medically necessary care.

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
A relative and a friend of victims who were murdered by the Manson Family in 1969 slammed Leslie Van Houtens release from prison, calling it mind-numbing, nauseating and a sad day in which justice was lost.

Anthony DiMaria, the nephew of victim Jay Sebring, told the Los Angeles Times that Van Houtens release didnt come as a surprise but that didnt make it any less painful.

It doesnt lessen the blow, DiMaria said. Its just as mind-numbing, nauseating, gut-wrenching and painful to think that this release is real.

Van Houten, 73, a member of the Manson Family who was convicted of committing two of the cults murders, was released from prison Tuesday.

Also Read:

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The California Parole Board had recommended Van Houten be released in 2022, a recommendation California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed. On May 30 of this year, an appeals court overturned Newsoms veto and ordered Van Houten to be freed.

Newsom had until July 12 to challenge that ruling, but ultimately opted not to do so.

Ava Roosevelt, a friend of Manson Family victim Sharon Tates who was also nearly killed by the gang, said she was angry and dejected by Van Houtens freedom.

I dont believe a person thats capable of committing such a heinous crime can ever be rehabilitated, that kind of thing is ingrained in your DNA, Roosevelt said in an interview with The U.S. Sun. Its a sad day for me, it really is, because I dont think justice has been served for Sharon and the other victims at all.

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Roosevelt added that she was in favor of the death penalty for the perpetrators of the Manson murders and that she wished Newsom had stuck to his guns.

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Its not right, Roosevelt told The Sun. I dont know if shes mentally prepared to be free at this point [] but I think she definitely still poses a threat to society and I dont think she shouldve been given a chance to even try to adjust to the outside world.

As a society, we have to set some standards about what you cant get away with. I dont care if she was in prison for 53 years. She still has the ability to watch television, to talk to people, and this was not a privilege awarded to Sharon and those others who perished.

Its shocking and I just worry what knock-on effect this will all have.

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Alex Jones Ex-Wife Says His Onscreen Mania Is Not an Act: Hes Crazy Like Charles Manson (Video)

Van Houten was convicted in 1971 of killing Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, whose murders were just two of those carried out in August 1969 by followers of cult leader Charles Manson. She was originally sentenced to death, but her sentence was commuted to life in prison after the California Supreme Court ruled the states death penalty unconstitutional.

Van Houten was granted two retrials later in the decade, and was once again sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Since 2016, she has been recommended for parole five times, and each time the recommendation was vetoed, first by former Gov. Jerry Brown in 2016 and 2017, and three more times by Newsom.

In its ruling overturning Newsoms now-final veto, the appeals courts majority said in May that Van Houten has shown extraordinary rehabilitative efforts, insight, remorse, realistic parole plans, support from family and friends, favorable institutional reports, and, at the time of the Governors decision, had received four successive grants of parole. Read more about it here.

Manson died in prison in 2017.

Also Read:

That Time Angela Lansbury Rescued Her Daughter From Charles Manson
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners fair value estimate is 60.36

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners' 58.40 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

Analyst price target for CCEP is 64.55, which is 6.9% above our fair value estimate

How far off is Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC (AMS:CCEP) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

Is Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Fairly Valued?

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 1.75b 1.90b 1.80b 1.74b 1.70b 1.68b 1.66b 1.65b 1.65b 1.65b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x6 Analyst x6 Est @ -4.99% Est @ -3.37% Est @ -2.23% Est @ -1.44% Est @ -0.89% Est @ -0.50% Est @ -0.22% Est @ -0.03% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.3% 1.7k 1.7k 1.5k 1.4k 1.3k 1.2k 1.1k 1.0k 950 893

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 13b

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 0.4%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.3%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 1.6b (1 + 0.4%)  (6.3% 0.4%) = 28b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 28b ( 1 + 6.3%)10= 15b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 28b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 58.4, the company appears about fair value at a 3.3% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.3%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.849. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Beverage market.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the Dutch market.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Dutch market.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, we've put together three further items you should further research:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does CCEP's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the ENXTAM every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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High school proms are known for conjuring up a wide range of emotions, from joyous and heartfelt to messy and overdone to awkward and even painful.

Lyric Theatre's opening-night performance of its Oklahoma premiere production of "The Prom" managed to run that full gamut of feelings, with plenty of sequins and sparkles to dress it all up, too.

Directed by Lyric Producing Artistic Director Michael Baron, the Tony Award-nominated new musical "The Prom" is the second show on the long-running professional theater's summer season at Civic Center Music Hall.

The Oklahoma City nonprofit arts organization, which is in the midst of its 60th anniversary season, is performing the show through July 16 in downtown OKC.

Here's what you need to know about Lyric Theatre's production of "The Prom":

From left, Jerry Jay Cranford, who plays Barry Glickman, and Lindsie VanWinkle-Guthrie, who stars as Dee Dee Allen, perform with the cast of Lyric Theatre's production of "The Prom."

What is 'The Prom' about?

Based on an original concept by Jack Viertel, the boisterous show follows four past-their-prime Broadway stars who travel to Indiana to insert themselves into a small-town controversy making national headlines: a lesbian student's fight for the right to bring her girlfriend to her high school prom.

With its book by Chad Beguelin and Bob Martin, lyrics by Beguelin and music by Matthew Sklar, the show is loosely based on several real-life news stories about gay teenagers who were barred from bringing their same-sex dates to their proms.

"The Prom" debuted on Broadway in fall 2018 and closed the following summer after playing 23 previews and 310 regular performances.

It was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including best musical. The production didnt win any Tonys, but it was named outstanding musical at the Drama Desk Awards.

Emmy-winning director Ryan Murphy ("Glee") adapted the musical into a star-studded 2020 Netflix movie featuring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington, James Corden, Ariana DeBose, Keegan-Michael Key, Jo Ellen Pellman and Tulsa native Mary Kay Place.

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From left, Lexi Windsor plays Angie and Emilee Stubbs stars as Emma in Lyric Theatre's production of "The Prom."

Who is starring in Lyric Theatre's Oklahoma premiere production of 'The Prom'?

Since the national tour of "The Prom" skipped the Sooner State, Lyric Theatre's production marks the Oklahoma premiere of the new show.

Lindsie VanWinkle-Guthrie, who previously starred in Lyric's productions of "Carousel" and "Mary Poppins," plays Dee Dee Allen, an aging two-time Tony-winning stage diva. She and her longtime Broadway pal Barry Glickman (the charming Jerry Jay Cranford) are dismayed when their biographical musical "Eleanor! The Eleanor Roosevelt Musical" closes on opening night due to sluggish sales and savage reviews that rightly call out the pair as unlikable narcissists.

So, Dee Dee and Barry team up with fellow performers Trent Oliver (Nicholas Rodriguez), a Juilliard grad who longs to be a serious thespian but is mostly remembered for his role on an old sitcom, and Angie Dickinson (talented Lyric mainstay Lexi Windsor), a longtime chorus girl who has been stuck in the background of the musical "Chicago" for 20 years, to come up with a celebrity cause to help them rehab their self-absorbed image.

Without spotting the irony, they scour Twitter in search of a "safe, non-violent, high-profile, low-risk injustice" that they can essentially exploit to prove they aren't self-centered jerks. They find their cause celebre when they read about Emma Nolan (the wonderful Emilee Stubbs in her Lyric debut), a LGBTQ+ teenager in Edgewater, Indiana, who unintentionally created a furor by asking another girl to be her prom date.

Led by strident control freak Mrs. Greene (Gina Valentine Byrum), the local PTA opted to cancel prom rather than accommodate Emma and her still-closeted secret girlfriend. The cancellation of their teenage rite of passage hasn't endeared Emma to her classmates.

The four Broadway performers declare that Were gonna help that little lesbian / Whether she likes it or not!," hitch a bus ride with Trent's non-Equity tour of "Godspell" and head for the Heartland, with Dee Dee's long-suffering publicist Sheldon (Sheldon Mba) in tow.

The show-biz quintet makes a poorly timed entrance in Edgewater, bursting into a meeting at the school carrying glittery protest signs and derailing the progress Emma and empathetic school principal Mr. Hawkins (Ashton Byrum) were making in convincing the PTA and student body to consider her perspective and reinstate the prom.

Although she is initially aghast at all the attention and befuddled by her misguided Broadway allies, the isolated Emma eventually embraces their help.

From left, Saoirse Ryhn plays Alyssa Greene and Emilee Stubbs stars as Emma in Lyric Theatre's Oklahoma premiere production of "The Prom," playing July 11-16 at Civic Center Music Hall.

How are 'The Prom' songs and story?

As befits a show called "The Prom," the musical boasts a fun-loving, big-hearted vibe. The bouncy choreography by Amy Reynolds Reed and the nonstop energy from the teenage performers keep the bedazzled song-and-dance spectacle appropriately boisterous. The songs are consistently tuneful and expertly sung.

But staying up with the show's abrupt tonal shifts can be as challenging as tracking an adolescent's mood swings. The broadly comedic numbers like "It's Not About Me," "The Acceptance Song" and "Zazz" are undeniably funny, but, like pairing a sequined gown with Birkenstock sandals, they don't really match Emma's heartfelt, vulnerable ballads "Just Breathe," "Dance With You" and "Unruly Heart."

For a new show, many of "The Prom" plot points seem a little too familiar, so it's hardly a surprise to learn that Emma's secret girlfriend is none other Alyssa Greene (Saoirse Ryhn), the anxious daughter of the screeching Mrs. Greene. But her eponymous ode "Alyssa Greene" is one of the show's understated highlights, with lyrics that capture the angst of life as a teenage overachiever struggling to live up to sky-high expectations.

The cast of Lyric Theatre's production of "The Prom" performs at Civic Center Music Hall.

How did Lyric Theatre's opening-night performance of 'The Prom' go?

The cast and crew of Lyric's "The Prom" took the old theater mantra "the show must go on" to heart during the July 11 opening-night performance, overcoming numerous setbacks on the way to the final bows.

Along with more typical opening-night concerns like a few flubbed lines and staticky microphones, the show had to take an unscheduled almost 20-minute intermission in the first act after Cranford injured his leg. The actor, who has appeared in Lyric shows like "Big River," Grease" and "The Wizard of Oz," returned to the stage in a wheelchair, finished the performance and is carrying on with his crowd-pleasing role for the run of the show.

In Act 2, Stubbs and Ryhn fell during the closing number, "It's Time to Dance," but immediately got up, apparently unharmed, and kept right on dancing.

Kudos to the opening-night performers for not letting a series of mishaps keep them from making it to the last dance of "The Prom."

LYRIC THEATRE'S 'THE PROM'

When : Through July 16.

Where : Civic Center, 201 N Walker.

Tickets: https://lyrictheatreokc.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Lyric Theatre gives the LGBTQ+ show 'The Prom' an Oklahoma premiere
Your mission, if you choose to accept it: Check out a cool new flick this weekend, maybe even one with Tom Cruise doing crazy stuff.

The A-lister returns to put his body on the line for the big-screen experience in the seventh movie in the action-packed "Mission: Impossible" franchise. If superspy thrills aren't your jam, no worries: Ben Platt and Molly Gordon play over-the-top drama teachers at a struggling theater camp in a new comedy, while Laura Linney, Kathy Bates and Maggie Smith star in a heartwarming drama set in 1960s Ireland.

Here's a guide to new movies that will satisfy every cinematic taste, plus some noteworthy theatrical films making their streaming and on-demand debuts:

If you want to see Tom Cruise battle AI: 'Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One'

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) reunite to take on a rogue artificial intelligence in "Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One."

Cruise's super-duper secret agent Ethan Hunt and his crew are out to destroy a rogue artificial intelligence so no nation can take hold of its immense online power, though the computer villain fights back to give our heroes  including assassin/love interest Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson)  fits in this knowingly silly, joyously mad action-fest. Esai Morales plays the AI's conniving surrogate in the real world, Hayley Atwell joins the franchise as a thief in way over her head, and most importantly the stunt scenes are as top-notch as ever.

Where to watch: In theaters

'Be the student': Hayley Atwell talks lessons from Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible'

If you ever embraced your inner diva as a teen: 'Theater Camp'

Molly Gordon (who co-directs) and Ben Platt star as oddball teachers at an upstate New York summer camp in the comedy "Theater Camp."

"Waiting for Guffman" meets "Abbott Elementary" with this enjoyable mockumentary about the dramatic goings-on at an upstate New York theater camp. But this summer is a real mess: The owner (Amy Sedaris) is in a coma, her influencer-bro son (Jimmy Tatro) has no idea how to run the place, and two longtime teachers (Platt and Gordon, who co-directs) can't get past their own egos to finish an original musical. The high-maintenance youngsters grow on you, especially Noah Galvin as the scene-stealing production manager.

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Where to watch: In theaters

'Theater Camp': Ben Platt on the 'great joys' of working with fiance Noah Galvin

If you need your heart warmed by some familiar faces: 'The Miracle Club'

Maggie Smith (far left), Agnes O'Casey and Kathy Bates play three generations of Irish friends who embark on a life-affirming trip in "The Miracle Club."

In Dublin circa 1967, Chrissie (Laura Linney) returns home for her estranged mother's funeral and old tensions arise with her mom's closest friends, Lily (Maggie Smith) and Eileen (Kathy Bates). But a life-affirming trip to Lourdes for the three women  alongside young mother Dolly (Agnes O'Casey), Lily and Eileen's pal  gives them perspective on their past and present struggles, plus brings them together in new ways in a sweet and endearing if predictable emotional drama.

Where to watch: In theaters

If you yearn for a bloody good time: 'Final Cut'

A French director (Romain Duris), his wife (Berenice Bejo) and their daughter (Simone Hazanavicius) all get caught up in the chaos of making a zombie show in the horror comedy "Final Cut."

Remember that best picture winner "The Artist"? The film's Oscar-nominated director and star actress  Michel Hazanavicius and wife Berenice Bejo  are back with something completely different, and downright hilarious: a French meta zombie comedy redo of Japan's "One Cut of the Dead." Romain Duris plays a French filmmaker hired to do a live one-take 30-minute horror show, chaos reigns when a member of the "undead" comes down with diarrhea, and many, many other things go awry.

Where to watch: In theaters

If you could use an important history lesson: 'Lakota Nation vs. United States'

The documentary "Lakota Nation vs. United States" follows the Lakota tribe's quest to reclaim the Black Hills, sacred land stolen in violation of treaty agreements, and takes a timely look at America's relationship with its Indigenous communities.

The well-crafted, thought-provoking documentary takes an honest look at America's relationship with its Indigenous communities by focusing on the Lakota tribes' long struggle to take back sacred land in the Black Hills. Historians and activists alike discuss how the government violated treaties in the 1900s to exert its control over the Lakota people, how the fight went from the battlefield to the court system and the significance of modern-day concerns over conservation and reparations. An infuriating watch but also a powerful one.

Where to watch: In theaters

If you were a big 'Bird Box' nerd: 'Bird Box Barcelona'

Roberto (Gonzalo de Castro, left), Claire (Georgina Campbell), Sebastian (Mario Casas) and Sofia (Naila Schuberth) travel Spanish streets attempting to avoid a deadly threat in Netflix's "Bird Box Barcelona."

Based on Josh Malerman's unnerving novel, the original "Bird Box" movie with Sandra Bullock was everybody's go-to post-apocalyptic horror binge of the 2018 holiday season. While that movie was pretty mediocre, this spinoff of sorts is actually an improvement. The story digs into the early days of the terrifying situation, where anybody who sees a mysterious entity with their eyes turns suicidal, and Mario Casas and Georgina Campbell ("Barbarian") play survivors trying to find sanctuary in Spain as a villainous human element arises in their midst.

Where to watch: Netflix

If you never want to go on a hike again: 'Quicksand'

Sofia (Carolina Gaitan) struggles to deal with a large snake while she and her husband sink in dangerous muck in the survival thriller "Quicksand."

Carolina Gaitan and Allan Hawco star in the survival thriller as an American couple in Colombia for work and on the verge of divorce. They decide to go exploring in a famed nearby forest but run afoul of a shady dude and wind up stuck in, yep, a large swath of quicksand. That's pretty bad news, though it quickly gets worse thanks to hungry ants and an extremely large mama snake looking to protect her eggs. And thank goodness for the freaky wildlife that lifts an otherwise middling narrative.

Where to watch: Shudder

Also on streaming:

Optimus Primal (voiced by Ron Perlman, left) and Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) are a dynamic duo in "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New movies to see: Tom Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible,' 'Theater Camp'
About 1,000 miles from Nashville, Tennessee's Music Row, University of Ottawa musicologist and information scientist Jada Watson is  of the many intellectuals currently serving as checks and balances of sorts against country music's mainstream industry  the furthest person removed from what many call a century of cis-gendered, male-led aggression against the hopes and dreams of 99% of women and marginalized people aiming for success in country music.

The attempts of many (including authors Marissa Moss, Charles L. Hughes, Amanda Martinez, and Francesca Royster) at developing subtle evolutions driven by social change into a wholesale revolution that achieves total equity for all are picking up steam. However, to what end are they reaching their desired goals, or can they ever achieve them?

Musicologist Jada Watson's research uses discographic and biographic metadata to learn more about how popular music genres form, develop and evolve throughout history.

Watson's latest gender-based critique of country's radio industry  along with Jan Diehm of The Pudding  is "They Won't Play a Lady-O on Country Radio: Examining Back-to-Back Plays by Gender, Race, and Sexual Orientation."

The study occupies a fascinating perspective given moves in the past decade by the genre to solve for reparational equity for female and marginalized artists who perceive themselves as long-aggrieved by country's establishment.

Industry growth since August 2019 has seen female artist representation grow from 20% of the songs on Billboard's Country Airplay Chart to 20% of the No. 1 singles on the chart. However, this does not solve the fact that women are still not heard back-to-back on the same radio dials on which they reign supreme more often than they have in 50 years.

Jada Watson's latest gender-based study of country's radio industry, along with The Pudding's Jan Diehm, is u0022They Won't Play a Lady-O on Country Radio: Examining Back-to-Back Plays by Gender, Race, and Sexual Orientation.u0022

Country music 'has a history of platforming the same two or three female artists as stars'

"[Country's mainstream industry] has a history of platforming the same two or three female artists to the lack of benefit and potential disillusionment of so many more," Watson tells The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network.

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To wit, the top of country's charts currently highlights both Lainey Wilson and Megan Moroney, a decade after Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, following the turn of the 21st century run of Shania Twain and Faith Hill.

Radio's current favorites like Moroney and Wilson aren't tabbed as stars as quickly as their male counterparts, like country radio chart-topping mainstays Morgan Wallen (whose songs are currently played back-to-back in blocks on country's radio dial) and Luke Combs (who could average two No. 1 singles a year for the past seven years by 2023's close).

Wilson's development to country superstardom followed the 64-week rise of her 2020 single "Things a Man Oughta Know" to the top of Billboard's Country Airplay charts. Moroney's debut major label single, "Tennessee Orange," has impacted various Billboard charts for the past nine months and has only recently topped country's radio charts.

Look even deeper at the Academy of Country Music's 2023 New Female Artist of the Year Hailey Whitters. Her single "Everything She Ain't" is a year into charting and is only now within the Top 25.

Women continuing to lack prime radio rotation spots or taking years to receive them sets a damning precedent.

Hailey Whitters performs during the ACM Awards show in May.

"It's appalling that men and women aren't even allowed to create commercially successful art on the same timeline," Watson says.

Watson and Diehl cite from a 2019 Brandi Carlile interview for Billboard Magazine: "Im trying to picture in my head a 10-year-old girl right now in rural America who is only allowed to listen to that country radio station her parents [play]. And only every hour to hour-and-a-half can she hear a song thats not about blue jeans and boobs, and beer and trucks and back roads. What does that say to her about life? Thats not a small problem.

Is country's industry growing faster than it's able to change?

Though acknowledging that success while daunting is impressive, Watson bittersweetly highlights that a one-percenter female-rewarding industry ecosystem runs the risk of disincentivizing success achieved by programs like CMT's "Next Women of Country" and a series of women-defined playlists from top streaming platforms.

A collection of a decade's worth of CMT's "Next Women of Country" performers gathered at the program's 10th-year anniversary event in January.

Watson makes a crucial point that attempts at wholesale reflection on gender parity are difficult in country's modern industry because, though work is succeeding to rectify these issues, country music's flawed growth as pop culture's most-defining genre grows even faster.

She's correct.

The potential remains high for conversations dominated by a larger, flawed industry to be overtaken by other inter-genre issues, including the surge of non-traditional sonic influences, solutions for racial equity that maintain a 70-year desire to platform Black men singularly as top-tier stars, and the desire to focus on retaining the significant effect of corporate marketing, plus live event and physical unit sales.

Mickey Guyton arrives for the 58th ACM Awards show in Frisco Texas, on May 11.

'The whole world is watching'

Watson's thought that networks like CMT making wholesale, gender-based change, while great, exist in an echo chamber when viewed mainly with indifference by an industry at-large that is concerned with other bottom-line issues, has a powerful historical corollary.

In 1963, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. stated: Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly."

Opinion: Could a Black, queer woman top country music charts? She didn't  but her song did.

Watson continues her impassioned commentary with the following statement:

"Who are the label executives, the publicists, hair stylists, makeup, tour support, musicians, engineers, producers, songwriters, radio promoters, disc jockeys and journalists who support this culture in country music? For 100 years, straight white men have created, perpetuated and cemented alienating principles within the genre."

She continues with an even more profound consideration:

"With so many people interested in country than ever before, we also run the risk of perpetuating negative stereotypes at a moment when we have the potential to create the most significant amount of change."

Dolly Parton and Priscilla Block arrive for the 58th ACM Awards show, held at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco Texas, on May 11.

As Watson pauses, another impactful '60s-era statement springs to mind. When anti-Vietnam War demonstrators were beaten and arrested by police outside the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National Convention, many chanted one phrase:

"The whole world is watching."

Watson agrees that grassroots pressure being met by equal force from country music's mainstream could eventually sway the tides of historical progress in a direction that benefits women and marginalized people in country music.

More: How this all-female Indonesian band is using metal music to inspire change

Is the idea of change more provocative than change itself?

The most provocative notion to consider then is that promises for change from country's mainstream, of which there have been many in the past decade, serve as a tantalizing effort at shoving the metaphorical needle that, because it is not maintained with consistent effort, loses ground when countered by a century of the genre's history.

Dolly Parton presents Lainey Wilson with the Female Artist of the Year award during the ACM Awards show in May.

"I'm not optimistic we'll ever see a concerted effort [to maintain metaphorical forward needle movement] from the entire country music industry," Watson says. "All I can hope is that the now consistent power of anecdotal stories, compelling historical storytelling, and data-based historical research like mine about the flaws in country radio's formatting can be a more effective counter to the industry than we've ever had."

When asked about what the next best steps for the country music industry were following the release of her latest research, Watson paused and offered the following statement in a direct tone.

"Allowing country music to maintain any 'business as usual' frustrates the necessary growth of a broad, diverse and healthy community in the genre. It's increasingly difficult to remain visible because the barriers to visibility, especially in Nashville, are growing in height. But in using data to correct country's historical narrative, we can start the work of reframing the genre's culture  maybe that's where we can finally see [revolutionary] change occur."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Country radio's crossroads with female artists examined in new study
VILNIUS, Lithuania  President Joe Biden said the people of Ukraine remain unbroken a year and a half after Russia's invasion, proclaiming that the defense of freedom is "the calling of our lifetime" in a sweeping speech to close out a NATO summit that exposed tensions about Ukraine's hopes to join the alliance.

Tapping into his surroundings, Biden drew a parallel between Ukraine's battle against Russia and eastern European nations' fight more than three decades ago to break free from the Soviet Union's Communist hold.

Biden's evening speech at Vilnius University, located in the city's Old Town, concluded two days of talks with U.S. allies about Russia's war of aggression and the future of the military alliance. Just prior to the remarks, Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for more than an hour at the site of the NATO summit.

We will not waver, Biden told a cheering audience. I mean that. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty and freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

About 10,000 people attended Biden's speech, according to the White House, citing an estimate from the Vilnius mayor's office.

The U.S. president began his remarks by recognizing Lithuanias struggle for independence in the face of Soviet control before the end of the Cold War, saying it is a region that knows better than anyone the transformational power of freedom.

You showed the world that the strength of people united cannot be denied, Biden said to a packed courtyard. And together with your brothers and sisters in Estonia and Latvia, you helped end the era of division through the power of connection.

The battle largely took place in Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania and the location of this year's NATO Summit.

Lithuania was the first country to declare its independence from the federation in 1990. But it took a violent multi-day battle the following year, in 1991, for the eastern European nation to officially break free of Soviet rule.

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Fourteen heroes tragically lost their lives. Hundreds were wounded, Biden said of the unarmed defenders of Lithuanias freedom who were killed by Soviet troops in the skirmish that would become known as Bloody Sunday. "But the whole world saw decades of oppression had done nothing to dim the flame of liberty in this country, he added.

US President Joe Biden reacts during his speech on NATO and people cheer with flags in the background at the Vilnius University in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023, after the end of the NATO Summit.

The light of Lithuania. You kept it strong. You kept it bright. And you kept the light shining," Biden said.

Ukraine's secession from the USSR in December of 1991 brought about the communist country's downfall. By the end of the year, the Soviet Union had dissolved.

Biden said that Baltic nations' entry into NATO a little more than a decade later strengthened the alliance, which now has 31 nations. And in the face of Russian aggression, he said, it is "stronger, more energized and yes, more united than ever in its history" and continues to grow.

"The defense of freedom is not the work of a day or a year. It's the calling of our lifetime of all time. We are steeled for the struggle ahead,' Biden said. "Our unity will not falter. I promise you.

Historical parallels

President George W. Bush made a historic visit to Lithuania in 2002, arriving the day after NATO extended an invitation to the Baltic nation and six other countries to join the alliance. Addressing a crowd of thousands on Vilnius Old Town Square, Bush proclaimed that the countrys long night of fear, uncertainty and loneliness is over.

You're joining the strong and growing family of NATO, he said.

VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - JULY 12: U.S. President Joe Biden waves to the crowd after he spoke at Vilnius University on July 12, 2023 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Biden, who was in Vilnius to participate in the 2023 NATO Summit, lauded Lithuania and the Baltic countries for attaining freedom following the collapse of the Soviet empire.

As vice president, Biden traveled to Lithuania in 2014, just one week ahead of the countrys 10th anniversary as a member of NATO. In remarks at the presidential palace, he denounced Russian aggression against Crimea and its armed attacks against Ukrainian military personnel.

In an eerie preview of a message he would deliver again as president nearly a decade later, he warned: We stand resolutely with our Baltic allies in support of the Ukrainian people and against Russian aggression. As long as Russia continues on this dark path, they will face increasing political and economic isolation.  There are costs, and growing costs, that come with naked aggression.

In Lithuania on Wednesday, Biden sought to rally NATO allies to apply "same spirit of unity, common purpose and determination" they have brought to countering Russia to addressing other issues facing the alliance, including economic competition with China, climate change and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Biden will make a stop in Finland, the newest member of the NATO alliance, before he returns to the U.S.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden forcefully defends Ukraine in NATO speech after meeting Zelenskyy
The stars of director Christopher Nolan's new film Oppenheimer left the London premiere of the movie early on Thursday ahead of the Screen Actors Guild strike announcement.

Cast members Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Kenneth Branagh, Josh Hartnett, and Rami Malek were all present to be photographed at the event, which began an hour earlier than had been scheduled because of the impending strike action, but the actors did not appear onstage with Nolan at Leicester Square's Odeon Luxe cinema.

Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy attend the UK Premiere of "Oppenheimer" at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 13, 2023 in London, England

Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy on the red carpet of the London premiere of 'Oppenheimer'

According to footage from the event posted on Twitter by Deadline, Nolan first praised his cast and then explained that their absence was because of the likely strike action, which the filmmaker said he also supported.

"I have to acknowledge the work of our incredible cast, led by Cillian Murphy," says the director in the clip. "The list is enormous. Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek, and so many more. And we have to acknowledge, you've seen them here earlier on the red carpet, unfortunately, they're off to write their picket signs for what we believe to be an imminent strike by SAG, joining my guild, one of my guilds, the writers' guild, in the struggle for fair wages for working members of their union, and we support them."

Christopher Nolan says the cast of #Oppenheimer left the premiere to go and write their pickets and join the strike pic.twitter.com/rc2SaSxcfk  Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) July 13, 2023

SAG-AFTRA's national board voted unanimously to launch the guild's first strike, the union's President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland announced Thursday.

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After failing to reach a deal with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) when their June 30 contract deadline expired, the guild extended the negotiation period through July 12, but they were still unable to negotiate a contract that was agreeable to both parties. Their sister union, the Writers' Guild of America, has been on strike since May 1.

"It came with great sadness that we came to this crossroads. But we had no choice. We are the victims here," Drescher said during Thursday's press conference. "We are being victimized by a very greedy entity. I am shocked by the way the people that we have been in business with are treating us. I cannot believe it, quite frankly. How far apart we are on so many things. How they plead poverty, that they're losing money left and right while giving hundreds and millions of dollars to their CEOS. It is disgusting. Shame on them. They stand on the wrong side of history at this very moment."

In Nolan's film, Murphy plays theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, the so-called "Father of the atomic bomb." Oppenheimer is released July 21.

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The water is what saved us, the Belgium-born pilot told and Australian court.

Nick Monro/Pool Photo via AP Pilot Brian Depauw

A helicopter pilot relived the moment he and two of his passengers ran from an erupting New Zealand volcano and jumped into the ocean.

Brian Depauw testified at the Auckland District Court in Australia on Thursday, during the 16 week trial of three tourism companies and three directors. While on the witness stand, he recalled the harrowing day, according to the Associated Press.

The water is what saved us, the Belgium-born pilot  who was working for tour operator Volcanic Air at the time and had taken four passengers to White Island where the volcano erupted in 2019 told the court.

He testified that he and his four German passengers were five of the 47 people on White Island, when superheated gasses erupted. 22 people were killed in the eruption and many of the 25 survivors were severely burned.

Depauw, who now lives in Canada, had only been working for the tour operator for a few weeks and was making his first unsupervised flight on the day the volcano erupted. Per a report from the New Zealand Herald, the pilot told the court that while on the island, he heard a thud.

(Xinhua/ via Getty Images A person takes photos of volcanic eruption at New Zealand's White Island, Dec. 9, 2019.

Related: Jesse Langford Recalls Horror of Volcanic Eruption that Killed His Family: 'Everything Started Going Black'

I looked behind me and saw the plume going up," Depauw said, before telling his passengers to run. According to the outlet, Depauw shared that he ran 200 meters into the ocean and was at times in darkness underwater as he dived down to protect himself from the hot ash.

The minute I hit the water, it went black. The ash came and obviously hit us and I couldnt see anything, Depauw said, per AP. He told the court that he spent up to two minutes underwater, waiting for the ash to clear, and then found the two passengers who had made it into the water with him, before all three were picked up by an inflatable that was taking survivors to a larger boat.

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With only minor injuries included a cut knee, a pulled back muscle and temporary ash irritation to his eyes, Depauw remained on the inflatable and helped others.

Phil Walter/Getty Images White Island is pictured on December 08, 2020 off the coast of Whakatane

Related: Woman Whose Dad and Sister Were Killed in New Zealand Volcano Eruption Marks Her 'Burnversary'

According to the New Zealand Herald, Depauw described the "panic" and "screaming" he witnessed in the aftermath of the volcano's eruption, as well as what he saw while helping victims.

Youd hold them and their skin would just fall off. That was when you realised there were quite a few burn victims" Depauw said.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

During his time in the witness box, Depauw also explained that while giving safety instructions to his passengers, he had told them they must follow his lead in the event of an emergency. If you see me run -- I always kind of make a joke -- follow me as well, he said.

However, two of the pilot's four passengers didnt make it to the water and were burnt quite badly, Depauw said, per AP. The pilot also said he thought there would be warning signs prior to the volcano erupting and wasnt aware that the volcano had erupted as recently as 2016.

Related: 5 Killed, Several Injured or Missing After Volcano Erupts in New Zealand: 'No Signs of Life'

The way I understood it was there would be some signs and some time to vacate the island." Depauw told prosecutor Steve Symons.

The islands owners and their company Whakaari Management Ltd. in addition to tour operators ID Tours NZ Ltd. and Tauranga Tourism Services Ltd. have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Each of the companies faces a maximum fine of $927,000.

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Read the original article on People.
The house where four college students were brutally stabbed to death last November will remain standing until October, the University of Idaho announced Wednesday, following outrage from some of the victims family members over its planned demolition.

In an email to students and employees, President Scott Green said that the university had reversed course on its decision to demolish the rental house on King Road in Moscow, Idaho, where Madison Maddie Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, were killed on Nov. 13. Bryan Kohberger, a former criminology student at Washington State University, in nearby Pullman, has been charged with four counts of murder and is facing the death penalty if convicted.

We will revisit this decision in October, said Green, who noted that the university still fully expected to demolish it.

The Moscow, Idaho, residence where students Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves were found dead on Nov. 13 is roped off amid investigations in January.

The Moscow, Idaho, residence where students Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves were found dead on Nov. 13 is roped off amid investigations in January.

Thank you to the University of Idaho for honoring the wishes of the families by not demoing the King Rd. house, the Goncalves family said in a statement provided to HuffPost by their attorney, Shanon Gray.

The owner of the house donated it to the university earlier this year. The university had initially planned to tear it down this spring, long before the murder trial was set to begin, with the permission of both the prosecution and defense teams, which Green noted in his email. That did not sit well with some of the victims family members, specifically the Goncalveses, who were vocal in their objections.

The university asked for the families opinions on the demolition and then proceeded to ignore those opinions and pursue their own self-interests, Gray said in an early July email to The Idaho Statesman.

Gray told the Statesman that members of the Mogen and Kernodle families also opposed the demolition of the property until after the trial, which is scheduled to start Oct. 2. The trial could be delayed, however, after a judge on Monday granted the defenses request to stay the proceedings.

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The home itself has enormous evidentiary value as well as being the largest, and one of the most important, pieces of evidence in the case, Gray told the Statesman.

Prosecutors have disputed that the house would play a role in the trial; unlike other high-profile cases, they did not plan for the jury to tour the scene of the killings.

The scene has been substantially altered from its condition at the time of the homicides including removal of relevant property and furnishings, removal of some structural items such as wallboard and flooring, and subjected to extensive chemical application creating a potential health hazard, Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said in an email to the university that was viewed by CNN. These are some of the reasons that we have concluded that a jury view would not be appropriate.

In his original Feb. 24 announcement, Green had called the proposed demotion a healing step that would counter efforts to further sensationalize the crime scene.

He echoed that sentiment Wednesday, saying, It is a constant reminder of the heinous acts that went on inside it. It is also a place that continues to draw unwanted attention from media, YouTubers and others.

Still, Green acknowledged Wednesday that the house elicits deep emotional responses from those who are working through grief and who fear that its destruction could impact the court case.

We hear all these arguments, take them seriously and weigh them against the greater good for our university.  This is why the decision about what to do with the King Road house is so difficult, he said.

Following the removal of hazardous asbestos and lead, Green said, personal items from the residents will be removed and families will soon be able to retrieve their loved ones possessions to the extent they wish to do so. We will continue to work discretely and respectfully with the families on this.

Related...
On 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,' former 'Real Housewives' cast member Meghan King talks about the wedding gift she received from President Biden after King married the president's nephew in 2021.

Presidential wedding gifts were a topic on Wednesdays Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, when a former Real Housewives cast member revealed what she received from President Joe Biden.

One of the nights guests was Meghan King, who appeared on The Real Housewives of Orange County for three seasons from 2014 to 2017, during which time she was married to former MLB player Jim Edmonds. They later separated in October 2019 after five years of marriage and three children together.

King would go on to marry Cuffe Biden Owens, the nephew of President Biden and son of Bidens younger sister, Valerie Owens. The ceremony took place at the grooms childhood home in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, in October 2021. The couple separated a few months later in December 2021, and the marriage was later annulled in July 2022.

RELATED: Meghan King confirms Cuffe Biden Owens split after 2 months of marriage: 'I am rattled'

However, the wedding was attended by the president and the first lady, something that WWHL host Andy Cohen couldnt help but ask about. He first wanted to know if the Bidens had any knowledge of the Real Housewives show itself  which he executive produces  or Kings involvement in it.

I wasnt thinking about it, but I think the president is well aware of the housewives at this point, King said.

Cohen also asked about the wedding gift they received from the president, which King described as a beautiful crystal bowl with the presidential seal on it.

And of course, given the eventual outcome of Owens and Kings brief relationship, we learned that King is the one who got to keep the gift after the separation, news that was met with applause from the studio audience and a high-five from Cohen.

So, maybe it was worth it? he asked.

No Andy, it was not, King said.

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen airs Sunday through Thursdays on Bravo.
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) recommends closing Briar Point Beach in Coventry, Hope Community Service Pond in Scituate and Georgiaville Pond Beach in Smithfield for swimming because of high bacteria levels.

RIDOH will continue to monitor and review beach water quality through Labor Day. The status of a beach may change as new data become available. The most up-to-date beach information is available through a recorded message on RIDOHs beaches telephone line (401-222-2751). A list of closed beaches can also be accessed at health.ri.gov

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI beaches closed due to high bacteria levels: Briar Point, Georgiaville
Amid the bad optics of appearing on social media with Kim Kardashian at a Dolce & Gabbana show in Puglia, Italy as SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP contract talks went down to the wire, the actors president Fran Drescher, along with the guilds National Executive Director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, blasted employers at the SAG-AFTRA Strike presser this AM for stirring up the bad ink against The Nanny actress.

That wasnt a selfie! exclaimed Drescher in fielding a question about the incident earlier this week, which Deadline first told you about. Kardashian posted the photo with Drescher on her Instagram Stories thread.

More from Deadline

National Executive Director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland stepped in first to defend The Beautician and the Beast star in regards to her Italian fox trot.

I want to say its outrageous that they would do that. What Fran was doing, was Fran was working. Which is what our members do. And for these employers to cynically try to turn our members against Fran, because she was doing a job that she was under contract to do, while by the way, she was zooming into our negotiations after-work hours, working 18 hours or more a day. It is outrageous, it is wrong, its despicable and they should be ashamed of it, exclaimed Crabtree-Ireland.

Drescher piped up I appreciate that. Im a brand ambassador for a fashion company and so is Kim.

I had only met Kim seconds before that publicity picture was taken. It had nothing to do with being at a party or having fun, continued the SAG-AFTRA President.

It was absolute work. I was in hair and make-up three hours a day, walking in heels on cobblestones, doing things like that which is work not fun, emphasized Drescher.

Story continues

Im sure Kim would have rather have been at her home in Malibu with her children, too, said Drescher, But we work, thats what we do.

She continued to defend, At 10:30 at night, I would leave the event, go to my hotel room, and Id call into the zoom. And when I couldnt get through to them because I was on a plane, I was texting with them constantly throughout the plane ride. I worked around the clock in three different time zones because my parents live in Florida, though I keep asking them to move here and I managed their well-being as well.

I think that all of the people standing behind me, stand behind me!, summed up Drescher in her defense.

Their comments today come amid SAG-AFTRA rejecting an offer from the AMPTP which the latter calls historic in its pay and residual increases and groundbreaking in regards to A.I. and thespians having creative control over their digital likeness. Crabtree-Ireland pushed back on the A.I. portion saying that the extras were bound to get hurt down the road, as theyd lose control of their digital likeness. The negotiator also mentioned that the current streaming model has undercut performers residual incomes.

In the wake of Dreschers appearance on social media with Kardashian at the Italian show, rival SAG-AFTRA Presidential candidate Maya Dunbar, whos running against Drescher, told Deadline: This is a clear example of how out of touch the President is with the majority of the rank-and file-membership. While most members are currently wondering if theres going to be a strike, and how theyll pay the rent, their dues and afford to provide for their families during the worst economic stability in recent years, shes off taking pics with celebrities widely known and shamed for crossing WGA picket lines.

Deadline understands that Drescher and others will begin picketing tomorrow morning with a bus leaving SAG-AFTRA HQ around 8:30am, where they will go to Netflix, Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery and finishing off at Disney.

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Fortune Business Insights

The global carbon monoxide market covered major segments by Application (Metal Fabrication, Chemicals, Ore Processing & Extraction, Pharma & Biotechnology, and Electronics) and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030

Pune, India, July 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global carbon monoxide market size was valued at USD 3.26 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 3.36 billion in 2023 to USD 4.53 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.4% over the study period.

The escalation can be credited to the increasing product demand from the metal extraction and processing sectors. An additional factor favoring industry expansion is the surging investment toward the development of technical and advanced products.

Fortune Business Insights provides this information in its research report, titled Carbon Monoxide Market, 2023-2030.

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https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/carbon-monoxide-market-105343

List of Key Players Profiled in the Carbon Monoxide Market Report:

Air Liquide (France)

Linde Plc. (Ireland)

Air Products (U.S.)

Praxair (U.S.)

American Gas Products (U.S.)

Sipchem (Saudi Arabia)

Messer (Germany)

Tosoh (Japan)

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Attributes Details Forecast Period 2023-2030 Forecast CAGR 4.4% 2030 Value Projection USD 4.53 billion Market Size in 2022 USD 3.26 billion Historical Data 2019-2021 No. of Pages 150 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Profiles, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Latest Trends Segments Covered By Region

By Application Regions Covered North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East and Africa Carbon Monoxide Market Growth Drivers Metal Fabrication Segment to Register Notable Expansion Owing to Rapid Urbanization Market Share to Rise Owing to Growing Demand for Inorganic and Organic Chemicals

Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC:



https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/carbon-monoxide-market-105343

Segments:

Metal Fabrication Segment to Register Notable Expansion Owing to Rapid Urbanization

On the basis of application, the market for carbon monoxide is fragmented into pharma & biotechnology, ore processing & extraction, chemicals, metal fabrication, and electronics. The metal fabrication segment is poised to register substantial expansion over the forecast period. The expansion is driven by the growing product demand in fabrication, purification, and extraction applications.

Based on geography, the market for carbon monoxide has been studied across Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

COVID-19 Impact:

Market Growth Impacted on Account of Falling Revenue amid the Coronavirus Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic led to the migration of workers, bringing production activities to a halt. Besides, the supply chain was disrupted on account of economic uncertainty and the enforcement of strict restrictions on transportation. The pandemic also recorded a decline in product demand from the metal extraction and mining sectors, affecting industry expansion to a considerable extent.

Report Coverage:

The report gives an analysis of the major trends impelling the global business scenario over the forthcoming years. It further provides an insight into the key factors boosting industry expansion throughout the projected period. Other aspects of the report include an account of the significant steps undertaken by major market players for strengthening the positions of their businesses.

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Drivers and Restraints:

Market Share to Rise Owing to Growing Demand for Inorganic and Organic Chemicals

One of the major factors impelling the carbon monoxide market growth is the soaring product demand from the construction, bulk chemical manufacturing, and chemical sectors. Besides, the industry expansion is further propelled by the rising product demand in fish and meat packaging sectors as a blend of low levels of CO with CO2 in high concentrations is used to reduce the growth of microbes.

However, the market growth may be affected by the poisonous nature of the gas.

Regional Insights:

Asia Pacific to Emerge Prominent Driven by Growing Demand from Metal Extracting Companies

Asia Pacific has recorded a soaring product demand from metal extracting and processing companies. This has been instrumental in fueling the carbon monoxide market share over the projected period.

The Europe market is estimated to depict considerable expansion throughout the analysis period. The surge is propelled by the increasing product demand from the metal fabrication sector. Besides, the region has a presence of commercial manufacturers of industrial gases. This is expected to impel market growth in the region.

The North America market share is expected to record lucrative growth over the forecast period. The escalation is driven by increasing mining activities in the region. The soaring product usage in iron extraction is further set to impel regional expansion over the study period.

Competitive Landscape:

Leading Companies Enter into Strategic Deals to Strengthen Market Position

Key market participants are devising a range of strategies for boosting the positions of their businesses. These include merger agreements, acquisitions, and the development and launch of new products. Other initiatives comprise collaborations and partnership deals.

Ask for Customization:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/carbon-monoxide-market-105343

Detailed Table of Content:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Data Sources

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Key Emerging Trends- For Major Countries Key Developments: Mergers, Acquisition, Partnership, etc. Latest Technological Advancement Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis

Qualitative Insights  Impact of COVID-19 on Global Carbon Monoxide Market Supply Chain Challenges Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak

Global Carbon Monoxide Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2030 Key Findings / Summary By Application (Value) Metal Fabrication Chemicals Ore Processing and Extraction Pharma & Biotechnology Electronics By Region (Value) North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa



TOC Continued...!

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Key Industry Development:

January 2021  Air Liquide entered into an extended agreement with BASF. According to Air Liquide, the contract depicts BASFs confidence and trust in the company for the creation of value and delivering long-term performance to customers.

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SAG-AFTRA President and perennial fashion icon Fran Drescher is not only dealing with her union going on strike, but also fallout from a picture of her seemingly living it up in Italy with Kim Kardashian at a Dolce & Gabbana fashion show in the middle of guild negotiations.

Kardashian posted the pic on her Instagram Stories on Monday, as SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers were careening towards an impasse that led to the announcement of a strike on Thursday.

The photo caused some members of the union to criticize Drescher for seemingly not having her priorities straight, though at a press conference of the actors' union, flanked by its members, the Nanny star and veteran character actress defended the pic, which she insisted "wasn't a selfie," as part of her job.

Fran Drescher at the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California

Gilbert Flores/Getty Images Fran Drescher

"I had only met Kim seconds before that publicity picture was taken. It had nothing to do with being at a party or having fun, it was absolutely work," Drescher said, noting that both she and Kardashian are Dolce & Gabbana brand ambassadors. "I was in hair and makeup for three hours a day, walking in heels on cobblestones, doing things like that [referring to the photo] which is work, not fun. I'm sure Kim would've rather been at her home in Malibu with her children, too. But, we work, that's what we do."

Drescher added that she worked around the clock in three different time zones ("Because my parents live in Florida, though I keep asking them to move here!") and that she was present on all calls and videoconferences.

"So I think all the people standing behind me, stand behind me!" President Drescher said, as members of the union applauded her.

Still, with elections coming up, some saw this as a perfect opportunity to send the flashy girl back to Flushing. Actress Maya Dunbar used the potential gaffe to pitch herself as Drescher's replacement.

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"This is a clear example of how out of touch the President is with the majority of the rank-and file-membership," Dunbar said in a statement to Deadline. "While most members are currently wondering if there's going to be a strike, and how they'll pay the rent, their dues and afford to provide for their families during the worst economic stability in recent years, she's off taking pics with celebrities widely known and shamed for crossing WGA picket lines."

SAG-AFTRA declared its own strike two months into the Hollywood writers' strike, joining the WGA in seeking a fair and equitable deal with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) as streaming and the development of AI technology has upended their industry.

"We stand in solidarity in unprecedented unity. Our union and our sister unions and the unions around the world are standing by us as well as other labor unions. Because at some point, the jig is up," Drescher said following the announcement of the strike. "You cannot keep being dwindled and marginalized and disrespected and dishonored. The entire business model has been changed by streaming, digital, AI. This is a moment of history that is a moment of truth. If we don't stand tall right now, we are going to be in trouble. We are all going to be in jeopardy of being replaced by machines and big business, who cares more about Wall Street than you and your family."

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As the alarms went off this morning, so did the rain  and another round passed through in time for morning commutes.

Heavy rain and winds have been sweeping through the Des Moines metro with more possible through 2 p.m., according to the National Weather Service forecast. Large hail may fall and damaging winds are possible.

Most of central Iowa is also under a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 a.m. According to the watch release, a tornado or two cannot be ruled out in the far southern Iowa area.

7:20AM Radar Update: Widespread thunderstorms are making their way across the state this morning. The severe threat is becoming more focused to the south. The next line of storms will arrive in Des Moines in around 1 hour. #iawx pic.twitter.com/jDm9EzPBRw  NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) July 12, 2023

Power outages reported in Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Sioux City areas

MidAmerican Energy reported that 1,153 customers in the Des Moines area  mostly in Dallas County near Adel  have been affected by outages due to the storm. By 9:15 a.m. most had power restored.

Another 6,400 customers, down from 8,600, in the Council Bluffs area and 1,200 near Sioux City are also without power.

Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter @NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Power outages remain as severe weather moves through Iowa
A heavy truck toting a robust machine arrived a few months ago in a quiet Lake Mary neighborhood of medical offices, small shops and the citys fire station No. 37.

At the back of the mobile drilling rig, workers lowered a steel snout to the ground and bored a pair of holes several hundred feet into the earth and into the Floridan Aquifer. It was a renewed effort to probe for the 1,4-dioxane that plagues the drinking water of tens of thousands of residents in Seminole County.

This is a very positive step, said Jake Varn, a former director of Floridas department of environment and a lawyer now assisting the city of Sanford.

The pair of deep holes, or monitoring wells, were ordered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The wells could finally determine whether the source of the 1,4-dioxane deep underground is, as Sanford has repeatedly asserted, the contaminated Siemens factory site in west Lake Mary, Varn said.

Its the first major step to confirming what Sanford has thought for years, Varn said.

Resolving who is at fault for 1,4-dioxane in drinking water has been a long time in coming.

The chemical was documented by state investigators as contaminating the ground beneath the Siemens factory in 2001. Sanford, Lake Mary and Seminole County found the chemical in their drinking water in 2013 and 2014.

The investigation into the fate of the Siemens factorys 1,4-dioxane and how the chemical got into drinking water has been plodding at times, marked with unfulfilled assurances, detoured by lapses in institutional memory, and, according to state records, now hints at contention.

The state has not determined the source of potential dioxane contamination in Sanfords groundwater wells, said a spokesperson for Siemens, the giant German corporation, in a statement.

The responses of the two cities and the county have amounted to on-the-job training, thanks to the nation being ill-equipped for obscure and unregulated chemicals such as 1,4-dioxane, according to groups pushing for protections.

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1,4-dioxane is just one of many harmful chemicals linked to serious human health problems with a long history of contaminating tap water across the country, said Sydney Evans, science analyst with Environmental Working Group, a national not-for-profit focused on safe drinking water. Yet the EPA continues to move far too slowly in regulating drinking water contaminants.

This unconscionable negligence is especially concerning when it comes to 1,4-dioxane because the only effective home filtration option is reverse osmosis, which is not accessible for most people. We urgently need federal action to ensure utilities protect the public from this and other dangerous chemicals, Evans said.

Industrial chemical infiltrated Lake Mary, Sanford, Seminole water wells; few knew and there was no coordinated response

Since 1996, no contaminants have been added to the list of those regulated by the EPA for drinking water. The agency faces obstacles in regulating new chemicals, advocacy groups acknowledge, including legal battles with manufacturers and users.

Sometimes we throw all of our frustrations at the Environmental Protection Agency for being so slow, said Sonya Lunder, a Sierra Club senior toxics policy advisor. And then realize that everything goes to court these days.

Missed warning

There were early warnings about 1,4-dioxane.

In 2000, Florida environmental authorities began to grapple with what to do about 1,4-dioxane and other chemicals spreading underground into a drinking water aquifer from a factory near Sarasota that had produced bomb parts.

In 2001, Thomas Mohr, then an engineering geologist in California and today a leading 1,4-dioxane expert, published a lengthy paper stressing that the nations sites contaminated with toxic chemicals like those at the Siemens factory should be re-evaluated.

The presence of 1,4-dioxane should be expected, he wrote, warning additionally that the chemical may have migrated a considerable distance from the original pollution site.

In 2006, the EPA warned that 1,4-dioxane can travel swiftly and widely through aquifers.

In 2010, the Florida Department of Health reported that 1,4-dioxane and other chemicals were being cleaned up at the Lake Mary Siemens factory but that 1,4-dioxane remained at high levels.

Finally, in 2013, the EPA required water utilities across the nation to conduct one-time testing for the presence of substances that werent regulated but were thought to be hazardous.

They included a metal, molybdenum; a pest-control agent, methyl bromide; PFAS chemicals; a hormone, testosterone; a virus, norovirus; and a synthetic compound, 1,4-dioxane.

Central Florida water utilities reported back. Among them, Leesburg, Titusville, Kissimmee and Winter Park found no 1,4-dioxane.

Orlando Utilities Commission, the regions biggest water provider, did get a positive hit. OUC detected a very low level in April 2013 but tested six months later and found none.

In all, there were relatively few findings of significant concentrations of 1,4-dioxane in Florida drinking water, according to a database kept by the Environmental Working Group.

The city with the highest concentration of 1,4-dioxane was Lake Mary. Seminole County had the second highest, while Sanford ranked sixth, according to the groups data.

For drinking water safety, the EPA pairs with the Florida departments of environment and health, which then provide rigid guidance to local water utilities on what to do, how and when.

Outwardly and ordinarily, the partnership conveys confidence and trustworthiness.

But when 1,4-dioxane was documented in tap water of Lake Mary, Sanford and Seminole County in 2013 and 2014, the county and cities were left adrift, according to government documents and recent interviews.

In essence, since there are no rules for 1,4-dioxane in drinking water, it wasnt specifically in the job descriptions of the Florida and U.S. environmental agencies to immediately assist the two cities and county.

With little direction from above, Lake Mary, Sanford and Seminole County opted to go it alone in solving their shared plight, rather than to consider benefits of collaboration, and to quietly pursue markedly different solutions.

Lake Mary hit hardest

Lake Mary was especially sucker punched by what it didnt know about 1,4-dioxane.

I had never even heard of it before, said Bruce Paster, public works director for Lake Mary who retired this spring after a nearly 40-year career.

In 2001, the city drilled a drinking water well  well No. 5  just south of the Siemens factory property. Before it was put to use, the water in well No. 5 was found to be stewing with carcinogenic solvents.

Siemens factory owners eventually paid for an upgrade at the citys water treatment plant that would remove the solvents.

In late June, a Siemens spokesperson described that history: Siemens voluntarily entered into publicly-available agreements with both the city and state to fund and support remediation efforts.

By 2006, the treatment plant had been equipped and Lake Mary turned on well No. 5.

Water wells that extend down into the Floridan Aquifer are prized by water utilities  they are costly and challenging in a number of ways but are essential for a communitys water supply.

No. 5 proved to be a reliable workhorse, or so it appeared. It produced prodigious amounts of drinking water, from 1 million to nearly 2 million gallons daily, according to state records.

Nearly eight years later, in 2014, 1,4-dioxane was found in No. 5  a lot of it.

Well No. 5 would turn out to be the most contaminated with 1,4-dioxane by far among the citys wells. It was taken out of service and is now partly dismantled with an uncertain future, according to city officials.

After No. 5 was turned off, Lake Marys other wells and drinking water still contained several times the limit of 1,4-dioxane recommended by state and federal guidelines.

The city asked the Florida Department of Health if its drinking water was safe.

In 2016, the health department said it found even higher concentrations of 1,4-dioxane in city drinking water than was first discovered during EPA-mandated tests in 2014 and 2015.

Ingesting water with the highest level of 1,4-dioxane, as documented by the health department, would cause, at most, an extremely low increased risk of cancer, the Department of Health stated in July 2016.

Later in 2016, underscoring the uncertainty and ambiguity surrounding 1,4-dioxane, the department issued statewide guidance for the chemical with a more cautious tone.

The guidance noted that the health effect of chemical exposure can range widely from one person to the next and concluded that the public health goal is to stop the pathway of exposure for 1,4-dioxane as soon as possible.

Lake Mary officials relied on the 2016 health department statement to buy time, understanding it could not continue to provide drinking water tainted with a toxic but poorly researched chemical.

Although not required to do so, Lake Mary decided that it needed to identify and install a treatment system to address this new contaminant of concern now before it could become an issue for the public, city officials stated in an internal memo.

City officials said their new water treatment plant is unlike any other in Florida. It injects water with hydrogen peroxide, blasts it with ultraviolet light and finishes with carbon filtration, all to remove the vast majority of 1,4-dioxane.

The water treatment plant was costly, estimated at nearly $40 million. It was paid for voluntarily by owners of the telephone equipment factory as part of a 2017 agreement with the city and state. The owners of the Siemens factory declined to disclose a specific price.

The water plant went into service in 2021, or two decades after 1,4-dioxane was found at the Siemens factory site.

Its definitely the most modern way to clean water, Paster said, adding that 1,4-dioxane at any concentration should not be in drinking water. Our fear is what would happen if levels would grow and if it would migrate to more wells.

Seminole Countys response faltered

Seminole Countys initial response to 1,4-dioxane was to adjust flow rates of its wells to reduce concentrations of the chemical to below the recommended limit.

That was eight years ago. Since then, the county apparently had not taken or planned any steps to get rid of the chemical entirely from drinking water. It tacitly accepted its presence at those reduced levels.

This week, however, Seminole officials posted a brief explanation of 1,4-dioxane on the countys website and assured the public that its water was safe to drink. This came a day after the Orlando Sentinel published online the first part of this series, revealing the toxic chemical has contaminated drinking water wells in northwest Seminole for years.

It is the first time in eight years that Seminole has publicly disclosed that its drinking water has 1,4-dioxane.

The message on the website states that through August county staff will collect samples from all 25 potable water wells and the points of entry for all five potable water systems on a monthly basis.

The county also has started working with a consultant to assist with developing short and long-term plans to address internal protocols and processes related to sampling, monitoring and reporting, according to the website.

County officials concede the history of its response is murky because senior leadership, with the passing of time and with turnover, lost track of the matter.

Seminoles water utility consists of nearly a dozen separate service areas. The most affected by 1,4-dioxane is the largest, the Northwest Service Area.

With some of Seminoles most affluent developments, including the gated, 2,200-home Heathrow, the service area takes in an area from Interstate 4 to the east, the countys border to the west, Wekiva Springs Road to the south and the St. Johns River to the north.

A test in August 2013 of the service area water found I,4-dioxane at nearly twice the concentration of the recommended limit. As with Lake Mary and Sanford, there likely is no way of knowing when the chemical first infiltrated drinking water of the Northwest Service Area.

The county responded by modifying flows from three wells: the Heathrow wells 2, 5 and 6 located along the west side of I-4 less than a half-mile from the Siemens plant. By 2016, the concentrations of 1,4-dioxane were hovering around half the recommended limit.

This spring, the Orlando Sentinel reached Kim Ornberg, who was hired as the countys environmental director late last year. New to her role, she had not heard of the 1,4-dioxane contamination.

Since learning of it, Ornberg has not been able to unravel the intent or actions of previous county administrations, she said.

Lee Constantine, a Seminole county commissioner for the past 10 years and before that a state senator for a decade, has prioritized water issues in Seminole.

He, too, learned of 1,4-dioxane for the first time when interviewed by the Sentinel in June. He then held meetings with the county manager, Darren Gray, who was hired this spring and also had not been told of the matter, and Orneberg.

What they concluded was that the county has had no means or proposal for removing 1,4-dioxane from drinking water. That needed to be rethought, Constantine said.

I cannot tolerate that chemical in our homes, Constantine said. The conversation that I had with the county manager is that they cant either. And theyre going to put together a plan of action to minimize this exposure. This is the health, safety and welfare of citizens.

Sanfords push for answers

Compared to Lake Mary and especially to Seminole County, Sanford has been persistent and at times aggressive in seeking to rid itself of 1,4-dioxane. The city also had been tormented by the slow pace of results.

Urgently wanting help in 2016, the city of Sanford urged the state Department of Environmental Protection to engage and confirm whether the Siemens plant was the source of its water contamination. The department answered that it would.

The state agency will gather data, wrote Paula Cobb, a deputy secretary then, in a letter to Sanford officials to develop a comprehensive approach to determine the potential sources of 1,4-dioxane, identify responsible parties, and evaluate an appropriate resolution.

That didnt happen and Sanford decided it had to protect itself by taking on the tasks and expenses it thought the state should have been pursuing.

Sanford hired two expert firms to determine the source of 1,4-dioxane found in several of its water wells, and in one in particular, the Twin Lakes No. 2 well in a grassy field next to Sams Club, 1.6 miles northeast of the Siemens factory.

In March 2013, the EPA testing found slightly more 1,4-dioxane than the recommended limit in Twin Lakes No. 2. Pumping from that well was curtailed to reduce the citys drinking water concentrations of the chemical to less than the recommended limit.

The two firms determined 1,4-dioxane likely had plunged deeply into the Floridan Aquifer at the Siemens factory and, hitchhiking along with the natural movement of water in the aquifer, drifted north and slightly east under Interstate 4 and to the citys Twin Lakes No. 2 well.

In 2018, Ardaman & Associates concluded it is highly probable the Siemens factory is the source of contamination and that still higher concentrations of the chemical in the Floridan Aquifer would eventually reach Sanfords wells.

Two years later, another expert hired by Sanford, Liquid Solutions Group, reviewed Ardamans investigation, findings and conclusion and stated the Siemens site is a likely source of dioxane contamination affecting the city of Sanford wellfields.

This June, Sanfords city commission opted for a new but uncertain strategy: seeking a treatment plant like that in Lake Mary  only much larger  to be paid for by state and federal agencies.

Its projected cost at nearly $80 million is staggeringly high relative to conventional plants. It will basically take care of everything, said Art Woodruff, Sanfords mayor.

This month, however, results came back from the drilling of monitoring wells this past spring near Lake Marys fire station 37. Sanford officials say that what one of the wells encountered may go far in determining who is responsible for 1,4-dioxane in the Floridan Aquifer and in the citys drinking water.

Drilling those wells occurred after some dispute.

Steven Siros, a Siemens factory owners lawyer, told the state in February the monitoring wells were not technically justified.

Tim Bahr, director of the departments waste management division, responded to Siros in March that the state would contract for the wells to be drilled and reserved the right to seek the full costs from the Siemens factory owners  as much as $400,000.

One of those wells drilled in April detected a high concentration of 1,4-dioxane.

To city of Sanford officials, its a smoking gun, making it increasingly clear that 1,4-dioxane migrated in the Floridan Aquifer from the Siemens factory to Sanford drinking water wells.

Sanfords lawyer, Varn, said the state Department of Environmental Protection now has enough evidence to press Siemens factory owners to mount a comprehensive investigation of 1,4-dioxane in the Floridan Aquifer.

Well be very anxious to find out what the departments plans are, Varn said.

Toxic Secret: Our series about 1,4-dioxane in Seminole water

Tuesday, July 11: Part 1  A toxic chemical, 1,4-dioxane, has infiltrated waters of three utilities.

Today: Part 2  Local water utilities have struggled with how to address 1,4-dioxane, a likely carcinogen

Tuesday, July 18: Part 3  1,4-dioxane has a seemingly sinister ability to invade the Floridan Aquifer.

Thursday, July 22: Part 4  1,4-dioxane in Seminole water has been a virtual secret. How one family found out.

Know more about this issue?

Do you have pertinent information about the 1,4-dioxane contamination in Seminole County water you would like to share with us for our reporting? If so, please email us at toxicsecret@orlandosentinel.com.

About the journalists who reported this series

Kevin Spear is the Orlando Sentinels environmental reporter. He has been with the newspaper for 34 years and for most of that time has covered key issues relating to water, wildlife and land use. He can be reached at kspear@orlandosentinel.com

Caroline Catherman is the Orlando Sentinels health reporter. She joined the newspaper in 2021 after previously working in public health research. She can be reached at ccatherman@orlandosentinel.com

Martin E. Comas is the Orlando Sentinels Seminole County reporter. He started at the newspaper in 1988 and has covered key Seminole stories including the death of Trayvon Martin and its aftermath, and the controversies surrounding disgraced Tax Collector Joel Greenberg. He can be reached at mcomas@orlandosentinel.com

Joe Burbank is the Orlando Sentinels senior photographer. He joined the newspaper in 1988 after working for Agence France-Presse news. He has spent more than three decades covering Central Florida with his visual reporting. He can be reached at jburbank@orlandosentinel.com

Rich Pope is the Orlando Sentinels videographer. He joined the newspaper in 2003. He has received Emmy nominations, along with recognitions from the Online News Association and Florida Society of Newspaper Editors. He can be reached at rpope@orlandosentinel.com

Help support our investigative reporting

Contributions to the Orlando Sentinels Community News Fund helped us produce this series. Please consider supporting our reporting by donating to the fund at OrlandoSentinel.com/donate
Were excited for our fans to live Vecnas curse as we recreate the iconic and terrifying moments from the show, said Universal's Lora Sauls

Courtesy of Netflix

Universal is bringing Stranger Things villain Vecna to Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando and Los Angeles.

People will be able to enter the terrifying upside down world from the popular Netflix show on Sept. 1 at Universal Orlando Resort and on Sept. 7 at Universal Studios Hollywood.

The haunted house promises to transport guests to Hawkins, Indiana, where they will encounter the newest supernatural villain, Vecna, who is hell-bent on obliterating the volatile barrier between the eerie Upside Down and the real world, according to a press release.

The theme of the haunted house is centered around the mind-bending twists and supernatural terror of Stranger Things season 4, which followed heroes Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Max (Sadie Sink) and Eddie (Joseph Quinn) among others in their battle against Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). Those same characters will also be featured in the haunted house.

Courtesy of Netflix 'Stranger Things' villain Vecna as seen in the show.

Related: Everything to Know About 'Stranger Things' Season 4 Villain, Vecna

Universal said the attraction will immerse people in a heart-pounding experience as they are attacked by Vecna and otherworldly creatures like demobats while traversing through iconic backdrops featured in the fourth season of the hit show, including the Hawkins Lab, the creepy Creel House and Vecna's chilling mind lair.

In a race against the clock, guests find themselves in the ultimate showdown within Vecna's blood-red mindscape, striving to escape and save mankind from his deadly curse, per the press release.

Universal Studios Universal Studios poster of 'Stranger Things' haunted house.

From the opening shots of Stranger Things 4, episode one, we knew this was meant to be an experience at Halloween Horror Nights, John Murdy, executive producer of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, said in the release.

Related: 'Stranger Things' Season 4 Review: The Supernatural Hit Is Back  and Scarier

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Were excited for our fans to live Vecnas curse as we recreate the iconic and terrifying moments from the show, added Lora Sauls, assistant director, creative development and show direction at Universal Orlando Resort.

Last month, Universal also announced that video game-turned-show The Last of Us would also make its way to Universal Orlando Resorts in an all-new haunted house experience.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Fans can get their hands on tickets for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort starting now. Both locations offer a variety of packages, including a special vacation package at Universal Orlando for those who want hotel accommodations, access to the haunted house, and admission to the resorts three theme parks.

In 2022, Halloween Horror Nights launched a variety of unique (yet equally terrifying) haunted houses at each location, including one inspired by musical superstar The Weekend.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Stills from Nina Galy's TikTok documenting her 38-hour ordeal with China Airlines. Nina Galy/TikTok

TikToker Nina Galy went viral posting about her ordeal trying to get her pet cat from LA to Bali.

She accused China Airlines of botching the transit, forcing them to abort the trip while in Taiwan.

She told Insider her cat was locked up in the dark for 38 hours with no food.

A TikToker accused an airline of stranding her pet cat for hours without food or comfort in a 38-hour ordeal that cost her thousands of dollars.

Nina Galy hoped to travel from Los Angeles to Bali, Indonesia, with her pet, whose name is Baby Cat.

She booked a flight with China Airlines, the national carrier for Taiwan, with a layover in Taipei, according to documents she shared with Insider.

Galy said she thought she had done everything necessary to navigate the complicated rules around flying with pets  but ended up stranded in the middle of her trip at Taipei Taoyuan Airport.

Her TikTok posts about the saga while she was stuck went viral, amassing some 15 million views.

Speaking to Insider, she said she planned to sue China Airlines for its handling of the situation. China Airlines did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

She said that China Airlines staff in Taiwan told her they never should have accepted her cat at LAX, that it was not cleared to enter Indonesia, and that her only option was to pay $1,800 to fly home.

Galy posted a TikTok on Thursday, to her account of over 400,000 followers, showing herself in tears at the airport.

She begged airport workers to let her see her cat, who had already been locked in her cage for 15 hours.

Instead of reuniting them or letting Galy get her connecting flight to Bali, the worker told her she had to go back to the US.

"Does anybody care that she's an animal that hasn't eaten?" Galy asked of Baby Cat.

@ninadoesthemost China Airlines says Human Error is the reason my Cat is stuck in Taiwan.  original sound - Ninadoesthemost

Galy told Insider her plan was to travel to Bali with Baby Cat because she would soon be moving there. She believed Baby Cat, who she has had for about 10 years, could fly with her in the cabin.

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She got a vet to issue a travel certificate, and spent almost $1,500 on consultations, blood tests, vaccinations, and other protocols.

"We then sent the lab results to the USDA for a travel certificate, which cost me an additional $150 for two prepaid overnight labels," Galy said. She said the vet repeatedly checked all her documents were in order.

According to US government guidelines, a pet dogs or cat can enter Indonesia from the US under certain conditions. It needs to be in good health, has a microchip, have lived in the US for six months, not have been exposed to rabies, and have various vaccines.

From what Galy showed Insider, it appeared that Baby Cat met those criteria.

But things went awry when Galy arrived at LAX. She was told Baby Cat could not fly with her in the cabin as she had expected, but had to ride in the hold with the cargo.

A spokesperson for LAX declined to comment to Insider, saying it was an issue for the airline.

Galy said she phoned her brother who rushed a cat carrier to the airport. She said she paid four additional fees to get Baby Cat on the plane. She said the first was $230, then $90, another $90, and another $320  she said it was not clear to her what the money was for.

"The confusion of the check-in staff was baffling, but they did put a baggage tag on her that said final destination: Bali," Galy said. "So I figured I had a few blips in my plan, but 21 hours later, we would both be soaking up the Bali sun in our new home."

But, when Galy got to Taiwan after 13 hours of flying, expecting to get her connection to Bali, she landed "to a complete nightmare." She said she was greeted by a gate attendant who took her to an area outside of boarding and told her to wait for a manager.

"This is when I knew something was terribly wrong," she said.

After an hour of waiting, she said a manager, "who didn't seem to be friendly, or have a sense of urgency about the matter," told her she needed to go back to the US as Indonesia would not accept her cat.

"He told me I was not allowed to switch airlines, and that I was not allowed to stay in the airport another 24 hours, forcing me to buy another return ticket with China Airlines," Galy said.

She said the manager told her Baby Cat had only been allowed that far due to "human error" at LAX.

"I requested that they at least cover my ticket back to America, because they had already admitted the fault of human error," she said. "But when I articulated this to the manager, his response was, 'I do not accept your opinion. China Airlines does not owe you anything.'"

Galy said the manager had a "general lack of empathy" and even walked away from her several times during the conversation, saying he "couldn't deal with it."

Feeling "defeated, confused, and traumatized," Galy gave in and paid $1,800 to get back to LA, on a plane that left 13 hours later. She was told she couldn't see Baby Cat in that time.

"My cat had to remain in the basement for an additional 13 hours by herself, until our 12.5-hour flight back was ready to board," she said. "They said they covered her cage with a blanket, so she's trapped in the dark, for what would be 25 hours, before boarding the return flight."

This was when Galy turned to TikTok.

"I have traumatized my cat, I have sedated her, I have starved her, she has been in a cage for almost 15 hours now with no food and nowhere to relieve herself," she said in her video.

"When I paid for baby cat to fly, they put a baggage tag on her carrier that said 'Final destination: Bali.' At that point in time, if she was not able to go and enter Bali, why was that even able to print from your system?"

Galy and her cat were reunited the next day when they landed in the US. She updated her TikTok followers saying her cat was fine, though she "smells terrible."

"She definitely peed in her cage and threw up," she said.

@ninadoesthemost Im choosing not to share the details of what was told to me for legal reasons. However, the gravity of this situation was known BEFORE I arrived to Taiwan, and they also did accept responsibility for human error. So now Ive got even more work to do with this  original sound - Ninadoesthemost

"I felt like the worst pet owner ever," Galy told Insider. "I felt like I had betrayed the trust that had taken me almost 10 years to build with my cat."

She added that she knew "for a fact" Baby Cat had not received any food or been allowed out of her cage to relieve herself "because her cage was zip-tied shut," she said.

Galy said that she saw China Airlines' corporate account on Instagram watch updates she posted about the situation, but that she had not heard from them.

"I am pursuing legal action and am seeking an international lawyer to help solve this effectively," she said.

Galy is currently now in Bali going through with her trip as planned, but left Baby Cat at home in California.

Read the original article on Insider
The Jewel Thief

Gerald Blanchard in 'The Jewel Thief' Credit - Courtesy of Hulu

The Jewel Thief, a documentary out July 13 on Hulu, details the life of Gerald Blanchard, once called the worlds most ingenious thief. The film goes beyond the details of Blanchards notable crown jewel robbery, uncovering his complex, world-spanning decades of crimes and the story of the detectives who finally caught him.

Filmmaker Landon Van Soest first learned about Blanchard around 2007, when he made national headlines for returning an Austrian crown jewel known as the Sisi Star that he had stolen in 1998. In making the documentary, Van Soest aspired to dig deeper than what meets the eye about Blanchard and his crimes. Delving into it I realized that that [the jewel] was just the tip of the iceberg and that there was a lifetime of criminal obsession and ambition for him, he tells TIME. He constantly graduated to these larger, more complex, more involved series of heists.

Blanchard, who appears in the documentary, takes pride in his controversial rise. My story is probably very fascinating because everyone wishes they could do the things Ive done, he says in the film. When youre a kid, people dream about robbing banks. I think its a fantasy that most people have but they actually never executed it like I did.

Gerald Blanchard shown in 'The Jewel Thief' Courtesy of Hulu

Who is Gerald Blanchard?

Blanchard, born in 1972, grew up in Canada before moving to Omaha, Nebraska with his mother and sister. According to his mother Carol Phegly, Blanchard was quiet as a child, often interested in taking apart electronics. If he told me hed be a mastermind international thief I would have blown it off, she says in the film.

The Jewel Thief covers the events of Blanchards life by interspersing his recollections with those from people who have known him, revealing him to be an unreliable narrator with a tendency to exaggerate. In the film, he claims he stole milk from his neighbors growing up, jumped down from a parachute to escape a heist, and avoided a press frenzy when escaping another. These stories are refuted by others in the documentary, including Blanchards mother, who recall the same events in less fantastical detail.

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Read More: The Most Egregious Exclusions From the 2023 Emmy Nominations

In the movie, Blanchards former teachers and close childhood friends share their memories, noting his obsession with attention and being in front of the camera. Blanchard documented most of his life on video camerasincluding his criminal activitieswhich led, in part, to his eventual demise.

Van Soest says that while some details of Blanchards stories were misaligned, several parts of Blanchards most mind-boggling experiences rang true across the board from the films interviewees. We really wanted to let him tell those stories and try to call bullsh-t where we could, he says.

Blanchard developed a contentious relationship with banks in his younger days, when one attempted to foreclose the house he shared with his family in Nebraska. Ive always had this grudge against the banks, he says in the documentary. He would go on to steal from banks, finding thrill in the challenge of executing sophisticated crimesand becoming a recognizable figure.

A still from 'The Jewel Thief' Courtesy of Hulu

A life of pickpocketing and bank robberies leads to a stolen Austrian jewel

Blanchards criminal life began first with forays into shoplifting and pickpocketing jewelry and merchandise as a teenager. He then moved on to stealing electronics and making fake receipts of his stolen goods, but found he was not fully satisfied. I realized Why am I doing these small returns for small money when I can actually take the cash from a bank?

After embarking on more elaborate schemes, Blanchard was arrested when he was 15-years-old and charged with grand theft. Released after three months, Blanchard continued to steal, and started taking in a substantial amount of moneyaccording to the film, Blanchard had $100,000 stored in garbage bags and had bought a house at the age of 16.

Blanchard escaped arrest twiceonce crawling through the ceiling at a police station and another time driving away in a police carbefore being deported to Canada in 1997.

I could have stopped a long time ago but you always need that thrill. Its actually an addiction because Ive had tens of millions of dollars throughout my life and I continued doing crimes, he says in the documentary.

In 1998, Blanchard pulled off what is arguably his most notable heist, stealing a rare jewel that belonged to Empress Elisabeth of Austria from the Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, and replacing it with a replica from a gift shop. Blanchard says in the film that stealing the jewel was part of a bigger planhe would use it as a bargaining tool for future crimes in negotiations with authorities. Plus it looked nice, he adds.

In 2004, Blanchard successfully stole about $500,000 from the ATMs of a soon to open Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) in Winnipeg, Canada. At that point, it was just one of his many bank crimes, but it would be what led to his eventual downfall. That same night, a Walmart employee working next to the bank saw the vehicle Blanchard had driven. The car was rented under Blanchards name, which allowed detectives the access to wiretap his phone and track his every move.

In 2007, following a failed crime stint in Egypt and Europe and a continued investigation from Canadian detectives regarding the CIBC robbery, authorities caught and arrested Blanchard. His past partner, Angela James, cooperated with the police.

Leading up to his arrest Blanchard studied everything he executed intently, but his crimes would ultimately catch up to him. Its like playing a chess game. One mistake, your freedom is gone, he said.

Where is Blanchard now?

After his arrest Blanchard cooperated with authorities, admitting to his crimes and explaining in finite details how he accomplished them. He turned over the coveted Sisi Star, which he was hiding in his grandmothers Winnipeg home.

According to the documentary, Blanchard was indicted on 16 counts of theft and fraud, facing a maximum sentence of 164 years in prison. After detailing his crimes, surrendering the Sisi Star, and paying full restitution to the CIBC, his sentence was reduced to eight years in prison. As a condition of Blanchards guilty plea, none of his accomplices received prison sentences.

Blanchard was released on April 23, 2012, and would go on to build a public persona, recounting his outlandish crimes, alongside various books and videos about his life. I won because it was my public persona and my image that they created that got me where I am today. So when I was in prison I was a super star, he says.

Blanchards dealings with crime continued in later years. In 2017, he was arrested along with an accomplice, for stealing PlayStations from a Best Buy in Ontario. Similar to the CIBC heist, investigators identified Blanchard as a suspect because a car at the scene was rented in his name.

A detective who investigated the case that put Blanchard behind bars says in the film that its not a total surprise. I think the need to conquer is probably still there, he says.
The 128-acre site of Forest Ridge, a new Pataskala subdivision that will have 254 single-family homes.

As construction continues at Intel Corp.'s computer chip plant, a new Pataskala subdivision hopes to be the home of future Intel workers.

Forest Ridge, a 254-home subdivision by M/I Homes of Central Ohio, is coming to Ohio 310/Hazelton-Etna Road in Pataskala. The home builder expects to start selling lots for single-family homes next spring.

The Pataskala Planning and Zoning Commission approved a preliminary plan in September. On July 5, the commission approved the project's first phase, which will have 29 lots on 11 acres of land. The 254 homes will be built in multiple phases.

Joel West, land manager for M/I Homes, said in an interview after the meeting that Intel Corp.'s $20 billion semiconductor factory being built south of Johnstown was a factor in the company choosing to build homes in Pataskala. An estimated 3,000 employees are expected to work at the Intel factories.

Forest Ridge will be about a 15 minute drive from the Intel factory, West said.

A plan showing the enter layout for Forest Ridge, a 254-home subdivision by M/I Homes in Pataskala.

"It's certainly going to hopefully cater to anybody that would work there, you would think, that's looking for a new home," he said. "But it also gives, I think, additional opportunities  in a really beautiful setting  for not only existing Pataskala residents but other folks who might want to move out of the city and have a little bit more of a nice, quiet, small-town lifestyle."

The 128.1-acre development, which is in the Southwest Licking Local Schools district, is bordered to the south by the existing Ravines at Hazelwood subdivision and to the east by the new Scenic View Estates subdivision. About 50 acres, or about 40% of the development, will be open space, West said.

Pataskala City Planner Jack Kuntzman said during the July 5 meeting that Ohio 310 will be widened near the subdivision entrance to include a new traffic light that will have a southbound left turn lane into Forest Ridge.

West said the road should be widened this summer. It will take longer to receive all the materials for a new traffic signal, he said, but added the light should be operational by summer 2024.

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This map shows the site of Forest Ridge, a 254-home development by M/I Homes of Central Ohio in Pataskala.

Site preparation work is ongoing and water and sanitary sewer lanes will be installed soon, West said. M/I Homes hopes to pave the first phase's roads by the end of the year and a model home will completed by March.

Homes will be built in the summer and fall of 2024 with the first residents moving in by the end of 2024, West said.

Forest Ridge is the first new M/I Homes development in Pataskala in a number of years, West said. The home builder has been absent from the market because none of the of the company's existing housing designs fit Pataskala's architectural design standards.

"We purposely decided if we want to be in Pataskala, we just have to build a product that meets their requirements. So, that's what we did," West said.

This rendering shows the first phase of development for Forest Ridge, a 254-home subdivision by M/I Homes of Central Ohio in Pataskala.

M/I Homes created seven to eight different housing models that include two-story and ranch homes specifically to meet Pataskala's standard. And each housing model will have three to four variations, West said.

The homes are expected to cost between $400,000 and $550,000, but the cost could change slightly, West said.

Now that M/I Homes has created a lineup of homes just for Pataskala, West said the company hopes to create more subdivisions within the city.

mdevito@gannett.com

740-607-2175

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: New Pataskala subdivision on Ohio 310 aims to house Intel employees
The airline's new route to Guatemala City will launch in December.

Getty Images

Alaska Airlines is heading to Guatemala with a brand-new route from Los Angeles to the capital of Guatemala City.

The new year-round route will launch on Dec. 14 and be flown daily on a Boeing 737 aircraft, Alaska Airlines shared with Travel + Leisure. The flight will join other Central American destinations Alaska flies to from Los Angeles, including Belize and Costa Rica.

As a growing airline, were expanding to more international destinations, Kirsten Amrine, the vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines, said in a statement provided to T+L. Guatemala is a dynamic new country for us and our guests  full of outdoor adventures, history and natural beauty. Our new service will allow families, friends and businesses to better connect between the West Coast and Central America.

In addition, on Dec. 23, Alaska will also add new seasonal flights from both San Diego and Chicagos OHare International Airport to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, which sits along Mexicos Pacific Coast. Those flights will be operated once per week each from December until April.

With the new flight, Alaska will count four peak-day nonstop flights to Mexico from San Diego.

Weve been flying to Mexico for 35 years. Its a favorite with many of our guests for its culture, cuisine and beaches, Amrine added. Our new Saturday nonstops to Zihuatanejo from San Diego and Chicago add to our current Los Angeles and San Francisco service and provide guests with more choices as they plan their winter getaways.

Alaska isnt just expanding to Central America. Last month, the carrier announced new flights from Portland, OR, to Miami as well as additional service from Palm Springs to New York and from San Luis Obispo to Las Vegas. The airline also launched daily nonstop flights between San Diego and both Washington, D.C. and Eugene, OR, and on Oct. 5, the carrier plans to launch daily nonstop flights between San Diego and Tampa.

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Alaska Airlines offers a flight pass for travelers on the West Coast, which the airline first launched last year and has since expanded, that allows passengers to book six, 12, or 24 flights per year at a fixed monthly rate. The carrier also limits access to its airport lounges for passengers booked on a first class ticket based on how far they are traveling.



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Austin officials ended the Police Department's partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety on Wednesday, citing concerns of reports that troopers pulled a gun on a 10-year-old boy and his father over the weekend.

Mayor Kirk Watson's office told the American-Statesman that he does not expect to renew the partnership.

From the start of this partnership with DPS, I said I wanted Austinites to feel safe and be safe. Recent events demonstrate we need to suspend the partnership with DPS. The safety of our community is a primary function of City government, and we must keep trying to get it right, Watson said in a news release. This partnership was an innovative approach to address acute staffing shortages that were years in the making. However, any approach must be in sync with Austin values.

Although the deployment was welcomed by some citizens and law enforcement officials, others have criticized the presence of the DPS troopers, saying they do not follow certain Austin policing guidelines and that they are overpolicing communities of color. Data showed 9 out of 10 people arrested by the DPS in Austin were either Black or Hispanic, and that most patrols were on the East Side.

More: Faith leaders join in fight for more transparency regarding Austin police-DPS partnership

The original partnership was announced at the end of March in an effort to help Austin police with staffing shortages. As of the end of June, the Austin Police Department has nearly 325 vacancies.

The partnership had been paused in mid-May, when many DPS troopers were reassigned to the border, but it then began again on July 2.

The partnership has also been criticized by some for being forced onto the city without any input from City Council members. Watson struck the deal after conversations with Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Police said that the DPS helped lead to lower violent crime levels, fewer traffic fatalities, shorter response times and more seizures of drugs. However, other experts have questioned the data used by the police.

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More: Texas DPS addresses Austin City Council following criticism over APD partnership

APD said it had no further comments on Wednesday's announcement.

The announcement comes after Austin's Public Safety Commission passed a nonbinding recommendation on Monday for City Council members to reevaluate the partnership with certain guidelines established and more community engagement or to discontinue the partnership.

Austin Police Chief Joe Chacon, left, and Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw listen to Mayor Kirk Watson speak at a March 27 news conference about the then new partnership between the city and state to police Austin.

Incidents involving Texas Department of Public Safety troopers

FOX 7 reported that troopers pulled guns on a 10-year-old boy and his father Sunday after the boy got out of a car that was being pulled over in front of his home to use the bathroom. That incident prompted Watson and interim City Manager Jesus Garza to suspend the partnership, the mayor told the Statesman.

However, FOX 7 reported Wednesday evening that DPS showed the station body camera footage of the traffic stop showing that troopers did not point their guns at the child. The footage shows that when the 10-year-old exited the car, troopers approached with their weapons drawn but pointed downward. They did, however, point their guns at the boy's father, Carlos Meza.

DPS did not respond to the Statesman's requests for comment on the suspension of the police partnership Wednesday.

Troopers have also shot civilians in the Austin area twice since the partnership began. A trooper shot someone in the arm after a chase Monday, according to KXAN. In May, a trooper fatally shot and killed a man after a chase that began in Austin and ended in Round Rock. The agency said the man fired his weapon first.

This week, DPS also did not respond to the Statesman's multiple requests for information about the Monday shooting.

Reactions from Austin officials, activists

Austin Justice Coalition Executive Director Chas Moore said he hopes this recent suspension means that the DPS will be gone for good and that in the future the mayor will involve the community before making a decision such as this.

The coalition had "predicted both the extreme racially disparate impacts and unaccountable violence that would result from it, and now demands that the City clarify that DPS troopers will never again be deployed to our citys streets, Moore said in a news release.

Council Member Vanessa Fuentes said the deployment of DPS troopers never felt like a "partnership" because there was no inclusion of feedback from the council or community members when it was announced in March. She added that all citizens should feel safe and that many did not when the troopers were patrolling the streets.

To address the vacancies in the Police Department, Fuentes said the city needs to be "creative" and have conversations about what it means to address public safety in Austin.

"I believe that communities are safe when they have the resources needed to thrive," Fuentes said. "We've had areas in our city that have been longtime under-invested in, that do not have adequate health care services, that do not have stable housing, that do not have access to education, all of the key components that allow and that provide for safer communities."

Council Member Mackenzie Kelly said in a written statement that the decision to stop the partnership was a "disheartening setback" and that the DPS "undeniably contributed to combating crime."

Kelly said she understands the need to evaluate the partnership and that she believes transparency is vital to establish trust between law enforcement and the community.

"I strongly encourage (the DPS and Austin Police Department) to engage in open dialogue, explore options for future partnerships, and work towards a cohesive and effective approach to addressing crime in Austin," Kelly said.

Austin police shortage

The Police Department continues to see a high number of retirements this year, with 90 so far through June. Nearly 40 of those retirements came in March, the same month that the previous four-year police contract expired.

Negotiations with the police union came to a head in February when the council announced it would not accept the four-year contract that former City Manager Spencer Cronk reached with the union before he was fired.

To increase recruitment, the Police Department is offering more cadet classes this year than in the past. However, the three most recent classes have seen their cadet numbers drop from their initial enrollment. The 148th class, set to graduate in September, started out with 34 cadets, but only 19 remained in the academy as of June 29.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin police, Texas DPS partnership suspended weeks after restarting
Holland America will send two ships to the path of totality next year off the western coast of Mexico.

Michel Verdure/Courtesy of Holland America Line

We're less than a year away from the Great American Solar Eclipse, a total solar eclipse that will cross the U.S. from Texas to Maine on April 8, 2024. Many hotels are already fully booked for the astronomical event, but it's not too late to make travel plans.

Holland America is offering two solar eclipse cruise itineraries that will take guests directly into the path of totality, where the sun goes completely dark as the moon crosses in front of it. What makes cruising a particularly good option for solar eclipse viewing is that the ship can easily reposition if clouds get in the way.

Igor Zhuravlov/Shutterstock/Courtesy of Holland America Line

The first trip is a 22-day sailing from San Diego to Vancouver by way of Hawaii. Departing on April 5, the 2,650-passenger Koningsdam will sail south to Mexico, calling at Cabo San Lucas before positioning itself just offshore for the eclipse. The trip then continues to Puerto Vallarta before spending five days at sea sailing to Hawaii.

In Hawaii, guests will visit four stops, including an overnight in Honolulu, before heading back to sea en route to Canada, eventually calling at Victoria, British Columbia, before reaching Vancouver.

Michel Verdure/Courtesy of Holland America Line

On this sailing will be University of California San Diego Professor Adam Burgasser, an observational astrophysicist. "This first total solar eclipse in North America in seven years is something astronomers  amateur and professional  are all excited to observe, and theres no better or unique place to observe it than at sea off the coast of Mexico," Burgasser said in a statement released to Travel + Leisure.

Courtesy of Holland America Line

The second sailing is a bit shorter: a 14-day cruise through the Mexican Riviera, starting and ending in San Diego. This voyage on the 1,432-passenger Zaandam departs on March 30 and visits eight ports in Mexico, including Zihuatanejo (Ixtapa), Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan (where it will be on eclipse day), and Cabo San Lucas.

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The astronomy expert on board is Jim McParland, a Canadian lecturer who will present on eclipse day and throughout the cruise.



Rates for the 22-day sailing start at $2,779 per person for an interior cabin, and the trip can be booked here. Rates for the 14-day sailing start at $3,259 per person for an ocean-view cabin, and this one can be booked here.



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You may think that with a price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 1x NSI Asset AG (FRA:VMR1) is a stock worth checking out, seeing as almost half of all the Capital Markets companies in Germany have P/S ratios greater than 2.8x and even P/S higher than 9x aren't out of the ordinary. Nonetheless, we'd need to dig a little deeper to determine if there is a rational basis for the reduced P/S.

View our latest analysis for NSI Asset

What Does NSI Asset's P/S Mean For Shareholders?

For example, consider that NSI Asset's financial performance has been poor lately as its revenue has been in decline. Perhaps the market believes the recent revenue performance isn't good enough to keep up the industry, causing the P/S ratio to suffer. However, if this doesn't eventuate then existing shareholders may be feeling optimistic about the future direction of the share price.

Although there are no analyst estimates available for NSI Asset, take a look at this free data-rich visualisation to see how the company stacks up on earnings, revenue and cash flow.

How Is NSI Asset's Revenue Growth Trending?

The only time you'd be truly comfortable seeing a P/S as low as NSI Asset's is when the company's growth is on track to lag the industry.

Retrospectively, the last year delivered a frustrating 46% decrease to the company's top line. As a result, revenue from three years ago have also fallen 7.9% overall. Therefore, it's fair to say the revenue growth recently has been undesirable for the company.

It's interesting to note that the rest of the industry is similarly expected to decline by 3.8% over the next year, which is just as bad as the company's recent medium-term revenue decline.

In light of this, the fact NSI Asset's P/S sits below the majority of other companies is unanticipated but certainly not shocking. In general, shrinking revenues are unlikely to lead to a stable P/S long-term, which could set up shareholders for future disappointment regardless. Even just maintaining these prices will be difficult to achieve as recent revenue trends are already weighing down the shares heavily.

What Does NSI Asset's P/S Mean For Investors?

Generally, our preference is to limit the use of the price-to-sales ratio to establishing what the market thinks about the overall health of a company.

We've established that NSI Asset currently trades on a lower than expected P/S since its recent three-year revenue growth is no worse than the forecasts for a struggling industry. When we see a revenue growth decline that is on par with its peers, we can only assume potential risks are what might be causing the P/S ratio to be lower than average. Perhaps there is some hesitation about the company's ability to stay its recent medium-term course and resist further pain to its business from the broader industry turmoil. At least the risk of a price drop looks to be subdued, but investors seem to think future revenue could see some volatility.

Having said that, be aware NSI Asset is showing 3 warning signs in our investment analysis, and 2 of those are a bit concerning.

If you're unsure about the strength of NSI Asset's business, why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals for some other companies you may have missed.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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There is recent news coming out of Utah that addresses the traffic congestion in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has selected a gondola system as a solution. However, the approval of funding for this project is still pending from Utah's Legislature, and it is anticipated that environmental groups may file lawsuits. Prior to seeking approval, several measures will be implemented by late 2025, including tolling, improved bus services, and the establishment of a new mobility hub. The second phase of the plan aims to install snow sheds in areas prone to avalanches and enhance parking facilities at trailheads. In the third phase, a gondola will be constructed, along with a new parking structure adjacent to the La Caille restaurant. Once the gondola is operational, UTA plans to discontinue its bus services to Little Cottonwood Canyon.

An interesting aspect of this announcement is the revised cost estimate. Initially, the gondola was projected to cost $550 million. However, due to various factors, the updated cost estimate now stands at $729 million, exclusive of the annual operating expenses, which amount to millions of dollars.

Further information can be found in UDOT's Record of Decision.

We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging snow-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional rider or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SNOWBOARDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality snowboarding videos.

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Muffuletta sandwich Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images

In "Bibi's Gulf Coast Kitchen," columnist Bibi Hutchings takes you on a culinary journey across the coastal south. Come for the great food writing, stay for the delicious recipes.

The muffaletta (also spelled muffuletta), like the po'-boy, was created in what I like to think of as my own (extended) backyard: the incomparable city of New Orleans.

Of Sicilian origin, muffuletta is actually the name of the Italian bread that holds the virtual charcuterie board of ingredients that make up this massive sandwich together. If you've never seen one, muffaletta bread is a large, round, somewhat flat, sesame seed-topped loaf, traditionally baked and wrapped in paper during religious holidays in Sicily. It is now, of course, synonymous with the sandwich; and like beignets, jambalaya and pralines, it is quintessentially New Orleans.

The origin of this (unusually large) sandwich was between 1890-1920 when nearly 300,000 Italians immigrated to New Orleans, Louisiana. Most set up shop in an area of the French Quarter that soon became known as Little Palermo and one such man, by the name of Salvatore Lupo, opened a small Italian-American grocery store in 1906 called Central Grocery. It was there  at 923 Decatur Street in the heart of what was Little Palermo, where he sold Italian meats, cheeses, breads, olives and such  that he would soon combine the ingredients and create what is now known as The Muffuletta.

Now owned and operated by the third generation of the Lupo family, Central Grocery is still in business. It actually remained in the same location, 923 Decatur Street, for 115 years, serving paper-wrapped muffaletta and so much more. Unfortunately, Hurricane Ida (August 29, 2021), a Category-4 storm that came onshore exactly 16 years to the day of Hurricane Katrina (August 29, 2005), inflicted heavy damage on the building when a brick wall fell onto its roof. Restoration is still not complete at the time of this publication, but hope remains the family will one day be able to return.

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"My" recipe is an homage to the Central Grocery/ Lupo family original, but it is simpler to make and just as satisfying to eat. It was given to me by a retired chef named Brenda, who moved to Mobile, Alabama in the early 1990s from Chalmette, Louisiana, a little town not far from New Orleans. She was a kind and patient teacher and I soaked up all I could during our time together.

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This is one of the best sandwiches ever and another gift from all the cultural melding that took place in the South, in New Orleans in particular, at the turn of the 20th century. It would be nice to think the Italians were welcomed with open arms, that their work ethic and all they brought to the table was appreciated, but that was certainly not the case. Luckily, these hard-working, entrepreneurial people survived the xenophobia and endured. As a result of their perseverance, we are the lucky recipients of their flavors and cooking methods they brought with them from their native Italy.

This sandwich packs a punch from the briny, garlicky olive salad and spicy cured meats, but the creamy cheeses and fluffy, chewy bread mellow and balance its flavors absolutely perfectly. And it is everything your body craves after a sweaty day of fun in the sun.

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Hey, do you want to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway? I asked my fiance, Todd, in late 2021. Its supposed to be pretty, and there are lots of scenic hikes you can do along the way.

Not one for road tripsor hikeshe replied, Mmmm, no thanks.

Theres a luxury resort with a beautiful spa and great restaurants at the end, I pressed. Okay, I guess.

A few months later, we were buzzing past milepost 0 in Afton, Virginia. The plan: Drive most of the 200 or so miles of the Parkways Virginia section en route to Primland, a historic mountain resort in Meadows of Dan that had recently been acquired by Auberge, the hospitality behemoth that boasts 26 luxury hotels worldwide.

I was thrilledits hard to connect to the outdoors in New York Citybut Todds tepid reaction had yet to materialize into anything close to enthusiasm.

Just 20 minutes or so into our drive on the Parkway, I pulled into the lot for the Humpback Rock trailhead. It was a quick half-mile hike to a breathtaking view of the Shenandoah Valley.

The trail started off easily enoughclearly marked, nothing too strenuous. But as we approached the final 700 feet before the overlook, that changed. It zigzagged straight up, a true climb. I tuned out most of Todds cursingbut the vistas, I thoughtand forged ahead. When we reached the end, it was as picturesque as promised. This is what Id come for.



Todd humored me, even taking a few photos on Humpback Rock, but there were no further hiking pit stops. We pulled over at scenic spotsthe Peaks of Otter Visitors Center with its pristine mountain lake, the straight-out-of-a-period-film Mabry Millbut our boots remained on pavement. I quietly plotted how Id convince him to join me on future excursions.

Once we pulled into Primland, Todds demeanor improvedpredictably, hilariously. The main lodge was an impressive sight: vaulted ceilings and a wall of windows overlooking the propertys impressive expanse. This is what hed come for.

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The next day, I was ready to get out into the woods. (Primland boasts 18 miles of trails on its 12,000 acres.)

I timidly asked, Wanna go for a quick hike? The response: Ill pass, but you can go.

By myself? Could I go by myself? What if it got lost? Injured? Mauled by a black bear? No, no, no. Id inherited a deeply co-dependent nature from my mother. Solo hikes were not on the itineraryor were they? It was a beautiful day. Itd be a shame to waste inside.

So, I laced up my Timberlands and walked to the trailhead. As I examined my options on the map, I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. It was nerves, but also excitement.

I chose the Pinnacle Loop and set off. My heart beat faster and my breathing got heavierand not from exertion.

Shop Now Primland Resort Courtesy

Soon, though, the cool air calmed me, and I allowed my mind to focus on my surroundings. I thought about how the still-bare trees created what looked like a spiderweb in the sky above me. I marveled at how the late-afternoon sunlight gave the gorges peaks an almost soft-focus look. As I approached the end of the trailin truth, about 45 minutesI was totally invigorated.

I hiked the Lost Chestnut trail alone the following day, and it was just as glorious. Now, I realize I can be my own guide and that solo adventures can be just as fantastic as shared experiences.

Since then, Ive set off on my own quite a few times. While I still love traveling with my friends and family, I now know that Brian is pretty good company too.

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2023 issue of Womens Health.

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Overbearing patriarch not included.

Courtesy of Paramount Network

If youve watched the Paramount Networks popular Yellowstone series, you mightve daydreamed about joining the Dutton family at the dinner table. But if if you might not have your own Gator cooking for you, you can still bring a little bit of the shows Montana flavor into your kitchen.

Earlier this week, FoodStory Brands and Paramount Consumer Products announced a new line of Yellowstone-inspired Western-themed cuisine, including premium coffee, seasonings and rubs, and canned chili. There are also plans to expand the "Yellowstone range to include meat snacks, breakfast meats and other proteins later this fall.

Yellowstone fans continue to look for ways to further engage with the brand and this new line is a natural extension of the Western lifestyle depicted in the show, Dion Vlachos, Executive Vice President, Licensing and Retail, Consumer Products & Experiences, at Paramount, said in a statement. We are thrilled to partner with FoodStory Brands to curate authentic Western cuisine and bring the rustic roots and authentic flavors of Yellowstone to life, and we are so pleased with how retailers have embraced the products.

Courtesy of FoodStory Brands

The 100% Arabica Yellowstone Coffee comes in three varieties: Bunkhouse Medium Roast, Ranch House Dark Roast, and Caramel Oatmeal Light Roast. Each style is available in 12-ounce bags of ground coffee and 12-count single-serve coffee pods.

The Yellowstone Seasonings and Rubs are available in four flavors: Cattleman Steak, Cowboy BBQ, Skillet Butter & Herb, and Smoky Bourbon. And finally, the Yellowstone Beef Chili, which was produced by Nashvilles Vietti Foods, will be sold in both bean and been-free versions.

Courtesy of FoodStory Brands



Yellowstone Coffee is currently available at Kroger supermarkets throughout the United States, while the Yellowstone Seasonings and Rubs are sold at Amazon, H.E.B., Jewel-Osco, Kroger, Walmart, and at some select Albertsons and Safeway locations. And Yellowstone Beef Chili will be sold at Walmart later this month.

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Related: Decoding Carmy's Cookbook Shelves on 'The Bear'

For me, its deeply meaningful to partner with FoodStory Brands on the launch of Yellowstone cuisine, as Im not only head of craft services for the show but also the on-screen chef for the Dutton family, actor and cookbook author Chef Gabriel "Gator" Guilbeau said. I am thrilled to be part of the launch and beyond as an ambassador of this new line. Yellowstone has an exceptional culinary point of view with authentic Western cuisine, and Im excited to share it with our fans.

Guilbeau, who is both the shows on-set caterer and the actor who plays chef Gator, has also announced the upcoming release of Yellowstone: The Official Dutton Ranch Family Cookbook.

Courtesy of Insight Editions

The chef put together 55Yellowstone-inspired recipes, including Beths Cheesy Hamburger Mac Casserole, Rips Fry Bread with Scrambled Eggs and Bacon, and the dangerous-sounding Two Scoops of Ice Cream, Three Shots of Vodka.

Between the cookbook, the coffee, and the chili, it seems like youll be ready to face whatever the day throws at you  whether or not you have to (literally) saddle up for it.



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Passengers can take the plane to destinations like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.

Courtesy of Emirates

Emirates is taking its long-established reputation for top-notch service and adding a dose of privacy. This week, the airline announced it will start offering on-demand private jet service out of Dubai aboard its Phenom 100 aircraft. (The carrier, a longtime favorite of Travel + Leisure readers, earned the No. 2 spot in 2023's Worlds Best Awards for Best International Airline, which were announced this week.)

The regional charter service will be available from Dubais Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) for short turnaround services within the United Arab Emirates, as well as to Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. It includes destinations that are both in and out of the carriers normal commercial flight network.

Courtesy of Emirates

Of course, the private jet service will still have the brand of elevated service Emirates is known for. While on the ground in Dubai, customers will be taken to DWC airport by Emirates' complimentary chauffeur service. Upon landing, passengers will be greeted by a dedicated representative providing VIP treatment every step of the journey. The escorted arrival will help speed travelers through customs and immigration at the private terminals. Customers will also have access to the lobbies of the private terminals before boarding.

The sleek aircraft can seat up to four passengers, pending operating conditions. Each traveler can check one medium-sized bag up to 15 kilograms (about 33 pounds) and bring a carry-on. The plane will be stocked with light bites and refreshments.

The services offer discerning travelers with busy schedules privacy and a high level of flexibility, with a hassle-free ground experience, the company said in a release shared with T+L.

To book Emirates' new regional character service, travelers can email eejet@emirates.com or reach out to their own travel consultants.



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Musicians and athletes from Iran who have settled in Northern Ireland are among more than 8,000 people from the country who have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom over the past year.

There are no exact figures for how many Iranians are living in NI.

But as protests continue across Iran on the issue of women's rights, BBC News NI spoke to some of those who have fled.

Among them is Mehdi Zoodashna.

He was a champion Greco Roman wrestler in Iran and has been in Northern Ireland for four months with his wife Diana Amini, who is a champion rower and coach.

Wrestling in the colours of the Barbarians club in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Mehdi grappled his way to gold at the British Wrestling Championships last month - topping the podium in the Greco Roman category of the tournament in Manchester.

It was the first medal he's won since being in Northern Ireland, and he said his sights were now set on the Olympics.

"I really like Northern Ireland, the people are lovely and we get a lot of positive energy from them," he said.

"They are helping us to progress in our life and in our sport, and be more motivated.

"I've been a wrestler in my country and I work out a lot so I've just continued my job here and I achieved the medal here in Northern Ireland.

"The biggest dream for any professional like me is to participate in the Olympics.

"I've been fighting a lot, all my life, for this goal."

'We had to leave'

Of leaving Iran, the 30-year-old said: "Of course nobody wants to move out of their motherland but we've been struggling a lot with political, economic and social issues and we couldn't focus on our goal, every day we were focusing on the problems.

"Of course I'm eager to build up a new life here - I really want to develop in my sport and I want to help young people here develop in the sport."

Since arriving in Northern Ireland, Diana Amini has been coaching the Lagan Dragons, a dragon boat club for people affected either directly or indirectly by breast cancer.

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"I really like Northern Ireland and I'm feeling safe here. I've found lots of good friends, they've supported me and make me feel like I'm making progress.

"There are lots of issues in Iran at the minute and specifically because we work in sport, we had to leave."

Of her Lagan Dragon crew mates, Diana said: "I really love them, they treat me really good and we are like a family here.

"They are always telling me they support me, they love me. And I hope I can find my confidence back as a coach.

"Back in Iran I felt like they didn't appreciate me or what I've done but as I've come here, they tell me I have a very important job to do and they really appreciate me, it's a big deal really.

"They understand me. I have a lot of experience, I've been in this sport around 15 years and I'm educated in my sport. I like to pass on my experience to others and help."

The couple are keen to work in Northern Ireland as soon as possible but are currently unable to because of their asylum status.

"People need to work so they can get whatever they need and to focus on our goals - but the problem is now we are waiting on the Home Office decision," Diana said.

"Before that we cannot do work, we cannot enter some competitions so it's really hard for us.

"As a sportswoman I fight a lot to achieve my goals, and I've already been fighting for my life, so I don't want to be pessimistic - I want to be optimistic and I see the future really bright."

'Lucky to have her'

According to Home Office figures, there were 7,719 applications from Iranians for asylum in the UK in the year ending March 2023.

Karen Case captains the Lagan Dragons and said she was very proud of how the team had welcomed Diana.

"They've welcomed her not just into the club but into their lives," she said.

"She's competed at international level, won gold medals, and she's come to our little club. We're so lucky to have her."

Nasim Heidari and Omid Shir Mohammadi are both musicians

Musicians Nasim Heidari and Omid Shir Mohammadi, both 31, have been living in Belfast for more than a year.

They've been invited to perform at the WOMAD world music festival in Wiltshire in England, founded by music star Peter Gabriel, at the end of July.

"I really like it here, I feel peace here. I like the people, I like the accent," Nasim said.

"When I got here, I could see my future is brighter."

Of leaving Iran and performing at WOMAD, Nasim said: "One of the reasons was, there is no rights for women in Iran and it's so restricted for singing. I wanted to follow my dreams.

"Singing was illegal in Iran for women.

"This is like one of my dreams came true, to go there and perform there."

'It was for freedom'

Omid said he had "no freedom" to work as a musician in Iran.

"For a long time I didn't see my parents and my family. My brother died while I was out of my country - as you can imagine it was really not easy," he said.

"But if it is about safety, if it is about life, then there is no choice.

"Artists, writers, musicians, suffered a lot in Iran - especially women.

"Of course it was not easy, but it was for freedom.

"I feel a responsibility to help women artists from Iran. We should take care of each other as a human.

"Women have always been under pressure, and under limit, I feel really responsible as a man and as a music producer - I think we should support them."

Of his hopes for the future, Omid said: "If you asked me that question when I was in Iran, I would say my future looked very dark but now I see myself here and I have made a lot of friends, so I can say the future could be real bright for me."

Darren Ferguson from Beyond Skin, an organisation supporting Nasim and Omid, said: "When they're at WOMAD they're representing Iran but also Belfast on a global stage.

"We see this all the time where businesses and the creative industries recognise the talent and skills coming to our shores - unfortunately some of our political leaders do not recognise that.

"So I think this sends out a signal that the talent coming to our shores has been recognised at such a high level."
Hop aboard your sea kayak to see what the islands are all about.

Carlos Gandiaga Photography/Getty Images

Like the towering limestone cliffs of Vietnam's Ha Long Bay and the glacier-carved Lofoten Islands in Norway, the Channel Islands jut dramatically from the sea. But this natural wonder is closer to home. In fact, its just 60 minutes by ferry from mainland California.

The Channel Islands' striking appearance is only topped by the unique plants and animals that call the once-isolated archipelago home  including 23 endemic land animals that are now protected within Channel Islands National Park. While many travelers come to hike along the islands and watch wildlife, the real adventure is found on the water below, where kayakers can dip in and out of sea caves and gaze up at the islands' unbelievably sheer cliffs.

Scorpion Anchorage, a harbor on the northeast side of Santa Cruz Island, is a top destination for sea kayakers. The rugged coastline is home to plentiful sea caves, breeding seabirds and shorebirds, and California sea lions and harbor seals.

JFCreatives/Getty Images

Channel Islands Adventure Company, an authorized concessioner for Channel Islands National Park, runs daily sea kayaking tours from Scorpion Anchorage. Their Adventure Sea Cave Kayak Tour includes 2.5 to 3 hours on the water, dipping in and out of sea caves and exploring the rugged coastline. Before and after the tour, the company recommends snorkeling in the bays clear waters, picnicking on the beach, or exploring one of the hiking trails that traverse Santa Cruz Island.

Every Adventure Sea Cave Kayak Tour begins with paddling instructions and a safety talk before guests are outfitted with personal floatation devices and kayaks. If needed, the team can provide paddle jackets, helmets, and wetsuits.

Before the tour, guests need to arrange a ferry ride to Scorpion Anchorage from Ventura Harbor, as ferry tickets are not included in the tour. (Ventura, California is about 1.5 hours away from Los Angeles.) The Island Packers ferry runs daily between Ventura and Scorpion Anchorage. Travelers signed up for the 10:30 a.m. tour need to leave Ventura at or before 9 a.m. and those joining the 9:30 a.m. tour need to leave Ventura by 8 a.m.

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The Adventure Sea Cave Kayak Tour is $186 per adult and $174 per child. (Children under the age of 5 are not allowed on the tour.) Private tours for one to 24 guests can be arranged through Channel Islands Adventure Company. To learn more, visit islandkayaking.com.



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The Japanese brought rubber boats to cross the Kumusi River as they advanced. This one was left as they retreated. (AWM013707)

At the start of World War II in Europe in September 1939, Australia, as part of the British Commonwealth of Nations, made its military ready to join the fight, much the same as it had for World War I in 1914. Also, as in World War I, the Australian military combined forces with their neighbor and fellow Commonwealth member, New Zealand, to form the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), with their soldiers called ANZACs. The World War One ANZACs gained a hard-won reputation as some of the best soldiers among all the British forces, with the associated heavy losses.

By 1940, Australia had committed half of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and some Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ships to assist with the war in Europe. In the Pacific, Imperial Japan, part of the Pact of Steel with fascist Germany and Italy, expanded its empire into the French colony of Indochina (now Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia) after France formally surrendered to Germany. More important to Japan were the oil-rich Dutch colonies, still held by the Dutch government in exile, in what is now Indonesia. Even in the face of rising Japanese aggression, Britain could spare no troops for the defense of Singapore or Australia.

All during 1941, ANZACs fought with British forces in desperate battles against the Germans and Italians in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Greece, and Crete. Approximately 8,000 Australian soldiers were sent to Singapore to support British defenses in Malaya, and to the Netherlands East Indies to support Dutch garrisons there.

The Japanese attack on the U.S. Navy fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7th, 1941, set off a far-ranging, staggering Japanese offensive across the Pacific, including the Philippines, New Guinea, the Dutch East Indies, Malaya/Singapore, and Burma. By early 1942, Imperial Japans forces were rolling from victory to victory across Asia and the Pacific.

The surprise and speed of the Japanese conquests found Australia with most of its military fighting in North Africa against Rommels Afrika Corps. When the Japanese landed on the north shore of New Guinea, a large, mountainous island just north of Australia, the island continent nation of Australia was now under direct threat.

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On February 19th, 1942, 242 Japanese aircraft attacked the north Australian port town of Darwin, in two separate raids, destroying infrastructure, ships and two military airfields.

It soon fell to hastily assembled and poorly trained and equipped Australian militia forces, many of them teenagers, to prevent the Japanese from taking the south coast of New Guinea. They were sent up to Kokoda, a strategic mountain pass and trail system through the Owen Stanley Range in central New Guinea. The stage was set for what became known as the Kokoda Track Campaign, a series of desperate battles in the high tropical jungle, where constant rain, disease, and lack of supplies were almost a greater threat to both forces than each other.

From July through November 1942, the Australian militia soldiers designated the 30th Brigade, periodically reinforced by regular Australian Army units, fought a larger force of experienced, highly trained, and fanatical Japanese soldiers. Japanese forces captured the Kokoda pass at the end of July, and the Australian forces began a long dreary campaign of slowly delaying the Japanese from capturing Port Moresby, on the southern coast of New Guinea, a strategic location to threaten Australia. Both sides had to contend with tropical diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, scrub typhus, tropical ulcers, dysentery, and fungal infections. Clean water was hard to come by, and constant rain ensured everything stayed wet, day in and day out.

Soldiers of the Australian 39th Battalion in September 1942 during the Kokoda Track Campaign.

The Kokoda Track Campaign was part of a larger phase of the war in the southwest Pacific. Earlier in May, north of New Guinea in the Coral Sea, U.S. Navy task forces consisting of the aircraft carriers Yorktown and Lexington blunted a Japanese invasion fleet attempting to sail around the east end of New Guinea and capture Port Moresby from the sea. It was the first battle in which aircraft carriers were the primary weapons and ships from the two opposing fleets never had visual contact.

Eventually, a build-up of Australian forces began surging up the Kokoda Track from Port Moresby, while the Japanese forces suffered from a lack of supplies and reinforcements due to the American invasion of nearby Guadalcanal. There were reports of the Japanese resorting to cannibalism involving fresh Australian casualties. Australian forces benefited from aerial resupply, retook Kokoda, and continued north towards the coast.

By late 1942, Australian and American forces attacked the north shore Japanese beachheads at Buna and Gona, but stubborn resistance meant that fighting continued until January 1943. Australian forces suffered 625 killed and 1,055 wounded in combat; however, non-combat losses, mainly from illness, were estimated at triple the combat loss figures.
LONDON  British designer Nick Wakeman of Studio Nicholson, a coed brand known for its fluid tailoring and fine fabrics, is fulfilling a long-held ambition, opening the first in a series of stores in Japan, a market that has long inspired her personally and professionally.

The Tokyo flagship, which opens Friday, is located in the buzzy Aoyama district and spans 764 square feet. It stocks the mens and womens collections and resembles the brands Broadwick Street store in Londons Soho, but with a few tweaks.

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It is located near Lina Stores, the Italian restaurant and delicatessen chain, and fashion brands including Lemaire, Prada and Pleats Please Issey Miyake.

Wakeman, whose title is founder and creative director, said the plan is to open four to five stores in Japan over the next three years, and take the brand to locations outside Tokyo, such as Osaka.

This is a seminal moment for me  the country informs all of my taste levels and design, said Wakeman, who has been traveling between London and Tokyo since 1999 when she first began working in Japan, well before launching Studio Nicholson.

Japan, she added, is the most important market for Studio Nicholson because buyers and customers prioritize clothing made with high-end fabrics, and because other key markets, such as South Korea and China, have their eyes locked on the countrys fashion and retail trends.

She described it as chiefly a menswear market, adding that the local customers and buyers are the most demanding shes seen.

Quality, fabrication and silhouette are the priorities. They are so concerned with fabrication  it is as important as shape, silhouette and storytelling, said Wakeman, who launched the brand in 2010 and who has always prioritized functionality and fabric.

Clothing should improve our mood, move when we do, and never look outdated, she said last fall ahead of Studio Nicholsons collaboration with Zara on a 12-part capsule collection.

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The brands signature tailored, fluid trousers are made from materials including showerproof cotton twill; viscose, and tactile Italian powder cotton.

Wakeman pays great attention to the make and feel of fabric. The brands website goes into detail about the materials it uses, with information including the weight of denim used for trousers, and the specialist London atelier where they were made.

The Tokyo store is Studio Nicholsons fifth worldwide and has opened in partnership with the trading company Kowa. Studio Nicholson has been doing business in Japan for more than a decade.

It has three stores in South Korea, which operate in partnership with Samsung, and one in London. The brand trades through 250 stores worldwide including Lane Crawford, Browns, Harrods and Ssense.

Wakeman designed the Tokyo unit herself and it resembles the London store, with modular wooden boxes in different heights and sizes. They double as clothing displays and are designed to be interchangeable.

The floor is different, however. Its been made from poured concrete and covered in Plexiglas.

Next up is a second London store, a greater focus on China and conquering the rest of Europe, according to Wakeman. She also has a series of collaborations in the works.

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Click here to read the full article.
The Mens Journals Everyday Warrior Podcast With Mike Sarraille is a podcast that inspires individuals to live more fulfilling lives by having conversations with disrupters and high performers from all walks of life. In episode 70, Sarraille spoke with Michael Vickers, an American defense official and a highly experienced counterterrorism strategist.

Having witnessed the mistakes made after the Vietnam War, he understood the importance of preparing for irregular warfare on a large scale. The events of 9/11 further emphasized the need for increased capabilities in counterterrorism and the vital lesson of denying adversaries any safe havens. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining readiness and not underestimating the remaining threats, ensuring that the progress gained is not reversed. Vickers is a steadfast advocate for continued vigilance and effective counterterrorism practices.

Listen to the full podcast above and see a timestamped overview of the interview below.

***

[00:01:21] Hope we've learned counterterrorism lessons well.

[00:04:10] Father was WWII bomber, sought adventure, joined Special Forces.

[00:12:36] Challenges in Afghanistan, objectives, and war tactics.

[00:15:59] Local civil wars with terrorist threats misunderstood.

[00:18:18] Jihadists won in Afghanistan; terrorist attacks decrease.

[00:23:02] Global counterterrorism network disrupted plots post-9/11. Pakistan: frenemy, supported Taliban but helped against Al Qaeda. Difficult but necessary relationship.

[00:27:03] Iraq surge worked, but politics caused loss. ISIS formed in Syria due to inaction.

[00:30:02] Insurgencies last a long time, global jihadist groups are similar.

[00:33:13] US special operations forces become larger, better trained, diverse.

[00:40:11] 75th Range Regiment morphed, impressive guerrilla force. Challenges: volatile, uncertain, chaotic, ambiguous. China: enemy or competitor of the state?

[00:41:05] Competition between systems, won through economics/technology.

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[00:44:58] Special Operations Forces vital for global influence.

[00:49:49] Different stress levels depending on the role.

[00:53:32] Passion, hard work, expertise, leadership, seizing opportunities.

[00:56:49] Appreciate your mentorship, rules, book release.
By Fabian Cambero

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Now that Chile has passed an increase in mining royalties, copper miners are pushing for incentives to keep investing in production of the metal needed for the renewable energy revolution, with steps such as cuts in energy costs, speeded-up permit approvals and other incentives.

Beginning in 2024, mining royalties will rise to a range of 8% to 26% of operating margin from the current range of 5% to 14%. There will also be a 1% ad valorem tax based on sales for miners that post a profit.

Chile's Mining Council, which comprises large private firms, estimates this will ultimately boost the average tax rate of 44.7%, exceeding the top of the range of 38-to-44% in competing countries such as Peru and Australia.

"We're hoping that this competitive disadvantage is somehow compensated with other public policy actions that encourage investment," said the association's head of studies, Jose Tomas Morel.

The elevated royalty is the latest flashpoint between the mining industry in the world's No. 1 copper and No. 2 lithium producer and the leftist government of Gabriel Boric, who came to office promising to get the country's mining industry to help pay for expanded social programs. Industry lobbying did prompt a cut in the original royalty rise plan, and some miners have said they will continue to invest.

"Despite being a strong left-wing government, they engaged the industry and sought to understand and work towards an outcome that struck a balance between public needs and what was required to maintain the competitivity of the industry and the country," said Mark Henry, CEO of BHP Group, Chile's No. 2 player which had initially said the royalty would prompt a review of its $10 billion investment plan in Chile.

"BHP will continue to invest."

Other big miners were more tentative, and some mining executives are skeptical the industry will follow through on an estimated $70 billion in planned investment without additional stimulus. With Chile's aging mines producing less copper, analysts noted that the more mining investment was needed to produce the government's desired revenue increase, even with the higher royalty.

Industry experts are closely watching whether Chilean miner Antofagasta's decides to invest $3.7 billion to expand its Centinela mine towards year end.

Antofagasta did not respond to a request for comment. In June, CEO Ivan Arriagada told local media the company was reevaluating the project because the new royalty "does impact competitiveness."

"Some projects on the margin will have to be reassessed to determine whether they are viable or not," Arriagada said.

Freeport-McMoRan, one of the world's largest copper producers, has said it will put Chile investment decisions on hold due to political uncertainty.

Boric has pledged investment incentives. The government is in talks with mining companies and other interested parties. Miners have yet to provide a detailed list of incentives they are seeking.

Morel said the government should speed up and simplify the permitting process in which projects need hundreds of permits with each taking months to approve. He said the government should also help miners navigate thorny environmental and indigenous regulation issues which can lead to lengthy court cases.

Energy costs are another concern. Chile's mining industry consumes about 15% of the country's total energy output, and the Chilean Copper Commission says energy represents about 11% of miners' costs. The industry would like the government to pass regulations cutting energy costs for miners.

DECLINING PRODUCTION

The mining royalty increase was part of a wider tax reform plan that congress rejected in March. Boric's government hopes to boost total copper revenue for the state up to 0.45% of GDP or about $1.35 billion a year, using the funds to boost programs such as child care, security, health care and education.

Gustavo Lagos, a professor at the mining department at Catholic University in Santiago, said the new royalty might not hit its target since most new projects are focused on compensating for declining production rather than adding supply.

"I think there will be investment, what I don't think is that production will grow more, it will be difficult for us to go above 6 million (metric) tons in Chile and that is what ultimately determines revenue," Lagos said.

Chile's copper supply has fallen due to the natural decline in mineral grades of its oldest deposits, delays in project start-ups, accidents and other problems. Production in 2022 totaled 5.33 million metric tons, down from a record 5.83 million in 2018.

The government is holding talks with business groups and other political actors for a second shot at tax reform, and miners hope this might possibly boost their chances for incentives.

One mining executive, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, said the government might compromise further to try and boost future investment.

"The (projects) that are not carried out are going to come to a point where they are going to negotiate with the government and say 'I'm doing this project but I need another guarantee,'" the executive said.

(Reporting by Fabian Andres Cambero; Editing by Alexander Villegas, Christian Plumb and David Gregorio)
Michigans attorney general has condemned reprehensible statements from a salon owner who has pledged to deny service to LGBT+ customers  comments that have drawn widespread outrage from civil rights groups, lawmakers and LGBT+ advocates days after the US Supreme Court sided with a Colorado business owner who refused to work with same-sex couples.

If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman, please seek services at a local pet groomer, Christine Geiger wrote on Studio 8 Hair Labs Facebook page, which has since been made private.

You are not welcome at this salon. Period, the Traverse City salon owner added. Her salons Instagram account also is private, describing the salon as a private CONSERVATIVE business that does not cater to woke ideologies.

Last month, the US Supreme Court sided with a Colorado-based website designer who refused to make wedding websites for same-sex couples, with an influential right-wing legal firm arguing on her behalf that the states anti-discrimination law violates her First Amendment rights.

LGBT+ advocates and civil rights groups have warned that the decision could endanger already vulnerable rights of LGBT+ Americans and state governments abilities to protect them.

In a separate Facebook comment using her own name, Ms Geiger said she has no issues with LGB. Its the TQ+ that Im not going to support. She then falsely stated that the + in LGBT+ stands for pedophiles.

The + represents queer, intersex, two-spirit and other indigenous gender identities, among a wide spectrum of other gender identities and sexualities not represented by LGBT.

The salon owners comments also referenced Michigan civil rights legislation that would expand protections against discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, age and physical or mental disability.

She falsely stated that it would criminalise misgendering someone, a claim that Republican lawmakers have also raised during debate. No such legislation exists.

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The office of Michigans attorney general Dana Nessel has received several complaints regarding the business, and the Attorney General finds the comments to be hateful, reprehensible remarks that seek only to marginalise a community already suffering from discriminatory animus in Michigan and elsewhere, press secretary Danny Wimmer told The Independent.

Last year, Michigans Supreme Court ruled in favor of expanding the states Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect LGBT+ people from discrimination in employment, public accommodations, public services, housing and educational facilities.

New hate crimes legislation is a a badly needed update to Michigans Ethnic Intimidation Act with unanimous and bipartisan support of prosecuting attorneys in every county of the state, he added.

The legality of her denying service to LGBT+ people and any other actions under the states civil rights act and the state Supreme Court ruling is likely to be litigated in the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling in 303 Creative that opened the door to discrimination by business entities where expressive speech is at issue, Mr Wimmer said.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (Getty Images)

The president of the ACLU of Michigan also stressed that contrary claims made by this salon owner, refusing to serve individuals based on their gender identity violates [Michigans] Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, and that the Supreme Court decision in 303 Creative doesnt permit this type of discrimination.

Mr Wimmer with the office of Michigans attorney general underscored that the 303 Creative decision is not a blanket invitation to discriminate and does not threaten legislative protections against LGBT+ discrimination in the state.

The department of attorney general will continue to fight to protect the equal rights of all Michiganders, Mr Wimmer added, and when passed into law the Department will enforce the new hate crimes legislation as well.

Another emerging test of the 303 Creative decision is brewing in a federal appeals court, where a right-wing legal firm is challenging a ruling that sided with a man who sued a Catholic high school that fired him after finding out he was engaged to his longtime male partner.

If the First Amendment protects a businesss decision about which services to offer the public, it  protects a churchs decision about who is religiously qualified to fulfill the mission of a religious school, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty wrote in a letter to a federal appeals court last month  on the same day that the Supreme Court issued its ruling in 303 Creative.

State Rep Betsy Coffia, whose district includes Traverse City, has also condemned the salon owners remarks, which she said perpetuate hate and have no place in Traverse City or anywhere else in Michigan.

To compare our LGBTQ+ neighbors to animals & pedophiles is breathtaking hate & bigotry from a studio in my community, she said in a statement. It is also dangerous because it dehumanizes fellow Michiganders at a time when violence against LGBTQ+ residents simply for who they are.

Chasten Buttigieg, the husband of US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and a native of Traverse City, said that this the kind of full-throated bigotry and ignorance many advocates and leaders have been warning would become more mainstream due to the rapid increase in homophobia and transphobia in the GOP.

America should be moving forward, not backward. There are real problems to solve, he added.

A statement from Michigans Polestar LGBT+ Community Center said hate has shown time and time again to be a losing business strategy and we must not allow this blight to take root in our town.

Statements like the one from Studio 8 undermine the hard work that has been put in to make Traverse City the absolute best that it can be, the organisation added.

The Independent has requested comment from Ms Geiger.
Wendys is one of several fast-food chains offering fry deals on National French Fry Day. | Provided by Ketchum

Change doesnt always come easy.

Last year, the fast-food chain Checkers & Rallys initiated a petition to make National French Fry Day fall on what it considered the most appropriate day of the week ... Friday, the Deseret News reported. At that point, the holiday had always been celebrated on July 13  which was a Wednesday last year and falls on a Thursday this year.

The call to action garnered more than 36,000 signatures and proved to be a success: Marlo Anderson, founder of the National Day Calendar, officially moved the holiday to the second Friday in July, starting in 2023.

I, in good conscience, cannot ignore the voice of the people, who simply want to fry-ght a wrong thats been in place for far too long, Anderson said in a statement last year announcing the change. National Fry Day, you are and will forevermore be on a Friday.

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Although Checkers & Rallys was successful in officially moving the holiday (which this year would be July 14), not everyone seems to have gotten on board with the change. A number of chains  like McDonalds and Smashburger  are still recognizing July 13 as the day to celebrate fries. Others, like Burger King, appear to be with the times.

And a number of other restaurants, perhaps confused by the date change, have fry deals running for a few days.

Heres a list of places offering free (or at least heavily discounted) fries over the next few days.

Note: This list is not all-inclusive and will be updated as more deals come in. Its always recommended to check in with your specific location to make sure the deal is being honored.

National French Fry Day 2023: What are the best deals?

Burger King

On Friday, Burger King rewards members can get a free order of fries  any size  with any purchase through the app or online at BK.com, USA Today reported.

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Carls Jr.

Customers who buy french fries on Thursday through the Carls Jr. or Hardees app or website will receive an in-app offer for a free small order of fries every day for the rest of the year  with a minimum $1 purchase, according to USA Today.

Charleys Philly Steaks

Charleys Rewards App members will get offers for free fries all throughout the month of July, according to information sent to the Deseret News. Additionally, customers can get an order of original fries for $1 at Charleys on July 13.

Checkers and Rallys

Checkers & Rallys is moving forward with the new date: From July 14 through July 16, the chain will offer a free Fry Lovers XL on its rewards app, according to information the company sent to the Deseret News.

And thats not all. Through participating locations and the Checkers & Rallys rewards app, customers can get any size order of fries for $1 from July 24 through Aug. 6, according to a news release.

Del Taco

Del Taco is offering free medium fries with a $3 purchase through July 16, according to its website. The deal is valid online or through the app.

Fatburger

Fatburger is offering customers a free order of Fat or Skinny Fries from July 13 through July 16  with any purchase made in-store or online, according to information the company sent to the Deseret News. To access the deal, customers must mention the promotion in-store or use the code FrenchFryDay23 online.

Heinz/UberEats collaboration

The Heinz brand has teamed up with UberEats to offer $5.70 off any order that includes fries on July 13. Customers can find participating restaurants through the offer banner on the UberEats homepage, through the email UberEats will send out to all users, or by looking at your favorite restaurants pages to see if they are participating, according to information the Kraft Heinz Company sent to the Deseret News.

McDonalds

Customers with the McDonalds app can get a free order of fries on July 13, CNBC reported. The deal does not require a purchase, and customers can select any size order of fries.

The app also offers users a $1 deal on any size order of fries every day, although the order has to be made through Mobile Order and Pay. Additionally, through the app, Utah customers can get a free order of large fries with any purchase when Real Salt Lake wins.

Smashburger

On Thursday, Smashburger is giving customers a free order of Smash fries, French fries or sweet potato fries  with any purchase made in-store or through the website or app, USA Today reported. For online orders, use the code FRIES.

Wendys

Wendys is giving customers a free order of fries with any in-app purchase from July 13 through July 16, according to information sent to the Deseret News. Customers can apply the offer to their mobile order or scan in-restaurant or at the drive-thru to access the deal. The promotion also applies to the chains seasoned potatoes that are offered during the breakfast hours.

Additionally, Wendys has teamed up with Grubhub to offer customers a free small Frosty with the purchase of a small order of fries from July 13 (National Fry Day) through July 16 (National Ice Cream Day). The deal is available through Grubhub/Seamless.

White Castle

White Castle has a coupon for customers to get a buy one, get one free small order of fries on July 13.
MILAN  Now that Utah-based Overstock has saved the Bed Bath & Beyond name from extinction, management is taking on the task of creating the identity and winning product mix that endeared the retailers customers to its stores for more than 30 years.

Overstock won a bid for Bed Bath & Beyonds key assets in June, including the former retailers website, domain names, database and loyalty-program data for a mere $21.5 million. Set to benefit from adopting one of the most famous names in U.S. retail history, Overstock is testing the waters with a new Canadian site currently operating under the Bed Bath & Beyond domain. Overstock will launch the new U.S. domain in August.

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Overstock will post second-quarter earnings July 27. The company said it cannot confirm when it will officially change its name to Bed Bath & Beyond.

While Overstock chief executive officer Jonathan Johnson is reticent to release guidance on 2023 figures, he chatted with WWD about the future of Bed Bath & Beyond, the Canada sites positive performance and the possibility of a brick-and-mortar partner in the near term.

WWD: Between the products Bed Bath & Beyond had and the products that you traditionally have, how will Overstock merge these assortments to maintain that Bed Bath & Beyond experience? Or will it be another experience?

Jonathan Johnson: I think itll largely feel like the similar experience. So we have been adding more bed and bath product and kitchen product over the last year. And since we were announced as the stalking horse in the bankruptcy [Bed Bath & Beyond process], weve now added more than 500,000 products, most of them kind of Bed Bath & Beyond-related.

I think the Bed Bath & Beyond customer will feel like its a familiar experience. The sort of one-off spatulaor covered coffee cups and things like thatwe wont have, but the sheets, the linens, towels, housewares, kitchen appliances and all of that will feel very familiar to the Bed Bath & Beyond customer.

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WWD: You mentioned in a previous interview that you werent planning to open physical stores. You have the name, you can do whatever you want with it. If all goes well on the financial end, why not consider opening a physical store, given that so many American shoppers will miss the Bed Bath & Beyond in-store experience?

J.J.: I think its a wait-and-see. One of the things that drove this transaction for us is Overstock has a great asset [in] its business modelbut we had a name that was kind of dragging us down. Bed Bath & Beyond is an iconic and beloved brand, but its business model had dragged it down. Taking the two things that were drags away and putting the two good pieces together is exciting. Now does that mean well never go into physical stores? No, but its not part of our current foreseeable future.

WWD: What about pop-ups or curated brand experiences to connect with customers?

J.J.: We do think about pop-ups, we do think about the brand experience and this is still very nascent thinkingearly-stage thinking whether we license some Bed Bath & Beyond product to other stores, department stores and other types of stores  big-box stores, too  in order to get that brand out there. But the idea of big-box, Bed Bath & Beyond stores in the near future is not something were thinking about.

WWD: Have you pondered a social media strategy and collaborating with big names in home decor, interior designers, chefs and others? Do you have any plans to amp up the Bed Bath & Beyond name through social channels?

J.J.: I think the answer will be yes. Over the last year, Overstock has partnered with six brand ambassadors who are strong in home products, home design, home decorating. Our plan is to cycle in and out and add different ambassadors over time. We expect that with the Bed Bath & Beyond brand, we will have more opportunities to work with influencers, brand ambassadors, do more on social.

WWD: What is the possibility of the new Bed Bath & Beyond partnering with a brick-and-mortar store for online deliveries?

J.J.: One thing weve talked about and explored for a number of years is having a brick-and-mortar partner where our customers could do returns. You know, if you think of the AmazonKohls relationship where if you buy something on Amazon, you can return it at Kohls. If, if we found the right partner, it would make it easier for our customers to do returns. That would be, I think, the beginning of such a partnership.

WWD: How is the relationship with Bed Bath & Beyond suppliers?

J.J.: It may be easier with the Bed Bath & Beyond brand. One thing we found is that the Bed Bath & Beyond brand name has already begun to open up doors. Suppliers that werent interested in selling to us as Overstock are very interested in partnering with us as Bed Bath & Beyond. So, you know, the Overstock name from a generic perspective had a meaning and it meant liquidation. Thats not who we were, but its who some customers and who some suppliers perceived us to be. Bed Bath & Beyond has a generic meaning and it is who we are. It also has been, as you know, a beloved brand. And so I think that will make it easier for us to partner with people if we want to, to bring in more product as we make those efforts.

WWD: You launched the Canada Bed Bath & Beyond site shortly after announcing the purchase of Bed Bath & Beyonds assets. Are there any financial indicators you can provide on its performance so far?

J.J.: It is performing. An analyst report issued by Jeffries shows the traffic up significantly. It shows, time on site, number of page views, and they are up. [A report issued by Jeffries on July 12 and viewed by WWD showed that since June 29, average daily visits to the companys Canada site are 60 percent higher versus immediately prior to the conversion.]

WWD: With the U.S. site expected to roll out in early August, do you have any other plans to roll out any other international sites?

J.J:. We have a joint venture in Mexico. Were talking to that partner to see what the go-forward looks like. Weve had some potential partners from other countries reach out to us, but the focus right now is to get this right in the U.S. and to grow it in Canada. From there, well look to see what we do other places.

WWD: And now that you have this new endearing name, what sort of effect do you think this will have on your sales for the full-year 2023?

J.J.: We havent given guidance on 2023 or 2024 sales just because its too early to know. Canada is such a small piece of our total revenue.

WWD: Have rising tariff and shipping costs, especially with China, impacted your product mix? Has the company and its suppliers explored new frontiers in terms of production?

J.J.: Pre-tariffs, 85 percent of Overstocks inventory was probably manufactured in China. Post-tariffs, post [COVID-19] pandemic, that percentage was less than 50 percent. In terms of the supply chain, I think the kinks in the supply chain have been ironed out. The ability to get product right now  whether [or not] its from Chinasome of our suppliers have moved to Malaysia, Vietnam, India, even Mexico and parts of Europethe supply chains pretty good right now.

We have a little less than 50 percent coming from China and a little more than 50 percent comes from the rest of the world.

WWD: Overstock posted a 30 percent decline in revenues last year. Do you think youll at least break even or better in 2023?

J.J.: I dont think that our revenues will be up year-over-year, but I will note that even with revenues down, weve posted 12 consecutive quarters of positive EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization]. We continue to focus on making money so that we have a strong balance sheet, so when opportunities like Bed Bath & Beyond arise, we can advantage of them. We can play offense while a lot of others are playing defense.

Click here to read the full article.
Shortly after a Sun Country flight touched down at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, a passenger forced open an emergency exit and leaped from the plane, Minnesota airport officials told news outlets.

The flight from Orlando, Florida, landed at about 11 p.m. on July 9, officials told KSTP. As passengers began deboarding the aircraft, a 44-year-old New Brighton man suddenly opened an emergency exit door, jumped down to the tarmac and started running, the outlet reported.

The man had violated a no-contact order, officials said, and police were waiting for him at the gate, KMSP reported.

He only managed to postpone his arrest, officials told WCCO. Less than an hour after the mans escape, police found him hiding inside an airline food truck and he was taken into custody.

We take these incidents very seriously, and the crew called airport police who responded quickly, Sun Country told KMSP. Fortunately, passengers and crew are fine.

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Going from fashion to fine wine, creative heavyweight NIGO reveals he will join Australian winemaker Penfolds as its debut creative partner. The announcement came months after the creatives KENZO appointment as he continues to expand his horizons across the artistic landscape.

For the multi-year partnership with Penfolds, NIGO plans to work with the brand on developing the creative identity of select special projects. It is expected that the creative will not only help elevate Penfolds vision, but also bring his playful flair in design to new wines and limited-edition releases.

The inaugural collaboration between the two forces introduces NIGOs role through the global launch of One by Penfolds. Celebrating Oneness, One by Penfolds is about more than the wine itself. Inspired by, and working alongside, the community of each winemaking region, Penfolds winemakers have created a worldly set of modern white and red wines. Using his signature style, NIGO designed four animal motifs which feature on the One by Penfolds wine labels including a crocodile, rooster, panda and bear. The designs represent the four countries  Australia, France, China and America respectively  where One by Penfolds wines are sourced.

Speaking on the new appointment, Penfolds chief marketing officer Kristy Keyte shares, We are incredibly proud to name NIGO as Penfolds first-ever creative partner. NIGO is at the forefront of culture and design which makes him the ideal visionary to take the reins of One by Penfolds and work together with us across special Penfolds projects. We look forward to sharing this new Penfolds chapter with lovers of fashion, wine, art, and music all around the world.

Penfolds NIGO Creative Partnership wine fashion humanmade bape capsule one motifs animals





Penfolds NIGO Creative Partnership wine fashion humanmade bape capsule one motifs animals





Penfolds NIGO Creative Partnership wine fashion humanmade bape capsule one motifs animals

To celebrate the global launch of One by Penfolds, NIGO has also designed a collection of t-shirts and jackets. Made by Human Made in Japan, the high-quality apparel items featuring NIGOs familiar animal motifs are available in limited quantities on HBX.com from July 14.

The launch of One by Penfolds will coincide with a new initiative titled Penfolds Evermore. Evermore is Penfolds commitment to making a positive contribution towards a world where future generations can thrive. As part of the Evermore initiative, Penfolds will donate $1million AUD over five years, as part of a global grant program that ladders back to the One by Penfolds territory of community.

One by Penfolds is available to purchase in Asia, Australia and the US from July 13, followed by the UK, Malaysia and Korea in September. Stay tuned to Hypebae to find out more about NIGOs partnership with Penfolds. Be sure to head to Penfolds website, to find out more.
Courtesy / Christine Giordano



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I dont know about you, but sometimes I get really sick of looking at my blackheads every day. I feel like theyre always super apparent on my nose. Surely, I'm not the only one who feels this way.

But, you and I are in luck. Pore vacuum cleaners have officially entered the chat. The handheld skincare devices use vacuum suctioning power to remove debris (mainly blackheads) off the skin, says dermatologist Tiffany Clay, MD. They also remove oil and dirt buildup from your skin, adds dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD.

Check out a preview of some of the best pore vacuum devices of 2023 here:

Do pore vacuums actually work?

They can. Pore vacuums are most beneficial for people who have blackheads, are acne-prone, or have oily skin, says Dr. Gohara. However, if you struggle with rosacea, eczema, or cystic acne, Dr. Gohara and Dr. Clay both recommend staying away from a pore vacuum, because it could make those conditions worse. Using a product with BHAs, AHAs, salicylic acid, or retinol might be a better alternative for reducing blackheads and clearing pores in those skin types, Dr. Gohara and Dr. Clay say.

Meet the Experts: Tiffany Clay, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Affiliates in New York City. Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut in Branford, Connecticut. She is also a Women's Health Advisory Board member.

See below for the 18 best pore vacuum cleaners in 2023.

Dermapore Skincare Device

Dr. Gohara recommends this two-in-one pore extractor and serum infuser, saying it's high-quality device. It clears the skin while also infusing it with the serum of your choice. "If you're removing something, I kind of feel like you should be replacing it with something else, too."



Rave Review: "My skin feels clean, bright, and rejuvenated. I am prone to getting blackheads on my nose, but I wouldn't necessarily say they were a huge problem. After using this product, I can't find one blackhead."

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Shop Now Dermapore Skincare Device $69.30 amazon.com Courtesy

Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum

I had to include this highly-reviewed pore vacuum device, as it has over 15,000 ratings on Amazon. 8,000 of those are five-star ratings. Reviewers say they literally felt it shrunk their pores, and that it works well on the entire body.

Rave Review: "I have sensitive skin and was worried about how this was going to work. Well, no worries at all!! You can adjust the strength of the suction yourself. Wow. This works! It gets everything out."



Shop Now Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum $35.99 amazon.com Courtesy

Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum

This pore vacuum device has three adjustable strength levels and six changeable heads to get into every contour of your face. Some of the heads are bigger than what other brands offer, so people like that you can cover a larger surface area at once.

Rave Review: "I am not a person who writes reviews, but this thing is AMAZING! Do you have gnarly, deep blackheads that wont ever come out? Well, THIS IS FOR YOU! Ive tried a lot of these little suction devices, but never one so powerful! I went from Pluto pores that were dark black to regular blackheads, and I now have CLEAR skin."

Shop Now Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum $15.99 amazon.com Courtesy

Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum

This pore vacuum cleaner isn't just pretty. It's functional and ultra unique, too. It has three suction levels and five different heads. One is actually a face massager, and another has a pumice at the end to exfoliate the skin.

Rave Review: "I ended up buying this because I started getting a lot of blackheads on my chin and havent gotten a facial in a while. In the first week of use, my face was clear! This thing was a miracle worker for my skin. I have never seen it look this great."

Shop Now Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum $14.99 amazon.com Courtesy

Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum

Interested in something high-tech? Prabensei's pore vacuum cleaner may be for you. It comes with a magnification camera so you can see your skin on your phone as you're sucking blackheads out. With that and the three suction levels, this is a great value for the price.

Rave Review: "This thing is amazing. It has helped me clear up my nose and cheeks quite a bit. It's so satisfying to watch that nasty crap come out of your face in the camera."

Shop Now Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum $39.99 amazon.com Courtesy

Blackhead Remover Vacuum

This three-in-one blackhead remover vacuum is seriously versatile. It comes with a face scrubber to cleanse and exfoliate your skin before you actually go in with the suction to remove blackheads. Then, simply replace the head with the silicone rubber or soft sponge attachments to massage the face afterwards.

Rave Review: "Wow. This is the best face tool Ive ever used. You have a choice on brushes and speeds, and the suction works well. Im in my sixties and still get breakouts sometimes. This helps."

Shop Now Blackhead Remover Vacuum $36.79 amazon.com Courtesy

Personal Microderm Elite Pro

WH senior commerce editor Neha Tandon has this pore vacuum and she absolutely loves it. People say it's great for exfoliating and one reviewer even called it a "must-have skincare item."

Editor Review: "I used to have tons of blackheads on my nose and large pores on my cheeks. Both have gotten worse since I moved to NYCmostly because of the pollution. This has really helped keep my pores clean and my nose blackhead-free. I also like that clearing my pores makes my skincare products penetrate more deeply after using this." Neha Tandon, WH senior commerce editor

Shop Now Personal Microderm Elite Pro $209.99 amazon.com Courtesy

Mini Diamond Microdermabrasion And Suction Tool

Microderm Glo's highly-rated device has a suction head that's literally has a diamond in it. The unique head is meant to exfoliate the skin while vacuuming pores. Reviewers say it's helped brighten and plump their skin while keeping it clean.



Rave Review: "It is disgusting and amazing how much gunk this gets out! My skin is showing so much improvement after a month and even my frown lines look plump. It's easy to clean and use."

Shop Now Mini Diamond Microdermabrasion And Suction Tool $47.99 amazon.com Courtesy

Blackhead Remover Vacuum

A pore vacuum cleaner with a camera can be really satisfying (as long as it doesn't gross you out). Ottleba's device comes with six replaceable heads and six blackhead removal tools for particularly stubborn spots. Just be sure to ask a dermatologist or an aesthetician for guidance before using the additional tools.

Rave Review: "First and foremost, the suction power of this blackhead remover vacuum is truly remarkable. It effortlessly extracts impurities from deep within my pores, leaving my skin visibly clearer and smoother after each use."

Shop Now Blackhead Remover Vacuum $33.99 amazon.com Courtesy

On-The-Go Exfoliator Device

This device isn't labeled as a pore vacuum. But, it still uses suction to clear pores and exfoliate the skin. The four suction levels are a lot less intense than what you'll find in most pore vacuums, so this is great for people with more sensitive skin.



Rave Review: "I like that this has four different strengths of suction. My skin feels smooth and refreshed after each session. Since after my first session, my skin has been great."

Shop Now On-The-Go Exfoliator Device $49.99 trophyskin.com Courtesy

Ultrasonic Skin Scrubber Spatula

Equipped with bacteria-killing blue light, consider this an LED light and pore vacuum cleaner in one. Yah, your face will be cleaner than ever after using this. It even has a little spatula at the end to move gunk out of the way once you extract it.

Rave Review: "You think your face is clean until you use this product and discover all the gross gunk in your pores. It's easy to use and a super fast way to deep-clean your face. I like this product so much. Its a game-changer!"

Shop Now Ultrasonic Skin Scrubber Spatula $35.98 Courtesy

Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum

An affordable option, this comes with three removable heads and four extra extraction tools. The heads are made with a soft silicone that feels gentle on the skin, too. You'll get a great bang for your buck with this one.

Rave Review: "This product is amazing. My skin is very oily and gets easily congested. This product helps me keep my skin under control."

Shop Now Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum $13.99 amazon.com Courtesy

Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum

Poppyo's pretty-in-pink pore vacuum looks tame, but it has four different nozzle shapes and five suction levels, the highest of which can get really intense. Whether you're dealing with extremely oily skin or an aggressive amount of blackheads, reviewers say it's effective and stronger than it looks.

Rave Review: "I freaking love this thing! The first time I used it, I was hooked. I'm an aesthetician and I think this is a great at-home skin treatment."

Shop Now Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum $29.99 amazon.com Courtesy

Blackhead Remover Vacuum

With different levels of suction for dry, oily, and sensitive skin, this device really caters to a range of skin types. It even has an ergonomic handle and reviewers say it survives for up to an entire month on one charge.

Rave Review: "I was skeptical but this actually works! Use it on the lowest setting at first. I used it on my nose and could clearly see all the gunk that had come out. It comes with multiple attachments and the charge lasts a long time. I highly recommend it!"

Shop Now Blackhead Remover Vacuum $24.99 amazon.com Courtesy

Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum Cleaner

The gold tip on this cleaner isn't just super pretty. It also rotates while it suctions in order to get a 360-degree pull on the blackhead you're trying to extract. For just $14, you can't go wrong.

Rave Review: "I had so many blackheads on my nose and chin. Thanks to this remarkable blackhead remover, they are gone. I put it on the second level for my nose and chin. OMG! All of that stuff is now sucked out."

Shop Now Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum Cleaner $13.99 amazon.com Courtesy

Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum

Vueix's device comes with a convenient and user-friendly LED screen that'll show you how much battery your device has left and what level you're on. It has a blue light to help kill bacteria and help with inflammation, too.

Rave Review: "This device truly lives up to its claims, providing an effective and hassle-free solution for improving the appearance of my skin. It's also easy to use. It's lightweight and has a comfortable design. The intuitive controls make adjusting the settings a breeze, catering to my skin's sensitivity."

Shop Now Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum $19.99 amazon.com Courtesy

Facial Scrubber Blackhead Remover

Honestly, this one's a whole self-care moment for under $20. It has an LED screen to easily see its settings, and two scrubber attachments to cleanse and massage your face before and after you vacuum.

Rave Review: "It gets the grossest crap out of my face and I love it. I have tried so many pore suckers and face washes but nothing has scared the blackheads out like this."

Shop Now Facial Scrubber Blackhead Remover $13.59 amazon.com Courtesy

Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum

With four suction heads, this blackhead remover has over 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. People love how well it gets blackheads out and that the gentle suction doesn't leave skin feeling inflamed afterwards. It's powerful and gets the job donewhat else could you want?

Rave Review: "This removes blackheads that I've had trouble removing. It has four suction levels, but I only need the second or third one. I'm definitely happy with it."

Shop Now Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum $31.99 amazon.com Courtesy

How Our Team Chose The Best Pore Vacuum Devices

Womens Health editors, including our editorial assistant Addison Aloian and senior commerce editor Neha Tandon researched the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated pore vacuum devices. Our team consulted dermatologists Tiffany Clay, MD, and Mona Gohara, MD, then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the 18 best items for a wide range of skincare needs and preferences.

Hearst Owned

What is the best blackhead removal vacuum?

Since the main purpose of a pore vacuum is to get rid of blackheads, all of them, in theory, should help with blackhead removal.

However, Dermaflash's Dermapore Skin Care Device is the one that comes most recommended by dermatologists. PMD Beauty's Personal Microderm Elite Pro is the one our editors recommends, and the Voyor Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum is the highest-rated one on Amazon.

Hearst Owned

Do pore vacuum cleaners get rid of blackheads?

Yes, Dr. Clay says. Pore vacuums help to minimize the appearance of blackheads and remove debris from pores, she adds. It can be helpful to add one into your routine if it works for your skin type. But, be careful not to rely on it as the only product you use to treat blackheads, Dr. Gohara says.

Pair your pore vacuum cleaner with a skincare routine that incorporates exfoliating acids like AHA, BHA, and salicylic acid.

Hearst Owned

Do dermatologists recommend pore vacuums?

As long as you don't have inflamed or acne-prone skin, a pore vacuum might be perfect for you.

If your nose is a spot on which blackheads accumulate, Dr. Gohara recommends a pore vacuum cleaner. It's not a skincare essential, but she says it can be great if you want to get your skin a little extra clean before doing your skincare routine.

Hearst Owned

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With summer travel plans in full swing, Turo, the travel marketplace for car sharing, has revealed a consumer survey, finding evolving tastes and new consumer behaviors emerging amid tightening budgets.

Despite financial concerns, eager travelers are finding a way to make vacations come to life, and as seen during the pandemic many are preferring to drive to get to their destination. At the end of May, Turos data shows its members had already booked trips in the summer months (June 1 to Aug. 31) in more than 2,700 cities and towns. Notably topping the list of destinations were New York City, Boston, and Long Beach and Santa Ana, California.

More from WWD

Outside of the U.S., top destinations included Montreal and Halifax in Canada and Edinburgh, Westminster and Longford in the U.K.

As Americans look for cars to rent to travel, Turos research finds that top searched for models include trending and recently refreshed models as well as large family vehicles. Electric vehicles also continue to be popular with travelers with 139 percent increase in the use of electric filters for 2023 summer trips. Travelers in California, Hawaii, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Florida made up the highest number of electric vehicle bookings, citing the desire to reduce their carbon footprint while traveling to popular destinations.

Interest in electric vehicles hit a record high last year, and Turo expects that interest to continue to grow, said Albert Mangahas, chief data officer at Turo. Whether travelers are starting to overcome range anxiety or are enticed by the ballooning variety of new electric models, the numbers say theyre increasingly comfortable jumping into an EV.

At the same time, Turos report finds travelers are splurging more on cars that are more luxurious and exclusive. The companys search tool has seen a 21 percent increase in the use of its deluxe and super deluxe filters for trips booked for the summer months. Convenience is also a top priority for summer travelers, who are increasingly looking for extras like vehicle delivery. Further, the company encourages its hosts to offer extras as an optional perk which has expanded to include things like national park passes, fully equipped coolers, surfboards, camping tents, fishing rods and more.

Story continues

Other key filters include family friendly, which has seen a 162 percent increase on Turos site and child seat increasing 88 percent.

Mangahas claimed that as car travel has gained in popularity over the last few years, consumers have learned and are now demanding more from their travel and car booking experiences. Travelers were burned by traditional car rental over the last two years due to car shortages, and they are flocking to peer-to-peer car sharing companies like Turo, who have more stable supply and impressive car options, he contended.

Aiming to further its mission of revolutionizing the travel industry, Turo has launched a GPT-4 plugin designed to enhance its booking experience for consumers by enabling them to use voice commands to find the perfect vehicle. The company noted it is the first rental platform to work with OpenAI and believes the technology will be key in taking into consideration a number of factors that are important to its consumer.

Generative AI and ChatGPT have quickly gone mainstream over the past few months, revolutionizing a wide range of industries and greatly impacting our daily lives in countless ways, Mangahas said. However, one sector that has been historically slower in adapting to new technologies is travel and transportation. At Turo, we are customer-obsessed and aim to shake up these antiquated industries by taking a technology-forward approach so when we were given the opportunity to leverage this powerful technology to create an even more convenient and seamless car booking experience, our team jumped on it.

With Turos GPT-4 plugin ChatGPT Plus subscribers who have the Turo GPT-4 plugin enabled can type in vacation details and needs (including desired vehicle type, location and price) and the tool will pull personalized car recommendations from Turos selection. Mangahas told WWD that the feedback about the technology has been positive and speaks to the companys ongoing commitment to leading the charge by continuing to experiment with different ways that it can augment and advance the platform.

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The Canadian surf Team was looking surprisingly strong, heading into the International Surfing Association (ISA) 2023 World Surfing Games in El Salvador, thanks to the help of 15-year-old surfing phenom by the name of Erin Brooks.

Brooks went on to get second place in the event, going down to Brazils Tatianna Weston-Webb. But her individual efforts boosted Team Canada up to eighth place on the rankings, below Australia and above Mexico. (Team Peru took the top spot.)

However, following the 2023 World Surfing Games, there was a bit of controversy. Erin Brooks was not (yet) officially a Canadian citizen, unbeknownst to the ISA.

To clarify, Brooks was born in Texas, raised in Hawaii. Her father holds dual citizenship with America and Canada, so Brooks has opted to represent her Canadian roots for the ISA World Surfing Games and (hopefully) the 2024 Paris Olympics.

What followed was an immediate suspension of Brooks from Team Canada, per a press release from the ISA. Then, Brooks was left in limbo, as she awaits her Canadian citizenship to be officially approved.

And now, the ISA has released a follow-up statement regarding the matter:

A retroactive disqualification of all the individual results of Ms. Brooks is not justified, since no analogous application of the relevant rules of the ISA Rulebook can be made in the present case: Ms. Brooks did not gain any undue advantage in any given competition.

Since Team Canada has received team ranking points and similar due to the participation of Ms. Brooks for Canada, an application of the disqualification rules is justified, and the relevant points originally earned by Ms. Brooks for the Canada team shall therefore be cancelled.

Based on these conclusions, and to further clarify, Ms. Brooks will be allowed to retain any medals and rankings won as an individual in past ISA or PASA events, however anything she achieved to the benefit of Canada will be removed.

So, Brooks will retain her medals and standing, but Team Canada will not.

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The goal, with regards to all this, is that Brooks will qualify for the Olympics (only two athletes per gender, per country are allotted) and compete at the 2024 Paris Games at Teahupoo whilst, presumably, representing Canada.

And according to her father, who spoke with CBC, thats still the goal:

We are hopeful she will be reinstated soon and can get back on track to chasing her dream of representing Canada in the Olympics."

Stay tuned.

***

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Aaron Bludorn still remembers the dread. When he was the executive chef of N.Y.C.s Cafe Boulud it was his duty to take the annual call from the Michelin Guide to learn if the restaurant would keep its star. Youd wait, and it was terrifying, Bludorn told Robb Report. One year, he was traveling in Japan when the call was to come and when he didnt hear from a Michelin representative, his mind began to wander as to what would happen if the phone never rang. Maybe if I dont get it, I can join a monastery out here, he recalled with a laugh. He waited up until 4 a.m. to hear the news. It was goodCafe Boulud retained its starbut he felt more relief than elation. Such is the immense pressure that comes with Michelin stars. So after a decade of working in high-pressure N.Y.C. kitchens, the chef decamped to Texas to open his own restaurantsand he has no desire for stars to reenter his life.

I grew tired of Michelin, says the chef who now helms the hit restaurants Bludorn and Navy Blue in Houston. Theres freedom given without Michelin being here.

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Texas arguably has one of the most exciting restaurant scenes in the United States. Yet the Michelin Guidethat bastion of fine dininghasnt yet bestowed its iconic stars on the state. While some chefs see that as a slight, others like Bludorn are hoping that the French tire company continues to butt out of Texass culinary landscape.

Throughout the world, the Michelin Guides ranking of restaurants drives the decisions of chefs and diners. Chefs strive to join the ranks of the top spots in their respective regions, while diners choose where to eatand even travelsolely based on Michelins word. In the United States, only Chicago, California, Florida, New York City, and Washington, D.C. have Michelin Guides (it was announced recently that both Colorado and Atlanta will be getting their first guides later this year). And a number of chefs in Texas think that the Lone Star State should be among those select regions.

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I definitely want them to come, Junior Borges of Meridian in Dallas told Robb Report. As a chef, to have stars is always a dream  By having [the Michelin Guide], you will hopefully push more talent to come into town, which then hopefully will push the scene even further.

Wild boar belly from Carte Blanche

Chefs throughout the state agreed with Borges, including Fermin Nunez of Suerte and Este in Austin, Casey La Rue of Carte Blanche in Dallas, and restaurateur June Rodil of March in Houston. They all see benefits to having the Michelin Guide in Texas: Along with attracting even more culinary talent to the state, they believe that a Texas Michelin Guide would bring more financial investment into restaurants and Texas as a whole, and elevate the state on an international scale.

I dont really see an argument as to why they shouldnt come, La Rue told Robb Report. Currently, the only reason to travel to Texas, from an outsiders perspective, would be for barbecue. No one looks at the state or any of the major cities for anything other than that  If we had Michelin stars, then we would be able to get more recognition and [be] more legitimized.

But while all of those things may be a byproduct of having a Texas Michelin Guide, other chefs believe that the challenges far outweigh any potential upsides. As with all awards, once you receive one, the pressure is on to keep it. And that pressure has long been documented when it comes to Michelin stars. Recently, the guide started telling chefs ahead of time when theyre going to lose a star, to give them time to digest the news and protect their mental health. But even with that guardrail in place, chefswho already exist in the high-stress kitchen environmentwill feel the weight of a Michelin star.

One of the greatest things was not having Michelin, Bludorn said, concerned about what a potential Michelin Guide would do to Texass culinary scene, as chefs strive to fit into the box that the company has deemed acceptable for fine dining. Creativity may suffer, he said, and trying to live up to those standards would be unsustainable.

Inside Navy Blue

Chris Shepherd, formerly of Houstons Underbelly Hospitality, agreed, becoming more impassioned about the subject as we talked. By the end of our conversation, he was vehemently opposed to the idea of the Michelin Guide coming to Texas.

Cooking is about soul, and its what you do with it. Its about running the restaurant in a soulful manner, in a way that speaks to the story of what it is, Shepherd said. When that story is all about going for a star, it changes. It really does change.

And even chefs who supported the idea of a Texas Michelin Guide noted how there are just some things that are more important than awards, like the well-being of their staff. On that point, Nunez fell into the same camp as chefs like Bludorn and Shepherd. The idea of balance, of prioritizing the people behind a restaurant and making sure theyre treated fairly and equitably, is not necessarily a factor in Michelin inspectors visits. But for these chefs, that is one of the No. 1 things about being a restaurant ownerand simply a good person.

Despite what these chefs think, thoughwhether theyre for or against the Michelin Guide releasing its assessment of Texas restaurantsmany believe stars will, at some point, find their way to the Lone Star State. A number of the chefs I spoke with said theyve heard through the grapevine that the guide is interested in coming to Texas. And in the past, tourism boards have helped cover the costs of creating a guide in a new location, which may help incentivize the Michelin Guide to assess their restaurants. In 2019, California paid $600,000 to assist the guide in its efforts, while Florida coughed up $150,000 in 2021.

Its not Michelin saying that theres no fine dining here, La Rue said about the lack of a Texas guide. Its Michelin saying that theyre not getting paid yet.

California justified the expense at the time with data on the value of attracting foodies. Culinary travelers are among Californias highest-spending visitors, staying on average 10 percent longer and spending 20 percent more on their trip than visitors to California overall, Visit California president and CEO Caroline Beteta told Robb Report when the all-state guide was first announced.

Caviar service at March

For its part, a spokesperson for the Michelin Guide told Robb Report via email that states dont pay for the Michelin Guide  To bring these new destinations and their culinary specialties to light, Michelin has initiated a partnership approach with local destination marketing organizations (DMOs), which covers some of the costs incurred to promote the selections  The involvement of DMOs in establishing a new Guide does not have any influence on the inspectors judgments for the restaurants in the selection, or award distinctions.

In another email, Gwendal Poullennec, the international director of the Michelin Guide, said the organization didnt have any announcements to make about a potential Texas guide. Travel Texas, the states tourism board, declined to comment, and La Rue said that the Dallas tourism board told him it would never pay. (The Dallas tourism board did not respond to Robb Reports request for comment.)

Ifor whenthe Michelin Guide does come to Texas, itll inevitably have an impact on these restaurants and their chefs. While Nunez said he would celebrate any of his restaurants receiving a star, he wouldnt be upset if Suerte or Este were overlooked by the inspectors. Ive always been a firm believer that awards are the byproduct of the hard work that we do in the restaurants, he said, not the reason why we do what we do at the restaurants. Rodil, meanwhile, expressed that she would be crestfallen if March wasnt awarded a star.

Of course, those chefs are in favor of the Michelin Guide releasing a Texas ranking. So what of chefs like Bludorn, who see mostly negatives when they think of a Texas guide assessing the states culinary scene? If his Bludorn or Navy Blue were awarded a star, would he give it back, like a select few chefs have done in the past?

I wouldnt give back a Michelin star, Bludorn said. I still see them as an arbiter  Its a huge honor.

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Chef Kristen Kish, the new host of Top Chef on Bravo

Last month, Padma Lakshmi announced that she would be stepping away from her Top Chef hosting duties, a position she has held for an impressive 17 years. Naturally, media outlets immediately started speculating on who might become her successor. Now we know, and the answer is awesome: Kristen Kish, a former Top Chef winner herself, will take on the job.



Who is Kristen Kish?

Kish, 39, is a former contestant on Top Chef, having competed on the show in 2012 and having won in 2013 at the conclusion of season 10. Shes a former model, a Korean-American adoptee, and owner of the restaurant Arlo Grey in Austin. Ever since her first Top Chef appearance, Kish has had a wide variety of TV gigs, most recently on National Geographics Restaurants at the End of the World. She also provides color commentary alongside Alton Brown on Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend, so we know she can bring a lot of personality to the screen.

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I have her cookbook, Kristen Kish Cooking, on my shelf. If I had to categorize her dishes and overall style, Id call it higher-end American cuisine with heavy leanings on French cooking techniques. Its fine-dining-type cooking, not your everyday foodand its definitely not a beginners cookbook. But then again, Kish is a Top Chef, and her recipes speak to that.

The next season of Top Chef

Along with the new host, the setting for the next season of Top Chef, premiering in 2024, was also announced: season 21 will take place in Wisconsin. Since were headquartered in Chicago, The Takeout staff is delighted not only by the proximity of the show, but its nod to the Midwest as a culinary destination. The challenges will bounce between locales, including Milwaukee (an underrated city to visit) and the state capital of Madison.

Madison is a gorgeous city set in between lakes, so were guaranteed to get some pretty drone shots of the city, along with picturesque rolling hills and farms. Too bad a TV camera cant capture the, uh, bouquet of the dairy cows that blanket the surrounding area. Top Chef producers, if youre reading this, have me on as a guest judge.

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The other judges on the roster include returning chef Tom Colicchio and food critic Gail Simmons, so the shows format likely wont be changing much. Top Chef fans, are you excited about Kish as the new host? Its a pretty sharp knife to handle, but I have a feeling this will be a seamless handover.





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(Bloomberg) -- One of Chinas biggest state-run investors is adding to the chorus of warnings over debt risks at the nations cash-strapped developers and local government financing vehicles.

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The National Council for Social Security Fund, which oversees about $417 billion according to the latest available figures, has advised asset managers that handle its money to sell some bonds including those from riskier LGFVs and private developers after a review, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified discussing private information. Several of them mentioned that bonds from LGFVs in Tianjin, a debt-saddled northern port city, were singled out.

The recent Sino-Ocean Group Holding Ltd.s debt rout raised the pension funds concerns as one of its biggest asset managers holds a large position in the state-backed developers debt, the people said. That triggered the request for a health check of their exposure to riskier LGFVs and builders, if relevant bond prices are below 95% of face value, the people added.

The move underscores the difficult balancing act facing Chinese authorities as they try to defuse risks in the credit markets without destabilizing the financial system. While offloading weaker bonds may help the state pension protect the value of its investments, it risks heightening market concerns about the health of LGFVs and developers at a time when Beijing is trying to restore confidence in the worlds second-largest economy.

Read more: Investors Slash Chinese LGFV Bond Tenors to Shortest On Record

A representative of the state pension fund declined to comment. The institution had over 3 trillion yuan under management as of the end of 2021, according to its latest financial report.

The most important variables impacting Chinas economic growth over the next two years will be the success or failure of local government debt restructuring, and Beijings approach to the role of local government investment within Chinas economy in the future, Rhodium Group researchers wrote in a recent report. A collapse in local government investment would be comparable to economic impact of the crisis in the property market.

Chinas anemic economic recovery and housing crisis have rekindled concerns about ballooning local government debt, including some $9 trillion of debt held by LGFVs, which are off-balance-sheet firms tasked to build infrastructure projects.

The city of Tianjin faced the biggest threat as of last year, with debt almost three times as large as its income, according to Bloomberg calculations based on available official data.

In another sign of investor wariness of the sectors repayment risks, the average tenor of newly issued onshore LGFV bonds fell to 2.51 years in the first half of this year, the shortest since at least 1999 when Bloombergs data series began.

Meantime, the average coupon on LGFV yuan notes jumped to 4.39% from 3.94% last year, with that on Tianjins up nearly a percentage point.

Showing a sense of urgency, Chinese authorities are weighing plans to support cash-strapped cities and counties by allowing additional local bond issuance to help pay down hidden debt in higher-risk areas, Bloomberg reported last week, citing people familiar with the matter.

Indicating widening stress among Chinese developers, Sino-Oceans bonds plummeted last week after Bloomberg News reported that a shareholder-led working group engaged a financial advisor to conduct due diligence and that its working with major shareholders on a plan to resolve debt risks.

More broadly, a Bloomberg index of Chinese junk dollar bonds, dominated by private developers, has fallen in five out of the first seven months this year, registering a 10% loss for 2023 so far.

(Updates with comments, prices and other details)

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ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT - Getty Images

Stage 13 - Chatillon-Sur-Chalaronne to Grand Colombier (137.8km) - Friday, July 14

Friday is Bastille Day, and to honor the occasion the organizers of the Tour de France always plan something special for the legions of fans watching the race on TV or from the roadside. And since this years holiday falls on a Friday, Stage 13 is the first of three days of expected fireworks as the Tour heads back into the mountains, beginning with a summit finish atop the Hors Categorie (Beyond Category) Grand Colombier.

Beginning in Chatillon-Sur-Chalaronne (another first-time Tour host), were expecting a fast start. Attacks should go right from the drop of the flag as riders try to book a ticket into the days big breakaway. All of the French teams will send a rider or two up the road. A stage win is always a big deal for French riders and teams, but a stage win on Bastille Day? Thats the stuff dreams are made of!

ASO

Once the break goes it will be up to Jumbo-Visma and UAE Team Emirates, the teams of Denmarks Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) and Slovenias Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates)the top-2 riders on the Tours General Classificationto determine how much of lead theyll be allowed to build. If they let the break run away from the pelotonas they did on Sundays stage to the Puy de Domethen well essentially have two races to enjoy: the race to win the stage andseveral minutes laterthe race to win the Tour.



Working in favor of a potential breakaway is the fact that Stage 12 was so hardand Stages 14 and 15 are even harder. So Jumbo-Visma and UAE Team Emirates might be happy to let a large group of stage hunters head up the road and save themselves for the Grand Colombier.

On the other hand, this stage is about 45km shorter than Stage 9 and there are no categorized climbs on the way to the Colombier, with the only real elevation gain coming as the riders climb up to Hauteville-Lompnes for the days intermediate sprint. Once through there theyll plunge down to the Rhone river valley and the town of Culoz, from which the final ascent begins.



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The Tour first tackled the Grand Colombier in 2012and again in 2017but it was first used as a summit finish in 2020, when Pogacar won the stage on the way to winning his first Tour de France.

There are four routes to the summit, and each year local cyclists organize a ride called the Bugey Pyramid that loops together all of them in a painful celebration of the mountain. In 2020 the riders completed three of them, but this year theyll climb it just once, but from the same approach as they did at the finish in 2020so many of them will know it well. And its a beast of an ascent with 17.4km of climbing, an average gradient of 7.1 percent, and few pitches that hit 12 percent just for good measure.

In 2020, an elite group stayed together up the climb, with attacks coming on the final ramps to the finish line. But the stage was longer and much harder in 2020, with two climbs before the Grand Colombier. Vingegaard Pogacar will be fresher this year, so whether theyre racing for the stage win themselves or racing a few minutes behind a breakaway, they might attack one another a bit further down the mountain in the hopes of creating bigger gaps than we saw three years ago.



Riders to watch

Frances Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic) is the home favorite. Hes the quintessential French hero: a handsome climber who likes to attack. Hes not strong enough to win from a group with riders like Vingegaard and Pogacar, but if a breakaway survives, the former winner of the Tours King of the Mountains competition will have a chance.

The same goes for Canadas Mike Woods (Israel-PremierTech), who won Stage 9 with a perfectly-timed effort up the Puy de Dome, and Italys Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) whos been quiet the past few days is perhaps saving himself for Stage 13.

But if the race comes back together or the breakaway is caught by a small group of GC contenders on the lower slopes of the Grand Colombier, its hard to see anyone other than Vingegaard and Pogacar winning the stage.



When to Watch

Whether the stage becomes two races or one, everything will go down on the Grand Colombier, which the race should hit around 10:30 a.m. EDT. Dont miss it!

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Just a few blocks away from the clamor of Key Wests main drag, Duval Street, youll find Papas Pilar, a tiny distillery making excellent rum in this southernmost American city. The distillery just launched an ultra-premium new bottle with outsized flavor to celebrate the 124th birthday of its namesake and inspiration, Ernest Hemingway, and Robb Report traveled there to get a first look and taste.

Papas Pilar was founded by Steve Groth, who also launched Angels Envy in 2010. Production is led by seventh-generation master distiller Ron Call, a Kentuckian by birth who spent years working in the bourbon industry for Jim Beam before moving into rum. He worked under the tutelage of the legendary master distiller Booker Noe early on, which he says was an invaluable to his career. He then worked for Cruzan for more than two decades before joining Papas Pilar in 2012, and he has countless stories to tell about both the whiskey and rum industries.

At the distillery in Key West, Shawn Martin heads up distilling, blending, and innovation, working with a small pot kettle still to produce rum, some of which is matured onsite. Call oversees blending of the different Papas Pilar expressions at the brands main facility in Lakeland, Florida, where rum from partner distilleries in Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, and of course the brands Key West home are used. Dark and Blonde expressions anchor the lineup, with sherry and rye-finished rums rounding it out.

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But Ernest is something truly special, a limited-edition rum consisting of just 400 bottles that comes in a minimalist decanter inside an ornate case. The liquid is a blend of 4.5-, five-, and 23-year-old rum from South and Central America that was double-finished and bottled at 100 proof. First the blend was put into heavily toasted American oak barrels made from staves that were air dried for 36 months, and then the rum was given another finish in Cognac and Armagnac barrels for less than a month. This is an excellent sipping rum, with deep tannic notes from the toasted oak finish, along with almond, dried fruit, coconut, spice, and even some hints of cotton candy on the palate. We really wanted to push the envelope on what the category has seen before, said Call in a press release. This is what led to our decision to double finish the rum in new heavy-toasted American white oak barrels made of 36-month air-dried staves, a process that enhances the deep natural vanilla and slight cocoa notes that carry over into our rum and create an extraordinary sensory experience.

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At the distillery, Call told Robb Report that it is a challenge to present a high-end rum to consumers who are more used to seeing this type of price and presentation for single malt whisky and Cognac. Typically, people view rum as light or something for foo-foo drinks, he said. But I think they are ready for this. The rum looks like an expensive bottle of Cognac, with the liquid housed in a crystal decanter with the name Ernest written in script on the front. The brand says that the inspiration came from a photo of Hemingway taken around 1940 in which you can see a similar decanter containing some mysterious spirit. The teal box slides open to reveal a photo of Hemingway at Finca Vigia behind it, the authors Cuban home where he wrote part of books like For Whom the Bell Tolls. Finally, theres a crystal topper you can use to replace the cork with if you decide to display the bottle.

Ernest will be available starting July 21 from the Papas Pilar website for $599, and you can join the Hemingway Social Club here if you want to get early access to this new release. In the meantime, you can find the core lineup available to purchase from websites like Total Wine. Even if you cant write like Papa Hemingway, this rum gives you the chance to drink like him.

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Burke Mountain, Vermont, announced today that its bike park will be closed from Friday the 14th to Sunday the 16th, citing "historic rainfall causing damage to the trails that our crew is working hard to fix."

In the linked Instagram post, Burke stated that a snowmaking infrastructure update -- the Binney Lane Snowmaking Project -- was also delayed by the rainfall and flooding.

"A weekend of tires off of the still-soft trails will ensure quality and stability moving forward," the resort wrote, explaining that the closure should prevent degradation of the bike trails. Currently, Burke plans to reopen the bike park the weekend after next, on July 21st.

Other ski areas in Vermont, like Okemo Mountain Resort, have faced temporary summer closures, too. Okemo's bike park will be closed until at least Wednesday, July 19th.

Statewide, Vermont saw torrential rainfall this week, leading to flooding and infrastructure damage. Some areas of the state received up to nine inches of rain.

The New York Times reported that Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders called the storm and ensuing destruction "the worst natural disaster to impact the state of Vermont since 1927."

At the time of writing this, no deaths related to the Vermont flooding have been reported, although over 100 water rescues have occurred.

To stay in the loop on all things biking, check out the work of our friends at BIKE Mag, where a trending news tab is launching in the coming days.

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We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging ski-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on POWDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality ski videos.
The London Trans Pride march started in Trafalgar Square and ended at Hyde Park Corner - Alamy

A 53-year-old woman has been arrested, police said, after an activist told a crowd at a trans pride event to punch gender-critical people in the face.

At the march in London on July 8, an activist was filmed apparently calling for protesters to punch Terfs in the face.

The Metropolitan Police said a woman had now been arrested on suspicion of incitement to violence in Westminster after a video of the incident was widely shared on social media.

Terf is an abbreviation for trans-exclusionary radical feminist, a term used to describe people who believe that a trans womans gender identity is illegitimate.

In the video, the activist was apparently seen telling a cheering crowd: I was going to come here and be really fluffy, be really nice and be really lovely and queer and gay and laugh.

But if you see a Terf, punch them in the f------ face.

The incident occurred at the London Trans Pride march, which has been running since 2018 and this year was supported by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London.

When asked if Mr Khan supported the alleged comments, a spokesman said: The mayor is a proud LGBTQI+ ally and has been clear in his support for the trans community. He is also clear that violence is never acceptable.

There was an initial report to the Met over inciting violence, but an officer told a complainant that it was not in the public interest to pursue the case.

They said the call for violence was hypothetical and allowed under free speech laws.

The case was reviewed and on July 10 the force announced the investigation had been reopened.

The organisers of the march said that while they do not condone violence, many activists at the event hold a lot of rage which they have the right to express through words.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: A 53-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of Incitement to violence. She has been taken into custody.

The arrest on 12 July is in connection with an incident during the Trans Pride event in Westminster on 8 July. A video was widely shared on social media.

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Going down Reddit rabbit holes often results in one of two things: anxiety or amusement. But a recent scrolling spree through the site led me toward curiosity, specifically about using MSG in desserts. In a 2022 post in r/AskCulinary, one user posed the question, Why is MSG never used in making sweet things? Responses were plenty, with most agreeing that MSG doesnt work the same way or as effectively in desserts as it does in savory dishes because it can only enhance savory flavors. One commenter even said that it made their peanut butter ice cream taste beefy.

Despite Reddits contention, I wondered why so many MSG-packed ingredients have ended up in many of the internets dessert obsessions. For example, a few years ago, vanilla ice cream with a dollop of Lao Gan Ma, the famed chili crisp from the Guizhou province in China, was all the rage. Similarly, Milk Bars Compost Cookie ushered in an era of folks putting potato chips and other processed foods that could contain MSG in their cookies. Surely, these trends werent born purely out of social medias affinity for dramatic effect. Taste must have something to do with it, so I had to investigate.

Some MSG history to start

MSG has been around for over a century. Since its inception in 1908, this umami-rich ingredient has experienced a character arc of cinematic proportions. In discourse riddled with racist undertones, it was once blamed for a fictitious disease called Chinese restaurant syndrome, (despite the ingredient being equally abundant in American processed foods like Doritos, Pringles, and KFC).

Today, however, MSG is in a Martha Stewart-esque redemption era due in large part to medical studies debunking the ingredients presumed health risks. This comeback isnt just a wider acceptance of the ingredient but an exploration of what it can do beyond conventional use. The food worlds emphatic embrace of this flavor-enhancer has landed it in everything from martinis to mayo. But for desserts, it seems to be just the start.

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What is MSG and how does it make food taste better?

MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is the most efficient way to bring umami to a dish, explains Christopher Koetke, corporate executive chef at Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc., because it delivers pure umami without other added flavor compounds. This flaky seasoning contains sodium and glutamic acid (or glutamate), one of the most abundant amino acids in nature, which naturally occurs in savory foods like cheese and tomatoes.

On its own, glutamate does not carry that much taste, Koetke says, but when combined with certain foods, it contributes the umami and enhances other flavors. This phenomenon is especially powerful when ingredients high in glutamate come together with foods that contain nucleotides, which are the building blocks of nucleic acid, or DNA and RNA. According to Koetke, when you combine tomatoes and Parmesan, which contain glutamate, plus meat, which contains inosinate (a nucleotide), and dried mushrooms, which contain guanylate (another nucleotide), the result is a synergistic increase in flavor.

Humans figured out this synergy way before science gave these compounds their names. Thats why umami-rich centuries-old dishes like ramen and long-cooked ragus made with meat and tomatoes, are inherently so delicious. And the search for this indefinable deliciousness, what we know today as umami, led Japanese chemist, Kikunae Ikeda, to develop MSG. A dash of this glutamate-rich seasoning enhances the umami, especially in dishes high in glutamates and nucleotides.

MSG

$5.00, Amazon

MSG and desserts: its complicated

When I told Koetke about the people of Reddit and their skepticism regarding MSGs effectiveness in desserts, he staunchly disagreed. We are just beginning to understand how MSG contributes to overall flavor complexity in sweet applications, he said. In his experience, adding MSG to chocolate cake and brownies at fairly low levels adds a characteristic savory note that makes the desserts taste richer with an increase in overall depth of flavor.

Based on Koetkes explanation of the mechanisms behind umami, I also wondered if MSG could perform best in desserts made with ingredients that contain naturally occurring glutamate and/or nucleotides. While most high-glutamate ingredients fall into the savory category rather than dessert, there are a few exceptions. Two of these are walnuts and green tea, which Koetke explains can contain more than twice the amount of glutamate found in tomatoes. So logic would indicate that adding a dash of MSG to matcha ice cream or walnut-filled caramel nut tart could unlock the gate to the fifth taste of umami in these desserts.

Eggs are another big exception: they contain a good amount of glutamic acid and are high in protein. Because of this, Koetke states that MSG does indeed work well in egg-rich desserts like custards, curds, sauces, and ice creams. A dash or two in Tahitian vanilla ice cream, he explains, makes the vanilla pop at the beginning of the palate while the MSG is felt at the end. In the middle of the palate, a new flavor sensation is created that is reminiscent of lightly toasted marshmallows or cotton candy.

But the days of marshmallows and cotton candy have been somewhat eclipsed by desserts that lean towards bolder inclusions like chili crisp and everything bagel seasoning. Chefs and cookbook authors are increasingly broadening the overlap of sweet and savory ingredients in the Venn diagram of the dessert world. And ingredients that are high in glutamate, like miso, soy sauce, and various cheeses, have already crossed over to this intersection because umami plays an integral role in maintaining that balance between contrasting flavors.

So the addition of MSG in desserts isnt as tenuous as some may claim. At Bonnies in Brooklyn (the home of the MSG martini), chef and owner Calvin Eng offers a fried milk sundae with the option to add pork floss as a topping. Eng explained to me that the pork floss, when paired with MSG-seasoned buttered fried peanuts, creates a dessert in which sweet, salty, and savory play harmoniously.

Five Spice Torrone de Casoy - INSET Photo by Nico Schinco

Abi Balingits recipe for Turrones de Casoy MSG Brownies is, quite literally, the thesis of this story in exercise. Balingit told me over email that this recipe was inspired by a batch of pork floss and white miso caramel brownies she made in 2020. For her first book, Mayumu, she wanted to feature a similar recipe with the same sweet and savory dance but make it meat-free. And MSG happened to be the perfect replacement.

Her fudgy brownies are dotted with five-spice-scented nougat and seasoned with half a teaspoon of MSG which perks up the warm notes of star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. Balingit explains that the MSG creates a literally mouthwatering sensation with each bite that is subtle but makes you want to eat more.

Turrones de Casoy MSG Brownies

Abi Balingit

To ensure I wasnt blinded by my own research bias (or my personal love of MSG), I orchestrated a blind taste test of Balingits recipe. I presented two batches of brownies, one with and one without MSG, to six eager research subjects to see whether they could identify any major differences between the two. Redditors be damned! Pretty much everyone reported tasting the five-spice more prominently in the batch with MSG. And as Balingit promised, that pan of brownies vanished within a matter of hours.

I do think that you'll get the most umami bang for your buck when you include MSG in desserts that have a savory side, and contain glutamate and nucleotide-rich ingredients like walnuts, eggs, or miso. But taste is subjective and preferences are varied. So I suggest thinking of umami as a tuner of flavors already present in a dessert and using it to find the right chords that together make your palate sing.

To kickstart your R&D, follow Koetkes rule of thumb: start with 0.2%-0.4% MSG by weight. This means that if the weight of all the ingredients in your recipe adds up to, say, a thousand grams, youll want to use 0.2%-0.4% of that weight, which equals two to four grams (or  to 1 teaspoon) of MSG. Then taste it, adjust it, play around with flavors familiar and new, but dont let Reddit keep you from exploring the sweet side of MSG.

Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed

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Originally Appeared on Epicurious

More baking inspiration from Epicurious
ONE THOUSAND FEET OVER TINIAN ISLAND, Northern Mariana Islands  U.S. Air Force Capt. Brenden Biggie Small peers out the window of a C-130 as roughly a dozen other aircraft deploy parachutes carrying supplies to a small group of troops assembled below.

The mission is part of a training exercise involving 70 aircraft and more than 3,000 airmen from seven countries  the largest readiness exercise in Air Mobility Command history.

On this scale, its really unprecedented, Small says.

For the first time, the exercise, called Mobility Guardian, is focusing on the Pacific as the U.S. gears up for a potential conflict with China.

Over two weeks, airmen from the U.S. and its allies are practicing resupply missions, aerial refueling and medical evacuations at bases in Hawaii, Guam, Australia and Japan.

General Mike Minihan at Hickam Air Force base in Honolulu, on July 9, 2023. (Josiah Patterson for NBC News)

I dont believe conflict is inevitable. I dont believe its unavoidable, said Gen. Mike Minihan, the head of the command. But I also believe that ready now is what matters most. So ready now is the foundation of deterrence. And ready now is also the foundation of decisive victory.

Minihan made headlines in January when he wrote a controversial memo warning his commanders the U.S. could be at war with China in two years. The memo directed all Air Mobility Command personnel to prepare for a potential fight with China and practice their marksmanship  fire a clip into a 7-meter target with the full understanding that unrepentant lethality matters most.

Aim for the head, Minihan added.

In an interview at U.S. Pacific Air Forces Headquarters in Hawaii, Minihan said he stands by the memo.

Im not trying to be provocative. Im not trying to be coy, Minihan said. Im trying to provide my formation with the tools and the action and the priority necessary to win.

Airmen from the U.S. and its allies practice medical evacuations on an Airbus A400M at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu on July 9, 2023. (Josiah Patterson for NBC News)

Airmen working with medical equipment on an Airbus A400M at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu on Sunday. (Josiah Patterson for NBC News)

In recent months, the Chinese and U.S. militaries have had two close calls in the western Pacific.

The Defense Department says a Chinese fighter jet flew dangerously close to a U.S. military surveillance plane over the South China Sea on May 30. Days later, a Chinese naval ship came within 150 yards of a U.S. destroyer in the Taiwan Strait, cutting across its bow. China rejected the Pentagons description and blamed the U.S. for both incidents.

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The close encounters reinforce growing concerns that the two superpowers could stumble into an unintended conflict. Chinas military might has grown considerably in the past decade, and Taiwan remains a flashpoint.

Other experts caution that while tensions are high, an armed conflict between the U.S. and China is unlikely given how closely interconnected the two countries economies have become. They say that talk of war is exaggerated and that it worsens divisions between Washington and Beijing.

With U.S.-China relations under strain, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with President Xi Jinping in June in a bid to reduce tensions.

We have no illusions about the challenges of managing this relationship. There are many issues on which we profoundly, even vehemently, disagree, Blinken said at a news conference after the meeting.

But its the responsibility of both countries to find a path forward, and its in both our interests and the interests of the world that we do so, he added.

Side by side of Minihan with a detail shot. (Josiah Patterson for NBC News)

The previous three Mobility Guardian exercises took place in the continental U.S. But with the threat of a potential conflict with China growing and the logistical challenge of getting people and supplies across the ocean, the Pentagon decided to move the training exercise to the region where it was most likely to play out.

Were here in the Pacific, and were enjoying all the tyrannies of geography, Minihan said. So, specifically, distance and water. Were challenging ourselves and our crews to maneuver in this theater at the relevance that is needed to win. And so far, so good. Its going really well.

Joining the U.S. in the exercises are airmen from Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and France.

British forces hang the American flag under New Zealand and Britain's flags inside an Airbus A400M at Hickam Field in Honolulu, (Josiah Patterson for NBC News)

British personnel at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu on Sunday. (Josiah Patterson for NBC News)

The U.S. military is ready to deliver power, Minihan said.

But he said its not up to him whether a war with China breaks out in the next few years.

Regardless of the timeline, my job is to be ready now, Minihan said. And my obligation as the commander of Air Mobility Command is to be ready now to provide that deterrence and to be ready to provide that decisive victory.

A Royal Air Force plane at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu. (Josiah Patterson for NBC News)

I'm not trying to be provocative. I'm not trying to be coy, Minihan said. I'm trying to provide my formation with the tools and the action and the priority necessary to win. (Josiah Patterson for NBC News)

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Iam Tongi, the beloved Hawaiian high schooler who was dubbed winner of the 21st season of American Idol, is apologizing for wearing a hat during a recent performance of the National Anthem.

The 18-year-old from Kahuku, Hawaii, took to Seattle Mariner's T-Mobile Field to belt out the American tune on July 11 for the MLB's 2023 All-Star Home Run Derby.

However, as the crowd rose to their feet and players removed their caps to pay their respects to the United States during the song, Tongi neglected to follow suit.

"Tens of thousands of people. I walk out and my uncle reminds me to remove my hat before I start singing. I remember. A few seconds later the nerves took in and didnt remember until it was all done," he wrote on Twitter.

Tens of thousands of people. I walk out and my uncle reminds me to remove my hat before I start singing. I remember. A few seconds later the nerves took in and didnt remember until it was all done. I will try to do better next time  pic.twitter.com/CUbwQXU0js  Iam Tongi (@wtongi) July 11, 2023

Accompanied by a video of his voice soaring for the massive crowd, Tongi pledged to "try to do better next time."

On Instagram, the teen shared a video with a behind-the-scenes look at the people filling Seattle's historic stadium, as well as a close-up of the field.

"First time singing the National Anthem and it was nerve wrecking that the nerves took over and I forgot to take my cap off. So sorry guys. Biggest crowd yet!" he wrote, accompanied by the hashtags #yessah and #unitedstatesofamerica.

Social media users encouraged Tongi in response to his apology and video, impressed with the patriotic performance despite the hat mishap.

"Brah your performance was absolutely patriotic and inspiring. Your voice resonated with so much passion and talent," one person tweeted. "Dont worry about the hat, its a tiny blip compared to the incredible impact you made on that huge stage."

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Another wrote, "You were awesome young man. For some reason every time I hear you sing I get emotional. So proud of you. We voted for you every round I know you will learn to remove your hat. Much success."

After capturing the country's heart over the past several months, Tongi took home his emotional "American Idol" win last month and, once again, wowed judges with an acoustic performance.

During the show's season finale May 21, Tongi dedicated his original song "I'll Be Seeing You" to his late father, singing of his dad's laughter living on in his memory and the loneliness he's felt since the passing.

This ones for you, dad. Ill Be Seeing You is out now. Its been such a special process making this song, and it really took a village to make it happen, he wrote on Instagram. Thank you to everyone involved, and everyone who has shown me support. I see you showing love and it means the world to me.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
President Joe Biden on Thursday made his strongest public promise yet that the United States is serious about orchestrating a prisoner swap to secure the release of Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter detained in Russia.

Im serious on a prisoner exchange, Biden said at a news conference in Helsinki. And Im serious about doing all we can to free Americans being illegally held in Russia or anywhere else for that matter, and that process is underway.

Last week, officials from the Kremlin said they were in talks with U.S. counterparts regarding a potential swap that would include Gershkovich, who has been held in Russia since March. The Biden administration confirmed these discussions but said they had not yet produced a clear pathway to a resolution.



Biden's remarks are perhaps the strongest demonstration of his commitment so far in a public setting. The parents of Gershkovich said in a Wednesday interview with ABCs Nightline that the president had personally assured them he would do whatever it takes to get their son home.

Gershkovich was apprehended on espionage charges during a reporting assignment in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Acting as a correspondent following the invasion of Ukraine, he is currently detained in Moscow's infamously harsh Lefortovo prison. Both the U.S. government and the Journal deny the accusations against Gershkovich.
Canadian airlines saw fewer flight cancellations and more land on time in June compared to last year, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium, as the busy summer travel season kicked off.(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)

Canadian airlines saw fewer flight cancellations and more land on time in June compared to last year, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium, as the busy summer travel season kicked off.

The latest data from Cirium showed that 4.1 per cent of scheduled flights  or more than 2,000  were cancelled by Canadian airlines in the month of June. That's down from last June, when Canadian carriers cancelled 6.4 per cent of scheduled flights, or more than 3,100.

Canada's two biggest airlines reported fewer cancellations this year. Of the more than 25,000 flights Air Canada flew in June, about 1,600 were cancelled, representing a cancellation rate of 6.4 per cent. That's an improvement from last June, when the Montreal-based airline flew roughly the same number of flights but cancelled more than 2,400 of them for a cancellation rate of 9.3 per cent.

Operations have also improved for WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline. The Calgary-based carrier flew more than 14,000 flights in June and cancelled more than 200, for a cancellation rate of 1.7 per cent. Last year, it flew roughly the same number of flights but cancelled more than 500, for a cancellation rate of 4 per cent.

Porter Airlines, which has expanded operations and started flying out of Toronto's Pearson International Airport earlier this year, was the lone airline of those tracked by Cirium that reported more cancellations this year than in 2022. In June, the airline cancelled 175 of its 4,600 flights, for a cancellation rate of 3.8 per cent. Last year, it flew more than 3,500 flights and cancelled 50, for a cancellation rate of 1.4 per cent.

Last year's summer travel season was marred by chaos at Canadian airports across the country, as a surge in post-pandemic travel demand and labour shortages led to a wave of delays and cancellations.

While on-time performance has also broadly improved at Canadian airlines this year, they still lag behind carriers around the world.

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In June, 53 per cent of Air Canada's flights landed on time, measured as landing within 15 minutes of scheduled arrival time. Last year, 41 per cent of Air Canada's flights landed on time. WestJet had an on-time rate of 69 per cent in June, up from 57 per cent last year. Still, U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines had an on-time performance rate of 89 per cent in May.

Alicja Siekierska is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow her on Twitter @alicjawithaj.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
Courtesy of Bill Zhou / Photo by Heyang Qiu

Bill Zhou flew to UC Berkeley from Los Angeles three times a week for an academic year to avoid paying Bay Area rent.

The transportation fanatic paid for most of his flights using frequent-flyer miles and points.

Here's how he mastered the supercommute, while maintaining perfect attendance and a 3.88 GPA.

This is an as-told-to essay based on conversations with and Reddit posts written by Bill Zhou, a 26-year-old transportation engineer. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I've always had a love for transportation. Growing up, I would ride different bus routes on my way home from school just for fun. Whenever I travel to a new place, the first thing I do is explore its transit system, whether it's the mass-transit railway in Hong Kong or the double-decker buses in the UK. In London, I rode all the city's Tube lines in one day.

I also love aviation and trying out different airlines. I've flown with more than 100 airlines and am set to reach 1 million miles later this year.

So when I got accepted last year into a one-year master's at the University of California, Berkeley, in transportation engineering, I had this wild idea of living in Los Angeles and commuting to school by plane to avoid the expensive rent around the campus.

I knew I would go back to LA after graduation because I really enjoyed my job and wanted to stay at my company. Bay Area rent for a private bedroom and bathroom is super expensive, and I didn't feel justified in spending that much money. My apartment in LA is a great deal  if I left, I would have to break the lease and probably wouldn't be able to get a price like that again.

I took 238 flights and spent a total of $2,413.14 on airfare

Courtesy of Bill Zhou / Photo by Heyang Qiu

The main reason I could afford flying three times a week to school was that I had accumulated a lot of frequent-flier miles and credit-card points over the past few years. Earlier in the pandemic, I took advantage of the cheap fares and flew a couple of "mileage runs" (when you book the cheapest airfare for the furthest distance) to accumulate more miles and qualify for elite status.

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Once I had the highest elite status with Alaska Airlines, I was able to earn 2.5 miles for every one I flew. By the time school started in August, I had 850,000 miles with Alaska Airlines and could use those miles to greatly reduce the cost of my commute.

Since I knew what my class schedule looked like, I did a lot of planning and booked all my tickets in advance. Besides the month of August, all my travel dates fell within the off-peak travel season, so my tickets were much cheaper.

For Alaska Airlines, I usually booked their mileage tickets, which start at 5,000 miles one way and paid $5.60 out of pocket to cover tax. This calculated to $1552.10 and 407,500 miles.

For Southwest flights, I booked most of the tickets during its Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Valentine's Day sales, when flights were as cheap as $30. This calculated to $758.24 and 156,945 points.

I spent an additional $71.30 and 5,500 miles on United flights, $15.60 and 6,500 miles on Avianca flights, and $15.90 on Spirit flights. In total, I took 238 flights and spent $2,413.14 on airfare.

I spent 75,955 minutes on my commute, equivalent to nearly 53 days

Bill Zhou

Bill Zhou plans out his commute schedule on the plane.Courtesy of Bill Zhou / Photo by Heyang Qiu

I scheduled all my classes to fall on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. If I had to fly every day for the entire semester, it wouldn't have worked out. Door-to-door, the commute from my house to campus was around 4  to 5 hours each way.

The beginning of the semester was pretty hectic because we had a two-week boot camp with engineering-leadership classes every day. Flying back and forth daily was exhausting  honestly, I barely made it through. I thought about giving up at one point, but it was too late to find an apartment. And I already had all my tickets booked.

For the fall semester, I would wake up at 3:40 a.m. and leave home by 4:20 a.m. Then I would drive 30 minutes to the metro station by Los Angeles International Airport and park there. Parking at the station was $3 a day, compared with $50 a day at the main terminal. About 4:50 a.m., I would take the shuttle to LAX. The shuttle arrives every 10 minutes and takes between 10 to 15 minutes depending on which terminal you're going to.

I would reach the airport about 5:10 a.m., 10 minutes before boarding began. The TSA security check wasn't really an issue this early in the morning and would typically take me only 10 minutes to get through. My flight would take off from LAX at 6:00 a.m. and land in San Francisco no later than 7:30 a.m.

Courtesy of Bill Zhou / Photo by Heyang Qiu

After landing in San Francisco, I would go to the Alaska Airlines lounge from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and eat breakfast, catch up on homework, and reply to emails. Then I would take the BART train from the airport to downtown Berkeley, which took around an hour. About 9:45 a.m., I would take either the AC Transit 52 bus, the F line, or the UC Berkeley campus shuttle to go up the hill to my first class at 10:10 a.m.

My classes ended around 2 p.m., but I usually stayed later to meet with classmates, work on projects, and finish my homework. I would typically leave campus around 5 p.m., take the BART to San Francisco International Airport and arrive at the airport around 6:15 p.m., in time to catch the 7 p.m. Alaska Airlines flight. I would get into LAX around 8:30 p.m., take the shuttle to get to my car by 9 p.m., and then drive the 30 minutes home.

For the spring semester, I did a similar commute, except my first class didn't start until noon. So I would usually take an 8:20 a.m. Southwest flight to the Oakland airport.

I never missed a class and graduated with a 3.88 GPA

Courtesy of Bill Zhou / Photo by Heyang Qiu

I almost never dealt with flight delays on the way to school because my flights were usually the first ones out in the morning. Later in the afternoon, flights are more likely to be delayed  but the first flight is almost always on time. Sometimes, it would get stressful traveling to the airport in the morning if there was an accident on the freeway or the BART was delayed.

Amazingly, I never missed a class. I graduated with a 3.88 GPA. Including airfare, gas, parking, and a $491 ticket I got from the California Highway Patrol, the commute cost me approximately $6,100 for the year. In total, I spent 75,955 minutes on my commute, equivalent to 52.75 24-hour days.

My passion for aviation and public transit made the commute more enjoyable

Bill Zhou

Courtesy of Bill Zhou / Photo by Heyang Qiu

I wouldn't recommend anyone try this unless they're interested in transportation like I am. For me, I didn't view this as a dreadful commute  but as a small trip every time I got to class.

I'm pretty happy flying and taking public transportation and enjoy the process, but not everybody would feel the same. Also, it was affordable only because I had so many flight miles. If I had to pay for every ticket in cash, it wouldn't have worked out.

For me, this experience was worth it. This is probably one of the wildest things I've done, and I'm so glad I made it through without missing any classes. That itself is a miracle. Also, it's a great way for me to demonstrate my dedication and commitment to achieving a specific goal  and that's all that matters.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Chip wars: How chiplets are emerging as a core part of Chinas tech strategy Demo chips made with chiplets by Silicon Valley startup zGlue

By Jane Lanhee Lee and Eduardo Baptista

(Reuters) - The sale of struggling Silicon Valley startup zGlues patents in 2021 was unremarkable except for one detail: The technology it owned, designed to cut the time and cost for making chips, showed up 13 months later in the patent portfolio of Chipuller, a startup in Chinas southern tech hub Shenzhen.

Chipuller purchased what is referred to as chiplet technology, a cost efficient way to package groups of small semiconductors to form one powerful brain capable of powering everything from data centers to gadgets at home.

The previously unreported technology transfer coincides with a push for chiplet technology in China that started about two years ago, according to a Reuters analysis of hundreds of patents in the U.S. and China and dozens of Chinese government procurement documents, research papers and grants, local and central government policy documents and interviews with Chinese chip executives.

Industry experts say chiplet technology has become even more important to China since the U.S. barred it from accessing advanced machines and materials needed to make todays most cutting edge chips, and now largely underpins the countrys plans for self-reliance in semiconductor manufacturing.

"U.S.-China competition is on the same starting line," Chipuller chairman Yang Meng said about chiplet technology in an interview with Reuters. "In other (chip technologies) there is a sizeable gap between China and the United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan."

Barely mentioned before 2021, Chinese authorities have highlighted chiplets more frequently in recent years, according to a Reuters review. At least 20 policy documents from local to central governments referred to it as part of a broader strategy to increase Chinas capabilities in key and cutting-edge technologies.

"Chiplets have a very special meaning for China given the restrictions on wafer fabrication equipment," said Charles Shi, a chip analyst for brokerage Needham. "They can still develop 3D stacking or other chiplet technology to work around those restrictions. Thats the grand strategy, and I think it might even work."

Beijing is rapidly exploiting chiplet technology in applications as diverse as artificial intelligence to self-driving cars, with entities from tech giant Huawei Technologies to military institutions exploring its use.

More major investments in the area are on the way, according to a review of corporate announcements.

CHINA'S CHIPLET ADVANTAGE

Chiplets, or small chips, can be the size of a grain of sand or bigger than a thumbnail and are brought together in a process called advanced packaging.

It is a technology the global chip industry has increasingly embraced in recent years as chip manufacturing costs soar in the race to make transistors so small they are now measured in the number of atoms.

Bonding chiplets tightly together can help make more powerful systems without shrinking the transistor size as the multiple chips can work like one brain.

Apples high-end computer lines use chiplet technology, as do Intel and AMDs more powerful chips.

About a quarter of the global chip packaging and testing market sits in China, according to Dongguan Securities.

While some say this gives China an advantage in leveraging chiplet technology, Chipuller chairman Yang cautioned the proportion of China's packaging industry that could be considered advanced was "not very big".

Under the right conditions, chiplets that are personalised according to the needs of the customer can be completed quickly, in "three to four months, this is the unique advantage China holds," according to Yang.

Needham's Shi said according to import data published by Chinas customs agency, Chinas purchase of chip packaging equipment soared to $3.3 billion in 2021 from its previous high of $1.7 billion in 2018, although last year it fell to $2.3 billion with the chip market downturn.

Since early 2021 research papers on chiplets started surfacing by researchers of the Chinese military Peoples Liberation Army and universities it runs, and state-run and PLA-affiliated laboratories are looking to use chips made using domestic chiplet technology according to six tenders published over the past three years.

Public documents by the government also show millions of dollars worth of grants to researchers specializing in chiplet technology, while dozens of smaller companies have sprouted throughout China in recent years to meet domestic demand for advanced packaging solutions like chiplets.

CHIPLETS ON THE TABLE

Against the backdrop of escalating U.S.-China tension, Chinese company Chipuller acquired 28 patents either owned by zGlue or invented by people whose names are on zGlue's patents, according to an analysis using IP management technology firm Anaqua's Acclaim IP database.

The acquisition was through a two-step transfer, first through British Virgin Islands-registered North Sea Investment Co Ltd, according to documents seen by Reuters and confirmed by Yang.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), a powerful Treasury-led committee that reviews transactions for potential threats to U.S. security, did not respond to a Reuters request for comment about whether such sales would require their approval.

CFIUS lawyers Laura Black at Akin's Trade Group, Melissa Mannino at BakerHostetler and Perry Bechky at Berliner Corcoran & Rowe say patent sales alone would not necessarily give CFIUS authority over the deal, as it depends whether the assets purchased constitute a U.S. business.

Representative Mike Gallagher, an influential lawmaker whose select committee on China has pressed the Biden administration to take tougher stances on China, told Reuters zGlue's case highlights the "urgent need to reform CFIUS".

"(People's Republic of China) entities should not be able to act with impunity to take advantage of distressed U.S. firms to transfer their IP to China, he said in an emailed statement.

Chipuller's Yang said zGlue's lawyer communicated with both CFIUS and the Department of Commerce to ensure the sale to North Sea would not fall foul of export controls.

These discussions did not include mention of Chipuller or the possibility of a Chinese entity ending up in possession of the patents, according to a Chipuller spokesperson.

"Everything was done very transparently and in accordance with (U.S.) law," Yang said.

Yang said he considered himself a founder of zGlue as he became an investor in the company in 2015, soon after its formation, and later became a director and chairman.

CFIUS visited zGlue offices in 2018 to conduct an investigation because the company's largest non-U.S. investor, Yang, was from China, the chairman said.

"So we have spent a lot of time communicating with CFIUS," Yang said, adding that Chipuller currently does not supply any Chinese military or U.S.-sanctioned entities.

Chipuller isnt the only firm with chiplet technology.

Huawei, Chinas tech and chip design giant that has been put on the U.S.'s most restricted list, has been actively filing chiplet patents.

Huawei published over 900 chiplet-related patent applications and grants last year in China, up from 30 in 2017, according to Anaquas director of analytics solutions Shayne Phillips.

Huawei declined to comment.

Reuters identified over a dozen announcements over the past two years for new factories or expansions of existing ones from companies using chiplet technology in manufacturing across Chinas tech sector, representing an investment totalling over 40 billion yuan.

They include domestic giants TongFu Microelectronics and JCET Group, as well as fast-growing startups such as Beijing ESWIN Technology Group, which spent 5.5 billion yuan on a factory for its chiplet-focused subsidiary that began operating in April.

One article published in May by an outlet run by Chinas Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) urged big Chinese tech firms the use of domestic packaging companies such as TongFu to help build China's self-sufficiency in computing power.

"Use Chiplet technology to break through the United States' siege of my country's advanced process chips, it said.

MIIT did not respond to a request for comment.

Chipuller chairman Yang puts it this way: "Chiplet technology is the core driving force for the development of the domestic semiconductor industry, he said on the company's official WeChat channel. It is our mission and duty to bring it back to China."

($1 = 7.2205 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Jane Lanhee Lee and Eduardo Baptista; Additional reporting by Echo Wang and Stephen Nellis; editing by Kenneth Li, Brenda Goh and Lincoln Feast.)
Sultan Al Jaber is chief executive of the UAE's state oil company and president of this year's COP28

Governments must face up to their failures to tackle climate change at the next UN climate summit, the president of COP28 has told governments.

The meeting in November should agree to triple renewable energy by 2030, Sultan al-Jaber told leaders in Brussels.

Green groups welcomed the speech as a "kick up the backside" to governments.

The choice of oil executive Mr Al Jaber to lead the summit in Dubai, UAE had been criticised by campaigners.

In June UN Climate Executive Secretary Simon Stiell welcomed Mr Al Jaber's "unique insights" from his experience in the oil industry.

Global leaders will meet again in November to discuss how countries make progress in tackling the causes and impacts of climate change.

Climate campaigners had criticised the United Arab Emirates, which is in the top 10 largest oil producers in the world, for choosing the head of its state oil company to be COP president.

On Thursday Mr Al Jaber met with climate ministers from countries including Brazil, China and the US in Belgium.

It came as several global heat records were broken last week and a deadly heatwave swept across southern Europe.

"We must be brutally honest about the gaps that need to be filled, the root causes and how we got to this place here today," Mr Al Jaber said.

He called on countries to update the plans and targets agreed at the landmark summit in Paris in 2015 that created the Paris Agreement.

He also stressed the need to keep global heating below 1.5C, saying it was the summit's "North Star".

The meeting in Dubai will be the first formal assessment of progress countries have made towards goals including limiting temperature rise to 1.5C.

Campaigners had been worried that the oil executive was not committed to radically cutting fossil fuels at the speed scientists say is necessary to tackle climate change.

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On Thursday Mr Al Jabar said the "phase down" of fossil fuels was "inevitable". But he told the Guardian newspaper that ending coal, oil and gas use can only happen when the world has enough renewable energy.

Mr Al Jaber's plan for COP28 includes tripling renewable energy, doubling energy efficiency, and doubling hydrogen production by 2030.

Campaigners had also expressed concern that the UAE was dragging its feet in laying the ground for the COP28 summit.

But on Thursday analysts at the climate group E3G said the new vision had the "right ingredients" and showed the UAE had a "clear grip over the stepping stones between now and COP28".

"This is a much needed kick up the backside from Sultan Al Jaber, to get counties to upgrade their climate targets by September," a spokesperson from Christian Aid said.

Last week Mr Al Jaber met King Charles and US President Joe Biden in London at a meeting to discuss climate finance.

Since the start of the Industrial Revolution - when humans started burning large amounts of fossil fuels - the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has risen by over 50%, and is still growing.

The world is now about 1.1C warmer than it was in the late 19th century.
Many Black women in Ohio report facing bias in the workplace over their hair. State Rep. Juanita Brent is looking to change that.

Brent, D-Cleveland, recently reintroduced House Bill 178 that, if passed, could help to dismantle systemic bias against Black Ohioans' natural hair. The issue is personal to her and to Black women across the state, she said.

Ive had jobs where they told me, you need to straighten your hair, Brent said. And it was so normal for me to hear that. I didn't even find that it was wrong, because it was so systemic.

The CROWN, or Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act would ban hair discrimination in employment, places of public accommodation, housing, education, and credit practices. It would also give individuals who have been discriminated against due to their hair the right to sue.

More: Saks Fifth Avenue ex-worker awarded $9.3 million in racial discrimination case in Columbus

Convincing other lawmakers to prioritize the issue hasnt been easy. This is the third legislative session in a row that Brent has introduced the legislation. In previous sessions, the bill did not get a vote in the House.

This session, the act is cosponsored by Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, marking the first time it has had Republican sponsorship. In a Republican-dominated legislature, Brent said Callenders support has made a world of difference in garnering bipartisan support.

We are constantly hearing stories about how social media, reality TV, and other media sources are impacting children and young adults' self-image. Your employer should not be counted among those stressors based on how you wear your hair, Callender said in testimony supporting the bill last month.

The bill is the latest in a national wave of anti-hair discrimination laws. Versions of the CROWN Act have passed in 22 states, as well as several Ohio cities including Cleveland, Akron, Cincinnati and Columbus. The U.S. House of Representatives also tried to pass a CROWN Act federally in 2022, but the bill was blocked by Senate Republicans late last year.

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Discrimination against Black womens hair has a deep history in the United States, Brent said. In the 18th century, enslaved Black women were often required to cover their hair because it threatened the social order.

It was a history, a time, where you saw Bblack women in scarves, not because we wanted to cover up our heads, but because we really had to, Brent said. So there's always been this time in the United States, particularly in Ohio, where we were controlling the bodies of Black women, and particularly when it comes to our hair.

The 2023 CROWN Workplace Research Study found Black womens hair is 2.5 times as likely to be perceived as unprofessional, and that over 20% of Black women between the ages of 25 and 34 have been sent home from work due to their hair.

More: 'Politicized and demonized.' I am laying down burden put on Black hair | Erica Thompson

Brent said there are still many places she doesnt feel comfortable wearing her natural hair because it doesnt fit the social norm of being in Ohio.

The CROWN Act expands upon the definition of race as a protected class under Ohios Civil Rights Act. It specifies that race includes traits commonly associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles.

Brent said representatives on both sides of the aisle have voiced their support.

The only opposing testimony against the bill so far this year came from Kevin Shimp of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, who argued that the CROWN Act would violate the ability of individual employers to implement their own workplace policies designed to protect the health and safety of employees and customers.

Others who testified in favor of the bill pointed out the economic impact that professional discrimination against Black employees can have. Brent also said she feels that hesitancy from some lawmakers to pass the bill may be rooted in racism.

Yet with the support of Callender, the passage of similar bills in other states, and growing bipartisan backing, she remains semi-optimistic that the CROWN Act could pass.

The bill has been referred to the House Civil Justice committee for deliberation.

Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: With bipartisan support, Ohio CROWN Act could ban hair discrimination
Yevgeny Prigozhin might want to watch out for any poisoning attempts by Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Joe Biden joked during a press conference on Thursday.

If I were he Id be careful what I ate. Id keep my eye on my menu, Biden said during a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in Helsinki.

Biden was asked whether the Wagner leaders attempted coup last month could raise new concerns about Putin taking drastic new measures in Russias war on Ukraine. He responded that he was not aware of Prigozhins whereabouts or his current relationship to Putin, and jokingly advised Prigozhin to remain on high alert for potential poisoning.



But all kidding aside, who knows, Biden continued. I dont know, I dont think any of us know for certain what the future of Prigozhin is in Russia.

According to Russian media reports, Prigozhin met with Putin in the Kremlin after the unsuccessful mutiny. He has not been seen in public and has been uncharacteristically quiet on social media ever since.

Putin has a history of allegations of poisoning political rivals. According to British authorities, the Russian military intelligence GRU poisoned former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in 2018  which Russia denied. Alexei Navalny, Putins most prominent political rival, accused the Russian president of being behind his near-fatal poisoning in 2020, which the Kremlin also subsequently denied. This May, German police opened a probe into the alleged poisoning of two Russian opposition figures in Berlin.
The Department of Justice on Thursday announced a civil investigation into one of Georgia's largest jails nearly a year after a man with a diagnosed psychiatric condition was found unresponsive and covered in bug bites in his cell.

The investigation into Fulton County Jail will determine whether people incarcerated there are subjected to a pattern or practice of constitutional violations, said Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division.

"People held in jails and prisons do not surrender their constitutional and civil rights at the jailhouse door," she said.

The department will investigate living conditions in the jail, access to medical care and mental health care, use of excessive force by staff and conditons that may give rise to violence between people incarcerated at the facility, as well as whether the jail discriminates against incarcerated people with psychiatric conditions, Clarke said.

Officials said the department opened the investigation after "credible allegations that an incarcerated person died covered in insects and filth." Allegations also include: that the jail is structurally unsafe, that violence has resulted in serious injuries and homicides and that officers are being prosecuted for using excessive force.

Fulton County Government and the Fulton County Sheriff's Office said in a statement they been made aware of the investigation and "will be cooperating fully."

LaShawn Thompson, 35 died at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia after being eaten alive by insects and bed bugs, his familys attorney told USA TODAY on Thursday. According to a Fulton County Medical Examiner's report, Thompson was found unresponsive in his jail cell Sept. 19, 2022 and pronounced dead after failed life-saving attempts by responding local police and fire medical personnel.

What happened to Lashawn Thompson at Fulton County Jail?

An independent autopsy released in May determined Lashawn Thompson, 35, died due to "severe neglect" from Fulton County Jail staff.

Thompson was arrested on a misdemeanor battery charge in Atlanta in June of 2022 and housed in the jail's psychiatric wing. He was found unresponsive in his jail cell Sept. 19 and was later pronounced dead, according to a Fulton County Medical Examiner's report.

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He was dehydrated and malnourished, and his body "was infested inside and out with insects," according to attorneys Ben Crump and Michael Harper, who have called for criminal charges in the case.

Independent autopsy: Man covered in bug bites died due to 'severe neglect' at Georgia jail

LaShawn Thompson, 35 died at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia after being eaten alive by insects and bed bugs, his familys attorney told USA TODAY on Thursday. According to a Fulton County Medical Examiner's report, Thompson was found unresponsive in his jail cell Sept. 19, and pronounced dead after failed life-saving attempts by responding local police and fire medical personnel.

Following Thompson's death, evidence emerged showing the mental health unit where Thompson died was "infested with insects" and that the majority of people living there were malnourished and not receiving basic care, Clarke said.

What's happening at Fulton County Jail in Georgia?

News outlets have documented numerous issues at the facility, including flooding inside units, large holes in interior walls and common areas filled with temporary bedding, Clarke said.

The level of violence in the jail is "deeply concerning," she said. At one point in 2022, the jail averaged more than one stabbing per day, and a recent search by the sheriff's office uncovered more than 200 weapons inside the main facility, she said.

"Inmates are literally crafting shanks from the crumbling walls of the dilapidated facility," Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat said earlier this year.

There were three suspected homicides at the main jail last year, and, in one case, the victim's body was reportedly concealed for hours before being found, Clarke said.

Meanwhile, two Fulton County Detention officers face state charges resulting from alleged uses of force, she said.

Labat, the sheriff, has been outspoken about the "dilapidated and rapidly eroding conditions" and has called for building a new Fulton County Jail and Criminal Justice Complex.

His office in April said it launched an investigation into Thompson's death and outlined a series of proposed changes at the jail. Labat requested and received resignations from several executive staff members, and repercussions for anyone found to be negligent in Thompsons care could come once the full investigation is turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for review, he said at the time.

DOJ: Jail conditions 'a racial justice issue'

The federal investigation is focused on conditions at the facility, not a particular person incarcerated there. Clarke did not outline a timeline for the investigation but said the department plans to work "expeditiously."

"During this comprehensive review of the conditions of confinement at the Fulton County Jail, the Justice Department will determine whether systemic violations of federal laws exist, and if so, how to correct them," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

The department is investigating under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Clarke said. Under the ADA, jail officials must provide access to services, benefits and programs to people with disabilities that is equal to what they would provide to people without disabilities, she said.

Approximately 87% of the Fulton County Jail population is Black, Clarke said.

"This is a racial justice issue," she said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DOJ investigating Georgia jail after man found covered in bug bites
An unrelenting heatwave is scorching south-western parts of the US with Arizona projected to see a record stretch of extreme hot weather.

More than 115 million people are under some form of heat warnings, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

Phoenix has experienced 14 days of temperatures of at least 43C (110F) and is forecast to surpass its 18-day record of over 43C heat next Tuesday.

Many other cities are expected to soar above 100F (38C).

In a warning issued on Thursday, the NWS said the heatwave will also hit states like Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas and California.

It expects "oppressive heat" of up to 115F (46C) in some parts of the Southern Plains.

Forecasters say overnight temperatures are expected to remain "abnormally warm" at around 90F (32C) in some areas, offering little night-time relief from the heat.

Infographic showing the projected temperatures that will be seen during the heatwave in southern US states

Officials have urged people to be cautious and limit time outdoors during peak sun hours, to stay hydrated and to not leave pets or children in locked vehicles.

About 700 people are estimated to die each year from heat-related causes in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Las Vegas, Nevada, is projected to see a high of 117F (47C) on Sunday, which would be the city's all-time high for its hottest temperature on record, set in July 1942 and matched in July 2021.

In El Paso, Texas, temperatures have been in the triple-digits Fahrenheit for 27 consecutive days, and the extreme heat is projected to continue.

This has surpassed the city's record of 23 days of consecutive extreme heat, set in 1994.

In Phoenix, cooling shelters have been opened for people who are homeless, while volunteers made wellness calls for seniors and those living on their own.

The city has also given out thousands of water bottles as part of its heat relief programme.

The US heatwave comes amid similar high temperatures in Europe, where parts of Spain, France, Greece, Croatia and Turkey are expected to hit above 104F (40C).

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In Italy, there have been several reports of people, including tourists, collapsing as a result of the heat. At least one person has died.

Last week, the global average temperature was 63F (17.23C), which is the highest ever recorded.

Scientists say the temperatures are being driven by climate change and the naturally occurring weather pattern known as El Nino, which causes temperatures to rise and happens every three to seven years.

The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.
Kentucky-based AppHarvest will have a new CEO.

Jonathan Webb, the Kentucky native who founded the indoor produce-growing company in 2018, will be stepping down from the position, AppHarvest announced Thursday. The University of Kentucky graduate will become the chief strategy officer and will remain on the companys board as a director.

I founded AppHarvest based on a mission to improve domestic food security by farming more sustainably with climate-resilient practices while providing economic opportunity in Central Appalachia, Webb said in a press release announcing the change.

Tony Martin, a veteran of the controlled environment agriculture industry, will be the new CEO. Martin first joined the companys board in October and has been the chief operating officer since January. Additionally, Kevin Willis was named the new chair of the AppHarvest board.

The CEO change comes as the company faces a foreclosure complaint on its farm in Richmond and a dispute over the lease of its Berea farm. Last fall, AppHarvest  which grows large quantities of fruits and vegetables in massive, climate-controlled greenhouses and employs hundreds of people  said in public filings that it was running low on cash and disclosed substantial doubt about its future.

The company also has farms in Morehead and Somerset.

Once called future of farming, AppHarvest discloses substantial doubt about its future

Martin will continue to drive a strategic plan called Project New Leaf that aims to make the company more efficient while saving cost and raising product quality, AppHarvest said.

Im seeing a maturity building in the organization to better manage issues and to mitigate any material impact from challenges, Martin said in a statement. Were working more collaboratively, which is delivering cost savings and driving product quality. The mission and purpose behind AppHarvest have brought a tremendous amount of talent to the team, and I expect to see more operational efficiencies leading to increased performance throughout the year.

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According to AppHarvest, Martin has been a consultant in the CEA industry and came to the company after working for 12 years at Windset Farms, another indoor vegetable grower that sells or markets produce from farms in Canada, Mexico and California.

AppHarvests stock price sat at $0.38 following the announcement of the CEO change Thursday morning. The price has sat below $1 since February. In April, the company received noticed from Nasdaq that it would be delisted from the stock exchange if the stock prices did not close above $1 for 10 consecutive days before October 16, public filings show.

Thanks to the AppHarvest team and the tenacity of the people of Kentucky, we undertook the largest simultaneous buildout of CEA infrastructure in U.S. history and worked to put the region on the map as a hub for AgTech drawing more CEA investment to the state, Webbs statement continued. While I will continue to support the company, I am confident that Tonys leadership, extensive background in CEA and track record for optimizing revenue growth will provide the guidance the company needs at this inflection point.
Todays Newport attracts countless visitors from around the world; its streets are alive with art, culture, wealth, and beauty. Yet the city harbors echoes of a dark and turbulent past, including a variety of haunted sites.

So says the webpage of Newport Ghost Tours, the tourism business brainchild of ex-Marine and Lizzie Borden house owner Lance Zaal.

While visitors to Newport have been encountering the City-by-the-Seas supposedly dark and turbulent past, Zaal has been touring a definitively dark and turbulent present. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Zaal has traveled to the war-torn country four times, each time providing training and supplies to Ukrainian soldiers engaged in vicious frontline fighting in defense of their country.

Lance Zaal and a Ukrainian helicopter pilot pose with a jumpsuit Zaal donated to a Ukrainian aviation unit.

His aid organization, a one-man show called Ghosts of Liberty, is not a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit because it provides military equipment to foreign fighters, a purpose that does not fall under the IRS guidelines of acceptable charitable activity.

Zaal, who enlisted in the Marines as a senior in high school on Sept. 11, 2001, after watching the twin towers fall and went on to serve two tours in Iraq, told The Newport Daily News, I started Ghosts of Liberty right after the invasionI originally tried hiring people (to train Ukrainian military recruits) who had more recent military experience than me, and I was going to pay them, but they all backed out because they were too scared.

My friends needed help, he continued. I had a choice of either doing nothing, or going over and doing it myself. It was very urgent, so I decided to go and do it myself.

Zaal partnered with a member of Ukrainian parliament to provide training and specialized military equipment

Ukrainian army recruits train to quickly dig defensive positions. Lance Zaal has traveled to Ukraine four times since 2022 to provide training and supplies to the Ukrainian military.

Zaal explained that he happened to meet the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States in 2015 through a friend who was involved in the Maidan protests while interning for defense contractor Booz Hamilton, and had closely followed the geopolitical situation there ever since.

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In March 2022, Zaal worked with Ukrainian MP Solomiia Bobrovska to connect with Ukrainian military units in need of training and supplies. He had met Bobrovska before she was a member of parliament and well prior to the war, through a classmate in his MBA program who had done an internship with her for the Canadian government.

Zaal said Bobrovska connected him with a special forces unit in need of night vision scopes for rifles and machine guns, and also connected him with a group of about 80 new recruits in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv who were in need of basic military training before heading to the front lines. In addition to training the recruits for about a month, Zaal provided that group of 80 with body armor, vests, helmets, first aid kits and magazine pouches.

They didnt train them how to shoot or engage targets, or how to move with a weapon, he explained. They were basically untrained.

Zaal, who does not speak Russian or Ukrainian, said an older Ukrainian veteran was instrumental in helping him prepare the troops for battle, acting as a translator and also providing some credibility to Zaal by endorsing his training techniques.

Zaal took a 12-day road trip to personally deliver supplies to multiple Ukrainian units

Lance Zaal poses with a Ukrainian army unit in an undisclosed location in Ukraine.

In July 2022, Zaal returned with more supplies for the guys he had trained back in March  they had been sending him messages from their defensive positions on the front lines, and he had been collecting some of the gear they were asking for. He brought binoculars, night vision goggles and secure communications equipment to communicate with neighboring units. He only stayed for about two weeks, in a city called Lviv, and sent all of the equipment to the front using a private mail service called Nova Poshta, which he called pretty amazing and the logistics lifeblood of the war effort.

In November 2022, he returned for a third time with supplies for a now-famous aviation unit. He also took a 12-day road trip through Ukraine, delivering supplies to various units as he made his way from the capital of Kyiv to the recently recaptured Izum and Kharkiv areas near the front lines, passing bombed-out American Humvees and heavily shelled towns before crossing a pontoon bridge to Kramatorsk, visiting a wounded friend in Dnipro and then returning to Kyiv to fly home.

Zaal intends to continue offering support until the end of the war after June trip

After remotely sourcing some generators for the aviation unit from a Danish company over the winter, Zaal flew back to Ukraine in June 2023 and stayed in Kyiv for three weeks, meeting with Bobrovska and other Ukrainian officials and beginning a transition from providing supplies to providing consulting services on military training.

He also provided some electronics and supplies for the aviation unit, which he said had helped prevent casualties, and has donated money to the Freedom of Russian Legion, which he says is fighting against Vladimir Putin inside Russias borders.

'A career soldier': How an Army veteran from Newport ended up on Ukraine's front lines

I started getting requests from units for things I cant afford or cant even access to buy, he told The Daily News as he explained how he sees his role evolving moving forward. I have three different letters, formal requests (from fighting units), and I had a meeting with the Ukrainian Defense attache in Washington D.C. to share those requests.

He said he intends to continue supporting Ukraine until the war is over, and while he doesnt know exactly when his next trip will be or what it will entail, he knows he will be back.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Lance Zaal, Lizzie Borden House, Newport Ghost Tours owner, aids Ukraine
Google's Bard gained a handful of new features and functions Thursday in the chatbot AI's latest round of updates, including expanded linguistic knowledge, more nuanced response controls and the ability to respond with spoken word in addition to text. In all the AI can now converse in nearly four dozen languages.

Users can now converse with the AI in Arabic, Chinese, German, Hindi and Spanish, among others as well as access the platform from more places on the planet, such as Brazil and "across Europe," Jack Krawczyk, Bard Product Lead, and Amarnag Subramanya, Bard's VP of Engineering, wrote in a blog post Thursday. "As we bring Bard to more regions and languages over time, well continue to use our AI Principles as a guide, incorporate user feedback, and take steps to protect peoples privacy and data."

Bard now literally speaks. Users will have the option to either read or listen to the AI's generated responses, which Krawczyk and Subramanya believe will help immensely when users want to hear the correct pronunciation of words in those 40 newly-added languages. Users have also been afforded more robust controls over how friendly Bard will be with five distinct options for the AI's tone: simple, long, short, professional or casual. Those are only available on English-language requests for the moment but the company is already working to expand it out to more of the 40, "soon."

The chatbot also has some fancy new multimodal eyes, gaining the capacity to interpret images dropped into the chat through the prompt field. Faster and easier than uploading it as a document, users can request more information about the contents of the image or generate content like captions based on it. This also is currently English-only.

Getting the information and code that Bard generates out of the chat window and into the hands of collaborators is no longer quite such a slog. Starting Thursday, users will be able to export Bard-generated Python code to Replit, in addition to Colab. They'll also be able to copy and share portions of individual chats with other users. The process of organizing and revisiting old conversations being streamlined as well with the addition of pinned conversations, which are what they sound like, and the ability to rename them.
Huw Edwards was named as the BBC presenter at the centre of allegations made by The Sun. (Getty)

A former editor of the Sun has accused the newspaper of inflicting "terror on the BBC's Huw Edwards.

David Yelland, who edited the tabloid from 1998 to early 2003, said it now faced a crisis.

I wish @thehuwedwards well, he tweeted. The Sun inflicted terror on Huw despite no evidence of any criminal offence."

The criticism comes amid new claims from BBC employees who have reportedly alleged Edwards sent 'inappropriate' messages to colleagues.

Read the latest updates from our live coverage below:

Please click on the link above if the live blog doesn't load

BBC scandal: A timeline

Here is a timeline of the events surrounding the emergence and fallout from the allegations.

May 18

Family member of young person goes to BBC building to complain about behaviour of Huw Edwards, who is not publicly named.

May 19

BBC reportedly emails complainant for more information but receives no reply. BBC director-general Tim Davie subsequently refers to the initial call log, which he says shows it lasted 29 minutes.

June 6

Having received no response to the email, BBC tries to phone mobile number of complainant but the call does not connect.

July 6

The Sun informs the BBC of allegations concerning Edwards. Davie subsequently says the claims were different to the initial complaint because they "clearly related to potential criminal activity" and are followed up by the broadcaster's Corporate Investigations team.

Edwards is taken off air while the investigation takes place.

July 7

The BBCs Corporate Investigations team contact the complainant again, who was in touch with the BBCs investigators. The corporation also makes contact with the police.

The Sun publishes the initial claims in the evening, but does not name the presenter.

July 8

The complainant sends the BBC some materials related to the complaint. Social media is flooded with false claims as to the identity of the unnamed man.

July 9

The BBC issues a update to staff and the media confirming it has suspended Edwards. High-profile BBC stars such as Nicky Campbell and Jeremy Vine deny being the man in question and start threatening legal action to those making false claims on social media..

July 10

The police asks the BBC to pause its investigations into the allegations while they scope future work.

July 11

The BBC reports a second person saying they felt "scared" by messages they received from Edwards.

The young person says they met Edwards on a dating app and when they suggested they would name Edwards publicly, the BBC presenter sent "threatening messages".

BBC News says it had contacted the presenter  who is still yet to be named  via his lawyer, but had received no response to the allegations.

Watch: Huw Edwards named by his wife as BBC presenter at centre of scandal

July 12

Edwards' wife Vicky Flind issues a statement naming her husband as the individual involved.

The Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police say no criminal offence has been committed by Edwards and neither force would currently be taking any further action.

The BBC announces it will resume its fact-finding investigations to ensure due process and a thorough assessment of the facts.

BBC Newsnight later reports new claims from one current and one former BBC worker, who said they had received inappropriate messages from Edwards and that there was a reluctance among junior staff to complain to managers about the conduct of high-profile colleagues.
(Bloomberg) -- Billionaire Michael Hintzes CQS is exploring options including selling part of its asset-management business, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

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The London-based firm is working with an adviser to gauge potential interest, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. CQS is considering a range of transactions including divesting a stake or selling one or both of its long-only and asset backed securities businesses that now make up the bulk of its more than $15 billion in assets.

The firm could also spin out some of the activities, two of the people said. Its not clear if Hintzes flagship Directional Opportunities fund is also part of the deal talks. Deliberations are ongoing and theres no certainty CQS will proceed with a deal, the people said. The firm has held talks to sell a stake in the past without anything materializing, they said.

A representative for CQS declined to comment.

The move comes after a challenging few years for CQS following steep losses in some of its funds in 2020. Since then, the firm has shuttered at least two money pools, scuttled an expansion plan, spun off non-core strategies and cut jobs to return to its credit-investing roots. Assets have declined from peak of nearly $20 billion before the losses.

While Hintzes CQS is best known as a hedge fund, most of its growth has come from its lower margin long-only business. That, along with its ABS strategy, now account for a majority of its assets.

Hintzes flagship fund, which suffered a 35% loss in 2020, has yet to recover from the decline. The fund manages about $1.2 billion, down from about $3 billion before the losses. It gained 21.5% in 2021, 15.8% in 2022 and was flat this year through May, according to an investor document.

A deal, if successful, will mark one of the most high-profile transactions in the hedge fund industry since Marshall Wace sold a stake in itself to KKR & Co. in 2015.

Hintze, a former Australian army captain, started trading Yankee bonds for Salomon Brothers in 1982, and joined Goldman Sachs Group Inc. two years later. He quit after he wasnt made a partner. Brady Dougan, the former CEO of Credit Suisse, hired him and later gave Hintze $200 million to start his own hedge fund in 1999. Five years later, Hintze returned $500 million to Credit Suisse and took full control of CQS.

(Updates with returns in seventh paragraph.)

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Iowas state House passed a bill Tuesday night that would ban most abortions in the state as early as six weeks into pregnancy, acting quickly in the special session ordered by GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds with the sole purpose of restricting the procedure in the state.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where it must earn approval before it can move to Reynolds desk for her signature.

Senate File 579 prohibits physicians from providing most abortions after early cardiac activity can be detected in a fetus or embryo, commonly as early as six weeks into pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant.

The bill includes exceptions for miscarriages, when the life of the pregnant woman is threatened and fetal abnormalities that would result in the infants death. It also includes exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rapes reported within 45 days and incest reported within 140 days.

The state House voted 56-34 largely along party lines to advance the measure following a roughly 12-hour day that saw the measure move through rounds of consideration and debate. Debate in the state Senate continued late into Tuesday night.

The bill would immediately take effect with Reynolds expected signature.

However, while the bill language makes clear it is not to be construed to impose civil or criminal liability on a woman upon whom an abortion is performed in violation of the division, guidelines on how physicians would be punished for violating the law are left up to Iowas board of medicine to decide  leaving the potential for some vagueness in how the law ought to be enforced in the interim.

There may or may not ever be rules promulgated, said Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair, a Republican, amid several questions from Democrats on the floor. There were no legal penalties for physicians added in the bill, she said.

As far as clarity, this is about as clear as mud, Democratic state Sen. Molly Donahue said on the floor.

Reynolds last week called for Iowas legislature to convene for the special session with the sole purpose of enacting legislation that addresses abortion and protects unborn lives, weeks after Iowas Supreme Court declined to lift a block on the states 2018 six-week abortion ban, deadlocking in a 3-3 vote whether to overturn a lower court decision that deemed the law unconstitutional.

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The new bill and its 2018 predecessor are nearly identical, though the latter was not enacted immediately, granting the board of medicine time to flesh out how it planned to administer the law.

Democratic backlash to the bill and Reynolds special session grew throughout the day, with state House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst saying in a statement, Women are not free when they cannot make their own healthcare decisions. And after today, women wont be free.

Iowas Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum said in a statement that her Republican colleagues were ignoring Iowans in their rush to pass an extreme ban and that their actions today threaten the health and futures of all Iowa women.

This extreme Republican power grab infringes on the personal freedom of every Iowa woman and girl. There are women alive today who will not be alive in six months because of this law, Jochum added.

Iowas position as the first-in-the-nation caucus state for the coming GOP presidential primary has thrust its state politics onto the national stage, with Republican candidates jockeying for the favor of its voters.

Former Vice President Mike Pence posted his support of the bill on Twitter Tuesday night, writing, Grateful to see Iowa Republicans and Governor @KimReynoldsIA Standing For Life! Pro-Life Americans are Cheering You On!

CNNs Eric Bradner, Sydney Kashiwagi and Rebekah Riess contributed to this report

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Gov. Kim Reynolds will sign a law Friday that bans nearly all abortions after cardiac activity can be detected in the embryo, which can occur around six weeks of pregnancy.

It's a dramatic curtailment of abortion rights in the state, where the law previously allowed abortion up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

But the law does include some exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, and for medical emergencies that endanger the life of the pregnant woman. The law also allows abortion in cases of fatal fetal abnormalities.

More: Iowa lawmakers pass 6-week 'fetal heartbeat' abortion ban; Reynolds to sign bill Friday

Here's what to know:

What are the exceptions to Iowa's new 'fetal heartbeat' abortion law?

Here are the cases where abortion may be performed after six weeks of gestation:

For rape, if the rape is reported to law enforcement or to a public health agency or doctor within 45 days.

If the pregnancy is the result of incest, if the incest is reported to law enforcement or a public health agency or doctor within 140 days.

If "the attending physician certifies that the fetus has a fetal abnormality that in the physician's reasonable medical judgment is incompatible with life."

For a miscarriage "if not all of the products of conception are expelled."

For a "medical emergency," which is defined as "a situation in which an abortion is performed to preserve the life of the pregnant woman whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy" or when continuing the pregnancy "will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman."

The medical emergency exception does not include psychological, emotional or familial conditions or the woman's age.

More: Abortion providers sue to block Iowa's new 6-week 'fetal heartbeat' abortion ban

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Will Iowans be able to qualify for the abortion ban's exceptions?

Doctors, Democrats and other opponents of the bill argued during Tuesday's special session that the exceptions in the law are vague and difficult to qualify for.

Dr. Francesca Turner, an OB-GYN and member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said the language in the bill is ambiguous about when doctors can intervene in cases of pregnancy complications.

At what point when your wife or your daughter or your sister is having a medical emergency during a pregnancy do I get to save her life? she said. At what moment do I get to intervene? Its unclear in this bill.

A lawsuit filed Wednesday by Iowa abortion providers echoes that criticism, arguing the legislation uses vague definitions, leaving it up to providers to decide when their patients qualify as having a "medical emergency."

"Patients with rapidly worsening medical conditions may be forced to wait for care until a provider determines that their conditions become deadly or threaten substantial and irreversible impairment so as to meet the exception," the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also criticizes the bill for excluding psychological conditions from the definition of medical emergency, "even though mental health conditions are the leading underlying cause of twenty-three percent of pregnancy-related deaths."

Republicans said the law's exceptions are written broadly and will allow doctors to care for their patients.

"Medical emergency is defined broadly to include any situation in which an abortion is performed to preserve the life of the pregnant woman whose life is endangered, and when pregnancy creates a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function," Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, said in her opening comments on the bill.

Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, speaks during debate of amendments for SF 579, a 'fetal heartbeat' abortion ban, at the Iowa State Capitol on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Des Moines.

Lundgren said she wanted to clear up "misconceptions" about laws around the country that restrict abortion.

"This bill we are passing today will not impact the care provided to women experiencing a miscarriage or having complications with her pregnancy," she said. "Miscarriage is clearly not prohibited in any way in this bill."

The lawsuit cited the U.S. Department of Justice, saying about 78% of rapes and sexual assaults were not reported to police in 2021.

"Victims of rape and incest often do not report the incidents, whether due to their young age, fear of violence or retaliation by their assailant, or severe trauma and shame," the lawsuit states.

Lundgren pointed out during debate that cases of rape or incest can also be reported to medical providers. But she said it's important for women to report the incidents not only so they can receive health care but so the perpetrator can be stopped from committing future crimes.

"We dont talk often enough about what that crime is," she said. "Its not just about that one person, but we should be stopping that person who is committing these crimes from doing it over and over and over to other women."

Iowans overwhelmingly support exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the pregnant woman

Eighty-nine percent of Iowans say abortion should be legal if the pregnant person's life is in danger, and 85% say abortion should be legal in cases of rape or incest, according to an Iowa Poll from October.

Some Iowans unsuccessfully urged lawmakers to remove some of the exceptions from the bill. In the end, the Legislature passed the bill with the exceptions.

Katie Buck, a West Des Moines resident, brought her 7-year-old son, Alex, to a public hearing Tuesday morning. Alex was born with trisomy 18, a genetic complication caused by an extra chromosome. The condition can be fatal.

Buck said it qualifies as one of the fetal abnormality exceptions allowed in the bill. She urged lawmakers to remove the exception from the bill.

Alex is 7 years old. How can he be incompatible with life? she said. You have no idea how hard we had to fight against this fatal fetal anomaly label to get him the medical care he needed to survive.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: New Iowa abortion ban has exceptions for rape, incest medical emergency
President Joe Biden said Thursday he doesn't foresee Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons against Ukraine, arguing that the Russian president has already lost the war.

Biden, speaking at a news conference in Helsinki, Finland, said he doesnt think theres any real prospect of Putin using nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Not only has the West, but China and the rest of the world has said Dont go there, he said.

Asked if the war in Ukraine could drag on for years, Biden said Russia doesnt have the resources and the capacity for the war to rage indefinitely and that Putin will eventually decide it's not an interest of Russia, economically, politically or otherwise, to continue this war.

My hope is, and my expectation is, youll see that Ukraine makes significant progress on their offensive and that it generates in a negotiated settlement somewhere along the line, he said.

What a settlement will look like ultimately depends on Putin, Biden said, but there is no possibility of him winning the war in Ukraine. He's already lost that war.

Biden made his remarks on the final stop of his five-day swing through Europe in which Russia's war against Ukraine was a top agenda item.

Biden, who arrived in Helsinki late Wednesday after stops in London and Lithuania, started the final day of his trip with a bilateral meeting with President Sauli Niinisto of Finland. Biden called Finland an incredible asset to NATO and joked that it took him "about three seconds" to agree to the country's request to join the security alliance.

Ive been doing this a long time, Biden said at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. I dont think NATO has ever been stronger.

Also Thursday, Biden participated in a summit with the leaders of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Denmark. The summit was the third gathering of Nordic leaders over the past decade, but the first of Bidens presidency.

Besides Russia, other topics on the leaders agenda included China, artificial intelligence and climate issues.

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More: 'We will not waver': Biden draws parallel between USSR, war on Ukraine in Vilnius

President Joe Biden listens during a meeting with Nordic leaders, Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Finland's President Sauli Niinisto, Iceland's Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir and Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland.

The gathering in Finland follows the annual summit of NATO leaders in Vilnius, Lithuania, where one of the key topics was the expansion of the worlds largest security alliance amid Russias war against Ukraine.

Finland, which shares an 832-mile border with Russia, officially joined NATO in April, ending its nearly eight-decadelong position of neutrality.

Sweden, which applied for admission into NATO last year at the same time as Finland, also appears on the verge of joining the alliance. On the eve of their summit in Lithuania, NATO leadership announced that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had withdrawn his countrys opposition to Swedens NATO membership, paving the way for the Nordic country to join the alliance.

More: Sweden to follow Finland into NATO: Graphics explore alliance's gains with two new members

Ukraine also has been pushing for NATO membership. NATO leaders said the alliance would offer an invitation to Ukraine "when the allies agree and conditions are met." But the lack of a concrete timeframe angered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who called it unprecedented and absurd.

Later, Zelenskyy applauded NATO's decision to simplify Ukraine's path to membership and welcomed a Group of Seven announcement of security guarantees and military aid, saying it sends a "very specific signal" of support for Ukraine.

Bidens appearance in Finland is the first by a sitting U.S. president since Donald Trumps controversial stop there in 2018.

After meeting with Putin in Helsinki, Trump stood at Putins side during a news conference, denied Russias interference in the 2016 election and seemed to take Putins word over that of U.S. intelligence officials who were pursuing criminal charges against Russian operatives.

Michael Collins and Francesca Chambers cover the White House. Follow Collins on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS and Chambers @fran_chambers.

More: Zelenskyy defends use of cluster bombs, pushes for NATO membership, meets with Biden

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden, Nordic leaders ready to show unity against Russian aggression
Former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was stabbed in prison after a comment he allegedly made while watching the women's Wimbledon tennis tournament with other inmates, according to sources familiar with the case.

Nassar, who was convicted of sexually assaulting U.S. gymnastics team members, allegedly said to other inmates on Sunday, "I wish there were girls playing," according to sources.

That comment, according to sources, led a fellow inmate to go to Nassar's cell later in the day and stab him at least six times with a manufactured weapon, according to sources.

PHOTO: Larry Nassar appears in court for a plea hearing, Nov. 22, 2017, in Lansing, Mich. (Paul Sancya/AP, FILE)

MORE: Former US gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar stabbed in prison: Source

Several inmates then ran into Nassar's cell and took the suspect off of the former doctor, sources said.

Two sources familiar with the situation told ABC News on Monday that Nassar was listed in stable condition.

The Bureau of Prisons confirmed that an inmate was assaulted on Sunday at the United States Penitentiary Coleman II, a high security federal facility in Florida, and said no one else was injured.

MORE: With Larry Nassar's sentencing, his accusers share their own powerful words

The suspect has not been charged formally by investigators.

The Associated Press was the first outlet to report the details of the assault.

Nassar was arrested in 2016 and convicted of state and federal charges for sexually assaulting members of the U.S. gymnastics team. His sentences total hundreds of years.

Larry Nassar stabbed in prison after comment he allegedly made while watching Wimbledon: Sources originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A former Erie resident charged last week with fatally shooting his fiancee in their city apartment in 2012 is fighting his cross-country return to face criminal homicide and other charges.

Anthony S. D'Onofrio, 35, did not waive his extradition back to Pennsylvania during a court appearance in the state of Washington on Tuesday, according to Erie County District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz.

Hirz said her office will now begin the process of obtaining a governor's warrant to have D'Onofrio brought back to Erie County to face charges in the death of Lexie Castile, who was shot in the head in the couple's West 24th Street apartment in the city on Sept. 16, 2012.

Investigators with the Erie Bureau of Police and the Pennsylvania State Police on July 7 filed charges of criminal homicide, first-degree murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and recklessly endangering another person against D'Onofrio in the death of Castile, to whom D'Onofrio was engaged. The charges were filed after investigators said they recently reviewed the case with Erie County forensic pathologist Eric Vey, M.D., who performed Castile's autopsy following her death.

Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook said Tuesday he ruled Castile's death a homicide last week after conferring with Vey.

More: Fiance charged in 2012 fatal shooting of 20-year-old Erie woman at West 24th St. apartment

D'Onofrio, who lives in Tumwater, Washington, southwest of Tacoma, remained in the Pierce County Jail on a fugitive from another state warrant Thursday. D'Onofrio is in jail on a "no bail hold," according to Hirz.

Authorities said D'Onofrio was taken into custody Monday morning at the entrance gate of Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. The base is home to the U.S. Army's I Corps and the U.S. Air Force's 62nd Airlift Wing. The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, military police from Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the Pierce County Sheriff's Department assisted in the arrest, according to Erie and state police investigators.

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Investigators said D'Onofrio is a member of the U.S. Army. Information on when D'Onofrio joined the Army and how long he had been stationed at the base in Washington was not immediately available Thursday.

Lexie Castile, 20, seen in this undated contributed photo that was provided to the Erie Times-News in September 2013, was fatally shot at her residence in west Erie on Sept. 16, 2012. Erie police on July 7, 2023, filed criminal homicide and other charges against 35-year-old Anthony D'Onofrio, Castile's fiance, in Castile's death.

The incident

Castile was 20 years old when she was killed. According to police, she, D'Onofrio and Castile's 3-year-old son were in their apartment, a converted garage, when the shooting happened. Investigators wrote in D'Onofrio's criminal complaint that he called Erie County 911 to report the shooting at 12:31 a.m. on Sept. 16, 2012, and stated that Castile shot herself in the head.

According to investigators, D'Onofrio told them that he told Castile to pack her belongings and move out of the apartment the next day. He said he went to the other side of the apartment and assumed Castile was packing her things when he heard a pop.

D'Onofrio then told police he grabbed the gun, removed the clip, counted the rounds and noticed one round missing, investigators wrote in D'Onofrio's criminal complaint. Police determined there were 16 live bullets found on the bed in the apartment, and they located a spent 9 mm shell casing in a brown paper bag near the bed, according to information in the complaint.

Testing determined the casing was fired from a Glock 17 9 mm handgun found in the apartment. Police also tested D'Onofrio for gunshot residue, and residue was found on his hands and on the shoulder of his T-shirt, according to information in the complaint.

In October, investigators working the Castile shooting case reviewed the case with Vey. Based on the position of the gun's muzzle against Castile's head and the trajectory of the bullet, Castile would have had to significantly contort her arm and hand to fire the gun, investigators wrote in the complaint.

Investigators in January talked to people who lived near Castile and D'Onofrio at the time of the shooting. One neighbor reported hearing arguing and then a "blood-curdling" female scream at the time of the incident. Another neighbor reported hearing loud voices coming from the garage apartment at the time, according to information in the complaint.

Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNhahn.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Ex-Erie man charged in fiancee's 2012 death fighting extradition
PORT JERVIS - One teenage male was stabbed to death and two others were wounded during a confrontation in Port Jervis early Wednesday morning.

City police said they responded to Bon Secours Community Hospital at 2:35 a.m. Wednesday for a report of three patients who had arrived at the emergency room with stab wounds.

Police said a subsequent investigation learned the three had been stabbed during a fight between two groups of people on Jersey Avenue near the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue.

City police identified the dead man as Destin Rabess, 18, of Montgomery. He was pronounced dead by the attending physician at Bon Secours.

Child abuse: Middletown man charged with predatory sexual assault against a child

The two other stabbing victims were both males from Walden, one age 17 and one age 16. Police said the 17-year-old was transported to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, where he remains in critical but stable condition. The 16-year-old was treated at Bon Secours and released.

No arrests have been reported.

Brothers arrested: Second suspect charged in New Year's Day murder in Plattekill

Port Jervis police said they are investigating the stabbing with the state police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Major Crimes and Forensic Identification units, Orange County's sheriff's and district attorney's offices, and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center.

Police said further details about the case cannot be released at this time because of the active investigation.

Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record, Poughkeepsie Journal and The Journal News/lohud. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com or on Twitter @mikerandall845.

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Stabbing in Port Jervis claims life of Montgomery teen
Prior to the holiday weekend on July 3, local news outlets in Alabama were reporting that a deadly trend was killing people of all ages. Cap. Jim Dennis with the Childersburg Rescue Squad told outlets: We have had four drownings that were easily avoidable. They were doing a TikTok challenge.

The challenge, according to Dennis, involved people jumping off moving boats at high speeds. Doing this can result in paralysis or death.

Other publications took the quote and ran with it. ABC7 published the headline Trending TikTok boat jumping challenge kills at least 4 in Alabama on July 8. Two days later, Today ran a segment about it that has since been taken down. People magazine, on July 11, left an editors note on its coverage of the trend, reading, This story has been updated to reflect a substantive update made by authorities after publication.

On July 10, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) tweeted that the information was incorrect. It clarified in a follow-up tweet that the ALEAs Marine Patrol Division did not have any records of boating or marine-related fatalities in Alabama that can be directly linked to TikTok or a trend on TikTok.

On the same day as the ALEAs tweets, Dennis told another local news outlet in Alabama that his original comments were blown way out of proportion. But he reiterated that he thought there was a TikTok challenge, but he couldnt prove it caused some of the drownings.

There is a TikTok challenge, but I do know jumping off of a moving boat is nothing new, he said. As far as TikTok, theres not a challenge on there thats any good.

Denniss full interview has been uploaded in its entirety to YouTube. In it, Dennis also says the unsubstantiated boat jumping challenge is just like with TikTok issuing the Tide Pod challenge. The Tide Pod challenge, which data revealed wasnt a public health crisis, according to statistics from the American Association of Poison Control Centers, is credited as having started from a 2015 Onion headline and started to pick up steam on YouTube to become a meme in 2017. TikTok launched in the U.S. in 2018.

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Ben Rathe, a spokesperson for TikTok, told the Associated Press that boat jumping has never trended on the platform and that TikTok does not comment on things that are not part (of the platform) / are not trending on the platform.

The hashtag #boatjumpchallenge does have over 1 million views on TikTok but is not exclusively of people jumping off moving boats. One video from 2019 with the hashtag shows a creator in his garage doing a box jump on top of his boat. Another video from 2021 is of a TikTok user and his boss both jumping off an anchored boat near Indonesia. A lot of videos with the hashtag are recapping the recent news stories about the deadly trend.

Theres a similar issue with the hashtag #boatjumping, which has over 15 million views, but doesnt show countless videos of people participating in a challenge, as most legitimate TikTok trends do.

The story and media reactions feel similar to the NyQuil chicken discussion that was happening throughout 2022. Aside from the fact that NyQuil chicken is a rebrand of sleepy chicken, a fake recipe that was intended to troll users on 4chan in 2017, it seemed as though nobody was actually cooking chicken in NyQuil.

TechCrunch reported at the time: If you search phrases like sleepy chicken recipe on TikTok, almost every video is a duet or a stitch-style expression of outrage. Users will share a clip of the same video of one person cooking chicken in NyQuil, then add a clip of themselves reacting to how absolutely absurd it is.

In September 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning for parents, writing, One social media trend relying on peer pressure is online video clips of people misusing nonprescription medications and encouraging viewers to do so too. The FDA did not link to any examples.

The year prior, in 2021, an alleged slap your teacher challenge was being covered by outlets as going viral and encouraging students to slap their teachers. Snopes, a fact-checking resource, published an article about it at the time and concluded: Little evidence exists that slap a teacher is an actual challenge on TikTok.

Some social media users have taken note of how these fake trends get picked up by outlets and have tried to poke fun at them by taking them to a new level. In February 2022, a Twitter user posted a Photoshopped article headline claiming Kanye West didnt like when Julia Fox went goblin mode. So many publications ran with the tweet that Fox had to go on Instagram Stories and say, Just for the record, I have never used the term goblin mode.'

its incredibly easy to create fake news its actually ridiculous lol pic.twitter.com/grrsFCVq2y  pudding person (@JUNlPER) February 16, 2022

A lot of the fake trends like goblin mode, hellmaxxing and skeleton brunch are ways for users to parody the fearmongering that surrounds TikTok coverage. Taylor Lorenz argued in the Washington Post that the boat jumping challenge coverage was the latest hoax aimed at scaring adults about teen technology use.

But arguably a big issue behind the spread of fake trends has to do with media literacy  for both older and younger generations and even journalists.

When it comes to viral trends, sometimes journalists get sucked in, Mike Cana, the director of journalism strategies at the Scripps Howard Foundation, wrote in an article on Medium. Crazy stories come our way, and sometimes journalists dont question the story or question officials or sources enough.

In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News  follow us here!

The post No, there is not a deadly TikTok boat jumping challenge. Why do fake TikTok trends spread? appeared first on In The Know.

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What happens when you're turned into a meme? Then what happens when 4chan turns that meme into antifeminist propaganda?

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An Horry County special education teacher pleaded guilty to charges involving child neglect in court Thursday afternoon.

Grace McColgan, 61, will spend 30 concurrent days in jail.

The crimes she was accused of included rubbing hand sanitizer on a childs open wound and striking three male students on two separate occasions during the 2021-22 school year.

She was placed on administrative leave on Oct. 11, according to district officials.

Prosecutor Jerrod Fussnecker said that three assistant teachers witnessed McColgans actions against her students.

A mother of one of the victims spoke Thursday on behalf of her family, as well as other victims. Tearfully, she thanked the Horry County Police Department, and the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office for handling the case, as well as McColgan for being an example of what not to be.

She said that her child suffered trauma and struggled going to school.

Having to pry them from the car is routine, she said.

Before sentencing, several of McColgans associates spoke on her behalf.

One witness, Sandra Taylor, who had known McColgan for about 40 years, said McColgan was successful and had an enthusiasm for teaching.

Other witnesses, including another teacher at Ocean Bay Elementary School, said she was trustworthy around children and worked hard as a teacher.

Taylor said that she was confident Mrs. McColgan is one of the finest teachers I have ever known.

The Little River resident had been teaching since 1984, including time as a special education teacher in New York, according to her lawyer Kevin Hughes. She has no previous criminal history.

As a result of her sentencing, McColgan will not be allowed to work in a school. She will also be put on a statewide child abuse registry.

The presiding judge told McColgan that she had put him in a position he had not been on since being on the bench.

McColgan joined Horry County Schools in August 2020.

At the same time of her arrest in early November last year, McColgans boss, Principal Rebecca Schroyer, was arrested and charged with two counts of failing to report the child neglect.

She was placed on administrative leave last year and is still awaiting her next court appearance while on home detention.

Schroyer will not return to Ocean Bay Elementary this school year, according to district officials. Interim principal Megan Acre will lead Ocean Bay Elementary School for the following academic year, the district said.
Presidential candidates Mike Pence, Vivek Ramaswamy and Tim Scott cheered Iowa Republicans for passing a six-week abortion ban after a marathon special legislative session this week, even as many other contenders kept their distance from the issue.

Advancing American Freedom, a nonprofit founded by former Vice President Pence, spent about $25,000 on ads and texts encouraging Iowans to contact their lawmakers in support of the bill. And Pence reached out to the Des Moines Register in a Wednesday morning phone call to heap praise on Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Republican-led Legislature.

"I think life is winning in Iowa because of the principled leadership of Republicans in the House and Senate and Gov. Kim Reynolds," Pence said. "And as a pro-life American, I'm just grateful for their stand for the unborn."

Ramaswamy, who was in Iowa for a separate campaign event, altered his plans at the last minute to stick around for the session. He was on hand at the Capitol Tuesday where he said he met with Republican legislators and Reynolds, enduring boos and catcalls from pro-choice protesters.

And U.S. Sen. Tim Scott tweeted Wednesday afternoon that the bill's passage is "great news!"

"I celebrate states like Iowa and the leadership of Gov. @KimReynoldsIA that understand the importance of creating a culture that protects life," he wrote.

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy extended his Iowa trip to attend Tuesdays special session on abortion.

Most GOP presidential candidates quiet on Iowa's new 6-week abortion ban

But other candidates did not appear to publicly acknowledge the moment  their silence conspicuous in a state that has become accustomed to presidential candidates opining on Iowa politics in an effort to ingratiate themselves with local politicians, activists and voters.

Former President Donald Trumps campaign quietly catered a BBQ lunch and dinner for Republican lawmakers as a show of solidarity Tuesday, a campaign official confirmed.

And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hinted at the legislative action in a Monday tweet saying Reynolds is poised to deliver even more for Iowans in the special session. But neither of the two polling frontrunners offered public praise for the policy.

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Candidates apparent reluctance to weigh in on the issue may reflect the potential perils associated with modern abortion politics as Republicans struggle to find a message that unifies the diverse opinions within their party.

Trump has drawn criticism in Iowa, for example, for suggesting a six-week abortion ban is too harsh. And even as DeSantis signed his own six-week ban into law in Florida, hes shown reticence to bring up the issue while campaigning in more moderate states like New Hampshire.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and the Constitutional right to abortions, political observers have questioned how abortion opposition will play in a general election. Democrats have promised to remind voters that Republican candidates from the presidential race to the state legislature are out of step with the majority of voters, according to polling.

"There are 483 days until Election Day 2024 and there wont be a day that Iowa House Democrats arent reminding voters that Republicans took away their rights and acted against the will of more than half of Iowa voters," said House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights.

Family Leader Summit could bring candidates face to face with abortion issue

But the issue of abortion will be difficult for candidates to avoid for long.

On Friday, Reynolds will sign the heartbeat bill into law at the Family Leadership Summit, an annual gathering of evangelicals that is drawing a full slate of presidential candidates this year.

Confirmed speakers include Pence, Ramaswamy, DeSantis, Scott, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Trump was invited but does not plan to attend.

"My guess is they'll all get the opportunity to talk about the life issue and presidential leadership as it relates to the life issue," said Family Leader President and CEO Bob Vander Plaats. "And it'd be a wise move for them to highlight Gov. Kim Reynolds, the Legislature and all those who have worked so hard for the culture of life in Iowa."

Pence, Ramaswamy most vocal in discussing Iowas abortion ban

Pence was unequivocal in his support for the legislation, saying in an interview that he couldnt be more proud to see Iowa Republicans approve the bill, which will prohibit doctors from providing abortions after cardiac activity is detected with an abdominal ultrasound.

He pushed back on the idea that general election voters will reject Republicans if they go too far in restricting abortion.

I think that the cause of life is so much more important than politics, he said. But I do believe that standing with compassion and principle on the sanctity of life is also a winning issue.

He pointed to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine who won re-election with healthy margins in 2022 after signing heartbeat bills.

I believe that in one race after another around the country, including that of Congressman Zach Nunn in Des Moines, where you saw Republicans stand with principle and compassion on the issue of life that they were able to prevail in one election after another, he said.

He said he has supported the types of exemptions Iowa Republicans wrote into their law, including exceptions to preserve the life of the mother and for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.

He also said he believes conversations about reforming the adoption process must be part of the conversation around abortion policy.

We ought to demonstrate the heart of the people in the pro-life movement in extending care to women in crisis pregnancies, he said. We ought to demonstrate a willingness to support newborns as much as the unborn.

Pence has been out in front of the field on the issue of abortion, urging his fellow presidential candidates to support a 15-week federal abortion ban as "a minimum federal standard."

Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur, has been less specific about where he stands on policy, though he has said he does not support a federal ban.

Speaking from outside the Iowa Capitol as debate raged inside on Tuesday, Ramaswamy told reporters the issue was important enough to warrant changing his travel plans.

Its an important day to recognize this is a constitutional republic in action, he said. For me, it was important for me to stick around for that.

Ramaswamy said he supports expanding support for various social safety nets, adoption programs and childcare.

But thats not an excuse for protecting unborn life in the meantime, he said. Unborn life is life.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who was campaigning in Nevada, Iowa on Tuesday, acknowledged Iowa's legislation but stopped far short of endorsing it.

"If you look at my governorship of Arkansas, I signed over 30 pro-life bills," Hutchinson said. "And I know here in Iowa, you had your general assembly meeting on the heartbeat bill. Well, we have a very supportive pro-life legislation in Arkansas, that I signed."

Hutchinson told reporters Tuesday he would sign a 15-week abortion ban as long as it had "reasonable" exceptions and restrictions, such as those protecting the life of the mother or allowing abortions in the case of rape and incest.

Asked if he would sign a six-week ban, he said that the proposal is "not on the table right now, nationally," so he he would need to see how consensus develops in Congress.

A March Des Moines Register Iowa Poll found that 61% of Iowans said abortion should be legal in all or most cases, and 35% of respondents said it should be illegal in all or most cases.

The Iowa Poll has measured Iowans views of abortion seven times since 2008. According to the poll, support for abortion in Iowa has risen from a low of 48% in 2008.

Other Republican candidates support some abortion restrictions, but didn't weigh in on Iowa's law

Iowans have grown to expect presidential candidates to hop on local bandwagon issues as they campaign across the state.

In March of 2019, for example, Democratic presidential candidates were tripping over themselves to help Waterloo Democrat Eric Giddens campaign in a special election to the Iowa Senate, even though the election would do nothing to change the partisan makeup of the chamber.

But relatively few candidates proactively waded into Iowas abortion debate this week.

Haley has said there's a role for the federal government to play in abortion policy, pledging to sign a federal abortion ban if it were to reach her desk.

But Haley has not said at what point in a pregnancy the procedure should be banned, and she has also cautioned that reaching consensus on a national abortion ban is unlikely.

"I think if there's 60 votes, which we're not anywhere near that, and if there's something where they've come together on consensus, yes of course I would sign it," she said in May while campaigning in New Hampshire. "Because that's 60 votes out of 100 saying 'this is what America wants.' But we're at 45, so we're not anywhere close."

Nikki Haley greets Iowans after an event at the Temple of Performing Arts in Des Moines on April 12, 2023.

Scott has said he would support a 15-week federal abortion ban. And although hes also praised South Carolinas six-week ban as good news, he has skirted questions about whether he would support such a ban.

Ive also said very clearly, because I think you have to tell the American people the truth, even the 15-week limit is not possible unless we change the hearts and minds of the American people, because it cant get through Congress, Scott said at a May event hosted by Axios.

Des Moines Register reporters Philip Joens and Virginia Barreda contributed to this story.

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: How GOP presidential candidates reacted to the Iowa abortion law
There are a number of companies in the U.S. that offer revenue-based financing to SaaS companies, including Capchase, Pipe, Founderpath and Arc. But the options for South Asian companies are far more limited.

A new startup, Efficient Capital Labs (ECL), has emerged to give B2B SaaS companies operating in the South Asia-U.S. corridor more financing options, and it recently raised $7 million in funding led by QED Investors to help it grow.

Kaustav Das teamed up with Manish Arora, a former general manager for PayJoys South Asian division, to found New York-based Efficient Capital Labs in early 2022 after working in various risk-related roles over the past two decades. The company provides B2B SaaS companies a percentage of their annual recurring revenue (ARR) as upfront capital that Das says is 100 percent non-dilutive in nature. Because ECL funds customers through its balance sheet, Das said its customers get access to capital at a much cheaper cost and dont have to face the uncertainty that comes with depending on third-party investors or marketplace dynamics to receive capital against revenue.

After spending nearly 15 years as a vice president at American Express, where he worked as its chief credit officer of non-card commercial lending, Das also served as the chief risk officer of Kabbage, Petal and Quadpay.

His foray into revenue-based financing started in June of 2020 when he was approached by Miguel Fernandez, CEO and co-founder of Capchase to serve as an advisor to that company. While Das never formally became an advisor to Capchase, he was introduced to companies in India expressing interest in financing.

That got Das thinking. So he went to India in September and October of 2021, and realized the opportunity was massive. SaaS is growing 6x-7x and the cost of capital is still very expensive -- even if more available -- in India, Das recalls. And I realized that most of the SaaS companies had a U.S. entity and bank account but they were not able to access the cheaper capital that is in the U.S. That became the most important pillar of what we are building in Efficient Capital -- to bridge the cost of capital gap between geographies.

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Das was able to raise $3.5 million led by 645 Ventures for his company, which allowed him to start hiring and build out his product. He also closed on a $15 million debt facility last November, which he recently updated to a $100 million special purpose vehicle in June. Other institutional backers include The Fund, Lorimer Ventures, Riverside Ventures and Generalist.

He describes Efficient Capital as a revenue-based financing company that focuses on South Asia and Southeast Asia, and is currently focused on U.S.-India and U.S.-Singapore.

The U.S. component is important, Das said. Theres always going to be a dollar-denominated loan to a U.S. entity and a U.S. bank account.

Efficient Capital is focused on pre-seed, seed and Series A startups, charging a fixed fee of between 9% and 12% of whatever upfront capital it provides. Most of its loans are made on 12-month terms. Anything above, Das believes, becomes more risky as its difficult to predict with a longer time horizon.

So far, Efficient Capital counts 43 SaaS companies as customers, and has originated more than $13 million in loans with zero defaults, according to Das.

He claims that his startup is the only platform that does dual risk assessment in both geographies.

And that, Das believes, is one of Efficient Capitals biggest differentiators.

With other platforms, he said, companies dont have visibility into what happens to the money once it leaves the U.S. bank account.

For them, its just a line item in the bank, Das told TechCrunch. For us, we follow the entire course, and have access to the interbank account so we can see the usage of that funds or the reverse of it.

That means, he said, that Efficient Capital can do KYC (know your customer) in India.

Aaron Holiday, co-founder and managing partner of 645 Ventures, said that given the steady growth of SaaS startup formation and growth in India, his firm saw an opportunity for the total addressable market to reach $10 billion within eight years.

The [ECL] team members operating and domain expertise in risk management combined with B2B SaaS growth in India gave the company a unique advantage at onboarding early customers to test the revenue based lending value proposition in India and internationally, he wrote via email. After working with ECL for over a year for pre-launch to launch, its clear that theyve released a product that is resonating and being pulled by the market.

QED Investors partner Sandeep Patil, who heads the firms Asian investments, told TechCrunch that Indian SaaS companies are known for innovative and specialist software solutions, and their growth in selling to the U.S. represents a new era of entrepreneurship and global collaboration.

He added: By providing non-dilutive capital to these companies, ECL empowers the founders to build for the long term and drive innovation and growth.

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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Hyperchiller iced coffee maker deal: $17.50 on Amazon Prime Day
Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies:

Firefighters rescue woman trapped by boulders

A woman trapped between boulders near Surfers Point in Ventura was freed by firefighters during a technical rescue Wednesday.

The incident was reported shortly after 1:15 p.m. near a lagoon at the mouth of the Ventura River.

A Ventura City Fire Department official said the woman fell into cracks between boulders, leaving her entire body trapped in the rocks.

Two urban search-and-rescue teams along with several engines worked to extricate her. The effort was assisted by Oxnard and Ventura County firefighters as well as California State Parks personnel.

The woman was freed shortly after 2 p.m., according to radio traffic from the scene.

She was taken by ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center. The extent of her injuries wasn't immediately known, a fire official said.

Driver seriously injured in Hwy 126 crash

A 20-year-old Ventura man suffered major injuries in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 126 near Santa Paula on Tuesday, authorities said.

Shortly before noon, the man had been driving westbound on the 126 in a black 2021 Jeep Wrangler, the California Highway Patrol reported. He was traveling in the right lane, west of Orcutt Road, which is east of city limits.

The driver, for unknown reasons, allowed the Jeep to run onto the right shoulder where it hit a metal guardrail, CHP officials said in a news release. The impact caused the Jeep to overturn several times in the right lane of the highway. The driver, who wasn't wearing a seat belt, was completely thrown from the vehicle, authorities said. No one else was in the Jeep.

Both the driver and Jeep came to rest in the right westbound lane, blocking traffic for a time as CHP, county fire and ambulance crews responded. The driver was taken by ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center. As of Wednesday, he remained hospitalized, a CHP official said.

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The cause remains under investigation. Anyone who saw the crash is asked to call the CHP's Ventura-area office at 805-662-2640.

2 arrested in 'sophisticated' home burglary case

Ventura County Sheriff's detectives recently helped arrest a Los Angeles man and woman suspected in a "sophisticated" residential burglary in Newbury Park that included following the victims for several days prior to the crime.

The June burglary in Newbury Park took place in a gated community. The homeowners also own a small restaurant, sheriff's officials said in a news release Wednesday. The sheriff's agency is contracted to provide police services in Thousand Oaks.

The LA man and woman, age 42 and 57, reportedly kept tabs on the victims for three days, watching them at the restaurant and following them to their home, according to the sheriff's account. The burglary took place while the victims were at work.

Thousand Oaks detectives identified the suspects as residents of South Los Angeles.

On Friday, the Thousand Oaks detectives watched the suspects in Irvine as they appeared to case a community in the city in Orange County. The detectives, with help from Irvine Police Department investigators, arrested the two as they allegedly tried to carry out a residential burglary. They were found with burglary tools during the arrest.

Shortly after the arrests, Thousand Oaks detectives conducted a warrant search of the suspects' residence in South Los Angeles. Authorities reportedly recovered evidence including high-end jewelry and handbags, cash, two-way handheld radios and vehicle trackers.

The suspects were booked into Orange County Jail with bail set at $700,000 for the woman and $300,000 for the man, online jail records showed. The two are expected to be extradited to Ventura County, where they will face additional residential burglary charges, authorities said.

Firefighters tackle house fire in Simi

Ventura County Fire Department crews knocked down a fire at a single-family home in Simi Valley Wednesday afternoon.

The blaze , near the 4200 block of Eve Road, was reported around 4:10 p.m. Firefighters described heavy smoke coming from the house as they arrived.

Some units were still at the scene as of 5:40 p.m. Simi Valley police officers were directing traffic near Eve and Tapo Street.

One person was assessed and released at the scene, the department said in a tweet. The cause remained under investigation.

#EveFire; FFs have knocked down a fire in a single story single family home in @City_SimiValley. @SimiValleyPD is controlling traffic on Eve and Tapo st. 1 person assessed and released and the cause is under investigation. @VCFD #vcfd pic.twitter.com/cDdkO46agB  VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) July 13, 2023

Items may be updated.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Ventura firefighters rescue woman trapped by boulders, more
By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW (Reuters) -A Russian general said he had been dismissed as a commander after telling the military leadership about the dire situation at the front in Ukraine where he said Russian soldiers had been stabbed in the back by the failings of the top military brass.

After the June 24 mutiny by Wagner mercenaries, the biggest domestic challenge to the Russian state in decades, President Vladimir Putin has thus far kept Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov in their jobs.

Major General Ivan Popov, who commanded the 58th Combined Arms Army, said in a voice message published by Russian lawmaker Andrei Gurulyov that he had been dismissed after telling the truth to the top brass about the situation at the front.

"The Ukrainian army could not break through our ranks at the front but our senior chief hit us from the rear, viciously beheading the army at the most difficult and intense moment," Popov said.

Popov, who commanded Russian units in southern Ukraine, explicitly raised the deaths of Russian soldiers from Ukrainian artillery and said the army lacked proper counter artillery systems and reconnaissance of enemy artillery.

There was no immediate comment from the defence ministry and Reuters was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the voice message. Lawmaker Gurulyov is a hardline former army commander who regularly appears on state television.

It was unclear when the message was recorded. The defence ministry has not said anything about his dismissal.

Such public criticism of Russia's military leadership from a battle-hardened general less than three weeks since the Wagner mutiny indicates the level of discontent within the Russian army as it fights the biggest land war in Europe since World War Two.

RUSSIAN ARMY

Putin, Russia's paramount leader since 1999, has said the mutiny could have tipped Russia into civil war and has compared it to the revolutionary turmoil of 1917 which forced Russia to essentially drop out of World War One.

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The Kremlin has sought to project calm but Russian officials and diplomats have told Reuters that the full significance of the mutiny - which Prigozhin said was aimed only at settling scores with Shoigu and Gerasimov - has yet to play out.

Neither Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin nor General Sergei Surovikin, a deputy commander of Russia's military operations in Ukraine, have been seen in public since the day of the mutiny.

For months Prigozhin had been openly insulting Putin's most senior military men, using a variety of crude expletives and prison slang that shocked top Russian officials but that were left unanswered in public by Putin, Shoigu or Gerasimov.

Popov, 48, said he had kept his distance from the "gladiators" of the army but had faced a watershed moment when he told the military chiefs the truth.

"There was a tough situation with the senior bosses in which it was necessary either to keep quiet and be a coward or to say it the way it is," Popov said. He did not say when he raised the complaints.

"I had no right to lie in the name of you, in the name of my fallen comrades in arms, so I outlined all the problems which exist."

A Telegram channel linked to Wagner mercenaries said that Popov had raised the need to rotate exhausted troops from the front line with Gerasimov. Reuters was unable to verify that report.

"The senior chiefs apparently sensed some kind of danger from me and quickly concocted an order from the defence minister in just one day and got rid of me," Popov said. "I await my fate."

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Andrew Osborn)
Rapid Support Forces upload disarmed weapons for display during Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visit to the war-torn Darfur region at Rapid Support Forces Headquarter in Umm Al-Qura, Darfur, Sudan September 23, 2017

In a clear sign of their seriousness to end the escalating conflict in Sudan, four East African states, led by Kenya, are pushing for the deployment of a regional force to protect civilians and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches millions of people trapped in the war zone.

But getting the agreement of the warring factions will be a tough call, as they have shown no interest in anything other than military victory since the conflict broke out in mid-April.

Meanwhile Egypt is hosting a summit of Sudan's neighbours to discuss ways to end the conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The military, headed by Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, controls most of eastern and central Sudan, and is fighting to hold on to its bases in the capital, Khartoum.

The rival RSF, led by Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, known as "Hemedti", has made advances in Khartoum, where its fighters have been accused of murders, rapes and occupying and pillaging hospitals.

The military bombs RSF positions relentlessly in the capital, reportedly causing widespread civilian casualties.

Over the media horizon, horrifying violence rages in Sudan's western region of Darfur.

The RSF has overrun most of the region. Along with their allied Arab militia, RSF fighters have driven out many thousands of ethnic Masalit from their historic homeland in western Darfur.

They burned the palace of the sultan, the group's customary leader. When the governor, Khamis Abbakar, called it "genocide" men in RSF uniform abducted and killed him.

More than 160,000 Masalit refugees have fled across the border to Chad.

The RSF also ransacked the city of Zalingei, home to the Fur community, and encircled the two biggest cities in the region, al-Fashir and Nyala.

Many Darfuris fear this is the culmination of a long-standing plan to transform the ethnically-mixed region into an Arab-ruled domain.

With Darfur worst-affected by the conflict, people are fleeing into neighbouring Chad

The urgent need in western Darfur is civilian protection. Ironically, the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur had exactly this mandate. But it was withdrawn two years ago in a decision that now seems terribly misguided.

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RSF forces are also besieging the capital of North Kordofan state, El-Obeid.

Should they capture it, the military will survive only in pockets west of the River Nile.

In South Kordofan, a rebel group, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North, waging its own insurgency for the past 12 years, has advanced towards the state capital, Kadugli, as the military finds itself over-stretched fighting the RSF.

Suddenly, there is a flurry of diplomatic activity. But there is no agreement on who should be in the lead.

Since the second week of the conflict, the US and Saudi Arabia have been convening ceasefire talks in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

But hopes for a cessation of hostilities - the most recent over the Eid al-Adha holiday - have come and gone without a slackening in the pace of violence.

The US and Saudi Arabia say they will float a new proposal in the coming days. They have also made efforts to bring the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on board, which is significant because the UAE is seen as the major backer of the RSF and, according to some reports, continues to arm them. The UAE has not commented on the reports.

Just over a month ago, unimpressed with the low energy of the African Union (AU) in responding to the crisis, East African leaders launched their own initiative under the auspices of the regional body, Igad.

A quartet - made up of the leaders of Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Djibouti - was appointed to seek a ceasefire, humanitarian access and political dialogue in order to restore Sudan's transition to democracy.

Air strikes and artillery shelling have led to the destruction of residential blocks in Khartoum

Kenya's President William Ruto - who heads the group - has been outspoken, describing the war as "senseless", condemning both warring parties for using their military power "to destroy the country and kill civilians", and warning that there are "already signs of genocide" in Darfur.

It is this group of leaders, meeting in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa on Monday, that took the first steps towards organising a regional intervention force.

Their second track is working with the Americans and Saudis to convene a face-to-face meeting between the warring generals - Burhan and Hemedti - to secure a ceasefire.

Track three is an "inclusive political process" to start by August. That requires bringing civilian representatives together, and giving them enough political backing so that they have real leverage in talks, as part of efforts to ensure that Sudan returns to the path of democracy.

But Gen Burhan rejected the initiative, claiming that Mr Ruto is biased towards the RSF. He also accuses leaders of some of the civilian parties of siding with Gen Hemedti - they counter that Gen Burhan has mobilized Islamist groups on his side. He first agreed, then refused, to attend Monday's meeting. A delegate from the RSF attended.

The military claims the legacy and legitimacy of government, though it took power in a coup with the RSF in 2019, before their leaders fell out, triggering the civil war.

The military certainly has a stronger claim to government than the RSF, which is a paramilitary group run by the Dagolo family, making money from its gold mines, mercenary activities and business empire.

It has shown no interest in governing, and has allied itself with Arab supremacists from Darfur and neighbouring countries.

Gen Burhan's handicap is that his forces cannot protect either the state or the population. In fact they don't even control the capital, the customary minimum threshold for being accepted as a legitimate government in Africa.

The US initially failed to signal its support for Mr Ruto's initiative, preferring to stick with the AU. But it has come around to engaging with what is the highest-level African intervention thus far.

Sudan's conflict is already destabilizing South Sudan. Gen Hemedti demanded that South Sudan cease paying the Sudanese government - meaning Gen Burhan - for use of the oil pipeline to Port Sudan, the only export route for that country's main source of revenue. South Sudan has not yet commented on the demand.

Over the weekend, Mr Ruto travelled to Chad to confer with President Mahamat Deby. Deeply fearful of the potential of the Darfur crisis to destabilize his country, Mr Deby held a crisis meeting with Darfuri leaders, including the commanders of the former rebel groups, to discuss how best to respond.

Egypt is already hosting more than 250,000 newly arrived refugees from Sudan. It fears that the ongoing destruction of Khartoum is leading to the inexorable exodus of the country's entire middle-class - Egyptians speak of two million and even more.

President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi announced a joint initiative with Qatar and is convening its own summit meeting.

Egypt's sympathies lie openly with Gen Burhan, which helps explain why he is stalling on the Igad plan. Mr Sisi sees Gen Burhan as his most reliable ally in Sudan, and is ready to tolerate a return of Sudanese Islamist groups - which have the backing of Qatar and Turkey - if it means stabilising the country.

But there are fears in some diplomatic circles that rival African and Arab peace processes will cancel each other out.

Little aid is getting into Sudan to help victims of the conflict

The United Nations has been sidelined. Its special representative for Sudan, Volker Perthes, was chosen for his technical skills in supporting institution-building during the now-aborted transition to democracy, rather than experience in mediating a brutal conflict.

Additionally, Gen Burhan has declared him persona non grata. Most Sudanese are dismayed by the UN's failures in Sudan and don't want to see it leading a diplomatic effort.

Similarly, Sudanese worry that the European Union's obsessive focus on migration means that they will deal with any leader who promises to stem the mass exodus.

Some Sudanese blame the EU for supporting the RSF in the past as part of a plan to control the country's borders - a claim the EU disputes.

The challenge of peace in Sudan is huge. The African leaders' plan is the boldest and most comprehensive yet, but there are still many roadblocks on the path to peace - not least the refusal of the warring sides to accept that there is no military solution to the conflict.

Alex de Waal is the executive director of the World Peace Foundation at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the US.
The Summit County Sheriffs Office is denying the release of public records in the criminal case against a sitting member of the Ohio House.

Since the Beacon Journal filed a public records request Monday morning, the sheriffs office has released only a single police narrative of what investigators believe Rep. Bob Young, R-Green, did at his home and a relatives house Friday. The criminal complaint identifies the two family members Young allegedly assaulted and their relationship to the two-term state lawmaker.

The Beacon Journal is not identifying the victims or witnesses who spoke to responding officers, including a child who reported seeing Young slap a woman in the face and throw her phone in a swimming pool when she tried to call 911 for help.

That alleged incident occurred at 1 a.m. July 7 during a private party at Youngs house on Greensburg Road. There's no mention in the single document received so far that the woman called police.

The other victim, who is male, did call 911 after 9 a.m. when Young allegedly showed up looking for his family and charged at the male family member to force entry through the front door.

The Beacon Journal has requested 911 calls, witness statements, reports from responding officers, body-worn camera footage and the department's call history at Young's address.

"Our agency released a copy of the incident report as requested by you and other media outlets," Inspector Bill Holland with the Summit County Sheriff's Office, said in a statement. "The 911 calls and other records are either part of the ongoing investigation or contain information about victims. The records containing information about victims will not be released under Marsys Law."

Gov. Mike DeWine signed Marsy's Law, House Bill 343, in April to protect the rights of crime victims. The law requires courts to provide victim notification of all activities, including parole hearings, the right to speak during court proceedings and court-ordered protection from the accused.

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But public agencies are increasingly using the law to reject routine records requests, including the names of homicide victims in one county. A week ago, Columbus police cited Marsy's Law in refusing to identify eight officers involved in a freeway shootout that killed one suspect and injured an officer.

The Supreme Court of Ohio has ruled in recent years that 911 calls and anything documenting initial reports of crimes cannot be withheld from the public. Such records, according to the high courts interpretation of Ohio Public Records Law, do not qualify under the investigative-work product exception.

But within hours of the Beacon Journal emailing its request, the sheriffs office took the position that Body Cam footage is not releasable under Public Record Law until the case has been disposed of, and since it is still in court, I will not have that, an employee overseeing records requests said in an email.

Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree has not responded to multiple requests to discuss the matter.

We believe the sheriffs office is wrong to deny the access to these records which have been routinely made available to the public for decades, Beacon Journal Editor Michael Shearer said. At a minimum, they have a legal responsibility to provide redacted records and a legal explanation for the denial. They cant just say no. The public has the right to know more about the arrest of a state lawmaker.

We support the concept of Marsys Law and victims rights, but it appears lawmakers have created a situation where the public is being forgotten.

The Summit County Prosecutor's Office said it was not involved in the matter.

"The Sheriffs Office has not asked for our legal advice or input on this public records request," James Pollack, director of communications for the Summit County Prosecutor's office, told the Beacon Journal. "You will have to check with the Sheriffs Office as to why they denied the request."

Young pleaded not guilty Saturday to two misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and one felony count of disrupting public services for allegedly stopping a member of the public from calling police for help. His attorney, John Greven, confirmed Wednesday that Young will not resign as requested by Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens.

Stephens attended a GOP fundraiser with Young and other local Republicans July 6. Stephens also attended the after-party at Young's house, but said he left before the alleged domestic disturbance.

A Summit County grand jury will decide whether Young should be indicted on the felony charge, which would send the case to Summit County Common Pleas Court.

Reach reporter Doug Livingston at dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Summit sheriff withholds public records in Rep. Bob Young's case
A senior Russian general who was fighting in Ukraine has said he was suddenly dismissed from his position after he accused the militarys leadership of betraying his troops with a lack of support.

General Ivan Popov, who was leading the Russian assault in the Zaporizhzhia region, says Vladimir Putins defence minister Sergei Shoigu signed the order to get rid of me.

In a Telegram post published late last night, Popov said he had raised questions about the lack of counter-battery combat, the absence of artillery reconnaissance stations and the mass deaths and injuries of our brothers from enemy artillery.

I also raised a number of other problems and expressed it all at the highest level frankly and extremely harshly, he said in the audio message.

It comes after another senior Russian general was killed by a Ukrainian airstrike using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, according to reports from both sides of the conflict.

Russia struck Kyiv with an overnight bombardment for the third night in a row, with Ukraine saying its air defences shot down all 20 Shahed drones and two Kalibr missiles.

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Ukraine downs 20 drones, 2 missiles overnight

06:57 , Arpan Rai

Ukraines air defence has shot down all 20 Shahed-136/131 drones launched by Russian forces overnight, the countrys air force said.

It added two Kalibr missiles were also downed by the active air defences. The Russian forces also used one Iskander-M ballistic missile to attack Ukraine, according to the air force.

Russian forces unleashed a barrage of self-exploding Iranian-made Shahed drones in early hours today, according to the Kyiv City Administration.

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Explosions were heard in different parts of the city, and debris from intercepted drones fell on five districts of the Ukrainian capital.

Some buildings were damaged, and two people hospitalized with shrapnel wounds.

Senior Russian general killed in airstrike with British Storm Shadow missile

06:40 , Arpan Rai

A high-ranking Russian general has been killed in Ukraines Zaporizhzhia in an airstrike carried out using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles, according to multiple reports from both sides.

Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov was among the Russian military commanders present in the Dune hotel when a barrage of cruise missiles struck the southern region.

Russias defence ministry did not immediately confirm the death but it has been reported by the countrys tightly-controlled state media.

An aid to the Ukrainian mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko, wrote on his Telegram channel: It is reported that today in the Berdiansk area, the Russian Lieutenant General Oleg Yuriyovych Tsokov was liquidated.

In September last year the same general was gravely wounded on the battlefield but survived, the mayor said.

A member of Ukraines parliament, Yurii Mysyagin, said that the the British Storm Shadow came to visit accurately.

Senior Russian general says he was fired after accusing defence ministry of treachery

05:37 , Arpan Rai

A senior Russian general who was fighting in Ukraine has said he was suddenly dismissed from his position after he accused the Moscow defence ministrys leadership of betraying his troops over lack of sufficient support.

In a Telegram post published late last night, General Ivan Popov said he had raised questions about the lack of counter-battery combat, the absence of artillery reconnaissance stations and the mass deaths and injuries of our brothers from enemy artillery.

He was the commander of the 58th Combined Arms Army, leading the Russian assault in the Zaporizhzhia region.

I also raised a number of other problems and expressed it all at the highest level frankly and extremely harshly, he said in the audio message.

I had no right to lie, therefore, I outlined all the problematic issues that exist today in the army in terms of combat work and support.

He added that the Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu got rid of me by signing the order.

Popov accused the senior Russian commander of hitting the battalion from the rear treacherously and vilely decapitating the army at the most difficult and tense moment while claiming Ukraine could not break through the Russian army from the front.

Russian spy chief spoke to CIA boss about what to do with Ukraine

05:11 , Arpan Rai

Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin has said he and CIA counterpart William Burns had discussed what to do with Ukraine in a phone call late last month, reported Russias TASS news agency.

Mr Naryshkin confirmed that his counterpart had raised the events of 24 June, when the Wagner mercenaries took control of a southern Russian city and advanced towards Moscow before reaching a deal with the Kremlin to end the revolt.

This comes after The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported on 30 June that the CIA director had called the Russian foreign intelligence chief to assure the Kremlin that the US had no role in a brief mutiny a week earlier by Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner fighters.

Mr Naryshkin said that for most of the call, lasting about an hour, we considered and discussed what to do with Ukraine.

There were no immediate remarks from the CIA on TASSs report.

The two leading intelligence officials have maintained a line of communication since the start of the Ukraine war at a time when other direct contacts between Moscow and Washington are at a minimum, with relations at their lowest point since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.

Zelensky welcomes G7 security pledges: For our children'

04:55 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed fresh pledges of weapons and ammunition to fight Russias invasion along with longer-term security commitments from the West even as he expressed disappointment over the lack of a clear path for his country to join Nato as the alliance wrapped up its annual summit.The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children, he said while flanked by US president Joe Biden and other leaders from the Group of Seven most powerful democratic nations.A joint declaration issued by the G7 lays the groundwork for each nation to negotiate agreements to help Ukraine bolster its military over the long term. Mr Zelensky described the initiative as a bridge toward eventual Nato membership and a deterrent against Russia.We will not waver, Mr Biden vowed after the summit in Lithuania ended. I mean that. Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for freedom today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.

Biden hails unbroken Ukrainian people in Nato speech

04:25 , Arpan Rai

President Joe Biden hailed the unbroken people of Ukraine and the incredible dignity with which theyve acted to repel Russias invading forces as he pledged on behalf of the Western world to maintain support for Kyivs defence for as long as necessary.

Mr Biden delivered his remarks to a boisterous crowd whod gathered hours ahead of time to hear him speak in the Great Court at Vilnius University, following the conclusion of this years Nato leaders summit, at which leaders of the 31-member defence alliance agreed to expedite Ukraines bid for membership in the bloc once the war with Russia has been brought to a close.

Biden hails unbroken Ukrainian people and says Natos commitment will not waver

Overnight drone attack on Kyiv kills one, says mayor

03:51 , Arpan Rai

At least one person has been killed after explosive debris from a drone fired by Russia fell on a district in Kyiv, officials said.

Ukraine deployed anti-aircraft units to down Iranian-made Shahed drones fired by Russian forces for a third consecutive night, in and around Kyiv.

The body of one resident was recovered when emergency services put out a fire in the capitals historic Podil district, mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

He also reported a fire in an apartment building in Kyivs Podil district where two people were injured.

Two more people were injured in Shevchenkivskyi district further west, where a balcony caught fire in an apartment building. Debris also struck the central Solomyanskyi district.

The head of Kyivs military administration, Serhiy Popko, described the assault as a mass attack by Shahed drones that had approached from different directions.

Anti-aircraft forces identified and destroyed about 10 foreign targets, he wrote on Telegram.

Pictures on the military administrations website showed buildings with burnt out areas or damaged facades.

Nato in numbers: Which members have the biggest armies and how has the military alliance grown?

03:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), which is currently holding its latest summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, is a political and military alliance of North American and European countries forged in the aftermath of the Second World War  in the hope of avoiding future hostilities between nations.

It sought to achieve this through the realisation of three specific goals: deterring Soviet expansionism, preventing the revival of militant nationalism and encouraging European political integration.

While that first obligation lost its relevance following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the gradual disintegration of the USSR, Nato has been forced to constantly evolve and adapt in response to global geopolitical tensions over the last half century as the nature of the threats and challenges nations faced changed, from fascism and totalitarianism to Islamist terror factions and cyber-warfare.

Read more:

Which Nato members have the biggest armies and how has the military alliance grown?

Ben Wallace accused of scolding Ukraine over demands for weapons: Were not Amazon

02:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Defence secretary Ben Wallace has been accused of scolding the Ukrainians after revealing that he told them Britain was not retail giant Amazon when presented with a list of weapons demands.

In a summit that has revealed cracks between Western leaders and Kyiv, Mr Wallace also said he had advised Ukraine that the international community wanted to see gratitude for its support in the war with Russia.

Asked about the row, Rishi Sunak distanced himself from the comments, saying the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had repeatedly expressed his gratitude. I think everyone can see thats how he feels, he said.

Read more:

Ben Wallace accused of scolding Ukraine over weapons demands: Were not Amazon

Ukraines greatest weapon isnt on the battlefield

01:00 , Eleanor Noyce

In welcoming fresh pledges of more weapons, ammunition and the long-term security commitments made by members of the G7, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared  at least publicly  a happier figure on the second day of Natos summit in Lithuania than he did on the first.

On Tuesday, he had angrily denounced the absurd delays to his nation being given a timetable for the Nato membership it craves and then was left frustrated when the communique from the alliance said that Kyiv could join when allies agree and conditions are met  without laying out what those conditions were.

A flash of anger over delays to Nato membership gave way to a more conciliatory tone from Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit in Lithuania, writes Chris Stevenson. But dont expect him to back down on pushing Western allies for more help  his nations survival depends on it:

Ukraines greatest weapon isnt on the battlefield

Why Ukraines plea for Nato membership is such a challenge for the West

Thursday 13 July 2023 00:01 , Eleanor Noyce

For Ukraine, what it is asking for has been simple  a pathway to membership of Nato to protect its future in the wake of Russias invasion. For its Western allies however, making that a reality is not so straightforward.

The advantages of membership for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky are obvious. Article 5 of the alliance treaty is a cast-iron mutual defence clause that has US, UK and French nuclear weapons at its core. Given the vast swathes of destruction that Moscows aggression has wrought, being given a seat at the Nato table would also give Kyiv the extra layer of security needed during what will be a long period of reconstruction (whenever that comes).

Chris Stevenson reports:

Analysis: Why Ukraines plea for Nato membership is such a challenge for the West

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

Wednesday 12 July 2023 23:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Russias special military operation in Ukraine has been raging for one year now as the conflict continues to record devastating casualties and force the mass displacement of millions of blameless Ukrainians.

Vladimir Putin began the war by claiming Russias neighbour needed to be demilitarised and de-Nazified, a baseless pretext on which to launch a landgrab against an independent state that happens to have a Jewish president in Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine has fought back courageously against Mr Putins warped bid to restore territory lost to Moscow with the collapse of the Soviet Union and has continued to defy the odds by defending itself against Russian onslaughts with the help of Western military aid.

Thomas Kingsley and Joe Sommerlad report:

Heres why Putin really invaded Ukraine

Russia's Defense Ministry says Wagner mercenaries are surrendering their weapons to the military

Wednesday 12 July 2023 22:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Mercenaries of the Wagner Group are completing the handover of their weapons to the Russian military, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday, a move that follows the private armys brief rebellion last month that challenged the Kremlins authority.

The disarming of Wagner reflects efforts by authorities to defuse the threat it posed and also appears to herald an end to the mercenary groups operations on the battlefield in Ukraine.

The actions come amid continued uncertainty about the fate of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and the terms of a deal that ended the armed rebellion by offering amnesty for him and his mercenaries along with permission to move to Belarus.

Read more:

Russia's Defense Ministry says Wagner mercenaries are surrendering their weapons to the military

Russia: as NATO returns to Cold War 'schemes,' we are ready to respond

Wednesday 12 July 2023 21:46 , Eleanor Noyce

The latest NATO summit showed that the Western alliance was returning to Cold War schemes, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, adding that the Kremlin was ready to respond to threats by using all means.

The NATO summit in Lithuania ended with the United States and its allies giving Ukraine new security assurances for its defence against Moscow more than 500 days into Russias invasion of its neighbour.

The summit was also buoyed by the prospect of Sweden joining the military alliance as its newest member after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday abruptly dropped his prior objections.

The Russian ministry said in a statement late Wednesday: The results of the Vilnius Summit will be carefully analysed. Taking into account the challenges and threats to Russias security and interests that have been identified, we will respond in a timely and appropriate manner, using all means and methods at our disposal.

The summit showed NATOs inability to adapt to the new geopolitical situation in the world, the ministry said.

It said NATO was continually lowering the threshold for the use of force, escalating political and military tensions.

Taking the course of escalation, they issued a new batch of promises to supply the Kyiv regime with more and more modern and long-range weapons in order to prolong the conflict as long as possible - to exhaustion, the ministry said.

In addition to the decisions already taken, we will continue to strengthen the countrys military organisation and defence system.

Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of a craven lust for land and power and praised NATOs unity and support for Ukraine.

Biden hails unbroken Ukrainian people in Nato speech to spirited crowd of 10,000 - and one Trump fan

Wednesday 12 July 2023 21:30 , Eleanor Noyce

President Joe Biden on Wednesday hailed the unbroken people of Ukraine and the incredible dignity with which theyve acted to repel Russias invading forces as he pledged on behalf of the Western world to maintain support for Kyivs defence for as long as necessary.

Mr Biden delivered his remarks to a boisterous crowd whod gathered hours ahead of time to hear him speak in the Great Court at Vilnius University, following the conclusion of this years Nato leaders summit, at which leaders of the 31-member defence alliance agreed to expedite Ukraines bid for membership in the bloc once the war with Russia has been brought to a close.

Andrew Feinberg reports:

Biden hails unbroken Ukrainian people and says Natos commitment will not waver

Biden and Ukraines Zelensky discuss readiness for security talks - White House

Wednesday 12 July 2023 21:01 , Eleanor Noyce

U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed during a meeting on Wednesday US readiness to begin negotiations with Ukraine on bilateral security commitments, according to a White House readout.

The pair also discussed continued U.S. assistance to help Ukraines ongoing counteroffensive against Russia during the meeting held as NATO concluded a summit in Lithuania, the statement said.

UN asks Putin to extend Black Sea grain deal in return for linking Russian bank to SWIFT - sources

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:38 , Eleanor Noyce

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has proposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he extend a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of grain from Ukraine in return for connecting a subsidiary of Russias agricultural bank to the SWIFT international payment system, sources told Reuters.

Russia has threatened to ditch the grain deal, which expires on Monday, because several demands to dispatch its own grain and fertilizer abroad have not been met. The last two ships traveling under the Black Sea agreement are currently loading cargoes at the Ukrainian port of Odesa ahead of the deadline.

A key demand by Moscow is the reconnection of the Russian agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT international payment network. It was cut off by the European Union in June 2022 over Russias invasion of Ukraine. An EU spokesperson said in May the EU was not considering reinstating Russian banks.

However, the EU is considering connecting to SWIFT a subsidiary of Rosselkhozbank to allow specifically for grain and fertilizer transactions, three sources familiar with discussions told Reuters on Wednesday. The European Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Guterres has proposed to Putin that Russia allow the Black Sea grain deal to continue for several months, giving the EU time to connect a Rosselkhozbank subsidiary to SWIFT, two of those sources familiar with discussions told Reuters.

Guterres sent a letter to Putin on Tuesday proposing a way forward to further facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports and ensure the continued Black Sea shipments of Ukrainian grain, a U.N. spokesman said on Wednesday.

The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by the Russian Federation, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

He gave no further details on the proposal, but added that Guterres was engaged with all relevant parties on the issue and was willing to further discuss his proposal with Russia.

(AP)

NATO summit results in brief: Mixed news for Ukraine, hope for Sweden and a response to Russia

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:01 , Eleanor Noyce

U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts wrapped up a two-day summit Wednesday with pledges of long-term support for Ukraine but no offer of the countrys protection under the alliances security umbrella.

Results from the meeting in Lithuania, a nation on NATOs eastern flank that borders Russia, were mixed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky was grateful for the pledges of more arms and ammunition but disappointed that his country has no clear time frame for joining the worlds biggest security alliance.

After an evening of pre-summit intrigue, Sweden took a big step toward becoming NATOs 32nd member country when Turkey signaled it would give its approval but not before October.

Lorne Cook reports:

NATO summit results in brief: Mixed news for Ukraine, hope for Sweden and a response to Russia

Nato in numbers: Which members have the biggest armies and how has the military alliance grown?

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:30 , Eleanor Noyce

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), which is currently holding its latest summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, is a political and military alliance of North American and European countries forged in the aftermath of the Second World War  in the hope of avoiding future hostilities between nations.

It sought to achieve this through the realisation of three specific goals: deterring Soviet expansionism, preventing the revival of militant nationalism and encouraging European political integration.

Joe Sommerlad reports:

Which Nato members have the biggest armies and how has the military alliance grown?

Who is likely to be the next secretary general of Nato?

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:00 , Eleanor Noyce

There was rightly much talk at the Nato summit about Sweden acceding to Nato membership, a new partnership with Japan, and help with post-war construction in Ukraine, as well as discussion of continuing military support for the war-torn country, cluster bombs, and Ukraines path to becoming a full ally. But there was also much speculation about who the next secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is going to be.

As Jens Stoltenbergs term is extended for a further year, Sean OGrady looks at some of the candidates mooted to replace him in 2024:

Who is likely to be the next secretary general of Nato?

Ukraine would benefit from ATACM missiles - US army general

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:50 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine would benefit from the U.S. provision of ATACM long-range missiles, President Joe Bidens nominee to become the Armys chief of staff, General Randy George, told a Senate committee on Wednesday.

The ATACMS obviously are great. That missile is a great system, adds range. So thats basically what it would be providing is the ability to attack deeper targets, George, currently the Armys vice chief of staff, said at his confirmation hearing.

Asked if they would be helpful to Ukraine, George responded: Yes. He stopped short of saying whether he would recommend sending them if confirmed for the job.

Kyiv has long sought the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, arguing the missiles would help it strike Russian invasion forces far behind the front lines.

But ATACMs are limited in supply and have not been among the weapons systems that the Pentagon has suggested are nearing approval for delivery - even as it approves other weapons, like cluster bombs and Abrams tanks, for Ukraine.

The Pentagon said on June 29 that it did not expect any imminent decision to send ATACMs to Ukraine.

Washington has committed more than $41.3 billion in military assistance to Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbour on 24 February 2022.

Biden vows NATO unity in face of Putin's 'craven lust' for power in Ukraine

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:40 , Eleanor Noyce

President Joe Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of having a craven lust for land and power on Wednesday and pledged that the U.S.-led NATO alliance would not falter in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Speaking in Lithuania at the end of a two-day meeting of NATO leaders on Russias doorstep, Biden praised the people of the formerly Soviet-occupied country and heralded the addition of Finland to the alliance and the admission soon of its neighbour Sweden.

Biden, who has made unifying NATO one of his top foreign policy priorities, said Putin had badly underestimated the resolve of the military alliance.

NATO is stronger, more energized and yes, more united than ever in its history. Indeed, more vital to our shared future. It didnt happen by accident. It wasnt inevitable, Biden said to thousands of people at Vilnius University, many of them cheering him on with Lithuanian and American flags.

When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart. He thought NATO would break. He thought our unity would shatter at the first testing. He thought democratic leaders would be weak. But he thought wrong.

Bidens speech aimed to rally allies and showcase his role on the world stage ahead of a 2024 re-election campaign focused on healing divisions at home and abroad.

Despite the positive message, U.S. officials privately struggled with their counterparts in Vilnius to forge a consensus on where the war was headed, how to bring it to a close and what assurances to give Ukraine about its future in the Atlantic military alliance, according to four NATO diplomats involved in those conversations.

Ukraine, seeking an invitation to join NATO or at least a specific timetable for accession, received neither. NATO allies, instead, agreed that Ukraine would join eventually, when allies agree and conditions are met, their statement said but offered no details on when, if ever, Kyiv would meet such conditions.

Before leaving the United States to attend the summit, Biden bypassed allies concerns about approving cluster munitions for Ukraine to battle Russia.

Suspect arrested in killing of a former Russian submarine captain who reportedly attacked Ukraine

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:28 , Eleanor Noyce

A 64-year-old man has been arrested in southern Russia for the shooting death of a former submarine commander who is alleged by some in Ukraine to have killed more than 20 civilians in a long-range missile strike last year.

Sergei Denisenko was detained on suspicion of shooting former 2nd Capt. Stanislav Rzhitsky, reportedly during a morning jog in the city of Krasnodar on July 10.

Denisenko was found in possession of a pistol and silencer, officials said. Some Russian media outlets identified him as a native of Sumy, a city in Ukraine.

Read more:

Suspect arrested in killing of a former Russian submarine captain who reportedly attacked Ukraine

Zelensky fires back at Wallace: Maybe the minister wants something special

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:00 , Eleanor Noyce

President Volodymyr Zelensky  told about Ben Wallaces remarks about Amazon and wanting to see gratitude  fired back by saying he didnt know what [Mr Wallace] meant and asked whether he wants something special.

I believe we were always grateful to the United Kingdom, Mr Zelensky told a press conference. We were always grateful to prime ministers and to the minister for defence, because the people in the United Kingdom have always supportive  we are grateful for this.

I didnt know what he meant and how else we should be grateful, he added. We could get up in the morning and express our gratitude personally to the minister  Maybe the minister wants something special, but I think we have wonderful relations [with the UK].

Russian spy chief says he spoke to CIA boss about 'what to do with Ukraine'

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:55 , Eleanor Noyce

Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin said on Wednesday that he and CIA counterpart William Burns had discussed what to do with Ukraine in a phone call late last month, Russias TASS news agency said.

The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported on 30 June that Burns had called Naryshkin to assure the Kremlin that the United States had no role in a brief mutiny a week earlier by Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner fighters.

Naryshkin confirmed that Burns had raised the events of 24 June, when the mercenaries took control of a southern Russian city and advanced towards Moscow before reaching a deal with the Kremlin to end the revolt.

But he said that for most of the call, lasting about an hour, we considered and discussed what to do with Ukraine.

No comment was immediately available from the CIA.

Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022, says other countries should not negotiate its future on its behalf, and the United States has repeatedly backed this principle, described as nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.

Burns and Naryshkin have maintained a line of communication since the start of the Ukraine war at a time when other direct contacts between Moscow and Washington are at a minimum, with relations at their lowest point since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.

UN chief sends Putin proposal to keep Black Sea grain deal alive

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:45 , Eleanor Noyce

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent Russian President Vladimir Putin a letter on Tuesday proposing a way forward to further facilitate Russian food and fertilizer exports and ensure the continued Black Sea shipments of Ukrainian grain.

The objective is to remove hurdles affecting financial transactions through the Russian Agricultural Bank, a major concern expressed by the Russian Federation, and simultaneously allow for the continued flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Wednesday.

A deal allowing the safe Black Sea exports of grain and fertilisers from Ukraine is due to expire on Monday.

Ukraines greatest weapon isnt on the battlefield

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:23 , Eleanor Noyce

In welcoming fresh pledges of more weapons, ammunition and the long-term security commitments made by members of the G7, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared  at least publicly  a happier figure on the second day of Natos summit in Lithuania than he did on the first.

On Tuesday, he had angrily denounced the absurd delays to his nation being given a timetable for the Nato membership it craves and then was left frustrated when the communique from the alliance that Kyiv could join when allies agree and conditions are met  without laying out what those conditions were.

My colleague Chris Stevenson reports:

Ukraines greatest weapon isnt on the battlefield

Article 5: NATO's common defense pledge that stands in the way of Ukraine's admission while at war

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:16 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may have gotten support and vague assurances from NATO leaders in Vilnius this week, but he ultimately returns home without a clear commitment that his country will be joining the club any time soon.

Instead, the alliance leaders said they were removing obstacles on Ukraines membership path so that it can join more quickly once the war with Russia is over.

For many, that argument gives Russias president a pretext to prolong the war, which President Vladimir Putin ostensibly launched to keep Ukraine from joining NATO.

Read more:

Article 5: NATO's common defense pledge that stands in the way of Ukraine's admission while at war

Live: Zelensky speaks after Nato summit in Vilnius concludes with declaration of support for Ukraine

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:42 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is speaking after the Nato summit in Vilnius concluded with an overwhelming declaration of support for Ukraine.

Watch live:

Erdogan says Russia changed stance on Azovstal commanders' release

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:40 , Eleanor Noyce

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Russia had changed its stance on the release of former commanders of Ukraines garrison in Mariupol after an initial negative statement on the issue.

First, there were some statements from Russia but afterwards when they learned about some circumstances, the situation entered a positive track, Erdogan said at a press conference in Vilnius.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Kremlin: Putin has no plans to speak to Erdogan yet - TASS

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:35 , Eleanor Noyce

Russian President Vladimir Putin currently has no plans to speak to his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan, Russias TASS news agency reported on Wednesday, citing the Kremlin spokesman.

Earlier, Erdogan, speaking at a news conference after a NATO summit in Vilnius, said Turkey could act as mediator between Moscow and Kyiv to reach a deal to end the fighting in Ukraine if the two parties made such a proposition.

Erdogan said last weekend that he had invited Putin to visit Turkey in August.

(via REUTERS)

Russian defence ministry says Wagner is completing handover of its weapons

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:30 , Eleanor Noyce

The Wagner mercenary group is completing its handover of weapons to Russias regular armed forces, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday, more than two weeks after the group staged a brief armed mutiny.

The ministry said Wagner had handed over more than 2,000 pieces of equipment, including tanks and rockets, and more than 2,500 tonnes of ammunition.

The handover follows a deal with the Kremlin under which Wagner and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin called off their short-lived mutiny last month.

The Wagner fighters, who took part in some of the heaviest fighting of the war in Ukraine, were given the option of joining Prigozhin in exile in Belarus, joining Russias regular armed forces or going home.

During the June 23-24 mutiny, the mercenaries took control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and shot down an unspecified number of military helicopters, killing their pilots, as they advanced towards Moscow.

Prigozhin said his mens actions were intended as a protest against what he called the corruption and incompetence of Russias military leadership in its handling of the Ukraine war.

The mutiny is widely perceived as having posed the most serious challenge to President Vladimir Putin since he assumed Russias presidency on the last day of 1999.

It was defused in a deal brokered by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Under that deal, which the Kremlin said was struck to avert bloodshed, a criminal case against Prigozhin and his fighters was dropped.

UK defence minister likens Russian military chiefs to Laurel and Hardy comedy duo

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:16 , Eleanor Noyce

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace on Wednesday compared two of Russias top military leaders to the slapstick comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.

Speaking to reporters at a NATO summit in Vilnius, Wallace made the comparison to the bumbling, bowler-hatted comedians of the 1920s to 1950s when describing Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff of Russias armed forces.

Wallace noted that the pair remained in charge of Russias faltering war in Ukraine while Sergei Surovikin, one of Russias most prominent generals, had vanished from public view since a mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group last month.

Anyone seen Surovikin recently? One of their best generals has disappeared for now, Wallace said. And theyve kept Laurel and Hardy in charge of the campaign. You know, youve got Gerasimov and Shoigu there.

Critics in the West and even inside Russia say Russian invasion forces in Ukraine have been naive, poorly equipped, slow to react, and dogged by muddled command structures.

But Russian President Vladimir Putin has kept both men in their posts.

Thats good news for Ukraine. Thats who you want in charge, Wallace said.

Ben Wallace, left, speaks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a NATO summit in Vilnius (AP)

Erdogan says Turkey could mediate between Russia and Ukraine if they propose it

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:11 , Eleanor Noyce

Turkey could act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine to reach a deal to end the war if the two parties make such a proposition, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.

Erdogan was speaking at a news conference after a NATO summit in Vilnius.

(Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Ben Wallace accused of scolding Ukraine over demands for weapons: Were not Amazon

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:05 , Eleanor Noyce

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has been accused of scolding the Ukrainians after revealing that he told them Britain was not retail giant Amazon when presented with a list of weapons demands.

In a summit that has revealed cracks between Western leaders and Kyiv, Mr Wallace also said he had advised Ukraine that the international community wanted to see gratitude for its support in the war with Russia.

Asked about the row, Rishi Sunak appeared to try to distance himself from the comments, saying the Ukrainian President Zelensky had repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

Kate Devlin reports:

Ben Wallace accused of scolding Ukraine over weapons demands: Were not Amazon

Nato in numbers: Which members have the biggest armies and how has the military alliance grown?

Wednesday 12 July 2023 16:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), which is currently holding its latest summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, is a political and military alliance of North American and European countries forged in the aftermath of the Second World War  in the hope of avoiding future hostilities between nations.

It sought to achieve this through the realisation of three specific goals: deterring Soviet expansionism, preventing the revival of militant nationalism and encouraging European political integration.

Joe Sommerlad reports:

Which Nato members have the biggest armies and how has the military alliance grown?

Macron: G7 declaration on security framework for Ukraine shows long-term support

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:55 , Eleanor Noyce

The G7s declaration on a security framework for Ukraine shows its long-term support for Ukraine, said French President Emmanuel Macron at a NATO summit on Wednesday.

Macron added that he hoped Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan would quickly ratify Swedens entry to NATO.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Russian defence ministry says Wagner is completing handover of its weapons - state media

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:48 , Eleanor Noyce

Russias Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that the Wagner mercenary group that staged a brief armed mutiny last month was completing the handover of its weapons, state news agencies reported.

Ukraine would benefit from ATACM missiles, Army general says

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:45 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine would benefit from the U.S. provision of ATACM long-range missiles, President Joe Bidens nominee to become the Armys top general, General Randy George, told a Senate committee on Wednesday.

The ATACMS are obviously are great. That missile is a great system, adds range. So thats basically what it would be providing is the ability to attack deeper targets, George, the Armys vice chief of staff, said at his confirmation hearing to become chief of staff.

Asked if they would be helpful to Ukraine, George responded: Yes.

Kyiv has long sought the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, arguing the missiles would help them strike Russian forces far behind the front lines.

Decisions made at summit bring Ukraine closer to NATO, says Polish president

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:35 , Eleanor Noyce

A range of decisions were made on Ukraine during a summit in Vilnius that bring it closer to NATO, Polands president said on Wednesday, adding that there was no comparison between what had been decided regarding Ukraine in at a 2008 summit and now.

The bar was set high...we raised this Ukrainian expectation that a formal invitation to an alliance be issued for Ukraine, Andrzej Duda told a news conference. Such a far-reaching decision has not been made, but a whole series of decisions have been made regarding Ukraine, undoubtedly bringing Ukraine closer to NATO.

(AFP via Getty Images)

One killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine as Zelensky talks to NATO

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:32 , Eleanor Noyce

Russia launched a drone strike on Kyiv early on Wednesday, and an old man was killed in Russian shelling in southern Ukraine as President Volodymyr Zelensky met NATO leaders in Lithuania, Ukrainian officials said.

There were no deaths in the second attack on the capital in successive days. But an 81-year-old man was killed and his 82-year-old wife wounded in shelling of the southern city of Kherson, Kherson region governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

Eighteen people, including six children, were also wounded in a Russian attack on a residential area in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia at about 1:00 p.m. (1000 GMT), Zaporizhzhia region governor Yuriy Malashko said.

The Russian shelling and heavy fighting did not stop as Zelensky was meeting NATO leaders to discuss security threats posed by Moscow, which denounced the Western military alliances summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.

Ukraine shot down 11 out of 15 Iranian-made Shahed drones fired by Russia overnight, and two people were hurt in a fire caused by the attack on Kyiv, officials said.

A difficult night ... The enemy attacked our area with Shaheds, Ihor Taburets, the military head of the Cherkasy region southeast of Kyiv, said on the Telegram messaging app.

Ukraines military said on Wednesday morning Russian forces had carried out 65 air strikes and fired at least 71 times from heavy weapon rocket systems at Ukrainian troop positions and populated areas along frontlines in the previous 24 hours.

On Tuesday, Russia drones also attacked Kyiv and the southern port of Odesa, and Kherson came under artillery fire.

In the latest fighting, a Ukrainian military spokesperson reported some success near the Russian-occupied eastern city of Bakhmut but gave few details as Kyivs troops pressed on with a counteroffensive launched early last month.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports and denies deliberately targeting civilians. Russias TASS news agency cited military groupings as saying they had repelled several Ukrainian attacks in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine over the past day.

Russia to put destroyed NATO equipment on show near Western embassies

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:30 , Eleanor Noyce

Russia plans to display NATO equipment it has destroyed in Ukraine outside the embassies of Western countries that supplied it, parliamentary speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said on Wednesday.

The proposal to install burned equipment next to the embassies of those countries that send it to Ukraine is especially interesting, said Volodin, who issued orders for such a display to be organised.

Russian officials have repeatedly criticised Western countries for supplying weapons to Ukraine, arguing they risk prolonging the conflict and causing further escalation.

Ukraine has asked for the weapons to defend itself and recapture Ukrainian territory occupied by Russian forces since Moscows full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been meeting with leaders from the 31-member NATO alliance this week in a bid to secure long-term security commitments.

The only person who is responsible for this conflict is President Putin, Sunak says

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:25 , Eleanor Noyce

Rishi Sunak rejected any suggestion that the security package agreed at the Nato summit could in fact raise tensions with Russia.

Mr Sunak told the press conference: The only person who is responsible for this conflict is President (Vladimir) Putin.

President Putin has engaged in an unprovoked and illegal invasion of another country, violating their territorial integrity and sovereignty.

He added: We are going to continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes to end the suffering and make sure that they can have their sovereignty and freedom back.

UK at forefront of efforts to support Ukraine - Sunak

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:21 , Eleanor Noyce

At the Nato summit in Vilnius, Rishi Sunak said the UK had been at the forefront of efforts to support Ukraine.

Weve led the way on Ukraine, moving first on tanks and long-range missiles, training their troops for the counter-offensive and, just today, Ive announced that we are providing more ammunition, 70 more combat vehicles as well as a new rehabilitation centre for injured Ukrainian veterans, he said.

In response to Ben Wallaces suggestion that Volodymyr Zelensky should show more gratitude for the support, the Prime Minister said the Ukrainian president had done so repeatedly.

President Zelensky has expressed his gratitude for what we have done on a number of occasions, not least in his incredibly moving address that he made to Parliament earlier this year and he has done so again to me, as he has done countless times when I have met him.

So I know that he and his people are incredibly grateful for the support we have shown, the welcome that we have provided to many Ukrainian families, but also the leadership we have shown throughout this conflict.

But Mr Sunak acknowledged people across Ukraine are fighting for their lives and freedom every single day and paying a terrible price for it so he understood Mr Zelenskys desire to do everything he can to protect his people.
A group of college professors sued Texas today for banning TikTok on state devices and networks, as reported by The Washington Post. The plaintiffs say the prohibition compromises their research and teaching while preventing or seriously impeding faculty from pursuing research that relates to TikTok, including studying the very disinformation and data-collection practices the restriction claims to address. The plaintiffs say the ban makes it almost impossible for faculty to use TikTok in their classrooms  whether to teach about TikTok or to use content from TikTok to teach about other subjects.

The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University filed the lawsuit in the name of the Coalition for Independent Technology Research, an academic research advocacy group the Texas professors are members of. The lawsuit names Governor Greg Abbott and 14 other state and public education officials as defendants. The governments authority to control their research and teaching cannot survive First Amendment scrutiny, the complaint says.

One example cited by the plaintiffs is Jacqueline Vickery, Associate Professor in the Department of Media Arts at the University of North Texas, who studies and teaches how young people use social media for expression and political organizing. The ban has forced her to suspend research projects and change her research agenda, alter her teaching methodology, and eliminate course materials, the complaint reads. It has also undermined her ability to respond to student questions and to review the work of other researchers, including as part of the peer-review process.

The lawsuit says that, although faculty at public universities are public employees, the First Amendment shields them from government control over their research and teaching. Imposing a broad restraint on the research and teaching of public university faculty is not a constitutionally permissible means of protecting Texans way of life or countering the threat of disinformation, the suit says, citing Abbotts comments that he feared the Chinese government wields TikTok to attack our way of life. The suit also condemns the double standard of claiming to care about Texans privacy while still allowing Meta, Google and Twitter (all American companies) to harvest much of the same data as TikTok.

The ban is suppressing research about the very concerns that Governor Abbott has raised, about disinformation, about data collection, Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, told The Washington Post. There are other ways to address those concerns that dont impose the same severe burden on faculty and researchers First Amendment rights, he added, as well as their ability to continue studying what has, like it or not, become a hugely popular and influential communications platform.

This is the third lawsuit this year challenging state TikTok bans. Two Montana lawsuits funded by the Chinese social media company claim the prohibition violates free speech rights. According to The New York Times, TikTok is not involved with the Texas suit.
Colorado dentist and father-of-six James Toliver Craig leaned back in his chair and twiddled his thumbs through his handcuffs on Wednesday, his beard unkempt above his orange prison jumpsuit, as court took a brief recess from a preliminary hearing on the first-degree murder charge he faces for allegedly poisoning his wife.

The casual display came shortly after the prosecution laid out a litany of evidence they say supports their case that Mr Craig deliberately poisoned his spouse of more than two decades, Angela Dawn Pray Craig, with shakes while pursuing a relationship with a Texas orthodontist.

Mr Craig, 45, was arrested one day after Angela, 43, was pronounced dead on 18 March following her third hospitalisation in a month for a host of concerning and worsening symptoms. Prosecutors on Wednesday revealed Mr Craig was also now facing a second charge without specifying what it was.

But testimony from the Arapahoe County Coroner and lead detective  as reporters, several of Angelas siblings and the couples oldest son sat in the courtroom  included a number of explosive claims.

According to evidence given by Arapahoe County Coroner Dr Kelly Lear, samples showed that Angela had an arsenic level of 68 around 11.50am on 15 March  but that level had increased to 330 just after 8.20pm.

That would be consistent with her receiving additional cyanide exposure in that time period, Dr Lear said.

The cause of death she listed in her report was acute cyanide and tetrahydrozoline poisoning; the manner of death is homicide, she testified Wednesday. Tetrahydrozoline is the decongestant used in Visine eye drops  and, according to the prosecution, in the weeks before his wifes death, Mr Craig had accessed an article about how a woman in another state had been poisoned after consuming something containing five bottles of eyedrops.

The dentist had researched other types of poison before his wifes death, Aurora Police Detective Bobbi Olson testified on Wednesday. A search warrant obtained for an exam room computer at his dental practice found that, in the weeks leading up to Angelas final hospitalization, Mr Craig had searched for how to make murder look like a heart attack, is arsenic detectable in an autopsy and how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human?

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On 6 March, the prosecutor told the court, Mr Craig conducted a google search for how the chemical in eyedrops attacks your body if swallowed and can potentially kill you.

These are the actions of a man who is determined to kill his wife, he argued.

That date, 6 March, marked the first time Angela presented at Parker Adventist Hospital. Det. Olson testified that she had reviewed weeks of internal and external home surveillance footage from the Craig residence, and, on 6 March, Mr Craig can be seen making what appears to be a protein shake then sipped by his wife.

She drinks it and takes a sip and then kind of lunges forward, kind of grimaces, and then kind of wipes her face and walks around to to the other side of the kitchen island and sets it down, Det Olson said.

Angela visited the hospital but was released later that day  then returned to Parker Adventist on 9 March and was admitted until 14 March, when she was discharged. She visited the emergency department of a second hospital the next day, where her condition worsened and she was ultimately pronounced dead days later.

James Craig in mugshot (Booking photo)

Det Olson testified about how hospital staff, then police, were informed by Craigs business partner and his wife about their concerns regarding the dentists behavior. Ryan Redfearn and his wife, Michelle, who has a PhD in nursing, had been informed by staff at the joint dental practice he owned with Mr Craig that his business partner had ordered a delivery of potassium cyanide to the office. He had instructed an office employee to look out for a private package but it was mistakenly opened by another worker after it arrived on 13 March, Det Olson said.

A staff member reconstructed the box, put the packaging slip back in; prior to doing that, she saw that it said potassium cyanide, described the container, said it was like a tinfoil cardboard type container shed never seen before in the dental practice, Det Olson said. There was also a biohazard type sticker on the box, as well; she put it back together and then handed it to Mr Craig.

The dentist was later seen leaving with the container, the detective said. The employee googled potassium cyanide and its symptoms, connected them to Angelas illness and told the Redfearns, who then told nursing staff, who called police. Det Olson said both Redfearns were interviewed in the early morning hours of 16 March; the court heard on Wednesday how Mr Craig had pleaded with his business partner via text to sit on certain information.

During her interview, Michelle Redfearn pointed out to police the previous recent hospital visits Angela had made, Det Olson said.

Mr Redfearn, meanwhile, told police that Mr Craig had filed for bankruptcy in 2021 and the debt payments were being covered by his own part of the business to the tune of $18,000 a month. He said hed informed his partner in January that he needed to work more, be around more, take less time off and that he was going to have to take a pay cut, the detective testified.

Mr Craigs pay was $39,000 in January and less than $16,000 the following month, she said. The dentist had taken out four life insurance policies on his wife from two companies totaling nearly $4.5million, the court heard.

Throughout all of this, prosecutors allege Craig was enjoying his burgeoning relationship with Texas orthodontist Karin Cain, who is named in the charging documents. Det Olson on Wednesday confirmed that the dentist continued to write letters to Ms Cain from jail after his arrest professing his love for her.

Just hours before Wednesdays hearing, Ms Cain broke her silence to claim that Mr Craig lied to her about the state of his marriage and that she would never have gotten involved with him if she had known the truth.

Rather than being his mistress, the Texas orthodontist said they had only met three weeks prior to his wifes death at a dentistry conference.

Karin Cain breaks her silence over alleged killer dentist (GMA)

I dont like the label, she said. If I had known what was true, I would not have been with this person.

Ms Cain shared doubts that she played a part in Mr Craigs alleged murderous motive, as she said they had never planned a future together.

Theres no way Im a motive. Theres been no planning a future together, she said.

Ms Cain said that she met Mr Craig at the dental conference in February and that he lied to her by claiming his marriage was over and that he did not live in the same home as his wife.

At the time, Ms Cain was also in the middle of divorcing her husband of three decades.

While she was not looking for love, she said that they bonded over their apparent shared experiences and shared devotion to their children.

In total, they spent just three days together at the conference, meeting on a Thursday before parting ways  her to Texas, him to Colorado  on Saturday.

After that they messaged constantly and she felt so connected to her new companion, she said.

She planned to visit him in Colorado but the first trip fell through.

The second planned trip came in March when she said Mr Craig told her his wife was ill.

The day before she was due to arrive in Denver, she said that Angela had a seizure and was placed on life support, with a low chance of survival.

While she said she reconsidered going to Colorado at that time, Mr Craig allegedly encouraged her by saying that he could do with her support.

They went for dinner twice, she said, where she noted his behaviour seemed odd.

He at no point seemed stressed or anxious, she said. I mean really I had to drag it out of him like, Are you sure youre ok?

Days later, Angela was dead.

Now, Ms Cain says she feels lied to by the person she felt she was falling in love with.

I dont have any sort of headspace in my reality where it fits what she has now learned in the criminal affidavit, she said.

I didnt willingly have a relationship with somebody who was in a marriage.

Following Wednesdays preliminary hearing, Judge Shay K Whitaker ruled that the prosecution had met the burden for probable cause and set the next court date for 29 August.
The US government has approved the first-ever over-the-counter birth control pill.

The Food and Drug Administration announced on Thursday birth control pill Opill will be available without a prescription for women of all ages.

In a statement, the agency said the move would help reduce women's barriers to accessing contraception.

The manufacturer of Opill has said it will most likely be available over the counter in early 2024.

Doctors say that the progestin-only pill - often known as the "minipill" - is a particularly safe form of contraception because it does not contain oestrogen, meaning it has fewer side effects and health risks.

The most common side effects of Opill include irregular bleeding, headaches, dizziness and nausea.

The US joins more than 100 countries around the world that have made the birth control pill available over the counter, including most countries in Latin America, as well as India, China and the United Kingdom.

"When used as directed, daily oral contraception is safe and is expected to be more effective than currently available nonprescription contraceptive methods in preventing unintended pregnancy," said Dr Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

The approval comes after an FDA expert advisory panel in May unanimously voted to recommend the pill be available over the counter.

During the hearing, some scientists had raised concerns about whether young people and those with limited literacy could understand the directions, including not taking the prescription if they had a history of breast cancer.

But committee members concluded women with breast cancer were already likely to be in contact with their doctors and aware that they should not take hormonal contraception.

Ultimately, the panel found that Opill - first approved by the FDA in 1973 - had a history of safety and efficacy in preventing pregnancies.

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Experts say women - and in particular, teenagers - encounter a number of barriers to accessing reproductive health services, including a lack of health insurance and difficulty finding transportation to doctor's appointments.

Women also sometimes face stigma and shame from health care providers and parents when trying to obtain the pill, experts added.

Dyvia Huitron is one of these people. She has struggled for three years to access the birth control pill.

Growing up in a predominately Hispanic, religious community in the border town of McAllen, Texas, the 19-year-old first tried to get a prescription when she started having sex at age 16.

But her parents, who had her when they were teenagers, denied her the required permission because they worried the contraceptive would make her engage in more sexually risky behaviour.

Then, at age 18, Ms Huitron went to college in Alabama, where the age of adulthood is 19, meaning her parents would still be able to review her medical information, forcing her to wait one more year.

"Because I came from teen parents, that was one of my biggest fears," she told the BBC. "I wanted to do everything to prevent that same outcome  But I had to jump through so many hoops."

Doctors and activists have argued making birth control available without a prescription will have a host of health benefits for women and teenagers like Ms Huitron, including reducing unintended pregnancies.

In the US, some studies have found as many as nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended.

For the most part, the debate on whether to make contraception more readily available has not sparked the same controversy as the conversation around abortion access.

In statements to the BBC, several anti-abortion groups, including National Right to Life and Susan B Anthony Pro Life America, said they do not take a stance on birth control.

The FDA decision was lauded by several medical and advocacy groups on Thursday, including Advocates for Youth, a nonprofit organisation pushing for reproductive health rights, which called the approval "long overdue".

The group says the price of the pill remains a concern, especially for young people. The organisation plans to advocate for insurance companies to consider covering the over-the-counter purchases.

It is unclear exactly how much Opill will cost at pharmacies, but the Biden administration said the pill's manufacturer, Perrigo, will determine its price.
NATO Summit in Vilnius - Day 2

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, President of Ukraine, salutes during the NATO Summit hosted in Vilnius, Lithuania. Credit - Celestino Arce-NurPhoto

President Volodymyr Zelensky had high hopes for the NATO summit in Vilnius and a clear message on Ukraines membership. The results fell short, but Ukraine today is closer to membership, which Alliance members seem to view as all but inevitable.

Ukrainians make a strong case for joining NATO. They have met most Alliance criteria for aspiring members and have demonstrated with their blood that Ukraine can contribute to Euro-Atlantic security. Ukrainians regard their struggle against Russia not just as a fight for national survival, but also as a fight on behalf of Europe.

They are not wrong. Ukraine has destroyed or captured a substantial part of Russias conventional military power that could threaten NATO, including 60 percent of Russias modern main battle tanks. Vladimir Putin has portrayed the war as a bid to recover historical [Russian] lands. Well, check a map of the Russian Empire in the late 19th century; it included not just most of modern-day Ukraine but Finland, the Baltic states and a good part of Poland.

Do Putins ambitions go beyond Ukraine to, say, eastern Estonia? The chances are small but not zerojust what analysts would have said in 2020 about a massive Russian assault on Ukraine.

Still, it was unrealistic for Kyiv to expect an invitation to join or a date certain for receiving one. It is challenging to see how Ukraine can enter NATO while it remains at war with Russia. President Joe Biden has made that point, and other allied leaders agree.

Zelensky nevertheless will return home with tangible gains. NATO will make its comprehensive assistance package for the Ukrainian military a multi-year program. The French and Germans announced decisions to provide Scalp cruise missiles, more armored vehicles and Patriot air defense systems. Ukrainian pilots will begin F-16 flight training next month.

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Moreover, G7 leaders committed to bilateral arrangements with Ukraine to sustain its fight against Russia and, when the war is over, to help Ukraine build a modern and robust military to deter Russian attack in the future. Biden underscored that in his speech at the University of Vilnius. These G7 commitments cannot be the end point for Ukraines security questif a future Kremlin forgets the lessons of the past 16 months, it might be tempted to try againbut they can provide a way station on the path to the best guarantee of Ukraines security: membership in NATO.

Zelensky did not get a date for membership, but Vilnius reflected a mood shift underway across the Alliance. The 2008 NATO Bucharest summit declaration that Ukraine would be a member was not convincing. It came about as a last-minute sop to then-President George Bush, who failed in his effort to secure NATO consensus to give Kyiv a membership action plan (MAP).

Many who opposed a MAP for Ukraine 15 years ago did so in deference to Russias concern about Ukraine joining NATO. Yet that deference did not prevent Russia from seizing and illegally annexing Crimea, did not prevent Russia from instigating a nasty conflict in Donbas, and did not prevent Russia from launching an all-out invasion that turned the Russia-Ukraine fight into Europes largest and bloodiest war since World War II.

By its brutal and aggressive actions, the Kremlin has forfeited any legitimate claim to deference for its concern about Ukraine in NATO.

NATO leaders will gather again next year in a summit that will mark 75 years since the Alliances establishment and 25 years since the first former Warsaw Pact states took their seats at the summit table. NATO and Ukraine should begin talking in the newly formed NATO-Ukraine Council about how that summit will advance Ukraines membership, perhaps with a specific roadmap, even if it may not fill in all the dates. They should also consider practical steps to deepen NATO-Ukraine integration now, such as placing additional Ukrainian liaison officers at NATO headquarters in Brussels as well as at specific subordinate commands.

A stable and secure Europe requires a secure Ukraine. NATO membership offers the best way to achieve that. Vilnius provides a foundation on which to build toward that goal.
Another Kentuckian is facing federal charges after reportedly participating in the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, and assaulting Capitol officers with a chemical irritant.

Luke Hoffman was identified in a federal affidavit written by William Samad, a task force officer with the FBI Louisville Division, Covington Resident Agency. He was arrested on July 12 and remained in custody Thursday, according to court documents.

According to the affidavit, Hoffman obstructed a law enforcement officer during official duties, assaulted or resisted an employee of the United States, entered and remained in a restricted building, and used abusive language to be disruptive at the Capitol building.

Samad testified in his affidavit that Luke Hoffman was present on the Capitol grounds in a coyote tan tactical vest which he was wearing in a post shared by his wife on the social media service Parler that read: I am so proud of my husband! He stood up for America today!! Were you part of today too?

Multiple individuals interviewed positively identified Hoffman as the person in the social media post, which matched surveillance footage, according to court documents.

Hoffman is one of more than 1,000 people who have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the Capitols breach, according to the FBI. The rioters were attempting to interrupt the certification of 2020 election results after President Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump.

The affidavit includes still images from Capitol surveillance footage where Hoffman can be seen reportedly interfering with law enforcement officers attempts to secure Capitol grounds and engaging in assaults of officers on and around the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021.

Hoffman yanked a piece of bike-rack fencing away from a police officer as they attempted to manage a crowd. He can be seen struggling with an officer to get their baton and spraying a substance consistent with a chemical irritant at multiple officers, according to the affidavit.

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He can be seen struggling with an officer to get their baton and spraying a substance consistent with a chemical irritant at multiple officers. Federal court documents

The affidavit comes just days after similar charges were filed against an Elizabethtown man, William Stover.

Hoffmans case is being investigated by the FBIs Louisville office. Hoffmans first court appearance was in the Covington Division Eastern District of Kentucky Court. He is one of more than 20 Kentucky residents who have been charged in relation to the breach.

Kentuckian Peter Schwartz was sentenced in May to 14 years in prison for attacking officers with pepper spray. At the time he was sentenced, Schwartzs prison time was the most of any person convicted in the Capitol riot.
Walt Disney Co.'s (NYSE: DIS) board of directors unanimously voted to extend the contract of CEO Robert (Bob) A. Iger for two years until Dec. 31, 2026.

The decision underscored the board's confidence in Iger's leadership, particularly as he spearheaded a critical transformation strategy to navigate emerging industry challenges, the company said.

Iger exhibited exceptional leadership abilities that have enabled Disney to innovate and evolve successfully, according to the board. By extending his contract, the board wanted to maintain consistency in the company's leadership as it undertakes its strategic transformation.

The additional two years allowed adequate time for the establishment of a seamless CEO transition plan, which was a high-priority task for the board.

Also Read: Deserted Disney Destinations: Unprecedented Drought Of Visitors Leaves Parks Feeling Empty

"Bob has once again set Disney on the right strategic path for ongoing value creation. To ensure the successful completion of this transformation while also allowing ample time to position a new CEO for long-term success, the board determined it is in the best interest of shareholders to extend his tenure," said Walt Disney Board Chairman Mark G. Parker.

Iger returned to Disney as CEO in November 2022, having previously served as the company's CEO and chairman from 2005 to 2020, and subsequently as the executive chairman and chairman of the board through 2021.

Since his return, Iger initiated a significant, enterprise-wide transformation aimed at restoring creativity at the company's core and bolstering Disney's streaming business's sustained growth and profitability.

Related: Disney's Dilemma With Star India Aggravated By Mukesh Ambani's Cricket Moves: Report

Reflecting on his renewed tenure, Iger expressed there is still work to be done before his mission is complete. As the board continues to assess potential successors, Iger is committed to a successful leadership transition.

Year-to-date, Disney's stock has been flat.

Price Action: DIS shares are trading higher by 0.83% at $90.90 in the after-hours session on the last check Wednesday.

Photo: Shutterstock

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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This article Disney's Board Votes For Continuity, Extends CEO Iger's Contract To 2026 originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Santiago Ochoa's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com.
Russian lawmakers move to further restrict transgender rights in new legislation

Russian lawmakers have approved a toughened version of a bill that outlaws gender transitioning procedures, with added clauses that annul marriages in which one person has changed gender and barring transgender people from becoming foster or adoptive parents
Key Insights

DIC Asset's estimated fair value is 3.72 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

DIC Asset's 4.63 share price signals that it might be 24% overvalued

Analyst price target for DIC is 7.72, which is 108% above our fair value estimate

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of DIC Asset AG (ETR:DIC) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for DIC Asset

The Method

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 32.3m 35.2m 36.6m 37.2m 37.6m 37.9m 38.2m 38.4m 38.6m 38.7m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 1.12% Est @ 0.86% Est @ 0.67% Est @ 0.54% Est @ 0.45% Est @ 0.39% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 12% 28.8 28.0 26.0 23.5 21.2 19.1 17.1 15.4 13.8 12.3

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 205m

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.2%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 12%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 39m (1 + 0.2%)  (12% 0.2%) = 327m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 327m ( 1 + 12%)10= 104m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 309m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 4.6, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at DIC Asset as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 12%, which is based on a levered beta of 2.000. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for DIC Asset

Strength

Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Opportunity

DIC's financial characteristics indicate limited near-term opportunities for shareholders.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Dividends are not covered by earnings.

Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 3 years.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Why is the intrinsic value lower than the current share price? For DIC Asset, we've put together three fundamental elements you should consider:

Risks: To that end, you should learn about the 5 warning signs we've spotted with DIC Asset (including 2 which can't be ignored) . Future Earnings: How does DIC's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every German stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Kotzebue-Fleurs recognition in the Outstanding Women in the Maritime and Port Sector category honours her excellence, leadership and innovation in the port-maritime industry

PARAMARIBO, Suriname, July 13, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mervel Kotzebue-Fleur, General Manager of DP World Paramaribo, has been named winner of the 2023 Maritime Award of the Americas in the Outstanding Women in the Maritime and Port Sector category. The award recognizes "the leadership and dedication of an outstanding woman through significant achievements, as well as professional contributions for the development of the maritime and port sectors in the Americas."

The award is organized by the Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP), in collaboration with the Latin American Society of Marine Oil Terminal Operators and Single-Buoy Mooring (SLOM), the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), and other strategic OAS entities.

"I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this award from the CIP, most notably because this organization is devoted to advancing the empowerment of female professionals and in doing so, promoting an inclusive, competitive and socially responsible port system," said Kotzebue-Fleur, who joined DP World in 2017. "This award reflects my passion for the maritime industry and serves a reminder to continue to strive as a leader and ambassador for equality."

Kotzebue-Fleur is the first woman from Suriname to be named to this prestigious award. She was nominated by the Women in Maritime Association Caribbean (WiMAC), which works to foster the development and participation of women in the maritime sector and contribute to the growth of the industry.

The Maritime Award of the Americas recognizes successful practices in the maritime and port sectors of the Hemisphere that demonstrate excellence, innovation, leadership, sustainability and replicability across five categories: Competitive Digitalization; Cybersecurity in Ports and/or Terminals; Green Port Operations and Sustainable Management; Empowerment and Equality; and Outstanding Woman in the Maritime and Port Sectors. This is the awards ninth year.

The Outstanding Woman in the Maritime and Port Sectors category is open to women at all public and corporate levels working in ports and/or terminals, National Port Authorities, as well as companies and institutions related to the maritime and port sectors in any of the CIP/OAS Member States. This year, 37 top-level nominations from 13 countries in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean were received.

Learn more about the award on the CIP website.

Follow DP World on:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DP_World

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dp-world

About DP World

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the worlds trade flow better, changing whats possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 103,000 employees spanning 75 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain thats fit for the future.

Were rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses -- Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology  and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.

What's more, we're reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, were at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customers door.

About DP World in Suriname

DP Word Paramaribo is a subsidiary of DP World, a leading provider of global smart end-to-end supply chain logistics, enabling trade flow around the world. DP World Paramaribo is the largest local container terminal operator in Suriname with two locations, namely at the Jules Sedney Port under concession from Port Management Suriname and at Vigilantia, close to Paranam under the name Suriname Port Services NV a private subsidiary owned by DP World Paramaribo. In 2011, DP World acquired a majority interest in Integra Port Services NV, as part of the local holding company Integra Marine & Freight Services and has since then been locally registered at the Chamber of Commerce as Integra Port Services NV/ DP World Paramaribo, with brand name DP World Paramaribo.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW

TO CHANGE WHAT'S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.

 Copyright - DP World 2023

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713513280/en/

Contacts

For DP World media enquiries:

Melina Vissat

Head of Communications, North America

melina.vissat@dpworld.com

+1 704-605-6159
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Incendiu de vegetatie uscata in localitatea Matasaru

Incendiu de vegetatie uscata in localitatea Matasaru, pentru gestionarea situatiei de urgenta a intervenit Detasamentul Gaesti cu doua autospeciale de stingere cu apa si spuma si Detasamentul Titu cu o autospeciala de stingere cu apa si spuma. La fata locului, echipajele de interventie [citeste mai departe]
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- The largest one-time military aid package which includes 100 armoured vehicles from the Bulgarian police stockpile, mostly infantry carrier vehicles was sent to Ukraine in what was Sofias first official decision to help Kyiv with heavy equipment, Bulgarian authorities announced on Thursday, according

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DULUTH - Duluth's St. Luke's and the more expansive Wisconsin-based Aspirus Health announced Wednesday plans to merge  a joint effort that would link 19 hospitals, 130 outpatient locations and about 14,000 employees.

The health care systems have signed a letter of intent with a goal of completing the process in early 2024, according a news release that describes the organizations as having "closely aligned missions." The headquarters will remain in Wausau, Wis., where Aspirus Health is based, and Duluth will continue to have a corporate office.

The terms of the deal, which have been in the works for the past several months, were not disclosed.

There are no immediate plans to change employment, compensation or benefits, according to a spokesman for Aspirus Health. If the merger goes through, Aspirus said it plans to honor existing employment contracts.

"The proposed agreement intends to expand access to care, including providing growth opportunities for our physicians and staff," Andy Napgezek, the system's spokesman, said in an email.

The proposed deal also is not expected to affect patients.

Nicholas Van Deelen, St. Luke's co-president/CEO and chief medical officer, described the plan as a "bold move to grow in a way that maintains our exceptional quality and patient experience."

"Joining forces with Aspirus Health enables us to expand access and better support clinical staff to reach even more patients," Van Deelen said in the news release. "The like-minded missions of St. Luke's and Aspirus are rooted in serving people  our patients and the people who care for our patients."

Aspirus Health's current reach includes northern and central Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This would give the nonprofit a presence in northeastern Minnesota. The system currently has 17 hospitals and 75 clinics. Aspirus Medical Group has about 1,000 physicians and advance-practice clinicians and 10,000 employees.

"We envision a future where access to excellent health care is easier and more seamless for patients," Matthew Heywood, Aspirus Health's president and CEO, said in the release.

St. Luke's has two hospitals and more than 40 clinics in northeastern Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula. It employs 3,000  with about 300 physicians and advanced-practice clinicians.

St. Luke's is the smaller of two health care systems in Duluth; Essentia Health employs 15,000 people.

The joining of St. Luke's and Aspirus, which started with the signed letter of intent, now moves on to information gathering, regulatory reviews and other approvals, according to Napgezek.

In 2020, St. Luke's completed a $37.5 million, 60,000-square-foot emergency department billed at the time as having "the region's most technologically advanced cardiac cath labs and CT scanners."

In March, St. Luke's broke ground on a $58 million expansion to Building A, adding 82,000 square feet of vertical expansion for private cardiac and intensive care hospital rooms.

Melissa Burlaga, a spokeswoman for St. Luke's, said hospital staff members aren't immediately being interviewed about the plans, but said that if an agreement is reached St. Luke's and Aspirus Health would collaborate on a brand name.

Eric Lohn, St. Luke's co-president/CEO and chief financial officer, said in the release that the community's evolving needs call for finding innovative approaches to delivering care.

"The strength of Aspirus Health will enable St. Luke's to accelerate investment in our communities and expand our impact faster than we can on our own," he said. "Joining with Aspirus Health will benefit our patients, our staff and our broader network."
The fresh newsletter for the International Community in Hungary - described by readers as a "Great read each week" - is now available for your interest and use via the link below.

You can see the new edition of the Xpat E-Magazine here:

https://xpatloop.com/newsletters/2023/13-july.html



1. In focus are popular pieces in our Top Summer Fun series, here are just 5 related highlights:

* Top 12 Picnic Places * Top 5 Bike Rides in Budapest * Top 25 + 1 Events in Hungary This July

* Top 10 Spots to Enjoy by 'The Danube Bend' * Top 15 + 1 Summer Festivals in Hungary



2. Next up, you can see examples of events happening these days below and in Xpat Calendar:

E.g. Johnny Depp to Play in Budapest, Summer Festivals inc. Katlan & Campus, Deep Purple Gig.



3. Also for your interest there are new Movies & Specials, plus News, Information & Inspiration:

E.g. Hungary's Beautiful Waterfalls, Best Ice Cream, Fascinating Statues Guide, Top Flea Markets.



We hope you like what's in it for you.

Best wishes from Team XpatLoop
New Delhi: Effective business visionaries see the necessity for creative efforts to address the problems. Today I've got a story of an Indian businessman who built a sizable empire because his son was suffering from waterborne 'Jaundice'. Mahesh Gupta is the man who created the exceptional water purifiers that set him apart from other inventors.

Who Is Mahesh Gupta?

The Indian water purification business was revolutionised by mechanical engineer Dr. Mahesh Gupta. The founder and chairman of Kent RO Systems Ltd., India's top water purifier company, is Dr. Gupta.



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Mahesh Gupta: Educational Background

In 1975, he earned a mechanical engineering degree from IIT Kanpur. He graduated from the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) Dehradun with a master's in engineering.

Mahesh Gupta: Professional Career

In 1977, Dr. Mahesh Gupta began working for Indian Oil Limited, one of the most famous oil companies in India. He bid a fond farewell to his lucrative position with a major oil company in 1988.

He claimed that companies using the brand name "Kent Oil Metre" were still doing well in the Indian market and were producing equipment for oil conservation.

What Led To The Foundation Of Kent RO?

In 1988, his son, who was residing in an exclusive neighbourhood in South Delhi, had jaundice. Knowing that jaundice is a waterborne illness, Gupta examined and investigated every water filter on the Indian market and found himself unsatisfied.

Dr. Mahesh Gupta made the decision to create a better water filter. Due to his knowledge of engineering, he found it easy to create his own water filter. For his own use, he creates a new one using some imported components.

How Kent RO Started?

In a modest room in his home, Dr. Mahesh Gupta began his entrepreneurial career with merely Rs 20,000. From his employment at Indian Oil Corporation Limited, he had saved Rs 20,000.

In 1998, he founded the business from nothing and introduced the first residential RO water filter, the "Kent RO System". He began to feel assured that his water purifier was effective enough to be sold. Reverse osmosis is the method used to purify the water in this system.

He began with a four-person team and a one lakh rupee investment. Today, Kent RO System Limited employs over 3000 people, generates annual revenue of over 600 crores, and has increased its RO mineral market share by 45 p.

The most innovative water purifier business in India today, Kent RO competes with the top global and domestic brands.
New Delhi: The water level in the Yamuna River in Delhi has witnessed a further rise, resulting in widespread flooding of homes and roads. Emergency measures are being implemented to mitigate the situation.

Water Level Reaches 208.46 Metres:

As of 7 am today, the water level in the Yamuna River has surged to 208.46 metres, surpassing the danger mark by three metres. The Hathnikund barrage in Haryana is continuing to release water into the river, contributing to the escalating water levels.



cre Trending Stories

Government's Appeal and Centre's Response:

The Delhi government led by Arvind Kejriwal has appealed to the central government to intervene and halt the water discharge from the Hathnikund barrage. However, the central government has clarified that the excess water from the barrage needs to be released to manage the situation effectively.

Himachal Pradesh's Heavy Rainfall:

The excessive rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has led to the filling of the Hathnikund barrage. The consequent overflow of water from the barrage has had a significant impact on the rising water levels in the Yamuna River.

Flooded Areas and Proximity to Chief Minister's Residence:

Areas such as the Ring Road in the Civil Lines area have experienced flooding, leading to the closure of the stretch connecting Majnu ka Tila with Kashmiri Gate ISBT. Notably, this area is located just 500 meters from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence and the Delhi Assembly.

Anticipated Subsiding of Water Flow:

The Central Water Commission has stated that the water flow from the Haryana barrage is expected to gradually subside starting from 2 pm onwards, providing some respite from the flood situation.

Restrictions on Nigambodh Ghat Cremation Ground Usage:

Authorities have advised people to avoid using the Nigambodh Ghat cremation ground, as the Old Delhi area is among the worst affected by the flooding. In light of the flood situation, thousands of people have been evacuated, and gatherings have been prohibited in vulnerable areas.

NDRF Involvement:

To support rescue operations, twelve teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed on the ground.

Unprecedented Rainfall and Evacuations:

Despite the limited rainfall in the national capital in recent days, the release of water from the Haryana barrage has caused significant hardships for residents living near the Yamuna River. The flooding has forced many individuals to vacate their homes. This monsoon season, Delhi has witnessed an exceptionally high level of rainfall, surpassing records from previous decades.

Conclusion:

The water level in the Yamuna River in Delhi continues to rise, resulting in extensive flooding in various areas. Efforts are underway to address the challenges posed by the flood situation and provide relief to affected residents. The discharge of water from the Hathnikund barrage, coupled with the exceptional rainfall this monsoon season, has contributed to the surge in water levels. Authorities remain vigilant in their response to the evolving situation and are working to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected population.
Rice crops are being threatened by El Nino after grain supplies were disrupted by the war in Ukraine

A farmer harvests rice crop in a paddy field on the outskirts of Guwahati, India, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Experts are warning that rice production across South and Southeast Asia is likely to suffer with the world heading into an El Nino. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

NEW DELHI (AP)  Warmer, drier weather because of an earlier than usual El Nino is expected to hamper rice production across Asia, hitting global food security in a world still reeling from the impacts of the war in Ukraine.

An El Nino is a natural, temporary and occasional warming of part of the Pacific that shifts global weather patterns, and climate change is making them stronger. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced this one in June, a month or two earlier than it usually does. This gives it time to grow. Scientists say there's a one in four chance it will expand to supersized levels.

That's bad news for rice farmers, particularly in Asia where 90% of the worlds rice is grown and eaten, since a strong El Nino typically means less rainfall for the thirsty crop.

Past El Ninos have resulted in extreme weather, ranging from drought to floods.

There are already alarm bells, said Abdullah Mamun, a research analyst at the International Food Policy Research Institute or IFPRI, pointing to rising rice prices due to shortfalls in production. The average price of 5% broken white rice in June in Thailand was about 16% higher than last year's average.

Global stocks have run low since last year, in part due to devastating floods in Pakistan, a major rice exporter. This years El Nino may amplify other woes for rice-producing countries, such as reduced availability of fertilizer due to the war and some countries' export restrictions on rice. Myanmar, Cambodia and Nepal are particularly vulnerable, warned a recent report by research firm BMI.

There is uncertainty over the horizon, Mamun said.

Recently, global average temperatures have hit record highs. Monsoon rains over India were lighter than usual by the end of June. Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday asked his ministers to anticipate a long dry season. And in the Philippines, authorities are carefully managing water to protect vulnerable areas.

Some countries are bracing for food shortages. Indonesia was among the worst hit by Indias decision to restrict rice exports last year after less rain fell than expected and a historic heat wave scorched wheat, raising worries that domestic food prices would surge.

Last month, India said it would send over 1 million metric tons (1.1 million U.S. tons) to Indonesia, Senegal and Gambia to help them meet their food security needs.

Fertilizer is another crucial variable. Last year China, a major producer, restricted exports to keep domestic prices in check after fertilizers were among exports affected by sanctions on Russian ally Belarus for human rights violations. Sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine dont specifically target fertilizers but the war has disrupted shipments of the three main chemical fertilizers: potash, phosphorus, and nitrogen.

Bangladesh found suppliers in Canada to make up for lost potash shipments from Belarus, but many countries are still scrambling to find new sources.

Farmers like Abu Bakar Siddique, who cultivates 1.2 hectares (3 acres) in northern Bangladesh, had enough fertilizer to keep his yields steady last year. But less rainfall meant he had to rely more on electric pumps for his winter harvest at a time of power shortages due to war-related shortfalls of diesel and coal.

This increased my costs, he said.

Each El Nino is different, but historical trends suggest scarce rainfall in South and Southeast Asia will parch the soil, causing cascading effects in coming years, said Beau Damen, a natural resources officer with the Food and Agriculture Organization based in Bangkok, Thailand. Some countries, like Indonesia, may be more vulnerable in the early stages of the phenomenon, he said.

Kusnan, a farmer in Indonesia's East Java, said rice farmers there have tried to anticipate that by planting earlier so that when the El Nino hits, the rice might be ready for harvest and not needing so much water. Kusnan, who like many Indonesians uses only one name, said he hoped high yields last year would help offset any losses this year.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has stressed the need to manage water well in the coming weeks, warning that various factors including export restrictions and fertilizer shortages could combine with the El Nino to make this a particularly damaging event.

Baldev Singh, a 52-year-old farmer in northern India's Punjab state, is already worried. He typically sows rice from late June until mid-July, but then needs the monsoon rains to flood the paddies. Less than a tenth of the usual rainfall had come by early this month, and then floods ravaged northern India, battering young crops that had just been planted.

The government has encouraged Punjab farmers to grow rice along with their traditional wheat crops since the 1960s to improve India's food security, even though farmers like Singh dont typically eat rice and irrigation of rice fields has drained the area's aquifers. But he keeps growing it, counting on the certainty of government purchases at fixed prices.

With rain scarce, Singh may need to dig wells. Last year, he dug down 200 feet (60 meters) to find water.

Rice has been our ruin ... I dont know what will happen in the future, he said.

___

Associated Press journalist Julhas Alam in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed.

___

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Mumbai: The Mumbai Traffic Control Room on Thursday received a call from an unidentified Urdu-speaking caller, who warned of a 26/11-like terror attack if Seema Haider, the Pakistani woman who had crossed borders to live with her Noida-based lover Sachin Meena, is not returned back to her country. The unidentified caller further said India would "face destruction" if Seema Haider is not returned to Pakistan at the earliest.

Agar Seema Haider wapas nahi ayi, toh Bharat ka nash hoga (If Seema Haider doesn't return, India will face destruction)," the caller said. The caller further threatened that the Uttar Pradesh government will be responsible if incidents like the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks happen in the days to come.

The call was received late Wednesday. The Mumbai Police and Crime Branch have now launched an investigation into this incident.



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I AM Not A Terrorist: Seema Haider

Seema Ghulam Haider, the Pakistani woman who has become the talk of the town ever since she was arrested for illegally staying in India along with her Greater Noida-based lover Sachin Meena, has also categorically denied allegations of being an ISI agent.

Speaking exclusively to Zee Media, Seema Haider denied speculations about being a Pakistani spy agent who has been planted by the ISI in India. She told Zee Media that she is deeply in love with Sachin, who has taken great care of her children ever since they first met and got married in Nepal.

Seema Haider also claimed that she was getting death and rape threats from Pakistan and that she fears for her life. Making an emotional appeal to the Government of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Noida Police, Seema said that she is a simple woman who wants to live in India. I am not a terrorist. I am an ordinary woman. I appeal to the government of India not to send me back to Pakistan otherwise I will be killed. I have changed my lifestyle. I have embraced Hinduism. I love Indian culture and want to live here forever.

Seema also accused her Gulam Haider, who stays in Saudi Arabia, of spreading misinformation to defame her.

Seema Haider-Sachin Meena Love Story

For the unversed, Seema fell in love with Greater Noida's Sachin Meena over the online gaming platform PUBG and later crossed multiple international borders ''illegally'' to live with him. She has now become a vegetarian and is quickly learning to adapt herself to the Hindu traditions and customs  all for love. Ever since she came from Pakistan, Seema Haider is in awe of the Indian culture and lifestyle. Not only has she converted to Hinduism, Seema has also given up her favourite food - chicken biryani, meat and fish. The Pakistani Bhabhi is trying hard to wholeheartedly embrace Indian culture and doing everything to assimilate herself into Indian society.

According to media reports, Seema Haider has converted to Hinduism and wears a Radhe-Radhe strap around her neck. She can be seen greeting guests with folded hands, seeking blessings by touching the feet of elders, and engaging in prayer. Seema, 30, said that she has adopted a vegetarian lifestyle like Sachins family and wants to live here in India for the rest of her life.

The Pakistani woman grabbed a lot of eyeballs after she and Sachin Meena, 25, were arrested by the authorities on July 4. While Seema was charged with illegally entering India, Sachin was booked for sheltering the illegal immigrant. Seema was accused of illegally entering India without a valid visa via Nepal with her four children, all aged below seven years, to live with her lover Sachin. The two were granted bail by a court in Uttar Pradesh's Greater Noida on Friday.

How Did Seema & Sachin Met?



The couple's love story is as intriguing as a typical Bollywood potboiler. The two fell in love with each other while playing the online game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) during the Covid-19 pandemic. They met in Nepal earlier this year in March and got married.

Narrating her story to reporters after walking out of jail, Seema said, "It was such a long and gruelling journey. I was very scared too. I first went from Karachi to Dubai, where we waited for 11 hours and couldn't sleep. We then flew to Nepal, before finally taking the road to Pokhara, where I met Sachin."

While she then went back to Pakistan, Sachin returned to India from Nepal. Upon reaching Pakistan, Seema, who claimed discord with her husband, sold a plot for Pakistani Rupees 12 lakh and arranged flight tickets and a Nepal visa for herself and her four children.

In May, she reached Nepal via Dubai and spent some time in the tourist city of Pokhara in the Himalayan nation. Then she took a bus to Delhi from Kathmandu and reached Greater Noida on May 13 with her children where Sachin had made arrangements for her to stay in a rented accommodation without disclosing her Pakistani identity.

How Did Their Love Story Come To Fore?



Their cross-border love story hit a dead-end after they were arrested on July 4 and put in jail. After getting bail from the court, Seema said that she will now focus on the paperwork to make her move to India official. She also said that she does want to go back to Pakistan and cited the stringent rules for women back in her country and a possible threat to her life.

"No one has brought me to India by persuasion, I have come here of my own free will for the sake of love," Seema said. In an interview with the BBC, Seema Haider said that she would rather slit her throat or consume poison than return to her homeland. Seema also revealed that she was forced to marry her Pakistani husband Gulam, who works in Dubai, at a very young age.

In his turn, Sachin, who works at a grocery store, said that he wants to live with Seema and her children in Greater Noida only. The duo also said they would contact lawyers to find out a way to legalise her stay in India. Seema said she will accept Hinduism. Sachin told reporters that they would soon take a dip in the holy Ganga together for her to embark on their new journey.

Twist In Seema & Sachin's Love Story



Adding a twist to their love story, Seema's husband, Gulam Haider, who stays in Saudi Arabia, has made an appeal to the Government Of India via a video message to help him reunite with his wife. In the video, he says that he got to know that his wife and children were in Noida, through the Indian media.
New Delhi: 7th Pay Commission Latest update-- Lakhs of central government employees waiting for announcement on hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) may hear update on DA hike by the end of July, as per media reports. The reason behind this brighter hope is due to the calculation of AICPI Index data. The number of AICPI Index for the month of July will be the final data for deciding the calculation of Dearness Allowance on the basis of which the DA quantum will be decided.

The increase in DA will be in accordance with the accepted formular which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.

DA May Increase To 46 Percent

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If latest media reports are to be believed, there could be a four percent hike in Dearness Allowance in July. This means the total DA could reach upo 46 percent from the current 42 percent.

The Dearness Allowance of central government employees is revised twice a year. The first is given from January to June, while the second comes from July to December.

DA Hike May be announced in September Or October

The Central government had in March 2023 increased the Dearness Allowance of the employees by 4 percent, which came into effect from January 2023. Its next revision is to be held in July 2023, but it is believed that its official announcement may be made in the month of September or October.

Dearness Allowance Hike March 2023

It may be recalled that te Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in March gave its approval to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Governments employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners with effect from 01.01.2023. The additional instalment will represent an increase of 4% over the existing rate of 38% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate against price rise. The combine impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be Rs.12,815.60 crore per annum.

This will benefit about 47.58 lakh Central Governments employees and 69.76 lakh pensioners.
New Delhi: The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has been postponing the PAN-Aadhaar linking deadline numerous times since March 31, 2022, however from June 30, 2023, the deadline ended. The final deadline to link PAN Card with Aadhaar Card was June 30, 2023, post which the financial document would become inoperative.

Meanwhile, an NRI tax payer has posted in his twitter that he filed his tax returns (ITR for Ay 2023-24), but when he tried to check the refund status, a message prompted that sine his PAN card was inoperative, refund could not be issued.

Refund cannot be issued as PAN is inoperative, Kindly link your PAN with Aadhaar after paying requisite fees u/s 234H said the message.



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@IncomeTaxIndia I filed my ITR AY2023-24Under NRI Category, I login & Check the status of my Refund,it's showing the Pan inoperative message.what shd NRI do when they don't have Aadhar? pic.twitter.com/gg16zr9VZh  Hari Krishna Gangidi (@ghari36) July 10, 2023

Responding to his tweet, the Income Tax department has said, "Please write to us with your/ taxpayers details, along with colour-scanned copy of PAN and copy of documents in support of non-resident status (passport showing period of residence outside India) via email at adg1.systems@incometax.gov.in & jd.systems1.1@incometax.gov.in. Our team will look into it."

Dear @ghari36,



Please write to us with your/ taxpayers details, along with colour-scanned copy of PAN and copy of documents in support of non-resident status (passport showing period of residence outside India) via email at adg1.systems@incometax.gov.in &  Income Tax India (@IncomeTaxIndia) July 10, 2023

PAN-Aadhaar Linking Deadline And Its Consequences

On 28 March 2023, the Income Tax department had said that the date for intimating Aadhaar to the prescribed authority for the purpose of linking PAN and Aadhaar has now been extended to 30th June, 2023.

From 1st July, 2023, the PAN of taxpayers who have failed to intimate their Aadhaar, as required, shall become inoperative and the consequences during the period that PAN remains inoperative will be as follows:

A.no refund shall be made against such PANs;

B. interest shall not be payable on such refund for the period during which PAN remains inoperative; and

C. TDS and TCS shall be deducted /collected at higher rate, as provided in the Act.

The PAN can be made operative again in 30 days, upon intimation of Aadhaar to the prescribed authority after payment of fee of Rs 1,000.

Those persons who have been exempted from PAN-Aadhaar linking will not be liable to the consequences mentioned above. This category includes those residing in specified States, a non-resident as per the Act, an individual who is not a citizen of India or individuals of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the previous year.
New Delhi: Punjab National Bank (PNB) Saving Account Holders ALERT! If you are also among many PNB consumers who have query why the bank has deducted Rs 295 from your savings accounts and the same was not credited back, the reason could be a simple oversight on your behalf.

You might have also spotted the aforementioned item in your passbook or bank statement. Owners of PNB accounts could be confused as to why the bank took the money without their knowledge. There is a solution if you have encountered a similar problem. Actually, because of NACH responsibilities, the money was taken out of your account.

Let's first understand what is NACH. NACH (National Automated Clearing House) is a funds clearing platform set up by NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) similar to the existing ECS of RBI. NACH (Debit) & NACH (Credit) aims at facilitating interbank high volume, low/high value debit/credit bulk transactions, which are repetitive/recurring in nature, electronically using the NPCI service.



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What are the variants of NACH?

Primarily there are two variants of NACH  NACH Debit & NACH Credit.

In the above context, whenever you buy something on EMI or take a loan, the amount gets deducted from your saving account on a fixed date and you are required to keep a sufficient balance in your account from a day in advance of the due date. So, suppose if the EMI is to be deducted on the a particular date, for eg 7th of every month, the amount needs to be in your account from the 6th.

For returning charges on return of NACH (debit) on account of insufficient Funds, PNB charges Rs 250 plus GST of 18%. This means, if you fail to maintain sufficient balance, the bank levies a penalty of Rs 295 (Rs 250 + Rs 45 GST. This penalty is for the insufficient balance due to which the NACH EMI mandate got bounced.

So, if you want to stop the loss of your money from your saving account, do maintain a sufficient balance in your account if you have mandated NACH for your EMIs.
Popcorn and a cold drink are two things that usually enhance the experience of watching a movie in a theatre. However, it has started becoming a problem for moviegoers as the prices of food inside a cinema hall are quite high. Sometimes, these popcorns and cold drinks are so expensive that their rates are even higher than the ticket prices. There have been several complaints made by people on social media, but it has had no effect on their prices. But now, PVR, a multiplex chain, has brought in some discounts on the prices of food after a person tweeted about his experience of the skyrocketing prices of popcorn and a cold drink.

PVR introduces discounts and offers on food

Recently, a journalist complained about the high price of cheese popcorn and cold drink that he had to pay at PVR. He posted a picture of his bill, where the food was priced high, and his total bill came to Rs 820 for cheese popcorn and a Pepsi. Now, the multiplex chain has responded to the situation and introduced new discounts and offers. They even slashed the prices of some food items on the menu.



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The official Twitter page of PVR wrote, We at PVR believe that every opinion matters and must be respected. We have this update for you and for every moviegoer in India.

According to the new offer, on weekends, PVR will be offering unlimited popcorn and Pepsi refills. On weekdays (Monday to Thursday), they will be offering various snacks, including burgers, popcorn, nachos, and Pepsi, for Rs 99.

Netizens react

Netizens were delighted to hear about the offers and even lauded the multiplex chain for its discounts.

One user wrote, You guys are the best.

You guys are the best __  Priyanka Hemanti Bhatt (@iPriyankaBhatt) July 12, 2023

Another user said they appreciate the fact that the multiplex chain reduced prices of food.

Amazing! Really appreciate it July 13, 2023

A third user commented, "Der aye durust aye .. good decision.. will help bring people back to the theaters .. it had become unavailable to go and enjoy a movie with family.. the cost was almost similar to a long drive followed by a dinner at a pretty good place"
The colour of over 56 per cent of the world's oceans, larger than Earth's total land expanse, has changed significantly over the last two decades and human-caused climate change is likely the driver, according to researchers. These colour changes, subtle to the human eye, cannot be explained by natural, year-to-year variability alone, the researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US, and other institutes write in their paper published in the journal Nature.

Ocean colour, a literal reflection of the life and materials in its waters, in regions near the equator was found to have steadily turned greener over time, indicating changes in the ecosystems within the surface oceans. The green colour of the ocean waters comes from the green pigment chlorophyll present in phytoplankton, the plant-like microbes abundant in the upper ocean. Scientists are, therefore, keen to monitor phytoplankton to see their response to climate change.

However, the authors of this study showed through previous studies that it would take 30 years of tracking chlorophyll changes before climate-change-driven trends would show, because natural, annual variations in chlorophyll would overwhelm those influenced by human activities. In a 2019 paper, study co-author Stephanie Dutkiewicz and her colleagues showed that monitoring other ocean colours, whose annual variations are much smaller than those of chlorophyll, would convey more clear signals of climate-change-driven changes and that they might even be apparent in 20 years, rather than 30.



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"It's worth looking at the whole spectrum, rather than just trying to estimate one number from bits of the spectrum," said lead author B. B. Cael of the National Oceanography Center, Southampton, UK. Cael and team then statistically analysed all the seven ocean colours recorded by satellite observations from 2002 to 2022 together. He initially studied the colours' natural variations by seeing how they changed regionally in a given year. He then observed how these annual variations changed over two decades.

To understand climate change's contribution to all these changes, he used Dutkiewicz's 2019 model to simulate the Earth's oceans under two scenarios - one with greenhouse gases and the other without them. The greenhouse-gas model predicted changes to the colour of about 50 per cent of the world's surface oceans in under 20 years - close to Cael's conclusions from his real-world satellite data analysis. "This suggests that the trends we observe are not a random variation in the Earth system," said Cael. "This is consistent with anthropogenic climate change."

"I've been running simulations that have been telling me for years that these changes in ocean colour are going to happen," said Dutkiewicz, senior research scientist in MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences. "To actually see it happening for real is not surprising, but frightening. And these changes are consistent with man-induced changes to our climate," she said.
Patna: A controversy broke out over the 'death' of a Bihar BJP leader during the party's march towards the state assembly on Thursday. The saffron party alleged that its Jehanabad district general secretary succumbed to injuries suffered in a "brutal" lathi charge by the police, prompting the local administration to issue a quick rebuttal. In a statement, the Patna district administration said Vijay Kumar Singh, a resident of Jehanabad district, was "found unconscious by the roadside". "No injury marks have been found," said the statement adding that Singh has been taken to PMCH, the state's largest government hospital.

Nonetheless, rumours were aflutter that Singh, who had come here to join the "Vidhan Sabha march" against the Nitish Kumar government's teacher recruitment policy, had died.

"Arrested by Bihar Police in Patna, Jehanabad dist GS Vijay Kumar Singh died in brutal police lathi charge", senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi tweeted.



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Arrested by Bihar police in Patna .Jehanabad dist GS Vijay Kumar Singh died in brutal police lathi charge.@ANI @ABPNews @News18Bihar @ABPNews @aajtak  Sushil Kumar Modi (@SushilModi) July 13, 2023

Condemning the incident, BJP chief JP Nadda took to Twitter and said, "The lathi-charge on BJP workers in Patna is a result of the failure and incompetence of the state government."

"The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) government is attacking democracy in order to protect the fortress of corruption. The chief minister of Bihar has forgotten his own morality to save the person who is facing charges," Nadda tweeted in Hindi.

                                    ,               Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) July 13, 2023

Clashes In Patna

Police burst tear gas shells and used water canons to disperse thousands of BJP workers, including senior leaders, who tried to march towards the Bihar Vidhan Sabha in protest against the Nitish Kumar government's teacher recruitment policy.

State BJP president Samrat Choudhary told reporters, before the march commenced at the historic Gandhi Maidan, that the Opposition party was holding to account the government, especially Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, who had promised "10 lakh jobs".

#WATCH | Patna: Security personnel use water cannons and open lathi charge to disperse BJP workers protesting against Bihar govt on issue of the posting of teachers in the state pic.twitter.com/Vxp010wYDo  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

"Everybody knows who made that rhetorical promise. Only one individual had done so. It is, now, the time to deliver," said Choudhary, referring to the 2020 assembly poll campaign of the young RJD leader whose party came to power last year after BJP was stripped of the same with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's exit from the NDA.

BJP workers, many of them wearing saffron kurtas, saris, salwar suits and bandanas, walked waving the party flag while some were perched atop a "prachar rath" (campaign vehicle).

Slogans like "Nitish Tejashwi Istifa do" (Nitish Kumar must resign) rent the air as the procession covered a distance of about a kilometre until it encountered barricades put up at the Dak Bungalow crossing.

Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Rajiv Mishra earlier said, "We have deployed extra forces at all sensitive points and barricades and where necessary traffic has been diverted to alternative routes." Notably, the Dak Bungalow crossing is situated around two kilometres from the Vidhan Sabha and, normally, processions are not allowed beyond the point.

When some of the agitators tried to cross the barricade, police resorted to the use of force and firing of tear gas shells, besides water canons, sending the BJP workers scampering. The opposition party has sought to lend its support to teaching job aspirants who are resenting the "no domicile" policy of recruitment, among other things.

The government, however, has made it clear that the policy was there to stay pointing out that no state, which has sought to reserve seats for its own residents, has been able to withstand judicial scrutiny.

The opposition party is also backing the demand of "niyojit" (non-commissioned) teachers that they be recognised and it has alleged that teaching staff's leaves have been cancelled to ensure that they do not join the stir.

The education department, besides cancelling all leaves and ordering "100 per cent attendance" at schools on the day, has asked the district administration in Patna to "identify" those teachers who had of late taken part in street protests.
Mental illness is a prevalent and significant health issue affecting millions of people worldwide. It encompasses a wide range of conditions, such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more. The impact of mental illness extends far beyond the individual, affecting families, communities, and societies as a whole.

While the human cost of mental illness is well-recognised, its economic burden is often overlooked or underestimated. The economic costs associated with mental health conditions are multifaceted, ranging from direct healthcare expenses to indirect costs resulting from productivity losses and reduced quality of life. Understanding this is crucial for policymakers, healthcare providers, and society at large, as it provides insights into the financial implications and highlights the importance of effective health financing mechanisms.

Economic Cost of Mental Illness

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The financial impact of mental illness can be categorised in three ways:

Direct Costs: Direct costs refer to the expenses directly incurred due to the treatment and management of mental illness. These costs include healthcare services, medication, hospitalisation, outpatient care, therapy sessions, and specialised services such as rehabilitation and recovery programs. Mental health treatments often require long-term care and medication, resulting in substantial financial commitments.

Additionally, mental health services are not always readily accessible or affordable, exacerbating the economic burden for individuals and families. The direct costs of mental illness strain healthcare budgets and necessitate effective health financing strategies to ensure adequate funding for mental healthcare.

Indirect Costs of Mental Illness: Apart from direct costs, mental illness imposes significant indirect costs on individuals and the economy. Indirect costs arise from productivity losses, reduced educational attainment, unemployment, and increased disability claims. Productivity losses due to absenteeism, presenteeism (being present but not fully functioning), and reduced work performance contribute to economic burdens. People living with mental health conditions often face challenges in maintaining employment or pursuing educational opportunities due to the debilitating nature of their illnesses.

This places a strain on family members and caregivers, leading to lost income as they prioritise caregiving responsibilities. The emotional and psychological toll on caregivers can further impact their own mental well-being. Consequently, this leads to lower incomes, decreased tax revenues, and increased dependence on healthcare programs, which can create a burden on the government.

The Societal Costs of Mental Illness: Mental illness has far-reaching societal costs that extend into various sectors, including the criminal justice system and social welfare programs. Social welfare expenditures include disability benefits, social assistance programs, and more for individuals experiencing homelessness as a result of mental health challenges. This directly puts a cost on the healthcare system.

The broader societal and economic impacts directly emphasize the urgency of investing in mental health support systems.

How Adequate Health Financing Can Make a Difference?

Finances for healthcare are significantly impacted by the cost of mental illness. In order to fulfil the rising demand for mental health treatments, public healthcare systems must provide enough resources and money. However, there is frequently a mismatch between the demand for and supply of mental health care due to scarce resources and financial restraints. This necessitates thoughtful acts that can genuinely change things.

Public Health Funding: Mental health services must be adequately funded and integrated into mainstream healthcare systems. This requires policymakers to prioritize mental health in resource allocation decisions, ensuring sufficient budgetary allocations for mental health programs, infrastructure, and human resources.

Adequate funding can enhance access to quality mental healthcare, reducing the burden on individuals and families. In India, while public healthcare is improving with different government schemes, there is still a need to implement the same for mental healthcare.

Access to Health Financing: Given the substantial economic burden of mental illness, there is a pressing need for comprehensive mental health policies that prioritize prevention, early intervention, and integrated care. This involves implementing policies that reduce financial barriers, such as providing insurance coverage for mental health treatments and medications. For this, HealthTech platforms should be encouraged to drive innovations and offer affordable health financing solutions.

Expanding mental health coverage within public and private insurance schemes can make a significant impact on improving accessibility and early detection of mental health conditions as well as increasing affordability and reducing the financial strain on individuals seeking mental healthcare.

Focus on Preventive Healthcare: While preventive measures have traditionally focused on physical health, there is increasing recognition of the importance of preventive strategies for mental health. One key aspect of this is to raise public awareness and reduce stigma. Education campaigns that emphasize mental health literacy and challenge misconceptions can help individuals recognize the importance of mental well-being and seek help when needed.

Implementing mental health promotion initiatives in educational or work settings, such as providing training for recognising signs of distress and offering support services can contribute to the overall well-being of individuals of all ages. Governments should also promote this initiative. For example, in Germany, paid leaves for health traumas associated with mental illness such as depression are quite common. It is important to treat Individuals going through rough patches with respect and compassion to help them heal. This helps prevent exacerbation and reduce associated costs of mental illness, thereby alleviating the economic burden on individuals and families.

The economic burden of mental illness is a significant concern that necessitates attention from policymakers, healthcare providers, and society. By acknowledging and addressing the economic implications of mental illness, a robust mental healthcare system can be built that supports the well-being of individuals and helps them live happy and healthy lives.

(Aniruddha Sen, Co-founder of Kenko Health)
India's upgraded 'Bahubali' rocket, known as Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LM-3), is set to send Chandrayaan-3, India's third mission to the moon. With a 100% success rate, the LM-3 stands tall on the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This mission holds great importance as it aims to achieve a soft landing on the moon, a crucial milestone in celestial body exploration. The launch is scheduled for Friday (July 14) at 2.35 pm, and the satellite, weighing 3921 kilograms, will embark on a nearly four-lakh-kilometer journey. Chandrayaan-3 carries seven scientific instruments and seeks to become the fourth country, after Russia, the United States, and China, to achieve a successful soft landing on the moon.

1. India's Chandrayaan-3 Mission:

India's Chandrayaan-3 is the country's third mission to the moon. The upgraded 'Bahubali' rocket, now known as Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LM-3), will be used to launch a satellite weighing 3921 kilograms towards the moon.



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2. Significance of Soft Landing:

Chandrayaan-3 aims to successfully demonstrate soft landing near the moon's south pole. This is a crucial step in mastering the technique of landing on celestial bodies.

3. Launch Schedule:

The launch of Chandrayaan-3 is scheduled for Friday (July 14) at 2.35 pm from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on the coast of the Bay of Bengal.

4. 'Bahubali Rocket':

The upgraded 'Bahubali' rocket, now named LM-3, stands at a towering 43.5 meters tall, equivalent to more than half the height of the Qutub Minar. It weighs 642 tons, which is about the same as the combined weight of 130 full-grown Asian elephants.

5. Stellar Success Rate:

The upcoming launch of Chandrayaan-3 will mark the sixth flight of the LM-3 rocket, which has maintained a 100% success rate to date, instilling confidence in the mission's success.

6. Objectives and Instruments:

Chandrayaan-3's primary objective is to achieve a successful soft landing near the moon's south pole. The satellite also carries seven scientific instruments to analyze lunar soil, explore the moon's surface, and record moonquakes.

7. India's Position in Lunar Landing:

If Chandrayaan-3 accomplishes its mission, India will become the fourth country after Russia, the United States, and China to successfully achieve a soft landing on the moon.

8. Potential for Indian Selfies on the Moon:

Both the Vikram Lander and Pragyaan Rover, components of Chandrayaan-3, carry imprints of India's tricolour flag. If the mission is successful, India may witness the first-ever Indian selfies from the lunar surface, showcasing the country's flag.

9. Past Missions and Discoveries:

India's previous lunar missions, Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2, have contributed significantly to our understanding of the moon. Chandrayaan-1 discovered water molecules on the moon, altering our knowledge of its geological history. The findings prompted NASA's ambitious Artemis Program in 2018.

10. International Collaboration and Artemis Accords:

India's recent signing of the Artemis Accords, spearheaded by NASA, underscores its commitment to collaborate in the exploration of the moon and Mars. Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, former head of the Chandrayaan program, emphasizes that international collaborative lunar exploration cannot happen without India's participation.

Conclusion:

Chandrayaan-3 is poised to continue India's pursuit of lunar exploration and scientific discovery. The mission's objective of achieving a soft landing near the moon's south pole, along with its scientific instruments, holds the promise of further advancing our understanding of Earth's celestial neighbor. As the LM-3 rocket prepares for launch, India stands at the forefront of space exploration, poised to contribute to humanity's quest for knowledge beyond our planet.
Elon Musk British homes energy supplier

Elon Musk has attempted to launch rockets into space, drawn up plans to blanket the skies with satellite internet coverage, and spent $44bn on the takeover of one of the worlds biggest social media companies.

Now, the billionaire has set his sights on an altogether more ordinary venture; Britains retail energy market.

A job listing posted on LinkedIn revealed that Tesla is developing plans to register as an electricity provider with the industry regulator and launch a retail electricity product in the UK.

It is thought that the service, which would be available to owners of the companys Powerwall home battery, would sell electricity to UK households and buy back stored energy at times of peak demand.

But experts warn that while such innovation is desperately needed as the Government races to meet net zero targets, Mr Musk faces a raft of licensing rules, red tape and low returns which could scupper its takeoff.

Itll be difficult for them [Tesla] to make money within five years, says Adam Bell from strategic consultancy Stonehaven.

Until 2021, Bell was head of energy strategy for what is now the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

More crucially, he says, Musk would not be able to get a licence if he plans to only sell electricity to people owning a Powerwall home battery.

Tesla's Powerwall home batteries have enabled owners in Texas to earn as much as $150 a day by selling energy back to the grid

If youre an energy supplier in the UK, you have whats called the Universal Service Obligation. That means youre obliged to offer a tariff to anyone who wants one. You cant just constrain your offer to a limited number of customers, he says.

The legislation helps to ensure that customers with debt, poor credit ratings and other payment issues can still get contracts to access gas or electricity, he adds.

While Tesla is the worlds largest producer of electric cars, it also sells home batteries. Households with solar panels are among those purchasing Powerwall batteries, which cost around 9,500 to install.

Industry insiders say they have been adopted by between 10,000 and 20,000 households.

Tesla launched an energy provider in Texas at the end of last year where households with Powerwall batteries in certain areas can sell electricity back to the grid at peak times and buy it back when its cheaper.

Consumers in Texas have reported making as much as $150 (116) dollars a day during heatwaves from selling surplus electricity.

Under Musks plans, households would also be able to sell surplus power  for example from solar panels  back to the grid.

Ofgem, the energy regulator, plans to eventually allow electric vehicles to sell electricity back to the grid too. This means Tesla drivers would also be able to use the service.

Ensuring there is enough electricity when it is needed is a tricky balancing act that is becoming more difficult amid a shift toward green energy.

The unpredictability of when the sun shines or the wind blows means there is scope for innovation to help improve the balance of supply and demand, Stonehavens Bell says.

Suppliers are required to alert National Grids Electricity System Operator (ESO) half an hour in advance if their estimates of consumer needs are too low. ESO then steps in and pays consumers to adapt their usage.

The balancing act has been critically important as our system brings in more renewables. As a result, theres more money to be made there, Bell says.

However, the job ad that revealed Teslas plans suggests it is planning to go further in the UK than setting up a so-called virtual power plant  similar to those it has already launched in Australia and California.

One route to ensure it can offer electricity to all Britons would be through innovative smart products.

Kathryn Porter, an energy consultant at Watt-Logic, says this type of model would be akin to how phone contracts work.

Its not entirely a new idea, she says. In the same way that when you get a mobile phone on a two-year contract, youre paying off the cost of the handset over two years. You get your phone calls and everything bundled in with that. People were thinking we might get to see similar models within the energy market.

However, Porter says the reason this idea has not yet been replicated on a mass scale in the energy market is largely because of the industry being lumbered with red tape.

Its a very over-regulated market with extremely low margins, she says. That has really deterred these types of players from coming in. Where you once saw companies such as supermarkets dipping their toes into the retail energy market, they have pretty much all left.

Energy providers are responsible for installing smart meters, and once they surpass 250,000 customers they also face a duty to help improve home insulation and reduce usage.

People have been talking about energy as a service for quite a while but its not being delivered, Porter adds. Why is it not being delivered? Because the market is horrible. You cant make money. Youre hugely burdened with regulation that doesnt actually have that much to do with energy.

Musk may be able to find a model that works by focusing on a niche part of the market but it would not yield significant profits, says Porter.

Martin Young of Investec adds that obtaining a licence requires applicants to jump through a number of hoops. But households could benefit immensely from more innovation in the sector, he says.

Customers are a key component of the net-zero journey and we need innovative product and tariff offerings. This is even more the case for consumers who have high load devices such as EVs batteries and heat pumps as well as self-generation from solar, he says.

Watt-Logics Porter also says that one factor playing in Musks favour is that his plans target consumers who already own electric vehicles and tend to be more well off.

But Musks ambitions risk being held back by his desire to do too much. On Wednesday he announced the launch of xAI, an artificial intelligence company aimed at challenging the dominance of OpenAIs ChatGPT.

Announcing the formation of xAI to understand reality, Musk tweeted.

Tesla board members have previously criticised Musk for appearing distracted and having a scatterbrained approach after his highly leveraged and controversial takeover of Twitter.

Between running the social media platform, which is now facing intensified competition from Metas Threads, sending people to space and a dozen other ventures, the worlds richest man has a lot on his plate.

But the potential for using artificial intelligence to optimise electricity supply and demand mismatches still remains, experts say. This area could be one that plays to Musks strengths.

The first challenge will be to survive in a market where more than 30 suppliers have collapsed since the onset of the energy crisis and where over half of firms are technically insolvent.

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of his visit to France as the guest of honor for Bastille Day celebrations, granted a rare interview to French publication "Les Echos." In the interview, PM Modi emphasized India's role as a bridge between the Global South and the Western world, highlighting the long-denied rights of the Global South and the need for India to regain its rightful place on the global stage. Modi stressed the importance of India's youth and its skilled workforce as valuable assets in the changing world. He also discussed India's aspiration to become a developed economy by 2047, the 100th anniversary of its independence. Modi acknowledged the importance of western values but emphasized the need to consider philosophies from all corners of the world and to let go of outdated notions.

Regarding India's soft power, Modi highlighted the global reach of Indian cinema, music, and the renewed interest in Ayurveda medicine. He also mentioned the universal success of yoga, which has become a household term worldwide.

The Prime Minister addressed India's growing partnership with the United States, describing it as a defining partnership of the century. He emphasized the shared goals of advancing a free, open, inclusive, and balanced Indo-Pacific region, as well as working together to address global challenges and shape the global order.

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Modi expressed India's commitment to multilateralism and the importance of the Global South having a stronger voice in international institutions. He highlighted India's efforts during its G20 Presidency to bring the priorities and interests of the Global South to the forefront.

The Prime Minister called for reforms in the United Nations Security Council and advocated for India's permanent membership, emphasizing the need for a more representative and accountable international governance system.

Regarding India's relationship with China, Modi emphasized India's commitment to peaceful resolution of differences through dialogue and diplomacy. He highlighted India's role in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on security, growth, and the rule of international law.

Modi expressed gratitude for France's invitation to India as the guest of honor for Bastille Day celebrations, marking the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries. He described the India-France relationship as strong, trusted, consistent, and deepening in various fields such as trade, defense, clean energy, and international cooperation.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of India and France's partnership in shaping the Indo-Pacific region, promoting a free, open, inclusive, secure, and stable environment. He highlighted the defense and security component of the partnership, as well as economic, connectivity, and sustainability initiatives.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interview with "Les Echos" emphasized India's aspirations to regain its rightful place in the international order, its commitment to multilateralism, and the significance of India's partnerships with countries like France and the United States in addressing global challenges and shaping the future.
Paris: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Paris on Thursday afternoon, received a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora. They accorded a warm welcome to PM Modi while raising slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Vande Mataram. Many were seen clicking selfies with the prime minister while some sang songs and presented gifts to PM Modi.

It was a show of unity in diversity in Paris as people from different faiths and different walks of life thronged at the hotel to shower love on PM Modi. An Indian woman dedicated a song to PM Modi and she even got emotional while clicking a selfie with the prime minister. After PM Modis landing, MEA spokesperson Bagchi in a video message said that PM Narendra Modi has just touched down on his visit to France.

Behind me, in a very special gesture the Prime Minister of France, Elisabeth Borne has come personally to the airport to receive the Prime Minister in a visit that's just about 36 hours, he said.



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#WATCH | Members of the Indian diaspora chant 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' as they meet PM Modi in Paris, France



PM Modi will address an Indian Community event at the iconic La Seine Musicale at around 11 PM IST today. pic.twitter.com/w7EcQfb7oe  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

Elaborating on PM Modis programme, he said, Prime Minister will lead the leaders, presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly.President Macron, who is principal host, is organising a private dinner today evening with formal talks tomorrow.

There is of course the main event the Bastille Day celebration which both Prime Ministers will attend later in the evening. Tomorrow there's a state banquet as well as inter with the CEOs and other personalities, said Bagchi in a short video message.

In a special gesture, French PM Elisabeth Borne received PM Modi at the airport. A ceremonial welcome and Guard of honour were accorded to Prime Minister Modi. Vive l'amitie franco-indienne! PM @narendramodi alights at the Paris airport. Accorded a ceremonial welcome. In a special gesture, PM @Elisabeth_Borne received him at the airport. PMs intensive programme in Paris includes participation in the Bastille Day celebrations & a slew of engagements with the French leadership, Indian diaspora, CEOs and prominent personalities, tweeted the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson upon PM Modis arrival.

A large number of people from the Indian community had gathered outside the hotel in Paris. Prime Minister Modi will be attending the Bastille Day Parade as Guest of Honour on invitation by Emmanuel Macron, President of France. This visit also marks the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership.
Inspiring Tale Of An Educated Woman: The result of the West Bengal panchayat polls has been released. The TMC has swept the violence-marred polls while the BJP has made significant inroads in the state. While the BJP increased its tally significantly in the polls, one thing that stood out was that the party fielded well-educated candidates at many seats. One of those candidates is Indira Santra.

Who Is Indira Santra?

Indira Santra is the winning BJP candidate from a Panchayat constituency in Singur. She was born on February 7, 1989, in Telipukur village of Singur. Her father's name is Balai Chandra Santra and he is a farmer. She is a chemical engineer by profession but left her job to contest the high-profile rural polls challenging the might of TMC and even winning the seat for the BJP. "BJPs Indira Santra, who won a Panchayat constituency in Singur, defeating the TMC, is a former employee of Oxytona, a company based out of Bangalore. Three months ago, she left for her home town, to contest election. She is a B. Tech in Chemical Engineering," said the BJP in a tweet.



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BJPs Indira Santra, who won a Panchayat constituency in Singur, defeating the TMC, is a former employee of Oxytona, a company based out of Bangalore. Three months ago, she left for her home town, to contest election. She is a B. Tech in Chemical Engineering.



Wishing her a great pic.twitter.com/Xeim4hCmvz July 12, 2023

Indira Santra's Education

Indira Santra graduated with B.Sc in Chemistry from Bijoy Krishna Girls College of Howrah and then did B.Tech in Chemical Technology (Specialisation in Petrochemicals and Petroleum Refinery Engineering) from University College Of Science Technology and Agriculture, University Of Calcutta.

Indira Santra's Professional Journey

Indira Santra started her career as Graduate Engineering Trainee with a Gujarat-based company and then worked as Quality Control Executive with Haldirams, Technical Executive with Bionaturala, Laboratory Incharge with Akshar Exim before joining Oxytona as Deputy Manager. She also worked with Metcon Water Systems as Proposal Engineer. She left her job three months ago to contest the panchayat polls.

Inspiration Behind Joining Politics, ISRO Connection

Talking exclusively to Zee News Digital, India Santra shared that when she was forced to go out of Bengal in search of jobs as her state lacks industries and opportunities. "During my first job in Gujarat, I was impressed with the work done there by the BJP government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I wanted such development in my state. Seeing the development, I became a BJP supporter," she shared.

However, while Santra continued with her job, she never thought of joining politics. However, it was her conversations with her former boss as well as an ISRO scientist that inspired her to take the plunge into politics. "During one of my conversations with Oxytona chief Manoj Nair, he suggested that educated youth should pursue a career in politics to bring a better change in society. Also, once I met a senior ISRO scientist who hails from Bengal. He also encouraged me to pursue constructive politics. Since then, it was there in my heart. When during the panchayat elections, I heard that the BJP was looking for a good candidate, I proposed my name," she told Zee Media.

Plan For Her Ward

Indira Santra rued the lack of development in her village. She was also upset about electoral malpractices carried out allegedly by the Trinamool Congress workers. She accused the State Election Commission of being hand in gloves with the TMC government. "There are many people in the village who have no proper house. I will help them get a good house under PM Awas Yojana. Then there are many elderly who are yet to get old age or widow pension, I will get this done as well. Many houses lack drinking water facilities. These are some of the first priorities. But I am afraid whether the TMC winners in Panchayat Samiti will let me work or not as I am the only winning BJP candidate here," said Santra.

Indira Santra shared that while she may face hurdles, she is committed to working for the people of her village to help them get basic amenities.
Srinagar: Three non-local labourers were attacked by a group of unidentified terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Thursday evening. According to reports, the labourers were badly injured after the gunmen fired shots at them in the Gagran area of the south Kashmir district in the evening. They were immediately rushed to a hospital, the officials said.

#UPDATE | Jammu & Kashmir: 3 non-locals shot at by unidentified gunmen in Gagran area of Shopian https://t.co/xo7nuGopd1  ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

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"Terrorists fired upon three outside labourers in Shopian. Injured persons are Anmol Kumar, Pintu Kumar Thakur and Heralal Yadav, all residents of Distt Supaul, Bihar, being shifted to hospital," Kashmir Zone Police said on Twitter.

The entire area has been cordoned off and a hunt has been launched to nab the attackers, the officials added.

Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah, the National Conference vice-president, condemned the attack and wished the injured a speedy recovery. "Very unfortunate. I unreservedly condemn this attack and send my best wishes to the injured. I hope they make a complete and speedy recovery," Abdullah said in a tweet.

Altaf Thakur, the BJP's spokesperson in Jammu and Kashmir, said, "Strongly denounce the attack on unarmed non-local labourers in Gagran, Shopian district by the terrorists. This reflects frustration, inhumanity and cheapness of terrorists involved (in) the gruesome attack on three non-local labourers who had gone to buy grocery items."

Thakur urged the police to track those involved in the act and punish them sternly. ''Praying for a speedy recovery of all three injured men,'' the BJP leader said.
New Delhi: Marathi actor and Bigg Boss 14 contestant Nikki Tamboli never fails to charm her fans and followers with her drop-dead gorgeous reels and pictures on social media. The actor often takes to the internet for sharing her bold look on social media, leaving her fans gasping for breath. On Tuesday, Nikki shared another drop-dead stunning look of her, putting her curves on display as she slipped into a sexy yellow bikini.

The sensuous video shows Nikki flaunting her toned figure in the yellow attire. The actor managed to look every bit stunning and her fans were in love with her latest look. She captioned the post writing, "Incase you forget what a bad b!tch looks like"

Reacting to her latest post, a fan wrote, "Bold and Beautiful."

Another fan wrote, "@nikki_tamboli Raising Temperature in Rainy Season."

The actress often remains in the news for her bold and hot avatar. Before gaining fame from Bigg Boss 14, she primarily worked in the Tamil and Telugu film industries.

Last year, Nikki's name cropped up during a probe into the Rs 200-crore extortion case involving conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. She was taken to Tihar Jail in Delhi with one more actress to recreate their alleged meeting with conman Sukesh as part of a probe into the extortion case.

As per IANS sources, "Nikki Tamboli of 'Bigg Boss' fame, Chahatt Khanna of 'Bade Acche Lagte Hai' fame, Sophia Singh, and Arusha Patil met Chandrasekhar in the jail premises and he introduced himself as a producer of the southern film industry. Chandrasekhar's close aide Pinky Irani, who was arrested by the Delhi Police`s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in November last year, had facilitated their meetings with the conman. All these four actresses were given expensive gifts from renowned brands such as Gucci, Versace, and Louis Vuitton," the website reported.
New Delhi: Deepika Padukone's 'Cocktail' clocks 11 years to it's release today! The actress' character of 'Veronica' was a spoiled rich kid who lived in the moment and had no limits. Great music, hilarious scenes and brilliant acting Cocktail had a lot but the one thing that stood over everything was Deepika Padukones impeccable on-screen style.

Deepika's wardrobe in the Cocktail was a mix of bold, contemporary, and chic outfits that captured the audience's attention While the superstar has always been a trendsetter, her character Veronica almost overnight became a fashion sensation and inspiration. Her summer bikinis, printed skirts, crop tops, sundresses everything makes Veronica one of the best-styled characters in the movies. Scroll through to check out our favourite picks from her lookbook and tell us which is your top choice.

The Bikini: One of the most memorable moments was when she sported an orange bikini while soaking up the sun on the beach. This scene marked the first time Deepika ever donned a bikini on screen, exuding elegance and allure.



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The Black Saree: In the song "Second Hand Jawaani," Deepika stunned the audience with her black saree look, putting a sexy and contemporary spin on traditional Indian attire. The modern drape created an elegant yet edgy look and this ensemble became an instant hit, inspiring countless fashion enthusiasts to experiment with their saree looks.

The Grey Off-Shoulder & Mini Skirt: Deepika rocked a trendy and chic grey off-shoulder top paired with a mini skirt, showcasing her fashion-forward sensibilities. The combination of the off-shoulder style and the mini skirt exuded both sophistication and playfulness, making it a go-to look for the fashion-conscious. The look is still an inspiration of sorts for fashion enthusiasts.

The Black & White Bodycon Dress: Deepika Padukone wowed everyone with her glamorous and sleek black and white bodycon dress. The monochromatic ensemble accentuated her hourglass figure and exuded timeless elegance.

The Black Sheer See-Through Dress: One of the most daring and bold looks in 'Cocktail' was Deepika's black sheer see-through dress. This risque outfit showcased Veronicas confidence and fashion-forward mindset, and many say its a homage to Sarah Jessica Parkers character Carrie Bradshaw from Sex in the City.

The sheer fabric and intricate detailing added an element of mystery and sensuality, establishing Deepika as a true fashion maven willing to push boundaries.
The mudslinging in the legal battle between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and a group of Dogecoin investors suing him has escalated again.

In a filing submitted in a New York federal court on Thursday, Evan Spencer, the lead lawyer in the class-action lawsuit against Musk, reiterated his argument for suspending the billionaires lawyers from the case. Spencer characterized their tactics as a harassment campaign against him personally.

"It appears defendants are using their bottomless war chest to finance an unlawful harassment campaign against me and my clients," wrote Spencer.

Dogecoin Investors Decry 'Dirty Tactics' by Elon Musk Lawyers in Insider Trading Case

This accusation continues a running saga in recent filings to the court. On June 26, Spencer filed a request to have Musks lawyers thrown off the case and financially sanctioned for resorting to dirty tactics in the course of pre-trial proceedings.

At the heart of his accusations, Spencer pointed to a letter written by Musk lawyer Alex Spiro that was reported on by the New York Post on June 15.

The letter demanded the withdrawal of an amended complaint alleging Musk secretly owned or controlled two wallets that sold millions in DOGE during a two-day period in April as part of a bid to manipulate its price. Spiro rejected the allegations and attacked Spencers competency as an attorney.

Elon Musk Calls Motion to Kick Tesla Attorneys Off Dogecoin Lawsuit an 'Insult'

On July 7, Musks legal team issued a riposte that called Spencers request to dismiss them an "insult," and said his accusations that they leaked to the Post is "unsubstantiated." At the same time, they argued that it would not have breached ethics rules even if it were true.

Spencer countered by saying he had no prior relationship with the Post reporter, and said the leaked letter could only have come from Musks team or an agent acting on their behalf. He also said the tactics would fit into Musks desire for sharp-elbowed lawyers, pointing to a tweet from last May where the billionaire bragged about creating a hardcore litigation department at Tesla made up of streetfighters.

"Defense Counsels misconduct as hereinbefore described is certainly consistent with the ruthlessness Musk evidenced in those tweets, wrote Spencer.

Going further, the lawyer suggested that more attacks on him were in the works.

"Having managed to publish false claims about me in the media once before, Defense Counsels were and are threatening to place this disparagement of me into the public record again," read the filing.

Elon Musk, Tesla and SpaceX Hit With $258 Billion Dogecoin Lawsuit

Spencer did not cite any evidence to support these claims, and he did not point to any other incidents beyond the Post article as proof. When reached by Decrypt, Spencer declined to comment.

The $258 billion court battle between the worlds richest man and the meme coin investors began last June over allegations that Musk was part of a racketeering scheme to back the cryptocurrency.

Musk, who gleefully tweeted for years about his interest in DOGE and has worked with the tokens founders in the past, denies any wrongdoing.
Elon Musk unveiled his own AI start-up, xAI, having previously criticised the rush to develop the technology - REUTERS/Tingshu Wang

Elon Musk has warned the world to be wary of a Terminator future for artificial intelligence as he unveiled his own AI start-up.

Mr Musk suggested that developers should not rush to develop advanced AI technology before fully understanding the implications of the new technology.

He told his followers on Twitter Spaces: Its important for us to worry about a Terminator future in order to avoid a Terminator future.

Announcing formation of @xAI to understand reality  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 12, 2023

The Tesla billionaire reiterated his calls for a pause on the global rush to develop the technology, saying: If I could put a pause on AI or really advanced AI  superintelligence  I would. It doesnt seem that is realistic.

Earlier this year Mr Musk signed a letter warning that out of control AI research by unelected tech leaders could lead to the development of nonhuman minds that might eventually outnumber, outsmart, obsolete and replace us.

Mr Musks caution about a Terminator future came even as he launched his own AI start-up, xAI. The company has recruited a team of engineers from Microsoft, DeepMind and OpenAI and says its goal is to understand the true nature of the universe.

Mr Musks rival Mark Zuckerberg is also pressing ahead with the development of his own AI product.

Mr Zuckerbergs Meta is preparing to launch a commercial rival to ChatGPT, the popular chatbot tool. The Facebook-owner previously released a free AI bot for researchers but is now planning to unveil a version that can be installed by businesses, the Financial Times reported.

Mark Zuckerberg's Meta is also preparing to launch a commerical rival to ChatGPT - Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Meta will not initially charge for its commercial AI bot but is ultimately expected to introduce a fee, according to the report.

Meanwhile, Google has also expanded its AI offering. It added another 40 languages to its own AI bot, Bard, and Anthropic, a start-up backed by Google, revealed its own model, Claude2, to the public on Wednesday.

The tech giants are seeking to catch up to OpenAI, which helped fire the starting gun on the current AI rush with the launch of ChatGPT late last year.

Meta declined to comment.

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Companies serious about enhancing the credibility of their sustainability disclosures should proactively engage external auditors to attest to the quality of their disclosures, before auditing of such information becomes mandatory, according to experts.

External audits can enhance confidence in environment, social, governance (ESG) information that stakeholders consider the most important and which outside investors and lenders rely upon while making capital-allocation decisions that help fight climate change and reach other sustainability objectives.

"As ESG assurance is an emerging trend, companies should be seeking assurance over information that is the most material to key stakeholders, such as investors and creditors, as a first step," Tan Ee Sin, EY's climate change and sustainability services partner for Hong Kong and Macau, told the Post.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

These material issues differ from company to company depending on industry and location of operation. "Companies should engage internal and external stakeholders regularly to ensure that the material issues are updated to reflect changes in the business landscape and challenges," Tan said.

Tan Ee Sin, EY's climate change and sustainability services partner for Hong Kong and Macau, speaks at the Redefining Hong Kong conference hosted by SCMP in Admiralty on June 29, 2023. Photo: Xiaomei Chen alt=Tan Ee Sin, EY's climate change and sustainability services partner for Hong Kong and Macau, speaks at the Redefining Hong Kong conference hosted by SCMP in Admiralty on June 29, 2023. Photo: Xiaomei Chen>

Although no comprehensive assurance standard exists, the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board is developing a global baseline for sustainability assurance to provide greater consistency for information users, said Mohit Grover, lead partner for climate and sustainability services at Deloitte Hong Kong.

In April, the board said it planned to publish its proposed standard late this month or early next month for public consultation, and aimed to launch the standard by the end of next year.

Ashley Alder, the former CEO of Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission, said in May last year that the commission was in talks with the industry on how audit professionals can play a role in vouching for sustainability disclosures.

Mohit Grover, lead partner for climate and sustainability services at Deloitte Hong Kong. Photo: Handout alt=Mohit Grover, lead partner for climate and sustainability services at Deloitte Hong Kong. Photo: Handout>

Large companies in Hong Kong trail their global counterparts in verifying ESG data, but have been closing the gap. Just over half of such companies that disclosed ESG data had the data assured, or verified, in 2021, compared to 64 per cent globally, according to the latest benchmarking study conducted by the International Federation of Accountants (IFA) in February. The ratio has increased from 28 per cent in Hong Kong and 51 per cent globally in 2019.

However, an analysis of 400 Hong Kong-listed firms by the city's stock exchange last year found that only 6.7 per cent obtained independent assurance with description of the level, scope and processes adopted, which means many firms have yet to realise enhanced credibility from assurance, Grover noted.

While the rate of assurance among large firms has increased markedly over the past three years, most of the verification engagements focused on greenhouse-gas emissions, the Federation noted in a report.

Only 53 per cent of disclosures covered all four aspects - greenhouse-gas emissions, other environmental issues, social issues and governance issues - in 2021, up from 43 per cent in 2019.

Similar to many other jurisdictions, Hong Kong does not currently mandate auditing of ESG disclosures. However, an international trend towards such a requirement is anticipated, Tan said.

For example, New Zealand has imposed a requirement on around 200 large financial institutions to seek "limited assurance" on greenhouse-gas emissions from October next year. Meanwhile, the European Union has indicated it will require limited assurance before October 2026, progressing to "reasonable assurance" at a later stage.

Compared to reasonable assurance, limited assurance entails less detailed understanding of a company's internal processes and requires the selection of fewer samples for verification and analysis, Tan said. The auditing party typically provides a "negative assurance" to users, where facts are assumed to be accurate if no contrary evidence is found to dispute them.

In contrast, reasonable assurance requires practitioners to gather sufficient audit evidence to reduce risk to an "acceptably low" level, meaning they have a basis to form a "positive" expression of opinion that they believe something is true or correct, Tan said.

Some 80 per cent of the assurance done on sustainability disclosures globally was of the limited type in 2021, compared to 83 per cent in 2019, according to the IFA study, indicating an increase in companies pursuing reasonable assurance.

While standards for reasonable assurance are still under development, Hong Kong conglomerate John Swire & Sons (HK) has sought limited assurance on its ESG disclosures for over a decade, said group head of sustainability Mark Harper.

"Companies have been applying financial assurance standards on non-financial data, which is not a perfect fix, so limited assurance is arguably as good as you can get at this particular point in time," he told the Redefining Hong Kong conference organised by the Post last month.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Key Insights

Nufarm's estimated fair value is AU$6.31 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Nufarm's AU$5.29 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

The AU$6.90 analyst price target for NUF is 9.3% more than our estimate of fair value

How far off is Nufarm Limited (ASX:NUF) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Nufarm

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$94.0m AU$138.0m AU$158.0m AU$174.0m AU$185.8m AU$195.8m AU$204.2m AU$211.6m AU$218.2m AU$224.3m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 6.80% Est @ 5.35% Est @ 4.33% Est @ 3.62% Est @ 3.12% Est @ 2.77% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 9.2% AU$86.1 AU$116 AU$121 AU$122 AU$120 AU$116 AU$110 AU$105 AU$98.9 AU$93.1

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$1.1b

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.0%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 9.2%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$224m (1 + 2.0%)  (9.2% 2.0%) = AU$3.2b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$3.2b ( 1 + 9.2%)10= AU$1.3b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is AU$2.4b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of AU$5.3, the company appears about fair value at a 16% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

The Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Nufarm as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.217. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Nufarm

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded its 5-year average.

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Chemicals industry.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Chemicals market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Paying a dividend but company has no free cash flows.

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Nufarm, we've compiled three additional aspects you should consider:

Financial Health: Does NUF have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does NUF's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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By Ange Aboa

ABOISSO, Ivory Coast (Reuters) - Ivory Coast has stopped selling contracts for cocoa exports for the 2023-2024 season after heavy rains battered and flooded farms in the world's top cocoa-producing nation in recent weeks, the head of the country's cocoa sector regulator told Reuters.

With cocoa prices currently at record levels due to concerns over supplies, the suspension of sales will come as a blow to the country which the United Nations says is reliant on cocoa for 40% of its export earnings.

Yves Brahima Kone, director general of the Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC) said sales before the suspension had exceeded one million tonnes. The total output projected for the current season was 2.2 million tonnes.

The suspension will also be a blow to buyers such as major commodities trading houses such as Cargill and Olam and chocolate makers like Barry Callebaut, Hershey and Nestle.

The main cocoa harvest is set to start flowing into ports for export from October, said Yves Brahima Kone, director general of the Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC), adding that output is expected to significantly decline.

"We expect much less cocoa in the first part of the main harvest compared to this season. We hope that the production from January to March will help balance our volumes, otherwise, it will be a problem," Kone said.

"We stopped the sales a few days ago because we are not certain of having enough volume to cover the sales," he said.

Concerns over supplies have pushed cocoa futures prices to a 46-year high in recent weeks and up more than 27%since January.

Ivory Coast is in the middle of its April to November rainy season. Cocoa farming requires abundant rains interspersed with long sunny spells.

But Ivory Coast and other major cocoa producers Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon that account for around 70% of global production, have witnessed heavy tropical downpours in recent weeks.

Several cocoa plantations in Ivory Coast's cocoa growing regions in the southwest and southeast were flooded by torrential rains between May 15 and July 10.

On May 15, tropical rains fell continuously for eight hours with unprecedented intensity in the Aboisso region in southeastern Ivory Coast, farmers and residents told Reuters.

The intense rains lashed cocoa plants causing tiny flowers and cherelles, which were expected to develop and become the first pods of the 2023-2024 main harvest which starts in October, to fall from trees.

Farmers, cocoa pod counters, and cocoa exporters based in Ivory Coast, also told Reuters that they expected a significant decline in output during the first part of the main harvest.

BLACK POD SPREAD

"We experienced three days of flooding around May 15, and the situation is not improving because the rains do not stop," said Jean Paul Kadjo, who farms in Akressi, a village near Aboisso. "Plantations are currently saturated with water."

A cocoa pod-counter said similar conditions have been observed in Ivory Coast's cocoa-belt in San Pedro, Soubre, Grabo, and Tai.

"It is worrisome and poses a real risk to cocoa production," said the pod-counter who has just completed a tour of farms.

Brown rot or black pod disease, a fungal disease that attacks pods and trees, has started spreading in farms in Aboisso as a result of the prolonged wet conditions, farmers said.

Kouman Kouadio, 43, who own four hectares of cocoa plantations in the Aboisso region, said many farmers are worried about the threat to their livelihood.

"Almost all the flowers fell after the rains, and rot is spoiling everything else. For now, we don't see any upcoming harvest because there is nothing on the trees," Kouadio said.

Although most of the water has receded, the soil is struggling to absorb the rain that fell in recent weeks, farmers said.

"Brown rot is progressing everywhere due to the rains," CCC's Kone said. "We are assembling a team to assess the situation more objectively. It worries us, and we must take action to mitigate it."

(Reporting by Ange Aboa;Editing by Bate Felix and Elaine Hardcastle)
Famous Dave's in Grand Chute is closed. Here's what we know | The Buzz

Famous Daves located at 1170 N. Westhill Boulevard, pictured on July 11, in Appleton, Wis.

GRAND CHUTE  Famous Dave's is permanently closed.

The Grand Chute barbecue chain restaurant, 1170 N. Westhill Boulevard, closed June 26, according to signs posted on the building.

"With heavy hearts we need to let our valued customers know we will be closing June 26," the signs read. "Thank you for your patronage."

Additionally, the Famous Dave's website listed the location as "permanently closed."

The Famous Dave's location is owned by the franchise company, Team R n' B Wisconsin, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment by the Post-Crescent.

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More: Dalla Terra Pasta, a farmers market favorite, just opened a retail store in Appleton: The Buzz

The building was listed for sale on Tuesday and Elizabeth Ringgold of NAI Pfefferle, a commercial real estate company, said there has already been a lot of interest in the site.

The reason for the closure is currently unknown. The managing partner of the business, Thomas Purdy, died on July 27, 2022.

Seven Famous Dave's locations remain open in the state, including in Wisconsin Dells, Madison, Lake Delton, La Crosse, Janesville, Greenfield and Eau Claire.

More information about Famous Dave's can be found online at famousdaves.com.

Alexandria Bursiek Kloehn is a business reporter for the Appleton Post-Crescent. You can reach her at abursiekkloehn@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Grand Chute Famous Dave's restaurant closes permanently
jetcityimage / Getty Images

Every five years, policymakers pass a new Farm Bill to address agricultural and food issues. The Farm Bill also covers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), including how the program works and who qualifies. Lawmakers on both sides are looking to expand or limit access to SNAP, and some members of Congress are already discussing items they want to address in this years negotiations, per NPR.

Food Stamps: Do People on SNAP Need To Work Full Time?

Find: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases

Theres a lot of opportunity to remove barriers and to do some more good in the farm bill, Josh Protas, vice president of public policy for the organization MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, explained to NPR. I think the pressure is going to be about what these expansions or improvements would cost.

According to NPR, a Republican staffer said the House Agriculture Committee chair, GT Thompson, is looking to repeal a ban on those with prior felony drug convictions from being able to access SNAP  as well as employment and training opportunities available through the program.

Reform concerning how personal vehicles are considered for SNAP eligibility purposes is also on the table. Some states, like Texas, have already taken steps to update the SNAP Vehicle Asset Test, as previously reported by GOBankingRates.

Food Stamps: What Is the Maximum SNAP EBT Benefit for 2023?

Other members of Congress are discussing whether SNAP benefits should only be applicable toward the purchase of healthy foods. House Agriculture member Austin Scott (R-Ga.) stated in a hearing that benefits can purchase snack foods but not a rotisserie chicken, per NPR.

Another problem lawmakers want to approach is the rate at which SNAP participants were over and underpaid. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a statement saying states had an overpayment error rate of 9.8%, a 3% increase from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2022, GOBankingRates reported.

At the June 6 Midwest Agricultural Summit, former Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson said Farm Bill discussions are in good shape. The current Farm Bill expires on Sept. 30, but if the House and Senate cannot reach an agreement, they could vote to extend the existing bill, according to Agweek.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Food Stamps: How Farm Bill Could Expand (or Even Limit) SNAP Access
Franck Louis-Victor, the Ford Motor Co. executive charged with two felonies after a domestic incident at his home last Saturday, walked into the Bloomfield Township Police Department the next day and told police he struck his wife, according to a police report obtained by the Detroit Free Press under the state Freedom of Information Act.

The 20-page report describes a volatile exchange between a husband and wife that involved accusations of Louis-Victor's infidelity, talk of divorce and injury that resulted in a hospital visit.

On Tuesday, lawyer Paul Stablein, of Bloomfield Hills, provided a statement to the Free Press on behalf of Soo Louis-Victor saying that she loved her husband, praising him as a loving partner and father, and regretting the incident became public.

"I am an advocate for women who have suffered from domestic violence having lived around the world, and I in no way want to take anything away from true victims. I will continue to advocate for those who are," the statement said.

On Wednesday, Stablein told the Free Press that he stands by his client's statement.

What happened, according to police

Meanwhile, police reports detail the events that allegedly took place in the couple's Bloomfield Hills home Saturday as well as those that occurred in the days that followed. In those reports, Soo Louis-Victor is referred to as Soo Kyung Marie Kim.

Here are allegations from police documents:

A police officer was dispatched to a hospital to interview Kim at 11:40 p.m. Saturday. She had been "admitted with injuries from a domestic assault that occurred at her residence." The report does not detail her injuries.

Kim said she had been married to her husband for four years. He took the job at Ford two years ago (after working at Renault). She explained that she had been traveling and arrived home three days prior to the incident. Her husband was out of town on business, and Kim said all her clothing and belongings had been removed from the master bedroom and placed in the spare bedroom. She moved everything back to the master bedroom prior to his return.

Kim learned of Louis-Victor's "infidelity" in April, and in May she learned he was visiting his ex-wife while away on business trips. Kim and Louis-Victor "discussed divorce."

He returned home about 8:10 p.m. Saturday, noticed she had moved her things back into the master bedroom and told her she could not. She told him it is her house, too, and told him to stay in the spare room. He called her a disparaging name and removed two Hermes purses, given as wedding gifts, and valued at $10,000 each.

He took out a butane torch and arranged the purses on a workbench in the basement threatening to burn them. When she attempted to grab the purses, he waved the lit butane torch approximately 2 feet from her face.

The couple returned to the master bedroom and Louis-Victor started removing his belongings to the spare room. Kim told him a blanket he picked up belonged to her, so he placed it across her shoulders with both hands and shoved her back with it. He then slapped her with his open right hand along her left jawline and yelled, "You deserve it." She pushed him away and he yelled, then headbutted her forehead.

He started throwing her belongings off of the nightstand onto the floor. When she bent over to pick them up, he struck her with his computer tablet.

He attempted to wipe the blood away with a tissue and claimed he struck her accidentally. He then went to take a shower. Kim texted her friend, who came over and drove Kim to the friend's residence and then to a hospital.

The officer asked Kim to "complete a written statement and provided written narrative forms but she did not wish to provide one." The report says a police officer photographed Kim's injuries, but does not describe them.

Franck Louis-Victor joined Ford Motor Co. as vice president of new business, the company announced on Monday, June 21, 2021. He was charged with two felony offenses stemming from a domestic incident on July 8, 2023.

Meanwhile, officers went to the home on Vorn Lane to look for Louis-Victor. They found a black 2022 Lincoln Navigator and a white 2022 Mustang Mach-E in the driveway, and a black Ford Mustang and a yellow Chevrolet Corvette in the garage. No one answered the door despite repeated attempts by police. An officer remained stationed near the residence hoping for a sign of Louis-Victor, the police report said.

'Eager to give his side of the story'

At 10 a.m. Sunday, Louis-Victor "voluntarily came to the station to speak about the reported domestic violence," the report says. "Louis-Victor was eager to give his side of the story and willing to speak with me," an officer wrote in the police report.

The exchange was recorded by body camera and interview room cameras, according to police.

"Louis-Victor provided background information about his marriage to his wife, Soo Kim," the report said. "Louis-Victor said the two of them are separated and preparing to divorce. Both Kim and Louis-Victor still live together for the time being."

He said "he knocked (over) a picture frame" that "he knew would upset Kim, which is why he did it." He "grabbed his pillow and a Google tablet to take with him to the guest room. In another attempt to anger Kim, Louis-Victor kicked the frame ..." She tried to stop him. He denied hitting Kim with the tablet, the report said.

He said he "helped clean Kim's wound after he noticed she was bleeding," the police report said.

'He demonstrated the slap'

The report continues with these allegations:

He admitted to slapping Kim with his right hand at the beginning of their argument.

He demonstrated the slap, which he said was light. When police asked which hand he used, Louis-Victor said he used his right hand because he's right-handed.

He did grab one of his wife's luxury handbags, took it to the basement and threatened to burn it. He said he held the blowtorch in his right hand and the bag in his left hand. His wife tried to stop him from burning the handbag by grabbing onto his arm. "His forearms showed small scratches on them." Police took pictures.

After the argument, Louis-Victor said he and his wife separated. He went to the guest bedroom and stayed there the night. He knew his wife left but didn't know with whom.

He voluntarily submitted and signed a written report.

Following the interview, police arrested Louis-Victor. He stayed in Cell No. 2 while awaiting his court appearance the next day.

Police photographed his front profile, a red mark on his right hand, a scratch on his inner right arm, a scratch on his inner left wrist and a scratch on his left side.

Just before 11 p.m. Sunday, police learned Kim was back at her home and met her there. She walked them through the house and reiterated her version of events.

Kim asked police not to take the Hermes bags as evidence "due to their sentimental value," so they were photographed only. Both are Birkin models and are valued at approximately $10,000 each. One was cream, the other black. Both had gold accents.

'She was bleeding'

On Monday, police called and interviewed Kim again. She told police then that "she was scared of Louis-Victor at the time, and she has never seen him that angry before. Louis-Victor has been physical with her in the past but has not hurt her."

In his account, Louis-Victor told police Kim initiated the violence. "She started to be physically violent with me, scratched my arms, crunched my testicles and so forth. ... She grabbed my arm that was holding the Google tablet, she tried to stop me. ... I was pulling my arm and she got hurt. ... She was cut on the left cheek and she was bleeding. I put all my stuff on the ground, held her and we walked to the bathroom, we stopped arguing. I took some toilet paper, watered it and I cleaned her."

He gathered his things, went to the bedroom and closed the door. He said he did not hear or see his wife or her child again. When he woke up, he saw a message from police and decided to go down to the police station.

A Ford vice president awaits probable cause hearing

Louis-Victor, 50, CEO of Ford Next LLC and vice president of new business platforms at Ford, has been charged with two felonies: assault with a dangerous weapon and arson, based on preparation to burn property worth between $1,000 and $20,000, according to court records.

He is next due in court Tuesday for a probable cause hearing.

Ford has declined this week to comment on the situation or Louis-Victor's status, calling it a personal matter. Shortly after this story posted online Thursday, Ford spokesman T.R. Reid reached out to the Free Press to say Louis-Victor has been put on leave.

The Free Press has been unable to reach Louis-Victor. No attorney was listed for him in court records.

More: Ford Bronco launch should include campaign for domestic crime victims, UAW leaders say

More: Sister of Nicole Brown Simpson on release date of Ford Bronco: 'Are you kidding me?'

More: Ford moves Bronco reveal to July 13 over O.J. Simpson birthday controversy

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-618-1034 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ford exec in domestic assault case told cops what he did, report says
Discount retailer Forman Mills is suing the Moroun family's Crown Enterprises saying Crown is trying to push it out of the struggling and half-demolished Bel-Air (shopping) Centre on Eight Mile in Detroit.

Forman Mills, which has eight Michigan stores and was recently purchased by department store chain Shoppers World, claims in a lawsuit this week in Wayne County Circuit Court that Warren-based Crown refused to accept its May and June rent payments for its Bel-Air store.

The Forman Mills store at Bel-Air Centre on Eight Mile on Detroit's east side.

Crown then declared that the lease was terminated, the lawsuit says, even though the lease ran until February 2026.

Forman Mills claims that Crown Enterprises wants to terminate its lease before the expiration because Crown plans to redevelop the shopping center property. Crown Enterprises bought Bel-Air Centre, 8400 E. Eight Mile, in 2019.

Crown Enterprises is the real estate arm of the Moroun family, which owns the Ambassador Bridge to Canada and is one of the largest private landowners in the city of Detroit.

Since Crown bought Bel-Air Centre, two strips of the shopping center have been demolished and only one strip remains  along with the Bel-Air Luxury Cinema that remains open in a stand-alone building.

More: Target to open distribution center at old State Fairgrounds in Detroit

More: New 9-story apartment building proposed for downtown Detroit with historic facades

Forman Mills is one of four remaining tenants in the remaining strip, along with Romeo & Juliet Furniture, a Motor City Marketplace discount store and a marijuana grow operation.

Forman Mills says in the lawsuit that it sent Crown a check for its $34,337 May rent, but "Crown had an issue with depositing the check" and the check didn't clear.

Crown sent Forman Mills a May 22 letter saying it had 30 days to pay the rent, according to the lawsuit. Then on June 12, Forman Mills says it received another letter from Crown saying it also owed June rent and had five days to pay up.

Forman Mills says that the next day it wired $68,194 to Crown for the May and June rent. Yet even though the wire was sent within the 30-day window, Crown "sent the wire transfer back to Forman Mills, purporting to state that the lease was terminated.

Forman Mills' lawsuit claims breach of contract and asks the court to declare the lease as not terminated.

Crown Enterprises did not return messages Thursday seeking comment. Forman Mills' lawyer, Jonathan Ajlouny of Honigman, declined comment.

Not many stores are left at Bel-Air Centre shopping center on Eight Mile on Detroit's east side.

New York-based Shoppers World announced last month that it had acquired the New Jersey-based Forman Mills chain for an undisclosed price and planned to continue operating all 43 Forman Mills stores in nine states. Shoppers World has 40 locations across the U.S.

Prior to the sale, Forman Mills had been contemplating filing for bankruptcy, according to news reports.

The roughly 40-acre Bel-Air Centre was built between 1985 and 1988 and once had popular stores such as Target, Farmer Jack, Builders Square, Footlocker, Toys R' Us, Kids R' Us and a Secretary of State branch office.

With so much of the old shopping center demolished, the site is now mostly a giant parking lot.

Forman Mills is located in the former Toys R' Us storefront. Next door is the old Kids R' Us, which is now occupied by Romeo & Juliet Furniture's clearance center.

Romeo Bazinet, owner of the furniture retailer, said he relocated his store from across the shopping center about eight months ago after Crown demolished that roughly 100,000-square-foot building, which at one time housed Builders Square.

Owner Romeo Bazinet of Romeo & Juliet Furniture. The furniture retailer has a clearance center in Bel-Air Centre.

He said his lease agreement requires that his furniture store leave as soon as the Forman Mills store leaves  whether in February 2026 or earlier.

Bazinet said he was told that Crown is looking to redevelop the shopping center property as a massive Amazon-like industrial warehouse that would service the auto industry.

"This is the way the world is going," Bazinet said. "Its not going to be small mom-and-pop shops.

Contact JC Reindl: 313-222-6631 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @jcreindl.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Forman Mills sues Moroun family company over lease termination
The Larimer County and Weld County health departments have a three-tiered health inspection rating, with rankings of pass, reinspection required or closed. Establishments with violations of 0-49 points pass; those with 50-109 points require reinspection; and any with more than 110 points face closure.

This report is for July 5-11. There were no inspections conducted by Weld County during this time. Full reports and total points for the Larimer County restaurants included in this story can be viewed at https://inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/larimer-county-health.

LARIMER COUNTY

PASS

Rams Against Hunger at CSU, 1251 S. Mason St., Fort Collins

Auntie Stone's, 1513 E. Mulberry St., Fort Collins

Bigs Meat Wagon II-Mobile, 224 S. College Ave., Fort Collins

Kona Ice V-Mobile, 3512 S. Mason St., Fort Collins

Bigs Meat Wagon-Mobile, 224 S. College Ave., Fort Collins

Crisp & Green, 221 E. Mountain Ave., Fort Collins

Penrose Taphouse & Eatery, 216 N. College Ave., Fort Collins

El Zirahuen, 1635 S. College Ave., Fort Collins

Big Fork, 2115 W. 29th St., Loveland

Wendys, 1405 Rocky Mountain Ave., Loveland

Boyd Lake Concessions, 3720 N. County Road 11C, Loveland

Dairy Queen, 300 E. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland

Boyd Lake Marina, 4430 County Road 11 C, Loveland

White Paper BBQ, 1480 Cascade Ave., Loveland

Carniceria Las Delicias, 1421 Cleveland Ave., Loveland

Wingate by Wyndham, 5360 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Johnstown

Scratch Deli and Bakery, 911 Moraine Ave., Estes Park

Cascades at the Stanley Hotel, 333 E. Wonderview Ave., Estes Park

The Tavern at Red Feather Lakes, 1078 Ramona Drive, Red Feather Lakes

Hill Top General Store, 99 Hiawatha Highway, Red Feather Lakes

Glen Haven General Store, 7499 N. County Road 43, Glen Haven

REINSPECTION REQUIRED

Bamboo Express, 1611 W Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Larimer County, Fort Collins restaurant inspections for July 5-11
(Bloomberg) -- The US Federal Trade Commission lost its request for a California judge to temporarily block Microsoft Corp. from closing its $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard Inc. while the agency appeals her ruling greenlighting the deal.

Most Read from Bloomberg

US District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley issued a two-sentence order late Thursday rejecting the FTCs latest effort to block the mega gaming deal.

The FTC is appealing Corleys July 10 decision to the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals. The agency also said Thursday it will seek emergency action by the 9th Circuit to stop the deal from closing. Barring court action, Microsoft and Activision can complete the deal as of 11:59 p.m. in San Francisco on July 14.

Microsoft and Activision had asked Corley to deny the FTCs request for an injunction, arguing that shed previously ruled it would be inequitable to block the deal in a way that would result in the potential scuttling of the merger.

Corley found that the blockbuster game deal wont thwart competition in the markets for console, subscription and cloud gaming and harm consumers. She denied the agencys request for a preliminary injunction that would have stopped the deal from closing.

Despite the huge blow, the FTC isnt backing down in the antitrust fight that represents a major test of its ability to block big tech deals in court after the agency lost a challenge to an acquisition by Meta Platforms Inc. earlier this year.

FTC Chair Lina Khan defended the agencys decision to appeal the ruling earlier Thursday during a House Judiciary Committee hearing. Republicans criticized the FTCs record of merger losses, asking if she was losing on purpose to influence Congress to pass antitrust legislation.

We fight hard when we believe there is a law violation, she said. When we get an adverse ruling, our teams look closely at the text of opinion and see if there are errors on matters of law that warrant an appeal.

Earlier: FTCs Khan Branded Bully in GOP Attack Over Deals, Ethics

The appeal creates another legal hurdle for Microsoft is it pushes to close a deal that would help expand its presence in mobile gaming and vault itself to the No. 3 position in the global gaming market after Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Sony Corp.

The FTC is angling to move ahead with an administrative antitrust challenge to the deal that was scheduled to begin early next month. Microsoft also remains stuck in a battle with the UKs Competition and Markets Authority that vetoed the deal in May.

Read more: Microsoft Cleared to Buy Activision in US as UK Pauses Fight

After Corleys decision came down, the CMA said its willing to reassess proposals from Microsoft and agreed to pause the companies appeal before the Competition Appeal Tribunal. That hold gives the firms a chance to suggest potential fixes aimed at easing UK concerns that the takeover would stymie competition. But a restructuring of the deal could also trigger a new investigation by Britains antitrust watchdog.

--With assistance from Zoe Tillman and Greg Stohr.

(A previous version of the story was corrected to remove a reference to the FTC seeking a delay in an initial filing.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's company is under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission over its wildly popular ChatGPT. (Jon Gambrell / Associated Press)

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is demanding documents from OpenAI as part of a probe into whether the company's conversational AI tool ChatGPT harms consumers, according to a report first published by the Washington Post.

The investigation reportedly will examine whether ChatGPT violates consumer protection laws for inadequately safeguarding users' data.

As ChatGPT has exploded in popularity in the eight months since its release  and kicked off competition among Silicon Valley's tech companies to develop competing AI chatbots  concerns have been rising over the technology's potential to go awry. ChatGPT is trained on reams of text from the web, which helps it generate human-like responses to queries, but it already has a track record of issuing falsehoods.

The FTC probe into the Microsoft Corp.-backed startup marks the first official inquiry into a generative AI tool. FTC Chair Lina Khan, who testified before Congress on Thursday, has been a vocal critic of the popular AI chatbot, warning that regulators must be vigilant early in the field of artificial intelligence.

The FTC declined to comment on the nonpublic investigation. Microsoft also declined to comment.

In response to a request for comment, OpenAI referred to a tweet OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman sent Thursday afternoon. "It is very disappointing to see the FTC's request start with a leak and does not help build trust," Altman wrote. "That said, its super important to us that [our] technology is safe and pro-consumer, and we are confident we follow the law. Of course we will work with the FTC."

The probe comes after congressional hearings in May, during which Altman testified and called for more regulation and independent audits of artificial intelligence. Altman has floated the idea that the government form a separate agency to oversee AI regulation.

Read more: Column: Afraid of AI? The startups selling it want you to be

"I think if this technology goes wrong, it can go quite wrong ... we want to be vocal about that," Altman said. "We want to work with the government to prevent that from happening."

In March, the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Policy, a prominent tech ethics group, filed a complaint with the FTC. The group requested an investigation into the fast-developing technology and called for a pause in the training of AI models for six months to "ensure the establishment of necessary guardrails to protect consumers, businesses, and the commercial marketplace."

What we need them to do is enjoin OpenAI to prevent further releases of GPT until adequate safeguards are available," said Marc Rotenberg, the center's leader and a longtime privacy advocate.

Federal regulation of artificial intelligence has lagged behind the technology's development. Khan has said the FTC, which enforces both antitrust and consumer protection laws, is looking at myriad issues, including how these tools can harm consumers and whether the leading tech companies behind generative AI are using data to discriminate against rivals.

In a May op-ed for the New York Times, Khan wrote that there was little doubt that AI's potential will be "highly disruptive" but cited Facebook's and Google's growth in the mid-2000s as cautionary tales. She called those tech companies' free services innovative, though they "came at a steep cost" as companies tracked and sold users' personal data.

Read more: Regulators take aim at AI to protect consumers and workers

"What began as a revolutionary set of technologies ended up concentrating enormous private power over key services and locking in business models that come at extraordinary cost to our privacy and security," Khan wrote. She cited collusion, monopolization, mergers and price discrimination as areas where she already sees potential dangers in the application of generative AI. Fair competition is also a major concern, as a handful of businesses control the cloud services, data and computing power to develop AI tools.

In its demand for documents from OpenAI, the FTC asked the company to submit details on all of the complaints it had received of ChatGPT making false, misleading, disparaging or harmful statements about people, according to the Post. The FTC is looking into whether the company engaged in unfair or deceptive practices that caused reputational harm to consumers, according to the Post.

Silicon Valley's tech leaders have issued their own calls for AI regulation. Google, the developer of rival chatbot Bard, has advocated for a multi-layered, multi-stakeholder approach to AI governance rather than what it calls a "Department of AI," the company wrote in a comment to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Microsoft, in line with Altman, has called for a more centralized new government agency to oversee regulatory developments.

The Senate Judiciary Committee held its first hearing Wednesday on AI and copyright issues, with music and tech executives testifying on topics such as fair use and intellectual property protection.

Read more: Column: Artificial intelligence chatbots are spreading fast, but hype about them is spreading faster

In the congressional hearing Thursday, Khan faced a barrage of attacks from Republican lawmakers who labeled her a "bully" for her aggressive antitrust stance, questioned her ethics and declared her leadership "a disaster."

Bloomberg contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Google has been secretly stealing everything ever created on the internet to train its AI chatbot Bard

Google Artificial Intelligence (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Google has been accused of secretly stealing everything ever created and shared on the internet in order to train its AI chatbot Bard.

The class-action lawsuit filed in California alleges that Google and its AI division DeepMind used data from millions of Americans without their knowledge or consent to build its generative AI products.

Personal data of every kind, especially conversational data between humans, is critical to the AI training process, the lawsuit notes.

This is how products like Bard develop human-like communication capabilities. Creative and expressive works are just as valuable because that is how AI products learn to create art.

Google updated its online privacy policy earlier this month, stating that it can use publicly available data to train its artificial intelligence tools.

According to the latest lawsuit, this change was designed to double-down on its position that everything on the internet is fair game for the company to take for private gain and commercial use, including to build and enhance AI products like Bard.

Beyond freely available data, the lawsuit claims that Google illegally accessed at least 200 million materials explicitly protected by copyright, including the text from books and articles behind paywalls.

Among those copyrighted materials is allegedly a book written by one of the plaintiffs named in the legal action. Many of the other plaintiffs named are listed solely as users of Google products like Search and Gmail, as well as other online platforms like TikTok.

The lawsuit alleges that Google scraped the entire internet to take anything it could, whether contributed on Google platforms or not, and without regard for the privacy, property, and consumer protection interests of hundreds of millions of Americans who shared their insights, talents, artwork, data, personally identifiable information, and more, for specific purposes, not one of which was to train large language models to profit Google while putting the world at peril with untested and volatile AI products.

OpenAIs ChatGPT, which features similar capabilities to Googles Bard, also has a proposed class action lawsuit filed against it, which accuses the chatbot of drawing on massive amounts of personal data from the internet.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent, but a spokesperson told Reuters that the allegations were baseless.
Shares of Google parent Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) jumped more than 4% Thursday as the company announced it is expanding the availability of its generative AI-powered chatbot Bard to more countries and adding additional features to the software.

According to Google, Bard is now available in more than 40 languages including Arabic, Chinese, and Spanish, and it is being rolled out to regions including Brazil and Europe.

Googles Bard, like Microsofts (MSFT) Bing and OpenAIs ChatGPT, is a chatbot designed to provide users with conversational responses to queries ranging from how many feet are in a mile to summaries of classic novels.

Google says the bot will now allow users to adjust the tone of responses they receive, such as by making them sound more formal or less formal, and be able to play answers to requests out loud. Audio responses, the company says, are available in more than 40 languages.

Sissie Hsiao speaks about Bard at a Google I/O event in Mountain View, Calif., Wednesday, May 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Beyond those updates, Bard users will also be able to pin and rename conversations so that they can save and return to them over time, and more easily share responses with friends and family. The app will also now allow users to export types of code written in Python to Replit and Google Colab.

Perhaps most interesting is Googles decision to allow users to import images into Bard, so youll be able to ask the bot questions about or get a summary of what Bard sees.

Googles Bard is separate from the companys Search Generative Experience, which is an experimental version of Google Search that provides users with AI-generated responses to their search requests.

Bard and Bing are competing against more traditional means of searching for content online. And as generative AI technology becomes more responsive and accurate, theres little reason to doubt the apps will overtake standard search offerings.

Sign up for the Yahoo Finance newsletter.

But experts and AI researchers say the technology could lead to the spread of disinformation and misinformation. On Tuesday, Microsoft founder Bill Gates raised a number of concerns about AI in an op-ed, though, he added that fears of the technology are no different than those we've seen with other major technological breakthroughs, including the internet.

Google's announcement also comes a day after Bloomberg published an article calling out Google for using third-party moderators to vet Bard's responses. Those workers, which are employed by firms like Accenture, are reportedly paid $14 an hour to work under stressful conditions determining if the bot's answers are accurate on a broad range of topics.

How quickly the company can improve on its products and cut down on erroneous responses, however, will also determine how soon users will begin using them as replacements for their old search engines.

Daniel Howley is the tech editor at Yahoo Finance. He's been covering the tech industry since 2011. You can follow him on Twitter @DanielHowley.

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A Japanese tourist smokes cannabis at a Dutch passion shop in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Thailands de facto legalization of marijuana last year has brought a wave of tourists from the region intrigued by the lure of the forbidden leaf.(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

BANGKOK (AP)  A Japanese tourist reaches into a baggie of cannabis hes just bought in a central Bangkok weed shop, pulling out a gram of buds to chop down in a small black grinder, before rolling them neatly into a joint.

Only the slight spillage onto the smoking lounges table  and his cough as he lights up and inhales deeply  betray the fact that until two weeks ago, hed never tried marijuana.

Most Asian nations have strict drug laws with harsh penalties, and Thailands de facto legalization of marijuana last year has brought a wave of tourists from the region like the visitor from Japan, intrigued by the lure of the forbidden leaf.

I was curious about how I would feel after smoking, said the 42-year-old tourist who spoke on condition that his name not be used, for fear his experimentation in Bangkok could lead to legal issues at home.

I wonder why Japan bans it?" he pondered. "I wanted to try it.

Even as more countries around the world legalize marijuana, Thailand has been the outlier in Asia, where several countries still have the death penalty for some cannabis offenses. Singapore has already executed two people this year for trafficking marijuana and its Central Narcotics Bureau has announced plans to randomly test people returning from Thailand.

Japan does not have the death penalty for drug offenses, but has warned that its laws on cannabis use may apply to its nationals even when they are abroad.

China's embassy in Thailand has warned that if Chinese tourists consume marijuana abroad and are detected upon returning to China, it is considered equivalent to using drugs domestically. As a result, you will be subject to corresponding legal penalties. It issues similar warnings for travel to other countries where marijuana is readily available, such as the United States, Canada and the Netherlands.

On a recent flight from the Chinese city of Shanghai, passengers were cautioned not to accidentally try marijuana in Bangkok, with an announcement that in Thailand some food and drink can include cannabis, so please pay attention to the leaf logo on the package of food.

Neither Chinese nor Singaporean authorities would detail how frequently they test citizens returning from countries where marijuana has been decriminalized, responding to queries from the AP simply by reiterating their previously announced policies.

It's no wonder that weed dispensaries in Bangkok say that customers from Singapore and China are among the most cautious, asking questions about how long traces of the drug remain in the system and whether there are detox products.

But many remain undeterred, and Thailand's cannabis industry has grown at lightning speed, with weed dispensaries now almost as common as the ubiquitous convenience stores in some parts of the capital. Through February, nearly 6,000 licenses for cannabis-related businesses have been approved, including more than 1,600 in Bangkok alone, according to official figures.

There are no government figures on how many tourists come specifically to smoke marijuana, but Kueakarun Thongwilai, the manager of a weed shop in central Bangkok, estimates at least 70%-80% of his customers are foreigners, primarily from Asian countries like Japan, Malaysia, China and Philippines, and some from Europe.

Most cannabis shops, including his, now only hire employees who speak English, the lingua franca of the industry.

You dont need to speak perfect English, but you need to communicate with foreigners, Thongwilai said.

About half of his customers are first-time weed users and most of them are Asians, he said.

Some want to try edible cannabis products, but Thongwilai said he tries to steer them toward smoking.

Edibles take more time to take effect, and during that time people may eat more and more, leading to an excessive experience for beginners, he said.

Not all are new to the drug, said Thongwilai, remembering a Malaysian customer who snuck away from a meal with his wife and daughter at a nearby restaurant. The man said he smoked marijuana secretly at home, but had heard the Thai product was better quality and wanted to try it.

He bought the cheapest weed in our shop and tried it in a mall, and then he came back and bought more, Thongwilai recalled.

Not far from Thongwilai's shop at Dutch Passion, a newly opened retail branch of a Netherlands seed distributor that has been in business for more than three decades, about half the customers are also first-time users, said Theo Geene, a Dutch shareholder in the business.

Cannabis has been available in coffee shops in the Netherlands since the 1970s, and Geene said he has used his experience to train his staff how to serve those unfamiliar with the drug.

For beginners, its not good to use a bong, he said. Its too much for them. We dont want anyone to pass out here.

Most customers refused to talk about their experiences, with the Japanese tourist in Geene's shop the only one who agreed to  and only on the condition his name not be used.

Most of the shop's Asian customers are similarly discreet, choosing to smoke their purchases inside rather than on the streets like many Westerners do, which is common but a violation of Thai regulations, Geene said.

They are more cautious and afraid, he said. They dont want to be seen when they smoke weed.

Before he embarked on his trip to Thailand, the 42-year-old Japanese tourist said he researched extensively online and determined that while customs might randomly check bags and luggage for marijuana being smuggled into Japan, there was no testing going on in line with government policy.

Since his first puff two weeks ago, he said hes been smoking every day, visiting different shops, comparing prices and trying different strains.

Dispensary staffers taught him how to grind buds and roll a joint and hes been having fun perfecting the technique.

I practice it every day, he said, looking down at the joint he was rolling and repeating the word practice twice before bursting into laughter.

_____

AP journalist David Rising contributed to this story.
(Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong restaurants are looking for new seafood supplies as authorities plan to ban imports of aquatic products from 10 Japanese regions if the country releases treated water from the Fukushima nuclear disaster site.

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The owner of Michelin-starred Omakase Godenya, Shinya Goshima, said the affected ingredients account for about 10% of the restaurants imports. Hes seeking substitutes for Miyagi-imported Murasaki Uni in Aomori or Hokkaido.

The move comes as Japanese utility Tepco is preparing to release more than 1 million cubic meters of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean, as its storage tanks are expected to reach capacity as early as 2024. While the International Atomic Energy Agency has found the release meets global safety standards, it risks stoking already heightened political tensions in the region.

The Hong Kong government concluded its not possible to guarantee that the water purification system used by Tepco will operate successfully for the duration of the discharge, which could last up to 30 years, it said in a statement. The products in the proposed ban include all live, frozen, chilled, dried or otherwise preserved aquatic products, sea salt and seaweed.

If the Japanese authorities have sufficient confidence in the treatment of the wastewater, they should seek suitable domestic use instead of discharging it into the ocean, Hong Kong said. The government said earlier this month it planned to impose some curbs once the wastewater release begins.

Dennis Wu, executive director of Hong Kong Japanese Restaurant Association, said members are concerned and making plans for the potential ban, as most import seasonal seafood products from Japan. Many will look for new suppliers.

Theyre also worried about customers losing confidence. So far the customers are still willing to dine in. But they indicated that once the Japan government discharges the wastewater, they will stop having Japanese seafood for a certain period of time, Wu said.

Import Ban

China, the top buyer of Japanese seafood, has said the ocean is not Japans private sewer, and has extended a ban on food imports from Fukushima. While a South Korean government panel backed Japans plan, it already has a ban in place on seafood imports from the site and some surrounding districts.

The IAEA, which is holding discussions in an effort to reassure neighboring nations over Tepcos plan, said its two-year study had found no evidence that the wastewater release would cause damage to fish, Director General Rafael Grossi said in an interview in Tokyo last week.

Let people make the decisions that they wish, but they will not have the support of the IAEA to say that this fish may be contaminated, because it will not be, Grossi said. The release of treated wastewater is common practice across the nuclear industry, including by plants in mainland China and Japan, according to the agency.

--With assistance from Jinshan Hong and Shoko Oda.

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Fiscal hawks in the House of Representatives have a new BFF.

A group of lawmakers led by Democratic Rep. Scott Peters of California and Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga of Michigan have formed the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum  BFF, for short  which they say is dedicated to sounding the alarm about our nations unsustainable debt trajectory and working together to get control of our fiscal future.

The lawmakers say that the group began informally back in 2020 and will now try to elevate the issues of the debt and the broken budget process with fellow lawmakers and the public. They argue that addressing those issues requires bipartisanship. We owe it to our children to acknowledge our country's unsustainable fiscal trajectory and work together, across the aisle, to address it over time, Peters said in a statement. And Huizenga tweeted: It's time for Washington to wake up to the threat our national debt poses and the true cost of financing such a massive burden.

As part of that approach, the group sent a letter to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling for the creation of a fiscal commission. Our nation faces debt levels and interest costs that threaten our economy, and we must act as soon as possible, and we must do so collaboratively, the letter says. If designed and executed properly, a commission has the potential to make significant strides toward fiscal sustainability.

The steering committee for the group includes Republicans Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Ron Estes of Kansas, Bill Johnson of Ohio and Blake Moore of Utah as well as Democrats Ed Case of Hawaii, Jared Golden of Maine, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Jimmy Panetta of California. The group did not release a full list of members but said that more than 70 current members of Congress have participated in BFF activities.

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People looking for a place to eat made-to-order, diner-style food have a spot to do so in Salina now, as Deb's Place is open at the food court in Central Mall.

The journey to get this restaurant to Salina is an interesting one for Deb and Ralph Niedermeyer, who are originally from the Gulf Coast near Mobile, Alabama, and spent time in Montana before making their way to Kansas.

Though an accountant and business consultant by trade, Deb Niedermeyer discovered that going behind the scenes of her restaurant clients and helping them cook was an important part of understanding the business.

"I really learned the industries I was (helping) by getting in and actually doing the job," she said. "I needed to understand (my clients' businesses) to be able to do what I do."

Maw and Paw's Kitchen is the home of Deb's Place, a diner-style restaurant in the food court at Central Mall. Deb's relocated from Lincoln earlier this year to allow Deb and Ralph Niedermeyer to be closer to medical care in Salina.

This experience, and Ralph Niedermeyer's passion for making sliders, made them decide to create Deb's Place, originally just a sandwich shop, in the small city of Lincoln Center, Kansas.

"(Ralph) is a heart patient and a stroke survivor and this is the first time in eight years that we've been able to have something he can do," Deb Niedermeyer said.

A collaboration of husband and wife

While Deb's Place is the name of the full business, the real business is Maw and Paw Kitchen, with both Deb and Ralph Niedermeyer working together, but separately, to make customers' orders.

"When somebody orders hamburgers, sliders or the fries (or tots), that's his production," Deb Niedermeyer said. "I do all the salads, the grilled cheeses (and) what I call the simple stuff."

Deb said by doing these simpler foods, she is able to continue to do some accounting work with clients remotely.

After opening in Lincoln last September, the Niedermeyers realized that it would better, considering Ralph's medical history, to be closer to medical care, prompting them to move themselves and the business to Salina.

"We checked with the mall and decided this is where we were going to put it," Deb Niedermeyer said.

Though they moved, Deb Niedermeyer said, many of the customers they had in Lincoln followed, with familiar faces showing up on weekends.

"They come here on a Saturday from Ellsworth, Lincoln or Minneapolis," Deb said. "They came here (just) to eat, but now they're coming to shop here as well."

Fresh, quality food made to order

It's not just the people from Lincoln and the places surrounding it who are becoming familiar and repeat customers. Deb Niedermeyer said the restaurant has picked up quite a following with the people of Salina and elsewhere, particularly for takeout.

"We don't know where they live around here, but they'll come in, order and take it home with them," she said.

She believes that people do this because of how she and Ralph operate their business, with reasonable pricing and quality food.

Deb and Ralph Niedermeyer work together to make a customer's order at Maw and Paw's Kitchen, which is the home for Deb's Place, a diner-style restaurant in the food court at Central Mall.

"We buy high-quality meat and don't skimp out (on things)," Deb said. "If we won't eat it ourselves, we don't want to (serve it) to other people."

This quality was not lost on customer Erin Williams, who ate an early lunch at Deb's Place on Wednesday morning. Williams, who is from Texas, is visiting Salina with her fiance and came into the mall while he was at a job interview.

"I had their grilled cheese with tuna and the chili cheese tots," Williams said. "It was good. I'll probably take my fiance here later to try it."

More: Salina's Tamara Howe School of Dance will host The Joffrey Workshop this month

A real family business

In addition to Deb and Ralph Niedermeyer working every day Deb's Place is open, their family helps out too.

Daughter-in-law Niko Niedermeyer is the baker for the restaurant and also runs Baby-Doll's Bakery from the location. These desserts have a unique quality.

"The cupcakes, the cookies she makes, all of it sugar-free," Deb said. "The reason for that is that not only is (Ralph) a heart patient, he's a diabetic, and our youngest son is also a heart patient and a diabetic."

Deb said Niko jumped on the opportunity to create sugar-free baked goods for her family and has made a business out of it.

More: Vicky's Kitchen owner shares Thai food, culture with customers at Salina's Central Mall

Deb's Place open now at Central Mall

For more information about Deb's Place, follow the restaurant on Facebook or call 785-914-3473.

Serving a variety of sandwiches, sliders, burgers and sides, all made to order, Deb's Place is open from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It is closed each Sunday and Tuesday, unless there is a special event.

Deb's Place also offers catering that can be available any day of the week as long as customers reach out to the restaurant.

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Deb's Place at Salina's Central Mall food court offers diner-style food
French President Emmanuel Macron hugs Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before a working dinner, Thursday, July 13, 2023 at the Elysee Palace, in Paris. Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit and will attend Bastille Day parade with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

PARIS (AP)  France is staging a seduction campaign for visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, guest of honor at Friday's annual Bastille Day parade, with the French president calling India a key player in our future.

France is looking to further strengthen cooperation on an array of topics ranging from climate to military sales and the strategic Indo-Pacific region. But human rights, seen as an increasingly pressing subject for Modis India, was missing from the vast agenda.

President Emmanuel Macron praised India in a speech Thursday evening before French defense officials as a key partner.

"It is a giant in the history of the world that will have a determining role in our future," Macron said, ahead of a dinner with Modi at the Elysee Palace. India is also a strategic partner and friend.

Macron, with Modi at his side, will preside over Fridays grandiose annual military parade to mark Frances national day. Indian troops will march and three French-made Indian Rafale jets will do a fly-by.

As Modi arrived Thursday, India's Defense Acquisition Council approved the purchase of 26 Rafales for the Indian Navy, an accord in principle announced by the Indian Defense Ministry. The price is to be negotiated with the French, a statement said. The purchase of three Scorpene submarines, developed by France and Spain, was also approved.

Critics have voiced concern about France giving such a perch to Modi. India's 72-year-old prime minister is widely viewed as increasingly authoritarian and his Hindu nationalist party as divisive. In a report in April, the campaign group Amnesty International said freedom of expression had declined under Modi.

The European Parliament passed a resolution on Thursday for human rights to be integrated into all areas of the EU-India partnership, including in trade. The resolution called on member states to systematically and publicly raise human rights concerns at the highest level.

Modis two-day visit comes as Paris and New Delhi mark the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership. Crucially, it precedes Macrons trip this month to the Indo-Pacific region, home to 1.5 million French nationals. Talks with Modi are aimed at ensuring the vast region remains a space where security, notably of the seas, and other key concerns like climate are preserved. Macron called it an essential strategy for the balance of the planet.

Modi is being courted by other nations. His two-day visit to France comes on the heels of his June trip to the United States, where President Joe Biden offered Modi a lavish welcome. Modi was recently in Egypt and he is to head to the United Arab Emirates after leaving France.

Ten personalities, including noted economist Thomas Piketty and former French ambassador to Denmark France Zimeray, implored Macron in a commentary Thursday in the newspaper Le Monde to encourage Prime Minister Modi to end repression of the civil society, assure freedom of major media (outlets) and protect religious liberty.

Modi, who governs the world's largest population, rarely talks to the press at home or abroad. But responding to a human rights question at a rare news conference during his Washington trip, he said that democracy runs in our veins and insisted that there is absolutely no space for discrimination.

___

Youcef Bounab in Paris contributed to this report.
There are mixed messages in the monthly IEA oil report. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

The July oil report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) perfectly captures a market where there are strong arguments on both sides of the divide over whether oil prices are poised to rise significantly or stay mired where they have been after a slide in prices that stretches back almost a year.

Oil as measured by the global crude benchmark Brent price topped out at about $105 per barrel at the close of August. The trend has been downward since then, with some surges in price along the way, none of which had staying power.

The end result of those moves is that Brent recently dropped to a low of $73 a barrel but has since moved back above $80 a barrel.

The closely watched IEA report doesnt project prices. But the analysis released Thursday by the organization of Western economies sees a slowing of oil demand throughout the second half of the year, but also sees production and export cuts announced by major suppliers as biting into the supply/demand balance through the second half.

The report said global oil demand should increase 2.2 million barrels per day this year and average 102.1 million b/d for all of 2023. But the IEAs 2.2 million b/d demand estimate comes only after the agency reduced its forecast this month by 220,000 b/d from earlier projections. For a one-month move, that is relatively high.

World oil demand is coming under pressure from the challenging economic environment, not least because of the dramatic tightening of monetary policy in many advanced and developing countries in the past 12 months, the report said. The reduction in the agencys growth estimate is the first one it has implemented this year.

China will account for 70% of the growth in demand, the IEA said. But demand from the nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which are the worlds market-based economies, most of them based in the West, is languishing, the IEA said. That is because of a grinding slowdown in industrial activity.

If growth comes in at 2.2 million b/d, it might be the last time it tops that one-year growth number for a while. The IEA now sees 2024 growth at just 1.1 million b/d. One reason is what it expects to be a slowdown in the ongoing post-COVID recovery in China, which should lose momentum by next year. The second will be ever-greater vehicle fleet electrification and efficiency measures.

While the demand outlook may be down, at 2.2 million b/d, that remains a healthy number. And the IEA sees it coming up against production levels that it expects will be constrained in the second half of the year by the various steps that exporting nations have taken to reduce supply.

Those supply-tightening measures include a cut by the nations of OPEC+ of 1.66 million b/d, announced in early April, implemented in June and coming on top of reductions that already were in place going back to last year; an additional reduction by Saudi Arabia of 1 million b/d announced in early June to be implemented this month; and an announcement by Russia on the same day as the Saudi cuts of its own reduction of 500,000 b/d, though it said it was reducing exports. It did not refer to a production cut.

The actual reductions so far have fallen short of the targets. S&P Global Commodity Insights, in its monthly report on production levels for OPEC+, reported that June output from the group was 41.34 million b/d. That was down just 10,000 b/d from May. And while May was down from the almost 42 million b/d produced in April, that drop was only down about 660,000 b/d, much less than the 1 million b/d that OPEC+ planned on cutting.

Although oil prices did shoot up several dollars in the wake of the early April announcement of the reductions, the long slide resumed soon after that, bottoming out near $72 a barrel for Brent before climbing higher in recent days.

OPEC reductions are not enough to offset increases elsewhere. The IEA reported that global supply was up 480,000 b/d in June, with particular strength coming out of Canada and the U.S., as well as OPEC+ members Kazakhstan and Nigeria.

But the growth in supply may be about to change, the IEA said, citing the Saudi 1 million-b/d cut that was to go into effect this month. If the reductions go through, the report said, Saudi output will be down to its lowest level in two years, when it was coming off pandemic-related cutbacks. Excluding that period, the IEA said Saudi Arabia is headed toward a production level it has not seen since 2011.

With Iranian output also set to decline, we anticipate that the Saudi supply curbs could push global oil production more than 900k b/d below June for this month and next, the report said.

The imbalance in the market that is supporting market bulls can be found in the S&P Global numbers. Within its estimate of OPEC+ output, S&P this week said OPEC has been producing about 28.2 million b/d the past two months.

That figure draws particular attention when it is compared to what the IEA refers to as the OPEC call.

The IEA does not estimate future OPEC output, though it does project demand and non-OPEC production. It takes that estimate of demand, subtracts non-OPEC production from it and subtracts production of natural gas liquids from OPEC  which does not vary significantly over time  to calculate the call. That is the amount of oil OPEC needs to supply to have global supply and demand balance, without any inventory draw or build.

The call for full 2023 and 2024 is right about 29.2 million b/d. That puts it 1 million b/d more than the OPEC output number released this week by S&P Global.

There are two ways of looking at that gap. One is that a 1 million-b/d difference is a rounding error and can be made up by countries that have been increasing their output. The second is that the S&P estimate of OPEC production of 28.2 million b/d is coming before the brunt of the Saudi 1 million-b/d cut, and the gap between production and the call could widen.

One piece of positive news from the perspective of consumers is that the IEA also sees refinery throughput rising this year to average 82.5 million b/d and then increasing next year to 83.5 million b/d. The difference between the estimate of global oil production of more than 102 million b/d and refinery throughput is the fact that the global output numbers are for petroleum and biofuels, so natural gas liquids like propane and butane are in the number, and they are not refined. Neither are biofuels.

One of the reasons for the increased refinery runs  and that means more diesel  is that projects in other parts of the world that had been held back and delayed by the pandemic are starting to become reality. The IEA report cites new refineries in Oman and an expansion in Kuwait as examples.

More articles by John Kingston

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The post Key oil report sees global demand increases moderating in 2nd half appeared first on FreightWaves.
Charis Larson poses at Bumblz Boba Tea on July 11, 2023.

PETOSKEY  With the recent opening of Bumblz Boba Tea, the northwestern Michigan dessert dynasty has broken into the downtown market.

Started by the same owners of Snickerdoodlz Frozen Yogurt and Dairy Zone, Bumblz Boba Tea is the latest venture for business partners Charis Larson and Suzanne Sipe.

Bumblz opened in early June, and has since been met with positive feedback, Larson said.

She said they decided to open a boba shop because after finding so much success selling bubble tea at Snickerdoodlz, they were confident they would do well downtown.

"We weren't sure how bubble tea was going to take off, but people are excited that we had it, Larson said. "So we knew that since it was successful at Snickerdoodlz Frozen Yogurt, we knew that an independent bubble tea shop would probably do well, and the best location was going to be downtown.

The menu is not limited to bubble tea. The store also sells acai bowls, cookies and ice cream.

Larson said adding acai bowls was a natural choice, and shes happy that theyre able to have vegan and vegetarian options for locals and tourists alike. In order to find success in Petoskey, it takes the locals to uplift the business, she said, but the store needed to be where the people are during tourist seasons.

Charis Larson makes a milk tea on July 11, 2023.

Downtown, it's definitely locals for sure, but tourists as well, Larson said. "We needed to be available for where people were at. So that is why it was attractive for us to be downtown. Plus, downtown attracts people from all over the world, and bubble tea is everywhere, and so we knew that we needed to be where the people are. So for a small business, this was obviously the right place.

She said they liked the idea of getting more foot traffic as people walk by from other restaurants and stores in the downtown area, because their other locations usually just have people arriving in their cars. The partners were also attracted to the sense of community and camaraderie that comes with being in the downtown space.

As Larson and Sipe continue to grow their brand, with three storefronts and one bubble tea concession trailer, getting a space downtown took a good bit of time and patience.

Before finding a space, the two spent two years waiting for the right spot downtown to open, though the place where they ended up  208 Petoskey St.  came with its own set of issues.

We converted an office space into food and that definitely has its own challenges," Larson said. "And this is a 110-year-old building that also has its own quirks.

The sign outside Bumblz Boba Tea at 208 Petoskey St.

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But even with the struggles of converting the space and opening later than originally planned, Larson said the goal is to create a space where people can leave bad days at the door.

I always say, You can't have a bad day when you're eating fro-yo, or dessert, right? You can't have a bad day when you are eating ice cream, she said. Its the same thing with bubble tea."

She said they strive to make the environment one in which people know theyll have a positive experience when they walk in the door.

So far, that has translated down here when someone walks into the door, she said.

 Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: The latest buzz: Bumblz Boba Tea is open in downtown Petoskey
Imagine the impact of replacing petroleum-based ingredients with a sustainable, green alternative in the $19 billion U.S. cosmetic industry?

Imagine if the largest cosmetic conglomerates in the world turn to those green ingredients in what is expected to become a $59 billion global natural cosmetic industry?

Upwell Cosmetics co-founders Daniella Zakon and Alexandra Dowling Lari plan to find out.

Their Woods Hole-based company has exclusive rights from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to the technology to manufacture and sell the first algae-derived wax to the cosmetic industry. The wax  along with algae-derived butter, oil and hydro (an extract with moisturizing properties)  could help revolutionize an industry whose consumers and companies have been seeking such alternatives for years.

Alexandra Dowling Lari, left, and Danielle Zakon photographed in Woods Hole overlooking Oyster Pond Wednesday.

When Dani reached out to me, I immediately understood how impactful a development like this could be for the industry, Dowling Lari said in phone interview. "Johnson and Johnson, LOreal, Estee Lauder, Unilever and Beiersdorf have come together to create guidelines around sustainability and shrink their carbon footprint."

But the origin of Upwell Cosmetics was a long one, founded on research, entrepreneurship, experience in the cosmetic industry, a simple online search and a chance conversation in a Woods Hole coffee shop.

Lipsticks, shampoos, skin care, sunscreen, soaps and more

Petroleum-based ingredients can be found in everything from lipsticks, shampoos, skin care and anti-aging products to sunscreen, soaps and conditioners.

Petroleum products are made from crude oil and the hydrocarbons contained in natural gas, and also from coal, natural gas, and biomass, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. After crude oil, for example, is removed from the ground, it is sent to a refinery where different parts are separated into useable petroleum products. Refineries and blending facilities add other oils and liquids during processing to produce the finished products that are sold to consumers.

The ingredients in cosmetics include paraffin wax, petrolatum, polyethylene glycols (known as PEGs), and more. The ingredients are waxes, butters, oils and agents used as thickeners, softeners and moisturizers. They help smooth, stabilize and condition products for skin, lips and hair.

And many people want to be beautiful.

According to a survey of 2,300 people by the Environmental Working Group, respondents used an average of nine personal care products daily, with 25% of women claiming to use 15 or more products daily. And while most men may not use makeup, they do use shampoos, toothpaste, soaps and lotions.

A growing demand for cosmetics with environmentally-friendly ingredients

There's a growing demand for sustainable, environmentally-friendly ingredients in cosmetics, and cosmetic companies are responding. Maybelline offers vegan cosmetics. Half Magic offers vegan items and compostable compacts. LOreal for the Future lists the conglomerates steps toward sustainability by 2030. Managing natural resources, being environmentally responsible, and recapturing carbon dioxide are some of those steps.

But moving away from petroleum-based ingredients has been difficult.

Enter Christopher Reddy, a marine chemist, and Scott Lindell, a research specialist, with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. In 2005 they began to study algal liquids from the microalgae Iysochrysis, a well-known and long-studied algae used in fish food. Reddy has spent decades studying oil spills and petrochemicals. The scientists initially thought they could produce fuel from the wax they produced.

That hypothesis didnt work.

Reddy joined forces with Gregory O'Neil, a chemist at Western Washington University, trying to come up with uses for the ingredients. They landed on lipstick. The properties of the wax from Isochrysis is similar to the properties in petroleum-based ingredients used in lipstick. The scientists searched online for cosmetic chemist, and the first name that popped up was Gabriella Baki at the University of Toledo. The director of the Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design Program responded quickly to an email asking if she was interested in trying to formulate a lipstick from the wax, Reddy said.

Alexandra Dowling Lari, left, and Danielle Zakon photographed in Woods Hole overlooking Oyster Pond Wedneday.

Baki made lipstick and conducted a challenge of sorts, asking people to try a variety of lipsticks and choose their favorite. The lipstick made with algae won. The scientists published their research and got patents to protect their intellectual property. The work was published in December of 2019 in the International Journal of Cosmetics. Reddy gave a lecture on the research at Woods Hole.

It's pretty cool for a guy who studies oil spills to give a presentation and show lipstick, Reddy said in a phone conversation.

A happenstance connection at a coffee shop in Woods Hole

Zakon learned about the discovery by accident. She returned to Woods Hole in 2019 after building her own sustainable businesses overseas. She was looking for another sustainable business venture and a scientist overheard her conversation at a coffee shop in Woods Hole. He told her about Reddys work.

I realized the potential went beyond lipstick and could be used across the industry, Zakon said in a phone interview. It was exactly what I wanted to do.

Reddy was won over by Zakons marine science and business background, and her enthusiasm and energy. It's difficult not to embrace her passion, he said. She decided that she was going to make this happen.

Zakon found a partner in Dowling Lari, another Woods Hole native with experience in the cosmetics industry. Shed worked for several firms, the latest an ocean-based beauty brand.

Zakon and Lari both grew up in Woods Hole, and knew each other in school.

Cosmetic companies want the samples, according to Alexandra Dowling Lari

The two women have reached out to a long list of cosmetic companies and have spoken to six of the eight largest conglomerates that own 182 of the brands, according to Dowling Lari. Companies have lined up for samples, she said.

An independent formulator is finalizing the ingredient profiles for the wax, oil, butter and hydro. By the end of the summer, the women hope to produce enough ingredients for small independent companies. It will take time to ramp up production to supply larger conglomerates, Zakon said.

Is the production of microalgae ecologically friendly?

The production of microalgae in bioreactors promises to be ecologically friendly and sustainable.

Bioreactors, a closed system of clear tubes with water running through them, would take up less space, use less water, cause less deforestation and absorb more carbon dioxide than that required for growing plant-based derivatives used in cosmetics, according to Zakon. And the controlled production makes for consistent products, which is what petroleum-based products deliver.

The operation is highly sustainable and controlled, Zakon said.

Reddy has worked on a lot of projects trying to find sustainable replacements. Many of them fail. He thinks Zakon and Upwell Cosmetics is going to do great.

"Dani has a product that has been tested and evaluated by one of the top cosmetic chemists in the country," he said. "I think she has the timing, brain power, initiative and a product thats been shown to work."

Denise Coffey writes about business and tourism. Contact her at dcoffey@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @DeniseCoffeyCCT.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: With algae-based products, Upwell Cosmetics move toward sustainability
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Elmos Semiconductor fair value estimate is 96.27

With 79.60 share price, Elmos Semiconductor appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

Analyst price target for ELG is 85.25 which is 11% below our fair value estimate

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Elmos Semiconductor SE (ETR:ELG) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Elmos Semiconductor

Crunching The Numbers

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 66.3m 86.9m 102.0m 114.5m 124.4m 132.1m 137.8m 142.1m 145.3m 147.7m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 17.40% Est @ 12.25% Est @ 8.65% Est @ 6.13% Est @ 4.36% Est @ 3.12% Est @ 2.26% Est @ 1.65% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 8.0% 61.4 74.5 81.0 84.1 84.6 83.2 80.3 76.7 72.6 68.3

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 767m

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (0.2%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = 148m (1 + 0.2%)  (8.0% 0.2%) = 1.9b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 1.9b ( 1 + 8.0%)10= 881m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 1.6b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 79.6, the company appears about fair value at a 17% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Elmos Semiconductor as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.309. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Elmos Semiconductor

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Semiconductor market.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the German market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Paying a dividend but company has no free cash flows.

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the German market.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Elmos Semiconductor, we've put together three fundamental items you should look at:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Elmos Semiconductor (at least 1 which is a bit concerning) , and understanding these should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does ELG's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the XTRA every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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When you see that almost half of the companies in the Food industry in Malaysia have price-to-sales ratios (or "P/S") above 1x, Hwa Tai Industries Berhad (KLSE:HWATAI) looks to be giving off some buy signals with its 0.5x P/S ratio. Although, it's not wise to just take the P/S at face value as there may be an explanation why it's limited.

See our latest analysis for Hwa Tai Industries Berhad

What Does Hwa Tai Industries Berhad's P/S Mean For Shareholders?

Revenue has risen at a steady rate over the last year for Hwa Tai Industries Berhad, which is generally not a bad outcome. Perhaps the market believes the recent revenue performance might fall short of industry figures in the near future, leading to a reduced P/S. Those who are bullish on Hwa Tai Industries Berhad will be hoping that this isn't the case, so that they can pick up the stock at a lower valuation.

Although there are no analyst estimates available for Hwa Tai Industries Berhad, take a look at this free data-rich visualisation to see how the company stacks up on earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What Are Revenue Growth Metrics Telling Us About The Low P/S?

The only time you'd be truly comfortable seeing a P/S as low as Hwa Tai Industries Berhad's is when the company's growth is on track to lag the industry.

If we review the last year of revenue growth, the company posted a worthy increase of 6.6%. Revenue has also lifted 13% in aggregate from three years ago, partly thanks to the last 12 months of growth. Accordingly, shareholders would have probably been satisfied with the medium-term rates of revenue growth.

In contrast to the company, the rest of the industry is expected to decline by 2.7% over the next year, which puts the company's recent medium-term positive growth rates in a good light for now.

With this information, we find it very odd that Hwa Tai Industries Berhad is trading at a P/S lower than the industry. Apparently some shareholders believe the recent performance has exceeded its limits and have been accepting significantly lower selling prices.

The Key Takeaway

It's argued the price-to-sales ratio is an inferior measure of value within certain industries, but it can be a powerful business sentiment indicator.

Our examination of Hwa Tai Industries Berhad revealed that despite growing revenue over the medium-term in a shrinking industry, the P/S doesn't reflect this as it's lower than the industry average. We think potential risks might be placing significant pressure on the P/S ratio and share price. The most obvious risk is that its revenue trajectory may not keep outperforming under these tough industry conditions. It appears many are indeed anticipating revenue instability, because this relative performance should normally provide a boost to the share price.

Having said that, be aware Hwa Tai Industries Berhad is showing 2 warning signs in our investment analysis, you should know about.

Of course, profitable companies with a history of great earnings growth are generally safer bets. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have reasonable P/E ratios and have grown earnings strongly.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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The CFPB fined ACI millions of dollars for harming mortgage customers during a failed payments test.

For many Americans, a home mortgage is the biggest, most important debt they'll ever carry. So it's crucial for everything from your credit score to your basic liquidity that monthly mortgage payments be handled correctly. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) latest enforcement action highlights a nightmare scenario, where a major payment processor illegally made unscheduled mortgage payments from half a million customers, causing untold stress and financial pain.

ACI's mortgage payment fiasco



ACI is a payment processing company that offers services across industries including healthcare, student loans, telecommunications, and mortgage servicing. ACI claims to process more than 225 billion transactions every year across more than 6,000 companies. The payments firm reported net income of $142 million against revenue of $1.422 billion last year.

Mortgage servicer Mr. Cooper handles mortgage payments for more than four million customers. The company offered ACI's Speedway payment product to its mortgage loan customers until at least 2021. The product created an instant bridge for the transferring of funds between clients' bank accounts and Mr. Cooper.

ACI tested its electronic payments platform on Friday, April 23, 2021. During the test, ACI's employees somehow used extensive real data obtained from Mr. Cooper, rather than dummy data. The Speedway software inadvertently sent customer data containing real names, bank account numbers and more through the ACH payment network.

The result? ACI illegally submitted $2.3 billion in electronic mortgage payments from nearly 500,000 homeowners accounts.

Affected customers noticed bank errors and financial consequences as early as Saturday, April 24. More than 60,000 customers at one bank had more than $330 million illegally leave their accounts. Over 7,300 customers saw their balances drop by more than $10,000 unexpectedly.

The CFPB's findings

Fast forward to June 27, 2023, when the CFPB reported that ACIs actions violated several consumer financial protection laws. The federal agency catalogued distinct violations of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and its implementing rule, Regulation E, as well as the Consumer Financial Protection Act.

Illegal account withdrawals

CFPB held that "ACI initiated approximately 1.4 million ACH withdrawals on behalf of Mr. Cooper from homeowners accounts on April 23, 2021, without a valid written authorization. This included initiating electronic fund transfers on days when they were not scheduled and initiating multiple transfers from the same accounts on the same day."

Improper handling of consumer data:

CFPB also found that ACI's illegal transactions and the resulting harms stemmed from the companys improper use of consumer data during its payment test. The agency contends that ACI dropped the ball on creating reasonable data security practices, which could have stopped real customer data from slipping into a live payment system test.

The CFPB's enforcement action

The CFPB invoked the Consumer Financial Protection Act and Electronic Fund Transfer Act to enact the following punishments:

ACI ordered to pay $25 million in civil penalties: The fine will be paid to the CFPB for inclusion in the CFPB victims relief fund, which compensates victims of shady company practices broadly.

ACI ordered to stop illegal payment practices: ACI is ordered to adopt stronger info security rules. CFPB further prohibits the company from processing payments without customer authorization, and from using real customer data in software development and testing without consumer consent.



The bottom line

It's a fact of life that major institutions charged with protecting your money and personal information will inevitably experience fraud, breaches, and even honest yet damaging mistakes. There are a few things customers can do to protect themselves.

Sign up for free credit monitoring from services like Capital Ones CreditWise or Chases Credit Journey credit score and monitoring services. Set alerts that inform you whenever your bank account or credit card registers large transactions above a certain threshold.

Get to know your money personality by writing down income, expenses, and regular financial behaviors. Check on your major accounts a few times a month at least, so you can catch erroneous charges and payments and maintain financial peace of mind. And if you see bad or careless corporate behavior, file a complaint with the CFPB.
Victor Segura Garcia / iStock.com

James Taylors song lyrics go: Oh, Mexico. Ive never really been, but Id sure like to go. Wouldnt we all? Mexico remains one of the hottest destinations in the world. From its beautiful landscapes, rich history and culture, and fantastic food scene, there are many reasons to visit Mexico.

Could you ever imagine yourself living in Mexico? Lots of expats take the leap and leave their homes abroad to settle into cities, villages and towns all over Mexico. When you go as a visitor, theres plenty of ways to save money on your trip for a short period of time. However, its a different story when you uproot your entire life and need ways to save.

See: 6 Vacation Splurges Youll Almost Always Regret

Find Out: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases

GOBankingRates spoke with Anna Koval, the co-founder and CMO at Tarotoo, who moved to Mexico City in 2018 to experience a different culture and lifestyle, as well as to save money and enjoy a better quality of life. Here are some of her best money saving tips for living comfortably abroad in Mexico.

Rent an Apartment or a Room in a Local Neighborhood

Koval said she rents a one-bedroom apartment in Roma Norte, a trendy and artistic neighborhood in the center of the city, for about $650 per month, which is much lower than what I used to spend in the U.S.

She recommends living somewhere thats really a part of the community as opposed to a touristy or expat area. You can find cheaper and more authentic options on websites like Airbnb, Facebook Marketplace or local classifieds, Koval said. You can also negotiate the rent and utilities with the landlord or the host, especially if you plan to stay for a longer period.

Learn: 4 Ways To Use ChatGPT To Find the Cheapest Airline Tickets

Use Public Transportation or Ridesharing Apps

Skip taxis or rental cars. Mexico City has [an] extensive and affordable public transportation system, including metro, bus, tram and bike, Koval shared. You can also use apps like Uber, Didi or Beat, which are cheaper and safer than taxis. Avoid renting a car, as it can be expensive and stressful to drive and park in the city.

Eat at Local Markets or Street Stalls

If you are going to live in Mexico, you should get used to eating real, authentic Mexican cuisine, which can be found literally outside your door.

You can find delicious and cheap food at local markets or street stalls, where you can try a variety of dishes and snacks, such as tacos, tortas, quesadillas, tamales, elotes, etc., said Koval. You can also buy fresh fruits, vegetables and other groceries at these places. Avoid eating at restaurants or fast food chains, as they can be overpriced and unhealthy.

Shop at Local Stores or Flea Markets

Malls? Supermarkets? Forget the big stores and go little, as well as local.

You can find unique and affordable items at local stores or flea markets, where you can bargain and haggle with the sellers, explained Koval. You can also find souvenirs, handicrafts, clothing, accessories and other things at these places. Avoid shopping at malls or supermarkets, as they can be expensive and generic.

Learn Some Spanish

Then use it  with your neighbors, your friends and everyone in the community. It will not only enhance your experience, but save you money in the long run.

You can find free or cheap online courses or apps to learn Spanish, such as Duolingo, Memrise or Busuu, suggested Koval. You can also practice your Spanish with the locals, who are usually friendly and helpful.

Safety can also play a factor. By speaking Spanish, you can avoid being scammed or overcharged by vendors or service providers who may take advantage of your lack of language skills, Koval said. You can also make friends and connections with the locals, who may offer you discounts or tips on how to save money in Mexico.

Travel Within Mexico or to Nearby Countries

Though you might not be living at home, that doesnt mean you wont need a vacation or want to travel. Instead of going back to your country of origin, see whats around Mexico and nearby.

Koval explained that there are amazing and affordable places to visit within Mexico or [in] nearby countries, such as Guatemala, Belize or Colombia. You can use Skyscanner or Kiwi to find cheap flights, or use buses or trains to travel by land. You can also use apps like Airbnb to find cheap accommodation, or use Couchsurfing or Workaway to stay with locals or volunteer in exchange for a place to stay.

As an example, Koval shared, I have traveled to Oaxaca, Guadalajara, Merida, Cancun and Tulum in Mexico, and to Antigua, Flores and Tikal in Guatemala, and I have spent less than $1,500 per trip, including transportation, accommodation, food and activities.

Take Advantage of the Free or Discounted Events and Attractions

Theres a ton of free or discounted events and attractions in Mexico City and other cities, such as museums, parks, markets, festivals, concerts, etc. If youve exhausted those, Koval recommended turning to apps like Groupon, Cuponeria or Promodescuentos to find deals and coupons for various services and products.

I have visited the National Museum of Anthropology, the Chapultepec Castle, the Frida Kahlo Museum and the Zocalo for free, Koval shared. I have attended the Day of the Dead parade, the Cervantino festival and the Corona Capital concert for a very low cost.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Moved to Mexico: Here Are 7 Money-Saving Tips for Living Comfortably Abroad
Foot-long mozzarella sticks and mac and cheese are coming to 3rd St. Market Hall and it all looks amazing

Greg Kiekbusch and Tim Szuta of Makk'n'Cheese and Alphonso's The Original Pizzeria, respectively, are set to open Rod & Makk at the 3rd St. Market Hall later this summer.

A cheesy collaboration between two local restaurants is set to open at 3rd St. Market Hall later this summer.

Rod & Makk will feature the famous Lightning Rod mozzarella sticks from Alphonsos The Original Pizzeria as well as dishes from Milwaukees own MakknCheese.

Were excited to have these guys in here, 3rd St. Market Hall Operations Manager Jaime Jacobs said. Theyre going to be a perfect fit.

She underscored the family-friendly food options the new vendor will add to the space, which opened in January 2022 at 275 W. Wisconsin Ave. featuring food vendors, a full bar and activities.

We dont have any macaroni and cheese. We dont have mozzarella sticks, Jacobs said. We get so many kids, so many families.

Makk'n'Cheese's fan favorites will be sold at the 3rd St. Market Hall.

According to Jacobs, owners Greg Kiekbusch and Tim Szuta are enthusiastic to join the 3rd St. Market Hall community.

They bring such an energy and passion  just love for the city and love for what they do, Jacobs said.

A spicy version of Alphonso's mozzarella sticks, called Hot Rod, will be available at the new downtown venture. Aside from the monstrous mozzarella sticks, menu items include beloved MakknCheese dishes such as the Elote Makk and Makk Daddy specialties.

Alphonso's The Original "Lightning Rod" mozzarella sticks will be served at the new spot.

New menu items that combine the two restaurants grub also will be available, Jacobs said.

Im really excited for this partnership, owners Kieckbusch and Szuta said in a food hall release. Weve actually known each other since high school  and were looking forward to coming together for 3rd St. Market Hall.

Rod & Makk will move into space previously occupied by Supernova Coffee & Doughnuts.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Rod & Makk restaurant opening at Milwaukee's 3rd St. Market Hall
Jacob Erricolo joins the Falls Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Jacob Erricolo

SOMERSWORTH  The Falls Chamber of Commerce announced the appointment of Jacob Erricolo as a new member of its Board of Directors. Erricolo brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the position, having established himself as a prominent commercial lender in the region while working for Bangor Savings Bank.

As a member of the Board of Directors at the Falls Chamber of Commerce, Erricolo will leverage his extensive knowledge and professional network to support the chamber's mission of promoting economic vitality and advocating for the local business community. With his keen insight into the financial sector and his commitment to fostering collaborative partnerships, Jacob will contribute significantly to the chamber's strategic initiatives and help drive sustainable economic development in the Falls Region.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jacob Erricolo to the Board of Directors," said Emerson Doiron, Executive Director of the Falls Chamber of Commerce. "His expertise as a commercial lender, coupled with his passion for supporting local businesses, will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to create a thriving business environment in our community. Jacob's valuable insights and dedication to economic development align with our goals, and we look forward to working together to achieve continued success."

Erricolo, the newly appointed member of the Falls Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, shared his perspective on the importance of taking proactive steps towards positive change. He emphasized, "Positive actions that are paused will bring tentative results. To make a real impact, it is essential to force yourself to engage in change that benefits all with certainty." Jacob's forward-thinking mindset and dedication to transformative change will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success of the Falls Chamber of Commerce and its mission to promote economic vitality in the region.

Amy K. Hanna joins First Seacoast Bank as Executive Assistant to the President/CEO

Amy Hanna

DOVER  First Seacoast Bank announced that Amy K. Hanna has joined the team as the Executive Assistant to the President/CEO and the new Assistant Corporate Secretary. Hanna brings with her a wealth of experience, having served in various executive and personal assistant roles for over 15 years.

Previously, Hanna supported Jake Burton and the organizations Executive Team in her role as Global Communications Director of Burton Corp., where she managed brand, athlete, and Principals presence at the Winter Olympics, oversaw internal and international communications teams in Burlington, Vt., Tokyo, Japan, and Innsbruck, Austria, and was an instrumental part in the niche brands growth to a worldwide, mainstream audience. At Burton, Hanna worked to inspire and celebrate young people through boardsports and The Chill Foundation, now in 20 cities and nine countries, serving more than 2,000 youth annually, building a more equitable outdoor community.

Prior to joining First Seacoast Bank, Hanna was an Executive/Personal Assistant to the CEO of Planet Fitness and also ran her own MarCom Agency. Her process and efficiency expertise make her well suited for this role at First Seacoast Bank as she works alongside the President/CEO on various projects while managing communication initiatives across multiple departments within the organization.

"We are thrilled that Amy has joined our team," said James R. Brannen, President & CEO of First Seacoast Bank. "Her background makes her an ideal fit for this role; we know she will be an asset both personally and professionally."

In addition to her professional career accomplishments, Hanna is passionate about giving back to her community through volunteerism, including leadership roles in State Lobbyist Team-Capital Hills Annual Advocacy Day and volunteering for equal rights and mental health causes whenever possible. In her free time, she enjoys mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking, boating, wakeboarding, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

With her extensive knowledge base combined with a passion for volunteerism, Hanna is a great addition to First Seacoast Bank's team.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Names to Know: Meet the new professionals on the Seacoast
NATO summit sparks global security concern, internal rifts remain

Xinhua) 08:14, July 13, 2023

People attend a parade against NATO in Paris, France, July 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

However, the United States' increasingly evident efforts to strengthen its control over Europe through NATO and to pressure Russia have raised concerns. Observers fear NATO's attempt to break through its North Atlantic geographical positioning and interfere in Asia-Pacific security might lead to more international and regional instability.

VILNIUS, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The two-day Vilnius Summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) concluded here on Wednesday amid divisions among members and criticism from the international community.

During the summit, Turkiye green-lighted Sweden's accession to the military bloc, and NATO adopted its "most comprehensive defense plan since the end of the Cold War," while pledging to provide more long-term support to Ukraine. Though a regional alliance between Europe and North America, NATO once again invited some leaders from the Asia-Pacific region to attend the summit.

However, the United States' increasingly evident efforts to strengthen its control over Europe through NATO and to pressure Russia have raised concerns. Observers fear NATO's attempt to break through its North Atlantic geographical positioning and interfere in Asia-Pacific security might lead to more international and regional instability.

UPENDING EUROPE'S SECURITY

According to its communique released at the end of the summit, NATO has implemented a new generation of regional defense plans, which build upon the existing strategic and domain-specific plans. The objective of these new plans is to have 300,000 troops fully prepared for action. The communique also welcomed "ongoing efforts by Allies to increase their presence on NATO's Eastern Flank," and the NATO members have committed to investing a minimum of 2 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) annually in defense, demonstrating a lasting dedication to defense spending.

Analysts caution that NATO's expansion and its responses to the Russia-Ukraine issue could potentially jeopardize global security by triggering significant socioeconomic and political transformations.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council, said on Tuesday that the increase in military assistance to Ukraine by NATO was bringing World War III closer.

Critics also argue that the existence and influence of NATO may undermine the non-aligned and neutral status of certain countries. They contend that NATO membership restricts the foreign policy options and independence of states that prefer to maintain a neutral position in international conflicts.

Jan Oberg, director of the Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research, expressed concerns over Sweden's NATO membership, asserting that Sweden, instead of remaining an important non-aligned buffer zone that has kept it out of war for 200 years, may become directly involved in conflicts.

"Sweden will lose even more of its independent foreign policy and will have to spend horrendous sums on adapting to NATO," he added.

Jochen Scholz, a former professional officer of the German Luftwaffe, told Xinhua that the threat from Russia is nonexistent and is merely a facade for NATO's function as an instrument for maintaining U.S. dominance. Scholz believes that it is crucial for Europeans to recognize this.

Oberg warned that if NATO emerges victorious in this scenario after being the principal creator of "the most dangerous and unpredictable security environment since the Cold War," the rest of the world will likely approach an "eschatological moment."

People take part in a protest against Sweden hosting a large international military exercise and the country striving to become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Stockholm, Sweden, on April 22, 2023.(Photo by Patrick Ekstrand/Xinhua)

INTERFERENCE IN ASIA-PACIFIC

In an explicit move to meddle in the regional affairs of the Asia-Pacific, NATO again invited leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, the so-called "partners" in the Asia-Pacific region, to attend its summit for the second time and vowed to "further strengthen dialogue and cooperation to tackle our shared security challenges," according to the communique.

Welcoming the Asian "partners" to the North Atlantic Council meeting on Wednesday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated "NATO is a regional alliance between Europe and North America, but the challenges we face are global, and our security is interconnected. What happens in the Euro-Atlantic region matters for the Indo-Pacific, and what happens in the Indo-Pacific matters to the Euro-Atlantic."

However, NATO leaders sent mixed signals. French President Emmanuel Macron told a press conference at the end of the summit that NATO should keep its focus on the North Atlantic region.

"It remains a North Atlantic Treaty Organization and, whatever they say, geography is stubborn: the Indo-Pacific is not the North Atlantic. We do not want it to look like NATO is creating legitimacy to be present geographically in other regions," said Macron.

Oberg expressed concerns about NATO's outreach beyond its original scope. He pointed out that NATO's founding treaty does not include provisions for establishing offices outside its Atlantic mandate, and highlighted that Japan is not a NATO member. Oberg criticized NATO's decision to create a new category of "partners" without any reference in the treaty.

Commenting on the situation, Scholz said that he hopes the Asian states, including Japan, would recognize that they "are to be abused to contain China in order to maintain U.S. global dominance."

In the communique, the military bloc mentioned China 15 times, saying that "China's stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values" and that China posed "systemic challenges" to the alliance.

In response, China on Wednesday rejected such claims. "What's said in the NATO communique is a complete opposite of the truth and the product of Cold War mentality and ideological bias. China strongly opposes it," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily press briefing.

"We urge NATO to stop making groundless accusations and provocative rhetoric targeting China, quit the outdated Cold War mentality, and ditch the wrongdoing of seeking absolute security. We have seen what NATO has done to Europe, and NATO must not seek to sow chaos here in the Asia-Pacific or elsewhere in the world," he added.

Participants are pictured at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11, 2023. (Photo by Alfredas Pliadis/Xinhua)

EXTENDED U.S. ARM

During the two-day summit, despite the recurring mentions of "working together" in the communique, a number of disagreements surfaced, including divided perspectives on Ukraine's membership, the selection of a NATO secretary general and the supply of cluster bombs to Ukraine.

Analysts have observed a notable inconsistency in NATO's position regarding support for Ukraine. While certain Eastern European member states advocate for a definitive commitment on Ukraine's timeline for joining NATO, the United States and Germany show reluctance to go beyond their previous promise that Ukraine will eventually become a member.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has called NATO's failure to set a timetable for his country's membership "unprecedented and absurd."

Spanish expert Pere Ortega commented that as long as NATO exists, attaining peace in Europe will remain elusive due to the alliance's inability to curtail U.S. military intervention.

"The United States has benefited from the armed conflicts in Ukraine, so it hopes that the conflicts in Ukraine will continue," Croatian political analyst Mladen Plese said.

"The NATO summit, dominated by the United States, will not contribute to a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, as evidenced by the U.S. decision to provide cluster bombs to Ukraine," Plese said. "NATO has been dominated by the United States, and it will inevitably become an extended arm of the United States and a tool for the United States, and the future of NATO will therefore be questioned. "

Delegates attend a ceremony for Finland's accession to NATO at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

According to Plese, the only viable solution to the Ukrainian crisis necessitates the gathering of all relevant parties around the negotiating table to engage in meaningful dialogue.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Nissan to invest some $725 million in Renault's EV unit, Yomiuri says

The logos of car manufacturers Renault and Nissan are seen in front of dealerships of the companies in Le Coteau

TOKYO (Reuters) -Nissan Motor is likely to invest around 100 billion yen ($725 million) in Renault's new electric vehicle unit, the Yomiuri Shimbun said on Friday, potentially clearing a hurdle in drawn-out talks to reshape their automaking alliance.

The Japanese automaker on Thursday settled on the terms for a contract to overhaul its partnership with Renault and agreed with its French partner on the investment amount in the EV unit, Ampere, the Yomiuri said.

A Nissan spokesperson said discussions about the contract, including the investment amount, were not yet finalised.

"Discussions are being held between the two companies, but no agreement has been reached yet," the spokesperson said.

Nissan and Renault expect Ampere's enterprise value will come to 8 to 10 billion euros, with Nissan's investment ratio likely coming in below 10% of that amount, the Yomiuri said, quoting people with knowledge of the matter.

That would be short of the 15% maximum Nissan set in February for the investment.

A Nissan director will be part of the new company, the newspaper said, adding that certain restrictions will be placed on the handling of intellectual property from the Japanese automaker.

After months of intense talks, Nissan and Renault agreed in January on the overhaul of their two-decade old alliance that will see Renault bring down its stake in Nissan to 15% from about 43% to put them on an equal level.

The partnership, which has grown to include junior member Mitsubishi Motors, was founded in 1999.

($1 = 138.0200 yen)

(Reporting by Daniel Leussink and Elaine Lies; Editing by Chris Reese and David Dolan)
We think intelligent long term investing is the way to go. But that doesn't mean long term investors can avoid big losses. To wit, the Noratis AG (ETR:NUVA) share price managed to fall 58% over five long years. That's an unpleasant experience for long term holders. And some of the more recent buyers are probably worried, too, with the stock falling 40% in the last year.

It's worthwhile assessing if the company's economics have been moving in lockstep with these underwhelming shareholder returns, or if there is some disparity between the two. So let's do just that.

See our latest analysis for Noratis

In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

During the five years over which the share price declined, Noratis' earnings per share (EPS) dropped by 10% each year. This reduction in EPS is less than the 16% annual reduction in the share price. This implies that the market was previously too optimistic about the stock. The less favorable sentiment is reflected in its current P/E ratio of 5.47.

The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

Dive deeper into Noratis' key metrics by checking this interactive graph of Noratis's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What About The Total Shareholder Return (TSR)?

Investors should note that there's a difference between Noratis' total shareholder return (TSR) and its share price change, which we've covered above. Arguably the TSR is a more complete return calculation because it accounts for the value of dividends (as if they were reinvested), along with the hypothetical value of any discounted capital that have been offered to shareholders. Its history of dividend payouts mean that Noratis' TSR, which was a 51% drop over the last 5 years, was not as bad as the share price return.

A Different Perspective

Noratis shareholders are down 40% for the year, but the market itself is up 14%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 9% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Take risks, for example - Noratis has 2 warning signs (and 1 which makes us a bit uncomfortable) we think you should know about.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on German exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Nvidia is looking to expand its silicon empire as it rides the AI boom - the chipmaker is in discussions for a stake in the UK's Arm

In this photo illustration the Nvidia Corporation logo seen displayed on a smartphone screen. Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Nvidia is in discussions to acquire a stake in UK-based chip designer Arm before it goes public.

A stake in Arm will complement Nvidia's competencies as the world's top chipmaker, as it rides the AI boom.

Nvidia previously tried to acquire Arm in 2020  before US competition authorities blocked the move.

Nvidia is looking to expand its microchip empire as it gathers resources to support the artificial-intelligence revolution.

The world's most valuable semiconductor firm is in talks to buy a stake in the SoftBank-owned British chip designer Arm, ahead of its planned initial share offering later this year, the Financial Times reported. While nothing has been finalized yet, Arm is looking for Nvidia to become a so-called anchor investor, the outlet said.

Anchor investment is where an institution purchases a portion of a company's shares before it debuts on the stock market. It is a common tactic used in times of IPO downturn to provide a degree of certainty and reassure investors.

Per the FT, negotiations are currently focused on the UK-based company's valuation, which Nvidia sees around $40 billion, while Arm is holding out for nearer to $80 billion.

A stake in Arm will likely complement Nvidia's competencies as the world's leading chipmaker, as it prepares to take advantage of the artificial-intelligence boom that has taken markets by storm this year. The Santa Clara-based firm's stock is the best performer on the S&P 500 index this year  its share price rocketed almost 200% so far in 2023, boosting the company's market value above $1 trillion.

Nvidia's stock rally has been driven chiefly by investor perception that the company is well positioned to take advantage of the ongoing AI frenzy. The company is the No. 1 producer of graphics chips needed for high-intensity AI computing.

This is not the first time Nvidia and Arm have crossed paths. In 2020, the former was on the verge of acquiring the UK firm in a $40 billion deal  but at the last moment, US competition authorities blocked the move over concerns about restricting access to Arm's chip designs.

Now, as SoftBank unwinds its investment in the chipmaker, Arm is expected to go public as the most valuable company since EV carmaker Rivian debuted with a market capitalization of $66 billion in November 2021.

Read the original article on Business Insider
LOVELAND  Officials ceremonially broke ground Thursday on a 19,400-square-foot airport terminal that they hope will be the catalyst for new commercial airline service to Northern Colorado Regional Airport and drive new economic opportunities.

Contractor Hensel Phelps will begin construction next week with final completion set by Sept. 4, 2024.

The $22 million terminal project was originally slated to begin later this decade, but COVID-19 and the flow of recovery dollars that came after the pandemic catapulted the terminal to the front of the line. The airport received nearly $17 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding that came with a spending deadline of July 2024.

The Airport Advisory Commission, made up of representatives from the cities of Loveland and Fort Collins, which own the airport, plowed that money into the terminal project to replace the aging temporary terminal that was built nearly 20 years ago.

The front entrance of a new terminal at Northern Colorado Regional Airport in Loveland, also known as FNL. The terminal is expected to open September 2024.

The new terminal will include two gates, baggage and security areas, and departure lounges in its first phase, with room to add a second story when needed. For now, the existing terminal will remain but be razed if and when the building is expanded.

Airport Advisory Commission Chair Don Overcash called the groundbreaking a milestone that had been in the works for nearly a decade. He equated the airport to a giant jigsaw puzzle.

"In a jigsaw puzzle, you have a lot of blue sky. All of those blue pieces fit together eventually, but theres usually critical pieces that until you get those pieces identified and locked into place, its really difficult," he said.

The commission over the years identified three critical pieces for the airport to become an economic driver and service agency for Northern Colorado, he said: a new terminal, widened runway and virtual air traffic control tower. Runway widening is funded, in design and will begin construction next year. The virtual tower will soon restart its testing program, he said. "This is visible proof of the work in the last 10 years."

"We remain positive that soon you'll be able to fly from Loveland to places like Steamboat, Phoenix, Vegas, Dallas or Houston and not have to go through that mess at DIA," Overcash said.

Terminal plans were scaled back to meet the budget and rising construction costs post-pandemic. Those plans required a one-time contribution of $1 million each from the cities of Fort Collins and Loveland.

Fort Collins City Council initially balked at contributing $1 million to an airport that has no airline and considered tying several performance benchmarks to the funding. In the end, council voted 5-1 to approve the funding without conditions. Council member Kelly Ohlson was the lone "no" vote because he disagreed with the governance style of the airport and co-ownership between the cities. Mayor Pro-tem Emily Francis was absent for that vote but had opposed the funding in previous meetings.

While Fort Collins Mayor Jeni Arndt, who serves on the Airport Advisory Commission, supported the million-dollar contribution and spoke against tying the contribution to benchmarks, she and Airport Commissioner Jerry Stooksbury voted against the construction contract with Hensel Phelps, both questioning why all of the CARES Act money was being spent on one project.

Arndt, who grew up in Fort Collins, advocated for a regional transit center at the airport that could serve buses from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Denver rather than "spending all our chips on a service we don't have."

Fort Collins Mayor Jeni Arndt high fives Don Overcash during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new terminal at the Northern Colorado Regional Airport on Thursday in Loveland.

At Thursday's groundbreaking, Arndt said the airport is important for the region's businesses, primary employers, visitors, pilots and emergency responders that rely on the airport to respond to natural disasters. "Today, we honor the airport and what its accomplished to date" and its future as a regional transit hub and economic driver, "which it currently is, without question," she said.

While the bulk of the project is being federally funded, $2 million is coming from the airport's budget and $2 million from the cities.

Architect Chris Aronson of VFLA in Fort Collins said the airport is a place where "adventure begins; where relationships reunite, where we say hello, where we say goodbye and where we say welcome home. It's a very unique building archetype where all these human experiences culminate."

"This is a gateway to tourism to and from Northern Colorado," he said. "It's a hub for multimodal transportation ... we are not just a cow town airport."

Missing from Thursday's groundbreaking was Jason Licon, the former airport manager who spearheaded the project from the start and resigned less than two months before the groundbreaking. Licon resigned in May amid pressure from general aviation pilots for his handling of the closure of two sets of hangars that have been deemed unsafe and from Windsor developer Martin Lind, who has repeatedly taken issue with airport management.

Overcash said Licon was working at a new position Thursday and unable to attend the festivities. Aronson took a selfie with the crowd to send to Licon.

Airport commissioners appointed David Ruppel, a consultant with Aviation Management Consulting Group, as interim director until a permanent director is hired.

The airport, seen as a regional economic driver, has struggled to keep commercial air service over the past decade.

Airlines have come and gone, doing their best to maintain service but tending to not last very long. United and Landline together launched wingless flights in which passengers could book a flight from Northern Colorado Regional Airport and check their bags there and be bused to Denver International Airport, where the only task left is going through security.

Landline recently expanded bus service to passengers of all airlines and added daily round trips, which brought more traffic to the airport.

Most days, the airport caters primarily to private aircraft and flight training, corporations flying in and out of the area, Landline routes and Colorado State University team charter flights.

While Fort Collins and Loveland co-own the airport, the property was physically annexed into the city of Loveland in 1992. Loveland took on the cost of administration, including airport employees and the costs of providing support, so it gets all the sales- and use-tax revenue from the airport.

Fort Collins reaps no direct financial benefit from the airport, but the airport hasn't cost the city anything for four years, until the latest one-time request.

The airport commission is now studying its governance and is likely to make some revisions, but what that looks like is still unknown.

The current (governance) model requires the airport to go back to both city councils for some funding requests and major changes or initiatives, Overcash said earlier this year. And youve got two parents with different interests at times.

Former Fort Collins Mayor Wade Troxell, who served as longtime advisory commission chair and was a staunch advocate of the airport, said everyone needs to do "a better job" of explaining what the airport can be for Northern Colorado and its future as an economic driver. And that means delivering on its promises, including the terminal and tower.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Officials break ground on new airport terminal in Loveland
(Bloomberg) -- OPEC predicted an even tighter global oil market next year, as the group anticipates a much bigger demand increase than other major forecasters.

Most Read from Bloomberg

World oil consumption will climb by 2.2 million barrels a day next year to reach 104.3 million a day, the organization said on Thursday in its first detailed assessment of 2024. Thats the double the growth rate projected by the International Energy Agency, which advises consuming nations.

The demand increase would outstrip the projected boost in supply from outside the cartel, pushing the worlds daily appetite for OPECs crude to 30.2 million barrels  or roughly 2 million barrels more than it pumped last month. That could allow the group to ease production constraints its making this year to shore up prices.

Saudi Arabia and its partners have curbed output to balance markets amid a faltering global economy and unexpectedly robust supplies from exporters including Iran and Russia, both of which are both part of a wider alliance known as OPEC+.

Oil prices climbed above $80 a barrel in London on Wednesday for the first time in two months as those supply curbs, which include extra unilateral cuts by the Saudis in July and August, tighten markets. Demand in China also appears robust despite shaky economic indicators.

The Paris-based IEA, which also released its latest outlook on Thursday, sees demand growing by 1.1 million barrels a day next year. The expansion in oil consumption will be limited by improving fuel efficiency and the burgeoning popularity of electric vehicles, the agency said.

The 13 members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries pumped an average of 28.2 million barrels a day in June, fractionally more than the previous month, according to the report.

The 23-nation OPEC+ alliance is formally due to hold a monitoring meeting next month, though no date has yet been set. The coalition is scheduled to have a full ministerial meeting on Nov. 26.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Petrobras PBR announced that it has requested access to Braskem's BAK due diligence information. The purpose behind this request is to exercise its preemptive rights for the sale of Braskems shares held by Novonor, the controlling shareholder.

PBR clarified that it has not made any decision regarding the divestment process, and is simply exercising its right to access the relevant information. This move followed Novonors decision to sell its controlling stake in Braskem, as part of a broader restructuring plan.

Background Details

Petrobras currently owns 36% of Braskem's shares and holds 47% of its voting shares. It has the right of first refusal if Novonor decides to sell its stake to a third party. On the other hand, Novonor, formerly known as Odebrecht, owns a significant portion of Braskem, with a 38% stake that represents 50.1% of the voting shares.

Novonor, together with its creditor banks, is currently in talks to sell most of its stake to Unipar Carbocloro, another chemical company in Brazil. This potential transaction has prompted Petrobras to exercise its preemptive rights and gain access to the due diligence information.

Importance of Due Diligence

Due diligence is a crucial step in the process of evaluating a potential transaction. It involves conducting a comprehensive investigation and analysis of the relevant information related to the transaction.

In the case of Petrobras and Braskem, accessing the due diligence information will allow the former to make informed decisions regarding the possible exercise of preemptive rights for the sale of Braskem shares held by Novonor. By examining the details and assessing the risks and benefits associated with the transaction, Petrobras can better understand the potential impact on its own investment and strategic position.

Petrobras' Rights and Ownership

With a 36% share and 47% voting rights, Petrobras holds a substantial position in Braskem's decision-making process. Additionally, PBR has the right of first refusal, which means that if Novonor decides to sell its stake to a third party, Petrobras has the opportunity to match the offer and acquire the shares. These rights grant PBR a level of control and influence over the potential sale of Braskem shares held by Novonor.

Novonor's Restructuring Plan

Novonor is an engineering and construction company that has been seeking to divest its interests in various sectors. The sale of its stake in Braskem aligns with its strategic goals and allows the company to focus on its core operations. By engaging in the due diligence process and exploring potential buyers, Novonor aims to find a suitable buyer for its Braskem shares.

Impact on Petrobras and Braskem

The due diligence process and the potential sale of Braskem shares held by Novonor can have a significant impact on both Petrobras and Braskem. For PBR, the exercise of preemptive rights provides an opportunity to strengthen its position in Braskem and safeguard its influence in the company's decision-making process.

Braskem, on the other hand, could experience changes in its ownership structure, leading to shifts in strategic direction and corporate governance. The transaction, if completed, would mark a milestone in the development of Brazils petrochemical industry.

Zacks Rank and Key Picks

Currently, PBR carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and BAK holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

A couple of better-ranked stocks for investors interested in the energy sector are Evolution Petroleum EPM, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and Murphy USA MUSA, carrying a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Evolution Petroleum is worth approximately $265.15 million. EPM currently pays a dividend of 48 cents per share, or 6.02% on an annual basis.

The company currently has a forward P/E ratio of 7.59. In comparison, its industry has an average forward P/E of 10.60, which means EPM is trading at a discount to the group.

Murphy USA is valued at around $6.64 billion. In the past year, its shares have risen 14.3%.

MUSA currently pays a dividend of $1.52 per share, or 0.50% on an annual basis. Its payout ratio currently sits at 6% of earnings.

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Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (PBR) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Braskem S.A. (BAK) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Murphy USA Inc. (MUSA) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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Taiwan ventures into Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City with its most advanced AI developments in the industry-government-academia sectors and business resources to empower local talents and businesses.

TAIPEI, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Profet AI, a company dedicated to AI applications in the manufacturing industry, partnered with Hive Ventures to host Galaxy Quest: HCMC . The event brought together top business leaders and academic experts to discuss the development of AI applications in the manufacturing industry of Taiwan and Vietnam. Participants were encouraged to take advantage of the economic upturn, invest in digital transformation, leverage data knowledge, and maximize AI tools and the partner ecosystem. The event attracted nearly 80 top Taiwanese companies and leading Vietnamese manufacturers, fostering cross-border discussions and new digital upskill strategies.

The event attracted nearly 80 top Taiwanese companies and leading Vietnamese manufacturers to participate in cross-border discussions.

Vietnam's economy has developed rapidly in recent years, attracting many multinational companies to set up factories in the country. However, Vietnam's manufacturing industry is facing many challenges because of global political uncertainties and the aftermath of the pandemic, which have slowed down the global economy. Profet AI's Co-Founder and CEO Jerry Huang said: "Many of our clients are highly interested in the Vietnamese market. The friendshoring policy has led to rapid development in Vietnam's manufacturing industry, which is why upskilling and supply chain mobility are now the main concerns." Profet AI is extremely experienced in empowering talents in the manufacturing industry and the rapid implementation of AI. Through this overseas Crossover Talks, Profet AI brings together Taiwan's most advanced AI developments in the industry-government-academia sectors and business resources, sharing its successful experience with the participants. The goal is to help Vietnam's manufacturing industry cultivate talents more quickly and effectively to achieve digital transformation and upgrading, elevating their status in the global manufacturing landscape.

We invited distinguished guests from Taiwan and Southeast Asia to the forum to share Taiwan's best AI resources and applications with the participants. The guests include Professor Chia-Yen Lee from NTU's Department of Information Management; Yan Lee, Founder & Managing Partner of Hive Ventures; Benjamin Kuo, Vice President for Industry-Academia Collaboration of Taiwan AI Academy; Gia Lung Chin, Executive Director of PwC; Jack Chao, Executive Vice President of AUO Digitech; Den Ng, Sales Director of Macrovention; Justin Chen, CIO of MAXXIS; Kenny Chiu, Vice President of Shuttle Service; and James Chan, Innovation Advisor at Acon-Holding.

Investment in digital transformation is the key to riding out the business cycle

As the keynote speaker, Professor Chia-Yen Lee from NTU's Department of Information Management provided valuable insights into digital strategies for addressing economic downturns. He mentioned that businesses should proactively invest in digital transformation during economic downturns. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of establishing a culture of AI integration and developing relevant capabilities. He said this requires continuous effort beyond economic downturns.

During the forum, Yan Lee, Founder & Managing Partner of Hive Ventures, shared his company's report on the current state of AI in Taiwanese businesses for 2022. According to the report, 57.6% of the companies surveyed stated that the pandemic accelerated their investment in AI. AI applications are growing rapidly in the manufacturing industry, which shows AI's importance in enhancing operational efficiency and manufacturing processes. Yan Lee also suggested using a No-code platform to simplify and standardize processes, allowing non-technical personnel to participate, which can accelerate effective AI implementation.

Jonathan Yu, General Manager of Sales of Profet AI, said: "There are more than 5 trillion-dollar industries in Taiwan, and Profet AI has over 100 success cases. We're going to take these experiences to Vietnam. We want to cultivate local talents with our advanced AI technology, which will help both markets grow."

Powerful ecosystem partnerships to boost the AI applications

Executive Vice President Jack Chao of AUO Digitech, a leader in smart manufacturing, said AUO Digitech aims to maximize marginal value by providing smart manufacturing solutions to supply chain partners. The goal is to turn customers into long-term partners. By using Profet AI's AutoML platform , AUO Digitech has achieved AI adoption across production, R&D, and supply chain management. Furthermore, with its IoT Gateway: SPIIDER , AUO Digitech has solved the problem of data collection and extraction by outdated machines at the front end. Together with Profet AI, AUO Digitech has applied the data in various domains, establishing a comprehensive digital war room.

As a long-standing player in the Southeast Asian market, Macrovention recognizes the importance of tailored solutions. Macrovention is Profet AI's first local partner in Southeast Asia. Den, the Sales Director of Macrovention, said: "We are very confident in Profet AI's understanding of what's needed on site. Their products can be easily adopted on-site, which solves the high cost of hiring data scientists." Through data integration, the platform can identify key factors and build AI models easily. Such high efficiency is exactly what the Southeast Asian market needs.

We are honored to have Executive Director Gia Lung Chin of PwC, a legend in the IT consulting industry, as a guest for this event. Quoting from a PwC report, Mr. Chin stated that AI application is more important than supply chain restructuring. "AI is indispensable in digital transformation. Data is not just information anymore; it is knowledge." "In addition to rapidly adopting AI technology, businesses should take advantage of the macro perspective provided by consultants to achieve digital transformation."

Fruitful achievements were demonstrated in both Taiwanese and Vietnamese businesses, showing the power of digitalization

Profet AI invited companies that have successfully adopted AI to share their achievements and serve as valuable examples for local businesses in Vietnam.

Jusitin Chen, CIO of MAXXIS, mentioned: "Besides increasing our investment in the Vietnamese market, we have been thinking about how to further assist the market and bring the experience of industry veterans to Vietnam." Using AI tools, MAXXIS has turned the experience of these veterans into actionable data knowledge for manufacturing. This not only increases production capacity but also improves the technical skills of local operators. Using the Profet AI platform to identify key data, MAXXIS has brought the expertise of the veterans to the Kunshan Plant, allowing the company to meet the high standards of lights-out manufacturing.

Shuttle Service has achieved excellent results in predicting vehicle maintenance and inspection, with an error of 0.2 weeks, reducing vehicle downtime during operations. Shuttle Service will begin predicting tire expenses next. Vice President Kenny Chiu mentioned: "Tire consumption is very costly for the transportation industry. We try to find the most suitable tires for Shuttle Service using the data, which helps the company and tire manufacturers in the supply chain to find the best tire formulas."

James Chan, Innovation Advisor at Acon-Holding, shared that Acon-Holding adopted a different approach from the traditional top-down method during the transformation. They used the "sandwich approach," where junior employees are involved in digitalization projects, ensuring that the upper and lower levels of the organization share a common digital language. Acon-Holding also holds digital transformation competitions every quarter. Acon-Holding has implemented 651 digitalization projects so far, of which 470 were implemented using the Profet AI platform.

The key to business sustainability is empowering domain experts with AI, while the cultivation of digital talents could be seen as making soldier a peacetime farmer

Taiwan AI Academy is the first institution in Taiwan dedicated to cultivating AI talents. Inspired by the "military-agricultural colonies" during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Vice President for Industry-Academia Collaboration Benjamin Kuo sees talent empowerment as soldiers work as farmers and store provisions during peacetime, to supply themselves during wartime. He believes businesses should use the experiences of industry veterans for AI adoption across daily operations. This way, they can avoid over-reliance on headhunting and consulting during digital transformation. Businesses should focus on using AI for investment and development instead of worrying about employee attrition.

About Profet AI

Profet AI is an artificial intelligence software company for the manufacturing industry. It provides an end-to-end No-code AutoML platform and Ready To Go Applications. It allows various industries or IT experts to efficiently build high-quality predictive models and deploy AI applications to resolve daily production and digitization challenges. Profet AI has been widely adopted by the world's top 100 brands in the manufacturing industry, including EMS, Semi-OSAT, PCB, IC design companies, and display panel and material solution providers.

For more information, please visit www.profetai.com

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SOURCE Profet AI
Recursion Pharmaceuticals soars 121% after Nvidia invests $50 million in the biotech for AI drug discovery

Recursion Pharmaceuticals' laboratory in Salt Lake City, Utah. Recursion Pharmaceuticals

Recursion Pharmaceuticals stock soared as much as 121% on Wednesday after it received an investment from Nvidia.

Nvidia said it would invest $50 million in the company as it works to use AI for drug discovery.

The surge in Recursion added more than $1 billion to its market valuation on Wednesday.

Shares of Recursion Pharmaceuticals soared as much as 121% on Wednesday after it said Nvidia invested $50 million in the biotech company.

Recursion, which utilizes artificial intelligence to help speed up the drug discovery process, said Nvidia's investment would accelerate its work in AI-powered drug development.

Both companies will collaborate on software for the biotech industry, with the hopes of more quickly creating patient treatments for a wide variety of ailments and diseases.

Recursion said it would rely on Nvidia's cloud services to develop its AI-enabled drug discovery models. Earlier this year, Nvidia announced the launch of BioNeMo, an AI drug discovery platform targeting the biotech industry.

"With our powerful dataset and NVIDIA's accelerated computing capabilities, we intend to create groundbreaking foundation models in biology and chemistry at a scale unlike anything that has ever been released in the biological space," Recursion CEO Chris Gibson said in a press release.

Recursion has a library of more than 3 trillion searchable gene and compound relationships, which will serve as the foundation of the company's drug discovery program.

The investment from Nvidia was executed as a private investment in a public equity, so the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Recursion shared its outlook for 2023 with Insider earlier this year, which included an update on the four drugs it currently has under development for rare diseases, as well as details on a web application it recently launched called MolRec.

Shares of Recursion surged to a high of $14.99 in Wednesday's trading session before paring its gains to about 80%. The stock added more than $1 billion to its market valuation. Recursion went public in April 2021 and surged to a post-IPO high of $42.81. Since then, it has dropped 72%.

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Read the original article on Business Insider
To find a multi-bagger stock, what are the underlying trends we should look for in a business? Typically, we'll want to notice a trend of growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and alongside that, an expanding base of capital employed. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. However, after investigating ADM Hamburg (FRA:OEL), we don't think it's current trends fit the mold of a multi-bagger.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for ADM Hamburg:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.069 = 16m  (257m - 20m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2022).

So, ADM Hamburg has an ROCE of 6.9%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Food industry average of 9.6%.

Check out our latest analysis for ADM Hamburg

roce

While the past is not representative of the future, it can be helpful to know how a company has performed historically, which is why we have this chart above. If you'd like to look at how ADM Hamburg has performed in the past in other metrics, you can view this free graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What Can We Tell From ADM Hamburg's ROCE Trend?

When we looked at the ROCE trend at ADM Hamburg, we didn't gain much confidence. Around five years ago the returns on capital were 25%, but since then they've fallen to 6.9%. However, given capital employed and revenue have both increased it appears that the business is currently pursuing growth, at the consequence of short term returns. And if the increased capital generates additional returns, the business, and thus shareholders, will benefit in the long run.

On a related note, ADM Hamburg has decreased its current liabilities to 7.8% of total assets. Considering it used to be 64%, that's a huge drop in that ratio and it would explain the decline in ROCE. Effectively this means their suppliers or short-term creditors are funding less of the business, which reduces some elements of risk. Since the business is basically funding more of its operations with it's own money, you could argue this has made the business less efficient at generating ROCE.

What We Can Learn From ADM Hamburg's ROCE

In summary, despite lower returns in the short term, we're encouraged to see that ADM Hamburg is reinvesting for growth and has higher sales as a result. In light of this, the stock has only gained 20% over the last five years. Therefore we'd recommend looking further into this stock to confirm if it has the makings of a good investment.

On a separate note, we've found 1 warning sign for ADM Hamburg you'll probably want to know about.

If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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When you plan for a trip, you might forget to incorporate how much your baggage can cost you. Airline baggage fees can sneak up on you and quickly send you over budget. Every airline is a little different, but here are some quick tips on how you can save yourself some stress and cash when traveling this summer.

Read: Dont Buy Airline Tickets on This Day of the Week

Find Out: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases

Be a Smarter Packer

The best way to avoid paying for checked baggage is to not check your bags, said Andrea Woroch, a consumer savings expert. She suggested travelers should:

Call the hotel ahead of time to check if they have free items you dont need to pack  like a blow dryer.

Mix and match their separates to get multiple outfits from just a few basic staples.

Pack one pair of shoes, preferably a neutral color that can be worn with several outfits.

Purchase toiletries at your final destination.

If youre traveling with a group, borrow anything that you dont pack from friends or family.

Frequent flyers might also want to invest in gear that helps them maximize the space in their carry-on, said Melissa Hogan, who operates the travel and style blog Suitcase and Heels.

One thing that helps me go carry-on only for shorter trips, thereby avoiding fees, is compression packing cubes, she said. Theyre similar to regular packing cubes except they have an extra zipper that helps squish down your clothes so they take up less room.

See: 5 Affordable Up-and-Coming US Locations To Buy Vacation Property in 2023

Study Your Airlines Baggage Fees and Weight Rules

Before you arrive at the airport, check your airlines baggage fees, rules and weight restrictions, which could vary by destination and fare type.

Some airlines are following Frontier and Spirits lead and charging passengers not only for checked bags, but also carry-ons in some cases. For instance, travelers who buy a basic economy ticket through United are only allowed one personal item that fits under an airplane seat  unless theyre a Premier member or have a qualifying MileagePlus credit card. If they bring a full-sized carry-on bag to the gate, they might be required to check their bag and pay a fee.

While many travelers have gotten accustomed to traveling with just one carry-on and one personal item, losing the carry-on might be too much, said communications strategist Benjamin Glaser. You might save $20 on a basic economy fare, but if you arrive at the airport with an extra item because you didnt understand your fare, it could cost you much more. Similarly, if you pack so little that you have to buy lots of things when you reach your destination, it could negate your savings.

American Airlines Baggage Fees

One reason its important to check your airlines baggage fees before heading to the airport is that they can change. Even if youve never had to pay a fee to that airline before, you dont want any surprises at the gate.

American Airlines baggage fees were recently updated. Previously, basic economy flyers on international flights could sometimes check their bag for free  although not on transatlantic flights, and theres always been a charge for domestic. However, effective June 2023, economy flyers on all international Americans Airlines flights must pay $75 to check a bag.

The costs to check a second bag  $100  and a third bag  $200  remain the same.

Sign Up for Airline Credit Cards and Frequent Flyer Programs

Personal finance writer J.R. Duren counts the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, the UnitedSM Explorer from Chase and the Gold Delta SkyMiles American Express cards among his favorite airline credit cards. All cover fees for the first checked bag on their respective airlines. Plus, they offer additional travel benefits that more than offset the cost of the cards annual fees for frequent flyers  and their friends, he said.

What many people dont know is that the free bag perk benefit applies to you and [sometimes] the people on your booking, he added. Check your travel credit cards terms and conditions to see if it extends the baggage perk to people traveling with you.

Make a Plan for Transporting Souvenirs

Many frequent travelers invest in lightweight bags and use a luggage scale or basic bathroom scale to weigh their packed suitcases before leaving home. This ensures the bags they plan to check wont be over the airlines weight limit, which can incur hefty additional fees. It also pays to plan ahead if youve stocked up on souvenirs, said Amanda Festa, senior social strategist at MullenLowe U.S.

If youre traveling back from your dream vacation and cant bear the thought of not shopping until you drop, inquire if your purchases can be mailed directly from the shops or hotel, she said. It might be free or cheaper than what the airline will charge for an extra bag.

If you have rewards points, Festa also recommended upgrading your economy seat to business or first class on international flights. Youll not only get more legroom, but youll likely get a larger bag allowance too, she said. If youre traveling with friends, see if they can help lighten your load. If all else fails, redistribute items between your checked and carry-on bags.

Develop a Sporting Gear Packing Strategy

If your trip includes time on the links, slopes or trails, adapt your packing strategy to fit to avoid hidden fees.

Plan ahead and ship the bulky, but necessarily heavy items like coats, puffer jackets and boots, said frequent flyer April Masini. If you ship way in advance, you dont have to pay rush shipping. And youll have the luxury of traveling light, as well as the budget payoff of not being charged for extra baggage at the airport gate.

Also, check your airlines policies on oversized bags, said Tara Cannon, who operates the travel site Pint Size Pilot.

Most airlines charge you regular baggage fees for a ski bag, waiving the over-sized fee. The small print usually stipulates that the bag cannot weigh more than 50 pounds and can only contain one set of skis and poles, she said. We have been able to fit the skis and poles of our whole family in the bag with it coming in just under 50 pounds, thus only paying for one extra bag.

Pay Baggage Fees in Advance

Some airlines, like Frontier, offer a discount on bags if you purchase carry-on and checked baggage early on.

In such instances, Andre Arriaza, travel writer for Barcelona Eat Local, said there are still ways to save in the seconds before you check in for a flight.

In case you are at the airport and realize you need to check in baggage and pay an additional fee, pay the bag fee online with your mobile phone  most airports offer free Wi-Fi, he said. You will save 40%-50% of the value at the counter. This is based on my experience [with] Vueling and Alitalia for flights between Barcelona and Rome.

More From GOBankingRates

Sam DiSalvo contributed to the reporting for this article.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Save Money on Airline Baggage Fees This Summer: 6 Clever Tricks
Shop the new Cariuma x Van Gogh sneakers before they sell out

Shop the limited-edition Cariuma x Van Gogh sneakers before they sell out.

 Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. Purchases you make through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

When it comes to adorable shoes, Cariuma doesn't disappoint. The cult-favorite sneaker brand is known for its top-notch collaborations that sell out quickly, and today, the brand released a new line of sneakers that are already flying off the shelves: The Cariuma x Van Gogh sneaker collection.

Van Gogh x Cariuma Sneakers

Shop this limited-release sneaker before it sells out.

$89 at Cariuma

The Cariuma x Van Gogh collection is comprised of four sneaker designs, each of which features Van Gogh's signature on the shoe. They come in both men's and women's sizes, ranging from sizes 5 to 13 in both. All four sneakers come in the brand's Oca Low style, which holds an impressive five-star rating from more than 8,000 shoppers.

When does the Cariuma x Van Gogh sneaker launch?

The Cariuma x Van Gogh sneaker line launches today, July 13. As with most Cariuma special launches, we expect this one to sell out quickly.

What styles can you shop in the Van Gogh style?

The Cariuma Van Gogh sneakers come in four distinct patterns.

Van Gogh Museum Sunflowers

If you love Van Gogh-inspired sunflowers, this is the design for you.

$89 at Cariuma

Van Gogh Museum Jubilee 50 Flower

These pink sneakers are absolutely perfect for summer.

$89 at Cariuma

Van Gogh Museum Wheatfields with Crows

This dark blue design features yellow wheatfield accents.

$89 at Cariuma

Van Gogh Museum Sunflowers White Leather

This white leather version of the Van Gogh sunflower design features the Cariuma logo.

$139 at Cariuma

Are Cariuma shoes comfortable?

Cariuma sneakers are incredibly comfortable. Our style editors spend their days testing the best sneakers for every person and unequivocally stand by Cariumas. The brand's shoes are well-made, long-lasting and feature cork insoles that provide arch support. I own the Cariuma slip-on sneakers and love them so much I had to buy a second pair (because my mother took mine).

Which celebrities wear Cariuma sneakers?

Turns out celebrities are just as obsessed with Cariuma sneakers as our editors are. Helen Mirren stepped out in a pair to the 2021 Cannes festival, while Pete Davidson rocked a pair during "Saturday Night Live." Other celebrities known to rock Cariuma sneakers include Jon Hamm, Chris Martin and Ashton Kutcher.

$89 at Cariuma

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cariuma x Van Gogh: Shop the limited sneakers before they sell out
Temasek Holdings Ltd., Singapore's state-owned investment firm, has raised over $900 million via its venture capital unit  Vertex Venture Holdings  for its latest fund, as reported by Nikkei Asia.

Vertex, which oversees six funds focusing on early-stage investments and one for growth-stage support, is expected to reach its total fundraising goal of $1 billion in the coming months, according to CEO Chua Kee Lock.

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A Growing Focus On Investments Around The Globe

This fund continues the momentum of its previous iteration, which successfully raised $730 million in 2019.

Vertex's investment strategy centers around supporting innovative startups and breakthrough technologies across a variety of sectors, specifically in Southeast Asia and India, China, the United States and Israel. This is in stark contrast to many similar funds that only invest in companies in one specific region.

Recent investments saw $80 million secured from four Japanese entities, including Marubeni Corp., Development Bank of Japan Inc., Risa Partners Inc. and an institutional investor.

Since 2020, Vertex has been establishing a firm foothold in the Japanese market, with its first major investment in Tokyo-based artificial intelligence (AI) startup Alt.

To stay updated with top startup news & investments, sign up for Benzinga's Startup Investing & Equity Crowdfunding Newsletter

Does Japan Hold The Key To Vertex's Future Success?

Looking forward, Vertex sees Japan as a promising market with substantial potential for investment and partnership. Despite language barriers, the firm intends to deepen its portfolio in the country.

The influx of Japanese investors into Vertex's fund not only establishes the potential for strategic business partnerships but also enriches opportunities for Vertex's portfolio companies in the Japanese market.

This financial synergy holds mutual benefits, offering growth and development possibilities for both the investors and the portfolio companies, forging a robust foundation for future collaborations.

As Vertex continues to hit impressive milestones in its fundraising, it maintains a strong focus on investing in a dozen startups annually, cementing its status as a global venture capital powerhouse.

See more on startup investing from Benzinga:

There are more pounds of plastic in the ocean than pounds of fish. That's why retail investors have invested over $4 million in This Startup That Invented Programmable, Drinkable Plastic That Dissolves In Water In 60 Hours Gamers are selling their old gaming items for millions. Learn why everyday gamers and investors are claiming a stake in their side hustles and how they invested over $1.2 million in this startup.

Don't miss real-time alerts on your stocks - join Benzinga Pro for free! Try the tool that will help you invest smarter, faster, and better.

This article Singapore's State-Owned Investment Firm Vertex Venture Holdings Raises Over $900M For Its Latest Fund originally appeared on Benzinga.com

.

 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
(Bloomberg) -- South Africas government is stepping up its support for some of the countrys biggest companies to help them hunt for business in Africa and protect them against extortion.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Naledi Pandor, the foreign minister, and state officials met with business executives this week to discuss how South Africa could present itself as a unified force when operating on the continent, and ensure companies take full advantage of the available opportunities, said Clayson Monyela, a spokesman for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

A platform has been created for South African countries that are active on the continent to share experiences and ideas with their peers, he said.

The initiative comes as companies including Vodacom Group Ltd. and MTN Group Ltd., Africas biggest mobile-phone companies, deal with disputes in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon respectively. South Africa corporates have also faced challenges in countries such as Nigeria and Ghana, and the government bemoaned the lack of uniform rules and guidelines in Africa pertaining to operating procedures and dispute resolution.

Read more: MTN Fights Bizarre Funds Seizure in Cameroon Over Dispute

When certain governments are running out of funds, they target South African companies, or at least it appears that way, Monyela said in a phone interview. In some of the countries they operate in, someone will wake up and say you owe us money and there is no rational for that. In other instances, they are slapped with taxes they know nothing about. Literally it is extortion.

Vodacom is currently embroiled in a tax dispute in the Congo, where the authorities at one point sealed off its offices and confiscated some of its executives passports.

MTN is meanwhile trying to regain control over funds in Cameroon, after the government froze its bank accounts and sought to transfer the money into a third-party account. The move stems from a disagreement between a local businessman and a South African bank thats unrelated to the mobile companys operations.

The South African government plans to elevate its firms concerns to the African Union and ask that the continental body adopt protocols on how companies and investors on the continent should be treated, and discuss how to address difficulties in repatriating funds from some markets, according to Monyela.

Issues pertaining to specific industries such as telecommunications, energy and infrastructure will be addressed by working groups that is expected to result in executives collaborating with high level government officials, he said.

--With assistance from Monique Vanek.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis announced Thursday that its president, James Bullard, has stepped down from his role and will leave the bank on August 14. Bullard will take a position as the inaugural dean of the Mitch Daniels School of Business at Purdue University the next day.

Bullard has served as president of the St. Louis Fed since April 2008.

In a release, the St. Louis Fed said Bullard has "recused himself from his monetary policy role on the Federal Reserves Federal Open Market Committee and other related duties and has ceased all public speaking."

The Fed's next two-day policy meeting is set to kick off on Tuesday, July 25. The Fed will announce its next policy decision at 2:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 26. Investors expect the central bank will raise rates by another 0.25%.

Bullard, long one of the Fed's more outspoken regional bank presidents, is not a voting member of the Fed's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) in 2023. The St. Louis Fed is slated to have a voting seat on the FOMC again in 2025.

Kathleen O'Neill Paese, first vice president and COO of the St. Louis Fed, assumed the role of interim president and CEO, effective immediately. Though the regional Federal Reserve bank has formed a search committee to a permanent replacement.

President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis James Bullard speaks during an interview with AFP in Washington, DC, on August 6, 2019. (Photo by Alastair Pike / AFP)

One of the most hawkish members of the Fed, back in May, Bullard said he supported the central bank raising rates twice more in 2023.

After keeping rates unchanged in a range of 5%-5.25% last month, the updated forecasts from Fed officials suggested two more hikes would be needed this year.

Bullard's resignation marks the fourth regional Fed president role that will be turned over since the start of 2022. Last year, Susan Collins and Lorie Logan stepped in as presidents of the Boston Fed and Dallas Fed, respectively. Esther George, former president of the Kansas City Fed, announced she would resign her position back in May 2022; the search for George's replacement is ongoing.

Bullard's announcement also comes just a day after the Senate Banking Committee voted to advance Philip Jefferson's nomination for the open role of vice chair at the Federal Reserve.

Jefferson is expected to replace the vacancy left by Lael Brainard, who joined the Biden administration as Director of the National Economic Council earlier this year.

Click here for the latest economic news and economic indicators to help you in your investing decisions

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
(Bloomberg) -- PT Telkom Indonesia is considering selling a stake in PT Finnet Indonesia that could value the state-owned telecommunications firms fintech unit at about $100 million to $150 million, according to people familiar with the matter.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Jakarta-based giant may introduce a new investor to help raise cash for Finnet while boosting its growth, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private. PT Mekar Prana Indah, a subsidiary of Bank Indonesias employee welfare foundation which owns a minority stake in Finnet, could also join the stake sale, one of the people said.

The stake may draw interest from other companies in the industry as well as investment funds, the people said.

Discussions are ongoing, details such as valuation could change and Telkom could decide not to go ahead with the stake sale, the people said. A representative for Telkom didnt respond to requests for comment, while MPI representatives couldnt immediately be reached.

Southeast Asian firms have been courting investors for fintech businesses, lured by the prospect of tapping into the regions growing economy. PLDT Inc.-backed Philippines firm Maya was considering raising about $150 million, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News in February. Boost Holdings Sdn., a unit of Malaysian wireless giant Axiata Group Bhd., was weighing raising $50 million to $100 million in a new funding round, people familiar with the matter said in April.

Read More: Axiata Eyes Unit Stake Sales as Debt Swells on Overseas Push

Telkom indirectly owns 60% of Finnet through its network telecom services and multimedia arm, PT Telkom Metra, according to the parents 2022 annual report. The fintech units Finpay brand began operating in 2006, and provides digital payment services including fund transfers, payment gateways and the countrys standardized QR code payment system, or QRIS, its website shows. It is connected with around 90 banks, 800 online merchants and 100,000 outlets.

Read More: A Barcode Unlocks Indonesias Billion-Dollar Informal Economy

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
There's no doubt that money can be made by owning shares of unprofitable businesses. For example, although software-as-a-service business Salesforce.com lost money for years while it grew recurring revenue, if you held shares since 2005, you'd have done very well indeed. But the harsh reality is that very many loss making companies burn through all their cash and go bankrupt.

So, the natural question for Lithium South Development (CVE:LIS) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. For the purposes of this article, cash burn is the annual rate at which an unprofitable company spends cash to fund its growth; its negative free cash flow. First, we'll determine its cash runway by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves.

See our latest analysis for Lithium South Development

When Might Lithium South Development Run Out Of Money?

A company's cash runway is calculated by dividing its cash hoard by its cash burn. As at March 2023, Lithium South Development had cash of CA$5.9m and no debt. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through CA$7.6m. That means it had a cash runway of around 9 months as of March 2023. That's quite a short cash runway, indicating the company must either reduce its annual cash burn or replenish its cash. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below.

How Is Lithium South Development's Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

Because Lithium South Development isn't currently generating revenue, we consider it an early-stage business. So while we can't look to sales to understand growth, we can look at how the cash burn is changing to understand how expenditure is trending over time. With the cash burn rate up 4.7% in the last year, it seems that the company is ratcheting up investment in the business over time. However, the company's true cash runway will therefore be shorter than suggested above, if spending continues to increase. Lithium South Development makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. So we'd generally prefer stocks from this list of stocks that have analysts forecasting growth.

How Easily Can Lithium South Development Raise Cash?

While its cash burn is only increasing slightly, Lithium South Development shareholders should still consider the potential need for further cash, down the track. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Many companies end up issuing new shares to fund future growth. By comparing a company's annual cash burn to its total market capitalisation, we can estimate roughly how many shares it would have to issue in order to run the company for another year (at the same burn rate).

Lithium South Development has a market capitalisation of CA$45m and burnt through CA$7.6m last year, which is 17% of the company's market value. As a result, we'd venture that the company could raise more cash for growth without much trouble, albeit at the cost of some dilution.

Is Lithium South Development's Cash Burn A Worry?

On this analysis of Lithium South Development's cash burn, we think its cash burn relative to its market cap was reassuring, while its cash runway has us a bit worried. Looking at the factors mentioned in this short report, we do think that its cash burn is a bit risky, and it does make us slightly nervous about the stock. On another note, we conducted an in-depth investigation of the company, and identified 4 warning signs for Lithium South Development (3 shouldn't be ignored!) that you should be aware of before investing here.

Of course Lithium South Development may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of companies boasting high return on equity, or this list of stocks that insiders are buying.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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The London Underground could face huge disruption later this month after Tube workers announced week-long strike action - Paul Grover/Paul Grover for the Telegraph

London Underground staff will go on strike for four consecutive days later this month as their long running dispute over pay shows no sign of ending.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) announced the walkouts last week as workers also fight for better pensions and conditions.

The union said hundreds of jobs are set to be axed, affecting Tube stations and maintenance.

Tube drivers represented by the Aslef union have announced they will also strike in a separate dispute over pensions and working conditions. They join the walkouts on July 26 and 28.

Read on for everything you need to know about the dispute and how it will affect passengers:

When is the strike action taking place?

The RMT has said London Underground workers will walkout on the following days:

Sunday 23 July

Tuesday 25 July

Wednesday 26 July

Thursday 27 July

Friday 28 July

The union said there will be no strike on Monday July 24.

Which lines will be affected?

More than 10,000 workers are eligible to strike but the strikes will affect different sections of the Tube network and grades of workers on different days.

It is not yet clear which lines will be affected on different days.

What have union bosses said?

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the action would shut down the tube and show just how important these workers were.

He said: Plans by Transport for London (TfL) to cut 600 jobs and attack our members pensions are simply unacceptable.

We are aware that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has had the TfL budget cut. However, he needs to align himself with our union and his London Underground staff in pushing back against the Tory Government, exposing their damaging agenda to a key part of London transport infrastructure.

Aslefs full-time organiser on London Underground has said the union has joined the Tube strikes announced by the RMT because changes would make it impossible for drivers to organise their lives outside work.

Finn Brennan said: We take action only when needed. Unfortunately, the last few weeks have shown that London Underground management are determined to try to push through detrimental changes  despite trade union opposition  if they think they can get away with it.

They have already announced that they intend to start training managers in August on a new attendance procedure, and will implement it from January, ignoring the current agreed procedure.

This new procedure would mean no right to representation or appeal at stage one of the disciplinary process, and the length of all warnings would be doubled from 26 to 52 weeks.

All sickness longer than one week would be regarded as long term meaning that a manager can send a driver to redeployment without any further meeting. After just six weeks in deployment a driver can be, as they put it, terminated.

Management also want to force through their plans for what they call trains modernisation. They want unrestricted remote booking on and off, driving shifts up to 10 hours long, flexible cover weeks in every roster, and fixed links to be scrapped.

That would make it impossible for Tube train drivers to organise their lives outside work or to have an effective change-over system.

Their aim is an entirely flexible workforce with all existing agreements replaced  allowing them to cut hundreds more jobs and forcing those of us who remain to work harder for longer. To protect our pensions, working conditions, and agreements, our members are ready to act.

How has Transport for London responded?

Glynn Barton, chief operating officer of TfL, said: We are disappointed that the RMT has announced strike action on this range of issues that we have been attempting to discuss with them openly and co-operatively.

We are urging the union to reconsider and engage with us to discuss the issues and seek a resolution.

The Government transport agency said that there are no current proposals to change its pension arrangements, although it is exploring a range of proposals to ensure no employee will lose their job or be asked to work extra hours.

The RMT has said that 20,000 rail workers across the UK are also to strike in July.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
Logo of Adobe Inc. is pictured at the company's office in Citywest Business Campus, Saggart

(Reuters) -Britain's antitrust regulator on Thursday announced an in-depth probe of Adobe's $20 billion bid for cloud-based designer platform Figma, after the Photoshop owner said it would not offer any remedies to ease the regulator's concerns.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said late last month it had found the deal could lead to less choice for designers of digital apps, websites and other products, and identified concerns in the supply of screen design software, where the companies compete.

It had given Adobe five working days to submit proposals to address its concerns. But on July 7, the U.S. company told the CMA it would not offer any remedies, the CMA said on Thursday.

Figma and Adobe both directed Reuters to the companies' response in June, when the regulator had flagged these concerns.

"We look forward to establishing these facts in the next phase of the process and successfully completing the transaction," a spokesperson for Adobe added.

An in-depth, or phase two, probe by the CMA is conducted by an inquiry group selected from independent experts. The CMA has until Dec. 27 to conclude its investigation.

Figma's web-based collaborative platform for designs and brainstorming is hugely popular among tech firms including Zoom Video Communications, Airbnb and Coinbase.

Adobe announced a cash-and-stock deal for Figma in September. It has said it expects to close the deal by end of this year, as U.S. and EU regulators also probe the deal.

EU antitrust regulators will decide by Aug. 7 whether to clear the acquisition.

(Reporting by Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Chavi Mehta; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee and Mark Potter)
UPS strike impact on non-union workers and you: 'The impact will be felt everywhere'

Since April, UPS and Teamsters, the union representing its workers, have been in contentious negotiations for a new labor contract.

The two sides have departed from the bargaining table, despite tentatively agreeing on points including ending forced overtime on drivers' days off, establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday, and increasing wages for flexible drivers who do not work traditional Monday-Friday shifts through reclassification, along with more than 55 other non-economic agreements.

As of July 5, no additional negotiations between the union and the company have been scheduled and Teamsters said they are ready to strike, having hosted a slew of practice pickets nationwide.

If a UPS Teamsters strike were to unfold on Aug. 1 following the contract expiration, midnight July 31, rank-and-file union members would take to the picket lines and walk off the job, effectively halting the majority of UPS work, which includes sorting, loading and delivering packages to consumers worldwide. The more than 3,000 UPS Airlines pilots who are members of the Independent Pilots Association would support the picket line, just like it did in 1997, the last time UPS experienced a strike.

"(Teamsters) seem to be much more organized and much more prepared to strike and are engaging in activities, like their practice strikes, that really demonstrate their solidarity," Ariana Levinson, a professor of law with an emphasis on labor employment at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, told the Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.

UPS supports the national and global economy and the company estimates it "transports more than 3% of global (gross domestic product) and about 6% of U.S. GDP daily," including everything from home-ordered Amazon packages to business shipments and medical necessities.

UPS union members hold a practice strike outside Worldport, the largest sorting and logistics facility in America Wednesday morning in Louisville, Ky. The Teamsters Local 89 represents around 10,000 members in Louisville. Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien called for practice pickets nationwide after claiming UPS presented an "appalling economic counterproposal" to the Teamsters during national negotiations for a new labor contract. June 28, 2023

"If ... a nationwide strike does occur, the impact will be felt everywhere and by everyone," said Tim Morris, executive director of the Greater Louisville Central Labor Council, which represents more than 50 labor unions in the Greater Louisville area. "The supply chain, as we have seen through years of a global pandemic, is very delicate and the frontline workers at UPS make up a large portion of the supply chain."

While much of the focus has been on the 340,000 UPS Teamsters nationwide, UPS employs around 160,000 non-union employees in management and other roles, who would likely be expected to not be part of the possible strike. When asked about non-union employees, UPS did not comment on the matter specifically.

If the largest single employer strike in U.S. history were to occur at UPS this August, here's what experts say could happen to the non-unionized workers and how it could impact your life.

Could UPS function without Teamsters?

UPS union members hold a practice strike outside Worldport, the largest sorting and logistics facility in America Wednesday morning in Louisville, Ky. The Teamsters Local 89 represents around 10,000 members in Louisville. Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien called for practice pickets nationwide after claiming UPS presented an "appalling economic counterproposal" to the Teamsters during national negotiations for a new labor contract. June 28, 2023

UPS employs about 25,000 people in Louisville and close to 500,000 nationwide, with roughly 65,000 working as delivery drivers. The Teamsters members represent roughly 70% of all U.S. UPS employees.

In 1997, when roughly 185,000 UPS Teamsters walked out for 15 days, the strike "largely crippled the world's largest package delivery company," according to a New York Times article from August 1997. Any possible UPS strike this August could have nearly twice as many union members picketing than the strike 26 years ago.

Today, with the popularity of online shopping, the world is even more dependent on UPS, with the package delivery company getting more than 11% of consolidated revenue from its customer Amazon alone.

"If a strike does occur, I can say that it would be fairly impossible for management to keep more than maybe a slight portion running, maybe not even that," Morris told the Courier Journal.

What is UPS doing to prepare workers?

Jim Mayer, a spokesperson for UPS said recently the company has started to share information with management employees, who would not be covered under the Teamsters, about "continuity training."

"Over the coming weeks, many of our U.S. employees will participate in training that would help them safely serve our customers if there is a labor disruption," Mayer said. "These activities also will not take away from our ongoing efforts to finalize a new contract that ... allows UPS to remain competitive and provides certainty for our customers and the U.S. economy."

While UPS is taking steps to prepare employees for a change in workload, the company said it remains focused on avoiding a strike and reaching an agreement with Teamsters before Aug. 1.

UPS workers may go on strike: What it would mean for you and your packages

Could non-union UPS workers be forced to work overtime?

UPS union members hold a practice strike outside Worldport, the largest sorting and logistics facility in America Wednesday morning in Louisville, Ky. The Teamsters Local 89 represents around 10,000 members in Louisville. Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien called for practice pickets nationwide after claiming UPS presented an "appalling economic counterproposal" to the Teamsters during national negotiations for a new labor contract. June 28, 2023

"Yes," Levinson, with UofL, said. "To the extent UPS attempts to carry on any business, management and other non-union employees may be expected to cross the picket line and work overtime and/or duties they dont traditionally perform."

However, if a non-union worker refuses to cross the picket line, they cannot be disciplined unless they are a supervisor, said Paul Clark, a professor of labor and employment relations and criminology at Penn State University.

"UPS will expect (non-union employees) to cross the picket line. And they will expect supervisors to come to work," Clark said. "If UPS does decide to make deliveries, they would likely use their non-union workers and their supervisors to do as many deliveries as they can."

Does a strike benefit non-union UPS workers?

Wearing a union t-shirt with the logo "Will Strike If Provoked," Stephen Piercey, the communications director for Teamsters Local 89, helped lead a practice strike outside Worldport, the largest sorting and logistics facility in America Wednesday morning in Louisville, Ky. The Teamsters Local 89 represents around 10,000 members in Louisville. June 28, 2023

"I think the long-term impact will be favorable," Levinson said. "Non-union employees are likely to ultimately make economic gains similar to their unionized co-workers and to benefit from the non-economic gains the unionized coworkers win."

In 2021, John Deere non-union workers saw 8% wage increases following a five-week strike by the United Auto Workers, UAW union. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, this occurrence with Deere & Co.'s non-union workers is not an outlier.

"Labor unions improve wages and working conditions for all workers, whether they are union members or not," the U.S. Department of Labor website stated.

A report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that non-union workers "had median weekly earnings that were 85% of earnings" made by union members. Aside from the long-term economic benefits non-union UPS employees are likely to receive, they also stand to benefit from some of the non-economic benefits such as a tentative agreement to install air conditioning in vehicles.

Will UPS hire strike replacement workers?

During a strike, UPS could choose to hire strike replacement workers, but Clark speculates this may be challenging in the current economic climate "because of low unemployment at the moment." If UPS were to hire permanent replacements, the strikers would be placed on a preferential hiring list if their employment was not immediately reinstated following the conclusion of the strike.

What are some strike impacts for non-union UPS workers?

UPS worker Chris Wallace, right, waves at drivers as he and members of Teamsters Local 89 began a practice strike outside Worldport, the largest sorting and logistics facility in America Wednesday morning in Louisville, Ky. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters says UPS presented "an appalling economic counterproposal" during national negotiations for a new labor contract. June 28, 2023

Non-union workers are likely to see additional workload expectations in the event of a strike. Management, supervisors and other clerical staff that may not be covered by the Teamsters contract "could be told to keep the packages moving" while the union members walk the picket lines, Morris said.

Clark said UPS could try and lean on the non-union workers to keep the company afloat during a strike.

Typically, non-union workers are employed at will, meaning the company does not have to provide work. If UPS were to shut down some or part of its operations during a strike, the non-union workers "must exhaust vacation or personal days or take unpaid leave, unless their individual contract provides otherwise," Levinson said.

In the event a UPS shutdown was to occur during a strike, Levinson said non-union workers are likely to lose wages and unlike Teamsters, there is no strike fund to financially support non-union employees.

"The reality is that only UPS knows for certain what impacts will be felt by the non-union workforce at UPS as they will decide what work their non-union workforce will do during a strike," Morris said.

Tyler Jett contributed to this report. Contact reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on Twitter at @oliviamevans_.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: How a UPS Teamsters strike could impact non-union workers
Since April, UPS and Teamsters, the union representing its workers, have been in contentious negotiations for a new labor contract.

The two sides have departed from the bargaining table, despite tentatively agreeing on points including ending forced overtime on drivers' days off, establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday, and increasing wages for flexible drivers who do not work traditional Monday-Friday shifts through reclassification, along with more than 55 other non-economic agreements.

As of July 5, no additional negotiations between the union and the company have been scheduled and Teamsters said they are ready to strike, having hosted a slew of practice pickets nationwide.

If a UPS Teamsters strike were to unfold on Aug. 1 following the contract expiration, midnight July 31, rank-and-file union members would take to the picket lines and walk off the job, effectively halting the majority of UPS work, which includes sorting, loading and delivering packages to consumers worldwide. The more than 3,000 UPS Airlines pilots who are members of the Independent Pilots Association would support the picket line, just like it did in 1997, the last time UPS experienced a strike.

"[Teamsters] seem to be much more organized and much more prepared to strike and are engaging in activities, like their practice strikes, that really demonstrate their solidarity," Ariana Levinson, a professor of law with an emphasis on labor employment at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, told the Courier Journal.

UPS supports the national and global economy and the company estimates it "transports more than 3% of global (gross domestic product) and about 6% of U.S. GDP daily," including everything from home-ordered Amazon packages to business shipments and medical necessities.

UPS union members hold a practice strike outside Worldport, the largest sorting and logistics facility in America Wednesday morning in Louisville, Ky. The Teamsters Local 89 represents around 10,000 members in Louisville. Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien called for practice pickets nationwide after claiming UPS presented an "appalling economic counterproposal" to the Teamsters during national negotiations for a new labor contract. June 28, 2023

"If ... a nationwide strike does occur, the impact will be felt everywhere and by everyone," said Tim Morris, executive director of the Greater Louisville Central Labor Council, which represents more than 50 labor unions in the Greater Louisville area. "The supply chain, as we have seen through years of a global pandemic, is very delicate and the frontline workers at UPS make up a large portion of the supply chain."

While much of the focus has been on the 340,000 UPS Teamsters nationwide, UPS employs around 160,000 non-union employees in management and other roles, who would likely be expected to not be part of the possible strike.

If the largest single employer strike in U.S. history were to occur at UPS this August, here's what experts say could happen to the non-unionized workers and how it could impact your life.

Could UPS function without Teamsters?

UPS union members hold a practice strike outside Worldport, the largest sorting and logistics facility in America Wednesday morning in Louisville, Ky. The Teamsters Local 89 represents around 10,000 members in Louisville. Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien called for practice pickets nationwide after claiming UPS presented an "appalling economic counterproposal" to the Teamsters during national negotiations for a new labor contract. June 28, 2023

UPS employs about 25,000 people in Louisville and close to 500,000 nationwide, with roughly 65,000 working as delivery drivers. The Teamsters members represent roughly 70% of all U.S. UPS employees.

In 1997, when roughly 185,000 UPS Teamsters walked out for 15 days, the strike "largely crippled the world's largest package delivery company," according to a New York Times article from August 1997. Any possible UPS strike this August could have nearly twice as many union members picketing than the strike 26 years ago.

Today, with the popularity of online shopping, the world is even more dependent on UPS, with the package delivery company getting more than 11% of consolidated revenue from its customer Amazon alone.

"If a strike does occur, I can say that it would be fairly impossible for management to keep more than maybe a slight portion running, maybe not even that," Morris told the Courier Journal.

What is UPS doing to prepare workers?

Jim Mayer, a spokesperson for UPS said recently the company has started to share information with management employees, who would not be covered under the Teamsters, about "continuity training."

"Over the coming weeks, many of our U.S. employees will participate in training that would help them safely serve our customers if there is a labor disruption," Mayer said. "These activities also will not take away from our ongoing efforts to finalize a new contract that ... allows UPS to remain competitive and provides certainty for our customers and the U.S. economy."

While UPS is taking steps to prepare employees for a change in workload, the company said it remains focused on avoiding a strike and reaching an agreement with Teamsters before Aug. 1.

Could non-union UPS workers be forced to work overtime?

UPS union members hold a practice strike outside Worldport, the largest sorting and logistics facility in America Wednesday morning in Louisville, Ky. The Teamsters Local 89 represents around 10,000 members in Louisville. Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien called for practice pickets nationwide after claiming UPS presented an "appalling economic counterproposal" to the Teamsters during national negotiations for a new labor contract. June 28, 2023

"Yes," Levinson, with UofL, said. "To the extent UPS attempts to carry on any business, management and other non-union employees may be expected to cross the picket line and work overtime and/or duties they dont traditionally perform."

However, if a non-union worker refuses to cross the picket line, they cannot be disciplined unless they are a supervisor, said Paul Clark a professor of labor and employment relations and criminology at Penn State University.

"UPS will expect [non-union employees] to cross the picket line. And they will expect supervisors to come to work," Clark said. "If UPS does decide to make deliveries, they would likely use their non-union workers and their supervisors to do as many deliveries as they can."

Does a strike benefit non-union UPS workers?

Wearing a union t-shirt with the logo "Will Strike If Provoked," Stephen Piercey, the communications director for Teamsters Local 89, helped lead a practice strike outside Worldport, the largest sorting and logistics facility in America Wednesday morning in Louisville, Ky. The Teamsters Local 89 represents around 10,000 members in Louisville. June 28, 2023

"I think the long-term impact will be favorable," Levinson said. "Non-union employees are likely to ultimately make economic gains similar to their unionized co-workers and to benefit from the non-economic gains the unionized coworkers win."

In 2021, John Deere non-union workers saw 8% wage increases following a five-week strike by the United Auto Workers, UAW union. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, this occurrence with Deere & Co.'s non-union workers is not an outlier.

"Labor unions improve wages and working conditions for all workers, whether they are union members or not," the U.S. Department of Labor website stated.

A report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that non-union workers "had median weekly earnings that were 85% of earnings" made by union members. Aside from the long-term economic benefits non-union UPS employees are likely to receive, they also stand to benefit from some of the non-economic benefits such as a tentative agreement to install air conditioning in vehicles.

Will UPS hire strike replacement workers?

During a strike, UPS could choose to hire strike replacement workers, but Clark speculates this may be challenging in the current economic climate "because of low unemployment at the moment." If UPS were to hire permanent replacements, the strikers would be placed on a preferential hiring list if their employment was not immediately reinstated following the conclusion of the strike.

What are some strike impacts for non-union UPS workers?

UPS worker Chris Wallace, right, waves at drivers as he and members of Teamsters Local 89 began a practice strike outside Worldport, the largest sorting and logistics facility in America Wednesday morning in Louisville, Ky. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters says UPS presented "an appalling economic counterproposal" during national negotiations for a new labor contract. June 28, 2023

Non-union workers are likely to see additional workload expectations in the event of a strike. Management, supervisors and other clerical staff that may not be covered by the Teamsters contract "could be told to keep the packages moving" while the union members walk the picket lines, Morris said.

Clark said UPS could try and lean on the non-union workers to keep the company afloat during a strike.

Typically, non-union workers are employed at will, meaning the company does not have to provide work. If UPS were to shut down some or part of its operations during a strike, the non-union workers "must exhaust vacation or personal days or take unpaid leave, unless their individual contract provides otherwise," Levinson said.

In the event a UPS shutdown was to occur during a strike, Levinson said non-union workers are likely to lose wages and unlike Teamsters, there is no strike fund to financially support non-union employees.

"The reality is that only UPS knows for certain what impacts will be felt by the non-union workforce at UPS as they will decide what work their non-union workforce will do during a strike," Morris said.

Tyler Jett contributed to this report. Contact reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on Twitter at @oliviamevans_.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: UPS Teamsters strike threat: How it would impact non-union jobs
FILE PHOTO: Signage is seen at the headquarters of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C.

(Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday said Callon Permian LLC was fined $1.3 million for excess emissions from tanks, flares and other equipment at company's oil and gas facilities in the West Texas Permian Basin.

The EPA said it identified emissions using a helicopter equipped with a special infrared camera that detects hydrocarbon leaks.

The company failed to comply with requirements for flares, tanks, and combustors as well as general requirements of the federally approved Texas State Implementation Plan, the EPA said.

Callon will perform corrective actions at 13 of its oil and gas facilities in the West Texas Permian Basin, resulting in an estimated reduction of over 1.2 million pounds of volatile organic compound (VOCs) emissions, the agency said.

VOCs contribute to formation of ozone (smog), which can result in health problems such as asthma, lung infections, bronchitis and cancer.

The EPA said it has issued a consent agreement and final order to Callon that requires several actions from the company, including site-specific corrective actions, inspections, equipment upgrades, and permitting and operations reviews.

(Reporting by Daksh Grover and Rahul Paswan in Bengaluru; Editing by David Gregorio)
Kingston University, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, and City of Potsdam Accelerate Digital Transformation with VMware Cloud

PALO ALTO, Calif., July 13, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW) today announced that customers across Europe are adopting VMware Cloud to support the broad and diverse higher education requirements of students and citizens. With VMware Cloud, customers across Europe can take a more cloud smart approach to building their digital strategies by investing in cloud-based growth initiatives while optimizing costs and increasing resiliency.

"Time and again its been proven that VMware Cloud empowers customers to adopt a cloud-smart approach," said Prashanth Shenoy, vice president, Product Marketing, Cloud Infrastructure Business Group at VMware. "By working with VMware Cloud, customers can invest in app and infrastructure modernization that fuels digital transformation and growth while optimizing cloud spend and improving business resiliency."

Kingston University: Zero Downtime Migration and a Massively Reduced Data Center Footprint (link)

Kingston University is a prestigious higher education institution based in London that supports and educates more than 19,000 students from the UK and abroad each year. To achieve its ambitions of delivering a more progressive model of higher education, Kingston University required flexible and agile technology that enables a fast response to changing requirements. The IT team sought to reduce the cost and complex maintenance requirements of the universitys on-premises data centers and transition to more sustainable and energy efficient solutions. The University migrated 90 percent of its workloads to VMware Cloud on AWS and modernized the remaining data center infrastructure to support applications that needed to remain in-house. With VMware NSX Distributed Firewall and VMware Aria Operations for Networks, the University created a more modern approach to application and workload-level security.

"We had a choice between investing in upgrading our physical infrastructure or moving most workloads to VMware Cloud on AWS while retaining a small percentage of workloads on prem. With a hybrid cloud strategy built on VMware, we can consciously decide where to host applications to help ensure the best performance and cost benefits," said Daniel Bolton, head of technical services, Kingston University. "Working with VMware and our partner Xtravirt, we developed a cloud smart approach that dramatically modernized and simplified our environment and helped improve our overall security posture. VMware Cloud enables us to use our existing skills to pivot quickly to changing requirements while giving us a wider choice of cloud services across both the VMware and AWS ecosystems."

EPFL: Delivering a Modern Cloud That Enables Research Ingenuity (link)

The Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) is a research institute based in Lausanne, Switzerland. EPFL comprises 11,000 students, 350 faculty and 6,000 staff. From an IT infrastructure perspective, EPFL required infrastructure to be flexible and secure as well as fast and easy to access. EPFL also needs to keep its research community close and ensure high-value projects remain in the school environment. Unfortunately, researchers were stepping outside of the universitys IT infrastructure, posing potential data security, legal, reputational risks due to Switzerlands stringent data sovereignty regulations. Using VMware Cloud, the IT team developed a private cloud and self-service portal as a more secure alternative to public cloud. VMware Cloud Foundation combined with VMware Aria Automation, VMware Cloud on AWS and VMware NSX Distributed IDS/IPS has delivered a public cloud-like user experience while enabling better security, compliance, and control.

"The researchers love the VMware Cloud environment weve created for them. VMware Cloud enables EPLF to deliver a public cloud-like experience on prem and offer anything as a service to our community," said Philippe Morel, director of IT operations and infrastructure, EPFL. "With VMware Cloud we dont have to sacrifice speed and agility for security. Weve met our goal of 15-minute provisioning which has enabled us to nearly double the number of VMs while reducing the amount of shadow cloud use were finding across the community. VMware Cloud has given us better control over our IT environment and governance of our sensitive research data."

City of Potsdam: Accelerating Cloud Transformation for a Digitized Education System (link)

Potsdam, Germany is home to more than 180,000 residents. One of the citys most important missions is to provide a modern education experienceincluding digital servicesfor 25,000 students and 5,000 educators. As part of a federal government funding program to advance the digital infrastructure of the German school system, the City of Potsdam bought a fleet of 3,000 iPads for its students and teachers. The local municipality worked with PROFI AG to implement VMware Workspace ONE Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) on VMware Cloud on AWS to unify the management of the devices to help ensure compliance with GDPR and German data privacy laws.

"VMware Cloud has been instrumental in providing a digital foundation to accelerate our development of a modern, connected and digitized educational system," said Mathias Horezky, head of IT infrastructure and service, City of Potsdam. "With VMware Cloud on AWS and Workspace ONE UEM, our small IT staff can support a growing community of users with a modern digital learning platform that meets todays hybrid learning environment. VMware Cloud on AWS provides us with a modern GDPR-compliant hybrid cloud infrastructure that has lowered our costs and overall risk while streamlining IT operations. Resources that were previously managed on local servers in schools are now hosted in the cloud and managed remotely, providing our IT team with the ability to provision IT resources and additional mobile devices quickly."

About VMware

VMware is a leading provider of multi-cloud services for all apps, enabling digital innovation with enterprise control. As a trusted foundation to accelerate innovation, VMware software gives businesses the flexibility and choice they need to build the future. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, VMware is committed to building a better future through the companys 2030 Agenda. For more information, please visit www.vmware.com/company.

VMware, NSX, Aria, and Workspace ONE are trademarks or registered trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States, and other jurisdictions. This article may contain hyperlinks to non-VMware websites that are created and maintained by third parties who are solely responsible for the content on such websites.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230713119569/en/

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Wagner mercenaries rescued and evacuated a group of Chinese miners in central Africa about two weeks ago, signalling the paramilitary group is seeking to rebuild its image after stunning the world with an armed mutiny in Russia last month, analysts said.

The group posted photos and a statement on the social media platform Telegram last week indicating the operation involved a Chinese-operated mining site near Bambari in the Central African Republic earlier this month.

In March, nine Chinese nationals were killed and two wounded by unidentified gunmen at a gold mine north of Bambari.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

The group on July 1 received intelligence about an attack planned by local militants, it said in the statement, and the Chinese embassy soon contacted it for help.

The rescued Chinese miners sought refuge in a nearby jungle where Wagner fighters found and evacuated them, according to the Russian-based paramilitary group. Photo: Wagner Group alt=The rescued Chinese miners sought refuge in a nearby jungle where Wagner fighters found and evacuated them, according to the Russian-based paramilitary group. Photo: Wagner Group>

The next day Wagner sent its soldiers to look for the miners and found them seeking refuge in a nearby jungle. It evacuated the miners to the capital city Bangui two days later, according to the statement.

The photos posted on Telegram, apparently taken after the rescue, showed about a dozen Chinese workers standing next to several masked Wagner fighters.

The operation took place just a few days after Russian President Vladimir Putin invited 35 Wagner commanders to the Kremlin on June 29 following the group's aborted rebellion. Its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was among those invited, said Dmitry Peskov, the president's spokesman.

It is not clear if the Kremlin meeting discussed the Wagner Group's operations in Africa. A Kremlin spokesperson said earlier that the meeting was held to discuss the group's future.

The South China Morning Post tried to confirm the evacuation operation with the Chinese embassy in Bangui, but received no response as of Wednesday night.

Three Chinese military sources told the Post that it was "very common for Chinese government and state-owned enterprises to seek help from local private security forces to protect Chinese nationals and overseas assets".

"For China, this is just an occasional case. The Wagner Group is not its only choice [for security help] in central Africa," said Tian Buchou, a veteran of China's special forces who has spent nearly two decades managing security for Chinese companies in the Middle East and Africa.

"But this evacuation operation could be very important to the Wagner Group, which has been struggling to expand its business in resource-rich Africa" where France, the Netherlands, Spain and India also have mercenaries, Tian added.

Another Chinese military veteran, who spoke on condition of anonymity, believed the group had chosen to disclose the operation to appease Putin by showing it was eager to help Russia bolster its relations with China.

"Only Chinese state-owned enterprises are allowed to operate mines in Africa, and these operations are backed by the Chinese government," the veteran said. "Chinese companies are major potential clients [for Wagner]."

Zhou Chenming, a researcher with the Beijing-based Yuan Wang military science and technology think tank, suggested the disclosure might be an intentional message from the Wagner Group that it was refocusing on its African business.

"The Wagner Group needs to tell the world that it is taking up its old trade," he said.

"For China, both the gold mining and hiring of security forces to protect the workers are just normal commercial operations, and Beijing is only interested in business and not local politics," Zhou said.

"So it is happy to contract out security matters like the protection of Chinese nationals and assets to private military groups."

Soon after the attack in Bambari in March, a militant rebel group called the Coalition of Patriots for Change denied it was behind the violence.

However, without providing evidence, it accused the Wagner Group and the Central African Republic's livestock minister of planning the attack.

A Chinese military source, who also requested anonymity, dismissed that accusation, saying such a scenario would go against the Russian-based outfit's own interests.

"It's an open secret that the Wagner Group has helped the Central Africa government train its army, so it does not make sense for Wagner to attack Chinese nationals," the source said.

"However, the Chinese government would not want to make a big deal because it doesn't want to get involved in local politics, especially when Wagner mercenaries were alleged to have committed systemic and grave human rights atrocities on the battlefield of the Ukraine war," he added.

Zhou said the Wagner Group was not Beijing's sole working security partner in African countries and that competitors from countries like France, Spain and the Netherlands were also active.

These developments have transpired despite a United Nations convention prohibiting the recruitment, training, use, and financing of mercenaries. The treaty entered into force in 2001 and has been ratified by 46 countries among the UN's 193 member states.

That means many nations, including the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the US - have neither ratified nor signed the convention, while Belgium and other countries have signed it with reservations.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
WELL has completed the acquisition of Atlanta based CarePlus Management (" CarePlus ") through its CRH Medical subsidiary

The acquisition of CarePlus provides CRH with a platform for provider recruitment and locum tenens staffing. The acquisition will also expand CRH's US geographical footprint of Anesthesia providers and add revenue cycle management (RCM) services.

CarePlus positions CRH to provide more shared services to other US based business interests for WELL and increases its 2023 annual revenue guidance to be between $740 million and $760 million CAD.

VANCOUVER, BC and ATLANTA, Ga., July 13, 2023 /CNW/ - WELL Health Technologies Corp. (TSX: WELL) (OTCQX: WHTCF) (the "Company" or "WELL")  a practitioner focused digital health company that is positively impacting health outcomes by tech-enabling healthcare providers and their patients globally, is pleased to announce its wholly owned subsidiary, CRH Medical ("CRH"), has completed the acquisition of CarePlus Management ("CarePlus") (the "Transaction"). In conjunction with this Transaction, WELL increases its annual revenue guidance for 2023 to be between $740 million and $760 million and re-iterates its annual Adjusted EBITDA guidance to exceed 10% annual growth.

WELL Health Technologies Corp. Logo (CNW Group/WELL Health Technologies Corp.)

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, CarePlus has three primary businesses: (i) RADAR Healthcare Providers ("RADAR") which provides staffing and locum tenens services focused on anesthesia providers; (ii) Anesthesia services division, similar to CRH's clinical anesthesia services and (iii) Premier Choice Billing ("Premier Choice") which provides billing, revenue cycle management (RCM) and collection services for healthcare entities.

Jay Kreger, CEO of CRH Medical commented, "We are very pleased to welcome CarePlus to the WELL family. This acquisition not only grows and strengthens CRH's existing business but also positions CRH to serve as a shared service for provider recruitment and billing services to the other US based businesses in WELL's portfolio. The CarePlus platform adds significant upside for growth and diversification beyond clinical anesthesia services to include recruitment and revenue-cycle management services. We look forward to helping tech enable the healthcare providers that use and leverage the platform".

Hamed Shahbazi, Founder and CEO of WELL Health commented, "As a healthcare provider focused company, we're thrilled to acquire a successful and profitable recruitment platform, built and operated by a best-in-class recruitment team. CarePlus will help CRH further optimize anesthesia services, streamline staffing, and enhance revenue cycle management, empowering ASC operators and healthcare providers to focus on providing outstanding patient care. This acquisition marks a milestone in our journey for continued growth and diversification of CRH's business in specialties beyond gastroenterology."

RADAR is CarePlus's full-service recruitment company that provides locum tenens and permanent placement anesthesia staffing solutions. RADAR specializes in Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and anesthesiologist recruitment and placement for its network of customers which include provider groups, hospitals, and ASCs across 29 states. With a database of over 70,000 anesthesia providers to leverage, RADAR has served over 150 clients to date, and is well positioned to further increase its footprint of providers and clients. CRH intends to expand the scope of RADAR to other specialties and healthcare professionals, such as Physician specialists, primary care, and nursing professionals. The majority of CarePlus's revenue is generated from the RADAR business division.

CarePlus's Anesthesia division operates in 18 ASC locations including wholly owned, majority owned, and management contract operated entities across nine states, including five states, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, South Dakota, and Illinois, in which CRH previously did not provide such services. With CarePlus, CRH now provides anesthesia services to 142 ASCs across 23 states.

Premier Choice is a growing RCM business that services owned entities and management services entities. Premier Choice offers potential synergistic opportunities to provide RCM and collection services to CRH's existing anesthesia services.

Last month, CRH disclosed that it had made significant progress in its efforts to digitize the CRH business including the completion of a strategic investment in Graphium Health a leading EMR focused on Anesthesia practices. CRH recently completed a pilot project with Graphium that demonstrated its ability to further tech-enable CRH's providers resulting in clear improvements to time to billing and accounts receivable performance. CRH's goal is to tech enable healthcare providers that participate in the RADAR business using Graphium and other digitization initiatives it is deploying in its own business.

The Transaction was fully funded by CRH's cash on hand and credit facilities. Investors in CarePlus included Atlanta, Georgia based firms Fulcrum Equity Partners, a growth equity fund and Level Capital Partners, a private investment firm focused on the healthcare services and technology-enabled business services. Brentwood Capital Advisors acted as advisors to CarePlus.

WELL HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES CORP.

Per: "Hamed Shahbazi"

Hamed Shahbazi

Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and Director

About WELL Health Technologies Corp.

WELL's mission is to tech-enable healthcare providers. We do this by developing the best technologies, services, and support available, which ensures healthcare providers are empowered to positively impact patient outcomes. WELL's comprehensive healthcare and digital platform includes extensive front and back-office management software applications that help physicians run and secure their practices. WELL's solutions enable more than 28,000 healthcare providers between the US and Canada and power the largest owned and operated healthcare ecosystem in Canada with more than 130 clinics supporting primary care, specialized care, and diagnostic services. In the United States WELL's solutions are focused on specialized markets such as the gastrointestinal market, women's health, primary care, and mental health. WELL is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "WELL" and on the OTC Exchange under the symbol "WHTCF". To learn more about the Company, please visit: www.well.company

Cision

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RENO, NV / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2023 / Whittier Trust is thrilled to announce the promotion of Danny Schenker to Vice President, Client Advisor at its Reno, Nevada Office. Danny has more than seven years of family office, financial planning and trust administration experience.

Whittier Trust, Thursday, July 13, 2023, Press release picture

As Vice President, Danny Schenker plays a key role in providing comprehensive financial and fiduciary services to high-net-worth individuals and their families. With a focus on cultivating multi-generational relationships, Danny succeeds in guiding clients through various facets of trust and agency administration. His expertise spans a wide range of areas, including meticulous document review, fiduciary accounting, investment advisory, financial analysis, real estate, tax optimization and estate planning strategies.

"I am thrilled to announce Danny Schenker's well-deserved promotion to the role of Vice President at Whittier Trust," said Robert LeBeau, Senior Vice President at Whittier Trust. "I have had the privilege of witnessing Danny's exceptional professionalism and passion firsthand and his dedication, expertise and unwavering commitment to our clients have been instrumental in driving their financial success."

Danny joined Whittier Trust in February 2016 until February 2021, before a brief stint as an Associate at EPIQ Capital Group where he worked closely with tech founders and general partners in the venture capital and private equity spaces. Danny returned to Whittier Trust as Assistant Vice President, Client Advisor in May 2022.

Danny Schenker is a graduate of the University of Nevada, where he received his bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in economics and finance. Danny is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and holds a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CFTA) designation. In addition to his commitment to his clients, Danny also serves as President of the Planned Giving Round Table of Northern Nevada and is on the Young Professionals Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada.

###

About Whittier Trust

Collectively, Whittier Trust Company and The Whittier Trust Company of Nevada, Inc. (referred to herein individually and collectively as "Whittier Trust"), are state-chartered trust companies wholly owned by Whittier Holdings, Inc. ("WHI"), a closely-held holding company. Whittier Trust is the oldest multi-family office headquartered on the West Coast. Whittier Trust works with 566 families and over 160 private foundations, donor-advised funds and nonprofit endowments throughout the US, advising on over $19 billion in assets. The firm has helped individuals and families manage, grow and transfer wealth intergenerationally for six generations. The firm has offices in South Pasadena, San Francisco, Menlo Park, Newport Beach, West Los Angeles, Reno, Seattle and Portland. To learn more, visit http://www.whittiertrust.com.

Contact:

Brandi J. Fields

Whittier Trust

Email: BFields@whittiertrust.com

SOURCE: Whittier Trust







View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/767620/Whittier-Trust-Promotes-Danny-Schenker-to-Vice-President-Client-Advisor-in-Nevada-Office




WNS (Holdings) (NYSE:WNS) Has More To Do To Multiply In Value Going Forward

To find a multi-bagger stock, what are the underlying trends we should look for in a business? One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. This shows us that it's a compounding machine, able to continually reinvest its earnings back into the business and generate higher returns. With that in mind, the ROCE of WNS (Holdings) (NYSE:WNS) looks decent, right now, so lets see what the trend of returns can tell us.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for WNS (Holdings):

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.15 = US$175m  (US$1.5b - US$304m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2023).

So, WNS (Holdings) has an ROCE of 15%. In absolute terms, that's a pretty normal return, and it's somewhat close to the Professional Services industry average of 12%.

View our latest analysis for WNS (Holdings)

roce

In the above chart we have measured WNS (Holdings)'s prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

So How Is WNS (Holdings)'s ROCE Trending?

While the current returns on capital are decent, they haven't changed much. The company has consistently earned 15% for the last five years, and the capital employed within the business has risen 103% in that time. Since 15% is a moderate ROCE though, it's good to see a business can continue to reinvest at these decent rates of return. Over long periods of time, returns like these might not be too exciting, but with consistency they can pay off in terms of share price returns.

Our Take On WNS (Holdings)'s ROCE

To sum it up, WNS (Holdings) has simply been reinvesting capital steadily, at those decent rates of return. However, over the last five years, the stock has only delivered a 34% return to shareholders who held over that period. So to determine if WNS (Holdings) is a multi-bagger going forward, we'd suggest digging deeper into the company's other fundamentals.

While WNS (Holdings) doesn't shine too bright in this respect, it's still worth seeing if the company is trading at attractive prices. You can find that out with our FREE intrinsic value estimation on our platform.

While WNS (Holdings) may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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One Colorado woman took setting high standards for herself to a whole new level  and made hundreds of million dollars doing so.

Side Gig: Earn Up To $200/Hour With This Easy-To-Start Job, No College Degree Required

Learn: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases

In 2010, Nancy Whiteman left her high-paying consulting job to embark on a cannabis culinary adventure in Boulder, Colorado, long before recreational marijuana was legalized. Little did she know that her gamble would pay off in a big way.

Today, as the 64-year-old founder of edible cannabis company Wana, she stands as one of the wealthiest self-made women in the United States, boasting a remarkable net worth of $225 million. Even with substantial tax payments, generous cash disbursements to her employees and a noteworthy $50 million donation to her nonprofit, Whitemans estimated net worth of $225 million has earned her a spot on Forbes list of Americas Most Successful Businesswomen.

Lets dive into Whitemans extraordinary journey, which has taken her from the insurance industry to her current title as the queen of legal weed.

From Traditional to Trailblazing

Whitemans career shifted from as mainstream as you can get  an insurance executive  to becoming a true pioneer in an emerging space.

Explaining her motivation, she told CNBC, I wanted a business where I could build value, and it didnt depend on me. I also love to cook.

Little did she know that her passion for cooking would lead her to a groundbreaking venture in the least traditional industry imaginable.

Im a Millionaire: Why Im Not Passing Generational Wealth to My Kids

A Home-Grown Success Story

Whitemans success stems primarily from her sale of Wana for a staggering $350 million in 2021 to Canopy Growth, a prominent cannabis company based in Ontario, Canada.

At the time, she told MJBizDaily, I was looking for a partner who shared that dual vision of the industry: that it could be both an effective alcohol replacement and recreational option, and it could be a driver for good on the health and wellness side.

She found that partner in Canopy and received an initial installment of $297.5 million in upfront cash for the sale. Remarkably, she continues to hold the position of CEO at Wana, further solidifying her influence and leadership within the cannabis industry.

An Unlikely Beginning

The inception of Wana can be traced back to an unexpected encounter. According to Forbes, it was a conversation with the father of her daughters friend that piqued Whitemans interest in an illicit industry.

Initially, she was unfamiliar with the concept of edibles.

I had no idea what he was referring to, but he clarified that it was a product infused with marijuana, which is what we used to call it before cannabis became more commonly used, she said. Thats when our conversation began.

Intrigued, she embarked on a journey that would shape her future and revolutionize the edibles market. As it turned out, it was a great idea, as she was very much ahead of the curve. In fact, according to recent data from Seattle-based analytics firm Headset, edibles account for 12% of the total cannabis industry today.

Starting Small, Growing Big

Joined by her then-husband, John Whiteman, the couple initially collaborated with the friends father, experimenting with their culinary skills in a local commercial kitchen. However, within a year, the duo decided to forge their own path and invested $50,000 to $60,000 of their personal funds to establish Wana from their own kitchen.

The early days were challenging, with the couple conducting market research themselves and often dipping into personal funds to cover expenses. Whiteman even took up occasional marketing consulting gigs to make ends meet.

Despite facing personal challenges, including a divorce at the end of 2011, they remained committed business partners. Their perseverance paid off as the cannabis industry gained traction. With the legalization of off-the-shelf cannabis sales in Colorado in 2014 and growing nationwide interest in edibles, Wana experienced substantial annual revenue growth. In 2017, the companys revenue reached an impressive $14.5 million, a significant leap from its humble beginnings of $100,000 in the first year.

Navigating Obstacles

While the cannabis industry has witnessed significant growth, it also has faced its share of challenges. Market saturation and increased competition in the edibles sector have impacted Wanas trajectory. The early days of the pandemic brought a surge in cannabis sales, but subsequent revenue declines have necessitated strategic decisions. Wana has made the difficult choice to exit the California and Oregon markets due to evolving market dynamics and pricing pressures.

We happened to enter the market just as wholesale pricing started to really plummet, Whiteman told Forbes. We ended up in an unenviable position of being a very expensive product in a market that was experiencing severe price compression.

Future So Bright

As the cannabis landscape continues to evolve, Whiteman and Wana are poised to adapt to changing market conditions. With a relentless commitment to quality and innovation, Whitemans entrepreneurial spirit remains undeterred. Despite the challenges, her remarkable journey serves as an inspiration for those navigating uncharted territories, exemplifying how passion, resilience and a willingness to take risks can lead to unparalleled success.

The Multimillion-Dollar Woman

Nancy Whitemans story is a testament to the transformative power of entrepreneurship and seizing opportunities in unconventional industries. From leaving her traditional career to building a multimillion-dollar empire in the cannabis market, she has redefined success on her own terms. As Wana continues to make waves, Whitemans legacy serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and a reminder that the path to success often lies beyond the confines of convention.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How a Woman Quit Her Job and Built a $225 Million Net Worth Cooking Edibles
Yellen Heads to G-20 as US Seeks to Strengthen Ties With India, Vietnam

(Bloomberg) -- Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is traveling to India and Vietnam next week, seeking to strengthen ties with two increasingly important US partners and shore up economic resilience through diversified supply chains.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Yellen will first head to Gandhinagar, India, for a meeting of Group of 20 finance and central bank heads, where she will push for reforming global lending institutions to boost the size and scope of their firepower and for advancing talks on easing the debt burden for poorer nations, a senior Treasury official said.

The US finance chief will be making her third visit to India in nine months amid a concerted push by Washington to strengthen trade and economic ties with Chinas giant neighbor.

Yellen will use her G-20 participation to help deepen our already significant relationship, the Treasury said in a statement, adding that she will stress the importance of deepening ties with the country.

Yellen then heads to Vietnam, where shell meet with senior government officials and private businesses.

Strengthen Ties

While the G-20 meeting is the prime driver of the trip, both visits fit into Yellens broader friend-shoring initiative, the idea that the US should strengthen trade relationships with trusted partners to bolster global supply chains, reduce dependence on a small number of nations for critical components and shield the economy from geopolitical risks.

Yellens latest tour comes on the heels of her landmark visit to China last week, her first as Treasury secretary, which sought to ease tensions between the worlds two largest economies and reinstate channels of communication between them.

In Beijing, Yellen repeatedly stressed that the US is not seeking to decouple from China but rather to diversify supply chains in critical areas in order to protect its national security. While the two sides described their talks as constructive, they also remain locked in a fierce competition that has seen both nations impose  or consider  further restrictions on access to key technologies.

Finance Talks

In India, Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors meet on July 17-18 and look to make progress on bolstering the resources of multilateral development banks. They also seek to encourage greater flows of credit to address global challenges like climate change.

Yellen has championed a plan to expand the World Banks scope. Beyond country-by-country projects, she wants all the multilateral development banks to back cross-border efforts that address broad threats like climate change and pandemics.

The US estimates that these lenders  as a system  could unlock as much as $200 billion over the next 10 years by implementing change, the Treasury official said.

Debt Distress

During the talks, Yellen will also focus on debt distress, the official said, urging all bilateral official creditors, including China, to conclude existing debt-restructuring cases.

An agreement to restructure Zambias debt last month was the first major relief won by a developing country under the G-20s Common Framework, which brings the traditional creditor nations of the Paris Club around the same negotiating table with China and India.

Breakthroughs on specific outstanding cases are unlikely in these meetings, partly because not all debtor nations will be in attendance.

More broadly, reaching consensus at the G-20  which brings together geopolitical rivals  can be tricky.

India, the rotating head of the G-20 this year, was unable in the most recent finance meeting in April to secure either a joint statement or even a chairs statement of summary, underscoring deep divisions in a group that includes Russia.

In February, the chairs statement had reiterated G-20 language from last year, pointing out that Russias invasion of Ukraine had led to a United Nations vote of condemnation.

Vietnam Itinerary

In Hanoi, Yellen will meet central bank governor Nguyen Thi Hong on July 20 and plans to express satisfaction on the work the nations are doing to address concerns about Vietnams foreign-exchange management.

Under the Trump administration, the US in 2020 designated Vietnam as a currency manipulator, a label that the Biden team removed a year later.

She will then head to a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, in which she will stress the deep economic ties between the US and Vietnam help create greater economic resilience through friend-shoring. She meets with Finance Minister Ho Duc Phoc July 21.

The US Treasury chief will also take part in a discussion with female economists, and meet with Communist Party of Vietnam Central Economic Commission Chair Tran Tuan Anh.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
If you're happy coasting at your job, you might be in trouble from AI

Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Many US workers are "quiet quitting" and posting about their "lazy girl jobs."

Some of them may have to work harder to keep up when AI technologies enter their workplaces.

Experts told Insider AI could displace some white-collar jobs and make others more competitive.

If you've gotten used to "quiet quitting" and coasting at your job over the last year, you might be in for a rude awakening. That's because AI is coming to workplaces across the country.

Take April, a 38-year-old marketing and communications professional based in Virginia. She's among the many women who have posted about their "lazy girl jobs"  low-stress jobs that still pay well  on TikTok over the last few months. She told Insider she works 20 to 25 hours per week.

"I mainly copy and paste information from my templates and make it unique to a particular client or brand I'm working with," she said. "The job tasks usually require little effort."

In recent months, however, April said generative AI technologies are beginning to have a larger impact on her industry, and she's concerned that individuals and businesses will begin turning to AI for copywriting and brand storytelling  tasks where she'd like to think her human touch still adds value.

AI's most immediate impact on her job: She's picked up her intensity at work and knows she may have to say goodbye to the "lazy girl" nature of her job forever.

"The way that I have been approaching tasks recently has changed tremendously with the emergence of AI becoming widespread," she said. "I've been constantly sharpening my skills to stay ahead of the curve."

In the years to come, it's unlikely that April will be the only "lazy girl worker" who is forced to adapt due to AI. Across the US, businesses are beginning to experiment with generative AI technologies like ChatGPT. 300 million full-time jobs across the globe could be disrupted  not necessarily replaced  by AI, Goldman Sachs forecasted in March.

While this tech could be used to make many workers more productive in the years ahead  and even create jobs  this is unlikely to be the story everywhere. Some white-collar workers in industries ranging from tech to finance to media could find themselves feeling less valuable as AI chips away at their work tasks. Others could see newcomers who are adept with these technologies quickly catch up to and surpass them in terms of work quality and output.

Whether it's competing against AI or co-workers utilizing it, many jobs could get more competitive in the years ahead.

"You will not be replaced by AI but by someone who knows what to do with AI," Oded Netzer, a Columbia Business School professor, previously told Insider.

Oxford economist Carl Benedikt Frey compared the AI boom to the introduction of ride-hailing companies like Uber, which resulted in more drivers and increased competition.

"In my view, it's less about automation," he told Insider. "It's more about democratization and competition, potentially leading to lower wages for people in some of these professions."

Workers can adapt by utilizing AI and focusing on what it can't do as well as humans

Kierstin Carter, 21, works as a litigation paralegal in Austin, Texas. She told Insider that she considers her role to be a lazy girl job because her tasks are very predictable and manageable.

"I come in at about 7 a.m., read and answer emails, file documents, draft documents, answer phone calls, and do all this while watching my show on my desktop until about 6 p.m.," she told Insider.

While paralegals are among the roles experts say AI could disrupt, Carter said that she's confident her ability to manage client relationships will help her retain an edge over these technologies.

"In the legal field you are constantly communicating with clients and clients' kind look to you for not only help with their cases but also for emotional support," she said, adding. "I think that is something AI will never be able to replace  relationships with clients."

April, meanwhile, said she's also confident she'll be able to navigate the changes AI brings, adding that these technologies have boosted her productivity at some tasks.

"Now I have to compete with artificial intelligence," she said. "The AI concerns don't make me want to switch to an easier job, but adjust the way I do things currently. I know I'll be having to work harder to keep up with the rapid changes."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The FDA is currently assessing concerns raised by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer about the high caffeine content in a popular energy drink called Prime Energy.

The drink, founded by YouTube stars Logan Paul and KSI, is allegedly being marketed to children and teens.

Schumer claimed that Prime Energy contains about six times more caffeine than a standard 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola.

According to a company representative, the drink is not meant for anyone under 18, and it complied with all FDA regulations before being launched in the market.

However, Schumer argued that the beverage is being promoted towards young demographics on social media.

Despite the FDA stating that adults can consume up to 400 mg of caffeine per day without adverse health effects, there's no established safe level for children.

Prime Energy contains 200 mg of caffeine per 12 ounces, equal to six cans of Coca-Cola or nearly two Red Bulls. The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry advises against using caffeine for children under 12 and any use of energy drinks for all children and teens.

Canada's health agency declared that Prime Energy should not be sold in the country, as it surpasses acceptable caffeine limits. It is actively working to address the issue of unapproved sales in the country.

The company's website warns that Prime Energy is not recommended for children under 18, pregnant or nursing women, or people sensitive to caffeine. The company also sells a non-caffeinated hydration drink.

Schumer pointed out that the packaging and marketing of caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks are so similar that parents may unintentionally purchase highly caffeinated energy drinks for their children.

The FDA will respond directly to Schumer about his concerns.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

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This article YouTube Stars' Energy Drink Under FDA Review After Senate Majority Leader Raises Concern originally appeared on Benzinga.com

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 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Since March 13, 2020, federal student loan borrowers haven't had to think much about their student loan payments. The U.S. Department of Education suspended payments, interest was set at 0% and millions of borrowers hoped President Biden's debt relief plan would come to fruition.

But payments will resume soon  and the Biden administrations student loan debt forgiveness plan is no longer an option thanks to the Supreme Court's June 2023 ruling  so borrowers are taking another look at their debt.

As you research available options, one factor is often overlooked: some forms of loan forgiveness are taxable. If you aren't prepared, the taxes on student loan forgiveness can be significant.

Do I have to pay income taxes on student loan forgiveness?

According to the most recent Federal Student Aid Data Center data, 43.6 million people have outstanding federal student loans. For those struggling to manage their payments, loan forgiveness can seem like a dream come true. But student loan forgiveness tax consequences could lead to surprise bills  sometimes called the student loan tax bomb  when borrowers submit their tax returns.

The IRS considers canceled debt, including most forms of student loan debt forgiveness or student loan discharge, to be taxable income.

However, borrowers working toward loan forgiveness have been exempt from taxes thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This measure made forgiven student loans exempt from federal income taxes, but it only applies to loans that are discharged between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 20225.

The American Rescue Plan applies to all student loan forgiveness programs but only affects federal income taxes. Although some states adopted similar measures for state income taxes, not all followed suit.

As of 2023, Indiana, North Carolina, and Mississippi have stated that the balance of forgiven student loans will be taxed as income. Taxpayers in Arkansas, California, and Wisconsin could face the same fate  the states are currently reviewing their tax laws and have yet to make a determination (as of June 2023).

[A previous version of this article stated Minnesota was one of the states to declare that forgiven student loan balances would be taxed as income. In the most recent Minnesota legislative session, lawmakers voted to amend Minn. Stat.  290.0132, subd. 24, and "permanently adopt the American Rescue Plan Act exclusion for discharged student loans...Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022."]

Student loan forgiveness tax consequences after 2025

The American Rescue Act's provisions regarding student loan forgiveness taxes will end on December 31, 2025. From January 1, 2026 onward, how student loan forgiveness and discharge programs are taxed depends on the program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Federal loan borrowers who work for non-profit organizations, government agencies or public service groups may qualify for PSLF if they work for a qualifying employer full-time for 10 years and make 120 qualifying monthly payments. After reaching those milestones, borrowers can apply for debt cancellation. Once approved, the government forgives the remainder of the federal loan balance.

PSLF is one of the few programs that is excluded from federal income taxes; none of the forgiven loan amount is taxable as income.

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Discharge

IDR plans are for federal loan borrowers who have trouble affording their payments under the standard 10-year repayment plan. IDR plans extend the loan terms and base the borrower's monthly payments on a percentage of their discretionary income. The four IDR plans are:

Income-Based Repayment

Income-Contingent Repayment

Pay As You Earn

Revised Pay As You Earn

The government will discharge the remainder if the borrower still has a balance at the end of their loan term. However, the forgiven loans are taxable as income at the federal and state levels.

Important: President Biden announced the launch of the new SAVE IDR plan in June 2023. Under the SAVE plan, many borrowers could qualify for lower payments, and qualify for loan forgiveness in as little as 10 years. However, the new plan is being introduced in a phased approach, and all of its benefits won't go into effect until 2024.

Borrower Defense to Repayment Discharge

Borrower Defense to Repayment Discharge is a program that eliminates federal student loans belonging to borrowers who their college misled, or if their schools engaged in misconduct and violated state laws.

The IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury have issued notices that clarify that loans discharged through Borrower Defense to Repayment are not taxable as income.

Total and Permanent Disability Discharge (TPDD)

TPDD applies to borrowers who become totally and permanently disabled. The government will discharge the remaining loan balance for eligible federal loan borrowers.

How taxes are handled depends on when you qualify for discharge.

If you received discharge before January 1, 2018, the discharged loan amount is subject to federal income taxes. Loans discharged between January 1, 2028, and December 31, 2025, are exempt from federal income taxes. How TPDD will be taxed in 2026 and beyond is not clear at this time.

Tax on student loan forgiveness for private student loans

Private student loans aren't eligible for federal loan programs like PSLF or TPDD. But borrowers with private student loans may qualify for other loan forgiveness or discharge programs. For example, some private lenders will discharge the loans of borrowers who become totally and permanently disabled.

The American Rescue Plan specifies that forgiven private student loans are also exempt from federal income taxes through the end of 2025. However, they may be subject to state income taxes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay down my balance to lower my tax bill?

Technically, you can pay down your loan balance to decrease your tax bill if you expect a loan discharge after 2025. But because those taxable programs are based on your income, you may have enough cash to pay down the debt; if you do, there's a chance your payments will go up in the future, decreasing the effectiveness of the forgiveness program.

How can I estimate how much I will owe in taxes due to student loan forgiveness?

How much you will have to pay in taxes depends on the amount of loan forgiveness you receive and your tax bracket. You can use the American Institute of CPAs marginal tax rate calculator to see how loan forgiveness will impact your tax bill.

The tool can give you a ballpark figure of how much you'll owe so you can plan ahead. If you expect a large tax bill, setting aside a little cash every month in a high-yield savings account or CD can help you prepare.

If Congress extends the Rescue Plan past 2025, how will that affect borrowers?

If Congress extends the American Rescue Plan past 2025, borrowers seeking loan forgiveness through IDR discharge, TPDD, and private loan forgiveness programs would be exempt from federal income taxes. PSLF is never taxed as income, so any extensions wouldn't impact borrowers working toward loan forgiveness through that program.
Two women accused of being negligent in their care of a 5-month-old child, who died earlier this year at the daycare facility they worked at, were indicted on felony charges Thursday by a King George grand jury.

Tiffany Nicole Roy, 35, and Arlene Victoria Blanchard, 40, both of King George, are charged with felony child neglect. The charge is a Class 6 felony that carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison.

The charges stem from the Feb. 21 death of a 5-month-old boy named Maxx, the son of Kasey Hamlet and Trevin Wilson. The baby died while in the care of the C&A Daycare and Preschool in the 5200 block of Potomac Drive in the Dahlgren area.

According to an investigative report by the Virginia Department of Social Services, Maxx hadnt been checked on for more than three hours that day when he was discovered pale and not breathing. Subsequent CPR attempts and further life-saving efforts at a local hospital were unsuccessful.

Roy and Blanchard were charged in March following a review of the facilitys camera footage and documentation. Roy was directly indicted on a second neglect charge Thursday.

The day care is still in operation, but is temporarily not allowed to care for any child under 16 months. Roy and Blanchard no longer work there.

The state report shows that Maxx was swaddled and laid on his stomach in a crib at 10:53 a.m. The baby was not checked on again until 2:10 p.m. The baby was last seen moving in the crib at 12:27 p.m.

Eleven children were present as one of the staffers performed CPR on Maxx, who was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.

The state report cited 23 violations of state standards at the day care, though none resulted in serious harm to any other children. The violations included failing to have at least one staffer for every four infants, failing to check on infants in a timely fashion, failing to make sure children were always within sight of a staffer and failing to ensure that such things as striking or rough handling of children were forbidden.

The owner of the facility recently sent a message to parents stating that the violations have since been addressed and that staffers received eight hours of intensive training this month.
A former Fremont police officer who resigned in April after being arrested for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) in Iowa has been charged in Dodge County Court with three different misdemeanor offenses related to claims of domestic violence and child abuse.

Payton L. Boston, 31, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was charged on July 11 with three Class I misdemeanor charges: suspicion of third degree domestic assault; and two separate counts of suspicion of child abuse.

Attempts to contact Boston for comment were unsuccessful.

Boston resigned from the Fremont Police Department on April 24, Nebraska state Crime Commission officials confirmed on April 27.

According to Iowa court documents, he pleaded guilty on July 12 to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence, first offense, a serious misdemeanor in Iowa.

The Dodge County court filings did not contain specific details of the new allegations. Boston is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment hearing at 9 a.m., Tuesday, July 25.

A Lincoln-based State of Nebraska prosecutor has been appointed to the case after Dodge County Attorney Pamela Hopkins filed papers with the court stating it would be a conflict of interest for her office to prosecute Boston.

According to the court filings in the case, Boston is accused of the following alleged crimes:

- Threatening an intimate partner in a menacing manner, the alleged victim a 33-year-old woman.

- Negligently cause or permit a minor child to be placed in a situation that endangered his life or physical or mental health and did not result in serious bodily injury, the alleged victim a 7-year-old boy.

- Negligently cause or permit a minor child to be placed in a situation that endangered his life or physical or mental health and did not result in serious bodily injury, the alleged victim a 5-year-old girl.

The Tribune does not identify by name alleged victims of domestic violence or child abuse.

According to the citation filed with the court, the alleged incident occurred at 2 p.m., Friday, June 16, inside a home in Fremont, and was investigated by officers with Troop A of the Nebraska State Patrol.

If found guilty of the three charges, Boston could face a maximum sentence for each of the three charges of one year in state prison and a maximum $1,000 fine.

Fremont Police Chief Jeff Elliott did not respond to requests from the Tribune seeking comment.

Bostons OWI offense, according to Harrison County, Iowa, Sheriffs Office officials, occurred at 4:40 a.m., Sunday, April 2, in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Boston, who has relatives who reside near the town, was arrested and booked into the Harrison County Jail and released that day.

He was arrested by Missouri Valley police, a small town about 30 miles east of Blair, across the Missouri River.

Boston could face punishment from a judge in Iowa, including possible revocation of his drivers license for up to six months as well as potential fines or installation of an ignition interlock device if determined appropriate by the court.

Boston was hired at the Fremont Police Department in February 2018 after a three-year career as a corrections officer for the State of Nebraska. He graduated from the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in 2018.

In his City of Fremont biography, he was described as a three-year veteran of the U.S. Army and a current member of the Iowa National Guard. His official place of residence in court documents is listed as Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Nebraska state law requires law enforcement agencies across the state to file a Personal Change-in-Status Form anytime a licensed peace officer leaves the employment of any law enforcement agency.

The form must be filed with the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Centers Nebraska Crime Commission within seven days of the separation of employment.

On April 25, Fremont Police Chief Jeff Elliott signed and submitted to the NLETC the form stating Boston had resigned from the department effective Monday, April 24.

In the reason for separation section of the form, Elliott checked a box with the description of Bostons separation: Resignation: before initiation or completion of an internal affairs investigation into allegations, that if founded, could result in revocation.

Bostons resignation in April was the third employee departure from the Fremont Police Department since March 1, 2023.

Rachel Wesely, the departments mental health co-responder resigned from the department and worked her last day on March 3.

The other departure was longtime police detective Matt Hultquist, whose last day of work was as Friday, April 21. Hultquist took a new job as an investigator with the Saunders County Sheriffs Office.

The department did get a new officer on July 11, when the Fremont City Council approved the hiring of Gabriel Steele as a new officer.
The next class of Nebraska State Patrol troopers has started their training at the NSP Training Academy. The recruits of Camp 68 will train for six months, with graduation in December.

Camp 68 includes 11 recruits from across Nebraska and Iowa. The area recruits are: Ethan Anderson of Fremont and Kierra Stewart of Dodge.

These recruits have gone through a rigorous selection process to reach this point, said Captain Andy Ecklund, NSP Director of Training. Theyve answered the call and made a commitment to serve the public. Our Training Academy troopers will equip them with the tools and skills they need to serve with honor and dedication.

Nebraska State Patrol recruits go through hundreds of hours of classroom and practical instruction, including life-like scenarios designed to simulate situations they will encounter while serving Nebraska. Camp 68 is scheduled to graduate on Dec. 15.

The next NSP hiring process opens in August. Interested applicants can get information and connect with a trooper recruiter at NebraskaTroopers.com.
Officials with the City of Fremont issued a press release warning on their social media sites on Wednesday, advising travelers coming to town for the 35th annual John C. Fremont Days festival to avoid the Military Avenue exit on U.S. Highway 275 and use a detour.

In a statement posted to the citys Facebook page, officials advised drivers use either Broad Street to access festival sites, or Morningside Road and then Luther Road to get into the city center.

For John C. Fremont Days traffic headed from the southeast to Fremont on U.S. Highway 275 or from the east on State Highway 36, please avoid the Military Avenue Exit as there may be delays due to bridge construction, officials stated in the release. Please also note that the Bell Street viaduct is closed so access into the city from Old 275/Bell Street is not available. Please take the new South Fremont Beltway  U.S. Highway 77  to Broad Street or the Morningside Road exit off of U.S. Highway 275, turn north on Luther Road and then west on Military Avenue to downtown.

Access into the city center is limited due to the ongoing construction work and closure of the Bell Street viaduct/bridge, which has been the traditional main entry point into the downtown for travelers coming from the south.

At the Military Avenue exit off of U.S. Highway 275, there is an overpass construction project being done by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, and temporary red-light signals have been installed to control traffic on the exist. The light change timing can lead to long delays sitting at the exit for drivers attempting to turn west onto Military Avenue.
The Bud Light boycott has seemingly reached a new milestone after Costco appeared to halt plans to restock the beer.

The grocery center appeared to have given the beer its "death star," which is an asterisk placed next to the price of a product. When products receive this asterisk, it signifies that Costco will not restock an item once the item is sold out, according to Independent Journal Review.

Multiple photos of the chain's "death star" next to the price of Bud Light that Costco is selling have been posted online.

Costco's apparent decision not to restock Bud Light comes after the beer experienced major backlash over its partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, a biological man who identifies as a woman. Earlier this year, the brand sent the influencer a beer can featuring Mulvaney's face to mark a full year of "girlhood," leading conservatives to urge the public to boycott the brand.

Since then, Bud Light sales have fallen sharply, even to the point of hurting other brands in the portfolio of Anheuser-Busch.

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The beer brand, owned by Anheuser-Busch, went dark on Twitter after April 14, when a tweet reading "TGIF" was met with upset online. In June, Bud Light wrote on Twitter for the first time since it was forced to address the Mulvaney controversy.

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The attempt to return to Twitter has not been received well by other users on the platform, who have mocked the company for its failed campaign.

The Washington Examiner has contacted Costco for comment.

Original Location: Costco selling its last round of Bud Light, gives beer its fatal 'death star'

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A new master planned community that wants to annex into Colorado Springs city limits and could include hundreds of new homes as well as commercial, industrial and open space is closer to reality.

The city Planning Commission on Wednesday supported a request from developers to annex roughly 145 acres northeast of the Powers Boulevard and Bradley Road intersection into the city's boundary. The board also supported the proposed Villages at Waterview North master and concept plans and requests to rezone portions of the vacant property located in unincorporated El Paso County.

Developers said they plan to build up to 800 new multi-family and single-family residential units, along with a mix of other industrial, commercial and public uses on about 116.5 acres of the project site.

The requests now head to the City Council for consideration at a future date.

The project's goal, said Jim Houk with developer consultant Kimley-Horn, is to develop an "integrated patchwork" of residential neighborhoods that will offer residents a diverse mix of housing options.

A concept plan shows about 57.5 acres of the site is intended for housing, with another 44 acres designated for commercial and industrial uses. The project also plans for about 3.5 acres of park space and 4.28 acres of open space.

One of the property owners, Veterans Villa Operating LLC, intends to build a 250-unit residential complex as part of the proposed development that will provide "upscale" residential services, its Chairman Joseph Zock told commissioners Wednesday. It will primarily be marketed to veterans but it will not be a "veterans-only facility," he said.

Close to the Colorado Springs Airport, military installations and other employment centers, Villages at Waterview North will be an ideal place for future residents to live, he said.

"We're excited about the project," agreed developer Ray O'Sullivan, who is overseeing the proposed development. "We think there's good demand for it. People want to live close to their jobs."

Bryan English, development projects manager with Colorado Springs Utilities, said Wednesday the proposed project meets new city requirements for annexation, namely that Utilities has at least 128% of the water necessary to serve existing city demand and projected demand from new properties looking to annex into Colorado Springs.

Colorado Springs Utilities can reliably provide 95,000 acre-feet of water a year to its customers, English said, nearly 4,000 acre-feet-per-year more than required to service the Villages at Waterview North project.

An acre-foot of water is enough to cover an acre of land to a depth of about one foot and is considered the amount needed by a family of four for about a year.

Some planning commissioners said they were concerned about safety and noise levels since portions of the development are proposed in an aircraft accident potential subzone and an airport overlay.

"I have planes fly over my house at 6 o'clock in the morning and wake me up, and I'm a long way from the end of an (airport) runway," Planning Commissioner Marty Rickett said. "I can't imagine what this is going to be like."

O'Sullivan said new energy-efficient construction regulations and new technology can help block out nearby aircraft noise.

Ultimately, planning commissioners voted Wednesday to include a condition that developers meet additional requirements to limit noise levels on all residential areas within the concept plan area. Commissioners also requested city staff include standard disclosure language on the future development plan to ensure residents are made aware they may experience aircraft noise.

Planning Commission Chairman Scott Hente and Commissioner Jack Briggs said they were concerned about the potential for aircraft accidents happening in the proposed residential areas.

"You're overflowing with aircraft" in the area, Briggs said. "You're flying directly over (houses), which means that impacts safety."

O'Sullivan said the project adheres to airport overlay and accident protection zone standards.

"We're asking for this annexation to be approved given we've gone through all the scrutiny and dedicated ourselves to trying to design a project that meets the standards, rules and regulations put in front of us," he said.

"The (level of) risk isn't zero," Commissioner James McMurray said. "... I get there are risks, but the standard is the standard. The standard has been met."
The Colorado Springs man accused of firing multiple shots at a mother and her child during a road rage incident claimed he was the victim of road rage to police after being arrested, according to arrest records obtained by The Gazette.

Bryan Alexander Petersen, 24, was arrested by Colorado Springs police on July 4 after a woman claimed a man had shot at her car during a road rage incident in the area of North Carefree Circle and Peterson Road in Colorado Springs.

The arrest affidavit for the incident states that the woman, whose name was redacted from the affidavit, was "brake checked" by another driver multiple times before the driver of the vehicle took out a handgun and fired two shots at her car.

A picture of the shooter's car taken by the victim led police to the home of Petersen, where the car involved in the earlier road rage incident was found by police, according to the affidavit. Petersen was arrested shortly after, and claimed that he was the victim of road rage on the part of the woman driving the car he shot at, and that he only pulled out his gun because he feared for his life.

Police state within the affidavit that Petersen said he understood he "handled the situation improperly and he was in the wrong," but that he thought the woman driving the other car was trying to run him off the road, and that when he yelled at her to pull over he saw the woman "rummaging in her center console and thought she was going to produce a firearm."

In response, Petersen claimed he fired two shots in the air, according to the affidavit.

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Police state within the affidavit that the two bullet holes found on the victim's car were located on the driver's side door "in close range of where (the victim) was seated while driving the vehicle."

The victim's 10-year-old child was in the back seat of the car at the time of the shooting. No injuries were reported by any party involved in the incident.

Petersen has since been arrested and is now facing nine charges including two charges of attempted second-degree murder, two charges of illegal discharge of a firearm, reckless endangerment and more.

Petersen is being held in El Paso County jail on a $100,000 bond, he will make his first appearance in 4th District Court on Monday.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office announced on Wednesday that a murder charge was filed against a Pueblo man who was the alleged driver in a chase that led to the death of Fountain police Officer Julian Becerra earlier this year.

Devon Bobian, 32, has been charged with second-degree murder, vehicular eluding, motor vehicle theft, weapon possession by a previous offender and two counts of aggravated robbery.

The two other people arrested the evening of the incident  Danisha Pacheco, 29, and Anthony Vallejos, 33  each face four charges: two counts of aggravated robbery, menacing and a violent crime sentence enhancement.

According to previous Gazette reporting, Pacheco, Vallejos and Bobian were all arrested in February after stealing a car and leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a chase throughout El Paso County. Eventually, the driver, alleged to be Bobian, lost control on a bridge, crashed and all three of the defendants attempted to flee on foot. The affidavit states that while attempting to apprehend the trio, Becerra fell off the bridge and fell about 40 feet.

Becerra was immediately taken to the hospital but later died because of the injuries from the fall.

"This was an exhaustive investigation involving the Sheriff's Office and District Attorney's Office," 4th Judicial spokesperson Howard Black said when asked why it took it several months for charges to be filed against Bobian.

After the incident, Bobian was transferred to Pueblo County jail to face charges on outstanding warrants in unrelated criminal cases.

Court records show that in March, Bobian pleaded guilty to weapon possession by a previous offender in two different criminal cases, each charge landing him 18 months in the Department of Corrections.

Bobian was charged and arrested on the second-degree murder accusation on June 30, according to court records. Bobian is listed as an inmate in Bent County Correctional Facility with a mandatory release date of Aug. 22, 2024, according to Department of Corrections records.

Pacheco and Vallejos were already charged in El Paso County, and appeared in court Wednesday afternoon for a motions hearing ahead of their trial next month. At the hearing, the prosecution wished to have a ruling regarding a motion for joinder which, if granted, would see the cases of the two defendants combined and the pair tried together.

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Defense attorneys representing Pacheco and Vallejos opposed the prosecution motion and argued to Judge Chad Miller that it would be prejudicial to join the cases .

The defense attorneys argued that they intended to use the defense of duress, an argument that their clients were only complicit in the criminal activity that night out of fear of the other individuals in the car. Both sets of attorneys argued it would be prejudicial and damaging to their cases to be tried together when both defendants intend to claim duress.

The attorneys also said that the prosecution intended to use statements made by Pacheco to law enforcement at trial, and that to use those statements without falling under hearsay, Pacheco would have to be called as a witness in her own trial, something Miller stated he would not allow.

Miller issued his ruling based entirely on the issue regarding statements made by Pacheco, stating that if the prosecution intends to use those statements at trial, he would require the cases to remain separate.

However, Miller stated that if the prosecution opted not to use the statements made by Pacheco at trial, he would reopen the issue and reconsider joining the cases.

"The defense wins the battle today, I don't know if they'll win the war," Miller remarked after making his ruling.

Pacheco and Vallejos are scheduled to begin their jury trials next month on Aug. 14, but will return to court on Aug. 2 for pretrial readiness.

Bobian does not have a first appearance scheduled in 4th District Court at the time of writing, but a bond of $2 million has already been set for his release.
By Olena Harmash

KYIV (Reuters) -Russian shelling killed three people in Ukraine on Thursday and four were hurt in Kyiv after the capital came under attack for the third successive night, Ukrainian officials said.

An woman of 85 and a man in his forties were killed in the south of Ukraine and a 60-year-old person was killed in the north, hours after an overnight drone strike on the Kyiv area.

There has been no letup in Russian attacks or fighting in Ukraine this week, when NATO leaders have discussed security threats posed by Moscow at a summit in Lithuania and offered new military aid packages to Ukraine.

Ukrainian air defences shot down all 20 drones launched at the capital and the surrounding region overnight, as well as two Kalibr missiles fired at other parts of the country, the air force said.

Two people in Kyiv suffered from smoke inhalation during fires caused by falling debris, and two were hurt by shrapnel, the interior ministry said.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said one person had been killed in a fire in the capital overnight but the ministry said the cause was still being determined.

"This night, Russian terrorists again resorted to a mass attack," said Ruslan Kravchenko, the governor of the Kyiv region. British ambassador Melinda Simmons wrote on Twitter: "Pretty nasty night."

A missile and several drones were shot down in the Mykolaiv region in southern Ukraine, where falling debris damaged several buildings, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's office said.

The 85-year-old woman was killed when Russian forces shelled the village of Mykilske in the southern region of Kherson around noon (0900 GMT), regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

The man in his forties who was killed died in shelling of the town of Orikhiv in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, governor Yuriy Malashko said.

The third person killed by Russian shelling was a 60-year-old resident of the village of Popivka in the northern region of Sumy region, the General Prosecutor's office said.

Russia, which began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, did not comment on the latest attacks.

Although Kyiv says its forces have made progress in the east and south since starting a counteroffensive in June, Russia still occupies swathes of territory and Zelenskiy has said the counterattack has gone more slowly than initially hoped.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash, Ron Popeski, Oleksander Kozhukhar and Anna Pruchnicka; Editing by Timothy Heritage)
President Joe Biden defended his opposition to Ukraine's NATO membership amid its war with Russia, insisting no country can join the alliance while it is under attack.

"That guarantees that we're in a war  we're in a third world war," Biden told reporters Thursday in Helsinki, Finland. "It's not about whether or not they should or shouldn't join. It's about when they can join, and they will join NATO."

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At the same time, Biden was optimistic about Ukraine's prospects in the war, stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin "has already lost" and is operating under military and economic constraints. Biden also downplayed the possibility of Russia deploying nuclear weapons based on pressure from China and other partners.

"My hope is and my expectation is you'll see that Ukraine makes significant progress on their offensive, and that generates a negotiated settlement somewhere along the line," he said.

Biden added the United States was "not even sure" of Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's location after the mercenary led a failed uprising against Putin last month, but he was more certain about Russian attempts to meddle in U.S. politics.

"They're already interfering in American elections, they did that the last time," he said.

During a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the sidelines of the alliance's annual summit this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed "gratitude" for NATO's continued support and its decision to relax certain conditions for Ukraine's membership. The day before, Zelensky had aired his frustrations with NATO over its decision not to extend Ukraine an invitation to become a member or specify a timeline or specific requirements.

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"President Zelensky, how soon after the war would you like to join NATO?" one U.S. reporter asked before Biden's bilateral sit-down with his Ukrainian counterpart.

"An hour and 20 minutes," Biden replied. "You guys ask really insightful questions."

Original Location: Biden defends opposition to Ukraine NATO membership: We'd be in 'third world war'

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Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's email was reportedly breached by Chinese hackers.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed during a press briefing on Wednesday that hackers breached the department's systems, though he was hesitant to reveal further information. Anonymous U.S. officials told the New York Times that the hackers were Chinese and likely connected to the state's intelligence services, and they targeted individual email accounts. Another anonymous official told the Washington Post that the account of Raimondo was hacked in connection with the breach.

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Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo listens during an event about high speed internet infrastructure, in the East Room of the White House, Monday, June 26, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci/AP

The commerce secretary's email was the only account of a significant official that was hacked, they added.

The hack was achieved by exploiting a gap in Microsoft's cloud before the breach was fixed roughly one month ago.

The targeting of Raimondo comes as the Commerce Department has imposed export controls on Chinese technologies, a move that drew China's ire.

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In addition to Raimondo and other officials, hackers targeted the accounts of a congressional staffer, a human rights advocate, and U.S. think tanks, the sources added.

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U.S. officials who spoke with the New York Times stressed that no classified information was accessed in the hack.

The hack reportedly occurred during Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to Beijing, possibly straining relations between the two countries.

Original Location: Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's email breached by Chinese cyber spies: Report

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Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) ridiculed Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie for calling the House Judiciary Committee's grilling of FBI Director Christopher Wray "theater" and a fundraising stunt.

Wray appeared before the House committee to testify about the alleged weaponization of the FBI. Christie defended the FBI director as a "good guy" who could fix a lot of the problems within the federal agency, and as one who had "already fixed" a lot of problems.

WALL OF WASTE: CAN TRUMP'S SIGNATURE BORDER ISSUE DELIVER HIM A SECOND TERM?

"He said that Christopher Wray had delivered extraordinary results. The problem is they're just extraordinarily awful," Gaetz told Hannity about Christie's comments. "Like, Chris Christie criticized us for engaging in fundraising theater during this committee. I'm not going to take my notes on fundraising from a guy who was a lobbyist and was snout down in the lobbyist financial money laundering situation when he was raising money from them as governor of New Jersey."

"So, I'm more likely to take Chris Christie's exercise plan than his fundraising strategy," Gaetz added.

Along with Gaetz, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) appeared on Hannity to slam the testimony of Wray, suggesting the FBI director had lied.

"That's why we got to use the power of the purse and the appropriations process to limit how American tax dollars can be spent," Jordan said. "That's why we can't reauthorize FISA in its current form. And that's why we should look at moving the headquarters, not give them a new building in the D.C. area, but moving the headquarters to Huntington, Alabama. That makes sense to us. So, we're looking at all that."

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Jordan also claimed that Wray's answers "weren't answers."

"I think the big takeaway," Jordan added, "was when he talked about how Americans' privacy, how their data is being swept up. He was asked twice, 'Is the FBI buying private data from brokers in the private sector? Are they buying this information?' ... And both times, he said, 'I'll have to get back with you.'"

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Gaetz called Wray's testimony "a cascade of lies," suggesting the FBI director lied about the repositioning of assets to investigate parents' comments at school board meetings and about the inappropriate use of FISA.

Ahead of Wray's appearance, the House Judiciary Committee claimed the FBI had "violated the First Amendment rights of Americans and potentially undermined our national security," by aiding censorship requests for social media companies "on behalf of a Ukrainian intelligence agency."

Original Location: Gaetz mocks Christie: More likely to take Chris Christies exercise plan than his fundraising strategy

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Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) intervened to advance a law that would increase the penalty for child trafficking after state Democrats rejected it.

In a Tuesday hearing, the California state assembly voted down a bill, introduced by State Sen. Shannon Grove (R), that would make child trafficking a serious felony in California. The increase would make people charged with the crime eligible for the state's "three strikes" law, in which those charged with three serious felonies face 25 years to life in prison.

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Democrats in the Assembly Public Safety Committee declined to advance the bill, arguing that it would punish "disadvantaged communities." Newsom disagreed and stepped in to revive the bill.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom gestures during a press conference at his swing space office after meeting a coalition of behavioral health reform leaders and local elected officials in Sacramento, Calif., on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Newsom stepped in Wednesday to help revive a bill that would increase penalties for child trafficking. Newsom told reporters he was surprised the bill failed to pass an Assembly committee. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee via AP) Hector Amezcua/AP

The California governor expressed his surprise that the bill hadn't passed, according to the Associated Press, and called Grove to express his support. He also expressed a desire to figure out why the bill didn't pass.

"I want to understand exactly what happened yesterday (in the committee)," Newsom said. "I take it very seriously."

He added that his call to Grove "is indicative of my desire to see what we can do with [the bill]," as it is an issue he "cares deeply" about. He highlighted his previous efforts to combat child trafficking.

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Democratic lawmakers justified their rejection of the bill by arguing that the Three Strikes model is ineffective, and would hurt marginalized communities.

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"The Three Strikes model of sentencing is ineffective in preventing crime and protecting the public's safety. We will not build on a deeply flawed sentencing system that unfairly punishes disadvantaged communities," Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, the chairman of the committee, said in a statement.

"SB14 makes no new corrective actions or enhancements to laws already in place. Ultimately, members of the Assembly's Public Safety Committee understood the author's intent but recognized this bill needs considerable work and granted reconsideration," he added.

Original Location: Gavin Newsom steps in to advance child trafficking law Democrats rejected

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A group of more than a dozen Republican attorneys general sent a letter to the country's biggest corporations warning of legal consequences over race-based employment preferences.

The letter, led by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, was sent to Fortune 100 companies and emphasized the recent ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, which effectively ended affirmative action in college admissions. Eleven other attorneys general signed the letter, which was sent on Thursday.

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The state officials told the corporations that discrimination laws could apply even if hiring and promotion practices fall in the bucket of corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which have become popular in recent years.

The attorneys general contend that some efforts to secure more minority employees in the workplace equates to a form of discrimination because it could lead to hiring and promotion decisions based on race.

"Sadly, racial discrimination in employment and contracting is all too common among Fortune 100 companies and other large businesses. In an inversion of the odious discriminatory practices of the distant past, today's major companies adopt explicitly race-based initiatives which are similarly illegal," the letter reads.

"These discriminatory practices include, among other things, explicit racial quotas and preferences in hiring, recruiting, retention, promotion, and advancement," the attorneys general added.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 last month that Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did not comply with the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection in their admissions processes. The plaintiffs argued such admissions practices wrongfully discriminated against Asian Americans at Harvard and Asian and white students at UNC.

Despite the case being about affirmative action at the college level, the attorneys general extrapolated that precedent to the companies in question.

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"The Supreme Court's recent decision should place every employer and contractor on notice of the illegality of racial quotas and race-based preferences in employment and contracting practices," they wrote.

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The latest effort against corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion is tangential to a broader push from GOP state treasurers and attorneys general to combat corporate environmental, social, and governance practices.

For example, in May, Oklahoma's treasurer announced that the state would stop doing business with more than a dozen financial firms over accusations that they "boycott" the energy industry. Several states have also divested from money manager BlackRock over some of its policies put in place to mitigate climate change.

Original Location: GOP attorneys general warn 100 largest companies after affirmative action ruling

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The University of Idaho is pausing the demolition of the house where four students were murdered last fall, saying it is the "right course to take."

Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20, lived and were murdered in a house on King Road off campus in November 2022. The owner of the home accepted the offer from the university to demolish the house back in February.

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In a memo sent Wednesday to staff and faculty, the university's president, Scott Green, said the decision on what to do with the King Road house has been "so difficult," mentioning calls from some to tear it down while others have said demolition could impact the court case.

"Because of this, upon completion of the remediation of the house ... we will pause demolition. We will revisit this decision in October," Green said. October will mark almost one year since the murders.

Green said there is no legal requirement to keep the house standing, as both the prosecution and defense have "released any interest in the house for their case."

"We still fully expect to demolish the house ... but we believe leaving the house standing, for now, is the right course to take," Green continued.

The university's decision comes two days after Judge John Judge issued a 37-day stay in the state's case against Bryan Kohberger, 28, a Washington State University graduate student who is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary.

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Judge's decision will not affect Kohberger's requirement to submit his alibi to the state by July 24, the court filing stated. Kohberger's trial date is scheduled for Oct. 2, but Judge said it could be moved in the future if either the prosecutors or defense decide that the extra 37 days is critical in their preparation for the trial.

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Prosecutors decided on June 26 that they would seek the death penalty, which could cost taxpayers $1 million more as opposed to a life sentence.

Kohberger's next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 18.

Original Location: Idaho student murders: University halts demolition of house where murders took place

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The owner of a nail salon in Traverse City, Michigan, has vowed to refuse service to transgender customers, citing her First Amendment rights, following a Supreme Court ruling on denying service to LGBT clients.

"If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman please seek services at a local pet groomer," Studio 8 Hair Lab owner Christine Geiger wrote in a now-deleted Facebook post. "You are not welcome at this salon. Period. Should you request to have a particular pronoun used please note we may simply refer to you as 'hey you.'"

2024 HOPEFULS DEFEND KIM REYNOLDS AFTER TRUMP ATTACK

The post comes nearly a week after the Supreme Court decided the case 303 Creative v. Elenis on June 30, siding 6-3 with Colorado-based website designer Lorie Smith, who said she feared punishment under the state's anti-discrimination law if she denied service to same-sex couples based on her sincere Christian beliefs.

"The First Amendment prohibits Colorado from forcing a website designer to create expressive designs speaking messages with which the designer disagrees," Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for the majority.

Several pro-LGBT advocacy groups issued statements accusing the majority of delivering a regressive ruling, siding largely with the high court's three liberals in the dissent led by Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

"Today, the Court, for the first time in its history, grants a business open to the public a constitutional right to refuse to serve members of a protected class," Sotomayor wrote.

Geiger, who deleted her initial post after her statement began to go viral online, previously clarified her position to not serve transgender people in a subsequent post that was still visible as of Wednesday evening.

Facebook/ Christine Geiger

"I have no issues with LGB. It's the TQ+ that I'm not going to support," Geiger's comment said. "This stance was taken to insure that clients have the best experience and I am admitting that since I am not willing to play the pronoun game or cater to requests outside of what I perceive as normal this probably isn't the best option for that type of client."

In March, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) signed an amendment to the state's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which extends broad protections to people based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Office of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is lesbian, has received several complaints related to Geiger's comments, a spokesperson for her office told the Advocate.

"The Department and the Attorney General herself are aware of the Traverse City salon proprietor's professed intent to discriminate against Michigan residents," press secretary Danny Wimmer said.

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Following the decision in 303 Creative, Nessel released a statement advising LGBT residents in the state that the opinion would not impact LGBT people in the state and furthered that it had "no impact" on the recently amended Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

"My office will continue to fight to enforce Michigan's [Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act] consistent with the First Amendment to protect the equal rights of all Michiganders," Nessel wrote.

Not only does the nail salon's statement deal with characteristics that are close to home for Nessel, but Traverse City also marks the spot where Biden administration Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg's family and his husband live when the pair aren't working in the nation's capital. Buttigieg made history in 2021 as the first openly gay member of a president's Cabinet to be confirmed by the Senate.

Smith's counsel at the Alliance Defending Freedom has maintained that her victory at the Supreme Court also marked a victory for people from all walks of life, including for an "LGBT graphic designer who doesn't want to be forced to create art and promote messages that they disagree with," ADF President and lead counsel Kristen Waggoner told the Washington Examiner last November.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The 303 Creative ruling was written narrowly as it applies to creative tasks and duties that are strictly expressive, noting that people cannot simply discriminate against people with "protected characteristics," such as members of the LGBT community.

Smith "will gladly conduct business with those having protected characteristics so long as the custom graphics and websites she is asked to create do not violate her beliefs," according to Smith's position in court records.

Original Location: Michigan nail salon bans service for transgender people after Supreme Court ruling

Washington Examiner Videos
A group of professors and researchers at Texas public universities are suing the state government and Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) for imposing a ban on TikTok on any device used to conduct official state business.

The lawsuit was filed by the Coalition for Independent Technology Research in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, and argues the state's prohibition on downloading TikTok to any device that is used for official state business violates the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and is infringing on the ability of faculty and researchers to do their jobs.

FTC INVESTIGATING CHATGPT OVER ALLEGATIONS IT HARMED CONSUMERS BY PUBLISHING FALSE INFORMATION

"Texas's decision to restrict public university faculty from accessing a major communications platform is compromising both research and teaching," the lawsuit says. "It is preventing or seriously impeding faculty from pursuing research that relates to TikTok  including research that would illuminate or counter the data-collection and disinformation-related practices that the ban is ostensibly meant to address. It has also made it almost impossible for faculty to use TikTok in their classrooms  whether to teach about TikTok or to use content from TikTok to teach about other subjects."

TikTok, a popular social media app, is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance and has been labeled a national security risk by experts and federal intelligence officials due to its massive data collection capabilities and the company's ties to the Chinese Communist Party. A bipartisan effort to ban the app has been ongoing for several years. The federal government and numerous states, including Texas, have banned the app from government devices and networks.

In its lawsuit, the coalition argues that the ban, while well-intentioned, should not survive legal scrutiny when applied to university faculty and researchers.

"While faculty are public employees, the government's authority to control their research and teaching is limited by the First Amendment  and the ban cannot survive First Amendment scrutiny," the lawsuit says. "Imposing a broad restraint on the research and teaching of public university faculty is not a constitutionally permissible means of protecting Texans' 'way of life' or countering the threat of disinformation."

Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute, which represents the plaintiffs, said in a statement that prohibiting faculty from using TikTok was a poor effort to address concerns about data privacy.

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

"Banning public university faculty from studying and teaching with TikTok is not a sensible or constitutional response to concerns about data-collection and disinformation," Jaffer said. "Texas must pursue its objectives with tools that don't impose such a heavy burden on First Amendment rights. Privacy legislation would be a good place to start."

Abbott's office did not respond to a request for comment.

Original Location: Texas professors sue Abbott over TikTok ban at state universities

Washington Examiner Videos
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, a sheepherder was attacked and severely injured by a black bear in the Weminuche Wilderness, about 23 miles northeast of Durango.

At about 1 a.m. on Tuesday, the 35-year-old sheepherder reports that he was woken up by a disturbance at his campsite involving a bear and his sheep while working under a grazing permit for the San Juan National Forest.

The sheepherder fired a .30-30 rifle at the bear, with the bear then attacking him. The man sustained bite wounds on his head, as well as wounds on his left hand and arm, his left hip, and his back.

Following the violent encounter, the sheepherder crawled to his tent and contacted his cousin who was able to call for additional help.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife heard about the attack at about 4 a.m., responding to the campsite near Burnt Timber Trail by 8:30 a.m. Once at the scene, they discovered two dead sheep with wounds consistent with bear depredation, as well as a blood trail and the victim's rifle.

The team collected multiple DNA samples from the scene and from the victim.

Unsure if the man had hit the bear with bullets from his rifle, CPW officers started to search for the bear. A dog team arrived at about 5 p.m., soon latching on to a scent trail at a nearby creek drainage. The dogs followed the scent to a bear, which they pursued to the Florida River over steep and treacherous terrain.

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CPW officers followed the dogs with the help of a GPS collar on one of the dogs. The suspect bear was located and killed via gunshot at about 10:53 p.m.

Once the bear was recovered, it was determined that it was a roughly-8-year-old male, weighing 250 pounds. The bear had wounds on its chest, but it was unclear if they were from a gunshot.

Lab results from the DNA that was collected will be used to determine if the bear that was killed was the bear involved in the attack. Sheep wool was found in the bear's stomach contents.

The victim received initial treatment at the scene and was ultimately flown to Grand Junction for surgery.

This is the first reported bear attack of the year in Colorado.

Bear attacks are rare in Colorado and tend to occur when a bear is surprised, cornered, or being defensive. It's generally best to simply steer clear of black bears, giving them plenty of space when spotted. If an attack involving a black bear is imminent, fight back  don't play dead as is the recommended advice for a grizzly encounter.

Read more about staying safe in bear country on the National Park Service website here.
There's no denying that pizza is one of America's favorite dishes, making it no surprise that members of the public seem to be on a continuous hunt to track down the best slice of 'za.

Those in Denver have plenty of options, with 155 pizza restaurants listed on TripAdvisor, many of which have great reviews.

According to TripAdvisor ratings and reviews, the best Mile High City pizza spot is Marco's Coal-Fired, with a 4.5-star rating and 813 reviews. Not only did this restaurant get included on the nationwide 'Travelers' Choice' list in 2022, it's also ranked as the 9th best overall restaurant in Denver.

Hungry eaters that dine at Marco's Coal-Fired seem to love the ambiance of the spot along with the food, also noting the high-quality ingredients and vegan and vegetarian options. One reviewer even described this spot's pizza as the "slice of a lifetime," with others being so complimentary of the restaurant that even the great tasting water is mentioned by diners.

With two locations, including one that's just blocks from Coors Field and another in Centennial, Marco's Coal-Fired  not to be confused with the Marco's Pizza franchise  has long been known for serving up delicious pies.

Their best-known offering is an authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, which has a thin crust and cooks in a 900-degree oven for just 60 seconds. This spot also offers 'New York'- style pies and a Sicilian pan pizza option.

Learn more about visiting Marco's Coal-Fired here and know that dining at this beloved pizza post has a very low chance of letting you down.
U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, both Colorado Democrats, urged their colleagues on Wednesday to adopt two sweeping public lands measures in a hearing before a key Senate

But only one of the bills appears destined to advance through the divided Congress.

Coloradans crafted these bills on kitchen tables and at trailheads across our state," Bennet told members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. "The bills were written in Colorado, not in Washington, and they reflect thoughtful, bipartisan collaboration among tribes, county commissioners, businesses, ranchers, sportsmen and conservationists."

Bennet and Hickenlooper, who sits on the subcommittee, are sponsors of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act, known as the CORE Act, and the Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act. Together, the two pieces of legislation would protect nearly half a million acres in Colorado.

With support from the three Republican members of Colorado's congressional delegation, the bill to protect more than 68,000 acres along a 70-mile stretch of the Dolores River in southwestern Colorado stands a chance of passing both the GOP-controlled House and the Democratic-controlled Senate.

First introduced by Bennet in 2019, the massive CORE Act  which would designate more than 420,000 acres as wilderness, recreation and conservation management areas  made it through the House twice when Democrats were in charge but has repeatedly stalled in the Senate, where it needs 60 votes to overcome the threat of a Republican filibuster.

Both senators described the collaborative process spanning more than a decade that yielded the bills.

Hickenlooper said the Dolores River bill is the product of 15 years of conversations between county officials, farmers, whitewater enthusiast, environmentalists, water managers and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

"The broadly supported solutions in this bill offer a perfect example of Coloradans from across various interests and across parties coming together to share  the word I always used to use is topophilia, a love of place  that really helps make our state and so much of the West so beautiful," Hickenlooper said.

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Bennet made a similar point about the genesis of the CORE Act.

"County commissioners across the political spectrum, outfitters, ranchers, hunters and anglers and local businesses all came together to hammer out a compromise and find the best way forward to protect iconic places like the Thompson Divide and the San Juan Mountains," Bennet said.

But only the Dolores River bill has Republican sponsors. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, introduced an identical version in the bill in that chamber earlier this year, with U.S. Reps. Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs and Ken Buck of Windsor signed on as co-sponsors.

Boebert called the legislation "the gold standard for public lands bills," noting that it preserves traditional uses of the land, including grazing, motorized access and uranium mining.

"So many other public lands bills in Congress trample on the rights and liberties of the American people, but this legislation is good for conservation, good for private property rights, and good for local communities," Boebert said in a statement.

As written, the bill would prevent the federal government from establishing more restrictive protections for the river and its surrounding land, including potential designation as a Wild and Scenic River, which was first proposed in the 1970s.

"This bill represents a balanced, hard-fought, common-sense way forward to resolve long-standing community disagreements, protect the river for everyone, and provide long-term certainty for generations," Bennet told the subcommittee on Wednesday.

While the CORE Act counts numerous local GOP officials among its supporters, it has generated hostile reactions from the state's Republicans in DC, including Boebert, who called the bill "extreme" and a "land grab."
For the second time in less than a year, a federal judge has withheld her approval of a proposed class action settlement with food delivery platform Grubhub that would address the company's practice of listing restaurants with inaccurate information or without their consent.

U.S. District Court Judge Nina Y. Wang found the terms of the settlement agreement to be largely acceptable. However, she rejected the parties' belief that no notice is required to the approximately 150,000 food establishments the settlement would cover.

In a June 1 order, Wang noted that the proposed agreement requires objecting restaurants to satisfy a gauntlet of requirements, including mailing the objection to four separate addresses, attaching necessary paperwork and providing "proof of membership" in the class of affected businesses.

"It is unclear to the Court how any objecting class member could reasonably be expected to comply with all of these requirements without any notice of the Proposed Settlement Agreement and these stringent requirements," she wrote. "Without notice, any opportunity to object is illusory."

Wang also directed the parties who negotiated the settlement to clarify that restaurants will still have the ability to sue Grubhub for illicitly profiting off of their trademarks.

The underlying lawsuit has been pending for more than three years in Colorado's federal trial court.

Freshcraft, a now-shuttered eatery in Denver, originally accused Grubhub of creating "landing pages" for restaurants that never consented to having Grubhub carry out their deliveries. In particular, Freshcraft was concerned that its landing page on Grubhub said the restaurant was "closed" or "not taking online orders," which was untrue.

Freshcraft sued for false advertising under the federal Lanham Act on behalf of all restaurants whose landing pages on Grubhub contained untrue information. The restaurant argued Grubhub's deceptive advertising made it less likely customers would order from businesses wrongly identified as being closed.

With the assistance of a retired federal magistrate judge, the parties reached a tentative settlement to give restaurants greater control over their Grubhub listings. However, two other businesses  Lynn Scott, LLC and The Farmer's Wife  sought to intervene. They had filed a similar, separate lawsuit in federal court in Illinois seeking to "disgorge all profits" Grubhub allegedly earned through the unauthorized use of restaurant names and logos.

In July 2022, U.S. District Court Judge Regina M. Rodriguez, who was handling Freshcraft's lawsuit at the time, refused to sign off on the proposed settlement. She directed the parties to address the issue raised by the intervenors: whether restaurants could still sue Grubhub for monetary damages or whether they would give up that right.

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Months later, the plaintiffs  with The Piper Inn of Denver joining the lawsuit in light of Freshcraft's closure  and Grubhub submitted a new class action settlement. The terms would allow restaurants to request updates to landing pages or removal from Grubhub altogether, and Grubhub would add a disclaimer clarifying it is not affiliated with restaurants.

The parties added, in a separate statement, that the restaurants, convenience stores and markets covered by the settlement will retain their ability to sue Grubhub for damages, including disgorgement of profits.

The intervening restaurants again challenged the agreement, accusing the plaintiffs' attorneys of colluding with Grubhub to get a settlement that provides "nothing" to food service establishments. Dozens of other restaurant owners submitted statements also slamming the settlement.

"Restaurants shouldnt have to worry about being listed on Grubhub without permission. This settlement doesnt stop Grubhub from doing that," wrote Thuan Luu, owner of the Ragin Crawfish restaurant in Oxnard, Calif. "I am frustrated and baffled by this settlement. I dont understand how it helps restaurants."

Although class action settlements are subject to a final hearing where class members can air their objections, Wang took a detailed look at the proposed agreement and the work that went into it. She noted that Grubhub and the plaintiffs exchanged certain pieces of information, but there was never any formal discovery of evidence  which called into question the fairness of the final product.

However, she believed the agreement provided tangible relief to affected restaurants, and "the proposed settlement does not extinguish class members ability to bring any claims for monetary relief in any form."

Wang did raise two concerns that precluded her from moving the settlement forward. First, she asked the parties to explicitly clarify in the agreement itself that lawsuits seeking money from Grubhub are permitted. Second, the 150,000 members of the class should receive notice of the settlement.

"(T)he Court will not preliminarily approve any amended proposed settlement agreement" that does not contain those provisions, she warned.

Days after Wang's order, Lynn Scott, LLC and The Farmer's Wife moved to resume their own lawsuit in Illinois, which a judge placed on pause while the Colorado litigation unfolded.

The case is CO Craft, LLC et al. v. Grubhub, Inc.
With Denver set to change leadership in the coming days, some residents are asking the city government to step up its involvement in public education.

Dozens of Denverites met Wednesday evening to discuss local education and the future of the city's partnership with Denver Public Schools. This was the latest of Mayor-elect Mike Johnston's 28 public forums collecting community feedback to develop the priorities for his first 100 days in office.

The crowd of around 70 people included a handful of DPS representatives and members of Johnston's Education Committee, but the bulk of attendees were parents and former students. Across all of the different groups, one message was loud and clear: Denver must do more to support its schools.

"I've been working in education a long time ... the mayor's office has not been present. The city has not been present," said one DPS employee who asked to remain anonymous. "When you ask what can be done, it's pretty much everything because there has been nothing. ... We've missed a lot of opportunities to support our families and our kids because there's been such an absence of the city's presence."

Forum attendees called on Johnston's incoming administration to meet with DPS regularly and provide more tangible support. On top of increasing general education funding, residents suggested providing free public transportation, recreation centers, before and after school care, and mental health resources for Denver students.

The concern for students' mental health was especially poignant. The forum was held at Carla Madison Rec Center, next door to East High School where three shootings occurred during the 2022-23 school year, resulting in the deaths of two students and the injuries of at least one student and two staff members.

"Mental health supports are critical," said Deronn Turner, a mother of one current and three former DPS students. "The incident that happened at East ... it's a shame that, as a society, instead of looking at the deep trauma that child must have sustained and what they did, instead we criminalize children. We have to stop doing that."

'A nightmare:' Residents demand changes to Denver's city planning department

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Some speakers proposed the removal of police officers from schools, while others recommended a specialized emergency response system akin to Denver's STAR program to reduce direct law enforcement involvement.

Much of Wednesday's conversation also revolved around setting students up for success after they leave school. Forum attendees said the city and its various departments should partner with DPS to teach students about city jobs and how they can enter those fields. They asked for city-sponsored apprenticeships and scholarships, particularly for students entering trade schools.

"Colorado is one of the most educated states in the nation and it is talent that is not from our own state," Ashley Martinez said. "We do not provide what students need to be able to educate themselves and to be able to take the path they want to after they leave our school systems."

Larger-scale suggestions included housing homeless students, providing housing subsidies or vouchers for teachers, and funding child care for teachers and students' families.

In addition to the group discussions, Wednesday's participants submitted written answers to three questions regarding the city's partnership with DPS and how they'd like to see it change. The answers and discussions will be made into a report to be sent to Johnston.

"It's time for some action," said state Sen. James Coleman, co-chair of Johnston's Education Committee. "This is not where the conversation ends."

Four more public forums will be held before Johnston takes office Monday, with topics including transportation, arts, housing and homelessness. A schedule of each forum is available at vibrantdenver.com/public-forums.

New state judicial discipline system won't include Denver county judges
A conservative group on Wednesday launched a new effort to cap property tax increases to no more than 4% statewide  unless voters decide to specifically allow the hike.

The group needs a little more than 124,000 signatures to get the measure on the 2024 ballot, and faces less than six months to do so. If the measure gets on the ballot and voters approve it, it won't affect the soaring property tax increases already scheduled for next year.

Coloradans are facing a property tax crisis," Michael Fields, Advance Colorado Action's senior advisor, said in a statement. "Since the legislature has failed to act, citizens are moving this measure forward to allow the voters to decide if they want to cap property tax increases. While this measure wont impact the spike in property taxes next year, it will have a significant impact in future years."

Fields said the proposal  Initiative 50  offers state and local governments flexibility, but also "protects Colorado families that are worried about the next 30% or 40% increase to their property taxes."

The soaring property valuations were long expected, following the red-hot market of 2021 and early 2022. Consequently, valuation for a median residential house rose by 33% in the City and County of Denver, 42% in Arapahoe County and 47% in Douglas County. Indeed, all nine metro area counties showed double-digit increases hovering near the 40% mark.

Denver and Boulder showed the sharpest rise in valuations for apartments at 45% and 44%, respectively.

Reappraisal of property values occur every two years, and next year's property tax liability reflects the appreciation through the markets peak in spring 2022 but little or none of any drop-off in values as the market cooled later in the year.

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In a statement, Fields reiterated calls for Gov. Jared Polis to convene a special session to "actually address the property tax crisis for this upcoming year," saying the legislature's proposal to curb the tax hikes "doesnt do it."

Fields and several other groups oppose Democrats' proposal to offer tax relief by taking a portion of the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights surplus, which pays for TABOR refunds, and divert it for at least 10 years to homeowners and commercial property. Voters will have the opportunity to reject or approve this proposal in November.

Democrats also equalized the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights refunds at $661 per person or $1,322 for joint filers, a one-time change from the current system that bases the TABOR refund on income levels.

Here's the language of Initiative 50:

"Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning mandatory statewide voter approval to allow local governments to retain property tax revenue that exceeds 4% growth from the total statewide property tax revenue collected in the preceding year, and, in connection therewith, requiring any referred measure for such approval to be a stand-alone subject with specified language?"
Republican state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer announced Wednesday that she will not seek a rematch against Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo in Colorado's battleground 8th Congressional District in next year's election.

Instead, Kirkmeyer said she will seek reelection to a second term in the legislature, where the Brighton lawmaker serves on the powerful Joint Budget Committee.

"My passion has always been for Colorado," Kirkmeyer said in a statement. "In 2024, I believe the best way for me to serve our great state is to run for reelection to the state Senate."

"I appreciate the many supporters who have encouraged me to run again for Colorados 8th Congressional District," she added. "Being the 2022 Republican nominee for CD 8 was the honor of a lifetime. My decision to instead run for reelection comes after careful consideration and deliberation."

Last year, Kirkmeyer narrowly lost to Caraveo, a former state representative from Thornton, in the evenly divided district, which covers portions of Adams, Weld and Larimer counties, from the suburbs north of Denver to Greeley.

The district has been targeted by both major parties ahead of next year's election. It's considered one of only a handful of toss-up seats nationally that could determine which party wins the majority in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Hours after Kirkmeyer's announcement, Weld County Commissioner and county GOP chairman Scott James, who has been assembling a campaign team, filed paperwork to run for the seat.

A number of other Republicans have been mulling bids, including first-term state Rep. Gabe Evans, a former police officer and Army veteran from Fort Lupton; and Steve Moreno, a former Weld County commissioner and county clerk.

Other possible candidates include Joe O'Dea, the 2022 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, who owns a Denver-based construction company and lives in Greenwood Village; and former state Rep. Dan Woog, an Erie real estate broker who lost a bid for reelection to the legislature last year.

Weld County Commissioner Lori Saine, who ran for the congressional seat last year but finished third in the GOP primary, told Colorado Politics that she plans to seek reelection to the county commission next year rather than make another run in the 8th CD.

Before her election to the state Senate in 2020, Kirkmeyer served five nonconsecutive terms as a Weld County commissioner and headed the state Department of Local Affairs under Republican Gov. Bill Owens.

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Although Kirkmeyer won election to represent Senate District 23 by roughly 10 percentage points, the seat leans more heavily Republican following redistricting in 2021  by 21.5 percentage points, according to a nonpartisan analysis for the independent redistricting commission.

Noting that she's helped pass dozens of bills even while Democrats hold an overwhelming majority in the legislature, Kirkmeyer said in a lengthy statement released on Wednesday that she relishes the opportunity to continue fighting for conservative principles.

"Many people ask me, Why would you want to stay in a legislature dominated by liberal Democrats? My answer? Politics should be about improving peoples lives, ensuring opportunities for all Coloradans, and I love a good fight," Kirkmeyer said.

"These past three years, Ive enjoyed exposing the folly of far-left policies; promoting common-sense, center-right alternative policies so kids can obtain a quality education to set them up for success; working to ensure that everyone gets to participate in the vision of our Colorado; and fostering policies that reduce crime and promote safety."

Alongside her "out-numbered Republican colleagues," Kirkmeyer said she has been "making a difference for Colorados working families and for the conservative cause in the face of tremendous challenge."

Added Kirkmeyer: "I want to continue that fight and ultimately make sure all of us can pursue our dreams."

This month, Kirkmeyer has been among Republicans leading demands for Gov. Jared Polis to call a special session of the legislature this summer to address an anticipated jump in next year's property taxes and to respond to a recent court ruling that allows suspects accused of capital offenses to post bond.

Polis, a Democrat, demurred last week on both counts.

Instead, Polis said he wants voters to weigh in this November on a Democratic-sponsored ballot measure, Proposition HH, which would use TABOR refund money to lower property taxes for 10 years.

The governor's office also says voters will have to amend the state constitution to fix what officials call an "unintended consequence" of repealing the death penalty three years ago. That created a conflict in the law by abolishing capital offenses, resulting in the court decision making suspects accused of what used to be capital crimes eligible to be released on bail. Under TABOR, voters can't consider that question until 2024.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include that Weld County Commissioner Scott James, a Republican, filed to run for the congressional seat hours after Kirkmeyer's announcement.
The judicial branch of Oregon has shut down a long-running drug treatment and crime prevention program in Benton County, lauded as a mentor to drug courts across the country.

An elected leader said Benton County Drug Treatment Court largely was successful diverting people with drug-related charges away from incarceration, even after Oregon decriminalized drug use and made it less likely for someone to end up in the program.

It kept a lot of people out of jail, Commissioner Xan Augerot said.

A chief financial officer told county elected leaders Tuesday, July 11 that Benton County Drug Treatment Court was ended, effective immediately.

Its just painful all around, Rick Crager said.

Court officials asked the county in June for support running a 22-year-old program they said successfully diverted people out of the criminal justice system and into behavioral and mental health programs, saving the judicial system many thousands of dollars.

District Attorney John Haroldson and Matthew Donohue, the circuit court judge overseeing the program for downward judicial dispositions, said drug court couldnt keep running without the county stepping in to apply for and disperse grant funding.

It looks like winding down our drug treatment court may be the only option, Donohue said.

Donahue said drug court failed to contract with someone to provide treatment to people with drug and alcohol addiction, and was out of line with best practices.

What were asking the county to do is to fill the gaps, Donohue said.

People who end up at drug court are there from higher courts. Donahue and Haroldson said police arrest people for theft and breaking into cars, sometimes to afford drugs.

Those property crimes arent as severe as violent crimes, and the courts reduce or dismiss charges in exchange if the accused promise to seek housing and counseling for addiction.

What is happening is youre reducing recidivism, Donahue said.

The judicial drug treatment program basically uses the courts authority to oversee and punish to enforce accountability.

Drug court binds its participants to a graduation plan that requires coping skills and education about addiction; housing; sobriety; and building a support system.

The Oregon Judicial Department found 94% of participants had no new felony or misdemeanor charges within a year of graduating from drug court programs across the state.

The court also keeps those with relatively low-ranking charges out of Benton Countys jail, and out of the countys circuit court system where trials are gumming up the courthouse, Donahue said.

Crager told Benton County commissioners in July the local government didnt have the funding to help run the court.

It was obviously a difficult meeting from the perspective of the great work and history of this program, Crager said.

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A federal grant funding application due in September was too fast-approaching for the county to respond to the courts request, Crager said.

Crager said court officials plan to rejuvenate the drug treatment program, possibly bringing back the court in 2024.

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NEW YORK  It's hard not to feel grudging respect for Gerald Daniel Blanchard's long resume of crime  no matter what side of the law you're on.

He once stole half a million dollars from a bank before it officially opened by using a concealed pinhole camera inside the branch. He escaped from a police interrogation room by hiding in the ceiling tiles. Then there was the time he swapped a priceless jewel from an alarm-equipped museum display case with a gift shop replica, Indiana Jones-style.

Its like a chess game. You need to know 10 moves ahead of what the police are doing, Blanchard said in a recent Zoom interview. I was more into it for the thrill and the excitement.

Wired magazine called Blanchard the worlds most ingenious thief, and The Globe and Mail newspaper described him as "Canadas most sophisticated bank robber and fraud artist." Audiences can get into his head when Hulu airs the documentary feature The Jewel Thief on Thursday.

Director Landon Van Soest traces Blanchard's evolution into a criminal mastermind, going from shoplifting at an Iowa RadioShack as a teen to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars while disguised in a burqa in Cairo. He often taunted police to try and catch him.

For me, its really a film about obsession and ambition and addiction that kept driving him to something bigger, said Van Soest. He always had to outdo himself. He always had to outsmart someone.

A portrait emerges of a creative, calculating and patient man with a strong engineering bent despite a learning disability and borderline dyslexia. But Blanchard is not always a reliable narrator, with some of his embellishments knocked down in the documentary.

There were a lot of different versions of many of these stories, said Van Soest. We just kind of chose to lean into that. We were going to present many different versions of some of these stories and let the viewers walk away and make up their own minds.

The movie uses interviews with Blanchard and footage from his own extensive archives, as well as speaking with his mother, accomplices and the police who chased him. It's enlivened by a soundtrack that includes songs like Janes Addictions Been Caught Stealing.

Blanchard was a thin, nerdy-looking kid who grew up poor in Omaha, Nebraska, with a single mom who worked two jobs, and he developed a grudge against banks.

I like stealing from the banks and corporations, he tells the AP. "The reason why I dont like stealing from people is because they work hard for the money. I remember my mom crying on the phone when I was younger saying, We dont have the money to turn the lights on. Our food is going to go bad.

Early petty shoplifting emboldened him to disconnect a RadioShack's alarm system and take the entire inventory one Easter Sunday. He sold it all to friends and teachers. His home was soon visited by a SWAT team.

Blanchard later figured out how to scam stores by crafting fake receipts for shoplifted goods and returning them for a refund, a skill he used when he found himself penniless at the Canada border after serving 4 years behind bars.

A customs agent gave him $10 to take the bus. He instead bought a $9 disposable camera and stole another, photocopied the sales receipt at a Staples for 10 cents, and returned both. With the money, he did the same thing with more expensive items  a rechargeable battery and a computer program. By the end of the day, he had a couple hundred dollars.

The Jewel Thief would likely not have been made  or at least the tone would be vastly different  if Blanchard's crimes had caused bloodshed or death. His honor code, or his criminal calculations, didn't include anyone getting hurt.

I would always scale my crimes, he explained. If you use a gun, whats the consequences? If you dont use a gun, whats the consequence? Could somebody be hurt? And so I put a scale and I basically thought in my mind, whats the least amount of prison time I could get if I got caught?

The crime that would put Blanchard in prison for a long time started when he walked into a Canadian bank under construction wearing a hardhat and safety vest bought at a Home Depot. He installed a $50 Toys R Us baby monitor into a wall and messed with the motion detector so he could shut it off. Blanchard watched remotely as money was put into ATM machines, and struck that night.

As you might guess, Blanchard is not much of a fan of TV crime shows. It frustrates me. And I cant watch it because its so fake. I always analyze it saying, They should have did it this way or that way or You cant do it this way. Im always analyzing and thinking things many steps ahead.

Blanchard's list of crimes  including, as a prisoner, breaking into the commissary of the Anamosa State Penitentiary in Iowa  includes the 1998 theft of one of Sisis stars, a jewel once belonging to a 19th century Austrian empress. He had replaced it with a fake, a ruse which went unnoticed for several days.

The piece was only recovered when Blanchard  looking for a deal from prosecutors  took police to his grandmothers Winnipeg house, where the jewel had been carefully stashed. In fact, Blanchard still had much of the cash he stole. He wasn't a big spender.

I had lots of money and I never just blew it away or threw it away like most people do. I would always save it. If I could steal something, thats what I would do, he says.

It's hard to watch The Jewel Thief without wondering if he could have used his skills for good, such as advising on bank security.

Van Soest calls him clearly a very intelligent, very capable person that could have offered something much more positive to society. But Blanchard says that once he had a criminal record, law enforcement jobs became impossible.

He tells The AP he's happy with where his life is now. I learned deep inside myself is the void that I have, which is money doesnt bring happiness, he said.

Ive lived a poor life being young. I lived a wealthy life. I've lived the middle class life. So Ive had the whole spectrum in my lifetime and Im comfortable with living a normal middle class life.
This years legislative session was hugely consequential, criticized by some Iowans and praised by others. The laws passed, from tax cuts to school regulations to book bans to restrictions on transgender students, will influence the everyday lives of people across the state for years to come.

We wanted to know how these actions and others by the state government affect the lives of people across the state. What they like, what they dont like, where they see our leaders falling short and what they think needs more attention.

This story is part of a larger series involving Lee Enterprises newspapers in Council Bluffs, Davenport, Mason City, Muscatine, Sioux City, Waterloo-Cedar Falls and our Des Moines Bureau. The What Do Iowans Want? series attempts to probe the thinking of people across the state about how the government is working for them.

The 20 Iowans profiled represent the broad perspectives in our state. Theyre teachers, artists, retirees and athletes. Theyre Republicans, Democrats and independents. Theyre your neighbors and your friends.
A larger apartment complex project on Stewart Street behind Townes Funeral Home is one step closer to reality.

The Danville Planning Commission voted 5-0 Monday to recommend that the Danville City Council approve the proposed expansion at its Aug. 1 meeting.

But the thumbs-up from commissioners did not come without opposition from the public.

West Main Street resident Lewis Dumont, who lives six houses away from Stewart Street, said the density of units along Stewart Street would be twice that of comparable streets in the area, including Virginia and College avenues and Montague Street.

Each of the latter three streets have about 100 units each, Dumont said. The expanded project at Stewart Street would have 195 units, according to the proposal.

Thats almost double all the streets in the surrounding area is, he said. If you take that street density and apply it to Danville, it would be 600,000 population.

With the proposed units, this is no longer a street. This street is now going to be larger than a lot of towns in the U.S., Dumont said.

The support for the project is from people who dont live in the immediate area, he added.

The Danville City Council approved the 6.59-acre, 162-unit project in April 2022, and the developers want to expand it to 195 units on a total of 9 acres.

Also, the original proposal included six, three-story structures. The expanded project would entail 11 buildings.

Keith Walden, along with his wife Elizabeth Walden and CWC Holdings LLC, Big Time Rentals LLC and Stewart Street Holdings LLC, intend for the project to meet the citys housing needs.

The project, which the Waldens plan to complete by the second quarter of 2025, would attract a variety of renters, Keith Walden told the Danville Register & Bee last week.

The apartment project would also include a clubhouse and pool for residents.

As for the expansion, it would also increase the total number of parking spaces from 231 to 293, with nearly two spaces added for each new unit. Overall, the 293 spaces would provide 1.5 spaces for each unit in the project.

The number of cars per unit is really going to end up being two cars per unit, Dumont said, before requesting permitted parking for residents between Montague and Stewart streets as part of the project-permitting process.

The two-car parking per house on West Main Street is going to get consumed with guests of those Stewart Street residents, he said.

I think permit parking is a policing issue, said Danville Planning Commission Chair Steve Petrick. Isnt there a protocol to go to police before and they have to canvass the area and it has to be approved by neighbors before this can be done?

There was a parking permit program in the 90s and then it was dissolved, said planning director Renee Burton, adding that re-instating it is being looked into.

I dont know what results may come from that, Burton said.

The expanded project retains open space covering 34% of its total acreage, more than double that required by the citys code, attorney Steven Gould wrote, adding that it also decreases the developments density from 24.6 units per acre to 21.7 units per acre.

Gould spoke on behalf of the Waldens at the planning commission meeting.

This reduction in density, combined with the addition of gated access to and from Watson Street, represents a good-faith effort by the Walden family to hear and act upon prior feedback from neighboring property owners with respect to the 2022 proposal, Gould wrote.

Commission member Jimmy Bolton wondered aloud why street parking would be necessary for less dense project.

Im having a hard time understanding why there would be a need for street parking on West Main for this project, Bolton said. Is there not enough parking?

Certainly there is, Gould told Bolton.

There was sufficient parking before and the amended plan includes even more parking, so theres almost two parking spots per new unit, Gould said. With the proximity both to the hospital and to Averett, our contention throughout has been that youre going to have a larger-than-normal percentage of residents along the street who are walking to work.

The city council approved the initial Stewart Street proposal following a tense public hearing last year.

About a dozen residents spoke during the hearing, with most voicing support for the idea.

Supporters pointed out needed housing for employees of industries coming to the Dan River Region, especially Danville. Others expressed concerns about increased traffic, noise, safety, population density and privacy issues they believe would arise as a result of the project.

Rex Benefiel, who lives on Montague Street, expressed concerns about drainage onto his property and whether there would be adequate buffering between the Stewart Street project and Montague Street.

There are large trees now, he said. Ive had two come down on my fence.

He wanted to know if there would be a fence on the back side of the Stewart Street project, and whether there would be adequate drainage and tree maintenance.

Burton said there would be storm-water management requirements for construction of the project.

Those would be likely handled then, likely through an erosion and sediment control permit, she said. Zoning will require a landscape buffer in between the development and the existing residential properties.

Gould said there would be fencing around the property. As for the question of trees, the applicant will want to protect their investment and make sure and address any issues, Gould said.
A local community historian has been selected as a Virginia Humanities Public Humanities Fellow.

Danville resident Ina Dixon, who was chosen as a fellow, will receive a $15,000 stipend to research for and prepare the prototype for a public exhibit on the history of Schoolfield.

Titled A Dan River Fabric: The Life and Legacy of the Schoolfield Community, the project will be a four-month endeavor for Dixon.

Past fellows have included civil rights historian Emma Edmunds as well as Henry Wiencek, who wrote a history of the Hairston family, Dixon pointed out.

Im pleased and happy and honored to be part of that group, Dixon told the Danville Register & Bee.

Dixon was among six candidates selected from a pool of 40 applicants for Virginia Humanities Public Humanities Fellowship, said Sue Perdue, director of grants and fellowships and chief information officer for Virginia Humanities.

Dixon and the other candidates were chosen on the basis of their projects and criteria including:

The project is relevant to a Virginia community.

The project has a compelling way the research will be shared with the public.

The project brings new or unique contributions to the humanities discipline.

Fellows are required to provide a public program component that a public audience can engage with, learn from or experience, such as websites or digital projects, exhibits, podcasts, oral histories or public discussions, Perdue said.

Inas project includes a public exhibit, Perdue told the Danville Register & Bee on Monday. Our reviewers were very positive about Inas project, writing, A physical exhibit and a website with a digital version of the physical exhibit  this is a wonderful project idea.

The fellows are part of the Public Humanities Fellowship Program that helps writers, independent scholars, community historians, and college and university faculty members share meaningful research, stories, and cultural expressions that are relevant to Virginias diverse communities, according to the Virginia Humanities website.

Virginia Humanities has a nearly fifty-year track record of supporting research into the history and culture of the state, Perdue said in a prepared statement. This group of new Public Humanities Fellows builds on that work by uncovering new stories that are vital to understanding who we are as Virginians.

Dixon, who divides her time between Danville and Roanoke, will be staying in Danville during her fellowship, which will take place from September through December.

She has a bachelors degree in liberal arts from St. Johns College in Annapolis, Maryland, a masters degree in history from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. in American studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dixon did her Ph.D. dissertation on Schoolfield.

Schoolfield was a Dan River Inc. mill village founded in 1903 by the textile company, which produced fabric for home and apparel from 1882-2006.

The former village is undergoing significant revitalization as its 82-acre central and historic mill site makes way for a Caesars Casino and Resort, expected in 2024, Dixon wrote in a summary of her project.

My proposed exhibit, which will have a physical and digital component, offers a moment of pause during the rush of this revitalization, inviting the public to reflect on the legacy of Schoolfield and its future through the artifacts and stories of the past, Dixon wrote.

The exhibit will also highlight the racial, not just financial, motivations for Dan Rivers dominance of the economic and social landscapes of Schoolfield and Danville, Dixon wrote.

Since [Dan River Inc.s] founding in 1882, the company committed to recruiting white workers into Danville, then a Black-majority town, and later created housing for well over 5,000 millhands in DRMs exclusively white, planned community of Schoolfield, Dixon wrote. Through DRMs development, the company served a dual purpose as an economic venture in cotton manufacturing as well as a social program for segregation.

Dixons exhibit will also include stories and memories from those who worked in Schoolfield to enhance understanding of the villages legacy.

My project has various aspects, so it wont be the same every day, Dixon told the Danville Register & Bee. I will be organizing history harvests, where people can share stories of Dan River and Schoolfield.

That material will be added to the current Schoolfield Collection amassed by the Schoolfield Preservation Foundation, which will be used for public display in rehabilitated buildings in the historic mill village, Dixon wrote in her summary.

Wielding a blend of history and community memory to complete the exhibit will offer a more robust understanding of Schoolfields legacy and the ways in which economic powerhouses can shape, and be shaped by, the communities they help create, Dixon wrote.

Her exhibit will build on and intertwine with the work of previous historians including Gary Grant, Judy Edmonds and Dana and Barry Reagan, who have written, lived and archived the Dan River story for many years, Dixon wrote.

She will also conduct research at the University of Virginia and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dixon will receive a $15,000 stipend to support her research and other project costs.

Based in Charlottesville, Virginia Humanities was founded in 1974. Its one of 56 humanities councils created by Congress with money and support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, according to the Virginia Humanities website.
ECOWAS Court okays Agyapa deal

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Jul - 13 - 2023 , 08:59

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice (CCJ) has thrown out a suit against the Government of Ghana (GoG) challenging the propriety of a Gold Royalties Monetisation Transaction arrangement, popularly referred to as the Agyapa deal.

Three anti-corruption groups  Transparency International, Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC)  dragged the government to the CCJ in December 2020, seeking an order to halt the Agyapa deal.

It was the case of the applicants that the Agyapa deal was dominated by politically exposed persons and also violated the rights of Ghanaians to have permanent sovereignty over the countrys natural resources as provided under the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

However, the court  sitting in Abuja, Nigeria, last Tuesday  upheld the defence of the government, and dismissed the case of the three civil society organisations.

The court said the detailed reasoning for its decision would be made available later.

Applicants case

The applicants had argued that the Agyapa deal violated many international conventions against corruption, and, if allowed to go ahead, would allow Ghanas gold resources to be controlled by foreigners.

Apart from asking the CCJ to restrain the government from going ahead with the deal, the applicants also wanted the court to order Ghana to investigate all alleged acts of corruption associated with the deal, and ensure that any alleged perpetrators are brought to justice.

Defence

The government, in its defence, however, refuted the case of the applicants and argued that the Agyapa deal was not meant to cede the sovereignty of the countrys resources to foreigners.

The proposed Agyapa transaction is intended as a means by which a portion of the proceeds from the exploitation of natural resources of Ghana is invested to ensure that the people of Ghana obtain the benefit therefrom, the Attorney-General (A-G), Godfred Yeboah Dame, submitted.

It was also the case of the government that the first applicant, Transparency International, had no capacity to be part of the action because it was a German organisation and, therefore, not a member of the ECOWAS Community.

Also, the government was of the contention that the argument by the applicants that the Agyapa deal was an interference in the right of Ghanaians to have sovereignty over natural resources was not based on sound legal reasoning, and meritless.

The government also made a case that the applicants failed to provide any evidence to back their allegations that the deal was dominated by politically exposed persons who intend to misappropriate Ghanas resources.

Background

Parliament passed the Minerals Income Investment Fund Act, 2018 (MIIF Act 978) with the key objective of maximising the countys mineral wealth for the benefit of Ghanaians, while ensuring that receiving royalties from gold mining companies was sustainable.

The law was amended to enable it to incorporate subsidiaries and to use it as a special purpose vehicle to do business across the world.

The main subsidiary of the MIIF and holding company, Agyapa Royalties Investment Ltd, will be listed on the London Stock Exchange, while its subsidiary, ARG Royalties Ltd, will be quoted on the Ghana Stock Exchange, both through initial public offerings.

The company will be responsible for managing 75.6 per cent of the countrys royalty inflow from the 12 gold mining companies that currently operate in Ghana, with four more expected to come on stream.

That will enable the country to raise about $1 billion to finance mining concessions in Ghana and across Africa.

In November 2020, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo instructed the Minister of Finance to re-submit the agreements supporting the Agyapa deal to Parliament for the approval process to start all over again.

That followed the corruption risk assessment submitted by a former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, to the President.
GREENSBORO  Police have identified the man shot to death by officers during an armed confrontation last month as 41-year-old Ernesto Ruiz.

Law enforcement has exhausted all resources in attempt to locate any next of kin for Ruiz, Greensboro police said in a news release Thursday.

On June 30, officers were dispatched at 9:41 p.m. to the 3100 block of Creek Ridge Road in the citys southeastern section. Callers to the Guilford Metro 911 center complained of gunfire with one resident reporting that they witnessed someone throwing knives.

When officers arrived, they saw fireworks being set off, but nothing out of the ordinary.

About 15 minutes later, however, more gunfire was reported in the area. Officers then found a person armed with a large knife and a machete on Creek Ridge Road near Rehobeth Church Road.

When officers approached the man, he fled.

A foot chase ensued. Over a mile, officers attempted to stop the man with pepper spray and a Taser.

Eventually, the man made his way to the parking lot of a BP gas station at 2600 Randleman Road. Patrons had gathered outside the convenience store.

Thats when the man stopped and advanced  with the knives  toward police. Three officers then fired their guns, striking him.

Officers provided aid until emergency medical personnel arrived.

The man was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead.

Police have not identified the three officers, who have been placed on administrative duty.

The Greensboro Police Department has asked the State Bureau of Investigation to investigate, as is routine in shootings involving officers. The departments professional standards division also will determine if the proper policies were followed.
RALEIGH  Because Gov. Roy Coopers former secretary of health and human services, Mandy Cohen, just got the nod from President Joe Biden to be the next director of the Centers for Disease Control, politicians and analysts are again debating how North Carolinians fared during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Defenders of Cooper and Cohen argue that their comparatively stringent regulations saved many lives when compared to states such as Florida where lockdowns were shorter and mandates less severe. Detractors argue that North Carolinians suffered greater economic pain, including lost jobs and incomes, than was necessary to combat the virus, and that the states decision to keep public schools closed longer than neighboring states was particularly indefensible.

I opined frequently about these issues during the pandemic, criticizing Coopers school closures and violations of the separation of powers. But I also urged everyone to try to keep a cool head, to recognize the unprecedented nature of the crisis and the difficult decisions our governor and other officials were compelled to make.

That being said, we have more data now than we did in 2020, 2021 or even 2022 to assess the effectiveness of policy responses to the pandemic. The clearest finding, in my view, is that closing public schools for more than a brief period in the spring of 2020 was a wrongheaded and counterproductive policy. Schoolchildren were at extremely low risk and didnt prove to be major vectors of transmission to vulnerable populations.

What about lockdowns, business closures, mask mandates, and other non-medical interventions? Some studies suggest the stringency of such regulations exhibited little correlation with the spread of the virus. Others, such as a major paper published in the British journal The Lancet this March, found that while regulatory stringency had some relationship to infection rates, it wasnt associated with death rates.

That latter COVID outcome measure was always the better one. Infection rates have more of a reporting bias. Places that test more will detect more infections, all other things being equal, while a death is a death, although some ambiguity about its cause may persist.

As for comparing the pandemic experience of North Carolinians to, say, Floridians, Im afraid that far too many politicians and activists continue to hurl accusations based on the wrong statistic. They use COVID deaths per capita without adjusting for preexisting risk factors such as age. Thats silly. Many of the same people would (properly) insist on adjusting for student characteristics when assessing school performance, for example.

When adjusted for age and comorbidities, Floridas COVID death rate from 2020 to mid-2022 was lower, not higher, than North Carolinas. The Lancet study ranked Florida as having the 12th lowest rate in the country. North Carolina was 27th.

On the other hand, many other states in the Southeast had worse death-rate rankings than we did, including South Carolina (35th), Tennessee (38th), and Georgia (43rd).

Still, the Lancet authors found no statistical association between the party affiliation of a state governor and cumulative death rates from COVID-19. To the extent there was a political explanation for differences in mortality, it had less to do with lockdowns and masks than with the uptake of vaccines. Republican-leaning places tended to have lower vaccination rates  and that translated into higher mortality for vulnerable populations.

Now, heres what I got wrong in 2020: I thought the economic damage from Coopers lockdowns would last longer than it did. While North Carolina did experience a worse-than-average drop in economic activity, we also bounced back faster. Big losses in employment, especially in restaurants and other service sectors, were very painful in the short run. Then loose eligibility standards for unemployment insurance induced some North Carolinians to stay out of the workforce for a while. When those standards tightened back up, most went back to work. (Many of those who didnt appear to have severe drug addictions or mental illnesses).

In most ways, North Carolinas experience with COVID was close to the national average. Unexciting but true.
At a time when states are restricting how our nations racial history can be taught, we stand as living proof that only through truth-telling can our country move toward reconciliation.

The two of us are linked by history  Ann as a descendant of a Virginia plantation owner and enslaver, Robin as a descendant of a family enslaved on that plantation. We are also, remarkably, friends.

We met a year ago when Ann was researching her familys history as enslavers. That work led her to the Mines family, and she connected with Robin, who already was involved in racial reconciliation work. Together with five cousins  two white Morrises and three black Mines  we forged a tight-knit group that met regularly in person and on Zoom for six months.

Our meetings culminated in June with an in-person gathering of more than 180 descendants from both families. We gathered on a steamy Saturday under a huge white tent on the former plantation near Richmond, Va., to explore the truth of our shared history. It was here that our ancestors once lived  the Morris family in a grand two-story house and the Mines, along with other enslaved families, in small, rustic dwellings.

Throughout the afternoon, we shared stories and a meal, pored over family trees and toured the only remaining slave cabin on the property. We prayed. We sang. But mostly, we talked, saying things to each other most of us never imagined could be voiced.

What do you say to a person whose ancestors enslaved your ancestors? Or to a person whose ancestors were enslaved by your ancestors? It turns out, curiosity and open heartedness go a long way.

Each member of our planning group took a turn to speak. Ann, who grew up in Roanoke, Va., spoke about the myths and lies she was taught about her family, and about slavery  that her ancestors were good slave owners; that they didnt sell enslaved people at auction (public records tell a different story); and that her great-great grandfather, who graduated from medical school in the North, didnt believe in slavery (he enslaved 28 people.) She also talked about what she was taught in Virginia public schools in the 1960s, that most slaves were happy.

Robin, who grew up in Richmond, spoke about moving into a white neighborhood in the 1960s and attending a newly desegregated school. The Ku Klux Klan burned a cross on her familys yard, their new home was shot up and she was subject to racial taunts and attacks at school. Through it all, she said, her faith sustained her, and she has dedicated her life to promoting unity, justice and racial healing. Invoking her ancestors, who labored on the former plantation where we gathered, Robin called for love to replace hatred and reminded us that racial reconciliation requires accountability and forgiveness.

Many more important truths came to light that day:

That some of the Black descendants had been mistrustful of the event, wondering what the white people wanted when they received invitations to this unusual gathering; there had to be a catch. Some white family members worried theyd be confronted and blamed for their ancestors actions. Neither concern proved true.

That the truths of history can be lost. One white descendant from New Mexico had lived her entire life never knowing her ancestors had enslaved people. A Black descendant who grew up in the area told of playing in the woods and seeing the old slave cabin, never knowing what it was or that his enslaved ancestors had lived there.

That slaverys legacy was palpable, even on our nametags. White Morrises met Black Morrises, and white Hunters met Black Hunters. The shared names highlighted a painful truth: most enslaved people were not dignified with last names, and upon emancipation some assumed the name of their most recent enslaver.

We have no illusion that our gathering and its ripple effects will undo racism or address systemic disparities that have their roots in slavery. But we do know that where there was mistrust, there is now a bridge to better understanding. Where there were strangers, there are now friends. Where there was silence, there is meaningful conversation.

We hope to hold another gathering in a year or two. In the meantime, our planning team  the seven of us linked by history, place and a commitment to truth telling  will discern next steps. There is the slave cabin that should be preserved, and an unmarked slave cemetery that should be memorialized. There are oral histories to gather, and there is a dream of a college scholarship fund for Black descendants.

Whatever we do, we will keep exploring difficult truths, no matter where those discussions lead us. Thats what our country needs to do as well. The impulse to limit how our nations difficult racial history is taught because some people might be offended can only take us backward.
Senior U.S. District Court Judge Sam Haddon of the Helena Division has announced plans to assume inactive senior status on Aug. 31, after 22 years on the federal bench in Montana, it was announced Wednesday.

Haddon, 86, is retiring and will relinquish his pending caseload and will no longer maintain chambers in the Helena Division, court officials said.

A reception to honor his tenure on the federal bench will be 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Aug. 11, at the Hatfield Courthouse, 901 Front St., Helena.

Haddon was nominated by President George W. Bush on May 17, 2001. He was confirmed by the Senate on July 20, 2001, and was sworn in on July 26, 2001. Haddon entered semi-retirement when he assumed senior status on Dec. 31, 2012. He maintained a regular case load following his transition to senior status.

Brian Morris was confirmed in 2013 to replace Haddon.

According to uscourts.gov, judges who have met age and service requirements set by federal statute can take senior status if they are at least 65 and have served at least 15 years on the bench. Judges must serve at least 10 years to qualify for senior status.

Upon taking senior status, judges may choose to handle a reduced caseload. Senior judges handle about 20% of the total district and appellate caseload. By taking senior status, even if maintaining a full caseload, a judge creates a vacancy on the court, to be filled by the nomination and confirmation process for Article III judges.

Following his graduation from Rice University in 1959, Haddon graduated with honors from the University of Montana School of Law in 1965.

He began his legal career as an associate at Anderson, Symmes, Forbes, Peete and Brown from 1966-69. From 1969 until his appointment to the federal bench in 2001, he was a partner at the Missoula firm of Boone, Karlberg and Haddon in Missoula.

The judges and staff of the District of Montana said in an email Wednesday they deeply appreciate Judge Haddons contribution to the administration of justice in Montana.
Amanda Gorman, in a brilliant yellow coat, read a poem she had written for the Biden inauguration: The Hill We Climb.

Her poem touched millions with its clarity. It was a poem wrapped in hope, looking to the future. Now it has been banned in parts of Florida. Make no mistake about it. This ban was due to the color of the skin of the artist, not the quality of the words of the poem.

I write poetry from time to time. It is difficult to put simple words into a structure and convey meaning. The truth, the reality of life can be expressed. Amanda Gorman has accomplished this challenge repeatedly. Those who write, those who read, those who care, all appreciate her work.

Banning these words underscores where we are, what hills we have to climb. It is not just in Florida. It is everywhere in the United States. It is here in Montana.

Our 68th legislative session has ended. The legislators have identified the hills, those things we need to focus on to allow us, all Montanans, to come together. The Republican supermajority was driven by one emotion, Fear! Fear of women. Fear of transgenders. Fear of the unknown. Essentially fear of everyone.

As a result, we now have laws reflecting those fears. Montana alone has defined individuals into two sexes, male and female. Forget about what science tells us, that there are multiple sexes, genders and we need to protect them all. Oh yes, forget about the potential $7.5 billion of federal aid which Montana will lose due to this blatant discrimination.

This is one of the hills we have to climb.

For women, simply forget you have equal rights under the law. The Montana Legislature says you dont. The Legislature passed an abortion ban at 15 weeks. It also eliminated D&C surgery, the only procedure for abortions after 10 weeks. Thus the Legislature effectively passed a 10-week abortion ban. This will impact women who experience dire medical conditions, when the fetus is not viable and the womans health is endangered. Throughout the session the message was the same. Women are subjected to the will of older, white Christian men.

Yet another hill. Yet another challenge.

Even more restrictions should you be low income. State Medicare payments are now barred from covering abortions. Physicians must get pre-approval from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to assure abortions are for medically necessary reasons for low income women. Another hill, another challenge.

Has Montana changed weatherwise? Of course it has due to human behavior. Yet the Legislature has just barred our state agencies, those charged with protecting and defending our clean air and water, from considering climate change in evaluating approval of facilities for permitting. They have lessened or eliminated environmental review for numerous industries. Head in the sand legislatively. Not simply a hill but a mountain to climb.

Finally the Legislature made a total assault on the judiciary, seeking to remove the voice of the people from electing judges and members of the Montana Supreme Court; pushing to allow partisanship into judicial elections and thereby destroying our independent , nonpolitical court system designed to protect all citizens constitutional rights. While defeated this session, these challenges will arise again. More hills we will likely have to climb.

The list goes on and on. In the past 90 days our Legislature has turned its back on the very real problems facing Montana and instead adopted the Fox News agenda, repeating the Big lie and telling other equally untrue statements. Core problems have not been addressed. Instead drag performances at libraries and schools have been banned. Corporations and the wealthy received the benefits from the last session. Now we have the Fox News agenda. Nothing to see here folks. Another hill to climb.

Those of us living in Montana because we love Montana, its blue skies, clean water, open access to public lands, are paying for these excesses. We need to work to correct the assault on our freedoms by the last Legislature.

For those who are passionate about our beloved state, these than are the hills we have to climb.
DECATUR  Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation is seeking the public's help with its investigation into the death of 51-year-old James E. Taylor of Decatur.

Taylor was found dead on May 19 in a rural area near his home. Authorities are investigating the death as a homicide.

On May 12, the Decatur Police Department received information that Taylor was missing. He was last seen at approximately 6 p.m. on May 10.

No additional information was released.

Those with any information on Taylors death are asked to contact Decatur Crime Stoppers at 217-423-8477, the Illinois State Police Zone 5 Tip line at 217-278-5004, or email ISP.Zone.5.Investigations@Illinois.gov.

Witnesses can remain anonymous.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park
DECATUR  Decatur Public Schools has prohibited all access to both campuses of Dennis Lab School after receiving a notice from the Illinois Department of Labor that an Occupational Safety and Health Administration complaint had been made.

"The OSHA complaint alleges that the building is closed and yet employees are present coming in and out of the building, and that there is mold and asbestos present in the Dennis facilities," the district said in a news release. "As a result of this complaint, DPS is prohibiting any further access to the Dennis Lab School buildings and will be closing off all access points to the buildings. All contents that have yet to be moved will remain in the facilities, as access is now prohibited."

Spokeswoman Denise Swarthout said the district is waiting for further guidance from OSHA before determining next steps.

In the meantime, teachers' personal belongings and the school equipment, furniture and technology that had not yet been retrieved must remain in the buildings.

The complaint reads: "This location has been closed. The building also has mold and asbestos present. This building has been closed off and signs placed on the door. Approximately 10 employees are present coming in and out. The main stairs are pulling away from the wall and mold present throughout the building."

The letter to the district says that OSHA has not made an inspection of the premises and, at present, does not plan to inspect the premises, and therefore has not determined if the hazards exist as described. The district is required to investigate the claim and report back to OSHA and the Illinois Department of Labor with the results of the investigation and any corrective actions taken or planned, with supporting documentation, no later than July 24.

District employees received notice of the complaint on Thursday.

The district announced in early June that both Dennis Lab School buildings  the Mosaic campus, 1499 W. Main St., and the Kaleidoscope campus, 520 W. Wood St.  will be closed for the 2023-2024 school year due to structural concerns.

The Mosaic campus  the original footprint for Dennis  needs its original staircase fully repaired or replaced, consultants found. At the Kaleidoscope campus, engineers have recommended partial demolition and replacement of the original 1913 three-story building.

Sign prohibiting access to the buildings were posted soon after structural issues at both buildings were first reported in late May.

The district has since announced plans to house Dennis School students at the Garfield Learning Academy building at 300 Meadow Terrace, which will be enhanced with 16 modular classrooms.

The future of the two closed campuses is still under review.

LOOKING BACK: Decatur's Dennis School HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK History Corner: A Look Back HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK HISTORY CORNER: A LOOK BACK 2019 2019 2019 2013
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. Near record high temperatures. High 104F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 78F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Protecting Dunhuang's ancient heritage through digital tech

Xinhua) 08:23, July 13, 2023

LANZHOU, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The naming of an asteroid after esteemed Chinese archaeologist Fan Jinshi earlier this week has been widely cheered on Chinese social media.

Fan, 85, started to work in Dunhuang in 1963 and made a lifelong career out of protecting and studying the cultural relics in the millennium-old Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Dunhuang, in northwest China's Gansu Province.

This aerial photo taken on April 25, 2023 shows the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

The celestial honor was awarded to Fan in recognition of her contribution to the archaeological survey and conservation of Chinese grottoes, including the construction of "Digital Dunhuang," according to a document issued by the International Astronomical Union.

The "Digital Dunhuang" project was put forward in the late 1980s by Fan, then executive deputy dean of the Dunhuang Academy, in the hope of introducing the digital protection of this cultural heritage and preserving the associated data in high fidelity.

By the end of 2022, the Dunhuang Academy had finished compiling the digital data collection on 278 caves, image processing for 164, and the 3D reconstruction of 145 painted sculptures and seven ruins, while delivering a panoramic tour program for 162 caves.

With the help of ever-advancing digital technology, the project has also facilitated virtual access to the treasures for millions of people, without the need to open and access the actual caves.

In 2022, the academy's various online platforms recorded about 400 million visits from 120 countries and regions, said Du Juan, deputy director of the media center of Dunhuang Academy.

Over the years, the institute has continued to explore various modes of cultural protection and promotion, taking advantage of the "Digital Dunhuang" project outcomes.

In 2008, an exhibition featuring a high-fidelity reproduction of a famous mural in Cave 61 from the Mogao Grottoes was presented in Beijing. The replica was based on the digital data of a large mural of more than 40 square meters, which took researchers three months to create, from taking pictures to splicing them in a perfect manner.

Liao Xueting, a marketer from the Dunhuang Academy's digital preservation team, walks past a high-fidelity replica of a mural in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, April 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Digital images from the project were used to create an immersive 8K high-resolution movie about the grottoes, and in 2014, this was shown for the first time to visitors on a domed screen in the digital display center of Dunhuang.

An online platform was launched in 2016, sharing high-definition images and panoramic views of 30 classic caves from the Mogao Grottoes with a global audience.

In 2020, a mini app of the site was launched on WeChat, giving travelers convenient access to virtual tours and information at their fingertips, registering more than 200 million visits to date.

In 2022, a blockchain-based digital resource-sharing platform went online, making available more than 6,500 archived high-definition digital images showing murals and manuscripts from the Mogao Grottoes and other grotto sites in Dunhuang.

People watch a fulldome digital film at a digital center in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

Despite the digitization project, which has improved the efficiency and accuracy in the cultural protection work, the monitoring and operation of the machines on site requires human labor and wisdom.

Su Bomin, dean of Dunhuang Academy, said that the digitalization project has covered only about half of the caves so far, adding that data collection in the caves is hard work.

The interior is gloomy and cold, with the daily high temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius even in summer, and data-collecting staff need to wear winter coats.

Su said the institute will continue to improve sci-tech innovation and complete the digital archives for each cave, mural and sculpture.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Editor's Note This is the first of four stories recounting the impacts of last years flooding in Buchanan County.

Editors Note: This is the first of four stories recounting the impacts of last years flooding in Buchanan County.

Columbus and Victoria Fleming still get nervous when a thunderstorm rumbles through Buchanan County.

During one recent storm, they climbed into their pickup truck and drove until theyd reached the town of Grundy, several miles away. Thats how vivid their memories are of catastrophic flooding one year ago which nearly claimed their lives.

No one died and only person was injured during record flooding last July 13 ,after up to six inches of rain fell in a few hours, causing widespread flooding, damaging more than 100 homes and businesses in eastern and central portions of the county. That includes the single-story home the couple rented along Dismal River Road, in the Whitewood area, a short distance from Twin Valley High School.

Were just blessed to be alive, Columbus Fleming said when asked to reflect on that night.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning about 8:30 p.m., on July 12 for portions of Buchanan County and southern West Virginia as a line of thundershowers brought torrential rains to the mountainous region.

We thought the rain was past us so we thought it was going to be OK. We went on to bed because we had to get up at 3:30 [a.m.], Elizabeth Fleming said.

He works as a heavy equipment operator and, at the time, she did medical transport and was scheduled to take two patients to Roanoke the next morning.

Instead, a night filled with terror lie ahead.

They were awakened about 10:30 p.m. by the loud noise of something striking the outside of their house.

I got up then returned to bed when something [else] struck the exterior of the home. I thought a tree had hit the house, she said.

Victoria Fleming tried repeatedly to call but cell service is spotty in that area and she was unable contact anyone. Their first instinct was to flee.

I went to the back door to see how bad the tree damaged the house. We opened the door and  wham  the water just pushed us back, she recalled as the surging water shoved them onto nearby furniture.

Columbus said, Victoria were in a flood. Run. Run across the road. Do not wait on me, her voice trembling.

However opening the front door produced much the same result as flood water again burst in.

We tried to get out but I got to the edge of the steps and I could feel the water was moving me  I know you [Columbus] grabbed me but I felt something stronger. I know what was stronger; it was the good Lord, she said.

Water levels were quickly rising both inside and outside their home.

We had been in the water so long, my lower extremities were numb. I couldnt feel my legs. We were so terrified we werent paying attention to where we were standing then we realized we were in the doorway of the front door. One of my hands was outside of the door and one was on the door frame. I looked out and my legs were just floating on the water. One hand had let go and I told Columbus, Make sure you tell my kids I love them and I love you.

He said, No, no you cant leave me. I didnt give up on you and you cant give up on me. My one arm was in the door frame and that was all that held me  and the good Lord, Victoria Fleming said.

Eventually the couple made their way back through the house to a bedroom where a small tool box was stored. From it, Victoria retrieved the smallest hammer youve ever seen.

Knowing she had to do something, Victoria climbed upon some furniture and began beating on the ceiling above, tearing through the material and the insulation until she could see the exposed rafters. He climbed atop an oversized chair and the couple remained there  clinging to the rafters  for much of the night.

They estimate the ordeal lasted six hours.

I was hanging in the rafters and he reached me the light [a small flashlight attached to a band to be worn around the head]. I took the light and wrapped it around my arm. I was so worn out and my hand started shaking. I could see all the particles we were breathing, she said. I followed the light beam to the wall and could see debris where the water was going down. I said, Keep praying. Dont you give up. Pray harder. Pray harder.

Slowly, the water began to recede. Periodically Columbus would step down, and eventually he stepped into ankle-deep mud.

Daylight brought the realization that many of the other homes along that stretch of Dismal River Road were also heavily damaged.

When we got out that morning, we thought everybody was dead, he said. I dont think, as bad as the water was, that swift water rescue could have gotten to us. It washed vehicles away, it washed buildings away. The good Lord is what kept us alive. Thats the reason were here today. A lot of people wouldnt be here. Were blessed people.

With just the clothes on their backs, they slogged to the nearby post office where they learned that others had similar, harrowing experiences.

They later found his Toyota pickup truck downstream and ruined by the water. Days later, a wrecker driver was able to pull the hulk from the streambed. As he did, a small plastic tool box floated out the back window. Fleming still carries the tool box in his current truck but hasnt washed the mud from the tools.

The Flemings are now living beside another, much smaller creek and renovating the house they live in. They say the memories of a year ago will continue haunting them.

Returning to the site of their former home last week, they reflected on that night.

I believe that if we hadnt opened those doors, the floodwaters would have just pushed the house on down, Columbus Fleming said.

There are no remnants of their house or many others that were damaged beyond repair that night.

We lost every material thing we had but you can buy that back. You cant buy life back, he said. We lost some sentimental stuff well never get back but were alive.
If You Go What: Railroad Day Where: Natural Tunnel State Park, 1420 Natural Tunnel Parkway, Duffield, Virginia Travel Time From Bristol: One Hour. Follow U.S. Highway 58 west to the Natural Tunnel State Park exit along U.S. 58/U.S. 23 in Scott County, Virginia. When: Saturday, 9 a.m.  3 p.m. Info: 276-940-2674

For more than a century, trains have charged through Natural Tunnel near Clinchport, Virginia.

Steam locomotives of the late 1890s have been replaced by the diesel engines of today on tracks now operated by Norfolk Southern Corp.

Its still an active railroad, Said Robert Chapman the manager of Natural Tunnel State Park.

Officials at Natural Tunnel State Park monitor visitors to make sure they do not trespass on the tracks that cut through the park, Chapman said.

Of course, we have to keep people off the tracks as much as possible, Chapman said. There are a few who push the envelope and want to walk through the tunnel.

However this Saturday, park officials are inviting guests to do just that: Walk the tracks through the Natural Tunnel. All other times of the year, it is against the law to walk through the tunnel, Chapman said.

Railroad Day is the only day when we allow people to walk from the south portal to the north portal and get to view end to end, he said.

Saturday marks the ninth time the park has had the opportunity to let guests explore the cavernous tunnel, spanning 850 feet through Purchase Ridge in a rugged section of the Clinch Valley.

Geologists like author Tony Scales (Natural Tunnel, The Overmountian Press), native of Bristol, Tennessee, call the tunnel a natural wonder of Southwest Virginia.

Its millions of years old, Chapman said. Its a cave through a mountain big enough for the train to go through. And its been carved by what is now Stock Creek.

Historians have speculated that famed frontiersman Daniel Boone saw the tunnel but Chapman said theres no proof Boone actually walked through it.

The tunnel is not completely natural, visitors will find out during Saturdays opening. A small portion was carved out to make way for the trains, Chapman said. They had to cut a hole just big enough to fit the cars through.

Visitors can take the chair lift  for a fee  to reach the tunnel site or simply follow a moderate trail.

The natural amphitheater of the tunnel rises with sheer rock walls hundreds of feet high, affording breathtaking scenery that has attracted visitors for generations to the site between Big Stone Gap and Yuma.

I think Natural Tunnel is definitely a natural landmark that is not as well-known as many of the other features of Virginia, Chapman said. But its been here just as long  if not longer. Its a true marvel in stone.

Over the years, the railroad company participated in the event, Chapman said.

Im trying to get the railroad back more involved, Chapman said. When we first started this, they brought an engine out. But you couldnt touch it, and you couldnt climb on it.

Still, the once-a-year chance to go from one side of the tunnel to the other is a rarity, Chapman said.

And we still call it Railroad Day because we actually walk the railroad through the tunnel.
A Lincoln County man accused of shooting his wife was transported back to North Carolina from Knoxville, Tennessee, on Wednesday, according to authorities.

Randall Lane Shropshire, 53, of Lincolnton, is charged in Lincoln County with felony attempted first-degree murder and felonious restraint, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

Shropshire waived extradition in a Knoxville court on July 6. Detectives traveled to Knoxville on Tuesday and examined the vehicle Shropshire was driving, the sheriffs office said.

On Wednesday, the detectives picked up Shropshire from the Knox County Jail and returned him to Lincoln County, the sheriffs office said.

On June 30, deputies and emergency services personnel were dispatched to a location near the Exit 28 ramp on U.S. Highway 321 to a report of a woman being shot and pushed from a vehicle, the sheriffs office said.

The sheriffs office said Shropshire fled the scene, leaving his wife, Leandre Shropshire, with multiple gunshot wounds. Leandre Shropshire was transported to CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, the sheriffs office said.

The sheriffs office said that Leandre Shropshire survived the attack and remains hospitalized.

Deputies began a search for Randall Shropshire in the local area but could not locate him. A short time later, Shropshires cellphone pinged in Knoxville, the sheriffs office said.

Knox County Sheriffs Office deputies located the vehicle Shropshire was driving. While checking the area, officers in Knoxville located Shropshire at a nearby motel where he had barricaded himself in his room, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office said.

Officers in Tennessee negotiated with the suspect and took him into custody, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office said.

Shropshire is being held without a bond in the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center, the sheriffs office said.
House And Senate Reach Deal On Property Tax Cuts After a monthslong standoff among Texas top Republicans, state GOP lawmakers finally struck a deal Monday on how to cut Texans property taxes.



The $18 billion compromise between the Texas House and Senate  which includes more than $5 billion approved for property tax relief in 2019  would lower taxes for the states 5.7 million homeowners and add a temporary cap on appraisal increases for some non-homesteaded properties.



It would also cut franchise taxes for small businesses and send billions of dollars to school districts so they can cut their taxes across the board. However, none of that money will go toward additional public education funding, according to legislation filed by state budget leaders on Monday.



For the complete story, see the Thursday, July 13, edition of The Reporter Newspaper.


On June 29, Loudi City's first new overseas Chinese innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition was held in Rende School, Loudi Economic Development District. Mr. Ao Wenan, deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Municipal People's Congress, attended and presented awards to the winners.

The competition was guided by the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee, the United Front Work Department of the Municipal Party Committee, and jointly organized by the Talent Office of the Municipal Party Committee, the Municipal Federation of Overseas Chinese, the Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, and the Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, aiming to further build an innovation and entrepreneurship platform for the new generation of overseas Chinese around the world, encourage new overseas Chinese and overseas returnees to come to Lou to innovate and start businesses, and add new momentum to promote the construction of an innovative city in Loudi. A total of 14 high-quality projects, covering advanced manufacturing, new material research and development, new energy development, agricultural services and other fields, invited Loudi employment and entrepreneurship research and guidance experts, scholars and industry leaders of relevant competent departments to serve as judges, from the project innovation, economic benefits, social benefits, promotion and replicability of 4 aspects of the score.


TikTok employees in China have access to Australian user data but would reject a request by the Chinese government to access it, the tech giants executives have claimed at an Australian Senate Committee hearing.

The final hearings of the Senate Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media this week focused on the influence of China-based tech firms in Australia.

Committee chair Liberal Senator James Paterson accused TikTok executives appearing at the hearing of obfuscation and said WeChat had shown contempt for the Australian Parliament by refusing to appear at all.

TikTok executives, including public policy manager Ella Woods-Joyce, appeared before the Committee on Tuesday, with questions centring on the companys links to China and its data collection policies.

Chinas National Intelligence Law, which requires all organisations and citizens to support, assist and cooperate with national intelligence efforts and to protect national intelligence work secrets, has led to concerns that Chinese authorities could demand access to the data of Australian TikTok users.

Woods-Joyce told the Senators that this law does apply to TikToks China-based employees, but that this is no more and no less than any business operating in the country. She said that the company has not been asked to hand over data to the Chinese Communist Party, and that it would refuse to do so if it was.

We will not provide it if we were asked, Woods-Joyce said.

The National Intelligence Law also requires secrecy so it is unclear how this would work in practice.

TikToks head of data security Will Farrell confirmed that some China-based employees do have access to the data of Australians, but this is on a very strict basis with a number of protections in place.

He said that if there has been a data access request across national borders then the global security team based in the US has to check it.

Employees cant get access without a clear justification and levels of approval, Farrell said.

Paterson criticised TikToks Woods-Joyces obfuscation after she said she was unsure where the companys formal headquarters was.

Are you seriously not able to say how your parent company, which ultimately owns and controls you, is operated? Paterson said.

Your reluctance to acknowledge basic facts about the parent company with whom you are ultimately employed is not a promising start to your willingness to honestly answer these questions, it appears like obfuscation to me.

TikToks appearance at the hearing comes soon after the Australian government banned TikTok from all public service devices, claiming the app poses a significant protective security risk to the Commonwealth.

Social media in the spotlight

Also appearing before the committee was Meta head of public policy Australia Josh Machin who said that China-based misinformation actors are becoming increasingly prevalent on social media. Half of the Chinese-based coordinated inauthentic behaviour networks disrupted since 2017 on Meta were identified this year, Meta said.

We are seeing an evolution in the tactics out of particularly networks and operations originating [in] China, Machin said.

China-based instant messaging app WeChat was also in the crosshairs of the Senate Committee after executives from the company repeatedly refused requests to appear before it.

The Committee had important questions for WeChat to answer, which we believe can only be canvassed in a public hearing, Paterson said.

I wrote to WeChat on 4 July 2023 to advise them that their refusal to appear before the Committee sends a clear message about the company and its willingness to comply with Australian law.

The Senate has the power to compel witnesses to attend a public hearing, but WeChat does not have any Australia-based employees and this power does not extend extra-territorially.

It demonstrates contempt for the Parliament of Australia by WeChat and their parent company Tencent, Paterson said.

It is untenable for a company with so much influence on our diaspora communities to be able to operate with impunity and demonstrate its disregard for our system of government without consequences.

WeChat has an estimated user base in Australia of one million people.

In a response to Paterson, WeChat said that it takes its compliance and legal obligations seriously in all markets in which it operates.

We remain committed to providing responsive information to the Committee in writing and remain open to hearing the Committees views and questions, the WeChat statement said.

The Select Committee will report back to Parliament at the start of August.
The email account of US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was among a slew of accounts breached at both the State and Commerce Departments by attackers, claimed to be from China, who gained access through a vulnerability in Microsoft's Azure cloud platform.

The Washington Post cited anonymous American officials as saying the vulnerability was discovered last month by the State Department.

Other accounts which attracted the attention of the attackers were those of a Congressional aide, an American human rights advocate and American think-tanks, the same officials said.

Microsoft made no mention of the Azure vulnerability when it released its monthly load of patches on 11 July.

The Post quoted National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodges as saying: "US Government safeguards identified an intrusion in Microsofts cloud security, which affected unclassified systems.

Officials immediately contacted Microsoft to find the source and vulnerability in their cloud service. We continue to hold the procurement providers of the US Government to a high security threshold.

A joint advisory issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI said a Federal Civilian Executive Branch agency identified suspicious activity in their Microsoft 365 cloud environment.

The agency informed Microsoft and CISA, and Microsoft determined that state-backed actors had accessed and exfiltrated unclassified Exchange Online Outlook data, the advisory added.

Contacted for comment, Satnam Narang, senior staff research engineer at security firm Tenable, said: A China-based threat actor known as Storm-0558 managed to compromise the email accounts belonging to government agencies and other individuals. The attackers were able to maintain access for a month before the incident was discovered.

The hack was achieved through forging authentication tokens by using a Microsoft account consumer signing key. Obtaining such a key is no easy feat, but once obtained, it can be used to forge tokens that allow attackers to impersonate users.

Access to such a key is not something that would be used hastily and is in line with what wed expect from a threat actor with a focus on espionage.

John Hultquist, Mandiant chief analyst, Google Cloud, commented: "Chinese cyber espionage has come a long way from the smash-and-grab tactics many of us are familiar with. They have transformed their capability from one that was dominated by broad, loud campaigns that were far easier to detect. They were brash before, but now they are clearly focused on stealth."

Mandiant was acquired by Google in March 2022 and became a part of Google Cloud. Mandiant made headlines in 2013 when it publicly attributed a network attack to a Chinese group, which it named APT1. Prior to that, security firms had always shied away from such definite statements.

Hultquist said: "Rather than manipulating unsuspecting victims into opening malicious files or links, these actors are innovating and designing new methods that are already challenging us. They are leading their peers in the deployment of zero-days and they have carved out a niche by targeting security devices specifically.

"They've even transformed their infrastructure - the way they connect to targeted systems. There was a time when they would come through a simple proxy or even directly from China, but now they are connecting through elaborate, ephemeral proxy networks of compromised systems. It's not uncommon for a Chinese cyber espionage intrusion to traverse a random home router. The result is an adversary much harder to track and detect.

"The reality is that we are facing a more sophisticated adversary than ever, and we'll have to work much harder to keep up with them."
Jennifer Coates: The danger of a lawsuit like this is not how it constrains artificial intelligence, but how it constrains human beings, as well."

A veteran American litigator, who has served in both the private and public sector, does not appear to fancy the chances of litigants in a class action lawsuit against Google over its recently announced move to scrape all publicly available data from the Internet for training its AI products.

Jennifer Coates, a partner at Minneapolis-based international law firm Dorsey & Whitney, who represents high-profile and government entities in complex cases, told iTWire that the lawsuit was "trying to meld two separate concepts. One idea is that a corporation gathers an individuals data to study that specific individuals behaviour; The second idea is that Google is gathering data to educate its AI model about people, generally. Its apples and oranges".



And she added: Most importantly, assuming that Googles privacy policy told users that it was collecting data and also asked users to accept that policy by using the site, then the users were warned about not only the use of their data, but also how it can be used.

Coates, who has previously served as an assistant attorney-general with the Office of the Minnesota Attorney-General, said the US would not prohibit an individual from going to a library and reading whatever they wanted to read. "The thoughts that the individual generates from that reading and learning are unique to that individual. The same could be argued about Bard or any other AI product, she said.

Coates began her career at Gray, Plant, Mooty (now Lathrop GPM) in Minneapolis, where she worked from 2008-2011. She has a BA from Amherst College, an MA from Brown University and a JD (Doctor of Jurisprudence) from Georgetown University.

As iTWire reported on Thursday, California legal outfit Clarkson Law Firm has filed a lawsuit against search giant Google over the recent announcement that it would collect all publicly available data from the Internet for training its AI products.

The proposed class action, against Google, its parent Alphabet and its AI subsidiary DeepMind, was filed in a California federal court on Tuesday.

Said Coates: The danger of a lawsuit like this is not how it constrains artificial intelligence, but how it constrains human beings, as well. Who is to say that an individual cannot use all the touchpoints in their life to develop a response to something? Isnt that what the Supreme Court just said in the [recent] Affirmative Action case?

The Affirmative Action case referred to was over whether race could be considered a factor in university admissions; the US Supreme Court ruled that it could not be used, ending a long-practiced policy on positive discrimination.

The allegations in the complaint boil down to this: publicly communicated/posted information should be considered private," Coates explained. "US law does not support that idea. An individual does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in something shared publicly.

"First, copyright law has a fair use exception for educational purposes. Second, if an individual shares information with a third party and then agrees to share it, there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. Lastly, even password protected communications can be accessed by law enforcement through connected social media accounts.

Google appears to be wary of openly stating its intentions to slurp up all this public data, quietly making changes to the policy after iTWire inquired about the copyright implications of its move.

Coates said the nature of AI was not regurgitative, "which is really what the complaint is arguing in the case against Google".

"Like any self-taught being, AI analyses and examines all types of thoughts, ideas, writings and other information and then uses those 'learnings to provide a thoughtful response to a query. That response is only as good as the information to which it has previously had exposure.

She questioned what was so different about having a person gather and synthesise information and having a computer do it.

"I suppose the answer is that AI does it faster and more efficiently," Coates said. "That, however, does not change the nature of what it is doing or the information it is using.

Most corporations with a Web presence have explicit privacy policies that provide a user with information about how their data may be tracked or used on the site by that specific corporation. Companies that have not already done so, may also consider advising their web-users that certain data (i.e. posts or comments) are public and, subject to the applicable laws, may be accessed by unrelated entities."
COMPANY NEWS: World leading Australian 3D printing technology company, Luyten 3D, has been awarded a grant through the federal governments Cooperative Research Centres Projects Grants program to address the need for affordable and durable housing across outback Australia.

The project which involves Luyten 3D collaborating with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Hanson Construction Materials (Hanson) will develop and deliver innovative 3D printed housing solutions to remote parts of Australia to support mining and other communities.

The project will run for several years at a total cost of nearly $6.5 million dollars. The CRC-P program will provide $2,993,626 of grant funding.

We are absolutely thrilled to be awarded the CRC-P grant for our project. If we as a nation want to address affordability, quality of stock and adequate conditions of housing in Australias remote areas, then different manufacturing technologies need to be developed removing logistics as a bottleneck, bringing manufacturing on site, and building with locally sourced zero-carbon/kilometre materials, Luyten 3D cofounder and global CEO, Ahmed Mahil said.

It is wonderful that the importance of our project has been embraced by the program. Our project is a response to the needs of the mining sector and communities across outback and remote parts of the country and addresses a critical aspect of the governments commitment to deliver more homes for Australians utilising technology that is already a focus for construction companies.

The partnership between Luyten 3D, UNSW and Hanson will involve developing a 3D print system, with hard and software, to build houses faster and cheaper using local materials.

Luyten 3Ds revolutionary 3D printing technology for the building and construction industry has already been identified as cutting edge by companies across the globe and is in use in the US, Canada, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Luyten 3D is already helping to build affordable housing in the US and now we will be expanding our operations locally to help print affordable housing in outback Australia, Mahil said.

The benefit of our technology is that we can transport our 3D printers to locations in remote areas and print using local materials. We are able to create a mix of terracrete, rather than concrete, utilising local ingredients. Not only is this more cost effective, it is also more sustainable as terracrete requires less water than concrete.

Our Luyten Platypus X12 printer is able to be transported in compact form and unfolded on site to reach a height of six metres and a width of 12 metres enabling it to print virtually any house in one go.

The CRC-P grant will provide the necessary funding to ensure we have the capability and resources to deliver life-changing houses for communities in remote parts of the country that are affordable, durable and aesthetically compatible with their surrounds.

Associate Professor, Haeusler, of UNSW said, The project strongly aligns with the objectives of the ARC Industry Transformation Training Centre for Next-Gen Architectural Manufacturing, which aims to address Australia's housing crisis through sustainable and digital approaches.

What excites me the most is that through the CRC-P project, we can extend our efforts to remote and very remote communities, who face additional financial challenges in affording housing due to increased costs of material and labour transportation over vast distances in Australia. Our innovative approach of bringing the factory to the construction site while utilising locally sourced materials will effectively tackle these issues, enabling the construction of custom-designed homes at a more affordable price."

Luytens cutting edge 3D printer technology enables builders to transform construction projects that would traditionally take months or years to complete and instead finish them within a number of days. The 3D concrete printing revolutionary technology reduces 60 percent of construction waste, 70 percent of production time, and 80 percent of labour costs when comparing hands-on construction projects.

In addition, the technology is proven to increase construction site efficiency with 60 percent guaranteed costs savings, 300 to 500 times shorter execution times, and an 80 percent total reduction in monetary expenses without formwork in concrete construction. The world has never seen capabilities like this before, Mahil said.

When forming Luyten, we were cognisant of the construction industrys carbon footprint, and determined to create construction solutions for generations to come that reduce emissions. Our unmatched technology employs up to 40 percent less carbon dioxide emissions through propriety mixes that reduce use of cement, and the robotic systems reduce construction site and logistics carbon dioxide footprints by 50 to 70 percent.

About Luyten

Luyten designs and manufactures custom large-scale three-dimensional concrete printers that cater for all project needs on site from conceptual design through to the final product. The business offers 3D concrete printing solutions for the incorporation of three-dimensional membranes on traditional construction sites, as well as on-site concrete printing consultations, operational assistance, and rental service offerings
Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturer Huawei Technologies is making a bid to return to the 5G smartphone industry by the end of 2023, Reuters reports.

The news agency cited three third-party technology research companies, who report on China's smartphone sector, as saying Huawei should be in a position to obtain 5G chips in China, using its own advances in semiconductor design tools, helped by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Company which would make the chips.

Huawei's consumer business brought in US$67 billion in 2020, before it fell by more than half that amount a year later. It sold off its budget smartphone business Honor to a network of agents and dealers in November 2020.

The company's smartphone business was affected by American decisions to prevent local vendors from doing business with Huawei unless they had licences to do so from the Department of Commerce.

As a result, Huawei could not use Google's proprietary apps like Play Store, Maps, YouTube, Gmail and Drive which are staples of the Android mobile operating system.

Huawei developed an operating system called HarmonyOS using the open source version of Android, but phones running this OS made little headway outside China, despite the hardware being top quailty.

Reuters said one of the research firms it spoke to expected Huawei to use SMIC's N+1 manufacturing process.

However, this process has a forecast yield rate of usable chips below 50%, which means 5G shipments would be limited to between two million and four million units.

A second research firm estimated shipments could reach 10 million units, but provided no details to back up this conclusion.

According to the China Securities Journal, Huawei was reported to have raised its 2023 mobile shipment target to 40 million units in July, from 30 million at the start of the year. However, there was no mention of 5G phones.

The research firms told Reuters that Huawei had announced in March that it had made breakthroughs in electronic design automation tools for chips produced at and above 14nm.

Citing their own industry sources, these firms said they believed Huawei's EDA software could be used with SMIC's N+1 manufacturing process to make 7nm chips.

SMIC was blocked by the US from buying EUV machines from Dutch firm ASML; such machines are needed to make 7nm chips.

However, some analysts said there were indications SMIC had somehow managed to produce 7nm chips by tweaking simpler DUV machines it could still purchase freely from ASML.

One of the research firms said Huawei had asked SMIC to produce chip components below 14nm this year for 5G products.

Reuters said Doug Fuller, a chip researcher from the Copenhagen Business School, had noted the 5G chips produced in this way would be very costly given the yield rate of less than 50%.

He was quoted as saying: "I guess if Huawei wants to eat the cost they can do this, but I don't see such chips as price competitive."
CHARLESTON  Andrew McDevitt is the newest member to the Coles County Board.

McDevitts appointment was unanimously approved Tuesday during the boards monthly meeting.

McDevitt, an advanced practice registered nurse at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, will fill the District 6 seat that had been held by Lisa Jaco.

District 6 is located in the southwest corner of Coles County and includes Lake Paradise and Lake Land College along with the surrounding areas.

Jaco resigned from the elected position last month due to personal reasons that caused her to move out of state.

(Jaco) had inquired if this is something that I would be interested in, and I knew a couple of members who also asked about that, McDevitt said. So me being a lifelong resident of Coles County, I decided that it was something I was interested in.

McDevitt said helping the citizens of the county will be his focus during his time on the board.

Im excited Ive lived here all my life, so Im excited to be able to work and be here for the people, McDevitt said.

In other business, the board voted 7-4-1 to approve the allocation of not more than $75,000 in American Rescue Plans Act funds to Lifelinks located in Mattoon.

The grant funds are being used for premium pay for those who continued going to work during COVID-19 at Lifelinks.

McDevitt abstained while Rick Shook, Bob Bennett, Denise Corray and Darrel Cox voted against on the resolution.

The board also:

Approved $200,000 for a window replacement grant.

Approved the resolution for a salary adjustment for the supervisor of assessments, public defender and sheriff.

Approved an intergovernmental agreement with Lafayette Township for the bridge replacement project on County Road 450N.
MATTOON  City Planning Commission members see housing development, not a solar farm, as the best future use of cropland south of Western Avenue on the west edge of Mattoon.

Commission members, plus the city staff, have voiced this land use preference regarding Cypress Creek Renewables proposal to develop a 5-megawatt solar farm south of Western, west of 43rd Street. The commission voted unanimously Tuesday evening to recommend that the City Council not annex this site for solar use.

This is prime residential land, said commission member Dean Willaredt. He added that the annexation would result in the property being rezoned to C3 commercial next to an existing R1 residential neighborhood on Western.

Fellow commission member Ned Hoppin indicated he agreed with concerns voiced by several Western Avenue residents that the proposed solar farm could be a detriment to the existing neighborhood and future housing development.

This project, I think, would have a negative impact on that area, Hoppin said. The commissions recommendations are forwarded to the City Council for consideration.

Cypress Creek, which has a corporate office in North Carolina, has filed a request for the city to annex approximately 136 acres southwest of Western and 43rd.

Ben Jacobi, an attorney for this company, said the solar farm would be on 40 acres at the southwest corner of this property, while the remaining 96 areas of farmland would remain undeveloped. The undeveloped land would consist of a large swathe of cropland on the west side of 43rd and a smaller section on the south side of Western.

Jacobi said the solar farm would be connected to a nearby Ameren Illinois substation and provide enough electricity to power up to 1,100 residences. He said local homeowners could get money off of their power bill by subscribing to be part of this community scale project.

The city could place stipulations on the use of the property through the annexation agreement and subsequent special use permit process, Jacobi. As examples, he said the city could require that the sites cropland remain undeveloped, the solar farms 8-foot-tall fence have opaque slats, and screening trees be planted along Western.

As presented, the solar farm would be located 150 feet south of Western Avenue.

If you look from your door to that space, its not that far, said Western Avenue resident Lily Laij.

The commission received a petition signed by 35 Western residents opposing the annexation proposal. Resident Michelle Sharp said they gathered these signatures in three days and could get more given more time.

Some of the residents, including former city of Mattoon code enforcement official Matt Frederick, said they are not opposed to solar farms in general but believe that they should not be located next to a residential neighborhood and that it could potentially lower property values there.

Its just a bad idea in my opinion, Frederick said. Put (the solar farm) somewhere its not going to impact the future development of the city and the economics of the houses around it.

City Administrator Kyle Gill said his recommendation is that a solar farm would not be the best use of the property southwest of Western and 43rd. Community Development and Planning Director Alex Benishek added that the city is working on efforts to promote the development of additional needed housing in Mattoon.

There are definitely better uses for this land that we should be considering, Benishek said.

Cypress Creek is also seeking to develop a 5-megawatt solar farm on a 36-acre field at 1021 N. 33rd St. The City Council renewed the special permit for this planned project in October 2022, a project that has been in the works since 2018.

How off-grid solar could fill energy access gaps around the world How off-grid solar could fill energy access gaps around the world What is off-grid solar? A key component to U.N. Sustainable Development Goals The off-grid solar industry is multi-layered and fast-growing Investments in related technology and companies continue to increase year-over-year Increases in global access to electricity have begun to slow, despite keeping pace with population growth Coupled with emerging water and cooling tech, off-grid solar can power essential activities Many climate-vulnerable populations can gain access to clean electricity through it The adaptability of off-grid solar makes it usable in urban and weak-grid markets Recognition of its potential impact has spurred governments to embrace public funding Personal off-grid and grid-tied solar can help in all energy markets
SPRINGFIELD  The FBI's Springfield office is warning Central Illinois residents to be wary of fraud from suspicious callers in what is "commonly referred to as a grandparent scam."

While there are many variations of the scam, the one seen recently in Central Illinois involves a caller claiming to be a relative or loved one "who has been in an accident with a pregnant woman and is being detained by law enforcement," according to a news release.

After this initial call, the victim receives another call "from a purported attorney who claims that due to a gag order the case cannot be discussed further, and requests money for their loved ones release."

The scammer will then set up an in-person money drop, sending an accomplice to the victim's home to collect the money.

The FBI is warning people to remain vigilant with their online information and to be wary of unsolicited calls. If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be a family member or loved one, hang up and call your loved one to verify the story.

The news release said 400 victims ages 60 years and older in the U.S. were defrauded of nearly $3.8 million last year using information gathered in "grandparent scams."

The FBI listed the following safety tips:

Be careful what you post online. Scammers can use details shared on social media platforms and dating sites for targeting purposes.

Be suspicious of telephone calls that require you to immediately take action and that request bail money for a family member in distress.

Be careful with caller IDs that look familiar. Scammers may use technology to disguise the actual number they are calling from and make it appear as a trusted number.

Never give personal identifiable information or money to anyone you have only communicated with by telephone or online.

If you suspect that you or a loved one has been a victim of elder fraud, contact the FBI Springfield office at 217-522-9675.

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CHARLESTON  Coles County Judge Mitchell Shick found probable cause Wednesday to proceed with the official misconduct case against a former Coles County assistant states attorney.

Brady Allen was charged by the Illinois Attorney Generals Office in January with nine counts of bribery, one count of witness harassment, 21 counts of official misconduct and one count of witness intimidation involving his interactions with three women.

Allen pleaded not guilty to the charges on Wednesday and requested a jury trial. A status hearing was scheduled for Aug. 16.

If convicted, Allen could face up to seven years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.

Illinois State Police Sgt. Windy Westfall, testifying during the preliminary hearing, confirmed the details of the investigation that led to the charges being filed.

The charges stem from allegations that Allen had inappropriate communications that were sexual in nature with female defendants while he was serving as an assistant states attorney from December 2018 until his resignation in August 2020. The women were either currently being or had been prosecuted by Allen.

Westfall confirmed the three woman said they were matched and communicated with Allen through Tinder before continuing communication through Snapchat and Facebook. They also had exchanged personal phone numbers during this time.

All three womens cases were still open at the time communication began.

Westfall said the messages provided to the police by Tinder, Snapchat and Facebook contained messages from Allen identifying himself as an assistant states attorney in Coles County and pursuing conversations that were sexual in nature.

The prosecutors in the case allege that Allen solicited sexual contact, photos and videos with an understanding that in exchange, the women would receive preferential treatment in their pending criminal cases.

Even after Allen was assigned to another courtroom, according to the allegations, he continued to solicit sexual contact, photos and videos with the suggestion that he could influence fellow prosecutors in the states attorneys office.

Once Allens behavior was discovered, he offered to pay one womans fines and court costs if she could convince another female defendant to not pursue claims against him, according to the attorney generals office.

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SPRINGFIELD  Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to leave Thursday for a seven-day trade mission to the United Kingdom with a coterie of advisers and leaders in manufacturing and economic development.

The Democrat will begin his journey at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Thursday through Sunday, where his office said he will discuss Illinois' continued interest in manufacturing electric cars with automobile, energy and other industry leaders.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is a 30-year-old motorsports festival where contemporary and historic race cars take part in a hill climb and other events at a country estate belonging to the Duke of Richmond, built about 1600 in West Sussex.

On Sunday, a long list of other officials will join Pritzker in London to meet their counterparts and discuss stronger economic cooperation between Illinois and Britain. The focus will be on manufacturing, clean energy and technology, collaboration in higher education and more.

"I promised to be our state's best chief marketing officer, letting the world know that Illinois is the best place to live, work and do business," Pritzker said in a prepared statement.

He said in his meetings he would "share the many virtues of our state from our talented workforce and world-class manufacturing industry to our booming electric vehicle ecosystem and ambitious clean energy goals."

A total of 42 participants are listed as attending, including top advisers to Pritzker, staffers from his Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the statewide economic development agency Intersect Illinois; the University of Illinois, including President Tim Killeen, and other universities; and representatives of manufacturing, hospitality, utilities and more.

Pritzker's office said he and first lady M.K. Pritzker will pay their own expenses and those of a small party accompanying them for the Goodwood festival.

The governor's office budget will cover travel and lodging costs for Pritzker's staff attending the mission from July 16-19. Intersect Illinois and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will pay costs for their staffs as well as special events during the mission. Other members of the delegation are covering their own costs.
Q: Are food containers sold in stores required to have a label on them? A business that sells premade food scoops their chicken salad out of a container and then puts it in a non-labeled container for the customer to buy. There is no label on the smaller container. R.E.

Answer: Labels are not required on packaged foods when a food employee prepares the container per the consumers order, said Josh Jordan, the environmental health supervisor at the Forsyth County Department of Public Health.

If there is a question regarding an allergen or ingredient of concern, the food employee should be able to answer the question or seek out the information for the consumer. Food employees are required to be properly trained in food safety, including food allergy awareness, as it pertains to their assigned duties, he said.

Q: Im a male who needs to have a full body dermatology exam done frequently due to some medical issues and I have noticed that in the Triad area some of the female dermatologists Im required to see due to insurance requirements are quite hesitant to perform a full body exam, which I need. This becomes embarrassing having to ask them to do a thorough exam and makes me feel ill at ease. Shouldnt they just automatically do that on their own? J.C.

Answer: Dr. Lindsay Strowd, the interim chair of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and a dermatologist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, said that Dermatologists endeavor to provide comprehensive skin cancer screening exams, balancing patient privacy and thoroughness.

Often, providers will ask if patients have any concerns or spots or lesions in their genital area or buttocks they would like examined, Strowd said.

How telemarketers get personal information

SAM has heard from a few people recently who are concerned about how telemarketers get their personal information. According to AARP there are several ways they can access your information.

Many records such as property, criminal history, tax liens, census information, and bankruptcies are public records, and anyone can access them.

Here are some other ways that scammers can get your personal information.

If you frequently enter online contests, the people behind the contests collect such personal information as phone numbers, age, address, and obviously, your name. They may sell it to other telemarketers or scammers.

When you buy new appliances, the warranty cards that come with them ask a lot of questions about salary range, age, name, and other personal information. That information can also be sold to other parties.

AARP said that satisfaction surveys are a treasure trove of information. Did you recently fill out a questionnaire rating your stay at a hotel or the service at a restaurant? Selling survey data is big business, and marketing firms and even criminals can learn a lot about you based on travel preferences, what type of home you own or what kind of car you drive.

Social media is also a gold mine for people trying to get personal information. Keep plans about not being home off there, because criminals look at social media for people talking about being away from home.

If a family member has died, keep personal information to a minimum in obituaries or online memorials. Scammers and other bad people can approach family members and play on their vulnerability.

One of the best ways to protect your identity is shred any mail or other documents that have your name, address, and other identifying information on it. Even if you put it in the trash with coffee grounds, assorted food remnants, and other yucky things, it wont bother someone intent on getting your information.
Darrin Hartness, the president of Davidson-Davie Community College and former superintendent of Davie County Schools, died Tuesday.

Hartness, 54, died of cancer, according to his obituary.

A lifelong educator, Hartness became president of what was then Davidson County Community College in 2019, succeeding Mary Rittling.

Jenny Varner, the acting president of Davidson-Davie, said the school community is heartbroken.

But in tribute to him, and to his great love for this college, the faculty and staff of Davidson-Davie will continue his work with the care and compassion that were his trademarks and that he encouraged us to show each and every day for our students, our community and each other.

Hartness made the jump to higher education after a 27-year career in K-12 schools in North Carolina. After three years as superintendent of Mount Airy Schools, Hartness became the superintendent of Davie County Schools, taking over at a time when the county was split over what to do about its aging high school in Mocksville  renovate it, renovate it and build a second school somewhere in the county or build a new one in the eastern part of the county.

Voters didnt like the idea of two schools, making that clear in bond referendums that they voted down in 2003 and 2007.

Armed with facts and figures and possessing a mild-mannered demeanor, Hartness stepped into this contention, championing a new school to a county split on how to proceed.

Jeff Wallace, the superintendent of Davie County Schools, worked under Hartness as the associate superintendent at the time.

Direct when he needed to be, Hartness knew that people were watching him, ready to feast on missteps, Wallace recalled.

He stayed focused on his message. He was very prepared and thats one of the ways that he was able to stay on point, Wallace said. He knew there were triggers in the audience. And he couldnt give them fodder when their goal was to stop things.

After months of heated debate in front of packed audiences, Davie County commissioners put the issue before voters in a 2014 bond referendum.

In the months leading to the vote, Hartness canvassed the county, pitching the merits of a new school to more than 50 speeches at churches, community centers, civic clubs and schools.

The $54.4 million school bond proposal passed by a 54 to 46 percent margin. The new school opened on Farmington Road in 2017.

Pulling those communities together to find a solution for the high school was a tremendous challenge and quite an accomplishment for the community, Hartness said in 2019.

He saw the move to what was then Davidson County Community College as a challenge.

The more I learned about the job, the more I felt like it was a good fit at this point in my career, Hartness said shortly after his appointment was announced.

Under his presidency, the college changed its name to Davidson-Davie Community College and instituted a Day of Service.

Hartness grew up in Gastonia, the son of working-class parents. A high school drafting teacher, recognizing his potential, nudged him to get serious about his future. The teacher told Hartness about a teaching scholarship, which Hartness applied for and won.

I took the scholarship and said, Ill be a drafting teacher, like Mr. Jenkins, Hartness recalled. That set my path to education.

Hartness eventually became a technology instructor and worked his way into administration.

Wallace praised his friends authenticity.

He knew how to bring people around him and unify them toward a common goal and what was best for the children, Wallace said.

Hartness is survived by his wife, Lisa, and daughters Molly and Madison.

A Celebration of Life service will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Center Grove Baptist Church in Clemmons.
LOS ANGELES  A host of blue-chip actors signed up to be in Rian Johnsons first series, Poker Face, because he wasnt asking them to commit to 10 or more episodes.

A one-and-done approach was part of the allure but, says co-star Benjamin Bratt, the architecture of what he writes is flawless.

The concept harkens back to Johnsons childhood. The intention with this show, the thing that got me really excited about it, was doing a truly episodic case-of-the-week mystery show, like the kind of stuff I used to watch constantly, he says.

Columbo, Magnum, P.I., The Rockford Files and Quantum Leap were inspirations. I had no idea what order they were in, Johnson says. And that was part of the pleasure of it.

Poker Face Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale in "Poker Face."

Poker Face 2 Natasha Lyonne stars as Charlie Cale in "Poker Face."

Serving as the glue: Natasha Lyonne as Charlie, a casino worker whos able to piece together details about a series of mysterious deaths. Like Peter Falks Columbo, she has a keen ability to detect lies. That helps her divide and conquer and keep Bratt  as the head of the casinos security  on edge.

Each week, Johnson brings in guest stars to kill and be killed. Its like were making 10 little movies, the director of Knives Out and Glass Onion, says. I love the pace of it.

In the first season alone, he got appearances from Judith Light, Cherry Jones, Nick Nolte, Adrien Brody and Hong Chau, all potential Emmy nominees for Guest Actor. I always feel constantly amazed whenever an actor that I love or respect shows up to be in our show, he says.

Actors love working with Rian because he is very specific about giving each character their own voice and, more importantly, their own moment within the story, Bratt says.

Poker Face 3 Nick Nolte guest stars on "Poker Face." as Arthur.

Poker Face 4 Adrien Brody guest stars as Sterling Frost Jr. in "Poker Face."

A 'Columbo' connection

For Lyonne, its a real blast to dip in and out of the stories and play a character she, too, grew up loving. As somebody thats essentially self-taught based on my interests, Ive always gravitated to (Falk). But I also love (NYPD Blues) Sipowicz, Dennis Franz, she says. I would love to go on Finding Your Roots and discover Peter Falk was some sort of deep, distant relative.

While Johnson had great success with the two Knives Out films, he was unfamiliar with writing a television series. Two veteran showrunners, Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman, joined the team and showed how a stable of writers could get the series done.

When writing his features, I just sit in a room and eat horribly and feel constantly stressed that Im way behind on my deadline. This is much more fun, being in a room with a group of people. It was just a really fun process because it also felt no less personal.

Coming from different backgrounds, they had experience that could inform the disparate stories Johnson wanted to tell. As opposed to Glass Onion and Knives Out, these are not whodunits, he says. These are howcatchems. These are modeled after Columbo where you show the killing and then its about Natasha versus the guest star and how theyre going to take them down.

Poker Face 5 From left, S. Epatha Merkerson as Joyce Harris, Judith Light as Irene Smothers in "Poker Face."

Meet the 'howcatchem'

Unlike a whodunit, a howcatchem doesnt have to service an entire cast of potential suspects. If were going to be inviting these incredible actors to be guest stars, it really means its going to be their episode, Johnson says.

To keep Lyonne interested, Johnson asked her to direct an episode this season. It is so specific, she says. Each one is its own thing.

Playing Charlie fascinates as well. She really cares about the truth, which is something I identify with a great deal  sort of looking out for the little guy.

While Poker Face has already been renewed for a second season, both producer and star say it could run a number of years.

Its a smorgasbord of possibilities, of different worlds we can dip into, Johnson says. There are whole new mysteries we can dip into in each episode.

Adds Lyonne: Part of the joy of this character is shes really ageless. When I look at Angela Lansbury, I picture whatever that age is  21, I guess.

Poker Face airs on Peacock.

Poker Face 7 Benjamin Bratt as Cliff Legrand in "Poker Face."
New details came to light Wednesday at the plea hearing in a gruesome double murder last year that left law enforcement scouring Lincoln's landfill for remains of one of the victims.

William T. Wright, 56, will face 20 years to life in prison on each of two counts of second-degree murder at his sentencing next month for killing 61-year-old Ronald George Jr. and 49-year-old Ronnie Patz.

Wright pleaded no contest in a deal with prosecutors, who reduced the charges from first-degree murder.

Wright's crimes began to come to light early Aug. 31 when police were called to a field at Third and P streets, near the City Mission, about a possible dead person.

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Greg Ariza said police found George lying dead in the grass with cuts to his neck, stab wounds to his upper chest and a hunting knife stuck in the ground next to his body.

Lincoln police were called to the nearby City Mission, where Wright, a transient, had been telling people he "slit his throat," according to court records.

Ariza said officers took Wright to the police station where, during a recorded interrogation, he made a surprising confession: "I killed two people in two days."

He said Wright told them he had been at the Motel 6 near Northwest 12th and Bond streets the day before drinking with Patz and that Patz was "starting to annoy him," so he struck him on the head with a bottle of scotch while Patz sat on the bed.

Wright told police he didn't want Patz to report the assault to the police, so he strangled him, then put his body under the bed.

Ariza said Wright took a bus to a Lincoln Walmart the following morning to buy several items, including a camping survival kit with a hatchet and serrated knife, Clorox, extra-strong garbage bags, drop cloths and a duffel bag.

Ariza said Wright returned to the Motel 6 and dismembered Patz's body and placed the body parts in separate plastic bags.

The next night, a woman found Wright stumbling near the west end of the Harris Overpass bridge and took him to her transient camp, where George was sleeping on blankets.

She left the camp for a time and returned to find Wright gone and George covered in blood. She found some friends who called 911.

Ariza said Wright spent the night at the nearby mission, then returned to the Motel 6, where he was seen on hotel video pulling a duffel bag to the dumpster and throwing it in.

Then, Wright returned to the mission, where police arrested him that night.

Ariza said he told them George had rolled into him, "and he was not going to take that any more," so he stabbed him three times with his knife.

After the confession, police found Patz's torso in the dumpster and a massive amount of blood in the bathroom and under the bed.

When he was done, Lancaster County District Judge Darla Ideus addressed Wright.

"Mr. Wright, you've just heard what the state believes its evidence would be should this matter proceed to trial," she said. "Do you still wish to plead no contest to these charges?"

"Yes," Wright answered.

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A 28-year-old Nebraska man was treated for a "minor injury" that he suffered Wednesday night while trying to run from investigators with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, police officials said.

Kennith Smith, of Greenwood, sustained a "small cut to his forehead" after an investigator knocked him to the ground as he tried to run from the trailer that task force members were converging on shortly before 9 p.m. Wednesday, Lincoln Police Capt. Todd Kocian said in an email.

The investigators, who Kocian did not identify, had gone to the trailer near North 37th Street and Cornhusker Highway to arrest Smith, who was wanted for his alleged involvement in an Ashland car theft, Kocian said in the email.

Smith ran from the trailer as investigators tried to make contact, Kocian said. As he neared a fence gate surrounding the property, Kocian said, an officer grabbed his arm to prevent him from running through the gate before both Smith and the investigator fell to the ground.

The 28-year-old was taken by ambulance to Bryan West Campus with a laceration and head pain, according to emergency scanner traffic. Kocian said he was treated for the injury before he was taken to the Lancaster County jail.

Police arrested Smith on suspicion of theft by receiving stolen property and fleeing to avoid arrest.

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A revised proposal for a senior living home near 37th and Calvert streets jettisoned by the City Council got a second thumbs-up from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission on Wednesday but didnt assuage concerns of neighbors.

I want you to know we limited the number of people coming today because  we will contest it and go to the City Council, said Trixie Schmidt, who lives about two blocks away. Everyone who testified at the council and here for the previous (hearings), no one has changed their positions.

Harbor Senior Care, a company based in Omaha and begun by Chris Gille and his sister Katie Hartman, wants to house 12 seniors with Alzheimers or dementia in the home that sits on a more than 1-acre lot.

They applied for a special permit previously, which the Planning Commission approved. The neighbors appealed the decision to the City Council, which voted 5-2 to reverse it.

The council members who voted against it were most concerned about the number of residents that could live there and the fact that a special permit would stay with the home forever.

The revised proposal addressed those concerns, as well as others.

The changes in the revised proposal limit the number of residents at the home to 12 (the original proposal would have allowed for an expansion to house 16); add a detention pool if an engineer determines improvements will cause additional runoff; include additional landscaping as a screen around parking; and restrict the special permit so only assisted living and memory care facilities could be located there if the property is sold.

Gille told the Planning Commission that his sister approached him three years ago about finding a better way to offer care for people with Alzheimers and dementia, to fill a gap between in-home care and institutional settings.

There are more than 30,000 such residential assisted living homes nationwide, Gille said, and they decided to create their own. They have another home in Lincoln near 84th Street and Pioneers Boulevard.

The homes offer a residential setting with fewer people who live as a family, Hartman said.

This is an option for people who want more individual care, she said. Families are extremely happy with what were doing. Its no different than having a big family living in a home.

Harbor is currently targeting people who have the means to pay for their own care, but hope to expand to accept Medicaid clients, she said.

DaNay Kalkowski, the attorney representing Harbor, said they met with neighbors after the first proposal was rejected and revised the proposal based on feedback from that meeting and from testimony at the hearings.

The revisions mean the existing footprint of the home wouldnt change, but they would add five parking spaces (in addition to two in an attached garage), an exterior walking path and fence, and theyd make the driveway a circle drive, Kalkowski said.

Ben Callahan, a city planner, said the lot is big enough that it could be subdivided into four single-family units, which could easily house the same number of people.

The neighbors who testified Wednesday had many of the same concerns as they did initially: parking, traffic, drainage they say already is a problem and that locating a business in a neighborhood is a bad idea.

The neighbors said they understood the need and believed the owners intentions were good, but thought it would change their neighborhood for the worse.

It is placing a business in a neighborhood, Schmidt said. I dont think that should happen in Lincoln, Nebraska.  It will affect the neighborhood, it will affect the people there. We will lose the quality that we have.

Regina Blazek, who lives adjacent to 3737 Calvert St., said the age of the neighborhood means homes were built when there were different zoning requirements, so not all the streets have sidewalks, for instance. The area is also surrounded by schools, which increases traffic and means there are lots of children in the area.

Gille noted that he has seven children, six of whom drive, which means hed create the same issues if he moved into the home.

The Planning Commission approved the revised special permit 6-0, and several commissioners complimented the Harbor owners for addressing neighbors concerns and said from the outside, it will continue to look like a single-family home. The owners said they will not add signs.

I understand some of the concerns of neighbors, said Commissioner Dick Campbell. But I dont consider this a business. Its a home where people can live based on their needs.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
An Omaha woman was sentenced last week to one year in federal prison for her role in a wire fraud conspiracy involving more than $1 million in federal economic relief loans.

Jazmyne McMiller, 36, was the third Omahan to be sentenced in connection with the scheme. Sharon Thompson, 62, and Todd Thompson, 57, both pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and were sentenced earlier this year.

According to court documents, the Thompsons and McMiller conspired with one another to submit fraudulent loan applications through programs supported by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act.

The CARES Act, intended to mitigate financial impacts on businesses during the pandemic, included two loan programs: the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. PPP loans were explicitly for payroll purposes, while EIDL loans could be used for normal operating expenses.

PPP funds were distributed and funded by private financial institutions, while EIDL loans were fully funded and managed by the Small Business Administration. The loan amounts were determined by a business' monthly payroll expenses and gross profits, respectively.

In 2020 and 2021, Todd Thompson applied for eight PPP and EIDL loans on behalf of three of his purported businesses, five of which were fulfilled. According to his plea deal, he overrepresented the business's payroll expenses and revenues in all of these applications.

For example, in May 2020, Todd Thompson applied for and received a PPP loan totaling more than $190,000. He certified that his business had an average monthly payroll of $76,000, when in reality, the company had no employees and no regular payroll.

In support of his PPP loan applications, Todd Thompson also submitted fake quarterly tax returns to various financial institutions. The returns had never been filed with the IRS and were entirely fraudulent.

In total, Todd Thompson applied for more than $1.3 million in loans and received $552,892.

Todd Thompson is also accused of helping Sharon Thompson and McMiller submit their own fraudulent loan applications. According to Sharon's plea agreement, Todd was responsible for completing the applications, and Sharon would sign her name.

At least two loan applications, one for PPP and one for the EIDL program, were submitted under Sharon Thompson's name. Both applications similarly inflated payroll and revenue amounts, and Sharon Thompson received nearly $345,000 from the scheme.

According to McMiller's plea agreement, McMiller conspired with Todd Thompson to submit a total of three fraudulent loan applications. On behalf of McMiller and her business, Thompson applied for two PPP and one EIDL loan.

Similarly, the revenue for McMiller's business was significantly inflated on the applications. While tax returns showed that McMiller's business paid no wages and had a gross revenue of less than $15,000 in 2019, the loan applications claimed that she had 12 employees and made more than $800,000.

McMiller's two PPP loans were funded, and she received $254,324. After she received the money, she paid Todd Thompson $20,000.

Todd Thompson was sentenced earlier this year to 41 months, or just over three years, in federal prison. He will also have to pay restitution of more than $1.1 million.

Sharon Thompson was sentenced to four years of probation and will have to pay $355,020 in restitution. She received the lightest sentence, in part because of chronic and serious health issues.

McMiller, the last to be sentenced, will spend one year and one day in federal prison. She will also pay $267,040 in restitution.

The case was investigated by the FBI.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
A poll conducted earlier this year indicates a majority of Nebraska voters oppose a law providing tax credits for donations made to scholarship funds for private and faith-based schools.

The phone survey done on behalf of OpenSky Policy Institute shows 55% of Nebraska voters oppose the Opportunity Scholarship Act (LB753) that passed in the Legislature this year, including 47% who strongly support repeal.

The law, which goes into effect in January, provides up to $25 million in dollar-for-dollar tax credits to individuals and entities that donate to scholarship-granting organizations. Over time, the total amount of tax credits available to donors could grow to $100 million.

Rebecca Firestone, executive director of OpenSky Policy Institute, which is part of an effort to put the matter before voters next year, said the tax credits could ultimately shift state funds away from funding public education, career and vocational training, and hiring new teachers.

Voters overwhelmingly said those should be the priorities for spending tax dollars for education in Nebraska, not creating these tax credits for private schools, Firestone said in a statement.

OpenSky partnered with Washington, D.C.-based Lake Research Partners on the survey, which gauged the opinions of 600 Nebraskans likely to vote in the 2024 elections.

The survey was conducted between May 31 and June 5. Support Our Schools Nebraska, the organization seeking to put the measure before voters, launched its campaign on June 6.

The coalition, led by the Nebraska State Education Association, plans to gather 90,000 signatures, including 5% of registered voters in 38 of Nebraskas 93 counties, to put the repeal before voters.

Of the respondents to OpenSkys poll, more than half (53%) were female, while a majority (52%) were registered Republicans.

Respondents were also evenly distributed between Nebraskas three congressional districts (33% came from the First District, 32% from the Second District, and 35% from the Third District).

The margin of error is plus or minus 4%, according to a summary of the poll results.

Compared with the 55% of Nebraskans who oppose the new tax credit, OpenSky said 37% of respondents said they wished to retain it.

A total of 9% of respondents said they were undecided on whether to retain or repeal the law.

OpenSky said the percentage totals do not add up to 100 due to rounding.

Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, who introduced LB753 in the Legislature this year, said the questions put to likely voters in the poll did not accurately reflect the language of the petition now in circulation.

She also said the survey did not ask about voters opinions of children and families that might benefit from the program, and misled respondents about other bills passed by lawmakers this year to boost teacher training and retention programs.

If you read their questions, I cant believe that only 55% of people support this, Linehan said. It doesnt mention children at all, and it doesnt mention that this money ends up going to kids.

Linehan said the tax credits provided in the Opportunity Scholarships Act would not take money away from public schools, arguing instead the Legislature boosted funding to the state aid formula by $300 million and created the $1 billion Education Future Fund this year.

She said national polling done by the American Federation For Children, a school choice advocacy group, which is the biggest supporter of Keep Kids First  a decline to sign effort running television and radio ads  shows school choice programs are popular.

Other results from the OpenSky survey include:

* Just under half (46%) of respondents said Nebraska lawmakers should seek out new sources of revenue and funding, even if it means raising taxes for some wealthy people and corporations in Nebraska, while 33% signaled support for cutting government spending, even if it means reducing services like childcare, education, health care, roads, and public safety.

* Nearly half (49%) said public schools need more resources than they have right now, while 34% said public schools can provide a quality education with their current resources, and 12% said schools could do the same with fewer resources.

* More than half (51%) of respondents said they do not believe the state budget reflects the states priorities, with 39% saying they strongly believed the states priorities were not reflected in the budget.

* A majority (58%) said they worried Nebraska politicians will continue to protect millionaires and corporations from tax increases, making it harder to invest in our priorities like health care, public safety, and public schools. Thirty percent said they worried politicians would chase millionaires and corporations out of the state by raising their taxes.

Top Journal Star photos for July 2023
BURLINGTON  The Burlington Area School District intends to spend its federal COVID-19 pandemic relief money by the end of the upcoming school year, and questions remain about how the district will meet its financial challenges in future years.

During a meeting Monday, the board heard information about how the district plans to spend the remainder of the money in its Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund.

The district received about $5.3 million of federal pandemic relief money over three rounds, most of which it has spent.

During the first round of funding, BASD received $341,448. The district spent all that money by the end of the 2020-21 school year.

During the second funding round, Burlington received $1.53 million in federal aid.

Ruth Schenning, BASD business manager, said during Mondays board meeting that all of that second round money will be spent by Sept. 30, which is the spending deadline.

In the third ESSER round, BASD received $3.45 million. Of that total, $3.08 million will go toward personnel spending.

That includes $2.08 million for the custodial and maintenance department: $1 million in 2022-23 and $1.08 million in 2023-24.

It made the most sense to me to assign it to the custodial department, Schenning said.

The third round of money must be spent by the end of September 2024. Schenning said BASD expects to spend all that money by the end of the 2023-24 school year.

Thats the end of another revenue source to help us balance the budget, Schenning said. Then were back to facing that fiscal cliff that we keep talking about.

Indeed, BASD is facing a looming financial crisis amid projected seven-figure deficits during coming years and an operating referendum that failed to pass this spring.

In April, BASD Board President Peter Turke called the districts impending financial crisis by far the most challenging thing he has faced during his time on the board.

The district will have an estimated deficit of $4.77 million in 2024-25, when no more ESSER money will be available and the BASD general fund will be lower.

The financial issues for BASD are likely to keep mounting.

In April, Schenning said the school districts 2025-26 projected deficit is $6.1 million. The 2026-27 projected deficit is $7.8 million. The 2027-28 projected deficit is $9.7 million.

Many Wisconsin school districts are facing similar financial challenges and have required operational referendums because the state revenue limit has not increased for several years.

Another challenge is state reimbursement for special education, which public schools must provide.

The state currently reimburses districts for 30% of their special education costs. In Burlington, that means the school districts special education fund has a deficit of $6 million to $7 million per year.

The districts financial challenges are more related to the structural deficit in the whole system that the revenues arent keeping up with our expenses, Schenning said.

BASD is planning to put another operational referendum question on ballots in spring 2024.

The board has not yet finalized the districts 2023-24 school year budget. It held a budget workshop informational session Wednesday and will likely hold more workshops before voting on the budget this fall.

When it does approve the 2023-24 budget, the board will do so knowing that it likely will be the last school year with federal pandemic aid to help cover costs.

History of affirmative action in higher education History of affirmative action in higher education 1946: 85% of Black college students attended poorly funded Black schools 1961: JFK signs an executive using the phrase affirmative action for the first time in its modern context Late 1960s: Civil Rights Movement prompts elite universities to prioritize greater diversity in admissions 1972: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act amended to include educational institutions 1978: Regents of the University of California v. Bakke 1996: California and Texas ban affirmative action in college admissions 2003: Grutter v. Bollinger 2016: Fisher v. University of Texas 2022: Supreme Court hears Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard History of affirmative action in higher education 1946: 85% of Black college students attended poorly funded Black schools 1961: JFK signs an executive using the phrase affirmative action for the first time in its modern context Late 1960s: Civil Rights Movement prompts elite universities to prioritize greater diversity in admissions 1978: Regents of the University of California v. Bakke 2003: Grutter v. Bollinger 2016: Fisher v. University of Texas 2022: Supreme Court hears Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard
RACINE  Patricia Ramirez has two children who went through the Racine Unified dual language program from kindergarten through eighth grade.

The classes they took at Fratt Elementary and Mitchell K-8 School were a great way to learn English and Spanish, connect with their culture and set them on the path for quality job prospects.

Her children are now in high school, but Ramirez wants to help make sure the dual language program continues providing the level of education her kids received.

Ramirez was one of about 60 people, including around 20 children, at a dual language community meeting Tuesday at Mitchell K-8 School, 2701 Drexel Ave.

Attendees asked questions and discussed what the RUSD dual language program does well and how it can improve.

Tuesdays meeting was the second dual language listening session hosted this summer by RUSD.

The first occurred last month at the Cesar Chavez Community Center, 2221 Douglas Ave.

The meetings were intended for the district to receive parent and community input about the direction of its dual language program.

There will be minimal changes to the RUSD dual language program in the 2023-24 school year.

Its direction is uncertain for the 2024-25 school year and beyond, though, which is why the district wants to hear from students, staff, families and the community.

We dont want to move forward without having your voice, Maria Barreras, executive director of the RUSD department of language and global learning, told attendees Tuesday. We are going to craft the plan. I cant tell you the plan, because we dont have one. Our goal is to create it together.

Barreras said the district wants to strengthen and expand the dual language program so it can better help students.

Steering committee being formed

To receive more community perspectives, the school district plans to form a dual language steering committee that will make recommendations about the programs future.

According to Stacy Tapp, RUSD chief of communications and community engagement, 30 people have so far signed up to be on the committee.

There will be one steering committee instead of two separate committees, which was RUSDs initial plan.

A date has not been set for its first meeting, but Tapp said the steering committee will meet soon.

The committee will be composed of RUSD staff, dual language families and community members.

When the steering committee is ready to provide updates, another community listening session will occur, according to Tapp.

Ramirez plans to join the steering committee.

If I need to do something, Im available, Ramirez said. I want to know what we can do to help RUSD, to solve the problems that they have.

Ramirez said she feels 100% confident that RUSD will consider families and community members input.

After hearing more from families and the community, the district intends to bring its dual language plans to the RUSD Board later this year before the school choice window starts Dec. 1.

Benefits and challenges

At RUSD, dual language courses start as young as 4-K and go up to eighth grade. The goal is to develop bilingual, biliterate students who are aware of and can connect with a variety of cultures.

For the youngest grades, 80% of classroom content such as math and reading is taught in Spanish and 20% is taught in English. Each year, progressively more content is taught in English until 50% is taught in English and 50% is taught in Spanish from fourth through eighth grade.

On Tuesday, attendees were split into small groups where they discussed two overarching questions: How has the RUSD dual language program benefited them, and how can the program improve?

Positives include dual language classes having an accepting, communal environment; increasing students confidence; better job opportunities; and keeping students language and culture alive.

Areas to improve include having classrooms of similar sizes, communicating better with parents in the language they speak and bringing in more members of the business community to talk with students.

Ramirez found it illuminating to know that another ongoing challenge is finding enough qualified dual language teachers.

We need the information to know how to help, Ramirez said.

Indeed, Barreras said teacher shortages resulted in some combined dual language classes this past school year where one instructor taught second and third grade students, for example.

That is a reality, is that our students are not getting equitable programming and access to teachers across our district, Barreras said.

Priscilla Marquez, Mitchell K-8 School principal, was one of four small group facilitators Tuesday and encouraged attendees to contact her with questions.

Marquez previously taught dual language and said she wants to help improve the program and attract more families to RUSD.

Many details need to be figured out, but families and community members like Ramirez and the school district seem willing to work together to try to enhance the dual language program.

Close Florencia Garza-Bias and Amiyah Huerta Virgen Rodruguez and Daniella Saucedo-Porcayo Aryanna Toscano and Daniela Toscano Aileen Canales and Sandra Correa Joana Araiza and Emanuel Mejia William Duberstine and Frida Duberstine Anthony Morones, Virgen Rodriguez and Amiyah Huerta In photos: Dr. Jones Elementary School 4K Dual Language Class The children in Florencia Garza-Bias Dual Language class at Dr. Jones Elementary School learned how to reduce, reuse, and recycle trash as part of the 4K Creative Curriculum. They learned how littering, leaving water running, leaving on lights or the TV on when not in the room can waste resources and affect our environment. They learned that paper, glass, plastic, cars, old furniture and even airplanes can be recycled. Florencia Garza-Bias and Amiyah Huerta Virgen Rodruguez and Daniella Saucedo-Porcayo Aryanna Toscano and Daniela Toscano Aileen Canales and Sandra Correa Joana Araiza and Emanuel Mejia William Duberstine and Frida Duberstine Anthony Morones, Virgen Rodriguez and Amiyah Huerta
KENOSHA  The Lakeside Players community theater troupe is hosting auditions for "Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Jr."

The auditions are 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 20-21 at the Rhode Center for the Arts in Downtown Kenosha, 514 56th St.

Callbacks are 2 p.m. Saturday, July 22.

In this children's show  based on the animated film  Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins escape from their home in New Yorks Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Juliens Madagascar.

Brandon Torres is directing the show.

Auditions are open to anyone age 18 or younger.

People who are auditioning should prepare a musical theater or Disney song "that will show your personality," Torres said.

There will also be a dance audition and a cold reading from the script.

To sign up for a virtual audition, email brandonleetorres49@gmail.com by 5 p.m. July 20.

You can sign up for auditions at this link: signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CAAAC2DA0F9C34-madagascar

Rehearsals start July 1. The show will be performed weekends, Oct. 6-15.

The production team also includes assistant directors Madalynn Wright and Holly DeYong.

For more information, email the director at brandonleetorres49@gmail.com
For Mary Leigh Sturino, directing and choreographing the Broadway musical Rent is a no-brainer.

Ive been a Rent-Head since I was a kid, she said, and Ive known the entire soundtrack since I was 11. (The show is R-rated for language and adult material, but Sturino says her parents explained to her that its a show, not how you talk in real life.)

The musical, which debuted more than 25 years ago, was groundbreaking in that it depicts a group of young artists and musicians in late 1980s Manhattan who are dealing with drug abuse, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, social tension and political unrest  all while trying to earn a living and keep their dreams alive.

The show continues to be performed around the world and makes its Racine Theatre Guild debut on Friday.

The themes of this show are universal, Sturino said. It focuses on hope, love, acceptance and redemption. Its such a compelling story with characters people come to care about. Thats why its still popular.

Sturino, who is honored and nervous to direct Rent, was thrilled when more than 100 people auditioned for the show.

We had so many great, talented people try out that I expanded the cast to 20, she said. Its a really wonderful and really diverse cast.

The Theatre Guild is partnering with the LGBT Center of Southeast Wisconsin for this production.

Grew up in theater

Sturino, who grew up in Racine, has a degree in musical theater, with a minor in dance, from Viterbo University in La Crosse.

Its no surprise shes involved in theater. Its in my blood, she said.

Both her parents are theater professionals  her mother, Judith Tucker, was a theater professor at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and her father, Michael Snider, worked for decades in theater at community groups and schools.

I lived in New York for five years and was in the national tour of A Chorus Line, Sturino said.

She now lives in Burlington and keeps busy with area theater groups.

Talking Tuesday afternoon in the Theatre Guild lobby before a rehearsal, Sturino sounded ready to go.

If we had an audience come in tonight and watch us rehearse, I wouldnt be embarrassed, she said. Were just fine-tuning a few things on stage. But the cast is ready.

Great message

That sentiment is echoed by two cast members: Shawn Holmes, who is playing Tom Collins, and Jesus Hernandez, playing Angel Dumott Schunard.

This is Holmes third time performing in Rent, and he always plays Collins.

The character is a professor who has AIDS and dreams of opening a restaurant in Santa Fe.

When hes not on a stage, Holmes is a nurse who loves community theater  and this role in particular.

Tom loves people and loves hard, he said of his character. Hes not afraid to show his heart.

On stage, Holmes is paired with Hernandez, who plays Toms love interest, Angel, a young drag queen.

This is my first time in Rent, Hernandez said. I love working on a show because it gives you the chance to connect to a lot of different people. This show, in particular, has a message about finding hope in spite of fear. Its a great message.

Holmes  who jokes that the shows hit song Seasons of Love was played at every graduation ceremony he attended in recent years  loves the shows message about accepting people for who they are. You dont have to agree with them, you just have to accept them.

Community theater, he said, is a nice outlet. You get to work with a different group of people on each project and tell that story. Its a very accepting place, with no pressure.

Hernandez is a student at UW-Milwaukee, where hes working in a new program at the school: Versatile Voice.

It really prepares performers for a well-rounded career, he said. You train in all sorts of genres  Broadway, opera, Latin, pop, gospel, classical. It really fits with what I like to do.

Rock opera

Rent tells its story through song, not dialogue  another reason Sturino loves the show.

Its about 98 percent sung, she said. I love that its a rock opera with all sorts of music in it.

Those different musical styles, including rock, rap and classic Broadway-style show tunes work so well together, Hernandez said. This show was so ahead of its time with the way its so cohesive.

The songs are personalized to the characters, Holmes said. The writing feels natural, and the message is powerful.

The final four words in the show are no day but today. You really need to embrace that message and live your life.
MOUNT PLEASANT  A group of children is spending this week working on projects around Mead Street.

Rock the Block is a part of the Volunteer Center of Racine County and is funded by the Youth Volunteer Corps, which is based in Missouri.

The project is focused on houses in the 2300, 2200 and 2100 blocks of Mead Street in Mount Pleasant. The base of operations is the Lakeside COP House at 2237 Mead St.

About 40-50 volunteers are pitching in to help fixing fencing, paint porches and steps, and improve landscaping with flowers donated by Borzynskis Farm & Floral Market.

As of Tuesday, 25 houses had signed up to be part of the project.

Along with the restoration work, the residents will receive cleaning products and snacks donated by the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Kenosha.

Kelly Fragassi, executive director of The Volunteer Center, said the experience not only helps the residents, but also teaches the volunteers new skills, such as developing a strategy and how to be flexible with planning.

Street construction is also taking place during the project, but that work hasnt impacted the volunteers efforts.

We have to learn, as leaders and community members, how to deal with things when they come up and plans change and have to be flexible, Fragassi said. This is one of the lessons we are learning in this project. We just have to keep going, find another way.

Angel Caro has been working for the Youth Volunteer Corps for about a year. He said working with his dad on job sites taught him to be handy, and that he learned to paint from his family.

You got to learn it one day, Caro said.

Caro said that while the work he does for the Youth Corps counts as volunteer hours for his school, he could see himself sticking around with the organization.

We do get a lot of kids that come here because it is a requirement for school, Fragassi said. But they do end up staying too because it is something fun to do and we do a lot of different activities.

Jacob Brown started with the Youth Corps this week.

He is a member of Racine Video Production, a youth organization that helps groups make videos, and his team decided to pitch in after helping to make a promotional video about Rock the Block.

It feels good, I enjoy it, Brown said about volunteering. Its a very nice day to do it, too.

Fragassi said that a big part of the program teaching young people how to be good community members.

These are the type of things you can do when youre at home, Fragassi said. You can help out your own parents or your own neighbors since you have these skills now.
1. Yes. Voters across the city filled the seat in the first place. Voters should decide again.

2. Yes. An election is much preferable to back-room decisions among council members.

3. No. The charter calls for the council to fill the vacancy by appointment. Follow the rules.

4. No. An election would be expensive, both for the city and for the potential candidates.

5. Unsure. An election seems more transparent, but its not the perfect answer.

Vote

View Results
 "Elemental" (PG for some peril, thematic elements and brief language), animated adventure  Director Peter Sohn tells the story of an unlikely pair, Ember and Wade, in a city where residents of fire, water, land and air all get along and live together. Features the voices of Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie Del Carmen and Jonathan Adams as Flarry. 109 minutes. Cinema 8; Golden Ticket.

 "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" (PG-13 for sequences of violence, action, language, smoking and whatnot), adventure, family  Harrison Ford plays an ancient archaeologist Indiana Jones as he races against time to find a legendary artifact that just might change the course of history  maybe. Also features Mads Mikkelsen as Dr. Voller and Chase Brown as Larry - Beat Poet Guy. 154 minutes. Cinema 8; Golden Ticket.

 "Insidious: The Red Door" (PG-13 for violence, terror, frightening images, strong language, hard stares and suggestive references), horror, thriller  Patrick Wilson stars as Josh Lambert, a man who is plagued by demons. He must do everything in his power to deal with the demons, which leads to some pretty interesting situations, I guess. He also directed this train wreck. 107 minutes. Cinema 8; Golden Ticket.

 "Joy Ride" (R for strong and crude sexual content, language throughout, drug content and brief graphic nudity), comedy  Four Chinese-American friends bond as they discover the truth of what it means to love who you are. They travel to China in search of one of their birth mothers. Stars Debbie Fan, Kenneth Liu and Annie Mumolo. Directed by Adele Lim. 95 minutes. Cinema 8.

 "No Hard Feelings" (R for sexual content, language, some graphic nudity and brief drug use), romantic comedy  Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, Natalie Morales and Matthew Broderick star in this story about a nanny hired by a wealthy couple to help their son prepare socially and emotionally for college. Also stars Victorya Danylko-Petrovskaya as Cheerleader. 103 minutes. Cinema 8.

 "Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken" (PG for some action, rude humor and attitude), animated comedy  Sixteen-year-old Ruby Gillman learns that she is in the next legendary line of sea krakens. Despite her lofty destiny, she is desperate to fit in at Oceanside High. Ruby struggles even more to fit in when her mother forbids her from going to the beach. After disobeying her mother's rules, she discovers that she is descended from the warrior Kraken queens and will ascend to the throne. 91 minutes. Cinema 8.

 "Sound of Freedom" (PG-13 for thematic content involving sex trafficking, violence, language, sexual references, some drug references and smoking), action, drama  Based on a true story about a federal agent who turns into a vigilante to rescue children trapped by sex traffickers. Directed and written by Alejandro Monteverde and featuring Jim Caviezel as Tim Ballard. Also stars Ariel Sierra as Checho. 135 minutes. Cinema 8; Golden Ticket.

 "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" (PG for for mild action and mild violence), animated comedy  The Super Mario Bros. take a journey through the Mushroom Kingdom. Features the voices of Chris Pratt, Jack Black, Charlie Day, Keegan-Michael Key, Eric Bauza and Rina Romano. Based on a video game. 92 minutes. The World Theatre.

 "Trolls World Tour" (2020) (PG for some mild, but tastefully rude humor), animated adventure  Poppy and Branch discover that they are but one of six different Troll tribes scattered over six different lands devoted to six different kinds of music: Funk, Country, Techno, Classical, Pop and Rock. Features Anna Kendrick as Poppy and Kelly Clarkson as Delta Dawn. 91 minutes. Golden Ticket.
KEARNEY  The Kearney Police Department and Buffalo County Sheriff's Office made law enforcement history in July 1994 when the two agencies exited their separate headquarters and co-located in a former office building in downtown Kearney.

At the time, Steve Lamken was the chief of the Kearney Police Department and Neil Miller was Buffalo County sheriff. Those two leaders, along with the Kearney City Council and Buffalo County Board of Commissioners, decided it made sense to co-locate the departments by moving them into the same buildings and sharing resources.

Working together, they created a model program that was a first in Nebraska, and would be watched closely. Eventually, the Kearney-Buffalo County Joint Law Enforcement center became the model other departments would adopt.

Today, the men and women who protect and serve still are proud to be leaders in Nebraska law enforcement, KPD Chief Bryan Waugh said.

As the third chief of police at KPD during the past 30 years, I am extremely proud of our relationship with the Buffalo County Sheriffs Office and Sheriff Miller, which remains strong," Waugh said. "The strength of this relationship was born out of the idea we can better serve both the city of Kearney and Buffalo County together."

He said the professionals in both departments continue to strengthen their partnership and relationship with the supportive community.

"While we both maintain our individual organizational identities, the partnership is seen throughout all facets of our collective operations," Waugh said.

To celebrate the 30 years of co-location and to give the public a view of how the joint headquarters function, Sheriff Miller and Chief Waugh on Wednesday issued an invitation to join them for a 30 years of co-location celebration.

An open house at the Law Enforcement Center at 2025 A Ave. is planned from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday.

There will be cookies and coffee along with tours of the Law Enforcement Center.

We are also expecting to have several special guests in attendance to include former Police Chief Steve Lamken, retired Chief Dan Lynch, members of the Buffalo County Board, City Council, city and county administrators and NPPD.

"We look forward to the next 30 years of our successful partnership and I will always appreciate those who had the vision and leadership to make this happen, Waugh said.
KEARNEY  Dolly Partons Imagination Library is turning over a new chapter in The Imagination Library legacy  celebrating 200 million books gifted globally since inception in 1995.

The early childhood book-gifting program mails a high-quality, free book each month to children from birth to age 5, according to a Kearney Public Schools press release.

The Kearney Noon Rotary Club is excited to celebrate with every child/family enrolled locally in the free book program. The Kearney Noon Rotary Library program started in September 2022.

Currently 535 young children are participating in the monthly book program that is funded by the Rotary Noon Club and the Dollywood Foundation. More than 4,400 books have been mailed to children in Kearney.

To celebrate this global 200 million book milestone, seven Dolly bookmarks will be randomly hidden inside Imagination Library books gifted during International Literacy Month (September) to children currently enrolled in the program.

Seven random children/families in five countries who find the Dolly bookmarks in their Imagination Library books will receive, if they choose, a video chat with Dolly, a personalized signed letter from Dolly, an autographed photo from Dolly and four Dollywood Theme Park tickets. The Dollywood Foundation will donate $2,000 on behalf of the child to their Local Imagination Library Partner in their community as a thank you to who Dolly calls the true heroes of her program.

Inspired by her fathers inability to read and write, Dolly started the Imagination Library in 1995 to serve the children of her hometown in Sevier County, Tennessee. Today, her program gifts more than 2.4 million free, high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to children around the world.

The Kearney Noon Rotary Club has a mission to grow literacy in the community. The club funds the library program through member and community contributions, fundraisers, grants and financial awards.

The Kearney club was selected by the Nebraska State Literacy Council as the 2023 Literacy Champion. Kearney's Carol Cope Foundation has been a strong donor to the program as it serves their mission. Local Kearney postal carriers have contributed to the success of the program.

For membership or other information on the Kearney Noon Rotary Club, email rotary2946@gmail.com.
Judy married Wilfred Nelson in 1953. Together they started the Blue Ribbon Ranch in Albertville, Wisconsin, which hosted the areas first merchandise and horse auctions. Throughout the years Judy and Bill enjoyed traveling to Mexico to buy merchandise and would bring back the most interesting and unique auction prizes they could find. In the late 60s, Judy started hand making beautiful award ribbons, which were highly sought after by area horse shows and fairs. Judy also started Silk Flower City, where she created the most extravagant flower bouquets imaginable. When the work week was finished, she enjoyed her time with husband Bill at the lake watching movies, relaxing in the water, cruising in the boat and fishing.
A Bruce, Wisconsin man was taken into custody, Wednesday, June 12, following a hit-and-run near White City, between the city of Hillsboro and village of La Farge.

According to a community alert sent to media by Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson, deputies responded to the hit-and-run at 11:23 a.m. No injuries were reported; however, there was property damage to a vehicle(s) and possibly a utility pole. A male was seen running into a wooded area, to the north of Hwy.82.

At 2:49 p.m., the suspect was located. Upon further investigation, the suspect was taken into custody at 1:15 p.m. The suspect was identified as Tyler J. Hill, 24. Hill will be booked on a traffic-related offense(s). Formal charges will be sought through Vernon County District Attorney Timothy J. Gaskell. The incident remains under investigation.
Kenosha News. July 9, 2023.

Editorial: Are fireworks fading away?

Fourth of July 2023 is in the history books and the fireworks that lit up the skies in southeastern Wisconsin are fading away along with the overhead blasts and the oohs and aaahhs of enthralled spectators.

Its a grand celebration of the countrys birth and pays homage to the words of Francis Scott Key who penned the Star Spangled banner  the national anthem  celebrating the defense of Fort McHenry against the British in the War of 1812;

Oer the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, oer the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Those are stirring words that still fuel the fires of nationalistic fervor.

But while there were a multitude of fireworks celebrations across the country this year, there were also communities who, for several reasons, dropped away from the bomb-bursting sky shows and the attendant aerial booms.

They opted, instead, for drone shows to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Theres less risk of fire, less risk of damage, less risk of injury, said Rick Boss, president of Sky Elements Drone Shows, a Texas-based company, that has performed more than 500 drone shows using fleets of drones with brilliant LED lights to create animated scenes with shapes and patterns in the night sky  often patriotic ones featuring things like the Liberty Bell.

Drones leave no smoke or debris behind them when performing, Boss said. We leave nothing behind but great memories.

Much of the rise in popularity of the drone show-alternative comes in the western U.S., where the risk of forest fires is running high this year.

Salt Lake City was one municipality that went drone, with Mayor Erin Mendenhall saying the change was made to minimize high fire danger and air quality concerns. As temperatures rise and fire danger increases we must be conscientious of both our air quality and the potential for wildfires, he said. Utah us one of the most wildfire-prone states in the country, with about 1,000 wildfires a year.

Boulder, Colo., and Flagstaff, Ariz., shifted to laser light shows this year and in California several coastal cities also went to drone shows because of stricter laws on polluting the ocean with debris.

Closer to home, Highland Park, IL., honored seven people who were killed in last years July 4 parade with a ceremony and a walk  not a parade, At night the city planned a drone show instead of fireworks to avoid noises that sound like gunfire.

That noise factor from fireworks is echoed on social media neighborhood sites in Racine and Kenosha, where people have been highly critical of neighbors and do-it-yourself fireworks enthusiasts for shooting off their wares at all times during the day and night over the past week  scaring their pets and turning them into shivering, frightened animals. The commenters ire also focuses on military veterans who suffer from PTSD and struggle with fireworks noise.

Clearly, there is some fertile ground for those who wish to switch away from traditional pyrotechnics and go to a safer, less fiery and quieter Fourth of July celebration. It remains to be seen if that will take hold, but sometimes societal changes come in increments. It wasnt too long ago that children bounced down the road in the back of pickup trucks secured only by the parental admonition to hold on tight. And within recent memory, actors and TV stars were lighting up cigarettes as the ventured into our living rooms.

No more.

Sometimes change is afoot before we even see it.

Wisconsin State Journal. July 9, 2023.

Editorial: 400-year veto helps schools but violates principle

We cant fault Gov. Tony Evers for wanting to have a lasting impact on Wisconsin, especially when it comes to supporting public schools.

But 400 years? Thats more than twice as long as Wisconsin has been a state.

The Democratic governor signed a two-year, $99 billion state budget last week after issuing 51 partial vetoes  one of which was clever and aggressive if not fantastical. He crossed out a hyphen, several words and 20 in the text of the budget to change the expiration of a $325-per-student annual spending increase from 2025 to 2425.

Thats more than symbolic or aspiration. It means future state budgets, starting two years from now, will default to a $325-per-student increase for schools if the governor and Legislature cant agree on a different amount.

Assuming Evers veto survives a court challenge, hell now have more leverage in future budgets to insist on higher spending for schools. Our public schools definitely need more money, given tight limits on spending in the past, rising prices, a teacher shortage and record numbers of local referendums seeking voter permission to cover operating expenses.

Yet on principle, governors  no matter which party they represent  shouldnt be able to unilaterally increase spending using the veto pen. Vetoes are supposed to stop or limit action by the Legislature.

Another governor could quickly get rid of the $325-per-student mandate once Evers leaves office. Thats likely to occur the next time a Republican governor is elected.

Still, Evers dramatic change to school funding suggests Wisconsins powerful veto pen needs further limits. Voters in 1990 wisely got rid of the Vanna White veto, named after the celebrity on Wheel of Fortune who flips letters. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, a Republican, partially vetoed individual letters from the budget to spell new words.

Voters in 2008 eliminated the Frankenstein vote, in which former Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, stitched together individual words from across pages of the state budget to unilaterally bring new law to life. He did so by vetoing around the words he wanted to keep.

In fairness to Evers, his predecessor, Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, used his veto pen in 2017 to push back the deadline for a state program 1,000 years  from 2018 to 3018. Walkers Republican colleagues didnt try to limit the states veto powers after that, though we suspect some will revisit the governors authority now that a Democrat is in charge.

The solution to further veto abuse would be a constitutional amendment creating a true line-item veto, in which a single sentence could be struck in its entirety or not at all. Previously, lawmakers from both political parties have resisted going that far, usually because their guy sat in the governors office.

Even if you support more money for public schools  which we definitely do  its important to consider how a governor with different priorities could play similar veto games. What if a future governor with her veto pen extended an annual increase in private school choice enrollment indefinitely for centuries? Democrats wouldnt like that. Nor would we.

The budget signed into law last week includes a $1 billion increase in spending authority for public schools. Thats about a 4% increase the first year of the budget, and a 7% increase the second year. The $325-per-student annual increase also is the highest in modern state history.

Yet private and religious schools in Wisconsins choice program are getting even higher per-pupil increases than public schools (though public schools still get more per student overall).

Evers called that a compromise, which we appreciate. Evers was right to negotiate what he could with Republicans, rather than vetoing the entire budget, which would have triggered months of delays in state programming and left local governments struggling to pass their own budgets.

The two partisan sides at the state Capitol agreed to send more money to local governments for basic services such as police and fire protection. That was encouraging. The city and county of Milwaukee also got permission for a higher local sales tax to help balance their budgets.

A big win for Wisconsins justice system were raises to keep assistant district attorneys and public defenders staffing our courts. In addition, prison guards and other state employees are getting raises to hopefully stem attrition and shortages.

The governor and Legislature agreed to $125 million for fighting the forever chemicals known as PFAS. We like that.

The worst decision in the state budget was the Republican-driven cut to the University of Wisconsin System. Evers is right that cutting higher education when the state is sitting on a $7 billion surplus makes no sense. The GOPs nixing of an engineering building at UW-Madison is particularly galling, given that private funds were contributing to the project and it was the Systems top priority.

Because the pandemic is over, the federal government is ending emergency dollars for child care facilities. The Republican-run Legislature failed to step up in this budget with significant state dollars to help ensure more child care centers dont close. Quality child care is key to keeping parents in the workforce and making sure young children get off to strong starts in life.

Evers vetoed most of the GOPs planned tax cut. Thats how a veto is supposed to work by limiting things. Yet even if the rich dont need a tax cut, Evers should have allowed more relief for the middle class, given the state surplus.

Four-hundred years from now, this state budget will be long forgotten, as will Evers veto.

Whats important today is that public schools, local governments, public health and our courts are being strengthened. Unfortunately, our universities and the child care industry are not.

END
Were the recent unprecedented Canadian wildfires brought on earlier and made more widespread by climate change? The wildfires that broke out in numerous boreal forests, combined with unfavorable winds, led to extraordinary levels of smoke in large parts of the central and eastern U.S. Even La Crosse was under air quality alerts. But are the worst wildfires in Canadian history being made that way by climate change?

Although this is certainly an unusual event, with the smoke in New York City creating stunning images and making national news for several days, its not yet possible to say that this was caused or influenced by climate change.

While single forest fires, floods, droughts and hurricanes cannot be attributed to climate change, it is frequently pointed out that the number of extreme, weather-influenced events seems to be increasing. Can climate change be the culprit?

While tempting, I dont think one can point definitively to climate change as the reason. Why not? With 24-hour news coverage, along with striking video images, perhaps what were really seeing is only an increase in nationwide coverage of weather extremes. Not too many years ago, news coverage focused largely on regional phenomena.

Is there any hope of getting a handle on the effects of climate change on severe weather events? Maybe. Some climate researchers have formed a group called World Weather Attribution. WWAs goal is to provide rapid estimates of how much climate change worsens a weather catastrophe.

One example WWA considered was Hurricane Harvey. Harvey devastated Houston, Texas in 2017. Harvey stalled over the greater Houston area for 5 days, eventually dumping almost 60 inches of rain, far exceeding previous records for the area. WWA scientists estimated increased heat created super-warm water in the Gulf of Mexico. In turn, this led to increased evaporation resulting in the record rainfall. The final analysis by WWA was that warmer temperatures added an estimated 15% to the rainfall. The unfortunate fact that Harvey stalled for an extended period could not be attributed to climate change.

What WWA is doing is called attribution science, and it is currently being viewed as the best way to assess the effects of climate change. A recent example occurred in northern Italy in mid-May. Huge rainfall in the region is blamed for the deaths of at least 15 people. Prior to this deluge, the western Mediterranean region was locked in a very early season heatwave and drought, which warmed up the adjacent Mediterranean Sea, steaming moisture off its surface. The drought preceding the intense rainstorms also intensified the flooding, because the long dry spell and record heat last summer baked the soil, hindering its ability to absorb rainfall.

Italian climatologists who are studying this weather event are using attribution science in an attempt to estimate the effect of climate change on the flooding but have not yet issued an estimate. It isnt just for forest fires, hurricanes and flooding that attribution science is likely to play a role. This past winter saw about 17 feet of snow blanket Californias San Bernardino Mountains where residents were trapped for 10 days. Although the snow was welcomed as it helped replenish lakes and streams after years of persistent, extreme drought, the trapped residents probably were not feeling especially grateful.

The scientists at WWA and other researchers are getting better at attribution science. When Hurricane Ian lashed Florida in September 2022, the scientists were able to issue their analysis at the same time that Ian was cutting its path across Florida. They estimated climate change added about 10% to Ians rainfall.

One of WWAs goals is to provide communities with forecasted estimates of the likelihood of extreme weather, especially heavy rainfall, hurricanes and subsequent flooding. Armed with such knowledge, cities such as Miami and other low-lying cities would be able to fortify their defenses against potential calamities. To the best of my knowledge, attribution science is not yet being used to analyze such events as drought and forest fires. While climate change-related attribution science appears to be a step forward, it would be far better to attack root causes of climate change, primarily the unrelenting burning of fossil fuels and the deliberate burning of forests in such places as Brazil and central Africa. Climate change is a world-wide emergency and must be tackled immediately as an ever worsening catastrophe.
Lavrov Tells Indonesian Daily, a Multipolar World Is Emerging, Not a New Cold War

July 12, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)In an interview yesterday with the Indonesian daily Kompas, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the current situation is not that of an emerging new Cold War but an emerging multipolar world.

We do not define the current phase of international relations as a new Cold War. The issue at hand is different and is about something different, namely, the formation of a multipolar international order. This is an objective process. Everyone can see that new globally meaningful decision-making centers are strengthening their positions in Eurasia, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America,

Lavrov said.

Lavrov begins his visit today to Indonesia and will participate in the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum on July 14.

Lavrov told Kompas,

With regard to the U.S.-led collective West, these countries are trying to slow these processes down and turn them around. Their goal is not to strengthen global security or engage in joint development, but to maintain their hegemony in international affairs and to keep on pursuing their neo-colonial agenda, or in simple terms, to continue to address their own problems at the expense of others, as they are accustomed to do. Unilateral economic sanctions and our Western colleagues overall selfish foreign policy undermine global food and energy security. Their actions have complicated things for the developing countries. Enormous amounts of money that could have been spent on promoting international growth, including on helping the countries that are most in need, are being burned up in the form of thousands of tonnes of military equipment and ammunition supplied to Ukrainian neo-Nazis,

he said.

However, this coin has a brighter side. Western egocentrism and disregard for the interests of the Global South and Global East encourage the latter to look for alternative cooperation formats across all areas. The seizure of Russian gold and currency reserves in the United States and Europe have led the international community to realize that no one is immune from expropriation of tangible assets that are kept in Western jurisdictions. Not just Russia, but a number of other countries are consistently reducing their dependence on the U.S. dollar and transitioning to alternative payment systems and payments in national currencies. At the same time, the effectiveness of country associations without Western participation is on the rise. The SCO and BRICS are a case of modern multilateral diplomacy without leaders or followers where decisions are made based on consensus. We welcome Indonesias interest in strengthening cooperation with these associations, which undoubtedly have a great future,

Lavrov asserted.

His entire interview is posted in English on the Foreign Ministry website.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR THURSDAY JULY 13, 2023

An Inflection Point in History

July 12, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)We are at the end of an era, and the dawning of a new epoch for human civilization.

But we also stand at the edge of the abyss: Anglo-American NATO is unwilling to release its hegemony, and is choosing policies that will lead, inevitably, to war with Russia, China, or both. Catastrophic war. Unsurvivable war.

The humiliating weakness of the Anglo-American alliance is on full display with the disgraceful decision by the Biden administration to send cluster munitions to Ukraine. These weapons, decades old and worse for the wear, would release their clusters of mini-weapons, with an expected failure rate that would leave tens or hundreds of thousands of tiny explosives littering the fields of the conflict areas, making agriculture hazardous or impossible for years.

Why send weapons that are banned by a treaty signed by 120 nations (although not the U.S.)? Simple. The supposedly mighty Westwhose leaders have boasted that sanctions are crippling Russiacant produce enough ammunition! There are no more normal 155mm shells available, and these cluster munition shells are compatible with the same artillery currently in use by Ukraine.

So much for claiming the mantle of moral authority in the comic-book-like battle between democracies and autocracies!

Some hope that from the conflict between the old order and the new centers of meaningful decision-making in the Global South, the latter will emerge victorious. But the true victory for humanity is a joint victory. Rather than new poles of power, a new system of relations is demanded.

Consider remarks by the Russian Foreign Minister, speaking to a publication in Indonesia, where he is attending the East Asia Summit and an ASEAN meeting:

Western egocentrism and disregard for the interests of the Global South and Global East encourage the latter to look for alternative cooperation formats across all areas. The seizure of Russian gold and currency reserves in the United States and Europe have led the international community to realize that no one is immune from expropriation of tangible assets that are kept in Western jurisdictions. Everyone can see that new globally meaningful decision-making centers are strengthening their positions in Eurasia, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America,

the diplomat emphasized.

While de-dollarization is real and is happening at an increasing speed, the replacement for the internationalized Anglo-American dollar system is not the Chinese renminbi, the Russian ruble, or even gold. What is required is a commitment to a new form of relations among nations, including a transformed United States and NATO. The world is providing a wake-up callcan we rouse the sleeping morality, the slumbering potential of NATO-land?

Rather than attempts to eliminate Russia from the map, that world will witness the elimination of poverty, through increasing the productive powers of labor, throwing off the Malthusian yoke of green ideology, and investing in our nurturing, synthetic environment of higher infrastructure platforms.

See that future! The Grand Inga hydroelectric complex provides power to tens of millions of productive Africans. An updated North American Water and Power Alliance brings ample water to parched regions of the U.S. and Mexico. The Central Asian Republics see hydrological upgrades, for navigation and agriculture both. Lake Chad is refilled by the Transaqua inter-basin water transfer system. And nuclear fusion makes desalination possible on an agricultural scale. The mysteries of dark matter reveal themselves to the power of human reason; breakthroughs in biology unleash fundamental improvements in controlling infectious disease; and the hopeful sounds and sights of classical composition delight the mind, by surpassing the senses.

This is the world that future humanity demands of us, today.
Ernest Hemingway, the Nobel Prize-winning American writer, first visited the Spanish city of Pamplona 100 years ago in July.

In July, people celebrate the feast of Saint Fermin in Pamplona where the traditional running of the bulls takes place. The event started more than seven hundred years ago. For nine days, people come to the northern Spanish city for bull running, bullfighting and partying.

The festival affected Hemingway so deeply that he returned eight times between 1924 and 1959.

Here is a description of what happens at the start of the bull running:

The bells would toll eight times. A rocket would be lit. And the bulls would charge out of the gate. At that moment, a crowd of runners wearing white clothes and red scarves would start to run. They would look back, move and dance to avoid being gored by the charging bulls horns. Onlookers would cheer them on from balconies above.

In 1926, Hemingway wrote his first book, The Sun Also Rises. He wrote about his experiences in Pamplona and established himself as the voice of what became known as the "Lost Generation," a generation of people affected deeply by the events of World War I.

"I can't stand it to think my life is going so fast and I'm not really living it," says one character in the book.

"Nobody ever lives their life all the way up except bull-fighters," is the answer.

Present-day Pamplona

Bill Hillmann is a 41-year-old English professor from Chicago. He first read The Sun Also Rises while he was in college at the age of 20. When he turned to the last page, he said he knew two things: He wanted to become a writer, and he would run in front of Pamplona's bulls someday.

Hillmann's first running of the bulls was in 2005. He has been running ever since. "I got here, and I was just blown away by it. It was everything in the book but times tenIt was bigger. It was wilder. It was crazier," he told Reuters.

He has been gored twice, in 2014 and 2017, but that has not lessened his interest. "I've basically been kind of following Hemingway's ghost aroundI'm a little bit haunted by him," Hillmann added.

Sixty-nine-year-old Cheryl Mountcastle first read The Sun Also Rises at her New Orleans high school in Louisiana. For the past 24 years, she has rented the same apartment in Pamplona for the festival with her family. She said the book does not give details about another side of the festival - such as sharing food and dancing in the street.

Leontxi Arrieta is one of the few remaining Pamplona natives who met Hemingway. The 91-year-old tells Reuters that Hemingway and his fourth wife, Mary Welsh, stayed at her house. It was on their last visit to the festival in 1959, two years before Hemmingways death.

Arrieta remembered that Hemingway wrote, drank vodka, and shocked the family by removing the crucifixes from the wall and putting them away.

What has changed?

Last year, 1.7 million people came to the festival, also known as Sanfermines. They left 1,200 tons of broken glass and other waste behind. A place on a balcony with a good view of the bull-running event can cost $220 per person.

Pamplona native Miguel Izu has written about the festival's links to Hemingway. He believes the writer's influence on its popularity has not been as large as people say.

"Before Hemingway, tourists were already coming, especially from France," Izu explained.

However, Izu acknowledges that Pamplona is still using Hemingway to gain attention. "We made him into a sort of Sanfermines icon, he said.

But not every foreigner at the festival has been coming because of Hemingway. Australian William Kappal and his friends learned about Sanfermines by watching YouTube.

Asked if they had ever heard of Hemingway, Kappal said "Nah. Should we look him up?"

Im Jill Robbins.

Hai Do adapted this report for VOA Learning English from a Reuters story by Susana Vera and David Latona.

______________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

gate n. a large door

scarf n. (pl. scarves) a piece of cloth worn around the neck

gore v. to wounded by the horns of an animal

balcony n. a raised structure on the side of a building from which people can look at the street below

blow away v. (phrasal, informal) to be really affected by something; impressed

crazy adj. wild, uncontrolled, not mentally healthy

ghost n. the spirit of a person who has died

haunted adj. to feel the presence of someones spirit or of some feeling again and again

rent v. to pay for the use of a living place, device or vehicle for a period of time

crucifix n. a model of a cross with Jesus Christ crucified on it; a special religious image of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ

tourist n. a person who travels for pleasure

icon n. a person who is famous for his or her relationship with a place, thing or event
Artificial intelligence technology is developing quickly. A new handbook aims to help technology developers make the best ethical decisions for the public.

The new handbook is called Ethics in the Age of Disruptive Technologies: An Operational Roadmap. It promises to give guidance on concerns related to the ethical use of AI technology such as ChatGPT.

The handbook has been in the works for a few years. But the writers said they saw a need to work on it with greater urgency with the recent increased use of AI.

ITEC

The Institute of Technology, Ethics and Culture (ITEC) released the handbook on June 28. ITEC was launched by Santa Clara Universitys Markkula Center for Applied Ethics and the Vaticans Center for Digital Culture.

Father Brendan McGuire worked in the technology industry before entering the priesthood about 23 years ago. He served as the executive director of the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association in the early 1990s.

McGuire said that over the years, he has continued to meet with friends from the tech world. Many of them are now leaders in the industry. About 10 years ago, their discussions started to get more serious, he said.

"They said, 'What is coming over the hill with AI, it's amazing, it's unbelievable. But it's also frightening if we go down the wrong valley,'" McGuire said.

McGuire said his former coworkers noted there is no system to make decisions. He got in touch with Kirk Hanson, who was head of the Markkula Center. He also contacted a local bishop, or Catholic religious official.

The three of them got together and thought about what they could do. They decided they should get the Vatican involved in their efforts. Involving the government of the Roman Catholic Church made sense to them because tech companies are international companies.

For McGuire, a Catholic priest, getting guidance from the Vatican was a natural step. He worked with Bishop Paul Tighe, who was serving as the secretary of the Vaticans Dicastery for Culture and Education. The department works for the development of peoples human values.

McGuire said Pope Francis asked Tighe to look into addressing ethical concerns related to technology.

After a few years of working together, the Markkula Center and the Vatican officially created the ITEC program in 2019.

That same year, the Vatican held a meeting in Rome called The Common Good in the Digital Age. McGuire said about 270 people joined. Among them were American technology company leaders and experts in robotics, cyberwarfare and security.

After talking with tech leaders, the ITEC team decided to create a handbook to help companies think about how technology can be used in ethical ways.

The guidelines are not just for Catholics, McGuire said.

Ann Skeet is senior director of leadership ethics at the Markkula Center. She was one of the handbooks writers. She said the handbook is written in a way that is familiar to business leaders.

This handbook comes as leaders in AI are calling for help. In May, Sam Altman of OpenAI stated the need for a new agency to help regulate the powerful systems. And Microsoft president Brad Smith said the U.S. government needs to move faster as AI progresses.

Im Gregory Stachel.

Deana Mitchell reported this story for Voice of America. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English.

______________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

ethical  adj. following accepted rules of behavior

priest  n. a person who has the authority to lead or perform ceremonies in some religions and especially in some Christian religions

address  v. to deal with (a matter, issue, or problem)

regulate  v. to bring (something) under the control of authority

_____________________________________________________________________

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Many Ukrainians fled their country in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. They thought they would be away for a short time. However, as the war continues, many are thinking about setting up homes in their new countries.

If the people who left never come back, Ukraine will have to recover from the war with a much smaller population.

The country will have to clean up and rebuild. It will also have economic problems without as many workers and business owners.

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, said its research shows most Ukrainians who left last year want to return home. However, some are starting businesses or finding good work in new countries. They may only return for visits.

Natalka Korzh is one of the refugees. She lives in Portugal now. She left a newly built home when Russia invaded her country.

In Ukraine, she worked directing television programs. Now in Portugal, she wants to start a charity organization that will help other refugees. She told the Reuters news agency she is not sure if she will go home when the war ends.

Volodymyr Kostiuk is the chief of Farmak, a Ukrainian company that makes drugs. He once had 3,000 employees and the company earned $200 million each year. He said he faces a worker shortage. He is worried about the companys success if people do not return home.

"We need to somehow try to return them to Ukraine, because we already see that the longer people are abroad, the less they want to return", said Kostiuk.

A Ukrainian research organization asked 500 businesses about their top concerns for a post-war economy. About one-third said they saw worker shortages as the top problem.

Many men are still in Ukraine because they were required to serve in the military, but women and children left as refugees.

Another Ukrainian research group, the Centre for Economic Strategy, said more than half of the women who left had some higher education.

While businesses are worried about workers, they are also concerned about having fewer people who can buy their products.

Fozzy Group runs food stores in Ukraine. Some of their stores around Kyiv have opened after closing in the first part of the war. However, not as many people buy products as before.

Dmytro Tsygankov is in charge of new products for Fozzy. He said Ukraines stores cannot recover from the war when so many people are away.

We have several million people who simply do not buy anything, he said. They are not in the country.

More shoppers came in May compared to last year. But there were 16 percent fewer shoppers compared to the same month in 2021.

Another problem is Ukraines fertility rate. The fertility rate is the average number of children that a female would have in her life. Most of the people who remain in the country are old. Ella Libanova works for the National Academy of Science of Ukraine. She said the fertility rate has dropped from 0.9 to 0.7.

The U.S. estimates as many as 15,000 working age men have been killed or wounded in the war.

In addition, Libanova said, once the war ends, it is not clear that the men will stay in Ukraine. Many will leave to join their families in other countries.

She said there is a risk: We will lose young, qualified, enterprising, educated people. That is the problem.

She also said Ukraines population was already shrinking before the war. But if you consider the land seized by Russia during the war, Ukraines population may only be 28 million compared to 41 million at the start of 2022.

A study by the European Commission said the countrys population could be 20 to 30 percent lower over the next 30 years.

In February, the Center for Economic Strategy asked 1,000 Ukrainian refugees about their plans for the end of the war. The group expects between 860,000 and 2.7 million might stay away for good. The group said Ukraines economy could shrink by 2.5 to 7.7 percent each year.

While business leaders are worried, some in the government believe patriotic Ukrainians cannot wait to come home. Oleksiy Sobolev is deputy economic minister. At a recent group discussion, he said he thought 75 percent of the refugees would come home within three years of the wars end.

Im Dan Friedell. And Im Anna Mateo.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report by Reuters.

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Words in This Story

enterprising adj. having or showing the desire to do new and difficult things

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LEXINGTON  Crossroads Mission Avenue, which aims to bring emergency shelter services and transitional housing options to Dawson County received donations from the Lexington Ministerial Association and the Trinity Foundation.

Crossroads Mission Avenue is grateful to receive donations of $10,000 from the Lexington Ministerial Association and $6,000 from the Trinity Foundation, Crossroads stated in a press release.

Trinity Lutheran Pastor Rob Kuefner said that organizations may apply for grants from the Trinity Foundation, which Crossroads had done.

We felt as a foundation that the need for help with the homeless and transitional housing, Kuefner said. He also noted the foundation typically likes to support long term projects in the community.

As for the Ministerial Association, Kuefner said the pastors and the churches experience people coming to them for help regarding housing.

He said knowing Crossroads and the ministry that it provides through their services, the association felt it was important to support them, wherever a shelter may be located.

The Lexington clergy are well aware of the needs in Dawson County and are showing their support for Crossroads efforts to serve the community through this generous donation, Crossroads stated in a press release.

The check presentation was held in front of the former Plum Creek Care Center facility on Wednesday, which Crossroads is working to acquire and convert into a shelter.

Crossroads has a signed purchase agreement in place for $2.3 million dollars and is actively campaigning to raise the funding needed to complete the acquisition.

However, the path to acquire the former care home turned rocky after the Lexington Planning Commission recommended denial of a permit to use the facility as a homeless shelter.

The city council will issue their decision at a future meeting.

Daniel Buller, Executive Director for Crossroads Mission Avenue, said prior to the meeting that the proposal to open a shelter across from the Lexington High School had become controversial in the community.

Whether or not the Lord opens the door for this facility is up to Him, Buller said, As a Christian organization, I believe God paves the way and will show us the way to go. I think what is important is that it keeps the conversation alive.

Buller said no matter where the facility opens, the homeless issue in Lexington is real.

There is a solution, we just need to keep working toward it, said Buller.

Buller said he believes that Crossroads is in a unique position to serve the homeless and needy men, women, and families of Dawson County.

The ministry of Crossroads Mission Avenue is blessed to be in a position that allows us to expand our services across underserved areas of Central Nebraska. Our dedication is bringing glory to God through the helping of people.
HOLDREGE  The Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce is opposed to the merger of Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District with Dawson Public Power District. After listening to leaders from both CNPPID and Citizens Opposed to the Merger, on July 11, 2023, the HACC Board of Directors voted to publicly stand against the union of the two companies as it is currently proposed.

The HACC board of directors is concerned the consolidation could have a negative economic impact on the city of Holdrege and Phelps County. While Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District has been a valued, long-time supporter and member of the chamber, the directors believe the organizations mission is to represent the best interests of its members and area citizens.

CNPPIDs history in Phelps County dates back to the 1930s when an innovative group of local leaders found a way to bring water to Phelps County. That irrigation has allowed Phelps County to prosper as an agricultural leader in the state and nation for decades. The

Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce would like to see that prosperity continue.

Agriculture is an important piece of Phelps Countys economy. The HACC Board believes the risks presented to Phelps County in this proposed merger greatly outweigh the benefits.

Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation Districts board of directors will vote on the merger at their Holdrege headquarters on Monday, July 17 at 9 a.m.

The mission of the Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce is to foster collaborative partnerships to build a thriving community through ongoing visibility, involvement, and support for Chamber members.
LEXINGTON  There was standing room only during the Planning Commission meeting as a permit for a temporary shelter for the homeless, to be located near Lexington High School, was considered during the Wednesday, July 12 meeting.

The application for a conditional use permit came from Crossroads Mission Avenue, an organization that has been working to bring homeless shelter services and transitional housing to Lexington since September 2022.

Crossroads is a Christian non-profit that provides housing, job training and support to enable homeless people to become self-sufficient. It was launched 39 years ago in Hastings. It expanded to Kearney in 2012 and to Grand Island in 2018.

Crossroads first plan was to open a homeless shelter at the former Love in Action site at 907 W. 8th St. So far, this space has been opened as a thrift store to help raise funds for remodeling the space as a shelter.

After presenting the plan to Lexingtons Planning Commission and the city council, it received approval, despite several local business owners and residents raising concerns about a homeless shelter in their vicinity.

However, as Crossroads Executive Director Daniel Buller told the planning commission members, it soon became apparent that the space on 8th St. was not large enough to handle the demand in Lexington.

Crossroads then moved to sign a purchase agreement for $2.3 million to purchase the former Plum Creek Care Center facility, located at 1505 N. Adams St, just across the street from Lexington High School.

The Plum Creek Care Center facility has sat empty since October 2022, after Lantis Enterprises announced its closure.

Buller said Crossroads has been talking to the owners of this facility since late summer 2022 and we are excited to come to an agreement and a path forward to purchase a facility that will adequately serve the need.

The move to locate homeless shelter services across the street from LHS did raise questions throughout the community.

Earlier in the week, the Lexington school board voted unanimously to oppose the granting of a conditional use permit to Crossroads, due to the proximity to Lexington High School and safety concerns for students and staff.

Buller spoke during the meeting and said that in the Tri-City area, Kearney, Hastings and Grand Island, Crossroads has 225 bed capacity and they are full.

He noted that since Dec. 1, 2022, 60 people from Lexington who were homeless utilized Crossroads assistance in the Tri-City area.

To help address the large need in Lexington, Crossroads began looking at the former Plum Creek Care Center facility after it closed. He said if approved, the Wel-Life area would be for long term transition and the rest of it would be an emergency shelter.

He said their centers are open and staffed every day of the week, 24 hours.

Buller asked to take care when using labels such as homeless, he noted that it carries a stigma and the use of the label by larger media outlets can created a warped perception.

Buller said, Not all are walking around with a meth needle in their arm.

To cite an example, Buller said some of the 60 people from Lexington included a mother and her two children who had been evicted from the hotel they were staying at while there was snow on the ground.

He said Crossroads provides clean, sober living environments for people and provides a solution for them that cannot be found on the streets.

When asked if they would bring homeless people from the Tri-City area, Buller said that the people in need in Lexington would fill the facility and they are, in fact, taking people from Lexington to their three other sites.

Buller was also asked what happens to the unruly people who might be discharged from the facility. He responded that many of the people in their shelters are residents of that same town and simply return to living within the community.

The floor opened to public comments and the first to speak was Ann Young, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with Lexington Regional Health Center and the county health care provider at the Dawson County Jail.

I do not support bringing Crossroads to Lexington, Young said.

Young noted there was a homeless issue in Lexington, to some degree, but said there are many definitions to homelessness.

She said she was concerned for the vulnerable elderly population and the proposed location of the shelter.

Young also noted the former Plum Creek Care Center facility is sub-par, based on seeing the facility herself.

Young said that see is the only mental health medication provider in Lexington and no one from Crossroads had been in contact with her.

Tom Downey, owner of Downey Drilling, and resides in Lexington also spoke.

Downey said he had met with Buller face to face to discuss what was going on. He also noted a member of his family was benefited by an entity providing similar services and programs as Crossroads.

He said there is good to be done, but noted the proposed location next to the high school is a, big deal.

In his opinion, Downey said the permit for the proposed location needs to be denied but he said the members of the community, business leaders, city council members, city administration, Crossroads staff, Lexington Community Foundation, and others need to come together to come up with a solution.

Travis Maloley, a member of the Lexington school board, approached and said while he supports the Crossroads mission and that it is a worthwhile endeavor, he said the location of the shelter could endanger high school students.

Maloley quoted the a part of standards that the Planning Commission would base their decision on, that the establishment, maintenance, or operation of the conditional use will not be detrimental to or endanger the public health, safety, moral, comfort or general welfare of the community.

He closed by saying that Crossroads supports a good mission but that there could be a danger to the public from people who might fail when attempting to set their lives on course.

Cody Scott, a Lexington resident took to the podium and noted there could be concerns when grouping people together that ones behavior could influence the group. It could exacerbate underlying problems that they have, he said.

Scott said his main concern was for the protection of the existing community, that we need to put first and foremost before we branch out.

He also asked what happened to people who have to be removed from the Crossroads community, noting the proximity of the school. Scott added that he wants his wife to be able to walk the streets of the community without fear of harassment or something worse.

Scott noted in his profession as a pharmacist in town, he sees the strain on the community that is already here.

Citing what students and children of the community could be exposed to, Scott said, We dont want to forfeit the inheritance of our own children here for the sake of the debased.

Scott advocated for the churches to continue their role of providing support and perhaps the creating of a list of private citizens who would be willing to take someone into their home for a time, rather than bringing this type of facility to Lexington.

Jennifer Vigil, a nurse and 23 year resident of Lexington said that the community does not have the resources to care for the people who would utilize Crossroads services.

Vigil said her top three concerns were safety, community resources and medical resources.

Communication with key stakeholders in the community has been lacking, Vigil said. She said the shelter will put a, huge strain, on law enforcement and the medical community.

The purpose of Crossroads is definitely something thats needed; however, I dont feel that it should be in the Lexington community. It should not be across the street from the high school where children may be exposed to what may be going on, Vigil said.

Transportation in Lexington is already an issue, Vigil said, with the only source of local public transport being the RYDE bus.

She asked how the people in the homeless shelter would be able to go to a job, to buy groceries or receive medical care, if it fell outside of RYDEs usual operating hours.

As for medical resources, Vigil said LRHC is a critical access hospital, which means they have limited resources. She said she doesnt feel like they are equipped to properly help those who Crossroads intends to serve.

She said the proposed location use to be a care home and she feels it would be best if it returned to that use, as there are no long term care facilities in Lexington anymore, citing Ridgeway Senior Living operating as an independent living and assisted living facility.

Melanie Gomez, executive director of the Parent-Child Center in Lexington, she knows the need for a homeless shelter first hand.

The center often receives calls from people who dont qualify for their services, we dont have any place to send them, Gomez said.

I understand everyones fears and they are valid concerns, but just because you are homeless, doesnt mean you are a bad person, said Gomez, The resources in Lexington are already stretched beyond the limit. We need more help.

The homeless are already here, Gomez concluded.

Amy Tappan, a Lexington resident, spoke about the services that are already present in Lexington and said the Crossroads run thrift store on 8th St. and the Purple Door Thrift store, operated by the Parent-Child Center are, competing with one another, she opinioned.

Tappan asked Buller about the grant money Crossroads received from the Lexington Ministerial Association and the Trinity Foundation.

Buller said the funds went toward Crossroads efforts to open a shelter in Lexington, not specifically toward the former Plum Creek Care Center facility.

Tammie Fleming, who works with the Parent-Child Center also spoke.

She said education of the community on exactly what homelessness is a topic that needs to be open to discussion.

Fleming noted there are conceptions of what homelessness is from the news and popular media, but its not exactly what they are running into.

Fleming noted there is not a competition of services in Lexington, our community is overwhelmed with requests.

We need to stop thinking of homeless people as second class citizens, she said, There are multiple reasons that they got there.

Fleming said we need to take care of the people in our community, rather than count of them being sent to Kearney or other sites.

Dana Thornburg, a Lexington resident, said we talk about, these people, but said the bottom line is, they are people.

In a message to the crowd, Thornburg said, When you go home tonight, you look around to see where you live and what you are living in and then think about those people, that have nothing. We as a community need to stand up and help them.

She said perhaps across from the school is not the best location, but the community should come together to find another place. There has to be a place, Thornburg said.

Gary Flint, a lifelong Lexington resident said while he doesnt support or opposed the shelter, he said let it be located across the street from the high school and not to hide the homeless from the students, as an example of what could happen.

We just sugar coat everything for these kids, Flint said.

He concluded by saying, the kids are probably more resilient than the adults.

Jim Stone, a 45 year Lexington resident, said he was against locating a homeless shelter in Lexington, I dont care where you put it.

He cited the danger of putting sex offenders or drug users on the streets; he said a good example needs to be set for the kids of the community.

Stone opinioned that a majority of the people will use Crossroads as a stop off point, that is where they want to be.

Buller later commented that registered sex offenders cannot utilize Crossroads services.

Eric Bell, 22 year resident of Lexington and the incoming principal of Lexington High School also took to the podium.

Bell said there is no doubt of Crossroads mission and purpose, none of us can argue that the services they provide are needed in town.

However, Bell said the task of the Planning Commission is whether or not to issue a permit based on their standards. For his part, as the LHS principal, he felt the facility is, not the appropriate location.

Bell said much action has been taken at the high school to make sure it is a safe building. He said the proposed location of the shelter brings many externalities that the school and community will have to take into consideration.

Bell advised the commission not to issue the permit.

After the public comment period was concluded, City Attorney Brian Copley reminded the planning commission of their options, to recommend approval, denial, no action or to table the permit for a future date.

After a brief discussion, some commission members opinioned that the proposed shelter did not meet the standards and the vote was unanimous to recommend denial to the city council, which will hear the application for the permit at a future date.
China sent navy ships and a large group of warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, toward Taiwan over two days, the islands defense ministry said yesterday, before its annual military exercises aimed at defending itself against a possible invasion.

The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army sent 38 warplanes and 9 navy vessels around Taiwan, between 6 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. yesterday. From yesterday morning until noon time, the military flew another 30 planes, among which included J-10 and J-16 fighters.

Of these, 32 crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary that had been considered a buffer between the island and mainland. Later on Wednesday, another 23 planes crossed the midline.

Taiwan is scheduled to hold the annual Han Guang exercise later this month, in which its military will hold combat readiness drills against preventing an invasion. It will also conduct the annual Wanan exercises aimed at preparing civilians for natural disasters and practicing evacuations in case of an air raid.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and in recent years has shown is displeasure at political activities in Taiwan by stepping up the number of military planes sent toward Taiwan. In the past year, it has also started sending its navy vessels, as well as drones to circle the waters near the island.

In Tuesday and Wednesdays maneuvers, the PLA flew H-6 bombers in a large loop to the south of Taiwan, traveling past the island before looping back towards Chinas southern coast.

Its largest military drills in recent years were in response to former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan last August. It fired missiles over the island in a significant escalation and the military exercises disrupted trade lanes in the Taiwan Strait and forced airplanes to reroute their flights.

In April, the PLA held large-scale combat readiness drills in the air and waters around Taiwan in response to the islands leader Tsai Ing-wen meeting with the current U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

HUIZHONG WU, TAIPEI, Taiwan, MDT/AP
Electronics giant Foxconn backed out of a $19.5 billion semiconductor joint venture with Indian mining conglomerate Vedanta Ltd. due to external issues unrelated to the project.

Hon Hai Technology, known internationally as Foxconn, and Vedanta Limited announced their joint venture to manufacture chips and display panels in India in February 2022. On Monday, Foxconn announced it mutually agreed to part ways with Vedanta Limited.

This is not a negative. There was recognition from both sides that the project was not moving fast enough, there were challenging gaps we were not able to smoothly overcome, as well as external issues unrelated to the project, read a statement released Tuesday from the Taiwan-based company.

Vedanta said it has lined up other partners to set up Indias first semiconductor foundry to create the chips that are used in mobile phones, refrigerators and cars.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis government gave top priority to chipmaking as part of the countrys self-reliance policy by offering financial incentives of up to 50% of project costs under a $10 billion plan for semiconductor and display manufacturing projects as India vies to become a key player in the global supply chain.

Indias government leaders say they arent too worried about the impact.

Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said both companies are committed to Indias semiconductor mission, part of the countrys Make in India program to foster domestic development.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, junior minister for Electronics and Information Technology, said Tuesday that Foxconns decision will have no impact on Indias goals for semiconductor fabrication. Both Foxconn and Vedanta have significant investments in India and are valued investors who are creating jobs and growth, he said in a tweet.

Foxconn manufactures Apple iPhones in India and plans to expand production in the country, but it takes time to establish semiconductor operations, the company said.

Foxconn first entered India in 2006 and we are still here. The group looks forward to growing alongside Indias nascent semiconductor industry, it said in a statement Tuesday. The Taiwan-based company said its working toward applying to the governments Modified Programme for Semiconductors and Display Fab Ecosystem and looking for other partners and stakeholders both within India and abroad.

Several major investments by U.S.-based companies in India were announced during Modis visit to Washington in June, which included meeting with top American and Indian executives as the United States tries to foster cooperation with India on artificial intelligence, semiconductor production and space.

Micron Technology agreed to build a $2.75-billion semiconductor assembly and test facility in India, with the American chip company spending some $800 million and India financing the rest. U.S.-based Applied Materials will launch a new semiconductor center for commercialization and innovation in India, and Lam Research, another semiconductor manufacturing equipment company, will start a training program for 60,000 Indian engineers. ASHOK SHARMA, NEW DELHI, MDT/AP
Representatives of the Financial Intelligence Office (GIF) attended the 29th Egmont Group Plenary from July 3 to 7 in the UAE, collecting and sharing experiences with global counterparts.

The plenary promoted the exchange of financial intelligence and cooperation among financial intelligence units in each member region, and strengthened the ability to detect and analyze emerging financial crimes.

GIF representatives participated in many sessions, such as the Egmont Group working group meetings, regional group meetings, training workshops and the Plenary.

A number of anti-money laundering (AML) and counter financing terrorism (CFT) topics were discussed in the meetings. Topics included the abuse of non-profit organizations for terrorist financing purposes, methods of identifying cyber-enabled fraud and tracing virtual assets as well as money laundering linked to modern slavery. In addition, technical assistance and solutions were provided to members experiencing difficulties in collecting or sharing intelligence.

The GIF stated that by participating in these meetings and training sessions, its representatives deepened their understanding and appreciation of the latest information and international trends in current financial crimes, which play an important role in the effective prevention and suppression of ML/TF.

GIF representatives also negotiated bilateral intelligence exchanges with a number of financial intelligence units.

The Egmont Group is committed to facilitating exchanges between various financial intelligence units and law enforcement agencies and to providing a secure platform for the exchange of expertise and financial intelligence to assist in the fight against ML/TF and related crimes.

Currently, financial intelligence units from more than 160 jurisdictions are members of the Egmont Group. With the expectation of achieving effective detection, prevention and interception of serious financial crime and money laundering activities, GIF has been actively participating in international conferences and sharing the latest updates and international trends with domestic sectors, regulators and law enforcement agencies. AL
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will travel to Beijing next week to discuss strategies for limiting global warming, amid a push by the worlds two largest economies to reengage on multiple issues following a sharp decline in contacts.

Kerrys office said he will arrive Sunday and depart July 19. He is due to meet with his counterpart Xie Zhenhua, with whom he has established a strong working relationship.

During meetings with PRC officials, Secretary Kerry aims to engage with the PRC on addressing the climate crisis, including with respect to increasing implementation and ambition and promoting a successful COP28, Kerrys office said in a press release, referring to Chinas formal title, the Peoples Republic of China, and the UN Climate Change Conference scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates in November and December.

Kerrys visit comes on the heels of one by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who appealed to China on Saturday for cooperation on climate change and other global challenges and not to let disagreements about trade and other irritants derail relations.

In a meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, Yellen defended U.S. restrictions on technology exports that rankle Beijing. She said the two governments shouldnt let such disagreements disrupt thriving economic and financial relations.

During a visit last month, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and said they agreed to stabilize badly deteriorated U.S.-China ties, but Americas top diplomat left Beijing with his biggest ask rebuffed: better communications between their militaries.

After meeting Xi, Blinken said China is not ready to resume military-to-military contacts, something the U.S. considers crucial to avoid miscalculation and conflict, particularly over Taiwan.

The visits by U.S. officials are part of efforts to revive relations that are at their lowest level in decades due to disputes over trade, technology and regional security.

Beijing broke off climate discussions with Washington last August in retaliation for a visit by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the House of Representatives to Taiwan.

Kerry has said China needs to step up its carbon reduction targets that now have it hitting peak output in 2030 and becoming carbon neutral in 2060. The country is currently the top emitter of fossil fuels, owing partly to its continued operation and building of coal-fired power plants.

Xis government has resisted pressure to rapidly phase out coal plants, arguing that China is still a developing nation and should not be held to the same climate standards as the U.S. and other big Western economies. MDT/AP
North Korea fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile in three months yesterday, days after it threatened shocking consequences to protest what it called provocative United States reconnaissance activity near its territory.

Some experts say North Korea likely launched its developmental, road-mobile Hwasong-18 ICBM, a type of solid-fuel weapon that is harder to detect and intercept than its liquid-fuel ICBMs. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un previously called the Hwasong-18 his most powerful nuclear weapon.

The missile, fired from North Koreas capital region around 10 a.m., flew about 1,000 kilometers at a maximum altitude of 6,000 kilometers before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, according to South Korean and Japanese assessments. They said the missile was launched at a high angle in an apparent attempt to avoid neighboring countries.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the missile flew for 74 minutes  the longest flight time recorded by any weapon launched by North Korea. The previous record of 71 minutes was registered during the test flight of the liquid-fuel Hwasong-17 ICBM last year.

South Koreas military called the launch a grave provocation and urged North Korea to refrain from additional launches. Matsuno denounced North Koreas repeated missile launches as threats to the peace and safety of Japan, the region and international society.

In a trilateral phone call, the chief nuclear envoys of South Korea, Japan and the U.S. agreed to sternly deal with North Korean provocations and boost their coordination to promote a stronger international response to the Norths nuclear and missile programs, according to Seouls Foreign Ministry.

The launch came while South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida were attending the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. In an emergency meeting of South Koreas security council convened by video in Lithuania, Yoon warned North Korea would face more powerful international sanctions due to its illicit weapons programs.

North Koreas ICBM program targets the mainland U.S, while its shorter-range missiles are designed to hit South Korea and Japan, both key American allies in northeast Asia.

Since 2017, North Korea has performed a slew of ICBM tests, but some experts say the North still has some technologies to master to possess functioning nuclear-armed missiles capable of reaching major U.S. cities.

The Norths ICBM test in April was the first launch of the Hwasong-18. After that launch, Kim said the missile would enhance the Norths counterattack capabilities and ordered the expansion of his countrys nuclear arsenal to constantly strike extreme uneasiness and horror in its rivals.

Missiles with built-in solid propellants would be easier to move and hide, making it difficult for opponents to detect their launches in advance. All of North Koreas previous ICBM tests used liquid fuel.

Kim Dong-yub, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said Wednesdays launch appeared to be the Norths second flight-test of the Hwasong-18.

Earlier this week, North Korea released a series of statements accusing the U.S. of flying a military spy plane close to its soil.

In a statement Monday night, Kims sister and top adviser, Kim Yo Jong, warned the United States of a shocking incident as she claimed that the U.S. spy plane flew over the Norths eastern exclusive economic zone eight times earlier in the day. She claimed the North scrambled warplanes to chase away the U.S. plane.

The U.S. and South Korea dismissed the Norths accusations and urged it to refrain from any acts or rhetoric that raised animosities.

I would just say that we continue to urge (North Korea) to refrain from escalatory actions, Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said Tuesday. As a matter of international law, (North Koreas) recent statements that U.S. flights above its claimed exclusive economic zone are unlawful are unfounded, as high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in such areas.

North Korea has made numerous similar accusations over U.S. reconnaissance activities, but its latest statements came amid heightened animosities over North Koreas torrid run of weapons tests since the start of last year. Some observers say the North wants to use an expanded weapons arsenal to wrest greater concessions in eventual diplomacy with its rivals.

Kim Yo Jongs bellicose statement against U.S. surveillance aircraft is part of a North Korean pattern of inflating external threats to rally domestic support and justify weapons tests, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. Pyongyang also times its shows of force to disrupt what it perceives as diplomatic coordination against it  in this case, South Korea and Japans leaders meeting during the NATO summit.

Kim Dong-yub, the professor, said Wednesdays launch was likely made under the Norths previously scheduled weapons build-up programs to hone Hwasong-18 technologies, rather than a direct response to the NATO gathering or the alleged U.S. spy plane flight.

The Hwasong-18 is among an array of high-tech weapons that Kim Jong Un has vowed to introduce to deal with what he called escalating U.S. military threats. Other weapons on his wish-list are an ICBM with multi-warheads, a spy satellite and a nuclear-powered submarine. In late May, North Koreas launch of its first spy satellite ended in failure, with a rocket carrying it plunging to the ocean soon after liftoff.

Some experts say North Korea might ramp up weapons tests around July 27, the date for the 70th anniversary of the signing of an armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. North Korea calls the date the V-Day or the War Victory Day.

Pyongyang might be manufacturing tensions ahead of its Victory Day to further strengthen solidarity domestically after having failed its first spy satellite launch in May, and then justifying future provocations by first unleashing a stream of threats and harsh rhetoric about U.S. spy planes, said Duyeon Kim, an adjunct Senior Fellow with the Center for a New American Security.

U.N. Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from engaging in any launches using ballistic technologies. But China and Russia, both permanent members of the council, blocked the U.S. and others attempts to toughen U.N. sanctions on North Korea over its recent ballistic missile tests. HYUNG-JIN KIM & MARI YAMAGUCHI, SEOUL, MDT/AP
Araging conflict in Sudan has driven more than 3.1 million people from their homes, including over 700,000 who fled to neighboring countries, the United Nations said yesterday, amid growing concerns that the country is sliding into a full-scale civil war.

Sudan has plunged into chaos since mid-April when monthslong tensions between the military and its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere across the northeastern African nation.

The conflict derailed Sudanese hopes of restoring the countrys fragile transition to democracy, which had begun after a popular uprising forced the militarys removal of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. A coup, led by the military and RSF, disrupted the democratic transition in October 2021.

More than 2.4 million people have fled their homes to safer areas inside the country, according to the International Organization for Migration. Around 738,000 others crossed into neighboring counties, the agency said.

Egypt is hosting the largest number of those who fled  more than 255,500 people  followed by Chad with over 238,000 and South Sudan with around 160,800, the IOM said. More than 62,000 people fled to Ethiopia, more than 16,700 to the Central African Republic and around 3,000 to Libya, it added.

More than 72% of those displaced were from Khartoum and around 9% from West Darfur province, both places where the clashes have largely centered, the IOM said.

The IOM said 65% of those who fled into neighboring countries were Sudanese nationals and the rest were foreigners and refugees who were forced to return to their home countries.

The conflict has turned Khartoum and other urban areas into battlefields. Members of the paramilitary force have occupied peoples houses and other civilian properties since the conflict broke out, according to residents and activists. There have also been reports of widespread destruction and looting across Khartoum and Omdurman.

The clashes have killed more than 3,000 people and wounded over 6,000 others, Health Minister Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim said in televised comments last month. The casualty tally is likely much higher, according to doctors and activists.

International and regional efforts have so far failed to establish a negotiated cease-fire and allow humanitarian agencies to provide support to civilians still trapped in the conflict. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned over the weekend that the country was on the brink of a full-scale civil war.

Earlier this week, a regional meeting floated the idea of deploying troops to Sudan to protect civilians. The Quartet Group, which met Monday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, called for a summit of the Eastern Africa Standby Force, a 10-member regional bloc, to consider the proposal.

The Quartet Group is a sub-committee of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an eight-member East African bloc. It is headed by Kenyas President William Ruto, who called for an unconditional ceasefire in Sudan and the establishment of a humanitarian zone to help deliver humanitarian aid.

Sudans military delegate, who was in Addis Ababa, didnt attend Mondays meeting, accusing Ruto of impartiality. The Sudanese government has accused the Kenyan government of siding with the paramilitary force in the conflict.

Sudans government, which is controlled by the military, denounced the proposal to deploy troops. It said in a statement Tuesday that any foreign forces in Sudanese territory would be considered as aggressors.

The statement also decried comments by Ethiopias prime minister who called for imposing a no-fly zone over Sudan.

Egypt, meanwhile, is hosting a meeting today with Sudans neighbors aimed at establishing effective mechanisms to help find a peaceful settlement to the conflict, according to the Egyptian presidency.

The regional diplomacy comes as talks between warring factions in the Saudi Arabian coastal city of Jeddah repeatedly failed to stop the fighting. The Jeddah talks were brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The U.K. government meanwhile imposed sanctions on six firms with links with the military and the RSF, as part of international pressure on the warring factions to stop fighting. The sanctions announced Wednesday are nearly identical to that imposed by the U.S. on both sides last month.

The British Foreign Office said that the sanctioned firms include Al Junaid, a lucrative gold mining company, owned by the family of the paramilitary force commander Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. Also sanctioned are GSK Advance Ltd and Tradive General Trading L.L.C., alleged front companies controlled by the Dagalo family. SAMY MAGDY, CAIRO, MDT/AP
Thailands top diplomat said yesterday that he met with ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi in detention over the weekend and she conveyed her openness to engage in talks to resolve the crisis gripping her strife-torn nation.

Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai is the only government official outside of Myanmar known so far to have met with Suu Kyi since she was detained with other officials when the army seized power from her elected government on Feb. 1, 2021.

He told his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, who are meeting in Indonesias capital, that Suu Kyi was in good health when he met with her for more than an hour on Sunday.

She encourages dialogue, Don told reporters in Jakarta when asked what message Suu Kyi conveyed to him. Obviously were trying to find a way to settle with Myanmar.

The military takeover and the crackdown on the armed resistance to it plunged the country into deadly chaos. Western and European governments, including the United States, have imposed sanctions on Myanmars military government and demanded the immediate release of Suu Kyi and other political detainees.

Nay Phone Latt, a spokesperson for the National Unity Government  Myanmars main opposition organization, which views itself as the countrys legitimate government  told The Associated Press that the information about the meeting between the Thai foreign minister and Suu Kyi raised questions, and Myanmars people are uncertain that it actually took place..

He added that the military juntas attempt to try to use the influence of Suu Kyi at this time is indirectly admitting that they are no longer in a good situation concerning the countrys political crisis.

Suu Kyi, 78, is serving a total of 33 years imprisonment after being convicted on a raft of charges that her supporters and rights groups say were politically motivated in an attempt to discredit her and legitimize the militarys takeover while preventing her from returning to politics.

A legal official from Myanmar who insisted on anonymity for fear of being punished by the authorities because he is not authorized to release information about Suu Kyis legal proceedings told the AP that Suu Kyis lawyers on Wednesday submitted appeal arguments to the Supreme Court on her behalf for the five corruption cases where she was found guilty.

The Myanmar crisis is at the top of the agenda of the ministerial meetings of ASEAN, a 10-nation bloc that includes Myanmar and Indonesia, which is the groups chairman this year.

ASEAN has been under international pressure to address the crisis, and it again banned Myanmars generals from attending ASEAN foreign ministerial meetings in Jakarta after the military government largely ignored an emergency plan to take steps to end the crisis.

The generals responded by accusing ASEAN of violating the blocs bedrock principles of nonintervention in each others domestic affairs. JIM GOMEZ & EDNA TARIGAN, JAKARTA, MDT/AP
In early April, I requested some records from the Madison Po-lice Department about what it said was the sole disciplinary action taken against an Madison police officer or employee in the first three months of this year.

It was an exceedingly minor matter  a sergeant who got a one-day suspension for sending an "unprofessional email to command staff ." And all I wanted was to see the complaint that would disclose what the email said and some document that explained how the matter was concluded. Just a few sheets of paper.

The response I received said the request had to go through the Police Department's records custodian, Julie Laundrie, who informed me: "I am currently at 14 months for personnel requests to receive [a] reply."

Fourteen months?

Laundrie's official explanation is that she puts requests for personnel records into a queue with other, often voluminous requests, which are handled in order. (The office now says it may just be a few more weeks.) But the real reason for the delay is that the department, like too many other public agencies in Wisconsin, does not devote enough resources to handling records requests.

It's a problem that has grown markedly worse in recent years, as agencies have gotten bolder in exploiting the lack of specificity in the state's open records law regarding the question of "How long is too long?"

The Madison School District, for instance, has been sued at least five times since 2021 for long delays in responding to records requests, while a staff position for records work went unfilled. Like some other records custodians, the district seems to think "We're busy doing other things" is an acceptable reason for not providing records in a timely fashion. It isn't.

The state's open records law, enacted in 1981, directs all state and local government officials to respond to records requests "as soon as practicable and without delay," but sets no precise time frames. The state's attorney general's office, which has statutory authority to interpret and enforce this law, has long advised that "a reasonable time" for responding to most simple requests is 10 working days, though actually providing the records may take longer.

Gov. Scott Walker passed executive orders in 2016 and 2017 that set tighter response times for state agencies  requiring them, for instance, to fulfill and not just respond to "small and straightforward" requests within 10 business days when possible. But those rules did not apply to local governments and are no longer considered binding past Walker's term.

The attorney general's Office of Open Government, under both Democratic and Republican leadership, has not taken a hard line against records custodians for taking too long. And indeed, a report by the Wisconsin Examiner found that the office itself had more than three dozen records requests that remained unfulfilled after more than a year. The office met its own 10-day guideline for just 46% of the 924 records requests it received in 2022.

This is not OK. A vital but often overlooked part of the open records law says providing records in response to requests "is declared to be an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of officers and employees whose responsibility it is to provide such information."

If an agency lacks staff to handle the volume of requests it receives, it should allocate more staff , as happened recently with the city attorney's office in Green Bay, which had fallen behind in handling requests.

Responding promptly to record requests is not just a good government best practice. It's the law. And sooner or later, the courts are going to have to enforce it.

Lueders is president of the Wisconsin Freedom of information council, which is dedicated to open government and distributes the monthly your right to Know column: wisfoic.org.
ANOTHER VIEW | KENOSHA NEWS

Fourth of July 2023 is in the history books and the fire-works that lit up the skies across Wisconsin are fading away along with the overhead blasts and the "oohs and aaahhs" of enthralled spectators.

It's a grand celebration of the country's birth and pays homage to the words of Francis Scott Key who penned "The Star-Spangled Banner"  the national anthem  celebrating the defense of Fort McHenry against the British in the War of 1812: "And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there."

Those are stirring words that still fuel the fires of nationalistic fervor.

But while there were a multitude of fireworks celebrations across the country this year, there were also communities who, for several reasons, dropped away from the bomb-bursting sky shows and the attendant aerial booms.

They opted, instead, for drone shows to celebrate the Fourth of July.

"There's less risk of fire, less risk of damage, less risk of injury," said Rick Boss, president of Sky Elements Drone Shows, a Texas-based company, that has performed more than 500 drone shows using fleets of drones with brilliant LED lights to create animated scenes with shapes and patterns in the night sky.

"Drones leave no smoke or debris behind them when performing," Boss said. "We leave nothing behind but great memories."

Much of the rise in popularity of the drone show-alternative comes in the western U.S., where the risk of forest fires is running high this year.

Salt Lake City was one municipality that went drone, with Mayor Erin Mendenhall saying the change was made to minimize high fire danger and air quality concerns. "As temperatures rise and fire danger increases we must be conscientious of both our air quality and the potential for wildfires," he said.

Boulder, Colorado, and Flagstaff , Arizona, shifted to laser light shows this year and in California several coastal cities also went to drone shows because of stricter laws on polluting the ocean with debris.

Closer to home, Highland Park, Illinois, honored seven people who were killed in last year's July 4 parade with a ceremony and a walk  not a parade. At night the city planned a drone show instead of fireworks to avoid noises that sound like gunfire.

That "noise" factor from fireworks is echoed on social media neighborhood sites in Racine and Kenosha, where people have been highly critical of neighbors and do-it-yourself fireworks enthusiasts for shooting off their wares at all times during the day and night over the past week  scaring their pets and turning them into shivering, frightened animals. The commenters' ire also focuses on military veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and struggle with fireworks noise.

Clearly, there is some fertile ground for those who wish to switch away from traditional pyrotechnics and go to a safer, less fiery and quieter Fourth of July celebration. It remains to be seen if that will take hold, but sometimes societal changes come in increments. It wasn't too long ago that children bounced down the road in the back of pickup trucks secured only by the parental admonition to "hold on tight." And within recent memory, actors and TV stars were lighting up cigarettes as the ventured into our living rooms.

No more.

Sometimes change is afoot before we even see it.
The Kitchen is the restaurant Sitka Salmon Shares built.

Seven Acre Dairy Company opened the restaurant in February as part of an ambitious $11.2 million project that has turned a historic dairy plant in Paoli, 25 miles southwest of Madison, into a destination.

The redevelopment of the 21,000-square-foot creamery includes an eight-room boutique hotel, the casual, counter-service Dairy Cafe, and a micro-dairy that recently began operating.

Nic Mink, 42, the co-founder of Sitka Salmon Shares, and his wife, Danika Laine, 41, are behind the project, which includes financing from 22 investors, two area banks and a number of state and federal programs.

"The public reception has been fantastic," Mink said, noting that all the project's entities are doing well.

The Kitchen was well received by my party of four the Thursday night we ate there. Its patio offers a great view of the Sugar River and also benefits from the Paoli Mill next door, which hosts live outdoor music all summer. We were treated on this night to the bluegrass strains of the Driftless Ramblers.

Our meal started strong with the aptly named Perfect Salad ($8/$14), a simple salad that owed its success to fresh lettuce and a winning honey vinaigrette.

Mink said the lettuce comes from Clean Fresh Foods in the nearby town of Montrose. Seven Acre co-manages its aquaponic greenhouse, he said.

The only thing added to the greens beyond the dressing was crunchy, puffed wild rice. The salad was a bit of a project to eat since the leaves were left long and needed cutting. But keeping them whole made them more beautiful.

The Big Otto burger ($15) also had that farm-fresh taste with two flavorful short rib patties, butterkase cheese, grilled onions, mayo and mustard butter on a fantastic buttered Parker House roll. The homemade pickles were briny, so better inside the bun than out.

Mink said the beef for the burgers and steaks comes from neighboring farms, and the animals are killed in a humane way at Seven Acre by Prem Meats of Spring Green and not in a slaughterhouse.

The burger is named for Otto Thalmann, an award-winning Swiss cheesemaker who helped the butter plant expand on the same site in the 1930s.

Fries ($6) come a la carte. They were medium thick and benefitted from homemade ranch dressing that was served on the side along with ketchup.

The roasted mushrooms & sunchokes ($28) was a stellar meatless dish if you ignore the sunchokes. They didn't stand out the way the mushrooms did, buried in a creamy bowl of wild rice with garlic aioli and charred scallions.

The cast iron brick chicken ($32) was a remarkable dish owing to the caramelized onion sauce. The juicy half chicken came from Green Fire Farm, nearby in Monticello.

Not everything was as remarkable. Salmon cakes ($15) from the small plates menu didn't have the luster of crab cakes, but a cucumber dill yogurt sauce perked up the five little patties. Mink said he buys Alaskan salmon from one of Sitka's most trusted suppliers and calls the patties an homage to Midwest grandmas.

A dessert, rhubarb upside-down cake ($10), was also lackluster. The cake suffered from dry edges and was topped with chunks of rhubarb instead of it being baked in. The portion of whipped cream next to it was as big as the cake slice.

The Paoli Punch cocktail ($12) pulled its punches. It had rum, pineapple, hibiscus liquor and ginger, but somehow none of those ingredients stood out.

Still, the highlights outweighed the lowlights, and it's hard not to marvel at the whole of Seven Acre Dairy. The property, added on to seven times since its original construction, has been lovingly restored, inside and out.

The building is beautifully modern, yet retains some of its original tile, and there's now an eye-catching mural on an exterior wall near the patio. A chandelier made from vintage milk bottles hangs above the hotel's front desk.

Ben Hunter, who with his brother, Jonny Hunter, co-founded the Underground Food Collective in Madison in 2007, helped establish Seven Acre's beef program. As The Kitchen's opening chef, he also designed the menu.

Hunter has since handed off the kitchen to Kyle Kiepert, who came from the esteemed Fairchild on Monroe Street in Madison.

Mink grew up in Miami, went to UW-Madison for his undergraduate degree, University of Montana for his master's, and returned to UW-Madison for a doctorate in history and environmental science.

Since 2010, he's been an instructor of environmental studies at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, teaching about food justice and U.S. environmental history. Last semester he taught a class on national parks. He said he teaches an eight-week winter term with classes once a week for a total of eight commutes.

Also in 2010, he founded the highly successful Sitka Salmon Shares, which is like a CSA (community-supported agriculture) program for delivering fish direct to consumers.

In the summer of 2020, Mink sold his ownership in the company and stepped down as CEO, something he said was a yearlong process.

It allowed him to buy the old dairy building, preserve it and "reanimate it."

"We saw it as an ability to do something good," he said. "I'm not really into hoarding wealth."

Mink said he's learning how to be an innkeeper with encouraging results. The hotel is booked every weekend through September. During the week it's about 50% full, for a total occupancy rate of about 75%, he said, noting that some of the weekday business comes from nearby Epic Systems in Verona.

Opening a restaurant, cafe, hotel and dairy at the same time has been daunting, but rewarding for Mink. "It's just been a little bit of an interesting learning curve."

And since there's nothing else like it, customers are also grading it on a curve. The restaurant has a few rough spots, but deserves a passing grade.

Diner's scorecard Restaurant: The Kitchen at Seven Acre Dairy Company Location: 6858 Paoli Road, Belleville Phone: 608-416-4023 Website: sevenacredairyco.com Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Prices: Appetizers $6 to $18, bar plates $6 to $15, salad $8 to $14, sides $8 and $10, entrees $28 to $68, desserts $8 to $12 Noise level: Low Credit cards: Accepted Accessibility: Yes Outdoor dining: Yes Delivery: No Online ordering: No Drinks: Full bar Gluten-free: Many GF options Vegetarian offerings: Many Kids menu: Yes. Kids eat half-price on Wednesdays. Reservations: Good idea, especially on weekends Parking: Plentiful Service: Great Bottom line: There's a lot going on at Seven Acre Dairy Company and its restaurant, The Kitchen, is a big, appealing draw.
An 18-year-old man has been arrested in the Downtown shooting death of another man last month, Madison police said.

Julius Jones was arrested Wednesday afternoon on a tentative charge of first-degree intentional homicide following the shooting death of Nicholas G. Taylor-Washington, 20, of Madison, in the early morning hours of June 18. Jones had not been formally charged, according to online court records.

Taylor-Washington died of homicidal firearm related trauma at a local hospital after he was shot near the 600 block of East Dayton Street, the Dane County Medical Examiners Office said last month.

The shooting was Madisons seventh homicide this year.

Officers arrived at the scene shortly after 3:30 a.m. for a report of shots fired and recovered nearly a dozen bullet casings, police said.

Police said Taylor-Washington or another person in a group he was with may have been targeted in the shooting.

The shooting followed what police described as an uptick in disturbances and fights near State Street between 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. June 18, with one report of 100 or 200 people fighting in the area.

Police said at least a couple dozen people were in the area of East Dayton and Blair Street at the time of the shooting.

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The Queen of Hearts went out with a $140,410 bang.

Just shy of a year after it started, a Mount Horeb bars progressive-pot raffle came to an abrupt end this week, after someone tipped off the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Tuesday night marked the end of The Dog House Bar and Grills Queen of Hearts raffle, which had amassed a jackpot of well over $100,000 because no one had won it in 50 weeks.

Each Tuesday night, patrons could purchase raffle tickets, and whichever ticket was drawn, its owner could flip one of 54 cards. Flipping over the queen of hearts netted someone 70% of the pot, with the remainder going to charity.

Week after week, though, no one won. And because each card remained flipped over, every week the chances of finding the winning queen got better.

With no winners in almost a year, the pot got big  and so did the crowds.

Tuesday night was a very slow night for us and right off the bat (when we started having a raffle) the night improved dramatically for a weekday night for the bar sales-wise, bar owner Nathan Faust said. By the end of it, I mean, we just had some of the best sales nights weve ever had.

Typically, the bar would see sales of $4,000 to $5,000 on busy nights, such as holidays.

Gross sales on Tuesday, which marked the last Queen of Hearts raffle, totaled $7,653.

Alas for the business, two DOJ agents recently showed up on Fausts doorstep, paperwork in hand, to tell him his raffle was illegal.

The papers, which also were given to the Mount Horeb Police Department, cited Wisconsin Statute 563.03, which outlines legal processes, selections and drawings in raffles. By the time the Department of Justice was notified, the raffle had amassed just under $112,000.00.

While Faust was aware of Wisconsin gambling laws, he said he thought raffles like the ones hed been hosting for the last year and a half were legal if a portion of the profits went toward a charitable organization.

Theyre not.

In joining efforts with Felicia Diny, the founder and CEO of Felicias Donation Closet, a Madison-based nonprofit serving women and children seeking shelter from domestic violence, Faust said he thought the raffle was in good legal standing.

Obviously I was wrong, he said. Its just illegal all the way around.

Diny had been a former coworker and provided much of the impetus in getting the raffle off the ground, approaching Faust about the raffle shortly after he purchased the bar.

As the leader of a nonprofit, Diny is well-versed in the necessary legal channels, licensing and government forms that go along with fundraising. Even so, Diny says she, too, thought the raffle was legal for a couple of reasons, including that it benefited her 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Its extremely hard to get grant money and I saw an opportunity on a way to raise money for my cause, she said.

Final raffle

Faust and Diny said that the agents who notified them of the statute violation were kind: The pair didnt face any legal penalties, and in fact, were allowed to finish out the raffle on Tuesday night, with some restrictions.

A letter from the Wisconsin Department of Administration said Faust had to give the grand prize, 70% of the pot, to the first ticket drawn. Word spread and the bar swelled with participants and spectators.

A grand total of $140,410 was distributed, with a grand prize winner boasting more than $90,000, a handful of small prize winners totaling a combined $5,000, and Felicias Donation Closet receiving $42,123.

Its the most money Diny has raised in more than three years working for her cause.

To date, Felicias Donation Closet has helped 83 mothers and 132 children, furnishing their living arrangements with everything from mattresses to dish sets, she said. As the nonprofit expands, the funds from this raffle will make a big impact on the services it can provide.

Having this kind of money means that we could go and purchase brand new items for the families if we dont have it donated through the community, she said. Its going to be huge.

While Diny and Faust look into legal ways to run raffles and other fundraisers, theyve drafted up a petition aimed at changing Wisconsins raffle laws, which Faust says already gained traction at Tuesday nights final raffle event.

I get having the gambling laws and stuff but I just, I feel like in situations like this, I mean, its not hurting anyone, its good for small business, obviously its good for the charity, and people seem to come out and enjoy it, Faust said. I just dont see the harm in it.

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Faced with possible legal complications and a better understanding of the facts, the Madison City Council changed course early Wednesday on rejecting a Downtown student housing project as officials ran up against limits in their ability to dictate what developers can build amid the citys housing crisis.

The reversal of last months controversial decision by the council to deny rezoning an area just east of UWs campus will pave the way for the 12-story development from Core Spaces, of Chicago, which has put up other student housing projects in the city, including HUB and The James.

On June 20, the council rejected Core Spaces rezoning request that would create 232 market-rate housing units at the 400 block of West Dayton and West Johnson streets and 200 block of North Bassett Street, across the street from Bassett Street Brunch Club. The project, named Johnson and Bassett, would demolish 10 older residential buildings in that area.

Before an ultimate 13-6 vote last month, some council members decried the lack of low-cost units in the development and complaints from some students about the proliferation of luxury apartment buildings like Johnson and Bassett that have swanky amenities such as rooftop pools and gyms.

But after debate that pushed the meeting past 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, most on the council switched their stance toward their proposal, passing the rezoning on a 17-2 vote with one abstention. In statements, some council members said they didnt fully understand the project when they voted against it last month.

Ald. MGR Govindarajan, 8th District, who represents student areas, still voted against the rezoning, arguing that the city still needs to reimagine how it addresses student housing.

This is not the type of housing that students need, Govindarajan said.

Govindarajan was joined by Near East Side Ald. Marsha Rummel, 6th District, in opposing the rezoning. Ald. Amani Latimer Burris, 12th District, abstained.

The previous no-vote had instantly jeopardized prospects for building more lower-cost apartment units despite the councils discussions that night about building more of it. The day after the council vote, Core Spaces withdrew an application for a different 14-story student housing project at West Johnson and Broom streets that would include lower-cost units.

Core Spaces development told the council on Tuesday that the company couldnt financially swing the other project if Johnson & Bassett stalls.

Low-cost units could not be included in Johnson & Bassett because no mechanism to create them applies to the project and new city ordinances that incentivizes affordable units in exchange for more density do not apply either, the Core Spaces development team told the council on Tuesday.

Core Spaces also is building oLiv Madison at the corner of State Street and West Gorham Street, a behemoth new development in that area that includes affordable units.

Core Spaces had not responded to an email on Wednesday asking if the developers intend to resubmit the application for the Johnson and Broom development now that the council had passed their rezoning.

Plea delivered

In a plea for approval on Tuesday, Core Spaces representatives stressed that fixing the citys housing crisis wont be possible without building more units with the eventual hope that skyrocketing rents will stabilize.

Denying this project will have the opposite effect, said Doug Tichenor, Core Spaces vice president and director of development.

Denial sets the precedent that you can do everything by the book and still be denied, Tichenor said. The fight is not with us. Were part of the solution.

The questioning of the Core Spaces team from some on the council grew adversarial and tense on Tuesday. Govindarajan and Ald. Juliana Bennett, 8th District, who represents student-heavy areas Downtown, asked the developer to only give yes or no answers to questions, which led to Bennett and the development team talking over each other several times.

Bennett also questioned the developer about management complaints from tenants at HUB and The James, which the developer built but has since sold. Govindarajan further criticized amenities at the proposed development, such as a gym and rooftop pool, when students have access to those facilities on campus and a pool would be open in warmer months when students arent there.

Such amenities couldnt be replaced with more units because of the buildings design, the development team said. Removing them also wouldnt bring down rents, which is more dictated by needing to turn a profit on bigger-ticket costs such as land and construction materials.

Legal questions

Beyond the implications for the citys housing, the council might have skirted state law for handling rezoning changes when it rejected Core Spaces plans last month.

Council members are required to articulate their reasons for denying a rezoning in the public record, a standard that the citys legal team thought was not met at the June 20 meeting, City Attorney Michael Haas said on Tuesday.

Under state law, the city cannot compel developers to include low-cost units in their projects either, which meant the city ran the risk of getting sued by Core Spaces, Downtown Ald. Mike Verveer, 4th District, had said in the weeks between the two votes.

In addition to the Core Spaces project, the council had another development-related vote on Tuesday.

Members authorized putting about $6.3 million in tax incremental financing (TIF) funds toward a development on the North Side that would put low-cost units and senior housing near the former Oscar Mayer meat processing plant.

That development, located on the 2000 block of Roth Street, would provide 303 units for those making up to 60% of Dane Countys median income, or $62,280 for a household of three, and 446 parking spaces. Rents would be limited to $1,200 for a one-bedroom, $1,500 for a two-bedroom and $1,700 for a three-bedroom unit.

The senior housing component of the project would provide 250 units with the same income and rent restrictions as the family housing, 1,130 square feet of commercial space and 289 parking spaces.

With TIF, the city and other local taxing entities agree to freeze property values in an area. Tax revenues from growth are then invested in private development or public infrastructure. When investments are repaid, the district is closed and the higher-valued property is fully returned to the tax rolls.

How college admissions have changed in the last 80 years How college admissions have changed over the past 80 years 1944: GI Bill supports higher education access for veterans 1950s: Colleges begin using early admission 1958: National Defense Education Act creates federal scholarships to increase STEM research 1959: The American College Testing Program is created 1965: Higher Education Act provides additional financial aid opportunities 1975: The Common App is created 1992: The FAFSA is created Present: Schools begin to eliminate SAT/ACT as entry requirements
The National Labor Relations Board is investigating whether Madisons TruStage violated federal labor law while trying to negotiate a new labor contract with its union, which represents 450 company workers, the NLRB said Thursday.

TruStage is an insurance company that provides financial services to thousands of cooperatives, credit unions and other customers around the world. It serves about 7,000 credit unions alone and brought in $5.2 billion in revenue in 2022. The business has about 4,200 total employees, with 1,750 in the Madison area. The most recent contract between the union and company expired in February 2022.

The NLRB said it found merit in the Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 39s charge that TruStage unlawfully withheld information it was required to provide the union during the collective bargaining process. It said it is still investigating four other allegations within the charge.

The charge the NLRB has acted on was filed in February. There are at least nine additional unfair labor practice charges that await a decision by the NLRB, the union said.

Of the five February allegations against TruStage (part of the one charge), the NLRB is not pursuing four of them, Barclay Pollak, TruStage spokesperson said Thursday afternoon, adding that the NLRB wants more information about one of the allegations.

We are providing that information, he said.

According to the union, negotiations on a new labor contract between the company and OPEIU Local 39 are ongoing. The union also said it is organizing a march and rally at 9 a.m. July 29 on Capitol Square.

The NLRB investigation comes after the union went on strike for a few weeks in the spring.

Photos: Art Fair on the Square
Every Wisconsin Badger should thank Gov. Tony Evers for his vetoes in the 2023-25 budget. He states that this budget funds many needs of Wisconsin and Wisconsinites, but the Legislature should solve some of our most disabling problems with the remaining surplus.

One problem many business people, legislators from both parties, and family bread winners know is the need for more workers. What can our state government do to assist more working age people to be able to hold down a job?

Child Care Counts is such a successful program. This pandemic relief program provides millions to ensure available quality child care across the state by supporting staff and providers, which keeps care programs open.

Evidence of this nationwide program's success is that 77% of women of working age were employed in February -- more than in 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Access to affordable child care played a big part in this.

The governor's challenge to the Legislature to fund Child Care Counts with $340 million of our remaining budget surplus would help ensure more parents will be able to continue working.

Working together as a state we can accomplish a program that will aid Wisconsin families, businesses and attract workers to Wisconsin.

Bill Dagnon, Baraboo
The Idaho Department of Fish & Game, including regional partners including Lee Family Radio and the South Central Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, will host a free fishing event Saturday at Freedom Park Pond in Burley.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Spanish-speaking staff and volunteers will assist at the event aimed at introducing people to the sport of fishing, especially those from the Hispanic community.

The Take Me Fishing Trailer will be there with poles, bait and other fishing gear available for use for free. No fishing license is required when registering with the Take Me Fishing trailer.

Staff and volunteers will be available to teach fishing basics.

For more information, call the Magic Valley Regional office at 208-324-4359.
When police officers at the Kimberly-Hansen Police Department have some free time, its not uncommon for them to knock on a few doors of the last known addresses of people who have active warrants against them.

Police Chief Jeff Perry admits that the probability of success isnt great, as a high percentage of the individuals being sought no longer live there, but the intent is to do what they can to chip away at the lengthy warrant list.

But that is just one tool law enforcement officers have to bring those on the lam back into custody. Besides knocking on doors, tracking down people who have active warrants following up on tips, and, if law enforcement officers are fortunate enough, people will turn themselves in on their own.

In addition, numerous routine traffic stops have uncovered people who have been trying to evade arrest warrants.

Most wanted mugshots

The Twin Falls Sheriffs Office has seen great success by putting out a most wanted mugshot each week that is routinely printed in the Times-News and shown on television.

Lori Stewart, sheriffs office spokesperson, estimates that about 75% of the people are brought back in custody.

I dont know whether people are turning them in, if they turn themselves in, or how the results come to be, Stewart said. I just know it seems to work.

From May 26 to June 30, four of the five most wanted individuals were taken back into custody, including Charles Jack Hansen, 64, on a charge of unlawful possession of a destructive device, to Michael Anthony Shipley, 34, suspected of lewd conduct. Only Arley Monterrosa, 36, charged with sexual battery, remains at large.

Looking at the list

Sgt. Kevin Loosli of the Twin Falls Police Department has done his part of looking for people who have active warrants. As part of the special investigations unit, he said the most recent warrants get the most attention.

I would print out the last two weeks of warrants, Loosli said. Thats what I would typically focus on because it was fresh intelligence.

Often, there would be leads from the Crime Stoppers tip line that can lead to the apprehension of somebody with an arrest warrant.

Monitoring video telephone calls made to inmates has also reaped dividends. Twice, Loosli recalls, people an officer recognized were nabbed in mid-conversation while they spoke to inmates  one was in a public space and the other from a motel room.

Turning themselves in

The Twin Falls County warrant list dropped by one on July 6 when a woman turned herself in on a case from February 2020.

Alicha Nichole Rogers, 34, from Portland, Oregon, was charged with prostitution and marijuana possession following a police sting, and posted a bond of $300 on each charge, court records say. She failed to show up for a court hearing in October 2020 and a bench warrant was issued.

She told Magistrate Judge Thomas Kershaw that she had been in regular contact with prosecutors, and the reason she failed to show up for the court hearing was because the court documents were sent to an incorrect address.

Rogers, who said she was trying to obtain her real estate license, said she didnt have money to post the bond which had since been raised to $10,000. A relative said he would pay the cost of her bus ride back to Oregon, she said.

Kershaw viewed Rogers story with suspicion and asked why it took so long to appear.

In the end, Kershaw agreed to release her from jail, noting the charges against her were relatively minor.

Thank you for your trust, Rogers said, vowing to get her legal matters settled. She has a pre-trial conference set on Aug. 8.

Kershaw noted it wasnt the first time he has released someone from jail without having to post a bond.

Sometimes Ive regretted it, he said.

Fake identities

Routine traffic stops often yield people wanted on warrants, but it sometimes involves unscrambling information told to them by people in the vehicle.

Often the person will say he doesnt have his drivers license with him and give a fake name, or the name of a relative, Twin Falls Sheriffs Lt. Aaron Koopmans. But with some digging and looking at drivers license photos on file, officers can uncover the persons real identity.

Loosli said some people will admit they have the warrant, accompanied by a reason they didnt come to a court hearing.

The Twin Falls Sheriffs Office, due to limited resources, doesnt have a team specifically designated to track down people with warrants, Koopmans said.
The 22-year-old man from Junction, Utah, was driving a GMC pickup east on 990 South, the Idaho State Police said, when he drove off the right shoulder, through shrubbery and back onto the roadway. The vehicle then went through a fence in a parking lot, where it overturned and came to rest on its side.
There were only a few miles of sagebrush between Frances Clark and a herd of roughly a dozen pronghorn that the local botanist and citizen scientist thought she might not see this year, or for years to come.

I was thrilled, Clark said, remembering peering out into Grand Teton National Park for her glimpse at those animals on May 23. I was tremendously relieved that they were there, and there in some numbers.

Clarks sighting was one of the first times  if not the first time  that pronghorn were spotted in the park this spring. Her observation and subsequent surveys by state and federal wildlife biologists have allayed fears that a brutal winter and new respiratory illness would wipe out one of the countrys most iconic migration routes: The Path of the Pronghorn.

By mid-May, starvation and pneumonia had killed every collared animal that took the path in 2022, venturing from the Sublette Pronghorn Herds winter ranges in the Upper Green River Basin to green summer pastures in Grand Teton. While some were expected to make the journey, it wasnt a guarantee, Wyofile first reported.

I was worried that no pronghorn would make it back, park wildlife biologist Sarah Dewey said. The good news is that some pronghorn survived and migrated back. The memory for that migration is still in the herd.

Because all the collared animals died, biologists cant say with complete certainty that the pronghorn in the park made the migration route. But theyre all but certain that the animals are migrants. Jackson Holes winter was severe enough to kill any pronghorn remaining in the valley when snow started falling.

The pronghorns return to the park is not, however, without risk.

Wildlife managers arent sure whether pronghorn can carry mycoplasma bovis, the respiratory pathogen thought to have killed 1,000 or so antelope near Pinedale this winter. The question is: Do antelope die when they contract the pneumonia? Or can some live, carry the disease and pass it along to other animals?

If the latter is true, state and federal officials wonder if pronghorn migrating to Grand Teton could carry the pathogen with them and spread it to the parks bison herd, which is roughly 500 animals strong.

Thats the million-dollar question, said Samantha Allen, state wildlife veterinarian.

Researchers rarely detect mycoplasma bovis in wildlife. This winter was only the second time its cropped up and killed a significant number of pronghorn in the Cowboy State, the first being 2020 when it claimed the lives of some 450 antelope near Gillette. It has not been detected in Grand Teton National Parks bison.

The disease is typically found in cattle, which can carry the pathogen with no clinical signs and arent often severely affected. Infected bison, however, typically contract pneumonia and die. Reports of the disease in farmed bison have shown that it causes death in up to 50% of infected animals. The fact that some bison have been documented surviving infection is a sign they can carry and transmit the disease, Allen said.

Pronghorn, on the other hand, appear to just keel over when confronted with the biological storm.

All these pronghorn just seem to be dropping dead, Allen said.

Thats a bad sign for pronghorn but could be a good sign for park bison. If pronghorn cant survive long enough to carry the disease with them through the Gros Ventre Mountains, it might not reach the park.

But the Wyoming Game and Fish Department wants to gut check that assumption. A pronghorn buck that died in Pinedale in May has biologists worried that some pronghorn may be carriers. Allen said the state wants to sample more apparently healthy animals to determine if theyre infected, but asymptomatic.

Park officials, meanwhile, are on alert. Grand Teton wildlife biologist Dewey compared mycoplasma bovis to a related bacterium: Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, which can lead to respiratory disease such as pneumonia in wild and domestic sheep and goats.

Domestic sheep have introduced the bacterium to wild bighorns through intermingling, including in the Gros Ventre mountains, where pneumonia die-offs have caused sheep populations to crater every time they reach about 500 animals.

Dewey doesnt want to see something similar happen to Grand Tetons bison herd. Similar die-offs, followed by disease persistence in the bison population, could be devastating, she said.

We dont know exactly how mycoplasma bovis might impact bison, but it is very concerning, Dewey said. It is something that were thinking about and trying to learn as much as we can about.

The hope is to prevent the pathogen from being introduced into the bison herd, she said: Were trying to avoid that at all costs.

While research into pronghorns potential pestilence plays out, park and state scientists are keeping an eye on the pronghorn that made it back to the park. Like Clark, the botanist, theyre celebrating their return.

However, there arent all that many animals to celebrate.

Recently, park scientists used a fixed-wing aircraft to fly over the park and count pronghorn in transects, or pre-established plots of land, that were about a half-mile apart. That survey methodology isnt a census, meaning it doesnt capture a picture of all pronghorn in the park. Rather, its an annual study intended to gauge whether pronghorn population numbers in Jackson Hole are going up or down.

When the plane flies in June, the park typically counts about 200 animals. This year, park officials counted only nine. From other observations, Dewey said there are clearly more animals than that in the park: At least 25.

Aly Courtemanch, Wyoming Game and Fishs Jackson-area wildlife biologist, has received reports of about 10 near Lupine Meadows, about 25 near Elk Ranch and smaller groups near Antelope Flats.

But, she said, theres definitely a striking lack of pronghorn compared to what you normally see.

How many pronghorn return to the park remains to be seen. Game and Fish typically conducts its ground survey in August, when pronghorn begin to congregate for the breeding season.

In the past few years, biologists have counted north of 500 pronghorn in Jackson Hole  record high totals that include animals in Grand Teton, on the National Elk Refuge and in the Gros Ventre mountains.

Counts later this summer are all but certain to be far lower.

As it stands, park officials have seen three does with fawns. Pronghorn often have twins. Each of the spindly, ungulate mothers only had one offspring this year. But Dewey said there are likely other animals with young.

Pronghorn have endured severe winters before, and the population has rebounded, Dewey said. Its really good news that some of the pronghorn made it back and that we have seen some signs of reproduction.

Dewey said the recent rain will probably help the fawns survive.

The forage is really abundant, so these animals have an opportunity to put on weight, Dewey said. If those fawns survive, itll be another generation that makes that migration, and itll build back.

As nature takes its course, Dewey said its critical to conserve habitat outside of the park. Game and Fish also has slashed tags for this years pronghorn hunt, hoping to give the fecund animals a chance to reproduce.

The Path of the Pronghorn is recognized and protected on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, where it became the first federally recognized migration corridor in 2008. The state of Wyoming has yet to establish similar protections for the southern reaches of the route, which stretch through gas fields and new suburbs.

The key is really conserving habitat, and all types of habitat: The movement corridor and the wintering and summer areas, Dewey said. If were able to do that, Im optimistic that this herd can build itself back up.

In the meantime, visitors should give pronghorn space. Grand Teton regulations require people to stay 25 yards or more away from all wildlife, and 100 yards or more away from bears or wolves.

If animals respond when people approach, humans are too close.

To be able to pack on the pounds to make that migration and be prepared for next winter, they really need to be spending time foraging rather than being vigilant because they feel threatened, Dewey said.
Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Fred Pascual underscored the importance of strengthening trade cooperation between the Philippines and China, particularly in investment relations.

Pascual said with China being the Philippines largest trading partner, the department warmly welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in the country.

We welcome investments from Chinese enterprises to the Philippines further to enhance the bilateral relationship between our two countries. Such investments can take advantage of the development momentum brought about by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement to which the Philippines and China are signatories along with 13 other countries in the East and Southeast Asian Region, he said during the China (Zhangzhou)-Philippines Economic and Trade Cooperation and Exchange Briefing on Thursday.

The event included presentations from different bureaus and projects and a signing ceremony organized by the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in the Philippines and Zhangzhou Municipal Peoples Government.

China is the countrys largest source of imports and the third-largest export destination in 2022. The visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to China brought home investment leads amounting to $22.8 billion.

Pascual noted the favorable business climate in the Philippines given its strategic geographical location and recently enacted reforms that will provide simplified procedures, enhance transparency and promote investor-friendly policies.

He also cited a range of sectors that would be potential investment destinations such as petrochemicals, agriculture, e-commerce, logistics, medical/health industries, green industries, tourism and education.

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The Department of Health (DOH) will look to adopt organized screening for breast cancer in communities as more and more Filipino women succumb to the disease every day.

Breast cancer remains the top cause of death in Filipino women, the DOH said.

In a round table talk, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire discussed the departments plans to incorporate organized screening in the country as part of the governments universal healthcare plan.

Organized screening would really be the key and I agree very much to that, because as part of the Department of Health, we are really for the prevention side of things. Now with this primary healthcare, meron po talaga tayong dapat gawin when it comes to breast cancer, Vergeire said.

About 3 in every 100 women in the country are diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. There are also 27,000 new cases of breast cancer reported every year, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

Vergeire pointed out that health literacy remains a problem among Filipinos which can become a barrier for cancer treatment and screening.

No matter how much you tell the patients in the community, they will not agree to self-testing or screening for breast cancer. There should always be guidance for self-examination, she added.

The official also said that she will be pushing for organized screening to help more women understand the importance of getting screened during the probable early stages of cancer.

The DOH estimates that around 70 to 80 percent of women go to cancer centers because they already feel or see symptoms of the disease among themselves.

The Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines organized the discussion on Inspiring conversations on breast cancer in the Philippines to ensue conversation on the disease now that the positivity rate has risen to 3.43 percent every one thousand patients.

[Breast Cancer] is the most common cancer worldwide and leading cause of cancer death among women, said Christine Fajardo, chairperson of Swiss Chamber Philippines.

Congress has boosted funds for cancer prevention to a total of P1.054 billion, with P500 million on the line for the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAA)  prioritizing breast, childhood, gynecologic, liver, adult blood, head and neck, lung, prostate, renal, and urinary bladder cancers.

Dr. Corazon Ngelangel, President of the Philippine Cancer Society, pointed out that women often do not undergo cancer treatment because of their fear of surgery and chemotherapy and financial constraints.

The support of family members also factors in as a probable solution to convince the patient to undergo treatment.

The Department of Health also emphasized that they will be expanding KonsulTayo, the primary health package for PhilHealth to aid cancer patients with financial constraints and accessibility. They are also set to expand procedures and primary medication for chronic and basic conditions.

Undersecretary Vergeire called on Local Government Units (LGUs) to help them achieve population-based organized screening for breast cancer.

Our voices will be heard as one, we unify our efforts and give more hope to our cancer patients, She said.

The Philippine Cancer Society currently advocates for online breast health consultation for women aged 40 to 64 years old.

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Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra on Thursday said the International Criminal Courts prosecutor could proceed with an indictment of certain individuals if there is sufficient evidence.

This was predicated, however, on the possibility that the appeals of the Philippines against a resumption of the ICC drug war probe are dismissed, Guevarra hinted.

Meanwhile, the ICC has set July 18 for the release of a ruling on the appeal of the Philippine government against its decision to allow the courts prosecutor to proceed with the probe on the killings in the drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte and the so-called Davao Death Squad.

If it is dismissed, the ICC prosecutor will be authorized to resume his investigation into the Philippine situation and he may indict certain individuals based on whatever evidence he may be able to gather, Guevarra said.

Guevarra made the statement as the ICCs appeals chamber is expected to issue next week its decision on the Philippines appeal.

In a three-page order signed by Presiding Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, the appeals chamber said; Judgment in the above appeal will be delivered in open court on Tuesday, 18 July 2023 at 10h00.

Asked if Duterte and other officials of his administration may be among those who could be indicted, Guevarra said, Anyone may be charged with enough evidence.

During the previous administrations controversial drug war, at least 6,200 suspects were allegedly killed in police operations based on government records. But human rights groups the actual death toll could be anywhere from 12,000 to 30,000.

However, Guevarra insisted that the countrys domestic institutions were investigating and prosecuting the abuses committed in the drug war.

It will not change the fact that our own domestic institutions are investigating and prosecuting abuses committed in relation to the governments campaign against illegal drugs, said Guevarra, who also served as head of the Department of Justice under Dutertes watch.

We can discharge this responsibility with or without the ICC, he added.

Nonetheless, Guevarra expressed optimism that the Philippines has a fair chance of getting a favorable ruling.

Duterte pulled the Philippines out of the Hague-based tribunal in 2019 after it began a preliminary probe into his drug war, followed by the launch of a formal inquiry later that year.

The investigation was suspended in November 2019 after the Philippine government said it was re-examining several hundred cases of drug operations that led to deaths at the hands of the police, private hitmen, and vigilantes.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan had asked to restart the inquiry, saying the Philippine government had not provided evidence it was carrying out thorough inquiries.

The ICC authorized the reopening of the inquiry in January 2023.

In an appeals brief filed in March, the Philippine government sought a reversal of the decision of the ICC to reopen an inquiry.

Duterte, for his part, has continuously dismissed the ICC probe.

On Tuesday, 18 July 2023, at 10:00 (The Hague local time), the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) will deliver, in open Court, its judgment on the appeal of the Philippines Government against ICC Pre-Trial Chamber Is authorization, pursuant to Article 18(2) of the Rome Statute, to resume the investigation of the Prosecutor, the international tribunal said in a media advisory late Wednesday.

Five judges comprise the Appeals Chamber, namely Presiding Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, Judge Piotr Hofmanski, Judge Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza, Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa, and Judge Gocha Lordkipanidze.

The Philippine government appealed the decision of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber in January this year to allow the resumption of the probe.

The Pre-Trial Chamber had said it was not satisfied that the Philippines was undertaking relevant investigations that would warrant a deferral of the Courts investigations on the basis of the complementarity principle.

The Philippine government, in its appeal filed in March this year, said the ICC probe lacked legal foundation and reiterated its argument that the ICC no longer has jurisdiction over the Philippines since it had already withdrawn from the Rome Statute.

The Philippines also insisted on its position that the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber failed to consider the Philippine governments willingness and ability to carry out its own investigations.

Under the complementarity principle, the ICC would only step in if a state is unwilling or unable to genuinely carry out its own probes.

Responding to the appeal, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said the Pre-Trial Chamber was correct in authorizing the resumption of the probe despite the Philippines jurisdiction objection because what matters is the period when the alleged crimes were committed  when the Philippines was still a party to the Rome Statute which created the ICC  and not when the investigation was opened.

He also cited grounds why the ICC should step in: the Philippines, according to him, is not probing the same persons for the same conduct which the ICC seeks to investigate.

The investigations the Philippines presented to the ICC so far did not extend to high-ranking officials, including Duterte and former Philippine National Police chief-now Senator Ronald dela Rosa who have been previously mentioned in prior ICC Prosecutor and Pre-Trial Chamber rulings, Khan said.

Neither were alleged killings by private individuals nor those committed in Davao the subject of probes in the country.

The ruling from the Appeals Chamber on July 18 is expected to settle these issues.

If the authorization to proceed with the probe is affirmed, the ICC Prosecutor will continue with its investigation.

The Philippine government had sought a temporary suspension pending the resolution of its appeal but that was denied by the ICC Appeals Chamber.

Under the Rome Statute, the Prosecutor, after the start of the probe, could apply for a warrant of arrest with the Pre-Trial Chamber.

The Pre-Trial Chamber could issue the arrest warrant if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person has committed a crime within the jurisdiction of the ICC and if the arrest is necessary either to ensure his appearance during the trial, or to ensure that the person will not obstruct or endanger the investigation, or to prevent the continuing commission of the crime.

The ICC could then request a state party to the Rome Statute to effect the arrest.

In the alternative, the ICC may issue a summons requiring the person to appear.

The trial at the ICC, however, can only proceed if the accused is present.

The July 18 announcement of the Appeals Chambers ruling will be livestreamed and is open to attendance by journalists for coverage, members of the diplomatic corps, NGOs, and other members of the public in the tribunals seat at The Hague in The Netherlands.

Duterte canceled the Philippines membership in the Rome Statute, ICCs founding treaty, in March 2018. It took effect a year later.

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China on Wednesday accused the United States of masterminding efforts to rally countries against Beijing and instead support the 2016 decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated its expansive claims to the South China Sea and upheld Manilas exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement released by the Chinese Embassy in Manila, China accused the US of mobilizing countries to gang-up on Beijing to pressure it into accepting the arbitral ruling.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said it deployed additional assets to the Kalayaan Group of Islands in the West Philippine Sea amid continued Chinese incursions in the disputed waters.

Additional ships were deployed in the islands to hold sovereignty patrols, which AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said was part of the militarys mission to protect Filipinos and the state together with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Aguilar did not disclose how many assets were deployed but assured the AFP would devote more time to patrol wider areas in the West Philippine Sea, the part of the South China Sea in which the Philippines says it has sovereign rights, and that sovereignty patrols would be done more often.

On the 7th anniversary of Manilas win in its arbitration case against China, Beijing on Wednesday night said the US has been pushing more countries each year to commemorate the ruling.

As the mastermind behind the South China Sea arbitration, the US ropes in allies to play up the issue each year on the anniversary of the illegal award to gang up against China and to exert pressure, and force China into accepting the award, the embassy statement said.

We are firmly against this, it added.

Chinas remark came after a growing number of countries openly expressed support for the Philippines in the maritime rowa development welcomed by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo.

Among those countries include the US, an ally of the Philippines; Japan, which also has disputes against China over the East China Sea; Australia, which shares the same waters with the Philippines and China; India, which shares a border with China; and the UK; France and other European nations.

On July 12, 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled that Chinas nine-dash line, which it cites as basis to claim the West Philippine Sea, a part of the bigger South China Sea, is contrary to the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

UNCLOS is an international agreement, which both the Philippines and China ratified, that establishes a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities.

In the same statement, China said it will never accept any claim or action based on the award.

Arguing that its rights and interests in the South China Sea were established in the long course of history, China said its claims are solidly grounded in history and the law and will not be affected by any award.

China then urged countries outside the region to respect its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

It also called on them to stop using the South China Sea issue to drive wedges among regional countries, and refrain from being a troublemaker to peace and stability in the South China Sea.

JAKARTA TALKS

Meanwhile, top US and Chinese diplomats will hold their second meeting in as many months on Thursday in Jakarta, seeking to manage tensions that risk flaring anew over alleged Chinese hacking.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Wang Yi, Chinas top foreign policy official, will meet on the sidelines of Association of Southeast Asian Nations talks in the Indonesian capital, the State Departments public schedule showed.

The meeting is going ahead despite Microsoft saying two days earlier that Chinese hackers had breached US government email accounts, including those of the State Department.

The Jakarta talks come nearly a month after Blinken traveled to Beijing, the first visit by a US secretary of state in nearly five years, and met President Xi Jinping as well as Wang and Foreign Minister Qin Gang.

Wang, who leads the foreign affairs commission of the Chinese Communist Partys Central Committee, is representing China at the Jakarta talks among foreign ministers as Qin is ill, the foreign ministry in Beijing said.

Blinkens trip opened a flurry of diplomacy, with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visiting Beijing last week and a trip by climate envoy John Kerry set for the coming days.

But the United States has still not achieved its key goal of resuming dialogue with the Chinese military, seen as critical to avoiding worst-case scenarios.

Tensions between the worlds two largest economies have soared in recent years over a host of issues including Chinas growing assertiveness in the region and sweeping restrictions imposed by the United States on exports of advanced semiconductors.

US officials fear China is readying plans to invade Taiwan, the self-governing democracy it claims, and want to preserve the status quo that has reigned, often uneasily, for nearly five decades.

Neither the United States nor China has predicted breakthroughs from the renewed diplomacy, but both have spoken of making sure that disagreements do not lead to outright conflict.

Blinken spoke in unusually sanguine terms about China after his trip to Beijing, avoiding the Cold War-like talk of a long-term global confrontation with the rising Asian power that was popular under former president Donald Trumps administration.

At least in the near term, maybe even in the lifetimes of most people in this room, I dont think (there is) a clear finish line, Blinken said of US goals in China during a recent appearance at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

This is more about getting to a place where we have peaceful and maybe somewhat more productive coexistence between us.

But incidents have repeatedly crept up to overshadow the relationship.

Microsoft this week said that a Chinese hacking group had gained access to nearly 25 organizations with the goal of espionage.

The State Department said it detected anomalous activity but stopped short of publicly blaming China, saying an investigation was underway.

Blinkens first plan to visit Beijing was scuttled in February after Washington said it detected a Chinese spy balloon over the mainland United States.

SCS TENSION

The South China Sea is set to be a major topic at the ASEAN talks in Jakarta, where Washington and Beijing will both take part in an 18-nation East Asia Summit with foreign ministers on Friday. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

China claims almost the entirety of the strategic waterway and several ASEAN members complain about Beijing infringing on their own overlapping territorial claims.

Wang addressed ASEAN ministers before talks Thursday morning as did Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who will be in the same room Friday as Blinken for the East Asia Summit meeting.

It will be their first encounter since a brief March meeting in India but no bilateral talks are expected between the two diplomats as Moscows widely-condemned invasion of Ukraine grinds on.

ASEAN will also meet jointly with the foreign ministers of China, Japan and South Korea, a dialogue in place since the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

MYANMAR

The crisis in coup-racked Myanmar that has divided ASEAN members will also be on the list of topics addressed, said Teuku Rezasyah, international relations expert at Padjadjaran University.

Japan and South Korea have an interest to prevent Myanmar from joining Chinas orbit, he said.

Thailands foreign minister on Wednesday said he met with ousted Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi last week and Bangkok has sought engagement with Myanmars ruling junta, drawing criticism that it is undercutting ASEAN efforts.

A Southeast Asian diplomat said a joint ASEAN communique after theblocs two-day ministerial meeting earlier this week was still being worked out and would come on Thursday, a day later than expected.

In other developments:

* Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III and Senator Grace Poe warned against the filing of another case versus China before international courts to assert the countrys sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea. Let us not re-litigate what we already won. When we file something, we are actually giving the other side a chance to bring up their planned original argumentwhich they did not bring up because they boycotted the proceedings, Pimentel said in an ANC

interview on Thursday. Poe added that if the country files another case, the ruling might change. Usually the ones that reopen the case are the ones that lose, she said.

* Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu said Canberras strengthened military alliance with the Philippines is only a form of deterrence and diplomacy and will not necessarily create tension in the South China Sea. Yu said Australias enhanced military partnership with the Philippines, which includes more joint maritime exercises, is not a form of escalation.

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JakartaEconomic cooperation and the disputed South China Sea will be on the agenda when Southeast Asian foreign ministers meet their Chinese, Japanese and South Korean counterparts for ASEAN-plus-three talks on Thursday.

China will be represented at the talks by top diplomat Wang Yi instead of Foreign Minister Qin Gang after Qin pulled out for health reasons, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and his South Korean counterpart Park Jin will also attend.

The grouping was established after the 1997 Asian financial crisis to develop better economic ties between Southeast Asian nations and East Asian powers.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations members include this years chair Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, the Philippines and Myanmar.

Experts said the South China Sea will be a priority because China claims almost the entirety of the strategic waterway and several ASEAN members complain about Beijing infringing on their own overlapping territorial claims there. AFP

South China Sea is probably going to be one of the issues discussed during the ASEAN-plus-three meeting in light of recent tensions in the area, said Aleksius Jemadu, professor at Pelita Harapan University in the capital Jakarta.

The waterway is an important shipping route and is crucial for both Tokyos and Seouls global supply chains.

Western and Asian powers have been rattled by Beijings increasing assertiveness in the region, where it is applying pressure on self-ruled Taiwan and its patrol vessels have clashed with other nations ships.

The crisis in coup-racked Myanmar will also be on the list of topics to be addressed because it is a thorny issue that divides ASEAN members, said Teuku Rezasyah, international relations expert at Padjadjaran University.

Japan and South Korea have an interest to prevent Myanmar from joining Chinas orbit, he said.

Recent meetings of the group have discussed ways to better cooperate on health and economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic to make the Asia-Pacific region one of the dominant drivers of global economic growth.

ASEAN ministerial meetings will also be held around Thursdays ASEAN-plus-three talks with countries that will be taking part in Fridays 18-nation East Asia Summit.

That includes India, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, China, Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Jakarta on Thursday morning and will meet ASEAN members the next day. AFP

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Washington, DCChinese-based hackers seeking intelligence information breached the email accounts of a number of US government agencies, computer giant Microsoft said.

The threat actor Microsoft links to this incident is an adversary based in China that Microsoft calls Storm-0558, the company said in a blog post late Tuesday.

ato email accounts at approximately 25 organizations including government agencies.

Microsoft did not identify the targets but a US State Department spokesperson said the department had detected anomalous activity and had taken immediate steps to secure our systems.

As a matter of cybersecurity policy, we do not discuss details of our response and the incident remains under investigation, the spokesperson said.

According to The Washington Post, the breached email accounts were unclassified and Pentagon, intelligence community and military email accounts did not appear to be affected.

But the paper reported Wednesday evening (Thursday in Manila), quoting US officials, that State Department email accounts and that of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo were hacked.

Raimondos agency has angered China by imposing tough export controls on Chinese technologies.

CNN, citing sources familiar with the investigation, said the Chinese hackers targeted a small number of federal agencies and the email accounts of specific officials at each agency. AFP

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VIRGINIA BEACH  A statue of a Confederate soldier that once stood near Virginia Beachs City Hall will be moved to private land in the southern part of the city and maintained by a foundation.

The City Council unanimously approved the relocation Tuesday. The monument has been in storage for three years.

Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, which provides visitor services to 20 Civil War battlefields and other related historic sites, will take over ownership and is partnering with two organizations that originally wanted to keep the statue in Virginia Beach: the United Daughters of the Confederacy Chapter 435 and Princess Anne Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 484.

Two years ago, the Confederate groups and the foundation had originally proposed separate ideas for the monument, but the City Council didnt accept either because both required the city to take on too much cost and responsibility.

Under the approved arrangement, the city will pay to move and install the 27-foot tall statue, pedestal and base next to an existing family cemetery on a private farm on Stowe Road, according to city documents. The foundation will be responsible for on-going maintenance.

Virginia Beachs Confederate statue was originally placed outside of the old Princess Anne County Courthouse near Princess Anne and North Landing roads in 1905. The area was previously used to sell slaves. The Confederacy fought to preserve slavery and monuments honoring those soldiers were erected after the Civil War ended.

Activists held protests across the state in 2020 calling for the removal of the Confederate monuments amid nationwide anti-racism protests. In June 2020, city officials covered the monument and placed a barrier around it.

Virginia Beach removed the statue the following month and placed it in storage.

The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation is currently working to enhance and expand access to Civil War historic sites and will relocate a Confederate soldier statue that was removed from Charlottesville to a battlefield.
We live in a world which appears to lack a lot of empathy. For example, peoples recent reactions to the deaths of five people killed on the OceanGate vessel were cold and callous.

Some posted images of their own oil or gas tanks and made senseless and ugly jokes about the implosion of the craft. This is nothing new. I can remember being in high school when the Challenger space shuttle broke apart during launch. People poked fun at the event, making jokes about the astronauts on the mission. Most notably, the social studies teacher who trained with NASA.

It is human nature to make sense of an event by making a joke out of it. It might be a way some people grieve a tragedy. Yet, these things are no light humor. They hurt and offend peoples sensibilities. It is shameful.

It is true, people hear about death on the news and become immune. We hear about recent mass shootings and often turn the channel or switch to a different internet site. News passes through our brains in fleeting ways, and we become numb or refuse to feel human loss and human tragedy. Do we really know how to feel anymore?

Part of the lack of empathy stems from a dwindling respect for human life. It is a sad fact, but many individuals do not value the concept of life anymore. Case in point, there are politicians in a few states who want to argue for governments to provide the legal right to abort a baby at full term. Perhaps it is time to have a larger discussion about human life and human values. Sure, there are a lot of issues attached to the subject of life. Yet, having those discussions can guard us against some of the cynicisms of our current culture.

There are continued signs our cynicism is growing. This attitude shows in the language we all hear everywhere we are. In the last 50 years, the language people use with each other continues to deteriorate. It is the language of cynicism filled with more cuss words and F-bombs.

There is a dwindling in gracious and respectful speech. This type of speech comes from a profound ignorance regarding communication and manners, but also a lack of respect and empathy for one another. Language, and the way we speak to one another gets worse and worse. If people cannot properly speak to one another, then they cannot completely get to a point where other issues and concerns can be addressed. Part of the reason for our current political polarization results from the ways in which we communicate. Many of our current conversations ooze with cynicism and a lack of appropriate speech.

Moreover, another symptom pointing to a dearth of empathy is the faith which people either have lost, or are losing, in various provisions and institutions. There is a lot of cynicism in society regarding having faith and attending church. There are increasing attacks on schools and curriculums where many parents have lost trust with academic institutions.

There are other social institutions which lack attendance and participation because people find it easier to communicate through streaming services and their cellphones. As good as those things are, we have also seen an increasing of instances where people experience social isolation and depression. If someone does not feel healthy and emotionally stable, it is difficult to fight off a cynical disposition and show empathy.

It is easy to sometimes feel the brokenness of life and to believe things are not going to get better, but they often can and will. It is easy to watch the news and think things are all bad, and sometimes it is an honest thought, but stories are not all negative. There is so much good happening around us, and committed people, filled with empathy, compassion and hope are showing up for each other. We watch people being neighborly all the time.

Part of showing empathy, and fighting cynicism, is practicing the art of the pause. Pausing to show affection toward one another, saying a kind word, going out of our traditional daily patterns to make an impact in the lives of others. Showing up for another person is a very important and empathetic thing. It certainly helps us be on guard against our own callous thinking.

And if it is possible in that pause to say a prayer for those who perished in a horrible accident or those struggling with some internal or external battle, and to remember their families and their loved ones, then we are going a long way to fighting cynicism within ourselves and recognizing empathy.

A final word about humor: We need it. Laughing with a person is a hearty medicine and a way we can recover feelings with one another, but it can also be used in disingenuous and disrespectful ways. We must be on guard against it because those things are expressions of our character.
France remains the top destination for sub-Saharan students, with 14% of them studying there, followed by the United States and Canada, both of which have seen significant growth in recent years, according to a latest report by Campus France.

France remains the top destination for students from sub-Saharan Africa, with 14% of students from the region studying there, ahead of the United States (10%) and South Africa (7%). This is true even despite the increasingly lively competition between old and new host countries. The new study titled The Major Trends in Sub-Saharan African Student Mobility published by Campus France analyses the latest developments in this key region which has 430,000 students (7% of the world total).

Students from sub-Saharan Africa are particularly mobile: 4.8% of them study abroad, compared to 2.7% on average worldwide. Sub-Saharan students represent nearly 7% of all degree-seeking students abroad, while they constitute only 3.7% of all students in the world.

In terms of the primary countries of origin, students from Nigeria are the top cohort among sub-Saharan African students studying abroad, with 71,700 students in 2020, followed by students from Cameroon (27,000) and Zimbabwe (19,100), which represent 6% and 4% of sub-Saharan students respectively. Interestingly, the number of mobile students from Ghana and Cote dIvoire has increased significantly since 2011, as it grew by +62% and +87% respectively in the last five years.

According to the report, in 2021-2022, France welcomed nearly 92,000 students from sub-Saharan Africa, which represents 14% of international students from the region and 23% of foreign students in France.

The US is the second most-favored destination for sub-Saharan African students, hosting 10% of the total 430,000 degree-seeking study-abroad students. In recent years, both the US and Canada have seen a sharp increase in the number of sub-Saharan students they host. South Africa and the United Kingdom, the 3rd and 4th host countries with 30,300 and 27,800 sub-Saharan students respectively, have seen a drop in student arrivals compared to 2015. The increased demand for studying abroad among sub-Saharan students has also led to the emergence of new destinations: Canada, Morocco, Turkey, Germany, and Portugal.
Around twenty trucks have been set on fire in South Africa in recent days, the police announced on Wednesday, in a mysterious series that is causing concern and has been described as economic sabotage by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Unknown assailants set fire to four trucks in the north-eastern province of Mpumalanga on Wednesday, the latest in a series of similar incidents that are causing concern among transport professionals and business circles.

We know that these are not isolated criminal acts, but something organised, said Police Minister Bheki Cele at a press conference in Pretoria. Intelligence suggests that the attacks on the trucks are linked to business, he said, adding that the investigation was continuing. Around 80% of all goods are transported by truck in South Africa, according to the South African trade union SATAWU.

South Africa is a major exporter of minerals and agricultural products. Goods and raw materials produced in other African countries pass through its ports on their way to Europe, Asia and the United States.

The fires started on Sunday, the second anniversary of the July 2021 riots that began with the burning of trucks and plunged the country into the worst violence since the end of apartheid in 1994. However, there is currently no evidence to link the recent arson attacks to the deadly unrest of 2021, which left more than 350 people dead, according to Cele. The truck attacks took place in three provinces on some of the countrys main roads.

Drivers were forced out of their vehicles at gunpoint by assailants who then set fire to the trucks, said SATAWU Secretary General Jack Mazibuko. Speaking on Sunday after the first incident, President Ramaphosa expressed concern about the potential negative impact of these fires on the economy. This is almost economic sabotage, he told local media.

South African truckers have complained in the past about the recruitment of foreign drivers. A nationwide protest in 2019 sparked a wave of xenophobic violence that left five people dead. No arrests have been made so far after this series of fires, police added.
Six people were killed on Wednesday in several Kenyan towns during anti-Government demonstrations banned by the authorities against new taxes, two police sources revealed.

We have three dead in Mlolongo near the capital Nairobi, where a group of demonstrators had blocked the road to protest and we also have two others in Kitengela and one in Emali, respectively 30 km and 120 km south of the capital, said a police source, who requested anonymity. The death toll in these three towns was confirmed by another police source.

After the violence, Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki issued a warning that the authorities would no longer tolerate it.

Lives have been lost, scores of law enforcement officers and civilians have been grievously injured and unimaginable loss to the countrys economy has been occasioned, he said in a statement condemning widespread violence, looting and destruction of private and public property.

In Nairobis Kangemi slum, dozens of children were hospitalized, some unconscious, after teargas was fired near their classrooms, the head of the clinic said. We took 53 of them to the hospital and they are all now in a stable condition awaiting discharge, he specified.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga, pursuing a protest campaign against the government, had urged demonstrations against a tax law that has seen fuel prices surge, adding to the difficulties faced by poor Kenyans.
The Sao Tomean President said on Wednesday that the country is going through a deep crisis at various levels, after 48 years of independence, so he insisted on the need for dialogues between political and social actors.

In his speech at the Central act of Independence Day, in the city of Guadalupe, in the district of Lobata, (in the northern part of Sao Tome), Carlos Vila Nova said that the country still faces immediate problems, which have been aggravated by the unfavorable international situation, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Poverty continues to rage, the energy crisis persists, the purchasing power of the people of Sao Tome is increasingly weak, there is a lack of employment, especially youth employment, the business fabric is extremely fragile, justice does not respond satisfactorily to the quarrels that plague society, said Carlos Vila Nova.

The Sao Tomean Head of state added that the countrys health system does not offer the people of Sao Tome the satisfaction of their needs, private investment is incipient and often killed at birth for various reasons, families are increasingly unstructured and political forces do not converge on priorities and the best way to lead the countrys destinies.

According to the Sao Tomean President, the path to the achievement of economic independence in Sao Tome and Principe has been long and difficult, and is currently unable to generate jobs and wealth and guarantee progress, development and a better quality of life for all Sao Tomeans.

The weakness of our economy, as a result of dependence on international aid, insularity, less correct decisions taken over the years and challenges that we have not been able to overcome in these 48 years, have led the country to a situation of decay, the harmful effects of which have been felt on the lives of the populations very acutely in recent times, emphasized Vila Nova.

The Head of State stressed that Sao Tomeans have been facing real and immediate problems that also require real and immediate solutions, which must be adopted with the effort, dedication, persistence and contribution of all.

The moment is not and cannot be one of division, but of unity. It is not and cannot be one of confrontation, but of harmony. It is not and cannot be of agitation, but of tranquility, it is not and cannot be of arrogance, but of humility, it is not and cannot be of dispersion, but of convergence, it is not and cannot be of paralyzing disagreements, but of constructive criticism, he defended.
The Executive Council of the African Union (AU) opened its 43rd ordinary session in Nairobi on Thursday, with the participation of a Moroccan delegation headed by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.

During this session (July 13-14), the AU Executive Council will consider the report of the 46th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), as well as the report of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat on the implementation of the Area and the theme for the year 2023 (Year of the AfCFTA: Accelerating the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area).

The meeting will also review the reports of the Executive Council and ad hoc Committees, the AUs Partnership Strategy and Policy Framework, as well as issues related to the environment, climate change and the blue economy, with a special focus on the challenges and prospects for integration in Africa.

The AUs institutional reform will also be discussed, as well as the concept note and roadmap for the AU 2024 theme on education.
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"The end of AIDS" is still possible by 2030, the United Nations insisted Thursday, but cautioned that the world's deadliest pandemic could only be halted if leaders grasped the opportunity.

"AIDS can be ended" as a public health threat, the UNAIDS agency said, as it outlined a roadmap of investment, evidence-based prevention and treatment, empowering civil society and tackling the inequalities holding back progress.

UNAIDS said ending the pandemic was, above all, a political and financial choice.

"We are not yet on the path that ends AIDS," the agency's executive director Winnie Byanyima said, but "we can choose to get on that path".

The UN first set out in 2015 the target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Byanyima said the greatest progress on HIVthe virus that causes AIDSwas being made in the countries and regions that have invested strongly.

She cited eastern and southern Africa, where new HIV infections have dropped by 57 percent since 2010.

Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe have already achieved what are called the 95-95-95 targets.

This means that 95 percent of those living with HIV know their status; 95 percent of those who know they have HIV are on life-saving anti-retroviral treatment; and 95 percent of people on treatment to achieve viral suppressionand therefore highly unlikely to infect others.

At least 16 other countries are close to achieving the target.

They include eight in sub-Saharan Africathe region where 65 percent of HIV-positive people liveand Denmark, Kuwait and Thailand.

39 million living with HIV

In a report, UNAIDS said that two decades ago the AIDS pandemic seemed unstoppable, with more than 2.5 million people acquiring HIV each year and AIDS claiming two million lives annually.

But the picture is now dramatically different.

UNAIDS said that in 2022, 39 million people globally were living with HIV, of whom 29.8 million were accessing anti-retroviral therapy. Those missing out include 660,000 children.

The numbers on anti-retroviral treatment have near-quadrupled from 7.7 million in 2010.

Furthermore, 82 percent of pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV had access to anti-retroviral treatment in 2022, compared to 46 percent in 2010which has led to a 58 percent drop in new infections in children.

Around 1.3 million people became newly infected with HIV last yeardown 59 percent from the peak in 1995.

Meanwhile 630,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses, and it is still the "number one killer" in countries including Mozambique, said Byanyima.

"Overall, numbers of AIDS-related deaths have been reduced by 69 percent since the peak in 2004," the report said.

'Dependent on action'

"The end of AIDS is an opportunity" for today's leaders to be remembered as "those who put a stop to the world's deadliest pandemic", said Byanyima.

"We are hopeful, but it is not the relaxed optimism that might come if all was heading as it should be. It is, instead, a hope rooted in seeing the opportunity."

Funding for HIV fell back in 2022 to $20.8 billionaround the same level as in 2013, and well short of the $29.3 billion needed by 2025.

Laws that criminalize people from key populations, or their behaviors, remain in place in many nations, UNAIDS said, giving the example that criminalization, and stigmatization, of drug injectors prevents them from coming forward for treatment.

HIV continues to impact key populations more than the general population, it added.

In 2022, compared with adults aged 15-49 in the general population, HIV prevalence was 11 times higher among men who have sex with men; four times higher among sex workers; seven times higher among people who inject drugs; and 14 times higher among transgender people.

 2023 AFP
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For those fearing their memories are fading, the ads provide hope.

"Early diagnosis extends quality of life," says an ad by Dung Trinh, an Orange County physician, on the website of a program for seniors at Mount of Olives Church in Mission Viejo.

Trinh offers free memory tests and personalized recommendations based on the results. He gives scores of lectures a year at assisted living homes, senior centers, churches and Rotary Clubs in Southern California, telling audiences how they can keep their memories sharp. He describes himself as a medical missionary and "healthy brain" expert.

All this helps in his job of recruiting patients for a private company's clinical trials of experimental drugs for Alzheimer's disease.

The studies Trinh is recruiting for are part of a new gold rush in pharmaceutical research that was sparked when federal regulators approved two new drugs for Alzheimer's. Trials of those two drugs have shown at best modest results in slowing cognitive decline.

The Food and Drug Administration's controversial approval of the two drugsAduhelm and Leqembicame as the country struggles with caring for a fast-rising number of Alzheimer's patients with no cures to help them. More than 6 million Americans have Alzheimer'sa total expected to double in the next 25 years.

After the manufacturers priced the first two medicines at more than $26,000 for a year of treatment, other companies sped up their efforts to complete clinical trials of their experimental drugs. More than 57,000 research subjects are needed for the planned trials of more than 140 experimental drugs for Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in May. A drug that meaningfully improved memory function could extend the quality of life for millions of people while saving billions of dollars in healthcare costs.

The increasing sums spent to recruit older people with memory problems to these experiments gives some doctors pause. They say that people with dementia can confuse the helpfulness of clinical trial recruiters with actual medical care from doctors, an outcome that scientists call a "therapeutic misconception." The purpose of a clinical trial is to test an experimental drug, these doctors point out, and not to provide medical care.

And the trials have been the subject of intense debate. More than 95% of the studies of dementia drugs have failed to show the therapy slows memory decline. Plus, the drugs come with adverse effects, sometimes serious. At least three people participating in trials of Leqembi died, although its maker has questioned whether the drug was the cause, saying the number of deaths was similar to the rate in the placebo group.

The two new drugs and many of the others being studied are monoclonal antibodies that are designed to clear amyloid, a protein that can build up in the brain. They are given by intravenous infusion and come with a risk of bleeding or swelling in the brain. In the trials of Aduhelm, 40% of participants suffered from brain bleeding or swelling.

Aaron Kesselheim, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said scientists performing the studies need to make sure patients with memory problems understand the risks.

"This is a population that may not fully understand the consent process," Kesselheim said. "The investigator needs to be very careful to make sure people know what they are getting involved with."

Peter Whitehouse, professor of neurology at Case Western Reserve University, said trial investigators can "earn phenomenal amounts" for the patients they recruit.

"There's a bias for them to want to get people into these studies," said Whitehouse, who has studied the financial conflicts of interest in Alzheimer's research. In some cases, he has found, "they overpromise the likely results of these trials and create false hope."

Trinh is an executive at privately held Irvine Clinical Research, which says it "is the leading independent site" for Alzheimer's drug trials in California. The company has long focused its recruitment efforts in Orange County, with its large retirement communities, including Laguna Woods Village, which has 18,500 residents.

Late last year, Trinh expanded the company's reach by setting up an office in Long Beach called the Healthy Brain Clinic, where he said he hoped to reach more Black patients and other minorities.

He holds "lunch and learns" where people can get a free meal while hearing his health tips. All his services are free to the patients, he explained in a February podcast. Pharmaceutical companies eager for new study volunteers are picking up the tab, he said.

His assistant assured the podcast audience that there was "absolutely" no danger for volunteers. "The patient's health is our No. 1 priority," she said.

In September, an 84-year-old grandmother from Lake Forest signed herself up for a trial at Irvine Clinical Research. The woman's daughter said she did not learn of the clinical trial until weeks later when her mother suffered a sudden decline, acting confused and unable to remember what day it was. The family took her to the doctor, who ordered an MRI, which showed she had suffered a stroke.

The daughter asked that the family not be named so she could speak openly about her mother's medical condition and treatment. The daughter said her mother had been worried about her memory but had not been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

She allowed The Times to review documents from the trial of the experimental drug called remternetug, which is owned by Eli Lilly, as well as the woman's medical records confirming the stroke.

The woman signed a 21-page consent form, which listed risks of the drug.

Her daughter said her mother had recently struggled to make sense of her monthly electric bill.

"How was it even possible for her to consent to this study?" her daughter asked.

Federal regulations say that a person without the mental capacity to understand the consent form in a trial may not be enrolled unless a legally authorized representative consents on the subject's behalf.

The FDA recommends that scientists running the study consider having an independent monitor such as a clinician unaffiliated with the trial's sponsor determine whether patients have the mental capacity to know the risks in the consent form.

"From an ethical perspective, you want to make sure that people understand information that's given to them," said Emily Largent, a bioethicist at the University of Pennsylvania.

"Even well-intentioned investigators can sometimes have a conflict of interest," she said. "It can help to have somebody who's looking at the situation a little bit more dispassionately to maximize protections for individuals."

In October, the woman received the first drug infusion in the trial. When she didn't show up for later visits, Irvine Clinical Research repeatedly sent Ubers to pick her up at her mobile home park, her daughter said, which the family sent away.

The Times spoke to the woman this month. She said she did not remember going to Irvine Clinical Research or any of the visits described in the documents. "When did I go there?" she asked.

Ralph Lee, chief executive of Irvine Clinical Research, declined to answer questions, including how his company had ensured elderly patients had the capacity to understand the consent form and whether it used an independent expert. "We keep information about clinical trial participation strictly confidential, so we cannot answer your request," he wrote in an email.

Trinh did not respond to repeated voicemail and email messages.

Irvine Clinical Research has performed other research for Eli Lilly. The trial company's executives wrote on LinkedIn that they had enrolled more people into studies of donanemab, Lilly's other experimental drug for Alzheimer's, than any other trial site in the world.

Tarsis Lopez, an Eli Lilly spokesperson, said that the drug company's research is subject to review by an independent institutional review board, which must approve trial protocols and consent documents.

The protocol for remternetug required participants to have Alzheimer's disease that "has not progressed beyond the mild dementia stage," he said.

"Lilly takes the safety and well-being of our valued clinical trial participants very seriously," he said. "We are saddened to hear when anyone participating in a clinical trial experiences challenging medical issues, but we cannot comment on the specific circumstances of individual participants in ongoing clinical trials."

Advarra, the private-equity-backed, for-profit institutional review board that Lilly hired to oversee the trial, declined to comment.

Performing clinical trials can be a lucrative business. A study of 225 clinical trials performed between 2015 and 2017 found that it cost pharmaceutical companies an average of more than $40,000, and as much as $75,000, for each test subject completing a trial.

Trials of Alzheimer's drugs are especially expensive, according to USC researchers, because of the difficulty in recruiting patients and the extensive testing required of each participant. Drug companies typically pay the recruiting company $600 for a cognitive test, $2,400 for an MRI and up to $8,000 for a PET scan, the researchers said. Volunteers are often compensated as well.

Pharmaceutical companies are willing to pay those sums because a drug that wins approval can bring in many billions of dollars. Eisai, the Japanese company that sells Leqembi, one of the two drugs conditionally approved by the FDA, expects worldwide annual sales of the drug to reach $7 billion by 2030, the company's executives said in March.

The FDA initially approved Leqembi and Aduhelm under accelerated approval rules that are used for drugs greatly needed by patients but not yet backed by studies proving their potential benefits.

On July 6, the agency granted Leqembi full approval based on an Eisai study that showed the drug slowed the rate of cognitive decline by 27%. Some doctors question whether that figure, which represents less than a half-point on an 18-point scale of cognitive function, constitutes a meaningful improvement for patients.

Irvine Clinical Research is just one of dozens of for-profit companies recruiting Alzheimer's patients in California and across the country. The pharmaceutical companies also pay universities to recruit patients, but they often turn to the private research sites where there can be less bureaucracy to navigate.

"Drug companies have found that academic institutions can be difficult to deal with," Whitehouse said. "So they like these private operators, who basically set up their own system to do trials and can be much more efficient at enrolling patients."

Of the 76 sites recruiting patients for Lilly's remternetug trial, one is a university.

Parexel, a trial operator owned by two private equity funds, including one controlled by Goldman Sachs, recruits patients using a method similar to Irvine Clinical Research's. It created what it calls "a community memory clinic" on the campus of Glendale Adventist Medical Center.

In a medical journal article about the clinic, Parexel staff explained the company was recruiting patients for the earliest human trials of experimental drugs, including Phase 1. Such trials often involve small numbers of people because little is known about the experimental drug's effect in humans. The employees wrote it was difficult to get people to sign up for these trials because they come with higher risks and require complex invasive procedures such as lumbar punctures.

The Parexel employees wrote that they had "significantly increased" the number of people referred to the company's clinical trials by hosting lectures for seniors and then asking audience members a series of questions on their cognitive abilities. Those who appear to suffer from memory problems are invited to the memory clinic for a battery of neurological tests, they wrote.

If the staff concludes the person has mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease, the article said, the person and their family are given recommendations and told about available clinical trials for which they could volunteer.

Parexel told The Times in a statement that the doctors and staff operating the memory clinic were separate from those performing the clinical drug trials. "The memory clinic does not manage clinical trials, it does not administer investigational drugs," it said.

If the clinic finds a person has cognitive decline, the company said, the results are provided to the participant's primary care physician for a diagnosis.

"Patient safety is always the highest priority," Parexel said.

The company said that a physician running the trial makes sure participants are competent to understand the study risks by quizzing both them and their family members about the information in the consent form. It said the physician is employed by a medical group not owned by Parexel.

Since Parexel's memory clinic opened in 2016, more than 400 people have had cognitive evaluations, the company said, but less than 3% were deemed eligible to participate in a clinical trial.

When pharmaceutical companies pay for the clinical trials, they control what information gets released.

Eli Lilly began testing remternetug in 2018 but decided to stop the Phase 1 trial after enrolling 36 healthy adults. The company did not release the results.

Six months after the Lake Forest woman entered the trial at Irvine Clinical Research, Lilly released data on 41 participants in a second Phase 1 trial.

The company said the drug had led to "rapid and robust amyloid plaque reduction" in the subjects' brains and that the results supported its continuing research.

A close look at the data shows that 24% of the subjects suffered brain swelling and 17% had bleeding in the brain, according to the study. One of the 41 volunteers had both brain bleeding and swelling and attempted suicide.

David Knopman, a professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, reviewed the data for The Times and noted that the cases of brain swelling and bleeding increased as test subjects were given higher doses. He described the case of the participant who attempted suicide as a "serious symptomatic adverse event."

The question, he said, is if investigators used the same dose in 200 people, how many of them would suffer similar complications. "And then the next question is, what's the limit for where it becomes unacceptable?"

Knopman said that while the data showed the drug reduced levels of amyloid plaque, scientists don't know whether that leads to improvement in cognitive abilities. "They removed amyloid, but you don't know if that had any clinical benefit," he said. That question is still being studied.

FDA guidelines say that recruiters trying to enroll people into studies should not imply that the experimental drug is safe or effective. Recruiters also should not promise free medical treatment, the agency said.

In a May 2022 webinar for residents of the Covington, an assisted living facility in Aliso Viejo, and other senior residences owned by ECS, Trinh told the audience they could get free tests to look for amyloid plaque in their brains at his office.

"Just give a call whenever today, tomorrow," said Trinh, after giving the audience his email address and phone number.

"If we scan your brain or if we draw your blood and we see plaque, then we have medications in clinical trials that are designed to remove the plaque," he said. "Our goal is plaque removal before there's significant damage because that's where prevention comes in."

2023 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Maps of total sickle cell disease rates per 100 000 population. (A) Birth incidence. (B) All-age prevalence. (C) All-age cause-specific mortality. (D) All-age total sickle cell disease mortality among males and females combined in 2021. Credit: The Lancet Haematology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3026(23)00118-7

Reducing the burden of sickle cell disease (SCD) requires substantial financial and political commitment to improving dataccollection, diagnosis, treatment and training. Doing so will positively impact the lives of millions of patients and families worldwidesays a new Commission published in The Lancet Haematology journal.

The Commission publishes shortly after another study has provided the first estimates of the full global mortality burden of SCD, revealing a strikingly high contribution of SCD to all-cause mortality that is not apparent when each death is assigned to only a single cause. The study suggests there were 376,000 global SCD-related deaths in 2021, compared to 34,400 cause-specific deaths.

With over half a million babies born with SCD in 2021, the Commission highlights how newborn screening for SCD can lead to babies with the disease receiving life-changing treatment before symptoms develop and calls for all babies worldwide to be tested for SCD by 2025 to prevent long-term complications of the disease.

The Commission also shines a light on the unequitable treatment of SCD. Penicillin, methods to protect against malaria, the drug hydroxyurea and blood transfusions all have good evidence to show they reduce deaths and long-term consequences of SCDhowever access and use of these treatments and reduction methods is poor, particularly so in low and middle-income countries where most people with SCD live. There is a shortage of healthcare and scientific professionals with expertise in SCD, as well as a lack of trials aimed at developing novel treatments. This problem is particularly severe in most of sub-Saharan Africa and India, and the Commission argues there is an urgent need for trials specifically designed for people in these countries.

The Commission says that in the context of increasing global inequalities, partly driven by racism, previous calls for action on SCD have been largely ineffective. There is an urgent need for all people with SCD to be given access to minimum specific health care no matter where they live and for funding programs for research in all aspects of SCD to be prioritized and increased.

Dr. Frederic Piel, of the Imperial College London and chair of the Commission, says, "Whereas the majority of major causes of death are decreasing, the number of deaths due to sickle cell disease is increasing globally. The costs required to reduce the risk of sickle cell disease is beyond the reach of most individuals in sub-Saharan Africa and India where the disease is most prevalentit needs to be directly funded by governments. With adequate engagement of governments, the changes identified in our Commission are achievable and will improve the lives of people with sickle cell disease throughout the world."

In a patient viewpoint published alongside the Commission, Lwimba Kasongo, a sickle cell disease patient and advocate from Zambia, says, "I grew up in a supportive family, but nothing could have prepared me for the stigma and mockery I experienced at school and as an adult. I lived in fear because I was told that I would not live long, I made no plans, and had no dreams or hopes for the future. In junior high school, I told my parents that I would not go to college as I thought I was going to die at age 16 years. I spent my teenage years isolated and with very little social life, as I was frequently in and out of hospital. I felt the pain of being different, added to the constant physical pain crises and the dependency on medicine and blood transfusions; I wondered why I was born and what the meaning of my life was."

More information: Azalea M Thomson et al, Global, regional, and national prevalence and mortality burden of sickle cell disease, 20002021: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, The Lancet Haematology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3026(23)00118-7 Frederic B Piel et al, Defining global strategies to improve outcomes in sickle cell disease: a Lancet Haematology Commission, The Lancet Haematology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3026(23)00096-0 Journal information: The Lancet Haematology